At the mention of linking hands, Loona found herself practically in the palm of two others, one of them being Ryder. It was quite awkward, especially since she's never really talked to him before, but it definitely beats messing up the teleportation for everyone else.

They found themselves in the middle of a field quite a ways away from the Keep.
“Whoa...” She breathed out as she hovered above the rest of the group to get a better look at their surroundings. The most noticeable thing was definitely the outpost, their destination. She already knew the trek would be a little much for her, but when wasn't it? With everyone coming to silent agreement that Ryder would lead the way, the group of red and yellows continued onward.

Their initial arrival to the outpost was more or less what Loona expected, with Geoff being more interested in the color of their hoods rather than their actual ability...not that she could blame him. They were all still very new to this... Luckily Ryder was bold enough to speak up from the entire group, something Loona was grateful for. And with that, the quick, but much needed, briefing began, the fairy hovering just beside Ryder's head.

It looked like they had two options, both of which would take a while to get to if they all went together. It seemed like Ryder thought the same as he also didn't want to waste time. It eventually lead to Tholo and Brighid taking care of the couple, and Ryder, Kiri and herself focusing on the widow. While she was glad she was with someone she knew, it was also a vice since the fairy wasn't quite sure what Kiri thought of her. And Ryder she couldn't help but be a bit intimidated by. But her feelings weren't important at the moment, it was getting the mission completed. So with a slight nod, Loona followed after the other humans, the natural light from her body illuminating the small space around her. When it was time to separate, Loona gave a slight bow to Tholo and Brighid, wishing them good luck.

---

---

Meg’s head snapped up as the tavern door swung open. Hoods. Yellow. Three. This must be them. Her breath stuttered in her throat. Finally. The thought of Llian, alone, in trouble, for all of this time… it didn’t bare thinking about.

Within seconds though, she was across the tavern floor, heart racing as she sized them up. Two women and a man. Whilst the man was scowling, the two women looked significantly less grumpy, although none of them seemed too pleased, something which probably had more to do with the weather than anything else. Not that Meg cared. Didn’t matter how cheery they were, so long as they could help her make sure Llian was safe.

Going off appearances though, that was starting to seem less likely by the second. One of the women, the one who’d walked in first, was absolutely tiny - to the point that Meg was reasonably sure she’d have very little trouble crushing her fragile wrists between just her thumb and forefinger. The other seemed a little sturdier at least, but Meg withheld judgement on whether she looked more confident or cocky. The first was useful. The latter could get them all killed.

The man looked jumpy - no other word for it. His eyes had flicked to her the second she’d moved toward them, and Meg hadn’t missed the way his fingers had tensed. Now though, he took in the rest of the room, and Meg followed his gaze as it flicked over the rickety tables, the bartender, Kate, and-

“Bloody hell…” Meg turned at Kate’s voice. She was standing, frozen, pale, lips moving wordlessly as she stared at the group. No, not the group. The man. Did she know him?

“Kate?” Meg asked nervously, “Everything all right?”

Kate just continued to stare, and Meg felt something crawl across her skin. Who was he? Was he dangerous? Meg wanted to run, could feel the urge itching in her legs, her feet, everywhere. No one had made a move. Didn’t mean they wouldn’t though. Meg had never seen Kate look so… startled before. If they were dangerous they would have to be extremely so.

The man stared back, “K...Kate? You’re Kate?” he croaked, backed towards the door. Not dangerous then. At least, not physically.

Behind Meg, Kate bristled. And then, without warning, charged towards them.

The man all but yelped, before making a break for the door they’d just entered through, accidentally brushing past the woman who came in last on the way, a gesture that, moments later, was repeated by Kate as she pelted after him into the pouring rain.

Meg stood there for a moment, dumbfounded. Eventually, she addressed the two women, “Sh...should we go after them?”



A cackle, loud, that seemed to echo, both inside Sadon and Vitius’s heads and throughout the forest at the same time.

The floor shook. Animals squealed, shuffled, rustled in the undergrowth. Then -



Trees reared. Swayed. A conniffer whipped back with a snarl, slammed into the dirt in front of Vitius with a thump. Ripped upright, sharp green points skimming towards the pale flesh of his face. Sharp enough and fast enough to tear if they made contact.



Next to him, thick, chunky roots heaved themselves from the ground, swept. Wide, arching towards Sadon’s shins, swift and heavy in the darkness.

---

---

The night air was cool and refreshing. It was a shame that the trio was out with such grim purpose. Their footsteps were nearly synchronized as they walked, the gravel path crunching under their feet with each step. Ryder looked to Kiri and Loona briefly, trying to get a read on them. The only one of the new recruits with whom he had traded more than a few sentences with was Brighid. He still felt as though he were a stranger to the rest. He'd have to do what he could to change that.

"Uh... hrm..." Small talk was not Ryder's strong suit. "So, uh, Loona. I have to admit, your the first of your kind that I've ever met. What exactly can you do?" The shape shifting and flight was apparently, but surely there was more to her. As they walked, passersby gave them glances accented with fear and curiosity. They villagers didn't know their names, but they knew the hoods, knew who they were. If the Hoods were here, there was something wrong. Danger was near. To see a Red Hood meant that Death wasn't far behind, if the reaper wasn't there already.

Ryder attempted to ignore it, pushing forward, replaying the mission objectives in his mind. How he expected to communicate and deal with an allegedly crazy widow that's been secluded in her home was anyone's guess at this point. Hopefully Kiri or Loona were better communicators than he was.

---

---

The wood splintered around the point Vitius’s sword made contact, deep brown bark giving way to a flash of pale white in the moonlight for the barest of moments. Then, an agonised creaking, stretching sound as the tree trunk warped and grew about the weapon embedded in its form. Sap, sticky and black as blood, leaked from the tree, oozed along the length of the blade that was slowly, steadily, being engulfed.

The voice rang out out again. It came from everywhere and nowhere, bore no true characteristics except that of the forest itself. It could've just as easily been a falling tree, a mudslide, a wolf, blood on its maw, tearing into its pray. The only thing distinguishing it even as a separate entity were the words.

The young fairy flew with fervor, more than anticipating someone or something to come out and attack them out of the blue. Of course this was simply just nerves, but when the Red Hood turned back to look at both Kiri and herself, Loona could help but let out a little squeak, nervous that she might've already did something wrong. But it only seemed to be nothing as the man looked back ahead of him. ...What was that all about?

It looked like that question would be answered much earlier than the brunette thought as she looked back to Ryder with wide eyes, her freckled face already turning a soft shade of pink.
“U-Um, what can I d-do?” She repeated with a stutter. It was question she was so use to hearing from outsiders, but talking to a Red Hood was a lot more intimidating than she thought. Trying to ignore the looks coming their way, Loona smiled nervously as she continued. “W-Well, most of my power comes from the dust that I secrete. I can activate it to do lots of things. Make myself a-and others f-fly, make things b-bigger or smaller, h-heal mild wounds...and other stuff too.” She concluded with an eager nod. It was never much fun to talk about what she could naturally do since people would simply look at her like even more of higher being despite being more like humans in comparison. “I-I'm honored to be the first of my kind to be an acquaintance to you s-sir. M-Might I ask about some of y-your missions as a Red Hood? I-If you don't mind that is...” Loona took a tentative seat on Ryder's shoulder as the other two walked, searching for any sign of the man wanting her to move just in case she bothered him.

---

---

A crunching, sucking sound, like bones snapping and grinding and splitting through taut-stretched flesh as the sword, fully free from Vitius’s grip was pulled bodily into the writhing tree, leaving only a thick scar in the bark, barely visible in the darkness.

Fantastical tales and outlandish folklore were as normal as air to people in places like this, but this wasn’t like anything Vitius had heard about in Crimson Heights, and he drew a blank. Another piercing cackle rang out across the forest.

A breath, ice cold, slicked the back of his neck.

As soon as the sensation registered, another tree crashed into the ground behind him, dry, skeletal branches snapped under the colossal force, flew off in every direction. It lurched, shifted to heave itself upright once more. Loud, but not loud enough to drown out the sound of the next tree over, one right next to Vitius, lurching and stretching and cracking, about to slam into the ground where he stood.

---

---

---

---

Kiri walked through the village, a step behind Ryder and a step away from Loona. She didn't have an interest in making smalltalk with her 'teammates' any time soon, not after their exchange last night. Kiri hadn't spoken a word since. She kept her face neutral as the fairy stammered and the hood attempted small talk. Loona flew forward to sit on his shoulder, leaving Kiri behind. There typical questions about what she was, what sort of missions he'd done... unoriginal. Predictable prattle.

...Not to say that Kiri wasn't curious about these same things. If her eyes flicked to Ryder, awaiting his answer, it was only for a moment before she schooled herself again.

Kiri pressed her lips together, swallowing the words that sat in her mouth. Worry about this mission. She kept her gaze trained ahead.

The cloth of her yellow hood hung heavy on her shoulders, the weight a constant reminder of the reality of this situation. Kiri felt it pull behind her in the breeze made by her measured stride.

---

---

Eliza entered the inn with a warm smile on her face, her posture relaxed despite her being frigid from the rain. From what she had been told, these women were in need of a bit of comfort and support. Being sent a mysterious letter about a family member’s safety, or lack thereof, was far from ideal. Eliza’s eyes briefly wandered over the scenery of the inn. Cozy. Nothing like her past haunts. Then again, that was probably a goo-

Before she could complete her train of thought, one of the women surged toward them. She seemed a bit frazzled, holding an air of urgency about her. Eliza stuck out a hand in greeting, cocking her head toward her companions so she could introduce them all. That was when she took note of Colin…

Her eyes darted between Colin and Kate, tension taking claim of the space between her shoulders. She dropped the hand she had offered to the girl who had to be Meg, ready to walk over to Colin and attempt to diffuse the situation. Before she could make a move, Kate had charged.

Eliza’s immediate reaction was to stand, shocked, as they rushed out the door and into the pouring rain. It took her a moment to register Meg’s words, and by then Nyssa was already out the door. Confusion drained out of her system in an instant when she realized the vampire had given chase, replaced by irritation and a tinge of horror. Was Nyssa going to hurt their clients? More importantly, was she going to hurt Colin? Eliza gave Meg a tired frown, before busting out the door behind her. She stood in the rain, watching the scene unfold.

Her jaw went slack as she watched the vampire slam Colin to the floor, and for a moment she was concerned that Nyssa had given into her ways. She pumped her feet, panic clouding her mind. She hesitated as she neared, close enough to hear Nyssa berating, but not attacking, Colin. Chest heaving, Eliza listened to the remainder of Nyssa’s heated speech with a heavy sigh. She supposed it was right of Nyssa to be against Kate’s action, but was a threat really necessary? And what was this about a lover’s quarrel? Goddess, Colin had some explaining to do.

After she helped him recover, of course.

Scrambling towards him, Eliza cast Nyssa her most stern motherly look, as if scolding her for pushing her brother. She reached out to take Colin’s hand and help him to his feet. She wished to wipe the mud off of his cloak, but she’d assist him in laundering it later. ”C’mon, gather yourself.” She then stood on the tips of her toes to hiss in his ear. ”Pray tell why this girl chased you? She’s our client, Colin, you can’t run away like a frightened animal.”

---

---

For Colin, time shuddered, memory jagged and violent, a cart over rock.

The realisation that Kate was Kate. Saying as much, staring, petrified at the pallor of her face.

Smoke. Thick in his lungs.

Then he was running, fresh mud slick under his boots, rain cold and thick, soaked through to the skin in seconds. He couldn’t look at her. Couldn’t. Not when all he saw was soot streaked pale skin, when all he heard was the lock. Clicking. Locksley. Screaming.

Hands. At his neck. Wild eyes. Starched skin. Bloody fangs through lips peeled back in a snarl.

”No need to scream child-”

“Fecking move Lad!”

Lying on the ground, breath ragged. Was the sky dark with rain or with night?

Lips moving, forming words he couldn’t hear. White hair. Amber eyes. Nyssa. That was Nyssa. His fellow hood. [i]Not[i] a leech. Fuck.

He was shaking all over. Cold or adrenaline or both, he couldn’t tell. Wasn’t sure he wanted to. The scent of smoke still lingered, the back of his throat charred and thick with the ghost of cool hands like irons about his neck.

Someone dragged him to his feet. Nyssa? Eliza? It was hard to tell. Impossible. With the rain and the smoke and Locksley's flesh bubbling in his ear- Eliza was talking. Telling him to pull himself together. He clenched his fists, the inside of his palms warming upon the contact. God. He was such a fucking idiot.

“Sorry.” He didn’t look at her. “Won’t happen again.” That was a lie. She probably knew it was a lie. It wasn’t like he had any fucking control. He took a steadying breath. It didn’t do much. His heart still hammered, ribs still crushed lungs like fists with every laboured breath. His skin still rippled with cold-heat. Cheeks and ears bright red - he didn’t have to see them to know.

He glanced up, trying to find- shit, Kate. Of course.

He didn’t even have time to blink. One second she was approaching Nyssa, the next, she had a hand on her shoulder from behind. Pulled her round with an almighty heave, and…

Colin blanched.

“Keep your skinny fucking hands of my bloody brother, bitch!” she yelled, fist aimed squarely at the soft pink of Nyssa’s mouth.

---

The dry, brittle branch exploded.

There was the briefest moment where, upon touching Vitius’ lips, it had hummed. Vibrated, almost, with impossibly powerful magics. Nothing natural, even for someone used to living in a world full of the strange and the powerful.

But then shards of sharp, dry wood erupted outwards.

At the same time, a fleeting glimpse of grey.



Anger. Pain, as if Vitius had driven it to the actions it had taken. Whatever it was, it was becoming increasingly unhappy, as yet another tree slammed downwards.

---

---

---

Tholo's legs nearly gave out under him as they appeared at their destination. The teleporting leaving him feeling slightly ill as he focused on maintaining his balance as the then had to walk the rest of the way to their destination. Upon reaching the outpost, the ground had stopped moving beneath Tholo's feet, making him feel much beter. He only hoped that the feeling would lessen over time if teleporting to locations was a common occurrence.

Once Ryder had seemingly gathered all the information from their contact, another Red Hood, he began giving the group various tasks. Tholo gave a brief nod as he was paired off with Brighid. They were tasked with checking on the couple by the Tavern and gathering any and all information on the attack from them.

Once seperating from the others, the walk to the Tavern was mostly in silence, Tholo unsure really what to talk about and focusing more on what needed to be done, ignoring the fact that if it wasn't for their job, it was a relatively peaceful night, with little noise besides the soft thuds of their steps.

---

---

The mud, which had started to snake up Vitius’s crossed legs, leak and pool in the natural folds of his trousers, stilled. The trees creaked, a nearby spruce squeaking with effort of halting the attack it had been about to launch. Bark rippled with tension, but for now, swayed only with the wind.

A moment passed. Somewhere distant, a small animal, possibly a fox or rabbit, shrieked, before being cut off suddenly. Something rustled in the dark, tousled undergrowth that lined the path to the village.

From above, a creaking sound. Familiar, in a way that almost could have been mistaken for another attack. It wasn’t though. Instead, a single branch from near the top of a nearby tree seemed be growing, stretching out and down toward where Vitius sat. As it grew closer, it became clear that, from the end, a small lump was suspended. Closer still, and the lump became human shaped - short and squat, hanging from the branch like a bat, gnarled toes curled deftly over the structure.

Mere metres away, but still it didn’t stop getting closer, the shape of an elderly woman clearly visible. A body wrapped in swathes of stained grey rags, long tattered hair that dripped down, swept through the mud and trapped the sticky black substance in it’s knots. What was visible of her grey-ish skin was loose about her bones, and crevasces of wrinkles slid across her form in such a way that it would have been unsurprising had the whole lot just slaked free like lime in the rain.

She stared at Vitius, eyes wide, white and glowing in the dark. The slit of her mouth parted, slowly, crookedly, forming the words.

An ear shattering screech.

---

Kate’s lip curled as she watched Nyssa walk away. Who the fuck did she think she was? The rapidly developing migraine pinched at her left temple, but she resisted the urge to rub it. She’d be damned if she was going to show weakness in front the icy woman currently walking away, yellow hood stained brown by the rapidly falling rain.

Instead, she let her attention slide to Colin. Her brother. Who she hadn’t seen in five fucking years, but was now standing next to the other member of their group, brow furrowed and face ghostly as he eyed Kate, mere metres away. Metres. Her heart stuttered, but she force her face straight. How long had he been right there, under her nose with the hoods? She talked to Caira what? Every week? She couldn’t be sure, but she must’ve mentioned him, right? After… after everything, it was hard to picture him just...living, having a life, without her, without Angus, without-

The pain in her head spiked, and she rapidly switched her focus back to the task at hand. Jaw set, she stalked over to the shaken (not to mention sullen and moody) looking figure of her brother, and grabbed a-hold of his arm, before hissing in his ear, “You and me are gonna have a talk-”

She was interrupted by him viciously tugging his arm free of her grip, “Gerrof!” he spat, scowling. Kate paid the expression no notice however, her eyes had fallon upon his sleeve, which had hitched up at the movement, or more specifically, the tendril of knotted scar tissue that now crept out from beneath it.

Of course. Fuck. She must’ve hurt him.

The memory came unbidden, loosed free in a way it hadn’t been in years. The house, bright and hot and not really a house anymore. Colin’s skin, ashen as he lay, shivvering on the rain-slick grass. Angus’s arms tight around her body as she struggled, fought, screamed for him to just ‘let me fucking go Angus, or I swear I’ll-’ she pushed the memory away. Turned her back to Colin so he wouldn’t see the tears pricking hot behind her eyes.

She was the strong one. That didn’t change just because of a few years of separation. She savoured the feeling of the woman’s soft flesh giving beneath her hand, the sight of the red from her bust lip. Kate smiled. Didn’t matter what the woman said, she’d shown her what was what. She doubted she’d be messing with Colin again, at least not whilst Kate had any say in the matter.

She headed into the warmth of the tavern, ready to get down to the business of figuring out how they were gonna help Meg’s sister out of whatever mess she’d managed to get herself into this time.

---

---

---

---

There was a ringing in Eliza's head, made worse by the way it spun in circles. The client had just punched Nyssa square in the face, after shouting to the Mother that she was Colin's sister. Colin had a sister? Had he mentioned this before? She couldn't recall, she lacked the focus necessary to do so. She watched blank-faced as Nyssa walked away, collected despite having been hit brutally. Had she just threatened the client...again? She really needed to be talked to about that. There were more important things to go over, though. Later, because Colin...where was he?

Colin had escaped her, she was no longer supporting him. A hiss, and a heavily pained noise that had undoubtedly come from her charge. Moments passed, where she was still in a daze before everything came back into clarity. Suddenly hyperaware, she sprang towards Colin. Kate had since walked away, so this was her opportunity to console him, and maybe, just maybe, get some form of an answer. Not daring to touch him lest he pull away in a moment of spite, she instead offered him a gentle look that she hoped would feel similar to the warmth of a hug.

"Guess running from a sibling is as good of an excuse as any." She forced a chuckle, but it didn't quite reach her eyes. "Are you alright, Colin? I'm sure she didn't mean to hurt you. Seems she did mean to hurt Nyssa, though." It was at this point that she realized both women were heading in the same direction. Unfortunately, she couldn't just leave Colin. He looked more like a frightened animal at this point than the brave yellow he was supposed to be. She realized that she'd have to talk him down before she did anything else.