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Post by arythknives on Jul 4, 2009 10:28:07 GMT -6
anthras got thoroughly showered by the water and laughed, it felt good in the heat. at kimblees request he produced a trinket he had made, but hadn't found a use for. it was shaped like a paint gun beggining with a handle with a trigger attached to a cone tank of fuel, then business end was a flexible wire mesh tube about a sixteenth of an inch wide and about five inches long. pulling the trigger resulted in a six inch spout of red flame.
he tossed it to kimblee. "it works underwarter by the by. and to refuel it all you have to do is tap it into the natural gas line."
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Post by Zolf J Kimblee on Jul 4, 2009 10:43:23 GMT -6
Kimblee heard the sound of the girl crying too. He only sighed and wondered why there was so much drama here, and how this place drew it like a magnet.
He watched curiously as Dante marched like she had a purpose, and sternly threatened her. If he leaned forward just a bit, he could see her with her hands folded over her chest, and that look of entitlement she always had about her. He chuckled as the stranger began weeping more openly.
He looked at the other fellow, the one named Anthras and said, with amusement, "Six bucks and my left nut says the girl is a 'walk in'."
Of course, by walk in he meant another displaced being from the world these people had been torn from. They always came, drawn like magnets....or like flies to shit.
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Sarai glanced up and blinked her unusual red eyes at the stern young woman standing before her. She looked so young...and so old at the same time. Ages of experience and wisdom were in her deep violet eyes. And not a little bit of hardness and mercilessness. She was singular in beauty...and treachery. She could see that, plainly.
She only wept more, her helplessness compounded by this unwelcome reception. She stood to her feet, wiping her tears away and replied indignantly, "Do you hate my people also? Twice in my wandering in this strange place I have already been called 'weirdo' and 'vampire' by another. Ever have my people worked to do their share in the world, and we take charity from no one. I would hardly call that being a vampire!"
Having reached the point of losing her patience, her red eyes blazed with passion and anger, "I merely stumbled into this strange and unhospitable place. Or more like dragged here against my will. I ask nothing but a place to sit and rest a moment and gather my resolve. Then I shall bother you with my presence no longer."
Her cheeks blushed deep red in her indignant shame.
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Post by Zolf J Kimblee on Jul 4, 2009 10:47:28 GMT -6
Kimblee took the strange device from him and looked it over with a smile. He lit his smoke, burned half of it, then cursed and got another out of his pack. He lit it more carefully this time, exhaling and turning the lighter this way and that, examining.
"Now that's what I call packing a lot of heat!" he said with admiration. "You made this thing?" he looked over at him and asked, more out of a desire to converse, than actual curiosity, "Hey...who in this house plays a wind instrument? I've been hearing live music often, but I'll be damned if I know where it's coming from."
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Post by silverviper2134 on Jul 4, 2009 11:28:24 GMT -6
After lapping up the remainder of the milk, Bandit walked over to her master, wagging her tail excitedly. Arden smiled at seeing her dog and knelt down to the animal's level.
"Hey girl. You sleep well?" she asked the terrier, scratching the animal's head gently. She then began to giggle slightly as Bandit placed her front paws on her chest, licking her face. ""Okay, I love you too, but get down" he demanded. Being the well-trained dog she was, Bandit automatically but her paws back on the ground. Arden smiled at her pet as she got back to her feet.
Meanwhile, Nikolai had been underneath the couch, looking at a magazine when he heard the voice of a young women. He poked his head out from underneath the piece of furniture to see what she looked like. "She's pretty" the boy said, before going back underneath the couch to look at the pictures in his magazine.
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Post by dante on Jul 4, 2009 11:50:30 GMT -6
Dante carefully examined the young woman as she spoke, her eyes shining with mild interest. It had been impossible for her to notice when she first saw her through the window, but now it was clear that the girl was an Ishbalan. The discovery surprised her, not because it was an uncommon occurrence for people from their world to show up at the house, but because it had been a long while since they last welcomed one of their unexpected guests. She had been beginning to hope that the previous was the end of them, but it seemed she was wrong.
She returned her glare with equal strength, but instead of anger it held only cold indifference. It was obvious that she cared nothing for the plight of the poor woman. "So you're from Ishbal, are you? I suspected as much."
Oh, how she loathed being the welcoming committee for these worthless insects. Unlike the last few, this girl at least seemed to have an air of intelligence about her, even if she was nothing more than an indignant shrew. Moreover, thanks to this girl she had to rush if she wanted to get to work on time. She had been planning on taking a short bath to calm herself down before leaving with her husband, but now it seemed that was out of the question. She just met the girl a few moments ago and she disliked her all ready. Then again, she assumed people were worthless bags of feces as a rule of thumb, so this was nothing special.
"Please, spare me your pathetic story. I'm in a rush, and you've all ready wasted enough of my time. That being said, I'll make this quick," she began coldly, resting her eyes on the grieving woman. "You are no longer in Amestris, my dear. This is the other side of the legendary Gate of Alchemy; a world parallel to our own. I suggest you get used to your new surroundings, because this is where you shall be spending the rest of your days. From here there is no return."
Pausing for a few moments, she smiled as she waited for the gravity of her situation to sink in. She turned and began making her way toward the house. "This is the home of those who passed through before you. Feel free to go inside and explain your situation to the others, or you can wander the streets and live the lonely life of a beggar."
When she reached the door, she stopped and glanced back at Sarai. "Oh, forgive me. I forgot that your people don't accept charity," she chuckled darkly, turning away from her again. With that, she went inside to finish getting ready for work.
---------------------------------------------------------------------
Eltana gave his victim another wicked smile, then turned and made his way out the door. It was time for him to catch up on some well-deserved sleep.
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Post by Zolf J Kimblee on Jul 4, 2009 12:32:11 GMT -6
Her eyes widened as she listened to the cold words of this stranger. When she mentioned the 'gate' her lips parted slightly. From the jealously protected family secrets had come the rumors of the 'gate'. But as a long sought after, pain staking mystic quest of her ancient ancestors. She folded her arms and gazed about her surroundings quietly. It certainly didn't resemble the astral realm in any fashion. At least not as she'd read. And according to the closely guarded knowledge passed down, attainment of this level was only achieved by those who'd fashioned the philosophers stone inside themselves from years and years of painstaking efforts.
She wordlessly followed the icy woman to the door. "This is certainly not at all what I expected to find here." she mused with equal chilliness and indifference. "And I do not accept charity...I intend to do my fair share and bear my own burdens. Nevertheless, I welcome your 'hospitality.' "
She recalled the words her father had taught her from the time she could walk. 'Never judge those you meet in your life...simply be a mirror, and they shall judge themselves.' Word she tried her most to live by. "And remember...everything in existence is 'ONE', dear. Every person is within you, and you are within every person. When you encounter them, it is your duty to show them who they are. We are all but mirrors of one another. Behave accordingly."
But the lessons of wisdom he passed on to her always ended with a note of humor; it made the lesson a permanent imprint when it could be recalled with laughter. "And lastly dear...never do unto others as you would have them do unto you....not everyone has the same tastes." He'd laughed and slapped his knees, sparkles dancing in his eyes..eyes that were lined with the wrinkles of happiness. She was the child of his waning years.
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Post by silverviper2134 on Jul 4, 2009 13:04:00 GMT -6
"Is my brother still underneath the couch?" Arden asked, walking over to Dahlia. She snapped her fingers and Bandit automatically ran over to her. She really wasn't sure why she was asking. After all, Nikolai did have a weird love of hiding underneath the furniture.
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"You called Havoc, Martel?" Isa asked, throwing out the rest of the broken glass shards.
Martel shook her head. She really couldn't find any reason to call Jean and tell him to come in at the time. After all, there wouldn't be any customers for at least two more hours. In fact, she was going to leave herself once they finished dusting off the ashes.
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Post by dante on Jul 4, 2009 13:08:08 GMT -6
Dante walked back into the kitchen, not even bothering to check if the woman was following her. Those who stumbled upon their property never rejected their hospitality. That being said, it came as no surprise to her when she heard her accept the offer. She headed over to the counter at the other end of the room and began pouring herself a cup of coffee.
"We have a new addition to our little family," she addressed the others in the room. "I'm sure you'll all make her feel welcome."
A young blonde man sitting at the table looked over at the newcomer, a smirk on his face. "New meat, huh? This is a real pretty one, I gotta admit... Planning on taking over this one's body, too, Dante? I'm sure you got some of that Philosopher's Stone left somewhere. Bet your husband would like to have a wife from his own race..."
Recognizing the voice of the young man, she sighed deeply. It was none other than Drace, the annoying teenage son of her friend Charlotte. He must have showed up while she was out dealing with Sarai. The brat had a penchant for showing up at the worst possible time. "Mind your tongue, dear. Whether or not I have any of the Stone left is none of your concern. And don't you have someone else to be pestering?"
Drace chuckled and put his feet up on the table. "Nope! Mornings are reserved for you, babe."
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Dahlia looked down at her best friend, still sitting in her chair. "Yeah! He's been under there for a while.."
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Post by silverviper2134 on Jul 4, 2009 13:12:52 GMT -6
Arden smiled and walked over to Sarai, extending her hand to be shaken. "Hello. I'm Arden...and as long as you remain on my good side, I will be sure to at the very least make your death quick and painless. I mean.....it's a pleasure to meet you" she said in an attempt to cover up her first comment. Realizing Nikolai was likely not going to introduce himself, she decided to do it herself. "Excuse my brother....he's currently underneath the couch looking at a magazine which holds pictures of naked women with rabbit ears".
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Post by Zolf J Kimblee on Jul 4, 2009 13:48:51 GMT -6
She looked about her surroundings, taking note of the 'air' about it. Chaos, rowdiness...some happiness...much grief and hatred though. She could sense it by the atmosphere. And beneath it all, the energy was colored by a deep and silent river of malice laying in wait for it's opportunity to strike.
She entered the kitchen and the first thing that stood out was the towering Ishballan man. The scarred one. She averted her eyes casually, rolling her eyes at the casual and crude remarks made by the man sitting there. As a belly dancer, she was accustomed to lewdness and she'd developed a thick skin over the years. It was best to not react much, lest you draw more of the same attention.
She recalled the windstorm...and the firestorm that day nearly a decade now, it'd been. She was in a caravan of Ishballans fleeing the military offensive. The towering man had led the vanguard with his tattooed brother at his side. She could sense the deep tension between them, and she knew why, judging by the Grand Arcanum tattooed onto his flesh. "Fool," she'd thought at the time, "Clearly this was a man for whom knowledge is not only power, but a danger. To himself and all around him. Nothing good ever came to those who used the Grand Arcanum to serve their own worldly ends. Nothing ever did. They squandered their knowledge and power fulfilling their fleshly desires, from which all sorrow springs." She remained further back with a group of stragglers and children and the rear guard. She'd kept here hair covered and wore a veil. Not out of any sense of religious piety from the Old Religion, but as a protection and anonymity.
The group was further severed when a desert tornado dipped from the sky. The Crimson Alchemist she'd been watching appeared as if from nowhere. He had his back turned to her and her group as they approached, being absorbed by the group in front. She watched in horror as he blew off limbs and murdered her people of 'brown skin and curious red eyes' indiscriminately. She pulled out her knife and approached cautiously from behind him. She raised it, ready to quietly and quickly slit his throat....and at the last minute, she hesitated. She lowered her knife and fled into the blowing sand, her shocked group looking on in disbelief. Some gave way to ensuing panic and scattered. Many were killed by the Crimson Alchemist. And some that survived tried to brand her with the exiles tattoo. Her family had always been treated with wariness and suspicion by their people for being so strange and secretive. But most enjoyed the entertainment her family provided and not a few were mezmerized by her dancing, held spellbound by the Dance of Seven Veils.
At the last moment, a voice of reason stayed their mob violence and she was let free for the moment. She fled the encampment and headed for Lior after that. But some wanted a head on a platter, having accused her of being an infiltrator and traitor for not ending the life of the alchemist when she had the chance.
Would this Ishballan refugee know it was her behind the veil that day? Would he know that the arm he now had was partly determined by her failure to act? And the scar he now wore on his face as a constant reminder...was she truly to blame? Had she squandered her own knowledge on a singular worldly desire?
In private, her own heart accused her in this matter.
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Post by aspiredeathe on Jul 4, 2009 14:17:00 GMT -6
Jean half stumbled down the stairs, hair dishelleved, bleary eyed and not looking his happiest.
Markus rode on his back, looking rater energetic and ad proved this by chanting "Foodfoodfoodfoodfoodfoodfood." since e'd first opened is eyes.
The man walked into the kitchen, letting the boy down as he grunted a 'good morning'to te inhabitants, doing a splendid job of ignoring Drace and only by lack of perception, Saria.
"Whaddya want Mark?" The child loked from the strange new lady to is father with big eye as he thought about it.
"Hnmmm, cereal!" He exclaimed before looking back to the lady with a big smile "Hi. I live here.".
Jean went about making his son's breakfast, looking to Dante as he poured milk over the choco puffs "I thought we'd gotten rid of the rat problem?" He motioned to Drace, grabbing a spoon from the drawer and placing it and the bowl on the table.
Without being asked, Markus climbed onto a free chair and started gulping down the breakfast.
"How many times do I have to tell you to chew your food Markus?" Jean spoke with a stern tone.
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Post by rizahawkeye on Jul 4, 2009 14:22:09 GMT -6
Riza had fixed herself up before she went down the stairs to join her boyfriend and her son.
"Good morning everyone." she said, stifling a soft yawn.
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Post by silverviper2134 on Jul 4, 2009 14:23:49 GMT -6
"Yeah....or you could keep eating like that and end up choking to death. Doesn't matter either way to me" Arden said, walking away from Sarai. Hungry herself, she walked over to the refridgerator and grabbed an apple. Turning her head, she smirked to see her brother had finally gotten out from underneath the couch. "Done looking at your Playboy?"
"Piss off" Nikolai growled, walking over to the table and taking a seat. Obviously he was hungry too, though instead of sinking his teeth into some food, he decided to start trying to eat the table.
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Post by Scar on Jul 4, 2009 14:32:49 GMT -6
Scar never turned away from the stove as he began cracking eggs to put in a rather large bowl. "Crimson Alchemist..." He growled. He was loath to adress Kimblee by his real name. "If you continue smoking in this house, I will break both your arms, throw you in the pool, then enjoy watching you thrash around just before you drown." he warned. "The same will happen to you if you don't keep your mouth shut, Drace. If you continue referring to my wife by such lewd names, I will also castrate you." He added.
However, Drace's words had drawn his interest. Turning away from his work, he saw that the newcomer was indeed an Ishballan woman. Finally, another Ishballan. "I bid you welcome, Child of God." He greeted with a polite nod. "For a fellow Ishballan, this home will be strange at first, but you will hopefully grow accustomed to the strange antics of the others." Having finished greeting his countryman(woman), he then returned to fixing breakfast.
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Post by silverviper2134 on Jul 4, 2009 14:36:42 GMT -6
Nikolai had paused in slight fear when Sloth looked towards them. He knew Scar could be very violent when he got angry, and was sure Scar'd heard Arden mention her brother's magazines. Thankfully he apparently hadn't been paying attention.
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Post by dante on Jul 4, 2009 14:40:52 GMT -6
Dante took a small sip of her coffee, then looked up at the clock, frowning when she saw how late it was. It seemed her talk with Sarai took longer than she thought. She had to hurry and get ready if she planned on getting to the school on time. After taking one more quick sip, she put her coffee down on the counter and walked past her husband, placing a quick kiss on his cheek before making her way into the living room.
"These fools are going to be the death of me," she mumbled under her breath as she headed upstairs.
---------------------------------------------------
Dahlia yawned and closed her eyes, resting her head against the table. Although she was hungry, she was still very tired from watching television the night before.
Drace narrowed his eyes when he saw Dahlia at the table. He was tempted to make a remark, but stopped himself when he remembered who her parents were. He despised children and hated eating with them even more, but as long as he was a guest he would keep his mouth shut.
Sighing, the teenager leaned back in his chair and rubbed his temples. "Damn kids.."
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Post by silverviper2134 on Jul 4, 2009 15:01:14 GMT -6
"Oh, surely we're not all that bad" Arden said with a sly grin as she looked at Drace. She knew the teenager didn't like children. But, that was just even more of a reason to mess with his mind.
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Post by Zolf J Kimblee on Jul 4, 2009 15:40:20 GMT -6
[Ahh! I see now. Apparently, i kept previewing my post and yours came first.]
As level headed as she usually was, the entire experience was so disorienting. She smiled faintly at Arden's greeting and then pulled her hand away squeamishly. The girl had a very macabre sense of humor...very creepy. She was joking, wasn't she? Strange...the remark about her brother shocked her as well. Viewing pornography? What had she stumbled into here? So much perversion and poison filled this house!
Her heart skipped a few beats and sped up at the mention of the Crimson Alchemist. He was here, too? Living under the same roof with the man who took his arm, and killed their people? How did he endure his presence? And how could she herself suffer the man to keep living? Was she selling her own soul for an end she couldn't know? Was it worth the risk implied?
She gave him a warm smile and polite nod. "Thank you..seeing another Ishballan is a most welcome sight."
She was greatly relieved at Scars courteous welcome. Apparently he didn't recognize her as the young girl of a decade ago. And to put the icing on the cake, her jaw dropped as the chilly violet eyed woman walked over to him and kissed him goodbye before departing. What had this world done to this man that he would choose a partner such as this one?
Questions...questions...questions...
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Post by Zolf J Kimblee on Jul 4, 2009 15:47:12 GMT -6
Kimblee heard the growling Ishballan and wondered why he hadn't killed him in the desert. "Ah well..." he shrugged, "just karma biting me in the ass."
"So...what? I'm not allowed to smoke outside now?" he shouted from his chaise lounge on the porch. Smoke from his cigarette and Anthras' marijuana was carried by the breeze into the kitchen window.
He chuckled at his threats..."Go ahead...break my arms..I'll just paddle with my feet, or float. It's easy when you know how to RELAX! Something you need to learn to do."
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Post by dante on Jul 4, 2009 15:59:38 GMT -6
Dante walked downstairs a few minutes later, wearing her usual maroon dress with the white collar. Her shower had been fast and hardly enjoyable, but at least she had a few minutes to spare before she had to get ready for work. Walking back over to the counter, she leaned against it and brought her coffe mug to her lips, taking a sip.
Smelling smoke, she wrinkled her nose in disgust and brought her sleeve to her mouth and started coughing. "Scar, would you be a dear and close the window?"
When he noticed that his old friend had returned, Drace smiled and leaned forward. Ignoring Arden, he glanced over at the Ishbalan woman, then turned his attention back to Dante, a wicked smile forming on his face.
"So Dante, I'm surprised that this pretty young lady isn't at your throat yet. After all, you ordered that Ishbalan genocide thing, didn't you?" he asked.
If looks could kill, the blonde would be six feet under by now.
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