https://thefirstage.org/forums/ Mon, 27 Apr 2026 13:47:33 +0000 MyBB https://thefirstage.org/forums/thread-1945.html Mon, 26 Jan 2026 01:47:50 +0000 Tatyana]]> https://thefirstage.org/forums/thread-1945.html
It had taken some convincing, but Mackenzie had eventually decided to go to the building. It had been Madison's idea to come here so they could spar properly. Tatyana had needed some convincing too.  It wasn't quite the day for her meeting with Nox, and if she could think of another way to break her block, she would have. Ever since finding out that Nox had been the cause of the twins' orphan status, she found herself disliking him more. 

Tatyana lived in the tunnels with the girls, taking a alcove for herself.  She wasn't aware of how much the girls knew of her drug addiction.  She tried to keep it from them, taking her meds when they weren't looking.  Tatyana was certain they had seen her high multiple times though.  They were smart kids and probably knew what was going on, but anytime they asked she just said she wasn't feeling well. It was an apt enough description. Today she had taken her pill, but it was wearing down. She spent time with the girl's when he wasn't high, and probably was sober more than she had been before.

The trio arrived at the building.  Tatyana kicked the snow off her shoes as they entered the building. She didn't like Nox, but didn't really want to make a mess or get on his bad side even if she was sure he, Hayden, and Ashton disliked her as much as she disliked him. "You two okay? Still warm?" she asked them, with a smile, wishing she could use her magic to help get them there a little better. They all wore hats and gloves given to them by Zeke's church, so it hadn't been too bad. "We can head downstairs and get warm before we play." she suggested.]]>
It had taken some convincing, but Mackenzie had eventually decided to go to the building. It had been Madison's idea to come here so they could spar properly. Tatyana had needed some convincing too.  It wasn't quite the day for her meeting with Nox, and if she could think of another way to break her block, she would have. Ever since finding out that Nox had been the cause of the twins' orphan status, she found herself disliking him more. 

Tatyana lived in the tunnels with the girls, taking a alcove for herself.  She wasn't aware of how much the girls knew of her drug addiction.  She tried to keep it from them, taking her meds when they weren't looking.  Tatyana was certain they had seen her high multiple times though.  They were smart kids and probably knew what was going on, but anytime they asked she just said she wasn't feeling well. It was an apt enough description. Today she had taken her pill, but it was wearing down. She spent time with the girl's when he wasn't high, and probably was sober more than she had been before.

The trio arrived at the building.  Tatyana kicked the snow off her shoes as they entered the building. She didn't like Nox, but didn't really want to make a mess or get on his bad side even if she was sure he, Hayden, and Ashton disliked her as much as she disliked him. "You two okay? Still warm?" she asked them, with a smile, wishing she could use her magic to help get them there a little better. They all wore hats and gloves given to them by Zeke's church, so it hadn't been too bad. "We can head downstairs and get warm before we play." she suggested.]]> https://thefirstage.org/forums/thread-1929.html Tue, 09 Dec 2025 14:42:16 +0000 Tatyana]]> https://thefirstage.org/forums/thread-1929.html
So as she walked into the Red Light district a couple of days later, she was feeling it. She hadn’t take her pill the night before, and body demanded it. They were in her box. It would be so easy. She could feel her pain, but she was afraid too. Scared they were going to ask her things she didn’t want to talk about. Tatyana knew left to her own devices she wouldn’t go to Kallisti. Not like this, so she didn’t head there. 

Instead she went to Hayden’s bar. Had she not left sober, she wouldn’t have been able to find it. She hesitated at the door. Her hands were held together to still the trembling within them. She let go and reached for the bell to ring, hesitated again, and then finally pressed it before bringing her hands together again. 

She looked down and when someone answered the door, presumably Hayden, she spoke quickly, afraid the words would get stuck. ”Won’t go to Kallisti on my own. Will you walk me there.”]]>
So as she walked into the Red Light district a couple of days later, she was feeling it. She hadn’t take her pill the night before, and body demanded it. They were in her box. It would be so easy. She could feel her pain, but she was afraid too. Scared they were going to ask her things she didn’t want to talk about. Tatyana knew left to her own devices she wouldn’t go to Kallisti. Not like this, so she didn’t head there. 

Instead she went to Hayden’s bar. Had she not left sober, she wouldn’t have been able to find it. She hesitated at the door. Her hands were held together to still the trembling within them. She let go and reached for the bell to ring, hesitated again, and then finally pressed it before bringing her hands together again. 

She looked down and when someone answered the door, presumably Hayden, she spoke quickly, afraid the words would get stuck. ”Won’t go to Kallisti on my own. Will you walk me there.”]]> https://thefirstage.org/forums/thread-1925.html Wed, 03 Dec 2025 13:21:07 +0000 Marta]]> https://thefirstage.org/forums/thread-1925.html
Today she was working on a text-based fantasy game. She knew not many people played those anymore. They were popular around sixty years ago, but she figured it would be a fun way for her to work on her coding skills in a fun way. She liked telling stories, games, and coding, so why not make a “choose your own adventure” game. 

Everyone seemed to be focused on their work. He wasn’t there often, but today Sterling’s crush, Liam, was here. He seemed to be inattentive at times as he worked on whatever it was he was doing. Marta sighed as she finished what she was working on. Now she needed to test it. She started up her program and smiled as it came up on her screen. So far so good. She went into the introduction to the game and tried an option. It just repeated the first screen. She tried a different option and found the same thing. Something was off. 

She went back into her code and tried to troubleshoot. She thought she found it, but upon testing, she was getting the same thing. She had no idea what was wrong. 

”Ugghhhhhh,” she intoned, frustrated and began to lightly bang her head on the table, accentuating every word.  ”Why. Won’t. My. Code. Work. What. Am. I. Doing. Wrong?” she gave one one bang on the table and then just lay there, feeling a little discouraged.]]>
Today she was working on a text-based fantasy game. She knew not many people played those anymore. They were popular around sixty years ago, but she figured it would be a fun way for her to work on her coding skills in a fun way. She liked telling stories, games, and coding, so why not make a “choose your own adventure” game. 

Everyone seemed to be focused on their work. He wasn’t there often, but today Sterling’s crush, Liam, was here. He seemed to be inattentive at times as he worked on whatever it was he was doing. Marta sighed as she finished what she was working on. Now she needed to test it. She started up her program and smiled as it came up on her screen. So far so good. She went into the introduction to the game and tried an option. It just repeated the first screen. She tried a different option and found the same thing. Something was off. 

She went back into her code and tried to troubleshoot. She thought she found it, but upon testing, she was getting the same thing. She had no idea what was wrong. 

”Ugghhhhhh,” she intoned, frustrated and began to lightly bang her head on the table, accentuating every word.  ”Why. Won’t. My. Code. Work. What. Am. I. Doing. Wrong?” she gave one one bang on the table and then just lay there, feeling a little discouraged.]]> https://thefirstage.org/forums/thread-1920.html Wed, 19 Nov 2025 19:25:04 +0000 Tatyana]]> https://thefirstage.org/forums/thread-1920.html
People said mixing drugs and alcohol was something you shouldn’t do. They could fuck themselves too. Tatyana had a pill earlier and had been saving her thievery earnings for her yearly bottle. Most people celebrated this time of year. Tatyana tried to forget. Her wandering took her into the red light district, bottle of rum in one hand. She couldn’t remember for sure what day it was - December 23, Christmas Eve, Christmas Day, or the day after. It didn’t really matter. It was also dark, which in Moscow during this time could be anywhere from 4;00 Pm to 9:00 AM. That didn’t really matter either. 

Tatyana kept feeling like something was following her, but anytime she looked it was gone. It could be paranoia. It probably was. A moment later she thought she saw some drones flying around. Maybe that was it. She didn’t know. Strange enough though, she found her power. She’d been unsuccessful at embracing it, but now under the influence, it came to her naturally. She grabbed it just in case, even if she wasn’t sure what to do with it. 

Tatyana turned a corner and the world spun. She leaned on a building to keep from falling, then turned her back to it and slid down the wall to sit. She had to sit for a bit. At least until the world around her righted itself. It would probably be awhile. She took another drink from her bottle. Christmas sucked and all she wanted to do was bury it.]]>
People said mixing drugs and alcohol was something you shouldn’t do. They could fuck themselves too. Tatyana had a pill earlier and had been saving her thievery earnings for her yearly bottle. Most people celebrated this time of year. Tatyana tried to forget. Her wandering took her into the red light district, bottle of rum in one hand. She couldn’t remember for sure what day it was - December 23, Christmas Eve, Christmas Day, or the day after. It didn’t really matter. It was also dark, which in Moscow during this time could be anywhere from 4;00 Pm to 9:00 AM. That didn’t really matter either. 

Tatyana kept feeling like something was following her, but anytime she looked it was gone. It could be paranoia. It probably was. A moment later she thought she saw some drones flying around. Maybe that was it. She didn’t know. Strange enough though, she found her power. She’d been unsuccessful at embracing it, but now under the influence, it came to her naturally. She grabbed it just in case, even if she wasn’t sure what to do with it. 

Tatyana turned a corner and the world spun. She leaned on a building to keep from falling, then turned her back to it and slid down the wall to sit. She had to sit for a bit. At least until the world around her righted itself. It would probably be awhile. She took another drink from her bottle. Christmas sucked and all she wanted to do was bury it.]]> https://thefirstage.org/forums/thread-1911.html Fri, 31 Oct 2025 20:11:39 +0000 Rachel Shale]]> https://thefirstage.org/forums/thread-1911.html Continued from here

Rachel gave the address to Cruz's driver. She watched the buildings pass as he drove. She remained silent, trying to focus, but then decided to text Elyse and see if she was awake.

Hey Elyse! Awake?

Not really...but awake enough to text - everything okay?

Everything good  I actually just met with Cruz. It was nice to catch up a bit.  He wanted to check on me. He suggested asking Nox for someone to talk to about my issues. Going to meet him now.

Hayden?

Rachel smiled. Yeah - that's him. He knows me, but I don't remember D:

He's a good guy. Helped me a lot - especially when things started happening with my parents. Hey there's something I should tell you.

Rachel frowned. What? Something wrong?

Not at all. I just think you should know. Hayden and I have been intimate with each other in the past. I just don't want you to be blindsided or anything. I hope that it doesn't bother you or make you reconsider given how things are with us right now.

Rachel didn't answer for a bit. She hadn't expected that.  It didn't exactly bother her. It wasn't like it happened yesterday - or that they were together. Doesn't bother me. Thanks for telling me though.  Not exactly ethical for therapists to sleep with their patients - my professors would have had a hay day with that. You don't think he's gonna...with me do you?

No. And he's not really a therapist, but he's good at reading people and understanding what they need. That's what I needed at the time. I think he'd know that's the last thing you need right now. I just wanted you to know.

Rachel smiled. Thanks! Almost there! I'll text or call when done, and while I'm thinking about it. Thank you for being so patient with me. I care about you a lot.

It's okay! Take as long as you need hon. I care about you a lot too...and hey! Proud of you!

That felt good. It felt good that Elyse was willing to wait and not push for more. There was a spark between them. They both knew it, but Rachel knew she couldn't handle it right now. She had some fears with getting intimate with anyone.

The driver pulled up at the bar "Safe Harbour." Unnecessary "U" in the name made her think that Hayden was from England. Rachel thanked the driver and he reminded her that he would wait for ten minutes if she needed. She sent Cruz a message letting him know she had arrived, then opened the door to the bar.]]> Continued from here

Rachel gave the address to Cruz's driver. She watched the buildings pass as he drove. She remained silent, trying to focus, but then decided to text Elyse and see if she was awake.

Hey Elyse! Awake?

Not really...but awake enough to text - everything okay?

Everything good  I actually just met with Cruz. It was nice to catch up a bit.  He wanted to check on me. He suggested asking Nox for someone to talk to about my issues. Going to meet him now.

Hayden?

Rachel smiled. Yeah - that's him. He knows me, but I don't remember D:

He's a good guy. Helped me a lot - especially when things started happening with my parents. Hey there's something I should tell you.

Rachel frowned. What? Something wrong?

Not at all. I just think you should know. Hayden and I have been intimate with each other in the past. I just don't want you to be blindsided or anything. I hope that it doesn't bother you or make you reconsider given how things are with us right now.

Rachel didn't answer for a bit. She hadn't expected that.  It didn't exactly bother her. It wasn't like it happened yesterday - or that they were together. Doesn't bother me. Thanks for telling me though.  Not exactly ethical for therapists to sleep with their patients - my professors would have had a hay day with that. You don't think he's gonna...with me do you?

No. And he's not really a therapist, but he's good at reading people and understanding what they need. That's what I needed at the time. I think he'd know that's the last thing you need right now. I just wanted you to know.

Rachel smiled. Thanks! Almost there! I'll text or call when done, and while I'm thinking about it. Thank you for being so patient with me. I care about you a lot.

It's okay! Take as long as you need hon. I care about you a lot too...and hey! Proud of you!

That felt good. It felt good that Elyse was willing to wait and not push for more. There was a spark between them. They both knew it, but Rachel knew she couldn't handle it right now. She had some fears with getting intimate with anyone.

The driver pulled up at the bar "Safe Harbour." Unnecessary "U" in the name made her think that Hayden was from England. Rachel thanked the driver and he reminded her that he would wait for ten minutes if she needed. She sent Cruz a message letting him know she had arrived, then opened the door to the bar.]]> https://thefirstage.org/forums/thread-1886.html Thu, 16 Oct 2025 22:13:13 +0000 Claude Saint-Clair]]> https://thefirstage.org/forums/thread-1886.html here))

Claude had continued looking through Nox Durante's file. Another Atharim named Zephyr had done extensive research on him. The red light district was a sort of perimeter.  On top of that, a schedule, of all things.  Nox was a creature of habit it seemed. So he found himself entering the Red Light District. There were drones there and at times, he would see them, watching him probably. But they didn't do more than watch. At least now. 

Claude sighed. This was an incredible pain. He wasn't too thrilled about any of this. He wasn't scared of Nox. Nox was an ex-Atharim channeler and from what he could see, he was incredibly skilled. There were reasons why he should be, but given their conversation with Eliot, he wasn't worried that Nox would attack him unless Claude did something to aggravate him.  Eliot had no reason to lie, and Claude had no reason to antagonize the man.

So Claude found himself outside of the man's home. A building - looked like a business building too.  The research he had seen showed that too.  The bottom floor had businesses in it.  Claude hesitated a bit, wondering if he should ring the bell or just go in. He wasn't sure at all. He stood outside for a bit before finally ringing the bell.  He didn't want to intrude or anything and he wanted to do anything he could to stay on Durante's good side.]]> here))

Claude had continued looking through Nox Durante's file. Another Atharim named Zephyr had done extensive research on him. The red light district was a sort of perimeter.  On top of that, a schedule, of all things.  Nox was a creature of habit it seemed. So he found himself entering the Red Light District. There were drones there and at times, he would see them, watching him probably. But they didn't do more than watch. At least now. 

Claude sighed. This was an incredible pain. He wasn't too thrilled about any of this. He wasn't scared of Nox. Nox was an ex-Atharim channeler and from what he could see, he was incredibly skilled. There were reasons why he should be, but given their conversation with Eliot, he wasn't worried that Nox would attack him unless Claude did something to aggravate him.  Eliot had no reason to lie, and Claude had no reason to antagonize the man.

So Claude found himself outside of the man's home. A building - looked like a business building too.  The research he had seen showed that too.  The bottom floor had businesses in it.  Claude hesitated a bit, wondering if he should ring the bell or just go in. He wasn't sure at all. He stood outside for a bit before finally ringing the bell.  He didn't want to intrude or anything and he wanted to do anything he could to stay on Durante's good side.]]> https://thefirstage.org/forums/thread-1879.html Fri, 03 Oct 2025 12:13:21 +0000 Casey]]> https://thefirstage.org/forums/thread-1879.html
Some of those guilts she had dealt with.  She no longer felt guilty about her attractions towards people. Sex was fine too most of the time, but this one. She had just never dealt with this one. Maybe with some training this one would dissipate. Casey looked out as the cab drove through the city and they entered the Red Light District. Casey looked back over at Cadence.  Cadence met her gaze and just smiled. This seemed an odd place to go, and she was surprised Cadence would have even gone there.

The cab pulled up outside of a building. It looked to be some sort of a club. The cabbie was paid and the women went to an employee entrance and Cadence entered a code on a keypad next to the door. The questions were building, but Casey remained silent as she followed Cadence into the building. They arrived at a lounge. Plush chairs decorated the room. The place reminded her of a strip club, but it seemed more...classy...than that. A strip club would certainly make sense in the Red Light District at least. 

They weren't alone in the room. Some faces turned as the pair entered, and Cadence noted that some of them were kids. Kids? At a strip club?Casey stopped, uncertain of what was going on. 

"This is Kallisti House of Burlesque," Cadence informed her. "And here we might be able to figure you out."

Cadence turned and Casey looked around, trying to put pieces together. "Everyone, this is my friend and bassist, Casey. I just learned that she can do what we can do, but she's struggling to touch her power. I was hoping we could help her."

Casey didn't speak. She was still trying to put pieces together. Of course the drama was on purpose. She had that sort of relationship with Cadence. Finally Casey looked at Cadence and gave her a smile before turning to the crowd. "Ummm...hi everyone."]]>
Some of those guilts she had dealt with.  She no longer felt guilty about her attractions towards people. Sex was fine too most of the time, but this one. She had just never dealt with this one. Maybe with some training this one would dissipate. Casey looked out as the cab drove through the city and they entered the Red Light District. Casey looked back over at Cadence.  Cadence met her gaze and just smiled. This seemed an odd place to go, and she was surprised Cadence would have even gone there.

The cab pulled up outside of a building. It looked to be some sort of a club. The cabbie was paid and the women went to an employee entrance and Cadence entered a code on a keypad next to the door. The questions were building, but Casey remained silent as she followed Cadence into the building. They arrived at a lounge. Plush chairs decorated the room. The place reminded her of a strip club, but it seemed more...classy...than that. A strip club would certainly make sense in the Red Light District at least. 

They weren't alone in the room. Some faces turned as the pair entered, and Cadence noted that some of them were kids. Kids? At a strip club?Casey stopped, uncertain of what was going on. 

"This is Kallisti House of Burlesque," Cadence informed her. "And here we might be able to figure you out."

Cadence turned and Casey looked around, trying to put pieces together. "Everyone, this is my friend and bassist, Casey. I just learned that she can do what we can do, but she's struggling to touch her power. I was hoping we could help her."

Casey didn't speak. She was still trying to put pieces together. Of course the drama was on purpose. She had that sort of relationship with Cadence. Finally Casey looked at Cadence and gave her a smile before turning to the crowd. "Ummm...hi everyone."]]> https://thefirstage.org/forums/thread-1861.html Sun, 13 Jul 2025 21:12:59 +0000 Emily Shale-Vanders]]> https://thefirstage.org/forums/thread-1861.html
She set up a time with Nox so he could inform people to be there and Liv would have a chance to get off work to do learn. This was a big deal and possibly would open many doors. She sighed as she drove there, Jared in the passenger seat. 

”You ever go to these types of clubs?” she asked him. 

Jared chuckled. ”That feels like a loaded question,” he gave her a disarming smirk. ”Burlesque, no, but I’ve been to my share of gentlemen’s clubs”

Emily smirked back. ”I see. I’ve never been to anything like it. I know - it’s not like it’s a show or anything.”

”They’re people just like anyone else. No need to be nervous.”

She nodded. ”More worried about feeling out of place.”

”Just be yourself and you’ll be fine.”

Emily nodded and arrived at the location. She went to the door that Nox had told her to go to, and pressed the buzzer. A security guy came to the door and Emily introduced herself. She was expected so they were taken to a lounge area. There they found some others already waiting. 

”Hi, I’m Emily and this is Jared,” she introduced themselves and took a seat. ”Here to teach people how to link and to try some things.”]]>
She set up a time with Nox so he could inform people to be there and Liv would have a chance to get off work to do learn. This was a big deal and possibly would open many doors. She sighed as she drove there, Jared in the passenger seat. 

”You ever go to these types of clubs?” she asked him. 

Jared chuckled. ”That feels like a loaded question,” he gave her a disarming smirk. ”Burlesque, no, but I’ve been to my share of gentlemen’s clubs”

Emily smirked back. ”I see. I’ve never been to anything like it. I know - it’s not like it’s a show or anything.”

”They’re people just like anyone else. No need to be nervous.”

She nodded. ”More worried about feeling out of place.”

”Just be yourself and you’ll be fine.”

Emily nodded and arrived at the location. She went to the door that Nox had told her to go to, and pressed the buzzer. A security guy came to the door and Emily introduced herself. She was expected so they were taken to a lounge area. There they found some others already waiting. 

”Hi, I’m Emily and this is Jared,” she introduced themselves and took a seat. ”Here to teach people how to link and to try some things.”]]> https://thefirstage.org/forums/thread-1854.html Sat, 07 Jun 2025 16:16:12 +0000 Marta]]> https://thefirstage.org/forums/thread-1854.html
Ricky had texted her and Elyse - he was gone for the night, so she was in Elyse’s room. It wasn’t a school night, so Marta had no qualms with staying up late. It also meant Elyse was working. He had the room to herself for awhile. Marta was still trying to figure out coding. She knew that writing code was the key to breaking Wicked’s file encryption. She just was having trouble putting the pieces together. She wasn’t so much book smart, so it was taking longer than she had expected. She’d get there eventually, but tonight she needed a break. 

Marta actually had quite a bit of money. She didn’t spend much, and had saved most of her allowances. She spent some time shopping for Christmas gifts. For most of the kids she got some nice treats to enjoy. She got something a little more special for Sterling, Nox, and Hayden. She’d already got gifts for Elyse and Ricky. Then the thought came that she should get something for Wicked. She put something in her cart and ordered it. She could get it to Sage somehow she believed. Sky would probably help, but she wanted to try to keep Sage from figuring out what it was. It was impossible to hide it from him - but she was hoping it was unimportant enough that he wouldn’t notice it. 

Then she opened her laptop to Sage’s app that gave her access to his collected information. She barely used it, and when she did, she was careful. She didn’t want to break Sage’s rules or abuse his friendship. But she had research to do. 

She searched for “Matias Amengual” in the search bar. She wasn’t searching for anything specific here, but he had spoken of his connection to the cartel - vaguely. She confirmed what she thought she knew. He wasn’t affiliated with them anymore. So yes - a potential ally. She then searched “El Tiburon” Matias had mentioned the cartel leader had died like no man thought they would - alone and cornered. 

Marta didn’t want to see the man’s demise, but she wanted to know what happened. She found camera images and recognized the place. He had hid with Nuevo León, as Matias had said. But there was a man’s face that she saw in the images. Not a customer and not a cartel member. She know the way those faces looked. This one was different. Marta zoomed in and searched to see if she could find a name to a face. It came up soon. 

Jay Carpenter. 

Marta found his file and began to skim. Was in the Legion Premiere - the name Jared Vanders was there too as a connection. They had fought together. Then another word - Dominion. He was a Dominion. A powerful man indeed. She would need to read his file and get the story. Maybe this Jay Carpenter was a potential ally.]]>
Ricky had texted her and Elyse - he was gone for the night, so she was in Elyse’s room. It wasn’t a school night, so Marta had no qualms with staying up late. It also meant Elyse was working. He had the room to herself for awhile. Marta was still trying to figure out coding. She knew that writing code was the key to breaking Wicked’s file encryption. She just was having trouble putting the pieces together. She wasn’t so much book smart, so it was taking longer than she had expected. She’d get there eventually, but tonight she needed a break. 

Marta actually had quite a bit of money. She didn’t spend much, and had saved most of her allowances. She spent some time shopping for Christmas gifts. For most of the kids she got some nice treats to enjoy. She got something a little more special for Sterling, Nox, and Hayden. She’d already got gifts for Elyse and Ricky. Then the thought came that she should get something for Wicked. She put something in her cart and ordered it. She could get it to Sage somehow she believed. Sky would probably help, but she wanted to try to keep Sage from figuring out what it was. It was impossible to hide it from him - but she was hoping it was unimportant enough that he wouldn’t notice it. 

Then she opened her laptop to Sage’s app that gave her access to his collected information. She barely used it, and when she did, she was careful. She didn’t want to break Sage’s rules or abuse his friendship. But she had research to do. 

She searched for “Matias Amengual” in the search bar. She wasn’t searching for anything specific here, but he had spoken of his connection to the cartel - vaguely. She confirmed what she thought she knew. He wasn’t affiliated with them anymore. So yes - a potential ally. She then searched “El Tiburon” Matias had mentioned the cartel leader had died like no man thought they would - alone and cornered. 

Marta didn’t want to see the man’s demise, but she wanted to know what happened. She found camera images and recognized the place. He had hid with Nuevo León, as Matias had said. But there was a man’s face that she saw in the images. Not a customer and not a cartel member. She know the way those faces looked. This one was different. Marta zoomed in and searched to see if she could find a name to a face. It came up soon. 

Jay Carpenter. 

Marta found his file and began to skim. Was in the Legion Premiere - the name Jared Vanders was there too as a connection. They had fought together. Then another word - Dominion. He was a Dominion. A powerful man indeed. She would need to read his file and get the story. Maybe this Jay Carpenter was a potential ally.]]> https://thefirstage.org/forums/thread-1849.html Sun, 01 Jun 2025 19:47:18 +0000 Elyse]]> https://thefirstage.org/forums/thread-1849.html
Elyse had to remind herself that she was struggling with mental illness. Her reactions weren’t her fault. She had to remind herself that it was okay for her to have problems. She remembered Liv telling her that she wasn't a burden to them. Hell - they considered her a friend - family. 

Sometimes she still wasn’t sure what that meant. She tried to remind herself though. When she looked at the time, she realized it was morning. She had missed breakfast. Even so, she wasn’t feeling hungry. Elyse’s head rested against the wall. All that time wasted moping. Why was it so hard to be productive. Finally Elyse stood, got her medication and took it. It was becoming a habit now. When she changed her clothes, it wasn’t to get ready for the day. She changed inter her exercise clothes. She had enough of this moping shit. 

She pulled out tape and began to wrap her hands and wrists. There was a punching bag in the gym. And she was going to beat the shit out of it. Today was going to be a good day. She was determined to make it so. Wrapping completed, she pulled her hair into a pony tail, stretched, and then headed downstairs. 

Right now, the dojo was empty, but it may or may not be that way soon. Elyse didn’t hesitate, she just went to the bag and hit it, immediately feeling better. She it hit it again. Then again. Each time she hit it she felt the crappy emotions leaving. She began to move around the bag, getting her footwork in. She lost herself in the exercise, focused on her breathing. This felt good. It felt really good.]]>
Elyse had to remind herself that she was struggling with mental illness. Her reactions weren’t her fault. She had to remind herself that it was okay for her to have problems. She remembered Liv telling her that she wasn't a burden to them. Hell - they considered her a friend - family. 

Sometimes she still wasn’t sure what that meant. She tried to remind herself though. When she looked at the time, she realized it was morning. She had missed breakfast. Even so, she wasn’t feeling hungry. Elyse’s head rested against the wall. All that time wasted moping. Why was it so hard to be productive. Finally Elyse stood, got her medication and took it. It was becoming a habit now. When she changed her clothes, it wasn’t to get ready for the day. She changed inter her exercise clothes. She had enough of this moping shit. 

She pulled out tape and began to wrap her hands and wrists. There was a punching bag in the gym. And she was going to beat the shit out of it. Today was going to be a good day. She was determined to make it so. Wrapping completed, she pulled her hair into a pony tail, stretched, and then headed downstairs. 

Right now, the dojo was empty, but it may or may not be that way soon. Elyse didn’t hesitate, she just went to the bag and hit it, immediately feeling better. She it hit it again. Then again. Each time she hit it she felt the crappy emotions leaving. She began to move around the bag, getting her footwork in. She lost herself in the exercise, focused on her breathing. This felt good. It felt really good.]]> https://thefirstage.org/forums/thread-1843.html Sat, 24 May 2025 23:20:02 +0000 Jay Carpenter]]> https://thefirstage.org/forums/thread-1843.html
That was when his mind began drifting. Dinner. Takeout, probably. Neither of them cooked. Grilling was always an option, but it wasn’t like he could haul a charcoal drum onto a fifth-floor balcony in central Moscow without setting off alarms. literal or metaphorical. He considered the usual spots. Ramen, maybe. Or the Turkish place with the flatbread that always came just a little burnt. And then.

Then it hit him.
He was planning dinner. Not for himself, but for them.

This is what people in relationships do.
'Hey, should I grab milk on the way home?'

The thought tightened around his chest like a rope, soft but inescapable. For a moment, he just stood there on the wet concrete, lips parted as if the cold had caught him mid-thought, and he forgot to breathe.

Was this what he wanted? This domestic drift? The soft gravity of someone waiting for him behind a door, with arms and silence and warmth?


Because when he was with Natalie — really with her — the rest of the world fell away. Her body against his, her glare, even the way she challenged him in the quiet… it felt like all the good things he thought had been scorched out of him in the years between then and now.

But when he stepped outside of her, it was like catching his reflection in some fogged mirror. He barely recognized the man he was anyway. This was like another life. It scared the hell out of him.

So he sent another message: Going to swing by the RLD. Grabbing something better for my hand. The good stuff. The kind you didn’t get in the upscale dispensaries. What he didn’t say. What he didn’t have the guts to say was that he needed a little more time. Just a few more streets between himself and that quiet warmth he couldn’t stop wanting.

He pulled up the collar of his coat as he turned off the main road. Government-issue, heavy, and warm. Buttoned up enough to hide the uniform beneath, the one marked with the sigils of the Dominions. The CCD crests were sewn into the shoulder and chest beneath, but here, he wanted to blend in. The RLD didn’t care for symbols of power, only money. Only customers.

The Red Light District was humming under frost and shadow, alive with false heat. Neon poured from every overhang, advertisements flickering through condensation and low static interference. The air carried a chemical sweetness. Engineered pheromones, vaped synthetics, electric cinnamon. All designed to dull, entice, pacify. Snow was piled in the gutters like forgotten ash.

Around him, bodies moved through the streets like ghosts. Augmented limbs. Glowing eyes. Faces too perfect to be anything but curated. Jay passed by a VR parlor pumping out soft moans and colorwashed light, then a bio-lounge that promised transcendence in five microdoses or less.

He’d been here before. Of course he had. But never looking for relief. Never like this.

Tonight, he wasn’t chasing pleasure. He was chasing silence. A chemical kind. Something to numb the ache in his knuckles, which were still sore and purpled from striking both Matías and the wall behind him. But it wasn’t just his hand that hurt. It was the hollowness in his chest. The kind that nothing could fix.

It took a few tries. Most dispensaries catered to the weekend crowd. Dream-syrups, synth-mirage injectables, neural-slow patches. But eventually, tucked between a gene-tweak parlor and an automated pleasure bar, he found a vendor that carried the military-branded stuff. Combat residue relief. Nerve quieters. Burn-skin regenerants. Things marketed to a specific group.

The attendant barely looked up. Just slid a digital display across the counter and gestured at the scanner. The place was warm, artificially so. Overhead, a reactor coil hummed softly, and red light spilled from the strip-lighting above like diluted blood.

Jay keyed in a code, jaw tight, shoulders hunched beneath the heavy weight of the coat. He could feel the eyes of the district behind him. Not specific, but aware, the way this part of the city always was. Like the whole block was a creature watching from the cracks.

As the machine processed his payment, he wondered again if he was stalling because of her or because he didn’t know what kind of man he was once he let himself be happy.

Either way, the drugs would help. Not just the hand. Not just the bruises.

He stepped out into the street once more to find a place to use the very product he just purchased.]]>
That was when his mind began drifting. Dinner. Takeout, probably. Neither of them cooked. Grilling was always an option, but it wasn’t like he could haul a charcoal drum onto a fifth-floor balcony in central Moscow without setting off alarms. literal or metaphorical. He considered the usual spots. Ramen, maybe. Or the Turkish place with the flatbread that always came just a little burnt. And then.

Then it hit him.
He was planning dinner. Not for himself, but for them.

This is what people in relationships do.
'Hey, should I grab milk on the way home?'

The thought tightened around his chest like a rope, soft but inescapable. For a moment, he just stood there on the wet concrete, lips parted as if the cold had caught him mid-thought, and he forgot to breathe.

Was this what he wanted? This domestic drift? The soft gravity of someone waiting for him behind a door, with arms and silence and warmth?


Because when he was with Natalie — really with her — the rest of the world fell away. Her body against his, her glare, even the way she challenged him in the quiet… it felt like all the good things he thought had been scorched out of him in the years between then and now.

But when he stepped outside of her, it was like catching his reflection in some fogged mirror. He barely recognized the man he was anyway. This was like another life. It scared the hell out of him.

So he sent another message: Going to swing by the RLD. Grabbing something better for my hand. The good stuff. The kind you didn’t get in the upscale dispensaries. What he didn’t say. What he didn’t have the guts to say was that he needed a little more time. Just a few more streets between himself and that quiet warmth he couldn’t stop wanting.

He pulled up the collar of his coat as he turned off the main road. Government-issue, heavy, and warm. Buttoned up enough to hide the uniform beneath, the one marked with the sigils of the Dominions. The CCD crests were sewn into the shoulder and chest beneath, but here, he wanted to blend in. The RLD didn’t care for symbols of power, only money. Only customers.

The Red Light District was humming under frost and shadow, alive with false heat. Neon poured from every overhang, advertisements flickering through condensation and low static interference. The air carried a chemical sweetness. Engineered pheromones, vaped synthetics, electric cinnamon. All designed to dull, entice, pacify. Snow was piled in the gutters like forgotten ash.

Around him, bodies moved through the streets like ghosts. Augmented limbs. Glowing eyes. Faces too perfect to be anything but curated. Jay passed by a VR parlor pumping out soft moans and colorwashed light, then a bio-lounge that promised transcendence in five microdoses or less.

He’d been here before. Of course he had. But never looking for relief. Never like this.

Tonight, he wasn’t chasing pleasure. He was chasing silence. A chemical kind. Something to numb the ache in his knuckles, which were still sore and purpled from striking both Matías and the wall behind him. But it wasn’t just his hand that hurt. It was the hollowness in his chest. The kind that nothing could fix.

It took a few tries. Most dispensaries catered to the weekend crowd. Dream-syrups, synth-mirage injectables, neural-slow patches. But eventually, tucked between a gene-tweak parlor and an automated pleasure bar, he found a vendor that carried the military-branded stuff. Combat residue relief. Nerve quieters. Burn-skin regenerants. Things marketed to a specific group.

The attendant barely looked up. Just slid a digital display across the counter and gestured at the scanner. The place was warm, artificially so. Overhead, a reactor coil hummed softly, and red light spilled from the strip-lighting above like diluted blood.

Jay keyed in a code, jaw tight, shoulders hunched beneath the heavy weight of the coat. He could feel the eyes of the district behind him. Not specific, but aware, the way this part of the city always was. Like the whole block was a creature watching from the cracks.

As the machine processed his payment, he wondered again if he was stalling because of her or because he didn’t know what kind of man he was once he let himself be happy.

Either way, the drugs would help. Not just the hand. Not just the bruises.

He stepped out into the street once more to find a place to use the very product he just purchased.]]> https://thefirstage.org/forums/thread-1836.html Fri, 25 Apr 2025 10:00:51 +0000 Nox]]> https://thefirstage.org/forums/thread-1836.html
Nox had become so reliant on the power that without it he felt useless and half the person he was. But it didn't bother him. It should. He should be pissed and throwing things, but it was just life -- it went on.  One step at a time, one minute, one second. Life went on and Nox had made himself a promise a long time ago that he wouldn't go out like his father. Suicide was not in his cards. He was less a danger to himself than before, and yet even more at risk for doing something stupid. At least going after Pirozzi had gone well.  He'll have to do better against other creatures.

Salvation and Damnation were now both on his hip when he left the house under the large puffy jacket he had to wear.  Oriena's text had startled Nox as he fed Lily. He'd almost forgotten he'd sent her a text days ago about needing to meet. And she finally responded. It was a good thing he hadn't needed it anymore. But now he had to break the news and while it wouldn't damage what they had, there was a pang of guilt and sorrow that it could. Oriena was unpredictable and Nox could never guess where her wind might blow.

He sent her the location of the shit motel they used often that paid by the hour. They might use a lot or a little or none at all.

Nox left Lily with Marta a little earlier than usual, Oriena would not appreciate a baby. She barely tolerated him most days.

The place was a shit hole, but it was the cleanest of the shit holes Nox had used. No bugs, and the sheets were clean.

Nox was early he always was.  He put the gun and knife on the stand next to the TV and sat on the bed waiting for Oriena to show up. It could be soon, it could be an hour or more. He didn't expect her to jump when he said he needed her. He was not at all surprised it had been days. Normally he'd have gone looking for her in her favorite haunts, but he hadn't had the need, the horde was gone and now this was an end. He could have done it at Kallisti or someplace else it wasn't about sex though he would oblige her in anything and in any way and he could just lie, but that would end poorly. And he didn't lie to Oriena. There was no need. There were no secrets between them.]]>
Nox had become so reliant on the power that without it he felt useless and half the person he was. But it didn't bother him. It should. He should be pissed and throwing things, but it was just life -- it went on.  One step at a time, one minute, one second. Life went on and Nox had made himself a promise a long time ago that he wouldn't go out like his father. Suicide was not in his cards. He was less a danger to himself than before, and yet even more at risk for doing something stupid. At least going after Pirozzi had gone well.  He'll have to do better against other creatures.

Salvation and Damnation were now both on his hip when he left the house under the large puffy jacket he had to wear.  Oriena's text had startled Nox as he fed Lily. He'd almost forgotten he'd sent her a text days ago about needing to meet. And she finally responded. It was a good thing he hadn't needed it anymore. But now he had to break the news and while it wouldn't damage what they had, there was a pang of guilt and sorrow that it could. Oriena was unpredictable and Nox could never guess where her wind might blow.

He sent her the location of the shit motel they used often that paid by the hour. They might use a lot or a little or none at all.

Nox left Lily with Marta a little earlier than usual, Oriena would not appreciate a baby. She barely tolerated him most days.

The place was a shit hole, but it was the cleanest of the shit holes Nox had used. No bugs, and the sheets were clean.

Nox was early he always was.  He put the gun and knife on the stand next to the TV and sat on the bed waiting for Oriena to show up. It could be soon, it could be an hour or more. He didn't expect her to jump when he said he needed her. He was not at all surprised it had been days. Normally he'd have gone looking for her in her favorite haunts, but he hadn't had the need, the horde was gone and now this was an end. He could have done it at Kallisti or someplace else it wasn't about sex though he would oblige her in anything and in any way and he could just lie, but that would end poorly. And he didn't lie to Oriena. There was no need. There were no secrets between them.]]> https://thefirstage.org/forums/thread-1830.html Sat, 19 Apr 2025 12:37:37 +0000 Marta]]> https://thefirstage.org/forums/thread-1830.html
She opened the file full of nonsense. She somehow had to make sense of this. Her computer class had told her that this was called a “checksum” and Marta knew that the key to the encryption was within. Her studies had given her enough information to figure out how to manually find what she was looking for. She made a copy of the file and used the copy to make her modifications. She wanted to keep the original in case she screwed up.

Manual decryption was inefficient. Marta knew that there had to be an easier way to do it. She had spent two days on this and had gotten virtually nowhere. Something in her coding class was key. She knew that. Despite her frustration, she didn’t ask Sage for help. His teaching method was effective. The fact that she knew what to look for in the checksum was proof enough for that. She was not only learning, but was remembering it. Still she had to wonder if he ever checked on her progress and was laughing at her feeble attempts to figure out his puzzles.]]>
She opened the file full of nonsense. She somehow had to make sense of this. Her computer class had told her that this was called a “checksum” and Marta knew that the key to the encryption was within. Her studies had given her enough information to figure out how to manually find what she was looking for. She made a copy of the file and used the copy to make her modifications. She wanted to keep the original in case she screwed up.

Manual decryption was inefficient. Marta knew that there had to be an easier way to do it. She had spent two days on this and had gotten virtually nowhere. Something in her coding class was key. She knew that. Despite her frustration, she didn’t ask Sage for help. His teaching method was effective. The fact that she knew what to look for in the checksum was proof enough for that. She was not only learning, but was remembering it. Still she had to wonder if he ever checked on her progress and was laughing at her feeble attempts to figure out his puzzles.]]> https://thefirstage.org/forums/thread-1821.html Tue, 15 Apr 2025 10:12:05 +0000 Nox]]> https://thefirstage.org/forums/thread-1821.html
He wasn't sure how he was supposed to live like this. He knew that the earbud was only a bandaid. And he knew that he needed more than just Lily and his family to survive, but he didn't dare think about who he needed. Nox was no longer sure that Raffe wanted to share a life with him. He hadn't wanted to look for a place with him. He hadn't wanted to anything together. Nox had always pressured him, always flirting, always being the one to act. He should just let it go. It was the rational thing to do.

But Love wasn't rational. And Nox remembered loving Raffe to the ends of the earth and back even after he walked away. And then Raffe was gone. They hadn't spoken in months, and when Raffe did text back more than an acknowledgement it was never about them. Nox needed to talk to Raffe.

He climbed out of the shower dripping wet and wishing he'd just fall and crack his head open. It would be an accident. But his luck was not there. And if he felt guilt, it would be the feeling running through his body now. He didn't want to die. He didn't want to end his life -- not really. But it was hard to go on when every breath burned his lungs, when the world seemed dark and dim.

Time held no concept in his head without his wallet or watch, stark naked in his bathroom alone Nox didn't know how long he stood there staring into the mirror trying to remember what it felt like to be alive.]]>
He wasn't sure how he was supposed to live like this. He knew that the earbud was only a bandaid. And he knew that he needed more than just Lily and his family to survive, but he didn't dare think about who he needed. Nox was no longer sure that Raffe wanted to share a life with him. He hadn't wanted to look for a place with him. He hadn't wanted to anything together. Nox had always pressured him, always flirting, always being the one to act. He should just let it go. It was the rational thing to do.

But Love wasn't rational. And Nox remembered loving Raffe to the ends of the earth and back even after he walked away. And then Raffe was gone. They hadn't spoken in months, and when Raffe did text back more than an acknowledgement it was never about them. Nox needed to talk to Raffe.

He climbed out of the shower dripping wet and wishing he'd just fall and crack his head open. It would be an accident. But his luck was not there. And if he felt guilt, it would be the feeling running through his body now. He didn't want to die. He didn't want to end his life -- not really. But it was hard to go on when every breath burned his lungs, when the world seemed dark and dim.

Time held no concept in his head without his wallet or watch, stark naked in his bathroom alone Nox didn't know how long he stood there staring into the mirror trying to remember what it felt like to be alive.]]> https://thefirstage.org/forums/thread-1796.html Fri, 11 Apr 2025 17:54:10 +0000 Emily Shale-Vanders]]> https://thefirstage.org/forums/thread-1796.html
Rachel seemed okay when she signed her out, but then started freaking out in the car on the way. She constantly muttered about needing Lucio, and even though she was concerned about it. She was more pissed off. Pissed off that someone would hurt her sister and pissed off at herself for not picking up on it faster. She had thought Rachel’s odd behavior was just her coping with the break up. 

She arrived at the location Ana had sent her and got out of the car, summoning her magic. If Pirozzi showed up, he’d face her wrath. For now though the most important thing to do would be to get Rachel inside. Hopefully people were ready - she might need help if Rachel started to freak out again.]]>
Rachel seemed okay when she signed her out, but then started freaking out in the car on the way. She constantly muttered about needing Lucio, and even though she was concerned about it. She was more pissed off. Pissed off that someone would hurt her sister and pissed off at herself for not picking up on it faster. She had thought Rachel’s odd behavior was just her coping with the break up. 

She arrived at the location Ana had sent her and got out of the car, summoning her magic. If Pirozzi showed up, he’d face her wrath. For now though the most important thing to do would be to get Rachel inside. Hopefully people were ready - she might need help if Rachel started to freak out again.]]>