Archived

As someone else who has a hard time around the holidays, take care of yourself above all else. RP can wait, if needs be. -Hug.-

@heamatic replied to your post:

take all the time you need love. <3 Holidays aren't easy. Take care of yourself first and foremost. *hugs*

The discomfort between them was palpable… and also, the fault of neither of them. If only the bigger picture was visible, but there was no time for such things. Daydreaming of peacefully co-existing, of friendship–of anything at all that wasn’t serving the ends of Shao Kahn was all but impossible at this point. For all of their innumerable differences, that was a singular truth that they both shared. How would things have developed without those shackles of responsibility and half-truths?

Add another thing to the list of things that were forbidden to be considered.

“Only a fool would steal from any sorcerer, much less Shang Tsung himself. No matter his prowess, if his intelligence is so lacking…mm, we should still proceed with care.”

It felt strange to hold a conversation as they walked where the Edenian could not turn her head to regard the person she was speaking with… though such was a matter of necessity, she supposed. It was easier to guard one’s back if it was visible–or was Skarlet simply awaiting the opportunity to bury a blade of blood between royal shoulder blades?  A faint shake of her head dismissed nagging doubts that would only serve as a distraction.

“Strange, though, that Shang Tsung does not seek his own vengeance. Do you know why this task has fallen to us?”

          “Perhaps you are correct. A foolish man is less predictable than a wise one. A wise man would do what he could to preserve his life; a fool would throw it away just to spite those that have bested him.”

          Kitana was not a fool, nor was she by any means incapable; Skarlet had no trouble admitting those truths. No, Kitana was far too perfect for anyone to dare insult her with the assertion that she lacked intelligence or ability. As much as Skarlet would hope to find fault in her, if only to comfort the inferiority that often crept into her consciousness, she couldn’t. Maybe she could say that she was overly-cautious or that she took too long preparing for her mission, but were those even negative traits?

          What made it even worse was that she couldn’t muster up enough anger at Kitana. Skarlet should hate her. She’s standing in the way of earning Shao Kahn’s favor. Every mistake Skarlet makes, Shao Kahn compares to his princess. She can hear the memory of his voice even now. ‘Perhaps I should have sent Kitana. She would have done it better.’ That’s when the anger comes. It swells and rots within her chest. But then she looks at Kitana, oblivious to what the blood mage is feeling, and realizes she’s done nothing to incite such a vicious feeling within her. Not once had Kitana personally slighted her. The princess didn’t deserve to face wrath she did not provoke through her own actions.

           *:･ﾟ⚡┇ ❝We have all been molded by our good deeds and mistakes. You are no exception, Skarlet. While I do believe you have been misguided by Shao Kahn, I have never viewed you as a monster — rather, a survivor. I am not here to hunt you. I am, indeed, here in hopes you will allow me a chance to speak.❞

          There is a pause, the only noise the click of a heel abruptly grounding itself in surprise. Her posture straightens as that of an animal intrigued by the sight before it. Danger. Her senses screamed of it. But Raiden’s declaration had piqued her interest enough to stay her planned attempt to flee. For now. 

Why was he here?

No one was supposed to be at the warehouse. Not at this time, on this day. It was supposed to be cleared out so she could do a count of Shao Kahn’s “extra” inventory. She couldn’t recognize him, either. He didn’t work for her adoptive father, nor was he a regular customer in this area. As Skarlet flips him over, she notices a gun beneath his body; his own weapon, probably. And more importantly, as she flips him, there is an unconscious groan that faintly resounds from deep inside his chest.

He was alive? Well, for now, at least. She could see the wound in all it’s glory now that he was on his back. There was a bullet wound in his chest. A distant shot from a weak gun; it couldn’t penetrate the rib beneath it, though it left a significant fracture and caused enough blood loss to take away his consciousness. There wouldn’t be time to take him to a hospital, nor would Shao Kahn want a potential death linked to one of his facilities whether he was involved or not. Instead Skarlet opens a crate in the warehouse and takes what she needs to stabilize him; surely Kahn wouldn’t mind loosing a few pieces of his vast inventory in order to avoid a PR disaster. She takes the man home and sends for the family’s private physician, then waits for him to open his eyes. He had a lot to answer for.

Skarlet was born in Chicago as the daughter of a stripper and the owner of the club she worked at. Her mom skipped town after she was born and left her with her dad, who blamed Skarlet for her mother’s abandonment. Skarlet’s father was also the main black market contact of Shao Kahn, the ceo of a massive pharmaceutical empire. Her father was responsible for running a smuggling empire for Shao Kahn, but eventually he was caught and killed in a stand-off with the police. 

Shao Kahn took in Skarlet afterward and raised her with his other daughters, Kitana and Mileena, but despite her admiration for him, it seemed that no matter what she did, he wouldn’t accept her as one of his daughters. That didn’t stop her from trying to please him. Though her true wish was to be a musician, Shao Kahn paid to put Skarlet through med school with the intent to press her into growing his criminal interests when she graduates. In the meantime she interns at a hospital and channels her musical pursuits as a vocalist for a popular local rock band.

*shoves modern Hanzo in your direction*

*rubs my greedy little hands*

Skarlet's a phlebotomist--