Deranged Maniac

ind. Russell blog from End Roll

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shyquietwanderer1:

@expressionlessdreamer

Kage, being the adventurous teen he was, had decided to explore again, this time venturing into shady looking area. As he strolled through the alleyways, looking around, he failed to notice some men whisper to each other, and grin wickedly.

A bit deeper into the alleys the men confronted him, and when they attacked him he swung a crowbar that had seemed to come out of thin air, hitting one in the stomach and the other on the head. They both went down, already unconscious but Kage raised the crowbar again, then paused, remembering that his brother had told him to refrain from killing.

He dropped the crowbar as it dissolved into mist, then noticed a presence behind him. He turned to see a young boy standing there. How long had he been there…?

“Oh… Hi there.” He said, giving the kid an apologetic smile. 

——-☾ Alley ways, drugs, violence, sex; these were all things that Russell saw on a near day-to-day basis. So, when on his way back from the eastern doctor’s shop, seeing a fight was really no big deal. The child simply waiting until it was over to pass through.

     Russell only offers a wave, eyes focused on where the crowbar once was. He glances to the stranger again, “How did you do that...?” He asks softly, letting slender hands tuck into the pockets of his pants. Seeing something dissipate wasn’t the most normal thing in the world. “Was it some sort of magic trick?” The child was uncaring of the bloodied men on the ground. He had seen worse. Done worse.

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“I do?” Gonblinked, before looking down and scanning his attire, he supposed the green wasgreat for hiding in the woods, but perhaps not so effective in a town thatseemed so grey that even the neon signs on shop windows appeared dull. That addedto the fact that despite his strength he still gave off naive child vibesprobably didn’t help either.

His expression changed to one of concern andanger, the adults here sounded like monsters – what was this boy doing livingin a place like this?

“Well. I’ll fight them if I have to.”Hell, he actually wanted to fight them if that’s what they were like. “I’m notjust a kid, see?” He said, pulling out his licence. “I’m a hunter!” Not that itmeant anything to the other boy, he pocketed the licence before looking back at Russell.

“Oh, that’d be great! I am gettingpretty tired…” Not to mention lost, a break would probably do Gon some good so hecould look over the map and re-plan his journey in the morning. Plus he feltworried about this boy, although he said he was used to growing up here Gon actuallyfelt as though might be able to help.

With that Gon closed the gap betweenthem, and offered a hand to shake and a grin. “My name’s Gon, what’syours?”

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——-☾  “There’s no use fighting them. It’ll change nothing.” Russell simply shrugs, so long as you didn’t piss any of them off and minded your own business you were fine more often than not.

     “A hunter...?” How odd, someone so happy-go-lucky to shoot animals. It surprised him. “What sort of animals do you hunt?” Russell begins to walk in the direction of the small apartment he lived in with his aunt ( she was working right now and wouldn’t be home until late that night ). 

     “...Russell.” The trek to the apartment wasn’t very long, so soon enough they were greeted with a grey, crumbling exterior and a chipped green door. The boy simply unlocks it and lets Gon into the lackluster home. “My room is over there.” A slender finger points in the direction of a small room as he quickly re-locks the door and heads in there with Gon. It was as unimpressive as the rest of the place, with a small bed and night stand, a dresser in the corner. “I have a game in the main room if you’d prefer...” He hadn’t had anyone over his age since he last hung out with Chris nearly a year ago. Well, besides in Happy Dream, but Russell preferred not to think of that.

[harlequinish-deactivated2017031]

❝ ANYTHING FOR SUCH AN…enthusiastic audience. ❞A little laugh to cover his prior discontent, and he reshuffles the cards in an arc between his hands, showing off. He fans them out neatly, offering them to the boy with a smile.

❝ Pick a card, but don’t tell me what it is this time. ❞

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——-☾ Russell stares at the odd man, watching as he shuffles and moves the cards.

     Nimble fingers choose a card, keeping it close to his body so that the stranger wouldn’t be able to see it. A king of hearts. Without a word the child looks at Hisoka blankly, knowing that there was truly no magic involved and it was all a series of tricks. But that didn’t make it any less interesting, Russell supposes. Eventually he speaks up softly, “Can you show me how it works...?”

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@expressionlessdreamer | STARTER CALL |

“I don’t see why it matters so much. Why does somethink like that matter so much? Why does anything matter? I don’t understand…. I don’t understand anything. I should, but I don’t. I’m just an outsider.” Lithe fingers pick at the dried scab on Madotsuki’s knee, dull eyes paying no mind to the small droplets of blood forming at her harsh touch. “I just want to be okay.”

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——-☾  “I don’t know why you’d ask me something like that.” Gaze sets at the girl’s knee, though not a word is mentioned about it.

     “I don’t know what to tell you,” Russell admits, he never knew what it was like to be okay after all. The boy only ever locking away any emotions and taking them out on kind, innocent people. Oh well. “Drugs always helped me get rid of the feeling. I doubt it’d make you understand anything, however. “

     Another pause. “What makes you an outsider...?”

[expressionlessdreamer-blog]

little update as to why i’ve been so slow recently: i’ve been working my booty off at my current job as well as trying to put in resumes for new jobs!! pls bare my slowness for a little while longer<3

[zxxkeeper-blog]

“Because you look miserable and if I could get you to smile then maybe you’d feel a bit better? You got any plans today? If you want you could help me walk the dogs.” Taking a walk was always something that made him feel better, and dogs just made everything better. That was a proven fact.

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——-☾“Just because I don’t smile doesn’t mean I’m miserable.” He couldn’t feel miserable, he couldn’t feel anything.

     “Yeah, I’d like that...” Russell murmurs after a moment. Was it okay to do these things? Was it okay to allow himself to stay away from the guilt? To accept Tabasa’s kindness. “Sounds fun.”

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++ @zxxkeeper continued from x

——-☾  “Why would you care about something like that...?”

     A smile was nothing important after all, not Russell’s anyway. The boy doesn’t mind the hug though, even if it causes his cheeks to warm up and body to stiffen. “If you want to see someone smile go talk to Gardenia.”

[fabricatedprince-deactivated201]

   “Work?” 

What an absurd question it was, the painting thought as he directed his cold, blue jaded eyes to the little stranger. This was surprising, not always did he doze off enough to miss the changes happening in the gallery. When the game was started? Not that it really mattered, he just wanted to know, but given that they were still in the red area, Garry assumed it hadn’t been that long.  

    “I do not.” 

His voice was calm when he spoke, hands shoved into the pockets of his coat. They were at the beginning of a long journey he could tell and it was not going to be that fun, for the other one anyway. His only hope was they would listen to his warnings and didn’t go wander off on their own. Of course, he would not force them to do anything that they didn’t like, he would just tell them about the consequences of their choices- sometimes and leave the freedom to choose to them which meant the chance of them getting out or not all depended on themselves. 

    “The exist is that way,” Pointing at the single red door in the room, he said. ”But you need to find the key first. Where do you think it could be?”

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——-☾  “Oh.” Russell glances back around, unsure of how to treat this strange character. Well, it didn’t matter. Certainly the man must know something, though. “A key?”

     Well, he supposes that the stranger would be of help. Hopefully he’d stick around, if not Russell can take care of himself. Probably. The child begins to wander around, glancing over the large statues and paintings. Checking the door and under, even trying to reach the top of the frame ( but he was far too short for that ). “Do you know where it is..?” He asks, starting to head to the right side of the room it was then when a sound, akin to a yell, is sounded through the room. Russell is hardly fazed, even as a creature ( who was once a painting of a beautiful woman ) is starting to chase after him. 

     He found the key. 

     This wasn’t the first monster he’s dealt with by any means, but without a weapon left the boy rather defenseless. Instead the creature was lured away and Russell runs towards the dropped key and back towards the door. “Are you coming?” 

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@expressionlessdreamer​ 

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[ ♰ ] -  Dogma was perplexed at the question, as far as he was concernedit was always the person’s choice – people were free to choose right or wrong,surely that was the case. Or maybe Dogma simply hadn’t been exposed to thosetimes where it wasn’t. “If that path isn’t their choice, then…I suppose theburden of sin would rest on the shoulders of the one who lead them down thatpath.” It’s only hypothetical, since Dogma couldn’t think of a tangibleexample, and asking Russell for one seemed a little too prying. 

“If however, a person makes the choice and cannot come back,it means just that. They have made the bad decisions for too long, and theymust pay the price.” To say Dogma was stunned silent by the other’s words was anunderstatement, his throat felt parched and dry, as if it were burning the moreRussell spoke. The hatred towards God was like daggers in his heart. No, no nono – this is just what the devil wanted, to see humanity turn their back on theLord. It killed him, it truly killed him.

Dogma’s fists curled a little in his lap, his limbstrembling slightly. He was getting angry, how DARE this boy speak suchblasphemy, how DARE he talk of the Lord in this way. Dogma wanted to get up andshout but he stopped – composing himself with a deep breath. No, that anger waswrong…if he turned his back on Russell he’d only be shoving the boy furtherinto the grips of darkness, and wouldn’t that make Dogma just as bad? Wasn’this job to guide those who had lost their way?

He sighed. “I know it may seem cruel, but how can we know whathappiness is when we don’t know sadness? How can we know light if we never seethe dark? God puts these things in place to test us, to teach us, and yes – I supposeto punish us as well for past misdeeds. But if we turn our backs on the Lord then those nastycreatures and emotions only fester and grow…Russell..” He furrowed his brow, still trying to resist the urge toslap some sense into the boy, but his anger was selfish and he would askforgiveness for it later. 

“You are one of God’s creations, you exist because he hasdecided it, and God loves all of his children…but if you turn your back on himhe will let go, and heaven’s doors will close.” Of course, it was far too latefor Russell, but Dogma was blissfully ignorant to that.  - [ ♰ ]

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——-☾ Russell listens to Dogma intently. Each word caused his heart to feel heavier and heavier. Well, it wasn’t any new information Russell supposes; he knew that his path was set. That he’d pay for his sins. It was the whole reason he was here to begin with, wasn’t it? Death is a lot easier of a sentence than living with the immobilizing guilt, isn’t it?

     “Is that so...?” Truly the child had little knowledge of religion and the way it worked, hence the near showing of confusion as he allows himself to think on the subject a moment longer. “So the Lord won’t forgive all your sins then, huh? Even if you later regret your mistakes, if they’re too big you’re just damned?” 

     The anger on Dogma’s face was something Russell was well acquainted to ( dare he say it nearly reminded him of his father ). However the pastor was much better at concealing it, taking a breath before continuing to talk. Russell, of course, listens before glancing away. “I guess I’m still trying to find a light...” The words are soft, mumbled ( though they still held the same flat tone as many of the other things he says ). “But, if it’s for punishment, I guess that’s understandable.” He was indeed a terrible, useless child.

     A small shake of his head, azure hues focus on Dogma ( flat and emotionless ). “Well, even if that is so my statement still stands. God doesn’t love me,” How could he? Not even his own parents loved him, “And I don’t love Him. His back has already turned on me, as has mine. No matter how hard I try it wouldn’t matter.”

[expressionlessdreamer-blog]

sorry i’ve been so inactive, work’s been kicking my ass lately and i’ve been way too tired to type anything decent

[zxxkeeper-blog]

Honestly, he rather liked the sea, but never really had many opportunities to come down here. If it weren’t for the circumstances he’d probably be able to enjoy it more.

“Maybe we could try asking around, see if anyone’s seen it?” If it had been through here then someone had to of seen it right? “Sheep don’t tend to respond all that well to verbal commands, I don’t think I could really call it back.”

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——-☾ With an affirmative nod Russell is quick to start asking the people of Seaside if they had seen a sheep. Unknowingly they boy was trying to make Tabasa proud of him. 

     “No one has seen it...” Russell joins Tabasa about fifteen minutes later. He had asked everyone and some, hoping to locate the lost animal. “Perhaps we should check near the hospital...? Or back track to the catties hideout?” There’s a beat, but curiosity had taken over the child if even for a moment, “What will you do if we can’t find it...?” 

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    “Lots of cats?” it repeats, folding the flyer back up and almost storing it away in its pouch before deciding against the idea, handing it back to Point instead. 

    “That’s probably the best lead I’ve had so far! I’ll tag along if you lead me, yeah. Just gotta hope the cat’s not anti-social or anything.” That’d be a real bummer, though it’s not like it’s in a hurry. 

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——-☾  Russell nods at the question, starting to walk in the direction of the aforementioned cats.

     “Cats aren’t very fond of me,” No animals are really, Russell is sure they can smell the sins, “So you’ll have more luck than me at least...” The walk is short, and soon enough the smell of cats is thick. “See it anywhere?”

[rosaryflames-blog]

For the LORD will execute judgment by fire                                            And by His sword on all flesh

{ASK}      {ABOUT}      {RULES}      {ART CREDIT}

made by this beaut

[zxxkeeper-blog]

“Y-Yeah.” Tabasa gives a small nod, looking around. He was getting really worried, what if someone took the sheep? Or what if it died? He’d have to make a grave for it in that case, but he really didn’t want that to happen. “Yeah, let’s do that.” 

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——-☾ Russell only gives another nod as conformation before he’s leading them both towards Seaside. Hopefully it hadn’t wandered into the catties hide out, he doubts it’d survive very long there.

     Seaside’s salty water hit Russell’s nose quickly. Eyes ( a color that matched the sea ) was quick to try and glance over the expanse of the town. “Where do you think it could have gone...? Surely there must be a faster way or at least a way to call it...”

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Tabasa simply followed after him, placing both hands in his jacket pockets. “Hopefully not, we might be able to find it before dark if it did.” And frankly he didn’t want to be out in woods at night. “Y-Yeah, definitely not.” That thought almost made him flinch, he didn’t want the poor animal to get hurt. That only made him want to find it faster.

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——-☾  “That would be the hope.”

     The walk to the forest is rather uneventful. The only semblance of anything was the Incarner that talked to them. But as they reached the market the sheep still hadn’t been found. Russell turns to Tabasa, “Should we head south first?”

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CONT. from here @expressionlessdreamer

[ ♰ ] -  Dogma couldn’t recall how they’d gotten onto the subject,but the quotes of the lord easily fell from his lips; the righteousness of the righteouswill be credited to them, and the wickedness of the wicked will be chargedagainst them. There was no-one ruled out - adults, children, and certainlythose monsters that’d been lurking in the woods. They would all receive theirjudgement.

“Hm?” The question caught the pastor off guard, it wascertainly profound for such a young boy, but then Russell had shown himself tobe someone special, Dogma thought his depth was much like the roots of an oak tree…if only he knew the half of it.

“Well,” He began “Because God chose to create us out of hislove and wisdom, and as part of his eternal plan. However, even though we werecreated in his image God also gave us the freedom of choice, he didn’t wantmankind to be his pawns – rather, he wanted us to be able to choose the righteouspath for ourselves.” Dogma’s thumb idly skimmed over the cross that sat closeto his heart, thinking how he ought to best explain this.  “So mankind has a choice to follow the righteouspath or the wicked one…and sometimes we may even begin on one path only tobacktrack onto the other.”

“So it’s OK to make mistakes sometimes, as we all do – so longas we repent and don’t steer too far down the path of wickedness. God is almightybut also forgiving.”

Of course, there were some things beyond the forgiveness ofGod. When Dogma thought of those things, he thought of the monsters that howledsin from the shadows. He did not, could not fathom the thoughts of ablood-stained boy with murder stitched into his skin. “Why do you ask, Russell? Is there something troubling you?”  - [ ♰ ]

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——-☾  Russell listens to Dogma closely. He shakes his head, “Not particularly...” nothing out of the ordinary at least. “But Dogma,” there’s a small intake of breath ( a notion of trying to figure out if he really wanted to ask or not ), “What if the path isn’t always your choice...? Or what if you choose the wrong path but there’s no coming back from it?”

     Oceanic eyes move toward the cross on Dogma’s chest. If there was a really a “lord” why would he let such terrible people on the earth? Why would so many bad things happen? If God truly existed then Russell shouldn’t of born, at least in the boy’s own opinion. “Also... why would God make such nasty creatures? Why would he let such nasty emotions and thoughts exist?” Why did he exist? “If someone was truly so terrible couldn’t he just take them out?” 

     “If a God truly existed...I don’t think I’d be here. And if he does indeed exist, I hate him. I hate him with everything I have.”