dead☠serious

☠Affiliated with Citta-Alveare. A roleplay blog for "Bloody" Marie of Skullgirls. Of particular note, can shoot her fireballs for 3x per day and has control over the undead for thirty minutes. Her murderous vacuum is also with her. Resides by choice in the depths of District Alpha and is currently of the Vigilante rank--with a rather skeletal motorcycle.

[mankindillneeds]

Like Devo. [Intro/Open]

The world was strange and unreal to him - a far cry from the Wallachia of the 18th Century. It was bad enough that half the concepts in the city were unfamiliar to him, but the lack of his belongings was a more pressing concern. Still, he had been given money to use in this city, and therefore knew what to do.

He had heard this part of the sector was like some sort of giant market, perhaps here he’d be able to find what he needed. He moved from store to store, hoping that somewhere he’d find what he needed…

Three hours later, he stood in a clearing of people; reduced to asking random strangers for a little help. Most ignored him as soon as he talked to them; the rest, on the other hand looked at him funny and cut him off when he actually revealed what he was looking for. It was strange to the hunter.

Still, not one to give up so easily, he simply turned to the next person and tapped them on the shoulder as they walked by, quickly reaching the pace of their walk. He nodded is a way that was more formal than friendly, and then started speaking;

"Excuse me. I’m… new to the area and am looking to purchase a whip. Do you know of any suitable places where I can find one?”

[bonestopickwith]

The flood of newcomers was endless. Marie closed her eyes. When she did actually deign to travel the city, usually she was met with either the typical chaos or confused citizens.

Like now.

The request was rather curious--and also something she, admittedly, disliked. Whips. Nothing reminded her more of slavedrivers than whips. What decent fellow would want to wield such a thing?

Exuding an air of pure indifference, the Skullgirl replied because she was polite by nature and nothing more. Her ethereal voice echoed slightly.

"If you're looking for a specific sort of whip, I would try the Culture Sector. Otherwise...The northwestern shops."

Red eyes narrowed slightly but she said little else, although she maintained steadfast eye-contact. 

[seraphaithless]

“What is there to feel distraught about? Well, I suppose I am speaking from bias. I was dead even before this…’assimilation’ process began. The only issue seems to be a debilitating thirst…and a bizarre skin condition, when it comes to sunlight. I cannot say I care for either.”

[bonestopickwith]

"I can claim the same for myself--it'd be stranger to be alive, if anything. The lack of panic is due to the fact it's most likely temporary."

"As for the thirst, it's undeniably unpleasant, though I don't imagine you'd prefer to burn in sunlight than suffer any damage to your pride?"

[bonestopickwith]

"With the amount of undead present, you'd think another Skullgirl had risen. Anyone feeling distraught regarding undeath, or are you too busy sucking blood to care?"

[toontowntroublemaker-blog]

Here Comes The Night Train (Event) Closed@Marie

[toontowntroublemaker-blog]

A silent moment passed as Peacock caught and wasted her breath, swishing cigar smoke around in her mouth as she sat. She supposed she could just relax now, what with Marie looking so vigilant, but the situation made it hard not to feel… tense. Still, she perked up at her friend’s agreement.

"Paint, schmaint!" Peacock piped up excitedly. "My car’s already red, anyway! Yeah, yeah, yeah, let’s do it!"

She was halfway off the floor in her excitement before Marie finished speaking, promptly flopping back down. “Oh. Right. When I’m rested.”

It was hard for her to sit still in times like this! Peacock began fidgeting impatiently, chugging out smoke like a train engine working overtime. Only Marie’s question served to distract her from the sense of boredom.

"Oh, sure," she answered nonchalantly. "I can still get sick an’ die an’ stuff. ‘M still human. It’s just… harder to? Is all."

She shook a hand at Marie. “No worries, though! If yer talkin them—” Airquote— “‘Zombies’ out there, I’m good. I mean, I seen what lettin ‘em sink them teeth into ya leads to, so I know not ‘ta let ‘em get that far.”

Peacock gestured to a few suspicious rips in her clothing on her legs. “Okay, so maybe I hadda couple close swipes.” A wink, and she knocked on her leg, producing a dull ringing sound. “But ya can’t infect metal, heh heh.”

[bonestopickwith]

She wasn't going to complain because she didn't need to breathe and Patricia enjoyed the cigars, but...It was irksome. Distantly so, like most of her emotions were, though she knew if she was still human she would have blown her top at her friend for actually puffing on the things. So much smoke...

However, situations changed and now her priorities had shifted beyond things being clean. Mostly.

Her wary stare flashed with amusement as Patricia's excitement showed. And then went back to being vaguely worried. "Fortuitous as that is, you really should show more caution--"

The sound of Patricia's fist hitting metal cut her off. It was quiet but seemed to reverberate in her ears--the Skull Heart snickered. Marie didn't think about it, convinced herself not to think about it, forced herself not to think about it...because if she did she'd think of the slavers, and then the Medicis, and she didn't know what to do with her hatred when she couldn't target the Mafia. (Look what they did. Look what they did to her!)

Marie clasped her hands behind her and continued her pacing, wordlessly dropping the subject. Her shoulders were stiff. "...Then at least we have a course of action set."

[mastersnowdrift]

Train Ramblings - CA Closed | BonesToPickWith

[mastersnowdrift]

Snowdrift understood entirely. “Undead servants…I assume that’s another means that the Skull Heart has for defending itself?” He closed his eyes. “Well…that fight may well have allowed her to gain even more combat proficiency in a unique environment.”

That was an understatement. The ground had frozen under their feet after Peacock detonated a gasoline-based explosive. Not exactly something that was supposed to happen…but they’d live.

Barely.

"That is one of the few fights I’ve had in this place." Snowdrift stated quietly. "Most of my encounters have been far more peaceable. Which is both a good thing and a bad thing." He closed his eyes for a moment and let loose a long sigh. "I’m heavier than i was when I arrived. This great belly…" Snowdrift patted it for emphasis and rolled his eyes, "certainly demands a good deal of food, but my exercise routines have been stymied…of late."

[bonestopickwith]

Marie nodded at what was probably a rhethorical question. "I assume that a being called the Skull Heart would have something to do with death," she said dryly, but with no real malice. She still looked pleased because anytime she heard about Patricia generally being her usual self, it was heartening to an immense degree.

Hah! Eating. She hadn't been able to eat in months. Weird how much one missed that.

"Perhaps it'd be in your best interests to form a martial sparring hall? A tournament, a protective force...anything that would have you use your talents appropriately. I'm certain you're not the only one that's weary of inactivity. Though do remember that a tournament needs an incentive to enter...though pride may suffice."

That was an honest response. Now, though, the Skullgirl decided she had spoken enough. She could sense the train slowing again and she stood, eyes closing.

"...I believe this may be my stop. But I do thank you for the conversation--it's been a while since I've had one." Marie gathered the edges of her dress and curtsied low. "The pleasure has been mine, Master Snowdrift." And she may have smiled...a bit.

[toontowntroublemaker-blog]

Here Comes The Night Train (Event) Closed@Marie

[toontowntroublemaker-blog]

"That’d be a negative on th’ sun power, yep." Peacock patted her chest. "Pre-tty sure it’s all, uh… Theonite? Yeah. Theonite. In ‘ere."

Took her a second to remember the name of the element that formed the core of her Parasites’ power. Good thing it was pretty much an everyday word at Lab 8, or she probably would have sounded like an idiot.

Pfft. Not even knowing what the hell was going on inside her own body? A rocket surgeon she wasn’t—she’d actually tried reading her own research notes, only to frustratedly cast them aside upon first glimpse of all that scientific gobbledygook—but at least she knew the basics of what went on in there.

Not that Marie really seemed to care all that much, save the fact that all those augmentations were keeping her alive. Hey, as long as that was the case, who cared about the details, right? Certainly not her, she thought as she retrieved a cigar from some unknown place, lighting it as Marie spoke.

"Sure, sure." The cyborg waved a hand through her smoke cloud, her confidence clear. "We can take any’a these mooks. All of ‘em, even. No sweat.”

Her grin pulled into an odd, taut beaming at Marie’s rather plain statement, a pair of eyes on her near side narrowing ever so slightly. That’s what it was, too, wasn’t it? “Nothing is going to get near you”; that wasn’t just a promise, but Peacock got the very distinct impression she was stating a fact.

The girl couldn’t help but feel there might have been a sliiight sense of trying to make up for… past inadequacies in those words. Not that Peacock terribly minded her friend’s protectiveness, but she could stand to be a little more relaxed about it.

She could handle herself, she’d come armed to the goddamn teeth—and she’d already told Marie that she never held anything in the past against her. No need to be so high-strung around her, jeez.

The sense was fleeting, though. Gone in a moment.

Peacock’s toothy smile returned—she’d caught on to the way Marie was regarding the word “zombie”, oh yes she had. She chuckled slightly at the consternation. Her cheerful, nonchalant tone continued through her answer to Marie’s inquiry.

"Oh, yeah. Sometimes drove through ‘em, through ‘em—literally! Heh heh! Got a few splatters on m’hood, but I tell ya what? Them things ain’t half a match fer a whole lotta tons ‘a steel on wheels goin’ 85!”

Peacock couldn’t help but giggle at the mental imagery recalled. Mowing the Pariahs down in her car was a pastime she could do with more often. And with all that said… had Marie been making an implicit suggestion? Maybe, maybe not, but she’d make the offer anyway.

"Ya wanna go fer a li’l drive, then? My ride ain’t nuttin’ but a couple blocks away! It’d be a whole lot easier’n just hoofin’ it!"

[bonestopickwith]

Theonite. Marie didn't say anything but she had heard the word before. To contrast Patricia, she was relatively knowledgeable on the Skull Heart and what it had done to her. Sometimes she didn't want to admit it though.

Ultimately benevolent Parasites were one thing. A truly malignant force slowly corrupting her body and mind before transforming her into a murderous killing machine? Much harder to accept.

Marie continued her pacing and thus missed that slight shift in her friend's smile. She was too busy keeping an eye out for trouble, the Heart casting strange shadows across the enclosed space. Her own life was already forfeit, this city had just bought her time and temporary control. She'd be willing to throw her "undeath" away countless times for Patricia...

(Not that it'd fix anything.)

Lord. She really had raced through the city in that car that looked as if it had driven right out of the silver screen. It was a miracle she'd gotten it here in one piece, all things considered. The recently lit cigar was spared an idle glance.

But. Hmm. Being that tickled by running over zombies was mildly concerning. Marie decided it didn't matter at the present. When her pacing brought her around to facing Patricia again, she stopped, regarding her evenly.

"Hopefully it doesn't ruin the paint job, but a ride may be a wise idea. Wiser than crossing this entire city on foot, as you said...So if you would be so kind." A gesture of her hand down the tunnel. "Once you're rested, of course."

A thoughtful hand went to her chin as she pondered the many angles of the situation. With Patricia being involved, she couldn't afford any careless actions.

"Another thing--I trust you're aware the Pariahs are diseased. Are you still susceptible to illness?"

[toontowntroublemaker-blog]

Here Comes The Night Train (Event) Closed@Marie

[toontowntroublemaker-blog]

One eye wrinkled in amusement at Marie’s comments, another at seeing the disembodied head neatly rolled into a semblance of organization. A couple more idly observed Marie’s vacuum as it disappeared. Peacock began to pace slowly, plodding about as she let her friend get her word in.

"Mm… yeah, okay," she said. "I gotta admit I been havin’ performance issues with my stuff too. Somethin’ ‘bout th’ sun bein’ all weird or other, I dunno…"

Peacock didn’t feel the need to finish that train of thought. Something about the eclipse was sapping just about everybody of pretty much any special power they might have had, so at least they weren’t alone in all this, right? That was all that really mattered.

"Not a problem." It was always nice to see Marie stop looking so gloomy, in any case. Even if it was for just a second. Not like Peacock was a fan of having her best pal looking all glum all the time.

She tapped at her chin with a single digit, a couple of eyes averted in thought at her friend’s question.

"Yeah, I’m gonna say 1’s outta th’ question. I ain’t been through it yet, but 2’s s’posed ‘ta be pree-tty nasty right about now, from what I hear.”

The girl gestured back toward the entrance and to the west.

"I will say it weren’t exactly a walk in th’ park ‘ta get here from Sec-4, but… My thinkin’s that if we get ‘ta th’ outer part ‘a town we oughta be in good shape. It’s a lot crazier towards th’ middle ‘n all."

Her plan spoken, Peacock would have turned and set right out to get right in the thick of the action again… But Marie stopped her. A little disgruntled at her jabs at her pride, she crossed her arms, frowned sulkily.

She kind of had to admit Marie was right—the cyborg didn’t tend to pay much attention to her body’s own limits, but… she had to admit defeat on this one. Now that it had been brought up, she couldn’t ignore how exhausted she’d become over the course of her Pariah-killing crusade. She was running on fumes, really.

"Fine," she conceded grudgingly, slowly lowering herself into a sitting position. "I guess I could use a li’l sit-down ‘n pick-me-up—but only for a bit! I ain’t gonna sit around an’ let none’a them creeps down here think someone set out a couple’a li’l morsels fer chow time. Soon as we’re good, we get goin’, OK?”

[bonestopickwith]

Marie had a habit of standing exceptionally still. It came from the whole "not breathing" thing of being dead. She listened to Patricia talk quietly, focusing her thoughts on the situation the best she could.

"The sun, of all things...odd. I scarcely feel sunlight and I doubt you're solar-powered," she added dryly.

...Patricia's eyes were distracting. They moved everywhere, every which way, constantly. It made the Skull Heart uncomfortable because of the sort of power the Argus Eyes put out. Marie didn't show it on her face but the Heart seethed in her chest, furious.

"...I see. Well." She studied her skeletal hand. It was already beginning to mend itself to flesh once more, albeit slowly. "I'll take your word for it. I'm sure between the two of us that it will prove plausible enough. If we're cautious."

She noticed the way Patricia started to sulk at that comment of hers. She was probably the only person who could make jabs at the other's expense and get away with it. But, it had always been that way. Someone had to keep her in check. Marie supposed Patricia existed to remind her that smiling was actually a thing.

"Of course. You needn't worry though--nothing is going to get near you." She said it in such a flat tone that it was impossible to think she was lying. Marie paced slowly, hands still behind her back. She wasn't tired, anyway. Another bone was nudged into a pile in the corner, this one all leg parts.

Something crossed her mind at a lazy amble, and she eyed Patricia curiously. She wouldn't be surprised if the answer was an enthusiastic yes. Would she be alarmed if so? A bit.

"Patricia, did you...drive that car of yours through this 'zombie' apocalypse?"

[toontowntroublemaker-blog]

Here Comes The Night Train (Event) Closed@Marie

[toontowntroublemaker-blog]

Most of an entire day and several clips after setting out, Peacock had managed to trudge her way to the middle of the problem. Or at least, the origin of where the attacking hordes were coming from.

Jeez. And she’d thought that skirmish on the inner bank of Sector 6 had been tricky. Had she been more in her right mind, Peacock might have seen that trying to enter District Alpha in the midst of all this chaos might not have been the best idea—but hey, she was nutters, right? Her devil-may-care attitude would take one hell of a lot more than a horde of mutated creeps to diminish.

Escaping Pariahs attempted to swarm her, met with stinging blades, piercing rounds and teeth far sharper than their own could ever hope to be. Yet another occasion Peacock was glad for her augmented limbs—those infected bites might have been a little more worrisome if her arms and legs weren’t made of metal and all.

The final member of the mob that met the girl twitched as she kicked its ribs in, giving it a few final stomps for good measure. Down for the count? Good. She hurried on as best she could under the weight of her equipment, descending into the even darker than usual heart of Alpha.

The Argus Eyes took on a slight gleam of their own in the gloom, flicking about as she searched the area for signs of life. Sheesh. It had never exactly been a hotspot for people to hang out in, but it was just… silent. The few signs of the Districts’ residents’ comings and goings had been completely erased, replaced with scratchings and eerie stains along the ground and walls.

Not exactly a welcoming atmosphere. The quicker she tracked down Marie, the better. Fortunately, just that happened just a few minutes into her exploration. Hell, tracking Marie’s Theonite signature beyond just being in the district itself hadn’t even been necessary.

"Figures you’d be th’ one tryin’a clean up this mess." Peacock shook her head as she approached, steps heavy under her load. Man, Marie. She knew she liked having stuff spick and span, but trying to clean up one of the Districts? You might as well have tried to make the sewer not stink.

"Eh, y’know…" the cyborg waved a hand vaguely, arm clinking on her bullet belts. "Hadda waste a lotta bullets on those freaks, maybe got a scuff or two—but this? This ain’t nuttin’ compared to fightin’ a Skullgirl."

She grinned, cheeky.

"Can’t believe you’s still actually stickin’ around down here, though. And they call me crazy! You coulda at least hauled ass ‘ta somewhere a li’l less, y’know, filled with psycho man-eatin’ monsters.” She took on a mock scolding tone. “Shame on ya, makin’ yer pal fret like that.”

[bonestopickwith]

"Is that so? It's nice to know I'm more intimidating a match." Marie murmured, about as amused as she could possibly be. The Skull Heart's blue light flared out of her back and its ghastly presence served to take the humor out of her quickly, little as it was. 

She pushed a Pariah's head into a pile with her foot and folded her arms primly behind her. The vacuum that typically hovered around her vanished in a swath of cerulean. 

"I would have, but I was willing to wait for the Pariahs to actually leave...I may be undead, but being dismembered and devoured is always an unpleasant experience. Fighting all of them was out of the question with abilities strained as they are."

So she holed up here, with the bonus benefit of guarding any Alpha residents that hadn't fled. Of course, that didn't stop Patricia from literally blasting her way through Alpha just to get to her. That created a spark of warmth that the Skull Heart could not consume.

"...Apologies for worrying you, regardless."

Seeing Patricia in one piece was just about all that Marie cared about. One piece and relatively unharmed, that is. The Skullgirl's smile was brief again but it had been there for a few golden moments.

"That aside..." She picked dust off of her sleeves. "Where would you suggest we go? I wouldn't recommend Sector One. They're congregating there en masse. The further the better...not that travel will be simple either."

Marie almost sounded bored, her light voice nearly monotone. She regarded Patricia worriedly after a moment.

"Though it may be wiser to rest first? I understand your pride is immense but anyone would be exhausted after fighting so many."

The Heart clicked its mandibles; Marie had its corruption firmly at bay for the time being so she ignored it. 

[toontowntroublemaker-blog]

Here Comes The Night Train (Event) Closed@Marie

Peacock slumped down on the inside of her apartment door, weary from an evening of non-stop fighting. That wouldn’t have been a problem, normally—but for reasons unknown to her, trying to utilize her Parasites’ powers had nearly sapped all of her strength.

Lucky for her, the little cyborg had more than sheer survival instinct to go off of. Her mechanical limbs would keep moving, ceaselessly, as long as she still had willpower and breath in her lungs. The former, she had in spades. The latter was becoming increasingly difficult, as much as it irked her to admit.

The girl knew her way in and out of the situation. After all, the entire past year of her life had consisted of training for the sole purpose of eliminating the Skullgirl. Even if she was dog-tired, she refused to simply give up fighting. She’d be an embarrassment to Lab 8 if she couldn’t even clear a few undead hordes on her own!

Or whatever the heck they were. Pariahs, zombies, they were functionally the same anyway, right?

After having secured the apartment by way of strategically placing a few heavy pieces of furniture in front of the door, the girl dragged herself onto the couch for a few precious hours of sleep. She’d need it, for what she planned to do.

The girl awoke at a brisk hour, stirred by the uneasy visions in her sleep. This situation was a little too much like her memories of the old war, it seemed. Resting comfortably wasn’t in the cards. Oh, well. She wouldn’t want to be too complacent, anyway.

Peacock set to work quickly. There was one reason she’d opted to make it to her apartment first, and that reason? Weaponry. Though it paled in comparison to Lab 8’s underground arsenal, Peacock had been working up a modest stockpile of her own. Some acquired legally, mostly stolen from NPCs and kidnapped citizens alike. Not that it really mattered.

Given how limited her powers were, especially in this insane situation, the girl figured she’d stay ahead of the curve. Can’t summon her weapons? Fine. Then she’d bring ‘em. The idea was a little irksome—honestly, having to carry things around like some kind of animal!—but she’d have to make do.

From her closet came a gleaming shotgun and a rifle, bandoliers of ammunition slung over her shoulders. An adult’s tactical belt got hung loosely from her small waist, its pockets filled with magazines for the pair of pistols she stuck in its holsters (they’d had enough of sitting under her mattress) and a couple spare grenades. Blades went in odd places, like her shoes and her gloves, and her prized custom revolver was stashed safely in her hat with Avery.

All in all, she was armed to the teeth in about as literal a fashion as you could get. Satisfied, though a little irked—gearing up never took this long in the movies, and the weight of it all made her feel three times as heavy as normal—she set out to cleave a path all the way to District Alpha.

You’d better be hangin’ in there, buddy. If ya go dyin’ on me, I swear I’m gonna kill ya.

[bonestopickwith]

"Zombies". Don't make her laugh. 

These creatures were a far cry from the undead. Marie would know, both due to being able to command them and also being a zombie herself. She eyed the Pariahs with a cold disinterest befitting a queen looking down upon condemned criminals.

The majority were pouring out of Alpha in agitated droves. Marie watched them, smoothing her fingers across the handle of her haunted vacuum, clearly unimpressed. Where were they going? Just...up? Any other reason? She didn't know. The scientists were worried though and Marie herself was aware that her powers were even more taxing to use than typical.

That should have been worrying. Wasn't. She'd stay "alive" regardless and her lone interest was in the well-being of one certain individual who was doubtlessly making her way here as her brash nature demanded.

Marie nudged the dismembered remnants of defeated Pariahs into neat piles using the head of her bladed vacuum. The corridor was one that anyone would have to pass through in order to reach Alpha's housing section, so seeing friends and foes alike was inevitable.

So. She waited, thinking that to leave could actually mean to risk missing her friend in the rest of Alpha's labyrinthine depths, and besides that fight had taken more out of her than--ahh. There she was. She'd recognize that swaggering walk anywhere though it sounded heavier to her ears than typical.

Marie's eyes were shining red in the semidarkness. "If you were going to insist on coming after me," she said without looking up from her idle cleaning. One of her hands had turned skeletal from exertion of her power previously. "You should have waited until the Pariahs departed the area. For whatever reason they've proven more interested in swarming Sectors rather than staying here." For the most part.

She finally did look up, and she smiled just a little bit. "You're clearly prepared, Patricia. Prepping for the inevitable apocalypse has paid off it seems. Did you have much trouble getting here?" 

[citta-alveare-deactivated201811]

{Event oo8} Sunbather.

(Photo credit: c0rnfields)

e·clipse

an obscuring of the light from one celestial body by the passage of another between it and the observer or between it and its source of illumination.

the partial or complete interception of the light of one component of a binary star by the other.

any obscuration of light.

[Read the prelude here.]

Read More

[grandhealer-deactivated20140529]

Dawn of a New World (Intro + Open)

She couldn’t say stranger things than this haven’t happened to her before, just this time was more unexpected than most.

On a bench shaded by the early afternoon light that peeked over the grand surrounding buildings, some taller than even the World Tree, sat a calm Raine Sage. Her thick hair, the color of white alabaster, fell to her shoulders and covered her elven ears, always wishing it could somehow cover her elven blood also. Her legs were crossed, the dangling foot bouncing uncontrollably to match the inner nervousness she was experiencing but hiding so well. Her cadmium orange coat lied folded in her lap, as it was too hot to wear at the moment. She’d been here for a while pondering her current situation.

"Welcome to Hive City." She couldn’t shake off that mysterious surgeon’s words and the feelings of confusion upon waking up in this unfamiliar place.

"What did he do to me???" The recent incident played out in her head once again. Quickly after the man released her she noticed her Rod was replaced with a cheap, wooden mock-up, and her Exsphere, a tool that strengthened her magic abilities, had been removed from her hand, also feeling her powers being reduced as there was no source of mana present. This was something she felt immediately, and wondered how life was even possible without a mana source.

 ”How did I get here??…” She whispered softly under her breath, her foot still bouncing but not as wildly now. This was something she knew she’d need help figuring out. Reciting and analyzing the surgeon’s speech in her head, she concluded there were others like her, and maybe more people from her world. But, looking at the other beings walking around the plaza for the past half-hour she couldn’t recognize anyone or any characteristics like clothing that would indicate they were from her world. She felt alone, but if anyone knows what it’s like to be an outsider it was Raine. She probably wouldn’t be able to trust anyone here anyways.

Finally, her thoughts lead her to her a final point: Should I stay or should I go??? On one hand Raine felt like her brain was going to explode because, being a professor and archaeologist, this was a dream come true. An unknown culture and history was before her very eyes, almost taunting her to research and uncover it. But home, her friends, Genis… they were important to her. She worries like a mother for them, but maybe it was time for mama bird to fly, even if her were wings were metaphorically chained in The Hive. There was nothing she could do at the moment to get back home or she would have done it already. Discovering the truth about where she’d been involuntarily placed in was the only way she could think would bring her back home to Sylvarant.

She raised her head and was about to stand up, when she saw someone approaching her…

[bonestopickwith]

This Sector tended to be flooded with newcomers. Those who had just been dragged into the massive prison wearing the guise of a city--the Hive.

For some it was undoubtedly a hellish place, for others, a salvation; it actually served as an improvement over their homeworld. Restricted powers, disorientation, anger, fear...Marie had seen it all by this point.

She couldn't have told you how she felt upon first arriving here. She didn't feel much of anything these days. She felt about as hollow as the spaces between her exposed ribs.

The Skullgirl slid glowing red eyes in the direction of the person nearest to her. A young woman, likely pretty by her world's standards, glancing her way curiously as well.

Marie blinked once.

...She could keep walking. Should. There was no reason to engage in conversation or anything, and yet...Eye contact had been made. Walking on wordlessly after that would be terribly rude. Marie was a lot of things but she wasn't a boorish individual.

A low curtsy was given to the other, her stare unwavering, yet there wasn't anything malicious in the air around her.

"Would I be correct in assuming you're another new arrival?" The question was soft and rather detached like she didn't care one way or the other. "Hopefully it hasn't proven to be too...overwhelming."

[mastersnowdrift]

Train Ramblings - CA Closed | BonesToPickWith

[mastersnowdrift]

Snowdrift addressed the last point, seeing as it was the most pressing. “I’m…no, I’ve got at least another hour on this train before I get where I’d needed.” Which was to say that he didnt’ feel really needed at all. This conversation with someone who had been a complete stranger was what was most important. He hadn’t connected with anyone like that in a long time.

Not since Senida left. He hadn’t talked with Tony or Steve.in a good long while… Too long. Daylen, Jack, and Lucas were doing their own things…as were Itachi and Ace.

The people he had connected with were slowly drifting apart. And there was no one to blame but himself. “Your friend…certainly had an interesting fighting style.” Snowdrift stated, aware of the almost painful silence that had settled after he told her of how long he expected to be on this train. “I’d never seen anything quite so…inventive. I assume it was developed by necessity?”

[bonestopickwith]

Marie was so detached from her general surroundings that she didn't react to what could've been a painful silence to some. She opened one eye partway as her companion spoke again. Regarding him silently before she decided it was worth replying.

Talking about Patricia was a good way to coax something from her after all.

"She's ever been the creative sort. Having her powers restricted has made her more cunning than before...If she had her full abilities, you'd see just how far her imagination takes her."

Marie's attention went out the window.

"Everything you see her use--from bombs to lasers and all things in-between--were designed to kill me. So I suppose it was 'necessity', yes."

A shrug. 

"Something has to combat my undead servants, after all."

[takebaby]

recollection | ca open

Black. Then white. A familiar scent filled the brunette’s nostrils. Overcome with the strength of chemical fumes, Yukari hobbled out of the white room, already familiar with what they were going to say. “Welcome back”….”you might have lost your memory”….

She shuddered as she stepped into the darkness of the city. She was living somewhere new. Sector One. One of the few sectors the archer was unfamiliar with. First things first, she’d find her apartment. Next, she’d see if she could find anyone from S.E.E.S. Last she was here, Aigis and Fuuka were present. Apparently Minato and Shinjiro were here as well. Yet, Yukari knew that things in the city could change at the drop of a pin. Wary of her surroundings, she began to make her way to the train station. Shuffling sounds disturbed her, causing her to aim an arrow at the source. She hadn’t the time for intrusions right now.

“Show yourself!”

[bonestopickwith]

Good grief. A girl could scarcely traverse the city lately without being stopped by some startled newcomer. Looked to be the uneasy sort today--an arrow was notched in her direction, and Marie arched a pale eyebrow.

Hmm. Arrows didn't generally do much to an undead, not without some sort of fire or magic...better safe than sorry though.

"I wouldn't suggest that. There's no need for violence."

Ironic, coming from her. Marie just shook her head slowly.

"Care to lower your weapon? It'd be unfortunate if I had to force you. I presume you're new...correct me if I'm wrong."

[mastersnowdrift]

Train Ramblings - CA Closed | BonesToPickWith

[mastersnowdrift]

Snowdrift’s expression was grim as Marie related the darkness of the Skull Heart and its foul aims. Such a thing does not bode well. And it’s still active? Snowdrift’s mind did not detect the telltale signs of the Sha about Marie. He had fought them for so long that to him, they were almost impossible to miss. Wan concluded that this Skull Heart was therefore quite different in how it operated.

But not entirely different in aims, or in malevolence. When Marie spoke of Peacock, Snowdrift’s face at once creased into a smile. That girl who helped me during the Ice Storm…I wonder whatever happened since then. "As fate would have it…I did meet Peacock, yes."

He explained quickly, “It was a while back. There was a massive ice storm that snarled just about every block in the city. There were creatures roaming the districts, and I got myself clawed up by a particularly massive white bear. Peacock saved my life then.” It was easy enough to admit…and the truth as well. He’d charged the damn thing and been rewarded with a badly bruised and clawed shoulder.

"From there, we… Well, this doesn’t reflect well on us, does it? We looted a convenience store. Abandoned, yes, but…" Snowdrift’s face fell. "We didn’t have much choice. The people who ran the place abandoned shop after the cold really settled in." He remembered what happened next. "Then we encountered some monstrous ice creature."

Snowdrift cleared his throat. The train hurtled through another tunnel and then began to steadily slow. “I will admit this: had your friend not been there, I would not have survived that last fight. She was magnificent.”

[bonestopickwith]

Marie took on a supremely satisfied expression, as if Patricia's efforts were her own. Of course she helped this rather kind bear and of course she defeated a monster in a fight--what was her friend if not selfless and strong?

For a fleeting moment, she actually felt relief. To hear that Patricia was still doing what Marie viewed as heroics--of a sort, the convenience store incident not withstanding--helped to soothe that distant worry she had; that being transformed into an Anti-Skullgirl Weapon, being mutilated by those slavers, and then having her surrogate father figure killed...along with a host of other things...had ultimately changed her friend for the worse.

But no. It seemed the Patricia she knew lingered in Peacock still. Snowdrift didn't know it, but hearing that served to reinforce her resolve a hundredfold--she would not let the Skull Heart harm her friend, or anyone. 

A soft smile crossed her face.

"Unsurprisingly," she said with a slight incline of her head. They passed through the tunnel and once more her eyes glowed bright. "She has ever been like that. Dependable...At any rate, she can prove a little difficult for some to hold a conversation with, but it's good to know she didn't leave a bad impression."

She trailed off and plucked at her sleeves absently. The Skull Heart taunted her with an ethereal image of the beginning of her friend's attack by the slavers that she had been present for--with a force of will, she pushed it out of her mind.

Marie closed her eyes again at the Heart's jabbings, something only she was capable of seeing and feeling.

"Is this your stop?" She asked in a pleasant tone, like they were discussing the weather, like her mind wasn't avoiding settling upon images of war and death.

[mastersnowdrift]

Train Ramblings - CA Closed | BonesToPickWith

[mastersnowdrift]

Snowdrift’s eyes widened with shock and then narrowed with disgust at Marie’s closing statement. Slavery was something that the Pandaren had suffered under for generations under mogu rule. Marie had experienced it first hand, however, while Snowdrift’s people had risen up from that long, long before he was born.

"That makes a good deal of sense." Snowdrift rumbled, his voice low and his tone morose. The big Pandaren gathered his thoughts and swallowed. An icy fist seemed to have gathered at the back of his throat. How hollow my words must seem. She does have good cause for desiring vengeance…

But vengeance is not the way of my people. How, then, do I connect with her without causing her to withdraw entirely? "I doubt many in this place or anywhere else have experiences comparable to yours, Marie." Snowdrift stated, the lump in his throat clearing. "I do not judge you for seeking vengeance against those who wronged you and those you care for." I can’t.

"Are you trying to find a purpose here, seeing as those you vied with are not here?" Snowdrift asked, taking a different tack. "I assume this Skull Heart attempted to convince you to continue the task of vengeance for its own aims." His posture shifted; the Shado-Pan Blackguard Master’s eyes filled with concern.

[bonestopickwith]

Marie knew she was at least dealing with an individual who was good at heart--that wasn't surprising, since he had taken the time to speak with a troubled-looking stranger on a train. It was something she could respect, yes, though being kindhearted didn't help every situation.

Kindness and the mercy tied to it was something she had given up on, herself.

"...I see. I'm glad you understand." Her eyes closed again. Marie's memories from before her attachment to the Skull Heart were painted darkly--a trick of the artifact to drive her into the mindless, murderous state of the Skullgirl. But she knew better. There was good in the world still, no reason to slaughter the entirety of the living.

Her friend Patricia, so she thought rather stubbornly, still embodied that goodness she had so respected in life.

"That is exactly it," Marie said softly, since his hunch was right on the nose. "The Heart carries an innate hatred for all things living--it would pass that to me, as well." For first time, she looked at Snowdrift directly and wondered about the odds. "At the present, I aim to ensure that my friend survives this city's ordeals. We are both aware that my time 'alive' is only borrowed. What happens to me is of little importance."

A slight pause.

"Perhaps you already know of her. She prefers to go by Peacock."

[apiztli]

apéritif ;

     The reality of the situation sinks like molten gold solidifying in his stomach.

     There was never any incentive for him to distinguish any part of life between birth and death—the idea of a stagnant purgatory had never occurred to him, especially if he wasn’t reasonably in control of it. The stale air smells over populated, the simulated weather hovers inches above his skin like a threatening miasma, and he winds his jaw tourniquet-tight as he bitterly drapes his coat over his arm and conceals the fraying, compressed wooden knife—dull and practically useless—beneath it.

     However, there is always something to occupy in the inquiring mind: stoicism and a myopic mien crowning his visage and instantaneously establishing the ethos he so proudly donned as a therapist—a Godly man, sacrosanct, an aura of intellectualism and refined taste—he wastes no time in familiarizing himself with his current situation. 

     A curt smile and a shallow cough drawn from his throat alert the nearest pedestrian of his existence.  “I certainly hope I’m not distracting you from anything pressing,” Dr. Lecter apologizes, voice laced with humble patience—his persona is exceptionally well-tailored.  “May I ask for your name?” he inquires, professional and aristocratic, unoccupied hand extending forth in a brief symbol of camaraderie.

[bonestopickwith]

There were several pedestrians around, but perhaps the rest were too busy or instinctively sensed the danger of the man who was speaking ever-so politely in an attempt to strike up conversation; the reasons could have been many, but as it was, Marie paused briefly to spare him a glance.

She too had an air of immediate politeness--the sort that was detached and impersonal. It would be bad form to ignore such a direct inquiry, surely?

"And what brought this on?"

Marie's voice carried an ethereal echo, something wholly unnatural, twining through the soft, nearly monotone voice she bore. Scarlet eyes, imprinted quite noticeably with the face of a leering skull, stared at the offered hand.

She had never trusted courteous, professional men in suits. For good reason. Many of her adversaries were precisely the same. Smiling serpents with black holes for hearts. 

"...Marie. If you must know. I take it you're new around here."

[mastersnowdrift]

Train Ramblings - CA Closed | BonesToPickWith

[mastersnowdrift]

Snowdrift’s mind went over this information. Vengeance was such a damnably tricky matter to the Shado-Pan; on the one hand, it was intentional anger and desire for violence directed at another person, but on the other hand, releasing those emotions freed one from their grip. It was a paradox.

"I see." Snowdrift murmured. "The Sha operate on similar lines of reasoning. Offering that which is impossible to have, twisting the whims of their victims to serve their own ends." His teeth gritted momentarily. "I’m glad to hear you’ve been able to stave off the call…the one that ends in self-destruction, that is."

The train emerged into the light of day…or rather, what light could make it through the skyscrapers. “This Mafia of which you speak…are they responsible for your state in some way?” Snowdrift’s eyes narrowed. “And are they here in any capacity?”

[bonestopickwith]

Nothing was more dangerous than a sentient force that twisted and played with emotion. Marie closed her eyes and clasped her hands in her lap, internally sighing. She could stave it off, yes. She could stave it off for a very long time. However...it had already changed her. The Skull Heart had already altered things about her, more than just her body, but to give in to the fear of that would be to tilt the scales in its favor.

So she didn't. Wouldn't. Absolutely couldn't.

"The Medici Mafia are indirectly responsible." Her eyes parted to reveal the skull-shaped imprint present in her red irises. "And no. If any of their number were to turn up here, I would not allow them the luxury of peace for very long."

That was putting it nicely. She debated mentioning anything else.

"The wish I made was for everyone I've ever cared about. The Mafia funds the child slave-traders that came to the orphanage I once lived in."

She let the absolute horror of that situation sink in, silent.