Project Maho- the Beginning

[palla]

*Rookter...a hotbed of magic. Days dawned bright with the air thrumming with the feel of magic. Of course, ordinary humans couldn't sense that. All they saw was an ordinary city, with ordinary buildings housing ordinary businesses sending out their agents to recruit people to work for them. One of those businesses, Maho Psychiatric Services, was the most prominent. Their agents, M.P. Agents as they were nicknamed, were always seen about, preaching that their organization could help those with the "power" or the "curse" as it was called by some.*

*Some saw them as their "angels", others thought they were worse than religious orders. Others, like Cailean Moriartis, had other things to worry about than a stinky psycho ward.*

*As the sunlight of dawn shone through her window, she blinked and came eye-to-...snout? with a boa constrictor.*

"Bailey, no sleeping in the bed, you know that."

*Reaching a hand out, she "pet" the snake. Reaching out with her senses, she could hear the snake "purring". Her affinity for animals, particularly snakes, gave her that power, to tell what an animal was thinking/feeling.*

*Clambering out of bed over the coils of the snake, she sequentially fed the numerous other snakes, ranging from boas to cobras, then the room with the really poisonous snakes that she kept as her personal collection.*

*Walking out to the mailbox, she saw that the only letter was from the same people that had been trying to contact her for the past month.*

*Miss Moriartis,

We have become aware of your talents, talents which make you a unique individual. This time must be very trying for you and as such, we would like to offer our services to you. After all, our organization has helped several others to get past their problems that their powers created to lead successful lives.

Our agents have been attempting to contact you for sometime. If our director does not receive a call from you within the next seven days, we will be sending some of our agents to meet with you in your own home.

Sincerely,
Jackson Ortiz, Senior Adviser*

"These people," Cailean muttered, crumbling the letter and throwing it into the trash recepticle. "They never give up."

*Trotting back up to the house with the sign over its front door emblazoned with Charmers Inc., she missed the van rolling slowly past, driver and passenger watching.*

[Tassatul]

((Im adding some last minute details to my character. Namely, the fact that hes homeless. Should be no big problem))

*Adam crouched low in the dark alleyway, avoiding the policemen*

One of these days Im gonna get caught. Untill then, though. . .

*Adam smilied in spite of his predicament. Many times hes had to avoid police for his "inappropriate" acts. Like getting food. Somewhere along the line, the local police in Rookter decided that a homeless person like himself needed vigourous exercise whenever he got some food. So they chased him*

*Obviously, he hadn't been caught yet. His imagination and occasionally an odd 'sixth sence' had allowed him to escape so far*

**CRUNCH**

*Adam shuffled around behind the large dumpster he was hinding behind, trying to remain invisible*

"Come on out, sonny. We don't want to hurt you, we can get you help"

Help, right. Like you did to Steve. Im sure he really appreciated that help.

*Adam sat back on his haunches, ready. The officer walked around the side of the dumpster, inspecting the area. Kneeling down, the officer looked behind the dumpster, where Adam sat*

*Or had been sitting. Powering forward with his legs, Adam shot out of the alleyway into the street. He didnt get very far. A second officer grabbed him from behind in a bear hug. Kicking and flailing did no good. Adam was trapped. The first policeman walked out from the alley with triumphant look on his face. Just then, an unfamiliar voice said:

"Excuse us officers. We'll take it from here"

[BugHunter]

*Another day, another job... But today was of more significance than others because today Tanyu has just captured his fifth bounty all by himself. And this is also his second capture of a magic user, which in turn is also his second job from the Maho organization. He's now at the Maho HQ to drop off his prisoner and pick up his pay. His prisoner has a Halo on him so he can't really do anything. The reason they gave Tanyu for the bounty on his head was for conspiracy against their organization. Apparently their suspicions were correct since Tanyu caught him while in the process of stealing items from a Maho lab*

Tanyu: (to some guy in a stiff suit and sunglasses) "Alright, here's the guy you wanted and I've brought the stuff he was trying to steal back. Now where's my 20,000 Woolong?"

Agent: (speaking in a really loose, deep yet calm voice) "Yes...your efforts are greatly appreciated...but because of the damages you made to one of our...facilities... in the process of capturing your bounty... we're only going to be able to give you half"

*While trying to capture his culprit in the Maho lab, Tanyu got carried away and used explosive shells in his rifle and kinda destroyed a good portion of the Maho lab he was meant to protect*

Tanyu: "But it wasn't easy! The guy was shooting lightning bolts from his hands! By the way, you wouldn't know how thats possible would you? I looked to see if he had some sort of weapon attached to his arms but found nothing. It was almost as weird as the guy who could control fire that i captured last time"

Agent: "That information is classified... Now its either half, or none at all" (holds up a briefcase to Tanyu)

Tanyu: (relunctantly accepting half his promised pay) "Aw fine..."

Agent: "We will notify you if your services are further needed..."

*Tanyu leaves the building, leaving the guy he captured and the other stuff for that Agent guy to do whatever with. For a moment he kinda wondered what they did in that place and what they were doing with the people he and his collueges captured for them and why everthing was all classified. He also kinda found it strange that he and the others were to deliver their captures directly to this building instead of to the police department as was the normal procedure for the capture of bounty heads. But when he got to his (bullet proof) car he shrugged it off and thought, what the hell, business is business and got in*

Tanyu: "sigh... 10,000 Woolong... ... At least they wont be getting back this laser rifle, hahahahahaha" (drives away laughing)

*An experimental laser rifle was among the items that his bounty was trying to steal. And as you can see, he's decided to keep it* ;D

[Cobra5]

It was a normal bar. Sports on the TV, but the main focus was all the alchol being sloshed about. People tried to buy other people drinks in vain attempts to hook up, people drank to forget everything that's happened to them, people drank because they were addicted, or maybe cause they had nothing better to do.

"Don't you think you've had enough?" Asked the bartender.

"N...no... why?" Answered a man who stuck out like a sore thumb. He wore a very bright BLUE trenchcoat- if you could call it that. He had a western hat, too, just like an old time cowboy.

Bartender:"Cause... you been drinking a whole lot... and of the most expensive drink."

Odd man:"Well, I was thristy... you know..." *hic*

Bartender:"Yeah, but those are expensive. That's good stuff your drinking... I just hope you got enough to pay for it." Then he quickly added, "Not that you look poor or anything, I'm just saying, that's all."

"Well... sorry... but..."
*A meischieveous, evil grin came across his face.*
"Well, to tell the truth, I don't got enough to pay for it."

*The bartender didn't really know what to say...*
"I got a lot a bills to pay... and my job ain't so good... and I NEED my drinks... you know how it is..."

Bartender: "Yeah... well..."

Odd man: "But don't worry. I'm sure I'll find a way to get some money before the night is over. I'm sure someone will... lend me some..."

Bartender: "You better find a way. I don't wanna have to go through the whole hassle of getting money from you if you don't got it."The bartender finally realizes what the man just said

...

"Wait... you don't mean..."

*The odd man slowly draws his gun. The bartender jumps back.*
"...Well... yeah, I do..."
*He shoves it right to the throught of the guy sitting next to him who, acting very calm under a situation like this, does nothing more then finish his drink, and put the glass down...*
"...Cough up some cash, pal..."

[Tassatul]

*Adam looks around, surprized*

Whose on my case now. . . What? Maho?

*Sure enough, a black van with a small Maho insignia is parked next to the police vehicle. A couple guys in suits and shades are now standing next to the officers*

Officer1: "What do you mean, you'll take it from here?"

"Just as I said officer. We're going to be taking young Adam off of your hands." says one of the Agents.

Officer2: "The heck you are! We-"

*The Agent pulls a sheet of paper from his jacket and shoves it into the policeman's face. His eyes dart across the page quickley, then he looks up*

"Well, I guess, we'll just be, uh, on our way. . ."

*The policeman releases Adam and walks to his crusier with his partner and they drive off. The agents look back at Adam who is very confused at this point. He doesn't even think to run*

"Wha. . . whats going on?" askes Adam.

"Just come with us. You'll find out soon enough"

*The agent says this with a smile, then readjusts his shades. Adam looks directly at his eyes. They are an odd color. Where is normally white, its solid blue, as is the colored part of his eyes. Very odd, mostly becasue Adam's eyes are the very same color*

[palla]

((I'm so sorry for not posting in a while. Obviously school started, so I haven;t had much opportunity to get on the Internet. ))

*TAnswering phones for a few hours and checking up on your reptiles can become tedious after a while, especially if you have been in the business as long as Cailean. Lying around the house, she decided that she'd had enough of hiding in the house from the Maho people. The latest letter did not frighten her; she didn't believe that they would actually attempt to meet her against her will.*

*Dressing in her (fake) snake skin clothing that marked her as Charmers owner, Cailiean went through the garage and wheeled out her Yamaha motorcycle.*

*Soon, she was speeding out of the residential area she had made her home. The main part of the city, five to ten minutes away from her home on the outskirts of Rookter, was a bustling place. Careful to stay as far from the Maho headquarters as possible, Cailean entered several stores, shopping with the eye, and wallet, of her gender.*

Loudspeaker

"Could Cailiean Moriartis please report to the Customer Service Desk? Cailean Moriartis...

"What on Earth? I didn't do anything," Cailean murmured under her breath, stalking over to the escalator and riding it down to the first floor of the department store. Bored, and irritated, she was casualling looking around when her eyes landed on the Customer Service area.

"Oh no..."

[Cobra5]

*He shoves it right to the throught of the guy sitting next to him who, acting very calm under a situation like this, does nothing more then finish his drink, and put the glass down...*
"...Cough up some cash, pal..."

*After the man puts hi glass down, he says clamly*
Calm guy:"I don't have any money..."

*This angers the odd man in the BLUE trenchcoat. He pushes his gun even harder in to the throught of the guy.*
Odd man:"Don't give me that! Now cough it up!! I'll do it, I will!"

Calm guy:"I'm SO scared..."
*says the calm guy, in a sarcastic tone. Then he signles to the cowering bartender for another drink.*

Odd man:"Y...You punk!!"

*The calm guy turns his eyes to look at the guy in the BLUE trenchcoat. He dosn't move his head.*
Calm guy:"I already know it's not loaded..."

Odd man:"You Bastard!! Your really asking for it!!"
*He raises his hand and swimg to hit the guy in the head! The guy calmly moves his head slightly to the right, and takes a hit in the shoulder, without flinching. A few seconds pass, and the attacker grabs his hand in pain.*

Odd man:"Ow! Ow... that... really hurt! What the hell!?"

Calm guy:"I made you hit my shoulder bone. You may've well as been hitting a rock...

...Forget the coke..."

*And with that, he gets up and walks towards the door. A few bucks are on the counter for the coke.*

*The odd man, in a BLUE trenchcoat, still rubbing his hand in mild pain... asks one last thing of the first man to ever beat him. Of all the people who have tried, this calm guy was the first one to not give in, to actually fight back, if you could call it that.*
Odd man:"W... Who are you!?"

*The calm guy turns his head and with a grin, he says*
Calm guy:"Will..."
*He turns back towards the door*

"...The Cobra"
*he says, just before he walks out. The rest of the bar watches in stunned silence.*

[hyper4pyropixie]

*CLICK* Sakura gently shut the door to her apartment behind her and sighed.
That Micro-Biology exam had been murder!!!! She was an expert at actually performing different tasks of a surgeon. She had been the best Emt back home, but actually remebering the sciencific name were the killer. College was harder then she thought.

She grabbed the mail and begin to sort thought it. One letter caught her eye. Where had she seen that name before!!
Oh yeah!!! It was patient that she took to the Hospital on one of her EMT duty crew night. He was nice guy, who had a nasty cut on his arm. She had healed it the best she could without looking surpious and dress the wound before they reached the hospital. One thing she could not figure out is what could have caused such a wound, and why there were so many guards around the place!!

Dear Saruka Rhodora,
Thank you so much for bringing me to Hospital. I can't say how greatfull i am!!
I also know that you are the taget for much biased amost the community. I feel this unjust, i would like to you as you helped me! There is this organization has helped several others to get past their problems that their powers created to lead successful lives. I figure they can help you. I already had a chat with one of their agents about you. They contacting you soon.

Just then the phone rang.....

[palla]

*Two men stood at the desk, one talking to the employee while the other was surveying the crowd. There was an unmistakeble air of authority about them, even from a distance. Cailean could tell they were trouble, and there was only one place they could be from.*

*As she touched down on the floor, not twenty yards from them, she inched over, trying to get onto the UP escalator and away from these nuts. Just then, the man surveying the crowd snapped his attention over to her. For a split second, she saw eyes that were blue, COMPLETELY blue.*

"Forget this shit," Cailean said to herself, turning about face and running. She dodged several old ladies, one of which shot her a dirty look and looked tempted to throw a shopping bag at the girl.

"Hoodlum..." the woman grumbled.

*Behind her, Cailean could hear the agents running as well. This more than anything else confirmed her suspicion that the Maho agents could not want anything good from her. The sound of pounding footsteps was getting closer and she could just see the exit.*

*Bursting into another section of the store through the 'exit', Cailean found herself swarmed with mothers and children, all school shopping. Without a glance back, she began using another of her "talents". As she dodged through the crowd and caught glimpses of herself in the scattered mirrors, she saw her hair slowly changing colors, her clothes changing into completely different articles. But, her eyes were hard to conceal. They always stood out, no matter what shade they were.*

*Looking around for a brief hiding spot, Cailean darted into a dressing room, her heart pounding and breath short. Luckily, the agents passed the room right by. However, they were not leaving. They were now looking more closely at the women around them. Cailean decided to attempt an escape. Creeping out the door, she bent low, trying to make for the door.*

[Tassatul]

((Haha! Nice Will, you fooled me ;D))

*One of the Agents opens the side door of the van, and Adam gets in. The other Agent gets in the driver's seat, starts the van, an begins driving towards the Maho headquaters*

*Adam looks around at the van's interior, curious. Inside are a few moniters, apparently showing scenes from outside. One is in normal color, while the next shows heat signatures. The last moniter is the most odd. Its mostly in black and white, except for certain instances where a person has a colored aura around them*

"First thing, Adam, is we have to find out what you know about Maho right now" starts the Agent.

Adam thinks for a moment, then responds: "Well, all the propaganda says you're an organization that helps Magic users cope with their problems. I thought magic was just a legend, though?"

Agent: "Hmmm. . . well, think back. Can you remember any time when something unexplainable happened? When something reall abnormal happened? This was probably an instance of magic"

"Actually, a few times. I always had this odd feeling when it was happening. A tingley sensation, and occasionally, flashes of color similar to" *Adam points at the third moniter* " on that screen."

*The agent's eyebrows raise in wonder for a moment, then quikley return to normal. Adam doesn't miss this*

"We should probably wait before discussing any more. I'd rather be in the security of Maho before revealing anything more" says the agent, and they sit quietly until the van arrives at Maho.

[Cobra5]

*A pack slung over his back, weapon packed snugly on his hip, the man walks down the road, whistling softly to himself. He dosn't really know where he's headed next. Or rather, he knows where he's going, but dosn't care why.*

*He passes a sign. 'ROOKTER- NEXT RIGHT'. Cars pass by him going this way and that as he walks down the highway.*

[palla]

*At just the wrong moment, the Maho agents turn. The taller of the two spot her and, signaling his cohort, starts making his way toward her.*

*Turning abruptly, Cailean bumps into a man who had evidentaly snuck up on her.*

"Sir," Cailean asked, a determined look in her eyes. "Sir, could you help me? You see, there are those men and they're after me. I kinda need a little, well, a lot of help. So, will you...please?"

[Cobra5]

*He looks at the girl a little confused.*

"What seems to be the problem?"
*Before the girl can answer, though, he pushes her into a rack of clothes. She gets knocked back like a rag doll and goes right through the clothes, falling down on the other side with a yelp.*

*The two agents catch up and are walking, scanning the area. Will rubs his shoulder in pain*

"Hey, hey are you two cops?" He says, signaling the agents. They were gonna tell him that they were busy at the moment but he didn't give them the time to reply.*
"Some girl just ran by and slammed in to me. I think she stole something... little bastard..."

*Now the agents decided to give this man a little more attention.*
"Which way did she go!?"
*Will stands there for a moment and blinks. These guys are pretty mean. Then he points towards one of the fire exits and says*
"Th... that way, I think..."
*But they're gone before he could finish his sentence.*

[palla]

*Rubbing her sides, which are sore and will probably bruise due to the fall she took ( ), Cailean crouches behind the clothing rack, waiting and trying not to breathe until the Agents are gone.*

*She listens as the man who hid her speaks with the Agents, and then as they walk away in completely the wrong direction. Slowly standing, she pushes the clothes away and steps out, looking her normal self.*

"Thank you," she says to the gentleman. "I don't know how I can thank you. Say, is there anything you need? A ride somewhere or something? I mean, I gotta do something to thank you for getting those guys to buzz off."

[Cobra5]

"Actually, yeah, uhh... there is something I could use..."
*Low, grumbling noise...*
"Think I could borrow a few bucks for some lunch? I'll pay ya back..."