And Nothing More

Shadow Droppers, or Shifters, in her time weren’t as popular as they are now. Though the laws never changed since, it was likely to walk into a town and be chased out immediately with guns and swords and pitchforks and torches. It was hard to navigate a world like this. People like Tikani often had to hide away, or smother that very facet of themselves to survive. Yet, somehow, everyone would still find out, and more often than not you’d find yourself injured and left to rot in a cold dusk rain. A monster, they called you, and thought nothing more.

Tikani wanted to escape. She wanted to find other places and other people far, far away from this planet. And so, half to find this dream and half to learn how to defend herself proper, she enlisted herself into Fleet training. She was treated no better than she was in a lowly village, and often she was treated worse. By each passing night, her goal to find somewhere new seemed smaller and smaller, pointless. It was not until her captain attempted to force unwanted advances on her that she killed him and escaped the camp. No dream was worth this humiliation, but still she couldn’t help but wonder if the accusations were true: if she was, indeed, a monster?

All This and Heaven Too

The Pacifier used to be a common title for Limebloods, as it was their caste-assigned position. Limebloods were most notable for their emotion-manipulation psionics, and were assigned to or hired by Highbloods to aid in their emotional regulation. Tikani, after many sweeps of hiding from the Fleet, became a Pacifier. However, unlike most, she was not entirely subservient to her employers, as her experiences in the Fleet had toughened her skin. She was prone to speaking out, and holding strong to her opinions. She believed she had self-worth, and that will not be taken away nor erased, much to the dismay of many a hemoist employer.

But there was a good match that would change the course of Tikani’s life. This new employer, a Purpleblood rainbow drinker who went by the name Montague, was fair and gentle to his staff. However, his temper in regards to other Highbloods in his political meetings was unsavory to say the least, and so Tikani stayed for many sweeps at his manor providing emotional regulation to him and kinship to her peers. Montague and Tikani, they grew close; he, the gentle giant who cared for everyone and provided protection to all, and she the hot-headed and spirited woman who finally found a place she belonged. They found each other’s weaknesses behind the carefully crafted walls, and instead of wrecking the concrete they held it all in their hands as carefully as porcelain. Hardly was there a love as strong as theirs, which almost seemed to transcend quadrants.

Though it would not last long.

Separated

Political unrest began to stir between the Government and its people. Politicians had deemed Limebloods “too dangerous,” fearing that their psionics would endanger the status quo that Highbloods so often enjoyed the privileges of. There was a call to execute every living Lime. This did not go over well, not with the Lowbloods and not with the Highbloods who employed the Limes. A civil war soon split the planet, but the Limebloods found themselves on the losing side, and not even Montague could protect Tikani for long.

The battle came upon his doorstep, his enemies coming for his throat and gunning for Tikani and any other Limeblood staff. There had been a secret way out, however; a series of tunnels that ran beneath the manor. They would sneak out that way, and hoped that the maze would be puzzling enough that their attackers wouldn’t be able to reach them.

It did not go as planned, however. The attackers were hot on their trail, and the only way to give Tikani and the others time was for Montague to fend them off. It was brutal, bloody, and in the chance that it would spare his life Tikani bit Montague, hoping that her Shifter abilities would pass onto him. Not long after though, the tunnels began to collapse, and Tikani and her best friend Imogen were then separated from Montague. To this day, neither are quite sure if the other is alive, but they could only hope.

And Now Today

Modern day, Tikani is often wandering the regions of Alternia, exploring the world. This is not out of curiosity, however, but out of restlessness. If she focused on moving, she wouldn’t have to sit still and be haunted by the memories of her past and all the people she’s lost. She travels to near and distant lands, and comes back to Imogen’s warren to deliver supplies, souvenirs, and sometimes survivors if she ever finds one. But her heart is always heavy with the memory of Montague, a wound she would never recover from.