https://thefirstage.org/forums/ Fri, 17 Apr 2026 14:20:24 +0000 MyBB https://thefirstage.org/forums/thread-1928.html Tue, 09 Dec 2025 09:40:35 +0000 Tatyana]]> https://thefirstage.org/forums/thread-1928.html Continued from here

Tatyana didn’t wander too long after leaving Hayden’s bar. Her head still ached from hangover and the sounds of the city were enough to make her want to find solitude. Her note to Hayden said she would think about what he said. That’s what she did as she walked besides seeking water. 

Arriving back at the church, she found they were serving a midday meal. She grabbed some water and food before finding a place she could at least attempt to be alone.  She didn’t really want to talk to anyone. There were enough people here that would be difficult, but most understood that some didn’t want to be bothered. 

Tatyana pulled out her pillbox and took one after eating her meal. She’d allowed the pain to linger after she left the church, but it was growing more. Hayden’s words were still in her head. “You want to feel numb. If you were happy, you’d want to feel it.” Tatyana knew she wasn’t a happy person, but hearing someone else say it was a little jarring. She wasn’t sure it would ever change though. The one light in her life was gone. Knowing the pain was there kept it from becoming real, even if she dulled the pain through medication. Besides - she would honor her father in the ring. 

Tatyana sat in a corner, resting her head against the wall and closing her eyes. She thought about what Hayden had said. Kallisti could help her unlock her magic, but it would tie her to them. He had emphasized there would be no cost, but they would check on her. This Nox in particular would. She belonged to Zeke, and she didn’t want to do anything to jeopardize that. She didn’t think they would understand that. Still - the power would be useful. As for this organization- Second Chances - well Zeke was giving her a second chance. So Tatyana focused on Kallisti, weighing her options. Soon enough she’d have to decide whether or not to go.]]> Continued from here

Tatyana didn’t wander too long after leaving Hayden’s bar. Her head still ached from hangover and the sounds of the city were enough to make her want to find solitude. Her note to Hayden said she would think about what he said. That’s what she did as she walked besides seeking water. 

Arriving back at the church, she found they were serving a midday meal. She grabbed some water and food before finding a place she could at least attempt to be alone.  She didn’t really want to talk to anyone. There were enough people here that would be difficult, but most understood that some didn’t want to be bothered. 

Tatyana pulled out her pillbox and took one after eating her meal. She’d allowed the pain to linger after she left the church, but it was growing more. Hayden’s words were still in her head. “You want to feel numb. If you were happy, you’d want to feel it.” Tatyana knew she wasn’t a happy person, but hearing someone else say it was a little jarring. She wasn’t sure it would ever change though. The one light in her life was gone. Knowing the pain was there kept it from becoming real, even if she dulled the pain through medication. Besides - she would honor her father in the ring. 

Tatyana sat in a corner, resting her head against the wall and closing her eyes. She thought about what Hayden had said. Kallisti could help her unlock her magic, but it would tie her to them. He had emphasized there would be no cost, but they would check on her. This Nox in particular would. She belonged to Zeke, and she didn’t want to do anything to jeopardize that. She didn’t think they would understand that. Still - the power would be useful. As for this organization- Second Chances - well Zeke was giving her a second chance. So Tatyana focused on Kallisti, weighing her options. Soon enough she’d have to decide whether or not to go.]]> https://thefirstage.org/forums/thread-1837.html Sat, 26 Apr 2025 18:45:52 +0000 Quillon Hawke]]> https://thefirstage.org/forums/thread-1837.html
Even with the brisk winter air fighting to clear the streets, the area clung to the rot of old refuse and too many bodies packed too close together. Quillon Hawke adjusted the strap of his simple black jacket: thick canvas, built for work, with the Brotherhood of Ascension's emblem stitched modestly above the chest. His jeans were worn but clean, his boots sturdy enough for cracked sidewalks and mud-slick alleys. He looked out of place here, but not unwelcome. The Brotherhood's reputation reached even the forgotten corners of the city. If not respect, then at least tolerance.

Hollow-eyed figures watched from makeshift shelters: tents stitched from tarps and duct tape, blankets draped over shopping carts. Children peeked out and vanished again into the broken forest of rusted beams and concrete pillars. Somewhere in the distance, a dog barked. Always a dog, in places like this. 

Quillon shifted the heavy pack on his back, full of simple offerings: thermoses of hot soup, loaves of fresh bread, bundled socks, cheap but clean gloves. Enough for today. Not enough for tomorrow.

It never was.

He moved to a patch of cleared ground near an old, fire-scorched wall and set down a folding table, scratched and battered from use, then began unpacking. A few people drifted closer, drawn by the smell of real food. The scent of warm broth seemed almost unnatural here, in a place that smelled only of despair, body odor, and open sewage.

Quillon worked methodically, gloves off, sleeves pushed up to reveal forearms marked with faint scars from a childhood full of intravenous lines and medications. His presence was steady, grounded. Not friendly. Not soft. But sure.

As he handed out cups of steaming soup and warm bread, he spoke without sermonizing or shouting, just a simple reminder.

"No soul is too lost," he said, offering a sandwich to a young man whose hands shook from cold or hunger or something deeper. "Ascension waits for all who reach for it."

Most only nodded, or said nothing at all. That was enough. 

"If you think you have higher powers, we can help you find it."

"The veil calls to all. Who will answer?"

Quillon kept his face impassive, though a knot of old frustration twisted in his chest. Hope was a slow harvest. Hard to plant, harder to grow.

Today, he sowed what seeds he could.]]>
Even with the brisk winter air fighting to clear the streets, the area clung to the rot of old refuse and too many bodies packed too close together. Quillon Hawke adjusted the strap of his simple black jacket: thick canvas, built for work, with the Brotherhood of Ascension's emblem stitched modestly above the chest. His jeans were worn but clean, his boots sturdy enough for cracked sidewalks and mud-slick alleys. He looked out of place here, but not unwelcome. The Brotherhood's reputation reached even the forgotten corners of the city. If not respect, then at least tolerance.

Hollow-eyed figures watched from makeshift shelters: tents stitched from tarps and duct tape, blankets draped over shopping carts. Children peeked out and vanished again into the broken forest of rusted beams and concrete pillars. Somewhere in the distance, a dog barked. Always a dog, in places like this. 

Quillon shifted the heavy pack on his back, full of simple offerings: thermoses of hot soup, loaves of fresh bread, bundled socks, cheap but clean gloves. Enough for today. Not enough for tomorrow.

It never was.

He moved to a patch of cleared ground near an old, fire-scorched wall and set down a folding table, scratched and battered from use, then began unpacking. A few people drifted closer, drawn by the smell of real food. The scent of warm broth seemed almost unnatural here, in a place that smelled only of despair, body odor, and open sewage.

Quillon worked methodically, gloves off, sleeves pushed up to reveal forearms marked with faint scars from a childhood full of intravenous lines and medications. His presence was steady, grounded. Not friendly. Not soft. But sure.

As he handed out cups of steaming soup and warm bread, he spoke without sermonizing or shouting, just a simple reminder.

"No soul is too lost," he said, offering a sandwich to a young man whose hands shook from cold or hunger or something deeper. "Ascension waits for all who reach for it."

Most only nodded, or said nothing at all. That was enough. 

"If you think you have higher powers, we can help you find it."

"The veil calls to all. Who will answer?"

Quillon kept his face impassive, though a knot of old frustration twisted in his chest. Hope was a slow harvest. Hard to plant, harder to grow.

Today, he sowed what seeds he could.]]> https://thefirstage.org/forums/thread-1739.html Thu, 16 Jan 2025 19:45:16 +0000 Tatyana]]> https://thefirstage.org/forums/thread-1739.html
The more she looked at it, however, the more she didn’t want to sell it. Tatyana wanted to know what it was and why it was here. It had been the clinking sound that drew her to it. Someone had dropped it - or possibly thrown it. Why - she didn’t know. Still she looked around. No one was around or they were hiding. It didn’t matter. The coin was hers now. She put it in her stash with her pills. 

She had originally come here for solitude, but now that her high was wearing down she was more amiable to company. Not that she wanted to talk, but she didn’t want to freeze and the church housed refugees. She wasn’t one, but she doubted they would turn her away because of that.  She went back to the church, passing by the unconscious bodies of the men that had tried to steal her food. She thought about the fight. Tatyana was strong, but not so strong that she should have been able to kick one man across the entire alley. Today was a day for strange occurrences. 

Tatyana arrived back at the church and going to the area were the refugees stayed she found a place to sit alone. She then felt a tear begin to fall, a sign the numbness was going away.

Fuck! she thought. 

She was supposed to ration, but she figured one more wouldn’t hurt today. The high might even ease her into sleep later. She opened her stash and took out the coin and one pill, which she took with a sip of water from her canteen. It would take time for the high to take effect, but the knowledge it was coming kept the demons at bay. She held on to the coin and contemplated it.]]>
The more she looked at it, however, the more she didn’t want to sell it. Tatyana wanted to know what it was and why it was here. It had been the clinking sound that drew her to it. Someone had dropped it - or possibly thrown it. Why - she didn’t know. Still she looked around. No one was around or they were hiding. It didn’t matter. The coin was hers now. She put it in her stash with her pills. 

She had originally come here for solitude, but now that her high was wearing down she was more amiable to company. Not that she wanted to talk, but she didn’t want to freeze and the church housed refugees. She wasn’t one, but she doubted they would turn her away because of that.  She went back to the church, passing by the unconscious bodies of the men that had tried to steal her food. She thought about the fight. Tatyana was strong, but not so strong that she should have been able to kick one man across the entire alley. Today was a day for strange occurrences. 

Tatyana arrived back at the church and going to the area were the refugees stayed she found a place to sit alone. She then felt a tear begin to fall, a sign the numbness was going away.

Fuck! she thought. 

She was supposed to ration, but she figured one more wouldn’t hurt today. The high might even ease her into sleep later. She opened her stash and took out the coin and one pill, which she took with a sip of water from her canteen. It would take time for the high to take effect, but the knowledge it was coming kept the demons at bay. She held on to the coin and contemplated it.]]> https://thefirstage.org/forums/thread-1722.html Fri, 03 Jan 2025 14:21:29 +0000 Sasha]]> https://thefirstage.org/forums/thread-1722.html
Sasha was still reeling from the woman who had attacked him. The way his hand lit up with fire, and her clothes ignited under his touch. It was the power of the shard. The world was clear and bright but now as he sat in the corner of the safe haven clutching the grotesque glass in his hand breathing deeply the world faded to the ugliness that Sasha knew it to be.

His heart raced in his chest, beating like a drum keeping time in a parade marching to war. He felt tired and broken. But Sasha closed his eyes and focused on his breathe and his heart trying to slow it to a normal pace, the shard in his hand clutched to his chest muttering softly to himself. "I'm okay. I'm okay."

1 minute. 10 minutes. An hour later, Sasha's body came to rest. His pulse returned to normal and he was chilled from the sweat covering his body. The cold tile of the floor and the stone walls did not offer any heat. Sasha went in search of something to warm himself by -- a fire that would burn into his soul. Something to warm him and calm the rest of his anxieties. He was feeling better, but he desired the heat and burn of the fire.]]>
Sasha was still reeling from the woman who had attacked him. The way his hand lit up with fire, and her clothes ignited under his touch. It was the power of the shard. The world was clear and bright but now as he sat in the corner of the safe haven clutching the grotesque glass in his hand breathing deeply the world faded to the ugliness that Sasha knew it to be.

His heart raced in his chest, beating like a drum keeping time in a parade marching to war. He felt tired and broken. But Sasha closed his eyes and focused on his breathe and his heart trying to slow it to a normal pace, the shard in his hand clutched to his chest muttering softly to himself. "I'm okay. I'm okay."

1 minute. 10 minutes. An hour later, Sasha's body came to rest. His pulse returned to normal and he was chilled from the sweat covering his body. The cold tile of the floor and the stone walls did not offer any heat. Sasha went in search of something to warm himself by -- a fire that would burn into his soul. Something to warm him and calm the rest of his anxieties. He was feeling better, but he desired the heat and burn of the fire.]]> https://thefirstage.org/forums/thread-1631.html Fri, 09 Aug 2024 20:25:36 +0000 Sterling]]> https://thefirstage.org/forums/thread-1631.html
She could sneak off to the club and learn, but she had to maintain classes online and keep up her grades.  Turnes out that was the easy part.  Channeling wasn't.  It was hard.  And Juls didn't know much more than she did, but Sterling kept at it.  

While he was gone, she started looking out for the twins that Nox had brought to the club a couple of times.  They'd gotten her number from Nox's hacker friend and Sterling spent many days hanging out with them, doing school work.  They liked doing work.  I guess when you didn't go to school it might be.  Sterling hated it, but she helped them out.  

And they had so much freedom, Sterling enjoyed spending time with them at the church they currently called home. There were a bunch of people there. Sterling tried to ignore the smell.  It didn't bother the twins.

Today they were playing a rather rousing game of hide and seek in the Church.  Kenzie was it.  Morgan insisted she knew the best hiding places and dragged Sterling after her.  "Come on, she's gonna be done in a minute.  She always cheats." 

Sterling laughed.  "Says the girl who counts by twos."

Morgan blushed, but pulled Sterling down and into a hole which they both had to crawl through.  They still weren't hiding when Kenzie called out "Ready or not!  Here I come!]]>
She could sneak off to the club and learn, but she had to maintain classes online and keep up her grades.  Turnes out that was the easy part.  Channeling wasn't.  It was hard.  And Juls didn't know much more than she did, but Sterling kept at it.  

While he was gone, she started looking out for the twins that Nox had brought to the club a couple of times.  They'd gotten her number from Nox's hacker friend and Sterling spent many days hanging out with them, doing school work.  They liked doing work.  I guess when you didn't go to school it might be.  Sterling hated it, but she helped them out.  

And they had so much freedom, Sterling enjoyed spending time with them at the church they currently called home. There were a bunch of people there. Sterling tried to ignore the smell.  It didn't bother the twins.

Today they were playing a rather rousing game of hide and seek in the Church.  Kenzie was it.  Morgan insisted she knew the best hiding places and dragged Sterling after her.  "Come on, she's gonna be done in a minute.  She always cheats." 

Sterling laughed.  "Says the girl who counts by twos."

Morgan blushed, but pulled Sterling down and into a hole which they both had to crawl through.  They still weren't hiding when Kenzie called out "Ready or not!  Here I come!]]>