Toby shrugged. Bant smiled and nodded, "Luck to ya, then."

The half breed had gotten over his faltered rant but was still blushing, yet still managed a rather rather vulgar comment about the woman.

Inbetween the conversation and the grim broadcast playing on the television screens, Ryn buried half her face in one hand. "What have I gotten myself into?" she murmured softly so no one would hear. "If it ain't one thing it's another..."

Kenneth was looking amongst the adults, listening in on the conversation. 'Evil forces of subspace,' huh? he thought irritably.

He noticed that the whimpering he'd heard in his head had long since stopped, and wondered whether "Cyan" entity was still there. He didn't dwell on it too long, however, now that he had some sort of idea where she really came from, there would probably be a fair number of this group that could probably sense it... or something, he figured.

The human child giggled, seemingly at the T.V. but soon one person knew better than to assume the obvious about this particular boy.

"It's true! Daddy's different before he and mommy met. Fluffy Tail made him cooler, more... more dad!"

Kenneth didn't have to wonder were it was coming from this time, he knew exactly the origin of the telepathic voice and could concentrate on the context. The other kid must be able to read minds, and was commenting on it. But it was a little much, creatures from some other plane of reality? Taking over people here? And now adding to it these creatures that were seemingly pure evil? And was he saying that the old fox from before was one of these creatures? Who was Fluffy Tail?

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

"Whaddya want now old man?" A rodent-like young man that probably should have been white, were it not for the unkept condition of his fur, stood before the man that had petrified Rico earlier with far more bravado than the older man had shown.

The dog smiled, "Nothing."

The rodent's reddish pink eyes, the telltale sign of an albino, glared daggers at him. He snarled back, "Then why did you call me here? You know the sun hurts like a %!$%$ to people like me. If even had to use the damn matter transporter! You KNOW what planet I was on? There's a damn rebellion going on over there, psychopathic psionic's blowing up stuff and killin people. And you made ME go STRAIGHT through the middle of it! Hell I could be on one of those reporters cameras! You know what trouble that could cause me? You know what happens if certain people find out I'm alive?"

The canine laughed, "I'm sorry, I didn't mean to call you. You must have just thought I did. As for your fears... I wouldn't worry about any ancestor's of the Underwood's finding you alive."

Now the rodent looked furious, "You senile mutt! Do you think I'm stupid? Only one one bazillionth of my blood is from a noble, I barely have any knack for this magic stuff, so if I heard it you would have to be SCREAMING it. Ain't no miss-hearing possible! And I KNOW you're lying about those damn underwoods, I'd JUST heard a report about HIM running lose on this planet on the underground! Now why am I out at a time like this?!" He seethed, hands balled into fists, eyes narrowed in anger.

The newly joined dog's smile crept wider over his face, his eyes hidden by dark glasses, "How old are you now?"

The furious rodent snapped back, "What the hell kinda question is that to be dragging me out here for? Probably like 55 or so, why? I don't celebrate birthdays, I ain't no damn human!"

The canine's face didn't change, though there was something even more sinister about it now, "For a rat that would be around... 14 or 15 GSA? My you're well traveled for such a young age."

The rodent looked at him oddly, "Probably, why? What; are you into human rituals now or..." A look of fear flash in the rodent's crimson eye's. He suddenly darted forward and slapped the canine in the face. The glasses flew to the ground as the canine brought his head back around to re-focus on the rodent. The red eyes of someone cursed with Kolakawax, the Kydane word for Raven, one of the more malicious of the entities being discussed not to far away.

"No... you..." The young man stammered, his toughness falling away like melting ice.

"...have no more need for your services." The dog finished the sentence for him. "Well, not completely. There is... something else." If it was possible his grin widen even more, barely his charp canine teeth. The rat suddenly turned tail and shot out of the back alley they'd been in. Bursting onto the empty street of the freshly bombed city, even the little sunlight that was getting through the smokey sky was burning his eyes. But he had to run, he couldn't fight him, not if that man was part of him now. Besides, he was a professional. An informant, an information finder, not a stupid soldier.

"SOMEONE! HELP!" Crying for help was all he could do. He knew he didn't have long before 'He' was sick of playing with him, and Kenji knows what the insidious creature lurking in his soul would do to him. The young man gulped, running as fast as he could. He did know, he knew all to well what Raven was capable of, and it made him run all the faster.

Toby's ears twitched, he looked at Bant. "Someone's yelling for help."

The old coyote nodded, "I need to be answerin' that. Toby?"

The rabbit shook his head and patted the human, still transfixed on the glowing box, on the head. As if to signal he had other priorities.

Myca nodded and looked at the group, "Not sure I can do it solo, getting a little old for this. Anyone feel like playing hero... well, follow my lead." He said turning at taking off down the street, as if he already knew where the cries were coming from.

As the rodent scrambled down the streets a black police car screeched around the near hysterical creature as it slid to a ninety degree stop, effectively blocking off traffic and any would be pursuers temporarily. The car of the door swung open, and out stepped a very grumpy Claw. He could sense something in the air, and the petrified rodent only confirmed his suspicions.

"What's the problem?" growled Claw, not expecting a coherent response.

Could the PRF already be here causing trouble? No, this energy was different. a few blocks away he could see Bant.

"I don't know about 'playing hero,' but I'll come along, I guess," stated Ryn, starting to follow the coyote. "Call me curious, is all."

He seems like the type who knows more than what he lets on. Chances are, I'll probably find more information... other than those old stories I used to tell Ken...

"Wait, sis! Let me come, too!"

The feline paused, turning her head to see her brother staring up at her eagerly. "I wanna go too!" he repeated, as though she hadn't heard him the first time.

She closed her eyes for a moment, as though to consider the possibility, the finally told the kitten simply, "No. You stay here."

"But--"

"Stay here," Ryn told him, more sternly. "I won't be gone long."

Kenneth watched as she continued up the street after Bant, anger etching his features again.

"$#$%!" he swore as soon as she was out of earshot, kicking up dust with his foot. "How come she's always goin' off somewhere all of a sudden and treatin' me more like a kid?! DAMN IT!"

He probably would've continued carrying on the tantrum had he not heard that childish laughter coming from right behind him. He turned to look at Keedis again, who was still looking at the television.

---
OOC: Extreme apologies for practically disappearing. I had almost no idea what to actually post, at first... though this did sound much better in my head.

ooc: Sorry I didn't leave it too good before I poofed. I'll have something up tomorrow, and greetings from Fexusland.

OOC: Hmm, this RP's been inactive for a while. I've had some ideas playing around in my head but none of them would really fit here and sound a lot better in my head than when written on paper. ><

I'll see if I can find some way to push this forward somehow.

OOC: Sorry, lappy died shortly after my last post.

The mouse-like youth stared at Claw momentarily, then breathed, "RUN." And charged around the car towards Ryn and Bant, still running as if the devil himself was on his heels. Claw looked up calmly, making note of the area and where he'd sensed something strange. But not evil creature appeared, in fact there was nothing save a light gust of wind blowing some left over debris out of the alleyway.

"You are one." Kenneth heard a rather bland voice speak up behind him. A glance told him it was Tobias, the rabbit, sitting between the two other kids that he'd already had dealings with. "Not to say you can't handle yourself, but noone wants to endanger the person they were meant to protect." Though the words themselves sounded almost like a parental lecture, the rabbit's tone was strange. It wasn't condescending or anything reminiscent of how an adult would talk to someone like him. It was almost as if he was speaking at another adult. As well although Kenneth could not put a description to it, something about the voice made him trust it. It didn't seem like mind control or any of those strange psionic practices, as there was nothing to gain by it. He watched the human boy lean against the rabbit, still enthralled by the television. The halfbreed was still scowling kicking the ground with his still unexplainable bare feet, but even through that Henry didn't seem as nervous with the rabbit present. Who was this guy, really. There was something strange about him, even if the other two seemed to trust him.

The first thing the feline sensed before she'd even seen the rodent rushing down the street was the almost overwhelming sense of panic and fear. Even as she reached out to take hold of the youth's shirt, he continued thrashing about, shouting all kinds of curses and trying to wrench himself loose from her grip. Normally, she would've maintained her usual calm demeanor, but this guy was too much.

"'Oy!" she shouted at him, slapping him on the face. "Get a hold of yourself! What's going on?"

It was gone, the dread and fear that had suddenly possessed his mind, the realization of the trouble he had been in, all gone. He was still breathing heavily, the young lady holding him looking very irritated. She was about his age, from what he could tell, though being a felinoid meant she was chronologically far older. Either way he glanced backward, first at the police car and then at the alley, He was gone. At least physically, the rodent knew that he'd never be safe again. He was just toying with him now. The rodent took in a breath and gave a fake smirk, "Sorry, some drunk asshole tried to grab me. Ain't much I could do than run and scream, scrawny arms like these can't do much fighting, heh." He didn't smell to pleasant, and he didn't look the part of a victim, more the part of a sleazy thief. But there was something in those pink eyes, something that told Ryn there was something less loathsome under that shabby, smelly exterior.

She eyed the albino suspiciously, the way he was acting now compared to just a minute ago didn't make any sense. It was like he was hiding something, something he didn't want anyone else to find out.

"Is that so? Seems to me like you've seen something much worse than that," she replied, sounding almost sinister. "I'm not in the best of moods right now, and nothing ticks me off more than a liar. So, you gonna tell me the truth?"

The boy seemed to calm down somewhat, though he still looked upset. He was silent for a moment, seemingly deep in thought as if he were comprehending the words Tobias just told him.

"Two of my older brothers left me behind and never came back. The rest of my family never cared what happened to me. Most people avoided me because my eyes are two different colors.Called me 'weird' or 'freak,' they did. I got in fights with their kids 'cuz they hated anybody who was diff'rent."
He looked up at Tobias, unsure why he was even saying all this. "My sister's all I got. If something happened to her..."

He trailed off, unable to finish the sentence. His expression seemed grim, as though he were beginning to trying to imagine what the worst thing he could muster. After a brief, uneasy moment of silence, he shook his head, then focused on the television again. It was obvious he was trying to get his mind off that particular thought.

"Look Princess, I just got halfway manhandled back there and I didn't escape just to have you do the same thing verbally." He snorted and started to push past her, "Ciao ya noble bra-" He froze in his tracks staring up at Bant. The coyote stood smirking, arms folded.

The rodent turned back Ryn, a confused look on his face, "Who are you?"

"Everyone here would help ya. Cuz thats what we do." The human finished Ken's sentence without missing a beat. His eyes also glued on the TV.

The rabbit smirked, "If it wasn't yer eyes it woulda been something else. If people wanna dislike ya they'll find a reason ta rationalize it. As for the rest of yer story, some people were just born unlucky, fortunately I haven't had that problem." The half breed snorted loudly, if a snort could be sarcastic and cynical, this snort would have been the very example. Toby rolled his eyes, "Can't remember if we all got introduced. Toby Underwood, refugee from Kyzarie. This is Keedis aka Sparky, My nephew and all around necessary annoyance to all his friends." The human momentarily made a cheesy grin, still at the TV, yet acknowledging he was being referred to. "And you already met Henry. Another nephew and requisite malcontent of our armada. You know, I gave him the nickname Corky in memory of his grandpa in hopes of making him brood less but... well you can see it hasn't worked." Henry gave a nod with a facial expression could only be described a cross between a half smile and a half sneer.

The rabbit shook his head, still looking amused, "Now once you finish your end of the introductions it won't seem so strange for you to be telling me yer life story."

"That it won't." The human echoed unnecessarily.

"Simply someone who just wants some information," said Ryn, a little more coolly. "That's all you need to know." Her grip loosened on the rodent's shirt as Bant approached. "Considering your overall look, you should be lucky you're still alive... though that's not saying much, now, is it?"

The kitten looked back up at the rabbit momentarily, scratching his head in slight embarassment. "Sorry. It's just that you seem like you're really easy to talk to... I'm Kenneth. Kenneth Sonata. Most ev'ryone calls me Ken, though. Ryn's my older sister. We're from Kyzarie, too. Things got really bad there because of the war, so we left."

He took one look at the television again. "They say it's been goin' on for a long time now."

Claw scanned the streets. Nothing.

Absolutely nothing.

This was not psionic power, of this he was certain. Warden and their "Art" perhaps? The sounds of angry motorists brought Claw back into the world of the real. The vaporous trails of energy seemed to totally dissipate as he climbed back into the police car and straightened it back out and quietly parallel parked on the side of the street.

"The war... I know a little about that too. Been told I'm a good listener, must be from having myself one when I was little." The rabbit said lazily, he seemed to be enjoyed the bit of downtime they were having, taking advantage of it fully. "I'd imagine you haven't had too good a time being nobility and all. Everyone assuming you're narrow minded and such. Heard rumors some groups were kidnapping noble birth kids to use their abilities. Glad to see Ken Sonata wasn't on that list."

"Hey, I get the gist ya don't like me. Thats a given being what you are, Princess." He batted her hands off his shirt and made a half effort to smooth the ratty sweatshirt out. "Name's Priest, normally I'm game for small talk but HE..." The mouse pointed a small white finger at Bant accusingly, "...makes me nervous. I don't buy the story either. I doubt anyone wandering around with a Mesric assassin would have any trouble pummeling information outta people." He leaned over, as if trying not to let the old coyote hear him, "Speaking of purchases? Whatever you're blackmailing him with, I'll buy it. I could use one of their kind right about now. How much?"

There was a hint of something in the air, but it wasn't strange. He knew exactly what that feeling was, Underwood. A quick glance at one of the few remaining multifloored buildings was all he needed to catch the fox's eyes. Rico was there, just standing on the roof, staring at him... or at least his area. He didn't even move when spotted, which of course meant he wanted to be seen.

"Yeah, he's here. Being oh so subtle," retorted the voice sarcastically through an intercom.

"You're far too cautious. He's distracted. I bet I could walk right up to him and slam a dagger down his spine before he had time to blink. He's rusty, he doesn't even know he's being watched!" the voice spoke again, replying to an unheard order.

"... fine, but I think we should take him out before he becomes more than just a nuisance... no, no sir I do have faith in our cause, the psionics will rise again. The sleepers cells here in Evolia are more than ready to awaken... yes sir... I'll keep things quiet until then... What about Rico Underwood?... Understood, surveillance will continue..."

There was a moment of silence before the kitten spoke again. "Abilities? You mean like, for that magic-- the Art?" What he was thinking of was something he didn't really know anything about, his sister refused to speak of it, saying "That's not something you need to know," every time he had asked. If he tried to press it further she'd given him a stern look and then either left the room or abruptly changed the subject. "Is that it?"

Trying not to look as though the rodent's accusation of Bant being an assassin had unsettled her, Ryn shot him a nasty glare, both hands clenched into fists. It wasn't the fact that he was a rodent that was ticking her off at this very moment, it was the fact that he was a no-good thief, a criminal, any other word that she could think of. She disliked criminals more than anything, and she was starting to hate the fact that she'd even walked down here in the first place.

She finally turned her back the rodent and coyote. "Hurry up with whatever you're gonna do," she said in a low voice. "I've got someone waiting for me... and, quite frankly, I don't want to stick around here longer than I have to."

She instead gazed ahead at a nearby alleyway; a familiar figure stood leaning against a wall, smirking at her. She couldn't really tell if it was there or just a figment of her imagination... Her eyes narrowed. Actually has the audacity to show your face here again, don't you, Julius...

"On the nose, bud." The rabbit said plainly. "Ya don't seem to know 'bout it, but it's probably better that way. Kids that got training before the war generally draw a lot of attention," He put a hand on the human boy's shoulder, "Dangerous attention." Again the human spoke without diverting his attention from the TV, "That they do." Toby looked sad for moment, then turned back to Ken and smiled again, "Glad you don't have that to worry about." It was the oddest thing, it was odd to see an adult smile in this day and age, let alone see an adult with bright, almost childlike eyes. "Hope you guys are ready for an adventure." He said almost giggling.

"Do? Thats easy enough. Ciao!" The rodent pipped out turning to dart into the alleyway.

"Really? Thought by your face before you knew somethin' we dint. Fact being ya looked a bit scared. Dark alley ain't the best place to be in that mind." Bant said folding his arms and smirking.

The mouse's shoulders bunched up as he skidded to a halt. A low groan escaped him as he turned and glared at the coyote, "Doubt it, you seem to already know everything. Whaddaya want with me?"

"Way I saw it you came screaming to us." The old coyote smirked out. The rodent winced, looking toward Ryn in an attempt to change the subject. She was staring past him at the alley, it was typical, even now the noble races considered themselves above him.

"Hey, ratboy, hang around awhile. Better us than the alternative." Bant said, still for some reason intent on gaining the youth's membership in their small fellowship.

"Alright, NO. Look you passive aggressive bastard, I KNOW who you are. I'm a freaking Rodoid for Art's sake, the only profession I CAN do is information gathering. And my last job was watching those Sodalitas Separatists you stalk all over the freaking galaxy." He turned, looking rather flustered jabbing a small bony finger at the much larger canine and speaking as if reciting information off a document, "Myca Bant, an alias, real name unknown, part of a group called the Order of Mesric on the small moon of Mesric. Order of Mesric! A secretive organization with ties to Servi Insurrection of 700, believed to be front for a group of mercenary Warden with an as yet unknown designation. Myca Bant, tied to the renegade sons of Russell Underwood, believed to have taken part in the deaths of at least a dozen Warden ranking officials INCLUDING BOTH Russell and Trevor Underwood during yet another incident vaguely documented in year 750 that MAY have prompted the prolonging of this DAMNED war." He snapped his fingers and folded his arms and looking pleased with himself, "Where you go only death and misery follow. Especially if THAT is who I THINK it is." He said nodding towards Claw.

The coyote shrugged, "Not bad for someone still his momma then. Left out one thing though, friend."

The white mouse raised an eyebrow, still standing in mock defiance, "Like what?"

Bant smirked again, "Maybe how our people offed Him twice now. Should be somethin' yer interested in. Given current affairs."

"You elitest bastard. Are you trying to scare me?"

"Think there's already plenty."

The rodent grumbled in defeat and shuffled off toward the others.

Bant's smirked withered slightly as he turned to Ryn, "For a trap to work, you need good bait."

"Bait?" the feline inquired suspiciously, her violet eyes shifting to him, still narrowed. "What are you planning to do with him?"

-----
OOC: I'll finish this later. And finals are a *****. =<

The old coyote bowed slightly, "Simple, little lady, I think I know what was chasing him. 'Less I miss a guess, think it'll be barking up our tree sooner than later." He motioned to his head with a finger, "Com'nsense says we bark up His tree first. Bring the little mouse to our house and the cat will follow, e'la, cat being whateva kinda ugly is nippin' at his ankles." He winked, "'Sides, we want to draw Ol'Ricky back right?" He looked at the mouse called Priest and nodded to his back, "Art tells me that one will be up to his saucer-ears in trouble real soon, e'la. I remember back when. Everytime some whixan* got in over their head little Rico that fiery rascal would fly from the sky itself to save them. His way of being a Warden, least it was."

*Whixan - WICKS-un - little one, child

She looked as though she were deep in thought for a moment, then she spoke with a slight air of disgust, "Heck of a lotta good they did."

Ken couldn't help but smile for a brief moment, slightly amused, though as he turned to looked down the street again, it faded. Ryn still hadn't come back yet. He stared back at the ground and started kicking up dust again. "They're taking too long," he muttered in an undertone to no one in particular.

"Gotta use a Warden for something they're good at." Bant toted joyfully, "Lets move to along, don't much care for Mister Spooky staring off into space like that." He, of course, refered to Claw as he jogged off toward the others.

Toby nodded, but shrugged, "No reason to worry, not with the old man over there. She's in no danger."

The kitten didn't answer right away. His gaze remained focused on the ground. "'Kay," he mumbled in a small voice. He suddenly didn't feel like talking anymore, he was starting to feel depressed again.

She watched the old coyote walk by, then briefly looked over to Claw. Just what was going on anyway? Who exactly are these people, and how did she ever get herself dragged into this whole thing? The cat shook her head. She was thinking too much about all this, she figured. A lot happened, and she was tired. All she needed was a good rest, and she'd be fine... She took one last look at the alleyway. Whoever-- or whatever had been there was long gone. Hastily, she turned about face and walked away, following in the direction Bant and Priest had gone.

Julius smirked. Standing on a nearby roof overlooking the street, his eyes followed the white feline heading towards two other unfamiliar figures at what seemed to be a brisk pace.

"What are you so happy about?"

"Nothing," he responded without turning to see who was speaking to him. "I'm just think of the best way to mentally snap that woman in two. She left him alone again. One of these days, she'll go off and come back only to find him missing... or worse."

"Don't forget the reason why you're out here, though. He wants the boy. And soon."

"I already know that. I just want to have my fun."

There was a pause. "You're twisted," came the response. You're getting worse than him, you know."

"I don't care." Julius scowled. "This is only the beginning for lucky, lucky, Ryn. The longer she sticks around that kid, the worse things are gonna get. That's why he left, too, you know."

Another pause. "Do what you want. But remember this: that boy must be kept alive. He's no use to us dead."

Something behind the tom cat shifted and then made a whooshing noise, as though someone were leaping off the building. Julius stood his ground, unmoving, keeping his gaze on the street. He wouldn't expose himself again, not yet. Bide his time, that's what he was going to do. The grin returned to his face, a twisted, contorted grin, as thoughts of what he was planning next crept into his mind.

Yeah, that's it... that'll really rattle her nerves....

Henry rolled his eyes and knocked lightly on the cat's head, "If you pussyfoot around all adults like that you ain't gonna get anywhere." He stepped in front of Tobias, "Especially this big oaf." The youth folded his arms and glared up at the larger rabbit, "You know something? Out with it, stop freaking playing around."

The rabbit's eye's grew mischievous as he responded, "But mommy, can't I have five more minutes?"

A sneer crossed the boy's lips speaking like a scolding parent, "Tobias."

The rabbit laughed, "Oh fine then, Bant's up to something. Not sure what yet but if you're determined to bring catboy into the fray then he just needs to keep one eye on Bant, one eye on Rico, and the other on... that rodent walking this way. Hehe."

The two kids turned to see what their older companion was refering too. Indeed the mouse had almost reached their little group. A fourth of eyes was also on the mouse, Keedis's bright blue eyes meeting the mouses own albino pink ones. He sworn he'd seen those eyes before and stopped, somewhat stunned by the hodgepodge group before him. Kydane, Evolian, Human, and a strange little halfbreed glaring daggers at him. The rodent sheepishly raised a pink skinned hand in greeting, "J.. John, My name is John."

"You were on T.V."

John looked at the origin of the voice and was met again with the strange blue eyes. They were scheming... yet disarming at the same time, and he could do little to shake the feeling of deja vu that he keep feeling. Keedis smirked, "I sorry, I thought you were Uncle Adi. If you were I was going to ask how you came back! And if my mom could use it too, she's dead ya know."

Now the eyes were staring at the human boy instead of the newcomer. Tobias sighed, "Meet my nephew the amazing Sparky. He can stick his foot in his mouth more times in sentence than most do in a lifetime."

"Idiot," Henry said lowly, casting a glare at the younger child.

"Tobias Droegemeier," The rabbit said bowing mockingly. "I'd introduce you to the rest of this group but I fear we met in a bit of a blitzkrieg. I have however been introduce to this strapping young man here," He motioned to Kenneth, "This one is Ken. The puppy eared malcontent is Henry. The rest..." He glanced blankly over a few other faces, "Escape me at this point."

The mouse waved him off, "I know, I know. I see you're using your mother's name. Pretty smart, the real one would draw undo attention. Also, you didn't mention your relationship to Richard's step-son, trying to protect him in case someone was after you I'd guess. Why give anyone information about Keedis?"

The rabbit's eyes widened some, his faux ignorance fading he fell into silence.

*WHAM* John hit the ground moments after Henry turned into a tannish blur and tackled him to his back. Being a rodent meant his small stature was easily to lose in a crowd, however in face against even the half child of a Kydane canine he became smaller, and meek, prey. Henry held the frightened Albino down, sitting on his midsection and pinning his shoulders, snarling like a wild animal. John was too frighten to speak, Henry was enraged, Tobias was still staring at the mouse. He looked deep in thought and wasn't making any move to save the small creature for his ward's wrath.

The kit didn't respond as he was introduced, he just stared blankly at the rodent right up until Henry tackled him. He didn't really get what just went on during that previous exchange, but the rodent seemed to be asking for it anyway.

"What's with the frown?"

He looked up, noticing that his sister had just returned as well, sidestepping the downed albino and the older boy as she headed towards him. He shook his head, then looked past her again, asking,"Who's that guy? The rat."

"Beats me. That old man dragged him back here." Ryn shrugged her shoulders. "I've no idea what's going on anymore." She looked as though she were trying the hardest to ignore the tussle behind her, but with little success. "I wouldn't trust him as far as I could through him. Seems to be type to sneak around and dig up dirt on people," she added in a low voice, closing her eyes. "I don't really know where this is going, but I don't like the looks of it."

Henry felt a strong force rip him away from his shocked prey. Claw dropped the pup on his feet.

"Knock it off, we got company," growled Claw.

The ramshackle group had barely noticed Claw rejoining the ranks from his rather dramatic entrance with the police cruiser. But sure enough, all the angry voices and rodent rough-housing had caught the local attention. Hundreds of people had just been displaced from their homes and the mood was restless, desperate, hungry. Already Evolian youths had gathered together into looting parties and if the groups were large enough, full-scale robbery.

"see dat ol' man,"

"Yeah and all them kids, thinks they got any dough?"

"Easy way to find out,"

"Check out the babe,"

"She probbly got sometin' on her,"

The jeers of an approaching gang became increasingly real. The glint of switch blades and the rustle of chains could be heard as the large group met the small one.

"Guess they've got nothing better to do," Ryn muttered under her breath, looking from Claw to the uninvited strangers. She stood protectively in front of Ken, whose blank expression had followed her gaze.

The rabbit smirked, "I keep forgetting we're in psycho country." The human boy slowly scooted himself around to face the crowd, a sly sneer growing on his pale features, "Whadda they want?"

"They're going to try to mug us, stupid." Henry snapped before popping his neck, as if getting ready for a fight.

Keedis raised an eyebrow to his the older boy, as if somewhat perplexed, "But... we're kids. They wouldn't... thats..."

"We ain't around Kydane anymore, you douche. Evolians prey on the weak, they don't protect 'em. Least the retarded Warden did THAT much." Henry retorted quickly.

The human hung his head, "But mom protected us..."

The rat was already on his feet, and had positioned himself in the last place the gang would get to, directly behind Claw.

Tobias hopped up to his feet, Myca was already standing with his arms folded.

"Too many bystanders, e'la."

"Don't have ta worry about mine, dunno about Kenneth and the girl though."

"Don't guess it'll matter anyway. Don't see a fight here."

The coyote finished and Tobias's bemused smirk faded for a moment, "What?"

"Conjure you'd sense your own blood 'fore I. Guess you have lost your touch, heh."

His own blood, the old man's words weren't pondered long as the rabbit saw something in shadows behind the gang of youths. He put it together quickly, Keedis had realized he was in trouble and become scared. The noble blood running through the boy's and his father's veins afforded them the gift of empathy. And indeed, Rico had felt his son in danger and come from oblivion to aid him, perching the rickety building over the gang like a gargoyle. His words trailing through the gloom with a proud and aristocratic air.

"Those who prey on the weak and manged, those that delight in slaughters and raids. You will learn fear once the Warden have engaged, and are split with the wolves ivory blades. The Remembrance, Verse 316, lines 45 through 49."

A kind of emerald fire ignited in his eyes as his hand slipped over the handle of his sword.

Claw could sense the subtle energy of his old comrade. At once he realized the approaching gang was in far more danger than he and the ragtag group was.

"Get lost, punks. There's nothing worth looting over here," growled Claw menacingly.

Claw took several steps forward, creating a bit of defensive space. One of the impromptu gang members through a punch. Claw easily caught the unfocused and amateur attempt and swiftly snapped the young punk's arm in half. The audible cracking of bone made anyone nearby cringe at the awful sound.

Several youths jumped back in surprise, exchanging looks with one another and whispering amongst themselves.

Ryn kept one paw close to her own weapon. She wasn't taking any chances, even with a psionic and a seemingly crazy Warden around, among others.

Kenneth shrank back further behind her. Perhaps it was the fox's sudden entrance or some other thing, but he felt a little intimidated by the presence, despite boldly (and briefly) standing up to him before. Remembering words told to him before, he started to feel a strange mix of slight annoyance and admiration that he couldn't really explain.

"You KNOW what he's gonna do, right?" The rabbit said with the same awe-filled yet irritated tone befitting young Kenneth's attitude.

Rico gave a slight smirk and hopped off the building roof, landing strategically landing crouched on the opposing side of the small gang from Claw. "Unless, of course, you think you can attack us." The fox's words seemed almost baiting, egging the young men on. Was he actually trying to get into a fight?

The gang backed away further when as the stranger landed, the injured one of their number straggling behind them. All of a sudden, they didn't seem so tough as they considered his appearance, and the muttering continued.

"He looks pretty strong."

"Who gives a *#&?! He's only bluffin'!"

"Yeah, there's only like, two of 'em!"

The muttering was becoming louder, sounding more sinister as they raised their weapons and set their sights on the fox and Claw. The strange feeling in the pit of his stomach was turning into fear, not of the gang of Evolians, but the grinning fox. A thousand different scenarios seemed to play out in his mind, none of which ended pleasantly. He opened his mouth to shout at them, tell them to get away while they still could...

The trouble was, he couldn't get the words out.

---
OOC: Hope this'll do. I've no idea what I was really thinking of when I wrote it, honestly.

Claw took the first step. Rico's arrival meant mortal danger for the youths. He would have to keep the gang members from provoking the powerful warden any further. Swiftly, skillfully, Claw put himself in between Rico and the nearest member. With lightning fast jab, he sent the young Evolian flailing into the group of gang members poised behind him.