Vigilantes
 Smiley Specialist
he's big enough
Posts: 164
Preferred Name: Nama
Character Profile: ♦♦♦
Character Name: Levenin Refure
Main Account: Levenin
Status: On Hiatus
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Post by Levenin on Nov 10, 2015 1:00:16 GMT -5
”No, you’re okay. Don’t apologize…” Now Levenin felt awful for complaining so much. Of course he wasn’t the only one nervous here. At least he’d lived in this world, if only for a handful of years, whereas Ellie had to spend what he could only imagine were hours of study. Teaching him a few simple dance moves? With what time?
Lev took in a few deep breaths to calm himself down, for both of their sakes. At this rate, they’d be passing around one another’s anxiety like a hot potato. ”Okay so… Let’s start small… So what does he do? Like his specialty?”
How would he even talk with someone whose field was completely out of his knowledge? There was always lying, but was he ever terrible at that. “Stefan” wasn’t a student so being an inquisitive young man searching for his calling in the medical field was out. Charity? He already did that. Tweaking a few facts, places, and names was doable.
”I have an idea. I’ll play along with whatever you do but give me something to talk about first before you, uhh, disappear. I know you’ll bail me out later.”
This was it, the moment of truth. Lev supposed he had to be the real gentleman here and introduce the both of them, as much as he really, really didn’t want to. He approached a table of three people gathered around modest plates of hors d'oeuvres. Loudly clearing his throat (not so much to garner their attention but oh well, it worked), Levenin gave a small wave with his free hand. ”S-Sorry if we’re, uh, interrupting anything.”
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Will Punch Your Butthole
Posts: 114
Preferred Name: Donut
Pronouns: Her/She
Character Name: Ellie 'Evrika' Waters
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Post by Ellie on Nov 10, 2015 1:44:23 GMT -5
If she wasn't positive the act would cause her lips to peel off from the act of it, she would kiss him. Lev was a hopeless, immensely stupid man, but he was a good friend. With a surge of a feeling she opted to think about sometime after never, she realized he might be her best friend. Her only friend, so best by default.
God this job was getting to her.
She followed him to the table and let her shove her feelings into the roles they were playing. It was easier to distract herself when she had a role to play; always had been. "Oh my, you're Dr. Meyers, aren't you?" she covered her mouth in feigned delight. "I heard talk that you would be here, but I wasn't sure. Oh, you must forgive me. My fiance here has been so fascinated by your work with genetic modifications. Rumor has it that you're looking to start a charity to help those poor unfortunate souls in the lower wards that can't afford the most basic of modifications for sensory issues."
The doctor, a portly sort of man with catlike eyes and a thick neck, seemed to welcome the attention. Most high class pricks like him loved anyone that would stroke their ego and kiss their boot. He smoothed a hand over his chest. "Why, yes, actually. Still seeking sponsors, but I believe it will be a rather successful endeavor. Why should we let those poor things suffer just because they don't have the same value as us?"
Ellie's instinct was to punch, but instead she smiled wider. "Oh, you are too kind by far, sir. My fiance here would love to be a part of it. He's actually been treating this poor boy in the lower wards, a sort of side project. The unfortunate little thing was apparently going deaf, so his parents got his ears spliced with bat. Oh, dear, you tell him. It makes me too sad."
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Vigilantes
Smiley Specialist
he's big enough
Posts: 164
Preferred Name: Nama
Character Profile: ♦♦♦
Character Name: Levenin Refure
Main Account: Levenin
Status: On Hiatus
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Post by Levenin on Nov 10, 2015 2:15:42 GMT -5
Ellie’s acting was good, a bit too good for his own comfort. This was the complete and utter opposite of the person he knew, whose home he regularly crashed at in order to cook up schemes and poisons alike. Who was this? Suddenly, it felt like Lev was already alone here. Ellie was in full Roxy mode and so he had to play the part too.
Fortunately, as scary as her persona was, their conversation piece was buying it. He seemed so pleased with himself to have an audience so eager to hang onto his every word and accomplishment. And if this was going where he thought it, his charity case sounded an awful lot like Soup.
”Oh, uhh, yeah…”
Levenin cleared his throat a few more times as he struggled to fall into character. Okay, so genetics weren’t his forte but he knew some… Knew enough. The basics. Well, whatever he’d done to himself.
”I, uh, frequent the Slums in my spare time. You know, outside of my, umm, clinic. I thought I should… contribute to the less fortunate. Genetics isn’t my main thing but I couldn’t just sit by and do nothing. And then I found the young man in question— weak and down on his luck after a run in with some undesirables. He’s sort of made me think of expanding… Maybe open a Slum clinic or two for others like him.”
Levenin laughed, hoping the awkwardness of it was masked through the smiling. ”Roxy insisted that I should do some charity work and uh… now I’m here. She’s my inspiration for everything I do, after all.”
He wished she’d loosen her grip on his fingers, though.
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Will Punch Your Butthole
Posts: 114
Preferred Name: Donut
Pronouns: Her/She
Character Name: Ellie 'Evrika' Waters
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Post by Ellie on Nov 11, 2015 13:10:38 GMT -5
"He's being modest. My dearest here is a real hero for what he does." She smiled and, noticing the slight wince Lev gave, loosened her hold on his hand. "But I'm sure you--"
Her body filled with ice at the sight of an older woman making her way to their table and her grip retightened on Levenin's hand. It was difficult to breathe. She'd known they'd be here, of course, but all the mental preparation she'd tone seemed to fly out the window. No. No this was a mistake. They shouldn't have come here.
"Dr. Meyers! There you are. Was starting to worry you'd slipped out without our notice." The woman smiled wide as she approached, stooping to press a polite kiss to the doctor's cheek. She straightened, seeming to have just noticed Lev and Ellie. She pressed a hand to her chest and the smallest wrinkle appeared between her eyes as she examined them. "Oh, my apologies. I didn't mean to interrupt."
Ellie needed to get away, now. But she couldn't think of a good excuse to get both her and Lev away without raising suspicion. Shit. Shit shit shit. "No, my apologies, for I must be rude." She pushed away from the table, "I need to make a run to the restroom and I'm positive I won't be able to keep up with what these two were beginning to discuss." She stood, leaning to touch her lips to Lev's cheek and whispered, "Keep their attention."
She could just leave, right now, by herself. Lev was too nice to turn her in, even after everything he had done since starting working with her, and he'd risk himself as well. But she heard the woman's voice again as she no doubt extended a hand to Lev and knew that wasn't really an option anymore. Lev was stupid, but he'd connect the dots. She'd known that it was a risk, bringing him here. Known that he could learn things she didn't want him to, but it was unavoidable now.
"I'm Julianna Waters, though you probably know that already. My husband and I are the ones hosting this event."
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Vigilantes
Smiley Specialist
he's big enough
Posts: 164
Preferred Name: Nama
Character Profile: ♦♦♦
Character Name: Levenin Refure
Main Account: Levenin
Status: On Hiatus
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Post by Levenin on Nov 13, 2015 3:04:18 GMT -5
She was going to take off his fingers at this rate, but Lev kept his cool. It felt almost wrong to hype up his “charity” like this. Modesty? But why brag about doing something nice for people? Maybe he didn’t understand since it wasn’t money he ever gave away. It was different here, where thousands or even millions were thrown around on a whim. Levenin could only dream of having that much to his name, let alone to donate to strangers.
Their party of four grew a size larger as another woman came by their table. In a way, she struck him as oddly familiar, like he’d seen her face somewhere before. Lev was about to lean down and give Ellie a kiss back out of habit, but stopped as soon as she made her escape. A little more time with her was preferred, but he understood the mission prerogative. He simply nodded at her with a smile as he was left alone to put on a fake facade. There was no letting her down after getting this far.
”Waters…?” said Levenin with hesitation before forcing a small cough. ”E-Excuse me, I didn’t mean that as… It’s just… an honor to personally meet the lovely host herself.”
Now he’d definitely heard that name somewhere. He could’ve sworn that without a doubt, it was Ellie’s surname— a rare bit of personal information he knew about her. But just how common was it? It was one he hadn’t heard anywhere else until their fateful meeting. Not that Levenin was one that should’ve been judging the rarity of names in the first place.
However, this woman’s face and the feeling of seeing it before… Lev wouldn’t say it out loud, for he didn’t think he was supposed to know the connection between Ellie and the host, at least if his theory was true.
”Umm…” Great, now he was at a loss for words. ”S-So, umm, will this big reveal be after dinner or…? I’m just… d-dying of anticipation.”
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Will Punch Your Butthole
Posts: 114
Preferred Name: Donut
Pronouns: Her/She
Character Name: Ellie 'Evrika' Waters
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Post by Ellie on Nov 15, 2015 23:45:23 GMT -5
The woman laughed, covering her mouth politely as she did so. "Oh yes, it is the talk of the night, isn't it? My husband is off getting everything ready for the reveal. Oh, you simply must meet Joshua, it'll be a rare treat for him." She reached over, tapping a finger under his chin to make him tilt his head up. "Such a lovely complexion. You simply must tell me who does your work. Or is it natural? Ooh, if it is, I must get you to my workshop."
Dr. Meyers gave a huffy sort of laugh, slapping his stomach. "Stop prodding the boy, Waters. It's too late to add to--"
"Hush, you." She pulled her hand back, shooting the other doctor a look. Then she was returning her smile to the young man. "Dr. Meyers here has been consulting with us as we've been working on our project for the past few years. Very few have seen the fruits of our labors; too high a risk of contamination."
"Learned that lesson with the last one..." Meyers grumbled, earning another glare from Julianna. His face went red but he quieted.
"Tell me, dear, how would you like a front row seat to tonight's big event? I'm afraid I find myself tickled pink with you. Such a cute boy, you really must allow me to examine your double helix. Oh the story your genes must tell." She gave a theatric sigh, placing a hand over her heart. "I have many clients that would kill for a baby with your complexion."
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Vigilantes
Smiley Specialist
he's big enough
Posts: 164
Preferred Name: Nama
Character Profile: ♦♦♦
Character Name: Levenin Refure
Main Account: Levenin
Status: On Hiatus
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Post by Levenin on Nov 16, 2015 2:00:00 GMT -5
”Oh no, I couldn’t possibly meet with Mr. Waters as well, at least not now. I’m sure he’s very busy with last minute preparations and all that…”
Wasn’t this good, though? The hosts both wanting to meet with him, and yet Levenin didn’t know what he did to garner this attention. The caress against the underside of his jaw made him shiver from the unexpectedness of it. He could feel a sweat drop running down the side of his cheek, though maybe that was less from nerves and more from the heat of the wig finally tiding over. ”Work…? Uhh, I guess you’d say it’s natural… I'm sure you could figure that one out.”
He had the impression this woman had an important place in the field of genetics so what she saw in his plain face was something he’d never guess. However, Lev had to smile and play along to keep her favor. If she liked his genes, then by God, he would hype them up as much as it would take to make Julianna Waters happy.
”Only if my fiancée can have a seat next to me,” he said. ”She’d be, uh, tickled to have a front row spot to your stunning reveal. It’d mean a lot to her. In fact, I’ll go fetch her now and be right back. If you'll excuse me...”
Ellie would actually probably be excited to know he got them a prime viewing experience. Of course, that wouldn’t matter if she was done stealing the show behind the scenes, but it wouldn’t hurt in case she’d hit a snag since her escape. Ducking off to the side of the stage, peering around security and corners, Levenin softly called for her. ”Rox, I think they’re about to start. I got us a good seat. C’mon, before they change their minds.”
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Will Punch Your Butthole
Posts: 114
Preferred Name: Donut
Pronouns: Her/She
Character Name: Ellie 'Evrika' Waters
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Post by Ellie on Nov 18, 2015 1:31:56 GMT -5
Ellie was still seriously considering leaving Lev behind. Fuck him, best/only friend or not. Her life would be so much simpler without him. No more dealing with him crashing on her couch, or eating all of her food, or attracting so many damn spiders into her living room. And Soup would probably stop showing up to eat all of her fruit rations. Bonus all around.
Yet she still found herself walking back to where she'd left him and even forced a smile when he found her. He'd apparently managed to charm Julianna. Somehow. Then again, she had her party persona on, so maybe she liked how pathetic he was. Could come off better standing next to him.
"Oh, really? That's--that's great." The false personality was harder to keep up since she'd been shaken. No, no, she could do this. They'd see what the reveal was and Ellie would figure out how they could steal it. Knowing Julianna it was something that they could get a fortune for in the black market.
Might have Soup help them find a buyer.
She took his hand again as they took their front row seats for the reveal, taking a small amount of comfort in having him there. More thoughts to never think about ever. There were dozens of seats all set up around a circular curtain that hung from the ceiling and they were quickly filling as news of the reveal spread through the party. Revealing it early on to ensure that it was all that was talked about for the rest of the night, of course.
Julianna approached the area once people were seated, moving to stand in front of the curtains. When she smiled her teeth flashed white and when she spoke her voice was amplified by a small mic clipped to the front of her dress. "Thank you all, my dearest friends, for joining us this lovely evening." She glanced to where Ellie and Lev sat with Dr. Meyers and Ellie swore her smile widened just a fraction. Did she know? "I'm sure you all must be wondering just what is so big that we decided to throw this part to reveal."
The soft melody of a piano began to fill the air.
"As many of you know, my husband and I had a long term project that...well, let us be honest, rather blew up in our faces a few years ago. Several people, ourselves included, thought we would never recover. We were about ready to throw in the towel, be done with it all. But then we realized; our failure wasn't an end. It was merely...a rough draft." She clapped her hands, "And so we began our work on our true masterpiece. I would like you all to meet our pride and joy: Elle." With a snap of her fingers, the curtain dropped.
The girl's hair was blonde, pulled up in a stylish bun to keep it off of her pale neck. Her eyes shown blue, brighter than Ellie's unmodified eye, and were oh so pretty. Her nose was a wide button on her face but still small enough to be cute. High cheekbones that would only accent her pretty face as she got older and a smooth jawline that ended with her pointed chin. Her limbs were long without being gangly; she'd be a lovely, dainty thing when she grew into herself.
The girl couldn't be any older than 9 at the most. A tall man stood behind her, hand on her shoulder and smile directed at the crowd. All the pride befitting a man showing off his prized trophy, though the girl's face was void of anything other than concentration as she played. Her fingers danced over the keys and beautiful music sounded. With a stab to the heart, Ellie recognized the tune. It was a favorite of her mother's to have her dance to. She'd practiced for weeks to get the steps just right, to make her mother give her the approving smile when she performed at the next event. Finally she'd done something right.
Her throat felt like it was closing up, her eyes burned behind the glasses. No. No. She couldn't do this. She needed to get out of here. Now.
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Vigilantes
Smiley Specialist
he's big enough
Posts: 164
Preferred Name: Nama
Character Profile: ♦♦♦
Character Name: Levenin Refure
Main Account: Levenin
Status: On Hiatus
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Post by Levenin on Nov 18, 2015 2:03:55 GMT -5
Ellie's demeanor had changed. It was still creepily saccharine, no doubt about that, but unstable. It was breaking somehow. She gripped his hand once more and Levenin squeezed back reassuringly. It was the only thing he could think to do. ”Umm, are you okay?” he asked as they found their seats up front.
Whispering amongst themselves became more difficult as their vicinity filled itself with bodies upon bodies of the rich and important. As silent as the room fell, Lev feared being overheard (especially by Meyers right next to them) and so he continued to hold onto her hand while trying his best to pay attention to the main attraction. At least now he’d find out just what was so special about this secret project reveal and why Ellie was so invested in it. The host from before flashed them a quick gleam of her eye, prompting a nervous smile and small wave in return from the man.
Levenin was genuinely surprised to see a little girl behind the curtain chiming away on her piano. He’d been expecting some kind of machine or something, not a living person. But it was more than that.
He slowly turned to Ellie, studying her face carefully before talking. Despite being hidden beneath make up, it was obvious what the connection here was. ”I, uh, didn’t know you had a sister…?”
However, as he saw the telltale signs of her expression begin to contort, Lev didn’t think she knew either. The resemblance between the two was even scarier than the “nice” version of Ellie he’d been witnessing all night long. ”Ell— I mean, Roxy… What’s going on?”
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Will Punch Your Butthole
Posts: 114
Preferred Name: Donut
Pronouns: Her/She
Character Name: Ellie 'Evrika' Waters
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Post by Ellie on Nov 19, 2015 13:34:28 GMT -5
Didn't know you had a sister.
She didn't know either. Hadn't thought--but that was stupid. Why wouldn't her parents have another child after she left? Try to fix their mistake. She'd thought they'd been mourning the loss of their greatest project when in reality they'd just started over. She was their rough draft, in their own words. A failed project. Not their daughter.
She couldn't be here, couldn't even bring herself to answer Lev. She barely had enough sense to not make a scene as she stood and walked out. She had to get away before the emotion that was threatening to choke her burst out.
They'd replaced her. They remade her and then threw a party to celebrate how much better of a job they'd done the second time. She'd thought they wanted to reveal a new innovation in genetic modding, maybe a way to fix defects or better cosmetic integration. Her father had been working on a way to improve inherent talent to try and fix her inability to play an instrument when she'd left; she'd thought that was what they would be revealing tonight. Something she could steal and sell and ruin her parents' hopes again.
She managed to escape the party and darted into the first alley she could find. Her fist slammed against the side of one of the buildings and pain shot through her arm, which only served to let a choked sob escape. Angrily she ripped off her wig and the glasses she'd been hiding behind, throwing them to the ground.
They'd replaced her!
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