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bloodsong1Remember that story I told you about three characters fighting giant plants to a theme song?
A hilltop bathed in afternoon sunlight. Below, a field of bulbous purple and green flowers. From the base of the hill, a lizard the size of a Corgi poked its head out, tongue tasting the air. It darted into the field, eager for the prey it smelled amongst the roots. Brushing against a purple plant, it froze. The spotted, gourd-shaped flower shivered, then plunged down. A maw split the flower in half, revealing sharp spikes that bit deeply into the lizard's skin. Not far away, another purple flower shivered and lunged, then another. Feeding sounds echoed through the landscape as the carnivorous plants feasted.
"Plants," A disgusted voice broke through the chomping. "We're exterminating plants."
The hilltop now sported three figures of various sizes. One was tall and muscular, garbed in a simple vest and pants, a rope belt holding the vest closed at the waist. Large hands were bound in strips of white cloth, tabi socks protected the broad feet. A narrow black headband restrained surprisingly curly hair. On the other end, a small, child-like figure stuffed his hands into his jeans pockets. A dark red coat hugged T-shirt-clad shoulders and partially concealed the wide leather gun belt. Pistols of various calibers gleamed dully in the sun. Combat boots tore the grass as the feet shuffled in embarrassment.
"The village elder swears they're vicious, man eating plants," A mature male voice belied the youthful appearance of the red gunslinger. The large fighter sighed, rubbing the bridge of his nose.
"Ray, we're going to be lucky if she plays with us again," He complained. A soft, feminine chuckle came from the woman in the middle. Even in the sunlight, she seemed cast in shadow. The effect was deliberate, caused by the long black coat and broad-brimmed black hat. White gloved hands rested casually on the hilt of a sword, just visible under the coat. Black pants clad the legs, the feet shod in simple black shoes. A white dress shirt and narrow black tie covered the modestly-endowed torso.
"Kenji is correct, Raymond," She purred, a silky voice that sent shivers down Kenji's spine. "This had better be worth my time." The crunching stopped and the three purple flowers resumed their resting positions, gore lining the edges of the mouths.
"Just tell me how many there are, Sonya," Ray grumbled, folding his arms. "I'm never letting you use the Jackal interface again."
"Ah, but I'm not," Sonya chided, her eyes sweeping the field. "This is a hybrid I created." Ray choked, stomped around her to wave a finger at Kenji.
"You did this! You...you kung-fu nut!"
"Now, Raymond. Kenji is using Lee and Anji. Even you are not merely Vash, but also the Young Master from Xenosaga. It was only fair I be allowed the same liberty." Kenji shrugged sheepishly. Ray sighed.
"The things you do for love, big guy," He muttered. Kenji blanched and looked at Sonya. She was staring ahead, a faint smirk on her lips.
"Fifteen, Ray. Five apiece. What a nice round number." Sonya looked at the men, for Ray was a man. The three friends were hooked into a virtual reality machine that allowed complete user immersion, with necessary safety protocols and customizable avatars.
A hilltop bathed in afternoon sunlight. Below, a field of bulbous purple and green flowers. From the base of the hill, a lizard the size of a Corgi poked its head out, tongue tasting the air. It darted into the field, eager for the prey it smelled amongst the roots. Brushing against a purple plant, it froze. The spotted, gourd-shaped flower shivered, then plunged down. A maw split the flower in half, revealing sharp spikes that bit deeply into the lizard's skin. Not far away, another purple flower shivered and lunged, then another. Feeding sounds echoed through the landscape as the carnivorous plants feasted.
"Plants," A disgusted voice broke through the chomping. "We're exterminating plants."
The hilltop now sported three figures of various sizes. One was tall and muscular, garbed in a simple vest and pants, a rope belt holding the vest closed at the waist. Large hands were bound in strips of white cloth, tabi socks protected the broad feet. A narrow black headband restrained surprisingly curly hair. On the other end, a small, child-like figure stuffed his hands into his jeans pockets. A dark red coat hugged T-shirt-clad shoulders and partially concealed the wide leather gun belt. Pistols of various calibers gleamed dully in the sun. Combat boots tore the grass as the feet shuffled in embarrassment.
"The village elder swears they're vicious, man eating plants," A mature male voice belied the youthful appearance of the red gunslinger. The large fighter sighed, rubbing the bridge of his nose.
"Ray, we're going to be lucky if she plays with us again," He complained. A soft, feminine chuckle came from the woman in the middle. Even in the sunlight, she seemed cast in shadow. The effect was deliberate, caused by the long black coat and broad-brimmed black hat. White gloved hands rested casually on the hilt of a sword, just visible under the coat. Black pants clad the legs, the feet shod in simple black shoes. A white dress shirt and narrow black tie covered the modestly-endowed torso.
"Kenji is correct, Raymond," She purred, a silky voice that sent shivers down Kenji's spine. "This had better be worth my time." The crunching stopped and the three purple flowers resumed their resting positions, gore lining the edges of the mouths.
"Just tell me how many there are, Sonya," Ray grumbled, folding his arms. "I'm never letting you use the Jackal interface again."
"Ah, but I'm not," Sonya chided, her eyes sweeping the field. "This is a hybrid I created." Ray choked, stomped around her to wave a finger at Kenji.
"You did this! You...you kung-fu nut!"
"Now, Raymond. Kenji is using Lee and Anji. Even you are not merely Vash, but also the Young Master from Xenosaga. It was only fair I be allowed the same liberty." Kenji shrugged sheepishly. Ray sighed.
"The things you do for love, big guy," He muttered. Kenji blanched and looked at Sonya. She was staring ahead, a faint smirk on her lips.
"Fifteen, Ray. Five apiece. What a nice round number." Sonya looked at the men, for Ray was a man. The three friends were hooked into a virtual reality machine that allowed complete user immersion, with necessary safety protocols and customizable avatars.
