It needs to be fleshed out and explained, but I've got the main idea out. So there.
It wasn't sure how long it laid there in the growing pool of it's own blood or how long the beating had lasted. Master must have been really angry this time, not judging by the severity of the punishment, but by the strategic manner in which he struck. Each blow more painful and shocking than the last.
The poor creature knew nothing beyond this existence, didn't even know of death or to wish for it because it had endured a mockery of life. It wasn't born. If it had had a mother, she could only be known as science. A blasphemous conglomeration of DNA thrown into a head on collision with man's curiosity.
It must have lost consciousness, because when it awoke, it's wounds were bandaged. But this was part of the cycle, to be a target, then healed, only to be a target once more. It learned never to fight or else the pain was only increased. And thus was it's existence.
Until she came.
She had taken it away from the dankness, had removed the shackles, cleaned and bound it's hurts, but most importantly, she had given it a name, an identity, a gender. He.
She was his goddess. Kindness, gentleness, they weren't words, they were actions that were not pain and he grew accustomed to the not-pain. But hurt was still apart of his life and it wasn't until it befell his goddess, that he became aware that he could administer as well as take it. He became aware of his sheer size, and her dwarfed form in comparison. He knew his strength was colossal and hers fragile.
He knew those who had harmed her would never touch her again, just as she would never wake again. After that, nothing really mattered.
Monday, October 19, 2009
Wednesday, August 12, 2009
Angela :Beginnings
Drake's eyes were still the same striking blue of his youth but, age had crept into the corners and settled into the molds of time. Fine lines of laughter, worry, and anger fanned out, betraying his years. Whether he wished to admit it or not, he felt them piling on top of one another. Joints creaked, old scars ached, and bones popped more than he was used to.
The past had been an adventure, filled with horrors and wonders, close calls and landslide victories, love and hate, life and death...
Death. He mulled the word over in his well oiled mind. Dissected it, bisected it, savored its bitter taste and let the hollowness that never truly fades consume a small piece of his being. Perhaps it had continued to leech further into him than he'd care to ever admit, but now was the moment that he brought himself to face it, to question it, to wonder...
Beyond his reflection in the glass was the sole occupant of a holding room. It was agonizingly sterile and white. It hurt to stare for too long. But stare he did, until he committed every ebony curl to memory, every dark lash, the gentle curve of her beak, the threaded scars on her arms, five fingers on each hand, every detail down to her perfectly formed webbed feet.
An I.V. was the only keeper of time.
Within his heart, a war was raging. It was impossible not to know who she was, who she belonged to. The sketchier points led to what had she become during her fifteen years in that forsaken place? And what was she doing here? Now? And in the condition they had found her?
A more painful, maybe even pitiful question remained, Why had this one lived? Why had she been spared when someone far more deserving, far more loved, far more and so desperately wanted, had been lain to rest before knowing her first breath? Why was this spawn of horror spared?
"Ahem."
Drake tore his gaze away from the containment unit and forced his tired eyes to focus on the assistant in front of him. She shifted nervously and seemed unsure how to start.
He gave a half a smile with half the usual warmth. "I find it's easier to just spit it out."
"You were right," she let out in a gush, handing him the lab results so quickly it was as if they somehow burned. "Her DNA is a perfect match. There's no way to deny it."
He merely looked at the paper without really processing anything that was on it. And that was fine because as the assistant had stated, he'd already known. The DNA test was simply procedure.
He found his voice again, "Will she regain consciousness?"
"I-I don't know, sir. The injuries she sustained were...traumatic. We can't have any idea what her mental state is or was. Physically, she's stabilized and at this point, waking up is entirely up to her."
He pondered on this for a moment before saying, "Thank you." The assistant didn't leave.
"Sir, if I may?" He nodded. "Go home to your wife, get some rest. As blunt as this may sound, its not everyday that your alter-ego from another universe spits their kid into your lap. Considering your-" She noticed his flinch and corrected herself, "Considering the circumstances, sir, I think it would be best to spend sometime away from SHUSH. At least until you've decided on what you think should be done."
His nod was numb, but it was all that she knew she could expect. "M.E.G.A.N?"
She stopped on her way towards the door and turned. "Sir?"
His grin was wry, "What would you do?"
She blinked and looked at the young woman laying prone behind the glass. Drake joined her. "Gather more data. I believe with this situation, you are too close. It's too personal. One can jump to conclusions based upon false assumption, no matter how accurate it may appear at a given time. Yes, we are more than aware of her biological origins and that alone gives us a reason to exercise caution, but is that proof enough to condemn her? If that is the case, I should be disassembled at the earliest convenience."
The logical thought process of a government official embraced the advice as sound, but the wounded heart of a grieving father demanded vengeance from someone, anyone. M.E.G.A.N was right. He was too close, to tangled in this to be objective. If he was going to approach this situation, he'd have to do it as he always did, from every angle.
"What should I tell Morgana?"
His assistant A.I. stared at him as though he'd grown another head, "Sir, you and I both know that omitting the truth is the same as lying in Morgana's book. Tell her the truth. I don't want to have to train your replacement."
The past had been an adventure, filled with horrors and wonders, close calls and landslide victories, love and hate, life and death...
Death. He mulled the word over in his well oiled mind. Dissected it, bisected it, savored its bitter taste and let the hollowness that never truly fades consume a small piece of his being. Perhaps it had continued to leech further into him than he'd care to ever admit, but now was the moment that he brought himself to face it, to question it, to wonder...
Beyond his reflection in the glass was the sole occupant of a holding room. It was agonizingly sterile and white. It hurt to stare for too long. But stare he did, until he committed every ebony curl to memory, every dark lash, the gentle curve of her beak, the threaded scars on her arms, five fingers on each hand, every detail down to her perfectly formed webbed feet.
An I.V. was the only keeper of time.
Within his heart, a war was raging. It was impossible not to know who she was, who she belonged to. The sketchier points led to what had she become during her fifteen years in that forsaken place? And what was she doing here? Now? And in the condition they had found her?
A more painful, maybe even pitiful question remained, Why had this one lived? Why had she been spared when someone far more deserving, far more loved, far more and so desperately wanted, had been lain to rest before knowing her first breath? Why was this spawn of horror spared?
"Ahem."
Drake tore his gaze away from the containment unit and forced his tired eyes to focus on the assistant in front of him. She shifted nervously and seemed unsure how to start.
He gave a half a smile with half the usual warmth. "I find it's easier to just spit it out."
"You were right," she let out in a gush, handing him the lab results so quickly it was as if they somehow burned. "Her DNA is a perfect match. There's no way to deny it."
He merely looked at the paper without really processing anything that was on it. And that was fine because as the assistant had stated, he'd already known. The DNA test was simply procedure.
He found his voice again, "Will she regain consciousness?"
"I-I don't know, sir. The injuries she sustained were...traumatic. We can't have any idea what her mental state is or was. Physically, she's stabilized and at this point, waking up is entirely up to her."
He pondered on this for a moment before saying, "Thank you." The assistant didn't leave.
"Sir, if I may?" He nodded. "Go home to your wife, get some rest. As blunt as this may sound, its not everyday that your alter-ego from another universe spits their kid into your lap. Considering your-" She noticed his flinch and corrected herself, "Considering the circumstances, sir, I think it would be best to spend sometime away from SHUSH. At least until you've decided on what you think should be done."
His nod was numb, but it was all that she knew she could expect. "M.E.G.A.N?"
She stopped on her way towards the door and turned. "Sir?"
His grin was wry, "What would you do?"
She blinked and looked at the young woman laying prone behind the glass. Drake joined her. "Gather more data. I believe with this situation, you are too close. It's too personal. One can jump to conclusions based upon false assumption, no matter how accurate it may appear at a given time. Yes, we are more than aware of her biological origins and that alone gives us a reason to exercise caution, but is that proof enough to condemn her? If that is the case, I should be disassembled at the earliest convenience."
The logical thought process of a government official embraced the advice as sound, but the wounded heart of a grieving father demanded vengeance from someone, anyone. M.E.G.A.N was right. He was too close, to tangled in this to be objective. If he was going to approach this situation, he'd have to do it as he always did, from every angle.
"What should I tell Morgana?"
His assistant A.I. stared at him as though he'd grown another head, "Sir, you and I both know that omitting the truth is the same as lying in Morgana's book. Tell her the truth. I don't want to have to train your replacement."
Friday, March 20, 2009
Castle of Nations Brain Burp
Castle of Nations characters are not mine. This is just my mind chewing on possible plot bunnies. Red's older sister is another product of my twisted imagination, everyone else belongs to Unknown.
Climber wasn't sure what drove him in this particular direction. He was usually content to stay by his wagon or in hiding, but tonight something else called to him. Much to the mannequin's surprise he found that the path he was on lead to Castle. Being one of the more quieter residents of the dilapidated them park, he paused. One didn't usually see Castle unless something was wrong or unless one wanted to talk. Climber shifted a bit anxiously, he had a habit of asking many questions, but that didn't automatically make him a conversationalist. And nothing was really wrong, except that he missed Clarice. However, he learned to keep his attachment to the human to himself.
Non-distinct noise met his ears and he listened. Funny, it sounded like talking. Curious he went forward. Castle's voice was recognizable immediately, but the female voice was one he couldn't place. For one spliced second he hoped it was Clarice, but this woman's voice was low and somewhat gravelly, not Clarice. Still he moved on until he came to the clearing. Cautious he remained in the line of the trees to watch.
As the woman moved in and out of his field of vision, Climber froze. Another human, she had to be. But, but how? Something within him begged to be closer. While Castle's side of the conversation carried, the woman's reply did not. After a few more minute of fidgeting, he crept closer until the words made sense. Well, sort of. He didn't know what a "lawyer" was or what "condemned" meant.
The woman was as furious as her cropped red hair and Climber was glad that he had distance between himself and her enthusiastic body language. He cringed even further when he saw the cigarette in one hand.
"So, they will be coming in three days?"
"Supposedly. That's what the lawyer said."
"And who is the heir?"
She took a long drag from the white cylinder and held it. Smoke began to trickle from her nose and Climber was reminded of a dragon mulling over its next victim. "That's just it Castle, no one wants this place, for obvious reasons. The "unsolved" murder of my sister being just the tip of the iceberg."
"You do have my apologies for that incident." Castle sounded genuine, but as a an architectural structure, it was hard to tell.
Climber tried to think of any murders that he knew of. He'd heard stories about Karl's musical tutor. All he knew about her was that she had red hair and played the violin. The other rumors about her he dismissed. Karl hated humans, so why in the name of the Ferris Wheel would he go and fall in love with one? Love was still a vague concept to Climber anyway, he was just starting to understand friendship and loneliness.
The human threw back her head and laughed. It was a bitter sound. "Perhaps you are." She flicked off the excess ash. "But that doesn't change much. Besides, she was a big girl, she got herself into this place, she just wasn't big enough to get herself out. Too much of a dreamer, she was. Wouldn't know danger if it bit her in the ass."
"Or slit her throat." Castle sounded amused and sad at the same time.
Climber expected her to be angry. Broken humans that couldn't be fixed weren't funny, at least not in his mind. He didn't know what a sister was, but it sounded important, like a friend. Maybe it was even more important. Instead, her face softened as she placed a hand on one of Castle's stones.
"This ordeal is changing you, old friend."
It was a long while before Castle responded, "You must forgive me, Victoria. I have forgotten much of...my humanity. I only know that some comments are inappropriate."
Victoria's full mouth pulled into a frown. "It could have been any of us."
"I remain grateful that this lot fell to myself, and that you were not here that day and that you have not deserted me."
Silence ensued as Victoria snuffed out her cigarette.
"What will you do about the demolition crew?"
She grinned a wolfish grin, "I'll get creative. Maybe they'll get the point that this place is cursed."
"You humans are rather thick."
"This coming from a castle."
More silence and Climber was starting to become uneasy.
"Victoria, do you still remember my name?"
"Yes, do you want to hear it?"
"No. It would be too cruel. Will you continue to bear it for me?"
"Of course. Do, do any of the others show signs of remembering?"
"No, perhaps it's more merciful that way."
"It'll be dawn soon, goodbye, my friend."
"Farewell, Victoria."
Climber understood little but it was enough to set him fidgeting. He fled as memories assaulted him. They were of the food court as usual. The only difference was that he sat among the humans he remembered watching and a he saw a mannequin on the wall, climbing up and down, up and down.
Climber wasn't sure what drove him in this particular direction. He was usually content to stay by his wagon or in hiding, but tonight something else called to him. Much to the mannequin's surprise he found that the path he was on lead to Castle. Being one of the more quieter residents of the dilapidated them park, he paused. One didn't usually see Castle unless something was wrong or unless one wanted to talk. Climber shifted a bit anxiously, he had a habit of asking many questions, but that didn't automatically make him a conversationalist. And nothing was really wrong, except that he missed Clarice. However, he learned to keep his attachment to the human to himself.
Non-distinct noise met his ears and he listened. Funny, it sounded like talking. Curious he went forward. Castle's voice was recognizable immediately, but the female voice was one he couldn't place. For one spliced second he hoped it was Clarice, but this woman's voice was low and somewhat gravelly, not Clarice. Still he moved on until he came to the clearing. Cautious he remained in the line of the trees to watch.
As the woman moved in and out of his field of vision, Climber froze. Another human, she had to be. But, but how? Something within him begged to be closer. While Castle's side of the conversation carried, the woman's reply did not. After a few more minute of fidgeting, he crept closer until the words made sense. Well, sort of. He didn't know what a "lawyer" was or what "condemned" meant.
The woman was as furious as her cropped red hair and Climber was glad that he had distance between himself and her enthusiastic body language. He cringed even further when he saw the cigarette in one hand.
"So, they will be coming in three days?"
"Supposedly. That's what the lawyer said."
"And who is the heir?"
She took a long drag from the white cylinder and held it. Smoke began to trickle from her nose and Climber was reminded of a dragon mulling over its next victim. "That's just it Castle, no one wants this place, for obvious reasons. The "unsolved" murder of my sister being just the tip of the iceberg."
"You do have my apologies for that incident." Castle sounded genuine, but as a an architectural structure, it was hard to tell.
Climber tried to think of any murders that he knew of. He'd heard stories about Karl's musical tutor. All he knew about her was that she had red hair and played the violin. The other rumors about her he dismissed. Karl hated humans, so why in the name of the Ferris Wheel would he go and fall in love with one? Love was still a vague concept to Climber anyway, he was just starting to understand friendship and loneliness.
The human threw back her head and laughed. It was a bitter sound. "Perhaps you are." She flicked off the excess ash. "But that doesn't change much. Besides, she was a big girl, she got herself into this place, she just wasn't big enough to get herself out. Too much of a dreamer, she was. Wouldn't know danger if it bit her in the ass."
"Or slit her throat." Castle sounded amused and sad at the same time.
Climber expected her to be angry. Broken humans that couldn't be fixed weren't funny, at least not in his mind. He didn't know what a sister was, but it sounded important, like a friend. Maybe it was even more important. Instead, her face softened as she placed a hand on one of Castle's stones.
"This ordeal is changing you, old friend."
It was a long while before Castle responded, "You must forgive me, Victoria. I have forgotten much of...my humanity. I only know that some comments are inappropriate."
Victoria's full mouth pulled into a frown. "It could have been any of us."
"I remain grateful that this lot fell to myself, and that you were not here that day and that you have not deserted me."
Silence ensued as Victoria snuffed out her cigarette.
"What will you do about the demolition crew?"
She grinned a wolfish grin, "I'll get creative. Maybe they'll get the point that this place is cursed."
"You humans are rather thick."
"This coming from a castle."
More silence and Climber was starting to become uneasy.
"Victoria, do you still remember my name?"
"Yes, do you want to hear it?"
"No. It would be too cruel. Will you continue to bear it for me?"
"Of course. Do, do any of the others show signs of remembering?"
"No, perhaps it's more merciful that way."
"It'll be dawn soon, goodbye, my friend."
"Farewell, Victoria."
Climber understood little but it was enough to set him fidgeting. He fled as memories assaulted him. They were of the food court as usual. The only difference was that he sat among the humans he remembered watching and a he saw a mannequin on the wall, climbing up and down, up and down.
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