Posts by LUCY INFERNI

IS IT VEXING WEARING CLOTHES THAT YOU HAVE BLED IN?

As enticing as adventure was, the lonely lifestyle could sure as hell get tiring. Having a home was a concept Lucy had nearly forgotten, and ever since the thought of returning to her birthplace had entered her mind she hadn't been able to shake it. She was sure they wouldn't be in the home she was born in, but something about the communion she'd been deprived of so long drove her on to find her former comrades. There was little hope in her mind of encountering a familiar face. Yet, something pushed her onward, chasing rumors and whispers on her pursuit.

The scent was the first thing that brought the wave of nostalgia crashing down upon her. Surprisingly, even with the subtle changes it had to have acquired over the years, it still sent her straight back to her earliest memories. She halted on the spot and closed her eyes, drinking in the comfort the thoughts brought her. A few moments passed before she continued on, resisting the urge to relive her whole life with the group of miscreants she spent so much time with. The further she traveled, the more sure she was on her decision. Even if she was a stranger to her old home's new members, she didn't particularly care - socializing had never been a problem for her, and if she was being quite honest, she'd missed the banter of friends deeply.

After so long wandering without purpose, there was finally a spring in Lucy's step. The pace gradually picked up until she was sprinting forward, rocketing straight past the scent marked border and scattering sand with her dust-coated alabaster paws. She only slowed once she could feel her breath hitch. A brief pause was all she needed once more before she journeyed onward, ears pricked and eyes alert for any sign of life.

IS IT VEXING WEARING CLOTHES THAT YOU HAVE BLED IN?

Before she could even get a good look at the stranger approaching, a lazy grin stretched across Lucy's lips. She was prepared for hostility, though she displayed absolutely none of her own - she carried with her a certain relaxed atmosphere. Upon sighting the other she'd skidded to a halt, sending up a plume of sand behind her. Laid back expression holding out all the while, she patiently waited with squinted eyes for them to reach her. She would have to get used to this desert sun again.

Her eyes lit up at the sight of a smoke, parting her lips to ask if they had a spare before the offer cut her off. Obviously very grateful of the nicotine, she produced a ragged bic lighter and sparked up the cigarette. Taking a long drag, her eyes rolled back as she held in the smoke, meeting their inquiring gaze on the exhale. Her grin had somehow stretched even further. "Thank fuck, I really needed this." To any close enough, the smell of hard liquor could be faintly detected in her breath.

Her head tilted in a halfhearted bow while she took another drag. "My name's Lucy. If I'm in the right place, I grew up in this joint. Used to run it, too, way back." Her introduction was casual, a brief chuckle following the last comment as if it was somehow imperceptible in her mind. She wasted no time asking questions after, the faint hope of encountering an old friend still flickering in her chest. Though she couldn't remember having any enemies among her comrades, she had a long list of names and faces in her mind that had stuck with her throughout her extensive travels. "Who runs this place now? I've got a lot to catch up on."

IS IT VEXING WEARING CLOTHES THAT YOU HAVE BLED IN?

The call had drawn Lucy towards its source with the kind of excitement she'd forgotten she was capable of. She bounded towards the familiar voice, gait only slowing when the speaker was in her sight. Barely aware of herself taking a seat, she beamed up at him, the pride she felt in his achievements oozing from her features. It had been more than a shock to hear he was still around, but it only made sense in her mind that he'd made his way to the top. She had been deeply hoping to see him here again, and the exuberance she felt being reunited with her home was obvious. It was a little embarrassing, but she supposed there were worse ways to behave when returning home.

The promotion, warning, and demotion didn't hold much meaning for her yet - she had yet to meet a vast majority of her comrades. That wouldn't be the case for long, though. Shouting out her congratulations regardless, her ears pricked with the second half of the news. Her head was swimming with ideas now that she'd returned home. It had been so long since she had anything to be dedicated to - she was going to savor every moment of it. The mention of BoneClan piqued her interest. That would be as good a place as any to start settling in, she figured. The announcement of the raid was met with a little bounce on her paws, overly eager to fall back into her old ways.

After the initial announcements, Lucy's attention shifted to the leader she was unfamiliar with. She awaited their conclusion patiently, tail flicking idly behind her every few seconds.

IS IT VEXING WEARING CLOTHES THAT YOU HAVE BLED IN?

Lucy had been so distracted by her love of nicotine that she hadn't been paying attention to her surroundings. The familiar voice made her physically jump, ghostly eyes widening the instant they landed on the speaker. "No fuckin' way. Jace?" The sentence escaped her before she could even think, dumbstruck expression quickly morphing into one of pure exuberance. Once more acting without thought, she aimed to pounce on them with a hug, unable to resist herself as he had.

It was only when she clamored back to her paws that she registered what he's said. Her eyes were lit up like fireworks when she met his gaze again. "I'm more than proud of you - that's fantastic! It's about fuckin' time - you deserve it." After a moment of admiring his presence, she picked up her cigarette from where it had fallen right before the pounce. Taking a series of quick drags, she got it properly lit once more. She regarded the other with her usual lazy grin for a moment before speaking again. "You were one of the ones I wanted to see most, but I didn't think you'd actually be here. So much shit's changed. I had to come home - can't stay away from this place for too long. It's addictive."

Her attention shifted back to Calloway after the last statement, her extroverted interest enough to peel her eyes away from the only living family she knew about. Their attitude was something she already found interesting - not quite curt, but not exactly friendly. Despite that, the immediate offer of a smoke showed she was generous and thoughtful. Lucy couldn't help but be amused by the observation. She was already intrigued. "Glad you approve. Is nicotine your only vice?" she asked with the raise of an eyebrow. "I was planning on throwing a big housewarming party once I'm all set up. Gotta get a gauge of what everyone here likes nowadays so I can be sure to prepare the proper substances."

IS IT VEXING WEARING CLOTHES THAT YOU HAVE BLED IN?

Puffs of smoke punctuated Lucy's steady grin at Jace's words. Her paw trailed absently in the sand under her at the first statement, drinking in the sensation she didn't even know she'd missed. When she was young, she preferred the oasis - its gentle pools always drew her towards them. She'd met Blackjack at one of those pools so, so long ago. But she wasn't ready to reminisce quite yet - she snapped herself out of the fleeting haze.

"Honestly, I thought I would feel ancient coming back here. Thank fuck my grandpa's still around to make me feel young again." She granted herself a little chuckle at her friendly jab. "I've thought about you so many times. I can't believe you're really still here." It was taking a lot of effort not to let herself get lost in memories. Nostalgia was to be expected, but there was a weight against her chest as well. She knew as soon as she settled in, the memories would come crashing down on top of her. She'd push that away for as long as possible - avoidance was always much easier. Thankfully, Jace's answer of her question piqued her interest, keeping the floodgates of remembrance closed for now.

A brow raised at the mention of the name, amused expression obvious on her features. Before she had a chance to make a comment, however, the one in question announced his arrival. The amusement she displayed grew to delight at the words, the short laugh escaping her maw this time around a bit more high-pitched. "Fantastic. I do have some questions, but one's more important - you got access to production supplies? I picked up a few skills on the road I'm sure an apparent connoisseur like you could appreciate." So far, the newer generation seemed very interesting. Resisting the urge to lick her lips in anticipation, she turned at the sound of a new voice.

The cigarette dropped from her mouth into the sand again as her mouth stood agape, shock written all over her face. "Ace?" she asked, her voice almost incredulous. "My god, I'm feeling younger every minute! Death really can't keep us down for long, can it?" She followed this up with a snicker. Narrowing her eyes playfully, she gave a little growl. "You missed out on my glory days, old man. I'm really glad to see you back now though."

IS IT VEXING WEARING CLOTHES THAT YOU HAVE BLED IN?

Lucy's travel gear was much less refined than the visitor's. So long as she carried with her a pack of smokes and something strong to drink, she was as prepared as she'd ever be. She was enjoying both of her favorite vices at the moment, letting her pale paws carry her over the sand with practiced grace. Movement was a necessity for her, despite the fact she'd just recently returned from a very long journey. Boredom was her enemy.

Getting reacquainted with the borders seemed like as good a place as any to begin falling into her old lifestyle, she presumed. The heavy scent stirred nostalgia in her chest, and with the right amount of liquor, she enjoyed it profusely. The sands of the desert stretched out around her and she felt lost in reverie. That was, until her squinted gaze locked onto a figure in the distance. Curiosity moved her legs in their direction, trotting along at an even pace. It was obvious this wasn't one of her comrades, despite the fact she hadn't quite met them all yet. He was waiting at the border, and that could only mean a few things. Whatever the case, she tended to greet any stranger with the same practiced ease.

Coming to a halt in front of the stranger, Lucy turned her head and and blew the finished cigarette out of her mouth with one quick puff of air. Her eyes were locked on it for the few seconds it was airborne, a satisfied grin forming on her lips when it went further than she expected. Her attention turned to the stranger once it landed. "What's up?" The question was casual, as Lucy always found formal greetings much more uncomfortable.

IS IT VEXING WEARING CLOTHES THAT YOU HAVE BLED IN?

Family was something Lucy hadn't thought about in a long time. She tried not to, usually - she didn't like getting serious, or how helpless it made her feel. With her past life and present squeezed together, she found it ironic that neither had the most stellar set of parents. She'd been born originally to Stormchaser and Finch - though she heard her mother had taken on a new name. Sinfulthrone. In her mind, it was fitting. Her brothers were on her mind more and more frequently, the absence of her twin stabbing into her viscously whenever it came to mind. While she had no complaints about Jax, the bond between twins was something irreplaceable, even separated by a brief lapse in memory. Finnishwars, her twin, had never been an easy sibling to get along with. They'd always torn at each other and fought bitterly, but the fierce protectiveness they felt for each other always won out.

The first few months of this new life, though it seemed like so long ago now, none of those memories troubled her thoughts. After being trapped out of her body, her consciousness had latched onto the nearest empty vessel - and that had happened to be a tiny brown stillborn kitten. Those first few months of her life were a luxury she was sure she would never get to enjoy again. She had only seen her birth father, Theodore, a few times - but as youth fosters bliss, she didn't feel that absence until much later. Her mother, Blithe, was wonderful. She wasn't around for very long, but every memory Lucy had of her was find - even getting in trouble for drinking at far too young an age.

As she got older, her yearning for a protective figure was finally realized. She was still very young when Chemical Warfare decided to adopt her. The joy from that moment still hit her sometimes. However, he vanished shortly after, leaving an even larger void in her. It was only when she got close to Risencorpse that it began to ebb away, until he and Haushinka took her into their family, and she was adopted once again. It was wonderful while it lasted, as unconventional as the situation was - but they were dead and gone now, as far as she knew.

There was really only one family member she knew of left, despite her extensive bloodline. The fact he was still around gave her a feeling of stability that she'd long forgotten. He was the only one who had been there with her consistently. Even though he would occasionally depart, he was always back again eventually. Her Grandpa. It was hard not to let tears well in her eyes thinking about how far he'd come - she was so proud.

Having freshly returned, it seemed only fitting she visit him and catch up. Of course, she brought a bottle of liquor for the occasion - she tended to have a bottle of every occasionally, really. The deluge of thoughts was kept at bay for now by her focus - ears priced and nose twitching, she trailed around the area she was told he would be in casual pursuit.

IS IT VEXING WEARING CLOTHES THAT YOU HAVE BLED IN?

"Weak? Pathetic?" Lucy's voice rumbled forth as she sauntered over to the mild commotion. "How can you live here and be this sensitive? And you have the balls to question your leader?" Her brow was raised and she glanced over to Jace, flashing him a grin before she turned her attention back to the other. "Kid's not even that young. We used to celebrate by feasting on our enemies newborns. Our purpose is to spread mayhem on our enemies. Capturing a kid pisses all of 'em off." Her demeanor was as relaxed as ever, though there was a mild edge to her voice, as if she was exasperated by the concept. The blatant disrespect to her grandfather obviously irritated her as well.

Stepping up closer to the apprentice, she towered over them, leaning down to get close to their face. Her maw split with her signature lazy grin as she inspected the captive, turning her eyes to Jace after a bit. "Any plans with this one? I've been working on a new recipe I like to call 'nightmare fuel.' Terrifying hallucinations and the like. I can get a sample for you if you wanna let me use this one as a guinea pig."

IS IT VEXING WEARING CLOTHES THAT YOU HAVE BLED IN?

That same indescribable impulsivity was what drove Lucy most of her life. As if every big decision she'd made was a metaphorical old piss stain, she still couldn't help acting on her every whim. It had been a long time since she questioned herself about that, though, and she wasn't about to start now. In her eyes, life was a lot easier when you didn't take it so seriously.

When they spoke, she froze for a moment, assuming they were fully serious. After a second of staring slack-jawed, she exploded into laughter, shaking her head once she was able to contain herself. "I can't fuckin believe you just pulled that. Well done." Following up the statement with another chuckle and shake of the head, her ears pricked at the question.

Now that was a name she hadn't heard in a long time. She could remember the days when the Harbinger name was stapled onto every other person she met, but their lineage seemed to be dwindling as far as she could see. "Only Harbinger I know anymore is Blackjack, but I haven't seen him in a long time. He might be dead," she stated with a shrug. A jolt ran through her at the statement, but the reaction wasn't visible. She missed Blackjack dearly, as corrupt and volatile as their relationship had ended off.

IS IT VEXING WEARING CLOTHES THAT YOU HAVE BLED IN?

Lucy had gone back to inspecting the value with a prying eye, seeming to dissect them with her gaze. The voice of Arya snapped her attention away, their tone causing her ears to point back. She turned slowly to address the speaker, a mildly amused expression thinly veiling her growing irritation.

"Miss high and mighty? Not very creative with our insults, are we?" she asked, words dripping with sickly seeet venom. She paused to shake her head at the ridiculous nature of the question before continuing, her gaze locking on them. "Who the fuck are you? I've never heard of you. And I guarantee nobody else has either. I was running this place before you were even a tiny little sperm cell in your dad's balls. I've held ranks both here and with our allies more times than I'm sure your head could keep track of." Despite the fact her annoyance was still minor, Lucy's blunt demenor kept her from pulling any punches. Their next statement, though not directed at her, made her audibly laugh as she stared at them with a somewhat dumbstruck expression. "You wanted a democracy? You're fucking delusional. This has never been and never will be a damn democracy." Shooting a glance at the one she had originally addressed, she added in a lower tone, "And you don't get to choose your leader. Or call him a coward. I guarantee he could eat your twinky ass alive. Lucky for you, he's a lot nicer than I am."

She watched as Arya trailed away, still reeling from the absolute disrespect she'd witnessed. With her, it was one thing - they stood on equal ground and Lucy had no problem defending herself. But with Jace? He had worked so hard for his position with steady dedication - she wasn't going to let him be awarded with disrespect.

Her focus snapped back to the captive once again when she spoke, and she nodded to acknowledge Jace's words. Addressing the much smaller feline, she spoke. "Consider yourself lucky that you're only a ransom." She wanted to say more, but decided to stop there. Dissonance and disrespect made them all look like idiots, she couldn't even argue that point. Had they even considered the effect it would have on the captive? No, probably not - in their eyes, a kid was off limits. The days when they were feared and respected seemed to be slipping away, and her mind churned with ideas to bring the old brutality back into light.

IS IT VEXING WEARING CLOTHES THAT YOU HAVE BLED IN?

As soon as she spotted the larger feline, Lucy's maw split in a massive grin. Breaking out into a sprint, she skidded to a halt when she reached him. The way she moved was almost like an excited kitten - being back home after so long made her feel that way again.

Plopping down the bottle between them, she wheezed for a moment, still adjusting to the hot temperatures of her homeland. "Nah, I carried this bottle with me for a year and a half 'cause I thought it might be nice to see it poured into the Blood Nile." Chuckling to herself, she opened the bottle and took the initial swig. Her eyes were drawn to the crimson waters to her side, pulling her into the nostalgia she was starting to get so used to. It made her think of her childhood. Bloody, messy, a chaotic disaster - she wouldn't have traded it for anything. That was why she was back, of course. There was no place like home.

"Actually, this stuff is supposed to be really good," she said once she'd finished admiring the view. "Older than both of us combined, which says something nowadays." A light chuckle punctuated the sentence. "I, uh - kept it with me in case I ever decided to come home. Wanted to share it with family, but I really never thought I'd get the chance."

The bottle was nudged forward while she considered how to answer his question. "Adventuring," she decided to say eventually. Contrary to popular belief, she hadn't actually died in recent years, as so many of her old friends had. "You wouldn't believe the shit I've seen. It was incredible, Jace. I had a lot of fun, learned a lot, and I have some amazing stories. But-" she cut herself off with a somewhat bashful chuckle. "I guess it got kind've lonely. I wanted to come home."

IS IT VEXING WEARING CLOTHES THAT YOU HAVE BLED IN?

Still amused by the joke, Lucy took the time to glance over the small group that had formed. She'd been meaning to get better acquainted with the others, but she had a plan in mind for that. The efficiency they seemed to work under was impressive. Their immediate distrust of the visitor was clear, and she had no stipulations with it. In a way, her perpetually relaxed demeanor was a useful cover. Details and exchanges were catalogued in her mind behind the relaxed facade - she was always preparing for the worst case scenario, and was always ready to act accordingly. There was no imminent threat here that she could gauge, however - even if someone was hunting Harbingers, she wouldn't particularly care so long as they weren't her comrades or allies.

Her attention snapped back to the stranger at the description, visible surprise lighting her eyes. "Yeah, that's him. You know him?" Though her tone didn't convey it, she was vaguely hopeful. After all, she wasn't the only one left from the old days.

IS IT VEXING WEARING CLOTHES THAT YOU HAVE BLED IN?

It was by pure coincidence that Lucy managed to stumble upon the scene in time to watch the other vault from the hole, the shock causing her to freeze. Of course, she hadn't seen the hole, only the gore-smeared wolf seeming to be birthed from the ground. An alarming sight, to say the least. Once the situation registered in her mind, she made her way over, acknowledging Arya and Hebe with a nod. Her first interaction with the former hadn't been the best, but Lucy was incapable of holding a grudge and hoped the other shared the sentiment. Her eyes were glued to the bottom of the pit, eyebrows raised slightly. Her nose was twitching at the faint yet all-too familiar smell. "These fucks are still around?" It had been a long time since she'd thought of the place. Memories of Finnishwars flooded her mind along with the now-familiar ache the absence of her twin brought. Regarding Elian, she echoed the question. "You alright? Smoke helps with the smell. And I mean bonfire smoke, not a cigarette." She knew all too well the scent of decay liked to stick long after it was washed off. Growing up in a place like this, you had to get used to it.

IS IT VEXING WEARING CLOTHES THAT YOU HAVE BLED IN?

Alabaster paws had carried her silently to the call, ears pricking up with immediate interest in the topic. Politics used to be her forte - she was more than eager to dip back into them. After her travels, she knew nothing about the current status of their allies and rivals. Truth be told, she wasn't even sure which groups were still around. Content to observe and absorb all the information she could, she settled in and took in the exchange wordlessly for a bit.

With Arya's question, however, she decided to chime in. "Similar moral ground is more important than it seems, in my opinion. You can't trust someone you don't foundationally agree with - distrust breeds a weak alliance, and that leaves room for betrayal." The statement was presented respectfully, her intent only being to share her experience. "I think a format would be helpful, though. With an organizational system, we could leave a much bigger impact on our enemies and nurture stronger relationships with our allies."

IS IT VEXING WEARING CLOTHES THAT YOU HAVE BLED IN?

Ever since she'd had a sip of the substance, Lucy had always carried a bottle with her. It was a crutch, and not exactly the best one - but it had carried her through life this far. With everything she'd been through, the multiple thought processes running through her mind at all times, having something to slow her head down was a necessity. She knew the difference between good booze and bad by now, and could easily discern between them with a quick sniff. Luckily for her though, she'd never been picky - drinking piss-poor liquor never bothered her, and it made the good shit taste even better.

A little lighthearted chuckle tumbled from her lips when Jace took his first swig, reveling in his expression. The chuckle grew into a little laugh with the nudge. Accepting the bottle, she took another generous swig, a satisfying little sigh following the action. She always loved the way it burned.

A snort was her response to his first comment, remarking at the accuracy of the statement. Her ears pricked at the mention of other family. "There's more of us out there?" The question was stated with genuine surprise, although she supposed she should have expected it.

After another swig and another sigh, she catologued her experiences in her mind, deciding which story to share first. A light laugh escaped her maw when a good one came to mind. "Alright, settle in for this shit, because it's a hell of a tale." Tail flicking over her paws, she began. "A while after I dipped from the Pitt, I ran into this group of bandits. They were body snatchers and slavers - take over a body, walk it into captivity, and return to your old body. Perfect system. Except -" she cut herself off here with a somewhat bashful grin. "Well, I guess they fucked up and forgot they're not the only ones with the ability. While I wish I could take credit for this, I was actually running with them for a bit - body snatching was easy, and it was like a big party all the time. Never had much a stomach for slavery though, but that's besides the point." she cleared her throat before continuing.

"One of the boys brought in a little fox one day. Tiny thing, couldn't have been very old. She was absolutely terrified when she was back in control, shaking like a leaf and chattering her teeth. I was one of the wardens that night, and I felt pretty bad for the kid, so I was gonna let her go once the others passed out. When I got to her, though, she was slumped to the ground, so I figured she'd passed out. Before I got a chance to try and wake her, I heard footsteps behind me and turned. Imagine my shock when I watch one of my buddies walk straight off the cliff we camped on. I could hear the confused screaming before he hit the ground, and after that another followed." Shaking her head, she took another swig and finished up her story. "The kid had the balls to risk dying repeatedly for her freedom. I freed her once I really caught what was happening, of course - traveled with her for a while."

IS IT VEXING WEARING CLOTHES THAT YOU HAVE BLED IN?

It wasn't difficult to convince Lucy to leave her little abode. There was a time in her life where she rarely left her living quarters, preferring to drown herself in isolation and smoke. That time was long passed, though - she'd learned over the years that dwelling on pain only amplified its effects. These days all it took to call her attention was the offer of booze or entertainment. Her adventures really had gotten boring after a while - as a born extrovert, she'd deeply missed the connection she had with her home.

It had been so long since Lucy had even considered the prospect of a more intimate connection. She assumed herself incapable and all other parties wholly uninterested - the thought Calloway could feel any way about her hadn't even crossed her mind. Of course, the invite had been met with exuberance - even without the alcohol, she'd have agreed. Deconstructing what made others work was one of her favorite things to do - she found the intricacies of every individual unendingly interesting. The other had already sparked her interest with her mannerisms, and the first thing they'd done was give her a cigarette. You could say it sparked her intrigue.

Before departing, Lucy had taken the time to make herself presentatable. Her usually dust-coated ivory coat had been meticulously cleaned to the point of shining, giving her an almost ghostly look. It wasn't her usual routine to fuss over her appearance, but she'd convinced herself it was just a nervous tick from being home. Truth be told, though, she couldn't explain why she did it - or at least, couldn't admit it.

Wide, silent paws carried her pale form towards Calloway's abode, a trail of smoke tracing a short path behind her. Halting at the entrance, her tail flicked behind her idly as she announced her arrival. She'd almost just walked straight in, but whatever nerves she still had left screamed for her to abide by social norms just this once.