Purgatory Clash [Hahvy x Dark Times]

[Hahvoc The Decepticon]

It seemed like another average day in Gear City, the towering buildings glistening with cogs, crystalline glass, and metal rods. The streets were always kept in pristine shape by sweeper machines and repair bots that kept everything sparkling clean. Hatter wanted to destroy all of it, but those thoughts she always kept to herself. Then again, she wanted to destroy a lot of things. Mostly things that were alive. She always remained concealed in that aspect, however, biding her time for special opportunities. The Guards did their jobs, but not when it came to something like Hatter. They never knew what to do with the corpses she left behind. Probably because they were always twisted little crime scenes. She couldn't stop the grin that curved her lips, a little twitch on the left side making it appear even more unseemly on her angelic face. Her lip rings moved with her smile - two to be exact- and black in color. They highlighted the redness of her lips while white teeth glistened, a little sharper than normal but still easily overlooked.

She was considered one of the Goths, and yes, even in this day and age they still thrived. The year was 2517, and many things had changed since the whole "end of the world" conspiracy was supposed to occur in 2012. What a joke. What had happened was a major reform of the governments, which had bettered the life of humanity. But it had also allowed for the creatures no one spoke about to find their own little foothold in such a "peaceful" world. They blended in like the best of illusions, hypnotizing everyone they encountered. Some weren't so lucky, but no one heard about those stories. No one stumbled upon those corpses and lived to tell the tale. Mind you, not all of them were so blood thirsty they couldn't function without a taste of the living and breathing populace that remained ignorant of them. No, not all of them. But they weren't on Hatter's mind just then.

Black boots covered with dusty gold buckles, ripped black fishnets going up slender legs that stopped at mid thigh before being hooked to red garters that vanished beneath a short denim skirt covered in layers of belts and chains encircling a slender but curvy waist made up only some of her outfit. The rest included a shirt that started above her naval- showing off a star pattern of belly button rings- that was ripped as well and was a rich purple in color that faded to black around the edges with the phrase, "We're All Mad Here," in fading gold font across the chest. The neck of the shirt dipped just low enough to reveal the soft swells of her breasts, but not too much. Her arms were decked out with what appeared to be leather gauntlets that stopped at her elbows, hiding twin daggers that were always ready for use.

Her throat didn't have any jewelry adorning it, but instead was bandaged up as if she were injured. But there was no blood spattering the pristine white bandages. Traveling up further, snake bites noted, her nose was pierced with a small little pentagram stud on the left side. No other piercings adorned her face, but her ears were littered with many that were hidden by the black and red of her hair that was topped by a purple top hat. It was smaller than normal, but not miniature and was tipped towards the front of her body, shielding some of her vision- or so it looked. Her eyes missed nothing. And her eyes were the scariest of all. She looked beautiful in her dark gear, appearing almost like an angel in disguise, but her eyes almost gave the impression that she wasn't all there. Or that she wasn't what she seemed. As if the grin didn't do enough of that.

Yet her eyes were the most beautiful feature about her as they were framed by dark purple and black make up. Not too gaudy, no, but just enough to give her eyes this brightness they didn't always have. Her eyes were a dark red. Hinting at purple, but no one could truly mistake the maroon color of her eyes. It was like metallic blood has been poured into her irises. They were constantly aware of the surroundings she found herself in. This time, she was moving down one of the side streets not exactly as well kept or well used as the others.

It was dark out, not exactly night time, but close enough that not as many people were out on the streets. It was convenient for someone like her as she smoked her black cigarette, inhaling the wonderful toxins that didn't affect her. The cloves were minty and crisp, brand new from the shop that she had just happened to visit. She didn't care about the looks she was always given. The people here were pathetic. However, they were still useful. They did provide her with decent smokes. One hand in her pocket, the other holding her cigarette, she hummed a little tune she had always known growing up. It was pleasant sounding as much as the actual words were disturbing. Still, what was the fun in listening to only cheery things? After all, you couldn't have slaughter without laughter. Walking further down the street, she couldn't help but laugh at the inside joke.

 

[Dark_Times]

Had anyone decided to look up on that crisp night they would have seen a strange sight, the dark silhouette of a man standing atop on of the cities most well known buildings. Though Thomas knew one thing, people did not look up anymore, not since the great cracks formed, they had not god to turn to. His jet black hair was tied back, and as usual he neglected to wear a shirt, revealing his pale toned chest. The most noticeable feature being the large tribal sleeve on his left arm, as Thomas stood at the edge of the rooftop his mind wandered away.

He hated the occupants of this city, each and every one of them and all for different reasons, but the one he hated the most was his father. Now, Thomas disliked his father for many reasons, the drinking, the violence, but mostly because he tried to make him into something he was not. He moved closer to the edge, this was his way out, he no longer cared about the scriptures, the rumors about where you went if you took your own life, this was his freedom.

He fell silently through the air, with what could even be called grace, until he hit the concrete ground in the alleyway. His body was moving so fast that a small crater had form and with even a dust cloud to boot. Slowly the dust cleared, but his body was not still, his back arched and he cried out weakly as his skin bulged. Finally it tore, spraying the last of his blood across the wall behind him, a pair of large black tattered wings unfolded and stretched out as he rose.

Though the next words to pass his lips were not his own, "So, now they dump us here, in some punks body, what is this shit?", fear flashed across his face, "W..who are you, and what is going on, I am supposed to be dead...".

 

[Hahvoc The Decepticon]

"That's gonna hurt.."

Hatter murmured, having heard something above her. She had looked up just in time to see some fuckwad jumping from the building directly in her line of sight. She was already walking towards him, so she decided to see if he might actually survive. He seemed human from this distance, but it could be a trick of the light, in a way. Light was pretty tricky during this time of day. She smoked her cigarette calmly, curiosity evident on her face as she watched the person plummet seemingly to their death. But they didn't die. The closer she got, the more she sensed that this person would not die so easily and it made her grin return. Ooooh, someone to play with. As she got closer, she noted the blood spatter (avoided it) and watched the wings spring from the idiot's back. They were beautiful. They actually made her stare for a moment. They were torn and worn, but black as night and beautiful in their brokenness. Flaws were gorgeous, after all.

Hearing the two voices - clearly different in subtle tones, she approached the fallen man. She didn't let herself be within striking distance, but she did note the nice little crater he had formed when he hit. Nice depth. Smoking her cigarette, she looked him over, noting his muscles, height, weight, markings. She took in all that made him up on the physical level - well, as much as his clothes would let her. Adjusting her hat in the slightest, smoke drifting from her lips, she spoke just loud enough for him to hear.

"That was pretty stupid."

 

[Dark_Times]

Darius was slowly assimilating Thomas, soon the body would be completely his, "You're telling me, first I get fucking banished, then they throw me into this punks body as he falls from a god damn roof!". A yellow ring flashed around his pupils before dulling down but not fading completely, it was slowly growing brighter, soon he would have his own form.

He spread his wings one last time before folding them away, not in the slight sense of the phrase, they retracted completely into the body, he shuddered at the sensation, "Hmmm, feelings...I forgot how much these sucked". The tattoo on his left arm seemed to become liquid as it split and moved to cover both of his forearms, Darius then looked at the girl in front of him with a raised brow as if to say, who the fuck are you.

 

[Hahvoc The Decepticon]

"Banished, eh? That sucks. I highly doubt he, ya know, fell."

She used quotations before she hooked her thumb into her belt loop and took another drag from her cigarette. She couldn't help but grin as he mentioned that little bit of information about emotions. She watched the tattoos move, intrigued by their progression over his arms. Very interesting indeed. Seeing the look cast her way, she shrugged her shoulders before taking a second drag and letting the smoke out slowly.

"You know, you should ask a question if you want an answer."

That grin appeared on her face again, a little crooked as per usual as she cracked her shoulder. She let out a little satisfied sigh as the release of some tension before she turned her maroon gaze back onto him. He was a pretty boy, and potentially fun to play with. But one of the banished wasn't always someone good to play with. Not saying she was good or anything, but she didn't want the taint of one of the banished on her skin. Those bastards would smell it, and well, she didn't want them around her. They were a little bit harder to kill than normal. However, he was interesting, and she knew that once she found something interesting, well, she had to have it in some way.

 

[Dark_Times]

Darius stretched out his arms, as he did so a thin veil of shadow formed around them, slowly solidifying into a long coat that reached his ankles. The markings then moved up and formed an intricate design on the left side of his face and neck, he walked past her towards the street. An almost silent scream echoed around the alley, "Well, at least that punks spirit is gone, now I can have some fun here, name's Darius, and you are?". He looked at her with mild interest, he briefly entertained a fleeting notion before letting it pass over him.

He had a few things to do while he was here, thankfully from the brief crossing of paths between him and Thomas, he knew all he would need to know to live the kids life for him. Though Darius had a stranger idea of fun, he was not in anyway old fashioned especially by his kinds standards, first he needed to find some worthless bystander to slaughter.

The yellow rings in his eyes lit up and his pupils flashed red briefly as some of the markings moved to his right, following this a packet of cigarette's and a light appeared in his hand, "Well, no more rules for me anyway, least I get to use my power without limits", he chuckled quietly to himself. The idea of taking a human girl crossed his mind, he savored this one, corrupting the innocent was one of his favorite pastimes. He calmly stuck a cigarette in his mouth and lit it up, he took one deep drag and exhaled calmly, "Now, taste, I do like having that", he smiled.

 

[Hahvoc The Decepticon]

Darius. The name suddenly registered like a long-forgotten vow inside her mind, awakening memories she hadn't experienced in awhile - it was like one of those old computers downloading data: it just appeared unbidden. Her instincts flared to life before settling down and found herself scowling on the inside. None of the random changes in her memory were shown on her face as she looked at him and took another drag. She watched some of his powers appear and be put to use and didn't find herself all that impressed. It was pretty interesting to watch, much as parlor tricks went. Mind you, it wasn't a parlor trick, but it was pretty simple. However, she knew that that "punk's" soul wasn't totally gone. She could see the thread of it clinging to the free side of his face. He was just too drunk on sensation and emotion to truly notice it yet. Or so it seemed.

"Hatter."

She answered, plain and simple. She didn't bother to go into detail about herself. Though her lips did curl at the sound of the scream whispering through the alley. It was a beautiful sound and one she hadn't heard in awhile. Sometimes you had to lay low. And she wasn't always out for screams. She did like moans, and pleas. Hearing him mention something about rules finally brought a real reaction out of her. She laughed. It was a low chuckle, meant to seduce most human men and women with the way she used it. However, it was to show she got some entertainment value out of his words. He was in for a rude awakening as she began to walk, boots now completely silent.

"You're fucked."

The words sounded absolutely final.

 

[Dark_Times]

He cast her a sideways glance at those words, "Me? Fucked?!", he laughed loudly, "Missy, I don't know who you think you are, but this world is mine now, it just doesn't know it yet". As Darius stepped out onto the sideway he trailed a finger across the shoulder of a passing woman and chuckled quietly at the results, she stumbled slightly as her legs nearly gave out. When she turned to look for the source of the feeling he was nowhere to be seen, he stepped out of the shadows behind Hatter, "Humans are fun to play with", he hissed.

He spotted a club across the street and a grin spread across his face, "Time for a bit of fun", as he spoke the markings moved off his face giving him a more human-like appearance, the sleeves from his coat vaporised revealing the markings on his forearms again. The torn jeans he was wearing became the standard camo pattern pants of the hunter squads, "This should give me some extra pull in this place, I mean from this kids memories this is similar to what the high ranking officers wear". He raised a hand to his face and a pair of sunglasses formed in it, he chuckled again, "Human styles, what am I going to do with them", he shrugged and put on the glasses. He then crossed the street calmly and approached the guard outside the club.

 

[Hahvoc The Decepticon]

"Sure it's yours."

She murmured with a small shrug, finishing off the rest of her cigarette. She was already itching for another one, but she refrained for the time being. His words made her almost roll her eyes in exasperation. She wasn't going to prove just how wrong he was yet. She wasn't just some dainty damsel. Obviously, he knew that. And if he didn't, well, she would have to prove it. This one wasn't going to be easy. Gawd, she disliked her job sometimes. Especially when they didn't happen for a good two hundred years or so. However, she didn't understand why she was assigned to this one. She hadn't been given any details about his physical features or even how she would come across him. She just knew the name. That was all. Deciding another cigarette would be good, she took one out and lit it, watching the woman tremble and practically moan from the touch. Interesting. The woman saw her and she licked her lips in a slow fashion, as if she would taste the woman. The woman flushed bright red, teeth biting her bottom lip before she took off down the street at a brisk pace. She didn't have to touch someone to influence them. It was quite easy with the right look. She barely nodded her head at his words, knowing the truth in the sentence.

She watched him spy the club and found herself curious as to why he wanted to go in there only very briefly. Obviously, to mess around with more humans, duh. She didn't bother to go into those places unless she wanted something to eat. And she wasn't talking about the bar food. Watching him with mild interest as he changed into an officer's uniform, she shrugged, seeing how much he was enjoying it. Her inner beast was delighted at the prospect, but she wasn't going to feed it just yet. She had to make sure that the kid didn't fuck up royally. Taking a drag, the only thing she could do was tuck her hands into the pockets of her too short skirt and follow him across the street with a bored expression.

 

[Dark_Times]

Darius breezed past the guard, his appearance getting him inside with no trouble at all, he descended into the darkness barely noticing the music, he was focused on a particular scent. He inhaled deeply through his nose, then smiled as he caught that familiar scent, he practically glided over to a booth in the farthest corner. He eyes locked on a certain woman behind the bar, the marks on his right arm began moving in a hypnotic pattern flowing around his fingers even, but they became static as the woman approached.

He smiled at her, the glasses keeping the rings in his eyes hidden, "Well hello there", he took another deep breath through his nose, this was the one he had smelt. "If you could, I would appreciate a bottle of your finest Merlot", he would invite the girl to join him for a drink or two once she came back, and with his current guise, nobody would argue or even give the girl hassle about it. Darius relaxed back into his seat and turned his head to face Hatter, "So, what are you exactly?", his voice had just a slight hint of curiosity in it.

 

[Hahvoc The Decepticon]

She watched him move past the guard and she almost followed suit. However, the guard was attractive and so she decided to linger a little bit, not touching him but watching. He flushed red under her scrutiny and she smiled at him, not a real smile, but enough of a copy to pass for one. He asked her name, she didn't give it to him, but she did steal a kiss from his lips. And a little bit of his soul. He tasted so sweet with just a hint of taint that she almost lingered for more, but she didn't. Her little charge was inside. The guard wouldn't notice the change as his dreamy expression implied. They never noticed the change, but they became tainted from her kiss. Only if she wanted them to. Which she always did. Scoping the club as she walked in, she noticed that some immortals were in the back, sipping on beers with humans in their laps. She gave them a grin and they paled at her look. Short as she was, even with her boots making her top out at five-five, they knew who she was. She may as well have been the Grim Reaper.

Scents of all kinds filled her nose as emotions slid onto and off her skin. She avoided large gatherings of humans normally, simply because she wasn't a fan of crowds. A being like her could get her senses overloaded. However, she had more control than any creature like her, but that wasn't important. What was important was the virgin Darius was luring to him like a fish on a hook. It was mildly entertaining how easily the girl would crumble. Taking a drag from her cigarette, she finished that off and put it out on a nearby druggie's arm. The man was so doped up he didn't even notice. Probably wouldn't even remember getting it. Not her problem, though. She liked when they noticed, but it never irked her when they didn't. Well, that wasn't always true.

"Let your conscience be your guide."

She said in response to his question, leaning her back against the wall and propping her feet up on the seat, scanning always for trouble that she could help incite or perhaps innocence to corrupt. He had landed himself a pretty little girl. Mayhap she would help play with that one. Lighting up another smoke, she took a drag and let out the smoke slowly. She counted this as her third within the hour and shrugged. Wasn't like it was gonna kill her. A man approached her, reeking of sex and arrogance and she batted her lashes at him. He was cute, crooked nose from fighting too much, muscled. He had done some rapes recently and she found herself feeding off of it. The taint clung to his skin and she soaked it into her lungs like a fresh breeze. Licking her lips like he was a tasty little treat, she heard him groan almost unbidden.

"Go play."

Was all she said to him before he nodded and took off, leaving them alone again. Taking a drag from her cigarette as she let out a small little satisfied sigh, she turned to her charge with a small shrug, not giving an explanation.

 

[Dark_Times]

Darius smiled slightly at the girl as she returned with the bottle, and a glass for him, "Ah very nice", he took the bottle and examined it, "Good year too", he took his hand from under the table, it now held a corkscrew in it. "Won't you join us", he said as he uncorked the wine, he did not even look up as he poured it out. He was confident this girl was completely ensnared now, there was no hope for her now, he would ruin and corrupt her. He cast a sideways glance at Hatter before reaching out and touching the girls hand, she practically fell into his lap, he could feel the different emotions and signals running around the girls body.

He traced a small symbol on the back of the girls neck, slowly but surely a distinctive mark formed on her skin. It would not be visible to just anyone, but it would ensure his power over her even over long distances. As his left hand was creating this symbol his right had put the wine glass down again and was slowly mapping out her body, his fingers tracing over everything, invading every space they could. He imagined the girls response would be very noticeable by now, even in his distracted state he could hear the sounds emanating from her.

 

[Hahvoc The Decepticon]

As the girl returned with wine, Hatter shrugged again. Wine was not something she drank. She'd rather have vodka or something if she chose to drink. Catching the eye of a waitress, she ordered a screw driver and soon returned to the girl at the table that was being pawed at by her charge. It was an interesting sight. The girl's eyes were dilated already from just a simple touch, needy on the inside for whatever he had to offer. She could see the shawl of vulnerability wash over her and smiled to herself as she smoked her cigarette. The pouring of the wine looked like blood and she almost wanted a taste, but knew it wouldn't be what she wanted. And sometimes craved. At least her charge had taste in women. This on was rather pretty and of course, naive.

Hatter was soon delivered her drink, not needing to leave a mark of her own on the waitress. She wasn't what she was after. She knew Darius wanted to draw her into the game and well, it wasn't like she wasn't a willing player. She could see the mark, it was part of her abilities, and could feel the taint of it seeping into the woman's skin. It smelled delicious and tart. Taking a drag from her cigarette, she watched the little show across from her as he molested every inch of the girl, who practically came a part in his arms. It was very...interesting. She chuckled to herself. For now, she would be content to watch.

 

[Dark_Times]

Darius place his index finger under the girls chin and turned her head, locking his eyes on hers he allowed his lips to brush hers before turning back to his wine, cutting off all attention. He took another sip from the glass, "If would like more of that, I suggest you earn it, trial is free, but you need to work for the rest", he turned to Hatter, an expression of mild amusement on his face, "Why not see what you can do for my 'friend' here". Already he could see this girls strings, she was his to play with now, of course he needed to get her back to the apartment of his body's previous owner.

He curled one of his fingers, sitting the girl up straight, "Let's go, it's about time we had some real fun, you coming Hatter, the kids place is not far from here". Some simple hand movements and the girl stood up and waited for him, he glanced over at her and raised an eyebrow. "Cute, isn't she", he chuckled, "The question is what do I do to her first", he had so many idea's, but he wanted her to suffer from the amount of pleasure, not just enjoy it, but want it on a much more physical level.

 

[Hahvoc The Decepticon]

She watched the light kiss, noting the blush that formed on the girl's cheek until he took all of his attention away from her. She flushed from want and need now, biting her lip as if she wasn't sure if she had done something wrong. Hatter couldn't help but grin and suck back some of her drink, enjoying the way it hit her stomach. It was more vodka than orange juice and had a nice subtle burn. Still, the way he acted with this one was interesting. She'd seen all the different moves and lines to get a woman to be ensnared, but this one made it seem rather easy. She knew why, because he wasn't exactly the same as the other banished or fallen that she had had to guard. She could see the gossamer threads that were forming over the girl's skin like puppet strings. It was a beautiful sight to see.

"Of course."

She responded, taking her drink with her as the two of them stood, she following suit with a graceful movement. She nodded to the immortals in the back who hunched down a little bit as if to slip away from her notice. She would have to have words with them later about their behavior. Perhaps while Darius was playing with the girl...Sipping from her glass, she nodded at his words, agreeing that the woman was cute. She didn't respond to his little musings though about what to do with the girl. He would figure it out. She knew that instinctively. It was going to be an interesting show.

 

[Dark_Times]

Darius walked ahead of the girl, one of his fingers pointed back towards her, practically tethering her to him. He gave a brief nod to the guard at the door as they left, he turned right and walked briskly down the road his eyes scanning the cars for one he liked. He grunted, people had no taste these days, every single vehicle looked like some kind of automotive vomit. A slight smiled crossed his face as he took a turn down an alleyway, "Only one way to travel, but you know that don't you", he said turning to Hatter.

His wings erupted from his back once again, and surrounded him and the girl, "You know where to go", he vanished in a thin cloud of what looked like black smoke, leaving behind the quiet echoes of his chuckle. That would have been a strangely haunting sound to anyone who did not know what was taking place in this alley.

He and the girl reformed in the kids apartment, the jump had almost broken the tether, it was just weak enough from the shock for the girl to stare at him in horror for a moment before he reached out and touched her face, trapping her again. "Do not worry, no harm will come to you while I am here", he sounded sincere, but that would only have been to a human, anyone of higher power would here what he was really saying.

 

[Hahvoc The Decepticon]

Hatter trailed behind them, one hand held towards the ground as she sipped her drink and finished off her cigarette. Tossing the used up stick, she soon drank the last of her drink and crushed the glass, sprinkling it over the path they had just walked. The shards vanished into the ground, soaking up the energy her charge was leaving behind and eradicating it. He was going to be an annoying one to keep track off. If he was more careful, that girl wouldn't be throwing off signals like a search light. Other creatures were going to start appearing - at least, they would have if he didn't have Hatter around. She could feel them attempting to track them down the alley, but she made sure they couldn't with only a few words that concealed them. Most guards wouldn't be able to do such a thing without needing some sort of sacrifice, but she wasn't ordinary by any stretch of the imagination.

When his wings unfurled and captured the girl before he vanished, tendrils of darkness lingered in the air that he probably hadn't noticed. Typical. Reaching out her hand, she snatched the wisps of blackness out of the air and ate them, savoring the taste of the corruption for only a moment. With a small sigh, light spilled out of her mouth and purified the section he had used for his teleportation before it disappeared. Cracking her neck, she adjusted her hat before she vanished, leaving no trace of her presence. She was going to have words with her little friend.

Appearing in the apartment, the smell of fear and terror raked over her senses for an instant, soaking into her skin briefly until the emotion was turned off by reestablishing the connection the two shared. The change over the girl's expression and emotions was palpable and Hatter drank it like a fine brand of vodka. The air was soon clean of it, for the time being. Looking at her charge, she popped a lollipop into her mouth - cherry flavored- for the sake of not wanting to buy more smokes. Yes, she could make them herself, to her specifications, but she had said she would buy smokes as part of her contract. Besides, it allowed her to do more fun things with her abilities. Hatter didn't normally touch women that had someone else's mark, but she did touch this girl's arm since she belonged to her charge and locked his hold over her. The tether wouldn't break now. However, when Hatter touched her charge, she let some of her own power out like tendrils of liquid darkness to slide up his arm and potentially lock it into place.

"We need to talk. Now."

 

[Dark_Times]

Darius wrenched his arm from Hatter's grip, "Get off me half breed", he growled, the air around his right arm seemed to shimmer, as though he was giving off huge amounts of energy. He straightened himself up to his full height, and after a few finger twitchs the girl returned with a bottle of wine for him. "Now", he said as he opened the bottle,"What the fuck have they dropped me into the middle of, and what is your part in all of this". He conjoured up a wine glass and filled it, "I mean how can I be expected to do anything if nobody tells me what is going on?".

He calmly paced back and forth while he tought this over, he took a drink and then stopped dead and turned to face Hatter, "I saw how they looked at you in the club, it reminded me of how they used to look at me in the underworld". He sighed and gulped back the contents of his glass before walking to the window, "This place is strange, I want to make it more familiar", flames began to climb slowly up his forearms and as he turned his back to the window his eyes shone.

The bright shining yellow rings in his eyes were shimmering and changing shape ever so slightly, to add to all of this his markings had encircled his eyes, "I will teach them the meaning of pain, and show them how it feels to beg for their meaningless lives, but you must first teach me about this pathetic realm".

 

[Hahvoc The Decepticon]

She wasn't fazed by him pulling away and calling her a half-breed. She'd heard it all before. It mattered not what her lineage was. She hadn't put a lot of effort into holding him still, but it had served her purpose. She smirked slightly to herself, moving to sit on a cushy looking chair and settle into it, crossing her legs and removing a cigarette from some unknown place. As the stick was pressed between her lips, the tip glowed cherry red as she took a drag and let the smoke out slowly. She didn't need to masquerade as much now about being human since they weren't in the public eye. She watched him pace, heard his words, and watched his temper flare while it brought her a good amount of amusement. Now her little charge wanted answers and to actually talk. Funny.

"Trust me, dove, being a half-breed means nothing here. At least, for me it doesn't. And now, now, don't burn the place up."

She reached out a hand towards him and closed her fist, snuffing out the flames that had started to form and crawl up his arms. Pulling her arm back, she ordered the girl to get her a glass. She wasn't going to drink the wine, but she did have something in order. As the girl came back, Hatter took her arm and turned it toward the glass, her nails extending just enough to slice through skin. The girl made a small sound but it sounded more like a moan of pleasure than of pain. When the glass was filled to her liking, Hatter sealed the wound and leaned back in the chair, dismissing the girl for the time being.

"What part do I play in all this? Well, I may look like an angel, dove, but I'm far from one."

 

[Dark_Times]

His eyes narrowed, "I want answers, now", he grabbed Hatter by the shoulders, "Your little games are not of interest to me". He shoved her away from himself and began to pace quickly and angrily, things here were worse than he had thought, not only had they apparently assigned this half-breed to watch over him, but she loved to play little games. Darius was now furiously pacing up and down and rubbing his temples, he stopped suddenly and appeared straight in front of Hatter.

His face was less than a centimeter from hers, his eyes completely cold, all hints of previous mischief was gone. "What is your purpose", he hissed through a clenched jaw, before slowly walking over to the girl, "Wait in the kitchen, you will be called if we need you". His rage was slowly sucking him in, if Hatter had done any research about him she would know that this was not a good time to be in the same room as him, in fact, it was dangerous to be in the same city unless he got calmed down quickly.

 

[Hahvoc The Decepticon]

She balanced her wine glass on the coffee table before he could grab her by the shoulders. She didn't give any sign of a reaction as he held her in his vice grip before letting her go after saying something about her games. When she got shoved, she settled back into the chair with a small shrug, watching him pace like a tiger in a cage. She took her glass and sipped from it, feeling the taint mixed with all that innocence. It was so divine she almost offered him a sip, but kept it to herself instead. She sipped slowly from the glass, making sure to catch every drop as it hit her tongue. She wasn't going to be able to have another taste after this, so she was going to savor what she could. Soon, however, he was up in her face again and she had to set the glass down. He seemed damn determined to distract her from her treat. However, only bored amusement showed on her face as he questioned her. His rage was tangible and she swallowed it down like a tasty treat. She actually licked her lips.

"Now, now, dove. Calm yourself or you won't get any answers. Better yet..."

Soon, she was before him, her hand wrapping around his throat and lifting him off the ground. For her small size, it didn't seem like it would be possible, but as her eyes darkened, she revealed a little more of her ability. It wasn't long before she had him pinned to the floor and was squeezing his throat, nails pressing into his skin and leaving little burn marks from her nails. She didn't take kindly to being handled like a doll to be tossed and moved at someone else's leisure. Much less that of one of her charges. With a few whispered words, he was locked to the floor with invisible restraints and she removed her hand, settling back on her heels as she looked down at him with amusement clear on her face. Smoking her cigarette, she blew the smoke out slowly, listening to her clove cigarette crackle.

"My purpose is to keep stupid fuckers like yourself from blowing up this realm with your idiocy. I'm known as a Guardian - the only half-breed who can boast such a position. I keep the balance between the Angels, the Banished, the Damned. You name it, I keep them in check. Now, I'm not infallible, but I was designed to keep you in check - regardless of how bad ass you think you are. Down there, you may have been one crazy fucker, but up here, I'm in charge. If I wanted, I could devour you and completely erase you from existence, but that's not my job."

She took a drag and let the smoke out slowly, watching his face for reactions as she adjusted her hat, keeping an eye on his emotions. He was very pissed, which she knew, but she wouldn't be cowed by his temper. She'd dealt with worse before. Taking another slow drag, she exhaled before she started to talk to him again. Hatter would not be happy if he didn't get the message.

"Now, you need to listen to me, dove. This world isn't just a play thing. Yes, some innocents like that girl are meant to be corrupted and eaten, but not all of them. A lot of the taint of this world is meant to be devoured as well, but there must always be a balance. I cannot touch innocents unless they have the barest hint of taint - that was part of my contract for being a Guardian. So I have limitations, just as you do. I will not go into detail about why the tainted are mine and so few of the innocents. Perhaps in time I shall. But you, boy, need to realize that I do not answer to you."

With that, she pondered whether she should release the bonds that held him strapped down to the floor. She knew he would probably jump her as soon as she did and she was itching for a chance to punch him or harm him in some way. He kept interrupting her drinking and that wasn't to be tolerated. She was only allowed one drink every month and this was her first in quite a good while. So with another drag, she released her control over his body and waited for the backlash.

 

[Dark_Times]

Darius rose from the floor as though he had been slowly pulled up, "I care not for the rules of any of these realms, you do not know me and you certainly do not seem to know who you work for", a fiendish smile spread across his face, "You don't even know why I was banished, you only know what they told you". He chuckled quietly, "I don't know if you can monitor soul traffic, but if you can, then you should have noticed a large number of souls being moved to the overworld or being given life back up here recently".

"Whatever it was they told you about me, it was more than likely a lie, yes I enjoy pain and suffering as much as the next fallen, but I was not created like this", he paused and began to shake slightly, "I was cast down, because I hated their stupid restrictions and for the same reason I was banished from the underworld". His movement became far more fluid again, "I am a freer of souls my dear, a fallen freedom fighter as it were, I not only see a persons true nature, I can smell it".

He pointed towards the kitchen, "That girl, may be innocent for now, but five years down the line, well lets not get into all of that horrible stuff", he grinned again, "I am saving her by taking her as my own, and if you are good, I will continue to share". He crossed the room towards the kitchen and slowed as he passed Hatter, "You have a lot to learn about both worlds half-breed".

 

[Hahvoc The Decepticon]

"Why, aren't you just the most arrogant fuck?"

She murmured, grinning slightly as her eyes glinted. He seemed to think he knew everything because he had been in all the realms, but he knew basically jack. She knew more than he, because she was born from two and lived in the third. She cared not for soul traffic, only that the balance be maintained. And she knew about the number of souls being reanimated - she'd had to kill and devour a handful of them herself. She watched him shake as he spoke about what he had done before he seemed to straighten out. She had stood up, still smoking her cigarette, finishing off the stick during his little speech. She had shrugged her shoulders at one point. She knew more about him than he believed. She hadn't been told anything. She just knew. He seemed to think she was on a "side" but she never had been. Well, he would figure that out quickly. Her eyebrows rose the slightest fraction at his last few sentences before she reached out her arm, grabbed his throat and put him back on the floor in one fluid movement.

"A half-breed is born of both realms, dove, and has to exist in the third. I know more than you will ever even dream of."

She didn't snarl the words at him, didn't hiss or spit, but the aggravation was there in her tone. She wasn't a child - she was far, far older than she appeared and hell, a wee bit older than him and his attitude towards her was going to be put to an end. She wasn't some meek little creature to be toyed with. Half-breed didn't mean stupid wench. Didn't mean ignorant moron. She didn't light another cigarette, but held him pinned, her nails burning into his skin again - hotter than before. It was really the only sign of her aggression, otherwise, her face was back to being neutral.

"Don't respect me, I don't give a shit, but don't believe for one moment, dove, that I'm lesser to you because of my mixed heritage. A walking nightmare doesn't even come close to what I'm capable of. And that girl, I can eat alive without your consent. Hell, I could make you watch while I stole your treat - soul and all. And once I ate her soul, you wouldn't remember anything about her being taken from you. And it would eat at you, because you aren't human."

 

[Dark_Times]

His expression did not darken as she pinned him again, in fact he smiled slightly, "You do not know what you have just done", he trailed of into silence that smile still on his face. The markings shifted into a solid mass before forming at the tips of the fingers on his right hand, they paused breifly before moving off onto the floor like a shadow without a body. Slowly but surely a figure formed, it appeared to be nothing more than a darkling, until it spoke.

"Get off of him", it's voice was an echoing rasp, however it did not walk like most, it glided across the room leaving a trail behind it, before jumping back into Darius's body.

His back arched as though he had been struck by lightning and he vanished again, only to appear perched on a countertop on the other side of the room, "What's the matter Hatter", he chuckled, "Butter fingers?". He appeared infront of her again, this time striking her in the chest, the movement was similar to an uppercut, but he got ahold of her throat in the midst of it and hurled her into the floor. "Mind your place, this may be your realm but I will not be ordered around by some half-breed female who can not even best me", his voice was bored, as though he had been in a situation like this before.

"Show me a reason to listen to you, give me something for my trouble, and maybe I will show you respect, until then, well I doubt we shall see eye to eye", he lit a cigarette that had just appeared in his mouth, "I mean, it would be a terrible shame if say, oh I don't know, I was to vanish from this realm", he smiled as he took a drag.

 

[Hahvoc The Decepticon]

She didn't care about the shade, it mattered not to her. Not even when it spoke to her. She'd heard and felt worse - been in a worse situation than what he presented. He was too cocky for his own good. When he disappeared, she only stood up, not upset that he vanished. His taunt meant little - she'd dealt with this crap more times than she cared to count. When he hit her in the chest and then grabbed her by the throat before throwing her to the floor, she didn't even grunt with irritation. Instead, she simply sat up and dusted herself off. As she stood, she listened with only half an ear on what he said, adjusting her shirt and short skirt that had ridden up to reveal that she wasn't exactly wearing much underneath it, but it didn't really matter. He could see her naked and she wouldn't even flinch. Nudity wasn't something she was ashamed of.

In an instant, she was gone. Just blink - and gone. There was no warning at all as she slammed him back into the ground by grabbing the back of his head and shoving. It was probably going to be a long day - one she wasn't exactly looking forward to. She had broken several charges doing something similar but this one would be more of a challenge. It wasn't like she minded it either. She put her boot on the back of his head and pressed his face into the carpet, grinding his nose into it, almost tempted to see if she could easily break it.

"Best you? Dove, I think it's the other way around. You can't best me. I'm your Guard for a reason, boy."