Outnumbered ~ I Am Number Four ~ Invite Only!

[hilde]

(should I kill susannah, paige and rosemary?)

Richie rolled his eyes and walked outside. It wasnt like that new little kid had a chance with Erin anyway because no girl would want some weak idiot like him.

[honeybee.]

Maybe, Erin thought in reply, Or maybe he's always been like this. We'll just have to wait and see.

Matty sighed, this Loric's deal was a lose-lose situation. So basically I either come alone and you kill me, or I bring an army and they kill you, which is exactly what I'm trying to stop. He typed, So, no.

[SunnyJustice]

Vincent nodded, his sobs all but stopped. "This feels really depressing," he murmured aloud. "Can we go outside and get some fresh air? Please?"

Apricot was so frustrated, she almost slammed her hands on the keyboard, but decided against it. She would probably break the thing. Just bring a few people then. Two or three, besides yourself, it'll be fun and if you're looking to be so honorable, let's have a fair fight. Four on one is completely fair or even too easy for me, if you knew me.

[honeybee.]

"Of course," Erin said standing up, "Let's go." She led the way to the door.

Matty sighed, I'm not risking other's lives just because you want a fight He typed, So, as I said, no. He prepared to delete all One's posts and this message. He knew he couldn't change his mind about protecting her, sending her posts on to Icaron would end up with his communication being discovered and him dead.

[SunnyJustice]

Vincent got off the couch, fighting to keep his legs from giving out under him. He was shaking so hard, his knees felt like jelly, and he wouldn't be surprised if he suddenly fell -- but he was trying hard not to. He walked to the door and opened it, and as soon as the fresh, warm breeze hit his face, he broke into a run. He knew he could never outrun his problems but he wished he could.

Apricot frowned, disappointed that she was getting nowhere. This was severely irritating. She just wanted a fight, and not only was this idiot trying to start an ethical debate, he was preventing her from killing Mogadorians. Now this was really starting to grind on her nerves. Fine, she responded. She needed to find out who this guy was, so she could get revenge. I'll stop posting if you tell me your name.

[TheFae]

Amber
16
Location: Inside the Mansion
Tagged: Alder, Erin, and Vincent

Amber frowned, and hugged Vincent. She then watched the two younger Garde converse, and she honestly had one thought going through her mind. "I totally ship it." She opened her mouth to say something, when she heard a pounding on the door. "I'll get that." She murmured, knowing she wouldn't be able to help Vincent. She then went to the door, and immediately recognized Alder. She opened the door, and looked him over. "Number Two, Alder Adamson." She smiled. "Where is your Cepan? What happened? Tell me everything." She stated, immediately gesturing for him to come inside. This was about to get very very interesting.

Esme
35
Location: The Dock
Tagged: The Cepans

Esme was silent during the whole ordeal, and she nearly lost it when they told each other that they loved them. She had to look away, since she herself was in love with an Adamson/Brie. Rowan. She really really really wanted him to say he loved her, especially since she loved him with her entire heart and soul. She didn't want to imagine a life without him, yet it seemed as if he could. It shook her to the core, and Esme needed to get away. "I'm going out." She mumbled, getting up and immediately walking towards a car.

Rori
36
Location: In the Air
Tagged: Acacia

They were almost to the ship, and Rori was alive with excitement. "I really appreciate this." She smiled at Acacia as the other ship appeared in the horizon. She immediately pressed the call button, and she heard Eboni pick up.
"Auntie Rori!" She cried. "Hey bloodsucker. How's my favorite niece doing?" She teased, using her favorite pet name for the young one. "I'm doing great! Are you coming to visit soon?" She asked. "I'm almost there now, and you'll never guess who's with me! Acacia!" She cried, announcing her surprise. Little Eboni screamed on the phone, which had Rori laughing. "You'll see her in a few minutes! She's even going to show you some of her moves! I love you!" She cried, since they were going to need to hang up. "You are the best aunt ever!" Eboni cried. Rori smiled, loving the feeling of being loved.

[SunnyJustice]

Alder stopped, drawing a blank, but recognition immediately flooded his eyes. "Number Six? Amber Soare?" he replied, before stepping in and giving his old friend a big hug. If there was anyone he could confide in, it was her. His sister, Apricot, was far too murderous. The warmongerer had almost killed him with her bare hands several times, and Alder was terrified of her. But around Amber, he felt safe.
"Oh, Amber," he sobbed into her shoulder, "it was terrible! The Mogs attacked me and Paige, and I got away, b-but I don't know if she's okay, or if she's even coming!" he was shaking so hard, he feared he would fall over. "I came as soon as I could, but I feel like a traitor. What if she n-n-never comes?"

"You are not going out alone," Gingko said sternly. "Whenever characters split up in any book, movie, or whatever, someone ends up dead, captured, or worse."
"I'll come," Maple offered.
"Wait!" someone shouted in the distance. Irritated, Gingko turned to see her stupid son, dashing out of a grove of pine trees. He was running towards them. What on Mogadore was his issue?
"Esme," he panted, finally catching up. His hands were on his knees and he struggled to regain his breath. "I'm sorry, let me explain..."
"What did you do?" Gingko demanded.
"I ran off. I was an idiot," Rowan confessed. Maple looked about to slap him, but then Rowan stood up straight and walked to Esme's side.
What in the name of Valerie is his problem? thought Gingko furiously.
"Let's leave them," Maple murmured.
"Don't be a disgrace," Gingko told Rowan threateningly as she and Maple began the long walk back to the house, together for once.
Rowan didn't even watch them leave. All his attention was on Esme. "I'm so sorry," he said in a soft voice, "I couldn't handle Willow's death -- I freaked out, I was unable to deal with it. I ran away because I was scared that the same thing would happen to us. I was a coward and an idiot, and I understand if my actions upset you, but it would mean more than anything if you forgave me. I just needed to think, and now that my head is clear, I know I was foolish to be afraid."
He dropped to one knee in the sand, presenting Esme with a carefully-whittled ring, made out of wood from a coconut tree. Rowan had taken special care to make sure it was perfectly clean of splinters, and it was adorned with a bit of pinkish quartz instead of a diamond.
"I love you too much to stay away," he confessed, "no matter what. So I decided I'd rather stay by your side forever, if it's not too much to ask; Esmeraude Gwydion, will you marry me?"

Acacia listened patiently as Rori spoke with Eboni. "I am eager for this meeting," she told Rori. "How are Shay and Jett doing, by the way?"

[Sorry, writer's block -- will post more when they get to the ship!]

[TheFae]

Amber
16
Location: Inside the Mansion
Tagged: Alder

Amber smiled gleefully as Alder hugged her. "I missed you so much, Alder." She whispered, rubbing his back. She then noticed he was crying. She kept him up, but she knew he was a mess. "She will come. She is very strong. Nothing is going to happen to Paige, and you did what was right. She would be so proud of you." She whispered, cooing to him. "Let's go get you cleaned up. We will get you food, a room, and then we will get Erin to see if she can find Paige." Amber stated, creating a game plan. "Come on. Let's go." She smiled, dragging him towards the bathrooms. She immediately knew where his room was, since every number was in a row. She just wished he was closer to her. She loved being around him.

Esme
35
Location: The Dock
Tagged: Rowan

Esme was about to politely decline the two Cepans, when she heard Rowan shout, 'Wait!' She stopped and turned around, watching as he ran in. He caught up, but he was gasping for breath. He then looked up and right at her. She couldn't move, she was captivated by his gaze. "I ran off. I was an idiot." He confessed. Esme's breath caught in her throat, and he walked to her side. She didn't even notice the others leave, her sole attention was on Rowan. She listened to him talk, and she opened her mouth to console him, when he dropped to one knee. She gasped and her hands flew up to her face.
"I love you too much to stay away, no matter what. So I decided I'd rather stay by your side forever, if it's not too much to ask: Esmeraude Gwdyion, will you marry me?' He proposed. The ring was gorgeous, and hand crafted. Esme held out her left hand as she nodded her head.
"Yes, I do, Mr. President."

Rori
36
Location: The other Mother Ship
Tagged: Acacia and Eboni

"They are doing great. Shay is training, but I don't think he wants to be in the field. I think he wants to stay in the ship and help heal people. Jett, though, wants to get out into the field now." She laughed as she prepared to exit the ship. They were already docked, and Rori couldn't wait to see her family. It was a treat to see them, since she was always with Icaron. She didn't mind spending every moment with him, in fact, he loved it, but she also loved her family. "Eboni is going-" She started to say, but she was interrupted by a high-pitched squeal and a little girl with raven black hair running towards them.

Eboni
9
Location: The Docking Bay
Tagged: Rori and Acacia

Eboni couldn't contain her excitement, and as soon as she was cleared, she ran into the docking area where Aunt Rori was. She immediately saw them, and she couldn't help but let out a cry. "You really did bring her!" She shouted, running towards them. She first hugged her Aunt Rori really tight. She let go rather quickly, and looked up at Acacia. "You are even better in person!" She shrieked, jumping up and down as she was in the presence of her idol. Eboni even brought her spear with her, but it was out in the hallway since she wasn't allowed to bring it in here.

[SunnyJustice]

Alder nodded, beginning to feel better after Amber's words. "Thanks, Alpha Amber," he said affectionately before straightening up. Amber was right, he had to think positive and stop being an idiot, or Paige would hunt him down and slap him silly. "Speaking of food..." he began as a smile actually began to form on his face. "If you have something ready, I hope you don't mind if I dig in. But if you don't got nothing, then this means I finally get to do the one thing I'm really good at!"
He grinned mischievously. "You should see me in the kitchen; first of all, I think I look really good in an apron, and second of all, even Paige is proud of my food!"

In silence, Rowan stood up, and this time he made no attempt to hide the tears of joy that were forming in his eyes. He gently leaned in and planted a shy, soft kiss on Esme's lips, then drew back with a timid smile. "I suppose this means you are the First Lady, for real this time," he said before extending his arms and pulling her into his warm embrace.

Acacia had been listening intently to Rori before a black-haired ball of murder and excitement bounded towards them. Oh dear, she was loving Eboni already, but the tiny girl had so much energy in her it seemed impossible. She was like one of those Earth hummingbirds, the small dark ones that flew around upside-down whenever they wanted, just because they had the ability to. Yet, this wasn't the first time Acacia had met a girl so loud and yet so affectionate... but the blue flash intercepted her mind when she tried to access those old memories. Brushing it aside, she set her full focus on the small girl who was now bouncing on the spot. A smile formed on her face, this time making the corners of her eyes rise in genuine joy.
"Thank you," she told the young girl, putting a hand on Eboni's shoulder in an attempt to calm her down a little. "I heard you are quite the combat prodigy. If there is anything specific you want me to show you, I would love to," she said with a smile.

Icaron was alone again. He understood completely; Rori and his daughter had important business, and Icaron couldn't always be around them. But Icaron had seen better days, and today was not one of them. He didn't know why, but he was just so afraid; presenting Acacia's weapon to her seemed to be the trigger. Icaron had forged that weapon for her by himself, and he had a reason behind it, but that reason disturbed even him. He didn't like to think about it, but maybe one day it would be inevitable.
He descended the stage and exited to the left, making his way back to his room. No one waved to him; perhaps they recognized the dark, serious expression on his thoughtful face, or maybe they simply did not care. Icaron would not have been surprised either way.
He walked down the dormitory halls, but made a sharp right instead of a left, and entered his daughter's empty room. He locked the door behind him.
The room was the second largest bedroom aboard the ship. The first belonged to Rori, the third to Icaron himself. It was also dimly lit. Back on Mogadore, Acacia had an eye problem; she was born on Lorien, with perfect air conditions, so the harsh pollution of Mogadore was a stark, unpleasant contrast. During bright days in the smog, Acacia's eyes would irritate her so much she would have headaches, and it pained Icaron to watch his daughter suffer. He had given her the most mild, gentle lighting conditions possible, fearing it would happen again on the mothership. Luckily, it never did -- but Icaron knew Acacia liked the warm, dim lamp in her room instead of any other light, so he never changed it.
It was so well-kept, with everything in its place. Except for one area, Icaron knew, Acacia never checked. He removed his shoes and walked across the soft carpet, carefully removing a single piece of stationery from her filed collection, and taking the fountain pen he had given her. It was black with a crimson tip, and scarlet blazes adorned its length. He felt touched that it was on a special pen holder in the middle of her otherwise-empty desk; maybe she did truly love that gift.
My daughter, he thought wistfully, but do you love me as much as I love you?
Maybe one day, he would find out, in his own way.
He should have been looking forward to that day... but he feared it.
Because that day would also be his last.
He sat down at his daughter's immaculate desk. It was pristine and homely; not the convoluted mess of Mogadore, not the arrogant fake perfection of Lorien. It was beautiful, like Earth. Like the home he hoped they would all belong to, someday, living in peace among the humans. And they would all teach each other to love, because love would be the only thing they ever needed.
My dearest Acacia, he began to write.
How was he going to do this? How could he? Already, Icaron felt his heart beginning to break. But he had to, because he feared the worst. Maybe one day, he would fail everyone. He would find himself metaphorically running in circles, but having nowhere to truly run to. The Mogadorians respected his leadership and feared his power, but if he fell, he would be weak. No one would care; because the Beloved Leader was just a title, Icaron was never truly beloved.
They would stand by and laugh at his suffering, because he would have failed to change anything. The very fact that they did not care... that was a failure. Icaron only wanted to help his people, to teach them what love was, but if he failed... they might never learn.
They would mock the fallen leader, taunt him in his agony, and they would torment him to weaken him further. A vicious cycle, inescapable... only by death.
If worse came to worst... Acacia would have to read this letter.
He would only have to give the word, because she never checked this specific drawer otherwise. It was the only empty one; she could not find a category to organize it with, so simply neglected its existence completely. "Look in your desk drawer. Bottom shelf, far right corner."
Taking a deep breath, he gathered the courage to write.
In the event that you are reading this, I am already beyond hope. I have written this because I believe in you, Acacia; I will always do so. I trust that you can handle what I am about to request you do, and I am so sorry for asking this of you. The very fact that you have opened this letter means I have directed you here out of desperation, because at this point, I will be better off dead.
Please do not skim this letter. It was hard for me to write, and if it's hard for you to read, just picture me standing by your side. I will be gone, but my faith in you will never fade. There is one thing I ask that you understand: A father can die, yet a father's love cannot die.
It was with love that I made your spear for you. I could not ask anyone else to create it, for it is the only one of its kind, and I wanted my gift to you to be very personal. There are three reasons why it is the way it is. First of all, I love you, and it hurt me to watch you struggle to complete your assignments. It is a priority of mine that you are accepted, respected, and loved; if you must kill your opponents to reach that, so be it. I wanted to make it easier on you to do what you must.
Secondly, since you were born, I looked upon you and I knew of your destiny. You are meant to become the strongest and most renowed fighter our race has ever seen. When I write this now, you are a soldier; but one day you will become a Lieutenant, then a General, and before you know it, you will be in my place. But you will not make the same mistakes I did, the mistakes that ensure the reading of this letter. I am so sorry. You are stronger than I was, and you can finish what I failed to do.
And the third and final reason is that I am afraid. If I make a mistake, and fall from favor, there will be no mercy granted to me. I cannot ask anyone else what I am about to plead from you. I love Rori very much, and if she feels the same, I will not bear to burden her with this task, and no one else holds the compassion you do. I know it is difficult, but please try to understand. In this situation, you are the only one I can turn to, and I beg that you lend a hand just one last time.
Tears pricked at his eyes at the thought of having to leave Rori behind. He would write to her, too, but he had to finish this letter first. One page turned into two, and then into many, as he removed more pieces of the elegant black-embroidered stationery from his daughter's shelf. The most difficult thing, perhaps, was that he truly believed this letter would be read one day.
If you still have not killed before now, take comfort; this will be your true First Blood. Acacia, a Mogadorian's First Blood ceremony defines them. If this is to be who you are, then it will mean more than all the others'. Your First Blood will not only tell of your strength, but also of something else the others don't yet know. Something you will one day teach them. You can call it compassion, but I'd like to call it love.
I love you, my daughter, no matter what. I never asked for reciprocation, but just this once I beg you to understand, and I'm so sorry that I ask you to make this choice.
If you love me, Acacia, kill me.
Sincerely,
Your father.

[honeybee.]

Erin sighed sadly as Vincent started to run. She waited a few moments before going to run after him. Maybe he wanted to be alone but if the Mogs could find Cedar's flight they could find their new home and so she wasn't going to let him leave her sight.

Now this was something he could do, there wasn't much One could do with a name, was there? Matty.he typed, That's my name. Now will you stop posting?