Memoirs of a RAFian

[Cloak]

*sigh*

Well, I finished planning out "Rise of the Guardians", started planning out "Losing Face".

We'll let's try this.
 

CHAPTER SEVENTEEN:
Sakki's Day

The bailiff bid everyone to rise for Judge Verity Andrea Justice, and everyone complied. She was a venerable old bird with white wiry hair which framed a face like a crumpled old paper bag. She was known for her blunt sternness and lack of patience for frivolous cases.

Lokey knew he was in trouble now. He vainly -- and rather irrationally -- hoped that Judge Justice would not notice how Avery Slix didn't bother to play up the injuries. He looked perfectly unharmed, barring a few scratches that only a little kitten could inflict on his lift wrist.

"Be seated, be seated," the judge said. She shuffled her papers distractedly before reading. "Sakki, you have been found to have incurred grievious injury to one Avery --"

Lokey's hopes were dashed as Judge Justice noticed the obvious lack of harm to Slix. Judge Justice, with eyes like pinpoint lasers. She did not wear a pleased look when she saw this.

"Okay, what do you take me for?" she said. She was clearly offended.

"P-pardon, Your Honor?" Lokey said, feigning ignorance. But he knew the jig was up, if he was honest with himself. But he clearly wasn't ready for such personal honesty.

"Cut the act, Lokey! Even the stupidest person in the world can see that Avery Slix is completely uninjured! No 'grievious' injury can possibly heal in the amount of time that the reported act took place! Slix is uninjured."

"I am too!" Slix protested, indicating his scratches.

Judge Justice eyed the delusional papparzzo beadily, saying, "You cannot be serious."

***

"Cleared of all charges! It must be a relief to be free of that burden." Duff said, waving around his glass cheerily and haphazardly.

"I think that's enough 'celebrating' for you, Duff." Terenia said, plying the drink away from him.

"It is a relief," Sakki admitted. "But I can't help but feel a little sorry for Lokey."

"It was humiliating for him, I'll admit," Kelly said, indulging in a couple of fries from the cook-out. "But the guy made his choice. It's just a pity he made a triple bad decision."

Then she paused thoughtfully.

"But he stuck to his guns. That's something."

"But it's not over," drifted Cloak's voice. He stood in the edge of darkness, at the periphery of the party. "How long until the next incident? How long until someone else decides to blow something way out of proportion?"

"Cloak, relax! C'mon, join the party."

Cloak said nothing, he was deep in thought. The government wasn't honoring their restraining order, they were too busy quibbling endlessly about who knows what, something probably very pointless in the grand scheme of things.

Action would need be taken.

And soon.

[Cloak]

Now, a second chapter. . . .

CHAPTER EIGHTEEN:
Leave Us Be . . . Or Else

The party went on, but Cloak feel them through the earth. He felt them coming closer, encroaching upon the forum that at one time felt safe and free. Now, it was little more than a fortress, a prison.

Cloak had already a significant amount of time in a prison that should have been a home. He suffered through that while his warren, his mother, willingly turned a blind eye to it -- as she crafted it.

Defiant determination solidified in the Realm Walker. His jaw ser, the can of Sunkist crushed and twisted in his fist.

No, he thought savagely. No, another home will not be turned into a prison. I will not abide it. I WILL NOT ALLOW IT!!

He vanished from the party, so quietly, so quickly, so seemlessly that no one noticed. At least, at first.

Cloak slipped outside the forum, with its overlarge earthen walls.  The walls that he himself was forced to create to shield themselves from these papparazzi parasites.

Why were they so interesting to them? Why were they so desirable to them? Why were they so fascinating to them?

"C'mon out, leeches." Cloak said, with a tone acidly derisive. "I know you're there."

No one moved, all laboring under the delusion that Cloak was bluffing.

"Do not force my hand," Cloak said, voice icy. "You cannot fool me."

Suddenly, he was stampeded. Soon enough he was surrounded on three sides. They were jabbering questions that over lapped each other.

"SILENCE!" Cloak snarled, a tiger roar intermingling with his voice. "I did NOT come out here to provide you with an interview!"

That silenced them, for the moment. Cloak felt disgusted and revolted by these people. They didn't care, did they? Didn't care who they hurt, as long as they got the shot or got the footage.

Cloak's eyes narrowed, as he looked upon this horde. In many ways, these people were more heartless than Malice.

"Back off, all of you." he said. "Leave me and my RAFoan brethren alone. Or else."

"Or else what?!" a brazen papparazzo said. Cloak realized that it was Avery Slix who spoke, so 'brazen' wasn't the proper term, 'stupid' would have been more accurate.

"Or else you'll force me to do something that I really don't want to do." Cloak said. With a slight flourish of his cloak, he retreated back into the forum.

[Cloak]

Dunno if I can get all these posted today.

CHAPTER NINETEEN:
Movin' On Up

Cloak gave them twenty-four hours to abide by his ultimatium. To leave the RAFians in peace, though Cloak was not foolish enough to lower the walls. Cloak did not really believe that they would abide by the Realm Walkers wishes.

He was right. They didn't even wait three hours before pushing their luck. Cloak made sure all the RAFians were present and accounted for.

Horse, Blocky, Faerie, Parker, Blue and few others seemed to realize what Cloak had in mind. They accepted it, knowing that they'd be free from papparazzi, at least for the time being, and Cloak had done it once before.

Horse swam in the lake, using her hydrokinesis to keep the water still, before using her cryokinesis to form a "skin" atop it.

Cloak stood at the center of the forum. His eyes closed focusing his mind, his emotions, his power. This was going to take a fair bit of power, of focus, of concentration.

He took a breath, then his eyes snapped open, golden-scarlet suns.

Suddenly, the walls collapsed inward, as if bowing to their Master. They eventually coalescenced into a smooth-walled dome. Darkness was absolute for a moment before the thread lights came on.

Then Cloak stamped his left foot and push his arms up. What was strange is that no one felt the descent, or when Cloak stopped moving the forum.

Then Cloak, eyes closed, turned and began to swing his arms as if he was heading up a steep hill. Then he stopped that, and receded the walls.

The newer RAFians were amazed by their new location -- a wonderful glade of dappled sunlight with an open sky above, obscured by trees, and hidden grotto entryway that overlooked the city.

Cloak had moved RAF once again*. He hoped, as he did then, that this would be the last time.

The other RAFians were off to explore this new habitat of theirs, as Cloak slumped, second-guessing his decision. He wondered if he was being rash, and he wondered this long into the night . . .

---
*In the "Intro Randomness" thread.

[Cloak]

Last chapter of this book.

CHAPTER TWENTY:
Acclimating

For the most part, the RAFians didn't complain about the new location, which was well hidden and required a Mark to penetrate. Well, Rotiart complained, but, then again, he always complained. Saffa got so fed up with this, she chased him, in hawk form, threating to peck out his eyeballs.

Cloak was rife with doubt and insecurity about what he had done. Was it ethical? He didn't ask the opinions of the others. He acted of his own accord. How was he any better than the others of his kind who saw Dwellers as insignificant specks, who opinions mattered little? The others didn't seem too bothered by this. Heck, it made the travel Saffa, Gaz and Abby had to make their respective schools easier . . . although that could be because all thre just fly there.

Cloak found himself drawn to a distinct, quiet spot in the shade. The entire area was circular, and the thread buildings -- the Bored Board, the Animorphs Board, the General Board, the infirmary, the mess hall, the training simulator, etc. -- fit quite easily in the expanse with the fragile-looking stone walls arcing up unsymmetrically, as if carved out by a lavabender all around the forum -- but, yet it felt more open, as their was no ceiling to to this place. There was an opening rather like an aircraft hanger down the hill that over looked the city. It really was a lovely view.

"LEAVE ME ALONE, YOU DEMON BIRD!!" Rotiart whined.

<I'll consider it,> Saffa said drily, <after I've pecked out your eyes.>

"NO!"

"Saffa, that's enough," Cloak said, legs crossed and eyes closed.

Saffa resumed her human form, declaring, "Killjoy."

"Yes. Quite." Cloak said, obviously not really paying attention.

***

Meanwhile, in the fringes of the city, a man-sized creature was feasting from a green dumpster. It had orange fur with a burnt-black, flayed, ugly face. Beady eyes, large flappy mouth, and a body shape like a hairy potato. It had on arm with three pencil-like fingers each ending a penknife-like claw and one leg with pencil-thin claws that look similar to that of a dog. It possessed another limb on its right side that could function as both an arm or a leg.

The commotion drew the attention of the human populace and the creature fled. It thirsted for revenge.

Revenge on a RAFian.

[redtailedsaffa]

Whoa, whoa, whoa, I look away for a few seconds and the book gets finished?!

Yay Cloaky's internet!

PDF time, then.

EDIT: Aaaaand here's the PDF.

[Cloak]

Now, a new book.
 

BOOK XLIX:
RAFIAN TALES
CHAPTER ONE:
Life is Like a Hurricane . . .

"Life is like a hurricane,
Here in this burg.
Race cars, lasers, aeroplanes,
It's a RAF-blur.
You might solve a mystery
Or rewrite history!
RAF Tales (oooh ooooh)
Every day they're out there making
RAF Tales (oooh ooooh)
Tales of daring do bad and good
Luck Tales (oooh ooooh)
When it seems they're heading for the
Final curtain!
Cool deduction never fails.
That's for certain!
The worst of messes
Become successes!
D-D-D-Danger! Watch behind you
There's a stranger out to find you
What to do? Just grab on to some RAF Tales
D-D-D-Danger! Watch behind you
There's a stranger out to find you
What to do? Just grab on to some ... RAF Tales
Not pony tales or duck tales, no
RAF Tales (ooh ooooh)"

"Abby, give it up." Saffa said. "After that papparazzi incident, no one's gonna want to do a movie on us.  Not even a television show."

"With this hype? C'mon! It's the perfect time!"
 
"Do you honestly think that they'd show us in a good light?" Cloak said.  "That's one reason I moved us away from all that."
 
"Besides, don't you think that the plot's a little lacking?" Underseen asked.
 
"Really?" Abby said, acidly. "What would you have for a plot?  Any of you?"

[redtailedsaffa]

*puts on dramatic TV host voice*

LAST SEASON: After the attack of the paparazzi threatened RAF's peace, a dramatic intervention by Cloak put RAF in a whole new place, and saved the day - or did it?

TODAY - an all new season of Memoirs of a RAFian, brought to you by AbbyBabbles!

LOL, I love doing that.

[Cloak]

LOL, Saffa.

I was considering posting yet another chapter, but I'm just too tired, and I already posted five today . . .

[redtailedsaffa]

I think 5 in a day is enough, lol.

[Cloak]

Now another chapter.

CHAPTER TWO:
A RAFmas Carol

"Well?" Abby prompted.

Blue spoke up, hesitating in a thoughtful way, "Well, here's an idea . . ."

***

Queen was dead, to begin with. Her partner Rotiart Scrooge had inherited their business, and he pinched a penny harder than Scrooge McDuck.

His clerk was affable ol' Lumy Cratchet, a poor but decent man. Father of Tiny Horse.

He asked Scrooge for RAFmas Day off, to which Scrooge scoffed, "A fone excuse for picking a man's pocket every twenty-fifth of December!"

Later that night, Rotiart was visited by the Queen Marley, who sang a variation of "Marley and Marley". She warned that he would be visited by three ghosts during the night.

The first ghost, the Ghost of RAFmas Past, was a small, cheeky monkey* spirit who showed Rotiart Scrooge his past inquiring benignly on the events before vanishing, having Scrooge awaken in his bed.

The next ghost, the Ghost of RAFmas Present, was a jolly old soul -- a man with a beard**. He shows Scrooge how the world sees him at present. And it was not pleasant viewing.

Then the cloaked*** Ghost of RAFmas past wordlessly show him how disrespectful people were to him in death as well as his own grave.

He awakes a changed man.

***

"Christmas Carol, RAF edition" Phoenix said appreciatively.

"But that's more of a single episode idea." Abby said.

---
*Shadow, obviously.

** SuperNate.

*** Guess.

[Cloak]

Second chapter, methinks.

CHAPTER THREE:
The Three RAFians Though

"Eh." Blue said, in response.

"It's not enough drive a whole --" Abby began.

"Oh! Oh! Oh!" Gaz said, suddenly excited. "What about this?"

***

There were once two pastures, separated by a deep, uncrossable river. This river was only spanned by a wooden bridge. The pasture on the right was growing low on karma. Soon the three RAFians who dwelt their would have to cross the bridge to the other side.

But this was fraught with a singular danger, for the Pootang dwelt beneath the bridge. It would eat the poor RAFians should they try to cross over.

Soon enough, there was nothing to be done for it, they had to cross.

The littlest RAFian began to cross the bridge. The Pootang roared, "Who's stomping on my bridge?!"

"Not I," said Goom.

"I shall eat you."

"You don't want me," claimed the little goomba, "you want my bigger friend."

"Bigger friend?" the Pootang said. "Very well, you may cross."

The little goomba crossed onto the karma-verdant pasture. But soon, the second RAFian decided to leave the graying pasture.

"Who is stomping on my bridge?!" the Pootang raged.

"Not I," Sakki said, with faux innocence.

"I shall eat you."

"You don't want me," Sakki said, persuasively. "You want my biggest friend."

"Very well, then. You may cross."

She did.

Soon, the last RAFian began to cross, and the Pootang cried, "Who's stomping on my bridge?!"

"Not I," Dino said throatily.

"I shall eat --"

CHOMP!

Dino ate the Pootang.

***

"Nice twist," Saffa smirked.

"But that's too episodic --" Abby began to protest.

But this was no longer about the movie. . . .

[redtailedsaffa]

No series is complete without their version of "A Christmas Carol".

[Underseen]

I knew this book would be entertaining. I hope X and Y will come after this book.

[Cloak]

Right.

Now, just the one chapter.

CHAPTER FOUR:
The Three Little RAFians

"Guys! You're losing sight of --" Abby protested.

"How about this story?" Kelly asked.

***

There were once three RAFians who had to go out and seek their fortune. One had built his thread of straw, the second built her thread of sticks, and the last built her thread of bricks.

As it so happened, a Big, Bad Pootang came into the area. It happened across little Underseen's thread of straw.

"Yeah, I know." Underseen said to the audience. "It violates every building code. So what?"

The he saw the Big, Bad Pootang. He quickly ducked into his thread.

"Little RAFian, little RAFian," the Pootang rasped, "let me in!"

"Not by the hair on my chinny chin chin!" Underseen decried.

"Then I'll huff, and puff, and bloooooooow your thread in!!"

Then the straw thread collapsed in on itself and Underseen fled to Abby's place.

"What do you want? There's not a lot of building material around here." Abby said to the audience, explaining her building material choice. Then she spotted an approaching Underseen with Pootang in tow. The two RAFians dived into the thread.

"Little RAFians, little RAFians, let me in!" the Pootang demanded.

"Not by the scabs on our shinny shin shins!"

"Then I'll huff, and I'll puff, and I'll blooooooow your thread in."

It went just as it did the first. The two fled to Saffa's thread, which was made of bricks. The two huddled against the door, while Saffa sat on a comfortable easy chair, flicking absently through a catalogue.

The Pootang beat on the door, demanding loudly, "Little RAFians, little RAFians, let me in!!"

"Not by the scars on our skinny skin skin!" the three said, though Saffa sounded quite bored frankly.

"Then I'll huff, and puff, and blooooooow your thread in!"

"Knock yourself out," Saffa said, not even looking up.

And, of course, the Pootang did just that. Saffa had the officials cart the brute away.

***

"I like it," Saffa said with a smirk.

Underseen and Abby were less enthusiastic.

[redtailedsaffa]

I ROFLed hard.