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Post by Deleted on Oct 30, 2016 1:39:13 GMT
It was raining today and had been for days now. The massive rainstorm blowing through the area was soaking the land with much need precipitation. That was a good thing. The local plant life would be able to flourish again. Aurelia somberly watched the scenery passing by as she sheltered in the back of the taxi she’d hired. Having long since given up on conversing with the young woman riding in his backseat, the taxi driver contented himself listening to the music blasting from his satellite radio, tapping along with the tune as he plowed through the rain.
You sure you want to do this, Sis? Aurelio asked. We got out of that place for a reason. So why go back?
Because I want to say a proper goodbye, Aurelia told her brother. Because no one else will do it. So we have to.
But it’s not even Camp 13. It’s not where… where mom and dad died.
It doesn’t matter. Someone needs to give a prayer for the lost. The cab pulled to a stop just before the gates of a long abandoned confinement camp. Aurelia payed the driver his fare and thanked him for his time. Then, she pulled up the hood of her poncho and cradled the bouquet of flowers she’d painstakingly arranged especially for this trip. Statice and gladiolus for remembrance and the latter of the two to represent the strength of character show by those who lived in this hellish place. Hydrangeas representing her heartfelt truth of her emotions finished out the arrangement. She stepped into the rain and made her way inside the camp.
She moved until she found a building that appeared relatively intact and placed the bouquet in the largest room. She knelt in front of the bouquet and interlaced her fingers as though before the holiest of alters. Then, she began to pray.
“Tatara, God of Death and Rebirth, hear my prayer. Guide those that have fallen in this place beyond death. Guide them with a kind hand to your side. Guide them to their next lives, and may they find greater fortune in it than their last.” A single tear slid down her cheek as she thought of the loss both she and her brother shared. She sincerely wished for their parents to be born into better lives than the ones they left.
“So let it be.”
((OOC Notes: Just to clarify, Aurelio is bolded text, Aurelia is italicized, and the last bit of text is both of them speaking as one.))
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PLAYED BY OOC NAME
PLAYED BY Exxie
| I said 'find the intercom' not 'find the inner calm' |
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Post by Taran on Nov 8, 2016 9:27:43 GMT
Taran's parents had been human. She'd thought she was human until she was seventeen. When she'd gained her magi powers and traits, it had been quite the shock. Besides that though, it also made her realize the difference between how magi were treated and how humans were treated. Plus, there was the fact she'd been born into a family that was well-off. Her childhood hadn't exactly been a piece of cake, but she could see how it had been easier than a lot of others. Going to the Magi Training School had made her look around and realize what magi had been going through while she was getting high expectations hammered into her skull. Concentration camps, racism, it appalled her. She supposed a lot of people couldn't understand it unless they experienced those things for themselves, and she was probably one of them. She sighed, looking at the gates of the camp. She hadn't helped magi, but those who had endured the concentration camps were her seniors now. The ones who'd paved the way for what improvements in conditions. It was a part of magi history, and Taran was determined to at least witness the place it had happened.
It was raining today, but she thought the weather was rather appropriate considering the location. She didn't mind the rain too much, despite her being a fire magi. She'd put up an umbrella after all. She just hoped she wouldn't have to use her powers. If someone attacked her she was carrying a knife and a sword. Since she was female today, she wasn't carrying her gun. She strode through the gates with a certain confidence, her boots squelching a bit in the soil. She sighed and looked around, making her way to a building. She put the umbrella down. Her long black coat wasn't particularly soaked fortunately. It was a hell to dry, and she preferred to avoid that entire process if she could. Taran was surprised to spot a woman already there. She could hear them praying and so approached as silently as possible. A bouquet. Someone was offering prayers for the magi who had been lost. To the god of death. She silently echoed all those sentiments in her own thoughts, her hands clasped in front of her neatly. She wasn't going to interrupt. Until they noticed her there, she would stay silent. It wouldn't do to interrupt prayers. She could understand that well, as she believed in a few of the Gods. And it wouldn't do to interrupt prayers to death. She wasn't suicidal after all.
@d2
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Post by Deleted on Nov 9, 2016 4:44:21 GMT
Aurelia wiped away the tear sliding down her face as her pray came to its end. She wasn’t always sure whether the robed skeleton was listening, or if he even cared if he was. It never stopped her in offering her devotion to him. She was painfully aware of how easily she could’ve been torn from the living world before she’d even been born, and even more so that the deity was showing her a great kindness by allowing her to remain at her brother’s side. Neither of them were sure of the reason they’d been permitted to remain together, but they were grateful all the same. Besides, any being willing to guide the souls of the dead to a new beginning for next to nothing couldn’t be anything like the cruel-looking, scythe-wielding personification of death. She left the flowers where they lay as she rose to her feet and turned to leave. She gasped and visibly jumped when she caught sight of the woman standing patiently in her impromptu temple. An involuntary step took her a bit farther away from the stranger. Be careful, Sis, Aurelio warned. Not a lot of people come out to places like this, and not all of ‘em wanna chat.I already know that, Aurelia answered. “U-Um,” she stammered. “H-hello there. I didn’t notice you come in. Are you here to pray for someone or…” The young woman trailed off. She didn’t quite understand why someone would willingly journey to a place with such a dark history and it made her nervous. “I’m . . . Aurelia. Who are you?” Taran |
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PLAYED BY OOC NAME
PLAYED BY Exxie
| I said 'find the intercom' not 'find the inner calm' |
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Post by Taran on Nov 9, 2016 9:54:53 GMT
Taran saw the girl jump and she smiled somewhat apologetically, rubbing the back of her neck.
"I didn't mean to startle you. I just didn't want to interrupt you. I didn't expect anyone else to be here." She heard the other girl introduce herself. She assumed the nervousness from the other person was the fact that hunters were a possibility. Taran had Aurelia at a disadvantage really. She'd heard the prayers for those who died here. That was a prayer for magi primarily. Taran didn't feel very nervous really because she knew the girl was likely a magi sympathizer at the very least.
"I'm Taran. I learned about these places and came to pay my respects for those who have come before me. I thought it was the least I could do really. I didn't grieve for anyone, and I didn't experience anything. But I know what happened here and...I dunno I felt like it was the right thing to do." To make things a little clearer, she took one of her gloves off to show her fingernails. They were black, and curved like claws.
"They were my seniors, and they deserve my respect for what they had to go through while I enjoyed a rich childhood." She used the word rich, and not pampered. Pampered would mean everything going your way. She didn't look on her childhood quite like that. In any case though, it was much easier than what the magi had had to go through. And the least she could do is come here and see the place they lived.
@d2
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Post by Deleted on Nov 10, 2016 3:19:59 GMT
Aurelia smiled nervously as Taran introduced herself and explained the reasoning behind her presence in the camp. Her eyes widened ever so slightly when the woman standing across from her removed her glove and revealed the talon-like nails growing from his fingertips. She allowed herself to release a breath that she’d not be aware she’d been holding. “You’re a Magi,” she stated. It came as a relief to her that she’d not been unlucky enough to have a wandering hunter stumble on her while she prayed. She was normally a bit more on the cautious side when it came to avoiding the religious fanatics like the plague they were. However, this particular journey was more than important enough for her to make it regardless of the inherent risks involved. Oh good, she’s not a hunter. That’s something at least. Aurelia chuckled at her brother’s propensity for stating the obvious. Sometimes he was good to have around if only because of his ability to diffuse tense situations such as these. It was a talent that she greatly appreciated, especially since it allowed her to relax. You can say that again, Big Brother. It was a sentiment made partially true by the fact that Aurelio had been the first to have been pulled from their mother’s womb. “I’m glad that you’ve come to pay your respects,” Aurelia said gratefully. “Not many people have the time to come out here, or even care enough about the lives cut short. And if they did? Well, it’s not always safe to share that view. Even for the people that lived it." She smiled sadly. Taran |
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PLAYED BY OOC NAME
PLAYED BY Exxie
| I said 'find the intercom' not 'find the inner calm' |
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Post by Taran on Nov 10, 2016 9:55:18 GMT
"Yes I am. Although if I hide my traits well enough people might think twice as I wasn't aware I was one for a while." She'd been a no-maj until she was seventeen after all. A rich little human girl. That's all people had thought she was. People likely still thought that. It was unlikely that her family had released the information that she was a magi. After all, she wasn't being hunted based on her name. That and they'd probably have rather given a 'she moved away' to save face. When she heard the girl speak about being glad Taran could come to pay her respects, she shrugged.
"I attended the Magi Training School and they taught me a few things. One was to respect my superiors. And all those who died here? They were born before me. If they had lived, they would've likely turned out to be my superiors. Something I grew up with was that those who came before deserve a certain amount of honour. And sometimes people have to fight for honour. Fortunately, I didn't run into a hunter today. I would rather not have that happen. But in my opinion, and it seems in yours as well, it was worth the risk." She looked the girl over briefly. A pretty girl, although the eyepatch was somewhat different. Not that Taran had any room to talk, carrying around the stuff she sometimes did. She took her metal lighter from her pocket and idly played with it as she had a tendency to do when she was relaxed. It was a bit of a habit, bouncing it between her knuckles.
"Can I ask what brought you out here though? And with flowers even?"
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Post by Deleted on Nov 12, 2016 4:33:02 GMT
Aurelia’s posture progressively relaxed further as Taran explained herself. It was comforting to know that she and her brother weren’t alone out here in the wilds among spirits and the wreckage of a past filled with violence and bloodshed. It also helped that the woman appeared more readily willing to speak rather than draw those blades of hers. Even if she did unsheathe them it would most likely be in their mutual defense, which was comforting considering that the twins were unarmed save for their magic. “I’m glad that there was someone there to teach you about your heritage,” Aurelia said. “So few of us made it out of the camps after the riots, and even fewer survived the hunters.” Her expression soured at the mention of the band of murdering zealots. She despised the fanatical order and their bloodthirsty goddess more than anything she’d ever known, even more so than the cultists that had rendered her original body a lifeless corpse before she could even be born. The world would be a far better place if they would just disappear. Come on, Sis, you gotta calm down. Aurelia allowed the tension flee from her clenched fist. She always got so worked up at the slightest mention of hunters; after all, they’d been the ones who took their father away from them and probably used him as parts for their weapons. Alright. Taran’s next question help Aurelia escape from the grasps of her fury by replacing it with a certain level of sorrow. “I was born in one of these camps,” she explained. “My mother died giving birth to me and my father was killed helping me escape when the riots broke out. This isn’t the one I was trapped in, but I wanted to say a pray for the people that died here. The flowers are for them as well.” Taran |
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PLAYED BY OOC NAME
PLAYED BY Exxie
| I said 'find the intercom' not 'find the inner calm' |
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Post by Taran on Nov 12, 2016 10:45:52 GMT
"Well I had to search them out. I didn't really have a choice. I was born into a human family so when fire showed up and my traits showed up I had to find someone to teach me." Taran shrugged. She wasn't the type to be able to figure out the unexplained all on her own. She learned by taking things apart, or by being shown. But you couldn't do the first with fire magi powers. She heard the girl speak about how she was born in a camp, and heard the stories about her parents.
"I see. You lost your parents during the barbarism that was committed. They must have loved you very much though." Taran smiled slightly. It was tinted with sadness because of the story, but also because she knew her own parents wouldn't have been very likely to do the same for her had they found out she was magi much earlier than they did. Still, despite the memories she still felt guilty sometimes for not attending her father's funeral. That said, she had a good excuse. Not getting caught by hunters was a good idea in any situation, and it would have ended badly had she attended. She still wondered how her sister was. But she didn't dare to try to make contact.
"I think in some way or another a lot of magi have lost someone, or been separated from someone because of the violence. Shame people can't put it aside. Defense can be needed, but adding more violence to the world always seems like a rather ill conceived idea. In my opinion anyway."
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Post by Deleted on Nov 14, 2016 2:53:25 GMT
“I’ve heard about things like that happening,” Aurelia said. “There’s always be stories about magi being born without their powers. They look human for the most part, so much so that regular scans and tests can’t tell the deference. Even hunters have a hard time figuring it out.” In other words, she lucked out big time, Aurelio added. Good thing too. She didn’t have to grow up in the camps like we did.It’s not her fault that she was a late bloomer, Aurelia countered. She might have even had a harder time of it that we did. We at least got to grow up with our powers, so it was just a natural thing for us. Her power must have seemed alien to her, and I can’t imagine what human parents would’ve treated her. Aurelio noted the way his sister all but sneered the last part. Her prejudice against humans was still strong, regardless of whether they actively killed magi or not. “I know of a lot of people that have lost entire families to violence,” Aurelia said. “There’s a lot of anger in the world right now, and everyone is trying to vent it on something.” She shook her head sadly. “Terrorist attacks. Protests. Riots. It’s like some of our fellow magi have gone crazy or something. It’s like they don’t realize that this is just going to make the humans angrier. As much as I despise them, I don’t want to see them killed for no reason. It doesn’t make us any better than them to sink to their level.” Taran |
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PLAYED BY OOC NAME
PLAYED BY Exxie
| I said 'find the intercom' not 'find the inner calm' |
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Post by Taran on Nov 14, 2016 8:30:35 GMT
"Yes I grew up thinking I was human. It also gives me a rather unique perspective on the fighting, I like to think." To her, it was senseless fighting. She understood that magi wanted rights, but what she couldn't understand is why humans were so hesitant to give the rights. She sighed though. Her question was answered when she looked at her hands. Humans were afraid of whatever they didn't understand. And seeing animal traits on someone who otherwise looked human was different to them. She heard the girl across from her mention despising humans and Taran bit her lip.
"I guess you have your reasons for hating humans. Personally I don't. I lived seventeen years as one. Don't get me wrong. There are miserable human beings, but there are also miserable magi too. No group of people is exempt from having some bad apples. Everyone's angry. Anger is such a destructive force, like a fire whose hunger can't be quenched." She flicked open the top of the metal lighter, flicking it briefly to watch the small flame dance. Taran had had a fascination with the ways of fire long before she became a magi. She wondered if it affected her becoming a fire magi, or if she was just showing signs of being a fire magi the whole time. She supposed she might never find the answer to that question. She didn't really mind, but curiosity couldn't help but peak her interest sometimes.
"In my case I was already leaving home so my powers showing up didn't really affect anyone." She shrugged.
"I miss seeing my sister sometimes." It was said almost too quietly to hear.
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Post by Deleted on Nov 17, 2016 3:00:19 GMT
“I suppose that you have a point there,” Aurelia admitted. “I’m not saying that we don’t have our own share of psychos and monsters; magi are just people after all, despite what those… animals think.” Aurelio chimed in at that. That’s enough, Aurelia! The volume of her brother’s voice caused her to flinch. She would’ve been able to tell just how angry here brother was with her even if they didn’t share a single mind. Taran just told you that she started as a human, but you’re still bashing humans right in front of her! I get that you’re angry because mom and dad got killed; I am too but you can’t blame every human for what happened.
Aurelia hung her head and turned slightly to the side. Aurelio’s words cut deep, and she felt ashamed of her outburst. She knew that her anger didn’t always fall on those most deserving of it. Taran had lived on both sides of the fence, so to speak. The likelihood that she’d seen cruelty on both sides was high.
“I’m sorry,” Aurelia apologized weakly to both Taran and her unseen brother. “Why did you leave exactly? I’m not sure that I could have, especially if my brother was still with my family.” Love between siblings was something that she could understand, even if it was between two humans. Well, a human turned magi and her sister. “I-if that’s too much to ask for, could you tell me about your sister? What was she like?” Taran |
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PLAYED BY OOC NAME
PLAYED BY Exxie
| I said 'find the intercom' not 'find the inner calm' |
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Post by Taran on Nov 17, 2016 8:00:47 GMT
Taran's eyes widened at the word used to describe...was she describing hunters, or humans in general? Taran honestly wasn't sure but the power behind the words woke her up and made her take a small step backwards. Something that rarely happened with Taran as she hadn't been accustomed to stepping back since she...well basically got her freedom. She was about to say something when the girl apologized and looked ashamed enough that Taran believed her.
"It's okay. You've probably met the humans who that term fits. They're not all like that though, which is something you have to try to remember despite what many of them do to us." Taran may have had a temper sometimes, but she also had patience and understanding.
"A lot of people think fire magi are terrorists too. It's a misunderstanding borne from ignorance. And probably they themselves feeling miserable in their own lives." She heard the question about why she left and Taran rubbed the back of her neck. Did she tell this and risk them looking at her odd for telling a stranger? She didn't mind speaking about it now, especially since her dad wasn't alive anymore. But people sometimes felt awkward after she spoke about it. Taran thought she might actually become friends with this girl though...and she'd shared personal stuff too. After a bit of a pause, Taran spoke.
"It was difficult to leave. But my dad was one of those humans who are absolutely miserable living the way they are. He was busy grooming me for a career I didn't want. If I didn't catch on quickly, I often got some variation of 'stupid'. I finally realized the only way to escape that was to leave. It was even more difficult to leave knowing my sister would be left there." She sighed and ran a hand through her long black hair. The thing about Taran was that if a magi asked the right question, she was often an open book. She didn't mind sharing. It was done with, and it had contributed to her becoming the person she was. That said, she'd learned to simplify it. Then she heard the question about her sister and the wording made her chuckle a bit.
"My sister's still alive. But as far as anyone including myself knows, she's human. And she's high profile, running my family's company. I can't go back it would cause more problems than it was worth. The sister I remember was a bit timid, but smart as a whip. Kind of manipulative at times, but generally she used that to benefit the people she cared about. From what I hear, she's a pretty good businesswoman now." She smiled and it was tinged with a bit of sadness. However, the main emotion was pride. Pride in what her sister had accomplished.
@d2
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Post by Deleted on Nov 22, 2016 3:46:53 GMT
Memories of her first few moments came rising to the surface. The cultists with their fascination with death and the afterlife had nearly cost her everything. They and the damned Hunters were nothing more than murderers and bigots. Maybe the rest of humanity wasn’t bad, maybe not; either way, her wounds went deeper than any knife and would take more than just words to heal. She disliked humans, plain and simple. Still… “I guess that you’re right,” she admitted. “And them thinking that all fire magi are terrorists is another reason I can’t just trust them, especially when... She trailed off, wondering how much she should reveal. It wasn’t exactly common for a pair of souls to inhabit the same body, even with all the strange magic that filled this modern age. Thankfully, Taran seemed more than willing to change the subject almost immediately after she’d shifted the focus to the woman’s family life, though it was difficult hearing what she had to say on the matter. “Some people just aren’t satisfied with what they’ve been given, not unless they can force their own way of thinking on someone else.” Her eyes softened as Taran mentioned it being hard leaving her sibling behind, the abuse that her father put her through, and how she was unable to see her sister because of her new-found nature. Just another example of humans indulging in cruelty. However, her mood brightened considerably when she made mention of how her sister was currently faring. “I’m glad that she’s doing well. Maybe you’ll get to see her one day.” She paused again, pondering. "Do you know if you could get some flowers to her? If you can, I'd be happy to make and arrangement to send her." Good call, Sis, Aurelio added. Taran |
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PLAYED BY OOC NAME
PLAYED BY Exxie
| I said 'find the intercom' not 'find the inner calm' |
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Post by Taran on Nov 25, 2016 0:49:19 GMT
There's FIRE Dancing in my veins tonight, do you see it in my eyes tonight? Taran sighed. Her idea didn't seem to have gotten through.
"Their views that fire magi are terrorists are views born of ignorance and fear. They don't know better, and they know we're different. People are naturally afraid of things that are different than they themselves. I try to give them a break when they don't understand fire magi can be peaceful. I mean...fire is supposed to be destructive it isn't their fault they think the people who control it would be too." To be honest, them thinking that sort of amused her. Even though it lead to them discriminating against her, Taran did find it funny that they thought she was a terrorist. She meditated regularly, and was a pacifist whenever possible. They were quite comically wrong about her. She did note that the other girl let her sentence trail off. Taran wasn't the type to push though. She just smiled understandingly and listened to the girl go on about people forcing their way of thinking on others.
"Everyone should have the right of figuring out the world for themselves. Whether that's by our own experiences or listening to the experiences of others. We're shaped by conversations and experiences and everyone should be able to experience those ways in my opinion." When she heard the suggestion of flowers, she arched an eyebrow but then thought about it quite seriously.
"That might work. I know her office, and her house. I'm not completely out of the loop I know people in the neighbourhood who are connected to her and willing to send me updates." She rubbed the back of her neck.
"In the end, old habits die hard and I'm still her big sister I suppose. Flowers could be a good way to let her know I'm still there. We were quite close, and she might be more willing to be less discriminatory to begin with." She smiled thinking over the idea.
"Know any good, discreet florists?"
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We can't turn back, we need to try and find a better way Light a match to the sky and see the colours collide |
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Post by Deleted on Nov 26, 2016 21:29:41 GMT
 A relia's heart jumped. "I’m sorry, I-I didn’t mean…” Aurelia Just shut her mouth. She’d never really been much of what one could call a people person. That talent had always belonged to Aurelio; she just tended to end up with a foot squarely in her mouth most of the time. Sometimes she wondered if she should just keep her mouth shut most of the time. Taran, of course, seemed to readily disagree with that line of thinking, if her words were anything to go by. She seemed rather… experienced for her age. See, she has the right of it, Sis. You actually have to talk to people to get used to it. You’ve got to get out more and just talk to people, make friends, loosen up a bit. That sort of thing.If loosening up means spending more money than I’m comfortable with, I think I’ll pass. I’ve already said before that you spend more than enough for the both of us.And we both get to have fun because of it.If you define waking up with a hangover and some strange person in our bed as fun.
You know you love it.
Aurelia did her best not to blush at the assertion and instead concentrated on Taran’s words as the woman spoke. She seemed to like her suggestion about sending flowers to her little sister and even had a way of getting them to her without causing a stir. Aurelia couldn’t help but smile when she was asked whether she knew a florist. She bent down to retrieve the bouquet she’d made, touched the base of their stems, and asked them if they would grow a little more if she gave them mana. The whispers of life seemed to be fine with the idea and drew greedily on her magic, blooming more vibrantly they they’d already been. “I think I might know one,” Aurelia said. She smiled. |
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