Just the Streets, Day Four (February 5, 2317)

[Cytherea]

Livy woke up suddenly. Her mind was full of different images, and they confused her. She looked at her surroundings.

She was lying face down in the snow.

Quickly, she pushed herself up.

"Oh my word..."

Images of Camri rushed through her mind. Suddenly she knew where Camri was.

"That lady has her. I need to get help."

Livy spun around and sprinted faster than she ever had back to the Brighton's house. And really, it was faster than she ever had gone before in her life, though she didn't notice.

She forced the door open and flew up the steps. She raced to the apartment door and opened it in a flash of movement.

She saw Archer sleeping on the couch, and she leaped by him. She grabbed him by the shoulders and shook him violently.

"Wake up! Camri needs help!"

[Lithium]

Archer

There was a tiger cub he had to rescue from the river. He could just make out its struggling orange body, riddled with stripes.

He dove into the freezing river, grabbed the frightened cub and pulled it to the river.

As he hauled it on shore and set it down, it transformed into a vicious, man-eating tiger bent of having his hide for his den.

Archer grabbed hold of its neck and, suddenly, he was awake.

A pair of frightened eyes looked at him and he recognized Olivia. He let go quickly.

"I am so, so sorry," he said. Then he looked at her suspiciously. "How did you get in? I thought you went home."

He turned away from her, realizing he needed to put his shirt on, and slipped the shirt on. But not without giving her a good view of the stripes and spots that lined his back and sides.

"Sorry. What were you shouting about?"

Sol came out of her mom's room, yawning and rubbing her eyes. Her pajama bottoms fluttered against her long legs as she walked towards them. "What's going on? Who's shouting?"

[Cytherea]

Livy was startled as Archer reached up and started choking her. He suddenly let go when he saw her frightened face.

"I am so, so sorry," he said. Then he looked at her suspiciously. "How did you get in? I thought you went home."

He turned around to grab a shirt, and Olivia saw stripes and spots along his back. She stared at him.

"Sorry. What were you shouting about?" he said. Sol came out of the bedroom, yawning.

"What's going on? Who's shouting?" she said sleepily.

Livy took a deep breath.

"Well, when I was walking home, I was attacked. Before I passed out, I saw Camri. Some reason... some reason she was there." Livy grabbed Archer's arm tightly, way tighter than she knew she could. "Now... now they have her." she stared earnestly into his eyes. "I don't know what they're doing to her."

[Anwen]

Aria awoke from her perch to hear cries of pain coming from somewhere nearby. She had left the Brighton's house as soon as she had gotten disinfected and bandaged up, and had flown a short ways to a tree. Her ears swiveled as she 'tracked' the sound carefully. The morning was gray, with a drizzle. She ruffled up her feathers to get rid of some of the excess moisture, then allowed herself to float gently down from the tree onto the ground. After refastening her cloak and pulling her hood over her hair, Aria took off in a light sprint towards the house where the sound of pain was coming from.

[Lithium]

"Oh, Lord have mercy!" Sol shouted before she burst into tears.

"Where is she?" Archer demanded. "Tell me where she is and––"

The warming system in the building came on and blew Olivia's scent towards Archer. He perked up, then narrowed his eyes as he looked at her.

He came close to her and inhaled.

"You're an I.S. Why didn't you tell any of us?" he asked. "Some people have all the luck, being able to hide it normally."

[Cytherea]

Olivia felt the warm air coming in through the vents. At first she welcomed it, before Archer suddenly perked up and narrowed his eyes at her. He leaned in close to her and inhaled.

"You're an I.S. Why didn't you tell any of us?" he asked. "Some people have all the luck, being able to hide it normally."

"Wha...?" Olivia said in shock. She felt the blood in her face heat, and she pushed her face right up to Archer's, her forehead on his. "What on earth are you talking about? I'm not I.S.! And if I was I wouldn't try to hide it!"

[Lithium]

Archer leaned back a bit and cocked his head. "Huh? Oh... oh crud. We can deal with all of this later. Right now, tell me where Camri is. We've got to get her out–– and fast!"

Sol collapsed onto the coach and curled into a fetal position. "I knew this would happen. I knew this would happen again. The Coppers. They've got her."

[Cytherea]

"Sol," Olivia said, getting up and walking to her. She placed a comforting hand on her shoulder. "It was a women. She told me that she was giving me an offer that I couldn't refuse. Whatever she did to me, she's probably doing to Camri too. And I'm still alive, and I feel fine. You stay here. Archer and I will go get Camri."

Olivia turned and flew out the door. Within two seconds, she was at the bottom of the steps.

"Come on, Archer!" she yelled. "Hurry up!"

[Hwin]

Tucker yawned and sat up. "I should find Will and thank him for letting me stay the night before I leave...I've probably worn out my welcome," Tucker murmured to himself, running his fingers through his light brown hair. Maybe there's something I can help him out with in return...

[Anwen]

"Morning Tucker!" Will said, poking his dripping head through the door, "The bathroom is free now, so you can take a shower or whatever. What do you want for breakfast?"

_________________________________________

Litonya got up early on her own, stretching and realizing that no one else was up yet. She got dressed in jeans and a green T-shirt and went downstairs. Sure enough, everyone was still asleep after the long party. After making and eating her breakfast, she put on her coat and went outside. Time for my morning walk. I seem to be taking them fairly often.

Lita strolled down the street in the drizzly weather, deciding to walk by the park this time. Then, using her pass, she came into Subterria. She walked for a little while, stopping to look up at the sky once when the sun broke through. When the clouds were dominating the sky once again, She looked around her and saw a couple of thugs coming towards her.

[Cytherea]

Endosi

Endosi had walked the rest of the night. She was exhausted, and hungry.

"Oh, where could he be?" she said before bursting into tears. "I'll just have to ask someone else for directions, I suppose." she said, still crying.

She walked up to the front door of the nearest house and knocked on the door. She rubbed her eyes tiredly.

[Zinna]

Tito and Rollo

"But I don't want to stay home Tito! I'm coming." Rollo chanced Tito around the corner. He stopped suddenly. Three thugs were advancing on a pretty young girl.

"This is why I don't want you to leave home." Tito ran over to the thugs. Two ran away when he approached, but the third continued advancing.

Tito called to him, "Stop! One more step and you won't step!" The thug just glared at him but soon bolted into an ally. Tito turned to the girl.

"Did they hurt you?" he said gruffly.

[Lithium]

Archer took a sharp breath and dashed after Olivia.

Jeeze she's fast! They must've put in some cheetah!

"Wait up! Not all of us are part cheetah, you know!"

He dashed after her, their feet making a tep, tep, tep sound as they crunched through the fresh, but already filthy, snow.

[Anwen]

"Did they hurt you?" The young man said.

"N-no. I'm fine, thank you. They had only just come over here as I was admiring the sun. My name's Litonya, by the way, What's yours?" She said, smiling warmly.

_______________________________________________
(Somehow, Hwin and I posted at around the same time, so Will is actually responding to what Tucker said in the post after this.)


"Thanks for letting me use your shower and stay the night. It really does mean a lot. So, if there is anything I can do to help you out, let me know," Tucker said, grinning at him. "Plus, I ought to be on my way soon."

"Sure, no problem. It was my pleasure. After all, it's not everyday I make a friend." He looked at the floor a moment "It normally takes me a while to trust someone." He looked Tucker in the eyes. "Somehow, I feel... instinctively that you are someone I can trust. Feel free to come back whenever you want. My doors are always open to you."

Will heard someone knocking on the door. "Hang on Tucker, I need to see who that is." He came over and opened the door. There stood the most beautiful girl he had ever seen. And she was: crying? "Please, please come in!"

[Hwin]

Tucker stepped out of the bathroom, feeling refreshed and clean. He found Will on his way down the hall. "Thanks for letting me use your shower and stay the night. It really does mean a lot. So, if there is anything I can do to help you out, let me know," Tucker said, grinning in Will's direction. "Plus, I ought to be on my way soon."

[Cytherea]

Livy

"Wait up! Not all of us are part cheetah, you know!"

Livy slowed down a little for him to catch up. She couldn't see it, but the air around her glowed faintly as she ran faster than a car.

"She lives over here, in this yellow house." she said calmly to him. She zipped up to the door and burst in, breaking the door down.

"Ah! Go away! Diseases are in here!"

"No they aren't." Livy said angrily. She grabbed Ms. Mercaniule tightly by the shoulders. "Now where is my friend?"

Endosi

Endosi couldn't see anything for her tears. She heard someone tell her to come in, and she quickly wiped her eyes. She was staring at the most amazing guy she'd ever seen before in her life. She stopped crying, and thought her heart had stopped.

"Uh... uh, thank you." she said in a choked up voice.

[Lithium]

Camri's eyes fluttered open, then she winced and threw her arm over her eyes to block out the blinding lights that hung right about her.

She was on some kind of table. She sat up and looked around, still shielding her eyes.

“Where is my friend?” she heard Olivia demand.

“Olivia?” Camri called out, her throat feeling strange as she spoke. “I’m in here.”

She pulled herself off the table and shuffled out into the main room just as Archer dashed through the door.

“Camri!” Archer said, then he through his arms around her. “Sol said you had probably spent the night at Olivia’s and now you’re––“

He caught her scent and frowned. “And now you’re an I.S.”

Archer turned on the old woman. “How dare you. How dare you! She’s just a girl!”

“Hey!” Camri shouted. “I’m a legal adult!”

“Whatever,” Archer said. “That’s not the point. You had no right!”

[Cytherea]

"Whatever." Ms. Mercaniule said. "Spry and young; that's what I go for. Lucky for you, you're already I.S." she sneered at Archer. "But anyways, I've got to leave now." She pressed a button and Livy noticed the boots on her feet start to glow faintly.

"Ta-ta!"

Ms. Mercaniule sprinted from the house. Olivia flew by the door after her.

Darn it! Those boots she's wearing are faster than me! I have to go faster

Livy kicked and ran with all her strength, Ms. Mercaniule only steps ahead of her.

I can reach her, I know I can! A wave of tiredness spread through Livy. Oh no. Cheetah's can only run this fast for small periods of time. Then they drop dead, exhausted. I need to round her back to her house...

Livy flew past Ms. Mercaniule, but made her do a 180 degrees turn. Ms. Mercaniule started running back to the house, right where Livy wanted her.

Livy pounced on her, grabbing her wrists and pinning her down. She felt her energy starting to disintegrate.

"Archer! Camri! I need help!" She yelled.

[Lithium]

Archer dashed outside where Olivia had caught the older woman.

"Archer! Camri! I need help!" she yelled.

He ran over and grabbed onto the old woman. "You're coming with us. The police would no doubt love to hear about this illegal genetic modifications."

[Cytherea]

"That would be a fun idea, considering that if you do, I'll press a button, and destroy these two ladies. It's not complicated, really. I've got my methods. And don't even think about interrogation, young man. Let me on my way, OR ELSE."

[Zinna]

Tito and Rollo

"I'm Lita by the way. What's your names?" Lita said.

"I'm Tito and this is..." Rollo pushed Tito away.

"Rollobin Mars Inderadoes at your service Miss."

"...is my younger brother..."

"...With talents beyond any other..." Rollo interrupted as his pulled off his hat and made an elegant bow with it in hand.

"...Who apparently likes to show off to girls..."

"Rollo's the nickname Miss." Rollo made another more formal bow.

"...and is going to make me late for work!" Tito snatched Rollo's hat. "Now back to Saben with you!" He threw the hat as hard as he could down the street, and Rollo ran off. Tito turned to Lita, "My suggestion to you is find someplace save. Those thugs will be back as soon as I'm gone." In response to that a thug rolled out of an ally not far from them, saw them and bolted back inside. Tito started walking towards the Gate.

"Wait! Are you just going to leave me here?" Lita stared at Tito as he walked away.

Rollo returned slightly out of breath, "See Miss you can't keep me away for long...Oh! Tito has left. Well, Saben is making carrot soup. Want to join us for dinner?"

"Well, I do-don't know. I guess it would be alright." she hesitated.

Rollo would not let her disappear, "You can invite a family member, friends, pet, whatever, just come and have dinner with us. I know Tito told you to find someplace safe, and you're not like the others, so you're invited!" Great way to get rid of me Tito! he said angrily to himself. Now we have another mouth to feed tonight, but the rules of your rule state we must be kind to defenseless people.

[Lithium]

"Fine," Archer said, letting go of her and backing away. "You're lucky I'm not more angry, since she's not harmed or dead. But I swear, lady. You hurt either of these girls, and I'll hunt you down. You'll learn the terror of the Death Ring, like in Ambia."

"Hush, Archer," Camri whispered harshly. "We don't need everybody knowing that you're an illegal from Ambia."

"Whatever. Just stay away from us, lady."

[Cytherea]

Livy

Livy tried to control her breathing, but she had never experienced such tiredness. She was lying on her back in the snow, exhausted, while Archer gave Ms. Mercaniule a what for.

Is this what Archer meant, then? I'm part I.S. now? I've never wanted to be... my life was hard enough as it was.

"Hush, Archer," Camri whispered harshly. "We don't need everybody knowing that you're an illegal from Ambia."

"Whatever. Just stay away from us, lady." Archer said.

"Don't bother me anymore then either, boy." Ms. Mercaniule said coolly. She walked back into the yellow house, as if taunting them that she could stay at her house now, and they couldn't do anything about it.

"Hey... you guys..." Livy murmured through her gasps for breath. "We'd better get back... back to Sol. She... she's worried sick."

Sydny

Sydny woke up just as tired as he had been before he fell asleep. He pushed himself up from the bed and walked to a mirror in the room, his body full of aches, and his wound protesting more than usual.

"Oh wow." he groaned. His eyes had dark circles under them, and his face was an ashen gray. "I look terrible."

He walked into the living room, and saw Sol curled up on the couch.

"Sol? You okay?" he said, his voice hoarse.

[Anwen]

"I'm Tito and this is..." Rollo pushed Tito away.

"Rollobin Mars Inderadoes at your service Miss."

"...is my younger brother..."

"...With talents beyond any other..." Rollo interrupted as his pulled off his hat and made an elegant bow with it in hand.

"...Who apparently likes to show off to girls..."

"Robin's the nickname Miss." Rollo made another more formal bow.

Lita started giggling behind her hand as 'Robin' showed off.

"...and is going to make me late for work! Now back to Saben with you!" He threw the hat as hard as he could down the street, and Rollo ran off. Tito turned to Lita, "My suggestion to you is find someplace safe. Those thugs will be back as soon as I'm gone." Tito started walking towards the Gate.

"Wait! Are you just going to leave me here?" Lita stared at Tito as he walked away.

Robin came over, breathing slightly hard after chasing his hat down. "See Miss you can't keep me away for long...Oh! Tito has left. Well, Saben is making carrot soup. Want to join us for dinner?"

"Well, I do-don't know. I guess it would be alright."

"You can invite a family member, friends, pet, whatever, just come and have dinner with us. I know Tito told you to find someplace safe, and you're not like the others, so you're invited!" Robin said, with more flourishes.

"It would just be me... Hang on, let me call my employers and see if they're alright with it."

She pulled out her old-fashioned cell-phone and dialed the O'Sheas. "Hey, Mrs. O'Shea? Is it alright if I take the day? Alright. Great. Thanks! Bye." She looked up at Robin. "I can come, Robin. Are you always so 'gallant?'"

____________________________________________________

"You can come sit down here. I'll make some hot cocoa to go with breakfast. Tucker, you all right with that?" Will said, not taking his eyes off of the girl.

[Zinna]

Rollo

"Are you always so 'gallant?'"

"Only to you Miss. So you met my brother Tito, and you are going to meet my younger brother Saben, and we have some dogs, too. Do you have any brother, sisters, pets, parents, food, shelter, necessities..." Rollo counted them off on his fingers, not really paying attention to Lita, just talking.