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I'm Just A Kid



Irlan's thoughts pretty much rambled on about Malas' latest accomplishment. Namely her aging from Toddler to Child. Irlan didn't want to admit it, but he felt proud that 'Las was growing into a slightly less-than-normal kid. At least that meant she wasn't a carbon copy of everybody else. Still, he wished she was a little more vocal about her thoughts and ideas.

Not that he'd listen nor did he care. Complaints, whining, moaning, he regarded them all as static, white-noise, easily tuned out and forgotten. Malas' silence was a little unsettling. She didn't seem to be the deep thinker sort, the kind whose mind pondered and mused on profound topics. She didn't seem to be the air-brained sort either, the kind who never had a thought in the first place.

No, Malas seemed to be in a gray area. Neither secretive, nor open, Malas was just blank. The only times he ever got a genuine reaction from the kid was when she ate candy. As he paced around his apartment in his panther form, he stopped at Malas' door.

He sniffed the air that seeped out from the hinges and found it was bittersweet. For one reason or another he felt nostalgic and found himself shifting into a fur-covered snake with one ivory-white horn protruding from his forehead. A tri-pronged tongue flicked out of his mouth as he slithered to block the draft that undoubtedly wafted into his charge's room.

He wasn't doing this to keep the criminal warm. Of course not. He just thought to sleep here so when she woke in the morning, she'd trip over him so he could laugh at her. Yes, that was it.

Tomorrow they'd have to go buy clothes again. And avoid going to any candy shop. Both seemed to be impossible tasks to the Silarian.

Odd Jobs

Ever since Malas grew older and became more mobile Irlan had cut her off from sugar. When she was a toddler he still had to attended to her minimal requests for candy. Then again it wasn't much of a surprise that the Silarian wouldn't give her anymore money to buy her sweets. Irlan wasn't really the doting sort. If he just didn't want to secretly impress Haze with his ability to raise children he'd have just left Malas on some park bench and not turned back.

As it was, Irlan had bluntly told Malas when she had grown that the free ride's over. Sure he wouldn't charge her for rent or for the clothes she on her back, he'd still provide food and the occasional medicine. But now that she was older she'd have to pull her own weight.

"Which means if you want candy, you gotta buy it for yourself. I'm not giving you an allowance because that word doesn't belong in my vocabulary. If you want the money go out and get a job."

Yeah, child labor laws never really interested Irlan and as far as he was concerned he wasn't abusing 'Las that way. He still got her the basic essentials, just not the luxuries of junk food.

"And you have got to get more meat on you. People will think I'm starving you or something. And while my old man believes that suffering builds character, I have more than enough character thank you very much."

"How does people thinking you're starving me mean suffering?" Malas asked as she tried to braid her hair the way her Aunt Huni showed her.

"You are as dumb as you look. If they think I'm not treating you right they're going to be all up in my face and be a big pain in the a** about maltreatment and child abuse and all that dumb s**t. Back in Firenal if we didn't let the animals eat you that was considered being a good parent. These Gaians are such wussies." He sneered.

"But will anyone let me work?" Malas asked as she finished one side of her hair.

Irlan rolled his eyes, "Ask your Aunt Huni or something. Just don't let Haze get any ideas. In fact stay as far away from her as possible. Last thing we all need is her learning how to nag."

Malas nodded silently and slid her feet into a pair of cloth slippers. "'Kay, Imma go see if I can find something."

"Sure, if I'm not in when you get back you know where the key is."

Malas sighed, she knew where the key was, she just couldn't get to it. Irlan had hidden it in one of the loose bricks near the ceiling. Unless she could fly or stick to walls she'd never be able to get in. Thanks a lot.. With a shake of her head she left the apartment.

The first place she visited was the landlord's office. Knocking timidly at the door, she was greeted by a large, balding middle-aged man chewing on gum. Nicotine gum to be exact.

"Whaddya want, runt?" He had the same brisque tone and attitude as her guardian. Only he didn't have the ability to change into all sorts of creatures.

"Can I work here?" She asked softly.

The landlord stared at her before bursting out into raspy laughter. "What is this, some kindova gag? I ain't about to break no child labor laws, runt."

"Okay." Malas hung her head in embarrassment, her long, pointed ears drooping.

The landlord merely waved a hand, "If you really want to make a buck, try asking the other tenants if they need a hand or somethin'. I ain't got time to babysit and I ain't goin' to no jail for hiring a kid to do the paperwork."

With renewed hope, 'Las set off to the top floor and move downwards.

A Weekend At Irlan's - part 1

Irlan found himself bored. Not just the "I don't know what to do" bored, but the kind of boredom that encourages people to either commit suicide or murder. Lately, the cerulean-haired man had been pacing the apartment restlessly. He'd twitch at the slightest sound and literally pounce on anything that moved too suddenly.

It was a good thing that Malas' skin was quite bright or else she'd have been attacked every time she left her room. At the moment, the criminal and the Silarian were in the livingroom. The former was braiding her hair, the latter was in his panther form, skulking about behind the furnitures.

For all intents and purposes, Malas was fending for herself quite well. Her Aunt Huni had shown her how to prepare her meals using the microwave (so long as it was in an unopened can), and her Aunt Haze had given her permission to ask Aunt Huni for help. She knew how to fold her clothes properly, and it only took one lesson on how to use the washing machine and dryer in the apartment basement for her to do her own laundry. No way in frell was she going to touch Irlan's clothes.

Still, there was just something about the crazed look in her guardian's eyes that simply did not settle well whenever their gazes met. "You miss her, don't you?" She found herself murmuring beneath her breath, aware that Irlan could hear whatever she said.

The cerulean cat stiffened, its haunches tensing before he sprung from behind the couch and in front of Malas. Amethyst eyes glowered dangerously at the emerald-haired girl. He bared his fangs in an angry snarl, and swiped at the air inches from her nose.

Malas flipped her braid over her shoulder without so much as blinking. Irlan always threw a tantrum whenever Malas stated something he was desperately trying to ignore. "I simply don't understand why with all your 'cunning' and 'stealth' you don't just go after her."

Irlan paused in his growls, looking dumbfounded. For a moment, one could actually say he looked adorable. His whiskers twitched as the corners of his mouth curled upwards into a smile, at least the semblance of a smile that his muzzle would allow.

He shifted back to his human form, grabbed 'Las by the scruff of her shirt and literally dragged her out of the apartment. "Jeez brat, when'd you get so heavy?" he smirked as he opted to drape her over his shoulder to make it easier for him to scale the stairs.

Malas stared passively at his back, braids trailing downwards. She didn't put up a fuss, didn't even cry out in indignation. She knew she couldn't win against her guardian's inhuman strength. It was a miracle he hadn't even broken any of her bones with his rough-handling. But that could very well be attributed to Irlan's control.

They reached the rooftops and Irlan set the girl down.

"Alright brat, just to make things clear: I'm not going after Haze. I'm going to visit my shack and see how my crew is doing without their boss." He stated. "They're going to want to know who you are and why I'm taking care of you. I'll do all the talking, so just do what you're good at; namely keeping your trap shut. Any questions?"

"How long are we staying at your shack?" Malas asked.

Irlan paused, obviously he hadn't considered this. "Maybe a couple of days. Aw, s**t, you'll have to bring your stuff. No ******** way I'm spending my time there shopping." he frowned in distaste. "s**t, let's go back to our place so you can bring some clothes."

Some people might have found this situation amusing, funny even. 'Las and Irlan were not such people. Silently, they made their way back to the apartment.

"Pack light, you ain't gonna be doing much there. I want you out of sight as much as possible." He barked.

Malas wordlessly stuffed a small knapsack with a couple of shirts and a change of underwear. Of course she had to bring her squid-purse, it was where she kept her candy-stash after all.

"Hurry it up, brat!" Irlan yelled from outside the apartment.

Malas ran out, making sure to lock the apartment behind her. This time she traversed the several flights of stairs by herself. Being carried by Irlan was not something she relished even when she was in her body's infancy.

It wasn't that Irlan was unreasonably rough, he was rather careful with her despite how he spoke about not caring. Malas simply did not want to appear dependent on Irlan. Recalling how she could not trust anyone back home, she still couldn't bring herself to believe anyone would willing watch over her without a hidden agenda.

Once they reached the rooftop, Irlan began muttering beneath his breath. 'Las couldn't quite understand what he said, she could barely make out the words. Suddenly a vortex tore open before them.

For the first time since she arrived on Gaia, 'Las found herself stunned.

"Pick your jaw off the floor, brat." Irlan sneered. He took Malas by the arm and dragged her into the portal. The journey was over in the blink of an eye.

They were in an oddly decorated room. The walls bore many traces of scratches and large, beast-shaped indentations. The floor was covered with what used to be a mat that had been used far too many times and was nothing more than a thin sheet. Malas felt Irlan pull her to the side before she heard a female voice.

"Why if it isn't Irlan!"

A string of oaths released from Irlan's lips as 'Las carefully peered from behind him. In front of them was a rather plump woman with hair the same shade as Irlan's. She toyed with the stray strands of her bouffant, saffron eyes glittering in excitement.

"Marscha." Irlan forced a smile as he carefully kept 'Las behind him.

Marscha clapped her hands in delight before literally leaping at Irlan. At first 'Las thought she was going to embrace her guardian and wondered why he roughly shoved her back. It was when Marscha shifted into a large, blue-furred gator did she understand.

Irlan fell hard on his back, his arms suddenly resembling those of a tiger's paws as he fought to keep Marscha's jaws from snapping shut on his head. 'Las watched motionlessly, silver-blue eyes unable to look away as her guardian wrestled with Marscha.

With an audible grunt, Irlan hurled Marscha away and lunged at her. He shifted into a pachyderm-like creature with spikes running along its trunk and rammed against her viciously. Pained shrieks echoed in the room before the woman and Irlan shifted back to their human form.

"Good to see you're still ready for a fight." she winced underneath Irlan's foot, both parties ignoring the blood seeping from her sides.

"Listen well, Marscha, you did not see me arrive and you certainly did not see the brat." Irlan instructed. "Got it?"

Marscha blinked, brat? What was he- she spotted Malas staring wordlessly at them - Oh.

"Got. It?" He repeated, leaning more of his weight onto his foot so as to ellicit a grudging yes from the woman. "Good. C'mon brat, let's get going before anyone else sees us and decides to welcome us back Cut-style."

Mechanically, Malas got to her feet and followed after her guardian. She kept her questions to herself, waiting until Irlan was in a more chatty mood. They walked down long, narrow halls until they got to Irlan's room. Once inside, Irlan locked the door behind them.

"D'rek, I thought we'd get here undetected. Why'd she have to be in the training room?" he muttered as he flopped down onto his long-unused bed.

"Who was she?" 'Las asked, holding her bag and purse tightly against her chest. Her silver-blue eyes carefully masking her anxiety, she took in the sight of what her guardian called his room.

It was nothing like the one in Gaia. This room was large enough to fit her room and the living room of their apartment. One third was covered in tall grass, another in sand with a small pond-like structure in the middle, and finally carpetting. Sunlight streamed in through the glass roof overlooking the two-thirds of the room. It almost looked like someone loved being outdoors so much they brought as much of it inside.

Irlan observed his charge curiously, noting that despite her carefully blank expression her posture indicated she was feeling something. Was she actually scared?

"Marscha? She's my cousin," he replied nonchalantly, leaning back to stretch out. "I'd say it's good to be home, but with you getting in the way it's going to be hell."

Malas said nothing and remained standing.

Moment of silence passed, with Irlan shifting into various animal forms. He turned avian, albeit with some reptillian influences, then aquatic with arachnid qualities, and finally a normal feline. In each form he frollicked and prodded at the structure of his room, taking tentative sniffs before pouncing on the surfaces.

If Malas didn't know any better, she'd have thought Irlan was marking his territory. Odder still, Irlan would growl every so often that she was free to look around herself.

A knock interrupted this curious display of bonding between them and Irlan was instantly human. He ushered Malas towards the grass and instructed her to stay low and hidden among the tall blades.

Muttering oaths, Irlan quickly strode towards the door and opened it. It was Marscha.

Come on all you raw recruits!

Autsu put his foot down, bringing himself to an abrupt stop, and picking up his skateboard. This was his second stop at this particular location, the first one having yielded no response. He hadn't been sure he would revisit any of the no response houses, but his visit with Kian had given him new energy for the project.

And left him as confused as hell.

But, that was a thought for later. For dark, and fighting the dark.

Right now, there was a mission complete.

Absently, he settled and resettled his wings, in an attempt to look at least somewhat professional for what was to come. He'd found that some of the guardians weren't fond of allowing an unknown teenage boy with torn clothing into their house. But he was hardly going out skating in his nice things. Father was a forgiving man, but not that forgiving.

Briefly, he checked the list in his hand, reaffirming what he remembered from his last attempt. That should be their buzzer, right there. After a pause, he pressed it, hopefully.

Now, he just had to wait and see.

The buzzer rang, and it would continue to ring. There came no response from the tenants, perhaps they weren't home. For all intents and purposes, that might very well be the case. But it was only half-true.

Irlan wasn't inside his apartment, he was up on the roof, sunning himself in his cerulean-blue feline form. Aside from the few pigeons that roosted across him, the Silarian man was alone.

So where was his charge?

The sound of blades slicing grass came at a steady rhythm as Malas pushed the lawnmower over the lawn. She had been taking odd jobs to earn money to satisfy her addiction to candy. Her guardian didn't think to give her an allowance since she never went to school and he didn't care to let her go to one. There she was, mowing away, completely oblivious to her surroundings until she paused to catch her breath.

It was then she noticed the boy with the large wings. At first she didn't give him a second thought, but when she saw which buzzer he had been pressing she found herself curious.

"Can I help you?" she called out from where she stood.

Autsu turned quickly, all long limbs and feathers for a moment, and then he was looking at Malas. His hair fell in his face, mostly hiding his eyes, but there wasn't much to see in that serious and distant gaze. Focused as he was on his mission, he'd barely glanced at the girl as he approached, just long enough to mark her as a potential danger.

Now, as he actually studied her, he realized she matched the short description on the list that Archie had given him. It hadn't occured to him that his target might, indeed, be outside the house. And even now, he wasn't sure. This was Gaia, certainly many people had violet skin. It could be a coincidence. And he had not yet spoken to her long enough to pick up the vibe he often got from criminals, the feeling of old anger and supressed potential.

He could simply ask her, but he did not know the Gaian name of the one he was looking for, and he did not want to simply throw the one's past name about without permission. If she was other than the one he was looking for, he would be, in part, giving that one away.

"I am looking for one who resides here. But they are not answering." He replied, his tone neutral, his expression still serious.

Such a serious expression from one so young. It was not akin to Malas' own blank look, hers was borne from apathy and a general indifference to the entire two-legged population of Gaia. The winged boy's demeanor was more business-like, not exactly professional but it was far from casual.

At the revelation that she was the intended Malas quirked a curious brow. "Me?" she blinked as he introduced himself and spoke of the accursed program that kept her alive and trapped in this hideous, juvenile body. "I'm Malas, formerly called Mambabangungot."

Though she did not show it, Malas was thoroughly resentful of the ICRS and of her exile. She didn't know how long they would keep her on Gaia, or if she would even be allowed to return. She kept her expression unreadable, carefully masked her thoughts. And she nodded. "'Kay, what you wanna talk about?"

The lawnmower was forgotten momentarily.

And here was the part he still wasn't good at, even though he now represented six people, instead of just himself and Kian. Six who'd decided that this place simply wasn't enough. It came down to that, really. If they weren't going to be provided with a reason for this strange existance, then it fell on them to make one.

"There are some of us that aren't... content with things as they are." He said, after being invited to explain himself. His words were measure, chosen with care. He didn't like the roll of recruiter or leader, but at least he did he did his best as it. "We're trying to figure out what to do, what we can do, now that we're stuck here. We can't simply be kids. We aren't children."

"I've been speaking with everyone who arrived here through the ICRS, to see if they want to be part of our unit."

The militant language still played at the edges of his speech, though as yet, his 'army' did not have a military purpose.

Malas listened with rapt attention, while she did not entirely agree with Autsu's idea that they had to do something, she did share the sentiments that they weren't children. At the word 'unit', Malas' expression changed into that of fear. It reminded her of her home, of how she failed in her mission back at her home planet, of how she was never good enough there.

"Why?" Was all the emerald-haired girl said, her hand once again reaching for the lawnmower.

Once again her face became unreadable, but her hand clenched tightly on the machine's handle. Tight enough to turn her knuckles pale-red.

While Autsu wasn't excellent at reading people, he also wasn't an idiot. So he did catch that something he had said had bothered Malas, even if it he had no idea what exactly it was. Well, he would have to step more carefully. And if this was not something that interested her, very well. Not everyone suffered from the same restlessness, and that too, was okay.

They'd still be welcome, when he and Kian got things set up.

"Boredom, maybe. And solidarity." He took a step back from her, in the hopes that giving her some space might make her feel more comfortable. "We want to look out for each other. Our pasts differ, but all of us came here unwilling, and went through the trauma of being forced back into infanthood. We think the young ones, especially, could use some support."

He shrugged, his wings rustling as he did so. "We're still looking for a concrete purpose. But some of us don't like drifting."

Malas felt more at ease when Autsu stepped back, it wasn't that she feared him per se. It was the memories he managed to make her remember that bothered her. She had managed to push them deep into the back of her mind where her thoughts rarely reached except in the late, stillness of the night. The mere fact he caused her to recall the Commander and all her failed missions made the emerald-haired girl desperate for distraction.

Again the blades sliced at the grass, but since it was not the motorized sort they would still be able to speak without needing to raise their voice too much.

"What exactly will looking out for each other entail?" she asked, silver-lined eyes avoiding Autsu's.

"We aren't sure yet," Autsu admitted. His voice, already serious, took on an edge of frustration. That question again. Maybe he and Kian should have come up with a concrete plan before gathering help. But they knew what they wanted. They wanted the company of their peers, and a real purpose. Peers had proved easier to locate than purpose. "We want to create a gathering place. A neutral territory where we can be safe among our own kind. Other who share the same difficulties in this life."

"I would like to think we would stand up for each other. But--" Another one of those rustling shrugs. "I know many of us are not of that mindset. But if we could talk to the new parents, and be there for the new children. Be there for each other--"

"I can not go home. Gaia is all I have. I would make a place in it for us."

Malas processed the information as she pushed the lawnmower over the crass. While she wanted nothing more than to focus on the metal blades slicing the floral blades, she had to give Autsu's words her attention. "Neutral territory? Is there such a thing?" she murmured beneath her voice, "Does your guardian mistreat you so much that you feel the need to band together?" She found herself asking.

She stopped as the lawnmower jammed on a stone and she backtracked, grunting as her slender limbs pulled at the handle.

"But are you saying that we won't be going back to our real home?" At this Malas felt torn. While she longed to be with her own kind, she also realized she had nothing there. Nothing but empty promises and back-stabbing superiors. But she could always sate the void within her by draining others.

What did Gaia have to offer?

Her guardian was neither affectionate nor cruel, but he was a window of new experiences. She had made acquaintances who did not look down on her simply for not being as powerful or useful as they were.

"I am very close to my father." He shook his head, hair falling down into his eyes. This conversation was wandering in circles, and he was not built for debate. It was the Ex' who planned, who lead, who created. Di' simply implimented their plans. And if things were going nowhere, if he really couldn't explain himself clearly, then why were they still talking?

"But he is not us. He can not understand. Neither can Anne's parental. Does your guardian understand what it means to be as you are?" He looked away from her, up toward the sky, searching for words in the clouds. "I do not wish to push you to join us. I only wanted you to know of us. Even if you don't wish to be a part, you will still be welcome, when we build our gathering hall."

He did not appear to be ready to answer her second question, allowing the silence to grow, cut down only by the sound of Malas's mower.

When he spoke, his voice was quiet, introspective. "This is exile, permanent. For me. Your world is not mine, I do not know, for you."

Malas sighed and blew her hair out of her eyes, she didn't do well with requests. They always made her think for herself. It was not something instinct would have no problem answering or have no issues coming up. Logic failed her, at least Gaian logic did.

"I don't know if my exile is permanent, I've been instructed to survive." She began, "If I were to enlist in your ranks, would I have the power to leave anytime I wished if my people summoned me back?"

Autsu's answer would make up her mind for her.

No longer introspective, Autsu returned his gaze to Malas, and nodded. He wasn't smiling, but his expression was not quite so cold as it had been when they first began talking. Some of the militant edge had left him, if only because he was being careful not to spook her again.

"There will be no bonds on you, no obligations. We only wish a variety of..." He paused as he searched for the right word. "Outlooks. And a chance to help each other. Learn from each other."

He watched the mower instead of the girl, "It's an offer of a place with comrades, nothing more."

Malas mulled over Autsu's words, no obligations meant she had all the freedom in the world to stay or leave. She wasn't certain whether she preferred the responsibilities of making her own decision or the restrictive rules that were normally imposed whenever she was 'invited' to something.

"Alright, I shall enlist myself in your unit, but just answer me one last question: Will there be candy?"

This was, admittedly, not the question he had been expecting. The randomness of it caught him short, and he simply blinked at the girl for a moment, as he tried to figure out what she could possibly mean. Surely it wasn't actually a simple request for sweets?

But so it seemed to be. At least, he could figure out what else what might be meant by it.

"Candy can be provided, yes." Certainly, it wouldn't be a difficult thing to obtain, either from Father or Brother. They would be happy to assist.

Did that close their conversation, then? It seemed to have. "I will contact you soon, then." He stated, stepping back again, and setting a foot on his skateboard. "Hopefully when we have obtained a meeting place."

Malas nodded in understanding and went back to mowing the lawn. Her face remained expressionless, but inside she was beaming. Candy~

She hadn't meant to sound utterly random, but if she were to be part of this unit she wanted something in return. It wasn't as if they were of the same kind, albeit by definition they were. She had no obligation to cooperate and he certain wasn't being authoritative or demanding enough to merit her obedience. So the candy would have to do.

Storybooks + Candy + Park = ?

on going PD with Rahine

Almost At Puberty

The day began like any other day for the two beings living in the apartment. One spent most of the morning on the roof deck to sun himself, the other started making breakfast.

Memories, All Alone In The Moonlight

On-going? ORP

Holiday Happenings

Gist: So. Christmas. Whut?