[center][img]http://i.imgur.com/EcZW0yd.png[/img][/center] [center][img]http://i.imgur.com/gi2tTeQ.gif[/img][/center] [center][img]http://i.imgur.com/R0F95fE.gif[/img][/center] [center][img]http://i.imgur.com/5gmmJyE.png[/img][/center] [center][img]http://s3.amazonaws.com/lego-elves/assets/characters/elements/large/character-element-fire-desktop-150px.png[/img][/center] In the chaos that ensued, it was hard to see what was coming to pass. The sudden sound of a gunshot ran out across the empty building, along with voices accompanying the horrid noise. Forced out of his slumber, Skyler shot his eyes open with his powers soon following suit. The darkness was set alight in embers and flames, a burst which soon came to vanish once Skyler returned to his senses. The werewolf was gone, and so was Táph. With a sense of worry welling up inside, Skyler shifted his attention from one side of the darkness to the other. No one was there, and his unwanted blast of fire went unnoticed. The gunshot had brought with it a much higher level of alert. Springing to his feet, Skyler felt his breathing accelerating. Alone in the darkness, he attempted to calm his nerves with little success, that is until he heard the rapid footsteps of a heavy sprint. Spinning towards the newly added noise, Skyler saw a familiar shape in the dark halls. It was Táph, something to calm the worry, but the werewolf was gone. Nowhere to be seen. [color=f26522]”Wh-what was that...?”[/color] Skyler attempted to speak, his voice a silent muse despite the worry within. There was no telling where Ben had ran off to. This building connected with several corridors and contained one room after the other. Given the acoustics, it was impossible to know exactly where the gunshot had ran out from and it left the two by themselves. Táph was already awake, outside and performing a natural bodily function, one of the few he still had to do with his partially-deceased body. The sound of the gunshot ran through him like a chill down the spine. He hurriedly finished up his bathroom break, remembering to zip up his fly and hurrying over to where Skyler was. [color=#bc987e]“Gunshot, close by. I haven’t heard sirens yet so I think it might be gang violence.”[/color] He quickly took note that the wolf was gone. [color=#bc987e]“We should move.”[/color] He said with a dire seriousness to his voice that was almost commanding in tone. He said move and he expected Skyler to start moving. [color=f26522]”Yeah...”[/color] As reserved a boy as he was, Skyler did have a bad habit of growing attached to animals. Ever since an early childhood, Skyler loved being in close proximity to them and they had always filled a large part of his social interactions, as limited as that might have been. Reluctantly turning from where he stood, Skyler followed Táph out of the building. If it was gang based violence, the best thing they could do was to stay out of it, and the werewolf could more than likely take care of himself. It was a werewolf, after all. Not a helpless kitten. Without managing another word, the Efreet followed his companion with necessity in his step, a path lacking any notable amount of spring or heart. Táph decided to comfort him while they walked. [color=#bc987e]“So did you have a dog or a cat or something back home?”[/color] He figured trying to take his mind off of the increasingly shitty situation they’d landed themselves in was a good enough plan as he looked about making sure the paths he was taking were clear of danger, as much as he could from a short glance, anyhow. He stopped for a second, he saw a pair of people walking down the street and he didn’t want to risk that they might see the Efreet, horns and all. He took off his jacket, handing it over to the teen. [color=#bc987e]“Just act natural.”[/color] [color=f26522]”Yeah, a dog...”[/color] Skyler returned in response while slipping the oversized jacket over his scrawny frame. He couldn’t do much to hide the whole tail, but part of the appendage was obscured behind the length of Táph’s jacket. [color=f26522]”His name was Mushroom...”[/color] The boy continued, keeping himself close to Táph as they walked, attempting to seem as casual as possible rather than paranoid and distressed. [color=#bc987e]“That’s a good name for a dog.”[/color] He smiled reassuringly. [color=#bc987e]“Reckon you know the way to your house from here?”[/color] In the past few hours he’d found out other supernatural beings existed, had wrestled and helped bandage up a seemingly wild wolf and was taking care of some sort of devil who also happened to be a scared teen. What was stealing a dog to any of those? Gathering his thoughts, Skyler tried to collect himself before eventually offering an answer. The way home? Did Táph intend to take them to Skyler’s old house? [color=f7941d]”Yeah but...there’s nothing there, they threw me ou-...”[/color] Cutting himself off from finishing the sentence, Skyler was hit by a realization. There was in fact something there, something he had been left without. Mushroom probably missed him. [color=f7941d]”Táph...”[/color] The boy spoke up, stopping in his tracks before weakly gripping his companion’s shirt. [color=f7941d]”I’m going to steal my dog...”[/color] Though out of character for the teen, this entire week had been insanely chaotic and awkward. Nothing had been in character for Skyler, and it was probably time to take charge. He was tired of feeling helpless, and his only friend was currently still stuck with the two people who had been abusing the boy for four years. That couldn’t stand. Táph nodded, though he did stop with the teen. [color=#bc987e]“Yeah, that’s the plan. Come on, I don’t know the way.”[/color] He said, grinning like an idiot. [color=#bc987e]You reckon he’ll follow with voice or am I on grab and run duty?”[/color]“ He continued walking along with Skyler, the kid was really beginning to grow on him. He had some confidence as well. He had a friend again, or at least something of a friend, something of an answer about who he was and something to do that wasn’t fighting. [color=f26522]”Mushroom responds to my voice...”[/color] In fact, Skyler’s dog didn’t even require a leash. He was a disciplined pup and the dog was very close to his owner. [color=f26522]”And...I think I smell different...”[/color] After what happened with the werewolf, things were starting to fall into place. Being an Efreet, the boy possessed a unique scent which animals could pick up on. While a full set of information went over his head, Skyler was starting to put the pieces together. Animals tended to like him, and they tended to consider him pleasant company. Considering how animals ran on scent rather than visual information, Skyler was starting to understand that there was something about how he smelled that attracted them. [color=f26522]”The house is this way...”[/color] Skyler continued, nodding to Táph before he decided to take the lead. Táph followed on further, hoping the jacket was a decent enough cover for the Efreet’s more obvious features. It was night, and it was probably good enough. [color=#bc987e]“Alright. Do you know a way in or are we using a bum key? I’m not really much for barging doors down.”[/color] He felt a bit uneasy about all of this, confidence waning a tad. He’d done stupid shit before but he’d never really committed a crime with this amount of intent before. He tried to take his mind off of it, keeping up his marching pace as if he was out to go to war again. Maybe not that regimented, but still rhythmically disciplined. For the first time in as long as he could remember, perhaps the first time to date, Skyler felt a rush of adrenaline filling him. They were going to commit a crime, and he was the one who decided this course of action. Though, Skyler wasn’t going to commit just any crime. He wasn’t going to steal any valuables, in fact, this wasn’t a crime at all, now was it? He was going to rescue his friend. That’s what this was all about. Perhaps with Mushroom’s help, they’d be able to find the werewolf later, but the chances of that were slim, if not null. Either way, as much as Skyler wanted to find his newly acquired fluffy acquaintance, he had no clue how to even begin. As far as he and Táph knew, the wolf was being chased by the police. Involving themselves would only cause problems. If luck had its way, they would be able to go looking for the werewolf more easily once the sun was up. If nothing else, the wolf would probably have taken refuge somewhere. [color=f26522]”Over here...”[/color] Skyler returned, keeping his eyes open as they sludged through the city streets. [color=f26522]”Is it breaking in if my parents live there...?”[/color] Though thinking aloud, Skyler mainly asked himself the question. Was it even legal for them to have discarded a sixteen year old boy? If anything, they were obligated to talk with the government about ridding themselves of any responsibility for him. None of that was important now, however. [color=f26522]”If you can lift me over the fence, I can get in...”[/color] The young Efreet assured his companion as he turned to look at Táph only moments before they finally arrived at the desired destination. Skyler’s home wasn’t too far from the abandoned building they had called shelter some time before, drawing it some form of luck, at the very least. Not everything stood in adversity to them, it would seem. [color=f26522]”There...”[/color] The boy continued, motioning towards a home which had quite obviously seen better days. Flowers by the door were withered under the lack of care they had received. Would one look through the windows, they’d be greeted by the same sight. If people still lived in this home, they had long since given up on keeping appearances in check. Táph followed him in silent contemplation, as the teen talked to himself, he didn’t bother providing the answers, it was unnecessary. The dog would keep the teen happy, which meant less outbursts of fire and demonic horns. It was a good decision as long as they didn’t get caught and the police didn’t get involved. He looked over the house. It’d seen better days and the state of disrepair made him feel a bit angry, being the homeless corpse he was. He put his back to the fence, pressing his hands together to give Skyler a leg up. [color=#bc987e]“Up and over when you’re ready. If something goes wrong, run back to the fence and I’ll just, uh, break it so we can hightail it.”[/color] He gave an unsure smile Skyler’s way. “Good luck.” He added, as a quick afterthought. [color=f26522]”Thanks...”[/color] Gulping at the thought, Skyler attempted a deep breath and offered Táph a soft nod before he took a step forward and found himself hoisted over the wooden fence. Due to his weight and Táph’s high level of strength, the boy was moved as little more than a feather before landing on the now rather high grass behind the house. Upon finding himself within the confines of those fences again, a shiver ran down his spine. Quite the feat of fear, given how the boy couldn’t feel cold in the slightest. With another breath, one trembling with uncertainty, Skyler started moving forward towards the porch. It had only been a week since he was here last, but it felt like an eternity. He placed his hand on the backdoor, attempting to open it with an obviously futile outcome. Turning to look at the windows, they too were locked. There was only one way in, if he intended to do this quietly. Táph could break the door open, but that would wake the whole house. [color=f26522]”Guess I have to...”[/color] With little else in forms of options available to him, Skyler placed the flat of his hand against the lock and closed his eyes. He had never attempted to use his powers in any specific manner before. [color=f26522]”Come on...”[/color] Clenching his teeth, the boy didn’t seem able to manage what he sought. Another heavy sigh left his lips as he crossed his arms. Tapping his chin in thought, Skyler analysed the area around the door and windows if something happened to catch his eye, though nothing did. A thought did however come to mind. As if a lightbulb appearing over his head, Skyler quickly got down to his knees and pulled up the small mat under the door. His mom had a bad habit of misplacing her keys, so having this around sure helped. Reaching below the mat, Skyler pulled out an old, rusty key which laid there in case of emergency. He eagerly slid the key into the door and opened the path, allowing him entry into the house. One heartbeat after the other, Skyler could feel himself growing more anxious now. He was able to hear each beat, and felt them all like jackhammers to his ribs. Forcing himself to take another step, Skyler would soon find himself taking a second and a third, moving into the dark home. No one was awake, but he could clearly see his father on the couch, several empty bottles of beer on the floor next to him. Averting his gaze, Skyler looked to the stairs on his right before entering the living room and moved up the creaking steps. The closer he got to his room, the heavier he felt his shoulders becoming. Once he stood face to face with the door he had hid behind so many times, a trembling hand placed itself on the knob, twisting it to slowly open the door. It looked just like before, as if no one had been here since he was thrown out. Well, that wasn’t entirely true. Wide eyes of shock met the scene before him. While he wanted to smile, to shout out in joy, the scene caused him to manage anything but. With a hurried pace, Skyler ran to his old bed where Mushroom, his dog, laid completely still. [color=f26522]”Oh my God, Mushroom...!”[/color] Gulping down the tears, Skyler reached down and picked up the nearly malnourished dog. He had been neglected all this time? Ever since Skyler was thrown out? No one had opened the door for him? No one had fed him? Clenching his teeth, Skyler was able to keep his calm only because his dear Mushroom remained in his arms. Hurrying down the stairs, the boy barely attempted to keep his silence as he dashed out into the backyard. [color=f26522]”Táph...”[/color] He spoke, tears aching through his voice. [color=f26522]”We need to hurry and get Mushroom out of here...”[/color] Táph heard the first few steps, but the uncertainty was clear in them. [color=#bc987e]“Keep going, I’m right here.”[/color] He said, and waited patiently. He looked down the street and leaned back against the fence. It was quiet. Quiet enough that when he shut his eyes, he could hear the soft step of crumpling grass until they faded off as the door opened. He fidgeted. He didn’t want to leave him on his own and quickly tested the fence, just pressing his hand against it more and more as it creaked and groaned under his slight pushes. He could snap this in an instant if he heard the slightest of alarms. He heard the hurrying dashes, and as he heard the crying, teared up voice, spoke quickly. [color=#bc987e]“Step back a bit.”[/color] Táph practically blew the fence apart as he barged through it, and picked up Skyler, bridal style so the teen could carry his dog. He then sprinted, full tilt down the street, subtlety might not have been his strong suit but long distance running? He was unmatched. Years of exercise drills kicked in through muscle memory and they were at least two blocks away, noting stores as he went past, before he set the teen down. It would’ve been an odd sight to see, a grown man carrying a teen carrying a dog. [color=#bc987e]“Stay here with Mushroom. I saw a few stores, going to get him some food, alright?”[/color] He waited to see Skyler nod back before setting off into the same pace of sprint. One crime was enough to make him a criminal, what was a few more thrown on top? He could always ask but past-experience was enough to tell him that probably wouldn’t work. He approached a closed store, dead of night with no lights and no shutters as far as he could see. This was high on his list of bad ideas, and high on the list of things he told himself he wouldn’t do. He covered his eyes and barged through the door, the alarm was ear-piercing, but he was expecting that. He pocketed as many cans of food he could and ran in the same sprint before anyone could stop him. The clanking blur quickly found himself breathing in and out, setting down a few cans onto the street corner he’d put Skyler on, taking out a swiss army knife and opening up a can of salted steak. It probably wasn’t [i]good[/i] for a dog, but it was better than nothing. [color=#bc987e]“Get him to eat this, and, uh, we should move soon.”[/color] [color=f26522]”Thanks, Táph…”[/color] Skyler returned quietly with Mushroom on his lap, the dog weakly attempting to eat the food he had been presented after a period of starvation. Though his nearly lifeless body required more than a little struggle to manage the feat, with Skyler’s help, the dog was able to chew and swallow enough food to keep him going until the next meal. He couldn’t eat too much at once. [color=f26522]”I wanted to burn them all…”[/color] The boy spoke silently under his breath. [color=f26522]”It took everything I had to contain it...”[/color] Was Mushroom beyond saving, there would have been no doubt about it. Skyler would have been unable to calm the ceaseless fire within his heart. [color=f26522]”Let’s go…”[/color] He finished, ascending to his feet with Mushroom tightly held in his arms. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ [h2][center]Meanwhile...[/center][/h2] The separation was unbearable. She knew she shouldn't have let Ji go with those two but it was the older sister’s wish. If anything would have happened they would find out quickly why you never mess with a werewolf. Granted in her case you never messed with an overprotective twin werewolf with elemental powers, which was a dangerous combination in itself. The girl softly scraped her paw like hand across the floor with a soft growl working its way out of the young woman's chest as she continued forward. Worry was clearly displayed her eyes making the urge to turn around and find her sibling that much harder to resist. The wolf carefully placed each limb down while trying to suppress her worry. Yeong knew she had to focus on Ben right now and nothing else. She shifted to leave, only having a scent of smoke return to her snout, making her curious. She followed the scent, noting that to would seem strong in certain places and nearly nonexistent in others. The girl knew that the stronger the full of smells were the closer her target was. Though she never expected to see what laid in front of her eyes. It wasn't who they were looking for or what they needed at their present moment. The young woman watched the two men cautiously. Her eyes studied them before something inside the boy’s arms caught her eyes. Yeong knew she needed to at least help the animal considering they were similar in ways others wouldn't begin to understand. This was one of the many differences between Ji and herself. She still embraced the animalistic side rather than the human side because it would cause far less harm. The girl shook her head and shifted back into her human form as she still watched the two of them. There wasn't any reason to cover herself so all she did was cross her arms in an attempt to copy her sibling’s scolded manner that was know by heart.[color=mintcream]” Alright boys. I have one single question for you and I would like an honest answer. What's wrong with the dog?”[/color] she asked calmly. With his eyes widened, Angelo’s gaze landed on the scruffy man who had quite clearly seen better days. Memories of a time long gone came to mind, and the Agent could narrow down only one location where he had seen those distinct eyes before; in the torn era of World War 2. Momentarily turning his attention to Yeong, Angelo noticed the shift in posture and her transformation into a skinclad human, followed by a question directed at the boy standing in companionship with Angelo’s old acquaintance, a man by the name Táph, if he remembered correctly. [color=00aeef]”That’s neither important nor relevant right now...”[/color] He sighed softly, shaking his head with the Agent’s fingers pinching the bridge of his nose. She was naked, transformed in front of two people no one could guarantee were known to the supernatural and proceeded with a straight forward approach. Hopefully, this wouldn’t end in disaster. [color=00aeef]”Excuse us.”[/color] Angelo pitched in, hoping to save the situation. From the looks of it, the boy appeared confused more so than anything but the tired expression on his face noted a lack of care. He had long since given up on dotting the changes in his surrounding, including random werewolf transformations, something which would probably come to land in his psyche once a more stable foundation found its way to his feet. [color=00aeef]”Regiment 54, The Hawks.”[/color] Angelo continued, his eyes glued on Táph. [color=00aeef]”World War Two, do you recollect? I remember a distinct name belonging to that face; Táph, yes? I’m Angelo, if you remember. You were rather hard to kill, right?.”[/color] Unable to hide the growing smile on his lips, the Agent stepped up with a soft bow of his head. [color=00aeef]”No offence, old friend.”[/color] He smirked. [color=00aeef]”But you look like shit. Come on, I can’t leave a comrade behind. Oh and, that friend of yours can come, too. Come on, we should head back to the mansion. There’s a mess to clean up and the others should be able to find who we’re looking for.”[/color] Dropping his eyes to the dog in Skyler’s arms, Angelo rose his eyebrow for a moment before trailing back to the random question which had escaped Yeong’s lips earlier. [color=00aeef]”We’ll also get the puppy some help over there.”[/color] Táph watched the naked woman walk up, this was really a night to remember, though before he could answer, a voice he remembered cut through the fog like a bright light, and the man it was attached to walking next to her. He remembered him. Somewhere, it was on the tip of his mind. The name, the war, the trench. It was all clear for the first time in years. [color=#bc987e]“I remember you, Angelo. I remember the name. We went over the top together. You were on the far right, I didn’t see you after.”[/color] He said, recollecting with a sad smile. The way he was addressed would no doubt be a bit odd for Skyler to hear, Corpse looked like a man in his early thirties, not a day more, rather than the elderly veteran he would’ve had to have been. The company of a familiar face filled him with candour. He looked to the woman and spoke plainly. [color=#bc987e]The dog’s malnourished. We broke him out of a house and I did a smash ‘n’ grab for some food for him, forgive my saying, but I’m not going anywhere with either of you until you tell me what’s happening and why you don’t look a day older than I remember.”[/color]“ [color=00aeef]”You’re not the only one who has tricks up his sleeves.”[/color] Angelo returned, winking at Táph as he spoke. [color=00aeef]”Replication, prevents aging, has some other perks.”[/color] He shrugged, scratching the back of his head. [color=00aeef]”So uh, let’s give it a quick rundown, yeah? I work for an Agency which deals with the supernatural. Been babysitting a werewolf, he ran away, now we’re chasing him. Yeah, this isn’t gonna’ look good on my resumé.”[/color] Angelo continued with a soft smirk. [color=00aeef]”Anyways, does that tickle your bells enough for now? We’ll have a much better conversation over milk and cookies, don’t you think?”[/color] The Agent finished, his smirk lingering. Táph looked to Skyler, then to the two agents in front of him. [color=#bc987e]“I’ll come with you, can’t speak for Skyler, but I think he wants a few answers too, and a proper bed would be nicer than what he’s had.”[/color] This was a lot to take in, but he had been waiting a long time for something like this. He never imagined it’d be like this, he imagined experimentation, testing, attempts to replicate his condition. He needed just a few more answers, and that was obvious in the reserved way he spoke and acted, but he followed along, beggars couldn’t be choosers. [color=f26522]”I’ll come...”[/color] Skyler spoke up for the first time since the new arrivals, his attention leaving Mushroom’s side for a brief moment. He could see that this man, Angelo, had noticed the horns atop the boy’s head but did not comment on them. Having invited Táph and Skyler spoke for itself. It was clear that this man, Angelo, the person Táph was familiar with, had a fair share of knowledge concerning the supernatural and Skyler would be a fool not to join them. He was getting nowhere out on the streets, and if Táph was leaving, Skyler was not going to linger. If nothing else, Mushroom needed food and comfort after what he had been through, and Skyler was willing and desperate enough to trust a total stranger if it meant aid for his dog. After all, Táph knew this man, and he seemed to trust Angelo. [color=00aeef]”Great!”[/color] The Agent clapped his hands together, motioning over his shoulder. [color=00aeef]”Let’s go, then.”[/color]