Edges of Insanity [OPEN]

[ryn]

An eerie stillness radiated from the park on this night. Even the the usual city noise seemed to be sucked into a void of nothingness. Even so there were still the occasional person making there way through the park on some business or the other, if they only knew what sorts of things existed her during the nighttime hours; would they be so willing to to traverse this expanse? Ryn sat silently at the edge of the pond, staring intently at the person who's face gazed up at him from the water. Who was this person, why did he see him every where he went, staring at him with unfeeling eyes as if mocking his misfortune? It wasn't him was it, this shadow of a man? There was no way that he could fall so far that this was what he was reduced to.

Ryn Estacado, call sign Rain. once arguable the best professional hitter in the business. If your name showed up in Rain's phone all you could do was wait for it to happen. That's how things use to be, but now his phone no longer chimed with offers of new missions. He had walked away from that life. It was dangerous to fall in love while in this line of work. Not that it mattered every woman he'd every cared about he'd ever cared about was gone. Vanished without a trace most likely killed by his other half. Sitsi...vanished during a fullmoon while in his company, Rae also disappeared, Alice...he woke up next to her and witnessed his handiwork, and that strange vampire girl Seras. He hadn't had any real feelings for her but he had wanted to help her...in the end he almost killed her. How many others had met their end at his hand without his knowledge of it happening.

Water splattered on Ryn's face as he punched his reflection in a pointless act of agitation. "I hate you" he muttered to himself as he shifted his gaze from the distorted rippling reflection of himself to the moon above. It would be full again soon wouldn't it? For sixty years he was able to control his shift and the wolf inside flawlessly during the full moon. Now he found himself losing control as if he was a pup again. There had to be some sort of explanation for it, but he didn't know how to begin trying to figure it out. What was worse he found himself caring less and less. It was as if his personality was merging completely with that of the wolf that shared this body with him. If that was the case, no one would be safe around him anymore.

[Reli Kain]

The park wasn't just dark that night, nor was it black (impossible with the moon that hung pregnant amongst the stars). It was as if something was missing. It wasn't dark or black cause then you could say it was something. The park's atmosphere was just... nothing. Reli stared, unusually cynical, at the passing few. She wondered, but cared not enough to emply her senses, who was human and who was not.

She sat on the edge of a pond, a glorified lake, collecting algae and other dirty substances on her jeans and sneakers as she slowly kicked her legs knee deep in the water. The tips of her fingers where grimey from trailing circles in the water. She stared, energy drained and as a matter of course left nothing behind to fill her body. She held an odd sense of complience, knowing that energy would flow through her soon enough. Yet some sense of mind lead her to be serious for a time.

The moon may have been why. The fuller it got the more she thought of her family. They would be feeling that urge to change, that irrestible urge. The one she only got when it rained. Or maybe it was the last lesson she had with her Uncle. It had been lecture heavy this time, and she'd only gotten loose that day. Lecture's were unusual, she hoped it wasn't an omen of some sort.

"Howl now blue moon?" She smiled at her nonsenseical rhyme. Drawing her eyes away from the eddies she made in the ponds surface, she looked about her. Blackened shapes moved with purpose and urgency. Aside from one. One sat by the pond as she did, staring into its depths. The figure punched the pond, raising the water while muttering something under their breath. The figure turned its face up to the rounding moon, and Reli wouldn't stop stareing.

[ryn]

The cold droplets trickled down his cheek until finally dying on the collar of his shirt. Ryn never bothered to wipe them away, even though the cold contrast was uncomfortable against his warmer than normal skin. He simply glared defiantly at the moon as if expecting it to buckle under the sheer intensity of his gaze. Like rebellious son staring angrily into the face of his father knowing there was nothing he could do, but bend to the rule of his parent. Ryn let out a brief sigh as he shifted his gaze back to the pond. His image was rippling, but the ripples where coming from somewhere else. His eyes followed the trend of the ripples to there source expecting to see a duck or a turtle, but the voice dashed those expectations and revealed the true nature of the ripples.

When he finally noticed the girl, he couldn't help but wonder how long she'd been there. She was so close to him yet he had not even noticed her. He knew his senses were dull at the moment because of the chaos that his mind was in but, it was it really that bad? If it was like this then anyone would be able to approach him without him noticing. He shifted his eyes back to his reflection on the water without acknowledging her existence fully. The constant ripples distorted the image. He was a bit relieved as he couldn't stand looking at himself anymore.

Now that he knew that the girl was there it was a bit difficult to ignore her existence, and the fact that she was staring at him was also a bit unnerving considering the situations that he had been in. He hoped that she didn't intend to socialize with him. Being that misfortune seemed to plague all that came into contact with him. It would probably be best if he asked her to leave. Ryn looked in her direction, and decided against it after all she hadn't had any contact with him. If he left now she should be okay. Standing up slowly Ryn stretched a bit to allow his bones and muscles to reset as he'd been sitting in that position for hours. Then he turned and began making his way slowly across the damp grass to the path.

[Reli Kain]

Stareing at him as she was, it would have been difficult for even a human not to notice that he'd seen her. He'd been staring down at the water a lot - Reli guessed her legs had disturbed the surface somewhat. But his attention returned to the wavey surface quickly - Out of sight out of mind, am I? - and he seemed to comptemplate something she couldn't detect.

She found an interest in him slowly forming. For a start he seemed horribly familar. Emphasis on the horribly. But that was just the basis. Once she had started stareing she had felt compelled to continue so, past the polite point and bordering on a childlike intrigue. She even thought she was close to figuring out his pigmentation, but the natural nighttime darkness mixed with the city's fog didn't help (the moon couldn't fully compensate).

The figure - the man - glanced at her, but gazed away as he slowly stood and streatched. Reli felt her gaze still following. Had she been paying attention, she may have been impressed with the outline of his build that the moon cast, either from a professional level or a female one. Then he turned and walked away. Slowly, granted, but away nonetheless. He was probably six strides away before Reli's brain kicked in.

Ah... there we go. Energy. It had filled her body once again (though the playfulness was megre). She bounded up onto her feet, water splashing about her as it tried to drain from her jeans. She gave each leg a quick shake before bounding after the man. She was swift, but as she drew level with him, she merely bounced. Content that this was as unintrusive as she was likely to get while still burning her excess energy, Reli setteled for walking with a silent bounce in her step, along side this horribly familar man.

A mischievous smile sat smug on her face.

[ryn]

The wet grass squished loudly under Ryn's feet with each step. The sound was almost deafening to his super sensitive hearing, but he ignored it. His pace increased as the blood flow to his legs normalized waking them up, and removing the feeling of numbness that he felt when first standing up, and attempted to walk away. A moment later the squishing of wet grass was replaced by the crackle of of gravel underfoot. Ryn stuck his hands in the pockets of his jeans,and began to make his way towards the park entrance. Foot steps on the gravel behind him caught his attention, but he didn't bother turning around. He half wished that it was a hunter, and that he had but moments left in this world. However when the foot steps were right besides him and he could see the figure out of the corner of his eye; Ryn paused, slowing to a stop and turned to face the girl.

For a moment there was just an awkward silence. Ryn gazed at her silently for a good minute. His eyes betrayed no emotion it was as if the life had been drained from his vibrant green eyes. "Go away" he stated finally as he began to walk again. He could tell a a lot about her from his one minute examination. More importantly he knew that she wasn't human. Which meant she could probably feel it. The fact that he was very dangerous, but still she had followed him. Such a reckless use of ones life. The thought of immortality had that affect on many people, but there was one thing they didn't realize. None of them were actually immortal. they could all die, even if it was simply harder to kill them that so called mortals. Ryn ran his fingers through his unkempt brown locks, before replacing the hand in his pocket, and increasing his pace.

[Reli Kain]

Not long after drawing along side him, the man slowed his pace, then stopped. He turned until they faced each other. Reli faced his gaze with her mischievious smile, tasting the awkwardness in the air but not letting it get to her. He would've stared at her for a fair minute or two, and in the light she could see his green eyes deviod of something (not that she could pinpoint what).

"Go away" he said. Most would've been hurt, or offended. Many would've left. But Reli wasn't most. The flat tone and implications sailed over her head as she considered his words. The night should have detered her, the almost deserted park should've detered her, the fact that she got the sense that he could almost certainly over power her should've detered her and even if all that failed the dooming sensation that wafted off of him should've detered her.

But it didn't.

Reli should be remembering her last lecture - "You have a childlike thirst for knowladge, but this same thrist will blind you to danger" - but it wasn't really danger she could feel. She just wanted to know why he was so god damn FAMILAR. Besides, even if it was danger she could sense, she wouldn't believe it at face value. Sometimes, creatures seemed dangerous just because they wanted to (it's what made ego such a weapon).

The man ran his hand through his hair, shoved it back in his pocket and began to walk - faster than before - away. As he left, Reli automatically walked forward a few steps with him before remembering his words. Go away. "Alright." she said both quickly and softly. She heel-face-turned and ran.

She ran at swift speeds, before finding a large tree. She padded up to its trunk, muttered "Knock on wood." before rapping the trunk three times. Then she turned (using the tree to push off) and ran right back to the mysterious man. She bounced around the front of him before settleing down to a walk on his otherside. "I went." she clarified. She turned her broad smile to him, her playfulness was returning.

[ryn]

Ryn glanced over his shoulder as the girl turned and scurried off. The sounds of her footsteps pattering against the gravel path grew farther away which satisfied Ryn. He let out a sigh of relief and continued towards the entrance of the park. This was short lived however as the sound of running feet on the gravel path caught his attention, but before he could turn around to look, there she was besides him one again. She informed him that she "went". Ryn turned his head to look at her but this time didn't even break stride. His disapproval was obvious in those otherwise empty green orbs. "Cute..." he stated in a tone that told the story of his lack of amusement with this situation. When they reached the park gates he finally stopped. He was unwilling to go any further. This girl following him home was the last thing he needed.

"What do you want from me?" He asked finally. He figured that she was probably homeless, and hungry, or something. Why is would she be out at night like this and just following people around the park? Perhaps she was a mugger, though she didn't look like one. Ryn had lived long enough to know that you can never judge a book by it's cover. He reached into his pocket and pulled out a couple twenties and held em out in her direction. He hoped that all she wanted was a handout, and now what he was offering one to ehr she would scurry off to bother someone else.

[Reli Kain]

The man must be getting used to her, this time he didn't even stop. She pouted as he sarcastically praised her. She had been having fun, but evidently this wasn't the case for him. They continued on in silence for a short while more, before the looming web of the park gates came to their imidiate view. Finally, he stopped. Reli stood on the fronts of her feet and faced him. He seemed reluctant, but Reli couldn't pay enough attention to figure out why.

He asked her want she wanted, but didn't leave enough time between the question and the act of pulling out a few notes of money and holding them out at her. Oh... He thinks I'm a beggar or something. I wonder if he thinks I'm a seasoned beggar? She made no move towards the notes, but stared as if she'd no idea what they were for. After a prolonged moment of staring, she leaned forward slightly and sniffed at the notes. Leaning back, she looked up at the man.

"I know you. Crazy, isn't it? But I know you, in some way or another." she looked down at the notes again. Some about the moon... Did he remind her of the moon? This was stupid, the whole endevour was stupid. But then again, kids games are called that in the eyes of adults. But to the child, the game is the world. At this moment, the thought of returning to a home, of even grabbing a bite to eat, was a far distance one compared to staying and interacting with the man in front of her. A voice muttered at her in the back of her head Silly little fox. What if his favourite food is roasted fox? Ha ha! Wouldn't that just be perfect...?

[ryn]

The breeze caused the bills in his hand to make a rustling type sound as the air passed between them. After a while Ryn simply stuck them back into his pocket, as it seemed she was not interested. Just when things about this girl couldn't get any stranger; She proclaimed that she knew Ryn from somewhere. This of course wasn't possible, he'd certainly remember if he know someone as seeming eccentric as this. As far as he knew he'd never seen this girl before, and he didn't recognize here scent either. "...Impossible.. there is no possible way for someone like you to know someone like me." he stated plainly in response.

Ryn sighed not bothering to hide his annoyance "Why me there's a lot of other people around, and you know what I am same as I know what you are.....If your life means anything at all to you or even to someone else...you should leave" he said running his fingers through his hair again. It was a habit he had when he became stressed of excited or both. It reminding him of how he mother used to run her fingers through his hair as a child. It was soothing, and allowed him to keep his thoughts in order. He was losing his patience big time. He was about to just let whatever happened happen. Cant say he didn't try.

[Reli Kain]

The man put his hand - money and all - back in his pocket as he became aware that Reli wasn't going to take it. She looked up at his face again as he said how it was impossible for her to know him, know someone like him. She scoffed the idea, gave a soft snort in way of a reply that didn't seem to affect him. At that moment it became painfully aware to her that she should run, that she should run far, maybe all the way home This little piggy went all the way home. But she was no piggy.

Now with blatent annoyance, he asked why she chose him, said that she knew what he was as well as he knew what she was, warned her to leave. It was the warning that struck her and sunk down to her core. But not as a deadly threat, not so that she'd remember all those that loved and cared. She gazed out passed his shoulder. The warning made her remember the looks of her family, near the end of staying with them. The disgust, or the blank looks as their views passed over her. It brought back her uncle's harsh tones and harsher disipline.

"Well then, I guess I shouldn't leave." Returning to look upon his face again, she said in stronger tones "It's why I'm, er, following you. Because of what you are, and don't say something cliqued like 'I'm dangerous' because that would just be tragic. Too tragic, not the funny kind." She gave her shoulders a calculated heave. "And all aside, if you know what I am as well as I know what you are, then I'd guess we're both pretty lost." She rocked up onto the fronts of her feet, balancing there so as to improve agility.

She wouldn't leave without being told what this man was. Even then, she might not. He was proveing quite fun, not that this was a game. But he seemed all broken and alone, and - for now - it was him she wanted to play with. He had strong hints of violence, Reli wasn't dumb and you'd have to be to not understand that. But all that meant is she had to keep on her toes (which she did most of the time anyway).

She recalled coming upon workmen, in a forest around her uncle's home. In her wereform, she'd been running, when she came upon the site. she had jumped all over the machines, had squirmed out of workmen's way. It had been fun. Even if her broken tail had hurt a lot and even though her uncle had dealt with her serverely and even though she hadn't been able to go human until it had completely healed (and it took so long), it had all been worth it. For that one little game.

[ryn]

From her comments Ryn discerned that she knew that he wasn't human but probably wasn't sure what he was. If that was the case she probably had not been around many other weres before or perhaps she didn't even realize what she was. It was possible it took him quite a while after being turned before he realized what he was. Years in fact...if could be the same with her. Maybe like him she had just barely escaped with her life one night, and was unintentionally dragged into this world of monsters with no idea what she was and no recollection of what happens to her when the moon gets full.

That wasn't the case however as was evident in her statement. It was not the sort of response a human would make after all. Since as far as humans where concerned everyone else was just that.....human. He would have told her that he was dangerous had she not beat him to the punch and asked him not to say something so chiche and used that as the specific example. "your following me because of what I am yet you have no idea what exactly that is...thats not very smart now is it?" he asked rhetorically wondering why he was wasting his time with this person. If she wanted to follow him then follow. It would be her own fault if she ended up like the others.

[Reli Kain]

His words rolled around her head as her eyes outwardly showed her registering them. She wondered how he dared to question her wits, but considered how she must appear, and the fact that she wasn't the smartest out there. But no matter what words he spoke or how he spoke them, nonetheless he still spoke and to her at that. She could still indulge her interest in him, for a while longer at least.

"W- Well I kinda have an idea, sorta." she boldly stumbled through her sentence "Something about the moon, maybe..." she muttered more to herself. Her sentences seemed to bypass her brain and form straight in her mouth.

She knew he was supernatural, knew he wasn't human (was there really anyother explanation for the familarity?). But exactly what she couldn't pinpoint. Why her uncle never taught her more about other species she didn't know. he might've reminded him of her brother (the wildest of them, yet still acceptable), yet there was a horror that hung about him like old drapes, closed for centries and musty with mold.

Reli was aware of how selfconcious he seemed. He thought, or knew, that he was dangerous and was wary of the fact. But the danger didn't disturb her, in ways it attracted her (What on earth could make you so dangerous?), but he was either quite paranoid or something had happened to him in the past. Reli stood in the nothingness dark of the park, still on th fronts of her feet, and wait for the man (male creature?) to act. It mostly blew over her head, any feeling of being annoying or unwanted and her cuprsity was randomly blind to his hinted history. She held a quirked smile on her jaws and her eyes restrained a bright spark within. "So... can I know where you're off to? Or not, I don't mind. Or are you gonna try 'n scare me off?" She snapped a semi-fake bark at him, before lifting her head skyward and laughing.

[ryn]

She spoke of the full moon, causing Ryn to raise an eyebrow. Was she fishing for information? It certainly seemed that way. It seemed like she had a general idea of what he was, but not exactly in which case why would it matter if he told her or not. She already knew he was affected by the full moon. Just on basic human assumption she would have automatically pegged him as a wolf knowing that much, but she hadn't. It was probably due to the fact that she was not a wolf herself. If she was affected by the moon same as he but was not the stereotypical wolf, then she may think that he wasn't as well. Only in this case she'd be wrong. He was in fact the stereotypical werewolf right outta the goddamn horror stories.

She asked Ryn if he'd tell her where he was going. He examined her for a moment before shrugging. "Why does it matter? Your gonna just follow me anyway right?" he asked. His voice was a lot Calmer than it had been before. It would have seemed like he had given up trying to get rid of her. As it should. Ryn had changed his approach. Perhaps by not chasing her away she would quickly become bored, and be on her way to bug the next smuck.

[Reli Kain]

She hadn't convinced him of anything, that she could tell. It was in his stance, his body language. He asked if it mattered, if she knew where he was going. "It doesn't matter. Not in the slightest." She gave him an overly large grin. "But I'm still curious. But say naught if ya want, it doesn't matter and I don't care. Lead the way."

He sounded a lot calmer now, which Reli was happy about. He seemed a lot less hostile (and less prone to get rid of her), which was nice. Perhaps it will be easier to get him to tell me what he is now. She twirled around so that she stood beside him, profile to profile. Glancing at his face, an odd shine on his features from the moonlight, she grinned and swayed slightly. Rolled from foot to foot, ready to bound off at a moments notice. She was in a playful mood again, and who better to play with than the mysterious familar figure before her?

[ryn]

Ryn sighed in defeat. He didn't want to her her, but she was sorta pushing her luck. It seemed like a part of him longed for the sight of her bloody corpse. His other side, the wolf that dwelt within him, or perhaps it was the other way around. Either way Ryn was slowly beginning to feel like he did all those years ago. Back when he was considered one of the best in the business. He was more in tune with his other half back then. They were complete, but he created a boundary between them, splitting his mind in two. The dominant half contained everything Ryn was over the last few years. The other half contained his pure instinct. The want, and need to kill, to hunt, to ravage. The barrier was slowly deteriorating. Ryn no longer tried to stop it. Secretly he longed for the Ryn of the past as well.

"Look, there is a very good chance that if you stay around me much longer; that i will kill you....I don't know who you are, but I don't want to have your blood on my hands...you should just go" he stated clearly as he began to walk again. The urges were there but not strong enough to cause him to act upon them. That didn't mean that it couldn't change. That was what happened with Seras right? Had she not been a vampire she would have died from her injuries several times over. In fact even for a vampire that she survived was surprising. Ryn glanced over his shoulder to see if he was being followed. He was certain he was. after all that odd girl didn't seem like the type of person to just give up. She had a stubborn feel to her.