savevoid | Mama said there's be days like this,

Entry tags:

Mama said there's be days like this,

CHARACTERS: Sheena Fujibayashi (

endowedninja) and everyone!
DATE: 020514 (Week 14, Every Day)
RATING: (PG/R?)
SUMMARY: (Week 14 happenings staring from her arrival at the Hotel and ending up with several days of being a vampire.)

[Day 1]

[After making it through the mist, Sheena had never been so happy to see a place to stay in her life because of the high chance that she wasn't the only one heading in that direction and she'd be able to find those she hadn't encountered in that fog. Not even the climb up the hill withered that hope, and when she arrived, she immediately begins scanning the area for those she knows and those who have to be from Zelien and make sure they're okay.]

[Day 2]

[After an uneasy sleep and cleaning up, Sheena is ready to do some exploring and heads on out of her room and into town. She's blamed her inability to sleep on recent events and hopes to run into those she missed the night before while she searches not only for answers, but for weapons. It sounded odd to be looking for something like that in the city that looked so peaceful through the window, but she knew that a: looks can be deceiving, and b: although her powers worked here, she was probably better off with weapons made to deal with what's out there.]

[Days 3-7]

[By this time, things have passed the uneasy stage for the ninja. She had tried to avoid the vampires, but had failed and had become one of them, injuries from her arrival gone and filled with a deep hunger and the desire to change others into what she had become. For the first couple of days, memories of a similar affliction and the horror they cause her are enough to keep those urges at bay, and she spends most of her time hiding from those around her--initially to protect them, but as the week progresses, to protect herself from those hunting her and the others who have changed and are changing. Her sudden aversion to any sunlight also helps her as she remains behind in the hotel during the day while others venture out.

But, she can't hide forever, and as the urges to feed and expand their ranks overwhelms her by the end of the week, she's soon on the prowl--aided by of all things, the skills in stealth and fighting she uses to help others when they're in trouble. Any shadows and hidden places are her friends during the day and nightfall provides its own cover as she moves from place to place with barely a sound, quietly stalking and hunting her prey--whoever they may be.]

[ooc: Day 4 is closed, but all others are open!]

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[ After the events of the previous day, Barnaby is doing anything in his power to stay out of trouble. In this kind of town it's easier said than done, but mostly it means staying indoors. Easier said than done, considering that by this point the hotel is starting to make him feel ill at ease every time he steps inside, so he tries to make sure that his visits are shortlived there.

It's after he's made a brief visit to the hotel so that he can shower, and is quickly making his way back to the gentleman's club when he's at his most vulnerable. Barnaby is trying to be cautious of his surroundings, knowing that something could come and get him any time, but it will very quickly become apparent that he's not being careful enough. ]

[He's correct. He's vulnerable just about everywhere right now, but never more so when he's alone in town. In the hotel she runs the risk of others showing up to prevent her from doing what she wants and needs to do...

...helping that nagging bit of humanity that still remains within her, telling her that what she's doing isn't right. Again.

Unfortunately, by evening of the fifth day, she's almost lost the battle she's been steadily fighting for the past few days, giving in to those driving forces compelling her to hunt. When she can't take it anymore, she falls into step behind Barnaby, her need to sate her desires turning a blind eye to any recognition of him she may have, and a deaf ear to that nagging voice telling her to wake up and realize what she's about to do.]

[ While he may have ventured out by himself, Barnaby is also being careful to take note of his surroundings, and try not to let anything catch him by surprise. The key word there being “try”. Somehow he manages to miss the fact that she’s fallen into step behind him for a while, simply forcing himself to put one foot in front of the other so that he can reach his destination. Lingering at times like this won’t do any of them any favours; he’s seen some of the things that can happen, and he doesn’t want a repeat of any of that.

Of course, fate has never smiled upon Barnaby Brooks Jr. ]

[He may think he's being careful, but the fact that she had been able to follow him so easily can't be attributed to her skills alone. By looking ahead and never stopping, he had given her a distinct advantage that she hadn't hesitated to take.

But it's when he passes a light that illuminates him enough to trigger a spark of recognition that Sheena's whole plan changes and she decides to take advantage of something else in order to sate her needs. Coming to an alley, she hurries into it, hoping to get ahead of him using a couple of shortcuts.

After all, friends help and wouldn't think of hurting each other, right?]

[ It won't be particularly difficult to get ahead of him; while he may have his powers, he's also seriously injured from his tangle with Kaede in the cornfields, and that will slow him down regardless of whether he uses them or not.

But of course, he's not thinking about getting himself into a situation where they'll be necessary; he's simply doing his best to find shelter, before it's too late. Little does he now that "too late" is creeping up on him fairly quickly... ]

[That's the beauty of being a vampire: all of Sheena's injuries have completely healed. So, she's able to run ahead of him fairly easily, and thanks to his own predicament, she has time to think of a plan of action.

She came up with something fairly simple, however. She merely leaned against a wall along his path and stood staring up at the stars, listening for his approach.]

Edited 2014-02-15 07:16 (UTC)

[ It takes him a little longer to get there, but once he does, he stops dead in his tracks. Unfortunately for her, Barnaby does see something strange about this - which is why he moves to address her, though he's not thinking about keeping any distance between them. There isn't quite any point in doing that; they're friends, after all. However... ]

Sheena? What are you doing out here alone?

[ Someone could ask the same question of him. ]

[And that's the very thing she asks him.]

It was a little crowded in that hotel, so I thought I'd come out and get some air.

What about you? Why are you walking around by yourself?

[Because, it's a little dangerous in these parts right now.]

I needed some space myself. I understand going out alone isn't wise, but I decided to take the risk.

[ And he never would again, after this. But for now Barnaby isn't quite as on edge as he was before. That, in the end, would likely be his downfall. ]

Sometimes risks need to be taken... Especially if you know you'll go crazy being trapped all the time. What's it called? "Stir crazy?"

[She looks from him to the stars then back and tilts her head.]

You want some company? I know, we both said we wanted to be alone, but you looked like you were headed somewhere, and a walk would be nice.

[Trick? No. Not at all. trust her]

[ She certainly isn't the only one looking out for someone she might know. The Doctor is too, and as soon as he notices her - very close to the mist because he just got out of it too, he makes his way towards her. ]

Sheena!

[Sheena had been with Lloyd in the fog, but had somehow managed to lose him once they left it. He's the first person on her list to find when she sees the Doctor, and her face lights up when she sees him.

She hurries over, coming thisclose to wrapping her arms about him but stops herself in time.]

Doctor! Are you okay?

[ He wouldn't have minded, but that's fine. ]

Yes. Quite all right, my dear. Are you?

[ He's definitely leaning in to make sure she looks well enough. ]

[He still may get one during this conversation.]

Uh, well, for the most part... [She looks down at herself, some torn clothing and several scratches and bruises probably telling more than her own words will...]

I ran into a friend while I was in there.

[Literally.]

[ Well, he's hardly in a much better state. Few are, he imagines. ]

When you say friend, I do hope you really mean friend.

Edited 2014-02-12 18:19 (UTC)

[He's probably right. Especially if they went against those spider-things.]

Yes. [She smiles.] His name's Lloyd and he's a friend back home. You can't miss him; he's got a red shirt with white "trails" down the back. [Okay. Not the best description, but it's true.

Her smile fades.]

Other than you, I haven't been able to find my other friends, though.

[ He scrunches at the "trails", but doesn't carry on that conversation. Doesn't matter. What matters is that Sheena has a friend, and that's good. ]

Well, it is something, hm?

[She catches his reaction to her description, and she feels her cheeks warm in response. Chuckling, she picks up the ends of her obi to explain.]

They're like a collar that falls from his neck [points] with the ends trailing down his back--like these do. [And she drops them before turning to him with a gentle smile. He is definitely included in that list of friends.]

Yes, it is--a big something. I didn't mean to imply otherwise. [Her expression become proud.] I have faith in them, though, that they'll come out of this all right. Just like us--scratched and bruised.

Well, then. No reason to worry too much.

[ He pats her lower arm and smiles. ]

Perhaps you should decide a meeting point and tell them to get there as soon as they can.

[She nods and pulls out her watch. Uhhh, wait...]

Wouldn't it look a little odd to be talking into one of these things? I mean, what if there are people here and they see us?

[She looks up at the hotel and nods in that direction.]

I'll bet you they'll head up there. And may already have. [She turns towards the Doctor.]

Would you like to join me in a walk?

[ He huffs. ]

What do you think they would do?

[ But if she says so, he'll clasp his hands behind his back and start walking. ]

[She looks from him to where she keeps her watch then back.]

I'm not sure, and frankly, I'm not sure if I want to know. People tend to be a little hard to figure out when they see something strange or different. And right now, I don't want to be surprised.

[Too bad her world didn't have walkie-talkies, or she'd never have given it a second thought.]

Hey! Wait up! [She hadn't expected him to start without her, and laughing, she has to hop a few steps to catch up with him. Her laugh fades away eventually as she looks around.]

Doctor, do you find this place more on the "creepy" than "scary" side? Like a haunted house?

[ He sends a smile back at her, and makes a humming sound at her question. ]

I suppose I would call it that, yes.

[She sighs and shakes her head.]

I think I prefer "scary"; you can usually see who or what you're up against. Or if not, you still have some idea thanks to the surroundings. But this place....

[She waves her finger in a circle to indicate the town.]

It's not like any place I'm used to.

There is something in the air, hm?

[ He's with her. ]

[She looks around, but resists the urge to pull out her weapons.]

Yeah...the aura here is... I'm not sure how to put it.

[She had once described someone as having the "scent of blood" around him. It's almost the same feeling/]

It digs under your skin.

[ Nothing good can come from this. ]

Edited 2014-03-27 18:13 (UTC)

[She stops in mid-stride and looks around, unconsciously scratching at an arm before rejoining him.]

Yeah... That's it exactly! It's like that itch that just won't go away and keeps moving...

[Setting your teeth on edge.]

I believe we better listen to it and be on guard.

[She chuckles ruefully.]

When it comes to compass, I always try to be on guard, but sometimes...

[Sometimes, they still get her.]

As it should be.

Doesn't always work, though.

[She looks ahead.]

Sometimes I wonder if they can read our minds and choose things they know we'll have a hard time reacting to.

That is very likely.

[Her eyes narrow and she turns to him wearing a smile.]

If only we had someone like that with us. Then we'd be able to figure out what COMPASS is up to.

A mind reader?

[ H e h. ]

Sure! The only problem is, it puts us on COMPASS' level.

[And she's not sure she likes that... Looking up, she sees the hotel coming up ahead.]

Maybe we should talk about it more once we're inside? Where it's not as creepy?

[She hopes.]

I would not say that.

[ But he shrugs and won't say anything else until they've gotten inside, unless she does. ]

[She raises an eyebrow and opens her mouth to say something, but thinks better of it. They're getting closer to the hotel, and she doesn't want others to overhear and get the wrong idea about their discussion. So, she remains quiet, a part of her enjoying the walk with the Doctor even as she outs all her senses on "high".]

[ Really ... Never mind. It's not like he could do anything about it. Reading the minds of something as abstract as COMPASS ... He couldn't do it.

He'd be glad to drop the topic entirely. ]

[He'd learned pretty quickly that wandering at night wasn't the best of ideas, but after staying a night or two in that creepy hotel, the alternatives were shown to be not much better. He walked slowly on the streets, prepared to leave them if he had to and wary of his surroundings.

It's when the footprints following him become so unmistakably actually following him that he stops in his tracks and turns, hand gripping at the hilt of his sword. He'd encountered one vampire before, but that was enough to be cautious.

Right now, he couldn't see whoever was following him, but he knew someone was there.]

If you keep following me like you're shy, you'll never get anywhere, you know. [Light and teasing, mismatched with the serious look on his face.] Come out! I know you're there.

[Sheena stops when he stops, blinking in surprise. When had she started following him? She wouldn't have been able to (or dreamed of doing so) back home, so what made her think she'd be able to here?

Even as she asks herself that question, she knows the answer: she hadn't been thinking. The urges she had been able to fight off all day yesterday and most of the day today had only grown worse as night fell. Still, she had managed to avoid those in the hotel as she headed through the doors--escaping into the freedom of the darkness and finding a new place to hide.

However, like a starving man who reacts without thinking when the scent of food is brought near, so Sheena had reacted when the sound of footsteps passing by her hiding place reached her ears. Before she had been able to stop herself, she had fallen into step behind him, not even knowing who her prey had been until he spoke.

Thankfully, the tone and sound of his voice helps quash those urges for the moment as it brings their friendship to the forefront, and she's able to at least partially reveal herself, staying mostly in the shadows as the one end of her obi sways gently in the light.]

It's me, Zelos. It's me.

[A very resigned sigh follows as she runs her hand through her hair.]

Sheena?

[He's so surprised it shows on his face in a brief flash, and his hand immediately releases its grip on his sword hilt. He's not going to pull a weapon on a friend, of course, as long as it's been, as off as this is...

But why was she following him so silently just now? He frowns, shifting his weight from one leg to the other as he raises his hand in a questioning gesture.]

Why are you following me in the shadows like that? You're not on some secret Mizuho mission all of a sudden, are you?

Yeah...

[She's just as surprised as he is. The last thing she'd want to do is hurt anyone intentionally--most of all, her friends. Especially him. Not after hurting him the way she had recently.

Running her hand through her hair again, she didn't even fall back on her usual style of responding to him, instead answering seriously without any belligerence.]

No. It's a little tough for Mizuho to get in touch with me here.

[Sign one there's a problem. Then she drops her arms and leans back against a nearby wall enveloped in shadows, and her voice comes out of the darkness.]

As for following you... I screwed up, Zelos.

[Is there a hint of fear there? You bet there is.]

[Something's been noticeably off since he found out it was Sheena who was following him. The red flags that continue to pop up aren't really surprising, but they do add layers of concern to what was already there.

He frowns, giving up on his attempts at light humor for the time being.]

...What happened?

[There's a good reason things have been off. Sheena isn't exactly herself right now. Oh, she may have been briefly at one point during their encounter--like very briefly--but not anymore. Not now that her prey was thatclose to being caught--the sight and scent of what he had to offer bringing certain urges rushing to the surface and crushing any resistance she had left.

But it's still not close enough, so deception had been called for--a twisted use of their relationship and concern for each other--so she had stepped back into the shadows (ostensibly to hide her embarrassment, but in reality, to hide a new set of teeth), her voice having the right touch of fear added as she addressed him, her hand popping into the light to wave him over.]

Come here and I'll tell you. I really don't need anyone else hearing this.

[Because they may decide to help him, and she can't have that.]

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Mama said there's be days like this,

day 5, evening

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*sob*

is this revenge?

Mine or hers? (but seriously, Sheena would never see it that way, and I don't have any.)

XD hers!

Not that she's aware of. (She's going by instinct right now...:( )

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Day 1

Re: Day 1

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About time to wrap this up? :)

Sure!

:)

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Day 4

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sob