7th of September 2047
Trees would tower over the trio as the much overgrown path laid out before them, nature had taken back it's home on what manmade paved out long ago, just now barely usable. Roots would cause a stumble to their walk every so often along with the odd twig and bump on the pathway would make it displeasing to traverse on. A cold wind shuddered the leaves above them soaring through the still rows of colossal motionless statues grown from the very soil they walked on, around them were more trees and slopes that led down or even hills that led up. It was almost too easy to get lost in the valley of trees if you decided to go off trail however, through the leaves above it was evident there was some sort of civilisation nearby other than Turner Town by the smoke rushing up into the sky in the far distance through the forest.
Jaklo walked calmly with a sense of anguish washing over him realising now he had left his rug sack full of valuable supplies that would benefit them on this journey through the green desert practically. Spotting the smoke most likely coming from a chimney far in the distance he'd then feel relief replace that anguish knowing at least there is always opportunities to get those supplies back. The Hyena was the first to point it out among the three, as they reach a closed gate now rusted and worn along with the lock that secured it as if it couldn't be walked around anyway, a large "ROAD CLOSED" sign laid on the floor covered in old twigs and leaves. "Look, good to know we aren't alone in this hellhole.. maybe they can give us some stuff on the way dudes." Daisy states whereas Ellis would scoff at her discovery and give a light-hearted chuckle along with his own response "Pshh.. you think the folk around here would openly hand out water and a decent meal? Gotta be careful around these parts, there's some lunatics lurking around that's why I would like to pass through here as quickly as possible.. Heard talk of monsters in the woods too so lets just be careful, okay?" Jaklo stared over at his partner, realising he was stressed from the previous ordeal that nearly ended all their lives. "Relax Ellis, It'll be three or two nights tops right, Daisy?" She slowly nodded "Haven't been through this way in years, remember trekking through here into Stardown to avoid paying that ridiculous damn fee into the rotten place." Tapping the gate lightly, Jaklo would simply walk around it onto the other side of the path where his friends followed him. The roots were on the path were far more evident and it was definitely harder to keep your eyes on the path thanks to the overgrowth taking back what Mankind had paved into mother nature.
Meanwhile, Sun shone down on the corpses in the treeline laying in the dirt, a fly landing onto one's face near the small but lethal bullet hole in their skull before quickly being disturbed by an approaching pair of footsteps, disturbing the mud and leaves laying embedded within it. "You dragged me out here to show me my murdered affiliates.. that you promised to protect, Clovis? You had them tied up, didn't you? and they managed to murder two of your men and almost.. fatally wound you with that bullet hole?" The rhetorical question surprised Clovis, the man seemed calm yet he spoke as if he was frustrated with this grizzly outcome, inhaling deeply and letting out a long sigh before turning to a much more composed Clovis, clutching his stomach in mild pain where a bandage replaced the bullet hole in his clothing "Yes boss.. I-- We thought we had it under control. Those men were careless anyway, you know that" The lights of a nearby empty police car on the road would light up the two in the clearing, first blue then red. The Musician would approach the hollow Goat corpse laying on the ground and kneeling, still dressed in a similar attire as he adjusts his hat as a sign of respect. In his other hand he clutched a violin, his weapon. "I pity you my servant, you fell under the wrong hands of control and here you lay with unnecessary blood spilled on this rotten dirt for us, your sacrifice will not go unnoticed my child." Placing his hand along his deflated chest, the light of the silent siren would flash blue before red again as he stood up and glared at his close affiliate. "This is unacceptable Clovis. I demanded my darling old friend back, and instead you have left me standing among my own men with a bad taste in my mouth, You are getting out of control. Why can't you do anything right?" Walking over to him and getting uncomfortably close to his ear, smiling exposing his sharp fangs just briefly "You know what happens when I think you're irredeemable, don't you?"
Clovis would for the first time seemed scared, fiddling with a coin in his hand as The Musician would back up a little, staring into Clovis' eyes with a soulless, fake smile of happiness to match his sinister aura "ANSWER ME" Catching a handful of his shirt he'd pull him forward, shook up he immediately responded while closing his eyes out of fright "Yes boss.. I will work uh.. harder to control my.. my anger and uhm--" Before he could finish his boss would greet him with another question "And what is your current objective now, my dear boy?" Thinking for a second or two, showcasing his stupidity, he'd quickly respond as he remembered. "Find.. Find Jaklo right? I'll find him. I'll start now.. Right now, Sticks can take control of the White Hand business for today while I go get him.."
Quickly letting go of him, he'd push him back gently and resume his smile. Now it was a natural smile of pleasure. "Perfect! I'm going to need your keys, you don't need them anymore you're going in that forest and you're not leaving again unless you have him. It feels just awful that I couldn't have a chance to catch up with him today, It's been a long.. long time don't you think Clovis?" He'd quickly nod at him and throw him the keys for the police car "Yeah.. man uhm, I'll gather up a posse of men now and shit.. we'll call it HUNTING season yknow!" His sense of relief and happiness would immediately be dampened out like a flame as his lips were hushed with an index finger "You know I don't like when you raise your voice around me Dime. Compose yourself, maybe your hyperactive nature is the reasoning for your failure. Don't let me down again. Remember what I said, okay?" Patting the Dime's cheek with one hand he'd be smiling again. Turning and walking out from the treeline with a quiet hum towards the cop car, looking back at Clovis and holding up a walkie talkie "Can alwaaaays reach me on here, don't have it too loud though. Those frequencies really induce bad headaches" Musician would mockingly nod at him and walk to cop car. The lights would stop on Red before turning off entirely, driving off in a much more mannerly way compared to the Dime.
Beginning his journey out of fear under the command of The Musician he would tune his radio to a different channel and start speaking with a much more different attitude "Fellas! We got a mission to do, that fucker just humiliated me and got away from us. Jaklo needs to be caught, it is the Musician's will. Sticks can take the reigns of the White Hand while I'm gone.. Because today we're going to get a little ... Preoccupied!! I'll need three men preferably from my A-Team to go and meet me by the Green Dustbowl in the east! If you aren't here in an hour.. I will NOT be happy." Radio babble back and fourth would confirm his request for support, turning the radio off and strapping it to his belt next to the coin dispensers. Smiling as he walks with a fire of rage burning in his eyes "Real.. Fucking Pre-Occupied..."
"So... Jaklo I have been meaning to ask but I didn't want to intrude uhm.. How did you know exactly what to say..?" Ellis would ask, walking slow behind him staring at the back of his old leader. Hesitantly, Jaklo would glance back at him and sigh quietly "It's simple uh tactics Ellis. I know for a fact that Clovis guy definitely had anger issues, I also know for a fact he's probably hunting us thanks to the fact we let him get away-" Rudely he would gesture to Daisy who grunted "Look, murdering people might be easy for you people, but I am just a mother worried sick for her kidnapped children alright? I don't need that on my conscious right now" Ellis seemed understanding and gently pat her on the back whilst Jaklo still seemed defensive about his point "Look." He would stop and turn around, walking backwards now down the path as he spoke to his two friends "It was him or us. In the way this world is now, you gotta really get past that, you either pull the trigger or they pull it on you, there is no other way around it. It is cruel but it is the way it is." Daisy would peer off to the side in an annoyed manner, not exactly taking his point into account. "Don't forget I'm just travelling with you guys.. I'm not apart of your little cult or gang shit you two got going on, I am not going to murder someone. End of"
Closing his tired eyes, not in the mood for arguing he would sigh again and turn once more to face the pathway in front of them, walking silently now as Ellis continues to add fuel to the fire "Cult? I am sorry.. I take huge disrespect to that, you bystanders think us gangsters are all the same. Lawless and awful people, if it wasn't for Jaklo here and his distraction.. Putting his life on the line for you?? Your brains would be splattered all over that mud back there. Show a little respect okay?" Quickly shut down by Ellis she seemed surprised and almost saddened in a way, giving a reluctant "Okay.. Relax man." To which, this immediately pulled on Ellis' sensitive heartstrings and he would justify himself "Apologies Daisy I am just... still a little stressed right now.. we all are, right? that was insanity back there" Jaklo would stare back at him "You're right about the insanity part, just.. think about something happy.. A memory maybe, that usually eases stress off your shoulders, it's worked for me."
Nodding he would sigh and continue down the trail before they came to a stop as ordered by the leader of the two, Jaklo. Looking back his ears would perk up as he stared around, Daisy would pick up the sound as well and seem uncomfortable "Into the treeline it's too dangerous to stay on this path, I can hear movement just up ahead. They probably think we're stupid enough to stay on the path and that's exactly what we're doing." With his smarts, he'd lead them off path and remain inconspicuous, despite having an ability to predict and pursue any outcome desired to even the most deadly situations, he knew he couldn't constantly keep doing it and that everything had a limit. Walking into the trees, remaining as light-footed as possible with his nimble agility. Ellis struggled with the discretion and as a result was constantly snapping twigs and even almost tripping over a rogue root sticking up from the forested floor.
"Where exactly are we going anyway? You haven't checked the map once Jaklo. I wouldn't underestimate the woods, only way out is to respect them, I know that from experience." Ellis added as Jaklo would crouch near a fallen tree and rest with the two for a while, Daisy stayed on lookout gazing at the path while Jaklo responded "You forgot those bastards took it off me while escorting me to the woods. We're just gonna have to play stepping stones and hopefully find a map in one of the houses around here" Daisy nodded and sat down beside the two, shouts could be heard in the distance supposedly from a hunting posse ordered by his rival. "Plenty of houses around here, Like that one right over there." Staring over with his tired eyes, his mind failed to compliment the detail that a lonesome lodge accompanied by a shed and small fence now occupied his vision, it was like witnessing an oasis in a long, lonesome desert where the cacti stretched high and thin. "Stay right here, You can be my lookout and backup if needed. Don't need any surprises do we?" Flashing a charismatic smirk at the two for the first time in a while it would be enough to coax a chuckle from Ellis seeing a fraction of his old self reveal. "You always were an excellent burglar, as much as I sometimes despised it."
Through the branches, adjusting his hat. As silent as a cat lurking through the night he'd approach the fence, consisting of wood rotten and old, taken back by mother nature with the roots sinking it into the floor. With skill he'd easily hop the fence and land, approaching the small shed which had a rumbling coming from it almost like a generator. Confirming his theory as he peeked inside there was two separate wiring running through the grassy exterior of the floor, camouflaged by the many fallen leaves and overgrown floor that ran directly into the small lodge through the barricaded windows. The power source is unknown, but it seems to have been enough to run for a decent amount of time on it's lonesome, judging by the unsanitary state of the garden there has not been anyone here for a long time. A light humming came from inside the home as well as the comforting light of a lamp leaked through the barriers. In his mind he came to the conclusion someone was definitely inside.
Sneaking around to the front door there was a neat and welcoming patio fitted with a welcome mat and a sign hung above the door now rotted and old that simply stated "Proud Members of The Ash-Valley Forest!". Moving closer he would peek through the peephole and the pupils of his eyes would light up as a quiet yet colourful video reflected on his eyes that played on the TV, The beautiful colour in life presented was just barely out of his reach. Standing up he'd knock on the door and with a comforting voice he'd call out to the individual sitting comfortably inside, watching the TV and faced away from the door on the couch. "Greetings, I am a friendly visitor of these fine parts and pose no threat to you or your family... uh, I am a traveller in need of supplies or scraps if you have any to spare, that would be... hello?" After a moment without even a response the quiet humming of the television inside was deafeningly loud, the chirping of birds nearby gave an uneasy feeling as Jaklo then realised the door lock had rotted so much to the point it could easily be pushed open, with some force he'd push into the door to no avail before, completely kicking it off of it's hinges as it fell flat onto the extremely dusty floor of the cabin.
Holding his gun he'd check the corners of the empty cabin and walk inside approaching the individual sitting watching the television facing away from him "Sir? ..." A sneaking suspicion dwelling on him was eventually brought to light as he faced him, his face was completely blown off and torn to pieces, his stomach was torn open and his entrails would lie along the floor. The video projected by the television would devolve into static as the power to the generator seemingly just now ran out. This poor leopard was torn to pieces and rendered to a mutilated corpse by something that burst in from another window around the side, out of Jaklo's view when approaching the cabin, judging by how he simply sat watching the TV, whatever killed him seemingly assisted his suicide. The lamp would power down hiding his mutilated face and Jaklo would stand startled yet, desensitised to the gory nature. it wouldn't stop it from dwelling on him. Moving over to the television that was playing a VHs tape, picking up the empty case with no VHs tape inside, he'd analyse it and it read "Our Special Wedding Day, I Love You Hun"
(Beams by Tape would begin playing here)
Hurt by the fact the man was watching his wedding tape moments before his death, Jaklo would peer up at the man who had been ruthlessly murdered and almost gag from the horrible rotten stench that overwhelmed and clogged his nostrils. Below his mutilated face, almost beyond recognition there were countless fang bites on his neck, he had no idea what person or thing was capable of doing so but it had brutally murdered him in a sick and almost animalistic way. Standing over him and laying the case of the VHs beside him, a single tear of disgust and anger even some guilt would run down his face as he stood and simply watched with an empty expression. He felt static overwhelm his mind and grow louder and louder occupying his thoughts with intrusive ones. Brain fog and more confusion plague his broken mind and it would shut down for that moment. Tiredness crippled him, he felt like giving up in that very moment where he was finally given clarity to how broken his mind and this world was "You envy him, don't you?" The voice in his thoughts told him. He didn't feel as disgusted as he thought he would've felt upon seeing a poor soul end up like this. Swallowing his sorrow the best he could the raccoon would sigh and wipe the tear, composing himself and simply walking out of the house while holstering his gun. Walking around and admiring the broken window of whatever beast broke into it, Finally the sound of nature filled his sense of sound and the beautiful smell of grass and trees gave him a small comfort considering what he just witnessed. Walking back slowly towards his group who seemed disappointed to watch their leader return empty handed.
"Anything?" They would both ask simultaneously as Jaklo would stare at them both and crouch down beside them before sitting with his legs crossed with a short sigh. "Nothing. Just an empty house" He'd smile and keep his chin up with his following statement "There will be more houses along the way, with more valuable things in them. This one was already... looted it seems". Ellis would sigh and come to a stance same with Daisy "I think those bastards have passed, we should get a move on while they're gone" Suggested Daisy to which Jaklo agreed and came to a stance "Seems that way, Let's just stick to the trees, okay? I don't have a good feeling about this place anymore."
Passing the house, Jaklo would focus his attention on the windows that prevented him from seeing inside and frowned. Facing away from the two that continued their conversation, pressing onwards and continuing into the wild and vast forest that held many surprises as shown by whatever had murdered that man. Ellis would tap Jaklo on the shoulder, breaking the saddening immersion the house of the horrifying yet sad backstory ensnared him in. "Hey, you okay? seemed a little chipper earlier but now it seems you've just plummeted is all." Staring over at them and flashing a fake small smile while avoiding eye contact, he would shake his head "Nada.. I've always felt this way about everything, Been pessimistic ever since.. you know" Ellis would nod and hold his tongue only to state "I understand."
Daisy being nosy would prod into the situation and ask, their conversation would be muffled from Jaklo's perspective as he couldn't stop focusing on the image that was glued to his mind, never in his years of business especially with how violent it can be has he seen something so unsettling, seeing the wedding tape was the worst part. It didn't break him and he wouldn't let it, The Three continued onwards down deeper into the woods in hope for salvation from the No Man's Land they have been forsaken to, chained to the idea of revenge against those who wronged them and hurt their soul.
The sun was shining bright somewhere else though, as bright as it could be in the sky. Not at all ready to settle down for the night and continued to bless the remaining people who still walked the corrupt earth with it's empowering rays of life. The beams of light shone down on a completely different street this time, many buildings with flashy neon signs almost everywhere, rows of multi-coloured lightbulbs connected from building to building on each side of the street. At the end of the street was an ancient opera house, yet clean and with a beautiful exterior, on top of it was a beautifully lit star given clarity by it's wonderful neon lighting blessing the streets below in it's glory. The street was beautifully alive and full of life, many people walked the sidewalks observing each business restrained to the building that implanted the small city known as Stardown, it was almost as if life was normal again here.
However, this seemed to only be the silver lining in what was a toxic society. It overshadowed the true stains covering this town's name and what horrible events happened here. No amount of neon lights and constant parties, alcohol or drugs can cover up the fact this gem of a town is home to many traumas belonging to many individuals such as Jaklo. In the empty opera house rows of chairs and balconies overlooking the stage where a man stood holding a violin passionately playing a emotional jingle as skilfully as can be, humming quietly along to the rhythm of the heartfelt song while the single spotlight above shone a red light down on him lighting up his features. It was the Musician and it seemed he was rehearsing and enjoying himself while he did so, gazing at the single empty chairs as if there was a full audience craving his performance and flashing a smile at them "Behold! People of Stardown! This wonderful Friday night I am here to bless each and every one of you with the most--.." He'd scoff and sigh completely messing up what he was going to say before smiling once again at the imaginary audience and continuing.
"Behold! People of Stardown! This Beautiful Friday night I am here to showcase each and every one of you, my beautiful fans an exclusive remarkable performance of my skills. Sit back, Relax! Concessions are available such as Popcornnn.. or even Wine for the ladies, don't be afraid to blow some money people! You earned the right to have a good time!" He'd hold up his fake smile for a little bit, standing on his tippy toes from joy before frowning immediately and scoffing again, muttering under his breath "God damn it." Leaning down he'd put the violin inside his case gently treating it as if it were his baby and sitting right down on a lonely stool in the middle of the stage, holding his head in his palm and sighing out of stress indicating something was certainly bugging him.
Just then a voice from backstage behind the row of black curtains would call out, opening them with a single talon as a tall figure stood there in the shadows gazing at The Musician with eyes like a hawk his red pupils were almost glowing menacingly that outplayed the rest of the details in his eyes "Update? You ... Requested one dear friend, I can finally show you an example of the models.. although.. We still need the extra blood type, we have been.. insuccessful with capturing him."
Staring back at him he would chuckle to tease the taller beast cloaking himself with the curtains and hiding in the shadows. "You should come on out pal no need to stand in the shadows, It'd be nice to paint a face on ya every so often." With a thunderous voice of order came back from the intimidating man but yet, the Musician was unchanged "I do not need to nor want to, intense light hurts my sensitive skin under my feathers... You have clearly forgotten how fragile my beak issss too.." It was deep and would strike fear into the heart of anyone especially accompanied by his size, The Musician would comply and nod, leaning forward on the stool. "Update time then; tell me what you got dear Watchmaker."
Breaking the silence and sending a discomforting echo throughout the entire hall, a pocket watch accompanied by a gorgeous golden chain would slide across the stage clanking against the stool leg of the musician, quietly ticking away as the seconds escalate, the minutes would grow shorter. "Beautiful design as always, I suspect you have reworked it's purpose?" He asks and the bird or beast would nod from the shadows and respond "Yes, it is almost ready. I just need to develop clones, Of course we still need.. P-FSTFWRD's blood.. He has been quite hard to catch, when we bond his blood with the Ouroboros blood type, we can start the.. catalyssst.. We may need some people to visit the scrapyard.. to develop the clones." the Watchmaker would have an unusual stutter.
Nodding his head, he'd gaze his eyes at the watch he had just picked up, his face would reflect on the small glass face around the watch as the skinny hand ticks around the circular frame time and time again. Two small buttons at the top to be pressed, instead of testing it's use he'd pocket it in his suit jacket that he wore and took off his top hat as a sign of respect to his friend. "I thank you for the constant great work as Always, Krover. You know what they say about FSTFWRD, he's the uncatchable outsider.. but we'll get him one day. Anywho, I will ensure that production will go as smooth as silk from here on out, I'll get someone to get those parts for ya' in excess amounts so you can create a tower out of these beauties.. that's the amount we need anyway" Instead of responding he would nod, walking back into the shadows and even though he wasn't standing close enough to shut the curtain again it would sharply close, seemingly on it's own. The Musician would smile and turn back around to his imaginary audience and raise his hands in the air "Not too long now, folks. This show is only getting started" Smirking, he would laugh to himself.
Almost encumbered from physical exhaustion, the trio would have been walking for miles by now. Through the distant forest, the mud from the earlier scuffle had well dried and caked into their clothing and fur. It was true to say, they were a mess and deserved some rest. Finally, the destination presented itself, Jaklo had remained quiet and open-minded and alert while facing the small household with a wonderful garden containing flowers of many types and bushes. Despite the perfect garden some weeds grew threw the cracks of the patio connecting the house, smoke blowing out from the chimney, the same smoke that Daisy pointed out earlier. It bellowed quietly into the already tainted atmosphere. Approaching the stable fence, Jaklo would observe the house as if expecting someone to be home while others watched on similar level of alert as the tired raccoon.
His hunch was confirmed quickly, the door to the humble household would creak open nosily and out stepped a wolf onto the Patio of his home dressed bizarrely, a dark green beret sat atop his head, along with a similarly coloured shirt and a Jacket with a lighter tone of green that barely reached his hips, it was a uniform of some kind. He wore dog tags around his neck, representing himself as a veteran or former member fighting in the war. on his hip, gave a factual reason for why his Jacket was so short and it was the rapier holstered on his utility belt holding many satchels and tools. The wolf's fur tone was overall a purple and white colour with dark colour markings along the purple fur fitted with light orange eyes that stalked the three with subtle aggression shining in those beautiful pupils. Notably, his fur was dried and worn giving up the ghost that he was definitely an older guy.
"What are you three doing here? Should get a move on, I don't do charity here if that's what your looking" Acting as polite as possible considering the three seemed friendly to him; his voice had a light rumble to it from his aging, he was older than all of them as signified by his time served in the war no that long ago. Stepping forward into the middle of his garden, the comfortable cargo pants he wore surrounded by the pretty flowers beneath his feet. Ellis would hold onto the fence and begin his desperate plea next to Jaklo, he was good at tugging on people's heartstrings. "We've been travelling for miles friend, we just need something to compensate for our struggles, so we can get to where we need to go... There's a lake behind your house for crying out loud, you have surely got to have some scraps in that house somewhere, we don't mean no harm truly" Jaklo remains quiet and nods in response to what he states.
Daisy steps forward to vouch for them "We won't make it to Stardown like this, I don't think I can walk anymore." Dropping some guilt into the heart of the man. yet, he refused with an arrogant scoff and waved his hand dismissively in the air while the other gripped his rapier tightly, still in it's holster "I've been through situations far worse than walking without food, your 'Damsel in Distress' here won't help you out. I've learned being twisted by guilt from others leads you to even darker places, truly." He would mock Ellis as well by reciprocating some words he spoke to him and began slowly walking back to his house "Just keep walking, you'll find some empty houses and there... I am certain you'll find the 'scraps' you search for." However, Ellis with his initiative didn't take this and opened his gate and stepped right into his garden, which was the wrong move considering he quickly drew his rapier. And as quick as lightning, near scratching the face of the earth, he'd point the blade directly at the Lizard's throat with extreme precision and deadly accuracy growling at the trespasser "You get back and out of my garden right now or I won't hesitate to make a pincushion out of yer' damn windpipe!" Jaklo would watch, wide eyed and would step into the garden alongside his friend to defend him after a period of silence, Ellis raised his hands, trying to defuse the volatile situation as Daisy cussed him out in an anger for his lack of sharing.
Jaklo would stand and adjust his hat so he could stare into the man's eyes as he spoke "Listen buddy, we're not asking for much, as little as a bottle of water we'll take. Let's not go down this road shall we?" Instead the situation grew messier, as he aimed the rapier quickly towards Jaklo and growled "You think you're tough, huh? Quiet type and apparently an outsider, I can see it in your eyes. You are a damn power junkie! I've been trained to identify you scum.. Why on earth would I let the likes of you under my damn wing?! You bring nothing but trouble, damn trouble every single time." His rant would give Jaklo just enough time to draw his gun from behind his back as he was caught off guard and aimed it towards him, his speed would outplay the Raccoon's agility as with one hand he'd grab the gun and aim it to the side as it fired a hole into his house, deconstructing the gun with a single hand and tossing it to the side as he glared at the two. Jaklo had clearly tried to use his ability, unawaringly to the others and as a result he would stumble down to the floor with blood dripping from his eye sockets, It didn't work, he was too tired to use it. Coughing and heaving as he seemed to have reached a limit of some sorts "See? All you are is a damn mutant. You can't even utilise what fried brain you have in there to take down the likes of an old man"
Ellis concerned for his stumbled leader, would manage a successful hit against the veteran and disarm his rapier which fell from his hand and hit the stone pathway in-between the flower garden with a clink. His retaliation was fast with a swift punch in Ellis' direction and with a quick expected dodge, the two would begin fighting with fists, oddly Ellis did not punch back and only dodged or took the punches "You don't have to do this. We're good people" Eating his words quite literally, he would be punched in the face but yet he stood his ground and took those punches while Jaklo watched weak and bleeding from his now dilated eyes. Daisy would intervene and before any real damage could be done she would step right in between them and hold her arms out "Stop!!! You don't have to fix this with violence, we told you we are not here to hurt you. Our boss just isn't thinking clearly, he was obviously stupid drawing that fucking gun okay??" Ellis would heckle in as well, glaring back at Jaklo for a moment before back at Ellis "I don't know what's gotten into him either.. I'm sorry, I'm sure he didn't mean it.. he's not normally like that!" The Wolf would stop and pant, staring at the two as something resonated in him, with the words they spoke about not having to resort to violence. Staring at the injured scalie behind her and sighing "Watch your language, no guns, including that shotgun I see you didn't utilise, scales." He gestured to the shotgun lying on the dirt just outside the garden that Ellis dropped, deciding not to use it. Turning to the injured Raccoon he'd lean down and pat him on the back roughly "Get up. Get inside and sit, you can remain here as long as you do not cause trouble and do what I say. You are to do tasks for me as payment for you residency here, I hope you don't drag in any other crazies lurking out there with you."
Bursting through the door, clutching his friend tightly. Ellis would gaze down at the injured raccoon practically laying against him; Jaklo's head laid down on the scalies shoulder and quietly panting without a word to be uttered. Following behind the two were the soldier and Daisy, the soldier keeping a close eye on the injured raccoon "Whys he acting like that? Something wrong with him? I have to say I haven't seen a fella bleed from his sockets before, only dead ones. Unless he is an outsider... is he?" Ellis would glance back and shrug, while reassuring him as he set him on the couch, the blood staining his cheeks. It ran down in trails from his eyes, looking practically invisible as it matched the raccoon's fur colour. "Jaklo, What's wrong? Do you need anything? Buddy you're bleeding from your eyes. I don't know, I never believed him to be an Outsider, I've known him for years." His reassurance wasn't the best. If Jaklo was squeamish, it would do him a world of trouble but luckily it seemed he just needed a rest "F-Fine.. I'm fine.. Water is all I need. I pushed my limit today" Raising an eyebrow Ellis would stare at him, confused at what he meant by 'reaching his limit' but he digressed and got up, snapping his attention to the Veteran that stood in the doorway "Water. We need water please" He felt empathy for his injuries and obliged reluctantly "Kitchen, in the fridge of course."
Ellis scurried away as quick as he could to the Kitchen while Daisy sat beside Jaklo, The Veteran sat opposite him on a lazy boy chair staring him down as well as Daisy "So is he a Outsider or what? Did he just try to explode my head out there or something with his mind?" Daisy seemed just as confused as him and pat the raccoon's shoulder in reassurance "If I am being totally honest I don't know, he hasn't told us much about himself." Her few words were enough to convince the man and he sighed under a little bit of pressure not used to the social contact all of a sudden. Jaklo laid back along the couch holding his head in his hands as a brief amount of static rung out in his head almost deafeningly loud.
The dragon holding a bottle of water would turn the corner and kneel down at the arm of the chair where Jaklo had situated his wounded body, handing him the water and at first it took a few nudges to get his attention, which he quickly looked over at Ellis his pupils dilated and dried blood staining his fur down to his chin. "Th-Thank you.." Chugging back some of the sweet, yet warm water; Ellis would apologise, remaining as professional as he usually was to the man in his home they were practically intruding on "I apologise sir, I didn't mean for us to barge in like this and cause a fight." Contradicting his confusion, he would lay a theory on the table and continue to eye Jaklo up "Has he been administered any drugs or.. narcotics? Usually that's a clear sign of damage to the brain" Gazing up finally he seemed to have composed himself, setting the water down on the wooden coffee table in front of them and speaking up "No drugs.. I was born like this"
All eyes in the room locked on Jaklo as Ellis seemed worried as well as remaining to be confused "Born like what?" Daisy would also add "Born bleeding from the eyes?" Her skittish comedic attitude was only met with a light glare from Ellis as she tried to lighten the mood "No..-- Ellis I haven't been.. fully transparent with you, especially with my time serving as your... leader in our.. little gang we had, I'm sure you remember" He smiled up at Ellis fixating his attention on him seeming briefly happy with the nice memories overshadowing his many saddened thoughts "You always said I was charismatic, always knew what to do.. Where to lead you in the right direction. It wasn't because of my smarts, Ellis. Quite frankly I'm kind of stupid.."
The Vet seemed compelled and focused on his words. Although, he seemed to have already knew the answer to finish his explanation. "It.. It was because like he said" Gazing over at the old man in the recliner he'd peer into his eyes "I was.. and am nothing but a filthy outsider, I have these abilities just like Rosco had his.. I never wanted to tell you because it was.. so.. so.. easy to hide, so easy to look better than everyone else with.. how I could predict the smallest things.. I guess I was riding the high of life and it got to my head... got in the way of everything.. I've been paying the toll Ellis, I have.. I guess I just didn't want to be seen as nothing more than a power junkie or.. a freak to those who I depended on more than they.." he struggled to find his words, keeping his attention on Ellis who seemed indifferent to what he was saying "More than they depended on me."
There was a brief moment of silence throughout the room, the gentle ticking of a clock on the wall would blare through the room before Ellis spoke up "You think I would have minded? You were always truthful with me and I respected-.. respect you for who you are, Lying to me about something as big as this Jaklo, you could have got yourself killed." The bearded dragon was more worried than he was angry, leaning forward and placing both of his paws on his shoulders and sighing pulling him in for a brief hug that Jaklo seemed to melt into. This affection he was so desperate for, but never wanted completely encapsulated him in a moment of bliss where he hugged back.
Later, the house and tension had settled; Jaklo was in the bathroom upstairs standing in a mainly white room with cold tiles covering the floor, a orange glow from the ceiling light above illuminated the room in the dark of night that had approached faster than he expected. Staring at himself in a mirror that was blurred from the steam covering it after a nice cold shower, he was a lot more clean and free of dry mud and blood than he was earlier. Although, he was clean on the outside something still continued to brew inside of him, it was like this pessimistic troubling feeling that even if things seemed okay now, eventually it would go down hill... and fast.
Reaching over, he would rub his hand along the mirror, wiping the condensation away to give him a clearer, yet still blurred perspective of his face. Like he expected, the bags were still under his eyes and the lack of smiling or any emotion still lingered. Behind the door, it would quietly knock "You almost done in there? We'll need you out pretty soon to conserve electricity, Jaklo. Rasmus reminded me to tell you to be quiet on the way down the stairs and to not shine any lights or stare out through the barricades on the windows-" Cutting him off, he'd grunt and close his eyes "I know.. I know he told me at least a hundred times already.. Ellis, I'll be out now" Rasmus seemed to be the name of the Veteran, although he was a little feisty and quick to action at first, he seemed to be getting along with Ellis and Daisy quite well. He had his brief moments of silence or staring into the void though which means he most likely shares something they all do, demons.
The quiet clink of the bathroom light seemed to be muted somehow, it would switch off and Jaklo would step into the guest room, which had two beds and a mattress laying along the floor. The windows in the room had black out curtains, closed shut and what would presumed to be barricades it was covering, sitting down on the mattress, he didn't mind taking the uncomfortable sleep for the night considering he rarely did anyway "Any reason for the barricades on the windows? and all this hush-hush deal where we're not allowed to be too loud, what is the bogey-man lurking out there?"
Sitting along the bed Ellis shrugs focusing his attention on a book and reading it quietly while Daisy seemed to be already fast asleep on the other bed opposite "I asked Rasmus and he told me there was Bats or something? Real evil fuckers that in his words would 'mutilate' you if they got to you, they can't see through blackout curtains but they don't got as good enough hearing as their feral ancestors" Jaklo hummed positively in response, laying down along the uncomfortable mattress, he could feel the springs of the bed digging into his back, but he didn't mind oddly. Daisy sat up, showcasing that she wasn't asleep at all "Bats.. I've heard horror stories about them, they only really lurk in the dark of the woods. That's mainly why towns nowadays have bright neon signs to deter them away and back into the woods, probably why Clovis has this place absolutely rigged to shit with lanterns." Jaklo would nod although internally his mind connected dots, that scene from earlier he stumbled across. Maybe that's what butchered that poor man in his own home. It felt nice to finally get an answer.
"So you gonna leave us in the dark here or what dude?" Daisy sat up a little more seeming interested in something else, crossing her legs and staring intently at the perpetually tired Jaklo, who would look over and seem confused. "Huh." She scoffed and gestured over to Ellis who also seemed eager to know, his eyes snapping away from his book and locked onto Jaklo
"Your powers dumbass! You're an outsider-" Ellis reached over enough to nudge her "He's not an Outsider, he doesn't mean to be" Rolling her eyes she would continue speaking to the raccoon "I mean, you said you got some cool ability, what can you do?" Looking up at the ceiling, consisting of wooden floorboards neatly put into place and free of any rot or decay like the last miserable place he had the opportunity of resting inside of, he would gradually pick up the words and try to put them in place "Uhm.. Well, It's pre-cognition. It's actually uh named scientifically by those who diagnosed me discreetly. P-OUROBOROS, It sounds intimidating but it's actually quite simple.. I remember my dad taking me to get checked out once. I was acting weird and that's when they told me I had unlocked something.. in my head or some shit. Said how this specific type of Outsider ability lays dormant after birth, will probably never activate in the life of someone who has been careful.. It activates as a trauma response, says its an internal yearning of the host that desperately wants to go back and change things.. Who knows if that's even it. My perception of reality is a line that is often distorted, I can't even remember yesterday sometimes. It's just given me frequent insomnia. Before, I used to cope using Melatonin but.. they don't got much nowadays."
Ellis would be the first to respond and rested the book on his lap "Can you use these powers now?" Jaklo would nod at first before quickly shaking his head in disapproval "Yeah- and no. I can't go back and change things if I overstress myself, apparently it causes brain damage or some shit which could kill me.. It also causes.. Insomnia as I said.. so I find it very hard getting to sleep at nights right?.. some nights I don't get any at all. So, Ellis would you do me a favour and try your best not to snore-" He made this joke as a way to attempt to switch topics but he seemed to only want to prod further "Well, I remember you using them a lot more back in the days than just now. Assuming you only used it to deter that fuck away from us.. what was his name?" He turned asking Daisy who quickly responded "Clovis was what his goon called him, he likes to go by the Dime."
"Right.. Clovis or The Dime--- whatever, but if it's true it seems you've either gotten rusty or lost the strength somehow." This seemed to deeply trouble Jaklo as he turned his attention a way with a light frown and sigh. Reaching up to his jacket that was holstered on the door handle and pulling out a cigarette from the packet as well as the gas lighter, even though they were indoors he lit one up and went back to laying down "After what happened with uhm.. Rosco, Daisy wouldn't know, but I fought a mob boss, they took Rosco from me. Someone I cherished with all my heart, they kidnapped him. I was too afraid to do anything, yet I forced myself to fight a losing battle anyway. " The dragon's eyes would fixate on Jaklo, seeming to already know this information but it was troubling him anyway. "Yeah, that was one of the worst nights of my life." His friend would nod and close his eyes puffing out some smoke that gradually lingered in the air of the room "You're telling me, worst days I've had. It hurts to even try to remember, After Krover beat me down.. He got the drop on me, even with my ability. He tied me to a chair, kept me there and drained the Ouroboros in my blood out of me.. Kept telling me the.. Musician wanted my blood, and that he'd pay for it." He let out a shaky breath before continuing as they both watched him unfold his past, the cigarette gradually burning down between his fingers.
"It's still hard to tell if anything is real anymore, I do sometimes get nightmares about still being tied to that chair. I was expecting to die there, but he kept me alive. He enjoyed seeing me in pain. He left me with very little of my ability. But over time, it's slowly started recovering I think, I remember after the whole ordeal I couldn't even predict where a car was going to turn on the street."
Daisy tilted her head seeming suspicious "How are you still alive then, if they left you with little to no blood?" Snapping his attention to her he would quickly give reasoning "Because they pumped me with regular blood at the same time they extracted my own blood from me" She would facepalm and sigh "Right-Right I am a dumbass.." But Jaklo continued to add to that "Some nights I question why he wanted me alive-- He could have just chose to not pump with me blood."
"... Drained the blood from my body and left me on the sidewalk like a damn empty juice-box." The frustration in Jaklo's voice was evident and secured the fact he was annoyed or even angry thinking back when he sighed loudly, chugging back that cigarette smoke before letting it go in one big smoky cloud of sadness. "I've never asked, but, why would they even need your blood for Jaklo?" Ellis asked again and despite Jaklo being uncomfortable talking on this topic he'd answer truthfully "Well- That sack of shit usually is known for manipulating Outsiders and using their powers for his own gain. I don't know how, but I guess he found out about the Ouroboros raging in my blood.. Probably through Krover, he managed to figure it out.. He's smart, He saw it in my eyes and knew. He wanted it, I am assuming he kept me alive and tormented to make sure he can rub it in my face. Me and him have had a history where I normally triumphed as you know Ellis."
Ellis would nod and as well sigh with some frustration before gazing down at the book again not wanting much to prod more about it, yet Daisy pitches in with what she thinks is some affirmation that it's not bad "Hey.. You talk about having abilities is a bad thing, sure the world thinks you're a freak but honestly I've met more good outsiders in my time than bad. It's kind of like you're a Superhero... yknow" Jaklo's eyes would widen as he takes one last puff from the burned out cigarette looking over at Daisy with a warm smile "Superhero.. huh? Haven't gotten that one before. Used to want to be a Superhero when I was younger, certainly got my wish didn't I?" For the first time he showed some cheeky sarcasm as he reached over to smudge the lit cigarette end into the floor, not that Rasmus would mind considering it's an unused guest room. Extinguishing the light and the rest of the conversation for that night, Jaklo slept as the word 'Superhero' lingered in his mind that oddly gave him some comfort looking at the perspective like that, It brought comfort to his injured soul and mind.
Afternoon light shone down on the beautiful home situated in the heart of the woods, ensnared almost by nature just out of the grasp of it's vicious weapon known as overgrowth. Despite it's beauty, things didn't seem to be right, the mumbled shouts and gunfire in the vicinity of the house didn't give off the best impression to match with it's comforting atmosphere, upon closer inspection the door was left wide open, and the boarded windows were now dressed with multiple bullet holes. Inside the home was a dire case, a pair of legs just out of view would lay idly behind the stairway banisters with a mild pool of blood forming under them. Upstairs there was multiple bullet holes in the once pretty wallpaper now and in the room was an even worse case, Two bodies one in the room and one in the hallway leading to the room would lay along the floor dead. It was a total bloodbath; it stained the sheets of the mattress and overall wrecking the cosy home altogether. Definitely not the brightest afternoon and not the day the once quiet and humble yet troubled veteran living alone would expect at all, they had perhaps dragged their own demise to the home, including his own.