EHEG (IC/Open/Anime/Slice-of-life)

[Land of the Risen]

Hark had kind of spaced out after the blood had been cleaned out and Morman entered the room. He didn't even get the chance to answer, and just stood there silently as he watched the boy try and comfort the now fully awake but stiff and silent girl. Her eyes were eerily wide open, and she wouldn't open her mouth to answer his pleas. Hark noticed her hand moving, and he knew what she wanted to do. Getting a nearby napkin and a pen from his chest pocket, he put it down under her palm and put the pen in her hands. "Write," he ordered flatly. He then stood off a slight bit away to give Morman some room, but at the same time watch what the girl would write. "I found her on the floor, with blood coming out of all those wounds she has. Those wings. Not the greatest power to own."

---

Maria nodded happily, closing the sketchbook but her Stephen King novel still open. She actually liked these scary tales; gives her some great imagination material. "Yeah, let's go do this somewhere else, it-" The door got chopped down, and Maria saw the lumberjack responsible. "Oh god damn, Steve," she muttered, getting the Welrod pistol once more off the table, taking aim and quickly shooting the man's head off. There was a loud roar as he perished, shriveling into a small sheet of paper. The two marines that had been chasing him looked shocked, and also annoyed the man was taken down so easily. "Thanks Miss..." they grumbled, catching their breaths.

---

A minute later, Harriet and Beth materialized inside the IT room, without any change to Beth's appearance at all luckily. But as Harriet was patting down her clothing, she noticed that something was missing. M-M-My s-s-skirt?! She instantly reddened, as now she had appeared before the SBG wearing undergarments that did not at all hide the bulge that she had. She covered it with her hands, turning around and frantically looking around for something to put on.

Lazarus didn't even blink when the lumberjack got shot. He had seen it coming right away. She had no remorse for these drawing. "We can go to your place or mine? We could get some lunch too." He cracked his neck back and forth before gathering all of his items. He then motioned to Willow and Faron. "I'm sure we could all get lunch if any of you are up to." He played with his skateboard wheels and thought about how long it had been since he had skated with anyone here. He just couldn't find someone who was interested at this school.

[Lancearc]

Moan listened intently to Charlotte's long explanation - or rather, read intently. It all made sense, her scars and he supposed her withdrawn attitude to most people, including him, initially. How easy she was to anger might have been a result, he wasn't sure. "Well Charlotte...even if he does find this place, how would he hurt you again? You've got people here keeping you, all of us safe! Other students, the staff, security..." Morman reasoned.

"They'd all do whatever it took to keep you safe, including me."

She managed to smile.

Thank you.

And with that, she closed her eyes and simply went to sleep.

---

Unfortunately for her, he had indeed made the connection. And he was coming.

Morman smiled, just slightly, blinking away the last of the tears that had welled up in his eyes. He decided (reluctantly) to leave her then, as she was apparently sound asleep and he still felt awful. He supposed the best way to get over his fatigue was a long, long nap back in his dorm. He didn't say anything to Hark but a quiet 'thank you' as he left, and he realized that without Charlotte...he really didn't know what to do after he woke up from his slumber, if she wasn't better by then. There was the girl from home room, with her spiders, who said she'd talk later but...he didn't even know her name. There was Will, who he'd lost completely in the chaos that was the bucket race. Other than that he didn't really know anyone he could hang with or talk to. I guess it's just me, then. This misery prefers to be alone. he thought to himself as he made his way back to the dorms, feeling the pain in his legs with every step he took.

[Charlia]

Unfortunately for her, he had indeed made the connection. And he was coming.

He was there. She needed to keep his secrets, and there was only one way to ensure that silence--to silence her permanently.

But he couldn't let them know what he really wanted. Act like the concerned guardian. He went up to the door, and he knocked.

You're going to die, girl.

[Empire of Donner land]

Hark had kind of spaced out after the blood had been cleaned out and Morman entered the room. He didn't even get the chance to answer, and just stood there silently as he watched the boy try and comfort the now fully awake but stiff and silent girl. Her eyes were eerily wide open, and she wouldn't open her mouth to answer his pleas. Hark noticed her hand moving, and he knew what she wanted to do. Getting a nearby napkin and a pen from his chest pocket, he put it down under her palm and put the pen in her hands. "Write," he ordered flatly. He then stood off a slight bit away to give Morman some room, but at the same time watch what the girl would write. "I found her on the floor, with blood coming out of all those wounds she has. Those wings. Not the greatest power to own."

---

Maria nodded happily, closing the sketchbook but her Stephen King novel still open. She actually liked these scary tales; gives her some great imagination material. "Yeah, let's go do this somewhere else, it-" The door got chopped down, and Maria saw the lumberjack responsible. "Oh god damn, Steve," she muttered, getting the Welrod pistol once more off the table, taking aim and quickly shooting the man's head off. There was a loud roar as he perished, shriveling into a small sheet of paper. The two marines that had been chasing him looked shocked, and also annoyed the man was taken down so easily. "Thanks Miss..." they grumbled, catching their breaths.

---

A minute later, Harriet and Beth materialized inside the IT room, without any change to Beth's appearance at all luckily. But as Harriet was patting down her clothing, she noticed that something was missing. M-M-My s-s-skirt?! She instantly reddened, as now she had appeared before the SBG wearing undergarments that did not at all hide the bulge that she had. She covered it with her hands, turning around and frantically looking around for something to put on.

Lazarus didn't even blink when the lumberjack got shot. He had seen it coming right away. She had no remorse for these drawing. "We can go to your place or mine? We could get some lunch too." He cracked his neck back and forth before gathering all of his items. He then motioned to Willow and Faron. "I'm sure we could all get lunch if any of you are up to." He played with his skateboard wheels and thought about how long it had been since he had skated with anyone here. He just couldn't find someone who was interested at this school.

Faron saw the lumberjack die, it was just paper thankfully and he paid no mind to him. "That sounds fine I guess" Faron said to Lazarus. "What about you Willow?" He said holding on to her hand shyly and blushing looking into her eyes. It was nice knowing someone like her. Faron grabbed his still somewhat mysterious book and placed it back in the shelve where it once was. The space was still there thankfully so he knew where it had to go without messing up the system.

[Lancearc]

As Morman entered his dorm room once again, turning on the lights, he jumped as he noticed that his mantis had returned to the room after freeing him from the marines. How it has gotten in and how it knew which room was his, he did not question. He simply sighed with relief and smiled, giving the insect tall enough to look him in the eyes a gentle pay on the middle of its head, and walked over to his projector, his copy of The Godfather held quite carefully. He was absolutely stunned still that Charlotte had never seen a movie before, and he intended to get her introduced to them in the best way possible. He grinned at the thought - when she was over whatever it was that was wrong with her...

It was his mission to treat her like a queen, for the rest of her life if he had to.

He'd already turned out the lights, turned on the projector, and plopped down on his bed to a few minutes of one of the greatest films ever. Not that it was his all time favorite, but no one could deny that.

[Charlia]

Unfortunately for her, he had indeed made the connection. And he was coming.

He was there. She needed to keep his secrets, and there was only one way to ensure that silence--to silence her permanently.

But he couldn't let them know what he really wanted. Act like the concerned guardian. He went up to the door, and he knocked.

You're going to die, girl.

He knocked again. Somebody would let him in eventually, he was sure. He started mentally practicing for what he was going to say.

Well, my daughter's coming to this school, and I was just checking in to see how she was doing. Her name is Charlotte Noble--could you tell me where she is?

---

Charlotte, on the other hand, at least in her dreams, had a terrible sense of foreboding. But then, she always felt that way in her dreams.

[Lycanth]

Lazarus didn't even blink when the lumberjack got shot. He had seen it coming right away. She had no remorse for these drawing. "We can go to your place or mine? We could get some lunch too." He cracked his neck back and forth before gathering all of his items. He then motioned to Willow and Faron. "I'm sure we could all get lunch if any of you are up to." He played with his skateboard wheels and thought about how long it had been since he had skated with anyone here. He just couldn't find someone who was interested at this school.

Faron saw the lumberjack die, it was just paper thankfully and he paid no mind to him. "That sounds fine I guess" Faron said to Lazarus. "What about you Willow?" He said holding on to her hand shyly and blushing looking into her eyes. It was nice knowing someone like her. Faron grabbed his still somewhat mysterious book and placed it back in the shelve where it once was. The space was still there thankfully so he knew where it had to go without messing up the system.

Willow's eyes widened and she jumped a little as the lumberjack was shot and crumpled to the floor in a mess of paper. Did she just...kill him? She noticed Faron kept holding her hand and blushed, being distracted from the lumberjack thing. She looked into his eyes as he did hers and her heart skipped a little beat. No one did that to her. It made her feel all funny inside. "Uh, yea that sounds good. I could go for some food." She smiled shyly at Faron as her spiders replaced the books, Claire grumbling at how she always does everything and Belle not complaining one bit. She squeezed Faron's hand gently and kept a small smile on her face. "What food's at the cafeteria?"

[North Arkana]

He was there. She needed to keep his secrets, and there was only one way to ensure that silence--to silence her permanently.

But he couldn't let them know what he really wanted. Act like the concerned guardian. He went up to the door, and he knocked.

You're going to die, girl.

He knocked again. Somebody would let him in eventually, he was sure. He started mentally practicing for what he was going to say.

Well, my daughter's coming to this school, and I was just checking in to see how she was doing. Her name is Charlotte Noble--could you tell me where she is?

---

Charlotte, on the other hand, at least in her dreams, had a terrible sense of foreboding. But then, she always felt that way in her dreams.

Maya went to the main door of the school. Someone was knocking, and as much as she didn't want to deal with it (still being the "original" Maya), someone had to answer the door. Opening the door slightly, she peeks out to see who it is.
"Er, welcome to Edwin's Home for the Extraordinarily Gifted. Is there something I can help you with?"

[Charlia]

He knocked again. Somebody would let him in eventually, he was sure. He started mentally practicing for what he was going to say.

Well, my daughter's coming to this school, and I was just checking in to see how she was doing. Her name is Charlotte Noble--could you tell me where she is?

---

Charlotte, on the other hand, at least in her dreams, had a terrible sense of foreboding. But then, she always felt that way in her dreams.

Maya went to the main door of the school. Someone was knocking, and as much as she didn't want to deal with it (still being the "original" Maya), someone had to answer the door. Opening the door slightly, she peeks out to see who it is.
"Er, welcome to Edwin's Home for the Extraordinarily Gifted. Is there something I can help you with?"

"Um, hello. Well, you see, my daughter's coming to this school, and I just wanted to check on her and see how she's doing--see, she's got some problems, and I need to see if she's okay. Her name is Charlotte Noble--could you tell me where she is?" He played the perfect picture of the concerned parent.

[North Arkana]

Maya went to the main door of the school. Someone was knocking, and as much as she didn't want to deal with it (still being the "original" Maya), someone had to answer the door. Opening the door slightly, she peeks out to see who it is.
"Er, welcome to Edwin's Home for the Extraordinarily Gifted. Is there something I can help you with?"

"Um, hello. Well, you see, my daughter's coming to this school, and I just wanted to check on her and see how she's doing--see, she's got some problems, and I need to see if she's okay. Her name is Charlotte Noble--could you tell me where he is?" He played the perfect picture of the concerned parent.

"Huh, is that so..." Maya says, trailing off as she stares directly into the man's eyes. Visitors were a bother, and maybe he'd catch a glimpse of the light at the edge of sanity inside her eyes and leave. "You can come in if you want, she's in the infirmary, I think." Maya leaves the door open and turns to walk away. "You can find it on your own, it's not my job to show visitors around."

Not caring whether or not the man sees her, Maya ports away from the door, down the hall back towards Kristina's room, but still within sight of the visitor when she reappears.

[Sonitusia]

Hark decided that he would have to stay with the girl for awhile, and make sure to tell a nurse to check up on her. She's been through way too much... Not surprising really, there's always that one student... He pulled a stool over and sat down next to Charlotte, rereading all of the napkins that had been written on. "Your handwriting is excellent, typical for normal girls," he muttered, his eyes checking word for word what she had said. But looking again at Charlotte, he thought it would be best if she were left alone for a few minutes. "I'll be just out the door," he said, standing up with all the notes in his hands.

He exited the infirmary, and went over to the vending machine just across from him. This bastard... What's his motivation?

*bang*

Hark picked up the canned soda from the slot, opening it with his thumb with his left hand still holding the napkins for him to examine. Edwin might need to know about this.

He sipped the carbonated liquid, and continued to stare at the selections in the machine blankly, his mind trying to break this puzzle.

[Charlia]

"Um, hello. Well, you see, my daughter's coming to this school, and I just wanted to check on her and see how she's doing--see, she's got some problems, and I need to see if she's okay. Her name is Charlotte Noble--could you tell me where he is?" He played the perfect picture of the concerned parent.

"Huh, is that so..." Maya says, trailing off as she stares directly into the man's eyes. Visitors were a bother, and maybe he'd catch a glimpse of the light at the edge of sanity inside her eyes and leave. "You can come in if you want, she's in the infirmary, I think." Maya leaves the door open and turns to walk away. "You can find it on your own, it's not my job to show visitors around."

Not caring whether or not the man sees her, Maya ports away from the door, down the hall back towards Kristina's room, but still within sight of the visitor when she reappears.

And... he did.

Hark decided that he would have to stay with the girl for awhile, and make sure to tell a nurse to check up on her. She's been through way too much... Not surprising really, there's always that one student... He pulled a stool over and sat down next to Charlotte, rereading all of the napkins that had been written on. "Your handwriting is excellent, typical for normal girls," he muttered, his eyes checking word for word what she had said. But looking again at Charlotte, he thought it would be best if she were left alone for a few minutes. "I'll be just out the door," he said, standing up with all the notes in his hands.

He exited the infirmary, and went over to the vending machine just across from him. This bastard... What's his motivation?

*bang*

Hark picked up the canned soda from the slot, opening it with his thumb with his left hand still holding the napkins for him to examine. Edwin might need to know about this.

He sipped the carbonated liquid, and continued to stare at the selections in the machine blankly, his mind trying to break this puzzle.

He slipped past the man quietly, opening the door and walking in quickly. Charlotte heard the door open. Morman? Then she saw him. He closed the door behind him, locking it and smiling at Charlotte's prone form. She was panicking, but she couldn't move. She was so afraid...
"Haven't seen you in a while, you little wretch. Nice to see you again."
The words brought back every tortured memory, the pain of every endless, lonely night, the scarring of her soul that only such a savage betrayal could leave behind. He approached, and her eyes filled with tears as she realized what he was going to do. No... But this time, she couldn't voice her pleas. She couldn't fight back. All she could do was close her eyes and try to ignore the agony. She choked back tears. It wasn't fair. The day had been so amazing. She had met Morman, and then when they kissed, she knew, she just knew without a doubt, that all the suffering, all the fear, all the anguish had finally ended.

Her clothes were torn and damp with her own blood. She was wrong. The suffering had begun all over again, worse than ever now that she had seen hope, and she was back in the clutches of her never-ending nightmare. What could be worse? Could she survive the misery of being slowly butchered in a strange world? Yet it wasn't really strange. She knew what to expect--the same routine she suffered through for five years, and then death. She could do this. She could endure for a little while longer. After five years of dreadful misery, these last few moments would pass quickly, wouldn't they?

Then his shadow fell over her. Pain stabbed her insides, like ten spears being driven into her. She was now fully within his shadow. As she looked up, weeping, her tormented mind produced an image of comfort. Morman. As the agony increased, she looked up at him. He seemed so kind, so caring, as if he would reach down, scoop her up, and carry her to safety, far away from the pain. But he just stood there and looked. He wasn't Morman. He was nothing more than an image. More stabs. More ripping pain, and she found herself beginning to regain control over her own body. She panted, wheezed, groaned. As the roaring spasms climaxed, she screamed in agony. Then they finally eased. Still breathing heavily, she relaxed. It was almost over... almost over. If she had endured for five years, surely she could do the same for a few minutes. Just a few more minutes.

As he reached for her throat, she knew she was about to die. The knowledge felt heavy, oppressive, and lonely... very, very lonely.
Charlotte closed her eyes and wept.

[Atlannia]

Amber was still standing near the infirmary, warily inspecting the candy bar she had been given and, after a moment, unwrapping it and taking a small bite. It wasn't quite as good as the cookie from earlier, so Amber supposed the woman who had made them must have been as impressive as her initial impression of her had lead her to be believe. However in and of itself the candy bar was rather satisfactory, sweet and its centre was filled with a pleasingly gooey caramel. Amber was taking another, larger but when she noticed the stupid teacher who had pelted her with machine guns earlier.

Hark decided that he would have to stay with the girl for awhile, and make sure to tell a nurse to check up on her. She's been through way too much... Not surprising really, there's always that one student... He pulled a stool over and sat down next to Charlotte, rereading all of the napkins that had been written on. "Your handwriting is excellent, typical for normal girls," he muttered, his eyes checking word for word what she had said. But looking again at Charlotte, he thought it would be best if she were left alone for a few minutes. "I'll be just out the door," he said, standing up with all the notes in his hands.

He exited the infirmary, and went over to the vending machine just across from him. This bastard... What's his motivation?

*bang*

Hark picked up the canned soda from the slot, opening it with his thumb with his left hand still holding the napkins for him to examine. Edwin might need to know about this.

He sipped the carbonated liquid, and continued to stare at the selections in the machine blankly, his mind trying to break this puzzle.

Immediately Amber's features fell into a grumpy little scowl however her curiosity perked up when he went over to the vending machine and took a can from it and she watched keenly as he opened it.

So that's how it's done! She thought, her eyes shining, if Hark looked over at this point he would likely notice the girl staring at him with unusual intensity. Tch, it's so simple! I obviously would have figured it out on my own but at least this way I save soem time. While she was busy staring at the professor she noticed someone new arrive.

He slipped past the man quietly, opening the door and walking in quickly. Charlotte heard the door open. Morman? Then she saw him. He closed the door behind him, locking it and smiling at Charlotte's prone form. She was panicking, but she couldn't move. She was so afraid...
"Haven't seen you in a while, you little wretch. Nice to see you again."
The words brought back every tortured memory, the pain of every endless, lonely night, the scarring of her soul that only such a savage betrayal could leave behind. He approached, and her eyes filled with tears as she realized what he was going to do. No... But this time, she couldn't voice her pleas. She couldn't fight back. All she could do was close her eyes and try to ignore the agony. She choked back tears. It wasn't fair. The day had been so amazing. She had met Morman, and then when they kissed, she knew, she just knew without a doubt, that all the suffering, all the fear, all the anguish had finally ended.

Her clothes were torn and damp with her own blood. She was wrong. The suffering had begun all over again, worse than ever now that she had seen hope, and she was back in the clutches of her never-ending nightmare. What could be worse? Could she survive the misery of being slowly butchered in a strange world? Yet it wasn't really strange. She knew what to expect--the same routine she suffered through for five years, and then death. She could do this. She could endure for a little while longer. After five years of dreadful misery, these last few moments would pass quickly, wouldn't they?

Then his shadow fell over her. Pain stabbed her insides, like ten spears being driven into her. She was now fully within his shadow. As she looked up, weeping, her tormented mind produced an image of comfort. Morman. As the agony increased, she looked up at him. He seemed so kind, so caring, as if he would reach down, scoop her up, and carry her to safety, far away from the pain. But he just stood there and looked. He wasn't Morman. He was nothing more than an image. More stabs. More ripping pain, and she found herself beginning to regain control over her own body. She panted, wheezed, groaned. As the roaring spasms climaxed, she screamed in agony. Then they finally eased. Still breathing heavily, she relaxed. It was almost over... almost over. If she had endured for five years, surely she could do the same for a few minutes. Just a few more minutes.

As he reached for her throat, she knew she was about to die. The knowledge felt heavy, oppressive, and lonely... very, very lonely.
Charlotte closed her eyes and wept.

Amber scowled again. Didn't anyone around here understand that sick people were supposed to rest? Will and... That girl whose name Amber kept forgetting Charlie? Charon? Something like that. How did anyone expect them to get better if people kept stomping in and bothering them? Her mouth set in a firm little line, Amber stalked over, ready to give the strange man a piece of her mind and hustle him out of the infirmary. Her hand closed in on the doorknob only to find that it resisted her, having been locked from the inside.

Then she heard the scream. A blood freezing sound like nothing the sheltered young girl had ever heard. Her heart began hammering.

"What's going on in there?!" She called shrilly through the door, half choking on the words. At the same time she laid a hand on the door and began to animate it so that she could simply ask it to unlock itself.

[Charlia]

Amber was still standing near the infirmary, warily inspecting the candy bar she had been given and, after a moment, unwrapping it and taking a small bite. It wasn't quite as good as the cookie from earlier, so Amber supposed the woman who had made them must have been as impressive as her initial impression of her had lead her to be believe. However in and of itself the candy bar was rather satisfactory, sweet and its centre was filled with a pleasingly gooey caramel. Amber was taking another, larger but when she noticed the stupid teacher who had pelted her with machine guns earlier.

Hark decided that he would have to stay with the girl for awhile, and make sure to tell a nurse to check up on her. She's been through way too much... Not surprising really, there's always that one student... He pulled a stool over and sat down next to Charlotte, rereading all of the napkins that had been written on. "Your handwriting is excellent, typical for normal girls," he muttered, his eyes checking word for word what she had said. But looking again at Charlotte, he thought it would be best if she were left alone for a few minutes. "I'll be just out the door," he said, standing up with all the notes in his hands.

He exited the infirmary, and went over to the vending machine just across from him. This bastard... What's his motivation?

*bang*

Hark picked up the canned soda from the slot, opening it with his thumb with his left hand still holding the napkins for him to examine. Edwin might need to know about this.

He sipped the carbonated liquid, and continued to stare at the selections in the machine blankly, his mind trying to break this puzzle.

Immediately Amber's features fell into a grumpy little scowl however her curiosity perked up when he went over to the vending machine and took a can from it and she watched keenly as he opened it.

So that's how it's done! She thought, her eyes shining, if Hark looked over at this point he would likely notice the girl staring at him with unusual intensity. Tch, it's so simple! I obviously would have figured it out on my own but at least this way I save soem time. While she was busy staring at the professor she noticed someone new arrive.

He slipped past the man quietly, opening the door and walking in quickly. Charlotte heard the door open. Morman? Then she saw him. He closed the door behind him, locking it and smiling at Charlotte's prone form. She was panicking, but she couldn't move. She was so afraid...
"Haven't seen you in a while, you little wretch. Nice to see you again."
The words brought back every tortured memory, the pain of every endless, lonely night, the scarring of her soul that only such a savage betrayal could leave behind. He approached, and her eyes filled with tears as she realized what he was going to do. No... But this time, she couldn't voice her pleas. She couldn't fight back. All she could do was close her eyes and try to ignore the agony. She choked back tears. It wasn't fair. The day had been so amazing. She had met Morman, and then when they kissed, she knew, she just knew without a doubt, that all the suffering, all the fear, all the anguish had finally ended.

Her clothes were torn and damp with her own blood. She was wrong. The suffering had begun all over again, worse than ever now that she had seen hope, and she was back in the clutches of her never-ending nightmare. What could be worse? Could she survive the misery of being slowly butchered in a strange world? Yet it wasn't really strange. She knew what to expect--the same routine she suffered through for five years, and then death. She could do this. She could endure for a little while longer. After five years of dreadful misery, these last few moments would pass quickly, wouldn't they?

Then his shadow fell over her. Pain stabbed her insides, like ten spears being driven into her. She was now fully within his shadow. As she looked up, weeping, her tormented mind produced an image of comfort. Morman. As the agony increased, she looked up at him. He seemed so kind, so caring, as if he would reach down, scoop her up, and carry her to safety, far away from the pain. But he just stood there and looked. He wasn't Morman. He was nothing more than an image. More stabs. More ripping pain, and she found herself beginning to regain control over her own body. She panted, wheezed, groaned. As the roaring spasms climaxed, she screamed in agony. Then they finally eased. Still breathing heavily, she relaxed. It was almost over... almost over. If she had endured for five years, surely she could do the same for a few minutes. Just a few more minutes.

As he reached for her throat, she knew she was about to die. The knowledge felt heavy, oppressive, and lonely... very, very lonely.
Charlotte closed her eyes and wept.

Amber scowled again. Didn't anyone around here understand that sick people were supposed to rest? Will and... That girl whose name Amber kept forgetting Charlie? Charon? Something like that. How did anyone expect them to get better if people kept stomping in and bothering them? Her mouth set in a firm little line, Amber stalked over, ready to give the strange man a piece of her mind and hustle him out of the infirmary. Her hand closed in on the doorknob only to find that it resisted her, having been locked from the inside.

Then she heard the scream. A blood freezing sound like nothing the sheltered young girl had ever heard. Her heart began hammering.

"What's going on in there?!" She called shrilly through the door, half choking on the words. At the same time she laid a hand on the door and began to animate it so that she could simply ask it to unlock itself.

Charlotte, of course, couldn't respond, as she was busy being strangled. Michael, of course, wouldn't respond, as he didn't want anyone stopping the murder. Yes, he thought of it as murder, the murder of an innocent girl who had done nothing save be in the wrong place at the wrong time. No, he had no qualms or regrets about any of his actions.

[Lancearc]

The mantis at the side of Morman's bed had grown restless. It was constantly shifting in position, turning its head side to side as if it were paranoid, always on guard. It was twitching nervously, its legs ready to leap into action. "What is it, fella?" Morman asked as The Godfather continued to play. He turned the volume down as if the mantis would answer with words, but of course it simply stared at him anxiously. "Something wrong?" he asked again, speaking to his beloved new companion.

Then a scream split the air, a shriek that couldn't be confused for anything other that a cry for help. He paled as he realized that it was something he'd heard already today.

Without even stopping the film, the mantis already out of the door (somehow without smashing it) and scuttling off down the halls, followed by its creator. Morman wasn't entirely with himself entirely, his thoughts were scattered, unintelligible, and he felt only one thing at that moment - protect her. Charlotte was in trouble, he was sure of it. He managed to overtake his insect guardian, speeding through the halls with an urgency so great the walls were a blur. He could feel a cold sweat breaking out in his palms.

When he finally turned the corner down the hallway housing the infirmary, he saw a girl attempting to do something with the door. "What's going on?!" he asked, concerned. He didn't have time to warn her about the mantis rushing down the hall after him, running into the door with the entirety of its massive frame and reducing it to little more than splinters. Morman rushed over and saw the man standing over Charlotte, his hands around her neck, and something snapped. With his green guardian at his side, he stepped into the infirmary.

"Get OFF of her!"

[Charlia]

The mantis at the side of Morman's bed had grown restless. It was constantly shifting in position, turning its head side to side as if it were paranoid, always on guard. It was twitching nervously, its legs ready to leap into action. "What is it, fella?" Morman asked as The Godfather continued to play. He turned the volume down as if the mantis would answer with words, but of course it simply stared at him anxiously. "Something wrong?" he asked again, speaking to his beloved new companion.

Then a scream split the air, a shriek that couldn't be confused for anything other that a cry for help. He paled as he realized that it was something he'd heard already today.

Without even stopping the film, the mantis already out of the door (somehow without smashing it) and scuttling off down the halls, followed by its creator. Morman wasn't entirely with himself entirely, his thoughts were scattered, unintelligible, and he felt only one thing at that moment - protect her. Charlotte was in trouble, he was sure of it. He managed to overtake his insect guardian, speeding through the halls with an urgency so great the walls were a blur. He could feel a cold sweat breaking out in his palms.

When he finally turned the corner down the hallway housing the infirmary, he saw a girl attempting to do something with the door. "What's going on?!" he asked, concerned. He didn't have time to warn her about the mantis rushing down the hall after him, running into the door with the entirety of its massive frame and reducing it to little more than splinters. Morman rushed over and saw the man standing over Charlotte, his hands around her neck, and something snapped. With his green guardian at his side, he stepped into the infirmary.

"Get OFF of her!"

Charlotte was unconscious and slipping away, and Michael just laughed. "Or what? You'll squash me with a bug? I don't think so. Stand aside, bug brat, and let me finish what I came to do."

[Lancearc]

The mantis at the side of Morman's bed had grown restless. It was constantly shifting in position, turning its head side to side as if it were paranoid, always on guard. It was twitching nervously, its legs ready to leap into action. "What is it, fella?" Morman asked as The Godfather continued to play. He turned the volume down as if the mantis would answer with words, but of course it simply stared at him anxiously. "Something wrong?" he asked again, speaking to his beloved new companion.

Then a scream split the air, a shriek that couldn't be confused for anything other that a cry for help. He paled as he realized that it was something he'd heard already today.

Without even stopping the film, the mantis already out of the door (somehow without smashing it) and scuttling off down the halls, followed by its creator. Morman wasn't entirely with himself entirely, his thoughts were scattered, unintelligible, and he felt only one thing at that moment - protect her. Charlotte was in trouble, he was sure of it. He managed to overtake his insect guardian, speeding through the halls with an urgency so great the walls were a blur. He could feel a cold sweat breaking out in his palms.

When he finally turned the corner down the hallway housing the infirmary, he saw a girl attempting to do something with the door. "What's going on?!" he asked, concerned. He didn't have time to warn her about the mantis rushing down the hall after him, running into the door with the entirety of its massive frame and reducing it to little more than splinters. Morman rushed over and saw the man standing over Charlotte, his hands around her neck, and something snapped. With his green guardian at his side, he stepped into the infirmary.

"Get OFF of her!"

Charlotte was unconscious and slipping away, and Michael just laughed. "Or what? You'll squash me with a bug? I don't think so. Stand aside, bug brat, and let me finish what I came to do."

Morman felt something that anyone who knew the boy personally knew that he almost never felt. He was absolutely enraged.

The rising feeling of anger, the need to protect Charlotte just as he'd promised her, the taunting of this man as he strangled a teenager incapable of fighting back in any way was what it took to finally draw this out of him. He hadn't even felt this towards himself in the past, when he knew that he was the one responsible for four mysterious deaths in a small town in Minnesota, people that raised him and that he was so close to. He never felt this way either when he was teased or mocked due to his odd ability, even though usually he could stop that by sending a few angry yellow jackets after his tormentors. That had been in good fun though. This feeling now was a desire to cause serious harm to the man.

Before he could lunge forward in his own anger however, these feelings all seemed to register with his guardian as well, and it needed no further instruction on how to proceed. It rushed forward and simply smashed into the man, all its forward momentum and the hard exoskeleton smashing into Michael in an effort to knock him to the floor.

Then it started to do everything Morman felt was fair, and just. It slashed at his face, his torso, anywhere that was exposed. It aimed to cut deep and cause agony, it aimed to pin the man to the ground and keep him completely at its mercy with precise strikes essentially like the worst stab wounds - it was a natural predator doing more than simply hunting, it was deliberately trying to torture this man.

[Charlia]

Charlotte was unconscious and slipping away, and Michael just laughed. "Or what? You'll squash me with a bug? I don't think so. Stand aside, bug brat, and let me finish what I came to do."

Morman felt something that anyone who knew the boy personally knew that he almost never felt. He was absolutely enraged.

The rising feeling of anger, the need to protect Charlotte just as he'd promised her, the taunting of this man as he strangled a teenager incapable of fighting back in any way was what it took to finally draw this out of him. He hadn't even felt this towards himself in the past, when he knew that he was the one responsible for four mysterious deaths in a small town in Minnesota, people that raised him and that he was so close to. He never felt this way either when he was teased or mocked due to his odd ability, even though usually he could stop that by sending a few angry yellow jackets after his tormentors. That had been in good fun though. This feeling now was a desire to cause serious harm to the man.

Before he could lunge forward in his own anger however, these feelings all seemed to register with his guardian as well, and it needed no further instruction on how to proceed. It rushed forward and simply smashed into the man, all its forward momentum and the hard exoskeleton smashing into Michael in an effort to knock him to the floor.

Then it started to do everything Morman felt was fair, and just. It slashed at his face, his torso, anywhere that was exposed. It aimed to cut deep and cause agony, it aimed to pin the man to the ground and keep him completely at its mercy with precise strikes essentially like the worst stab wounds - it was a natural predator doing more than simply hunting, it was deliberately trying to torture this man.

Unfortunately, Michael was a quick thinker, and he still had a grip on Charlotte. He pulled her on top of him, using her as a human shield. There was one benefit to the attack, though--he had stopped trying to kill her, now only using her to try and survive.

[Lancearc]

Morman felt something that anyone who knew the boy personally knew that he almost never felt. He was absolutely enraged.

The rising feeling of anger, the need to protect Charlotte just as he'd promised her, the taunting of this man as he strangled a teenager incapable of fighting back in any way was what it took to finally draw this out of him. He hadn't even felt this towards himself in the past, when he knew that he was the one responsible for four mysterious deaths in a small town in Minnesota, people that raised him and that he was so close to. He never felt this way either when he was teased or mocked due to his odd ability, even though usually he could stop that by sending a few angry yellow jackets after his tormentors. That had been in good fun though. This feeling now was a desire to cause serious harm to the man.

Before he could lunge forward in his own anger however, these feelings all seemed to register with his guardian as well, and it needed no further instruction on how to proceed. It rushed forward and simply smashed into the man, all its forward momentum and the hard exoskeleton smashing into Michael in an effort to knock him to the floor.

Then it started to do everything Morman felt was fair, and just. It slashed at his face, his torso, anywhere that was exposed. It aimed to cut deep and cause agony, it aimed to pin the man to the ground and keep him completely at its mercy with precise strikes essentially like the worst stab wounds - it was a natural predator doing more than simply hunting, it was deliberately trying to torture this man.

Unfortunately, Michael was a quick thinker, and he still had a grip on Charlotte. He pulled her on top of him, using her as a human shield. There was one benefit to the attack, though--he had stopped trying to kill her, now only using her to try and survive.

The tactic had stopped the mantis from continuing its onslaught, as it understood that continuing to stab and slash blindly while he hid behind the girl was very dangerous. It stayed however, looming over the man and refusing to let him up - for it understood that its creator had been very busy during the initial rush. And indeed he had.

If there were anyone paying attention to him as the massive insect first initiated its attack on Michael, they would have seen what Morman was doing. Around his feet, seemingly out of his pant legs and sleeves, crawling to the floor around him and gradually growing, a massive contingent of bullet ants - he could think of no other more painful, slower, excruciating way to attack anyone than sending what was the insect world's most intense stinging pain in a swarm to make their life quickly, completely miserable.

While the mantis stood down, Michael would begin to feel these creatures making their way onto his body - up his arms, legs, into his clothing, even crawling up his face and neck as he lay on the floor. The closest comparisons for the pain caused by this miniature monsters was like being shot, or sticking one's finger into a 240 volt electrical socket, and they were very displeased. The swarm approached rapidly, able to bypass the shield on top of him and come from underneath the limp girl he held to protect himself. The swarm, as if on a command, all began to bite, and hopefully make him understand just how much pain a bug brat was capable of inflicting.

[Charlia]

Unfortunately, Michael was a quick thinker, and he still had a grip on Charlotte. He pulled her on top of him, using her as a human shield. There was one benefit to the attack, though--he had stopped trying to kill her, now only using her to try and survive.

The tactic had stopped the mantis from continuing its onslaught, as it understood that continuing to stab and slash blindly while he hid behind the girl was very dangerous. It stayed however, looming over the man and refusing to let him up - for it understood that its creator had been very busy during the initial rush. And indeed he had.

If there were anyone paying attention to him as the massive insect first initiated its attack on Michael, they would have seen what Morman was doing. Around his feet, seemingly out of his pant legs and sleeves, crawling to the floor around him and gradually growing, a massive contingent of bullet ants - he could think of no other more painful, slower, excruciating way to attack anyone than sending what was the insect world's most intense stinging pain in a swarm to make their life quickly, completely miserable.

While the mantis stood down, Michael would begin to feel these creatures making their way onto his body - up his arms, legs, into his clothing, even crawling up his face and neck as he lay on the floor. The closest comparisons for the pain caused by this miniature monsters was like being shot, or sticking one's finger into a 240 volt electrical socket, and they were very displeased. The swarm approached rapidly, able to bypass the shield on top of him and come from underneath the limp girl he held to protect himself. The swarm, as if on a command, all began to bite, and hopefully make him understand just how much pain a bug brat was capable of inflicting.

Michael yelled in pain and anger, regaining his grip on Charlotte's throat. "Enough with the bugs, or the girl dies! If you let me out of here, I'll let her go, but otherwise--say your goodbyes! Oh, wait, she can't hear you..."

[Sonitusia]

Hark looked over to the side slightly, noticing that Amber was there. Before he could respond however, he heard a scream coming from the infirmary. Minutes later, he had burst into the room with Morman trying to threaten the man now trying to kill Charlotte. With a grip on her throat very tightly, there weren't many options for the two to try and kill the man. That is of course, if you didn't know how to think very well.

He gripped Morman's shoulder, knowing fully well just how pissed off her was. He could see the bugs starting to crawl all over the man, giving him jolts of pain where ever they bit. Looking at the window just behind them, Hark once more selected a weapon from his arsenal. M2 Browning. The other weapons being pointed outside of the room, into the grass near the infirmary, he directed the huge heavy machine gun and a few more to drop just on top of the man's head. Without any words, he summoned the weapon with a slight force of concentration, and there it was, looming in the shadow of the ceiling.

"Hello sir, and welcome to Edwin's Home for the Extraordinarily Gifted. Where students off all kinds can study together in safety from the outside world." The machine gun dropped like lightning, and so did the hundreds outside.

[Lancearc]

The tactic had stopped the mantis from continuing its onslaught, as it understood that continuing to stab and slash blindly while he hid behind the girl was very dangerous. It stayed however, looming over the man and refusing to let him up - for it understood that its creator had been very busy during the initial rush. And indeed he had.

If there were anyone paying attention to him as the massive insect first initiated its attack on Michael, they would have seen what Morman was doing. Around his feet, seemingly out of his pant legs and sleeves, crawling to the floor around him and gradually growing, a massive contingent of bullet ants - he could think of no other more painful, slower, excruciating way to attack anyone than sending what was the insect world's most intense stinging pain in a swarm to make their life quickly, completely miserable.

While the mantis stood down, Michael would begin to feel these creatures making their way onto his body - up his arms, legs, into his clothing, even crawling up his face and neck as he lay on the floor. The closest comparisons for the pain caused by this miniature monsters was like being shot, or sticking one's finger into a 240 volt electrical socket, and they were very displeased. The swarm approached rapidly, able to bypass the shield on top of him and come from underneath the limp girl he held to protect himself. The swarm, as if on a command, all began to bite, and hopefully make him understand just how much pain a bug brat was capable of inflicting.

Michael yelled in pain and anger, regaining his grip on Charlotte's throat. "Enough with the bugs, or the girl dies! If you let me out of here, I'll let her go, but otherwise--say your goodbyes! Oh, wait, she can't hear you..."

By then Morman decided he'd had enough of watching the man struggle with his own creations. While the swarm of bullet ants continued to grow with every step he took, he rushed over to the man and yanked and pull on his hands, doing whatever he could to interrupt his grip - kicking, throwing punches, whatever helped. A large number of hornets began to crawl from the hood of his sweatshirt too, taking flight and almost immediately redirecting towards the man. These creatures landed and began to deliver their own painful, numerous stings. "I said GET OFF, you bastard!" Morman replied simply, and he reached out for a small glass jar - it appeared to be what the nurse kept cotton balls inside of - and began batter Michael's arms with it, hard enough that it began to crack and potentially shatter. All the while more hornets emerged and attacked the man, as if the boy was a living, literal hornet's nest. He had taken little note of Hark's contribution in his anger - but if he had noticed, he would've been extremely thankful. The fury had given the boy tunnel vision though with only one objective, to protect Charlotte.

[North Arkana]

The original Maya wasn't one to trust outsiders, so she had been tailing the visitor to a certain extent. When Charlotte had screamed, she began porting her way towards the infirmary, taking all the shortcuts she could to get there. When she arrived, it was apparent that there was already help on the scene, though she ported into the room anyway. The man was being assaulted by falling weapons and angry insects, though it was apparent his grip around Charlotte's neck wouldn't be loosening anytime soon, even if was knocked out it was likely he held some kind of death grip on the girl's neck. Unfortunately for him, Nao also has an understanding of how the human body works.
The muscles which control the hands and fingers are primarily in the forearm.
Oh? You're not trying to take over?
Not yet, I'll leave that for later.
So sever the hands at the wrists and his grip loosens?
Exactly.
This wasn't Nao in control, with Maya interfering, and this wasn't the fake Maya either, who was far too innocent to inflict harm purposefully. This was the original Maya in control, with all the focus and direction she needed to inflict as much harm as she felt was necessary.
Two note cards are pulled from her messenger bag, and both are ported with frightening precision, transecting the hostile visitor's wrists cleanly.

[Charlia]

Hark looked over to the side slightly, noticing that Amber was there. Before he could respond however, he heard a scream coming from the infirmary. Minutes later, he had burst into the room with Morman trying to threaten the man now trying to kill Charlotte. With a grip on her throat very tightly, there weren't many options for the two to try and kill the man. That is of course, if you didn't know how to think very well.

He gripped Morman's shoulder, knowing fully well just how pissed off her was. He could see the bugs starting to crawl all over the man, giving him jolts of pain where ever they bit. Looking at the window just behind them, Hark once more selected a weapon from his arsenal. M2 Browning. The other weapons being pointed outside of the room, into the grass near the infirmary, he directed the huge heavy machine gun and a few more to drop just on top of the man's head. Without any words, he summoned the weapon with a slight force of concentration, and there it was, looming in the shadow of the ceiling.

"Hello sir, and welcome to Edwin's Home for the Extraordinarily Gifted. Where students off all kinds can study together in safety from the outside world." The machine gun dropped like lightning, and so did the hundreds outside.

Michael yelled in pain and anger, regaining his grip on Charlotte's throat. "Enough with the bugs, or the girl dies! If you let me out of here, I'll let her go, but otherwise--say your goodbyes! Oh, wait, she can't hear you..."

By then Morman decided he'd had enough of watching the man struggle with his own creations. While the swarm of bullet ants continued to grow with every step he took, he rushed over to the man and yanked and pull on his hands, doing whatever he could to interrupt his grip - kicking, throwing punches, whatever helped. A large number of hornets began to crawl from the hood of his sweatshirt too, taking flight and almost immediately redirecting towards the man. These creatures landed and began to deliver their own painful, numerous stings. "I said GET OFF, you bastard!" Morman replied simply, and he reached out for a small glass jar - it appeared to be what the nurse kept cotton balls inside of - and began batter Michael's arms with it, hard enough that it began to crack and potentially shatter. All the while more hornets emerged and attacked the man, as if the boy was a living, literal hornet's nest. He had taken little note of Hark's contribution in his anger - but if he had noticed, he would've been extremely thankful. The fury had given the boy tunnel vision though with only one objective, to protect Charlotte.

The original Maya wasn't one to trust outsiders, so she had been tailing the visitor to a certain extent. When Charlotte had screamed, she began porting her way towards the infirmary, taking all the shortcuts she could to get there. When she arrived, it was apparent that there was already help on the scene, though she ported into the room anyway. The man was being assaulted by falling weapons and angry insects, though it was apparent his grip around Charlotte's neck wouldn't be loosening anytime soon, even if was knocked out it was likely he held some kind of death grip on the girl's neck. Unfortunately for him, Nao also has an understanding of how the human body works.
The muscles which control the hands and fingers are primarily in the forearm.
Oh? You're not trying to take over?
Not yet, I'll leave that for later.
So sever the hands at the wrists and his grip loosens?
Exactly.
This wasn't Nao in control, with Maya interfering, and this wasn't the fake Maya either, who was far too innocent to inflict harm purposefully. This was the original Maya in control, with all the focus and direction she needed to inflict as much harm as she felt was necessary.
Two note cards are pulled from her messenger bag, and both are ported with frightening precision, transecting the hostile visitor's wrists cleanly.

At this point, Michael let go. What else could he have done? He ran through his options quickly, and only found one viable option.
Run.
And run he did.

[Shyluz]

Valentine popped into view, just in front of the fleeing visitor from seemingly no where.

Click.

The handgun was out, firmly pressed against the man's forehead. "Hey, so you're the prick who's trying to kill my students. Nice to meet you. Oh, also, move an inch further, and let's just say the janitor isn't paid enough." She flicked out a cellphone, tapped a number, and loudly announced to Hark on the other end: "Got him." And hung up.

"Now, why don't you tell me why you're here?"