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Wren was in the Legend HQ, sitting on the couch he wasn't familiar with, but trying to get comfortable one way or another. Lafe's crying had intensified over past few days. Though he had a habit of working himself up, then falling asleep, it had left Wren without much sleep -- though it didn't look like it.

Lafe was currently in his crying mode, Wren sitting on the couch with the fox-child in his lap, singing ( surprisingly well ) under his breath to try and soothe him. It just wasn't working, but he was trying, because every so often Lafe would focus on him.

It had worked last time he had come here, the baby had gone quiet and fallen asleep, but now -- with this walk -- it just wasn't working.

It was the oddest thing really. Halo had been inside playing with Otium and Mael (well trying to.. Mael wasn't cooperating yet) and realized she was on the last couple of diapers for the children. Wren had just gone out with the new one, Lafe, to try and soothe his crying.

And of course Wren had forgotten his cell phone..

The woman left the kids under Freyr's watchful eye and headed out in hopes of either catching Wren or picking up the diapers herself.. and as she opened the door.. something was watching her with glowing purple eyes through the darkness.

The baby boy was seated on the doorstep, unaffected by the nighttime cold, and just staring at her with his remarkable lavendar eyes. His skin was pale as death and his hair was so black that it blended with with black coat he wore. His tiny hands rested on top of a box containing 4 compartments. He didn't make a sound. Just stared.

Now here she was. She'd never even got the diapers! This baby had shown up and by the dust on his coat he appeared to have crawled straight up the stairs of the house!


"Wren?" Halo looked around the Legend HQ for her husband a bit uneasily. What was it with kids just showing up at their house? Especially creepy evil looking ones... Though she admitted he was cute.

"This baby followed me home." Alex was still against the woman, still holding the wooden box in his arms.

Demare cautiously peered into the headquarters, his bi-colored eyes glancing about to see if he could find anyone familiar. His ears had immediately filled with the sounds of a baby crying, however, and it was a little hard to concentrate...

"What the hell is that racket?" Demian demanded, the two red eyes open slightly. He could see, but things looked very different through the strange colored eyes.

"I believe it's quite obvious," Clare sighed, stepping into the lobby quickly and standing away from the door in case he might be in anybody's way. Looking around again for a moment, he recognized the two on the couch. "It seems Wren and Lafe are here today."

"That little cry baby?" the demon snorted. This trip was a waste of his time.

"Demian, give it a rest..." Oddly enough, the child wasn't in the mood for his other half's antics today. "You've been complaining all day how you wanted to get outside, and you've done nothing but whine all the way here. If you're so angry about everything, why don't you just allow me some peace for a bit?"

"Because THAT would be too easy."

"Right, I forgot... You have to make my life difficult."

Taking one more look around the lobby, Demare noticed someone unfamilar. A woman speaking with Wren, carrying a pale child in very dark clothing. A pitch black that just seemed to eat all the light around the baby, in his eyes, and a dark feeling that just leaked into the air. Who was that...? Curiously, the halfling Legend slowly made his way closer to the couch, his bi-colored eyes fixated on the child in question.

No, see, they had kids that related to -- no, that wasn't something that needed to cross Wren's mind. The red-head all most instantly stopped his singing to Lafe, looking up at Halo with wide eyes, wider behind the lenses of his glasses.

"He followed you home?" Wren asked slowly, eyes looking down from his wife's face and to the baby in his arms. He looked, well, evil, but his eyes were rather compelling. They glowed, even reminded him of -- Wren shook his head, derailing that train of thought. "Anything with him? Besides that box?" As in, was there something to give them a hint about what was going on.

And somehow, Wren had missed it, but the moment Lafe squirmed around enough in his arms to focus on the other baby, the crying stopped. It died down to sniffles and Lafe was all ready nuzzling up against Wren's shirt absently to fix that. Darkened silver eyes were focused on this new baby, intently.

Halo looked at the abrupt end to the crying and blinked. "He stopped.." She said idly before shaking her head.

"Well we are running out of diapers.. You know you were supposed to pick some up.. But I opened the door and he was staring at me. Just like that. And he had this box. It has carvings in the lid but I can't open it. I tried. His coat was all dirty. I think he crawled right up the steps. Some kid huh?"

The little boy stared at Lafe and then a small smile spread over his face and he raised a tiny hand and made a grabby wave at him. He started to squirm in Halo's arms to be brought over, so she complied and walked to the couch.

"He --" Wren blinked, torn between looking at the new child and Lafe who wasn't crying, and helpfully drying his nose on his shirt. Gee, thanks. Lafe was quiet though, no longer crying, eyes all most completely dry. It was, well, amazing.

And was that Demare that had just come in? Wren gave a curious look, about to say something to both him and Halo before Lafe let out a noise that sounded suspiciously happy -- HAPPY -- particularly as the Halo drew closer. He was squirming rapidly in Wren's arms, tail swishing back and forth, and he all most crawled out the demon's grip.

"... uh." Wren just blinked, not quite sure.

"I think we're missing something." Halo was really taken by surprise by the children's reactions. She sat down on the couch and set the child in her arms down next to her, between she and Wren.

"I guess I better name him." She glanced over at Demare and offered the strange boy a smile.

As he was noticed, a small smile curled up on Demare's lips, lifting his left hand to wave his fingers in a hello.

"Forgive me... I hope I'm not interrupting anything," he appologized, his wings fidgetting a little bit as his eyes turned down toward the two babies. Interesting... He never imagined the company of another child would calm Lafe down.

"It's all right, Demare, just ... um. Another addition to the family, I guess." The demon spoke to the boy, giving him a smile before looking towards his wife and trying to wrangle the squirming child in his arms. "This is Demare, Halo, I met him when I was here last time. I mentioned him to you."

Hawk's Eye, of course, found the perfect time to interrupt them. The wisp moved forward, out of the comfort of Wren's shadow, towards the new baby. It was another interesting baby, one that probably wouldn't make grabby hands at him -- he hoped.

Wren stared suspiciously at Hawk's Eye, feeling the curiousity and the amusement. He all most tensed, expecting something, but nothing came, and instead he spoke up to Halo, finally coming up with an idea for a name.

"Maybe you should name him --"

The campfire of the traveling pair was approached slowly, all most cautiously, as if the one approaching was cautious of actually revealing himself. Except the ones that were watching him didn't show any emotion on their faces that spoke of ill will or dislike, except for the curiousity on the face of the hooded figure.

"You've got us at a disadvantage, since we're sure you know our names, but we've no clue what yours is." The elder spoke, giving a glance to his traveling companion. The hood slipped down, a glimpse of silver eyes, but more importantly somebody playing with a white tail. He merely nodded in agreement, still watching the newcomer.

Taking a breath, that wasn't really necessary, he spoke. "Alejandro. My name is Alejandro." And then, he really stepped forward into the light of the campfire to join the two for the evening.

"Alejandro?" Wren voiced aloud, dazed for a second, all most instantly glaring at Hawk's Eye. The little thing was about to get hit, he didn't need to get bombarded when he hadn't gotten any sleep. Except in the moments that it took for the vision to flicker and fade in his mind, Lafe had all ready scrambled out of his lap and towards the space between him and Halo. He paused, eyes peering at the other, and reached out to pat him with a hand cautiously, before a small smile was on his face.

"Hi Demare.. I'm Halo, Wren's wife." She waved and motioned for him to come over before looking at the children. The little boy looked up at Wren when he said the name and apparently Halo took that as confirmation that the name fit.

"Alejandro it is then. Thats a mouthful though. Alex for short." She reached down and fluffed the little boy's black hair.

Alex set his box aside finally and clapped his tiny hands together, smiling widely to show a pair of pretty hazardous looking fangs in his mouth.

"There," Demian blurted out, the red eyes opening a little more. "That thing right there..."

"What are you talking about...?" Clare asked, his eyes searching for something unknown.

"That little shadow... Don't you see it?"

"...No, I'm afraid I don't. Lately, I haven't been seeing ANY shadows, remember? It's like my eyes are purposfully blocking out darkness for some reason."

"That's because you're not controlling your power. The light's eating all of the shadows."

"I'm... not quite sure what you mean."

"Oh, forget it! I'll explain it later!"

Demare blinked a few times, a bit puzzled by Wren's suggestion to name the baby. There was something odd about that... like it wasn't something that just came to him. Never the less, he smiled once more to Halo.

"It's a pleasure to meet you, ma'am," he said politely, bowing his head a little bit as he stepped over to stand next to the couch.

"... yeah, yeah," Wren muttered, rubbing his head and swatting at the wisp that was all ready floating back to the bits of his shadow. "Blame Pierce," he finally said aloud to Halo, obviously meaning Hawk's Eye. Which meant explaining more later. He sighed, but finally gave Demare a warmer smile. "It is a good name though," a small admittance.

Lafe, of course, wasn't paying attention. He had settled comfortably into a nice little niche between Wren and Alejandro. He didn't even looked phased by the fangs ( and if he had been, it wouldn't have showed ), but instead wriggled forward to get closer, tail still swishing from side to side and batting both Wren's side and Alex's shoulder. He let out that happy noise of his again, something of a growl and a coo at the same time. Certainly ... interesting.

Halo looked at them both and shook her head. "I'm stumped." Bloodstone of course peered up over her shoulder when Hawk's Eye had appeared and then sunk back down into being hidden. Thankfully she hardly got horrible side effects from her fiend.

She decided, since the boys were fine, to look at Demare. "You're a legend too Demare, I assume. It's good to meet you. Especially with Alex. Someone he can get to know.. well besides Lafe here. They seem to uh.. well have hit it off well."

Alex reached his hand to Lafe's tail and petted it nicely, running his fingers through the thick white fur.

Demare nodded to confirm her assumption. "Yes, I'm also a Legend," he explained. "A... little different from the others, but the same none the less. And Alex sounds like a nice name for him." I get the feeling he and Demian might get along... I guess we'll see.

The halfling couldn't help but chuckle a little bit at the two babies, nearly overwhelmed with how cute they looked. Did Neko used to think that about him when he was a baby himself...? True enough, she would always call him her little angel, but somehow it was hard to imagine if he'd ever been like that.

"It looks like they'll be good friends... I wonder if they knew each other in the past?"

"It's possible."

"If they were, I guess that makes them a little like us, doesn't it? Except, they were born seperate..."

"...It kinda makes me jealous."

"What?"

Demian didn't reply. What'd he mean by that...? Clare decided not to question it for now, as he didn't want to start arguing here.

No, see. It wasn't horrible side effects. Hawk's Eye was revenge and that was that.

"... you're stumped, sure." Wren sighed, lifting his glasses and rubbing his eyes a bit. "This just makes my brain shut down completely." He shook his head, leaning back against the couch and only glancing at the two babies out of the corner of his eye then to Demare, before closing his eyes for a brief moment to rest. They were all fine, and -- no -- he wasn't going to sleep.

Lafe's small smile widened a little, tail slowly it's rapid movement since Alex had started to pet it. His ears twitched, another little happy noise made.

Halo smiled at the babies but leaned over to kiss her husband on the temple, "Take a nap love. We'll live without you."

Alex looked up at his new mother as she leaned over himself and Lafe but just went back to putting his attention on the other. He moved his hand from the tail to grab a fox-ear very gently. He rubbed his fingers over the soft fur and then into the other's hair.

Halo turned to Demare. "You can come over and see them if you'd like. Probably easier to see them now that there isn't any crying." She chuckled.

Demare blushed slightly, feeling a bit embarressed. "Ah, s-sorry... I'd just wanted to give them their space," he explained, smiling a little bit as he moved to stand in front of the couch, then took a seat on the floor where he wouldn't be in Halo or Wren's way.

He seemed to be intent on watching the two, his left wing ruffling its pure white feathers while the black leathery bat wing curled around his right shoulder a little bit. He could feel Demian's annoyance with him being here, but Clare was just happy to have a little silence in his mind. Even the dagger at his side was generally calm, as if it were resting.

A part of Clare wanted desperately to speak with the two new legends. To speak, and be understood... However, he remembered what it was like to not be able to talk back properly to those around him, struggling to say simple words like 'hello'. It couldn't hurt, though, right? To just say something...

"Hello..." he started rather softly, a little slowly, as he smiled a little bit. "My name is Demare."

Wren might've murmured something, but apparently he was able to doze off that quickly. His glasses slid from being on his forehead to actually being on his nose properly. For the moment, he was out like a light. Besides, it would just take a prod to get him going.

Lafe only sunk down some when Halo leaned over to mess with his father, as it were. Of course, he also had to tilt his head to the grabbing of his ear, but unlike with Mael, there wasn't an ear piercing baby-scream let loose. Instead, he just giggled, head tilting and pressing up into the hand.

His ear cocked in Demare's direction at the sound of speech, one silvery-blue eye also looking at him in curiousity. He, vaguely, remembered this one.

Alex turned his head to look at Demare but it was sort of a side look because he'd moved over to lean up and gnaw on Lafe's ear. Apparently he was one of those babies that shoved everything in his mouth.

He nibbled and gnawed and looked quite unphase that he'd get fur in his mouth. He didn' know Demare.. though he was interesting to look at.

Halo made a face. "Oi.. Alex.. Fur." But the baby continued. She just shook her head. "Kids."

Demare only blinked a few times as he watched the child gnaw on the other's ears, trying so hard not to laugh. This one was... funny. And a part of him was reminded of For'mir back at home.

"I... I guess he likes to chew on things...?" he tried to reason, still amused by the action.

Lafe's tail thwacked Alex, all most as if saying 'Oi!', but the fox-child only squirmed a little before letting it continue on not bothered. By that point, though, he was all ready crawling to situate himself somewhat on and against Alex. Like any canine might do if it was petted properly and could do.

His eyes, while briefly focused on Alex, went back to Demare. Mostly looking at his face, as if he could figure it all out by just looking.

"I hope he doesn't start gnawing on the furiture or something. I don't need fang holes in the apholstery." Halo chuckled and glanced at the boys as Lafe climbed all over Alex.

".I think they will be a handful already." Halo picked up the wooden box Alex had come with and looked all over the top and sides.

Alex gnawed and didn't care that Lafe was crawling all over him. He looked at Demare innocently.. but it made you wonder how innocent he really was.

Clare immediately recognized that look. Demian used to do that all the time when they were still alive... The innocent, decietful look, right before he'd smack him in the back of the head. Sadly enough, Clare had fallen for it every time.

He couldn't help but chuckle a little bit, however, and he reached a hand cautiously over to see if he could pat Alex on the head.

Somehow, some of the words the seemed to come through his partially asleep mind registered, and Wren was rubbing at his eyes to wake up. "... not to," he yawned, "interrupt or anything, but somebody mentioned diapers needing to be bought?" He glanced at Demare, giving him a small sheepish grin -- probably for falling asleep, but who knows?

Of course, looking at Alex and Lafe, well, that just lead to him blinking rapidly. "Er. He chews. Lafe doesn't mind ..." It was amazing, really. The baby wasn't crying -- and sweet not so kind deities, he could sleep again. "I'll go get them, lover, but I'll leave Lafe here. ... you know, less of a headache." He pressed a quick kiss to Halo's forehead and waved to Demare. "You should come by, Demare, if you want to visit the kids sometime. And I'll see you, Halo. Don't cause too much trouble." Freeeeeeedom.

Lafe just glanced up at his moving and departing father, not even really interested in him at the moment. Instead, he actually seemed to scrunch down some when Demare's hand came closer to Alex, slinking closer to the other baby, but was otherwise quiet. He was cuddling close, in any case, a tiny yawn escaping.

Halo kissed her hubby on the chin when he kissed her on the head and watched him flee. She smiled a bit. "he hasn't had much sleep with Lafe being so fussy. I guess we found out why. Pretty wierd huh?"

Alex made a point that only his head was touched and blocked any way of touching Lafe. He did let his head be patted though and his dark hair was spikey, fluffy and very very soft.

Demare was a little surprised by how soft the hair was, seeing how spike it was. It made him smile, however, and to make Lafe feel better again, he took his hand back away.

"I... can understand, I think," he admitted, looking up at Halo for a moment. "Maybe Lafe had... missed Alex? Being reborn and left without his friend, I'm sure it must have felt awful if that was the case." I wonder if Demian felt that way when we first arrived...

"They must be tied together somehow if that's the case." Halo tilted her head to look at the boys. Now that they had found eachother they seemed quite comfortable. The two had settled back against the couch and now looked like they were falling asleep.

Lafe was curled up as much on Alex as he cound be and the vampire boy had his arms over top of Lafe defensively. Alex yawned large and showed his tiny fangs. Lafe was already snoozing.

"It makes you wonder what happened that seperated them." Halo petted Alex's head as he blinked sleepily at Demare.

Demare only now noticed the fangs, and Alex's brilliant eyes. They were beautiful... such a bright contrast against the boy's pale skin. Like he's never seen the light of day... Just like For'mir...

The child almost opened his mouth to speak, but decided against it. His answer for something like that would have simply been that the two had died, because there wasn't any other way he could see the two seperating willingly. Instead, he offered something else.

"Perhaps... they became lost?" he suggested. "It's hard to tell the sort of thing right now, but... in most cases, a Legend's past is revealed to them slowly throughout their new lives. Maybe you'll find out what happened that way?"

Halo nodded. "Yes.. I'm sure I'll find out. These two are so new. It just makes me wonder. Especially with the surprise of them two .. knowing eachother it seems."

Alex's bright eyes finally closed and his tiny hands gripped Lafe's shirt lightly as if for comfort. He had a long day and he was tired!

Halo looked at the boy's sleeping and smiled. "I should get them home to bed. It's getting a bit late for me as well.. I had to get up early this morning." She smiled at the boy.

"You should come by our house sometime. You can visit the boys. We have two others as well, slightly older. And Freyr seems like he's around your age. You two may get along." The mohawked woman ran a hand through her dark hair and idly played with one of her horns.

"It was very nice to meet you. You'll be alright here by yourself?"

Demare smiled at the invite, his wings twitching a little bit. "I'll keep that in mind, ma'am," he said politely, nodding a little bit. "I'd love to see them again once they're all situated with their surroundings."

"Er, yes... I'll be just fine," he then assured her, standing himself up off of the floor. "I'll be heading home pretty soon, myself."

"Don't call me ma'am! Call me Halo, please. Ma'am makes me feel so.. old." She gave the boy a grin and reached out to ruffle his hair lightly.

Halo finally got up and looked at the boy's unsure of how to do this with them all latched all over eachother. She put her hands on Lafe and Alex immediately opened his eyes and gave her a look.

"I have to pick you both up. time to go home, crazy."

Alex uncurled his fingers from Lafe's clothes and let his mother pick the baby pooka up and tuck him in her arm. He shifted and frowned and cracked his eyes, looking for Alex. The other was soon to come and luckily they were still small enough that she could manage them both with a long arm (she thanked her parents that she was so lanky). Alex once more put his arms over Lafe but made a point to keep his eyes open so no one would bother the sleeping Lafe.

"Silly kids."

She held Alex's box under her one arm. Quite a handful!

Demare gently rested a hand on top of his head when his hair was ruffled, bi-colored eyes watching the woman gather up the other two boys. They had good guardians, it seemed... Good parents. Smiling, he wished them a silent safe trip home as he watched them leave.

"Hello?" Calling softly into the room, Aki pushed open the door...yanking her foot back abruptly as Levi pushed past. The boy crawled swiftly towards the nearest chair, pulling himself up to stand with a bit of a sway.

"Ewwo?" The young pirate mimicked, one hand still upon the seat of the chair for balance as he peered into the room curiously. He remembered this place distantly...he'd been here before! But...where was the ball?

Taking a few steps in, hefting her sling bag to rest more comfortably against her hip, Aki made her way over to her charge. "I'm going to take a look around...why don't you stay put, and I'll be right back?" Brushing the hair out of his eyes and patting his cheek gently, Aki beamed at Levi's scrunched displeasure. She didn't truly expect him to do as he was told, but the effort had to be made. Besides...she'd only be a moment!

Heading for the door to the next adjoining room, Aki called out once more. "I hope it's okay that I let myself in!" She resisted the urge to check the address on the note Sinclaire had left her...she'd already checked it three times, and was almost sure she was in the right place.

Levi, however, had no such doubts. Reaching up to grip the edge of the table, walking himself around to the other side toward the shelves, the young pirate pulled curiously on the spine of a tucked book...giggling in delight as the entire stack topped forward. "Eheheh!!!"

"Aww, not already! Just 10 seconds, that's all I ask!!"

Demare struggled to open the door, carefully craddling the squirming baby in his arms. Ugh... this was hard... but what other choice did he have? Neko and Domonic were having a silly argument that was getting out of hand, and Clare felt it would be best to take Manior with him while he stepped out for a bit. No sense in letting the kid see his parents fighting, right? ...Little did he know how heavy the playful child could be from carrying him for so long.

Once the door was finally open, the halfing child quickly stepped into the lobby, stepping out of the way as the door closed itself. Okay... hard part was over. Now what to do...? His bi-colored eyes began to inspect the area for a moment, wondering if anyone was around. ...Was that someone new?? There was an unfamiliar baby there, and an older woman he'd never seen before. Hmmm... At least Manny would have someone to play with. Smiling a little bit, Demare shifted the baby in his arms and made his way towards the people in question.

Manior's soft blue eyes began to take in the new surroundings of the strange place that wasn't home. Where was he? Where did the funny boy decide to take him? And where was the kitty lady and the pretty man? Shaking his rattle a little bit, the small baby wiggled about in Demare's arms, wanting down.

"Hold on, Manny," Demare said quietly, thinking maybe it was best to set the child down on the couch to be safe. "I'll put you down in a minute, okay?"

In a minute? ...What was a minute?

Aki spun at the muffled leafy clatter of books, sighing as thoughts of a first impression crossed her mind. What if she didn't get it picked up by the time-

"Oh! Hello!! I...sorry about the mess!" Pink graced her cheeks as she abruptly noticed the boy and waved a hand towards Levi sheepishly. "I'm Aki! This is Levi. Are you...?"

She left the question unfinished, for in truth, she didn't know what to make of the newcomer! Nor the squirming child in his arms. She realized the feeling was probably mutual...there went her hopes of a good first impression!

Twisting from where he sat before his pile of books, Levi rested his weight on one hand and stared...blue eyes wide with wonder. Now here was something interesting!! Finally grinning, fox eyed, Levi pointed towards Demare and his mismatched wings.

"Pishin!! Eh!"

Aki could only wince.

...Minute was up! Manior began to squirm and struggle against Demare's strong arms, deciding now was his turn to start exploring this new world.

"MYAAAAAA!" he squealed, his tabby ears folding back flat against his bald head as he tried to get down.

"Hello, ma'am," Demare began to say before the baby began to squirm about. "And Levi... My name i--MANNY! Manny, calm down!"

Wiggle, wiggle, wiggle... The demon child began to wave his rattle around, demanding to be let go.

"MAAAAA!"

"S-stop it! I m-might..." he started, twisting about a little bit to keep his arms around the kid. He was so squirmish!! And so wriggl--whoops!! Manior was successful in freeing himself, dropping to the floor.

"ACK!!"

Good for him, he was part cat! The kitten-like child plopped right onto his diaper padded bum unharmed, his little tail beginning to flick around wildly. His ears perked up as he blinked, glacing around the room from the floor. FREE!! Now, time to explore! Leaning forward, the curious baby began to crawl on his hands and knees, but not before sticking the stick of his rattle into his mouth to carry.

Demare grasped at his heart as he took heavy breathes, having been scared to death about dropping his "brother". Oh goodness! Neko would have punished him if something had happened... Taking a couple of deep breathes to calm down, he straightened himself out as his wings stretched and ruffled behind his back. Looking to the woman again, blushing with embarressment, he was about to start his introduction again until Levi spoke up.

"...Pishin?" he questioned, lifting a hand to point toward himself as he looked at the oddly dressed babe. Now he was really confused...

"Ah! It's...it's a term of endearment?" Shrugging helplessly, Aki tugged on a strap and moved her bag around to her front. Rummaging through it quickly, she finally produced a pouch of goldfish crackers and relinquished them gladly to Levi's grabby hands. With any luck, that would keep him silent! Pishin indeed!

Straightening once more to catch the boys name, Aki gasped and jumped as the baby plopped to the ground. Meeting Demare's look with one equally shocked, Aki sighed in relief as the little one crawled away. "That was lucky!!"

Levi dropped his hand, distracted from the odd winged child by the odd baby crawling his way. The odd, cat eared baby...

"Eeeere kikiki!!" Slapping the ground before him with his empty hand enticingly, Levi grinned at his discovery. A pigeon boy and a kitten baby! Who knew such things existed!!

Aki groaned and rubbed at one eye with the palm of her hand. How could such a cute boy be so rude?!

As he heard the odd sounds emmitting from the dark dressed baby near the tall lady, Manior stopped in mid-crawl, one tiny hand curling up a little like a paw. His ears twitched a little bit as his baby blues rested on the other boy, his tail wagging a little behind him. He was calling him? He made funny noises! It was time to investigate.

Turning his direction a little bit, Manior began to crawl toward the child, his curiosity overpowering anything else he'd wanted to check out. Was this another thing like himself? A small person like himself? As he neared, the baby stopped once more, plopping backward onto his tush as he took the rattle out of his mouth. Hmmm... was it safe? The demon began to sniff the air a little bit, trying to pick up the strange creature's scent. It smelled of... salt. Sniff sniff... and water? ...Ooooo! And a hint of fish! A soft purr could be heard coming from the child as he shifted his body again to crawl even closer to the child, sniffing curiously at the interesting smelling baby. Mmmm, cheesy too. Was he made of fish and dairy?

For a long moment, Demare was distracted by the babies, the look on his face that of amusment as Manior sniffed at Levi. He never did that at home... Looking to Aki one last time, he refrained from laughing as he tried once again to introduce himself.

"I'm sorry... My name is Demare, and that's my "brother", Manior," he said politely, bowing his head slightly to the woman. "I-it's certainly nice to meet you and Levi, ma'am."

"Demare and...Manior? What distinguished names! It's a pleasure!" Her ears dipped as her smile deepened. That hadn't gone as badly as she'd feared!!

Crackers crunching in his off hand as he leaned forward, Levi did just as Aki had taught him. Holding his empty hand out for a moment for the kitty to sniff, Levi made gentle scritchy motions...reaching for the fuzzy ear.

Once again, Aki caught her breath as she glanced to Levi. Trying to pet little Manior?! Chewing her lip, Aki didn't interfere...if Manior objected, she was sure he'd make it known. Levi could learn his own lesson, in this.

"Eh kiki!" Giggling, Levi pushed forward the last bit, amused at the thought of making a kitty friend. Kitties were better than pigeons, he decided. The pigeons always flew away!

Manior continued to purr as Levi reached out for his ear, rather content with the smell of fish. This one was niiiice, and he did ear scritches. Aaaaah, ear scritches were heaven... His purring got even louder as Manior got enough more kitten like and flopped down right into Levi's lap, laying on his stomach as his tail flicked happily.

At this Demare chuckled a little bit, folding his hands behind his back in a similar fashion that a little girl would without really thinking about it. His white wing fluffed itself a little bit while the black leathery wing curled down a little bit to rest on his shoulder.

"You'll have to excuse him... He tends to think he's a kitten instead of a baby," he said with a smile, rocking on his feet a little bit. "He hasn't really met any one outside of the family yet, either."

For a moment he was quiet, intent on watching the little ones while he thought. Levi... looked like something he'd seen in one of the story books Neko bought for Manior. Bandana, dark cloak, dark clothing...

"Is... he new?" he decided to ask, turning his bi-colored eyes to Aki curiously.

Raife found herself -despite apparently appearing like a male martial artist- at the end of a weary day, at the doorstep of the Legends HQ. She scratched her chin a bit. She'd heard about this place a few times. Where children that would one day be something more than they seemed gathered. Certainly there was no reason why she, a normal, slightly strange individual should be anywhere near the place. Nevertheless, she picked herself up by her bootstraps and charged inside.

She was quite disappointed with what she saw. No kids flying through the air shooting lighting bolt blasts at each other. No hypnotic rays. Just two young women and two young boys, one a child, one a baby. They appeared to be normal, in all sense of the world...well, unless you counted the strange wings coming out of the child and his overall unearthly appearance.

Okay, so maybe it wasn't QUITE normal. She peered around hesitantly. Was she allowed to go in? Was there some sort of hideous forcefield that would zap her if she tried?

"Hmm.....Hi?" She ventured weakly at anyone who'd answer.

"All that matters is that they're getting along. I'm so glad! As for 'new'...it depends on your point of view."

The pale elf trailed off as she met his unusual eyes, surprise brightening her expression. How unique!! "I...um, he's been with me for just over a week, now! So, new to me perhaps." Ending with a smile, she turned to glance once more at the younglings. They were getting on fine, thankfully!

"Have you been here before?" Waving her hand vaguely, Aki shifted her gaze back to Demare. He was so striking, but she didn't wish to stare!

Levi patted Manior's head, finally remembering the crumbled goldfish in his other hand. Uncurling his fingers slowly, he paused in his scritching to poke the largest cracker pieces...plucking one from the pile and crunch into his mouth!

"Hmm?" Lowering his hand, Levi displayed the remaining broken pieces with a questioning grunt. There were more than enough to share...Aki's bag never seemed to run out of snacks!

Jumping a bit at the sudden voice, Aki twisted to peer at the door...grinning in relief at the sight of someone apparently as lost and uncertain as herself! Waving unnecessarily, Aki beamed.

"Hi there!"

"Hey! I'm not going to get zapped to smoking barbeque bits if I step in here, am I?" Raife asked nervously, but cheerfully, smiling. "I heard about this place and I wanted to check it out......but not if I'm going to get fried by some protective invisible forcefield." She added the last part hastily, grinning a bit over at the little boy with goldfish. Mmm. Goldfish. Her favorite snack. It was certainly no coincidence that she knew no less than THREE Goldfish commercial jingles.

She wondered if they still could taste good with sticky baby hand goo on them. Well, the baby seemed to be enjoying them alright. She crouched down to watch them on their level.

Demare's attentioned turned toward the door for a moment as it opened. Not wanting to interrupt Aki as the new woman spoke, the child simply waved his hand, hoping that would be signal enough that it would be okay to come inside.

"Me? I've been here lots of times," he responded, folding his hand back behind his back. "Neko used to take me a lot when I was a baby, but lately I've been coming by myself."

New to her? "Levi lived somewhere else before?"

Manior opened his eyes a little bit as the scritches stopped, slightly disappointed but a little more surprised as something was held in front of his face. What were those in the boy's hand? He began to sniff a little bit, smelling the cheesy smell he'd smelled earlier. Ooo! Dairy! Peering up at Levi for a moment, he blinked once before looking back to the hand, reaching up his tiny fingers to grasp a crushed cracker and stuffed it into his mouth. ...How did people eat these again? Taking his now slobbery hand out after a moment, he wondered what to do next as he felt the cracker melt in his mouth a little bit. Was this where he was supposed to swallow? ...Maybe. Manior waited, instead, to see if it would melt completely.

Raife took the signal from the strange and eerily cute looking little boy to come inside, and did. She peered around with the curiosity of an animal exploring new surroundings. Fortunately, she had enough social experience to squelch her primal desire to want to sniff everything.

Okay, maybe she needed to get out more anyway.

She smiled at the other young woman there, pleasantly. "Are they yours? They're adorable." Of course, by saying "Are they yours?" She was hoping she wouldn't throw her off by telling her something like, 'No, you've stumbled into an international strange looking child smuggling ring.' Or, 'No, their parents just walked off and left them here." It was more or less a strange breed of rhetorical question that actually needed an answer. But the little boys certainly were cute.

Aki nodded at Demare, but her gaze was upon the newcomer. Forcefields? Now Aki was beginning to worry. What kind of place was this!?

"He...yes! He used to live with Sinclaire, a close friend! Levi and I got along so well when we met, and Sin's usually so busy. So...part time sitting turned into a more permanent arrangement!!" It sounded more awkward than it felt...Levi was still delighted to see Sin upon each of her visits.

Levi glanced to Aki only once, peering up at the mention of Sinclaire's name. The approaching stranger, however, was a bit more interesting. One hand still idly patting the top of Manior's head, the boy lifted his crumb covered palm with a tiny curving smile towards Raife as she glanced his way.

"Eh?"

Aki chuckled, pleased Levi was sharing, even if it was a bit gross. Real gold was another matter entirely...sharing his 'treasures' was rare. "Thank you, and yes! I'm his guardian! Sorry I didn't introduce myself, I'm Aki!"

"I'm Raife....I'm not sure what I'm doing here. Mostly I was just curious and wanted to stop by. He's really cute. And sticky with crackers." She chuckled. "I have a niece that's probably not much older than him. She's turning two this weekend. Which means she's going to be passed out with her head smooshed in a big slab of cake. I can't wait." She smiled a bit.

"This age doesn't last forever. Seems like just yesterday, my oldest nephew was this age. Now he's seven. Time flies." She fished around in her pockets a bit for something the little boy might like to dribble on. His age loved to dribble on things. She found an old stop watch that hadn't been working, but she'd been carrying around for sentimental reasons. "Ah, here we go." She smiled, and walked over, crouching next to the little boy, offering it to him. It seemed cleaner, atleast, than those sticky goldfish crumbs. She buffed it and washed it every day.

"Hi there, buddy."

Demare lifted a hand to cover his mouth as he yawned quietly, feeling a little exhausted from the day's events. Hmmm... and he still needed to carry Manior home...

Feeling a little bad for needing to cut their visit short, Demare leaned down and carefully gathered the kitten child into his arms, smiling at Levi before standing up right.

Huh?? Where were they going? The ear scritches weren't done yet...

"I'm sorry... we really need to be heading home now," he said quietly, looking down at Levi, to the new woman, and then to Aki. "Perhaps I could convince my guardian to arrange a visit sometime? I'd like to get to know Levi myself sometime, and I'm sure Manny would like to see him again."

"Asleep on the cake? If only I were so lucky...Levi is unstoppable with sugar in him." Wincing at the very thought, Aki couldn't help but laugh.

Levi didn't understand what was so funny, but he was pleased nonetheless! A few days ago, he'd gotten gems for a coin...and today, a treasure for a cracker! Forgetting about the crumbs, Levi pushed forward to grab the watch...cooing in delight.

"Levi...?"

"Hanku!"

Aki nodded, smiling once more. He could be sweet when he wanted to be!

Watching as Demare scooped Manior up, Aki smiled...taking a step back to stay out of the way.

"I'd like that...you're both welcome, if you'd like to see where Levi lives! Be safe on your way home!" Waving at the pair, Aki giggled to see Levi wave as well...yanking his new treasure through the air. "Baaahkikiki!!"

"It's going to be time for you to go soon as well!" Cautioning the young pirate, Aki sighed as Levi turned. Stubbornly facing away from his guardian, he twiddled with the new treasure...glancing up once more in awe to Raife. How lucky for him!

Raife waved politely at the very responsible seeming young child with the baby. "Bye! I hope we can meet some time!" She chuckled a bit and turned back to the little boy and smiled. "You're welcome! ...It doesn't work anymore, but I'm sure you can find a use for it." She found it doubtful that the baby could tell time anyway. No matter how intelligent and brighteyed he looked.

"So, you're Levi, then? That's a nice name. I'm Raife." She stuck her hand out to the boy, in a silly gesture.

Pausing to glance from the offered hand to Raife's face, Levi squished one eye shut...debating the nature of the game. Finally, leaning back onto his bottom, Levi swung his hand forward and met Raife's with a resounding smack.

"Eeeesh!!" Shaking the sting out of his little hand, Levi chuckled...it was his own fault! "Eh Wave!"

Laughing at his pronunciation, Aki made her way forward....dropping to sit beside 'Wave' and Levi. "How many new friends have you made today, Levi?" Laughing as the boy displayed all five stinging fingers, Aki folded down his pinky and thumb. "There! You've made three new friends today! Demare, Manior, and Raife!"

Shrugging noncommittally, Levi dropped his hand to the watch...resisting her attempts at this 'counting' nonsense. All that mattered was how much you had...not how many!

Raife laughed delightedly. "Someone's certainly got alot of spirit. That's good." She smiled. "And 'Wave' is just fine until you get your tongue around those R's and F's. Tricky little devils. And five and three....hardly any difference. The more the merrier, eh? Maybe I'm so big to him that I count as two!" She chuckled and reached over, looping the chain of the pocket watch around Levi's head gently. "There you go. So you won't lose it. Gotta keep an eye on those things."

That he understood! Nodding gravely as he stared down at the watch, Levi smiled slowly. Wave knew a lot! Maybe she had a chest full of treasures too! Maybe that's why she would give away something so great so easily!

Pushing himself up to his feet, butt in the air till he managed to get his top half up as well, Levi wavered and looked around for Aki. "Wainy?"

Laughing, Aki made her way over...scooping the boy up with a grunt. "Let's go and hide your treasure away ~ Save it for a rainy day!" The boy seemed to take comfort in the song...it meant soon his new beauty would be safe and sound with the others. In the meantime, he wouldn't let it go...so he waved with a foot instead of a hand.

"Bah!!" Kicking in Raife's general direction as he was cradled by Aki, the boy giggled as Aki tipped him forward in her quick bow.

"Raife, it was a pleasure to meet you! I hope we see you here again when we return...he seems to value your company!" Value was the right word, at least! She didn't have a hand free either...instead, Aki offered Raife a smile and made her way to the door.

Levi, meanwhile, was still cooing softly to his treasure as Aki packed him out. What a wonderful night!

Raife smiled and waved them off. Perhaps she'd better get herself on home too. It'd been an interesting trip, even if she hadn't seen and strange phenomenon really while being here. Nothing she hadn't particularly seen around Gaia before.

She gave the headquarters another brief look around, before nodding, satisfied with her trip, and turning to go.

Waving her hands around briefly for any forcefields, she headed out.

Aki paused as Levi twisted around to glare at her, holding her hands up innocently. He was being rather snippy ever since he'd woken up from his 'nap.' She'd assumed he was asleep for the night...he'd gone right to bed once they'd gotten home from the beach! Apparently she'd woken him cleaning, and the lad was not pleased to stumble out of his room and find her putting away all of his carefully hoarded trinkets!

"Ahbak! Goh!" Waving his hands in a floppy shooing motion, Levi scrunched his face up at his guardian indignantly. Sighing, Aki took yet another step back. That was the same thing he said to the seagulls when they got too close to his lunch!

"Good luck getting the door open on your own, sweetie! I'll be here if you need me!" Shrugging, Aki took a seat on the low garden wall...crossing her legs and leaning her weight back on her hands.

Levi's glower changed slowly to concern as he stared up at the door. The large, closed door. "Guh..." Knobs were one thing he hadn't quite mastered!

Guinevere, toddiling ahead of her mother raced up the stairs to the HQ and stood almost plowed herself into the little pirate legend, not expeciting someone to be out there waiting. "Hewwo!" She said happily, waving her little hand at him. She thought she had recognized him from before, maybe playing that ball game way back when, but she never got to really talk to him and even forgot his name. Standing up on her tippy toes she reached for the knob and turned it, just as Pink came up behind them and ushered everybody through the door before turning and walking promptly to her couch.

Inside the doorway, Guinevere stuck out her hand and spoke. "My name is Guinevere. Who you?"

Taking a wobbling step back, Levi stared for a moment at the girl. She was so good at things! Not only did she open the door, but she talked almost like Aki did! Without a moment's thought, he followed the girl inside.

Looking from her bright face to her hand, Levi furrowed his brow in thought. Why was she pushing her hand out?! The answer dawned on him slowly. With a comforting smile, Levi leaned forward and gave the back of her hand a messy smootch, just like Aki did when he was hurt. Turning that knob must have been rougher than he thought!

"Awbettah! Ahna 'Evi!" Introducing himself the best he could, Levi gave his biggest smile...a fox eyed grin behind tumbling dark bangs.

**

Aki was already on her feet, nodding to the other guardian as the children pushed in. She'd barely opened her mouth by the time Levi leaned forward and gave Guinevere's hand a kiss.

"Eeee! Um, Levi...you're supposed to shake hands! She doesn't have a boo boo!"

He was just determined to be difficult!!

Guinevere giggled as the legend slobbered on her hand. As he spoke she understood he was one of the younger ones and didn't understand hand shakes, after all she, had just picked that up from her mommy recently. "Hi Evi. I gots no booboos. I just say hi. Big peoples she hands." She said, feeling all grown up all of a sudden. She gently clasped her hand with his and shook them up and down, adding her whole body to the shake too for she thought this was much more intresting. Just as she let go of his hand she was suddenly whisked up off the ground.

"I'm sorry," Pink interjected to both the little one and its mother, "But I just got an important call and we have to go home. I hope to see you around soon!" She said, pulling a pouting Guinevere out of the room.

Levi laughed in delight as the girl-with-the-name-he-couldn't-say taught him how to shake hands...shaking back with enthusiasm. His eyes went wide, however, as she was snatched away...bottom lip trembling dangerously.

Aki's eyes went wide as well...she'd never seen Levi cry! He looked pretty darn close at the moment. The poor boy took a few steps towards the departing pair, making grabby hands at Guin...landing on his bottom with an oomph! as the door shut abruptly behind them.

Turning to peer at Aki over his shoulder, Levi sighed sadly. "Gawn!"

Bending to scoop him up and rest him on one hip, Aki bounced him reassuringly. "Easy come easy go, hmm? Don't worry...we'll find you someone else to play with!"

Twisting around to see if there was a toy chest, still bouncing Levi on her hip, Aki didn't notice his last longing glance towards the door...

Demare sighed softly as he looked at the door for a long moment, his hands clutching onto the bare part of his arms to help a little bit with the chilly air. Why did he always have to come here during the night, anyway? The day was at least warm, and was more likely to have people inside the headquarters. No matter... he was here now, and that's all there was to it.

Reaching a hand down, the legend grabed the knob and turned, pushing the door open a little bit with his shoulder as his bi-colored eyes peered into the lobby. Such an eerie silence, as always... but he could feel the presense of another inside. Opening the door a little more, he searched again, until he spotted the blonde woman and dark child he'd met last week. Well, this shouldn't be so bad... He DID want to see the child again, after all. Releasing the handle, Demare pushed the door open enough for him to slip inside, then closed the door quietly wish his foot as he removed the tattered black scarf from his neck. It felt good to be inside... It was warm, and so much more inviting than the night was. Folding the material as he walked, Demare moved over toward the lobby's inhabitants, his wings ruffling and stretching a little bit.

"Hello," he said softly with a little smile. "How are you two this evening?"

Jumping and twisting as the door creaked open, Levi stared towards it...hope fading into a sad smile as Demare appeared. Raising one hand in a little wave Levi put on a brave face...dropping his gaze to his little feet.

Aki could only sigh, offering a warmer smile to the older Legend. "Don't mind him...he's a little sad that Guin left so suddenly. How are you, Demare? Is Manior well?"

Levi glanced up again at them mention of Guin's name. Did this boy know her? Pushing to his feet, he tottered towards Demare...staring up at him gravely. He didn't look like he would be a friend of hers, but then again, the little girl had proved she was full of surprises!

"Demahe." Holding one hand up as Guin had taught him, Levi kept his gaze steady. He would make her proud!

Demare blinked a few times, noting Levi's apparent sadness. Oh dear... He hated seeing others upset, for any reason. Guinevere had been there...? It had been a really long time since he saw the happy little girl, so a part of himself felt a little sad that he'd missed his friend.

"I'm all right, ma'am," he replied, keeping his smile, "as is Manny. What about yourself?"

His wings twitched a little bit as Levi teetered towards him, a little confused as the child held out his hand. He looked so... determined. Crouching down so he could be closer to the small child's level, he carefully took the tiny hand in his own and shook it gently.

"It's nice to actually meet you, Levi," he said politely, setting his scarf down on the floor for a moment. "And, if it would be easier for you, it would be okay to call me Dema or Dede."

"Dema...yus." Nodding to himself, Levi shook back...moving his whole body like Guin had shown him. Glancing back up at Demare, Levi squished up one eye...peering at the boy's bicolored gaze. "Why? Wha is?"

Aki chucked in embarrassment, smoothing her skirt habitually. "Sorry, Demare...I haven't taught him many manners aside from 'thank you.' Aside from that, we're doing well...please give Manny a kiss for me when you see him next!"

There was little she could do to staunch Levi's rude behavior. Settling down in a nearby chair, she pulled her sling back around onto her lap...rummaging through it quietly.

Levi spared her a brief glance before turning back to Demare, his expression making it clear he was still interested in having his question answered. The other boy had such interesting eyes...why didn't Levi have eyes like that?!

Demare was once again confused. If only he could still understand baby speak...

"Um... Why what? What is what?" he asked, hoping to maybe clear up a little bit of the confusion. Why was Levi squinting like that...? First he'd called him a pigeon, now does he look strange?

Glancing to Aki for a moment, he nodded in agreement before looking nervously back to Levi. Hmmm... Something about the kid still bothered him a little bit. What was it that he reminded him of?

Grinning slowly, a sly smile, Levi poked himself in the eye before pointing back to Demare. Speaking carefully and clearly, remembering the way Guin spoke so effortlessly, Levi made a valiant effort. "Why?!"

Finally withdrawing a novel from her bag, Aki glanced up at the boys...flipping the cover open slowly after she decided not to interfere. If she kept answering for Levi, there would be no reason for him to learn to speak properly...

Dropping her gaze to the book once more, Aki smiled. She was proud of her boy...Sinclaire had taught him well. He was so self reliant...he didn't look back to Aki once for help!

Shifting his weight from one foot to the other, Levi yawned...trying his best to keep his eyes open in case Demare chose then to answer.

Demare was a bit surprised at first as the little boy poked himself in the eye, but when he pointed back to him, he understood what he was saying. Why? That single word just seemed to echo throughout his mind, his smile fading... Perhaps it was a good thing Demian was asleep.

The child thought for a moment, releasing Levi's hand finally to rest it on the floor for more balance. He was so little... Not as young as he looked, he knew somehow, but his mind was still maturing. Would he even understand if he explained the real reason why he was the way he was?

...Demare decided not to chance it. Demian had already slipped up once, but Chandra was someone else. She was... different. Just like us.

A smile curled back onto his lips, but his eyes merely showed sadness. "I was born this way," he explained, his wings drooping a little bit. "I guess you could say I have... two sides."

Opening his mouth to ask the same question again, Levi abruptly reconsidered. He remembered the time Aki had asked him to see his doubloon...it annoyed him more every time she asked!

Instead, Levi reached up...patting Demare's cheek gently. "Hokay." Nodding to himself, Levi's smile turned genuine as he put the issue behind him. He didn't fully understand, but then...nor did Aki. Some things were secret. This he understood.

Instead, he glanced around for the ball, covering his yawn with a fist. He recalled there being a ball here once, but where it was now was beyond him. Defeated, he glanced back to the boy before him...offering Demare a shrug.

"Ahno baw. Ahnana see tiepoos?!"

This one Aki did feel obligated to translate. "I took Levi to the tidepools today...if I'm not mistaken, he's inviting you over to come see them. We'd love to have you, and Manny as well if you'd like!" Offering the boy a smile, Aki glanced back to her book...flipping the page quietly. How great that Levi was making friends...older friends at that!

Demare chuckled a little bit, finally taking a seat down in front of Levi, crossing his legs Indian-style.

"I'd love to see them!" he said happily, feeling better to be off the last subject. "I'm sure Manny would enjoy it, as well. I'll talk to Neko about visiting soon..."

The kid liked the sea, it seemed. And after thinking about it for a moment, it started to make a little sense.

"Say, Levi? What kinds of things do you like?" Demare asked curiously, hoping to gain a few more pieces to the puzzle.

"Hoooo!" Levi's eyes glittered beneath his bangs, lips curving in a smile that was much too old for him. Leaning forward, lowering his voice to a whisper, Levi did his best to make the words well. This he could answer! But first..."AKIIIIII!"

Yanking her head up abruptly, blushing at the chapter she'd just been reading, Aki blinked at Levi...instantly recognizing the little grabby hands he was making. "Fine, but it's your allowance for tomorrow! You've already gotten todays!"

Levi smiled and nodded in acceptance, hands curling around the loose change she dug out of her pocket. Dropping it carefully upon the carpet, sitting cross-legged just like Demare, Levi carefully stacked the assorted coins.

"Dis! Aaahhhhnnn...Gwin! Aaaaahhhn....tiepoos! Aaaahhhn...."

Levi glanced upwards, chewing his lip as he thought about what else he liked. Aki asked him this question every night at dinner! Shrugging, Levi consented that he'd either reached the end of his likes or the end of his vocabulary. Peering up curiously once more at Demare, he raised a brow in puzzlement.

"Yuh? Wha yike?"

Demare couldn't help but laugh silently at Levi as he listed off the things he liked, listening intently as he stacked the coins on the floor. He liked to collect coins, huh? ...Coins... Tidepools... Guinevere... A bit of an odd combination, but again it made sense.

Thinking about the question himself for a moment, his wings stretched a little bit as he tried to decide what exactly he liked. He didn't have to compensate for Demian's likes since Levi didn't know about him, right?

"Well... I like just about everyone I've met," he started, smiling at Levi, "and I like flowers, and feathers, and just about anything soft." Hesitating for a moment, he reached to his side and carefully took his dagger from his bandages, then carefully took hold of the gift from Chandra. "I also like this, and my pendant."

Flowers? Feathers? Soft things?! Levi glanced at Aki suspiciously...those sounded like her answers! Glancing back at Demare with widening eyes, Levi smiled suddenly as he put two and two together. Dema didn't like treasure...or tidepools...OR Gwin! That meant...it was all Levi's!!!

"Ha! Hokay!" Still grinning, Levi made an abrupt desicion and pushed suddenly to his feet...ambling across the room to the next closed door. It wasn't the front door...Levi had no idea where is led! Pointing to the door knob, Levi looked quietly back to Demare.

Aki, engrossed in her novel, never noticed. Smiling to herself, she flipped another page...blush rising once more as her eyes scanned the petite text.

Letting his pendant hang back down and slipping his dagger back into his bandages around his sides, Demare watched Levi toddle to the unknown door. Did... he want to explore? Blinking his bi-colored eyes a few times, the halfling legend stood up and stepped over toward the small child, glancing at the door.

"You want me to open it?" he asked, just to be sure, lightly placing a hand on the doorknob. "Or would you like to open it?"

Considering briefly, brow furrowing, Levi finally nodded...raising one hand to the knob. If Gwin could do it...

Fumbling for a few moments, wavering on his tiptoes, Levi finally raised his other hand. It wasn't easy, but he knew it could be done! Sighing in irritation, Levi whumped back onto his heels...taking a breath before giving it a second try.

Pushing upwards, fingers slipping against the greybrass knob, Levi stumbled at a sudden clink. The door was open!! Chuckling quietly, he grinned up at Demare before ambling inside...hands waving cautiously in the too-dark hall. This was new! Levi giggled, turning to see if his companion followed.

"Dema?"

"... so we're stopping by here why?" Kojak asked, situated on Wren's head and leaning against one of his horns. He had been picked up by his bonded and the fox-child on the way back home, but apparently they were heading somewhere else.

"Because I just want to stop in for a little bit with Lafe. Even though he's trying to bite -- Lafe, stop it! -- me for taking him away from home and not bringing Alex along." Wren's lips twitched slightly, adjusting the pooka child in his arms as he was trying to rapidly scramble for freedom.

Lafe just let out a tiny disgruntle growl and huffed as he leaned back against Wren. They were going back inside that building and he didn't really want to. He wanted to go back home and play! ... who cared if it was night time? Though he cast a silvery gaze up to the faerie on father's head. Between Kojak and Hawk's Eye, the fox-child was being kept fairly well distracted from most attempts at biting.

Not that Wren was realizing that at the moment, he had his hands full as he went on inside with a huff of his own.

Demare looked into the dark room for a moment a little worriedly, not able to see much of anything due to the poor lighting. However, Levi had gone inside, so he should too, right? ...Not without light, though.

Closing his eyes for a moment, he lifted his left hand a little bit and clenched his fist tight, concentrating for a moment. Maybe... he could... There was a slight warm sensation in his hand, and he pried his white eye open, his hand glowing a soft red as something formed in the palm of his hand. Opening his fist slowly, a tiny orb hovered a little bit over his palm, light pouring into the room much like a small lamp would. It wasn't much, but at least it made things a little more visable.

"I'm right here, Levi," he said, stepping into the room quietly. He could hear voices in the lobby, but he didn't want to leave the small child alone.

Spinning as light poured into the darkness, Levi stared at Demare...little hands clenched into fists as a smile crept across his face. What he saw beyond the lad was more amazing yet...

Another young one! Squinting through the doorway, Levi sighed...taking one last look to the dark hall behind them. He could keep going, but whoever was out there might not wait. Tip toeing forward once more, Levi held his arms up to Demare.

"Uhp. Goh."

**

Aki jumped once again as the front door swung open...snapping the novel shut and tucking it into her bag. "Hello!" Smiling awkwardly at the newcomers, Aki twisted suddenly to look for Levi...who, most likely, had gone through that open door!

A single minute, and he had already disappeared!

"'Lo," Wren replied, a grin on his face all ready, but his attention was quickly pulled away from Aki as Lafe had apparently decided it was time to start squirming again. ( Even if he was all ready completely inside, the door shut. ) Ignoring both the amusement he felt from Hawk's Eye and the laughs from Kojak, Wren sighed and shifted his arms to adjust his grip on the fox-child. "Lafe, I can't set you down yet and I won't let you go -- so stop all ready."

Lafe's tail lashed about in mild irritation for being held like this. When would he learn that he didn't like being held? Not by him, not by anyone, but he'd put up with it. His ears twitched about, listening for the sounds of others. He lifted his head up, sniffing slightly at the air. ... there were others present, mostly ones he couldn't recognize, but there was at least one that he knew. He let out another huff and grabbed his tail to hold on to.

Demare leaned down as Levi reached up toward him, and quickly took the hint. With his right arm, he carefully and gently took up the little legend in his arm and turned around, heading back out to the lobby. Allowing the little orb he'd formed to disappear, he brought his other arm around for a little more support and balance, hoping Aki hadn't worried about not seeing the little one.

Once back in the lobby, he looked around for a moment, wondering who had come in.

Studying the new child as his companion strolled into the front room, Levi drummed Dema gently with his feet as they stopped before the strangers. Stretching out of Demare's grasp, slowly back to his own two feet, Levi offered Lafe a small smile.

"Eh? Levi offered his hand up in the gesture he'd just learned...wavering as he kept his focus on the child in Wren's arms.

**

Letting out the breath she had been holding, Aki sighed happily as Demare strolled into view, bearing Levi. That had gone much better than it could have! The lad was back, no harm done...Aki smiled and offered Demare a grateful look as Levi awaited his introduction.

"I'm Aki...have you met Levi?" In truth, she had no way of knowing...Sinclaire might have already introduced the young pirate!

"Name's Wren, and I've not met Levi," the red-head answered honestly. There weren't that many of the Legends that he had come across and met himself. "And, this is Lafe. He's a little shy, so you'll have to forgive him." With a smile, Wren glanced down at the fox-child and then up at Aki. And a little shy? Probably an understatement.

"And it's good to see you, Demare." The man just gave the child a friendly grin in hello, shifting on his feet some.

Lafe watched closely when the others came closer. Demare, he recognized, his eyes focused on the child for a moment in curiousity, before he was distracted by the other baby. One that was something close to his own size. Fingers still clutched around his tail, ears cocked back just slightly, Lafe leaned over a bit to look at Levi from Wren's arms. The fox-child just stared at Levi intensely, silvery-blue eyes focused on him, but otherwise he wasn't making a move.

Demare bowed his head a little bit, a small smile curling up on his lips.

"It's good to see you again too, si--...I mean, Wren," he said politely, lifting a hand to wave a hello to Lafe. "I'm afraid I have to be going, however. I don't want to worry Neko..."

Stepping over to where he'd been sitting before, the child knelt down and took up his scarf from the floor before turning to Aki. "I'll be sure to talk to my guardian about arranging a visit, ma'am. I'm sure she'll be happy to meet you, as well."

Dropping his hand slowly, Levi peered back at the tiny foxchild. He seemed...like he was keeping a secret. A secret so big he had to keep his mouth shut tight, lest he let it out. Levi was burning to know what that secret was.

For a moment, Aki was puzzled...why would Demare be leaving so suddenly? Eyes straying up to the clock, she realized abruptly why...it was so late!! Raising one hand, Aki waved as she got to her feet as well. "That would be great, Demare! Perhaps I'll see you here again soon, another night!"

With an apologetic smile to the newcomers, Aki nodded towards the clock. "It was nice to meet you both, sorry it was so brief! Levi, would you say goodnight to Wren and Lafe?"

Levi could barely believe his ears, and his expression said as much. Staring in shock at Aki as she scooped him up, Levi didn't even have time to struggle. He'd been caught!

"Baaai!! Bai kikikiii!" Flapping one hand in a wave to Lafe, Levi glanced back sadly...he hadn't gotten to explore the Dark Hall, or talk to Lafe! Aki simply wasn't fair!

Lafe's eyes were calmly focused on Levi, since Demare was all ready on the move. His ears flicked forward, briefly, as if listening on the conversation that Aki was having, but his gaze didn't falter. After a few more moments, however, as Levi was caught and picked up by Aki, Lafe finally leaned back. His tail swished a little, free from his hands.

"Ah, yes, take care Demare. Be safe." Wren said, glancing up to Kojak who had decided to doze where he was situated. "And, we're likely to run into each other again, I'm sure, Aki. It was nice meeting you and Levi." There was a slight grin to Wren's face. He probably should be getting home as well, before Lafe came out of his quiet state and decided that he wanted his freedom again and -- well, getting him home was for the best.

Chuckling and waving goodbye to Aki and Levi, Wren followed behind a few moments later. Of course as they were going, Lafe finally offered a tiny wave of his hand to Levi. It was just questionable if the other saw it or not.

Severus walked into the main lobby and sat in a corner near the back. He was in his usual custom black robes and braided belt, but wore an unusual glove on his left hand. The glove was an array of vibrant colors, and speckled with jewels of various sizes and hues. It was a wonder he could move his arm at all, given the look of sheer mass and weight.

He muttered under his breath, and the glove transformed into five ornate rings. Each ring looked like it was taken from a metal gauntlet, and covered the finger completely. He flexed his hand, and hoped the party would be underway soon. Perhaps he would be fortunate, and Morningstar would attempt to crash the event.

Zero was actually quite unaware that there was a party - she had not been to the forge lately. Instead, what initially brought her in was to check on Wren's evolution.

So the two came inside, and found the forge... oddly quiet, given the day and time. Hum.

She noticed Severus, but remembering how the man was, deciding to start a conversation might now have been a good idea, so she instead began to read one of the pamphlets there, Wren hoveing beside her shoulder as she did so.

Two heads phased in through one of the many MMH doors, looked around, and then phased back out again. After a moment or two, Moorgahaine phased through the door completely, with Herald following behind. With a wave of his hands, the main lobby transformed into a proper party setting- complete with a buffet table, punch bowls, and party favors designed to make the rudest (and most amusing) sounds possible. An inflatible white sheep filled with helium drifted along the ceiling, wearing a rather fetching pair of blue fishnet stockings and white garters.

Herald walked beside his father, beaming with pride. After the party, he would share the Dream Experiment discoveries and collection. What better gift could there be?

...And the sudden transformation of the room almost sent Zero flying and clinging to the celling. Shouldn't she be... used to it by now ?

Wren gave out a quite audible giggle, which earned her a glare. Now what was going on ? ...And, no, wait, was that Herald ? Who put miracle grow in that boy's milk ?!?

"...Hum." She managed to calm down a little.

He sneered at the garish decorations and floating sheep, "Some things never change."

Upon noting Zero's presence, Severus pulled out his wand and gave it a sharp flick in the direction of the FSP. A controller floated out of the chute, and hovered over to her. He placed the wand back in his robes and sighed, "Grab a time sprocket from the shelf over there and place your fandangle in the controller. Give it a few minutes, then let it out. There will be a bright flash of light, and then you will see your companion's new form."

Ahhh, well, she had gotten her answer.

"Thank you." She gave a slight bow, and did as she was told, moving away from the counter to sit instead.

"Ready ?"

"Yes." Wren answered, and went to the controller, and Zero waited... Trough the overhelming noises. >_x What there a party or something ?!?

After a few moments and a bright flash of light, Wren's new form could be seen.

Zero managed not to jump back. After all, she's been warned about that.

But it didn't mean that she didn't STARE.

"Whoah."

And Wren seemed likewise surprised. But hey, she had HANDS now !

Severus would never admit it, but he quite liked this Fandangle's new design. It looked like a giant house elf mated with a cybernetic ogre, which was a mental image he really could have done without. Snape simply nodded to Wren and Zero, and then went back to waiting.

The waiting was agonizing. Surely it wouldn't be much longer now, would it? Severus drummed his hand along the counter, counting each second as it passed. And so many people, surely Morningstar would use such a thing to his advantage. Well, there was no use worrying about it now... a party like this was his only shot at drawing the b*****d out.

Ravija approached Snape cautiously. "How are you?" she asked pleasantly, attempting to reel extra information out of it without violating the ban on Seven chatter.

Demare peered in through the door the wolf-like creature had just gone through, his bi-colored eyes warily looking around the strange building he'd approched. This was the place, wasn't it? This was where Neko had gotten Micheal? Clare's curiosity had gotten the better of him and decided today would be a good day to venture here while Demian was still asleep.

Micheal wasted no time in slipping past the little legend, its red and green gems circling around its gears as the cog took in its surroundings. It had been far too long since they visited. Things felt different...

"M-Micheal... please stay close to me," Demare told his companion quietly, slipping into the room himself but staying by the door just in case.

Sitting on a desk in the third office was a small, unimpressive device, It had a tiny gauge on the side that had slowly been going down since the Seven were summoned. As the moments ticked by, the gauge finally reached "0". Somewhere deep within the shop, the tolling of a bell could be heard.

Severus got up and whispered to Ravija, "Whatever happens, you and your mother have been a priceless asset to this shop. No magic will work within these walls now, so don't bother trying. And... be careful."

He walked over to Moorgahaine and placed the ringed hand through the part of the old wizard's body where both halves joined. A flash of sparks ripped through the form, "I'm afraid I'll be keeping this shop just a bit longer than expected, old friend. If you pass by Heaven on the way, do let Metatron I appreciated the timely assist. You have a few moments to make a witty remark, if you wish." A field of energy enveloped Snape and Moorgahaine, completely resistant to any form of breach or attack.

Demare's ears began to ring slightly, the toll of a bell reaching them. What was that...? There didn't seem to be any sort of bells around, but then again, he was only seeing a small part of the shop. Reaching out, he carefully took Micheal into his hands and held the cog close, a bad feeling forming in the pit of his stomach.

He watched as the man in dark clothing moved toward a spirit of some kind, not quite understanding as the two of them appeared to be in a strange field. Did this sort of thing always happen in here...?

Ravija's mouth dropped open, and she composed herself. She didn't know what was going on, could never figure it out. Sides and tricks and secrets... well, at least he complimented her and her family. Shaking her head, she walked over to her mother, who was more in a state of shock than she was.

"What are you--" she spluttered, before Ravija put a hand on her shoulder, and shook her head with more finality. "Ravi, what's going on!"

"I don't know, but there's a magic nuller somewhere, and you couldn't do anything regardless of it," she said matter-of-factly.

Masque frowned and rolled her eyes at her daughter. "Thanks for reminding me." But she turned her attention to the scene as it unfolded.

Can't have a gathering without something strange happening, she reflected. Especially here.

The two forms looked understandably surprised as they began to peel away from one another, bits of energy and tissue falling to the floor, "You realize this revokes your pension,/ don't you? And you're definitely not getting the anniversary watch/ when your tenth year comes up."

As the bits peeled away, a new form could be seen beneath. Tall, elegant, and comprised completed of the brightest, most pure light imaginable. Morningstar smiled at the young wizard, "Dear boy, leave it to you. Never did have any faith, did you? No, you have to question everything. Not that it matters now." He tore Severus' hand out of its socket with a quick, graceful motion, "Your little trinket did not destroy me, as you hoped. But, it was a valiant effort."

Morningstar leaned close and yanked Snape's head back by the hair, whispering in his ear, "You should have joined me. What kind of a Slytherin are you anyhow, to not follow where power leads?" He looked around the room, and then back to the captured, bleeding wizard, "I think I'll kill you last, just so you can watch as the rest of reality dies. And then I'll remake you as my servant. You'll make a lovely servant, I'm sure of it.?"

"Oh," Masque said with surprise. "Well, that explains it." Reflexive muscle action should slow down his bleeding, but she didn't know how much that would help.

Ravija was completely surprised, but didn't let that stop her from running through possibilities. She made her way forward, peering at the force field. There was a kind of peace in knowing that running away wouldn't help in the least. Morningstar had "the thing," not that she knew how to use it. She was supposed to be the bond of Focus, Organization, and Protection, but she wasn't doing a good job of protection, that's for sure.

Demare's right side flinched, his two red eyes opening slightly while his black one narrowed, the white eye widening with fright. What had just happened?? The bright light didn't seem to affect him much, but the fact that the man seemed to just disintegrate bothered him greatly. That, and the man in black appeared to be in trouble. Certainly this didn't happen every day...

Micheal proceeded to hide itself within Demare's scarf, unable to convince itself anymore that things were all right. Something bad was happening, and it was obviously afraid.

Ravija cautiously put her hands to the field, hoping that she could--somehow--get in, and... do what? Morningstar was obviously physically superior despite magic, if he was even affected by the nullification at all. Maybe she coudl at least help Snape somehow. If only she could get in.

Severus snarled as his hand was torn from the wrist, and watched as the rings became Morningstar's possession. He listened to the entity drone on, and then laughed bitterly, "You talk to much. Those rings weren't the 'trinket'." He looked behind Morningstar and smiled vicously, "But that is."

A form rose up from the floor and drifted into the energy field, twin forms of blue and red joined at the waist. In their hands was a large sword, created from Seven brave Fandangles. Eyes glowing with fury, lips pulled back into mirrored snarls- Moorgahaine struck down Morningstar in a single stroke, splitting him right down the middle. The master had returned.

Severus looked over to Moorgahaine as Morningstar's form lost its light, "Welcome home, you right b*****d. Next time have your son watch after the damned shop." The energy field around them slowly dissovled, and Severus breathed the fresh air deeply.

Ravija rushed in as the force field fell, balling up one drape with one hand. She quickly put that under Snape's arm and pressed the pressure point there against it, hoping to stop the bleeding a little more. She leaned backwards and grabbed Snape's hand. "Anyone with healing magic better than mine!" she called sharply.

Silver, watching from the corner, walked over, pressing a bottle of wiskey into snaps free hand. "Well played. Here, have a drink on me. It'll help with the blood loss anyways." He chuckled, sitting back in the corner, raising his own bottle in toast.

They nodded to Snape, "Thank you,/ we were wondering what/ our name was." They looked to one another, "The Divine Machine/ did not let us know. Perhaps/ it was not important/ at the time." The two seemed thoughtful, "But we/ are two. Not/one. What shall our second/ and third/ names be?"

One reached out and batted the dangling star, "Perhaps you should be Spark."

The other reached out and batted the dangling skull, "And you Reverie, dear brother."

They nodded to one another, "And Moorgahaine,/ as we."

"Right, I'll take care of it," Ravija said crisply. "Get me a Life sprocket or ten, someone!" She held the hand to the stump and began to focus on it, slowly knitting it back together, first the blood supply and then the nerves... she's never had to do trauma like this before.

Snape sighed, allowed himself the indignity of being bandaged up, and drank deeply of the offered whiskey, "Oh for ******** sake, the git has amnesia."

And trough Zero was still lost in confusionland, Wren regained her spirits quite quickly, heading for the tubes, taking one filled with life sprokets and handing it to Ravi.

"Will this do, miss Ravi ?"

"Thanks for your help, both of you," Ravija gritted, concentrating, though not taking the tube. "Let them out, I don't have a free hand. Okay you lot, help me with this. Make sure everything reconnects, no use Snape losing a finger to necrosis."

Demare calmed a little at the new sight, pressing his back against the wall as his wings layed flat. This was a very strange place indeed... Neko had come here to get Micheal?? Maybe that was before any of this stuff started happening. Sighing lightly, Clare took note of the new... creature that took place of the light. Two beings connected... Two minds technically sharing one body? This was a much different case than his own, but it made him curious; was it possible to live in such a way?

"Hey, Micheal?" he piped up quietly to his companion.

The cog peeked out from the scarf, its gems beginning to orbit again. "Is it. Over?"

"...Yes, I think it's okay now," he said, deciding to ask his question later.

----------
Snape raised an eyebrow and snarled, "Can't we have a few moments peace before all hell breaks loose?!" He grabbed his wand (with his good hand), and began throwing every offensive shadow spell in his rather impressive arsenal, "Damned b*****d, he can't even die without being a pain in my arse!"

Moorgahaine blinked in tandem, "Well now,/ there's a turn of events." He quickly made good use of the Seven sword, striking every light beast that dared to come within reach, "We suppose/ it would not be fun/ if it were over too quickly!"

"You lied." Micheal said abruptly. "It is. Not done. Yet!"

A spark of electricity jolted over the fandangle's gears.

Demare blinked a few times, not understanding. Lied? What made Micheal think he'd just lied to him?

"Micheal, I'm telling you the truth. The bad stuff is o--"

The cog quickly moved itself away from the boy, hovering slow enough in hopes that the child would follow.

"Hey, wait a minute!" he cried out, reaching out for his friend. Kicking himself off away from the wall, a bright object slithered past as it missed its target. A cold chill ran up the child's spine as he stopped, his wings stiffening in fear.

"Clare, behind. You." the cog warned his bond, hovering close. It wasn't good enough to protect him. It wasn't good enough to...

The large serpentine light-beast situated itself to strike again, but was instead met with black shadowy flames as Demare's right hand balled into a tight fist. The two red slitted eyes opened wider as the legend smirked, the demon within him awakening from his slumber.

"You've got some nerve to freeze up now, angel," the boy hissed. "What the hell is going on here?"

Masque wasn't having a good go of it. Completely magicless, her job was running around, dodging the various small battles that had sprung up, and releasing any sprockets she thought would be helpful. She had freed a tube of Kinetic sprockets, and they'd helped her a bit with the running away. A few, though, had been blasting at the light monsters, accelerating them at inopportune times, and were causing a comedic series of errors as the monsters plunged themselves into and through walls, though, like most cartoon fights, it wasn't actually hurting them all that much. Still, it was better than nothing.

She skidding to a stop, panting, near Ravija, Devi, and Moorgahaine--and, by extension, Snape. "How's it going here?"

"Bad."

Severus and Moorgahaine somehow ended up fighting back-to-back, and then slowly pushed into the depths of ME&F by the advancing hoards. Snape sneered, "If you came back just to die again, I will personally kill you."

"Demian! I... I'm sorry, I c--" Clare tried to explain, but was silenced all too quickly.

"You IDIOT! You're letting light get the best of you? THAT'S YOUR POWER!" Demian screamed with annoyance. "If it didn't affect me at all, I'd just let the damn thing eat you alive!"

The serpentine light-beast hissed, attempting to dodge the shadowy flames, but was only being followed by them.

"But... but I didn't know it was there! T-they just appeared out of no where!"

"You're useless. I was ASLEEP and I could feel that!"

Clare didn't have an excuse for that one. "I thought it was over..."

Glaring over his right shoulder, Demare's black eye narrowed even further. Opening up his bandaged fist, the shadowy flame engulfed the odd creature, a horrifying hissing screech filling his ear as it burned. Oh, what beautiful music...

Micheal could only watch, its gems orbiting even closer around its gears. This boy was scary when he was angry. So scary... but it wouldn't be afraid. No, it couldn't afford to be afraid.

"Clare?" it piped up, hoping the angelic child would hear it.

"I'll take care of this for now," Demare sighed angrily, turning his eyes toward the mechanic companion. "Just be the eyes behind me, got that?"

The light monster that had attacked Sosiqui whirled again, trying to get in another shot - only to find someone in between it and its target.

Riven rushed forward and slashed at it viciously with Aeintor, only to have the blade pass right through the creature. He wasn't sure if he was relieved the creatures weren't Chaos-born... or annoyed that some of his power was ineffective. Instead, he surged forward again and clonked the monster hard on the side of the head on the backswing.

It fell backwards, shaking and growling, but very much still alive.

"Summon until I can do something!" Sosiqui shrieked from behind.

"Okay!" Riven yelled back, and let himself drift into the timeless place where he could touch home. The light monster's movements slowed to a crawl as he felt upwards. Come! Come...

He grabbed, held, and pulled.

In a flash of sparks and the afterimage of a strange rune, a trio of kyrei appeared in mid-air, their tails fanning as they quickly took in the scene around them.

Riven struggled to maintain the link, and pointed Aeintor at the light monster. "GO!"

As one, the three creatures swam forward through the air, long fingers reaching out, golden eyes glowing coldly.

The light creature twitched and then stiffened as the kyrei fingers, dark with cold and shadow, pierced through and grabbed within, deep below the skin. It bulged in strange ways, and bent in stranger, to the tune of a series of odd cracks and bubbling sounds.

Then, together, the kyrei drew back, pressed palms and fingers together, and bowed to the beast as it let out a long wail and collapsed in on itself, like a deflating balloon.

The kyrei vanished in a faint spark-shower as Riven lost the link, and he had time to phase out to dodge another light-creature, then to knock it upside the head with Aeintor's shaft, before a gesture of movement from behind him caught his attention.

"My turn," Sosiqui said, a swirl of Time sprockets orbiting her.

Riven phased to dodge a light-creature that looked like nothing so much as a wolf with a snake tail, then bashed it on the back of the head. He looked around quickly for Biome.

The twin gizmohs were swirling wildly all over the shop, a small cloud of helpful Shadow sprockets in their wake. They slashed at monsters with their long claws in passing, and when one bulging beast threatened to attack an ally from behind, they quickly coiled around it like twin boa constrictors and crushed it within their looping bodies. "We fightfight too!" they called out.

One of them looped around and whacked the carpet off the floor, only to have the thing reach out with bizzarely long filaments and attempt to engulf a wailing, wounded light-monster.

Demare reached to his side and slipped his dagger out from the bandages around his waist, his bi-colored eyes glaring around the room. Most of the others seemed to be holding their own, keeping back the beasts in some shape or form. Taking a few steps out, however, was perhaps his own mistake. The attack was swift, too quick for even Micheal to have noticed, as something sharp caught his left arm and tore a long, deep gash along his flesh. The force of the attack caused him to turn a little bit, and there was another attack from behind. More claws ripped across his right arm, forcing him to drop his dagger, and something grabbed a tight hold of the end of his scarf, yanking the child backwards.

"D-Demare?!" Micheal paniced, hovering close to its bond. A long tail merely flicked the cog hard into the wall, the prongs of the gears sticking into it.

Curses!! How could this have happened?! And so soon into the battle. Was he really that pathetic? A cat-like roar interrupted his thoughts as three very large saber-toothed light-beasts prowled together toward the child. One of them had a piece of his black scarf snapped between its jaws, another with blood staining its pure and bright claws. They'd attacked him together...? ARRRRRRRGH!!! Damn that teamwork!!

Glancing toward his arms, Demare attempted to survey what the damage was. His left arm was hardly mobile, the bandages soaked in blood and the bone showing through in parts of the gash. s**t... Neko was going to have his head for this. His right arm wasn't nearly as bad, the cuts mostly just flesh wounds. So long as that was still movable, he'd be okay...

Carefully, the halfling legend sat up, doing his best to hide just how scared he was. His two red eyes opened fully to stare back at the three light-beasts, his smirk returning to his lips. There was a crazed expression on his face as he lifted his right arm in front of himself, his hand balling up into a fight fist once more. This had better work... he thought to himself, his little wings expanding as much as they could.

"Come and get me," he dared them. "One at a time!"

The supposed leader of the "pack" of light-beasts snarled at the challenge and lunged toward the boy, sharp claws extended as it intended to attack. Before it could reach the child, however, Demare sunk down into the shadows behind his body that the light created, disappearing into the floor. The beast slid across the floor, puzzled, searching for its prey.

It was a good thing Demian's specialty was darkness. While the small pack sniffed and searched the ground for their target, the child took this opportunity to eliminate them one by one. A bandaged and bloody hand slowly crept out from the shadow on the wall next to Micheal, close enough to one of the beasts as it sniffed around the fandangle. Grabbing onto the bright fur tightly, black lightning began to electrocute the beast, shadowy flames engulfing its large form like they had the serpentine creature. As it burned into dust, Demare pulled his hand back into the shadows. One down, two to go.

It was a good trap, using the shadow from Micheal. Soon enough, the beast with part of the child's scarf in its mouth came to inspect the wall, curious as to how the cog could have destroyed its partner. As it drew closer, the shadow temporarily became alive, several dark clawed hands grasping a reaching for the beast. It tried to back away in an odd fright, but it was too late; its front paws and one long sabered tooth were caught by the hands, many more reaching and clawing through the air for something to grasp. As the shadows drug the beast into the shadows, Demare weakly stepped out, his left arm dangling limply at his side. Reaching a hand down, he pulled hard on Micheal to force him out of the wall, just in time for the beast to completely disappear. Two down... Now, where was that last one?

The growing light behind him was a big clue as to where it was, and Demare turned around just in time. ...Hardly. Bringing up his right arm, the jaws of the beast clamped down hard into his flesh, but not quite hard enough to snap the bone or to rip off his arm. His hand was caught by teeth... His only source of defense without his dagger. Well, s**t... NOW what? This hurt like nothing else, and he was about to be eaten? No... he wouldn't go down that easily.

Concentrating the best he could through the pain, he clenched his teeth to keep himself from screaming. If Clare could create light, then... couldn't he...

Micheal tried to wedge its way out of the beast's mouth, disgusted by the slobber it was getting all over its gears. Good thing it was only stuck by the gums!

Demare did his best to summon the shadows from around him, trying to form a ball of darkness big enough to trap the beast within. Darkness crept up from around the creature, an inky black that seemed to eat up the light. The beast growled and clamped its jaws tighter, beginning to crush the bone inbetween them. The child winced, crying out a little bit as the shadow shifted and changed its shape, curling up off of the ground as it prepared to strike.

"Micheal, get out of there!" he hissed, not sure how much more of this he could take.

The fandangle shifted and turned a little more, and finally managed to free itself from the creature's mouth. Yuck! Now it was all slobbery and disgusting and icky. It would demand to be cleaned once they got home.

Just as Micheal was free, the shadows came down upon the light-beast, forming a large ball around the creature. Now able to free his arm painlessly, Demare removed his wounded arm from the orb, extending his hand toward it to the best of his ability. As he slowly closed his hand into a fist, the orb shrank in size until it completely vanished, light-beast and all.

"You did. It! You won. Demare!" Micheal cheered, more enthusiastic than usual. It quickly noticed, however, that the child wasn't too happy. "Demare?"

Demare twitched and scowled, stepping over toward his dropped dagger on the floor. Damn it, now he couldn't even pick it up. Gods, he just... hurt all over... And he was feeling rather dizzy.

"Come on," he sighed, watching the dagger sink into the shadows beneath it. "Or I'll leave you here."

Micheal didn't say another word. It hovered close to its bond, and didn't even ask as the two of them sunk into the shadows on the floor, and disappeared from view and the battle.