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Post by Evelyn Kuller on May 21, 2015 19:54:52 GMT -6
Character Info Name: Evelyn Kuller Twitter Handle (if applicable): @rwperfectevil Height: 5'10 Weight: 140lbs Hometown: Northern California Age: Let's not. Years Experience: 9 but also 1. Alignment: +4
Entrance Music: "Light Up The Night" by The Protomen
Entrance Description: [div align="center"]"I've got this burning like my veins are filled with nothing but gasoline... And with a spark it's gonna be the biggest fire they've ever seen!"[/div] At this, "Light Up The Night" by The Protomen kicks in mid-song, bringing out The Perfect Evil, Evelyn. She stands on the stage, clapping along with the music, mouthing along, getting the crowd going. As it builds to the main line, she holds one finger up as the lights begin to dim, getting them ready for the moment, the crowd building along with her.
[div align="center"][b]"We can light up the night!"[/b][/div] The lights explode back on, fireworks along the stage going off as Evelyn sets off on a run down the ring, visibly mouthing along with the song even as she slides under the ropes to enter the ring.
[b]David Zinkus:[/b] From Northern California, weighing in at 140lbs, she is the Perfect Evil, EVELYN KULLER!
Evelyn pops up to her feet, coming to face the camera. She raises an arm, to the crowd watching live and at home, mouthing along with the song to them.
[div align="center"]"Maybe you and I... We can still make it right. Maybe we can bring back the light..."[/div] The song fades at this, Evelyn flashing a smile before moving to her corner, waiting for the action to start.
Physical Appearance: Still Paige
Ring Attire: Evelyn's ring attire is largely the same as before, wearing a now short-sleeved form fitting top, and full length wrestling tights, both white.
Gimmick: One-time psychopath and current-time potential hope of the masses. Personality: The biggest difference between now and then, Evelyn is now full of hope. Hope for herself, hope for others, hope that everything will work out. She has set herself on the path to become a guardian, a way of making up for previously being a destroyer, something she still feels guilt over despite the extinuating circumstances that caused her to be that way.
List up to three strengths of your character; they can be in-ring related, personality related, whatever you think helps define your character: 1. Technical Wizard - One thing that hasn't changed between now and then is that Evelyn has an amazing mind for wrestling, able to come up with counters and innovative moves at the drop of a dime and if anything, getting free of Daisuke has only made her better. 2. A Puppet No More - Becoming free from the influence of Daisuke, and the subsequent months-long journey she went on has left Evelyn far beyond where she was before. Her previous weaknesses simply don't exist any longer. 3. Hides Beneath - If the situation calls for it, Evelyn can call upon great reserves of strength & endurance, and make defeating her far harder to pull off. But there's a heavy cost to using it...
List up to three weaknesses of your character: 1. No Longer A Monster - While cutting her strings has gotten rid of her weaknesses, it arguably also got rid of one of her strengths. Before Evelyn was completely relentless in the ring, doing any act of violence to get her job done. DQs didn't matter, all that mattered was the violence done to someone. While Evelyn is happy with no longer having that aspect to herself, some would say it's a setback. 2. "Hey remember when you tried to bash my head in? Yeaaaah I haven't forgotten..." - Evelyn can say she's a changed woman all she wants but this is wrestling, and people in it can be slow in believing words like that. 3. Dead Zone - The hidden reserves of strength and endurance she has comes with a price, if she taps into them too much, she risks running straight into something she so helpfully refers to as the Dead Zone. Probably not a good thing.
Athletic Background: Just the wrestling, thanks.
Biography: Evelyn was once the protege of Daisuke Iwakuma, and followed his orders without question. Then she stopped being that, 'cause fuck that dude. Then some really crazy shit happened, and here we are.
Wrestling Style: Technical/Submission
Finishers 1. Sheer Heart Attack - Galleria 2. Adverse Effects - Sister Abigail
Signature Moves 1. True North - Full Nelson into DDT 2. Free of Strings - Implant Spinning Facebuster
Regular Moves You don't need to fill out all the slots for moves. 1. DDTs and all variations 2. Kicks 3. Sleeper hold 4. Ankle lock 5. Brainbuster 6. German Suplex 7. Moonsault(s) 8. Suplexes in general 9. STF 10. Cutter
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Post by Evelyn Kuller on Apr 16, 2015 22:17:09 GMT -6
She was fidgety. Had been for a few days, and it hadn't escaped his notice. They both sat in the living room of Bowie's home, having spent the past few hours talking. About the new things she was experiencing since she had become herself, about how she felt now, and about her plans for what was next. Finally he leaned forward, capturing her gaze with his. Mr. Bowie: Eve, what's come over you? Eve: I... She takes a small breath and lets it out in a sigh. Eve: I'm nervous. He quirks an eyebrow as he expression changes to one of amusement. Mr. Bowie: The personification of all evil in this world...feels nervous? Eve: Look, no one's more surprised about it than me. It's just that...I'm finally going to be going back. To wrestling, to Revo, and it's suddenly leaving me nervous. I mean, did you see me then? I was a whack job, attacking people, setting people on fire- Mr. Bowie: Which was a great show, I might add. Eve: Oh it was fun, but now it's just...I don't know how people will react to me. I know that I'm not the brainwashed patchwork murderdoll I was then, but I can't expect anyone else to believe me that I'm not just Iwakuma's devoted lackey. That I haven't changed. That I'm not what someone else made me. He took a moment to consider this, still looking amused. Mr. Bowie: Hm. How human. He then reached one hand out and patted her on the head. Mr. Bowie: You're worrying about stupid things, Eve. Worrying about what other people think of you is nothing but a waste of your time. Seeking acceptance, or forgiveness, or acknowledgment of what you've accomplished is pointless. It's nothing but a way to give people power over you again. And hasn't all of this been due to others having power over you? She sat for a while before nodding in agreement. Eve: You're right. But that doesn't really help stop the feeling. Mr. Bowie: Of course not. Acknowledging that a feeling isn't correct is never enough to stop it. Feelings are too strong for that, they root into you and keep themselves there regardless. But, that's what you chose. Your journey was to gain the ability to have this problem. She sighed. Eve: I know, I know. It's still annoying. He smiled. Mr. Bowie: Quite. But such is “humanity”! He sat back in his chair as Eve mulled this over in her head. Then she reached for her bag, rummaging through it. Her face twists in confusion, as she begins to pat her pockets. She stands and reaches down in the recesses of the chair's cushion, searching for something. Eve: Hey, have you seen my phone? I swear I had it on me when I came over. Mr. Bowie: Sorry, haven't seen it. Unnoticed by Eve as she continued to search Bowie pulled a cell phone, hers, from his pocket. He took a quick look at it, smiled, and shut it off before pocketing it again. – Cyril let out a yell of anger before throwing his phone to the ground, shattering it. Alexander stood next to him, concern evident even behind his mask and goggles. Dr. Cyril Kuller: She's not responding at all. Doktor Alexander Adversary: Cyril, there's plenty of reasons that she wouldn't respond beyond assuming the worst. Dr. Cyril Kuller: Really? With everything I've told you about him, you want to hope for the best? The cyborg is silent a moment. Doktor Alexander Adversary: ...no. Dr. Cyril Kuller: That's what I thought. We're going to have to do this now. Alex sighed, but nodded. Doktor Alexander Adversary: I agree. We can't risk anything happening to her. Cyril nodded at this, and handed his brother one of the mini-teleporters, himself hefting another. Dr. Cyril Kuller: Gate, are you ready? There was a noise from behind them, the two turning to look at the main computer as the digital face of the AI named Gate appeared, two carats with a small line at the bottom between them. Gate: Of course! I have located the GPS signal from her cell phone, and have fed it into your teleporters, with the requested offset of a half-mile. Doktor Alexander Adversary: A half-mile, brother? Dr. Cyril Kuller: I want us to get some kind of recon before we go in. Besides, who knows what'd happen if we just went straight in? All we know, the phone might be in a fire pit. The cyborg doesn't seem to bothered by this. Doktor Alexander Adversary: Most of my nerve endings are dead anyway. Cyril only looks down at the floor, as Alex realizes his joke hadn't gone over too well. Doktor Alexander Adversary: I...apologize. It was funnier in my head. Cyril looked back up at him and tried his best to give a reassuring smile. Dr. Cyril Kuller: It's fine, I'm glad you're in a mood to make jokes, I haven't heard you try one in years. I just...I'm so worried about her. Alex reaches out and claps a hand on his brother's shoulder. Doktor Alexander Adversary: And I am too. But Eve is stronger than we've admitted she is. She won't lose herself that easily. Cyril nods. Dr. Cyril Kuller: You're right. Alex smiles behind his mask. Doktor Alexander Adversary: I often am. Now, let's go and see our favorite girl. Dr. Cyril Kuller: Right. Gate, preparations complete! Gate: Acknowledged! Last GPS signal locked on, teleporters prepped! Doktor Alexander Adversary: Hm? Last signal? The digital face slowly moves up to the top of the screen, down to the bottom of it and then back to center, a weird imitation of a nod. Gate: Correct! Her cell phone was just turned off. The brothers shared a look. Dr. Cyril Kuller: Well that's not worrying. Doktor Alexander Adversary: Quite. Let's handle this. Dr. Cyril Kuller: Yeah. And let's re-bury this son of a bitch. They both pressed the teleporters simultaneously, and both disappeared in a quick flash of light. – The sudden beeping made Eve forget her search. She looked around in confusion, trying to place it, while Bowie simply stood up and moved to a cabinet. Eve: What is that? Mr. Bowie: Motion detector. He opened the cabinet and pulled out a monitor, cables trailing behind it connected into the wall. He fiddled with it as he continued to talk. Mr. Bowie: I'm a cautious man, so I had this set up so I could be ready if someone managed to find me. That's how I knew you were coming. Eve: Well that explains everything. So we've got unexpected company? Mr. Bowie: Well. Unexpected for you, maybe, I've been expecting them for a while now. This was inevitable, you see. Eve quirked an eyebrow as he continued to fiddle with the monitor, finally seeing what he wanted. Mr. Bowie: Two of them. Showed up closer in than I have set up for, ain't that something. Oh well, that makes this fun. Let's see...two people, expect the simplest tactics. He took a few steps back, standing in the living room in the spot that gave him view of both the back and front doors. Eve: Who exactly have you been expecting? And why haven't you, y'know, mentioned this? Mr. Bowie: Haven't mentioned it because, frankly, you'd have freaked out. I've been waiting for this confrontation since you first mentioned them to me... Eve: Mentioned who.... Her eyes widen. Eve: Hang on! You can't mean-?! What she intended to say is drowned out by wood splintering as two doors are kicked open simultaneously, and suddenly there were a lot of guns. Alex stepped in from the front, the pistol connected to his leg in hand while Cyril came in through the back door, shotgun in hand. Bowie had a pistol in each hand that he'd yanked from the back of his belt, a desert eagle in one hand and a glock in the other. One aimed at each of the brothers. Eve could only look on in shock. Mr. Bowie: Hello Doktors! I've been looking forward to meeting you! Cyril's jaw clenched in anger. Dr. Cyril Kuller: Don't say a word. I thought I was behind having to hear you speak every two weeks. Mr. Bowie: Well, you know how nightmares work. Just when you think they've finally left you alone...they come surging right back. Eve: Um. Alex turns his head just enough to let Eve know he was going to speak to her, while making sure his target was still in his vision. Doktor Alexander Adversary: Eve, you've made a mistake. Eve: ...nooooo? Dr. Cyril Kuller: Yes! Have you noticed who you've been getting “help” from?! Eve: Cyril...I knew who I was looking for. Mr. Bowie: Hey, you can't blame her, “Cyril”! If your doctor's not providing effective care, you seek out alternative treatment! Dr. Cyril Kuller: You're not treatment! You're a disease! Mr. Bowie: And yet she's doing so well. Dr. Cyril Kuller: Not thanks to you. In spite of you. Eve: Uh... Cyril's eyes fall on her, and she shirks back a bit from the anger and...fear in them. She realized just how much her doing this had affected him. Eve: I'm sor- Dr. Cyril Kuller: Save it! We'll talk about it when we're done with this! Mr. Bowie: Really? Because this might take a while. We're in a bit of a standoff now, aren't we? Dr. Cyril Kuller: Even you can't take us both down before we kill you. Mr. Bowie: True...or we could let Eve handle this. Everyone seems confused by this, as Bowie looks at Eve. Mr. Bowie: Desk next to your chair. Open the top drawer. She, after a moment, did so. Pulling it open and retrieving what was in it. And now Eve had a gun too. Eve: Um. Dr. Cyril Kuller: Um. Doktor Alexander Adversary: Um. Bowie grinned. Mr. Bowie: Now you come to the end of our sessions together, Eve. Now you make your final choice. Who will you kill? Eve: UM. Mr. Bowie: Someone's going to kill someone. At this point, whoever goes down decides your future. Who will be left for you to go with. Now, knowing everything you do about me and what I've done to people...you could shoot me dead. Eve: But I don't want to do that! Mr. Bowie: Well then. You can take the other option. Eve: Which is...? Mr. Bowie: Joining me. Eve: I'm sorry? Mr. Bowie: You've gone through all of this, you have all these feelings. And now you can choose to let them go. Eve couldn't find the words to respond to this, so Bowie just continued on. Mr. Bowie: Your entire life you've been used! Someone has power over you, they abuse it! But you're strong, stronger than maybe anything else on this Earth! Your potential is unbelievable! And you could use it for your own benefit, instead of someone elses. Your feelings aren't the strength you've sought, they're a weakness. Now that you have them, you have the power to see that. He grinned at her, and it's far too wide to be comfortable. Mr. Bowie: You could be more than the Perfect Evil. You could be everything in this world. He looked at the two brothers quickly, then back to her. Mr. Bowie: All you have to do is shoot one of them. I can take the other, and we'll be free to do whatever we want. The only people in control of us would be ourselves. Dr. Cyril Kuller: You're a lunatic! Mr. Bowie: MAYBE I AM! But it's not up to you what happens next is it?! Or me! IT'S UP TO HER! Eve suddenly felt all the eyes in the room focus on her. Mr. Bowie: So choose! Eve: I...I dunno if I make that kind of choice. Mr. Bowie: You're the only one who can! This is who you'll be! So go into yourself, into your head, and think! Don't listen to my words, or their words, or anyone's words! Just look at your choices, and CHOOSE! Her breathing was too fast, and she felt like her chest was gonna tighten up and choke her. But finally she spoke. Eve: Fine....fine....fine... Her eyes shut. She stood in front of the doors. The other two parts of her both had their faces pressed against the window of their doors, arms sticking out from the parted doors, shouting at her. Instructions, taunts, slurs, orders of who to shoot. She shut the doors completely for now, locked the windows so she could hear neither of them. She wanted this to be just her. She needed to think. She thought of everything good she had felt since finding herself. The joys of her friendships, of the bizarre family she was now building. She remembered the tears running down her face as she embraced Cyril, realizing he was still alive. She remembered embracing Alex, swearing that she'd never let what happened to him and to her happen again. The laughs of a stupid trip to Vegas, getting drunk with a bunch of students she had hated up till that moment because she was made to, until she met them and realized they were worthy people. A walk down the Vegas Strip, talking about nothing but everything at the same time, and the feeling of finally having a friend. All of these things that brought warmth to her, could she really let herself destroy all of that? But at the same time, she knew Bowie had a point. People WERE fleeting, they DID have a habit of using her. Any time people had held any kind of power over her, they had abused it. She still remembered the sight of her body covered in so many scars, even thought her transformation had erased them from her. She could still feel them sometimes. Could she really still let people be able to take advantage of her, especially now that she was so powerful she could make it so that never happens again, if she just decided to? Two paths, and she could pick only one. She had to pick what kind of person she would be, forevermore. She had to make a choice. She took a deep breath. She held it. She let it out. Her eyes opened. And she aimed the pistol at Bowie and pulled the trigger twice. -KLK KLK- Everyone but Bowie looked at the gun in confusion as it rang empty. Those eyes then all turned, at once, to Bowie, who simply smiled and hit the release on both of his guns, and the three watched as two empty magazines dropped to the floor, followed by the guns. Eve: ...at this point I need to stop being surprised when shit like this happens. Bowie stepped towards her, Alexander and Cyril both too confused to try and stop him as he approached her. Mr. Bowie: Eve. I didn't lie, I wanted you to make the choice of what path you wanted to go down on entirely as yourself. No outside interference or influence to change your mind. And while I certainly wanted you to choose to travel with me...you also would have needed to know that your choices have consequences, even if you became like me. Eve could only stare at him for a while, the other two doing the same, before a slightly bewildered smile appears on Eve's face. Eve: You're a fucking lunatic. He smiled back. Mr. Bowie: Well, I can't really deny that. – It was a tense conversation after, to say the least. Neither Cyril nor Alex were comfortable actually sitting and talking with the two, but Eve managed to get them sat down and listening to her. For them she laid out the past few months: her seeking out Bowie, their initial meeting (Cyril seemed ready to tear him apart when told about him murdering her, but Alex kept him down), and their trials together as he helped her find herself. Of how he had every opportunity to convince her to become like him, but he never once did until after she found herself. Eve explained to them that she knew his reputation and his deeds, but that without him she'd still be nothing but a confused dead girl with a curse. Alex's expression was unreadable, but it seemed he was processing this, while Cyril seemed uncertain still. Dr. Cyril Kuller: That's all well and good but...but why? Mr. Bowie: Hmmmm? Dr. Cyril Kuller: I remember you. You're a monster, an unrepentant sociopath who tore people apart, you were a nightmare that cut across the whole place for so long! Bowie grinned. Mr. Bowie: I recall. What fun times those were. The grin fades. Mr. Bowie: But you're correct, Dr. Kuller. I AM a monster. And that's why I helped Eve. Dr. Cyril Kuller: ….? Mr. Bowie: I'm a monster, but I was born a man. And I have never forgotten those days of humanity. But...the chance to go back to what I was is far behind me. But that chance was still there for Eve. And she deserved it, considering she never once asked for any of this. To be made into a monster by the hands of others...I know it too well. She deserved a chance. There's silence after that, all of them retreating inwards to mull this over. It took time for any of them to make a noise again. Dr. Cyril Kuller: ...fine. All eyes were on him now, as he looked Bowie straight in the eyes. Dr. Cyril Kuller: I don't trust you. You're still a nuclear bomb to me. But you...you helped her. I believe her when she says that your help was...just what she needed. So I...thank you. He slowly reaches a hand across, that Bowie takes and shakes. Alex then extends his hand as well, and they shake too. Doktor Alexander Adversary: I don't have the same feelings about you Cyril does, so I can look at this with a cleaner view. But he's actually completely right. You're a nutcase...but I do thank you. Mr. Bowie: You're welcome, the both of you. But, please...it was all Eve. If this wasn't what she wanted, it would never have happened. He looked at her, and smiled. Mr. Bowie: This was all her choice. – Alex and Cyril had been convinced to leave the house for a few minutes, as Bowie requested privacy so they could say their farewells. Eve: So you're leaving now? Mr. Bowie: Correct. I've spent enough time here, I don't like to be in one place for too long. Old habits. He reaches into his pocket and pulls something out, holding it out to Eve. Eve reaches a hand out and takes it from him, realizing it to be a set of keys. Eve: Wait, so these are...? Mr. Bowie: The keys to this house. I have no use for it myself and I imagine that living in a big, mostly underground compound must get tiring. She looks at the keys for a few moments in silence, a grin spreading across her face. Eve: Thank you. Mr. Bowie: Of course. Eve: And I did something for you. I requested that Cyril not...tell anyone. About you. And neither will I. Bowie blinks in surprise. Mr. Bowie: Eve, you don't have to do that. Eve: Maybe not. But I'm going to regardless. He shakes this around in his head a bit, and smiles. Mr. Bowie: Well. Thank you then. He picks up his luggage, a single large duffel bag, and slings it over his shoulder. He turns, ready to begin walking out the door when Eve speaks up again. Eve: You're wrong. He turns back to face her, raising an eyebrow. Eve: About it being too far behind you. You can still regain whatever it is you lost. You don't have to be a monster if you don't want to be. He's silent for a short while, his expression unreadable. Finally, he smiles at her, but she isn't pleased to see it. It's sincere enough, but she can see what he was trying to use it to hide. Mr. Bowie: I'm truly fortunate to have gotten to meet you, Eve. You're going to end up changing the world. Eve: Well, I dunno about all that. I just...wanna right the really bad things done to people. His response to those words surprised her. He stepped forward and embraced her. She was shocked, but returned it as he spoke. Mr. Bowie: And I know you'll succeed at just that. And while you're doing that... He pulled away from her, and the look on his face she wasn't certain about. Pride? Mr. Bowie: Make sure they don't forget me...my Killer Queen. She looks surprised by this new affectionate nickname, but that quickly turned into a smile. Eve: I will. Until you can do it yourself. His only response to that is a nod, before turning to leave again. This time Eve says nothing, and watches as he departs. She watches him walk down the driveway, down the path beyond it, and finally disappearing into the distance. Alex and Cyril stepped through the doorway he just left through, and went to her side. Eve: I'm not really sorry. For going to him for this. I know it scared you both but... Cyril sighed. Dr. Cyril Kuller: Eve. I don't approve, still, of you seeking him of all people out. But...I can't deny the results. Right now, I'm just happy for you. Doktor Alexander Adversary: Concurred. She grins and wraps an arm around the both of them. Cyril is more than happy to return it, but the only response from Alex is a loud grinding sound as his jaw grinds on his teeth displeased with the physical contact but for just once allowing it due to the situation. She releases the hug and takes a step forward, looking out at the night sky. Eve: So, time to meet the future, I guess. Dr. Cyril Kuller: Into the unknown. So, Eve, now that you've achieved becoming yourself...what will you do first? She turned to look at the two of them, and grinned. Eve: Oh...I've got an idea or two... She turned again to face the night sky, and the future beyond it. Eve: Let's see which one I choose first. The Beginning The man walked down the road, duffel bag slung over his shoulder. He walked northwest, thinking perhaps of passing the border and seeing what the northern snows would hold for him. But something bothered him. Some words scratching at the back of his mind, along with something else. The constant pain was still there at the back of his head, reminding him of what he still tried to avoid. He stopped. And thought of what she had said. He didn't have to be himself. To be or not to be...there's always a choice, right? He turned and began back down the path he'd just walked. Now he moved southeast, one destination in mind. His choice was made. It was finally time to haunt them.
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Balance
Mar 30, 2015 4:32:57 GMT -6
Post by Evelyn Kuller on Mar 30, 2015 4:32:57 GMT -6
Cyril Kuller finished the video again, and his reaction was the same as it had the dozen times before. One hand clasped over his mouth as he realized what he was seeing. The video was from the last EXODUS show, of the mysterious moment where a yellow-eyed man sang over images of the Dojo decimated. He was in this state of shock because he understood it. At least the base of it. He didn't understand the talk of the spawn, of the second person there and the imagery associated with him, or even why he was involved here. But he knew what the constellation meant. And he damn sure knew that yellow eyed bastard. And he knew what that meant for him, for Eve, for EXODUS...and worst of all, he knew what it meant for his brother Alexander. There were times Alex could barely keep it together with what happened as a distant memory. The thought of what seeing this would do to him made Cyril want to cry. He heard steps approaching the main computer room he was in, and he quickly dashed the video from the screen. Just in time, as Alexander stepped in. He took one look at Cyril and his expression became concerned. Doktor Alexander Adversary: Are you alright, Cyril? You look...troubled. He took a moment to compose himself, forcing a smile onto his face as he looked at his brother. Dr. Cyril Kuller: It's nothing! Just watching some of my soaps, you know how they get me! Doktor Alexander Adversary: ...yes, of course. You're very emotional over them. I'm sorry to interrupt. I wanted to go over the Eve footage again. Dr. Cyril Kuller: Again? We've looked it over multiple times now. Doktor Alexander Adversary: I know. But still....there could be more we could gleam from it. Cyril nods. Dr. Cyril Kuller: Alright, sure. Let's rewatch her reaction to the Aruba footage. Alex twitched a bit at the mention of Aruba, and it took so much will for Cyril to keep the smile on his face. Doktor Alexander Adversary: Yes. Let's. As Alex stepped over and began to pull up the footage on the computer, Cyril turned to his thoughts. Dr. Cyril Kuller: I wonder how Eve is doing right now... – She stood in front of his door, waiting. She hadn't knocked yet, and she couldn't be sure why. Perhaps it was just nervousness. This was to be a big night. The biggest, really, of her existence. The night where she hoped her dream would be realized. Perhaps it was just worrying about what it'd mean if she failed tonight. Finally, she reached up and knocked on the door. A voice shouted from inside for her to enter, and so she pulled the door open and stepped into Bowie's home again. He was cleaning off his living room table, clearing some books off of it. He walked over to the bookshelf and put them up before regarding her. Mr. Bowie: I was wondering when you'd be returning. I saw that (R)Evolution show with you on it, and figured you had managed to get what you wanted without me. She shook her head. Eve: No, no, not at all. That was simply a favor for someone. No one knew about it beforehand but him and I. And Phoenix, I guess. Mr. Bowie: Well, it was a good warmup for your inevitable return, yes? Eve: It was...interesting. The kid I faced has potential. Her face soured. Eve: Oh that's weird to think about. I call him a kid, but I'm just past one year old, so he has about 18 years on me. Mr. Bowie just stared for a moment, taking that in as well. Mr. Bowie: ...every day with you is a new experience, Eve, and I do cherish that. Eve: ...yeaaaah...so, uh, about why I'm here. Mr. Bowie: Well, I would assume you're ready to move onto the next step. It'll be a slow one, probably take most of the night, but it should get us probably about 3 months out from getting you where you want. She shook her head vigorously, emphatically, before facing him down with the most serious look she could muster. Eve: No. I have to finish. Now, here, tonight. He looked a bit surprised. Mr. Bowie: You're rushing now? We've been taking our time, and I think that's benefited you. Eve: Maybe. But...I finally have a goal. He quirked an eyebrow. Mr. Bowie: Do elaborate. I thought you already had a goal, to reach center so you can be allowed to wrestle again. Eve: Yes. But, beyond that, I had no goal...and now I do. Mr. Bowie: Well. I'm all ears. She frowned briefly at the idea of telling him these things. It wasn't that she wanted to keep them a secret, but that she worried a bit over how ridiculous it might sound to him. Then she remembered that they agreed to work together after she healed the wounds he had inflicted on her during an attempted murder. She sighed then, and began to tell him all she knew. About the Doktors, the Ten, the events of Aruba, and the promise she had made to Alexander Adversary after seeing what happened to him. The entire time, Bowie simply stood and listened to her, his expression unchanging. Mr. Bowie: ...so, there's ten of them. Eve: ...eh? Mr. Bowie: Adversaries. The ones in the medical masks and the goggles, yes? I did some work for one, some years back. In my...previous line of work. Her eyes lit up. Eve: Really?! Please, we don't know much about where they are now, if you could tell me anything that could help us... He held up one hand, a frown coming to his face. Mr. Bowie: I am not in the business of helping anyone except you, Eve. You, I am here to help. That is what I agreed to. Eve: But it would help me! Mr. Bowie: Would it? She blinked in confusion, as Bowie continued to talk. Mr. Bowie: You can say that defeating them is your goal, but is it? It's a nice story you say you were told. Deepening the bond between you two, forging loyalty under the shared banner of what you were put through by the other Doktors. But it could be just a story. Eve: That's ridiculous! Why would someone go to those lengths to convince someone to help them?! His expression is uncaring as he points out the obvious. Mr. Bowie: Maybe because that someone is the unkillable, unstoppable Perfect Evil? Eve: That's... Her head droops, the small and ugly possibility worming it's way into her head. Eve: That's ridiculous...why would you say something like that? Bowie sighed, taking a step closer and putting his hands on Eve's shoulders. Mr. Bowie: Because you're letting that affect your choices. Like the two other parts you locked away, you can't let others affect your choice. When it comes to this, the only person who must be allowed to influence your choice is you. I only ask you accept that possibility, and look at it rationally. She nods. Eve: I...I will. Mr. Bowie: Thank you. Besides, you need to be reminded that the world is cold, and people lie. That too you must acknowledge as you make your choices. That people are never what they want you to think they are...like the Caldwell boy. She frowned at him, but he continued to talk before she could get a word in. Mr. Bowie: I've kept an eye on him since realizing he would be your anchor, and his behavior is...well, annoying and mindless, to put it lightly. And I've noticed you agree. She sighed. Eve: It's...true. Ever since I took my trip into my head, I haven't been able to look at Carey's conversations with people like Cailey without feeling so fucking angry at him. Just like a tidal wave of it hitting me every time and I just wanna bash his head in with a chair because of how fucking AGGRAVATING he is to watch. And then I'm... Mr. Bowie: Tired? She nodded vigorously. Eve: Yes! Tired! I get these strong, strong emotions, and then suddenly I'm exhausted, completely out of energy! When we found that mark on Carey, my emotions went wild and I had to lay on the floor because I couldn't move. What...what is that? Mr. Bowie: Well, it's a sign that you're not done yet. You see when you made your doors, you gained the ability to control just how much input they have on you. Your humanity and your curse, you hold the key to how much of them you let in. How much of your emotions you feel, how much of your power you let override them. But you haven't reached “you” yet. “You” is defined as having allowed the exact amount of influence from both into yourself. Enough of your curse that it benefits you, but not enough that it covers everything in it's numbing sludge. Enough of your humanity that you can taste food, feel love, and laugh. But not enough that every little thing you feel is amplified. That's what that is, Eve. Your balance is off, your doors are not opened correctly, so your emotions are so much stronger than they should be. They overpower you, and leave you with just a deep fatigue. She nodded, understanding. Eve: So it's that thing you warned me about. Where if I tried to focus on just one part, it'd go into a crazy overdrive. Mr. Bowie: Correct. What you're feeling is yourself on the threshold of going over into what I term the “Dead Zone.” She raised an eyebrow. Eve: Now is that named like that because it fits, or is it named that because it sounds intimidating? Bowie smiles. Mr. Bowie: Yes. Eve was unamused. Eve: ...moving on. Mr. Bowie: Put aside what you think of the name. The Dead Zone is something you need to worry about, Eve. All of this is to get you to a place where you don't have to worry about it. Where you are you, without the other parts of you that you never asked for taking so much control from you. It's worse for you because, really, you have two Dead Zones. Eve: Ahhh, great, I see. One for the curse, one for humanity. Got it. Then it's even more important that I get this over with quickly. Both to get me away from this...Dead Zone...and so I can move on to...to what I think I want to do. Bowie nodded. Mr. Bowie: Of course. While I remain uncertain of this goal you wish to achieve this for, I recognize that finally reaching your balance is important. So, I'll oblige you, and we'll get this done with. Eve: Okay, great! What do I need to do? Take some more herbs and get all cozy in my head? Mr. Bowie: Oh, no, there's no need for that. For this, you need an immediate method. You need a real hard reason placed before you to inspire you to find how your doors should be opened. And there's really one one way to do that. She raised an eyebrow, before the realization hit her and she sighed. Eve: Ah shit. You're gonna punch me in the face, aren't you? He smiled. Mr. Bowie: Oh Eve, of course not. I'm not going to punch you in the face. I'm going to punch you in the stomach. His fist lashed out, driving itself into her gut. She immediately hunched over, the wind vanishing from her body before his fist withdrew and a split second later his elbow smashed into the back of her head, sending her face down onto the carpet. He then threw a kick into her side, forcing her to roll across the carpet. At least it had the benefit of creating space between them, allowing Eve to get to her feet and stare down her ally. She raised her fists and took a breath, waiting for him to make a move. It let her take stock of her mind. Her anger at his strikes against her was strong, too strong. She could feel the beginnings of tiredness at the edges of her mind already. She needed to take care of that, so she looked to her doors. The door for her humanity was far more open than the one for her curse, to the point where she could see the hand of that bleached hair douchebag reaching out. She slammed the door once on his hand, then opened it far less than it had been before. Instantly she felt the overwhelming aspect of her anger faded away. It remained in the back of her head, but it was instantly taken over with a bloodlust. Bowie began to approach her, and she tried to get herself in order. But she quickly realized this configuration of her doors wasn't right. Her bloodlust was suddenly at the forefront of her mind, with none of her other emotions there to keep it in check. The bit she had opened the door to her humanity wasn't enough, and it was covered in sludge. All she wanted to do was make him bleed, and so lashed out with her fist, aiming to smash his nose. He had it scouted, dodging his head to the side and driving his palm into her chest, driving her back. He quickly turned and threw a kick, driving his foot into her abdomen and sending her to the floor. She got desperate, spinning the circles that controlled the doors trying to find the right ratio. All it did was throw her mind into a scramble as emotions came and went, bloodlust strengthening and weakening in seconds as she tried to find the right way. All it did was tire her out, and it ended when Bowie grabbed her by the head, hauling her up before tossing her against the wall, where she slid down it to lay against it on the floor. Mr. Bowie: Don't just open them at random! If you do that, it just makes it easier for me to pick you apart! Actually try! She took a few breaths, trying to calm herself, and achieved some form of that. She looked at herself again, and tried to look at it without panic. Her bloodlust was too strong, so she slowly started to push it shut, waiting for the moment her emotions would start to creep too strong. Instead, they came strongly without a hint of it happening beforehand, forcing her to take hold of it as well and start to close it. But then she started to feel too disconnected from both, and tried to pull them more, trying to keep them even. As she did this, as she carefully tested how each one felt in her, she could feel herself approaching...something. Something she had wanted for so long. It felt like her head was beginning to clear... She was almost there, she knew it. The bloodlust and the anger was still there, nibbling just on her edges. All it would take was a final adjusting to finally get through. She was just about to try adjusting the doors again when a foot slammed into her side, rolling her over. She let out a cough, looking up at Mr. Bowie as he approached her. Mr. Bowie: You so do need to stop getting distracted, dear Eve. He was right, she knew. She needed to get rid of the immediate distraction of the man fighting her. She needed to get him off his game, take his massive advantage over her away at least somewhat. And with how clear her head was becoming, she could finally use her own intelligence to think of one. And, as he stood over her, pulling one fist back preparing it, she knew what to do. He threw the punch straight at her face, but she pushed up on her hands slightly, moving herself just enough that his fist hit only carpet. She reached out and grasped his arm with both hands, pulling him down slightly so she could execute her plan. She pushed up on one leg, using the leverage of his arm to pop her other leg up behind his head. And then she drove the point of her foot straight against the back of his head and neck. She had expected this to disorient him, to take some of the armor off his fight. What she got instead was a complete surprise. He spat out blood, spraying it across the carpet and her face. She reflexively released his arm, allowing him to stumble a few steps from her, hunched over. She stared in shock, one hand coming up to rub at her face, looking at her now bloodied hand as if to confirm this was happening. She looked back in time to see him stand back upright, standing up so quick that his balance went off and he stumbled more steps backwards. He coughed up more blood, leaving it running down his chin and staining his shirt. Finally he corrected his posture and looked at her again. His dilated pupils were wild. He stared at her a moment before letting out a quick, shrill laugh. Mr. Bowie: Well someone get lucky, huuuuh? Eve: What the fuck? He doesn't respond to the question, instead reaching one hand behind his back. She knew what he was doing long before he brought his hand back in front of him, a knife now clasped in his hand. He grins at her, a fake looking smile made all the worse for the blood covering his teeth and face. Mr. Bowie: Since you're not making any progress, I'll have to take matters into my own hands! She started to get to her feet, only for Bowie to throw a kick at her, causing her to roll to the side away from it. She came up from the roll in time to avoid taking a slash to the face from the knife, and scrambled to her feet. She threw a left, only for Bowie to parry it, and then drove his fist into her gut, following by headbutting her, sending her reeling back. She blinked through tears of pain. Through them she could see him watching her, grinning while covered in his own blood, seeming even stronger now that he'd lost it, reveling in insanity. And a thought occurred to her. So this was the Dead Zone. As he quickly approached her she tried to throw a kick at him, only for it to be caught by him. He quickly spun her around, her back facing him for only a moment before he drove the knife into her right shoulder. She let out a yell of pain as it went into her, and suddenly he was against her, one arm around her throat. Mr. Bowie: A shame, but I thiiiiink you're a failure! Too bad too bad! I'll have to dunk you somewhere out of the way so no one has to seeeeeeee you again! And then, I think I'll have to take a visit to that Caldwell boy, I think I can blame him for this can't you agree? Me and him, I think we'll have to have a talk, at least till I break his jaw. THEN the fun'll start! She listened to all that, feeling the burning pain of the knife in her as she did. Her anger flared, wanting to get revenge for the words and actions, her bloodlust screaming at her to tear him apart for his threats. But Eve knew that what they wanted was not her, not entirely. They were not what she needed to focus on. So instead she focused on the feeling of the knife in her, on the words he said, and the people who she was doing this for. Alexander Adversary, a man who returned to fighting the people who maimed him to save her. Who had his body torn apart by the people who'd done the same to her, who now had so little of his original body left but still dedicated himself to stopping them. Cyril Kuller, a man who took three bullets meant to end his life because he tried to save her from the fate she had resigned herself to, who refused to let her think her life was worthless and that she was more than an experiment to be cast aside. And Carey Caldwell, an idiot with a big mouth that had reached out to a patchwork girl with friendship, not caring her history, fate, or curse. Her family. She kept their faces and her memories of them in her mind as she reached out and grasped the circles on her anchor again, and spun them. The doors adjusted themselves as she saw fit, and suddenly it all clicked. Suddenly, and without warning, Eve was herself. Her head felt clear for the first time. She felt the anger, but it did not tug overbearingly on her. The desire for violence was there, but it was not whispering to her constantly. The desire was only hers. All of it was finally, finally only hers. She took in the situation as herself for the first time. The maniac with the arm around her throat, the knife in her shoulder, the threats against her family. And she acted. And, perhaps appropriately, her first action as herself was to grab the hand of the arm around her throat and bite into it, sinking her teeth into it, tasting his blood as he let out a yell, backing away from her. And then it was her making a yell as she twisted her body around, putting everything of herself into it as she threw a punch straight at his face, smashing into his nose, a satisfying crunch sounding as he fell to his back on the ground. She reached behind herself, grasping the knife in her hand and yanking it out. She winced briefly, before looking inside herself again. She took grasp of the circle controlling her curse and allowed it to open just a tad bit more. There was a slight deadening of her mind as the sludge came in, but the wound on her shoulder quickly closed up. And, to her happiness, she was able to return the door to where it had been before without a problem. She had achieved the dream she thought was impossible. She had gained control of her curse, of her humanity, of herself. She had found balance. She stepped over to the prone Bowie, seeing in his face only confusion at how he'd come to be on his back with a busted nose. She smiled down at him as she extended her hand. He reached out and took it, and she helped him to his feet. He looked at her, her body language, her expression, and smiled. Mr. Bowie: I take it I'm meeting Eve now? She returned the smile. Eve: Correct. It's nice to meet you. Mr. Bowie: The same to you, my dear. You are truly something else. Your progress is outstanding. It took me...well, it took me a very long time to reach anything close to your state. Eve: Well, it wasn't easy. There was the lunatic trying to beat me to death. Mr. Bowie: Oh, really? Do show me to him, I'll show him why that was a mistake. They shared a laugh, before Eve's expression changed to a harder one as she took in the blood covering his face before looking him in the eyes. Eve: So, you mind me asking what the hell that was about? Mr. Bowie: Hm? What? She stared at him. He did not waver under her stare, looking like he legitimately did not understand what she was talking about. Eve slowly held her hand up to her face and rubbed around her mouth and chin. Bowie did the same, and then looked at his hand when it came away sticky with his blood. Mr. Bowie: ...ah. That. Yes. Well, there's no way around it. You sent me to my Dead Zone. Eve: Yeah, figured that bit out, thanks. I meant WHY it did that. He did not reply immediately, instead walking past her to grab a towel off the table and running it over his face. She frowned at the avoiding. Mr. Bowie: It doesn't matter, Eve. My Dead Zone has no bearing on you. She was silent a moment, as a thought occurred to her. Eve: Is that why you left? Silence again, as he continued to try to wipe his face clean. Realizing it to be futile, he dropped the towel, and turned to face her. His expression was clear: the topic was not one to continue. Mr. Bowie: It doesn't matter. That's the past. This is the present, Eve, and what's important now is what you've achieved. He smiled at her, a genuine one. Mr. Bowie: How's it feel to be yourself? Eve: It feels like... Her face scrunches up, the best word suddenly so far away from her. Bowie's smile only grows. Mr. Bowie: Like you? She blinked at this. She considered it, rolling it around in her head, and then nodded. Eve: Yeah. It feels like me. Whatever that might be. She looked at him, and smiled. Eve: Thank you. He nodded. Mr. Bowie: Of course. Now, I suppose I'd be remiss if I didn't offer you the chance for your first experience as yourself to be to have a drink. Eve: Oh fuck that, I'm all about getting shitfaced after all this. He stared at her, and she quirked an eyebrow at him. Eve: Problem with the language? Mr. Bowie: No. He stepped to her, bending down slightly to get his face in front of hers, looking straight into her eyes. Mr. Bowie: Just observing how it's obvious to see that the person you are is going to be quite charming. Eve grinned back at him. Eve: Oh, just wait. I'm gonna be one hell of a Me. – Doktor Alexander Adversary: Her capacity for empathy is far higher than I thought the curse allowed. Dr. Cyril Kuller: She's improving at such a rapid pace. Doktor Alexander Adversary: Mmm.... The two stood in front of the main computer, watching replays of Eve embracing Alexander. Cyril smiles at this, but the smile fades when he looks at Alexander and seeing the lack of joy on his face. Dr. Cyril Kuller: You're going to brood over this of all things? Doktor Alexander Adversary: Her improvement is something to be happy about. Of course it is. But, I'm bothered. Cyril nods. Dr. Cyril Kuller: The tweets, right? Doktor Alexander Adversary: Correct. The tweet by whoever it is that's helping her, it bothers me. It didn't sound helpful at all. He sighed. Doktor Alexander Adversary: Beyond that, there were the tweets the man calling himself “Seer” made whenever the Caldwell boy was being an idiot. They don't name names but reading them chilled me regardless. They feel like they were about her. Dr. Cyril Kuller: No, I agree. They don't fill me with confidence. But still, her improvement should speak for itself. Doktor Alexander Adversary: Perhaps...or perhaps it's improvement in spite of the involvement of whoever this is. Cyril nodded, rubbing at the back of his neck with one hand. Dr. Cyril Kuller: If only we could know who it was. That might help reduce our worries. Doktor Alexander Adversary: ...then why don't we? Dr. Cyril Kuller: Eh? Alexander began to tap keys on the keyboard. Doktor Alexander Adversary: This all started shortly after she requested to use the computer system. Simple to make an inference that she used the computer to find whoever it is that's helping her. Dr. Cyril Kuller: That makes perfect sense. Ah, but what if she deleted her searches? Doktor Alexander Adversary: Not a problem. I suppose it's fortunate I've just recently finished rebuilding it. Cyril raised an eyebrow as Alex tapped a few more keys, and the monitor went dark. It remained like this for a moment, until something appeared. What seemed to be three lines approximating eyes and a mouth appeared on the screen, seeming to be at rest. Cyril's expression turned into one of shock. Dr. Cyril Kuller: I'll be damned. You actually salvaged it. I thought it was destroyed when they leveled the mountain. Doktor Alexander Adversary: Correct. It's value was too great to let them destroy it. And how could I let it die, really? The AI that oversaw our creations....Gate. The three lines remain as they were, still asleep, before the sound of their voices causes the two eye lines to turn into carets, awakening. Gate: Hello! It has been too long since I have seen any of you! You have both grown so much, Alex and Lo- Cyril's expression suddenly twists into one of anger. Dr. Cyril Kuller: Cyril! The digital face stops, the carets turning to question marks. Gate: That is not the name you chose at creation. Dr. Cyril Kuller: So what. I decide my name, and it's Cyril. The AI stops to contemplate this, before the question marks turn back into carets. Gate: Acknowledged. You have both grown so much, Alex and Cyril. It makes me simulate the emotion of being proud. Doktor Alexander Adversary: Thank you, Gate. But I'm afraid we're not looking to reminisce over the past. Gate: I am aware, I have finished reviewing the recordings I made while sleeping of your conversations. You wish for me to find what Bruce's creation was searching for? Dr. Kuller winced. Dr. Cyril Kuller: Please don't call her that. Her name is Eve, Gate. Another moment of contemplation. Gate: Acknowledged. You want what Eve found? Doktor Alexander Adversary: Yes, please. We need to know. Gate: Easily done! The digital face disappears, replaced by many web pages and documents contained inside the computer itself rapidly flashing on the screen. Gate: Bringing up everything she looked up. Hm! Actually, it would seem she decided on someone quite early. Many of these documents are all linked to one person. Doktor Alexander Adversary: Then please bring up a summary of that person. Gate: Easily done! The many pages are all replaced with one, giving a summary of all information known on this person, with the name bold and huge on top. Alexander's head tilted, clearly not knowing this man, while Cyril went pale. Dr. Cyril Kuller: FUCK!Alex's artificial eyes blink rapidly in confusion as he turns to look at Cyril, whose expression was panicked. Doktor Alexander Adversary: You know this man? Dr. Cyril Kuller: Of course I do! He's a fucking nightmare that everyone hoped had vanished into his god forsaken grave! Gate: Cyril your body temperature is rising rapidly, are you unwell? Dr. Cyril Kuller: No, I'm fucking well not well! He grabs Alex by the shoulders, making sure the man has to stare him right in the eyes. Dr. Cyril Kuller: We have to intervene. We have to save her. Doktor Alexander Adversary: Cyril, what are we saving her from? Cyril looks down at the floor, his expression changing to one of worry as he looks back at his brother. Tears begin to well up in his eyes from some imagined scenario. Dr. Cyril Kuller: We have to save her from becoming like him. To Be Concluded In “The Choice.”
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Aruba
Mar 8, 2015 22:23:03 GMT -6
Post by Evelyn Kuller on Mar 8, 2015 22:23:03 GMT -6
Eve: I want to know what happened to you. The cyborg besides her stops what he was doing to turn and stare at her curiously, or what she assumed to be that. It was hard to tell with his mask and goggles on. They stood in the middle of an empty room, one of many in the compound, that was now to be a training room. They'd spent the last hour testing if her body suffered from fatigue under the curse's influence. She had done her best to let the curse's door open, so they could test it. She did not and, as she learned, neither did he. This had made her realize that, beyond what she had already seen of his cybernetics, the damage to his body had been extensive. She wanted to know just what the extent was. Doktor Alexander Adversary: And why would you want that? Eve: Well...I'm suppose to help you in your war with the Ten, yes? Doktor Alexander Adversary: Only if you desire to. We're not going to force you into anything, even if you weren't the Perfect Evil. Eve: But I am, and that's why. You can tell me stories of what could happen if they achieve their goals all you want, those kinds of “ifs” are still beyond me. To comprehend the threat, I need to see it. The Doktor is silent for a few moments, before giving a slight nod. Doktor Alexander Adversary: So be it. Follow me. He turns on his heel and walked out of the room, Eve falling into step behind him. They navigated the maze of hallways to one of the main computer rooms, the nurse sitting at the computer, tapping at the keyboard. She turned her head to look at the two of the smile and smiled. Nurse Francine: Yes? Doktor Alexander Adversary: Bring up the camera footage from Aruba for Eve. Her smile disappeared. Nurse Francine: ...are you sure, Alex? Doktor Alexander Adversary: It's what she wants. Humor her. Without another word or a look at either one of them he departs the room. Eve watches him go with a tilt of her head. Eve: I've offended him, I think. Nurse Francine: No, no it's just that....you need to understand. To Alex, what happened is still fresh in his mind. To him it's still yesterday. Eve considered this, then nodded. Eve: I understand. Trauma is hard to get past. She only receives a small nod in response as the nurse returns her attention to the computer. She taps a few keys and moved through a few folders, until she reached the file in question. One double tap later, and the video came up, already paused. She stood up from the computer and looked back at Eve. Nurse Francine: There. You can watch it. Eve: Are you not staying? She shook her head quickly, one hand unconsciously going to her shirt sleeve, tugging at it as she replied. Nurse Francine: No. Never. I can't...deal with seeing things like this. Alex's is really bad, but really seeing what any of them have done just...brings back memories. Eve blinked. She had never asked about her, or how she came to know the Doktors. The idea that the Ten had affected her like Eve had been, had never occurred to her. She put on her best smile and put a hand on her shoulder. Eve: I understand. You don't need to see this again. Francine seemed shocked at this amount of compassion from the girl with the emotionless curse on her. Then, the shock turned to relief, and she returned the smile. Nurse Francine: Thank you, Eve. Eve nodded, and Francine brushed past her as she exited the room. Now alone with just the computer, Eve approached it, placing one finger against the space bar. She took a deep breath, let it out...and hit it. The video began to play. – It was security camera footage, showing a lab. Rows and rows of tables were in this lab, each one covered in mechanical parts. Various inventions that were once complete, now being cannibalized to complete something greater. This something greater was set against the far wall of the lab. A large machine that she couldn't really understand the purpose of just from looking. It seemed to just be a mass of metal slammed together. Cyril's influence, she realized. Where form didn't matter compared to function. The only man in the lab was who she assumed to be Alex. Looking at him as he was then, she realized he still had a difference from the identical man that created her. It was a look in his eyes. Like there was a purpose he was working towards, something he believed in. Something better. The sudden realization that she'd never seen that look in his eyes since she met him hurt. The video continued to show him tinkering on the machine for a few moments, before abruptly cutting to another camera. This one showed what she assumed to be the outside of the building, and the gathering happening. There were three of them, the camera positioned behind them. Despite that, it was easy for her to realize who they all had to be. Each one of them had the same profile, with little difference. One of them seemed to be...bulging, more than the others. But beyond that, it was clear they were the same body. Same as Alex, same as her creator. More of the Ten. The one that stood slightly in front of them, the one she decided was in charge of them, turned his head to regard the non-bulging one of them. 10.1: Have you taken care of the security? The first response is a chuckle before words. 10.2: Their sensors were so amateur. I'm honestly disappointed that it was the best those two could manage together. Bulging Adversary: I'm not. Easier to drag it out. 10.1: Correct. Let's greet our rebellious brother shall we? You may have the honors, Clark. The bulging one steps towards the wall, pulling one fist behind himself as he does. He comes up to the wall, plants himself solidly, and his fist flies out. The feed cuts back inside of the lab, in time for the east wall, the one across from where the machine was, to explode inwards. Metal and plaster sprayed everywhere, as Alex's head whipped around to view it. Instantly recognizing what was happening, he rushed for one of the tables, looking to grab what looked to be some kind of rifle on it. He never got the chance as 10.2, who she now realized was not wearing shoes, held up a tiny pistol and fired a laser through the center of Alex's chest. His run turned to stumbles, a hole in his chest now obvious to see as he slammed into the table and collapsed onto his side. He could only lay there and cough up blood as the three entered the lab. 10.1: An excellent shot, Howard. You must lend me one of those little laser pistols, they seem so fun to just play with. The shoeless one, Howard, simply tosses him the pistol he just used on Alex. Doktor Howard Adversary: Consider it a gift as thanks for you including me in this operation. The one that remains unnamed takes a small bow to him. 10.1: You're more than welcome, dear brother. I'm not so egotistical that I can't admit I occasionally require assistance. Doktor Clark Adversary: Close. The leader of the three chuckles at this. 10.1: True. Clark, I think that this room is too cluttered. We need a nice clear space to talk with your brother, don't you think? Doktor Clark Adversary: I concur. The bulging man then set to grabbing the tables, weighed down considerably by parts, and tossing them against the walls like they were child's toys. In no time, the center of the lab was clear except for the three of them, some scattered parts, and a man with a hole in his chest. The leader stepped over to Alex, and knelt next to him. Alex coughed again as he looked up at him. Doktor Alexander Adversary: ...Grant. The leader, Grant, smiles down at him. Doktor Grant Adversary: Alex. You silly boy. You should have let well enough alone. Alex reaches a hand up, trying to reach out to him, but Grant only swats it back down. Doktor Grant Adversary: Did you really think you would be able to get away with this? That you could keep a project like this from me? You both fooled others at meetings, but I could feel your intentions. You never had a chance to succeed. He looked over at the machine against the far wall. Doktor Grant Adversary: That never had a chance to succeed. Whatever it is. Howard would you be a dear and find out just what that was to do? Doktor Howard Adversary: Of course. The shoeless one stepped over to the machine and presses one hand against it, eyes closing in concentration. After a few moments his eyes open, expression twisting with disgust. Doktor Howard Adversary: It was going to target us all. Via our shared blood and brain waves, it would have emitted a signal that would have shut us down. Doktor Clark Adversary: They were going to lobotomize us all. Howard nods, and Grant looks back down at Alex, shaking his head. Doktor Grant Adversary: You'd do that to your own brothers? I'm appalled, Alex. And surprised. You know that would have killed the two of you as well. Doktor Alexander Adversary: ...whatever the cost... Grant rolled his eyes and stood up. Doktor Grant Adversary: How childish. You could have done great things, Alex, but you just had to act like a rebellious teenager. And you know that this family does not abide that behavior. He stops to dust himself off before taking a few steps backwards, turning to face the machine. Doktor Grant Adversary: So let's get you truly acquainted with your mistake. He slowly raised both hands, pointing them at the machine. He closed his eyes, concentrating as his fists clench. Then his eyes opened, revealing they had changed. They now glowed a bright, shining yellow. And as he starts to lift his fists, the machine begins to lift in the air. He moved his fists around, moving the machine over towards Alex, who can only watch on helplessly. Soon, it hovered above him. A grin came across Grant's face just before he dropped the machine onto Alex's back. Alex screamed out, and screamed out again when the machine was lifted and then slammed back down onto him. And he screamed again, and again, and again. Until finally, his screams stopped either due to his vocal cords blowing out or the shock to his body being too much. The sound of his screams was replaced with other sounds. The crunch of bones snapping. The pulpy sound of organs being crushed. And the laughter of the other two men. Then finally, it ended. Grant threw his hands to the side, and the machine flew back into the wall it once rested against, embedding itself into the wall. His eyes returned to normal, and he started to collapse only for Clark to catch him. Grant rested his head against his shoulder, nose bleeding. Doktor Grant Adversary: Well...that was exhausting. I think I could have picked a less strenuous field test for my new abilities. Doktor Howard Adversary: And a less dangerous one. Grant lifted his head enough to look at Howard who is pressing his hand against the machine again, frowning. Doktor Howard Adversary: You damaged it. The power source is going wild. It will turn into quite a nice bomb in...oh, roughly ten minutes. Doktor Clark Adversary: Great. And here I wanted to take my time and enjoy this. Doktor Grant Adversary: My apologies, my muscular brother. I suppose we'll have to wrap this up quickly. Grant pushed himself off of Clark, stumbling slightly but maintaining balance. They all looked down at Alex to see him try to move. His arm, awkwardly bent, tries to reach out to them as Alex babbles. Doktor Alexander Adversary: please...i'msorry...i'msosorry... Doktor Grant Adversary: Oh now this is just pathetic. Clark, please end this. Clark stepped over to Alex, suddenly grinning. He reaches down, grabbing some of Alex's hair in his hands and lifting his head up so they can look into one each others eyes. Doktor Clark Adversary: I always thought you talked too much. And he then puts his foot out, jamming the tip of his foot into Alex's mouth. Alex's eyes widened, realization dawning just before Clark yanked hard on Alex's hair, forcing his head up and ripping his jaw off. What came from Alex then was a pathetic crying sound, as he convulsed on the floor. Clark kicked the detached jaw away with a laugh. Howard arched an eyebrow at all this. Doktor Howard Adversary: So are we being cruel for cruelty's sake now? Oh well. When in Rome. He now stepped over to Alex, pulling a knife from a coat pocket. He knelt down and grabbed his head, lifting him slightly. Doktor Howard Adversary: Sorry old boy, but I'm quite tired of those judgmental looks you'd always give us. And he pressed the knife into the flesh next to Alex's left eye, and quickly slashed across, cutting through both of his eyes. He dropped his head and the knife, and stepped back to the others. They looked down at the blind, jawless, broken mess that was once their rebellious brother. And they all smiled. Doktor Grant Adversary: Well, this was a wonderful bonding experience, but I think we should be leaving. We'll let dear Alex get nice and toasty. Doktor Clark Adversary: Better than he deserves. Doktor Howard Adversary: It's going to take a lot to wash the blood from my coat. Sigh. And thus the three walked out of the lab through the hole they had made, without another look back at him. Thus the cameras caught the last moments of Alex's life. Alone, broken, one hand desperately reaching around, trying to find anything to grab onto. And then the last thing it caught was the faintest glimpse of a flash from the machine, and the camera was destroyed. – The video stopped, ending on a frame of the machine starting to explode, and the broken heap that was Alexander Adversary. Eve placed one hand on the keyboard to support herself, her legs suddenly wobbly. Her other hand covered her mouth, silencing whatever noise might have come from her. She stays like this for a while, trying to understand what she had just watched. Finally, she pushed herself off of the keyboard, and turns, leaving the room. She heads for the training room they had made, entering it to find the cyborg waiting for her. Doktor Alexander Adversary: So. You watched it. Did that give you what you wanted? She just looks at him, seeing the man he had once been, then the broken mess they had turned him into, and finally the rebuilt cyborg in front of her. Her eyes teared up, and she rushed forward, Alexander's eyes widening as she embraced him. He froze, physical contact clearly uncomfortable for him, but Eve ignores this. She buries her face in his coat, and to his surprise she actually cries for a moment. She looks up at him, blinking away tears. Eve: I understand now. I'm sorry. I'm so sorry. You didn't deserve that. She reached up and wiped away her tears, before looking at him again. He looks into her eyes, and he sees something new. A fire in her eyes, blazing hard. A fire that signaled a purpose. And she opened her mouth, and spoke the words that would set her Path forever. Eve: They'll never be able to hurt someone again, what happened to me and to you will never happen again. Because I'm going to help you dismantle them. Even as she said that, she knew it wasn't true. Not yet, at least. She still had to get her curse under control. She had to find her balance, and she needed to do it as soon as possible. It was time to finish the work she and Mr. Bowie had started. To be continued in 'Balance'
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Post by Evelyn Kuller on Feb 10, 2015 3:48:30 GMT -6
Some days before Revo 21...
When she finally returned, she found him looking at twitter. She arched an eyebrow at this sight.
Eve: I thought you didn't like social media.
Mr. Bowie: I don't. But it's useful for observing people. They're all so open with things, never realizing who might be watching, seeing what makes them strong...what makes them weak.
Eve: No, actually, I think it's mostly for people to fuck each other.
Mr. Bowie: ...that too, yes.
A momentary silence.
Mr. Bowie: But, this time, it had another use. I kept watch on what you tweeted out these past few weeks...
Eve: ...and?
He smiles at her, a real and genuine one.
Mr. Bowie: I'd wager you found your anchor. The Caldwell boy.
She nods.
Eve: Correct. Carey is...my family. He's the person I cherish most.
Mr. Bowie: He seems loud and annoying.
Eve: They're part of the charm.
Mr. Bowie: If you say so. It's your anchor.
He stood up and walked past her, into the kitchen. She took a seat in the living room and waited. He returned with two tea cups. She shook her head.
Eve: No thanks, I can't taste it.
Mr. Bowie: Eve. The inability to taste, it's part of the curse. If you find your center, then you'll be able to taste again.
Eve: ...okay, and?
Mr. Bowie: If you keep up things you'd do in your center, eating, drinking...then it will make it easier to regain it should you slip too far one way or the other.
Eve: So...go with it regardless because that's what a person would do?
Mr. Bowie: If you wish to look at it that way.
Eve shrugs, picking up the cup and sipping at the tea. It, unsurprisingly, tasted of nothing. But she gulped it down regardless.
Mr. Bowie: ...that was straight from the kettle.
Eve: Ah, it's fine. My throat'll heal.
Mr. Bowie: Of course. Well, let's move onto the next step, yes?
Eve: Yes. Please.
He nods, sitting down across from her and tipping the cup to his lips to get a sip of tea.
Mr. Bowie: The next step will be a difficult one, Eve.
Eve: How hard?
Mr. Bowie: You'll have to go into your own mind.
Eve: ….uh....first off, how?
Mr. Bowie: That part is simple.
He removes from his pocket a small baggie full of herbs.
Mr. Bowie: These are drugs I picked up many years ago, when I was trying to find myself. They allowed me to enter my own mind and interact with the parts of me.
Eve: And how did that go?
Mr. Bowie: I bit through the tip of my tongue and nearly choked to death on my own blood.
Eve: ….
He smiles.
Mr. Bowie: But that wouldn't kill you even if it did happen! So it's fine.
She looks down at her lap, suddenly sheepish. She doesn't speak for a bit, but finally manages.
Eve: Ah...I don't really think that's something I wanna do. Not yet, at least.
Mr. Bowie: Too hard?
Eve: Too...much. I don't know if I'm ready confront everything that way yet. It sounds like too big a trip.
Mr. Bowie: Mmm, I expected that.
He brought his cup to his lips again and tipped it back, and it finally occurred to Eve that he hadn't actually drank any of the liquid, and had merely been miming it. She blinked a few times before it registered, her mouth contorting into a snarl.
Eve: You drugged me, didn't you?
Mr. Bowie: Mmmmmhmmmmm.
Eve: Oh you fucking asshol-
Before her bloodlust could begin to flare up, the world began to distort around her. The walls stretched out, the ceiling extended higher and higher, tables and chairs sinking into the floor. The cup fell from her hands, shattering on the floor as she felt her body go out of sync. She slumped back in her chair and slowly slid out of it, falling to the floor herself. She stared up at the lights, watching them slowly dim, as the man appeared in her field of vision. He smiled down at her.
Mr. Bowie: Don't be afraid. This will only help you.
She had many, many choice words for him about that, but she couldn't feel her jaw anymore. He stepped from view, and she was left staring at the light again as it slowly faded. In no time she was left in complete darkness, stretching for endless miles in every direction. On the bright side, she could feel her body better, and was able to sit up. She looked in each direction, finding nothing, and sighed.
Eve: All alone in my head. Just what I always wanted.
?: Oh, Eve. You're never alone in here.
Her head snapped up in the direction of the voice, seeing two shadowy figures just beyond the limits of what she could actively perceive. One of them stepped into her perception and she was confronted with herself. Or, at least, it was her face. The rest of her wasn't quite right. She was dressed like the Doktors in her life, wearing a lab coat over a dress shirt and slacks. The lab coat was covered in blood splatters, the shirt cut to ribbons in places. She sported a grin that seemed to stretch far beyond what a person should be able to manage, and it never left her face.
Eve: I'm going to take a stab in the dark and assume you're not my humanity.
The other Eve shook her head.
?: No. I'm your blessing, Eve.
Eve: ...Eh. I might not hate it, but a blessing might be stretching it. But, I guess you're not what I was expecting...
The Perfect Evil: Oh? What did you expect? Me to be in all black, maybe with horns or something?
Eve: ...Yes. That's actually exactly what I was expecting.
The Perfect Evil: Well! One thing we have in common is we don't want to be what anyone expects of us. Besides, this coat is comfy.
Eve: ….I can't deny it looks really comfy.
The Perfect Evil: Exactly! Plus, deep pockets! I can fit all kinds of sharp shit in here!
To emphasize, she reaches into her pockets and comes out with hands full of bladed objects of various shapes and sizes, most of which are covered in crimson.
Eve: Huh. That could be handy. But, then, I'd just look like everyone else in my life.
The Perfect Evil: Not if you kill them all!
Eve: ….
??: You're ruining your own cause there.
The other figure steps fully into her perception and she could only gawk at him. He had bleached blonde hair, skin stained with tattoos...looking at him, there was only one word she could find to describe her humanity.
Douchebag.
Eve: Hoooooooly shit.
The Perfect Evil: Yeah...that's another reason I went for a more “normal” look.
2004 Jon Collins: Someone sounds jealous they can't pull this off.
The Perfect Evil: Look Eminem, no one could pull that off least of all you.
2004 Jon Collins: Eminem?! Listen here you obnoxious labbitch, I'll have you know-
They continued to shout at one another as Eve sat and watched. She slowly looked up at the nothingness of the sky and shook her head.
Eve: My humanity and my curse are arguing with each other over fashion. I think I've successfully tripped more balls than those SectionB kids combined, and would like to go home now.
Another voice sounded out, that of her “friend” Mr. Bowie, which seemed to come from all sides, filling the black space of her mind.
Mr. Bowie: I'm sure it's an amazing show. But we've only just begun. You've met them both, now it's time to control them.
Eve: Does controlling involve muzzles? Because hoo boy do I need two of those right now.
2004 Jon Collins: Kinky.
He flashes her a wink.
Eve: ….you know I'm starting to feel things again and all I'm feeling is disgust I think this is progress I think I'm good for the day.
Mr. Bowie: Eve. Focus. Don't let them distract you.
Eve: Easier said than fucking done, thank you!
Mr. Bowie: EVE!
The voice is, for that one shout, briefly amplified to thundering proportions, Eve's hands covering her ears as both her humanity and her curse briefly shake and almost collapse from the force. Eve slowly lets go of her ears to look back up.
Eve: Yes...yes, I'm listening. I'm...I'm ready. Let's get this over with.
Mr. Bowie: Thank you. Now, you need to use your anchor.
Eve: Probably an obvious question here, but, how?
The voice doesn't respond. Instead, the response she gets is the sound of metal hitting ground. She turns her head to her left and finds a massive metal spike laying next to her. She blinks at it.
Mr. Bowie: Pick it up.
Eve shrugs and pushes herself to her feet. She reaches down and gets a grasp on the spike, beginning to strain to lift it. It was far heavier than she had been expected. Hell, she was surprised it HAD weight.
Mr. Bowie: Put your back into it! Feel the weight! Let the feeling of the weight seep into your memory, forever!
With a particularly unladylike grunt, she managed to heft it up, holding it in both hands. She stumbles back a few steps from the weight, but manages to remain upright. Both the humanity and the curse look on amused.
Eve: Okay...don't think I'll be forgetting this anytime soon.
Mr. Bowie: Good. Now, place it in between and in front of the two of them.
Eve: Right, okay....
She slowly steps over to the required spot, facing both her sides.
2004 Jon Collins: You look stupid.
The Perfect Evil: Perhaps she does, but it's hardly her fault. It's that annoying man's...that thing is quite heavy, I wonder what it'd do to his head....
Eve: Shaddup....
Mr. Bowie: Now, plant it!
She strains, arcing her back, hefting the spike up, and driving it into the ground...and it only sunk a few inches in. She stared at it in disbelief.
Eve: Thaaaat's a good sign.
Mr. Bowie: It'll take more than just a bit of force to put it down. You'll have to put your whole body into it!
Eve nodded and threw her body at it, her flesh smashing into metal, sinking it a few more inches. She repeated this again and again, slamming her body into the spike repeatedly, shooting real pain through her body each time, but only managing to sink it in a few inches at a time. She slumped down next to it, breathing hard, and slammed her fist against the ground in frustration.
Mr. Bowie: Not good enough! Put everything you have into it! Feel it against your skin! Remember the feeling of your body crashing into all that weight! The feeling of it sinking down! Take all of that, remember it, store it in your mind! AND DRIVE IT IN!
She let out a scream, and threw her body straight down on top of it. It slammed into her stomach, rocketing pain through her body, but along with the pain she felt it slide into the ground completely. She rolled off the top of it and landed on the ground, panting despite her lack of needing to breathe. She felt fatigue, felt it in every part of her. She hadn't felt exhaustion herself before, and she grasped it in her mind, recording the feeling forever. She stared up at the sky and smiled.
Eve: Something new....I felt something new....I am so tired....
Mr. Bowie: Good. That's the kind of sign we want. But we're not done! Get to your feet, Eve, you still have work to do!
She nodded, pushing herself to her feet. She came to face the two sides of herself again, both of which looked none too pleased with what was going on.
2004 Jon Collins: You're wasting your time.
The Perfect Evil: Mmhmm. You'll feel quite angry when you realize this achieved nothing.
Eve: Huh....I think they're scared.
Mr. Bowie: They should be. Now, build walls.
Eve: Uh.
Mr. Bowie: You heard me. You don't have to do it by hand, you can use your mind but you must erect walls around them. Don't just erect it completely around them, build it brick by brick, keep the memory of the sounds of it coming together in you. Take your time. And remember it.
She nodded, slumping down to her knees. The two halves of her looked on uncertainly as, slowly, walls began to come into existence around the two. Neither one of them could do anything as they slowly became trapped in separate rooms just for them, with only a door shaped hole left in the front of each. When the last brick was laid, Eve fell over onto her side, exhaustion coming in even stronger now. She coughed, and looked back up at the sky.
Eve: Okay...now what...?
Mr. Bowie: What else. You built rooms for them, but there's no doors.
Eve: Oh of course...how silly of me...right then.
With some difficultly she managed to get to her feet, and faced the two again. Both merely glared, and Eve felt some happiness that they weren't opening their mouths. She faced the room holding her humanity, and dropped a door in front of it. But in this she was surprised, as the door was not what she expected. Despite what she imagined dropping in place, what was there instead was a mostly-transparent slab. She blinked.
Eve: I put a door there but there's not a door. I don't know why I'm surprised.
Mr. Bowie: Did you really expect them to let you seal them away easily? They're fighting back. As is, that door isn't as real to you as they are, so they can do what they want. If you don't hurry, this will be for nothing.
Eve: Shit, okay, what do I do?!
Mr. Bowie: Make the door real. Punch it.
Eve: ...so take the Carey approach. Fuckin' A.
She ran up to the room, stopping in front of the slab, and face to face with her humanity. It smiled at her. She ignored it, and raised her fist. And punched it. At first it felt like nothing, her hand just kind of stopping suddenly where the slab began. But she kept punching, and slowly she began to feel her fist impacting something. Hit after hit came, the sound of a fist hitting wood coming in clearer and clearer each time, the feeling of her fist slamming into wood becoming truer with each strike. The transparency faded, as a door began to appear, Eve relentlessly punching the door. Recording the sound of it, the feeling of it to her mind forever. Making it real. She punched it one last time, and knew it was real. Now she could only be watched from a small window on the door, her humanity now glaring instead of smiling.
Mr. Bowie: Good. Now, the other one!
She turned and ran to the other room, placing another slab as she did, and repeated the process. Hit after hit, making the door real to her, causing it to appear, locking her curse away in a room. She stumbled back, and fell on her behind, leaning against the spike in the floor for support. Her two other halves stare at her from the windows, scowling.
2004 Jon Collins: You think this will help you? You're always going to have us in you. We're unavoidable.
The Perfect Evil: Especially me. I'll always be that little voice in your head...telling you to kill everyone close to you.
Eve: Oh, good for you both. You can say whatever you want...but I'm finally feeling in control now. And you know what I say? Fuck off.
And then the windows on both doors are covered with a piece of metal slamming over them, completely cutting off contact between her and her other halves. She stared at the doors. No sound came from them. Her two halves could not speak to her. She was finally able to hear only her own voice in her head.
Eve: I could get use to this.
Mr. Bowie: You might just get to. But, while I appreciate the theatrics of sealing them both off, you're not done.
Eve: Of fucking course I'm not...right, now what?
Mr. Bowie: Last step. Controlling how much of them you let in.
Eve: ...do I gotta?
The silence is the only answer she gets.
Eve: ...figures...right. How.
Mr. Bowie: Feel your anchor up.
Eve: Excuse me?
Mr. Bowie: Just do it.
She looks at it, and shrugs. She reaches a hand up, and begins to run it up, from the base to the tip. She expected a smooth shaft, but instead found herself hitting something near the top. She reached out and grasped it, and realized it was a metal circle, attached to the shaft. She then realized it was sectioned, meaning she could move it around in a circle around the shaft. She blinked, and reached up to realize there was a second one just above it.
Eve: Okay, I can kind of see where this is going. There's two of these, and two doors. So what am I missing?
Mr. Bowie: Rope.
Immediately after he said that, two lengths of rope dropped down in front of her. She looked at them, then the spike, then the doors, then back.
Eve: Right. I can see where this is going, I don't need instruction for this bit.
Mr. Bowie: I'd judge you so harshly if you did.
She rolled her eyes but picked up the first rope, moving to the door holding her curse. She looped the rope through the door handle, and tied it to it. She walked back to the spike, finding the rope going taut just as she fed the rope through the first circle and tying it to it. Then, anticipating what the voice would tell her to do next, she grabbed the rope and walked back to the door, letting it run through her hand as she did, recording the feeling of it in her hand as she walked to and from the door. She then picked up the other rope and repeated the process with the door holding her humanity. When she tied it, the voice sounded again.
Mr. Bowie: Give them a spin.
Eve: Right...
Eve grabbed the circle for her humanity and started to spin it, the rope coiling around the spike, and opening the door. As it opened more and more, Eve felt more feeling rush into her. At first it was pleasant...normal...but as the door opened more and more it quickly stopped being normal, it felt like the emotions were crowding in her, scrambling around one another to be the one she felt, trying to force her to feel them. For moments she felt like she'd burst, until she reached out and gripped the circle, spinning it the opposite way, the rope uncoiling and shutting the door. When it closes, the rush of emotions disappears, and Eve falls to her knees.
Eve: SHIT! FUCK! CHRIST! THE HELL!?
Mr. Bowie: I told you before of the dangers of focusing entirely on your humanity while shutting off the other side of you. I felt this was the best way to show you that.
Eve: It was....so much...too much...
Mr. Bowie: I know. But now you understand. And more than that...you can control it, Eve. You've achieved far more than I thought you'd be able to here. You've sealed off your other halves, put the power of how much they contribute to you solely in your hands, and now you're just on the cusp of finding “you.”
She sat on her knees, panting, as she processed this. It felt like just days ago she was an emotionless husk, pretending to show affection to those closest to her when in reality she couldn't even muster feeling for them...and now here she was. She was so close now to achieving the one thing she wasn't certain she'd ever be able to.
Defining who “Eve” was, free of any other influence.
She felt happiness at this.
And she reflected on that fact.
And she smiled.
Eve: Thank you.
Mr. Bowie: Not quite yet. There's still some work to do.
Eve: Bring it on. I'm ready.
A chuckle from all around her.
Mr. Bowie: So eager. But I think you've had enough for one day. Give me a few minutes, and I'll get you out of your own mind.
She looked up, at the closed doors keeping the halves of her that wanted to control and define her themselves from her. And her smile grows wider.
Eve: Take as much time as you need...there's nothing to fear in here anymore.
–
When she came to, she was laying on her back in the living room of Bowie's house. She sat up and looked around, surprised to see it look so...normal. She looked at him incredulously.
Eve: How? I mean, I drove a spike into the ground! I built walls, doors! And yet this room looks like none of it happened...how did you do that?
He smiles.
Mr. Bowie: I'll never tell. What you did, was real to you. You made the spike real, the walls, the door. You locked them away. If I told you how it worked, all that would do is weaken that for you.
Eve absorbed this, and nodded.
Eve: That's fair. I can live with that. It worked, so that's the only important thing.
Mr. Bowie: Correct. Now then...
Eve: Hey, look...whatever you want...could it maybe wait? I'm....tired.
He smiles again.
Mr. Bowie: I was going to suggest you get some sleep, actually.
She nods.
Eve: Yeah. It's weird, I haven't been tired in months. But now all I want is to fall asleep.
Mr. Bowie: Then let's give you what you want.
He held a hand out to her, and she took it, him helping her to her feet.
Mr. Bowie: Follow me.
He turned and began to walk deeper into the house, Eve following behind him. They stopped in front of a room, and he pushed the door open, revealing a bedroom.
Mr. Bowie: I'm afraid there's only one bed in this house. You have to understand, when I chose this place I wasn't planning on guests.
Eve: Wouldn't a normal person plan for that?
There's silence a moment, before he lets out a laugh.
Mr. Bowie: Alright, alright, the truth is this was the only feasible place. I had to make small sacrifices to the cover to gain the important ones. Good eye.
Eve: Thank you! I try.
They step into the room, and Bowie heads for a nightstand, upon which stands a glass, a bottle of whiskey, and a pill bottle. Eve arches an eyebrow.
Mr. Bowie: Ah, sorry. You see, I'm quite tired too, it's an exhausting process for the both of us.
He fills the glass with whiskey before popping open the pill bottle, removing two tablets and placing it into the drink.
Eve: So what's with that?
Mr. Bowie: Ah, yes, well...I don't sleep very well normally. I've found I much prefer putting myself under chemically. Which also means I have no need for comfort. So, please, feel free to use the bed. I'll be fine over here.
He downs the glass and then walks to one of the corners of the room, pressing his back against the wall and then sliding down to a sitting position. He leans his head against the opposing wall and, within moments, is out. Eve lets out a yawn. She then looks down at him, then at the bed, then back at him.
She walks over to him, sitting down next to him against the wall. She leans her head against his shoulder, and slowly falls asleep. Happy.
End.
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Balance
Jan 22, 2015 5:06:58 GMT -6
Post by Evelyn Kuller on Jan 22, 2015 5:06:58 GMT -6
Two weeks before Vegas She had been sitting in the car for a half hour. She'd been going over how to approach this. She had only one shot at getting it right and, if she failed, her greatest chance at regaining herself would be gone. That thought managed to penetrate the sludge of her emotions to send a shiver through her. The fucking sludge. She still didn't have a better way to describe it. What the curse had done to her, it hadn't suppressed every feeling she had, it had submerged it, burying it under what felt like an unshiftable weight of just...nothing. That was what she felt. Nothing. She was aware of her feelings, they still beat deep inside of her, but they were so far out of reach. The only thing she could grasp was her bloodlust. It fluctuated, sometimes overwhelming and sometimes a background hum. But it was always there, waiting for her to give in and lash out. She had taken a shot at the Doktor the night before last, got him down his flesh-and-blood arm with a shard of glass. His response was to blast her in the face with a handgun round, and blow a hole through her brain. This did serve to reveal something to them, though. Suffering grievous injuries seemed to “reset” her, calming her bloodlust and putting her in a neutral state. The Doktor and Cyril both theorized to her that it was due to how much energy was required to heal her injuries, the curse was temporarily unable to work it's influence over the rest of her. They seemed really happy with this realization, taking it as something no one had apparently documented about the Perfect Evil before. All it meant to her was that she had a small bit of control, now. If she felt her bloodlust becoming too much, she would plunge the knife she'd started to carry on her person into her body, and force a reset. She had expressed her sincerest thanks to the two for discovering this, as even this small bit of control brought her something that, if she was able to identify feelings, she would call hope. Perhaps there was a way to control it even farther than that, she began to think. Jon had gone on about how she should be able to control it because reasons that had become submerged under the sludge as well, but she figured it was nothing but talk to convince her to take the curse off his hands. But now...now she was starting to believe it. And she needed to control it, she knew. Because she had come to the most important realization: that as things were, she was no longer Eve. Not that there was much that could be considered merely her to begin with, but even those things were under threat of staying permanently under sludge. She had come to realize this when she had gone back to Twitter, and finally spoken to Carey once again. Her best friend in the entire world, someone she should have been overjoyed to speak to again. And she didn't feel a single twinge speaking to him. To him it probably seemed she did, but that was only because she tweeted out how she thought she would tweet in that situation, if she could feel things. But there had been no genuine emotion in her saying to him she missed him. Hell, the only person that brought anything up in her that night was Fowler, and that was because he sparked her bloodlust. She still had daydreams about picking his skull apart.... She sighed to herself, and realized it was useless to keep wasting time in the car. It was time to meet who she had come to meet. Her greatest chance. She had asked the Doktor if she could use his computer, a fancy supercomputer with files on so many things she couldn't begin to understand, saying she wanted to keep track of what was happening with her friends and use it to learn things she didn't know yet. He allowed her full access and the moment he was gone she'd begun to search for someone who could help her. Someone who understood being unable to feel emotion like a person, it buried under so much sludge, someone who could help her control it. When she found his name, she realized how small the world was. Finding him had been easy, once she knew his MO. No one would pick up on the pattern if they didn't know who they wanted to find, but for her it was easy. Follow ruined lives, chart a course up California. All she had to do when she found the last one was continue up to the next town on the map. Medium-sized, small enough to not have too many people that could recognize him while being large enough that a new resident wouldn't be too noticeable. Getting permission to leave the compound was, also, surprisingly easy. All she did was ask the Doktor for permission, telling him she wanted to get out and explore California, see if it could awaken something in her. He simply asked she keep a record of her travels, and let him know immediately if she felt anything. She agreed, and was out the door. And here she was now, walking up the path to a small house, place just far enough from others to be private without being overtly noticeable as being away from others. She walked up the porch and stopped in front of the door. She took a deep breath and knocked. The door opened a few moments later, and she would have felt surprised if she was capable of it. He didn't look exactly like himself. Staring enough she realized it was a combination of dying his hair blond and makeup that gave the illusion his cheeks were more sunken than they were. What had to colored contacts only helped. No wonder no one had recognized him. He quirked an eyebrow at her. Eve: Ah...Mr. Bowie? Mr. Bowie: Yes. Eve: Hello! My name is Eve, I'm with the county. There's still some paperwork you need to sign to do with your property. He looked at her without a word for a few moments, his expression unreadable. Then he pushed the door open fully. Mr. Bowie: So be it. Please, come in, make yourself comfortable. She nodded and stepped through the threshold into his domain. It was...plain. Normal. It was exactly what she would expect. He was so practiced at this. He stepped past her, walking towards the kitchen. Mr. Bowie: Would you like some coffee? Eve: Ah, no thank you. I don't drink....coffee. He nodded before stepping into the kitchen. She stepped into the living room and saw there was a coffee table with a chair on either side. She took a seat in one of them and waited. He reappeared shortly after, carrying a mug of steaming coffee, and took his seat across from her. Eve: So...how long have you been living here, sir? Mr. Bowie: Ah, just about a month now. I moved in the middle of December. Eve: Where from? Mr. Bowie: Nowhere important. I simply wished for a change of scenery. Now, about that paperwork? Eve: Ah, yes....I think I left it in my car, actually. Mr. Bowie: I see. What a shame. Well, I'm surprised the county has anything for me to sign at all. I thought everything was in order. Eve: Well, you know how these things are, it happe- He cut her off. Mr. Bowie: Especially considering this property isn't under my name at all, I'm renting it from another man who was quite happy to have someone stay in his house and keep things in order while he was off vacationing in l'Italia. Shit. Mr. Bowie: Beyond that...did you really think I don't still watch the shows and wouldn't recognize your face? Shit shit. Mr. Bowie: Frankly, I'm insulted by the underestimating of my intelligence....Parasite. And his arm flashed forward, throwing the mug in her face, the scalding hot coffee splashing her full in the face. The liquid itself didn't cause any feelings of pain, but she was still blinded. She started to stand from the chair, only to receive a kick to the gut that sent her careening over the chair to the floor. She furiously wiped at her eyes, clearing them of the burning, doing her best to push the curse to repair her eyes before anything. By the time she stood up she could see again, and could see him with one foot planted behind the other, one arm extended. A fighting stance. Shit. He seemed a bit surprised she was able to get back up considering the noticeable burns now on her face. She tried to capitalize on the surprise by leaping forward at him quick as she could, but he had her scouted and side stepped, leaving her to land awkwardly and be rocked by a kick to the back of the head. For a 39 year old the bastard was spry. He smiled at her as she turned to face him again. She started to open her mouth to talk, but he responded by jumping and nailing her with a fist to the face, knocking her back again. As she finished going backwards he crashed into her, taking them both to the floor. He was far stronger than she was, and he quite effectively had her pinned down, his hand keeping her arms held above her head. He looked down at her and the look on his face seemed more annoyed than anything. Mr. Bowie: You aren't going to survive. There was a glimmer of light from his other hand and her eyes widened as he jammed a knife into her chest, right through her heart. He twisted it before pulling it from her chest, a spurt of blood hitting him in the face, splashing diagonally across his face. Mr. Bowie: I can't let a single witness live, not anymore. She opened her mouth, to simply say the words that she felt no pain, that he hadn't done anything to her, but he silenced them before they could come as he slashed one time, slitting her throat. Blood began to spray from the wound, covering the man in more of her lifefluid. She thought it was actually an appropriate look for him. He stood up, dropping the knife beside her, and walked to the kitchen as if he'd already forgotten her. The man walked to the sink and began to wash his hands. How bothersome this was. Now he'd have to immediately move on, continue his trek up California. No, he thought, that would put him too close to... East. He'd go East. Vegas would be an interesting place to stay for a spell. Hell, he could visit an old friend if he went there...she'd be so happy to see him, he was sure. He'd keep the look he had now, he was partial to it. He'd need to torch the house, no fingerprints to trace him. He really should sandpaper those away one of these days. The shuffling of feet broke his thoughts. He slowly turned and came face to face with Eve. She stood in front of him, blood still running down her chest from her slit throat and the wound in her chest. She reached one hand up and pushed her head down, pressing the two edges of her cut throat together, and as he watched the ends began to slowly fuse back together. She was healing, he realized. He stared at this sight for a long, long time before speaking. Mr. Bowie: Huh. Well aren't you something. She smiled. – They sat across from each other again. Eve pressed a towel to her body, the fourth she'd gone through in the vain hope of not getting her blood everywhere. Fortunately he was too interested in her to actually care about the blood stains everywhere. Mr. Bowie: And it's a curse that's the cause of all this? She nodded, causing a tiny bit of blood to spurt out of the sliver that remained of the cut on her throat. Eve: Yeah. And the entire thing is just...I don't want to lose myself. Do you understand? He shrugged. Mr. Bowie: Once upon a time. Eve: And I just thought that you seemed to be the perfect person. You know about this kind of...suppression. Of living with this kind of thing, of not letting it control you. Controlling it. Mr. Bowie: Well, I'm not perfect at control either. Eve: Still. You're better at it than I am. I can't say that I'm begging, that kind of emotion's beyond me, but I'm imploring you to help me. He sighed, leaning back in his chair. Mr. Bowie: How bothersome. I wanted out of all this. He didn't say anything for a few moments. Eve pulled the towel away and pressed her hand against where her wounds had been. Gone. She dropped the towel to the side with the other soiled ones. Mr. Bowie: So be it. She tilted her head. Mr. Bowie: I'll assist you. I can't deny I'm finding this curse of yours fascinating. I'll do my best. She smiled at him. Eve: Thank you. I'll be in your debt. Mr. Bowie: I wouldn't say that. I'd certainly call that debt in. Eve: So be it if that's the price. She paused a moment, a thought occurring to her. Eve: What should I call you? Mr. Bowie: Mr. Bowie is quite fine, thank you. Eve: Really? Not....? He cut her off hard. Mr. Bowie: No. That name is dead. I'm finished with it. She slowly nodded. Eve: As you wish. When do we start? He stood up and walked across the living room, crouching down to pick up the knife he had dropped earlier, still wet with her blood. He looked back at her with a smile, holding the knife up. Mr. Bowie: Immediately. – Two days before Vegas Mr. Bowie: It's a matter of balance. They sat on the floor across from one another. Eve watching him as he held his hands up in front of him, pressed together. Mr. Bowie: Imagine this point is what you want. Where the two parts of you come together in as much harmony as they can exist together in. Where neither impedes the other, where the one in control is you. Where you stay you. Eve nodded. He extended his left hand as far left as he could reach. Mr. Bowie: This is the point you're at now and usually. The low point, where everything about you is controlled by the curse. Eve: I get that. So the far right is going to be me as a normal human, yes? Isn't that what I should be aiming for instead of this mixed center? Mr. Bowie: With this curse, I don't think so. It's nothing but a theory I have, but I think that if you tried to suppress the curse too much it'd backfire, and send your feelings into overdrive. Like a meth addict tweaking out. Eve: Is that really possible? Mr. Bowie: Again, nothing but theory, but I think that since the curse enhances everything else about you, I don't see why it wouldn't be able to enhance your emotions too. If it can, then reaching the far right would leave you overtly emotional, and violent. Eve: Great. So I have to shoot for center. Mr. Bowie: Correct. You have to curb the curse under your heel, not let it control you, force the sludge off of your emotions and feel. But you also have to not push it too far away. It's part of you, and it's here to stay. You have to bring everything into harmony. Eve: Sounds like a piece of cake. Mr. Bowie: You should have known walking in this wouldn't be easy. Eve: I did. So, how do I achieve this center? How do I not go too far one way or another? Mr. Bowie: An anchor. Eve: What? Mr. Bowie: An anchor, Eve. It's something you have clear in your mind. The one thing that, over everything else, is why you're trying to reach this center. Something that most represents "you" to you. It's something you can plant straight in the middle between the two parts of yourself, to serve as the one thing you can always count on to be your guide to the center, to being you. She sat in silence for a few moments, then nodding. Eve: I understand. I think...I think I know who that might be. Mr. Bowie: Are you sure? Eve: It's hard to be certain of anything with this curse. Mr. Bowie: Then go to it. If it is, then you'll know. She nodded. Eve: In that case, I'm heading to Japan. She stood up and grabbed her bag from the table. He looked up at her. Mr. Bowie: Find and define your anchor, then return to me. Then I'll show you how to define all the parts of yourself. Eve: Boy, that sounds like a barrel of fun. I'm off, then. She stood up and walked past him, heading for the door. Suddenly a thought came to her, and she stopped. She looked back at him. Eve: May I ask you something? Mr. Bowie: You'll do it regardless, so go ahead. Eve: ...what's your anchor? There's only silence. His head drops for a moment, but only a moment before perking back up. Mr. Bowie: Don't bother yourself with things that aren't your business. Go find yours, that's what matters. She frowned, but nodded. Eve: As you wish. I'll speak to you when I'm back from Japan. He didn't respond, only briefly raising a hand as a farewell. She pushed through the door and disappeared from the house. The man sat alone in silence for a long time after. – Doktor Alexander Adversary: She's lying to us. Dr. Cyril Kuller: I know. Doktor Alexander Adversary: Any idea what she's up to when she leaves the compound? Dr. Cyril Kuller: Not a one. She's clearly not exploring California. I'm surprised you haven't put a GPS tracker on her. Doktor Alexander Adversary: I want to trust her. She's not making it very easy. Dr. Cyril Kuller: I know. But I haven't seen her make any steps backwards. Wherever she's going, it's not causing problems with her condition. Doktor Alexander Adversary: Which is why I haven't confronted her over it. I'll continue to do my best to trust her. Dr. Cyril Kuller: Thank you.... Doktor Alexander Adversary: Something the matter? Dr. Cyril Kuller: Not really. It's nothing to do with Eve, and it's nothing concrete, but.... Doktor Alexander Adversary: But? Dr. Cyril Kuller: Just something I've been noticing. It's nothing but paranoia, I'm sure, but if I was right...that'd mean a third one is involved here. A moment of silence. Doktor Alexander Adversary: Seriously? Dr. Cyril Kuller: Again, it's nothing but a bit of a paranoid theory but, if it were true, if there's another of the Ten with his hands in this place, then... There is silence for a moment as they both let it sink in, before Alexander summed up what they were both thinking. Doktor Alexander Adversary: What the hell is wrong with this company? End.
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Post by Evelyn Kuller on Dec 20, 2014 1:45:35 GMT -6
It was a weird feeling. On the one hand she felt annoyed by the bright light shining on her face, but at the same time the feeling was submerged, like it was buried in sludge so as to be barely there. It was the one thing she'd felt the most since piercing her own heart with a magic knife, the sludge. Well. That and the desire to murder something. She heard footsteps, and lifted her unaching head to look. For others it would be weird, considering the circumstances she was currently in, to think of it as UNaching, but here she was. Even aching was buried in sludge, beyond what she could feel anymore. The woman who walked in was pretty, she guessed. On the thin side, perhaps. Though as she looked as intently as she could, her brain picked up on how her muscles flexed under her skin. Perhaps causing dismissals was the intent. Really, she didn't care either way. It wasn't like she was a threat. Hell, who was. Nurse: Hello, Eve. Eve: Hello lady I only vaguely remember from the arm screen thing. Nurse: Ah, you can call me Francine. I'm the...nurse for the Doktor. Eve: Of course you are. What else would you be. Must be a special kind of nurse, I don't think most have “binding skill” on their resumes. She was referencing the metal binds around her arms and legs, keeping her locked to the chair she was in. Nurse Francine: I have many unusual skills. You pick them up working for someone like Alexander Adversary. Eve: Ooooh, double initials. How fancy! Nurse Francine: He tries. Eve: Uh-huh. So! What do you wanna ask? I'm assuming you want to ask something because otherwise why be here besides wasting my time. Nurse Francine: Yes, that's right, I just want to ask you to recount the events from when you stabbed yourself with the knife. Eve: Did you not record it? Nurse Francine: Yes, but the Doktor is interested in seeing how accurate your memories are after...well... Eve: What he did to my head? Sure, why not! I don't have anything planned right now besides cutting his face off. Which is really where we'd start.... – There was only silence in the room for long moments after Eve came back to life. The Doktor stood staring at her, same as the nurse. She stared back. Doktor Alexander Adversary: ...fascinating. Eve: That's a word for it, yeah. Doktor Alexander Adversary: What exactly has happened here? Eve: I was bored of being the sad little patchwork girl, so I became something else. I cursed myself. Doktor Alexander Adversary: A curse? Eve: Uh-huh. I'm now cursed to be the Perfect Evil, embodiment of bad things and blah blah blah....it's so uninteresting now that I've actually become it. Though it's amusing me to think of how disappointed Daisuke would have been if he got here. All that work and there'd be no satisfaction, just.... Doktor Alexander Adversary: What? What do you feel? Eve: Not a thing. Well...that's not true. I feel something. Doktor Alexander Adversary: Yes? Eve: I'm feeling annoyance at seeing your face....it's the same face that killed Cyril, regardless of how deformed some of it is. And now I'm thinking that, since I couldn't get the one I hated....I can at least cut YOUR face off. Doktor Alexander Adversary: ...Ah. She grinned, and then took off running, snatching the knife off the ground and coming at him with a slash that would have hit his chest, but he sidestepped and drove his foot into her gut. She seemed mostly unaffected, grabbing his leg and trying to force him off balance. He stumbled but managed to get a shot off, hitting her in the shoulder. She jerked around, but in the process of twisting from the blow managed to slash through his coast, nicking him across the stomach. She looked at him begin to bleed and grinned wider. Eve: It's what I've always wanted to see. She slashed backwards, but he caught her by the arm and looked her in the face. Doktor Alexander Adversary: Damn it, we don't have time for this! Eve: Are you sure? I'm pretty sure I have aaaaaaaaaall the time in the world now! Doktor Alexander Adversary: I set up explosives throughout this compound! We only have a few minutes before they go off! He ducked under a high swing, only to get nailed in the gut with a kick. He stumbled back, knocking into the desk. She tossed the knife to her other hand and grinned. Eve: That's a you problem! I wanna see what'll happen if I get blown up! It sounds FUN! She charged, but Alexander lept back, sitting on the desk and raising his pistol as Eve smashed into the desk and stunned herself. He fired three shots through her stomach, splattering her blood against the wall behind her. She stumbled back, hand going to her stomach, only to get nailed with another two shots to the chest, knocking her against the wall. For a second nothing happens, only for Eve's hands to fall away from the wounds, a smile coming on her face. Eve: Doesn't hurt at all! Doktor Alexander Adversary: Oh hell. She lept into the air at him, and he was too slow, finding himself pinned beneath her, his left hand grasping her wrist to try and keep her from driving the knife into his chest. Eve: It's not so bad, really. It only hurt for a moment, then everything faded away! They continued to struggle, but the Doktor was doing a good job of keeping the weaker Eve's knife away from his chest. Doktor Alexander Adversary: I'm going to hope this psychosis is just a side effect of the resurrection...and hope that your ability to repair severe damage takes longer than small wounds... Eve: Ehhhh? What're you on about? With his right hand he brought his gun up to his mouth. Doktor Alexander Adversary: 12. The light on the gun changed to a brown color, as Eve cocked her head. Eve: What's that for? A 12 round burst? I don't think that'll do much.... Doktor Alexander Adversary: No. It's for 12 gauge. He pressed the barrel against Eve's forehead and pulled the trigger, the shotgun blast causing the top of her head to explode. She slumped down onto the desk and the Doktor just laid there for a few moments, gulping down air. Finally he sat up and looked down at the girl. She wasn't moving, but her skull was already slowly, slowly regrowing. He looked at his right arm to see how much time he had left, cursed, and grabbed her before taking off. Back in the interrogation room, Eve smiled at the nurse. Eve: That, of course, is why I find myself in the unique situation of being able to think the sentence “My brain is cold.” And it indeed was, air being able to blow in through the left corner of her skull, which was still putting itself back together. Around her, without her knowledge, no less than 20 cameras had been recording her since she was brought in, recording every angle possible of her head slowly regenerating from the sorry state the gun had left it in. Eve, for her part, looked unbothered by the fact she was missing some of her skull. Nurse Francine: Look at the positives, I guess. Eve: If that's how you want to view it. Ah, actually, I do have something I'm curious about. Nurse Francine: Yes? Eve: Before his metalness took off with me and blew the place to Kingdom Come, did he recover the knife? Nurse Francine: No, there wasn't time and he was focused on getting out of there with you. Why, was there some significance? Eve: To me? Not really. To you, I'd say so. As far as I know, the knife is just about the only way to contain the curse in me, besides a convoluted heir process I can't be fucked to remember. Nurse Francine: ….Ah. Eve: Mmmmmhmmmmmm. Oh well! That's really more of a problem for you and him than for me! Doktor Alexander Adversary: Now why would we want to use it on you anyway? She looked over to the door to see the cybernetic man enter. He had swapped his battle damaged lab coat for a fresh one, but still hadn't replaced his goggles and mask, letting his bizarre cybernetic parts show. Eve: Well I did try quite hard to murder you. Doktor Alexander Adversary: And I blew your head apart. Why don't we call it even and start fresh? Eve: Ah, that sounds quite reasonable. Unfortunately, I don't feel much like being reasonable. Doktor Alexander Adversary: Then what do you feel like? Eve: Nothing. She smiles. Eve: It's just like I wanted. Doktor Alexander Adversary: Is that so? So you feel...not a thing? Eve: Well, I still want to cut your face off. But that's more from old feelings about what happened to Dr. Kuller than anything I feel now. Doktor Alexander Adversary: So not even Cyril can elicit a reaction from you now? Eve: Nothing can. I've tried, believe me, but nothing comes up. I'm a blank slate. Besides the need to commit violence, but I had that before anyway sooooo.... Doktor Alexander Adversary: I see. Well, I would like to test your inability to feel anything myself. Can I interest you in a quick experiment? Eve: Are you going to shoot me again? Doktor Alexander Adversary: Of course not. Eve: Aw....it was such a unique experience.... Doktor Alexander Adversary: Perhaps at a later date we can see just how far your regeneration can go. But, first, the experiment? Eve: Oh fine, why not. I promise not to try and tear your face off. Not immediately, at least. Doktor Alexander Adversary: I'm comfortable with that. The Doktor reaches his left hand up to his robotic right and presses a button on his forearm, causing the binds that held Eve's legs and arms to disengage. She stood up, facing him. Eve: So, what's the experiment? Doktor Alexander Adversary: It's simple. You truly believe there's not a thing in the world that can bring anything out of you? Eve: Yes. I'm completely empty on the inside. Nothing can bring something in me awake. And from behind her a voice spoke. “Is that so? And after all the trouble I went to to be able to be here today....”
Eve froze up, a look of shock coming over her face as she hears the voice. Eve: ….Dr. Kuller? She turns her head, and indeed finds Dr. Cyril Kuller standing behind her, looking quite healthy for a man who bled to death in his office more than a month ago. For a moment there is silence, as Eve just stares wide-mouthed at him. Then her face changes, tears beginning to well up in her eyes as she starts running at him, jumping in the air at him and embracing him. She hangs onto him, burying her face into his shoulder as the tears flow. He hugs her back and silence again reigns over the room before Eve finally pushes herself back away from him, looking at him with equal amounts confusion and happiness. Eve: But...how? I saw...I saw you die. He shot you through the heart. Dr. Cyril Kuller: Well....yes and no. Eve: Oh don't even start with that, just give me an answer! Dr. Cyril Kuller: It's true. I was shot by my brother...and I died. But luckily, I have a brother I can trust. She looked back in time to see the cyborg walk up to them. Doktor Alexander Adversary: I had come to tell Cyril I'd be assisting him in saving you from your fate, and fortunately it had to have been just shortly after what happened happened. I found Cyril dead, but resuscitating him is actually quite an easy feat for my skillset and fortunately there was nothing major to complicate it. Eve: What, besides his HEART BEING SHOT THROUGH?! Dr. Cyril Kuller: Like I said, yes and no. Yes I died....but he didn't shoot me through the heart. Eve: ...come again? Doktor Alexander Adversary: I have to admit, even I didn't expect something like that. When I saw the wounds I was thinking the same as you. But when I opened him up, imagine my surprise. We all share certain....differences on the inside from humans but Cyril.... Dr. Cyril Kuller: I took an extra step. He reached up and tapped his chest, where his heart should be. Dr. Cyril Kuller: I moved this thing a long time ago. There wasn't an organ there for the bullets to hit. Eve stared at the two of them for a while, jaw slack as she tried to process all of this. Then she began to laugh. The two brothers shared a look of confusion before looking back at Eve, who was hunched over cackling. Finally, wiping tears from her eyes, she looked back up at them. Eve: That is so fucking stupid, I can't even handle it. Dr. Kuller hmph'd, crossing his arms in mock annoyance. Dr. Cyril Kuller: Well my bad. Had I known how stupid it was, I wouldn't have done it and I could have just died. She laughed again. Eve: Oh, don't get me wrong. It's stupid, but you can't imagine how happy it makes me. It means you're still here and I'm just....so glad. She hugged him again, before breaking off to look at Doktor Adversary. She gave him a smile. Eve: And I'm thankful to you as well. You saved him. For that I'm in your debt. The cyborg waved his hand. Doktor Alexander Adversary: Hardly. Again, let's call it even and start over again. Besides, it means my theory was correct. Eve: Eh? Doktor Alexander Adversary: Haven't you noticed? She blinked a few times, before realization crossed her face. Eve: I'm...feeling happiness. Doktor Alexander Adversary: Exactly. It would seem you're not as incapable of it as you thought you were. Eve: I...I suppose there are still things about my condition that I don't understand. Dr. Cyril Kuller: And that's just fine. He put his hands on her shoulders and smiled. Dr. Cyril Kuller: We're going to find out together, alright? She smiled back and nodded. Eve: Nothing would make me happier. – But once she was alone, being led to her own room by the nurse, the sludge returned and the joy and relief she felt had faded away far away from where she could reach. She sat on her bed for some hours, staring at the wall, grasping for something. Nothing came, besides a desire to hurt something. This she knew was bothersome, even though she did not actually feel it. It had already almost cost her something, she couldn't imagine what would have happened if she had murdered the man who had saved Cyril. But, at the same time, the sludge bubbled up and told her that she should have done it, just to see what kind of fascinating events would happen because of it. Worse than that was the fact that the desire was growing. Already she could feel it growing in her head, this desire to hurt something, to cause pain, to let blood run. She was empty, and it was growing, so eventually it would fill every bit of her, and then...she could only imagine the bloodshed. And imagining it only made it happier. She needed answers to the problem, but more than that... She needed a way to get it under control, and fast. – The man sat at the desk, sipping his coffee. It was quite bitter, but it made him feel alive. He continued to drink in silence, shifting some papers on the desk around as he did. None of them were of actual interest to him, but the desk was next to the window, so with the curtain closed and the light bright behind him, to anyone outside it would look like he was at the desk doing work, not realizing he was not who he should be. He finished his coffee and stood up, fishing a handkerchief from his pocket. He ran it along the cup where his lips had touched it, removing all marks of it. He had no need to worry about fingerprints due to his gloves. He set the coffee down and turned to look at the man who usually sat at the desk. He lay against a wall, head lolled to the side, staring at nothing. His breathing was steady, but he had clearly checked out. It had taken a good amount of work to get anything from him, but the payoff had been beautiful. He reached down and patted him on the head in thanks, before departing the room, passing through the back door and walking off down the street to his next destination. As he walked down the street, whistling to himself, he could not help but feel some odd weight in his stomach. It was unexplainable to him, but if he could try and put words to it, he'd call it destiny. Like with each step he was walking toward some important event in his life. Ah well. A full stomach would do that.
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Post by Evelyn Kuller on Dec 6, 2014 4:53:13 GMT -6
“I can hear him now. So...this is it. To death. Farewell.“ She hit the big blue “tweet” button and sent her final words out, and let her phone just drop to the floor. She wouldn't need it where she was going. Knowing everything she did, she knew it was odd to think of it that way, and yet there really wasn't any other way to do so. She had spent her short life seeking out new experiences, anything to fill the void. And now she was going to experience the ultimate once in a lifetime feeling. Death. But she was fine with that, she had accepted that death was here for her, and what came after was unknown to her even after the explanations. But she didn't think about those words, spoken by her counterpart, they weren't important at the moment. She kept her mind focused. On finally grasping something for herself. And on her death. At least she'd get closure. The door opened, and the man in the dark blue goggles and the medical mask stepped in. He took one glance at the hallway and pushed the door shut. She came to stare at him, and her face scrunched up. She got to her feet, confusion coming over her face. Eve: Who the hell are you? He didn't respond, instead looking around the room for the first time. He came to look at her again, and Eve got the feeling he might have been about to speak, when sounds came from the hallway, mirroring the ones she had heard just minutes ago when she thought the man who would kill her was coming. He looked at the door then back at her, raising one finger over his mouth to shh her, and then reached his left hand down to the back of his right hand. And vanished. She blinked rapidly, trying to process what had just happened, but ran out of time as the door opened and Doktor Adversary entered. He carried a manilla folder, and was clearly smiling behind his medical mask as he looked at his creation. Doktor Adversary: So excited you weren't able to stay in your seat? Eve looked around the room again, trying to place where the mystery identical man had went, but couldn't do so. Adversary took her silence as an answer however, unaware of the third occupant of the room. Doktor Adversary: Well, I can't blame you. I'd be excited too to stand at this Apex. Eve: You keep using that word. Doktor Adversary: What word could better describe the top of the mountain that I'll soon stand at, the rest of the world at my feet? Eve: Crazy? Doktor Adversary: You're a woman I made from spare parts and you really think to call me crazy? Eve: I just like to be snappy, really. Doktor Adversary: Yes, an unfortunate side effect of the limitations Daisuke had me place in you. Her mouth twisted in a snarl. Eve: You mean putting Jon Collins in my head. Doktor Adversary: Well Jon Collins circa 2004, yes. But it was necessary, Daisuke thought he was in charge, and I allowed him to keep the thought in his head. He was, after all, giving me ample funding to get the final bugs out of my design. Unfortunately following his orders introduced other bugs that render you... Eve: Obsolete. Doktor Adversary: Exactly. I'm moving forward with my final phase of my work. He slapped the folder on the desk, and she took one look at it and felt her blood go cold. Written across the folder in big bold letters was a title. PROJECT: ADAM. Eve: It's always biblical references... Doktor Adversary: They're so ingrained in us all. But, yes, Adam will be everything you are not. The things holding you back will not exist in Adam. He will be the perfect creation that will spearhead my army. Eve: That's nice. But doesn't your biblical reference fall apart with me dead? Adam without Eve means no children to populate the world after the fall from grace. Behind the medical mask she could tell his mouth twisted into a grin. Doktor Adversary: I might be about to punch a hole through your brain and end your functions...but your body will still have it's uses. Even Eve couldn't think of a response to such a repugnant idea. The Doktor began to reach to his belt, to the holster where he had the gun that murdered Cyril Kuller waiting. But he paused, head ticking up slightly, before turning to look behind him. Doktor Adversary: But first, why don't you reveal yourself, brother? For a second there was nothing, but then the air shimmered as the form of the man reappeared, hand still pressed against the back of his right hand. His hands fell to his sides as the Doktor looked on in annoyance. Doktor Adversary: So like one of Us. Always trying to get in on the other's great moments, to share in the glory you weren't smart enough to get on your own. I can always smell one of Us. Come on then! Identify yourself! I won't allow you to share, but I might be kind enough to let you ride my coat tails a tad. The man did not respond, and that only annoyed the Doktor more. Doktor Adversary: Come on! Who is it?! Charles? Clark? Logan? He reached up to his face, pulling off his goggles and letting them drop along with his medical mask, revealing eyes colored a bright green. Doktor Adversary: Look me in the eyes and identify yourself! The man finally responded. He reached up and gripped his goggles, pulling them from his face and letting them drop. The Doktor's face fell, but Eve could only barely register that in her peripheral vision, her attention fully on the man's face as he then yanked his medical mask down, revealing his lower face. Doktor Adversary was speechless, mouth open, and Eve likely looked the same staring at this...whatever he was. He looked like Doktor Adversary, most of his face being an exact copy of the man Eve had hated since her birth...but it was what didn't match that was so distressing. His eyes would have stood out the most in any other situation, his iris a bright yellow color set against metallic silver sclera, making her think his eyes were artificial. With the way the iris constantly expanded and retracted, like a camera zooming in and out, she felt that was likely correct. She'd have stared at them for far longer in disbelief if it wasn't for his jaw. He didn't have one. A human one, at least. It was metal, molded to fit the shape of a jaw, but only the shape. No attempts at molding a lip and only a bare carving to indicate teeth, and when the mouth opened she could see a metal tongue inside of the mouth. The worst part was that at the tops of the jaw's curves, where it was screwed in just before the ear, it hadn't been screwed in entirely, so when his mouth moved it had a disconcerting floppy look to it's movement. The flesh around the screws was badly cracked, and she wondered if the flopping was a necessity to keep from damaging the face more. She would have risked it herself. Doktor Adversary slumped against his desk and stared at him for long, long moments before he finally spoke, his tone resigned. Doktor Adversary: So...you really did survive. And the mechanical man, the Cyborg, finally spoke. The Cyborg: I always said I'd come back for you all. And his hand suddenly flashed upward, holding what looked to just be a normal pistol except for a green light on the handler and that where the magazine loads into it there was instead a thick tube that seemed to run down and jack into his right leg. The gun's barrel flashed once, and a hole was punched through Doktor Adversary's forehead, the back of his head exploding outward, spraying blood against the wall. His body slumped down against the desk, but the Cyborg wasn't done, as he grabbed the Doktor by the foot and yanked him towards him, the Doktor's body sliding onto it's back as the Cyborg stood over him. He raised the gun to his face and spoke to it. The Cyborg: Full Auto. There was a sliding sound, and a color on the handle of the gun changed, as the Cyborg aimed the gun down at the Doktor's chest where the chest met the neck, and pressed the trigger, causing a burst of bullets to erupt out into that area, smashing through his body and nearly detaching his head. Eve could only stare in shock at this. The Cyborg looked at her, as if to confirm she was still there, before he stepped over the body and went to the desk where he picked up the Project Adam folder. He opened it and flipped through it, the only sound being one of disgust as he finished flipping through it, tossing it onto his body. The Cyborg: No more ghouls from him. Eve finally found her voice then. Eve: Besides me, you mean. He simply shook his head. The Cyborg: Not how Cyril would put it. A flash of anger came over her face at the mention of Dr. Kuller. Eve: You're the man he told me about. The one he couldn't save. I can see he embellished the story. He looked down at the ground, unable to meet her gaze from that. The Cyborg: ...correct. I was not...entirely willing to act against them again, after what happened to me. Eve: And this bastard shot Cyril for it! I was there....right through the heart. The Cyborg: Well, actually.... Eve: No! Don't interrupt me! He stopped, and looked at her. Her face was twisted in anger, sadness, and something else. Loss, maybe. Eve: I'm so tired of this...so tired of being jerked around like a fucking puppet on strings by you and them! And don't even deny that you're not the same! Your voice is exactly the same, and I'm so sick of hearing it! Her shoulders slumped, head drooping. Eve: I was finally going to get my closure. The Cyborg: Your demise wasn't going to solve anything. Eve: Idiot! I wasn't going to die! He blinked in confusion. The Cyborg: Pardon? Eve: I had it planned....he thought he was going to kill me, everyone thought I was going off to die because if I gave even a hint of what I planned he would know...I was going to get revenge for what he did for me and for murdering Cyril. The Cyborg: But... Eve: I AM NOT DONE SPEAKING! ...I was so god damned close. All I wanted was this one moment. It's my fault Cyril died like he did, alone and in agony, but I was going to make it right. Eye for an eye...it wouldn't have been perfect, but it would have been closure. I could have moved on. I was going to cross over but I was getting the thing that'd make me happiest first. And I couldn't even get that, because it's something else you people took from me! I was finally going to get something for myself, and apparently even that is too much to ask. She then slumped down onto her knees on the floor, and was silent, her mind far away. The Cyborg initially wanted to say something, but realized the futility of it, and instead turned away from her to let her have time. He rose his right arm, palm up, and pressed his finger right where his pulse should be. Instead, the flesh sunk in like a button, and from his palm a great light sprung up. A screen waiting for an input. The Cyborg: Open files on The Ten. The screen flashed, pulling up ten folders. 8 of them stood together, while the other two were off to the side. The Cyborg: Open file Bruce Adversary. Edit status, deceased. Mark file as closed. The screen flashed again, the folder gaining a large red X and moving away from both groups. The first of many that would join it. Eve: You know.... The Cyborg: Yes? He continued to do work on his files, editing in details of the plans he had found, and also on the girl. Eve, meanwhile, began to rise to her feet. Eve: It feels like I'm cursed. Everything I touch only worsens...or dies. So... She reached to her belt, pushing her shirt up to reveal a sheath. From it, she pulled an ornate knife. Eve: Why not make it official? He heard the sound of the knife being pulled out, wheeling around to face her with the knife out. His hand fell down to his belt, scrambling for the pistol to defend himself, but he didn't need to bother. She twisted it around to face herself and, without a moment's hesitation, drove it into her heart. For a moment it seemed there was a flash from the handle, but then Eve collapsed to the floor and ceased to move. The Cyborg looked down at her for what felt like ages. A hand slowly went to his face and rubbed at his eyes, feeling the tug of tear ducts that couldn't produce anything anymore. It was rare that that feeling came to him these days, but it burned hard now. Another casualty of his war. Slowly he turned from the depressing sight and pressed the button on his wrist again, calling up the screen. This time he made a gesture with his left hand, which opened a video screen, a woman's face coming into view. She gave him a small smile, showing no sign of discomfort at the sight of his disfigurements. Woman: I was wondering when you'd call. How did the mission go? The Cyborg: I...I killed Bruce. Woman: Oh, excellent! Before he could enact whatever sinister plans he had in mind? The Cyborg: Yes...exactly. Before. Her smile fell, head tilting. Woman: ...what happened? With a deep sigh, he moved his arm to the side, allowing her to take in the sight of the dead Eve behind him. She let out a gasp, hand coming up to cover her mouth. Woman: Oh my God...after everything... The Cyborg: I know. I know. I just...I don't know how to explain this to him... She looked like she was about to say something, some words to try and remove some of the guilt already building with him when something she saw made her eyes bug out, raising an arm to point behind him. Woman: ALEX! The Cyborg, this Alex, turns to find Eve moving. Slowly her hands move out to push her up onto her knees, and then she was back on her feet, facing the Cyborg and the woman with the knife still sticking from her heart. She reached one hand up and gripped the handle, pulling it from her chest without a single indication of feeling the pain, and letting it drop uselessly to the floor. As the three watched, the hole she had made into her chest slowly began to close up, and finally disappear. She looked at the healed wound for a moment before looking up at them. Eve: Well this is going to take some getting use to. The Cyborg could only stare in disbelief as this reborn woman in front of him. The new Perfect Evil.
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Post by Evelyn Kuller on Nov 29, 2014 2:55:38 GMT -6
3 Nights Prior to The Autumn Effect 2 The world came back into focus slowly for Cyril Kuller. As he laid on the floor, vision swirling, his mind went into overdrive, asking question after question to itself. Why was he on the floor? Why was his vision blurry? Why had he been unconscious? Why did the back of his head hurt so badly? Who was calling his name? Who was laughing so hard? And then, in a single moment, he remembered. He remembered how close they had come to escaping, only for it all to come crashing down. Story of his life. – He had been waiting weeks for another chance to talk to the sewn-together girl and right the mistake he had made in their first meeting. He was lucky when he was confronted again by the unpleasant Doktor, who informed him that he'd be having another session with Eve, to make sure she was ready for her final mission: winning at the Autumn Effect 2. He asked why that mattered if she was going to be killed after regardless, and the Doktor just smiled behind his medical mask and made some vague comments about making sure Iwakuma's happy before he lost his life too. It was the moment Cyril had wanted, so he had little to complain about. It was just as before, he came in escorted by two thugs and her with those headphones on her head. This time he didn't bother with the restraints, however. Cyril, bitterly, could see why. She had accepted it all, so why bother. And, again, he departed right after, posting the two thugs outside at the door. That was fine, he planned for that. And so the two came to face one another again from across the desk. Eve in a morose silence, waiting for whatever was to come, and not outwardly showing confusion at why Dr. Kuller was smiling. He spoke up, and then she did show it. “Let's take a trip.” She stared at him for some long moments before cocking her head to the side. Dr. Kuller kept smiling, and she finally asked if he was fucking with her. He shook his head, and informed her he was totally serious, they should go take a trip for an hour or so. She looked back at the door and then back at him, voicing the problem without needing to speak. It was fine, he told her, they'd just go out the window and come back the same way after. She pointed out that they could just hear the continuous silence, look in, and see them gone. Dr. Kuller smiled wider. He pointed out first that they wouldn't hear anything from outside, because he had soundproofed his office long before he had even gotten the job. Eve pointed out that that didn't solve the problem of them, y'know, looking in. His grin stretched. He reached into his desk and pulled out a box of tiny metal balls. He picked up a handful and rolled them across the floor, the balls spreading throughout the room. She looked confused again as he pulled out a tiny switch and pressed it, and she seemed legitimately shocked when she and he appeared in the room, seated where they were now, having a conversation. He looked incredibly proud as he told her about his hologram projectors, using footage of their previous session. If they looked in, all they'd see was them talking. They would be entirely fine. She looked impressed, a tiny bit, and he took it as a victory. With no further way to avoid it, Eve had no choice but to agree to go out the window with him and followed him as he led her across the campus and onto the streets of San Diego. He led her to a skyscraper and took her in, ushering her into an elevator and with a card he produced from his coat, sent them straight up to the roof. She found herself above San Diego at night, lights everywhere. She sat on the edge of the roof and just looked out for a time, taking it in. He tried to open conversations with her, but she was uninterested, just looking out at the lights. So, he started just talking about whatever came to mind. Experiments he had run, people he had met, an amusing but unrepeatable trip to Mexico. He filled the night air with his experiences. When he finally paused to take a breath, he realized she was listening, but only kind of. He paused, and he told her he understood. He had been wrong, he had misjudged her, allowing his past bitter experiences cloud his judgment. He wanted to apologize. She brushed it off, telling him it didn't matter, she needed another reminder to not even try to put forth trust in someone. He nodded. And then he told her that he understood not wanting to trust anyone. Because the world was cruel, and any chance it had to take someone from you it would. He told her about loss. He told her about how he once trusted someone so deeply, truly believing with every fiber of his being that he would be able to set fire to every wrong and disgusting thing their brothers had built up, truly believing in the fire that burned inside of him. He then told her of the night where they had been so close to their goals, the one shining moment they had been building to was right within their grasp. He had left to gather a few materials they needed, and was on his way back. He heard the explosion and saw the fire burning long before he finally returned. There was little of it left, everything they had been building to was now ashes and rubble. He thought the same had befallen his closest friend, but then he found him. He took one look at his condition and wished he had been obliterated in the blast. But he was still breathing, somehow. He still clung to life. And he put every bit of experience and work into trying to keep him alive. Eve frowned and asked if he had succeeded. Cyril sat in silence a moment, thinking about the man in the medical mask and the dark blue goggles, who would never speak a word to him, that disappeared into the shadows when he needed him. And he told her no. That he had failed when it mattered the most. She frowned and looked over the lights of the city below them for a time in silence. Finally, she spoke up again, and it was the moment he had hoped for. “Perhaps there are those I could trust,” she said slowly, “two of them.” Cyril nodded, and asked the obvious question of who they were. “Well one is....” she paused, trying to find the right word, before settling on the easiest one. “An idiot. He's impulsive, he can't stop himself from mouthing off to anyone and picking a fight, and his lack of education is startlingly obvious.” She paused a moment, and Cyril saw a small smile come to her face. “But he possesses a heart that's far bigger and good than he ever allows himself to see, and even if he's not aware of it he's exceedingly good at understanding people and encouraging them.” He allowed her a moment to keep those happy memories she was clearly remembering at the front of her head before inquiring about the second. She looked at him with a blank expression for a moment, and he was confused, but then she smiled at him. “Just someone that I misjudged as much as he misjudged me.” And he smiled back. They sat in silence for a while longer before in his mind Cyril reached a decision, and pushed himself up onto his feet. Eve looked at him curiously, finding him looking down at her with a grin as he spoke his next words. “Let's escape this.” She stared at him in confusion. “Dr. Kuller...it's fine....we don't have to pretend. I know there's not a chance.” She meant to continue talking but he shushed her. His eyes were shining with something she couldn't put into words. A kind of fire, maybe. “Wrong. There's a chance. It won't be easy, it'll be nigh-impossible...but there's a chance. All we have to do is get on the road and we can find somewhere away from all this garbage they've put us under.” “And just when do you propose we do this? We wouldn't have much time if we did this now, our session is suppose to be over soon, and we don't have any time to prepare.” she pointed out, but that didn't diminish his grin. “I know. But I know the perfect time. Autumn Effect 2.” she blinked, about to raise a question, but Cyril was on a roll, and he kept on going. “We both get everything we need for a long trip and have it ready that day. Once the TLC match is over, you meet me in the RIMAC. There's a few exits I've found that I don't think the goon squad will have eyes on. And then we're off, and we'll see what we can find in the world.” She sat in silence for a few moments, looking at this lunatic spouting off some impossible dream that she knew logically couldn't work. She had already accepted her impending death, it was a finality she had been comfortable with. This unknown world he was wanting them to drive off into...it was impossible. Stupid. She needed to say no. But instead she smiled. “Autumn Effect it is then. I trust you.” They departed the roof, all smiles, and returned to the RIMAC. They got to the window they had left through, and Eve climbed in first. Dr. Kuller started to follow her, only for a shadow to fall over him as he was halfway through and for something heavy to slam into the back of his head, robbing him of his consciousness. -- He remembered all this in the moments before his vision came back into focus, and all it did was make his stomach sink. The two thugs had turned into four, the four crowding around Eve, two for each of her arms. Even then, she strained against them and it seemed to be quite a task for them to keep a hold on her. And pacing in front of him was the Doktor, who looked at him with an obvious grin behind his medical mask. “I'd call it a shame that it had to come to this, “Dr. Kuller”, but that would frankly be a lie. I saw it coming, of course.” He told the prone man, quite proudly. “Quite clever, those holograms. Might have fooled even me, if I wasn't made aware of them by you yourself.” The confusion on Dr. Kuller's face was quite obvious, and the Doktor seemed to revel in being able to explain. “Come now, old boy, did you really expect me to not have a way of keeping an ear on your conversations with my creation?” He held up his left arm and patted the forearm. “In her arm is a nice little microphone and transmitter. I heard every word of your heartwarming conversation.” Eve's face fell, and the Doktor as if on cue spun to face her. “Yes, my dear creation, you're the cause of all this. Really, you shouldn't be surprised. Why wouldn't I make sure your escape was impossible? Tsk, tsk. Truly you've learned nothing, it seems.” And that was all he had to say to her, turning back to face Dr. Kuller, his grin fading away for a moment as something more pressing came to his mind. “I am however, surprised to hear that HE wasn't actually killed in that explosion. How problematic that could've been for us, if your skills had been up to snuff to actually save him.” At this he grinned again, enjoying what he believed was a twisting of the knife. Cyril considered for a moment correcting him bu t realized, with no small amount of sadness, that it wasn't really far off from the truth, whether he was actually dead or not. “But it wouldn't matter either way, now. Now, I'm ready. The Apex is mine for the reaching, and I'll be the one to fulfill the promise we all made when we were so young. Surely you remember it?” Cyril didn't bother to give that a response, but it didn't seem to bother the Doktor. “Oh, I know you do. It's burnt into your brain, no matter how hard you tried to run from it, clear as day. “The World will come to fear the name of DOKTOR ADVERSARY!”” he shouted out, one hand reaching up, to grab some invisible goal. Cyril just scoffed, but that only made Doktor Adversary smile. “Any regrets you want to get out? Admitting you were wrong? Begging to join me? I might be convinced to spare you, dear brother....” Dr. Cyril Kuller pushed himself up on his hands, just enough to be able to hit Doktor Adversary in the face with the spit he spat out at him. The Doktor looked appalled at Cyril while Eve let out a laugh, before Cyril spoke. “Go fuck yourself, you son of a bitch.” Doktor Adversary looked at him, most of the enjoyment he had been feeling leaving him. He seemed almost annoyed with his next words. “You remind me too much of HIM.” And he drew a pistol from his belt and shot Cyril three times. Two went through his heart, while the third smashed square into, and through, his abdomen, hammering him back onto his back on the floor. He coughed up some blood as the pain began to flood in, seeming to burn everywhere, but he ignored it. He watched as Eve let out a scream, somewhere between horror and anger, and tried even harder to escape her bonds, only for one of the thugs to jam a thick syringe into her neck, and render her unconscious. Doktor Adversary stepped over Cyril, and pressed the pistol's barrel against his chest, where his neck met the chest to be precise. The barrel was hot enough to burn him, but it didn't stand out among the rest of the pain he was feeling. “I should put a bullet through here, and make sure there's no chance of your breathing continuing. But that doesn't matter, does it? There's no one that cares enough about you to save you, and even if there was, your own soundproofing will keep anyone from knowing. So enjoy your last few moments, “Cyril”, and realize just what you've caused.” He stuffed the pistol into his belt before gesturing to the thugs, who hefted Eve up and began to carry her out. He watched them carry her out, and wanted to cry out, scream, do anything. But the pain was too much, his vision was clouding over, and his breathing was going more and more ragged. He had tried to help her, and all he had done was gotten himself killed. But more than that, he wasn't able to help her. All he had done was made it worse, given her the briefest hope only to dash it out. Like everything else, he had managed to destroy what was important. He had failed again, and she was going to pay for it far more than he was. Fuck. Those were the last thoughts of Dr. Cyril Kuller before his life finished draining from him. – The Autumn Effect 2 The pounding of the doors behind her was nothing but background noise as she looked out at an empty sky. It was a cloudy night, and the stars were all hidden behind the clouds. To her, it seemed they were specifically hiding from her, not wanting to waste their shining brilliance on her. She understood that. More than that, she wished she could do the same, and detach from herself, and go hide behind the clouds. But that wasn't possible. She was stuck to herself, and she would have to live with it. But not for long. The deadline was rapidly coming. Soon, the end would be here. He was dead because of her. Because she allowed herself to feel hope for a moment, someone who only deserved the best earned a lonely death bleeding out from gunshot wounds on the floor. It was her fault. But soon that would be rectified. The deadline was coming. In some days, perhaps a week or two at most, it would end. She'd get a bullet to the head. She couldn't wait. It was all she deserved.
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Post by Evelyn Kuller on Oct 21, 2014 3:30:41 GMT -6
The halls of the University of California San Diego were positively bustling. The school year had begun in full, and so the halls were filled with students going from class to class, conversing with one another, looking over assignments, checking their phones. All of them living out their tiny, insignificant lives.
And not a one of them noticed him.
As the students moved around the hall, heads looking one way or another as their lives required, it was in those tiny moments where all points of view were away that he moved, stepping out from one shadow only to step across into another one and disappear as eyes swept over again. These clueless students had no idea of the “person” walking unseen with them down the hall. Where almost all of them broke off to go to wherever their lives demanded them to be, he continued on down, into the disused portion that every school seemed to have. To where a mechanic-obsessed doctor had set up his office. He stopped in front of the door and reached his right hand up, pressing it against the door. His head tilted, ever so slightly, as if hearing something. Apparently satisfied, his hand dropped from the door itself to the doorknob, pushing the door open and flowing into the room.
Dr. Kuller's office was what one would expect from him if they spent any time with the man. Various mechanical parts were scattered about, projects that had been begun and then abandoned in favor of something newer and more interesting, creating an endless backlog of planned work that anyone could browse through simply by looking around his floor. This extended to his desk, which was covered in various tools and bits of metal he had been working on. It was also, at the moment, occupied by 2 manilla folders, a set of photos showing scans of a brain, a glass, and a bottle of a quite powerful liquor that was currently only half full. The other half had, at quite regular pace, gone into the glass, and then down Dr. Kuller's throat. He sat in his desk chair, though sat would perhaps not be the best word to describe. Laying, more like, head laying against his shoulder as he stared at the wall. His eyes shifted to take in the view of his visitor. For some people, he would perhaps be a familiar sight, a tall man dressed in a white lab coat, with dark blue goggles and a medical mask upon his face. And yet, Dr. Kuller did not react as he had to the man who looked like this before. This time he reached out to his desk, grabbing the glass and holding it up in greeting.
“I wondered when you'd show up,” he slurred, trying a few times to sit up straight before finally managing to do so, reaching out to grab the bottle and pour himself another glass. “I'd get you a glass for you to partake in, but...I guess you really wouldn't be able to taste it, huh?”
The man in the goggles did not respond and Dr. Kuller frowned. “Of course,” he muttered to himself with no small measure of bitterness in his voice, “same as always. Well, since you're here even if your vocal cords aren't, I might as well fill you in, huh?”
Again, there was no response, but that didn't stop Dr. Kuller. “Before I start I just...I just wanna say...I think we were both wrong on this, about this. It's...it's just....watch, okay?”
He reached into his coat and pulled out a small remote, aiming it at the right wall, upon which a projector screen covered it. He pressed a button, and a video began to play, of just earlier that day....
–
Dr. Kuller sat at his desk, moving some of the parts around to make room, as the door clicked open and in stepped two large men in suits, escorting a man in dark blue goggles and a medical mask, along with a young girl, body entirely covered, headphones upon her ears into the room. The man in the goggles took a look around the room, shaking his head at it all, while the girl just looked blankly ahead. They approached the desk, the two men pushing her into the chair before taking out leather restraints. “Is that really necessary?” Dr. Kuller asked, and the man in the goggles looked, as much as a man whose face was covered, amused by it. “Of course it is. You do not allow a potentially rabies-infected dog free reign over it's surroundings, do you?”
Dr. Kuller looked at the girl with no small amount of disgust. “Not when that's all she was designed to be.” The man in goggles laughed. “Oh, you two will get along just great. Remove the headphones.” The two men, having restrained her arms to the chair, do so. The girl's eyes quickly come into focus, blinking and looking around. If she in any way felt distress or shock at suddenly coming to in a bizarre room, strapped to a chair, none of it showed in her face. Indeed, she seemed to take it in stride, as if this was a regular occurrence. She looked at the man in goggles and tilted her head curiously. “Where am I now?” she asked simply. The man in goggles was only happy to reply. “You're in the office of the latest physician to check you, Dr....oh, what is that quaint name you took?”
Dr. Kuller's lips curled into a snarl, but before he could say anything the girl looked at him and seemed to have a bit of recognition come to her face. “Dr. Cyril Kuller,” she began, “the head doctor for EXODUS. I'm familiar with him from twitter.”
“Ah, that little blue bird, bringing all manner of people together. Beautiful.” The man in goggles said, patting her on the shoulder. “Now, Cyril here will be asking you questions, and checking your head, okay?” The girl only gave a small shrug. “Whatever is to be done. I have no objections.” It was clear from how the mask crinkled that the man in goggles was smiling. “Not anymore,” he said, with no small amount of pride. He reached into his coat and produced two manilla folders, laying them on Kuller's desk. “Everything you need to know about my beautiful little Eve. Be hasty in getting the results to me. My timetable is being sped up more and more every passing day.” And on that, he turned on his heel and walked out, the two burly men following him, though it was obvious that they posted themselves on either side of the door outside.
For moments, silence was the king in the room, Dr. Kuller and Eve looking at one another. Finally, he spoke up. “So, you're the little monster he created.” She nodded. “I carry his orders out, whatever they may be.” She said as agreement. He shook his head. “He finally succeeded after all these years in getting a perfect little destroyer.” At this, she gave a small smile, finding some humor in that. “I believe in his dreams, things went far smoother once I was...born.” Dr. Kuller snorted dismissively and did not respond, instead picking up one of the folders and opening it. He took one look and let out a sigh.
“I should have expected that. I saw less black marker working for the government.” he said, tossing it back on the desk. Eve tilted her head curiously. “Did you really expect him to just give you every answer to every question?” He sighed again. “Apparently I never learn.”
She nodded.“I have gotten use to seeing people like that,” she said. “I imagine you would, makes it easier to find a target, yes?” Eve frowned, sitting back in her chair. “You make me sound like a serial killer,” she paused a moment, a frown coming on. “Well, it's not like I haven't killed, but not in a serial fashion...”
This only seemed to add credence to whatever image Dr. Kuller had of her in his head. “Yes, well, he wouldn't make a weapon without it being damned good at taking a life, would he?” he said, causing her frown to deepen. “If he had, it would have marked me as a failure, and I'd have been killed” she replied, which caused her frown to actually lessen. “How different things would have been then...” she sighed.
“Yeah, well,” Dr. Kuller began, “it's not how it happened. So we're stuck here. You strapped to that chair, and me trapped having to run a diagnostics on a weapon.” Those words caused Eve's frown to deepen once more, as she looking him over perhaps a little sadly. “I see you've already made your judgment about me,” she began, “from how he talked about you, I thought you might be more understanding...” Her words caused Dr. Kuller to slam his hands on the desk, an act that perhaps didn't have the desired effect, as Eve did not flinch. “I'm done with understanding. I'm so tired. I've run for so long, only to find myself right back where I started. Again. I'm just going to let whatever happens, happen. What's the point otherwise.”
This caused Eve to smile at Dr. Kuller. “Now that outlook...I understand.”
Dr. Kuller scoffed and pulled open one of his desk drawers, reaching in and pulling out a peculiar looking device. It looked like a metal headband, with thin metallic strips coming off of it in a curve, to fit a head. Attached to the headband is a monitor to show....something. He holds it up.
“I'm going to put this onto your head,” he stated, “and this will scan your brain, and give me a readout letting me see the kind of condition it's in.” Eve shrugged and replied, “I think I already know what you'll find there.” “Well that's good for you,” Dr. Kuller said dismissively, “but I was told to check your brain, and so that's what will be done.” Eve just shrugged again in resignation as Dr. Kuller walked over to her and placed the headband onto her. He pressed a few buttons on the monitor and it began it's work with a hum. Dr. Kuller sat back down and seemed to be content with letting the headband do it's work in silence, but Eve broke the silence. “It's not something I want to enjoy.” she said, before adding to it for explanation, “What I do to people, I mean. I enjoy it, sure, but only because that's how I was designed to feel about it. I don't want to feel that way about causing pain.” Dr. Kuller only offered her a shrug. “Too bad. You were made to enjoy it, so you do. It's just another part of being just a weapon. Take that Carey kid for example.”
Her eyes widened a bit at him bringing Carey into this conversation. “You're chummy with him on Twitter and all, but if Daisuke or the Doktor told you to, you'd jam something sharp in his spine and have a giggle while he cries. That's what you're made to do.” She sat for a few moments, clearly imagining the scenario in her head before she began to respond. “It's true that if I was told to do that, I would, without hesitation...but because I can't do anything otherwise...and I would never be able to enjoy it, even if they ordered me to, because he's....”
Dr. Kuller's face fell as he looked at Eve's reaction, her face. Her face was a mask of sadness, some tears appearing in the corners of her eyes. “Because he's my friend.” she said, sadly. Dr. Kuller sat in silence, slumping back in his chair at this, trying to process it. Just as he opened his mouth, Eve changed. Her body, which had been tense a moment ago, relaxed, as she sat back in her chair. Her face was no long a mask of sadness, but was instead a mask of nothing, and Dr. Kuller understood. She had came here, hoping in some way that she'd been introduced to someone that understood, and he acted how he had, and still she opened up to him. And now she sealed all of that up. She spoke up, then, and it only made things worse for him. “But you're right. I'd still do it. After all, that's what a weapon does, yes?”
He had no chance to even try and make a response to that, as the headband began to let out a repeated beeping, signalling it was done. He shakily stood up and walked over to her, removing the headband and turning it to face the monitor. He tapped a few buttons and brought up the results, and blanched. “This is...this can't be right,” he said, tapping buttons again. Eve barely turned her head to regard him. “Whatever could it be, Dr. Kuller?” “It's....it's like...” he kept trying to say, finding the words so bizarre, even with what he's experienced in life, that they're hard to force out.
“It's like there's....parts of another brain....in your brain.”
Eve's expression barely changed, having heard what she clearly already expected. Dr. Kuller meanwhile stumbled back to his chair and sank into it, looking confused and perhaps even scared. Eve regarded him for a moment before speaking up. “It shouldn't bother you, you know. It won't matter” she said. He looked at her with more confusion. “You see,” she began, “in four weeks time, it won't matter.” “Why?” he asked, his fear coming out in his voice. “What's going to happen in four weeks, Eve?” This question, or perhaps the answer, causes Eve to smile. “Nothing. That's the thing. Nothing is what will be at the end of it.”
He just looked on confused, and Eve, looking more and more happy than he'd ever seen her, as if just being able to finally talk about this putting such joy into her. “They think I can't hear them, when those headphones are on me, but that's their mistakes. I've gotten so good at blocking out the sound of the droning voice coming through them, I can hear him talking about it, with the identicals. He's got some big breakthrough he's almost done with. In four weeks it will be time to move forward on it. And do you know what that will render me, Mr. Technician? Ob. So. Lete. And then?”
She slowly pressed her index finger against her temple, the rest of her fingers curled up, thumb sticking up. And she mock-fired it for him, even slumping back in her chair to simulate her corpse. She then looked up at him with the same smile. “And then I can finally sleep...so don't worry. It doesn't matter.”
Dr. Kuller just sat in shock, staring at her. He might have tried, eventually, to say something, but at that moment the door opened, the two thugs stepping into the room followed by the man in the dark blue goggles and the medical mask. He looked at Dr. Kuller, and his mask crinkled to indicate he was smiling. “I can tell already, Cyril, that you've finished checking out my creation.” He walked over to the desk, picking up the headband, and looking at the monitor on it. He stared at it for a few silent moments, before dropping it onto the desk. “Well, she seems in far better shape, brain-wise, than I thought she would be. How perfect for me! Oh well, Cyril, it was so nice seeing you again but I'm afraid we must run, as I said before, my timetable is getting shorter and shorter, and we must hurry!” He started to turn around, only to stop and look back at him. “But I'm sure we'll be seeing each other again quite soon.” At that he gestured to the thugs, who released Eve from her bonds and were, perhaps, a tad bit surprised when she simply followed the Doktor without any resistance, the four of them leaving Cyril sitting, alone, at his desk.
–
“Do you see now?” he asked the identical man in the dark blue goggles and the medical mask. “Do you understand? We were wrong! She's not a weapon! She's a person! And she's dangling on the god damn precipice of something terrible, even without this four weeks deadline! This is a turning point, she could be saved.” The man in the dark blue goggles did not respond, instead moving over to the desk, where he picked up the discarded headband. He began to look it over, while Dr. Kuller sat looking at him with anger in his eyes. He picked up a piece of metal off his desk and flung it at the man, shouting out at him as he did. “Say something!” he yelled as the metal bounced off the man's head, who barely seemed to notice, though he did turn his head to look at Dr. Kuller. “Say one god damned word to me!” he continued to shout. “Ever since that day I carried you out of the fire, you have not said one damned word! I've seen your organs damn it I know your vocal cords work! You have a voice! USE IT! Don't you see how important this is?!” The man stared at him, for long moments, and Cyril held some hope that finally, this was the breakthrough he'd hoped for every since that night in Aruba...
But he did not respond. Instead, he reached down again, picking up the two manilla folders, pocketing them into his jacket along with the headband, before slowly walking to the door. He stopped at it, and looked back at Dr. Kuller. Their eyes met, Cyril knew, but only for a moment, before the man looked away. And then he pulled the door open, and disappeared into the shadows once again.
Dr. Kuller sat at his desk, staring at the door long after it had shut. Slowly he reached for his bottle of liquor and his glass, but stopped. He instead dropped the glass to the floor, letting it shatter into hundreds of pieces, and chose to instead just gulp from the bottle directly.
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Post by Evelyn Kuller on Aug 11, 2014 0:42:26 GMT -6
"HOW DARE SHE!" he screamed.
Daisuke was hardly in the mood to be pleasant. Even Audrey Lloris was scared to approach him at this time, remaining in the corner as he looked over at a few men in suits, along with a man in a lab coat.
"We can fix this, Daisuke," the man said.
"Fix it now, Doktor! I don't have time to suffer all of this!" he shouted, leaving the room.
– The man known only as “Doktor” watched as his angry boss left the room, silent now behind his dark blue goggles and medical mask. The slamming of the door behind Daisuke was unreasonbly loud, but at this point Doktor was used to it. He let out a deep sigh as he brought one hand up to rub at his temple. “What an annoyance,” he mumbled to himself, not low enough to escape the ears of the other men in the room, but he didn't care. He took a few steps forward to the primary attraction of the room, a viewport into a connecting room, where his primary work room was. Laying on a table was Eve, her eyes open but unfocused as she listened to the headphones upon her head. Usually this was a normal, benign sight. Now...it was the sign of a very large, unexpected problem. She had gone off the programming. More than that she actively rebelled, actively RAGED, against it. The true extent of the anger built into her had shown itself. In some ways it was a potent weapon, but in others it just represented a threat to the plans he had designed. The question now, of course, was what to do about it. One of the men in suits stepped forward, clearing his throat to get his attention. The Doktor slightly turned his head to indicate he was listening. “What will you be doing now, sir?” he asked. Doktor fully turned to face him now, and let out another sigh. They handle her one time to bring her back and they automatically assume they'll be needed for anything to due with her from now on. How bothersome. But, airing his thoughts couldn't hurt. It could even lead to an answer uncovering itself. “Well, I'll be doing what Daisuke screamed,” he began, “and I'll fix it. But that is...problematic now.” The suited man let his silence ask the question for him. “Now that she's broken the programming once,” he explained, “and her brain has now felt “freedom” and “choice” she will now fight hard to regain that, possibly even if I were to submerge her deep into programming.” The suited man nodded in understanding. “And more than that,” he continued, “I'm not entirely sure just how much of that her mind can take. Too much programming might just tear her mind apart, and it was hard enough to get one perfected the first time. I have no interest in making another one. So I can't just wipe and try again. I have to be careful.” “So what will I do now?” he asked himself out loud. “Well, I'm going to give her another round of the standard programming. If nothing else it'll hold the cracks long enough for me to figure out where to go from there. After that, I need to determine the health of her mind, and whether it can take a harder round of programming. Indeed, a good examination in all might be needed, just to make sure everything is staying together correctly. Of course that's not exactly my area of expertise, but...” He trailed off there, as a little memory popped into his mind. When he arrived at this facility and took in the lay of the land his creation would tread through, when he saw the name on the employee list. He did not believe in the concept of “fate” but it was certainly a gift from someone. The suited man could tell from the crease in the medical mask that he was smiling now. “But I know just the man to do so, yes....” He nodded to himself, agreeing with his own thoughts. “Yes, indeed, this is the perfect time to establish contact. Luckily I have the few days the programming will afford me. A delicate matter like this, I'll need to be sure of how to approach it. We don't need any incidents like the other one, nooo...” he nodded to himself again. The suited man, apparently used to this, let his attention wander, turning to face the viewport, and immediately jumped back. Doktor noticed this and turned his head to look where he had, and jumped back as well. Eve sat on the table, watching them, the headphones now around her neck. Doktor stared at this sight for a moment, sharing a stare with the girl, before he quickly turned to look at the suited men, jerking his head towards her to indicate an order to them, with the men immediately moving to get into the room and making sure the headphones stayed on her. He watched and frowned. “Perhaps,” he mumbled to himself, “I do not have time to wait. I'll have to do it now, tact be damned.” He turned on his heel and left the room, ready to do what he needed to do. A happy reunion. – The man walked down the hallway with a brisk, happy pace. Today had been a good day, full of hard work and advances in his work. Though he still hadn't made any advances in the work of getting the stains from his work out of his clothing, but that was what tomorrow was for! He stopped in front of the door to his office as a feeling came over him. It was hard to explain, but it was like something in the air was just wrong. The hairs on the back of his neck stood on end as he slowly reached out to grasp the doorknob, already having an idea as to what he'd find when he opened the door. He opened the door and saw what he expected, and it felt like everything inside of him knotted up and began to weigh down in his stomach. Doktor sat on his desk, watching him. “Come in,” he said, “isn't it time we got reacquainted?” The man looked back into the hallway, confirming no one else was around before stepping in, pushing the door closed behind him. His jaw set and he practically spit out the word. “Who.” Not a question, but a command. Doktor could only smile, behind his mask, and reached up to his face, pushing his goggles up long enough for the man to look into his eyes before pushing them back down. The man could only nod. “I'm not surprised.” he said, looking down. “Come now!” Doktor said, with no small hint of enjoyment at this in his voice. “Is that any way to greet me after all this time? We haven't seen each other since....why, just before that unpleasant business in Aruba.” The man's fist clenched and Doktor smiled even wider. “Ah yes, that day we'll all remember. When the dream died, swept away in fire and agony!” he yelled, before hopping onto his feet and approaching the man. “Really, you should be happy. You received this long to live the illusion. Shouldn't you be thanking me for granting you this long before coming knocking?” The man's fist started to shake, but Doktor was not truly worried. He knew him well enough to know nothing would come of it. “What. Do you want?” the man finally managed to growl out, looking up to lock eyes with him. “Right to the chase! Why not sit down awhile, let us get caught up? I'd love to know how you managed to get into this line of work.” The man did not respond, and the Doktor could only chuckle. “Ah, yes, even a child could hear how insincere that was. Oh well, no matter. I'll explain.” He gave it a moment, for that dramatic effect, before he dropped the bomb. “I succeeded.” The man's eyes widened in shock, and his words stumbled and stuttered out before he finally managed to get them out. “How. Even with the number of years you've had, there's no way you could have...” he trailed off, the light of recognition coming to his face, along with no small amount of horror. “The girl. The one with the scars, in the developmental camp.” Doktor clapped, nodding. “Got it in one. My little Patchwork Girl. She's truly amazing, is she not?” “You actually did it,” the man continued, staring. “You made a monster.” Doktor's grin spread. “You're god damn right I did! And she is only the beginning! Once I perfect it, the potential is unending. I will be the first to reach the Apex we were meant for! And I'm so generous. You'll be helping me.” The man shook his head hard. “Wrong. I refuse to help you with your godforsaken ghouls.” Doktor's mask creased in an obvious frown. “Who said you had a choice.” he said, stepping forward, until they were face to face. “It's only the 9 of us now. We're the only ones left. I'd recommend you remember that day in Aruba, and think of how quickly the illusion can be broken.” The frown changed to that grin again. “How dreams can die.” The man held the stare for a few moments, before he broke it, looking down in defeat. “Fine. Fine, I'll do it.” Doktor reached out and clasped the man on the shoulder. “I knew you'd make the correct choice. I'll be sending her along in the next day or two, with the paperwork you'll need to reference. I just need to know her physical and mental condition to start with. We can begin the more...extensive work, later.” He began to move past him, opening the door but stopping to look back at him, the crease of the mask indicating an enormous grin. “Who knows,” he began, “at this rate you might even think to embrace your real name instead of the false one....” his voice took on a mocking tone as he said one final word. “Kuller.” And he closed the door behind him, leaving Dr. Cyril Kuller who could only muse on how hard it is to escape.
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Post by Evelyn Kuller on Jun 14, 2014 11:02:44 GMT -6
The room felt like a freezer. Despite the full Texas heat beating down every person and building outside, this room could lead someone to believe they’d been teleported somewhere far away, to a land of snow and frost.
Something like that happening was far from abnormal in this town.
In this freezing room, two men stood. They stood next to each other, looking at the same thing, in silence, each breath from one man coming alive in the chill. His partner’s breathes, however, did not show themselves due to the medical mask he wore. Finally, after much silence had passed, the Evil Man spoke.
“What happened?” he asked the other man. It was said as neutrally as possible, but the words carried a certain air to them. An air of impatience, of annoyance, and it put forth the idea that whatever caused those words to be said should be fixed immediately. At first he did not reply, seeming to take time to consider his response, but finally the Man in the Dark Blue Goggles answered, words only slightly muffled by his mask.
“An unforeseen complication,” he began, “one I perhaps should have expected.” He gave a shrug of his shoulders. “But, is it showing itself then not a boon? You were the one who wanted them to come, so it’s not like this...outburst, told them anything they did not already know.”
The Evil Man scowled, turning to put his attention on his partner. “I disagree. One of the advantages of our weapon is they know nothing about it, and yet this outburst as you call it, all it did was serve as a hint to them.” The Man in the Dark Blue Goggles seemed to consider this as he turned to face the other man, looking him in the eye. Or, at least, it could be assumed he was. It was hard to tell with the goggles.
“And I disagree in turn. All this does is raise questions for them, and the time they spend asking questions is time they could have spent trying to stop it. And even if they can use it to perforate the mystique to find the truth...what good will it do? They know nothing of me, or how what was done was achieved. Regardless of what they do,” he assured, “they will be left with no real answers.”
The Evil Man in turn began to consider this, and finally gave a nod. “I suppose that is an acceptable way to view this...but that leaves a question” he said, setting his jaw, “how did this happen? My instructions were very clear.” His voice again carried that air to it, thought now with a tone that one would not think to refer to as neutral. The Man in the Dark Blue Goggles began his response with another shrug. “As I said before,” he explained, “this was a complication that I should have expected. This is the first of it’s kind, so these kind of...bugs, they should be expected to crop up.”
“A bug?!” the Evil Man asked incredulously, more than a hint of anger apparent both in his tone and his expression. “That’s what you call that? That wasn’t a bug, that was a fucking blue screen error!” he shouted, responding to the computer reference with another. “She’s suppose to have the abilities and nothing else, and yet what I saw that night was a fair sight more than just that!” He slammed his fist on the table, but it’s occupant seemed to not notice. Whether or not the Man in the Dark Blue Goggles was affected by this outburst of anger was uncertain, given his face being covered as it was. The only response he gave was with his words. “This is a new science, one no one else has ever worked on. I believe I was the one who wanted to do a beta test before pushing it out, but you wanted an immediate release.” He paused a moment, as the Evil Man snarled. “Not that I am putting the blame on you, of course. This IS something I should have tried to catch. But, now that I know of it’s existence...I should be able to take care of it.”
He looked at the table, and the Evil Man got the idea that the Man in the Dark Blue Goggles was smiling, judging by how the medical mask crinkled. “She won’t remember it at all. Even beyond a distant memory...it’ll be completely erased.”
And thus it’s time to be honest, as earlier when it was said there were two people in this freezing room, that was a lie. There was, technically, three people in this room. There was the Evil Man, the Man in the Dark Blue Goggles, and the occupant of the table. The occupant was a young woman, looking to be in her early twenties, clothes covering her body completely, with a high collar that covered her neck, the kind of coverage more suited for the freezing temperature of this room than the sweltering heat of the town outside...though neither of those were the reasons for her clothing choices. She laid on the table, and she stared. She stared straight up at the ceiling, not showing a sign that she was aware at all of the conversation going on at the foot of the table. Upon her head was a pair of headphones, and one could describe her as listening to them, if that one was unaware of what was going on.
The Evil Man gave a quick reply. “Good. I expect it to be completely taken care of before this coming Monday. I need her to do only what I need of her, Doktor, and nothing else.” The Man in the Dark Blue Goggles, the one called Doktor, looked at the Evil Man with the same crinkling of his mask as before. “Of course. I will carry out your orders to the letter.” The Evil Man nodded. “Then get to it. I’m going to check on our guest.” The Doktor in the Dark Blue Goggles only gave a short wave, already having moved up to the top of the table, where the young girl’s head lay. The Evil Man left him to it, as the Doktor in the Dark Blue Goggles reached to a tray on a wheeled table next to the table she laid on, pulling a large syringe full of a dark orange liquid. “Well then, my dear, let us impart a new set of orders, to make sure you are perfect for your job. The designation for these orders shall be..” This time it was most certainly a grin that came to his face. “Deliver Us From Eve.”
Words like that, and the plan carried behind them, were considered abnormal even for this town.
And that signaled the beginning of the end, not just for this town, but for everyone.
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