Caught in the Act (Open)

[Sakuya Kyoudou]

Sakuya sighed as she heaved the corpse of a burly, muscled man along the grounds of the city outskirts, a good distance away from her Shadowlands villa. The man's body was bloodied, battered, beaten, bruised... Brutalized, in a single word. While it hadn't been dismembered or eviscerated in anyway, it was clear that the man's body was the subject of grievous bodily harm. Sakuya's bolo was kept in its cylindrical case, slung around her back. She remained as a human for now; there was no point in changing her form at the moment. Meanwhile, she found the ruins of a single cottage where she smiled thereafter setting her sights on it. The cottage itself, though ruined, had a good deal of its structure intact. Sakuya swung the door open, releasing the foul stench of decomposing corpses.

She heaved and threw the fresh corpse of the man she had violently murdered that day into the house before quickly slamming the door shut to prevent any more of the smell from emanating from the house. The man was a target of certain authorities in the city, who feared he was a child molestor and child sex offender. His name, was withheld of course. Sakuya didn't need to be stealthy; she simply revealed herself and the man immediately attempted to come down on her. She fought with her might, and unleashed her inconspicuously concealed weapon, slashing at him and soon thereafter killing him.

Sakuya dusted her hands before looking around.

"...Is someone there?" she said loudly.

Other Shadows would not dare cross Sakuya, lest she go Shadowform and eliminate lesser beings for getting in her way. This HAS happened before, and Sakuya wasn't averse to making it happen again. However, she had to make sure she herself wasn't the target of someone chasing her.

[John Nicholson]

John was once again out and about, exploring the outer circle. While exploring, he cae upon a disconcerting sight. A young woman, dragging the battered corpse of a man behind her. John, wanting to get to the bottom of it and possibly dealing some vigilante justice, decided to follow the woman to see where she was headed. Using everything he remembered about stealth training to reamin undetected.

The second shock was when she reached the cottage, he was hit b what only could be described as a wave of horrible stench. He knew the smell well. He reluctantly peeked out from his hiding place to see what the source of the smell was. The sight of multiple rotting corpses was what finally sent him over the edge. It had been a very long time since he had last experienced such a heavy episode. The smell of dead bodies was miced with the imaginary smell of gins being fired and bombs going off. Then, in this warped version of the outer circle, he heard a voice calling out and reacted to it. running out of cover until he was in front of her, aiming his shotgun at her head. "Don't you move, If you do anything I'll pull the trigger! Get on the ground!" He was aware of the fact that she was armed with a bolo, which only further excerberated his flasback, as it was a weapon he had commonly seen in the hands of the enemy.

[Sakuya Kyoudou]

Sakuya had realized at the pivotal moment that somebody had utilized military skill to stalk her undetected once she literally watched an old man, probably in his late sixties (or possibly just hit seventy) suddenly run out of cover from... Well, somewhere, Sakuya wasn't even sure herself. Soon, the man pulled out a freaking shotgun, pointing it at her head. Well, doesn't this just beat all? she thought to herself. An old man with the guts to chase me down and threaten me with a stupid shotgun. Instantly, her self-preservation instincts kicked in as her form started to change, the young girl the old man would see would turn into a mature woman, nearly naked, only covered with snake-skin tattoos and a literal snake draped around her form.

Sakuya, in her Shadow form, almost towered over the man. And what if I don't get down on the ground for you, you little runt? I have to admit though, with moves like that, you have some damn balls for a retired military brat... The bolo Sakuya kept popped out as well, slithering into her hands - a snake sword. I won't let you blow my brains out or get in the way of my work, you little sneak. You think you're here to administer justice? You little shits don't know the last thing about justice. That guy I just disposed into the house of corpses? He too, committed crimes on his fellow humans. Child molestors like him don't deserve to live.

Sakuya defiantly twirled her snake blade and struck the old man's arm before he could pull the trigger. I don't care how old or how strong you are, you men are filthy and aren't worth my time. Begone now, or you'll make me tear you apart from limb to limb.

[John Nicholson]

John would already be quite intimidated by the woman's sudden transformation even if he hadn't been hallucinating. In his current mentally unstable state however. The transformation was utterly terrifying. He had no idea what was happening before his eyes, the enemy had transformed into some kind of demon! It struck at his arm with such strenght that the force of the blow swatted the hand holding the trigger away. He felt blood trickle down from the cut the strike left. his right arm now hanging uselessly from his body.



Her monoloue had not penetrated the veil his hallucination had cast upon reality, as such he wasn't aware she had said anything. Instead, he turned around to run away in a panic. screaming incoherently about 'enemies charging the position'.

[Sakuya Kyoudou]

Sakuya simply watched as the old man ran away. Didn't even have the willpower to stand up to her true form? Don't make me laugh... Sakuya thought to herself deep down inside. That's pathetic. If you're going to threaten me at gunpoint with a shotgun, have the balls to back up your threat. Stupid, worthless maggot. Sakuya sighed. And don't come back, you piece of trash. she growled, before frowning, going back to the ruined house where she trashed the corpse, and sat against one of its outer walls. For crying out loud. What's going to come next? More kids trying to find out what I'm doing? Maybe I'll scare them too! Maybe they'll be braver than that old fogey. Who knows? Geez. I just want some peace when I do my work.

[Isaac Strazos]

Isaac had been on his way to the homeless refuge located on the border of the Shadowlands when an old man suddenly ran past him, bleeding and shouting something about an enemy. He smirked at the absurdity of it, but there was an unmistakable presence from the direction that the man had just fled from. Another Shadow...? Interesting. He briefly considered the ramifications of letting a human escape with their lives after a battle, but decided that it wasn't worth being concerned over. After all, that man was clearly in the middle of some kind of psychotic episode. Even if he could tell someone about his experiences, who would believe a crazy old man? Still...

The Shadow followed the path until he arrived at the ruins of some desolate cottage. But more importantly, he identified the woman sitting in front of it as one of his brethren. Not that it was hard, considering she was still in her true form. Still, Isaac grinned slyly as he approached the woman, hands folded behind his back, "My, my. You should be more careful next time. He managed to get away, after all."

[Sakuya Kyoudou]

Sakuya was still sitting on the ground when he heard the voice of a man calling out to her, mentioning that she should be more careful. Without even turning to face the man, she could tell he was a Shadow. Pitiful men like him aren't worth my time. Sakuya hissed. He's still weak. He couldn't stand up to me. I'm not going to waste my time chasing a dumb old fogey like him. I just need some peace and quiet when I do my work, see? Sakuya pointed to the house she was leaning against. This cottage here, you see? I store the corpses of all the criminals and evildoing humans I get paid to kill in there. That old man just managed to catch me, that's all. No one would believe him even if he were sane and in control of his wits. Sakuya shrugged.

[Isaac Strazos]

"Heh...." He glanced towards the cottage when she gestured to it, rubbing his chin as he considered what she was telling him, "So, what you're saying is that you're a lapdog to the humans? Interesting. So it's even progressed to that..." A Shadow being subservient to humans was definitely a new concept to him. While he did have an unhealthy fascination with them, he would never go as far as to consider himself an ally of theirs. But she was right. It was unlikely that the man would tell anyone or even be able to find his way back here. Still, she was treading an awfully dangerous line. "I wonder, how do humans decide what is evil and what is good? If one believed what they were doing to be evil or wrong, they wouldn't do it, correct? Everyone has their own ideal of righteousness that they strive for, but in the end, some are labeled as 'evil' for it..." He offered the woman a slight smile, "We're the same, aren't we? We're thought of as evil by our vary nature. But the truth isn't so clear, is it? Ah, but I guess that doesn't apply to you so much. A monster such as yourself can only be described as purely and truly wicked."

[Sakuya Kyoudou]

They give me money, lots of money, with which I can live my life in enjoyment and relative peace. I can do what I want to do. I can find people I want to spend time with. Sakuya said blankly, still refusing to look at the fellow Shadow who had showed up to rain on her parade. Look at this man, Sakuya hissed, still staring into nothingness. Claiming me to be purely wicked. Look at your gritty self before you accuse me of such nonsense. Wicked? It is men who are truly wicked. They would resort to such barbaric acts to get what they want. Looting, stealing... Whatever it takes to get power. And pleasure. Don't even get me started on that can of worms. These men who would impose their power fantasies on younger girls, or even their own fellow boys... How disgusting. Sakuya spat on the ground, tending to her pet snake.

[Isaac Strazos]

The Shadow whistled in response to the woman's explanation. What a strange person she was. He wondered what her original was like- but the answer to that particular question had probably already been lost to time. "So, you shamelessly murder in cold blood and destroy innumerable lives in the process just to fund your own greed. A woman after my own heart." His smirk grew a bit wider at the revelation. But his joke had a bit of truth to it as well- she reminded him a lot of his original. The true Isaac was a ruthless businessman who thought nothing of having rivals assassinated to expand his power base. Ultimately it was that darkness that consumed him in the end...

But what she said next caused him to laugh out loud. She really was clueless, wasn't she? Whatever social skills Isaac lacked, this woman was even worse about it than he. "The hypocrisy is delicious. You claim that men are evil because they're hedonist. That they will do anything it takes to get what they want. But..." He pointed at her, smiling widely enough that his teeth were visible, "Perhaps you're the one who needs a mirror."

[Sakuya Kyoudou]

Are you fucking shitting me, sir? Sakuya blurted out as the man laughed at him. Do you know what it feels like to be sold out to the desires of man by your own godfreaking mother? And then be repeatedly raped and beaten by them? Sakuya scowled as eventually, her snake had hissed at the Shadow. Do not be so presumptuous. Destroying innumerable lives? Give me a fucking break. I simply carry out the deeds of humans who are too much of a bunch of pussies to get things done themselves. It's just icing on the cake, the material gain from it. And I get to exact my revenge, too. You fuckers are all the same. Hiding behind your self-righteous veils of virtue? Don't make me laugh. Even still, she had not faced the Shadow who even dared to speak to her.

Sakuya, at this point, had shifted back to her human form. This goddamn human husk. Do you know how it felt when the memories of this dead soul were so strong that I became burdened with them? Of course you don't. And you never will. Give it a goddamn rest and leave me alone.

[Isaac Strazos]

Despite the woman's heartfelt outburst, Isaac's smile never wavered. "How pathetic you are. But, I suppose that's why your true self wasn't able to vanquish such a miserable existence as yours. She was even weaker than you are." The Shadow raised an arm and wagged a finger in the woman's direction, "You misunderstand. Unlike you, I never claimed to be better than the humans. I am an unwholesome being spawned from an unwholesome being. But, that is something that I have long since accepted. You, meanwhile, will be consumed by your anger and be put down by the humans like a wild animal if you continue down this path." He turned his head to look off to the side, checking to see if anyone else was approching, "They're strong, you know. The humans. My only interest left in this world is to see just how far humanity can develop... in this little game of ours, the war between Humans and Shadows, I think they have a fair chance of winning it." He turned back to the woman, still smiling, "Are you afraid to die? I am. If I die, it means I won't be able to observe the humans any longer. But, unlike me, you don't have anything to keep you interested in this world, do you, Monster?"

[Sakuya Kyoudou]

Sakuya smirked, hearkening back to her time with Jaelyn. Good for you. I don't give a shit whether you're interested in this 'conflict.' If Shadows or Humans continuously get in my way, I'll deal with them. That's the way it is Sakuya heaved. I don't need a little shit like you to patronize me. My patience is thinning. I've only bothered to humor your sick delusion because you're a fellow Shadow, and I had the courtesy to give you that respect. Call me a monster if you like. It's all the same to me. I'm used to it. It won't change my mind about things. Towards the end, she scowled, standing up and turning her back to the man. Don't waste your time and mine. Away with you.

[Isaac Strazos]

Isaac merely shrugged in response. He obviously wasn't getting through to her, which left two options open to him. Option one, which was to physically subdue her, just wasn't his style. Then there was option two, which he was much more comfortable with. Still... the Shadow returned his gaze to the distance and pondered aloud, "I wonder why being a Shadow would have any meaning to one such as you. Maybe you think they understand your pain, having been born from one who drowned in their own darkness." He hesitated for a moment before continuing, "It's unfortunate that you say you murder out of some delusion of vengeance, because I really can't allow you to continue killing humans like this. I need them, you see. But then, so do you. In the absence of light, there's nothing left to cast a shadow, understand?"

[Sakuya Kyoudou]

Shut the hell up and remember that the humans are the ones offering me the goods for the 'killing.' Why don't you go back to 'observing' your goddamn humans instead of patronizing me with your shitty rhetoric? Sakuya hissed as she continued walking away from the man. She didn't want to hear anything more from this guy. A total stranger who thought that the nonsense he babbled meant anything substantial to her. Truth to be told, the move had been questionable to start with. Sakuya had never anticipated assimilating the memories of the former body. She had never anticipated having to live with this burden. It made her go mad. And she really didn't need this right now.