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Post by Ruko on Nov 19, 2009 16:55:51 GMT -5
Mouse was left with one arm hanging in the air as Ryker dashed off. She blinked after him, surprised. "Did I say something?" she asked, turning to the other two. "I didn't think I said anything. And I KNOW he didn't drop anything."
Snake smiled. "Mouse, I'm not sure if he's ready to think of the gang as a family. Judging from the experience you've had with him, it seems like he's pretty alone. Don't push him, okay?"
She nodded, sighing. Shark brought his eyes up to where Ryker had gone, although he wasn't able to be seen. "I'm not sure if that's the problem..."
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shadowswolf
Soilder
I'm not evil, just up to no good.
Posts: 217
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Post by shadowswolf on Nov 19, 2009 17:07:45 GMT -5
Ryker moved at a fast pace, turning occasionally. At last, he crumpled to the ground. For awhile-he did nothing. His breath was ragged, his body shivering as if he was cold. His memories as a human were gone. Again, he tried to think of his family. And again...nothing. Frustrated, Ryker curled into a ball and closed his eyes.
Images flahsed through his mind. Him as a small child, being dragged away, thrown into a dark cage....being beaten, starved. Seeing others die. Being mocked at, taunted.
His eyes flashed open, gasping. He touched his forehead lightly to find beads of sweet there. All around him, he was washed in darkness.
Not darkness. Blood.
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Post by Ruko on Nov 21, 2009 17:42:53 GMT -5
After a few minutes had passed, Mouse began to get worried. Shark and Snake were deep in conversation, talking about things that were way over her head. Glancing quickly back at them, she hurried out the door, out the hall, and back to the door. After a confirmation from the guards that Ryker had indeed passed through there, she paused, slightly worried.
Since they had been in, a light snow had fallen. Faintly, in the light layer, her sharp eyes found footprints, who could only be left by Ryker, as he was the only one that had passed through there. She quickly tracked them, moving through the streets, which there were less people on, as it was getting later. Mouse stoppped, her eyes roving upward as the trail came to an end.
There was Ryker! As if he had fallen on the ground... "Ryker!" She knelt down in the faint layer on snow, shaking his shoulder. His eyes were haunted, unseeing. "Ryker!"
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shadowswolf
Soilder
I'm not evil, just up to no good.
Posts: 217
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Post by shadowswolf on Nov 21, 2009 19:21:26 GMT -5
Ryker blinked slowly, then turned to look at Mouse. "Huh?" he said dully, completley unsure of what had happened. He studied the girl for a moment, frowning. Who was this?
Then he remembered. Mouse. "Sorry," he said softly, standing up. "I-" But he couldn't come up with an explanation this time to cover up his behavior.
He took in a deep breath. "Thanks, Mouse."
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Post by Ruko on Nov 21, 2009 22:35:40 GMT -5
Mouse frowned worriedly as Ryker stared at her, uncomprehending, but sighed in relief as understanding flooded his eyes. "Ryker. Don't scare me like that! Do you have any idea how worried I felt when I saw you on the ground like this?"
Why had he...? She posed the question. "You didn't leave anything behind. Why did you come out here? What happened?" Her eyes searched his. "Please, Ryker, what's wrong? You can tell me. We're family now." The corner's of Mouse's mouth upturned. "Please? I'll keep bugging you if you don't tell me!" And she would fret to death. He had to tell her.
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shadowswolf
Soilder
I'm not evil, just up to no good.
Posts: 217
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Post by shadowswolf on Nov 22, 2009 1:07:23 GMT -5
Ryker smiled sadly at Mouse's statement. "I know...but...." He turned his face away, staring at the frosty streets. He had forgotten his own blood related family, could it be possible he would forget Mouse, Shark, Snake and even Stormcrest as well? He shivered, facing Mouse again.
"Back there, in the room, I tried to remember what it was like to a have a family. But then I realized I couldn't even remember the face of my own mother and sister. I could only see the face of my father, though blurry, buried in the snow and ice...his skin an unnatural color...the look of anguish....I forgot. Glimpses of memories-the only thing I can remember. I can't remember. I can't. Thinking of my father, dead like that, brought me back to my past as a slave. Have I become so great a monster that I have forgotten even those who I love? Even now, I didn't recognize you."
He slunk against the building wall. "I'm truely cursed."
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Post by Ruko on Nov 24, 2009 22:08:46 GMT -5
Mouse blinked, surprised at Ryker's words. He had forgotten his own family, but on accident? She had forgotten her family on purpose, so she couldn't really relate, but... She embraced Ryker, giving him a big hug. "You're not cursed!" she told him stubbornly, not releasing him from her arms. "You're not a monster, either, Ryker. I don't like monsters, when I was young I killed the ones underneath my bed. And I'm not touching you. You're not a monster."
She released him, holding him away from her by his shoulders. "I don't remember my family, either, Ryker. At the time, I purposefully forgot, so I wouldn't think about the happiness I used to have. I regret it now, but..." Mouse smiled. "We're your family now, okay Ryker? Stop putting yourself down!" She embraced him again. "Honestly, you're so self-depricating. Ever thought that there's things to like about yourself, too?"
Internally, Mouse sighed. She didn't understand the slightly younger boy at all.
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shadowswolf
Soilder
I'm not evil, just up to no good.
Posts: 217
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Post by shadowswolf on Nov 25, 2009 0:22:34 GMT -5
Ryker nodded, half listening to what Mouse said. But shock had an iron grip on him still. As they began walking back towards Snake and Shark, he suddenly realized how late it was.
"I better keep my promise to Storm," he said, stopping. He gave a small smile, hoping to convince Mouse that he was alright. He didn't want to bring her down too. Ryker furrowed his brow. How would he find her?
He looked up towards the sky, seeming a massive building rising above the rest. It looked like...Ryker's stomach turned.
A Colliseum.
He straightened himself. Concentrated on the building. "Storm's there. It couldn't be more obvious." Without thinking of what he was doing, or the consequences of even going near a colliseum, Ryker broke out into a full run.
The night wind brushed against his dark skin. Running...it sure helped Ryker take his mind off everything. The grand building grew to be a massive giant before him, as he darted through allies and streets. Frost tinted the ground and snowflakes flutter through the sky, making him feel all the more alive.
Suddenly, he screeched to a stop. Where was Mouse? He glanced anxiously at the Colliseum, then back. With a heavy sigh, he turned towards the towering building.
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Post by Ruko on Nov 26, 2009 19:50:39 GMT -5
Mouse should've been listening better, or not talking as much, because, all of a sudden, Ryker took off. For a moment, she stood there, stunned. "Ummm..." Where was he going? Had she said something wrong? Was he deciding not to join the gang? No, he would've told her, instead of just taking off. She sighed. She wasn't good at running. She'd just have to use her wings. After all, it WAS Asteria.
Unfurling her gray wings, Mouse quickly flapped them, soaring into the sky. With her keen eyes, she scanned the wintery village, well, more like a city. There! Ryker had just stopped running, not far from the Coliseum. Realizing he was looking for her, she swooped down in the sky. "Ryker!" she called, then remembered about his '+Anima attack mode'. She'd have to deactivate quickly, then.
Dropping down about a foot behind him, Mouse quickly folded her wings, deactivating her +Anima. "Ryker!" she scolded, stern look on her face. "Don't run off on me again!"
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shadowswolf
Soilder
I'm not evil, just up to no good.
Posts: 217
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Post by shadowswolf on Nov 26, 2009 20:55:30 GMT -5
Ryker spun around, his eyes flashing. "Oh, sorry Mouse. I just remembered about Storm and then I saw the building, and...sorry." He looked away, looking at the massive structure. "It's a Colliseum, isn't it?"
He swallowed, then shook his head sadly. "Just the place Storm would be."
He jerked his chin towards the Collisuem, and advanced slowly. And there...Storm. She was talking to some man, hidden in the shadows.
"I need the money. Get me in now," said Storm. Her eyes narrowed in challenge. The man hesitated, a flicker of fear crossing his face.
"Hold up to your promise, and I'll hold to mine." Storm turned, her sharp eyes quickly targeting Ryker and Mouse.
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Post by Ruko on Nov 30, 2009 20:04:04 GMT -5
Just the place she would be? That wasn't a very nice thing to say about someone, and normally Mouse would've protested, but she wasn't planning on sticking up for Stormcrest. She HATED the Coliseum. Sure, if she badly needed quick money, she'd use it, but that was about it. That kind of fighting, for people's entertainment... That was STUPID.
Mouse met Storm's eyes quickly, having already located her. "She sees us," she told Ryker, quiet so that Stormcrest couldn't hear. Putting on a bright face, which wasn't hard, and it was absolutely real, and not fake in anyway, Mouse darted forward, stopping two feet away from Storm. "Hello, Stormcrest!" Mouse announced brightly, grinning. She wasn't being fake, but was truly pleased to seee Storm. The sooner Ryker said whatever to her, the sooner they got back to Snake.
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shadowswolf
Soilder
I'm not evil, just up to no good.
Posts: 217
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Post by shadowswolf on Nov 30, 2009 22:21:41 GMT -5
Stormcrest smiled. "Hello Mouse, Ryker." Her face had a touch of concern to it. "How was the meeting? You're back sooner than I thought."
"Good, the leader is really kind. The gang isn't what you think it is, everything is fine. Anyways, Shark Mouse and I will be leaving soon."
Storm frowned. "So soon?" Her face clouded over. "I suppose it can't be helped."
"What about you?" Ryker asked, jutting his chin towards the Colliseum.
"Yeah, I signed up for a fight. As much as I detest the idea, I need money Ryker."
Ryker scowled. "You're choice."
"I'm just gonna catch some criminals, do a fight, then I'm out of here...."
Ryker snarled. "So you are still working for our old master."
"No," replied Storm cooly. "Merely a simple favor. Besides, my mission was to bring you back to the Cages. If I went back, they would send me back to the arena." She jingled the chain around her foot, something which Ryker had forgotten about. "As long as I'm here, the Cages won't be able to find me."
Ryker stood there, a little awkward. "Guess I'll see you later, then..." He turned to Mouse. "Everything is done here." He tried to smile, but to no avail.
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Post by Ruko on Dec 5, 2009 13:20:27 GMT -5
Mouse watched the exchange with wide eyes, worried slightly. They had seemed so close on the journey here, but now... It was sort of sad to watch, actually. She hoped her and Shark would never fight like that. It'd be awful. Seeing Ryker try to smile, her face hardened slightly.
She turned to Storm. "Are you sure you don't want to join our gang, Storm? We're one of the Tri!" She grinned. "The mysterious one." From what Shark had said, Storm thought they were one of the other ones, the evil ones. No, not them.
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shadowswolf
Soilder
I'm not evil, just up to no good.
Posts: 217
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Post by shadowswolf on Dec 5, 2009 13:54:40 GMT -5
For a moment, Storm's face brightened. Embarassed, she ducked her head. "I'd love to...but I don't think your leader would want someone like me in your gang. Especially since...since I thought your gang in such a terrible way." She glanced up, her eyes softening. Ryker looked towards the arena. There was no way that he would ever allow Storm to fight in the Colliseum, even if it was for entertainment. He had spent his whole life in such a dark place, turned him into a monster....
"Great! Storm can come with, right? I'm sure our leader wouldn't have a problem." He glanced hopefully at Mouse. The truth was, and he wasn't going to say this out loud, he was afraid for Storm. She seemed to think lightly of the Cages, but he knew better. Leaving her alone would be a bad idea.
"I'll only come if your leader and Shark agree," Storm said to Mouse.
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Post by Ruko on Dec 5, 2009 14:07:19 GMT -5
(Thank you on the congrats. The c-box isn't working for me right now... T_T)
Mouse grinned, happy. Snake would be happy with anyone, and Shark'd let her, cause it was Mouse's idea. "Well, then, come on! I'm positive they'll let you join! 100 percent positive!" Mouse was glowing with happiness, glad to have made amends between the two.
Another idea struck her, and it made her happier. "Hey, Storm, I'd bet you could come on the 'N' mission with me, Ryker, and Shark!"
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