Super Hero RPG

[The Kingpin]

"but then, sometimes it takes hardships like that to drive people to do the things they do" said Gaara, as a small portion of the sand drifted across the floor towards Ira...

[Hopeflower]

"Very true," Ira said. She reached up to take her hair out of the ponytail she usually kept it in. She shook it out as it fell to her shoulders.

[The Kingpin]

the sand morphed to form the back of a chair behind Ira, replacing the uncomfortable cabinet as Gaara seemed to drift into thought, laying his head back and closing his eyes. "So how exactly did you meet Yoru?" he asked, still not opening his eyes...

[Hopeflower]

Ira twitched, somewhat surprised. "I had a dream," she replied. "Well...I guess you wouldn't call it a dream...more of a vision. I saw her burn something down. A house, maybe." She shrugged. "In any case, I knew where she was, so I decided I'd teach her, since she didn't look like she had a clue as to what she was doing."

[The Kingpin]

Gaara almost opened his eyes in surprise, but shrugged it off instead. there were enough odd things in the world that this was just something to ignore. "Not the most amazing story i've ever heard, but interesting to say the least......so what happened when you actually found her?" he asked...

[Hopeflower]

"We talked a bit," Ira said, closing her own eyes as she remembered. "I told her I was there to show her how to use her fire. She asked me why, I gave her my reasons. And here we are. One step closer."

[The Kingpin]

Gaara smirked. "Simplicity. a rare thing these days" he said...

[Hopeflower]

"Indeed." Ira smiled faintly. She opened her eyes and made a tiny flame in her palm. She twisted it into a rose and held it in her cupped palms. After a second of hesitation, she gave it a stem, and a snake slithered from one of her fingers to wrap itself around it, between the thorns.

[The Kingpin]

hearing the faint crackle of flames, a small portion of the sand that made up Ira's sand-cushion split off from the base and levitated over her shoulder, morphing, turning into an eye, allowing Gaara to see what she was doing, while his true eyes were closed. "Interesting..anything in particular that's supposed to represent? or is it just random amusement?" he said...

[Hopeflower]

Ira looked up sharply. "How - " She cut herself off, shaking her head. "Doesn't matter how," she muttered. She looked back down at her creation. "It's kind of a symbol. The higher-ups in the organization I deserted had this tattooed on their left shoulders. I was told their boss came up with it. Supposedly, there are numbers hidden in the petals - but they're hidden well."

[The Kingpin]

"I see...what did the numbers represent?" he asked...

[Hopeflower]

"I have a vague idea," Ira said slowly, choosing her words carefully. "But there's every chance I'm wrong. I heard one of them call another 'Seven' once. It was like they weren't allowed to have names or something. That...or their boss is extremely cautious and made sure they knew not to call each other anything but a specific number." She frowned down at the rose. I still haven't cracked the code... she thought, somewhat frustrated. How are the numbers hidden? Not in the obvious ways, because the roses must be identical...so how?

[The Kingpin]

Gaara fell silent in thought for a while, thinking it over in his head. he hadn't heard of this organisation before. of that, he was sure. but still....he had a slight feeling these guys weren't your ordinary assassins...

[Hopeflower]

After a moment, Ira allowed the flame to go out. The faint, somewhat sweet scent of smoke calmed her a little. She wasn't going to solve the puzzle in one night. Or in the time since I left, it would seem, she thought dryly. Whoever was leading the assassins was smart enough to create a code nearly impossible for those outside of the ones he trusted to decipher. Tricky b*stard... She rubbed at her eyes, realizing suddenly how tired she was. She slid off the counter. "I should get some rest, or I'll be dead on my feet tomorrow," she said. "See you in the morning I guess." She left the kitchen, headed up the stairs, and went into her room. She changed swiftly, and collapsed on her bed more than sat down. She stared out the window for a minute, then switched her gaze to her keyboard. The ivory keys glowed back at her. Would she be too tired to play in the morning? She hoped not...though she wasn't sure how Yoruichi and her friend would react to the music, she'd play just as she did every day. Decided, she settled down to sleep.

[The Kingpin]

Gaara stood up once Ira had gone to bed, and proceeded to turn out every light on the first floor, leaving the second floor to the girls, finally heading for the library. taking note of the window, he closed the curtains, knowing he wouldn't sleep but would at least be at peace in the dark. once the curtains were drawn, he went to a chair a distance from the window, and sat down, closing his eyes, letting his mind wander...

[Hopeflower]

Zero looked up at his painting, lost in thought. He wasn't sure what to expect, come morning. He had a feeling that it wasn't going to be pretty. Slowly, he reached out and traced a thorn with his fingertips. Beautiful...and deadly. Hopefully, he wouldn't be using his blades on Eleven tomorrow.


The following morning, Ira woke early, and instantly, as always. She sat on her bed for a moment, letting the previous day catch up with her, before she turned her gaze to her keyboard. She got up, put her hair up in her usual high ponytail, and stretched for a minute. "Another day, and I'm still alive," she muttered. She shook her head. "Amazing." She changed into a clean shirt and a pair of sweatpants, and settled on the floor in front of the piano and settled her fingers on the keys. After a second's hesitation, she began to play, allowing herself to slowly get lost in the music.

[The Kingpin]

a pair of ice blue eyes opened in the semi darkness of the library, the faint glow from the windows only slightly illuminating the room. Gaara found himself unusually refreshed...he had actually had an hour or so of rest before the memories woke him again. he hoped that one day they would fade and he'd be allowed to sleep like most others had the pleasure of sleeping. dreamless, long, and soothing. but for now, he supposed an hour was better than nothing. he could hear music coming from upstairs. he decided to stay where he was and listen to what could be heard for now...maybe he'd go up later...

[Hopeflower]

Ira found herself relaxing more and more as the music went on. This piece was one of a few that she could play fairly well. She watched her fingers move over the keys, eventually slowing to a halt on a low note. She paused, thought about which of the songs she knew, and started playing again. This one was pretty fast-paced and the rhythm was tricky, and, if she were honest, if played right it was pretty haunting music.

[The Kingpin]

Gaara continued to listen, trying to decide between going up to listen to it more clearly, or stay here and enjoy the peace of the library. after a few moments, he settled on the latter, deciding he could hear the music well enough and he wouldn't have the benefit of the room's peace if he went upstairs...

[Hopeflower]

The song faded out and Ira got to her feet, deciding that was enough for one morning. She opened her door and left her room, heading downstairs. As she started to make herself a cup of tea, she was aware she was humming quietly. She heard footsteps coming down the stairs and felt her lip quirk. And here I thought I'd have to wake her up, she thought, turning as Yoruichi came into the kitchen. "Morning," she murmured, looking back at her mug as she spooned sugar into it. Yoruichi nodded, starting to make her own hot drink.