The Rundown or the Introduction of a May Specific Theme.

A man running a hardware store who is hopelessly devoted to his neighbor, and always thinking about chips hitting the fan scenarios. Somewhat of a grouch, and very likely an Aspie. Has no squeamish traits. Possibly something of a pragmatist.

A bookworm of a girl who loves nothing more than being around her sister and mother, does not resent her father for disappearing, and talks long distance to her brother everyday. Organises and alphabetises books, papers and magazines on their bookcases and loves a healthy diet beyond all else.

Policeman who has bad luck in small terms, usually things with no great significance, but is on even grounds with the rest otherwise. Has a loyal brother who pushes him to do things he otherwise would not, and had gone far as a result of this, his career especially. Does not take kindly to those who criticise naming conventions by default.

Brother in question who buries himself in his art, his easel, and spends all the time around his sibling as he can. An aficionado for myths. Defends those unwilling to change birth certificate names. Likes new abilities when presented, like sleeping on his feet.

A total sweetheart who is kind and generous to a fault, and honest to boot, having started out with an affluent upbringing, and always seeked to make more of an honest fortune to assist the needy. Abhors crime and dishonesty. Is flexible with sleeping with those she deems cute or hot.

The banker who is unhappy with his job, and would be real eager to cast off his chains and run out into the world, and wants to do good. Gets paranoid about strangers initially till he finds out people mean no harm. Is very easily befriended once skepticism is cast aside.

Girl with identity issues who is deliriously happy with her fiance, and won’t be content till they tie the knot. Is not outgoing with anyone but her husband to be and her brother.

The nympho who wants only to have sex.

The boy who wants only to be in a stable condition, physically, mentally and emotionally, not to mention financially. Developed something of a fiery temper and could benefit from learning to simmer down.

The comedian who uses humour for everything damn near, and ever tries to make others laugh at the darnedest things. Has an amicability to children.

Devout vegetarian wanting to end as few lives as possible on her own end. Accepting some animal products are a must, is still very careful.

An athlete who lives for the thrill, and ventures into his community when he can, and breathes the air consciously. Makes light of dark situations and often can be stoic. Quite sociable.

A dog.

Run magic through all of them, and what do you get?

One giant mess with the occasional benefit. Woo boy.

I always was something of an observant type, and kind of reserved. I guess most people love the sea and the mountains, if only for the moderate foothills and the coastline. Having grown up here, I’ve a detached fascination. I don’t mind going, but I rarely set out for them unless I need something. The photographs, films, and plains memories are enough for me. Following the others is something I do out of courtesy. And one of them cannot leave it.

It’s been a fun last five years, I guess. I cannot think of anything that was outright painful apart from crippling loneliness and having to meet the most horrible person I have ever encountered. The lonesomeness doesn’t look so bad now.

I don’t think I have ever been angrier than I was in that conservatory built over that ancient well. I loved the mansion, the garden, the overall setting, but I loathed the owner and resident.

My boy and girl friends have built me a ragdoll that looks like her, and it’s in front of me. A figure with a cerulean coat and a crescent moon embroidered in it. I threw darts at it, poisoned ones at that for all the harm they won’t do. After blowing an hour abusing an inanimate object in the image of something I detested, I set it ablaze, cutting out the work for my good friend Lyle Harper. As I did this, the wind picked up and blew from behind me and I caught a whiff or horse.

I suspect he’s here to calm me down and take my mind off of vengeance. He’s probably thinking, “Why does he have this extraordinary thirst for vengeance?” even if he knows darn well why. I’ll have it if it takes me a century, which he told me I have several of. Five to be exact, unless I drink that water from the flask about my neck, which I have refrained from, for he also told me it’s a huge decision, and once it’s in my system there’s no coming back from it.

I fondled with it, hoof firmly on the twist cap’s handle. I knew in all likelihood I’d either drink the stuff or an accident would spill it. I had a drink. A drink of rum, which Alex was ever so kind as to offer me. I love a drink. It keeps me from thinking too much if I just focus on being dizzy. I cast the empty bottle at the flames and shards went everywhere, causing Lyle to shield himself for cover, and almost doing the same for me. I welcome the glass shards, and want only to get the best possible cut I can without it being deliberate.

“Yaow!” came a scream from behind, and I whipped around on reflex.

There ascending the peak of the hillside were an insect and lizard like couple of beings. The violet and silver figure of Hadley stood between them.

“Lyle, why do you permit this?” he said.

“I cannot let him bottle this up. He needs to get it out of his system.” Mr Harper responded. He smelled somewhat like fish.

Val told me we have a new arrival, and I’m going to be wild about this next one.

Rolling my eyes, I threw one final stone at the smouldering mess on the ground.

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When I came into Alex’s basement, my nose had been immediately invaded by a repugnant smell. He’d been on the radio with Monica for the better part of the yesterday, and they had apparently caught a signal.

When they informed me about it, they went to the coastline and wanted to take me with them. I declined, but they said i’d be piqued by it.

I came along to a beach site that had two sets of hoof prints in it in each direction. They said it came from here, and they didn’t find anybody. We went to the yacht out most recent friend resided in, but he told us he hadn’t found anything.

Today, here I am, and there’s a distinct smell of sourness, of slight dampness detectable from outside, much stronger in here, though we could adjust. It didn’t smell like fish from the market, but it did smell like seawater, the salty aroma I have in recent date grown so accustomed to. Whoever was here didn’t want to be in the sunlight apparently, and as I would later find out, they had to be carried down the stairs. There was also talking, likely from Anthony and Angela.

A dimmed light was on in the corner which allowed my large eyes to see a woman sitting in a chair. She looked upward and saw me and said nothing. The other two figures smiled at me, and let me take the seats they’d occupied. From the face and upper torso, she didn’t look too much unlike your standard pony, but come round her neck region there wasn’t a body hair to be seen, just smooth skin. And so it was down to the fins. That’s right. She had upper limbs, but no lower ones at all. He torso continued as could be expected, but where it would end it would simply taper off and continue until a couple of boneless, clear appendages sprung from the end of her very long spine. She had no pelvis, no hip bone at all.

A glass or water was hovering in midair, almost certainly being held by this boy’s mind. His eyes were on it the whole time, yet the lady in the seat only took a single glance at it, then fixed her gaze on the blank wall between us residents.

Upon further inspection, she did nothing. she just sat there, seemingly totally irresponsible to anything any of us did or said. Her salty smell didn’t endear her to us. She just stared blankly ahead occasionally looking at us.

Monica told me she’d been like this since they found her. She only said one thing, and that was “Keep me in the shade.” Once here, she shut off. Yet another thing an awful mare might have caused, inadvertent or not.

After half an hour, I came up and told them I’d eventually get her for this, though the former cop told me not to do that or even think it, per usual telling me that’s not healthy.

That lady is practically a paraplegic who can’t even have much sun, nor even move much at the moment, scarcely aware of her surroundings.

I immediately calmed down when Sherman placed a hoof over my head and said things will be fine. For once, I tried something he’d been doing since this entire disappearance act started, and fell asleep on the spot. It’s not so bad.

When I woke up, Vinnie told me I’d been sleeping on hooves, that she’d never seen any but Sherman do this, and wondered if I was alright. I had been and asked if she’d come on a walk with me. She agreed.