Wake up call.

[Zee ♥]

Ooc: Not too mega long, I hope. Kham'hur Sins, its time to wake up!

A dream. This is all just a dream. Why do I have to go through this again? The brunette watched warily as the scenes unfolded yet again before her eyes.

A newborn with tufts of soft brown hair being cradled to sleep by an exhausted mother, while her loving family watches on. Click, snap. Next scene.

A young girl, dancing away from her mother's arms into her dad's, annoying her sisters to tears and running wild outside her house, by the beach. Click, snap. Next scene.

Shouts, screams, the smells of something horrid burning. The same young girl ran desperately back home, only to find her home, her village, being fed to a monstrous fire. Neighbours, loved ones, all dead. He too, was lying there, suspended on a thick piece of wood that pierced unforgivably through his chest, looking like a sort of grotesque flag of triumph. Ugly men stood watching the wreckage and destruction with satisfaction on their faces, and one saw her. Came towards her with an ugly grin. Crrrack.

The scene melded into a more recent one. The burning village became a burning empire, her family became those who were not related to her by blood, but by ties of magic, emotions and memories. He who was killed changed, and became physically someone else, yet she loved him all the same. He fought by her side, as did her family. The ugly man who was walking towards her disappeared, and in his place was a disfigured monster that resembled a deer. The young girl was now her, and in her hands was her faithful weapon.

The monster growled, and leapt at her. She raised her weapon hand to strike--

Rise and shine, Princess.

Gea blinked. Her hand was raised up, about to hit her own summon, who was sitting next to her on her bed, cool as ice, staring back at her. She was covered in sweat, her blanket and pillows on the ground. Pale, early morning sunlight shone through her open window, which she let open the night before for a stray breeze to blow in.

"Morning, Eliade. Was I..?" She asked uncertainly, sitting up to pick up the blanket and pillows strewn on the ground. The white otter sighed. No, you didn't shout, or cry, or anything. Just kept fidgeting. Dreaming again? Gea sighed with relief. In her own way of thinking, crying out in her sleep was.. embarrassing. How was she to be a leader, to be an Empress, to the Sins who have followed her so faithfully here?

Vanity or Sadness might understand, but would the newer ones? Despite it already been 3 years since she had been gifted Empress Taint's powers, she wasn't quite used to the title. Vengeance, an Empress? How her human mother would have laughed. She herself laughed at the thought, mood brightening.

Yawning, she walked out from her room, and estimated the time to be about.. breakfast time. So, its time for the wake up call. She grinned. It was always amusing to watch all the Sins stagger out from their rooms, grumbling sleepily about how annoying her method of waking them up and wondering whats for breakfast and what to do for the rest of the day.

"One, twoooo, threeeeee!" She whispered to herself, chortling, and whacked the huge gong outside her room a few times with her weapon. The sound resonated loudly through the halls, causing the doors to vibrate in their wooden frames.

"Wakey wakey, Sinnies. Its time for breakfast!" She said to herself, and counted in her head slowly. One. Two. Threeeee.

[Seya.]

Regret fell off the side of his bed for the fifth time that week, ears ringing as per usual.

At least you remembered to put the pillows there this time, Zek pointed out from the edge of the coverlet, where he rested, completely undisturbed. Have you started on that peace treaty with the Empress yet?

Face-down in fluffy white goodness, the dark-haired boy simply whimpered, and tugged another pillow around his ears. Why did he have to have the room beside Vengeance, again? Mind you, the two weren't on necessarily bad terms. Actually, he respected the lady with the utmost views, as long as it wasn't before noon.

In not much more than his boxers--he had fallen to wearing only them when the nights started hitting an even 30--Regret swung open the door to what should be his personal happy haven, and gave a chillingly cold glare only one door down the hall to a certain brown-haired female.

[Akasora]

A man fell to his knees bloody and begging for his life. His fallen comrades lying behind him, cut, bloody and even their own organs laid on top of them. fearing the same will happen to him he pleaded and cried out for mercy. Wrath walked up to him not a drop of blood on her but her blade was drenched in the stuff. She smiled with madness with her final opponent. She loved the screams of the helpless. She raised her right sword over her head and flung it to his head. It hit but did not cut him, instead it made a, "gong," sound. The man looked up at he and started to laugh. She got to his feet and drew his sword. He then stabbed Wrath shocking her to wake up.

Se looked around her room. Wrath noticed Akahi lying at her feet looking at her in disgust. I hate morning wake up, he said. "I do to," Wrath replied as she threw her sheets off of her. She slammed the door to her room open in rage. "VENGEANCE!!!" She yelled. "What the hell?! Every morning its the same thing!" She yelled as she left her room. She had on red pajama pants and a white t-shirt. Her hair was all messed up with one huge clump of hair sticking straight up. She was also carrying her stuff bunny. She walked toward Vengeance, "GONG, GONG, GONG, EVERY MORNING! No going to our rooms and knocking at them, no nice bells to ring. NO. It has to be the most annoying thing to wake us up. And you know what I have to say about that?! Whats for breakfast?" She looked over at Regret, "Oh yeah and morning."

[Zee ♥]

Ooc: Wheeee, making up certain things as I go >w> Since most of the things here are quite different from the place they had in Desarith.

Gea waved cheerfully at Regret, who was burning holes into the back of her head, then glanced cooly towards Wrath, a small smirk on her face. "If I went room to room with a little bell or a knock, I doubt any of you would actually wake up. Some might directly stab me in the face while half asleep, and though this method of waking people up has about the same effect, I'd rather be ready for it than being taken by surprise." She laughed, as more bleary and irritated heads poked out of their room doors.

It may seem unkind and totally evil to use a gong to wake the Sins up, but it -was- the only way. The first few weeks she had tried fruitlessly to wake all of the sleepy heads up in time for breakfast (because breakfast here, unlike at home, cleared up faster. None would be left for stragglers who decide to sleep in.) by knocking on their doors patiently, or ringing bells. She could go room to room and drench them with cold water, but it seemed more cruel and more hassling than the gong. Besides, the gong was effective. 85% of the time.

In another 5 minutes, if the other Sins don't wake up, she'll sound the gong once more, and then leave it as that. They don't wake up for breakfast? Fine. They'd just have to wait till lunch.

A mock serious expression on her face, she listed out the food for today. "We have curried fish with fried calamari at the side, some fruits, pandan-wrapped rice and coconut drinks. If you want nothing fancy for breakfast, you may have the toast with peanut butter. Complains should not be made to me, but the Madam Cooke, head of the kitchens, wielder of the big-assed-metal spoon." She finished off in her best announcer voice, mimicking the news lady from the village nearby efficiently.

Ooc: Kay, I think I should create a NPC profile for that cook lady >w>;; I dunno. It was reaaally random.

[Wolfeh!]

Two brothers living on the streets, each day like a new adventure. They go where they please, nick the necessities and, more importantly, what's demanded by their greed, and all they really have is each other but isn't that all they should need?

The day is like any normal day; the sun beating down, heat looking like it's rising from the ground, the busy streets filled with merchants trying to sell their goods for as much as they can get. How much are the two brothers willing to pay? Nothing. Everything they get their hands on is free. One thing is different about today though, the brothers are bored with their petty escapades- they know they can do better. They're invincible, right? Slippery as snakes, no one has caught them before and what would make this day any different?

The two agreed to steal from a rich, oil company, owner's house. They had already staked out the mansion, guards and heavy security was a completely new experience for them. With their superb sneaking skills and just a little bit if luck, the two made it safely inside. It was pitch dark inside, one could barely see their own fist in front of their face. The two brothers held onto to one another so neither would get lost and slowly made their way around. Suddenly things changed for the worse.

A soft clink sound and then suddenly a huge metal cage crashed around them, dogs ran in barking and began growling at the two intruders, and guards with swords surrounded them, covering all means of escape. They were trapped. The two brothers were dragged away, shaved bald, branded, and thrown in jail. They died in that jail... Died starved, dirty, and in separated cells... Died but were reborn with the an eye branded in their scalps as a constant reminder.

His scalp burned horribly. Sweat drenched his body and Avarice tossed in his bed, almost landing on Akilah. This was normal. Avarice would get halfway through a good nights sleep and then wake to this intense burning. This often left him tired not even close to fully recharged after his quite busy days but he would never allow anyone else to catch onto this, especially not Empress Gea. That eye bothering you? Akilah whimpered. Avarice nodded but just lay there unable to go back to sleep. He never could after he remembered their ordeal and how it never would have happened if he had been more responsible, if he had taken better care of his little brother. For the rest of the night, Avarice simply lay in his bed thinking of how his little brother was fairing in Lehaita. He missed him terribly.

Avarice was up and dressed in his normally seen maroon tank and black shorts before Empress Gea banged the now familiar wake up gong. He wanted to be the first out but would rather not seem suspicious by being so quick at getting up, dressing, and greeting their Empress good morning while the others normally stormed out in their pajamas with the sleep still clinging around their eyes. Before leaving, he drew back his blinds and cracked the widow open to allow a warm breeze to fill his room. Content that he had wasted enough time and was completely presentable, Avarice slowly made his way out of his room(which was right next to Empress Gea's!!)with Akilah perched on his shoulders and stood next to Vengeance and the giant gong that stood between their doors.

"Good morning everyone!! Empress Gea!!!" He exclaimed cheerily, easily hiding how tired he really was as he rested an arm playfully on her shoulder. Out of the corner of his eye Avarice noticed some sweat clinging to Gea's neck and slowly brought down his head near hears to whisper in her ear, "Have a rough dream?" It occurred to him that maybe he wasn't the only one who had problems with sleep but, with the stress placed on Gea's shoulders as Empress, his seemed small to anything that could be troubling her. "You okay? We can talk about it later, if you want." Avarice offered in his infamously concerned voice before lifting his head and winking to the others in the hall like nothing was up. He almost laughed at Regret's glare and to Wrath's little rant, he couldn't help but chime in playfully,

"Maybe I should bang the gong in the mornings instead? Though, let me tell you now, I probably wouldn't be able to control myself to only hit it once.. hmm... In fact, I might just hit it three times every two minutes." He smiled at his little joke, wondering how the others would take it.


OOC: Hehe sorry for the length... All the italics is just a dream bout his history so don't feel bad about skipping it. XDD

-----

A gong rang loudly in Sadness ears and instincts caused her to cup her hands over her ears and burry her head in her pillow. Kali squawked loudly and brushed down her ruffled feathers. Sadness used to be quite the early riser in her human life; always having swimming practice, some meeting, or some extra studying. Now? Weell let's just say she enjoyed sleeping in but did that happen with Vengeance around? No... not really... She turned over in her bed just as Kali roughly pulled open the blinds with her beak. Sadness's arm quickly fell over her eyes in a poor attempt to shield them from the morning sun that just HAD to rise on this side of the building and what seemed to be her window alone(though Sadness knew that wasn't the case...)

She finally dragged herself out of bed but was much to lazy just now to change out of her pajamas. She pulled her long hair back into a messy ponytail and walked out of her room with her navy blue shorts, ocean blue shirt, and Kali resting on her shoulder. Over the past three years it was easy to say that Sadness had grown quite accustomed to Kali's claws digging into her skin. As she shut the door behind her, Sadness couldn't help but let out a soft yawn. When she opened her eyes, she noticed Regret standing outside his door with little more than his boxers on. Though she was just happy at the reminder that his room was right next to hers and only one down from Vengeance's.

Sadness attempted to rub the remaining sleep from her eyes as she came up to stand behind Regret. "Morning..." she greeted quietly, and still rather sleepily, to those standing out in the hall. She listened as Gea listed off what was for breakfast and thought it all sounded quite tasty, and it always was. She also heard Avarice's statement but didn't know him quite well enough to know it was a joke,"Please don't." She spoke out faintly, sounding on the brink of pleading as she really didn't believe she could stand much more than the regular two times in five minutes that Vengeance rang the gong every morning. In fact, she had an urge to leave rather soon so as to hopefully miss the second wake up call.


OOC: Haha poor Sadness..

[Seya.]

As his irritation subsided, Regret turned and looked at Sadness sheepishly. "Hey," he murmured with a soft grin. Her hair hung down in a loose ponytail, a few strands having slipped around her face. He absently pushed a long lock behind her left ear, and rested a warm hand on her neck as he looked over his shoulder--with significantly less venom than before--at his Empress.

Fish for breakfast? He still couldn't get used to the taste of that for dinner. Completely not his food of choice. "I'll pass, thanks." Fleeing to the quiet comfort and warmth of the beach sounded more welcoming then sitting at a mess hall with the Sins and villagers alike. If nothing else, he could sneak into the kitchens afterwards. As of late it was a regular occurrence, and the cook lady actually would greet him rather than chase him out with a frying pan in her chubby fist.

Regret's grey gaze swooped back down to the girl in front of him. The sight of her face, tired as it did relay, raised his spirits. He let out a relaxed sigh, before leaning down to whisper for her ears alone. "You up for a picnic?"

[Sean]

I think Murder will get into this.

What are you doing? Nana thought to Murder while he walked up to the opening. Why don't you just shadow walk inside? He gave out a loud frustrated sigh. I told you before there is only one window I can get to. But I am not familiar with the shadows in there. She looked off to the side pretending to look at her legs. Oh well...

It has been a day sense the shadows brought him here. Murder was still confused on what he was supposed to do. To find an Empress? He hasn't heard of one of thoughts in a long time. He didn't know were to start or where to look.

But there was one thing that he was happy about. He was away from the cult. Of course that will probably be only for a few days at most . But still its longer than he ever has been away from there before. And he has aways wanted a break from the killing for at least a day. But he was never allowed it.

Last night he has had the same nightmare he has had sense that day.

There was a man, a woman, and a child. They were together in one room. Then there was a knock at the door. The man and the woman went to the door. They opened it and smiled at the person at the door.

Then the man screamed. He fell into a bloody heap. The child was startled. He ran to the door.

The woman then screamed. And she too fell into a bloody heap beside the man. The boy looked up at the attacker.

It was Murders face.

Murder then woke up shivering. But for some reason Nana also woke up at the same time. And would always sing a lullaby to him. It would always work and Murder would go back to sleep without a dream. In the morning she would ask him if it was the same nightmare as before but she already knew the answer to that. But he would always say no.

Now back at the opneing to where he had figured the sins lived. Hopefully where the Empress also lived. But what he was going to do he has not done sense he joined the Red Daggers. And Nana thought Murder was and idiot for it.

Murder he called at threw the opening. "Is there anyone there?" At this point he was very embraced. Also thinking that he was a very big idiot. and a little hungry because he could smell food inside. So if someone answered his call he would ask. "Hello I am looking for an Empress. I'm not disturbing you am I?"

[Zee ♥]

Ooc: There aren't any doors. Its like a villa sort of building, no front gates, nada. Quite spacious I should like, get a drawing up of the building or something. (FYI, there are no second floors and such, so the Sins should take note. If they come down some sort of stairs, they'd be descending from heaven. (Admittedly, that would impress Gea a lot))

Waiting for Akasora to reply with Wrath..

[Sean]

Ya you realy should.

[Zee ♥]

The wind had brought a faint call from the entrance of the building towards her. Gesturing for Avarice to come closer, she whispered into his ear. "I'll talk to you later about that, and uh, I'm needed somewhere else for the moment, so can you take my place in hitting that darn gong once more later and getting the Sins to the mess hall? Thanks." She said, patting him on the back and went off towards the entrance, towards where she felt a newcomer.

New blood. How did he arrive? She thought to Eliade, who materialized on her shoulder. What do you mean, how? Like all the others did! Eliade exclaimed. But. The Sea Cyprus left a week ago. Nevermind, I'll ask him myself. Gea thought, walking up to the wooden platform.

There, a man stood, looking a little lost and puzzled. She waved to catch his attention. "Hi! You must be a new Sin. I'm Vengeance, though people nowadays call me Empress Gea or just Gea. Welcome to Kham'hur!" She greeted, grinning broadly. The villagers would want to celebrate again. They always do when there is another addition to the 'family' she had brought to the island.

[Sean]

Murder took one look at the Empress and she was beautiful. Oooo she would be nice to be with. Tarnas comment was what brought him back to reality. I am on the job. He gave the Empress a low bow for respect. He held it there for a few seconds. Show off. He smiled at Tarna.

"Hello there. My name is Murder and this is my companion Tarna. I give you greeting from the shadows." He hoped that she knew what he was saying. He still felt a little embarrassed. Then he smelled food. His stomach growled. "I am sorry to ask this but do you mind if I stay for breakfast?"

[Akasora]

Wrath looked at Gea angrily wonder how she could be so giddy in the morning. "*sigh* What ever, I'm hungry and I'll eat anything," she said as she turned to see Regret about to leave. "Don't know what the problem is with fish?" she whispered. She then used her hand as a comb and rubbed it across her head as to fix her hear but it didn't work very well. As started to rub some gunk out from the sides of her eyes she said, "so will our Empress be joining us in breakfast this morning?" Once she finished her question a boy cam into the hall with the rest of them. She thought to herself, Great, new comer. He better stay the hell away from me. "I'll be down soon let me put Bun-Bun back in my room." She said as she turned back to her room. But before she did so she walked over to the new sin and she whispered to him, "You know your a sin now. You don't have to be such a suck up." And she started back to her room.

OOC: sorry I took so long. I have been busy.

[angel]

[Zeeeeeee, ye need to get that building plan up! xD]

Terror sat in one corner, on the floor of the mess hall. His back was against the wall and his eyes were closed. This morning, he decided to wear a bright green t-shirt one of the locals gave him as well as his usual jeans. Breathing in the fresh air, he smirked as he felt the Empress get ready to bang her gong.

He was among the unlucky Sins who were at this very moment, yelling and grumbling about the way Gea woke them, on the first day. On the next, he decided to wake up earlier than her and wait in the mess hall. So far, it worked. He felt much better than the rest of the Sins, and Gea can't complain that he didn't get up in time for breakfast.

Terror was also smart enough to wear a pair of earplugs. Even when he was not in his room, where the gong was nearer than he was now, it was still tremendously loud. He waited until the last gong was boomed, before removing the plugs and cleaning his glasses. When he finished, he sat still and waited for everyone to come and eat.

[Wolfeh!]

Empress Gea's gesture caught him by surprise and Avarice quickly leaned back down, close to her face. He couldn't help but smile when she actually agreed to talk to him later about what was bugging her and was almost gleeful looking when he took up the gong mallet in his hand. Of course, he wouldn't bang it just yet- especially when he noticed that Sadness practically begged otherwise and he suspected that Wrath might just kill him for it. He would wait a few minutes.

While waiting, Avarice couldn't help but examine what was happening around him. He had heard the faint call from near the entrance of the villa and suspected there was a new sin. He actually would have liked to check it out with Empress Gea but he knew she could handle herself AND she had asked him to do her a favor- ring the gong. it wasn't the most exiting job, but nothing was too small to help out with. Wrath had already disappeared back into her room and it looked like Sadness and Regret were about to run away with each other, hopefully after changing out of their pajamas. How cute, right?

Well, after a good five minutes, Avarice decided it was time to do his job. Everyone in the halls had already returned to their rooms to get ready, headed to the mess hall, or run off to other parts of the island. He had watched when Sadness and Regret left, winking mischievously to Regret as a silent way of saying good luck. He knew there was something between the two when he had first met them; always near each other (and seeming happier to be so), always watching each other's back, always looking worried for the other. It was classic and... interesting. Maybe he and Emp...?

Uhh anyway, he realized he was dawdling and fiercely, and rather suddenly, banged the gong a few times in a row-- forgetting about Empress Gea's usual one hit per five minutes routine. Oh well, his job meant his way. It was louder than when Gea had rang it but that was probably a good thing considering the second wake up call was for all those heavy sleeping sins. He felt sorry though when he noticed Akilah shaking on his shoulders, poor girl had sensitive ears.

Avarice decided to leave Empress Gea alone to deal with the new sin. If he needed her, he was only a call away. He slowly made his way into the large dining hall, surprised to see Terror leaning against a wall near the corner. Only yesterday he had been one of the grumbling, and rather angry sins, that would have loved to get rid of the gong in any means necessary. And in Avarice's thoughts, was one of the few that would really go through with the plans... and succeed. He approached Terror and stretched out his arm in a friendly gesture to help him to his feet. "Brilliant morning, isn't it?" Avarice smiled easily, waiting for his response.


---


Sadness was nervous when Regret turned his full attention to her, blushing slightly as he brushed a few stray strands of hair behind her ear before placing his hand on her neck. Three years ago, Sadness would have been embarrassed or even shy at such a gesture but now she found his large and slightly warm hand very comforting. So much had changed in such little time, and yet, it seemed for the better. Before, Sadness could barely control her emotions and found that keeping to herself was better than making friends that she could possibly lose-- like she had lost all her others including family. Now? Well, it pained her to even imagine not having Regret or Vengeance close by.

When Sadness heard Regret say he'd pass on breakfast, it worried her... Was something wrong? Was he feeling sick? Was he in pain? Did something happen? Did he not like the food? He seemed to not be eating much lately but, maybe he did at other times? Sadness hoped so. Even immortal sins have to eat. She was so consumed with her concerned thoughts that Sadness didn't even notice when Regret's gray gaze shifted back to her and was surprised to suddenly feel his warm breath on her ear. "You up for a picnic?"

Sadness's lips curled into a rare smile and almost instantly her tiredness seemed to just dissolve away, along with her worries. She nodded and tilted her head so that it was her turn to whisper, "May want to change first." she joked lightly gesturing to his 'clothes',"Unless you want to walk around the island in your boxers." She chuckled softly to herself before quickly disappearing back into her room to change as well. She wanted to beat the second wake up call so she rummaged through her drawers and easily pulled on her normally seen pleated skirt and purple and black striped top.

She was back in the halls slightly before Regret returned and, as soon as he closed his door, she lightly grabbed his hand and began walking with him to the entrance of the villa. It occurred to her that she had no idea what or where they would eat but that was the least of things. In fact, it seemed to matter very little at the time. Three years ago, she never imagined she could feel this... normal? No, happy. She WAS the sin of sadness(or as Gea called her- the sad sin) after all. She wasn't supposed to feel this way, or at least she believed she never would again. If what happened all those years ago repeated itself-- she wouldn't be able to take it.

Sadness shook her head and stored the little twinge of sadness she felt at remembering her past deep inside her. Over the last few years, rather than breaking down at practically every memory, Sadness had learned to control the overwhelming feeling and store it until she could let it out later. This wasn't a good method whenever such emotions overflowed but, when she controlled the times she would allow the sadness to literally pour from her, it was easier to handle. It was less painful and the villagers seemed to appreciate the more present rainfall. Sadness's ocean eyes fixed on Regret,"So, are you gonna tell me more about the picnic, or, is it some sort of surprise?" she asked a bit shyly.



OOC: Hope it's okay that I took the lead a bit-- trying to move it along just a little. It's fine if you do the same.

Hehe anyways Sadness and Regret picnic time~ :3

[Mimi]

Shrouded eyes and silenced with a piece of thick cloth running across her mouth.
She struggled, and as usual all attempts at resistance failed, ropes chafing delicate skin around her wrists and ankles with every feeble thrash.

The little girl shivered in disgust, beyond terrified as a tongue traced down her white neck and to her front, where her delicate nightdress had been thrown off her shoulders askew. A muffled cry escaped her lips before someone came along with a little more sedative, only to have it rejected by the man cradling her in his arms.

No, no..it's so much more enjoyable with her a little feisty.

Unseeing eyes widened in horror as she felt inquisitive fingers creeping up the hem of her dress, fruitless attempts at denying its progress by pressing her legs closer together smashed as the lecherous man's hand practically demanded entry, pushing its way through frills and silk.

NO NO STOP NO STOP PLEASE

Light bite marks on her milky neck shone wet with spittle, the nightdress down her torso and displaying a pale, curved back to amused onlookers, who watched as the man had his way with her. Nothing and noone stopped the child's torment as the man shifted her onto his lap, a servant dutifully cutting away the ropes around her ankles as he spread the wriggling girl's legs apart.

NO PLEASE STOP WHY OH GOD STOP


GONGGGGG.

Oh gods. The gong. Again. God, f*** my life.

GONGGGG. GONGGGGGGG. GONNNNNGGGG.

...Okay. Someone was going to be strangled to death today.

The Sin grunted as she tumbled out of bed, her curls tumbling around her like a golden halo in the morning sun. The stupid sun, it rises so early here, she grumbled, making her way to the room for breakfast..or dinner, whatever it was. Her semi-nocturnal habit left her a little unwary of time and dates, save for the occasional reminder from Gea. Vanity planted her head on the table as she watched a bunch of equally-irritated (and some not so much) Sins gradually filling the room. Again Terror was sulking in some corner of his.

It was just another day to pass by for her, as she pushed back her tousled hair, looking for her closest friend.