Just like any other night, Phoenix woke as the sun dipped under the horizon. There really isn’t anything remarkable about a sunset and this one was no different. That glowing ball of retina searing light just sank under the trees in the distance, leaving the world blanketed in darkness. Restlessness was a constant companion these nights. Restlessness, and the urge to find some kind of purpose or meaning to a life gone so far from what she’d intended.
Pushing herself away from the window, the woman dressed for the night in a simple pair of black jeans and a faded green T-shirt. It was still far too cold to go out without some kind of coat - at least for appearances' sakes, and so she slipped on the thin gray jacket she’d had since she was human. She had no plans for the evening and she knew Axel wouldn't be home for a while - if she’d just woken, he was likely just coming to in the ruins of True Love. Always waking up alone was something that bothered her, but she’d gotten used to it. At least he always came back for the night.
With a soft sight, Nix pulled on the black leather riding boots she really could only get away with wearing during the winter and stepped from her plush suite into the vast, cavernous cave of the Citadel. Moments later, she stood at the edge of the fadeportal can carefully stepped through, appearing in the bushes next to Cherrydale Station.
The Road Less Traveled [Pathday 3]
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Phoenix
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Phoenix
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Re: The Road Less Traveled [Pathday 3]
The sky was overcast and even though the cold didn't bother her, Nix tightened her jacket around herself. Wandering seemed like the order of the day - maybe she'd stumble upon something interesting or worth paying mind.
Her aimless wandering led her to the edge of Cherrydale, through the farmlands on the outskirts of the city. There was nothing of interest here to anyone, save for a not so select few. Nothing of interest ever happened here, except for in that spot Velveteen had decided was the perfect killing grounds. Of course, Ty had recently changed their kill zone to somewhere within the park, but that didn't really matter. This area was Tytonidae grounds just like the space south of Newborough belonged to Phoenix - not that anyone could truly own the earth.
Those honey brown eyes flicked to the left, to the strange, old tree lingering on the edge of the forest. The thing stood out like a sore thumb, towering and decrepit compared to the lush mixed forest around it. Once, that tree had been home - even now, she , but now looking at it, Phoenix felt nothing but sadness. She pitied the sad husk that that tree had become. She pitied Velveteen and her lack of foresight - pitied her and blamed her for allowing the faction that Nix had loved to become a sad, twisted shadow of its former self. A cold, bitter bark of laughter escaped her lips as she inventoried all that was left of the faction, and came up with very little of worth.
((Memory 1))
Her aimless wandering led her to the edge of Cherrydale, through the farmlands on the outskirts of the city. There was nothing of interest here to anyone, save for a not so select few. Nothing of interest ever happened here, except for in that spot Velveteen had decided was the perfect killing grounds. Of course, Ty had recently changed their kill zone to somewhere within the park, but that didn't really matter. This area was Tytonidae grounds just like the space south of Newborough belonged to Phoenix - not that anyone could truly own the earth.
Those honey brown eyes flicked to the left, to the strange, old tree lingering on the edge of the forest. The thing stood out like a sore thumb, towering and decrepit compared to the lush mixed forest around it. Once, that tree had been home - even now, she , but now looking at it, Phoenix felt nothing but sadness. She pitied the sad husk that that tree had become. She pitied Velveteen and her lack of foresight - pitied her and blamed her for allowing the faction that Nix had loved to become a sad, twisted shadow of its former self. A cold, bitter bark of laughter escaped her lips as she inventoried all that was left of the faction, and came up with very little of worth.
((Memory 1))
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Phoenix
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Re: The Road Less Traveled [Pathday 3]
The lack of worth left within Ty’s walls was entirely Velveteen’s fault. She’d tried to hard to create a faction out of a family out of a faction. Tytonidae is now Andras, its uniqueness completely eroded. Where once was a strong, unified and fearsome force to be reckoned with now stands a group of sad, mediocre individuals. But that’s what happens when you try to turn a war machine into a social utopia where everyone gets along; that’s just the lie she’s created. Tytonidae is no longer a happy place - it’s rife with drama and petty ********. Holding hands and singing Kumbaya only works for so long until people start to get restless, wondering what else is out there under the sun.
It’s also a harsh wake up after members join to realize that there’s nothing shiny or special about present day Tytonidae. All that’s left of that great power is myth - a legend to which the present membership can never hope to live up. The remnants of a lost art, even. Perhaps someday soon, a new power would rise and pick the bones clean of what little meat there was left. Those relics of a time gone past deserve a better home than the decaying husk in which they reside.
Another shake of her head and the Shadow turned away, dismissing the twisted, broken tree that wanted so badly to be a shelter, but had become a trap.
No, she thought, I’m far better off on the outside. And she knew it was a lie.
((Memory 1))
It’s also a harsh wake up after members join to realize that there’s nothing shiny or special about present day Tytonidae. All that’s left of that great power is myth - a legend to which the present membership can never hope to live up. The remnants of a lost art, even. Perhaps someday soon, a new power would rise and pick the bones clean of what little meat there was left. Those relics of a time gone past deserve a better home than the decaying husk in which they reside.
Another shake of her head and the Shadow turned away, dismissing the twisted, broken tree that wanted so badly to be a shelter, but had become a trap.
No, she thought, I’m far better off on the outside. And she knew it was a lie.
((Memory 1))
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Phoenix
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Re: The Road Less Traveled [Pathday 3]
After half an hour of wandering in a vague southwestward direction from Cherrydale, Phoenix found herself standing on the sidewalk, looking out over the vast expanse of whiteness that still covered Thornside Park. A smile quirked her lips as she stepped along the path towards the lake, every step calling forth a memory, most of which were pleasant. Snow crunched underfoot as she surveyed the barren, deserted wasteland of ice that the park always was during the winter - even so, there was still something hauntingly beautiful about the place.
The park had always been her favorite place in the city - ever since she’d arrived years ago. On one of her first nights in the city, after she’d found herself a shabby apartment and an equally shabby job, Nix had wandered the park. In the summer heat, she’d stopped when she’d come upon an acting company performing a rendition of Richard III. Shakespeare in the Park, they’d called it. Of course the stage was abandoned for the winter, but she’d returned every year since to enjoy the performance. She never knew why, but she’d always enjoyed the last bit of the play so very much. ’A horse, a horse, my kingdom for a horse’ she whispered under her breath, suddenly anxious for the snow to melt and the summertime festivities to start all over again. She’d never hated winter, but summer was always just so much better - even if she could no longer stand the sun.
((Memory 2))
The park had always been her favorite place in the city - ever since she’d arrived years ago. On one of her first nights in the city, after she’d found herself a shabby apartment and an equally shabby job, Nix had wandered the park. In the summer heat, she’d stopped when she’d come upon an acting company performing a rendition of Richard III. Shakespeare in the Park, they’d called it. Of course the stage was abandoned for the winter, but she’d returned every year since to enjoy the performance. She never knew why, but she’d always enjoyed the last bit of the play so very much. ’A horse, a horse, my kingdom for a horse’ she whispered under her breath, suddenly anxious for the snow to melt and the summertime festivities to start all over again. She’d never hated winter, but summer was always just so much better - even if she could no longer stand the sun.
((Memory 2))
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Phoenix
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Re: The Road Less Traveled [Pathday 3]
A smile curled her lips as Phoenix finally reached the lake. Brushing snow off what she had always deemed ‘her’ bench, the redhead sat, one leg crossed over the other. The lake was still frozen, though she wouldn’t trust the ice’s thickness enough to pull out a pair of skates; March weather was notoriously temperamental, but skating on that little lake had always been fun.
It was here on this bench that she’d sat in silent contemplation for hours upon hours. When in the realm, the mirror image of this place was always where she sought solace and peace of mind. Perhaps the realm’s version was a bit less pristine and entirely more awful, but it was still her place - her space, and no matter the circumstances, she’d always felt a sense of safety. This little knoll was home.
All this, of course, without even mentioning Elizabeth’s Tulipranny debacle. The thought popped into her head like a someone snapping bubblegum, and she couldn’t help but chuckle. One of the stepping stones to her falling out with Ty had been her appointment - in jest, of course - as Lady of Thornside. Of course she didn’t take it seriously and she never had, but the concept was amusing nonetheless. Amusing, and the title was wholly fitting. The whole pomp and faux frou-frou of the affair still amused her. Even now, when she felt the need to be a pretentious git, the title always came to mind.
((Memory 2))
It was here on this bench that she’d sat in silent contemplation for hours upon hours. When in the realm, the mirror image of this place was always where she sought solace and peace of mind. Perhaps the realm’s version was a bit less pristine and entirely more awful, but it was still her place - her space, and no matter the circumstances, she’d always felt a sense of safety. This little knoll was home.
All this, of course, without even mentioning Elizabeth’s Tulipranny debacle. The thought popped into her head like a someone snapping bubblegum, and she couldn’t help but chuckle. One of the stepping stones to her falling out with Ty had been her appointment - in jest, of course - as Lady of Thornside. Of course she didn’t take it seriously and she never had, but the concept was amusing nonetheless. Amusing, and the title was wholly fitting. The whole pomp and faux frou-frou of the affair still amused her. Even now, when she felt the need to be a pretentious git, the title always came to mind.
((Memory 2))
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Phoenix
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Re: The Road Less Traveled [Pathday 3]
Despite the inner peace it brought her, the park didn’t hold just good memories. Pushing herself to her feet, Nix turned to look south west, around the edge of the lake to an altogether more sinister section of the park. Slowly, very slowly, she made her way to the area that she used as a glorified slaughterhouse. The trees were more dense here and far more easily hid what went on beneath their branches from prying eyes. This was Phoenix’s very own killzone - where she’d chosen to play god. As she approached the small clearing behind the first few branches, she could almost imagine the ground painted red with the blood of countless slain vampires. Even some humans.
A chill crept down Nix’s spine. The shiver had nothing to do with the weather and everything to do with her past transgressions. From her days as a Hellhound to her leadership of the Grigori clan, this was the place she’d always chosen to send people do their death. It was part of her park - a dark part of her park, but hers nonetheless. Beautiful things were never so because of their perfection - it was the flaws that made things uniquely and sometimes hauntingly beautiful. This little clearing was the mar in an otherwise perfect park.
Crunching through the snow after sneaking past the last few branches, Nix came to stand at the edge of the clearing, almost disappointed to find that the thin crust of snow remained a pristine white.
((Memory 3.1))
A chill crept down Nix’s spine. The shiver had nothing to do with the weather and everything to do with her past transgressions. From her days as a Hellhound to her leadership of the Grigori clan, this was the place she’d always chosen to send people do their death. It was part of her park - a dark part of her park, but hers nonetheless. Beautiful things were never so because of their perfection - it was the flaws that made things uniquely and sometimes hauntingly beautiful. This little clearing was the mar in an otherwise perfect park.
Crunching through the snow after sneaking past the last few branches, Nix came to stand at the edge of the clearing, almost disappointed to find that the thin crust of snow remained a pristine white.
((Memory 3.1))
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Phoenix
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Re: The Road Less Traveled [Pathday 3]
Phoenix let herself fall to her knees, uncaring that the snow would dampen her jeans. One gloved hand reached out to uncover the frozen ground that lay underneath its white coat. After a few moments of digging, the hard, brown earth was revealed. Pulling off one of those gloves, she began to scratch at the surface for some sign that the earth remembered what had transpired here. It didn’t take long for her to give up and sit back, simultaneously dissatisfied and content.
All that remained of that carnage was a memory; the ground didn’t remember or care. Phoenix had half expected the little bits of sand and dirt she’d managed to scrape up to be stained red, but they weren’t - despite all those who’d been sent to the realm at this very spot, the ground remained unaffected.
Tucking her legs under herself, Nix stared at the little hole she’d dug before slowly closing her eyes. Here in the park, she was safe. Letting a reel of memories project themselves onto the back of her eyelids, Nix simply remembered all the faces, names… Everyone who had died in the very spot deserved to be remembered. She’d been a bloodthirsty creature - she still was, to a certain extent. If only she could wash away the memories of what she’d done as easily as the earth had.
Maybe the earth could forget, but she could not - not that easily; she could only sit there in silence and reflect on the wrongs she’d committed. Not just here, in this clearing, but through her entire existence. With a sigh, the redhead carefully returned the pebbles she’d collected to the earth and then recovered the spot with a thin layer of snow. It was time to move on.
((Memory 3.2))
All that remained of that carnage was a memory; the ground didn’t remember or care. Phoenix had half expected the little bits of sand and dirt she’d managed to scrape up to be stained red, but they weren’t - despite all those who’d been sent to the realm at this very spot, the ground remained unaffected.
Tucking her legs under herself, Nix stared at the little hole she’d dug before slowly closing her eyes. Here in the park, she was safe. Letting a reel of memories project themselves onto the back of her eyelids, Nix simply remembered all the faces, names… Everyone who had died in the very spot deserved to be remembered. She’d been a bloodthirsty creature - she still was, to a certain extent. If only she could wash away the memories of what she’d done as easily as the earth had.
Maybe the earth could forget, but she could not - not that easily; she could only sit there in silence and reflect on the wrongs she’d committed. Not just here, in this clearing, but through her entire existence. With a sigh, the redhead carefully returned the pebbles she’d collected to the earth and then recovered the spot with a thin layer of snow. It was time to move on.
((Memory 3.2))
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Phoenix
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Re: The Road Less Traveled [Pathday 3]
After exiting Thornside Park, Phoenix wanted to get as far away from the clearing as possible. Yes, she loved the park, but she wasn’t quite ready to make peace with those memories yet. She called upon her powers and, in the blink of an eye, ended up across the city. ’Away,’ she’d thought as she called on the energy she commanded - and away she went.
Which is how she ended up in Redwood, standing outside something that was, perhaps, a worse memory than the collective horror in which she’d taken part in the park. There, outside what had once been called Queen's Tomb Hideout, Phoenix collapsed. The building itself was a shell, a container for what had happened inside. This, about a year ago exactly, was where she’d met Legion.
Right from the start, the two had shared a special bond. Even now, staring up at the empty building in simple recollection, she felt her heart twist. Pain. What had once been a beautiful memory - the first time he’d called her Pretty Baby, and every other time after when she’d pretended to hate it - was turned to bitter hurt. Maybe even hate.
They’d shared so much in such a short time, and then he’d gone. He’d taken everything without a word and left her bitter, broken and wondering what it was she possible could have done wrong. The sad truth was that she hadn’t done anything. Legion leaving was not her fault. And yet, that realization had never brought her any comfort.
After picking herself off the ground, Nix shook herself off, heedless of the tears streaming down her cheeks. Home - she wanted to be home.
((Memory 4))
Which is how she ended up in Redwood, standing outside something that was, perhaps, a worse memory than the collective horror in which she’d taken part in the park. There, outside what had once been called Queen's Tomb Hideout, Phoenix collapsed. The building itself was a shell, a container for what had happened inside. This, about a year ago exactly, was where she’d met Legion.
Right from the start, the two had shared a special bond. Even now, staring up at the empty building in simple recollection, she felt her heart twist. Pain. What had once been a beautiful memory - the first time he’d called her Pretty Baby, and every other time after when she’d pretended to hate it - was turned to bitter hurt. Maybe even hate.
They’d shared so much in such a short time, and then he’d gone. He’d taken everything without a word and left her bitter, broken and wondering what it was she possible could have done wrong. The sad truth was that she hadn’t done anything. Legion leaving was not her fault. And yet, that realization had never brought her any comfort.
After picking herself off the ground, Nix shook herself off, heedless of the tears streaming down her cheeks. Home - she wanted to be home.
((Memory 4))
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Phoenix
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Re: The Road Less Traveled [Pathday 3]
Right at that moment, home was Beta Towers - the plush apartment Phoenix kept open and stocked for the rest of the Altaire group. Halfway there, she’d realized that she was crying and she’d hastily wiped away the tears, but it did nothing to soothe the hurt she still felt. Off in the distance, she caught sight of a building rising up above the others and her pace faltered, finally coming to a stop. Those honey brown eyes lingered on the building, slowly replacing the pain of the tomb with something far more bright.
That was the place where she’d pulled together family and friends. Saige, Every, Kyrian and Axel. Saige had brought in Velia, but Nix had found she liked the woman quite a bit. They each had their strengths, each had their weaknesses, and they’d worked together beautifully. Dysprosium had been born through their collective efforts to unlock door after door.
Tears forgotten despite the mascara that streaked her cheeks, Nix stared in silent contemplation at the building. That, perhaps, had been the turning point where she’d realized that everyone, no matter their skillset, was worthwhile. She may have been able to do what they’d done on her own, given time, but there was something special about sharing that frustration, exhaustion and ultimately, victory with a group of her peers. It was that night that it had finally sunk in - someone else’s victory in no way diminished her own. It was a good realization at a good time in her life. And it also came along with a nice chunk of change.
With a renewed spring in her step, home was in sight, and she was happy to be headed there.
((Memory 5))
That was the place where she’d pulled together family and friends. Saige, Every, Kyrian and Axel. Saige had brought in Velia, but Nix had found she liked the woman quite a bit. They each had their strengths, each had their weaknesses, and they’d worked together beautifully. Dysprosium had been born through their collective efforts to unlock door after door.
Tears forgotten despite the mascara that streaked her cheeks, Nix stared in silent contemplation at the building. That, perhaps, had been the turning point where she’d realized that everyone, no matter their skillset, was worthwhile. She may have been able to do what they’d done on her own, given time, but there was something special about sharing that frustration, exhaustion and ultimately, victory with a group of her peers. It was that night that it had finally sunk in - someone else’s victory in no way diminished her own. It was a good realization at a good time in her life. And it also came along with a nice chunk of change.
With a renewed spring in her step, home was in sight, and she was happy to be headed there.
((Memory 5))
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Phoenix
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Re: The Road Less Traveled [Pathday 3]
Finally, home. Nix slipped through the door to the apartment and slipped off her coat. This place wasn’t nearly as safe as her Citadel, but it was home. After tossing the jacket over the back of the couch, she kicked off her boots and walked around to flop down on the couch. A soft smile touched her lips. No… not everything was bad. She had friends and she had a wonderful partner.
That soft smile turned to a devious little smirk as those honey brown eyes flicked to the brand new window facing out over the west side of the city. It still made her overly giddy when she thought about Axel coming in and personally replacing the pane.
The night the window had been shattered had been an interesting one indeed. A conversation turned to confrontation, ending in a night of heated passion. One night’s romps lead to another, and another hunting together. Raw passion lead to affection, affection to serious talks that dragged out to near dawn. Compatibility was a strange thing. Night after night, she and Axel had grown closer until sharing dreams had even become commonplace. Not that those dreams were always pleasant.
Her eyes flicked down to the ring on her finger, the black diamond sparkling in the apartment’s dim light. Axel’s proposal had been perfect. She was hesitant to set a date for the upcoming nuptials, but that didn’t seem to bother him. Nothing ever really seemed to bother him. He was her rock - her anchor in the storm of emotions she sometimes endured.
In spite of all the crap she’d experienced and every horrible thing she’d done, most parts of her life, she wouldn’t change for the world.
((Memory 6))
That soft smile turned to a devious little smirk as those honey brown eyes flicked to the brand new window facing out over the west side of the city. It still made her overly giddy when she thought about Axel coming in and personally replacing the pane.
The night the window had been shattered had been an interesting one indeed. A conversation turned to confrontation, ending in a night of heated passion. One night’s romps lead to another, and another hunting together. Raw passion lead to affection, affection to serious talks that dragged out to near dawn. Compatibility was a strange thing. Night after night, she and Axel had grown closer until sharing dreams had even become commonplace. Not that those dreams were always pleasant.
Her eyes flicked down to the ring on her finger, the black diamond sparkling in the apartment’s dim light. Axel’s proposal had been perfect. She was hesitant to set a date for the upcoming nuptials, but that didn’t seem to bother him. Nothing ever really seemed to bother him. He was her rock - her anchor in the storm of emotions she sometimes endured.
In spite of all the crap she’d experienced and every horrible thing she’d done, most parts of her life, she wouldn’t change for the world.
((Memory 6))