Wings

[Donkey_Kong_JR]

“I--” Paul stammered. He could hear the sirens getting closer. He thought about denying his wings. He still had no idea who this guy actually was. But he more taken with panic and fear then concern. He quickly stripped his shirt and took off the harness that held his wings down. It felt to let them stretch like this, in the open air. But he had never tried flying. He knew how to move the wings sure, but he had never tried to fly before. Paul looked at Lex, “Just tell me what to do.” He said with confidence. He wasn’t sure what he was getting himself into, but it was too late now to back out.

 

[LightofHeaven]

It was apparent enough. The boy had never taken flight. But this didn't surprise Lex. He watched as the boy let his wings stretch; he knew how to move them, but he'd never flown? Understandable.

"Wings Appear."

Lex's white and gold wings appeared on his back as his mind commanded. He smihled confidently at the boy. "Okay," he said, "I want you to hold tightly to my hand. When I count to three, take a big jump and flap. I'm going to pull you along to speed us up for a bit." He paused to give the kid time. The sirens were now below them. Lex could barely hear anyrhing that was hapthpening inside the building. He glanced at the doorless entrance to the store room and saw figurres moving up the stairs.

They were coming.

"Ready? One...two...three. JUMP!"

 

[Donkey_Kong_JR]

Paul’s eyes widened as Lex’s wings appeared out of no where. “How’d he do that?” Paul wondered, but there was no time for questions now. Paul grabbed Lex’s hand, a little reluctantly, and nodded at the instructions.
“Ready? One...two...three. JUMP!” Paul jumped on command like a trained dog. Fortunately he wasn’t really afraid of heights. He almost forgot halfway through the jump about the other part of the instructions. Paul pulled his wings down and felt himself go up. He continued flapping. He was flying! It was like a dream as they soared through the air. For a moment he forgot what had happened. But only for a moment. “Where are we going?” Paul asked above the wind.

 

[LightofHeaven]

Lex took one last glance back at the roof they had just left. He couldsee the figures moving about it that by now had become small specks. They had left just in time.

“Where are we going?” he heard the boy ask.

“To a safe place.” Lex replied. “You’ll see.”

Gripping the boy in one hand and his bag in the other, Lex flew toward home.

. . .

After about half an hour of watching the ground rush by below them, Lex slowed to a soar. By now, it was midafternoon. The house was just visible in the distance. Erie was there with Swhint, undoubtedly awaiting his return. But they would have to wait a little longer.

“I think you can hold your own now.” Lex said, releasing the boy’s hand, ready to catch him if he fell. “So, tell me, what’s your name?”

 

[K9Guardian]

He found the body tied to a table in a far corner of the room. A small lamp lit her still form; only the walls of crates had hidden this patch of illumination so long.

Zeve approached slowly and looked down at her. Long blonde hair, blue eyes wide and glazed over in death. Blood had run in twin rivulets from the bullet hole in her forehead, giving her the appearance of wearing a glistening headband. She wore very little else, but that was to be understood; she had been a prostitute.

She might not have died, Zeve thought, if he had just found some way. But what could he have done? He had followed his instincts, done what appeared necessary. There was really no cause for guilt. Still, he didn’t have to like it.

“Sorry,” he said to the dead woman.

He was about to leave when he heard a distinctive pop. Turning back, he stared.

The corpse had sprouted wings. They lay flat against the table, broad and soft-looking, like a massive dove’s. The empty eyes continued to stare unblinking at the shadowed ceiling.

So this was Potweller’s secret. Zeve remembered the pimp’s shifty eyes when he had first hired Zeve’s unit for this job. Peter Potweller, former Gang Lord and owner of the city’s most successful prostitute ring. Zeve Beraht’s old mentor. Of course he would know the consequences of being discovered to have owned one of them.

“Son of a pig,” the agent breathed. So the Enforcers were being paid to stand between potweller and the rest of Agency. Well if that was how it had to be…

Drawing a long knife from his belt, Zeve moved to the table. He worked quickly. Very little blood came out if you knew where to cut.

 

[deepgreen11]

Cerie woke up and opened her eyes. She glanced above her at the motionless leaves on her favorite tree and got her bearings. The sun had drifted away as she had laid there napping. Cerie muttered "Must've fallen asleep after I wrote." She looked about her. Everything seemed still, at peace, quiet. She could see, from her spot, the very top of the back of the professor's head peeking from the armchair in the sunporch. He must be asleep right now, thought Cerie. It just seemed like one of those days out in the country where everything is quiet and good and still. Cerie looked at her watch and picked up her pendant, gazing at the little details of the leaf. It was a good time to work, right before dinner. Cerie wandered over to the spigot, filled up her old canteen, and went to the work area next to the lake. She began measuring the fragrant wood for the boards of the ship now that the support pieces were all cut and sanded. Cerie was pleased as she looked around her and saw the decreasing size of the woodpile and the stack of finished parts. "I wish I did't have to build alone," thought Cerie. Sometimes just cutting away and builiding and letting the day slip by got lonely. Sometimes she wished for the company of her younger siblings, but knew her days with kids were probably over. It was time to just move on and move up. A tiny fleck of wood flew up and landed in Cerie's eye, making it irritated. "At least I found my pendant today" Cerie thought. Soon, Lex will be home, and he can tell me all about the city. Maybe I'll go someday soon and have my own stories to tell.

 

[Mythriadier]

It was a cool night. Arguile felt restless. Something made him stir from his forested mountainside. He didn't like leaving his home. He knew that he wouldn't be able to find his way back. He sensed something dangerous, and he was compelled to seek out another bearer. It would take more than one of them to ride out the coming storm.

Flying aimlessly at first Arguile coasted along the jetstream... He had always felt more comfortable in the air. He saw the lights of a far off city. He could sense Bearers there, and turned toward it. "There must be more than one if I can feel them this far off." He landed in an alley, between some tall buildings.

Walking out into the street in his human form, Arguile found some thrown out clothes that fit him. Looking like someone trying to look like a bum, he walked along the sidewalk sensing the bearers...

He could tell tehre were at least 6 within several miles of the city, most where in teh city. Two of them confused him, they felt different. Not like any others he could ever remember sensing before. He decided he would avoid them. Not even caring much for the company of his own kind he disliked the thought of something new even more.

He was at a crossroads... Teher were several nearby that he could reach tonight. But he wasn't sure which one or ones to approach. He hadn't delt with others in a long time. He practiced talking to himself, "well at least I still remember how to talk!"

 

[Donkey_Kong_JR]

Paul was enjoying the view so much that he almost didn’t catch himself once Lex let him go. He felt himself drop a little, but manage to regain his height. Fortunately he was a fast learner. “So, tell me, what’s your name?” Paul hadn’t even realized that Lex had never found out his name until now. He was still a little taken back about what had happened. He figured that once they got to where ever it is they were going he would have a chance to sort everything out. “Paul Dwight.” Paul answered. He looked ahead of him. They were far out of the city, more in the country now. “Are we almost there?” Paul asked. Despite the fact that Lex had done most of the work, his wings were starting to get tired. After all this was the first time he had ever used them.

 

[LightofHeaven]

Lex steadied Paul as he strugled a little to regain his altitude.He smiled at how quickly he had done so. He remembered the first day had taken flight. It made him chuckle to see himself plunging a hundred feet from the sky after losing controil of himself. Fortunately, therehad been a lake below him. A cold lake.

"Paul..." Lex repeated after him. ""We are close to our destination. But firstI must apologize." He hesitated. "I could have done more to save your parents." Another pause. "I am sorry to have put you through this. But I want you to trust me. Can you do that?"

 

[rockerchic]

Leo and Sly left the apartment building and set out for some pizza. Leo made sure that Sly was where a hood over his head in hopes that he wouldn't be recognized by anyone. After only walking a few blocks they came up to a pizzeria by the name Luigies. They walked in and sat down at a booth by the window. "So what are you in the mood for tonight?" Sly shrugged, "Just plain", is father has always kept Sly under a tight leash. Sly wasn't really used to eating pizza and drinking soda.
"The usual, then." Leo said and then went to the counter and ordered one pie half plain half with everything on it. Then he sat back down and the two waited for their dinner.

 

[Mythriadier]

After walking for a ways he found an abandoned warehouse. As he approached he senesed the two bearers inside. "I hadn't realised there were two inside this shelter." He could tell they were comming closer, retreating to the alley he watched them from behind a dumpster. A man and a woman left the building. Arguile waited for them to leave the area before he slipped out of his hiding spot to find the next nearest Bearer.

Travelling in another direction he could sense new Bearers nearby. He hadn't been paying close enough attention to his senses. The two bearers were walking together, straight toward him. It was too late for him to hide, he had no choice. He prefered if The man or his son had been alone.

They had seen him. Stopping he smiled nervously and waited to see if they would continue to approach him. He took his hands out of his pockets and looked around. His eyes glowing green in the darkness between the lightposts, he introduced himself despite their distance.

"My name is Arguile, I've been looking for you."

 

[rockerchic]

After Sly and Leo finished up adn the pizzeria, they began walking home. It was much darker now. In the distance a strange man was walking toward them. He appeared to be just anyone, but as he got closer he appeared to be staring right at the two. Leo began to get nervouse. "Sly, do you recognize this guy walking towards us. "
"no, i've never seen him before, but he doesn't look like an agent, more like a homeless guy. Probably noting to worry about. " But Leo kept a watch on the guy and as they got closer the man appraoched them saying, "My name is Arguile, I've been looking for you."

The two werent sure what to do. for one thing, they definately stopped moving toward the guy. Leo pushed Sly behind im trying to keep him as far from this stranger as possible. "What do you want."

 

[Mythriadier]

"There is a storm comming." Arguile said quickly. "It will take more than this to ride it out." Arguile stretched out his senses, he could sense the other Bearers moving further away. "I have been away for a long time. Will you take me to your shelter? I would feel safer talking there."

 

[rockerchic]

Leo was very confused by his words and the way he spoke. He couldn't tell if he was serious of delusional. "I dont what your saying. What do you want to talk about?"

Then Sly interupted and stood infront of Leo. "We should trust him."
"what are you talking about; we dont know anything about this guy!" Leo responed.
"I have a feeling abou this guy and we need to trust him." Sly said firmly. He had a way of know whether someones intentions were good or not.
"If you say so," Leo had many doubts, "You're in charge."

Sly walked toward the tall scary man. "My name is Sly, and I will take you to our home." Sly then led the way to the apartment building. Leo never took his eyes off the guy. When they were outside the door of their apartment 9after climbing 6 staircases) Leo said. "Name's Leo." he then held his hand out for Arguile to shake.

 

[Mythriadier]

Arguile bowed eligantly in the old ways. He clasped Leo's hand firmly with both hands. He followed them into the apartment.

In a moment Arguile was in his natural form. Standing before the two bearers was a Griffon. The Griffon Bearer was 6ft tall, 4ft at the shoulder and almost 10ft long. His immense rounded wings stretched over his back, unable to unfurl completely in the now small room. Smiling at the two before him he said, "I've travelled far. The Lord's Spirit has warned me of a great danger to all Bearers. We must band together to survive."

Looking around the room he circled once and lay down on the floor. "I would like to rest here for now. We must find the 'others' soon." He said stressing the word others. There was concern in his voice. Closing his large Hawk-like eyes he relaxed, trusting the two bearers he had found.

 

[Sayci]

Elana yawned loudly and stretched while glancing at the beeping alarm clock, just past midnight. "Time to go", she pulled herself up to her feet and walked over to the window. It was pitch black outside with only the twinkling light of the streetlamps to show that there was anything in the world. 'Perfect' She thought to herself, it was dark enough that she could fly freely without being seen by normal human eyes.

She leapt out into the air and caught herself with the large black wings. The air caressed her skin as she caught the wind currents and dodged around buildings in the city, avoiding the bright streetlights. Her intensified hearing kicked in as she heard a strange voice coming from one of the apartment buildings. It sounded bird-like or cat-like, some kind of animal mixed with a man's voice. She circled the top of the building once to track down which apartment it was and then landed on the balcony above the voice's room, she dug her claws into the cement of the balcony floor and hung upside down to angle herself so she could see in the window. "A griffon?!" Now this was strange, she'd never seen a bearer change their physical self so drastically, what could be going on?

 

[K9Guardian]

Spear and Katana were waiting when Zeve slithered back through the hole by which he had entered. Neither commented on the canvas-wrapped bundle their captain now carried under one arm; their minds seemed occupied with other matters.

"The blue boys are on their way." Katana, a petite, dark haired woman spoke in a clipped tone that matched her efficient work ethic perfectly. She listened with rapt attention to the headset she wore, nodding at whatever it was she heard. "We can evade them if we go by Fifteenth or York. I think we should split up."

Spear spoke right on top of her. "The money, cap'n? You know we're low on the dough, how're you going to keep us out of the slough? Agent Spear don't work for nothin'."

Katana elbowed him hard. "Spear, this is not the time."

"Yowck!" Despite being double her size, Spear recoiled from the jab and clutched his side, swearing in indignation. "I've got a wife and kids, woman! You think I'll be around if I'm not getting something green to feed them with? Nada!"

"Cool it," Zeve snapped wearily. Two of his best employees, yet they would argue over anything. He just wasn't in the mood tonight. "We'll talk about your pay tomorrow. You guys take Fifteenth, I'll go out by York. And good work, by the way."

After a bit of protest and more bickering, the two Enforcers left. Zeve could hear Spear's angry words and Katana's cool reprimands all down the length of the alleyway. He stood and listened to their voices fade away, until twin motorcycle engines roared to life and shot off into silence.

Alone, he headed in the opposite direction. His motorbike stood glinting in the street lights where he had left it. Zeve paused, unsure where to put the bundle in his arms.

“Hey,” a voice said behind hi.

Zeve turned. An Agent stepped from the shadow of the neighboring building, followed by half a dozen others. As they came into the light, he recognized the leader: Stinger Jerry, an old gang nemesis. The others surrounded Zeve, cutting off any escape.

“Long time, no dance, Beraht.” A gem glowed on one of Stinger’s gauntlets; Zeve noticed he had two, very rare considering jewel gauntlets cost a lot. The gangster grinned. “Ready for old times?”

Nonplussed, Zeve stood his ground. This was not a new scenario to him. “What do you want?”

“What you got there?” Stinger demanded, eying the bundle.

“How’s it any of your business?”

Stinger gestured, and one of the boys made to grab the bundle. Zeve snapped a kick to the aggressor’s knee, sending him down with a yell. Another of the lackey Agents bent to tend to the injury.

“Bah!” Stinger waved a dismissive hand. “Haven’t lost your touch, have you?” Appearing to lose interest, he peered at the building Zeve had just left. “You wouldn’t happen to have seen a girl and a man around here, eh? Black haired girl, blond guy. Skulking around like they got something to hide?”

Conscious of the circle around him, Zeve remembered the Batgirl wannabe. “What if I did?”

“Hmph. You don’t know?” Stinger lowered his voice. “You know what, Beraht? You suck. But I’m not here to deal with your girly little butt, I’m hunting. Been hunting those two a while. But I got news for you. I’m working for a new boss now. Agency don’t pay us nearly enough, and this guy’s got real money. I mean real money. And he wants THEM real bad. You want a pay raise, go to him.”

Zeve didn’t blink. ‘Not interested.”

“Kill yourself.” Stinger walked away followed by the rest. “The name’s Ord, if you get brains later.”

Zeve got on his motorbike and sped off as sirens wailed in the distance.

 

[LightofHeaven]

((Sayci, you might want to say it is later in the night. Maybe say...I'll tell you in the OOOC. ))

Arguile’s eyes snapped open. Something was different. He could sense a presence. It was close; very close.

He rose to his feet and looked around. The room appeared unchanged, except it had been cast into darkness. No matter. He was accustomed to the dark after years of moonless nights in the forest which he called home.

He closed his eyes; reaching out with his senses. He could feel three distinct presences. He knew that one of them was Leo in the other room and Sly on the….whatever it was Sly was lying upon, fast asleep. And the third…?

He walked to the window and peered out.

At first, he wasn’t sure what he was looking at. There was a black mass hanging from the balcony above. He examined it closely. It appeared to be some kind of structure. A carved statue? Perhaps a garbage bag stuck to a hook? Or—

He jumped back; his large wings knocking things over.

“Oh!” he said loudly, realizing what he was looking at with a start. “You startled me.” He said to the bearer behind the closed window. “Why don’t you come in? We can talk in here.”

 

[rockerchic]

Arguile bowed eligantly in the old ways. He clasped Leo's hand firmly with both hands. He followed them into the apartment.

In a moment Arguile was in his natural form. Standing before the two bearers was a Griffon. The Griffon Bearer was 6ft tall, 4ft at the shoulder and almost 10ft long. His immense rounded wings stretched over his back, unable to unfurl completely in the now small room. Smiling at the two before him he said, "I've travelled far. The Lord's Spirit has warned me of a great danger to all Bearers. We must band together to survive."

Looking around the room he circled once and lay down on the floor. "I would like to rest here for now. We must find the 'others' soon." He said stressing the word others. There was concern in his voice. Closing his large Hawk-like eyes he relaxed, trusting the two bearers he had found.

As Arguile opened his wings, the two realized that it was a fellow bearer they were dealing with; but Leo had other concerns. "Are you crazy!" he yelled as he lept across the room. "We cant just do that! Someone could see!" Leo closed the blinds imediately, little did he know it was already too late.

Later that night, Sly went to sleep on the couch, and Leo went into the bedroom. But LEo couldn't sleep, knowing that stranger was in the house. Just because Sly said he had good intentions doesn't mean that Leo was about to put hi guard down any time soon.

((Sayci, you might want to say it is later in the night. Maybe say...I'll tell you in the OOOC. ))

Arguile’s eyes snapped open. Something was different. He could sense a presence. It was close; very close.

He rose to his feet and looked around. The room appeared unchanged, except it had been cast into darkness. No matter. He was accustomed to the dark after years of moonless nights in the forest which he called home.

He closed his eyes; reaching out with his senses. He could feel three distinct presences. He knew that one of them was Leo in the other room and Sly on the….whatever it was Sly was lying upon, fast asleep. And the third…?

He walked to the window and peered out.

At first, he wasn’t sure what he was looking at. There was a black mass hanging from the balcony above. He examined it closely. It appeared to be some kind of structure. A carved statue? Perhaps a garbage bag stuck to a hook? Or—

He jumped back; his large wings knocking things over.

“Oh!” he said loudly, realizing what he was looking at with a start. “You startled me.” He said to the bearer behind the closed window. “Why don’t you come in? We can talk in here.”

Later in the night, a large clatter startled Leo. He came dashing out of his room, and flipped on the lights. "Whats going on!" A small table with a plant on it had fallen over and the pot had broken.With all the comotion Sly slowly sat up in bed and opened hi eyes.

((I'll let Sayci post a reply before i put any more.))

 

[LightofHeaven]

((He's tyng to talk though the wndow. ))