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May 29, 2016 23:42:44 GMT
Post by RYOU on May 29, 2016 23:42:44 GMT
01 I missed the smell of the homemade sauces of kwek kwek and squid ball carts while I cycle down the streets. I missed the household lizards startling me as it darted across walls during my midnight snack, and the cheap buko juice that was fresh from its husk and buyable just around the corner. I missed the manong yelling “taho!” that drew my mixed-breed dog, seven years old, to respond with a lethargic howl; and, of course, I missed the lively cheer of my family whom I had never parted with outside school field trips and religious retreats. My time in the states was leaving me lonely and in constant fatigue. The constancy that had always been beside me was a stinging absence in my quiet apartment, a two-story building with scintillating glass windows that overlook a splendorous garden, with an outdoor table and chair cuddling with dried leaves and red and orange pollens. I had never found use for those as I found nature even more silent than the paintings that hang in every room. My constant companion was the television, which I left blathering whenever I was at the apartment. I almost wished there was trouble about to keep my thoughts away. But when I do go to the church, I don’t make any wishes. I speak to God, but even more so, I speak to the priest and other church-goers because, unlike God, I can hear them talk back to me; and when my hour in the church was over, I proceeded to investigate the streets, keeping my eyes peeled, watching strangers ignore me in my normal flesh and skin. When they hear the name “Ryou,” they imagine a giant dragon soaring through the sky and breathing out fire, not a muscled teenager with a ponytailed lavender hair. It doesn’t make me gloomy. Humility was the right way to accept it and with that in mind, I could fully embrace the obscurity. As I turned away from a young, male teenager shaking hands with another hero, I found a person right in front me. Startled, I began to stutter an apology and moved to duck my way to the side, when I must have felt the gaze searching for my eyes that I stopped and looked up, and saw a man with an eye patch like a pirate in storybooks, but young and none of the crooked, yellow teeth or evil smile. His eye was a dim emerald, watching me. I took a few steps back to give him space. “Hello,” I said politely, confused enough to momentarily forget to smile. wildfire (tell me if I need anything edited!) |
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Post by wildfire on May 30, 2016 0:07:27 GMT
 The report had read something along the lines of, "there will be an attack in Old Town two weeks from today". Of course, it would be too convenient if additional details other than 'attack' had been provided to Ordric. In fact, he'd fished for answers from the Gazette but there were none to be found. But if he was being sent to Kingswood, that could be troublesome. It was never a good sign if a disaster was positioned to strike at the heart of the city. "Strange," he comments and smiles back at Ryou, all before following up with the the password phrase. "The air smells vaguely of sulfur." The air, in fact, did not smell like sulfur. It smelled like fresh-cut grass, because the lawns in the area were regularly mowed thanks to generous property taxes. But if Ryou was his intended partner at the rendezvous, then he would know understand what he meant. Fortunately, the Initiative had foreseen it would be difficult to send out notice to all responding heroes. Thus, they had been instructed to approach others milling about the designated area and ask whether or not they smelled sulfur in the air. Those that were there to aid were to respond with, "They say there'll be fire and brimstone too."Those that were not there to volunteer would likely arch a brow before turning on their heel, away from said persons who were adamant about smelling something unusual in the air. RYOU (can do! i'll be responding in 3rd person though since that's what i'm most comfortable with) |
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Post by RYOU on May 30, 2016 1:27:17 GMT
02 Someone recognized me. It was like a spark waking my languid mind. I straightened my back, hardened my eyes, and donned a mask of seriousness, one more soldierly than the solemn face I already had. My heart had already began to race. I understood what the man with the eyepatch meant. I almost glanced back at the other hero in the vicinity who was still occupied shaking hands and taking pictures; perhaps this arrangement was meant to be. "They say there’ll be fire and brimstone, too." I made sure I uttered every word right, overly concerned that I might stutter, give the wrong reply, and make the man walk away. I ran quickly what I just said in my head to make certain. Twice. Swaying with some hesitation, I asked in a low voice, "What's the situation?" It had been a quiet day in Kingsport so far. I was not aware of latest updates that could change shatter the normalcy at once. wildfire |
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Post by wildfire on May 30, 2016 3:54:32 GMT
Ah, there it was. Ordric offers the younger hero a smile. "Well met," he says to him. Whoever this kid was, he looked awfully stiff. "You must be here to investigate as well, considering you recognized the phrase."His uncovered eye scans the area. It's still quiet, still peaceful. "No one knows yet. That's what we're here for. I wasn't told whether any seers were consulted about what might occur, so we may be the best that the Initiative has at the moment."But before they got anything done, there were other matters to clear. "I'm afraid I can't say I was given any information about you beforehand," Ordric says with a sheepish expression. It was difficult to tell when you received a partner with little to no information on them prior to a mission. "My name's Wildfire. Who are you?" Read as: what are you? RYOU |
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May 30, 2016 10:46:41 GMT
Post by RYOU on May 30, 2016 10:46:41 GMT
RYOU III I listened actively like an honor student afraid to miss a crucial fact. And that was what I was. An honor student since elementary from Ateneo de Manila until I stopped studying all together to follow my calling in Kingston a year ago. But I found out that none of the studies apply anymore in the real world and I must have forgotten chunks of what I’ve learned by now, replaced by the statistics of casualty I hear every day and the espionage training being rigorously hammered into my head. Investigation was supposed to be a forte of mine. But while I could gather every piece of evidence by sneaking into ribald bars and high-security facilities, I wasn’t good at putting them together. So all I could do was nod, having nothing to contribute. I hadn’t been directly informed about the case. That did happen from time to time. I reflexively smiled at the man’s sheepish expression. It was fine. I wasn’t a well-known face in the Initiative just as it was with the public. “Sir, I am Ryou,” I answered. At the back of my mind, I was thinking of Wildfire. It sounded very familiar. “Rank C, shapeshifter.” wildfire |
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May 30, 2016 16:07:12 GMT
Post by wildfire on May 30, 2016 16:07:12 GMT
"Well met, Ryou," Ordric replies with a nod. Shapeshifter? Appropriately adaptable, especially considering the fact that they had little to no information on what might eventually occur. "Wildfire, Rank S. I've got a few tools to help with damage control." It was a vague response, but a true one nonetheless. The only other piece of information about said accident being investigated was that it would occur in Old Town. While Kingswood was not Old Town, there were bound to be people in the area who had ties to the neighborhood, or those who were from the area and simply conducting business in the center of the city. This was supposed to be a patrol team, but Ordric felt as though what they were patrolling for was still pending. "There... doesn't seem to be anything out of the ordinary in this area," he notes with a small frown. "I suppose we should start by surveying the perimeter and targeting where a large amount of damage could happen. The most crowded areas are likely the most at risk."RYOU |
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Post by RYOU on Jun 1, 2016 0:11:24 GMT
RYOU IV “Rank S?” I uttered under my breath, my eyes enlarging and my brows reaching high. What an honor! I caught myself gawking but did not stop, the vagueness of Wildefire’s power adding a veil of mystery that, with my little imagination, astounded me further. I have never worked with someone so high up in the ranks. I was partly excited, and partly concerned that perhaps this was a mistake. Was I really fit to work on a mission that needed a Rank S hero? I opened my mouth to speak of my suggestion. There were other heroes in this area. It would be better to spread out and cover a different ground. But the thought disappeared into the air as I swallowed, extremely nervous, my heart weighing like a brick in my chest. I have to say something! “Let’s go to Old Town.” That was where the Initiative believed the attack would be at. If they were right. “Please – I mean, if you don’t mind. We can go to Old Town and investigate there.” Because what else would there be to do? I mentally slapped my forehead. My British accent was creeping in. I was told that was what my English sounded like when I get jittery. I realized I had forgotten to say something important. When I remembered, I practically yelled right at Wildfire’s face. “I can take us there! Um – excuse me!” I called the attention of some tourists. “Could you move for a bit? I need the space. Thank you!” I then glanced at Wildfire, bearing a shy smile. “You should probably move aside too. It might be a bit too hot for you. Literally!” I added quickly, waving my arms in front of me. My nervousness, though still as thick as ooze in my every word and action, was slowly being overcome by excitement. I had to show what I was capable of and I knew what I was about to do was flashy enough for most people. wildfire |
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Post by wildfire on Jun 1, 2016 4:23:47 GMT
"Don't worry about it," he says, trying to reassure Ryou. "I wasn't assigned as your superior for this mission." Only after those words were said and done did he realize he wasn't entirely sure if those were comforting words to hear. Heading straight for Old Town seemed like a sound plan though. "That would be wisest -- " Ordric blinks twice as Ryou enthusiastically insists he can take them there. That was pretty convenient. He gives Ryou a small nod before shuffling a few feet away from the shapeshifter. He half expects the kid to turn into a giant vehicle. There's an expectant look on his face as he waits to be impressed by the hero. After all, if he's going to make that big of a deal over it, Ordric's expecting something good. RYOU |
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Post by RYOU on Jun 1, 2016 5:44:06 GMT
RYOU V It happened in an instant like some sort of magic show. A blinding light burst from where I stood followed by rolling hot clouds of steam. I moved my new hands, reared my new head, flapped my new wings and swished my new tail. My obsidian scales seemed to absorb the light of the sun as the steam descended and cleared away. I was a proud dragon, not a dog, but I shook my giant body like I were shaking water out of my fur anyway. Inside, I could feel myself grinning. Fingers pointed at me and phones clicked away as they rapidly took pictures. In hindsight, if our suspects were around the vicinity, then they would surely know that Initiative was onto them. Our drop in Old Town wouldn’t be without eyes either. The realization didn’t dampen my mood. I’m sure we’ll be fine. I lowered my chest to the ground and laid my wing down like red carpet for Wildfire. I jerked my head, signaling for him to climb on board. Once he was settled, then we go for the skies. wildfire (ooc: lmao I laughed at Wildfire expecting him to turn into a vehicle xD) |
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Post by wildfire on Jun 6, 2016 5:37:19 GMT
The transformation was incredibly showy, and Ordric briefly wondered if he should have asked Ryou how the shapeshifter intended on taking them to Old Town. On the other hand, it was common knowledge that Initiative members patrolled all areas of Kingsport. Having someone suddenly turn into a dragon in the middle of the green space was not exactly unusual. "Not bad at all," he commented with a small nod. "Can't say I've ever flown on a dragon before, but I suppose there's a first time for everything."He moved towards Ryou's lowered wing with a thoughtful expression, examining the scales on it for a moment. They were smooth, and for a moment he wondered if this was actually a good idea. After all, where on earth was he supposed to hang on? It was relatively clear that Ryou's intention was to fly them over to Old Town. Falling from that height sounded unpleasant, even if he was able to slow himself to a softer fall. Once he'd managed to climb onto Ryou's back, Ordric wrapped his arms around one of the dragon's spines. "I suppose this will work," he said to the dragon. RYOU (i mean you never know...) |
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Post by RYOU on Jun 8, 2016 6:12:58 GMT
RYOU VI The comment made my inner grin grow wider. It wasn’t much, but it still came from an S-rank hero. I beat my wings slowly at first until my feet hovered above the ground. Awed cries erupted from the bystanders as my wings increased in speed and blew out bigger gusts of wind. We slowly ascended in the air and when we were twenty-five feet above, I blasted to the sky. I kept our altitude low enough for Wildfire not to freeze on my back, the skyscrapers racing above not too far under us. It was unfortunate that I couldn’t speak in my draconic form. There were many things I wanted to ask Wildfire. I have never thought about meeting a hero of his rank until now and my mind was running with many things. What was his most dangerous mission? How many of the elite had he worked with? How long had he been in the Initiative, and what made him join the force for the greater good? I watched the buzzing city below instead, wondering if rampant crime was currently going on in one of its many streets. When a familiar radio tower came into sight, I knew we were approaching Old Town. It would have only taken five minutes to get there if I were in full speed, but I was aware that my back wasn’t equipped for riding so I put up a more leisure pace for Wildefire’s sake. It was time for us to descend. I searched for an open area and, after five more minutes of looking, found one at the edge of the town. If I remembered right, this was the Factory District, a place notorious for its high crime rate. There was no gaping crowd to greet us when I made my descent. The place was strangely empty. Barely dodging a utility pole, I lowered us back to the ground and allowed Wildfire down my wing again. wildfire |
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Post by wildfire on Jul 2, 2016 1:38:11 GMT
Only after he'd climbed onto Ryou's back did Ordric realize he should have taken additional factors into consideration. For example, other than the spines lining the dragon's back, there was very little to hold onto. Additionally, who knew how high the shapeshifter intended on flying? He could only hope that Ryou had done this before and had already learned the appropriate altitude to fly at with a person on his back. The Factory District made for a bizarre contrast as opposed to the park from earlier. Although the Initiative intended for the two of them to investigate an instance of chaos, there was only a sheet of silence that blanketed the area. A pensive expression rested upon Ordric's face as he carefully made his way down the incline of Ryou's wing. "Thank you, Ryou," he says to the shapeshifter. "That might have been one of my fastest trips into Oldtown." With that, his single eye returned to surveying the area. "There doesn't appear to be anything out of the ordinary. I was told that we should be searching for any signs of chaos. The... silence suggests otherwise, does it not?"RYOU (hi......) |
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