City Lights [Open]

[SOFIA BLAKKE]

She'd already discovered the location of its chip. Aiming her small pistol carefully, Sofia kept it set directly on the insect-like creature's left shoulder blade. It went off with a bang as she fired it, the gunshot and the creature's cry echoing through the empty alleys of the burned neighborhood as the Virus' chip shattered.

Perfect. The Claw girl grinned as the Virus' form flickered and all at once faded away with a last sequel. It was quiet after that. Nothing was left, as if it'd never been there. Her assignment was done, now, though. She felt the nausea the distortion had given her start to fade away now that the Virus was dead. It'd been a simple mission to dispatch a Virus who'd been sighted within the city limits. Unlike Valli, Savette so far had been kept fairly clean of them, despite its proximity to their nest. The Virus Defense Force wanted to keep it that way. She needed to report back to headquarters...

Luckily it wasn't far away. It was already getting dark, and she didn't want to be walking around in this creepy place long...the old neighborhood that had been accidentally burned to the ground a few years ago. No one had bothered to rebuild it, and it was mostly empty now. But it seemed like it'd become something of a hangout for Hollow. She didn't see anyone now - they'd probably fled from the Virus - but she shivered slightly as she tucked her pistol back into her belt, not even quite sure why. There was something about Hollow that she didn't like, though she'd never say so out loud. Maybe it was because seeing them, hardly more than empty shells, made her remember how cruel and unfair this world could really be. How much it could take away. This same world that had given her everything.

She flicked her long, pronged tail as it started to droop. But that's why she was doing this, right? She'd joined the VDF because she wanted to make this world as pleasant for everyone as she could. It seemed only fair. She'd gained so much from the conversion - a second chance. But most people had lost so much. It didn't seem right to love something that made others miserable. That's why she wanted to use that second chance to help give that same chance to others. Otherwise, she'd only feel guilty. ...That was still a self-driven motive, though, she realized. Even though her actions were meant to help others, did that make her a bit selfish, deep down?

The girl sighed dryly, simply continuing her trek back to her base. It was spooky tonight, she thought, looking up at the darkening sky, and then over again at the black silhouettes of the burned out buildings and the city lights glimmering in the distance. Why did she feel so out of sorts, tonight? She felt...restless, somehow.

[SOPHIA FLYNN]

Sophia moved slowly and silently through a burnt out building. She stepped lightly so the floors didn't creak or break. She was scavenging for anything of Value. Something that she doesn't do very often, liking to keep up her appearance. A glimmer caught her eye as she moved, causing her to stop. She changed direction and picked up what was glimmering. It was a pair of rings on a chain. She shrugged and slid it into her pocket, ready to sell it to anyone who wanted it bad enough. She looked up and saw the Virus and the Claw. Hiding slightly, so she could still watch the battle but was harder to see, she watched as the Claw effortlessly took the Virus out. She watched in amazement for a few moments, and decided to follow the claw from the shadows. She hopped out of one of the upper windows and landed silently on a balcony, jumping between rooftops, the only sound coming from her Rawhide duster billowing in the wind as she jumped.

She 'hungered' and figured the claw would be almost out of energy after her fight.. She jumped from the rooftop and landed with a light thud. Moving swiftly she cut off the Claws path, looking at her with hungry eyes. "Hello, there. What brings you to a hunting ground such as this?" She asked with a chuckle, baring her teeth and claws. "You could get hurt, there's some bad people around here." She warned, looking up from under the brim of her fedora with a grin.

[SOFIA BLAKKE]

A dark shape suddenly jumped from a rooftop, cutting across the twilight sky before landing directly in her path. Sofia flinched and jumped back, slowly comprehending that she was looking at a female, wolf-like Beast. She was being cut off, and there was a hunger in the woman's eyes that made her uneasy. Great. Beasts were quite dangerous, in that when they fed of you, it meant more than just running low yourself. Beasts only fed through the destruction of chips. The girl felt her left hand rest instinctively on the pistol in her belt again.

"I am well aware of the dangers this place presents."

[/color] She answered, keeping her tone professional. She pretended that she hadn't seen the hunger in the Beast's eyes and grin. "I am a member of the VDF. I assure you that I am equipped and trained to handle it."[/color] She emphasized those words, hoping they would turn the Beast away from any potential conflict. "I was sent here for an assignment that is now complete. I need to report back to headquarters, so if you'd just let me pass..."[/color] The Claw girl started walking forward. She still kept one hand on her weapon, and one eye on the woman, but she hoped the that the Beast would just let her pass without conflict. She was already tired from the fight with Virus...she didn't want to have to fight again.[/size][/blockquote]

[kaede]

.YUKI IKESHIMA!?.


An ethreal young man walked elegantly with little effort, his short, silky silver hair glowing softly in the darkness, peacock blue eyes focused on a miniscule rat, it's eyes red and it's dark aura giving away it's true nature; that of a virus. This one didn't seem significant at all. But the vigilante didn't feel any pity for it's weak body. No, the 18 year old loner didn't have pity for any virus, weak or not. His hand resting lightly on the hilt of his falchion, he began to quietly sing his siren song, it's sad allure drawing the probably hungry virus closer. The distortion was weak, to Yuki's relief. The siren's song echoed in the seemingly empty place. A gunshot suddenly rang out, followed by a cut off squeal, and the young man was distracted from his song for a split second as his head turned towards the sound. Through the window of a burned window he could faintly make out a young woman, a gun in her hands. The Siren's keen ears caught a tidbit of conversation. "I am a member of the VDF. I assure you that I am equipped and trained to handle it." So she was a VDF dog. Che. The young man's attention was refocused on the virus as it leapt, it's beady red eyes focused on him. It only took a quick slash with the falchion and the creature dissapeared. So he was right about where it's chip was. His agile reflexes and extremely fast movements kept him alive. Sheathing the falchion again, Yuki proceeded to run into the building at an impossibly fast speed, bolting up the stairs until he was on the roof, er, at least, what remained of the roof. the vigilante sat on the edge, confident his slender build would keep the ground under him from collapsing and sang, gathering energy from several bewitched people in the area. It was quite easy being a siren. The effect of his already sad and ethereal song was better under the moonlight. Yuki glanced down at the claw and the beast, a floor or so below him. Not everyone fell for his bewitching song, and the ever practical Yuki wanted to know if it affected certain races more than others. His silky silver hair was likely to give him away. But if he really wanted to, he could take down a beast. It would be hard. The claw wouldn't be nearly as hard. He could also simply run on his agile legs and easily escape. But he was already refilled, and therefore, had no reason to risk his life for another tidbit of energy to prolong his life.

[/font]

[SOPHIA FLYNN]

Sophia straightened up, and nodded slightly at Sofia. "My apologies, Ma'am." She said with a sincere voice. "Had I known you were part of the VDF, I would not have threatened your life. I may be a Lone Wolf, but I do still respect Authority.... For the most part." She said with a nod, reaching into her pocket and pulling out a chip, breaking it in her fingers. "I could have easily taken your chip, but I figure, this way, one more soldier to beat the viruses into submission." She said, turning as she heard the Siren song start to play. She was nearly enthralled, but was able to cut away from it. "Damned Sirens. SHUT THE HELL UP, UP THERE!" She called out with a growl.

She turned and walked alongside the VDF officer. "I'm actually here, looking for answers as well as loot. I've heard rumors about a 'Good' virus. One that can not only speak english flawlessly, but also feels human-like emotion." She said with a nod, Recalling what her information dealer had told her. He was usually pretty good with this sort of thing, after all, he was the one that directed her to the three rather 'juicy' chips in her pocket. 'I've gotta give him a bigger tip next time I see him...' She thought to herself, shaking her head with a soft sigh.

[SOFIA BLAKKE]

Sofia kept her glare on the Beast for a while longer as she took a chip from her pocket and snapped it. It seemed she was going to stand down, but she kept her confident grin and tone. It made the Claw girl slightly annoyed. Even if this wolf woman had decided to fight, she wouldn't be taken down so easily! She spent her days hunting Viruses and undergoing training, she was certainly no pushover! The almost overly confident, slightly egotistical young woman flicked her wire-like tail back and forth, absently flexing the prongs, but eventually she un-tensed. It wasn't worth starting a fight over.

"I assure you that taking my chip wouldn't be so easy, ma'am, but I'm glad that - "

[/color] She was cut off by a song that suddenly echoed from somewhere above them. A sad...melancholy songs... The Claw felt her mind drift away, become absorbed by the melody as she absently turned from the Beast and glanced upwards. It was...beautiful, and the haunting, ethereal tone reached deep into her mind. She just stood there, staring up in the direction it was coming from. Completely entranced, she actually took a step forward towards it before the Beast's harsh, angry voice all at once drew her attention back.

"Damned Sirens. SHUT THE HELL UP, UP THERE!"

Sofia's face turned a slight red in embarrassment as she all at once snapped out of it. A Siren...how could she have fallen for its song so completely? They were trained to resist them at the VDF. She hoped no one else, besides the wolf Beast, had seen.

Trying to get the embarrassment to fade from her face, she simply turned towards the Beast again. "Really? I've never heard of such a thing!"[/color] She was skeptical at first, but...if there really was such a Virus, bringing information on it back to the VDF would probably result in a good amount of recognition. "It's supposed to be around here...?"[/color] She eventually asked, her voice thoughtful.[/size][/blockquote]

[kaede]

.YUKI IKESHIMA!?.

So it only worked slightly on the beast and the claw. Interesting. The siren watched as the claw took a small step forward before being called back by the beast. Maybe he could have had her. But oh well... no need to rejoin the rat race for energy, or at least, not for the next week or so. As long as he didn't use any more energy than he needed, the siren could last for quite a while without having to kill again. The beast seemed quite hostile. Thhey all seemed to be. The claw, if the information she had just told was right, was one of those righteous goody two shoes VDF members. Normally in this situation, the cold Yuki would just leave, speeding away on his lithe legs, off to one of his safe haven, the little town that Siren's called their home and replenish his supplies and get his equipment mended. But Yuki needed some rest before taaking the long journey home. Wait, that wasn't right. Siren's cove wasn't home. Home was far away, probably out of the siren's reach, in the real world. The place humanity had abandoned to many years back. The reason why Murasaki was killed because of some damn scientist's whims. Yuki was tired of this data world, having to kill everyone around him in a desperate competition to survive. Sick of it. Disgusted at it. But first, those viruses had to pay. At the mention of a 'good' virus, the siren was spurred into speech. "Speak for youself, beast. No need to scream when I'm barely a floor above you."

[/color] He said, glaring down at the beast with cold blue eyes. He stayed quiet about the 'good' virus. There wasn't such thing as a good virus. Not when freindly and bright Murasaki was turned into one. Yuki didn't believe in a 'good' virus after that...incident. [/center][/color][/font]

[SOPHIA FLYNN]

"No need to scream when I'm barely a floor above you."

Sophia growled slightly at this response. "Well I tend to get Irate when someone is trying to take my hard earned energy." she said, a growl in her voice, turning to look back at Sofia.

"My information dealer is usually a pretty reliable source. I thought he was crazy when he told me. He says Her first name is Alyssa. Last name varies between Weatherby and Pierce. She's said to move around from place to place, so he wasn't able to give me a location." she relayed her information with a nod. "I was thinking here, or Valli now that it's taken over." she suggested, looking around her, an uneasy feel about her. She didn't hear or smell anything out of the ordinary, but something was amiss... Somewhere. "I should get going. It's unsafe for me to be this close to Law Enforcement for too long.". She gave the VDF officer a bow and started walking away slowly.


((sorry, my muse generator is on the fritz))

[SOFIA BLAKKE]

A male voice suddenly bellowed down at them, Sofia looking up to find a Siren glaring at them from the rooftops. He had to be the source of the song from before. His blue eyes were seemed especially focused on the Beast, staring at her coldly. There was odd contempt in his voice and eyes, and the Claw had a feeling that it had more to it than merely being interrupted. He didn't say anything else, though, his expression remaining hard as the Beast instead turned back towards her.

Alyssa Weatherby...Alyssa Pierce... Neither sounded familiar, but the woman seemed confident in her info. So...this exact location of this supposed 'good' Virus was unknown? The girl groaned. That wasn't especially helpful. She was interested, now, but if she brought such a claim back to the VDF without proof, they'd probably think that she was either crazy or incredibly naive. Possibly either around here of Valli, hmm...? She supposed that made sense, but before she could ask anything else, the Beast woman took a somehow uneasy glance around, before taking her leave with a brief bow. "Wait!"

[/color] Sophia called after her, running ahead of her. "Do you really think it's true? Do you really think a 'good' Virus that is still partially human can exist?"[/color] The idea still sounded so odd and foreign.[/size][/blockquote]

[Alyssa Weatherby]

Alyssa sat, leaning back slightly, in a small burnt-out building. A wolf-like Virus rested its head in her lap, like a lapdog as she scratched its head softly. A gunshot rung through the town, causing the dog and Alyssa to perk up. She stood, walking slowly toward a window of the building. Looking out she saw Sofia putting her pistol away. She was VDF, Ally concluded, listening to her conversation with the Wolf-Beast that she'd seen around before. The yelling at the Siren caused her to laugh silently. Then, her own name was mentioned. 'A good Virus' was used to describe her. She liked this, hating how most people thought of Viruses as evil. Granted, most were. The ones she's converted listen to her, so in a sense, they were good too.

She thought for a few moments about staying in hiding, but decided that making her presense known may turn out to be interesting. She slipped through the window of the building, and slowly moved toward the pair that were talking. "Hello. I may be of assistance in your mission to find the Good Virus." She said with a soft smile. The wolf-like Virus came out of the building, walking toward them and sitting down in the middle of the street.

"The Viruses name is Alyssa Weatherby, and she comes to this town to rest, most of the time. She won't attack unless she's attacked, so you don't have to worry about anything." She smiled again. The air around her growing cold, not by her wishes, but because of who she was. This caused a shiver to go up Sophias back. "Sorry about the cold... It happens around me..." She muttered

[kaede]

.YUKI IKESHIMA!?.

[/color]
The siren's glare grew more intense after the beast spoke. Hard earnerd? More like candy stolen from babies. Ha. Suddenly a chill distracted Yuki from his thoughts. Jumping backwards, he landed on his feet, kneeling on one knee as one hand lightly gripped the hilt of the bronze falchion, the other rubbing his shoulder, which was partially bare. Damn scientists were probably otakus as well, making such an impractical but beautiful piece of clothing. It was somewhat robe like in appearance, and it glowed a soft white, and was blue at the rims, with the shoulders bare and large sleeves and flaring pants. Distortion was the only thing that came to mind. More powerful than the others. But somehow, less sinister... Yuki shook his head. There was no such thing as a good virus. Never. But the tiny seed of doubt had taken root in his heart. Looking down through a burnt hole, the siren studied the newcomer. It seemed human. IT wasn't possible if she was a virus right? Yet the chilly distortion was undeniable. Still crouching above the hole, the siren asked "Who are you?" HIs silky voice heavy with mistrust, his hand still resting on his falchion. [/center][/color][/font]

[SOPHIA FLYNN]

"My informant has yet to be wrong on anything. So theres a good chance that its true." She said, then turned, seeing the newcomer. She'd seen the girl once or twice around here, but they'd never actually met. "I, for some unknown reason, agree with the Siren. Who are you?" She asked, her eyes drifting from the Woman to the Wolf-like Virus behind her. "Abomination of a wolf..." She said with a growl, ready for when it attacked. The air chilled, and she shivered slightly. Tying the belt on her duster she looked at the newcomer. Almost admiring the Blue of her eyes. It was a soft blue with an icy hue to it. She moved to stand next to the VDF officer as the group conversed, as little as they did... She crossed her arms and watched the newcomer suspiciously.

[SOFIA BLAKKE]

A strange woman came up to them, telling them that she could be of assistance in finding the 'good' Virus. Sofia blinked, and then stared hard at the woman as she spoke. She felt an odd chill in the air. Was this...a type of distortion? She studied the woman, before looking down at the wolf-like creature. "That thing's a Virus!"

[/color] She announced in both surprise and alarm. She all at once pulled out her pistol again, pointing it down at the canine Virus. Out of the corner of her eye, she looked back up at the woman. What race was she...? She didn't particular look like a Siren, but she clearly wasn't a Leech, Beast, Claw, or Hollow unless she was hiding some of her features. ...Was she? The girl felt a shiver go up her spine.

The Siren above them jumped backwards, confronting the woman. Who are you? He asked, a hand on his weapon. The Beast woman echoed his words, also seeming alarmed by the wolf-like Virus. "Indeed, who are you?"[/color] Sofia demanded, her voice becoming harsher than usual, partially out of here. Something was strange here. "Are you...?"[/color] She kept her gaze hard at the mysterious woman.

[/size][/blockquote]

[Alyssa Weatherby]

The woman chuckled slightly. "My name is Alyssa. Please, do not worry, I won't let Megan hurt you." She said with a small smile, as the dog walked closer. She reached down and scratched her head again. She looked up at the pistol that Sofia held. "Please... Don't shoot her. She means you no harm. If dhe did, she would not have shown herself." She said, reaching her hand outwards slowly. "Like I said, I can help you find the Virus you want... For I know exactly where she is at all times. I am her." She said simply, letting out a sharp whistle. Megan, the wolf-like Virus running off toward 'her' home. "So. Any questions for me, other than the general 'who are you?' and I apologize about the chill... It's something I cannot control, or I would. Once again, don't worry. I will not convert you while the cool is this low." She said with a soft smile.

[kaede]

.YUKI IKESHIMA!?.

[/color]
The siren's peacock blue eyes caught sight of something behind the woman. A red eyed hound. Yuki stiffened. Was this the virus? And why did it not attack the woman? And what race was she? She did not have the ethereal attributes of a fellow siren, nor did she have the thin fairy wings of a leech, or even an animal appendage like a beast or a tail like a claw. She seemed to have emotions, so she was not a hollow,,. so the only explanation was a virus. Yuki, still on his guard, spoke again after hearing the woman's words, in his airy tenor voice.[/color] "I don't believe in good viruses anymore."[/size] He stated simply, though he did not make a move. More painful memories flashed before his eyes. He sub-conciously rubbed on one of his earrings, feeling the cool metal surface under the soft tips of his fingers. They had been Murasaki's. His last physical trace of her. The sister he loved and cherished so uch, slain by his own hands, because she wwas a virus. If someone as kind, loving, and as much of a pacifist like Murasaki could become a blood-thirsty virus who's deranged eyes could not identify her own brother she claimed to love more than anything in the world, then no one else could. That's what Yuki had thought these past nine years after Murasaki's death as he killed one virus after another, gaining infamous as a lone vigilante virus hunter. But it always felt empty. Killing viruses did not bring Murasaki or his parents back. He had a unsaitable thirst for revenge. Or at least, that's what it had always felt like.[/center][/font][/size][/color]