Wrong Side of Town

[Chesca]

As the stars and the moon shone brightly in the night sky, winds were blowing in the run-down streets of Underland Avenue which made all but a single soul shiver. In this part of town, it would be quite common to run into trouble especially if one walked alone, but Franchesca didn't care; she had done it before, after all. Many times over, in fact! It wasn't the first time the girl had walked through rumored dangerous and desolate places alone at night nor would it be the last time. Smiling to herself, the girl slowed down to a walk, letting the heels of her boots click and fill the empty streets. The youngest Blaylock wasn't too concerned with running into trouble as she had a secret weapon by her side if she ever needed it and for extra precaution, she was clad in all black to make it easier to blend into the shadows should the need arise.

Another wind picked up and blew past the girl making her shiver once again. Though most would probably curse at the wind, the night, or the cold, Franchesca welcomed them all with open arms. She found solace in these three elements and as with the silence. For a moment, she had stopped walking and stood in the middle of the street to inhale the evening air, but all too soon, she heard footsteps that wasn't her own. As common sense and instinct would dictate, any person in their right state of mind would have probably ran for cover at the first sign of anything suspicious in the middle of the night. With a bright smile on her face and a mischievous glint in her eyes, Franchesca waited in the open for whatever would happen next.

[Selena May Blizzard]

Her parents and Max's latest brilliant plan seemed to be to scare her into giving up the baby. They had been sending her off to the slums of town- Underland Avenue, mainly- to show her "where she'd end up if she threw away her education for that child." As soon as she'd told Max and her parents that she was carrying Matt's child, they'd been trying to make her get rid of the baby. She was determined not to let them succeed.

But standing here, in the cold dark streets, a perfect target for a mugging, she just wanted to run away and hide. But in her state, running was nearly impossible. She rested her hands nervously on her huge belly. Any day now, she thought. Could she leave now? Her parents wanted to thoroughly scare her, it seemed, because they'd said she had to stay out at least an hour. But she was scared and she wanted to go home! Would they let her in this early?

But wait! Was there someone else on the street? And more importantly, did they intend to rob her?

[Chesca]

Inhaling deeply, Franchesca turned around to face the cause of disturbance of the quiet night. Surprisingly, it was a female, not much older than her she presumed, walking alone with a nervous stride. The newcomer seemed somewhat familiar, perhaps someone she'd seen around but never spoke to. She didn't seem like she belonged in these parts either, so why was she here? Then again, maybe she wasn't one to talk given her own situation. Franchesca gave the new female a small smile before speaking, "Hello.

You seem lost. What are you doing here, milady?" she asked. She made no move to walk closer to the other, instead keeping her distance. Though harmless as the stranger appeared to be, Franchesca learned just how deceiving appearances could be. Just then, the youngest Blaylock had noticed the bulging belly of her companion. Poor dear must have been chased off for her child seeing as how young she looks. The thought alone tugged at her lips downward and made Franchesca shake her head ever so slightly. "It's dangerous for someone like you to be out here."

[Selena May Blizzard]

Selena noticed that the other person was a female, too. That made her relax a little, because she was pretty sure most muggers were male. Maybe that was stereotypical, but it was probably true. Besides, she seemed vaguely familiar. Maybe a classmate she'd seen but never spoken too? At least someone in her school would be less likely to attack her and if they did, she'd be able to find them.

She spoke, and Selena thought she'd seen a smile on the girl's face. Her words were polite, but Selena had to wonder if they were sincere. In any other setting she'd have been more trusting, but this WAS the bad side of town... And besides, wouldn't a thief try to lure her in with kind words before striking? But then again, why would they need to? She was an easy target for sure- she could barely walk! It wasn't like she could run or fight. So she cautiously answered, "No, my parents made me come here." She didn't say why, but her hands fluttered to her bulging stomach, giving the explanation she hadn't said out loud. Selena wondered i! f the comment about the place's safety issues (especially for "people like her") was a snub about her pregnancy, but decided it was better not to start a fight. She'd lose for sure! So she said, "I can't imagine this area being safe for you either."

[mysteryxio]

From behind there came a clicking, the sound of claws banging against stone. It was steady but was getting louder and louder. Click, click, click, click, click...then silence. From the dim light of the moon there stood a man looking at the two with confusion. AJ was not sure if he had just walked into something he shouldn't have. He wanted to back away, but something inside told him to stay, that something was nearby. After a few minutes of waiting it appeared that they had not noticed him. AJ wanted to ask if everything was alright, but instead walked back and listened to what the two would say.

He made sure that Gizmo remained silent. AJ looked again, he had not seen either of them before. His head told him to leave and not to get involved, but his instincts still told him something was about to happen.  Gizmo began to sniff the air, whatever it was that AJ sensed Gizmo did as well. AJ just hope that if he couldn't protect them, the girls could handle themselves.

[Chesca]

Seeing as she was too busy dealing with the pregnant woman before her, Chesca hadn't even noticed the other party that had arrived nor the looming danger just above their heads. When she heard the other woman spoke, Franchesca couldn't help but give out a knowing sigh. The night had gone so well, but now she had to deal with a lost lamb before she could continue on her merry way to wherever it was that she was headed off too. This girl didn't seem like she would be willing to fight in her condition. Plus, the youngest Blaylock worried over the possibility of a miscarriage if they ever were to get into a scuffle.

"Truth be told, this area doesn't seem to be safe for anyone at all specially at this hour," she said, looking around a little. Dark alleys, dirtied buildings, shady characters... perfect place for criminals and ne'er-do-wells alike. Not some place fit for a lady and a pregnant woman. She looked at the woman again before smiling. "I, at least, came here of my own free will and prepared myself for the worst. Black clothes for easy hiding and I know a trick or two if I need to fend off a hostile. I don't mean to be rude, but you were only driven to come here without any preparations. If you want, I can see you out of here safely. If not, you can stay here by yourself. Or you could perhaps tag along but I do not recommend that."

[Selena May Blizzard]

Selena had been cautious about the girl at first, but she seemed friendly. And besides, Selena could see a shadowy figure coming at them, and frankly, it frightened her. This girl seemed to know her way around, and so Selena realized it was probably a good idea to follow her.

What had her parents been thinking sending her here at this hour? How would they feel if she got herself killed? Well, actually, in hindsight, they probably didn't think she'd actually obey them. They probably thought she go to the movies and laugh at them for thinking she'd actually go to the bad part of town at such an hour. And if she'd been thinking, that's what she would've done.

But now she was there, and she really didn't want to be murdered or mugged or shot or whatever people in this area did to people to were on the streets this late. So she turned to the girl and said, "sure, I'd love it if you'd escort me out. Thanks!"

[Chesca]

Oblivious from the looming danger still, Franchesca only smiled at the other woman. That was probably a wise decision on her part, opting to get out of the dangerous place rather than staying for an extended period. Who knew what could happen if they linger at that part for long? Maybe a monster might come out of hiding and attack them. Or perhaps someone could be listening in on their conversation right about now. Either way, who knew? All Franchesca knew was that she would be helping both the woman whose name was still a mystery and herself.

"You're welcome. It's the least I could do for someone who was forced into these dangerous streets," she replied with a pleasant smile. "Now we should get going. Lingering too much in one place isn't really a wise decision since anything might come out of the shadows while we're just standing around. I'll only be able to see you out to the edges of Mushroom Street though. I still have business to attend to and I'm already behind schedule as it is. Shall we get moving, miss...?"

The question trailed off in hopes the other woman would give Franchesca a name to the face before her.

[Selena May Blizzard]

Selena listened politely as the girl in front of her spoke. "You're welcome. It's the least I could do for someone who was forced into these dangerous streets," she replied with a pleasant smile. "Now we should get going. Lingering too much in one place isn't really a wise decision since anything might come out of the shadows while we're just standing around. I'll only be able to see you out to the edges of Mushroom Street though. I still have business to attend to and I'm already behind schedule as it is. Shall we get moving, miss...?"

Realizing the girl was probably looking for a name, she said, "I'm Selena. How about you?" She wondered vaguely what business anyone could have to attend to in these parts. It hit her that she had no idea who this helpful person was. She could be a gangster planning to lead Selena to her lair and eat her! (Unlikely, but possible). But she figured that she'd at least follow the girl, and if she started leading Selena somewhere dubious, she'd punch her as hard as she could (which wasn't very hard) and run away at top speed (which wasn't very fast). Actually, this plan wasn't sounding so great. But still. Selena figured that if her main worry about the girl was whether she was a criminal, insulting her was not the way to go.

[mysteryxio]

"Good it looks like they're leaving" AJ thought to himself, maybe the danger won't follow them. He glanced at Gizmo who was staring intensely at the sky. Unlike most dogs, Gizmo was half wolf, meaning he was more in tune with nature and the danger that it sometimes brought. AJ squinted and tried to see as he did. A few minutes passed and a shadow moved within the sky, making it appear as if the stars blinked. It was hard to tell how high up it was, but whatever it was it was fast.

The bird began to descend to a lower elevation and AJ realized what it was. "No" he said quietly, "it can't be...but if that's there then the others...", he didn't finish the thought. He had seen the bird's silhouette before, many times in fact but only on the banner and tattoo's. He had never seen the bird in detail. He looked down at Gizmo still glaring at the creature. "Gizmo, listen, I want you to go back home and stay there. Let the others know that I'll be there as quickly as I can, but do not come back for me, that thing will devour you whole." Gizmo looked at him and understood. The clicking of the claws became fainter and fainter as he ran. AJ quietly cast an ascension spell to raise him to the roof. From here he could see out and see the gang surrounding the two young women. He looked up and saw the bird in greater detail, it shape was bat like yet still resembled a predator like bird. "Alright Jubjub bird, time to what your cultist gang can do."

[Kirito]

Shadows lurched as Vargas landed silently upon his feet, the back alleys of the underland neighborhoods being a second home for excitement, and sometimes a precious item that he may "find" upon his adventures. Having left his pup at home, Vargas felt the liberation of mobility, being able to run about and rooftop run to his pleasure. The wolf boy peeked from the shadows, his new weapon, a bolo with daggers instead of weights, made a few days before, dangling from his neck in a somewhat gothic display of power, the medium of his design being black fabric, further instilling fear into enemies.

Now, Vargas began to love the thrill of watching... just watching without being watched, a shadow himself, as he watched the two girls nervously converse with one another. Vargas began to twine the mesh wire of his blades betwixt his fingers many times over, the elasticity of the cord providing reassurance of long range maneuverability should it be needed. The crimson glint in Vargas' eyes shown through the darkness as a mischievous plot concieved in the boys mind. Something was offset about the whole scene, not the girls themselves, but... as if... another presence... was nearby... "hmm..."

[Chesca]

"Nice to meet you, Selena, but maybe the circumstances could have been better. My name is Franchesca, and you may shorten it to whatever you like." Again, she gave her a pleasant smile. Better to make the one more vulnerable feel safe rather than warn her of things yet to come— she thought, motioning for the other to follow, as she began to walk over to the intersection of Underland Avenue and Mushroom Street. The quiet and stillness of the night suddenly bothered Franchesca; it was much too peaceful for a place like Underland with the peacefulness reminding Chesca of the sea— specifically the calm before the storm. Just as both females moved away from their initial position, there was a faint sound of claws against the pavement, then the quiet swooshing of the wind much like a bird flying through at a high speed.

Right now, everything seemed harmless and peaceful with no strife nor worry to be had, but that was only it. The air suddenly seemed colder and much more eerie; the light from the stars and the moon seemed much more ominous; and the silence seemed much more unnerving— all of this elements coming together didn't make for a desired setting on a supposedly relaxing evening down at the rundown avenue. What really worried Franchesca though wasn't the danger that the situation posed, but the possible outcome of an upcoming battle; when push comes to shove, Franchesca could hold her own ground, but she didn't know if the pregnant female could do the same. Add to that would be the possibility of burning her to a crisp if the battle got a little too intense; it wasn't a welcoming thought nor was it a calming one. Nerves running high and body tensing, all the Blaylock child could do was hope her guest companion would make it safely back home.

[mysteryxio]

"Good they're leaving," thought AJ, maybe they'll get away in time. He knew what the cultists could be capable of. Words and stories passed through the wind. He tried to think why they would want either of these women, then he knew, the child. Unborn and filled with possibilities. Could they want a sacrifice, or maybe they wanted to raise the child as the face of their alleged "religion". Either way she was the likely target, but there was a chance they may be after the other or even both.

Then he realized what had happened, that the Jubjub had gone and it's followers were hidden away. The silence was as alarming as the wind behind him...the wind, there had been a slight wind before, but now it had stopped. AJ turned to see the bird trying to grab him. Without thinking he leaned and jumped off the edge of the roof. His back was toward the ground and the sky was blocked by the bird as it flew past him. He sighed as he prepared from the hard landing of the stone ground.

[Kirito]

Without another thought, Vargas decided to greet the pair, perhaps describe... just... how dangerous it could be out in a place like this. With a smirk on his face, Vargas intended to startle the girls, hopefully to chase them off, and not trigger some sort of surprise attack. He walked out of the alley, weapon in hand, his caution lessening as he grew closer to the girls. "Hm-hm-hm... this aught to be fun."

"Hey!!" Hoping that would be enough to startle them, Vargas strode towards the girls with hidden excitement at how he thought they would react. Blades in hand, The wolf boy continued to walk to the girls, and about halfway, slowed his stride slightly. "Hey... whats a couple of young gals like yourselves doing in a dark... creepy... dangerous place like this?" A full out grin befell his face, as Vargas came to a full stop. "You know that it can get pretty crazy out here..." A mental alarm went off in Vargas mind out of nowhere. Was that girl... pregnant!?