The Healer's Guardian

Night Moves

It is late summer in the year 1888.
The place is London.
The objective is surviving the coming chaos.

Among those things that go bump in the night, the powers that control this corner of England are changing. Are you a human, going about your life in an oblivious state? Are you an independent vampire who wandered into the city? Are you old, and world weary after so many decades of living in nothing but darkness? Do you thirst for power, or cringe from it's aura?
Tread softly, and think before acting, for this is a game of intrigue and power, and both can turn on you.

 

The footmen helped her down from the carriage as the heavy oaken doors were pulled wide and she on the arm of her maker was led into the building. Her eyes widened as did her lips, glinty tips of new fangs exposed to any who cast a glance her way. And many did.

But they were not looking at Daisy.

They were looking at Sebastien.

Her maker was one of the elder vampires known to haunt London at various times throughout his unlife and his presence here was akin to seeing something of a celebrated figure. Daisy stood up just a little straighter as she noticed the attention, and she pressed a little tighter to Sebastien's side. He was her maker, and she was the only one he ever chose to make, ever, ever, ever. She was suitably impressed by that fact too, and by the gobs of attention directed their way.

A French maitre'd bowed before them and ushered them into a large room lined with heavy tables and chairs, each carved and practically throne-like. The decor was done with ostentatious amounts of splendor. To say it was like bringing country to town was probably a huge understatement, but it was what it was and Daisy would be able to witness firsthand the London nightlife.

Several vampires, she could only assume, made their way over to present themselves to Sebastien. And within the first ten minutes of arriving, accompanied by large amount of Daisy fidgeting, they learned interesting news, or at least it seemed interesting to Sebastien. More interesting to Daisy were the ornate jewels the woman, a countess or so she claimed, wore at her wrists and neck. On several fingers there were rings and she could not help but think that was overdoing it just a wee bit.

Wine was poured, warm. Body temperature in fact, and Daisy was almost giddy as she realized it was not wine. "What do they do, keep humans in casks in the basement?" The room fell into a hush as several looked askance at Daisy. She noticed nothing at all, her excitement at just being here leaving her incapable of doing much more than murmur wows and take in as much as she could see.

Unlife was good.

Wellllllll... Except for the missing ingesting normal food part. London. Grey night split with the wavering lit glow of gas lamps. A cold sea air, that had the deepest murk in it's fingers. A cold that seemed to delve within, to find and seek, and with it came the fog, a cloak to mask intent. This was London..now.

Ahead of them the club loomed. Looking like one of any dozen clubs in this quarter of the city, The Nomad was brick and stone, stout and ramrod straight, with high arching windows that were shuttered. It's double doors were up thirteen steps, and flanked by two doormen with uniforms brushed, shined, and geared to endure the early chill of this night. In six weeks, tonight's temperature of forty five would seem downright balmy to the denizens of this storied capitol, but for now, unaccustomed..thin blooded...to the damp chill, people bustled by, heads down, dignity faded in favor of hunching ones gloved hands in ones pockets.

All save for he, and her.

He knew it was cold. He could feel it, but like footsteps over a grave? It didn't really register beyond the most thin veneer.

The club, once inside, was an altogether different matter. Fires in grates, candles and lamp light vying to show off the oil paintings and leather couches and jewels to best advantage. The subtle swish of dresses..some in high fashion, others perhaps a decade or two out of date...Vampires, he had found, were oft times sentimental creatures, surprisingly so, to the new initiate.

His eyes, dark and searching, roamed the place. Daisy smiled, he could feel her do that, sense it..he too, greeted, the varying degrees of respect noted, but to all, nothing more than a small nod in hello, as he removed his coat and gloves and hat.

"This is the Nomad's...our place for social hour, Daisy." His voice, low and soft, was touched with the smallest kiss of Catalan and French still, even after all this time. perhaps he was sentimental too..

Shown in, blood offered...he refused..politely...he shook his head to her ardent inquiry.."No, no casks, dear." News was forthcoming. Who had left. Who was new. Who was a particular pain in the side now. Names that to her, might seem a blur. He knew most of them. Ever the diplomat he took it all in turn, his response decidedly lacking.

"Would you like a tour, Daisy?"
The names swirled around her in a rapid blur, but she listened just the same hearing a few names that were not so much spoken aloud as whispered conspiratorially. That meant, in her previous experience at the convent, usually those were the ones who were the worst behaved. Vampires couldn't be much worse than girls in a convent, right?

"I would love one, Monsieur," she spoke in quieter tones, her freckles standing out against cheeks that still held a blush. That was one telltale sign to give away the young from the older vampires. A younger vampire had not yet achieved the even toned silky smooth skin of paleness the elders had. New vampires still had some blemishes and scars, pockmarks in some cases, and in Daisy's, freckles galore. She nearly gawked as a woman wearing at least half a million pond worth of jewels sauntered by.

"Is it only our kind here?" She asked as she sidled closer to her maker, noticing how he seemed to draw attention of various groups, though some did not approach. He was old, she knew this but the reasons they did not speak to him made her curious. There was a huge man in a kilt with close cropped hair, and some ladies in long flowing gowns while others wore simpler garb. A few of the men wore plainer clothing as well, and some seemed to gravitate towards an older couple, their table filled with a group of vampires who seemed to hang on every word, except one. She seemed to be looking at another table.

She was not unused to rich places so much anymore, not since setting foot in Sebastien's "petite townhouse", but seeing women dressed in a fortune in jewels was still rather new to her. One hand moved to her ear, touching the ruby teardrops hanging there as a smile formed, one tender and filled with promise as she gazed at Sebastien. He had gifted them to her, before she was a vampire, and he had made the holes in her ears himself.

The nuns would fall over in astonishment.

Welcome to the war



Enter the world of Beyond Reality via the City of the Damned. Once the a thriving major city in the US, it is now a war ravaged wasteland and hotbed for the Paranormal Revolution. Since the Revolt occured, office and government buildings have been converted to headquarters and guilds devoted to paranormal races. Humans, now a minority, have been given strict restrictions on everything and treated like cattle.

Out of the chaos, the Factions have formed. Humans have banded together and taken up arms in The Resistance to regain the world that was once their own from the "freaks" that violently stole it from them. The Brotherhood of the Sun, a faction that believes in the separation of Supernaturals and Humanity have began a bloody campaigne, slaughtering the only race that effectively blends Supes and Humans: The Werewolves. Then there is The Revolutionists, an organization consisting of both Supernaturals and Humans set on bringing peace between the races in hopes of rebuilting the ruins and coexisting...No matter what the costs...

]Origional post
The creatures of the hidden world will emerge, and take back the world they ruled before humanity. Now Humans are on the low end of the foodchain.

Tension has allways existed between the races. They prefer to keep seperate and some individuals hate other races so much that they will kill any outsiders that approach. While others welcome other species with open arms.

Heaven and Hell have expelled the souls of both angels and demons. They have now been sent to roam freely in the world of the living. The only places they have to call home are "Eternities". While the war between them continues, a new breed had formed. The Grey...

The lesser races have been pushed out of their homes and into the tropical rainforests. But the elves, faeries, and elementals have had enough. They are pushing up from their forests and wandering the cities as well as other forests in order to show that they are also part of this world.

Deep in the coniferous forests and in the mountains, werewolves are living like savages. More wolf than human, they are the most hostile of the races in their forests. Some have taken to a more human life, relocating to the urban areas and walking among other races. Although the animal instinct is still alive...

The Gods and Goddesses have come out of hiding. The world has fell to chaos and they want to help save it. At least some of them do. A few of them have decided that it is time for the fall of man. As a dying race, they cannot afford to be torn apart.

And then there is the vampires. Hidden by day in their city of the damned, they rule the night. Enjoying the blood of humans and all the other races. They feel that they are superior, and are quickly growing in numbers.

Last is the human race. They have been reduced to a minority. Some as slaves and workers. Others have learned to make a place for themselves in a world so different. Some have vowed to hunt down and kill the creatures who have taken their world from them.

One thing is for sure. The world will never be the same...

THE RESISTANCE

A small and extreemly secretive group of slayers. This militia is almost exclusively made up of Humans, save for a few Werewolf spies. They hate Supernatural races and seek revenge for the near extermination of mankind.

THE BROTHERHOOD OF THE SUN

The Brotherhood of the Sun is firmly set in their beliefs that Supernaturals are superior to the Human race. They believe that Humans are best kept as pets, slaves, and objects of pleasure. They also believe in purity of the races. To them, Werewolves are nothing more than a horrible hybrid of Humans and dogs. Therefore, the Brotherhood of the Sun is committed to eradicating this tainted race.

Though a secret organization, the Brotherhood of the Sun is far more organized, larger, and more formal than the Resistance. Most of its high-ranking members are born into aristocracy, and it is well funded. Humans have also been known to be employed for grunt work in the Brotherhood. The Brotherhood is suspected in a recent rash of reanimated corpses spotted in the Forsaken City.

THE REVOLUTION

The Revolutionists are the most public and diplomatic of the three Factions. They were at the head of the Supernatural overturn of society. They believe that Humanity and ALL races of the Supernatural should live together in a balanced harmony. They are the "faces" of the Supernatural Revolution, walking amongst the Humans and recruiting them into their ranks by any means. Many Humans have chose to join with The Revolution in hopes of everyone having equal rights.

The Revolution is large in numbers and is set up in a militant fashion. They have their fingers in almost all government opperations and are well funded. Though organized, their members are very diverse: from hippie college students to polititians, with many extreems in between. Moving The Revolution along is the Enforcers, a highly trained group of fighters sent to protect, guard, and uphold the will of The Revolution.

Humans: Once living in ignorance, the humans reigned supreme over all life. However, after the revelation of the supernatural living among them, the human empire has collapsed. Due to Vampire standards, humans now have little rights and life under strict codes so they may better serve Vampire-kind. However, word of revolt has been spreading through human cities and some humans are rising to arms in defense.

Humans are mortal with no superpowers. The only real advantage they have over the Vampires is that they can go out into daylight. Humans can be turned into a Vampire or Werewolf via bite. In order to become an Angel or Demon, the human must die. Through study, a human may become a Witch. Humans cannot become Elementals. Some humans have even taken to making alliances with the Weres to overthrow the Vampires.

Vampires: The elegant, aristocratic population of the Supernatural community. Vampires tend to have chips on their shoulders and think of themselves as superior to the other races. The Vampires prefer a rich, lavish lifestyle in general. However, the underground community also includes a good deal of guttersnipe vampires as well. The Vampiric community gravitates towards areas of high human population, such as cities, where they govern the human population with strict regulations.

Elementals: Woodland beings that prefer the sylvan lifestyle. Elementals are like normal human beings, but have immortality and special powers. This race prefers to be neutral in all affairs. They have power over ONE element that they were born with (Fire, Water, Earth, Air)

Witches: Basic humans that practice either Black or White Magic. Most witches tend to live a vintage lifestyle that is extreemly primative and out-dated. However, some prefer a modern lifestyle.

Werewolves: Humans with the ability to change into werewolves. This can be done at will, but Werewolves MUST change during the full moon. Even in Human form, Weres have the traits of wolves. They tend towards a pack lifestyle and most Were communities have a male leader. Werewolves also have mating cycles that are centered around the cycles of the moon. They are highly allergice to silver. Due to a recent outbreak of the Brotherhood of the Sun, most Werewolves have decided to leave city life to live in the forests in colonies.

Angels and Demons: They are special spirits of light or darkness. Not all demons are evil, not all Angels are good. They have special power over night or day and their field of light or darkness. Angels and Demons do not have a set alignment, however, they do tend to meddle in the affairs of the war due to their preference.

Both of these races possess wings (feathered and draconis) and have everlasting life. Angels and Demons can either be born or be spirits who have evolved into what they are. Both species have the ability to forsee the future and summon fire to fight for good or evil.

Shapeshifters: Shifters are an immortal race who prefer to freelance in their beliefs. They are mainly self-centered creatures and will help another being only if it benefits their own interest. Though they have no true form, shifters tend to default to human form. They can change into anything so long as it is a living organism.

REPORT: Ever notice that the werewolf population has becoming more and more rare? This is due to a genocide that has just been discovered, but going on for decades. Because of the remonte location of Werewolf colonies, it is hard to find out if any turmoil is going on. Tribes across the globe have been completely destroyed. Many werewolves are traveling to the cities, but few actually make it. Those who are standing their guard in their remote habitats are being slaughtered by the thousands. While those behind the genocide are yet to be identified, it has been made clear that it is several races taking part in the killings. An underground organization known as the Brotherhood of the Sun is the prime suspspect to the mystery. It's members have no form of identification linking them to the organization, and are impossible to tell apart from pro-Werewolf individuals. While there are supposrt groups teaming up among to fight for the rights of Werewolves, suspicion is growing as well as tension. Werewolf patriotism is at an all-time high, making them more often than not hostile towards all other races but their own.

t is a dark night with only the moon and street lights showing any semblance of visibility down the city streets and everything progresses as normal; that is until the power shorts out as a being appears upon a power line's protective housing by its post. The being drops down to the city streets and straightens up with the popping of bones in its legs and back showing the force of his hitting the ground. The being; Shikan walked down the city streets almost silently; the bells on his hat ringing with each step. He looked about the area with his one exposed eye as he searched out his target in the shadows. He slowly lets out a breath that is visible in the cool air yet dissipates soon enough.

Finally Shikan sees what he believes to be his target and runs forward through the dark streets; his small body avoiding collision with anything in his way by simply jumping over them or to the side. Once close enough Shikan leaps up and kicks a man out of the way of a speeding car; yet before the pair hit the ground they are warped off to hell. The man had been at the end of his life; the car was to hit him and kill him. Yet Shikan felt it better to bring the mortal body with the soul intact to hell; let the man suffer for his dirty life while in his shell until it is deemed he should truly die.

With his task done Shikan bows to the being in charge of processing souls and warps back to the mortal realm where he had been moments before. He looks around to see if there is anyone who saw his previous actions and begins to walk in search of some fun.

The moons ghostly light probed the dense shadows that clung to the cities scape, as a soft breeze weaved in and out of the concrete giants. High above an old Cathedral worn away from years of abuse and age sat in almost runes. Gargoyles perched on their hunches readying to strike fear into wrong-doer’s hearts, but even the mighty Gargoyles were losing their power.

Moonstone gracefully spread out across the largest of the Gargoyles, her feet barely reaching the Cathedrals walls. Moonstone was a small woman in height, but made up for her lacking height in her voluptuous curves. Her body and features looked as though they had been carved by angels, but even the angels would weep at her feet. A long red coat clung to her body as broken wings laced in chains flattened out under her shoulders. Pulling her hood further down her face, casting more shadows across her too pale complexion leaving plump ruby red lips the only visible feature.

It had been awhile since Moon had seen a City, she couldn’t remember the last time she ate a warm meal either. She gathered it must have been a good few months and the demons didn’t count. Drawing in a breath into her usually unmoving chest, a motion that she found comforting she thought about the events that had been going on. The Asakura’s had sent Moon into a Host infested world to gather information, only to be chased, captured, tortured and then to kill everyone and thing in sight. Moon shivered from the memories, their screams … the screams of children, innocents … “but they weren’t innocent anymore” a deep growl from within her mind blurted angrily at her “They took the blood of the Host’s in … they were no more alive than you” the voice growled again pacing back and forth through the corridors of her mind. Moon shook her head against the voice; to her she had slaughtered children. She had vowed that after the countless years in the Demon’s servitude that she would not kill innocents, but still the blood clung to her pale body like an un-seen scar. Anger, Rage, Hatred and Pain drew forth things that she could not control … where she would lose what humans called humanity and reason.

Sighing heavily she rolled onto her tummy, trying to shack the memories from her mind. That was a down side to being a Keeper of Memories. As she rolled a delicious sent passed by with the wind. Souls, new and freshly delivered to Hell. Her mouth watered as her tummy protested with the lack of food. Alongside the scent of the souls, the sound of bells jingled in her ears. Pushing herself into a crouching position, the chains on her wings clinking softly with her movements, Moon scanned the area with her hawk like eyes. Not long after she spotted the scene of “delivery” and what looked like a … Jester? Curiosity over grew her need to feed and that on its own was a hard thing to overcome in any situation. A soft smile grew across Moon’s plump red lips “Interesting” softly giggling to herself “A Jester” her eye widening under the protection of her hood.

Gracefully and silently leaping from her perch, Moon disappeared into the shadows below, soon reappearing on a building near Shikan. Moon wanted to see what the Jester was like, but she was too wary and shy to go straight up and talk to him, like with most creatures. Moon was an observer, not a meeting kind of creature … her curiosity drove her, but her fears held her back. Moon refused to be taken advantage of like that again …

Shikan continued on his walk down the city streets in his bored search. Every so often he would hop onto a newspaper storage box and up to a lamp post to get a better view. But each time he would make a big leap forward and back to the street below.

Eventually another set of cars pass by Shikan; and he takes this chance to draw out his staff and waves it to the rear car in the lineup. Near instantly an illusion forms in the shape of a train actually driving down the road towards the cars. Now it moved only fast enough to be directly behind the final car; but this is enough to get each one to speed up a bit out of shock. Shikan lets the illusion fade away as the cars go out of sight and lets out a loud yet somewhat high pitched laugh that seems to echo throughout the night.

Shikan resumes his now happier march until a shop now catches his eye. The shop was a bakery and restaurant, so Shikan’s hunger became noticeable to himself. Shikan pulls at the door handle but pauses as its lock holds it closed. With a deep breath Shikan lets his body warp into the bakery itself. He smirks and begins to look around for something to sate his appetite.

Moon watched and followed Shikan as he wondered around the town, always keeping to the shadows. Her curiosity growing more and more as seconds rolled by, but she wasn’t sure why. She had once seen a Jester at a human carnival that her Uncle Kin took her to when she was very young and before the demons stole her. Moon still remember the way that they acted, she found extremely fascinating and often told her Uncle that she would join them. It was one of the first times that she visited the human realm. But this Jester, although similar, seemed somewhat different.

It wasn’t until the appearance of a derailed train speeding after a set of cars that she realised that he defiantly was different. Pushing herself onto the building ledge she got ready to move the cars or stop the train. As she readied herself to jump the train disappeared and the sound of Shikan’s laughter rang in her ears. Shaking her head softly at the illusion she shifted back into the shadows “For once Im thankful I don’t have a heart …”

Moving between the building tops; her curiosity still pushing her along the way as she continued to watch Shikan. Moon tilted her head, intrigued by his next actions at the Bakery and how Shikan appeared inside the shop. Chewing her bottom lip as she wondered about her next move, her fears clawed their way through her body, the voices inside started to go crazy at her, but two voices broke through. The voices of curiosity and adventure perked up; with maybe a chance to have some fun. “If all goes wrong I am blaming you Ruby … and if hell brakes lose you’re dealing with it” a soft giggle ran through her mind calming the other voices. Leaping once more from her perch she disappeared into the shadows, but this time reappearing in the furthest and darkest corner of the Bakery. Moon kept to the shadows, moving silently between them to watch Shikan. The smell of food hit her hard and to the Gods she was thankful that her tummy didn’t growl at her.

Once inside Shikan began to grab various breads and ate whatever he deemed to taste good. And after what seemed like ten minutes of this gluttonous meal Shikan began to search the shop for other foods, which he would stuff into his hat as some form of makeshift storage whenever the item was something he felt would be good later. Once Shikan had taken a good sized stock of foods that he could still carry without issue Shikan would begin to look around the darkened shop; searching every nook and cranny for anything else of interest.

This brought him towards the woman following him; though he did not know this as of yet. With each step closer a bell would chime from his hat, and his one eye passed its view around the shop slowly so as to not miss a thing. Surely if the woman remained in place she would be seen; but would Shikan be a being she would feel safe around? The pair of katars strapped to his belt provided a claim that he can fight effectively; and the fact that he can appear and disappear would add to the threat. But both of these possible threatening factors were nothing when one knew he ferried souls to hell; be it for a job or for pleasure.

Moon felt her mouth water slightly at the sight of the food Shikan was eating, human food was strange to her although she wondered the land she rarely let herself eat, however right now she would have eaten anything. She willed her tummy not to make a noise, for now it stayed in a silent protest.

The sound of Shikan's jingling bells grew closer to her shadowy hideout, silently pushing herself against the wall she willed the shadows to cloak her further. Moon was intrigued by Shikan, the way he moved and acted drew her in, her curiosity pulling her along the way.

A soft buzzing noise began fluttered around the room above their heads, darker patches of shadows that flickered with its movement. The patches of shadows buzzed around the room for a short while until finally they whirled around Moon. A soft high pitch noise sprung to life as the shadows danced around Moon. Under her hood her eyes grew wide in shock at the shadows, a low and threatening rumble vibrated from her throat. Moon ran her claws through the shadows "Absum umbra. punctum alius" the words forming together like a song, the sound of silken dream and magic lacing her voice as she stumbled from her shadowed corner. "Genitus vobis umbra!"

Dusting her coat softly, flicks of shadows curling lovingly around her fingers but realization slowly began to kick in. No longer could she feel the loving embrace of the shadows, instead the cold realization of standing in the moons light. Slowly Moon turned to face Shikan, her broken wings and chains creaking and jingling with her movement. Pulling her hood further down her face casting darker shadows over her features, now not even her ruby red lips were visible. She wasn't sure what to say or what to do ... damn shadow Sprites. A loud grumble echoed around the room, one that resembled a horrifying beast. Moon grabbed her tummy in shock "Oh Gods Im so hungry"

As Shikan heard the buzzing noise enter the room he paused; his eye searching for the source. By the time that the noises became of a higher pitch Shikan had spotted them and was following them easily. As the shadows had gathered Shikan was about to leap to the spot they had hovered around; but he stopped as soon as he saw the claws sweeping through the shadows paired with the sound of the girl speaking.

Under the impression that the girl in front of him was a threat Shikan quickly drew one of his katars. While his hand moved for the blade his legs sprung him forward; his shadow colored skin making the darkness seem to come from him as he moved. Though this was a bit of the odd choice Shikan reached his empty hand for the girl’s neck as if to grab her rather than to use his weapon.

Moons tummy protested more, but after a few seconds it quietened down and stopped hurting. Gasping at the sight Shikan going for his weapons she stumbled backwards towards the shadows. Baring her fangs at Shikan through ruby lips a soft warning growl flowed like cream as she planted her feet against the floor below, the sound of claws scrapping against it. At the sight of Shikan's hand crystal spikes started to form around him "Don't ..." her voice was like an angels song. She knew that she shouldn't have followed him, she knew it would have gotten her into trouble ... but as always her curiosity lead the way and one day it would get her into alot of trouble. At the sight of the spikes appearing and the sound of the woman’s growl Shikan swings his arm up; launching the katar into the air so that it stuck into the ceiling and shattered a light raining down glass upon them. Using the fall of glass as an attempt at a distraction Shikan warps out of sight; hiding in the building behind one of the counters where he could not be seen. Sitting there in thought for a few seconds gives Shikan a plan. Quickly he draws forth his staff; tapping it on the ground three times; bringing forth three exact images of himself. Each of the copies sneak around the counters before leaping into view; giving them the look of coming from different spots as they rushed at the woman with one katar each drawn and aimed for the woman’s neck. As the lights went out Moon gave a soft chuckle as a soft amber glow gleamed from behind the safety of her hood. Sniffing the air lightly she licked her lips, oh gods she was hungry and the food smelled wonderful "Oh father why do you have to be so cruel" she sighed "I just want some strawberries, honestly how hard is it to get food in the god forsaken realm" as she looked around the room trying to distract herself from the sight of Shikan. Moon hated being touched ... it made her feel horrible ... and it made her inside feel like acid was being poured on them, which was rather amusing seining as she didn't have any insides per-say.

Moon looked around the shop, pulling her hood closer to her face and cutting out the glow. As the three images of Shikan appear, a soft pearly white grin cut through the darkness. Sending a wave of Crystal spikes towards all three and the grin widened as she let forth a mighty roar. Her tummy gave another protesting growl "Ahhh Im so hungry ... feels like my throat has been cut from my tummy" she gave a chuckle as the amber glow slipped over Shikan's image. A light appears from a candle on a small silver portable handle holder, attached to hand with a lether-black glove, which is the only part of the body that can be seen, the rest is hidden in the darkness of the broken light. As the person comes closer, he is seen more visible for a clearer despition: he looks around 18, wearing a long stainless white long shirt with a black vest over it. His pants are also black and he has mid-long black hair. He smiles at Moon, gives a small bow. "Hello princess," he says "I'm Vanity. I couldnt help but over-hear with my marvilous hearing that you are hungry. It's a good thing I've already prepared a dish for your arrival."

Author's Note

ignore grammar problems, what do you think of the dialogue