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Post by citizenmike on May 17, 2009 12:48:09 GMT -5
"Miss Veronica, personally I... I will do my best not to disappoint your intentions."
Veronica stood over the steps as she waited for Syl to exit the library and replied with a smile, "Think nothing of it".
Veronica motioned to it as it approached her and said, "Of course. As embarrassing as it sounds, even I have yet to memorize the names of the streets of this city. All I know is the way. Let's go west!"
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Post by sacredrapture on May 17, 2009 13:01:05 GMT -5
Myzrael flew over the city, the wind caressing his face. After the forest, this jungle of concrete and metal met him. He sighed.
He dodged between buildings lazily, his eyes scanning the ground for any sign of activity. A bright shimmer caught his attention, and he started to descend. From what he could make out at the height he was flying, there seemed to be a giant crystal jutting out of the ground, near some fountains. As his feet finally hit the ground, his eyes widened to see Arqus inside the crystal, seemingly imprisoned in it.
He walked around the crystal slowly, analyzing it. If it was anything like the crystal Arqus could morph into, he doubted he could break it. A twinge of annoyance flit across his face. He didnt like meeting things he couldnt defeat, let alone blow up. His expression softened though, as he thought of Arqus. He was inside the crystal for a reason. However Myzrael didnt think it necessary to disturb his current state.
He looked over to the fountain. It did not have any water in it, and looked quite old. He looked at Arqus, and then back at the fountain again. He concentrated, and suddenly a burst of clear water issued from it, and it flowed freely, filling the fountain with water once more. Myzrael touched one of the marble statues attached to the fountain. Such craftmanship. How beautiful.
Myzrael took flight, and made sure a single black feather drifted down and floated on the water. With one last look at the being imprisoned in crystal, Myzrael flew away.
A short while later, Myzrael came upon the library. He had no intention of entering, as to him humans were fascinating, but not necessarily more intelligent than he was, so to him reading books was really quite out of the question. He sensed he was not alone, and as he looked down, caught the sight of movement. He saw it was Veronica and another person he did not recognize. He pondered whether to join them or not.
'Hmmm.' He thought. He hovered in midair as he was lost in contemplation.
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Post by cyansky on May 17, 2009 13:15:58 GMT -5
Syl nodded and followed Veronica. Admittedly it trailed her like a little puppy to its master, but now it couldn't be helped. SYl wanted to know more, and at the moment it was not interested in books. The books in the library all looked the same anyway - boring and uninteresting. Syl liked to read, provided that the content was good. Not so with the books in the library.
Then, Syl sensed a strong energy floating above them. Its eyes wandered upward, scanning the skies. Then, it saw it, a winged, black dot hovering up them, flapping its wings slowly. That energy felt familiar... so very familiar... From what it could tell, this being was not affiliated with any malevolant dimension; that was good. Yet, its power was considerable.
The energy fluctuates somewhat, as if it's tied to another source, or perhaps it has a focus crystal somewhere - something that it uses to back up its power, thought Syl carefully, Angels are notorious for doing that when that when they sojourn for longer periods of time outside of their realms. Magic-users do that too. Hmm... interesting. The information that my senses are getting are at the moment too sketchy to determine how its power matches up with mine. If we are fairly equal, or if it senses my own hidden power, it might see me as a threat. I can't have that.
Syl pulled on Veronica's sleeve.
"Please forgive me if this is rude in your culture," said Syl, "but I believe that someone is watching us. Look above us. Do you see that winged being?"
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Post by citizenmike on May 17, 2009 13:25:47 GMT -5
Veronica looked up and murmured, "Myzrael,". Turning to Syl, Veronica noticed a look of concern in its expression; she couldn't blame it, based on her experience with him, she really didn't quite know what to make of it.
Be cool, Johnny would tell her.
Looking up, Veronica waved.
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Post by sacredrapture on May 17, 2009 13:30:19 GMT -5
Myzrael saw Veronica wave at him. He grimaced. He felt he was being made a fool of, having to be waved over by a human. Nevertheless, he descended slowly, all the while looking at the newcomer.
He was staring intently at Myzrael. Or at least he assumed it was a male; his features were quite androgynous. There was something about him ( or her) that Myzrael couldnt put his finger on. As powerful beings were predisposed to feeling energy levels in their surroundings, it seemed this one had quite a large spike on Myzraels scale.
As Myzrael landed, his wings faded. He looked over at Veronica.
'Hello. Has it been three days? Ive lost track of time'. Myzrael said a little sheepishly.
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Post by cyansky on May 17, 2009 13:41:45 GMT -5
Those black wings... that aura... this was definitely a Type 1 Fallen Angel - otherwise known as a dark angel. How... interesting. Syl still couldn't remember its past, but it was familiar with angels. It must have interacted with them before in the past.
Angels had a sixth sense where they could sense the power of other supernatural beings and of their surroundings, like Syl. This one was probably no exception. One piece of evidence that supported that notion was that this being must have been high in the angelic ranks before its fall... its power was considerable.
Syl smiled, stepped and bowed respectfully.
"Greetings, dark angel," it said politely. Despite its best efforts, some awkwardness was still present, "what a nice day to see you here. Please, I apologize if I have unnerved you in any way, but please trust my words - I mean you no harm."
It looked at the dark angel intently.
"Also, if you find my apperance androgynous," said Syl, in a firendly tone as it could manage, "I will say that you may assume me to be whatever gender you you wish. Same with you, miss Veronica."
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Post by sacredrapture on May 17, 2009 13:50:35 GMT -5
Myzrael looked over at the newcomer. He found his greeting a bit too theatrical. He ignored it. As for its contention that it meant no harm, well.. Myzrael would be the judge of that.
'If you say so' Myzrael said, in a bored tone. This being sure was acting strangely. Maybe it was overly friendly. Or maybe it simply was trying to fit in. If it was, it was doing a terrible job. Or maybe it was trying to hide something past its calm and seemingly overly extroverted attempts at etiquette.
As the being said, unnerving. Thats how he came off to Myzrael. He would have to keep a watch on this one.
'Great'. He thought. 'First Trace, now i have to contend with another one. This city sure has its ways of throwing the most random of creatures together'. He thought sarcastically, a smug smile creeping over his face.
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Post by citizenmike on May 17, 2009 13:54:29 GMT -5
"A couple days, give or take. How have you been?"
Veronica kept her eyes on Myzrael, whatever was going to happen, she was ready. She turned to Syl at the sound of her name, and smiled, but quickly turned back to Myzrael.
Veronica figured it was best to keep her guard down. Thinking back earlier to their time together in the hotel and the sewers, he didn't once try to antagonize them. If anything, given his own reasons, he was an ally...
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Post by Trace on May 17, 2009 14:01:41 GMT -5
Trace had felt their presence from miles away, and had made it his task to get to them as quickly as possible. He was getting bored of traveling in the shadows. He stepped out of the shadows just in front of them, and greeted them with a grin.
"Evenin guys. How did people enjoy their days off? Personally, I got blind stinking drunk."
Trace noticed a figure he hadn't met before, one that he hadn't met during his time in the sewers.
We should trust any newcomers, don't say a word.
The voice in Trace's head had become so anti-social recently. Trace pointed a finger at the newcomer.
"Anyone mind filling me in on the newguy before I light him up like a christmas tree?"
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Post by citizenmike on May 17, 2009 14:06:35 GMT -5
Veronica pushed herself before Trace and said, rather sternly, "Don't!". Veronica took a deep breath to collect herself before saying, "This is Syl. Syl is new here and brings no harm, and I would appreciate it, if you could show some compassion... Syl is no different from the rest of us."
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Post by Trace on May 17, 2009 14:14:52 GMT -5
Trace looked at the newguy, Syl as Veronica called him. He looked at Veronica, the grin still plastered across his face.
"Why would he be different that the rest of us V? Everyone in this god forsaken city are in the exact same situation as the rest of us." Trace walked past Veronica and up to Syl, and poked him in the chest. "And I'm as willing to kill you as any of the rest of them if you cross me or anyone else, got that?"
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Post by citizenmike on May 17, 2009 14:21:39 GMT -5
Veronica quickly ran up to Trace and shielded Syl from him. "Trace, please stop... I assure you, Syl means no harm. It's only looking for answers," Veronica stopped, she realized it was the first time she ever assigned a gender role to Syl. Even though she couldn't quite tell what it was, she felt somewhat uncomfortable. Looking back at Trace, Veronica finished her sentence and said, "Just like the rest of us. Please, lets try to get along."
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Post by cyansky on May 17, 2009 14:22:02 GMT -5
Syl looked at this one up and down, both with its eyes and senses. The wings on this being were absent, but it could clearly feel its aura. It seeped out, covering the area like an oppressive blanket.
A type 2 fallen angel for sure. otherwise known as 'demonic angels,' 'the Fallen,' 'Archdemons' and various other aliases, thought Syl, the aura is unmistakable. I must be prudent. Type 2 fallen angels are much more aggressive, egotistical and self-centered than type 1 fallen angels. In fact, they often make type 1 fallen angels look like minnows. Hell does that to beings of power.
Syl remembered Veronica mutter the name 'Myzrael' as the dark angel landed, so that must be his name.
Syl stepped away and nodded before this newcomer.
"Ah, greetings," said Syl, "I suppose you're the one called 'Trace?' As miss Veronica mentioned, my name is Sylredrae, or 'Syl.' As with our dear friend Myzrael, I'm pleased to make your aquaintance, and yes, I do get the message. Ah, and Myzrael, I suppose you're right in this case. We're all odd, aren't we? Even you."
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Post by Trace on May 17, 2009 14:28:12 GMT -5
Trace laughed at Syl's comment. While the laugh was honest enough, Trace couldn't get over the feeling that he was being analysed.
"Oh Myz, he's got you pegged. Odd doesn't quite cover it though. I like the word oddball."
Trace looked around the group, finally turning his attention to Veronica.
"Where's Johnny? I've got some stuff that I need to discuss with him."
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Post by citizenmike on May 17, 2009 14:37:48 GMT -5
"He's probably still at the hotel.", Veronica replied. "Though I wouldn't be surprised if we encounter him along the way."
<***>
Johnny felt liberated. If anything, telling Veronica who he was, was the best thing he could do for her. He wasn't gonna let who he was get in the way of who he is.
Stepping inside the Gun Store, Johnny felt a sense of leadership. Somehow, people were counting on him, and whatever happened, he had to come prepared. Johnny remembered those El Mariachi movies... Looking down at his guitar case, Johnny smiled.
"I could be the Mariachi."
Johnny smiled at the absent minded clerk, walked behind the glass counter, and took revolver and stocked up on bullets.
He might need it... So might Roth.
Johnny tapped the clerk on the shoulder and placed his guitar case on the counter top, opened it, and asked the clerk, "What can you do with my guitar?"
The clerk shrugged.
<***>
Johnny stepped out of the store. His gun held in a holster at his side and his fingers firmly gripped on the guitar case.
Smiling, Johnny lit his cigarette and started walking.
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