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Post by redemption on Jul 2, 2006 13:51:50 GMT -5
Summery: It is because of them that Rose is the way she is, for their scarifices and choices made her the person she is today... the stories of Rose's older sisters, C.J. and Tory, and how their fates changed her forever.
They Were All Meant to Live
Prologue
It was twilight, that time just after darkness and just before dawn, when the world is bathed in both light and shadows. For that brief moment in time, New York City was as silent as it would ever be, the silence broken only by the occasional roar of a car or the cries of teenagers up and about.
In the gentle darkness, a young girl moved silently through the city into the cemetery, darting among the shadows with a born confidence. Close to her chest she clutched a single picture in a light pink frame.
The path she followed was crushed grass, and she knew it like the back of her hand after having walked it to many times over the past two years. She moved silently up the gently sloping hill, pausing beneath the large branches of a regal oak tree. Between the thick green leaves, stars twinkled and winked in the purple-pink sky.
Gently, the girl knelt on her knees in front of the tombstone that rose from the ground beneath the old oak. She laid the picture back against the worn stone, pausing only briefly to wipe at her eyes. Although it had been two years since the death, the tears still rose into her eyes anyway, but the feelings of pain and loss were faint, just like hearing a clock tower chime in the distance, echoing softly before fading away. A winged angel had been etched above the name of the person who rested here.
Victoria Eve Hunter 1985-2004 R.I.P
Nothing else was said, but then again, Tory had never wanted much to be said about her, the girl mused. That had just been her way. She had always said actions spoke louder then any words ever would. After a moment, the girl began speaking.
“Hey, Tory. It’s me again. You’re probably sitting up there in the clouds and wondering what the hell’s wrong this time, huh?” The girl chuckled softly.
“It’s been a year since C.J. disappeared. If you were still here, you would have been able to find her; you were always real good at tracking. She disappeared one year after you died, you know that? The very same day. I never could figure out if it meant anything…”
“Huntsman stopped looking for her after two weeks, but I went out by myself for a long time and kept looking. You must have been looking out for me, considering the kind of people I ran into when I was looking for her.”
For a moment the girl sat in contemplative silence; finally, she sighed.
“I know I’ve probably said this a million times, but I miss you. You, and C.J. I wish you were still here, Tory. You’d know how to handle my problem. You seemed to know everything.”
“Not everything, Rosebud.”
Just imagining her sister’s calm, amused response made the girl smile. ‘Rosebud’ had been Tory’s nickname for her—‘baby sister’ had been C.J.’s.
The girl rocked back on her heels, noting that the sun was just beginning to peek over the horizon, spilling gentle silver-gold rays across the city. Despite this, she made no move to rise. She closed her eyes, feeling the morning breeze tug gently at loose strands of hair.
And she remembered.
End prologue
Um, yeah. This story is also posted on FF.net, if anyone ever wants to go check it out over there. This is the only story I trusted to post here, as it lacks my usual blood/murder/general mayhem that tends to come up in my other AD: JL stories.
Thicker Than Water: Might as well consider this discontinued. I'm very sorry, but I lost track of this early on. Ack.
So... yeah. All comments and constructive critisim is welcomed! Flames shall be thrown at the Huntsboys!
Huntsboys: Why US?!
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Iron Hand
Student
Get money.. by any means necessary..
Posts: 18
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Post by Iron Hand on Jul 2, 2006 14:27:08 GMT -5
XD, great opening, very detailed, just like an officialy author. I got a little confused at the end though. Was C.J. Talking to.. (Who I think is Rose)? Help clarify lol. Very good DF, you still got it -Iron C. Hand
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Post by redemption on Jul 2, 2006 14:37:26 GMT -5
Ack. I forgot to put that part in italics. And it was Tory; 'Rosebud' is Tory's nickname for her.
Just wanted to clear that up, and now I have to go modify my post and fix that....
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Post by Atecom on Jul 2, 2006 18:53:34 GMT -5
Nice emotional opening
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Post by redemption on Jul 2, 2006 21:36:40 GMT -5
Tory’s Sacrifice: Chapter 1
“Where is she?”
C.J. chuckled, leaning back comfortably against the fallen tree. “Give her time, Tory. She’s only eleven years old. It takes awhile.” “Tracking unicorns? I could track unicorns when I was five!” “You’re just worried baby sister has wandered off somewhere and is currently lying injured in some ditch, dying. You don’t give her enough credit.” “Sue me.” Tory rolled her shoulders uneasily, blowing loose strands of chestnut brown hair out of her eyes before pulling her mask back on. “Her Huntsclan training was supposed to start when she was thirteen.” “She’s only two years early, Tory.”
C.J. only smiled lazily at Tory’s glare. Her hair was blonde instead of brown, her eyes chocolate brown instead of brilliant blue like her sister’s, but their faces, mouths, and eyes were built the same. Deciding it was a crime to be standing when the sun’s rays were so warm, C.J. sank down to sit, leaning against the fallen tree. “You worry too much, Tory.” “For someone who only started training two years ago, you’re pretty confident.” “The word’s relaxed, Tory.”
Tory simply rolled her eyes, before leaping lightly over the tree to keep watch for Rose. C.J. smirked, shaking her head.
Gotta have more faith in baby sister, Tory.
“Get down! Get down!”
C.J. jerked at her younger sister’s excited cry, struggling to her feet as Tory turned towards the hilltop. “What?”
At that moment, eleven-year-old Rose came racing over the hill, mask clenched in one hand and laughing. At her heels was a herd of unicorns.
“Oh my…” C.J.’s eyes widened. “Get down!” “You heard Rosebud!”
C.J. and Tory scrambled over the tree, huddling against it as Rose jumped, diving between them. Instinctively, Tory draped an arm across her younger sister’s chest, keeping her backed against a tree.
And then the unicorns jumped.
Rose was laughing again, her eyes alight with joy even though the sight of millions of hooves flying over their heads made Tory’s heart pound rapid fire. A yelp burst from C.J. when a hoof grazed the back of her head, and then slowly, the thundering pound of hooves faded away as the unicorns galloped across the meadow.
For a long moment, the three sisters sat in stunned silence. Tory pulled her arm away from Rose, taking deep breathes. C.J. massaged the back of her head. Rose grinned.
“Never try to milk a unicorn.”
C.J. and Tory just stared at their younger sister; then C.J. tackled her. Rose shrieked, and the two sisters rolled over the ground, trying to pin each other. Tory shook her head wearily.
With a thud, C.J. finally succeeded in pinning Rose beneath her; slowly, she grinned, then slid her fingers down to her younger sister’s ribcage. Rose’s eyes widened.
“Oh… oh, come on! No! C.J., don’t! Come on! No, no!”
The rest of Rose’s protest was cut off as she shrieked with laughter, C.J.’s fingers attacking her ribs with expertise that had been honed over the years. It occurred, briefly to Tory, that she should probably just let C.J. get this out of her system. On the other hand, however….
Tory’s fingers closed around C.J.’s uniform collar, pulling the fifteen-year-old off Rose, who was on her feet like a shot, and lunging for her older sister before Tory caught them both in a headlock.
“Can’t you two behave for five minutes?” “It’s okay Tory,” Rose assured her, before aiming a glare at C.J. “She won’t treat me like that after today.” “Oh yeah! Your first solo mission!” C.J. said with a laugh. “Hey, it doesn’t matter what the Huntsman thinks, you’ll always be our baby sister.” “I will not!” “Baby sister.”
The two made a lunge for each other again. Tory’s eyes narrowed before she slammed their heads together with a satisfying thud.
“Ow!” “Hey!”
Tory made no move to release her sisters. “Quit it, you two,” she scolded. “Rosebud, we still have to get those phoenix feathers Uncle wants, so don’t even think of your solo mission until we do that. But you’ll both have to get along. You think you can handle that?” Rose grumbled. “Got it, Tory.” “C.J.?” “Yeah, yeah. I got it.”
Because C.J. was already straining against Tory’s grip, when the older girl lifted her arm, the fifteen-year-old promptly stumbled back and fell on her butt. Rose grinned as Tory released her, but the grin slowly faded as C.J. went to retrieve their Hunts-Staffs. With a sigh, she pulled her mask on. “I wish she wouldn’t do that.” “Do what?” “Call me baby sister. She knows I don’t like it.” “She’s only teasing, Rosebud. She means well.”
Rose slanted a long, slow look at Tory. The older girl laughed.
“I know, I know. It doesn’t seem like it. But she really does love you, Rosebud.” “Did you ever used to torture her?” “Are you kidding? I made her life living hell.” “Why’d you stop?”
Tory hesitated at Rose’s question, innocently asked. She sighed.
“Mom and Dad died.”
End chapter 1
Oh, I forgot to mention this. The story will be divided into two parts: Tory's Sacrifice and C.J.'s Choice. Part 1 will be Tory's Sacrifice.
So, yeah.... I was bored, and I already had this chapter posted on FF.net, so I decided what the heck and put it up here as well.
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Iron Hand
Student
Get money.. by any means necessary..
Posts: 18
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Post by Iron Hand on Jul 4, 2006 0:58:11 GMT -5
Woooooooooooooow lol, that was actually really...cute XD. It was fun to read haha. Man, that was actually funny, in a subtle kinda way. Excellent writing (Typical response) Update soon XD -Iron C. Hand
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Post by ADJLFanatic on Jul 4, 2006 1:52:40 GMT -5
You know, I'm surprised you never posted the second chapter on here. I've read it on FFnet. >_> OH. And I'm still keeping an eye on "The Heart of Stone". Ya just gotta love the second sequel. XD
Anyway, I am enjoying your writing... I always am. But anyway. I hope to see more... and I do agree with Kel. It was actually really cute. Like, zomgosh. XP
*follows Kel's typical response* Update soon. :fup:
♥ -- Raffi (or ADJLFanatic, lol)
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Post by redemption on Jul 4, 2006 9:58:07 GMT -5
Tory’s Sacrifice: Chapter 2
“I can’t believe the stupid thing bit me.” “I told you not to touch it, Rosebud.”
Rose grumbled under her breath, hissing softly as Tory applied antiseptic to the cut where the phoenix had pecked her. C.J. lay sprawled on the worn sofa, one arm draped across her eyes. The three sisters were back in their apartment, with a bag full of phoenix feathers. Gently, Tory pressed the old rag against the cut to stem the mild bleeding. C.J. stretched leisurely, like a cat.
“Jeez, baby sister. All you had to do was get some old feathers from the nest. You never even had to touch the bird,” she murmured, lifting her arm to survey her younger sister with amused chocolate brown eyes. Rose glared.
“I just wanted to know what it felt like,” she muttered, wincing. “You’re too curious, Rosebud. There are some things you shouldn’t try to find out. Hold the rag to the cut, and no whining.” Tory jabbed her sister’s stomach with a finger until she obeyed. “And C.J., you did your homework?” “Yes, Mommy.”
Tory winced, but C.J. didn’t notice as she swung her legs off the sofa. “I guess you want me to double check it and all?” the fifteen-year-old asked. “Just make sure you got it all done.” “Tory, my finger’s still bleeding.”
Tory carefully unwrapped the rag from Rose’s finger, studying the cut. It looked ugly, but it had been pretty shallow. “You’ll live, Rosebud. A little bleeding never hurt anyone.” “It still stings.” “Does it now?” With a laugh, Tory gently touched her lips to the wound. “That comes with the treatment, Rosebud. Now get your homework done, or no solo mission.”
Rose ran for her room. She would never admit it—she was eleven, after all—but she still kind of liked how Tory kissed her where it hurt.
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“You won’t be able to baby her forever, you know,” C.J. murmured as Rose ran down the hall. “Yeah. I know.” Tory retrieved the antiseptic, put it back in the medicine cabinet, and threw out the rag.
C.J. watched her older sister silently. Tory hadn’t changed out of her Huntsclan uniform; none of them had, actually, just removing their masks. Her long, chestnut brown hair fell easily down her back, but her eyes—the same brilliant blue as Rose’s—were shadowed. Pushing a loose strand of blonde hair out of her eyes (Blonde like Rose, she thought fleetingly), C.J. sighed.
“Is there anything I can do?” “No. It’s okay, C.J.” “You miss them. Mom and Dad.”
Tory stopped moving at that, sighing. “Yeah. I do.” She glanced at her sister, blue eyes meeting brown. “I was twelve when they died, C.J.” “And I was eight, and Rose was four.” “I know.”
The weariness in Tory’s voice all but murdered the reply C.J. had prepared. For the first time, it really seemed to hit the fifteen-year-old.
Tory was nineteen, and should have been in collage with friends and maybe a few boyfriends. Instead, she was playing mother, father, sister, and mentor to her two younger sisters. Acting on impulse, C.J. gave her a tight hug. “Thanks,” she whispered, before running down the hall to her own room.
Tory watched her sister go, then sighed.
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“Tory?”
The older girl stirred from where she dozed on the sofa; she had curled up on the sofa and fallen asleep instantly, if only to re-juice her system until Rose was sent off on her solo mission. She yawned, rubbing her eyes as her youngest sister hovered timidly in the doorway leading from the hall into the living room. “Did I wake you up?” “It’s okay, Rosebud.” Tory smiled tiredly as Rose walked forward and sat down next to her. “What’s up?”
The eleven-year-old hesitated; now that she thought about it, it seemed kind of stupid. But then again, it never mattered how stupid anything she thought was, Tory always listened. That had never changed. “It’s about my solo mission,” she admitted. “I guess… I’m kind of scared.” Rose took a deep breath. “I mean, I won’t have you or C.J. there if something goes wrong.” “Nothing’s going to go wrong, Rosebud.”
The eleven-year-old looked so nervous that Tory gently drew her onto her lap, like when she had been small; Rose instinctively curled against her. “How do you know?” she murmured, lifting her face so her eyes met her sister’s. “Can you promise, Tory? You promise nothing will go wrong?” Tory smiled. “I promise.”
End chapter 2
You have asked, and I have delivered! ;D
ADJLFanatic: Yeah, I got your review for Heart of Stone. XD Funny-ness. You were up until 1:45? I admire you.
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Post by superdoglac on Jul 4, 2006 11:56:19 GMT -5
Good chapter! Can't wait for the next!
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Post by ADJLFanatic on Jul 4, 2006 13:40:05 GMT -5
Same here, lol. I might review this on FFnet later. XP
And 1:45? I could stay up longer. Like that one time I was on until six in the morning. XD And last night (erh earlier in the morning), I couldn't sleep. So I slept at like five. And I got up an hour ago. Yaaay. @_@
Anywaaaay...XD I like that. Who knows? I might even sneak a review in FFnet. >_>
♥ -- ADJLFanatic
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Post by redemption on Jul 5, 2006 20:06:30 GMT -5
Tory’s Sacrifice: Chapter 3
Rose’s heart pounded as Huntsman handed her the Hunts-Staff. She turned, flashing a quick, nervous smile at C.J. and Tory. C.J. grinned, giving her a thumbs-up sign. Tory just smiled reassuringly. Rose’s hands trembled only slightly as she pulled her mask on.
This was it. Her first solo mission.
She was to patrol the woods, not to far away from New York City. It was a simple mission, one that any apprentice with half a brain could take, but Rose didn’t care. It was her first solo mission. She just had to scout ahead, noting whatever wild magical creatures she saw, and report to the Huntsman afterwards.
Very simple.
The Huntsman paused to touch her shoulder; Rose hesitated, looking up at him.
“Be careful.”
Rose nodded, before glancing over her shoulder at Tory and C.J. The pride in their eyes made her heart do a lovely bounding leap; the worry in their eyes made her heart constrict painfully.
A double-edged sword, she mused. She was taking her first solo mission, something she’d been training for since she joined the Huntsclan; and yet this first solo mission was also her first break from her sisters, her first chance to go without them. It was saddening, in a way.
She raised her brows slightly, since her face was covered by the mask and they could only see her eyes, and wiggled her fingers towards them in a small wave. Tory smiled, and C.J. laughed, returning the gesture. Tory gave a small nod.
Satisfied, Rose bounded down the rocks, leaping to the soft grass below and running into the forest. Tory and C.J. rose, walking forward so that each stood on either side of the Huntsman. The breeze blew by gently, tugging playfully at both Tory’s loose hair and C.J.’s long blonde braid. After a moment, Tory glanced at her uncle.
“We want to make sure she doesn’t get hurt.”
Her uncle glanced at her silently; after a moment, he dipped his head in silent acceptance. Tory’s grip on her Hunts-Staff tightened, and without another word she bounded down the rocks. C.J. hesitated, shifting her Staff from hand-to-hand, before following her sister.
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Rose darted easily through the shadows of the trees, barely making a sound. She was only a few minutes into her patrol, but already she had spotted a unicorn and her foal, a tribe of pixies, and a few fairies. The whole forest seemed to be alive with magical creatures, and she knew without a doubt that Huntsman would be pleased.
C.J. and Tory would be pleased, to.
Warmed by the thought, Rose sprang lightly onto a boulder and trotted along the thin, upward trail that led to the top of the cliffs. From there, she’d have a perfect view of the whole forest, and all the creatures that lived within it. It was the perfect place to catch her breath for a few minutes. She gripped an outcrop of rock with one hand and swung easily onto the top of the cliff.
And paused mid-step when she saw yet another magical creature.
This creature was unlike the others she had glimpsed before. It was huge, with the body of a scorpion and the head of a cobra. The creature had its back to her, its head bowed; just beyond it she saw a dead unicorn, and her stomach lurched when she realized that this creature must be feeding on the dead animal. Curiosity got the better of caution, and Rose took a tentative step forward, eyes narrow.
The creature—she recognized it as a krylock demon from one of Tory’s books—lifted its head from its prey, scenting the air. Its tail swept slowly through the air, and it turned from its prey, fixing cold yellow eyes on the young trainee in front of it. Dark blood dripped from its muzzle, and a snake-like tongue flicked out to scent the air.
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Tory and C.J. darted silently through the forest. They had been tracking Rose since her mission had begun, not intending to interfere, just wanting to make sure their youngest sister stayed safe. Tory paused for a moment, pulling off her mask to wipe sweat off her forehead. C.J. paused next to her.
“Maybe we should just let her do this on her own, Tory.” “We are. We’re just keeping an eye on her.”
C.J. looked doubtful, but said nothing as Tory pulled her mask back on. She rolled her shoulders to soothe tension and sighed. A part of her hated to admit it, but she didn’t like the idea of Rose being on her own as much as Tory did. And besides, what Rose didn’t know wouldn’t hurt her.
So why was this bothering her so much?
“Tory, I really think…”
And then they both heard Rose scream.
End chapter 3
Short, but it sets up what's going to happen next. Note the 'sacrifice' in the title 'Tory's Sacrifice'... (Hint, hint)
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Post by ADJLFanatic on Jul 5, 2006 20:57:54 GMT -5
SACRIFICE!! AH! XD Nice. I loved this chapter. But who said I didn't love any chapter? >_> Update soon!! It's like some cliffhanger thing you set up there, I dunnuuuu. OH NO. Something happened to Rose! =o OH. and I'll review this on FFnet too, I guess. ♥ -- ADJLFanatic
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Post by redemption on Jul 5, 2006 21:03:31 GMT -5
SACRIFICE!! AH! XD Nice. I loved this chapter. But who said I didn't love any chapter? >_> Update soon!! It's like some cliffhanger thing you set up there, I dunnuuuu. OH NO. Something happened to Rose! =o OH. and I'll review this on FFnet too, I guess. ♥ -- ADJLFanatic If you review this on FF.net, I will bow down and worship you. XD
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Iron Hand
Student
Get money.. by any means necessary..
Posts: 18
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Post by Iron Hand on Jul 6, 2006 16:35:55 GMT -5
XD wow.. this story started from cute to.. violent haha. Sorry I missed the last chapter. This is goin’ freakin’ awesome!! =D! Great plot as well, really goes with the ADJL one And wow, who knew the Huntsman could be so nice like that? Lol. Ack! Poor Rose! >_< Please be okay!! Kill that scorpion…freak…cobra…head.. Err.. XD. Anyway, I hope you update soon! Don’t leave me hangin’ on this cliff! I’ve only got one hand on it! Haha. -Iron C. Hand
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Post by charles finley. on Jul 6, 2006 17:20:53 GMT -5
Luv it so far! I remember reading this on FF.net...but I was to lazy to post a reply XD
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