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Post by HungryHunter on Nov 28, 2015 18:56:00 GMT
"It's fine like this. Thanks." She turned and left, something shattered behind her eyes. She wandered out of the room and looked at Hammond. "Can I keep this? Just for a while?" Hammond glared. "No, you- It's really special to- argh... I want it back tomorrow, okay?" She smiled wearily at him. "Thanks Ham." "Don't call me that." He waved her off and went back to writing his report of today's incident.
Alexis drug herself down the hall, going the seemingly infinite path to the dorms and finally up to her room. She dropped her bags and jumped onto her messy bed face down. The tears flowed again, and they didn't stop when she fell asleep in minutes. A few hours later, the door flew open and a much larger girl bounded in. She threw her bags aside and her clothes soon followed. She glanced around and saw Alexis laying on the bed, fully dressed. She frowned and walked closer, seeing her wet face. Becky didn't hesitate a moment, sliding into bed and hugging her friend tight. Alexis smiled a little in her sleep, and Becky smiled too. She drifted easily to sleep and the two were lost to dreams.
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Post by Vapovile on Mar 5, 2016 1:02:09 GMT
Footprints of the Founders
Spring Semester-----------------------The snowy landscape around Gateway was finally beginning to melt, the cool Canadian spring wind blowing through the snow-covered trees in the forest surrounding the academy. The town was bustling with residents and students alike, going into the various stores and shopping for products that they may need in the coming days. However, a new pair had entered the town today, both of them being around 15 years of age. A shyer, purple haired girl was walking behind a more confident, blond haired girl with a large red hat covering most of the top of her head. "It looks like we are getting close...you ready, Rachel?!" The blond one asks enthusiastically, turning to her friend. Rachel twitches back in surprise slightly, but nods her head. "Y-yeah...what color is this, again?" "Red! But don't worry, you have me to outwit them all!" Elyssa boasts, leading the two to a nearby fountain. This was the place.
Nearby, two red-haired girls were sitting at a table, drinking coffee and watching Elyssa and Rachel approach the fountain. The two had a much wider age gap, the younger one appearing to be about 12, and the older one about 18. The younger of the two wore a long red button-up dress and pink skirt, her hair tied into a long pony tail in the back. The older one had a much more peculiar outfit, wearing what seemed to be a red leotard that appeared to meet at her neck, and float just slightly behind her back. Her long red hair was brushed down over her shoulders, looking somewhat bored at this entire scenario.
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Post by HungryHunter on Mar 5, 2016 20:27:55 GMT
A skinny redhead was admiring the fountain. Its sleek marble shapes forming two lovers together, legendary, possibly even mythical mages of ages past. She admired the power it conveyed from both of them, their white marble muscles elegant but toned. Alexis wished Becky would come along and see it, but she hated going out in public. She shrugged her big red blazer closer. Skin and bones provided no insulation. She lit a tiny fire over her fingers to warm them, then once they were no longer numb, scooped her phone out and backed up to take a photo. She dramatically bent and knelt for different angles, snapping a half dozen. She scrolled through her work to pick out which one to keep and show Becky. In the third angle, she noticed something surprising in the background. She smiled and walked around the fountain to wave at Amelia. "Hey, sis. Who's the mini me?"
Meet the Parents
Kasumi Akiyama lay still in bed, quietly snoring and drooling on her silk pillowcase. The loud bleep of the tablet resting on the end table besides her made her sit instantly bolt upright. She jumped out of bed, quickly wiping her face with a handkerchef lying atop the tablet and straightening her hair as best she could. She answered the call, already looking prim and proper even in a dressrobe. "Hello, mother and father." She said in Japanese. "Kasumi." Her parents both wore comfortable traditional wear, bright colors contrasting with their dead eyes as they looked at her. "Today I am going to-" She began the daily ritual of informing them of her activities for approval, but to her surprise, they cut her off. "You are going to be here at 6. You are meeting the man you will be marrying when you graduate. Is that clear?" Kasumi's head spun for just a second, but she shook it and bowed. "I understand." She hung up and breathed deeply, feeling the cold sweat soaking through her clothes. She just tossed the robe aside and ran for the bathroom. She needed to get ready for school so she could talk to Emma! It wasn't just that she was going to be married. She already knew her fate. Hell, it was nice she might even get to see his face before she walked down the aisle. But she had a game starting at 6!
Gateway had two gyms, one a beautiful open expanse with real grass and an adjustable ceiling. The turf was soft to fall on, the temperature was wonderful, and the terrain could shift to add some spark to dodgeball. The second gym had all manner of the most modern magical exercise equipment. Weights extended from normal all the way to 2 ton dumbbells. Punching bags were made of Yale leather, tough enough to survive any beating most students could dish out. It was here that Emma was, unleashing a furious combo on the bags. "Emmmmmmmaaaaaaaaaaaa!" A voice wailed from the entrance, and Kasumi charged towards her.
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Post by Vapovile on Mar 6, 2016 11:22:24 GMT
Amelia took another sip of her coffee, listening to the other redhead across the table explain something about a 'awesome' fight between her and a dozen giant spiders in a forest Ruin months ago. She appeared to be quite proud of herself, detailing a brief fight with her rivals and a new recruit afterwards. Amelia's expression quickly turned into a glare, however, once she heard Alexis's voice and turned to face her. The other girl stopped her story, taking a small bite of the doughnut she had bought and giving Alexis a confused look. "Mini you? I've dressed like this for over a year! If anything, YOU are copying ME here." The younger redhead states with a slightly annoyed tone. Amelia puts her coffee down to address Alexis. "First of all, you are not my sister in any way, shape or form. Secondly, this is my actual younger sister; Anna." Anna waved her half-eaten doughnut slightly in acknowledgement of her name. "Why are you here?" Amelia asked in an overtly annoyed tone. She did not like Alexis at all, least of all when Alexis refers to her as 'sis', when they only share a mother.
---
The gym was filled with the sounds of weights clanking against each other, people on the side chatting while recovering, and the faint sound of grunts being heard near the punching bags. Over there, a person wearing pink padded armor was striking the sides of a punching bag rhythmically, taking note of the positioning of her fist with each strike. "One eight seven...one eight eight...one eight nine...!" She slams her fists into the bag with each count, frowning with determination at the last one. Then, with blinding speed, a flurry of blows strikes the punching bag and sends it flying backwards on it's chain, swinging back at the her, which she simply pulls her fist back at. "Two hundred!" She says with determination, slamming her fist into the punching bag and sending it flying backwards, hitting the top of the machine and swinging back into place. Panting at the workout, Emma turned to see her friend at the door.
"Hey, Kas! Good timing!" Emma dashed forward, attempting to fake a charge so that she could spin around Kasumi and try to pick her up around the waist and lift her friend off the ground.
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Post by HungryHunter on Mar 6, 2016 19:18:24 GMT
"And I've been dressing this way since I was 14. You weren't wearing a training bra by the time I established my style." Alexis fluffed her coat to show her similar outfit, bare arms and all. "And I have another sister? Neat. Hey, new sis!" Alexis extended her hand to shake.
Kasumi wasn't in the proper state of mind to avoid the grab. She found herself lifted and flailed her legs. "Not right now! There's a disaster!" She wailed, chilling Emma's hands to make her release her.
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Post by Vapovile on Mar 9, 2016 9:20:36 GMT
"Riiiiiight. I'm sure you're tooootally telling the truth here." Anna says sarcastically, rolling her eyes at Alexis and taking another bite of her doughnut. She begrudgingly accepted Alexis's handshake, still annoyed that the first interaction she had with this chick was being accused of being a mini version of her. "Hey. So let me guess, you're Alexis...right? I've heard crap about you. Damn, you sure you two aren't twins?" Amelia glared at Anna for the suggestion, to which Anna smirks and takes another bite of her doughnut.
---
Emma quickly let go after the cold spell, rubbing her hands slightly. "Whoa. What's going on with you?" She asks, frowning slightly at the panicked state of Kasumi. It wasn't like her to act this freaked out, so this must be something major.
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Post by HungryHunter on Mar 9, 2016 23:56:13 GMT
"What, you think I'd lie about something that petty?" Alexis pulled out her phone and opened its photo album, bringing up an image of a younger girl, in the same outfit but with short hair half covering her face, tips dyed black, foul expression accented by purple lipstick. "On second thought, yeah. I'm lying." She put her phone back in her pocket without showing them. "See, sis? Even new sis thinks we're real sisters." She smiled at Anna.
Kasumi glanced around to make sure they were alone and leaned close, voice quavering. "My parents are going to make me meet the man I'm supposed to marry over skype tonight! I'd be horrified even if it wasn't right in the middle of my big game!" Her voice cracked as her tone rose with panic, liquid making an appearance dripping down her face.
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Post by Vapovile on Mar 12, 2016 20:22:20 GMT
Anna tried to crane her head over to see what was on the phone, but Alexis managed to put it away before she could get a look at the embarrassing photo. Damn. Returning to her original position, Anna looks over at Amelia, the glare plastered across her sister's face again. "She only said we looked alike. I'll say it again; I am not your sister, and I never will be." Why did Alexis even want to come over and say hi? Amelia has never been friendly with her half-sister, so it would only be natural to reciprocate the gesture.
Back at the fountain, Elyssa stops just shy of the large structure, inspecting a tiny coin in her hand as she walked. She glanced around the area, sighing as she saw that there were people around them currently...and one of them was a familiar face. "Hm...this is a magic town, so them seeing this open wouldn't break any rules. I just need to deal with HER first." Elyssa whispers to Rachel, motioning to Anna. How were they going to do this?
---
Emma's eyes grew wide with surprise, pulling Kasumi into a quick hug, then quickly releasing her before being subjected to ice again. "You're going to meet that guy today?! I won't let you miss the game! This is a school of magic, we can figure something out!"
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Post by HungryHunter on Mar 12, 2016 22:37:20 GMT
"Fine, half sister." Alexis rolled her eyes. "It's nothing awful. Why don't you want to just admit we're family?" Her voice hinted she was slightly upset. It was odd, coming from somebody so often aloof.
Kasumi accepted the hug this time. Emma was warm from working out, counteracting the way her heart felt like it was entering an ice age. The words didn't help as much. "It wouldn't matter, even if there was something to do. I should just quit the team. It's not like I can keep playing when I get drug back to Japan."
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Post by Vapovile on Mar 13, 2016 2:41:46 GMT
"Why don't I say we're family? I have told you before, it's because we aren't. The only thing we share is a mother, and I don't consider her my mother. Ask her yourself why." Amelia said her sentences with a clear sense of venom in them, as if she had a deep rooted hatred for Alexis or her family.
---
"No! You're a team player, and what you are saying is NOT being a team player!" Emma asserted, determination in her eyes. "Even if you get drug back, that day isn't today. So you need to get your butt out there and help your team win! Let me deal with this guy of yours. Only...we need to find some way to make me look like you...do you know of anyone that's great at illusion magic?"
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Post by HungryHunter on Mar 13, 2016 5:07:35 GMT
"I have asked. I told you before, she always changes the topic. She's really good at doing that." Alexis rolled through memories of Angela deflecting her from conversations throughout her life. The skill must have come in handy when she was a big name CEO. "I bet you got your mysterious past thing from her. She never tells me about anything before I was born." She couldn't hide a tiny smirk when she made the comparison.
Kasumi started at her friend's enthusiasm. She wasn't worth this much effort... but it wouldn't be Emma if she didn't tackle it head on. Hope lit up in her eyes. Her heart still didn't feel like it was beating, this act of rebellion clawing her every instinct, but... it was the first big game of the year! How could she let her team down like that? "I don't kno--WAIT! That girl who made me think Eckart was flirting with me! What was her name!?"
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Post by Vapovile on Mar 13, 2016 5:55:20 GMT
Amelia's face briefly grew red with hatred, a small flash of heat rippling through the area for a moment before she regains composure, glaring at Alexis. "Don't...ever, compare me to that woman again." She states bluntly, hatred seething out of her teeth. After a few seconds, Amelia returns to her normal expression, still annoyed that Alexis was still there. "...think about this. If she always changes the topic, does that not raise suspicion? Put up any red flags to you?"
Anna looked at her sister with confusion, never seeing her release a minor heatwave like that. This is indeed a sensitive topic, and Alexis seems intent on pushing those buttons. Ooo...maybe we'll see an actual fight today!
---
"Oh! Uh...damn I know this one..." Tall...tan hair...large ears...annoying grin... "LINDSEY! Lindsey Stark! The annoying kitsune chick! You think she'd help us out?"
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Post by HungryHunter on Mar 13, 2016 6:25:42 GMT
"Of course it does. But it's not like you're any better, cause you never just answer the question either." Alexis' grin was clear now. She'd pry something out of Amelia today. Her reactions were just little reflecting shards, showing Alexis deeper parts of this mysterious woman. She leaned purposefully too close, mocking grin right in Amelia's eyes.
"Yeah, her!" Kasumi blushed as she remembered Eckart's gorgeous smile right before he dissolved into the air he was painted on. The stares and giggles from the students around her weren't nearly as bad as the seemly endless hours her parents screamed at her when the story somehow reached their ears. She had cried herself to sleep that night, her only solace that it never seemed to reach the real Eckart's ears. "Uh... on second thought... is there anybody else?" Her already watery eyes were spilling over again.
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Post by Vapovile on Mar 19, 2016 14:54:43 GMT
Amelia glared right at Alexis's insulting, grinning face...clenching her fist to punch that grin right off her sadistic, smug face. It was at that moment where a balled-up napkin was thrown between the two of them, landing on the ground nearby while Anna stood from where it was shot, looking both bored and annoyed. "While I'd love to see you two beat the crap out of each other, Amelia and I gotta go. Blondie's finally shown up." Motioning to the direction behind Alexis, Amelia looks over to see Elyssa tapping her coin against the fountain, causing it to rumble slightly and begin rising out of the ground. The fountain rose about 6 feet in the air, not losing any water off the sides as it rose to reveal a maroon-colored set of gilded double doors. "Alright! Let's go before you-know-who shows up, Rach." Elyssa tells Rachel, beginning to push the doors open. Meanwhile, Anna was casually strolling toward the two, smiling with pride at being mentioned.
---
"Come on, Lindsey is one of the best illusion mages we have! I sure as heck can't keep an illusion up long enough." Emma walked over to pull Kasumi into a hug again, noticing her distress. "Lindsey isn't even evil like Evan, she just likes making dumb jokes. I'm sure she'd be willing to help after that incident!"
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Post by HungryHunter on Mar 19, 2016 17:03:14 GMT
Alexis saw Amelia's fist clench and readied herself. Maybe she had pushed a little too hard. She was glad when Anna defused the situation. "Sis, that was--hey, where's new sis going?" Alexis turned to see Anna walking towards two other girls who appeared to be first or second years. Who were opening a portal in midair. Alexis shot past Anna to lean on the great doors. "Hey, what's this? You aren't maintenance." She looked down at the strange twerps. They looked so tiny and adorable. Hard to believe they were tearing holes to other dimensions.
Kasumi sighed. She'd put up with it if the only other option was letting her team down. "Alright, I get it. Do you have any idea where she would be before class?" Akiyama didn't know where a prankster fox would be before classes.
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Post by Vapovile on Mar 19, 2016 22:54:30 GMT
Elyssa glanced over at the tall red-head leaning against the door, briefly thinking that it was Anna after undergoing some aging enhancement treatment. This thought was soon extinguished when Anna popped out from behind the two, and stabbed the partly open door with her spear, swinging it wide open as she steps in front of them. "Alexis, this is-" "Elyssa Miyata! World renowned treasure hunter and master detective." Elyssa tipped her hat when she finished her introduction, Rachel staying quiet around the tall scary-looking girl who just showed up. Anna looked a little annoyed at being interrupted, but moved on anyway. "...right. And she is my main competition. Hold her here, would ya?" Anna says with a grin as she front flips into the doorway, taking off into the Ruin. Amelia teleports right behind her, sprinting off as well.
"Ugh...no! Nobody holds me up!" With a grin, Elyssa takes out a small marble from her backpack and slams it into the ground, creating a small cloud of smoke that would obsure most people's vision. Elyssa then takes Rachel by the hand and pulls her inside, hopefully Alexis being too stunned to do anything.
---
"Hm...I think she'd be in our the commons room! She is usually there when she isn't off doing dumb pranks. You go on ahead, I gotta shower and get dressed! I'll catch up!" Rushing over to the locker room, Emma hastily runs into a stall to get ready for the adventure ahead, without smelling like workout the entire day.
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Post by HungryHunter on Mar 19, 2016 23:57:11 GMT
"Miyata?" Alexis' eyes widened. "As in HWIC Miyata!?" A little star danced in her eyes. Aria Miyata was the coolest ever! Alexis saw her on the news every few months, doing something amazing. Her focus came back to small Miyatas when she saw Elyssa raising her arm. Her battle reflexes kicked in and she jumped in the door, smiling when the smoke went off behind her. Halting just within the doorway, she reached out to grab Elyssa by the arm when she entered. "Now, what's this about treasure?" She raised an eyebrow, looking around. What was this place?
Aki made a distant nod. "Hurry up! I don't want to do this alone!" She ran off the opposite direction. The hallways seemed endless, growing colder as her heart settled in its pit. She had to hurry. There was less than an hour before class started, and the day would be even more hell if she missed it. She finally burst into the vast expanse of Emma's house commons. She had never been in there before, and its sheer expansiveness gave her pause.
Her own common room was much cozier. She adjusted her uniform, straightening her ribbon and making sure her constant cold sweat hadn't seeped through her armpits. She was sure she looked like a wreck, but it took only a moment with a comb and mirror to make her proper mask return. Now, where was Lindsey? She looked to the sky, wondering how she'd fetch her if she was among the floating students above.
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Post by Vapovile on Mar 20, 2016 9:27:31 GMT
Both Elyssa and Rachel were already in the doorway when Alexis leaped through, making Elyssa frown in disappointment. Before Alexis could reach out to grab her, Elyssa quickly spun to her right, letting go of Rachel and turning to face Alexis. It looked like the tactic of throwing a smoke bomb and shutting the door wouldn't work this time around. Perhaps diplomacy would work instead. "To your earlier question; yes, HWIC Miyata. You probably know of my sister Aria, right? Well, I am the leader of the Treasure Hunters division! I go into places like these, called Ruins, and solve the puzzles inside to get the item at the end!" Just as she moved onto the next subject, her expression developed a frown. "And right now, that pest Anna is trying to get it before me. So if you don't mind, I need to beat her to the end!"
---
Up above the room, several couches floated above on a permanent flight spell, floating in the air as students sat on top and did homework, chatted about their days, or in some cases; sleep. Up near the middle of the room was a familiar tan-haired kitsune, sitting next to a tall girl with long blue hair, and two matching blue bunny ears sticking out of the top of her head. The blue-haired girl wore a red and black dress that went down to her thighs, while Lindsey wore her normal tight red and black shirt with black shorts.
On the ground, a familiar green-haired girl lowered her eyebrow slightly at Kasumi arriving in the commons room. Haley didn't know why a Azur student was here, but being nearby, Haley was ready to help out if need be. Studying was getting to become a pain anyway.
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Post by HungryHunter on Mar 20, 2016 17:31:54 GMT
Alexis glanced around the front room and grinned. This sort of magic was hiding just out of her sight? "So I could find what I'm looking for..." She saluted to Elyssa. "And I'll help in exchange for some info!" She could prove she was better than her sister here. And maybe get some info on an area of magic she'd never seen. There was always hope.
Kasumi spotted her target far overhead and despaired. How was she expected to get over there? Wind users could usually fly, but Akiyama was ice only. Maybe she could make the jump with one of her summons, but she was taught not to summon outside of battle. Her discipline overcame all else.
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Post by Vapovile on Mar 20, 2016 18:12:28 GMT
Elyssa lowered her right eyebrow at Alexis in confusion. Help them? Wasn't this girl on Anna's side just a few minutes ago? Having another person along would be risky, especially if she had plans to interfere with the treasure at the end as well. But they had already wasted too much time. Crossing her arms across her chest, Elyssa looks at Alexis with a puzzled look. "And what info would you want, exactly?"
---
Seeing as the person who walked in appeared to be looking up at someone, yet had a look of despair on her face, made Haley sigh a little. If nobody was going to help out, she might as well do it. Setting her book aside, Haley jumps back onto the floor and strolls over to Kasumi, looking up at whatever she was trying to see. "You look a little lost. Need help or something?"
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