The Lost III: IC Thread

[Unified Free Lands]

T H EL O S TP A R TT H R E E

---

Cottonvale Academy, Virginia
School was just letting out on a Monday for the students of Cottonvale Academy, and there was definitely a sense that something wasn't right. Sloan Mercer, a junior who had previously only been known for her bad grades and her bad situation at home, had been missing for a week and a half now, and the school finally made an announcement that made it official. There was a buzz among the students about where she could be. Some think that she ran away. Another popular idea was that messed with the wrong people and got into trouble that she couldn't talk herself out of. Whatever the case, Nastasia Jack couldn't care less about the whole ordeal. The Russian girl ignored the others who were panicking, and she leaned against the wall just outside of the school and quietly observed her surroundings, listening to some kind of music with a pair of black earbuds.

[The Klausians]

Kyle Reed

Kyle walked slowly and quietly down the halls of Cottonvale Academy, passing by a large multitude of students that were talking about the latest disappearance. He simply rolled his eyes. They're acting like this is the first time this has ever happened.. he thought to himself. I bet someone new will disappear next month, and then everyone will forget about 'Sloan Mercer'.

He stepped out of the school building and looked around. To his left, a quiet girl was leaning against the wall, listening to music. In front of him, a few boys were racing across the field to the car line. To his right, a boy and girl were making out against the corner. He rolled his eyes, then looked to his left again. She seemed to be just a normal girl, but something was off about her. For one, she wasn't talking about 'Sloan Mercer,' and that was somewhat relieving to him. He was just about to head out to go on a nice walk, but something inside him made him turn around and walk up to her.

"Um.. Are you waiting for someone to pick you up?" He didn't recognize her, however he never really payed enough attention to recognize hardly anyone. Nevertheless, there was always that chance that she was new and was spooked at all this talk about a disappearing girl. If that were the case, he had to at least make her feel safe. Plus, he was in a good mood, and his house door was probably locked; that meant he would have to wait outside his house until one of the parents come home from work, so he had time to kill.

[Taigawa]

Amelia Engawa

She didn't much care that yet another person had gone missing. Hell, many people go missing in America. she thought, though she didn't know if it was true or not. The demoness hated her human form and used it only because she had to. She knew just as well that humans didn't like their superiors walking among them. The half-feline demon would prefer to reveal herself, though the panic she'd cause was not worth the pleasure of freedom. She decided she do this later, when she had the privacy of her dorm...or maybe even a bathroom stall. instead, she laid back with an Iphone and earbuds in her ears as she started playing this song.

[Unified Free Lands]

Nastasia Jack

"Um, yeah. My stepsister told me that she would be picking me up, but she's running late," Nastasia said, eyeing up Kyle to decide if she wanted to talk to him anymore, before pulling out one of her earbuds. "I might just walk home instead if she doesn't show up in the next ten minutes," she added, talking quieter because she was self conscious about her accent. Why can't my voice just sound like everyone else? How can I live here for as long as I remember and still be stuck with that goddamn Russian accent? She nervously looked down at her phone, not comfortable with making eye contact. He didn't seem like he had bad intentions, but eye contact still made her nervous. This is why I watch from a distance instead of actually talking to people...

[The Klausians]

Kyle Reed

Kyle looked at her curiously. "Well, I live a couple miles that way," he said, pointing to his right, her left. "If your sister doesn't show up, I don't mind walking with you, even if I have to take a detour." He looked slightly to the left, looking away from her. He noticed her obvious accent. "You're Russian, right? Are you new here?" He looked down at his foot, which was tapping rapidly. He shifted his weight onto it to make it stop, then looked back to her. He wasn't used to talking to people, let alone girls, and so he wasn't quite sure what he was suppose to say.

[Unified Free Lands]

Nastasia Jack

"Da. And I've lived here for most of my life, I still can't drop the accent though," said Nastasia, looking up again. She pulled her other earbud out, shifting slightly so she was looking just past him and not at his eyes. "I, um... I wouldn't mind walking home with someone, but I don't know what my stepparents would think about me coming home with a boy."

[The Klausians]

Kyle Reed

Kyle flashed a small smile, something he rarely did when he had to talk to people. "I wouldn't worry about your accent. It's.. Kinda cute I guess. And definitely unique." He blushed slightly. "If you want, I don't have to walk you to your house. Maybe just to your lawn. Or something.." He looked behind him to see if she was looking at something, then he turned back to her.

[The Flame Dawn]

Amalia Hallet

Amalia looked around nervously as she made her way out of the school building. She was visibly upset over the disappearances and longed for the safety of her room. The small single bed she call sanctuary, the book on her dresser that was her friend, and the lock on her door that was her savior. Though most would call that scenario "being grounded" she thought of it as her personal world, not needing to worry about her insecurities or other issues.

Amalia was deep in thought, imagining herself walking into her room just as she pictured it. A thwack and suddenly being on the ground alerted her that she had been slightly moving left as she walked and that she had walked head first into the metallic door frame. She rubbed her head as she got up, looking around nervously as a handful of kids looked at her with an odd look. Embarrassed, she turned tail and retreated to the girls bathroom, silently crying as she locked the door. Today was another day of waiting... and longing....

[Sunken Island of Rhinomuraena]

Amalia Hallet

Amalia looked around nervously as she made her way out of the school building. She was visibly upset over the disappearances and longed for the safety of her room. The small single bed she call sanctuary, the book on her dresser that was her friend, and the lock on her door that was her savior. Though most would call that scenario "being grounded" she thought of it as her personal world, not needing to worry about her insecurities or other issues.

Amalia was deep in thought, imagining herself walking into her room just as she pictured it. A thwack and suddenly being on the ground alerted her that she had been slightly moving left as she walked and that she had walked head first into the metallic door frame. She rubbed her head as she got up, looking around nervously as a handful of kids looked at her with an odd look. Embarrassed, she turned tail and retreated to the girls bathroom, silently crying as she locked the door. Today was another day of waiting... and longing....

Sylf looks on as Amalia heads into the bathroom. She has more than her share of accidents... it's never fair to her. She mentally sighs. It's never fair to anyone, the loners especially. If I were to try to talk to someone, they'd think of me as that creepy silent girl, or the stalker girl, or something like that... There's no way I'll ever get to really talk to someone again. Unless I want someone freaking out and throwing something. But I guess I don't mind not talking... it stops me from getting close to people, so there's that. And I don't really need to get close to people... unless I want to reveal my powers in front of a giant crowd... She shivers unconsciously, and slumps against the wall, lost in thought. That would be bad. And making friends would be worse. Better to not say anything. Just keep hiding... stay hidden from sight and hearing. She pulls out a kindle, and starts reading quietly. Silence... certain silence... is it bad? It stops people from trying to gossip, and it helps me concentrate... and it prevents people from trying to be friends with me.

[The Flame Dawn]

Amalia Hallet

Amalia looked around nervously as she made her way out of the school building. She was visibly upset over the disappearances and longed for the safety of her room. The small single bed she call sanctuary, the book on her dresser that was her friend, and the lock on her door that was her savior. Though most would call that scenario "being grounded" she thought of it as her personal world, not needing to worry about her insecurities or other issues.

Amalia was deep in thought, imagining herself walking into her room just as she pictured it. A thwack and suddenly being on the ground alerted her that she had been slightly moving left as she walked and that she had walked head first into the metallic door frame. She rubbed her head as she got up, looking around nervously as a handful of kids looked at her with an odd look. Embarrassed, she turned tail and retreated to the girls bathroom, silently crying as she locked the door. Today was another day of waiting... and longing....

Sylf looks on as Amalia heads into the bathroom. She has more than her share of accidents... it's never fair to her. She mentally sighs. It's never fair to anyone, the loners especially. If I were to try to talk to someone, they'd think of me as that creepy silent girl, or the stalker girl, or something like that... There's no way I'll ever get to really talk to someone again. Unless I want someone freaking out and throwing something. But I guess I don't mind not talking... it stops me from getting close to people, so there's that. And I don't really need to get close to people... unless I want to reveal my powers in front of a giant crowd... She shivers unconsciously, and slumps against the wall, lost in thought. That would be bad. And making friends would be worse. Better to not say anything. Just keep hiding... stay hidden from sight and hearing. She pulls out a kindle, and starts reading quietly. Silence... certain silence... is it bad? It stops people from trying to gossip, and it helps me concentrate... and it prevents people from trying to be friends with me.

After a few minutes Amalia peeked out of the bathroom to make sure the kids that saw her weren't around anymore. As she looked around she spotted one of people the other kids call a loner, she was one herself but it was more of a title than a group. She thought her name was Sylf so that was as good of a reason as any other to try to talk to her.

"Um... hi Sylf," she said in a shy voice, still peaking out form the bathroom door, "how are you doing?"

[Sunken Island of Rhinomuraena]

Sylf looks on as Amalia heads into the bathroom. She has more than her share of accidents... it's never fair to her. She mentally sighs. It's never fair to anyone, the loners especially. If I were to try to talk to someone, they'd think of me as that creepy silent girl, or the stalker girl, or something like that... There's no way I'll ever get to really talk to someone again. Unless I want someone freaking out and throwing something. But I guess I don't mind not talking... it stops me from getting close to people, so there's that. And I don't really need to get close to people... unless I want to reveal my powers in front of a giant crowd... She shivers unconsciously, and slumps against the wall, lost in thought. That would be bad. And making friends would be worse. Better to not say anything. Just keep hiding... stay hidden from sight and hearing. She pulls out a kindle, and starts reading quietly. Silence... certain silence... is it bad? It stops people from trying to gossip, and it helps me concentrate... and it prevents people from trying to be friends with me.

After a few minutes Amalia peeked out of the bathroom to make sure the kids that saw her weren't around anymore. As she looked around she spotted one of people the other kids call a loner, she was one herself but it was more of a title than a group. She thought her name was Sylf so that was as good of a reason as any other to try to talk to her.

"Um... hi Sylf," she said in a shy voice, still peaking out from the bathroom door, "how are you doing?"

Sylf looks up, startled, realizing that she hadn't left. Uncertain if she should speak or not, she looks at Amalia. A weird feeling that she should say something rose in her, and she quietly says. "I'm fine, I guess." Her voice is somewhat scratchy due to the lack of times she's used it. She puts her kindle away, uncertain what she should be saying or doing right now. I don't want to hurt her feelings, but... I can't be friends with anyone, and if she starts thinking of me as trustworthy... This can go wrong either way and I don't know what to do... and... why do I care about her feelings? I don't know anything about her, and I don't know what to do, and... why do I care? It'll just lead to pain in the end... Her face shows none of her emotion, as usual.

[The Flame Dawn]

After a few minutes Amalia peeked out of the bathroom to make sure the kids that saw her weren't around anymore. As she looked around she spotted one of people the other kids call a loner, she was one herself but it was more of a title than a group. She thought her name was Sylf so that was as good of a reason as any other to try to talk to her.

"Um... hi Sylf," she said in a shy voice, still peaking out from the bathroom door, "how are you doing?"

Sylf looks up, startled, realizing that she hadn't left. Uncertain if she should speak or not, she looks at Amalia. A weird feeling that she should say something rose in her, and she quietly says. "I'm fine, I guess." Her voice is somewhat scratchy due to the lack of times she's used it. She puts her kindle away, uncertain what she should be saying or doing right now. I don't want to hurt her feelings, but... I can't be friends with anyone, and if she starts thinking of me as trustworthy... This can go wrong either way and I don't know what to do... and... why do I care about her feelings? I don't know anything about her, and I don't know what to do, and... why do I care? It'll just lead to pain in the end... Her face shows none of her emotion, as usual.

"I know it might sound rude but um... are you going to say anything else," she asked with a confused look on her face, "it's good to hear you're fine but don't people usually, um, ask a question back. I didn't mean to sound rude but I'm just not very familiar talking to people, I'm just guessing."

[Unified Free Lands]

Nastasia Jack

"Okay..." started Nastasia, before spacing out completely and staring into the distance as her pupils dilated. She held her head, trying not to fall into a trance, and she gritted her teeth, dropping her phone to the ground. No... No... Not now, not here, she thought, as images began to flash through her mind, blocking her vision. As if it wasn't obvious enough that something was wrong, her nose began to bleed, and she felt weak and started to fall forward.

[The Klausians]

Kyle Reed

Kyle gave a small smile. "Um, I'm Kyle by the way. What's your name? Um, hello?" He waved a hand in front of her as her pupils began to dilate. He heard a thud and looked down to find her phone on the ground. When he looked up, the girl's nose began to bleed and she started to fall. "Are you okay?!" He said, a bit frantically, as he caught her. Great. First girl I talk to all year and she has a freaking seizure.. he thought to himself. "Hello? Are you okay?" He began to look around, but by now, all the other students had left. What do I do what do I do? He continued to hold her as he quietly panicked. He decided to lay her down, setting her head down onto his lap after he sat down. "Are you okay? Hello?" He poked her cheek with his index finger, hoping to get some sort of response out of her.

[Sunken Island of Rhinomuraena]

Sylf looks up, startled, realizing that she hadn't left. Uncertain if she should speak or not, she looks at Amalia. A weird feeling that she should say something rose in her, and she quietly says. "I'm fine, I guess." Her voice is somewhat scratchy due to the lack of times she's used it. She puts her kindle away, uncertain what she should be saying or doing right now. I don't want to hurt her feelings, but... I can't be friends with anyone, and if she starts thinking of me as trustworthy... This can go wrong either way and I don't know what to do... and... why do I care about her feelings? I don't know anything about her, and I don't know what to do, and... why do I care? It'll just lead to pain in the end... Her face shows none of her emotion, as usual.

"I know it might sound rude but um... are you going to say anything else," she asked with a confused look on her face, "it's good to hear you're fine but don't people usually, um, ask a question back. I didn't mean to sound rude but I'm just not very familiar talking to people, I'm just guessing."

Sylf looks at the floor. "I'm sorry... I..." She gets up, uncertain what to say or do. "I... I don't know what I'm doing. I'm sorry for bothering you." Why did I respond... why did I try to talk with someone... She likely already thought of me as a freak, but now... Why do I care about what she thinks of me? Everyone else in the school already knows I'm crazy... this only increases the chance I do something stupid and hurt someone... or worse, save someone and get all the attention that that brings...

[The Remnants a Flaming Dawn]

"I know it might sound rude but um... are you going to say anything else," she asked with a confused look on her face, "it's good to hear you're fine but don't people usually, um, ask a question back. I didn't mean to sound rude but I'm just not very familiar talking to people, I'm just guessing."

Sylf looks at the floor. "I'm sorry... I..." She gets up, uncertain what to say or do. "I... I don't know what I'm doing. I'm sorry for bothering you." Why did I respond... why did I try to talk with someone... She likely already thought of me as a freak, but now... Why do I care about what she thinks of me? Everyone else in the school already knows I'm crazy... this only increases the chance I do something stupid and hurt someone... or worse, save someone and get all the attention that that brings...

"H-hey wait, I didn't mean it in a bad way," Amalia said in a nervous tone, "I was just wondering if you wanted to make small talk or something."

I hope she doesn't hate me... she seems like one of the few I can talk to around here... well at least without being judged...

[Sunken Island of Rhinomuraena]

Sylf looks at the floor. "I'm sorry... I..." She gets up, uncertain what to say or do. "I... I don't know what I'm doing. I'm sorry for bothering you." Why did I respond... why did I try to talk with someone... She likely already thought of me as a freak, but now... Why do I care about what she thinks of me? Everyone else in the school already knows I'm crazy... this only increases the chance I do something stupid and hurt someone... or worse, save someone and get all the attention that that brings...

"H-hey wait, I didn't mean it in a bad way," Amalia said in a nervous tone, "I was just wondering if you wanted to make small talk or something."

I hope she doesn't hate me... she seems like one of the few I can talk to around here... well at least without being judged...

Sylf looks at her, and started to panic inside. "I don't know how to talk to someone. I can't... talk... since the blood moon. I can't... It's nothing against you but I can't..." Why... why now... I don't want to deal with this... Not now... Why...
I suppose it's my own fault... I initiated conversation, and... lead her on for a bit...
Just... why does this make me sad...

[The Remnants a Flaming Dawn]

"H-hey wait, I didn't mean it in a bad way," Amalia said in a nervous tone, "I was just wondering if you wanted to make small talk or something."

I hope she doesn't hate me... she seems like one of the few I can talk to around here... well at least without being judged...

Sylf looks at her, and started to panic inside. "I don't know how to talk to someone. I can't... talk... since the blood moon. I can't... It's nothing against you but I can't..." Why... why now... I don't want to deal with this... Not now... Why...
I suppose it's my own fault... I initiated conversation, and... lead her on for a bit...
Just... why does this make me sad...

Amalia's mind was racing in circles, running through various actions and their results in both the long and short term. She needed someone to talk to, someone like her, but every action she thought of she knew would result in being back at square one... she needed a new tactic.

More by instinct than intuition, she reached out and hugged the girl, weeping quietly as she felt years of contained feelings loose.

[Taigawa]

Amelia Engawa

The demoness was still listening to her song, playing it over and over as she sat in the classroom. Though she had made herself appear human, she was still aware of her wings and tail. As she sat there, she felt her pelvic region grow heavy and she asked to leave to go use the bathroom, which was granted after she grabbed a pink paper labled "Hall Pass." She now began to make her way there, and she hoped she wouldn't miss anything important.

[Sunken Island of Rhinomuraena]

Sylf looks at her, and started to panic inside. "I don't know how to talk to someone. I can't... talk... since the blood moon. I can't... It's nothing against you but I can't..." Why... why now... I don't want to deal with this... Not now... Why...
I suppose it's my own fault... I initiated conversation, and... lead her on for a bit...
Just... why does this make me sad...

Amalia's mind was racing in circles, running through various actions and their results in both the long and short term. She needed someone to talk to, someone like her, but every action she thought of she knew would result in being back at square one... she needed a new tactic.

More by instinct than intuition, she reached out and hugged the girl, weeping quietly as she felt years of contained feelings loose.

Sylf's panic builds, and she starts crying, not daring to say anything. She shrinks under Amalia's hug, fearful. You don't want to be my friend! You don't know me! I'm not... I can't... Why... why are you doing this... Why... Why... Why... why is this coming to me... Why do I want to protect her... I let the others die, why do I care about one person... why... why do I care... why... She breaks free of the hug after a while. "Y-you... you don't want to be my friend... not with what I did... I can't... I..." Seeing the look on Amalia's face, her legs crumple and she falls to her knees. "Why... why... I'm... I'm sorry... sorry..." Near-silent sobs wrack her body, fueling more tears. "I'm... I can't... I just... can't..."

[The Remnants a Flaming Dawn]

Amalia's mind was racing in circles, running through various actions and their results in both the long and short term. She needed someone to talk to, someone like her, but every action she thought of she knew would result in being back at square one... she needed a new tactic.

More by instinct than intuition, she reached out and hugged the girl, weeping quietly as she felt years of contained feelings loose.

Sylf's panic builds, and she starts crying, not daring to say anything. She shrinks under Amalia's hug, fearful. You don't want to be my friend! You don't know me! I'm not... I can't... Why... why are you doing this... Why... Why... Why... why is this coming to me... Why do I want to protect her... I let the others die, why do I care about one person... why... why do I care... why... She breaks free of the hug after a while. "Y-you... you don't want to be my friend... not with what I did... I can't... I..." Seeing the look on Amalia's face, her legs crumple and she falls to her knees. "Why... why... I'm... I'm sorry... sorry..." Near-silent sobs wrack her body, fueling more tears. "I'm... I can't... I just... can't..."

"A-are you okay," Amalia asked in a nervous tone as she knelled down next to the girl, wiping the remaining tears out of her eyes, "if y-you need to talk about it I'm here f-for you... erm... also sorry for being so... forceful on me getting to know you... I can just leave if you want... nobody really wants me around..."

[Sunken Island of Rhinomuraena]

Sylf's panic builds, and she starts crying, not daring to say anything. She shrinks under Amalia's hug, fearful. You don't want to be my friend! You don't know me! I'm not... I can't... Why... why are you doing this... Why... Why... Why... why is this coming to me... Why do I want to protect her... I let the others die, why do I care about one person... why... why do I care... why... She breaks free of the hug after a while. "Y-you... you don't want to be my friend... not with what I did... I can't... I..." Seeing the look on Amalia's face, her legs crumple and she falls to her knees. "Why... why... I'm... I'm sorry... sorry..." Near-silent sobs wrack her body, fueling more tears. "I'm... I can't... I just... can't..."

"A-are you okay," Amalia asked in a nervous tone as she knelled down next to the girl, wiping the remaining tears out of her eyes, "if y-you need to talk about it I'm here f-for you... erm... also sorry for being so... forceful on me getting to know you... I can just leave if you want... nobody really wants me around..."

Sylf keeps sobbing, trying to regain control of herself. "I'm... I'm sorry... I can't... Not here... I can't take another... breakdown here..." She manages to get some semblance of calm over herself, then continues. "I can come over to your house after school, or something. My foster parents won't care... they never really care..." What am I doing... gods, I'm weak... I'm so terrified, but I can't... can't stop myself... why am I doing this... why... why... why... why do I care about Amalia, or anyone... I should die... I'm selfish, and I proved that, and... why... why now...

[The Remnants a Flaming Dawn]

"A-are you okay," Amalia asked in a nervous tone as she knelled down next to the girl, wiping the remaining tears out of her eyes, "if y-you need to talk about it I'm here f-for you... erm... also sorry for being so... forceful on me getting to know you... I can just leave if you want... nobody really wants me around..."

Sylf keeps sobbing, trying to regain control of herself. "I'm... I'm sorry... I can't... Not here... I can't take another... breakdown here..." She manages to get some semblance of calm over herself, then continues. "I can come over to your house after school, or something. My foster parents won't care... they never really care..." What am I doing... gods, I'm weak... I'm so terrified, but I can't... can't stop myself... why am I doing this... why... why... why... why do I care about Amalia, or anyone... I should die... I'm selfish, and I proved that, and... why... why now...

"T-that would be wonderful," she replied with a weak grin, "My house is the small-ish one with the flowers near the door... my mom's choice, not my own."

She nodded, flashing a wide grin before walking away with a nervous look on her face, panicking when she walked into anotehr girl.

"I'm so sorry," she replied in a nervous tone as she took a step to the side, "I really need to look for where I'm going..."

[Taigawa]

Sylf keeps sobbing, trying to regain control of herself. "I'm... I'm sorry... I can't... Not here... I can't take another... breakdown here..." She manages to get some semblance of calm over herself, then continues. "I can come over to your house after school, or something. My foster parents won't care... they never really care..." What am I doing... gods, I'm weak... I'm so terrified, but I can't... can't stop myself... why am I doing this... why... why... why... why do I care about Amalia, or anyone... I should die... I'm selfish, and I proved that, and... why... why now...

"T-that would be wonderful," she replied with a weak grin, "My house is the small-ish one with the flowers near the door... my mom's choice, not my own."

She nodded, flashing a wide grin before walking away with a nervous look on her face, panicking when she walked into anotehr girl.

"I'm so sorry," she replied in a nervous tone as she took a step to the side, "I really need to look for where I'm going..."

Amelia was thankfully not carrying anything save the hall pass. "It is not a problem. I just...well gotta go." she said feeling the pressure inside her increased. "You wanna see something wierd? Come with me. I have something that will scare you."

[The Remnants a Flaming Dawn]

"T-that would be wonderful," she replied with a weak grin, "My house is the small-ish one with the flowers near the door... my mom's choice, not my own."

She nodded, flashing a wide grin before walking away with a nervous look on her face, panicking when she walked into anotehr girl.

"I'm so sorry," she replied in a nervous tone as she took a step to the side, "I really need to look for where I'm going..."

Amelia was thankfully not carrying anything save the hall pass. "It is not a problem. I just...well gotta go." she said feeling the pressure inside her increased. "You wanna see something wierd? Come with me. I have something that will scare you."

"S-sure," she replied in a nervous tone, she was both confused and curious by this sudden proposal though it seemed harmless enough.