Chaos Precip

Fiction - Ashes to ashes

Thu, 30 Aug 2012 05:53:18 GMT

Posted by: dustydiary

June
Emma is gone.

I was worried. For the last month, she didn't seem to know me. I thought she was falling back into her fugue state. Then it hit me: there was a "she".

Before, her illness always gave her a part to play. Wife, mother, child, victim. And she made room for the people around her in that fantasy world. Now she had torn off a blindfold and was really seeing for the first time. She was just learning what she was really looking at.

She told me she wanted to go out on her own. So I handed her my rifle, and a pack of precious bullets - the last that I had. Little good they'd do me without a way to fire them, after all. And I told her where to find people, and where she could avoid them.

It's been a long time since I've drank any water. I started thinking about it again.

She might come back. She might need more of the purification water.

I guess I have to stay.

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Fiction - The Dust Witch

Tue, 31 Jul 2012 06:28:55 GMT

Posted by: dustydiary

April

I took Emma to a little camp down the hill from the pass. She's been doing a lot better. I want to see how she copes in crowds. If she does well enough, then maybe it'll be time to rethink things.

The whole camp was entranced by a hooded woman. I couldn't make out her race. Emma was in her child state, and she responded most strongly to the show.

The woman kneeled in the center of a pit of sand. She had only a few props, nothing more than scarves on sticks. She wore a black cloak that covered her completely, even her face and hands. It turned out that she was a storyteller.

She didn't speak in her own voice, not once. She used ventriloquism and used the scarves as proxies for the characters in her tale. They would ripple slowly or wave violently depending on the action. The voices were practiced and well-assured.

Her stories weren't just conversation. There was drama, and action. And at those moments, the scarves went away. The storyteller sat very still, then reached into the sand pit around her and threw handfuls into the air. But it didn't just fall. She controlled it with wind, with unbelievable precision. She carved the images of people, even whole scenes. It wasn't picture-perfect, but you could see peoples' silhouettes clearly. They would run and fight and chase each other, or swing swords or shoot guns. You could distinguish Human from Olia from Katzu, she was that good.

The animated sand shows couldn't last long, no more than a few seconds for a scene. But it was like watching a picture brought to life for a short time, and then she'd toss more sand up and bring another one to life. The effect was electrifying.

Her method was to tell a story, or enough of one to keep the audience attentive. Then one of her characters would announce that they were hungry and stopping to eat, and she'd stop too. Someone would bring the storyteller food, and the story would go on. She'd have someone express thirst, and get water or a fruit juice. It wasn't just food and drink, either. She built up a good Tyrant Mule's worth of cargo and supplies by the time the sun set.

I asked around. It seems she was a regular fixture here. Every few months she'd come back and trade stories for supplies. The regulars never got tired of her, and visitors found her style novel enough to be worth the goods.

Emma and I watched most of the day, coming back between other errands. We stayed far longer than we should have. But it made Emma happy, so it was worth it.

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Org Tower Notifications

Tue, 31 Jul 2012 03:26:22 GMT

Posted by: harmitwithspark

Xaldin,

We have been receiving letters warning us of bad things coming. You gave me some, I have received others. We may now be at war. I don't know how I let it get out of hand like this and I'm sorry. Sannish is here, I asked him to come help. Please talk to him?

Larxene.

Lexaeus,

You chose a poor time to return it seems. I'm sorry. A group has decided to go to war on us. We will need your help, please. Speak with Sannish, he is in charge of our defense plans.

Larxene.

Henry,

You have been with me as I read the letters and spoke to Mathew. We are going to war. I"m sorry. I don't know what our roles will be, Sannish will tell us. If you wish to send your daughter to my family they are willing to take care of her until it is safe in New York once more. Sannish's clan has made the same offer. If you need to go yourself I understand.

I'm sorry,
Larxene.

L. Lawliet,

L, I know you have been recuperating and focusing on matters outside of the city but I need you to turn your attention inward. We are going to war, outside forces have gathered around the city and may be moving soon. Sannish will be commanding our defense, please speak with him.

Larxene.

Belphegor

This is perhaps the hardest note to write. We are soon going to be at war and we cannot send the children away. We suspect the forces outside our city would move heaven and earth to get their hands on young, strongly gifted children. This tower will be the best place to defend, and you will be their main protector. We will coordinate with Sannish to devise evacuation plans and alternate defenses, and we will send who we can to aid you. I don't know yet what everyone's role will be but yours is with the children.

Please try to explain the coming war to them? I know they will be worried.

I'm sorry,
Larxene.

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Letters

Tue, 31 Jul 2012 02:35:10 GMT

Posted by: sliceitwithwind

Batou,
Remember that time in Lisbon? It's time to pay up, kit. It appears that not even the apocalypse can stop men from warring. We will be arranging a defence for New York City against those who intend to invade it. If you do not want your daughter to be involved you may leave her with my family.

~The Old Cat

Arebah Na of Dahnil,
There is a war brewing in New York. We could use your talents as expressed by your son. Please pass the word to those you trust.
~Sannish of Dahnil

Ms Aura Cayer,
Perhaps you remember me from some months back? As you and yours were able to cross the ocean I thought you might be able to help out with a potential war between New York and some who intend on taking it over.
Sincerely,
Arebah Na

Ranger Brea,
The Organisation has need of you. There is a war brewing in New York City. If you can come, do. Spread the word.

Sincerely,
Xaldin

Clarice and TJ Creed,
Well, kits, we'll be needing you to come and defend New York City. Bring those of the caravan who can help defend, we'll have need of everyone we can find.

~Sannish

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Mail: Undeliverable

Tue, 31 Jul 2012 01:07:02 GMT

Posted by: harmitwithspark

She'd been receiving interesting letters, bad news coming in a wave of worried notes and warnings. People wanted New York. People wanted a cure. People wanted, and that was worrisome.

Didn't they see that the Org didn't run New York? They helped, certainly, made it possible for people to live and work together but it wasn't their city. It was just a city they based themselves in. They helped.

She didn't understand why these people didn't just come forward to ask for help, to ask to move into the city. Peaceful. Civil. It wasn't hard!

More worrisome were the growing piles of letters in the mail room. Bins and boxes of mail that couldn't be delivered. She ran fingers through piles of letter to people she vaguely knew. They were her neighbors; people from nearby towns. Agnes wrote to her children in Watermark every week. Here were all her letters. The post delivery spot in Watermark was blocked.

Thom's sister in Valley? Here were the letters to her. Valley was blocked.

Five towns so far, in a vague ring around New York. Small towns. Towns she could only assume were taken over by those others had been warning about. She could send riders to check out the towns, but that would put people at risk if the occupiers were truly out to keep their 'secret'. She needed advice. A lot of advice.

( Naturally she sent a letter to an elder. )

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Arebah - Somewhere along the Gulf coast again- Open

Fri, 27 Jul 2012 04:29:54 GMT

Posted by: spaceformykits

It was a nice little tavern, and that was a nice change. The food was good, and there was a lot of it which was also good. It wasn't that Remy's cooking was bad (it was very, very good) but at times you just want something a little different. Not different enough to be her cooking, elements forbid, just a bit different.

The large Katzu was at a table in the open, nothing to hide here, perusing the menu (an actual menu! Burnt into a thin sheet of wood, but still, a little hint of civilization). This was a place where instead of lots of little tables there were five big ones, and most of the seats were filled. Not the ones around Arebah, however.

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Hollywood - Hadana, Beau

Fri, 27 Jul 2012 02:37:19 GMT

Posted by: cutestadventurer

After hearing about the fight happening in New York, Hadana had suggested they head somewhere in southern California. She knew the war likely wouldn't spread so far west, but she'd still rather be as far away as possible. The little Olia had been curiously quiet, too. Not melancholy or sad, just quiet.

Currently she was walking beside the caravan as they went up the side of a mountain. They'd heard rumors from the city along the way that there were ruins up here. She had bets that it was already picked clean if a city knew about it, but it could be worth investigating anyway. Besides, being up high always gave someone a new perspective.

"You think Xaldin would be mad I said we weren't friends?" she asks mama, jogging to catch up to the seat of the caravan. Then, hauling herself up onto its seat next to Beau. A pause as she looks up at the sky, "It's getting dark really quick tonight. Think there will be a storm?"

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San Diego - TJ & Havelock

Fri, 20 Jul 2012 04:34:54 GMT

Posted by: ex_noteasytobeblue307

San Diego was one of the nicer cities around, a good place with generally good people. Those who lived there were expected to follow the local religion, but they were tolerant of visitors who weren't standing in the streets denouncing it.

More importantly, to TJ, they had great festivals. Since there were so many resources around the city (and it was big enough to call itself a city, even if only barely) they had time for plenty of leisure activities. Activities like, say, a theatre company.

With Clarice on kid-duty, and no jobs immediately pulling them from the caravan, TJ managed to find a Space who could get her and Havelock out to the West Coast to take in one of the San Diego festivals, and a play.

This early in the day, though, there were booths of pretty fabric, fresh foods, fair foods, fortune-tellers, entertainers, games...just about anything one could ask from a festival!

TJ got some looks, of course she did, but since the majority of the people from San Diego recognized her the majority of strangers went with weird, but not dangerous and she was able to move around freely.

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A slightly less urgent letter to the Org

Sun, 08 Jul 2012 01:00:12 GMT

Posted by: bluephoneangel

::written in a number of different hands::

To The People That Are Known As The Org:

Hello there! Do hope we've not caught you at a bad time. There's a bit of a mess it seems. also a fire, but that wasn't our fault. Mostly. At least I didn't start it. But three men of various ages did. Well, one did, but that's not the point.

The POINT that I am trying to get to is that there seems to be something unpleasent brewing. I only wanted to get to Maine so I could find out why I want to get to Maine and we ran into these men. They wanted to start a war with the Org that, I will admit, we know only a little bit about. Something about things being 'unfair' but we're pretty sure that was a lie.

They were not nice men and Oda was quick to do a bit of damage, but sadly SpaceMan whisked them off to we know not where.

There might be pitchforks later. And torches too probably. Never was fond of those.

Which brings me back to fire which we did NOT start and which will probably be contained by now so don't worry about that.

Also don't worry about sending a letter back. I haven't the best memory and we tend to move around a lot so who knows where we'll be.

Though if you need help you could send the nice person without shadows to get us. We liked her.

Best Wishes!

Matthew Swift and Oda and others sometimes

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An Urgent Letter To The Org

Tue, 03 Jul 2012 04:31:24 GMT

Posted by: mom_rocks

To Whom It May Concern,

C/O: Xaldin of the Organization.

There may be trouble heading towards New York. We're currently in Arizona, and we've just finished dealing with a small group of people intent on helping to take down the Organization. We were not aware of this at the time of providing them with a map to New York, and it was only afterwards that we learned of their feelings of ill will towards the Org.

They're convinced that the Organization is hoarding information and keeping things from the general populous, mentioning something about a way to help humans with their difficult time with things after the Solution.

We are sorry to bring this to your doorstep, especially since we've just heard that there are other things going down at the moment for you as well.

My daughter and I aren't fighters, but if there's anything we can do to help, please send word.

Yours,

Beauregard Caldwell

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Out Arizona way - NY War preludes

Tue, 03 Jul 2012 01:45:39 GMT

Posted by: chaos_twisted

This totally got posted to the wrong journal. Please enjoy.

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some town in S.C. / Bill and Bors / Open

Sun, 24 Jun 2012 07:11:36 GMT

Posted by: no_andy_taylor

Bill hated traveling. Maybe not so much as he once did since being with Clarice, but it was different with her.

For one thing, Clarice was there, and for another, it usually involved popping around. Done in a blink, and back just as quick and easy.

It was nothing like the trek he and Bors were on now. Three days journey on lightening manes, what a pain in the ass, literally.

And, they were escorting a pain in the ass. Joy.

The mayor had business in Charlotte, though, and he wouldn't hear of anyone else doing the job of getting him there but his very best.

Which meant Bill and Bors.

In reality the trip wasn't going so bad. They made it this far, mostly without any hitches. One more day should see them across the border and there.

It was just, Bill hated being away from Wheelsy for so long. Places like this also made him uneasy. Strange folk, in a strange town, and arriving in the middle of the night didn't help anything.

After getting the mayor settled in Bill was ready to find a room for himself and turn in, but Bors wasn't quite ready for that yet.

"C'mon, mate, road's left me parched, let's 'ave a drink." Clapping Bill on the back, Bors nodded towards a tavern across the street from the inn.

Bill eyed the place and shook his head.

"Yeah, I need a drink from that place like I need a hole in the head, c'mon. I'm beat."

"S'jus' a little fun. We need a break after 'aulin' 'is majesty around. I'll even buy."

Still hesitant, Bill let Bors lead them across the road and into the tavern.

Bill was going to regret this, he just knew it.

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Prelude 1 ~ Fires in the Night

Sat, 16 Jun 2012 04:17:59 GMT

Posted by: chaos_twisted

The night across the prairie was cold and wet, the kind of chill in the air that presaged the start of the rainy season, or a snap frost in the morning. The fire amid the darkness was bright and beckoning, crackling cheerfully and dancing every time the wind shifted. There were three men sitting around it, holding chilled hands to the warmth while waiting for their stew to cook.

"Where we at Mitch?" one called, a strange sound amid the rustles of small wildlife.

"Somewhere east of where we were. Quit askin'" Mitch grumbled.

"How far we got?"

"Far enough. You stop askin' too."

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Arebah - Somewhere along the Gulf coast - Open

Sun, 10 Jun 2012 01:26:22 GMT

Posted by: spaceformykits

Remy wasn't a bad travelling partner. He was entertaining, smart, and could cook a hell of a lot better than Arebah could. They'd been chasing the missing shipment of his for months, now, and she could honestly say that she didn't mind being shaken out of her normal circuit, although she did miss her visit with her son.

Still and all, she'd been alone for some years between Henry's leaving and picking up Remy, and every now and then she needed to take some time to herself and wander off alone for a while. Often she did so by going hunting, no Olia was going to keep up with a Katzu in her prime, but sometimes she just informed him she was going for a walk and she'd be back when she was back.

That was what was up with her tonight; as day turned to dusk she simply walked along the edge of the little stream they'd camped near, easy and confident in herself. No worries, no hurries, just some quiet time to think.

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Letter to Larxene

Wed, 30 May 2012 21:29:52 GMT

Posted by: livingdeadpool

Dear Muffin,

Enclosed please find 1 (one) Moose-skin bikini. I hope it's the right size. Also find 3 (three) rodents of unusual size, deceased. Miss you!

Love,

Deadpool

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??? - California?

Wed, 30 May 2012 00:55:55 GMT

Posted by: mom_rocks

It's been a long day of crossing flatlands, but as the end of the day draws near, Beau and Hadana come across the edge of a forest. It's a quick decision to stop there for the night, and after everything is secured, Beau sends her daughter out for firewood while she begins making dinner.

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An Open Letter To The Org

Tue, 29 May 2012 23:34:57 GMT

Posted by: mom_rocks

To Whom It May Concern,

Firstly, allow me to introduce myself. My name is Beau Caldwell, and for the past twenty years my family and I have made a point of traipsing all over this new world and gathering up what we could in order to help not only ourselves, but everyone else.

During this time, we've come across many a species of flora or fauna that we have never encountered before and enclosed is a carefully maintained log of that we've managed to come across so far.

It is our intention to continue to explore this new world of ours and see what other secrets it has for us to find, so, if you are amiable, we can continue to send updates on what we have found.

Yours,

Beauregard Caldwell

(As transcribed by Hadana Caldwell)

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Org Tower ~ Aya, open

Fri, 18 May 2012 05:18:11 GMT

Posted by: mitochondriaaya

Aya did actually lose her lunch after the last teleport. having to hop a Space or three to get back to New York had left her more than a little queasy. Granted, she could have sent a message to the Org but she hadn't been sure how to word it.

'OH ELEMENTS WHAT IS THIS THING?! COME GET ME AND SEE!'

Yeah, not exactly what she wanted as scuttlebutt in the tower, nor a tone she wanted to set. She didn't think the thing was worth panicking over...yet. Not until she knew more anyway. For that she'd needed a biologist, which meant6...back to the east coast. At this rate she'd never get back home.

Instead she'd boarded Lunkhead in a small town after killing some things annoying the herds, wrapped her specimen (alive, in a large jar) in a burlap sack and...hopped teleports.

Urgle.

The lady at the entrance to the tower passed her a handkerchief without a word then waited for her to compose herself. Aya really appreciated that. "I need to speak with anyone who might know anything about biology if they have time?" The woman was happy to spread the word.

Aya was...just going to set her wrapped jar on a bench and sit outside for a bit, gulping air.

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Trying to prepare.. Incognito (Org Tower – Day time – OPEN)

Sun, 13 May 2012 17:34:42 GMT

Posted by: resonant_eve

Pacing through the quieter halls of the Org Tower, Eve and her shadow tried to shrink into the décor, attempting to stay under the radar and avoid being seen... or sensed. She’d visited rooms that were exclusively unpopular to that purpose, but ventured not once, but twice into an exceedingly bright room more prone to unexpected visitors. This room, she’d assumed, was full of ‘helpful’ things, but gave a hefty sigh as she realised, it was someone else’s space. After all, despite that this was an important purpose, a task that wasn’t taken lightly by a serious young girl, she didn’t need to be caught stealing from someone’s room. Big, BIG trouble.

“Hmmmm.”

It hadn’t been long since she’d slipped from the group of children playing outside, but the thought finally crossed her mind; it probably wouldn’t be long before she was noticed missing. Close to getting all she needed, Eve shrugged and moved on, toting the shoe sized box under an arm.

“Next tiiiiime.” Eve blurted out to herself.

She’d managed to find three of the six things on her list, but with little time to spare, she’d have to try again.

However…

Returning to her group undiscovered was not as easy as she anticipated.

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Another mess gotten into... [open]

Fri, 11 May 2012 04:41:39 GMT

Posted by: bluephoneangel

"Well Oda, this is just great." Matthew Swift frowned down at the map he'd been given before looking over at his horse. She ignored him in favor of snuffling for something to eat under a fallen log.

"I could have sworn we were on the right track, but I think your nose has pulled us off the trail." Should have been paying more attention. He reached over and swatted his horse with the map and she glared at them, rattling her quills.

"We know, we know. But still... Let's try this way." He picked up her bridle and he headed off on what they hoped was the way into town.

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It's been a while... but he's back - Lexaeus (open)

Thu, 10 May 2012 02:58:21 GMT

Posted by: solidnotstupid

It had been a long time.

Of course, he could have returned at any time, but things had always seemed fragile. Moving between places he could accept, justify, allow himself. There was a fault line to deal with here, a settlement to investigate there... always something to do, of course, so why would he want to come to New York other than to feed his own selfish desire for a familiar bed and a lab he knew like the back of his hand? The last few months had been spent observing a minor squabble amongst the leaders in Tegucigalpa, which had proven entirely pointless as the matter had been settled without any waves made, but he didn't consider the time lost. It was nice knowing that what was stable remained stable. Or as stable as it could.

Now, though, Everett had brought him back. The weedy young man had slipped away almost immediately to do whatever he did in his spare time, which left him alone in his lab. Staring at equipment that now felt alien after all the time away, he decided that his time would best be spent working on something simple so as to better figure out where he should go next.

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Fiction - The horse-traders

Sun, 29 Apr 2012 06:08:14 GMT

Posted by: dustydiary

So this old man, a human, comes down the other day. He does a deal with Mannie, as much alcohol as he can carry back. They talk like they've known each other awhile. Then Mannie comes over.

"Hey, your horses were feeling sick, yeah?" he asks me. I say yeah, that's why we brought them to Seattle.

"Talk to that guy. Get him as much water as you can find, though, and don't mind anything he says." So I tell Mannie that there's a dozen good veterinarians in the area. And he tells me, "none of them work for booze."

These are words of wisdom. We're running on a really thin margin until these horses get to market, and we've already lost time after they fell sick, but the herders are swimming in alcohol because there's nothing else to do when you're herding seven species of unruly beast. So I call the old man out.

Sure enough, he starts rambling at me. "Get me plenty of water," he says. "Keep it covered, don't let any new impurities into it." What the hell? We're by a lake.

I'm doing as I'm told here, because I've been dealing with Mannie for years and his friends can't be all bad. I round up some of the boys and tell them we've got ourselves a vet. So they start a bucket brigade up. And while he's doing his thing, I ask him what he's going to do. Don't healers normally just .. you know, heal something?

"This isn't like regular healing," the old man explains while he works. "It's more.. hmm. Purify water enough, and it starts becoming pure more than just physically. Essential water. Water of the heart. Water so pure it'll burn away anything wrong with whoever drinks it." And I think he's got a lot of nerve talking about purity, since he's knocking back whiskey after every other sentence.

So I ask him maybe if he wants to buy a horse. I didn't see him come down so it's worth a shot. "Rode down on a canoe," he explains, pointing the half-empty bottle up the mountains to the east.

The horses start in on the purified water. Hopefully this will work out. Mannie looks confident. So I try the sales pitch again, figuring I can maybe get something out of him: Well how are you gonna get back up, I ask.

"My canoe. Gonna ride it back up," grins the Water Master. Then he takes my booze and he's gone, just like that.

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Colorado Rocky Mountains, Outpot town ~ Aya Brea (open)

Fri, 27 Apr 2012 03:50:21 GMT

Posted by: mitochondriaaya

The Rocky Mountains, and the twisted parody of such the chaos storms had turned them into, were never one of Aya's favorite places to ride through. The alternating between knife edged rock, creepy strangle vines, and seismic, shuddering slides was NEVER good terrain to cross.

Oh, and the monsters. She was a monster hunter, there were ALWAYS monsters, but at least they were normally in her own ranges. Didn't mean she could let the centipede that was about a quarter mile long and running off with a stewbeast get away.

No matter how many caves it crawled through, or how she had to leave Lunkhead on a ridge (he always found her again), caves, dark, hot, cold, glowing crystals, screaming lichen, ah, centipede lair.

Bruising. Lots of bruising...

...and trying to find her way out again, taking a wrong turn and finding...

...oh. Oh poor baby.

The Moogle in the little hollow was so dirty as to be almost the same color as the stone around it, curled and tucked as tight as possible away from the world. It screamed when she touched it, whimpered when she got it wrapped up in her coat...and had fallen to convulsive shuddering by the time she made it out of the caves and back to her mount.

Lunkhead found the nearest town and thankfully there was a Space who could send a message.

Aya felt naked without her coat on, but the moogle needed it more. So a bruised, but obviously very female, hunter was sitting on the steps of the Space's house, hat pulled low, a wrapped bundle in her lap, and hoping that the Org sent someone fast.

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South of Chicago ~ Clarice Creed (open)

Fri, 27 Apr 2012 03:27:31 GMT

Posted by: noteasytobepink

Sure, cities and towns were nice, But Clarice liked when they were all away from walls and houses, out on the cold dark prairie at night by a fire.

She liked it even MORE when she was plotting something. Such as now.

Yes, she was watching her companions rather closely across the fire, eyes following their hand movements as they spoke and finally, FINALLY, she decided it was a damn good time to just sigh and lift a hand for attention. "So...when are you two love birds just going to admit you like each other?"

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Mammoth Caves - Showdown

Tue, 24 Apr 2012 20:33:00 GMT

Posted by: chaos_twisted.insanejournal.com

It was to be a special night. One of the sacrifice nights, where they all gathered in the caves and came together in order to celebrate the removal of one more demon from the world. Julie hadn't told L what was to happen, she simply fluttered around more cheerfully than usual. All those entering the caves had an air of celebration, of festivity. They trickled in from the surrounding town, the farms, smiling and chatting as though on their way to a party.

Tillden was in the cave above the womb room, standing at the alter and smiling benevolently at his congregation as they filtered in and took their places. Julie hustled L to a spot near the middle, patting his shoulder and arm repeatedly, "I told you that he would like you." she murmured, "You should be honoured, we do not add to the true congregation that often."

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