Poster's Note - The following is taken from a log of live play on Oct. 12th and edited with permission of the muns. Thanks~!! ]

The rafters had become Its latest haunt and all Its hours had proved fruitful today. It saw them. Dakota and Jade. Prattling on about their wedding. It wasn't listening, up until the point that Dakota said he'd been married six times. It chuckled. "Funny.. so has she, henhenh.." It watched the one non-Ravenlock, and her current squeeze, the tip of Its pinky finger stuck between Its teeth.

If he hadn't noticed... She indeed liked to put things waaaaaaay off. She huffed and set her head to his chest, "I know I know. I'm horrible at this crap. I need to talk to Rhy ASAP." She frowned into his chest, but hearing the mumbling in the rafters - one jade hue found itself going Lain-bat-bound with a questioning look.

He blinked at the comment that came from.....overhead? He looked up and spoke with a not so subtle hint of aggravation in his tone. "Can I help you....? Wanna mind your own bus'ness....?"

"You cannot help me, Dakota.. and I don't want to mind my own business, after all.." gripping the rafter beam, It flipped over it like a gymnast and THUDded down into the floor. Stark white hair flopped in a mop over Its features, but It drew them back with a skinny hand. "The wedding of a Family member.. it's glorious, isn't it.."

Still not moving, but his gaze remains fixed on Lain, watching her do her cute little flips and land on the floor with a THUD. "Yeaaaaah....we're gettin' married in a couple months, Lain. You wantin' an invitation or somethin'....? I ain't sure what you're tryin' to get at."

Jade tilted her head towards Lain as she thudded downwards. She turned on the bartop to face her... and her new appearance, "Lainy? Is that you?" She crinkled her nose a bit at her tone, but smiled sweetly anyway.

He, too, was totally taken aback by the new appearance.....but he kept talking to her like everything was normal, trying not to act like he noticed there was something different.

Its head jerked to one side as Kota spoke, then the other at Jade. Like a weird animal; fitting, because of that sneer. "You're no fun.." sharp point at Kota, "you've gotten incredibly idiotic, and you.. Jaaade.." drawing out her name. " .. there is so much I want to say.. to you.." Laughing softly. "He tried, Jade.. he tried, but you turned him away.."

"Well, first off...you can kiss my a**...." He then quickly looked towards Jade with a quizzitive expression. "...the hell is she talkin' bout...?"

Ba-blink, "Wait.... what? Lain... What's the matter...? And.... Who are you talking about?" Her head tilted more as those jade widened. She scooted back a tad to have her back touch Dakota. At his words, she looked to him with a small confused look then her glance was back to New Lain.

Calmly, he climbed over the bar and sat down upon a stool, gently pressing Jade to sit down upon his thigh, wanting to hear what this.......WHATEVER she was.....had to say.

"Believe me, I shouldn't like to do that.. Alex, you haven't heard.." In Its head, Lain was screaming and fighting against the chains and It heckled at her futile attempts. She had already given in too much. Perhaps It would give her a treat. "Alex tried to reconcile, you prick, he.. TRIED," Its hands flew into the air and waved, curling into claws. "You, Jade, do not deserve.. anything.. that you have.."

The spurs on Its heels rattled as It took steps towards them, closing the distance. It wanted to skin one and make the other watch. It wanted to make one kill the other. Forget the fact that Lain grouped Jade with the non-Ravenlock party, she was fuming at her beneath the surface. "Will he protect you..?" sliiiiide of Its eyes to Dakota, a smile quirking.

"Alex? What happened to Alex?! Lain... Ya know we made up an' we were friends 'gain. What is the matter?!" She nearly lept from Dakota's lap hearing Lain's words, muscles twitching. But she curled back into Dakota as Lain... changed, "What... happened... to you?"

Lain's taunting was all he needed to slowly nudge Jade out of his lap and rise up from his seat. "I ain't got a clue what's happened to you, but you for damn sure ain't got no call to come in here and insult my fiancee like this. It's time you stepped the hell out of our face, and the hell outta here."

"He died," flat tone to Jade, ignoring Dakota for the second. But It was watching him. There was a vague recollection of a fight somewhere in Its head. The memory made Its hands ball into even tighter fists.

"He... he... he... died?" Her jade hues widened again, sorrow lining them. Her voice lowered into a whisper, "Why... didn't anyone tell me...?" She took a deep breath and looked Anti-Lain in the eyes, "We weren't on bad terms when he... passed. You... where ever you are, should know that, Lain. We all made up an' put the past behind us..."

For his part, he showed restraint and took a couple steps back, letting Jade and Lain, Anti Lain...whatever...get this cleared out. He was right there if needed.

"Don't fake sympathy with me, Jade. You're a bad liar, but it doesn't stop you. You would tell anything you loved it.." Its eyes were rolling between the two of them slowly, too slowly, like they were stuck and they didn't want to move. "You didn't answer my question. Will.. he.. protect.. you." It shot off like a bullet, a fist pulled back and already flying forward, right towards Jade's face.

"Get off me," It ordered, fingers curling into claws as It jerked Its head, with many pops of joints, away from Kota's prying fingers. Its left eye was bloodshot from his work, tears streaming even though It couldn't feel the pain. Lain, inside Its head, writhed in agony from it. Curled fingers were sent towards a few of the stab wounds to try and just make that pain a whole hell of a lot worse. And also, to try and get him off of It. It could take the easiest travel route.. but that would be no fun.

"You....you...damn-" Those being the only words he could spit out as she further attacked his already horrible wounds. He TRIED to go for her eye again, but Lain was clearly at the advantage here. This may have been the worst assault he's ever taken.

At the sight, she did not scream in shock... nor did she cry, her eyes only blazed in crimson fury. Fangs extented as she looked over Dakota then flashed over to Lain as a hand whipped out to snap at her hair... pulling her up towards her, "Get the <beep> up, ya stupid <censor>." As Dakota tried to attack Lain again, she gave a flick of her wrist and sent him, lightly, backwards. It was... play time.

"Why thank you, Dakota. That's one of the more colorful use of adjectives I've heard so far.." There was blood on Its face from Dakota's mouth, and It dribbled in a grotesque river to Its chin. The shadowy threads stuck within Dakota's body were wrenched out and they writhed, waiting to be used again. "You've clearly got that part covered, child." About the 'getting up'.. since Jade had already kind of pulled.

Dakota looked like something straight out of a 70s low budget horror flick. He laid there in agony, drenched in his own blood.

"Yer damn right I have, bizzch," She pulled harder, narrowing her eyes at the recoiling threads until she buried one of the blades at her wrists into Lain-Not's side, "Whatever you are, dun ever touch him again." The blade twisted slowly, even if it hurt her. It was Lain on the outside and Jade couldn't forget.

Its mouth opened and It took a breath, but instead of letting out a scream, It let out a laugh. A maniacal, extremely dramatic, over exaggerated monstrosity. It took a chance here, those recoiling shadows spinning back into Its own before spiraling out once more and shooting up for her arms to try and wrap around, strangle, even break bone if possible. Anything to reestablish Its freedom. "Do not.. tell me.. what to do.." If that wasn't enough, one fist was curled and sent towards the side of Jade's right knee.

Her knee went out, causing her to drop to her knees in shock and pain. She paid no mind to the pain in her arms, only looking eye level at Lain-not now. Her eyes blazed firey crimson as she narrowed them and dug her other blade into her middle, fighting against her shadows, "I'll tell you whatever the #$%^&* want. Ye should listen." And she spit clean into her face.

"No. You won't. Because you do not have that power, child. You never did, you never will. I don't listen to Family, don't'cha get that..?" Its voice began to change, shifting into a weak version of itself. Likewise, Its eyes grew a brighter, more crystalline blue, untouched by whatever shadow or darkness was drowning the rest of It. Brian got a glimpse of Lain within only because It knew It would scar him. It was showing Lain to Jade now because It wanted her to know she was doing this herself. Without influence. "You ain't my fricken mother, Jade.." It gasped at the second stab wound, a new trail of blood leaking from Its teeth to join the other made by Dakota. "I can touch whomever I want.." Once more to prove Its point, with a flick of Its few fingers, a ribbon if ink-dark shadow lifted from the ground and scooted towards Dakota, trying to just run over his now mangled body. Of course, this was at the same that Its other hand was shot out to try and hold Jade's head in place for the headbutt coming towards her forehead.

Her jade hues widened at the flicker of the cold, harsh, and real Lain, "..La...in?" But her gaze snapped to Dakota as she mangled him again, "Dako-" Her voice was crackled away with the headbutt, skull against skull. With the action, Jade pulled up against the blades - flinging Lain/thing/omg? upwards. With a kick from both feet, she pulled her off of her blades and sent her flying.

For his part, Dakota saw the shadow coming, and he was doing his best to soldier crawl on his elbows, leaving behind a trail of gore as he slooooowly pushed himself away. He heard the fight happening on the other side of the bar, but he couldn't see a thing. He was just trying to drag himself away from the shadow.

Now, since Lain was in the forefront, she let out a howl. It got Its freedom, that's all It wanted. It had a hell of a time righting Itself on this flight. It hit the bar and rolled off, landing in a crouch, and spitting blood. "Nngyahaha.. Lain, Lain.. your Family loooooves you.. Of course they do, child.. what Family does not gut its members.." Joints creaked as it forced Itself to Its feet, Lain locked safely away to the point that all the pain coursing through Its body was stopped.

"This is incredibly delicious.. I'm glad they're not on your list, Lain.." Cloudy eyes shifted from floor-bound Kota to Jade behind the bar. True, blood was also running down Its frame, but It wasn't paying it any mind

"I hope, like all your other reputations, you live up to this.. Brian was disappointing, although his emotional strife was delicious.." It had went down on the cold ground, but a well placed twist whipped It around.

"Yer damn," at that she was twisted around with IT, now on the bottom. On arm went up, blade recoiling in her wrist just enough to land and solid punch to IT's face, "right I'll live up to it!" Her knees, then her feet went upwards to try to kick her off from her.

The temptation to open Its mouth, catch her fist, and bite down was just beneath too great to control. Its head shook to the side, and It took the kick as assistance, pulling gracefully to Its feet. Fingers ran along the base of Its sleeveless shirt and tugged it up, examining both stab wounds with puzzlement. "Clean.." Just as quick, a leg lifts, high, and the heel rockets down towards her chest.

Hands came up to snatch at the foot. Small hands wrapped around at the ankle, not caring if she cut at the leg... actually prefering so, and tried to sling the leg and her sideways back onto the ground.

No one said that vampire strength was a joke. Dakota had had serious issues with Its body, but Jade seemed to be handling things just fine. It flew just as Jade wanted. Flew, but not landed. Instead, It came to hover above the ground, twisting around with too much grace for Its crude appearance. "You've had your differences with her, Lain.. Lain, now you can let them aaaaall out.." It directed some of the same force that was keeping It suspended towards Jade in an attempt to not only pick her up from the ground but slam her from one wall of the alley to the other like a ping pong ball.

As she tried to roll away and sit up... Little Jadey turned into a little Ping Pong bally. Up up and away, into a wall with a sickly thudd and a few good cracks. Yep, those were surely ribs. Oh? Again? Oh joy. As the slamming stopped, she slid to the ground, blood pouring from her mouth. An odd thing happened, she started to laugh... taunting "Oh... Poor Lainy. Getting back at someone who cared for her. Boo Hoo. Just because one little tiff. Boo hoo." She wiped the blood from her mouth quickly. "Get the #$%^ over it, Lain." With a groan she stood, not even holding or caring for her sides. It'd heal itself. She glared at her, "Yer jus' power drunk now. This thang is usin' ya ta get what IT wants. Not ya."

"Power drunk, child..? No.. no, these were all things she could do naturally. Except shish-kabobing the idiot, no.. that was me. I don't think we have ever been formally introduced, Jade. I'm surprised that your fake brother hasn't explained everything to you. She has told me about you, you know.." It lowered Itself to the ground, knees bending gently before they locked. "And I will say it's quite adorable that you think this is all about YOU." Point.

"Nae nae, I know it ain't all 'bout meh. I ain't that selfish," Her steps led her to start circling IT, "I imagined it'd be about my family. Iffin' somethin' 'long these lines happens ta meh... it's surely gunna happen ta us all." There was a small single sage nod, "Brian dun need ta tell meh these thin's. It's sure to show it's ugly head one day...." She trailed off... "Who are ya 'gain? See... I dun keep up with bullshit."

"Yes well, it's obvious then why your life is in such shambles," a thin hand gently waved across the air. "You aren't a part of that Family, Jade. You're like.. a tumor," spinning slowly as she circled It, "on collective the scrotal sack of retardation. Nummy."

"So it's been said before. Loved by some, hated by most. What's new," Her hand came up to make a jabbing mouth, "Keep spewin' yer shit, baby. I ain't listenin'." She took a step towards IT, though kept circling, "Now, ya didn't answer muh question. Who the hell are ya?"

"Shall I tell her, child..? Mm, no, you're right. She'll find out.. and even so, she's not listening." Flexing Its fingers, the joints cracking a dangerous amount. "It's only fair, you didn't answer mine either, right?" A wink given.

Dakota VERY slowly pushed the back door open, and closed it behind him without a sound. Nothing he tried on her had ANY effect on her, except.....cutting off her air supply. He was a fighter, and damned if he didn't know a plethora of submission and choke holds, including the ability to cut off a man's air in a matter of seconds. He stayed where he was for the moment, praying he had just one chance to make his move.

"Only because you broke my frikken' nose first," huff, "An' I'm here ta protect Dakota. Twisted ways of the immortal fallin' in love with the mortal, eh?" A sad smile curled and vanished as quickly as it came, "Ain't done a good 'nough job, have I?" Never mind her words, she started to snarl, "Now..... yer gunna pay." Her hand went up, only for a tendral to snake from her index finger and shoot out towards IT.... aiming to go right through her and anchor there.

A slow blink was made, the corners of Its mouth sliding upwards. The expression didn't reach the rest of Its face. "Hello.." Its tone suggested that It noticed something.. or found Jade's new ability interesting. Either or, It was intrigued. "It's like you serviced me and I have no money.." from twitching fingers erupted thin snakes of black shadow and they writhed to meet Jade's, to stop hers just before it reached Its skin.

THERE was his moment, and he didn't hesitate. Lain's full attention was on Jade, and in about a quarter of a second, he'd rushed her from behind, wrapped his left gun directly around her throat, and literally fell backwards, smashing his own back into the ground. His other arm was pushing her head forward, intensifying the pressure on her throat. The bicep in his left arm were making a full blown attempt to crush her throat, and he then wrapped his legs around her waist and they fell over to their side. It was a classic, old school MMA choke, and he had her locked in TIGHT.

"Ha ha," oh the rolling of the eyes, only for them to narrow as ITs own tendrils came out. But she sniffed and HE was there, "Oh, shit." In the next second he was on her back like a spider monkey... throwing her on the ground to choke her. The blaze in her eyes calmed a touch and they widened "Da...kota!?" Her next set of words came out without thought, "Don't hurt Lainy!" And she was left blinking and stunned after that.

A deep gasp was made, filling Its lungs, ever thankful for the serious conditioning Lain's body had gone through prior to. It swallowed, and felt Dakota's arm pressing harder and hard into Its throat. That was a good move, even if It knew he was there. It was no mind reader. It thought he was going to something else. Better. More painful. Lazily, It blinked and quirked a grin at Jade. Just as It put two fingers together, shimmied them awkwardly behind Its back and tried to dig into whatever the closest wound was. It could hold Its breath for a while. And a broken throat wasn't going to be that much of an issue. It could get that fixed.