Souls vs Blood 15
The soul suckers weren't too happy with spotting a vampire in their territory, even though it was still in the human world. He was too near the portal. So was Rebecca. That's why the situation changed drastically so suddenly. The whole place had become tense and soul suckers were quickening their preparations. No matter what though, Harold was set on going out to meet Alice. There wasn't much trouble getting into the human world. Soul absorbing was still encouraged. Only thing was, you had to come back with souls or you wouldn't be allowed back in without facing some music. Harold hurried out of the portal. Hopefully, Rebecca had found out more about the glitter. The short notes sent by Mashup didn't have much information. Just as he was nearing the town area where the portal was located, a flustered little jar jumpily came up to him.
"Master Master! Do take this message marble!"
"Jar! Is it from Mrs Squavox?"
"Yes, yes! Oh siree! I was so afraid I wouldn't be able to catch up with you! With your very hurried steps! Oh my!"
"Haha sorry Jar. Thanks for the marble!" Harold smiles with apology.
"Sir sir!"
"Yes?"
The Jar made a big jump onto Harold's shoulder, then slid to his arm which quite naturally came up to let the Jar sit on it. The Jar approached Harold's ear. [Just in case you were wondering, the Jar doesn't have a mouth. sound comes out where water or whatever a jar holds is supposed to come out. Like, anywhere around the circumference would work. Or the whole circle, like a loudspeaker.]
"This one is a special marble sir. It has a lock on it!"
"A lock?" Harold was puzzled. Usually, there were two different ways of opening marbles. Many types, but opening them was similar. Either the low security ones that required soul, or the high security type that can only be opened in a marble opener owned by the receiver plus a bit of soul from that receiver. Harold had his own marble opener device from Mrs Squavox for his 5th birthday so he just assumed it could open this marble.
"Put it in a glass of water and place your mark on it! But you have to do this tomorrow, in the human world! Not today sir!"
"Oh... Ohkay... Thanks Jar!" Harold quizzically put the marble into his pocket and continued running to the portal after saying a quick good bye to the Jar who enthusiastically shook in farewell.
An eye on the marble opened. Mrs Squavox sat down in her comfy old sofa and swivelled about to look at a 180 degree view of Harold's surroundings. "Now lets see what Harold has to show us shall we Jar?"
Harold ran from the portal all the way to Alice's place, collecting bits of soul from people he passed and storing them into his soul bottle so he wouldn't need to go back empty handed. While guilt ridden, he finally reaches the door to Alice's house. It was in the afternoon and only Rebecca was home. The door opened.
"Welcome! Alice won't be back till a little later, but do come on in!"
"So... have you got any info?"
"Well... not much really. Except perhaps the other family line that also has the history of glitter..."
"What?"
"Well, the spell was cast twice somehow? I thought you mentioned the castor's life is taken when the spell is cast?"
"The creator of the spell had a friend who tested it before her. She greatly regretted causing her friends death. She was going to cast it on the one she loved, so she could be with him, but there was no point since she would die if she did, and she couldn't ask another wizard to give up his or her life for her romance. That's what I was told by Granny Squavox. You remember her?"
"That old hag?" Rebecca twinged in disgust.
Harold laughs, "yeah you remember"
At this point, Alice pops through the door and realises the laughter she had heard belonged to Harold. Rebecca noticed it, Alice was a little jealous.
"Hello Alice." Harold gives her a dazzling smile, truthfully grateful to see her after so long.
"Hello..." Alice forgets her envy and turns peach.
Harold looked as if he suddenly remembered something and reached into his back pocket.
"Here, for you." He said, dangling something glittering in front of himself. Alice started to approach him and he retracted his arm. "No, put out your palms" Alice stopped and did as she was told. "There." Harold threw it into her open palms.
"It's... it's pretty..." It was a little bottle sealed with a cork, a smooth silver string around the neck of the bottle was slung round it like a chain. Alice used two fingers to pinch the string and lifted it up, and the string unwound itself to the length of a necklace. In the bottle was a tear drop, not touching the sides of the bottle itself, sparkling like silver glitter. Alice looked up at Harold.
"Try looking through it."
Alice did exactly that, and what seemed to be inside the little tear drop was a family photo. One that included her and her parents, one that Rebecca had sent Harold. A tear fell from Alice's closed left eye. (Her right eye was open and looking through the teardrop) Rebecca took this as a cue and walked promptly into her room, ransacked a little to find an eye piece that allowed her to look through her closed door and spy at them...
"How did you..."
"Rebecca sent me a copy along with your letter the other time..."
Alice placed the necklace back in her hands and sat down on the sofa, just barely a meter from Harold. She looked down at it and Harold could see a real tear drop fall to her lap. He really wanted to reach out to stroke her hair or pat her shoulder but he stopped just before the boundary, that invisible sphere around Alice. Then Alice looked up at Harold all teary eyed and all, and with a smile, "Thanks a lot Harold. It's a really really nice gift ^_^" Then Harold gave in a little and patted her head real quick twice before making a long jump away from her. Alice was a little shocked at first, then her eyes found Harold again and she started laughing with her eyes wide in surprise. Her tears suddenly didn't look so sorrowful any more. Harold crouched guiltily at a corner of the living room. He could feel he had absorbed about a minute from her. But, it didn't feel bad. Well, how could it? It was a source of life! However, he couldn't shake off the thought that Alice could only be smiling because she didn't know what he had just did. "Hey, it's really quite fine!" Alice told Harold. Harold just looked away avoiding making contact with her eyes. "You, you don't know..." Harold sneaked a peek at Alice's face after that comment and she had a sort of pained expression so he was beginning to fluster and nonsense was coming out of his mouth... Alice just laughed again.
In Rebecca's bedroom, she was literally running on the spot but at the same height so as to keep a clear view and to stop herself from laughing out loud at the same time =D.
In front of the 180 degree view screen...
"AHAA, AHAHAHAHAHA, AHAHAH... ... AHAHAH AHHAAAAHAHAHA ... ... " Mrs Squavox was having a time of her life watching Harold's surroundings through his pocket. "Oh my Jar! It's been a while since I have been so entertained!" She said while panting a little.
"Yes mamm! Been a while since we've heard your... erm... this laughter ahaha!"
(really loud booming laughter that shook her jars, pots and tables etc.)
"Oh my... Rebecca Klar! Her reaction to my name! HAHH! This is truly as interesting as I expected! But, we have little time to waste. The war is coming, and I must help little Harold with his love interest! Let us set to work my cookery!"
Monday, September 30, 2013
Sunday, September 22, 2013
Souls vs Blood 14
Souls vs Blood 14
During those 5 weeks Johnathon and Harold were in the dungeon, the only communication there was between Harold and Alice was through Mashup. Some of the more random courses in the dungeon had rewards that Harold gave to Alice through Mashup. Alice would also send sweets or a little paper with a phrase on it in return. Rebecca never failed to look through the contents of each letter Alice passed to her before she coaxed Mashup to bring it to Harold. Alice trusted Rebecca and didn't question why only Rebecca could communicate with Harold. Rebecca had also told Alice about how she knew Harold and about her mother during one of the girl talks they had. The end of that talk went a little like this...
"My mother really loves Harold's mother. As a friend of course."
"Wow... I never knew something like that could or had occurred..." Well, it wouldn't have appeared in the human newspapers would it? And Rebecca was still filtering out the words soul suckers and vampires...
"I'm rather glad I managed to meet Mrs Keyes son."
"Mrs Keyes?"
"That's Harold's surname. Keyes."
"Oh... Keyes... "
*after some silence, Alice continues speaking*
"So how is your mother now?" Rebecca is a little surprised Alice doesn't ask more about Harold's mother. Guess she thought it might be rude.
"Ahh... she's in a bit of a situation now." Rebecca thinks to herself: "Can't possibly tell her it's impossible for my mother to get a job or all her colleagues would die faster..." but she fills in with some facts to satisfy Alice's curiosity. "She's working from home. Far away from here. I left home quite long ago but I do visit from time to time."
"Why don't you stay with her?" Nope, Rebecca couldn't say that her mother is in hiding and that she wanted a free life and that Alice was the reason why she is staying in one place for so long.
"Well, sooner or later I would have moved out. And I had my dreams I guess. We weren't very close, my mother and I"
"Not close?! With your own mother?!" Rebecca thoroughly enjoyed Alice's expression of exasperation.
"Well, it just happened that way."
"Oh my... " after a little pause Alice asked another question. "Then what are your dreams?"
"That, I am in the process of fulfilling. A merchant!"
"Oh! I've heard James call you smuggler, but you aren't really one are you?"
"I can't say I've never smuggled... but I do sell very rare items..."
"Ooooo, like what?" Alice's curiosity got the better of her. Rebecca thought hard about more realistic rare items she could talk about.
"Limited edition Josephine Larry perfume volume 13?"
"Per... perfume?"
"Well... I don't sell that though... I use it..."
Alice laughs. "Oh Klar you are so funny sometimes."
Rebecca smiles a little painfully. Didn't really like being called funny. But all her items were magic related... Then Alice spoke again,
"So how old are you actually Klar?"
Rebecca shrugs. "I don't know!" And she walked out of the door before Alice could probe any further.
++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
As for James, he too was caught up with preparations for war even though he had absolutely no intentions of taking part in it. But when vampires were summoned, not complying had consequences. He too went through basic trainings in the vampire world and participated in blood collection activities.
His relationship with Alice had been rather normal, but one of the days after he had gotten blood pills and artificial flesh from Rebecca, James confronted Alice about something. While they were on the way to school, he brought up a topic more serious than usual.
"So Jane was just telling me..." Alice was ranting on about something that had happened in class. James gave the appropriate reactions and replies and when she had finished that mini episode, he spoke up.
"Hey umm..."
"Yeah?"
"You know..."
"What about?" Alice was a little worried cos James was rarely hesitant about things.
"You don't have to hide about meeting that Harold guy." James avoided Alice's eyes. He had talked to Rebecca about Harold. Especially after that incident that night. Rebecca was half vampire afterall and though she seems to help Harold more than James, in truth, no one knows her true intentions. Whether she would do anything during the war, or whether she had any other goal in mind... no one knew. The point is, she does keep James updated about selected things. But significantly large information she left out were with regards to the spell and the glitter. She even told James about her debt to Harold since Harold had mentioned Mrs Keyes in front of him. No helping that.
They walked in silence for a little while.
"You always knew?"
"Yeah. since the day your parents..."
"What?"
"They passed away...."
"But I hadn't met Harold at that time...?"
"What? But..." James couldn't have possibly said anything about the mark of a soul sucker... Then something occurred to him.
"Hold on... Alice, I need to ask you something." James stopped walking and looked at Alice seriously. "What did you say your parent's died of again?"
Alice felt awkward and uncomfortable. Also, the straightforwardness of the question had knocked her off by surprise and she was starting to tear. She mumbled: "Why ask?"
"Please!" James grabbed her by the shoulders, both of them were trembling.
"He- Heart failure."
"At the same time?"
"Yes... The doctor also sounded very bewildered when he tried to explain it to me."
But that's the effect of death by a soul sucker... Suddenly, anger was fully ignited in James' eyes and heart.
"I won't be attending school today Alice. For a while actually."
"What? Why is that? What's wrong?"
James with his emotions on a rampage, didn't think of the consequences and used a little magic to make him run faster, so Alice thought he had disappeared suddenly.
"That... that's almost like how Harold disappears..." Alice thought out loud.
James on the other hand, reached soul sucker territory in the matter of moments. He didn't think of the consequences of a vampires appearance in this place. Or that he might trigger the war. Luckily, Alice had contacted Rebecca and told her what happened. She stopped James right in the nick of time before a scouting group were going to approach him. Grabbing his shoulder hard, she interrogates.
"You planning to get yourself killed?"
"I don't care. Where is this Harold guy, I need to ask him something."
"I heard what you asked Alice, she's shocked, you know that?"
James doesn't reply but continues to struggle under Rebecca's grasps.
"Even if you ask Harold, it's no use. He wasn't the one."
"But he'll know who were the ones. And he didn't stop them. I'll get them. Get them all!"
"It isn't just Alice who went through this James! Many other families in the human world all dropped dead for no apparent reason. Even vampires often couldn't stop themselves and killed off a great number of humans. Natural disasters and accidents were created to cover the incidents up. If anything is to be blamed, it is the war James. Now calm down, and let's go back. As for meeting Harold, I'll let you meet him, but under a spell..." And as she said that, she sprinkled a little something from a small test tube into James' ear, and James stopped struggling.
"That's much better." Rebecca smirked.
"Hey what did you do to me?!" James body slumped. Rebecca threw him into the car with little effort, and drove home. Every time James even tried to leave the house without Alice, Rebecca used the little test tube on him. Soon, James gave up after a verbal agreement had been made that he was only going to his part time job and school, but he would be able to meet Harold, one on one. Unfortunately, since that day, Alice was always a little awkward around James, even though he'd still joke like on a normal basis.
____________________________________________________________________________
During those 5 weeks Johnathon and Harold were in the dungeon, the only communication there was between Harold and Alice was through Mashup. Some of the more random courses in the dungeon had rewards that Harold gave to Alice through Mashup. Alice would also send sweets or a little paper with a phrase on it in return. Rebecca never failed to look through the contents of each letter Alice passed to her before she coaxed Mashup to bring it to Harold. Alice trusted Rebecca and didn't question why only Rebecca could communicate with Harold. Rebecca had also told Alice about how she knew Harold and about her mother during one of the girl talks they had. The end of that talk went a little like this...
"My mother really loves Harold's mother. As a friend of course."
"Wow... I never knew something like that could or had occurred..." Well, it wouldn't have appeared in the human newspapers would it? And Rebecca was still filtering out the words soul suckers and vampires...
"I'm rather glad I managed to meet Mrs Keyes son."
"Mrs Keyes?"
"That's Harold's surname. Keyes."
"Oh... Keyes... "
*after some silence, Alice continues speaking*
"So how is your mother now?" Rebecca is a little surprised Alice doesn't ask more about Harold's mother. Guess she thought it might be rude.
"Ahh... she's in a bit of a situation now." Rebecca thinks to herself: "Can't possibly tell her it's impossible for my mother to get a job or all her colleagues would die faster..." but she fills in with some facts to satisfy Alice's curiosity. "She's working from home. Far away from here. I left home quite long ago but I do visit from time to time."
"Why don't you stay with her?" Nope, Rebecca couldn't say that her mother is in hiding and that she wanted a free life and that Alice was the reason why she is staying in one place for so long.
"Well, sooner or later I would have moved out. And I had my dreams I guess. We weren't very close, my mother and I"
"Not close?! With your own mother?!" Rebecca thoroughly enjoyed Alice's expression of exasperation.
"Well, it just happened that way."
"Oh my... " after a little pause Alice asked another question. "Then what are your dreams?"
"That, I am in the process of fulfilling. A merchant!"
"Oh! I've heard James call you smuggler, but you aren't really one are you?"
"I can't say I've never smuggled... but I do sell very rare items..."
"Ooooo, like what?" Alice's curiosity got the better of her. Rebecca thought hard about more realistic rare items she could talk about.
"Limited edition Josephine Larry perfume volume 13?"
"Per... perfume?"
"Well... I don't sell that though... I use it..."
Alice laughs. "Oh Klar you are so funny sometimes."
Rebecca smiles a little painfully. Didn't really like being called funny. But all her items were magic related... Then Alice spoke again,
"So how old are you actually Klar?"
Rebecca shrugs. "I don't know!" And she walked out of the door before Alice could probe any further.
++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
As for James, he too was caught up with preparations for war even though he had absolutely no intentions of taking part in it. But when vampires were summoned, not complying had consequences. He too went through basic trainings in the vampire world and participated in blood collection activities.
His relationship with Alice had been rather normal, but one of the days after he had gotten blood pills and artificial flesh from Rebecca, James confronted Alice about something. While they were on the way to school, he brought up a topic more serious than usual.
"So Jane was just telling me..." Alice was ranting on about something that had happened in class. James gave the appropriate reactions and replies and when she had finished that mini episode, he spoke up.
"Hey umm..."
"Yeah?"
"You know..."
"What about?" Alice was a little worried cos James was rarely hesitant about things.
"You don't have to hide about meeting that Harold guy." James avoided Alice's eyes. He had talked to Rebecca about Harold. Especially after that incident that night. Rebecca was half vampire afterall and though she seems to help Harold more than James, in truth, no one knows her true intentions. Whether she would do anything during the war, or whether she had any other goal in mind... no one knew. The point is, she does keep James updated about selected things. But significantly large information she left out were with regards to the spell and the glitter. She even told James about her debt to Harold since Harold had mentioned Mrs Keyes in front of him. No helping that.
They walked in silence for a little while.
"You always knew?"
"Yeah. since the day your parents..."
"What?"
"They passed away...."
"But I hadn't met Harold at that time...?"
"What? But..." James couldn't have possibly said anything about the mark of a soul sucker... Then something occurred to him.
"Hold on... Alice, I need to ask you something." James stopped walking and looked at Alice seriously. "What did you say your parent's died of again?"
Alice felt awkward and uncomfortable. Also, the straightforwardness of the question had knocked her off by surprise and she was starting to tear. She mumbled: "Why ask?"
"Please!" James grabbed her by the shoulders, both of them were trembling.
"He- Heart failure."
"At the same time?"
"Yes... The doctor also sounded very bewildered when he tried to explain it to me."
But that's the effect of death by a soul sucker... Suddenly, anger was fully ignited in James' eyes and heart.
"I won't be attending school today Alice. For a while actually."
"What? Why is that? What's wrong?"
James with his emotions on a rampage, didn't think of the consequences and used a little magic to make him run faster, so Alice thought he had disappeared suddenly.
"That... that's almost like how Harold disappears..." Alice thought out loud.
James on the other hand, reached soul sucker territory in the matter of moments. He didn't think of the consequences of a vampires appearance in this place. Or that he might trigger the war. Luckily, Alice had contacted Rebecca and told her what happened. She stopped James right in the nick of time before a scouting group were going to approach him. Grabbing his shoulder hard, she interrogates.
"You planning to get yourself killed?"
"I don't care. Where is this Harold guy, I need to ask him something."
"I heard what you asked Alice, she's shocked, you know that?"
James doesn't reply but continues to struggle under Rebecca's grasps.
"Even if you ask Harold, it's no use. He wasn't the one."
"But he'll know who were the ones. And he didn't stop them. I'll get them. Get them all!"
"It isn't just Alice who went through this James! Many other families in the human world all dropped dead for no apparent reason. Even vampires often couldn't stop themselves and killed off a great number of humans. Natural disasters and accidents were created to cover the incidents up. If anything is to be blamed, it is the war James. Now calm down, and let's go back. As for meeting Harold, I'll let you meet him, but under a spell..." And as she said that, she sprinkled a little something from a small test tube into James' ear, and James stopped struggling.
"That's much better." Rebecca smirked.
"Hey what did you do to me?!" James body slumped. Rebecca threw him into the car with little effort, and drove home. Every time James even tried to leave the house without Alice, Rebecca used the little test tube on him. Soon, James gave up after a verbal agreement had been made that he was only going to his part time job and school, but he would be able to meet Harold, one on one. Unfortunately, since that day, Alice was always a little awkward around James, even though he'd still joke like on a normal basis.
____________________________________________________________________________
Souls vs Blood 13
Souls vs Blood 13
In the car, Alice started blushing. She thought rather loudly in her head,
"When did he see me sleeping? He saw me glitter indirectly means he saw me sleeping? But I've never let him in my room before, and I'm on the second floor! He couldn't have just peeked in could he?! He isn't THAT tall... right? Did... Did I drool? Was my belly button showing? Did I snore?! AHHHHH"
Rebecca wished she could read Alice's mind at that moment because her expressions were just SO CUTE.
She had to stop herself from wanting to pinch Alice's cheeks so they wouldn't get into a car accident. She warped a few roads again and they were home in a jiffy.
"Good. We're back before James. Less explaining to be done" thought Rebecca after sniffing for his scent.
"Had fun today darling?" Rebecca asked as Alice absent mindedly got out of the car.
"Uh-huh" Alice nodded rather bashfully. "But Klar, how do you know Harold, how did you know the person I met was Harold?"
It was a really good teasing moment... but Rebecca stopped herself.
"I'm someone indebted to that person since long ago. But I only met him because of you darling."
"Indebted?"
"That's a story for another time dear. Go on in for tonight."
"Okay..." Alice went straight to her room, washed up, then went to bed immediately.
*So obedient.* Rebecca squealed slightly on the inside.
Rebecca was feeling deprived because she hadn't been teasing Alice and James for a really long (long only to her) but Alice's behaviour today had raised her spirits slightly. She smiled to herself. An hour or so later, James returned. Rebecca was waiting for him with a glass of (ehem) cocktail that had alcohol and blood content (ehem). She was sitting down on the sofa, and on the short table in front of her, was another glass of similar content at the opposite end. She gestured towards it.
"Sit down." Rebecca said calmly.
James who had been holding his bag over his shoulder, sighed to the floor really loudly, before flinging his bag against the wall and getting into the seat opposite Rebecca. Elbows resting on his knees and hands clasped, he glared at her. Rebecca loved his attitude, it entertained her greatly.
"So, I've told you about the chop. But this time, Alice's mark was renewed by Harold himself. Just this once."
James opened his eyes a little wider, and raised an eyebrow.
"It has been a month since that night."
James doesn't respond.
"But he'll take a little longer to come out."
"That's good news."
"So how's it going?"
"With what?"
"With Alice of course!"
James, had been looking down for a while now and slowly looked upwards, straight into Rebecca's eyes.
"Why do you ask?"
Rebecca wasn't happy. She wanted to tease him but he wasn't reacting much. She pouted. Then quite surprisingly, James spoke.
"It's good she doesn't remember. I wouldn't... know what to say or how to look at her if she did."
Rebecca started to smile inwardly...
"So you regret attacking Harold?"
"I definitely wouldn't have attacked a soul sucker when a human was present. Not if I were thinking straight! I-" James cut himself off half way once he realised he was ranting like a bullet train. He sunk in hands in his palms.
Rebecca liked this. More than that, her opinion of James improved as well. She decided to help him a little, even if it wouldn't help Harold. She conjured a little glass bottle and jangled it beside her face.
"Do you want this?" She jangled it a little more.
James looks up where the jingling could be heard from. Blood pills?
"I'm doing this for Alice. I'm giving it to you for free. Never, be on a lack of blood in front of Alice."
"But I-"
"It's fine. These pills aren't normal blood pills. Even if you are the type of vampire that can only consume fresh blood in order to be satiated, these pills work. Within each pill is highly condensed fresh blood kept fresh by a specially created casing made by me. You wouldn't be able to buy these, please know their worth!" Rebecca does not put it into James' outreached palm but on the end of the table nearer to her.
"Aren't you giving it to me?"
"One more thing. your fangs. Blood isn't the only part of the craving. Sinking your fangs into live flesh is too. Here is instalment number 2. Artificial flesh. The amazing work of alchemy combined with vampire and soul sucking magic. I actually made this by accident though." Rebecca glows in pride. Once again she doesn't place it in James' outstretched arm. James glares at her.
"I will give them to you. Just remember it's not for you but for Alice."
James stands up and reaches out for them, grabbing them and standing up abruptly at the same time.
"I won't forget! ... Thank you." But the "Thank you" was so soft, human ears would never have heard them. Rebecca nodded with a genuine smile as James clumsily made his way into his room. When he came out on his way to wash up, he downed the drink made by Rebecca. He even washed the cup even though remotely. Rebecca was starting to pity him. She could tell he really loved Alice but Alice was drifting from him. And she was working against him. When James emerged from the washroom, she asked him:
"Hey, if you mated with a human, what would your child be?"
James froze. He hadn't thought that far. If he really got together with Alice and they had kids, the kid would be... a half vampire and a half human? Unable to live in either world... roaming... like Rebecca? Rebecca continued talking.
"There have been cases in the past." *silence* "You could check them out yourself."
James returned to his room. Rebecca sipped her cocktail. They hadn't been nice cases. But James was an orphan, a loner in the vampire world, that made a whole new circumstance that has never occurred before. It might be interesting. Human and Vampire blood. Rebecca didn't want to get attached though. Even though she loved her own position, she wouldn't know how her kid would survive, if the kid did survive at all, with such a messed up blood ratio. Soon, the sun rose and life in the human world went on as it usually did.
______________________________________________
Back in The Dungeon
With Mashup's help, Harold made his way back to the 6th level of the dungeon, and found Johnathon sitting up, waiting for him.
"That didn't take too long!"
"You were waiting? What if it did! Go sleep!"
"So, did you meet her?"
Harold slipped under his blanket and turned away from Johnathon.
"Come on, tell me man!"
"I..."
"Go on!"
Harold hid his head under the blanket.
".. brought her to the tree platform."
*silence*
"You what?... That's... That's... That's our place! wow! without even asking! You..."
"Sorry..."
Johnathon sighed.
"Hey it's... it's okay. I understand. I don't think anyone would mind that much other than Eunice."
Harold didn't understand why only Eunice wouldn't understand but he didn't question it.
"Nite John."
"Nite Harold."
Mashup poked Harold. He held out a little scroll to Harold though his eyes were closed tight and his face was turned to a completely different direction. Harold unhid himself and took the scroll. Unrolling it, Rebecca had written, "As you know, we've found a little about the glitter. Her grandmother had a diary and wrote about it. It ran in the family. This scroll will only reveal what is written on it to it's supposed receiver so don't worry about others finding out and tell me what you know!" The words disappeared once Harold had read them. Taking a pen offered by Mashup, Harold pens his reply: "spell. castor dies. originates from love story between soul sucker wizard and human. memory loss when soul is sucked out. Spell has been cast twice. Other family line may have the same spell. Help find out more." He then rolls the scroll up and places it with the pen gently into Mashup's wing-held-open tummy pocket. Mashup promptly takes his leave. The next day, Harold told Johnathon: "Let's train some more. Please?"
Johnathon was flabbergasted. "Really?"
"Yeah. back to those horrible combat lessons. I think I'll really need those."
"BOO YEAH!" Johnathon shouted really loudly to the annoyance of those still sleeping. But even his apology was loud.
"OH SORRY BOUT THAT MATES. WHOOHOOHOO!!"
"Hey Quiet Down!!" Harold tried to whisper loudly.
They really went back all the way to the first floor, and took even the really tough courses. Amazingly, Harold did really well even in those physically straining courses. Though not close to as well as Johnathon, but much better than before. He really wanted to protect Alice. Seeing her made him ever more motivated, and Johnathon was happier than ever about it. They trained on for 5 weeks straight, Mashup regularly came and found Harold with updates and teases once a week. Mashup also brought the chop once so Harold could replace the mark. Finally, Harold and Johnathon stood at the exit gate of the dungeon.
"Thanks for the company John."
"Same to you Hal."
"Been a while since you called me that."
"Well, you never really liked it."
"But now... it's nostalgic."
"Hey how old are you?" laughs Johnathon.
This small talk continues as two bats fly above their heads calculating they journey and completing administrative details. The bats eventually bring them their reports and the gates open to let them out. Their small talk ended. The world outside had went through mega changes. The whole area had turned into a battlefield. People had been evacuated, there were rations and curfews. Children no longer ran around, soldiers made rounds. The war was nearing.
"Hal..."
"What?"
"I don't think you can put off collecting souls anymore."
They walked back to their homes in silence after that.
In the car, Alice started blushing. She thought rather loudly in her head,
"When did he see me sleeping? He saw me glitter indirectly means he saw me sleeping? But I've never let him in my room before, and I'm on the second floor! He couldn't have just peeked in could he?! He isn't THAT tall... right? Did... Did I drool? Was my belly button showing? Did I snore?! AHHHHH"
Rebecca wished she could read Alice's mind at that moment because her expressions were just SO CUTE.
She had to stop herself from wanting to pinch Alice's cheeks so they wouldn't get into a car accident. She warped a few roads again and they were home in a jiffy.
"Good. We're back before James. Less explaining to be done" thought Rebecca after sniffing for his scent.
"Had fun today darling?" Rebecca asked as Alice absent mindedly got out of the car.
"Uh-huh" Alice nodded rather bashfully. "But Klar, how do you know Harold, how did you know the person I met was Harold?"
It was a really good teasing moment... but Rebecca stopped herself.
"I'm someone indebted to that person since long ago. But I only met him because of you darling."
"Indebted?"
"That's a story for another time dear. Go on in for tonight."
"Okay..." Alice went straight to her room, washed up, then went to bed immediately.
*So obedient.* Rebecca squealed slightly on the inside.
Rebecca was feeling deprived because she hadn't been teasing Alice and James for a really long (long only to her) but Alice's behaviour today had raised her spirits slightly. She smiled to herself. An hour or so later, James returned. Rebecca was waiting for him with a glass of (ehem) cocktail that had alcohol and blood content (ehem). She was sitting down on the sofa, and on the short table in front of her, was another glass of similar content at the opposite end. She gestured towards it.
"Sit down." Rebecca said calmly.
James who had been holding his bag over his shoulder, sighed to the floor really loudly, before flinging his bag against the wall and getting into the seat opposite Rebecca. Elbows resting on his knees and hands clasped, he glared at her. Rebecca loved his attitude, it entertained her greatly.
"So, I've told you about the chop. But this time, Alice's mark was renewed by Harold himself. Just this once."
James opened his eyes a little wider, and raised an eyebrow.
"It has been a month since that night."
James doesn't respond.
"But he'll take a little longer to come out."
"That's good news."
"So how's it going?"
"With what?"
"With Alice of course!"
James, had been looking down for a while now and slowly looked upwards, straight into Rebecca's eyes.
"Why do you ask?"
Rebecca wasn't happy. She wanted to tease him but he wasn't reacting much. She pouted. Then quite surprisingly, James spoke.
"It's good she doesn't remember. I wouldn't... know what to say or how to look at her if she did."
Rebecca started to smile inwardly...
"So you regret attacking Harold?"
"I definitely wouldn't have attacked a soul sucker when a human was present. Not if I were thinking straight! I-" James cut himself off half way once he realised he was ranting like a bullet train. He sunk in hands in his palms.
Rebecca liked this. More than that, her opinion of James improved as well. She decided to help him a little, even if it wouldn't help Harold. She conjured a little glass bottle and jangled it beside her face.
"Do you want this?" She jangled it a little more.
James looks up where the jingling could be heard from. Blood pills?
"I'm doing this for Alice. I'm giving it to you for free. Never, be on a lack of blood in front of Alice."
"But I-"
"It's fine. These pills aren't normal blood pills. Even if you are the type of vampire that can only consume fresh blood in order to be satiated, these pills work. Within each pill is highly condensed fresh blood kept fresh by a specially created casing made by me. You wouldn't be able to buy these, please know their worth!" Rebecca does not put it into James' outreached palm but on the end of the table nearer to her.
"Aren't you giving it to me?"
"One more thing. your fangs. Blood isn't the only part of the craving. Sinking your fangs into live flesh is too. Here is instalment number 2. Artificial flesh. The amazing work of alchemy combined with vampire and soul sucking magic. I actually made this by accident though." Rebecca glows in pride. Once again she doesn't place it in James' outstretched arm. James glares at her.
"I will give them to you. Just remember it's not for you but for Alice."
James stands up and reaches out for them, grabbing them and standing up abruptly at the same time.
"I won't forget! ... Thank you." But the "Thank you" was so soft, human ears would never have heard them. Rebecca nodded with a genuine smile as James clumsily made his way into his room. When he came out on his way to wash up, he downed the drink made by Rebecca. He even washed the cup even though remotely. Rebecca was starting to pity him. She could tell he really loved Alice but Alice was drifting from him. And she was working against him. When James emerged from the washroom, she asked him:
"Hey, if you mated with a human, what would your child be?"
James froze. He hadn't thought that far. If he really got together with Alice and they had kids, the kid would be... a half vampire and a half human? Unable to live in either world... roaming... like Rebecca? Rebecca continued talking.
"There have been cases in the past." *silence* "You could check them out yourself."
James returned to his room. Rebecca sipped her cocktail. They hadn't been nice cases. But James was an orphan, a loner in the vampire world, that made a whole new circumstance that has never occurred before. It might be interesting. Human and Vampire blood. Rebecca didn't want to get attached though. Even though she loved her own position, she wouldn't know how her kid would survive, if the kid did survive at all, with such a messed up blood ratio. Soon, the sun rose and life in the human world went on as it usually did.
______________________________________________
Back in The Dungeon
With Mashup's help, Harold made his way back to the 6th level of the dungeon, and found Johnathon sitting up, waiting for him.
"That didn't take too long!"
"You were waiting? What if it did! Go sleep!"
"So, did you meet her?"
Harold slipped under his blanket and turned away from Johnathon.
"Come on, tell me man!"
"I..."
"Go on!"
Harold hid his head under the blanket.
".. brought her to the tree platform."
*silence*
"You what?... That's... That's... That's our place! wow! without even asking! You..."
"Sorry..."
Johnathon sighed.
"Hey it's... it's okay. I understand. I don't think anyone would mind that much other than Eunice."
Harold didn't understand why only Eunice wouldn't understand but he didn't question it.
"Nite John."
"Nite Harold."
Mashup poked Harold. He held out a little scroll to Harold though his eyes were closed tight and his face was turned to a completely different direction. Harold unhid himself and took the scroll. Unrolling it, Rebecca had written, "As you know, we've found a little about the glitter. Her grandmother had a diary and wrote about it. It ran in the family. This scroll will only reveal what is written on it to it's supposed receiver so don't worry about others finding out and tell me what you know!" The words disappeared once Harold had read them. Taking a pen offered by Mashup, Harold pens his reply: "spell. castor dies. originates from love story between soul sucker wizard and human. memory loss when soul is sucked out. Spell has been cast twice. Other family line may have the same spell. Help find out more." He then rolls the scroll up and places it with the pen gently into Mashup's wing-held-open tummy pocket. Mashup promptly takes his leave. The next day, Harold told Johnathon: "Let's train some more. Please?"
Johnathon was flabbergasted. "Really?"
"Yeah. back to those horrible combat lessons. I think I'll really need those."
"BOO YEAH!" Johnathon shouted really loudly to the annoyance of those still sleeping. But even his apology was loud.
"OH SORRY BOUT THAT MATES. WHOOHOOHOO!!"
"Hey Quiet Down!!" Harold tried to whisper loudly.
They really went back all the way to the first floor, and took even the really tough courses. Amazingly, Harold did really well even in those physically straining courses. Though not close to as well as Johnathon, but much better than before. He really wanted to protect Alice. Seeing her made him ever more motivated, and Johnathon was happier than ever about it. They trained on for 5 weeks straight, Mashup regularly came and found Harold with updates and teases once a week. Mashup also brought the chop once so Harold could replace the mark. Finally, Harold and Johnathon stood at the exit gate of the dungeon.
"Thanks for the company John."
"Same to you Hal."
"Been a while since you called me that."
"Well, you never really liked it."
"But now... it's nostalgic."
"Hey how old are you?" laughs Johnathon.
This small talk continues as two bats fly above their heads calculating they journey and completing administrative details. The bats eventually bring them their reports and the gates open to let them out. Their small talk ended. The world outside had went through mega changes. The whole area had turned into a battlefield. People had been evacuated, there were rations and curfews. Children no longer ran around, soldiers made rounds. The war was nearing.
"Hal..."
"What?"
"I don't think you can put off collecting souls anymore."
They walked back to their homes in silence after that.
Sunday, March 31, 2013
Souls vs Blood 12
Souls vs Blood 12
"Klar, you had a car?!?!?!?!"
Alice was stunned and shocked standing outside her front door, gaping at the black and hot pink sports car in front of her porch.
"Had this parked somewhere a long time back. It works just fine though." *As long as I drive it* She thought to herself.
"WOW! This colour is... Striking!" Alice tried to find a word that wasn't negative sounding.
"Get in" Rebecca held the door open just like a gentle...lady.
"Klar, you look younger than me but just how old are you?"
"You wouldn't want to know. Hahh. Old enough to have a driving license that I promise you." *Though I never did take the test...* she thought to herself...
She shot off, warped off a few roads she knew Alice weren't familiar with and parked at the resting spot closest to the soul sucker portal. Rebecca bought Alice a Frappe in the cafe and got her to wait there. She went to the portal, and well, she couldn't go in but she could send her little pet in... The little pet was the same one that guarded Alice while Rebecca went to speak to Harold at this very portal a month back. It had fangs. It had ears like a dragon, wings like a bat, feet like a bird, hmm. She didn't really know what she created so she named him --
"Go in little mashup. Go in and sneak to the dungeon just as I told you to. You have the pass yeah?"
Mashup sticks the tip of his left wing in a pouch that looked like just skin a moment ago, pulls out a little device, and jangled it at Rebecca.
"Good thing (She didn't know if it was a girl or a guy...). Now off you go!"
Little Mashup have scuttled have glided to the dungeon entrance, zoomed past the moving pillars and flying objects, retrieved the little device from before, let it come into contact with a device at the dungeon entrance. The device did his thing and gave little Mashup invisible entry. No barriers were erected for Mashup. He used the device on a hub and retrieved Harold's position from the dungeon database. He then went into a corner to avoid detection and then used his wings to hold the device and look at the screen carefully, memorising the data. The moment he was sure he wouldn't forget, he nodded, chucked it back into his pouch and flew low, to the 6th floor. Harold and Johnathon were asleep by then.
*OUFF* Mashup landed on Harold. He jumped.
*Ouff Ouff OUff* Harold stirred. He jumped some more.
*OUFF OUFF OUFF*
"Ou Ou OUch!" Harold whispered and got up rather quickly.
"What's up man?" Johnathon turned but kept his eyes closed.
Little Mashup smiled at his work. He managed to wake his target. He used his left wing to exaggeratedly cover a cough, removed a tiny scroll from his pouch, and handed it with two wings, ceremoniously to Harold. When the scroll had been passed to Harold, he folded his wings, and puffed up his chest with pride.
Harold unscrolled the tiny scroll.
Come quick! Follow Mashup the little thing that woke you! Alice is waiting! Don't worry you can go straight back in to whatever level using Mashup. I've got access into the dungeon controls. Klar.
Damnit. thought Harold.
"Hey johnathon" Harold crouched and whispered into Johnathons ear.
"What the, don't do that!" Johnathon rubbed his ear irritatedly. It was itchy.
"I'll be back. You can start training without me if you want."
"What?" Before Harold could step away, Johnathon caught his wrist.
"No mate. I'm going with you."
"I'll be back real quick." Harold bargained.
They stare at each other.
"How are you going to --"
"I've got a way to get back to the 6th floor don't worry. I'll be back real soon."
"Don't disappear or die on me Harold. I won't let you. Won't let you off."
"Okay"
His wrist was loosened and he gave little Mashup a push which set it running. Harold ran off after it. They reached the wall of the dungeon, the little device came out again, did it's stuff, and a portal opened. Mashup jumped in, Harold followed.
"Hi~~~" Rebecca smiled and waved sweetly. In her goth pink outfit, it didn't really match...
"Hello."
"Follow me~"
Rebecca was excited about this. She wanted to watch their 'reunion'.
____________________________________________________________
The Frappe was melting. Alice was grabbing on to it with both hands. How would Klar know that Harold was coming here? Did they know each other before hand? Why didn't she mention it before? She did feel a bit disturbed but she did want to meet Harold again. He gave her fuzzy feelings. She didn't dislike it.
____________________________________________________________
"See that cafe over there?~"
"Yeah."
"Alice is inside.~"
Unlike James, Harold trusted Rebecca Klar so he went off without question.
Rebecca hid herself and stalked the couple.
____________________________________________________________
The bells on the top of the glass door jangled. Alice jumped and turned like a frightened bunny.
Harold noticed her fear. It was more of nervousness but he read it as fear.
Harold approached her slowly. Alice wished he walked faster.
"May I?"
Alice opened her mouth to say "sure", decided against it, closed her mouth and nodded.
Harold sat down opposite her.
Alice sucked her Frappe.
Rebecca couldn't stand the awkwardness. But she was enjoying herself.
Harold looked at her collar bone. Yeah. His mark was there. He replaced it.
Rebecca was hovering outside rolling in mid air laughing kicking her legs up and down and hugging her stomach.
The table put just about a meter between them. He was leaning back with his legs inwards to make sure he didn't absorb her soul again.
The Frappe was half gone.
"Is that nice?"
"Huh?" Alice didn't know what he was talking about.
"That drink."
"Oh!" Alice looked at her Frappe and noticed it was half gone. "It's..." She didn't know how it tasted like... She wasn't concentrating on it... "It's good." She didn't know what she was doing then she pushed the drink out to Harold while Harold pushed his chair back in response then she said, "try it!"
Harold waited until she retrieved her hand before reaching for the drink and sucking on the straw. He didn't taste it either. "Yeah. It's good."
Alice was relieved. Harold pulled his chair back in just in case Alice felt offended by his movement of avoidance. Alice was starting to warm up to Harold.
"So, where've you been?"
"Stuck somewhere. Gotta go back soon actually."
Alice was a bit disappointed.
"Who... "
Harold looked at her quizzically.
"Who are you?"
Harold's expression changed to one of resignation.
"Do you know me?" Alice continues to ask. Those were the same questions she asked the last time she thinks they met.
Harold thought, "She really doesn't remember what happened that night..."
Rebecca was bored. She decided this wouldn't do. She wasn't expecting skin ship, she didn't want Alice to die. But she did wanted them to talk a little more. Sigh. She summons Mashup again, gives it a little note, and poured some blending in potion on the fella. People saw through him that way. He'd blend with whatever was behind or below him. It only worked on small things, and apparently Mashup was tiny enough.
The little note was slipped into Harold's hand that was hanging near the floor. He sneaked read it.
Talk to her about the glitter. She knows. Great Great Grandmother.
Harold scrunched up the little note and threw it at the invisible Mushup. Mushup wasn't very happy.
The Frappe is finished.
"You done?"
"hmm?"
"With the drink?"
Alice looks at her Frappe and notices it is gone.
"Yeah."
"Come with me."
Harold got up with a spin, and went towards the door. Alice jumped off her chair sending it loudly backwards before running towards Harold. Harold stopped, turned, and gave her a stop signal. Alice stopped.
"Keep yourself at least a meter away from me you got it?"
Alice nodded.
Harold continued on to the door, and because they were kinda apart, he didn't open the door for her, and Alice was a bit sad about it. Rebecca couldn't hover to follow them without being seen, so she unwillingly touched down and followed on foot.
This was soul sucker territory. It was right outside the portal, so all soul suckers that travelled to earth often usually knew this place best. Maybe even better than humans. When Harold and his gang were younger, they often came to the forest area behind the resting spot to play. There, on two of the taller but similar height trees, they had built a platform. It was actually only a small board that were supported by the branches of two trees, but they amplified the strength of the branches in their teens, as well as the size of the board. As a result, Harold could lay down with his full height on the platform with his hair touching one end and his heel touching the other. Rebecca was happy. Hidden by trees, she could hover again. She loved to hover.
After leading Alice to the right tree, Harold got her to climb it.
"Climb up."
"What?"
"Up the tree."
"But I've never climbed a tree in my life!"
"Don't worry. This tree is different."
Yeah well, Eunice was really bad with trees too. They could just hover up, but Eunice couldn't go so high with hovering. So she had to climb. They had to get the help of a senior to manipulate the tree so that it had branches that worked like sideway steps.
While Alice was hesitating, Harold decided to show her.
"Watch this."
He stepped on the lowest branch, which was the lowest branch that was ever on any of those trees. Then stepped on a slightly higher branch with his other leg, then he subsequently moved to the right, and almost halfway round the tree, he came back to the left. By then he was a quarter way up the tree. He didn't even need to use his hands.
Harold jumped off.
"Try it."
Alice rubbed her palms together and started with determination. When she reached where Harold had reached before, she turned to look at Harold to share her joy of reaching where he reached. Her eyes were shining and she was enjoying herself. Harold smiled back and started climbing.
Near the top, Alice reached the platform. She was amazed. Even Rebecca was a bit surprised. It was a rather nice spot. Just before he went on the platform, Harold signalled for a little help.
Mushup was sent, rather unwillingly, with an empty scroll and a minute pen.
Harold took it apologetically, and wrote, "pillow? cushion? Do you have any?"
Mushup returned to Rebecca in a jiffy. She rolled her eyes as a response to the note. "Who do you think I am?" She mouthed. But she produced two fluffy pillows and Mushup brought them to Harold. Threw it at him a bit at the end. He almost dropped one but managed to catch it. He threw them on the platform. He stuck his head up and gestured by nodding upwards for Alice to move to the end with a pillow. She obliged.
He sat on the other end and hugged the pillow.
"It's almost time" Harold said after a little moment of silence.
Rebecca took her eyes off the couple and looked up to the sky in anticipation.
Alice looked at Harold with a puzzled expression at first, then the sky began to come a light. Her eyes were locked to the sky.
The clouds had moved to expose a bright, almost half moon. Then, colourful lights started to dance about in the sky.
"What... What is this?" Alice was smiling in pure amazement.
"It's a little show I and my friends made quite a few years ago. It's actually lights in a tiny box that are projected and mirrored. Just like a kaleidoscope."
*That's probably the longest thing I've heard Harold say* thought Alice.
Well, Harold left out the part that it worked using the light reflected off the sun on the moon... and that the lights were not LED or florescent or anything like that but colourful light bugs. Like fireflies, just rainbow coloured... And that the box wasn't exactly a box but more like the light bug enclosure in the soul sucker realm... hmm... Oh well. It was a little complex but when they were kids they were arguing about something and trying out their own thing on the platform and it ended up mixing up to become this projection of the light bugs in the night sky. It could be seen as long as a soul sucker was on the platform. That was Harold. And as long as it wasn't a full moon. It wasn't. They watched they show for about 5 minutes. When I say they, I mean Alice and Rebecca. Harold's eyes were elsewhere... Somewhere one point two meters away from him... On a smile, an open mouth, wide barely blinking eyes, and hair flowing in the light breeze. The projection ended as the clouds came back to cover the moon.
Alice turned to comment about it to Harold and found him staring at her. The words she wanted to say were lost. She regained her composure in a few prolonged seconds.
"That was really really pretty."
"Yeah" [I think he means Alice]
"I've never seen anything like it. Is it natural?"
"Not really."
"It's amazing."
"Glad you like it."
Alice ran out of words.
Then she changed the topic.
"Will... Will I see you again?"
"Maybe."
"Why?"
Harold was stumped. Why should she meet him?
Rebecca was bored. She was itching to involve herself and make something happen.
Then she had an idea... it was almost turning morning... She took out a bottle of dry glitter...
Just before 12, Rebecca blew the top of the dry glitter bottle, sending glitter over the platform. Alice was really excited. She looked about jumpily but she knew it wasn't the same glitter because it didn't disappear.
Then Harold decided to use Rebecca's advise after all.
"Your glitter is prettier."
Alice pauses. "Sorry?"
"When you glitter. It's prettier than this."
"I... glitter?"
"You do."
"You've seen it?!?!" Alice was intrigued. Someone else knew about the glitter!
"Yes I have. Just once."
"Do you know what it is?" Alice gets her hopes up about finding out what the glitter really is in place of her grand ma"
"Barely. Not much." Harold tells a kinda white lie to avoid answering.
Alice loses her hope. "Oh well, at least I got to know that I have it too."
"Let's go." Harold starts on his descent. Rebecca collected her pillows once Alice let it go and skipped after Harold.
As she dusted the pillow Harold used a bit annoyingly, They reach the bottom of the tree.
"See you Alice.
"See you Harold."
Harold disappears.
*I finally managed to say my farewells successfully before he leaves...* thought Alice.
Before heading to the portal though, Harold approached Rebecca who handed him another chop to place his mark on. Mark placed. Rebecca also coaxes Mashup to follow Harold back into the dungeon. Mashup grudgingly does so, growling.
Rebecca waited for Alice at the ends of the forest area.
"Done?"
"Yeah."
"Let's go then!" Rebecca smiled and hummed as she led the way back to the car. *Harold wasn't so bad as a romanticist?* She thought.
"Klar, you had a car?!?!?!?!"
Alice was stunned and shocked standing outside her front door, gaping at the black and hot pink sports car in front of her porch.
"Had this parked somewhere a long time back. It works just fine though." *As long as I drive it* She thought to herself.
"WOW! This colour is... Striking!" Alice tried to find a word that wasn't negative sounding.
"Get in" Rebecca held the door open just like a gentle...lady.
"Klar, you look younger than me but just how old are you?"
"You wouldn't want to know. Hahh. Old enough to have a driving license that I promise you." *Though I never did take the test...* she thought to herself...
She shot off, warped off a few roads she knew Alice weren't familiar with and parked at the resting spot closest to the soul sucker portal. Rebecca bought Alice a Frappe in the cafe and got her to wait there. She went to the portal, and well, she couldn't go in but she could send her little pet in... The little pet was the same one that guarded Alice while Rebecca went to speak to Harold at this very portal a month back. It had fangs. It had ears like a dragon, wings like a bat, feet like a bird, hmm. She didn't really know what she created so she named him --
"Go in little mashup. Go in and sneak to the dungeon just as I told you to. You have the pass yeah?"
Mashup sticks the tip of his left wing in a pouch that looked like just skin a moment ago, pulls out a little device, and jangled it at Rebecca.
"Good thing (She didn't know if it was a girl or a guy...). Now off you go!"
Little Mashup have scuttled have glided to the dungeon entrance, zoomed past the moving pillars and flying objects, retrieved the little device from before, let it come into contact with a device at the dungeon entrance. The device did his thing and gave little Mashup invisible entry. No barriers were erected for Mashup. He used the device on a hub and retrieved Harold's position from the dungeon database. He then went into a corner to avoid detection and then used his wings to hold the device and look at the screen carefully, memorising the data. The moment he was sure he wouldn't forget, he nodded, chucked it back into his pouch and flew low, to the 6th floor. Harold and Johnathon were asleep by then.
*OUFF* Mashup landed on Harold. He jumped.
*Ouff Ouff OUff* Harold stirred. He jumped some more.
*OUFF OUFF OUFF*
"Ou Ou OUch!" Harold whispered and got up rather quickly.
"What's up man?" Johnathon turned but kept his eyes closed.
Little Mashup smiled at his work. He managed to wake his target. He used his left wing to exaggeratedly cover a cough, removed a tiny scroll from his pouch, and handed it with two wings, ceremoniously to Harold. When the scroll had been passed to Harold, he folded his wings, and puffed up his chest with pride.
Harold unscrolled the tiny scroll.
Come quick! Follow Mashup the little thing that woke you! Alice is waiting! Don't worry you can go straight back in to whatever level using Mashup. I've got access into the dungeon controls. Klar.
Damnit. thought Harold.
"Hey johnathon" Harold crouched and whispered into Johnathons ear.
"What the, don't do that!" Johnathon rubbed his ear irritatedly. It was itchy.
"I'll be back. You can start training without me if you want."
"What?" Before Harold could step away, Johnathon caught his wrist.
"No mate. I'm going with you."
"I'll be back real quick." Harold bargained.
They stare at each other.
"How are you going to --"
"I've got a way to get back to the 6th floor don't worry. I'll be back real soon."
"Don't disappear or die on me Harold. I won't let you. Won't let you off."
"Okay"
His wrist was loosened and he gave little Mashup a push which set it running. Harold ran off after it. They reached the wall of the dungeon, the little device came out again, did it's stuff, and a portal opened. Mashup jumped in, Harold followed.
"Hi~~~" Rebecca smiled and waved sweetly. In her goth pink outfit, it didn't really match...
"Hello."
"Follow me~"
Rebecca was excited about this. She wanted to watch their 'reunion'.
____________________________________________________________
The Frappe was melting. Alice was grabbing on to it with both hands. How would Klar know that Harold was coming here? Did they know each other before hand? Why didn't she mention it before? She did feel a bit disturbed but she did want to meet Harold again. He gave her fuzzy feelings. She didn't dislike it.
____________________________________________________________
"See that cafe over there?~"
"Yeah."
"Alice is inside.~"
Unlike James, Harold trusted Rebecca Klar so he went off without question.
Rebecca hid herself and stalked the couple.
____________________________________________________________
The bells on the top of the glass door jangled. Alice jumped and turned like a frightened bunny.
Harold noticed her fear. It was more of nervousness but he read it as fear.
Harold approached her slowly. Alice wished he walked faster.
"May I?"
Alice opened her mouth to say "sure", decided against it, closed her mouth and nodded.
Harold sat down opposite her.
Alice sucked her Frappe.
Rebecca couldn't stand the awkwardness. But she was enjoying herself.
Harold looked at her collar bone. Yeah. His mark was there. He replaced it.
Rebecca was hovering outside rolling in mid air laughing kicking her legs up and down and hugging her stomach.
The table put just about a meter between them. He was leaning back with his legs inwards to make sure he didn't absorb her soul again.
The Frappe was half gone.
"Is that nice?"
"Huh?" Alice didn't know what he was talking about.
"That drink."
"Oh!" Alice looked at her Frappe and noticed it was half gone. "It's..." She didn't know how it tasted like... She wasn't concentrating on it... "It's good." She didn't know what she was doing then she pushed the drink out to Harold while Harold pushed his chair back in response then she said, "try it!"
Harold waited until she retrieved her hand before reaching for the drink and sucking on the straw. He didn't taste it either. "Yeah. It's good."
Alice was relieved. Harold pulled his chair back in just in case Alice felt offended by his movement of avoidance. Alice was starting to warm up to Harold.
"So, where've you been?"
"Stuck somewhere. Gotta go back soon actually."
Alice was a bit disappointed.
"Who... "
Harold looked at her quizzically.
"Who are you?"
Harold's expression changed to one of resignation.
"Do you know me?" Alice continues to ask. Those were the same questions she asked the last time she thinks they met.
Harold thought, "She really doesn't remember what happened that night..."
Rebecca was bored. She decided this wouldn't do. She wasn't expecting skin ship, she didn't want Alice to die. But she did wanted them to talk a little more. Sigh. She summons Mashup again, gives it a little note, and poured some blending in potion on the fella. People saw through him that way. He'd blend with whatever was behind or below him. It only worked on small things, and apparently Mashup was tiny enough.
The little note was slipped into Harold's hand that was hanging near the floor. He sneaked read it.
Talk to her about the glitter. She knows. Great Great Grandmother.
Harold scrunched up the little note and threw it at the invisible Mushup. Mushup wasn't very happy.
The Frappe is finished.
"You done?"
"hmm?"
"With the drink?"
Alice looks at her Frappe and notices it is gone.
"Yeah."
"Come with me."
Harold got up with a spin, and went towards the door. Alice jumped off her chair sending it loudly backwards before running towards Harold. Harold stopped, turned, and gave her a stop signal. Alice stopped.
"Keep yourself at least a meter away from me you got it?"
Alice nodded.
Harold continued on to the door, and because they were kinda apart, he didn't open the door for her, and Alice was a bit sad about it. Rebecca couldn't hover to follow them without being seen, so she unwillingly touched down and followed on foot.
This was soul sucker territory. It was right outside the portal, so all soul suckers that travelled to earth often usually knew this place best. Maybe even better than humans. When Harold and his gang were younger, they often came to the forest area behind the resting spot to play. There, on two of the taller but similar height trees, they had built a platform. It was actually only a small board that were supported by the branches of two trees, but they amplified the strength of the branches in their teens, as well as the size of the board. As a result, Harold could lay down with his full height on the platform with his hair touching one end and his heel touching the other. Rebecca was happy. Hidden by trees, she could hover again. She loved to hover.
After leading Alice to the right tree, Harold got her to climb it.
"Climb up."
"What?"
"Up the tree."
"But I've never climbed a tree in my life!"
"Don't worry. This tree is different."
Yeah well, Eunice was really bad with trees too. They could just hover up, but Eunice couldn't go so high with hovering. So she had to climb. They had to get the help of a senior to manipulate the tree so that it had branches that worked like sideway steps.
While Alice was hesitating, Harold decided to show her.
"Watch this."
He stepped on the lowest branch, which was the lowest branch that was ever on any of those trees. Then stepped on a slightly higher branch with his other leg, then he subsequently moved to the right, and almost halfway round the tree, he came back to the left. By then he was a quarter way up the tree. He didn't even need to use his hands.
Harold jumped off.
"Try it."
Alice rubbed her palms together and started with determination. When she reached where Harold had reached before, she turned to look at Harold to share her joy of reaching where he reached. Her eyes were shining and she was enjoying herself. Harold smiled back and started climbing.
Near the top, Alice reached the platform. She was amazed. Even Rebecca was a bit surprised. It was a rather nice spot. Just before he went on the platform, Harold signalled for a little help.
Mushup was sent, rather unwillingly, with an empty scroll and a minute pen.
Harold took it apologetically, and wrote, "pillow? cushion? Do you have any?"
Mushup returned to Rebecca in a jiffy. She rolled her eyes as a response to the note. "Who do you think I am?" She mouthed. But she produced two fluffy pillows and Mushup brought them to Harold. Threw it at him a bit at the end. He almost dropped one but managed to catch it. He threw them on the platform. He stuck his head up and gestured by nodding upwards for Alice to move to the end with a pillow. She obliged.
He sat on the other end and hugged the pillow.
"It's almost time" Harold said after a little moment of silence.
Rebecca took her eyes off the couple and looked up to the sky in anticipation.
Alice looked at Harold with a puzzled expression at first, then the sky began to come a light. Her eyes were locked to the sky.
The clouds had moved to expose a bright, almost half moon. Then, colourful lights started to dance about in the sky.
"What... What is this?" Alice was smiling in pure amazement.
"It's a little show I and my friends made quite a few years ago. It's actually lights in a tiny box that are projected and mirrored. Just like a kaleidoscope."
*That's probably the longest thing I've heard Harold say* thought Alice.
Well, Harold left out the part that it worked using the light reflected off the sun on the moon... and that the lights were not LED or florescent or anything like that but colourful light bugs. Like fireflies, just rainbow coloured... And that the box wasn't exactly a box but more like the light bug enclosure in the soul sucker realm... hmm... Oh well. It was a little complex but when they were kids they were arguing about something and trying out their own thing on the platform and it ended up mixing up to become this projection of the light bugs in the night sky. It could be seen as long as a soul sucker was on the platform. That was Harold. And as long as it wasn't a full moon. It wasn't. They watched they show for about 5 minutes. When I say they, I mean Alice and Rebecca. Harold's eyes were elsewhere... Somewhere one point two meters away from him... On a smile, an open mouth, wide barely blinking eyes, and hair flowing in the light breeze. The projection ended as the clouds came back to cover the moon.
Alice turned to comment about it to Harold and found him staring at her. The words she wanted to say were lost. She regained her composure in a few prolonged seconds.
"That was really really pretty."
"Yeah" [I think he means Alice]
"I've never seen anything like it. Is it natural?"
"Not really."
"It's amazing."
"Glad you like it."
Alice ran out of words.
Then she changed the topic.
"Will... Will I see you again?"
"Maybe."
"Why?"
Harold was stumped. Why should she meet him?
Rebecca was bored. She was itching to involve herself and make something happen.
Then she had an idea... it was almost turning morning... She took out a bottle of dry glitter...
Just before 12, Rebecca blew the top of the dry glitter bottle, sending glitter over the platform. Alice was really excited. She looked about jumpily but she knew it wasn't the same glitter because it didn't disappear.
Then Harold decided to use Rebecca's advise after all.
"Your glitter is prettier."
Alice pauses. "Sorry?"
"When you glitter. It's prettier than this."
"I... glitter?"
"You do."
"You've seen it?!?!" Alice was intrigued. Someone else knew about the glitter!
"Yes I have. Just once."
"Do you know what it is?" Alice gets her hopes up about finding out what the glitter really is in place of her grand ma"
"Barely. Not much." Harold tells a kinda white lie to avoid answering.
Alice loses her hope. "Oh well, at least I got to know that I have it too."
"Let's go." Harold starts on his descent. Rebecca collected her pillows once Alice let it go and skipped after Harold.
As she dusted the pillow Harold used a bit annoyingly, They reach the bottom of the tree.
"See you Alice.
"See you Harold."
Harold disappears.
*I finally managed to say my farewells successfully before he leaves...* thought Alice.
Before heading to the portal though, Harold approached Rebecca who handed him another chop to place his mark on. Mark placed. Rebecca also coaxes Mashup to follow Harold back into the dungeon. Mashup grudgingly does so, growling.
Rebecca waited for Alice at the ends of the forest area.
"Done?"
"Yeah."
"Let's go then!" Rebecca smiled and hummed as she led the way back to the car. *Harold wasn't so bad as a romanticist?* She thought.
Tuesday, March 26, 2013
Souls vs Blood 11
Souls vs Blood 11
The Dungeon.
In the place where soul suckers abideth, there is, a volcano.
Beside it, is land that was made of hardened lava from a volcanic eruption a few centuries ago. Although the volcano is now dormant, that is not of importance to us. What we focus on, is the hardened lava. The wizards from those centuries ago used a little magic to control where the lava flowed and hardened. They created a huge underground dungeon. It was the perfect training area for their soldiers as well as a place of refuge during magical, or - the not so often - natural disasters. In prepararion for the war, all 6 levels of the dungeon had been opened and furnished for different trainings. Starting from ground to deeper underground:
The first level was the most popular and the most crowded - the combating vampires related classes.
The second level held magic related classes both theoretical and practical.
The third level held weapons handling classes from daggers to pistols.
The forth level was a battle arena with many many cubicals and platforms for simulations or duels to take place.
The fifth level held psychological lessons by... slightly psychopathic instructors.Will power and using words to confuse the enemy or make your enemy lose confidence are the main classes taught among others.
The sixth level was Granny Squavox's classes which were healing and soul related.
"YOU WILL LEARN EVERYTHING FROM SOUL COMPACTION AND LIQUIDATION TO MININAL UTILISATION OF SOULS." Booms the speaker jumping about advertising the 6th floor. Well, the sixth floor needed the most advertising since it was on the 6th floor. There is a rule to this dungeon. You had to start from the top. At each level, u had to complete at least one course. You can only move on once you have completed all courses you have started and the dungeon will barricade you from exit or move down. Upon entrance, the dungeon will recognise you, and track your progress. When you exit, a little bat will announce what you have done, praise or ridicule you, and ask if you want physical recognition of your dungeon travel. A little programming magic done by a specialist team prepared the dungeon this way in preparation for the war. As a result, the first level was very crowded while the last level was close to empty. There were exceptions. Peopke that had known specialties could travel to specific levels. A registered healer like Sarah can choose to go to the 6th floor, but she cannot access the other floors in the middle. Most of them do not choose to do so since they are already proficient in they're trade though. Sarah had quickly taken a simple course on the first floor and was focusing on the second floor. So far, she had completed 3 courses on the 2nd floor while Harold was only just entering the dungeon and receiving the rules and instructions from a talking... pillar.
"You cannot... You will.... " Harold was falling asleep. Johnathon was a trainer so he had exclusive access to all floors. He decided to stay with Harold and made sure his friend would be strong enough at least to survive if not to fight.
"Harold, LISTEN TO THE PILLAR WILL YOU?" It was only the beginning but Johnathon was already losing patience with Harold. He was impossible.
Day - 1 level 1 class weaknesses of vampires
"Vampires are mortals. They too have weaknesses we can make use of! Forget all the story books and garlic or silver bullets! Such items are of no use! Here you will learn what vampires are truly afraid of!"
Johnathon had decided to take a theory class first since Harold was so reluctant to exercise. But it was horrible. Not a weakness was usable for vampires in general and there were so many conditions no one would remember them. A useless course with an mcq test they passed as fast as daylight. They were out in 3 hours flat.
Day - 1 level 1 class combat against fangs
To make Johnathon happy, Harold joined a combat class. The fangs of vampires may not be able to draw blood from soul suckers but they could still be a lethal weapon if used correctly. Vampire fangs could weaken soul sucker magic. Used with venom or enchantments and (oh boy) fangs could do some serious damage! This class taught one how to defend against, and counterattack fangs. Since it was a combat class, even though Harold was really trying hard, he took about 5 days to clear the course. Johnathon completed the course about 20 times while helping Harold out. Well, he was one of the planners of this course so it would have been expected. Harold finally managed to avoid being hit by the fangs installed onto the test bot as well as attack the bot until the bot's HP reached zero within the time limit. Barely.
Day - 6 level 2 class cooking
Johnathon was not very happy in this class. He passed it. Barely. Harold passed it rather quickly. All they had to do was make a soup without touching any of the ingredients. Johnathon didn't see the point in this lesson. It does help to train your dexterity to some extent though. And for Johnathon, ALOT of will power. They completed the course in 4 hours because Johnathon had a little difficulty with the spices.
Having completed the easy course to ensure they could go to the next level, they went on to tougher modules.
Day - 6 level 2 class attacking magic - bolts
"You do not require a wand to shoot bolts as you all should know from elementary school... What you require, is also not intelligence as what games claim... you need MENTAL STRENGTH!" At the last two words, the class jumped in shock when the soft spoken instructor suddenly raised her voice. "Elements? Why bother shooting fire or lightning when we just need to land some form of damage? FORGET the burning! Shoot your soul bolts and AIM THEM WELL!" The class was starting to get used to her unbalanced intonation. Each student was aligned as if in a shooting arena or bowling alley and made to create bolts out of souls. These bolts were particularly strong against vampires who are as good as allergic to souls that have been absorbed by soul suckers. There is just some repelling forces between the two races.
Johnathon couldn't sustain a bolt for longer than 5 seconds. Harold managed to throw one but it disappeared after flying side ways for less than a meter.
"WILL power boys! Image the bolt in your mind, and form it STRONG!"
They both tried, and failed.
"CONTROL YOUR SOULS. YOU ABSORBED IT! CAN YOU NOT CONTROL IT?!"
So much for consistency of intonation. The two boys rubbed their ears in agony.
The rest of the day was spent on this class. The next morning as well. By then, both of them could form a bolt and throw it at the other end of their alley, touch the soul absorbing globe, and graduate after managing to send 5 bolts in a row to the globe within 5 minutes. Not bad.
"Goodness, how did we do all this in school last time?" Johnathon started complaining.
"How did we forget it?" Harold wasn't happy with his progress either.
"I was never much of a magician, wizard whatever they call themselves these days."
"My grades were... yeah. never commendable either." Harold sighed.
Day 7 level 2 class playful spells
Making the floor slippery. - 2 hours.
Making one item stick to another item (please do not use yourself as an item) - 3 hours
Moving multiple objects without touching them (not living things) - 5 hours.
It was way in the night before they finished. They had 4 hours of sleep before continuing.
Blowing a fuse remotely - 1 hour (Johnathon finished this in 20 minutes. Always one for brute strength.)
Making your hair stand and pokey - 3 hours. (Both of them couldn't really get it right...)
okay... the list goes on...
they finally finish all the spells and clear the course.
Day 9 level 2 class magical traps
Warning traps, Damage dealing traps, Capturing traps, Luring traps. Many different traps were taught and materials needed for each trap were repeated over and over.
"Only if you had them(the right materials), you could build them. But only if you build them well, will they be of any use!" Hollered the instructor from time to time.
They spent rather long in here. Johnathon was forgetful and Harold was clumsy.
Day 11 level 2 class attacking magic - strengthening physical attacks
Johnathon reigned here. He even beat the instructor which was his older sister.
"Hahh! WAHOO!!!" Johnathon went around making everyone's efforts look like carbon dioxide (nothing).
Basically, for those physically weak, they can wear a layer of soul over their skin as additional defence, or increase the force of a punch or kick with good soul control. Johnathon had poor control over his souls for everything except in this area. Harold on the other hand, took a good full day to beat the simulation and was defeated completely by the instructor, as well as Johnathon.
Day 12 level 2 class potion making
Harold was all right here. He could remember the ingredients and the requirements. Johnathon on the other hand blew a few pots up. Oh dear. Johnathon managed to meet the requirements somehow though. They made quite a few interesting potions that they could keep and perhaps, use against vampires... Though I doubt it would be of much use since the potions were more... for decorative purposes than attacking. The only useful one was toxic and one of the ingredients required were not easily available so they could not make it on their own... Unless of course, Rebecca Klar was with you.
Day 12 level 3 class - archery
Oh it was a disaster. Harold couldn't even hold the bow, not to mention pull it and aim and shoot. He had to do physical training before the trainer let him even touch the bow. They spent about 4 days here.
Day 17 - level 3 class - gun handling
From disassembling and reassembling, to reloading, disposal and keeping. How to not shoot yourself. Yeah. The candidates needed that alot. Even with soul bullets, a number of students shot themselves while handling the guns. Ouch. From holding to balancing. They spent quite long here. Harold's aim was down the drain. One would have thought archery would have helped his aim. it didn't. He graduated with a score of 68. The requirement? 65. Oh dear. Johnathon got 98. He made Harold take the test again. 70. Hmm. Better than some screaming girls, but not even close to average compared to the rest.
Day 21 - level 3 class - blades
Kitchen knives, daggers, throwing stars, etc. everything and anything with a sharp side, even razors, were plentiful here. They learnt to make use of all of them as weapons. Harold suffered quite a bunch of cuts...
Day 25 - level 3 resting area
Harold was getting impatient. He told rebecca about a month. it would almost be up but he was only on the third floor. Johnathon didn't care. In the dungeon, there was a communication system he could use to contact those outside the dungeon. But who would be willing to meet rebecca klar and pass on a message that he would be late and to bring another chop so he could place his mark on it again?
Day 26 level 4 duel
Harold did surprisingly well. He defeated a simulation where he fought against a... child vampire... and won...
hmm...
Day 26 level 4 war
How to save yourself when you were surrounded and alone? Well, Johnathon cleared this in a jiffy while Harold blasted his way through the crowd somehow in his impatience.
Day 27 level 4 teamwork
Working together with strangers of the same race. Easy? Not always. Especially not when you're teamed up with a guy that had been pinching your cheeks when you were in nursery. Harold tried not to care when his bully taunted and laughed at him at every possible moment. Amazingly, the bully did his job when the time arised (though not without finding some other joke about Harold) and the course ended.
Day 28 level 5 class receiving pressure
Let us ignore the masochistic instructor that demonstrated what he was supposed to teach nonstop.
Both physical pressure tolerance and mental pressure tolerance were trained here. How well could you stand the simulations? Johnathon lost his cool too often at the mental side, but was really good at tolerating physical pain and pressure. Harold was the opposite. He wasn't much affected by mental pressure, but his physical pressure tolerance was as low as a boneless body. He angrily survived the test at the end with a decent score though. He was getting hasty.
Day 30 level 5 class debate
Let us ignore the narcissistic teacher who was in love with herself and sweet talked to herself as if she were two persons.
Harold, was okay. Johnathon, a failure. They met Tom here. He was wonderful! He rebutted everything that came his way with a smirk on his face. He had always been good with his words. Way to go!
"Harold! Think a bit before you speak! Use anything you can against your enemy! Remember what he said or did and use it against him!" Tom had given up on Johnathon and tried to give tips to Harold constantly so Harold would keep on thinking and remembering to use tactics. Johnathon used his staff pass to get through. Harold completed the course at the end of the day.
Day 31 level 5 class planning
Tactics were taught here by a talking book. It was just a lecture and a test. Johnathon who was trained in tactical battle passed with flying colours while Harold relied on his short term memory to pass with... no credit. Lol.
Day 31 level 6
Granny Squavox magical jars and tables were the instructors for this floor. Some even had fluffy slippers as instructors. The atmosphere was... ancient.
Class soul usage minimization.
Harold was on a roll here. Because he never did rely much on souls because of his conscience, he naturally was able to minimize the amount of soul he used. Johnathon had a little more problems...
"Limit reached" announced the soul usage reading statue that had been allocated to Johnathon for the umpteenth time.
Harold scored a distinction and johnathon passed barely and they went to the next class.
Class Soul compaction and liquidation
"For easy storage, souls can be made into fluids. In solid form souls are hard to absorb so we do not convert them into solids often. (from the looks of it however, most people were producing solids...) Depending on how well you control your soul, your liquid can be highly concentrated, meaning a small bottle can hold enough for recovery from near death situations, or lowly concentrated, where a small bottle can perhaps heal a paper cut. Depending on the difficulty level you choose, your ending test will have different levels of concentration requirements. Let us move on to the lesson! ... "
With every instruction, Harold could keep up with the instructor. Johnathon was lagging behind.
At the end of the lesson, Harold completed 5 bottles of sufficiently high concentration soul fluids and with a bit of help from him, Johnathon made one average concentration soul fluid. hmm.
"We did all this in school so this should be just a recap but IT STILL IS HARD..." Johnathon was partially giving excuses...
"Haha. Some things never change Johnathon. Your grades in soul related classes were never really nice to look at..."
"Same goes for you Harold. Same goes for you."
Day 32 level 6 class healing
"Healing by absorbing souls is a natural and instinctive ability all soul suckers have -- ("except my mother" thought Harold.) -- but using it to heal other soul suckers, *the instructor pauses and paces*, and using it sparingly when healing yourself, *repeat*, and controlling how much soul you use as you do so, *dejavu* that is what we will try to teach you in this short course. Please practise on your own after obtaining the knowledge of the skills taught. Should you be able to heal the simulated injured soul sucker with the limited amount of soul given to you, you shall pass this lesson."
Johnathon didn't even bother taking the test. Sarah who was on shift as a helper at the moment was trying her hardest to convince him and encourage, prompt, beg, etcetc, him to learn how to heal. Johnathon was adamant. Then Harold successfully got him into the course officially. "Hey, if Sarah was the only medic on board and she was injured and you were around... who'd save your sister?"
Johnathon raised his hands in surrender and defeat. "All right! Okay! I'll do it!" Sarah gave the boys a hug. Johnathon was trying to shaker her off while Harold just laughed at the scene. It was an important course, so they spent a whole day practising. Harold was proficient enough at it, Johnathon managed to heal a paper cut, Sarah was happy enough but made Johnathon promise to practise with her until he could heal a bullet hole... Probably impossible. But Johnathon couldn't over power his sister this time. Conceded to his fate.
It was a little over a month. Harold was worried about what was happening on the other side. He missed... Alice. Just a little. Okay maybe more than that. Oh all right all right he missed her quite a bit. He wanted to go visit the human world more and more with each passing day. Johnathon could sense his friend's impatience.
Day 32 level 6 rest area
"Hey, you wanna get out right?"
Harold opened his eyes wide but kept quiet.
The fire lamp beside them flickered.
"I'll walk you there. Go for a while then come back. We can't neglect training okay? Instead I'll let you go about once to twice a week."
"You... you will?"
"Yeah. I'll even go with you just once."
"Wha... what?"
"I wanna meet this girl you've been going on about. Alice or whatever. Wanna see if she's worth it."
"Wo... worth what?"
"... you idiot." Even Johnathon thought Harold was dense.
Harold waited.
"Worth the time you spend thinking of her." Johnathon tried to phrase it in a not so obvious way...
"Oh."
"Don't you want to show her to us?" (us meaning the clique)
"Uhh. Not really."
Johnathon made weird expressions in the dark thinking "Harold is impossible!!!"
"Then what do you want?"
"Want what?"
Johnathon made more weird actions and expressions. (of exasperation)
"Want to happen with Alice!" Johnathon couldn't find a more indirect way to ask.
"Nothing."
"WHAT?!" Johnathon responded a little too quickly and loudly.
"SHUT UP" shouted some guy from a distance.
"SORRY!" Johnathon shouted back embarrassed.
"Then what's the point of protecting her?!"
"I just... don't want to harm her..."
"Oh..."
Johnathon knew what Harold meant. Souls suckers absorbed souls after all. And even though Harold knew Alice could regenerate her soul, "was there a limit to how much she can recover? what if suddenly the regeneration fails to happen? what if the regeneration came with side effects?" Harold couldn't be sure. He wasn't going to risk it. He never wanted anything to happen between him and Alice. Paraphrase = never allowed himself to want anything.
The Dungeon.
In the place where soul suckers abideth, there is, a volcano.
Beside it, is land that was made of hardened lava from a volcanic eruption a few centuries ago. Although the volcano is now dormant, that is not of importance to us. What we focus on, is the hardened lava. The wizards from those centuries ago used a little magic to control where the lava flowed and hardened. They created a huge underground dungeon. It was the perfect training area for their soldiers as well as a place of refuge during magical, or - the not so often - natural disasters. In prepararion for the war, all 6 levels of the dungeon had been opened and furnished for different trainings. Starting from ground to deeper underground:
The first level was the most popular and the most crowded - the combating vampires related classes.
The second level held magic related classes both theoretical and practical.
The third level held weapons handling classes from daggers to pistols.
The forth level was a battle arena with many many cubicals and platforms for simulations or duels to take place.
The fifth level held psychological lessons by... slightly psychopathic instructors.Will power and using words to confuse the enemy or make your enemy lose confidence are the main classes taught among others.
The sixth level was Granny Squavox's classes which were healing and soul related.
"YOU WILL LEARN EVERYTHING FROM SOUL COMPACTION AND LIQUIDATION TO MININAL UTILISATION OF SOULS." Booms the speaker jumping about advertising the 6th floor. Well, the sixth floor needed the most advertising since it was on the 6th floor. There is a rule to this dungeon. You had to start from the top. At each level, u had to complete at least one course. You can only move on once you have completed all courses you have started and the dungeon will barricade you from exit or move down. Upon entrance, the dungeon will recognise you, and track your progress. When you exit, a little bat will announce what you have done, praise or ridicule you, and ask if you want physical recognition of your dungeon travel. A little programming magic done by a specialist team prepared the dungeon this way in preparation for the war. As a result, the first level was very crowded while the last level was close to empty. There were exceptions. Peopke that had known specialties could travel to specific levels. A registered healer like Sarah can choose to go to the 6th floor, but she cannot access the other floors in the middle. Most of them do not choose to do so since they are already proficient in they're trade though. Sarah had quickly taken a simple course on the first floor and was focusing on the second floor. So far, she had completed 3 courses on the 2nd floor while Harold was only just entering the dungeon and receiving the rules and instructions from a talking... pillar.
"You cannot... You will.... " Harold was falling asleep. Johnathon was a trainer so he had exclusive access to all floors. He decided to stay with Harold and made sure his friend would be strong enough at least to survive if not to fight.
"Harold, LISTEN TO THE PILLAR WILL YOU?" It was only the beginning but Johnathon was already losing patience with Harold. He was impossible.
Day - 1 level 1 class weaknesses of vampires
"Vampires are mortals. They too have weaknesses we can make use of! Forget all the story books and garlic or silver bullets! Such items are of no use! Here you will learn what vampires are truly afraid of!"
Johnathon had decided to take a theory class first since Harold was so reluctant to exercise. But it was horrible. Not a weakness was usable for vampires in general and there were so many conditions no one would remember them. A useless course with an mcq test they passed as fast as daylight. They were out in 3 hours flat.
Day - 1 level 1 class combat against fangs
To make Johnathon happy, Harold joined a combat class. The fangs of vampires may not be able to draw blood from soul suckers but they could still be a lethal weapon if used correctly. Vampire fangs could weaken soul sucker magic. Used with venom or enchantments and (oh boy) fangs could do some serious damage! This class taught one how to defend against, and counterattack fangs. Since it was a combat class, even though Harold was really trying hard, he took about 5 days to clear the course. Johnathon completed the course about 20 times while helping Harold out. Well, he was one of the planners of this course so it would have been expected. Harold finally managed to avoid being hit by the fangs installed onto the test bot as well as attack the bot until the bot's HP reached zero within the time limit. Barely.
Day - 6 level 2 class cooking
Johnathon was not very happy in this class. He passed it. Barely. Harold passed it rather quickly. All they had to do was make a soup without touching any of the ingredients. Johnathon didn't see the point in this lesson. It does help to train your dexterity to some extent though. And for Johnathon, ALOT of will power. They completed the course in 4 hours because Johnathon had a little difficulty with the spices.
Having completed the easy course to ensure they could go to the next level, they went on to tougher modules.
Day - 6 level 2 class attacking magic - bolts
"You do not require a wand to shoot bolts as you all should know from elementary school... What you require, is also not intelligence as what games claim... you need MENTAL STRENGTH!" At the last two words, the class jumped in shock when the soft spoken instructor suddenly raised her voice. "Elements? Why bother shooting fire or lightning when we just need to land some form of damage? FORGET the burning! Shoot your soul bolts and AIM THEM WELL!" The class was starting to get used to her unbalanced intonation. Each student was aligned as if in a shooting arena or bowling alley and made to create bolts out of souls. These bolts were particularly strong against vampires who are as good as allergic to souls that have been absorbed by soul suckers. There is just some repelling forces between the two races.
Johnathon couldn't sustain a bolt for longer than 5 seconds. Harold managed to throw one but it disappeared after flying side ways for less than a meter.
"WILL power boys! Image the bolt in your mind, and form it STRONG!"
They both tried, and failed.
"CONTROL YOUR SOULS. YOU ABSORBED IT! CAN YOU NOT CONTROL IT?!"
So much for consistency of intonation. The two boys rubbed their ears in agony.
The rest of the day was spent on this class. The next morning as well. By then, both of them could form a bolt and throw it at the other end of their alley, touch the soul absorbing globe, and graduate after managing to send 5 bolts in a row to the globe within 5 minutes. Not bad.
"Goodness, how did we do all this in school last time?" Johnathon started complaining.
"How did we forget it?" Harold wasn't happy with his progress either.
"I was never much of a magician, wizard whatever they call themselves these days."
"My grades were... yeah. never commendable either." Harold sighed.
Day 7 level 2 class playful spells
Making the floor slippery. - 2 hours.
Making one item stick to another item (please do not use yourself as an item) - 3 hours
Moving multiple objects without touching them (not living things) - 5 hours.
It was way in the night before they finished. They had 4 hours of sleep before continuing.
Blowing a fuse remotely - 1 hour (Johnathon finished this in 20 minutes. Always one for brute strength.)
Making your hair stand and pokey - 3 hours. (Both of them couldn't really get it right...)
okay... the list goes on...
they finally finish all the spells and clear the course.
Day 9 level 2 class magical traps
Warning traps, Damage dealing traps, Capturing traps, Luring traps. Many different traps were taught and materials needed for each trap were repeated over and over.
"Only if you had them(the right materials), you could build them. But only if you build them well, will they be of any use!" Hollered the instructor from time to time.
They spent rather long in here. Johnathon was forgetful and Harold was clumsy.
Day 11 level 2 class attacking magic - strengthening physical attacks
Johnathon reigned here. He even beat the instructor which was his older sister.
"Hahh! WAHOO!!!" Johnathon went around making everyone's efforts look like carbon dioxide (nothing).
Basically, for those physically weak, they can wear a layer of soul over their skin as additional defence, or increase the force of a punch or kick with good soul control. Johnathon had poor control over his souls for everything except in this area. Harold on the other hand, took a good full day to beat the simulation and was defeated completely by the instructor, as well as Johnathon.
Day 12 level 2 class potion making
Harold was all right here. He could remember the ingredients and the requirements. Johnathon on the other hand blew a few pots up. Oh dear. Johnathon managed to meet the requirements somehow though. They made quite a few interesting potions that they could keep and perhaps, use against vampires... Though I doubt it would be of much use since the potions were more... for decorative purposes than attacking. The only useful one was toxic and one of the ingredients required were not easily available so they could not make it on their own... Unless of course, Rebecca Klar was with you.
Day 12 level 3 class - archery
Oh it was a disaster. Harold couldn't even hold the bow, not to mention pull it and aim and shoot. He had to do physical training before the trainer let him even touch the bow. They spent about 4 days here.
Day 17 - level 3 class - gun handling
From disassembling and reassembling, to reloading, disposal and keeping. How to not shoot yourself. Yeah. The candidates needed that alot. Even with soul bullets, a number of students shot themselves while handling the guns. Ouch. From holding to balancing. They spent quite long here. Harold's aim was down the drain. One would have thought archery would have helped his aim. it didn't. He graduated with a score of 68. The requirement? 65. Oh dear. Johnathon got 98. He made Harold take the test again. 70. Hmm. Better than some screaming girls, but not even close to average compared to the rest.
Day 21 - level 3 class - blades
Kitchen knives, daggers, throwing stars, etc. everything and anything with a sharp side, even razors, were plentiful here. They learnt to make use of all of them as weapons. Harold suffered quite a bunch of cuts...
Day 25 - level 3 resting area
Harold was getting impatient. He told rebecca about a month. it would almost be up but he was only on the third floor. Johnathon didn't care. In the dungeon, there was a communication system he could use to contact those outside the dungeon. But who would be willing to meet rebecca klar and pass on a message that he would be late and to bring another chop so he could place his mark on it again?
Day 26 level 4 duel
Harold did surprisingly well. He defeated a simulation where he fought against a... child vampire... and won...
hmm...
Day 26 level 4 war
How to save yourself when you were surrounded and alone? Well, Johnathon cleared this in a jiffy while Harold blasted his way through the crowd somehow in his impatience.
Day 27 level 4 teamwork
Working together with strangers of the same race. Easy? Not always. Especially not when you're teamed up with a guy that had been pinching your cheeks when you were in nursery. Harold tried not to care when his bully taunted and laughed at him at every possible moment. Amazingly, the bully did his job when the time arised (though not without finding some other joke about Harold) and the course ended.
Day 28 level 5 class receiving pressure
Let us ignore the masochistic instructor that demonstrated what he was supposed to teach nonstop.
Both physical pressure tolerance and mental pressure tolerance were trained here. How well could you stand the simulations? Johnathon lost his cool too often at the mental side, but was really good at tolerating physical pain and pressure. Harold was the opposite. He wasn't much affected by mental pressure, but his physical pressure tolerance was as low as a boneless body. He angrily survived the test at the end with a decent score though. He was getting hasty.
Day 30 level 5 class debate
Let us ignore the narcissistic teacher who was in love with herself and sweet talked to herself as if she were two persons.
Harold, was okay. Johnathon, a failure. They met Tom here. He was wonderful! He rebutted everything that came his way with a smirk on his face. He had always been good with his words. Way to go!
"Harold! Think a bit before you speak! Use anything you can against your enemy! Remember what he said or did and use it against him!" Tom had given up on Johnathon and tried to give tips to Harold constantly so Harold would keep on thinking and remembering to use tactics. Johnathon used his staff pass to get through. Harold completed the course at the end of the day.
Day 31 level 5 class planning
Tactics were taught here by a talking book. It was just a lecture and a test. Johnathon who was trained in tactical battle passed with flying colours while Harold relied on his short term memory to pass with... no credit. Lol.
Day 31 level 6
Granny Squavox magical jars and tables were the instructors for this floor. Some even had fluffy slippers as instructors. The atmosphere was... ancient.
Class soul usage minimization.
Harold was on a roll here. Because he never did rely much on souls because of his conscience, he naturally was able to minimize the amount of soul he used. Johnathon had a little more problems...
"Limit reached" announced the soul usage reading statue that had been allocated to Johnathon for the umpteenth time.
Harold scored a distinction and johnathon passed barely and they went to the next class.
Class Soul compaction and liquidation
"For easy storage, souls can be made into fluids. In solid form souls are hard to absorb so we do not convert them into solids often. (from the looks of it however, most people were producing solids...) Depending on how well you control your soul, your liquid can be highly concentrated, meaning a small bottle can hold enough for recovery from near death situations, or lowly concentrated, where a small bottle can perhaps heal a paper cut. Depending on the difficulty level you choose, your ending test will have different levels of concentration requirements. Let us move on to the lesson! ... "
With every instruction, Harold could keep up with the instructor. Johnathon was lagging behind.
At the end of the lesson, Harold completed 5 bottles of sufficiently high concentration soul fluids and with a bit of help from him, Johnathon made one average concentration soul fluid. hmm.
"We did all this in school so this should be just a recap but IT STILL IS HARD..." Johnathon was partially giving excuses...
"Haha. Some things never change Johnathon. Your grades in soul related classes were never really nice to look at..."
"Same goes for you Harold. Same goes for you."
Day 32 level 6 class healing
"Healing by absorbing souls is a natural and instinctive ability all soul suckers have -- ("except my mother" thought Harold.) -- but using it to heal other soul suckers, *the instructor pauses and paces*, and using it sparingly when healing yourself, *repeat*, and controlling how much soul you use as you do so, *dejavu* that is what we will try to teach you in this short course. Please practise on your own after obtaining the knowledge of the skills taught. Should you be able to heal the simulated injured soul sucker with the limited amount of soul given to you, you shall pass this lesson."
Johnathon didn't even bother taking the test. Sarah who was on shift as a helper at the moment was trying her hardest to convince him and encourage, prompt, beg, etcetc, him to learn how to heal. Johnathon was adamant. Then Harold successfully got him into the course officially. "Hey, if Sarah was the only medic on board and she was injured and you were around... who'd save your sister?"
Johnathon raised his hands in surrender and defeat. "All right! Okay! I'll do it!" Sarah gave the boys a hug. Johnathon was trying to shaker her off while Harold just laughed at the scene. It was an important course, so they spent a whole day practising. Harold was proficient enough at it, Johnathon managed to heal a paper cut, Sarah was happy enough but made Johnathon promise to practise with her until he could heal a bullet hole... Probably impossible. But Johnathon couldn't over power his sister this time. Conceded to his fate.
It was a little over a month. Harold was worried about what was happening on the other side. He missed... Alice. Just a little. Okay maybe more than that. Oh all right all right he missed her quite a bit. He wanted to go visit the human world more and more with each passing day. Johnathon could sense his friend's impatience.
Day 32 level 6 rest area
"Hey, you wanna get out right?"
Harold opened his eyes wide but kept quiet.
The fire lamp beside them flickered.
"I'll walk you there. Go for a while then come back. We can't neglect training okay? Instead I'll let you go about once to twice a week."
"You... you will?"
"Yeah. I'll even go with you just once."
"Wha... what?"
"I wanna meet this girl you've been going on about. Alice or whatever. Wanna see if she's worth it."
"Wo... worth what?"
"... you idiot." Even Johnathon thought Harold was dense.
Harold waited.
"Worth the time you spend thinking of her." Johnathon tried to phrase it in a not so obvious way...
"Oh."
"Don't you want to show her to us?" (us meaning the clique)
"Uhh. Not really."
Johnathon made weird expressions in the dark thinking "Harold is impossible!!!"
"Then what do you want?"
"Want what?"
Johnathon made more weird actions and expressions. (of exasperation)
"Want to happen with Alice!" Johnathon couldn't find a more indirect way to ask.
"Nothing."
"WHAT?!" Johnathon responded a little too quickly and loudly.
"SHUT UP" shouted some guy from a distance.
"SORRY!" Johnathon shouted back embarrassed.
"Then what's the point of protecting her?!"
"I just... don't want to harm her..."
"Oh..."
Johnathon knew what Harold meant. Souls suckers absorbed souls after all. And even though Harold knew Alice could regenerate her soul, "was there a limit to how much she can recover? what if suddenly the regeneration fails to happen? what if the regeneration came with side effects?" Harold couldn't be sure. He wasn't going to risk it. He never wanted anything to happen between him and Alice. Paraphrase = never allowed himself to want anything.
Monday, March 25, 2013
Souls vs Blood 10
Souls vs Blood 10
The Human World
Rebecca Klar got back home after her meeting with Harold. She herself had done her own digging for information and investigation. She knew there was a spell involved, she knew it was regenerative from Harold, she knew it was cast years back and it would be amazing if it still worked. Usually spells didn't last for very long. They had instant uses, not ones that last for decades. It was hard to find information since, it was only cast twice. (She knew it was cast but she didn't know the love story. Would have puked if she did anyway.) As she thought, she stroked Alice's hair.
Alice stirred. "Klar?"
"Yes dear?" Rebecca smiled brightly.
"What time is it?"
"It's almost time for lunch dearie. Would you like to eat anything in particular?"
"Anything you cook is nice Klar. Anything at all."
"Great! The question was a lie. Lunch is already cooked." Rebecca opens a portal, starts a fire that engulfed the dishes for 5 seconds and then placed them on a tray and brought them out of the warping zone just as Alice stretched and yawned with her eyes closed.
The hot and steamy lunch made it's way in front of Alice.
"Wow! This would be my first time eating in bed!" Alice smiled at first, then frowned because she remembered her mother never allowed her to eat on her bed. But she refused to start tearing.
Rebecca sat cross legged, head resting on the back of her palm, eyes looking straight at Alice.
"Klar, don't look at me like that when I'm eating! D= Oh, and what about you?"
"Oh, don't worry about me. I've eaten already." Rebecca lied. Well, effectively she doesn't rely on food as humans do. her body can do with or without it.
"All right then! Thanks for the meal!" Alice tucks in.
Just halfway through the meal, Rebecca starts probing.
"Alice, do you have a family tree record or anything like that?"
"Why?"
"I was just thinking of telling you my story."
"Do tell me! There isn't much I know about you Klar!"
"But in return you have to share your ancestry with me too!"
"Haha! What a weird way to put it Klar, ancestry? Oh all right if you so wish to know. I have some old diary somewhere in my room that belonged to my grandmother. I suppose she might have written about her parents or grandparents in it! I tried to read it a long time ago, but I never understood her cursive..."
"Deal!"
Rebecca tells Alice all about the Klar family. How her parent's were from two conflicting races. Well, of course there was nothing about magic or soul suckers or vampires. But the essence of the story was there.
"That... that is amazing Klar. It really is. Did you have to suffer a lot?"
"At first when I didn't like my identity I did. But now? HAHH!" Klar scoffs. "I couldn't be happier with who I am!"
Alice finishes her meal. "Okay, time to dig for that diary..."
She unstacked a few boxes and started to rummage through them in a neat manner. Klar observed keenly.
"Here! Found it!" She dusts it abit and blows on the edges. *cough cough*
Rebecca Klar skilfully slid the diary into her hands and flipped to the first page.
Alice looked at Rebecca expectantly.
"You want me to read it to you?"
"Uh-huh!"
Rebecca Klar looked at Alice in disbelief. "Oh all right. Sit tight!"
She read through the book. When Alice's granny was reaching adulthood and was experiencing romance and sharing about her love life to her own granny, apparently her granny told her an old story. Well, we all know what story. The man in the hospital. His sad longing gaze. The way he was healthy yet seemed so lifeless. He wasn't injured of course. But because he lost parts of his memory and his family had disowned him years ago, he stayed in a branch of the hospital that was more of a home for patients than the main hospital itself. Mental patients, old folks, death and dumb, disabled, there were a bunch of people there. He was handsome. Tall. Had a lovely voice but rarely spoke. The nurses all showed interest. But he did talk to one. Alice's great great grand mother. She was assigned to his ward. He asked her for things. water, pencils, paper. She liked it. She started to do more than the necessary for the man. The man eventually opened up...
"He finally spoke about feelings that day... I still remember it as clearly as if it had just happened yesterday... Hohoho. He was angry with himself. The poor man. Angry because he couldn't remember something important. He could feel the emptiness but he couldn't fill it. "Feelings without memories" he said... Your grandfather... (the grandfather of the grand daughter ehem.) He never did marry me out of true love. He liked me no doubt... but no dear, I did not marry a man who loved me more than I loved him unlike we always tell you to do Hohoho! I asked him the week before his discharge, if he'd like me as a wife. He smiled, and said yes. I don't know where the courage came from. The moment he left the hospital we were in the church with my own parents saying our vows... Oh... How handsome he looked in his suit. Our first k-- " Grand ma stopped looking up at the ceiling dreamily and faced me instead. She turned to cough a bit. "We didn't have much, but I did what I could to make the house look pretty, and your grandpa was really nice to me for his whole remaining life time. Unfortunately he died shortly after I had your 3rd aunt." Then I asked Grand ma, "Tell me more about him!" Grand ma replied, "Oh you naughty girl, wanting to know all my well hidden beautiful memories that I have kept to myself! Fine! I shall tell you one special thing about him. Sometimes when he fell asleep before 12am, I stayed up to watch him as he slept. -- Oh stop blushing about it girl! Or your poor old Grand ma shall blush too! I am not at the age of blushing! -- Anyway, the moment it struck 12, your Grandpa would glitter." Grandma stopped and looked dreamy again. "Glitter?" I asked impatiently. "Yes... no one believed the patients in the ward when they said he glittered in the night. Thought they were crazy. But it was true. He glittered..." "What do you mean Grand ma?" "I don't know either darling. He just had glitter dancing above him, coming down and disappearing when it touched him. It was beautiful... But it only happened about once in two weeks. I never told a soul. You are an exception my child."
I love my Grandma. But I'm very curious about that glitter. I want to see it. Will I ever I wonder?
*Signature* *Date*
Rebecca Klar stopped reading after that entry.
"Klar? Do continue! Does she say any more about the glitter? Does she learn anymore about it?"
That was what Alice had been doing for every entry. Asking for a continuation. The answers were sometimes there, but often they were not. Rebecca needed to find out. Quite some pages down...
The glitter, I saw it. My own children have it. ---
"That would be my father!" Squealed Alice.
My very own children have that glitter. I'm so happy right now I'm crying. I asked my husband if he'd seen that glitter effect on me and said that he had. Oh my. Seems like it was Hereditary Grand ma. How you would have loved to see this. I shall see how often it happens. My husband promised to help as well!
Rebecca was thinking of whether it was safe to let Alice know this. Perhaps she should skip the entries involving the spell. But it was rather late to do so.
"Oooo!!! Does that mean I have it too?! My mother never told me! Do you think I could record myself to see it?"
Rebecca continued reading. Not too many entries later, Alice's grandmother writes her report.
It happens to my children more than it happens to me. I'm starting to worry. It does not seem human and I can only hope it is not harmful. But it is beautiful. Since I've been keeping track of it, it has happened only once to me, but three times to my children. In a year.
The next few entries are about her children growing up. Then her husband writes an entry.
My wife has returned home. (She died.) She has gone home before me. I read this diary everyday to remember her. I wish not to forget. The glitter she was so enthusiastic about has passed on to her beautiful children, and I shall continue to keep track of it on our youngest child which has yet to leave the house we bought for them. (The house they bought for the family) It has been two years since I have seen the glitter. It reminds me of her.
That was the end of the diary.
"Klar you are amazing, reading all that cursive."
"My handwriting is as impressive. I'm used to it." Rebecca's brain was working.
Why was it once every two weeks for that man? Why do they always die before their spouses? It happening on children more made sense since they had more soul potential. Alice's father did indeed die due to soul absorption. So if the entire soul is absorbed before midnight, one would still die. Would the entire soul be regenerated at midnight? Does it only happen if one is asleep? Were there any side effects? I, Rebecca Klar, shall recreate this spell. She wanted to know how to cast it. Incantation? Action? Emotion? Then she could play about with casting it, or not casting it. But she didn't know you'd die if you do.
Alice looked at Rebecca with a bit of a worried expression. Then they heard the front door unlock. James was back.
Just as Alice was getting out of her blanket to go down and welcome James home, Rebecca stopped her.
"Alice, listen, look at me."
"Yes Klar?"
"Do not tell James anything about the diary. Or the glitter, or anything that I told you about me. Do you understand? Girl talk secret!"
At first Alice wanted to complain. But when Rebecca seemed to trust Alice with her past and stuff, she decided she'd do her that favour.
"Oh all right! I'll try my best!"
"Thank you dear."
James didn't care about staying near Alice or making her mark disappear anymore. He gave up because he didn't want to harm Alice, didn't want to let Alice know anything. He'd wait longer. So he was no longer kept from his feeding, he was no longer upset and grouchy and annoyed at every little thing. The next few weeks, Rebecca replaced Harold's mark once each week, on the same spot, James came up to Rebecca's room to talk to her about the glitter, Rebecca gave him little information. For once, James was waiting for Harold to appear so he could ask if he'd found anything about it. He had tried to get info, but it was hard to do so without getting Alice involved, and he was from the vampire side that didn't really like soul sucker magic. Unfortunate. Alice wondered if she would ever see Harold again. To her, the last time they met was (in chapter 5) a month ago. She used to think of him quite a lot everyday. Now she thought of him less and focused more on her school work. Having skipped a lot of lessons, she went for remedials and stuff to catch up. Rebecca let her be. Talk about the glitter disappeared and Alice never did manage to see it even when she recorded herself sleeping. Well, it wouldn't when Harold wasn't around and his mark was still on her and she lives with 1.5 vampire and 0.5 soul sucker... Yeap. Her soul was in a safe zone. mmhmm.
Then one night when James had went feeding, Rebecca knocked on Alice's door.
"Let's go see Harold" Said Rebecca the moment the door screeched open. Alice's eyes widened.
"How?"
"Follow me!"
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
The Human World
Rebecca Klar got back home after her meeting with Harold. She herself had done her own digging for information and investigation. She knew there was a spell involved, she knew it was regenerative from Harold, she knew it was cast years back and it would be amazing if it still worked. Usually spells didn't last for very long. They had instant uses, not ones that last for decades. It was hard to find information since, it was only cast twice. (She knew it was cast but she didn't know the love story. Would have puked if she did anyway.) As she thought, she stroked Alice's hair.
Alice stirred. "Klar?"
"Yes dear?" Rebecca smiled brightly.
"What time is it?"
"It's almost time for lunch dearie. Would you like to eat anything in particular?"
"Anything you cook is nice Klar. Anything at all."
"Great! The question was a lie. Lunch is already cooked." Rebecca opens a portal, starts a fire that engulfed the dishes for 5 seconds and then placed them on a tray and brought them out of the warping zone just as Alice stretched and yawned with her eyes closed.
The hot and steamy lunch made it's way in front of Alice.
"Wow! This would be my first time eating in bed!" Alice smiled at first, then frowned because she remembered her mother never allowed her to eat on her bed. But she refused to start tearing.
Rebecca sat cross legged, head resting on the back of her palm, eyes looking straight at Alice.
"Klar, don't look at me like that when I'm eating! D= Oh, and what about you?"
"Oh, don't worry about me. I've eaten already." Rebecca lied. Well, effectively she doesn't rely on food as humans do. her body can do with or without it.
"All right then! Thanks for the meal!" Alice tucks in.
Just halfway through the meal, Rebecca starts probing.
"Alice, do you have a family tree record or anything like that?"
"Why?"
"I was just thinking of telling you my story."
"Do tell me! There isn't much I know about you Klar!"
"But in return you have to share your ancestry with me too!"
"Haha! What a weird way to put it Klar, ancestry? Oh all right if you so wish to know. I have some old diary somewhere in my room that belonged to my grandmother. I suppose she might have written about her parents or grandparents in it! I tried to read it a long time ago, but I never understood her cursive..."
"Deal!"
Rebecca tells Alice all about the Klar family. How her parent's were from two conflicting races. Well, of course there was nothing about magic or soul suckers or vampires. But the essence of the story was there.
"That... that is amazing Klar. It really is. Did you have to suffer a lot?"
"At first when I didn't like my identity I did. But now? HAHH!" Klar scoffs. "I couldn't be happier with who I am!"
Alice finishes her meal. "Okay, time to dig for that diary..."
She unstacked a few boxes and started to rummage through them in a neat manner. Klar observed keenly.
"Here! Found it!" She dusts it abit and blows on the edges. *cough cough*
Rebecca Klar skilfully slid the diary into her hands and flipped to the first page.
Alice looked at Rebecca expectantly.
"You want me to read it to you?"
"Uh-huh!"
Rebecca Klar looked at Alice in disbelief. "Oh all right. Sit tight!"
She read through the book. When Alice's granny was reaching adulthood and was experiencing romance and sharing about her love life to her own granny, apparently her granny told her an old story. Well, we all know what story. The man in the hospital. His sad longing gaze. The way he was healthy yet seemed so lifeless. He wasn't injured of course. But because he lost parts of his memory and his family had disowned him years ago, he stayed in a branch of the hospital that was more of a home for patients than the main hospital itself. Mental patients, old folks, death and dumb, disabled, there were a bunch of people there. He was handsome. Tall. Had a lovely voice but rarely spoke. The nurses all showed interest. But he did talk to one. Alice's great great grand mother. She was assigned to his ward. He asked her for things. water, pencils, paper. She liked it. She started to do more than the necessary for the man. The man eventually opened up...
"He finally spoke about feelings that day... I still remember it as clearly as if it had just happened yesterday... Hohoho. He was angry with himself. The poor man. Angry because he couldn't remember something important. He could feel the emptiness but he couldn't fill it. "Feelings without memories" he said... Your grandfather... (the grandfather of the grand daughter ehem.) He never did marry me out of true love. He liked me no doubt... but no dear, I did not marry a man who loved me more than I loved him unlike we always tell you to do Hohoho! I asked him the week before his discharge, if he'd like me as a wife. He smiled, and said yes. I don't know where the courage came from. The moment he left the hospital we were in the church with my own parents saying our vows... Oh... How handsome he looked in his suit. Our first k-- " Grand ma stopped looking up at the ceiling dreamily and faced me instead. She turned to cough a bit. "We didn't have much, but I did what I could to make the house look pretty, and your grandpa was really nice to me for his whole remaining life time. Unfortunately he died shortly after I had your 3rd aunt." Then I asked Grand ma, "Tell me more about him!" Grand ma replied, "Oh you naughty girl, wanting to know all my well hidden beautiful memories that I have kept to myself! Fine! I shall tell you one special thing about him. Sometimes when he fell asleep before 12am, I stayed up to watch him as he slept. -- Oh stop blushing about it girl! Or your poor old Grand ma shall blush too! I am not at the age of blushing! -- Anyway, the moment it struck 12, your Grandpa would glitter." Grandma stopped and looked dreamy again. "Glitter?" I asked impatiently. "Yes... no one believed the patients in the ward when they said he glittered in the night. Thought they were crazy. But it was true. He glittered..." "What do you mean Grand ma?" "I don't know either darling. He just had glitter dancing above him, coming down and disappearing when it touched him. It was beautiful... But it only happened about once in two weeks. I never told a soul. You are an exception my child."
I love my Grandma. But I'm very curious about that glitter. I want to see it. Will I ever I wonder?
*Signature* *Date*
Rebecca Klar stopped reading after that entry.
"Klar? Do continue! Does she say any more about the glitter? Does she learn anymore about it?"
That was what Alice had been doing for every entry. Asking for a continuation. The answers were sometimes there, but often they were not. Rebecca needed to find out. Quite some pages down...
The glitter, I saw it. My own children have it. ---
"That would be my father!" Squealed Alice.
My very own children have that glitter. I'm so happy right now I'm crying. I asked my husband if he'd seen that glitter effect on me and said that he had. Oh my. Seems like it was Hereditary Grand ma. How you would have loved to see this. I shall see how often it happens. My husband promised to help as well!
Rebecca was thinking of whether it was safe to let Alice know this. Perhaps she should skip the entries involving the spell. But it was rather late to do so.
"Oooo!!! Does that mean I have it too?! My mother never told me! Do you think I could record myself to see it?"
Rebecca continued reading. Not too many entries later, Alice's grandmother writes her report.
It happens to my children more than it happens to me. I'm starting to worry. It does not seem human and I can only hope it is not harmful. But it is beautiful. Since I've been keeping track of it, it has happened only once to me, but three times to my children. In a year.
The next few entries are about her children growing up. Then her husband writes an entry.
My wife has returned home. (She died.) She has gone home before me. I read this diary everyday to remember her. I wish not to forget. The glitter she was so enthusiastic about has passed on to her beautiful children, and I shall continue to keep track of it on our youngest child which has yet to leave the house we bought for them. (The house they bought for the family) It has been two years since I have seen the glitter. It reminds me of her.
That was the end of the diary.
"Klar you are amazing, reading all that cursive."
"My handwriting is as impressive. I'm used to it." Rebecca's brain was working.
Why was it once every two weeks for that man? Why do they always die before their spouses? It happening on children more made sense since they had more soul potential. Alice's father did indeed die due to soul absorption. So if the entire soul is absorbed before midnight, one would still die. Would the entire soul be regenerated at midnight? Does it only happen if one is asleep? Were there any side effects? I, Rebecca Klar, shall recreate this spell. She wanted to know how to cast it. Incantation? Action? Emotion? Then she could play about with casting it, or not casting it. But she didn't know you'd die if you do.
Alice looked at Rebecca with a bit of a worried expression. Then they heard the front door unlock. James was back.
Just as Alice was getting out of her blanket to go down and welcome James home, Rebecca stopped her.
"Alice, listen, look at me."
"Yes Klar?"
"Do not tell James anything about the diary. Or the glitter, or anything that I told you about me. Do you understand? Girl talk secret!"
At first Alice wanted to complain. But when Rebecca seemed to trust Alice with her past and stuff, she decided she'd do her that favour.
"Oh all right! I'll try my best!"
"Thank you dear."
James didn't care about staying near Alice or making her mark disappear anymore. He gave up because he didn't want to harm Alice, didn't want to let Alice know anything. He'd wait longer. So he was no longer kept from his feeding, he was no longer upset and grouchy and annoyed at every little thing. The next few weeks, Rebecca replaced Harold's mark once each week, on the same spot, James came up to Rebecca's room to talk to her about the glitter, Rebecca gave him little information. For once, James was waiting for Harold to appear so he could ask if he'd found anything about it. He had tried to get info, but it was hard to do so without getting Alice involved, and he was from the vampire side that didn't really like soul sucker magic. Unfortunate. Alice wondered if she would ever see Harold again. To her, the last time they met was (in chapter 5) a month ago. She used to think of him quite a lot everyday. Now she thought of him less and focused more on her school work. Having skipped a lot of lessons, she went for remedials and stuff to catch up. Rebecca let her be. Talk about the glitter disappeared and Alice never did manage to see it even when she recorded herself sleeping. Well, it wouldn't when Harold wasn't around and his mark was still on her and she lives with 1.5 vampire and 0.5 soul sucker... Yeap. Her soul was in a safe zone. mmhmm.
Then one night when James had went feeding, Rebecca knocked on Alice's door.
"Let's go see Harold" Said Rebecca the moment the door screeched open. Alice's eyes widened.
"How?"
"Follow me!"
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Friday, March 22, 2013
Souls vs Blood 9
Souls vs Blood 9
After Harold left, Rebecca ordered James about. But because it was for Alice, James willingly and obediently obliged. Harold on the other hand, forgot about whatever training he had (and not to mention how much he needed it since our dear James managed to KO him with one little punch to the tummy...) in the morning and instead, went to Eunice's house in search of her grandmother. Eunice's grandmother was Sarah's master. A healing master. She would know of things such as these. She was the only one that could possible know. If she didn't... Harold could only hope the glitter was something good and not something bad.
Eunice's house was high in the mountains. Her grandmother lived in a treehouse up a tree. She did not require human souls to survive as she had great healing powers and techniques that she took years and years to perfect. Harold took the little short cut he and his gang always took when going to Eunice's house - a nest lift. Through a tight passage, (Eunice's family members were all rather small...) a lobby with a big nest in it will appear. All one had to do was to look the bird in her eye, (the bird is humongous btw), gain her trust, and let yourself in (sometimes with her eggs. The bird was Eunice's Grandmother's bird. No one really knows how she grew so big except for Eunice's Granny of course. Harold was making an unannounced visit, so the bird wasn't too agreeable to let him on, but since the bird recognised Harold, she obliged. Harold gently sat down by the side of the nest, and grabbed on to a bunch of twigs that stuck out and acted as handles.
He embraced himself.
The nest rose up at a mega fast speed.
Harold closes his eyes and squints for about 50 seconds as he felt the pressure pressing on him. The bird gave him some cover but it was still scary to him. Weak kid. Well, at the top, the bird squawked. Harold slowly relaxed his eyes. Blinked twice, then started relaxing his tightened muscles from fingers to arms to legs. He got out rather slowly to the Bird's annoyance. This was only the way up, not the way down, so the nest promptly dropped back to the ground level.
Harold took a moment to shake himself out of the ride. As he did so, a little jar came out to greet him.
"Ha-Ha-Ha-Harold! It's Master Harold! Why! We haven't seen you in about 197,280 minutes!"
*Oh, it's minutes today* thought Harold to himself.
The Jar sloshed about in a jolly mood.
"Oh Oh OH! What a joyful occasion! Madam Squavox! Do see for yourself! Come! Come Harold! I must let my mistress meet you!"
Squavox. That was Eunice's Granny's name. Not her real one but the one she goes by. Harold followed the overly excited Jar to a little square tiled platform. With a little jig, the jar seemed to have triggered a switch. The clouds parted and revealed a falling staircase that stopped right at the platform. Harold stepped on it, and it moved back up again, the clouds falling back in place.
"You didn't inform us of your arrival Master Harold! If you had, I could have prepared your favourite tea!"
"Sorry Jar, an issue suddenly came up and I have questions that I need answers to, preferably immediately. Mrs Squavox is available?"
"Oh yes yes. She is very very free at this moment. For you, she will always be."
Eunice's grandmother has taken a liking to Harold. Ever since he was a tiny tiny baby. Though at first Harold didn't know if it was a good thing because of the bitter tonics and slimy kisses, but now, he was grateful.
They reached the top.
"Lead me to her. Thanks Jar."
"Oh, it is never a problem Master Harold" (Well, her magical objects seem to share her feelings so they do quite like Harold.)
He walked on the soft ground that felt a bit like grass, but not prickly, just marshmallow-ish. Custom made floor that floats. Apparently Eunice's grandpa liked this certain material and this floor was made to feel like it.
A little forwards and Eunice's Grandmother's voice could be heard.
"Questions you say?"
Harold smiled when he heard her voice. She sounded happy.
"Mrs Squavox, I need your help!"
"Harold my dear, I shall answer your questions in due time. But first, JAR!"
Eunice's Grandmother finally appeared, a small figure coming closer from a far.
"Yes MA'AM!"
"Give little Harold a wash won't you?"
It was a little ritual you had to do when you came here. Madam Squavox hated impurities.
"ROGER!"
The Jar opened it's cork with a pop and sloshed a little bit of it's liquid onto Harold. The liquid turned gooey and started to work it's way down from Harold's hair to inside his shoes. Harold shuffled about because it was ticklish. Then it bounced away probably to rid itself of whatever impurities it collected.
"DONE!" screamed the Jar.
Madam Squavox then took Harold's hand and led him to a tea table.
After offering him a cookie, she spoke.
"Tell me, what question do you have for me today?"
Harold used to come here for answers all the time. She was used to it.
"Mrs Squavox, this time it's a little different. I have this... umm... (I guess I could call her a) friend. I accidentally absorbed too much of her soul at one go --"
"A human friend!" Madam Squavox smiled.
"Uhh... yeah. She's human --"
"And she's a girl!" Madam Squavox teased.
Harold bashfully continued, "So we all thought she wasn't going to make it. But then something I had never seen before happened."
Madam Squavox became serious.
"When the clock struck 12 --"
"Oh, just like Cinderella!" Madam Squavox butted in a bit.
"A glittering thing appeared on top of the girl --"
Madam Squavox put a finger to her lips.
"Repeat that with greater details. Glitter you say?"
"It was sparkling. As if someone sprinkled glitter over her. They danced about for a moment before falling and upon touching her, they disappeared! We all hope it is some regenerative thing but no one knew. So I came to you. Is it a good thing? Or a bad thing?"
"Harold dear..."
"Yes Granny Squavox?"
"Do not tell anyone about the glitter. If you care for that friend of yours, do not tell anyone about it."
"Why?"
Madam Squavox thought hard. Harold impatiently waited.
"At twelve you meant the time when night changes to day yes?"
"Yes Granny Squavox"
More silence followed.
Harold fidgeted.
"Harold dear, what you saw was the effect of a spell."
"A spell?"
"It is a forbidden spell. One that causes the caster to die once it has been cast"
Harold was speechless for quite some time. Who would have cast such a spell? What are the effects of that spell? Was Alice okay?
"There was once, when a powerful wizard fell in love with a human. The wizard hated herself for absorbing the soul of the human every time they met. She ran away from him and secluded herself in some cave away from civilization. There, she cultivated this spell. She asked a fellow wizard to test it out for her... And that wizard died once the spell had been cast. The wizard was ashamed of herself. Should she have cast the spell herself, her friend would not have died. Now she knew that the cost was death. She could not bring herself to kill another wizard so as to cast this spell on the human she loved. In her miserable state, she went to sneak a peek at the human she loved. He was heartbroken and drunk in a bar. As she stalked him home from a distance, a group of soul suckers appeared and were approaching the human she loved. She panicked. Before they could reach him, she showed herself. However, she was no match for the group of soul suckers. They lost interest in the human though. As he went to her and cradled her, she could feel that his soul was almost gone and that she was absorbing even more of it. She cast the spell on the human and died in his arms, with a smile. Soon, it was 12 in the morning and the human... Yes, this spell has regenerative powers. The human replenished his soul. In his case, his soul went to almost zero before coming all the way back up so he lost his memories of the soul sucker wizard. After waking up in the hospital, he didn't remember certain parts of his life, including his love for the soul sucker wizard. However, he did feel heartbroken. The nurse that cared for him filled it. They got together and married. That was... about 5 generations ago..."
Harold was wrecking his brains.
He broke the silence. "But if that was 5 generations ago... how did Alice...?"
"Harold, should Alice be the child of one of the two humans that the spell was cast on, it may be possible that the effect of the spell is hereditary. But that is only a theory. I did not think the spell or it's effects would still be around."
Silence resumed.
Granny spoke again. "Harold. Do you understand why no one must know about this?"
"Yes. Yes I do."
"That poor girl will be hunted should soul suckers know of her existence and her soul. However, I do believe there are rules to this spell just as all spells have. The danger is that no one knows of them. Regeneration occurs at 12 am. Should her soul be absorbed completely before that, no one knows if she will survive or not. Do not tell a soul Harold darling."
Granny Squavox gazed hard into Harold's eyes.
"Yes Granny Squavox. But there is one person I have to tell."
"And who is that?"
"Rebecca Klar Granny Squavox. I have met her and she witnessed the spell's effects."
Granny Squavox was appalled.
"Harold dear! No matter how much your mother trusts the Klar family you must know how dangerous Rebecca Klar is!"
"She can be trusted Granny. I don't think my mother's judgement was wrong."
"There is little avoiding it if she has seen it. Were there any other witnesses?"
"A vampire that lives with the human girl Granny Squavox."
"Oh my..." Granny gasped. "Will this become any worst? A human, a mix blood, a soul sucker and a vampire?!"
Harold nodded, and sighed. "Yes Granny Squavox. It is a complicated situation. I'll try to see if I can keep it from the vampire, but no promises. I will try my best to protect Alice."
"Oh, so that's the little lady's name?"
Harold got caught by surprise. "Uhh... Yeah."
"Find out her ancestry Harold darling. Perhaps we can find out more about this spell ourselves." Granny Squavox's eyes sparkled.
As usual, she loved mystery and magic.
"Haha, thanks granny. I'll do what I can."
Granny Squavox stood from her chair and walked away.
The Jar appeared again and enthusiastically escorted Harold to the exit.
Instead of a moving staircase and a nest, the exit was simpler. It was a magical slope that was about ten meters long. All you had to do was run along it downwards and at the end, you'll reach the base of the tree. Quite quick and dainty. For those that do not wish to run, there is also a seat with rollers you can borrow to roll down the slope ^_^. The skateboard is reserved for Granny Squavox though. *ehem*
Harold rushed back to the portal to the human world. He tried to devise a plan to meet only Rebecca and not James. Unfortunately, Johnathon was waiting for him at the portal.
"I KNEW I'D FIND YOU HERE. I JUST KNEW IT!" Johnathon shouted and then muttered other things under his breath that didn't sound very nice.
"Johna---"
"NO. YOU AREN'T GOING BACK. I'M THROWING YOU IN THE DUNGEON TRAINING. HAVE FUN IN THERE FOR THE NEXT MONTH."
"JOHNATHON!"
Johnathon stopped dragging Harold. He turned around a little bewildered.
"Yeah?" Harold usually didn't shout like that so Johnathon decided to listen to what he had to say.
"Just give me 3 hours. I'll be back in 3. I really need to get through that portal and tell someone something."
Well actually, he just wanted to replace his mark and see Alice. Rebecca wouldn't die without knowing what that glitter meant.
Johnathon gave in. "But you will go into the dungeon?"
"Yes. for the full month you can lock me there."
"Okay then. go."
Harold shouted "THANKS" as he ran through the portal.
Smart Rebecca Klar. She was on the other side of the portal.
"James can't come here and I knew you'd appear some time or another."
Just as Harold opened his mouth to ask about Alice's safety, Rebecca Klar intecepted. "Don't worry. James is at school. Alice is at home with my pet. She's safe."
"Okay. I was hoping to catch you alone."
"Of course. I'd want to be the first to know. So what's up with that glitter?" Rebecca spoke through her lollipop.
"Well, it's regenerative so Alice is safe but..." Harold pulls Rebecca Klar away from the portal to the back.
"We can't let anyone know." Rebecca ended for him when they stopped moving.
"Yes."
"Okay. I like Alice. I'll protect her and keep her safe. No idiot soul sucker is gonna be able to get her as some battery or something."
"Is she... is she all right?"
"She has woken up since then. I lied that she was down with fever and fed her some sleeping potion."
"Has she lost any memory?"
"She did forget your fight... if that helps. Doesn't even remember you came at all."
Harold couldn't decide if it was a good thing or not. At least there wasn't a need for explanations.
"Okay, I'll be gone for about a month."
"Hahh. Dungeon training? Heard about it. Don't worry. I'll put my mark on her for you."
Harold sighs in relief.
"Hey wait a sec." Rebecca rummaged through her bag, created a portal, and rummaged some more.
"I have this..." it was a blank chop.
"Put your mark on the chop. It works the same as putting a mark on humans. Try it!"
Harold didn't really know if it would work, he had never tried placing a mark on a non living object. But he tried. His mark. it appeared on the underside of the chop.
"Great! With this I can replace your mark about 5 times... that's enough for a month."
"Thanks Rebecca Klar."
"Hey. It's been getting on my nerves, hearing my full name. Just call me Klar kae?"
"Thank you Klar"
"That's better. So, any plans on telling me more about the glitter?"
"I have a favour." Rebecca felt a bit ignored...
"What is it?" she snapped.
"If you can, try and find Alice's ancestry."
"It's got something to do with that?"
"Yeah. When I find out more I'll let you know. Now I have nothing but theories."
"Oh all right. Off you go Harold!"
Harold had turned to walk away but he paused in a half step and turned back.
"I don't remember introducing myself to you..."
"Oh poor Alice was repeating it during her sleep. And since you mentioned Mrs Keyes, it was highly possible you were her son Harold Keyes. No magic here."
"Good bye." Harold returns to the front of the portal and goes through it.
Johnathon promptly dragged him to the Dungeon.
On a side note, Rebecca was actually very very surprised to find out that she herself had a connection with this random group of people. The son of the woman her mother is indebted to is the soul sucker that has attracted her little human interest, Alice. What a connection indeed.
After Harold left, Rebecca ordered James about. But because it was for Alice, James willingly and obediently obliged. Harold on the other hand, forgot about whatever training he had (and not to mention how much he needed it since our dear James managed to KO him with one little punch to the tummy...) in the morning and instead, went to Eunice's house in search of her grandmother. Eunice's grandmother was Sarah's master. A healing master. She would know of things such as these. She was the only one that could possible know. If she didn't... Harold could only hope the glitter was something good and not something bad.
Eunice's house was high in the mountains. Her grandmother lived in a treehouse up a tree. She did not require human souls to survive as she had great healing powers and techniques that she took years and years to perfect. Harold took the little short cut he and his gang always took when going to Eunice's house - a nest lift. Through a tight passage, (Eunice's family members were all rather small...) a lobby with a big nest in it will appear. All one had to do was to look the bird in her eye, (the bird is humongous btw), gain her trust, and let yourself in (sometimes with her eggs. The bird was Eunice's Grandmother's bird. No one really knows how she grew so big except for Eunice's Granny of course. Harold was making an unannounced visit, so the bird wasn't too agreeable to let him on, but since the bird recognised Harold, she obliged. Harold gently sat down by the side of the nest, and grabbed on to a bunch of twigs that stuck out and acted as handles.
He embraced himself.
The nest rose up at a mega fast speed.
Harold closes his eyes and squints for about 50 seconds as he felt the pressure pressing on him. The bird gave him some cover but it was still scary to him. Weak kid. Well, at the top, the bird squawked. Harold slowly relaxed his eyes. Blinked twice, then started relaxing his tightened muscles from fingers to arms to legs. He got out rather slowly to the Bird's annoyance. This was only the way up, not the way down, so the nest promptly dropped back to the ground level.
Harold took a moment to shake himself out of the ride. As he did so, a little jar came out to greet him.
"Ha-Ha-Ha-Harold! It's Master Harold! Why! We haven't seen you in about 197,280 minutes!"
*Oh, it's minutes today* thought Harold to himself.
The Jar sloshed about in a jolly mood.
"Oh Oh OH! What a joyful occasion! Madam Squavox! Do see for yourself! Come! Come Harold! I must let my mistress meet you!"
Squavox. That was Eunice's Granny's name. Not her real one but the one she goes by. Harold followed the overly excited Jar to a little square tiled platform. With a little jig, the jar seemed to have triggered a switch. The clouds parted and revealed a falling staircase that stopped right at the platform. Harold stepped on it, and it moved back up again, the clouds falling back in place.
"You didn't inform us of your arrival Master Harold! If you had, I could have prepared your favourite tea!"
"Sorry Jar, an issue suddenly came up and I have questions that I need answers to, preferably immediately. Mrs Squavox is available?"
"Oh yes yes. She is very very free at this moment. For you, she will always be."
Eunice's grandmother has taken a liking to Harold. Ever since he was a tiny tiny baby. Though at first Harold didn't know if it was a good thing because of the bitter tonics and slimy kisses, but now, he was grateful.
They reached the top.
"Lead me to her. Thanks Jar."
"Oh, it is never a problem Master Harold" (Well, her magical objects seem to share her feelings so they do quite like Harold.)
He walked on the soft ground that felt a bit like grass, but not prickly, just marshmallow-ish. Custom made floor that floats. Apparently Eunice's grandpa liked this certain material and this floor was made to feel like it.
A little forwards and Eunice's Grandmother's voice could be heard.
"Questions you say?"
Harold smiled when he heard her voice. She sounded happy.
"Mrs Squavox, I need your help!"
"Harold my dear, I shall answer your questions in due time. But first, JAR!"
Eunice's Grandmother finally appeared, a small figure coming closer from a far.
"Yes MA'AM!"
"Give little Harold a wash won't you?"
It was a little ritual you had to do when you came here. Madam Squavox hated impurities.
"ROGER!"
The Jar opened it's cork with a pop and sloshed a little bit of it's liquid onto Harold. The liquid turned gooey and started to work it's way down from Harold's hair to inside his shoes. Harold shuffled about because it was ticklish. Then it bounced away probably to rid itself of whatever impurities it collected.
"DONE!" screamed the Jar.
Madam Squavox then took Harold's hand and led him to a tea table.
After offering him a cookie, she spoke.
"Tell me, what question do you have for me today?"
Harold used to come here for answers all the time. She was used to it.
"Mrs Squavox, this time it's a little different. I have this... umm... (I guess I could call her a) friend. I accidentally absorbed too much of her soul at one go --"
"A human friend!" Madam Squavox smiled.
"Uhh... yeah. She's human --"
"And she's a girl!" Madam Squavox teased.
Harold bashfully continued, "So we all thought she wasn't going to make it. But then something I had never seen before happened."
Madam Squavox became serious.
"When the clock struck 12 --"
"Oh, just like Cinderella!" Madam Squavox butted in a bit.
"A glittering thing appeared on top of the girl --"
Madam Squavox put a finger to her lips.
"Repeat that with greater details. Glitter you say?"
"It was sparkling. As if someone sprinkled glitter over her. They danced about for a moment before falling and upon touching her, they disappeared! We all hope it is some regenerative thing but no one knew. So I came to you. Is it a good thing? Or a bad thing?"
"Harold dear..."
"Yes Granny Squavox?"
"Do not tell anyone about the glitter. If you care for that friend of yours, do not tell anyone about it."
"Why?"
Madam Squavox thought hard. Harold impatiently waited.
"At twelve you meant the time when night changes to day yes?"
"Yes Granny Squavox"
More silence followed.
Harold fidgeted.
"Harold dear, what you saw was the effect of a spell."
"A spell?"
"It is a forbidden spell. One that causes the caster to die once it has been cast"
Harold was speechless for quite some time. Who would have cast such a spell? What are the effects of that spell? Was Alice okay?
"There was once, when a powerful wizard fell in love with a human. The wizard hated herself for absorbing the soul of the human every time they met. She ran away from him and secluded herself in some cave away from civilization. There, she cultivated this spell. She asked a fellow wizard to test it out for her... And that wizard died once the spell had been cast. The wizard was ashamed of herself. Should she have cast the spell herself, her friend would not have died. Now she knew that the cost was death. She could not bring herself to kill another wizard so as to cast this spell on the human she loved. In her miserable state, she went to sneak a peek at the human she loved. He was heartbroken and drunk in a bar. As she stalked him home from a distance, a group of soul suckers appeared and were approaching the human she loved. She panicked. Before they could reach him, she showed herself. However, she was no match for the group of soul suckers. They lost interest in the human though. As he went to her and cradled her, she could feel that his soul was almost gone and that she was absorbing even more of it. She cast the spell on the human and died in his arms, with a smile. Soon, it was 12 in the morning and the human... Yes, this spell has regenerative powers. The human replenished his soul. In his case, his soul went to almost zero before coming all the way back up so he lost his memories of the soul sucker wizard. After waking up in the hospital, he didn't remember certain parts of his life, including his love for the soul sucker wizard. However, he did feel heartbroken. The nurse that cared for him filled it. They got together and married. That was... about 5 generations ago..."
Harold was wrecking his brains.
He broke the silence. "But if that was 5 generations ago... how did Alice...?"
"Harold, should Alice be the child of one of the two humans that the spell was cast on, it may be possible that the effect of the spell is hereditary. But that is only a theory. I did not think the spell or it's effects would still be around."
Silence resumed.
Granny spoke again. "Harold. Do you understand why no one must know about this?"
"Yes. Yes I do."
"That poor girl will be hunted should soul suckers know of her existence and her soul. However, I do believe there are rules to this spell just as all spells have. The danger is that no one knows of them. Regeneration occurs at 12 am. Should her soul be absorbed completely before that, no one knows if she will survive or not. Do not tell a soul Harold darling."
Granny Squavox gazed hard into Harold's eyes.
"Yes Granny Squavox. But there is one person I have to tell."
"And who is that?"
"Rebecca Klar Granny Squavox. I have met her and she witnessed the spell's effects."
Granny Squavox was appalled.
"Harold dear! No matter how much your mother trusts the Klar family you must know how dangerous Rebecca Klar is!"
"She can be trusted Granny. I don't think my mother's judgement was wrong."
"There is little avoiding it if she has seen it. Were there any other witnesses?"
"A vampire that lives with the human girl Granny Squavox."
"Oh my..." Granny gasped. "Will this become any worst? A human, a mix blood, a soul sucker and a vampire?!"
Harold nodded, and sighed. "Yes Granny Squavox. It is a complicated situation. I'll try to see if I can keep it from the vampire, but no promises. I will try my best to protect Alice."
"Oh, so that's the little lady's name?"
Harold got caught by surprise. "Uhh... Yeah."
"Find out her ancestry Harold darling. Perhaps we can find out more about this spell ourselves." Granny Squavox's eyes sparkled.
As usual, she loved mystery and magic.
"Haha, thanks granny. I'll do what I can."
Granny Squavox stood from her chair and walked away.
The Jar appeared again and enthusiastically escorted Harold to the exit.
Instead of a moving staircase and a nest, the exit was simpler. It was a magical slope that was about ten meters long. All you had to do was run along it downwards and at the end, you'll reach the base of the tree. Quite quick and dainty. For those that do not wish to run, there is also a seat with rollers you can borrow to roll down the slope ^_^. The skateboard is reserved for Granny Squavox though. *ehem*
Harold rushed back to the portal to the human world. He tried to devise a plan to meet only Rebecca and not James. Unfortunately, Johnathon was waiting for him at the portal.
"I KNEW I'D FIND YOU HERE. I JUST KNEW IT!" Johnathon shouted and then muttered other things under his breath that didn't sound very nice.
"Johna---"
"NO. YOU AREN'T GOING BACK. I'M THROWING YOU IN THE DUNGEON TRAINING. HAVE FUN IN THERE FOR THE NEXT MONTH."
"JOHNATHON!"
Johnathon stopped dragging Harold. He turned around a little bewildered.
"Yeah?" Harold usually didn't shout like that so Johnathon decided to listen to what he had to say.
"Just give me 3 hours. I'll be back in 3. I really need to get through that portal and tell someone something."
Well actually, he just wanted to replace his mark and see Alice. Rebecca wouldn't die without knowing what that glitter meant.
Johnathon gave in. "But you will go into the dungeon?"
"Yes. for the full month you can lock me there."
"Okay then. go."
Harold shouted "THANKS" as he ran through the portal.
Smart Rebecca Klar. She was on the other side of the portal.
"James can't come here and I knew you'd appear some time or another."
Just as Harold opened his mouth to ask about Alice's safety, Rebecca Klar intecepted. "Don't worry. James is at school. Alice is at home with my pet. She's safe."
"Okay. I was hoping to catch you alone."
"Of course. I'd want to be the first to know. So what's up with that glitter?" Rebecca spoke through her lollipop.
"Well, it's regenerative so Alice is safe but..." Harold pulls Rebecca Klar away from the portal to the back.
"We can't let anyone know." Rebecca ended for him when they stopped moving.
"Yes."
"Okay. I like Alice. I'll protect her and keep her safe. No idiot soul sucker is gonna be able to get her as some battery or something."
"Is she... is she all right?"
"She has woken up since then. I lied that she was down with fever and fed her some sleeping potion."
"Has she lost any memory?"
"She did forget your fight... if that helps. Doesn't even remember you came at all."
Harold couldn't decide if it was a good thing or not. At least there wasn't a need for explanations.
"Okay, I'll be gone for about a month."
"Hahh. Dungeon training? Heard about it. Don't worry. I'll put my mark on her for you."
Harold sighs in relief.
"Hey wait a sec." Rebecca rummaged through her bag, created a portal, and rummaged some more.
"I have this..." it was a blank chop.
"Put your mark on the chop. It works the same as putting a mark on humans. Try it!"
Harold didn't really know if it would work, he had never tried placing a mark on a non living object. But he tried. His mark. it appeared on the underside of the chop.
"Great! With this I can replace your mark about 5 times... that's enough for a month."
"Thanks Rebecca Klar."
"Hey. It's been getting on my nerves, hearing my full name. Just call me Klar kae?"
"Thank you Klar"
"That's better. So, any plans on telling me more about the glitter?"
"I have a favour." Rebecca felt a bit ignored...
"What is it?" she snapped.
"If you can, try and find Alice's ancestry."
"It's got something to do with that?"
"Yeah. When I find out more I'll let you know. Now I have nothing but theories."
"Oh all right. Off you go Harold!"
Harold had turned to walk away but he paused in a half step and turned back.
"I don't remember introducing myself to you..."
"Oh poor Alice was repeating it during her sleep. And since you mentioned Mrs Keyes, it was highly possible you were her son Harold Keyes. No magic here."
"Good bye." Harold returns to the front of the portal and goes through it.
Johnathon promptly dragged him to the Dungeon.
On a side note, Rebecca was actually very very surprised to find out that she herself had a connection with this random group of people. The son of the woman her mother is indebted to is the soul sucker that has attracted her little human interest, Alice. What a connection indeed.
Thursday, March 14, 2013
Souls vs Blood 8
Souls vs Blood 8
James was in his room, sitting before his fan. It was switched on... at full blast...
But he was warm.
Overly warm.
Too warm for comfort.
He was itching... He hadn't fed for more than two weeks. That soul sucker was getting on his nerves, Rebecca was getting on his nerves, and he didn't want to leave Alice alone just in case that idiot of a soul sucker came out again. Restless, he stood up and climb the stairs to Alice's room... He could smell her... the scent was so strong... so captivating... so alluring... He opened the door. She was lying in bed, her hair lay above her head, exposing her neck... He approached her...
James opened his mouth slightly. His fangs grew out. He walked towards Alice... He was barely a meter away from her... His mouth opened wide... Harold's weakened mark faded to almost oblivion...
*KAZAM*
The windows banged open and a flash of light appeared. James jumped a length backwards and Harold landed inside the room, right by the window. James growled at him. They were both beside Alice's bed. Harold growled back. But entering Alice's room for the first time, Harold got distracted. He turned right to look at Alice. She was awake. Her eyes were wide with fear. Alice had looked at them as they stood opposite each other, growling. She was cradled in the form of a fetus, sitting up, blanket held over half her face. Harold's expression fell as he instinctively called out to her.
"Ali---"
*BOOM*
A punch flew towards Harold but he managed to catch it some what. The boys put distance between themselves again. Both of them stare down at Alice. Even with her blanket covering her mouth to her toes, she felt extremely naked. The boys turned their attention back to each other. In a split second, they exchange strikes. Flashes of light and lingering movements could be seen. Outside the window, Rebecca Klar hovered in Cleopatra position to enjoy the show. They made dents in the floor. Although both of them tried to keep a distance from Alice, things got a little dangerous and Alice whimpered in shock. Harold turned his attention to her.
*OOUF*
James shot a punch into Harold's stomach.
Harold was sent flying to the wall. He slid down the wall and as his head dragged on the wall, it drew a fall of blood.
Alice threw her blanket aside and rushed to the knocked half conscious Harold.
"Hey, are you okay? Can you hear me? Say something! Move a finger!"
James pulled Alice off Harold hard and forcefully.
"Don't go near him!"
"James! What are you doing?! He's injured!"
Alice tries to get back to Harold.
Harold manages to stammer, "n...no...no... don't.. don't c... co... come..." He didn't want to absorb from Alice's soul ever again.
James laughs, his hands leaving Alice's shoulders. "See?! He doesn't want you near either!"
Alice doesn't heed either of them.
"Hey what's wrong with the two of *Alice swiftly approached Harold and tried to move him to a better position, thus, coming into physical contact with him in the process.* you?" The "you" could barely be heard.
James gasped and hurried towards her while Harold tried to fend her off meekly but both were too late. Harold's wounds didn't need more than seconds to close up and Alice was lying on the floor, barely breathing. What Harold had dreaded had came true. And it was too late to do anything about it.
James grabbed Harold by the collar and rammed him against the wall, further away from Alice.
"YOU IDIOT. LOOK AT WHAT YOU'VE DONE YOU STUPID STUPID SOUL EATER YOU BASTARD!"
Harold was tearing up. Blotches of tears decorated the stunned expression fixed on his face. James left him in his puddle of tears and went to check on Alice. He cradled her head and called her name. She didn't stir. She was still alive though. A large amount of her soul had been extracted from her at once so her physical body could not withstand it. But apparently she was not dead yet. Not yet. (lol. or maybe, *still alive, for now* sounds better.)
James lifted her onto the bed. He didn't know if she would last. Her shallow breath was frightening. Without Alice, James would be alone. He didn't want that. Not at all.
Harold wanted to dig a hole and hide, or run away to his mother's side. But he wasn't going to leave James and Alice alone. Especially when Alice was so weak. He didn't know what to do and he wished Sarah was there to give him some advice. But what could his kind do? What could soul suckers do other than suck the souls of humans they go near to?
Rebecca Klar made her entrance through the window.
"What are you going to do now James?"
Harold was shocked out of his immobility. He turned his attention to Rebecca and his eyes widened. He knew this girl. She was the half blood. His mother knew her mother. His mother was the one that helped her mother escape from the soul sucker community. He had never met Rebecca Klar, or her mother. But his mother did share stories with him and show him pictures. She hadn't changed. Not one bit at all. Except maybe, she might have grown more mature in terms of shape.
"Smuggler! Don't you have anything that can help her?" James was desperate. His eyes did not leave Alice as he spoke.
"Perhaps I do. Perhaps I don't. No matter what, I doubt she'll last for very long. Unfortunate. I had taken quite a liking to her." Rebecca was honestly disappointed.
"WELL THEN DO SOMETHING!" James shouted into her face. He continued to stare angrily at Rebecca.
Rebecca Klar laughed. She conjured a small little bottle with a cork as a cap with wings at two opposite points on the side of the cork. She poured some glittery like substance on her palm. She clicked the bottle away and used the fingers of her other hand to sprinkle the substance over Alice's chest. Alice's breathing returns to normal. She looked as if she were sleeping.
"This does not help her regain the time she lost. But it does comfort the effects of such a strong removal of the soul. I'm actually really sorry James. But you should prepare yourself for the worst." Rebecca looked at James sadly. She also thought, *perhaps this was for the best. James would never have to know Alice no longer liked him...*. Rebecca then turned her attention to Harold. He had an aura of dejectedness about him. He faced the floor and knelt on his knees and toes. She pulled a similar straw like item as the one she offered Alice before out of her pocket, used her free hand to lift Harold's chin up, and slid it into his mouth in circular motion so it fit in nicely. She forced him to chew it physically. Harold regained some composure thanks to the straw. He stood up. He spoke.
"Rebecca."
Rebecca, who had sat down beside Alice and was stroking her hair, expressed surprise as she turned to face Harold.
"Rebecca Klar."
"Yes... Do you know me?"
"Almost everyone knows you." James butted in.
"But not many recognise me." Snapped Rebecca. "Continue dear."
"Do you know how to help her? Any way to help her at all?"
"Perhaps I do. Perhaps I don't." She gave the same answer.
"Well, if you do, do you know of the favour you owe to a Mrs Keyes?"
For the first time since she appeared in this story, Rebecca became serious. She felt and expressed true bewilderment. Her aura of playfulness had completely disappeared.
"Yes. Yes I do."
"Then even for her sake, do help that girl. Please."
Rebecca conceded.
"I had planned to since the beginning."
There was a long pause. The two boys kept their gazes steady on Rebecca. On any normal occasion she would have enjoyed the attention. But today, she felt helpless.
"But there is a limit as to what I can do."
The boys, became crestfallen. The clock read 11.55 p.m. Harold and James wallowed in their own thoughts at adjacent corners of the room. Rebecca continued to stroke Alice's hair.
11:56
... James closed his eyes in misery.
11:57
... Rebecca covered Alice with a blanket and looked out of the window.
11:58
...Harold looked dejectedly into space.
11:59
... Silence continued to reign...
The room brightened.
They notice the change and follow the source of the light.
The area around Alice was shining.
There was glitter above her body.
They danced and wriggled for a few seconds before floating down and disappearing once they touched Alice.
Rebecca broke the silence. "What... What was that?"
"If you don't know, don't expect anyone else to." James suddenly had the mood to retort her.
"Hey is there any way to know how much of her soul is left in her?" James continued to rattle on.
"That looked regenerative. Is she okay now?" James held on to any piece of hope he could.
Rebecca just looked blankly at Alice and ignored James.
Harold's mind was racing. Who could he seek for answers? Eunice's grandmother? That was his best bet.
He turned his head to face Rebecca quickly, catching her attention.
"I leave her in your care Rebecca Klar."
Rebecca nods and Harold disappears once more.
"That exit was beautiful." Rebecca commented aloud.
James snorted.
(I think I need to explain a little. Harold used magic when he disappears. Which is why it seems like he does not leave but teleports somewhere. Truth was, there was this little trick his father taught him. With a bit of spin and soul, one could move quickly. So quickly that it wasn't easy to see the movement. It was a... Habit of Harold's. ^_^)
______________________________________________________
James was in his room, sitting before his fan. It was switched on... at full blast...
But he was warm.
Overly warm.
Too warm for comfort.
He was itching... He hadn't fed for more than two weeks. That soul sucker was getting on his nerves, Rebecca was getting on his nerves, and he didn't want to leave Alice alone just in case that idiot of a soul sucker came out again. Restless, he stood up and climb the stairs to Alice's room... He could smell her... the scent was so strong... so captivating... so alluring... He opened the door. She was lying in bed, her hair lay above her head, exposing her neck... He approached her...
James opened his mouth slightly. His fangs grew out. He walked towards Alice... He was barely a meter away from her... His mouth opened wide... Harold's weakened mark faded to almost oblivion...
*KAZAM*
The windows banged open and a flash of light appeared. James jumped a length backwards and Harold landed inside the room, right by the window. James growled at him. They were both beside Alice's bed. Harold growled back. But entering Alice's room for the first time, Harold got distracted. He turned right to look at Alice. She was awake. Her eyes were wide with fear. Alice had looked at them as they stood opposite each other, growling. She was cradled in the form of a fetus, sitting up, blanket held over half her face. Harold's expression fell as he instinctively called out to her.
"Ali---"
*BOOM*
A punch flew towards Harold but he managed to catch it some what. The boys put distance between themselves again. Both of them stare down at Alice. Even with her blanket covering her mouth to her toes, she felt extremely naked. The boys turned their attention back to each other. In a split second, they exchange strikes. Flashes of light and lingering movements could be seen. Outside the window, Rebecca Klar hovered in Cleopatra position to enjoy the show. They made dents in the floor. Although both of them tried to keep a distance from Alice, things got a little dangerous and Alice whimpered in shock. Harold turned his attention to her.
*OOUF*
James shot a punch into Harold's stomach.
Harold was sent flying to the wall. He slid down the wall and as his head dragged on the wall, it drew a fall of blood.
Alice threw her blanket aside and rushed to the knocked half conscious Harold.
"Hey, are you okay? Can you hear me? Say something! Move a finger!"
James pulled Alice off Harold hard and forcefully.
"Don't go near him!"
"James! What are you doing?! He's injured!"
Alice tries to get back to Harold.
Harold manages to stammer, "n...no...no... don't.. don't c... co... come..." He didn't want to absorb from Alice's soul ever again.
James laughs, his hands leaving Alice's shoulders. "See?! He doesn't want you near either!"
Alice doesn't heed either of them.
"Hey what's wrong with the two of *Alice swiftly approached Harold and tried to move him to a better position, thus, coming into physical contact with him in the process.* you?" The "you" could barely be heard.
James gasped and hurried towards her while Harold tried to fend her off meekly but both were too late. Harold's wounds didn't need more than seconds to close up and Alice was lying on the floor, barely breathing. What Harold had dreaded had came true. And it was too late to do anything about it.
James grabbed Harold by the collar and rammed him against the wall, further away from Alice.
"YOU IDIOT. LOOK AT WHAT YOU'VE DONE YOU STUPID STUPID SOUL EATER YOU BASTARD!"
Harold was tearing up. Blotches of tears decorated the stunned expression fixed on his face. James left him in his puddle of tears and went to check on Alice. He cradled her head and called her name. She didn't stir. She was still alive though. A large amount of her soul had been extracted from her at once so her physical body could not withstand it. But apparently she was not dead yet. Not yet. (lol. or maybe, *still alive, for now* sounds better.)
James lifted her onto the bed. He didn't know if she would last. Her shallow breath was frightening. Without Alice, James would be alone. He didn't want that. Not at all.
Harold wanted to dig a hole and hide, or run away to his mother's side. But he wasn't going to leave James and Alice alone. Especially when Alice was so weak. He didn't know what to do and he wished Sarah was there to give him some advice. But what could his kind do? What could soul suckers do other than suck the souls of humans they go near to?
Rebecca Klar made her entrance through the window.
"What are you going to do now James?"
Harold was shocked out of his immobility. He turned his attention to Rebecca and his eyes widened. He knew this girl. She was the half blood. His mother knew her mother. His mother was the one that helped her mother escape from the soul sucker community. He had never met Rebecca Klar, or her mother. But his mother did share stories with him and show him pictures. She hadn't changed. Not one bit at all. Except maybe, she might have grown more mature in terms of shape.
"Smuggler! Don't you have anything that can help her?" James was desperate. His eyes did not leave Alice as he spoke.
"Perhaps I do. Perhaps I don't. No matter what, I doubt she'll last for very long. Unfortunate. I had taken quite a liking to her." Rebecca was honestly disappointed.
"WELL THEN DO SOMETHING!" James shouted into her face. He continued to stare angrily at Rebecca.
Rebecca Klar laughed. She conjured a small little bottle with a cork as a cap with wings at two opposite points on the side of the cork. She poured some glittery like substance on her palm. She clicked the bottle away and used the fingers of her other hand to sprinkle the substance over Alice's chest. Alice's breathing returns to normal. She looked as if she were sleeping.
"This does not help her regain the time she lost. But it does comfort the effects of such a strong removal of the soul. I'm actually really sorry James. But you should prepare yourself for the worst." Rebecca looked at James sadly. She also thought, *perhaps this was for the best. James would never have to know Alice no longer liked him...*. Rebecca then turned her attention to Harold. He had an aura of dejectedness about him. He faced the floor and knelt on his knees and toes. She pulled a similar straw like item as the one she offered Alice before out of her pocket, used her free hand to lift Harold's chin up, and slid it into his mouth in circular motion so it fit in nicely. She forced him to chew it physically. Harold regained some composure thanks to the straw. He stood up. He spoke.
"Rebecca."
Rebecca, who had sat down beside Alice and was stroking her hair, expressed surprise as she turned to face Harold.
"Rebecca Klar."
"Yes... Do you know me?"
"Almost everyone knows you." James butted in.
"But not many recognise me." Snapped Rebecca. "Continue dear."
"Do you know how to help her? Any way to help her at all?"
"Perhaps I do. Perhaps I don't." She gave the same answer.
"Well, if you do, do you know of the favour you owe to a Mrs Keyes?"
For the first time since she appeared in this story, Rebecca became serious. She felt and expressed true bewilderment. Her aura of playfulness had completely disappeared.
"Yes. Yes I do."
"Then even for her sake, do help that girl. Please."
Rebecca conceded.
"I had planned to since the beginning."
There was a long pause. The two boys kept their gazes steady on Rebecca. On any normal occasion she would have enjoyed the attention. But today, she felt helpless.
"But there is a limit as to what I can do."
The boys, became crestfallen. The clock read 11.55 p.m. Harold and James wallowed in their own thoughts at adjacent corners of the room. Rebecca continued to stroke Alice's hair.
11:56
... James closed his eyes in misery.
11:57
... Rebecca covered Alice with a blanket and looked out of the window.
11:58
...Harold looked dejectedly into space.
11:59
... Silence continued to reign...
The room brightened.
They notice the change and follow the source of the light.
The area around Alice was shining.
There was glitter above her body.
They danced and wriggled for a few seconds before floating down and disappearing once they touched Alice.
Rebecca broke the silence. "What... What was that?"
"If you don't know, don't expect anyone else to." James suddenly had the mood to retort her.
"Hey is there any way to know how much of her soul is left in her?" James continued to rattle on.
"That looked regenerative. Is she okay now?" James held on to any piece of hope he could.
Rebecca just looked blankly at Alice and ignored James.
Harold's mind was racing. Who could he seek for answers? Eunice's grandmother? That was his best bet.
He turned his head to face Rebecca quickly, catching her attention.
"I leave her in your care Rebecca Klar."
Rebecca nods and Harold disappears once more.
"That exit was beautiful." Rebecca commented aloud.
James snorted.
(I think I need to explain a little. Harold used magic when he disappears. Which is why it seems like he does not leave but teleports somewhere. Truth was, there was this little trick his father taught him. With a bit of spin and soul, one could move quickly. So quickly that it wasn't easy to see the movement. It was a... Habit of Harold's. ^_^)
______________________________________________________
Anime
Anime
Listened to kyo kara maoh's op1... it's been so long. It sounds like it's way slower than I thought it was LOL. Then in related vids I heard the card captor sakura op 3, and lol it has such a strong nostalgic feeling. I used to love these songs. o.o... Now I'm... listening to kpop... =.=... And anime songs... don't really sound fancy no more... D=...
On to catch you catch me... LOL listening to these songs bring back memories man. Of the anime of course. not my own. LOL... Should listen to them more often. AND, WHY THE NEW ANIME'S ALL NOT THAT NICE LEH. COME OUT NICE NICE ONE WITH NICE SONG LET ME DL LEH. D= sobbing sadness!
Next, D TECHNOLIFE. GOODNESS. LONG TIME NO HEAR except in mabinogi. At first I couldn't rmb the lyrics. but it's coming back. A bit of it x=
OH CRAP
LOL
I WENT TO JAZ TO EMAIL THE ADMINISTRATOR BUT IT IS IN ST'S ACC... LOL WHOOOOOOPS!!!
Anyway, I am definitely, LIKE HUNDRED PERCENT, gonna get out all my sakura CD's and WATCH THEM ALL OVER AGAIN. Card captor sakura is SUCH A GOOD SHOW. Like seriously. I love her older brother. LOL. Sorry about that. x= Takuya? haha. whoops~ kinomoto I think? HAHAHAH EHEHEHE HEART HEART. Shaoran is the cutest guy alive. okay. shaoran in tsubasa might have been nicer, but in cardcaptor he was kinda like like like, cute and lovable. hehh. the listen to her voice message over and over thing... OH CRAP. HOW NOT TO LOVE HIM?!?! lol kk. from cardcaptor 3 to 1 to 2, (haven't even started on the EDs...) I shall go to bleach as I said I would. Actually bleach had a few nice songs I didn't listen to on replay... should I go find them? x=
crap. I miss Cerberus. HAHA. There are a lot of characters that resemble him. Like kon. LOL. oh goodness. kon is too much of an idiot in comparison though. x= that has too much interest in the wrong things... x=...
D technolife... All that was in... English? Okay. If korean music has a scale of 1 to 5 for english standards, I think the japanese have a negative range to 5. D= SERIOUSLY?! I must have noticed the english when there were subs last time. must have thought of about the same things. LOL. just, without the scale which is due to EYK... x=
Okay. after a lot of happenings, SUTD interview on saturday. XY is fussing over what I should wear... =.=... AHHHHHH SO QUICK D= I can't find my DAS report. HOWHOWHOW... D=D=D=
Listened to kyo kara maoh's op1... it's been so long. It sounds like it's way slower than I thought it was LOL. Then in related vids I heard the card captor sakura op 3, and lol it has such a strong nostalgic feeling. I used to love these songs. o.o... Now I'm... listening to kpop... =.=... And anime songs... don't really sound fancy no more... D=...
On to catch you catch me... LOL listening to these songs bring back memories man. Of the anime of course. not my own. LOL... Should listen to them more often. AND, WHY THE NEW ANIME'S ALL NOT THAT NICE LEH. COME OUT NICE NICE ONE WITH NICE SONG LET ME DL LEH. D= sobbing sadness!
Next, D TECHNOLIFE. GOODNESS. LONG TIME NO HEAR except in mabinogi. At first I couldn't rmb the lyrics. but it's coming back. A bit of it x=
OH CRAP
LOL
I WENT TO JAZ TO EMAIL THE ADMINISTRATOR BUT IT IS IN ST'S ACC... LOL WHOOOOOOPS!!!
Anyway, I am definitely, LIKE HUNDRED PERCENT, gonna get out all my sakura CD's and WATCH THEM ALL OVER AGAIN. Card captor sakura is SUCH A GOOD SHOW. Like seriously. I love her older brother. LOL. Sorry about that. x= Takuya? haha. whoops~ kinomoto I think? HAHAHAH EHEHEHE HEART HEART. Shaoran is the cutest guy alive. okay. shaoran in tsubasa might have been nicer, but in cardcaptor he was kinda like like like, cute and lovable. hehh. the listen to her voice message over and over thing... OH CRAP. HOW NOT TO LOVE HIM?!?! lol kk. from cardcaptor 3 to 1 to 2, (haven't even started on the EDs...) I shall go to bleach as I said I would. Actually bleach had a few nice songs I didn't listen to on replay... should I go find them? x=
crap. I miss Cerberus. HAHA. There are a lot of characters that resemble him. Like kon. LOL. oh goodness. kon is too much of an idiot in comparison though. x= that has too much interest in the wrong things... x=...
D technolife... All that was in... English? Okay. If korean music has a scale of 1 to 5 for english standards, I think the japanese have a negative range to 5. D= SERIOUSLY?! I must have noticed the english when there were subs last time. must have thought of about the same things. LOL. just, without the scale which is due to EYK... x=
Okay. after a lot of happenings, SUTD interview on saturday. XY is fussing over what I should wear... =.=... AHHHHHH SO QUICK D= I can't find my DAS report. HOWHOWHOW... D=D=D=
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