Angel Wings IC

[Lerouge]

Kenji smiled as he looked down at the small white and black ball that he held under his foot watching it gently as it rolled back and forth with his movements. "Time to rock.." he muttered as he looked up to see a group of students in red shirts running toward him, the white shirted boy who had just stolen a pass. He gave the ball a light kick to the right as to avoided the feet of one of the oncoming defenders and swiftly he followed keeping his eyes on the rolling blur at his legs. He stopped and kicked back slightly letting two more defenders run past him thinking he had given it up before reaching back and bringing the ball in front of him again and sprinting with it down the grass. Suckers... he thought to himself as he made it halfway across the large grassy field and nodded gently as his companions came to his aid, things now get tougher. A quick kick to the right and another boy managed to get control, avoiding one of their remaining three defenders but being stopped by another, forcing him to pass it back to Kenji who, with a quick fake and spin managed to clear the last defender leaving it only him and the goalie. Another smile came across his face as he stopped for a second and gave a hard kick to the ball, causing it to fly to the top right corner of the net. The goalie dived for it and thought he was saved as he ball grazed his fingertips; however, it flew only slightly off course and went straight into the goal. A whistle blew announcing the end of the game and crowds of people came running onto the field as he felts hands all over him pushing him up into the sky.

His sighed deeply as his eyes gazed around seeing his fellow teammates being given the same treatment as him. For that second he was in flight, he was like the angels of this world that were always in the news, radio, and even in his dreams. His eyes closed as he spread his arms feeling the breeze flow through his body taking him away from the moment, for once he was finally free.
~~~~

Kenji walked out of the locker room showers, his towel wrapped securely around his waist and another in his hands. He ran the extra towel through his hair, letting the cloth be soaked with water. At that moment a ringing came from the other side of the room, the familiar sound broke the silence and Kenji's face went from the relaxed boy to serious and focused. He dropped the towel in his hand and walked to the source of the sound, a small black cellphone laying next to a blue one. He picked it up quickly, pressing firmly onto the small green symbol and pressing it to his ear.

He listened to the recording that spoke through the phone into his brain, he had never once heard a man talk through this line it was always a machine. Makes sense though, he doesn't want Kenji coming after him considering his track record. Twenty jobs, 20 captures, 0 kills. He always claimed that the angel would escape, but it seemed unlikely and rather odd that one of the best hunters and trackers would fail to kill everytime.

The recording ended and he slowly shut the phone, letting the words he just heard run through his head. "Kiyo... Dustren." He muttered to himself as he rested the phone down and began to slowly get dressed. "Do you have the answers I am looking for... black wing." He opened the locker in front of him and grabbed not his normal jeans and shirt, but a black outfit that hung in the back and placed on the hook beside him. Quietly he began dressing, not thinking about what he was doing. It took him a few minutes to finally secure everything in place and check in the mirror to make sure. "This is going to be a long night."

He grabbed his phones and placed them into his pockets and turned to the door of the locker room and ran out of it. He sprinted through the campus of his school retrieving the keys for his car from his pocket and jumping into it as he arrived. Securing the seatbelt in place, he turned the key causing the engine to fire up before peeling out of the parking lot, the message he heard still burned into his brain.Other hunters have been informed about the white wing, the objective is to kill her no questions asked... Kill her Kenji or you will face the fate that she was to have.

[Security of Mem]

Karasu sat on the roof of the city. At the moment his raven mask sat to his side and he watched the little mass of people walking on the sidewalks. Almost like watching a small ant farm from above. Karasu stared at the people walking. Giving smiles and bumping into each other. Karasu realized how really noisy this city really was.
He put his hand on his single black wing. Which at times would call for it's partner wing. He could almost at times feel where his wing bones were, the aching of a lonely companion.
He got up and hid his raven mask between water cylinders. He grabbed the metal railing stairs and walked down the stairs. To enter the city like the humans did. He just had his small scarred wing fold itself into his clothes. No one would notice the black wing in his black clothes. The feathers weren't very glossy as they would have been some time ago.
Karasu walked from the alley into the more smelly city. He looked around and felt it safe to venture today. There were still so many memories he would have to make in the city.

------------------------------

Ren sat in the middle of a warehouse. He was sitting on some sort of makeshift throne from bent steel and fishing nets. The warehouse was off in some sort of port. At the moment an amusing and mischievous smile was playing on Ren's face.
At the moment Ren had manipulated the local gain to treat him with some sort of respect. Of course he didn't have large wings like the other kind of angels around, but he still was a white wing. And with being a white wing came power.
Power, which you could manipulate into fear.
"You," Ren said pointing to one of the leaders.
"Names Jorda," the gang leader said.
"I have been here for four weeks and haven't asked your name," Ren said, "What makes you think I care now?"
"Sorry,"
"Sorry? What sorry? How do you address sorry? Certainly it isn't just sorry, there is more to sorry. How do you say sorry to me?"
"Sorry sir,"
"That's better, good boy,"
"Sir, what do you need?"
"Excuse me?"
"I mean, my faithful lord, you called me,"
"Yes, I did and I wanted to assign you to an important mission,"
"And what may that be my faithful lord,"
"Your mission is simple, bring me something to drink,"
"Yes my lord,"
"Good and if you complain about the "simple" task, then I'll make it much more complicated hahahahahahhaa,"
Ren watched as the man walked off. He strummed his finger through his hair and stared at the other gang members. Yes, when you were a white wing there was protection and power. And Ren was going to seize it all. Power and protection. The two Ps of foolish hunters who decided the white wings were the most important.
He gave a wide eye smile.
"It's going to be mine," Ren said.

[Totenglaut]

Her eyes shone with something briefly as she slammed the ball into the hoop. But it was gone a second later when everyone began to surround her. "That was a good shot, Ullie!" She blushed as if she were nervous at accepting the compliment. "Thank you"

Ullaryia Fable smiled sunnily then and shyly suggested: "Should we play again?" The call between the other five people on the court was collective. The other two on Ullaryia's team surrounded her still nodding and muttering their approval. But that savage gleam had been in her eye and none had seen it.

To fly through the air like that like a winged person it was amazing, but the real reason for the gleam was much darker. Tonight. Oh, tonight those winged ones were going to get it. And Ullaryia wasn't going to hold back with their punishment. Not tonight not after what she had just experienced.

Ullaryia played the next game through to it's finish but no awesome moment of flight happened. Just a normal game of basketball. "See you tomorrow, Ullie?" Someone called as they headed out of the gym. Ullaryia shrugged. "I'm not sure I have classes and stuff tomorrow" She said.

Ullaryia Fable was pretty. Her brown eyes could convey both terrible anger and feeble shyness. Her dark brown hair cut in a long bob suited her face and her thin lips could spread in a fragile smile or a sadistic grin. There were two sides to this girl, and one was a side that none of her college friends would ever see. Unless of course they grew a pair of white or black wings.
---
Ullaryia knew her target. Ren Ueyo. A white wing. Most would hesitate to go after a white-wing but not Ullaryia. All winged-beings deserved to be punished for being born with what she did not have. Therefore Ren Ueyo was just as guilty as any other she hunted down, tortured and ultimately killed.

17 captures and 16 kills. Ullaryia was brutal and only one had evaded her so far. But she didn't hold a grudge against him. She would go back and clean up that mess with the black-wing later. It had been her first mission. She had gotten better he wouldn't be getting away again.

But her whole mind was focused on one thing tonight. Getting Ren Ueyo. She'd have to study him first test to see how best she could capture him. It was like a cat-and-mouse game. Ullaryia was the cat, the winged-beings were the mice. And like a cat Ullaryia enjoyed the chase as much as the kill. But it was what came in between that held her enthralled, oh yes.

The tortured cries of pain, the ripping of skin, the tears. They all reacted the same at some point. Some took longer to find their breaking point but Ullaryia enjoyed those the most for when they did break their cries were loudest. That was the trade-off it took longer but they often fell the hardest.

Ullaryia was dressed in black tonight for this part required stealth. Her dark hair was tied up as she approached the place that was said to be his "stronghold" or "temple" for those who would worship at his feet. Bah, all winged-beings were the same. They were not Gods. Far from it. Just vermin to be exterminated.

[nonangelic92]

Ace leaned down to see what was wrong with the sutomer's car. Just a busted gas cap, figures these rich folks know nothing of cars and send it in to get fix. Well I really shouldn't complain, more money in my pocket, she thought. Ace fixed the problem and added the total up. The customer paid in cash of course. "Have a nice day." Ace called after the customer and he just waved his hand. Ace rolled her eyes. Stuck up douche she thought to herself.

----------------------------------------------------

Ace walked home slowly taking in the nightly air. So relieving and soothing. She walked towards her double-wide near the ports. It may be noisy here in the day but at least I get free stuff sometimes, she thought. Ace went inside and took a shower, dressing in a pair of sweats, a huge long sleeve shirt and slippers, she grabbed a beer and sat on her porch in total darkness listening to the night.

[Kiyo]

”I can't believe, how you slurred at me, with your half-wired broken jaw.
You popped my heart seams, on my bubble dreams, bubble dreams...
I can't believe, how you looked at me, with your Johnnie Walker eyes…
He's gonna get you, and after he's through, there's gonna be no love left to rye...
And I know that it's complicated, but I'm a loser in love, so baby,
Raise a glass to mend all the broken hearts, of all my wrecked up friends.”

Kiyo went through a pretty regular ritual every day she attended university: to and from classes, she would listen to music and withdraw into herself. If someone she knew stopped her, she would turn down the volume on her iPod to carry conversation. The music was ever present in her life, and it was common to see her mouthing lyrics to herself every so often. Today was no different; she was leaving her Normality and Abnormality psychology class, Stefani Germanotta's voice belting somber words in her ears, messenger back slung over her shoulder and resting at her hip, mismatching eyes absently gazing skyward. Despite the weather edging towards the chillier side, as autumn was transitioning to winter, the woman maintained decent body heat and blood circulation (though she attributed some of her warmth to the ability to control the fire element). She wasn’t donned in heavier coats like those around her, but instead wore a simple black hoodie over a t-shirt, as well as some dark blue, worn jeans and solid black Converse.

For a brief moment, Kiyo wondered why she chose to go to such a large university, and why there was so much unnecessary walking distance. Why couldn’t she just take a few steps from the social sciences building to her car, or fly straight to her apartment that was just off campus? She systematically answered those questions in her head for the billionth time that week: Your education is being funded by the state, so you can’t afford to go someplace pretty, hippie-ish and liberal artsy like Vermont or Massachusetts. Thus, you have to go to this big-ass university to get a pretty Bachelor’s, and that involves an absurd amount of students and walking and busy work and studying. As for why you can’t just fly home and save time and energy, society will beat your face in because you’re the scum of the earth—

Her train of thought suddenly ended as she caught sight of a bed of flamboyant, bright purple-pink hair in the distance. She did a double take, and felt an anxious flutter in her gut and a familiar tingle in her back as her wings threatened to burst forth. She quickly regained her composure in order to avoid a massively uncomfortable encounter with her fellow students, as her status as a winglet was a well-kept secret. Or so she thought. Luckily for Kiyo, the person she picked out of the crowd hadn’t noticed her and swiftly vanished into the sea of students.

”I love that lavender blonde… the way she moves, the way she walks…”

Thanks, Lady Gaga. I needed that well-timed song transition, the black-wing breathed out with that facetious thought, curling in on herself. With an adrenaline-fueled pace, much faster and more panicked than before, she shuffled across the courtyard and towards the parking lot where her car was. As soon as she caught sight of her most prized possession, a sapphire Lexus IS 300, she tossed her stuff into the car and removed her headphones from her iPod, replacing it with an auxiliary cable. As soon as she turned on the ignition, music loudly reverberated through the speakers, just the way she liked it. Kiyo finally felt herself begin to calm down, and her wings ease back into her body. She sighed contently as she pulled her car out of the parking lot, and quickly drove home to escape the public eye.

---

Crevan certainly didn't live in the richest part of town, but he always figured he had no reason to. Sure, he had some pretty good income from his various jobs, but he had all he needed. Weapons, ammunition, shelter, food, utilities, a car... He was set. The view from where he was wasn't particularly beautiful, but somehow he found he could channel his thoughts better when he just looked out into the world and saw people live their daily lives. Normal people, at any rate. There were many reasons why he didn't care for winglets, but a primary one was that they didn't belong in society. There wasn't a point for them to try to act normal when they weren't. Why bother trying? It was just so stupid. The thought annoyed him a little, though he had a pretty reasonable outlet for such negative emotions (or so he thought): hunting each winged being he caught word of and putting them where they belonged: rotting in Hell, like the abominations they were.

The hunter absently looked at his phone, anxious for another assignment. He was one of the more renowned and dangerous people in his profession, and he took his job very seriously. He exterminated every winged one he caught immediately and without exception. He slid the phone open and closed out of habit, simply checking for the time. He gazed at the wallpaper picture for a moment, transfixed by the image of a girl that was around his age. His trance broke suddenly as the screen went black, after being untouched for a certain amount of time. Breathing out, he slid the device into his large coat. He rested his arms on a small fence, which blocked him from walking right onto thin air and plummeting down several stories into certain death, staring out into the city.

Three-thirty… may as well begin my nightly rounds a little early, Crevan mused. Stepping back into his apartment, he gathered the few things he needed: his keys, his wallet, his guns, his knives... He made sure everything was aptly placed on his body (with his weapons well hidden in his coat to look inconspicuous). In moments, the man was out the door and making his way to his car.

[Merry]

Kelathe looked around the dark interior of the club. Everywhere you looked people where talking, laughing, drinking. Enjoying life. The music so loud, most were shouting to be even heard from a few feet away. With techno blasting thru the speakers like a heartbeat gone mad, it was almost impossible to hear anything. She set her sites on the bar and started wading among the sea of bodies, shouldering her way through the crowd. She could have cared less about pushing people, spilling more than one drink in her brusque manner. Focusing mainly on making her way to the edge of the crowd, a small space with no one at the edge of the bar. She waited patiently to catch the eye of the muscled bar tender as he served drinks to all the yuppies standing three deep in the center of the serving area. A tall blonde suit noticed her at his elbow as she worked her way in, only to have him turn to look at her “Hey there beautiful, what can I get for you?” he smiled a brilliant, dazzling smile “How about, a tall glass of get the fuck away?” she smiled back just as sweetly, turning her shoulder effectively cutting off his next comment “…bitch” was all she heard, which caused an even wider grin to appear on her ruby lips while she waited, her fingertips lightly drumming along the wooden edge.

“You know, scaring away customers isn’t a good idea” the bartender rumbled in her direction, “These idiots to pay the bills in this place” he finished pouring her a shot of tequila and sliding it in her direction. “Yeah, but I just don’t know how you stand them, they are all so ridiculous. Coasting through their life. You and I know they are good for only one thing” downing the shot and sliding the glass back across the bar “what do you have for me tonight” she murmured, her eyes suddenly brighter waiting for his response. “VIP section, just came in a little while ago, reeks of money” he replied pouring another shot. “They ordered a bottle of grey goose, and wouldn’t you know I don’t have anyone to deliver it, till now” he smirked at her feigning sarcastic delight “Well now, we wouldn’t want that .... would we” she grinned back and downed the second shot, flipping the glass over sliding it back again “Just remember the deal, we split it or I’ll find you girl” handing her a large bottle of vodka and two glasses “I know, I know” grabbing the bottle and turning “as if you can, you moron, couldn’t find your ass with both hands” she muttered under her breath heading toward the VIP section and her new friends. “time for a little withdrawl” she sneered.

[Lerouge]

Kenji's car sped quickly through the busy streets, swerving in and out of traffic and causing the screech of tires to go off all around him. He had never been like this before, something about this job was getting to him. Everytime he would hunt his life would be at risk, but now it was at risk by his own kind, the hunters. The thought not only disgusted him but made his body shake with fear, he was after all, still a kid. Calm down Kenji, just kill this one and things will be ok. But what if she has the answers I'm looking for. Is having wings really worth your life? What life... this isn't a life. The dialouge ran through his mind over and over as the small blue Honda flew down the streets toward where this Kiyo went to school. Suddenly he began to slow down and noticed a gas station up ahead, a quick look at his meter showed that he was nearly at a full tank, but his shaking hands turned the wheel and entered the parking lot anyway.

The small vehicle came to a complete stop at the side of the building and Kenji's hand went to the keys turning them so that the roar of the engine died down. Quiet. His head met with the cushion of the seat and his eyes felt cool as he closed them. Maybe he should just stay here and say that he fell asleep and missed the mission. A chuckle escaped his mouth at that thought knowing the result would be his death if he even attempted to pull a stunt like that. He was being watched, he knew he was. Throughout the day his mind would notice a man that seemed too familiar, a car that was driving by his house too slow, or even a student at school staring at him for an abnormally long period of time. At that moment, his eyes snapped open and gazed into the gas station window and saw the attendant looking out toward his car. A chill filled his body, was it just coincidence or was he one of the hunters.

He sighed and pulled the keys from the ignition slot and open the car door. Outside it wasn't as peaceful as it was in the car, thunder could be heard overhead from the coming storm and the roar of car's starting and stopping around him made his mind jump. His hand slowly moved toward his pants pocket, storing the keys safely inside as his feet began moving toward the light of the building. The words "last request" came to his mind as he made his way into the small store and laid eyes upon everything that he could buy. The store seemed to be doing well for itself, he remembered coming here as a small boy, and ever since that day this place always had customers going in and out. He made his way to the cooler and his eyes gazed upon the different drinks that were in front of him. "Wow... what is this?" He muttered opening the door in front of him and retrieving a Rockstar that seemed to be diet. "They make diet energy drinks now, what is the world coming to." He chuckled as he returned the diet and grabbed a regular Rockstar and made his way to the counter. The man from before gazed at him quietly as he rang up the drink, it seemed strange that Kenji never noticed this person working here before but let the idea go and paid for the can and left.

He made his way back to his car sipping on the Rockstar slightly as he went. When he finally made his way back he then felt a small ringer break the sounds that had become familiar to him. He looked around in an attempt to find the source of the sound when he realized it had been coming from his waist. The Black Phone. He quickly retrieved it and answered it, placing the receiver to his ear again and hearing the recording play.

Kenji, stop joking around you have a job to do. I know you are rattling your little brain trying to figure out a way to avoid this, but I am telling you right now you can't. You joined the hunters so you could kill these demons, they are not normal and must be destroyed Kenji. Isn't that why your father killed your mother, she wasn't normal. Your lucky you weren't cursed like she was, you can save humanity from that evil. You can be like your father Kenji, the greatest hunter that ever liv... At that Kenji slammed the phone shut and placed it back into his pocket. Water filled his eyes as he held back the tears that he wanted to let out for 17 years.

"I'm coming mother, I'll get my wings and be in the heavens with you one day." He muttered as he opened the car door and climbed in. The engine roared as he turned the key and sped off once again into the night toward the work of his target.

[Security of Mem]

Ren sat in his makeshift thrown staring at his fingernails. Digging underneath them and pressing down on them. He sighed. He was bored already and that man was taking a very long time. Ren hated bothering with these useless little creatures. They were pathetic and they were cowards. Which made it actually pretty much good for him.
He stroked his hands through his hair. And then lowered his gaze and his eyes turned narrow.
"Nay, I know you're there," Ren said, "I despise unwanted to guest to parties, eh."

------

Karasu continued walking down the streets. He was trying to avoid the hunters at night. Of course he had the advantage if they did come up. He was in a crowded city event. It would be hard to not get civilian causalities if the hunters did come after him.
He knew the hunters came out in the night. And it made night more dangerous. Why didn't he stay on the roofs? He stared around at the crowds for a moment and just hoped he wasn't on anyone's list. Without his gear, he'd be toast. Couldn't much fly with this wing, it would become to uneven and unbalanced.
He sighed. He should stop behaving so nervous. Or he'd be spotted. Just look like you're enjoying the dancing event in the city square. He needed to find a partner.
Someone not to drunk.

[Kiyo]

Kiyo would have preferred it if she didn’t have to stop at the gas station before going straight back to her apartment. However, the meter was pointing dangerously close to the E, and she wouldn’t be able to make it very far if she didn’t put some gasoline in her car. She pulled into the Mobil station near her university, silenced the music and stepped outside. She withdrew her debit card and used it to pay for the gas at the pump, and in seconds, was inserting the nozzle into the car and allowing gas to flow into the automobile. She leaned against the car, facing away from the small shop in the area.

For some reason, the hair on the back of the black-wing’s neck began to rise, and she couldn’t help but feel like she was being watched… She stared at the two sets of numbers on the pump quickly rise, wishing that they would stop and signal that her tank was full. Come on… just finish up so I can get out of here… she thought, strangely frantically. Kiyo wasn’t sure why she was feeling so anxious; but she did know if she lingered any longer and allowed her emotions to run rampant, her wings would reveal themselves and she’d cause a scene. The last thing she needed was a hunter on her tail.

As soon as there was that satisfying click, she took the nozzle from her car and replaced it, sealed the opening and dashed back into her car. She peeled out of the gas station, blasting her music louder than ever. Kiyo kept a paranoid gaze on her rear-view and side mirrors, making sure that she wasn’t being pursued.

---

Thirty minutes and one phone call later, Crevan found himself on the tenth story of a decadent office building. His gloved hand was firmly wrapped around the neck of a white-wing boy, who looked like another winglet that he had killed weeks (or was it months?) prior.

“P-Please…” he sputtered weakly, struggling. He was lifted a couple of feet off of the ground, back pressed against the glass behind him. He could even feel it beginning to crack as his weight was shoved against it. His beautiful wings, ruffled feathers white like snow, were uncomfortably flailing against the window. “L-Let me go… I’ve done nothing to you…”

“If only you knew,” Crevan murmured coldly.

"Hmm... You really are almost... angelic," the hunter noted, smiling a little bit. However, it was clear his intentions weren't nice as he pushed her against the window a little more. "Mm, perhaps you were one of God's apostles, sent down to this earth to grace everyone around you with your beauty... Alas, it's sad that this is a dog-eat-dog world, where if I didn't finish the job right here and now, I would have to suffer the consequences. Sometimes, sacrifices must be made."

Crevan pulled the frightened girl back in his grasp at his final words, holding her against him. "This is the test. If you are a winglet, then you are sure to reveal such momentarily... and if you aren't... well, it's just like I said moments ago. Sacrifices must be made. Regardless of what happens, though, the end is now." A swift, yet powerful kick landed on the glass, shattering it with a deafening noise. As the shards began to fall to the ground below, he gave a sick grin and cackle. "Crystal... isn't it fitting that you'd die with the amount of trashy fragments here? Think of your namesake. Hahahaha!”

He was less gentle this time. Instead of smashing the window before he tossed the winglet, Crevan simply shoved him through the glass and outside. Blood, smoke and a piercing scream filled the air as he withdrew his Colt Anaconda and fired off three consecutive shots at the man’s chest, wing and stomach with impeccable aim. He watched the white-wing plummet to his death in a shower of plasma and glass, completely emotionless.

”Fly, birdie, fly…”

[Lerouge]

Kenji drove slowly through the night, swerving and avoiding the miniscule traffic that blocked his path. He was still close to the gas station he had passed, he could see it out of the rear view mirror still as he stopped at the light. His eyes gazed into the car across from him and found himself staring at a young woman with black hair. For some reason something about her intrigued him and his eyes focused on her carefully as cars passed by. Then the light turned green and she drove by him, his eyes followed her carefully and that's what made him notice it. She seemed to be sitting farther up in the driver's seat than normal and yet something pressed against the leather, even if for a moment it was enough to catch his attention. "Wings..." he found his lips shaping as his head turned and gazed over the shoulder after the car and found it pull into the gas station he just left.

BEEP! "Move asshole!" Came the sound from the car behind him, snapping Kenji out of his daze and moved his car to the lane next to him forcing a U-turn. His eyes were watching the girl carefully as he pulled back into the station and parked his car in his previously abandoned spot. His engine died as he quickly left the vehicle reaching for the door and missing a few times before succeeding to close it, his eyes were glued to the girl. The first thought that came to his head was vulgar, but standard for his gender as his eyes scanned her body. Even through the rather loose close it was obvious she was attractive and he at first wondered what she would look like without the clothes.

With the shake of his head, he entered the store again looking around and smiled as he saw a magazine rack. It was placed perfectly so he could see through the window, so he walked to it picked up a random magazine and continued watching her. He stood quietly as she finished filling her car and replacing the pump before getting back into it, the engine revving up made Kenji realize he had to act. His eyes scanned the back of the car and read the plate KL57353 he muttered to himself as she drove off. His hand went to his phone as he set the magazine down, and with a push of the speedial he placed it to his ear. There was no greeting just a simple beep when the ringing stopping as he spoke.

"Run place KL57353, text me the information asap. Do not tell Crevas." He said before hanging up and placing the phone in his pocket, once again leaving the store and returned to his car. Climbing in he waited for the phone to ring with the information he needed. "Is this Kiyo... or another?"

[Kiyo]

Everything seems clear... Kiyo mused with relief, sighing against her steering wheel. As luck would have it, the sound of sirens blared from behind her, and she jumped. She turned down her music and pulled over to the right side of the road, allowing a group of police cruisers and an ambulance speed by. She sweat lightly, a foreboding feeling washing over her.

"The crap...?" she muttered, finally pulling off from the side of the road to continue home. The winglet pumped up the volume to drown herself in music, knowing it would calm her down and make it less likely for her wings to show. For all she knew, the cops could have been heading straight towards a hunter murdering another of her kind. The thought made Kiyo shiver, and she forced herself to think of something else. Puppies and kittens always served as a nice distraction in these situations.

Kiyo hastily made her way back to her apartment building. Luckily, her driving wasn't crazy enough that it attracted attention from the police, and wasn't dangerous. Once she pulled into the underground parking lot, she grabbed her things and dashed to the elevator, pushing the button more times than necessary. What's the hell's wrong with me? she mentally questioned, shuffling into the elevator as soon as it came. She hit the number '6' and tried to wait as patiently as possible, anxious to get into her room and just collapse.

---

"Let's see now... seems like this guy put up a bit of a fight before he was murdered. If I were to paint a picture of how he was killed, I would say: he was choked or strangled, then shoved out the window and shot point-blank exactly three times. He had no chance. Whoever killed him was ruthless."

Pacing about the crime scene was a tall man with messy brown hair. He was donned in a tan trench coat, which was haphazardly thrown over a white button-up shirt and worn blue jeans. His fingerless gloved hand rubbed his cleanly shaven face as he spoke and thought. He nudged the mangled corpse's wing with his black boot, then turned on his heel and began walking away. "... And, because of what he is, there's no need to investigate anything further. You know what to do, boys."

"Yes, sir!" the squad affirmed, moving to clean up the crime scene and take the body.

"Hope he had cremation in mind," the man murmured, lighting up a cigarette and taking a long drag. That was definitely Crevs. Damn, bud', you're not letting anyone escape after that couple, are you?

[Totenglaut]

((Sorry there Mem))

She had just settled down to watch. Who was Nay? Didn't matter he was aware of her presence now. Anger washed through Ullaryia. Her hand was on her weapon as she came out. "We are even then, white wing, I despise you" She said evenly. Her brown eyes were fierce now. Just take this Ren Ueyo down. "I'll be courteous and let you know the name of your death, Ren Ueyo. Just call me Fable" Her hand was on the whip. The whip was her friend. He was her best friend in fact.

Any who were acquiantances with Ullaryia in college would be shocked at her demeanor now. That slight gleam in her eyes in basketball was replaced with a full-on glare of fanaticism now.

[nonangelic92]

Ace awoke to her cell phone ringing, most likly a costumer needed a lift. She anwsered the phone to find noone on the other line. Well that was odd, she thought. Ace couldn't fall back asleep, so she decided to get dressed and take a walk. As she began walking, she noticed the stillness in the night. "Feels like death approaching." she said nervously kidding around. Ace walked to the local gas station and bought a gatorade and sandwich, then she sat outside on the curb, looking up at the stars. wondering about life.

[Merry]

Kelanthe knew it was past her time to go. She could tell there would be no more money coming her way. Way she figured it, she was up at least fifteen hundred off this jerk and his friends. Chances are she had taken them for all she could before they would start to notice cash was missing. She casually stood up, looking around the crowded room, then waving to someone in the distance “Oh, there’s my friend” she said brightly, “You’ll love her, let me go get her” she quickly headed down the stairs away from the reserved seating section.. Moving her way through the crowd, she reached into her interior jacket pocket to pull one of the wallets she had snatched, figuring on dropping it on the floor, minus the cash of course. “holy shit” she couldn’t stop from blurting out, the large shiny silver badge in the center of the wallet gleaming in the darkness. “damn it, damn it” She should have known they were cops. No one would carry that much cash and be so oblivious to what was going on around them, be that cocky and relaxed.

A loud shout of “HEY, there she is” quickly brought her to the realization that she was still in the club, with a stolen wallet in her hand. Not bothering to look back, she started to sprint through the crowd toward the back door. She had almost reached it when a large hand grabbed her stopping her forward progress, spinning her around. Keep cool, you can do this. Feeling little beads of sweat break out on her forehead, she threw her hands out, pushing the offending hands away with a slap “Look, I don’t want any trouble” she said stalling for time, edging toward the door. “You think you’re getting out of this?” he growled in response, inching closer to her. “Oh come on now, you wouldn’t have even noticed some of it missing” taking a step back “and I was gonna leave it at the bar, you’d get everything else back” she finished, trying to grin nonchalantly, suddenly realizing someone had stepped behind her, effectively blocking her exit. Shit, now what? “Yeah, so that makes it alright to steal from us” his hand swung out and slapped her, rocking her head back with the contact. Hands grabbed her shoulders, holding her upright and preventing her from falling. Suddenly, before she could stop it the anger swelled up, the tingling in the center of her back racing through her frame like fire. “NO!” she screamed, knowing it was useless now. Her wings broke free of her skin, tearing through her shirt and her jacket, ruining her secrecy, ruining everything. They spread out, wide and high above her. Black as night, leathery and impossible to miss. They unfurled, ends spreading to points, fully cresting with a resounding crack. The appearance of them caused everyone to take a large step back in shock, wings being the last thing they expected from her.

She let out a soft, sharp hiss as her wings stretched out, the sheer size of them making her attackers fall back enough steps to allow her the few seconds she needed to regain her composure. The few seconds she needed to escape. Pushing thru the door with all her might, she bolted into the dark alleyway, the wallet still firmly clutched in her hand. Dissolving into the shadows around her, she made her way toward the street, the noise, the crowd of people out front. There was a festival in the square tonight, music and dancing. Trying to calm her thoughts with each step she took toward the noise. She took the cash out of the wallet, stuffing it into her pockets, barely glancing as she tossed the wallet aside in the dirt of the alleyway. Shivering as her wings folded back against her skin, vanishing once more, her dark secret hidden safely away for now. Tossing the now destroyed jacket in a trash can, she stepped into the crowd, heading for the loudest group she could find. Wondering how much time she had before word of her mishap in the club would hit the street.

[Lerouge]

Kiosis' waited a few moments before finally receiving a text message stating the information of the young winglet he had just encountered. "So you are Kiyo..." He muttered to himself amused before turning the car back on. "Boss doesn't have a trace on you like he did Crystal... this might be my big break." He peeled out of the driveway his car racing into the night after Kiyo, following the directions he had been given of her apartment. From what his sources said she lived alone, this would hopefully be a good night for him. Kiosis' couldn't help but hide the smile on his face as he drove, his fingers tapping gently on the steering wheel as he went.

He had been driving for about 5 minutes when it happened, the silence that had been built up in the car was broken by a ringing of his phone. Without taking his eyes off the street, he reached down and pressed the phone on along with the speakerphone button.

"Hello?" He spoke first thinking the call was more information regarding Kiyo.

"Kenji! Another Winglet.... Sighted at a bar downtown, would you like me to fax you the address." Came the familiar voice from before, but this time not as a friend but as a business associate. He was being listened to and they both knew it, so they had to be careful about what they could and could not say.

"Fine. Send me the information, I have a lead on our current subject so I am going to ask around regarding her before heading downtown. Get Crevas on it." He said before snapping the phone shut and tossing it aside. His intentions were to get Kiyo, he didn't care for this other winglet. "Let Crevas have her." He muttered before roaring off into the night.

[Stilted]

Yawning and stretching, Ester could hear cracking in joints as she awakened from a nap. Immediately, she began talking to herself. Her current car, a white 04 Taurus was shut, all the windows rolled. Anyway, if you can’t babble in your own home, where can you do it? “You can’t keep on living like this, old girl.” She said ejaculated midyawn. Her eyes wandered the littered floors of the four door. Moldy fast-food leftovers and newspapers were of frighteningly prodigious saturation.

She began to ponder as she pulled an unwashed tanktop and sweatshirt on; the plaid miniskirt could last at least another day before it began to reek. “well, I guess I could, but that Benjamin I snagged from the punk will only last so long.” She mumbled, recalling a regular trick of hers she tried the day before. Her cloaking powers would be used while sat in the car parked out by a somewhere seedy, but vacant like a theater parkinglot. When a break in or GTA was inevitably attempted…BAM! The haunted car heaves a tire iron at you out of nowhere. ”Mac, that kooky surgeon, keeps on insisting I stay with him, but the whole point of…”

The young woman stopped herself, taking a deep breath as she straightened herself into the driver’s seat. Then she bent over instinctively to turn some knobs next to the glove box, the decorative fuzz of the chair tickling her exposed skin. She knew the radio was busted: her fault for accepting Mac’s offer of taking the guzzler if she could fix it. “You just gotta find a hipster or a dandy or something,” She repeated few times, wiggling her foot to find the gas, “once you can get those two paintings in the trunk sold, you’re in the black.”

Ester Cooper was moving, but had no idea where she was going. She was searching, but had no idea of what to find. Nonetheless, she felt that it was not going to be a normal day. Of course, nowadays, on normal days she woke up thinking the very same thing.

Perhaps she would wake up one morning, with the feeling weight on her limbs and chest- except it wasn’t just a transition of consciousness. The last rambling of the hunter were that there were more like him who want her and “ all the self-righteous white-winged freaks to sleep with the fishes”. Boogeymen were real to her now- they just didn’t hide in a bedcrevice or in the closet. Eventually she caught sight of a bridge and her back began to bulge, a few feathers floating out of holes of her shirt. “Don’t give them the pleasure”, she thought to herself.

She gulped, took another deep breath and began what in the past few weeks had become a morning ritual, a chant that always returned her after such thoughts. Other tengu! Four simple, magical syllables. A light house could be seen over the sea’s crashing waves. The hunter’s words had a comforting implication. And as for the boogiemen, for that one thing she prepared: it was amazing what abominations could be conceived in the most mundane places like a car.

[Kiyo]

Hearing the little ding of the elevator reaching its destination was music to Kiyo's ears. She slipped out and drew her keys from her pocket, stopping at room 'C.' She unlocked the door in record-breaking time and dashed inside, almost slamming it behind her. As soon as she did, she dropped her bag and plopped face-down on the couch, breathing a sigh of relief.

The apartment itself was nothing incredibly impressive. It had a tiny kitchen, living room, and bedroom that connected to a bathroom. Random blankets, mugs, notebooks, pens, textbooks and DVDs were haphazardly strewn around the living room, either on the small coffee table, the floor, or thrown over the couch. The bedroom was in a similar condition, with clothes that were obviously tossed at the laundry hamper and missed their destination; and the wasn't bed not made, perhaps because the one who slept in it didn't have the time or energy to worry about it. It was clear that Kiyo didn't care much about the tidiness of the place--who would want to go there, anyway? She considered her apartment to be the epitome of organized chaos. If someone didn't like it, then screw 'em.

Now that she was back in familiar, safe territory, the winglet would be able to regain control of her emotions and go back to a clean slate. Thank the gods, she absently thought to herself, sighing into the cushions and rolling onto her back. After a long, stressful day, Kiyo wanted nothing more than to veg out for an hour or two.

---

Not even 20 minutes after fleeing the scene, Crevan received another call from upper management. A winglet sighted at a bar downtown. He took the job, not only because he was nearby, but also 'in the mood.' As soon as he hung up the phone and plugged in the address of the pub in his navigation system, a twisted grin appeared on his face. This is going to be a good night.

[Merry]

Perfect! A street party she grinned heading toward the square ahead, the music the people. What better way to hide, then in plain site. Feeling the wad of cash in her pants pocket, she knew just how to spend some of it. Weeding through the throng of people in the street, she headed straight for the first vendor stand selling sweatshirts. Reaching up and grabbing an extra large one hanging from a hanger, she threw the woman behind the stand fifty dollars and slipped it over her head walking away. "You're change" the woman yelling behind her, promptly ignored. Quickly twisting her hair into a knot at the base of her neck and tucking it into the shirt. Effectively changing it to a much shorter looking style. Someone looking for a winglet with long hair in a leather jacket was certainly out of luck.

Fixing a plastic smile on her face, she headed toward the grandstand where there was a band playing and worked to mix in with some people dancing, she calmed her breathing and started looking around. No one seemed to be paying any particular attention to her. Everyone just focused on the music, and the band. No one on the edge of the crowd, scanning for anyone, everyone just relaxing, watching the dancers, enjoying the music. She slowly felt the knots she hadn't realized were between her shoulders start to loosen. Shaking off her nerves at the close call, she worked her way casually to the edge of the festival area. Spotting a bright yellow taxi, idling by the curb, she jumped in and shut the door with a slam, causing the half asleep driver to jump awake.