Blood in the snow

[Edzilla]

The sensation was not immediate, but it hit like a steam train. The arsenic was searing his insides, he felt fire all the way down his throat, a pain so intense that every cell seemed to come alive in an instant, screaming in agony. Thankfully for him, his body turned off, unable to cope with the overload of pure pain... The last thing he felt was his head clatter to the floor...

He took the tablet and began to flick around curiously, 2 official agents on his tail, one looked very much like that he seen in the Enzo. It made sense now, they'd found someway to track the un dissolved LSD, that or they'd hacked him, only a couple of options. He read through there files, there qualifications only suggesting the amount of pain they could inflict on him. The walls of text made him bored, then tired, his eyes falling shut as he did little to resist.

About the time they were passing over Hawaii, Zack felt reality shift into view, a pain in his temple and the feeling of a hangover, his only guess was that the Arsenic had been diluted, Eddie had spared him this much, what was next, he didn't know.

The plane touched down in Shanghai airport around 11 pm, after some emigration, they made it to the doors. Eddie almost ran out and took a breath of the cool night air. "An amazing place..." He said, admiring the skyscrapers, growing up successively . He waved a taxi down and within an hour they'd made it to the hotel, after some debate about money with the driver. The building was ambiently lit, with an open foyer. Moments after entering, the bell boys had taken there bags and they were lead up to the room by a happy looking assistant.
The room was stylish and sleek, with state of the art furnishings and bathroom. The bed and TV both large , yet Eddie ignored them both, walking over to the glass screen window. "So much activity... so many lights, I could have made it here.." There was a tone of disappointment to his voice but that quickly changed. He spun round to face Rei ,"we'll o and enjoy the town, it's going to take atleast a night for them to get here, after which it's cat and mouse..." He smiled, as if excitement were to ensue.

[Yuno]

Rei had been excited the moment they left the plane. She was hard to lead into the taxi, and once they'd gotten into the hotel out of control was the only way to describe her. She dropped her tote bag, tore off her hat throwing it against the nearest wall and spun with an adventurous grin on her face, "I want to see the city, eat, and buy clothes here!" she grabbed his bag from him tossing it against the bed where it landed with a floof and then she grabbed his hand dragging him out the door which shut with a click and out into the city.

She hailed down a taxi and with a bit of effort managed to communicate the words excellent chinese food and tourists. The taxi rambled along the crowded streets as Rei looked out the window and laughed happily a look of pure life on her face. The taxi haulted in front of a row of buildings and pointed out a restaurant. Rei threw some bills at the man yelling to keep the change as she dragged Eddie from the taxi into the building. The hostess came forward taking their order and seating them. For the next hour steaming piles of rice, veggies, and other ethnic foods were brought out to them along with some various alcohols. Rei dug into the food and drink with gusto. When she finished she grinned holding out a credit card and communicating to tip everyone very well. She stood up with a grin seeing Eddie still eating she leaned over kissing him on the cheek, "I'm going to go shopping. I'll see you at the hotel." with that she accepted her credit card back and bounced out the door.

A taxi ride later Rei was in a mall picking out various clothing. She enjoyed herself for several hours realizing how much she liked her sudden change of pace. Eventually she grew bored of shopping for clothes and she clambored back into a taxi saying the name of her hotel she spent the ride digging through the clothes she'd bought.

She hopped out bags in hand tapping her foot as she came into the elevator. She stood whistling "Troublemaker". She burst into the room dropping her bags and spinning happily. "Well now I won't be wearing the same stupid clothes for 3 days. This place is huge and beautiful!" she announced looking around for Eddie.

[Esiphas]

ooc- I'm completely lost. And Most of my team have disappeared.

[Yuno]

ooc (I'll help ya out.

Ty is disappeared until today or tomorrow (can't remember why but whatever he'll be back.)

Zack, I am also uncertain but I know he'll be back too.

Carno will post the moment you guys do.

Recap, you guys were outside the Triad's warehouse. You arrived, climbed onto the roof, several moments later it all went up in flames. You watched as Rei and Eddie escaped knowing inside that they were clearly related to the murders/serial killings. You guys attempted to make chase after them, but ultimately failed. You set up surveillance on the air ports for an asian woman and young caucasian male. Such surveillance will reveal they went to Shanghai. You would presumbley make chase at this point? You would also probably hook up with Zack who called the hospital/police before drinking diluted cyanide. (he said it was related to the murders so you might interview him or something. (I don't know, that is all to you.)

[mantisstalker]

(ooc- never left just in the background, also in case you think otherwise its just my characters name that's Zack )

With a groan Zack pulled himself into a sitting position and looked out the window. "Where the (please don't swear) is that ambulance?". He shifted position slightly and winced in pain, he was more angry than relived they had kept him alive but at least no one would die. He pulled out his flask taking a sip as he waited for what he hoped would be help.

[Esiphas]

ooc- Thanks. Thats better.

ic- Jack woke up inside the car. They were on the road towards the airport their survelance had pointed them too. He groaned, and straihtened his hat. "How close are we to the Airport? We need to catch them..." He Began re-assembling his crossbow, having disassembled the device the night before.

[Edzilla]

The sound of sirens grew soon after. Sounds of heavy footsteps before several police officers erupted through the door. They spread out around the apartment, one leaning down to Zack. "Are you ok buddy?" He didn't wait for an answer, the briefing had told him enough. He eased the Australian to his feet, letting an arm hang over his shoulder. Zack's legs couldn't walk alone yet, so the stairs were hard and after much pain he made it to the bottom of the stairwell. Outside the door was the welcoming sight of an ambulance. He felt himself being pulled towards it, as if by his own will. The stretcher he lay in wasn't exactly comfortable but it was relief from the apartment floor. An unmasked paramedic confronted him. "What did they do to you? What did you drink?" A police officer came running down the stairwell, holding up the glass in a gloves hand. "Trace arsenic, treat him immediately." The medic reacted automatically, reacting by instinct. Zack felt some pills being forced into his mouth as the ambulance doors closed and it left the station.

As she left Eddie murmured, goodbye before ordering another drink. It was finished quickly, he lay in his seat for 20 mins before a waiter asked in fractured English if there was anything he need. "Just leaving, thanks." He bowed before walking out the door into the sweet night air. He looked left and then right, deciding on the former and walking slowly.

Dash a phone rang again, this time a women's voice on the other end. "Your the team who is supposed to be investigating, correct?" He confirmed, she seemed official. "Another incident, no deaths, one mild arsenic poisoning, we believe related to the Rhythm killer, victim is at Cedars Sinai medical centre, I'd get there quickly, we don't have time to waste." The link shut off and he was left with the silence of the early morning.

The lupu bridge was empty this late at night, in the morning it was full of commuters. The silence was rare in a
city like this, this was one of few. For the 17 year old it was a nice change from the lights. The sea breeze was cool but gentle, it did always seem calmer in the dark. Eddie stopped his walk to lean over the railing, staring a skyscraper down like it was some conceivable enemy. Then he relaxed, turning to face the starless sky. What he'd found was far from perfect... "True perfection has to be imperfect." He smiled, words of music from his home an subtle childhood memories. Even those didn't come close to the higher states of grace he'd found in his mind, whether he was high as the sun or not. Whether she really knew what she was felt was probably not something he could discover, it'd taken so much to find it himself, so many hallucinogens, so many paintings, so much music.

When she came back into the room, he was lying on the bed, eyes on the ceiling, as if trying to decipher some code on it. "Did you enjoy? City never sleeps so I'd guess so..." He smiled, in the way one does when under pressure.

[Yuno]

Rei smiled noticing him in the bed and turning. "Yes. It was beautiful, and so alive." he watched her bounce around the room kicking off her shoes and digging through the bags she'd brought with her. She was on the floor sitting with her legs crossed as she untagged and folded about 4 full outfits and somehow managed to stuff them all into a back pack. She was humming to herself. He didn't recognize the tune, but something told him it was Japanese.

She turned her eyes glowing as she looked at him her words coming out in her native tongue, "I'm sorry I'm so loud. You didn't have to stay awake for me." She turned back opening up a box and pulling out a lap top. He could hear her voice as she began singing in a low tone as she booted up the lap top , "You're staggering, I'm gonna win it
I'm lovin' lovin' you
lovin' lovin' you
You know I want more, victorious TKO"
She grinned as she set the lap top down turning it off and walked towards the bathroom still singing in Japanese. When she returned from brushing her teeth she'd kicked off her pants in favor of some new bright neon purple shorts. She padded over towards Eddie as her phone went off. She glanced at the caller I.D. and sighed sitting down on the edge of the bed.
"Hello Mom" she said her Japanese much quicker and more lovely sounding than her English. She paused listening. "What do you mean am I in trouble?"she paused again, "I don't know what they are telling you about, I am just on vacation." she sighed rubbing her head, "Because I needed a break. Why are we talking? You and Dad disowned me publicly." It was clear her temper was rising as she shouted, "Yes, it bothered me. You had the gall to claim I had shamed you. I brought you more recognition than your pathetic little jobs ever would or could." she clicked the phone off chucking it to the side where it landed with a thunking sound.

She turned looking at Eddie clearly a bit ashamed to have such a family spat in front of him. "Sorry..." she pulled her Ipod from her tote bag putting the head phones on and laying down her back to him.

[Edzilla]

He smiled contemptuously, rolling off the bed to stare into the lights, whatever he'd seen so long ago could be anywhere in that perpetual darkness. He looked like a fisherman, who'd just lost the fish of a lifetime, vying for something he'd never see again. There are no second chances. Only bright flashes that will ultimately fade. After all, maybe he wasn't even close, maybe it wasn't there at all. That truth always felt bitter when it dawned.
He turned to look round at her, like she was an enigma. Although that wasn't what he thought. Was she the same or just another human being, who's mind just wouldn't fan out, to happy with the delicacies of life. He made a snap decision, possibly one he'd come to regret. "Tomorrow, remind me to tell you something..." his tone like that of a mother revealing the secrets of adolescence to her daughter. He took off his shirt and got back in the bed, this time under the covers. Closing his eyes, his face at the point from before. A sudden thought came up, yet was only observed. "18 in a week ad a half," a date so sacred to most, to him a fleeting observation.

[Yuno]

Rei studied him from the corner of her eyes as he looked out from the light. The music blared it's pumping beat in her ears her breathing syncing with it. She felt the lyrics surrounding her mind. She closed her eyes and let the beat take her away. Slowly, the sound switched to a slower japanese ballad of dangerous love. She smiled the lyrics familiar as she whispered it.

The song finished and she felt her eyes getting heavy. She put her ipod away and climbed back into bed. She sank into the covers falling asleep quickly. Her breathing was slow and even. Slowly she sank into a dream,

In the dream she could hear Yuki's warning of danger bark. She took off running through the streets. The barking followed her and slowly it turned into sirens. She shifted uncomfortably in her sleep muttering words that meant nothing. She found herself in the darkness surrounded by voices that were unfamiliar. One asked where Eddie was. Another shouted disappointment at her. Yet another voice was soft and kind asking if her leg or arm were from him....if she'd been coerced. Suddenly everything changed and she saw Yuki before her panting. She ran forward smiling. "Yuki good girl. Come here." She reached Yuki only to find she was standing over a bleeding Eddie. Sirens were back and she hauled him to his feet dragging him with her. She watched herself gun down a man shouting in Russian still dragging Eddie with her. She kept hearing the words to that song pumping in the backround.

She opened a door to see Eddie standing there fine holding out a plate of breakfast to her. He smiled...almost lovingly. "Remember what you told me about music...and dancing." she nodded at him as he pulled her close to him and began to dance. Then as he leaned towards her a bullet flew through his head splattering her with blood and brains.

Rei fell out of bed the urge to vomit almost taking her on the spot. She managed to get to the bathroom before sinking down in terror and sobbing in relief. She stayed that way for awhile before returning to bed. She shook Eddie. He grumbled at her, "Eddie..I'm scared." he shifted and she rolled her eyes climbing back into bed. She snuggled up to him lifting his arm to crawl under it. Eventually, his rhythmic breathing and warmth lulled her back to sleep.

[Edzilla]

OOC- are the rest of you busy or just don't know what to say?

The orange street lamps palely lit the road, damp with the snow which had melted on the warm surface. Every step seemed to ring out, travel through all of Michigan before returning to finish the sound. His home was a few kilometres up the road but it was empty, he'd lived this before, he knew what stage he was at. The dark ages before the renaissance, who'd know it would stem off a common dealer.
He could hear the conversation in his head, it was the source of his long deep thoughts, he'd analysed every note, trying to bring a revelation that couldn't be had.
"What's in that bag Jonny? I thought you were helping me get off the horse." The deep brooding expression spelled out his hopelessness. "It's become far to apparent, you'll never quit, life's light is to dim for you, so you filled up your system with anything that could brighten it up... Your so hopeless you may as well have some fun before something kills you." He pushed the bag into Eddies soft young hands. "I'm sorry..." He walked off, into the shadows of the town, away from the surface. Eddie couldn't help but stand there, stand there as he swallowed coarsely.
Now as he walked up the road, he heard music start to play. So faint, but in its purest form. It built, gradually, as coloured winds, pulsating with every wavelength on the spectrum, enveloped him. He breathed them in, they seemed so much more alive than air. The sky itself was now alive, every star exploding in supernova, the Northern lights hitting him like a truck. He glimpsed upwards, it was all he could do. Then as he felt that he was reaching the centre, the pattern which described the ideal society, that rid all intolerance and cast out the judgements of predecessors.
Then nothing, he was Kent on the floor in the darkest room, this time he saw Rei. "Did you see?" See nodded, clearly afraid I the next question. "Did you... Did you understand?" Tears were pouring off her face.


He woke up without a jolt, his eyes simply opening, Rei's soft breathing the only sound of the hours before dawn. Her touch felt comforting, if regretful. For the hours until daylight, he just sat awake, no thoughts or feelings.

[Yuno]

Rei didn't stir as he woke just lay in his arms sleeping soundly. The darkness hid her tear stains. She shifted once or twice in her sleep and he thought he heard his name once or twice. As daylight began to break through the windows she began to shift more. He watched her body begin to come alive as her breathing increased in rhythm. She began to sniffle once or twice clearing her air pathways. She yawned her eyes blinking open and shut. One grey-green eye focused up at him from his arms until the other finally opened and she was awake.

She sat up immediately, flushing with embarrassment. "Sorry. I..I had a nightmare and I..yeah..." she rubbed the back of her head and yawned again still poised over him to some extent. She reached scratching under the line of her bra up to her shoulder.

She shot a lopsided grin at him before laying back down so that she was laying across the bed resting her elbow between his feet. "So what'd ya have to tell me?" she said while studying her phone.

[Edzilla]

"What about?" Her expression was reluctant, so he dropped the issue.
He looked puzzled, he hadn't thought of how to explain this. "It's... It's important." He smiled desperately, getting out of bed an opening up the blinds on a secondary window. "It's a nice morning, maybe a little cool." She could tell he was avoiding the issue. "There's a nice park near the hotel, maybe well go there, we should know some more about each other..." He said crassly, realising how misunderstood he was about to be. "I need to know if your capable, you need to know what your dealing with..." He walked into the bathroom, which became illuminated with all the sleek ambience of the hotel. Not bothering to shut the door, he stepped in and took a moderately long shower, before stepping out with a towel round his waist and changing into a pair of darker jeans.
"We'll get out here when your ready." A few minutes later and they were in the lift, speeding down the skyscraper to the lobby where tired looking workers greeted then on there way out. The morning was misty, shrouding the overbearing skyscrapers. They walked for only to minutes before the green space of the park began to widen out, wooded trees breaking fields with mellow streams. They walked down a paved area to a street vendor who was selling sticky rice, Eddie bought a serving for each of them as they continued to walk, shifting to a dirt track in the empty park. It opened out a substantial river, inaudible due to the calm. There was a bench over looking it, some Chinese calligraphy acted as a memorial. Eddie took a seat and began to pull the chopsticks out the box, picking out a morsel of the plain food. His eyes looked up to her ,"you first."

[Yuno]

She grinned at him as he dragged her to the park. She'd changed into a spring dress as he offered the food she took the food from him, his included and began shuffling him towards the river with pokes, pushes, and eventually by leaning her full weight against him until he was at the edge of the river.

"You have been avoiding whatever you wanted to tell me all morning. Now I know we both like eating. I particularly love plain rice. Now, why don't you do us both a favor and spit it out so we can get back to food." she folded her arms blocking his path. The stubborn look on his face made her grin, "Alright then. Don't wanna. Yes I'm ready for anything. I already killed a man, and I'll put down more if I have to. There is no point living in this world if we can't change it. It could be so much more for everyone. It is like a song with bad sound and bad lyrics. We are just editors coming in to usher in a new beat."

She took a step forward forcing him closer to the lazy river, "Now what were you going to say?" seeing him still dodging the subject she sighed turning away, "Guess it wasn't important." Seconds later he found himself toppling over into the river from a well placed foot sweep. When he surfaced down the way she was sitting indian style holding both their bowls of rice and she had already eaten most of her own. She grinned at him from her place river side and leaned forward. "Better hurry and answer before I start on yours." She chewed thoughtfully on rice.

[The ranger]

(I'm just tired alot now cause of work and I don't have alot of freedom like I use to. But ya its just a little hard to remember who's who with so many profile name chaanges. If you need me to post I will by tomarrow night just to tired today please forgive -carnofex)