Ty didn't really get the picture, but then again he was more often the canvas then the artist, he nodded in agreement anyway. It was pretty neat still after all.
Sitting between these clearly close strangers Ty was surprised that he didn't find himself feeling out of place, instead he found himself full of questions that he casually slowly slid into the conversation.

"What is Dan's?... What did Ved do?... Had either of the left Bribane? What was Aslynne like and how could he impress her?

Besides all that he remained polite and listened intently while sipping his coffee and trying to avoid getting caught occasionally glancing over and checking out Dani.

@Ayla

"Yes he is an acrobat." He said to Aslynne of the phone. "I doubt you have to fear fire from him." Lee had trained Tyler a bit and it was obvious to him in many ways that he was indeed an acrobat. "And stop calling yourself a bitch I will never understand your fascination with being a queen bitch." He stated. "I am anticipating you coming by. I have some things to discuss with you." He looked at his katana as she said that ludicrous word. "I think I would opt for something more simple Aslynne." He said in a humored tone. She hung up and went about her day as she would.

"The hour, the dark..." He said to himself. He read more writing in the notebooks and lore that laid around his table as the metal set. He looked at techniques on killing the darklings and slithers. As he studied he hummed a shallow tune. Meditative. Calming. He withheld his rage and hate always until darkling and slither met the cold steel of his sword.

@sk0m

It would be just before dark that Aslynne would find her way to Lee’s “secret” forging room. “What about, ‘Chromospheres Chromospheric Chronobiology’? A weapon like that sword is going to need a good name otherwise it’ll loose juice quickly. The longer the better.”

The bags she carried had the heady sound of metals. “I brought you some thumbtacks to replenish your wards in your place. I figured it was about time we all replaced them. We still meeting at Danielle’s later? And, are you bringing Virth?” Rummaging through one of the plastic bags she pulled out two clear plastic boxes of one hundred and thirty thumbtacks each with a single gloved hand. “This should be enough for your place right? For all your windows and doors?”

His usual unpleasant tea and pumpkin spice flavor was washed with the taste of warm caramel. The taste of Lee’s curiosity. “Don’t even ask, Lee.” Her sunglasses were propped atop her head. She did not need them now that the sun was setting, her Midnighters night vision taking effect. “You don’t want to know how it feels to have the entirety of a person just crash into your mind. It’s unpleasant.”

@Ayla

Lee took a break upon Aslynne's arrival. He titled his glasses down a bit to catch the focus on her that only he could. He could do this to identify her and see her as a Midnighter...but he also did it because the view to his naked eye was pleasant upon seeing her. "The name will strike me upon completion of the the work Aslynne." He said tilting his classes back up covering the glare of his violet eyes for a moment.

"Ah yes the tacks. Thank you for bringing them it has been on a long list of things I need to do." He said. "And yes we will be. I wish to gather as many Midnighters in proximity as I can. And I'll need your help with that." He took the two packs of tacks from her and set them on his table of projects and notes.

He noticed her look at him oddly for a moment and then she obviously caught onto his thoughts. "You cannot blame me for my curiosity." He told her moving to stand in a conversational stance by his table. "And I would rather the entirety of a person crash into my mind than just little bits of lies and deception." He looked down at his table. "Oh I translated this for you. You were right there was a Midnighter who began to breed a special species of horses more attune to resisting and even countering darklings." He handed her his translated script. "There are some instructions there...I figured it's a place to start."

@sk0m

Aslynne waved away his comment about the name of his sword with one gloved hand. Her phone and earphones stuffed into her back pocket. But, her dismissive gaze turned into something interested when he mentioned about a horse breed able to phase through to the blue time like they could.

She settled her small frame on the edge of his table and took the papers he handed to her. “These breeds are easily available. I’ll try to find some crosses so I don’t have to start completely from scratch. The only problem is that they have to be born at midnight... I wonder if I can use the power of suggestion on a horse like that... Or if any horse born at midnight will do.” Sure, she’d heard about Mindcasters doing that to pregnant women when more Midnighters were needed. In fact she’d read about it in some of the Lore, Lee had translated. But, a horse? Or any other animal for that matter. Any creatures walking about were the Darklings and Slithers. “I will read this over and think about setting up a breeding program around it, depends on what I can use those horses for during regular time.” Aslynne gave Lee a shrug.

“But, I’m just not ready to voluntarily touch someone okay? It hurts. I’m not excited to have a headache on top of another headache.” She said, they were just within arms reach each other, but she did not reach for him, even with her skin sufficiently covered by clothing.

Ved
He smiled, a bit nervously, then coughed lightly at the tight hug, making sure to squeeze her back with equal force. He was glad she liked it, hell, she might even love it, either way it made him happy. He took the complement with a smile, shaking his head playfully at her before sitting down and accepting the coffee and doughnut, taking a long drink of the hot, dark liquid, he smiled at the homey taste, before bringing the doughnut to his mouth and taking a curious bight. He stifled back a laugh, somehow, she had managed to make a pastry that tasted exactly like his Nana's carrot cake, and it was amazing. The carrots were clearly baby carrots with a perfect cream cheese frosting on top, and it was the best tasting donut he had ever consumed.
"You have to give me the recipe."
He said after he swallowed, leaning back in his chair and lifting the two front legs of the ground, rocking slightly with a bit of frosting on his upper lip. Turning to the new character, he answered the mans questions casually,taking a sip every few minutes.
"The Local pub slash family restaurant... Our whole group has an infatuation with thirteen, long story... I go about thirty miles up the road to buy skin ink whenever I'm low... Hard work and Endurance, that's all I can say on the matter..."

@Kaalee@Dark Light

"Infatuation Ved, really? Not even preoccupation?"

Abel grinned as he came in the door, removing his sunglasses. The sun had gone down enough where the light coming in through the windows of the cafe was tolerable. He walked over to the table where Danielle and Ved were sitting, getting a good look at the stranger. "Uh hey, I'm Abel." He reached out for a handshake.

Plopping a leather briefcase onto a corner of the table, he turned to Danielle. He reached in and handed her a bound set of papers. "They asked me to bring this to you. Just your stuff for the quarter. Everything's looking good. I wish you'd tell 'em to let me take over your account, though. You have no idea how hard it is to get in there and correct what Rob's doing." He quickly shut the case and took a seat. "But that's enough of my boring life, what's the latest you've got cooking up here?"

'our whole group' Tyler slightly raises an eyebrow, he wasn't quite sure how to take it or if they were being serious, he gives a soft "ha" not really knowing what was going on or getting the 'inside conversation'. Still he firmly shakes Ved's hand and greets him. "Tyler, good to meet ya."

"You're quite the popular little lady" he whispers across to Dannielle with a smile. What he was really thinking was wich one of these guys she might be romantically invested in already. Habitually, without even realising, Ty found himself caught in old ways as behind his smile he had been sizing up the other two guys like they were opponents. He relaxes slightly not feeling physically threatened.

"So this whole town only has one pub and a family resteraunt is attached to it?" He rhetorically asks questioning the cleverness of that last part.
"Oh well sounds like I'm gonna have to go check it out for myself a bit later."

"Trade secret love but you know you're always on my list for free food." Danielle smiled at Ved before Tyler started asking questions
Out of Brisbane, sure, but not out of the state yet." Danielle said, answering Tyler's questions before Abel came up.
"You Abel, are amazing and that gets you a free carrot cake donut." Danielle said, going to get it. She also got him a cup of coffee, bringing it back to their table. When Abel said she should use him as an accountant, she smiled.
"I totally would, except my ex-boyfriend is looking for any reason to make my life hell and him being an IRS agent, that means he's been trying to audit me for months now. I haven't given him anything but giving my account to you would do it. The last thing I need right now is an audit." Danielle laughed, shaking her head before Tyler leaned over and whispered to her. She laughed before answering him.
"I'm a small town girl with the only coffee shop in town, what can I say? That alone makes people like me and I'm a pretty awesome." Danielle winked at him.
"Oh! Did you see Ved's piece! Isn't it amazing?" Danielle turned back to Abel, pointing up to it.

@Ayla

"Well I thought if you could bring something you are interested in into the hour it might be beneficial. Give you more of a driving force for what is ahead." He said a bit cryptically. But he turned back to her readiness of touch. She had always avoided it and he knew for her to truly harness her powers she would have to conquer and control what happens when she is touched on the skin. He presented her with a scroll. "You know there have been mindcasters that figured it all out you know. Here is part of one of their journals." He said nodding. "It is possible not to hide under the threads and weaves."

He shook his head in compromise. "I'll never force you to do it. But it's part of learning and adapting. It's part of evolving your powers." He smiled only slightly, then he got up again and returned to his workbench. "We will need to gather everyone soon at Cafe Seville. There is much to discuss. Much to prepare for." He came back to his cooled metal as he observed it. "Everyone will need to choose their path. Some will need to grow more confident and some will need to learn to be selfless. We all have our own personal flaws we must subside to work together."

Abel munched on the donut, a smile forming on his lips as he clearly enjoyed it. Washing a bite down with a sip of coffee, he leaned on the tbale with one elbow. "You tell him to bring it. IRS agent or not, I'll take him to school." He laughed as he took another bit of the donut. "I get you though, last thing we need is that loser hanging around. Besides he might be tempted and just make off with all these amazing donuts. And then where would we be?" He looked around the table, noticing a strange look from the new guy. He flashed him a friendly smirk.

"Oh it's beautiful all right!" His eyes shone with appreciation. The thirteen itself was pleasing, but the proportions were just perfect. He wasn't sure if Ved had done it on purpose or not, but the painting just felt right.

"Ved, stunning work as always. Your masterpiece have a name though?" He looked at Ved expectantly, a flurry of tridecalogisms rushing through his mind. Too bad he didn't know the meaning of half of them.

Ved
He smiled at the approval, then upon hearing the question of it's name, he looked down, blushing slightly. He had named it the night he promised to make it, and had named it for the future owner. His crush wasn't exactly something that was kept under wraps, and he was sure that she had, on more than one occasion, teased him indirectly for it, but it stood nonetheless. He had been interested in her since 4th grade after all, and despite the occasional question of his sexuality due to it, he had never dated anyone before in his life, as she was the only one he was interested in and the only one he had ever been interested in. Looking up at her, he smiled softly before replying.
"Danielle, it's named Danielle."

Danielle could feel her heart constricting, almost painfully, when Ved named the piece. She took in an audible breath before she leaned over and kissed Ved on the cheek.
"Thank you." She whispered against his cheek before she pulled back, composing herself. Danielle could have feelings for Ved, if she wasn't worried how things would turn out. She's had two girlfriends, three boyfriends, and a fiance at this point, and if things didn't work out with Ved...she didn't know if she could stand that. So she kept away, except for stolen moments like this one.
"Well, I think my break has been long enough. I've got to get back to work, but I will see you all soon." She smiled, putting her cheerful persona back on, grabbing anything that wasn't needed at the table, trash and such before getting back to work.

@Kaalee@Prints Avoid

Echo looked in at the other Midnighters who sat in Miss Flame Bringer's Café, which had become the usual hangout. The fact that she wouldn't take advantage of Midnight baffled her, and in a way angered her. Only one hour a day when the rules didn't apply, where they were free. Well, kind of. She caught herself beginning to rant to herself and shook her head. She strode over to the door of the Café and pushed the handle inward. For once she would be there before Midnight. As she walked in she noted the absence of Azzy and Lee, the pair were probably at the Dojo.

Echo sat at the counter next to Abel and looked at Danielle. "Hey guys, I'm starving! Dani, can I get 3 donuts? And a Coffee, Extra sugar and creamer?" She had a certain affinity for coffee that was so watered down with sugar and creamer that it barely tasted like coffee. Echo swung the Track bag from over her shoulder and plopped it onto the ground. Unzipping the bag, she retrieved a small bag of caramel creams and popped 3 into her mouth, which watered in anticipation. Then she turned to Abel and said, "So, any good Tridecalogisims for this?" She once again reached into her Duffel Bag and this time pulled out a long titanium Field Hockey stick she had stolen from the girls locker room.

Aslynne raised an eyebrow. “‘What’s a head’?” She repeated. “Lee, you need to stop being so paranoid. If there was going to be some kind of uprising I’d taste it. I live just outside of Darkling Kingdom. Trust me, they’re calming down. I think they’re starting to realize Danielle is more scared of them than they are of her.”

Aslynne again took the scroll and sighed. “Look, Lee. I’m glad you want to help, really. It means a whole bunch more than you’d think.” She’d walk her way over to him and placed a glove covered hand on his cheek. Kissing the leather of her glove instead of his skin. It was as affectionate as she got. Hugs were too dangerous and she only gave them to Danielle who knew to turn her head, lest she get a sour brain full of Mindcaster. “Anyway,” She started once she backed away. “I’ll read both of these over and decide what to do. Also don’t forget to put those tacks in or I’ll rip your mind out.” She threatened affectionately as she went to leave.

Well, as affectionately as the threat of being “mind ripped” was. Aslynne had to mess around with a lot of adult brains when she’d been younger, and the first attempts had not gone well. But, she was pretty good at it now. She could fine tune a stiff’s mind without much trouble in the Blue Hour. Other than the fact that physical touch from a Daylighter only had negative consequences to her, they didn’t put up a fight when frozen at Midnight.

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

The silence of the town so late at night was a relief, but the incessant buzz of the other Midnighters in Danielle’s cafe was irritating. Rubbing her temples she was ear phone free. Having to need them less and less. Especially after the Lore Lee had found. But, she’ll dance naked on the bartop at Dan’s when she finally has a headache free day. The image of that itself make her scoff under her breath.

Right... like that day will ever come... Aslynne thought to herself.

Fifteen minutes till Midnight. Fifteen minutes till the entire world around them silenced and she’d feel sweet relief. The other Midnighters didn’t bother her too much and if she was having a really bad day she could always have just stayed home like she usually did.

But, with Tyler not knowing about Midnight... Lee had stressed the importance of her being here. Oh, the things she did for that Seer just about blew her mind sometimes. The sway he had over her... hell maybe he was the real Mindcaster. Not her.

Her tall boots held their steel rings on the ankles, her neck a steel choker and her wrists steel arm guards that almost went up to her elbows. Under that was a black “Under Armour” shirt, it’s long sleeves keeping the cold metal off her skin. Lee had made them for her and she constantly renamed them. Tonight the guards were named, “Xerophthalmic” and “Sequestrating”. Her backpack was full of weapons to use and of course a complete first aid kit. To acquire her Riding Instructor Certification she’d had to take a first aid and CPR class. Worst week of her life, but she was glad for the knowledge. She’d stitched up Lee enough times after failed attempts at communicating with Darklings. Stupid man.

Still she couldn’t shake the feeling that something was bound to go wrong tonight.

Doing a mental roll call in her head she took stock of all the Cafe’s attendees. Danielle was obviously here. Lee was here, Ved, Abel and Echo were here as well. Tyler had yet to show his face and if this was any indication as to what kind of worker he was Aslynne wasn’t sure if she wanted to hire him. Hopefully, he’d find a way to reconcile his work ethics to her later on. Twirling a bracelet around her wrist she quickly grew bored and her head began to pound. Dropping her head to her hand she let out a pained huff.

“Lee, where is the damn newbie? Didn’t you tell him to be here?” Aslynne ground out to the Seer. It would be dangerous for Tyler to be out there alone without knowing how to protect himself. Her coffee had gone cold beside her it’s caffeine not enough tonight. She could almost feel the Darklings waking up at this point, but that wasn’t possible. Midnight woke in an instant... not gradual like Normal Time. Though she could taste the dusty, chalky and bitter minds of the Darklings they did not stir. Frozen like Daylighters in the Secret Hour.

A darker part of her mind spoke up and she wondered if there was a way to join them; frozen for twenty-four out of twenty-five hours of the day. Oh what sweet relief she’d have.

Tyler would go through a fair bit for the attention of pretty dame, but this 'tea and cakes' routine while marvelling over some contemporary pop art was becoming too much 'it's a bloody thirteen' he thought to himself silently.
Feeling a little crowded, as soon as Dannielle was back to work he excused himself with the appropriate pleasantries and a moment later his bike roared to life and he was off.

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

Hours passed, midnight neared.
Tyler was nowhere insight despite Lee's clear instructions, all of a sudden the company phone in the cafe bursts to life ringing loudly over the quiet chatter, insistently demanding attention.
@Kaalee

"Echo, stop it. We are in the company of guests." Danielle warned the Wayfinder, bringing her a selection of donuts and coffee just the way she knew Echo liked it. She watched Tyler leave, and caught up to him quickly, handing him her business card.
"Hey, don't be a stranger. My cell is on the back, don't be afraid to call. Oh! And if things ever...if things ever look blue, swing round here. I'll try my best to help." Danielle smiled, before waving slightly and hearing her name being yelled from the other side of the store.
"Duty calls." She laughed, before walking away.

Danielle was in her apartment above her cafe. Her other Midnighters hadn't arrived yet, so she was alone. She had the line wired up to her apartment, just in case someone ever called her hard line. She went over to the phone, wondering who'd be calling her on this one so late. She always had her cell on her, because more people knew about that number then her cafe's.
"Cafe Seville, home to the best coffee in Brisbane, how can I help you?" Danielle asked, her full southern charm on as she brought the phone to her counter and leaned against it. It was the farthest she could go, since it was a corded phone.

"Why as dis DOUCHEBAG got ya number?" An agitated accusation loudly slurs it way down the phone line, abruptly cutting of Danielle's polite professional answering voice.

In the background a stern calm voice advises the phone holder.
Sir, you only have five minu...
He is suddenly cut off as the phone crackles as it is muffled but the words are still clearly heard.
"((You only have five minutes, now go fuck off and let me make my call...))"

The phone crackles again followed by some heavy breathing and a groan of pain. The drunk voice continues,

"Danni babe, sexy, sweetie"
He says softly, dragging out the words trying to sound friendly. The same tone Dannielle had doubtlessly heard before from those 'dine and dashes' when caught and pleading.

"It'sh Ty!"

He pauses, the silence drags on, finally he returns interrupting Dannielle if she was talking.

"Damn I thought it happened already, it's ok these bastards can't hold me." He sounds optimistically sure of himself. Then the echo of his muffled shout can be heard as he abuses the guard again.

"((You will see, just you wait, I'll be gone and you will be standing around with your pants around your ankles, if you small town useless rent'a cops just waited I woulda had all the money, paid for those watered down drinks and..))"

The phone crackles and his voice runs down it in a harsh distorted whisper as he holds it too close to his mouth.

"So Danni, where ere we.... Oh yea guess what, I'm magic...so ow you doi(ng)

(("Just Fu")) *beep beep beep*, the engaged tone signals the end of his five minutes of drunken slurred ranting.

Danielle sighed, as he hung up. She didn't say a word through the entire thing. She knew where he was, and she looked at the clock. There was still about fifteen minutes, and the police station was only a block over. She grabbed her wallet and walked over. There were three police officers total in this town, and she knew all of them.
"Dani, don't bail this guy out. I shouldn't have let him call you." Hugh was the first person she saw when she got to the station, and she shrugged.
"But you did and here I am. How much?" Danielle asked, grabbing her checkbook and Hugh blew out a breath. He was friends with her dad, and she grew up around him. More of an uncle than anything.
"I can't let you spend money on this asshat. I know you'll kick up a fit until I let him go but I can't let you pay his bail. Get him to wherever he's staying." Hugh said and Danielle smiled sadly, before Hugh disappeared into the back and came out with Tyler.
"Come on." Danielle couldn't help but have a little ice in her voice. She grabbed his arm, and walked him to her cafe, where she sat him down in a chair, and she sat down across from him, leaning back in the chair and just looking at him.
"Why did you call me?" Danielle asked, with a raised eyebrow. She was pretty sure she knew why he called her but she just wanted to confirm. He could have called Lee but no one wants to see disappointment in the face of someone they respect.

After swaying around a bit Ty gets out an answer,
"Th.. The rent a cop had your number. I losht my stufff."

Tyler's leans his head on his hands and his elbows onto his knees while letting out a soft groan feeling a bit sorry for himself. His left eye had a steady shade of black purple still forming under it while his cheek was slightly swollen and a split on his bottom right lip still lightly bled.

"You didn't have to come by. I woulda had it sorted ya know."

His head suddenly fell off his hands and dropped down, startling himself he shoots upright and decides on sitting back instead.

"Argh, can I bother you for some water?"