FRACTURE - it begins

[Kuro Espeon]

Sorry for the lateness. However, I've made the post nice and lengthy to make up for it. :3

Eden - SOLDIER Third Class
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

Eden stared down at the brand new SOLDIER uniform lying in front of her on the bed. Black with blue trim and a blue cape. She wrinkled her nose with a hint of disgust, already dreading how stuffy it was going to be in this outfit. She preferred clothes with more breathing room. ’Well, at least the color is all right. Better blue than something horrid like pink or yellow…’ Eden tended to be rather picky about color, since there weren’t a lot of things that went well with her pale complexion and bright red hair.

She sighed and, realizing that she couldn’t stall any longer, changed into her uniform. She and the other new Thirds were expected in the courtyard at ten for orientation so she didn’t have much time. For the first time since her arrival she started to feel the cold, unsettling grip of nervousness in the pit of her stomach. Was she really ready for this? Was she ready for SOLDIER?

As she fastened the last button on her coat, she glanced over at a thick metal briefcase that was sitting on the floor next to the bed. She was able to smile a bit as she thought about the item held within it.

***

“Think of it as ‘going away’ present,” said Baal, handing the case over to a surprised Eden, “A little something to celebrate your entrance into SOLDIER.”
Eden blinked as she gripped the handle of the case hesitantly, getting a sense of its full weight. It was heavier than she thought and she nearly dropped it at first.
“What is it?” she asked, examining the box from all angles while not actually opening it.
“It’s a weapon. Normally, new recruits are given their weapons at orientation, but I have already spoken with the headmaster and gotten special permission for you to bring this with you. It’s a new model I’ve been developing for Shin-Ra that uses Mako energy as its main power source. It hasn’t been officially released yet, but I figured, who better to Beta test it than my own SOLDIER First-Class daughter.”
Eden blushed. “I’m only a Third-Class…” she said softly, shuffling her feet.
“For now. But if I know you, my girl, you’ll be First-Class in no time. Straight to the front of the ranks! That’s my Eden!”
“Thank you...Father…” She blushed even more, her face now nearly matching the color of her hair. Eden knew that Prof. Baal wasn’t her biological father, but she was always flattered (and maybe a bit embarrassed) by the amount of confidence he had in her ability. It made her feel a bit guilty as well. She hadn’t told him that one of her reasons for joining the academy in the first place was that she hoped it would help her in her search for her birth family. She appreciated everything that Baal had done for her… but she still wanted to know. She needed to find out, and SOLIDER was her best chance.
“However,” said Baal, raising a warning finger, “You’re not allowed to open it until you get there. I want it to be a surprise.”
Eden nodded, momentarily speechless for once.
“Good luck. Be careful not to get yourself killed.” Baal waved at her dismissively and shuffled back to his paper-laden desk.

***

30 minutes later, Eden was out in the courtyard, lined up with her fellow Third-class, metal briefcase clutched firmly in her hand. She hadn’t quite known what to expect when Creed, one of the Firsts, had stepped forward. However, she was soon given a rather large jolt into reality as the summon beast, Quezacoatl, descended upon them suddenly in a loud crack of thunder. Eden muffled a yelped and had to keep herself from falling backward. Inwardly, she knew this must be some kind of test, and she told herself to stand her ground.

The summon was gone almost as quickly as it had appeared, leave a rather frazzled group of new recruits in it’s midst. Creed was smirking as he studied their reactions and Eden’s theory about a test was confirmed. For herself, while it had been surprising, Eden felt a strange sense of exhilaration coursing through her veins, filling her with motivation and a drive to work as hard as she could so that she would also be able to control a beast like that one day.

The announcement was then made that they were to pick weapons and sparring partners. As the rest of the Thirds moved forward, Eden held back. Ashlynn, the female instructor, approached her with a curious, but stern expression.

“Why haven’t you selected a weapon?” She asked. Eden hesitated before she answered, avoiding the First’s gaze.
“I, err… already have one.”
“Already have one?” She then noticed the case that Eden was holding and indicated with a hand gesture that she should open it. Eden laid the case on the ground and knelt down next to it, unfastening the metal clasps with a click. She flipped open the lid to reveal a strange sort of crossbow, made from a solid metal and painted dark blue with silver trim. It had no form of string or bow for arrows; instead it had long, narrow slot cut into the front, where Eden presumed the Mako energy shots would fire from. Along the top of the shaft there were two spherical indentations. Eden figured they must be slots for Materia. At the base of the shaft, the letters T.B. were printed in fancy, silver swirl; the brand of Prof. Teivel Baal of Shin-Ra. This seemed to act as a permission slip, for Ashlynn gave an approving smile. “So, you’re Prof. Baal’s girl?”
“Yes, Ma’am.”
“What’s your name?”
“Eden.”
Ashlynn nodded. “Well, Eden, Baal’s weapons are always of the highest caliber. Many of SOLDIER’s weaponry came from his laboratory. You should feel honored to have one.”
“I’ve…never actually used it. He just gave it to me before I came here.” Eden admitted. She didn’t want to make herself seem too high above the others. She was still a rookie like they were and she didn’t think it would help her make friends if everyone thought she was some kind of spoiled snob.
“Well then, you should be on an even keel with your classmates,” Ashlynn remarked with a laugh before returning to assist the other Thirds with their weapon selection.

When the ranks had reformed, the rather formidable-looking Creed had approached one of the other female Thirds, Nola. The moment he asked her about close-range attacks, Eden had a sinking feeling about what was about to happen. A split-second later it did, however, with not quite the same ending as she would’ve expected. In a ringing clash of metal on metal, one of the Seconds had jumped in and blocked Creed’s spear. Eden heard Creed call him “Finn”.

Eden stared wide-eyed at the scene, Finn’s vivid blue eyes flashing in challenge at the larger, more experienced First. Eden couldn’t help but admire the Second’s daring. He had stood up for Nola, even though she was a lower rank, in order to try and even the odds.

She let herself get so distracted that she jumped a little when someone tapped her on the shoulder. She spun around to see a girl only about an inch shorter than her with short auburn hair and green eyes, as well as a harsh expression.
“You. You heard Creed. Let’s spar!” The girl announced, almost as a command, and readied herself in a fighting position with her sword. Eden reacted as well, getting into a defensive stance with her new weapon.
’Well, here goes nothing!’ she thought.

I just tagged Samchu, btw. Sorry I didn’t actually start the fight, but the post was getting super long as it was. You can start the fight, but try to at least make it fair, lol. XD

[Pichu Luver]

Name: Mathias
Age: 42
Sex: Male
Class: First
Appearance: He’s the same height as Creed, though he always says he’s an inch taller (depends who’s wears boots that day). He is semi-muscular but you can tell he is not a ‘huge-ass sword swinging’ kind of guy, but built for endurance and getting the hell out of the way. He has longish blond hair that is just the right length to jab him in the eyes on a regular basis. Grey strands are starting to filter through it as well. His green eyes are very light, bordering on the greenish-blue colour for those who have taken a lot of Mako. When no one is bothering him he appears to be just slightly irritated at the world. Otherwise his face is full of expression, he doesn’t bother to hide what he’s feeling or thinking.
On the outside of his left arm, leg and part of his torso he is horribly burned. He also had a scar over his left eye and other such shrapnel wounds grazing his body; more on his left hand side then right. For these reasons it is very rare to see him in a t-shirt or tank top. So he does wear the school uniform (emerald green), minus the cape as he “doesn’t want to be choked by some idiotic fan-girl looking for a super-hero” and the gold parts are silver. Under the jacket he wears a silver long-sleeved shirt with an emerald green t-shirt overtop.
The shoulder armour is extended to cover part of his chest and back, it’s where his Materia is imbued.
Personality: Oh he’s an asshole and probably the biggest cynic/pessimist that SOLDIER has ever seen. Doesn’t care what people say or think about him. How he is, is how is he is so everyone can just deal with that. Doesn’t see the point in hiding what he thinks so he’s straight out honest (in the cruel way). That being said, he is the best at using Magic Materia that SOLDIER has ever seen, so he gets away with it. He has a great amount of scorn for those who use Summons, thinking it’s the lazy way out. He only respects those who prove they are good fighters. Even if you’re the best there ever was he‘ll find something to mock. Witty and sarcastic he is the king of the ‘your not sure if it’s an insult or not’ remarks. If you can run with or ignore his attacks on your character he is a great teacher. Deep down somewhere he doesn’t want to see his students blow themselves up or other such nonsense so he makes sure they don’t… with perhaps not the most morally or ethically correct ways. There is some merit to his method though, as no one who graduated from his class has ever screwed up a Magic Materia casting.
Materia: Take it as a given he has all the lower level elemental spells imbued his wand just for the class. He has to teach them so…
He uses on a regular basis (for the doom upon enemies thing), Hell Firaga, Hell Blizzaga, Hell Thundaga, Quakega, Graviga, Stop, Esunaga, Dispelga, Osmose, Full Cure, Full Life, Wall, Ultima, Phoenix.
Weapon: Usually a mythril wand (that all students FEAR to have pointed at them… lol) otherwise a slightly curved from tip to pommel 5 foot sword. Only a couple of inches wide, mahogany handle imbued with strength so it doesn’t snap and all that. Has gold runes encased in the metal and woodwork. Doesn’t use it often and it is rarely seen but Magic doesn’t work on everything. Voila.
Relationships: Quasi friendship with Ash. Open to others (doesn’t have friendships really though, just people he annoys more often then others… or respects in his own irritating way).
Other: Not allowed to teach or use Death due to legal reasons… Poison is questionable and Confuse/Beserk he casts for shits and giggles.
Never uses Pheonix and the only one who knows he has it is Ash. Phoenix is in his sword.

Mathias
~~~~~~~~~

“That man is overly fond of violence. I think we should we have him committed.” Mathias sidled up beside Ashlynn as mayhem proceeded around them. Well he tried to sidle, recent injuries had made it more difficult.

Ashlynn merely raised a brow at him. “Oh yes the sparring teacher should be committed meanwhile the man who killed a roo—“

“That!” Mathias raised a finger, “was entirely accidental, though in the current situation far more economical. Besides...they were irritating me. I was tired of being surrounded by idiots that day.”

She smirked, “yes... the students were the idiotic ones.”

“Are you insulting me? No... You couldn't possibly!”

She just gave him a look and Mathias gave a lazy salute. All the students (some with more success then others of course) were beating on each other. Some were limping, running or employing other means of transport to get the hell away from the madness. Obviously they did not feel like this was their kind of school. In the middle of it all was Creed taking on, well from Mathias' standpoint it looked like three or four students. He was positively grinning and Mathias rolled his eyes.

“Ahh, the smell of blood in the morning. So much better then coffee don't you think?”

“You're bored.”

“Well yes generally. They (he nodded at the surging, glinting, groaning mass of people trying to do each other in) oddly are smart enough to avoid us. And he said spar, I could swing my toothpick here (he patted his still sheaved katana-like-thing) but I might hurt somebody. Wouldn't want that.”

Ashlynn laughed and Mathias had a 'well its true' look. Currently they were standing beside the rack of weapons watching the fighting. Considering how close they were to it, no one was coming for them. They would get speculative looks of course but those were only the new Third Class peons. Seemed everyone only wanted to deal with one First Class SOLDIER this year.

So they stood there, chatting about non-essentials and wondering what new tortures they could put their students through this year. If the new students could hear them they would probably wonder at their ability to even hold a conversation; as Ashlynn was mostly insulting Mathias and Mathias was wisecracking back.

When the run-ies had slowed to one or two crawling off Mathias looked at Creed. He was still heartily enjoying himself but alas it was time to stop.

“Well I got better things to do then watch people die. Shall I?”

“Oh be my guest.”

Mathias reached into his jacket and pulled out his rather beaten up mythril wand. He could afford a new one, but why bother, worked just as well. It glowed a rainbow of colours with all the Materia it had in it. None of the spells he was about to use were imbued in it but by pointing it as he had his bit of fun was a good way to start the fear of it.

“You might want to back away from the weapons.”

Looking confused she didn't move until Mathias waved at her to get out of the way. Irritated, she moved and opened her mouth to retort when he pointed his wand at the assembled crowd. The Quakega Materia glowed on his armour.

“Swoon girlies.”

The ground abruptly heaved and rumbled under the mobs' feet and everyone stumbled as they struggled to remain upright. The two weapons racks rattled and their remaining wares started tumbling from the recesses. Mathias looked mildly pleased as the group collectively started to fall on their asses. But before they could do more then wave their arms and flail their legs in a mad fury to stay standing . . .

He froze them all.

With Stop Materia glowing brightly he addressed the crowd of modern art. “Ladies and Gentlemen if you're quite through with your orgy of murder and all thing suicidal (he paused to stare at the group taking on Creed) welcome to SOLDIER.” He jerked his head to the left. “If it's in your time slot my class is that way.”

It wasn't, but the old recruits would either straighten the new ones out, or leave them to it.

With that he used Dispelga on the crowd and most of them in some way or another kissed the courtyard stones. Creed was one of those of course still on his feet and he glared at Mathias. Ashlynn meanwhile was laughing.

“Oo I do believe big papa is pissed at me. Best be off; cure the louts if you would. The Cherub thing should be good for it no?”

With that he trudged off, feeling more then a few glares on his back. The musical tones of groans, grunts and cries of pain precluded any idiotic revenge though. For now anyway, by the time the year was half over someone would have tried something.

On this him and Creed were in full agreement. Voltage was a fun play toy.

Since I'm unsure how the school classes work, just get healed and clean yourself up a bit. Weas will hopefully tell you more.

*Stamps edit me on post*

[Weasel Overlord]

Well guys, I'm really sorry to do this, but me and CT have decided that since there's only been about 4 people replying out of, well, about 10, that there's not much point in keeping the RPG open and alive.

So alas, Fracture is closed for business. Maybe to get a remake later on, if we get the time, but don't hold out any hopes. *waves sadly*