Black Heart [INVITE]

[Nakia]

They were everywhere. She could hear them, their laughter, their vile comments. They crept up the back of her neck and closed off her airways. They need to pay for their crimes. Gritting her teeth, she flexed her fingers, the leather of her gloves creaking beneath the strain. There could be no way to trace her - no fingerprints, no footprints, no DNA. She had to be a ghost for this to work. Gingerly, she leaned down and began to type, her fingers flying across the keys as her handler’s voice gave the commands from the bluetooth in her ear.

This is our city.
It doesn’t belong to scum and vagrants.
It belongs to us.

It’s time to take it back.
-- Black Heart

It was simplistic. She had no need for all the bells and whistles that other factions used, and she knew that those that saw the truth in her words, would also be able to discern the greyed out hyperlink that would lead them to the main page of her faction. She was out for one thing only - to seek vengeance for all that she had lost. Straightening up, she pressed send, and waited as the machine processed the command. In two seconds, the screen blackened and a pop filled the air as the motherboard fried itself. With a grin, the lithe woman slipped back into the darkness and headed into the night, knowing that there were those that would take the bait.

[Prudence]

Prudence: Prudence needed a couple things for crafting some things that she could possibly sell. The redhead scrolled through the auctions looking for some motion sensors and came up with nothing. Maybe...just maybe someone was listing them for sale on the Crownet. A whole buncha **** in one posting to be simple and to the point. She started with the earliest post and decided to work her way down from there. But, as soon as she read the post, Prudence wasn’t interested in those parts anymore. What was this scum and vagrants stuff? Who was this Blackheart person talking about? Not knowing who it meant, Prudence was more than interested...she had to know who these people were and who Blackheart might be.

Prudence decided to answer this ad personally and anonymously for now.

Blackheart-

Count me in, depending on the target. Scratch that, so long as it ain’t me and my mini’s-count me in for some skull busting action. Might even rope a friend in.

Annon.

[Nakia]

It didn’t take her long to make her way back to the apartment, and once she did, she slid easily behind the desk. As she pressed the power button to their system, she knew without a doubt that she had been untraceable. However, that wasn’t what surprised her - it was the e-mail that popped up the second her screen came to life. “That was quick,” she chuckled, before pulling off her gloves. Here, she was safe - here, no one could harm her. Sinking her teeth into her lower lip, she brought up the response forum, and shook her head.

Annon -
I haven’t a clue who you are, but as you are responding to me via our crownet, I am positive that you are not the target. Those I wish to ruin - for now - are the criminal scum that think they are stronger than us. They go by the title Westwall Bricks. If you are still interested, you will find a way to join our faction. We are few, but we will prevail. It is the only way.

-- Black Heart.

[Prudence]

Westwall Bricks. Prudence never heard a lot about the group, but she knew they were a gang of wanna be’s and that they were human. Very, very human. And in her eyes humans were inferior. Food. Probably not a one of them will ever progress to a more elaborate life-like those of Prudence’s species. People seemed to be getting more and more picky-which was great. Even she was more pickier than before.

Blackheart-

Applied. Count me in. Let me know the show down is and let’s **** them up and kill some ****. A lot of ****! I’m sending a friend your way too!

Annon.

With her application sent in, a message to Mordie to get his join on to kill some fuckers, Prudence logged off the computer, but opened her email app in her phone in case anyone decided to email her back. She didn’t want to miss a single thing. And then it struck her. She forgot to ask if there was something to do before the big fight and what she should bring.

Blackheart-

Should I do something before **** goes down and do ya need some traps or some guns or something?

Annon.
(sent from my android app)

[Nakia]

Annon -

There is nothing that you need, other than your own weapons and your ability to keep yourself alive. As you are applying, you are either foolish or powerful. I’m betting on the latter. The time will be sent to each of you remotely, so it cannot be traced and we cannot be blindsided. I will keep an eye out for your friend, as well.

I will see the both of you then. Until then, prepare.

-- Black Heart

With the final e-mail sent - or so she assumed - she rested back in her chair and tapped her fingers against the old oak of her desk. She had done all of this without speaking to her husband, and after her death, he had been reluctant to allow her out of his sight. Now, though, she had gone behind his back - and with a sigh, she scrubbed at her face. “I guess I should fill him in. What do you think, Kil?” When her wraith made no sound, she crinkled her nose and shut off the computer before tucking her phone into her jean pocket.

If they needed her - they could reach her. Until then, she was going to face someone far more terrifying than any gangster. Danton King.

[Roderic]

<Juliet> [text] Hey Ric, how fond of me are you?

<Ric > * text * Fond implies a likeability factor, right? I suppose I compare our relationship like that of coral and invertebrates. A mutual, symbiotic relationship. Why do you ask?

<Juliet> [text] You do realize that you basically said we can’t live without each other - well, one without the other, right? Anyway. I found a flyer for a faction and I was thinking about joining, fighting. Getting out there.

<Ric >* Text * You’re right. Kind of. We both need the other. We both serve a purpose for the other. We mutually need the other. And what faction? Tytonidae?

<Juliet> [text] Hell no. -- I mean I respect your decision to be part of them, but no. It’s called… Oh, Black Heart. I don’t know much about it, just wanted your opinion.

<Ric > * text * Why would you join something not knowing anything about it? And no. That’s my answer and opinion. I don’t know anything about them and neither do you.

<Juliet> [text] You sound like my mother sometimes. I’m serious, and I was going to learn about the faction before I joined. And why are you saying no?

<Ric >* text * Because you’ll probably die. No offense, but no. Skylar’s missing and gone who knows where and can’t have another Hawthorne missing or potentially dead. I won’t be there. Simple as that.

<Juliet> [text] The amount of faith you have in me is almost insulting, almost. I’m fast, can hold a rifle properly and fire at almost perfect accuracy. Give me some credit to being able to save myself - the last thing I need is my knight in shining armor - in your case my brother running in wearing his poncho saving my ***.

<Ric >* text * That poncho is in style in Mexico. I saw you wearing it that one time when you thought I wasn’t looking. Do whatever you want, but if you get killed...heads will be lopped off. Think about that first before joining some cheerleader faction wannabes. Everyone gets these ideas that factions are so simplistic and easy to sort out. They aren’t. So whoever it is had better have their crap straight before getting you and everyone killed.

<Juliet> [text] It was comfortable and you weren’t wearing it. Sue me. And… I’m actually rather fine with that. If I die, you can kick their asses for being incompetent and being incapable of formulate a simple plan. However, if I don’t, you have to admit that you’re overprotective and care for me.

<Ric > * text * Don’t get ideas. I also include you in the head lopping off. I admitted I care for you...like a coral. Don’t push it.

<Juliet> [text] If you’re concerned about me dying, what point would be made if you killed me again, Ric?

<Ric > * text * Point. I’ll kill Rice instead. He would make a great addition to my pending bird collection about to be released in April, Jules.

<Juliet> [text] You kill my bird and I’ll shove my foot so far up your *** I’ll make you into a puppet.

<Ric >* text * Highly impossible. It’s very difficult to catch a shadow. Let alone shove a foot up their ***.

[Juliet]

<Juliet> [text] I can increase my speed with a shield and I’ve stabbed you before. I think it could be plausible.

<Ric > * text * When I was a lot younger and slower. Want to try your luck again? I’m in the caverns.

<Juliet> [text] Depends, will the owls attack me? I don’t mind trying.

<Ric > * text * Elliot brought that on himself. This is a family dispute. He’s not, and never will be my family.

<Juliet> [text] I’ll be there in a few minutes.

<Ric > * text * Don’t keep me waiting too long, zooplankton. I got things to do.

<Juliet> [text] Besa mi culo. Be patient.

<Ric >* text * You know I have a translator app, right? Specifically for you and your Mexican talking. That’s a little too kinky for me. No, thanks.

<Juliet> [text] I really don’t doubt that. At least I’ve gotten better with not constantly resorting to -Spanish- because of this damn British girl I possess.

<Ric > * text * That’s...one way of putting it. Look, she’s you and you’re her. You own that slab of meat, so don’t refer to her as that british girl. She’s you. She’s Julby. And you shouldn’t doubt that I wouldn’t kiss your ***. That’s not really a thing, is it?

<Juliet> [text] I wouldn’t doubt that you put a translation app on your phone for my Spanish, Ric. Keep up. And… that honestly just makes it a little odd, but I get what you mean, Cassadee is me, I’m Cassadee. You try listen to her speak though.

<Ric > * text * No thanks. Cassadee isn’t my sister. Bad enough I have to listen to you and all the other Hawthorne women. Not adding one more to the mix. When is this meeting? For your little rainbow bright group?

<Juliet> [text] You couldn’t actually talk to her technically, she’s an annoying little voice in the back of my head. I tune her out a lot. And I haven’t learned that yet, I was sending an email to the bit listed to find out.

<Ric >* text * Welcome to my world just about every night. It’s a special skill to do that tuning out thing. Well, good luck. Like I said...this better not get you killed.

<Juliet> [text] You’re awful. And I’m getting better, and thank you. You should give me a bit more credit though.

<Ric >* text * Maybe after you manage to land a hit on me, I’ll give you the credit you deserve. Instead of you shredding my shirt to pieces. That was my favorite black one. All my black ones are my favorite.

<Juliet> [text] I can afford to buy you another shirt, ***. I’ll keep training and see what I can do in a few days.

<Ric >* text * I think you and Skylar been hanging around one another too long. Anyways, good luck at the meeting...if it’s a trap, you know how to get hold of me.

<Juliet> [text] Direct, loud and a quick - “Summon me.” Got that down easy. And thank you, Ric.

[Prudence]

The person behind the group known as Black Heart didn't seem to want anyone to do anything, but Prudence decided that she was going to do something. If not herself-then she was going to have someone do something for her. She would do it herself, but to do something a night or two before some big *** fight, wasn't a good idea. At all. What if she [snorts] got killed? Stranger things have happened in Harper Rock and since her team was counting on her, Prudence just couldn't do whatever she wanted to do. But she WAS going to hurt them in a really bad way. She was going to send a message to those meat bags, that was loud and proud. Maybe they'll never know who sent it, but they will know someone was gonna give them some problems in a whole lot of ways.

Prudence had friends-well, sort of. She had a thrall that had a lot of friends that knew some people...most were okay. Some had a few rough days, or years under their belt. And for the right price, Ryker could talk anyone into doing anything, as money for people who quit high school in the first or second year, or who had been jailed a lot for possession and **** like that-didn't find money all that easy to come by. So after a shout out to her girl, a meeting was arranged and Prudence came waltzing into the backroom of her bar with a dark blue lego looking pinata. They all looked at her like she was crazy-but Prudence wasn't.

"Here ya go guys. Once ya bust this open and collect your cash, feel free to go bust up the address taped to the back of this *****." The pinata was set down with a little bit of force, on a table in the backroom, the redhead picking up an abandoned, bloodied baseball bat that leaned against the wall, next to a busted up chair. There was a few seconds of silence and uncertainty before Prudence rolled her eyes and walked out. Not the brightest bunch-but all they needed to do was do a little bit of vandalism to the business she had written down and taped to the back, which shouldn't be too hard.

The tall, redheaded woman threw her hands in the air and then walked away. Someone would make a move for that cash, it was only a matter of time. Just as Prudence opened the door and walked through it, multiple chairs scraped against the hardwood floor and there was some jostling going on, faded out by the backdoor slamming. About ten minutes later, Rkyer and a guy walked out, the colorful bills worth two thousand in his left hand. "We'll be on our way. Call you in an hour." Ryker patted the guy's shoulder and walked him to the front door of the saloon before pushing him out and closing the door for J.J. to stand guard at once again.

And just like that, sixty-seven minutes went by before her bar phone landline rang and she picked it up. The building just hadn't been tagged and windows smashed. No, her two thousand bought her a building on fire and chances were this business was not only going out of business, but it was staying out of it too.

[Nakia]

Her husband hadn’t wanted been pleased when she had told him of her plan - and she hadn’t expected him to. He was protective, worried, and careful. He was everything she wasn’t and would never be. Even with the chip in her brain, and the paranoia running rampant throughout her mind, she was still reckless. He hadn’t spoken to her before the fight, and she hadn’t gone to him. He was giving her distance, Rose claimed, to help her concentrate. She knew the truth, though. He wanted to stay away from her, so she wouldn’t see his lack of faith in his eyes. She had proven herself breakable once, and he wasn’t too keen on allowing her to forget it. It wasn’t that he was being harsh - he was just as terrified as she was. However, none of the fear was needed.

She hadn’t know what to expect when she put together a group of fighters two days before the attack. She hadn’t asked for skill, reasons or profiles. She had trusted them to know what they were getting themselves into, and she hadn’t been disappointed. Kallista and Kelly had proven their worth in a matter of seconds - though she had already known what they were capable of. With her siress, she wasn’t going to fail her - because that would mean to risk her, and she knew that Kallista would never allow anything to happen to her on her watch. She was the reason that she was able to go through with this, her ‘master plan.’ Without her, Kelly and Danton, she would be a curled, pathetic, weeping ball in her panic room.

It was the others, though, that shocked her. A redheaded spitfire, a giant warrior with a no-nonsense attitude, and a quiet fighter. They had skill, and they weren’t afraid to show them off. With the six of them, they had managed to rip apart the Bricks in a matter of minutes. They had stood no chance. Splitting into three, they took them down one by one, and she had only managed to walk away with a few wounds. She hadn’t assessed the others after the fight - instead, she had fled the moment she realized that she was expected to talk. What kind of Shadow Clan leader was she, if she couldn’t voice a few simple words without breaking down? Without the adrenaline in her system, she was useless. Of course, that was only what she thought. She knew she could handle it - as long as she kept to the shadows. Now, though, it was time to send out a proper thank you.

PUlling her computer up, she brought up her clan’s page and pulled their names to the forefront - even selecting her newest member, Lily and her husband.

Team -

What you managed to pull off was nothing short of astounding, and I am glad that I opted to select you out of the recruits that I received. You are strong, and you are sure. I plan to do a lot more in the following weeks, and I would like to extend an invitation for you to remain with us. You have proven yourselves, and if you have something you think should be done, do not hesitate to send me a message. For now, I would like to focus on continuing to take down the criminal element of the city. Tear down their businesses, run their names into the ground. Let them know Black Heart is not to be underestimated.

-- Black Heart.

As the message was sent, she rested back and ran a hand through her thick, dark hair. It was going to be so much fun when the truth to her labor came to light. They weren’t going to take her unaware again.