Damn These Daggers (Open)

[Evan]

Evan was not entirely sure if he hated sunny days or not. On one hand, he was able to practice his powers, and usually, pretty well. On the other, though, if he spent too long outside in the sun, he had a major migraine the next day. Still, he had supposed that some practice would be better than none at all. He was just grateful that, for once, he was actually allowed to take breaks between sessions. Of course, he was still not very happy being confined on an island with no escape unless it was death, but he supposed it was better than not knowing in which battle you were going to die. He spent most of the morning bending the shadows in the forest, both his own and those of the trees, to his will. He was pleased with his progress; before, the shadows had attacked him, so learning to use them to attack was a relief. Still, he had a long way to go, since he was having a difficult time keeping them still long enough to create a blade out of them. At first, it had seemed pretty straightforward, but he quickly found that creating swords out of them was more painful and bloody than he had imagined. He still bore the scars of past attempts on the palms of his hands, though he hardly noticed it. He considered himself an emotionally sturdy kind of person, save for his random outbursts of rage when someone royally pissed him off. He never tried to re-live the past in his head, because he would get distracted and lose his focus; something he had been infamous for in martial arts class as a kid. He released the shadow in his hand after some time and started throwing punches and kicks at a nearby tree, careful to not actually hit the rigid bark that protected the trunk. The last time he had done that, he had sorely regretted it because he had broken his hand.

After some time, the orange-haired young man decided that he was losing interest in intense training. He headed out of the woods, stepping into the sunlight that shone out over the courtyard of the school. The amazing lack of shade caused a small, annoyed frown to cross his lips. He had still wanted to practice a little bit; more on the form of the weapons than actually using them in combat; that would come later, hopefully. He settled for having to use his own shadow to manipulate; of course, he preferred that anyway. He probably could have manipulated the daunting shadow of the castle-like school, but it would have been far too large for him to handle and there was certainly no way he could have been able to make any kind of weapon out of it. So, instead, he glanced at his own shadow, waiting for an almost impossibly long thirty seconds before yanking upward. As if the black-grey object was coming off the page of a story book, the shadow peeled off the ground and slipped into Evan’s slightly open yet closed fist. He took a breath, closing his eyes for a moment, picturing what he wanted to create. The object was small with a blade that spanned the length from the tip of his thumb to the joint where the bones that made up the thumb itself connected to the bones of the wrist. The handle was slightly shorter, about half the size of the blade, but was strong and composed of a durable wood. A rather simple dagger was all he wanted. He opened his eyes and snapped his hands apart to form the bladed object that he had been thinking of. He thought for sure he was going to get the execution right that time, considering he had not heard any slicing of skin. Sadly, he was wrong.

Evan felt the wound before he saw it. He felt the half-formed blade slicing through the skin of his palm, but forced himself to finish. Of course, it was hard to hold something in one’s hand when said hand was gushing blood. “S***!” he cursed, letting the darkened blade fall to the ground and reform into his shadow as he clutched his bleeding palms together. He had to remember to keep steady pressure so that the bleeding would stop. One of the girls who had been in the fighting ring with him had told him that, and he always made sure to repeat it to himself when this kind of situation came up. He decided that it would be a good idea to go sit on a bench so that, if he fell, he only hit the bench’s surface and did not fall from his natural height to the ground. He sat down with some difficulty, since he normally would have used his hands to ease himself onto the stone object. He continued to press his palms together, watching the blood trickle out from between. Cut palms were nothing, really. He had suffered far worse, but that did not stop a concerned citizen from coming up to him and trying to get his attention. For a few seconds, he seemed distracted, but, when he finally realized someone was addressing him, he looked up. “Eh? Oh, sorry. I didn’t see ya’ there. Somethin’ wrong?” When the other person seemed distraught and pointed to his cupped hands that were slowly leaking crimson, he cast his ruby eyes downward and chuckled a little. “Oh, this? It isn’t a big deal. I just cut myself is all. Happens all the time, really. Damn daggers are really hard to make without slicing your skin open, heh.”

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Hunter giggled and ran around watching Hachi jump and try to take the stick from his hands, the fox/dog was starting to get shiner as the sun came out and cast hot rays on the two. "Come on Hachi you can get it jump higher", he laughed falling back over a branch and rubbing his hind end watching as the dog took off with the stick and others began to laugh at him. Hunter blushed and stood running after the dog and shouting in his head at him cursing the hyper playful puppy for making him fall in front of everyone. Hunters blond locks were so bright due to the sun they almost looked white as he flipped it out of his eyes and continued chasing after the puppy. For some reason in the summer Hachi looked more like a fox then a dog and he couldn't help but want to hide him so that people wouldn't scream when he walked over to get a pet on the head.

"Hachi slow down i cant keep up with you when you run like that please slow down". Hunter tripped falling forward when Hachi all of a sudden stopped and sniffed an odd red puddle on the ground. He watched the fox looking puppy start to fallow the trail when all of a sudden a boy cam into view sitting on a bench being asked if he was ok. He seemed to be ok but Hunter wanted to be sure himself so he stood walking over to the boy and sticking his hand out as if asking for something. "Give me your hand i will make it all better", Hunter tilted his head reaching into his shoulder bag and pulling out another thing that looked like a first aid kit but was painted an amazing color of blue and gold and black almost like the ocean was in a box and he opened it revealing a few wraps some burn spray and other things needed for survival. "I always carry this around just encase something happens i guess that's a good thing though oh and i'm Hunter i'm new here whats your name", Hunter was obviously nervous due to his rambling and his amazing ice blue eyes looked up into the others as he smiled and waited for the boy to talk or hand him his hand.

[Evan]

Normally, Evan would have been vigilant about watching his surroundings. Living in the mountains might have sounded safer than living in an inner city, but an inner city did not have the possibility of a bear coming out of nowhere and possibly snacking on your leg. Regardless of what had happened in the past, the orange-haired young man had not really been paying attention to his surroundings in that moment. If he had, he would have noticed some other students gathered around and maybe even went over to talk to them. The red-eyed young man was a rather social creature, and like to spend time around others as much as possible. It gave him an energy that he rarely possessed when he was alone by himself. However, he was trying to focus on perfecting his dagger-making technique instead of his surroundings. If he had not been, he would have noticed the young man with bright, blonde hair and his puppy running around and playing. He most likely would have been curious enough to wander over and even asked to play with them. Once his mind was set on training, though, it was rarely ever changed. Sure, he could be persuaded about other things, especially since, much to his chagrin, he was easy to win over with a few facts, but once he decided to train, he was going to do so until he either became bored with it or had to stop for some reason.

Unfortunately, for the darkness manipulator, his luck ran out after he thought he had finally perfected his technique. The curse he emitted was said in a hissed tone, as if he had been trying to force air through his teeth. He stumbled over to the bench, clenching his hand tightly to keep the blood that was dripping out of his hand from spattering on the cobblestone below his feet. Idly, he wondered if anyone had lived on this island years and years before it was used for the Ashford project. He figured it had to be; after all, if it had not been, how the heck would there be a castle to convert into a school. A better question would be how old was this castle, and how long had this academy been there? Evan had only arrived a few weeks prior, so he really had no idea how long the school had been there. He had heard some students say they had been there for a year or more, but he heard that students that had died had been there since the 2000’s, which, he had to admit, was a long time. He wondered if there were any of those students were left. He shook his head a little as he eased himself onto the bench. His mind started to drift for a little bit, and it was only when he heard someone speaking to him that he zoned back into reality.

A blonde boy with bright blue eyes was walking toward him and offering him help. Evan was never one to look a gift horse in the mouth, so he allowed the other young man to work on his hand. He grinned slightly at the colorful first aid kit, “Nifty kit ya’ got there,” he replied, “Good idea. You never know when you may need to patch someone up.” Even though his hand was still in pain, the orange-haired young man was starting to feel better already. Something about being around others just made him feel calm, as odd as it sounded. It was almost off-putting to be on his own, and, although he would have much preferred a pretty young lady in a nurse’s outfit to help him, he was not going to complain that anyone came along to help out. “Nice to meetcha, Hunter. The name’s Evan.” The young man hoped he did not have to explain much more beyond that. He never recalled being referred to by any last name of any sort. He was always just ‘Evan’, as odd as the idea may have sounded to other people. “Do a lot of people around here get injured so easily?” he asked out of curiosity, waiting until the young man finished treating and wrapping up his hand before wiggling his fingers.

[Deleted]

Hunter giggled at he worked it was hard to keep still for to long unless he was working on something and in this case it was the boys hand, his tongue stuck out of his mouth a little as he wrapped the bandage seemingly perfect as to not limit movement bu to allow it to keep everything in its place. He finally finished looking at the boy as he wiggled his fingers and placing his hands on his lap looking to much like a young servant, he smiled up at this new boy and when he said his name Hunters eyes lit up. "That's a very nice name and thanks i bring it everywhere just encase Hachi or i get hurt but i was lucky to be in this place at the right time are you feeling ok not light headed at all". Hachi, the fox dog, came yipping over and growled at the boys shadow and hunter looked at him confused, "If you don't mind me asking what were you doing to get such a nasty cut", He waited a few moments and then looked at Hachi who had reluctantly stopped barking and moved close to Hunters side.

"Uhmm about your question as far as i can tell a lot of people get hurt around here sometimes so bad they almost die", as he said that a tear welled up in his eyes and he sniffed forcing it away. "Sorry i don't like to see others get hurt it makes me sad", as a few students walked buy one waved and winked at him causing him to blush and giggle. This was odd because if you hadn't known his name it would be easy to mistake him as a girl with short hair even when he was speaking. He looked embarrassed back to the other boy and rubbed the back of his head. "T-that happens a lot is that normal", His tone was a true question he truly had no idea why people had kept doing that ho him and he looked around as if he could find the answer in the people around him. He stood and flipped his soft golden hair out of his electric blue eyes and brushed doff his pants laughing when Hachi jumped up and placed himself on his shoulders.

Looking around Hunter smiled the day really was beautiful, there were people playing some a little to rough for hunters liking, and  ere were animals out and about busy in their own lives. A few birds had gotten brave and started to inch closer to then but with one flick of his hand they moved back still looking, the birds were large black ravens and they seemed to have their eyes on the boys hand causing Hunter unease as he watched them get closer. Finally fed up with the odd way they acted hunter looked at Hachi, "Next step they take i want you to get after them ok", Now to others a dog who nodded its head when asked a question would be odd and amazing but not to Hunter not with being able to understand the animals and talk to them. After a few second the fox/dog was in action even nailing one on the wing not hard enough to hurt it but enough to knock it down and scare it, "They see blood and automatically think they can eat it dirty birds".

[Evan]

Evan’s red eyes flickered to Hunter’s face for a brief moment. His tongue was stuck out in concentration, and his eyebrows were furrowed as well. Clearly, the blonde young man was much better at focusing on tasks than the orange haired young man. He often became distracted by the next thing that came along, which was probably not the best thing to admit, but he had to admit it was true. More often than not, though, he became lazy between tasks and left things unfinished. It would certainly explain why people who he worked with in groups for school hated him. He shrugged the thought off; there was no need to get upset about something that had blown over already. It was better to leave the past in the past, where it belonged. “That’s a good idea,” Evan muttered, wiggling his fingers slightly, just to test their mobility. The bandage that the blonde had carefully placed on his hand was tight enough to staunch the bleeding, but there was still feeling in his fingers, which was a good thing. He glanced at the dog, who he presumed was Hachi, and smiled a little bit. A question from the other young man caused him to turn his ruby eyes back to the other young man, “Well, my hand hurts a bit, but, other than that, I’m solid,” he said with a grin, using his opposite hand to make a thumbs up. A barking sound came from near Evan’s side, and the orange-haired young man looked down to see Hachi barking at his shadow. “I was practicing with my powers,” he replied with a shrug, “I tried to form a dagger and boom- sliced hand.” He said it as if he had not been bleeding all over the pavement a few minutes ago. Blood did not really bother Evan; he had seen a lot of it during his time in the “lab”

Evan blinked a little bit at Hunter’s sudden display of sadness. Clearly, the other young man was a soft-hearted person who seemed to care for everyone, even strangers. He supposed that, in a way, it was a good thing. He seemed brave enough to do the things that he himself wished he could do for the people that he had encountered before. Then again, the losers were led away, so even if he had tried to help, there was nothing he could have done, because he was sure that they killed them if they had not died during the fight. The sound of feet against the cobblestone courtyard caused the orange-haired young man to blink. A young man and woman were passing by, and the young man winked at Hunter. Evan smirked at the young woman, giving her a wink as well, but the young man beside her frowned at him and he shrugged a little. Hunter’s question brought Evan back to reality, “Mm, sometimes. The long hair might make guys think you’re a girl. I mean, I can tell you’re a guy because I’m facing you. Some people might not see it, though.” The young man shrugged a little bit; he had never really been mistaken for a girl before, in all honesty, but he was sure that it happened to other guys.

Evan watched the animals approach and then promptly move away from Hunter. He raised an orange eyebrow, watching the scene with curiosity. Sure, he had seen uncommon powers before, but he had not met many people who could make animals react the way the other young man did. “You have a way with animals, it seems,” the orange haired young man said, scratching the back of his head with his unwrapped hand. It was a little awkward to bear witness to a scene that would have been amusing, had he been directly involved. He leaned back on the bench slightly and turned his ruby eyes up toward the sky. The bright, white clouds drifted along and, thankfully, there were not many at all. It was nice day, and he was grateful for it. He probably would not have gotten to practice if it had not been so sunny. It was interesting that, along with the bright light of the sun came the darkness that he was able to possess and bend to his will. It was a scary thing to find out he could do, at first, but, as time went on, he became more comfortable with the idea, since he was not using to do bad things.