Messages is something that I'm proud of because the plot has been very carefully thought of. Despite the fact that the pairings aren't fixed in the sense that I'm not sure who's going to be with who at the very end, the flow of the relationships, the events and the character development more or less are. The interaction between the characters is supposed to show this general theme- that man will always seek love even in the darkest places and that love can be something dark.
I noticed that some misconceptions have arisen and so I have decided to type out a brief chronological outline of the events thus far.
Messages- Rei receives and responds to his Internet friend WhiteWolf. (Definite hints to the Max and Tyson pairing.)
From Across- Tala receives the message and responds but he finds he has an unexpected visitor. Borris. (Hints to Kai's attraction to Rei are first introduced.)
A Darkness- Tala is defeated by Bryan and the worst is expected. Meanwhile Kenny reveals he is suspicious of Kai when Kai is late to return with lunch. Kai notes this strange behaviour and vows to investigate.
Silenced- Tala is operated on according to Borris' plans- to make Tala an assassin. Rei begins to worry since WhiteWolf has failed to reply. More Rei Kai occurs when Kai questions Rei's sudden troubled behaviour and Rei caught up in his frustrations lashes out at Kai and instantly regrets it. It is revealed that Kenny is working for Mr. Dickinson who has been keeping tabs on the supposedly defunct Biovolt. Kenny's job is to find the traitor in their team and the search seems to narrow down on Kai.
Choked Off- Rei makes his apology to Kai and hence more Kai Rei sweetness. (I'm sorry, I still love the Kai and Rei pairing even if I don't write much of it.) Kai will finally learn what troubles his crush. Borris exalts at his control over Tala now he has implanted something that can cause the red- head Russian intense pain at Borris' will. Then just as there seems to be a chance to a Kai Rei pairing, Rei types out (on Kenny's laptop) what will be his last e- mail to WhiteWolf for a while confessing his feelings for WhiteWolf. Then he sends it by accident ironically because of Kai.
Struggling- Kai finishes reading the correspondence between WhiteWolf and SnowTiger. He finds he has an instant dislike for WhiteWolf. Rei is still in shock that he sent that e- mail and Kenny appears and seems suspicious of Rei's behaviour. (Come to think of it, Kenny's suspicions irritate me and I wrote it.) Tala is subjected to greater brutality and his thoughts become darker and more frantic.
In The Web- Opens with Bryan being tortured to obey Borris- but what? Kai stands naked before a mirror and fingering old scars, relives his time spent in Biovolt when he was younger and also his time spent exploring his body with Bryan. Bryan finally confronts an enraged Tala and prepares to tell Tala the truth. The question is, is this really the truth or is Bryan simply carrying out Borris' orders?
Of Lies And Deceit- Tala learns through Bryan what Borris has in store. Bryan seems to have a plan in store. Tala does not show whether he trusts Bryan overtly but he does ask for a laptop. Rei is completely disillusioned by the silence WhiteWolf keeps. In ominous moment, this chapter ends with Kenny's suspicions being overheard by Kai.
When The Prey Struggles- Kai confronts Kenny who lets it slip that he suspects Kai is working for someone. Rei's behaviour becomes so affected by his disillusionment that his teammates are affected by the sudden changes in behaviour. A brief Tala and Bryan moment as Tala is led to a computer in Tala's room. Tala seems worried about Bryan granting him this concession but Bryan seems resigned. Bryan also seems guilty. Can it be that he has betrayed Tala? In any case Bryan recalls that moment during his childhood spent with Kai before that mirror. Borris arrives shattering the memory. Finally Tala reads the two messages awaiting him. Just as he wills himself to stop communicating with SnowTiger for everyone's benefit he reads the message at the end of the last e- mail and . . . well . . . you know what he does.Right, now to thank a few people.
Life Sucks, Get Used To It, The code is random and also not random. It could be any number but it also has significance with respects to Numerology. If you believe in destiny then little or nothing is left to chance. I am happy you liked the chapter. I'm putting in more and more effort. Which reminds me, try your best to hold on ne?
Black Dranzer, You flatter me and whether it will end as a Kai and Bryan fic is still unclear. However, it is my plan to have more Kai and Bryan moments but the focus of Messages is entangling feelings. No poetry this chapter unfortunately but I have updated sooner than expected and the chapter is longer and not to mention I've actually written that long long story summary. I'm really tired.
Sleepy Sheep Guardian, reading your analysis is as always a pleasure to me. This chapter will deal with Tala and put an end to the chirping crickets. The pairings aren't fixed as in how it will all end, but all that occurs before the end is all planned. You should never come to Singapore the land of eternal summer since you seem unused to heat. Aw . . . you know I'm pessimistic, suicidal and everything negative.
Redex, I identify with all of them intimately darling. I've been all of them before. I have Redblade (as icy put it may its browser rest in peace) and wisewolf to thank. Yes, it's a mystery as to what Bryan is going to do. Is he deceiving Tala? Is he fooling Borris? Well just let the maestro handle that. : P BTW I write for and about myself love. As do most of us come to think of it.
Devlinn Reiko- Sama, Followed your advice on this chapter. Hope you enjoy it and thank you sincerely for the review. I also hope all is well with you. Hang tough 'k?
KittyLuLu, no seriously I don't deserve the praise. You should see me despairing over writing anything. I updated earlier than usual, meaning I didn't take one decade. We'll talk soon I hope.
The Spider Is SummonedPreviously on Messages:
"Can it ever be like this between us? It's been hard for me to admit it but now that I feel that I've lost you I'll confess that . . . that I've fallen in love with you. Through your words and through your poetry I have read and understood a beauty and a heart that my own mind yearns to open up to. You mean so much to me. Please don't leave me in silence.
Love, SnowTiger"
His body shook, his breath shuddered, his mind went blank.
A tear drew itself down Tala's cheek.
Episode 10: The Spider Is Summoned
Tala had turned the lights off. The darkness suited him. That way he could be sure no one could see. No one would see the way he shook, notice his moist cheeks or the way his hands trembled as his nails bit into his whitened flesh. A tiny orange speck of light burned beside the computer monitor's power button and a second brighter spot of light shone from the CPU. Though small, they hurt his eyes. He narrowed them, sunset brows knitted in a frown. Cerulean eyes twinkled with the twin spots of light, like a dark sea cradling two lost ships. Tala himself sat before the blank computer screen lost in the dark void of it's polished darkness.
As if some force crushed him from within Tala sunk his body to his knees. His arms cradled his burning body through light fabric in a vice- like grip. Arched fingers dug into his side as his shadowed fringe fell over painfully shut lids. He gasped; a tense, agonised cry sucked swiftly into the darkness. Then the trembling began anew and the Russian youth let himself fall from the chair, his knees hitting hard wooden flooring.
'You mean so much to me. Please don't leave me in silence.'
Tala shook his head, reluctantly and then vehemently.
'Was this a journey ending with the parting of ways?
Would I continue all alone?'
He bit his lip and tried to stop the trembling.
'Please trust me. Something must have happened for you to remain so silent. I really need to know what it is. It really hurts me so much not to hear from you.'
"I can't . . . I just . . . can't."
His breath shuddered and his voice cracked under the strain.
"I need you, but I . . . just can't."
His eyes burned and he tasted the blood his teeth drew. He was far away from the light of day, far away from any conceivable spark of hope. His body was once again tainted with Borris' corruption and soon his soul would be too when abominable pain would compel him to murder in cold blood. He had fallen back into darkness, back to being lost.
But . . .
'I've fallen in love with you.'
"I . . . "
His jaw clamped shut, teeth grinding painfully. He couldn't continue. Gripping his quaking form he rocked silently in the dark room and let the shadows bury him.
Bryan watched in mute terror as the familiar figure melted from the shadows. In the dim light above the shut door, the malevolent ruby gaze fixed upon him dissipated what strength Bryan had left to resist the incapacitating fear. Borris' ebony mask shifted and gleamed beneath the light with sinister sentience. The pale- eyed youth instinctively shuffled his feet weakly, his back straining against the sealed door.
"You don't seem happy to see me Bryan." The gaunt figure queried, his lips bent into a twisted smile.
"I'm not unhappy sir." Bryan replied, careful to keep his tone level against the crazed urge to turn away.
Borris gave a dry laugh and advanced one step closer, his mirth echoing about the stone corridor. Involuntarily, Bryan shivered and instantly felt the intensity behind the mask's demonic gaze heighten. He quickly averted his gaze eyes darting about frantically, mouth agape and his breath quickening. Borris' thin- lip smile deepened and the blood- red glass glittered from the dark mask.
"Would it be better if I stand a little further Bryan?"
The man's tone was soft, gentle even. Pale eyes shot up in terror and Bryan fell to his knees.
"No sir! No sir!" Bryan rasped, his throat taut with fear.
Borris sneered as he gazed down upon the lilac- haired youth shaking slightly in the half- shadows. His tone however remained ominously honeyed.
"Come now child, why do you kneel? Stand up Bryan, come."
Borris stepped before the kneeling form and ran his fingers through the soft lilac hair, fingers brushing the youth's trembling head.
"Come, I'll help you up. Come boy." He coaxed his fingertips gently massaging Bryan's scalp.
"I . . . dare not sir."
Borris chuckled softly and brought his waist closer to his student's face.
Bryan swallowed heavily, his breaths erratic and his jaw quavering uncontrollably. He bit his lip as the vision of his teacher's crotch grew in his gaze. He felt the pressure on his head increase. His vision blurred briefly but Bryan quickly blinked back the forbidden tears. He was going to do it anyway. There was no point resisting. As his pale eyes cleared he saw his teacher's crotch shift closer to him and once again felt the hand compel him to obey the unspoken familiar command. Bryan lowered his lids resolutely.
Bryan leaned in with practised movement and his face almost touching, took in the heavy scent of his teacher's crotch. Above him, Borris stirred briefly.
"You spoke to Tala as I instructed?" the man murmured, his head lowered as he gazed intently at the youth's movements.
Bryan nodded his head sharply. He couldn't speak. His throat seemed lodged with an invisible lump. His lashes were moist but he shed no tears as he once more obeyed the hand on his head and let his lips envelop the bulge that touched his lips. The heat and the scent threatened to choke him but he mercilessly stifled these feelings and let his tongue trace across the fabric, moistening the fabric that bound throbbing flesh. Just like he was supposed to, just like he was conditioned to.
Borris hissed softly above him.
"That's it . . . that's it boy . . ."
Borris' thin lips broke into a sneer as his ran his fingers lustfully through his charge's hair.
"Soon Bryan, soon you and Tala will complete your missions. Then . . . ahhh . . . then we can all enjoy each other. Wouldn't you like that Bryan?" Borris asked caressing Bryan's burning cheek with a gloved finger.
Moist lashes shut tighter and Bryan deepened his administrations while his nails bit deeper into his palms.
Borris chuckled in good humour and let his eyes flicker shut, sighing as more intense sensations awakened in him.
The noon rays bathed Max's residence in a golden heat. The iron gates glowed in the heat, and sunbeams sizzled on the neighbouring shrubs and the lawn. Abandoned blade dishes gleamed as the sunlight streamed around their circle tracks. Under the punishing heat the lawn was vacant, or would have been. White robes shining under the strong light, raven hair radiant, Rei stood beside a blade dish, golden eyes harsh and intent upon a dizzying white blur circling the blue dish. The steady hum of friction drowned the chirping of insects and droned tirelessly in the debilitating humidity.
From inside the house crimson eyes watched the still form through the upper window. The heat of the window prickled against Kai's skin. His arms were crossed before his dark- clothed chest, his furrowed brows more severe than was customary for the Russian. Very faintly he growled, a deep rumble of displeasure. Footsteps sounded behind him. There was a soft knock on the door. Kai didn't bother turning around.
"Enter."
His voice was curt, almost rude.
From the reflection in the window, Kai watched the door swing open and a fair- haired figure step hesitantly into the room. Blue eyes seemed to focus on his turned back.
"Sorry to disturb you Kai but I thought you might want to know that lunch is ready."
From the window pane Kai watched the Eurasian youth pause for his reply. Kai lifted his gaze to the white- robed figure outside. Kai hesitated, then voiced a question he was burning to ask.
"Rei will not be dining with us?"
The glass captured Max hanging his fair- head to one side and heaving a sigh.
"He told Tyson he wouldn't be joining us; told us to carry on."
"Mn."
Max watched his team leader stare vacantly at the window. Cerulean eyes gazed in faint puzzlement before he cleared his throat to gain his teammate's attention. Kai remained transfixed by the view beyond the window. Max waited for a few moments longer before he shook his head briefly. With a sigh, he shut the door behind him.
Rushing down the flight of steps Max pound his fist into his open palm, musing.
'Kenny's gone back home for lunch, Rei's outside doing some extra training and Kai's staring blankly at the window. Guess that means Tyson and I will have to have lunch alone.'
Max paused at the bottom of the stairs his hand clasping his fist.
'That means Tyson and I will have lunch alone
Cerulean eyes rolled speculatively in their sockets. They had forty- five minutes max but Tyson could finish one serving in less than five minutes and he wasn't very hungry himself. So they had forty minutes then. Kai seemed in a pensive mood, Rei an obsessed one and Kenny wasn't likely to return any time soon. Which meant the hall was practically free, as was the couch.
A slow grin broadening on his face, Max hastened to the dining room.
The room was comfortably dark. The blue walls glowed with the light that emanated from Kenny's laptop. Lying on his stomach and propped on his elbows Kenny brooded before the screen.
"Anything the matter chief?" Dizzi enquired in a tone heavier with concern than curiosity.
Kenny sighed and buried his head in his sheets. His reply was muffled.
"Kai. He suspects the truth."
Raising his head he stared vacantly through his dark- brown fringe.
"I wonder if that makes him the traitor." He mused.
"It's too early to assume that Chief."
Kenny ruffled his hair irritably.
"What am I to do now? My cover's blown . . . Biovolt's active once more and Mr. Dickinson says there's a traitor. Kai's having unexplained absences . . . Aargh!"
"Kai doesn't know you're working for Mr. Dickinson yet Kenny. Besides, I find it hard to believe that anyone in the team would be working for Biovolt in secret."
Kenny rolled over to his back and stared at the shadowed ceiling.
"I feel the same way too. But Mr. Dickinson said they found reports in Biovolt's secret files that mentioned of an agent for them in the team. That means someone in the team was . . ." Kenny trailed off with bitter reluctance.
Dizzi kept her silence for a few moments.
"What will you do now then?" she finally asked.
Kenny looked at the ceiling blankly for a while. He sighed and closed his eyes.
"Maybe it's time I come clean with the guys."
"What? Are you serious?"
Raising his lids Kenny took in a deep breath and released it slowly through his lips.
"Yes. And first item on the itinerary is a private chat with Kai."
"That could be dangerous." Dizzi pointed out with a note of warning.
Kenny chewed on his lip but his reply was firm.
"I trust Kai. He will not do anything to hurt his teammates. Never."
Kenny clutched his fists tightly.
"Never."
"Dear SnowTiger,
I- "
That was all he managed in the space of half- an- hour, or so the desktop clock told him. Dry- eyed and exhausted from his emotional paralysis, it seemed much longer to him, sitting here, thinking of what to say. He let his fringe cascade over his eyes, allowed the lifeless, red curtain to cloak his vision. It was damp, his fringe, and for a fleeting moment the idea that they had soaked up his tears flashed in Tala's mind. The curse of his romantic nature, that he would think of such a pathetic and yet irresistibly sad image.
It was a side of himself he had been in touch with only recently, only a couple of months ago. Back then he had only just signed up for a FictionPress account. It had only been two days since he obtained his Internet connection. It was a dream find for him, a place where he could indulge in aesthetic pleasures without the need for any social interaction. It was also a place where he could publish his own works though he very much doubted anyone would understand them. He was right, in a way. The reviews he got were more on the lines of, "I liked it, it had a sense of beauty in it that was very moving." Or worse, "Very good. You're very talented. I'd like to see more." It made no sense these reviews, at least to him. No one could see the main issues behind the poetry, the main conflicts, the themes. It was all very disheartening but he bore it with fortitude. Then came the day when he received a very interesting review.
"I don't mean to be rude or insulting but your poetry is far too blatantly emotional. In my opinion poetry should inspire emotions from the reader and not impose them. Your imagery is far too cliché and I would encourage a more detached and original approach. On the other hand, I very much enjoyed the idea of wanting to seek the light after emerging from darkness. I agree that it is very much a part of the human condition to wish to seek a normal life no matter what background we emerge from. You questioned this tendency and this shows a great amount of critical thinking and I really appreciated that. It is something I am not capable of. On the whole, I liked it."
When he had reached the end of that review, he had found himself grinning. The next thing he did was to read this person's poetry. That was the first time he had clicked on SnowTiger's profile page and poetry.
From there, things grew. WhiteWolf and SnowTiger became faithful reviewers of each other's poetry. He found that their reviews of each other became increasingly shorter but strangely enough, each word had meant more to him than before. It was as if he trusted that SnowTiger had understood and that the words "I loved it" was more than just a casual remark, it was to him the sincere appreciation of someone who had read, re- read and immersed himself in the poem. He was certain of it because he himself had done the same for SnowTiger.
Then one day SnowTiger had sent him an e- mail. Apparently SnowTiger was having problems loading his poetry on FictionPress but he had this poem burning in his mind and wanted him to review it. Tala obliged, he was too happy to do so and sent his new friend a poem of his own. He couldn't actually pinpoint the exact moment of when they tacitly agreed to exchange poems through e- mail but it had happened and it pleased him very much. Very much.
So how do you say goodbye to a good friend, to someone who knew very well your innermost thoughts and now to someone who could love you in a way you yourself never could?
You couldn't. You just couldn't.
In the light of the monitor, Tala squinted as his fingers raced across the keyboard.
"Dear SnowTiger,
I must tell you something and I hope it does not trouble you. My name is Tala Valkov . . ."
I hope that full name is correct. It's the only one I managed to get and I couldn't check it with another source. Am very very very tired and also quite ready to lie in a real crypt damn it. Well I hope you guys liked it. Also, I'd like to issue an appeal as to what you think are roughly the roles of each character if this story is to show as I've said earlier about people searching for love no matter how dark their situation and that love can be something dark. I'm so tempted to do this chapter over but I want to release this early and I have . . . gasp gasp . . . no energy. So now I have no sense of professionalism. Don't forget the appeal. (dies) (cracks open one eye) Oh, if it's too much forget the appeal. (dies)