Standing among the rubble. -Invite Only; Pain.-

by **Ember_Fangs** August 30th 2012, 3:53 pm

Scarletta Jones felt odd being outside after so long in bed. After the attack on New York it was as if the illness which had been building up over the past few months boiled over after the incident with Nightkill. She'd drunk demons blood. The thought of such a vile liquid still made her heave. Her stomach wasn't settled enough to even eat properly, let alone think of the slimy black liquid which her stomach and blood had been fighting to get out of her system for the past week. The result had been the melt eradication of almost all of her human DNA. The replacement? Scarlet glanced back over her shoulders just to check the new addition to her body was still there, was real. The large pure white wings only preened as if they knew they were being looked at. Scar sighed and then slowly lifted them, folding one in front of her so she could inspect it better. The tips of her wings were not white like the rest of her, instead they were flecked with sky blue. Occasionally the blue crept further up her wing span but only a splash here and there. It was like someone had plucked a few white feathers and replaced them with another angels feathers. She allowed her wing to drop though she made sure to keep them off of the dusty road. People were hard at work already, clearing rubble, moving the bodies of people who had not escaped soon enough from the ruins when they came across them. The only thing which remained in tact and whole was the park which blossomed and flourished, stubbornly ignoring the fact a war had waged here mere weeks ago. It was the center of grief stricken citizens, who laid candles in memory for the fallen - not always for friends and family, sometimes for the fallen heroes who had given their lives for the city. She had agreed to help with the clear out, though due to being sick for the past five days and slowly having her DNA alter and shift, sending her into a near death fever, she hadn't been able to fulfill her promise to the citizens of New York. Today however, she planned on making up for it. Dressed in loose fitting jeans which hung from her hips, and an old T-shirt that she didn't mind getting ripped or torn, she set about searching for a part in the line to help.

Scarletta settled on one of the houses which had only just been started on by the previous owners, a young family by the looks of it. Luckily none of them had been inside when it had came down. She listened to their story of a saber tooth tiger and a plant woman as she worked. While the area had an eerie hush of death over it, they managed to laugh, to tell stories to one another. At lunch time the man's young wife even joined them, bringing them refreshments while her young daughter, no more than five for sure, fawned over Scarlet's new wings. It was odd how easy the people had accepted her wings. She was to weak and sore still to try and hide them from view, to rip her back muscles apart in order to look normal. Besides, her wings had become a symbol of hope for quite a few of them. Especially those of religion. They had people looking out for them; superheroes. All different kinds from the mans tree lady, to angels, to Pain. Pain. Scarletta was not sure how to deal with him. His loss had hit him hard and turned him into someone Scar didn't really recognize. She knew deep down he was the same but she wasn't sure how to get him out of that hole. She hadn't seen him since he'd come to their rescue in Nightkill's hide out, smashed several guys heads in and generally been the hero. She'd fallen ill pretty soon after and just pretended to be out of town for the past week; not answering calls, texts, emails or the door. She was half hoping that she'd see him here, among the rubble of his city. After Rebecca and Johns deaths... He'd changed. He needed someone.

by **Pain** September 2nd 2012, 3:55 pm

Following up on the rumors of a winged woman helping the survivors of the New York Assault, Pain found himself searching the ruins for any sign of this woman. They say she is the guardian angel who helps to rebuild and restore what the great city used to be. Only two winged women came to mind, Tenshi and Faith, but could it really be either of them? Countless heroes and civillians joined in the effort to restore New York, but none stook out to him like the description of this woman. He hadn't seen an angel since the Dark Prince's assault on Earth; they all left shortly after their victory.

The Big Guy wandered through the most barren and desolate parts of the ruins. He spent most of his time there nowadays, and felt that his best chances of finding this winged woman was here. Pain wasn't sure what he'd say to her, but he had to see what she really was. If an angel was back, that could lead to something far worse.

Night drew near, and the search for this winged woman would have to come to temporary halt. Pain set up camp, but had nothing more than a small campfire to call his 'home'. He cooked two cans of baked beans, having found enough canned food to last him weeks from a nearby destroyed factory. Mostly everything was in wreckage, but there was still enough things to be scavenged. A man like him could live like this for a long time.

He took his his cans off the fire, not bothering to use any untensils to remove it. After popping open the first one, he immediately dug in with the only fork he had. Pain's body did not require to eat the same way humans did, it was mostly for taste. The Big Guy just found it difficult to sleep without eating. Though he could barely taste it, even canned food was great to him. He was a man who appreaciated the little things, or at least tried to.

Pain found his icy blue eyes wandering to the night sky constantly, almost as if he expected this guardian angel to fly down from the stars. For whatever reason, it made him wonder about Scarlet; he hadn't spoken to her since the day he rescued her from Nightkill and his goons. Pain hoped she was alright, wherever she was, he wanted nothing but the best for her. It's why he pushed her away, having convinced himself that she needs to stay away from him for her own safety, and so that she may have a chance at happiness. Pain has accepted his role on this planet, as a warrior who fights for order, a guardian who protects those who cannot protect themselves, and an excutioner who can change the fates of entire worlds. "Scar..." He muttered quietly to himself, shutting himself up with a mouthful of canned beans.

The Big Guy couldn't deny it, he missed her, but his role only called for one.

by **Ember_Fangs** September 2nd 2012, 4:22 pm

Scarletta spent the rest of the afternoon tending to the people who had been hurt in the cross fire. She'd helped to clear half the guys house and her arms were beginning to ache from all of her lifting. She was strong, but she had lost quite a bit of her strength after the change. She wasn't up to her 100% mark yet, but she'd get there. They didn't mind her leaving, though the little girl was sad to see her go. Feeling worn down already by their tragic tale, the little girls tear-filled eyes threatened to pull her into her own misery. But what did she have to be miserable full? Plucking a feather from her wings she gave it to the girl - a white one flecked with a blue tip. The light in the girls eyes had stayed with her the rest of the day. The sick house was worse. People clutched at her hands, coughed, wheezed and begged for help. One old lady asked for her to sit beside her while she died. How could someone have done such a thing to people who had done nothing but work all day? They had done no wrong. She swept through the crowds like a ghost, lost in her own thoughts. She didn't want to think about how bad the center of the city was going to look like if this was only the outskirts of the destruction. She was just lucky her flat had only had a chunk taken out of the side and not the whole building yanked down. She knew a lot of people had lost that and more. If only she could turn back time...

The thoughts of time must have subconsciously led to her perching place as the sunset over the city of ruins. The blackened clock which kept on ticking, marking the hour, was theraputic and comforting. Life went on, it whispered to her. Life can and always will go on. She had wondered what it would have looked like if it had been an angel and demon war again. She was pretty sure this was a small mercy, there were greater threats than those of a man with a daddy problem. She ran her fingers through her blonde her, to restless to try and sleep, rest. Brock was the main thing on her mind, as was Rebecca. She should have been there to help, should have been that little faster but no. Standing up she let the winds tug at her body and lull her into a false sense of safety. Scar's body fell forward and the wind rushed up to meet her, but to it's dismay her wings used it's moment and soared high above the skies. The elements of the air would not have her blood tonight. The smoother currents led to easy gliding, soaring out over the rubble. The destruction had led to numerous break ins, to trouble in between friends. Night was never safe, least of all now. She hoped the myth which shrouded her would ease it, Pain seemed to have stopped most from trying. Just those last few stubborn people who always wanted more...

The fire caught her attention, in the more broken down area of the city. There was nothing over here, the stones seemed to crumble to ash at the slightest breeze. Most didn't come to this part, which begged the question of who did. Her blue tipped wings tilted downwards, catching a lower current to carry her closer. The shadowy figure was hunched over the fire, busy making something. His head tilted up and she circled behind him. It was only when he looked up however that she could see who it was. Those blue eyes would never leave her. Only when he was looking back down again did she circle round in front of him and deem to land, at the same moment he murmured her name. Her wings caused the fire to spark and crackle, leaning towards her as if sensing the fire in her veins.

"You called?" she mused, touched by the poetic fact he had called her name the moment before she'd arrived. "Ya know, eating out of a tin can is bad for you, right?" she clicked her tongue, settling to go for her usual chiding manner rather than the condolence route - would he really want that from anyone?

by **Pain** September 11th 2012, 9:09 am

The moment he pulled himself away from the can, he saw a glimpse of someone in the sky. A white winged woman, a sight he hadn't seen in a good while. It wasn't until she stood right before him that he recognized her. Before she could even utter a word, Pain immediately mentally questioned why she had those wings again. How could it be her? It was, there was no denying the smile that clung to her radiant face. Her name like a heavenly chorus, ringing all throughout his head.

The Big Guy deterred himself from thinking and simply enjoyed the moment, looking up at her with the best smirk he could muster up at this time. "Nah.." He replied sarcistically before returning to shoveling his mouth with food.

Scarlet quickly hit him back with her own smart comment, clicking her tongue just like she always did. The two of them always went back and forth. "Outta' all the things I do, you're worried about this little can?" Pain shook his head and tossed the finished can onto the floor. He felt a smirk creep up onto his lips, and couldn't help but laugh at her nagging. Sometimes it got on his nerves, but in the end he always appreciated her company. Despite everything he had endured, he felt better around Scarlet; at least for now.

"Whaddyou' doin' out here Scar?" He questioned with a hint of concern in his rough voice, his bright blue eyes looking up at his former lover. Pain was always overprotective with Scarletta, but she was probably safer being as far away from him as possible. Though he was happy to see her, out here amongst the rubble, things were still real bad. It's half the reason he was here, to clean up the ruins and help rebuild. Today alone he took out six groups of raiders and looters. He killed those who were here to take advantage, and spared those who were here out of desperation. Most of them are dead now, and it showed on the clothes hanging near his tent. They were rung out, but still clearly blood stained. It wouldn't be the last time Scarlet would have to see that, and for that much he was sorry. Pain felt it was necessary, the evil needed to be destroyed so that the good can rebuild.

by **Ember_Fangs** September 12th 2012, 4:28 pm

Brock's laughter was music to her ears for two reasons. One, it was the first happy sound she had heard since before this whole fiasco, before the city had been destroyed. She was beginning to forget what laughter sounded like. Secondly, it was Brock's. To hear him laugh was rare, rough and soothing to her. Even if he was laughing at her, she would take that. It made her feel like a weight was lifted from her heart. At least he hadn't forgotten how to laugh... She watched the can being thrown, her lips forming a small pressed line. The state of this place was horrific but yet she felt wrong in letting the can go untouched, waiting for when the crew finally reached the center of this disaster and clear it up. It was just a little can, the rational and uncaring part of her thought, but it was a tiny voice at the back of her mind she had no patience for today. On soft and surprisingly light feet she made her way around the fire to where the can was, bending to pick it up she tossed it into the air. He'd asked his second question now so she had two to address, but the can was still the main thing on her mind. It was making her focus on the present, on him. How was she going to answer him when really she wanted to know about him, about how he was coping with Rebecca's death. And Johns. She guessed. He was still Brock's son, even if he had caused... this. Brock had crushed the can so she had little need to. Fire licked through her palm and gobbled on the can, beginning to melt it in her palm before she threw it into the center of the flames. They spat and hissed brighter for a moment before guttering to the height and heat it had been before.

"Cans," she started. "Are very important," she attempted in her best serious voice, but a smile cracked her facade and then a laugh bubbled out from badly locked lips. Scar had never been able to keep serious around Brock unless she was angry, or deathly serious about a situation. She picked up a bit of wood a little way away, finding the walking better than sitting. She couldn't sit, not yet.

"I'm doing my job," she sighed and stopped, walking back to the flames and sitting on the ground beside Brock, not to close but not to far away. Her wings stretched out behind her like a cloak, getting dirty in the dust and mud, not that she seemed much to care. She began breaking the discarded broom she'd found into little bits, throwing them into the fire as she spoke. "Guardian Angel of New York, apparently. Thought i'd best look after the people in it if they gave me such a lovely title," she attempted humour but her tone was a little flat. "I couldn't sleep," she spoke after a moments pause.

"What about you?" her eyes slid to him briefly then, taking in the strong line of his jaw. Her hand ached to touch and run her thumb over the growing stubble. She threw another bit of wood in the fire, angry at herself.

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Standing among the rubble. -Invite Only; Pain.-

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