[hr][center][h3][u][b][ShieldTown - Locklear Residence][/b][/u][/h3][/center]
[center][A Fate001/XianaEvermor Collaboration][/center][hr]

Dean sat back down across from Ash and set down their coffee. Cream and sugar was also pushed forward after his own brew was dyed tan with how much he doused his cup to sweeten it. Alex seemed oblivious to Ash's wording, and Dean's strained expression and subtle head shacks were hopefully a good enough sign that Alex was not in fact initiated. The question about there being [Haze] around Alex confused him though. [color=8dc73f][b]"Hey big guy, when your done can you please put a shirt on? I think you've tortured the poor woman enough with how hard she's trying not to stare at your abs."[/b][/color]

ID scooped up her cup as it was served and cradled it in both hands, mainly to enjoy the aroma, and had been eyeing Alex over the rim when Dean called her out.  She flinched, flicking her eyes out the window with the most nonchalant expression she could muster.

[b][color=#d9145f]"It's not [i]strictly[/i] necessary...,"[/color][/b] she muttered, sipping her coffee black.  ID closed her eyes for a few moments to savor the experience: she hadn't had a real cup of coffee since her last visit to Ichabod.  [b][color=#d9145f]"If you're feeling left out, you could take [i]your[/i] shirt off too,"[/color][/b] she teased, passing a smug grin towards Dean.

[color=8dc73f][b]"Oh bugger off you."[/b][/color] Dean spat out with a grin between bites and sips. 

Despite having a serving well twice the size of the other two at the table, Alex's food had all but disappeared save a few crumbs and signs of residue. His demeanor made it very clear that he was used to this type of talk around him. Though there had been the slight sign of blush on his face from learning that Ash had been trying not to eye him up. After Alex put his dishes in the sink Dean got a painful flick to his shoulder for his comments as he walked past him. Dean for his part merely winced slightly and rubbed the extremity that was going to grow a dime sized bruise.  [color=deepskyblue][b]"I'll go put a shirt on already. and I need to call one of the handymen to repair our broken window anyway. Dean, behave please."[/b][/color]

The hedge mage gave a look that could best be translated as "I haven't done anything yet." and flipped off his best friend playfully while the brute went out of the room. After waiting for a solid minute to make sure Alex had walked off, Dean leaned forward towards Ash and spoke in a hushed tone. [color=8dc73f][b]"OK first rule, Big man isn't [Awoken] or even [Initiated] and we are keeping it that way for the time being. Second, what did you mean Haze in his aura? That doesn't make any sense."[/b][/color] While Dean had pivoted into "serious mage" mode, there was a hint of concern in his voice regarding the situation. He really wish he wasn't astral-y nearsighted so he could at least attempt to try and see what Ash was even talking about. 

[b][color=#d9145f]"Are you so sure?"[/color][/b] She asked, raising an eyebrow, flicking eyes back to Dean after watching Alex leave.  ID was eating slowly and purposefully, and for a moment during each bite she closed her eyes.  [b][color=#d9145f]"He carries a signature that reads as Mana... something off about it though: couldn't say what without some equipment,"[/color][/b] she explained, turning her gaze back towards the stairs and seeming lost in thought for a moment.

That got her a rather flat look that made it exceedingly clear that Dean was sure his best friend of YEARS was not in fact among the ranks of the awoken world.  That or he was trying to shoot mind lasers through her skeptical skull.

[b][color=#d9145f]"I can see he's recently been in contact with a Haze signature that's extremely polluted with emotional turmoil.  There's other signatures being smothered in there I could probably pull apart with some time.  Seems his body is hanging onto it, but he says he doesn't feel sick so...,"[/color][/b] she shrugged.  [b][color=#d9145f]"This,"[/color][/b] she pointed at the plate with her fork.  [b][color=#d9145f]"This is really good.  I'll have to peep into your windows more often,"[/color][/b] she smiled.

Dean sat there there for a moment to gather his thoughts.  Nothing he could think of or any of his lessons could answer the real burning question. [color=8dc73f][b]"How can a mundane collect haze? The Big guy is at minimum a [i]Brute 7[/i] which could explain why he's fine but-!"[/b][/color] Dean suddenly froze in realization.

[color=8dc73f][b]"He said that he had been very . . . sloppy and sluggish yesterday during, well, [i]everything[/i]. And without going into personal detail about him i can tell you that's not normal for him. That damn scream aside."[/b][/color]

[b][color=#d9145f]"Could be that this has been happening slowly for some time, which is why it went unnoticed, and some new factor or catalyst is what's tipping him over the edge,"[/color][/b] she mused.  Like spending time with an unstable and reckless mage with marginal control over her abilities... 

Curious that the charm didn't prevent her from [i]omitting[/i] information.

[color=8dc73f][b]"That still doesn't explain how he would be sucking haze of all things into his body."[/b][/color] Dean pointed his fork at her before taking another bite.

ID tapped her plate in thought, and then speared Dean with a shrewd look for an uncomfortably long time while she savored a bite of omurice.  For just a moment her eyes flashed amber. and then she considered her plate with a sly smile.

[b][color=#d9145f]"I mean... I could look into it,"[/color][/b] she mused, prodding at her food.  [b][color=#d9145f]"... If you're really that worried about him,"[/color][/b] she mentioned dismissively.  ID turned her eyes back towards him to gauge his reaction, the corners of her lips curled into an amused grin.

Dean made a face at her. [color=8dc73f][b]"Of course I'm worried. I can't even begin to consider how long this has been going on. or how much he might have been keeping to himself so me and everyone else wouldn't worry."[/b][/color] He muttered aggressively to himself before downing the rest of his coffee and setting the mug down with a clack.

He stared at Ash for a moment. There was a decision formulating in his head, probably a risky one but he needed more help with this. Probably a good idea to contact the Nordic's about this. There really wasn't any telling what a contained Haze buildup could do to someone like Alex, especially with his powers. [color=8dc73f][b]"So you'd be willing to help?"[/b][/color]

[b][color=#d9145f]"Not for free,"[/color][/b] she answered slyly, holding his gaze for an uncomfortably long moment.  [b][color=#d9145f]"The good news is...,"[/color][/b] she paused to gaze back at the stairs for a second while cradling her cup of coffee in both hands.  [b][color=#d9145f]"His enhanced physiology is probably slowing the progress of symptoms a great deal.  Fatigue and cognitive fog [i]are[/i] early signs of Haze poisoning though,"[/color][/b] she answered, eyeing Dean over the rim of her cup evenly.

What will you do now, little Earth Mage?