[IC] Tales of Millennium

[CloseEnough]

Millennium, a dusty jewel that once sparkled in coast. With tall buildings and kind people, some believed it to be the next utopia. Only for the economy to crash like crumbling glass. The streets becoming harsher, more grim. With humans faces growing hard, and their eyes turning dark.
Creating a living for ones self became more and more difficult. Some thrived, staying in the centre in grand apartments and happy lives. While others had to scrounge in the trash, finding that the only way to continue to provide for ones self, is to hunt the weak and take advantage of anything legal or not.

And with the rise of crime becoming apparent. So did the rise of heroes. Humans with powerful abilities. The city taking to people like Captain Powerhouse and Wicked Wonder. Only to turn a blind eye to the vigilantes. The ones who work behind the scenes, the ones who will think no task to small for their hand. And yet, many are hunted by the police, often mistaken to be seen as a threat. For even when the greatest protection was given by supers, they were still looked upon with fear and disdain.

Aurora

The air was damp with ended rain, a cooling mist that clung to one's cloths, seeping to their bones. Men and women of all kinds, hurrying their footsteps to escape the second shower that the clouds, pregnant with rain, foretold. The streets still busy with traffic, the honking horns and angry shots of others only adding to the far away sound of thunder.

Clutching her bag with a pale hand. A young woman stood near a news station, head tilted down and breathing soft. Her ethereal hair dampened, taking a shine of silver. Bundled in a thick coat of reds and violets, a rottweiler standing dutiful at her side, his eyes keen, taking the place of the closed lids from his master.
Few standing near her, she allowed a sigh to escape her lips. The red vested dog looking worried for his master, feeling the uneasiness at the words that echoed across the streets.

"This just in, another sighting of the mysterious super wearing a bird skull has been captured last night. The super has been seen in Burak street, near multiple gang related areas. Police are investigating but fear that the unknown super being a criminal is still at large. If you see this person then do not approach, he or she is seen to be extremely dangerous as we do not know their ability. Back to you rob"

The mumbling of others began to take over. A rouge super, someone to be seen as extremely dangerous. The words stung like a pin prick in her index finger, she was simply trying to help, to ease the suffering that others have to face, so that they would never have to face their horrors alone.
Sadly, normal humans would never understand, least not all of them. She was told that Raven Tale's appearance was rather intimidating, menacing in fact. Still, it was a stark difference from what she was, so she will remain that way. "Let go home boy." The dog at her side rose it's head. Leading her dutifully down the streets, the faint sheet of rain began to fall upon her back, causing their strides to quicken. The feint growl or snort telling her when to stop, or if the road was clear for her.

There was a saying the often found her ears. How those with a wicked mind would prowl more often during a night with rain. All the more reason to done her mask tonight and keep the streets safe. Even if the police believe she is not one of them.

[Artifex]

Manny

It was terrible weather for exploring. The moisture hung thick in the air, intensifying the smell of mold and mildew. The leaky ceiling dripped water in various spots, and one could swear that the roof would collapse in any moment. It wasn’t necessarily the fact that the building was in any better condition on a dry day, but the dampness didn’t exactly improve the environment.

Manny rose from his perch high above the atrium of what used to be a rather classy hotel and hopped onto the nearby wall, sliding his way down until he came to a point just above the floor where he simply stepped off the wall and began walking. He discreetly exited the building, noticing that the rain had ceased, though a quick glance at the sky indicated that round two was on its way. He decided that was enough ‘fun’ for now and headed down the muggy street to the nearest subway, homeward bound. It wouldn’t however, be the end of his activities for the day. The police had been keeping tabs on a creepy super with a bird head and had the nerve to recruit Omega to help them take care of the threat. What was he their errand boy or something? Audacity aside, it did pique his interests, and he figured he may owe the boys-in-blue a favor or two for not throwing him behind bars. So, Manny decided that he would take a shot at this ‘mysterious’ super, so they would stop blabbing about it in the news...as much as he hated working in the rain.

Effortlessly weaving his way through the crowds, he boarded the train and took a seat near an elderly lady whose eyes lingered a bit too long on his dreadhawk. He pretended not to notice as he threw on his headphones, started one of his ‘subway’ playlists, and thanked the heavens that his destination wasn’t too far.

[CloseEnough]

The smell of rain hazed through her apartment. A dark space with empty walls, aside from one painting that looked like a mash of black and white blobs of layered paint. The soft sound or a record played through the halls, Goliath laying on her lap. Aurora began to pull out her phone, a sad smile on her lips as she held it to her ears. The familiar voice that shes been paying to listen to, for a few years now. A cheerful voice that did a over the top grand theft auto impersonation.

"Hey, hey hey, you reached the awesome line of Kaite. If your listening, then I'm doing something fun right now and will get back to ya, peace!"
A sigh escaping her, Aurora just listened. Remembering how angry she would get whenever she listened to the voice mail. Now....Now all she can is cling desperately to it. "Hey Sis, its me, the Bino. Anyway....I'm heading out again. Gonna patrol the streets...And...Well, the police may be after me. I know, I know, you got me, it's my rapping, my rapping turned me into a Mafia owner......Watch out for me....?"

Hanging up, she began to listen to the whines of Goliath. Her hands running through his slick fur, the woman gave him a kiss on the head. "Guard the house."

With her words spoken, she began to leave. Pulling a rain coat over her shoulders and walking down the emptying roads. Turning a corner only to listen for the absence of life. Reaching into her bag she pulled out a large leather book, her hand running across her face only to take the Raven, words effortlessly escaping her lips and falling to the wind. "He punishes those who have yet to bleed, due to your chains and never being freed."

Cop

The pouring ran beat down heavily on the wind sheild. A curse escaping him as he reached for the heater. "Damn thing, have to sit here waiting for some bird man"

"Quit complaining."

"I'll complain as much as I want. This was supposed to be my day off..Damn Supers, world would be so much better without em, least mine."

The two began to fall into a uncomfortable silence. The older officer, pen in hand writing a report was the only sound to harmonize with the rain. Fingers grasping at his beard or adjusting his glasses being the only break between the sound. It was quite, not even signs of Omega were seen, who knows, maybe the vigilant was working with someone else?
Yet like a clap of thunder, the screech of a motorcycle speeding past him broke their silence. A strange cry echoing through his very mind, grasping his attention with a unrelenting fist till he began to hear gun shots, his partner reaching the speaker before he could blink.

Raven

Turning a cornor with the screams of Dullahan. Raven drew her cane. The weight of familiarity hummed between her fingers. The shouts of a mugging sounding clear as a bell. A man, older then her, held at gun point by another. Without another thought she allowed the Dullahan to show it's true form, the headless horse rearing at the end of a alleyway causing the familiar click of a gun to be sent her way.
"Leave him"

Gun shots rang out, Raven acting on instinct grabbed the thick neck of Dullahan, swinging her body to his other side and using the unflinching beast as a bullet was eaten by it's midnight coat. A bray escaping it that caused chills to run down her own spine before the beast took off. Her cane smashing the shooter's skull on it's way through causing him to fall unconscious. The victim trembling on the ground began to whimper, causing her to shake her head. "Are you alright?"

"Ye-yeah...yeah I'm okay just please...please don't kill me...." Again the words hurt. She grants fear to those around her yet she still offered a kind smile, one that was nothing but reassurance. "I will not hurt you, stay put, police will show up soon."

As if she summed them herself, the sounds of sirens began to follow behind her. Without another words she had Dullahan hide again, racing the motorcycle away from the scene only to hear someone scream for them to follow her. "Guess we're running.....Fine a place to hide."
In answer the beast turned, her head ducking low to avoid anything in their way as the mount took her into the abandoned streets. The sound of broken glass and muggy smells giving her the idea that the place is abandoned. "Disperse my friend." Her feet landing lightly, she began to tap around the remains of a building, the creaking irons and shifting glass making her uneasy till she began to crouch behind a crate of some kind.

[Artifex]

Omega stood silently on the roof of a building in one of the rougher parts of town where the ‘little birdie’ was reported to have appeared. It was a pretty typical place to catch a bad guy or two, so he wasn’t really surprised. If this dude really was a troublemaker, this was a perfect place to catch them prowling around.

He had spent the evening reviewing some of the news articles and such surrounding this mysterious super, but hadn’t really turned up much information. There did seem to be a dark nature about their power and they seemed to always be fleeing the scene of whatever crime they just committed. Runners were no problem at all for Omega - in fact one of his favorite parts about his job was a good chase. A smirk crept onto his face at the thought.

He was using his gravity aura to repel the rain away from him, which was keeping him dry enough, though it didn’t do anything to help visibility. Rather than patrol the rooftops looking down dark alleyways on a rainy night like this one, he had concluded earlier that it would be easier to pick a central location and listen for…

“Sirens.”

Just then, the blaring traveled through the muggy air, originating from just a street or two to the east. As Omega made his way toward the disturbance, he could hear the roar of a motorcycle engine along with the sirens.

“Not the most discreet mode of transportation…”

Rather than follow the police cars, he bypassed them and went to pursue the motorcycle directly. He wasn’t totally surprised that the chase was short-lived for the authorities, since it sounded like the bike was moving much faster than their vehicles. Plus, it was MCPD...he couldn’t expect much in the first place. The sound of the engine came to a stop in an even more desolate area than the chase had begun, and Omega peered down just in time to see a dark figure taking shelter near an empty building. The police were nowhere in sight.

“Guess this is why they needed me to catch this guy.”

He carefully moved to a spot just above the place where the super was crouched and paused slightly before advancing, recalling the fact that he didn’t exactly know the extent of this person’s powers. The news classified them as dangerous, so he proceeded with caution. Hopping down from the roof, he landed rather lightly considering how far the drop was and faced the dark-clad super. He kept enough distance between them to be ready for any surprises.

“Hello, my fine, feathered friend...you’re not getting off that easy…”

[CloseEnough]

The droplets of water clicked near her. Breathing heavy, Raven decided it was best to stay where she was, to rest for a moment and move to a new area to patrol. A chase from the police was not enough to discourage her, so long as she stayed away from the gangs again, do smaller jobs, she should be fine.
A light breath escaping her, Raven began to listen. The cars outside, the distant sirens that kept going in circles, the rain. The smell of mold clung to her senses, yet the sound of creaking iron was not something she was having much faith in. Yet just as she was starting to feel safe, she began to hear something new, something above. A bird maybe? No, she would hear the fluttering of wings if it were a bird.....


“Hello, my fine, feathered friend...you’re not getting off that easy…”

Turning on a dime, she began to search for the voice. Her body tensing up, her chest tightening. She knew that voice from somewhere but she couldn't pin point it. And they way he spoke...
He was hunting her.

She was about to run, she was already pressing her weight on the balls of her feet, already trying to feel for a opening, a draft, a cool breeze, something. But the more she tried, the more she realized that he was probably a super, that he may have a plan. Swallowing the lump in her throat she ran her fingers over the slightly closed pages.
"For opposing to someone bringing death to one's face? The one before me seems to be misguided indeed, following blindly like tis once done...."

Hopefully speaking like Raven would buy her some time. Let him ponder her words. Even better if he could buy into the truth that she was just offering.

[Artifex]

A slight feeling of joy overcame Omega when the super whipped around. He was sure they were gonna run. He lowered the pull of gravity around him, priming for the chase. He’d let them get a good run in before he pinned them down - he had to have a little fun.

But they didn’t immediately take off. What were they planning? Instead, the super spoke to him.

"For opposing to someone bringing death to one's face? The one before me seems to be misguided indeed, following blindly like tis once done...."

Hmm...she’s a girl? This super that’s scaring everyone is a girl? And what’s with the weird language?

Omega folded his arms and raised an eyebrow. He was a bit thrown off by her reaction. He was fully expecting her to bolt….her...yeah, his game plan would have to change ever so slightly because she was a girl. You know...chivalry and all that. He had to pause a moment to put together what she was saying before he spoke again.

“Uh, look, I don’t know what you’re talking about, but I can’t let you run around causing any more trouble. Let’s not make this difficult. I’ve already got you.”

He really had no idea why he was being so lax with a super that was supposed to be such a danger. Perhaps it was overconfidence because he caught her so easily. No matter what it was, he knew this was a wrap already.

[CloseEnough]

"But I have caused no such trouble, ponder my words sometime." She could hear his stance change, his demenar even, was he lowering his guard? Please let that be the case, please let that buy her even a second of time.
Her hands began to brush over the passage, the bumps snipping through her gloves. Already she could feel the power humming through her veins before she began to speak.
"I'm sorry."

"He only wishes to find you!" The words spoken with force, she heard the grim appear. A great beast of hellish green features snapping out of the wispy air in front of her hunter. His jaws wide and eyes keen, she grimaced at the sound of her beast snapping his jaws around the male.
She only hoped that did not cause too much damage. But it was the only way for her to think fast. Turning on her heel, her cane outstretched she ran, her legs feeling so heavy she stumbled before carrying one. Why was she so heavy? Her blood began to run cold when the thought clicked. The hunter, the one after her was Omega! "Again I'm sorry!"

"He punishes those who have yet to bleed, due to your chains and never being freed."
The bray of her Dullahan sounded beside her. The mount running at her side, Raven reached for her companion's back, pulling with all her strength to hop onto her back and continue on. If he caught her, she was done for, if he was near her she was done for!

[Artifex]

“Huh?”

Before he could further question what was going on, a large demon dog had appeared right in front of him and lunged at him full force, teeth bared and jaws snapping.

“Oh, sh-...!”

Caught off-guard, Omega couldn’t prevent the beast from tackling him to the ground. Grabbing and pushing at various spots to counter the Grim’s attempts at tearing into him, he momentarily lost his concentration on his prey, allowing her to summon her...motorcycle?...and ride away.

“Ugh...dammit!”

He continued to wrestle with the beast until he finally was able to get his bearings and hurl it to the side. He quickly got to his feet and darted after the girl, though the Grim had recovered just as quickly and was right on his heels. As much ground as Omega gained on the bird girl, the demon dog gained just as much on him.

“Son of a…!”

He made a quick decision to break off the chase and try to shake the Grim. It wasn’t like this would be his only chance to catch this girl and it didn’t look like the beast was backing off anytime soon. He dove into the next empty alley, rolling into a tumble, and sprinted toward the nearest wall. As the Grim skidded into the alley right behind him, he started to run up the wall toward the roof, hoping that the beast wasn’t able to do the same.

[CloseEnough]

Luck was on Omega's side, for the Grim, even with his snapping jaws and unrelenting chase. Had to halt at the side of the building, growling only for a howl to carry over the walls before he vanished in the wispy tendrils as if a bad dream. The clap of thunder shaking the ground beneath one's feet causing anyone who would have seen him to forget the sight.

Raven herself kept riding away. Only stopping to help a teen who had to walk home and offered to give her a ride. Which to her surprise she happily accepted, driving a few miles to drop the poor thing off, she gave the vigilant a high five before she stalked off in her soaking attire. "Guess it's a good idea to head home, huh?" A snort giving to her in return, Raven began to ride away. The clicking hooves echoing through alleyways as they called it a night.

Greeted by a waiting Goliath, Aurora smiled down at her companion. "Hey boy" grabbing him in a hug the dog began to whine at the soaking albino. "Fine, I'll get a shower." A bark in response, the night was filled with the sound of typing away at her key board. Her toes curling into the section of cushioned rugs until the rottwhiler laid over her feet.
She couldn't get the thought of Omega out of her head. Just how easy temped her was in the presence of someone who to him, was seen as a threat. The sounds and smells still fresh in her head, she would be surprised if there was not still a bit of adrenaline working it's way out of her system.

With tired hands she began to call the long since absent owner of her favourite number. "So, I'm safe...for now. I was almost caught by Omega, yeah the gravity vigilant? He shown up out of no where, the cops were chasing me like I was some kind of animal and then when I finally have a chance to get away, he shows up. He was kinda weird though, very unique voice, could hear one like that a mile away. But it was the way he was so laxed about everything...."
Pondering her words, she began to hear the grumbilings of Goliath. It was no secret that he was not fond of her talking on the phone with her sister, even if she just treated it like a diary.

"Who knows, maybe I'll fine a way to figure this out. Maybe we'll run into each other again.....Scratch that, we will. I sent the Grim after him, so he's gonna want to hunt me down. You gonna watch out for me?"

---
And see each other they did. Raven had ended up finding herself within a few close encounters with Omega. And somehow, maybe it was cause her sister in the form of the Bridal wraith was looking out for her, she was always able to get away. It did not matter if she was in the cool ice nights of the pouring rain. Whenever she heard the now memorized voice of Omega, she found herself smiling, turning it into a game and causing her to grow comfortable, use it even to try and train.

The howling winds blowing back her coat. Raven Tale seemed to find herself back into a corner. The open air offering to cradle her, she stepped at the ledge. "Seems you may have finally won....Though for the tenth moon, I was not the cause of that battle in the alleyway."
Holding up her hand she waved, the book still in her arm as she fell backwards. The open air assaulting every way of her till she called forth one of the most iffy summons she now has. "His body is reborn of the ashes, to glisten in the sun's new rays of life." Air knocked from her lungs at the capture, she felt talons cling to the back of her coat to break her fall. Faux lowering her to the ground she jumped the rest of the way only to summon Dullahan, her timing becoming faster as she climbed upon it's back.

What fun this was! She couldn't help the smile on her features as she sped away. Even laughing, enjoying her time, never before would she have done somthing so daring, so crazy. And yet here she was, the victor of the night once more.

[Artifex]

Relief, annoyance, and surprise all hit the gravity manipulator at once as he watched the hellish beast disappear and listened to the ever-fading roar of the bird girl’s motorcycle. Not many had been able to get away from Omega, especially when he had them cornered. It seemed she had some sort of summoning powers, and he wondered whether they got any worse than a huge demon dog.

Probably...which is why she must be so dangerous…

As the adrenaline started to fade out of his system, he began to feel just how much damage the Grim had actually inflicted. There were several cuts on his arms, shoulders, and chest. None of them were deep enough to warrant immediate attention, but they wouldn’t just heal overnight, either. He decided it was time to pay someone special a visit.

“I haven’t seen Ma in a bit, anyway.”

Still slightly shocked at his most recent encounter, he shook his head and called it a night.

The next morning, Manny made his way to his parents’ home outside the city. His father would already be at work and his mother wouldn’t be home from working the night shift until around noon. So, he would just wait and surprise his mother. He arrived and made his way around to the backyard where Sonya’s immense and immaculate garden was planted. After hanging out for a few hours, Manny heard his mom emerge from the back door.

“Manny! How good to see you! How are you, sweetheart?” Sonya cheerfully asked as she walked over to greet her son.

“I’m just fine, Ma,” Manny said as he rose from the chair he was sitting in to give his mother a hug. He winced under the pressure of the embrace.

“You sure about that, son?” Sonya had a slight frown and a motherly “you can’t fool me” look in her eyes. Manny avoided her gaze as she attempted to make direct eye contact.

“Of course, I am.” Manny flashed a weak grin.

“Manny…”

“It’s nothing bad, Ma. Just a few scratches from trying to catch a bird.”

“You expect me to believe that, Sir Newton?”

Manny let out a light laugh as he returned to his chair. “Look, Ma, we’ve both had a long night, so why you just relax with me?” He grabbed a guitar that was propped nearby and motioned to an empty chair.

Sonya gave a sigh and shook her head as she sat down. She was actually quite relieved to be off her feet and enjoyed the extra bonus of Manny’s visit. As Manny began to play, she took a deep breath, taking in the many aromas of her vast collection of flowers. Eventually, she accompanied his playing with singing and let her healing powers work their magic.

“Don’t expect to come running to me every time you have a ‘bird-related’ injury.”

“Don’t worry, Ma. It won’t be a problem for long,” Manny said with a prematurely satisfied grin.

-----

Of course, he was wrong. Every time Omega managed to corner the Raven, she would slip away. Not only that, her summons had gotten even creepier. She seemed to be enjoying the getaway, perhaps even toying with him. Though on the other hand, he still hadn’t brought himself to come down on her full force. He wasn’t sure why, but he continued to show the girl restraint. Maybe it was because she never actually attacked him...or perhaps it was her constant claims of being one of the good guys. Whatever the case, Raven Tale had intrigued him, to say the least - especially with this latest escape. Not many supers without flight powers would willingly jump from a building...and then to be caught by a phoenix...he had to give her style points for sure.

He stood there on the ledge watching the bike leave the scene without even bothering to give chase. He folded his arms as his smirk faded to neutral and Raven’s words came to mind.

...I have caused no such trouble, ponder my words sometime...for the tenth moon, I was not the cause of that battle…

“Well, I can’t really be sure of that until I actually catch you...and believe me, that day is coming soon.”

It wasn’t a threat...but a complete and utter certainty.

[CloseEnough]

The smell of hay and oats greeted her nose as Aurora held a brush in hand. A soft smile on her lips while she allowed her fingers to carefully feel the delicate features of the filly in front of her. Smooth fur, still that of a foal, with what had to be kind eyes and playful nipping at her wrist earning a light swat on the still soft nose. "Not with me sweetie."

A new filly she was. One of the Grooms explaining how the horse had a coat that looked almost like a strawberry blond, a early sign of sorral no doubt. With a full white mask and four high white stockings, she could only imagine how precious the animal in front of her was. A sweet thing who taken to the Lorell stables well, often walking right up to the stall door and nicking, asking for any sign of affection.
But sweetness was not why she was being tacked up by Aurora's own hand. Her damn was a world class jumper and sire that of Bold Ruler, both legends. If she took to her lineage then the Albino would be having a nice new addition to the team to take over for Lilly who was retiring soon.

"You good Aurora?" The voice of a groom at her left, Aurora nodded her head, handing him her cane. "Yeah, I got a helmet on, I'll be fine if I'm thrown." Smile turning into a grin she gave the horse a strong pat on the neck, a snort causing the muscles beneath her hand to shake. "She's strong."

"And big, she might end up being too big to carry you and her over a jump when she gets older."

"Well then we just find her a different job. Cross Country or endurance racing, she has a good temper for it."

"You know how your parents are, they won't stand for anything that won't bring in ether platinum or money."

A frown on her features, Aurora grabbed the iron stirrups, placing her boot she pulled herself up. The creaking leather and steady breathing beneath her repeating in perfect rhythm. She could feel the animal shift beneath her, changing her stance to get used to the new weight on her back. "They just don't know how to work the trade is all. Happy horses mean better rating."

With the words spoken she began to give the filly a kick. The groom walking beside her in case anything spooked the young horse. "So, you got a name yet?" She could hear the flicking ear from the horse going back and forth, trying to figure out what her humans are saying. "Not yet, maybe after this ride I'll think of something."

The iron gate opening into the arena, Aurora began to ride in. The filly being uneasy at first, shaking her head and backing up, yet with a few kind words like a patient mother she was coaxed in. The gate closing behind them and Goliath sitting and waiting in case he is needed.

It was a windy day that's for sure. She could hear the howling air causing some of the creaking shudders to shake like old tine in a dusty ally. A barrel of some kind falling over causing the filly to spook, rearing up and backing in hightend steps yet once again the Albino calmed her down with a gentle hand and kind word. "You're fine sweetheart."
Eventually getting the new ride into a comfortable pattern, Aurora began cantering the horse around the fence line. The easy breathing and arched neck began to show all signs of power. Footsteps at ease, long and collected, movements showing grace far older then her years. "Loki might be in trouble if you show him up in drassage."

A light laugh escaping her, she took the filly over a small jump. Just to get a feel for the creature without pushing her. They were honestly being a little lazy, a smile on her face when she could hear the unmistakable roar of Loki, a proud stallion who knows his rider is talking behind his back.

Yet as they were riding in he centre, the filly began to grow uneasy again. Rearing, tossing her head, Aurora could feel the poor thing's heart beat loud and proud within her chest. "Easy, easy, you're okay..." Yet as a large gust of wind caused the sound of snapping wood to sound painfully sharp in her ears, her blood began to turn to ice. "Go!"

yet the filly did not understand. Under her fear and the sudden command she began to fight against her rein. Screaming even only to move again in what seemed like an eternity. "Come on!"
Yet the filly was tired, she was new. And Aurora could do nothing as the roof began to cave in on top of them.

---

Goliath seeing the signs of distress was already long gone. The gate marred with his teeth as he tried to get through the locked gate that the Groom stupidly put up. Barking like a hell hound yet finding no one in his path, the dog turned out of the stable, nipping and pleading at the first bystander that walked by.

[Artifex]

Man, I really should check the weather more often before I go out…

Once again, the weather did not favor Manny’s hobby. The winds kicked up all kinds of debris and caused the older structures to rattle in protest. The buildings in this part of town, which was actually on the outskirts, were worn and badly maintained. Several of the buildings were altogether deserted, left empty and crumbling. There weren’t as many people out here as there were in the city proper, so that meant less crowds and noise and…

You know...this might not be a bad place for another hideout…

Manny stood in the middle of the upper room of an abandoned bar. It appeared the owners had just picked up and left...and took the booze with them. He was surprised that no one homeless was holed up in the place, though this area wasn’t really known for that. It was just dated and in need of some...love. The walls creaked slightly under the pressure of the gusts outside and the wind whistled through those crevices that weren’t airtight. He carefully walked back down the stairs and out of the back entrance, checking one last time for any ‘liquid treasures’ he might happen upon before leaving. He walked down the blustery street, keeping himself grounded with his gravity powers while random papers and cans sailed past him on the currents. There weren’t many people out today -- perhaps because they weren’t idiots who didn’t keep up with the forecast -- so it was a rather lonely stroll. As he moved into more open air (and more prominent winds), he neared an arena that looked like it was used for horses. Then, a particularly strong gust rose up, and he heard a rumbling sound indicative of a building collapsing -- possibly just in part. He knew that sound all too well and it appeared to come from the arena, which surprised Manny because it looked to be one of the more intact structures in the area.

I guess everything around here is getting old...hope no one got hurt or anything...

His mind suddenly and quickly flashed back to the day he rescued his brother from a pile of debris as the everything around him was ablaze. The heat of the flames, the blinding smoke, the searing hot chunks of rubble Manny to toss aside to free his brother, all rushed through his brain in an instant, bringing a frown to his face. He snapped out of it as a dog started barking nearby. He looked up to see a Rottweiler in a red vest running frantically from the arena looking as if it needed help. Manny’s vigilante instincts kicked in and he approached the dog as it whined and yelped.

“What’s wrong, boy? Someone need help?”

The dog barked in response as it darted back into the building. As Manny was lead to a locked gate, he could already see the pile of debris from the apparent roof collapse. The dog stood at the gate, barked once more, and began to whine, looking desperately at the pile on the other side. Manny sprinted, hopped the gate, and dashed for the rubble.

“Hey! Anyone in there?!”

[CloseEnough]

She felt dizzy, every inch of her body aches as though pins had been slammed into her skin. Something was running down the side of her head, forcing her eyes to close so it would not run through her lashes. She couldn't feel her leg, her toes wiggling granting a sigh of relief, good, she can move them at least...
The smell of dust flooded her senses like a unrelenting storm. The howling winds outside causing the creaks and groans of debris to echo through her skull in taunting laughter. Each snap another count down to her death. Her shoulder joining in the harmony in snaps, her brain finally waking up, screaming at her that she was in a great deal of pain. As though something was pulling at her wrist with all it's strength to yank it away from her.

Still, she was alive. There was air in her lungs so she had to get out, her memory finally piecing together the events that caused her situation like a clouded puzzle finally clearing. She was riding....she was riding the new horse..."Sweetie?"
The weight on her leg. The crushing feeling of being trapped, only now did she hear the pained sighs that wheezed in and out like a raspy wind on window panes. Hand reaching to feel a luscious mane only came back to feel torn skin in a once smooth coat, warm crimson stick to her locks in clumps that knotted and protested to the beauty that was to frame the creature's face.

Hands feeling down the twitching sides, she slowly unclasped the saddle. A great sigh that was all too forced greeted her. The tapestry of wounds and disjointed vertebra continued till she reached what was supposed to be the back withers, only to meet sharp jagged metal that caressed her fingers like rusty knifes, only adding to marks that decorated what was supposed to be porcelain skin that now took to a dusted shade of dirt.

Her filly was crushed, instead of kicking and thrashing, fighting for the gift of life that was lying just out of reach. The young spry creature simply laid in the grave that had been so intricately crafted for her. "You're not dying on me..." Her own voice was as hoarse, rasped against the crumbling walls of her cords. "You're gonna pull through this...Sweet tea...."

It felt like days till she heard someone. Her hand carefully caressing the filly as she laid her matted hair against the now knotted mane. Crimson running down her eye and to her chin that she did not bother to whip with her blood stained hands. The rickety rise and fall of Sweet Tea's side the only indication the life still clung to the broken body that trapped her.

"Hey! Anyone in there!?"

A small cry escaped Sweet Tea, yet the filly did not dare rise her head at the new voice. It sounded like the sweetest note at that time. Help, yes, a rescuer had come to help. "See hun, you're gonna pull through this."

With all that was left in her lungs she shouted, causing not a stir from her horse. "We're here! Please, my horse is stuck!" The sight inside seemed to be the pinical of any super hero's sob story. A blind woman trapped beneath her new horse with no where to go. "Please...."
Her voice breaking she sniffled up her tears, cradling the Filly's neck with the care one would give to a bride. Laying her head down to ease her companion, only to get no response...

[Artifex]

"We're here! Please, my horse is stuck!"

Oh, good...a response is good…

As Manny got closer to the site of the collapse, the figures of the horse and its rider became clearer. The rider was a young female who seemed to be trapped under the horse...but the horse wasn’t in as good of a position. Even from far away, he could see the animal probably wouldn’t make it. It had taken most if not all of the debris and was pretty much crushed. The weight of all that on the girl could not be favorable and he wondered what injuries she had sustained. He slid to a halt as soon as he reached the wreckage.

Holy…

The scene was not pretty...not at all anything he was expecting to see today. The girl cradled the small horse in her arm. The other arm seeming to hang limp at her side. And the horse was a mangled mess...and it looked rather young. Poor thing didn’t even get to live a full life. The girl’s face was streaked with blood, dirt, and tears. Manny’s heart broke at the sad sight.

But there was no time for sadness, he had to act. He knelt down and placed his hand on the young filly. She was still warm, but lifeless. She didn’t make it very long after the collapse. He looked up at the girl and spoke as gently and urgently as he could.

“Hey, I’m gonna get you out, but I need to move all this heavy stuff first, alright?”

Manny appeared to have inhuman strength as he quickly began moving broken wood beams and heavy slabs of roofing carefully to the side which would have taken a few men to lift. He noticed some of the beams were a bit rotted and weak, and the pressure of the wind must have taken its toll on them. They were lucky more of the roof didn’t come down. The wind howled through the large hole above, though not as loudly as it had a few minutes prior. It seemed the wind was dying down a bit -- at least enough to where the hole wouldn’t get any larger. When it came time to move the horse, he swallowed hard. He couldn’t imagine how the girl must feel about what happened to the little filly. He knelt down to speak to her again, this time realizing that she hadn’t opened her eyes. He thought at first it was because she was crying, but now he saw she was keeping them deliberately closed. He immediately thought back to the red vest on the dog...seeing-eye dog…

She’s blind…she didn’t even see it coming...

It was one of the most heartbreaking things Manny had seen in awhile. Choosing his words carefully, he spoke to the rider once again.

“I, um, got your horse free, so now it’s your turn, okay?”

[CloseEnough]

Listening to the hurried footsteps, Aurora tried her best to quiet her tears. Her hand still caressing the animal that only hours ago would playfully nip at her fingers. She could hear a sharp intake of breath, most likely from the sight for whoever was in front of her. "I tried to get her to run...I did...."

It was starting to become all too clear that the Filly died on her watch, she can not even see the wide lifeless eyes that stared at nothing. All she could do was listen, listen to the beams that were so easily moved by whoever came to her aid. Listen to the careful voice that was trying to comfort yet held and edge of unfamiliarity at the task he was given. Moment by moment, Sweet Tea's body became slightly colder...and heavier.


“I, um, got your horse free, so now it’s your turn, okay?”

All she did was nod. Mentioning to the saddle she put her hand on the horn. "The seat cushioned the fall, it's not broken at least.....But I think my arm's dislocated." The way she spoke, even with the ebbing tragedy that tugged at every word like greedy hands, she still sounded as though she experienced her fair share of injuries. She was heart broken, but she still managed to keep a level of composure. One that was drilled into her from her time as Raven Tale.

[Artifex]

He was impressed at her resolve considering the current situation. She apparently looked much worse off than she actually was as she didn't claim to have any serious injuries. Walking around to where the rider's leg was pinned, Manny braced himself to lift the horse. He could feel the significant drop in body temperature compared to a few minutes ago and a tiny bit more grief hit his heart. Slowly, he raised the heavy weight of the animal off of the girl’s leg.

“Think you’ll be able to move yourself with your good arm?”

“Yeah…”

Carefully Aurora began to feel around the saddle, biting her lip she began to push herself away from Sweet Tea. Blood rushing through her veins that have been stilled almost too long causing pins and needles to run down her entire leg.
She didn’t want to know what her leg looked like under the riding pants. With unsteady movements she began to try and stand. Though like a newborn she simply fell back, her leg refusing to give her the support she needs right away. “Shit….”
Taking a few deep breaths she tried again. Her muscles screaming in protest while her joints gave a sickening crack at the movement. Yet she stood, a great deal of effort it took but she was still able to stand. Stand to her full height in fact, for her head did not even brush the lowest beam. “There a way out….?”

“Yeah...here…”

Manny offered his arm to the girl, now very noticeably short, seeing that she had some trouble standing. He imagined her leg was recovering from being held down under the mass of the horse and she might be dizzy from the small head injury she appeared to have gotten. He carefully guided her out of the mess of debris.

“Maybe we should sit you down for a sec...”

Carefully feeling through the air, Aurora found her hand grasping an arm. No surprise it was more muscular than some, whoever he was had strength that of a super….
The thought drifting through her mind. She leaned on him as one would a cane. Limping through debriee till she finally felt the open wind that threatened to knock her over.

The offer for rest was indeed a sweet one. Nodding her head, she moved in the direction of a bench. Goliath at her feet in a heartbeat, his whines and sniffing bringing a bittersweet smile to her face. “I’m okay boy…..”
Yeah...she was okay, yet she couldn’t help but slowly turn her head in the direction of the arena. Sweet Tea….how horrid she must look, how scared she must have been that she could not even move….
“Th-”

“Aurora!” A frantic cry sounding through the path ways, she could hear the crunching of gravel under one’s boots. The panting breath and skidding moves showing all signs of worry. “Oh my god! Aurora, I heard the roof collapse, I-I’ll call an ambulance. Is the filly okay?”

At the mention of the filly, Aurora allowed her head to hang. A new set of tears falling from her eyes, and marring the crimson that painted her face. The Groom that found them began to step back, his own face falling at the news. “I’ll be right back….you, you helped her right? Can you stay with her, keep her awake?”

Manny nodded to the groom as he went to call for help. He turned to the girl and once again donned his comforting tone.

“I’m glad I was able to get to you in time...um, my name’s Manny.”

He gave her a smile, even though he knew she couldn’t see it, hoping in some way she could maybe ‘feel’ it.

[CloseEnough]

"Aurora....I'm Aurora,..Thanks, for getting me out..."

Sniffling and wiping her tears only to regret it from the grim on her hands. Aurora took in a sigh. "I tried to get her to run...I did, the moment I heard the roof coming down, I was gonna have her go over the lower wall, but she just froze up. I panicked and so she froze...."
As the reality began to hit her, that Sweet Tea died on her watch. Aurora began to cry. Her shoulders shaking, causing more pain to run through her. "Sorry....That was the first time I rode her....she was just fine a second ago..." She's dealt with death in horses, she had to call for them at times even. It happens, horses are poorly made, accidents happen, illness is a major factor. But never like this...shes never had one go like this....

The stable began to erupt as soon as a woman with long blond hair stormed out. A woman that looked to demand respect and hold authority. "I want everything that can cause injury that’s outside the arena removed, the horses in barn C I want moved to the front pastures. Geldings with Mares and Stallions solo, move it!"

Horses being torn from their stalls, hurried hands and shouting voices continued. The gates being torn open to revel an ambulance, yet even then the older woman did not once walk near Aurora to see if she was okay. Not even when the paramedics began to evaluate her, or even when Aurora gave a yelp when they had to force her arm back into place.
Thankfully Aurora was not in dire need to be taken to the hospital. Sitting in the ambulance, she was still getting cleaned up, answering questions and finding out that the worst thing was that she had a small head concussion. "Just take it easy, come in tomorrow, but moving you right now would do more harm then good."

It was over in moments, the Groom thanking Manny over and over as she was lead away. Saying how Aurora could have been killed along with the filly. "If you want to come back at all, your welcome to, I just...I wish I could do something more for you. Cause you have no idea how grateful we are."

---
Yet while the Groom was thanking Manny, Aurora was getting cleaned up and put to bed. throughout the entire scare, not once did her family show up. Her mother and father were already going through the loss, The filly having a heavy blow but not nearly as badly as the arena. "Guess we need to get the place fixed up, maybe have the brood barn reinforced as well, I been wanting to do that for a while anyway."

[Artifex]

Manny was used to rescuing people as Omega but hadn’t done it that much out-of-costume. The outpouring of gratitude from the groom was a bit unexpected. He watched as Aurora was being treated and was, again, pleased he had been able to come to her aid. Who knows what would’ve happened to her leg if she had been pinned down like that for an extended period of time. He still felt bad for her loss of the horse.

As the commotion ensued, Manny noticed the blond woman who was giving orders and wondered why she never came to check on Aurora. Surely, if she was the boss or whatever, she would care about the riders, right? It was a bit confusing to him. Here he was, a perfect stranger, and he was pretty concerned, meanwhile she never gave Aurora a second thought.

"If you want to come back at all, your welcome to, I just...I wish I could do something more for you. Cause you have no idea how grateful we are."

“Oh, don’t worry about all that. I’m just glad I was around to help. Thankfully, it wasn’t any worse than it was.” Manny gave a smile and shook the groom’s hand. “I guess I’ll be back around to see how things are going if I get a chance...sorry about the horse, though, for what it's worth.” He took his leave and headed home to get some rest.

[CloseEnough]

News spread of the incident, and fast. Camera crews and reporters all but kicked down Aurora's door trying to get the story before her mother dragged her to a press conference. The awkward shifting and stumbled words showing all too well that she was out of her element. She hated the sounds of cameras and screaming words demanding to be heard, questions that would almost force and answer. Yet anything to keep her sponsors high, to keep her in the good graces, and a sob story is what she could use.....

Days have passed before Rick was able to get anyone to take the job of fixing up the arena and stable A...that Sarah would approve of. The iron gates staying closed for some time while Aurora herself had to deal with the work of getting rid of Sweet Tea's body. The Filly's tail now hanging solemnly in a stall alongside her previous companion's that have passed her by.

Her leg now sporting painted violets and yellows. Aurora was usually seen limping around, no longer donning the mask of Raven. Least till she could safely run from the cops and Omega. The streets would have to be absent of the skull and eerie screech of a bridal wraith or hellish hound.
Still, what has Omega thought throughout her absence? Hopefully her hunter didn't think she backed out, it was just a rest, a rest and soon she will be as right as the rain that has fallen from the morning sky.

She was already back to light riding. Least for Loki, the great stallion could sense his rider was injured. The shaking leg and slight tilt in her seat whenever he turned to sharply. And so the creature took his steps lightly, causing no problems for the albino on his back, and dutifully responding to even the lightest touch as though frightened he would meet the same fate as Sweet tea. Even if they were in the open pastures, void of looming structures.

The steady rhythm of a slow canter and the strong beat of his heart gave her comfort. More then once would the beauty turn his head and nibble at her boot the same way he would treat a herd mate. Soft nickering and constant fretting, he could tell she was still in distress, a pulling in the back of her mind, one that she clouded over yet still spoke softly of how she was to blame for the problems that risen.

Reaching over to give his neck a pat, she carefully pulled at his mane. The absent bridal causing less sound to tell her where his head was facing, yet it was still nice. She liked the idea she had so much control, almost two thousand pounds and yet just a kind word is all that is needed to get him moving.
Goliath barking at the end of the pasture, Aurora brought Loki into a canter. Riding at the fence line only to realize that large trucks were coming through the gate. "Must have been the construction crew Father hired...McClain Construction?" Bringing him in a collected trot, she rode alongside them. Hearing the laughter and light comments of a grand welcoming being enough to make her smile, all the way to the end of the pasture before she had to pull the stallion up and wave away.

---

Sarah herself was waiting for the hired help. Clip board in hand she nodded to the workers that began to file out one by one. "Welcome to Lorell stables, sure you saw the news, my Arena collapsed while my daughter was riding. But before any of you start I need you to sign these, the cheapest animal I have here is enough to pay you nine times over, and I do not need any more damages to my stock, understand? No greeting my horses unless given permission."

She was a harsh woman to say the least. With cold green eyes and a stance the screamed that of a beauty who would turn to a beast at a moment's notice. Still, she got her job done and she would do it well. Leading them through the areas and having her Groom clear the way for their equipment, she shown the collapsed arena, the sand beneath stained with crimson and unturned patterns of the Filly being dragged away from imprisonment. A sad sight that Sarah did not even bat her eye to.

Turning on her heel she extended her hand to Richard, a curt nod before continuing. "Sarah Lorell, myself and my daughter are who you need to speak with concerning the horses, she is the albino. My husband Rick is who you need to speak with for documentation and he is currently in the office. Now, is there anything that we need to do on our part are can you get started?"

[Artifex]

Richard McClain had to respect the professionalism with which Sarah Lorell handled her business, but personally, she rubbed him the wrong way right off the bat. He couldn’t really understand the need to be so...abrasive. He himself could certainly be candid at times, but he conducted his business in a much more pleasant manner. The way she spoke to his workers was very near insulting, yet he brushed it off and remained polite and professional with his client.

“We’re just going to need you to make sure your staff stays clear of the area. I'll head to the office to take care of the paperwork in a moment. We’ll have things patched up in no time, Mrs. Lorell.”

He gave the woman a nod and an earnest smile and turned toward his crew.

“Alright, gentlemen, let’s clear the debris and get the cherry pickers in here...carefully, please.”

Manny walked over to his father and gave him a pat on the back. Though, he didn’t officially consider himself an employee of his father’s company -- despite being on the payroll -- Manny liked to ‘help his father out’ when he had the time. The site where he had rescued Aurora seemed to have not been disturbed much save for the removal of the horse.

“So, how long you think this’ll take?”

“Few days, tops...glad you could come along, son,” Richard said, donning his hard hat. “You said a girl walked away from this?”

“With minor injuries. The horse, however, wasn’t so lucky.”

“So it seems...” Richard glanced at the red patches and streaks still in the sand. Shaking his head, he spoke to Manny in a slightly lowered voice. “Just help keep things ‘stable’, you know what I mean? These Lorells don’t seem like the type to want to deal with liability claims.”

“Gotcha, boss,” Manny said grinning and nodding in recognition. He put on his own hard hat and set to work helping the crew.