Personification Life IC IX - [Semi Open]

[Urran]

"Sorta' like I did in the Military." Bran chuckled, clapping slowly. He hoped Yoshi liked his present quite a bit, and deftly showed him how to button the buttons (In case he didn't get that either), and then stepped back to admire the new "Conscript". "Hmm, all you need now is an ADK, and then you'd be good to go. I was going to get Yuri a Communist Party membership, but I figure she'd kill me, and I haven't seen her around. Check your pocket."

In Yoshi's pocket was a little Orange book with the official seal of the Branriech on it. It stated that Yoshi was an honorary member of the Branriech communist party. The same party Bran was a member in.

Yoshi buttoned it up and took the book out of his pocket. "Communist Party member?" he smiled, taking it as a joke and laughed softly. "Oh, Yuri would not like that at all." he giggled. In truth, he was already a member of the Urranese Humanitarian Party, but he didn't mind it at all and actually found the gift to be quite thoughtful. "I-I'm sorry that you have to wait until New Years for your gift."

[Torsiedelle]

Torii thought that maybe this was just the woman attempting to be friendly to her, but she decided to amuse her.

"Not mean to me. Mean to each other, though. Mom and dad don't exactly get along, and I don't think my sister spends enough time with me anymore. I dunno, I guess I'm just being another melodramatic teenager, but still, ya know, that's how I feel.", She finally finished her rambling with a roll of her eyes.

"And yea, I guess I am smart..."

[Giovenith]

"I'm glad you do," Giovenith smiled sentimentally, squeezing her friend's hand. "I absolutely adore your gift as well, thank you. Merry Christmas. Is your baby safe as well? The storm must have been so scary for the little guy..."

"He cried a bit, but that's expected! I'm sure I cried quite a bit as a child." Rylli shrugged. Tolya had cried quite a bit, and was unsettled by the fighting and death that was going on. He didn't understand it at the time, but it all did seem very bad to the child.

"I'd better get to handing out other gifts then, Happy Holidays, Giovenith." She bowed her head in farewell.

"See ya later Rylli!" Giovenith waved back at the leaving lady, then sighed happily at just the niceness of everything going on around her. Holiday season was so special, and for good reason. It had all got off to a sad, scary start, but everyone was now safe, Mister Ceril was alive again, there was celebration everywhere, everything was just so lovely! She wondered if anyone else was feeling as impressively optimistic as her... though that was usually rare.

[Cerillium]

"Sapphire? Oh God, did she have a video camera with her?" Barox asked. He seemed a bit concerned with the idea of Sapphire with a camera, especially him passing out. He then remembered the second part of what Wren said. "Eh, I doubt you hurt her feelings. Trust me, she is an emotional person anyway."

"To say the least," Wren chuckled. Emotional didn't come close to it.

Her expression softened. "Yes, she had a video camera and chances are high that she recorded your abrupt departure to the floor. It was a spectacular thing, really, and nothing to be ashamed of. I won't remember it a week from now. I'll just remember the kiss."

Her fingers intertwined with his and she drew closer to him. "Best Christmas ever."

The sky outside the windows had darkened as they spoke. This wasn't a storm. It was simply night. Wren dwelt on the day and then suggested they grab some food and bring it to Datus and Catherine.

[The BranRiech]

Yoshi buttoned it up and took the book out of his pocket. "Communist Party member?" he smiled, taking it as a joke and laughed softly. "Oh, Yuri would not like that at all." he giggled. In truth, he was already a member of the Urranese Humanitarian Party, but he didn't mind it at all and actually found the gift to be quite thoughtful. "I-I'm sorry that you have to wait until New Years for your gift."

"Just an honorary member. Our nation is a bit guilt-ridden at the moment. But it's still a nation I can be proud of now. They've changed so much now, it's almost insane. It's almost a nice place now, eh? I guess it's the reduction of our borders, putting everything in perspective." Bran chuckled, finally happy to be a Branriechian again, after having to go to Urran and feel guilty the entire time..

"You've got your own little red book now." He smiled. "Well, orange."

[Urran]

Torii thought that maybe this was just the woman attempting to be friendly to her, but she decided to amuse her.

"Not mean to me. Mean to each other, though. Mom and dad don't exactly get along, and I don't think my sister spends enough time with me anymore. I dunno, I guess I'm just being another melodramatic teenager, but still, ya know, that's how I feel.", She finally finished her rambling with a roll of her eyes.

"And yea, I guess I am smart..."

"But they are mean to you. They cannot stop their senseless squabbling for your sake. They don't care enough for your happiness as they do their own selfish ambitions. Trust me my dear. I have watched over you for quite sometime now. That is my job." She looked very concerned for Tora.

[Torsiedelle]

Torii thought that maybe this was just the woman attempting to be friendly to her, but she decided to amuse her.

"Not mean to me. Mean to each other, though. Mom and dad don't exactly get along, and I don't think my sister spends enough time with me anymore. I dunno, I guess I'm just being another melodramatic teenager, but still, ya know, that's how I feel.", She finally finished her rambling with a roll of her eyes.

"And yea, I guess I am smart..."

"But they are mean to you. They cannot stop their senseless squabbling for your sake. They don't care enough for your happiness as they do their own selfish ambitions. Trust me my dear. I have watched over you for quite sometime now. That is my job." She looked very concerned for Tora.

"Whoa, um...how do you...?"

That kinda creeped Torii out for a moment, seeing as how she had never even seen the woman until several minutes ago. Then it hit her...

She must be one of Swith's cultists! They're always watching, right? Actually, she woman didn't look like them at all. She must be something else...but her job was to look over Tora? If so, then she must know a bit about her, or at least the basics.

Her eyes squinted suspiciously at the woman. "If you are looking over me, then what's my full name? Who's my sister? Sorry to sound rude, but I just never saw you around until today. "

[Urran]

Yoshi nodded. "All nations deserve pride. I'm glad that they are beginning to change." he smiled an examined the sleeves of his new coat. He liked it a lot, it fir him well. "well Bran, what should we do now?" he asked softly. "I'm glad that I've finally come out of my shell, one of the things that Swith taught me. Being shy is okay, but not being a nervous nilly, it's just not healthy."
----
Anew smiled. "Tora Dimitrov, you are 16 years old, your sister's name is Katya Dimitrov and she is in love with Yoshio Tokai and the Conservator Dora. You were betrothed to Tsuyoi until she left you, the brute, you come from East Torsiedelle and you were a child soldier, you still suffer from nightmares occasionally and you ave a crush on Giovenith" Anew smiled smugly. Most of it came from spy work, the rest was just obvious to the trained eye. Anew was good, but would Tora be fooled?

[Germanic Templars]

"Sapphire? Oh God, did she have a video camera with her?" Barox asked. He seemed a bit concerned with the idea of Sapphire with a camera, especially him passing out. He then remembered the second part of what Wren said. "Eh, I doubt you hurt her feelings. Trust me, she is an emotional person anyway."

"To say the least," Wren chuckled. Emotional didn't come close to it.

Her expression softened. "Yes, she had a video camera and chances are high that she recorded your abrupt departure to the floor. It was a spectacular thing, really, and nothing to be ashamed of. I won't remember it a week from now. I'll just remember the kiss."

Her fingers intertwined with his and she drew closer to him. "Best Christmas ever."

The sky outside the windows had darkened as they spoke. This wasn't a storm. It was simply night. Wren dwelt on the day and then suggested they grab some food and bring it to Datus and Catherine.

"Oh bullocks." Barox chuckled as he looked into her eyes. He then looked over her out onto the beach which laid just outside the factory's open iron gates. As looked out, there came a dark silhouette that walked past. He paid no mind to it as it did not bother them. He looked back at her and said, "Best Christmas indeed. And good idea, food sounds nice after passing out."

[Torsiedelle]

"Holy crap, that's freaky.", Torii thought to herself. It gave her a nervous feeling knowing that a total stranger knew so much about her. Maybe she was a cultist of some kind? Torii rationalized it as best as she could, though the woman's knowledge was uncanny. How did a total stranger know about her ex-girlfriend? Wait, how did anyone know about her crush? They sure as hell didn't read her diary. Actually, speaking of her diary, Ogoti still held her belongings. He couldn't have...no, we wasn't that kind of person, Torii knew that.

It freaked her out to the point where she shivered a little. Was she really that obvious?

"That makes me a little nervous, somebody knowing more about me than I ever tell anyone. How can you tell that I, um...I don't have a crush...I think. Do I? Anyway, you know that much, and I don't even know your name...ma'am..."

[Swith Witherward]

"I knowwwww!" Superbia squealed. He flipped through the pages, unsure which to choose, since it all was pretty new to him.

Blythe looked at the glossy pages as they flipped past her eyes. It was even better than Fade to Black. Not only where there nicer pictures, but there were also little naughty stories and poems tucked in here and there. She dug her claws into Superbia's back and propped her chin onto his shoulder.

"How about we close our eyes and just open the book. Whatever page opens, that's the one. Unless it involves a lot of people or requires stuff we don't have."

A very mischievous look entered her lavender eyes. "Or, we flip through it all and use a photocopier to copy the page, then stick that page under the door of people who desperately need it." She was thinking mainly of Aleki simply because she hadn't messed with his mind in a very long time, but maybe the Conservators and Bran and Yoshi would appreciate some friendly diagrams?

[Urran]

"Holy crap, that's freaky.", Torii thought to herself. It gave her a nervous feeling knowing that a total stranger knew so much about her. Maybe she was a cultist of some kind? Torii rationalized it as best as she could, though the woman's knowledge was uncanny. How did a total stranger know about her ex-girlfriend? Wait, how did anyone know about her crush? They sure as hell didn't read her diary. Actually, speaking of her diary, Ogoti still held her belongings. He couldn't have...no, we wasn't that kind of person, Torii knew that.

It freaked her out to the point where she shivered a little. Was she really that obvious?

"That makes me a little nervous, somebody knowing more about me than I ever tell anyone. How can you tell that I, um...I don't have a crush...I think. Do I? Anyway, you know that much, and I don't even know your name...ma'am..."

"Anew Returner, Dear." she smiled down at the girl. "Do not be afraid, I'm here to help you because it's obvious that they do not pay enough attention to you." and that is what was making it so easy to fool Tora. She'd stroke her ego and convense her of things that we not really happening with her silver tongue. If all worked out well, she could turn Tora into a very useful tool.

[The BranRiech]

"What's a nervous Nillie?" Bran asked. Honestly, he barely saw how Yoshi was coming out of his shell. He was still as shy as ever, and at least he didn't shy away from every social encounter. He still seemed to have a long way to go as well.

"We could go swimming now. I need to use Swith's gift at some point, right?"

[Urran]

"What's a nervous Nillie?" Bran asked. Honestly, he barely saw how Yoshi was coming out of his shell. He was still as shy as ever, and at least he didn't shy away from every social encounter. He still seemed to have a long way to go as well.

"We could go swimming now. I need to use Swith's gift at some point, right?"

"Uh? Oh, it's a person that is scared of absolutely everything...I'm not that bad anymore am I?" he asked. He actually thought that he was improving, he could get out full sentences around everyone now. He took off the trench coat and his yukata and folded them neatly. Fortunately, he had on a bathing suit underneath and simply plunged into the water with a splash, surfacing not far off and throwing his hair back in a spray of sea water,

[Cerillium]

"She mentioned the incident in passing to us," Dia answered; Chrys had sat down on the bed upon hearing about Hans, ignoring the pressure of the armor on her hands.

"As for Allspice," Luce picked up the conversation, "we'd just been discussing that. These test results" - Dia waved the papers in his hand - "they're very similar to what goes into our armor. That indicates, from our point of view, that Allspice is targeting us specifically. Materials from our armor, and doing something to Tasia. A double provocation. Almost a taunt. We still don't know why, and at this point we've concluded that it'd be best to focus on finding Tasia. With luck, if she's still alive, we can get answers from her. And as for Hans -" he broke off in surprise at Chrys, who'd stood up.

"I think I should go see Hans, as well," she said diffidently to Klaus, hoping she wasn't overstepping her bounds. "I may be able to help get him up and about."

Dia nodded encouragingly. Though she couldn't see it, she knew how he felt about that issue.

"By all means," Klaus acquiesced. He wasn't keen to let anyone in that corridor but this was perhaps the time to extend more trust to the Conservators. "Tell the cultists standing watch over the corridor that I give my permission. One deck up."

His attention returned to Luce's situation. "Allspice. This is the company that's been gifting everyone with things that seem perfect for them? Hans reported an attack in the dining room by something posting as Tasia but little was known of the thing's composition."

Targeting Conservators? It was a disturbing thought. They were a powerful faction but also a closely knit group. "How long had that thing walked in your ranks? Was it that convincing?" His eyes fastened on Luce a moment and then his gaze shifted to Dia. Klaus, eternally paranoid, wondered if either man was a clone.

---

The locket around Torii's neck seemed to warm with strange energy. It had nothing to do with the spiritual splinter inside and everything to do with Swith's own brand of magic. Hedonism was paranoid regarding Plotter; Deception flew in the face of Perfection. Most of all, the being which fashioned it loathed Innovators for their attempted betrayal of her husband's people's trust. The locket was forged from the fabric of the universe; it was the only way to safeguard the fractured demon. Chaos was alert and watching.

[The BranRiech]

"Uh? Oh, it's a person that is scared of absolutely everything...I'm not that bad anymore am I?" he asked. He actually thought that he was improving, he could get out full sentences around everyone now. He took off the trench coat and his yukata and folded them neatly. Fortunately, he had on a bathing suit underneath and simply plunged into the water with a splash, surfacing not far off and throwing his hair back in a spray of sea water,

Deciding against answering, Bran shed most of his clothing and plunged into the water along with Yoshi. He decided to walk out into the water a ways first, and then decided to try out Swith's present. The now-alien sensation of his legs fusing together was an odd one, but filled him with relief that he would now be able to swim without worrying he'd drown. Still though, these changes would be undetectable to Yoshi unless he swam down and looked, so Bran decided to see how long he could keep it going that he was still normal.

"Ah, first time in the water in a damn long time." He sighed happily.

[Urran]

Yoshi swam backwards in the cool liquid and looked up at the night sky and let out a contended sigh as he floated on his back, his hair was nearly as long as Katya's and floated about his head, neck, shoulders, and back like black seaweed. "I love the water, I always have....d-do you think she can still see us? Swith I mean."

[The BranRiech]

"I bet she can." Bran smiled at the idea that their friend could still see them. "She's probably starting a party at the big . . . Wherever she ended up in the sky." He nodded, sticking his tail-fins out of the water, hoping to surprise Yoshi at least. He grinned, really hoping it'd take him by surprise to see some fins sticking out of the water nearby.

[Torsiedelle]

"Holy crap, that's freaky.", Torii thought to herself. It gave her a nervous feeling knowing that a total stranger knew so much about her. Maybe she was a cultist of some kind? Torii rationalized it as best as she could, though the woman's knowledge was uncanny. How did a total stranger know about her ex-girlfriend? Wait, how did anyone know about her crush? They sure as hell didn't read her diary. Actually, speaking of her diary, Ogoti still held her belongings. He couldn't have...no, we wasn't that kind of person, Torii knew that.

It freaked her out to the point where she shivered a little. Was she really that obvious?

"That makes me a little nervous, somebody knowing more about me than I ever tell anyone. How can you tell that I, um...I don't have a crush...I think. Do I? Anyway, you know that much, and I don't even know your name...ma'am..."

"Anew Returner, Dear." she smiled down at the girl. "Do not be afraid, I'm here to help you because it's obvious that they do not pay enough attention to you." and that is what was making it so easy to fool Tora. She'd stroke her ego and convense her of things that we not really happening with her silver tongue. If all worked out well, she could turn Tora into a very useful tool.

Torii felt her locket's reaction, and tensed up a little bit. This woman was a little too suspicious....

"Well, I know they don't spend enough time with me, but that's why I hang out with my friends. Besides, I don't really need them 24/7."

Torii was going to say that the woman seemed to be trouble, but what would that accomplish? She looked over to Myra to see if she was still watching, feeling more nervous by the second.

[Urran]

"I bet she can." Bran smiled at the idea that their friend could still see them. "She's probably starting a party at the big . . . Wherever she ended up in the sky." He nodded, sticking his tail-fins out of the water, hoping to surprise Yoshi at least. He grinned, really hoping it'd take him by surprise to see some fins sticking out of the water nearby.

Yoshi moved back into and upright position and his eyes widened and he moved back a few feet like a cat when someone steps on its tail. "IIIIIIYA!" he squealed in surprise. He was not expecting that at all.

--

Anew raised an eyebrow. Was she caught. "I'll be around if you need me." she said roughly and walked into the jungle, disappearing amongst the trees.

[Germanic Templars]

"I knowwwww!" Superbia squealed. He flipped through the pages, unsure which to choose, since it all was pretty new to him.

Blythe looked at the glossy pages as they flipped past her eyes. It was even better than Fade to Black. Not only where there nicer pictures, but there were also little naughty stories and poems tucked in here and there. She dug her claws into Superbia's back and propped her chin onto his shoulder.

"How about we close our eyes and just open the book. Whatever page opens, that's the one. Unless it involves a lot of people or requires stuff we don't have."

A very mischievous look entered her lavender eyes. "Or, we flip through it all and use a photocopier to copy the page, then stick that page under the door of people who desperately need it." She was thinking mainly of Aleki simply because she hadn't messed with his mind in a very long time, but maybe the Conservators and Bran and Yoshi would appreciate some friendly diagrams?

"Well tis the season to be giving, right?" He chuckled as he flipped through. "Gimmi a second, I wanna see the last page." He flipped to the back of the book before the index and glossary. Though he lacked the eyes, one could still tell on how dumbfounded he looked. "500 people needed? Good God all mighty, that....It looks like Human centipede mixed with... I don't know.." He commented as turned the book sideways in his hand to get a better look.. "And this is called.. Social Gathering...Woooooooooooooww.... Yea, not trying.. Okay, lets flip through randomly and which ever one we land on, we photocopy and give to another, yes I know you suggested that, but I am combining two ideas you had into one, that way when we slip these, people can't say we were being bias."

[Cerillium]

There was a loud crack that echoed across the beach. A flash of light. Sparks tumbling onto the sand. Then they were there: two figures, one in a Nazi uniform and the other with rabbit ears. The Nazi was holding the rabbit girl as gently as a groom would carry his bride over a threshold.

It hadn't started that way. Does it ever? No. The answer is always No. Of course.

It started on a snowy street back in Bielefeld. The blizzard had almost passed. The Building was still on lock down. Rudolf (not the deer, dear) was sitting on the front stoop and minding his business when he noticed the rabbit girl.

Hasen! Dolf was always fond of woodland creatures. This rabbit happened to have a girl's body. Dolf was always fond of girl's bodies. He naturally assumed she was the new tenant Mr. Demens had written home about. Who else would have a fluffy tail? (Don't answer that. Yes, we know it's PL. There are a lot of fluffy tails here. There are a lot of people chasing tail too. This tail was unique in that it was new and not yet chased which made it uniquely chaste.)

He didn't give her any time to think and he would have confused her if he had. Instead, he stood up and boomed, "Guten Tag!" and then capered down the stairs. His finger poked her between the eyes and that was that. Rabbit girl, better to be known as Lilian, swooned into a deep sleep.

Now we can get back to the crack and sparks and flash of light. Rudolf coughed and stepped from the smokey haze he created.

"HEY!" he shouted to nearby ears. "Comen sie und retrieff Hasenfrau! She new!"

He kicked a shell, bouncing it off Myrna's head for good measure, and stared at Torii. "Vell? Here you go. New resident."

Lilian was gently placed on the sand. Rudolf poked her again to wake her. "Aufwachen Hasenfrau. You not gettink Christmas dinner eff you schtay schleepink."

Lilian would awaken to a handsome face blocking out the most incredible view of the Milky Way. It was Christmas night on the Island of Ni. The face pulled away and Rudolf vanished into his own shadow.

[The BranRiech]

Yoshi moved back into and upright position and his eyes widened and he moved back a few feet like a cat when someone steps on its tail. "IIIIIIYA!" he squealed in surprise. He was not expecting that at all.

"I'm guilty for that one." Bran chuckled, starting to swim circles around Yoshi with his new appendage. It was wonderful to be back in the water once more, and finally being able to swim successfully without worrying of thrashing about and drowning. "This was Swith's gift before she left. I'll cherish it forever. Rylli got one too." He nodded, looking downward at the fish-like tail.

[Torsiedelle]

Torii felt relieved. That woman was nice, but something was...off. The locket told her so. Torii was still a little cautious as she walked over to Myra, finally. "Geez, that was weird.", Torii mumbled to her friend. Her gift bag bumped around at her side, making the only other noise from the girl, who was still a little quiet from her encounter.

[Swith Witherward]

"Well tis the season to be giving, right?" He chuckled as he flipped through. "Gimmi a second, I wanna see the last page." He flipped to the back of the book before the index and glossary. Though he lacked the eyes, one could still tell on how dumbfounded he looked. "500 people needed? Good God all mighty, that....It looks like Human centipede mixed with... I don't know.." He commented as turned the book sideways in his hand to get a better look.. "And this is called.. Social Gathering...Woooooooooooooww.... Yea, not trying.. Okay, lets flip through randomly and which ever one we land on, we photocopy and give to another, yes I know you suggested that, but I am combining two ideas you had into one, that way when we slip these, people can't say we were being bias."

Blythe grinned and bobbed her head up and down rapidly. She reached down and slapped her hand to the book as the pages were flipping. She lifted her palm and peered at the words.

"Goat on a Hill? Why's it called tha- OOOOOH." Blythe spotted the picture on the next page. "Um, no. Well, maybe? He'd have to be strong."

She poked Superbia's bicep. "You're strong enough. So, we go upstairs and copy it and then slip it under doors?"

Torii felt relieved. That woman was nice, but something was...off. The locket told her so. Torii was still a little cautious as she walked over to Myra, finally. "Geez, that was weird.", Torii mumbled to her friend. Her gift bag bumped around at her side, making the only other noise from the girl, who was still a little quiet from her encounter.

Myra smiled and waved again. "Hi Torii!"

Her eyes momentarily lost focus as a bright light exploded behind her friend. She watched the funny man step on the sand and heard his calling. The girl hesitantly put down a grass panel and came down her short flight of stairs just in time to be struck in the head by a kicked seashell. She rubbed her forehead, stood beside Torii and stared at the strange new girl laying on the ground.