Starter:
[Fantasy]
On days of celebration people were prone to create large congregations. To think that today was Queen's Day, an event worth dozens of the lives of the common man. Many had broken away from tried and true routines. People young and old alike were out upon the streets. Women were conversing at one turn, and catching their children by the collar at the next. Those few youths who were quick enough to escape a scolding dashed through the alleys and emerged behind their mothers' backs, giving them quite a scare. When such troublemakers saw candies in their mothers' hands, they were all but devasted when told there'd be no treats before a bath and supper.
The huge crowd through which Kalle Chevalier was attempting to wade through forced him back in an enormous shift to the side. Men were running through, and the townsfolk knowingly stepped aside to make way for them. Kalle could only imagine that their importance was only based upon a spot in the army. There was nothing but disdain in the blue-eyed gaze that followed the score of knights.
He despised violence; one would've never guessed it by looking at him. Upon his belt was a scabbard with a flourishing leaf motif. Within the ornate sheath was a blade of a foreign alloy, its metal components giving the sword an azure sheen. Small gems were inlaid across the guard, and at the base of the hilt was a jewel of the same nature, most likely lapiz lazuli. However, that was not the only weapon upon his person. Strung over his shoulder and held in place upon Kalle's backside was a lance just as decorative as the sword. Nearly as tall as its wielder, the lance's point tapered into a fine point meant for piercing the thickest of armors. Also upon Kalle's back was a lightweight bow, its complimentary quiver and arrows cloaked beneath a cape. Last but not least, wrapped securely around his off-forearm was a chain whip. Its purpose was known by few, and Kalle used it as a last resort. The element of surprise was one of his closest allies in combat.
Belying this vast arsenal was a man barely approaching thirty. Unlike the many fair faces weaving to and fro, Kalle's was pecked by the morning star and contrasted against his stark hair. It wasn't a phenomenon, persay, to be experiencing graying at his age, but it certainly stood out. And his ice-like eyes, they too were quite bizarre. Rather than convey a sense of coldness and distance, there was a gentleness about them, faint and barely perceptible. They rested lightly upon his youthful face, and added to his overall exotic appearance.
And as a stranger in a new town, in a new world one might go so far to say - Kalle was absolutely intrigued. He could only imagine why soldiers were marching off in the direction of the city gates. Then the peers of those knights would whisk past them and branch off in another direction. From what Kalle had gathered by way of mouth, he assumed they were heading to the Clerk's Office. He wasn't too sure about the workings of that establishment, and curiosity compelled him to seek answers.
I had blown into town like a dandelion seed, vulnerable due to my lack of knowledge. Somehow I had managed to take root and began to grow. For one thing, I realized something big was going on that day. Queen's Day, that's what everyone called it. Nobles, royalty, knights - they were all the same to me. Those in power eventually abused it, and the chain of command collapsed under its own weight. That's not to say I didn't behave myself, not at all. I'm good at adapting, you know?
Kalle tried to ease his way through. With a hand extended he warned his neighbors of his presence but to no avail. One step forward resulted in two steps back, and more than once Kalle found his feet being stepped upon. He felt no pain for he wore greaves and had pity for those on the receiving end. Still, it was annoying after the umpteenth time, and he began darting through, jerking his body like a hummingbird. Once he rammed into a portly moustached man, and earned himself an earful on proper civil conduct. Kalle's victim had a tendency to enunciate his "S"s with a hiss, and by the fifth sentence Kalle had heard enough. He excused himself in a hurried fashion and blazed past the man, nearly trampling a young girl. She had tears in her eyes from the fright, and Kalle stopped once more to console her. A silly face or two later, he was finally a block away from the Clerk's Office.
My suspicions had met results. The knights were gathering around the Clerk's Office, and for whatever purpose I didn't know - it seemed like an ambush. Thrilling, really. I knew interfering was akin to a death wish, but my curiosity had been piqued so I stuck around.
OC Standard:
[Bartender/Customer]
"Happy Birthday, Cameron! I hope you're doing well. We all miss you. Call us back when you get the chance, darling. The kids want to see you. Joey - not on the walls--Sarah! Sorry, your baby sis has to go. Talk to you soon." The voicemail rattled off for a while and children's laughter could be heard in the background. Cameron listened until the tone sounded. He clasped his cell shut and kept it in his pocket. He intended to leave it there for the remainder of the night. By himself he would celebrate his so-called happy birthday. Getting drunk was one of "celebrating". It wasn't the smartest nor the most clean, but whoever said he was a good person?
Running a hand through his mussed up blond hair, Cameron paused for a moment to look around - to actually take in his surroundings. There were no visible landmarks, and the shops all seemed to be new. He rarely ventured this deep into the city. He'd overslept and missed his usual stop; had to hop off the bus or else the driver would take him all the way to the terminal. Cameron sighed and continued walking. He just wanted something to drink.
Something caught his attention out of the corner of his russet eyes. "Fancy that, a bar." Cameron walked inside as slick as rain and took a seat up at the counter. The other patrons at the bar all seemed to be rather classy in both fashion and air. Maybe it was always like this, or maybe all the gays had decided to hang out. That's how they were, weren't they? All gussied up and hoping to impress; god, they were pickier than women.
"Hey. I don't care what you get me. Just get me something strong. I want to forget I was even born, buddy," he told the bartender, staring more at the glasses lined up behind him than, say, directly at him. He had a bad habit of doing that. People figured him for a rude troublemaker type. People weren't as damn stupid as he thought.
Cameron's phone beeped (the contact read 'Landing, Jesse'): Cameron, let me know if you don't get your card in the mail. I'll be up to visit with Ian in two weeks; the kids are staying with his mom. More texts? He should have told his sister that his plan no longer included that; oh well, he'd show her the bill.
---
Zombie Apocalypse (doubling)
Seth nodded at each and everyone one of them. Now that he had a name to match with each face, he was content. The cop started thinking about what to do next. He wasn't a real fan of horror movies, but his friends had pounded some knowledge into him like the geeks they were. Speaking of which, one of the zombies he'd shot way, way earlier had looked oddly familiar. Seth sighed. Now wasn't the time to be brooding over casualties.
First things first, heading back was out of the option. Heading forward didn't seem like a good idea either if that was where the trio had come from. That still left the decision of left or right. Downtown was to the east and the freeway was to the left. It was either open terrain or the risk of ambush. Seth wasn't sure which choice sounded better, but he had to make a decision and quick.
"All right. Let's head that way." Seth gestured to his left. They had to get out of this town. Maybe they'd find a functional car along the way. He highly doubted it, but a man could dream.
Jade sneered, "Who died and made you leader?"
"No one. Absolutely no one is going to die on my watch. My focus is to get us out of here alive. You, you selfish b*****d, can thank me later." He hadn't snapped at anyone like that since high school.
Seth shook his head once more and started down the road. He paused. "Any objections? Paul, Amanda? Russell?"
Canons:
Final Fantasy (x-over; AU) - [Squall/Cloud]
Leon stared at the work laid out before him. He loved his job, truly, he did. But the stress that came with it due to his clients, god, he wanted to throw something at the wall. Instead, he rose from his seat and rummaged through the cupboards for some coffee. To his disbelief, there was nothing to be found. He let out a mild curse and closed the cabinet. Running a hand through his hair, he looked around and tried to find some sort of replacement. He still had snacks, but that wouldn't give him the burst of energy he need right here and now.
Throwing a jacket on and slipping on his shoes, Leon headed out the door and started for the nearby 24-hour grocery store. He wasn't picky about what kind of coffee he was getting. For once, instant was better. The brunette reached out to open the door, but realized there was probably some kind of pressure pad beneath him. The doors slid open and he was greeted by blinding fluorescent lighting. He winced briefly before setting off to find his coffee.
Leon passed through the aisles and just as he was about to make a turn, his cell phone went off. He prayed that it was about work.
Hey, Squally! c: txt me back. yuffie <3s u n misses u tons! kkthxbai~
Of course not. Leon could've sworn he'd told her NOT to text him anymore, not for the rest of the month. Oh well, he'd tape the bill to her face or something.
Coffee in hand, he went to the register. "Hey."
la justice Community Member 
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