Re: Port Vega: Father and Son and Daughter
(Chord)
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Chord frowned then. Could he see and hear the hurt in his voice...yes. But this melodrama was just too much for him.
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And he knew what he was about to say he could say softer Brandon was odd enough now where he need a good hard swift lesson about the difference between separating business from family.
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¡°Brandon with all due respect what in the hell are you talking about. Stand up and tell me I was wrong...Ireland upset for you not standing up to me? Are you sure about that? Did you ask her? Or you being that mind reader that you said you said your aren¡¯t because You are not making any sense right now.
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¡°Look, Brandon I love you. You are my son and I have loved you and your brother as my sons since the very moment you came into my home. I knew your parents. they were good people and when I put them in the ground I promise them I would raise you with values and morals and make sure you were men they could be proud of.?
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But after speaking to you today and realizing I¡¯m having the same exact conversation with you that I had with Raine, ?I realized some where along the lines I failed miserably.?
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¡°You are both good people, but I did not do my part to instill within you the confidence and self assurance and self esteem you need to be what want to be. Not you or Raine. That is evident by how you blame me for everything wrong in your life, with you and with this situation.
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¡°And I will take that on myself as my personal short comings. I will examine what I did and where I went wrong because that¡¯s what I do. That is what personal accountability is. It¡¯s Examining the situation, analyzing your missteps within that situation, and making the appropriate adjustment to ensure a positive outcome for the next time.?
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¡°And since this conversation has gone on way longer than it should and has fallen down a rabbit hole that I personally am no longer interest in engaging you in, I will answer your question as to why I removed you as team lead. ?
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¡°And I will Speaking to you as Malcolm Chord III benefactor and founder of ¡°Project Guardian¡± not as your father. And then this conversation will be done, do you understand?
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¡°yesterday and today was a job interview.? Harrison and my job with yesterday¡¯s exercise was to examine and evaluate the strengths and weakness of each member of the team so that we could see what we were working with and know where we should go to yield maximum results.
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¡°Everyone¡¯s performance was evaluate and of course the team lead¡¯s evaluation process was going to be more closely and harshly examined that neonates. why because the team lead is response for the lives of the team and success of the mission?
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¡°So with that being said, if you did any self reflection at all on your performance yesterday and today, Brandon you would know why you were removed as team lead, and this would not be a surprise to you?
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But you obviously did look at your performance outside of the ¡°oh whoa is me, my father is always disappointed in me¡± that is why you are confused. Let me go over the results of your evaluation now.¡±
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¡°Number one, Your bouncing infatuation from Mia to Kat is unbecoming of a team lead. You brought Mia here because you were attracted to her her abilities were secondary. When Mia informed your she was not attracted to you, you quickly shifted your romantic interested to the next ¡°accepted¡° member of your team without even considering the consequence of what that dynamic would do to the team itself.?
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¡°Number Two. You failed to recognized the tension between Ireland and Kites to the point where they had words.Yes Ireland is your sister, but this is your new team. It is the team lead job to strike the proper balance of admonishment and trust. As team leads Something should have been said to Kites to learn what his issues were and how you could help.
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?¡°Number three, You showed poor judgement when you did not realized slapping Kat¡¯s ass during a training exercise was inappropriate nor did you recognized that being overly affectionate and flirtation to your new love interest during the same training exercise sends the wrong message to your team. ?
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Hence Number Four you fail to realize Kites and Gen were being just as equally handsy and course correct first with yourself and then with them.
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Number five, You fail to notice or speak to a member of your team who was obviously showboating and showing off during the first part of your exercise.
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¡°Number six. Despite you experience with the bots, you offered you team no solid direction on what your team should do to defeat them
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Number seven, you failed to control members of your team whose thoughtless actions could have injured themselves or gotten someone killed yesterday
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¡°And yet despite all of these instances, I spent all night reconsider my decision to remove you as team lead.? I actually intended to reinstate you as team lead and make Mia your second. then you walked into that conference room, stood up and gave the kind of apology that elicited sympathy for yourself.? And sent any hope of salvaging the team dynamic that was shatter after Gen¡¯s behavior and outburst yesterday to then crapper.?
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¡°You don¡¯t have to be a mind reader to understand why Harrison or myself would be disappointed in the kind of apology you gave. It was self serving and not conducive for strengthening the budding relationship between the team and management who would be myself and Harrison.?
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¡±You offer your team no bigger picture out look. You offered your team no motivation. You offered your team no words of trust.? You offer your team no words of true specific self reflection or introspection, no words of personal accountability Instead you looked to Harrison and myself to do it for you because you were too lost to sulking in your own self pity so much so that after you stood, spoke and sat down. you didn¡¯t even realize that The trust between the team Harrison and myself was gone. And the team was no longer focus on the reason why they were actually here, to become the kind of guardians the city needs but on each individual relationship that they were building with in the group.?
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You failed to even realized that Mia was even apart of this groups. Which maybe have been a good thing because Only Mia stood and offered the team the words, guidance, self reflection and personal accountability of a leader. And what did you offered your team Brandon...sabotage, unsurity and unproductive leadership
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¡°what you have to understand Brandon is that I did not shut down the project...you did. you did when you offered your team no guidance. And yes I may have made Ireland team lead, they were in the trenches with you. They were still looking at you as their team lead. Which is why each and everyone of them came to your defense.?
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¡°And what did you do, walk out leaving them all stirring in their heighten sense of emotion and confusion. because you want me to make it better but you aren¡¯t taking ownership of the damage you did to begin with. And while it¡¯s commendable that you are here now begging me to reinstate the program, any hope of that being done is lost. Because the trust is gone between your team Now because your team is upset that Mia got it.
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¡°The trust and respect between your team and Harrison and myself is gone because they had no one to guide them and to help them to understand to have trust in the process. And when Mia tried they rejected her...because she want the lead. You are.¡±
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¡°See what you are showing me is you want to be team lead but you don¡¯t want the responsibility of guiding and shaping minds and prospective because the minute the team lead title was taken from you it was the hell with the team.?
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¡°And since you no longer had the title of team lead the thought or concept of checking on the well being of your team was no longer your responsibility.?
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And you didn¡¯t care because That was Harrison and my job. That was Ireland¡¯s job because she was team lead now because you had something other and more important ?to do last night right Brandon.
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yes you has something else in mind for last night because in your mind You¡¯re not team lead so you have no obligation to offer the team Hope perspective or understanding.?
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¡±Even after I shut down the project. Where were you? Did you do it then? Or did you just walk out.
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¡±what you have to understand is a leader is a leader at all times. But especially in times of uncertainty. A leader must a beacon of bedrock and steady foundation to their team. That leader must be assertive, self reflective, introspective and motivational. You did none of those things Brandon.
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your actions and ?what you said today Brandon, the solidified you loosing the team spot.These people need strong leadership in order to trust the process of what they signed up for. Their leader has to be an extension of harrison and myself so that they feel safe and open to learning and allowing us to shape and mold them into what they need to be, even in times when they are unsure or do not agree with what we are doing. Their leader has to put the teams needs and well being before themselves. These people because of how strong their individual personalities are need a leader who is confidant in themselves and their abilities to lead. They need a leader who is able to take charge when times are tough and to admonish when the team steps out of line. You talk about being a good solider Brandon. This team does not need a good solider they need a self assured leader. And that kind of leader never leads from the back. they lead from the front gladly and then ?delegates when they know their team is strong and one accord.
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So before you stand here and tell me that as your father I was disappointed in you. Understand that I wasn¡¯t. That might have been Ireland reason for being disappointed in you. But if I had to wager a guess it was less about your inability to lead or stand up to me and more about the destructive nature of the apology you gave.
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¡±Was I disappointed in your abilities Brandon, As Malcolm Chord III, No. to be honest I was not at all surprised by your performance. I gave you a chance to step up to the challenge and your actions showed you would rather be loved and liked than in charge and I expected that.?
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¡°But as your father I wasn¡¯t disappointed in your abilities. I was sad for you, Brandon. Here you had this great opportunity and you could not get out of your way. Enough to take advantage of it and to grab the moment. I was sad for you because I recognized with the dynamic of this group you were only going to get one shot to established yourself. And when I saw your inability to control Gen...when I saw you not even trying to because you were too busy flirting with Kat, I knew it was the beginning of the end for you as team lead. And here¡¯s a little tibidt for you Brandon. I was acting as your father, not Malcolm Chord III when I threw the Bots at you. I knew you were the only person in that room who had any experience with those Bots. I was trying to give you the opportunity to show your expertise and show them that you were a leader. And yet you fell back and let Kites and Gen, two inexperience rookies take the leader.?
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¡±And you wanna know how Ireland got the job. Because she saw that at the rate you were going someone was going to wind up hurt, and she took Control.
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¡±Think about that. You let someone else steal your shine because of your actions. Brandon. let that sink in¡±
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Chord paused then ¡°now if you will excuse me, it¡¯s only 10 am and I still have a business to run. if you would like to talk about any issues or hard feelings you have with me as father as my son, ?I am always open to that. I will be back in my personal living wing tonight at 6pm. I¡¯ll order pizza we can talk. If you want to make it a family thing. I¡¯ll send for Raine, Ireland, Harrison and our family¡¯s therapist Dr. Allan to join us.?
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But as far as Business goes, and addition conversation about Project Guardian and this team is over.¡± this would not be a surprise to you?
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?Brandon realized at this point.? He was right on all accounts his apology was nothing short of sucky.
And he realized too late on being too touchy-feely with both Mia and Kat.? He didn¡¯t mean to make it come off like that but it did. ?
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?He was right he left it in the hands of others why because the role was taken from him and it seemed they wanted someone else in the role.? So he no longer bothered to be the leader just another teammate which wasn¡¯t what they needed but he felt it was no longer his place.? But he let his mindset and tempered fatigue get the best of him and he had failed not only his parents and the team¡but himself.? Things could have been so much better but the failure of this projected rested solely upon his hands and he knew that he hadn¡¯t just ruined his own chance but everyone else¡¯s as well.
So yeah when the project was canceled he left the room taking the responsibility that it was his fault.? He wasn¡¯t emotionally stable enough to face them for ruining their chance and since Mia wasn¡¯t attached to anyone she could be more objective.? He rested with Kat last night as it felt she was the only one that was in his corner then that accepted him leader or night.? Which put her in a bad position as well of receiving special treatment.? He said as he looked at him. ?
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?He had no words of inspiration or motivation, once the project was canceled what could he offer?? A place to stay at best no training facility, nothing so in that moment he was truly on an island with nothing to offer cause he had messed up.
The trust was gone but they still would have been together¡but probably for the wrong reasons.
¡°Fine dad¡I messed this up for everyone.? I can come back by then.? Yeah if you can get Raine here¡I can be back by then!¡± ?He said sadly as he left. ?¡°I love you too dad.? Thanks for hearing me.¡± ?It was the truth but he felt no better, but he did understand as he went down to check on the others, he was not sure where everyone was but he would check on them.
He had no idea of what to say¡it was over right and there was no reinstating anything if he had already missed upright?? He had no idea how to fix this with everyone.? He saw her as she finally came off of the elevator and sighed and figured he might as well start with the one he had hurt the most with his behavior.? He noticed Ireland and approached her as he was sure he had more coming, which was fine his shoulders were big and he deserved it hearing his father it made lots of sense too much actually he should have been leader first, man second, boyfriend third if at all but he should have protected Ireland most of all so she wouldn¡¯t have had to jump in and cover his ass.? He was a terrible brother at that moment and he knew it.
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-Tag Ireland
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Re: What Lies in the Heart. Mikayla/The Dragon
(The Dragon)
"Good," the Dragon said, resting his head back on top of his folded paws once again.? "I need a few days rest to completely recover, but in the meantime, there is something you can at least try."
As if responding to some silent call, Angus appeared in the doorway to the chamber, cradling a book in his arms.? It was not as big or formidable-looking as the book she'd first been given but he held it with care.
"Angus has brought you a primer on basic magic," the Dragon said, nodding towards the serving man.? "He will show you a room where you can practice your reading some of the simpler spells." He paused in thought for a moment, then continued, looking up at Mikayla with one large reptilian eye.? "The key thing is not to try and read the words or even pronounce them. Just look at them and let your spirit form the words in your mouth. Do this a little bit at a time, until you grow comfortable with it.? The words will sound like nonsense when you hear them spoken out loud, but pay no mind to that.? Just let them flow and immerse yourself in the rhythm of them, until the time comes when you will feel the magic emerge from within you."?
"Start with something simple. Like conjuring a cup of tea," the Dragon added, his mouth quirking wryly.? "When you can do that, come back and we'll see what else you can do."
With that, the Dragon closed his eyes and was instantly asleep, his breathing resonating with a deep sonorous rumble. ?
"If you'll come with me, Mistress Mikayla," Angus said, motioning towards the doorway, "I'll show you to the room you may practice in." The usually somber servant looked visibly impressed.? "He must think highly of you, mistress," the man said as they went out into the hallway.? "This is his own personal primer that he composed from his own studies."
?- Mikayla -
Mikayla followed Angus. Although outwardly she appeared the model of confidence inside her mind and heart were racing...screaming.
Magic...she didn¡¯t want to learn magic. She had been taught that magic was evil. That it would harm you. Turn your heart cold.
And so far it seemed a bit true...look at the dragon. What it did to him. It made him into a dragon turned him cruel...made Angus a man.
What would it do to her?
Then why did she say she would? Because she wanted to help.?
As angus opened the door she said. ¡°Angus do you like being a man?¡±
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Re: A Pirates Life (Khadashee and Draven)
(Draven/NPC Captain)
Draven gave Sa'id a slight smile, "I was just waiting to see if the Captain wanted our company for just that thing."? The man liked to interrupt, but they had agreed to be civil for all's sake so he simply waited for the ship's Captain to answer.
The Captain finished with his quartermaster and turned to the group.? "Well, I would be delighted if you all did join me for the evening supper.? My dear lady, you feeling alright?? Perhaps you need nourishment more than I do.? Not used to sea travel?"
Draven looked at Khada.? She hadn't looked like that in the cabin.? "Take a deep breath and the sea air will help."
Sa'id, Khadashee-
Khadashee smiled softly. ¡°No I¡¯m must not be.¡± She said. And Draven was wrong the salt air was not helping it was making it worse. Which was funny because she did not feel like this on Draven¡¯s ship.?
¡°I suppose I didn¡¯t realize how hungry I was. Shall we go break our fast?¡±
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Re: Port Vega: Father and Son.
(Brandon) ?¡°Ireland's displeasure and disappointment with me cause I apologized.? I can¡¯t make you give them a chance so I am asking.? You said I didn¡¯t come and asked why you removed me as the leader.? Was it so I would ask for help and step up into the position?? Work harder?? You have your mind made up. If you wanted me in the position you could have told me how to improve without taking it away.? How do you see it?? I mean when you are given something that is then removed.? It is not a form of positive reinforcement?? I saw it as clearly negative so the only thing I had to go on was I had done something wrong.? Something to disappoint you and/or Harrison.? My power is gravity, not telepathy.? If I could read your mind, I would be able to do what you wanted so as not to disappoint you.? The past two days I¡¯ve seen nothing but failure and disappointment from my entire family.¡± ?He sighed. ?¡°What was I supposed to do down there.? Stand up in front of everyone and tell you that you were wrong¡we did our best and it wasn¡¯t good enough¡we should be given another chance?? That would have done what?? Put you in a bad light made you seem like an ogre for not giving a bunch of street kids a chance.? I don¡¯t know how to make Ireland see me in a better light.? She loves me as her brother and I will always be there for her but outside of that¡what friends when I don't know what is going on in her life unless I trail her cause she won't return my calls? ? She thought I was weak for not standing up to you in that moment?? Not my program¡I don¡¯t have the pockets to fund all of this.? I remember you saying you loved me and you were proud of Ireland and me for no reason after Raine left.? It continued for a while then went back to the status quo.
Do I mind you pushing no, it has made me the person I am today.? Harrison¡¯s pushing was great and excellent, were their moments she could have been less tempered sure.? But I accepted that as being her way.¡± ?He stood there with a bit more pain in his heart and voice than he wanted.
¡°Tell me¡how I have failed you and how I can make it right?? I recognized I messed up yesterday and today and I have failed you as a soldier and a son.? So tell me, Sir, how I can do better.¡±
He realized his words may have truly been painful.? Hell, he felt pain at his own rejection of the last few days.? He had no idea where he went wrong with his father, his mother or his sister.? He didn¡¯t need them walking on eggshells around him and he needed enough backbone to take it¡to eat the fish and spit out the bones.
¡°That is what is on my mind father¡How do I make you proud of me again?? Make you feel like you haven¡¯t wasted your time or all of your efforts on a boy that won¡¯t listen?? I take responsibility for my actions and would like to you teach me and the rest of the team to be better.? I need your help to be a better man and son to you!? That is what I need to get off my chest¡father.¡± ?He wanted to be bolder but he felt more broken and defeated than anything.? He knew his words might have come off harsh, but it was his own self-defeating attitude he was his own worst critic...so no he didn't need his family putting him down as he did that fine enough on his own.? Point out his weakness sure, his faults he couldn't be better if he didn't know...but yeah he was often whipping himself more...
He was far harder on himself than anyone that was why he was asking for the team to be trained not himself.? He simply no longer felt worthy to be here, maybe that was the lesson he was supposed to get?? Ireland had no powers and still did better than he did so yes to him the team was in much better hands with her at the helm. (Chord)
?Chord frowned then. Could he see and hear the hurt in his voice...yes. But this melodrama was just too much for him.
And he knew what he was about to say he could say softer Brandon was odd enough now where he need a good hard swift lesson about the difference between separating business from family.
¡°Brandon with all due respect what in the hell are you talking about. Stand up and tell me I was wrong...Ireland upset for you not standing up to me? Are you sure about that? Did you ask her? Or you being that mind reader that you said you said your aren¡¯t because You are not making any sense right now.
¡°Look, Brandon I love you. You are my son and I have loved you and your brother as my sons since the very moment you came into my home. I knew your parents. they were good people and when I put them in the ground I promise them I would raise you with values and morals and make sure you were men they could be proud of.?
But after speaking to you today and realizing I¡¯m having the same exact conversation with you that I had with Raine, ?I realized some where along the lines I failed miserably.?
¡°You are both good people, but I did not do my part to instill within you the confidence and self assurance and self esteem you need to be what want to be. Not you or Raine. That is evident by how you blame me for everything wrong in your life, with you and with this situation.
¡°And I will take that on myself as my personal short comings. I will examine what I did and where I went wrong because that¡¯s what I do. That is what personal accountability is. It¡¯s Examining the situation, analyzing your missteps within that situation, and making the appropriate adjustment to ensure a positive outcome for the next time.?
¡°And since this conversation has gone on way longer than it should and has fallen down a rabbit hole that I personally am no longer interest in engaging you in, I will answer your question as to why I removed you as team lead. ?
¡°And I will Speaking to you as Malcolm Chord III benefactor and founder of ¡°Project Guardian¡± not as your father. And then this conversation will be done, do you understand?
¡°yesterday and today was a job interview. ?Harrison and my job with yesterday¡¯s exercise was to examine and evaluate the strengths and weakness of each member of the team so that we could see what we were working with and know where we should go to yield maximum results.
¡°Everyone¡¯s performance was evaluate and of course the team lead¡¯s evaluation process was going to be more closely and harshly examined that neonates. why because the team lead is response for the lives of the team and success of the mission?
¡°So with that being said, if you did any self reflection at all on your performance yesterday and today, Brandon you would know why you were removed as team lead, and this would not be a surprise to you?
But you obviously did look at your performance outside of the ¡°oh whoa is me, my father is always disappointed in me¡± that is why you are confused. Let me go over the results of your evaluation now.¡±
¡°Number one, Your bouncing infatuation from Mia to Kat is unbecoming of a team lead. You brought Mia here because you were attracted to her her abilities were secondary. When Mia informed your she was not attracted to you, you quickly shifted your romantic interested to the next ¡°accepted¡° member of your team without even considering the consequence of what that dynamic would do to the team itself.?
¡°Number Two. You failed to recognized the tension between Ireland and Kites to the point where they had words.Yes Ireland is your sister, but this is your new team. It is the team lead job to strike the proper balance of admonishment and trust. As team leads Something should have been said to Kites to learn what his issues were and how you could help.
?¡°Number three, You showed poor judgement when you did not realized slapping Kat¡¯s ass during a training exercise was inappropriate nor did you recognized that being overly affectionate and flirtation to your new love interest during the same training exercise sends the wrong message to your team. ?
Hence Number Four you fail to realize Kites and Gen were being just as equally handsy and course correct first with yourself and then with them.
Number five, You fail to notice or speak to a member of your team who was obviously showboating and showing off during the first part of your exercise.
¡°Number six. Despite you experience with the bots, you offered you team no solid direction on what your team should do to defeat them
Number seven, you failed to control members of your team whose thoughtless actions could have injured themselves or gotten someone killed yesterday
¡°And yet despite all of these instances, I spent all night reconsider my decision to remove you as team lead. ?I actually intended to reinstate you as team lead and make Mia your second. then you walked into that conference room, stood up and gave the kind of apology that elicited sympathy for yourself. ?And sent any hope of salvaging the team dynamic that was shatter after Gen¡¯s behavior and outburst yesterday to then crapper.?
¡°You don¡¯t have to be a mind reader to understand why Harrison or myself would be disappointed in the kind of apology you gave. It was self serving and not conducive for strengthening the budding relationship between the team and management who would be myself and Harrison.?
¡±You offer your team no bigger picture out look. You offered your team no motivation. You offered your team no words of trust. ?You offer your team no words of true specific self reflection or introspection, no words of personal accountability Instead you looked to Harrison and myself to do it for you because you were too lost to sulking in your own self pity so much so that after you stood, spoke and sat down. you didn¡¯t even realize that The trust between the team Harrison and myself was gone. And the team was no longer focus on the reason why they were actually here, to become the kind of guardians the city needs but on each individual relationship that they were building with in the group.?
You failed to even realized that Mia was even apart of this groups. Which maybe have been a good thing because Only Mia stood and offered the team the words, guidance, self reflection and personal accountability of a leader. And what did you offered your team Brandon...sabotage, unsurity and unproductive leadership
¡°what you have to understand Brandon is that I did not shut down the project...you did. you did when you offered your team no guidance. And yes I may have made Ireland team lead, they were in the trenches with you. They were still looking at you as their team lead. Which is why each and everyone of them came to your defense.?
¡°And what did you do, walk out leaving them all stirring in their heighten sense of emotion and confusion. because you want me to make it better but you aren¡¯t taking ownership of the damage you did to begin with. And while it¡¯s commendable that you are here now begging me to reinstate the program, any hope of that being done is lost. Because the trust is gone between your team Now because your team is upset that Mia got it.
¡°The trust and respect between your team and Harrison and myself is gone because they had no one to guide them and to help them to understand to have trust in the process. And when Mia tried they rejected her...because she want the lead. You are.¡±
¡°See what you are showing me is you want to be team lead but you don¡¯t want the responsibility of guiding and shaping minds and prospective because the minute the team lead title was taken from you it was the hell with the team.?
¡°And since you no longer had the title of team lead the thought or concept of checking on the well being of your team was no longer your responsibility.?
And you didn¡¯t care because That was Harrison and my job. That was Ireland¡¯s job because she was team lead now because you had something other and more important ?to do last night right Brandon.
yes you has something else in mind for last night because in your mind You¡¯re not team lead so you have no obligation to offer the team Hope perspective or understanding.?
¡±Even after I shut down the project. Where were you? Did you do it then? Or did you just walk out.
¡±what you have to understand is a leader is a leader at all times. But especially in times of uncertainty. A leader must a beacon of bedrock and steady foundation to their team. That leader must be assertive, self reflective, introspective and motivational. You did none of those things Brandon.
your actions and ?what you said today Brandon, the solidified you loosing the team spot.These people need strong leadership in order to trust the process of what they signed up for. Their leader has to be an extension of harrison and myself so that they feel safe and open to learning and allowing us to shape and mold them into what they need to be, even in times when they are unsure or do not agree with what we are doing. Their leader has to put the teams needs and well being before themselves. These people because of how strong their individual personalities are need a leader who is confidant in themselves and their abilities to lead. They need a leader who is able to take charge when times are tough and to admonish when the team steps out of line. You talk about being a good solider Brandon. This team does not need a good solider they need a self assured leader. And that kind of leader never leads from the back. they lead from the front gladly and then ?delegates when they know their team is strong and one accord.
So before you stand here and tell me that as your father I was disappointed in you. Understand that I wasn¡¯t. That might have been Ireland reason for being disappointed in you. But if I had to wager a guess it was less about your inability to lead or stand up to me and more about the destructive nature of the apology you gave.
¡±Was I disappointed in your abilities Brandon, As Malcolm Chord III, No. to be honest I was not at all surprised by your performance. I gave you a chance to step up to the challenge and your actions showed you would rather be loved and liked than in charge and I expected that.?
¡°But as your father I wasn¡¯t disappointed in your abilities. I was sad for you, Brandon. Here you had this great opportunity and you could not get out of your way. Enough to take advantage of it and to grab the moment. I was sad for you because I recognized with the dynamic of this group you were only going to get one shot to established yourself. And when I saw your inability to control Gen...when I saw you not even trying to because you were too busy flirting with Kat, I knew it was the beginning of the end for you as team lead. And here¡¯s a little tibidt for you Brandon. I was acting as your father, not Malcolm Chord III when I threw the Bots at you. I knew you were the only person in that room who had any experience with those Bots. I was trying to give you the opportunity to show your expertise and show them that you were a leader. And yet you fell back and let Kites and Gen, two inexperience rookies take the leader.?
¡±And you wanna know how Ireland got the job. Because she saw that at the rate you were going someone was going to wind up hurt, and she took Control.
¡±Think about that. You let someone else steal your shine because of your actions. Brandon. let that sink in¡±
Chord paused then ¡°now if you will excuse me, it¡¯s only 10 am and I still have a business to run. if you would like to talk about any issues or hard feelings you have with me as father as my son, ?I am always open to that. I will be back in my personal living wing tonight at 6pm. I¡¯ll order pizza we can talk. If you want to make it a family thing. I¡¯ll send for Raine, Ireland, Harrison and our family¡¯s therapist Dr. Allan to join us.?
But as far as Business goes, and addition conversation about Project Guardian and this team is over.¡± this would not be a surprise to you?
-Tag
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Troy Rising: Meanwhile, at City Hall¡
They called this unimpressive building City Hall.
Where Zafiri had seen buildings that seemed to be made of glass, reaching an unheard of height of thirty stories, this humble building was comprised of a red brick facade and had enormous windows that seemed more appropriate on a Church belonging to the Twelve.? These windows however were clear, not stained. ?
Inside, City Hall was clean, but crowded, with people discussing various matters of town business.? Food supplies, the water supply, something about some sort of¡power plant?? She knew that the fields of what seemed to be wheat were considered important.? Chew-too?? What an odd name.? Some carried obvious sheafs of paper, while others carried¡some sort of rectangular object that resembled a slate, but it glowed brightly, and lettering seemed to scroll along the surface.
Here and there, some of the conversations stopped as people turned her direction.? Some just glanced and turned away, while others blatantly stared.? It was clear that none of them had ever seen a Torquani before today.? Again, it confirmed much of what she had gleaned so far from Janet and Julian.? These people were as confused about where they were as she was about being in Troy.
¡°Miss Naarmyr?¡±
She turned to find an older man, grey hair turning white, and thinning on top.? He was clearly very old, but where most people his age should be stooped over and nearly crippled (peasants often didn¡¯t live past 55), there seemed to be significant energy coming from him.? The only indication that his age might be catching up with him was that he walked with a slight limp, which required him to use a cane.
¡°Yes, sir?¡± she asked.
¡°How do you do, Miss Naarmyr,¡± he said, extending his hand. ?¡°I¡¯m Will Reeves, mayor of Troy.? I appreciate you accepting my invitation.¡±
¡°My pleasure, Lord Mayor,¡± she said, taking the accepted hand.? They shook hands here.? She was getting used to that. ?¡°I hope I can be of help to you.? For everything you¡¯ve done for me and my father both.¡±
¡°Well, let¡¯s see what we can do,¡± he said. ?¡°And please¡call me Will.? I¡¯m no lord.¡±
±õ²Ô³Ù±ð°ù±ð²õ³Ù¾±²Ô²µ¡
Mayor Reeves showed Zafiri to a seat at a long, polished wood table, where there a number of other people sitting around as well.? Reeves himself took a seat at the end.? The chairs themselves were nicely upholstered in some sort of cloth, and she found them remarkably comfortable.
¡°Okay, introductions all around,¡± ?Mayor Reeves started. ?¡°Our new guest here is¡Zafiri Col Naarmyr.? I apologize if I¡¯m mis-pronouncing that.¡±
¡°You¡¯re doing fine.¡±
¡°Thanks,¡± he grinned. ?¡°She¡¯s one of the refugees the Aldecaldos brought in.? Happily, she didn¡¯t require any hospitalization, and I¡¯m hoping she can give us an idea of the locality and fill in some of the holes we still have.
¡°On my left, let me introduce Jonah Nash, local director of BioTechnica¡¡±
Jonah was a young man, with well groomed hair and sideburns, with simple but very well tailored clothes.? His features were youthful, but his eyes told her he was older somehow.
¡°Representing the military left in town, Captain Alan MacCleod of the US Army¡¡±
This man was built squarely, and everything about him screamed ¡°soldier¡± to Zafiri.? He wasn¡¯t like a mercenary, however.? He carried himself with a disciplined dignity, and he gave her a short, courteous nod. ?¡°Ma¡¯am.¡±
¡°To my right is Professor Amir Narisawa, head of physics and cosmology at Troy University¡¡±
If anyone could¡¯ve reminded Zafiri of a wizard, it was this man.? Like the Mayor, he was elderly¡ªeven older than the mayor, if Zafiri was right.? His hair was white, but lush and long, and tied behind his head.? He gave her a nod¡and she realized he was picking up on her non-verbal signals just as much as she was on him!
¡°Alison Kimber of Kimber Firearms, representing the machinists and mechanics in town¡¡±
Another elderly person (there seem to be a lot of them in this place¡ªall in good shape, too).? Her hands looked to belong to those of a man, though¡ªrough, like she worked hard with them.? Her hair was red, but it was losing its color.
¡°And finally, there¡¯s Carl Greene, who¡¯s currently the de facto head of power and water.¡±
If anyone looked here looked like the elderly she was used to, this Carl character seemed like it.? He looked tired, his skin was marked with years of sun exposure, and his white hair was sparse and chaotic.? Still, there was a bit of a sparkle in his eye, not usually seen in most of the lower class his age.
¡°To start with, I think we need to get familiar with our surroundings,¡± Mayor Reeves said. ?¡°Captain MacCleod?¡±
Everyone turned to one of those rectangular pieces of glass¡ªcalled a ¡°Tee Vee¡±, if she remembered, as an image sprang forth upon it.? It looked like a city¡but seen from high above.? Was it this place?
¡°Here¡¯s downtown,¡± MacCleod said.? The image seemed to shrink then, but Zafiri realized the image wasn¡¯t really shrinking.? Rather, whatever was producing the image was going higher into the air, or so she thought.
¡°As you can see, we took in about a half-million acres of farmland with us,¡± he continued. ?¡°There¡¯s also Fort Rucker¡¯s boneyard, the adjoining junkyard, and a future tire fire.¡±
Zafiri was wide-eyed at the show of farmland.? It was a veritable sea of wheat.? True, there were blemishes, like those black ribbons that must¡¯ve been their roads cutting in the major cardinal directions.? There was also a place that looked like it was ruined land.? He called it a¡boneyard?? Was that where their dead were taken?? And what was a tire fire?
The image grew even more distant, and suddenly, there was a sharp and sudden change between the wheat fields, and dense woodlands.
¡°We appear to be surrounded by what one might call temperate rainforest, if this was the Pacific Northwest,¡± MacCleod said. ?¡°There¡¯s evidence of clearings¡ªprobably farming homesteads like the one the Aldecaldos found, and more extensive clear cut areas to the Northwest, which would indicate civilization nearby.
¡°To the East, there appears to be a large body of water, and a number of tributaries leading away from it.¡±
Zafiri nodded. ?¡°These woodlands are collectively known as the Muir nan Crohbahn, which roughly translates to ¡®Sea of Trees¡¯.? It dominates much of the western and central Northlands.? As you rightly point out, there are towns and villages here and about which made a point to harvest the timber.? The elves however do not easily part with the trees.¡±
¡°Elves?¡± Reeves blinked. ?¡°There are elves around?¡±
¡°Why¡yes, yes there are,¡± she affirmed. ?¡°They tend to be reclusive, and they aren¡¯t always friendly.? What most people see as a resource¡ªnamely the trees¡ªthey see as sacred.? It¡¯s why many of the smaller villages and farms chiefly use cobb as a building material, and only chop down trees sparingly.¡±
¡°So in other words,¡± Captain MacCleod said, ¡°if we want to use timber, we have to either negotiate, or prepare for the worst.? They might not like that we just replaced a piece of their forest with a town and farmland recently.¡±
¡°I do not know,¡± Zafiri confessed. ?¡°I have only met elves once in my life, and I was a small child back then.¡±
¡°What about that body of water?¡± asked Mayor Reeves.
¡°That is the Basiya Jiyane,¡± she said. ?¡°It literally translates to ¡®Well of Souls¡¯, and it is the largest known lake in the world, and is religiously significant to nearly everyone.? We¡appear to be west and slightly south of it.? I know that there are several small villages on its southern shores for purposes of the many pigrimages that occur.¡±
¡°Nearby villages¡got it,¡± Reeves said, writing some notes. ?¡°We might be able to get some trade done.¡±
¡°What about these mercenaries,¡± Captain MacCleod said. ?¡°Can you give us any solid information on them?¡±
¡°They¡¯re under the employ of the King of Ispaara,¡± she explained. ?¡°They¡¯re a major nation far to the south¡ªone of several that would like to lay claim to the Northlands, ever since King Rudolph IV was assassinated, along with his heirs.
It happened twenty years ago, and since then the Ocillian nobility has broken the Northlands into smaller and smaller provinces, and have bickered and fought among each other.? That was until the Lord High Papal of the Church of the Holy Twelve drafted a Papal Bull.? In it, he has called for nations to form Exalted Marches to the Northlands, in order to ¡®preserve and promote the one true faith¡¯.
¡°It is under this declaration that the King of Ispaara charged Aiden, Count of Turriq to invade.? He leads a large mercenary army, and they recently sacked the City of Masden.? That¡¯s well west of here near the coast.? What your people ran into were elements of that army.? They¡¯re swarming across the countryside as we speak.¡±
That was followed by silence, only broken by Mayor Reeves scribbling down some notes.? Zafiri noticed that he remained remarkably calm.? It reminded her of her father.? He, too was able to put on a face of serenity, even when receiving dire news¡like the sudden sacking of Masden.
¡°Thank you, Miss Naarmyr,¡± he said. ?¡°We needed some basic idea of what surrounds us, and you definitely painted the picture for us.? I¡¯m sure there are other questions, but we might save them for later.? We need to focus on what we do now, people.
¡°For example, we need to talk about town services, what we have, and what we¡¯re likely to run out of in short order.? Also¡we need to discuss continuation of government, and what that¡¯s going to look like as we move forward.
¡°I¡¯m not sure we need you on those fronts, Miss Naarmyr.? Why don¡¯t you go and get some rest?¡±
¡°If it is all the same, my Lord¡ªI mean¡Will,¡± Zafiri stammered a bit, before regaining composure, ¡°I would like to stay, as I am trying to learn as much as I can.? It seems that, for now at least, my father and I are your guests, and it behooves me to learn as much about our hosts as I can.¡±
¡°Okay, that makes sense,¡± Reeves admitted. ?¡°Just keep in mind that we¡¯re probably going to speak about some things that might go over your head, so to speak.¡±
¡°I will take notes of my own,¡± she announced, drawing out what looked like a book, and some sort of black stick wrapped in string.? Those in the know (no one in the room) might have recognized it as the medieval equivalent of a graphite pencil. ?¡°I understand the need to just listen for now.¡±
With that out of the way, the meeting continued.? As the Mayor had promised, much of what they talked about produced several questions, which Zafiri diligently wrote down.? Captain MacCleod was concerned about running out of ¡°ammo¡±, which she rightly guessed meant ammunition.? Miss Alison Kimber replied that her own shop could keep them supplied for at least four months, and she bet the Nomads had supplies of their own.? Then there were what people kept stashed in their homes¡
¡°Power generation¡± was brought up, as well as water supply.? This ¡°power generation¡±, Zafiri reasoned, was the basis for running their amazing devices.? Water¡well that was obvious.
And on¡and on¡they spoke of many things they¡¯d run short of in short order. ?this CHOOH2 that they kept talking about would run out quickly, especially since they didn¡¯t have a refinery anymore.? Mister Nash of Biotechnica mentioned that they had a set of what were called ¡°bio-reactors¡± that were currently inactive, and that some retooling could allow them to distill fuel, but at a lesser degree than a true refinery
And on¡and on¡
She caught herself yawning, and finally decided she really needed to rest a bit.? The Mayor showed her to an office with a long couch in it, saying she could use it for as long as she wanted.? As she took her leave, she caught the words ¡°constituional convention¡±, and wondered what that meant¡
She yawned¡another question¡for later¡
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Re: Port Vega: LIght and Wings (Raine and Kites)
[Raine]
?¡°I am just a friend.? I am here to see my sister.¡±? He watched him walk around him not realizing
being this close to him made him vulnerable.?
He had already thought of ten ways to barbeque him, it was amusing he
was walking around him trying to size him up.?
But he was already dead when he was standing next to him.?
¡°Its
fine just relax.? You must be new here?? Part of Chord¡¯s team?? So you are his new recruits?? Hmm what your name?¡±? He extended his hand with a friendly
smile.? ¡°Sit relax, how many of you are
there this time?¡±? He looked at him with
a relaxed calm expression.
¡°You
wings are lovely must be hard to hide those some days?¡±? He asked rather politely.
[Kites]
This guy was asking way more questions than Kites was prepared to deal with.? With the amount of turmoil and retrospection that he was doing, it was hard to keep his focus on any one thing right now.? So when this stranger extended his hand out to the winged youth, he readily took it, giving him a firm shake and answering with a smile of his own at the comment regarding his wings.
"I-I'm Kites.? Kites Nakamura, but you don't have to say all that.? Just the first name is fine..." he sheepishly said, then took his hand back and placed his arms by his side, tipping his head down in a short bow as was customary of someone who was Japanese.? He breathed out, not finding anything about this person that revealed how he got on top of the roof in the first place.? So he was going to have to ask.? "What about you?? What's your name, and most curiously, how did you get up here?? I haven't seen any flyers around here.? Chord told me that not many here are accepting of...people like me."? He felt a little crestfallen at that, but brightened up a little once he looked back.
"I didn't think there was anyone else here besides us," Kites answered one of the other questions.? "Just joined, but I'm not sure how it's going to be looking like from here on out...? I think we...I messed up pretty bad, so who knows.? You mentioned a sister of yours was here...who is it specifically?"
[tag Raine]
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Re: The Door Between Two Worlds [Roue and Rabbit] (closed)
Rabbit listened to Roue's rambling attempt to explain but had difficulty making sense of it.?
"Uhm, English is the l-language we're, you know, s-speakin' right now. And this place..." he gestured at their surroundings in the club's main room "...is the C-club Dionysus.? The place we went to before is called the G-Ginza district.? It's in J-japan, which is really a long ways from here.? I dunno where this, uhm, R-rune Midgard place is.? Is it a, uhm, different c-club, maybe?" he asked, biting his lip.? "I m-might be able to find a door for it, if'n it's a place you know really well."
"As for why you suddenly know English, I r-really couldn' say.? I mean, the only thing I can th-think of is that you didn' start talkin' it until you, you know..." the little vampire fidgeted awkwardly on his stool, looking like he should be blushing as he lowered his voice "...kinda f-fucked my lights out. Which I r-really, you know, liked you doin'.? But I never heard of that bein' a way to l-learn a language, but then this is the Dionysus Club." He shrugged, his eyes meeting the elf's shyly.? "A l-lot of strange stuff can happen here.? It's p-part of the reason people, you know, like to come here to hang out 'n stuff."
The little vampire hesitated a bit, trying to work up his courage. "There is, uhm, s-somethin' I was w-wantin' to tell you about before we, uhm, you know, d-did anythin'. But you didn' seem to know English, and then things kinda got carried away when you d-drank some of that saki in the Ginza." He chewed on his lip anxiously, clearly worried about how Roue might react.? "But now that you can, you know, u-understand me, you really need to know.? I.... I'm a v-vampire."? His eyes searched the elf's face for a reaction as he blurted "P-please don' h-hate me.? I w-wanted to tell you, but I c-couldn'.? I'm not d-dangerous and I'd n-never, you know, h-hurt you or nothin'." A twinge of conscience nudged him for fudging a bit in what he said, but he hurried on.? "H-honest!"
[Roue]
Despite all the names that Rabbit rattled off, including the name of the common tongue that they seemed to be communicating in, none of them were recognizable at all.? If he thought that his world was big, being suddenly thrust into an existence where there were more than one universe and more than one world connected to it...? Well, it was not an easy thing to wrap your head around.? The more he tried to make sense of it, the more it _didn't_ make sense.? How many other places existed which had connected to this dwelling, a crossroads of sorts as he understood it?? How do people find their way here?? Can they leave and come back?? Based on what Rabbit said, they could, if people coming here could be taken at face value.? Though when the shorter boy asked if Midgard was a club.? He had to cover his mouth as he stifled a laugh, instantly regretting that as a wave of nausea hit him.
"Rune Midgard is a what...a club?? No!? Rune Midgard is a..is a world!? It's _my_ world!" Roue exclaimed, patting his chest in righteous indignation.? Why, he had half a mind to scold the other, as to how he didn't know of Rune Midgard, but he held his tongue back.? It would not do to admonish someone that he's just met, for one.? Slept with, really, "fucked his lights out" for two, which he was told was a good thing.? A really good thing..? Three, he would be no better than the parents that he's spent most of his life running away from, and if he allowed himself to act in the same manner, well, then there would be no need for all this running.? The elf sighed, realizing that he was so indignant that he had actually stood up, looking around himself.? Coughing to clear his throat, Roue sat back down, at least having some scruples to look sheepish in regards to his own actions.? If he wanted to have all of his questions answered then he needed to hold back and act the proper noble that _he_ was raised to be.
"Sorry...I have problems...a lot of them, and most I'm running away from.? This is also a lot to take in, and I have way too many questions," he said, looking back up at his...what could he call Rabbit?? Bed-mate, impromptu lover, stranger-I-just-met-whose-lights-I-just-fucked-out?? Admonishing himself for saying all of those, Roue stretched out his hand to Rabbit and grabbed hold of his, gently shaking it as he introduced himself.? He was not prepared when he felt a sudden rush of tingling in his skin, taking his hand back.? His eyes immediately fell to his left wrist, fingers of the other hand rubbing the spot where he received his bed-mate's kiss.? It seemed to react the most to the touch.? "I'm Roue Windmere, an elf noble from the mage city of Geffen within the world of Rune Midgard.? Coming here was a happenstance.? I was not looking for this place, but it seems to have accepted me just the same, so I suppose I owe...this, and you, for allowing me to come here."
He sat back a little, thumb idly rubbing that itchy spot below his palm.? Rabbit mentioned he was a vampire.? Like the word English, it too seemed quite alien on his tongue.? He supposed that the first real question he could ask, well, _questions_, would be about this place and about his host.
"So what is this place, this club, Rabbit?? Who are you and how do you fit into here?? You mention you are a vampire...? I must admit I am not familiar with this term.? Yet you say it has something to do with hurting, or not wanting to.? Is what this vampire term you mentioned have anything to do with why this spot seems to tingle the most?" the elf, softly tapping the same spot on his wrist that he didn't seem to be able to take his hands away from.
[tag Rabbit]
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Re: Port Vega: LIght and Wings (Raine and Kites)
[Kites]
Kites had been staring into the distance for quite a while, letting his eyes and his mind go out of focus, shutting himself off from the outside.? He was so out of it that he didn't even realize that he was no longer the sole occupant of the roof, so when someone suddenly addressed him, he was startled, immediately turning around, fully expecting that Brandon had decided to come up, but instead was met but someone whose face he didn't recognize.? Who was he?? How did he get here?? He couldn't have possibly crawled up here, not with the way he was dressed, so he must've flown but he had no wings either nor any of the same mechanical contraptions that Chord did.
"Whoa...you startled me there," Kites blurted out, willing his heart to calm down as he placed his hand upon his chest.? Folding his wings back, he walked a circle around the stranger, but there were no holes in his shirt, no snap-in/snap-out panels.? So really, how did he get here?? Was he part of Chord's team who was out on some kind of assignment?? He was quite curious at this point.? "Who are you?? Where did you come from?? Are you also part of Chord's team?"
[Raine]
?¡°I am just a friend.? I am here to see my sister.¡±? He watched him walk around him not realizing
being this close to him made him vulnerable.?
He had already thought of ten ways to barbeque him, it was amusing he
was walking around him trying to size him up.?
But he was already dead when he was standing next to him.?
¡°Its
fine just relax.? You must be new here?? Part of Chord¡¯s team?? So you are his new recruits?? Hmm what your name?¡±? He extended his hand with a friendly
smile.? ¡°Sit relax, how many of you are
there this time?¡±? He looked at him with
a relaxed calm expression.
¡°You
wings are lovely must be hard to hide those some days?¡±? He asked rather politely. [Tag Kites]
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Re: Port Vega: Father and Son.
(Chord) ¡°So let me understand what you are saying to me Brandon. You did not feel loved from Ireland today because she openly voiced her displeasure and disappointment with you. You didn¡¯t feel love from me or Harrison today because you believed we were disappointed with you because we removed you from the position of team lead, is that what you are saying to me. ¡°I am sorry. You do not have to answer that. I understand¡± Chord said with a nod. ? Again, Chord felt like sighing and rubbing his temple, but refrained from such an outward show. As Brandon spoke, one thing was true. Brandon had his own way of looking at the world and at his life and at his relationships. Apparently, his need and desire to feel sorry for himself and feel victimized refused to let him see beyond his own thoughts, feelings and hurts. ? Ireland didn¡¯t love him because she let him know she was disappointed with him was insane¡.wrong and hurtful and for Brandon to think like that and voice that said a lot about his character. Thank god she wasn¡¯t here to hear him say those words. That would crush her. Simply Crush her. Chord thought¡.especially considering she stayed out all last night crying and upset because she believed she had let Brandon down and backstabbed him and Brandon had spent his night after sulking engaging in extra curricular activities. ? It was a shame really. But it was the way it was. Especially as parent. You could say I love you, good job, well done to your child 100 times every day for their entire life. But it only took the one time when they felt like you weren¡¯t there for them for that feeling to become the norm and permeate every single facet of your relationship with them for the rest of their life. And from then on, nothing you every did or say would be the same or nothing would ever prove to them just how much you loved them. ? That¡¯s was how Chord felt right now. Like it wasn¡¯t going to matter what he said or did, Brandon was determined to feel how he felt. ? It made him remembered when he and Raine had the same talk. Raine didn¡¯t like it that Harrison and him pointed out something he did that they found unacceptable. Because they disapproved and voiced it, that conversation turned into how they never loved him, how they never showed love for him, how they never cheered on anything he did, how he always let them down, and how they never said good job or well done to him. ? Chord remembered in that moment being stunned and he had spent about an hour naming all the times throughout Raine¡¯s life where both he and Harrison had shown love, compassion, approval and guidance. During that conversation, Raine twisted both he and Harrison¡¯s words so much that it came to the point where all three were yelling and no one was being heard. ? The situation ended with Raine leaving, angry, point out just how horrible of parents they were. And Chord at that point being so over it, that he just didn¡¯t care. ? After that fight, he and Harrison went to both Brandon and Ireland and told them just how much they loved them and how proud they were of them both. Both he and Harrison wanted them to understand that yes sometimes there were going to be hard on them, but that was never going to stop how much they loved them and how proud of them they were.? ? Chord realized that maybe he has spent so much time working too hard to give them all them everything they wanted but what they needed most was his time. So from that moment on, Chord made a point to cheer the loudest at games. Harry made a point to tempered tough love with compassion because they didn¡¯t want what happened with Raine to happen with the other two. And yet here they were¡ ? It appeared like none of that effort matter because now he sat with Brandon and they were having the same conversation. And instead of this being a conversation on how Brandon could be a better leader and how he could help him with if he wanted, it had now into a conversation at just how much they never loved him, they never showed love for him, how they never cheered him on, how he always let them down, how they never said good job or well done. And truth be told he just didn¡¯t have the energy to do it again. ? As he continued to listen to Brandon speak, he realized as much as the young man said he understood what he was saying, as much as the young man was saying he was listening¡Brandon wasn¡¯t listening or understand anything he was saying. Everything the young man was saying right now proved that to him.? ? And frankly after yesterday and this morning, Chord, right now mentally didn¡¯t have the energy play this circle game with Brandon¡a fact and thought that Brandon, being who he was¡how he was¡thinking like he did definitely would not considering as he stood here in his office deeming to lecture him. ? ¡°Thank you for your feedback, Brandon.? I respect that you came in here today to speak to me about all of this. I will take what you have said to me today¡ all that you had to say today into consideration. Is there anything else you would like to get off your chest?¡±
(Brandon)
?¡°Ireland's displeasure and disappointment with me cause I apologized.? I can¡¯t make you give them a chance so I am asking.? You said I didn¡¯t come and asked why you removed me as the leader.? Was it so I would ask for help and step up into the position?? Work harder?? You have your mind made up. If you wanted me in the position you could have told me how to improve without taking it away.? How do you see it?? I mean when you are given something that is then removed.? It is not a form of positive reinforcement?? I saw it as clearly negative so the only thing I had to go on was I had done something wrong.? Something to disappoint you and/or Harrison.? My power is gravity, not telepathy.? If I could read your mind, I would be able to do what you wanted so as not to disappoint you.? The past two days I¡¯ve seen nothing but failure and disappointment from my entire family.¡± ?He sighed.
?
?¡°What was I supposed to do down there.? Stand up in front of everyone and tell you that you were wrong¡we did our best and it wasn¡¯t good enough¡we should be given another chance?? That would have done what?? Put you in a bad light made you seem like an ogre for not giving a bunch of street kids a chance.? I don¡¯t know how to make Ireland see me in a better light.? She loves me as her brother and I will always be there for her but outside of that¡what friends when I don't know what is going on in her life unless I trail her cause she won't return my calls? ? She thought I was weak for not standing up to you in that moment?? Not my program¡I don¡¯t have the pockets to fund all of this.? I remember you saying you loved me and you were proud of Ireland and me for no reason after Raine left.? It continued for a while then went back to the status quo.
Do I mind you pushing no, it has made me the person I am today.? Harrison¡¯s pushing was great and excellent, were their moments she could have been less tempered sure.? But I accepted that as being her way.¡± ?He stood there with a bit more pain in his heart and voice than he wanted.
¡°Tell me¡how I have failed you and how I can make it right?? I recognized I messed up yesterday and today and I have failed you as a soldier and a son.? So tell me, Sir, how I can do better.¡±
He realized his words may have truly been painful.? Hell, he felt pain at his own rejection of the last few days.? He had no idea where he went wrong with his father, his mother or his sister.? He didn¡¯t need them walking on eggshells around him and he needed enough backbone to take it¡to eat the fish and spit out the bones.
¡°That is what is on my mind father¡How do I make you proud of me again?? Make you feel like you haven¡¯t wasted your time or all of your efforts on a boy that won¡¯t listen?? I take responsibility for my actions and would like to you teach me and the rest of the team to be better.? I need your help to be a better man and son to you!? That is what I need to get off my chest¡father.¡± ?He wanted to be bolder but he felt more broken and defeated than anything.? He knew his words might have come off harsh, but it was his own self-defeating attitude he was his own worst critic...so no he didn't need his family putting him down as he did that fine enough on his own.? Point out his weakness sure, his faults he couldn't be better if he didn't know...but yeah he was often whipping himself more...
He was far harder on himself than anyone that was why he was asking for the team to be trained not himself.? He simply no longer felt worthy to be here, maybe that was the lesson he was supposed to get?? Ireland had no powers and still did better than he did so yes to him the team was in much better hands with her at the helm.
-Tag
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Re: What Lies in the Heart. Mikayla/The Dragon
- Mikayla -
As Mikayla finished feeding him the last of the soap, she turned to reach for the hand towel Angus had left for her. Dipping it in water, she whipped his face. Then place the ladle and the towel down. She tried not to smirk at his gruff demeanor.?
It made her wonder if his grumpy Gus role was all an act. After all he was the big bad dragon of the keep wasnt he? She supposed he couldn¡¯t have her thinking that he might actual have a softer side.
She smiled. ¡°Of course I would. I mean now that I know what you were intending. I can definitely try again when you feel up to it.¡± Mikayla said sitting down on the floor cross legged before him.
(The Dragon)
"Good," the Dragon said, resting his head back on top of his folded paws once again.? "I need a few days rest to completely recover, but in the meantime, there is something you can at least try."
As if responding to some silent call, Angus appeared in the doorway to the chamber, cradling a book in his arms.? It was not as big or formidable-looking as the book she'd first been given but he held it with care.
"Angus has brought you a primer on basic magic," the Dragon said, nodding towards the serving man.? "He will show you a room where you can practice your reading some of the simpler spells." He paused in thought for a moment, then continued, looking up at Mikayla with one large reptilian eye.? "The key thing is not to try and read the words or even pronounce them. Just look at them and let your spirit form the words in your mouth. Do this a little bit at a time, until you grow comfortable with it.? The words will sound like nonsense when you hear them spoken out loud, but pay no mind to that.? Just let them flow and immerse yourself in the rhythm of them, until the time comes when you will feel the magic emerge from within you."?
"Start with something simple. Like conjuring a cup of tea," the Dragon added, his mouth quirking wryly.? "When you can do that, come back and we'll see what else you can do."
With that, the Dragon closed his eyes and was instantly asleep, his breathing resonating with a deep sonorous rumble. ?
"If you'll come with me, Mistress Mikayla," Angus said, motioning towards the doorway, "I'll show you to the room you may practice in." The usually somber servant looked visibly impressed.? "He must think highly of you, mistress," the man said as they went out into the hallway.? "This is his own personal primer that he composed from his own studies."
Tag - Mikayla
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Re: Port Vega: Father and Son.
(Brandon)
? ¡°I realize it is my own personal self-view. That is true I recognize I have several things I need to get over and not push myself to the other side of being egotistical. I don¡¯t have or don¡¯t know that balance of being good enough and thinking more of myself than I should.¡± He paused.
?¡°I would leave them with you because I am a great warrior and by myself, I know how to do things and get things done. You and Harry¡.Harrison could build a team from scratch! Mold them how you want them to be¡yes even make them so they would be introspective and take personal responsibility. I don¡¯t believe I feel sorry for myself¡but maybe I do?!?¡± He breathed.
?¡°You do control the narrative father¡you explain it to me so I can get it¡you could have explained it to them as well. You could have shut down the project, but you could have still made them a team. Most of them are from backgrounds that haven¡¯t sat them down and simply explained¡what do you think or feel that you did wrong? How could you overcome and do better? This would have been their shot.¡± Brandon sat there pondering.
?¡°OK¡I have my own reason why you removed me from team lead¡but why did you? Why shut down the program at all? I processed your words today and felt nothing but disappointment¡from you¡Harrison¡especially Ireland¡for all of her love¡I didn¡¯t feel it today! I love her so much¡but as you said it could just be me!¡± He sighed. ¡°I don¡¯t mean to hurt you Father, but there is a difference between False praise and NONE. You didn¡¯t cover anything they did right yesterday it was just¡don¡¯t get me wrong¡you all suck. Get your food and get out. I don¡¯t know why I even bothered. That may not be the way you intended it but I believe that is the way it came out and that is not just my insecurities talking. Mia was able to self-evaluate she could see her part better than the rest of us it seems¡I get that so she had both shown and proven herself to you three. That is fine. But don¡¯t throw the rest of them out cause they are not there yet¡I am sure they want to be¡or they wouldn¡¯t be crying feeling dejected and rejected downstairs the way they are or were.¡± He looked at him.
¡°I love and respect both you and Harrison¡but constant hardness doesn¡¯t always build leaders¡there is a reason babies fail to thrive without love and attention¡yes tough love is better than no love but some of that needs to be in there too.¡± He looked at him. He adored the man. He would never want to hurt him but he had and that made him feel far worse.
?¡°I don¡¯t think it was or is abundantly clear. I think maybe you may have miss read every one. Most of them would have understood had you explained your points to them as you did to me. Everyone is not Ireland or Mia and just figure it out! I take my personal responsibility and Don¡¯t want anyone walking on eggshells around him and not wanting to be around me¡that is part of the problem¡Harrison is not really around me and Ireland is gone moved out. So I think they have distanced themselves enough. You and I? Well, you see where we are now. I am still insecurity and now I have hurt you more¡so apparently again I am missing something that would make me a more well-rounded person. And it is clearly me! I am not wanting to be the Victim but apparently, that is how I am coming off and I apologize.¡± He stopped to breathe.
?¡°Saying I have potential is not the same as saying what I am doing good right now. An atom has potential¡everything has potential but what about this moment. What you did was good, but this could be better? At this moment¡as simple as son I am proud of you for you¡no other reason just you! I wish you would do this¡or that but son¡I still love you. Yeah, dad¡that would have gone a long way¡it didn¡¯t have to be done in front of others, just you and I would be fine! At least knowing I was doing something right or maybe I didn¡¯t have to just measure up once and again. I don¡¯t want you to not hold me accountable. That is what has got me to where I am today!¡± He sighed.
?¡°I will see Ireland before I do something ¡else stupid! Yeah, she had always been there¡just some times in the moment¡I don¡¯t need the extra scoop when I am already feeling like shit!¡± He said looking at the man that he truly adored. ? (Chord) ¡°So let me understand what you are saying to me Brandon. You did not feel loved from Ireland today because she openly voiced her displeasure and disappointment with you. You didn¡¯t feel love from me or Harrison today because you believed we were disappointed with you because we removed you from the position of team lead, is that what you are saying to me. ¡°I am sorry. You do not have to answer that. I understand¡± Chord said with a nod. ? Again, Chord felt like sighing and rubbing his temple, but refrained from such an outward show. As Brandon spoke, one thing was true. Brandon had his own way of looking at the world and at his life and at his relationships. Apparently, his need and desire to feel sorry for himself and feel victimized refused to let him see beyond his own thoughts, feelings and hurts. ? Ireland didn¡¯t love him because she let him know she was disappointed with him was insane¡.wrong and hurtful and for Brandon to think like that and voice that said a lot about his character. Thank god she wasn¡¯t here to hear him say those words. That would crush her. Simply Crush her. Chord thought¡.especially considering she stayed out all last night crying and upset because she believed she had let Brandon down and backstabbed him and Brandon had spent his night after sulking engaging in extra curricular activities. ? It was a shame really. But it was the way it was. Especially as parent. You could say I love you, good job, well done to your child 100 times every day for their entire life. But it only took the one time when they felt like you weren¡¯t there for them for that feeling to become the norm and permeate every single facet of your relationship with them for the rest of their life. And from then on, nothing you every did or say would be the same or nothing would ever prove to them just how much you loved them. ? That¡¯s was how Chord felt right now. Like it wasn¡¯t going to matter what he said or did, Brandon was determined to feel how he felt. ? It made him remembered when he and Raine had the same talk. Raine didn¡¯t like it that Harrison and him pointed out something he did that they found unacceptable. Because they disapproved and voiced it, that conversation turned into how they never loved him, how they never showed love for him, how they never cheered on anything he did, how he always let them down, and how they never said good job or well done to him. ? Chord remembered in that moment being stunned and he had spent about an hour naming all the times throughout Raine¡¯s life where both he and Harrison had shown love, compassion, approval and guidance. During that conversation, Raine twisted both he and Harrison¡¯s words so much that it came to the point where all three were yelling and no one was being heard. ? The situation ended with Raine leaving, angry, point out just how horrible of parents they were. And Chord at that point being so over it, that he just didn¡¯t care. ? After that fight, he and Harrison went to both Brandon and Ireland and told them just how much they loved them and how proud they were of them both. Both he and Harrison wanted them to understand that yes sometimes there were going to be hard on them, but that was never going to stop how much they loved them and how proud of them they were.? ? Chord realized that maybe he has spent so much time working too hard to give them all them everything they wanted but what they needed most was his time. So from that moment on, Chord made a point to cheer the loudest at games. Harry made a point to tempered tough love with compassion because they didn¡¯t want what happened with Raine to happen with the other two. And yet here they were¡ ? It appeared like none of that effort matter because now he sat with Brandon and they were having the same conversation. And instead of this being a conversation on how Brandon could be a better leader and how he could help him with if he wanted, it had now into a conversation at just how much they never loved him, they never showed love for him, how they never cheered him on, how he always let them down, how they never said good job or well done. And truth be told he just didn¡¯t have the energy to do it again. ? As he continued to listen to Brandon speak, he realized as much as the young man said he understood what he was saying, as much as the young man was saying he was listening¡Brandon wasn¡¯t listening or understand anything he was saying. Everything the young man was saying right now proved that to him.? ? And frankly after yesterday and this morning, Chord, right now mentally didn¡¯t have the energy play this circle game with Brandon¡a fact and thought that Brandon, being who he was¡how he was¡thinking like he did definitely would not considering as he stood here in his office deeming to lecture him. ? ¡°Thank you for your feedback, Brandon.? I respect that you came in here today to speak to me about all of this. I will take what you have said to me today¡ all that you had to say today into consideration. Is there anything else you would like to get off your chest?¡± ~Tag ?
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Re: The Door Between Two Worlds [Roue and Rabbit] (closed)
(Roue)
"English...what is that?? Sounds very foreign...English...Eeengliisshh," he mouthed, dragging out the words as if he was attempting to taste them.? When he realized how silly it must've looked, he stopped, flushing, and then bent down to pick up the chair, setting it down and then sitting upon it.? He figured that just standing there was drawing even more attention to him than he really wanted.? Motioning for Rabbit to come closer and have a seat himself at the table, he offered one of the cups of water that he had, pushing towards his guest.? Pulling his hand back, he sighed, cupping the bottom with both palms, taking a nice long sip before he felt brave enough to speak.? The cool water felt great going down his throat.? It didn't help keep the heat off his face though, getting redder and redder as Rabbit revealed just how much they both reciprocated in their feelings.
"I um...I have a certain susceptibility to alcohol, that is...even the smallest amount is enough to get me deeply drunk," Roue said, swallowing a bit as he continued.? "It leads...has certainly led to some very...interesting situations.? Some fortunate, some very unfortunate...for me...so I tend to stay away from any and all sorts of spirits unless I really need some liquid courage."? It felt so very awkward to have to explain this kind of vulnerability, but there was no use downplaying it.? Not after Roue and Rabbit shared a bed.? However, the drunk Roue and the sober totally-not-drinking-ever-again Roue were like night and day, and having to take responsibility for the actions of his other, much bolder side for which he couldn't always recount the memories of what he did exactly was quite difficult, if not downright unpleasant.? So when he looked back up, he saw how crestfallen Rabbit had become, and bit his lip as he tapped on the side of the glass to fill the silence, and give him some buffer time.
"Um...not fully, sorry...the memories are hazy at best," he admitted, sniffing.? "I can typically piece together what has happened based on the bits and pieces that do float up, but what is most telling is the reaction of whoever I happened to "accost" at the time.? At least, I assume that based on what you said, that you have...um...enjoyed that, which is a relief at least.? Having to try and explain my behavior is very difficult when I can't exactly recount the events that led up to this."? Pausing again, the elf took another long gulp of water, sighing out.? He pushed his hair back from his face, making a note to brush it once he has a chance to back to the room, looking back at Rabbit.? It didn't help that the shorter boy himself was quite attractive, but now was not the time to be thinking this.? Roue needed to get his bearings together.
"Rabbit...that is your name, right?? I was able to glean that much before," he remarked, making a small "tsk" sound he mulled over his thoughts.? "None of this makes sense...where I am...what this place is...how I even got here.? How I'm even able to understand you even...I know this is not Rune Midgard, not after you took me to whatever that loud, flashy world was...? but what suddenly caused our language barrier to just up and disappear.? I guess it's true what they say...that the best way to learn a language is through pillow talk, ha ha ha..."? Gods, that was so awkward and stupid to say.? As if he didn't feel embarrassed already, now he was spouting the pillow talk line?? As if that was going to make everything better.? Ugh..
(Rabbit)
Rabbit listened to Roue's rambling attempt to explain but had difficulty making sense of it.?
"Uhm, English is the l-language we're, you know, s-speakin' right now. And this place..." he gestured at their surroundings in the club's main room "...is the C-club Dionysus.? The place we went to before is called the G-Ginza district.? It's in J-japan, which is really a long ways from here.? I dunno where this, uhm, R-rune Midgard place is.? Is it a, uhm, different c-club, maybe?" he asked, biting his lip.? "I m-might be able to find a door for it, if'n it's a place you know really well."
"As for why you suddenly know English, I r-really couldn' say.? I mean, the only thing I can th-think of is that you didn' start talkin' it until you, you know..." the little vampire fidgeted awkwardly on his stool, looking like he should be blushing as he lowered his voice "...kinda f-fucked my lights out. Which I r-really, you know, liked you doin'.? But I never heard of that bein' a way to l-learn a language, but then this is the Dionysus Club." He shrugged, his eyes meeting the elf's shyly.? "A l-lot of strange stuff can happen here.? It's p-part of the reason people, you know, like to come here to hang out 'n stuff."
The little vampire hesitated a bit, trying to work up his courage. "There is, uhm, s-somethin' I was w-wantin' to tell you about before we, uhm, you know, d-did anythin'. But you didn' seem to know English, and then things kinda got carried away when you d-drank some of that saki in the Ginza." He chewed on his lip anxiously, clearly worried about how Roue might react.? "But now that you can, you know, u-understand me, you really need to know.? I.... I'm a v-vampire."? His eyes searched the elf's face for a reaction as he blurted "P-please don' h-hate me.? I w-wanted to tell you, but I c-couldn'.? I'm not d-dangerous and I'd n-never, you know, h-hurt you or nothin'." A twinge of conscience nudged him for fudging a bit in what he said, but he hurried on.? "H-honest!"
Tag - Roue
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Re: Port Vega: Up On the Roof (Harrison, Mia, Ireland, open)
? ? (Mia)Mia was waiting for the doors to open when she heard Ireland behind her before she spoke.? "Yep, I am.? Used to being on my own, no worries there.? How about you?? That was kind of shocking.? Wonder why Mr. Chord decided to simply give up on the program?"
The doors opened and Mia stepped inside the elevator and pressed the hold open button, "I am on my way to meet Ms. Harrison.? You want to come?"? She asked the red head with a smile.
Ireland, Harrison
Ireland didn¡¯t know if she really believed the girl was okay or if she just built up walls. It also made her wondered if Mia realized just how standoffish she could be. Which could explain why no one connect with her.
¡°Because Daddio and Harry are really big on personal accountability. Besides you did you hear or see anyone take any?¡± Ireland asked stepping on the elevator.
She shook her head. ¡°Nope Harrison asked for you. If I show up she won¡¯t be happy. She is the law and order around here.¡± Ireland said with a smile.
Peace and blessings?
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(Kat) ? ?Was a little stunned when Gen came and hugged her. She hugged Gen back just as tightly. She wasn't sure what she really wanted to do. Her emotions were a turmoil inside her. Gen offered her place up to stay at as well. Kat figured she would visit Gen in a few days, after everyone's emotions settled down.? ? ?Her attention shifted to Kites when he jumped up and asked her to stay. Then yelled at Gen. Kite gave Gen a stiff hug and then said that he needed time. They all needed time. Before Kat could do anything Kite left. She shook her head slightly.? ? ?Kat looked to Mia when she replied that she was not perfect. Kat nodded slightly. Though when Mia said that no one here liked her, Kat actually shook her head. As Mia was leaving Kat spoke, hopefully lpud enough for her to hear. "I have no idea how you got the thought that I don't like you. You are wrong you know." She hoped that Mia heard enough of it before the door shut. ? ?When Ireland spoke up, Kat tilted her head. She understood where Ireland was coming from. Gen should have been more mature about this all. The way she had spoke was out of line. Though Ireland held her own. When Ierland went to leave and stopped to say that it had been nice to meet her and since her and Brandon were a thing, that she would be seeing her around. "It was nice to meet you as well. Hope you know that I am not upset with you. Never have been. I know that I screwed up. Thought I implied that when I spoke my peace. Hope that we can be friends." She replied before Ireland left.? ? ?Kat turned back to Gen. "We need to talk." (Gen) "Are you sure you want to talk to me?" Gen asked dejectedly.? "Everyone else seems to be mad at me.? Even... even Kites." He looked towards the door the winged youth had departed through, becoming even more crestfallen. "Yeah, even him too."? Looking back to Kat, Gen asked "Is it okay if we talk on the way back to my room.? I really don't want to stay in here." He looked around the room as if mentally replaying the drama that had just taken place, then finally turned back to the cat-girl.? "I just want to change back into the clothes I had when I came here.? I don't want to owe those people _anything_." The last word was heavy with bitterness. Tag - Kat
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Re: Elusive Capture: Beaches. Andrew/Evone¡¯
?- Evone' - Tears filled her eyes at his words. ¡°You just said it.¡± She said gazing up into his lovely eyes. And you didn¡¯t have to say that. You actions more than prove your love for me.¡±
She reached up to stroke his cheek then. ¡°I want to be where you are Andrew. I want to be with you always. I want to be yours. Thank you. Thank you for loving me. Thank you for saving me. Thank you for wanting me.¡± She stepped into his arms again kissing him lovingly, passionately.
They now stood in a small private jetty down the beach away from the others. Her hand went up into his hair lovely tresses. ¡°Make love to me.¡±
(Andrew)
"Gladly, my love," Andrew said, kissing her back and holding her close. "And know that, when all of this is over, I want you with me, wherever fortune takes us."
The captain of the Elusive stepped back a bit and removed his jacket, which he proceeded to spread out with great show on the sand.? He then made a grand bow and gestured to the garment, smiling in spite of his effort to make it a solemn occasion.? "Our bed awaits, my lady."
Andrew then stepped up close once again, gazing into her eyes as his fingers began unbuttoning the sailor's shirt she'd been given, lingering the moment her breasts were freed to the open air. He began gently kissing his way down, first along her neck, then her collarbone, and then each perfect breast in turn. Rising up again, he closed his mouth over hers as he slipped her shirt down and then off, letting it fall to the ground next to his jacket, quickly followed by his own. His hands moved to caress and explore the smooth warm skin of her back, pulling her closer still and pressing her now-bare chest to his, a low moan of pleasure passing from his mouth into hers.? Below, the bulge of his aroused manhood was pressing hard against her through the sailor's pants she was wearing, urgent with need.? Pulling his head back just slightly, his eyes met hers once again as he rubbed his covered sex tentatively against hers as if testing the waters, looking for any last sign of hesitation before giving in to their desires.
Tag - Evone'
_._,_._,_
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Re: Port Vega: LIght and Wings (Raine and Kites)
[Raine]
Raine had been wanting to check on Ireland since he hadn't talked to her for a couple of days.? But he thought with father watching the door he was sure he could see her.? Sneaking in through the roof, get in, get out.? Even the golden boy wouldn't spot him.? He knew his baby girl would tell him but it was nothing like seeing these clowns up close and personal.? He was raining down in a shower of light as he dropped upon the roof to reform he looked around and spotted someone with wings standing there.? He was dressed in dark pants, light blue shirt and white tie.? He moved towards the door but he saw how the person on the roof looked with his wings.? With an arched eyebrow.
"Sup?? Are you ok?" He asked the one that would be there.
[Kites]
Kites had been staring into the distance for quite a while, letting his eyes and his mind go out of focus, shutting himself off from the outside.? He was so out of it that he didn't even realize that he was no longer the sole occupant of the roof, so when someone suddenly addressed him, he was startled, immediately turning around, fully expecting that Brandon had decided to come up, but instead was met but someone whose face he didn't recognize.? Who was he?? How did he get here?? He couldn't have possibly crawled up here, not with the way he was dressed, so he must've flown but he had no wings either nor any of the same mechanical contraptions that Chord did.
"Whoa...you startled me there," Kites blurted out, willing his heart to calm down as he placed his hand upon his chest.? Folding his wings back, he walked a circle around the stranger, but there were no holes in his shirt, no snap-in/snap-out panels.? So really, how did he get here?? Was he part of Chord's team who was out on some kind of assignment?? He was quite curious at this point.? "Who are you?? Where did you come from?? Are you also part of Chord's team?"
[tag Raine]
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Re: High Moon Tales. Tales of the Wicked West.
(Etienne)
When the redhead step forward, Etienne sat up. Her feet touching the floor. Her hand curled into a fist. Waiting. Ready. When the woman back down, her eyes turned and narrowed on the ass who had followed her from Vulture City. ¡°I never asked to be apart of any of this and I will thank you kindly if you would let me go.¡± Etienne said.
When the other two men chime in, she stood and turned to walk to the window. She frowned as she looked out. She didn¡¯t see anything but dust and wind. Howling wind. ¡°There doesn¡¯t seem to be anyone out there,¡± she said looking out the window through the bars.
(Old Chase)
Chase was not in the mood for a catfight even though a part of him wanted to see it himself.? They needed one another and not all battered and bruised.? He breathed as he looked at them.? ¡°No, I did not kidnap her!? I am not a monster!¡±? He said leaving out the word completely, part of him was though.? Chase wanted to be diplomatic seems everyone thought he was some knight to the damsel¡but he was far from it and the woman thought the other man was her night and wanted nothing to do with Chase from what he reckoned.
He deep down just wanted her safe and he wanted his life back and that rested in Miller¡¯s Crossing where they all needed to go to get free¡him most of all!
¡°She called herself homunculi¡some nonsense like that and wanted to detain us¡.however, she could. Some more easily than others,¡± he said thinking that his loneliness nearly got the better of him.
¡°Get everyone out then, I can hold them off should they get in.? Ten minutes do or you need longer?¡±? He asked as he would take off his shirt leaving on only his vest for his top, the pants didn¡¯t rip but he would like to keep the hat so he put that on his lanyard and waited for them to move as he moved to bar the door a bit more to have a little more time.
¡°Can you all get a move on already?¡±? He asked rolling his back as he prepared for the slight pain that he knew was bound to come with his change.? If Etienne didn¡¯t like him before¡she damn sure wasn¡¯t going to like him now.? She might very well not let him touch her again.
But it wasn¡¯t something he wasn¡¯t used too.
¡°They are demons¡their form is loose so they can hide in the wind but they have to be solid to attack.
Now go!¡±? He said holding of his change for as long as possible.
(Old Charity)
Charity danced. She'd been dancing for hours, dancing as a madwoman, still nude, and now in the town square of Millers Crossing. The few 'townsfolk' who were about at this hour ignored her, as they did the pounding of her drum. Although ignored, Charity's drumming overlayed the town, and everything in it and the surrounding countryside seemed to move to it's rhythm. As her dance reached its crescendo, her movements, now in a flurry of naked flesh, she stopped dead and simply stood still as pond water. Sweat dripping off of the wendigo's mortal form was her only motion. Even the town and countryside seemed to pause for a moment, until a coyote howled far off in the distance, breaking the spell.
?
In Bendo the spirits of bear, wolf, and coyote shrieked outside of the sheriff's office along with the others, both natural and unnatural, clawing at the pokie. Just as Charity finished in Millers Crossing the maelstrom outside the hoosegow stopped, plunging Bendo into total silence. Outside, in the streets, every mortal human who had drank the water left their abode and dropped dead. Somewhere, far in the distance, a coyote howled. Sheriff Miller stood up, and before any of the others could challenge him he dropped to the floor. In an almost inaudible whisper, as if the ghost of ol' Dan were still present, he said, "they all daid." Then Sheriff Miller, too, died.
(Callie Carson)
"Homunculi?" Callie repeated, looking toward Etienne, then she glanced back at Flynn to see if he recognized the word. She did. It had been among teachings she'd received at the Vatican. She knew a homunculus was a tiny human, created by an alchemist. Perhaps there were other meanings of the term, but this is what she knew. The girl certainly wasn't tiny, but still the reference made no sense. Maybe Flynn had different insights.
? Before she could ask him, the noises and wind outside the sheriff's office stopped abruptly and an eerie silence enveloped them. Among the group, only one person moved immediately after the storm outside ended...Sheriff Miller. He simply keeled over where he stood, collapsing to the floor.
? She heard the whisper and then walked over and knelt beside the sheriff, checking for a pulse. "He's gone."
(Flynn)
Flynn noticed Callie's questioning glance but could only shrug.? "I've heard of 'em.? They're like livin' puppets that you can make and have do stuff for you. Different kind of magic from the kind I can do, though."
"I'd need less than a minute to make a portal," Flynn said to Sicilien. "And since no one here knows Miller's Crossing, it'll have to be to Cullenville.? So--"
Suddenly the howling outside stopped, leaving only silence. At the same time, the sheriff staggered and collapsed, whispering "They all daid" with his last gasping breath.? He watched as Callie checked the man and pronounced him dead.
"De r¨¦ir na sean-d¨¦ithe go l¨¦ir," the pookah muttered, staring in consternation at the sheriff's now-lifeless body.? "It seems our immediate threat has been eliminated," he said after a moment. "But I declare, I'm gettin' sorely weary of always being a day late and a dollar short in this affair. Somebody - or some _thing_ - has been out-manuevering us from the get-go. And right now, they must be laughin' their heads off."
[Sicilien]
"Are you telling me that a mere homunculus is capable of all this?!" Sicilien incredulously asked, pointing with his thumb out the window.? Whether or not he believed that didn't matter since it changed nothing.? They still had to leave lest they become chow for whatever demons this manikin had summoned, so he wasted no time in getting ready for flight, getting up off his chair and donning on the dusty longcoat.? Making sure that his revolvers were safely nestled and clipped into their holsters, Sicilien then grabbed hold of his sniper rifle and slung it over his back.? Chase seemed to be doing the opposite, however, stripping down to his pants, receiving a quizzical look from Sicilien but the bounty hunter's face changed to one of who was just enlightened.? That's right, he remembered getting a glimpse of the beast inside his makeshift partner's eyes.? But before any of them could make a move though, the sheriff suddenly dropped dead, ragdoll-ing to the floor.? What escaped the dead man's lips wasn't lost on them as it suddenly became eerily quiet.
"Well, isn't this interesting," he said, walking up to the same window that Etienne was standing at.? The same storm that they braved through to reach the jail was now gone, leaving behind everything else.? All the dirt, sand, and whatever else the winds picked up mixed together to create patches of muck and grime that stuck to everything.? But that wasn't _exactly_ everything.? He had to confirm this for himself as he walked to the door, reaching for the handle with one arm, placing the other on Chase and squeezing his shoulder.? "Down, boy.? I think the worst is over.? Save the show-and-tell for another time, okay?"? Opening the door just slightly, he peeked with his eyes out the slit, making sure there wasn't anyone just waiting for them to come out and when he deemed it safe, opened the door wider as he stepped through it to the outside.
Immediately his nose was assaulted by the various smells all mixing together - petrichor, wet sand, mud, animal dung - everything.? This also brought out all the creepy crawlies, having to kick a centipede away from trying to crawl on top of his boot.? But that wasn't the most offensive thing.? The entire street, every nook and cranny was filled with fallen bodies.? It was as if the whole town just dropped dead.? He had to wonder just what the hell he got himself into mixing with these people.? Nothing that he's experienced in his existence was quite on the same level as this.? True, he's been in one too many hot spots but none involved putting down the whole populace.
"Ya'll better get out here and see this," he called back into the pokie, turning his head to look inside the jail.? He had to squint a little as his eye adjusted from the sunny outside to the darkened inside.? "You tell me if we still need to spirit away into Cullenville."
Tag Chase, Callie, Flynn, Sicilien, Etienne, Charity (jumping in)
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Re: Blood Bonds: Family Ties
(Draven)"Yes, but I like our place better.? More cozy." Even though his mansion and estate was almost just as large.? The door opened and a gentleman peered in to see who was in the car, "Sir Draven, we were not expecting."? He stood up and offered a hand to help Anais out of the car. "Yes, Arron, we have come from an invitation?from Neville.? Did he not tell anyone that he had invited us to come and have a visit?" Arron simply shook his head as he watched the beauty emerge from the car.? After Draven was out he introduced her, "Arron, this is my betrothed, the Lady Anais.? This is Arron, he has been the family's butler for several decades now."
(Anais)
Anais willed her nerves to calm. She was with Draven she could do this. But could she really? She had grew up sheltered. Her brothers and father being the only vampires she had ever been around. Could she do this...contain herself, behave herself at this place...with these people... of course she could. She could do this.
As Anais stepped from the car, she offered Arron a soft warm smile. ¡°Hello sir, a pleasure.¡± She said.?
Stand on the porch behind him was the Lady Esmeralda. She came to the door and her face smiled ¡°Draven. It is so good to see you. Mathias said he had written to you but he had not heard back from you so he was unsure of your decision.¡± She said ¡°he will be so happy you decided to return.¡±
Esmeralda Renault was a long term companion of Draven¡¯s brother Mathias. She was a beautiful swarthy skinned beauty with lovely brunette hair. She carried herself with all the regal was and grace of a woman of the court.
¡°And this is Lady Anais. Why she is lovely.¡±
Anais smiled. ¡°It is a pleasure, madame.¡±
¡°And so polite too¡± Esmeralda said ¡°Come Mathias is not here right now. But he should return shortly. How long will you be staying?¡±
Tag?
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Re: Blood Bonds: Family Ties
Anais' iridescent orbs blinked open at the stroke of her cheek and the gentle call of her name. As she peered out the window of the looming structure, apprehension filled her. ?This was his home...his people. Would his mother like her...his brother...father...¡°It¡¯s quiet impressive,¡± she said softly. She remained quiet as people came out the estate to attend them.??She willed herself to get it together. Least she disgrace him and embarrass herself.
(Draven) "Yes, but I like our place better.? More cozy." Even though his mansion and estate was almost just as large.? The door opened and a gentleman peered in to see who was in the car, "Sir Draven, we were not expecting."? He stood up and offered a hand to help Anais out of the car. "Yes, Arron, we have come from an invitation?from Neville.? Did he not tell anyone that he had invited us to come and have a visit?" Arron simply shook his head as he watched the beauty emerge from the car.? After Draven was out he introduced her, "Arron, this is my betrothed, the Lady Anais.? This is Arron, he has been the family's butler for several decades now."
Tags Arron is an older man, very distinguished?looking with silver grey hair.? His suit is pressed and very neatly put on and his shoes reflect even the smallest amount of light, as he shines them three times a day.
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Re: A Pirates Life (Khadashee and Draven)
Sa¡¯id and his right hand, a man she didn¡¯t quite know, were just stepping into view. He walked over to Draven and Khadashee. ¡°My Queen, Captain.¡± ?He said to pair.? ¡°Good Evening Sa¡¯id¡± she said with a smile holding Draven¡¯s hand. She looked pale to him. The sea and salt air obviously not agreeing with her. ¡°Will you two be joining us for the evening meal?¡± Sa¡¯id asked.
(Draven/NPC Captain) Draven gave Sa'id a slight smile, "I was just waiting to see if the Captain wanted our company for just that thing."? The man liked to interrupt, but they had agreed to be civil for all's sake so he simply waited for the ship's Captain to answer.
The Captain finished with his quartermaster and turned to the group.? "Well, I would be delighted if you all did join me for the evening supper.? My dear lady, you feeling alright?? Perhaps you need nourishment more than I do.? Not used to sea travel?"
Draven looked at Khada.? She hadn't looked like that in the cabin.? "Take a deep breath and the sea air will help."
Tag: Sa'id, Khadashee
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Luukasama