An Evening Out

[Requiem of Insanity]

There was much to the Midnight Monster that people didn’t know. For starters, she was a woman, and she only kissed one boy before. She loved theatre and the fine arts, taking a passionate joy when she went out to watch a play. She loved to cook, though personally she wasn’t the world’s greatest, but not the worst. She was a sucker for happy endings, and the moon sent her into a blissful calm like the ocean or running water. She had a fascination for singing, though her voice couldn’t hold a tune. She also loved the color red. Not the bright shade, but the crimson murky color that bled out of a body.

Also, Cassandra Remi has killed more people than could fit into your typical graveyard, and even added herself to Death’s list on an occasion.

Yet there were some things everybody knew about Cassandra Remi. She was vile, cruel, and heartless. A reputation like this did not give her much in the way of friends, but strangely, that was exactly what Sei Orlouge had thrust upon her. A heaping mountain of people she should befriend. Laconic the robot, Dizzy the demon, Seth Dahlios the legend, and more. All these people were in her employ as part of his Wet-Works team, a highly secretive assassin group she led as part of the Ixian Knights.

Every member save the robot Laconic was out on assignment so she had found herself free to do with what she wanted. To keep the robot busy she had him tasked with locating the rare herbs she required for her poisons. Now alone and half dressed in her chamber she lazily sat upon her bed reading the diary of Catrina Ferman when she felt a soft tingle in her mind. Ignoring it with all her hate she flipped the page and ran a sensual finger down the picture of a tortured victim to show the effects of a new poison she wanted to try.

Again the tingling sensation.

Go away, Sei, Cassandra thought darkly. There was a moment of silence, before she felt the tingle in her mind again and she groaned loudly. What?

Now that Sei had been given permission to enter her mind from far away, the mute pleasantly entered her thoughts. “I have need of you today, get dressed and show up in my conference room on the double. There is no need to bring your equipment either.”

Oh, am I to fight yet again? This time a member of the nine to appease you, my lord? Sei was silent for a moment.

“Just come, please,” Sei ordered. Cassandra looked to her door, and then with a loud sigh she slammed her book shut and got dressed heading towards the conference room. She put on a simple white tunic, tied it so it showed her curves tastefully, and wore a long pair of black denim pants that she didn’t bother to tuck into her boots. Lazily she stepped outside and felt the gentle rush of her Dark Companion join her as she made down the halls.

A few members of the Ixian Knights moved themselves away from her, steering clear and she let herself smile to think she had that much power over the simple masses. It did make traveling a lot easier in the usually cramped tunnels of his army.

She turned the corner and entered into the conference room letting her love enter in, creating a wave of dread to herald her arrival. “You summoned me, Lord Orlouge?” Cassandra asked politely with hidden malice.

[Amber Eyes]

Kyla pulled her shirt down, looking in the mirror as she did so. She smiled at her own reflection. "Yep, perfect as always." The pink blouse hugged her curves, something Sei wasn't fond of, but Jensen seemed to like.

"Vain much?" The slightly annoyed voice said quietly behind her.

"A little self-confidence never hurt anybody dear sister. And I need to look good, who knows which of the knights I might be getting to know today?"

"It's not gunna be Jensen, so you don't have to look cute." Anita teased.

Kyla stuck her lip out slightly and bit down on it. "I wasn't thinking that at all." She attempted to sound surprised at the thought. She scrunched her nose, deciding to wear a different top. She looked in her closet and settled on a green tank top. As Kyla quickly changed shirts one last time, Anita again interrupted her routine.

"Well it's not, and he's pretty much married now, might as well get over the idiot."

"Thanks for the input, now have a nice day. Perhaps you can even follow around that disgusting idol of yours. Maybe she'll teach you to torture a man, I'm sure Taka would think that was hot." Kyla threw the shirt she had decided against at her sister and stormed out of the room.

"Very mature..." Kyla walked away quickly trying to ignore the comment. Anita had been more and more difficult to connect with lately. Ever since that bloodsucking witch entered the tomb. Kyla did not care what kind of reputation Cassandra had, but the affect she had on Anita pissed her off.

Kyla quickly knocked on Sei's meeting room door. She normally would have ignored the formality, but not knowing who might be waiting on the other side of the door caused her to be a bit more cautious.

"Come on in Kylana?"

"Alright, who am I getting to know today?" Kyla asked once she noticed the empty room, and plopped into a chair. She spun herself around in circles staring at the ceiling while she waited for her answer.

"You summoned me, Lord Orlouge?” The voice came from behind her, and she quickly swirled around in disbelief. She was dizzy now and had to focus very hard to see the girl standing in the doorway. Cassandra Remi herself.

"No way in hell! No! I refuse! Get Anita to kiss her butt! I'm not doing it" Kyla screamed in her mind, unleashing every bit of fury she had at the proposition.

"We had an agreement Kylana, and I expect you to keep it.

" Well then tell me Uncle Sei, how does one entertain a frikkin mass murdered?" Kyla's mind filled with venom, and she was sure Sei felt it in her tone.

"Take her out for ice cream and to buy some new clothes. Sei quickly handed the girl a sizeable amount of cash.

Kyla sighed. She sucked in her breathe and made her way to the doorway where Cassandra stood.

"Cassandra would you like to get ice cream and go shopping with me?" Kyla's voice did little to hid her annoyance at the request. She rolled her eyes and awaited the reply.

[Requiem of Insanity]

Cassandra blinked repeatedly. She looked at Kyla, then to Sei, and then back. “This has got to be-” Cassandra started.

“An order.” Sei turned to look the Moonlit Mistress in the eyes. As they both met she could feel the hissing anger of her Desires to plunge a knife into Sei take over, but she kept herself in check. As powerful as she was, she knew she couldn’t stand against Sei Orlouge…yet.

“No,” Cassandra said rudely. “I refuse to play babysitter to your infant daughter. Let her suck on the entrails of Ambrose, I’m sure he’d be willing to let a woman chain another leash on his collar.” Sei cleared his throat before looking to Kyla and the girl looked to Cassandra.

“It’s not babysitting, Lady Remi,” Kyla was doing her damned best not to sound annoyed. She failed. “I am merely wishing to spend some time with you today to get to know you…”

“I kill people. You now know all you need to know about me.”

“Fine with me!” Kyla sighed in frustration lifting her hands up and preparing to leave. Sei grabbed Kyla’s arm and tossed her into the chair again. “If she doesn’t want to go, why force her?” Kyla protested, but Sei just had a mental conversation with her.

“Because, Kyla, that idiot man forces everyone to do his bidding!” Cassandra said losing her patience. The word slipped out and Sei lowered his eyes in warning to Cassandra, and wisely the Gisela Reaper held her tongue. “I don’t get it, Lord Orlouge. Why do you make me do these things when this is clearly not what I am intended for!” Her voice strained as she used the last of her self control to avoid exploding into a full yelling match.

“The Ixian Knights will mean nothing if we don’t all stand together. You have done a marvelous job segregating yourself, but that ends here and now! You are a part of my army, and I will not have you making my soldiers second guess if they will have you coming to get them!”

But I am, Cassandra thought cruelly. She lifted her hands to her chest, a huff of anger escaping her lips. Her gaze lowered to Kyla’s. “Very well, my lord. I shall give into your…requests,” She avoided using the term ‘idiotic’ in front of the mute. “Ice Cream and buying clothing. Wonderful…” Cassandra feigned her enthusiasm. An idea hit her.

“I would like to request your daughter Anita then,” Cassandra said politely. “If I am to spend a day to get to know people, I would like to make it her. I do not wish to bother the mother to be.” Cassandra passed Kyla a fake smile.

Anita Orlouge and Cassandra Remi had been spending far more time lately together, and slowly, carefully, she continued to creep into the girls mind. While she never barged right in, and never broke foundations of her soul, she softly lingered in her thoughts, casting doubt upon her family and father. Every slight Sei had done to Cassandra was intensified to outright segregation against the Midnight Monster. It had come to a head when Anita voiced her disgust at her father when he ordered Cassandra to fight Jensen Ambrose.

It was a good thing the girl didn’t watch the fight, or she would have witnessed the true extent that Cassandra would go to in order to defeat her foes. To defeat the enigmatic immortal, Cassandra had her partner, Aerith, kidnap Jensen’s daughter and bring her to the fight. There she made Azza watch as her Daddy begged Cassandra to let Azza go. She even made him promise his daughter that everything would be okay. As she felt satisfied that Jensen could sink no lower in his own shame, she slit his throat and blamed Azza for Jensen’s death.

“No, she has gotten to know you well enough,” Sei said to her as he dismissed them with a hand. She could hear the sound of Adolph Gretzel and Tobias Greenleaf nearing the area, followed by Talen and some other members of the Nine. No doubt Sei had a mission for them. Cassandra glared one last time at Sei, then turned to Kyla.

“Well, on a pleasant note I see we both like to cause mass murder,” Cassandra flashed Kyla a sinister smile, biting her finger in a teasing manner as she brought up Kyla’s past and her hand in destroying the mystic race.

(I'm looking forward to this Jess. : D ))

[Amber Eyes]

"Oh yeah, because no one saw the comment about the decimation coming from good 'ol Cassandra Remi" Kyla said rolling her eyes, "Could we at least try to be a bit original here?"

Truth was most people around Kyla called it 'the accident'. Kyla had blindly followed a chance at becoming more powerful and wiped out a huge portion of her own people. Kyla called it what it was, the decimation of her race. It didn't really matter if it was intentional or not, Kyla had killed hundreds of babies and left many mystics powerless. The mystics were a hated race and those who did not have the powers to protect themselves were being killed in the streets. Kyla knew what blood was on her hands. The same spell created the child within her. That was truly the worst moment of her life, though she was slowly falling a bit in love with the being inside of her. Those first few weeks she saw the thing as evil just because it was brought out by such heinous acts. Kyla now realized that she was the only one who would train this child up, and she would make sure that something good came of her mistake, something that would hopefully one day save the mystic race and attone for her transgressions. That's what kept Kyla alive these days, the hope and faith of what this little mystic could be.

Kyla realized she was staring into space, and had completely missed whatever retort Cassandra might have thrown back at her. Sei's voice filled her mind, "Are you okay?"

"I'll be fine, though I think I'll take Sophia along just in case." Kyla said staring directly at Cassandra. "I'll meet you out front in a moment." She quickly rushed to her room and grabbed Sophia's Mane From where it lay on her table. The glove was Kyla's most powerful weapon and she wasn't about to step out with a psycho without it. She pulled it onto her left hand just as Anita reappeared in the room. "So who is it this time?"

"Oh, just some bloodsucking lowlife!" Kyla glared at her sister.

"I'm sure you’re happy then, I was just so sure papa wouldn't let you take Jensen out!" Anita said happily.

Kyla glared at her little sister before taking one last look in the mirror and leaving the room. She made her way through the cave, running her hand along the stone walls as she did. The cool stone always felt nice to Kyla, a soothing reminder of the strength of her home. It had protected her during the initial weeks following the decimation. She walked out the front entrance to see Cassandra waiting for her. "Well...I was hoping this had all been a nightmare and I would wake up, but here you are. So what first, ice cream or some shopping?"

[Requiem of Insanity]

Cassandra groaned as she looked upon the daughter of Sei, her face scowling as she looked to her. Kyla merely echoed her discomfort in having to do such things, but before she could voice the opinion on what they should do.

“Hide the babies and shield the children! The Gisela Reaper walks the earth again! I shall save you, fair maiden!” The voice came from the inside of the cave, followed by a sick laughter of one who took twisted pleasure in the act of being a jackass. Quickly he charged out, knives held out as the unmistakable black coat of Jensen fluttered in the breeze behind him as he slid before Kyla, using his body to stand before Cassandra and the Mystic.

Cassandra flashed her teeth in challenge as she felt her darker desires to cut into his flesh materialize behind the man’s ear, whispering the horrid reminders of his death at her hands. The immortal didn’t flinch as his grin got wider. “Mr. Ambrose, how surprising to see you acting like a jackass again.” Cassandra looked behind him to Kyla.

“We shall go shopping first, dear child, I have a few outfits that I think would be lovely.” Jensen looked to Kyla and the girl quickly explained Sei’s plans. After she was finished Jensen turned to Cassandra and shook his head.

“Sometimes, Sei is just an idiot,” Jensen chuckled as he stepped before Cassandra. Their eyes met and it felt like lightening struck the air before them, drawing their gazes deeper as the two glared. Cassandra’s smile never faltered, that polite, toothy grin of one who held a secret. Jensen continued his maddening grin, an insane smile of one who was contemplating on exactly what manner your death should be.

“So much as one whisper reaches my ear about Kyla and you’ll have me to deal with,” Jensen breathed to her, making the conversation personal so Kyla wouldn’t hear his bravado to protect her.

“What’s wrong, Jensen? Do you still love her? Does Stephanie know your feelings for the Mystic Murderer are strong? Her tiny heart may break when she finds out that she’s merely sharing your heart…” Cassandra giggled as Jensen narrowed his eyes before turning to Kyla and smiling, a large fake smile, before bowing to her and walking back into the caves.

Cassandra turned to Kyla, beckoned her forward with a solitary finger, and turned towards Underwood. “Come, let’s shop. I have a feeling today may be a wonderful evening out.”

[Amber Eyes]

"I'm so sorry" Kyla mouthed the words to Jensen as she and Cassandra took thier leave.

They walked in near silence towards the shops in Radasanth, Kyla taking in the view as they went. She'd always loved Radasanth and she and Anita frequented many of the shops along the edge of town. As they approached town, Kyla saw the form of Zander in front of his school. Zander had taken Kyla in for many years when she had no one else to turn to.

"Hey Zander! How are you doing?" Kyla called to the former bandit. "It's been a long time buddy! How is the school fairing?"

"Hey Kyla, it's going well thanks. You should stop by more often, Xavior misses you terribly. We're doing alrighty though, he's really opening up to some of his teachers. Hey, do you mind if I talk to you for a moment?" Zander gestured Kyla away from Cassandra.

Once they were slightly out of earshot, Zander leaned in to Kyla. "Is that who I think it is? Kyla, you know who she is right? What on earth are you doing with that woman, she's dangerous."

Kyla felt a strange need to defend the woman, though she couldn't figure out why. "I think a couple of years ago you would have asked me the same question about yourself."

Zander pulled away with a sly grin. "I guess your right about that one Ms. Kyla, I have to give it to you."

"Have a good evening Zander, and I'll try to make a stop by soon." Kyla returned to Cassandra's side, this time promising herself she really would try to find some common ground with the girl. Perhaps they could even actually be friends one day.

"What about that cute little dress shop there?"

"Ah, I see you still have the aquired taste of a blind three year old." Cassandra let out a small sigh, "Very well, let's go inside"

Well, maybe not one day soon.

[Requiem of Insanity]

Cassandra’s fingers moved about the different patterns and fabrics the shop had to offer. Though she was no where near Kyla her Dark Companion was, trailing her as different people would stop to ask if Kyla was aware of who she stayed with. This particular part of the trip began to grate against Cassandra’s nerves and angrily she pulled her fingers along the edge of a table, resting her fingers along the grip of a pair of scissors.

Hmmph, they talk as if I do not hear them, Cassandra thought bitterly. All her life she had been the odd one, even in child hood. Her father was to blame for this. Instead of taking his daughter at a tender young age and seeing the monster who should have been given the knife and a sneaking suit, instead he showered her with dolls and dresses. When she should have learned to be cold blooded killer he instead forced her to participate in school and let the kid’s mock her.

He had insisted that normal little girls were supposed to do this, but that never made it easy. It took her forever to understand and even longer to appreciate what he had done for Cassandra. Before she became a monster, she first had to be a human. She had to be comfortable donning the sheep’s wool over her wolf like exterior. Yet those painful years of growing up were not easy. Only when she had the means to leave that world behind her and escape forever. Now in complete secrecy could she be what she wanted to be, and interact with the crowds without being seen for what she was.

That life was good, and she could move freely in small towns like this without anyone the wiser. Yet now, thanks to the mute Mystic, Sei Orlouge, she was exposed to the world. Come one and come all, see for yourself the very manifestations of your nightmares in the caverns of the Ixian Knights. Bring your torch and pitchforks, Cassandra Remi is around! Her secret identity was revealed, and now the feelings all returned once again. This time however, they people didn’t see her as weird, they saw her as she really was. She was the one waiting in the shadows to get them.

Cassandra watched how easy it was for Kyla to walk around, seeing her laugh and talk with the shopkeepers. The woman had damn near destroyed the Mystic Race, but did the public shun her? No, because Sei had managed to smooth those murky waters and quell the animosity people may have. It took effort, but people were there for her to protect her. People like Stephanie and Tobias Greenleaf, lovers like Jensen and family like Anita and Steppanwolf. Yet when Cassandra was shown and revealed to the world, Sei merely left her to the wolves, turning his back upon the Moonlit Mistress.

Envy. She scoffed to herself as she realized the terrible sin was surfacing within her thoughts. How could she be so weak? Cassandra didn’t need to be coddled like Kyla. She wasn’t loved as a child, nobody came to hold her when she witnessed the terrible events that made her the way she was. Not even her Dark Desires were there that day she watched the scene that slowly created the lurking monster within Cassandra Remi’s soul. She had survived those ordeals and more without the aid of anyone else.

So why did Cassandra Remi envy Kyla Orlouge?

Cassandra stopped as she looked at a small little dress. It was a white summer dress with a small violet flower on the left. It was strapped and wouldn’t’ show much of her body, but in its simplicity was the memory of her youth. She lifted the dress up off the rack to inspect it further, finding herself liking the dress the more she held it.

“And you say I have the taste of a three year old?” Kyla joked to her as she observed Cassandra. The Gisela Reaper passed her a fake smile as she promptly returned the dress to the rack. Cassandra walked over to her and instead of words she just let the wave of dread that accompanied her Dark Companion wash over Kyla, fueling her doubts and speaking in hissing tongues that she was a shiny silver medal for Jensen, and the immortal would never love her. Nobody could love Kyla Orlouge, save a murderer. It spoke theses doubts and more as Cassandra smiled to her.

“Shall we perhaps go to another store, I do not think this one has anything in my tastes.” Cassandra offered calling off her desires as it retreated to stand behind her like a dutiful lover.

[Amber Eyes]

Memories of days spent joking with Jensen filled Kyla's mind. She hadn't though about him like this in a while. What was it about Cassandra Remi that brought Jensen Ambrose to mind? Nevermind, she shouldn't think about him now. She shook her head to clear the thoughts, but instead they grew stronger. Watching him joke with Stephanie, seeing the pain in Stephanie's eyes when Kyla and Jensen strode arm in arm. When was it she realized? No, she never realized, deep down Kyla always knew that she would never be to Jensen what Stephanie was. Jensen wanted Kyla at a point, but he always and forever would need Stephanie. Kyla remembered the day she decided to push the immortal away forever, some ruise of jelousy over Aislinn. Kyla knew Aislinn coulldn't have taken the immortal away from her, and she truly believe him when he said it was the cat. No, the end of the relationship had little to do with Aislinn. The moment Kyla felt the pain of jelousy that night though, she realized just how much it would hurt when the inevitable happened and Jensen realized he was madly in love with his best friend. Better to end it now, to save face, to build a fence around her heart made of adamantine. The problem with a fence around your heart though, is that if someone's already inside they stay there. The pain was still fresh, months after the fact. For thayne's sake the man had a kid now, but still deep in her heart Kyla wished that one day she'd hear his voice say those three little words she had never heard. For now though, just hearing his favorite three words would have to do, "That's my potato."

Kyla dreamily walked into the next shop, Cassandra right behind her. She immediatly went to a rack of sale items, Sei had given her plenty of money, but she might as well come home with ten clearance dresses instead of five regular priced ones. As she searched the racks she heard some commotion coming from across the room.

Kyla turned towards the sound and noticed a group of people surrounding Cassandra, making threats. She could hear Cassandra making retorts though she could not make out the words exactly. Kyla looked deep into Cassandra's eyes as they met with hers and she recognized something there. Cassandra Remi was afraid, just like Kyla had been when she was attacked after the decimation, before Sei had explained it to everyone. Kyla immediatly ran across the room and ducked between the people to plant herself immediatly in front of Cassandra. "Do you know who you are dealing with?" She spat at the group.

Each of the five men and women looked at Kyla angrilly. "Of course ma'am, this here's the Midnight Mistress herself." One of the men stated plainly, "We've got a cold blooded killer on our hands boys, we aren't going to let her leave here."

"Ya know," Kyla smiled at the man, "Six months ago you would have been right. But now, your staring at Cassandra Remi, one of the nine generals of the Ixian Knights. Now that I'm here you're starting at two of the nine generals as well as the woman carrying Sei Orlouge's one and only grandchild. So go ahead, attack us. But bear in mind that you will experiance the full force of the Ixian army breathing down your necks the moment you do."

The men shifted around and stared at each other. None willing to walk away, but obviously thinking better of moving.

"No takers huh?" Kyla stared at each ones eyes in turn. "Then I guess we'll be on our way."

Kyla grabbed Cassandra's arm and pushed her way between the men and out of the little shop. "No one deserves to be treated like that. If they have a problem with you, fine. But to corner you in a dress shop?" Kyla looked back at Cassandra and realized that she looked a little shaken. She wouldn't want me to know that though Kyla thought to herself. She's probably embarrassed enough that I had to help her back there.

"Um Cassandra? I found something I liked in the first shop we went to. Would you mind if we split for a minute and met up at the ice cream shop?"

Kyla smiled to herself, that would give Cassandra time to recompose herself in private. It would also give Kyla a moment to do something special for the girl.

[Requiem of Insanity]

Moment’s Prior

Cassandra had her fill of dresses and accessories and everything that had to do with sort. Being dragged around the town with Kyla was a form of torture she hadn’t known existed. And that was her domain! So when she watched the Mystic pilfer through the clearance rack she went down another isle, figuring she would find herself some nice gloves to accompany her sneaking suits as the one she currently had was tearing between the thumb and pointer finger.

“Trash, trash, trash,” She breathed, boredom etching each syllable as she looked in a bin marked for cheap gloves. Her income as of late has been impeded by Sei for her actions, which was ludicrous. She performed the services her job demanded of her like any other member of the Nine. Why should she be docked wages because her job happened to be assassinating those people Sei couldn’t do publicly?

Her Dark Companion hissed in her ear as she walked down another isle, and her eyes looked over the shelves to find a group of people making their way to either side of the exits. Angrily she narrowed her eyes and turned herself away but found her path impeded by a group of four rather stalky looking men. When she turned again the path was blocked by another group of men and some women. Irritably her eyes shifted back and forth as she watched them close in on her. Her feet scuffled backwards and she found herself being slowly herded towards the corner of the room.

Instantly her love moved outwards to the forming mob, hissing wildly in their ears and even gripping his talons into a few of their minds. She reached for her weapons, but realized because of Sei’s request she had nothing upon her save her wits and charm. “You are making a mistake to corner me,” Cassandra hissed keeping her tone dark and cruel.

“I don’t think it’s a mistake to clean up the world of trash like you,” A voice spoke from the crowd, and several members of the mob angrily nodded their heads, others cracking their knuckles in agreement. Cassandra felt the wall against her back and she lowered her gaze. “You’re an abomination to all that is good in the world.”

Cassandra laughed at that. “Good in the world? And what, pray tell is left? The civil war, the battles in Salvar, the rumors of Carthage invading Emprea? Are these crimes against mankind forgivable because somebody nicely placed the term ‘war’ upon it? Are my actions so nefarious compared to men who are ordered to kill other men simply because somebody told them so? Look at yourselves! Your accusing me of murder simply because its not neat and orderly? I assure you what I do is indeed neat and orderly,” Cassandra flashed a devilish grin. “Not to mention that you are merely going to become the very thing you seek to fight by attacking me in this manner,” She added as and afterthought and flashed another wicked smile. “Your thought process is shaking as bad as your hands are. Give up now and leave and I’ll forget you ever tried to pull a stunt like this on me.”

Cassandra spoke boldly, and her darling dutiful lover continued to harass their minds, but still they held. Simply put their was to many bodies for her to intimidate with her wave of dread. Had their been two or three she felt confident she could escape the situation, but a mob? Even her legendary dread couldn’t placate them or their desire to kill.

Cassandra realized she was going to be dragged into a fight, and that terrified her. She wasn’t any good in confrontations that she didn’t stack into her favor. Lord Arcus had said it quite well. “What’s wrong Remi? Can’t fight when you’re not sneaking up on someone sleeping?” The words echoed in her head, and she felt a cold sense of foreboding as one of them pulled out a switch blade. Her eyes flashed in concern, fear creeping upon her mind. She couldn’t handle this, not without any of her tools upon her.

When she was certain she was going to die, Kyla stepped forward and spoke to the masses, placating them with threats to their lives utilizing the Ixian Knights. Sei would indeed be pissed should something happen to Kyla, but she highly doubted Sei would care if anything happened to Cassandra. She sure as hell wouldn’t if the roles were reversed.

It took a moment, several members of the mob debating on just killing Cassandra, but when Kyla stood next to her the decision was made. To get to Cassandra, they would have to go through Kyla. Nobody wanted that option. Slowly they scattered away, cursing Cassandra and muttering one day she wouldn’t be so lucky and that all wars eventually end. Cassandra watched them leave and let out a sigh as she looked to Kyla.

What happened embarrassed the hell out of Cassandra. Here she was, not even bothering to give Kyla the time of day, and she comes and saves her ass. It was angering her to even think she had to ask in the first place. But then again she never technically asked. She regained her composure, taking in a deep breath before looking to Kyla. She mentioned something about going to the first shop, saying she found something she liked, but Cassandra just waved her off. How like her to think of shopping after nearly getting into a battle to end her life.

Now that she had a few moments to herself she looked around the store and quickly found a cloak that would mask her face. She grabbed it, saw the price tag saying thirty gold and quickly fished the money out and walking past the desk, leaving the tag and the gold on the counter. The shopkeeper gave her a dirty look, didn’t bother to thank her for her patronage, and with a swift motion she lifted the outfit over her shoulders and placed the hood above her face.

Now that was covered from head to toe she felt a bit safer. She no longer felt the cold eyes of people walking by and she felt significantly better. Taking a relaxing breath she looked to the ice cream shop and shrugged making way towards it. Hopefully after this last stop she could be done with her stupid forced outing with Kyla. Then she could go back to her lair, grab her book, and begin reading again. Alone. With no friends to talk with, and nobody to hold her after that harrowing experience.

What is wrong with me? Cassandra thought. Once again the power of the Orlouges manifested within her as she began thinking of what she truly wasn’t. She was a monster, she was not a human. She sat at a table outside the ice cream shop and waited for Kyla, relaxing as she pulled out a small ledger of potential playmates.

[Amber Eyes]

Kyla raced back to the first dress shop, while she wanted to give Cassandra a bit of time to herself she was genuinely worried about what would happen if the woman was cornered again. Kyla rushed through the shop, purchasing three items. She walked up to the register and placed the dresses on the counter. The shopkeep smiled at her and made small talk, but there was a question in his eyes he did not seem to willing to say out loud. "Sir, is there something you'd like to know?" Kyla looked at the man and flashed him a friendly grin. His face immediatly became one of confusion and Kyla quickly added, "You just look curious about something."

The man smiled at her, "Well, you come in here at least a couple time a month. I've never seen you with that woman before, though. I've read the papers, has Sei Orlouge really brought that murderer into your home? I just don't know how I can sleep easy knowing that Radasanth's hero has gone a bit crazy."

Kyla smiled at the thought of Sei losing his mind, truth was that was all the man had. She placed her money on the counter and looked at the man. "Can I have a piece of paper?" The man slid her the parchment and she began to write instructions for the servants back at the tomb. "I'd like these delivered as soon as possible please, I will be home if a few hours and I'd like to be able to try them on then. I trust this will be sufficient?" Kyla handed the man some gold and he placed it in his own pocket.

"Dante!" The man called over his shoulder, "These packages and this note need to go to Lord Orlouge's tomb immediatly."

"Yes sir." The boy picked up the items and quickly left the store. The man looked back at Kyla expectantly.

"I'm assuming you know about what I've done?" Kyla looked the man in the eyes, already sure of the answer.

"Yes ma'am I know about the accident." THe man stammered.

"Well, in one moment I took exactly one hundred eighty-four lives, sir. My question to you is, does that discount every moment of good in my life? All I ask is that you take that same thought and apply it to Cassandra Remi."

With that Kyla gave the man a large smile and left the shop. She walked down the block to where Cassandra stood waiting for her. "I...I like your cloak?" Kyla said more as a question than a statement. Kyla looked at the croud standing within the ice cream shop. "How about we just head home? I sent the packages ahead so Sei will think we did plenty of shopping."

[Requiem of Insanity]

“Whatever my Lord’s daughter wants,” Cassandra bowed to her in exaggeration as they both headed back to the tomb. She felt her ire rise to have wasted an evening, and her eyes scanned the local people as they pondered who was walking with Kyla. Annoyed her disguise was such an useless effort she lowered the hood to her shoulders, letting the cloak drape around her. Again people began to cast suspicions, hushed whispers as they tread, and Kyla looked to Cassandra seeing her Hazel eyes alight with fire and hate.

“They don’t know any better,” She tried to explain, but it was meaningless. Cassandra merely lifted her head up in a haughty way. “I know what its like!” Kyla at last blurted as Cassandra took a few steps ahead of her. The words hit the Gisela Reaper and she softly turned her head in a challenging way. Kyla took a few quick steps to catch up. “I know what this is like for you, all the hushed whispers, the sounds and the impending danger around every corner.”

“I’m sure you are,” Cassandra rolled her eyes. “Stop trying to connect with me, Kyla, I don’t think your boyfriend Jensen would like that.” Kyla grabbed her hand, and with wide eyes Cassandra turned to her. They looked to each other as Kyla’s face was contorted in confusion, not really sure why she herself was looking to the Gisela Reaper and trying so hard. Cassandra Remi’s eyes showed a glimmer of the darkness she held within her, a soft primal call of evil escaping into the air between them.

Yet Cassandra was startled to find a small flicker of that darkness manifest within Kyla’s own sapphire eyes. Like a caged beast, trying to be freed but held in check by the convictions of the girl before her. The genocide she attempted to create fed that inner beast, and it ate away at her slowly, and softly. It responded to the primal summons, begging Kyla to let it loose. But with a simple snort of frustration Kyla stuffed the darkness within her back to where it came from, and walked away.

“Forget it,” She murmured. “I’m sorry you feel the need to be alone.” Cassandra lashed one hand out and grabbed Kyla’s wrist, holding it as she stepped forwards and walked, releasing Kyla’s wrist so they could walk side by side.

“I have said this once before, Kyla, and I will say it again. I am not going to regale the world with my sob story. Quite frankly everyone in Althanas has one, and I will not be one to shout it to the rooftops. The choices I made, the events that I partook in to mold who I am was my own choice.” Kyla gave her a sideways glance, but Cassandra just looked forwards.

“You, you killed all those Mystics,” Cassandra said in a soft tone to her, as if she wasn’t accusing Kyla of the action. “I can understand how that must task your soul, but I assure, Kyla. You are no monster.” She looked behind her to see the mob, looking at one young boy of the age eighteen lifting his hand up and pointing it to them. She shook her head. “The only monster in Sei’s army is me. I do not do what he wants me to do because I am wishing to further his own goals, but because I am enjoying the opportunity to kill these people.”

They approached the edge of Sei’s tomb, and Cassandra looked to Kyla one last time. “I’m rambling. I probably don’t even make sense to you. Go, run along little sheep. Go and play with your friends. Live your life and be happy. Do yourself a favor,” Cassandra walked away into the shadows of the tomb, letting the darkness surround her as a dark chuckle emanated from the abyss. The way Cassandra walked was one who was long damned and didn’t mind the price. She felt at home and her saunter echoed that as the shadows gently obscured her view from Kyla’s eyes.

“Do yourself a favor and stay away from the darkness, and stay away from monsters like me…” Cassandra’s voice lingered in the air long after she left.

[Amber Eyes]

Cassandra's statement finally brought the idea home to Kyla. Yes, they were both murderers. Yes, they both had sins to account for. And yes, they both had quite a few enemies out there. The difference between Kyla Orlouge and Cassandra was simple, and it was all that mattered. Cassandra enjoyed what she did. She had not one ounce of sympathy for those she killed. Each death Kyla was responsible for was another piece of her heart ripped to shreds. Cassandra had no feelings toward her victims. Kyla Orlouge loved and could tell you the name of every last family she had taken life from. One hundred eighty-four lives, forever connected with hers. One hundred eighty-four lives each stopping where her unborn child's started. Kyla Orlouge would carry those children deep in her soul until the day she died. Kyla joined Anita in Anita's room, ignoring Anita's gaze as she climbed onto the girl's spare bed.

"So," Anita said softly. "What did you learn about Cassandra Remi?"

Kyla thought to herself for a moment before she spoke. "Sei never wanted me to learn about Cassandra, this was all about me." Kyla replied softly, turning her face towards the pillow.

Anita came over to the bed where Kyla lay and gently moved her hand up and down the younger girl's back.

Meanwhile, in Cassandra's room, the gisela reaper would find a simple summer dress laying on her bed. Kyla would never know Cassandra's reaction, but it did not matter. The present itself marked the good in Kyla's soul, and the reason she would never be like Cassandra Remi.

Kyla left Anit's room a bit later in the evening, after the girl's discussed a bit more of the evening. Kyla left out all the important details, boring Anita with tale after tale of beautiful dresses instead. When she finally entered her own room she noticed a small bin of ice cream laying in the center of the bed. Kyla smiled to herself as she picked up the note. "Thanks for the evening." Kyla smiled to herself as she lay back on the bed.

Maybe they weren't so different after all.

[Requiem of Insanity]

The moon shown through a small crack in the ceiling, the area surrounded by the fog of shadows save the luminescent glow. A body shifted slowly back and forth, eyes darting around as they tried to adjust in the darkness. As soon as cognitive thought broke through and the eyes adjusted a howl pierced into their skull accompanied by a cruel chuckle.

Sweat beaded down the body and with a cold wind it realized it was naked upon some sort of stone slab. Angrily they tried to rise, but found hands and feet bound by chains. Anger was replaced by fear and confusion, and softly the click clack sound of heels walking upon pure stone echoed in the room.

“You are probably wondering why you are here,” A voice spoke with such seductive intent that it made the blood rush in the body. Eyes turned to look upon the form in the shadows of a sultry, curvy woman who giggled like a school girl as the moon continued to look down upon the body in a more chastising way. The chuckles and the howling never faltered for a minute, and slowly an idea took shape.

“You’re the Gisela Reaper!” The woman laughed now, a dark and sinister laugh. “Oh shit, I’m in Cassandra Remi’s lair! But, but, I don’t fit your bill. I’ve done no wrong!” Cassandra stepped forward, her black hair draping each shoulder as she lifted up a small fillet knife upwards and smiled licking the edge with deadly intent. Her eyes scanned the body like it was a choice meat, favoring what piece needed to be cut first.

“Hah, hardly you fool!” Cassandra said as she approached the upper arm. “I’ve watched you and so did my darling, dutiful love. He told me you’ve been following myself and Kyla Orlouge for quite a while.” The body shivered and she lowered the knife to the arm and gently stroke the upper bicep, lopping off skin and a scream erupted into the air. Cassandra laughed as the wails of terror echoed in the chamber. “At first I thought you were nothing more than another nobody who thought by killing me they could go down in history. But then I thought more about it, realized who you really were…”

She looked down upon the blood and with a gentle caress of her finger she lifted up a thick blue liquid. “A Mystic.” She giggled tasting the blood, her eyes fluttered. The body groaned as it rolled the head side to side in fear as it began to mumble. Cassandra merely retreated to the shadows and returned with a potato peeler.

“You are supposed to hunt the monsters,” The voice feebly said, but Cassandra ignored them as she took her arm and held the wounded shoulder down as she softly began to peel off tiny layers of skin. With each centimeter of movement a scream cried into the night and Cassandra drank in the terror. Her eyes looked like she was being pleasured as she pulled back. “You, should be doing,” The voice panted weakly. “Doing this…to…Kyla…” A flicker of anger appeared within the eyes at the mention of Kyla, but Cassandra merely shrugged her shoulders.

“A fluke accident is of no appetite to me. However, you on the other hand,” Cassandra tapped the potato peeler before lowering it to the nose. Softly she let the smell of the Mystic’s blood enter into the olfactory, and the Mystic groaned. “You just so happen to be a very unknown killer yourself. Though you were about to kill Kyla for the loss of your powers and your child.” The Mystic snarled as it began to fight the bonds, but one sharp shove of the potato peeler into the nose and a wailing pitch of agony broke the resolve as it whimpered and cringed. The blue blood gushed out like a faucet all over the body and Cassandra laughed at the sight.

“You find what I am doing to you is so wrong, yet you would have no qualms to set me loose upon that girl. How utterly indecisive of you.” Cassandra giggled again as she left the potato peeler in the nose, retreating into the shadows before returning with a vial. “Blood Sire is one of the deadliest poisons known to mankind. It creates hallucinations that make you think you have tiny bugs crawling inside your veins, and the need to cut them out becomes so strong that it replaces all rational thought. It also increases the nerves awareness to pain, heightening it to an unprecedented level that is more akin to super humans.”

Without permission she yanked the Mystics mouth open and poured the vial down their throat. “I won’t hunt down Kyla Orlouge for one simple reason. Her regret isn’t ready for me yet, and may never be ready. She’s resolved to make the best out of her choices and I cannot harm her and make her regret for me, but you on the other hand…” Cassandra watched as the Mystic’s eyes glowed red before they began to scream far louder. “You will regret not getting to kill her and failing.” She watched as the body began to wretch and turn violently. The veins in the Mystic’s body began to bulge to the top of the skin and Cassandra let out a sigh of disappointment. Though the victim was screaming loudly only their veins were popping. That wasn’t how it worked. Another failed batch.

Without speaking anymore to the Mystic she turned her back and retreated deeper down the halls, letting his screams erupt until a loud wet noise echoed in the hall, the signal that all the veins in the victim’s body exploded. She sighed knowing she had yet a new batch she needed to brew. Pity.

She waltzed down the caves for twenty minutes, feeling her body take in the cold as her Dark Companion whispered sweet nothings in her ear. She whim fully walked, like a schoolgirl being held by her lover as she giggled. When she approached her door she opened it and walked in, a small tin of ice cream on the front table as Aerith was eating from another tin.

Aerith was her adopted daughter of sin, a pure bred serial killer who was enthralled and indebted to Cassandra. She loved her like a daughter would love their mother, and Cassandra nurtured the girls need for family. She was pleased to see her home and she quickly stripped to get dressed into her night outfit when she saw something on her bed.

“Somebody left it for you,” Aerith said confusedly. “I didn’t see any poisons-” Cassandra lifted her hand to silence her. The white summer dress she saw at the shop was now before her, the little violet flower wrapped around the corner. She softly thumbed the fabric, feeling the weight of childhood memories rush over her and she quickly took it off the hanger and dressed herself.

“I must be off for a moment,” Cassandra said grabbing her ice cream and quickly scribbling the note. “I will return shortly. Oh, I had a bit too much fun tonight and we have a body that got messy, have the tin can robot clean it up. Seth can help if he’s being particularly grouchy when he returns from Revan.” Aerith nodded as she watched her mother leave.

~*~*~

Cassandra watched in the shadows as Kyla went into her room, a content smile on her face as she watched the Mystic confusedly look upon the dessert and then shrug eating some. She looked down upon her dress, enjoying the feel of it as she turned again and walked back down the halls. As she stepped forwards another body stepped in her way. She sighed irritably as Jensen Ambrose gave her a vile grin.

“Monsters don’t belong here,” Jensen thumbed for the serial killer to take a hike.

“Very well,” Cassandra admitted defeat and stepped away humming to herself leaving Jensen completely confused. “You are correct, there are no monsters that live in this area,” She smiled one last time looking to Kyla’s door.

[Duffy]

An Evening Out - Judgement

My humble apologies for the delay ladies, but here, at last, is the condensed rubric you requested with a few progression notes to sweeten the deal. If you have any questions concerning the scores below, please direct them either to myself via PM, or to Silence Sei in the appropriate manner.


Story (16/30)

Setting - 5

Pacing - 5

Continuity - 6


Character (16/30)

Dialogue - 6

Action - 5

Persona - 5


Writing (19/30)

Technique - 6

Mechanics - 6

Clarity - 7


Solid foundations and considerable progress from both of you - this thread was an enjoyable and well-written story but lacked the furthering and emotive portrayal of character you might find in advanced technique. Dialogue and Setting are both solid, but the former could be bolstered with more development and characterisation (draw the reader into persona with expression/soliloquy) and the latter was nothing more than solid and concrete (but perfectly clear) description.

I'm starting to feel your characters, feel their workings and their mindsets, but we need to feel the surroundings to, they're mutually beneficial when brought to life.


Wild Card - 7

Kyla's blossoming storyline and Remi's delicious devilry really worked here, the play-off brought you just deserts and I look forward to both working with and reading more from the both of you.

Total = 58/100


Rewards:

Amber Eyes receives 1257 experience points and 225 gold.

Cassandra receives 1692 experience points and 225 gold.

[Silence Sei]

exp-gp added