[center][sub][sub][h2][i][color=FF7F50]A[/color][/i] n t o n   [i][color=FF7F50]D[/color][/i] r a g o m i r o v[/h2][/sub][/sub]
[h3][i]&[/i][/h3][h3][color=#3D85C6][color=#7BCDC8][i]ℭ[/i][/color]harles [color=#7BCDC8][i]Λ[/i][/color]eon[/color][/h3][/center][center][sub]O M I N A R[/sub]
[sub][i]~  The   Warehouse   Meeting   Place  ~[/i][/sub][/center][hr][center][sub][sub][h3]-{}-   Every [color=FF7F50][i]thing[/i][/color] and every [color=FF7F50][i]body[/i][/color] begins in the same place, but in order to move forward one must simply   .   .   .   [color=FF7F50][i]B r e a t h e[/i][/color]   -{}-[/h3][/sub][/sub][/center]
[hr][hr]
The crowd only seemed to grow as Anton awaited the person who would address the gathering. Curious eyes looked over the audience with an equally growing surprise. [i]Man... This is serious[/i], he thought. The courier had never agreed with the Prae occupation in the first place, but he also had never given thought to just how many like-minds were out there. Seeing the sheer amount of people in the abandoned warehouse widened his perspective and evoked the realization that the birth of this resistance was an actual happening and one that could have the potential to change everything in Ominar. A lackadaisical hand rubbed the back of his neck and the courier let out an inaudible sigh. He had only come to satisfy his internal inquiry, but, at the very least, he was now a bit exposed. Keeping a low profile was important to a man who skirted the law regularly and even if the resistance became strong enough to actually oppose the Prae in the future, right now they were little more than a disorganized formation of individuals who merely [i]wondered[/i]. 

Sucking his teeth, Anton began to turn away from the makeshift stage just before the speaker finally made his presence known. His voice seemed to boom out in waves across the audience and his words began as a prototypical display of disillusion. Then, Anton stopped. [b]"Who here has had someone they care about mysteriously vanish!?"[/b] That statement sent vibrating chills down the courier's spine. He slowly turned back to the face the man who had echoed the sentiment and now gazed at him with hard, searching eyes. The disappearances were well known amongst the criminal underbelly of the city, but Anton had largely ignored the reports in an effort to keep his own memories from resurfacing - memories that defined The Navigator and spurred on an unspoken cause. 

[b]"There have been hundreds, maybe thousands wrongfully imprisoned. Many of our friends. We can't let anymore go to that prison. Who knows what the prae in power have done to it? Now. we need leaders, people we can trust. Will all those who consider themselves capable join me?"[/b]

Though the thought of joining such a dangerous organization weighed him down, Anton let the speaker's words penetrate and resonate in his now open mind. There was an air of truth to the speech and though he was no leader, the courier solidified his growing resolve. He would, indeed, join the resistance and help to overthrow the Prae occupation once and for all. Just as he began to raise his hand however, a slight brush and push moved his body to the right a few steps. Sharply turning his head, Anton watched as a man in a waistcoat moved passed him. [color=FF7F50]"Hey! Hey waistcoat! Are you looking for the proper words to say when you bump into someone? 'Cause I can certainly help you with that,"[/color] Anton called out. 

Charles stopped dead in his tracks for a moment. His head turned back and noting the man for the first time, his mind slowly realizing what he had done. If he hadn't been so distracted, he might’ve actually realized what he was doing and avoided this awkward situation. Being rusty, Charles tried to pacify what he worried might be anger toward him. 

[color=#7BCDC8]"[/color][color=#7ACCC7]A[/color][color=#7ACCC7]p[/color][color=#79CBC7]o[/color][color=#79CBC7]l[/color][color=#78CAC7]o[/color][color=#78CAC7]g[/color][color=#78C9C7]i[/color][color=#77C9C7]e[/color][color=#77C8C7]s[/color][color=#76C8C7],[/color] [color=#75C7C7]i[/color][color=#75C6C7]t[/color] [color=#74C5C7]w[/color][color=#74C5C7]a[/color][color=#73C4C7]s[/color][color=#73C4C7]n[/color][color=#72C3C7]'[/color][color=#72C3C7]t[/color] [color=#71C2C7]i[/color][color=#71C1C7]n[/color][color=#70C1C7]t[/color][color=#70C0C7]e[/color][color=#6FC0C7]n[/color][color=#6FBFC7]t[/color][color=#6FBFC7]i[/color][color=#6EBEC7]o[/color][color=#6EBEC7]n[/color][color=#6DBDC7]a[/color][color=#6DBDC7]l[/color][color=#6CBCC7].[/color] [color=#6CBBC7]I[/color] [color=#6BBAC7]w[/color][color=#6ABAC7]a[/color][color=#6AB9C7]s[/color] [color=#69B8C7]a[/color][color=#69B8C7]c[/color][color=#68B7C7]t[/color][color=#68B7C7]u[/color][color=#67B6C7]a[/color][color=#67B6C7]l[/color][color=#66B5C7]l[/color][color=#66B5C7]y[/color] [color=#65B4C7]l[/color][color=#65B3C7]o[/color][color=#64B3C7]o[/color][color=#64B2C7]k[/color][color=#63B2C7]i[/color][color=#63B1C7]n[/color][color=#63B1C7]g[/color] [color=#62B0C7]f[/color][color=#61AFC7]o[/color][color=#61AFC7]r[/color] [color=#60AEC7]t[/color][color=#60ADC7]h[/color][color=#5FADC7]i[/color][color=#5FACC7]s[/color] [color=#5EABC7]l[/color][color=#5DABC7]a[/color][color=#5DAAC7]d[/color][color=#5DAAC7]y[/color][color=#5CA9C7],[/color] [color=#5BA8C6]d[/color][color=#5BA8C6]o[/color] [color=#5AA7C6]y[/color][color=#5AA6C6]o[/color][color=#59A6C6]u[/color] [color=#58A5C6]h[/color][color=#58A4C6]a[/color][color=#57A4C6]p[/color][color=#57A3C6]p[/color][color=#57A3C6]e[/color][color=#56A2C6]n[/color] [color=#55A1C6]t[/color][color=#55A1C6]o[/color] [color=#54A0C6]k[/color][color=#549FC6]n[/color][color=#539FC6]o[/color][color=#539EC6]w[/color] [color=#529DC6]w[/color][color=#519DC6]h[/color][color=#519CC6]e[/color][color=#519CC6]r[/color][color=#509BC6]e[/color] [color=#4F9AC6]s[/color][color=#4F9AC6]h[/color][color=#4E99C6]e[/color] [color=#4E98C6]i[/color][color=#4D98C6]s[/color][color=#4D97C6]?[/color] [color=#4C96C6]S[/color][color=#4B96C6]h[/color][color=#4B95C6]e[/color][color=#4B95C6]'[/color][color=#4A94C6]s[/color] [color=#4993C6]a[/color] [color=#4892C6]s[/color][color=#4892C6]i[/color][color=#4891C6]s[/color][color=#4791C6]t[/color][color=#4790C6]e[/color][color=#4690C6]r[/color] [color=#458FC6]o[/color][color=#458EC6]f[/color] [color=#448DC6]a[/color] [color=#438CC6]s[/color][color=#438CC6].[/color][color=#428BC6].[/color][color=#428BC6].[/color] [color=#418AC6]a[/color] [color=#4089C6]f[/color][color=#4088C6]r[/color][color=#3F88C6]i[/color][color=#3F87C6]e[/color][color=#3F87C6]n[/color][color=#3E86C6]d[/color][color=#3E86C6].[/color][color=#3D85C6]"[/color] 

Charles had almost slipped into saying he word student, but recovered in time and resulted in only an s then a pause in his conversation. His hand held out the picture for the man to look at as his eyes panned the crowd, his ability to spot the woman (if she was here) was hindered by the massive number of bodies. He was unusually still and calm despite his age while most teenagers would be fidgeting or biting their lip from worry. When Anton took the picture, his hands were shoved into the nook of his lower back where he held them there and he waited for a reply.   

Anton raised an eyebrow and crinkled his face at Charles. He had only seen the back of his head at first, but when the man in the waistcoat turned and apologized before shoving a picture in the courier's face, the shock washed over his expression; this guy was not a man. He was a kid. The courier took a step back and exhaled. He was suddenly embarrassed that he had almost gotten angry at some boy. [color=FF7F50]"Uh... It's fine, it's fine,"[/color] he nervously stammered, [color=FF7F50]"You're looking for some girl, huh?"[/color] The courier took the picture and examined it more closely. The girl in the image was also young in age, but at least appeared to be older than the kid. She also was not bad looking, but Anton brushed the thought to the side. He had already had bad experiences stemming from finding certain women attractive. [color=FF7F50]"I've never seen her before,"[/color] he concluded, handing the picture back, [color=FF7F50]"But I can help you look for your girlfriend. It's not like I have anything better to do at the moment."[/color] Anton sheepishly rubbed the back of his neck as he finished. He figured he could make up for his overreaction by at least helping the kid find this lady. 

Charles wasn’t surprised at the reaction, through he appreciated the man’s control and prevented him from likely getting a beating. He had that happen a few times from cocky adults or kids that refused to act their age. This forced him to either take a beating or sidestep the situation completely before vanishing elsewhere. 

After a moment or two of looking, Charles ceased examining the room. It was now that he noticed how odd his wording sounded and how rusty he was since the registration act. He never had to pretend to act his appearing age when he signed up and that allowed employment within ZUMA to be made easier for the rest of his life. Or at least for how long the school stood. 

He took the picture when it was handed back. Depositing it into his pocket, Charles then blinked at Anton’s mention about the woman being his girlfriend. Wasn’t that sort of illegal? He thought, shocked a bit by the assumption, and suddenly snapped out of his less than appropriate mindset. His words started to stutter a bit in his attempt to correct the man’s impressions. Naturally his voice turned up one or two octaves as his hands waved in front of him, seeming to ward it away with a few gestures. [color=#7BCDC8]"[/color][color=#7ACCC7]N[/color][color=#79CBC7]-[/color][color=#79CBC7]n[/color][color=#78CAC7]o[/color][color=#78CAC7],[/color] [color=#77C8C7]s[/color][color=#76C8C7]h[/color][color=#76C7C7]e[/color][color=#75C7C7]'[/color][color=#75C6C7]s[/color] [color=#74C5C7]n[/color][color=#73C4C7]o[/color][color=#73C4C7]t[/color] [color=#72C2C7]m[/color][color=#71C2C7]y[/color] [color=#70C1C7]g[/color][color=#70C0C7]i[/color][color=#6FBFC7]r[/color][color=#6FBFC7]l[/color][color=#6EBEC7]f[/color][color=#6EBEC7]r[/color][color=#6DBDC7]i[/color][color=#6DBCC7]e[/color][color=#6CBCC7]n[/color][color=#6CBBC7]d[/color][color=#6BBBC7].[/color] [color=#6AB9C7]J[/color][color=#69B9C7]u[/color][color=#69B8C7]s[/color][color=#68B8C7]t[/color] [color=#67B6C7]a[/color] [color=#66B5C7]f[/color][color=#66B5C7]r[/color][color=#65B4C7]i[/color][color=#65B3C7]e[/color][color=#64B3C7]n[/color][color=#64B2C7]d[/color][color=#63B2C7]'[/color][color=#63B1C7]s[/color] [color=#62B0C7]s[/color][color=#61AFC7]i[/color][color=#61AFC7]s[/color][color=#60AEC7]t[/color][color=#60ADC7]e[/color][color=#5FADC7]r[/color][color=#5FACC7].[/color] [color=#5EABC7]I[/color] [color=#5DAAC7]d[/color][color=#5CA9C7]o[/color][color=#5CA9C6]n[/color][color=#5BA8C6]'[/color][color=#5AA7C6]t[/color] [color=#59A6C6]e[/color][color=#59A6C6]v[/color][color=#58A5C6]e[/color][color=#58A4C6]n[/color] [color=#57A3C6]k[/color][color=#56A3C6]n[/color][color=#56A2C6]o[/color][color=#55A1C6]w[/color] [color=#54A0C6]t[/color][color=#54A0C6]h[/color][color=#539FC6]e[/color] [color=#529EC6]y[/color][color=#529DC6]o[/color][color=#519DC6]u[/color][color=#519CC6]n[/color][color=#509BC6]g[/color] [color=#4F9AC6]l[/color][color=#4F9AC6]a[/color][color=#4E99C6]d[/color][color=#4E98C6]y[/color] [color=#4D97C6]a[/color][color=#4C97C6]n[/color][color=#4B96C6]d[/color] [color=#4A95C6]I[/color][color=#4A94C6]'[/color][color=#4994C6]m[/color] [color=#4892C6]l[/color][color=#4892C6]i[/color][color=#4791C6]k[/color][color=#4791C6]e[/color][color=#4690C6]l[/color][color=#468FC6]y[/color] [color=#458EC6]n[/color][color=#448EC6]o[/color][color=#448DC6]t[/color] [color=#438CC6]c[/color][color=#428BC6]o[/color][color=#428BC6]m[/color][color=#418AC6]p[/color][color=#4189C6]a[/color][color=#4089C6]t[/color][color=#4088C6]i[/color][color=#3F88C6]b[/color][color=#3F87C6]l[/color][color=#3E86C6]e[/color][color=#3E86C6].[/color][color=#3D85C6]"[/color]

Anton chuckled and rolled his eyes slightly. The kid spoke like he was some elderly man. Looking over the horizon of the crowd, the courier swept away the awkward moment and pulled out his phone. The display instantly lit with the information that voicemail messages had been missed. A cold shutter crawled over the man's skin as he knew it could only be Rose attempting to get in touch with him again so she could finish her profanity-laden tirade. With that realization, a new vigor rejuvenated Anton's voluntary efforts to help the strange kid. Anything would be better than calling Rose back. 

[color=FF7F50]"Look kid, it's alright if you think she's out of your league, but don't write yourself off so easily. Besides, when you get older you'll realize women aren't exactly... "[/color] Anton trailed as a mental image of Rose popped into his head. He shuttered once more, this time visibly. [color=FF7F50]"Let's just say that you'll learn their true nature eventually. For now, let's just focus on finding this girl."[/color] The courier scanned the wide, spacious room for a few seconds before noting that the old structure still had metallic support beams in place. 

Tilting his head when Anton pulled out his phone, Charles arched his eyebrow in question. His eyes narrowed in concern and curiosity, but he didn’t give voice to his urges to inquire about it. It was none of his business in the end. Instead he leaned back and tried to slouch, something his body protested about with a spark of slight pain in his posture. He didn’t know how half his students managed to do this, let alone tolerate it. Sucking in his breath, he tried to ignore the hurt but it wasn't as easy as he had hoped. Even though it was humorous that he had experienced much worse than this when he was in war.    

Charles shifted back, taking an instinctive step back when he noted the shutter. He barely realized he had done it as it was a natural reaction from another time, namely when the Black Plague came in short burst until the 19th century and he was paranoid about getting ill. It might’ve not killed him but the effects were...nasty to endure. Thankfully that was also the era it went extinct, much to his relief, making him happy he was dead asleep through it. He quickly tried to plead with the man to understand he wasn’t being modest or being outclassed in the art of love, but it wasn’t easy without spelling out the fact he was over 1400 years old. [color=#7BCDC8]“[/color][color=#7ACCC7]I[/color] [color=#79CBC7]t[/color][color=#79CBC7]h[/color][color=#79CAC7]i[/color][color=#78CAC7]n[/color][color=#78C9C7]k[/color] [color=#77C8C7]y[/color][color=#77C8C7]o[/color][color=#76C7C7]u[/color][color=#76C7C7]’[/color][color=#76C7C7]r[/color][color=#75C6C7]e[/color] [color=#74C5C7]m[/color][color=#74C5C7]i[/color][color=#74C4C7]s[/color][color=#73C4C7]s[/color][color=#73C3C7]i[/color][color=#73C3C7]n[/color][color=#72C2C7]g[/color] [color=#71C1C7]m[/color][color=#71C1C7]y[/color] [color=#70C0C7]p[/color][color=#70C0C7]o[/color][color=#70BFC7]i[/color][color=#6FBFC7]n[/color][color=#6FBEC7]t[/color][color=#6EBEC7]…[/color][color=#6EBDC7]”[/color]   

A small smirk spread across his visage as the courier turned back to Charles. [color=FF7F50]"There! You see,"[/color] A rigid finger pointed at a support beam near the corner of the warehouse, [color=FF7F50]"Obviously it'd be easier to find someone in a thick crowd if you get to a higher vantage point. I'll climb that beam and use my phone camera to zoom in and see what I can see from above. You just stay at the base and I'll shout out to you if I find her."[/color] A sturdy palm slapped the back of Charles' back as Anton took off with a brisk walk towards the beam he had set his sights on. 

Unnoticed by Anton, Charles was pressing his right hand to his temple to hide his face. He was slowly massaging it and inhaling gradually, exhaling the stress out. He was starting to realize he wouldn’t get very far since the man didn’t believe he wasn’t sixteen. Personally, the professor was wondering if it was a blessing or curse that the man hadn’t realized something was strange with his phrasing during their conversation. Though he was pretty positive that the man just didn't mention it or overlooked it. His eyes shifted up and frowned at Anton’s next gesture, feeling a sickening sensation rattle in his middle over the next statement. 

Charles immediately shifted his eyes to where his new ally was pointing. He was distracted enough that when Anton’s slap connected with his back, his feet moved forward a step and he barely caught his balance. Before he could state his protest at the friendly gesture, the stranger was off. What had he gotten himself into? Charles thought bitterly while he pushed forward and tried to keep within Anton’s wake, his steps carefully placed to avoid being tripped. At least the man was more helpful than the last three as they merely looked then ignored him, determining their own business was much more important than finding a missing girl who was possibly in danger just being here. 

Ducking and weaving the best he could through the crowd’s tight population, he started a conversation while they made their way to the beam. [color=#7BCDC8]“[/color][color=#7ACCC7]I[/color] [color=#7ACCC7]w[/color][color=#7ACCC7]a[/color][color=#7ACCC7]s[/color] [color=#7ACBC7]r[/color][color=#79CBC7]u[/color][color=#79CBC7]d[/color][color=#79CBC7]e[/color] [color=#79CAC7]e[/color][color=#79CAC7]a[/color][color=#79CAC7]r[/color][color=#78CAC7]l[/color][color=#78CAC7]i[/color][color=#78CAC7]e[/color][color=#78C9C7]r[/color] [color=#78C9C7]b[/color][color=#78C9C7]y[/color] [color=#77C9C7]n[/color][color=#77C8C7]o[/color][color=#77C8C7]t[/color] [color=#77C8C7]i[/color][color=#77C8C7]n[/color][color=#76C7C7]t[/color][color=#76C7C7]r[/color][color=#76C7C7]o[/color][color=#76C7C7]d[/color][color=#76C7C7]u[/color][color=#76C7C7]c[/color][color=#76C6C7]i[/color][color=#75C6C7]n[/color][color=#75C6C7]g[/color] [color=#75C6C7]m[/color][color=#75C6C7]y[/color][color=#75C5C7]s[/color][color=#75C5C7]e[/color][color=#74C5C7]l[/color][color=#74C5C7]f[/color][color=#74C5C7],[/color] [color=#74C4C7]m[/color][color=#74C4C7]y[/color] [color=#73C4C7]n[/color][color=#73C4C7]a[/color][color=#73C3C7]m[/color][color=#73C3C7]e[/color] [color=#73C3C7]i[/color][color=#73C3C7]s[/color] [color=#72C2C7]C[/color][color=#72C2C7]h[/color][color=#72C2C7]a[/color][color=#72C2C7]r[/color][color=#72C2C7]l[/color][color=#72C2C7]e[/color][color=#71C1C7]s[/color][color=#71C1C7].[/color] [color=#71C1C7]I[/color] [color=#71C1C7]d[/color][color=#71C0C7]i[/color][color=#70C0C7]d[/color][color=#70C0C7]n[/color][color=#70C0C7]’[/color][color=#70C0C7]t[/color] [color=#70BFC7]g[/color][color=#70BFC7]e[/color][color=#6FBFC7]t[/color] [color=#6FBFC7]y[/color][color=#6FBEC7]o[/color][color=#6FBEC7]u[/color][color=#6FBEC7]r[/color] [color=#6EBEC7]n[/color][color=#6EBEC7]a[/color][color=#6EBDC7]m[/color][color=#6EBDC7]e[/color][color=#6EBDC7],[/color] [color=#6EBDC7]s[/color][color=#6DBDC7]i[/color][color=#6DBCC7]r[/color][color=#6DBCC7].[/color][color=#6DBCC7]”[/color]   

Anton chuckled again. [color=FF7F50]"I really haven't met a kid like you before. Name's Anton, Charles. Nice to meet ya I suppose."[/color] As they neared the beam, a soft vibration sent shivers through the courier's veins. He glanced back at Charles who was trailing only a few feet behind him before pulling out his black slate. The display lit and a few taps opened the messages screen. Captial letters filled a small yellow speech box on the screen and what they spelled out caused Anton's eyes to widen. He swallowed hard though the feeling of a lump in his throat did not dissipate. There was going to be a lot to answer for later, but it was in this same moment that the beam suddenly appeared tall and looming above the duo. The courier pocketed his phone and immediately began his ascension. There was no point in waiting after all and Charles' mannerisms slightly freaked him out; he decided to let the natural pause in conversation extend a bit longer. 

Anton reached the apex of the beam quickly and situated himself in such a way that he could retain one free hand. That hand grabbed the phone once more and initiated the camera app. With a mental image of the girl fresh in his mind's eye, the courier began scanning the crowd.