Marshmallow and Strawberry Cheesecake
Author: Bitz
Title: Life in Relic City
Story: The Soramerica Sagas- Fugitive Saga
Characters: Seren, AJ, Sebastian, Mack, Cor Soldiers
Rating: PG-13 (language warning)
Challenge: Marshmallow #7. bellyache
Strawberry Cheesecake #26. You've got a friend in me
Topping/Extra:
Summary: Seren explores the depressing Relic City to meet up with AJ
Word Count: 1871
As Julien drives away in his limo, I get into another with Bas and drive off away from CombatZone. As we drive into the main core of Relic City, I look outside. Still the same old scenery; shabby buildings and dusty streets. People all looking like the same hobo and looking like life was just over. Hell, maybe it was. I look up at the main TV screen in the middle of the circle, seeing the results of my fight. My eyes widen as I watch the finishing blow with my claws that I gave the man I fought against. No doubt he was either dead or in critical condition and for some reason, the thought doesn’t even tug at my heartstrings.
It was either him or me and survival told me to choose me.
That was how it was now because nobody gave a shit about anybody else anymore. Especially women. It was extra hard for us because of the disease. We had to make a name for ourselves and usually cage fighting was how we did it. It was the only way other than having the right blood gene to be able to be seen in both Sora and Old Americas.
I turn to look at Bas, who’s across from me. “See… you’re an animal and don’t you let anybody tell you otherwise, kid.” I smile saying, “I have my trainer to thank for that.” Bas rolls his eyes and says, “Yeah and the enhancement serum didn’t have anything to do with that?”
“Maybe, but I usually overlook that.” I chuckle out with a wink. Bas shakes his head giving a chuckle of his own. Then we’re silent and Bas regards me.
“I bet you aren’t going straight to the mansion, right?” He asks in a quiet voice as if the limo driver is overhearing us.
I’m silent, always cautious of whom I tell my information to; even if I have known Bas for all these years, I still can’t trust him. So all I do was smile at him softly. He nods and explains, “Just a question but it’s none of my business, Seren. I don’t own you.” He then looks out the window without another word and I know that I’m free to go without any conflict from him.
The limo stops by Bas’ nearly abandoned apartment complex that was located just on the outskirts of Relic City and when it does, I exit out of it. I pull out my bag and look in at Bas who still didn’t look over at me, but replies, “See you tomorrow, little girl.”
“Bye.” I say and the limo drives off to drop off my trainer. I on the other hand run into a bushed up area on the side of the complex. Once inside the bushes, I remove my sari skillfully from my body and take out from the bag my alternative outfit; a white turtleneck sweater dress to cover up my collar, a brown belt and brown knee high boots. For what I’m planning to do tonight, I need to be as comfortable as I can be.
After I slip on my second boot, I make a face as I feel my stomach lurching somewhat uncomfortably. I usually get that feeling after a serum high because that usually signaled the time to rest. But I can’t tonight because was too much to do and not enough time to do it.
I put my bag over my shoulder after I finished dressing and then ran out of the bushes and towards Relic City. My stamina is still good enough for me to run a couple of miles over to my favorite hangout spot so I waste no time getting there.
Shadow Cove was a unique kind of bar that thrived despite the darkness it gave off. The only main source of light there was the massive light behind the bar. Tables were lit with half level candles. Before I can walk in, I freeze and hide in an alley after seeing a pair of Cor Soldiers interrogating a defenseless woman.
“We’re not going to ask you again, wench. Where is your I.D. bracelet?” One asks harshly, advancing on the woman.
Her eyes are wide with fear and she cowers crying out, “Please…I left it at home on my dresser. If you would just let me go, I can go and put it on.”
The other soldier smiles an evil looking grin. “That bracelet shouldn’t even come off of your wrist, lady. You know what…You seem suspicious.”
“No. No. Please, I’m a mother of four children. I have no reason to do anything wrong. Please believe me.”
The bigger of the two soldiers gives a yank on the woman arms, bringing up to her feet saying, “Yeah, well you can plead your case in the council. Until then you can say goodbye to your so called children.”
The woman’s screams echo off the walls as the soldier then throws her over his shoulder. “No! No! Please! Please! I’m innocent!” The soldier silences her for a moment by slapping her on her ass. “Hell, maybe instead of the council, you can “cum” before me instead and plead your case.” I swallow my disgust and rage, gasping silently when I meet the insistent eyes of the woman as she’s gagged by the other soldier and then taken off; her screams muffled.
After they left, I creep out of my temporary hiding place and then walk to the bar. Shaking my head, I begin to feel ashamed of myself. A long time ago, I would have jumped up and helped that lady. But I know now that doing so, would put me in more trouble than I have time for. This time of my life has made me more selfish than I ever thought I would have to be.
These were dark times.
I walk quiet into the bar, hearing guitar music and seeing the stoutly bartender nod his head up at me. “Hey, Ser!” He yells out.
I smile and wave greeting, “Hey there, Mack!”
“You want the usual?”
I think about it, coming up to the bar; I usually had a Cosmo but my stomach lurches again and I shake my head, my decision easy. “No, I’m fine, sweetheart.”
“All right then. Let me know when you want something.”
“Will do.” I agree, as I wink at him. After a moment of silence, I glance from side to side and lean forward asking in a whisper, “Is he here?”
Mack nods and motions with his head to the corner. I turn around and head in that direction, not surprised to see two gleaming red eyes staring at me from the darkness. I just smile.
“Wow, you would think that I would be more frightened to see that.”
“You’d think, huh?” A deep voice calls from where the eyes were.
A lighter came on and lit the candle of the table. I then smirk at my best buddy.
“AJ.”
“Hi, Serenity. Nice fight. The ending blow was epic.” He says, his red and black mohawk shimmering in the candle’s light.
“Mm…just everyday shit.”
AJ laughs. “If you say so, Prized Fighter.”
I began to laugh with him, then stop and freeze watching a group of Cor Soldiers stomping past us through the city streets. Then I think about what Julien had said and looked up at the clock seeing that it was 9:45. Julien is going to have my ass if my collar read past 10.
AJ notices how on edge I am and says, “Need me to turn it off?” I give a curt nod and he orders, “Come here.” I do so and straddle the chair beside him so that he could rewire my device.
I felt his hands reveal my collar from the safety within the turtleneck and then heard the whistling of his screw driver as he whipped it into his hand. Five quick minutes later, I heard the beeping of my collar diminish and let a breath I didn’t know I was holding.
“There you go, lady.”
“Thank you, AJ. You’re a genius.”
“Yeah, well…Anything for you.” He replied with a grin.
I turn back around and then observe my friend. For about four years, AJ has been a unique person in my life. He’s different from everybody else in the fact that he doesn’t have a bracelet and doesn’t have one on purpose. AJ’s part of a very well known resistance group. Actually he isn’t just part of it; from what I hear…he’s the leader of it. As such he is always in hiding and never has gotten caught by any Cor Soldiers. It’s rare he’s out in public like this because he’s always so busy. But somehow, he always makes time for me and we never miss a meeting together.
“So…” I start.
He puts his hands together. “So?”
“How are things?”
AJ thinks about the question. “Things are progressing. We are trying to lay low for a little while; somebody nearly came upon our hideout the other day and we can’t risk it being found, you know.”
“Yes.” I knew all too well about not being found. AJ then leans back on his chair asking me, “How about you? Any closer to the amount you need?” I sadly shake my head. AJ’s talking about my Price of Freedom. Every slave has the right to buy his or her freedom, but with a catch. Each rank higher is a higher price and being that I’m the Prized Fighter of the Marciano House, my Freedom Price is damn near impossible to pay. But that doesn’t get me down; I manage to find a way to get money which is gambling. I have pretty good experience with it and have a good amount of money stored back at the mansion, but not nearly enough to free me.
AJ shrugs sympathetically; he knows he can’t help me. “I would help you get free Seren, but you are just too popular for you to just disappear out of nowhere. It would be too suspicious. We can’t risk that.”
I smile soft, putting my hand on his. “I know, sweetie. The last thing I want to do is to endanger your group. I’ll free myself one day.”
“I hope it’s sooner than later. I hate the fact that bastard is using you as his piggy bank.” AJ growls out, his anger unhidden. “Tell me about it. I just had to be the one who wanted to fight so badly to get free that I made it to that rank.” I say, giving my friend a dejected look.
“Sometimes you got to do what you got to do, Serenity. I don’t blame you for that.” AJ says and his hand grips mine to reassure me that everything was going to be all right.
“Thank you. I’m glad somebody understands that.”
Title: Life in Relic City
Story: The Soramerica Sagas- Fugitive Saga
Characters: Seren, AJ, Sebastian, Mack, Cor Soldiers
Rating: PG-13 (language warning)
Challenge: Marshmallow #7. bellyache
Strawberry Cheesecake #26. You've got a friend in me
Topping/Extra:
Summary: Seren explores the depressing Relic City to meet up with AJ
Word Count: 1871
As Julien drives away in his limo, I get into another with Bas and drive off away from CombatZone. As we drive into the main core of Relic City, I look outside. Still the same old scenery; shabby buildings and dusty streets. People all looking like the same hobo and looking like life was just over. Hell, maybe it was. I look up at the main TV screen in the middle of the circle, seeing the results of my fight. My eyes widen as I watch the finishing blow with my claws that I gave the man I fought against. No doubt he was either dead or in critical condition and for some reason, the thought doesn’t even tug at my heartstrings.
It was either him or me and survival told me to choose me.
That was how it was now because nobody gave a shit about anybody else anymore. Especially women. It was extra hard for us because of the disease. We had to make a name for ourselves and usually cage fighting was how we did it. It was the only way other than having the right blood gene to be able to be seen in both Sora and Old Americas.
I turn to look at Bas, who’s across from me. “See… you’re an animal and don’t you let anybody tell you otherwise, kid.” I smile saying, “I have my trainer to thank for that.” Bas rolls his eyes and says, “Yeah and the enhancement serum didn’t have anything to do with that?”
“Maybe, but I usually overlook that.” I chuckle out with a wink. Bas shakes his head giving a chuckle of his own. Then we’re silent and Bas regards me.
“I bet you aren’t going straight to the mansion, right?” He asks in a quiet voice as if the limo driver is overhearing us.
I’m silent, always cautious of whom I tell my information to; even if I have known Bas for all these years, I still can’t trust him. So all I do was smile at him softly. He nods and explains, “Just a question but it’s none of my business, Seren. I don’t own you.” He then looks out the window without another word and I know that I’m free to go without any conflict from him.
The limo stops by Bas’ nearly abandoned apartment complex that was located just on the outskirts of Relic City and when it does, I exit out of it. I pull out my bag and look in at Bas who still didn’t look over at me, but replies, “See you tomorrow, little girl.”
“Bye.” I say and the limo drives off to drop off my trainer. I on the other hand run into a bushed up area on the side of the complex. Once inside the bushes, I remove my sari skillfully from my body and take out from the bag my alternative outfit; a white turtleneck sweater dress to cover up my collar, a brown belt and brown knee high boots. For what I’m planning to do tonight, I need to be as comfortable as I can be.
After I slip on my second boot, I make a face as I feel my stomach lurching somewhat uncomfortably. I usually get that feeling after a serum high because that usually signaled the time to rest. But I can’t tonight because was too much to do and not enough time to do it.
I put my bag over my shoulder after I finished dressing and then ran out of the bushes and towards Relic City. My stamina is still good enough for me to run a couple of miles over to my favorite hangout spot so I waste no time getting there.
Shadow Cove was a unique kind of bar that thrived despite the darkness it gave off. The only main source of light there was the massive light behind the bar. Tables were lit with half level candles. Before I can walk in, I freeze and hide in an alley after seeing a pair of Cor Soldiers interrogating a defenseless woman.
“We’re not going to ask you again, wench. Where is your I.D. bracelet?” One asks harshly, advancing on the woman.
Her eyes are wide with fear and she cowers crying out, “Please…I left it at home on my dresser. If you would just let me go, I can go and put it on.”
The other soldier smiles an evil looking grin. “That bracelet shouldn’t even come off of your wrist, lady. You know what…You seem suspicious.”
“No. No. Please, I’m a mother of four children. I have no reason to do anything wrong. Please believe me.”
The bigger of the two soldiers gives a yank on the woman arms, bringing up to her feet saying, “Yeah, well you can plead your case in the council. Until then you can say goodbye to your so called children.”
The woman’s screams echo off the walls as the soldier then throws her over his shoulder. “No! No! Please! Please! I’m innocent!” The soldier silences her for a moment by slapping her on her ass. “Hell, maybe instead of the council, you can “cum” before me instead and plead your case.” I swallow my disgust and rage, gasping silently when I meet the insistent eyes of the woman as she’s gagged by the other soldier and then taken off; her screams muffled.
After they left, I creep out of my temporary hiding place and then walk to the bar. Shaking my head, I begin to feel ashamed of myself. A long time ago, I would have jumped up and helped that lady. But I know now that doing so, would put me in more trouble than I have time for. This time of my life has made me more selfish than I ever thought I would have to be.
These were dark times.
I walk quiet into the bar, hearing guitar music and seeing the stoutly bartender nod his head up at me. “Hey, Ser!” He yells out.
I smile and wave greeting, “Hey there, Mack!”
“You want the usual?”
I think about it, coming up to the bar; I usually had a Cosmo but my stomach lurches again and I shake my head, my decision easy. “No, I’m fine, sweetheart.”
“All right then. Let me know when you want something.”
“Will do.” I agree, as I wink at him. After a moment of silence, I glance from side to side and lean forward asking in a whisper, “Is he here?”
Mack nods and motions with his head to the corner. I turn around and head in that direction, not surprised to see two gleaming red eyes staring at me from the darkness. I just smile.
“Wow, you would think that I would be more frightened to see that.”
“You’d think, huh?” A deep voice calls from where the eyes were.
A lighter came on and lit the candle of the table. I then smirk at my best buddy.
“AJ.”
“Hi, Serenity. Nice fight. The ending blow was epic.” He says, his red and black mohawk shimmering in the candle’s light.
“Mm…just everyday shit.”
AJ laughs. “If you say so, Prized Fighter.”
I began to laugh with him, then stop and freeze watching a group of Cor Soldiers stomping past us through the city streets. Then I think about what Julien had said and looked up at the clock seeing that it was 9:45. Julien is going to have my ass if my collar read past 10.
AJ notices how on edge I am and says, “Need me to turn it off?” I give a curt nod and he orders, “Come here.” I do so and straddle the chair beside him so that he could rewire my device.
I felt his hands reveal my collar from the safety within the turtleneck and then heard the whistling of his screw driver as he whipped it into his hand. Five quick minutes later, I heard the beeping of my collar diminish and let a breath I didn’t know I was holding.
“There you go, lady.”
“Thank you, AJ. You’re a genius.”
“Yeah, well…Anything for you.” He replied with a grin.
I turn back around and then observe my friend. For about four years, AJ has been a unique person in my life. He’s different from everybody else in the fact that he doesn’t have a bracelet and doesn’t have one on purpose. AJ’s part of a very well known resistance group. Actually he isn’t just part of it; from what I hear…he’s the leader of it. As such he is always in hiding and never has gotten caught by any Cor Soldiers. It’s rare he’s out in public like this because he’s always so busy. But somehow, he always makes time for me and we never miss a meeting together.
“So…” I start.
He puts his hands together. “So?”
“How are things?”
AJ thinks about the question. “Things are progressing. We are trying to lay low for a little while; somebody nearly came upon our hideout the other day and we can’t risk it being found, you know.”
“Yes.” I knew all too well about not being found. AJ then leans back on his chair asking me, “How about you? Any closer to the amount you need?” I sadly shake my head. AJ’s talking about my Price of Freedom. Every slave has the right to buy his or her freedom, but with a catch. Each rank higher is a higher price and being that I’m the Prized Fighter of the Marciano House, my Freedom Price is damn near impossible to pay. But that doesn’t get me down; I manage to find a way to get money which is gambling. I have pretty good experience with it and have a good amount of money stored back at the mansion, but not nearly enough to free me.
AJ shrugs sympathetically; he knows he can’t help me. “I would help you get free Seren, but you are just too popular for you to just disappear out of nowhere. It would be too suspicious. We can’t risk that.”
I smile soft, putting my hand on his. “I know, sweetie. The last thing I want to do is to endanger your group. I’ll free myself one day.”
“I hope it’s sooner than later. I hate the fact that bastard is using you as his piggy bank.” AJ growls out, his anger unhidden. “Tell me about it. I just had to be the one who wanted to fight so badly to get free that I made it to that rank.” I say, giving my friend a dejected look.
“Sometimes you got to do what you got to do, Serenity. I don’t blame you for that.” AJ says and his hand grips mine to reassure me that everything was going to be all right.
“Thank you. I’m glad somebody understands that.”