Lucid Dream v. 5

"Grandma Ko! Grandma Ko!" several of the local children swarmed around the old wise woman. "Another story? I told you two already today!" The elder exclaimed. One of the girls picked at her pigtails. "Grandma..." She began hesitatingly, until her friend nudged her. "Well, we were looking at the Sakura blossoms on the hill..." Aya walked slowly up the path, taking in the surreal splendor of the Koi ponds and spraying waterfalls. Sakura petals drifted lazily in the water and Aya sighed. He pushed back blood-colored hair from his amethyst eyes and gazed up at the house. No one had lived there for years, but as he slid open the door it seemed as if someone had simply stepped out for a moment. No dust coated the floor or furniture, no cobwebs, no rats. "I know we arent supposed to go there, but the bloosoms grow so thick there! Its like your in a storm of petals!" Grandma tickled the girl's nose. A child tugged on Grandma Ko's robes. "Grandma, Grandma! There were two men there! They were walking together in the cherry blossoms! We were told no one lived in the mansion for ages!" Aya found his way into what seemed to be the bedroom. The cool black sheets were rumpled, as though the tenant had just risen. Sakura petals wafted in an open window and danced on the bed, black and rose intermingling. "When I was a young girl, I thought it great fun to sneek in there. In one of the rooms, I found stacks of paintings, and sculptures. But I stopped going there." Grandmas said as the children gathered around her. "Why?" asked the boy. "I would come back.. and there would be more, freshly made works of art. I've seen them as well. The muses that are inshrined there. One is beautiful; dark and brooding, filled with such splendid pain one cannot help but wish to gather him in their arms and tell him it will be all right. But he belongs to another...A stunning smirking one with the hair of cherry petals. Both walking beautiful and pale down the petal strewn gardens, engulfed in the soft mist. Aya stood for a moment, hardly daring to breathe for fear of disturbing the splendor of the room. After a long while he pulled a lovely, black and silver-bound book from a messenger bag. He set it gently on the wooden floor and smiled. "I hope you like it..." he mused quietly. Hands encircled Aya from behind and a chin rested on his shoulder. "Finished?" a voice asked. Aya turned to face Ken and nodded. The two left the house, fingers intwined silently. Words weren't needed. But as the gate shut behind them, Aya almost swore he saw two shadows walking through the gardens. They see nothing but each other. Don't disturb their dream."

09:25 a.m. Wednesday, February 19, 2003 || Apollo

pale curtain spirled together in the bedroom. Like a milky way leading to heaven, Apollo thought, staring up at it. Sakura blossoms drifted in with the lemony breazes, and sprinkled the snowy blankets. Danik and Apollo lay like polar coordinates, heads together, rose and ebony hair mingling and there bodies to the north and south. "Never will I let you go."

09:20 a.m. Wednesday, February 19, 2003 || Apollo

Danik watched Apollo as he swept brush strokes across the canvas. He was so different from Danik in his painting. Danik was swift and harsh, each stroke standing out as if they were a painting within themselves. Apollo was gentle, elegant, all his strokes flowing into one graceful form. Slowly, he placed his sake glass on a table and bent down, resting his chin on Apollo's shoulder. His hands slid down Apollo's arms, catching his wrists in his strong grip. "It's wonderful," he whispered in Apollo's ear. "Yes," Apollo agreed, standing and turning to face Danik. "There's only one problem with it." Danik looked up into Apollo's silvery gaze and asked, "And what's that?" "He can't do this," answered Apollo, sweeping Danik up and pressing their lips together. "Promise, Apollo..." Danik said as they made their way to the bedroom. "Promise you'll never leave me. Promise you'll be with me forever..." "I promise," whispered Apollo, tightening his grip on Danik. Danik's skilled hands slid up underneath Apollo's shirt, feeling the taught muscles as he rested his forhead on Apollo's collarbone.

07:18 p.m. Tuesday, February 18, 2003 || Danik

The smell of terpintine and paint was now second nature to Apollo. Those odors which most people found unbearable were simply interesting to Apollo. He had painted every day for a week. "You can relax if you want." Apollo mentioned to Danik, who moved out of the fetal pose Apollo had positioned him in. Danik was the perfect model, his body and features were not only perfect but had such great character- the essence of his character was what Apollo was trying to capture. Unlike most amature model, Danik could hold unusual and uncomfortable positions for hours without so much a quiver. All his poses elegant and natural looking. A cold rain padded on the myrad piramid of rectangular window panes that enclose the art room. Danik sipped some sake from behind Apollo, watching the brush strokes Apollo controlled, bleeding and teasing the black oil paint around. The picture was of Danik. Just as he was surrounded by the bueaty of his pain. Danik pressed his lips against Apollos in aproval. The rain drowened out all other sounds and the edges of everything were hazy...

04:48 p.m. Monday, February 17, 2003 || Apollo

What are u talking about? email me. mcarrol@pinecrest.edu

08:18 a.m. Friday, February 14, 2003 ||

Maya. What. did. you. say. to. BRENDON???

12:37 a.m. Friday, February 14, 2003 ||

the days in the old Hotori mansion passed quietly, almost hazely. Danik and Apollo's new world was a hazy one, touched by no one but each other. There day were spent without goals, without deadlines. Apollo unhooked all the phone lines after the first day of his families insistant calls. Danik and him would drift in and out of sleep, sometimes painting, sometimes savoring delicate rice balls, lying on the cool springy grass, feeding the carp that shimered in the pond, being engulfed in the whirlwind flurries of the cherry blossoms. Apollo wasnt sure how much time had passed, nor did he care. All there was... was Danik.

07:37 p.m. Thursday, February 13, 2003 || Apollo

Danik's eyes fluttered open and looked around, the first rational thoughts he'd had in days coming to him. He wasn't sure where he was, but it was...nice. Soft cherry blossoms drifted in through an open window, splashed pink on the white sheets. Danik looked down at his hands, resting on the edge of the sheets. They were so pale, even more so than normal. He still felt warm, but not trapped in flames. Without really thinking he stood shakily and made his way from the room. Apollo was lounged in a window seat, gazing out over the landscape. "Apollo?" Danik asked, deep voice hoarse from exhaustion. He was so tired...He felt stretched, felt worn into nothing more than a wraith. Apollo smiled, looking up to wear Danik stood at the top of a grand staircase. "Welcome to Japan," he said, almost bitterly. "Japan?"

06:48 p.m. Thursday, February 13, 2003 || Danik

Cherry blossoms had just begun to bloom in Japan. Afternoons in the mansion were quiet and cool, save for Danik's torchered dreams and fever. Apollo pulled the heavy white cloths covering the furnature as sakura petals drifted throw the open windows. This place had an amience, so cool and slow, like a sluggish dream. Apollo felt that nothing bad could happen here. Footsteps on the pink veined white marble. "Apollo?" Danik was reflection shined in the marble starkly as a petal drifted to his feet. Apollo turned his head to him, and slowly turned completely around. Danik looked so vulnerable, his hair naturally spiked, but not messy looking, in an overlarge white bed ruffled shirt and nothing else. Apollo's eyes closed together, making room for the smile overtaking his face. However, he somehow felt... saddened. "Isnt this a nice dream?" Apollo said, reverting back to his flawless Japanese. Danik's skin was pale, and his eyes wide.

04:56 p.m. Thursday, February 13, 2003 || Apollo

Cool arms wrapped around his body, starkly contrasted from Danik's scorched skin. He wanted that coolness, that strength cutting through the fire of his body. Danik snuggled closer to the source, something wonderfully familiar about it trying to override the delusions in his mind. Concsiousness meant pain, unconsciousness meant darkness...Sobs hitched his chest as he fought his own body for control. He just wanted to escape himself...

03:55 p.m. Thursday, February 13, 2003 || Danik

ten hours later found Danik and Apollo flying first class on a mostly empty early morning plane stopping in Hawaii, then heading for Japan. Danik had slept most of the time, fortunatly his violent thrashing and ocassional blood curdling screams had ceased. Sweat beaded his forhead, and his forhead creased in his sleep. Apollo took a sip of the refreshing (for once non alcholic) orange juice the flight attendent had given him. About right now, Apollo mused, Missy should be waking up out a druken stupor and getting the voice message I left her. "Deal with the school, and the parents for me." Apollo had said. "Danik and I are running away together." Apollo sighed. Artimes wouldnt like that burden, but she could handle herself - she always could. Apollo stared out the window into the orange sunrise. With the purple clouds surrounding them, it looked like they were in some kind of surrealistic paradise- a heaven. Yes, Apollo thought, wiping the perspiration from Danik's chilled forhead, we will make our own heaven together- away from an ugly reality.

10:04 p.m. Wednesday, February 12, 2003 || apollo

Heat pounded down on him like an oven. He couldn't breathe, he couldn't see. Everything was twisted and morphed into shapes unheard of. Visions flashed before his eyes, scenes if things he had never imagined. Danik never knew what was happening; sobs formed on his wet lips and he lashed out at things that weren't there. All he could understand was the heat that was burning him from inside. He was trapped in the flames, they would consume him, engulf him. Somewhere in his mind a thought flitted across: Which is worse? Flames or Ice?... Then darkness claimed him again. When he finally opened his eyes, everything was quiet. He was alone in a room, a hospital room. A hoarse sneeze came from somewhere, he couldn't tell where, nothing was in perspective. "Danik?" came a familiar voice. He knew that voice...Didn't he? "Danik, I'm taking you out of here. We're going to Japan...You need to heal." The voice was soft and comforting, a cooling presence in the heat that trapped him. It was the last thing he could think before the flames and shapes roared up.

08:58 p.m. Tuesday, February 11, 2003 || Danik

Apollo found himself sleeping in the hospital yet again in the early morning. "MR. HOTORI." They had sent the same stubbon nurse who would not take no for an answer. "What is the meaning of this? This is the third time I have seen you two in this hospital in the course of four months. Would you like us to prepare a special room for you two?" Apollo barely raised his head from the plasticine bed covers where Daniks tossed and turned. "Yes, thank you. How considerate of you." The woman huffed. "Really! THIS time he seems to have ulcers, and is just suffering from stress in general. HE NEEDS TO TAKE IT EASY. This time, I REALLY DO INSIST that he STAYS in the PSYCHIATRIC WARD. HE NEEDS THIS, for his OWN SAFTY. Are you listening??" SHe softened. "It really is the best for him. He would be taken care of. With proper help, he could be straighten out in the next six months..." Apollo was abbored by the words. Straightened out. He could just imaginge, teh docotors messing with Danik's already fragile mind. "I have a quiet estate in rule Japan. He already agreed to go there and relax. Shall he be taken there immediatly?" Apollo asked. The nurse sighed. "If we see him back here within the next four months, that is it." She told Apollo tersely, and left.

07:46 p.m. Tuesday, February 11, 2003 || Apollo

Danik stepped over Calora gingerly, clutching his side. His entire ribcage was on fire, he couldn't breathe. He took a swig of soda to clean his mouth of the acid of vomit. Alcohol never had this effect on him: it couldn't have been the drinking. Suddenly he swooned, his entire body going limp. He gasped as the world dropped out from under him. The entire world spun and blood rushed to his head. He never even felt himself fall.

07:15 p.m. Tuesday, February 11, 2003 || Danik

It was three in the morning. Leo was still up, laughing strong, joking with missy. Aya and Calora had both passed out from too much beer. But that was not before they had to suffer through all of Calora's drunken rages. SHe had gona on and on about how much the world hated her and all her problems, and then started talking to her nonexistant mother. Had everyone not been too intoxicated to care, they might have been seriously freaked out. Ken was still up, and having a late night snack. Danik came out of the bathroom, after the hacks and slimy noises had stopped. "Youve never had problems holding alcohol before." Apollo commented when he was done throwing up. Dani shook his head and said tersely. "I dont." He cleaned his mouth with some soda. Apollo watching him concerenedly. Afterawhile Danik said "I think its an ulcer or something." He did look like he was in physical pain, and trying to hide it. "An ulcer...?" Apollo shook his head. "Arnt the elderly only afflicted by that?" Danik lay down on the fainting couch, his hands clamping his sides. "Probly from the stress and all. You know. Losing my apartment and all." It was the first time Apollo had heard him share any lamentation about it.

09:25 a.m. Tuesday, February 11, 2003 || Apollo

Ken's lips pressed against his own with almost bruising force. Aya tried to break away, but there was nowhere to move. Ken's mouth was searing and passionate, scraping against the inside of Aya's with brute force. His lips travelled down to Aya's neck, sucking at the hollow at the base. Aya arched away, only providing more surface area. Suddenly the closet door swung open, causing Aya and Ken to come tumbling out, both flushed and breathless. "Enjoy yourselves?" asked Apollo, looking extremely smug. Aya glanced at Danik and flushed harder. Ken lay, still sprawled on the carpet, giggling.

07:15 p.m. Monday, February 10, 2003 || Aya

Time whirled by in a vortex of wine and tongues. Aya lost count of how many times others’ lips had been pressed to his own. But then, Aya had lost count of pretty much everything. He had a vague sensation that it was his turn again…Ken. Something was wrong about that, but he couldn’t sort out what it was. He couldn’t sort out much of anything. “Closet!” Leo ordered. “Huh? But I’ve never gotten Ken before…” Aya protested weakly. “Sure you have!” someone beamed. Aya blinked, trying to think through the alcohol fog. “Don’t be silly! Of course you have! Now IN!” Suddenly Aya found himself in the closet, pressed against the wall by another’s strong frame. “K-Ken?” he asked nervously, aware of the close proximity of their bodies. “Yes,” Ken breathed, eyes gleaming from wine.

11:35 a.m. Monday, February 10, 2003 || Aya

This was all TOO delisious - It look like the his party was about to get interesting. Aya was reddened, and not just from the alcohol. "NO WAY. I REFUSE to kiss a man." Aya crossed his arms resolutly. Apollo chuckled as Daniks raised his brows at that. "Oh?" Was all Danik had to say. "You HAVE to!" Leo cheered him on, like a 3rd grader. Missy and Calora giggled. "Aya.." Apollo closed in on him slowly.

06:59 p.m. Saturday, February 8, 2003 || Apollo

[[Ok, scratch that. I'm going!]] Danik arched an eyebrow at the half-naked Leo. Apollo nearly fell over laughing at Calora's frantic screech. "Pardon, dear lion, but I could show you up on THAT..." Apollo grinned. Danik rose (albeit a bit tipsily) and wrapped his arms around Apollo from behind. "And we BOTH know I would win this contest, so how about we forget it and let Aya go first?" Danik said softly. This time Aya DID spray his wine. "ME???" "C'mon, Aya," Scyth nudged, "maybe you'll get Missy!" Aya glared, but gave the bottle a hard twist. When the glass finally stopped whirling, the graceful neck pointed straight at Apollo.

04:42 p.m. Saturday, February 8, 2003 || All. Again

(What? Silvio told me he was gonna turn it in at the end of the day...) Apollo chuckled as he placed one of the recently emptied wine bottles in the center of thier circle. "Who should go first?" Missy asked. "The one with the biggest dick!" Aya just about sprayed wine all over the sofa. Calora looked at Leo sarcasticaly. "And just HOW do u plan on determining that??" Leo grinned wolfishly, "Like this!" He hollored, pulling he pants and boxers down to his ankles, as Calora screamed in fear.

11:11 a.m. Saturday, February 8, 2003 || Apollo

[[Well, looks like I'm not going to Winterfest after all. No one bothered to turn in a form. And yes, all characters mentioned in this entry are extremely smashed.]] Danik was still sprawled on the couch, head on Apollo's lap. Apollo's left hand was intwined in Danik's hair while the right swirled wine around in the glass. Aya, Scyth, and Ken were deep in a conversation about cheese omlettes, each giggling uncontrollably. Suddenly Leo glanced up from where his head was buried in some cushions. "Hey!" he said brightly. "Let's play spin the bottle!" Missy giggled. Aya, Scyth, and Ken froze mid-sentence to blink owlishly. Apollo beamed. Danik tensed, but no one noticed. The aforementioned was silently cursing his almost unnatural alcohol tolerance, his plan to get blackout drunk failing miserably well into his fifth beer. "Oldschool rules," said Leo, voice slurred from wine. "SSSpin the bottle, kissss who it landsss on. Land on sssame perssson three timesss and you ssspend one minute in the clossset." Aya and Scyth glanced at each other. "You realize," Scyth said after a minute, "that there are six guys and two girls?" Leo beamed and grabbed an empty wine bottle. No one noticed Danik's sudden stiffness or the look Ken was giving Aya.

06:26 p.m. Thursday, February 6, 2003 || All (It's a party, you know)

sry haleh but I have no imagination right now. I have like, the iq of a goldfish as of now.

03:07 p.m. Wednesday, February 5, 2003 || Apollo

"Really?" Danik mused as Apollo drew him forward by the shirt. "And just how," Danik continued, staring up into Apollo's quicksilver eyes, "are you going to do that?" In response Apollo simply pulled Danik closer. He opened his mouth to reply but the doorbell interrupted them. Danik sighed, feelings mixed about the dawning shindig. (Yes, SHINDIG) In response to Apollo flamboyant outfit Danik had retaliated in his own classic black. He wore formfitting black pants with a black sweater and black engineer boots, so only his pale hands and head were visible. He looked extremely dangerous and extremely fuckable. Apollo opened the door and a ruffled Leo and Missy walked in. Danik just lounged on the couch, draining his second beer. If all went as planned, he'd be blackout drunk within an hour and wouldn't have to deal with anybody.

05:31 p.m. Tuesday, February 4, 2003 || Danik

Apollo had been staring at a closet for over an hour, feeling the desparate ache to go shopping. However, he had recieve a rare phone call from his parents. Of course they werent calling to make small talk, but rather to demand he watched his finances. Apollo sighed, eying the room (yes his closet is a room probably bigger than your living room) groaning that he had no clothes. Finally he distainfully selected for the party: a flowy wite shirt, with deep rose tinted shiny bellbottom, and a belt of small diamond hearts linked together, and hot light pink boa, and his altime favorite white and pink striped top hat. Danik happened to walk into the room, and noticed Apollo in front of his mirror, trying out different poses in the outfit. He stopped dead in his track, a look of horror on his face. "Wha...what the fuck is THAT?" Apollo eyed his form speculativly. "What Im wearing to the party today. Id say it a bit edgy. I love it..." His voiced was drowned out by Danik when he pointed and laughed. It was a gratifying sound for Apollo. He growled playfully, "I think I need to teach you some respect for my superior fashion sense!" he drawled, pulling danik over to him by his shirt.

04:49 p.m. Tuesday, February 4, 2003 || Apollo

Danik leaned into Apollo's carress, allowing the scalding water to slide down his marble skin as though washing away years of grit and filth. He was still hurting inside, but at least he didn't have to face it alone anymore. "Hai," Danik sighed. A european mansion in Japan...not bad. Danik turned and placed a kiss on Apollo's temple. "What was that for, my prince of darkness?" Apollo teased softly. "Thank you..." Dani said and rinsed his hair. He shut off the water and stepped out of the shower, wrapping a towel low around his slender hips. "Did I hear something about dinner?"

07:18 p.m. Monday, February 3, 2003 || Danik

"Missy says that she wants to make this a co-ed slumber party..." Apollo called out into the echoy, steam bathroom. "When we break out the beer, that should be quite intersting...." Apollo said then climbed into the shower himself. Filling his hands up with shampoo, Apollo gently massaged Danik's scalp and enjoyed the slick threads of Dani's hair weaving in and out of his fingers. Danik finally allowed himself to relax, and rested against Apollo. "Japan used to be the center of my fathers business, " Apollo told Danik, "And I grew up in a new European style mansion. My grandparents lived there when we moved, but they died, so the place is empty. I think you might like it there..." Apollo went on to tell him about it, trying to transfer those images to Danik. "Want to go there over Spring break, oh shadowed one?"

06:51 p.m. Monday, February 3, 2003 || Apollo

Danik wandered sleepily into the kitchen, emotionally and physically drained. After Aya had fled, he'd fallen asleep for a good three hours, but he still felt exhausted. Apollo glanced up Danik shuffled in. Danik yawned and rubbed his head, causing his cobalt hair to protrude messily. Only Danik could pull off looking so grungy yet still unbelievably sexy. "What are you cooking," he asked, voice husky from want of sleep. "Dinner," replied Apollo, stirring something on the stove. "Smells good," Danik said, stifling another yawn. "I think I'll go shower..." Danik said to no one in particualar, but Apollo didn't mind. It was good having Danik talk in something other than monosyllables.

05:47 p.m. Monday, February 3, 2003 || Danik

After a brief consultation with Danik, Apollo called up Calora, Leo, Sycth, Artemis, and remembering Aya, ken-kun, NONE of which answer their cell phones. Apollo felt that his friends antics could offer some reprieve for Danik, who was emotionaly raw. So He decided to throw an impromptu Valentines Day party tommorow. The apartment was immaculent as always, so there was little preparation needed. As a child, Apollo and Artemis had been forced to wash themselves at least four times a day, and as a direct result, as adults neither could tolerate a mess. FINALLY he was able to reach Missy. "Moshi Moshi?" she answered sleepily. Apollo reprimanded her, "And why exactly are we sleeping in the middle of the after noon? Is there a reason why you havent been at school for the past couple days? You almost had me sincerely worried!" Missy chuclkled dryly on the other end. "So glad to know you almost care for me. Where I have been is hardly your buisiness." well someone is moody, Apollo thought, so he proded "I see, could your excuse be that a hungry LION cornered you into his bed? Missy exhaled in a sharp hiss, but she knew she didnt have to swear Apollo to silence - they never told thier parents anything anyways. "Do I need to save you from the lions clutchs to get you here at our apartment tommorow after school? I am having a Valentine's Day party.... and if the Lion HAPPENS to hunt you down and arrives on our doorstep, dont believe I will save you!"

05:28 p.m. Monday, February 3, 2003 || Apollo

Aya felt himself being pressed into the bed as Apollo slid off him. Danik took his place, the man's perfect lips brushing the nape of his neck. Aya bit back a gasp as his rational mind fought his horomones for control. As suddenly as it had started, the "game" was over. Danik stood and ruffled Aya's already mussed hair. Apollo was seated on the bed, smiling ferally. Aya gasped for air, feeling his cheeks flush to almost the same shade of his hair. "Well, kitten. That was fun. And you can't say you didn't enjoy it..." Apollo smirked, motioning to the slight tenting of Aya's jeans. Aya balked and darted for the door. "I am SO going to knock next time..." he muttered as he burst out of the apartment. He grabbed some snow that was just beginning to melt as the air warmed up and shoved it down the front of his pants.

02:09 p.m. Monday, February 3, 2003 || Aya

Aya was so adorable, and it seemed Danik had found at least momentary enjoyment in thier game. But when Danik took his turn on Aya, running his hands over the red head's hip bones and into his pants... Aya felt the jealously rising up... He laughed. "that was most enjoyable, Aya, perhaps we should have fun like this more often?" He said as Danik oozed off of him, leaving Aya flushing and panting slightly...

01:47 p.m. Monday, February 3, 2003 || Apollo

"Get the FUCK off-" His cry was halted by Apollo's lips pressed to his own. ARGH! ICK!! NONONONO!! This was NOT right! Sure, he had kissed Danik that one time but that was only to get Danik to stop laughing like a bloody psycho! Right? Somehow between the tussle with him and Apollo, his shirt had come off...Hands ran down his bare chest, and, despite his minds pleas of desperation, he could feel his body start to respond under Apollo's expirienced hands.

01:41 p.m. Monday, February 3, 2003 || Aya

Apollo laughed outright as he removed Aya's shoes, as Danik expertly slip the shirt of the struggling teen. "GET THE *^#$@) OFF!" Apollo cut off his protests with a sudden kiss. Aya froze like a corpse beneath Danik. As, Apollo parted the other boy's teeth with his tongue, he felt the other boy's loins tighten beneath him...

01:26 p.m. Monday, February 3, 2003 || Apollo

"...Maybe Aya would like to see it?" Apolll suggested with a wicked grin. GAH!! "NO!" Aya yelped, diving for the open window. Apollo pinned him down to the bed, knees on Aya's chest. "You, love, are not going anywhere," Apollo teased. "Except," he whispered, leaning down to brush Aya's ear, "maybe to paradise." Violet eyes widened in confusion and terror. He struggled harder. "You know, rape is illegal in ALL 50 STATES!" he cried as he pushed against Apollo. "Ah, but my dear," responded Apollo, pinning him harder, "it's only rape if you don't enjoy it..." GAH!!! THIS IS SO NOT GOOD!!!

09:56 a.m. Monday, February 3, 2003 || Aya

Aya's embarassed struggles amused Apollo to no end. What was he struggling for anyway? It was obvious to Apollo that Aya was at least bi, even if he hadn't quite realized yet himself... so they would just have to *ahem* help him realize, Apollo was thinking as he unzipped Aya's jaket with his teeth. "Ok,Ok, I get the joke NOW GET OFF!" Aya hollored as the blood pooling underneath his face. "Dani," Apollo grinned up Danik - it was wonderful to see the other man feeling something similar to happiness - "I do believe I have that old crop in my closet- dont you think Aya would like to see it?" To that inducement Aya would have have jumped out of the bed and out of the window, had he not found his arms and legs pinned.

08:52 p.m. Sunday, February 2, 2003 || Apollo

OshitOshitOshit...was all Aya could think as he felt himself being dragged on the bed. He shot Danik a pleading glance but the man was wrapped in his own thoughts. Gods...I'm being dragged into bed by two incredibly gorgeous gay guys...This is SO not good!...Wait, did I just think "incredibly gorgeous"?!?! What is wrong with me???? ARGH!! This is SO NOT GOOD!! "Relax, we don't bite hard," Apollo whispered in his ear. Aya jumped. "Hehe...right..." Help me!! Ack!! Suddenly a hand was wound in his hair. "Your hair is so red," Danik said as though he were just noticing it for the first time. Aya thought for a fleeting moment that the men might be high. But a glance at Danik proved otherwise. He was just...different. Danik's presence, while, all year having been dark and forboding, was somehow lighter, freer (OOC: I don't know if thats a word...). Still dangerous, still mysterious, but not as impenetrable. What the FUCK was going on???

08:26 p.m. Sunday, February 2, 2003 || Aya

Swiftly covering up his annoyance at that AYA for interupting his time with Dani, he let mischief overtake his features. He snagged Aya's retreating hand, flashing a huge grin at Danik. "Why the haste? Come join us!" He exclaimed while pulling a surprised Aya onto the bed with them.

07:53 p.m. Sunday, February 2, 2003 || Apollo

"Summer...?" Apollo was right. The air was warming and classes were relaxing. Winter had flown by in a whirl of ice and cold. Danik reached up suddenly and wrapped his arms around Apollo's neck. "I'll go anywhere you want to," he said, whispering. Aya chose that moment to wander in, a blush rising across his cheeks as he stumbled upon them. "Oh! Hehe...oops," he said, shifting uncomfortably.

07:15 p.m. Sunday, February 2, 2003 || Danik

It was the first time Danik had ever told Apollo that. "Hey, Danik. Summer is coming. Name someplace you want to vacation, and well go, just the two of us." Maybe taking Dani away from this hell-city would help him forget, if only for awhile.

05:35 p.m. Sunday, February 2, 2003 || Apollo

Apollo's hands worked their way through Danik's hair softly, stroking and comforting. It felt so good, so good to be touched, so good to talk, so good to be loved...He didn't want to lose it again, but something in him insisted he didn't deserve it, that it wouldn't last. "Because I am worthless," Danik said, choking down a dry sob. He had cried every drop of moisture out of him, and his face felt swollen and hideous. "I am nothing. You think you'd miss me, but you wouldn't. You's find someone else, someone better. I don't deserve this, don't deserve to love. And-" he stopped, battling with himself. He had already been humiliated and destroyed, what could he lose? "And- I do love you."

05:11 p.m. Sunday, February 2, 2003 || Danik

Apollo cradled Danik, who had been alternatedly speaking and crying for hours, displaying more raw emotion than Apollo had seen in one single person in his lifetime. Although he know he could never begin to grasp what Danik life was like, Apollo did know that he could help... somehow. The tears had streamed and now dried up, pushed to thier exhust and left a wreckage of Danik's bueatiful face and eyes. He lay with his head in Apollo's lap like a wounded child. It almost seemed as if time had been suspended. "Danik," Apollo said soflty as he caressed Danik's hair, "why is it you say you are worthless? Youve become the focus of my life, it frightens me how much I would suffer to lose you." Dim afternoon sunlight wafted through the window, and the dust motes danced in the air.

04:18 p.m. Sunday, February 2, 2003 || Apollo

Tears flowed freely down his cheeks, scalding reminders of humiliation. But Apollo was offering to listen...To help him. "I- I" Danik began, not knowing where to start. "He came- I trusted him..." Apollo's tongue flicked across his cheek, catching his tears. "Shh...Slow down. Just start at the beginning." A sob racked Danik's chest as he flexed his wounded hand. "I was eight when I met him. He came too late...To late to stop him..." "Who?" probed Apollo gently. "Ben...He came too late. The man had already taken me. Stolen the only thing I had left. My innocence. Eight years old...It hurt so much, like I was being ripped open from the inside. Ben came, too late. He hit the man and took me away...I- he was my friend, I thought. He was beautiful, like a Greek god. I was so young, he seemed like a hero...He-" Danik said, interrupted by another sob. The tears came so fast now. "One night I was working the Pier, and -He- appeared. He stood against the lamplight, I couldn't see his face. He was carrying something, I didn't see, couldn't see, everything was dark. He raised it over his head..." The sound of the bat as it connected with his face, the pain, the blood as he hit the concrete... "I was in a coma for two and a half weeks. I never even remember waking up. They put me in rehab for three months. They said- I had lost my motor skills. That I would never draw again...My hands were dead..." The wave of despair crashed over him, fresh as that day in the hospital. The despair...He was utterly crushed, more than that, deflated into nothingness... "Do you know what it's like, to have the only person you ever trusted betray you? To have the one thing in life you truly love, the one thing that kept you sane, kept you alive, ripped from you in an instant?" Danik shuddered again and buried his face in his arms. He felt so alone, so tired...

01:04 p.m. Sunday, February 2, 2003 || Danik

"Stupid?" Apollo took the empty glass out of Dani's bandaged hand and set it on the nightstand with a clink. "Of all the things blood and pain are, stupid is the last thing that comes to mind." Danik slowly turned his head and looked at Apollo searchingly, with such agony written on his features it hurt Apollo's eyes to see his usually impassive friend so pained. Still, there was a bueaty to him, a bueaty to this lonliness and hatred. This was Danik. Apollo slowly kissed Danik's frown, wishing he could suck the posion from his soul like it was a snakebite. Danikslowly sat up, putting his hand to his forehead. Unbidden tears began to snake down his nose and drip on his hair. His hands, as if he didnt know what to do with them tore at his hair and skin. "Gods, its so stupid... I'll always be alone! Why did I trust him?" Danik sobbed hideously. "I promised my self I would never fall in love again. You cant-" Apollo seized Danik's hands in his own before he abused himself more. Cupping Dani's head in his hands, Apollo gently licked away the salty tears from his eyes. "Tell me what happened, if you want. I wont leave."

12:35 p.m. Sunday, February 2, 2003 || Apollo

Apollo's arms slid around Danik in that brotherly way he had assumed the night before. Share the pain with him? He had tried that, once. Apollo had scoffed, insulted him...That had hurt worse than any scar. Danik had tried to stop caring, to stop feeling, but the pain would never release him. Share your pain. He can help. No he can't, no one can. Because you won't let them. I don't need them. Yes, you do. Let him help you. He wants to help you. No... But his voice betrayed him. "Pain...That's all there is. Blood, and pain. It's so stupid..." Danik's voice was thick with self hatred. "Gods...You were right. I am worthless..." Danik fingered the wine glass, swirling the contents around. He killed the liquid after a moment, still staring at the ceiling. He didn't want to look at Apollo, didn't want to see the mockery he knew was written in the other's eyes.

11:01 a.m. Sunday, February 2, 2003 || Danik

About five hours later apollo uncorked a bottle of wine in his apartment. There was a hastily scrawled note on the counter from Aya " Have to do some stuff," he had written "be back soon." Danik's hand had been stitched and stuff. The docotor had inisted that Danik stay for some therapy, but the three hundred dollars Apollo sliped into his lab coat shut him up. Apollo stared at the spacious, but devoid of human life, living room. Where was his twin? He felt like he hadnt seen her in ages... Leo had really captivated her. Apollo sighed at the idea of haivng to relinquish his sister to someone like that. In the guest room door was still open. Danik was lying in the unlit room, unmoving, staring at the ceiling. Dani didnt give any sign that he noted Apollo's entrance. Apollo pour some of the wine into a glass on the night stand. Daniks eyes didnt even move to it when Apollo offered the glass to him. Petals of a dying rose fluttered down on the carpet. "Danik?" no response. Apollo lay down on the bed with him, holding him in that brotherly way like he had done all last night. "Danik? Please share your pain with me. You dont have to bare it by yourself. If you share it with me, perhaphs it wont be so potent."

10:29 a.m. Sunday, February 2, 2003 || Apollo

Danik lay curled on the counter, not knowing what to do. So he did nothing. Just lay there, thinking about nothing, filling himself with nothing...A hand stroked his hair gently, working its way through where the blood from his hand had stiffened it. It felt good, like what a kitten must feel like when you pet it. "Hey, hon," came a sultry female voice. "You well enough to sit up?" Danik didn't reply. Just lay there. He wanted to scream, wanted to call out for someone, but who? There was no one. He was completely and utterly alone. "Don't know what's wrong with him, doc," the voice was saying. "He lost alot of blood, but nowhere near as bad as those scars on his wrists. He should be alright by now." Danik shut his eyes. He wanted them all to go away. He would never be alright. He could never stop the pain. No one could, no one should even try. He wasn't worth it. Not him, not white trash raised on the streets of Brooklyn. He was a fucking prostitute. The ones cops shot for fun. he was nothing, he was worthless. The hand stroked his head once more. "Such a shame. He sure is a pretty one. Do we have a name?" "First name only. The guy who brought him refuses to give a last name. Says he got this here cut from some garbage." Garbage...Danik almost laughed. Garbage...hn. That's what he was. And the pain would never stop.

12:00 a.m. Sunday, February 2, 2003 || Danik

"My dear," Apollo flashed a smile, "This wasnt self mutilation at all! He was picking up some trash some miscreant left carelessly around campus, and cut his hand on a glass bottle. Thats all." The nurse glanced down at his records and shot Apollo the "yea right' look, but paged another nurse to come stitch up Danik's hand. "Mr. Hotori, will you please follow me and sign this paper work?" It was a command not a request. Apollo glanced hesitantedly at Danik, who was on the doctors counter examination thing, curled up in a fetal position, his skin paled to the point of sour milk. "Unless," the nurse challenged "His mental state is unstable?" Apollo forced a laugh. "Why, not at all. He told me he just had a hang over."

11:42 p.m. Saturday, February 1, 2003 || Apollo

Danik raised his head weakly, looking around without seeing anything. He had the vague sensation that he was being carried, but...He couldn't think. It was too much effort. He just wanted to die. "Put me down," he slurred hoarsley. "Shh," was the only response he got. He still didn't know where he was, or who was carrying him. His hand was on fire. The room faded in and out suddenly, and then he was sitting on his own. Or rather, trying to sit. "Mr. Hotori, we can't keep seeing him like this," a strange but undeniably female voice was saying. "First off, we need a last name for his records. Second, if he keeps this up we will be forced to send him to a psychatrist. Self-mutilation is NOT healthy!" Danik tried to make sense of everything but his head was spinning. The only thing he was aware of was the pain and the awful, crushing loneliness.

11:16 p.m. Saturday, February 1, 2003 || Danik

Apollo paused at the class room door, the same door where he had first met The Exquisite Red Head... all blushing and juding, and Danik had been there, blocking out the world with his head-phones. It all seemed so long ago, Apollo chuckled to himself as the classroom door opened with a silent scream... the blood, the shattered glass, Danik - red black white... About a half hour later, Apollo had Danik in the men's bathroom. Blood soaked paper towels scattered the cheap tile. Danik head rested underneath the chilled leaky sink. "Apollo." He said hoarsly, staring at his hands with an queer fasination. Apollo pressed another layer of paper towels onto his hand. Luckily the lunch period wasnt yet over so no one had seen Apollo pratically dragging Dani into the bathroom. Another incident exposed like this, and Danik would be expelled and sent to pyhciatrics for sure. "Danik, I know your in pain... I wish I could ease it for you... please let me at least let you forget your pain for awhile, if it cant be sent away..." Apollo murmered and wraped his arms around Danik. Apollo wasnt a doctor, but he was fairly sure that Danik's hand would need tending... did he dare take him back to the hospital? They would call the school... Apollo sighed and ran his fingers through Danik's silken locks. Apollo engulfed Danik in his trenchcoat, made his way out of the bathroom and into the parking lot, supporting Danik the whole long way. In the car, Danik slumped over in the seat, his bleeding hands in his hair. Right now, what Apollo wanted was someone with good sense, because he had no idea what to do. Apollo hated feeling helpless. "Good lord Danik..." Apollo cut of a bout of hysterical laughter. He bundled up Dani's limp form in his arms, and giggled inhis ear,rocking slightly.

10:02 p.m. Saturday, February 1, 2003 || Apollo

Danik crossed the hallway like a shadow, silent and deadly. No one said anything to him, but none dared touch him. It had always been that way. But Danik didn't care. He didn't care about anything anymore. He was living in a dream, a daze that refused to release him. He glanced around, glaring at any who met his eye. Suddenly the wave of students was overwhelming. They pressed around him, swarming and stifling. He couldn't breathe...He had to get out...Danik darted for a classroom, panting heavily. It felt like he was going to be crushed by the weight of himself...The room was empty, blessedly so, save for one girl who glanced up startledly as Danik burst in. She was no more than 25, perhaps a substitute. Danik stared at her, sapphire gaze boring right through to her soul. The girl fled in a moment, fear and confusion wrestling in her eyes. Alone at last, Danik sank onto the cold tiles, folding his knees underneath him. One hand groped the floor, feeling for something, anything. A shard of glass fell under his palm. He picked it up slowly, fingering the sharp edges. He shut his eyes, tightening his grip on the shard. Scenes flashed before his eyes, the silhouette, the bat the pain the blood the concrete the hospital the doctors the therapy the pain the truth the pain his hands His Hands...His eyes snapped open, a sob escaping his lips. His hands...Gods his hands...Blood was running freely from where his fist was cleched around the glass. His hands, please, not his hands...It had seemed so real...His hands were dead, limp, lifeless, worthless, everything was worthless...The blood-soaked glass tumbled to the floor, shattering in a pool of Danik's blood.

07:42 p.m. Saturday, February 1, 2003 || Danik

Ayaka watched Apollo stalk off. Danik set fire to his own apartment? It didn't make sense. But then, alot about Danik didn't make sense. And Apollo was right about Danik's emotions. But...No...could it? Ken was staring at him from beneath soft brown bangs. "Ayaka?" he asked, puzzled. "It's nothing," Aya answered vaguely. He hadn't done anything to Danik...had he? Granted, he had asked for a place to stay, but Danik was never home anyway. Aya could tell that something in Danik had changed, ever since he had tried to kill himself, but that was to be expected, right? Ayaka's head began to hurt with possible situations. Stop said a voice in his mind. There's only one thing you have to do. Stay away from Danik. There was the tiny inconvinience that they were living in the same apartment, but that could be worked out. The bell rang, shattering Aya's thoughts. He waved farewell to Ken and headed inside, lost among the flood of students.

08:13 p.m. Friday, January 31, 2003 || Ayaka

Next day at school they were bombarded by tests. During lunch Apollo went on a red-head hunt. He found Aya laughing with Ken-kun in outside the cafeteria. The sunlight shown bright on the two youths, and Apollo mused that they made a fitting couple... Maybe after He got Aya away from Danik, he might try to get those two close. "Danik." Aya nonned and actually smiled a greeting. So Ken-kun was that effecting? "Aya, I wondered if I could talk to you... but I see your busy." Aya glanced at Ken, then stood up. "No, not at all." Apollo led the red head around the corner of the building. He leaned against the wire fence enclosing the parking lot. "Well, I was just wonderig - perhaphs I shouldnt be asking this but, well..." Apollo shook his pink head. "When exactly did you notice the fire?" Aya seem surprised by the nature of the question. "Um... I didnt actually. Danik must have just gotton home, cause all of a sudden he was yelling at me to get the hell out... Why?" Aya's eyes seemed to bore into Apollo's face. Apollo opened his eyes and set his grey gaze at the red head. "Nothing." Apollo got up and walked away. "Its just," He stoped and turned back, "There was nothing on that could have caused the fire, right?" Aya nodded, not seeing the conextion. "You dont think it... possible that... this is rather a stretch but, you dont think DANIK started the fire, do you??" Aya oblivously didnt get it. "What? But its his own apartment!" Apollo sighed, kinking his fingers into the fence, as he stared at the sun shining off the cars. "your probably right.. but I mean, think about it. It fits." Aya forced a laugh, but Apollo could practically see the wheels turning as he made false connextions. "But still," Aya asked, what would posses someone to do something that dramatic??" Apollo gave a vague answer."I know him rather well... you know how he's so silent? He bottles all his emotions, so when they come out, they come out violent. You saw it, he tried to kill himself. " Apollo turned around. "I just worried about him... look, he did this when you were there. I dont want to sound accusing but... never mind." Apollo left it unsaid, and went back to class with a smile. Aya had seen what Apollo was implying. that it was AYA who had upset Danik... and the indirect cause of the fire...

03:03 p.m. Friday, January 31, 2003 || Apollo

Gibby's not blogging no more.... guess thats life, she must be really bz.

09:24 a.m. Friday, January 31, 2003 || Life can be a grey pile of poo....

Danik stiffened visibly as Apollo's arms snaked around him. What had just happened? Danik didn't know what to think; couldn't think. Couldn't breathe. He had never slept with anyone. Not sex, but sleep. His benefactors had taken what they wanted, paid him, and tossed him back on the streets. Even when he and Apollo had been "together" (what a superficial word...What did it mean? Nothing.) each had had his own apartement. After a while Apollo's breathing fell even and heavy, his rosy head resting gently on Danik's collarbone. Danik studied his profile, silhouetted by the glow from the outside lights. Danik knew every inch of that profile, but he couldn't help it. "I love you," he whispered into Apollo's hair. As much as didn't deserve love, didn't deserve to be love, he couldn't help it. And he hated himself for it.

09:19 a.m. Friday, January 31, 2003 || Danik

((AHHHAHAHAHAHAH!! Sooooo sorry. I'm a horrible RPGer. Gomen! GOMEN! GOMENASAI!! Alright...now, it's been...two days? Since Calora was seen? Riiiiight...time to make up an excuse. AND OFF WE GO!!)) Calora fell back onto her bed. She hadn't been out of the house since she got back from the mall, and the state of her room showed that. Her snythesizer was hooked up and 3 stacks of chips were on it's cover. The microphone chord could be seen leading into the bathroom, which was cluttered with a speaker and equalizer; the microphone was layed haphazardly on the counter. Papers were spewed across the room; half-filled staff music, folders full of papers with undesipherable writing, and her all notebooks and creative writing portfolio's, at least 20 if not more, were laying open on the floor. The synth was hooked up to her computer in the corner and on the desk were piled up CDs and DVD-RAMs. "I think I'm done..." Just then, the D drive on the computer opened with a freshly burned CD. 'I didn't think that you sang your own songs.' "I don't, but there was something about these...I just had to." 'And you haven't had anything to eat, you should-' "You can't sing and eat. It just doesn't work, Mom. You know that. Despite that, I wasn't hungry. And now I'm not tired." Calora got up and walked over to her computer. She pulled out the CD and smiled at her reflection in it. She slapped on the label and then put another one in the drive. I know I'll need another copy. Calora went out into the living room and put the CD in the player above the TV. She turned the music up all the way and then went up the stairs to the guest bathroom; she didn't fell like moving her equipment out of her own yet. As she got in the shower, she smiled. My voice is trembling at measure 17. And the bass is to high at the first instrumental. Ah...I was late coming in there, and that augmented D chord should come in a half a beat sooner. Damn, if the rest of my CD is this bad, I might have to do it over again. She thought smiling to herself as she washed her hair. Getting out, she looked at the clock and sighed. "I wonder if Moonbeam would be up...I haven't talked to her lately. Maybe she'd like to come over...No! What am I thinking? She thanked me and said good bye, it's not like I going to be seeing her on a regular basis. Maybe a nod in the hall, but that's it. I need to move on." Calora made her way downstairs in her towel, only to find a flashlight shining in her front door window. "Perv." She muttered before fling the door open. "What the hell do you want, pervert?!" "Ms. Winsdell?" The police officer said shining the light in her eyes so Calora couldn't see his blushing face at her outfit. "Yes." Calora narrowed her eyes at the light and was able to make out the face of the police officer. "Umm...well, the neighbors have called because they think you're disrupting the peace with your loud music. Could you please turn it down." "If that'll make you leave." The police man was taken aback and then stood up straiter. "Please turn the music down ma'am, or I'll have to take you down to the station." Calora scoffed. "Fine." The officer turned and walked away from the house, but then stopped and commented. "Although they seemed a little upset to have been woken up at 1 in the morning, your neighbors did say that your music is quite impressive, and I'd have to agree." He then got in his car and drove away. Calora went back inside and closed the door. "Thanks" She whispered to her neighbors and the officer "but it's really not."

01:35 p.m. Thursday, January 30, 2003 || Calora

Apollo pressed his hands down on Danik's shoulder, guiding him into a place beside him on the bed. This wasnt right - Apollo didnt want Dani to do this as payment. Before, the only way to even be near him had been by making him think he only wanted him as a whore. But now Apollo had changed that. "Good little boys should be in bed by now." Apollo chuckled and pulled the blankets over them. "Let me tuck you in." Apollo smoothed Danik's hair down, and tucked the blankets underneath his chin. Danik waited for Apollo come throught with his seeming dirty talk, but all he did was give him a brotherly kiss on the forhead. "Good night." Apollo turned of the deep purple draped lights. He could feel Danik, stiff beside him. Apollo simply wrapped his arms around him and fell asleep.

09:25 a.m. Thursday, January 30, 2003 || Apollo

RING RING! Artemis' eyes fluttered open and she raised her head from Leo's chest. "Wha?" she mumbled and began to search for her cell phone. "hello" she muttered into the cell. "ARTEMIS DARLING!" "mom?" artemis asked. "Sweetheart, we were just going over the bank accounts and it seems that 1,000 dollars is missing from Apollo's account... do you know anything about this?" her mother asked in a shrill voice. "Well we threw a party, you know since you were saying we should get out and meet other people we thought it was a good idea, and these two dudes got into a brawl and bashed up the wall. We had to get the entire wall replaced. Apollo said he'd send it to his account. Please just send half of whatever I have to his so it will be like we split the difference..." Artemis explained as fast as she could lie. Mom: "Oh alright! I just wish u'd have told me sooner. I hope the boys are alright." "oh they're fine" "alright, artemis, I love you, I'll talk to you later." click. Artemis tossed the phone back into her bag and crawled back into bed with Leo. "Artemis?" he mumbled, waking up. "Yeah sweetie?" she asked. "You've been staying here the past few nights and we love each other. Don't you think we could have sex?" Leo asked. "No. Not until married," Artemis retorted, "I've told u a hundred times." He groaned and turned over on his side. She wrapped her arms around him, "But there are a few things we COULD do..."

11:46 p.m. Wednesday, January 29, 2003 || Leo & Artemis

Danik gazed at Apollo, eyes betraying nothing. "Friends...indeed," he whispered, crossing the room in one fluid moment. "Friends...or benefactors?" Danik said as his lips brushed against Apollo's ear. Despite Apollo's original protest, Danik could feel the other man's body start to respond. Danik's own half-hard shaft was tenting the front of his skin-tight pants, almost painfully hot. Danik covered Apollo's lips with his own, the urge to feel loved if only for his body suddenly more than he could stand. Just love me, he wanted to say. Someone, please...But he couldn't. And as he ground his lips to Apollo's, he knew he never could. Apollo's mouth parted in response to his searching, and Danik's tongue entered. Danik grasped Apollo's neck, holding him tight, crushing their bodies together. He didn't want to let him go, didn't want the dream to end, the end he knew was inevitable. He was drowing in himself...His own presence was suffocating him...killing him as Apollo had that night...And suddenly the thought of being alone was far, far worse than the true death Danik craved so very badly.

07:24 p.m. Wednesday, January 29, 2003 || Danik

Apollo sat up in bed, finishing off some homework on perspective at 11:00. Guilt was moaning in his head, a voice wich Apollo did nothing to silence. The misty beads that covered the doorframe wispered Danik's entrance. Apollo didnt have to see Danik's face in the dim lavendar lighting to know that it was one of sculptured ice as Dani slid out of his pants. "This should begin to cover the cost of Aya and I crashing here." Danik's voice was like a chilled knife jabbed into Apollo's ribs in the night. "Please" Apollo said, tugging on a lock of his pink hair. "Artemis and I are just helping out our friends. We dont expect or want payment. I mean, your HOUSE just burned down. What kind of friends would we prove to be if we just left you on the streets?" Liar, the voice in Apollo's mind wouldnt shut up.

04:27 p.m. Wednesday, January 29, 2003 || Apollo

sat. 3:30 at borders!

08:17 a.m. Wednesday, January 29, 2003 ||

Danik shifted in his chair, going over what Apollo had said. A competitor? No. Territories were mapped, kept with a feral respect. A former patron was more likely, but Danik had always been careful in mixing his personal (i.e. his apartment location) life with his "job". It didn't matter, really. Fire was fire. With sudden movement he killed his beer, draining the liquid in one toss. As the alcohol hit his empty stomach Danik's eyes caught site of a particularly nasty kitchen knife. One slash...That's all it would take...One slash could end it all...No, suicide was too good for him. That had been proved the night on the rooftop. He was destined, and deserved, to suffer. Love...love was something he had tasted and could never have...

02:42 p.m. Tuesday, January 28, 2003 || Danik

Apollo felt himself treading on dangerous ground. He didnt like the turn in the conversation - he should have anticipated Apollo being clear headed as always. What approach should he take.... "I suppose the firemen will find out what caused it." Apollo cracked open another beer and offered it to Danik, who accepted but didnt drink. "You probably didnt put out one of those cigarettes of yours. What do you think it was?" Apollo looked directly into Danik's eyes. He lowered , so Aya wouldnt hear. "I dont suppose... do you think one of your... competitors, you know, purposely did it?" Danik's gaze pierced through Apollo. Finally he lowered his gaze to take a gulp of beer. "I hadnt thought of that." Danik replied finally.

05:15 p.m. Monday, January 27, 2003 || Apollo

(H side note: Nat relinquishes her rights to Scyth NOW. Sorry, but it's been almost 2 months with no post...Oh, and any word on the profiles? We can always just go back to the original way...)
Aya shifted nervously on the couch, eyeing Apollo suspiciously. The sushi was good, Aya had to give him that, but Apollo had looked far too smug handing Aya the pants. Danik, Ayaka noted, was still shirtless. The man seemed so out of place with the feminine colors of the room, like a shadow of darkness in a rose garden. "Um...I don't have to stay here," Ayaka began, clearing his throat. "I'll figure something out..." "Don't be silly," Apollo beamed. "You're going to stay here!" Aya glanced at Danik pleadingly, but his icy gaze was turned away. "Bloody hell," Aya muttered to himself and sank down in the chair he had claimed. "I wonder," Danik said suddenly, causing the others to look at him. "I wonder how a fire could have started when nothing was on to have caused it." Danik was staring strait at Apollo, sapphire eyes gleaming eerily.

02:53 p.m. Monday, January 27, 2003 || Ayaka

I am not going to stop writing what I want to write because it breaks taboo or others might think it innapropriate. Everyone says that the world should be more open-minded but they're not willing to do anything about it. I don't care what other people say. I write what I want because I want to. It's nobody's business to tell me what I can and can't write. If you don't like it, you don't have to read it. So, if I want to write lemons about MY characters, I will. No one's forcing you to read it. Besides, I happen to think that crappy G-rated fic is as much a crime as NC-17. Guess what people! We live in America! There's this little thing called Free Speech. Deal with it. If you don't like it, don't read it. Talk trash about me. Insult me, call me perverted, I DON'T CARE! I'm not going to not write because homophobes and hypocrits don't want me too. So, if anyone has a problem with this, post an entry and we'll discuss it more.

08:45 p.m. Sunday, January 26, 2003 || Haleh

Apollo was just slicing up some sushi when his doorbell rang. He couldnt say he was that surprised when he opened the door and it was Daink and a still slightly wet and pantless aya on his doorstep. "Ah.." He cocked an eyebrow at the blushing red head.... taking to the looney toon pantless statement?" Danik explained what had happened in emotionless, terse sentences as Apollo held up ten different pants to Aya. "Nani?? I was just at your apartment! So sudden..." Apollo pretended to be truely shaken. "shouldnt u call the fire department or something? What if it spreads to the other apartments!?" Danik just sank onto the fainting couch."Im sure," he said emotionlessly, "Someone has done so by now." And hour later the three had finished picking at the sushi... Apollo just HAPPENED to have made enough for all of them.... "Wheres Missy?" Aya asked looking around. "Apollo waved him off and handed his guests some corona. "Shes been getting home late recently..." Apollo said vaugley. Truth be told, he hadnt thought about his sister for days..."I must say," Apollo said inbetween sips. "You are taking this rather well. You'll stay with me of course." Aya gulped. "Huh?" Apollo grinned and casually brushed some stray bits of red hair out of aya's face. "there is room enough." Aya looked akward again. "I guess but.." Danik interupted. "I thought Artemis wouldnt allow that." Apollo chuckled. "Please. Shed never send away someone whose HOUSE just BURNED DOWN. Aya, let me show you the guest room. Those pants are very becoming of you..."

04:00 p.m. Sunday, January 26, 2003 || Apollo

Aya watched the fire with growing horror as the flames leapt higher and higher. He hugged his laptop to his chest, aware of how close he had been to losing it and his work. Violet orbs wrenched away from the burning building, falling on Danik. The older man was crouched on the tarmac, clutching a wooden box. He was laughing, a sound that made Aya's skin crawl. Danik's smooth baritone was so harsh, so bitter...It wasn't a laugh, it was a death sentence. Aya's stomach clenched and he reached out a tentative hand. He brushed Danik's shoulder genetly, anything to stop that laugh...Gods, the man was as icy as he acted. Like the most beautiful white marble statue, sensuous and breathtaking but cold and hard. Aya shuddered. "Danik," he swallowed. Danik didn't look up, just began rocking back and forth, laughing that laugh that wasn't a laugh. Gods! He had to stop...The things promised in that laugh were worse than any torture...The only thing in Aya's mind was getting Danik back before the Ice-King did something to hurt himself...Aya reached up, regardless of the five in difference in height and pressed his lips to Danik's. "Danik..." he whispered, breaking of the kiss and wrapping his arms around the man's neck. The laughing had stopped with that first brush of lips. Danik looked down at Aya, who stepped back and stared right back into Danik's brilliant eyes. "Danik," he said again, "What are you going to do?" "Do?" asked Danik softly. "That was your home!" Ayaka exclaimed, flinging his arms at the ashen building. "No..." Danik whispered, almost to himself, "No, that's wasn't my home. Trash doesn't live in homes... Aya!" Danik exclaimed suddenly, stepping forward to Aya, his eyes lighting with sudden passion. "Aya, go home! Go back to your home...Don't, plese, don't end up like me. You can be worth something! Go back home!" Aya quivered at the desparation and fire in Danik's eyes. "I can't," he whispered, reaching up to trace the fine gash that crossed his cheek. "I'm not going home. I don't care. But what are we - you - going to do?" Danik's eyes ran down Aya's body, stopping where the hemline of his shirt fell. Aya blushed, suddenly acutely aware that underneath the black shirt he was very, very naked. "Follow me," Danik said finally, jumping in his Corvette. His keys had been in his pocket, the one lucky thing yet. Danik threw the box he still held in the trunk and they roared off down the street. "Where are we?" Aya asked as they pulled up at an extremely expensive apartment building. "You need clothes," said Danik sharply as way of explanation. Somehow Aya wasn't surprised when he saw Apollo's Viper parked a few feet away.

10:47 a.m. Sunday, January 26, 2003 || Ayaka

Danik glanced around the seemingly empty apartment, the faint smell of cigarette smoke drifting in the air. The sound of water rushing in the walls was proof that Aya was in the shower, but there was something else that caught Danik's keen senses. The apartment was growing uncomfortably hot, the air thickening. Suddenly a glow brightened on the other side of Danik's bedroom door. "Aya!" Danik shouted, flinging open the bathroom door. "Get out here, now!" Aya stumbled out of the shower, streaming water over the wooden floors. "Wha- What?" asked Aya, shivering and dripping. Flames were licking at the door now, engulfing the wood with it's fiery brilliance. The tongues leapt forward, propelled by the icy oxygen flowing in the open window. They raced across the floor, jumping as they hit Danik's studio. Danik stood, mesmerised as those flames smothered and devoured his life's work. "Danik," Aya shouted, "we have to get out of here!" Danik blinked and tore his gaze away from the fire that was now exploding in sharp bursts as it reached the oil and turp-covered canvases. "Danik!" Aya shouted. "Give me your shirt!" Danik pulled his shirt over his head and tossed it to the smaller boy, who yanked it on and grabbed his laptop before darting out of the collapsing apartment. Danik wasn't far behind. Danik glanced back at the burning building that contained all that was left of his soul. His paintings...Gone, every single one. Suddenly he saw his moneybox lying in the parking lot where Apollo had thrown it. He bent and picked it up, beginning to laugh softly, a harsh, bitter sound devoid of any humor...

06:13 p.m. Saturday, January 25, 2003 || Danik

Yepyep. Borders at 3:30.

09:51 a.m. Saturday, January 25, 2003 || H

Apollo set the can of kerosene down. His thoughts came in cool flows. He knew exactly what he was doing. Before leaving, he rummaged through Danik's desk and pulled out his money chest. He dropped it about 20 feet away in the middle of the parking lot and hoped Danik would find it. Then he went back into the Danik's apartement, and called Danik's cell. He didnt pick up, nothing unusal. Apollo left a message. " I went to your about apartement about to hours ago and you werent there. Just thought I would call and schedule another time with you. How does tommorow afternoon sound? Chaio." He said with his usual swavueness, allowing none of his fury to enter his voice. He stood in the threshhold of the apartment. He stared at the mechanically decorated flat. So like Danik. Apollo pulled out his cigarette lighter. He only smoked when fashionable. Now he had found a different use for it... He ignighted it and tossed it into the gas covered floor. The flames flung up a wall instantly, like the forge of Vulcan... Apollo stayed only long enough for the flames to warm his face and highlight his pink hair with red. The flames still reflected in his eyes, he drove off at breaknet speed.

03:13 p.m. Friday, January 24, 2003 || Apollo

gahhh... did we completelt lose Gibs and Aria? Must hav scared them off... Saturday, borders, 3:30?

03:12 p.m. Friday, January 24, 2003 ||

Danik shifted the grocery bags in his arms and kicked the door with his foot. If it had been up to him, Aya would have done the shopping if the boy wanted to eat. Danik sure as hell didn't. He never ate unless he absolutely had to. The door swung open in response to his kicking and Danik shoved the bags into the kitchen to deal with later. Or not deal with ever. Either way. He slid into the living room, hiding his surprise with the perfect mask. Apollo was stretched on the couch as though it were his own. Aya was no where to be seen, but the rumpled sheets visible in the other room gave proof of his presence. "Apollo?" Dan asked by ways of questioning his presence. Then his agreement to model came flooding back.

03:10 p.m. Friday, January 24, 2003 || Danik

Aya slunk around the front stairway of Lucid Academy where he'd promised to meet Ken. The brunette emerged from the sweeping building a few minutes later, nodding a greeting to Aya. The temperature was near freezing, lessened only slightly by the almost identical black hoodies the two wore. Ayaka headed down the sidewalk, Ken falling in step next to him. "Sup," Aya nodded. He glanced sideways at Ken, who returned the gaze. As amethyst met amber, vertigo swept over Aya and he had the sudden sensation of drowning in the dark pools of Ken's eyes. He stumbled forward, feeling Ken's strong grip grab his arm. "You ok?" Ken asked. "Yea," Aya replied, flushing. "You're cute when you blush," Ken mused, jogging down the steps in to the dark recess of the subway station. The mall was surprisingly empty for late afternoon, so the two boys had the place nearly to themselves. "So," Ken said as they emerged from PacSun, a good amount of the money Danik had thrown spent, "where do you live? You know, in case I want to drop by or something," Ken continued, flashing a perfect grin at Aya. "Nowhere," came Aya's absent reply. "You live nowhere," Ken repeated. "Well, I'm staying with Danik at the moment. He's a senior at Lucid." "I know Danik," Ken said slowly. Aya glanced at him questioningly. "EVERYONE knows Danik," Ken explained. "He's like this erthreal god the no one can get near. The Panther in the Shadows. I just can't belive he let you stay with him." "Me neither," Ayaka replied, twisting a strand of flaming hair around his ivory finger as they leapt once more on the subway.

02:52 p.m. Friday, January 24, 2003 || Ayaka

"Yes" Danik said quietly. "Wonderful." Apollo gave Danik a smile that he didnt notice. "Actually, Missy is upset with me, so I was wondering if I could come over to you place this afternoon and begin... would you mind, terribly?" Danik still hadnt looked up from his marble slab. Apollo wondered what it would be. "Whatever." Danik muttered as he chiped the marble slowly. After school, Apollo had a student council meeting, and then around 5 he pulled up at Danik's apartement complex. He rapped on the door once, and was surprised when Danik answered on the first knock - only it wasnt Danik... it was the Exquisite Red Head. Aya had a towel around his neck and had obviously just finished showering.He stared at Apollo in shock for about 2 seconds, then smiled sheepishly. "Sup? You looking for Danik?" Apollo looked down on the boy coldly. "Yes I am. Why are you here?" He asked bluntly. "Oh..." Aya flushed a little. That told Apollo ALL he needed to know. He walked in, and Aya moved hastily to the side. The door to the spare room was ajar. Through the opening, Apollo could see mussed bedsheets and an unfamiliar Toshiba laptop. Something acrid was seeping out of his heart and flowing into his bloodstream... "Um,Danik just went to go get groceries. He be back soon. Um.. want a beer or someting?" Aya hesitated, unsure of his new role as hostess. "Bye the way, thanks for hooking me up with Ken. He's cool... were going shoping tonight and stuff.." Aya said, obviously trying to make that sound less GAY. Apollo smiled at Aya - giving him his famous blue steel piercing gaze. I'll crush you! Apollo thought.

08:06 p.m. Thursday, January 23, 2003 || Apollo

"DANIK!" the voice said, cutting over the noise from his head phones. "Class has started. You can either put those headphones away or join me after school to discuss it," the teacher continued. Danik arched one perfect eyebrow and removed the headphones. "Thank you. And since we can all see you're so eager to begin, you can read for us the poem on page 518 you were supposed to interperate last night." The teacher placed his hands on his hips, expecting a harsh refusal or a monotonous reading. Danik never, ever did homework. Life was too short to do anything you didn't want to. Danik stood and read the first stanza without actually READING what he was saying. But as his cold gaze flitted across the second stanza, something in him froze.
I know why the caged bird beats his wings
Till its blood is red on the cruel bars
For he must fly back to his perch and cling
When he would fain be on the bough a-swing
And a pain still throbs in the old, old scars
And they pulse again with a keener sting
I know why he beats his wing
Danik finished the poem, every muscle tense, his soul vibrating like a guitar string. His usually flat voice resonated every emotion and all the anguish expressed in those few words. "Thank you, Danik," the teacher said when he was done, "that was...intense." ... Danik entered the art room, lost in the trance of the poem. "Will you model for me?" Apollo's voice intwined itself in the whirling stanzas, and Danik beat his wings all the harder. "Yes," Danik replied, voice no more than a whisper. "Yes."

07:16 p.m. Thursday, January 23, 2003 || Danik

Apollo chuckled to himself at the sight of Kensuke walking down the hall with Aya. Apollo began to hum a 20's song. "... on jupitor and mars..." he sang softly to himself. He enjoyed doing good deeds as much as bad ones... He opened the door to the art room with a sudden feeling or forbodding. Danik was sitting at his easel, with a slap of marble in front of him. Only the most advanced of the AP students were entrusted with chisling. He chipped away, not recognizing Apollo's presence. Apollo pulled out the Red canvas from his portfolio. "So, have you decided? Will you model for me?"

07:42 p.m. Wednesday, January 22, 2003 || Apollo

[[This entry is long and awkward cuz I'm bored]]Aya tossed his books into his locker, the books he had managed to remember before he ran out of the house the night before. He still wasn't quite sure how or why he had ended up at Danik's, or why the enigma of a man was allowing him to stay, but he wasn't about to push a good thing. He stuffed his hands in his black Volcom sweatshirt as he headed down the hall to his next class. Something lumpy brushed against him and he pulled out the wad of bills Danik had chucked at him that morning. I sort of didn't bring any clothes... Aya had admited sheepishly. In response, a thick wad of bills had projected itself from Danik's hand into his own. But- Aya had protested as he had counted the amount, But this is like two thousand dollars! Two-fifty Danik had replied in a voice that sent chills down Aya's spine. I don't want it. Go buy some clothes after school, Danik had continued bitterly. "Go shopping," Aya whispered to himself, pulling open the door to his class. "Shopping?" came a familiar voice. Apollo. Damn. "Huh?" Aya asked, feigning ignorance. Apollo's quicksilver eyes narrowed. "Come, come, my dear," Apollo said, wrapping his arms around Aya. "If you're going shopping, you MUST let me come and -assist- you!" Aya blanched. "But," he protested, and having no other tangible excuse he said, "but you're going to want to drag me into all those gay shoppes and guess what! I'm not gay!" Apollo laughed. "Tisk, tisk. Is that all you're worried about?" No, thought Aya miserably, but kept his mouth shut. "Let's see...Uh...Ken-kun!" Apollo called, beckoning to a dark-haired boy in a similar black Billabong sweatshirt. "Ken, this is Aya, Aya, this is Ken. Now Ken can come as your date and you won't have to be worried about being gay," Apollo beamed. :Aya-*sweatdrop*:

07:26 p.m. Wednesday, January 22, 2003 || Ayaka

Leo walked out of the class and neatly dropped the detention slip in the nearest trash can. Dam dam dam dam dam dam was all he could think. I DIDN'T GET LAID LAST NIGHT! HOW THE FUCK DID THAT HAPPEN? every fiber of his being screamed.

Artemis fell asleep during class. "Wake UP ARTEMIS!" the teacher screamed and placed a detention slip on her desk. She groaned, it wasn't HER fault she was up all last night. Exiting the class, she carefully tucked the slip into her planner and began to think when she was available to serve it...

[[I WANNA GO!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!]]

06:13 p.m. Wednesday, January 22, 2003 || Leo

Apollo found his seat in time for the first bell. The Art history teacher took attendance. His classmates informed the teacher of thier presence in thier own various impudent ways. "Cupcake!" One perky girl called out and then collapsed into a fit of giggles with her friends. "Leolin." The teacher called. "Fuck off. Its Leo." Leo answered. He must have switched classes again, Apollo mused. He wasnt looking forward to the end of the day. It would mean having to deal with Artemis. She had attacted them at his locker that morning, spitting and sending fur flying. She had not only had to impose on Calora for the night, she has screetched, but she had to deal with him... and Danik... ALL BLOODY NIGHT! Usually after nights like last night, Apollo was in his happiest, most generous of moods, but right now he actually felt like paying attention to the teacher going on about the retro period of fashion...

05:10 p.m. Wednesday, January 22, 2003 || Anybody want to come mope with me at Borders Sat. or Sun afternoon?

"Thanks for everything" Artemis said as she hugged Calora. Then they went their separate ways. Artemis had talked earlier to Apollo and been able to sneak several of her supplies out so she could get ready for school the next day. She snuck over to Leolin's apartment and stretched out on the sofa...now for a nice, long nap.

05:06 p.m. Wednesday, January 22, 2003 || Artemis

((Forgive the profanity, they're THUGS))

Leo sat in the back of van with a grin on his face. BJ tossed a bag at Leo, "Yo man, wipe that smile off your face, you look fucked up in the head." Leo just laughed, "Ooh, that was so fun." The snipers looked down, Tara's eyes were streaming tears. "Yo, what's WITH you guys?" Leo asked. "It's Jaq....he..." she looked down. Leo stood up, "Who the HELL was it? I'm going to beat his ass! The mofo will wish he'd never been born!!" BJ and Danz held onto Leo's arms and pinned him down for the rest of the ride.

When the Black Aces walked in the door, their boss practically tackled the entire group. "WHAT HAPPENED! TELL ME! REPORT NOW!" their leader shouted. He had been left at their HQ, for fear of losing their leader, although it was completely against his will. BJ, their knocker (guy who answers the door), was also the one who reported to the leader, and Danielle jotted it all down (he stayed with the leader, too, he's the advisor and secretary). "Mission to rescue Yoshi was successful. Damage to their group was an affirmative death of their leader, unconscious of one of their armed fighters, and a shot in the arm to their gunman by Tara. Damage to our team..." his voice cracked "their gunman got Jaq..." BJ paused for breath, "and Keeys was knocked out." Their leader didn't take the news well, he smashed his fist against the wall "DAMIT! I KNEW I SHOULD HAVE GONE! Now we've lost Jaq......." Leo was fighting to keep from smiling. He was so happy he'd found someone to really fight against him. If Jaq was weak enough to die, that was his fault. And to add another bonus to it...he had to honor of wiping out the rival leader...and the other gang would have no idea who of the three shooters actually shot.

04:50 p.m. Wednesday, January 22, 2003 || Leolin

Danik arrived at his apartment as the sun sent its first brilliant rays shooting over the horizon. His mind whirled with confusion, soul tormented and body exhausted. And school started in less than two hours. He smelled of sweat and sex; he needed a shower. As he fit the key in the lock, twisting it expertly, he noticed a human form crouched in the shadows. Danik froze, every muscle alert. Whatever it was he expected, it wasn't what he got. Aya's slightly smaller frame apparating from the dim corner, looking as exhausted as Danik felt. "Um..." Aya said nervously at Danik's icy glare. "I...um...I sort of ran away from home and I didn't know where else to go..." the red-head continued sheepishly. "You 'Sort of' ran away from home," Danik repeated, deep voice harsh. "Yeah. And since I don't know where Scyth lives and Zahra moved away, I didn't know where to go." Danik ignored his explanation, brilliant eyes flitting to Aya's cheek. A gash still bleld slightly, from a ring was Danik's guess. Danik turned back to the door, shoving it open and stepping inside. "If you piss me off I'll throw you out," Danik said finally. Ayaka nodded. "The room on the right is mine," Danik continued, peeling off his now very sticky shirt and tossing it in what appeared to be the laundry room. "Touch anything in it and I will throw you out." Aya nodded again, trying to keep his eyes off Danik's perfect form.

03:02 p.m. Wednesday, January 22, 2003 || Danik

Aya growled and slammed the door to his room. Calora was such a bitch! Fall for her, my arse he thought bitterly. A sigh escaped his lips as he sank into a chair and switched on his laptop. Ayaka's violet eyes glazed over as he crossed over in to the subconscious trance, fingers flying over the keys...The final words of his third novel appeared on the glowing screen just as his father entered the small apartment. "Ayaka!" his father roared. Aya blinked and rubbed his burning eyes. He'd been writing for nearly five hours...It had seemed no more than a few minutes. "Why isn't dinner ready?" his father snarled as Aya emerged. "I was busy," Aya replied simply. "Busy writing, I'll wager," his father sneered. He backhanded Aya, ring tearing across his son's face. "C'mon, pussy. Fight back, like a man!" Aya stumbled backward, slamming into the wall, but made no move to strike back. "Faggot," his father growled, raising his hand again. "You're right," Aya replied with sudden clarity. "I'm a pussy and a faggot who wants to waste his life writing." With that, Aya vanished into his room, locking the door. He shoved his laptop, the copies of his manuscripts, and his schoolbooks into his black messenger bag and fled out into the freezing night.

02:49 p.m. Wednesday, January 22, 2003 || Aya

Apollo had locked Missy out of the apartment without of a thought. He didnt care, just as long Danik and him werent interupted. The clock said four in the morning, and Apollo was so high on sex, he was admired how Danik could still keep going. They had gone back and forth exchanging pleasures with each other, until things blurred and Apollo couldnt tell who was doing what. Now they were resting together out on the creme colored couch on one of the balconies, and the sky was just bleeding pink. Apollo was afraid to go to sleep and find Danik gone. he felt Danik's hand sliding down into his hastly dawned unbuttoned pants. Apollo wondered if Danik was only still doing this because he had paid for the entire night. Apollo knew he couldnt keep this up - believe it or not, not even HE could explain thousands of missing dollars to his parents. He laughed silently to himself at the new concept that he wouldnt be able to go shopping in quite awhile - oh well, Danik the only person worth more to Apollo than his clothes. Except maybe Artemis. Now the sun was striding confidentally up the sky. Time was up, and they would have to go to school in awhile. Danik silently when into the sitting room and pulled on the clothes he had arrived at the apartment in - not the ones Apollo had given him. Apollo offered to buy Danik breakfast and drive him to school, but Danik stared at him. Apollo got the message - patrons dont drive thier whores to school. Apollo covered up his embarassment by pulling out a thousand cash from his wallet, and then writing a check for the rest. Danik was about to quietly go out the apartment door - Apollo felt that franticness gripe him agian - that feeling that if he let him go with out something to tie Danik to him - he would lose him forever. "Danik." He heard his footsteps pause in the hallway. " I dont want to lose you... your important to me. I'm doing this painting in art class." He was completley pulling this out of his ass. "I need a model." The canvas he had deystoyed in art class the other day came to mind. "Ill pay you seventy dollars per hour." A more than reasonalbe price for an art model. The was a silence. "I'll think about it." Was Danik's non commital reply. Then he was gone.

11:08 p.m. Tuesday, January 21, 2003 || Apollo

Danik froze. The whole night...Gods..."Two-fifty," he replied. Why was he doing this? He was only torturing himself more. But as Apollo grabbed him and engulfed him in his strong embrace, Danik couldn't refuse. His physical reactions were proof enough of that. So far he had been the submissive one; he always was with patrons. But if Apollo wanted him, he was going to have to play by Danik's rules...Danik twisted out from under Apollo, nuzzling and biting alternately. At least he could drown in physical pleasure if he could never be truly happy. Apollo gasped in pleasure as Danik stradled his waist, pinning his arms to the cool marble. "So," Danik said as coldly as he could manage, "what are you going to do with me for the whole night?"

07:23 p.m. Tuesday, January 21, 2003 || Danik

Apollo used every technique he had mastered in his numerous philanderings, sending Danik into violent fits of ecstasy. In light of the strange role reversal, Danik didn’t fight him but adjusted to his customers wants. Finally, Apollo had exhausted themselves, and they came up for air. Apollo’s hour was almost over. He turned off the faucets in the bathtub – it had long since overflowed and the steam was so thick and moist, it extinguished the candles, and amplified the aromas of cologne and sex. “Come here.” Apollo beckoned to Danik, who came unquestioning. The bubbles went up past their chins. Apollo pulled out one of his many sex toys – this particular one wasn’t particularly erotic, but Danik had especially enjoyed its ministrations in the past. It was a glass instrument, with a handle grip and three glass balls melded on the end. Apollo ran it up Daniks spine, who stiffened in surprise, but then practically melted beneath Apollo’s gentle massages. He finally closed his eyes, and relaxed his head against Apollo’s chest – then straighted immediately. “Your time’s up.” He got out of bath and began to towel his hair. Apollo stayed in the bath and tried to hide his disappointment- he had almost forgot he had bought Danik. “How much for the whole night?” Apollo dared to ask.

03:20 p.m. Tuesday, January 21, 2003 || Apollo

(MUAHAHHAHA. Writing lemons in the school library surrounded by guys. Gotta love it.)
..."I love you." Danik's stomach jolted sharply. Maybe, maybe, Apollo meant it...No. Nobody could love him. He was lower than the dirt...Apollo himself had said so. Apollo's hand raced up Danik's skin, brushing against his navel. Danik shuddered involuntarily. His stomach had always been sensitive. Apollo vanished into the bathroom, filling the tub with salts. Candles flickered softly, reflecting romantically off the smooth marble. Danik opened his mouth, but nothing came out. He swallowed and tried again. "You are only paying for an hour." His voice was cold, even to his own ears. Apollo ignored it, twisting the gold knobs, sending a stream of crystal water splashing in the tub. Danik saw Apollo emerge from the bathroom, but coudn't break the trance-like state he was in. He twisted a strawberry around in one slender hand, catching his lower lip in his teeth absently. It's perfect, he thought, feeling the silky skin of the fruit tenderly. It's perfect, except that he doesn't love me...No one loves me. He shut his eyes against tears that threatened to spill, burning and blurring. Suddenly Apollo's lips were on his, searching and hungry. Danik felt the man's tongue probing questioningly and opened his mouth in response. Apollo felt so perfect, lean and tight, skin like alabaster. "Open your eyes," Apollo whispered, breaking the kiss just long enough to say it. "Why?" Danik breathed bitterly, gasping for air. "Because you're beautiful Apollo whispered, nipping at Danik's ear. "No I'm not," Danik replied, feeling the tears leak out. But he obeyed.

02:48 p.m. Tuesday, January 21, 2003 || Danik

(MUAHAHHAHA. Writing lemons in the school library surrounded by guys. Gotta love it.)
..."I love you." Danik's stomach jolted sharply. Maybe, maybe, Apollo meant it...No. Nobody could love him. He was lower than the dirt...Apollo himself had said so. Apollo's hand raced up Danik's skin, brushing against his navel. Danik shuddered involuntarily. His stomach had always been sensitive. Apollo vanished into the bathroom, filling the tub with salts. Candles flickered softly, reflecting romantically off the smooth marble. Danik opened his mouth, but nothing came out. He swallowed and tried again. "You are only paying for an hour." His voice was cold, even to his own ears. Apollo ignored it, twisting the gold knobs, sending a stream of crystal water splashing in the tub. Danik saw Apollo emerge from the bathroom, but coudn't break the trance-like state he was in. He twisted a strawberry around in one slender hand, catching his lower lip in his teeth absently. It's perfect, he thought, feeling the silky skin of the fruit tenderly. It's perfect, except that he doesn't love me...No one loves me. He shut his eyes against tears that threatened to spill, burning and blurring. Suddenly Apollo's lips were on his, searching and hungry. Danik felt the man's tongue probing questioningly and opened his mouth in response. Apollo felt so perfect, lean and tight, skin like alabaster. "Open your eyes," Apollo whispered, breaking the kiss just long enough to say it. "Why?" Danik breathed bitterly, gasping for air. "Because you're beautiful Apollo whispered, nipping at Danik's ear. "No I'm not," Danik replied, feeling the tears leak out. But he obeyed.

02:48 p.m. Tuesday, January 21, 2003 || Danik

Danik' s body was a work of art, crystal built above a network of saphire blood. His shirt off, he unzipped his pants, posing unconsiously- he did this so often. Apollo's loins tightened unashamedly. He bit delicately into the strawberry, rolling the seeds around on his tongue. Apollo shut his eyes in extasy, reveling in the sound the silk made as it brushed lightly about Danik's flesh. When he opened his eyes, it felt like he was seeing straight through Dani's mask and into his soul. The fact that the outfit was not in Apollo's taste, but rather, something Danik would by, only attracted Apollo more. Danik was no longer part of the illusion Apollo had always surrouned himself with, but he was reality, in pain and bueatiful. "Danik, I love you." Danik's face remained untouched as Apollo took him into his arms. His body responed with mechanical technique, stealthily undressing Apollo. But this wasnt Apollo's plan. No that Danik was here, he was determined to be the one giving out the pleasure. Apollo wedged the strawberry he had been cradeling in his hand inbtween Daniks teeth. If he was surprised, Danik certainly showed no sign, as Apollo shoved him upon the fainting couch. Apollo traveled down, and unzipped Daniks new pants with his teeth. He realized, as he gently traveled up and down Danik's skin, that neither of them were wearing condoms, a practice Danik had always been vigilant in. Apollo, naked, pulled away from Danik. He handed him the champange, and headed towards the bathroom, a grand affair. Lavender marble had been the result of a mutual agreement between Missy and Apollo. On whim he turned on one of the many facets and poured in a half a bottle of lemon herb bubble bath, and added some bath salts. "You only are paying for an hour." Apollo heard Danik reminding him coldly. Apollo pulled out a condom (Missy had bought purple ones :)and got it on. Personally, Apollo distained them, but Danik always was adament on being safe. When he went back into the living room, the water still running in the bathroom, Danik was lying stark gloriously nude, on the fainting couch, staring vaugely at a strawberry, lost in thought.

08:19 p.m. Monday, January 20, 2003 || Apollo

Danik took the package from Apollo without a sound, willing his hands to stop shaking. His face showed no sign of the soul being torn to pieces inside. He opened the box and pulled out a beautiful, and obviously expensive outfit. Danik's skilled eyes could already tell that the clothes would look as though they had been made for him, proof of Apollo's immaculate tastes. Danik's intense gaze shifted to Apollo, who was now stretched languidly across the sofa, tongue carressing the strawberry. "Try it on," Apollo said, watching him. Why are you doing this to me? Danik wanted to cry out. Didn't Apollo see he was dying? But the mask only hardened, reminding him that this was a job, Apollo just another countless patron. Except...Danik had never loved a patron. "Here?" Danik asked coldly. "I'm paying you, aren't I?" replied Apollo calmly. Danik unbuttond his shirt, revealing his smooth chest, acutely aware of Apollo watching him carefully.

07:14 p.m. Sunday, January 19, 2003 || Danik

Apollo neatly stacked a pile of sketches on his dest. Homework. Yes, even at Lucid Academy, they had it. Everything in Apollo's study was orderly, mathmatical, but artisic. He didnt like things getting out of place, and liked his surroundings to be more bueatiful than the ugly reality. The ornate clock silently turned its hands to nine oclock. Apollo poured champange into two glasses, and set out a dainty bowl of strawberries to bring out the flavor. When the door to the apartment slide open, Danik found apollo artistically seated on the deep purple velvat faint couch with the pink trim. DAnik knew he had chosen to sit there because the colors went well with his pink hair and the smokey rosey colored shirt he was wearing. Apollo did those sort of thing unconsiously. Apollo set aside the book on art history, the chapter they had been assigned for homework. (Apollo wondered if Danik ever did homework.) Danik didnt say anything, and Apollo shifted his gaze away from those penatrating eyes. Like a frightened animal, he thought. He slid past, and pulled out the present he had bought that day. He set it on the side of the table closest to Danik. "For you." Apollo said, and licked on of the strawberries.

01:19 p.m. Sunday, January 19, 2003 || Apollo

Aya'a stomach twisted as Calora smiled at him. Crap! What was wrong with him? Was he going to fall for every person who looked at him??? His head spun, beating himself mentally for being such a dumbass. "I think Aya would like to see you in it..." came Apollo's voice. Aya turned nearly the same shade as his hair. Apollo and Danik moved off, leaving him alone with Calora. Aya caught his lower lip nervously, suddenly at a loss for words. You're a bloody writer! You're never at a loss for words! part of him screamed. Except when Danik's around another part smirked impishly. That's so not true! Aya clamped his mind with a particularly forceful thought, turniing his attention back to Calora.

05:14 p.m. Saturday, January 18, 2003 || Aya

Calora smiled. "Sup Aya?" Apollo noticed she was blushing slightly. Aya just nodded his head in her direction. "Calora come look at this bodice," Apollo directed her away, joking "I think Aya would like to see you in it." Aya and Danik were about to leave, when Apollo claped a hand on Danik's shoulder, who just stiffened. "Will you come over to my house tonight? Around nine?" Daniks answer was so toneless, almost bored. "For an hour, its 1 thousand." Apollo just about choked. Was the only way to talk with Danik through money??? "Thats steep." He said instead. Danik snapped. "Im a professional." Apollo couldt help smirking. "I know. 1 thousand then. I assume cash is accepted?"

04:18 p.m. Saturday, January 18, 2003 || Apollo

Danik sighed inwardly as Aya dragged him into Hot Topic. Well, no one "dragged" him; nobody ever "dragged" Danik anywhere. "Why are you even going in here?" Danik snapped, not in the mood to deal with a bunch of punk/goth posers. He got that enough at school. "Because I'm not going to stop going here just because it's suddenly the 'in' thing to do," Aya replied just as cooly. "Besides, I don't come here often. I just need a new pair of arm warmers. I don't feel like dealing with posers today." "Didn't you say you wanted to talk to me about something?" Danik snapped. Aya pulled a pair of red-and-black striped arm warmers from a rack and tossed them to a cashier. "Yes," Aya replied, suddenly sounding serious. "I want to talk to you about Apollo??!?" Danik arched an eyebrow. Aya's violet eyes were wide with shock. The smaller boy pointed, "Apollo, and Calora." Danik whirled around, but not before Aya caught the expression on his face. It was hard to tell who was most stunned...

07:58 p.m. Wednesday, January 15, 2003 || Danik

Bad news. They're DONE, but I can't log in to my domain again!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

07:11 p.m. Wednesday, January 15, 2003 || Christie

I have good news!!!! I can put all the profiles up today!

04:19 p.m. Wednesday, January 15, 2003 || Christie

Calora motioned for Apollo to come in. He shook his head. She grabbed him and dragged him in. @_@. She started dragging him from rack to rack. Apollo laughed over the worded Tee's (he made a mental note to make something similar - only artsy) Calora pulled him over to look at some combat boots, and he noticed to similar figures. Aya and Danik, with thier backs to them. Shit.

08:25 a.m. Wednesday, January 15, 2003 || Apollo

Apollo was on a heavenly frenzy! Calora made a great shopping buddy/dress up doll. They had hit shoes, a spa, and stop for sushi before Apollo lead Calora into Victoria's Secret. She had made the most... interesting of expressions, and dragging him out. "Ahhh, its been five hours already! Apollo, arnt u tire....?? +_+ Apollo was floating in his own world, with an armful of more clothes for her to try on. A few hours later, Apollo was meandering in his favorite men's boutique. He had left Calora to her own devices. She wanted to go to Hot Topics, a place Apollo REFUSED to make an appearance in. His fingertips trailed the fabrics... unbidden memories of Danik... his smell... he feel.... his imagingation was carried away. He could have sworn he had just brushed daniks skin. Oh. His fingers had stopped on a silken outfit. His eyes widened. It was as if the designer had Danik in mind. A long-sleeve black silk shirt, unbuttoned to reval the manikins clay chest and abs. Thin velvet strips and cuffs that barely reveled the finger tips. Fitted ice blue velvent pants with black velvet lining.... it screamed DANI. Without even checking the price, he had the clerk wrap it up in a striped box with a black ribbon. Then, feeling that boyancy again, he head over to Hot Topics to meet up with Calora.

08:57 p.m. Tuesday, January 14, 2003 || Apollo

The sharp ringing of the phone jolted Danik from his thoughts. "Hello?" he asked sharply. "Danik, It' Aya. Um...I'm downstairs...I'm heading to the mall for an hour or so and uh...I was just wondering, maybe you'd wanna come?" "No," Danik said flatly. "Please...Uh...I need to talk to you. Please." Danik sighed inwardly. "Fine," he said, just as flatly. As he stalked out of his apartment, he wondered what it was about Aya that drew his attention.

03:15 p.m. Tuesday, January 14, 2003 || Danik

Calora held the phone away from her in shock. H-he wants to go shopping with me? 'Yes, now go.' But why? He hates me...he hates who I am. 'But now you have a chance to change that. He might even...' ...accept me. Calora smiled and put the phone back up to her ear. "Sure. I'll meet you outside the main entrance in 15." She hung up the phone and grabbed her purse. "This time I'm wearing an outfit that's easy to change." She threw her towel onto the bed and found one of her black shirts that had sheer sleeves, along with long black skirt and her big black, clunky boots. She was walking out the door when she remembered her ring and necklace. The ribbon necklace with the pendant she gave Artemis was on the table. She put that on, and then opened the drawer and took out the moon ring and put it on. "All set. I'm going to be late!" She ran out the door and made her way to the mall.

01:44 p.m. Tuesday, January 14, 2003 || Calora

The steaming hot shower water fogged up the mirrors and air. Through the open bathroom door, Apollo could see the water marks he had made when he staggered back into the apartment were drying. He exhaled deeply, giving himself to the numbing water. His thoughts were as slow and heavy as the mist around him. In his perfial vision, he saw the blurred contour of Missy's face in dripping mirror. He had changed into a loose white shirt and jeans, bear foot, he padded across the living room and stared at the telephone. Apollo towled his pink hair then sat down heavily. He dialed, until an edgy voice answered "Hello? What do you want?" Apollo stared out the window to the city and grey skies beyond. "Calora? Want to go shopping?"

08:47 a.m. Tuesday, January 14, 2003 || Apollo

Danik unlocked his apartment slowly, hands trembling. He had finally convinced the Commie's at the hospital that he wasn't going to slit his wrists again. No, there were fates much, much worse than death. And he was about to make it all go away...Danik padded silently across his living room, avoiding the expanses of sunlight that radiated in from the glass walls. He slipped inside the closed-off room he kept as a studio and shut the door firmly. The scent of oils and turps filled his nose, and it was towards these he now moved. He bent gracefully at the waist and heaved a can of turpentine onto a small table. A small rag lay nearby and Danik lifted it, soaking one end in the pungent liquid. Just a few drops...That's all it takes, Danik...It can all go away... But as his mind screamed, his trembling hands released the rag, watching it drop. I can't do it... he thought desperately, sinking onto the floor amidst canvases and dark paints. Damn, Apollo. Damn him to all hells. Gods, he hated him. He hated the way he smiled, the way he talked, the way he dressed, but most of all, Danik hated the way he could never hate him...

07:28 p.m. Monday, January 13, 2003 || Danik

Artemis heard a thunk outside her door. Some of the kids rushed out to see what was going on. There was a murmur, but Artemis heard one word clearly "Apollo." She dashed out of her seat and into the hallway. She gasped when she saw the hallway streaked with red paint everywhere and Apollo lying facedown on the floor. She ran to him. Her silver and white outfit for the day, along with her pure white hair, became drenched with the blood paint. She bent down right next to her brother and took his crimson streaked face in her hands. She cradled his body and cried. Then she whispered, "Apollo, why do you do this to yourself?"

07:05 p.m. Monday, January 13, 2003 || Artemis

Apollo was in the art room. A couple weeks ago the teacher had assaigned portraits. Apollo had done Danik, and then began a painting of the sketch. Apollo had portrayed Danik posing for Apollo in a crowed shopping center, coming out of the changing room in an outfit that was more tailored to fit Apollo's taste. Everything was in color, like it was some sort of photograph. Apollo had been prowd of that painting a few weeks ago. Now he hated it. So- that was how he had really thought of Danik - as his little dress up doll. In a blind rage at him self, Apollo grabbed a bucket of crimson one-shot and uputurned it one the painting, soaking it in viscous paint- it driped and slithered down it like the blood that had been running out of Danik's wrists. It splattered on the floor - it drenched Apollo's cloths and flecks flew off onto the bystanders. He hardly noticed his ruined outfit."MR.HOTORI!!! WHAT THE FUCK ARE YOU DOING?????" The teacher yells blended in with the pulsing,pounding noise in Apollo's head. He felt dizzy, and this fuzy redness hazed his vision. He stagered out into the hall, covered in blood-like paint, leaving sticky footsteps. Student peeked out of the doors and started at him. "heard he was in the hospital.... must have lost it...." the muttered. Apollo didnt remember walking to the Peir. He stood on the brige. THe hot sun beat down on the clam waters. It made Apollo feel nausas. The paint dried and craked on his clothes. Danik. He hadnt been taken away- but he still wasnt fixed. Just the knowledge that Apollo would get a secound chance made something grow inside of Apollo. He felt boyed up, in spite of the pain and the sun, he began smiling insanly and giggling. The water reflected the sun in his eyes- blindingly bright. He fell, hardly parting the calm waters. He was purified, cleansed , not only from the paint! DANIK!

09:29 a.m. Monday, January 13, 2003 || Apollo

"202...?" Jess paused to think, wiping blood off his hands. "Hmm...Oh yes. Well the pink-haired one is free to go tomorrow, but the dark-haired one is going to be kept here for a few more days. His stitches need to heal, and he'll be under strict suicide watch. Hospital procedure. Why? Friends of yours?" he asked. "Something like that," Aya answered vaguely. "Sorry to interrupt your little discussion," Zahra snapped, "but is my nose broken or what?" "No," Jess snapped right back. Aya rubbed his temples and sighed. He decided he didn't much like Zahra when she was being bitchy and said so. "Well you won't have to worry about it," she replied. "I'm moving." "When?" Aya asked, "where? Why?" He didn't much care right now. He was tired and exhausted and mostly just wanted to go home. "A few weeks, to Utah, and because my dad's being shipped out," she answered spitefully. "O. Well, have a nice time," Aya remarked. She glared. "Hey, um...Are you hungry?" Jess asked, turning to Aya. "I mean, my shift's over in ten minutes and there's this place I know that's still open...You know, if you want to." Aya looked at him gratefully. "I'm starved!" he replied. "Hey, Scyth! Leave Calora alone, and I'm heading off. I'll see you tomorrow in school. Or call me. Or something."
Scyth grinned and waved, saying, "K. Have fun! Go on and get smashed or whatever it is you're going to do! I'll call you later. Or earlier. Depending on your view of time. Ciao!" Aya waved and headed for the front door, Jess trailing in his wake. "I thought you looked familiar!" Jess said as they reached the entrance. "I saw your little incident with the glass door earlier," he chuckled. Aya flushed nearly the same shade of his hair. "Yea, well...It's not my fault glass is clear!"

07:37 p.m. Friday, January 10, 2003 || Aya

Danik heard the hospital door shut, the sound of his prison being locked. He threw back the covers and stood, a bit shakily. He opened the door and stepped into the corridor, staring at Apollo's retreating back. "Apollo." Danik's voice would have put a skin of ice on a glass of water. Apollo froze. "Fine," Danik said, neither face nor voice betraying the slightest amount of emotion; he was his usual, icy, aloof self. "A thousand each time, depending on circumstances." His usual price. Apollo was one of them now, nothing more, nothing less. Then why was his soul tearing itself to peices...?

07:31 p.m. Friday, January 10, 2003 || Danik

Apollo dreaded the morning. He sat there on the edge of his bed, his head in his hands. Danik had gone back to a feigned sleep beneath a heap of pillows. That hellish digital clock kept ticking its red light. 5:53. Only a few more hours until Apollo had to leave. How to fix a broken toy- how to bring a dead cat back to life? 6:20. 7:10. 8:00 and a nurse came in to hustle him out. The nurse was holding the door open for Apollo. No, he couldnt let Danik get away! Apollo grabbed at a last desparate attempt. " Danik," he began in a low voice. "I'll take you up on your off. I'll pay you to be at my whore." Nothing, not a rustle beneath the blankets. The hospital door swung closed behind him.

03:28 p.m. Friday, January 10, 2003 || Apollo

Ok, somebody post....Fine, I will. But SoMEBODY else! PLEASE! This is my only respite from my bloody midterms...!

03:12 p.m. Thursday, January 9, 2003 || H

Aya twisted one strand of flaming hair around his slender finger absently. "That looks broken," he said to Zahra, who was still slouched sullenly in the chair. "You should have let us finish," she growled, avoiding his gaze. He laughed, then moved off to find a nurse for the girls. Aya rounded a corner sharply, oblivious to the man who was rounding the same corner at the same time. The two collided in imd-corridor, Aya stepping back to rub his head where he had smashed it against the other's jaw. "Sorry," he said, figure in front of him swimming dizzily. "It's alright," a male voice said laughingly. "I always said they needed to design these halls better." Aya smiled slightly, then noticed the other man was in a uniform. "Are you a doctor?" he asked. "Hell no," the stranger said. "I'm only nineteen. I'm an intern. Still deciding on whether or not to go to med school, and I figured this would help me decide." Aya smiled genuinely now, studying the man. He was definitely handsome, with grey-green eyes and untidy but sexy dark hair. "Well, my friends got into a slight catfight...Um, would you mind taking a look at them? Mr...?" "Jess," the man smiled. "My name's Jess." "Ayaka," Aya said, "but call me Aya. Everyone else does..." The two made their way back down the corridor. "Some catfight," Jess mused, noting the bruises and bloodshed. "They're not your ordinary cats," Aya joked, indicating the still-vicious women. "Well, your other friend seems to enjoy being a tom," Jess replied, waving a hand to where Scyth was flirting shamelessly with Calora. Or, trying, at least. "By the way," Aya asked as Jess turned Zahra's head to get a better look, "do you know anything about the to patients in room 202?"

07:27 p.m. Tuesday, January 7, 2003 || Aya

(Umm...Nat was gone for like a month so she hasn't read and now she can't cuz the links aren't up, so if somebody could PLEASE put a link up, even if it's just the link to Part Four, it would help...I would, but I don't know the URL...Thanks!)

Danik laughed harshly. "Broken?" he asked, strength returning. "I'm way past broken. You don't know what it's like, sleeping in the daytime because if you fall asleep for a single moment after dark you might never wake up. Eating from someone else's garbage. Gangs, knife fights, it's not that heroic bullshit you see in the movies. Dammit Apollo, you think you can pick me up whenever the hell you feel like it, then forget about me until you want to? That's my fucking job, having people pick me up whenever they need a good fuck. Is that all I am to you? Because if it is, you had damn well better start paying me! I'm not going to be your toy any longer. It cost me any shred of pride and dignity I had left. It cost me my fucking life!"

07:18 p.m. Tuesday, January 7, 2003 || Danik

(I know the four part story is a lot to read! I'm sorry!) Artemis sat down on the bench in the waiting room, only sorry that she had to leave her brother's side. I'll just settle down for a moment. Just to rest my eyes and then she was asleep.

PS: Mika's talent is that she can create a flare in people's minds that just blinds them for a second. It's perfect with her weapon of two small daggers. Yami and Yani have that thing where if you write a message on one's body it shows up on the other's, or a scar appears on the same place for both twins. (Amiboshi and Suboshi, people!) Kyl has amazing reflexes because he can sense what people are going to do. Sort of like foresight. Marc can make people fall asleep. There ya go!

05:12 p.m. Tuesday, January 7, 2003 || Artemis

Leo ran over to the edge of the building and jumped onto the roof of the next building, then jumped down to the street where a large black car stood waiting. -- Yani stood protectively over his twin as the stranger stood in front of his fellow Black Ace. "You knocked out my brother," Yani growled. "You hurt my friend," growled the other man. Then he tilted his head to the side, and narrowed his eyes in hatred at Yani. Then, he turned, hoisting his friend over shoulder and ran down the alley towards the streets. Yani fought every fiber in his body not to run after the man and knelt down to his twin, checking for anything serious like a knot that would cause a concussion. Yani's heart hurt when he heard the squeal of tires, meaning the Black Aces got away. Mika's not going to be happy he thought sadly. --- Marc clenched his teeth against the pain in the shoulder...he had to get that bullet out soon. Suddenly the rain of bullets stopped and Marc sat up, alert. There was the sound of squealing tires and Marc jumped up, just in time to catch a glimpse of black van turning the corner. --- Mika stood, staring at what was now HER gang. Marc leaned against the wall in the corner, the shadows concealing his face, but Mika could tell he looked rather pale. Yami's unconscious body was on the floor, he was just now beginning to stir as Yani shook his shoulder. Kyl was bent down in front of her, unwilling to meet her eyes. "REPORT DAMIT!" she screamed. Each mumbled out their story. She realized she had underestimated them and then cursed, Well I guess they didn't get to be the best gang East of the Pier for nothing. What she knew was that they were all black except for the martial artist that Kyl fought, who was Australian. Marc crossed fire with four Black Aces and hit one, probably dead if Marc's shot was anything to go by. (he's a perfect shot) Yami was fine, just knocked out, and Yani wounded one that would put that Black Ace out of commission for a week. However, who was driving the car? Where was the leader? Who managed diplo back at their base? Mika's head was swimming. "Where's the guy?" Marc asked quietly. Mika knew he meant the one her brother had been torturing before. Truth was she had been collapsed over her brother's body and not noticed him crawl out. "I'm in command now! Don't question what I do!" was all she could say, but the others bowed their head, they already knew. Marc stood up and walked toward her, now, in the light, she could see that she was hit. "Actually, since you're 17, not 18 which is the right age to be leader, I'm next in line UNLESS you prove you know what you're doing," Marc told her in a steady voice. Mika sneered, "Well, I DO have a plan! The Australian sounds very distinct Sarah'll be able to track him down easily." (the black guys all looked alike) Marc looked down at her, "What then?" Mika smiled evilly, "We get close to him. I'll seduce the information we need out of him, especially learn who killed my brother, and then....*haha* dispose of him. By annihilating the Black Ace gang, we're a garauntee for complete control."

04:52 p.m. Tuesday, January 7, 2003 || The Gangs (Antagonist Story Part 4)

Marc patiently sat behind the barrel until the ping of bullets became slower, meaning some of the other guys were reloading. Marc jumped up and fired off three bullets. His mind registered a shout from one man as he ducked back down. A trickling down his shirt told him he had been nailed in the shoulder. DAMN, he thought I have to stop the blood before I pass out. Good thing it wasn't my gun arm. --- Yami rushed at one of the guys, swinging his fist around so the claws swiped at the stranger. After a while, Yami heard a painful grunt from his left where his brother was fighting the other man. That one split second he looked away gave his opponent the opportunity to wack him in the head. He blacked out and hit the ground. --- Yani knew he could rely on his body for one thing always: speed. He pushed himself to the brink, knowing that Mika's heart was set on defeating these people, who must be the Black Aces, the lead East-of-the-Pier gang. Yani faked to the right, and the Black Ace member's eyes darted to the right for a moment, and Yani slashed down, tearing his claws across the guy's chest. His enemy let out a grunt/cough and stumbled back, obviously not going to win against Yani. Yani heard a thunk and turned to see his brother hit the ground. -- Leo, unlike the other members of his gang (the four shooters against Marc, the two powerhouse thugs against the twins, not counting the fallen comrad still inside with Mika or their leader back at base) was having the time of his life. Kyl swung the blade in a horizontal line right at Leo, planning to slice him straight in half. Leo backflipped out of harm's way, his feet hit the wall behind him and he pushed, riquocheing (sp.) off the wall and flying straight back at Kyl, holding his kamas up, ready to tear kyl to pieces. Leo was shocked when metal met metal in an amazing block. "I suppose I underestimated you. You're the first to still be standing after that attack," Leo laughed, happily. "Should I be honored?" Kyl growled. "No, you won't be standing for much longer," Leo replied, flipping his leg up and catching Kyl in the guy with his knee. "Oompf!" Kyl grunted but used his reflexed to drop down and extended his foot, kicking Leo's feet out from under him. Leo fell forward, but put his hands out, falling into a hand stand and then flipping forward to land on his feet again. The two men stared at each other, panting. Leo was the only one grinning with mad pleasure (fucking psycho). Kyl rushed at him again, the next few minutes were filled with parries and blocks to counter the attacks. There was a break when they stood back from each other, and Leo tilted his head to side suddenly, as if listening to a voice only he could hear. Then he chuckled. "Darn, I must leave you. Such fun as it was, we'll have to do this again sometime," he said, his Australian accent coming in thick. "G'Day."

04:25 p.m. Tuesday, January 7, 2003 || The Gang (Antagonist Story Part 3)

"This is OUR turff, boys! Show 'em how we keep it labelled!" came the cold voice once more before the three figures in the shadows disappeared. Marc ran out the doors, figuring the other gang had the warehouse surrounded, and a ping of a bullet to his right confirmed his suspicions. Marc ducked behind a barrel and bobbed up from time to time firing at the other figures in black. There were four shooting at him, from across the street on top of a truck loaded with barrells just like his.... Yami and Yani leapt up into the rafters to see two men leap out of a window, they landed in the alley behind the warehouse and the fight ensued. The two men defended themselves with short steel pipes, perfect for blocking the claws of the twins' iron knuckles.... Kyl leapt out the window, unsheithing his giant sword. He saw a shadowy figure clamber onto the roof. Kyl followed. The top of the building had pips and fencing material strewn across it, perfect for sneak attacks. Kyl heard scuffling behind a pillar and ran forward, slashing right through the pillar. His blade met steel and sparks flew as his opponent was revealed to be blocking his weapon in a pair of kamas. "Jujitsu can use them, too," laughed the blonde with the black bandana. They were locked against each other, it was a test of strength, and neither were budging. "So what do they call you," Kyl spat out. Leo smiled, "For, now...I think you only need to call me 'Your worst nightmare.'" The two leap apart and continued the battle.

11:16 p.m. Monday, January 6, 2003 || The Gang (Antagonist Story Part 2)

Mika laughed at the boy bent double over her feet, "HA!" she laughed and kicked the dirt from the floor of the warehouse into his already bloodied face, she raised one of her daggers and made another slash across his shoulder. Blood gushed out as he screamed and Mika cackled in delight. She was clad in jean shorts, a bandana worn as a headband around her forehead, her black top, and black jacket. Her mahogany eyes glared down at him, "Tell. Me. Who. Leads. Black. Ace!" The guy however torchured, would not spill, he just murmured, "This is OUR turff..." before Mika backhanded him across his face. There was a hand on her shoulder and she turned to face her brother Touni, the leader of the gang. "Step down Mika, I'll take it from here..." Mika did nothing except for step back. She kept her eyes on her brother and watched him go to work. He bent down over the Black Ace member and yanked his head up by the hair, Touni held his switchblade to the guy's throat. "Listen, man. I'm going to give you ten seconds to tell me who leads the Black Ace gang before I-" Touni drew the blade lightly over the man's neck until a very thin line of blood trickled out, "well, I'm sure you get the idea..." Mika was filled with admiration of her brother, he instilled fear in his victims and complete control over his gang subjects. CLICK-CLICK came the sound from above in the rafters, "Set the blade aside. Let him go." came a male voice cool as stone from the shadows. Mika looked up but couldn't make out any faces, just the shape of three silver guns pointed straight at her brother. Touni tightened his grip on the guy and more blood flowed down the guy's neck. Touni laugh, "Or you'll do what? Haha ha h--" BANG! the blast echoed all around the building and over the dirty floor. Mika watched in slow motion as her brother's body fell to the floor, she ran toward him screaming, "TOUNI! TOUNI NOOOOOO!" And collapsed, sobbing, over his body as blood collected in a pool over his corpse. "Well, I did tell him to do what I said," came the steel voice again. Mika immediately stopped crying, the tears disappeared, and she glared up at the three guns in the shadows, trying to determine who shot her brother, "I SWEAR on my brother's death that I will have revenge on whoever killed him!" She clenched her fist and made a cut across her knuckles with her other free hand and the blade in it, a few drops of blood dripped down and landed on her brother, "A blood oath." she murmured, continuing to glare up at the guns. "GET THEM!" Mika shouted to her fellow gang members and they leapt into action.

11:00 p.m. Monday, January 6, 2003 || Mika (Antagonist Story Part 1)

"You stayed....?" Danik's voice came out weakly ( a sound that had never before drifted to Apollo's ears ) as his hand recoil from Apollo's skin. "Yes. I didnt want to loose you. Please tell me- tell me you arnt broken? I promise..." Apollo felt his voice break and for the first time in year he felt a hot flush of embarassment warm his cheeks. Apolagies were not his forte. "I promise I will take care of you and..."

09:09 p.m. Monday, January 6, 2003 || Apollo

Danik's eyes opened slowly, terrified at what he might find. He didn't know which would be worse: Apollo here or Apollo gone. The room swam into view, the television casting a flickering glow over the nearly empty room. "Apollo..." Danik whispered, shutting his eyes against the tears he felt threatning to spill. "You stayed..."

07:19 p.m. Monday, January 6, 2003 || Danik

The silence was thick enough to stir with a spoon. 2:40 AM beeped red on the digital clock on the nightstand. This wing of the hospital was dark and slient at this time of the night. Unholy light reached out from the flashing TV, casting queer shadows on Apollo, and the sleeping Danik's face. *Click* Apollo clicked the remote and plunged the room into darkness. He didnt have to bore through the darkness to know what Danik looked like- he was buried beneath a protective wall of pillows that he always built when he slept. Apollo felt the nurses word ecoing in his brian- he would be released tommorrow, the nurse had said. Apollo could just leave. He knew, beyond reason, that if he did, he would never see Danik again. He sighed, exhaling a gust of the sterile hospital air. Pulled off a pillow from the top of the mound covering Danik. Highlights in Dani's hair shined like steal threads, wound gently over the sheets. A flashed of shappire- his eyes were open. He awake. "The Cat."

03:05 p.m. Monday, January 6, 2003 || Apollo

(H- So, I've got Kyl and Marc, right? Just makin sure...)
Inner Child
By Danik
Charcoal on canvas
A young Danik is cornered against a brick wall. He is crying, and the look in his eyes is a heartwrenching combination of bitterness, anguish, despair, and sheer terror. A faceless man towers over the child, arms outstretched as if for a loving embrace as his foot lashes out, kicking young Danik hard.

Danik whimpered in his sleep, reaching out for someone...Anyone... His hand brushed the warmth of human flesh and recoiled sharply...

02:48 p.m. Monday, January 6, 2003 || Danik