Welcome to The Duality of Man, an original animanga role-play that features numerous supernatural creatures. Unfortunately, these various species have distanced themselves because of the war that occurred thousands of years ago, plaguing some with eyes that only see their dualism. While others meddle themself with their differences, two groups fight, each attempting to eliminate the other in for their definition of worldly peace. These two groups of the Terror Response Syndicate (TRS) and the Assembly of Phantoms (AP). With individuals fighting merely over their differences, it brings uncertainty to the outcome of this war.
We happily accept all role-players as long as they obey the rules and are capable of meeting our word count of 50. This does include those who are unfamiliar with this style of role-playing. The staff of The Duality of Man are willing to happily help those who are new to the role-playing world so they feel comfortable on site. Feel free to message the staff if you need help, they can be found here or in the site Discord and will gladly answer questions alongside calm concerns. If you have any suggestions we would love to hear them; guests may use the support board as a suggestion area as well. Should you decide to join, may I say welcome to the site and we all hope you enjoy your time here.
Yours Truely,
The Staff
season
Summer 2024
Heat has broken through into a glorious summer. The snow has entirely dried through the spring, leaving to the brilliance of the warmer months. Terror activity has risen as people are brought out of their homes, leaving the TRS in a position of consistent work. Each are attempting to maintain victory in the endless struggle for power.
Since the wonderful members of TDOM enjoy the site enough to play around on it, this thread is to assist with the site's tidying! Functionality is important and we want to make the site functional even if its activity will be minimal at best!
i told them I wanted to go home[break] but they bound me with their chains
[attr=class,punkisavelightbottomslant]
[attr=class,punkisavelightseparator]
395 words
[attr=class,punkisavelighttext] Watchful eyes were everywhere when notions of the newest arrivals joined their education system, fortunately, Preston could narrowly manage to tolerate it; he received similar treatment when he was transferred to Lorsette. Students were curious people, obvious by their reactions to noticing the newest face in the school. They desired to gather the information about Alfonse, however, they were unlikely to approach, some waiting for an extremely sociable individual to arrive and essentially interrogate the newest student. They would want every shred of information they could gather about him, the students of Lorsette High School accomplishing similar to him once he moved. The angel ignored them as the distance was closed between him and Alfonse and the librarian's front desk. He could hear the soft clicking of her fingers across the keyboard, making it obvious she was doing her job. Briefly, the blond's amber eyes glanced around, the lurking students sharing whispers about the recent developments, some quickly looking away when his gaze met theirs. The hushed apology managed to reach Preston's ears, the adolescent ceasing movement to glance behind him.
[break][break]
There was a small shrug afterwards since the angel had steeled himself for the impending attention. While Preston leaned more towards the shy and introverted type, he hoped he could handle it.
[break][break]
"They were going to be curious, unfortunately," Preston responded. "When someone new comes, they always want to know exactly who they are... They did the same when I moved to Lorsette."
[break][break]
There was a brief moment where Preston remained motionless before turning to head towards the desk. When he approached, the yearbook was placed onto the counter. The subtle sound of the hardcover colliding with the counter caught the librarian's attention. The woman delicately picked up the book then towards Preston. The book remained in her grip as she clicked more keys, pulling up Preston's library information before scanning the book and stamping the return date on the inside of the book.
[break][break]
"A yearbook today? I'm surprised," the librarian stated casually.
[break][break]
"Yeah..." Preston responded quietly.
[break][break]
Once the yearbook was returned to the counter, the blond reached up, grabbing the edges of the book, bringing it close. When the book was in his grasp, Preston retreated from the counter. Immediately, the librarian returned to work, an occasional authoritative glance around her domain being accomplished; nobody would break the rules under her stern watch.
[attr=class,punkisavelightsecondarylyrics]
[attr=class,punkisavelighttopslant]
now, i wait for day i could run home to you
[attr=class,punkisavelightcredit]template by punki
i told them I wanted to go home[break] but they bound me with their chains
[attr=class,punkisavelightbottomslant]
[attr=class,punkisavelightseparator]
474 words
[attr=class,punkisavelighttext] Decades of archived information about the students who attended Lorsette High School spanned across several shelves, the large school housing numerous students over the course of its existence. Furthermore, there were commonly multiple copies of the various yearbooks considering their popularity around students. There were plenty of instances where during free time in the library, students would hustle towards the books, searching for siblings, parents and curiously wondering about the elderly folk who stated they lived in Lorsette their entire lives. Several of these occurrences made Preston privy to some of his classmates enjoying flipping through the endless pages of memories, but the blond was not as familiarized with yearbooks. Frequently, he would wander the shelves, searching for something with more words and pages with plots which grabbed his attention. There was an adventure within the wonderful world of words, while yearbooks were merely filled with pictures of other students fooling around under most occasions; due to his intense focus on his studies, Preston possessed barely any pictures by the time the year ended since he found academic awards were rarely recorded.
[break][break]
Carefully, the angelic youth's amber eyes skimmed passed the books, searching for the familiar red cover. Strategically, he searched for the book near the furthest end of the shelf, however, it appeared the yearbook was absent from the location. A soft sigh escaped Preston's lips as he realized a random student recklessly shoved the book into a random location, which meant finding it would prove more difficult. There were a few yearbooks which decided to use red as their main colours, resulting in the search not being nearly as straightforward. Fixation was completely given to the shelf, the blond failing to notice the students lurking around the corners, thieving curious glances at the newest student to join their ranks; Alfonse's absent guard only increasing their hungering for information. Concentration was broken when Preston managed to hear the quiet declaration, the angel's eyes flitting towards the boy, a brief, tiny smile touching his face before fading back into his natural expression.
[break][break]
"Perfect, we should be able to take it with us, but we should ask the librarian to make sure," Preston explained.
[break][break]
Softly, Preston grabbed the yearbook when extended towards him, his eyes glancing over the fancy font which stated Lorsette High School 2017-2019. The book's theme was based on the yearbook committee's belief that a more rich and famous styling could potentially make for an eye-catching cover. Once in his hands, the blond tucked the yearbook under his arm and gestured for Alfonse to follow him out of the shelves of book. Smoothly, the angel navigated through the shelves, his destination being the front desk where the librarian sat, likely glancing at her computer. However, there were distractions as curious students scuttled between shelves, eyes wide as the pair left the shelves.
[break][break]
[ SORRY AGAIN FOR MISSING THIS! x.x I got it done today thankfully! Thanks so much for being patient! ]
[attr=class,punkisavelightsecondarylyrics]
[attr=class,punkisavelighttopslant]
now, i wait for day i could run home to you
[attr=class,punkisavelightcredit]template by punki
i told them I wanted to go home[break] but they bound me with their chains
[attr=class,punkisavelightbottomslant]
[attr=class,punkisavelightseparator]
612 words
[attr=class,punkisavelighttext] Shyness kept Preston quiet, the introverted youth despising the interruption to his promising reading session. There was plenty of incredible literature for the young angel to enjoy, but it appeared Rosalynn was keen on initiating chatter with him. Admittedly, the blond believed the reasoning behind her incessant requirement for conversation was solely based upon her extensive friend's list. The purple-haired girl was immensely popular among the high school masses, the everlasting popularity contests he believed the popular students participated in potentially resulting in her wanting his favour. Genuinely, Preston believed the groups of popular students were constantly searching for approval and people to essentially side with their ridiculous opinions, however, he desired no participation in these affairs. Oftentimes, the shy, intelligent angel only concerned himself with his own business, preferring to solely focus on assisting his mother and becoming a doctor so he could assist the citizens of Lorsette no matter their species. Unfortunately, socializing was an inescapable pit and Preston knew better than to anger the popular students; rumours could spread through everywhere.
[break][break]
Under most circumstances, the blond cared little about the thoughts of others, however, years still needed to pass before he officially graduated high school. Thus, the smart introvert knew the best course of action would be to play nicely to Rosalynn's attempts at conversation and avoid ridicule until he could finally break free from the binds of trivial high school matters. While there was a plethora of rudely transpired rumours, Preston never managed to hear them, especially considering students worked hard to freely share their gossip behind another's back; it was a savage jungle. The mention of a film adaptation raised a brow for Preston as he failed to recall any mention of somebody adapting The Vagrant by Peter Newman into a film.
[break][break]
"Film adaptation?" He inquired in a soft voice. "Where can I find it?"
[break][break]
When the book was finally completed, Preston knew he would be interested in watching the film adaptation of Peter Newman's ideas and how a director interpreted them. Post-apocalyptic worlds could result in plenty of interesting visuals, thus the blond was enticed by the notion of watching it. The subtle changes filmmakers were forced to do could potentially allow for an interest compare and contrast should he ever require one for English class. The proclamation of names resulted in Preston raising a brow at the nickname Rosa decided to provide him, however, he decided not to argue; nicknames were trivial in his opinion and there was nothing rude about the one the young girl picked. The blond merely nodded in response, his attention one diverting when he heard footsteps and the quiet ringing of the door's bell as a dark-haired woman exited the establishment. Casually, Preston took another bite of his doughnut, chewed for a few moments, then stuffed the rest in his mouth to complete the delicious dessert, however, he became unaware of the residue on the corner of his lip until Rosa pointed it. There was a slight reddening to his cheeks, the young teen quickly snatching a napkin to wipe away the icing on the right corner of his lip.
[break][break]
When an inquired was made about enjoying doughnuts, Preston merely provided a shy nod. The blond easily became embarrassed by his momentary sloppiness since he preferred maintaining cleanliness to his nature. Doctors were supposed to be clean to avoid spreading sickness to their patients, however, he, unfortunately, failed briefly in those regards. At the mention of needing doughnuts for the road, there was a confused raise to his brow, but the angel merely nodded, deciding to not question the requirement; he was hoping he was not coming off as disinterested.
[attr=class,punkisavelightsecondarylyrics]
[attr=class,punkisavelighttopslant]
now, i wait for day i could run home to you
[attr=class,punkisavelightcredit]template by punki
i told them I wanted to go home[break] but they bound me with their chains
[attr=class,punkisavelightbottomslant]
[attr=class,punkisavelightseparator]
445 words
[attr=class,punkisavelighttext] A single arm wrapped around his stomach tightly, Preston embracing himself to soothe the worried churning of his stomach. These were the moments where the blond angel wished he could remain right by his mother's side. At least then he would have the comfort and support of the woman who raised him through his early years. The optimist believed his mother would get better, but he worried immensely about the amount of time it would take until she fully recovered and they could return home together. Days were passing and improvements appeared sparse, which suggested the possibility of extended periods of time being spent inside the hospital. Furthermore, the unknown location of his biological father complicated things since the man appeared to send money to afford the treatments for his wife, but never appeared to visit. Perhaps he was too busy working to gain the income to afford the pricey medical bills? There was little information Preston wished to touch on when people inquired on his mother's illness, especially considering he could already guess where the curse manifested from. The town he was born in was always Heaven oriented, thus he assumed they would have cursed her which resulted in a medical transfer to Lorsette.
[break][break]
There was a pause, Preston freezing momentarily as his thoughts entirely fixated on his mother and forgot about their frightening surroundings. A large frown became evident on the angel's face as his amber eyes avoided the path ahead and instead remained focused on the ground beneath them. The medical problems his mother was given always became a grim, sorrowful topic despite the boy's optimistic mind.
[break][break]
"She was cursed," he whimpered. "A-and nobody can br-break it yet..."
[break][break]
A tough facade was maintained on Preston's face, the young boy holding back any potential tears. Somebody decided to place his mother into this painful, withering state and he was forced to watch as his mother struggled in her recovery. The ball of light was brought closer, Preston attempting to find calmness in keeping his arms close. When he finally began moving again, his steps were merely a slow shuffle of movement as he proceeded forward, upset by the thoughts which invaded his mind. Visiting his mother would come once the blizzard subsided and Zachary deemed it safe to visit the hospital; he needed to know if she was alright. There was a slight dimming to the orb of light, the sorrow of his mother's situation disturbing his focus more than fear could ever manage; he had the bravery to fight through instances of terror. However, for just an instant, the eerie sounds were blocked out as sad thoughts attempted to conquer his mind.
[attr=class,punkisavelightsecondarylyrics]
[attr=class,punkisavelighttopslant]
now, i wait for day i could run home to you
[attr=class,punkisavelightcredit]template by punki
i told them I wanted to go home[break] but they bound me with their chains
[attr=class,punkisavelightbottomslant]
[attr=class,punkisavelightseparator]
524 words
[attr=class,punkisavelighttext] Thoughts were not taken to how Preston's companion could feel about the library situation, particularly the curious eyes gazing their way. These students were merely performing the regular reactions in response to potential new students joining in their mix. If anything, the stares and gossip were an inevitable fate both of them would be forced to suffer. People would endlessly inquire about Alfonse and the guard which lurked behind him, watching. Furthermore, the blond's loner status resulted in a few furrowed brows of confusion as people wondered why the non-social boy associated himself which the strange group. They would search for the truth, the angel already assuming they would hastily discover it through word of mouth; once questions got answered, the answers would spread like wildfire. The system of information sharing was a double edged sword since while it limited interactions, there were more embarassing stories shared through conversation. Fortunately, Preston could find relief in the notion of escorting a new student around their high school. A soft sigh escaped the blond angel's mouth as his amber eyes noticed the curious stares, even from those who would have been presumably invested in their selected literature.
[break][break]
Anxiety would transpire from both the watchful eyes of Alfonse's guard and the impending questions which would arrive once the tour was completed. Hands were held together, the blond nervously wringing his hands as he maintained steady breathing; under most circumstances, he lacked expressiveness with his feelings. Surprise briefly touched his face when he noticed Alfonse turn towards his guard, requesting for him wait until they were done in the library. Could the request truly be fulfilled? If the guard left them for even a brief moment, then there would be freedom of speech without the tense presence of Alfonse's watcher. The agreement shocked Preston since the blond was expecting the guard to never decide to leave his charge, although, he supposed the walls of the school were safe. Despite somewhat listening to their exchange, Preston proceeded forward, only waiting briefly to assure he would not get out of Alfonse's sight. Once the auburn-haired youth caught up, the blond rounded the corner, heading further into the maze of books. Briefly, he glanced behind them, still surprised the guard decided not to follow them into the back of the library.
[break][break]
When they arrived at the particular shelf, Preston turned to gaze at the numerous years books which marked the numerous years Lorsette High School was open. The blond paused to stare at the books until he was interrupted in his thoughts by Alfonse who wished to help.
[break][break]
"Well... I think the cover was red this year... It should say 2017-2018 on the book's spine," Preston said, murmuring a description.
[break][break]
Carefully, Preston's eyes skimmed through the shelves, searching for the book he needed. The yearbook was necessary for the blond's plan, although, there were times books were misplaced or used by other students, hopefully, the yearbook was somewhere on the shelf. Logically, it would be closer to the furthest right edge considering the book was newer, but there were times students would shove a book in whatever place to return later.
[attr=class,punkisavelightsecondarylyrics]
[attr=class,punkisavelighttopslant]
now, i wait for day i could run home to you
[attr=class,punkisavelightcredit]template by punki
i told them I wanted to go home[break] but they bound me with their chains
[attr=class,punkisavelightbottomslant]
[attr=class,punkisavelightseparator]
593 words
[attr=class,punkisavelighttext] Inevitably, the trio was separated from the remainder of the adults, which left Preston alone to cater to the child and his guard. With the crowd essentially cut in half, the blond felt slightly more comfortable attempting to converse, although, the watchful eyes of the guard was concerning. There were certain words which could concern guards, thus the angel felt he needed to carefully watch his language. While he was certain Alfonse’s guard would not consider him a thread, the individual would easily have connections to both the boy’s parents and potentially his principal. The blond angel accepted the task which weighed heavily on his shoulders, albeit, nervously considering the concerns that flooded his mind. Fortunately, Preston kept himself calm through soothing breaths and with prior knowledge his diction was oftentimes proper and without blasphemous words. It easily kept the young angel optimistic as he mentally attempted to prepare an organized idea of what he would be accomplishing. As the auburn-haired boy was prompted to provide information about where excellent the principal had toured him before suddenly handing him off to Preston.
[break][break]
There was a brief glance at the guard, an emptiness entering Preston's stomach and a tightness in his chest from noticing the guard's narrowed gaze appeared to lock on him. Bashfully, the blond turned away, focusing on the hallway ahead of him as the sensation of eyes watching him remained on his neck. In a desperate attempt to keep his mind off it, the angel began nodding to the words Alfonse mumbled out, mentally checking each location he listed while trying to shove away the thought of the guard staring at him.
[break][break]
"So that is all? I can maybe show you some of the classrooms... At least then you can know where you were going," Preston said, voice still quiet.
[break][break]
There was immense comfort in approaching the library, merely grabbing the door handle and pulling it open brought a sense of comfort for the blond angel. Positive vibes always radiated from the wonderful land of books as imaginative memories of the numerous stories he read filled his mind. The library itself was a symbol of calmness, knowledge and wonder for Preston, the very scent of the old and new books always relaxing the angelic youth. After the pair entered the library, the blond followed behind them, evidently unbothered by the students who stared and gossiped; it was inevitable. Students were curious and desired to speak about the most recent news in Lorsette High School, especially if it involved a potential new student in their midst. New students meant a possible new member to the of the cliques available in the school. When Preston noticed the staring, a soft sigh escaped his lips, the young blond already imagining the barrage of endless questions the students would ask about Alfonse. For a few moments, the angel's amber eyes remained on the group before hearing the soft inquiry from the auburn-haired youth.
[break][break]
"Hmm... I wasn't sure... I mean, we could grab a yearbook. All the teacher and student pictures will be inside of it," Preston suggested.
[break][break]
Regularly, Preston would have immediately strode into the fantasy section and look through a variety of covers and plot synopsis, however, that would consume precious time which could be spent giving Alfonse a thorough tour. Slowly, the blond moved forward, heading to one of the shelves near the back that stored the numerous yearbooks. The most recent one would provide the greatest knowledge about the teachers in the school, thus the blond hoped the book was still there.
[attr=class,punkisavelightsecondarylyrics]
[attr=class,punkisavelighttopslant]
now, i wait for day i could run home to you
[attr=class,punkisavelightcredit]template by punki
i told them I wanted to go home[break] but they bound me with their chains
[attr=class,punkisavelightbottomslant]
[attr=class,punkisavelightseparator]
499 words
[attr=class,punkisavelighttext] An impatient sigh escaped Preston's slightly parted lips when the mysterious girl stated there was no harm in her actions to tidy the pile of books. The horrifying situation resulting in the blond boy becoming frightened by their momentary paused, the darkness which surrounded possibly holding a variety of monsters. Anything could be lurking amidst the shelves, the subtle creaks of the settling building suggesting constant movement. Nervousness proceeded to grip him, a mild relaxation transcending on the male angel when the pair finally continued to move forward. Every one of the blond's senses remained on alert as they moved towards the front desk, the paranoia of a terror potentially appearing from the depths of the darkness becoming a nerve-wracking notion. The loud cracking followed promptly by something slamming hard into the side of the building only made the blond angel become more fearful of their current situation, the young boy trembling slightly. As they spoke, Preston kept his hands closer to his chest, the orb of lighting making his features easily viewed. An anxious and frightened expression evident on his face, lips were drawn into a frown, eyes wider than usual as he glanced around, searching for a potential threat.
[break][break]
There was a slow nod in response to the russet-haired girl's speculation, the blond wishing to believe every word of that belief; branches were not as threatening as a menacing terror. Despite the possibility, Preston's heart continued to rapidly beat, bumping against his sternum.
[break][break]
"Th-That has to be it," Preston mumbled quietly.
[break][break]
Gradually, the walking recommenced, the blond picking up the pace because of the fears manifested by the creepy noises which echoed through the large building. The scratching noises resulted in goosebumps coating Preston's flesh, a shiver rattling his body as he kept moving forward. When the young girl spoke and surpassed him, the blond used it as an excuse to increase the speed of his pace. There was no proper answer as Preston hurried behind the young girl, still frightened by the noises and the possibility of an enemy lurking in the shadows. The young blond walked beside the russet-haired girl, working to matching the quicker pace she set. The question which broke the frightening noises surprised Preston, his amber eyes flitting towards the girl, widened by surprise.
[break][break]
"No... my mom is in the hospital... then my foster family is at home," Preston answered in a hushed tone.
[break][break]
A sorrowful sheen clouded his amber eyes, the blond immediately becoming worried about the well-being of his family, especially his mother who was attempting to recover by the cursed illness which plagued her. Nobody could break it, thus she remained sick and in the requirement of constant medical care until she healed. While Preston was optimistic, he found it difficult not to worry about his ailing mother, but certainly, the medical staff at the hospital could properly care for her health. A soft sigh escaped Preston's mouth, the young boy going quiet as his stomach churned with worry.
[attr=class,punkisavelightsecondarylyrics]
[attr=class,punkisavelighttopslant]
now, i wait for day i could run home to you
[attr=class,punkisavelightcredit]template by punki
i told them I wanted to go home[break] but they bound me with their chains
[attr=class,punkisavelightbottomslant]
[attr=class,punkisavelightseparator]
713 words
[attr=class,punkisavelighttext] Trapped by the crushing weight of expectations on his shoulders, Preston already became aware there would be no escape from the plan his principal constructed. The blond was merely a doll, strings bound around his limbs as the adult figure he respected decided his duty. On behalf of the school, Preston Clark was given the command of touring the potential new student, Alfonse Sinclairé, around Lorsette High School. Ultimately, the assignment was more befitting for a sociable popular student who could easily provide torrents of information about the various students, although, with plenty of scandals. Unfortunately, the blond angel assumed these individuals were not the optimistic and pleasant sort. While Preston derived pleasure from assisting others, he genuinely believed he was unsuitable for this particular job. Tutoring a group of students was easy, but directly socializing and displaying the school’s positive assets to somebody he never met would be challenging. The scoff followed by cracks in the principal's mask resulted in the blond tensing slightly. Evidentally, the response was unsatisfactory for his principal, which meant Preston could have answered it better.
[break][break]
A suggestion was provided by the principal who obviously knew Preston's route once his assignments were completed. After being given the recommendation, the blond angel hastily nodded without any more complaints. Evidently, he wished to avoid upsetting his principal any further. A quick glance around the hallway resulted in the intelligent angel releasing an inaudible sigh. There were only lockers lining the walls, only pausing whenever there was a door for the entrances of the classrooms. A gleeful exclamation escaped the principal's mouth when Preston finally agreed to provide Alfonse with the grand tour of the high school despite his nervousness. A faint red touched the blond angel's cheeks when thanks were given for agreeing to offer his assistance. Admittedly, the angelic student was nervous and mildly embarrassed over the appreciation they demonstrated for complying to the notion of guiding Alfonse through the high school.
[break][break]
"N-no problem," Preston managed to respond.
[break][break]
Awkwardly, the blond watched as the situation segued into Alfonse being toured through the high school and shown the few locations Preston would be heading. The input provided by the auburn-haired child's parents was amusing, however, it failed to become prevalent on his face. Nervousness had consumed him as the angel hastily began planning on how exactly he should show Alfonse around after informing his teacher. The anxieties increased when the boy with aquamarine eyes was pushed closer, making it obvious it was time to leave. As the groups begin parting, the blond immediately noticed how one of the guards remained by Alfonse's side, suggesting he would be watched throughout the interaction. There was something uncomfortable about the notion of being observed by somebody who appeared to be a guard, but Preston remained silent about his opinions. However, the blond continued to endlessly wondered why this young boy needed guards present; the mere notion was rather frightening since it suggested the possibility of danger. The final compliment was left with a small nod before beginning to walk down the hallway in the direction of the library. A quick gesture was made for Alfonse to follow, the blond intending to begin their tour.
[break][break]
"Um... What have you seen so far?" Preston inquired curiously.
[break][break]
The steps were taken slowly, the blond attempting to hastily piece together a presentation for showing off the highlights of Lorsette High School. Currently, the library would be an excellent destination to begin considering Preston's familiarity with the location. There was a chance they could even look at yearbooks in the future to allow Alfonse a glimpse of the school's history and allow him a quick glance of the current students; it seemed more productively than individually introducing him. Becoming educated about the students in the school would be a slower process, although, Preston could at least provide some insight about classmates he held information on. Gradually, the library came into view, the large glass windows allowing students to peek through from the hallways and assess who was inside. Tall shelves of books alongside a few reading areas could be observed from the hallway, although, Preston believed a more thorough opinion could be manifested by entering. Slowly, he approached the door, pulling it open to allow Alfonse inside first.
[attr=class,punkisavelightsecondarylyrics]
[attr=class,punkisavelighttopslant]
now, i wait for day i could run home to you
[attr=class,punkisavelightcredit]template by punki
i told them I wanted to go home[break] but they bound me with their chains
[attr=class,punkisavelightbottomslant]
[attr=class,punkisavelightseparator]
639 words
[attr=class,punkisavelighttext] Creaks from the floorboards echoed through the hallway as Preston proceeded forward, red still tinting his cheeks. There was a brief glance back at his companion who remained nameless. Immediately, the blond rolled his eyes as he watched her orb of light moved as she gathered the books to carefully stacked them. Annoyance became evident in Preston’s body language as his cheeks puffed out, his amber eyes narrowed and he crossed his arms to wait. A single hand was left free when the male angel crossed his arms, his own ball of light being perched in his hand. The subtle tapping of his foot on the creaky floor was obvious as Preston impatiently waited for the russet-haired girl. Tidying those books was an unnecessary waste of time in the blond boy’s opinion, especially considering their current predicament. They lacked knowledge on if a terror managed to invade the safety of the library, yet, these books were taking precedence over reaching safety! A pout settled on Preston’s face as he watched the young girl for a few moments. Eventually, an irritated sigh escaped his lips, a cloud of steam trailing out. Fixation was lost on his present issue with his companion and instead on the white cloud of exhaled breath. Without electricity, the heating systems were no longer capable of warming those inside the building. There was a soft frown on Preston’s face as he noticed the slight chill in the air.
[break][break]
“Is that really necessary? If there is a terror here, we need to get to where everyone else is… What if there is rescue?” Preston asked, concern accidentally slipping into his words.
[break][break]
The young boy tightened his crossed arms, nervous about the cold potentially making him sick or bringing worse ailments. Memories of his foster home prior to leaving flashed through Preston’s mind, the young blond wishing he had remained there. They were prepared for the blizzard, not to mention the comfort of familiar faces in a time of the potential disaster was easily longed for. Even when they arrived at the front desk, there were no promises of escape or potentially reuniting with his foster family. When his companion appeared prepared to keep walking, Preston’s arms uncrossed, one returning to his side while the other remained up to hold the ball of light. Slowly, the blond angel ventured forward, amber eyes flirting around to make out the vague outlines of book spines and large wooden shelves. The creaking increased as they moved, allowing for the library’s age to truly be displayed. Outside the wind moaned and whistles as snow piled up outside, suggesting extensive clearance for the city workers. There was a hauntedness to wandering the hallways of the library, the location almost feeling abandoned because of the lack of people in the vicinity. Abruptly, a loud noise echoed through the walls, making a shout of surprise escape Preston’s mouth as the girl bumped into him.
[break][break]
Thumping hard inside his chest was Preston’s heart, his breathing become quick and shallow in response to the sudden noise. The apology was heard and accompanied by a single question. A nervous countenance arrived on the blond’s face as he briefly glanced around, still suffering the side effects of being frightened.
[break][break]
“I-it’s fine,” he mumbled as he slowly calmed. “It… uh… had to be a branch… I hope…”
[break][break]
Each word was unintentionally laced with fearful anxiety as Preston surveyed their surroundings with large, amber eyes. Anxiously, the blond continued through the labyrinth of books, his eyes constantly scanning the area for threads. Gradually, they got closer to the front desk, the building still creaking and whining as the wind battered against it. A loud scratching noise echoed through the library, making Preston tremble slightly as he proceeded; could those be the sounds of a branch or the claws of a terror?!
[attr=class,punkisavelightsecondarylyrics]
[attr=class,punkisavelighttopslant]
now, i wait for day i could run home to you
[attr=class,punkisavelightcredit]template by punki
i told them I wanted to go home[break] but they bound me with their chains
[attr=class,punkisavelightbottomslant]
[attr=class,punkisavelightseparator]
587 words
[attr=class,punkisavelighttext] The entire situation the principal dragged Preston into felt awkward because of his shyness and lack of marvellous social skills. Furthermore, the unexpected compliments were showered on the blond boy, each suggesting the principal's intentions were to glamourize his achievements. While the young angel managed to receive the highest marks in his class on a majority of occasions, it was merely because of his hard-working attitude. Anybody could accomplish receiving those impressive scores through hard work, fixating their attention on their teacher and assuring they properly digested the information being explained to them. Briefly, the blond's eyes flitted towards the young boy, easily noticing his wide, curious aquamarine eyes staring his way. Hints of shyness remained evident, suggesting a mixture of both emotions as he looked at him. Determination encompassed the principal who held an extremely broad smile on his lips, revealing his properly cleaned teeth. Concern broke across Preston's face as he flinched after witnessing the expression as he worried about the ideas going through the principal's mind at this current moment.
[break][break]
The son, named Alfonse, was apparently around the same age range as Preston, evident by the principal's statement of the pair being in the same class. There was a chance of them having a slight age difference, but nothing significant based on the fact Alfonse would be accepted into their classroom. Quietly, the blond listened, surprise breaching his expression when the principal stated he would be an excellent escort for around the school. While Preston was an incredible student, his questionable abilities in personal conversation oftentimes resulted in him being a choice of desperation for those searching for somebody to socially charm another individual. Nervousness squeezed the blond, his hands coming together to squeeze his fingers in hopes of discovering relief. While Preston could maintain an air of calmness under most circumstances, the weight of responsible was hefty on his shoulders this time around. The principal wanted him to show Alfonse around, leading him through the school and introducing him to the other students and likely some faculty; what if he failed on giving a tour? Would the principal be upset?
[break][break]
Under any circumstances, Preston refused to disappoint the faculty of the school, especially considering they were the individuals who would inevitably assist him in becoming a doctor. A long exhale escaped his lips as the blond glanced up at the principal.
[break][break]
"What about my teacher? ... He thinks I am getting a book," Preston asked quietly.
[break][break]
The blond was lost on how he could refuse to accomplish the crucial job, especially considering the principal appeared to have plenty of faith in him. Currently, Preston felt unprepared to handle the situation, making it difficult for him to easily accept assisting in touring Alfonse around the school. Although, when his gaze flitted to the mother who smiled at the notion, the blond's heart sank at the idea of disappointing her. There could potentially be more frowns as a result of refusing, and despite being rather cold at times, Preston's respect for the faculty at Lorsette High School was stronger.
[break][break]
"Um... I guess I could," he murmured quietly.
[break][break]
Acquiring a book from the library could hardly classify as important business to attend to, thus Preston felt required to agree in providing Alfonse with a grand tour. Momentarily, the angel's amber eyes glanced around the area, a small frown touching his face as he debated where exactly to begin. The size of their city made the high school a rather large building with plenty of students after all.
[attr=class,punkisavelightsecondarylyrics]
[attr=class,punkisavelighttopslant]
now, i wait for day i could run home to you
[attr=class,punkisavelightcredit]template by punki
i told them I wanted to go home[break] but they bound me with their chains
[attr=class,punkisavelightbottomslant]
[attr=class,punkisavelightseparator]
522 words
[attr=class,punkisavelighttext] Rapidly, Preston's heart keeping beating inside his chest from the sudden scare, the blond youth slowly recovering. Moments prior himself and the russet-haired girl parted ways, thus the thought of her seeking him out never occurred to him. The young girl supposedly planned on going through a hidden corridor which could allow her to navigate to the front desk faster than following the signs. The faint red colouring his cheeks remained as the young blond carefully steadied himself, rising to his feet. Cautiously, the male angel assured no books would be unfortunately stomped under his feet; destroying literature was considered a crime in his eyes. While the young girl spoke, Preston straightened himself and took a few slow steps away from the pile of books. Embarrassment remained evident on the male angel's face as his hands carefully dusted himself off, the light floating above him briefly to allow for the action. Once completed, the blond lifted his hand, the orb of light returning to settle on the palm of his hand. The angel's amber eyes remained locked with the floor as the stranger explained her reasoning for searching for him.
[break][break]
When she mentioned being held accountable for the injuries he could obtain from a terror entering the establishment, the red faded as he glanced towards her, raising a brow. The male angel recognized his own decisions would have been the cause for any physical harm he faced navigating the hallways of the library alone.
[break][break]
"But I made my choice," he countered quietly. "You can't be held accountable if I decided to put myself in harm's way."
[break][break]
Notions of the young girl possibly being guilt-ridden from abandoning him inside the hallways of the library never crossed the youth's mind, but Preston believed he could handle himself. From a young age, the blond became independent in both his studies and life in a desperate attempt to escape the clutches of his previous foster home. They wanted to teach him to hate, but Preston refused to despise the fallen angels who cared for him through his early years. In order to rebel against the notion, the blond became independent and stubborn, which easily resulted in a moment of weakness when the girl desired to assist him in their situation. At the mentioning of his greatest danger being books, Preston pouted, his eyes narrowing as red painted across his cheeks again; he could handle some books! Immediately, his eyes flitted away, his independence feeling slightly damaged for tripping over a pile of books when the girl startled him.
[break][break]
"Whatever," he mumbled. "Let's just get to the front."
[break][break]
There was no hesitation as Preston proceeded forward, following the signs which indicated the front desk was nearby. Embarrassment remained evident on the youthful boy's cheeks as he continued, feeling ridiculous for tripping over a tiny pile of books. Cautious touched his steps after falling once, the blond angel carefully scanning the ground below to assure there were no obstacles which could potentially trip him. Foolishly tripping over a pile of books would not occur a second time, especially since Preston refused to allow it to happen ever again.
[attr=class,punkisavelightsecondarylyrics]
[attr=class,punkisavelighttopslant]
now, i wait for day i could run home to you
[attr=class,punkisavelightcredit]template by punki
i told them I wanted to go home[break] but they bound me with their chains
[attr=class,punkisavelightbottomslant]
[attr=class,punkisavelightseparator]
576 words
[attr=class,punkisavelighttext] Fixation was placed on the screen which displayed a variety of words for the first chapter of The Vagrant by Peter Newman as Preston settled in his seat. A brief glance was taken towards the battery power which managed to remain at a promising 82% due to hardly touching his phone during school hours. Plenty of time could be spent reading through the starting chapter without worrying about wasting the entirely of his phone's battery. A small smile touched the blond angel's face before disappearing to settle down and read the precious words of a story he was endlessly curious about. While he read, Preston took a small bite from his doughnut, the sweetness entering his mouth, delighting the youthful blond. Despite being mostly focused on the words on his phone's screen, the male angel still fully enjoyed the sweet, chocolatey tastes of both the doughnut and his hot chocolate. While Preston did not commonly purchase sweets, he could easily enjoy an occasional indulgence in the delicious tastes of the warm consumables. Quickly, the angelic student was engrossed in the words of the story, becoming completely unaware of Rosalynn's staring and similar to the dark-haired stranger sitting at another table.
[break][break]
As words were thoroughly read and digested, Preston kept taking small bites of his doughnut. The start of the book was incredible as appraisal stated numerous times, which easily allowed the blond angel to get absorbed into the starting places in the book. Gradually, the intelligent boy managed to get further through chapter one, the header The Vagrant - Peter Newman Chapter 1 remained above the main reading material. The introduction to the world was interesting, Preston easily finding himself entirely fixated on the world, the interesting notion of the post-apocalyptic environment was both frightening and enthralling. Each word was digested, Preston's leg swaying back and forth as his imagination manifested these scenes and The Vagrant in his coat as he journeyed through New Horizon with intentions of- Suddenly, arrived the abrupt words spoken in a feminine voice, an outburst related to the title of the book. The motions of Preston's legs ceased, the blond straightened up in surprise as his amber eyes flitted towards Rosalynn Halogan... Why exactly the purple-haired noblewoman desired his attention was beyond the male youth, but obviously, he failed to detect her footsteps.
[break][break]
The young girl mentioned the title of the book, stating it was a story she enjoyed, which resulted in Preston raising a brow; rarely would the young angel indulge in movies, thus he remained unaware of the movie that possessed a similar title.
[break][break]
"You've... read it?" Preston mumbled out, attempting to mask the surprise in his words.
[break][break]
Attention was taken from the story and instead given to Rosa, a soft sigh escaping the blond's lips from the interruption. There were desires to return to his book, but it became apparent the young girl desired conversation after her friend left. With a neutral expression, Preston kept casually eating his doughnut as he quietly listened. The fellow student got his name wrong, resulting in the blond shaking his head.
[break][break]
"No... I'm Preston Clark," he corrected.
[break][break]
The remaining third of the doughnut was placed on the plate, Preston picking up the white mug to sip some more hot chocolate. Warm liquid entered his throat, which would bring forth a calmness as the blond waited for the unexpected conversation to proceed, resulted in an acute annoyance; he wished to read rather than socialize. [break][break] [ XD Oh no! Preston has been found by Rosa! Also, no worries~! Stuff happens! Also, seriously, The Vagrant is a super good book. I love it. <3 ]
[attr=class,punkisavelightsecondarylyrics]
[attr=class,punkisavelighttopslant]
now, i wait for day i could run home to you
[attr=class,punkisavelightcredit]template by punki
i told them I wanted to go home[break] but they bound me with their chains
[attr=class,punkisavelightbottomslant]
[attr=class,punkisavelightseparator]
507 words
[attr=class,punkisavelighttext] Silently, Preston proceeded forward, each step carrying him closer to his destination and past the interesting group of people touring the facility. He merely wore casual clothing, a light grey hoodie and a pair of blue jeans were definitely not flashy attire for high school. While the angel continued walking, his amber eyes stared at the floor, occasionally flirting upwards to assess his progress through the hallway. There was no requirement to engage in conversation, or at least Preston originally believed the notion. As the blond angel was about to walk past, he overheard the conversation, making it evident that it was focused on a possible new student. Immediately, the young student shrugged off the notion, deciding to allow the gossipers to accomplish their regular investigations while he focused on his work; when the announcement of a new student arrived, the class was always delighted. Before Preston could manage to pass by, his name was exclaimed by the principal, resulting in the blond freezing as his amber eyes glanced towards his principal. The inquiry about completing his work was answered with a small, hesitant nod. Gradually, Preston straightened his back, preparing himself for the unfortunate situation he was imprisoned in.
[break][break]
When the introductions began, the blond angel immediately realized the principal was using him as a shining example of the brilliant minds currently learning in Lorsette High School. Admittedly, Preston found the choice sensible considering his high marks and large aspirations; becoming a doctor was not a simple task. Nervousness assaulted the young blond's mind as plenty of attention was provided to him. Shyly, the angel's eyes flitted to the tiled floors of the hallways and only glanced at the individuals in the group occasionally. Why did the principal discover the necessity to thrust him into an attention-grabbing position? School presentations were already difficult under most circumstances, but is expected to impress a group of adults for the purpose of gaining new students was a crucial task. There were desires to magically disappear, however, Preston knew running away would result in him being a pathetic excuse for a top student. A few small nods were provided to the information his principal made him privy to, the blond quietly glancing over the group before looking away again. When the extended hand entered his view, Preston paused before hesitantly taking it.
[break][break]
Another pause ensued as the blond angel listened to the introductions, a deep breath being taken because of the overwhelming situation his principal placed him in. Every second, Preston wished he could have managed to walk past and escape into the comforting shelves of the school library.
[break][break]
"Um... Nice to meet you too," he quietly reciprocated.
[break][break]
There was a radical difference between this situation and the presentations Preston was expected to perform to keep excellent marks. Presentations allowed rehearsals and preparation, however, reality rarely allowed for these moments. Thus, the young angel felt surprised and awkward in this situation. Unfortunately, escape was impossible since the young angel doubted his principal would allow him to merely slip past easily.
[attr=class,punkisavelightsecondarylyrics]
[attr=class,punkisavelighttopslant]
now, i wait for day i could run home to you
[attr=class,punkisavelightcredit]template by punki
i told them I wanted to go home[break] but they bound me with their chains
[attr=class,punkisavelightbottomslant]
[attr=class,punkisavelightseparator]
683 words
[attr=class,punkisavelighttext] Never were their thoughts taken to what the library would become when shadows reigned, lurking around every corner as they quietly stalked those within, waiting and watching. The faint sounds of howling wind and Preston's deep breathing were the few sounds managing to reach his ears. From the previous startling, there was a paleness to the male youth's face while his heart pounded hard against his sternum. Admittedly, the blond found himself terrified because of his lonesome navigation through the many shelves of the library; there was truly nobody else out this far. A dreadful sense of solitary embraced the male angel as he proceeded forward, wondering if his company was managing better. While the young girl had appeared benevolent, Preston remained uncertain about the confined space she mentioned, although, the feelings between either option became conflicting. The open spaces of the shelves provided plenty of room for movement but made him approachable from all sides. A deep breath was taken, Preston remaining close to the bookshelves, one hand keeping the light source hovering above it while the other carefully touched the bookshelf.
[break][break]
Steps were calculated, each carefully accomplished as Preston glanced around, slowly getting himself situated. Hanging above were the usual rectangular outlines of directional signs. The orb of light was sent upwards, illuminating the letters in the light as the blond squinted to make out the words etched on it. On one of the sections, there was an arrow pointing forward to the main desk, the male angel breathing a sigh of relief. While he was certain the foyer was still far from his present location, there was hope that every step carried him closer to safety. A frown remained evident on his face, the teen wondering if his foster father, Alice and his mother were alright. Once he reached where the other occupants of the library were located, the blond planned on texting his foster father to assure they would be well during his absence. The orb of light was held close, Preston remaining uncertain and frightened as he prepared to move forward, his footsteps being slow as creaks rang through the library. Cautiously, he stepped over the small pile of books he accidentally created, his amber eyes flitting across the endless darkness beyond his light source.
[break][break]
As he moved, the creaks began to multiply, which caused fearful anxiety of weighing onto his shoulders. Despite the slowness infecting his legs, Preston found each creak proceeded to echo through the library, similar to a horror movie. Nervousness engulfed the blond, clouding judgement as the hair stood on end and his heart palpitated inside his chest until someone suddenly approached through the shelves and spoke. Immediately, Preston backpedalled, a surprised shout escaping his mouth as he backed away from the sound's source. The previously fallen books blocked his past, the male angel promptly tripping over the literature and landing on his bottom, light extinguishing in the process. Breaths were deep as his amber eyes slowly drifted up to the familiar face of the stranger from before.
[break][break]
"Y-you nearly gave me a heart attack!" Preston shouted, still breathing slightly heavier.
[break][break]
Gradually, the blond youth returned to his feet, his breathing and heart rate regulating. A calmness settled over him, allowing for the male angel to reignite the light orb in his hand. Silently, Preston stood, amber eyes locked with the floor with a slight redness painted across his cheeks. Admittedly, the blond was embarrassed about being caught extremely off guard and for stubbornly deciding his route was better despite the girl stating she worked at the library. Alas, confined spacing during a possible terror attack was beyond frightful for the youth, especially because of the staircase memories which plagued his mind.
[break][break]
"... Why did you want to check on me? ... I wouldn't listen to you," he mumbled, carefully stepping around the books.
[break][break]
Despite the direness of the situation, the blond wished to avoid damaging the books which the library worked effortfully to maintain and organize. Unfortunately, he already created a mess for them to clean once the blizzard passed and everything was safe again.
[attr=class,punkisavelightsecondarylyrics]
[attr=class,punkisavelighttopslant]
now, i wait for day i could run home to you
[attr=class,punkisavelightcredit]template by punki
i told them I wanted to go home[break] but they bound me with their chains
[attr=class,punkisavelightbottomslant]
[attr=class,punkisavelightseparator]
731 words
[attr=class,punkisavelighttext] Early spring was an exciting time for the students of Lorsette High School. Gradually, the days were ticking down to spring break, an event a majority of students giddily waited for. Conversation regularly occurred in the classroom, students more concerned with the upcoming freedom rather than their assignments. Weather forecasts were stating spring break would provide favourable conditions. In a corner of the room, the precalculus teacher softly sighed before lazily glancing over the bundle of papers on his desk. Ceasing the endless chatter would be difficult, thus he decided to merely rush the students through the final assignments before the break; they were the individuals deciding to waste their time. Unlike a majority of the students, Preston was stationed in a desk near the large windows, pencil primed as he gazed at the final questions on his assignment. Carefully, he etched the numbers and symbols, assuring every section of his work was legible. As he wrote each section, his amber eyes flirted towards his calculator to agilely type in a few numbers, the screen soon displaying the answers to his inquiries. Everybody else in the room was ignored, the blond fixating entirely on the assignments his teacher provided. Completing his work correctly and earning top marks were crucial to getting accepted into the best medical schools for his future career.
[break][break]
Nobody bothered disturbing the angelic youth, a majority already aware Preston was more fixated on his work opposed to conversation. There was little interaction between the talkers and the workers, those focusing on their work attempting to avoid having homework in the evening. Gradually, the number of unanswered questions lowered until he finished the final inquiry on the assignment sheet. Once the answer was written out, the angel straightened from his hunched position. There were a few moments taken to flip through the pages, eyes double checking his work to assure correctness. When he was reassured of his work, the blond nodded to himself before grabbing his binder to put the assignment away. A few of those more focused on conversation gawked at his early completion, some even turning away to gossip about the occurrence. Admittedly, Preston was not bothered by the trivial talk which happened when somebody completed their work; if they desired to waste crucial work time, they could. Slowly, the binder was organized then closed, the zipper echoing through the classroom. He kept his binder off to the side, the blond glancing at his mostly empty desk. Merely his binder and pencil case remained, each part expertly organized by the young boy. Unfortunately, he lacked a book to read after finishing his work.
[break][break]
A soft sigh escaped Preston’s lips as his hand shot up, making it obvious he had a question. There was a brief silence until his teacher lazily gazed over the class and noticed one of his better students with his hand up.
[break][break]
“Yes, Preston?” He asked in a bland, bored tone.
[break][break]
The teacher already knew the impending question which would escape the angel’s lips. Months of handling the young blond provided him with awareness on things he usually did after completing his assignments.
[break][break]
“I finished my work, so may I go get a book, please?” Preston asked politely.
[break][break]
A slow nod was provided as the teacher’s answer. With permission granted, Preston pushed his chair out and stood. He inches away from his chair, pushing it in before weaving through the rows of desks and out the classroom door. The door was shut behind him, locking the noise inside and leaving the hallway a place of silence. Briefly, the blond glanced around before walking down the halls, his footsteps echoing through the quiet place. As he walked, the angel shoved his hands into his pockets, amber eyes casually glancing around. There was efficiency as he navigated through the halls, heading towards the high school’s library. The silence was normal during class hours, Preston being surprised when he heard the faint steps of multiple people. The blond raised a brow as he rounded a corner, finding a group being led by the principal. There were mostly adults, one kid being amidst them as they toured around the school. Based on clothing and position, three appeared to be guards, which was definitely an oddity to the high school. The young angel remained quiet as he planned on passing them, still a little perplexed by the strange spectacle.
[attr=class,punkisavelightsecondarylyrics]
[attr=class,punkisavelighttopslant]
now, i wait for day i could run home to you
[attr=class,punkisavelightcredit]template by punki
Do not use drama to get attention in the chat. Nobody appreciates it.
2
No advertising, we have a perfectly fine board for that.
3
Please try and keep swearing to a minimum in the chat.
4
All chat usernames should be PG-13 and not break the ProBoards ToS or site rules.
5
A Chatango account is not required, but it is encouraged.
6
Please avoid spamming the chat; accidents are understandable.
7
You may use the in-character chat prior to acceptance.
8
Be respectful to anybody who enters the chat, including guest, fellow members and staff.
9
Guests may speak in chat at anytime to ask questions or get a taste of our community~!
resource sites
affiliates
credits
The skin is created by Wolf of Adoxography and Gangnam Style. The thread and conversation remodels are by Kagney. The Strange Reality board list, Heal My Soul info center, I Remember Now mini profile and Electric Requiem profile remodel is made by Pharoah Leap. The Who's That Member member list remodel was made by Tictactoe. The Cbox.ws Shoutbox remodel was made by Trinity Blair. All templates used for claims, information sheets, applications, etc are credited to their owners; credits for these can be found in the threads the templates are use on. Images that are used on The Duality of Man are credited to their owners, however, they have been edited by Zac with a few being edited by Chibi Magician. The plot, rules and various other information pieces for The Duality of Man are written by Chibi Magician with the assistence of her co-admins, Finnegan and Dremulf, alongside other unlisted people who were kind enough to give their input. The TRS, AP and face claim were all created by Fleur for specifically the use of TDOM. All plugins used on The Duality of Man are credited to their owners. The templates my members use are credited to their maker, if you find a template that belongs to you, but is uncredited, please speak to Chibi Magician or the member themself. Characters created on The Duality of Man are credited to their owners and should not be used elsewhere without the creator's permission.
Special thanks for the members of TDOM who make suggestions to help make this site better. Even though we can not accept all suggestions, we immensely appreciate it. Thus, we give credit to any additions that you thought of and were later implimented by the staff, because we are glad you give us these excellent ideas.
