New earth

June King

From the way Akira reacted, June showed a hint of surprise. He had expected some kind of reaction from her that was at least a hinting towards surprise. Most people, even men wouldn't just brush off watching a man being eaten alive in front of them. Even though he didn't show it, it disgusted him having to kill a man in such a long painful manner. He had no problem killing people if they were as messed up as the man was, but his methods didn't usually contain brutality in them. Though, since it was part of his job, he did it anyway. Sometimes he wondered where he would eventually draw the line. The line was pretty thin, considering that the people who he was ordered to kill were all people that needed to die. On top of that, he needed the connections for his own personal gain. All these new thoughts swarming in his mind, he determined, probably wouldn't be there if he had just done the job alone. Having a viewer always made him reflect on himself. He let go of a heavy sigh and reached in his pocket to pull out another good ole faithful smoke, only to realize that he had ran out. He realized that he was starting to go a pack a day and sighed once more.

"That was not quite what I expected..." the woman said, slinging her weapon over her shoulder and seemingly waiting for him. He looked at her in silence for a while, wondering why she was still hanging around him. He even considered asking her, but decided not to, hating repeats of conversations, even though it wasn't going to be with the same person. Though, it would still probably bring back memories.

"Well. People all die differently, so it's hard to expect something out of it. Death is natural and yet so unnatural." He looked through his phone to check the time. According to the dial, he was making perfect timing and would be able to get everything he wanted out of the night.

"Where to now? Escape route?" The woman said.

Once again, June looked her over. He considered that she was thinking about tagging along with him, but passed it off as it seemed too odd for a person to travel out of a city with a stranger they just met. Then again, it was weird for someone to witness someone murder another person and want to stay around them was even weirder. Seeing as the time was right he started walking slowly, expecting she'd follow him. "The bar. I need a drink and some more smokes. From there, I plan on getting my bike and leaving this town to get my money. We should be in the clear. Cops wont do anything drastic late at night. It'd make the citizens of this city panic, which would probably not be something they'd want. Their probably going to investigate the attack then look for the owners body. On their search they will find the skeletons he keeps in his closet and once they find his body they will realize that they'll have to try to sweep a lot under the rug. Though, once the video gets out all their efforts will be for naught. So yeah. I think we have time to get a drink."

Once they got to the bar, the first thing June did was smoke a cigarette after buy about three packs. While he was at it, he put a large some of cash on the counter, not caring how much his order actually was. "Give me your strongest whiskey and get the lady whatever the lady wants."

Looking at the money, the bartender grinned and gave June a completely opened bottle of alcohol. "Thanks for your patronage old lad."

Jun nodded his head, opening the bottle and taking big sips of its poison, mostly thinking about why the man called him old. He didn't think he looked that old. He was only in his early 20's. Though that's probably what drinking smoking and killing does for a human body. He thought that maybe if he cut his hair or changed his clothing he would look younger, but didn't really feel like putting forth the effort.

Though he finished the whole bottle in the bar fairly quickly, he ordered another one to walk away with, drinking on the sidewalk the two walked on to get to the garage where his bike was. Once at the garage he was pretty intoxicated, high above any cities operating laws under the influence, but since he was leaving the city it wouldn't have been a problem. The main issue would most likely be remembering which way to go in order to get to his destination. He looked at the girl as he prepared his bike and smirked. "One night stand huh," he brought up after remembering what she had said earlier. "I usually don't like one night stands to be boring. I also don't suggest you walk anywhere on foot, seeing as the closest towns around this area are full of pricks and people who aren't good company. Tell you what, if you have nowhere else to go, I can take you the city I'm going to. It's surrounded by open area where gangs roam and steal from travelers, but the city is quite nice. Not as big as this one, but the wine is good. Who knows, we may be able to have some more fun there."

The liker was effecting the words that were coming out of his mouth, for he was more open and joking than he would be sober. The fact of the matter was he didn't have a care in the world while intoxicated. Truly a good feeling. "There's room on the back for one more," he said, tilting his head towards the back end of his black motorcycle. Once again checking his phone for the time, he was kind of let down, seeing as he didn't consider himself drunk enough yet for it to be midnight. Though, he still had half a bottle left and he thought if he finished it off as fast as he could, he'd get the effect quicker. Thus, he chugged the rest, chasing it with a cig and through the bottle away. Looking back towards Akira he gave a little more than a smirk, though still less than a smile and said, "You sure are an interesting one little lady. You could probably tell me one of the many stories I assume you have. It'd help pass the time."

Oreron and Owsla Hall

The sheer reaction of blue eye's denial and outright admission of being untouched was more than enough for the large Neco to nod and return to the calm state was normally. However, before returning to deboning the meat-sack of deer, the feeling of seething hate started to to eminate from him once more.

"What is with you heathens? I hadn't expected much in form of civility from you all, but this blatant disrespect and thievery makes me wonder why I even bothered to hold you above animals in the first place!"
"I have no more reasons to deal base-court peasants anymore."

Oreron turned toward William's direction, not only his eyes full of malice and bearly contained rage, but the whites of his eyes were slowly turning black. He turned back, watching him leave, and pinched the bridge of his nose and started to mutter something. "Let him go, Wisdom comes to those who are...accepting." He growled as he literally tore the last of the bones from the deer's body, leaving nothing but a meat bag.

Owsla's face remained red, not even attempting to even look a ace for the time being. However, there was one matter that had to be dealt with.

Deer head.

It was descared to the side, antlers chopped off and thrown into some unknown wilderness somewhere. At the very least, there must have been some good pickings in the head. Without a seconds thought, She placed the head into the center of the fire as Oreron started to stretch the now boneless deer over the fire. "We're not heathens." Owsla spat as she used the tip of her knife to shovel ash onto the head and fur of the carcus to burn off the fur. "He came to us and he knew what would happen. Don't know why he's so wound up about some measly piece of sweet." She snarled, only to have a Oreron pat her on the shoulder. "Those outside the blood don't understand us as well." He said, his voice starting to grow raspy and causing him to cough again.

The deeds were done.

Quinn had extinguished the fire of life once more from others. It was not her first rodeo of "killing", however, she tended to prefer other means of resolving conflicts over that of violence. Despite this, violence was not a stranger to Quinn. After all, how would someone who worked on weapons not be an advocate of violence.

After a few moments, Quinn decided that she would have to leave. Leave this place she had remembered from the past; memories blotting the continuous perpetuation of her mind. An anchor or something akin to this, pressuring her down. As if struggling through a deep mist. As if writhing in the midst of a bad dream.

Death by crushing their skull.
Death by blowing them away.
Death by forgoing mercy.

These people had deserved this fate. Those who would fight against Quinn; prevent her from obtaining her true goal, would meet a similar fate. There was nothing wrong with what she had done. After all, it was a dog-eat-dog world, and whomever had the "larger stick" would be victorious.

In the end, that is what would occur. The weak would always thrive over the weak. It was always this way, even before the war, but now in the time where only the husks of people; ghouls without purpose. Time had stopped for all. There was no future, but Quinn cared not if the future was not something that existed. She would continue to press forward, hoping for the bright future promised to her in the past.

"Well," Quinn said in a rather bored sounding voice. She had been used to death all her life. She understood that her inventions were the reason many had died, and she accepted this fact. After all, she was once one of the greatest minds of the military-industrial complex. The Bradley's main inventor; a means to something greater. A person attempting to create what they desired to reality.

"I suppose I should leave."

There was no point for Quinn to continue within this town. This was a detour to her true goal. She wanted knowledge. She had the ability to obtain this knowledge and a desire to push forward. She was strong, therefore, she could not falter in the face of an opponent.

Even now.

Even now.

She had to press forward. That was the only way. In a dying world, this was all Quinn could truly accomplish. In a world that had simply given up to the temptation of war, forward was the only means.

To the ideal which Quinn held to herself.

To a brighter future; a future forged in light.

"...Alexander!"

The voice came as a surprise to Quinn. Was it another one of those goons from earlier? It was pointless to continue fighting in the even that it was. She did not want to kill another for no reason. Maybe she could convince the other to leave without fighting. That would truly be the best. He might wish to avenge his comrades. Maybe the name of his comrade was this "Alexander". She had heard that name long ago, though she could not remember from what.

Memory.

Who was this "Alexander" she seemed to recall. Not a face, not a person. But she could not understand what it was that "Alexander" could refer to. Something inhumane, but the ideal of another, similar to how the "Darius" was her own ideal.

Who was this person?

Quinn turned around, only to see something that seemed abnormal. There was another armor, just as her own, before her. Had someone obtained the knowledge of her project? She understood that the "Darius" the only one of its kind. A power armor without any sort of competition. How could something like this exist without her knowledge.

Still, there was also something informing her that this was no the "Darius". Despite their closeness in appearance, her own had seemed different in terms of construction. Her own seemed to be more of an offensive argument, where as the person before her seems to be more defensive in terms of construction.

"Who are you, and why do you have my armor!?" Quinn shouted at the other; the one she believed stole her designs.

Quinn did not understand how there could be another Darius, however, she understood that the person before her could be a clue to a mystery that had haunted Quinn for years now. A mystery which would soon end, Quinn hoped.

A goal.

A memory.

A desire.

Ember was startled by William's outburst but couldn't help but smile. At least I'm not the only with a temper. Then Oreron and Owsla got angry. They didn't necessarily verbalize their anger, but Ember, who had felt and seen the symptoms herself, recognized their tense and calmly aggressive movements. She silently marveled at Oreron's self control, as she has been having trouble keeping her anger in check and found it difficult to rein it most of the time. Speaking of self control, where is that sugar junkie?

"Here." She wasn't speaking to Ace or the Halls, but to the black bunny-like creature that had hidden when William dusted it off his shoulder. A small and curious shuuu sound came from a small bush several feet away from Ember's foot and the creature flew from the ground onto Ember's shoulder. It's ears instantly went forward, pointing toward Champ, its eyes narrowed. It began bouncing back and forth, acting as if its soft and fluffy ears were jagged antlers. Shuuuu! Shuuuuu! The sound came out sounding aggravated and angry.

Ember began talking to Ace again, "You can't eat it..." She paused, then added, "Either of you." She glanced down at Champ then back up at Ace. "And our group of scientists call them B.O.B. C.A.T.S. or something like that. My old squad used to just call them cats." She held out her hand and the CAT jumped onto her palm. Its demeanor quickly changed when Ember held out her other hand to it for it to nuzzle. The CAT began making a relaxed and happy Shhhh sound while its ears went back to their their natural state. The sudden change revealed that it was actually very cute. "She doesn't like anyone but me." As if to agree with this statement, the creature turned its gaze on Ace and let out a harsh Shuuuu sound. "And it has a bit of a sweet tooth, hence the chocolate."

---

"What is with you heathens? I hadn't expected much in form of civility from you all, but this blatant disrespect and thievery makes me wonder why I even bothered to hold you above animals in the first place!"
"I have no more reasons to deal base-court peasants anymore."

Ace quickly pushed his fist into his mouth to halt the laughter that was about to burst out from his lungs, but he barely managed. Tears of amusement began to prickle in his eyes as he chomped down on his hand harder. It was so hilarious, he had never met a Neco like that before. Once the blonde got to his feet to leave he removed his hand and took in a big gasp of air before allowing the laughter to spill into the air. "W...who shat in his cornflakes?" He chuckled, bobbing his head and clutching his aching ribs which Champ instantly took advantage of by licking at his jaw and ear.

"Let him go, Wisdom comes to those who are...accepting."

"I personally was not planning on stopping him." Ace explained, turning towards Oreron who seemed to find the situation more offensive than funny. He tried to force down his mischievous grin out of respect but somewhat failed. "So you knew that man? Who is he? He is not like someone I have ever come across before." He said as he released his grip upon Champ who instantly began chasing the dark haired Fluffin, (IT IS NOW CALLED A FLUFFIN IN ACE'S MIND) snapping his jaws at the lowest branch on the tree but just out of reach from the creature.

"He came to us and he knew what would happen. Don't know why he's so wound up about some measly piece of sweet."
"Those outside the blood don't understand us as well."

Ace smiled at their Father-Daughter relationship, though his stomach felt uneasy thinking about where his own parents might be now. He was actually rather unsure of their status or location, and had been for many years. However the pair in front of him proved that even in a world like this there always was hope.

"You can't eat it..."
"Either of you."

BUT LADY IT MUST BE DESTROYED. Champ growled as the small animal pounced upon her shoulder and began taunting the large black canine. He then flopped his butt upon the ground at Ember's feet, hoping for her to offer the creature as a treat, of course it did not look like this was going to happen. He turned his eyes towards Owsla in a pleading way, whining softly. TELL HER SOFT FEMALE THE ENEMY MUST BE DESTROYED YES.

"And our group of scientists call them B.O.B. C.A.T.S. or something like that. My old squad used to just call them cats."
"She doesn't like anyone but me."
"And it has a bit of a sweet tooth, hence the chocolate."

"Its a Fluffin!" Ace exclaimed utterly randomly as he dragged his body to his feet to observe the small creature. He ignored the small creatures warnings and so reached out to pet behind it's large ears, earning a sharp nip on the figure tip. It was a small bite but still enough to draw some crimson. "Y...you are right it only likes you." Ace groaned as he pressed his thumb to his finger with pressure to stop the bleeding.

---

June's gaze somewhat made Akira uncomfortable, not because he was looking at her but more wondering why he was looking at her with such interest. He seemed surprised or displeased, but she could not quite put a finger on what exactly was bothering him. Anyway it was not like she cared all that much, he was good company and now he had most certainly sparked her curiosity, that was all the mattered.

"Well. People all die differently, so it's hard to expect something out of it. Death is natural and yet so unnatural."

"I personally would not call a planned assault that includes him being mauled to death by a tiger-thing in his own home, to then be recorded and released to the public's eye all that natural Sir. Would you?" Akira told him in a sarcastic and gutsy tone as she folded her arms with a smirk. She wondered if she was supposed to be afraid of this man or encouraged, after all change never did have the cleanest of hands. She knew that.

"The bar. I need a drink and some more smokes. From there, I plan on getting my bike and leaving this town to get my money. We should be in the clear. Cops wont do anything drastic late at night. It'd make the citizens of this city panic, which would probably not be something they'd want. Their probably going to investigate the attack then look for the owners body. On their search they will find the skeletons he keeps in his closet and once they find his body they will realize that they'll have to try to sweep a lot under the rug. Though, once the video gets out all their efforts will be for naught. So yeah. I think we have time to get a drink."

Akira gently nodded and scooped up the blue Lena flower that she had placed on the windowsill and followed after the dark haired male. She had been carrying the small plant all this way and refused to let it out of her sight. Once the pair reached the bar she rolled her eyes at how much money he placed upon the counter once again, but did not make a loud comment about it at that point.

"Give me your strongest whiskey and get the lady whatever the lady wants."
"Thanks for your patronage old lad."

"Red wine please. Same as before." Yet the barman also gave her a full bottle of the stuff which completely delighted the raven haired sapien. "Thank you very much." She began sipping at the liquid generously, though not too quickly as she was one to believe that wine was to be enjoyed and savored. Once the pair headed outside she was hiccuping and giggling like a mad woman, a pleasant flush to her cheeks; about 1/3 of the bottle remained. She followed after him absently, not even sure of what her aims were or what it exactly was what she wanted. The pair of them were incredibly drunk but she understood that it would more than likely be time for them to depart now. He did not seem like the type to have long friendships or to even take someone home. Akira took another glug of red wine before raising a eyebrow about him escaping this place on his bike. "Are you sure you can drive that like this?" She questioned with a sigh.

"One night stand huh,"
"I usually don't like one night stands to be boring. I also don't suggest you walk anywhere on foot, seeing as the closest towns around this area are full of pricks and people who aren't good company. Tell you what, if you have nowhere else to go, I can take you the city I'm going to. It's surrounded by open area where gangs roam and steal from travelers, but the city is quite nice. Not as big as this one, but the wine is good. Who knows, we may be able to have some more fun there."
"There's room on the back for one more,"

Akira blinked a few times, kind of waiting for him to tell her that he was joking or that he did not mean it but the response never came. She allowed a large smile to grow on her lips as she straddled the back of his bike and pulled her arms around his waist tightly, her head thudding against his back in a kind of drunken cuddle. "And here was me thinking this was goodbye." She laughed, before letting out a scowl at the memory of his first words. "Also I'm rather offended that you think I can't look after myself! Who do you think I am?" She hissed, before letting out a inaudible grumble that more than likely had plenty of curse words in it.

She also finished off her wine before tossing it aside, more hiccups escaping from her lungs clumsily. "If the wine is nice I am coming with you. To be honest I don't have any plans at all so..." Akira told him, though she wondered if he was actually planning to sleep with her. Not that she could completely reject the idea it was just that most guys made it more obvious than him and she could not tell when June was joking or not.

"You sure are an interesting one little lady. You could probably tell me one of the many stories I assume you have. It'd help pass the time."

"Why thank you." Akira said with a soft laugh, before pressing a small kiss to his jaw line. It was not particularly meant to mean anything and if she was sober it more than likely would not have happened, but she wanted to, so she did.

Oreron and Owsla Hall

Oreron sighed and sat as the ash that was placed on the side away from the fire lit ablaze and rolled his eyes. "Yes and no." He said, more annoyed now than angry. "He is the Heir to a weapons company that my clan bought weapons from. So I am familiar with him and his family. Though his family is no more, that doesn't stop the pampered from thinking they are above those that survived the war or fought in it." He said calmly, though his jagged and bestial looking teeth shown through as he plucked a still flaming piece of meat from the cooking carcass and bit into it, unfazed by the fire. "Then again it is good that you've never come across someone like him, he'd take advantage of your kindness and soon enough tear you down. Then build you up to what they want. Take it from an old general, I've been there and done it myself." He was blunt, speaking about the past as if he had made his peace with it.

He pointed toward his daughter and then back to the meek blonde. "So now that me matter of my kittens' affections is settled, how is it that you know my blood? Seeing as you can't remember the armor I wore where there was a bullet in your leg those years ago." He raised a brow at him as his finger was bitten by the cat. "It's not wise to get near it when she says it only likes one person. Those are bonded to the person they are assigned to. Then again at least they aren't the ones my clan tried to replicate. Three killed an entire squad because it was pissed off." He shrugged, continuing to manage the now smoldering and crispy skin and dripping meaty underside.

Owlsa looked over at the little fluffball, though not as...stupid as ace she did tilt her head to the side and wiggle her finger some distance away from it. However the whining of the dog caught her attention. "It's not gonna hurt anything or anyone." she said, now petting the worried canine behind the ear. "Come on! Lets stop talking about that asshole! There's cheek meat and eye just waiting for the taking!" Owsla promptly pulling the now cooked head out of the fire without a second thought until she started tossing it from hand to hand in response to the heat. "Besides, he doesn't even look like he's eat any of this so more for us anyway." Owsla laughed before noticing that the deer was gone, plucked out of the air by a metallic arm, her fathers armor enveloping his arm to protect him from the scalding heat. His other arm was soon wrapped in that familiar armor as he split the head open, the steam and smell making both Halls visibly drool.

June King

June considered himself lucky to have company tagging along with him at this time. No, he didn't make it apparent and not even he, himself could understand it. However, the fact of the matter still remained that he had left the city feeling emptier than he did going into it. That was expected though. Having to look a man in the eyes while you murder him and those around him. It was getting old. June knew that soon the murders or slaughters or whatever people wanted to classify them as would take out everything in him. In truth, that's exactly what he wanted. The man considered himself a simple person. Only thing he really wanted out of life was calm of mind and spirit. He wanted for all the negative feelings to go away, including those caused by memories. Bassically, he wanted to lose himself and become a new person. It didn't matter if that person was an animal or not. The worst part was, was that usually, he would be left alone to think of his deeds and to think of the look on the unlucky souls faces. Sometimes he'd mourn them, for he knew not many else would and on other occasions, he would drink himself to sleep just so he wouldn't have to think about it. As a plus factor he was always alone, mostly because he wanted to be. At least, that's what he had always thought, but having someone accompany him around made the night easier. Took his mind off things. It was a weird, but comforting feeling. Usually he would only ride his bike to go in and out of towns and no one else had rode with him, so when the woman wrapped her hands around him, he could feel himself getting a little more sober.

"Why thank you."

The moment Akira said that, June felt a warmth on the lower part of his jawline. This undoubtedly made him go from being slightly tipsy to sober, though he wasn't thinking so much about his sobriety. Quite honestly he didn't know what to think. He had been kissed before, but something was different. Then again, this night in general was different in itself. His eyes looked downwards to the left of him, narrowing in a bit of mixed thought. Recognizing the feeling, he started the bike and peeled out of the garage after telling Akira to hold on. Driving at night was high on the list of the best feelings he ever felt. It was lonely and beautiful. The light of the moon was outside, but because of its welcome, one could look at it forever, unlike the sun. It also didn't have no feeling radiating off of it, which made it seem like it didn't want to be apart of a persons life, but instead, just there in its own little world. The stars followed the moon in lighting up the sky, but in the end the moon was alone. The sun was probably alone too, but the suns personality was so radiant and loud, everyone in the world was aware of it, whether it was in the sky or not, but with the moon. Well, the moon would only be seen when it wanted to and when it was seen fully it was one of the most beautiful things one could lay eyes on.

Going over a few humps down the road, June could hear a few police sirens whizzing past them as he rode to the far outer roads of the town. In all expectancy, since the outer regions of the city areas didn't have speed limits he'd be able to make it to his next destination in about six hours. That would be a considerably long time without sleep, which June didn't mind much, but the girl on the other hand, might have been different. He had to take her into consideration. Not to mention he was running out of gas, so about an hour into the ride he pulled over at a rest stop and got some fuel. "You have two options here. We can either rest here or keep on going, but the ride is going to be another five hours or so. I don't really mind what we do, but i don't know. Maybe you haven't slept in days or something," he said looking towards Akira as he pumped the gas. Though his eyes were only on her when he talked, for he didn't really want to look at her while he wasn't talking. It would have messed up his train of thought. He wondered how many years it had been since he showed signs of getting close to someone, be it a friend, a lover, or a family member. However long it was, it was dangerous, at least in his mind. He was afraid actually. If he were to get close to someone.... on the off chance that somewhere down the road, he and this woman would become friends, well, that would probably be all he could take. Sure, maybe he'd be happy for the time being. He might even forget his troubles somewhere down the road. However, he knew in life being happy was just an excuse to break a person down. If something happened to her, or anyone else who he had been close with. If another incident like the last one happened, he knew that he would be too far gone. Gone to a place where there was no coming back. Once he had gone down that path, he wouldn't be different from any of the scum he makes a living on killing. He'd just be another animal. A cold blooded killer with no soul.

With the negative thoughts swarming inside of his head, the man felt his heart beating, not only in his chest, but also in his wrists. Thinking about the possible future, he gritted his teeth, before taking a big breath in to relax himself a little. If he were to have an anxiety attack in front of the woman, she'd probably think he was weak, or had a mental problem. Not that he would disagree with her if she made such accusations. Once his breath was out, he bought himself a little time, but didn't think he would be able to make it six hours without venting. "On second thought, I'm feeling a little tired," he said, closing the gas lid. He then turned looking at her blankly. "Don't worry. I'll pay for your room too. These places charge an arm and a leg just for a bed."

Without room for discussion, June walked back towards the rest station and ordered himself a key and Akira a key. Luckily, there was no one really trying to stay at a rest area while there was a city just an hour away, so he was able to get the fine treatment. There weren't many rooms like the two that he ordered, but the ones that he did order had carpet, a nice clean bath and a pretty comfortable bed. That's all he needed anyway. He also asked for a television, just so he could see if the incident went viral on the news yet, though that wouldn't happen until morning.

Walking outside the office, June handed the Akira a key. "Again, no need to pay me back. It's my fault we spent the night here anyway. So yeah.... I guess I'll get you in the morning." June made his way to his room and, with haste, closed the door behind him, locking all the locks. The first thing he did was was take off his clothes and put himself in the shower room, washing off whatever dirt and whatever else he had on him. Though, no matter how hot the water was it wasn't enough to take away the sore feeling he had. He looked into the guest fridge and drunk almost half of their alcohol, but it had no effect. "Shit!!!" He said throwing the bottle at the wall. "Why the hell is liquor so cheap on this side of the map?"

He decided to give up on intoxicating himself and went outside to smoke. With his arms hanging over the small balcony and the smoke stick in his mouth, he looked up at the moon, almost as if he was praying to it so it would make the pain stop. Though it was pain that couldn't just be mended with a bandage, he would need to come to terms with his life and his current situation. Something he couldn't do. Not until he killed that man who he had swore to kill so long ago. Once June remembered that wretched person that he had no choice but to call his grandfather, he remembered that the pain would only make him stronger for the day it was time to strike down upon him. Exhaling smoke he slowly felt the pain become one with his being and soon it became him. He was pain and suffering. Not just his and everyone's. He was a person who was destined to die along with all the others who had already left his company. The more he remembered, the more he felt at ease and soon the pain stopped. It was probably only thirty minutes that he really bought the room for, but he knew that if he didn't seclude himself he'd never snap out of the anxiety. Narrowing his eyes towards the moon he spoke. "I wonder, if one day you'll die too? Or, will you be the last one of your kind standing, to be forever alone?"

Once his head settled he decided to place himself in bed so he could at least sleep off some of the leftover tension. Though, at this point he decided. Once they made it to their destination, he'd let the girl go. For being around him would only put her in the same boat as him and even though in the morning that he first saw her, he could care less if she lived or died, now, just hours later, he realized that the path was already set. If he were to go the route of even becoming her friend, his luck would shine and she'd become one of those in his life, along with him who were born to die. He didn't want that. He much rather had died alone than get close to another and see them die. He had forgotten for a while, but that was how his life was meant to be. He'd continue walking the earth alone, killing and waiting to be killed and, one day, he would die alone. With no one left to remember him.

---

William was the heir to the supposed biggest weapons manufacturer in the world before its collapse. His name, Abrams, was known by even those who never thought about picking up a gun, or murdering somebody. It was a name that inspired not only respect, but fear. It was a name of 'gods' within the weapons industry. As one grows up with such a heavy name behind them, many things are expected of them, and whether they meet these expectations or exceed them is entirely up to the individual in question. William Abrams was one of the people who far exceeded these expectations. When it came to making any form of weapon, be it a gun or a sword, the young heir always produced perfection. And as such, he received praise worthy of his perfection. But one cannot just be admired, envied, and held up their entire life. It brings about traits that people don't necessarily enjoy. Yet, the Abrams cared not about attitude, only efficiency.

"The world shall be yours one day, William" his father had told him, long ago.

This was not encouragement for him to try his best. It was a statement given in a monotone his father always had seemed to have. It told him he did not have the luxury of screwing up, or being mediocre or average at what he did. To run a world, you needed to be perfect, and keep it that way always. Even the smallest of mishaps could spark a chain of negative and irreversible events that could very well end the Abrams' name. And to the entirety of the family, William included, it was the very thing they valued above all. Even if one wasn't proud of the current holders of that name, the name itself was always sacred. It had so much history behind it, nobody could blame them. The feats Abrams had accomplished over the decades were always awe-inspiring.

There was never room for someone to set the young heir on the 'right path', as it were. He was instructed on the tools of war and how to make them, how they came to be and what was yet to be. Things normal little boys weren't supposed to learn. Love was a dirtied word to them, used typically when talking about themselves and never any other. Mr and Mrs.Abrams had married out of desire to ensure a profitable future, not out of this so-called 'love'. so, without guidance, it should come as no surprise that William turned out as he did. But judging by his indifference to killing, rather than having developed some twisted delight in it, perhaps he had potential to be a very kind person had he been born in the right circumstances.

Oh well.

A 'what-if' like that will only remain fantasy. There is no changing the past, only shaping the future, and William was proud in himself for being able to shape a certain aspect of the world's future for quite some time. And it is this reason why he is so easily irritated when his abilities are questioned. For if he did not have the skills he thought he had, then what would he have? There was no family to return to. No friends to return to. He had only himself. It was this way his entire life, and so he grew to love the one person he had, and would protect their name with a ferocity unmatched by others. He knew of no other way, after all.

"Who are you, and why do you have my armor!?"

".... Your armor?" William repeated with a distorted voice through the speakers in his suit. He raised his eyebrow as well, but it was impossible to see this. Who did this person think they were? Surely they were jesting, for it was obviously his design they were using as a base for their own suit. Although, judging by its appearance, it likely would be more fragile.

William would have to laugh at this joke.

"Fwahaha! Amusing! Not only have I been robbed, but the criminal is claiming our roles are reversed? What audacity! But I'm afraid I must implore you to remove what rightfully belongs to the Abrams family, at once."

He was not sure how his tech came to be at the hands of this person, but he did know one thing: They had to be related to the incident that took his home away from him.

She was walking.

It seemed to her she must have once walked a great deal, given the callouses on her feet. She must have, once, covered great distances, gone great lengths, searching for...something. She didn't remember what, not really. She didn't remember much. But the men had told her to walk. And she had. Because the men had told her to.

They had told her that her name was Jennifer Jones, now. That she was to be quiet and to listen. And she had. Because they said that she owed them for taking away the memories. She had asked them to take the memories away. She had begged them to stop the pain.

And they had.

And the pain stopped.

Usually.

Sometimes, flashes would come, and it would feel like her head was going to split open. She would see faces, smiling faces, screaming faces, faces in love. And blood. Blood on herself. Blood on others. Blood on swords jammed deep in the chest of someone she had cared about, and her hands twisting and pushing, and James' face contorted in pain and laughing, laughing at her--

Her steps hesitated. There it was, the throbbing pain sharp behind her eyes. It came with the memories. It made sure she never wanted to remember anything.

But not every memory was bad. Sometimes she'd remember a man, a blonde man, smiling at her, staring at her in a way that she didn't seem to despise. She'd remember laughter, and warmth, and singing. And when she remembered him, she would endure the pain, for a little while. Because when she remembered those moments, she didn't feel afraid.

Jennifer didn't want to be afraid anymore. She didn't want to tremble when the men yelled loud words. She didn't want to freeze when she held a gun in her palm, something that felt familiar, but terrified her to no end. She wanted to feel the way she did when she had been with the blonde man. Yes, there was pain there, but there was also something else, something that felt like relief.

The men had told her to walk, and so she would. She would walk to him. Wherever he might be. She would find him, and she would make sure the pain stayed away, and only the warmth was there.

She'd search for as long as it took, as long as she found something worth remembering. And he was worth remembering. So she walked, until she heard loud voices and laughter. Slowing to a pause, she carefully turned her course, and padded towards the sounds.

---

Akira did not mind this journey. As the night drew closer she leant her head against his back and watched her beautiful surroundings flash by with heavy lidded eyes. She was tried, but could always keep herself awake if needed; she had spent many nights awake due to the deadly gossip about the area or to track a certain person who deserved her spoonful of justice. Plus this was her first time on the back of a bike, and the situation was not exactly unpleasant.

After about a hour June pulled over for fuel, and she simply slid from the seat with out a word and leant against the wall, letting the silence engulf her.

"You have two options here. We can either rest here or keep on going, but the ride is going to be another five hours or so. I don't really mind what we do, but i don't know. Maybe you haven't slept in days or something,"

"Oh..." She paused, meeting with his eyes and trying to run what he had said through her mind. She was still pretty drunk but it was the sleepiness that caused her responses to seem clumsy or disoriented. "I am pretty tried but I'm a guest. It's not really my choice. Plus I thought you said you wanted to have some fun or has the night declined that now?" Akira said with a round of soft laughter to follow. No matter what way he took her joke, she still expected the pair to sit up talking for atleast a hour or two just for a quiet night of stories, or maybe that was just what she wished for.

"On second thought, I'm feeling a little tired,"
"Don't worry. I'll pay for your room too. These places charge an arm and a leg just for a bed."

"June, handsome what is wrong? Have I upset y-?" She questioned, but before he decided to reply he had already gone away to return with a pair of keys. Akira was one to read emotions and body language extremely well as she had spent the last years of her life searching for liars and those with something to hide. It seemed June was tucking something dark deep under his heart and there was nothing she could do to help him, even if he did accept her help.

"Again, no need to pay me back. It's my fault we spent the night here anyway. So yeah.... I guess I'll get you in the morning."
Akira could not help but let a frown fall on her face at the sight of him clutching two sets of keys in his hands, one for her and one for him. To be honest it was completely true that she was desperate for any kind of affection what so ever, and two separate rooms restricted everything, even just simple communication. She allowed the key to fall into her palm before looking up at the dark haired man with a pityful expression. "June.." Once again before she could figure out what exactly she wanted to tell him he had locked his door and left her stood in the hallway alone.

The black haired sapien pulled off her armour which oddly fell to the ground looking like a similar material to leather, as well as propping up the rifle against the wall. Along side her prized weapon she placed the Lena flower which seemed to be growing by the minute; its leaves reaching towards the sky as though desperate for moonlight. Deciding she would shower in the morning Akira crawled into bed in just a vest top and underwear. Though many thoughts buzzed around her mind like a swarm of wasps, she soon drifted off into a restless sleep.

Crimson. It's warm on my hands and more and more of the stuff just seems to keep leaking onto me. I'm not sure if it is me screaming or the others behind me. All I see is darkness as I clutch to his back, eyes sealed tight with fear and my body is shaking so much. How can they not see me here? I can not look lifeless. I'm even talking to him at this point. Whispering pleas in his ear to stay with me and hold on in there, but he does not respond. Asher is breathing, I can feel his familiar inhales and exhales against me however they slowing more and more by the second, yet the gunfire continues. The air smells like smoke and my ears are ringing, but I dare not risk a glance to see exactly what is burning. I hear our commander yelling for survivers to fall back, but his sentence is severed half way through with gunfire; I'm pretty sure he was murdered. I won't fall back. If I move I will die. If I stay I will die. If I do either my poor Asher will die. So I just lay there trying to keep out of sight and pressing my face to the dirt to quiet the sobs escaping my mouth, clutching to his back until I finally feel his breathing halt.

I should have died there with him.

"ASHER! MY GOD. STOP IT. STOP!!"

Akira woke up with her face burning red and damp pillows beside her head where the tears had pooled into the material. She was screaming this words as her body leapt upright in bed, before she quickly clambered out and began pacing the floor clutching her mind, trying to remove the images but they never really vanished for good. She missed him. She needed him. Why him? Why her home? Why this stupid war? Why this stupid dream most nights? "You don't need to remind me of that, I remember all too well." Akira hissed to herself, finally calming her panic.

Deciding going back to bed was no longer a option she opened the doors to the balcony and stepped out, taking her new flower with her and allowing it to enjoy the outdoors. The nights air was rather nippy on Akira's bare arms and legs, but she tried her best to ignore it. The sapien swung her legs over the barrier before sitting ontop of the fence rather dangerously with her feet dangling below. It was true what they said, the veins of the plant did glow a beautiful luminous blue in the darkness. She admired it's beauty while trying to completely cease the small sniffles and sobs remaining from memory of the nightmare.

"Its a Fluffin!" Ace exclaimed utterly randomly. Ember blinked, surprised at his sudden randomness. Ace then stretched his hand out to the Cat, and Ember was too slow to pull away. "Y...you are right it only likes you." She watched a drop of his blood fall to the ground. A feeling welled up in chest, and a brief expression of concern flitted across her face before she could look away.

"It's not wise to get near it when she says it only likes one person. Those are bonded to the person they are assigned to. Then again at least they aren't the ones my clan tried to replicate. Three killed an entire squad because it was pissed off." Ember nodded in agreement with Oreron before glancing at Ace, this time is silent thoughtfulness.

"It's not gonna hurt anything or anyone." Ember was aware of the dog begging for her Cat. "I usually don't approve of begging, but, here." She through the Cat in Champ's direction. In midair, it changed form and was now an actual domestic cat. Its ears went flat against its skull, its fur stood on edge and a snarling hiss was aimed in Champ's direction. The display of aggression and ferocity letting the dog know it wasn't going to back down.

"Come on! Lets stop talking about that asshole! There's cheek meat and eye just waiting for the taking!" Ember ignored the slightly dangerous situation her Cat was in, and instead, focused on Owsla. If she wasn't so good at hiding her emotions, the others would have probably noticed Ember's... disinterest in the food. "As for that, I also have some cake... Or at least I think its cake." She began rummaging around in her bag and pulled out a metal container. She opened it and inside was a nicely made angel cake. "Any takers?" She held it up in the direction of her... current companions.

June King

Once he was done his cigarette, June became enticed from the look of the moon. That and he realized that he only drunk half of the drinks in the guest fridge. He went back inside and grabbed one of the comfort chairs, placing it outside. Afterwards he proceeded to grab the rest of the drinks from the fridge and placed them next to the chair. Taking off his jacket and his colored white shirt, he rested back in the chair, leaning back and sprawling as if he was a king on a throne. Smoking and drinking under the moonlight he reflected back on his day and his past a little more before his phone pinged from his pants pocket.

"Hello," he said quietly after taking the phone.

"Hola. June my friend, how did it go?" It was none other than Cortez on the other line.

"I did what was written to do. I hope the money is there when I arrive."

"Oh yes. This one is pretty big, though not as big as the next job I have for you," Cortez laughed. "Still, I knew you were the right one for the job. Anyone else would have messed it up somehow and it would have been a pointless death."

June took a drag of his cig before tossing it over the balcony. "Yeah well, no death is meaningless, though some are more meaningful than others."

"Right. You know kid, I always told you that you should be a poet and not a killer. You were so cute back in the day when we first met in the confinement area. Though I guess even then you were on the path you're on now."

"Yeah...."

"Hmm. I really hope one day you do put whatever is holding you down behind you. You're still young kid. Sure you have a few scars but I think that makes you have the rugged looks for the ladies. You should get yourself a wife and have a family."

June thought back on himself as Cortez talked. "Heh. Maybe. I don't know. Someone has to do what I do."

"There are a lot of people doing what you do. Enough if you ask me, but hey. I know I'm not your father so I wont lecture you, but I don't like to see someone who I believe is a friend of mine beat himself up all the time. Sure maybe your past was bad, but you shouldn't waste your youth on a few bad memories. Don't get me wrong. I too know how it feels to lose a lot of loved ones, but you can't pause your life for it."

Taking a huge gulp of the chest burning liquid, June sighed. "You're drunk aren't you? You always get philosophical when you're drunk."

"Hey, maybe I've been taking a few sips here and there of whatever was in your temp room, but I'm not drunk. How about you? You must be drinking right now, otherwise I doubt you would listen to my lectures."

"Maybe I'm a little drunk. I enjoy hearing your reasoning. Makes me feel more like.... Never mind. Anyway, I'll be there sometime in the day area, hopefully before the sun sets."

"Nice. I'll have your room ready as well as the cash. See ya then I guess."

June hung up the phone, placing on the floor next to one of the empty bottles. Looking up at the sky his vision became blurry and the last words he said before closing his eyes were, "Getting married and starting a family huh? Sounds like a dream that I can't even fathom. Heh........."

"ASHER! MY GOD. STOP IT. STOP!!"

June's eyes shot opened and his first reaction was to grab his guns, though they were still inside the room. His heart beat hard for a good couple of seconds before he forced himself into a calm state, listening to see if there would be another scream. Quite honestly, if Akira hadn't popped out of her room, he would have thought that it was just another nightmare, but he was proven wrong in that regard. He watched as she flung herself over the railing to sit, though at first he flinched ready to catch her if she was going to jump. Then again, it wouldn't matter, seeing as they were on the second floor of a cheap roadside inn. Sitting back in his chair he stared at her, watching the moons reflection on her face. It was weird, but for some reason he felt like he could have been in that position forever, even though he knew that it wasn't realistic to stay in the bliss of a moment forever. Looking closely he saw the moon reflect a shimmer down her cheek, which he could tell was probably a tear. The man hadn't realized it before, but the woman was probably just as torn up inside as he was, be it for her own reason of course.

His mouth split open as if he wanted to speak, but he couldn't find the right words to say. However, he knew sitting there watching her like that was rude. "You know," he began saying while placing another cigarette in his mouth and lighting it. "They say that you can tell a woman is beautiful by seeing her cry. Something about the effect of emotion it carries. In some poetic scriptures, they say nothing is more invaluable than a woman's tears."

Standing up on reflex alone, he walked over to the border that separated both balconies and reached his hand over to wipe the tear off her cheek. "However, I don't see what those so called scholars were thinking about. I find a woman most beautiful when she's happy." He gave a slight pause, forming a smile on his face, probably the warmest expression he had shown in years. He retracted his hand standing in place to take another drag. Looking down at himself he realized that his shirt was off and she could see all of the scars that designed his upper body. "Oh... Sorry. I didn't mean for you to see these," he said pulling his white button shirt over his body. Though he didn't bother to button it, he felt it would hide the majority of his old wounds. June glanced back at the woman, almost nervously, for he didn't show many his scars, nor did he like people seeing them. He felt as if they had a bad story to tell about him and, in most cases, they freaked people out. This time, even if he could say something, he was too embarrassed to open his mouth up again..... Well at least to talk. He did open it once more to take an inhale of smoke before tossing the poisonous paper.

The Abrams might have been the largest military arms manufacturer in the entirety of the world, but they were not without rivals. Even the greatest of those have those who would be able to best them given the correct circumstances. If the Abrams were the “largest”, they were not the “only”. Such a monopoly would never exist in such a thriving industry.

Though not the only company to rival the size of the Abrams, the Bradleys might be considered the only company with a chance to take the offensive upon such a conglomerate. From competition bore greater quality of weapons, each company attempting to out preform and outplay their competition. From competition bore innovations, each generation of weapons superior to the last. From competition bore

But competition is not the only sort of interactions these two masters of industry had together

There was once a time where the head inventors of both factions were to create a weapon beyond that of all current arms. One that could stand against all adversities. A true ultimate weapon that could not be stopped by normal means.

That was the project known as “Alexander”.

Though never placed into motion due to the fallout, both companies had taken the work done on this project and it was declared a scrapped project, both companies losing interest with one another. Both companies merely wishing to protect themselves from what could be considered the worst war in recorded history.

Both companies would brace the fallout separated in place of being together.

The once planned “super-corporation” was reduced to ash, just as the world around them. It was all they could do to maintain balance within their own ranks. It was a fool-hearted move that one would never be able to accomplish with the world in such a state of disrepair

The heirs of such would never see one another again.

---

What does it mean to fall in love with someone? No one truly knows this feeling for themselves.

She had known nothing of romantic love.

She was not even interested in such petty concepts. These were just constructs dictated by the lower-class’s media; a fantasy of the bestial nature of humans.

That was why she was so surprised… when she fell in love with him. She was only ten, but that meeting had changed her entire life. In the garden of her family’s manner, she had met the person who was to be betroth to herself.

A mere political move.

Quinn believed she would never play along with such a transparent move.

…however… the first time she laid eyes on him, she understood her feelings.

He was gentle

His words and eyes were calm.

He knew far more of the world around her than she did.

And his stories were enjoyable.

By the end of the day, she had fallen in love for this man. She gained a single weakness. Just one, but a great one at that. Never showing this to any others, Quinn kept her heart locked away, never to speak about this. She could not allow others to know.

“I love you”

She wanted to say these words.

She wanted to make her feelings true; known to this boy she had met that day.

However, she knew how cruel the world could be; how unforgiving, but she never existed that it would affect her…

---

Quinn was no longer a child. She was no longer bound to tradition or her past. She could only move forward, forging the desired outcome as she went. This was her only salvation, her only means to ensure her happiness, an illusion long eluding her. Just as the boy from her youth, she had changed.
She had a goal.

"Fwahaha! Amusing! Not only have I been robbed, but the criminal is claiming our roles are reversed? What audacity! But I'm afraid I must implore you to remove what rightfully belongs to the Abrams family, at once."

That name.

Quinn knew that name well. After all, how could she forget her family’s former rivals? That would mean this person had an affiliation with her past. That would mean this person had to know something. She could not simply allow the other to escape her.

“Abrams, you say?” Quinn stated to the other in a inquisital sort of tone. As if Quinn was the only one in this situation that could make demands. As if the armored man’s statements mattered not. After all, Quinn needed to maintain control of the situation. She could not give in to the other. She had to remain strong.

“That is a name I have not heard for ages.”

The name “he” belonged to.

Quinn had not let her guard down. Merely, she wished to invite the other to a questioning of sorts. After all, someone from the Abrams family might have caused the fate of her own family, or maybe knew something about it.

She took off her helmet, the armor still upon her body, returning back to seemingly nothing. She could not remove it. There was the chance this person would retaliate against her, but she felt that as long as she had a weapon and this man did not, she would be safe. After all, in the event that the other proved to be hostile, she could simply re-equip her helmet in an instant.

Quinn’s finely textured golden hair shined like golden dust itself. She seemed to carry herself with nobility and that of someone “greater than others”. Though her kind features seemed to display a bit more humility than other noble-types. Her eyes glow a deep blue and seem to captivate others on first look. One might be able to call such a face “beautiful” or “elegant”. One might be able to consider Quinn a face that one would not forget, her features seeming that of a princess from a story book, ironically enough, trying to be the knight of the day.

“I am Quinn Bradley, heir to the Bradley name. Might I ask for your own, man from the house of Abrams?”

She waited for a response. Who was this man, a person with the same armor as herself?

---

It's gold...

Just like the color of his own hair.

It's gold.

Her hair is more golden than a fine wedding band; the same color had always been adored by him.

The beautiful gold of that long hair means that it is indeed her.

---

“Abrams, you say? That is a name I have not heard for ages.”

Under normal circumstances, William could have done nothing but take this as some form of insult, and promptly would have replied with one of his own. Being oblivious to his name should be a taboo, after all. Yet... this was no 'normal circumstance'. As the figure clad in a mimc of his own invention removed the helmet covering its face, it revealed someone William did indeed recognize. And, cliche as it may seem, even he was partially entranced by her very beauty as it emerged.

He recalled each detail of this person from back when they were nothing but a younger girl. Her eloquent face was adorned by eyes in the very opposite color of his own, which further emphasized her beauty. The only problem was apparently she was part dog because she woofed, or so the picture I'm looking at says. He had seen many different women in his life, and bedded ones that had been models, celebrities, or just unnaturally attractive. As promiscuous as he was, he did have quite the high standards for girls he slept with. But something about this woman before him, this beauty... it briefly entranced even he, who simply expected beautiful girls to fall for him. Perhaps even they would have noticed by the expression on his face were it visible, which thankfully it was not. There was but the smallest delay before he processed the fact that she had even introduced herself.

“I am Quinn Bradley, heir to the Bradley name. Might I ask for your own, man from the house of Abrams?”

Despite already recalling her face immediately, he was still a bit surprised to have heard the woman's name.

Quinn Bradley.

It may sound sad, but if he had to give the role of 'childhood friend' to somebody, she would be the closest fit to such. This is depressing, considering that above anything, these two were rivals. Rivals in the industry William spent the majority of his life working for, ensuring perfection for, and profiting off of. If he could think of one other person who was around his level, then she was the person as well. This woman had, time and again, managed to force him to keep his thoughts both efficient and fresh, so as not to fall behind. William was obviously too prideful to admit it, but she was somebody he couldn't fool around with in regards to weaponry. But there was a reason why William Abrams' closest thing to a childhood friend would be Quinn Bradley.

They were to be married, after all.

Instead of being rivals, they were to be partners. His family would work with theirs. His ideas were to be hers. Hers to be his. Apparently, it would have been quite beneficial to not only her family, but his own.

Could he recall his exact feelings back when they had first met? Most likely, no. All he could remember about himself was a disturbing lack of confidence and assertion. Back then, he might've even been considered 'good' and 'friendly' by anyone and everyone. But so could most of the entirety of the populace of ten year old boys. At that age, the majority were innocent of the world in most ways. He was perhaps a bit more keen on certain aspects, but he certain wasn't the same then as he was now, all those years past. It would be important to mention that, even before they had met, William despised the small girl. With his innocence came his foolish idea of 'love', as some of the works he had read were purely based around the aspect of 'romance', and that had caught his fancy at the time. Because of this girl, he was not able to marry out of love, and it angered him. Why did he not get to choose who he was with? Why did it have to be her? He didn't even know her! Yes, all of these were thoughts of a younger boy, a boy who had since grown.

Their first encounter did not go as he had initially predicted it would go. He thought that maybe, just maybe, if he could push her away, then they wouldn't marry. It was more than safe to say William thought it was her fault for the marriage. But even so, that plan simply disappeared the moment they had met face-to-face. Much akin to the present, William was briefly stunned by her appearance alone. Blood rushed to his face simply seeing the beautiful bride-to-be, and he lost any intention of upsetting her. So, their encounter was a friendly one. He did not remember much about what exactly happened, but he knew they were at least friendly up until the very last moment they saw each other.

"Quinn Bradley..." William reached up for his own helmet and, following suit, removed it from his head. Unlike Quinn, his hair was not of the length required to spill out as he did so, as well as his helmet simply 'sliding' back into the suit, so the method differed slightly. Like her, however, the hair on his head was a brilliant gold that grabbed attention the moment someone laid their eyes on it. His crimson orbs stared directly into her sapphire eyes as he spoke.

"You stand in the presence of none other than William Abrams, heir to Abrams Industries, himself." he declared, confidently as usual. "I do believe it's been quite some time since I last met you, has it not? At least, in person that is."

---

---

"It's not wise to get near it when she says it only likes one person. Those are bonded to the person they are assigned to. Then again at least they aren't the ones my clan tried to replicate. Three killed an entire squad because it was pissed off."

Ace managed a smile as he sucked hard at his bloody finger, not so much moaning about the wound but more making a unnecessary fuss over it. He caught Ember's glance of worry and his heart melted inside; these simple emotions displayed that she had not been completely destroyed by her work and in fact was still as human as ever. That was all he needed to know to be happy. "So I guess it is kind of Ember's pet now then?" He questioned looking down at the angry Fluffin, trying to display fondness but for some reason all liking to the creature had vanished. "You need to name it then. How about Fluffin!?"

"It's not gonna hurt anything or anyone."
"I usually don't approve of begging, but, here."

As the creature was dropped before Champ, suddenly the canine froze at its change of shape. He then slowly stepped towards it, growling lowly before backing away at it's signs of aggression. Stop small enemy. I wish to destroy you yes! Stop! "I don't suggest you go near it Champ." Ace told the German Shep. Even though the two spoke a different language he seemed to take note of his words and back away defensively, tail high and stance tall. Soon enough yes. Soon enough will destroy! Once the beast had calmed down he went back to nudging his head into Owsla's hand, begging for attention and almost sulking at his recent loss.

"He is the Heir to a weapons company that my clan bought weapons from. So I am familiar with him and his family. Though his family is no more, that doesn't stop the pampered from thinking they are above those that survived the war or fought in it."

"So really, his family is somewhat to blame for the scale of the war. Of course I know it's a business, it is just I can't help but want to put the blame on someone." Ace sighed, not really sure of where he wanted to go with his words. He was not really one to have too much political opinion over the war and whether the reasons for it were logical, he just knew it caused so much terror for both races alike and so disliked the whole idea.

"Then again it is good that you've never come across someone like him, he'd take advantage of your kindness and soon enough tear you down. Then build you up to what they want. Take it from an old general, I've been there and done it myself."

The blonde male let out a quiet scowl but quickly lowered his head and fell into silence. He pressed his palms against one and other and rubbed them together awkwardly. He knew that the generals words were from personal experience but he could not help but be the slightest bit offended, but mostly it just triggered Ace into drowning in his own self pity again. "I know I am weak Oreron. Don't try to compare us cause we both know who is the stronger man here. People would take advantage of you because you are useful, unlike me. They would be more likely to put a bullet in my head than even attempt using me. You have been through a lot and still stand there proud, where as I have been through nothing of trouble and still feel pathetic. You are respectable unlike me."

"So now that me matter of my kittens' affections is settled, how is it that you know my blood? Seeing as you can't remember the armour I swore where there was a bullet in your leg those years ago."

"You know next time you should just ask Owsla instead of harassing some poor innocent boy about it!" Ace spat, though it was clearly meant to be taken in a jokey fashion as he wagged his finger in the direction of the feral female. He instantly let his jaw drop open at the sight of his armoured hand, know recognising the man opposite him. "Yes. I remember you now. It makes sense about Owsla's stories too. She always used to ask me about the metallic demon the ran through the ruins but never mentioned you were her Father. I see. " Ace explained before feeling his stomach roll over at the talk of the wound in his thigh. He tried to hold back from displaying the lump in his throat thinking about his memories of Jennifer. "I was saved by a woman named Jenn. I have not seen her in a long long time now." He answered simply, wanting to cut the conversation there.

"As for that, I also have some cake... Or at least I think its cake." "Any takers?"

Ace happily accepted the offer with a nod of the head and so headed towards her to collect the sweet treat. "Yes, thank you." He said as he was not one to turn down free food, especially if it was good food like this. It was only at that point he noticed the night sky and how it's colour had been tinted dark. He sighed deeply before calling Champ to his side. "Guy's it is getting late. I'm heading back to my cabin soon. Any of you guys want to join me? I only have a spare double bed and a sofa though but if you all wish to stay I'll sleep on the floor if needs be. What do you say? It's just like you remember Owsla." Ace offered with a polite grin, though he was not sure what exactly the response would be.

The hour grew late.

For a while, Jennifer just followed the sun, walking until it disappeared far beyond where she could reach for tonight. Then, she just stood and stared up at the moon, watching it rise and take its place proudly in the center of the sky. The moon was never afraid. The moon must have seen awful things, from the beginning of time. Wars, heartbreak, murder and sickness and worse. And the moon never faltered, just followed its path each and every night, never flinching.

But Jennifer was not the moon. Maybe once she had been, had been quiet and bright and steady, the hunter. But now she was a rabbit, the prey, the hunted, skittering everywhere and felled with one easy, well-aimed shot. The moon gave away nothing. Only stared back at the once-woman, now frightened rabbit. Watched her carefully pick her way among trees and bushes, watched her kneel at streams to drink or to cool herself, watched her find herself in a familiar clearing, watched her scan the area and see a cabin, watched her freeze.

This was a memory place. She could feel it. Could see herself standing, facing the blonde man, his hand outstretched to her cheek. Could remember the desperation with which she had pressed her face into his hand, and the relief of finding him. Him. Her Blon--

Snap.

Pain shot through her hot as a bullet, or a heated poker someone was pressing against the back of her eyes. Gasping, she knelt, heels of her hands pressing hard into her eye sockets. This was the cost of remembering him, of remembering at all. This burning, scalding pain. She didn't want to remember, not if it meant this. Not if it meant feeling loss and anger and bloodlust. Or love. Nothing was worth this. Not one single thing, not one single person. She didn't want to remember.

Fast as the pain came, though, it disappeared. Jennifer stayed crouched on her haunches a few minutes, until she was convinced that it all had passed. Slowly, shakily, she stood. It wasn't worth this. He wasn't worth this.

But what if someone else is? something whispered, what if once, there was someone worth every pain imaginable, and more? What if you had someone like that once?

She didn't remember.

She didn't want to remember.

But her feet, her traitorous feet, carried her nearer the cabin, til she could reach out and feel the walls beneath her palm. She didn't want to remember this place, or anything that could have caused so much pain. She didn't want to, she didn't want to, she didn't want to...

Noises off in the distance dragged her from her fog. Voices. A call. Growls and yips and dog noises.

A dog.

She could feel someone's hand in hers, feel warmth and laughter, feel a small tongue licking interlocked fingers, yipping and growling and panting. Someone laughs, and the hand pulls away, and she's padding towards the noises, half-hopeful. Dog. She likes dogs. Or at least, she used to.

She edges her way around trees and rocks, and comes closer to the noises. She can hear talk of cake and sleep, but no dog. Where's the dog? She wants the dog. Taking a breath, she comes down to all fours, finding enough cover to where the other people might not see her, but the dog might. With a quiet exhale, she gives an alerting, and natural

click!

with her teeth, and follows it with a low whistle. She likes dogs. Wants the dog to come to her. The dog doesn't bring her pain. The dog brought warmth.

And she wants that warmth.

Oreron and Owsla Hall

Oreron sighed before stuffing his face into the head like a man who hadn't eaten in weeks. His sharp and jagged teeth ripped through the cooked flesh with such speed that it didn't take long for him to strip it to the bone. As dignified as some stories of him made him out to be, over the years that dignity gave way to survival. And there was nothing that beat the need to fill your belly and live.

"I wasn't comparing you to that twit, Tyrant." He said between bites of meat. "If anything you would be more useful than him. Yes he builds weapons and tech. But so can I. I'd be more inclined to tear his neck open for running his mouth and thinking himself better than those trying to live out here." He took more bites, soon making the inside of the skull hollow. "It takes a stronger man to admit they are wrong or that they are not good at something than one who never admits to anything. Then again, you are in a better place than I was at your age." The large neco let out a loud blech and threw the skull aside and cracked his neck.

He looked over at Owsla, now tearing chunks off of the body of the deer happily and petting the dog as she gorged herself. A rare soft smile spread across his lips. "When I was your age, she was only five years old. But I didn't get to see that. I could only imagine what she looked like." He sighed, feeling the memories of a life we wished he could have continued come back to him.

Owsla, on the other hand, looked back at ace and smiled. "I'm not sure if the cabin's big enough for dad actually." she joked as she scritched the dog behind the ear. The night never really bothered her any, though after a long day of walking the wastes, it didn't hurt to at least slow down or sleep for the night. However something made her head turn again. Something that sounded like a low whistle. Curiosity welled up him again as she raised her arm to the side. "Zanuks. Online." A green skin started to spread over her back and down her arms. It made her fall over and writhe as the skin quickly spread and formed a suit over her her body. It only lasted no more than two minutes before she was up on all fours again and bounced around. Her words now nothing more than electric noises and growls before running off in the direction of the sound, melting into the scenery of the forest as the 'suit' started to mimic the colors of the darkened forest.

---

Akira gently kicked her legs against the railing to a rhythm, similar to what she would do on a table with her fingertips. It was a odd habit of hers but it really did sooth her mind and sent it into a peaceful state that she could rarely ever find. She was no longer crying as such but every few seconds or so she would take in a big intake of breath absently, as though choking down the sobs and trying to stop the panic. She touched the plant affectionately while doing this; letting her skin run over the blue glowing leaves. The raven haired woman did not notice the man to the right until he spoke.

"You know,"
"They say that you can tell a woman is beautiful by seeing her cry. Something about the effect of emotion it carries. In some poetic scriptures, they say nothing is more invaluable than a woman's tears."
"However, I don't see what those so called scholars were thinking about. I find a woman most beautiful when she's happy."

Akira was disgusted, outraged even. How dare he say something like that? She did not feel attractive right now. Her fists clenched tightly and she started to think of something of a horrible meaning to spit at him, but his warm hands upon her face made her melt back into silence. She managed a soft laugh and she lifted her eyes to meet with his, a fond expression in her emerald eyes. "Then I would prefer you over any so called scholar. To think someone is beautiful at their lowest point is disgusting and rather degrading." She told him in a quiet tone, as though if she spoke too loud she would wake the night itself.

"Oh... Sorry. I didn't mean for you to see these,"

Akira did not notice his shirtless torso until he mentioned it. She could not help but feel nauseated by the markings across his body. Who did that to him!? Who would hurt a good man in such a way?! She knew he would have got caught in many a nasty situation but she never thought that anything like that could quite cause those marks. His skin was quite contrasting to her own fairly clear flesh; she had a few bullet wounds on her upper arms where it had grazed and torn but nothing more. Still she tried to hide away her thoughts and not display her feelings on her face, whether she failed to do so or not she did not know. "Don't worry. They do not spoil your body at all." Akira purred in a seductive and lacy tone, finishing with a soft laugh. "Though it has confirmed something important to me. I know you are a sapien now." The girl informed, knowing that scars like that would have atleast faded somewhat on a neco's tougher body. She thought it would be best to leave the conversation there if memories of these imperfections made him uncomfortable.

The sapien then smiled and placed the potted plant on the table beside her, it's leaves and petals glowing a bright and luminous shade of blue. "How amazing is this? It is called a Rena flower and at night time it's veins glow. I'm not actually personally sure exactly why it does this, but it sure is beautiful! I think it's because instead of photosynthesizing it uses the moonlight." Akira told June with great enthusiasm, though she missed out the point that this plant was actually a gift for her deceased boyfriend. So much as talking about Asher could cause her to break again.

The black haired woman then became rather aware of her own body, as she was only wearing a small shirt and underwear. Of course her normal day to day armor displayed around the same amount of flesh as her sleeping wear apart from her slightly exposed round backside but she still felt somewhat different. Akira was not someone to be under confident about her body or anything like that but still a red blush fell on her cheeks, mainly because she had not developed that kind of relationship with June. "D..do you want me to put some shorts on or don't you mind?" She stammered, more asking for his preference than her own.

Akira dropped her feet back onto the balcony and stood facing the male, leaning on the metal barrier between the pair. She tilted her head to one side, appearing curious and rather worried. She recalled his rush to escape from her earlier that night and the pitiful expression that plagued his face. "Why are you awake? And are you feeling any better now June?"

June King

June turned around to look for a bottle to go with his cigarette and placed the bottle on the railing after taking a drink. He never was able to tell why, but he had to admit that chasing alcohol with tobacco was like tasting the air of life. June just imagined harshness of the drink was perfect to get rid of the harsh smoke. Made everything feel smoother.

"Don't worry. They do not spoil your body at all."
"Though it has confirmed something important to me. I know you are a sapien now."

June's let out a laugh. Though it was short, it was also hearty. "Really," he asked, still trying to calm his amusement. "I'm glad you confirmed it then. Seems like you don't favor neco's."

Taking another sip from the bottle he had resting on the rail, June looked darted his eyes down to where the ins fuel area was. The lights went off, meaning the old man who ran the store was going to bed. Made sense, seeing how late it was.

"D..do you want me to put some shorts on or don't you mind?"

He looked over to see Akira was blushing about something. Made sense seeing as she was shuddering with her words, though June wasn't sober enough or defensive enough to pay attention to every little detail. His eyes scanned the girl from her face and slowly went down to her hip area. Turning back to place his arms on the padeo rail, he took one puff of his cigarette. "You don't have to if you don't want. I don't mind." He said calmly, exhaling smoke into the open air. He wasn't the type of person to usually get nervous over anything. Whether it had been a woman or a man holding a gun to his face, he was just always the type of person to stay calm. Even though he didn't feel nervous, he still felt embarrassed for not noticing sooner. Judging by how long it took Akira to react, it seemed she didn't notice either.

"Why are you awake? And are you feeling any better now June?"

"Hmmm," the man groaned. "I don't usually sleep much. Usually I get about four to six hours a night. Can't do the type of job I do with a good sleep schedule. Came out here to drink while looking at the sky and then my stupid uncle called me. Ever since I met him in confinement he doesn't stop checking on me." June paused for a moment, realizing that he revealed he was in confinement. Not the type of person to talk about his past, he wasn't prepared for all the possible questions that could pop up around the subject. "So how about you? How are you feeling? You always wake up in the middle of the night to relax?"

Though June knew why she was awake, he needed to change the conversation around and also wondered if she didn't realized she had screamed in her sleep. After all she did ask him why he was awake. He also decided to keep it to himself that her scream woke him up. It probably wouldn't have been the best idea to tell her if she didn't remember.

"Guy's it is getting late. I'm heading back to my cabin soon. Any of you guys want to join me? I only have a spare double bed and a sofa though but if you all wish to stay I'll sleep on the floor if needs be. What do you say? It's just like you remember Owsla." Ember glanced at the sky, and back to the faces of the others. That's right, normal people sleep when the sun goes down. How odd. She had been to Ace's cabin before, and when night fell, she had just walked the perimeter and.. wandered for a bit. She'd probably being doing that again tonight. She was about to reply when she heard a sound.

Click! Ember heard the sound, and instinctively found herself moving quickly. As it was, she found herself behind the intruder. A woman, short dark hair, and a beautiful face that was familiar to Ember. It was one trained to fake a smile, to lie about whats beneath. The stranger had no armour, and was obviously not a warrior. If Ember were alone, she would have killed this strange woman without hesitation, but she remembered Ace and how... Compassionate he was. She held back only because of him.

Her Cat perked her up and changed shape again, this time back into its rabbit like form. It bounced over to its human companion and changed shape again, this time it was a whip... and it was in Ember's hand. Control. Control. The mantra slipped into her thoughts as her fist clenched around the whip's end, just before she...

wrapped it around her own forearm, where the Cat turned into a bracelet. "Deactivate." Ember confirmed the creatures actions with a command. Now that there was no... obvious weapon in Ember's hands, she was at a loss at what to do. She never had spoken to these strangers, never tried to comfort them or even be on friendly terms with them. That was all Ace.

---

"It takes a stronger man to admit they are wrong or that they are not good at something than one who never admits to anything. Then again, you are in a better place than I was at your age."

Ace's heart began thudding hard in his chest for some reason; what Oreron had just said was actually something that touched his soul pretty deep down and to be honest it was something he certainly needed to hear at that point. He gave a wide, honest, and admirable smile before bowing his head to this man. "Thank you. That means a lot." The blonde said simply, though really no more words needed to be said, Oreron was quickly becoming the man Ace wanted to be but never could be. Still he was not envious or jealous, just rather proud to have him in his company.

"When I was your age, she was only five years old. But I didn't get to see that. I could only imagine what she looked like."

He did not really know what to say about this and so opened his mouth before closing it, wordless. He looked over to the white haired girl, remembering their memories of the life filled cabin. "When Owsla was 15 she was a right little stress nugget. Always on her toes and alert, but incredibly wonderful. She definitely has you blood. What matters now is that you have found each other." Ace said in a soft tone, greatly admiring the family.

It was at that point that everyone seemed to leap to their feet at a noise that Ace must have missed. Owsla's armour stretched across her body and Ember began pushing her body into the forest with her coordinated and quick steps. Champ too began taking the lead, his body weaving in and out of the trees with more ease with any of these human figures. He met his snout with this raven haired woman, a wet nose hitting her cheek and sniffing violently. This woman had no weapons and her poor body was frail and lacked muscle, therefore Champ had no reason to act aggressively.

Of course this did not mean that Ember would not. Champ sat patiently at the side of the woman, waiting for either of them to act in some kind of way. The canine could not make a judgment on what to do as he had not made a particular relationship with either of these females and therefore was not loyal to either, so he just sat there, waiting for whatever was to happen to unfold.

"Ember...Don't do anything rash. Ember!..." Ace yelled half heartedly trailing after the quick paced female with Owsla at his side. He knew how unpredictable she was and that his judgment did not particularly matter. He pulled Sophia, his bow, from his back and readied the weapon just in case such a thing was needed. When he approached the pair and his creature, he did not particularly pay attention to who this stranger was, it just seemed like she needed help and so Ace being Ace, dashed towards her.

Surprisingly Ember had not seemed to have acted at all to this, she just stood there, seeming at loss for ideas. The blonde stepped forward, crouching as he took a closer look at the neco. He placed a hand underneath her arm to support her which pulled her face upwards to meet with his own gaze. "Are you okay Lady? Do you need anyth-"

Those eyes. Those gorgeous blue icy eyes that had captivated his mind and heart that he always thought would remain a memory. Once upon a time they would be the eyes that shot him cold glares when he made a wrong comment or slipped up with something that they needed to survive, but now they just appeared lifeless. Ace silenced himself for a moment, wondering if he was dreaming or seeing a ghost of this woman like he had many times before, but it did not take him long to work out this was in fact real. Ace sank to his knees and soundless tears began spilling down his cheeks and his pupils grew to orbs.

He remembered when he held her as she cried the last time she met, and now she hat there with her strength seemingly sucked away.

Ace decided that his Jennifer Heathers was dying in some sense. He did not know why.

---

"I'm glad you confirmed it then. Seems like you don't favor neco's."

Akira's throat became tight as she swallowed hard at this statement. Though the laughter did soften the topic somewhat it was still something that was hard to talk about when it did come up in conversation. "It is not really like that exactly...It's not that simple." The raven haired woman told him with a sigh before she rested her elbow on the barrier, letting her head lay there lazily.

"You don't have to if you don't want. I don't mind."

So it did not bother him at all that he was talking to a woman who lacked a awful lot of her clothing? Well fair enough but she certainly had not come across many men like that. Normally they would either be irritated and awkward or praiseful and flirty, but he was neither. Maybe June did not really care about that kind of thing. His head did seem to be filled up with more things than a average person, possibly leaving no room for those kind of thoughts or feelings.

"You are going to end up killing yourself with all this smoking and drink. I mean fair enough a little pleasure is good for the soul but...June you do take a awful lot. You are meant to be a assassin as well surely you would try and keep your body in good condition. I'm not going to lie it kind of worries me." Akira admitted to the man in a slow and considerate tone, frowning as he inhaled more. She was pretty sure she was going to offend him more than anything, but it was better to get it off her chest than keep it in.

"I don't usually sleep much. Usually I get about four to six hours a night. Can't do the type of job I do with a good sleep schedule. Came out here to drink while looking at the sky and then my stupid uncle called me. Ever since I met him in confinement he doesn't stop checking on me."

Akira's mouth fell open and her pupils began to widen rapidly. "C..confinement?!" She questioned, suddenly all her muscles in her body going tight. For some reason that really bothered her, even though she knew that both herself and June had probably killed more people than what would sentence them to over 30 lifetimes. Quickly the woman told herself this and forced herself to relax, and very slowly she did. "It's nice you have someone to check up on you though. You should keep people like that close to you." She informed him with a soft smile. She hope he took in that piece of valuable advice.

"So how about you? How are you feeling? You always wake up in the middle of the night to relax?"

The sapien shuffled awkwardly in her chair, pressing her lips together with unease. "I have nightmares a lot that are basically repeats of what had happened in my life time." Akira stated simply, her heart thudding painfully hard in her chest once again. He must have heard her cries as she was pretty sure she was loud enough to alert him, but maybe he was choosing not to explain this. "So I don't tend to sleep well either. I don't like going to sleep." She admitted, as trying to avoid the nightmares all together seemed logical to Akira even though it was not all that smart.

Deciding that the barrier between the pair was merely a annoyance she pushed the chair away from her body and vaulted herself over from her balcony to his with ease. She seated herself next to him on another spare chair and waited for him either to dismiss her back to bed or continue the conversation.

Jennifer wanted to scream.

There was movement, rushing, then suddenly a woman in front of her, and a dog's cold nose against her cheek. She was going to die. She would be slain here, before she had ever had a chance to decide if she wanted to remember who she might've once gone through pain for. She would die, here. Now.

With the blonde man she wanted to remember staring at her. Falling to his knees and tears falling down his face. She wanted to hold him, wanted to strangle him, wanted to kill him. She wanted to scream. She knew him. She knew him. He was someone she didn't want to know. She didn't want to remember why she wanted to hold him, or kill him. She wanted away from here, before the pain came. Before it ripped her to pieces.

She reached for the dog, wanting to lean against him and rest, wanting to bury her face in his neck and just feel his warmth. But the woman still watched her. And who knew what other people there were who wanted her dead. Maybe even the dog did. She tried to stand, tried to face what would inevitably be her end with something resembling dignity. But her legs were failing her, her hands were clammy, pressed flat against the ground she knelt on, mouth dry. She would die a death befitting a rabbit; frightened, hunted down, flat on the soil. The moon would see her life drip out of her without ever blinking. Her life was a game now. No reason to run, if she'd only be hunted down again. No reason to try and survive. Better to just lay still, let it end quickly.

But Jennifer wanted to be the moon.

She was able to drag herself to her feet, hands still clammy, knees still shaking, mouth still dry. Still, she stood, and raised her eyes to the woman's. She wanted to shout. She wanted to scream and kick and yell and fight. But she didn't. The woman wouldn't kill her, not right now, not immediately. Might later.

Oh, darling, came a thought, you're still just now a rabbit. It will take time for you to become the moon again.

"Please," she was able to choke, "I don't--please don't kill me. I don't want to die." The pain was beginning, blooming through her jaw, behind her eyes, ripping down her throat. "I don't want to die. I'll run away. Far away, I'll never come back, please." She looked at the dog, praying to some silent being that he would keep her pain at bay. And for a moment, it seemed to be working. She could almost find strength to smile. But not yet. Not quite yet. She reached for the dog, slowly bent til she could look into his eyes.

"I don't want to die."