Wings

[Donkey_Kong_JR]

Paul lowered himself to the dock as best he could. Lex had made it look so easy, but it was proving to be much more difficult then it had appeared. Paul would lower himself just a few feet above the dock, then lift himself up suddenly, not wanting to crash. “Just commit.” Paul told himself. It was something his coach had told him. “Once you commit there’s no stopping you. It’s working up the courage to actually commit that’s the hard part.” His coach had told Paul the first day of practice his freshman year. Paul took a deep breath and let himself fall, as slowly as he could, to the dock. The landing was shaky at best, followed by several missteps, almost ending with Paul falling on his face, but he managed to catch himself, with a little help from Lex. “Welcome To Team Seven’s headquarters, although you won’t find many here.” Lex said after Paul had regained his balance. Paul looked at Lex, ”Wonder what he meant by that?” Paul wondered. “Oh golly,” Lex muttered before Paul had a chance to ask any questions, “Are you hungrier than I am, Paul?”
Paul hadn’t actually realized how hungry he was until Lex brought it up. The idea of food hadn’t really crossed his mind. Still, Paul wasn’t one to turn down food. “I don’t know if I’m hungrier, but I’m definitely hungry.” He responded with a small smile.
------------------------------------------------
Jakob sat from his spot in the shadows and watched the window. There seemed to be something going on, but Jakob wasn’t able to tell. A figure came by the window. It didn’t look like this one had wings, but they could just be hidden. “Well, well, well, if it isn’t Jakob.” came a voice behind Jakob. Jakob turned and reached for his gun, only to remember he didn’t have it. Behind him stood 7 figures, all hidden by the shadows. “Or do you still go by “D” these days?” The lead figure stepped forward. It was Stinger.
“Ah, Stinger,” Jakob said standing, “It’s been a long time. Still having others watch your butt I see.” Stinger ignored the comment. “Watcha looking at Jakob?” Stinger asked moving forward to get a better look at the window, “You wouldn’t be hunting someone would you.”
“Come on Stinger, you know that’s not how I work.”
“Ya, but it’s how I work.”
“You’re after one of them?”
“Them?” Stinger turned, “What do you mean them?”
“Well,” Jakob said, faking his best professional voice, “I count at least three up there.”
“Three? All bearers?”
“From what I can tell.”
“How do you figure?”
“Well, there’s one on the balcony, you can’t see it now. Then there’s another one in the room, probably just got ‘em since the lamp broke. Then I figure there’s another one who actually knows a little bit about their little gift.”
“It’ll be a curse once I get ‘em.”
“I thought you only went for specific targets.”
“I thought you were supposed to keep deaths down to a minimum.”
“What’s that supposed to mean.”
“Come on Jakob, I though you were better. You kill a mom and a dad, and you don’t even get a bearer?”
Jakob practically growled at that comment, “It wasn’t my fault. There was another one who was way more developed then the one I was going for.”
“Sure there was. You didn’t happen to get a look at the wings of the one on the balcony did you?”
“I did, bat like I’d say.”
“So where’s the brother?”
Jakob raised his eyebrows, “Brother? Two bearers in one generation, I thought that wasn’t possible.”
“It’s not.”
“Since when does the agency want normal people?”
“They don’t.”

 

[deepgreen11]

Cerie sputtered and muttered to herself as she put the pots on the back burners and turned the gas down to just high enough to keep the food warm.

"Ceres," said Dr. Swhint from his chair in the old sitting room off the kitchen, "this worrying will do you no good."

"I know, I know, but he's been gone all day! And it's dangerous out there. He could've gotten hurt or sick...and you know how he is when he's sick. He's sulky." Ceres sat on the stool next to the sink and started scrubbing a few dishes, pouting.

Dr. Swhint sighed, looking at Cerie and shaking his head. For a young woman with so much spirit, he thought, she certainly got discouraged easily. They had just had a wonderful tea together this morning, and he had told her not to worry. The old professor walked into the kitchen, setting his book on the old desk on his way through. "Ceres, I'll do the dishes. You go on into your pampering chamber and get dressed for dinner. Try and remember who you're talking about. Lex is an extremely bright man, and he is also cautious enough and wise enough to know his limits. He's fine, wherever he is. Also try and remember what a wonderful day you've had. The two of us got caught up, and you found your necklace from home, the one you thought was gone. I don't like to see my favorite girl feeling so glum. Now run along."

Cerie listened carefully to Swhint, calming down as he spoke. He was right. She was just being a brat again. Cerie nodded at Swhint and went to her room, sure he was right about Lex, but still quietly apprehensive about his delayed arrival. She washed away her worries and brushed her long, rich chocolate hair out, put on a clean shirt and some nice pants. She walked to her dresser and from the cleaning solution on her desk pulled up the leaf pendant, watching it shine in the light of her room. She fastened it around her neck on a fresh piece of cord and sat down to read, finally calmed enough to focus on the information and theories in the old book.

 

[LightofHeaven]

"Well, shall we go inside then? It's getting dark," Lex said, stepping off the dock and heading across the yard, glancing at the woodwork as he did so. Cerie had been working, that was a good sign.

He stopped at the door resting his hand on the brass knob. He wondered if Cerie was going to have a fit with him, He hadn't been out this late before, but seeing Paul walk into the house with him would most likely get her attention. I’m too tired and hungry for a fit, he thought.

He sighed and pushed open the door, which triggered a loud ringing sound. Security system. He reached up and shut it off.

"Cerie! Doc! We ha\/e a guest."

 

[deepgreen11]

Cerie walked calmly from her room and said "Sorry about the system, Lex. I forgot I had turned it on. You look hungry. I made dinner tonight, and it's still nice and warm. How was your journey?"

Swhint looked over at Cerie, smiling slightly and raising one eyebrow, then looked over at Lex. "Did you say we have a guest?"

 

[Donkey_Kong_JR]

Paul followed Lex to the house where he apparently lived. It was really more of a cottage though. From the outside nothing appeared modern. He stood back from the door, and Lex open it then froze as the alarm went off. ”Why does this guy need an alarm?” Paul wondered. He let Lex take the lead, and soon the loud, and extremely annoying sound stopped. “Cerie! Doc! We have a guest!” Lex shouted into the room. ”We?” It hadn’t occurred to Paul that there would be more of them, although in a way it made sense. Paul followed Lex into the house. He saw a girl, about the same age as Lex, come out from a room in the back. There was another one in the room, much older then Lex and the girl. “Did you say we have a guest?” The old guy said. His voice seemed soothing, although Paul couldn’t exactly tell why. He thought about introducing himself, but allowed Lex to do it instead.

 

[LightofHeaven]

Lex put a hand on Paul's shoulder. "Doc Swhint, Cerie, this is Paul. I met him by accident." He winked at Paul and gave asmall smile. "Could you get him some food, Cerie? I'll...be right back."

He walked across the room past Cerie and Swint. He climbedf a staircase to the second floor andentered his room. Darkness. He flipped a switch; light filledd the room. The roomwas a typical masculineroom. Things littered the floorhere and there, the blankets lie twisted and wrinkled on the bed. Lex tossedhis bag on the bed and stretched, it had been a longday.

He walked to the dresser, whichstood beside a tall bookcase. He opened the second drawer and rummaged through it a bit. He cameup with an old black T-shirt with "Justice" inscribed in bold blue letters written acrossthe chest. Lex draped the shirt over his shoulder. Closing the drawer, he walked to the window and opened it, letting the cool evening breeze wash over him. Hewhistled three notes before retreating back downthe staircase and into the room where the others waited.

"Paul?" Lex said approachinghim, "Do you have the energy to learn a little trick?"

 

[deepgreen11]

Cerie greeted Paul warmly. "Hi, I'm Cerie! Great to have you with us tonight. You DO look hungry." Cerie loaded a plate with food and set it in front of Paul without time for him to even say what he wanted or how much of it he'd like. She filled up a glass with water and another tumbler with some ice cold milk. Swint extended his hand and warmly shook Paul's hand, introducing himself. "I am Dr. Swhint, a retired science professor and mildly mad scientist. I myself am not a bearer." The professor grinned at Paul and said, "Cerie here will spoil you rotten and drive you crazy at the same time. She speaks the truth, though, we are glad you're here." As he finished his sentence, Lex came down the stairs with an old shirt over his shoulder and asked Paul if he had the energy to learn a trick. Swhint looked at Lex with admiration in his eyes. Lex had grown so much in the seemingly short time since his arrival. He was now nearly indispensible to Team Seven, and Swhint quietly looked on as Lex continued to use his gifts.

 

[Sayci]

Elana nods slowly, "Th-thank you." Her small form lands lithely on their balcony and she steps quietly inside, her wings folding around her body and hooking together at the the claws on the ends like a cloak. She smiles shyly at them, fixing her hair because of her nervous feelings, "I'm Elana."

 

[rockerchic]

"Th-Thank you, I'm Elana."

Leo quickyl closed the window behind her. That was what he was most concermed about. He also made sure he pulled the blind down tight. He shook Elan's hand. "I'm Leo, and this is Syl, and Arguile." He said refering her to each of them. "We actually just met Arguile earlier tonight. He somehow knew we were bearers, and thats how he knew you were outside." Leo paused for a moment to let her soak everything in.

"I've never seen wings like your's before." Sly said abruptly, reffering to her batlike wings.

"What he means is that our are a little different." Leo said, "Let me show you."

"Wings Appear"

And Leo's large white wings emerged from his back, ripping holes in his white tee shirt he wore to sleep. As the wings spread, they reached farther that Leo had anticupated knocking over a few books on the table. "Oops... I forgot how big they were." Leo had spread his wings in so long. He was usually very causious about that sort of thing, but he felt that the situation called for it. He felt for this poor girl sitting on the balcony by herself unsure of what she was.

 

[Donkey_Kong_JR]

Paul smiled at Cerie as she introduced herself. Before he had time to respond, she gave him some food. “Thanks.” Paul said before taking an almost cautions bite of the food. It was delicious. Both of Paul’s parents worked so it was a very rare thing for him to get a home cooked meal. Most the time he just had fast food, or nothing at all. This was a pleasant change from McDonalds. The old man introduced himself as Dr. Swhint. Paul shook his hand, “I am Dr. Swhint, a retired science professor and mildly mad scientist. I myself am not a bearer. Cerie here will spoil you rotten and drive you crazy at the same time. She speaks the truth, though, we are glad you're here.” The Doctor said to him. Questions began to form in Paul’s head, but before he got a chance to ask them, Lex came back. “Paul? Do you have the energy to learn a little trick?”
“What kind of trick?” Paul asked.
-------------------------------------------
Jakob glanced at Stinger, “What’s that supposed to mean.” Stinger didn’t answer, “You’re not hunting from the agency, are you?” Stinger remained silent, “So, who else wants the bearers.” Still no answer. “All right, play your games. But unless you want my help you’re going to have to talk.” That got Stinger’s attention, “Why would I want your help?”
“Well, there are three bearers in there, at least. And I doubt your little posy here will do you much good.” One of the guys behind Jakob grunted, “So unless you want to try to take on three of them by yourself, you’re going to need my help.”
“We don’t need your help.”
“Why’s that?” Jakob pressed
“Because we don’t want the other two.”
“What?” With that Stinger pulled out a small handgun, hidden in his pocket, as well as a silencer. He took aim at the bearer out on the balcony, but before he had a chance to fire, the bearer went into the room. Stinger cursed.
“Now what?” Jakob said with a smile.

 

[Sayci]

Elana glanced down at her wings a little nervously in comparison to the man's gleaming white wings, "Yours are incredible...and how do you make them disappear?" She longed to hide hers as easily as he did. The books clattered to the floor and brought a sudden smile to her face at the humbling clumsiness.

 

[LightofHeaven]

Lex stood across the table from Paul and lifted his foot onto a chair, resting his arms on his knee. "Remember how my wings seemed to appear out of nowhere and disappear into thin air just a minute ago?" he paused to take a small gulp of water from one ofthe untouched glasses on the table. "I call it Chameleon. I was taught this trick by the former leader of Team Seven. Jax Lepromis. He was a good man." He took another gulp. "Anyway, the trick is to imagine your wings disappearing. It's all in your mind. Think 'Wings Dissolve'."

 

[LightofHeaven]

Arguile smiled at the spectacle. He was amazed at the sight of Leo'swings. He couldn't resist the urge to transform back into a griffon now that the window was covered and Leo himself had spread his wings. So he did, this time knocking something off the wall.

"Four bearers!" he said, enthusiastically. "Now the storm is nothing to fear."

 

[Sayci]

((This is supposed to be after rockerchic's next post, weird that they switched! I'll put it under hers.))

 

[rockerchic]

Elana glanced down at her wings a little nervously in comparison to the man's gleaming white wings, "Yours are incredible...and how do you make them disappear?" She longed to hide hers as easily as he did. The books clattered to the floor and brought a sudden smile to her face at the humbling clumsiness.

Leo smiled back. "Well, Syl taught me this awsome trick that he says he learned just by seeing others like us do it before. All you need to to concentrate and think about your wings fading, and then say wings dissolve." About them Arguile transformed back into his griffon form. For what reason he did this Leo was not sure but he knew that it was most definately too crowded in that small room. As the picture fell Leo cringed. "Just like this." He said.

"Wings dissolve."

And that is just what they did. "Your turn."

 

[Sayci]

Elana smiled at the warm feelings of companionship and just how comfortable she was with other bearers. She nods in response and closes her eyes to focus, thinking, and willing her wings to disappear from sight. Doubt kept creeping back into her mind about whether she could actually do this or not. After a few moments, Elana glanced back at her wings and saw them still tensed on her back, she sighed, "I guess I'll have to practice more." A smile crept on her face, for the first time she didn't feel like a freak, or someone that was mutated. She felt like one of the group.

 

[rockerchic]

"Thats fine. It took me forever to get it down. Although some learn faster than others. Sly got it down the first try. So Elana, what brings you here?"

 

[LightofHeaven]

((Donkey?))

 

[Sayci]

Elana shrugged with an easy smile, "I was just out to get some fresh air and I saw your light. My brother and I have been sleeping in a warehouse not too far from here and I love to see the city at night. Where do you all come from?"

 

[Donkey_Kong_JR]

((Donkey?))

((yes?))

Paul raised his eyebrow. Wings dissolve sound a little painful to him for some reason. Still, for about a year now he had been wishing these things on his back would just disappear. No harm in giving it a try right? Paul closed his eyes and tried to focus. He wasn’t exactly sure why he felt like he had to close his eyes. Maybe it was to brace himself for whatever pain may come. Or perhaps it was so he didn’t have to see the result right away. “Wings Dissolve.” He told himself. He felt something. LIke a new sensation. It wasn’t painful, or even uncomfortable. It was like a chill went down his spine, only it relaxed him rather then make him tense up. He opened one eye first and glanced at where his wing would be, only to find nothing there. His other eye popped open and immediately checked the other side. A huge smile covered his face as he quickly got up and ran to a mirror nearby. He turned and looked at his back. His bare back. Nothing but skin, just like everyone else. Even though it had only been a year, it had felt like an eternity since he had seen his bare shoulder blades. He looked back at the others, still with a huge grin over his face. “Thank you.”
-------------------------------------------------------
Stinger looked at his men behind them, then looked back at Jakob. “What do you want?”
Jakob let out a quiet laugh, “Is that an admittance of defeat?”
“No, but you’re right, I will need your help.”
“Of course I’m right.”
“So what do you want? Ten percent?”
“No, I’m not working for your guy.”
“You could.” Stinger interrupted, “My employer is always looking for some more help. And the pay is much larger then anything the agency’s ever given us.”
“I don’t do this for the money.”
“Sure you don’t. So ten percent?”
“Thirty at least, but only of one share.”
“Fare enough.”
“And I get the others.”
“What?”
“You take the ones you need and I get the rest.”
“So you get paid for mine, and all the others? In that case you don’t get any of mine.”
“Well if you don’t need my help...”
“Ok fine, but ten percent.”
“Twenty.”
“Done.”
“You lead?”
“You follow.” Stinger lead the way across the street until they were at the door of the apartment building. “Ok, you four cover the front, and watch the sky. I don’t want them getting away.” He told some of his men. He pointed to three others, “You guys head up the fire escape. Wait for us to get in first. And be quiet!” The three went off. “The rest of you with me.”
“Where are we going boss?” One of them asked.
“The front door, like all well meaning people.” Stinger said with a smile.