[hr][center][h3][u][b][ShieldTown - Locklear Residence][/b][/u][/h3][/center][hr]

The mention of the Runesmith made Dean snort. [color=8dc73f][b]"So she gets stuff from you too eh?"[/b][/color] He leaned back in his chair and let out a breath he didn't know he had been holding until just now. [color=8dc73f][b]" Truth be told I was considering bringing her into this anyway. I'm not too sure where to even start fixing whatever's going on with him and spirits know it's easy to make things worse if you don't know what you’re doing in our line of work."[/b][/color]

Dean waved a hand around the room in a casual gesture. [color=8dc73f][b]"We get enough people coming and going around here anyways, long as you keep to the rules and be hospitable you're free to come and go. Just please knock and ask before waltzing on in."[/b][/color] His tone made it evidently clear that more than a few people didn't give him such courtesy. 

[color=8dc73f][b]" I think this is an acceptable arrangement all things considered. I can always give you a few more pieces of Jade later down the road for your troubles anyways."[/b][/color] Leaning forward, Dean held his hand across the table towards Ash. [color=8dc73f][b]" Shall we [Shake] on it?"[/b][/color]

[b][color=#d9145f]"Ah?"[/color][/b] ID blurted out in an attempt to suppress voicing a thought.  She raised an eyebrow, slowly lowering her fork back to the plate.  Was that an invitation to use pact magic on him?  Did he somehow know she could do that?  She pursed her lips, drumming her fingers on the table for a long moment as her eyes flicked back up towards the stairs.  Her eyes flashed luminous amber as she turned her gaze back on him.

The crushing intensity bore down on him like a rapidly approaching freight train, and he could scarcely move a muscle.  Without breaking eye contact, she breathed gently into her hand, whispering a spell of [Commitment].  Her breath ignited into a Magatama array with [盟約] burning in its eye.  ID clasped his outstretched hand without waiting for confirmation, and the spell pulsed through them.  It was hot, but didn't burn like expected, and when she released him, the Kanji lingered on his skin faintly, like a mild burn.  ID broke their gaze and returned her attention to her plate as the [Light] faded from her eyes.

[b][color=#d9145f]"Agreed,"[/color][/b] she intoned with a note of finality.  There was no backing out now.

Dean's hand traced across where the kanji had lingered before nodding. [color=8dc73f][b]"That would do it."[/b][/color] Looking up at his guest, a sheepish smile grew across his face. [color=8dc73f][b]"Well, unless you have anything you wanted to add-"[/b][/color] He was cut off however by the rapid footsteps coming down the stairs. [color=8dc73f][b]"Never mind, we'll talk later."[/b][/color]

Alex walked briskly back into the kitchen. while no longer shirtless, the dull grey fabric clung to his torso enough that it didn’t really leave much up to the imagination anyway. Alex didn't seem to notice or really care for that matter. [color=deepskyblue][b]"So, what did I miss?"[/b][/color]

His roommate gave an incredulous look. [color=8dc73f][b]"You left to go get a shirt on and call the repair man, [i]HOW[/i] did it take you that long to get back here?"[/b][/color]

[color=deepskyblue][b]" . . . I uh . . . got distracted."[/b][/color] 
 
Dean gave the large man a flat look long enough for Alex to fidget in place uncomfortably before rolling his eyes and turning back to Ash. [color=8dc73f][b]"This is a rather common occurrence. Forgive him, for he is dumb of ass."[/b][/color] That comment got him a light bap on the back of the head as Alex walked passed to sit down. Dean flipped Alex off in response, Alex replied in kind. The men laughed like school boys and the once serious air from before quickly melted away. 

ID's eyes followed Alex through the room.  She wasn't sure whether the tight-fitting shirt was less distracting, but the corners of her lips curled into an amused smile at the exchange.  Lacking any practical place to hide the jade piece in a hurry, she had pinned it in the fold between two fingers and turned her palm towards the table.  It thrummed distractingly against her skin as her eyes followed the Brute into his seat.

[b][color=#d9145f]"Nothing to forgive,"[/color][/b] she answered, blowing an involuntary smoke ring from the residual combustion of her breath.  She disbursed it with a subtle hand gesture while Alex's gaze was focused on Dean.  [b][color=#d9145f]"Considering the... unintentional stir I caused, the meal and the [i]show[/i] has been plenty gracious."[/color][/b] smirked ID.  [b][color=#d9145f]"Mantis-Raptor eggs have a peculiar musk, but the flavor is simply divine."[/color][/b]

[color=deepskyblue][b]" The trick is to use aromatic herbs and spices. Thank goodness they lay so many eggs, though I wish they were less . . . Hostile."[/b][/color] Alex shivered slightly and rubbed his arms.

Dean shook his head. [color=8dc73f][b]"Your tales letting people know you’re a brute. Usually need heavy equipment to go near those things. I mean the scythe arms are bad enough but holy fuck they have too many teeth for me to be comfortable even going near."[/b][/color] There was a collected pause among the three followed by various forms of responses that would be described as "Nope, don't want to think about it."

[color=deepskyblue][b]" Thanks for reminding me, ass hat. I promised the game wardens I'd help with collection this week."[/b][/color]

[color=8dc73f][b]" I've said it once and I'll say it dozens of times my dude, you're too damn nice for your own good."[/b][/color]

[color=deepskyblue][b]"Oh bite me."[/b][/color]

[color=8dc73f][b]"Piss off, I don't want to break my jaw,"[/b][/color] Dean jabbed.  This remark was followed by a utensil being chucked halfheartedly at the large man.

Instead of letting the fork bounce off of himself harmlessly, Alex reacted without really thinking and the fork was caught suspended midair in a softly glowing blue bubble. Dean stared wide eyed, which confused Alex for all of five seconds before he made the same face. The fork clattered to the ground as the bubble evaporated. Both men very slowly turned to look at their guest apprehensively. Given their reactions . . . This situation, or at least something similar, wasn't too uncommon in this house. It was a wonder how Alex had any form of secret identity for as long as he has been down here.

ID had been watching them with interest when the opportunity to observe Alex's powers in perfect time dilation had her rapt attention.  She watched the pulse of [color=deepskyblue][Blue][/color] radiate outward through his body from his chest to his fingertips before tearing away and quickly encapsulating the drifting fork.  The static cling of the barrier pulled on the residual haze from their pact, swirling it inside the sphere.  

After a while, the sphere dissolved, and ID's eyes followed the trail of clinging energy back into Alex's chest, as it dragged the haze into his body.  She stared at him thoughtfully for a long time with a raised eyebrow before an intrusive thought bubbled its way to the surface of her mind.

[b][color=#d9145f]"I'm probably strong enough to leave bite marks on him...,"[/color][/b] she commented absently.  ID grimaced, clapping a hand over her mouth and shooting a momentary glare across the table at Dean.

Alex raised an eyebrow at that remark. [color=deepskyblue][b]"You wouldn't be the first to try. Wouldn't recommend it. You don't need to break any teeth and ruin a nice smile.[/b][/color] he paused for a second, seemingly confused by his own statement but shrugged it off.

Dean however fell out of his chair and was laughing like a hyena on the floor.

[b][color=#d9145f]"Mmph,"[/color][/b] she replied, clapping her other hand over the first as a flustered blush spread across her cheeks.  It was real difficult to keep a lid on those intrusive thoughts if she wasn't focused on it.  ID took a breath and tried to compose herself before releasing her hands.  She clucked her tongue, now unable to meet Alex's eyes.

[b][color=#d9145f]"W-well.  Um, it's... uh! I'm- thank you for the meal,"[/color][/b] she stammered uncomfortably as she got to her feet.  [b][color=#d9145f]"I um, well... have a... [i]THING[/i] I have to do... I'll um... I'll see you in the afternoon.  Uh.  If that's okay,"[/color][/b] she mumbled, awkwardly unable to find the proper thing to do with her hands, and lacking pockets to shove them in.