I'm in ur nation...killin ur gais

[paradigm]

Serving as the dead end of a forgotten alleyway on the outskirts of an ancient city, the old building stretched upwards into the sky like a large arm reaching for the clouds. With sturdy walls of stone and remarkably little in the way of decoration, it was evident that the building was designed for use rather than for aesthetic purposes. Heading down the shadowed alley, Ricker moved with the grace and precision of a man on a mission. His steps were smooth and steady and his manner was not alarming at all. Garbed in black, Ricker walked towards the building and forced the door open with a strong shove from his shoulder.

Stepping into the room, he climbed the stairs to the very top of the building before dropping the facade. Entering the area that had served as his base of operations for the past few weeks, Ricker loosened the collar of his tunic as the illusion faded away. Like ink dribbling from a watercolor painting the well mannered man and his dark garb melted away to reveal the reality that was Ricker.

Running gloved fingers through greasy locks of hair, the young man stood at the top of the building and looked out at the city below. He’d only arrived a month ago and already he was ready to burn this place to the ground.

We’ll burn it alright…burn it right up!
Fires are pretty fun, ya know!?
Fires are fun, but they’re not Ricker’s favorite.
Oh, we know what Ricker’s favorite is.

Smiling down at the street below; Ricker removed the gloves from his hands before placing them in his jacket pocket. Pulling his shoulders back, the scarred man fiddled around in his pockets before finding the knife he was looking for.

Ricker ‘s always smiling…that’s why everyone likes him
You have to like someone who smiles all the time.

Holding the palm of his left hand up to his face, Ricker dug the blade into his flesh. The meat of his hand split easily beneath the knife’s razor sharp edge and Ricker’s lips disappeared into his mouth. Biting down on the inside of his lips, yellowed teeth dug into gums as Ricker tried to hold back his laughter, wriggling about left and right as if he were being tickled by imaginary hands.

It wasn’t long before his knife reached the edge of his hand and the young man blurted out a chuckle before quickly shutting his lips again. The laughter started in his stomach where it traveled up past his tightened lips before bursting out of his eyes. Slamming the bloodied gash on his hand against the window, Ricker positioned his hands several times before a bloodied handprint was rested perfectly in the middle.

Speaking between his chuckles, Ricker turned to speak to the room as if it were filled with people hanging on his every word.

“There we go…now that the building has my seal of approval-bwuahHAHAHAHA!!” The laughter shook Ricker to his very core, forcing him to bend over and grasp his abdomen.

Ricker knows how to enjoy himself
Fairly soon the city will have to entertain Ricker
”This…This is...gonna be a blast."

[Era]

Entertainment in the form of sadistic pleasure that defiles the morals of a true humane being. What it meant to be humans were to follow the laws which governed them, and to further revolutionize the established guidelines which ran the race. However there at times came those that rather by others or through self decision, decided to oppose that which made one human. Breaking these barriers with thick hands meant that they had transcended and become something outside of what was the normality for their kind, the human race. Ricker, was one such person. Soon he would find entertainment emerging before him.

With but a simple rift that was only discernible by the most keen eyes, he came into being. It wasn't by his will alone that he had come forth, but the will of those that controlled him as a weapon of Avylon craftsmanship.

The protruding hilt of the emblazoned shimmering hilt, Delita was removed from his shelter to cast rays of divine inheritance to the world before him. The wielder was that of a fair-haired man who was made comfortable by the garments he was decorated with, and the crest of his pride burned into his back to make his positioning on such an affair known. The sensitive emerald eyes of the graduate stared forth to the malevolent being with intention of apprehending the foe to the best of his ability. Felix hoped that he wouldn't encounter the barrier which separated near death and permanent death itself. He would certainly hate to impose that upon his figure.

"Come peacefully, or face a long awaited destruction."

For a moment he held Delita before them both, casting its gentle rays to the civilians that scurried and the buildings that surrounded them from nearly all sides. The very tip was pointed into the direction of the inhumane being, and his lips had brought themselves to curl into a confident smile that only a hero could form. Felix would become a hero, and this would be his debut into the spotlight. This would be his allegory.

[paradigm]

Spoiler:

Playtime=later. Story-time=now.

It was a horrible, horrible error in judgment to think Ricker so lost to his sadistic pleasures as to lack all form of reason or tactical awareness. In truth, it should be noted that it was Ricker's unconventional thought process and modus operandi that had earned allowed him to see each rising sun. While it cannot be doubted that Felix desired a great battle, or some sort of test of his manhood, Ricker was not the sort to be caught off guard in his own house. Let alone, to leave any form of opening that could be traversed without great risk upon the part of the traveler.

Ricker was not one to dwell on the minute details of life. How this man seemed to know of his malevolence, how he seemingly 'just happened' to pop into existence in the middle of Ricker's fortress; all these thoughts were not wasted upon the scarred man's unique mind. No, the only thing that plagued was why this strange dudley do-right saw hadn't upgraded his catch phrases.

Come peacefully, or face a long awaited destruction.?

Had Ricker even committed a crime, yet? Perhaps this was a fellow oddball lost in his eccentricities and confusing the changeling with someone else. "Hm," Ricker pondered, stroking his smooth chin with dark gloves. "Nope, don't know him."

Alas, it was all for naught as Felix would find himself back from whence he came before his words carried any sense of finality to the sorcerer.

"Alas, poor someone...I knew you...er...not...ehBAH HA HA HA HA!!!"

The predicament was not a negative reflection upon Felix's skills at all, but rather a lack of foresight into Ricker's mad mad mind. The moment his essence, whether it was magical, psionic, whathaveyou, touched upon Ricker's fortress of solitude a remarkable reverse spell took effect, sending the knight in shining armor well away from Ricker and re-enforcing the cloaking spell and defenses. Extravagant feats, to be sure and ones that Ricker had taken a great deal of time and care to set into place. Such things were not easily cast aside, especially by those who knew nothing of Ricker and his true self.

~*~

Alone again in his 'study' the strange man bandaged his hand before slipping a fresh glove on. There was much to do and next to no time to do it in. Books and charms and scrolls lay scattered about the dilapidated room, adding to the warm fuzzy feeling Ricker felt at the presence of his charms and wards. Pulling open a large door, Ricker moved to the next room, his boots shuffling over the cracked marble stairs as he approached the long since dry fountain present in at it's center.

The fountain itself was in disrepair but the statue overlooking it was as pristine and marvelous as ever.

"Marbelous..."

Oh Ricker is hilarious!!!
You always make me smile!!
Your humor knows no bounds!!
I hate you and I want you to die.
Spoil sport.
Party pooper.
Buzzkill!

Thumb and forefinger pressed to the corner of his eyes before Ricker fixed his gaze upon the carved man and the inscription beneath his name. Auburn locks tilted to the side as the changeling spoke the words aloud.

"In honor of Lord...eh...hard word..., 2nd Duke of...eh...hard word..., hero of the battle of ....eh...another hard word, this statue will serve as a memory of your greatness and sacrifice for the people of Rosinder." The date below the words indicated that the statue was well over a hundred years old. The fact that it remained in such remarkable condition was truly astonishing.

"Remarbable, even."

BAH HA HA HA HA HA!!!!
HA HEEE HAAAAAA HAAA HAAA!!!!
OOOOH HOOOO HOOOO HOAH HOOOOAHHH!!!!
...

Bright emotive eyes began to shift, changing color and shape as the changeling took in every detail he could. Every curve, ever chiseled feature, every detailed lock of hair was noted by Ricker. The change hurt at first, it always did, but that pleasure soon turned into pain and when Ricker was through he made his way over to a nearby window to inspect his new reflection: a perfect likeness of the statue, save for two long scars that extended from the corners of his mouth towards his ears.

"There...this is gonna be fun."

[paradigm]

Slim fingers combed through long pale locks, Ricker had not had his hair this long in ages...with good reason, he recalled. The lengths one had to go in order to maintain a sleek mane were mind boggling. No matter, it would soon grow stiff and heavy with grease and then Ricker would look like his new-old self again.

Peering up at the statue the likeness of which he now possessed, Ricker noted that the man was a few inches taller, but there was little the changeling was willing to do about that.He was fond of his current height and saw no need to change it.

Despite his present musings, the recent occurrence of an intruder remained a subject of contemplation in his mind. It was impossible that any, save his benefactor, would know of his presence in Rosinder, which made the attempt on his freedom that much more disconcerting.Regardless of his choice to deem the situation as nothing more than confusion, Ricker's options were limited.

With a flourish of his gloved hand a murky haze began to gather. Binding together it appeared and moved with the consistency of smoke, but upon inspection curious fingers would find themselves held fast by the ebon smoke. Ricker continued forward and the eldritch magic set about it's task, the primordial figment moving through the cracks in the floor and delving into the earth.

What it gave rise to had not faced the atmosphere of Valucre in centuries. A large cylinder chamber, constructed of earth and foliage responded at his touch, the large leaves covering it's contents slowly peeled away like receding flower petals. Nine sets of closed eyelids, such an odd creature and yet held in such high regard by her people. Somehow, Ricker found it amusing to have one of noble blood as his servant...nothing quite like turning the caste system on it's head.

"Wakey, wakey...eggs and bakey."

[Hush]

The response to his singsongy words was immediate. Eyelids burst open, strange blue fruit peeling back to reveal the bloodied seeds of pomegranate beneath. Unnerving eyes, like a pendulum that moved back and forth, sucking in her surroundings with vacuous tenacity. Hair twisted and stirred like vipers as she shook her head back and forth, stretching the limbs and cracking the bones that had been inert for many long years.

When she did stir, it was to extend her palm, holding it close to the man’s head. The eye on the surface of her hand stared back at her own face, reflection upon reflection reverberating back into her mind. It was a marvelous sight, a marvelous feeling, a catharsis, seeping slowly through her veins. When she was done viewing herself, she turned her palm around so that the eye was but inches from Ricker, and her icy lips curled upwards in a smile.

“What is your reason for calling me,” she said, her voice a perfect, clear echo- too perfect to have been human. “For if it was your intention that I serve you, you are sorely mistaken.”

Despite his appearance, the scars along his lips led her to believe he couldn’t possibly be one of her kind. No Changeling, none lesser than a maggot, would scar like that.

But maggot and human alike were Gaia’s children, and she respected the sanctity of life…unless it threatened the stability of her world. She knew nothing of this human in Changeling body’s intentions, but she would not kill him without reason.
She would, however, not follow easily.

[paradigm]

Mutilated flesh curled upwards into an even grimmer smile. "My, my...not even fully awake yet and already giving me trouble. You're quite the stubborn one aren't you?" Tugging his gloves firmly into place, Ricker repositioned himself, long legs carrying his form across the large room. "Regardless, you're awake now and the earth mother requires your assistance."

Could Ricker be lying? More than likely. Then again there was very little known about the man. His own beliefs remained unadvertised, yet he clearly knew of Gaia's Children and of their nesting location. He clearly had the know how to locate and activate an inactive pod. Could he truly be anything other than a faithful follower of mother Gaia?

"If need be I'll invoke the right of royalty. Given your status you can't ignore the Earth Mother's call...that is...unless you're afraid your not up to the task. Worried that these filthy humes might be your betters?" Ricker chuckled. "I'm not...I'm sure you'll conquer all that's laid before you. Now, let's get you out of that pod."

Ricker would wait for the changeling to emerge from her resting place before conversing with her any further.

[Hush]

Reaching her hands on either side of her, she pushed the foliage, a strained sound ripping though the area as the pod tore under her force. Truthfully, it was getting cramped in here, and she was indeed eager to experience the world, feel solid ground beneath her feet again.

Os stepped out into fresh air, the remnants of clothes clinging to her body, the tone of a drowned pallor. Once again she stretched, bones making an awful cracking sound, chest thrust forward as she sighed audibly.

For a while, it seemed as though she was ignoring Ricker and his speech completely. Twisting a lock of sky-colored hair in her fingers, her thoughts wandered to her dress, which was in a state of decay from the long coma she had been suspended in. She definitely needed a change of clothes. Then her eyes, narrowed to slits, rushed back to the man in the room, expression as though she had forgotten his very existence, which was quite likely.

What had he been going on about? Some crap about Mother Gaia and her duties as royalty. Os didn't like to be reminded of her duties- as it was up to her discression whether or not she followed them. Cocking her head to one side, she smiled. Who exactly was this strange man?

“I see to it that the earth is well served when she speaks to me. What, pray tell, do you know of her will?"

[SCO]

A rapping noise emanated from the doorway, like knuckles hitting stone. As the noise faded, and tall, skinny man dressed like a dandy from Valucre walked into the room.

"Oh, I didn't mean to intrude upon you and your lady friend, Ricker. Should I give the two of you some time before I come back? Is half an hour good for you?" The dark gray scarf fluttered in the faint wind entering through the cracks in the walls, tangling itself in black hair, as Uriel's jewel like violet eyes glinted under the brim of his hat.

He knew Ricker would not find that very funny, and that was the point. Who (and what) ever this was with his old friend didn't seem to be the kind of person to think it humorous either, from what little he'd heard, and that probably was more to the point.

He stepped out from underneath the crumbling archway that lead to the main part of the manor. "Ricker, you really should give more thought to security. I mean, teleporting that strange man a few moments ago, that was nicely done. It would have been nicer if it wasn't the exact invocation I taught you years ago though. Come now! I thought our yearly exchanges were for the advancement of our arts. By the dumbfounded look on your face, you forgot that today was the day, hmm? Well, if you don't want to stop playing with your new toy, at least let me know what it is."

Uriel continued to walk into the room. As he did so, he removed his top hat, squeezed it between his hands, and watched as it disappeared into a small puff of smoke. He got a good look at the strange creature now, and noticed something odd. It's aura was very unusual. Almost a greenish white color. Now there was something he hadn't seen before.

"Good evening milady. Uriel, at my service. Oh, and since I make no qualms about you knowing that I was eavesdropping, Ricker is a strange man. He knows a lot of things people aren't supposed to."

[paradigm]

Ricker couldn't deny at least the inkling of jealousy at Uriel's appearance and disposition. Such a dapper gentleman. Oh how Ricker wished he could be a dapper gentleman, but somehow no matter the form he chose he was ever a man of brutal disposition.

Yes, Dapper doesn't suit Ricker.
Then why say, 'Yes.'
To get his hopes up and dash them right away.
You're a cruel one, you are.
Mayhap...mayhap you're just sensitive.

"He has a point."

Ricker quirked a brow. That's right they couldn't hear his thoughts...but at least his response fit in nicely with the conversation. Tugging his dark cloak to the side, Ricker gave Uriel a small nod of his head.

"Intrude all you like, I've little use for a woman outside of a servant's capacity." He said with a sour expression.

Gesturing towards the vast room once more Ricker motioned for Os to start moving. "Very well then, find yourself some suitable clothes...we can't be about Gaia's work with you looking like you've just woken up from a nap."

Turning his attention to Uriel, Ricker smiled, the scars upon his lips broadening as well. "So what brings you here...other than the desire to annoy me incessantly,"

[SCO]

"Annoying you incessantly? Why that does sound just like me, doesn't it?" Uriel cracked a smile that stretched from ear to ear...much like the scars on Ricker's face. A good feeling spread over him, and suddenly Uriel knew it was going to happen again. His vision started to blur and gray...

Dammit. Well, I can only blame myself for that. Well, have enjoy your time Raphael. At least I remember what you do...

When the haze faded, he blinked his eyes a few times, and vibrant blue eyes stared out at Ricker. He raised his hand to his head, and swept it through his hair. As he did so, the blue tinged black was dyed to a beautiful, golden blonde, and seemingly shrunk into his head, revealing sharply pointed ears. The hand that just went through the hair came up to his face again, and he pushed a finger hard into his cheek, right over the tattoo under his eye, and the color seemed to fade and dissipate as he did so.

"Ricker, dear friend, excuse me a moment more. I forgot about clothes. Dear lady, would you like a jacket? I'm certain I could do something for you." Raphael had turned to the nude while he spoke. As soon as he mentioned the jacket, he pulled it off his back, and started to hand it over. At the last second though, he suddenly snatched it back, whipping it back on. During the rapid movement, however, something changed. The long black coat was now red, short, and made of a leather-like material, and somehow, so where his pants. "Sorry, dear lady. I'm afraid I've only the one after all. But never fear, today is a day for celebration! Have you not heard? People all over Rosinder are abuzz? The rebellion is making a stand! We've got a reason to cause as much havoc as we wish!"

Another big smile broke across the face of the changeling, and he decided that he needed to do something fun. Reaching behind his back, he made a grasp for something that didn't seem to exist, but when his hands came back into view of the other changelings, he had three brightly colored balls. Without hesitation, he began to juggle them, placing tricks of the hand whenever he could. "The trick here is to expect failure though. You are going to drop the ball, that's just a fact of life. But practice makes perfect. I've got plenty of practice. Perhaps that's why I'm perfect? Anyhows, Ricker, I'm here, yes, as you say, to annoy you. I'd like to teach you a few tricks I've learned. And perhaps you can teach me about this wonderful young lady, however nude she is, and however you intend to use her as a , ahem, servant. She's quite intriguing, yes she is..." Raphael's beautiful alto faded as he began so smile, all three balls dropping to the ground, distracted as he was.