It was a snowy wonderland, straight out of children's fairy-tales. She didn't have to wonder what Michael would look like; she knew that she was a snow queen and he would be a knight or a king. The only thing out of place was her sword--through so much at her side, she would never leave it behind. Her angelbow was perfectly in place at her back, making her seem even more pure. She wore a thick white and blue coat--made out of fur, but somehow not responsible for the deaths of so many innocents. A beautiful blue star was embroidered on each sleeve. She carried the staff with its wings and purity symbol and... She was still so enthralled with it that she could barely stand it... That which she had searched for for so many years. The perfect counterpart to her beautiful red pendant; a pure white one--with blue edges--one that was sculpted from the power of the angels.
Inspiration: This avi.

Storyline: Gaia story.

She loved this place. The night--and the life. She didn't care for the "nightlife" itself. No control--these bastards were completely empty. They were controlled by their whims. She hated them. (No self-control.. They threw themselves all over the place.) There was nothing wrong with living in the night, though. Even with him at her side, she felt whole... She felt like she could be happy, in another body--time--and place.

Influence: Self-Control-Laura Branigan

Storyline: Witness

She was furious. Acting self-righteous--acting so strangely. Not that that was anything different, coming from Bri. Bri was always like that.... Everything that she ever did was a mistake. And did she care? No! Bri was a freak, Bri was one of those--of those HYBRIDS. She knew that, the same as everyone else did.

And would she betray him, asked her inner voice?

Well, no..... Shut up! I know that he's not really that smart! He's not really that special! He just likes to mess with my head, to mess with Erik and I. He doesn't... He doesn't understand.

Doesn't he? Does Erik understand a thing???

Shut up! Bri's the idiot, here. Bri's the one trying to bring me down. I've moved past him and that old life.... And I don't want it back. My friends would hate me if we...

Do you want them to tell you who you should be? What you should do? Who you should be friends with?

No--yes--they're my friends--shut up! You're just messing with me. You're like Bri.

Aren't I YOU?

Errr........ This is my birthday. Now shut up.

Influence: Shut Up!-Simple Plan

Storyline: Hybrid

Unimaginable..... Being betrayed in such a way as this.... She had always known that his loyalties lay in such a place, and she had always known of the dilemma with her mother.... Yes, my mother is a hybrid. But you had never ever mentioned it to me... You had never mentioned that you thought I had the disease, too. You had never told me that you were only with me to spy, and were only staying on..... I hate you. I won't forget everything that you did, and I remember everything in a far more painful context now. THank you for telling me what REAL people do in friendship. Thank you for showing me that everything I had ever hoped was wrong--and everything I had ever feared was true. And perhaps Cerbas turns, too, and that surprises me less..... Your betrayal will cost no more lives today. You're going to wonder why you're all alone... THank you for showing me that I was such an idiot for so long. Thank you for fooling me so thoroughly. I hate you now.

Influence: Thank You-Simple Plan

Storyline: Hybrid

I know everything that you could possibly have to say. I have heard it all before. I'm sick of their games--they're so narrow-minded. I can't go home... Never again, not after what I did there. I understand Thony's fears (though unjustified), and I'm so alone....

No. I'm going to prove that they're wrong. And I'm going to start now. I can see what these bastards are trying to do, and I refuse to let them control me. They may have drugs--but I remember what I did. I remember who I am and what I can do, no matter what shit they try to shove in my head around it. I'm a nightmare to everyone else--and I'm making myself happy. I've got to prove them wrong, because there are three other girls on the line this time. And no chance of convincing my friends to see it otherwise.

I'm sick of waiting. I'm not playing it their way. See what I can do? See what I'm going to always be? If you're as sickened by them as I am, then help me, you bastard.... You.... I'm as surprised as you are. And I don't have to make it on my own--not quite. I'm no longer the disaster to them.... But I've always been my own hero. They can't bring us down.

Influence: Me Against The World-Simple Plan

Storyline: HSC (AHS)

Craziness, but it's all sanity, all inside.... You just can't hear it.... Everything has closed off for the night, and it drives me crazy. Oh yes, I know what I'm doing, Zara. I know everything. I have to go, must go now.... You will not deny me...

It's my song, not yours or Lili's.

And here, I've gone, and I can feel you wonder. I can smell the wind, and I slide through the bed. I'll leave this town--and you can't deny me. I must go. I can feel that everything is about to change, and I will not be scorched by Adam's flames nor by yours. I will never deny the truth again, not after last time....

Catch me, Zara, catch my meaning, my love. You must, or you'll be sent away, too. It would be much easier if I were crazy, I know.... But I'm not... You hear what's in my head, and you wish that you couldn't. When no one else will remember--except perhaps Lili--I'll still know. I'll still remember everything. I'm private, I'm me, I'm safe. Sorry, love.

Influence: Private Radio-Vanessa Carlton

Storyline: HSC (AHS)

I can hear it coming, feel the drums tapping....

It's still away, but I can feel it coming. I can feel the pain and misery. He sits away, he sits in his own place and beyond all of our bindings. I have given him everything--all of me--and in return, I am betrayed. I am given.... Nothing... I look where I once saw comfort and home and am given his empty promise--worth nothing--and I wish that I had held true to myself. The streets--this--it's all mine. It's ours for a few more days, and we have a chance. I want him--I want to be normal again--but I know that I can't be. I won't settle for that, and he would never let me. And I cannot betray myself and my friends again. Not after what they risked.... Not after what they did. I will not repay them like that.

I am tired. We all are. The bus seems to slow down--I can feel everything empty itself--and the sun is rising, and soon they will follow us. I cannot handle that. I don't want them to be after us; they'll never stop, and I just want to be safe. I carry on.....

INfluence: Half a Week Before the Winter-Vanessa Carlton

Storyline: Hybrid

Drugged.... I can feel what you did to me, and I'm only surprised that I didn't notice before now. As always, I can fight it.... And I'm always so afraid of what I refused to know before. It's life--people are truly this cruel and stupid. It's life--people really aren't this strong. I'm simply unusual. It's life--I can't get around it. They devour truth and live up to whatever lie is strongest or prettiest. And I couldn't live like that. Why--how--oh, I'm so pleased that I'm stronger. But I'm dreadfully sick of being the hero.... Always and forevermore, I'm stuck in this world. I'm stuck being the strong one, stuck as the savior, and it drives me crazy. Why can't we belong in truth? Why do your melodies always require such pain? Oh.... Life..... It's so harsh. I cannot like it, cannot love it, cannot deal.... I hate it. It's life. You swallow truth.... I save it....

Influence: C'est La Vie-Vanessa Carlton
Storyline: HSC (AHS)

Reassure him.... Reassure him that either way, she will be safe. I cannot say if he was always like this. I didn't pay enough attention to him; I get that now. I wish that I had; I'm sorry. I've dealt with him before, but I never really knew him. And I should for this... I have no way of knowing how he truly is.... And she shouldn't have meddled with magic like this; I shouldn't be playing with it.

But either way, he will find her. I've gone into deep magic, and I... It's strong. I should regret it. I don't want to get drawn into it, as she has. Does that matter, though? It's not always the same... It's not always what it should be. Things are bad. I feel horrible about it. I'm sorry, Lili. Your plans might've just taken a nosedive.... If you programmed Zeale any differently.... I've sent him back to the way he wanted to be. And he will meet you.... I can't say how that will go, but he'll meet you. And I wonder if I really know him now.

Goodbye is so mundane to you. You'll see him soon.... And someday you will know each other.

That was clear enough. I see your boyfriend--see him with you. I've heard you, over and over, tell me that I'm not good enough for you. Even though I'm trying to save your life, I'm too inferior for you.... I don't understand you, and I never will. Every time that I do anything, it's fodder for your entertainment. Laugh it up, Liz. Laugh it up, because I know what he is. I know what he's planning. I know that it's your birthday--and he knows where you'll be tonight. No one will wonder when they see your body and hear that you were a hybrid. I see him planning behind your back... And you know what I am. If you hate me, you'd hate yourself. I've always known that I can't fit in with you lot--but at least I've never denied myself. At least I've always acknowledged who I am. If it were any other time.... If I were anyone else.... I'd let him take you.

Influence: I Heard You-Good Charlotte

Storyline: Hybrid

I cannot understand--I only understand that I'm incapable of knowing more. It's inside, and I wish that it wasn't. I wish that I wasn't this way..... No, I don't; it would only be easier. But would I prefer an easy death to a difficult life? I can't handle the contradiction, confusion--I wish that I weren't so alone. I wish that I could tell Zeale the truth. I don't want to hurt him any further.... I don't want anyone to know.... I wish that someone could understand. Only Thony can--and he's so wrong.... I go back and forth, I debate and moan, I cannot make this choice.... How am I so alone? Can't they understand what I'm saying? Why is it that my endorsement alone is cause for hatred? It's unjustified, it's painful, it's killing me.... Back and forth.... I can't handle it. I'm sorry; I cannot take it. I'm going nowhere--this back and forth--it's crazy, it's driving me, it's uncontrollable....

What is going on?

Influence: Take Me Away-Avril Lavigne

Storyline: HSC

She knew what their lives were like. That was why when someone like her came to them they couldn't trust her. Their lives were shit--no one could ever justify what was done to them--and they would never get better. It was a tough trip--tough luck, the other kids always said. They worked all night, all day, all inbetween. It was never over. They held on to everything--clinging for the sake of dreams. And when someone like her waltzed in.... Anything was worth a shot.

Dont do this. You'll make it out, only if you can trust me. Only if you can listen. Please.

She could see it in their eyes. They were broken--almost--and furious about it. When the pet of someone so spoiled came into their mist and advised bowing down to the rich bastards.... No, no, they wouldn't.

And the moment was broken when she saw her cousin. No... Josh hadn't told her this. Make it, please, we have to make it out of here, please, Eddie.... An eight year old girl looking up to him with idolization in her eyes. Again. And he could recognize that much...

Influence: Livin' ON A Prayer-Bon Jovi

Storyline: Witness

She recognized the signs. They were disturbed.... They were restless. And they wanted to be free. They wanted to be away, and they could not be. She could see them beginning to quarrel with one another, and that disputes were jumping up everywhere. She was worried; she was scared. These people had no reason to care for her; a few days ago, she would've turned them in. (Would she have? Would she really have betrayed them for so little?)

She saw the bus come to the stop--gas was necessary, and she had known that they wouldn't make it out of the state. But still.... She had been hoping for something more.... Some hope of being able to win. Some hope of escape. Instead, she could see Erik ahead--even with his wound, even though he was behind them, she knew that he would soon pass them and be waiting. She couldn't go back. She couldn't....

She wouldn't. And if no one else would take charge, she would. She worried, she feared, and she had so much.... There was too much at stake for her to allow herself those luxuries. She would not be able to.

Influence: Lux Aeterna

Storyline: Hybrid

I want you.... No, I want everything to return to its simplest state, and I can't understand what happened to change it all. I miss my life, and believe me when I tell you that I want it back. We're separate now--and I understand that. I realize that in this world, we're closer. I am your fire--or something like it--and my flame is nowhere near burning out. That makes me happy. I don't know what else is different, but it's nice to know that somewhere--to someone--I'm more than a mistake.

But I can see everything falling apart. As he steps out... Rips into your throat... You look at me, and you're looking across realities and lives and feet.... I wish that I could grasp what you're trying to communicate. If I'm what you want... What you're struggling for... Why? Why am I so important; why am I the tragedy? Why do I bring this to everyone? Please don't tell me that you want life to continue this way. I don't want this, I can't stand this, it aches--it burns--it kills--and he looks at me. More pain, more hatred, more anger, and more fear. No.... Please.... Tell me why...

This must be a mistake.... I don't want it that way....

It hurts...

Influence: I Want It That Way-Backstreet Boys

Storyline: HSC

.... It happened a long time ago; few people even remember it--they only remember the legend. It was a horrible thing. It destroyed a reality. There was this prophecy... And these two great mages were meant to be together. Only for one night--they were loyal to others, but they were supposed to come together. Just once. They didn't; they discovered their mistake later. He was horrified; he wanted to rectify the mistake, but he couldn't--so what he did was more terrible. She was horrified, but willing to take what had happened and run. No one believed her later.... They mocked and denied her, and he took her.....

She wanted to kill.

INfluence: Poor Thing-Sweeney Todd Soundtrack

Storyline: HSC

I saved them.... Saved you from the killers who came for Charles, saved you for the bastards who would have taken everything.... You're the only things I'm sure of, the only ones who won't lie and will help me. I'm fond of you; you've helped me through so much... You've always been waiting for me... No more training; I'm here, and I'm going to let you do what you were made for--you'll have what you want. We will do magic; we will do great things.

Alicia.... I'm here, too.... Alicia, you can't believe me--oh, but Alicia, I'm here, and I wish you would. There's so much more than what you see.....

They're here, and I won't abandon them--they're going to get what they desire most. What they were built for, what they're going to see, what they'll be gifted with.... The bastards will never know what's coming to them, and you'll be sated.

Influence: My Friends-Sweeney Todd Soundtrack

Storyline: Witness

You don't recognize me, do you. You ask me for these brilliant things, and you put more trust in me than you should.... Oh yes, it's all from you, you are the one giving me such happiness. Ah, love? You are in love with him, then? Ah... I see. Love is a beautiful thing, and I know not what else one could want...

Beyond lust, you say? Lust is a fine, fine thing--but it goes best coupled with love. And you say that you love this fine man, yet you lust after the worlds you haunt, and you say that you desire me--as you desired so many others--and I know it. You may not recognize me, but I recognize you. And perhaps I have let a few things slip, but you believe that you imagined them, and that's good enough for me.

He's such a beautiful man; you have no idea. The way that he feels, the way that his mind strains--it's strong; HE's strong and beautiful. Something about him just changes the atmosphere and changes the world. He stays with us... Even when I'm away, he's with me. You cannot possibly imagine our love....

I have a good imagination; you'd be surprised. He's a very pretty man. He's beautiful; I can see him everywhere. He's the one that I'm in love with. He's forever within me.... Even when he's away from me.... And my moment grows closer... You, I will take...

Influence: Pretty Women-Sweeney Todd Soundtrack

Storyline: Gaia story

I believe that it's over.... I believe that you're gone.... Despite what Thony thinks, I know why I did it. I can feel you, I can smell you, I can sense you... I miss you, and you have no idea how badly. I wish that I could be with you. I don't know if the connection will always be there--I don't wish to. I'm going to let it go. I don't know how you are now. I don't know how you'll appear--if I ever see you again--I'll dream of you, and imagine that you're there. If you're beautiful... If you're not... I'll still never see you again. And that wounds me. Goodbye, I believe, and I wish that you could be with me--no, no, I won't show you how this absence stings me.

I am... Away.... Look at the danger; she's a witch, I know what she is, I know what she does, I can feel her.... She's crazy, not me, I know what's real. She's dangerous... She's not... I don't know.....

If I don't meet you, and I know I won't, I'll always remember you. (And you'll never know what I did... Unless Thony tells you, and he won't.) Thony, you bastard.... You deserve what you get... But Zeale, you're the light. You're beautiful. I'm so sorry only that some of it was fabricated.

There..... She's shining, I can feel her; she's only an hour away, go and get her--don't let her break--don't let her explode--I know, I know what she's capable of....

Influence: Johanna (reprise)-Sweeney Todd Soundtrack

Storyline: HSC (AHS)

Lying there, pretending to be dead, trying to take it.... Trying to absorb everything and reflect nothingness.... She couldn't do it, couldn't do it, had to do it.... She'd been dead before, but had never had to do it quite like this..... Zane entered the room. She felt him brush over her with his mind, then stop--startled. No.

No, no, not what you think, never that, no, no, please, Zane it's safe! Zane, don't do that, no--not that knife--I can feel it--Azik!

Help me!

She felt him enter, felt the struggle, the strife in the air, the anger, and tried to continue to be calm.... Something was happening..... She felt Zane dwindle down--and away--but couldn't react. Her moment of fear might have been too much. She worried.... She feared.... What would come of it.... They believed that they were safe now, but--no.

No. She felt the fear in Zara. The door was locked, she heard it click from several levels away, and forced herself out of the cold tub. She felt it.... Felt someone, something, in there... She forced herself up with Azik. No time for Zane lying on the bed--she struggled to shove more life force back into him--he wasn't dead, and that was good enough.

Starra was horrified. She was faint, and Lili could tell. Zara was trying to stay calm, and Nicole--Nicole? She could barely feel her. She picked up speed. Nicole had no defenses.... Someone was in there, tormenting them. One of us, one of them, forced undercover again.... She reached the door. Thony was frantic, Thony was furious, and Thony felt powerless. Thony was throwing himself at the door with Adam's help.... Someone powerful was in there, or they would've been through already. She could hear Bhen's voice, taunting them all. She could see it through the door, and she could feel Adam's fear, stronger than anyone else. She had never been more connected--but she'd give it up for them to all live.

Marke was trying to persuade Bhen to open the door, but failing. Zeale clung to Lili. She joined Thony and Adam. She drew on Zane--barely--and on Azik. They pushed.

Pushed....

Something pushed from inside of the room at the same time.... Something powerful and huge and pure, and dissolving the door.

Influence: Lux Aeterna-Requiem for A Dream soundtrack

Storyline: HSC

Driving herself.... Zane and Azik hadn't understood her silence over the summer. Zeale had been there, but Thony was always watching. And knowing he was there--feeling him stare at her--oh, no, no, no, she couldn't deal with that. She would rather be on for a longer term. More classes.... More distractions... Yes, yes, that was the way. What she had done was difficult enough.... But this was harder; this was far less easy. She wanted a do-over.

She did want a more normal life. She wanted a life where she didn't have to choose between her boyfriend's life and his love, where she didn't have to continually be under supervision for the use of her powers. She worried... Oh, she worried, and she longed for a life untroubled by these things. Yes, classes were much easier for her--she didn't have to do any work or even show up--but she didn't want to play it that way. Easier? Maybe, but she'd rather have the knowledge.

It was a rip, this parting, leaving Zeale with no knowledge of reality... But she could start over. She could start over, only knowing what she did, she couldn't--she could never really start over. And she would always be alone. It hurt....

Influence: The Scientist-Coldplay

Storyline: HSC (AHS)

She saw the dust rising and stood her ground. The scarf was very deliberately wrapped around her face.... She didn't want him to recognize her; that wouldn't do. She felt the memories--he knew, then? She couldn't tell if he knew or not, and either way... Well, either way, what did it matter? Either way, she had to at least hold him off for a few minutes. Any time was fine, more time was best... She could see him, could feel the knife in her again.... Oh, not again, please, no. She had gone through efforts to outwardly remain calm, but on the inside--she felt sick. She felt horrible, and that was just the memory. He was already testing the defenses of her--the front gate.

"You could deceive Traves; you can deceive him." That had been it. There was no good luck, there was nothing. A dismissal. She could see Jon already, and felt him laughing with his troops. They left one against everything. With more nausea, she could feel his power. He had gained so much strength....

He smiled, standing in front of her. He pushed her over backwards and she stumbled. He slapped her and drew his sword. She threw him with her mind, throwing him to the rest of his troops. He stopped smiling. She could still feel his anger, his rage, his vileness.... She could feel him all over her. He threw himself at her--physically and mentally--and she barely managed to escape to the camp.



Now he stood. She was scared, she had been torn, she had been hurt, and all that she could tell them was that he was coming. Well, he would have to make sure that she didn't have to fight him again; that wouldn't be fair to her. He could see the other one yelling at his troops. He'd always been good at giving orders; Michael remembered what Jexi had told him about the coma.... They met each other on the field and fought. Michael had him disarmed in no time, sword through him. He turned and was about to get more--what..... Jon smiled at him. He'd never had much contact with the bastard, and that had been fine. But he hadn't been--he couldn't be--



Jexica sat up. Michael--Mila--they were both gone. And she could feel only diminished and pained presences outside.... No, no, not Michael too. You can't have him. She pulled on better fighting clothes, ignoring the pain and ignoring the fatigue. She called to Jon. He wouldn't refuse. They clashed--and she wasn't as good of a warrior as Michael, and she was distracted. Even when she--he couldn't be--


Yes. I am immortal.

INfluence: Lux Aeterna

Storyline: Gaia Story

She climbed the steps to the podium. To her left were the secret service men, looking especially menacing--mainly to her. To her right were the police. All for her protection; such irony. She looked out at the cameras and the audience. There to see if the hype was true, and there to see if she would keep her word. She always kept her word; she wouldn't break it. Not now. She caught Taylor's eye and nodded slightly. He would see to it that at least one copy of the tape made it out. She began her speech.... The one she was supposed to say stayed neglected in her pocket. When she got to the essential point, there were gasps in the crowd. She pushed the podium out of her way and jumped off of the platform, running far away from the men who would take her back and have her.... She remembered what she had read so long ago and had inspired her to love and to live....

She made it through his back door, evading detection. She sat on the kitchen floor, huddled under the counter, wincing and touching her side. There had been gunshots--she hoped no one else had been injured--and one had grazed her. She was so scared.... They would be here, soon, interrogating Cos--she could hear them at his front door. She heard his voice, full of disgust and fury for being fooled again. They left.... And he returned to find her on his floor, bleeding.

Influences: Lux Aeterna; Ayn Rand

Storyline: TBS

In the cold night, she wore a dark violet scarf. It wrapped around her face and blew with the wind. Her jacket was one-armed, but her other arm wore a thin glove, holes scattered throughout it. She wore her favorite skirt--long and pocketed--and carried her trusted sword. It carried no powers--nothing that it came from or to augment it, like the bows--nor did it have the power to do anything other than be a sword--unlike the gift of Traves. But it was a weapon that had managed to stand up to everything thrown at it so far. It was made by a former class of fighter on a world that they had visited together long ago--they had all received one, in homage to their fine fighting spirits. Each one had been made individually for them. Hers was slightly different from that of Traves and Michael--and she smiled as she remembered how Traves had failed his test. They had lost respect for them in that encounter. Michael didn't understand--until now--how he could have possibly reacted in such a manner. She understood the fear, but understanding him didn't mean that she liked his actions any more.
She carried a blue book under her arm--outlined with gold trim. She knew that it was a gift, in another way, from the leaders of the world who had hoped to tear them apart. It was odd.... Traves's obsession with Michael had served them well there, as he had refused to fight him. She, too, had refused to do battle... But the books were only powerful when combined; their words made sense and would flow together in a different way. It had been a large gamble--and she was thankful that it had been lost. Her book had initially been red--Traves and his earth power had been granted the green book, and Michael's water had been blue. She had been intended to be fire--full of that rage and life--but she had gone against what they had expected. That still made her smile. She would finish this quickly, and then they would be free to leave their ghosts behind.

"Come clad in the color of the earth, and you will be safe." More was the pity that she had no weapons that were brown-colored.... She came with wings--amateurish-looking, clockwork-oriented wings. But she supposed that she could always break them apart and stab someone with them. She was lucky enough to have a brown bag; there was a dagger in that. Of course, it wasn't pure brown; there was silver to it, as well. The pants and shoes were easy; the top was clingy, so it didn't inhibit her too much--but this was an unusual battle. With any color other than that of the earth, all of the dark spirits that they were fighting would be sent after her, directing all of their power at her.

Storyline: Gaia story.

Influence: This avatar.

She had a pink stole around her--laced with gold. One of these days, she swore, she was going to find a world with decent men's formalwear, force Traves and Michael to get some, and then be DONE with being the only one eligible to go undercover at these parties. But in the meantime, she knew that she was unfinished, and was only pleased that she was finally able to try a strawberry margarita.

She stayed outside--she was not meant to be bait this time--merely to observe. The tiny camera in her forehead's gem ensured that Michael and Traves could continue to grasp all of the information that she did. In her other hand, though, she held what appeared to be a strange parasol--she was grateful that she had not been asked to unfold it, as it was really just a large weapon. She would have preferred to carry the sword-cane that had so often served them well, but she understood why it would have been obtrusive in this time and place.

Finally--she was done. She tapped the jewel once more, downed the drink (probably an unwise move, but she was more than capable of clearing out her system on her own), and prepared to leave. She had seen one side of the rebellion, she had seen the other, and she more understood it.

Storyline: Gaia story

Influence: This avatar.