[IC] Light of The Rebellion

[MegaraFoxfire]

Midnight shook her head and said “no, but while we work on the missing persons case, we need to keep the mission going. And that’s to find the needs of the people and fix what we can. So what do we think is our next best move?”

Scarlet looked into her tea cup and thought as Bane was making eggs.

Iris frowned and muttered “he needs more blood? Was Matias not enough…we need more blood but from where?” She rubbed her face.

[lepidope]

Matias looked to his side, attempting to conjur an answer with the wall's help.

"Well..."

He looked back.

"There've been raids in mystic-heavy areas, haven't there? I'm sure there's people there that need resources. That's all I can really think of."

Speaking of resources, it seemed Oleander knew just where to get what Iris needed because as soon as she raised her question they made their way to a nearby window, opened it, and leaped outside. All that could be heard afterwards was the sound of their impact; silence filled the next minute or so before a loud jetpack broke it almost instantaneously. Oleander returned, this time with a volunteer– a corpse of a cop which they carelessly tossed on the ground like it was trash. At least it didn't smell.

"IT'S ONLY A FEW HOURS OLD," Oleander signed, "I'M CERTAIN HIS FLUIDS ARE FRESH."

[MegaraFoxfire]

Bane looked up and said “his right. We could get them supplies and get the raiding to stop. Wouldn’t be a bad task for us since the cops can’t handle it”

Iris blinked then said “I should question this but” she waved her hands and plants jumped to life and wrapped around the corpse and started to drain the blood into a bowl she laid down. “Hopefully it’s alright…”

[lepidope]

Matias rolled his eyes.

"Pigs can't handle anything if it doesn't benefit them. Anyway, do we know of any vulnerable places in particular? I remember us talking about Pixie Village yesterday... Maybe we should start there."

He stuffed his face full of French toast, "mmm"ing softly.

"Do we know about any incoming raids?" His speech was stifled by his stuffed mouth, but he hoped someone understood.

Oleander stepped back at the display, their wings flicking. Once they were in a presumably safe position, they tilted their head, staring at the plants in an almost fixated fashion.

"SO YOU ARE A SAGE," they signed, "WHAT A BEAUTIFUL ABILITY. YOU ARE ALL MYSTICS SAVE FOR THE HUMAN, CORRECT?"

[MegaraFoxfire]

Scarlet looked up and said “they were hit the most the last few weeks…I haven’t been able to go home some nights…” Bane nodded slowly and said “they will get hit again.”

Midnight was pacing again, tea left on the table as she muttered “I can send shadows to keep watch…”

Iris nodded and said weakly as she picked up the bowl and poured it into a IV bag “Bane is a werewolf, Scarlet a fire pixie, Dante of course a vampire and lady Midnight…I’m not totally sure what she is”

[lepidope]

"Alright, then that sounds like a–..."

His thoughts were interrupted by rhythmic footsteps behind him. Looking back, he saw Midnight moving back and forth, her franticness seeming to make a come back.

"Mija..."

He stood from his seat, went up to her, and slapped his hands right on her shoulders.

"Mija, enough. You're freaking me out."

Oleander quietly brushed past Iris to approach the window anew, but instead of jumping out they stood by and stared pensively out the clear glass. They looked back after a few moments of pregnant silence.

"AN INTERESTING VARIETY. I'M QUITE CONFUSED AS TO WHY LADY MIDNIGHT ADDED ME TO HER ARSENAL, BUT I SUPPOSE I SHOULDN'T BE SURPRISED AS SHE LET A HUMAN BE PART OF THE MIX."

[MegaraFoxfire]

Midnight looked up and said “sorry, moving helps me think” bane grinned and said “why don’t I look into the raids with scarlet and find out the next hit. With Dante out of the station we will need a new way to get information”

Iris was hooking the blood to his arm and said “last midnight always has a reason…we all wondered about Matias…but maybe his head to be a new way to look at things…and to be more direct. Dante probably wouldn’t have quit if Matias had given him the courage to do so…”

[lepidope]

Matias's grip on his boss's shoulders loosened considerably as he looked towards Bane. It was more of a tender grip than a for-dear-life grip.

"We should all go," he said, "because I don't want one of you getting hurt while everyone else is on the other side of the earth. At this point, it's happened one too many times, and I'm pretty sure Iris is sick to death of playing doctor."

He looked to Midnight, straight in the eyes.

"That includes you."

Oleander hung their head slightly, letting out a small cloud of smoke.

"I SUPPOSE I'M BEING QUICK TO JUDGE. EXCUSE ME, FOR I WILL NEED TIME TO ADJUST."

They turned to face Iris.

"I'VE NOTED THAT YOU SEEM EXHAUSTED. I VOLUNTEER TO LOOK OVER THE DETECTIVE, IF YOU MAY TRUST ME TO DO SO."

[MegaraFoxfire]

Bane smirked and said “alright, how about I go send word on the wire to some old friends and see what I can dig up. That way we can stick together”

Midnight looked at him and asked “what do you mean my that?”

Iris smiled weakly and said “it’s alright, everyone has their grace period…and I’m really alright…I can’t leave my patients…” she rubbed her eyes, looking more worn then before.

[lepidope]

Matias responded to Bane with a raised eyebrow, nothing more; if Bane was speaking good of them, surely these friends could be trusted, so no need to question it. Besides, he now had Midnight daring to question him. His brow furrowed as quickly as it raised.

"You know exactly what I mean. Shoving yourself where you shouldn't and insisting on doing it even when you're missing a pint of blood. Remember that you're only slightly better from what happened."

With almost every annunciation, he pressed a finger against Midnight's chest, not hard enough to hurt but just enough that it felt firm.

Oleander stood silent to take a breath, then approached Iris slowly, closer and closer until the two were probably half a feet apart.

"I INSIST."

No further elaboration.

[MegaraFoxfire]

Midnight blinked and said “oh, that’s what you mean” scarlet looked over and said “I don’t think she saw your point at first Matias.” Midnight nodded and said “I wasn’t sure what you meant…” Bane nodded and said as he finished making food “they are old pack buddies…I’d trust them with my life”

Iris looked at him and said “I’m really alright…is that armor or part of your skeletal system?”

[lepidope]

Matias's exacerbated look diminished with the two women's reactions. His head craned back, and his finger returned to its rightful place on Matias's side.

"Well. I'm glad you understood."

With a soft sigh, Matias returned to his seat, eyeing the eggs over like prey. He didn't even finish sitting down before he pierced a piece and shoved it in his mouth.

"That's nice, dog man. Maybe they can replace that stupid bug as our moles. I'm sure they're nicer."

The stupid bug, meanwhile, tilted their head, as if Iris was stupid.

"I WEAR ARMOR," Oleander signed, "L-E-P-I-D-A-T-E-S DON'T HAVE EXOSKELETONS. EVEN IF WE DID, I WOULD STILL WEAR CLOTHING. I FIND THAT QUESTION RATHER SILLY. HA HA."

It tilted their head to the other side.

"IS YOUR HAIR MADE OF WEEDS, SAGE?"

[MegaraFoxfire]

Bane smirked and said “they can’t join since they are still in the service…but they can look into things…” he started to clean up and Midnight said “we have to give him a chance Matias…he is helping”

Iris frowned and said “not all creatures wear clothes…and no, it just changes depending on weather and nature conditions”

[lepidope]

Matias rolled his eyes.

"I'm fully expecting it to have drank my brain like a smoothie by day five. You're way too trusting."

There wasn't much egg left for him by then. What remained was quickly scooped up into his mouth. With a satisfied hum, he placed his plate on the pile next to Bane.

"I'm gonna start getting ready. Make sure that thing didn't eat Iris."

Oleander straightened their head, nodding once. It's lenses began to flicker and chirp as they fixated on Iris for a moment.

"UNDERSTOOD."

They turned towards the door, then they slowly made their way towards it. Their hand floated over the door knob, but it was pulled back next to their other hand so they could speak.

"I LEAVE YOU TO YOUR WORK. I WISH THE DETECTIVE A SWIFT RECOVERY."

[MegaraFoxfire]

Bane smirked and said “you think the boss would let your brain get sucked out of your ear…” scarlet stood and said “I’ll fly over to the warehouse and check things out…”

Bane nodded and Midnight said “I’m going to go change as well…”

Iris smiled weakly and said “thank you for your help…” she went over to Dante but her foot caught on a uneven board and she tripped, hitting the floor hard.

[lepidope]

"You know it would given the–?"

A loud thud rushed into Matias's ears. On high alert now, he turned towards the kitchen entrance. His legs became automated, rushing him over to the guest room, of all places.

"Iris?!" he called, swinging the door open.

What he saw mortified him. Oleander was crouched by a fallen Iris, sneaking their arms under her body. They were about to pick her up when their antennae signalled towards Matias's arrival, making then turn around.

"I fucking knew it," Matias barked, "Get off of her, NOW!"

Oleander hardly has time to defend themselves before Matias threw himself on top of them, tackling them to the ground. Oleander was quick to react, however, kicking the man off with powerful legs. Matias fell with a thud, and so did the bug's boot right on his neck.

"STAY OUT OF MY WAY," Oleander signed, "BEFORE I ENSURE YOU CAN NEVER BREATHE AGAIN."

[MegaraFoxfire]

Iris cursed and her eyes flashed green. “Enough!” The plants jumped and wrapped around them both, pulling them apart. Iris slowly got to her feet, panting hard. “No…fighting where people heal…” she glared at Matias and said “I tripped…you moron…”

She flinched as Bane and Midnight appeared at the door. “He was helping me up…he didn’t hurt me…don’t you think I could…defend myself…Matias…” the plants released them as she fell forward, her eyes dull from the weakness

[lepidope]

Matias let out a pained wheeze as he felt his neck get freed, although this new feeling wasn't much better. He snarled as he tried to break free of his botanical binds, glaring straight at Oleander who happened to be in the same predicament.

"Let go," he hissed, "I'll kill you, damn bug!!"

He almost talked over Iris when she was explaining. His breathing was still heavy, but he looked more bewildered than angry.

"You... what?"

Before he knew it, he was free. He fell on his butt, putting both hands on his neck and attempting to massage to pain away. Oleander, meanwhile, proceeded with what they were doing earlier, scooping Iris from the ground and transporting her to one of the beds, gently laying her down. They didn't move afterwards, only staring down at Iris like a statue.

[MegaraFoxfire]

Bane cursed and ran over, looking Iris over. “What the heck happened?”

Midnight moved to Matias and said “I’m guessing from what she said she tripped and out new comrade was helping her up. Matias coming in and missing the tripping thought he was attacking her and moved to defend her…am I close?”

[lepidope]

Matias's eyes had sealed themselves shut as the pain glowed, but his ears were well and functioning.

"I didn't make no damn mistake..."

His eyes opened at last, and his finger raised, pointing right at Oleander.

"That thing is violent, almost killed me just now. Lord knows what the hell it wanted to do with her..."

Oleander looked up, their eyes locked on Matias now. They didn't move from their position, but that was probably for the best.

"IRIS TRIPPED," they signed, "I WANTED TO HELP HER UP WAS ALL."

"Sure, Mothman," Matias growled, "so you can drain her of her fluids or whatever crap you bugs do. I don't fucking trust you."

Oleander's shoulders raised slowly as their lungs expanded, preparing a deep, dark huff that escaped their mask as a dense, cerulean mist.

"MY PATIENCE IS RUNNING THIN, HUMAN."