Menewsha Avatar Community - The Blackest of Hearts

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The Blackest of Hearts | Lit/Adv-Lit Horror/Romance

The Blackest of Hearts
'The heart is deceitful, above all things. And desperately wicked'

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Table of Contents
Plot
Rules
Skeleton
Character List
OOC Thread

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Love
-A profoundly tender and passionate affection for another person.
-A feeling of warm personal attachment or deep affection.

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Plot

The Black Heart; a village, a desolate village. Or so it appears. Thousands of years ago, a soulless woman lived. Longing for love, hating everything, she was trapped in her ever lasting need to feel adored. 'Bitter', some would say. 'Lonely', other would add. Yet nobody would love her. Nobody could. The reason? A scar, a birth mark on the side of her face. People ran in fear from such a person all those years back, from fear that they were witches or demons...
A murder, heartless as those who surrounded her.
A suicide, painful as the murder she brought.

The woman, who longed to love, was no more.

What was the cause of such heartless doings? A curse. From birth, that woman had been cursed by an evil witch. It was said that some day, she would plunge the Village of Black Heart into an ever lasting darkness. That day, was the day she awoke and murdered the man she loved.

Ever since that horrible day, Black Heart has been trapped. Allowing none in and none out. That was her destiny, you see... To create a village that nobody could leave. The curse would only be broken on the day that a woman; such as the one who was cursed, would be loved.

Easy, you may think. Though this is never really the case. Something I forgot to mention, is that the curse that was cast also stopped the village from understanding love. No body since, has known what it is, or how to feel it. The only thing they seem to understand, is hatred and pain, as well as a longing need for something more. So, I guess you could say that the town's people have hearts as black as the town it's self... One more catch, the people living here never age. Just another happy perk to the curse...

Your role: You must discover love, in the blackest of places. You must discover want for something other than death and murder. You must free the village of Black Heart from It's ever lasting curse and rid it of all things gruesome.

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Rules

1. Beware. I am GOD and therefor reserve the right to boot you if I feel necessary. This means, behave and follow my rules!
2. General Mene rules apply to this thread as to any other. Break them, and I will personally take that as a hint that you do not want to be here. That will result in my Godlike gift being used, 'kay?
3. If you read my rules, I tend to like you more. So to be sure that you did actually read them, I would like you to title all Character Profiles [which you will send via PM] 'Heartless?'.
4. Noted that the RP seems to have a lot of romance horror and gore involved... However, I do not wish it to become any more than a PG-16 please. Sexual relations may be time-skipped where necessary.
5. MED. ROLEPLAY! -This means, no posting and leaving and I would appreciate it if you could post at least 3 decent length paragraphs per post. I know it seems a lot, but we will be giving you a lot to work with so I see no excuse.
6. Fighting, injuring and sword wielding; accepted. Murdering, killing off or banishing; not so much. Refrain from killing everyone, please. I do not want to become subject to an angry mob of RPers wanting to kill me because I let you kill their character off. So pretty please, if you really do want to have an all out murder-fest, consult the Users before you even think about it...
7. Anime images please. I know I know... Picky, right? But, I and a lot of other find it a lot easier to get into character and also understand and visualize your character. Plus, it makes my character listing look good if we all have the same kind of picture...
8. Third person here, guys. I get that it can be easy to slip from one to the other, but please try and refrain.
9. If you feel like doing a vanishing act on us for a week or two, please let me know so we can move on without you and let you catch up when you get back. I seem to have a problem where-in people go away and don't let me know, and then the whole RP has to stop because we are all waiting on one persons response... So please let me or someone else know. Thank you.
10. I understand that it is a village and therefor will not have a perfectly even number of men/women. However, I would like to keep it as even as I can, therefor, if you want to create more than one character, please do not have them both the same sex.

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Skeleton

Copy and paste this into a PM. Send it to me :)

HTML Code:

[IMG]INSERT IMG CODE OF YOUR CHARACTER'S IMAGE HERE![/IMG][color=color1]Hello, my name is[/color] [color=color2]INSERT FULL NAME HERE[/color]. [color=color1]But I dont mind if you call me[/color] [color=color2]INSERT NICKNAME/ NAME PREFERENCE HERE[/color]. [color=color1]I have lived in the village of Black Heart all my life, and I am now[/color] [color=color2]INSERT AGE HERE[/color]. [color=color1]I guess you could say my life is just like anyone else's, but I guess I'll tell you about it anyway...[/color] [color=color2]INSERT LIFE STORY HERE. AT LEAST 4 PARAGRAPHS PLEASE! OH, AND TRY TO MAKE IT INTERESTING[/color]. [color=color1]During this time of darkness, there are a few things that make me happy. These are[/color] [color=color2]LIKES, AT LEAST FOUR.[/color]. [color=color1]However, there are also things that make me even more miserable:[/color] [color=color2]DISLIKES/FEARS, AGAIN AT LEAST FOUR.[/color] [color=color1]I am[/color] [color=color2]DESCRIPTION OF YOUR PERSONALITY. AT LEAST ONE PARAGRAPH.[/color].  [color=color1]Is there anything else you should know about me? Oh yeah,[/color] [color=color2]A LITTLE SOMETHING ELSE. MAKE IT INTERESTING. IF YOU MUST HAVE A POWER, MAKE IT MORE OF AN AFFINITY PLEASE.[/color]  [color=color1]Thats about it I think, but if you need to know more, talk to my puppeteer[/color] [color=color2]USERNAME![/color].

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Character Listing

Quote:

http://i188.photobucket.com/albums/z...7/oldtimes.jpg

Hello, my name is Emily Constance. But I don't mind if you call me Em or Emmy, either way... I have lived in the village of Black Heart all my life, and I am now the same age I was when the village was cursed; 19. I guess you could say my life is just like anyone else's, but I may as well tell you about it anyway... I was born 19 years before the curse was cast. I never really believed in things like that; spells and curses, and so it never worried me when the rumors started. I had been in schooling with Eliza all my life. I used to sit with her every day, she never seemed any different from anyone else. Sure, a little upset some days, distant on others, but she was sweet and friendly and confided in me most of the time. When we were 16 she told me that she liked a boy in out class. He was handsome; tall, rugged and charming. A few months later, I found her sobbing alone. As it turned out, he was to be wed to a girl from a private school and well off family. She was heartbroken, and that was when she changed. Well, I watched as she grew farther and farther away from everyone, and even when she started to miss school. I was the only one who ever noticed.

Then the day came. I discovered Jared's death around the same time everyone else did. Tragic. Though, I never did suspect murder, as it did appear to be an accident. He had fallen off his balcony and broken his neck. It was not until hours later when I went to see how his Fiancé was that I discovered Eliza; hanging from the ceiling by a rope. It was hard to take in. The fact that my friend had been so alone and upset and I did nothing to help. Automatically, I blamed myself. I could have helped her.

I did know, before I even discovered Eliza's death that something was wrong. I felt different. The people that I used to love and care for, I no longer cared about. I no longer missed my mother and father who died when I was 10. It was like something inside me had died, and I had no idea why. No matter how much I thought about my mother and father, I just could not seem to make myself love or miss them. Obviously something was wrong.

It was only after the death that the rumors began to circulate around my head. The things people used to say about Eliza being cursed, maybe they were true. Turns out, they were. I have been living in Black Heart for over 500 years. Nobody ever comes into the town, and nobody ever leaves. We grow our own food and slaughter our own animals. We plant our own trees and care for our sick or wounded citizens. I stay 19 years old, and everyone else stays the same as the day Eliza and Jared died. Nothing changes.

Every so often, I think of my family and I feel a pang of something odd and strange. I know not what it is, but I'm sure I have felt it before. Whether I have simply forgotten the feeling or it was never really there, I do not know. All I really know now, is that I am ready for the curse to be lifted. I want things to be the way they were once upon a time... I want to feel again. .

During this time of darkness, there are a few things that make me happy. These are the sunshine; on the odd occasion it actually comes out. Drawing. Reading. Riding my stallion around the borders of town and making clothes in my store. However, there are also things that make me even more miserable: The snow; it just gets so cold and dull when it snows, plus we lose all our crops and our plants wither. Violence. The towns people fight a lot, I don't understand why, but I have never been a violent person. I hate it when one of my garment's goes wrong and I have to start over again. I also dislike it when I stop and think for a moment and remember the feeling that I am missing something; that a part of me is gone. I am the kind of person that always tried to look after others. I don't like seeing people injured, so I try to help as much as possible. I am a very playful person, though there is rarely anyone to be playful with as most of the elders are miserable all the time. Mostly, I keep to myself and try to stay out of other's way as I have been caught in a fight once and never wish to do it again. I am intelligent, and I know that there is something missing from our community, though I wish I knew what it was. .

Is there anything else you should know about me? Oh yeah, I have a teddy that belonged to my mother when she was a child. I would advise you not to touch it, as I tend to get very possessive over things that belonged to my family, I don't know why... Thats about it I think, but if you need to know more, talk to my creator OriginalSin.

Quote:

Originally Posted by xserenityxninax

http://i741.photobucket.com/albums/x...mages/-emo.gif
Hello, my name is Jack Death. But I dont mind if you call me Death. I have lived in the village of Black Heart all my life, and I am now26. I guess you could say my life is just like anyone else's, but I guess I'll tell you about it anyway... Well life is not great for me.
When I was a child I lost my mother; I was very young. My father got remarried and I loved her but her son was mean to me and I hated him. He tried to kill me one night but someone killed him just to protect me. When I got to the age of this town I just want to leave this place but I want to find true love to care for a person. During this time of darkness, there are a few things that make me happy. blood, books, sword play,drawing However, there are also things that make me even more miserable: death, losing I love, chickens, crows. I am rude when I want to be I am a good fighter I been practicing when I was a kid. I am evil all the time but I can be sweet when I want to be. Is there anything else you should know about me? Oh yeah,I am A good singer to draw in the girls. I do sword play I have a sword that as been with me for years it as been with me. The long sword and I do black evil magic. Thats about it I think, but if you need to know more, talk to my puppeteerxserenityxninax

Quote:

Originally Posted by DeadAngel

http://i778.photobucket.com/albums/y...by_moni158.png
Hello, my name is Katima.
Katima Amma..
But I dont mind if you call me
Kit-Kat or Kat. I have lived in the village of Black Heart all my life, and I am now 19. I guess you could say my life is just like anyone else's, but I guess I'll tell you about it anyway... I was born into a poor family, my parents never being able to buy us much. We never had a lot of food much less toys to play with. I don't remember when but sometime my mum and dad split up, my mother keeping me, my father keeping my two brothers who were twins. I don't remember their names, my father's or the twin's. Mum doesn't speak of them, in fact they are those of which we do not speak, in my house at least. My mother has cancer now, she should be dying soon.. During this time of darkness, there are a few things that make me happy. These are my friends, of whom I cherish, somewhat. My drawings, my books, and my Imagination tend to keep me going on, keep me surviving.. However, there are also things that make me even more miserable: Like my mother dying, my father and brothers returning, and loosing my ability to imagine whatever I wish. The biggest one, and I do mean biggest, is when I can not be myself around anyone. I am not that materialistic, in fact I'm not use to having anything at all normally. Unfortunately I am very apathetic, that is until I am around my mum or my friends. Constantly in my own world, it freaks a few people out. I get agitated when people pester me and I tend to snap after a few seconds, even so, I'm great with children. I'm quiet, I don't like to be out going unless I have my friends there with me, by my side. I'm not cruel, I just tell it as it is.. Is there anything else you should know about me? Oh yeah, I don't kill, I take revenge. I don't take revenge, I plot. If you understand that, you are one step closer to understanding me. I babysit kids to get money, my mum needs all the help she can get with money. I don't mind, since she is my mother. If you give me a dirty look I can promise you I can wipe it off faster than you can say ow. I've trained all my life, for fighting, waiting for the day where I can fight for what I want. What I want? Well, that's not particularly important right? The main idea is to stay alive in this accursed village, I have to have some strength if I'm still alive no? Thats about it I think, but if you need to know more, talk to my puppeteer DeadAngel!.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mobius Nightshade

http://tn3-2.deviantart.com/fs30/300...htrainboww.jpg
Hello, my name is Cedric William Strythe.
But I dont mind if you call me Ced the Quickfinger.
I have lived in the village of Black Heart all my life, and I am now 16. I guess you could say my life is just like anyone else's, but I guess I'll tell you about it anyway... [color=black] In a town chock full of murderers and brawlers, quite obviously it gets hard to get away with things. Murder people, and other people are going to want to murder you, if (by some small chance) they don't seek to do so anyway. Of course, the whole 'murder' business gets a little tiring after awhile, doesn't it? You kill, you run, you kill again. Wash, rinse, and repeat, right? That's where I set myself apart.

You see, I don't go about killing people unless they're boring. Sounds a bit odd, in a village full of hate, right? But you see, I have a little fun with them first. You see, I like to break into things, sneak into places, do all sorts of sneaky stuff like that. I'll move things around, or hide valuables in funny places, or even steal stuff if I feel like it. The looks on their faces... Oh-ho! Priceless!

And the best part? Sometimes, I don't have to murder people. I can get other people to do it for me. A bra from the woman of one house in the bed of a man in another house, and boom! Tempers flare, accusations fly, and people die, and all the while I barely have to lift a finger.

There's something about what I do, and the way I do it, that makes me feel funny inside. I've never felt this way before, and I can't quite explain it to people. Sometimes, too, I'll find a trinket or a bauble in someone's house and I'll be... I dunno... Drawn to it, I guess. I'll take it, and it'll be mine, and I'll look at it a lot... What does it mean? Am I nuts or something?
During this time of darkness, there are a few things that make me happy. These are Stealing, sneaking, setting people up, andnot getting caught. Those are AWESOME! However, there are also things that make me even more miserable: Getting caught, people trying to kill me, being stolen from, losing my hands. Those would royally SUCK!
I am a selfish, sneaky bastard. What? Why are you giving me that look? I'm not gonna sugarcoat it. If I want something, I take it. If you have something you want, and I don't want you to have it, I'll make you lose it. If you hide something from me, I will find it. My purpose in life is to make the rest of you guys miserable, got it? Good.
Is there anything else you should know about me? Oh yeah, I'm pretty good with my hands. If I need to, I can make stuff out of things that are lying around, and if I have to I can take things apart, too! You shoulda seen the one time, where I made some guy's stove about to fall apart and he tried to use it! HAHAHAHAHAHA!!! Talk about hilarious! But I can tell you about that later.
Thats about it I think, but if you need to know more, talk to my puppeteer Mobius Nightshade.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Angelo

http://i109.photobucket.com/albums/n...irl/Kyra-1.jpg
Hello, my name is Alexis Durhendal. But I don't mind if you call me Lexi, though I'll beat you up if you call me Alex or Alexis.

I have lived in the village of Black Heart all my life, and I am now 12. I guess you could say my life is just like anyone else's, but I guess I'll tell you about it anyway... When I was little, my parents abandoned me on the street because they couldn't afford to take care of a child. It still hurts to think about sometimes. Anyway, a gang that was headquartered nearby took me in and raised me as one of their own. They taught me to be lithe, cunning, and stealthy.

My skills came into play when I was eight, if I remember right. We were on one of our easier heists, so we only took four members: Mujo, Temp, Bayne, and me. I think the only reason the guys took me was so that I could get some practice and see what it's like, though they didn't seem like they wanted to. They were pretty amazed at how quiet I was being. Most kids wouldn't have been able to keep silent, but I've always been what Phen calls an “old soul,” which means I'm mature for my age or something.

Now back to the story. It was a simple objective: get in, grab some money and jewelry, and get out. I was sent to pick the lock. I happily obliged and scampered over the the thick oak door before taking out my tools and making quick work of the lock. I then slowly opened the door and sneaked inside, making certain that all the lights were off and the owners were sound asleep before signaling that the coast was clear. Needless to say, it was a quick, successful job and we got the heck out of there.

By now, the gang has shrunken to three members: Temp, Phen, and me. Out of the three of us, I have the longest record, my face showing on several wanted posters that offered a nice-sized cash sum for my turn-in.

I basically live a day-to day existence, and only spend on the necessities, as most of my money goes to Temp so he can take care of Phen.

During this time of darkness, there are a few things that make me happy. These are anything to do with art, especially painting and charcoal, the thrill of a heist, music, and reading, though I'm not good at it. However, there are also things that make me even more miserable: being in a small, cramped space for any length of time, I think it's called claustrophobia, thunder and lightning, though if you call me a baby, I'll kill you, losing another member of our gang to the cops or violence, and running out of art supplies. I am cunning and lithe, as a good street urchin needs to be, though I lack the ruthless part. I just can't help but give my time, and possibly money, to someone who needs it. I'm also very loyal to my friends and fellow gang members, having jumped in on several accounts to save them from getting their butt kicked. I stick with the present. I don't let myself dwell on the past or the future. I mean, yeah, I'd like the present situation to change, but why bother dwelling on it? That won't help at all. Is there anything else you should know about me? Oh yeah, I'm not on good terms with the law. That's the big thing, but I'm also decent at playing the lyre and flute, as well as doing my art. Some might call it graffiti, but I have to work on something. I'm also very small, standing at only 3'
'7”. I look like a toddler overall, and I hate it, but it has its advantages for someone like me. I also have a strange way with luck. What I want to happen seems to do so, despite improbability, though if it's impossible, it won't happen. That's about it I think, but if you need to know more, talk to my puppeteer Angelo!

http://www.menewsha.com/forum/member...cture44611.jpg
Hello, my name is Jacques Flamel. But I dont mind if you call me Jack.

I have lived in the village of Black Heart half my life, and I am now 33. I guess you could say my life is just like anyone else's, but I guess I'll tell you about it anyway... I was born to the great Nicholas Flamel and his wife, Perenelle. They taught me all about magic and alchemy, though both require my aura to perform. I grew up in Paris, helping the police catch crooks, and healing sick people. I also helped down on their luck beggars by donating some 'gold' bars.

After I came of age, 17, I moved away to a secluded village that I fell in love with; Black Heart. I knew little Eliza and Jared since they were babes. I was actually their tutor until they grew old enough for the academy. I could tell they loved each other, and like everyone else, always figured them to marry. We were shocked when the boy's family engaged him to a member of a noble family instead of someone he would be happy with. It grew worse when he was discovered dead, and, due to my nature, I investigated.

Unfortunately, my results came too late; Eliza had committed suicide. With her death a dark cloud seemed to descend over the village. Only a few weeks later, a hunting party went out, only to come back through the other end of town. The continued trying, but it was no use, and eventually accepted that we couldn't leave. The situation degraded from there until it reached the low that the once amiable village was currently.

Ever since, I have been studying book after book for a way to break the curse. I believe I've come up with a reasonable theory, but I doubt anyone will agree..

During this time of darkness, there are a few things that make me happy. These are reading, especially magical works, performing alchemy, performing magic, and teaching. However, there are also things that make me even more miserable: the curse over the village, the conditions the street children live in, running out of books, and the emptiness I know was once filled by something I can't quite place my finger on. I am wise, and filled with the knowledge of my father and the world's greatest magi. I am also a friendly, caring person, and don't mind helping others with magic. I also love teaching and often nab several children together and tutor them on math, reading, science, and history. Is there anything else you should know about me? Oh yeah, I'm a mage and an alchemist, trained by my father and accepted by the High Council of Magi, and I'm in possession, as guardian, of the Codex, which is the most powerful magic book in the world. That's about it I think, but if you need to know more, talk to my puppeteer Angelo!.

Quote:

Originally Posted by flamethrower1391

http://www.alldeaf.com/members/kazum...-wallpaper.jpg

Hello, my name is Akira Nakamura.

But I dont mind if you call me Kira.

I have lived in the village of Black Heart all my life, and I am now...well, I lost count over the years, but I look about 19 to 20.

I guess you could say my life is just like anyone else's, but I guess I'll tell you about it anyway...
I wasn't always the most like person in town even at a young age. I always wore black and walked around the village at night. It didn't bother me what they thought. I was me, and that's all I was ever going to be. I wouldn't change for them to fit in with their "perfect" society.

As stories go, mine isn't the greatest. Neither of my parents died, but they weren't the best. My dad abused my mom or so she said. She had the marks of being abused...or clawed by a cat, but I had never seen my father lay a hand on her. I personally thought of her as a psychotic bitch, and my father as a big pushover. He couldn't leave the house without being accused of fornicating with another woman; therefore, he never left the house again.

I have one sibling, a little brother, who is a bit dark, but not to the extent of me. We get along quite well.....for siblings. We have our quarrels here and there, but we do get along much better than most siblings. We even had a dog that we shared and took care of. It didn't really change much after the curse was put upon the town. We still took care of the dog and got along for the most part with some quarrels here and there. But there's something missing. Sometimes I feel like I deeply loath him when I hadn't before. Wasn't there another feeling there somewhere? Something similar to like?

Whatever it may be, it was long gone. No one in town knows what it is or was, and no one can discover or find it. All anyone feels anymore is hatred and pain, but why is this? Is it because we can't age? I've asked around, but even the town's smartest scholars don't know.

During this time of darkness, there are a few things that make me happy. These are dark music, art, blood, and cute, cuddly animals...I mean, anything dark and sinister.

However, there are also things that make me even more miserable: bright lights and colours, people who think they are better than me, people who bully others to feel better about themselves, and my mother.

I am synical in a way. Nothing like my mother, but I do have murderous intentions on my mind for most of the day, and I plot things when everyone else thinks I'm just being anti-social. Anti-social or not, I am quite the curious one. When I find things intriguing (sp?), I work to learn more about it any way I can.

Is there anything else you should know about me? Oh yeah, I like to draw...a lot. Mainly anime, but I am willing to draw some other things. I'm also good at acting like a helpless and sometimes stupid girl to get away with things or do get others to do it for me. I know most would frown upon it, but if I don't have to take the blame, then I'm going to continue with it.

Thats about it I think, but if you need to know more, talk to my puppeteer flamethrower1391.

http://i285.photobucket.com/albums/l...3/AnimeBoy.jpg

Hello, my name is Jazuchu Nakamura.

But I dont mind if you call me Jaz.

I have lived in the village of Black Heart all my life, and I am now...well, I too lost count over the years and appear about 19 to 20..

I guess you could say my life is just like anyone else's, but I guess I'll tell you about it anyway...
You've heard most of it from my sister, so I'll tell my side of everything that she skipped. We are twins, I being the younger one by a few minutes. Even though I got the little brother label, I act more like an older brother to my sister.

Upon discovery of the curse and the immortality along with it, I moved out. My sister came along with a few days later when she found out where I left to. I had tried leaving the town, but everytime I did, I ended facing the direction in which I had come from. It was the oddest thing. I did this for three days on end until my sister came with the dog.

There were any empty houses to move into, so I did a few things, and some people when missing, and voila! There was an empty house just for us. No one knows where the inhabitants disappeared to...except for me. After a few weeks of not being able to solve the mystery, it became long forgotten, and everyone lived happily ever after. Well, as happily as anyone in this town could.

There's not much to my story, since my sister already covered most of it. I could talk about what I've been doing since I moved in to my current home, but it's quite a boring story that no one would want to hear about, except that I do have been searching for this missing thing that I swore we had before. Akira says it's a feeling, but I believe it to be an object. How could someone lose a feeling.

During this time of darkness, there are a few things that make me happy. These are blood and lots of it, snow, shiney objects that I can swipe off of the more forturnate, and my puppy. Duh!

However, there are also things that make me even more miserable:snobs, ice, people who think they are better than everyone else, and the weak.

I am twistedly dark. You would not want to know the things that go through my mind. I'm much more talkative than my sister. She may act helpless and unintelligent, but everyone sees me as her protector (even though she doesn't need the protecting).

Is there anything else you should know about me? Oh yeah, I like killing people. It's my thing. I'm quite good at it, I haven't been caught once. Of course, I don't kill people everyday or even every other week for fear of slipping up. You can't kill someone and expect no consequences.

Thats about it I think, but if you need to know more, talk to my puppeteer flamethrower1391.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Gothika_Knight

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3598/...01247201_o.jpg

Hello, my name is Myra Annabella Knight. But I dont mind if you call me nna or Bella. I have lived in the village of Black Heart all my life, and I am now 19. I guess you could say my life is just like anyone else's, but I guess I'll tell you about it anyway... I lived with my mother and father in a house on a hill in the village of Black Heart. Whenever my family and I left the house, we would pretend to be a happy family so to speak, my mother and I would wear long sleeves and it wasn't because of the cold. My father would beat my mother until she could'nt move and he would come after me and sexually and physically abuse me. My mother would try her best to crawl to my aid but she would be in so much pain that she would collaspe.
When my father would fall asleep my mother would come to me and comfort me and tell me "To not worry, this will all be over soon." I kept telling my self that as the years passed by us and the beatings got worse. But then one day, when I was 10; the nightmare happened, my father came home drunker than usual and that scared me and my mother. He went after her first and she ran for her life and told me to hide. He grabbed her throat and pinned her to the ground. There he bashed her head in with his fist.The sound of her skull cracking echoed in my ears as the blood gushed on the floor, on my father and the walls until my mother stopped moving and breathing. He stood up came after me and did what his stick and twisted mind told him to do. After he was done, he passed out and I crawled to my mother and tried to wake her up, but there was nothing I could do she was dead. Now my world descented farther in the darkness after that day.
The next 6 years were a living hell for me, I had to deal with my father alone without my mother. But a little bit of happiness came into my heart, my father fell ill and died. The burial of all those bad memories were gone and I was free from him and his grasp. I still live in the house my family lived in, just as long as my father stays dead and buried I could have some happiness in this village.
During this time of darkness, there are a few things that make me happy. These are drawing, singing, taking walks and looking at the moon. However, there are also things that make me even more miserable: bad memories of my father, my mother's death, a man beating his family for fun and being alone to long. I am I am a gentle and sweet person by nature. I am willing to help anyone in need, despite the mood of the village. I also get mad when someone is being abused and then I interven. I like to solve the problems everyone has so they could try to be happy. Is there anything else you should know about me? Oh yeah, Before my mother died she gave me an amulet that has been past down from her side of the family for generations. The power inside it is unknown to me but according to my mother its suppose to find the one I love. Thats about it I think, but if you need to know more, talk to my puppeteer Gothika_Knight.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Abomination.

http://i81.photobucket.com/albums/j2...n_by_heise.jpg
Hello, my name is Nathan Lee Smith. But I dont mind if you call me Nate. I have lived in the village of Black Heart all my life, and I am now 21.

I guess you could say my life is just like anyone else's, but I guess I'll tell you about it anyway... I was orphaned at age five, which many claim is the reason for my cold heart. Nobody wanted a child like me, and so orphan I stayed until they let me go at sixteen. I was depressed at first, but somehow found the nerve to work my ass off and earn myself enough for a small hut and a few cattle. Nothing more.

I feel like I should be telling you something other than a sob story, so let me go back in time a bit. I've been living in Black Heart for hundreds of years. So many years that I've forgotten how many, in fact. All I know is that I've stayed the same, somehow, as those many years ago. It happened on the day that a woman from our village committed suicide. I was friends with her, and she was one of the only friends I had. The only one in fact that understood me.

We were both unloved. Left out for our own, we had to make our own way. People ran from her the way that I feel that they wanted to run from me. It was good that way, just me and her. It was perfectly fine - until we started drifting away. I don't know how much of it is my fault, or how much of it is Jack's. Jack? Maybe it was Jeremy. Or Jim. Or Jared. I don't remember his name, but it was who my friend was in love with. Funny thing? I never knew her name, either. I was told to call her El, and she never gave me her real name.

People used to say she was cursed, because suddenly nobody cared about anyone else anymore. I never felt anything, because I never cared for anyone but myself in the first place. Mothers and daughters started fighting. Fathers and sons with bonds like glue broke apart. It was terrible to watch it happen - but it's better off this way, everyone independent and striving for themselves. Finally, they understand why I've been by myself, why I've never sought out help. It's better to be by yourself than depend on someone else... and then be ripped apart.

During this time of darkness, there are a few things that make me happy. These are independence, my music, that thing called chocolate, and taking care of my hut-house. However, there are also things that make me even more miserable, my fears: love, depending on someone else, becoming Mr. Nice Guy, and finding my parents.

I am a very blunt person. You ask a question, I answer it honestly and truthfully. I've been known as a creeper, because I don't really tend to talk much, along with the fact that I'm light on my feet. I've been told that I can be nice when I want to be, but hell, who am I kidding? That's not me. I usually just shrug people off and keep on walking. Other people's opinions don't matter to me. Just know that if you plan on talking to me in the future, prepare to get your little feelings hurt. Who needs feelings, anyway?

Is there anything else you should know about me? Oh yeah, I realized the other day that I have... Some kind of bond with the earth. Every time touch the ground with my hands, flowers bloom bigger if they're around me. The grass is a little greener in that spot. It's been helpful to me, as well as making everyone else jealous. They've always wondered why my crops are the ripest.

Thats about it I think, but if you need to know more, talk to my puppeteer Abomination.

Quote:

http://i303.photobucket.com/albums/n...Gallerycom.jpg
Hello, my name is Doctor Amadeus Black. However, I don't mind if you call me Doctor Amadeus, or simply Amadeus. I have lived in the village of Black Heart all my life, and I am now 41, or at least I was before time ceased its forward crawl. Technically, I'm actually 60. I guess you could say my life is just like anyone else's, but I guess I'll tell you about it anyway... I live in a manor on the outskirts of the town that I inherited from my father, along with his fortune, but unfortunately it is close enough for me to have been included in this curse. However, this does not concern me for now I need not worry about outside interference with my... experiments. Long have I studied the limits that the human body with the help of some of the villagers that have gone 'missing.' In addition to my degree in surgical medicine, I also have a vast understanding of the functions and mechanics behind the steam engine, the so called 'marvel of the modern world.' My experiments used to revolve mostly around using the steam engine to create wonderous devices thought to only exist in fiction. Lately however, I've been focusing less on my previous works and more on a way to escape this curse. I've discovered that the Flamel boy seeks an arcane escape. Unlike many scientists, I believe in the arcane. In fact, I plan on contacting the young Flamel boy and asking him if he'd like to pool our resources and work together. Anyway, the sooner I leave this den of murderers and thieves the better. I had to unload my double barrel into a pair of ruffians who sought to pillage my home. Good thing I've finished project Sentry, I won't have to worry about thieves whenever I go out to town.. During this time of darkness, there are a few things that make me happy. These are my laboratory, the security of my home, my experiments, and, well, I must admit... there is a girl in town I've seen around who seems so... intriguing (Akira). However, there are also things that make me even more miserable: those 'happy-go-lucky' types, dealing with the deficit of intellectuals in this damn town, turnips, and I absolutely can't stand the sight of clowns. I am sophisticated, refined, intellectual, and, some say, as cold and unfeeling as a machine. I take offense to that last one however. I do so enjoy my experiments, including, I'm ashamed to say, the screams of agony that my experiments make.. Is there anything else you should know about me? Oh yes, the death of my father was not an accident. I simply made it seem that way by injecting an air bubble into his blood stream. That's about it I think, but if you need to know more, talk to my puppeteer Graxdon.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Sweetsorrow66x

http://i119.photobucket.com/albums/o..._dress-1-3.jpg
Hello, my name is Ella Crest. But I don't mind if you call me Ella. I have lived in the village of Black Heart all my life, and I am now 16. I guess you could say my life is just like anyone Else's, but I guess I'll tell you about it anyway...
i was a slave child since i was born a wealthy countess held me hostage as well as her count. i was beaten for everything that went wrong, if another servant stole the jewels of the family i was the one punished. the food to cold .punished. Garden unattended.punished. shopping not attended to. punished. every detail every time. By 6 i was covered in scars, my back a map of the chains and whips. finally at 8 i snapped massacring the family and their new baby, i took with me vowing to raise it the way i should of been. i left found by a new family, it was all wrong when i did. The baby was sent away back to the remnants if the family line, and I was kept and sorta raised. At 9 That's when i discovered my affinities for shadow and light, and also the hidden runes that possessed my body when i conjured them. While practicing one day the eldest of the family witnessed my abilities, he happened to b the town scientist and inventor. when i was 9 and a half that's when the experiments started he'd make me conjure them and by 10 i discovered two new affinities i could use. Air and water. 11 i could do spirit, but i hid it until fire was accidentally discovered in a freak experiment, and from there i learned to combine them. 12 I touched upon Earth and connected even deeper with spirit. That's when i couldn't take it anymore, he was talking other girls from the village and trying to combine my abilities with theirs or to them. i Killed him and his Family and sent them a proper sending. And once again went on my way. When i was 13 i met with the town fighter and assassin. he took me in and then Ive lived with him since then. Learning the ways o an assassin and How to become one with myself and my affinities. And for those i Killed some I haven't forgotten about others I have. . During this time of darkness, there are a few things that make me happy. These are i like to sit alone and not be bothered , most of the time I'm either practicing fighting or my affinity casting, wandering round or drawing and/or writing. However, there are also things that make me even more miserable: i hate large crowds and annoying people and I prefer it to be silent and Not loud at all. My one fear is that my affinity will take the best of me. I am I am typically Very stern, but I am really rebellious, I hardly ever really sticks to the rules. I can be Optimistic but I Am usually mostly sarcastic and pessimistic I Have a lot of trust issues and I like to keep my past to myself. I can be Bright and cheerful at times but I look at the world threw cold eyes. Like i said before I am very picky about trusting certain people and tend to keep to myself. I almost always spend my time either sketching or reading; its a form of peace that helps me pass threw the painful world I live in and keep out of it for good, unless otherwise.. Is there anything else you should know about me? Oh yeah, I am always is some form of Gothic Lolita outfit I love to wear skirts and shorts with knee-high boots that have corset lacing. I also undoubtedly love My corsets and fishnets stuff. I am always seen with a necklace and numerous bracelets on and my hair up ; mostly in pigtails.I will often wear jeans on cold and rainy days with a hood and whatnot. My strengths always depend on the elements mostly because I have yet to figure them out. My weakness was always obvious there is no doubt about that . My emotions and My heart its as simple as that. That's about it I think, but if you need to know more, talk to my puppeteer Sweetsorrow66x.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Holleh Knight

http://i225.photobucket.com/albums/d...me/Green-1.jpg

Hello, my name is Arianna L. Knight. But I dont mind if you call me Arianna or Aria. I have lived in the village of Black Heart all my life, and I am now 22. I guess you could say my life is just like anyone else's, but I guess I'll tell you about it anyway... Aria was born with a father who was always on the verge of dying. It wasn't fair to have a two parents when it felt like she didn't have any because her mother always had to take care of her dad who was going to die at any moment. Growing up as a kid was the hardest. Her friends at school asked to come to her house but, her parents didn't want them to see her father, or even get his illness. Even though Aria wasn't alone, it always felt like it; no matter what she did to cheer herself up. "Why me......why does it have to be my burden to carry?!" Aria would always yell at herself. But it would never be fair, even if her dad had a miracle and was okay. It still wouldn't be fair to make her go through all that suffering.

Three months later, her father gave in to the illness and died with a tear still rolling down his cheek. "It must've been a painful death." Arianna told her mother. Her mother raised her head and said to Aria "No, I don't think so." Aria looked at her with a confused expression. "But there's a tear rolling down his cheek." "I think he shed a tear because, h- he d-....he didn't want to lose you honey." Tears rolled down Arianna's pale cheeks. I thought he didn't know that much about me since he was always in bed......ugh. More tears streamed down her face. It still wasn't fair but, ever since then, she always felt better about herself.

Two years passed and her mother caught the painful sickness her father got years ago. "Damn it! Why does these things keep happening! It isn'- It isn't fair!!" Even with her mother sick in bed, Aria still tried to live like her friends do, happy and normal. Sometimes her mother would get off her mind and she would have fun with herself. Aria felt like her friends were her only family that she wouldn't have to worry about. Life was getting more fun and enjoyable for Arianna.

This time, five years passed and her mother died too. Now, Aria was completely alone. Now that felt like hell. She was twenty though and was permitted to take care of herself. That was lucky. The way she makes a living though, is painting. No one would ever guess that she was a master artist until she tried. It was her passion and it made her forget all her troubles. Life was now, fair.. During this time of darkness, there are a few things that make me happy. These are Cherries, Fighting, Winning, Art, MEN. However, there are also things that make me even more miserable: Grapes, Liars, Cheaters, Losing. I am Arianna is mischievous and curious. She loves to seek out things. She's also very forward with people. Aria loves to make people laugh and have fun with her, it makes her feel special. Is there anything else you should know about me? Oh yeah, she can read minds but most of the time, there's a glitch and t's too hard to use it so she rarely uses it at all. She also has a tattoo of a black heart on her righ forearm. Thats about it I think, but if you need to know more, talk to my puppeteer Holleh Knight.

-|♥|-
OOC Link

http://www.menewsha.com/forum/commun...mance-ooc.html

Accepting -Not yet open.

Still Accepting~ Now OPEN
! : )

Lexi strode down the dark street carefully, watching for any policemen that may be on the night patrol. She was making her way toward the seamstress' house. Rumor among the underground said that it was unusually well-stocked, though few bothered trying to rob it. The name of the owner was Emily or something similar, not that Lexi really cared. Seeing the house-shop combo down the street, Lexi sped up. There aren't very many policemen out and about tonight, Lexi observed silently. Probably because of this blasted rain. When she arrived at the house next door to the seamstresses shop, she ducked into the alley, wiping rain out of her childish face to better see her target. Doesn't look like any lights are on, Lexi thought as she scanned the building for any sign of active inhabitants.

Seeing nothing to suggest that anyone was up, Lexi dashed down the side of the road and up the porch, where she ducked down and whipped out her tools. After a few minutes, Lexi had picked the lock and entered the building. She stopped to gaze at all the beautiful garments and fabrics, which obviously outshined her ragged clothing. Shaking her head to clear away the fanciful thoughts, Lexi crept further into the shop, carefully dodging anything that could wake up the owner(s). She was doing great until she heard something and jumped into a nearby loom, which crashed to the floor, loud enough to wake the dead. Unfortunately, she tripped as she continued to back up, and fell on top of the thing where she got entangled. Lexi struggled to get free, but without any leverage, there was nothing for her to do except wait for the owner(s) to find her whenever they came downstairs.

Ced had just finished looting Emily's jewelery box when he heard a crash downstairs. This caused him to chuckle, for two reasons. The first was that the marks in this house were heavy sleepers; even the end of the world couldn't cause them to wake, once they had settled in.

The second reason was because an amateur was trying their hand at his game. And failing. Miserably. His coffers made full by his efforts, he decided to pay a visit to his competition, and made his way to the basement forthwith.

It was that 'Alexis' kid... Thought she was so bad-ass, being in a gang and trying to play with the big boys. And now she was strung up in a loom, because while beating people up was something she was good at, it seemed sneaking was not.

He stood close, eying the trapped girl with a bitter smirk. "Well, well there... Welcome to my parlour, said the spider to the fly. Looks like you came here to play, but you're all tied up at the moment. Listen, Lex, you forgot the number one rule of stealing; don't try to out-steal Ced Quickfinger. Now, I'm gonna leave you here, so you learn your lesson in the morning, but let's make this interesting first."

As Alexis protested, he proceeded to draw upon her face with a pen. Whenceforth he finished, the word 'IDIOT' was boldly emblazoned on her forehead, a thick handlebar mustache was crudely scribbled upon her upper lip, and thick muttonchops adorned the sides of her face now.

"Bye now, Lex. Sit tight, stay comfy, maybe get in some sleep. You'll need it when the coppers beat you."

With that, the thief snuck out through the cellar window, quiet as ever. He had to hand it to Alexis, however; that house was a good choice for a first-timer, even if she DID get too close to the loom...

(Is this too much? She was incapacited by the loom, but I feel like this is borderline godmodding.)

Jack was in his room all the time and doesn’t think of what is going in the town and wishing this place was not boring to him all the time. Jack left his room and looked himself in the mirror in his bathroom and went to take a nice hot shower for an hour.

After his shower he went to his room and went to get his clothes again and puts his clothes on and looked at the sky and hated the sky color and wishing for something to happen on this day.

Jack left his home and got his sword with him he takes it everywhere he goes to find someone in trouble but he doesn’t care that much anyway. Jack went to this store and left it was boring for him. Jack walked more and more and saw a person running and Jack sigh about it but is going to have a little fun with it for a while.

Jack ran through the alleys and went to caught him before he got there first. Jack saw him walking and sigh about it and looked evil at the same time “well what do we have here a man that leaves a girl to die that is not a nice thing to do little boy.”

Jack looked at him the red years of killing but Jack was not going to do that. That was not is thing yet but Jack didn’t like that this boy was doing bad things to a girl mostly and his darkness is strong in him anyway.

((I don't see it that way. Only thing that could be even remotely considered godmodding is when you said she protested, but that's rather trivial.:)))

Lexi huffed as Ced left. That was the problem nowadays: too many thieves. How am I supposed to get Temp the money to take care of Phen if there's nothing left to steal? she thought, aggravated. And where in the world is my Luck anyway? It usually keeps stuff like this from happening. As she finished her angry thoughts, an ebony cat ambled out of the shadows and climbed up the side of the loom. "...Black cat," Lexi said slowly. "No wonder my Luck didn't work. You suck, ya know that?" The cat seemed ashamed of itself, if such an expression were possible on a feline, and seemed to think that licking the girl's face would be enough to make amends. It seemed highly focused on her forehead, and nothing Lexi did could dissuade the cat from giving her a thorough washing. After washing the pen off of Lexi's face, though she couldn't see it, the cat crept along the rope and curled up on the tiny girl's tummy, purring contentedly. Lexi sighed, realizing that she couldn't get rid of the stupid animal, and despairing over how Temp was going to get the money for Phen's medicines. She knew that there was nothing she could do, but it didn't alleviate her worries at all. She continued laying there in her immobilized position, waiting for the owner(s) to come, and hoping that they'd mistake her for a little lost four year old or something.

'Beautiful' Emily whispered as she looked around to see fireflies circling the shrubbery and plants in the outskirts of the town. After tossing and turning most of the night, she had decided to take out her stallion and go for a ride through the greenery that surrounded the lonely little town of Black Heart. The empty feeling still stood within her as if she had a piece of her own life taken away, but she still felt warm looking at things she found beautiful. Sighing, Emily decided to head back to her store and set to work on the next days orders. Sleep was not an option to her anymore.

Mounting Murray, the stallion, she took a firm hold of his reigns and slotted her feet into the stirrups. "Ya!" she shouted at the horse, though why she had no idea as the creature was obedient and knew what it was expected to do.

A few minutes later, she tightened the hold she had on the horse's reigns and pulled him to a stop outside of her store. For some reason, it looked different to her. Like there was something wrong with it, something missing maybe?

Whatever it was, she shrugged it off and dis-mounted Murray; leaving him tied to his post to calm down before she set him to sleep in his stable. Treading carefully as to avoid any larger puddles, she made her way to the door. When she got there, she entered the store and shouted out a quite "Hello!" though she was sure she would hear no reply. Sighing once more, she headed into the main workroom and lit a few candles to light her workspace. Looking around, she noticed something odd behind her spindle, and she went over to see what it was.

A girl, no bigger than a child was lay on her floor tangled up. "Who are you? What are you doing here!?" she questioned the girl before pulling her cat off the girl's stomach. Looking down with an expectant expression on her face, she waited for any kind of reply.

Jazuchu silently climbed out of bed without waking his sister who seemed to be sleeping soundly on the other side. After quickly getting dressed, he scampered downstairs to slip his shoes on and leave the house. Tonight, his little stroll through town would end at a shop where he had a quarrel with the shop owner a few days before. Why was this his destination? He was playing on killing the shop owner and maybe his wife.

Upon his journey, he hadn't seen a single soul until he got to the shop itself. Peeking through the window, he spotted a girl stuck under what appeared to be a loom. If he went in there, she would surely see him and more than likely rat him out to the police. He couldn't afford to spend all eternity within a jail cell in the only known village to him where the inhabitants live forever. And what about his sister? What would happen to her if he was caught? Would she get blamed for the murders when she wasn't involved at all?

"What are you doing out here at this time of night?"

He quickly spun around, knowing that he was caught, but not by the police rather than his sister. Akira stood before him with her arms crossed over her chest and a stern look on her face. He hadn't told anyone of his doings, but he figured that she knew about them.

"I can't believe you're going to do this tonight. Can't you wait a few weeks before going all 'off with their heads' on them? Everyone heard you two fighting a few days ago. You'll be the first person they suspect."

Jazuchu turned to walk back down the street and home with her following him. "Don't be so loud. Not everyone is a heavy sleeper like you." He opened the front door, allowing her to walk in before him. "I wasn't going to kill them after I saw that girl trapped in there. I'm not sure what she was doing, but I wasn't about to get caught."

"My name is Lexi," Lexi replied, trying to seem like an amiable individual. "Someone was stealing from you by the way. He said his name was Ced Quickfinger, or something." Lexi was really hoping that the lady would let her go with a harsh warning, or thank her for telling about Ced's thievery, anything but call the cops. It was a miracle in and of itself that she didn't recognize Lexi from the dozens of wanted posters all over the city, but Lexi didn't hope that would last. That blasted cat's probably going to screw something else up too, she thought miserably as she waited for a response from the lady.

Jack stood and stepped away from his studies. There were so many magical texts, but not a single one told how to break the curse over the town. And from what he could gather, magic wouldn't do diddly. I need to reverse it or something, he thought as he fastened his cloak and exited the house. Every spell has a loophole that terminates it, but I haven't been able to find this one. He had been working on it every day for the past month, but nothing helped. Maybe I'll be able to figure things out at young Emily's house, he thought as he steadily made his way over there. I wonder if she's up. She seems to be riding that stallion most nights, so it's probable. Walking slowly, he continued puzzling the matter over in his mind.

Emily frowned. "You do realize that this not my house. I simply bought the store from the home owner. I like somewhere else entirely! But, that is not the matter here. The thing I would like to know more is what you are doing tangled up in my look young lady. This is not the kind of place to play. A textiles store is a dangerous place, you could have gotten yourself killed!" she sighed and knelt on the floor and tried to untangle the little girl.

Looking closer at the girl's face, she wrinkled her nose in though. "H- have I seen you before?" she asked, almost positive that she had seen the girl's young face before.

The soft sound of footsteps outside the store made her forget what she was thinking and turn away to look out of the window. Jake, she smiled to herself. There it was again! The feeling that she somehow recognized but could not quite place. The feeling that she should be doing something or wanting something or needing something. She looked back down to the girl then and said "Now, I shall let you go. I suspect you of something more than simply playing in my store, but I shall do nothing more about it. However, if I catch you in here again for anything less than to buy something, I will report you to the police department. Do not take my warning lightly little lady. Now, out!" she pointed to the door after untangling the last little bit of string from around the girl's slight frame.

[[P.s. Flame; my character is not married. I am not sure that you were reffering to her when you spoke of the shop owner and his wife... But my character owns the store; not the house, and she is not married :) Just thought I would let you know :D]]

Lexi scowled as the owner helped her get loose. She had half a mind to tell the lady off, before remembering that it would just get her in trouble. Upon being completely freed, she hopped to her feet and stretched, shooting a particularly dirty look at the ebony feline before complying with the owner's wish and making for the exit. Her earlier prediction about the cat screwing something up proved correct as she stepped through the door and into a tall, lanky man. She fell backwards onto her butt, cursing silently. Surprise overrided her other emotions as the man grabbed hold of her by the armpits and lifted her to her feet.

Jack strode onto the porch in long strides, knocking upon arrival. He could see the light on in the window, but still figured it polite to announce his presence and terrify the inhabitants. At his second knock the door opened, which Jack took to mean that Emily had seen him arrive. Slight surprise showed on his face as something small bumped into his legs before bouncing off and landing with a nearly inaudible thud. As his eyes adjusted to the dim light, he picked out that the tiny thing was a little girl. Without hesitation, he reached down and picked the small child up by the armpits before setting her down on her feet. He kneeled down to be on eye-level and started in shock. "I've seen you before, somewhere," he said with a slightly accusatory tone. "What is your name?"

Lexi was full of fear that this man would recognize her. Unlike the lady, he seemed like he had a pretty sharp memory. She kept her mouth shut, hoping that the man would mistake her for a little lost child and let her go with a pat on the head or something. Unfortunately, that cat was still around, so it didn't look like her Luck was going to pull through for her. This fear was confirmed when the man called out, "Emily? Did this child tell you her name? What is it?"

Emily walked out of the main store and into the hall where she knew Jack was stood. She looked confused as to why the girl was still stood in her store, not to mention the fact that Jack was now kneeling in front on her and asking what her name was. "No, she did not Jack. I never asked for it, should I have done?" she asked, feeling even more confused.

Emily could not quite figure out what was happening. Though she feared that the small child had been trying to steal from her, she had not thought much of it as every child tried to steal from everyone lately. "Who are you little girl? What is your name? Answer Jack!" Emily said forcefully as she made her way over to kneel at the side of the girl. Still holding her little black cat, Emily eyes up the small child warily. "Wait" she said, recognizing the girl's beautiful brown eyes suddenly. "That is how we know you. You are on all of the wanted posters around town aren't you!" she practically shouted at the little girl.

Lexi nodded at the accusation sadly, a few tears leaking through her emotional defenses. The tears weren't for her, however, they were for her friend, mentor, and fellow gang member, Phen. Unless these people had a sudden change in heart, there would be no way for Lexi to get the money for Temp. She hung her head dejectedly as the man pulled her arms behind her back. She was quite surprised when he let them go, but even more surprised when she couldn't pull them apart. As far as she could tell, there wasn't anything holding them together.

Jack stood as he finished his simple spell. The young girl would no longer be able to move her hands apart. He felt bad for the child. The police would beat her as they did to every thief her age, but, unlike them, she might not survive. "Do you want me to get the police, Em?" he asked quietly, sending a globe of light to the ceiling.

Emily stood and looked down at the little girl. She felt a sudden pang of grief, sorrow and pity for the small child standing in front of her. There was another emotion there too, something faint, but she felt almost motherly; yes, she knew the child did not belong to her, but something about the little one's slight frame and beautiful huge brown eyes made her want to take her in and give her everything she ever needed.

When Jack asked if she wanted him to get the police, she thought only for a moment and then looked up at him with sadness on her face and pain in her eyes. "No Jack. Let her go. She will not come back here. Look at her, she is so young. The police will kill her if they get her, they will beat her until her tiny frame is broken up into thousands of pieces. Please, let her go" she sighed and knelt in front of the girl again.

"I never saw you. You were never here, but do not come back here. I am sparing you a horrific and painful death, for now. If you get caught again, that is not my problem. If you are struggling with anything, you need money or clothing, come to me. Please, do not get murdered by the police. They will not take pity on you the way I have done today. Go child, leave" she smiled as she wiped a tear off the child's cheek.

Lexi looked up in shock at Emily's response; no one had ever shown her that kind of, well, kindness. This was great! She still had enough time to get the money for Temp! Indeed it seemed an incredible stroke of luck. Maybe my Luck is stronger than the cat's bad luck, Lexi thought gleefully. That would explain the tingle I feel. When Emily continued and mentioned money, Lexi lit up and said, "Actually I do need money. Not for me, for my friend. She's really sick, but she can't afford the medicine she needs. I would be more than willing to work it off if need be." By now Jack had released her, but she stayed where she was, seated on the floor, rubbing her wrists.

Jack complied with his young friend's wishes and let the child go, though he kept an eye on her. Something odd about this child, he thought puzzled. Almost like she has a spark. Jack felt a little down at the mention of the girl's sick friend. While he was a mage, healing illnesses was something that he was horrible at. He could mix together the medicines with the right herbs, but healing them with magic was a bad idea. The last time he had attempted healing a sick person, he accidentally moved some organs around. That had been when he was sixteen, but he hadn't ever tried again.

Jack obtained a glass of water from the kitchen with his magic, but, on its way, the glass dropped and shattered. He had lost his concentration as he noticed something from the tiny girl: she was reacting to his magic! No normal human did that! Containing his excitement, Jack fetched the broom and cleaned up his mess, hiding his suspicions from the others. I'll have to test her later, he thought as he emptied the glass into the trash.

(Sorry. I thought the shop owner was a dude. I apparently can't read these days...or type.)

Emily felt sad at the mention of the little one's sick friend and she saw the same look of sadness reflected back at her in Jack's face. Emily was pleased that the girl was willing to let her help rather than steal to get the money she needed. "I am sorry about your friend little one, but how about I make you an offer. Work here, with me. I will pay you enough to get your friend's medicine and a little extra to keep yourself well fed and off the streets. All you have to do, is be my assistant. I need someone to clean up a little and also help me collect fabric and eventually after a while, you can assist me in the making of my garments. I would be more than happy to let you work here, but you will have to promise me, no more theft" she sighed and hoped that her expectations were not too high. The little one needed help and Emily thought she could be the one to give her that help... The only problem was, would she accept it.

Emily jumped a little when she heard a glass shatted behind her and looked at Jack questioningly. She then watched as he made his way over to clean it and noticed a sudden spark in his eyes as he looked at the little girl. It was unusual for Jack to look like that at someone, and even more unusual that he had dropped a glass... Emily had never seen Jack's magic fail him before, he obviously had something else on his mind.

"Are you okay Jack? Is there something on your mind?" she asked him before turning back and waiting for a reply from the little one. That reminded her, she had not yet found out the girl's name...

"No more theft?" Lexi repeated questioningly. "Okay, I guess." She wasn't too thrilled at the prospect of giving up something she loved, but if it was necessary. Besides, it not like I can't break and enter occasionally, Lexi thought as she stood. Maybe even leave a little something for people like Phen. She figured that working as an assistant sounded pretty good. Plus it would give her enough money to buy some art supplies if she was lucky. Going over the possible outcomes of her decision, Lexi spit into her palm and stuck it out in a handshake gesture. It was the common pact-making ritual of the gangs. She jumped a little when Jack dropped a glass, but kept her hand out, waiting for the reciprocal gesture.

"Uh? No, no my dear," Jack assured Emily. "I'm quite alright. Just puzzling over my latest project." It was quite hard to keep his enthusiasm hidden. It had been forever since he'd seen another magical humanoid; once the curse went up, he was the only one. Now it seemed as though fate had delivered unto him a girl who could potentially become a mage with the right teaching. The surprising thing though, was that he hadn't realized it earlier. He went about righting the shop when he saw what was covering Lexi's palm, hoping that if he appeared busy, she wouldn't expect the same thing from him.

Emily saw the girl's gesture and frowned a little, then realized what she wanted her to do and grimaced. She must have looked so funny with her nose all wrinkled and her lip curled. It took her a few seconds to gain back her composure and then she too spat in her hand and held it out. She closed her eyes and waited for the little one to link their hands together. As she did so, she replied to what Jack had said with an obvious strain in her voice. "Good. And oh, is it anything interesting at all?" it was obvious that she was cringing.

Emily decided to open her eyes and look at the little one. It would be more believable if she looked as though she actually wanted to make this deal. "What is your name little one?" she decided to ask, still holding out her hand like a fool, too cowardice to actually conjoin the two spit filled palms.

Lexi couldn't help but giggle at Emily's expression of disgust. It was obvious that she couldn't care less for the procedure, though Lexi had to give her credit for trying anyway. Lexi smiled mischievously as Emily opened her eyes and asked her name, having noticed the distance between the two palms. She squeezed her hand, thereby fully connecting the two saliva-coated palm, as she answered. "My name is Alexis Durhendal, but I hate being called Alexis or Alex. So just call me Lexi." Lexi noticed that the man had stayed away from her, cleaning up the shop. She giggled again at their hesitance, a beautifully musical note that slid from her mouth.

"Not really," Jack replied as he used magic to repair a couple of torn threads in the loom. "Just working on the same old stuff, you know?" He purposefully kept his eyes away from the ceremony taking place nearby, cheeks turning a bit rosy as the girl giggled at their expense. The loom was back to its former glory when Jack was finished, but he headed to the kitchen instead of back to the duo. "You want me to make you something to eat while I'm in here?" he called out to Em, feeling slight pity at her situation.

Emily cringed and desperately tried to stop herself from heaving, or even worse, vomiting. She tired to smile at Lexi but found it too difficult whilst clenching her teeth together. For some reason, she was quite happy that her clear amount of disgust had made Lexi laugh! Even though this method of contracting was by no means regular for her...

"So, from now on, you will work for me Lexi. Do not fear, I am not a mean boss. You may arrive here at 10am, no later, and I will allow you to leave half an hour after we close up at 4.30pm. I will supply your dinner and your breakfast if you so desire. If you ever need anything else, like a drink or a break, feel free to ask me. It is up to you how I pay you. You may be payed daily or weekly, but I guess that depends on how often your friend needs her medication. And, for example when it snows, if you ever need a place to stay or you feel you may not be able to arrive here on time due to the weather, you may have my spare room. Call it worker's benefits. Oh, and if you should fall ill, I will pay for your medical treatment" she smiled and hoped that all of this would please Lexi.

Emily then heard Jack if she wanted anything to eat and she smiled to herself and blushed a little. "No thank you Jack. I have too much work to do to eat, there is just no time. The store will open soon, I must be ready" she smiled though he could not see her and then realized that Lexi was still watching and tried to stop her silly blushing. When her cheeks finally went their normal color, all she could do was hope that Lexi had not seen her silly display. "Oh, and you may call me Emily or Em, or even Emmy if you like" she said, trying to change the subject a little.

"Okay. That works for me," Lexi answered, pleased with the idea of a warm dinner and breakfast, something she didn't often get. "Could I get my first payment now? Phen needs the money for her medicine by tomorrow. I promise I'll be back in time." She would have to grab her supplies as well. I hope she doesn't mind if I set up in the spare room on a long-term basis, she thought as she waited for a response.

"I'm sorry Em. I'll have to make my visit short," Jack said apologetically, as he came out of the kitchen bearing a sandwich. "I just remembered a passage from the Codex that may help me with my project. Thanks for the food though. It seems that I'm out at my house." Jack figured that he had forgotten to go grocery shopping that week, as often happened. He left the building, waving goodbye as he went, and made his way to his house.

Emily nodded. "Yeah sure. Thats fine. Here..." she said as she walked over to her desk and unlocked the drawer with the key that hung around her neck. Pulling out $60, she turned to Lexi and handed it to her. "I hope that is enough. That is your payment for today. Make sure you do get back ontime, I need someone to help me open today, I have a lot of people coming in to collect orders!" she smiled and then added "and by the way, do feel free to stay in my home any time you want. I am always happy to hav you, though I understand if you want to stay with your friend and your Phen" she winked at Lexi and then turned back to the draw and closed it and locked it once more.

When Jack announced his leaving, Emily frowned a little and then smiled. "Yeah sure, no problem Jack. Come back whenever you want, I always have food here. Though, I seem to have more in my cottage, which is silly, as I spend more time here than I do there!" she sighed when she heard the door shut behind him. The she turned to Lexi once more. "I will begin to set things up now. See you when you get back" she smiled and then set to work ordering her fabrics and setting up the machines. Another thing she needed to do was place all of her garments in their packaging, but that would have to wait until later; her clients always wanted to see their finished piece before they payed good money for it.

Lexi smiled at her good fortune; sixty dollars would be just enough for Phen's monthly supply of medicine. She had wiped her hand on her ragged clothing after the deal had been made and their hands released, so she didn't worry about messing it up. She left the building, reiterating her earlier promise and smirking at the unlucky cat. Jogging down the street, Lexi was unaware of a small black feline that was following her rather determinedly, at least until it caught up and tripped her. She went sprawling down the sidewalk, scraping her tiny hands and childish face. She hopped up angrily, glaring at the black feline and saying, "I hate you, ya know that?" The feline just sat there passively, almost like it was responding with "You don't mean that." It meowed and strolled up to Lexi where it rubbed its back against her legs. She sighed, anger leaving her, and scooped the animal up. She set the animal on her shoulders and stood still as it situated itself. By the time Lexi started walking again, the cat was stretched out across her shoulders and purring contentedly.

After about another ten minutes of jogging, Lexi came to the alley where her gang's headquarters were located. She walked in, making sure no one was watching out of habit, and knocked on the door in a sequence. It was Morse code for her name: one short, one long, three short, one long, two short, one long, and two short. The door opened after a few seconds and Temp showed his angular face and black hair. He signaled her in and closed the door behind her. "Do you have the money?" he asked gruffly.

"Yeah," Lexi replied, avoiding looking at Phen. "Fifty-six bucks." She handed the specified amount over, keeping onto the rest.

"Thanks, Lex," Temp responded, looking vastly relieved. He didn't love Phen, no one loved in the village, but he did care. "You're a lifesaver. Nice cat by the way."

"Thanks, I guess," Lexi replied, giving the much larger individual a hug. "I gotta get going now though, so I'll see you later, kay?"

"Yeah, see ya," Temp said, going back to Phen. With that Lexi exited the building, closing the door behind her, and made her way back to the shop. After another fifteen minutes, she arrived and walked into the room that Emily was currently in, calling out, "I'm back! What do you need me to do?" as she went.