Time, time, time, see what's become of me,

Post by **ddpej** » Mon Jul 14, 2003 2:38 am

<div style="text-align:center">Paradox 
Awakening from a long and deep sleep, Smoky Death yawned widely and stretched. Padding to the mouth of his cave, he blinked as he pondered the world before him. It was white. How despicable. What was it, the middle of winter? A sudden chill wind promptly answered him. An amused growl popped from him. If he was going to hibernate, couldn't he have slept until it was at least warm out? Shaking his head, he began to cautiously step out into the sunlight. Ice glittered where his paws cleared away the thick snow. The big cat's sharp claws poked out of his large paws enough to ensure he did not slip, but not far enough to clack loudly in the silence of the mountains. Not that it mattered--his stomach was plenty loud enough in its demand for food. His long nap had left the tiger quite amicable and not very inclined to go hunting, however hungry he was. So he merely glanced downward and shrugged, choosing to flop down at the lip of the cave rather than actually do something. Red eyes closed halfway as he relaxed in the sun's meager warmth. Bah, how he wished it was spring, when the sun actually shone! With a sigh, he lowered his head, gazing aimlessly out at the region below, uninclined to even move.</div>

<div style="text-align:center">~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ <a href="http://home.tir.com/~lyles/janetpage/me ...  <a href="http://home.tir.com/~lyles/janetpage/ca ...  <a href="http://home.tir.com/~lyles/janetpage/da ...  <a href="http://home.tir.com/~lyles/janetpage/sp ...  ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ ~Never pretend to be something you're not.~ ~There is intelligent life on Earth...but I'm just visiting.~<hr /><a href="http://pub33.ezboard.com/bforestphoenix">Arisen: Forest Phoenix</a> <a href="http://pub66.ezboard.com/bcastrpg">xCasting Shadowsx</a> <a href="http://pub40.ezboard.com/bcotw50265">Highland Reflections</a> <a href="http://pub4.ezboard.com/bsilvercross">Silver Cross</a> <a href="http://pub16.ezboard.com/bplayrpg">Solar Beam</a> <a href="http://pub161.ezboard.com/bspiritsofthewind">Spirits of the Wind</a> <a href="http://pub123.ezboard.com/bunicornsvisions">Unicorn's Visions</a></div>

Post by **Wiaab Siac** » Mon Jul 14, 2003 12:43 pm

OOC: lol, I know that song. If I may continue it... 
 
IC: 
As the still rather sleepy tiger slumped across the snow-covered ice, a silver-toned owl swooped silently overhead. Knowing black eyes watched him patiently, as they had watched him throughout his childhood. Not that the cub had ever known the bird. No, he'd only seen her from afar every now and then, and her wisdom had only been heard in slumber. The life he had led had permitted nothing else. The pale one had guided Paradox, as he had been named then, as best she could through dreams and whispers on the wind. She had kept his soul from the full evil pressed upon it by the one called Chæos, keeping the cub in the middle, on the neutral side. He had been too young then to become evil, but he hadn't been given a choice, had had had the decision forced upon him. Now she saw clearly the effects of her efforts, and knew it was time. 
 
Lord of the Mountains they called him, barely adult that he was. He was thought to be evil by nature. But inside, he wasn't. Underneath his mask, he made no choice, hanging in between good and evil. As a child, he had not been ready to make his choice. Such was true no longer. Just as she had saved for him this chance, now she had to offer it to him. It was a simple offer: light or dark, good or evil. The answering of the question would be much, much harder. Which side of himself would he cast away? In the tiger clans of lands far distant, cubs had to survive and succeed in a trial all their own. Here now was the shapeshifter's test. Angling herself downward, the small silver barn owl settled silently to the ground at Smoke's large paws. Completely unafraid and self-assured, she spoke out in a voice as silvery as her feathers, yet heavy with wisdom and experience. 
 
Greetings to you, Smoky Death, once named Paradox.

<div style="text-align:center"> <img src="http://home.tir.com/~lyles/janetpage/Im ... rmaybe.JPG" style="border:0;"/></div>

Post by **ddpej** » Mon Jul 14, 2003 4:20 pm

<div style="text-align:center">OOC: hehe. Nice post with Sum'ner, seeing how long it's been since you've played her. <img src=http://www.ezboard.com/images/emoticons/tongue.gif ALT=":p">  
 
Paradox 
A somehow familiar voice startled Smoke into looking up sharply, eyes open and alert. To his surprise, an owl reclined before him, a bird of the strangest silvery hue. Her dark eyes held no fear of him, though he was many times her size, and her very pose spoke of calm assurance. Though he was sure he had never met the stranger, she seemed quite familiar to him, and certainly appeared to know who he was. Suddenly, her words registered. Paradox? When had he ever been named Paradox? Surely he had been Smoky Death all his life. What on earth was she talking about? She must have been mistaken...but she was so sure! Shaking his head slowly, he looked at the owl with only a touch of uncertainty. 
 
Smoky Death I am, though I am not and surely never was known as Paradox. I greet you also. But who are you, and why do you call me by a name that is not mine? 
 
The tiger remembered nothing of his earlier years, for the sole reason that he did not want to remember. When he had left his childhood behind, he had at the same time pushed away all memories of the time. He denied his past and refused to acknowledge, even to himself, the truth of what he had gone through. Now, years past, nothing could bring them to the surface without a great struggle. So it was that the grey one did not recall a shining bird streaking past high above him, did not recognize the quiet, calm voice he had heard so often in his dreams. He only stared placidly at this strange creature, mildly confused and waiting for enlightenment.</div>

<div style="text-align:center">~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ <a href="http://home.tir.com/~lyles/janetpage/me ...  <a href="http://home.tir.com/~lyles/janetpage/ca ...  <a href="http://home.tir.com/~lyles/janetpage/da ...  <a href="http://home.tir.com/~lyles/janetpage/sp ...  ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ ~Never pretend to be something you're not.~ ~There is intelligent life on Earth...but I'm just visiting.~<hr /><a href="http://pub33.ezboard.com/bforestphoenix">Arisen: Forest Phoenix</a> <a href="http://pub66.ezboard.com/bcastrpg">xCasting Shadowsx</a> <a href="http://pub40.ezboard.com/bcotw50265">Highland Reflections</a> <a href="http://pub4.ezboard.com/bsilvercross">Silver Cross</a> <a href="http://pub16.ezboard.com/bplayrpg">Solar Beam</a> <a href="http://pub161.ezboard.com/bspiritsofthewind">Spirits of the Wind</a> <a href="http://pub123.ezboard.com/bunicornsvisions">Unicorn's Visions</a></div>

Post by **Wiaab Siac** » Mon Jul 14, 2003 11:38 pm

OOC: Hey, as I recall, you've been slacking off a lot lately yourself, lol. 
 
IC: 
The owl sighed softly to herself. This would have been a hard enough task had he remembered her, or anything of his past. Because he didn't, it was going to be an even more tedious process. She would have to drudge up all his buried memories and show him his past, though he would no doubt fight fiercely to keep it buried. He was relaxed and relatively unconcerned about her now. As soon as she spoke of what had been, however, that would change rapidly. Rearranging her wings upon her shining back, she shifted to a more comfortable position, shook her head slightly in regret, and began to speak of years past. 
 
Paradox you were, my son. That is your true name, the title you were given at birth. Smoky Death, that which you bear now, was a 'gift' to you given by the one you knew as Darkness. His true name is Chæos, the evil one. He would have had you as his servant, a mindless creature of evil. I, Sum'ner, chose to whisper to you in your dreams and on the wind, speaking of good. This kept you from becoming Chæos'. Rather than give in to him, you wavered in between dark and light. You defeated him, in a way, for however much he tortured, starved, and hurt you, you could never be his unless your spirit gave in. When it did not, after the long years he'd waited, he cast you away. Unsure of anything anymore, you wandered, making yourself forget. But you know, Paradox. You remember, deep inside. You must let the memories come back to you now. 
 
Her silver voice was unrelenting and matter-of-fact. Before the choice could be offered to him, he had to be aware of everything that had happened. he had to accept who he was and what he had gone through, or his answer would be void. Staring calmly into his blood-red eyes, she appeared calm, though she was ready to launch herself out of harm's way if necessary.

<div style="text-align:center"> <img src="http://home.tir.com/~lyles/janetpage/Im ... rmaybe.JPG" style="border:0;"/></div>

Post by **ddpej** » Wed Jul 16, 2003 5:59 pm

<div style="text-align:center">Paradox 
As the owl began to speak, Smoke's carefree, placid attitude vanished. Lurching to his feet, he glared at her, trying to frighten her into stopping her words. As she relentlessly continued to speak, he winced, backed up until he could go no further, and then cowered there. He tried to block his mind using the mantra that usually centered his strength into a shield over his mind. Unknown and unwanted, I am Death by Smoke. Unknown and unwanted, I am... But his mental chant failed him, the bird's clear words piercing his barrier before it was even erected. With a panicked snarl, he searched wide-eyed for an escape. There was only one--past the silver one. The tiger's courage fled. Unable to help himself, he shook fearfully against the rock wall. 
 
The words he could not block out were bringing back what he dreaded so much. His past, the memories he could not shake off, were Smoke's greatest weakness. They reduced the powerful feline to a quivering blob of fear, pain, and helplessness. If he let himself remember, he would go mad... It was no use; the owl's words were paving the way for buried history. A scream of anguish poured from his throat as he began to sob, desperately trying to resist the oncoming tide. 
 
No!! No, I cannot! Don't you get it? I can't!</div>

<div style="text-align:center">~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ <a href="http://home.tir.com/~lyles/janetpage/me ...  <a href="http://home.tir.com/~lyles/janetpage/ca ...  <a href="http://home.tir.com/~lyles/janetpage/da ...  <a href="http://home.tir.com/~lyles/janetpage/sp ...  ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ ~Never pretend to be something you're not.~ ~There is intelligent life on Earth...but I'm just visiting.~<hr /><a href="http://pub33.ezboard.com/bforestphoenix">Arisen: Forest Phoenix</a> <a href="http://pub66.ezboard.com/bcastrpg">xCasting Shadowsx</a> <a href="http://pub40.ezboard.com/bcotw50265">Highland Reflections</a> <a href="http://pub4.ezboard.com/bsilvercross">Silver Cross</a> <a href="http://pub16.ezboard.com/bplayrpg">Solar Beam</a> <a href="http://pub161.ezboard.com/bspiritsofthewind">Spirits of the Wind</a> <a href="http://pub123.ezboard.com/bunicornsvisions">Unicorn's Visions</a></div>

Post by **Wiaab Siac** » Thu Aug 07, 2003 5:05 am

Paradox's desperate cry pained the owl more than she dared let him know. She hated having to do this to him, for reasons he might never know or understand. But she had to, she had no other choice in the matter. Locking her gaze with his, she stared at him steadily. Her voice split through his sobbing like a knife, sharp and almost angry now. 
 
Be quiet and listen to me. The only barrier to your past is that which you have set up, and now refuse to break down. You must remember, Paradox. Your future depends on it. You cannot shut out your past without killing a part of yourself forever. Open your mind, my son. Be at peace and remember, and all will be well. 
 
The silver owl used all the powers she was permitted in an effort to persuade him, to ease his pain. If only he would give in! Her heart ached at his hurting, and it took nearly all of her willpower to continue to play her part. 
 
<hr> 
Edit:Hey, you forgot the title! And can you say short post? Slacker. lol. 
<hr>

<div style="text-align:center"> <img src="http://home.tir.com/~lyles/janetpage/Images/sumner.gif" style="border:0;"/></div>Edited by: <A HREF=http://pub123.ezboard.com/bunicornsvisi ... j>ddpej</A> at: 8/7/03 7:40

Post by **ddpej** » Sat Aug 09, 2003 2:47 am

<div style="text-align:center">Paradox 
The grey tiger would not have heard Sum'ner's words but for her angry tone. Startled by it, for he found himself recalling that she was a very patient and calm creature, he was able to quell his panic and truly listen to what she said. All will be well... Was he being a fool, fearing something that would not happen? And what was that about his future depending on it? Realizing that he would go mad if he didn't find out, whether or not he would go mad in the process, he sighed, blood-red eyes dimming just a bit. Centering his breathing, he drew into himself in preparation for the ordeal to come. His gaze locked with the owl's ebony one momentarily, and he swallowed nervously. He wasn't sure he could do this, but the clear message in her stare drove him on. Closing his eyes slowly, he gave in to the tide of memories he had held back for so long. 
 
There was a hard wall surrounding him, cramping him, holding him in. Out, he wanted out! A headbutt, two, and a hard kick. The wall cracked, he felt it. Another kick, pushing against it, bracing himself. Beneath his back it broke, seeping liquids and shedding shards. He couldn't get out--bigger, the hole had to be bigger. Thrashing, smashing, wild destruction. He was free! Free...and wet. So cold when a breeze came through! Shivers wracking his body, shaking out his wet fur. Warmth now, stealing over him. Soft, warm feathers covering him. Sleep. 
 
Meat, he could smell it. Where!? A blind lunge, a painful collision with a large, body. Something dropped before him--warm, fresh meat! Fur and skin surrounding it, tough to tear. A hard, sharp beak ripping it open, holding a small piece above him. Catching the tidbit, swallowing it whole. And another, and another, until the meat was gone. A wide yawn, and immediate sleep. More meat, more sleep, a continuous cycle. 
 
Light, blinding, brilliant light. Eyes, his eyes were open, and ears. A growl below, cruelly triumphant, and a fierce, sad scree. Something large and dark, terrifying, appearing beside him suddenly. A firm grip on his neck, lifting him up and carrying him through the air. A jump far below, swift running. Light flashing into his sensitive eyes; pain, blinding brightness. More running--where was he being taken? Why? Under stone, and sudden darkness. His neck released; a painful encounter with a solid rock wall. Slumped on the floor, panting, bruised, hurting, and frightened. A deep, dark voice, laughing, commanding him to stay and behave. Silence. 
 
Days passed, months, eternity it seemed. Always the dark one hung over him; the evil one. Darkness was his trademark, and Darkness the young tiger came to think of him as. Darkness brought pain, horror, nightmares, hunger, and all means of torture. For years, suffering and misery, his only consolation the soft, gentle voice in his dreams. Weary of life, death would be a blessing. Hatred collected each day vanished in the wake of that soothing whisper. Somehow, he kept going... 
 
Darkness coming again. Something was different. Disgust, anger in his voice. Pain again, an opened door. Light, strange light. What was happening? Confused, nearly full-grown, wandering aimlessly. Gradually adjusting to daylight, that he had not seen for years. The beginnning of a new life...but never truly leaving the past behind. A winged unicorn, a sentient forest, dark mountains; a new home. 
 
Smoke stopped there. He knew the rest of it. Strangely enough, after reliving everything, he felt only a strange distance, slight tension, as if he was now waiting for something. He wasn't quite through the ordeal... He knew suddenly with a clear certainty that Sum'ner had come for a different reason than to force his past on him. She was not finished with him yet. In a voice that did not seem to be his own, he spoke, his eyes opening once more to stare at the silver bird before him. 
 
Why have you come here? I have remembered the past; what is your true purpose in this place?</div>

<div style="text-align:center">~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ <a href="http://home.tir.com/~lyles/janetpage/me ...  <a href="http://home.tir.com/~lyles/janetpage/ca ...  <a href="http://home.tir.com/~lyles/janetpage/da ...  <a href="http://home.tir.com/~lyles/janetpage/sp ...  ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ ~Never pretend to be something you're not.~ ~There is intelligent life on Earth...but I'm just visiting.~<hr /><a href="http://pub33.ezboard.com/bforestphoenix">Arisen: Forest Phoenix</a> <a href="http://pub66.ezboard.com/bcastrpg">xCasting Shadowsx</a> <a href="http://pub40.ezboard.com/bcotw50265">Highland Reflections</a> <a href="http://pub161.ezboard.com/bspiritsofthewind">Spirits of the Wind</a> <a href="http://pub123.ezboard.com/bunicornsvisions">Unicorn's Visions</a></div>

Post by **Wiaab Siac** » Sat Aug 09, 2003 2:07 pm

OOC: Show-off. <img src=http://www.ezboard.com/images/emoticons/tongue.gif ALT=":p"> (I like that face, lol) 
 
IC: 
Sum'ner barely caught her sigh of relief when Paradox finally opened his mind to his past. Although he had dreaded the prospect, she knew that nothing bad would happen. He was, after all, merely accepting a part of himself. When he brought his mind back to the present, he would feel an inner peac, not a stirrings of an insane mind. Then would be her chance--th perfect opportunity to give him his choices. Fluffing her feathers up, she settled back and began to prepare herself for when he returned to now. 
 
She was mor than ready when the moment came, but to her surprise, he brought it up himself. How had he known? Steering away from the question, she made a note to ponder it later. With time, the answer would surely become clear, and she had plenty of time later. Now, however, she had a duty to fulfill. Her silvery, no-nonsense voice answered his question quietly, with only a touch of apprehension. 
 
You have known good and you have known evil. You have been Paradox and you have been Smoky Death. No longer can you wander between them--you must choose. Who, and what, are you? 
 
This was the point of no return. Whatever choice he made his future would follow, whether he wished it to or not. And the ordeal would truly make him a grown tiger...

<div style="text-align:center"> <img src="http://home.tir.com/~lyles/janetpage/Images/sumner.gif" style="border:0;"/></div>Edited by: <A HREF=http://pub123.ezboard.com/bunicornsvisi ... siac>Wiaab Siac</A> at: 8/9/03 5:09

Post by **ddpej** » Sun Aug 10, 2003 1:36 pm

<div style="text-align:center">Paradox 
Smoke narrowed his eyes in sudden wariness. He felt sure that Sum'ner was right--he would have to choose. But he felt also that he could not jump into this unprepared. This decision required deep thought, for he was by no means willing to compromise himself. No matter what, he wanted to continue to live as he wished to live, not as some haphazardly choice forced him to be. To determine whether he was good or evil, Smoky Death or Paradox, past or present, would take deep consideration. Dismissing the owl from his thoughts, he settled into the proper frame of mind and began to ponder the situation. 
 
Some things about him were good. He knew that true evil did not love, or even like. Honor was optional, but caring was not. Still, his heart had grown cold again since Rain had vanished. He felt responsible for others at times, but that was again a question of honor. Respect was also an optional quality. Morals...well, they weren't of great importance in the matter. Which meant that really, he was not so good after all. True, he hadn't been very evil, but as Sum'ner had said, he'd been wavering between them. If one had to be chosen, as it seemed, his choice would be evil. 
 
Who he was wasn't quite so simple. He didn't like the fact that he still bore the name that had been forced upon him by his torturer. The name itself wasn't bad, merely the reason he bore it. Yet Paradox also fit him, and had a certain ring to it. One name he did not remember, and one traded for the other without his knowledge. How could he choose between them? The tiger could not. Suddenly, he recalled his thought earlier, about compromising himself. That was the solution--a compromise. He could be both Smoke and Paradox, past and present combined for the future. Sure of his choice now, he focused again on the silver bird, his manner calm and confident--peaceful. 
 
My ways are of the dark side...and my name is Smoky Paradox. 
 
He said no more, but merely gazed at her, his blood-hued eyes unmistakably certain. He had made his choice.</div>

<div style="text-align:center">~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ <a href="http://home.tir.com/~lyles/janetpage/me ...  <a href="http://home.tir.com/~lyles/janetpage/ca ...  <a href="http://home.tir.com/~lyles/janetpage/da ...  <a href="http://home.tir.com/~lyles/janetpage/sp ...  ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ ~Never pretend to be something you're not.~ ~There is intelligent life on Earth...but I'm just visiting.~<hr /><a href="http://pub33.ezboard.com/bforestphoenix">Arisen: Forest Phoenix</a> <a href="http://pub66.ezboard.com/bcastrpg">xCasting Shadowsx</a> <a href="http://pub40.ezboard.com/bcotw50265">Highland Reflections</a> <a href="http://pub161.ezboard.com/bspiritsofthewind">Spirits of the Wind</a> <a href="http://pub123.ezboard.com/bunicornsvisions">Unicorn's Visions</a></div>

Post by **Wiaab Siac** » Sun Aug 17, 2003 8:56 pm

<center>Mission accomplished 
Sum'ner was not surprised that the tiger had chosen evil. It was his inheritance, really. He would fit it well. But the name he gave startled her. A blend of the two? Was that allowed? She wasn't sure, and her uncertain look made that all too evident. Nevertheless, he had made his choice, and there was no backing out now. Besides, he had never been one to obey all the rules... Shrugging, she nodded approval to him. 
 
The choice has been made, and so it will be. 
 
Though her words were quiet and seemingly unimportant, both of them could feel the intense power unleashed as she spoke them. As giver of the options, the silver owl had been also the vessel of the force that would make it happen. With the release of the burden, she seemed to stand a few inches taller, and hr face was a bit less strained. Smiling now, Sum'ner unfolded her wings and thrust down with a powerful stroke, rising into the air. Above Smoke's head she hovered for a moment, circled once, and flew off. In seconds she was out of sight, her silver feathers winking one last time in the sun's glare. Then she was gone.</center>

<div style="text-align:center"> <img src="http://home.tir.com/~lyles/janetpage/Images/sumner.gif" style="border:0;"/></div>

Time, time, time, see what's become of me,

Time, time, time, see what's become of me,

Re: While I looked around for my possibilities

I was so hard to please.

Look around, leaves are brown,

and the sky is a hazy shade of winter!

Hear the Salvation Army band...

Re: Down by the riverside's bound to be a better ride

then what you've got planned--

carry your cup in your hand,

and look around, leaves are brown now,