Altered Dreams

[Dan]

OutOfCookies;;
Okay, first off, welcome to my roleplay. If you are offended by homosexuality, you should leave. Anyways, just ask who you want to join as. Basic rules and everything is fine. I'll try and work a plot out, but all I have at the moment in my introduction so please bear with me. If any of you have an idea for a plot, please send me a private message.

At the moment, you can join as anything.

Talon -- Dan


BriningInCandy;;
The joining of two males or females in holy matrimony had never been really accepted by the world, rather it was shunned. And the people of the world became harsher with their judgment with others. Soon, war had broken out between those who believed in homosexuality and those who shunned it. As for those who had been caught in between, they had to fight, or be killed. In the end, it seemed to be a meaningless cause for one person, and one person alone had unified the world once more. He brought them into the age of tomorrow.

Some people always had thought about what the future would bring them. Well in the world of tomorrow, anything seemed possible. Human cloning finally worked, though no one really wanted that, no one really wanted to live forever, and a clones lifespan was a maximum of seventy years. Space research has gone far and the Earth has made contact with other worlds with intelligent life forms. Space colonies reside within the pull of the planets. Robots can be chafferer's most things that you could think off were possible in this new age.

It has been approximately five hundred years (2507) since the new age has began. Ian Jones, is still the proclaimed leader for the Earth. Everyone knows why the man is still in charge. Before his own death, he had his first clone created, and that clone was brought up around his own beliefs and was taught everything the man knew. For this was how he planned to keep the peace, this plan had always worked. And when the clone neared their expiration date, the next one was created and taught everything before their wonderful leader died.

Through this, the people were always kept happy and everyone had always gone about their business until one day. The one day when protesters had become real once more, it was these people who had destroyed the private cloning facility meant for their great leader, then Ian Jones was simply no more. And when that happened, everything was thrown back into chaos. Children were used as slaves, the homosexuals were once again considered to be under the rest of the people. Though, no one did anything drastic, they were human too, just a lower class in their opinion.

Most didn't have rights unless they were rich, priests were considered to be rulers of areas because it seemed that they were the only ones who had enough of a clean spirit to receive words for God. It was only them how could purify someone and make them free once more. Though, things like that usually came with a hefty price. People payed a lot of money for marriages, because it meant that the priests would acknowledge them. It also meant that they were protected, someone wouldn't be able to get away with killing or hurting a married couple. A holy person would see to that, there was no way they'd let a source of money die.

And so it was done, it was just like before, except there were new catches. If someone had ever studied their history, or read something like Shakespeare you'd see what they meant. Marriages were expensive, but it was a huge honor for both families. To be joined together, it meant that they could become more powerful, money always meant so much to these people, especially because it kept their family safe. People may seem greedy, but they always have reasons. Most just do it so they can keep on feeding their families, others do it because their children beg them. If it's someone they truly love, why can't they be joined through holy matrimony?

Others become desperate and kill just so they can get money. Most carry weapons on them nowadays, children as little as five can be seen carrying knives around. This new world, the one they had been hoping for peace and harmony was shattered and all were hoping for someone that would try and piece it back together again, but who would try something like that? It seemed like suicide, last time someone tried, that same group had found out and disposed of them.

-----

Bare feet shuffled softly across a plush carpet, hearing a click, he knows the door is locked and sits down on a chair. Looking in a mirror, the boy bites his lip, barley fifteen and he's getting married. It seemed like such a ridiculous idea, but it would join their families. And besides, the guy wasn't all that bad, Talon liked the other male a lot, and since he was an only child he had no choice in the matter. That, and he never did like girls, they always seemed too icky to him, in a dating sense. He loved to hang around with them, go shopping all those things.

Inching closer to the mirror, he examined his face looking for anything that might make him look funny. His skin was a fair tan color, a gift of the sun if you will. Chocolate brown eyes were starring back at the youth as he pulled on of his hands through his short black hair.
"I can't believe I'm doing this," he muttered to himself before examining the room. It was a fairly basic place, a few chairs, table dresser, mirror and a carpet. These churches did try their best to make people comfortable, but you still got those eerie thoughts with the bulletproof doors and windows.

Glancing down at his feet he sighed and kicked the aimlessly as he sat on the chair. It seemed as if nothing could stop this, it scared the poor boy, but this was probably the only chance he'd ever have, and it's keep those stupid slave hunters away from him. There would never be a chance of getting captured if he was already married, no, that would anger too many people, an amount that would scare anyone. Rubbing his feet into the floor, the fifteen year old couldn't help but let out a small smile.

He should feel lucky, out of all the things that could happen to him, the male goes and gets married. Well, technically, he wasn't married yet, he needed to go through this ceremony, it was scary. People were going to watch, what if he made himself look like an idiot? What if his love didn't show up? His body was shaking, and Talon could feel it. The male needed to calm down, this was no time to stress out. He had to be ready, the unexpected could happen, and it usually wansn't for the good of the ceremony.

Standing up, his five foot five figure crossed over to a closet and pulled out his gown. Yes, his gown, laying it down on a chair, the fifteen year old slipped out of his clothing. You could see his stomach, smooth with small traces of developing muscle. His body was well, hairless, as a younger teenager, such things haven't really shown up. Looking back down at his clothing he dug around until the male produced a 9mm handgun. Strapping it to his leg he went about putting his dress on. After that was accomplished, his white heels and veil went on.

Looking at the mirror, Talon sighted and bit his lip.
"I think I'm ready." he whispered to himself.

[Zander]

This was a good thing. This was a good thing. This was a good thing…

Maybe if he kept telling himself that, Alex would eventually believe it. He listed all the reasons in his head over and over why it was a good thing. The extra money, the safety, security of being considered an adult… He should be grateful right? An arranged marriage wasn’t really all that complicated, he’d memorized everything he was going to say. He liked the other boy….well, he liked him from what he had gotten to know about him. Alex was more worried about Talon, he was fairly certain that was his name, wouldn’t like him. Alex wasn’t, in his opinion, very handsome. There wasn’t anything particularly witty or interesting about him, light brown hair, brown eyes, and average height. He was boring.

And he had no idea how he was going to go about this. Not really.

He examined his tuxedo one last time. It looked alright….slimming, sharp enough. Alex brushed back the dirty blonde locks that were impossible to tame even now. But did he really look ready for a wedding?

Alex sighed, shaking his head; he would probably not even talk to the other boy often. Marriages didn’t have to involve talking. He knew that. This was a security thing; not for relationships. It was only being done so that there would be a little more money to go around. And to keep him safe; a difficult task in today’s twisted world.

Alex took a long deep breath, closing his eyes and repeating over and in his head that this was a good thing. it was a good thing.

And then came the knock on the door. They were ready for him. Alex almost wished his heart had stopped.

[Dan]

'I'm going to die, there's no way in hell I can really go through with this. I mean really, what if something goes wrong? What if I don't like him? Sure, I've seen him around school, he's older then me by what..two years?'

Unknown to most, Talon was in a panic, now here he was, getting ready for a marriage and he was getting second thoughts. Other people said that if something like this ever did happen, he shouldn't worry about it. After all, this was just a normal part of life. But for the fifteen year old it didn't seem normal, he paced the room back and forth thinking to himself. Everything should be fine, at least he somewhat knew the other person. In most arranged marriages, the couples didn't even know each other until they reached the altar.

Bitting his lip he looked around the room once more, maybe there was a way to get out of this. Wait, what was he thinking? It was a solid room, it was for his protection and the male doubted his parents would be very happy if he tried to skip out on this wedding. Well, there always was his gun, but that was meant to put holes in others, not himself, that'd be just stupid. He's gone through that phase before and Talon didn't feel like going through it again.

Sighing, he sat down on a chair, well maybe it wans't going to be a bad thing after all. Some extra money, protection. These were good things for him, especially because he isn't old enough to become a legal adult. People could always try and take him for slave labor, but there was no way that would happen now. Besides, the boy decided he could at least be nice about the whole thing, there was another person in this marriage. He wasn't going to leave them hanging, it was dangerous and well, he could never bring himself up to such a task.

Playing with the dress a small smile curled over his lips, no Talon didn't have to wear a dress, but he still did. He thought it was a suitable outfit, and the fifteen year old liked it a lot. It fit him well, and it was rather comfortable. Well, it was a good thing he was a small kid, or he probably wouldn't have gotten away with buying it. It was his 'Halloween' costume when he had gone into the store and bought it. People were such idiots, but that wasn't his problem.

Hearing a knock at the door, that smile quickly faded. It was time, "Coming," Talon muttered as he reached the door. Opening it he quickly walked out and followed his escort. Well, it was time and now he would finally get to see his husband up close. This could turn out to be one hell of a marriage, but why in the devil did they put him into a marriage with a guy? Did his parents know he was gay? How they found out was beyond Talon, oh well, it didn't matter. He was getting married so he was safe, right?

The male certainly hoped so, walking down the hall he stopped short and waited around so someone could tell him he was allowed to go to the altar.

[Zander]

Alex opened the door and was escorted out of the room. His thoughts were coming in so fast, rushing by him in time with his heartbeats.

How he had ended up marrying a guy, anyways? he’d suspected his mother had figured out he was homosexual but his dad? His dad had let this go on until marriage? Maybe they needed the money more than he thought. Alex couldn’t recall any mention of serious money trouble….Then perhaps…to make sure that he would be safe? Even though he was gay? That could be it. That made sense.

He found himself suddenly approaching the altar, as was apparently customary. His mind blanked. He wasn’t really doing this. Was he? Alex couldn’t really be getting ready for marriage to someone he didn’t know.

How the hell did people do this without going crazy?

[Dan]

"I look like an idiot." The fifteen year old grumbled to himself, okay so he knew he was lying. Talon was just looking for reason to get out of all of this, though the boy knew there was no choice in the matter. This was it, and there was no turning back now, hey maybe someone would attack them. As unlikely as it seemed, that idea always interested him, for you see, out of nature he was always looking to get into a fight of a sort. The male usually had too much energy and really no way to relive himself of it.

Though all the tension was getting to him, and he was bouncing in his heels. It didn't take him long before he saw someone else walking up to him, no there wasn't such a thing as trust in this place. Everything was done by the staff, everything. Being escorted down the isle, the fifteen year old took note of the music. It was the same annoying bridal march that's been used for so many centuries. They should change it to fit the time of chaos that had erupted in the world. Maybe music from some old movie, like Mission Impossible.

Licking his lips, he slowly made his way towards the altar. Talon could see Alex, yes that was his name, how could he forget something like that? Reaching the altar, another smile placed against his lips. "Hello." The boy whispered softly, well, with the veil he should be safe for some time. "Are you ready?" He asked looking towards Alex, waiting for an expression, anything.

From he learned, Alex seemed nice enough, there wasn't anything wrong with this. Everything was going to be fine, he just had to believe that he was right. If Talon could do that, he had nothing to worry about. Focusing his attention on something else he noticed that the priest had come in, he was looking at the two boys and finally began his long preaching.

[Zander]

Alex kept his eyes focused on the ceiling for as long as he could without seeming rude. He stared at the lights, faintly smiling at the little bits of brilliance shining brightly in a room full of dark thought; the irony of that. Everyone knew there was something wrong about this. No decent person could honestly believe that the hell that things were in this new, twisted century were right. That this was the best thing for the world.

Music started up and he bit his tongue. Quietly submitting and forgetting that he was about marry someone he didn’t know. Alex pushed his thoughts away, trying to keep his mind blank in some kind of sudden nirvana. He couldn’t. not with that familiar, dreadful tune shattering his need for silence.

Panicked eyes darted to look at Talon. The fifteen year-old was wearing a dress…and a veil. Alex couldn’t really see what he looked like. But that didn’t matter much; it seemed utterly insignificant.

”Hello. Are you ready?”

There was fear caught in his throat, keeping him from saying anything. The emotion climbed up into his head; permitting him to speak, but with a dizzying feeling taking over and making him sick with vertigo.

“Hello”, he said, but it wasn’t a greeting. It was stupid, mindless echo of the other’s words, ”Y-yeah…ready.”

So much for first impressions. Alex felt like the walls were sinking and shifting around him. Could almost see it happening, he didn’t listen to whatever the priest was saying. It didn’t matter. There was nothing holy or good about a union between strangers.

[Dan]

A reply, almost like an echo, it seemed as if Alex was afraid to go through with this. Hell, who wouldn't be terrified of getting married? Talon wasn't so keen on the idea either, but here he was standing in front of a priest and families as they watched the holy union of two boys. What people wouldn't do for money, oh well, he had perks. He was safe from slavery and well, Alex seemed nice enough, he just needed someone to buff up his ego a bit. Maybe then he wouldn't let every single thing get to him. Well, that was a thought, Talon wasn't sure if Alex was really like this, it could just be a spur of the moment thing.

“Hey, don't worry about this, you'll do great, I promise.” Now, Talon knew better than to say something like that, he can't make promises, a lot of things he wanted to promise were always so hard to keep. But why should Alex have to worry about a silly little wedding? It was just something a priest would do to make everyone happy. They got money, people got rings and everything was better. Besides, the fifteen year old could help the older male the best he could.

Biting his lower lip, he examined the room, wow, did people ever pull out the stops for these weddings. It looked like something out of those old, old movies that he still watches now and then. Y'know, the flat movies, none of today's holographic material. The priests even had the same stupid sounding lines, well maybe it was some sort of law in the priesthood. Whatever, Talon wasn't really interested, he just liked movies, it kept him occupied.

Sure, he loved his sports, but there wasn't really anything for him to do during the night so he started a new habit. All those nighttime movies had expanded on his imagination, he could come up with some of the craziest things. Looking down at his feet, the fifteen year old did his best to keep quiet now. Hearing everything going on was making him nervous. And then he heard it, those lines that would make or break everything. “Do you, Talon Christopher Ardell, take this man to be your lawfully wedded husband.”

Talon almost laughed right there, since when was there law in this world? After Ian was destroyed, such things became laughable, but well he did what was told. “I do.”

[Zander]

When people can’t sleep, they counted wooly white animals. And when Alex got nervous, he counted in beeps in his head. Tiny, light notes that keep him awake and seeming focused….while he was really trying to be distracted and pretend he wasn’t really wherever he was.

Beep- one…..Beep- two… Beep-three..

He got up to twenty high pitched beats in his head before he heard the two words that changed people’s lives. Two at a time. Talon just said it first;

“I do.”

Alex blinked once, bringing his mind back into the wedding chapel. He’d made sure he was looking at the priest, his face already perfectly shaped in an intent, listening mold of intricate folds of pale skin. No one would have noticed. But reality was still sinking into his skin. Oh, God, it’s my turn….

“And do you, Alexander Gabriel Sanders, take this man to be your lawfully wedded husband?”

“I do.” It was incredible as natural and quick the reply was. Alex was surprised he’d said anything at all, let alone with an actual voice. He sounded far more confident than he truthfully was.

The priest smiled approvingly. Alex almost expected the old man to say “Good boy” like he was some kind of a dog.

[Dan]

"Very well, you may kiss, erm.." The priest scratched his chin. He never actually thought about this, now what is he going to say now, you can't exactly say you may kiss the bride. Then again, that kid decided to wear a dress to try and make it more formal, and then it didn't upset people in the area. "You may kiss the bride."

"Did he just say bride?" The fifteen year old thought to himself as he looked at the priest. He did, oh wow, Talon hadn't been expecting that one. Oh well, everything was different now, they were married no turning back. Sure, there was the certificate, but that didn't matter in this world, they were joined by a priest and there was nothing they could ever do to change it. Though the word divorce pops into one's mind it doesn't really mean anything. There is no such thing, you're binded for life.

After everything he's gone through, it all boiled down to this point. A soft smile over his lips, Talon pulled away the veil and smiled towards the other male. There was nothing wrong with him, Talon didn't know why either of them should have been worried, well, maybe there was a few things. There were a few obvious differences between them, height was pretty easy to pick up on, he still had to grow, but that's okay.

No, Talon was an idiot, he was bad when it came to something like this. He looked down at his feet as the fifteen year old could already tell that there was a blush forming across his cheeks. Looking up once more, you could tell he almost seemed embarrassed. He really was never good at starting things.

[Zander]

Bride?

Maybe it just rolled off the tongue accidentally. The priest was old and Alex was willing to make excuses. He kept himself from raising a thin eyebrow. Besides, Talon was wearing a dress…Maybe he preferred… Alex shoved the thought away quickly. He could worry about that later. He had to think about the whole sentence the holy man had said. ”You may kiss the bride.”

Hazel eyes turned slowly to look at Talon. The veil was gone and the younger male was smiling faintly. Alex hadn’t seen him this close before...He suddenly wished he was the one wearing the veil. Talon was handsome…er…beautiful, actually. There was no way Talon could be content with marrying Alex…dull average Alex.

He quickly remembered what he was supposed to be doing. Kiss a stranger. Great. A positively gorgeous stranger that was too embarrassed to kiss him. Kiss him in front of everyone. Alex swallowed, breathed in slowly, and…leaned and kissed the beautiful stranger on the lips.

His husband, the stranger.

[Dan]

So the dress made him look good, fat chance he'd ever be caught wearing another dress though. It was strange wearing it, and he could feel a breeze in places that he rather not. Oh well, no time to think about that, besides this was probably the only piece of female clothing he had. This was excluding the odd pair of jeans that he stole from his sister, nothing big though like skirts.

But this wasn't the time to be thinking about such trivial items, what was important was what was going on right now. He heard the line, and Talon never expected it to happen, yet he felt a pair of lips touch his own. Closing his eyes he savored the taste, no everything was going to be fine. He just had to learn to calm down, Alex was good looking, a lot better then most people that he knows.

That same smile was still on his lips when he opened his eyes to look at Alex again. "I guess it's done." He couldn't believe it, of all the people, of everything that could happen he gets paired up with a guy. Pretty cool actually, but the fifteen year old knew he should come up with something better to say. "I'm Talon." The boy smiled giving him a goofy little grin.

Who said he couldn't have fun? After all, the formalities were over, and he had nothing to worry about. He could just let loose, there were a few things to finish up before he would be allowed to leave. That gave him the next question, where was he going to live now? Did they have to get an apartment together? Ah, whatever, he could deal with that later. Right now, it was more important to try and get the older male to talk.

[Zander]

Alex laughed lightly; a strange reaction to relief. But all the stressful part of today was over now and it felt like he could suddenly breathe again. Like he’d been underwater for the last portion of the hour and now he was coming up for air.

“I’m Alex”, he said, still rather cheerful. Somehow, his mind was keeping him from comprehending that he’d just kissed this boy. Maybe it was better that way. He glanced at the priest, who was gathering up his things already. He wasn’t the only one who couldn’t wait to get out of there; Alex could hear people filing out of the chapel in a slightly evident hurry. Probably rushing to go gossip in the pews. He rolled his yes and turned his attention back to Talon.

“Mmm…this is gonna sound lame, but…I’m hungry. Can I take you to lunch?”, he asked, smirking a little. Now that he was more at ease, Alex was finding it less difficult to speak to Talon,” Someone else can take care of the certificates. I hear they don’t care if the real people actually sign them ’cause they’re not really as important as the ceremony.”

He was just a tad desperate to prove to Talon that he wasn’t as scared and apathetic-seeming as the boy might have thought at first.

[Dan]

"Lunch?" The fifteen year old blinked his eyes several times. It was midday already? Wow, he really lost track of time, then again being in this place you forgot about everything. It was never wrecking to walk in here yet alone being bound in wedlock. "Well I dunno, I--" The male was cut off as he hear his stomach growl. Blushing, the male scratched the back of his head. "Sure, lunch would be great."

With a goofy grin plastered over his face he started talking again. "I'm gonna go change, I'll be right back." And with that the male took off for his room, upon reaching he shut the door. Yeah, this was going to be fun, Alex seemed really sweet, no doubt about it. Making sure the door was locked he stripped his clothes off.

Grabbing his other pair the boy smiled, finally, something comfortable. He slipped into a pair of dark khaki shorts with a white tee shirt over top. White trainers were on his feet and no socks were visible. No, he was wearing a pair of ankle socks for the moment, who wanted people to see their socks? That was kind of weird.

Finally making his way back to Alex he found him and licked his lips. "Right,I'm ready." All the other stuff could be taken care off, and he'd probably see to it that the dress was burned. No way in hell he'd live that one down. SO the fifteen year old was going to be happy and it was going to stay that way. Though he made sure that the gun was hidden, he wouldn't want to scare anyone, now did he.

[Zander]

Changing sounded like a brilliant idea. The tuxedo was unbearably stiff and slightly itchy. Alex made his way back to the dressing room he had been using and eagerly slipped out of the formal clothing. He was very grateful for having through to bring a spare change of clothes.

The seventeen year old pulled on a pair of maroon colored pants made out a fabric similar to denim, but much smoother. He put on a fairly loose gray shirt with a black design on it and then put a large, ivory jacket over it. Large so that it wouldn’t be too obvious there was a gun hidden away in the breast pocket. It was shame that he had to carry that thing around, but it couldn’t really be helped.

”Better safe than sorry”, he told himself in a knowing tone like he was a kindergarten teacher.

He adjusted the outfit in the mirror and brushed out the stiff look he had styled his light brown hair in. Alex felt more like himself now that he was back in normal, casual clothes. He smiled at his reflection before walking out to meet back up with Talon.

“Cool, where do you want to eat?”, he asked, still smiling slightly. It was an amazing relief that Talon was wearing “normal” clothes now.

[Dan]

Pausing for a moment, the male took this chance to think of a good place to go eat. Unfortunately none came to mind, so the fifteen year old tried again. No, it wasn't working very well. Letting out a sigh he looked up at Alex and shrugged, "I don't know actually, anywhere is good." Scratching the back of his head he continued with what he was saying, "Sorry, I just can't think of anything at the moment. We could just walk around until we find something." Well, it seemed like a good idea, whoever said you couldn't walk around?

People walked around in groups, maybe they thought that the whole idea of strength in numbers actually applied. Whatever the reason, they still did it, and it seemed to work so people just stuck with it. "Anyways, shall we go?" Gavin asked looking up at the older male with a smile on his lips.

People were still piling out of the church, not that he really cared, all they were going to do was gossip about things that they think happened. It didn't affect him so why did he care? Looking around the male sighed, checking to make sure that he still had everything he waited for Alex. Well, if they were going out they'd have to start to do more things together. Getting to know each other also seemed like a priority. Why would you want to live with someone you barely knew?

Well, at least they were safe now, he should be grateful, and the fifteen year old knew it. Examining Alex, Talon still kept his smile on. No way anyone could change it, he was too..happy.