Roleplay to the end :D discussion

Name: Amira Glass
Age: 17
Gender: Female
Appearance:
History/Bio: I was born in a kingdom under the sea, but due to love and selfishness I had visited a sea witch and traded my voice for legs, just so I could be on land and be with the boy I loved. Or the boy I thought I loved. It's been two years since I've left home, and I was since taken care of by adoptive parents, and had been enrolled by them to a boarding school in California. I had also been with the boy I had saved, Ethan, who attends the same school I go to. I had no idea he would leave me just like that, for another girl who claims that she's a local from the island we're vacationing on but is obviously the sea witch, because I'd know that voice anywhere: my own. Now I'm wandering aimlessly, thinking my life is over because no one would ever love me again.

Name: Vincent Price
Age: 17
Appearance:
Bio: I was born in England to parents who didn't love me and was shipped off at an early age to an army training facility. I got a lot of scars there, but the facility helped me become a much better person, especially after I escaped. Somewhere between then and now, I fell in love with a girl who fell out of love with me. After our untimely end, I was . . . a disaster. Now, I've shaped up a bit and I currently attend a boarding school I'm not sure I can afford, in California. At the moment, I'm on a school vacation, whisked away to a fancy island where nothing -- and no one -- is as it seems, especially since I can't tell if I'll ever be able to find love again. . . .

Amira

I stand at the water's edge, staring out at the sea, wondering how my father and my sisters are, wondering if they still even remember me.

I'm in a secluded part of the beach, and I see the reflection of the moon on the water. The stick I found is in my hand, and I slowly lift it so that its sharp edge is right in front of my heart. I start shaking all over and tears pour down my cheeks, but I suck in a breath and stand a little straighter.

I can't go back home to my real family, I don't want to go back home to my adoptive parents, and now no one loves me anymore. I start to wonder if Ethan ever loved me in the first place.

Or was my voice the only thing he loved? It sure makes sense.

I want to just plunge this stick right into my heart, but I can't shake away the utter fear.

Vincent

The beach would be absolutely gorgeous tonight if it didn't remind me so much of her.

The blood red rays cast from the sun outward into the sky reminded me of her lips. In the fine white sand beneath my bare feet, I saw -- and felt -- her skin. The girl standing in front of me wore a black dress; it flowed in the soft wind, and it brought to mind the wispy locks of Vanessa's hair.

No matter where I went, I couldn't avoid her. Even a thousand miles away, I still found traces of her, as if she'd been to every place in the world and had left her mark.

I was brought out of my reverie when I saw the girl in front of me, features illuminated my moonlight, bend down and pick up a stick. I noticed the sharpness of its tip and wondered what such a beautiful girl would do with such a dangerous tool. What were her plans?

She held the stick in both of her hands with a light grasp, and I watched a single tear run down her cheek. I wondered if she even knew I was there, watching her. No one else was around, and I didn't think she saw me approach. Either way, I stood still in absolute fascination, admiring her beauty, the way her bright hair transitioned into a foamy green that reminded me of the sea.

She raised the stick, and I sucked in a breath, rapt. Was she planning to -- no, surely she wasn't. She raised the stick to where it's sharp point was aimed right at her heart, angled just perfectly between her ribs. Goosebumps of terror rose up my arms. Every hair on the back of my neck rose.

I watched as she held the stick in place. I watched her hands tremble, almost as if she was afraid to make the final leap, to cross the Rubicon of death.

The stick shook ever so slightly.

Amira

Overtaken by fear, I collapse onto the ground on my knees, shaking more fiercely, the dangerously sharp tip of the stick only inches from my heart.

I can do this, I convince myself. Just plunge it in really quick. You probably won't even feel a thing.

I shut my eyes and lift the stick, ready to just get this over and done with.

Vincent

In that moment, I forgot completely of Vanessa, of her hair, her skin, her lips. The girl poised in front of me, stick pointed at her heart, demanded all of my attention. I almost broke out into a run, to stop her, but before I could, she collapsed in front of me, blonde and sea-foam hair fanned out around her. I gasped and sprinted over to her, faster than I had since I'd been in the army camp.

I stopped a few feet away, not sure if I should check for a pulse or carry her back to our vacation resort or not do anything at all. My heart was racing; I could feel each vein in my body pulsing with life and fear. She held the stick loosely in her hand, thumb wrapped around it. The point was facing her. I saw a glistening tear run down the side of her face and disappear into her hair. Her face was scrunched up, as if she were contemplating something.

I realized I should've intervened by then, but she was so peaceful to watch. Her movements were graceful, serene. She didn't seem to be in peril. So I watched. I watched her raise the stick above her chest. There was about a foot between them. It wouldn't take long to remove the distance.

When she lowered the stick speedily, my pulse racing me to her, I broke out into a sprint.

Amira

I jump when I hear fast footsteps on the sand, and my eyes look around to find the source. I didn't have to look around for long, because I saw a person running toward me. He looks like one of those models I see in the covers of men's magazines. He also looks very familiar. I think I may have seen him in my school before.

Instinctively, I stand up and stumble back a little, stick still clutched tightly in my hand. I contemplate running away but . . . something stops me from doing so.

Vincent

I almost reached the girl before she jumped. She heard me, feet pounding the sand to get to her. She looked at me funny, like she didn't know what to think of me. She still clutched the stick in her hand, eyes glazing over in fear and desire.

She didn't run. I thought she would.

"What are you doing?" I said, taking a step closer to her. She still wasn't trying to escape me, like she wasn't afraid of me.

She said nothing. She just grasped the stick tightly, in both hands, like she was afraid I was going to take it. "I see the stick, you know," I said, pointing at it.

At that, a single tear rolled down her face. The stick fell from her hands. It lay on the sand, forgotten, at least by me. She was all I could think about. . . .

Amira

For a while I was too entranced by his beauty that all I could do was stare. It took a while until I can shake my head and wipe the tears from my eyes, giving him a hard look.

I shake my head at him and do a shooing motion, telling him to go. I may have dropped the stick, but that doesn't mean I won't pick it up again and do what I planned.

A part of me feels bad for pushing him away like this, because the look in his eyes seems genuine. But after today's disaster, I've learned to not trust anyone so easily.

I trusted Ethan, and look where that got me?

Vincent

She looked at me warily, trying to decide if she could trust me. Her long, slender arms were at her sides, the stick clutched in one of them. She was barefoot as well, her beautiful toenails unpainted.

A gust of wind came up, tossing her hair over her shoulder. Her eyes shone with fresh tears, and when one of them slipped out, she wiped it off with her hand.

She shooed me off with a flick of her hand and shook her head at me. She desired to handle this alone, but I wasn't about to let that happen.

"I'm not leaving," I said.

And I stayed there, surrounded by the whooshing waves of the ocean during high tide and the utter silence of the beach behind us.

Amira

If he won't leave then maybe I should.

I reach down and take the stick again, and I start walking away from him in fast steps. It's very weird how a part of me doesn't want him to follow me while the other part does.

I shake those thoughts away. You can't be fooled by a boy's beauty again, Amira, I scold myself. Never again.

Sure enough I hear him following me, and then I dash into the trees. Why does he even want to stop me, anyway? Why is my life his concern?

Vincent

Her eyes taunted me, the color of the sea. When I looked at her, a mermaid came to mind, royal and elegant, surrounded by miles and miles of ocean water.

She bent down and grabbed the stick. Her eyes darted toward the edge of the forest, and I knew without a doubt that she was going to make a run for it. She broke out into a sprint, making a beeline for the edge of the forest, hoping to disappear from view once she got behind the rows of entangled branches.

However, I was just as fast as she was, so I caught up after she entered the dark place. The air was so shadowy, the only thing I was able to follow was her blonde hair. It served as a beacon under the moonlight, which barely illuminated the rocks and other obstacles I had to avoid tripping over.

Eventually, I caught up with her. I was winded, my breathing heavy and labored. I grabbed her arm and brought her against a tree, just looking into her eyes, at her lips, her hair, her face, unable to breathe.

"You can't do what you're planning," I said, breathing between each word.

She just looked at me, eyes full of restraint.

Amira

He's too close. Way too close. I press my back hard against the tree, looking away from him, but I feel the heat of his body as if his arms were wrapped around me. I should shove him off, but I don't want to.

"Why?" I say, but of course nothing comes out. I pronounced it slowly so that he can read my lips. If I had my voice, I would probably be saying, Why does my life matter to you so much? You don't even know me. You don't understand that I have nothing left to live for.

Vincent

I froze when she uttered the word. For some reason, I couldn't hear the word "Why," even though she said it.

"Why are you talking so quietly?" I asked.

She didn't say anything.

"Can you answer me?"

Nothing.

"What's your name?"

Silence. My least favorite sound in the world. All I heard was the distant waves and the screaming in her eyes.

"Can you speak?"

Amira

I look at him sadly, pointing to my mouth and shaking my head.

"Mute," I mouth. "No voice."

Not anymore, at least. But I don't tell him that, because he'll obviously think I'm crazy. No one knows. It's always been between me and that sea witch that I foolishly trusted.

Vincent

I nodded in understanding. At that moment, I wondered what her voice would sound like. Would it be as rich and beautiful as the waves on the ocean? Or perhaps even more so?

I released her, but surprisingly, she didn't flee like I expected her to. She lingered, both in reality and in my mind.

She smiled at me, warm as the sun beneath the cold moon.

Amira

It takes me a while to realize that I'm smiling at him. When I do, though, I immediately shake it off and look away from him.

"Go away," I mouth. He may have thought that he changed my mind, but he's wrong. I'm still going to do what I planned.

Vincent

"I'm not going to leave you," I say, voice echoing through the trees. I was shocked when I realized the stick wasn't in her hand, but the fear set in again when I saw it in her other hand. She must've seen me looking at it, trying to figure out how to get her to release it, when she turned around and walked, calmly, toward the beach, ready to end everything.

I caught up to her and blocked her path, my arms held out at my sides, but she walked around them. I did this twice more, almost seeing it as a game. A game with deadly consequences.

"So that's how you're going to play, huh?" I yelled after her. "Well, you're going to be sorry you even decided to start this game."

She just kept walking. I ran after her.

Amira

Game? What game? What in the world is he talking about?

The more he chases me, the more I start to get annoyed. Until eventually I can't take it anymore, and I turn toward him, my face probably beet red from anger.

"What do you want?!" I mouth. If I had my voice, it would be shrieking mad right now. "Leave me alone! Whatever I do is not your concern!" I doubt he got that part, but it slipped out anyways because of how furious I am.

Vincent

"Slow down, darlin'," I said, holding up my hands, pushing my palms toward her. "I didn't catch a word of what you just said." From the looks of it, however, she was fuming. A bright shade of red illuminated both of her cheeks; her eyebrows sloped downward in a passionate frown.

"I'm not going to let you kill yourself, unnamed girl. That's not going to happen tonight, or ever. You are going to stay alive --" I pinched one of her cheeks -- "and well."

I was going to make sure of it.

Amira

I slap his hand away when he pinches me, giving him a hard look. "You. Are not. The. Boss. Of me." I make sure to mouth the words really slowly now.

But really, this guy doesn't even know who I am. Why would he just be all over my business all of a sudden like he's my father?

I catch a scent in the air, but I have no idea what it is. I frown and lift my head, trying to trace the scent and follow it. I think I'm on the right track, because the scent gets more and more heavier with each step. I still can't figure out what scent it is, though. Kind of like an odd mix of food and perfume.

Vincent

Without warning, the girl stopped in her tracks and followed her nose. Sniffing the air, I smelled the same as her: a mixture of delicious food, almost like a banquet, and a lovely perfume. I couldn't tell what I was smelling, but like the girl, I wanted to follow it.

The delicious smell that made my mouth water intensified as we journeyed farther into the forest. Soon, less than a mile deep, we found a cottage. The girl wasn't bothered by my following, or at least she didn't show it.

Unabashed, she walked up to the door and knocked three times. A woman appeared at the door, haglike in nature, with wispy gray hair and watering eyes.

"Yes?" she said, swinging open the door.

Amira

The woman looks at the boy for a while, and then her eyes travel to mine.

Her face falls. "Oh.... Oh my," she rasps. "You've been tampered with dark magic, haven't you?"

Does she mean... My heart starts to beat with excitement. She might be able to help me get my voice back! I nod eagerly, and then point to my mouth, opening it and making a sort of pulling motion with my hand.

She seems to understand. "Oh dear... Come with me, please. And don't stress yourself, sweetie, I can read your mind." She gives me a smile.

I blink. You can?

"Yes, I can."

Vincent

I watched the exchange in bewilderment and slight confusion. What did this crazy woman know about dark magic? I didn't have time in my life to deal with more crazy paranormal kooks, but the girl seemed to be falling for her lies.

I just about lost it when she claimed she could read her mind. However, I regained my control over my temper and followed them into the cottage. That edible smell lingered strongly in the air.

The hag led us to the back of her cottage, where a sprawling river lay, sparkling freshwater streaming down, toward the ocean. But, wait . . . There wasn't a river that led to the Pacific Ocean around here! Which meant only one thing . . .

. . . This was all magic speaking.

She leaned down at the river's edge and reached into the shimmering water, withdrawing a necklace. Pale pink seashells hung from a soft black cord.

"Here, Amira," the hag said, smiling darkly, extending her hand that held the necklace; "this is for you."

. . . So that's what her name was.

Amira

I hesitantly take the necklace from her, my eyebrows furrowed. What are these?

"It's to help you communicate with your beau," she says, gesturing to the guy.

My eyes widen and I shake my head. No, trust me, he's not my beau.

The woman laughs, a very pleasant sound. "It can also help you communicate with others that aren't able to do magic, but you'll have to focus really hard for a while. It will take a while to get used to." Her face saddens. "I'm sorry that I can't return your voice back to you. My magic is weakening, and this is the best I can do to help."

The fact that you're helping me at all is absolutely appreciated. I can't thank you enough. I smile at her. Do I owe you anything?

She's silent for a moment. "Yes," she says finally, her voice low. "Just promise you won't take your life. That's all I will ask." She reaches out to brush my cheek, and I'm surprised how soft her fingers are. "You are a very valuable gem, dear. Trust me, you will not regret your decision, if you choose not to go through with your plan."

I think about it for a while. Is there really something─or someone─out there, waiting for me? Can I really even stop the sea witch and get my voice back?

The woman laughs. "You are such a negative thinker, child. Think positively. Trust me, it will do you wonders."

I smile at her. Okay, I say, nodding. I won't go through with it. Thank you so much for all your help.

Vincent

We exit the cottage and begin to exit the forest itself. We have a long walk ahead of us, and we are both silent, listening to the crickets and birds roaming the forest. I can barely see the path in front of me, so I follow Amira. She seems to have a better sense of night vision.

Without warning, her voice pops into my head. Uhm, hello? it is just as rich and melodious as I expected. My eyes drift shut in pleasure, but I stumble over a rock and listen as Amira's laughter flows into my head, mellifluous.

She stumbles over her words, or thoughts, and sounds as if she is about to say something important. The sound of her voice overlaps the cacophonous sounds of nature, and everything is all right, at least for now.

Amira

Okay, so I'm guessing you can hear me, I start without looking at him. First of all, let me just ask why you so desperately want to help me or get into my business? You don't even know me.

Vincent

"Yes, I can hear you," I say. "And, well, if you were walking along the beach, remembering things from your past that sucked, things you really didn't want to remember because you were sure you were over them, and you saw someone attempting to kill herself, wouldn't you stop and try to talk her out of it? And don't say you wouldn't. I know you wouldn't be able to live with the guilt, because I know I wouldn't, and I'm not half as emotional as you are."

Amira

I stay silent after that, because I just really have no idea what to say. We continue walking in silence until I ask him, Should we go back to the hotel?

I kind of don't want to, because I'm afraid I would see . . . them.

Vincent

"Hell, no. We're not going back to that place." As much as I wanted to -- I mean, after all, the hotel had a five-star pool and hot tub, and who knew how many girls would break the rules and stay down there after eleven when it was unsupervised -- I didn't want to leave Amira here alone. I didn't trust that she had listened to the hag and had sworn off suicide for good.

"But you can keep talking, if you want," I said.

Why? I heard, although I wasn't sure if she actually said it or if I just imagined it.

"Because I like the sound of your voice."

Amira

But we have to go SOMEWHERE, I say. We can't just stay here in the middle of the forest. And I think the hotel is the only place to go back to.

Vincent

"Yeah . . . I guess you're right."

We reach the beach, where we stood no longer than an hour ago. I'm surprised at how much has changed since then, from the red rays of dark light that are now midnight blue to the fact that Amira is (hopefully) no longer suicidal. We follow the edge of the shore, water splashing across our feet, until the hotel is visible, a cluster of light and sound.

I wade into the water, soaking my shorts.

"In case they ask us where we were, we can say we were at the pool, but we have to look the part."

So, I splash her.

Amira

I stand there with my mouth open for a while, the water making my short dress all wet, and then I run over to him and splash at him as well.

Being in the water calms me, reminds me of my life before. I was so foolish to just leave like that, without a trace. Without even thinking about how hurt my father or my sisters would be.

I wish I could go back. More than anything, I wish I could go back. Even if I didn't have my voice anymore. I just want to see my family again, and breathe in the ocean, and swim freely with my tailfin.

Vincent

I watch Amira stand there, mouth agape, for a minute; then she runs into the water with me and splashes me back. I turn my head and hold up my hands to repel the water, but not before I catch a whisper of a smile on her face. It's a beautiful sight. I wonder how in the world a girl like her could've wanted to kill herself. What didn't she have? She is absolutely beautiful; she has a great personality, and a wonderful voice.

What could've made her want to end her life? What was missing?

I am too afraid to ask.

Amira

Instead of going back to the hotel, we suddenly find ourselves sitting on the sand, letting the gentle lapping waves hit our legs. The moon is almost disappearing and the sky is becoming somewhat brighter.

I stare at my feet, moving around the toes. After two years, I guess I'm used to them now, but I remember my fins like I just had them yesterday. I sigh.

I wasn't always mute, you know, I say to this boy who I still don't know what his name is. I had a voice. But I foolishly traded it for something else.

Vincent

"Oh, really?" I say, fine white sand running between my fingers. "What for?"
Before she could speak, I said "My name's Vincent, by the way."

Amira

Vincent. Huh.

It might sound crazy, but I traded my voice for these. I reach out and touch my legs, wiggling my toes. I didn't always have legs. Before two years ago, I had fins.

Vincent

I was actually starting to fall for Amira, just a little bit, until she told me she had fins.

Then, I really knew she had gone off the deep end -- well, not literally, but you know what I mean.

"Uhm, oh," I said, trying to make the disbelief in my voice transparent and failing miserably.

Amira

I chuckle. I know you don't believe me, but it's fine. I can't really prove it in any way, can I?

He probably thought I was crazy now, but that's good. Maybe he'll stay away from me. I appreciate that he wanted to help, but again, I just can't trust someone that easily anymore.

Vincent

"I don't think you can prove it, but I'll take your word for it." And I wasn't kidding. I was going to trust her. I was tired of being so untrusting of people.

"It's almost eleven," I said, looking down at my watch. "Are you ready to head back? I know how much you don't want to, but..."

Amira

I sigh. Alright, I guess we should head back. I stand up and brush the sand off of myself. The only thing I can prove is that my voice really WAS taken. I could show you the person who took it.

Vincent

I gave Amira a look of concern and worry. "Are you . . . are you trying to say I know the person who took your voice? Like, they go to our school?"

Amira

I shake my head. She claims to be a local here. She also happened to steal my boyfriend. Purposely, no doubt about it. As for Ethan, I don't know if he's in some kind of spell or if he really truly prefers her more than me, just because she has my voice.

I want to believe the former, but I can't deny that the latter is pretty possible.

Vincent

"Really? She stole your boyfriend? I wouldn't put it beneath her to do that, if she's as bad as you say she is." At that point, we were walking along the beach. Sand was wedged between my toes, and every step sent tingles up my legs. God, I loved the beach. Now, during the night, I loved it even more. Just me and my thoughts -- well, and Amira's thoughts, too, which kept popping up in my brain.

"I'm sorry," I said, "but I guess it's time to move on. It's time to find someone who won't leave you for someone prettier, someone who's not that shallow." She looked over at me, and we looked in each other's eyes, searching for signs. I waited for her next thoughts to pop up in my head.

Amira

For a while, I can't seem to pull my eyes away from his, but after trying a few more times, I finally do. I don't think I want to do the searching anymore. I'd rather if he was the one who found me.

Vincent

She pulls her eyes away from mine, and my chest aches. "I think that might just happen. Your next boyfriend might be closer than you think."

At that, she looks at me again, desire written in the crease of her perfect eyebrows, the tips of her hair. She leans in toward me, and I hold my breath.

One... She is even closer.

Two... I can almost feel her breath on my skin.

Three...

"DUDES! Get your asses back to the hotel!" Someone yells from further down the beach. "It's almost eleven! You're gonna get expelled if you stay out here!"

"Aw, fuck," I mutter under my breath.

Amira

I snap out of it when I hear someone's sharp voice. What the hell just happened? Did I really just lean in and was about to kiss him, just like that?

I need to learn to be more careful around him, apparently.

Okay, let's head back, I say, chuckling a little and walking to the direction of the hotel.

When we get there, I part ways with him. I guess I'll see you tomorrow or something. I walk to the direction of my room without looking back, still embarrassed that I would willingly want to kiss him.

Vincent

I guess I'll see you tomorrow or something, she says to me when we reach the hotel at 11:00 on the dot. I can't but wish I would've kissed her.
My sleep tonight is fitful and unsatisfying. I wake up in the morning with purple moons under my eyes.

Amira

It's breakfast and for the first time, I'm sitting alone. Everyone is so entranced with Sierra, a.k.a. the sea witch, who claims to be a local that's staying in the hotel as well. Right.

Ethan's arm is wrapped around her waist, and it makes my heart clench at how happy and in love he looks, even if they've only known each other for probably less than 24 hours.

All of my friends are also extremely gravitated toward her, by her beauty and her voice. My voice. When will this nightmare be over?

Vincent

By the time I finally come down for breakfast, most of the people in the lobby are on one side. I notice that's the side a gorgeous girl is on, with light amber eyes that capture the sun perfectly and light brown hair, simply curled. She's a beauty; no wonder everyone seemingly gravitated toward her.

I am entranced until I hear her speak. Her voice is achingly familiar. It sounds like Amira's.

That girl must've been the Sierra girl Amira was talking about. It registered in my brain, and she no longer seemed as genuine as when I had first laid eyes on her.

I noticed then that Amira was on the other side of the lobby, practically alone. Three other people were with her, including a feisty girl with spiky, short red hair, but their attention was captured by Sierra.

I started walking toward Amira's table.