[IC] Forest of Secrets (Reborn) [OPEN]

[Legion02]

"And I assume I should just go do that?" David said, a little bit annoyed. Though he lost the attitude after a deep sigh. "You're lucky I was going to take a walk around the place anyway." he quickly told Luciel, after which he disappeared up the stairs. There was a room which was clearly decorated for a girl not older than 12. Pink everywhere! David - in a flash of conscience - decided to leave that room alone. The other room on the other side of the hallway must have been of an older sibling. The presence of boy’s band posters determined that it was also a girl. And knowing the girls of his life 2 years ago, he decided against breaching that room too.

Though with the adult room he simply walked in and lowered the blinds. After turning on the lights he began to rummage around, eventually finding a jewelry box. "Looks like mommy forgot her pearls." he said as he pulled out a necklace. He also took a few other necklaces which all looked expensive. The bed was spared either. David decided to pull off the blanket and took it all downstairs. First he threw the pearl necklace at Luciel. "Here sunshine. I think it will do a fabulous job of framing your face." David had no idea what he said, he just said it. Something the girls back when he was 16 often said. Though that might have been about make-up. David didn't care, he just wanted to joke with Luciel. The blanket he threw over Ace, without saying a word. He proceeded towards the kitchen next and appeared back with a few cans of beans, an equal amount of spoons and a can-opener. "Think fast, pretty boy." he suddenly said towards Luciel as he threw a can at him. After that he placed the rest of the cans and the spoons on the central table and made himself comfortable on an armchair, opened up the can with the can opener and passed the opener at Luciel. "One night. That’s how long we can stay here. And at dawn we have to vanish. So I’d say we sit tight here and get some shut-eye and food. After that we need to gather supplies, meds and rations. We should also try to get a fix on our position and our plan of engagement.” David said as he ate his beans. He tried to sound like a leader by using military jargon.

[Dmessenger]

Apollo followed them into the house. He walked around the house a bit and then stopped and looked at Ace laying down on the couch, he begun to get worried, because he remembered how that girl seemed to collapsed after touching him. He decided that the best idea is to avoid contact with her. He then decided to climb up onto the roof of the building and laid down on the roof. He stared at the sky and thought about what exactly he is going to do.

[Ace of flames01]

the electric shock Ace had received earlier started to take a toll on her heart and lungs, and over the period of time until now; they were slowly becoming paralyzed. now, usually the amount of electricity she received would definantly shock her a good one and not cause too much damage but in her current extremely weakened state; this was enough to put her in some serious danger regardless of her actually making a little recovery. Ace broke out into a raging fit to breathe, she was gasping for air with a pained look on her face.

[Hawlin]

"Please and thanks!" Luciel called after David as they disappeared upstairs. He took the time to kick his boots off and flex his feet, tired from having to carry Ace and sore from the design he chose for his boots. Closing his eyes for a second, he let his mind relax, opening an eye to watch the boy they had found as they looked over Ace. Luciel imagined they probably felt something for what had happened, although they had a funny way of showing it by leaving soon after. Where they went didn't entirely concern him, although it reminded him of a small...detail.

-------
I waited a moment until the others were assuredly off pillaging or whatever before rolling up my sleeve. 'Yup...still there' I whisper, barely audible to even myself as I caught the reflection of my eye in the plexiglass plate of my arm band. It was synched tight to my arm, still. A good sign, as it meant the exertion hadn't compromised the wires which ran into my arm, just underneath it. The mission usually went smoother than this one, although I was still in one piece and certainly had found enough hexes to glean some attention.

The number ticks down a single digit. Still more than enough time...

...I hope.
-------

Luciel rolled his sleeve back down, refixing the cufflink before standing to look out the window at the forest before pulling the blinds closed.

He turned in time to David tossing him the pearls, catching them with a surprised blink as he snapped back into character...more or less. A blush touched his cheeks as he looked in a mirror before wordlessly setting them down on a table. He had no idea how they'd go about pawning it off without drawing the wrong kind of attention. Regardless, he was somewhere else at the moment and took David's second disappearance as a chance to shake himself back together. Luciel looked back into the mirror as he sighed and gave himself a worried expression before bending it into a sly smirk as to test his resolve before shamelessly giving himself finger guns and a wink. 'Showtime' he thought as he turned back to the couch where Ace laid, restlessly.

He furrowed his brows, remembering that he should probably tend to her. Of course, not before David returned with beans and another comment. "Pretty, eh?" he teased in response, catching the beans and turning the can over to check the expiration date. It wasn't common that canned goods went out of date, but it still happened and was worth checking in the event of typical human negligence. The plan sounded solid with little he could contribute besides a small question, "Are there enough beds? Or do we have to share?". The question concluded with Luciel looking up, slightly, from the can, directing the rehearsed smirk in David's direction.

The moment was broken by Ace breaking out into a gasping fit. At the very least, she may be awake...
"Shh shh shh..." Luciel cooed, his words drifting a tiny cloud of black mist from between his teeth. He urged the mist towards her gasping face with a few graceful gestures. The darkness wove softly into her skin and responded graciously to her labored breaths. Popping noises resonated from her chest, alveoli expanding and soothing the muscles into deep breaths. For a second, her heart stopped as it worked through her blood and to the organ which tightened painfully before giving a few strong beats and picking its pace back up. He was poised to perform CPR, although the qualities of being a hex made it a non issue as long as she had the merest of capacity to inhale, which the trick was allowing like a fast-acting inhaler. "Easy, the next few seconds may be rough, but it'll be okay. Are you with me?" he asked, leaning over her to check her eyes for a glint of consciousness.

[Ace of flames01]

Ace winced in pain as she felt he dark mist enter her scarred throat, she gasped as her throat, lungs, and heart tightened even further for a moment causing her heart to even stop, before finally releasing and allowing her heart to continue pulsating. the pain in her chest subsided and Ace's expression relax as she let out a sigh of relief, her eyelids twitched but she didn't open up her eyes.

[Dmessenger]

Apollo heard the commotion and came downstairs to see what was going on. He was shocked at what was going on. He had never seen that kind of Hex power before. It made him tense up some reason, the power was almost a mirror opposite of his. He then walked up to Luciel and said "is she ok?"

[Ace of flames01]

Ace furrowed her brow as she winced again, then opened her eyes dazed and looked around sleepily. she looked over at Luciel, "did you save me? ....thanks. and sorry you had to carry me again..." she smiled. though she was able to sit up she knew that she still wasn't at full power and should only do small things at the moment. she then shifted her attention to the new face in their growing group and replied quietly, "i see your ok.....that's good.....i thought that explosion killed you.....but you seem to be fine so all is well...." she smiled faintly.

[Legion02]

When ace began to gasp for air, was the point David quickly put away his beans and ran for the kitchen. There was a small medical supply box with the stuff most homes have. Cotton balls, disinfectant. Painkillers. He never took the time to see what they'd need. Instead he just ran with the entire box back into the living. Luckily, Ace was doing a little better than. She just finished speaking to Apollo. He gave her a small smile, as he carefully put the box back down and walked back up towards his comfortable seat. Where he continued eating his beans.

Dude, we are DEFINITLY NOT sharing with you. David thought as he returned to matters at hand: sleeping. He had a principle: don't invade someone else's personal space. Sure, they broke into a house and would steal some stuff. But adults could always buy that stuff again. But for kids and teenagers, things were different. He remembered how a female friend was scared to sleep in her own bed after a burglar simply stole some money out of there. "About sleeping: Luciel, I suggestion you and I stand look-out. I'll stay up till 1. After that, I'll wake you up and you stand as look-out. Just so we don't get caught by surprise. And about sleeping: There are a few beds upstairs. But I'd advice against taking the pink one. Or the one filled with boy's band posters." he told the group. While continuing to eat from his beans. After that he turned to Ace and said: "You better get something to eat. I got some canned beans here if you like." he said, holding a still closed can up.

[Ace of flames01]

"Food...? Ah! Yes,please!" She replied as she sat up; she reached for can of beans, practically drooling. "I can't remember the last time I had something to eat!" She noticed the first aid kit and asked, "did something happen to me? I don't remember what happened after I ran up to check if our new friend here was alright." She made a gestured with her hand at Apollo.

[Hawlin]

Luciel loomed over Ace as they relaxed. It was sometimes hit and miss with using his powers on things other than plants. The reasons and ways it ranged in varying degrees of...ineffectiveness...confused the Hex.
In the past, he hadn't had much use for healing people.
Still, in his state of being lost in thought, he jumped at the boy who had come out of seemingly nowhere as far as Luciel was aware. "Y..yeah, I think she will-" he was about to say, slightly unsure until watching her stir. "Oh, hah! It's not a problem" Luciel chuckled in response to her thanks. If anything, he was a little cross with David for not offering to help...while still toting that expression of hex entitlement in response to Luciel's response to the teasing. It was good to know your allies' weaknesses, it made the game that much more interesting. The concept of 'allies' taunted Luciel as he thought about how quick David was to scramble for a first-aid kit, wondering if the response would be the same if he were to be in that kind of state.

Luciel set the can down on the coffee table, certain he'd probably end up taking the section of the couch which he currently occupied, anyway. "A solid plan" he mused, trying to think of a way to discredit the plan. It wasn't necessarily with spite in mind, just that it would be easier to plug holes before trouble hit the fan so the bucket wouldn't leak it all over those who didn't want it...or however the saying went.

"I will probably fix something for myself when I am on watch" He said in regards to the beans. Hopefully, assuming there weren't any surprised, he could probably throw a breakfast together for the crew, seeing as how he had last watch. Luciel wasn't too concerned about eating, still invigorated by the hike and the sunning he'd gotten in that time. His guess was that he could probably hold off from eating for another two or three days. "A glass of water would be lovely, though" he said, adjusting his stockings before getting up and going to the kitchen to do just that. On the way, he slowed to give David a look over, raising his eyebrows for a second once he knew he had David's attention, making eye contact during the gesture to strike the point home.
It was no guess that Luciel found David...interesting.

[Dmessenger]

Apollo just nodded his head at what Ace said, not wanting to admit that the explosion came from him. He then decided to follow Luciel to the kitchen where there was food. Apollo just grabbed some canned tuna and then he returned to his spot on the roof of the house. He opened the can using a small beam of light and wolfed down the food. He then laid back down on the roof and looked up at the sky. "I'm going to miss this view" He said to himself thinking about when he will return to the prison after he has completed his mission, even though he doesn't realize his targets are the very hexes that he is now staying with.

[Ace of flames01]

Ace grinned and watched Apollo leave the room. She then reached for the can of beans again and replied, "gimme gimme!" Making herself look like a little kid wanting a toy or a treat. Her attitude had improved greatly since she was first released from the prison despite all that has happened in her first day of freedom.

[Legion02]

David's entire froze in place, with a spoon full of beans half way in his mouth. With his eyes he was following Luciel's gaze. Not with a very friend look. More like 'What-are-you-up-to-look’. Only when Luciel vanished from his sight did David finish his spoon and released a sigh of relief. That guy gives me the creeps. I swear, if I ever find him sleeping in the same room with me, he's dead. David thought. In the meantime he grabbed the can-opener and spoon. After opening the can for Ace he handed her with the spoon in it. "Be careful you don't cut yourself. And don't gobble it all up in once."

After all that he went upstairs towards the parent's bedroom. He found a sport bag surprisingly fast. For a matter of fact, he found several. "Daddy is probably an avid sporter." he smiled, remembering how his own father loathed every form of physical exercise. He grabbed 3 bags and went downstairs, dropping one in the living and taking two into the kitchen, where he found Luciel again. For a second, he looked straight at the guy. Like a dog establishing dominance. Maybe...Yes. I'll try it. "See those bags?" he told him. "Fill one with canned goods." It was meant as a test command. To see if Luciel would obey, or protest. Never the less, he kept looking at the plant-boy, trying to pierce him with sharp eyes.

[Hawlin]

Luciel opened and closed cupboards, getting a feeling for his options in terms of food. Hearing Ace in the other room, he felt a little bad that he hadn't really had the notion to be cooking stuff until just then. Still, he felt responsible for her, which drove him to look for a few specific things. He started heating a pot of green beans while sipping at a glass of water.
Apollo came in to grab a can of tuna. Not a bad idea; Luciel considered looking around for sardines and some crackers just as David stormed in, tossing the bag on the floor. Leaning against the counters, Luciel lifted an eyebrow as he looked at David over the raised edge of the glass. Taking his sweet time to respond, he bit into an ice cube, setting the glass down. "Eit vould probably be a idea to take pots vith us as vell" he commented without moving to acknowledge the demand, letting his accent shine as to add a sensual edge to his words as his eyes locked with David's. The bioluminescence of his eyes eased from amber to a light hue of red. "Cooking iz good for morale...also, we vill need means to pad eit all to stay quiet vhile ve are on zeh move" he went on, breaking eye contact as he approached the bag, opening it to see how much room he had to work with as well as a display of non-threatened docility towards David. He picked the bag up and set it on the counter before going back to his water. "Ehnt vaht are you going to do vith zeh ohzehr bag?" Luciel asked, lobbing the power struggle back into David's court by merely implying that there were two bags and apparently David was the one who wanted to have the ideas even though Luciel's suggestions were sound.

At that moment, that Luciel was about to take another sip, his eyebrows perked up and he set his water down, remembering what he was doing. "Mmh! *swallows a mouthful of water* So, I'm making a little something special for those who have gone without a warm meal~" he started, the teasing taking a more sincere tone since he assumed David was one of those. Gesturing to the setup he was working with, one larger pot boiled water, the green beans were warming nicely and a skillet began to sizzle from the oil he'd tossed into it. "Have you ever browned ground beef? It may not be fancy, but a can of cream of mushroom soup will make them think it is~" Luciel chirped with a wink, implying that he'd appreciate David's help with something that would probably be more palatable than a room-temperature can of beans.

All in all, Luciel didn't seemed phased at all by David's attempt to control him. If anything, he used it as an excuse to try to get David to cooperate.

[Ace of flames01]

Ace paced herself until David left the room; once he left, she stuffed her face. She soon realized that was not a smart choice as she soon choked a little on her food, and started coughing. "Not smart... Not smart..." She said to herself between coughs. She rushed over to the nearest sink and drank water from the focset until she washed down the beans that were making her choke. She sighed as she returned to the couched and continued eating, slower this time.

[Legion02]

A sly smile formed over David's lips. "No. I haven't cooked any fancy food. I've been surviving prison for the past 2 years." he said. Though in such a way that more implied that he went through a little more hardship than Luciel. And more importantly, he survived. David was also quite happy with Luciel putting the bag on the counter. In his eyes, it was one step closer to making Luciel do what he asked. "And while I agree that cooking is good for the moral, I simply can't cook." In his eyes, there was no shame in admitting he didn't have a particular skill. "So I'll leave the cooking to you. And don't bother with the pots and pans. We're not taking them. Helicopters see fire and smoke in a forest almost immediately." David began to approach the counter. In a second, his eyes were but a few inches away from Luciel's. Like an angry dog, looking at another one. "And I'm not going back to that cursed place." He held the eye contact for a second, before he turned towards the other bag, take it, and walked out. "Besides, the second bag needs to be filled with other stuff. Important stuff." And with that, he blinked out of the kitchen, into the living.

There he collapsed into the seat he took before. His can of beans was still standing on the coffee table. "Man...That Luciel guy is something else." He wouldn't admit it, but there was something scary about him. The way his eyes seemed the glow. The way he spoke. Hell, even his manners seemed to send a shiver down David's spine. Though only then did he noticed Ace, eating her beans slow. "Keep an eye on the guy, would ya?"

The raid on the house that followed was, in David's mind, fruitful. He found binoculars, flashlights, a map and even a compass in relative short time. After a short raid from the wardrobe of the adults he had also collected a few jackets, shirts and especially a lot of socks. Though he still wasn't satisfied. Bottled water was also easy to find, but he wanted something to defend themselves. Sure, they each had their powers. But Ace and Apollo where a good example of what could happen. Their powers were still unreliable. Probably only Luciel understood his, and there for the limits. So he dashed downstairs, dropped his bag in the living room and yelled for the entire house: "I'm going to do some scouting in the neighborhood. See if I can scavenge some useful stuff." With that he blinked outside, and began to walk through the streets, searching for a house big and fancy enough to be of someone who hunted.

[Hawlin]

David's comment about cooking fancy food confused Luciel, slightly. His explanation of what he was cooking was that it was mostly made from cans, although he'd received decent reviews on its simplicity. The concept of people thinking it was fancy although simple and mostly can made...
Typically, the assumption was that most people aren't born in prison and learn skills in life. Regardless, Luciel's mood seemed to pitch in response to David's aggressiveness. Perhaps he'd taken his skills for granted that he knew how to conceal a fire, although, based on David's behavior Luciel wasn't sure he trusted him enough to respect the method. With this, the eye contact with David mere inches from Luciel's face was opportunity enough for the albino to tense the muscles around his eyes, fabricating a threatening glare from an otherwise friendly smirk. Without a word, he let David leave, recomposing himself with a blink of an eye as he turned to Ace for a moment before proceeding to boil noodles. "So, what is your opinion of casserole?" Luciel asked, slashing into a half-pound pack of lean ground beef which he proceeded to fry in the skillet, mincing it with a wooden spoon as he went.

I had nothing to prove to him. David was more than welcome to have none of what I intended on having, and had made enough for others. His tone made me want to headbutt his nose into his handsome skull; ungrateful, untrusting self-entitlement...no better than humans, pretending to know people without even trying to empathize.
Knowing what's best?
Maybe it's just been a long day. Everyone could benefit from some actual rest and it wasn't the time to be getting caught up over seemingly nothing.
You catch more flies with honey than with vinegar, anyway...

I left the bag on the counter empty...out of spite.
There would be more than enough time to take what I wanted without the fucking warden breathing down my neck.

It didn't take long for Luciel to sling together the dish in a pot which he hoisted onto the coffee table with a big spoon and bowls. "It's not much" he started, serving himself a bowl and laying back in the couch, almost tempted to turn on the tv before remembering the layer of subtlety that they were in.
Gawd, freedom was so close that he could almost touch it. It made his chest hurt a little...or maybe it was the trickle of poison to tell him another day had officially been marked off of his time. A tiny daydream teased the edges of his vision as he looked into the forkful of noodly deliciousness. It made him hesitate, his heart sinking...
Cooking always hurt, taunting him...mocking him..."Heh, if I had more time and ingredients..." he mused out loud before taking the first bite.

Never breaking composure in front of Ace.

[Ace of flames01]

Ace watched David leave and his words echoed in her mind, which confused her. She snapped back to attention at the sound of Luciel's voice. "C-casserole? I don't remember what it tastes like." She replied startled. She watched Luciel sit back down. She sighed as she layed back down and smiled. "Thank you for doing what you have, Luciel.... For showing me freedom, for actually caring about me, and helping me meet so many of my own kind...thank you for that..."

[Dmessenger]

Apollo was still lying on the roof, oddly enough he could hear the commotion but couldn't understand what they were saying. "As long as I find my target I don't care what they decide." He muttered to himself as he began to make orbs of light spin in a circle above him. He knew the guards may be looking for the Hexes as well but he knew the guards would never find them, Hexes were too good at hiding that was his whole purpose, he could destroy the hiding places and find them wherever they were and either catch them or kill them. He smiled thinking about how proud his "father" will be after he catches the run away Hexes.

[Ace of flames01]

Ace sat back up and made her way outside; she looked up at Apollo and saw the orbs of light. "How pretty... So he's a hex too... What a lovely power... And yet... Oddly familiar...." She thought. Ace made her way to the rooftop and inched over to Apollo, slipping a few times, then sat next to him and smiled gently. "It's going to be cold tonight. Why don't you come in and sleep inside like the others? Is it because you want to see the stars?" She replied.

Ace looked up at the night sky and paused before murmuring, "I haven't seen the stars and the moon for 3 years.... It is just as beautiful as it was since the last time I had seen it..."