what is luck? [open]

[Holly]

[bg=000000][atrb=width,500,true][atrb=border,0,true] She’d given up on hunting hours ago. The dragging fatigue had penetrated to her core, leaving her with little will to do anything at all. It was easier to just lie there, listless except for the coughs that racked her worn frame - the sickness had stripped the healthy weight from her, leaving her hollow-eyed and rail thin. Only a week had passed since her encounter with the virus, but pain seared her chest and her breath rattled, her throat raw with coughing. On the positive side, what few injuries she had were bound with clean bandages and healing well, if slowly. The antibiotics seemed to be having little effect, though she was taking as many as she dared. The fevers continued unhindered, but she guessed she would be clammy to the touch. There was no one to confirm or deny this speculation; she had secluded herself from her ring to save them from the disease, and had seen no one since, except from a distance. True, she was weakened and hiding out in enemy territory, but there were very few free lands anymore. Choices were limited and if she were to be killed by the retros living here, might as well infect them in the process. Another cough tore from her chest, and Holly smothered the sound in the scrap of cloth she carried for just this purpose. When it subsided, she twisted to the side and irritably spat out a mouthful of blood. As she had discovered early on, swallowing hurt her ravaged throat. As did breathing. And talking. She sighed, then winced, and turned to face the slanting rays of the late afternoon sun, gray eyes closed. She was draped over a large, sturdy branch, listening to the birdsong and the gurgling of a stream a short distance away. (While she had no appetite, she’d been making herself drink often, so having the water close was convenient.) The autumn breeze was cool, and she welcomed it against her bare skin - she had discarded her sweatshirt and shoes, leaving just tanktop and jeans, in an attempt to cool down. It had been ineffective. She continued to burn up, despite the shivers that rippled over her. ooc; </3 words; 367

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[adam]

[atrb=width,400,true][atrb=border,0,true][bg=d6eaf3] He was sneaking out again and he was sure his mentor would not be pleased. Still Adam found scouting to be an enjoyable pastime, if a bit frightening because of the grass beneath he feet that so dearly wished for him dead. He had growled at the bright green blades to stop their faint flute chorus but as usual the plant life had ignored him, cursing him as he made his way into the Hunting Grounds. However much the grass wanted his life, it wasn’t going to get it that easily. Adam had shifted into his tiger form so that if the retros that lurked among the prime territory found him he could merely claim he was one of them, held captive by the Fulsi for so long that he now reeked of their scent. He supposed his lie would be semi-believable, after all he had long ago mastered his shift just because of the small boost of confidence it always gave him and also partly because he trained with Starr. Though he was the one helping her in that instance. He found it kind of funny that a mere Tenderfoot had anything to offer a Delta in terms of combat but he couldn’t stop himself from keeping this fact a secret from even Ven. Adam didn’t want to embarrass his unofficial sister by bragging even if it was a tempting thing to do when others called him useless. Taking a moment to snap at a passing butterfly and it’s lemon scented promise of death, he trotted onwards, deeper into the Hunting Grounds. He was in the midst of planning out his little spying mission when he heard a cough. Head snapping around to right with a startled jump, Adam tried to locate the source of the noise. It only took him a few minutes of frantic darting glances to spot the girl in the tree. He couldn’t see much more of her then a blurry outline since his shift couldn’t exactly wear his glasses but from that cough, he inferred that she was in need of help. Warily he drew closer to the tree, uncertain whether it was very safe now that he was in her line of sight. However, soon his concern for anything in the least bit in danger overtook his worry and he approached the base of the tree, shifting just as he was within inches of touching its rough bark. Adam strained his neck to look up at the girl, waving despite the smell of Carna that he now noticed was mixing with what he could only assume was the scent of blood. “Ah..Um, h-hello? A-are you a-alright, Mademoiselle?” Ooc: 442 Words

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[Holly]

[bg=000000][atrb=width,500,true][atrb=border,0,true] “Ah..Um, h-hello? A-are you a-alright, Mademoiselle?” She shoved her hands against the rough bark beneath her palms, bolting upright so she straddled the branch, gaze snapping around and down to lock on the dark haired boy standing by the base of the tree. Seemingly friendly, an oddity in this hostile environment, but Holly was in no mood for any sort of kindness. She gave a wordless snarl in response to his query, and immediately regretted it as her throat blazed with pain, sending her into another coughing fit. When it finally passed, she lifted her head and found her makeshift handkerchief spotted with the bright red of fresh blood. She grimaced and wiped her mouth, then glared at the boy. “Do I sound alright? Go away.” The words were hoarse, and speaking brought the metallic, coppery taste of blood to the back of her throat. Coughing again didn’t help - she forced herself to swallow, feeling the hot burn as she did so. It was rivaled only by the sharp, aching pain in her lungs that accompanied every breath. She made an impatient gesture toward the boy, who she by now had categorized as Fulsi. “I mean it, Fulsiboy. Get.” Her muscles might tremble at the slightest of efforts, and anything that increased her breathing rate was out of the question, but she wasn’t going to put up with this person. If it came down to it, she would leap off the branch and shift midair, and then land on him. Problem solved. As a griffin, she didn’t need to be in top physical form just to flatten a teenager. Besides, even if she did want help, she wasn’t about to accept it from a Fulsi. They were enemies by definition, and the fact that she didn’t feel well enough for a fight didn’t make them friends, or even allies. How could he not know that? Then again, maybe he was trying to trick her. Or maybe Fulsi really were as stupid as they seemed. Even a ‘nice guy’ should have enough sense not to approach someone that would, in different circumstances, do their best to kill him. ooc; Adam, ignore her very Carnaish thoughts, it's nothing personal. >.> words; 363

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[adam]

[atrb=width,400,true][atrb=border,0,true][bg=d6eaf3] The snarl did not deter him, his mentor was much the same when he was hurt and so Adam was used to being rejected in his offers of aid. That did not stop him from jumping back though, wide eyed and once again on edge. Gulping down a large breath of air to try and calm himself, Adam reached backwards towards his bag, searching blindly for his glasses. He really ought to get a good look at what he was dealing with because Carna or not he was determined to provide the girl with some assistance. A good gentleman would never stand to let a lady suffer, or at least that’s what he’d read in his books. His hand finally wrapping it’s self around the cool black frame of his glasses, he kept his eyes on the girl. Her mental scent was still too hard to detect because of his lack of eye wear but that soon changed as he slipped on the glasses, only half listening to the girl’s protests. As everything became clearer to the blue eyes behind beaten, thick framed lens held together in the center by only ductape, Adam nodded to himself deciding that this girl definitely was ginger scented. He was abruptly shoved out of his musing by what he assumed was the girl’s thoughts. Adam still found it hard to believe Starr’s constant claims that there were not tiny people living in his head and that the voices were just the thoughts of the people around him. Still he frowned up at the girl, a hurt look in his eyes yet oddly curious. “W-why w-w-would you s-squish me? That…t-that’s not v-very nice!” He murmured, rocking back and forth on the balls of his feet and shaking with his usual intensity. Crossing his slender arms, he shot her a worried glance. “Y-you c-c-could get y-yourself h-hurt worse b-by doing t-t-that! It w-would jar y-your body t-too much. But..b-but are you r-really a Griffin? C-cause that i-is p-p-pretty awesome.” Fretting he hoped that the shifter wouldn’t really attempt such a thing, the girl looked so fragile and despite his urge to see her shift, Adam feared she might die if she dropped from the tree onto him and his bag of extremely pointy objects. Her thoughts were alarming him far too much and he had to restrain himself from running off to steal a medic so that she could be fixed. Instead he tried to erase her doubts long enough so he could assist her. “I..I d-don’t c-consider you as an e-enemy, Mademoiselle. J-just as a-a-a person i-in n-need.” Weakly smiling he continued, his voice meek and just as quivering as his body. “A-and..and I..I w-won’t go a-away! Not until y-you’re better!” Ooc: 430 Words

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[Holly]

[bg=000000][atrb=width,500,true][atrb=border,0,true] She stared at the boy in mixed astonishment and irritation, then drew her feet up to crouch on the branch, suspicion replacing her expression. “How do you know that?” she demanded, voice ragged. By now the Menagerie was filled with rampant rumors that a beast of some kind, sometimes believed to be a griffin, was living in Carna. Very few people outside her ring, however, could match that beast to her face. She was positive she’d never met this boy before, nor even seen him from a distance. Placated ever so slightly by the compliment and his apparent nervousness, she remained perched in the tree instead of attempting to pin him and demand answers. She ignored his expressed concerns - she was sick and weakened, but not made of porcelain. Her bones remained strong, and she hadn’t lost all of her muscle tone. A twenty foot drop probably wouldn’t injure her, let alone cause death. She saw no reason to inform the Fulsi of this, though. So much the better for her if he didn’t expect that she could make the jump. “I..I d-don’t c-consider you as an e-enemy, Mademoiselle. J-just as a-a-a person i-in n-need.” She eyed him coolly, automatically wary of any friendly overtures and not appreciating being labeled as a person in need. She prided herself on her independence, even when sick. “I can’t say the same. And there’s nothing you or anyone else can do.” The words were harsh, and bluntly honest. It was the truth - medics couldn’t cure the illnesses carried by viruses, and she didn’t view him in a particularly amicable light. Her first reaction was to tell him he would go away right this second, whether he wanted to or not. However, she still wanted answers. “How did you know about my shift?” she growled, ignoring the agony of her throat and chest. Had someone been handing out descriptions of her for people to match to the griffin? That seemed unlikely. What would be the gain? Hadn’t he also asked why she would squish him? How had he known that? Her thoughts spun as she considered possibilities, weariness momentarily forgotten. Was he a telepath? They were rare, true, but it seemed a likely option. If he was, how would he react if realized she knew? Was he reading her thoughts this very moment? The idea was disturbing and she rolled her shoulders to rid herself of it. Thinking that way would only lead to paranoia. ooc; oh so suspicious. xD words; 420

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[adam]

[atrb=width,400,true][atrb=border,0,true][bg=d6eaf3] He flinched at her mental judgments, the words she spoke not much better. At least he could console himself with the fact the Carna’s voice brought back the sweet flavor of maple candy. Sighing, Adam tried to keep himself together, he was truly worried and hurt by the woman’s actions but she didn’t seemed to view him as anything but a pest. It stung. “T-that’s…that’s f-far from the t-t-truth. The..T-the keepers c-could fix you.” He replied, his tone just the tiniest bit surely. His blue eyes were narrowed sullenly at the girl, he would help her whether she like it or not. Her protests only strengthened his will…and made him crave candy. Blinking slowly he almost forgot that the Carna had no way of knowing of the tiny people, or as Starr put it, the skill he had.. “I..I k-know about i-it because y-you thought a-about shifting. I..I can r-read minds now and..and move small things w-w-with my mind.” Adam softened his gaze, shrugging. The ability was no longer a big deal to him, it was more of an extension of his mind, a new limb he was still getting used to but it was beginning to feel like there had never been a time when he’d not been able to hear voices. Curiously he stared up at the girl, confused by her wary thoughts and the way her body screamed that something disturbing was about. Risking a quick glance behind him to check for any apparent danger, Adam was puzzled to find only trees and brush behind him. Was she perturbed about his abilities? “..I..I…I’m not g-going t-t-to hurt you for f-f-finding out. ..I only w-want to help you. That’d b-be counterproductive.” He was getting distracted now, his first priority should be getting the girl cured. From her thoughts he’d gleaned that she’d been infected by a virus. Adam knew that Medics could only heal the flesh wounds and try to treat resulting infections the best they could but they were powerless to stop a virus. The Keepers on the other hand, they were the ones who you’d go to for the rare vaccines. That’s what the long haired Medic, he’d gotten the supplies to take care of Ven from, had told him. The lion shifter had been reluctant to hand over the extra blankets, fearing that the illness plaguing Adam’s mentor was man-made. Only after he’d begged, pleaded, and thoroughly reassured the other Fulsi had the blankets been given. The memory of this made him understand finally why the girl was so far from home, they could do nothing there and she probably didn’t want to get anyone else sick. “I’ll….I’ll f-find you a-a Keeper.” He proclaimed, remembering the broken camera he’d pasted not long ago or rather he’d past it when it was still in one piece. Then he’d ended up smashing it to bits when a lemon bug had sat on the camera’s lens, stalking him. A Keeper would have to come and fix it, if Adam timed his attack right….he might just be able to grab the tiny kit of vaccines they carried around. That or he'd be in serious trouble. “T-then w-w-we can fix you!” Ooc: 523 Words

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[Holly]

[bg=000000][atrb=width,500,true][atrb=border,0,true] “Keepers,” she scoffed, scornful. He might as well knife her right now, instead of going though the trouble. They wouldn’t heal her. Quite the opposite, actually - they’d probably inject her with another disease, just to see how she coped. That is, if they didn’t kill both her and the Fulsi for having the audacity to try and force them into handing over medicines. They were arrogant; any attempt so undermine their ‘absolute power’ would be a huge offense. At the admittance of his abilities, she felt a cold sensation trail down her spine. It was one thing to know such powers existed, and quite another to experience them in person. It was unnerving. Her mind was one of the few things that remained truly her own, and knowing that sanctum was being violated was angering on a profound level. Very clearly, Holly thought get out of my head with as much vehemence as she could manage, watching for a reaction. Hopefully his ability was fickle at best, and he wouldn’t be able to track her every thought. She’d heard it was a difficult skill to master. “I..I…I’m not g-going t-t-to hurt you for f-f-finding out. ..I only w-want to help you. That’d b-be counterproductive.” A small, sardonic smile graced her lips. She didn’t fear this slip of a boy. At this rate it seemed like, if anything, she would be the one to attack him. One, he could see into her mind. Two, he was attempting to force his assistance on her, which she didn’t at all want. Three, he was being a nuisance when all she wanted to do was sleep, to numb the pain in her lungs. At his declaration to find her a keeper, she glared at him again. “Don’t you-” She broke off in a fit of coughing, automatically turning her head away. When it finally stopped, she felt the pain anew, and continued in harsh rasp, voice barely louder than a whisper. “Don’t you get it?” she demanded. “They will do nothing. You’re wasting your time.” ooc; eh, not much here. >.> words; 354

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[adam]

[atrb=width,400,true][atrb=border,0,true][bg=d6eaf3] A tiny twitch started, not like the ones that racked his body nearly every moment, no, this was the twitch that signaled the calm. The girl’s thoughts were putting him on edge, he wasn’t just a speck that she could easily brush away. In fact if he really wanted her dead, it would only take him a few second to reach for his pocket, pull out the throwing knife he’d stashed there and sending it flying into her neck. He’d never missed before, not since he’d been acknowledged as a professional and it would be the devil’s luck if the girl escaped. But he wasn’t that kind of person, not yet at least. If pushed far enough, Adam would show no mercy till it was over and done with, then he would weep and wail because once again he’d have gone and ended another life. So instead of reaching for a weapon, he slid his hands into his pocket, at rest, calm. “S-sleep h-here and y-y-you would m-most likely die. Y-you’re w-weak, the c-cats hunt in groups h-h-here and g-griffin s-shift or not, i-in t-this state y-you’d be easy p-prey.” He mono-toned, giving the girl another shrug. “If..If n-not that disease o-of yours w-will finish y-you off soon e-enough.” “D-don’t I w-what? I’m..I’m not as s-stupid as y-you seem to t-think, Mademoiselle! Y-you act a-as if you’ve n-never heard of a s-shifter being cured.” Shaking his head, he raised one hand to yank at his now shorter hair. He was once again tempted to force the woman to accept his assistance. However much he wanted to do it, Adam knew that would be wrong and detrimental to his cause so he kept still and away from his weapons. “O-oh Mademoiselle, y-you just n-need to know what to o-o-offer them, n-nothing is f-free after all.” Shifting not even seconds after the last syllable fell from his lips, Adam dug his claws into the surface of the tree and vaulted himself up. The branch he choose to shift back upon was opposite of the girl’s. He wanted the tree trunk between them in case she tried anything funny. He was starting to learn not to trust everyone with a sweet tasting voice. Getting to his feet, he stared down at the girl taking a long moment to study her before extending a hand. It passed the dividing line of the trunk and it was his peace offering, her final chance. If she took it they would go off to find the Keeper and she would come back healthy. If she refused, he would grab her anyway, going for the pressure point on her neck that would keep her subdued. Then he would find the Keeper and hopefully someone to return the Carna safely to her border. He knew he wasn’t going to be coming back for a while. “Trust m-me. T-there’s n-n-nothing left to lose.” His smile wasn’t telling her that he was willing to trade his body for hers. A test subject for a cure, no Keeper could resist. “So pick. T-the cats? The V-virus? Or t-take a chance and m-maybe l-live.”” Ooc: 520 Words

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[Holly]

[bg=000000][atrb=width,500,true][atrb=border,0,true] She shot the boy an indignant look. She knew the risks she’d taken - was taking - and didn’t need to be talked to like a child. For a week she’d avoided the cats, and well, there was still a chance she would live through the illness. Though it was difficult to tell, when it had first hit she’d been relatively healthy, and she rarely got sick. She had the antibiotics, which were helping a bit. There was no certainty that she would die. A high possibility, perhaps, but not a certainty. “If you’re not stupid, then you should easily be able to figure out that I don’t want your help.” It was her choice whether she lived or died, her choice which risks she took. What right did he have to choose for her? If it was between relying on her own abilities or trying to get antibiotics from a Keeper, she’d stick with the former. She had nothing to offer them. What could they possibly want that they couldn’t simply take? A burst of coughing blurred her vision, causing her to double over as they ripped from her chest. She was vaguely aware of a slight tremor in the tree, but didn’t consider it. When she could finally look up, it was to see the Fulsi standing in her tree. Holly leapt back in startled surprise, wary. She was protective of her space, and disliked that he’d been able to get so close without her seeing it. He extended a hand, but she didn’t move from her tense position. If he was looking for trust, he’d have better luck elsewhere. She trusted no one, especially friendly strangers. “It’s a chance either way. I prefer the one that doesn’t involve the sadistic bastards experimenting on me.” She eased back a step as she spoke, glancing over her shoulder toward the end of the branch, calculating the possibilities for getting down that way. If she moved out far enough, it would bend under her weight, so if she could drop down to hang by her hands it would cut the distance to fall in half. ooc; sorry, short. xP -scurries around doing stuff- words; 357

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[adam]

[atrb=width,400,true][atrb=border,0,true][bg=d6eaf3] The more the girl struggled with him and coughed, the more that calm feeling began to overwhelm him. A voice that seemed to belong to no one here whispered to him. Told him the girl was stupid and a waste of time, told him that she was broken anyways. It asked him what were broken toys good for expect breaking them more? Blue eyes got wider as he tried to shush the thoughts that he couldn’t bring himself to acknowledge were his. Jerking his hand back to his side and away from the girl, he clutched his arm, giving the girl a hurt glare. She was trying to get away! Trying to hurt him like all Carna would, she wanted to hurt him by dying. Adam could just see it, the girl wanted to leave more blood to stain his hands. But that was impossible for someone like him, he was already drowning in crimson. Staring down at his hands he wasn’t surprised to see them covered in dark red but he took a few shaky steps backwards anyway, it was just habit. His hands slowly drew nearer to his face, against his will they closed in on him as if some part of him was accusing him of doing it. Accusing him of killing those guards. But he hadn't! He hadn't done it, had he? He couldn't remember! As the hands finally closed in on his face hiding it for a mere second, Adam was gone. He wouldn’t ever remember what happened after he encountered the Carna girl in a tree, it would be a blank. For the man standing on the tree limb was no longer trembling with wide eyes, no he was still, still and smirking. “Why are you so annoying, Carna girl? Are you suffering from a disease that not only affects your lungs but your brain as well?” He uttered with a tiny mocking shake of his head. Forever the showmen was this almost but not quite second personality. He’d gotten that from the ringmaster at the freakshow, though during those years this second Adam had only surfaced as a slightly more put together man. He hadn’t been a different person back then, no he’d really started to change during those last four long years. He hadn’t really been needed before that, Adam had been strong enough to deal with the smacks of his dual mentors at the freak show but then he’d caved at the head guard’s attentions. So the man that stood smiling like he could see right through you, had taken his place. He’d stood in for Adam went the rape had gone beyond that, he’d been the one to feel the worst of the scars, and he’d been the one who’d chased all the crooked guards down till every one of them was dead and far passed recognition. “I can read that minute mind of yours, I know that you’re going to attempt escape and even if you did slip away, I’d know where you’re going. “ He clasped his hands neatly behind his back , tilting his head to the side curious of what the girl would do next. “I know who your friends are, your loved ones, and I know where to find them.” He knew that was a lie, he wasn’t that skilled yet but however he knew mentioning them would bring up the names and faces of this girl’s loved ones and then he wouldn’t be bluffing anymore. “Do you think?” He asked, idly reaching down to pull just one of his many weapons free. “Do you think they like knives?” His expression was bored as he palmed the blade, turning it over slowly in his hand but there was a darkness in his eyes. He meant every word. Ooc: 617Words

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[Holly]

[bg=000000][atrb=width,500,true][atrb=border,0,true] When she looked back at the boy from checking over her shoulder, she blinked in surprise to find the nervous, friendly one replaced with a cold, mocking duplicate. “I could ask you the same question,” she murmured, while her thoughts ran more along the lines of This kid is creepy! The language, at least, was familiar, even if the motives and reasons were beyond her. Perhaps he’d decided that trying to trick her was useless, so was giving up the act. Hostility, at least, was something she could deal with. “Like that’s impressive? Any fool could see that,” Holly informed him bluntly. As for where she was going, he didn’t know, because she herself didn’t, other than that it was as far away from him as possible. Preferably someplace unreachable, and not too far away. As if in reminder, another cough itched at her throat, but she ignored the unpleasant sensation, not wanting to be blinded again. She eased back another step. So much for him wanting to help. She certainly hadn’t predicted him getting violent over it. She’d heard of a hero-complex, but this was taking it way too far. At the implied threat, her first thought was ha, good luck with that. There was a time when he would have been able to threaten any one in the Menagerie, and she could have told him to go right ahead. Now, her thoughts flickered to Py and Noah, the only people who might be truly sorry to see her die. She wasn’t cold enough to be able to repay their friendship with such disregard. A phrase the boy had said earlier came back to her. What did she have to lose? She straightened, watching the Fulsi consideringly. This was ridiculous. She didn’t even know what he was after anymore. First he’d been making a pest of himself in his eagerness to help her, and now he was making threats? It didn’t make any sense. Even if he’d been trying to screw with her head, she couldn’t see the point. “What do you want?” she asked simply. “My life? Go ahead, take it. Like you said, I’m screwed anyway.” ooc; creeper Adam! D: -flails at- words; 364

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[adam]

[atrb=width,400,true][atrb=border,0,true][bg=d6eaf3] He just laughed. She had fell perfectly into his trap and now he had names in addition to the faces they belonged to. “Py? Such an odd name, yet fitting for a man who appears to be equally out of the ordinary. Such a shame that the first pink haired Carna will die so long before thirty, and to think he might have had another happy couple of years if it was not for you. The same for the man called Noah, I will be sure to tell him, before I kill him, that you send your regards” He paused, allowing time for the words to sink in. He wanted the girl to know exactly what she’d be condemning her friends to if she refused to cooperate. “Holly, Holly, Holly.” Shaking his head in scorn, he took a step forward completely unworried by the way the branch swayed under his weight. Unlike the normal Adam, he was rarely frightened. “You care so little for yourself and your friends, it’s disappointing. Are you nothing but a waste of air? I think so. And perhaps these Noah and Py men will agree, might they not even notice your absence or even take it as a blessing.” Shrugging like he was actually pondering, instead of merely fishing for a soft spot, he twirled the blade in his hand. His petty trick was only meant to show his mastery of the weapon, he wanted the girl to have doubt that if he wanted to, he could have the men from her thoughts dead. Another bored shrug and another mocking bought of laughter was the response to her next question. Like he wanted her dead, why would he? He only wanted what Adam wanted. At the moment Adam wanted to get the girl healed and so that was what he planned to accomplish. Only Adam would have done it with kind words and he would do it through force and extortion. It was a pity, Holly hadn’t just listened to Adam in the first place. It might have saved her some trouble. “What do I want? What do I want? That is a fine question but once again it shows how terribly lacking in intelligence you are.” He gave her a faux look of pity, advancing just a bit, once again. “I want to get you help as I’ve stated so many times before.” He idly ran his thumb over the cutting edge of his specialty throwing knife, testing the sharpness. A tiny flower of red bloomed on his skin and without ever bothering to tear his gaze from Holly, he brought the finger to his mouth and licked off the blood with a smirk. “You have one more chance, Carna girl. Come with me.” Words: 457

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[Holly]

[bg=000000][atrb=width,500,true][atrb=border,0,true] She ignored the threats and insults. She’d heard worse from her own ringmates, and there was never any point to worrying about what someone may or may not do. Besides, Noah and Py were both perfectly capable of taking care of themselves. Instead of truly listening, she was watching the blade twirling through his fingers. He was obviously comfortable with the weapon, and from what she could tell it was a throwing knife, which made her wary of suddenly finding it buried in her chest. In addition, she was getting lightheaded, swaying ever so slightly on the branch. It was hard to breathe, pain stabbing her lungs with every inhale, and she wanted nothing more than to lie back down before she fell. Still, when he took a step forward she took one back, maintaining the distance between them. “I want to get you help, as I’ve stated so many times before.” Holly bit back another cough as it rose in her throat, and managed to keep most of the skepticism off her expression. “Really. Well you have an odd way of showing it,” she rasped. Threatening her in order to help? There was something screwy with this kid’s logic, and it was not encouraging her to go along with what he was suggesting. Who knew what other ideas he’d get into his head? “You have one more chance, Carna girl. Come with me.” She slowly dragged up one eyebrow. “Says the guy with a knife who’s threatening to attack my friends.” At the moment, her chances seemed better without him. He was clearly unstable, and considering her current sate (which included trembling muscles and difficulty breathing), she didn’t fancy spending any time with someone who might unexpectedly turn on her. Her ragged voice took on a bitter, sardonic tone. “Besides, you seem to think that I could go with you, even if I wanted to. Which I don’t. But I can barely breathe while standing still. Walking is nearly impossible.” She wasn’t lying, and hoped he believed so - trying to convince him would be a complete hassle. Every six steps or so she would have to pause, fighting for breath. It took ages to go anywhere. ooc; same word count as my first post. O.o words; 367

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[adam]

[atrb=width,400,true][atrb=border,0,true][bg=d6eaf3] “Yes, I’m unstable. A toddler could tell that but here’s the catch that’s keeping me from playing darts with your ugly mug. I have to do what Adam wants and he wants to help you for some ungodly reason. So I won’t turn on you, no matter how much I want to.” Shrugging he stepped forward once more, reaching the point where the branch met tree. He wanted so badly just to take Adam’s shovel and smash it over and over against the stupid girl’s head till she bled out on the branch, leaving a blood rain in his wake. Anything would be better than helping her. However he had no choice, he had to fix her and so he was getting irritated by this stubborn refusal of his seldom offered assistance. It’s not like the girl would do any better by staying here, even if he could hurt her and he really longed to be able to, it’s not like she wouldn’t die without his help. The smirk was fading from his face, being replaced by a scowl. It seemed the only thing that came out of the Carna’s mouth was stupid questions. Still he knew that the child would most likely continue her futile protests with even more fervor if he acted too annoyed. Forcing his expression to soften some, he sighed. “I’ll merely give you a ride, Holly. My shift is a tiger, it wouldn’t be terrible hard for me to carry you on my back all the way there.” Studying the girl for a moment, he pondered his next move. From the girl’s own thoughts he gleaned that she couldn’t go far with pause and so he took a deep breath. “I’m coming over there. Don’t try and flee, it will only cause you and your loved ones more pain and besides you and I both know I could easily catch you if you did run.” He took a few steps back and then leapt agilely to the other side in a practiced jump. Sometimes being raised in a freakshow/circus wasn’t such a bad thing after all. One picked up many useful skills. Words: 356 Ooc: Soshort. x.x

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[Holly]

[bg=000000][atrb=width,500,true][atrb=border,0,true] Wonderful, unstable and in possession of multiple personalities. She sighed, then immediately regretted it, pressing the cloth over her mouth as coughs ripped from deep within her chest. When she straightened, wiping her eyes with the back of one hand, it was to find the Fulsi scowling at her. She scowled back - she’d been minding her own business before he decided to play God. He had no rational reason to be irritable. She didn’t at all trust the more gentle expression. Going from threatening to cajoling didn’t exactly set up a good track record, particularly when she was disinclined to trust him from the start. Nor did she particularly fancy being carried by him. Fulsi germs, she thought with sarcastic humor. It was still irritating that he couldn’t just accept the fact that Fulsi and Carna aren’t supposed to help each other. At his comment on her ‘loved ones’ and the pain she could bring upon herself, she gave a derisive roll of her eyes. She had her friends, yes, but Holly wouldn’t go as far to say she loved them, and she didn’t fear pain. His commands only irked her, tempted her to ignore him just for spite. She barely took orders from her superiors in the ring; what made him think that he, some random Fulsi, could demand anything from her and expect obedience? Still, her options of fleeing consisted of a twenty foot drop, so she only moved back a few more steps as he leaped onto the branch, curling a lip with distaste for the situation. She looked him over, again noting his slender stature, and realized that there wasn’t much he could physically do. He could make threats, it was true, but she didn’t much care about her own safety, and her friends were well equipped to defend themselves. Other than threatening her, from this position there was little he could do. If he wanted her down from the tree, he could tackle her off the branch, but that could easily injure both of them. Or he could manhandle her down by climbing, but unless he was far stronger than he looked, that would be difficult, especially if she wasn’t cooperating. Holly tilted her head back slightly with a lazy air, one brow raised in a silent question. Now what, Fulsiboy? She didn’t have any energy left for unnecessary arguing. But that didn’t mean she was going to make things easy for him. ooc; tch, no worries, ALL of mine have been short. xD words; 415

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[adam]

[atrb=width,400,true][atrb=border,0,true][bg=d6eaf3] Reading her thoughts with a dismissive sigh, he was almost inclined to inform her that just because he looked a bit on the slender side didn’t mean he hadn’t spent years carrying cargo or working out in prison, it just meant that his distaste for large and showy muscle had made him careful only to allow toning and not bulk. Besides the girl was like a shade, underweight and sickly. The wind could lift her if it was in a particularly gusty move and so could he. But alas her thoughts told him that she’d be surly as usual and so he was seriously considering violence. Hurting to help, it was an amusing concept. “ Why do you insist on being so difficult? Do I have to cut off a few fingers in hopes you pass out long enough for me to get the vaccine?” Scrubbing his face, he kept his mind on her thoughts, just in case she took her chances while he was busy expressing his utter frustration at her. Instead as he finally looked up, blue eyes locking onto her frame, she merely dared him on. Or at least that’s how he saw it and unfortunately for the Holly girl, he wouldn’t hesitate to step up to the plate. “What now, you wonder? Well sadly, it seems you’ve forced my hand.” The knife was still gripped tightly in his said hand and he was glad for it, he’d need it soon. Dropping the blade and using his telekinesis to keep in straight. He slammed his foot down on the hilt on the knife, grinning as the wood of the branch splintered slightly giving way. He didn’t fear too much for his knife, it was ceramic and held a 8.5 in hardness over the normal 6 of steel and he’d stepped on an embedded steal knife before and it had held. So this one would too, at least it would hold on long enough to make a crack. Thinking that just a small blade could snap a branch was ludicrous and stupid but that wasn’t what he intended. All he need was a starting point, that one weak seam that would make unraveling the whole structure easier. Risking a brief glance down, he smiled at what he saw. The knife had managed to wedge itself into the branch, making a small but yet perfectly sized crack. Crouching, he quickly yanked out the blade, tensing as the branch swayed. “This might hurt a bit.” He murmured, shifting into a much heavier tiger. The wood creaked, almost as if it was crying out in pain but it did not give way. Inwardly rolling his eyes at the stubbornness he was faced with today, he risked showing the Carna his back. Digging his claws into the branch, he tore up small pieces of bark focusing more on further weakening the branch. When the wood finally started to splinter on it’s own, he shifted back. Reaching hastily for the second of his knives, he embedded the first into the bark of the tree trunk not forgetting to give the branch another helpful stomp. Just as he pulled out the other knife, the branch gave one final creak and he didn't hesitate to drive in the second, holding onto both tightly. “I warned you, Holly.” Words: 538 Ooc: It just bothers me? XD I am so used to long post is all, I think.

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[Holly]

[bg=000000][atrb=width,500,true][atrb=border,0,true] “Where’s the fun in being otherwise?” She backed up again, wary and unsure of what he was up to. His hand was clenched on the knife and, pride aside, she’d like to keep her fingers. When he began to attack the branch she swore, cautious expression turning into a glare. Fulsi were too damn sneaky for their own good. The only way to stop him would be to attack, however, and that would probably be suicidal. To jump to another branch would require getting closer to the trunk, and thus him. And she had a feeling that if she tried it, he would simply snag her out of the air. She could only wait, judging the distance between her and the ground. With a last snap, the limb tilted and began to plummet, an instant away from the ground. Holly threw herself sideways just before it landed with a crash, smaller branches scratching and snagging at her clothes as she smashed through them. She landed roughly on the forest floor, rolling to break her fall. When she finally came to rest, the world spun sickeningly, causing her to groan and put her arms around her head. When things finally settled back into their proper place, she rolled groggily to her feet, then frowned up at the tree. How in the world was she going to get back up there to retrieve her shoes and sweatshirt? She didn’t want them at the moment - the fever still burned - but she would later. If she survived, anyway. She turned her frown on the boy. “Happy now?” She would have liked to say that had been unnecessary, but in all truth, she probably wouldn’t have gotten down from the tree otherwise. ooc; and you thought /yours/ was short -dies- words; 287

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[adam]

[atrb=width,400,true][atrb=border,0,true][bg=d6eaf3] For a moment he merely dangled there, hands gripping tightly to the knives and feet scrambling for purchase. Then, making sure to yank his knives free, he shifted and used his tiger’s claws to slow his fall to enough where although he still hit the ground with a large thud, he landed on his feet and with no pain. He couldn’t say the same had happened to the Carna girl, she wasn’t looking too good, not that she’d been much of a sight before. Lazily he licked at one large paw as he considered the girl, Holly what’s her face. He didn’t think there was much fight left in her, not after that drop. “Delighted, yes.” Purring he stalked forward, settling right before her frowning countenance and for a brief moment he considered bringing down a paw, claws fully extended across the girl’s face. It would be fair payment for all hassle she’d put him through and with a personality like hers it didn’t matter if she was pretty or deformed, no one would miss her. Still he held himself back, merely laying down before her with an expectant look. “Climb on, we don’t have all day or rather you don’t.” He licked his lips and let his large canines flash for longer than he should, a show for the Carna girl and a warning of what was to come if she didn’t behave. At the moment he was reined in by Adam’s former purpose but these days he’d had to listen less and less to the stuttering boy’s whims. There was no way to tell for sure how long he had till he could finally be free but for now he could content himself with small exercises of his own will. That’s what the girl should be worried about, for though he couldn’t kill her, he could make her wish she was dead. “Don’t make me do something else I’ll regret. It might cause permanent damage this time. “ Words: 329 Ooc: Soshort. x.x

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[Holly]

[bg=000000][atrb=width,500,true][atrb=border,0,true] She sighed, weary with his arrogance and continued insistence in “saving” her. At this rate he’d do more damage than the illness, if he continued dropping her out of trees and hauling her around the forest. He should do them both a favor and get it over with - given the choice, she’d rather a knife through the heart than slowly wasting away to nothing. Holly absently pressed a hand to her ribs, which were clearly defined, even under the fabric of her shirt. The tiger came to an expectant halt before her, and she sighed again, but swung a leg over his back. Heat radiated through the soft fur, but it was uncomfortable against her feverish skin. “Like you regret anything, permanent or not,” she muttered. She was of a similar mind set, but at least she didn’t blatantly pretend to care. Such lies were pointless when the person you were presenting them to could see right through the façade. Tucking her feet up so they wouldn’t be in the way, she dissolved into rough coughs, one hand braced between the Fulsi’s shoulder blades. After a few moments they subsided, leaving her breathing ragged and uneven. She turned her head and spat out a mouthful of blood, grimacing at the sharp, coppery taste. Able to speak again, she returned her attention to the tiger. “So just how are you planning to capture a Keeper? Set out milk and cookies?” she asked, the hoarse, whispered words paired with a lazily sardonic tone. ooc; sorry, not much for her to do at the moment words; 251

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[adam]

[atrb=width,400,true][atrb=border,0,true][bg=d6eaf3] The girl’s weight was almost nothing on his back, a worrying fact or rather it would have been one if he’d actually cared for the Carna. He was having trouble remembering the snotty thing’s name, what was even the reason he was doing this again? Ah yes, Adam was being a sap again and now he was stuck saving some girl he was starting to think wouldn’t even be missed. Honey, Holly, whatever she was called was far too difficult in his opinion, she could use an ego check in fact and he was the perfect person for the job. An odd sort of grin spread over his shift’s face at that thought and he set off in the direction of the broken camera he’d spotted earlier, bounding forward at a punishing that pace that unfortunately would drain his energy quite fast. However it would guarantee a bumpy ride for the Carna girl. “Sorry, doll but if I had any milk and cookies, I’ve eaten them myself.” He knew he hadn’t exactly given her the answer she wanted but right now he was still thinking himself. Sure, he knew for a fact that a Keeper of some sort would be sent out to repair the camera and they were likely to have a vaccine on them but he didn’t know the nature of whatever disease the Carna had contracted nor did he know for certain how long he’d have to wait for a keeper to arrive. Still, he’d have to try, Adam wouldn’t let him let the girl die. "What did you get infected with anyways?" Finally slowing down to a leisurely trot, the tiger shifter decided that it was time to fill in the foolish Carna. He didn’t want her doing something idiotic that would get them both into trouble and so with a small sigh, he confessed. “As for the plan, it's relatively simple, even for you. The Keepers should be sending someone out soon enough to fix this region’s camera. When they do, we’ll be there waiting and I’ll approach the human and try to strike a deal.” He paused at that, turning his head to just barely glare back at the Carna in warning. “Stay back. If you managed to screw this up to, I’ll send you back to your Ring wrapped up in a bow made of your intestines.” Words: 371 Ooc: Sorry it took so long!.....Holly he doesn't mean that....I think?

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