I wonder if I should run, should get away. You taint me, you taunt me, and our love seems false--and still. I have lost my light, lost all that is me. I ran to you, but now I'll run from you... I gave you all that I could possibly give you, and it still was not enough. I must get away from you--but i can't stand to be away from you.

To make things all right, I need you. But Im not like that.... And I can't just ignore it. I know that it was not your fault, but I cannot just let it go. You take me, and that's not all... you take me. Please don't touch me! I can't take that, Michael, really I can't. That's too much. You touch me, and I can't take it--but I can't handle it when you don't.

Influence: Tainted Love-Soft Cell

Storyline: Gaia story

Take my advice, I'm a liar... You don't want to do as I say; I'm a bad influence. I will use you and take you for all you have. I will use you up, spend you dry. I am worthless. I am nothing. I am a lie. I am the best at it--I'm just like him, right? I'm only good to have a prize to show off... I can play the games that I need to. I am not worth it, believe me. Do not open.... You don't know what you'll find inside. I am a liar, I am a lie, and you don't want to see what's inside. We are liars; we're the best. I am only good for nothing....

Broken....
Influence: Our Lawyers Made Us...-Fall Out Boy
Storyline: Gaia story

She showed up to the battle early, carrying the borrowed staff--opalescent matching her angelbow. She wore a short skirt--she had jumped into the battle--and everyone knew that she was unprepared. They were not ready for this; there were far too many battles everyday. Jexica, Michael, Traves--it would wear them down. She beat them to this one, and sometimes it went another way. They were becoming little more than gladiators, and that was when he would step in. He would mess with them, change them away from what they had become and remind them of who they once were. That would interfere and send them into a state of slightly-off-balance, reminding them that they weren't who they used to be. It would dismay them, and then he could go in farther.

Influence:

Storyline: Gaia story.

She borrowed his night cape; it was less starry than hers, but covered in clouds and beauty. She knew that he actually liked it better--just as she preferred her own. But sometimes she didn't want to sparkle in the night like the sky itself; sometimes she wanted to be covered in the clouds as she moved and seemed invisible.

Although with this on her chest, she wouldn't be invisible. She knew that. She was hoping that the fog could cover her enough that the only thing anyone would see coming would be her jewel. It was meant to be a less demonically associated augment to her powers--and she hoped she had this right. There was a legend of pure light that would bloom from a pendant. It was meant to be the perfect counterpart to her own jewel. This, though--you had to rely on pure power. You couldn't carry a weapon with it, or else it would incinerate you from the inside. You could not use it to augment anyone with a weapon--which meant that if she were fighting alongside Michael, and he carried a sword, and then she tried to heal him...

She didn't want to face that. Either she would fail, or she would be proven to have far more power than she had ever known. She was hoping to get them all in one sweep--otherwise this whole party was going to get much harsher.

Influence: This avi.

Storyline: Gaia story.

I was the only one who stood up for you when no one else would. I was the only one who was ever anything for you. And you did what? Betrayed me? Forgot me? You took things in your hands, and you're completely entitled to do that. But then you let me down....

I never thought that you were capable of it. I never knew that you were like that. I never thought that you were different enough from me to betray me like that... I was so blind.

I cannot get around it; you're gone. I will never be like you again--I'll never do what you do. I always took it as a compliment to be like you, but now I know better. I will not be poisoned by you and your wrongness.... You forgot me, abandoned me, betrayed me--and how could you believe that I would just let you go on that? I didn't know what you were capable of; I feel very blind now. I couldn't believe it--when I was told, I didn't believe it. I thought that you were so very different.... You've changed, you know.

Influence: Judas-Kelly Clarkson.

Storyline: Gaia story.

He pushed her down in the car. If it was the expected betrayal, then why did she feel so surprised? She had warned herself.... Yet she was attracted to the man he once was, and the man he could have been--and was struggling to become. One or the other of them would fail to escape.

Do you really want to throw your heart away?

She watched him driving from below as she understood; this was another act. And he did care for her--or for his redemption--both. He would never run from it, she knew; he had too much to atone for. He was too much of a person. He didn't want everyone else to be hurting, too. He had hurt far too many people before--including her.

She hated him, loved him, hated what he had been but loved his echo and his potential.

She had warned herself that nothing good could come of what she was doing; she knew that she would probably hurt herself more in the end than she hurt him.

But she did it anyway.

Influence: Victims of Love-Good Charlotte

Storyline: Witness.

He walked into the bar. There was a new barmaid--she was the kind who wouldn't be impressed by him, and that was just fine. He wasn't much impressed by him lately, either.

She's a Witness? And here's your only chance, boy....

He stole her away, and told her everything.... When she gets her one chance, she won't blink or miss...

They traveled together; she was beneath notice and contempt and he was in everyone's eye. She was waiting for him in the car long before he could've gotten there; he knew she'd leave without him. They went back to his house. And she tried to give him an out... She had softened, changed, come to like him somehow--and he had no idea how.

For his potential....

He knew that she was confused, and that was his only possible chance. She was blurry-eyed, and at this rate, she might not take the shot. He could tell that she was worried, that she might save him--or kill him herself.

Influence: Somebody Told Me-The Killers

Storyline: Witness

Walking down the road and smelling all of her sins that she had ever committed, could ever commit... All that was left was darkness and silence--and the cold. She was always left with the cold.

She cried and cried. She couldn't handle that he suffered as a crude slap in the face to her, and she couldn't handle that he was dead just to hurt her. She had to help him--couldn't Thony understand that in any way?

Life rushes... And it comes and goes--she would give him her own. She would wrap herself in the dark and the cold and the silence, but break it all as she joined with him. His sins rush to her, his body join with hers, and his soul entwine... It was unbreakable magic, but it truly meant nothing. Soulmates were unique and special, yes, but they were also nothing to each other. There was no romantic requirement. They might never meet again.

She looked at Thony as it was finished... Turn away.... I can't be near to you....

You have no idea what you've done.

Influence: Silver and Cold-AFI

Storyline: HSC

They would try this, would they? Pitting them against one another? Ha. She could tell by the uncertainty in their eyes that someone else had already picked water... But they wouldn't want to tell her that. They wouldn't want to reveal a crack so early in the game. No, they would let them both have it. That was FAIR, wasn't it? That was what everyone wanted? Ha. Wait until they heard her weapon of choice. She knew that they would be banking on Traves choosing his staff--pure power concentrated like that was too good for him to pass up. Michael would favor his own weapon, especially now that they were so cut up and separate. And she was expected to choose her angelbow. No, she would choose the staff. The staff and her pendant--harnessing pure darkness and pure light. She would be a power that they would need to reckon with; they would regret it when she turned it on them. She could only hope that Michael and Traves would be themselves enough to join with her when the time came.... She knew what she could do with the water. She felt home in it--although so frightened of drowning--she envied mermaids.

Influenced by: This avi.

Storyline: Gaia story.

Savior of worlds? Well, she could be--but they were decidedly strange worlds, then. A world where the savior had a gem in her stomach because she was coming from a costume party? A world where she was a savioress? Or perhaps a saviorette, depending on your mood and whimsy at the time? The angel wings helped, yeah. She knew that--but prophecies? She doubted that they told of her personality. She doubted that they mentioned how her friends killed gods. She doubted that they happened to say that the real reason she was showing up was to ask for parts for their ship.

But they told of her coming. It made her wonder if they'd gotten something wrong--gotten her wrong, or maybe gotten the translations wrong. Or gotten a coincidence; those happen.

Influence: This avi.

Storyline: Gaia story.

Some people advise to speak softly and carry a big stick; carrying a big spiky club will work just as well. Jexica knew that in this garb, just enough people would underestimate her. She had also heard it said that to carry a weapon that you don't know how to use is to virtually give the weapon to an enemy, and this was true too. Hopefully enough people here would know that. Hopefully enough of those people would underestimate her ability to fight with this, and make the mistake of believing that this would be an easy win. She wore no shoes; she could sense a few people murmuring about how easy it would be. Unfortunately, the most experienced fighters also knew that when there is someone looking that confident with that kind of weapon, it's better to wait for their first fight to finish before establishing an opinion. Ah, here came the first one--young, cocky, and already drunk. A great combination. This win would be attributed to his lack of skill, not her own.... She smiled as he entered. He had a big sword--you don't carry a sword like that around unless you're either an amateur or very very good.

Influence: This avi.
Storyline: Gaia story.

First night.... She had the feeling that Traves, just to cause awkwardness, would call a meeting once she and Michael had gone to sleep. An emergency meeting, of course. So that they would be forced to throw on whatever they had lying around and he would look suave. :D :roll: She made the concession to sleep in clothes--a camisole-leotard, long striped stockings, and a fur-laced jacket was by the bed. There was even a little rose pinned to the lapel. It was also possible that there would be an emergency as soon as they had gone to sleep--either way, she would be prepared. She was not disappointed. The call came around five. Traves sounded slightly panicky, and was ordering everyone back into the cockpit.

Sooner or later, we're going to need to make some adjustments, Jexi thought....

Influence: This avi.
Storyline: Gaia story.

He gave a forced half-smile, looking at them. Alicia sat by him carefully. Her excuse had been brilliant--and a part of him wondered how she knew off Doctor Mraxthn. Another part of him knew that he really didn't want to know. He felt her tense beside him--and it wasn't near time yet, it was nowhere near the proper time yet--and touched her leg. Ironically, that made her less tense. He knew that merely days ago, it would have been enough to set her off. She wouldn't explode, she would simply move--which was more impressive in her. And more fearsome. No one would want to be in her way, and he knew that more than enough people would be. She needed to be free to finish. And he knew that she wouldn't allow him to live--she shouldn't, either. She might have come to allow him to be near her, but she had not come to allow him to live despite everything that he had done. She might have come close, but that vision last night had destroyed it. And he was using his second chance--if this even counted as one--now. He would not get another one. And he would not get a better one.
He would never forget the look on her face. She was outraged; she had forgotten who he had been. Yes, he had been at that party. Yes, he had heard the rumors--and could have, undoubtedly, discovered the truth. But some hidden part of him still had wanted to hide away from the most disgusting parts of it. He couldn't stand it, couldn't stand what he had become. And that was why he was embroiled in this so much more thoroughly now--because he hated himself, and now he might die. The irony was that he didn't want to die; he had MEANING now.

Influence: An End Has A Start-The Editors
Storyline: Witness.

She looked at him. He was sitting there as stiffly as she was; she wondered if he regretted harnessing himself to her. She was never going to leave--well, not until the last. And that would be soon enough. If he truly wants to change...... She wanted to tell herself that of course he would never change, but that was a lie. She could see it in his reactions to everything around them. She knew it when he chased out his "friend", that first night... She did not love him. You could not love a man who had seen and done what he had. You should not be able to love a man like that. When she went to kill him, she only would have to remember the visions. And that would have to be all for her to remember, because without those, she wouldn't be able to do it. You don't kill a reformed man, not unless you must. I know I hated you...

I made mistakes, too. They were less large than yours--less evil--but still mistakes, like yours. And our mistakes both cost lives. And you know it, don't you? You know that I won't let you live. You don't care. It makes me want to kill you even less...

Influence: Until The day I Die-Story of the Year
Storyline: Witness

He'd be better off dead; he knew that. They'd all say things like, "madman"... "too unstable"....

Out of control; this was a dead end. He felt awful. He was helping someone he had believed to be inferior kill those he had called friends... But he also knew that he had never truly believed that they were inferior. And he had never really thought of them as friends. it was a dead end world, and it was the only way out. Redemption is not easy. He flashed back to her screaming at him. It had been rainy. It is hard, and it isn't fun. You can't just pick it up and use it as your hobby-of-the-week and put it back down when you notice that it hurts. It is not a game. It is real, and it's far more important in the end. And if he ever wanted to see himself in the mirror again, he knew.... You have no future, Joshua. You haven't got much of a past, either. Not one worth speaking of. He remembered.... That made it easier. She was the only good--he stared at her. She was beautiful

Influence: West End Girls-Pet Shop Boys
Storyline: Witness.

She looked at the clock. One minute.... There was one minute left...

Had he decided to abandon her? Was it betrayal in the last, then? She knew that he had been afraid of what was to come. He was afraid of death--or, at the very least, did not want to confront it yet. She couldn't blame him, but he would have do deal with it. The time kept moving.... She wanted to leave. She knew that there was still time left, but there was nothing left if he had decided to betray her. And if he was simply running, then there was nothing to gain or lose by staying here. Or if he had been caught.... They would torture him, she knew. And he wouldn't hold out for long; he was too pampered. She looked around once again--half a minute now.

The worry flew through her. She didn't dare call the phone to question him, especially when he still had time. She was done, she wanted to be done, she wanted to finish waiting--but she couldn't. She would always hesitate to leave. If he didn't show up... She didn't know what she would do.

But it would be far too late. Every little thing he ever said to her, every thing he did... She would be leaving those... Shake OUT OF IT.

Influence: Hung Up-Madonna

Storyline: Witness.

Aaah. The final stop. This was where their generation was--a giant club. It pulsed with energy. The rules, few though there were, didn't apply in there. This was strictly cut-and-run. Remixes ran rampant, and she looked at Josh. Popular songs all mashed together.... Yes, this was the right place. "Bring down the house; we came here to turn the party out." Yes--that much was true. She could see the main group dancing on the floor. There were some things going on in the corners... She turned away. Her stomach couldn't handle something? He wouldn't taunt her; he didn't care for it, either. "Turn it up some more..."

"Hey, Joshie. Who's the girl?" Everyone knows him; she shouldn't be surprised. It didn't even mean anything. But it did; it was another reminder that this was his world. Maybe he didn't want it anymore, but it definitely wanted him. This was where everyone else wanted him, and he didn't have much of a choice. She allowed herself to smile. She was dressed appropriately for the place, if nothing else. She had always wondered what was so entertaining, so alive about one of these places. The fighting.

Influence: Bring in the Noise-Dancefloor
Storyline: Witness

Sleeping out of it with anyone.... That's the old way out, though, the fool's way out. Fixated on only the one thing.... It's not worth it. He knew that. But it was easier. It would be so much easier to just reclaim his life for his own. (Doesn't do too well on his own....) He felt powerless. If he finished helping her--kept his word for once--then what? He didn't know. And that was just bad; he NEVER was at a loss. I need more.. I need to stay out of this, I need to fix myself. I just need to.....

To what? To return to my worthless self? To forget everything that is(n't) her? Right. That's the best way to live; running and hiding from everything that you've ever cared for. And I tell myself that I'm not desperate; I tell myself that I'm actually good for something. It's only because of her that I know it. If it weren't for her.... I'd be all alone. And I'd be as miserable as I am now.

Influence: 7 Minutes in Heaven-Fall Out Boy
Storyline: Witness

I shouldn't blame you for your weakness.... I know that you're sorry. I know that you don't mean to--but that doesn't mean that you don't. You're a scared little boy who's all dressed up. And I'm just another version of the girl who you think is too good for you; I'm as contemptful of you as she ever was, but for better reasons. I hate you for your weakness--like her--but not your weakness in refusing to hurt the innocent, but the weakness you have in refusing to right your wrongs. You did it, have some fucking responsibility. Why don't you just drop dead?

You keep me honest. I know it, and so do you. I'm sorry. I really am. And I'm glad that you're still here. I know that you hate me. And I know why. And I want to kiss you; may I? No, of course not... Give up on me. What do you expect--I'm your lost cause, and we both know it. I wouldn't place any faith in me. I wouldn't trust me. I wouldn't do anything for me. I wouldn't try this, Alicia. It's not a good idea. I'm not dependable. I am not like you. I can't do what you do.... Oh, alright, I can, but I don't want to... Keep me honest, my love. I have fallen in love with you, lady who would kill me. I won't blame you (although you know I'll hate it).

Influence: A Little Less....-Fall Out Boy
Storyline: Witness

You haven't changed? Really? Have you taken a good look in the mirror lately, Josh? You want to be safe, but I know what you're doing.... You're a bit colder, but you're different. And you're very busy. It's good for you; don't let anyone tell you it isn't. But is it really you? Make yourself at peace; I will be. I know that. Is it you or someone you simply wish that you could be? I am not going to take on extra theories. I'm very please about this, you know. Thank you; I know what it costs you. I also know that it isn't enough yet. It won't be enough for quite a while, but it is a start. So good.

Influence: Busy-K's Choice.
Storyline: Witness.

Almost the last.... I wonder... It's appropriate, this. It's a bit of everything--a druggie den, a hideout, a zen location. Teach me, Alicia? Show me that you really are everything I believe you to be... I want to believe in you. I wish that I could be you, and you be me.

Are you scared? Well.... If you're not scared, then why am I? That takes a leap, takes a new perspective, takes on a whole new vibe. Makes me feel guilty. I am either guilty of killing you once you're good for something, or I am guilty of not avenging everything that I am. Look around us; they have no fear. They see you, you who should mean death to them. But they don't hate you. And by any of the dead gods, they should. If you aren't scared.... Are you?

Are you frightened? I feel loved and home with you. And if you aren't scared, then I am not, either. You hate me, but I am home at last.

Influence: If You're Not Scared-K's Choice
Storyline: Witness

I cannot see you in any other way. Even all of the stars that you have been paired with... I can't see you with a one of them. And I imagine seeing you in person; I wonder if you have the same glow in your eyes? Do you, love? I call you my love, in the silence of my head. You have left, and I have not quite healed, but I still know that what you seemed to be was the best thing ever. I cannot see you without me.... It hurts. I see your films because I must hate myself in some way.... I buy the DVDs... And then I remember you leaving. When you look at the screen with tear-filled eyes, I wonder if I am only imagining them back into the day that you left. You were leaving, and I didn't quite believe it. I don't know what to do about that, Jaq. You and I were wonderful. And I would love to be on your campaign trail; I believe in what you're doing. I replay everything. And now that I realize everything you did to me--I still don't know why and that still hurts--and every time that I close my eyes.... I don't love you, I think. I wonder how much of what we had was half-imagined. But I know that I miss you. And I wish that I could simply be with you. I replay everything, Jaq. Do you?

Influence: Over and Over-Tim McGraw and Nelly
Storyline: TBS

She looked around. Any instructions, any last minute thoughts? Burn it. Burn it to the ground. This place.. This LIE.... Get rid of it. It's what the rich symbolize. It's power. And we need no more of it. BOW DOWN, the guards scream... Like fuck. I do not love you, and I will not pretend to be inferior. I know what it means to disobey you, and I know what it means to tell you that... But you betrayed me, love. You have everybody fooled--or maybe they don't care to see through you--and I'm not going to stand for it anymore. You never were and never will be, and I have no last words for you. I betray myself, as it turns out--and I am very glad for that.

Influence: Everybody's Fool-Evanescence
Storyline: Witness

This is our target? Some little kid? No... She's older than she looks, isn't she... I've heard that she defeated Ayimundie's pet, but he's not too crafty. She's supposed to be the reason that we're stuck with him now. Still.... She looks a bit like a prostitute of some kind. She's running around in a button-down shirt and a tiny little skirt with stockings and slippers... For some reason, she's carrying a sword... Ah, the informe. I should always take note of that; apparently she was called out of bed to do a battle and grabbed the first thing that she could find. That's why she carries the katana and the book. That book.... I would murder many more than I have for a copy of that. It's one of the few copies of the ancient volumes of Mandeur.. The little girl cannot concieve of its power. She may be older.... She may be wise... But that will be mine.

Influence: This image, although I suddenly realize that there should be no scar! Gack! IGNORE THAT!!

Storyline: Gaia story. (Studying Jexi before attacking she and Michael-Ayimundie is Jon's sorcerer-savior)

She smiled politely. These idiots--wrapped up in their own bureaucracy, and too involved in constantly outdoing one another to concentrate on anything else. They didn't care what their lords did, as long as their social position and power were greater than that of their neighbor. They all sickened her. They deserved what was coming to them. And she couldn't say that there wasn't a bit of personal pleasure involved.... These bastards who had helped him to torment her for the last time were going to get what they deserved. They couldn't even see the swords? They couldn't see the one good thing that Traves had given to her? Well, that was just fine. They probably thought that her necklace was just a pretty bauble, too. They could keep on thinking that... Until it pulsed with power, radiated its own special heat, and helped her to destroy them.

Influence: This avi.

Storyline: Gaia story.