The Lovelies. [IC/OPEN]

[Castle Crashers]

The Lovelies.

An...unnatural...Roleplay.

OOC

In three days, a dreadful event will occur that everyone in the state of Minnesota will remember forever.
It will be called The Night of Mourning.
On this night, multiple people will die at the exact same moment. Some of these death's causes are unknown. You were one of these people. You were one of the victims that died at 9:44 PM on September 21st, 2015. The moment you died, you thought that was it.
But it wasn't.
It was only the beginning.
Only three minutes into your afterlife, you are somehow breathing again. At 9:47 PM, your experience in the afterlife was over. But something was different. You aren't who you used to be. You are what your town calls A Lovely. A person who has died and come back to life. But those who go through this mysterious change aren't who they were 3 minutes before. They have new genetics. What kids would call "superpowers". You remember your death. The rain. Your last thought. But you are alive.
And you are different.

So this is different, yeah? Basically, we will start three days before The Night of Mourning. Everyone can die how they want, really. Get creative! I guess... But yeah, you come back with new awesome powers! Woo! Fun! Alright, most of the stuff is down there. So have fun, and get creative with it!

1. No metagaming, godmodding, etc.
2. My word is law.
3. Don't be a jerk in the OOC. It's fine if it's in the IC though.
4. Don't kill other characters without permission from the RPer!
5. Have fun! It's a law. You have to have fun.

[The NAR]

You never know what you have until it's gone, and 21 year old Michael Shepherd now knows this. Sitting at the counter of a bar in town, 6 feet under, drowsy, and broken, Michael drinks away his pain. From the horrors of the War in Afghanistan, to his Son's death at the hands of a drunk driver, to the brutal divorce that left Michael with virtually nothing... Michael welcomed death. Hell, he praised it. No, the alcohol wasn't talking there... this was his mind. His mother is dead, his father is dead, his best friends are dead, his son is dead, and everyone else he loves is dead or gone. He has nothing... nobody, just the bottle.

And was it soothing... drinking away your problems. In school, Michael always believed that drinking was wrong, until he started drinking and smoking Weed with his friends. Then, it was fun. Funny thing is, all those friends ended up joining the Military. Most joined the Army, Michael was the only one to enlist in the Marines, but wasn't the only one to be deployed to Afghanistan. They would all die over there, but Michael wouldn't... he was dead inside...

Michael was tipsy... no, he was hammered. When he stood, he almost collapsed. He was tired, drowsy, uncoordinated, stumbling around while the Bartender yelled at him. "Mike! You can't drive man! Ill call you a taxi brother, just sit down".

"Fuck off, Ray" mumbled Michael as he left the building. "Tellin me I can drive... asshole look at... look at you! You're a... a a fat guy" Michael chuckled as he approached his Truck, his keys fumbling in his hand as he unlocked it and climbed in. Rain poured down into the streets. He started the engine and pulled out into the street.

[Castle Crashers]

Alex opened her eyes to a florescent light buzzing overtop of her. She sighed, sitting up to face the ever-dull and white room around her. How many times had she woken up to this room? Alex rubbed her eyes, removing the IV from her arm and going to a gray desk on the opposite wall. She sat down at the desk, opening her Dell laptop. A video popped up.
"Hey Alex! You doing okay..? I know what you're going through is hard...but...just keep your head up, okay?...It'll all be okay..." A female said. It was Alex's old friend from high school, Hannah. Alex rolled her eyes, sighing and deleting the video. Then, checking everything once more, Alex closed the laptop and headed over to a bag by the hospital bed. She then changed into jeans, a white tanktop, a blue plaid overshirt, and a navy blue knit beanie. She then pulled on her brown boots, packed up her computer, and headed out of the hospital room.
"Have a nice day, Alex. We'll see you tonight, right?" A woman at the front desk asked as Alex was leaving. Alex put on the best smile she could.
"Of course, Ms. Jones. I know the procedures." She replied. Ms. Jones nodded, giving her a reassuring smile. Alex then proceeded out the front doors, stepping out into the gray day. It was raining, but Alex didn't mind. She put her hands into her pockets, and headed down the street to an apartment building. Pulling out her keys, she unlocked the rusty knob to the apartment. It wasn't much. The old wooden floors creaked with every step, and the walls were peeling and molding. The windows had a yellow tint to them, and all the doors seemed to be falling apart. Alex closed the door behind her, and headed into the kitchen. On the counter, there was a small yellow prescription bottle and an empty glass. A large sticky note was taped to the top of the container saying "A pill a day keeps the funeral a little ways away." Alex had written it. It wasn't a very happy note, but it helped motivate her. Maybe not much, but a little. Alex screwed open the top, and stared at the contents of the bottle. Was there even a point to it..? She knew she was going to die. She knew it was soon. So why was she still trying? It wouldn't give her a life. A family. To grow old...to have a happy ending. It wouldn't give her that. In a fit of anger, Alex dumped the pills into the sink, washing them all away in seconds. Then, she leaned against the counter, and began to cry.
Why was she still trying?

[Mundeo]

Anders woke up on another normal day. He got dressed, ate breakfast, and went off to school. As he made the short trip from the door to the bus, little did he know that his life would change, by it ending.

[Kerzacistan]

Eric sighed happily as he got out of bed, making breakfast and taking it to his computer. Working on the proof for this next novel wasn't easy but it made for a lot of support from his fan base especially as he released snips here and there as he went. Finishing a few more chapters before lunch and chatting with his fans over Skype for about an hour, Eric decided to take a small break. Sitting in his favorite char in his study, Eric started to read a book or two from his favorite authors. That night Eric got ready for bed, noting a chemical scent but labeling it off as his imagination.

[New Flattnerk]

Will woke up with a massive headache on the couch of his apartment. He wondered how he got back home from last nights party. Then Will noticed the sticky note on the front of his shirt. You got shit faced bro. Hope you're comfy. Love, Ashley he couldn't help but smile as he read it. Ashley was always looking out for him, she was his best friend since high school and never wanted him to be in danger. He picked up his phone that was conveniently located on the table. Forty notifications. "What the fuck did I do last night.."

[La Cancion de Guerra]

Lexi put on her apron and put her blonde hair up into a ponytail then letting out a sigh. "Where you at toothpick!" yelled her manager from the front of the store. Her manager Kerri was a round woman who yelled way louder than anyone ever should. As lexi put on the required hat she let out a louder sigh and walked to front to prep the machines. Walking to the front of the store, it was still becoming morning, she turned the sign from "Closed" to "Open" and walked back to behind the counter and talked with her co worker Jeremy. Although he was a boring guy in general, and slightly younger than her, anyone was better to talk to than Manager Kerri. As she talked with him she a few people were approaching the store and logged in to the register. "Another day Jeremy." she said, to which he smiled and turned to his register as well.

[Barboneia]

Paul was staring into his cup of dark roasted coffee. He was sitting at the dining table in his small apartment, a newspaper turned to to the sudoku section lying next to his cup. He was tapping a red ballpoint pen against the table, thinking. He looked up at the clock across from the room, the face stating "6:59".

He sighed and took a sip from the cup before getting up and pouring the contents into the sink. He dropped the cup into the sink and walked over to the front door. He took his key ring off of the key rack and shoved them into his suit pocket. He picked up his suitcase resting against the wall and opened the door, locking it behind him before heading down the staircase of the apartment and to the parking area. He unlocked his car, got inside, and turned it on. The soft hum of the engine made him feel a bit sleepy, as if the coffee had failed to keep him awake. He sighed, and pulled the car out of the garage, before driving off, heading towards the branch of United Banking he worked at.

[Quensatango]

Jack
Three days just three days, that's all it took for jacks life to go from happy and joyful to complete shit. He had everything a guy could ask for, a stable job, friends, a nice care, and most of all a beautiful loving wife. He had it made, and yet it just took three measly days for all of it to be taken away form him just like that. Now where was he? Wasting away his last few bucks buying drinks to drown out his problems, yet no matter how hammed he got those memories refused to be subdued. He could still remember everything like it was yesterday:

"Jack...Jack...you need to wake up, Jack" that sweet blissful wispy voice it could only be one person, Vanessa. Jacked smiled, Vanessa his beloved her voice made all his worries troubles, everything melt away replacing it with joy and happiness.
"JACK! GET UP!" Jacks eyes shot open, this didn't sound like his lovely Vanessa, no not at all. This screeching and howling cry it could only come be from one person...week morning Vanessa! Okay, Okay it wasn't that bad but still it wasn't the most pleasing voice to wake up to. Jack rose scratching the back of his head and letting out a loud yawn.
"You're going to be late for work! I'm going to be late for work and I can't..." Vanessa's voice trailed off as she hurriedly scurried around the room gathering her things. Jack extended his arms out and caught Vanessa in a loving embrace.
"Ah Ja..Jack..Jack!" Vanessa giggled as he playfully tickled her. Oh he could stay like this forever, forget work, money, worried, everything this was all he needed. Just him and Vanessa. He lightly kissed her on the neck and then said soothingly "Ah you worry to much honey, In fact I think you're the only person in this world to actually be excited to go to work."
"I'm not excited, I just don't want to be late that's all..." Vanessa replied embracing Jack's arms.
"Uh-huh sure...well I hope you save some of this excitement for tonight, it is after all our special night" Jack said letting Vanessa return to her gathering.
"Oh trust me I'll be more than ready for tonight, It's you who I'm afraid about. Working in a paper supply company? Kinda takes the fun out of everything." With that the two gave each other one finally kiss before departing separate ways.

Those where the times Jack thought to himself before taking another sip of his beer. Finishing his last bottle he stumbled out of bar and looked for the tallest building he could find. Those were the days...

[The New Byzantine]

Cole was dreaming that there was a shootout between the Angels of Death and the Lost, it was actually nighttime, apperently, Cole was on killing spree killing about 8 members of the Lost, his buddy Drake shouted, "Cole, let's get out of here! We might get killed! The Lost sends more members to either capture us or kill us!". Cole replied, "I don't care! We will wipeout those Vietnam war veteran scums!" until the Vice President of the Lost, Johnny Klebitz shows up, wielding his AK47 and starts shooting with the fellow members of the Angels of Death, Johnny was dominating the battlefield, Drake got shot in the head, Cole yelled "DRAKE NO!" and then Cole was captured and he was unconscious.

Two hours later after the shootout end; Cole slowly open his eyes and the members of the Lost were surrounding him, Cole quickly opens his eyes and his hands were handcuffed, he yelled "LET ME OUT OF HERE YOU VETERAN SCUMS!", it seems after Cole yelled that kind of word, the members were kinda offended what he said, the Vice President shows up since he heard the word, "Veteran scums!", Vice President Johnny Klebitz said to his members, "Can you give him a fucking space!?" the members give Cole a space, Johnny replied, "Thank you. Alright..so your one of those Angels of Losers, huh? It seems your a senior prospect, what's your name?". Cole slowly said, "C-..Cole.". Johnny replied, "Oh Cole, I just heard what you said to us and it offended us, your in our headquarters and you disrespect us. Did the parents teach you that kind of word? I suggest they die in hell by the Angels of Devils!" Johnny and the members laughed, Cole was angry what he said, Cole said, "Fuck you.", Cole kicks Johnny's balls and quickly stands up to escape but the members quickly catch him and starts beating him to death, Johnny quickly stands up and wield his revolver, Johnny aim his revolver to Cole's head and Johnny said, "Fuck you too, Cole." Johnny spits at Cole's face and pulls the trigger, Cole was dead.

APPERENTLY, IT WAS JUST A FUCKING DREAM.

Cole waked up from that goddamn nightmare and Cole said, "Fuck..that was a worst dream I have ever met in the entire life. Ugggh my head hurts!", the alarmed clock ring and it was "5:57 am", the sun shines and his cellphone rang from the text, the text is from his personal friend and his childhood friend, Nathan. The text said, "Yo Cole, meet me at the diner. 7:00 am. We will have an important discussion to do.", Cole text back and the text said, "Alright, see ya' later.", Cole puts his cellphone back to the table, Cole stands up and grab his things in the bathroom to take a bath, he then take a back and after that he is finished bathing, he dressed up and eat his breakfast after that he goes to the bathroom again to take a toothbrush and after that he grab his key and lock the door, he leave his apartment to go to his motorbike, he starts the engine and goes to the diner.

[The Burning Sun]

Chirping birds, a light spatter of rain, a snoozed alarm clock. Another day, another adventure, her mother would have said. Carpe Diem. Seize the day.

Yawning, Violet sat up in bed, blearily rubbing her eyes. Glancing at the clock, then the calendar, she rolled out of bed, grabbing some clothes on her way to the shower. Quietly humming to herself under the stream of hot water, she pondered the rest of the day. Her customary walk was out, since she had heard in some weather reports that it would be raining for the next couple days, she had never really liked the atmosphere of the diner, and if she spent any more time in the library the old ladies there were going to start inviting her over to look at their cats.

And that leaves the cafe. Well, I've always wanted to try their house special, so I'll stop by for the morning and pick up some groceries after lunch.

Twisting the valve, she climbed out of the shower, quickly toweling off and dressing herself. As she walked down the hallway and headed downstairs, she caught a glimpse of her father, passed out on his bed, fully dressed, with yet another bottle of beer in his hand. Sighing, she walked into the dimly lit, hygienic disaster of a room, took the empty bottle out of his hand, and threw some blankets over him. Ever since the...attack, he hadn't really been taking care of himself, and Violet was starting to get a little worried about his lifestyle, although she supposed that he would get better after a while, of after her mother returned.

Grabbing a quick drink and her coat, Violet hopped into her car, eager for breakfast as she drove through the rain.

[Soviet Chernarus]

Klaus woke up groggily to the blinding rays of sunlight that filtered through his curtains; still not quite awake yet, he rolled over, only to fall off the bed. Tangled in his blanket, he was now fully awake now. He mumbled some less-than-polite curse words in German, before proceeding to untangle himself. Another day..another morning. Remembering he had school, he stood up suddenly, checking his phone briefly for the time. It was still pretty early. He had time. Klaus disliked having to rush somewhere, whether it was to a job interview or to another class.

Klaus then slapped on some clothes on himself; a plain t-shirt, some jeans, and he was good to go. Klaus wasn't really the one to care about clothes and what we wore. He brushed his teeth, splashed some water on his face before walking downstairs. Time to make breakfast...he thought a bit about the day ahead of him. He had a project due in his math class, but he had already finished it ages ago. Hopefully he had remembered to also do any homework that had been assigned by his teachers; Klaus was sometimes forgetful, and his laidback/carefree personality didn't help his situation either.

He made himself two slices of bread which he put in the toaster; grabbing a knife, he smeared some peanut butter over his toast; it was nothing fancy, but it would do. He had to have at least something in his stomach before going off into school, and he didn't really feel like cooking up anything. Pouring himself a glass of orange juice he sat down at the table, sighing contentedly as he started eating.

[Quensatango]

Arias

Arias slowly opened his eyes as his alarm clock continued to ring flooding his small room with the noise. He groaned and pulled a pillow over his ears, trying to escape the dreadful sound the ringing persisted though and found its way to Arias no matter how hard he tried to cover his ears. Eventually he threw the pillow at the alarm clock just barley hitting it allowing the clock to crash to the floor, the ringing stopped. He got out of bed and proceeded with his daily routine, getting dressed, grooming, and of course making sure his brother was still alive. He reached the kitchen getting some bread for a PBJ, and then he noticed his brother outside on the fire escape talking on the phone. Well more like yelling actually. Arias tried to ignore it; he didn’t want to get involved to much in his brothers business, but his brother was causing quite the scene rattling the side railing. Arias took his sandwich to the table and began eating it wondering what had riled his brother so much. When he finished his sandwich and cleaned his plate he looked over to see his brother coming in.

“What happened?” Arias asked not really caring but wanting to make some sort of conversation.

“Eh-nothing, just a load of shit that all. How you sleep?” His brother replied a little too fast and aggressive for comfort. Then he rubbed.

“Oh, uh…fine…I guess…” Arias replied, knowing it wouldn’t be a good answer.

“You guess? The fuck is that supposed to mean? Either you did or you didn’t.” His brother said, pacing around, he rubbed his nose again.

Arias just stared at him for a moment and then changed the subject “How long have you been awake?” When there was no reply he asked another question cautiously, “you aren’t…high…are you?”

“Man, don’t ask about things you know nothing about!” Was all Arias got as a response and then something unexpected happened, as he was heading out the door he suddenly received a punch to his lower jaw. Arias just lay there trying to comprehend what just happened.

“Oh-shit…holmes sorry I jus…” His brother replied realizing what he just did. He hurriedly reached down to help Arias up.

“No, its fine…you just….”Was all that Arias could think to say, he was more stunned than hurt.

Arias leaned against a window on the school-bus; he rubbed his lower jaw replaying the events of this morning in his mind asking himself one question: What happened and why?

[Apple-Loosa]

Hanna groggily opened her eyes to awaken from a less-than-peaceful sleep, just to hear sniggers and giggling somewhere nearby. She rose up from the side of the pavement just notice a group of scraggly teenagers leaning over her. One was holding her bottle of water. "What are yo-!" She started before her face got soaked. The particular lanky kid who had been holding her plastic bottle had just poured it's contents into her face. The group laughed again. They turned their heels and walked away from her continuing down the path. The lanky girl turned, giving Hanna a leered look before going back to his hooligan friends. Hanna sighed, drying her face with the sleeve of her overlarge hoodie. She rose up from her spot and stretched her arms, just before inspecting her surroundings.

She saw her blanket half strewn across the alleyway, most probably from the group of teens moments ago. She went to reach for it, before she felt her foot knock over something. Still feeling drowsy, she had to focus her eyes before seeing a cup knocked, an odd cent rolling out of it. She picked it up and remembered from yesterday when people passing by her had put in some money into the cup- her cup which she had put out to get some money. 'Surely they put some more in it' She thought as she searched the ground for any other loose coins. 'Unless, they took it' She recalled. 'Most likely ' She concluded sadly with enough evidence that the kids who had awoken her had stolen what had been lent as aid to her. She threw the cup into the bin and went over to collect her blanket, just to brave whatever-else the harsh world would put her through.

Hanna much more preferred begging rather then to threaten and steal from others who walked on the street, though with begging it takes some much more longer to get the money she needed for food and water. She was used to this life, though in the end it had twisted her and her heart out of proportion. She was questioning herself as a person, and what was the real meaning to her life. What and where was her purpose in the world around her? Her current life wasn't taking her anywhere, and was leaving her in a deep hole just to further her suffering. However, what she didn't know was that her life was going to take a dramatic turn in just three days time.

[The NAR]

Michael wasn't driving anywhere specific... home wasn't home anymore, it was just a mirror, reflecting his past and reviving his failures. He couldn't sleep, hardly ate, and right now, he could hardly stay on the road. Main Street, running through the center of Mansfield, was crowded with early-morning drivers going to work, make an honest living while Michael barely got by from day to day selling Pot on the streets, Volunteering for the Fire Department, and working the night shift at Wendy's.

Michael would eventually pull in front of an old building not far from the Hospital and get out, stumbling inside and up the steps to one of the apartments. He loudly knocked three times, then mumbled. "Alex... it's me, Mikey".

[Barboneia]

Paul wasn't expecting so much traffic this morning. A light rain had begun to patter down onto the windshield of his grey 2013 Ford Focus. He turned on the windshield wipers, and watched them swish from one side to the other every few seconds. He looked out the window at the other cars. A brown SUV was idiling in front of him, the driver a middle aged man wearing a hoodie. To the right of Paul's car was a green sedan, the driver an older woman of around 50-60. He turned his attention forward as the light turned green and the flow of vehicles began again. He moved along with them.

It was about an hour before he turned off of the Main Street of the town and into the parking lot of the United Banking branch building. He parked his car in a designated employee parking spot and stepped out. He moved quickly towards the employee's entrance and stepped inside into the office like area. He passed by his co-worker Dave's desk, who wasn't sitting there. Paul stepped into his small cubicle and put his suitcase on the ground. He sat down in his chair, and peered at the pile of papers on his desk.

"Another day, another dollar" he thought to himself as he put on his reading glasses, took out his red ballpoint pen, and grabbed the first piece of paper on the stack.

[Castle Crashers]

Michael wasn't driving anywhere specific... home wasn't home anymore, it was just a mirror, reflecting his past and reviving his failures. He couldn't sleep, hardly ate, and right now, he could hardly stay on the road. Main Street, running through the center of Mansfield, was crowded with early-morning drivers going to work, make an honest living while Michael barely got by from day to day selling Pot on the streets, Volunteering for the Fire Department, and working the night shift at Wendy's.

Michael would eventually pull in front of an old building not far from the Hospital and get out, stumbling inside and up the steps to one of the apartments. He loudly knocked three times, then mumbled. "Alex... it's me, Mikey".

upon hearing the familiar voice, Alex quickly wiped her eyes and stood up. "Just a second!" She called, hiding the empty bottle and stickynote. Then, she made sure she didn't look like she had been crying. Alex had told everyone she didn't care. It didn't matter that she was dying. That she wasn't scared. That she was glad she was going to die. She didn't want to look like she'd broken all her boasts. She then quickly unlocked the door, opening it to see Micheal. "Hey..." She said. He was swaying slightly, and he didn't seem focused on anything in particular. Was he drunk?

[The NAR]

Michael wasn't driving anywhere specific... home wasn't home anymore, it was just a mirror, reflecting his past and reviving his failures. He couldn't sleep, hardly ate, and right now, he could hardly stay on the road. Main Street, running through the center of Mansfield, was crowded with early-morning drivers going to work, make an honest living while Michael barely got by from day to day selling Pot on the streets, Volunteering for the Fire Department, and working the night shift at Wendy's.

Michael would eventually pull in front of an old building not far from the Hospital and get out, stumbling inside and up the steps to one of the apartments. He loudly knocked three times, then mumbled. "Alex... it's me, Mikey".

upon hearing the familiar voice, Alex quickly wiped her eyes and stood up. "Just a second!" She called, hiding the empty bottle and stickynote. Then, she made sure she didn't look like she had been crying. Alex had told everyone she didn't care. It didn't matter that she was dying. That she wasn't scared. That she was glad she was going to die. She didn't want to look like she'd broken all her boasts. She then quickly unlocked the door, opening it to see Micheal. "Hey..." She said. He was swaying slightly, and he didn't seem focused on anything in particular. Was he drunk?

Michael leaned in and gave her a hug. He smelled like Weed and Booze. "Hey Alex" he said, letting go and walking into her apartment. He almost tripped on the Coffee table, and sat down on the couch, staring up at the ceiling. "You have any beer?"

[Castle Crashers]

upon hearing the familiar voice, Alex quickly wiped her eyes and stood up. "Just a second!" She called, hiding the empty bottle and stickynote. Then, she made sure she didn't look like she had been crying. Alex had told everyone she didn't care. It didn't matter that she was dying. That she wasn't scared. That she was glad she was going to die. She didn't want to look like she'd broken all her boasts. She then quickly unlocked the door, opening it to see Micheal. "Hey..." She said. He was swaying slightly, and he didn't seem focused on anything in particular. Was he drunk?

Michael leaned in and gave her a hug. He smelled like Weed and Booze. "Hey Alex" he said, letting go and walking into her apartment. He almost tripped on the Coffee table, and sat down on the couch, staring up at the ceiling. "You have any beer?"

"No...I'm only 19. I'd probably get arrested for having any beer. But I've got a couple cokes if you want one." Alex replied. He was most definitely drunk. She opened the small fridge in the kitchen, and pulled out two cans of coke. Micheal was continuously appearing drunk more often. She knew it when she saw it. Had he driven over there? Drunk?

[The NAR]

Michael leaned in and gave her a hug. He smelled like Weed and Booze. "Hey Alex" he said, letting go and walking into her apartment. He almost tripped on the Coffee table, and sat down on the couch, staring up at the ceiling. "You have any beer?"

"No...I'm only 19. I'd probably get arrested for having any beer. But I've got a couple cokes if you want one." Alex replied. He was most definitely drunk. She opened the small fridge in the kitchen, and pulled out two cans of coke. Micheal was continuously appearing drunk more often. She knew it when she saw it. Had he driven over there? Drunk?

"Oh yeah... well when you turn 21, I'm taking you out for drinks". Daniel took one of the Cokes and opened it up, taking a sip and resting it on his lap. "You know... they say that only the dead have seen the end of war...". He chuckled and took another sip, spilling some Coke on his shirt but ignoring it. "Damn straight... you wanna hear a story, Alex?"

[Castle Crashers]

"No...I'm only 19. I'd probably get arrested for having any beer. But I've got a couple cokes if you want one." Alex replied. He was most definitely drunk. She opened the small fridge in the kitchen, and pulled out two cans of coke. Micheal was continuously appearing drunk more often. She knew it when she saw it. Had he driven over there? Drunk?

"Oh yeah... well when you turn 21, I'm taking you out for drinks". Daniel took one of the Cokes and opened it up, taking a sip and resting it on his lap. "You know... they say that only the dead have seen the end of war...". He chuckled and took another sip, spilling some Coke on his shirt but ignoring it. "Damn straight... you wanna hear a story, Alex?"

"Sure." Alex replied, getting a paper towel and attempting to remove the coke from his shirt. She was used to caring for him like this. She knew he had been effected deeply by Afghanistan, and then his family...the least she could do was be there for him. Alex didn't mind it either. She was just worried she wouldn't be there for him much longer.

[Quensatango]

Jack


Jack after seeing his wife off, decided it was he leave for work as well; those papers weren’t going to sell themselves after all. He gathered his coat and with a frown an umbrella, he didn’t mind the rain but boy was it a mood killer. After packing a few other things into his briefcase and getting his keys he started out into the street. He walked down the street humming a tune to himself and stopping every now and then to look at the newsstands, the city was pretty alive even this early in the morning cars where driving by birds chirping and people were emerging from there homes to make there way to work, school or what have you. His mind wandered to his own plants as he looked at the nearby trees, how where they doing, did they get enough water, did they need more sun? Yes he’d admit it was a strange thing for him to think about constantly, but those plants were special to him Jack always harbored special spot for nature for whatever reason. Distracted in his thoughts he failed to pay attention to where he was going and bumped into someone hard, a young women maybe 5’6 in height she was carrying a blanket and didn’t exactly look like she had her life together.

“Oh, god sorry! I was distracted, are you alright?” Jack apologized offering a hand in case she needed help.

[Apple-Loosa]

Jack


Jack after seeing his wife off, decided it was he leave for work as well; those papers weren’t going to sell themselves after all. He gathered his coat and with a frown an umbrella, he didn’t mind the rain but boy was it a mood killer. After packing a few other things into his briefcase and getting his keys he started out into the street. He walked down the street humming a tune to himself and stopping every now and then to look at the newsstands, the city was pretty alive even this early in the morning cars where driving by birds chirping and people were emerging from there homes to make there way to work, school or what have you. His mind wandered to his own plants as he looked at the nearby trees, how where they doing, did they get enough water, did they need more sun? Yes he’d admit it was a strange thing for him to think about constantly, but those plants were special to him Jack always harbored special spot for nature for whatever reason. Distracted in his thoughts he failed to pay attention to where he was going and bumped into someone hard, a young women maybe 5’6 in height she was carrying a blanket and didn’t exactly look like she had her life together.

“Oh, god sorry! I was distracted, are you alright?” Jack apologized offering a hand in case she needed help.

Hanna had made her way over to collect her blanket which was strewn across the pavement. When she picked it up, she noticed a new stain had formed on it. She sighed. It had been her favorite blanket, which she had since she left the orphanage. Of-course it had many stains already on it, Hanna's care for it not being enough however this didn't prevent her from feeling wounded at the sight of a brand new mark. She seemed too busy pondering over the blanket, as she was oblivious to the man who was approaching her down the path. As she was about to get up, she was again push down back onto the tough ground.

"Gahh!" She exclaimed, afraid that the group of teenagers were back to terrorize her more. She looked up to see a man, who she judged to be in his forties, looking rather apologetic and was offering his hand. Slowly she reached out and she was instantly pulled back onto her feet.

"Yeah, I'm fine.." She said rather timidly, meeting his eyes and giving him a small grin of thanks.

She then went back over to her spot on the street and placed her blanket rolled up in a rather scruffy-looking rucksack.

[Quensatango]

Jack frowned at the sight of what he assumed was where the young lady had slept for the night. He watched her for a moment as she gathered herself and her things, then reached into his briefcase and produced his wallet, it was only the right thing to do. He pulled out two 20 dollar notes and gave them to the young lady, as he began to walk off again he sighed and also gave her his umbrella. He then asked:
"I'd hate to be rude and get involved in your life but I can't help but feel the need to help you somehow" He looked at his watch and realized he was going to be late if he'd didn't hurry.

"I tell you what, I get off work at three today if you can call me, I'll buy you a drink, sound good?" Jack said taking out a piece of paper and writing down his number, then giving it to her.

Why was am I doing this? he thought to himself. He'd seen homeless people before and thought nothing about it, sure he'd leave them a dollar or more but never go out of his way to help them and invite them out for a drink. So what made this girl so special? Why did he fee like this girl and himself were somehow intertwined in destiny? He slightly shook his head ridding himself of all the questions. He was just helping right, probably due to the excitement he'd have at the dinner with Vanessa tonight that's all. With that he smiled back at the girl and began walking faster for work, he couldnot be late... again.

[The NAR]

"Oh yeah... well when you turn 21, I'm taking you out for drinks". Daniel took one of the Cokes and opened it up, taking a sip and resting it on his lap. "You know... they say that only the dead have seen the end of war...". He chuckled and took another sip, spilling some Coke on his shirt but ignoring it. "Damn straight... you wanna hear a story, Alex?"

"Sure." Alex replied, getting a paper towel and attempting to remove the coke from his shirt. She was used to caring for him like this. She knew he had been effected deeply by Afghanistan, and then his family...the least she could do was be there for him. Alex didn't mind it either. She was just worried she wouldn't be there for him much longer.

Michael began to talk, with a grim look planted on his face. "So... my division, well... err Battalion, was in a large Convoy moving North from Camp Leatherneck, the main base for basically all American Forces in Afghanistan. We went... I dunno, 30 or 40 miles to our first stop, this village. So, we had a detachment of the convoy, which was my Humvee and four others, enter the town and do some patrols to make sure everything is okay... so we're driving down the road in the center of the village, and there a few crackles of gunfire... and then a huge roar. A few seconds later, the Humvee is on it's side, and the side exposed was shredded... and the Marines" Michael stopped and looked down. "They were shredded. I was covered in blood... their blood, and they were mutilated, I couldn't even look at them without wanting to barf... I could hear the rest of the detachment firing, and tried to crawl out.... but I was stuck. Then I realized something... in my collar, of my jacket.... there was an eyeball... I looked at it, it was staring at me... and I remembered... it was Jackson". Drunk, Michael began to cry..