[center][img]https://i.imgur.com/658XDMT.png[/img][/center] [center][color=#dbe3af][u][b]Location[/b][/u][/color] 🌑 Duncaster Streets. [color=#dbe3af][u][b]Interactions[/b][/u][/color] 🌑 [@Shard] 🌙 Aiden. 🌑 [@MsMorningstar] 🌙 Violet. 🌑 [@NorthernKraken] 🌙 Colin. [/center] [hr] Shit. He'd been discovered. There went plan A. Colin pressed closer the metal carriage he was hidden behind (Where were the stables? For so many carriages parked they must be nearby.), muscles itching in preparation as he reached, quietly sliding his knives out from their sheaths. Carefully, he peeked around the corner, trying to get a better look at the pair. The smaller one, clearly little more than a child, was closest to him. Even with vampiric strength, Colin doubted he'd be much stronger than he himself. If either made a move, he could make a grab the younger one, hold a knife to his chest, get the older to tell him where the fuck Samael was. Sweat mixed with dirt in his palms. For now, he would wait. [hr] With a frown making itself to Aiden’s face, which was otherwise hidden beneath his hood, the teenager exhaled a frustrated sigh. If he attempted to leave the situation, this most unwelcomed gestalt would likely cease such an opportunity and strike. Strength of an Olympian athlete ran through the boy’s veins, the prowess of an Angel at his fingertips, and yet, young humanity and a lack of experience did warrant a rapidly beating heart. [color=#b18f71][i]”Relax..,”[/i][/color] Lumen’s voice caressed Aiden’s senses, a warm hand moving towards the teen’s cheek where a palm flattened against its shape. [color=#b18f71][i]”You.., we.., are warriors. Knights of Heaven.”[/i][/color] Though the eyes meeting Aiden’s own were of reflective obsidian, their very presence glowed with steadfast determination. [color=#b18f71][i]”Now fulfill your duty, and stand against adversity, as is your purpose, Aiden Connors!”[/i][/color] Lumen vanished from sight, before appearing behind the boy and pushed him towards danger. Stumbling forward, Aiden cussed quietly for himself, followed by taking another step, and a third, finally leaping onto the hood of an old car which sheltered their newly acquired enemy. [color=#b18f71][b]”Enough games!”[/b][/color] The boy shouted, swiping his hand in a straight motion, within which a blinding light erupted to leave a long, slender [url=https://i.imgur.com/trQ3xUC.png]blade[/url] of impossible, glowing white. The Celestial weapon made itself known with little subtlety as it found home between Aiden’s slender fingers, its length pointed towards he who remained hidden. [color=#b18f71][b]”Vampire or Werewolf, come what may, you face an Angel, now!”[/b][/color] [hr] At the commotion behind her, Violet paused. The slight [I]thunk[/I] of warping metal, the shameless yelling. In the middle of the night, of all times. While she didn't quite catch what was being said, her cringe at the words managed to scrunch the entirety of her body. She needed to pick up her pace, turn a corner and get back to her fucking apartment. Or...she could satisfy the itching at the back of her neck, a physical manifestation of that which would kill her. After all, the kid could be in trouble. She stopped, rotated, and cursed heavily at what she saw. So, the kid definitely [I]wasn't[/I] a human. If the glowing sword that popped out of nowhere was any proof. From her angle, Violet couldn't see what he was shouting at, but he was looking down at something. Or someone. Or nothing, and he was just a crackhead. [color=thistle]"Kid, is...uh, everything alright?"[/color] [hr] Colin winced, everywhere, impossibly white, so bright it burned. He threw an arm across his face in an attempt to shield his eyes, but it made little difference. And then - an [i]angel[/i]? Was this another of Samael's tricks? What other reason would a fucking [i]angel[/i] have to be in Samael's lair? Colin knew fuck all about angels, but from what he did know, they'd never been particularly pally with necromancers. Either way, there was definitely no hiding now. Squinting against the light, Colin yelled back,[color=#88e312] "Like fuck you're an angel! Tell your boss to pull the [i]other[/i] other one!"[/color] [hr] Raising a brow at the statement, Aiden noted a voice within his mind. It was Lumen, the Spirit now communicating with the boy in far more intimate manner. [color=#b18f71][i]”Wait. This man’s clothes, his boots, the arrows, those knives.., Aiden, things are not as they seem.”[/i][/color] The teenager proceeded to linger for a moment, before descending from the car. With a nearly weightless thud, Aiden’s feet connected with the concrete and he lowered Ivory, along with previous hostilities. [color=#b18f71][i]”He spoke of our ‘boss’. This man is looking for someone.”[/i][/color] [color=#b18f71][b]”We’re fine,”[/b][/color] the Angel offered, his eyes turned to Violet for a brief exchange, before moving back to the most urgent point of interest. [color=#b18f71][b]”People have not used bows in a long time,”[/b][/color] the boy casually motioned towards Colin’s arrows with his blade, the weapon’s light now dimming, in response to Aiden’s equally faded hostility. [color=#b18f71][i]”He is wounded, dirty, and lost. The man’s hair has not been cut in some time, marks of battle riddle his frame.., how out of place.”[/i][/color] Lumen continued, his ghostly voice echoing within Aiden’s mind, [color=#b18f71][i]”ask him what year it is.”[/i][/color] At the Spirit’s words, the Angel took a moment to analyze this man’s appearance. Indeed, none of it belonged. A reenactor? Impossible. No one was quite this in tune with their character. [color=#b18f71][b]”What..,”[/b][/color] Aiden began, thinking it ridiculous, but why would it be? Angels, Vampires, Werewolves, and even Demons if rumors were to be believed.., why not this? [color=#b18f71][b]”..year is it..?”[/b][/color] [hr] An angel? Memories of wing-like wisps were recollected in Violet's mind. This little kid was an Angel? No way. It was a ridiculous thought. Because if angels were real, that meant there was some form of afterlife. If that was true...then Violet was fucked! She needed answers. And, if that boy wasn't a total nut, he had them. She knew she could potentially discern the truth. Only if she could rely on herself, for once. Such a big if. Creeping closer, she stuck her hand into her purse. With a casual grace, she slipped her fingers through her [url=https://encrypted-tbn0.gstatic.com/shopping?q=tbn:ANd9GcTeK54JoCLKipX_U2sUqnyFjlujLnMbtfaonXsApgAShS8ftf6LhAqD1-bi0KyDNkYWvcMCXCchuA&usqp=CAE]Spartan keychain[/url], the grip comforting her. Not nearly as deadly as a sword, but she'd rather use it than her bare fists. [color=thistle]"Who's the new guy?"[/color] She thought she had heard a guy's voice, at least. [hr] Colin scrambled backwards as the ‘angel’ jumped down from the carriage, his eyes falling on the boy’s shoes. Fabric, white and black, impossibly clean. What? His attention flicked back to the sword, dimmer, but still gripped in small, vampirically pale fingers. Colin stood, hiding the stumble in his step, palms scraping against the rough ground, eyes fixed on the sharp edge of the sword the whole time, [color=#88e312]“You can fuck off with your three-hundred years bullshit,“[/color] he hissed, [color=#88e312]“I didn’t buy it from tall, pale and fang-y, I’m not buying it from you, whatever the fuck you claim to be!” [/color] [hr] A lingering moment of silence maintained itself between the trio, and Aiden’s obsidian gaze remained fixed on this mysterious gestalt, who appeared lost in time. Lumen’s voice had halted Aiden’s advance, and indeed, it was for the best, but the boy was somewhat frustrated. Every second since leaving Steve’s hideout had been wasted. It was nothing grounded in experienced mistakes, but rather, a rookie’s distractions. [color=#b18f71][b]”Fine.”[/b][/color] The Angel stated. In his hand, Ivory’s presence vanished in a slew of white, divine fractals. One would be forgiven for mistaking the dispersal a gathering of petals, blowing into the wind before fading from this world. [color=#b18f71][b]”I have my own ‘Pale and Fangy’ enemies to hunt.”[/b][/color] For anyone else, Ivory’s disappearance was little more than a graceful display, but for Aiden, those fractals all shaped themselves into the Spirit who once more stood beside him. [color=#b18f71][i]”It’s not wise to leave this man to his own devices.”[/i][/color] Turning to take a step away, Aiden shifted his gaze to Violet, before offering another look towards the curious ‘time traveler’. [color=#b18f71][b]”I do want to help you. Maybe it’s because I’m clinging to my humanity, so.., perhaps it’s a selfish reason, but I don’t think it’s worth wasting more time on, if you’re dead set on pairing me up with whoever your enemy is.”[/b][/color] [hr] At the...seemingly homeless man's hissing, Violet raised a calming hand, keeping the other firmly in her purse. He seemed to be wholeheartedly ignoring her, which was his own problem. At least she hadn't threatened him with a pointy stick. Yet. [color=thistle]"Hey, dude, calm down alright? We can get you some help if you need it."[/color] wanting to be reassuring, she added, [color=thistle]"Unlike the kid, I'm human. You got a phone? I'll dial up your family."[/color] [hr] About to spit back a retort at the boy, Colin's attention shifted to the woman. Skin, warm and human looking. Mouth, apparently free of fangs. But her clothing was bizarre, unnaturally clean, like the boy’s. And then she mentioned a 'phone', and 'dialing up' people - what did that mean? What was she going to do? She may be human but that didn't mean she wasn't working for Samael. He gripped his daggers tight, "[color=#88e312]You hurt them and you're dead! Now tell me where Samael is and I might let you live!"[/color] [hr] [color=#b18f71][i]”Aiden,”[/i][/color] Lumen spoke, appearing in front of the boy, in a manner befitting the station of ‘Angelic Spirit’, and prevented the teenager from walking further. [color=#b18f71][i]”talk to him. Do not abandon him. Inaction may as well lead disaster on another front.”[/i][/color] Inhaling a sharp breath, Aiden turned on his heel, once again facing the mysterious stranger. Yes, Lumen was correct. Indifference towards mortals would start with a small spark, and this could very well have been it. Despite the man’s threat, and his hostile demeanor, Aiden did not respond in kind. Rather, he remained stationary, and had yet to conjure forth his blade, for a second time. [color=#b18f71][b]”You met someone else since getting here? Someone who mentioned.., what was it? Three-hundred years?”[/b][/color] The boy tried. [color=#b18f71][b]”You’re tired, hurt, and from a quick glance, down to your offhand weapon,”[/b][/color] the teenager pointed out, motioning towards the blades this man was more than willing to use. [color=#b18f71][b]”I am fairly certain that you’re aware of how this would go, and you’re at a severe disadvantage.”[/b][/color] Narrowing his eyes, Aiden continued. There was no malice in his voice, none whatsoever, but rather, an analysis brought into words. [color=#b18f71][b]”If you’re looking for your friends, making some along the way is beneficial in finding them.”[/b][/color] Tilting his head, Aiden moved to cross his arms, tapping a slender finger against his biceps. [color=#b18f71][b]”Or have you decided that this ‘Samael’ is everywhere you look? You know, taking a chance on the unbelievable can sometimes benefit you, and as it stands, the only one willing to hurt anyone, here.., is you.”[/b][/color] [hr] [i]”You’re weak - let the fanged bastards know it ‘n you’ll be dead as well.”[/i] The boy had a point, much as Colin hated to admit it. It was hard enough fighting a leech when he didn’t feel like he was wading through treacle and when his bow hadn’t disappeared along with his former captor. Now? He’d rather run. Only problem was he didn’t know where the [i]fuck[/i] he was, aside from Samael’s lair. He needed information. Whoever these two were, there was a chance they could provide it, even if they were just waiting for their opportunity to strike. He didn’t lower his weapon, but there was an almost audible lessening of hostility in his tone when he spoke,[color=#88e312] “The fuck is a phone - what’re are you gonna do if I don’t go along with you?” [/color] [hr] The situation had been bubbling up to a solid eight, and now, everything was back at a calm and collected five. The knives were still in play, but it didn't seem like someone was on the verge of being stabbed anymore. Hopefully, Violet could keep the LARPers in check. At the man's question, Violet released the Spartan in exchange for her cellular device. She pulled it out slowly, displaying it for the man. She scrolled through her notifications briefly, then turned it off. [color=thistle]"This,"[/color] She waved it in the air. [color=thistle]"Is a phone. It's for communicating over long distances. I somehow doubt you've memorized your family's number...so, maybe we should try the hospital?"[/color] She looked to the boy for help. [color=thistle]"As for what we'll do if you...don't 'go along',"[/color] She knew she'd call the cops, but she wasn't going to tell him that. [color=thistle]"We'll leave you to do whatever it was you were doing. We both have better things to do with our lives than entertain you, but we're trying to help. 'Kay?"[/color] [hr] [color=#b18f71][i]”I would advise against calling a hospital, Aiden,”[/i][/color] the Spirit spoke, considering the situation, [color=#b18f71][i]”they will lock him into an asylum before long, and this individual is clearly not insane. He’s in the wrong.., time.”[/i][/color] Lumen finished. [color=#b18f71][b]”A hospital will just lock him up,”[/b][/color] Aiden offered, and fell into a slew of thoughts. Lumen was convinced that this man was from a different time, rather than a mere lunatic. He did not smell of alcohol, either, which granted the theory substance. [color=#b18f71][b]”We can’t force you to do anything, but before moving on, I’d like to ask you a question,”[/b][/color] the boy continued. He let his arms fall to his sides, and proceeded to gently lean against the car which had previously been in the center of conflict. [color=#b18f71][b]”Could you maybe tell us about this ‘Samael’? I know you halfway assume that we’re working for him but.., humor us. Got nothing to lose.”[/b][/color] [hr] Number? Hospital? [i]Locking people up?[/i] As the boy moved, leaning against the carriage, Colin took a step back, eyes not leaving the ‘phone’. The small device had glowed, lights flickering and changing in response to the woman’s touch - ‘long distance communication’ the woman had said - was this how Samael was giving them their orders? Did Vitius have one too? Was that how Samael had called him back? Colin grit his teeth at the boy’s question, what was he playing at? Was he trying to figure out how much Colin, and by extension the hoods, knew? [color=#88e312]“Like you don’t know about the army of the dead? The hoods have been tracking him for months now - we know everything,”[/color] he hesitated, the buildings, the lights, the [i]noise[/i] - it all seemed to go on forever, [color=#88e312]“we know all about this lair, right now, there’s a whole fucking army of hoods, just waiting outside - you take me to Samael and I’ll tell them you helped, lock me up and you’ll be slaughtered with the rest of his minions!”[/color] [hr] The...hoods. Why did that seem so familiar? Violet dug through her mind, but without the added help from her newfound abilities she was only able to fetch a name. [color=thistle]"Hoods...like, like Blanket Rogue?"[/color] That was completely wrong, she was sure, but it seemed close enough. Blanket was a badass, if she remembered correctly. Wandered ye olde Duncaster in a red cloak, fighting criminals. That had been Violet's favorite history lesson, but she had still failed that fucking test. Had her benched in volleyball for a week! Batting back the memory, she gave the crazed man another, lingering look. His yellow cloak glared at her, obvious now. [color=thistle]"So you're telling me you're with Blanket?"[/color] She wasn't going to bring up how impossible that was. Everything she had known up to this point seemed irrelevant. [color=thistle]"If that's true, why'd she send you off into the 'evil lair' without a way to signal for backup?"[/color] She couldn't help the smirk that appeared on her lips. This was funny. [color=thistle]"Unless you...I don't know, [I]can[/I] call for backup. Then go ahead. We can't take you to this Sam guy, so you may as well imprison us and waterboard us 'till we squeal."[/color] [hr] It was probably best not to mention the fact that he’d jumped through the portal after Kiri with no actual plan in mind. Samael was probably banking on that. Probably banking on him not realising Kiri was a traitor too. Maybe… [color=#88e312]“The hoods don’t waterboard people, and I [i]would[/i] signal the Commander, but I need to find my-” [/color] the hesitation was accidental, but it was too late, he’d already stumbled, he kept going, [color=#88e312]“[i]friend[/i] - she has my… long range communication device that the hoods also have the technology for…” [/color] He was fucked. Well and truly. [hr] Inhaling a short breath, Aiden raised a brow at Violet’s explanation. She knew far more about this than he had anticipated, if she wasn’t faking such knowledge. The boy himself knew nothing, which was, in turn, echoed by Lumen. What remained to use was observation. [color=#b18f71][b]”Army of the Dead.., Samael.., okay, I assume this Samael dude is a mage? A wizard?”[/b][/color] The teenager asked. It was a reasonable conclusion, given the reluctant information so far provided. Few others would warrant an army of undead soldiers, as it was. [color=#b18f71][i]”Yes, that does appear to be a reasonable assumption,”[/i][/color] Lumen agreed, fingers rubbing his chin in thought. The Spirit was understandably curious as to how this stranger had arrived on the shores of present day. [color=#b18f71][b]”If that’s the case..,”[/b][/color] Aiden continued, [color=#b18f71][b]”is it too far-fetched to believe that this.., Samael with an Army of the Dead.., cast a spell that sent you into the future?”[/b][/color] A shot in the dark, but things were appearing to line up. Magic was undoubtedly involved in the man’s presence. Nothing else made sense. [color=#b18f71][b]”Maybe the..,”[/b][/color] Aiden quoted with a gesture of his fingers, [color=#b18f71][b]”’three-hundred year bullshit’ makes more sense than you want it to.”[/b][/color] The boy would then proceed to motion at their surroundings, [color=#b18f71][b]”you’re calling this a lair? Duncaster, or just the street?[/b][/color] A short pause crept into their conversation, as Aiden allowed the statement to settle. [color=#b18f71][b]Are your ‘Hood’ friends ‘outside’? Where? Outside the city?”[/b][/color] Questioning the man’s delusions may have been an adequate way of perhaps breaking them. That is, if he was willing to listen. [color=#b18f71][b]”I get it, dude, you don’t want to believe it. This morning, you didn’t expect to be standing in front of a kid claiming to be an Angel. It’s fucked up.”[/b][/color] Managing a small smile, the boy shook his head. Indeed, the world was, as they said, ‘fucked up’. [color=#b18f71][b]”If you take a moment to just.., digest your situation, what do you see? Honestly?”[/b][/color] [hr] Colin didn’t have time to [i]digest[/i] anything. Every second wasted was another second Samael had to retreat, regroup, focus his efforts on building his defense. If he didn’t get to him before then, then nothing mattered. These two weren’t going to be helpful, not like this. They’d made it pretty clear they weren’t taking him to Samael, at least not until he believed the time travel crap they seemed to be trying to pedal. Fine. He could play along. Slowly, he started to back away. [color=#88e312] “Say I believe you,”[/color] he ground out, [color=#88e312]“This is the future. This is Duncaster. Everyone is-”[/color] don’t go there, move on, [color=#88e312]“I wasn’t the first one through that portal. I followed my [i]friend[/i],”[/color] it was like the word itself was acid, [color=#88e312]“And she followed Samael. He’s [i]here[/i] and I need to fucking find him or everything’s gonna go to shit.”[/color] [hr] Violet's brow furrowed deeply at his desperation. He seemed set in his ways, unable to open his mind to anything. She wished she could convince him but...it seemed pointless. His tension was evident. It couldn't hurt to try, one last time. [color=thistle]"Alright, dude. I get how urgent this is to you...but, you can't do it all in one night. You look like a fucking methhead, and if you keep running around with a pair of knives you're going to get arrested."[/color] She pointed warily at his knives. They would only serve to get him in trouble if he couldn't put them away. [color=thistle]"I'll take you to my place, you can shower and get some food. You don't have to spend the night or anything, but I do have a few tricks up my sleeve to send you on the right track."[/color] Maybe, she couldn't really promise anything. [color=thistle]"The kid's coming with, though. I don't trust you enough not to stab me."[/color] After all, the angel boy couldn't kill her. Right? It had to go against the angel code to stab a human in cold blood. Violet pursed her lips momentarily, before her face settled into an image of calm. [hr] [color=#b18f71][i]”Progress is being made,”[/i][/color] Lumen noted, a hand moving to find home on the boy’s shoulder. Onlookers would likely have considered the situation one of absurdities. Why on Earth would Aiden prioritize such a trivial manner over his mission? An incredibly important mission, for that matter. Indeed, the answer could be found within the teenager’s shifting nature. With every day, he felt how the value previously afforded those around him was slowly fading. He was becoming focused on end-goals, and his purpose as a slayer of monsters, rather than a person. Lumen had explained for Aiden on numerous occasions what Angels actually were. Weapons, dutiful soldiers, it was the extent of an Angel’s worth. They were agents of divinity, avengers. An Angel’s care for others generally did not extend further than their own kind, who they vehemently sought to protect. Had Angelic love for humanity been a norm, Miracles would have been far more common, rather than mythical rarities. Yes, compassion for humanity was known as an occurrence, but such Angels were often shunned, and their powers were considered wasted on something so.., impure. [color=#b18f71][b]”Fine..,”[/b][/color] Aiden spoke, turning his attention towards Violet. [color=#b18f71][b]”I have a penthouse not too far from here, but..,”[/b][/color] the boy paused. He had technically moved out, left the nest, as it were. However, he had yet to fully appreciate his new home, as Infinity Enterprises consumed any free time the young shareholder managed to grasp. The move was finalized only two days prior, and yet, Aiden had not taken the time to enjoy his newly given privacy. Rather, the streets of Duncaster cradled his attention far more frequently, and the only part of his new apartment Aiden had actually explored was the bedroom, and shower. [color=#b18f71][b]”I just moved in, so, I don’t know where most things are.”[/b][/color] Another peculiar situation. Buying a new home was usually a milestone in a person’s life, and for Aiden, he had not even scraped up the time to enjoy it. Part of him still believed he lived in his parents’ mansion. [color=#b18f71][b]”It also lacks my butler, which sucks.”[/b][/color] [hr] Colin eyed the pair warily. The woman said she could help find Samael. Not in so many words, but the meaning had been clear. At the mention of food, his stomach growled. The last time he ate was… he couldn’t remember. Before the battle, back at the keep. More than a day ago. His aching limbs, pounding head, hollow, empty stomach screamed at him to say yes. Another voice, deeper and rough with age, told him that if he let his guard down he wouldn’t last the night. Going with them would be stupid. Going with them would get him killed. Going with them meant the woman would help him find Samael. [color=#88e312] “Fine.”[/color] He said, [color=#88e312]“But I’m keeping my knives, and you have to help me find Samael after.” [/color] Colin still didn’t believe them, but if this was a trap Samael would be there anyway, and if it wasn’t, then it wouldn’t hurt to eat. Hunger only kept you sharp for so long, and he was starting to reach his limit. [hr]