[center][b]~START OF CHAPTER TWO~ INNOCENCE FALLING[/B][/center] Sleepless the Reaper drifted, his eyes shut and yet fully aware of his surroundings, how he envied those who could dream but such things were not for him for he only drifted, endlessly. "Time to wake up sleepy head!" A familiar voice seemed to echo, calling out followed by the sounds of tapping on a glass like surface. [i]"Such a nuisance,"[/i] the Reaper thought while content to drift yet knowing this half dream had come to an end. First his fingers flexed followed by a twitch of his eyes and then he was awake. Angel observed the tube that imprisoned him and in it he floated amidst a green liquid, unable to drown, breathing through a mask. His weary eyes scanned left and right, the Chrono stood in front of him while the remaining Asylums also seemed to float in similar tubes. Remarkable devices that were dubbed 'Fish Tanks' simply because no one could muster the effort to pronounce its actual name. They had a simple function, to enhance the body's ability to heal at an exponentially rapid rate. If you drew breath, regardless of wound, there was a good chance you would survive if placed in a fish tank. "How long?" Despite unable to speak, Angel mimed the words through a hand gesture and his partner responded with lifting a single finger. [i]"A day? That went better than expected"[/i] Angel thought, his tense muscles relaxing, though not for long. His eye brows slowly appeared to rise upon observing his partner giggling. "A month!" the Reaper exclaimed as soon as he took his first step out of the 'fish tank', disbelief plastered over his face as he proceeded to change into a more suitable attire than the briefs that he was in. [i]Who took my clothes off?[/i] Angel would have invested more into this trail of thought though that was interrupted when the remaining fish tanks were drained. "It seems the rest are finally up, what say we go greet them little one?" As he spoke his fingers gently brushed the Chrono's blonde hair. "I am sorry I took so long, you must have been lonely?" For a second the Chrono's head hid under the gaze of her brother, the child swiftly wiping away the tears and then staring back with a brilliant smile followed by a shake of her head. "Nu-uh, Rin kept me company and we had loads of fun! But I did miss you!" "I missed you too little one, why don't we all go for some ice-cream?" A smile couldn't help but tug its way at the Reaper's lips as he observed the sudden change in the Chrono's spirit at the mention of 'ice-cream'. "Lets go invite the rest?" As soon as Ante Mortem approached the remaining Asylums, Angel attention seemed to be stolen by a tug at his vest. Not that the Reaper minded the chance of being distracted from observing a bunch of rowdy Asylums in their undergarments. "Yes Rena?" "Can I fly it?" For a few seconds Angel only wore confusion on his face and then the realization slowly dawned on him. His eyes brows lifting upwards, seeking to pop off his forehead. "Fly....we are on...ah..." Any and all expression had faded from the Reaper's face and he simply stood stoic with a poker face. "I need to sit down, go retrieve the others," even his words appeared to be spoken mechanically as if from a victim in shock. The Reaper grimaced as he observed his partner frolic away, his own steps seemed to be a labor fit for Hercules. By the time Angel finally found himself seated Rena had already approached the remaining Asylums, helping clear away their confusion with her youthful optimism. The Reaper however was content to be sprawled over his chair, his head tilted towards the ceiling and a palm covering his spectacles. The ideal posture of someone hoping he won't vomit and gain a new infamous nick name. 'The barfing Angel'.......yes that should be avoided. [i]I should think of something else....lets see what has happened so far?[/i] [center][b]------------------Xx-----------xX-----------------[/b][/center] We were briefed that there is trouble brewing between the Bloodlines, who are basically glorified royalty among the rogues of the alchemic world. They are also extremely vital in maintaining order and providing A.M.R.O with skilled candidates to become it's Asylums. It is no wonder A.M.R.O is giving this mission such a high priority, an entire Bloodline has been wiped, all that potential resource....gone. The remaining Bloodlines believe that one of them has committed this atrocity to further their own political agenda. This is why I hate politics, it always breeds paranoia, distrust and war. Ah war, that is exactly what will happen if we don't stop this. I guess that is why I expended so much effort, as much as I like to just lie down and try to nap, an all out Alchemic war is not good for anyone, especially the human race. And so Ante Mortem along with a bunch of Asylums were sent to Venice to retrieve the sole survivor of the Bloodline massacre, who reportedly was seeking refuge with the Pallidinos, a Bloodline that had sown its roots in religion and in Venice. That Bloodline was pretty useless in the end, not only did they refuse to acknowledge that the survivor was hiding among them but they proceeded to hint that the target had escaped and was seeking a haven elsewhere. I don't blame the poor girl, she witnessed the utter annihilation of her family, such an experience tends to warp a person's perception and suddenly there is no safe place in the world. Except one. I truly dislike that place, how ironic that it would be the only logical choice for a girl trying to hide from an alchemic threat. [b]Ourosboros[/b]. A club unlike any other for it offers what no one else can and not even A.M.R.O has any authority within it. Such places are called 'Parle', they come under a Chrono and as such no form of violence and or intervention can occur. This one rule applies to anyone and everyone. No wonder the place came to be a den for the corrupt, the very abode of the alchemic underworld. It is no surprise that we found Anya there, 'no blood can ever be spilled in Ourosboros'. The girl actually believed that, she has yet to understand that there is no finality, what is said can be unsaid. It is simply a matter of weighing the consequences with the reward. Someone out there clearly found Anya to be more important than the one rules that defined Ourosboros, a rule that if broken would usher an alchemic witch hunt unlike any other. It is a good thing we were there to foil the attempts on the girl's life, though what is disturbing is that I believe there were two unrelated parties vying for two unrelated objectives. The hit squad was definitely after Anya but the Chimera....that monstrosity was after....ah I am getting side lined. What happened next? Ah of course, we successfully saved the package, defeated the enemy and escaped. Oh and yes I do suppose we got blamed for the murder of Ourosboros management and then we did completely eradicate Ourosboros itself. And so not only do we have to worry about stopping a Bloodline war but also hoping the truth is not discovered which would make us fugitives.....the very rogues of the world and A.M.R.O itself would hunt us.....that would be unpleasant. [center][b]------------------Xx-----------xX-----------------[/b][/center] With that Angel found himself staring at the palm of his hand. "That did not make me feel better....ice cream?" The last part appeared to be a question directed at his Asylum "friends" who were now dressed and ready to re-enter society. A part of Angel slowly dreaded the amount of questions that would surface from this lot.....this will be a long day.