Gothic City [CVnU: Living Location]

@maverick_6:

Right after he gets some terrible fashion sense under the pretext that he's from the future.

@_vex_:

(Hopefully respond to this later or tomorrow.)

@_vex_:

Shayera's eyes widened briefly when he revealed his ultimate goal. She thought about that in silence for a moment, her fingers playing soft games over his bare chest. "That's an impressive goal Alexander." She said after a moment. "You know I will always be at your side." She smiled a little and looked up at him. "Where do you think you will look for more outside help? I can think of some organizations or people that might be interested off the top of my head but I'm sure you can as well."

She nodded a little to herself. "I'll agree to putting a child on hold until you feel you are ready. I can ask Amun-Ra for the freedom to have a child at any time, its important that your plan moves along to the right stage first." She told him. "Hopefully in the near future this country has its first non-human, Egyptian First Lady." She smirked. She looked at him for a moment, her eyes trailed down his body, investigating his scars and generally taking in the pleasant sight of her half-undressed lover.

"I could never have imagined anything like this." She told him, returning her eyes to look up at his. "I never thought I would find love, at least not in this life time. Nor did I think I would find a lover who was so driven and dedicated as you are. I couldn't have asked for anything better and I love seeing that drive in your eyes, seeing how happy you are just thinking about the future makes me happy." Her hands paused at the waist of his pants. "You even are understanding enough to allow Luna Hawk into our relationship, you're perfect." Of course she knew he wasn't a flawless individual, only that he was perfect for her.

@solarhawk:

"I'm not saying that we should wait for children…."

His eyes narrowed down to the Hawk Lord embracing him. His voice dropping lowly as his eyes narrowed down upon the Hawk Lord embracing him. He was in a state of happiness he thought impossible after a life of turmoil. With the exception of Satar escaping, things were moving rather smoothly. The work to rebuilt gothic was progressing slowly, but still, it was progressing.

"….Far from it. I'm saying I want to start a family coupled with our endeavors."

A smile creeped across his face as her tantalizing figure drew closer to his own. She was just as flirtatious as ever and she made no effort to be subtle about it. Her candid nature was something Alexander had always admired and she flaunted regularly….among other traits.

"Well, I never thought I'd be in love with a winged goddess….let alone two."

He knew that Shayera would always be at his side. Dragonfang had her own goals at heart, but Alexander was confident enough that when it boiled down to it, she would put her violent nature aside for the sake of family….or so he hoped. Nox was a wildcard in a sense and always had a hidden agenda. He could be trusted, but every possible outcome that would play into his favor needed to be calculated.

Fugue was too shrouded in mystery and had rarely played a part in the big picture of Gothic….But there was something about the Gothic Siren that made her dependable. Maverick Industries was a global organization that could not be underestimated in either side of the playing field and needed to be investigated as a possible enemy. So many allies and enemies with underhanded desires made for a less than ideal team, but everything needed to be considered.

"I don't know, Dear. If it comes down to it….It will be you and I versus the world, because in the end all we have is each other….For now."

The last sentence was said joyously, implying the prospect of children. Her hands fell to his waist so slyly that he had almost failed to notice. She had him preoccupied with other thoughts, he had been oblivious to the movements.

"And you're just as eager as ever."

@_vex_:

Luna Hawk was having a difficult time of late and though she had hidden it well from Alexander Rook, she couldn't hide much of anything from Solar Hawk. When their night together was over and Solar Hawk had to leave temporarily to gather some of her things in Thanagar she left a little note to Alexander to go and spend some time with Luna Hawk and try to get to the core of whatever it was that had been bothering her. There was a special instruction to not take no for an answer from Kendra.

It took some of Dark Vengeance's detective skills to locate Luna Hawk, she wasn't at her apartment or any of her usual hang outs. Instead she was at the Old Gothic Cemetery. Luna Hawk was seated quietly under the large, twisted tree that dominated a hill that overlooked the whole cemetery. She had her back against the three and was quietly picking at random weeds growing around the base of it, her mind obviously somewhere else.

Luna Hawk was wearing her usual clothing and as always had a mace and a pistol on her person. She never even noticed when Alexander arrived by whatever method he chose to arrive by. What she needed now though was Alexander Rook, not Dark Vengeance.

@solarhawk: @lunahawk:

It had taken a bit of investigation to find Kendra, but nothing too demeaning. After all, it wasn't really a difficult task when the person you're attempting to find has massive hawk like wings protruding from their shoulder blades. The night was still young as the silent taps of Alexander's black Oxford shoes moved against the paved road of the Gothic graveyard as shadows from the darkness enveloped him.An almost natural environment for the Crusader of Justice.

His calloused and still slightly burnt hands were tucked away casually in his silk grey pants while his tight fighting black sweater remained untucked at the waist. The ebony locks falling to his brow presented a somewhat tough, but unkempt demeanor and wasn't helped at all by the stubble growing along his face.

He stopped momentarily looking up at the largest hill in the cemetery as the shadow of a figure melted seamlessly along the silhouette of a contorted and gnarled tree. He frowned slightly at the sight. The gloomy scene was all too familiar to a man so acquainted with depression and loss.

"I use to find solace in this place. The solitude provided me a sort of….pleasant loneliness. Strange I know, but isn't there something comforting about being here."

He looked at the Hawk Lord with a faux smile and retracting his right hand out of his pocket and gesturing towards the spot next to her.

"Mind if I sit down?"

@_vex_:

Luna Hawk looked up in surprise but relaxed when she saw who it was. She nodded a little and patted the ground next to her. "Please Alexander." She told him. "You didn't have to come find me." She assured him, looking out at the cemetery again. "I come here because he's here." She said softly. "Its funny, when you're young and new to the world the thought that you can only love once in each life time doesn't seem like such a big deal." She looked over at him and sighed a little. "But it is a big deal. We like to think the person we love will be left behind because humans can move on with their lives. It's why Solar Hawk gave you that gift you know, because she expects to go long before you do"

Luna Hawk shifted her gaze to the lone tomb of The Monitor, one of Earth's old heroes who had died under mysterious circumstances. After she was framed for his death Luna Hawk had done a wonderful job of ridding the world of that narrative. These days most people thought of her porn videos or her posters, not that she had been put on trial for murdering her own lover. She didn't realize she was doing it, but she reached out and took Alexander's hand once he had sat down.

Luna Hawk took her helmet off with her free hand and turned to meet his eyes with hers. "Don't go first Alexander, for her sake, don't you dare die first."

@solarhawk: @lunahawk:

As Kendra spoke, Alexander didn't say a word. He only set his eyes upon the tombstones laid before the duo while he sat. He made no attempt to interrupt her or comfort. He simply listened intently. Dissecting every single one of her words with as much empathy as he could.

"I can't promise anything like that, Kendra."

He said dismally, his gaze dropping to the grass beneath them. Watching as ants marched in single file under his shoes.

"We live such short lives. I haven't the slightest inkling of what it feels like to be reincarnated or in forever search of a single love one and clinging onto them as the sands of time flow away."

"I can promise that I will be there for her….As well as you. Until my last dying breath and I'll do whatever it takes to protect you….Both of you. A world without Shayera and you isn't a world worth living in."

@_vex_:

"I know it's not a realistic thing to ask of you." She admitted quietly. "Reincarnation isn't so bad, I thought about...about forcing one a few weeks ago.." She said softly, meaning suicide. "But there's too much left to do in this life time and he would hate the idea if he was still around." She paused and smiled a little, turning her eyes to him again. "Besides, you're a good man." She slipped a hand into his.

Kendra was quiet for a moment, considering his word. "I know you'll be there for both of us, I've always known that. Alexander, I'm sorry I didn't tell you about The Monitor before, I mean really tell you. Everyone knows the media story but not everyone knows the truth." She reached into a pocket and produced a stunning diamond ring made of platinum. She sighed and leaned against his shoulder, using Alexander as support. "We were going to get married."

She closed her eyes, taking a deep breath to try and steady her nerves a little. "It's hard for me to ask anyone this but..." She opened her eyes again. "Will you help me? I don't know what to do anymore." Someone could probably count on one hand the number of times a Hawk Lord had asked someone else for help.

@lunahawk:

Suicide.

The word fell from her lips and hit Alexander like a freight train. Never in his life had he considered suicide as a viable option out of his self imposed duties as Dark Vengeance. Not once did the easy exit come across his mind as his salvation. It took all the willpower he could muster to restrain his muscles from launching to his feet and grabbing her by the shoulders to angrily shake some sense into her…..But he didn't. He continued to listen without so much as a break in his demeanor.

"There is no way I can understand what you're going through…I had never experienced true love until now. I can't say I would have or wouldn't have had the same thoughts as you."

He let out a long sigh and leaned against his outstretched shoulders with his head looking towards the sky. The stars that pierced the atmosphere shined an ominous light upon the bird and the bat before he continued to speak.

"I will help you with anything you ask. I only ask one thing….Don't harm yourself, because you'll be harming not only Shayera, but me as well."

@_vex_:

"Don't worry, I won't hurt myself." She promised him. "It was a passing thought once, it won't happen again. I just wanted you to be aware of it." Kendra sighed softly. "It's like...there's just a wound in my soul that won't heal." She tried to explain to him. Humans could fall madly in love with someone...but given enough time they could move on. For Kendra only death would allow her to move on. She considered Alexander for a moment. "Help me to feel better again. I know I'll never feel hole in life number 82 again, but at least help me to feel better about everything else."

Kendra shifted closer to his side. "I should be happy, by all rights. Everything in my life is going well right now, I have a wonderful and understanding lover, Shayera is happy and I have a god-daughter to take care of...but some times I just can't stay happy, I have to force a smile that usually comes easily to me. I don't know why it's gripping me like this lately...I thought I had put those feelings behind me months ago. Maybe I'm spending too much time alone." She considered after a moment.

Outskirts of "Mutant Town";
Friday's Cold Eve.

Unsual, this weather. Frost gripped the air itself, ice clenched each broken hearth like in the heart of winter. Clouds, peerlessly thick with smog, blighted the once industrial skies and caged the morning dew in this atmospheric terror-dome. At that night even the rays of the Full Moon, shining so tangibly silver, found it difficult to penetrate the veil above the Gothic Gangland.

'Twas both incidental and instrumental that he chose this night for his bargain. Joseph Stark in the flesh, clad in a contemporary 'gangster' designer attire (camo joggers, Nike Air Max and a warm Blvck Scale hoodie) and accompanied by a reinforced truck and qualified personel, met with a duo of professionals. They delivered an oblong package - a tall crate forged of lucent metal into the hands of the young mogul. Steam emanated upwards from crate's scarce apertures as it changed owners.

The parties met under lamp-light.

"We delivered your order..."

"...and your operation has already been awarded for your efforts.", he briefly smiled a nonchalant smile. "Blankets, actual medicine and enough rations to spare are being handed to you as we speak. Trust that your refugee center will benefit from this...", the cage became possesed by it's contents as it was mechanically lifted inside the truck, sounding muffled roars and howling.

"...and your streets will be safer."

>Found on Page 210

> One Year Ago

Never has to call Psy Empress or Goddess ever again :D

@reddiamond (Sorry the the huge delay...the army extended my time in the field :/)

The Silver Sparrow watched intently as she draped herself over the chair - even the finest wine glasses lack such exquisite and perfect curves. Her elegance and purity reminded the elf of his home and how much he longed to return there. "Do not stress about hospitality! I am quite easy to please!" Valken moved across the room towards the edge of the bed which he lowered himself down on to sit. He brought his hand to his chin, appearing to adopt a position of deep thought. He broke the position by locking his electric, sapphire eyes with the eyes of the lady sitting across from him.

He smirked momentarily before lowering his hand back down to his knee. "My kind actually can adapt to any environment, no matter how polluted or what the atmosphere is like. That isn't to say that elves love their fair share of nature. Hell...even the Dark Elves enjoy it despite their lack of will to admit it." Valken laid his hand on the knee of the knee of the woman as he leaned in closer - his touch was incredibly gentle, like a leaf falling lightly against a blanket of fresh snow. "So tell me, why invite a strange elf back to your home?"

@_dark_knight: Haha.

@lunahawk:

Hm. I want to tell her everything is going to be ok. That I'll be here for her and Shayera in the next life and the ones to follow….But that simply isn't true. I don't believe in reincarnation for the normal human such as myself, or even in an afterlife. When our lives are over, they will find a new one to love and cherish long after my body has been out to rest and a new Dark Vengeance emerges. Yet, there are so many things I want to tell Kendra, but I was never good at speaking my mind when it came to romance. I just hope that my presence and body language can speak the volumes that my words cannot.

"I'm here for you. Whenever you need me, and for whatever you need me. Just say the word."

There. Hopefully she's open and comfortable enough with me at this point that no secrets or emotions are hidden. Hopefully, but I've been proven wrong before.

@_vex_:

Luna Hawk looked up at him. She had known he loved Shayera...she had no idea he felt the same way about her. Have I let myself go so far down this depression rabbit hole that I really thought he only tolerated my presence for the extra fun in bed? What am I doing?!

"You..." she started to say it, but sort of trailed off, they both knew what she meant. "I didn't...I thought..." She tried but found it difficult to put the words together. "Oh my god I've been so blind. I've been in this...this dark cloud for weeks, maybe months really. I've just been so absorbed in my own thoughts that I never really payed enough attention to the outside world."

Kendra looked down for a moment and then back up into his eyes. "Alexander...I very much want to be a part of your future plans with Shayera...if you're ok with two mothers for your child." Of course making it official would be a problem, he'd only be able to marry one of them for obvious legal reasons. "I'm...going to work on this problem, with your help. I need to get out of my own head."

@lunahawk:

Alexander broke into a half smile. It was a simple, but extremely joyous gesture. Bringing a few things to light could change someones entire world and even bring them back from the edge of depression. The young Rook looked back to the dark sky and chuckled a bit, reflecting about different things have managed to play out in his life. He lifted himself off the grassy ground with his elbow and patted the dirt from his slacks.

"Come on. Lets go grab a bite to eat. There's this nice little diner that I used to frequent back in college."

He stretched out an open arm so that she may grasp it and return to her own feet as well. As far as the world knew, Dark Vengeance was a loner and had to girlfriend or family to speak of, so being seen with Kendra or Shayera was more of gossip and tabloids to mock the mayor and not the vigilante.

"Oh, and there won't be a need for the armor and helmet. Casual is more than fine."

His smile widened at the thought of finally taking some time to relax and allowing themselves to breathe….But only for as long as the world would allow them to.

@_vex_:

She took his offer to stand, holding her helmet in one hand. Normally she would have refused anyone's request to take it off in public but for him she decided to do it, just this once anyway. She folded her wings neatly on her back and slid her arm through his. She was apparently thinking about his public image as well when the started to walk and smiled a little. "You know Alexander, the tabloids are kinder to you when they see you out with Shayera. It's probably fear."

More than likely it was because Shayera's past, though not kind, had nothing to do with porn and so when the public saw him with Kendra they tended to comment on her "past activities" and speculate on when a new video might emerge. She of course deleted any helmet camera videos of her and Alexander, he had nothing to be concerned about there. She had halted all her other activities except for racy pinup posters so long as she was with him.

"You would have liked him Alexander." she said, thinking of The Monitor as they passed his tomb on their way out. "I think he would have liked you too." She added. They passed through the gates and out into the street and her mood seemed to improve a bit more. "Your place after this?" She asked. She didn't really want to go back to her apartment for a night or two if she could avoid it.

[Sorry for the delay. Things n' stuff n' things.]

Abby stopped and looked at the AI. Struck by his words, she stood frozen in disbelief. "You...what?" Her voice cracked, though she managed breath enough to keep it from breaking entirely.

She would've never expected herself to place much stake in the feelings of a robot, but Ishmael triggered something within her. After recent events, her injuries and impairment, the belittling of her ideals and capability by Ivana as well as others, Abigail had doubts about her belief in herself. Even after all their history, the uncertainty of whether or not she was taking him do his end, the kindredness, and expression of faith...She felt simultaneously a doubt of this naive mind, and a resurgence of hope that...maybe he's still right.

"Nothing bad's gonna happen to you, Ishmael. I promise."

She then reached into one of her pockets and pulled out a small silver square patch, sticking it to his shoulder. Bracing him as for support, she held him up and the two vanished from the air. The bike followed suit.

@valken:

(It's alright. It happens! Just glad you're responding.)

The performer smiled at his quaint generosity, shifting her body into a straighter sitting position. She listened coolly, sipping her drink, the bubbles of the beverage stinging the back of her throat as the vodka bestowed its pleasant buzz. "Dark Elves? What are they like, you but... darker?" Her own knowledge of elves was limited to that of fantasy like Lord of the Rings. Most of those elves looked very much like her companion: well-groomed, perfect, porcelain skin, bone-straight hair drawn into a half-up style, dazzling blue eyes. He certainly held true to this image, and then some. Those were just human actors with some pointy ears. This man... er, elf? was something far more impressive. His very essence seemed interwoven with nature, skin of fresh mountain snow, hair of cavern gold and silver brought up to capture the sun's light, eyes that reflected all the tumultuousness of the sky, still or storming, never to be predicted.

Lost in the poetic observation (hm, she really should write a lyric about it), she was barely aware of his presence. A tender touch drew her back to the still fantastical reality. She noticed it was surprisingly soft for one who doubtless had experienced centuries of life. Her lips pursed, her red eyes flickering but not with malice. The intimate nature of the motion made her think men of all races must not be too foreign in their intent. Not that she minded. The attention of such a creature in itself was alluring. And then came the question. It was put so coyly as to lay the onus upon her.

"Hm." Her ruby lips curved into a small smile. "Curiosity, I suppose. I like meeting new sorts of people. Perhaps my powers make me a bit reckless in determining the safety of strangers." Lana released a wry chuckle. "I could probably punch a hole in most men. I could as easily ask what brought you to follow a strange woman into her lair?"

@just_an_average_man

(Didn't have time to organize this until just now. This post follows the first time Elliot and Gale met one another and went back to her hotel and occurs well before she meets Kat.)

Xae looked over at Elliot in her bed, he was asleep for the time being, she doubted he would sleep very long. The male had impressive stamina for a human...so she had tested it. Xae smirked a little as she sat up, allowing the bed sheets to slide from her body as she shifted from a seated position to a standing one. She didn't bother dressing. Xae walked to the window of the high rise hotel and gazed out at the vista that was Gothic City. Somewhere something was on fire and she was pretty sure she heard police cars going by outside. The city never slept, much like New York, but worse. She sighed softly and shook her head, putting a hand on the cold glass of the window and leaning towards the window slightly.

Jungles and rolling plains have been replaced by the steel and concrete of another race. Mammals...they were so tiny when everything was still new. Now they run the place. I wonder if there's any room in this world for someone like me or should I just stick to my island full of recreated dinosaurs? This is Terra, the origin world of my species...my home...They're out there somewhere but I doubt they have any interest in coming back so long as this world is populated. One day perhaps, but not any time soon. That leaves it to me to keep Terra safe. These Humans...they remind me a lot of us, just...a little crazier and with far shorter lives. They're more stubborn, more stuck in their routines and more likely to fight among themselves. They also generally dislike outsiders, especially mutants or anyone they think might be superior.

Xae shook her head a little. So lonely this new Terra. No mate to share the joys and confusions of the world with...no hatchlings...just a colder climate and a bunch of semi-aggressive mammals running around causing and solving their own problems. I wonder if the world has passed me by.

@reddiamond:

As she took a sip from her drink, and the glass lowered Valken subtly made a swirling motion with his unoccupied hand. An ice cube shifted phases to its liquid form as it levitated graciously from the glass. The water swirled around his fingers, down and around his wrist and back up through his fingers. It rolled effortlessly through and with little concentration as if the water possessed a mind of its own. As the water continued to dance between his elf fingers, he spoke concerning the question of the Dark Elves. "They look sort of like me, but their skin is more grey and ashen. In terms of personality - their definitely a lot more morbid and brooding and tend to stick to caves, and their underground mines and dwellings and hey have different abilities too; like they can't do what I'm doing with this water. I can do this thanks to my Sea Elf genes from my father."

Valken noticed the change in look of the gorgeous woman; the slight pursing of lips and her flickering eyes was easily noticed by the highly attentive elf. Elves were impossible to read, they were like marble if they wanted to be. Some said the original elves were cast from marble; enduring, beautiful, and pure. They could only be read if they allowed it, as Valken currently did so. He began to reminisce of his parents - he knew little of them. His mother was said to be the most beautiful of snow elves, even the the purest high elves expressed their jealousy of her. His father was said to be one of most brilliant sea elf warriors to ever live; he had never seen the statues which lay beneath the mystical oceans...perhaps some day.

He pushed the thoughts from his mind and brought himself back to reality. "I think you have found out that I am far different than any man - though I do not doubt your admirable strength as I would imagine it rivals your beauty." Valken shifted his hand on her leg, while continuing to swirl the former ice cube through his fingers and generating a quick smile. "It was not a matter of what that led me here, but rather, who. Particularly you - one would be hard pressed to find something or somebody so pure in this tainted city. And any human woman that can catch the attention of elf, is worth risking the danger for."

@valken:

The Living Diamond clapped her hands together and smiled, her pearly whites rivaling her golden hair in brilliance as she watched the hydrokinetic display. “That’s fantastic!” Her delicate fingers lifted her glass to see if the train would follow upward closer to her flawless face. “I wonder what other uses that skill can have…” Her performer mind instantly went to some fabulous aquatic shows, a blue sequined-clad diva swirling water around her, ice forming a crown upon her head as fountains in the background erupted at the glorious notes of a soprano’s song. The water it self could serve easily as percussion. It was just magnificent. This ability seemed to have limitless potential, almost making her sad she could only transform her own body. Still, she made such a simple mutation fabulous. Almost as an extension of her her thoughts, Lana brushed her soft locks back with her fingers.

The Londoner giggled, placing her hand on his. “That’s sweet. I’m hardly ‘pure.’ At least, I can’t imagine a sense I could be described as such. Kind of an antiquated word. But I suppose I’m at least cleaner than this greasy city.” She grinned before tilting her head. “And if I can be so bold, following a strange woman back to her suite hardly seems pure for most, however pristine your ivory visage is. Not that I’m one to judge.” Lana winked.

@reddiamond:

The Silver Sparrow smiled joyfully at her reaction; he had not intended for his hydrokinetic abilities to be so amusing, but it definitely provided a form of personal pleasure. Despite the immersement of most elves with nature, they never took beautiful elements of nature for granted - it was like a form of art to them. It was art in its most pure of forms, it was untouched, and unaltered. It took time to create, time that far outreached any human. Valken could sit for hours watching water flow, or lightning strike in admiration of its beauty. Perhaps it was his immortality which granted this appreciation for patience, to notice the little things or maybe elves, unlike humans, had not grown away from what had once created them. The race of man were new to this planet; elves were children of the earth; born of marble, tree bark and rain droplets. Man sought to determine their creator and also manipulate it, the elves simply accepted it and embraced theirs.

Valken chuckled lightly at her remark, "My intentions were pure - I just sought to ensure a safe arrival for a fine lady. Humans may have rid themselves of chivalry, but the elves invented it my dear." His tone was playful, soft and inviting; his eyes seemed to spark and his silvery hair sparkled for a moment. "It is now that I am in your company that I have discovered my attraction towards you. Hopefully that is, how do you say it...forward of me?"

@valken:

(Damn. I just love your descriptions of Elvish culture and the impact of their immortality.)

Lana beamed. "Well, I'd be lying if I said I didn't find you fascinating. I've met a lot of people in my profession, but never anythi... ONE like you. Of course, that's the danger, isn't it? I don't have much use for chivalry, but I've seen it used to disarm weaker women. To be honest, I usually prefer people with more obvious intention. No time for games and no interest in being used. Unless it's mutual, of course." The edge of ruby lips curled up mischievously.

A moth that had been perching upon the wall fluttered suddenly, it's wings carrying it upward and between the pair. The Diamond Diva scowled and swatted at it. She hadn't remembered leaving the window open. And she certainly didn't like bugs anywhere near her person. The winged insect only seemed angered by her failed assaults, flying into her face, forcing her to jump up from her seat with a disgusted squeal. "What the hell?!" Her fiery eyes watched as the pale insect flitted away toward the window, slipping out on a gust of night wind. Her soft feet padded across the floor to close the ajar window, the air grown suddenly cold and tumultuous.

She set her drink upon the sill and slammed it shut. Her form shivered before turning back to the Silver Sparrow. Lana's painted fingernails brushed through her silky hair as she leisurely walked back to her seat. "Sorry about that."

@reddiamond: @valken:

Before she could sit, a voice echoed from the shadow of the curtain. "Not nearly sorry enough." The shadow in the corner seemed to grow until it was dispelled by a flicker of flame in a white hand. The small fire held within illuminated the shape of a sharply featured face. The dancing gold and red seemed to cast eerie shadows about his pale features before a dark, enchanted cloak was shed from the menacing visage. A tall elf of Sun and Moon lineage stood clad in royal attire. The flame was quickly extinguished by pale fingers wrapping around it. His ethereal tawny eyes refused to look upon Lana, instead choosing to rest upon his fellow near her. He took a single step forward to address the Moon-Sea elf.

"Moon-elf, I should have expected more from like kin. Have you forgotten your true people, fallen so quickly for the temporary temptations of the mortal world? Why do you fraternize with lesser beings in the twisted, urban decay amongst the mortal supplanters?"

Cockblock master.

@_nox_:

Heh, honestly never thought I'd be dropping this little surprise on Mark so soon. Lotta things change in a few months, I suppose, Christopher silently mused, vibrantly radiant eyes casting an uncanny gleam in the darkness blanketing the night skies. His frame appeared enveloped in an indistinct haze of subtle vibration, wise countenance veiled in a constant blur. A jagged trail of vivid, electrical arcs remained visible behind him for the span of a few moments, gradually fading into nothingness as he had come to a definite halt at his desired location. At the place where rather easily he'd tracked his problematic ancestor, and where he finally planned to introduce himself...

"Marcus," The speedster began, finally choosing to sound his intentionally garbled timbre as he tentatively called out the silver-tongued mamba.

(Probably not my best, but hopefully it'll suffice)

@celebuir: @reddiamond:

(Thanks for the compliment by the way!)

Valken watched as the lady in front of him lept from her relaxed slumber to swat at the lone flying insect which aimlessly flapped amongst the room. He began to smirk which transformed into a laugh - he was amused at the sudden theatrical display over the alarm of such a small little being. His laugh was light, but clearly audible and there was no attempt to hide the discovered comedy. "It is no worry my dear, surely no harm would have come to us from such a dangerous beast with a warrior such as yourself in the room." His comment was incredibly sarcastic, but in a harmless and playful way as he continued to chuckle after his remark. "Take no offence from my words, I am merely trying my hand at humour!"

The Silver Sparrow continued his light chuckle; he was amused at his own joke and it was then he realized how long it had been since he had truly laughed. But the moment was soon spoiled by the rather dramatic entrance of what was easily identifiable as another elf. Not that same as Valken, but an elf nonetheless. His skin was much paler; ghastly in appearance. The Silver Jaeger rose from his chair in such a graceful manner as if a wind had lifted him. His brow immediately furrowed, and the humorous atmosphere had been extinguished. The water which he had been toying with previously came together in a neatly formed sphere which lay in his palm, concealed within a loosely formed fist.

The sapphire iris' of the Silver Sparrow sparked and intensified in colour through their narrowed lids. The pupils and whites of his eyes darkened to a deep, colourless obsidian. Legends told of the Storm Elves temper being just like the ocean; calm one second and angry another - now it was being shown.

"It is that attitude which has caused the near extinction of our kind. If we are to exist, we must co-exist - you know this as well as I. We may be of the same kin, but we are not unified in morality and psychology. I recommend that you leave...it is in your best interest."

Valken's tone was noticeably different. His jovial and whimsical words had been replaced with direct and martial ones. He looked towards Lana, "Get behind me." The very atmosphere of the room had taken a complete one-eighty; a similar feeling could be felt from the onset of a grey overcast accompanied with an increasing wind and intensifying rain. Ironic that a Storm Elf was capable of such a feat; however, he was just living to the name.

@_creed_: @valken:

@valken:

Lana's red eyes narrowed as her body transformed into her biological armour. Her lips curled up with irritation over her pearly teeth. "Who is this wanker?" She had half a mind to smash him through the window she assumed he somehow entered. But the her elvish companion probably knew better than she. The Scarlet Starlet took a step back, her hand balled into a first. Then her eyes darted around her as the air shifted. The scent of rain was in the air, and her hair was frizzy with static. She pursed her lips with some interest at the power of the Storm Elf. Still the stranger looked like he could probably hold his own, tall and authoritative. Ms. London couldn't help but smirk. Would this lead to a violent little show of force?

@reddiamond: @valken:

The Eclipse Elf was hardly thrilled by the display of environmental prowess. Sun Elves were haughty and proud, but not without reason. They had a master of the magic and pyrokinetic arts. The ancient prince was of no exception. His Moon Elf heritage also granted him similar weather manipulation. "This is not a fight you want, Stormkin. I am Prince Celebuir son of Anorion, heir to the Veiled Forest... and this decaying world. Extinction is inevitable as long as the mortals have their way. You saw the battered streets and contaminated air of this grotesque city. Nothing grows here. There is only death. The humans..." his head nodded disdainfully toward the Living Diamond, "and mutants are consuming the globe. Overpopulation, pollution, poaching, wars. How can you defend them? They kill not only our kind but themselves. And they are too young and stupid to see it. To make them slaves under Elven rule would be a saving grace to their self-destructive species." The Misanthropic Monarch shook his head, his yellow-orange eyes blazing like a kindled fire. "My sister and your kind give my people the misguided hope of coexistence. That is not true peace. It is surrender." He wrapped his shadow cloak around his shoulders, parts of his form seeming almost to dissolve into the projected darkness fleeing from the light of the room. "Whether by my hand or the steady hand of time, her mortal beauty will fade with her life. But the plague of her kind will continue to ravage the world. I have no desire to kill you, Storm Elf. They will not hold the same standard when their supremacists seek to purge your kin. At least Celebriel does not threaten to destroy our blood from within." Her black-painted lips curled in disgust as they rested upon Lana once more, strategising how he could shatter her crystalline form

@celebuir: @reddiamond:

Valken noticed as Lana generated his biological armour which was quite a spectacle. It was a bright ruby, flawless and was as awe-inspiring as it was durable. Even the finest elven gems did not display such perfection; "He's another hybrid - but still different from me. We're both half moon elf, but are other halves differ. Oddly enough, those different halves make us nearly direct opposites of one another. He's little more than a tyrant that believes being a ruler is all about ruling over lesser beings - in this case that's humans."

The Silver Sparrow moved past Lana, positioning himself in front of her. "Your title does not raise your prowess in battle, do not forget that. It is that ancient attitude which has reduced us to what we are now non-existent." The Storm elf began pacing from side to side with short steps, carefully concealing the ball of compressed water in his palm. "Insanity is defined as doing the same thing over and over and expecting to get a different result. Despite our immortality, we have yet to figure out that doing the same thing will not better our race." He stopped pacing and locked eyes with the Eclipse elf before him. His cobalt eyes glowed intensely and cast a gaze that was as cold as glacial ice.

"We have killed our kind! Not humans or mutants - us! Our ignorance, our pride...we have lost our way and our infamous foresight has been blinded for centuries. The mutants are no different than me and you; the other races of elves. They seek to find their way just as we do Celebuir." Valken's tone was sharp and snappy but contained a degree of aggressiveness. However, perhaps the most identifiable piece of his tone was desperation. His desire for prosperity of his race was readily evident; he wanted...he needed his race to be restored. It was almost a missing part of his very body and essence. Some elves may have called him domesticated due to his interactions with the humans. He saw it another way.

It had widened his eyes, expanded his knowledge, and opened his mind. It was like a breath of fresh air and light breeze over dusty and covered antiques which had been stored from years, stored from the outside elements. At first, his exile from the elvish world was like binding chains and a depressing sickness of the mind - he knew nothing outside of that world so it was natural. But it did not take long for this feeling to be overcome and conquered. "If you have come here to fight and gloat, I suggest you bring such childish tactics elsewhere for you are not welcome here."

@valken:

Celebuir’s jaw tightened as Valken insinuated the Eclipse Elf did not have the force to back up his threats. In truth, the Primeval Prince might have been at a martial disadvantage. How many centuries did he spend in his enchanted prison? Had his own father, King Anorion, not locked him away, he would have never lost his edge, the Silverflame dulled by disuse more than combat. His yellow-orange eyes narrowed, the vibrance dimmed by pale lashes as the rage pumped through his veins. But his outside was as cool as a springtime rain. He was still a prince, and the elves that had brought him back from his exile would rally to his side for a worthy cause. This hybrid was not such a reason.

His fiery eyes locked unwaveringly at the Storm Elf as he explained what the monarch could only describe as quaint idealism or propaganda from spineless servants. A foot stepping forward from the mystical shadow around him, Celebuir pointed a finger at the elf before him. “The infighting of our kind was a fault of our youth. Never did our people play with the very fabric of our home in their racist vendettas. This city itself is a testament to the filth that the humans can contrive. If you want vision, you have only to look around you.” His gaze fell upon the Vermillion Vixen. “And what do you know of her to deserve your protection? I can sense a coldness in her that belies her charming appearance. The performer wears a mask of something you might consider resembling yourself.”

The Child of Sun and Moon cast his unearthly attention upon Valken. “You assume I intend to fight you? No. I intend to leave you to die with the humans who rebel. You are not worthy of our lineage.” His black lips twisted into a sinister smile. “And casting your lot with them, I’m sure you will die by the hand of those you protect long before you taste elven steel.” Sweeping his black cloak around him, the shadows engulfing his tall, pale form until he vanished from sight, the Silverflame past through the darkness and away into the greater night.

@_vex_:

A chopper flew over the cuckoos nest. The sound the blades made as they cut through the air echoed by the broken streets in the city. The criminals and homeless all looked up, it had been months since they had seen one of those in the city. The hopeful ones rose their hands like they were in a temple, praying, begging for salvation.

He looked down on them, he felt shame that this nation had condemned its own people like this. Hopefully he could change it. Buildings upon buildings had been deserted, what remained of this metropolis resembled more of a colloseum. As he went over the city he saw city hall, which was still under construction after the attacks by Brotherhood. Julian noticed a crooked black house, the pilot said that's where they believe the Satar and his forces stay. He thought about paying them a visit but decided it was not time yet.

Finally they arrived at one of the last running buildings in the city, the tallest one that stood at the heart of Gothic city with gargoyles strategically planted on each corner.

Press Industries

The Ex-Knightfall Patriarch's feet touched the ground firmly. He had decided to wear his single breasted, navy colored Armani suit with the tactical black tie to demostrate his party neutrality. A rather average silver rolex to show he had class but he wasn't too concerned with it.

The elder Alexander's smiled showed his perfectly shining teeth.

"Good evening Mr. Rook." He shook his hand and slightly tilted the Press boy's hand to the left to take dominance subliminally.

"Thank you for having me today. I'm hoping we can come to terms with the city's current situation".

@hound_of_war:

"Lea, hold my calls."

The young Rook spoke casually to his assistant while inspecting a small video screen at the bottom corner of his personal computer. The images had played the arrival of a helicopter utilizing the Press Industries landing pad, a highly secured and fortified square of roof top that over looked the surrounding city. The lights that beamed from the corners offered almost a pinnacle of hope to those that looked from the streets below. Being mayor of Gothic and having been left without a political place of business thanks to Satar and his forces, Alexander was forced to move all affairs to the inherited corporation of Malcolm Press.

Alexander stood sharply and flattened the tails of his coal colored european suit, being sure to look as well managed as possible. The late night escapades cleaning up the scattered criminals was obviously taking it's toll, but he pushed forward. Strutting out of the office and meeting his guests at the helipad, he smiled. This was a meeting that was long overdue. Not necessarily of the two men, but the cohesion of their beliefs and ideals.

"Welcome."

The words charmingly played from his voice as he extended a firm hand, taking a mental note of the authoritative like grip.

"Let's head inside. This is no place to envision change."

He returned a smile to the elder Alexander and gestured an open palm to the door located behind him that lead to a secured interior. Making his way inside and into a private conference room, Alex nodded to his security entourage, a signal to not be disturbed unless a serious circumstance arose.

"So, as we both know. Gothic city has always been caught in….dire situations."

The single word was exaggerated to stress how often and how deadly these problems were occurring.

"I've been attempting single handedly while the nation turns a blind eye to my cries for assistance. This is no future to leave our children. Help me create a better one."

@_vex_:

The building had been recently re-painted, the walls tones were brighter then the pictures the file had. You could still see the shining color in them. The lights had changed to a more eco-friendly bulb. He felt completely out of place in the building despite his sophisticated outfit.

"An entire nation should not be accountable for one man's mistakes. The moment I become President I will make Gothic city part of the U.S again and help you re-construct it. I believe we should use government funds in order to build a new, cheaper system of transportation. Your mentor, may he rest in peace, spoke of doing this before his passing if the news reports were correct. We can use the plans that he and Mr. Porthos created and see them through. I hope you still have them otherwise I will ask Mr. Porthos for it.

That is only a start, this railroad, for lack of a better word will help the people of Gothic reach their construction jobs. I intend to use the people here to re-build their own homes instead of private contractors. It may not be cheap, but it's an effective way of stopping Gothic city from relapsing to its old, crime ridden self.

Before doing this, we are going to have to fight the terrorist threat that lives in this city if we hope to make any progress. It is best if we attack them and deny them the chance to attack us. Every day that the Brotherhood is allowed to operate in this city, the more difficult it is going to be to bring this city from the dark pit it has fallen. It is an outrage that this government has allowed their own people to be enslaved to this madman's power fantasies.

In order to help you I'm going to need your help first. This race might will be more difficult to win than before. Your full support and Gothic city's could be the deciding factor here. I hope that won't be too much to ask. The people need to know that there are strong leaders left in this world, men who can back up their words and do not hide their inefficiency behind politics . "

"Evenin' Pen; think you might actually buy something, tonight?" The cook barely looked up as Penalty entered the shoddy diner, clearly being more observed in his newspaper as he leaned against the cold stove behind the counter.

"What, stoppin' two holdups in this dump this week alone not earn me some peace and quiet?" The vagrant vigilante didn't wait for a response before dropping into a booth near the back of the room, the eternally burned-out bulb above it ensuring him a bit of privacy. His eyes were drawn to the ancient TV playing in the corner. It only picked up local channels, which consisted mainly of news, and you didn't watch the news these days without being drowned in election coverage. Nobody was being interviewed on this particular channel tonight; instead, two talking heads were arguing about which candidate might actually "save" Gothic.

Penalty resisted the urge to throw a long-expired, nine-tenths empty bottle of ketchup at the TV. The idea of anybody "saving" Gothic was so ridiculous it was almost funny. Sure, they could march armed troops from end-to-end, clear out some of the worst nests of corruption, and maybe give parts a facelift, but the heart of the city was rotten, and fixing that was going to take a lot more than throwing tax dollars at the problem.

Thing was, that actually suited him. As much as a lot of what he saw on a daily basis in this city disgusted him, it was home. He had carved out a place for himself here, and he wasn't sure he could do that in one of those "cleaner" cities. "Hey Joe," he called, "how about a burger and some coffee?" When the cook just shot him an irritated look, he shot one right back. "You know, next time I see someone pulling a knife on you for the register, I could always decide that it's just a misguided youth who doesn't deserve two broken arms." As Joe turned and fired up the stove, muttering the entire time, Penalty turned his attention back to the TV. Might as well follow the circus; at least that way he'd know whose initiative would be responsible for his getting evicted from whatever condemned building he holed up in next.

His eyes opened and scanned the ceiling above him, as he slowly rolled over. Sore. He felt, very, very soar. More than he would ever like to admit to her.

Well sh**, I'm actually alive. Huh, well that was....somethin'....

His eyes soon wanted to roam about more than simply the ceiling, but he'd have to actually get up first. Already he felt a deepening sense of hunger in his stomach before he'd actually begun to move. It was all mostly a mental thing and he'd had to put more effort into satisfying her than he had to practically any woman he'd ever met. Slowly, details of the previous night's encounter had come into his mind and even before, he'd long suspected that Xae was no ordinary human. But in all honesty, who was? These days, people can turn themselves into steel with the flick of a finger.

The thought of that brought on him thoughts that were more, curious. He had no regret about the things he did...most of them. He only really currently was skeptical of not mostly succumbing to his desire, and Gale seemingly abnormal strength and not doing something that would prevent him from having to pay child support in a little over a year. But with her? Not really much to regret. He didn't really know what she was, particularly from the way she growled. But his mind had settled on placing her in the territory of bestial mutant. As he rises to look about the room with his and her clothes strewn all about the place, he slides out of his bed to slip some of his on, noticing her by the window.

Wonder what she's thinking about...

A playful smirk crawls onto his mouth as he reaches down for her shirt off the floor. He quickly then balls it up and then tosses it across the room at Gale for it to land on her shoulder.

"Should put some clothes on. Never know when some kiddie might decide to look up."

His smile towards her grew wider as he had started to take his own advice.

@just_an_average_man:

Gale smiled a little and slipped the shirt on as per his request. "I didn't explain while we were in the middle of things" she started, having realized he was probably having a very human concern now that he was thinking with his brain. "We aren't compatible, don't worry about it." She sighed a little as she gazed out the window once more before she turned her back on it to focus her attention on her guest again. "Its hard for me to trust people, I mean really trust people." She told him. "There's a lot I could tell you and a part of me really wants to tell you...but the rest of me knows how fragile information security is."

Gale finished pulling her shirt on. "I suppose not everything needs to be a secret though." She decided. She pushed her thumb and pointer finger tips together and then pulled them apart, generating a small holographic window between them. She released the image and then took the opposite corners of it and pulled them apart, steadily enlarging the window until it was the size of an average TV screen. At this point she took the window, pivoted it onto its axis so that if it were a TV screen it would be laying on its back and then spun it rapidly by its corners. The image moved away from her and suddenly expanded out until it covered the entire room and transformed what had been a hotel room into rolling plains and tall grass lands. They appeared to stand on a hill overlooking the picturesque landscape. "This was my home." She told Elliot, casting a glance in his direction. "Before it became buildings and pavement."

@gale_xanders:

"We aren't compatible, don't worry about it."

Elliot shrugs silently.

"Yeah, it's all good. Friends with benefits kinda thing. But there is the little matter me kinda...oh. Wait-a-minute..."

He pauses, and takes a moment to think about what she said, what she means. Why was she telling him not to worry? A kid was plenty something to worry about. He didn't exactly wanna just pawn it off on her but, with all the time he's had, he could probably raise one himself, far away. Somewhere safe, maybe a bit secluded. But even then, he did wonder if in truth he'd want to bring a kid into this world. If she did not actually wanna be with him when it happened, it didn't really matter. But...then he realized what she was actually talking about, slowly linking the pieces of the puzzle together. She wasn't talking about him and her being incompatible more so, she saying that he and her were incapable of having kids together.

An tsunami of relief washed over him.

His mind, cleared, he listened fully to Gale as the subject quickly shifted and she seemed to conspicuously know what he was thinking. "You a Telepath or something?" He inquired, watching what she did. His tone that of curiosity, a deliberate desire to express acceptance at this fact, if it were true. He knew that mutants, metahumans and generally, anything that was considered not human was something often regarded with fear of their power and abilities. To him, they were humans like anyone else, capable of anything, good or bad. But even then, he knew that humans and mutants could procreate usually. Indeed, a human and human could have a mutant child and a mutant and a mutant could have a human child. However, he can't do that with Gale, and he begins to wonder why. Is she human?

Where is she goin' with this?

"Gale..."

He watched the device in her hand form and a hologram sprout up, stopping in place, he watched, and listened. And then instinctively twitched, nearly jumped, as the hologram expanded to encompass the entire room. Sharply, he keeps his cool as his adrenaline seems to flow once more in the face of something he doesn't readily understand, but learning to keep a cool head enabled him to channel such energy into thinking when necessary or for action. There were times to not think. To only react. This was not one of those times.

His eyes go back towards her. And he smiles subtly.

"So my guess is that you are slightly older than you look, am I right?" He smirks for a moment, but his expression, relaxes into something more sincere a few moment. "Wish I could apologize on behalf of everyone but we all know I can't speak for everyone. But, I'll apologize for myself." He scratches the back of his head and looks about at the grassy plains of the illusion. "Sorry you have to see what was your home turned into....this." He crosses his arms in front of his chest, raising a brow.

"I'm not exactly a snitch, Gale. But I like to think of myself as one who doesn't like to pry too much. That said, you wanna tell me something?"

@just_an_average_man:

Gale let him take everything in and process the information he was receiving and for a moment she was caught up in memories anyway, he could see a far away look in her eyes as she looked out over the holographic terrain. She was remembering hatchlings and a mate, times of happiness between times of war. She shook her head after a moment. "You don't have to apologize." She told him. "This is your world now, it's not mine. I Just wanted to see it again and to show a friend what it was like." She smiled a little and returned her attention to Elliot.

"Older than I look? Yeah, we'll go with that." She smiled a bit. "I'm not saying you would willingly tell people but if you knew everything and someone got a hold of you and found a way to make you talk, they could do a lot of damage. Maybe once I've known you longer or I feel like things have settled down I'll tell you more. For now, suffice to say that Jurassic World is more than a job for me." She put special emphasis on the word "Jurassic" to get her point across without coming out and saying it in the open. It would give an intelligent male like Elliot all the clues he needed as to how old she might really be or what she might really be.

"You know I've been working on this technology, I wanted to make it hard light but I can't seem to get some of the programming down." She swept her hand through holographic grass. "Nano-projectors, millions of tiny little nano-projectors. They're self replicating, self producing and completely harmless. They have one job and one job only, this is it." She thought for a moment about his question of her telepathy as she imagined the little machines swimming around her fingers where they were located in the image. "I am telepathic but I can't read minds, it's just a form of communication for me. I'm just very good at reading people and the concerns I thought you might have had seemed sort of obvious to me. I didn't think to tell you we weren't compatible last night and it would make sense if you were concerned about it."

@alpha_dog:

@_ophelia_: >:D

@alpha_dog: ....

Well that escalated quickly.