Sugar and Rainbows (Ebony/Closed)

[Joshua Raines]

Super Soldier
I am a soldier, I fight where I am told, and I win where I fight.

Keeping a hold of Ebony, Josh glared over at Repa. This wasn’t time to try and talk her out of it, Ebony wouldn’t listen…he knew that. This was the girl who threatened to throw him off a cliff, of course talking wouldn’t reason her. He kept a good hold on her but didn’t realize she was still able to kick Repa away and cast spells still. Josh didn’t worry about Repa, she’d be okay, but he was more shocked when he was flattened against the wall in chains. Ebony was really going insane wasn’t she?! “Ebony!” He growled almost, losing his patience, but not wanting to hurt her…he wasn’t going to go into soldier mode and end up hurting her…if this is what she wanted, no interference and killing this man…then so be it…he tried.

Josh had seen death thousands of times, but watching your girlfriend do it was sickening, it hurt and he couldn’t bear to watch. He let his head hang as he stared at the ground, he closed his eyes and tried to think happy thoughts, waiting for the sound of death to fill the room....he waited…and waited…but nothing happened, no stabs no magic…nothing. When Ebony then spoke to the man, Josh lifted his head to see what was up, she had dropped the dagger and all the magic had disappeared as quickly as it came. Josh landed swiftly on his feet and stared over at Ebony. Not worrying about the escaping criminal he just watched her fall to her knees and staring at the dagger.

Slowly, Josh made his way over to Ebony, making sure she didn’t change her mind, grab the dagger and go after the man, or just stabbing Josh himself out of frustration…he simply stepped in front of her, kicking the dagger aside and kneeling down, placing his hand under her chin to make her look at him. “Hey…I’m proud of you.” He said at first, a small smile on his face as he then pulled her into a hug, wrapping his arms around her tightly out of relief that she didn’t do what she intended. With a heavy sigh of relief, Josh pulled back and cupped her face in his hands. “Seeing that right there…what you just did…that was the strongest I’ve ever seen you…” anyone could’ve just ended it themselves but Ebony…no, she had the courage to not take the easy way out…and faced it all…that was strength.


Words: 500
Muse: Good
Notes: <3

[Repa Raines]

Princess at Heart
”Anyone can give up, it's the easiest thing in the world to do. But to hold it together when everyone else would understand if you fell apart, that's true strength.”

So maybe trying to reason with Ebony didn’t go so well. Repa was kicked away and she landed on her back, sitting up she had almost a shocked look on her face, but she didn’t expect any less…besides, this man had just killed her family. Repa just sighed and sat there for a minute before being taken back to the wall by these…chains. She was completely freaked out, not knowing what Ebony could do…this was a shock to her! Her eyes were wide and her instincts told her to move! She struggled in the chains but didn’t say a word, her eyes were locked on Ebony who..was really going to do this. She was going to commit murder herself, Repa couldn’t believe it. So much for a fun loving roommate…

But When Ebony dropped the dagger, and the magic started to fade away, Repa gasped, she couldn’t believe it. She fell from the chains and didn’t make any sort of landing, she landed on her bum and sat there as Josh went over, talking about how proud he was of Ebony and how strong she was…Repa smiled from the background and got up to her feet, dusting off her jeans from where she fell and walked over, not getting to close to ruin the moment Josh was trying to create. She smiled a bit before actually speaking. “Anyone can give up…it’s the easiest thing in the world to do…but to hold it together when everyone else would understand if you fell apart…that’s true strength.” And Ebony proved that right here right now. “Are you ready to leave? Or did you want to stay?” She asked cocking her head to the side like a puppy, still staying in the background just in case the couple here wanted to have a moment…though she doubted it…now wasn’t the time to be all lovey dovey.

Words: 408
Muse: Meh
Notes: Notta

[Ebony Blackwell]

Black Researcher

Let's get this over with so that I can get back to work.

Ebony didn't say anything as Josh slowly made his way over, being cautious as to whether or not she would lose it again. She couldn't blame him. Once he was in front of her, he kicked the dagger away, and knelt down in front of her. She, at first, didn't want to look at him afraid at what she might see in his eyes, opting instead to just keep her eyes on the blade that was now off to the side. The weapon that she had in her hand only moments ago. She cringed at the thought, but Josh had cupped her chin his hand and made her raise her head to look back up at him. She didn't know if she could bear looking at him, but now seeing that happiness that she saw in his eyes, she knew she was forgiven for her acts against him and Repa.

“Hey…I’m proud of you.”

He smiled at her, before pulling her forward into a tight embrace. She just stayed still for a moment, before relaxing and wrapping her arms around him, returning the affection. She had never wanted Josh to see that side of her. That savage side that lay below her skin waiting for a chance to be released after everything that she had already been through. The side that held no regret for the actions let out. But, that was back when she wasn't loved or cared for. This was now, and the now was different than the then.

Josh pulled back and cupped her face in his hands. She raised one of her own and placed it over his. She wanted to cry, to let it all out once again and just relish in his, and even some of Repa's, company and understanding. But, she couldn't. It seemed that all of her tears had been washed away. So, she just closed her eyes.

“Seeing that right there…what you just did…that was the strongest I’ve ever seen you…”

Ebony could hear Repa behind her, muttering something along the same lines as what Josh had just said. She didn't make a move, before leaning forward and just resting her forehead against one of Josh's shoulders, moving her arms to wrap them around his neck.

“Are you ready to leave? Or did you want to stay?”

Ebony contemplated on the question quickly. She had already decided what she was going to mostly do at this point with some decisions still lingering for an answer. She stood up, and faced both of them. Her eyes weren't lifeless anymore. They held an obvious sadness in them, but also determination.

"I've decided that, after I give each of those orphans a proper burial in front of the mansion, I will pack up everything I have and leave Cocoon. I don't know if I'll go to Gaia, Delatorr, or another world altogether, but I know that Cocoon doesn't need me anymore, at least, for right now. Those orphans were the only reason as to why I continued to stay here, and now that they're gone, I can leave quietly."

She had wanted to leave Cocoon a long time ago, but she had needed to stay and take care of her adopted family. Now, she could go out and see what she wanted to see, learn what she wanted to learn, and protect what she had now.

(I am just going to keep out the illusion segment from the story, but keep in the ending line. It just didn't work when I tried to think of a way to integrate it into this.)

[Joshua Raines]

Super Soldier
I am a soldier, I fight where I am told, and I win where I fight.

Ebony was very quiet, not that Josh expected her to be talkative and full of energy, in fact, this was pretty much how he thought it would be. Quiet, leaving Repa and Josh the only sound in the room, that was probably how it was supposed to be. He didn’t think Ebony needed to say anything or do anything, she had just lost her family and let the murderer go…it was probably a really hard thing to do, so keeping quiet…didn’t bother Josh at all. At least when he hugged her tight, she returned the embrace. She wasn’t completely lifeless right now then…probably just trying to figure out a way to cope with all of this, and Josh would be there by her side 100% of the time no matter what.

Ebony had stood up, after Repa said her lovely little piece and looked at them both, Josh stood up as well and just kept close to Ebony. Her leaving Cocoon didn’t surprise Josh one bit…but he wondered where she would go…it would be nice if she had some sort of idea. He didn’t want to have to go on a wild goose chase to find her like he had to do trying to find his sister…that’s not what he needed right now, so he simply nodded his head some almost agreeing to it. It was best for her…sort of a way to start over and not be surrounded by these haunting memories.

“Ebony…I’ll stay to help you with a proper funeral…that is…if you want me to…if you would rather it be just you I understand…” He said with a small smile as he placed one hand on her shoulder. “If you don’t decide where you want to go…In the meantime my home is your home…feel free to come and go as you please…that and aren’t you and Repa roomies?” He said almost feeling the mood lighten up a little bit. “just…please let me know where you are going…I don’t want to worry about you all the time…”

Words: 429
Muse: Meh, its okay.
Notes: none

[Repa Raines]

Princess at Heart
”Anyone can give up, it's the easiest thing in the world to do. But to hold it together when everyone else would understand if you fell apart, that's true strength.”

Repa just stayed in the background and observed, Josh seemed to be doing well. Ebony was quiet but as long as she wasn’t blowing people up or stabbing them…all was good right? Repa didn’t know Ebony as well as Josh so it was hard for her to decide whether this lack of talking was good or bad…probably good by the looks of it, especially the embrace they had. Repa just smiled a bit from where she stood, now was her time to be quiet. Let them have their moment, let Ebony absorb all that has happened without Repa saying anything to ruin any of that…she just kept quiet, her arms folded as she stood there in the silence.

When Ebony stood up and said her piece, Repa nodded, it was the best thing to do. Let those souls rest in peace, the right way. “I’ll help too…but that’s entirely up to you Ebony…I’ll give you two a moment.” and that was all she said, leaving the rest to Josh. With that, she turned and walked out of the room, down the stairs and out of the hut even if it was raining, the air felt nice especially now. It was cold, it was damp, and it sure as hell beat being in the tiny hut full of death…the outdoors…it actually felt nice for once. Repa took a deep breath and exhaled just as deep as she turned back towards the hut and waited for them to come out…


Words: 349
Muse: meh
Notes: i didnt have anything to do with her...was gonna skip her but oh well.

[Ebony Blackwell]

Black Researcher

Let's get this over with so that I can get back to work.

“Ebony…I’ll stay to help you with a proper funeral…that is…if you want me to…if you would rather it be just you I understand…”

"No, not a funeral. Just a burial. And I have to do this alone. It shouldn't take me too long if I use magic."

“I’ll help too…but that’s entirely up to you Ebony…I’ll give you two a moment.”

Ebony watched silently as Repa left the room, probably to get some fresh air. After seeing all that had happened, she would need some. The corpses hadn't started to decompose yet, but you could definitely feel the death in the air. Along with the horror, anger, and sadness that had just occurred. Ebony sighed before turning back to Josh, as he just looked at her.

“If you don’t decide where you want to go…In the meantime my home is your home…feel free to come and go as you please…that and aren’t you and Repa roomies?”

She figured as much that Josh would say something along those lines. She didn't know whether to go to Delatorr and just let her mind wander away from PSICOM, and just relax...or stay with Repa in Gaia, where PSICOM still roamed the streets. It would be a difficult choice, but she couldn't worry about that now.

“Just…please let me know where you are going…I don’t want to worry about you all the time…”

Ebony didn't say anything, she just nodded and turned towards the scene once more. Outstretching her hand, she merely thought of where she wanted them to be, and the black pentagram appeared underneath, covering the entire room. One by one, the orphans safely fell through, landing over on the mansion's beautiful, and green front lawn.

Once the last had fallen through, the pentagram disappeared. and she just stood there staring at the fresh blood stains on the floor and walls. She closed her eyes, and let the scene dissipate in her mind, before turning to Josh one more time. She took a step forward and embraced him.

"Thank you, Josh..."

She leaned up and gave him a quick kiss on the cheek.

"...for everything."

And with that, she turned and walked up the steps, out of the hut for the last time. When she exited, she saw Repa standing there, waiting for her and Josh to leave.

"Repa...I hope when this is all done and over with, you'll still accept this almost-insane magician as your roommmate..."

She waited silently for a response before walking off, towards the mansion, with her back turned towards the hut, which she once called home herself.

~~~

The clouds had already moved off to somewhere else in the neverending sky, and the sun shone brightly once more. Ebony was sitting on the grass, silently staring at the mounds of freshly pulled up dirt, that now held home for her family. She wiped one last tear that had slyly fallen down her face, before standing, and leaving...getting ready to finally fulfill a promise she made long ago.

A promise to leave this place they call Cocoon, and help those that would most likely need her help.

"Goodbye...I love you."

(Now...how's that for a comback!?)

[Joshua Raines]

Super Soldier
I am a soldier, I fight where I am told, and I win where I fight.

Josh really didn’t know what to say right about now, he rubbed the back of his neck and nodded some. Ebony was right, she needed to do this for herself…she would be okay right? She needed some time to herself. “Alright…I’ll head back towards the city…PSICOM won’t bother me so just find us when you’re ready to go…” he said with a small nod but a blank expression all around. There really wasn’t much to smile about today…it had turned into a disaster, and who knew what more could happen? Better not jinx it. So Josh didn’t object to her going alone, he knew the pain of losing family and it was better that you let your emotions out on your own time…instead of sucking it up for everyone else. Being alone was good in times like this.

The room was silent as Repa left, Josh didn’t blame her either, he was pretty surprised Repa made it through all the doom and gloom that happened today without getting sick…or maybe she was doing that now? He should probably go check on her after bit just to make sure she wasn’t traumatized or anything. While keeping quiet and letting thoughts slowly stream through his head, Josh watched as Ebony used her magic to get the orphans out of this mess…to the mansion, he just kept quiet while all this was being done before Ebony came up and embraced him and thanked him…but for what? “Ebony…” he started but then shut his mouth and just hugged her back, not really knowing what he had done to earn her thanks but he decided not to ruin the moment.

After a few moments Ebony then went up the stairs and left. Josh took one glance around the room and made his way up the stairs slowly.

-------------------------------------

Repa stood outside and was just breathing in deep as Ebony came up to her. Almost a little started by the sudden speaking when she was getting so used to the silence, Repa looked at Ebony with a small smile. “Don’t worry…I’m not completely sane myself…we’ll get along just fine Roomie.” She said comfortingly before Ebony left and Josh emerged from the hut. The two siblings stood together for a few moments trying to get a grip on what just happened…to try and rid their minds from the horrible scene…before making their way towards the city to wait for Ebony.


Words: 497
Muse: Goodish
Notes: went ahead and popped repa's reply in this post.

[Ebony Blackwell]

Black Researcher

Let's get this over with so that I can get back to work.

Packing everything she had was both easy and difficult. She didn't have many items on her, seeing as how most of them were magic-using items and books. But, this was the first real place that she could call a true home. A place of shelter, and rest. And leaving that, was hard enough. But, she knew Cocoon didn't need her anymore. It was simple to see.

Ebony let out another sigh, before zipping her simple black duffle bag closed. She looked around at her now bare room. Before, books and papers were strewn everywhere, and the bed was unmade. Clothes were in a little bundle in the corner just waiting to be cleaned and folded. And now all of the uncleanliness sat in one bag. Amazing. The room looked boring now, even though it held a bundle full of memories.

She had already told the research facility that she had quit, and called every family that she had protected, telling them not to call for her again. For she wouldn't be needed. Ebony had already given the news to Emilia and her father, and had received a teary goodbye hug, which she just blatantly returned, without shedding the waterworks. She had already cried enough, and the goodbyes had grown numerously since the beginning of the day. But, she didn't want to think about that now. She had other worries to think about. Like, where she was going to go now.

Ebony slung the bag over her shoulder, and left the rom without looking back. Repa and Josh were waiting outside for her. She couldn't let them wait too long, or else their minds might start to wonder...to horrible things. She cringed before closing the door, and heading down the stairs where she hugged Emilia one last time, and bid them farewell. She left the inn and watched as the hustle and bustle of Cocoon just continued on. Funny, how no one notices something as huge as lsing a family. How they just keep on moving with their own lifes and never stop to ask if someone was wrong. But...Ebony could drone over that later. She had a new home to find.

Words: 460
Muse: Pretty good
Notes: Done!