The Black Rose

-- For you, the sun will forget to shine. The day won't b r e a k... -- Anais Despereaux. Age 43. Professional assassin/thief/spy-for-hire. [[ Borderlands AU account for this OC. ]]

[bitterthief]

[[ WHOA. Okay, so, after a long and unplanned hiatus... It looks like I'm back. ]]

[roomsfilledwithrimlesspride]

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[bitterthief]

Maybe there’s a God above But all I’ve ever learned from love Was how to shoot somebody who outdrew you. It’s not a cry that you hear at night; It’s not someone who has seen the light. It’s a cold and broken Hallelujah...

[bitterthief]

Master of the Universe || Anais & Jack

[handsome-jackass-deactivated201]

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[bitterthief]

Through The Ghost || Angel & Anais

[hyperions-angel-blog]

The young woman shook her head. “Don’t apologize. I understood.” She considered the older woman; the invitation seemed to startle her, or arrive otherwise unexpectedly. But to Angel, it was her first real chance at… something akin to normalcy in her usually sterile world. Someone new to talk to. Someone real. Someone else who might even… care about her.

“Only if you have the time.” She returned Anais’s smile after a few moments, her hand lifting to the side of her glass dome once more. “But I would too.”

[bitterthief]

"I can make zhe time."   If Angel wanted a friend, then by god, she'd get one. While Anais generally cut herself off from the world in her own way, she'd never been forced to endure it on the level that Angel had. As if her situation wasn't bad enough already, the poor girl had been tolerating this isolation her entire life. The thief's hand rose to touch the glass as well, a look of determination crossing her pale, lined features. "I promise."

[bitterthief]

Through The Ghost || Angel & Anais

[hyperions-angel-blog]

“Free time.” Angel nodded with a smile, gently, hoping the minute adjustment of the term wouldn’t offend the redhead too greatly. “I’m afraid I maybe have a bit too much of it myself, sometimes…”

She glanced around the room, noting again the lack of comfortable seating for any visitors. “If - if you wanted to,” she offered hesitantly, “I wouldn’t mind having you visit, whenever you did find the time.” It was strange, being able to extend the offer. Angel was used to nearly exclusive one-way communication; a full back-and-forth conversation was something she’d have to get used to.

[bitterthief]

"A-ah. I am... apologizing," she replied, the faint blush of embarrassment rising in her pale cheeks once more. Upon hearing Angel's offer, however, she froze. Was that... an invitation? Until now, she'd been terrified that Angel wouldn't like her, or turn her away... and if Angel disliked her, where would that leave her relationship with Jack?  A faint, but warm smile tugged at the corners of her mouth, straining the lines that marred her face. "... I would enjoy zhat."

[bitterthief]

[bitterthief]

Through The Ghost || Angel & Anais

[hyperions-angel-blog]

It had been a long time since Angel had felt anything resembling fatigue. Pain, certainly. Boredom and ennui. Satisfaction and even, a few times, exhilaration. But tiredness, exhaustion - they were strangers to her now.

She lifted her head, almost curiously. “Don’t be sorry. You’ve - been away.” The girl smiled, gently. “I imagine it gets… draining. To be always on the move.”

[bitterthief]

"Ah... oui," she replied, giving a small nod as affirmation. "It is 'ard to find, eh... 'ow you say... freeing time."  In fact, the woman couldn't recall the last time she'd actually been able to get a regular amount of sleep. She slept for an hour or two at the most, and even then, her dreams were plagued with nightmares, memories she'd rather not revisit. 

[bitterthief]

[mechomanced-deactivated20130702]

“Ohhhh” she giggled innocently understanding what Anais meant. She felt bad for not understanding her. “Death Trap. Yep. I cut off my arm so it’s easier to bring him back to life” she gave Anais a smile. “Don’t worry he’s not scary, want me to show him to you?” She asked hoping she’d say yes. She’d love to show Anais her friend.

[bitterthief]

"Back to life...?" she repeated, looking fairly confused. Was this girl some sort of magician? The dead couldn't be brought back to life... Then again, she'd spoken of cutting off her arm, so perhaps it came with a sacrifice. Having lost her eye in a rather painful manner and experiencing the subsequent pain and recovery period, she couldn't help but wonder how the girl had been able to stand hacking off an entire limb. "Ah... oui. If you would like." 

[bitterthief]

-- The soft, familiar start-up buzz springs from the audio log, followed by a long silence. Finally, a quiet sigh breaks the air. -- "... I visited Angel today. Again. She is, ah... she is a very nice girl. Pretty... but so sad. She says she is not, and acts like it is not a boz'er to 'er, but... I can tell. She is wanting to go out. When I am wiz 'er... I wonder 'ow different I would be if--..." -- She pauses to swallow a lump in her throat and emits a shaky sigh, an almost pained tone seeping into her voice. -- "... if my daughter 'ad been born. Would I be like zhis? I am glad to know zhis girl, but I cannot 'elp but zhink of what I 'ave lost. ... Per'aps zhis is good. Per'aps... I can protect 'er, zhe way I was unable to protect mine." -- The audio log clicks off, leaving a powerful silence in its wake. --

[friendshipstates]

Your character has just discovered my character's journal/diary.

Leave a  ☱ in my askbox for an entry that’s about you.

[larcenyistheleastofyourworries]

The Dust? What in the hell would be out there, other than the only way into the Eridium Blight—Wait. That might have been his answer.

“Do you remember when? How recent? It’s important that I find both of them. Surely you understand.” Much as he wanted to run off and investigate that area of Pandora, it was bound to be a waste of time. “I’ve already shown you pictures of them. In the event that you find either of them alive, I will pay you in whatever way you’d like if you bring them to me.”

[bitterthief]

Alive, huh? Clearly, her job description had flown over his helmet. She specialized in information and assassination, not... kidnapping, or whatever this was supposed to be. Still... the prospect of a high payment was too good to pass up. Of course, since he knew about these two girls, perhaps he dealt in information as well. If that was the case, he might know the whereabouts of the men responsible for killing her family.  "... it is a deal, zhen. I will find zhe girls."

[larcenyistheleastofyourworries]

I’m assuming this frequency is your communicator. I’m transmitting something to you now.

Do you recognize either of these women?

[bitterthief]

She stared at the image projected from the screen, studying the two women's faces. Did one of them have... green hair? Odd, but that certainly wasn't the strangest thing she'd seen on Pandora. Their faces were vaguely familiar, but she couldn't be sure. The only people she bothered remembering were those she was sent after.  "... I... I zhink I remember zhe one wiz short 'air," she replied, a heavy French lilt dripping from her words. "Out, eh... out in Zhe Dust."

[bitterthief]

larcenyistheleastofyourworries replied to your post: I’m certain you’ve seen some things. Do you deal in information, or do you remember faces well? There are two young women I need to find.

Your face looks very worn, exhausted by more than the usual physical means. If my assumptions are incorrect, then you have my apologies.

-Stiffens slightly, her sole eye narrowing in thought.- ... non. You are correct. What is it zhat you are wanting of me? 

[bitterthief]

Through The Ghost || Angel & Anais

[hyperions-angel-blog]

Angel’s eyes fluttered slightly wider. I suppose we’ve given up entirely on keeping up appearances, she chided herself, distantly. The slight inaccuracies of the other woman’s English didn’t impede Angel’s understanding, but she found herself focusing on one particular phrase.

Normal girl, she heard as if inside an echo chamber. Plain and simple. Two words Angel had long stopped thinking of to describe herself. But if that was really how she appeared to new eyes… she didn’t detect any niceties or attempts to spare her feelings. No, it was sincere.

She smiled, a little flustered, as she ducked her chin momentarily before lifting it again to look back at Anais. “I guess that’s right,” she said, a lighter tone in her voice, to her own surprise.

[bitterthief]

To Anais, Angel was nothing more than a young girl with a stroke of bad luck. Disease was common on Pandora; it wasn't unlikely that Angel had been stricken as well. At least, here, Jack could keep her safe from further harm or exposure. With a small nod, she glanced down at her lap, lifting a hand to rub at her eye. When was the last time she'd slept...? After returning from her latest assignment, she'd barely had enough time for a shower before she slipped down here to see Angel.  "Ah... I am sorry," she forced out, trying to withhold a yawn. 

[bitterthief]

I'm certain you've seen some things. Do you deal in information, or do you remember faces well? There are two young women I need to find.

[[ WHOA OKAY TUMBLR. It never alerted me of this message… D| ]]Young… women? Zhat is a bit… vague. I could ‘elp you if I knew more.But, ah… what it is zhat makes you certain of zhis? Zhat I ‘ave, ah… ‘seen’ zhings?

[bitterthief]

Through The Ghost || Angel & Anais

[hyperions-angel-blog]

Words used to come easily to Angel, face to face, but that was years ago, before a wide network, video-screens, and immeasurable HUDs had come between her and the outside world. The regression of her interpersonal abilities was, if not entirely outwardly visible, plainly apparent - at least to her - and it was certainly deserving of a mark of disappointment in herself.

She tried to reframe her apology, to give it context. “I’m not sure how much… Dad’s told you, but I can imagine seeing me like this… It might not have been what you were expecting.”

And there was that hesitation again. After so much time hiding her true face and intentions from the bandits and the Vault Hunters, the more natural thing was to refer to her father by his name.

[bitterthief]

The thief merely shook her head, paying no regard to Angel's hesitation. Truthfully, Jack had only told her that his daughter had a pressing condition that required her to be kept in a certain environment. From what she'd gathered from their time together, Jack would go to any lengths to keep his daughter safe -- even if it meant hiding her away from the rest of the world.  "Ah... 'e did not tell me much," she said, lifting her head to meet Angel's gaze once more. "But... from what I see, you are just a normal girl in, ah...  bad circumvention." 

[bitterthief]

Through The Ghost || Angel & Anais

[hyperions-angel-blog]

“There’s no need for that.” Angel tried another reassuring smile, seeing the awareness come back into the other woman’s eye again. As much a surprise as it had been to her that Jack would let anyone else know about his daughter, she could imagine the compounded reaction her actual state might provoke, especially on top of an already-established relationship.

“I should be the one apologizing… I’m so used to being here that I forget what it must look like, on the other side.” Her smile took on a slightly sheepish quirk.

[bitterthief]

She merely blinked and stared at Angel, tilting her head slightly. What on earth was the girl apologizing for? What did her apology even mean? The thief simply couldn't comprehend any of it.  "Ah... I am not understanding what is wrong."  If Jack had been there, he would've corrected her and earned a little frustrated pout from the redhead. Still, whatever Angel said in response would only leave Anais at a loss for words once more.  It seemed to be a recurring theme for the two.