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Post by Vapovile on Jun 13, 2019 13:29:24 GMT
The way Malcolm mumbled under his breath made Ashlea's expression soften slightly with concern. She didn't like how he sounded defeated when facing her mom. Before she could shoot back to try and defend him more, Angela decided to back off this line of questioning. Ashlea looked at her mom with confusion. "Uh...yeah, I bet tons of places would want a white mage! Hospitals sure love them, since a healing spell can heal most minor cuts and...stuff." She explained, not exactly knowing much about how healing magic was used in a hospital setting.
Oliver decided to take this pause to speak up. "Well, I am certainly impressed you know what you want to do. I didn't know I wanted to be an architect until I was halfway through college. Can you believe I was almost a math teacher? I doubt I would have even been a blip on Angela's radar if I went that route." He joked, smiling at his wife.
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Post by HungryHunter on Jun 15, 2019 5:23:38 GMT
“A math teacher? Really?” Malcolm questioned. “Yeah, that would be pretty lame.” Alexis sorted. “Alexis.” Angela warned. “Whaaaat? It would!” Alexis shrugged. “Our guest’s mother is a teacher, don’t be rude. And honey, I would love you whatever you did.” Angela leaned over and kissed her husband on the cheek. Malcolm smiled a little. It was the first thing he saw from her that didn’t scare him, just a gesture of genuine love. “Your parents… they love each other. That’s good.” He whispered to Ashlea.
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Post by Vapovile on Jun 25, 2019 10:19:50 GMT
Oliver returned his wife's gesture, kissing her on the cheek as well. "What, you don't keep me around just for my ability to draw a straight line without a ruler?" He joked, Ashlea rolling her eyes at the dumb joke. When Malcolm addressed her, she began to whisper back. “If you say so. They’re just so weird sometimes!” She stated. It was incredibly difficult for Ashlea to tell what her mom was thinking about most of the time, and knew about the horrible person she was back when Alexis and Amelia were born. Just how effective were all those years of therapy?
Finishing another bite of alligator, Aiden placed his fork on his empty plate and pushed out of chair to leave. “Leaving so soon?” Oliver asked his son. “I mean...yeah? I got nothing really to say.” He stated. Malcolm was just as much a wimp that Aiden expected. Why bother sticking around?
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Post by HungryHunter on Jun 28, 2019 20:20:20 GMT
“It’s certainly more artistic skill than the rest of the family. I doubt I could draw a straight line with a ruler!” Angela giggled. “Aw, ignore him, he’s just being a teenager.” Alexis shrugged, waving her younger brother off. “I mean… if he doesn’t want to be here, I understand.” Malcolm mumbled, not really wanting to get involved with potential family drama. “No. Aiden, sit down and say something to our guest. You haven’t spoken all night and it’s rude.” Angela tapped the table and pointed at Aiden’s seat.
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Post by Vapovile on Jun 30, 2019 23:31:42 GMT
Stopping as he was about to stand up, Aiden grumbled when his mom told him to stay. He frowned at both Alexis and his mother for their comments. "See, even he doesn't care! Uuuuugh...whatever." Leaning against the table once more, Aiden tapped his fingers rhythmically against the table as he thought about what to ask this wimp. "Uh...what the heck do you do for fun? Yeah, that's it." He commented. Both Ashlea and Oliver looked toward Malcolm, curious to see what his answer would be.
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Post by HungryHunter on Jul 1, 2019 1:20:04 GMT
“Uh, like for a hobby?” Malcolm mumbled, squirming a little. It was weird to have a discussion with somebody who so clearly didn’t want to talk. “Well, I’ve been pretty busy lately, so I don’t do a whole lot for myself, you know, with my job and school and all going on at once, but I like to read. I’ve been reading a pretty interesting thing on how black magic and white magic came to be separated as totally different things instead of a cohesive magical whole. My uh, old friend gave it to me.” He decided bringing Cherry up at his girlfriend’s house probably wasn’t wise. Ashlea was still a little insecure, and who knows how Angela would react.
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Post by Vapovile on Jul 6, 2019 4:25:49 GMT
"Uuuuuh...huh." Aiden nearly sighed while he reacted to Malcolm's explanation. So this is what the wimp found fun? Reading? "Riveting stuff. Have fun with that I guess." Quickly pushing his chair out again, Aiden deposited his plate into the sink and began to walk away. Ashlea looked at him with a look of annoyance clear on her face. "That's it? Bye." She said dismissively. Aiden gave her a halfhearted wave as he disappeared around the corner. Ashlea angrily stabbed a piece of crocodile meat on her plate and kept it there.
"Ignore him, he only cares about his dumb friends and Alexis. Sounds like a pretty smart friend you...have? Had?" Ashlea asked, having no idea if 'old friend' meant they weren't friends anymore. Oliver took the last bite off his plate and placed his forearms on the table. "Indeed, excuse Aiden. But I guess that is a good stopping point for dinner, no?" He asked the table.
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Post by HungryHunter on Jul 8, 2019 20:38:08 GMT
“She was… smart enough I guess.” Malcolm mumbled. Alexis stood up across from him. “I’m done! You two have fun together. I’ll leave you alone if you wanna swim or hang out in her room, but if you wanna play something, I’ve got an Xbox.” Alexis excitedly leaned over the table to look down at Malcolm. “Uh, I’d rather just stay with Ashlea.” Malcolm looked to his girlfriend. “Aw, come oooooooon. You can hang out with her any time! You won’t be over here with all of us very often at all!” Alexis took Malcolm’s hands. “Alexis, he said no. Handle the dishes.” Angela said. “Aw, man…” Alexis let go and began gathering up the plates.
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Post by Vapovile on Jul 16, 2019 11:09:32 GMT
The mumbling Malcolm did made Ashlea squint her eyes slightly in suspicion. Was he trying to downplay something? Perhaps she should ask about this later. Her attention snapped back to the table when Alexis tried to convince Malcolm to come with her and play Xbox. A small wave of panic swept through Ashlea at the prospect of Alexis forcing them to play her dumb Xbox games and interrogate Malcolm more, but luckily her mom stepped in and made Alexis do something else.
"Thank you. I think we'll be plenty entertained in my room." She said, motioning for Malcolm to follow. Her eyes widened slightly at how she phrased that, but hopefully nobody would call her out on it. "I have games of my own if that's your thing. Trust me, there's plenty to do in this house." And with that, Ashlea began to usher Malcolm out of the dining room. Oliver let out a small chuckle at how determined Ashlea was. "Well, just relax you two. We're all here to help each other out, right?" He said, smiling at Ashlea. She smiled back and nodded toward him. "Yeah...thanks. Come on, let's go!" And with that, the two exited the room.
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Post by HungryHunter on Apr 18, 2020 6:58:06 GMT
Kasumi stopped a moment to admire the setting sun. It painted the whole town in tangerine hues. It was right about now that the first birds of the evening began to make their noises, little hoots coming from the trees at her back. It was a scene she had seen every evening this week, but it still felt new, as before then, she had only seen the sunset from her room and campus classrooms. A lot had changed since last semester’s prom. It was the final touch she needed to really tell her family to go fuck itself.
She had applied for financial assistance and started working her way through at a yogurt shop downtown. She raised her hat to mop at her sweaty forehead. No wonder Amelia was stressed all the time! Still, it was exhilarating! Living for herself, for the first time in her life. She even had a date this weekend! She was considering which movie to ignore while she made out when a figure appeared on the road. Odd, but not that odd. She didn’t usually see students alone out here. Usually it was couples and groups of friends. Even she would usually have Emma, coming from her own job, but the shop she was cleaning today apparently asked for overtime.
Kasumi shrugged off the uneasy feeling. It was just another kid coming home from work or shopping or something. She only noticed after a few more steps that he was approaching her. It was at that same moment that he realized he was her brother. Kichiro, the only member of her family who gave a damn about her. Terror and joy soared together like two warring eagles. She was leaning towards the former as his face became clear. He was more hangdog than ever. His clothes looked slept-in, with new and strange stains down his shirt. His horrible haircut looked even more greasy than usual, with a sheen like it really was snot over the whole thing.
He wouldn’t be like this if he was coming to say he was cutting ties with the family. Or would he? He wouldn’t take that well either, would he? “Kichiro…” Kasumi put a hand on the hilt of her sword. “Please don’t draw that against me, sister.” Kichiro didn’t look at her, but past her. “Father just wanted me to deliver a message. You’re going to drop out and come home to marry Tachibana.” He spoke flatly, without emotion, like he was reading off of cue cards he didn’t quite understand himself.
“I’m not. Kichiro, father doesn’t have control over me anymore. He can’t even set foot in Canada without the HWIC swarming him. I’m not his daughter. Never was, and now that’s a legal fact.” She responded, blade not moving. “He knows about that. He says he can fix things in an instant. Discredit everything you say. Ruin you.” Kichiro choked up, toxic yellow tears flowing. “So please. It’ll hurt less if you just come back and cooperate. The result’s the same, but he won’t have to do that.” Kasumi looked at Kichiro for a long time. The sun crept ever lower in the sky. “I’m never going back, Kichiro. Go home and tell him that.” They were still for another eternity before Kichiro sighed. “I will. If this is your will, Kasumi… stay safe.”
“And that’s when he left. I came directly to you. It wasn’t half an hour ago yet.” Kasumi sat in the office of Cynthia Weiss, Gateway’s headmistress. If anybody could solve this problem, it was her. Even so, Kasumi was shaking, sobbing into the hot chocolate she had been offered. Only the presence of Emma made her feel even remotely safe, and she still kept looking out the window, expecting his face.
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Post by Vapovile on May 6, 2020 5:10:45 GMT
Cynthia sat forward in her chair, listening to Kasumi's account of recent events and jotting down notes onto a book on her dark wood desk. Emma was twitching her right leg, looking ready to spring out of her seat at any moment. “How did he even get in the town?! Isn’t there like, a magic barrier or something?!” Emma asked with annoyance, Cynthia shaking her head. “There is a barrier, but it’s more to keep out Hidden World animals and people marked with the fugitive spell. If he hasn’t been marked, he can get inside the town.” The headmistress explained. The curtains blacked out virtually all the light coming from outside, though the room was still well lit by the ornate light fixtures hanging from the ceiling.
“So what, he can just walk into the school too?!” Emma barked, placing her hands firmly on her knees. Cynthia shot a glare toward the fighter, her piercing vampiric eyes making Emma silent. “...that is incorrect. The school is under extra protection, as you might be aware. It’s nearly impossible for anyone to teleport inside without being associated with the school, or checking in at the front desk. For your safety, I am going to ask you to put your job on hiatus until the HWIC get here to investigate. I’ll contact them after you both leave. Is there a problem with that request?” She asked, looking at Kasumi. After what happened with the Primrose children, she wasn’t about to let another student suffer on her watch.
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Post by HungryHunter on May 6, 2020 19:03:16 GMT
“My job?” Kasumi mumbled. The marker that she was now her own person. Something that made her independent. “Yeah. I won’t go out anywhere until this is done.” Kasumi said. Classes and home. No going out with friends. “I know we’re not supposed to have guests in our rooms after curfew… but can Emma sleep over with me? I’ll feel a lot safer.” That was true, but there was more. She’d go crazy all cooped up on campus. She needed company.
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Post by Vapovile on May 18, 2020 1:44:58 GMT
Emma's eyes widened when she looked at the headmistress, trying to show she agreed with the idea. After staring at her desk for a few moments, Cynthia nodded her head. "I believe that would be prudent, yes. But I am going to assign a guard to watch over your room as well. You both are strong, but I'm sure you'd agree the Akiyamas have considerable more firepower at their disposal." She said, Emma grumbling to herself. Why was she so powerless here?! They were in a school full of mages, and they have to hide like rats?!
"I'll have ms. Anderson escort you back to your room. The HWIC should be here soon to conduct their own investigation, so please await their arrival." Cynthia instructed, the brown-haired girl on the far end of the room stepping forward and opening the door for them both. "Don't worry, I'll protect them." Kelsey proudly stated, determination in her eyes. She was one of the strongest mages in the school, and a high ranking member of the school's guard. If there was anyone who could do this, it was her! Cynthia's face seemed to show a flash of worry, but recovered. "I trust you will. Now please, stay safe tonight. You're dealing with a dangerous group here, I'm sure you're well aware. Are you ok with this, Kasumi?" The headmistress asked, deliberately avoiding the ice mage's surname.
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Post by HungryHunter on May 19, 2020 6:40:17 GMT
Kasumi hugged Emma tight when permission to stay was granted. Things were still going to suck, but she’d have friends around. It was a shame that Erin and Amelia had already graduated, or she’d want them over too. “Thank you Mrs. Weiss. I hope you won’t have to risk yourself for me, Kelsey.” She felt deeply tired now. “Come on Emma, Kelsey. I’ll make you two dinner.” She yawned. She should do something for them tonight.
An hour later, the sun was just about down. Kasumi was still stirring the wok, mixed tempura-soaked seafood and vegetables nearly done. She was practically nodding off, but it seemed she had done this dish so many times she could literally do it in her sleep. “Hey Emma. Do you think things will go back to normal?” She called quietly to her friend. “Or do you think he’ll just keep threatening me so I can’t live until I give up and go back?” She sniffed, trying to hold back the tears. She wouldn’t put it past her father. She wasn’t even that important, but he would never let a pawn slip from his fingers. It was a personal insult that she had rejected him.
Outside her door, Kelsey kept watch. Few things happened in a dormitory hallway. A few girls came in and out of their rooms, little bits of chatter carrying down to Kelsey as they passed one another. One girl came around the corner, casually walking right at Kelsey. She never turned to enter any of the rooms, continuing right down towards Kasumi’s. It fit, given that the girl Kelsey was looking at was Kasumi. Hair spike, work uniform, she was identical to the girl in the room behind Kelsey.
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Post by Vapovile on Aug 2, 2020 6:10:44 GMT
Emma was fidgeting on the couch, her leg rhythmically moving up and down in anticipation. Kasumi’s question was answered with no hesitation. “Of course we’ll go back to normal! You think that idiot would try anything if you have HWIC protection? He’s only powerful in Japan!” Emma tried to say confidently, but was shaky at points. She walked over and yanked Kasumi into a hug.
“And if all else fails, I’ll punch the lights out of anyone who tries something! We are the #2 doubles champions, after all!” Emma boasted. It was difficult to try and stay optimistic in a situation like this. How far did the yakuza’s connections go? Could someone actually get through Gateway’s defenses?
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Kelsey stood in front of the door, making note of the people who went past. Her eyes squinted when it appeared that Kasumi was walking toward her. She stabbed her trident into the ground to make a loud metallic ‘klang’ through the hallway. “Hang on, this area is off limits. Please turn around now.” Kelsey ordered. She knew for a fact that Kasumi was already inside, and it didn’t allow any teleportation in or out. So who was this person? The guard prepared to summon her armor should this turn hostile.
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Post by HungryHunter on Aug 3, 2020 22:09:23 GMT
“Yeah… yeah, you’re right! We’ve got the good guys on our side and we nearly beat the toughest people in school!” Kasumi hugged her friend back, keeping her tight to her side. She wasn’t sure how much she believed it. Even with that protection, it didn’t take much to keep her on her toes, keep her paranoid. “I wish the actual doubles champs were here. They’d know what to do. Even if it was just to get wasted so we couldn’t worry about it.”
“Off limits? That’s my room.” Kasumi said. She took her wallet from her pocket, same pink skull-covered affair Kelsey would recognize from the Kasumi who was inside. She flipped it open, holding a school ID out at her. “See? Kasumi Akiyama. What’s going on? Did you find drugs in there? They were Erin’s, I swear.”
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Post by Vapovile on Aug 27, 2020 4:38:04 GMT
Emma frowned at the wall, tempted to call at least Amelia over for a while. She could get a visitor pass, right? "Hah, now's not the time to get wasted anyway! We just have to ride this out until the HWIC does...whatever they are doing." Emma actually didn't know what the HWIC was going to do to protect them against something like the yakuza. "Ok, let's change the freaking subject. What's your plans once this crap's over? Go out and be crazy? Buy a motorcycle?" She joked, trying to lighten the mood.
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Kelsey's eyes narrowed at the approaching girl, holding out her right hand and summoning her spear. "That's far enough! I can tell you're not who you say you are. I know for a fact Kasumi wouldn't be this nonchalant right now." She stated. "Now you're coming with me. Hand yourself over quietly and I don't have to hurt you." Kelsey commanded. Just who was this woman and why was her illusion skills so good? Usually only a talented mage like Lindsey could pull something off to this degree. Was it really all non-magic?
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Post by HungryHunter on Aug 30, 2020 5:20:22 GMT
Kasumi’s heart flopped like a fish when Emma admitted she wasn’t sure what the HWIC would do. Did they even have jurisdiction over Japanese criminals? The JHWAB just wasn’t effective, and the Musashi couldn’t usually be counted on to get involved, so she certainly hoped the HWIC would do something. However, when Emma asked what she planned on doing, she ventured a smile. “Okay, don’t freak out. I’m not getting a motorcycle… but I have been studying to get my driver’s license!” She fumbled for her wallet to show Emma a learner’s permit. “I can’t afford a car obviously, but I just… it feels right to be able to drive! You can go wherever, do whatever you want!”
“Nonchalant? Is something going on nobody told me about?” Kasumi asked. “I just worked late and I want to rest. Is it… is it Emma? Did something happen to Emma in there!?” She bolted for the door, trying to push past Kelsey, a totally uncoordinated rush. Kelsey would feel her nails scratch at her as she pushed, but it was an unintentional feeling born of panic.
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Post by Vapovile on Sept 8, 2020 9:57:57 GMT
"Whooooooooooa!" Emma stared at the piece of plastic in surprise. "When did you get this?!" She exclaimed. "And whose car are you using?! Did you steal one?" She joked, laughing at the idea that Kasumi would actually steal a car. "Well mrs. Freedom, you'd better be thinking up some awesome places for us to visit once this is all over!" She stated, letting out another laugh. It was nice to actually joke around again.
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"I said STOP!" Kelsey yelled, moving to grab the back of 'Kasumi's' shirt and throw her onto the ground. She did feel a strange sense of scratching, but chose to focus on the person before her as she pointed the spear downward. "I don't know who you are, but you're coming with me back to the guard. Maybe the HWIC can figure out who you are." She growled. A strange sense of lightness began to seep into her head, the guard shaking to dispel it. Was she just tired from all this stress?
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Post by HungryHunter on Sept 12, 2020 4:26:43 GMT
“They’ve got cars you can use down at the testing center. I’ve been driving with the instructors every weekend and I’m nearly ready to take the test!” She chuckled and shook her head. “I can’t drive with friends until I get my lisence proper. But when I do… let’s go somewhere really Canadian, you know? Something I wouldn’t see in Japan! Or hell, you think we can take a day trip to the USA?” Kasumi seemed extra excited at this idea, imagining herself decked out totally in the sort of hyper-american stuff she imagined she could find. It was a symbol of freedom to have fingerless American flag gloves, she thought.
Kasumi fell down, staring up at Kelsey with big eyes. Then she smiled. She said nothing as a numbness began to spread up Kelsey’s arm. She just showed off her silver ring, turning it to show that it was decked with a glimmering needle, dripping blood now. “Don’t worry. It’s not lethal.” She said as the numbness entered Kelsey’s torso, beginning to slow her breathing and heartrate. “Nice thing about magic poisons. Hurt exactly as much as you need.” Kelsey would be having difficulty moving her arms now, the false Kasumi hanging out just out of her spear’s reach.
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