Choosing Grounds (AU/UC/XO/ADULT) Xander and Maria needed

[isabelle]

Yeah. I've searched for pictures of Quixote and haven't been able to find any. *shrug*

[StormWolfstone]

If anyone is interested before we begin in seeing a little bit of Zeus in action, I've located a small clip from the show he's in that we're taking him from.

http://www.curtisharrison.com/2030.html


There is also a scene shown in this reel as well.

http://www.curtisharrison.com/demo.html

[M]

Ok, so I finally posted a bio for Alex, but I need help with Selene please...

[StormWolfstone]

No problem M... I'm putting together information for you this weekend.

[StormWolfstone]

Ok...... so who's ready to start this thing????

[isabelle]

I'm ready

[StormWolfstone]

~Medina~

In the darkest night that this century has ever seen, I sit and ponder life's mystery. I was created, but my purpose is unknown. I was given so many abilities that I am restless and uncertain of what I should do. So this day, I have decided that I need great amounts of entertainment, and how best will I get this entertainment? I will look in on other expanses, I will choose interesting arrays of people and beings. I will bring them to a land that has often been called the "Choosing Grounds" and there I will watch them.

I will see who does what, I will slowly bring them together for my entertainment. I will watch and see who becomes friends and who becomes enemies. I will test their limits and push them beyond measure. And when I am satisfied, I will either return them to where they belong, or I will start all over. Who am I, you ask? I am called Medina, Goddess of Many Things. I can give life or take it away, I can give strength and powers beyond imagining, or make people weak and decrepit.

To do this, is my gift and curse. No other deity has considered doing what I am about to do, but no other has been as powerful as I, other then my father. He has left existance, by my hands no less. I have taken his place as ruler over all Goddesses and Gods. I am the Mother and Father of All Life. And even a God or Goddess can die by my wish alone.

With great joy and great pride, I open the first gate to another realm, one I had visited before. Here I will seek through different realities, time and worlds and begin pulling my pawns into place. I could care less who suffers from their removal, because when this is over, I will return them to the exact second that I took them. They will not have aged or changed physically. Some may even have gained my gifts. Of course, perhaps I should mention that there are many things that I enjoy.

One of the lesser Goddesses, a Goddess of Pain mind you, once called me twisted. Of course, that's because though she is a goddess over pain and sorrow, she doesn't really enjoy seeing things put into play. I, on the other hand would enjoy causing pain, confusion and all sorts of hell with those people I choose.



The Gathering

I sat at my desk on a floating isle above the Choosing Ground, writing down a list with notes about each of the people I chose. I was making certain to double check so I didn't forget anyone. Of course, as I take them I will be aging them a bit, making them closer in ages so that we can see how things go.

Maria Guerin- Engaged to Michael in her realm
Elizabeth Parker- Husband dead
Alex Whitman- wed to Isabel in his realm
Max Evans- Has just tried to stop his Liz from leaving to search for more answers
Tess Harding- Has been trying to get Max
Kyle Valenti- Has just learned the woman he was engaged to killed one of his friends.
Bray- Has just found Amber had moved on while he was imprisoned. I had to show him.
Tai-San- Has just gotten back together with the Mallrats but is single after catching her husband in bed with another woman.
Pride- Is married to Tai-San in his realm.
Michael Guerin- Is king in his realm after Max was killed.
Isabel Evans- Is mourning the loss of Max and killed Tess gaining her powers.
Quixote- Same as always
Zeus- My bad boy in leather.
Lex- Wed to Zandra and lost her, going into an alcoholic state and staying there. Not wanting to risk getting close again.

I look over the world I was planning to bring them to and smile, I'd take Kyle Valenti and Maria DeLuca from one reality, Michael Guerin and Alexander Whitman from another and Max Evans and Tess Harding from another, finally I would take Elizabeth Parker-Evans and Isabel Evans from a final reality.

These eight people were brought for the angst factor alone, them being hybrids and humans gifted from contact with them and yet not the same as the others that were known, it should certainly be interesting. I'd also plan to take young men and woman from a world of children where there were no adults. Pride from one reality and Tai-San from another as well as Bray, Moon, Salene, and Lex. Each from different realities. I chose Quixote and Zeus as well. Both from the same reality and a completely different existance from the others.

I smiled as I looked over the list, "Ah, yes. I can't forget Angel, Xander and Willow." I whisper to myself as I add their names and notes.

Angel- Vampire... I'll make his soul permanent. Why not let him taste true happiness without losing it... of course, once he has.. will he want to return to his old life?

Xander- hmm.... lost his beloved Buffy and is on the hit list of his once best-friend.

Willow- A gifted sorceress of sorts, too bad she lost her love... or is that both of them?

With a laugh, I look down at the Choosing Grounds and focus my thoughts, creating buildings that would be familiar to some of those I'd chosen. I'd let the Pod Squad have their beloved pod chamber as well as the Crashdown and UFO Center. The Mallrats could have their mall and I guess the hotel. Zeus could have his workshop and I was nice putting things together for him to have his base of operations for The Storm as he would have at home.

Quixote, well.. I had plans for her, especially since I know how she came to be.



Now that I had the stage set, it was time to get my pawns together. My first trip was to the land where Zeus and Quixote were from, remaining invisible to anyone's sight, I sought them out, finding the young girl quoting one of her usual sorts of speech and grinned as I moved to place my hand on her, becoming visible. Smiling at her I spoke softly, letting my voice seem like a caress to both the young girl and the boy, "I have a secret, something to share with only the two of you. Come with me, soon you'll see, that there is more to help you can do."

I'd chosen a look, one that I felt would appeal to any who saw me. Long, unbound raven hair fell loosely to my knees while exquisite emerald eyes gazed toward the boy. "Zeus, you are gifted and as such need the chance to learn what more you can do to prevent Nexes from winning." I told him, holding a hand out to him. I saw the confusion and distrust in his expression, yet as I knew would happen with my magic enchantment, he reached out and took my hand.

At that barest touch, I was able to quickly transport him and Quixote to the replicated base so that they weren't even aware that they were no longer in their own world. "I'll be back to explain what is to be done." I tell them both, infusing them with gifts of my choosing before I leave, simply vanishing from their sight and go into the next world, choosing a realm for the children in a world without adults.

Without a word, I gather the rest of my pawns, simply appearing before them, touching their shoulders and causing sleep to take them at the same time as they were transported to the Choosing Grounds. Returning to Zeus and Quixote where I'd left them I smiled, "Quixote, dear child, you and I have much to discuss. Zeus, there are others whom you should join." With a wave of my hand I sent Zeus away from me, making certain he would land in what I'm certain would seem a strange city since it only had a mall, hotel, resteraunt, and UFO center and a little magic shop. With a thought, I created a few more buildings while I held out a hand to Quixote.

"You and I will watch the humans interact with the others okay?" Ah, I had to remember my vampire. I lifted my hand and simply set the sunlight aside for darkness. That way he could come out of the hotel where I'd placed him when he'd arrived. I can't wait to see the fun begin and as I decide that it's time to awaken my pawns, I take Quixote to my small desk above the ground where I have my little floating island with a cloud used to watch the things going on.

"Here's the deal Quixote. From time to time, they are going to get messages from me through you. Otherwise, you'll be free to do whatever you want, mostly." I tell her and smile.



OOC: I've had this post waiting for a while lol.. I'll be back with more later if I can..... btw.... the characters will be waking up. When they do, they can be in any of the places above that were mentioned or simply on the streets or where it looks like housing lawns have been placed without the houses.

In case someone wants to interact with any of the characters I have right away... here's a low down of where mine are going to be.

Lex- In the street (near the mall) with a bottle of unopened whiskey.
Tai-San- in the street in front of the UFO center.
Isabel- 2nd floor of the UFO center
Michael- In the pod chamber
Bray and Pride- In the mall cafe'
Moon - in the hotel kitchen
Willow- The Magic Box

[isabelle]

*Max*

I blink, looking around and realize I'm in the UFO Center. I don't even remember coming here. I remember giving that stupid ultimatum to Liz and watching her leave anyway, not caring that it would break our friendship.

Not caring.

I drove away from there in a fog of loss. Isabel is leaving the group. She doesn't care about the 'royal four.' Of course, I've never been a big fan of the whole 'destiny' thing, either, but we still had each other. We're a family. Me and Isabel and Michael. How can she not care that she's leaving us? Alex is gone. I would think her family would be more important to her, but I guess not.

I don't remember arriving here, but I guess I did. Did I remember to punch in? Am I losing my mind along with everyone I care about? They're all leaving me.

Suddenly, I realize I'm not wearing my vest. Brody will kill me. Luckily, I don't see him, or any tourists, either. The place seems to be completely empty. That's rather unusual, but I guess it's lucky. The only bit of good luck that's come my way in months. I dash upstairs to fetch my vest so I can get back down on the floor before anyone notices.

[isabelle]

*Zeus*

I don't know what the hell is going on. A woman appears out of nowhere at Quixote's side. Before I can question where she came from or if she's like Quixote, she takes my hand and tells me that I need "... the chance to learn what more you can do to prevent Nexes from winning." Does she think I'm not doing enough?

Then she disappears without providing any new information to help me. I turn to Quixote and ask her, "Friend of yours?"

"A stranger is a friend you haven't met, Unless they're part of Nexes' net," she sings.

That doesn't tell me much but then I'm used to Quixote's answers being less than informative. But before I can turn back to my work, she appears again. She talks to Quixote like a friend and then waves her and at me. "Zeus, there are others whom you should join," she says and suddenly, I'm gone.

"Damn!" I shout. Where the hell's my workshop? I've got things to do. The weird lady says I need to do more, and then she tears me from my work so I can't even finish the project I was working on.

I blow out a breath, looking around. I'm in the street, a paved street. It's hot and dry, not at all like home. I'd swear I'm in some sort of desert. There's a hotel nearby and a few small shops. Guess I better figure out where the blazes I am.

I walk into the hotel, figuring they'd know best where this place is, but there's nobody at the desk.

"Hello!" I call out. "Is anybody here?"

[StormWolfstone]

~Moon~


Trembling as I stood, I tried to recall previous events that could have led me to this kitchen, wherever it might be. I remember waking up and finding myself alone. The tribe that had tortured me was gone and yet I was so numbed that the only thing I knew was that I wanted to end things. I'd been left with nothing. I'd slowly forced myself to start traveling across the plains hoping I was going in a good direction so I could find something sharp.

I didn't want to live, didn't feel like I could handle the thought. Then, out of nowhere a woman appeared, not a girl, but a true adult. I couldn't believe my eyes and I couldn't even bring myself to speak from the pure shock. Then, she touched me, placing her hand on my shoulder and it seemed as though sleep beckoned me so strongly that the last thing I remember before awakening was giving into it.

Now, my surroundings seemed odd. It was as though I was in a city, but where I didn't know and I didn't really care. I was in a kitchen and to me that was enough. It meant that somewhere there had to be a knife. I could do it, couldn't I? The truth was, I didn't know if I had the guts to take my own life, but I was certainly going to find out.

I began pulling drawers out of the counters, tossing them around, not caring if I made noise. I just wanted to find a knife. Silverware and cookware alike went crashing down around me as I searched, finally finding what I sought. I held it up, a nice bright blade that looked as though it had never been used before. To me that made me feel as though it would be even easier, I could slide it right over my skin easily, right?

With a shaking hand, I started bringing it down over the opposite wrist the long way. I'd watched TV enough before the virus to know the best way to do it. The way that was sure to work. My movements were slow, I couldn't seem to do things as quickly as I felt the desire to. I was barely an inch from setting the blade against my wrist when I heard a guy's voice call out, "Hello!" And a second later he added, "Is anybody here?"

I gripped the knife tighter, my entire form going tense even as I found myself walking toward the kitchen exit. No! My mind screamed, it was as though something else was moving me. I tried to tell my legs to stop, tried to force the movement of my body to end. Before I knew what was going on, I was standing outside the kitchen entrance and the knife was held defensively in front of me.

"What do you want?" I called out, my voice sounding as shaky as my hands had been moments before. I was actually amazed that they weren't still shaking, but somehow I felt the urge to scream that I wouldn't be a victim again. If I had to defend myself with this knife I would.