Initiating Insanity

[Requiem of Insanity]

The moon shined down upon the forest of Corone, it’s brilliant rays of illumination creating a black and white wonderland. The breeze blew a gentle exhalation upon the land, rustling the trees and bushes as they shook softly in the breeze. The occasional wildlife would move in the brush, an owl hooting as wolves prowled in the shadows. Life was moving in a steady stream, that was until an ear piercing scream broke through the night like a fog horn.

Deep within a small moss covered shack that had been abandoned to time was a silent predator of the darkness. Long elegant black hair was tied high in a ponytail that stretched down to just her shoulder blades, a purely perfect sneaking suit showing off each slender, dancer like figure of the woman who held a knife up to her lips as a small crimson trickle dribbled down the side of her mouth. A tongue latched out across her smooth, pale features, licking it up and darting back in quickly in one smooth motion. Her hazel eyes looked alight with amusement, the only feature of her concealed face shown in the moonlight.

Gingerly she stepped, like a cat toying with a mouse caught within a trap, a soft giggle of amusement filling the air that the shadows absorbed and intensified as a horrid, siren like call. She was careful not to step upon her bag of knives, several different utensils for her craft; The brutal torture of a victim who could scream.

For Cassandra Remi, no sound was nearly as beautiful than this.

“You’re probably wondering why you are here,” she spoke with a confidence of a woman who had done this multiple times, a self assurance and purpose as she cocked her head to the side, sizing up her victim like a prize choice meat. She moved into the light, a single ray of the moon that crept in through a hole in the thatched ceiling. Upon a wooden table, tied down with restraints that made it so the body couldn’t squirm free was her new playmate.

She cooed as she ran her finger down the edge of her fillet knife, feeling the desires of her dark ambitions manifest behind her in a corrupting chorus of encouragement and promises of sweet nothings. She ravished the attention, relished the joy and sensations of the thrill of terror running down her spine as a cold presence placed a hand upon her shoulder. With her devoted dark companion and knife in hand it was time to commence.

“Jeremiah…what a unique name. Not many people have such a powerful sounding name. It demands the full attention of the tongue to speak it,” she teased as she moved closer to her newest toy, feeling the fear he admitted upon her skin. “I would imagine a Jeremiah would be more attuned to being a wizard, or some mighty warrior, but you,”

“Who, who are you?” he whispered, eyes bound shut with a black cloth. “I recognize that voice!” he called out, attempting to find some form of courage. Cassandra tilted her head back a bit as she laughed out loud, a piercing, evil exhalation of mirth from someone who felt completely in control of their element. Her fingernails danced lightly along the top of his arm, and he wiggled to be free from her touch.

“It shouldn’t be hard to recognize my voice,” Cassandra continued on, playing with his courage and dashing it aside. Jeremiah had felt courage when he could think he could learn who his capture was. By showing him she cared little that he knew of her would smash through his confidence. “I’m surprised you can’t recall who I am.” Cassandra lowered herself so her lips gently blew the words into his ear.

Jeremiah shivered, his hairless body naked in the cold of night, but it was her seductive tone that made his skin crawl. Cassandra ripped the blindfold off, a joviality of someone who had shown a big surprise. What Jeremiah saw was the inside of a cabin he knew, and knew well.

“No, No, No!” he whispered, his mouth opening and closing in gaping breaths of air. “Oh god no,” he fell into a whimper, closing his eyes tightly as he wished for the blindfold to be placed back upon his eyes.

Cassandra laughed as she took her knife and playfully stabbed him in the tip of his cranium, making him shout out again as his eyes opened.

“I want you to look at this room one last time before you died, Jeremiah. It was here you felt so belligerently confident in who you were when you dominated women. It was here you dragged their lifeless bodies, grinning form ear to ear as you thought of all the ways you would make them scream your name.”

“I didn’t-” Cassandra lifted her hand and slapped him hard across his cheek, leaving a red imprint as her fingers and palm felt a tingling sensation. Her eyes fell into two slits of hatred as she glared at the man, her lips curling into a snarl as she stood over him.

“Don’t grovel for mercy,” she hissed. “It’s unbecoming of the macho man. Jeremiah.” Cassandra rolled her eyes tossing the fillet knife out and going for the santoku knife in her bag. When she found the small dicing knife she grinned moving towards his fingers and setting the knife in preparation for him. “To think I was intrigued in your methods for making people scream,” Cassandra said haphazardly.

Jeremiah’s eyes looked up to her as he fearfully heard her mutter about which finger she would dice up first. Then with a whimsical shrug as if she heard an interesting idea from a stranger.

“Why not indeed my love…” she mused as she began to slice up each digit at once. He howled again, his cries echoing in the small room as Cassandra went to work, discarding the knife quickly and going for her larger steak knife.

When she was about to drop the knife on his left breast, preparing to cleave the whole upper muscle layer off she heard another scream, a more potent scream for help. Cassandra titled her head, feeling the vibrations of terror coming from it, and it didn’t sound too far off. Jeremiah saw the knife, screaming again and Cassandra slapped him once more to get him to shut up. The victim didn’t, however, as he whimpered loudly. Annoyed as she strained to listen she eventually lost her self control and cut the throat of Jeremiah, a gurgling whimper as hot blood sprayed out before flowing towards the ground like a water fall.

Cassandra continued to listen, hearing the scream again. She closed her eyes as she let the call of fear wash into her system, analyzing it completely. It was a woman’s, a young woman if she was not to be mistaken. There were a few maddening barks, but she couldn’t discern if they were animals or humans parading as one. She felt a reassuring touch of her dark companion against her back and with his consent she stuck the knife in her bag and chased after the sound.

“Sorry Jeremiah, but I need someone who can last a little longer before whimpering like a girl.” she joked as she passed the body.

[Silence Sei]

"Why the hell am I always the target?! It's Papa who's leading these guys!" Anita shouted in frustration. The teenage girl was currently surrounded by several masked men. It was obvious that whoever sicced them on her had enough money to afford these guys decent facial disguises. They probably figured that the girl had a fear of clowns, because they all seemed to be wearing masks as such.

Except for that one guy. Why the hell did someone hire a mime to attack her? Standing there, slamming his gloved fist into his hand. His white makeup and black drawn on tears made Anita want to laugh at the absurdness of it all. How did she always wind up playing the damsel in distress, and against a freaking mime?

The girl had been strolling around for a night of reflections over what had happened. A lot had passed by so quickly in the course of a couple of months. Her father had gone from being a recluse and solo hero to leading an army and starting a whole heroic council. Images of Logan McCloud and General Thoracis were slowly being replaced by new memories of William Arcus and Jensen Ambrose.

And now she was surrounded by five men. Five men and a mime. Seriously, who would have a mime attack the daughter of the great Sei Orlouge? Anita couldn't stop focusing on how absolutely stupid of an idea it was. As she stood in the circle formed by these men, one of them spoke. Naturally, it wasn't the mime.

"Looks like this'll be the easiest 5,000 GP all of us ever got. Mimi, take her in." Anita's eyes widened as she began to giggle. Was the mime really named Mimi? As several giggles escaped her form, the mime began to swing what Anita could only assume was a lasso above his head. When Mimi threw the rope towards Anita, however, something felt terribly wrong. Her arms had closed in on her sides as if....as if she were being lassoed.

Anita quickly screamed in utter frustration of letting the appearances of others fool her. It would be the last time she ever trusted a mime to be harmless.

[Requiem of Insanity]

She heard the scream again, her blood feeling attuned to it. Frustration, anguish, she had heard it all before. She had moved upon the forest like a wolf on the hunt, jumping over the fallen logs of dead trees, moving under the low cast branches in a sprint until at last she heard her dark companion chuckle behind her ear.

She slowed her pace to a crawl, hiding herself in the shadows. Her sneaking suit was built with a fabric that bent light around it, so she would be nearly invisible in the midnight hours. She bent low onto her haunches, pushing aside some leaves from a bush to get a better eye view of what was going on. There were five people and a mime. Each of the men held on a mask to hide their faces, each one laughing and talking about how they would spend their rich fortune for messing with some heroes daughter.

Not interested. Cassandra sighed as she pulled up and stretched, but another comment awoke her deeper desires as she listened, her head turning a fraction on an inch a time, slowly as her hazel eyes narrowed upon the words spoken.

“I’ll make her scream worse than one of those bloody tales of the Moonlit Mistress who tortures her victims for their pitch.” They all laughed, some even slapping each other’s hands in victory. They continued to boast how loud this child would scream, and some of the more perverse ideas they had in store.

Cassandra’s hands shook violently, her ire raised as her dark companion attempted to calm her down, but instead she simply let her bag drop to the dirt below her, lifting the mask above her mouth and over the tip of her nose in a forced rush. She would show these cretins the meaning of terror, of pain, of what it takes to get someone to scream to match her exact standards.

“It’s time to play my love,” She whispered darkly as she reached into her bag and pulled out a small weapon, her beloved cats claws. She felt the smoothness of the wood against her palm as the cold metal rubbed against the side of her fingers.

The area surrounding the girl began to grow darker, a baleful wind howling in the night as the shadows surrounding the area were congregating on the grassy knoll the bandits stood upon. For the most part, nobody noticed, the mime mage still exaggerating his motions as he pulled in the daughter of the local hero.

Yet one, one off to the side did notice it as he felt a sharp tingle run along his spine. He turned, looking into the darkness, seeing nothing but a soft rustling near the under brush. While the others were celebrating prematurely, he uneasily took a few steps forward. When he was within a hair’s breath of the bush, a pair of claws raked his throat, and he fell limply on the ground, clutching his wound as he tried to call the alarm. What muffled sounds he would have made were silenced by the mask he wore.

Softly his body was dragged into the bushes, and that was last he was heard of ever again.

“Anybody seen Joseph?” a female voice called out, turning as she looked around. Her eyes darted over to the forest, and she thought she saw the silhouette of something, but when she blinked and looked again their was nothing. She slapped the closest clown on the shoulder, and he turned as she pointed to the blood on the grass. He steadied himself as he gulped, looking for Joseph as they both began to walk towards the forest.

A silent chuckle, a deep seated evil rooted laughter filled their ears, and they turned to look for the source, but it was not but a whisper on the wind. They both shook in a twitching fashion, feeling a thrill of terror was down their backs as they looked back at the forest.

What they saw was the last thing they ever would, two regular kitchen knives impaling their lungs as they both fell to their knees and then onto the ground.

“What the hell are you two…” when the leader of the group, the one who made the comment about making the girl scream, turned to look he found two dead bodies and one missing body. He quickly turned to his partner and the mime, both looking confusedly to him. The mime held his imaginary lasso tightly, the girl squirming to be free of them.

“Guys, what the hell is going on?” The leader asked. The mime shrugged, and the other person said nothing. “Hank, what the hell is wrong with you?” the leader asked. The mime waved his hand before the man’s eyes, and he fell over, a throwing knife in his back. The mime turned to the leader, pointing to the weapon and making a shocked face, but it was clear the mime didn’t particularly care about the life of that man.

“Cage her and let’s get the hell out here!” Moving quickly the mime ran towards the girl, lifting his hand upwards and using grand gestures to simulate she was being locked up in a cell. Then he turned to the leader and smiled, pointing behind him.

As the man did so he found a pair of hateful hazel eyes glaring upon his form. They were piercing into his soul, and he felt a wave of dread wash over him as he was powerless to even move. He knew who this broad was, she was the Moonlit Mistress! He whimpered before she lifted up a solitary knife, striking him across the shoulder where he collapsed, gasping in pain as he let out a wail of terror. He attempted to scamper away, but found himself unable to move as that powerful sensation held him down, a dark chuckle within his left ear howling about his demise.

“You really think you could produce a pitch that would be better than my own.” she spoke not as a question, but a sad fact she didn’t want to admit. Disappointment lined her eyes, the only feature of her face he could make out. “Tell me. How would you do that?” she leaned down to him looking him deeply in the eyes as her hand lifted upwards, pointing to the mime.

The mime now felt that same dreadful wave, his face uncomfortable as he pouted, snapping his fingers as he made several attempts to run, only moving in place. He took out a pretend cigar, lit it, pretended to burn his fingers, and then let out a tiny puff of smoke in the air. He offered it to the girl, who stood wide eyed at the scene unfolding.

“I want to know how you would do that,” she said more forcefully, her anger coming to the fore.

“It was a prideful boast, it had no merit. Nobody could ever match your terrible wails!” he buttered her up as he spoke rapidly, and this in turn made her laugh as she looked to the mime. With a uncaring shrug he made the kill sign. She pushed her hand out, ripping the mask off as the man screamed, watching a knife pierce his left eye. He howled out in terror, and with his terror to satisfy her she walked towards the mime.

“I hate your kind,” she whispered. “They never could scream for me.” She lifted her knife, but in return the mime lifted one hand up to stop her, moving his hands around his body as if he was trapped in a box. Cassandra rolled her eyes and stabbed forward, but her knife was blocked by some invisible barrier. The mime shrugged to her, laughing silently as he waved goodbye, and walked away from her. Cassandra felt her dark attentions return to her and the desire to hunt down the mime left her softly as she turned to the girl.

“Hello, small one.” she said, smiling as she turned back towards her new playmate.

[Silence Sei]

What

The FUCK

Just happened?!?!

Needless to say, Anita Orlouge was speechless. The girl had watched what could be classified as minor genocide unfold before her. She didn't care that all of her foes, save for the mime, were dead. In fact, she was grateful to the Midnight Mistress for that. It was the fact that she was now standing before the Midnight Mistress that terrified her.

Everyone had heard the rumors. At least, Anita had thought of them as rumors. If a woman who could brutalize people with such quick and easy efficiency had existed, Sei would have caught her by now. She would have either been in a body bag or a jail cell. So the question now was this; how was she standing in front of someone who shouldn't even exist?!

"A-A-A-Anita," the girl managed to stammer out, "Anita Orlouge. T-Th-Thank you." The girl shifted her eyes to all of the bodies that lay before her. Many had killed for the sake of the teenager before. Sei, Taka, Max Dirks, Anita was sure that even Kyla would slit a person's throat if it meant that her sister was safe. Anita took a hard swallow as she looked to her heroine.

The girl reached into her backpack to withdraw a bottle of water. Taking the glass bottle, the girl took its top off and began to drink it as she continued to stare at Cassandra. Sure enough, the image of the sadistic woman never disappeared out of her vision. She had not gotten high off of nearby paint fumes, she had not somehow drunk herself into an amnesiac stupor. This was really happening. It was all real.

She removed the bottle from her mouth with a trembling hand. The same trembling hand slowly moved towards the woman. She offered her a drink of the beverage with a scared smiled. Anita really didn't want to die tonight. "Holy water. I don't know if you're human or not, but it'll quench your thirst so long as you're not a demon like some of the rumors suggest, Miss Midnight Mistress, m'am."

[Requiem of Insanity]

The girl yammered away, her words sputtering like a broken record as she upon Cassandra’s form like she were a goddess. Ignoring the youth, the serial killer stepped forwards, yanking the knife out of her new toys skull, hard, lifting up on the tip of the blade so it chaffed against the skull. The victim slouched over dead, his other eye transfixed in a blank stare of someone who was mortified of what they had seen.

She bent low, wiping the blade upon his neck as she moved back towards the shadows, but a nagging feeling from her dark companion told her to hold on for just a moment. She turned an inquisitive eye towards Anita Orlouge, the name supposed to be worth something she supposed as she racked her brain to come up with who the name belonged to.

What…did I just do… Cassandra suddenly thought in terror as she dropped the knife in her hand. There she was, offering her holy water with a child’s fear of it being harmful to Cassandra, and now it was her hazel orbs that were wide and confused. She had just saved the life of the daughter to Sei Orlouge, the currently rising newcomer towards the title of savior of Althanas.

This could only mean one thing, and one thing only. The girl Anita would want her to meet her father, and then what would Cassandra do? He was supposedly a telepath, and a damned good one. He would easily notice her darker ambitions and see she was a monster parading around in sheep’s clothing. Her mind was foggy, and her throat felt dry as she lowered the cloth around her lips and reached for the water bottle taking a large swig, praying there was some alcohol in that liquid. Sadly no, just blessed sensations of her soul being purified with every gentile touch.

When she passed the flask back to the girl she looked her up and down. The killer felt like she had seen her before, like in a dream. Something to do with dancing and singing. It was a very odd dream for Cassandra to have, as most times she didn’t dream at night. She shook her head looking away from the girl and to the forest.

“I, uh…um…want to come over for a late night meal?” There it was, the question that would destroy her. She knew it was coming, but instead of a hiss from her dark companion, she instead felt a calming sensation as he gently placed one hand upon her shoulder. Cassandra leaned into his touch, looking curiously at Anita before she nodded once, trusting her deluded lover was right in this thing. She ran to the forest, grabbed her bag tossing her knife into it and quickly getting out of her sneaking outfit. She silently smiled, thinking how she felt like a super hero who’s identity was revealed as she changed back into her every day attire.

Meanwhile her mind felt a small painful sensation as a pounding feeling erupted the nerves in her pain. Her companion was being suspiciously quiet as she ran back to the girl, wincing once from the pain as she nodded to the girl to lead on.

[Silence Sei]

"He's in pain," Anita said as she pointed upwards behind her savior, "like he ate something really bad."

Anita could sense the typically unseen dark companion with her sixth sense, which brought a look of shock upon Cassandra's face. As Anita studied the older woman's face more and more, vague memories began to surface. There was alcohol, so much alcohol. There was karaoke, and there was making out. Why such details began to throw themselves into Anita's mind now, she did not know.

Shaking the moths out of her head, Anita began to lead Cassandra and her 'friend' through the park. Through several bushes and hidden behind a few trees, they arrived at their destination. The rather large black cave known as Sei's Tomb. Anita smelled the air wafting through the area and found that someone was cooking brownies in the place. As long as it was not TSN or Jensen, Anita knew she was safe. TSN somehow had concocted a soup flavored brownie, while Anita thought Jensen's brownies were what made the knight so....loopy in the first place.

Taking the hand of Cassandra, Anita began to lead her into the tomb. As she felt the soft skin of the girl, Anita turned to face the heroine once more. Eyes widened as her thoughts began to form around the idea of what happened in that karaoke bar. The liquor had produced a decent veil to cloud her mind, but now everything was clear. The person Anita had been making out with was Cassandra.

Anita noticed Cass' eyes dart behind her form. Turning around, the girl was met with a familiar grey fighting gi. The toned muscles and orange hair was always a dead give away. The fact that he had already grabbed the hilts of the two strangely shaped swords behind his back made Anita think her father sensed danger. However, the girl shook her head and waved her hands in front of her father.

"Papa, no! She saved my life from a mime!"

Maybe that wasn't the best way for an introduction...

[Requiem of Insanity]

Cassandra turned to the girl, a look of pure amusement as she watched the man lower his weapons upon his back. The two eyed each other, feeling the other out and Cassandra could feel her dark companion hissing in the back of her mind. This was it, the moment of truth for her, and she had to act fast.

“As silly as it sounds,” Cassandra said with a fake laugh. “It’s true. Your daughter was attacked by six ruffians, one of which was a mime. However the mime had powers to make his illusions real.” She offered her hand forwards, like she was performing an interview for a audition.

“My name is,” she stopped for a the merest fraction of a second, wondering if she should lie, or if she just be truthful. Her companion gently stroked the back of her mind, and she nodded to his request. Her eyes lowered, a look of regret covering her features.

“My name is Cassandra Remi,” she spoke, her words solemn and truthful. “I am the Midnight Monster, the Moonlit Mistress, the Fallien Desert Viper, the Carthage Calamity, the Black Archipelago Assassin, the Emprean Envicerator, the Gisela Reaper, and any other name you probably heard of in the papers.” she waved a hand dismissing the names quickly, not wishing to boast with her titles she had taken so much pride in.

“I understand you are the new law in these parts, Lord Orlouge, and that even if I did save the life of your daughter it doesn’t exclude the deeds I am well known for. So do with me whatever you will, but if you leave me to my own device I will most likely never see you again.”

The two stood off, neither saying a word. Cassandra knew the man was a mute, but still he could give the impression off very well. Cassandra played her part in this little one act as well, letting her eyes glance over to him with confidence, but making her body neutral, looking as if she was a tad bit afraid. Truth of the matter was the man did have sense of foreboding, her hazel orbs unable to instill that sense of dread in him. Her dark companion stood tall behind her, lifting his talon like hand before her mind, shielding her past away from the telepath, his other hand gently placed upon her shoulder like a guardian angel.

“If we are done measuring the other up,” Cassandra said, breaking the silence as she lifted to her bag and turned it around. “I have a mask from those who attacked your daughter. If you wish to leave me be then fine, I’ll hunt these people down myself.” Her words were no boast, she hid no malice in them as she watched the man. “However, if you wish to seek revenge on those who wish ill will upon your daughter, then maybe we can come to an agreement…” she smiled to him, a dark, vile smile that was at the same time seductive and inviting.

Again there was silence as Cassandra waited for the man to answer her.

[Silence Sei]

Cassandra Remi

Sei had heard the name before. She obviously held a lot of titles that she was very proud of. Sei could go and ramble off all of the nicknames he had been given, but now did not seem like the time or place. Everyone had heard of this girl, though many expected her to be some sort of myth. Sei, being the secret hero over Radasanth for a long time during his stint as a vampire, knew that there was typically some basis to myths.

But the rumors of what Cassandra Remi is not what caught the mute's attention. It was actually Andrew Octane who told Sei that the girl standing before him was part of his Nine Warrior Prophecy. Anita had mistakingly selected Lillian Sesthal to be one of the two females that the prophecy spoke of. This turned out to be false, as Lillian felt no inclination to help save the city.

That was when Andrew Octane, captured and held prisoner by Radasanth's protector, suggested the name Cassandra Remi. Sei knew better than to try and search for somebody who would not want to be found. If it were truly the sadist woman's destiny to help Sei save Radasanth, then fate would deliver her to him.

It seemed as though Fate made good on its delivery.

As Cassandra proposed a truce to stop the person or persons responsible for Anita's attempted capture, the mute nodded. Having someone that would take the measures Sei refused to do himself could come in handy. Their methods of interrogation would be a bit different, and probably come out with very different results, but Sei was noting all the benefits there were to be had in asking for Cassandra's help.

"Don't think I don't know of your deeds, Cassandra," Sei said sternly. He had to let the woman know that he was to be in charge of this operation, not her. "That stunt you pulled during the circus, while a bit justified, did not need to involve that many innocent people. You will atone for your sins and pay for your crimes. You will do so as one of my aides, however. Otherwise, I can show you the true meaning of torture and pain." Sei hated violence, but he would go through those lengths if need be to get his point across.

"That being said, lets go find the bastard mime and his employer. I will explain what else I require of you on the way. Do you have any suggestions as to where we start looking?"

[Requiem of Insanity]

Cassandra flashed Sei a toothy smile as he told of her of the exploits at the carnival she had done a year prior. A circus ringleader by the name of Montague had spiked people’s waters they passed out during the show, so at one crucial moment his cronies would rob them of all their money.

Cassandra had turned the tables on Montague, killing him while he watched his son getting squashed by an Oliphant of Fallien, but she couldn’t resist trying out a new poison, drugging everyone’s drinks at the show. It was the biggest mass murder in the area, with several casualties hitting upwards of two hundred people. She had to run like hell to avoid repercussions, but she did it.

She couldn’t get behind the idea of someone else controlling her, being indentured to them, but she couldn’t really do much in her current situation. Just for the time being they were allies against a common foe. She had opened up solo performances and shared the stage before, this would be no different. Well, it was a tad bit different now that she thought of it. Sei Orlouge would make an interesting stage companion.

Her eyes narrowed upon him in challenge when he spoke of torturing her. She wasn’t ignorant to pain, and being tortured would surly be no walk in the park, favoring administering the punishment rather than receiving, but she hardly doubted that the mute knew more than she. Yet a curious sensation washed over, her cat like desire to discover new things urging her to tempt him, to ask him.

She pushed those thoughts aside for the time being, getting right to business. Cassandra turned back to the girl, Anita, and smiled to her. “A cup of tea, darling, if you wouldn’t mind.” Anita took a moment to respond, nodding as she glanced to Cassandra’s dark companion. When she turned to walk down the cave network towards what she assumed was the kitchen Cassandra glanced to her deluded lover, who merely shrugged, patting her on the back and ushering her forwards to follow Sei.

“I do have a few ideas, Lord Orlouge, but it really is wild theories. I need an idea of what generates enough money around here for someone to throw away five thousand gold coins like it were nothing.”

“A question I already have been mulling around in my own head for a while. Obviously the drug cartel and mafia are a logical start,” He thought to her, eliciting a hiss of wrath from her dark desires. She silenced him with a thought, feeling that headache once again.

“I assume you already ruled out those options.” Cassandra replied, looking upon the walls as they entered into a small den like room. There were a few posters, all different maps of the surrounding areas of Corone and the world. There was a trophy display showing several medals of commendation for services rendered in the nation of Alerar, as well as a certificate of authenticity as a participant in the Gisela tournament.

Sei sat down upon one of the cushioned chairs, offering her to do the same on the couch which she did, drawing her legs into herself, crossing them one over the other as she placed her hands around herself underneath her breasts.

“Indeed I did rule those out already,” he turned as Anita walked in, a platter with a teapot and three cups. Cassandra thanked her with a favorable smile, reaching and grabbing one of the cups and listening as the liquid poured into the cup. It was a green tea, which suited her fine. She planned on resting after this.

Sei continued. “If the drug lords or the mafia were to come for me, the pay out wouldn’t be even remotely worth the gamble. I’d wipe them out without a second thought. They know I can do this as well, so I don’t think they are the ones we want.” Sei grabbed himself a cup and poured.

“Businesses, government offices, anything like that?” Sei shook his head. “Well what do you propose? Outside influence?” she immediately dismissed the idea. “In my time I have learned that when people wish to make something personal, they want to be there to see the look on the victims face when their plans take fruition.”

“I agree, but I cannot for the life of me think of what could work besides the underground criminal networks. But for them to come to me would only risk losing their operations.”

Anita looked to them both as they debated, a lively spirited conversation as neither one downplayed the others ideas without first backing up reasons why. They both paced the room at times, looking to maps and plotting out ideas as they grumbled and groaned until at long last Anita looked to the table bored, ready to grab another pot of tea. Yet when she was lifting the platter a small leaflet fell from the metal plate and softly dropped to the table.

“Uh,” Anita said, unsure if she was out of line. Both looked to her and their combined presence was very overwhelming. She was used to her father’s stern look, but the hazel eyes of the newcomer were just…different.

“Well?” Cassandra asked.

“What about the circus that’s in town?”

[Silence Sei]

The circus! Why had he not thought of that? The mute should have thought about such things, especially when he was discussing the details of Cassandra’s dark carnival. A circus of crime would be big enough to target Anita without warranting attention from the public eye. Several thugs could easily be concealed among the clowns and beast tamers, ready to strike out once they found their target. This would also explain a mime with such unique powers escaping his notice in Radasanth.

Sei put his book down and looked to Cassandra, her hazel eyes meeting with his azure. The two of them nodded to one another, and the mute quickly wrapped his arms around Anita. Sometimes, the girl's dumb luck came in handy. Sei released the embrace upon his daughter and looked to Cassandra once more.

"You're already prepared. That's good. I just need a few minutes to collect the things I need, and I shall be ready as well." Sei turned away from his guest and went through the dark hallways of his tomb. He could have awakened some of his Ixian Knights, but it was too late. This was something Sei could do with the people already awake. There was no need to bring a whole army down upon a circus, it would take too long to amass everyone and the crooks would have time to flee the city.

A few minutes later, Sei came back armed to the teeth. He previously was only wielding his Gemini Blades, but now he donned all of his equipment. His battle fans were tucked neatly in his pockets, his chakram lay at his side. The ring that hid his light based emei piercer glistened in the light, and underneath the large white cloth draped over his left shoulder, his kusari-gama la in his hand. Sei was ready to make these criminals pay.

"Remember Cassandra," Sei said as he began to walk out of the cave, "No innocent lives lost. If I see one victim that does not belong, you'll lose a finger. My brothers know ways to negate any healing spells, so don't think you'll be able to grow one back if I see a dead father or mother away from our targets." Sei was serious, Succed and Steppenwolf both had ways to reverse engineer even the Ai'Bron healing magic. If Cassandra slipped up and hurt a civilian, Sei would make her pay.

He loathed embracing this darker side of himself, but desperate times called for desperate measures.

[Requiem of Insanity]

“Oh no, not a finger…” Cassandra muttered under her breath. Was this guy seriously trying to threaten her with her own craft? It was insane to think he was, so she just stopped dwelling on it. Sei Orlouge had many secrets, perhaps he did know ways to make victims scream, but that seemed more someone else's motif. When she looked upon the mute she couldn’t place the mantels of a cold blooded killer to his face. He just didn’t seem to ooze that kind of charisma.

She shook her head, dropping her bag and leaving it within Anita’s care. She only carried with her the Butcher’s Bill, her trusty dehlar sword, a small throwing knife, and her cats claws. She placed them underneath her outfit, hiding them save for her sword, but she figured everyone nowadays was carrying one, so she wouldn’t look unnatural.

The trip took about an hour, and there was nothing but silence from the both of them. Sei seemed to be relaxed in his posture, like some cosmic scale was tipping into space and that made Cassandra worry, but what for she had no clue. This wasn’t really her element anymore. Being a solo hunter made it very uncomfortable for her to be sharing the thrill of the hunt.

Her thoughts were washed aside as she found the carnival, the lights still on and the music still playing as citizens moved freely about, laughing and having a good time all around. Not that she cared about such silly things, but she noticed how Sei kept a wary eye on her. This eventually made her throw her hands up in anger, pointing to the mute.

“I don’t just torture anybody,” Cassandra said heatedly. “I pick my targets with a careful selection, making sure it’s someone who could regret the things I‘ll cut out of them. No scream from an innocent person can ever match that pitch!” Sei merely looked to her, his eyes not backing down from his earlier comments.

“Hmmph, whatever,” Cassandra muttered to him. “Like hell I’ll let a hypocrite talk down to me for the things I do.” Sei’s eyes narrowed a fraction on an inch, and the serial killer merely shrugged to him. “You don’t just pick up torture, Lord Orlouge. You refine it and learn it. How else would you be able to so confidently threaten me with acts of my own hobby?” she let the rhetorical question linger before she felt a hard slap on the back of her mind. Her dark companion hissed deeply into her ear, his anger clear for her standing up to Sei.

She had forgot she had a roll to play, and she quickly looked away from Sei. “Let us just agree to disagree on certain things. I’ll assure you however I have no intention of hunting down some petty innocent bystander.” They both looked out over the carnival, and it seemed the masks that she had seen before were on every carnival workers face. They had found their target.

Lifting her hand up and pointing one finger forward sensually, Cassandra confidently looked out to the mass of people. “Go my love, find us someone to play with.” With a howling shriek of mirth her dark companion twirled in the air and was away.

“I’ll go left, and you go right?” Cassandra offered. “Unless you had other plans,” she mused.

[Silence Sei]

Sei nodded at the psychopath's proposal. Even though Cassandra was a bit condescending, Sei was quickly warming up to her personality. She was, after all, a vigilante much like himself. She punished the bad guys for doing evil deeds. She just did it in a different method than the telepath. While Sei detested death, Cassandra embraced it. There was still one thing nagging at the back of Sei's mind.

Cassandra, while never trying to target regular people, didn't really care if she killed them.

That kind of empathy shook the mute to his core. What could make someone become so callous and cold? Sei had endured a lot in his life, but he was more tolerant of things than the normal person. The mute would have to question his temporary companion later, assuming that she would stick around long enough for Sei to explain things to her. He wasn't sure if she would.

Sei began to creep through the shadows of the circus alone. He was careful not to draw any unwarranted attention to himself. He eyed several of the 'clowns' that were not part of the main show. They seemed to have a bulkier form to them than normal entertainers. Several of them were starting to gather around another man, one of much smaller stature.

The 'leader' stood at about five and a half feet. He slowly started to peel off his long mustache and take off his top hat. It seemed as this man put on a facade of a ringleader. As Sei crept closer into the shadows, he began to recognize this man. He was by no means a friend of the mute, but he was somebody he had to stop several times in the past.

Johnny 'Money Maker' Rider. He was a man who took illegal bets on citadel fights. Furthermore, he would be the one to issue the challenge to people, only to fool them by making them go against his chosen champion. After he earned enough money betting on the fight, he would repeat the process later. This made him a liar, a cheat, and an overall criminal in Sei's eyes.

"Hey, where's da mime?" someone in the crowd asked as Johnny stroked a non-existent beard.

"Oh, somebody caught a glimpse of that girl who stopped the capture of Anita Orlouge. I imagine the alleged 'Midnight Mistress' is about to be in for quite the surprise...." a sadistic chuckle escaped the man's lips.

[Requiem of Insanity]

Carnival’s were always, frustratingly, to happy for Cassandra’s pace. The people walked around, all smiling and enjoying themselves as they lined up to buy tickets to waste on silly games and Farris wheels. She supposed had she been romantically linked with another person she could find fun in going to a place like this, but her heart only beat for her inner desires, and nobody else.

She had stopped only once to participate in one carnival game to blend in the crowd, making it seem like she was just a bystander. Game of choice was a simple throwing dart one, to pop all the balloons on a board with rather blunt tipped weapons. She lifted the dart to eye level, sizing up the balloon as if it were the mime’s head, and let loose as the missile soared across the grass popping the first balloon. She smiled, pretending she had beginners luck as she aimed with her next one. The second balloon exploded and she jumped for joy, letting some local town boys celebrate with her. Had she the option there eyes would all be hanging out of their sockets, for she never was one who appreciated any sort of attention.

The next missile missed, but only by a fraction on an inch. She let out a pouty smile, fooling those around her into thinking she was losing her streak. With last dart in hand she aimed carefully and gently tossed it upwards so it came downwards, popping the last balloon. Cassandra giggled, moving her hands to her face to cover the embarrassment of winning, even though she wasn’t slightly uncomfortable with winning. The carnival worker clapped for her, shouting out how they had a lucky winner to try and promote the game to those who passed by. He then pointed to the left wall, it adorned with stuffed animals.

“I’ll take the meerkat,” Cassandra said pointing to the cute little thing. The carnival worker used a hook to grab it off the wall, dusting it off of dried grass before handing it over to the lucky winner. Smiling proudly she walked away from the booth, her grin dropping when she was sure nobody could see her. She looked at the stuffed meerkat again, and softly smiled to it. She had to admit it was kind of cute.

When the serial killer looked up her hazel eyes narrowed into two small slits, the mime standing before her with a long smile that ran across his face from ear to ear. He waved to her politely, bowing and doing all sorts of boisterous activities as she rested her foot backwards and reached for the Butcher’s Bill.

“Mimi, was it?” The mime nodded furiously. “Can you do me a favor and close the window, there’s a draft.” The mime shrugged, turning to the side and pretending to close a window. Cassandra shook her head. “Now, Mimi, can you scream for me?” The mime merely grinned, his tongue lashing outwards as he shook his head, pretending to scream at her.

“Very well then, how about now you die!” Cassandra hissed as she charged forwards with the Butcher’s Bill. Mimi bounced backwards, his hands moving in grand gestures as he prepared to fight with the Moonlit Mistress.

[Silence Sei]

As Sei listened in on the conversation, he learned more and more. Apparently, Johnny was hired to hire goons to stop Anita from going out of the Tomb. It would be too dumb for the thugs to go after Sei himself, they would die too easily. However, they had learned that if not for Taka's interference that Anita would have been easily captured by Shiryko weeks prior to this. The reason behind this surely had to do with the prophecy of the Nine.

As Johnny disbanded the group meeting, Sei lurked in the shadows. He awaited one of the clowns to come by him alone. When the opportunity came to be, Sei grabbed him and knocked him out with one clean blow to the temple. Grabbing his face cover, Sei placed the mask over his face and began to take the man's clothes, putting them over his own. He then slipped the body under one of the portable lion cages.

Sei left the shadows to try and investigate the situation further. As he did, he was grabbed by the arm by another random thug. "Come on, Tim. It's time to shoot you out of the canon!" Sei's eyes widened as he heard how he was expected to 'perform'. What being blown out of a canon had anything to do with actual entertainment, the mute did not know.

He was quickly dragged into the tent by the much larger and bulkier man. He could hear the announcer declaring himself as 'Terrible Tim: The Man Who Deserves To Be Shot Out Of A Canon' The crowd booed Sei as he was dragged along, being pelted with cans, tomatoes, and other random objects. The telepath was not used to being the ire of the crowd, so the loathing for the mystic sent him into shock.

The burly man threw the mute into the cannon with relative ease, the mute struggling to get out. Somebody had oiled the cannon interior up very well, however, as Sei kept sliding back down with every attempt. It would appear as though the -actual- Tim hated this as much as Sei hated it now. As the mystic heard the familiar hiss of a wick being lit, he closed his eyes and hoped for the best.

I sure hope Cassandra is fairing better than me....

[Requiem of Insanity]

Cassandra felt her ire rise as Mimi the Mime yawned loudly, looking to his watch while tapping his foot in time with every frustrated swing of the Butcher’s Bill. His invisible wall was doing an amazing job at keeping the two separated and she found her situation getting more deeper into trouble.

“Why can’t you just be a good mime and die?” Cassandra hissed as she stopped mindlessly beating on the wall. The mime looked to her oddly before grinning, lifting up his hands and pointing to her like he was holding some kind of gun. Immediately sensing danger Cassandra ducked to the side, rolling up to her knees in a crouch as the ground behind her was riddled with imaginary bullets that were tearing up the grass. She peered over her shoulder, sensing Mimi was on the move to grab her and she turned with her weapon as one, fanning out like a tornado as she tried to cleave his head off.

Mimi quickly lifted his hand up, the blade stopping a mere fraction of an inch from claiming his wrist. He rushed forward with his imaginary shield, knocking her flat on her butt as her sword dropped out of her hands. Slipping her fingers under her shirt she pulled out the cats claws, placing them on her hand as she got up.

Mimi was throwing his imaginary rope, trying to tie her up in smooth motion. When she felt her shoulders tugging against her body she dug her foot forward. Mimi tried to pull her, but her resistance was proving to much for his frail frame to compensate for. Instead he shrugged, pulling out his make believe gun again and leveling it at her head.

“MY LOVE!” Cassandra shouted, and with a howling cry despair rid her dark companion, a baleful wind blowing across Mimi’s skin making his tiny hairs rise. The distraction was enough for Cassandra to duck behind a barrel before the mime regained his senses and started opening fire on Cassandra. The barrel splintered and debris flew outwards, but the liquid contents inside it prevented the bullets from hitting her.

“Hold him for me, my love,” Cassandra ordered to her twisted desires. Like a dutiful lover he obeyed, rushing towards Mimi and gripping the mime’s mind in his talons. A rush of dread came over Mimi and he felt powerless to walk or runaway, but he wasn’t so helpless that he couldn’t move his arms. Elaborately he gestured a few walls around himself before sitting in a make believe chair, the situation rather odd looking had it not been so dire.

Cassandra came out from around the barrel, bending over and picking up the Butcher’s Bill. She had a scowl upon her face and she slammed the blade twice into the barrier, but Mimi merely smiled.

“I’d wipe that grin of your face, clown,” Cassandra said. “I didn’t want to resort to this, but I know your powers are based off sensory manipulation with a few rudimentary understandings of barriers and blockades. You perceive an image that your opponent can envision, then you use your barrier magic to make it real. The human mind is a very strong thing, and I commend your ability to play with it so well.”

Mimi looked to her with affection, proudly bringing his hands into his chest and bowing low to her, wiping fake tears from the side of his cheek. He clapped for her words, taking in her praise.

“Stow it you dolt,” Cassandra said with venom. “I too can play with the human mind. I have made a life of doing so. Where you build upon the imagination of your enemies, using their own brain against them, I take the enemies regrets and fears, turning it on them.” The little box Mimi hid inside seemed to dim a tad darker, a soft chuckling of malice echoing into the area by Cassandra’s dark companion.

Cassandra then in great exaggeration placed her hand on Mimi’s wall, feeling around until she pretended to fiddle with a doorknob, only to find it locked. Mimi smiled to her, which she returned in kind, dropping her knees and overturning a pretend rock picking up a fake key to open the door. When she stepped in she closed the door behind her, and Mimi’s face was covered in shock and terror.

“You’re probably wondering why I am here…” Cassandra said seductively, her tone inviting and warm, but full of a dark vileness that made Mimi’s eyes widen in terror.

Cassandra laughed wildly into the night air, dragging the mime into a circus tent for supplies. While the audiences and the throng of people were having their fun, Cassandra pulled out her few tools she had on her to have her fun. With the lights, sounds and the laughing, poor Mimi’s wails of anguish and regret were lost amongst the crowd, people dismissing the clown’s cries for somebody having too much of a good time.

Cassandra cocked her head to the side, her eyes filled with wonder before she went back to work, thinking happily how she never knew a mime could scream so sublimely.

[Silence Sei]

As Sei prepared for the worst, he heard the hissing of the wick fizzle out. Sei was wondering why the canon had not fired its live ammunition. As if to answer the telepath's pondering, Johnny's voice yelled over to the crowd.

"Ladies and Gentlemen, we have a special guest with us tonight! It seems as though Terrible Tim will not be performing tonight, but instead I give you the Hero of Radasanth, the Avatar of Alerar, the Dragon of Drantrak! I give you.....Seeeeeeiiiiiiii ORLOOOOOOOUUUUGEEEEE!"

The crowd stood up with thunderous applause as Sei peered out of the cannon, taking his mask off. He sheepishly waved to the crowd, a bit taken back that his ruse was so easily discovered. One of Johnny's henchmen probably found Tim's body underneath the lion cage, and informed their boss. Sei made his way out of the canon and stood on the ground, looking at Johnny and wondering what he had planned.

"Now that we have such an esteemed guest here, shooting him out of a canon seems dumb. After all, who doesn't know that the great Sei Orlouge can fly?!" As he asked the question, Several clowns whizzed by the 'ringleader' while flapping imaginary wings. This got a great laugh from the crowd. Johnny tipped his top hat to the crowd as thanks and pointed a cane towards the telepath.

"Tonight I will give you something more, boys and girls. Tonight we will put Sei Orlouge through the ringer, to see just how many men he can fight before exhausting his resources! The Hero of Radasanth will not spill blood unless he absolutely has to, but with mean attempting to 'kill' him, how long can he truly last before taking a life?!" The crowd applauded the spectacle before them, believing that Johnny would not actually kill Sei.

Sei knew better.

It started off with four of the scrawniest clowns Johnny could send out. Their fragile frames looked like twigs before the eyes of the mute. They all dived at Sei at the same time. It was a stupid rookie move, and Sei avoided it by jumping high into the air. This caused all four skulls to bash into each other, and collapse on the ground. Sei landed on the backs of two of the men, and stomped his feet into the other two afterwards. This caused painful sounds to escape the men, who seemed to pass out from the pain.

"What a display!" Johnny yelled, the crowd going nuts over Sei's speed and ingenuity. "Lets see what will happen when we send more experienced men after him!"

It was going to be a long night.

[Requiem of Insanity]

Cassandra stepped out of the tent, a wide smile on her face as she looked to the crowd around her. Mimi was dead, his blood on her hands and she relished in it. Now that she had her fun, she may as well try and find Sei to report in. Hiding her weapons, washing her hands in a water barrel, and picking up the meerkat stuffed doll Cassandra was back into the throng of people, looking at all the pretty lights and getting captured in the excitement that only a fair could bring.

She watched street performers play with fire, swallowing it and then burping it out as a flame. Contortionists posed in very awkward stances, making her scratch her head as her dark companion observed silently from behind, breaking the quiet with soft whispers of sweet nothings. She cooed at his words, moving along the mass as she kept her eyes out for Sei.

At last when she was appearing upon the big top did she hear fighting going on. Moving quickly towards the entrance she peeked past the flap into the center ring, watching as Sei fought off dozens of thugs and fighters. His shirt was currently being torn to shreds and she felt a compulsive need to do something. Yet when she wondered what she would do, instead she heard a startling great idea from her twisted lover.

…Leave him be…

Cassandra shrugged, thinking long and hard about it. She was positive Sei would be fine, there was doubt about that. The only reason he was being torn to shreds was because of his stubborn ability to keep hold of his convictions. Well that would never do. Not in a practical setting at least. Sei would fight the endless horde and Cassandra would merely…what? She didn’t feel like watching, taking no pleasure out of Sei’s boisterous efforts to play some man’s game. Instead she looked back to the carnival and with a mischievous smile she ran off.

“Good luck, Lord Orlouge!” Cassandra called to him.

~*~*~

Cassandra laughed freely as she slammed her wooden box cart contraption into somebody else’s. The strange rubberized barrier around the wooden barrel of the child protected him from the worst effects save a minor little bump. He giggled as his father turned the wheel that moved the front axel, zooming away as he pedaled the cart away into other people’s. Cassandra had never felt so…happy.

She felt absolutely silly as she did this, finding herself chastising her own character. She was the Moonlit Monster, the Carthage Calamity! She didn’t socialize unless she was hunting down prey. Yet…these little wooden carts slamming into another was curiously fun. Even her twisted desires seemed to be enjoying himself, holding onto her like a cherished lover and laughing with her. The experience was breathtaking.

At last the whistle was blown and she got out of her cart, giggling stupidly as she ran to get back in line for another go. As she exited the gate she looked up to see Sei standing before her, clothes ripped off in most cases, rags dripping downwards like ooze as he just glared at her. He looked down upon her, seeing a small stuffed meerkat, and he moved towards her with careful steps, probably because his muscles were beaten stiff.

“Where…

The HELL…

Were you?” Cassandra looked up to him, her face looking apologetic before she blurted, a soft ‘Phbbt’ sound escaping her lips as she pointed to the Avatar of Alerar and laughed. She cupped her mouth, trying to will it back inside her, but one more look and she just let it all out. She actually fell to her knees, grasping the remnants of his pants to hold her from total collapse as she felt tears stream down her face.

“I’m sorry it’s just…” She looked again and laughed, falling onto the grass and curling into a ball as she shivered in delight. “You…look…” she said through gasps for air. “…So…silly…”

“As I can smell the scent of blood all over you, I assume you found something of interest.” Sei tried to move the conversation along, waving to a few bystanders without shame as he merely looked back down to her.

Cassandra calmed herself taking deep breaths of cleansing, lifting herself to her full height, fixing her clothes and gently scooping up the fallen meerkat before she looked back to Sei.

Phbbt!!!

The Black Archipeligo Assassin, the Gisela Reaper, was on the ground laughing all over again.

[Silence Sei]

Sei stood, fuming at the girl. He had to fight four scrawny men, ten brawny ones, five lions, and a damn olliphant without killing a single one. Did she have any idea how hard it was to not kill an angry olliphant?! As she bursted out into her second fit of giggles, however, a surprised smile formed upon Sei's lips. He hadn't realized it until now, but Cassandra Remi was actually having fun, and doing so without dismembering someone.

This brought a lighter side of the mute out. While the girl he had met earlier in the night seemed like a dark person, one Sei would never associate with, this other Cassandra seemed a lot different. She was happy, and enjoying herself. Sei began to think of how many people he saved on a nightly basis in Radasanth, how many elves in Alerar he had saved with his grand strategies, and yet none of them were memorable. It was the people he saved from their own inner demons that Sei could remember the names of.

Logan McCloud, William Arcus, Max Dirks, and even Jensen Ambrose was (albeit slightly) starting to warm up to the mute, and embrace a better side of himself. Perhaps now, Cassandra Remi was going to throw her hat into that ring as well. It began to dawn upon the mute that perhaps the prophecy was not meant for Sei to unite the nine warriors and save Radasanth, but protect Radasanth by helping the nine warriors save themselves.

It made sense. Sei helped William Arcus embrace who he was now, he showed Taka that the demon within was not the man without, and he had literally went through hell and back to make sure Kyla didn't turn out like the monsters that captured her. Sei was starting to realize he wasn't a Protector of a city, he was the savior of a people from themselves.

Sei approached a stand that had mechanized water guns filling balloons up in a race to see who would win a prize. Gripping the handles of the gun, Sei turned it towards Cassandra and pressed down on the twin buttons, completely soaking the girl. Now, it was the mute's turn to laugh, though no sound escaped his lips as he did so. He hadn't even cared that Johnny had escaped during the olliphant fight.

Johnny would be back, and he would be back not in front of a group of civilians. For now, Sei was enjoying the time he was spending with the Midnight Mistress. Not many people could walk away thinking that one. Perhaps later, the mute would inform Cassandra of her destiny in the prophecy...

[Requiem of Insanity]

Wet and laughing, they both returned back to Sei’s tomb, the moon shining brightly it’s illumination as the night carried on. Cassandra beamed with energy she didn’t even know she had, once usually sullen and reserved as she kept everything to herself inside. Yet tonight proved to be a fruitful experience into the realm of new possibilities.

These new sensations didn’t change her, however. She still very much longed for the embrace of her dark deluded lover, and the symphony of a regretful one’s cries of anguish into the night sky. Nothing, nothing at all could replace such a wonderful feeling inside her soul. Deep down she knew Sei was aware of this facet of her, but he still tried resolutely to change her fallen ways.

Inside the cave in the den they both had found Anita resting on the couch sweetly, her hand clutching a blanket she had wrapped around herself. A taller gentlemen looked to the both of them with wide eyes, his face unknowingly looking horrified as he pointed to Sei and made rushed movements towards his lord.

The mute merely raised a hand, waving off the taller man with little care as he explained telepathically all the events that unfolded. He listened like a well trained warrior would to his commander, and all Cassandra could think of was the term ‘lapdog.’ When the two were done talking amongst their brains he turned to pour three cups of hot tea for trio as he rested on the arm of the couch next to Anita.

“When you guys had left Anita ran into Jensen’s room, kicking him awake and shaking Stephanie like the world was about to end. The two of them groggily got their gear and ran out to search for you. Didn’t know she was disobeying you , my lord. I felt it would be prudent to stay behind and protect her since she was being targeted by ruffians.” Sei merely nodded his head.

“Ms. Remi, Allow me to introduce you to one third of my body guards, Adolph Gretzel. He’s a warrior from a group known as the Knight’s of Apocalypse.” Cassandra moved towards the couch, shaking the man’s hand and resting on the sofa, lifting Anita’s head up gently and placing it in her lap as she lovingly ran her fingers through her hair like a mother would to a child. Sei smiled to her, which she returned in kind.

“Despite the small success we had, lord Orlouge, we didn’t exactly accomplish our mission. Jimmy or Johnny or Dudley or whoever he is escaped. Until the man is stopped he’ll most likely strike again. I have feelings that he created tonight’s events as a little orchestra for you. Nothing more than a polite cough to alert you of his presence.”

Sei nodded once to her, looking back behind him as the sound of muffled bickering echoed down the hall. Adolph sighed, excusing himself with a courteous bow towards Cassandra and a nod of respect to Sei before going to investigate the coming home of his two comrades, Jensen and Stephanie. Sei waited until Adolph was out of ear shot, but when the two of them were alone Sei’s face dropped to one of a more serious undertone. He poured himself a fresh glass of tea, sitting in his chair looking to Cassandra.

“I’m seeing a side of the Gisela Reaper I didn’t know existed,” Sei said softly as he motioned to Cassandra’s fingers running through his daughter’s hair. Cassandra merely shrugged in response. Truth be told, Cassandra had always had a soft spot for troubled children, having been one herself. Growing up with a father who was a serial killer did that. She made it a nasty habit of taking care of troubled kids like they were her own. This aggravated her dark intentions to no end, for he hated sharing her attentions with anyone but himself.

“Well, drink it up, for I plan to be gone in the morning,” Cassandra said sternly. “I will not deny that tonight I experienced sensations and enjoyed myself without the need to shed blood. I laughed like a babbling school girl at recess, frolicking with other girls as we talk about boys. I assure you that these emotions are unnatural to me, and unfortunately, I do not like them.” Cassandra reflexively retracted her hand on the sofa in determination, but what she felt determined in was unknown to the mystic mute.

“I am not some princess who fell down a narrow path, or one who was gifted with demonic power at a price of selling my soul. I am not so silly a fool who whines to the world at the shit hand life has dealt him, nor some honorable vigilante who kills the evil to make the world just a fraction brighter. I am Cassandra Remi, I am a woman who loves to kill people and torture them. I am this way because this is the way I want to be.”

“What…possibly could have turned you into this?” Sei asked curiously, probing her gently with his thoughts. Cassandra shook her head.

“I will not tell you some sad sob story. This is Althanas, lord Orlouge. Everybody has one. It could have been watching my home burn and with it my last traces of sanity. It could have been watching my father as a serial killer awoken a desire in my heart, or could have been that I was born with a genetic disorder to have a compulsive need to kill. You do not ask a mentally challenged person why they are the way they are, for they cannot possibly explain it!” Sei nodded to her once, but didn’t give up hope on her as he flexed his fingers together under his chin.

“As odd as this will sound, Cassandra Remi, I have need of your talents,” Sei admitted. Cassandra merely looked down to the sleeping Anita, hiding her smile behind her hair. “Do you know of the grand works I am trying to orchestrate?” Cassandra merely shook her head. “I am gathering up prophesized warriors who will band to my will and help me save Corone from an impending danger. I am amassing an army for these chosen people, my Nine warriors, to lead. A force called the Ixian Knights.”

Cassandra merely shook her head as he spoke, already aware of what he was saying. She now felt a click in her mind, realizing why her companion was so confident in ushering her into this place. It was also why he tolerated her uncharacteristic behavior. Her twisted desires were just buttering her up.

“No, lord Orlouge, I will not join your silly game.” Cassandra said forcefully, but it had no measure of spine to those words, merely empty protesting without reason. Sei only remained calm. Cassandra glanced down to Anita again, and felt a twinge in her heart. Angrily she looked away and back at the mute.

“Saving the world is not my thing,” she said, rationalizing the growing anxiety she was feeling. “I am a serial killer, I don’t play by others rules.” Sei only shook his head.

“It’s you, Cassandra Remi. If you want the proof, allow me to present to you the prophecy that had picked you out since before you were born.” Sei merely looked down to his daughter, and while Cassandra couldn’t tell what was passing, the girl yawned loudly and woke up, sitting upright as she looked to Cassandra with sleepy eyes. She rubbed them gently before focused her attention solely on the confused killer.

“The Seventh is withdrawn normally. She will have a fame of notoriety, and an air of dread that follows her wherever she treads. Her eyes will be as cold as the fallen leaves itself in color. Her intelligence will be what leads the Nine to victory." Anita spoke solemnly, and she pointed to Cassandra. “You are the Seventh, Ms. Remi. Far to many events in my life happened that I dare not call it coincidence.”

They both bore their eyes upon her, and she felt like screaming in frustration. Her heart raced and her eyes searched for exits to escape this asinine situation. Yet her dark companion merely held her in place, whispering his thoughts into her ear. He spoke of power, of promises and prizes beyond her understanding. Many a dark pact had been made before her soul was born, and she felt silk to her stomach. This wasn’t what she wanted. All Cassandra had ever wanted was to free in the world, traveling with her dutiful lover and killing those she deemed fit of her knives.

She retched over, feeling herself ready to vomit as the sensations and feelings washed into her, and Anita was the first there to hold her hand and gently rub her back. Cassandra immediately sat upright, pushing the girl away. She stood up in a rush, feeling the walls suddenly close in on her as her perfect world was growing smaller and smaller. She felt invisible shackles begin to bind her hands and feet, forcing her to the wheel of fate and she couldn’t break the bonds that bound her. At last she felt her dark lover place a gentle hand upon her shoulder, and his cool touch calmed her down enough to hear one phrase clearing from him.

The way for us to be together forever can only be found through this strand of fate… She felt her lungs ready to explode, but casually she receded her breathing back to normal before she thought about her life long ambition. A way to not just be near her lover, but to be with him. To hold him in her arms, and more importantly, to love him. This dream was worth it, she deemed.

“I do not think it is me, but if you have so much faith in silly fantasies and bedtimes stories than fine. I’ll agree,” Anita clapped like a puppet, her hands moving rapidly as she felt excited to find another member of the Nine. Sei nodded his head in appreciation to her, but Cassandra merely lifted a hand.

“I’ll have demands, lord Orlouge. First off I want my own room, no sharing by any means. I want it large enough to hold my own laboratory. Speaking of which, I’ll need three sets of laboratory tools, not the kiddy beginners set either. I want the masters sets. In addition I want to pick my own body guard when I am doing field missions where I can not use stealth. Who I pick can be finished later. These demands are only the beginning, by the way. I couldn’t possibly think of all of them now.”

Cassandra turned down the hall, looking back at Anita. “Come child, show me your quarters. For the first night I shall bunk with you.” She smiled to her, remembering something as she reached down and picked up the stuffed Meerkat. “I also got this for you, hope you like it.” She tossed it to her, flashing one of her trademark grins.

[Tainted Bushido]

Overall:

This thread was…intriguing. I'm not going to lie guys, you certainly had a good premise, and things were explained out. I just felt this was a situation where a square peg was getting hammered into a round hole. Eventually you guys just shaved the corners and got it to fit, but not without me wondering why these changes were happening. Because of this expect to see some scores lowered.

Onto the judging!

STORY 20/30

Good job on explaining the circus and the forest scenes. Even those in the tombs were delightful. What hurt this thread was once you got to the circus everything seemed to collapse. In the rush to finish the thread I feel you let go of the tension and the rising action you had carefully built up in favor of speed. The sudden disappearance of Johnny without so much as a word also hurt, since his departure is glossed over in Sei's post.

CHARACTER 18/30

Most of it was in character. While you attempted to write why Cassandra was acting out of character, for some of the actions it felt thick and forced. This hurt, especially since I didn't get much of a feel for Sei and why he would threaten to torture Cassandra. It just seemed like an irony that was tacked onto the thread.

WRITING STYLE 19/30

Lots of typos guys, I know some of you don't heck over your work but its there and glaringly obvious. This hurt your clarity as well as the techniques you attempted to pull off.

MISCELLANEOUS

Wild Card ~ 7/10. Good thread, would read again.

TOTAL ~ 64/100.


As an aside, I would like to state my utter loathing of this equation and how long it took me to figure out how to work it…

Requiem of Insanity gets 2118 EXP and 128 GP.

Silence Sei gets 2554 EXP and 115 GP plus Anita is awarded a stuffed Meerkat that when hugged tightly spreads love across the world. The effects of this are unknown at the moment, but may have something to do with the rising marriage rates.

Any EXP and GP rewards given are based off of the new equation. Any questions regarding what was said can be addressed to me via PM or AIM SethDahlios.

[Silence Sei]

GP-Exp added.

What? I leveled up? Beast Mode.

What? RoI did too? Double Beast Mode.