[IC] The Impossible City

[Banba]

Quickly dodging back into the crowd, Moe moved quickly so she could get further away from the person she barely knew. In her haste, she nearly bumped into someone else, and instantly panicked.
"I am so, terribly sorry! I wasn't looking, I must apologize, are you okay? Do you need help with anything?" She held her hamds up, her insides doing backflips. She was making a fool of herself, creating such a scene for almost bumping into a stranger. She never was one for social interactions, and always felt a hint awkward when suddenly thrust into situations that called for it.

[YamiCuoreLaroux]

"Ah, no, I'm fine--wait, I take it back! No, ah, I mean..." Kido became a bit flustered himself when the girl started panicking as well. After waving his hands around frantically for a moment longer, he stopped to take a deep breath and let out a sigh. "I-I'm sorry. I'm fine, I hope I didn't cause any trouble. I was looking for the plaza with the big fountain and I got lost, though. Do you know where it is, by any chance? It's the one with the mermaids..." He clutched at his skirt and looked down at his shoes as he asked, still a bit embarrassed.

[Banba]

Moe stopped panicking, quickly quieting back into her usual reserved self. The people surrounding the two glanced at them, before moving on their day. Moe had no doubt that at least a few of them would tell their friends about the scene as a conversation starter. Tilting her head she thought for a second about his words.
"The plaza with the mermaid fountain...?" She mused, images of plazas flying through her mind. She nodded, smiling slightly as she motioned for the other to follow her. it was the least she could do after the scene she made. "Its a block or two this way, a street over. I often wander through it when I get lost."

[YamiCuoreLaroux]

Kido's face brightened as he looked up at the girl. "Really? Thank you so much!" The boy followed happily, glad to have found someone to help. "I'm Kido, by the way. Thanks for helping me, I don't know what I would do if he had to wait any longer. But the sunset is so pretty, I lost track of time, and then I got lost and all. He's probably starving at this point, and he has to go back out later..." He trailed off and sighed, thinking of how busy the boy he lived with always was as he walked. "I feel bad for making him wait..."

[Banba]

"Uh, Moe." The girl said, noddding as she lead the boy. It seemed as if he had been in a tight spot with the person he was to meet. She splayed her arms put when the pair got to the plaza, nearly deserted by this time, save for a few groups still around the shops and cafes.
"Well here we are. I hope you have a good night." She did a small bow before turning to leave.

[YamiCuoreLaroux]

"Thank you so much, Moe! It was very nice to meet you! Maybe next time, I can introduce you to--"
"OI! IDIOT!"

The short boy's eyes widened as he was suddenly interrupted and he turned toward the familiar voice. Coming toward the two was another, very angry looking boy in a bright outfit. "Where exactly have you been this time? I always tell you to come exactly on the hour, so why is it so hard to remember?" Kido seemed to shrink back just a bit at the other boy's outburst, though he had kind of been expecting it. "Wah! F-Felice, I'm sorry! Please don't be mad!" He raised his hands up in front of him, trying not to flinch at the glare in those amber eyes.

Felice was having none of it, pushing down on the top of Kido's head with a rough grip as soon as he got close.
"I told you just this morning! I tell you every morning! It's not like I get a lot of time in between performances, you know that!"
"Ah! That hurts, you know!"
"Be here on time at some point, will you? I can't make dinner if I don't get home before I have to leave again!"
"I just got lost! I'm really sorry!" Kido whimpered, breaking from his grip and attempting to hide behind Moe.

Felice looked at the red-haired girl, only just noticing her. "Eh? Who is this?"
"Ah, this is Moe! She helped me when I got lost earlier. Isn't she cool?" The shorter boy looked up at her again with a smile, seeming to completely forget what had just happened. "Moe! This is Felice!"

[Banba]

Moe turned back at the outburst, curious as to the noise. What she wasn't expecting was for the scene beside her to play out. Eyes widening as the shorter one was basically attacked, the redhead raised her arms to try and stop the fight, only to back away again. Her mind went blank when she was placed between the two, Kido's attitude entirely changing. It was a new experience, her mind blank.
"Eh, I don't know about cool... I mean- I don't feel..." She trailed off, being introduced to Felice. She held out her hand, her eyes wandering to the fountain off to the side and behind of the newcomer. "Hello, it is a pleasure to meet you." She said, automatically, barely blinking.

[YamiCuoreLaroux]

The icy-haired boy stared at the girl for a minute, not saying anything. Finally, he grasped her hand gently and shook it. "...Thank you for helping him. I hope he didn't cause any trouble." He looked off to the side a bit awkwardly himself as a light blush covered his features.

Kido bounced out from behind Moe happily to hug the other boy as he let go of her hand. "Don't worry, he's a bit shy sometimes, but he's really nice! Felice's my best friend, you know, so I'm glad that now you know him too!"
As soon as he finished speaking, Felice attempted to push the cheerful boy off of him, but with little success. "Hey! You're gonna give her the wrong idea if you say things like that! And could you get off? We have to go, anyway."
Kido eventually let go at the reminder, but turned to Moe once more before leaving. "Thanks again. I hope we see each other again soon! Oh, but Felice will be performing here again later tonight if you happen to come back this way--!"

The boy was dragged away by his grumpier companion as he tried to mention this, but he managed to wave back at her as they left. "See you next time!"

[Banba]

Moe smilled, listening to the two's conversation.
"Ah! No, no trouble at all." She states, pulling at her shirtfront. "I was quite happy to help." She raised her hand as the two walked away, grinning. She made a mental note of the performance. It'd be nice to see. She'd go and have dinner first, and then make her way back to the plaza. Nodding to herself, she made her way to the cafe, eagerly pushing through the door into the main area. She was greeted by the smell of old books and the sounds of a music box, playing away on the counter. Moe looked around, even though she had memorized the layout by now. The area was filled with round tables of four or five chairs, each with a detailed figurine in the middle. The walls were covered in newspaper clippings and photos, the areas not covered having shelves full of more figurines and other tokens. The counter held a register covered in dust, a multitude of music boxes piled on and around it, one of which was playing. Moe grinned, walking up to the counter were a girl with long, furry ears that splayed out behind her sat, reading a book. She looked up as Moe fumbled in her pockets, pulling out the book she kept on her at all times. It had small stories in it, up to three page stories in it.
"Ah, hello Moe!" The girl stood up, grinning to reveal pointed teeth. "Are we gonna read the ending of that adventure with the cat?"
"Yes, actually. Sorry it took so long. I'll have the usual." Moe pulled out two pages, handing them over to the girl, who nodded, dissapearing into the back. Before sitting down, Moe went over to the music box, winding it up. She particularly enjoyed the soft tune coming from it.

[Banba]

Moe smilled, listening to the two's conversation.
"Ah! No, no trouble at all." She states, pulling at her shirtfront. "I was quite happy to help." She raised her hand as the two walked away, grinning. She made a mental note of the performance. It'd be nice to see. She'd go and have dinner first, and then make her way back to the plaza. Nodding to herself, she made her way to the cafe, eagerly pushing through the door into the main area. She was greeted by the smell of old books and the sounds of a music box, playing away on the counter. Moe looked around, even though she had memorized the layout by now. The area was filled with round tables of four or five chairs, each with a detailed figurine in the middle. The walls were covered in newspaper clippings and photos, the areas not covered having shelves full of more figurines and other tokens. The counter held a register covered in dust, a multitude of music boxes piled on and around it, one of which was playing. Moe grinned, walking up to the counter were a girl with long, furry ears that splayed out behind her sat, reading a book. She looked up as Moe fumbled in her pockets, pulling out the book she kept on her at all times. It had small stories in it, up to three page stories in it.
"Ah, hello Moe!" The girl stood up, grinning to reveal pointed teeth. "Are we gonna read the ending of that adventure with the cat?"
"Yes, actually. Sorry it took so long. I'll have the usual." Moe pulled out two pages, handing them over to the girl, who nodded, dissapearing into the back. Before sitting down, Moe went over to the music box, winding it up. She particularly enjoyed the soft tune coming from it.

[Kaiden]

Kaiden had arrived to Arom this afternoon and had spent several hours exploring the city. It was a good size, with many accommodations, and filled with probably more people, events and trades than it could safely hold and sustain; this was perfect. Kaiden had come here for solitude to escape and remain hidden. There seemed to be enough of eclectic people and businesses that he could dwell without being the odd-man out. If anything, his humanistic features deemed him more abnormal compared to the looks of most of the other Arom dwellers. Inside though, he knew he was no longer human. His dna had changed in to something different, something he still wasn't sure really was. It was frightening and kept him from sleeping restfully.

Kaiden walked briskly through the center towards a small cafe he had heard about. It was quaint enough to give him peace and was not somewhere he would think Thane would think of looking for him in. The soft glow of the lowering sun drew his attention to the sky. He watched a moment as the brightness slowly faded away. Kaiden's eyes traveled further in to the sky to look at the dark groups of clouds forming over head. Perhaps there would be rain tonight. He jerked his high collared jacket up against the nape of his neck and proceeded to enter the cafe. Without realizing, he entered in a rather loud and abrupt way, causing many eyes to look his way. He frowned as he realized he caught so many of people's attentions. He would need to work on "blending in" if he were to live peacefully and freely in this city. When Kaiden would think clearly he would realize step two would be for a change in wardrobe. His dark fitted jeans, black boots, dark fitted t-shirt, heavy jacket and grey scarf did not make him look like a guy looking for peace. Paired with his fingerless gloves and thick, messy ink black hair, he had the look of trouble. In trouble or to cause trouble, both feelings people would experience.

Ignoring the eyes laid on him, Kaiden moved to the front. He walked past Moe to the server with the furry ears, his shoulder knocking Moe to the side slightly as he swept past right before she was going to sit down. Without waiting to be spoken to he asked her server girl "I'll have whiskey and a bottle of water". Kaiden only assumed they served hard liquor here. He glanced at the decorations a moment, not impressed. He looked back to the server, his sharp blue eyes locked on her expectantly.

[YamiCuoreLaroux]

As soon as they had left the plaza, the two boys headed straight for home. Kido was skipping along happily like he often did, and Felice walked with his normal expression of what probably looked like slight irritation. He wasn't really that mad right now, though, just glad to finally be going home for dinner; he hadn't realized just how hungry he was until just then. I hope that means I put on a good performance, if I'm feeling like this now. Now if only I can do that well tonight... Since their current source of income depended a lot on his ability to entertain, he often thought about how well he was doing and if he needed to improve on anything.

Eventually, the two arrived back at the building they were currently living in and walked up to their apartment. It was small, but pretty nice in their opinion. It didn't really matter to them anyway since there were only two of them, and they were glad that they could even afford it. Once they were inside, Felice put his bag down by the door and Kido ran to wash up before helping with dinner. His job would be to fetch ingredients and set the table, while Felice would handle the actual cooking.

During the process, Felice would listen to Kido talking about his day: How he had done with his classes, how his artwork was going, what kinds of odd things he had witnessed and such. When Kido would ask him about his day, however, he would give his usual answer: "Same as always, mostly. Did a lot of tricks, saw a lot of people, maybe impressed a few of them. Not too different from normal." After several minutes of this, he finally finished the pasta and potato dish he was cooking, and they sat down to eat.

[Kaiden]

Kaiden left the cafe after getting food and drink. He didn't want to linger there much longer. Until he figured out where exactly he would settle he didn't want to remain in one position so as to risk being conspicuous. While walking down the street Kaiden saw ahead two young people walking and talking. They looked to be alone and the pair did not seem to be any sort of threat. Kaiden followed behind quietly, tracking them to their apartment building. He stayed behind enough to follow their lead but undetected. As the two entered their apartment, the door shutting behind, Kaiden paused down the hall. He stared at their door. He wasn't sure what he was doing. He needed a place to stay. What was his action going to be? With no money he could try to find work and sleep in the streets until he had accumulated enough. He could barge through the door of these two young people and force home and entry. Or he could simply ask for housing. He highly doubted that asking would do any good. Still deciding on his method of approach, Kaiden slowly walked forward to Kido and Felice's door. He paused in front.

[Banba]

Suddenly bumped by a stranger, Moe panicked.
"Ah! I'm sorry!" Dropping her head and shuffling off, the writer picked a table near the window, ocasionally glancing back to the man who bumped her. Her food came just as his did. While she ate slowly, he scarfed his plate down, leaving in a hurry. Tilting her head to watch him go, Moe didn't move until the stranger was out of sight. Another minute passed by and the furry eared girl joined Her, the shop dead.
"Have you heard about the shadow creatures? They say five victims a night." She said, a look of worry crossing her face. Moe shrugged, chewing slowly.
"They're working on a way to fix it. It shouldn't be too long now."
"The issue is tracking down all the ones already passed through." The girl tapped the table before standing up, greeting the couple that had just come in.

Elsewhere in the city...

Radios around the city, no matter the station, all turned to the same broadcast.

"Attention citizens of Arom. We have entered a status of emergancy. The shadow creatures, offically called seekers, have reached a critical high. The autorities are initiating a cerfew. No being is to be outside half hour after sunset until half hour before sunrise. At these points in time, please enter your homes and lock the doors and windows. We apologize for the inconvience this will cause but it is for the public's and your saftey. Thank you for your cooperation.

[YamiCuoreLaroux]

Having finished eating dinner, Kido hurried to wash the dishes while Felice cleaned up the rest of the kitchen. They managed to get it done pretty quickly, too, and Felice was soon gathering up what he needed for the night's performance. "Are you coming tonight?" He asked the shorter male as he shoved a few items into his bag. "The show goes until eleven."

Kido looked over from the kitchen where he was just putting the last few dishes away. "I don't have any classes tomorrow, so I think I'll go with you tonight." Smiling, he ran off to the bedroom. "Just let me get my jacket. I'm getting yours, too, so don't leave without me!"

"Alright, just hurry up or I'm going to have to." Felice warned him as he straightened up, placing the strap of the bag on his shoulder and walking towards the door. "I can walk back without the jacket if I have to, so don't think that will--!" The boy stopped as he stared out the door he had just opened, wondering who the heck this strange...hoodlum was that was standing in front of the door in a sketchy manner. Or, at least, he quickly deemed it as sketchy.

One of his eyebrows raised as he gave a glare to the dark-haired male. "Can I help you?" Despite his clearly shorter size and younger looks, he was determined to let this person know that he was not to be messed with if that was the intention.

[Kaiden]

Kaiden's thoughts were interrupted when the door of the apartment swung open to his surprise. Kaiden stood his ground despite his body tensing, but when he looked down to see who was at the door he immediately began to relax. A kid. Kaiden tilted his head slightly as he examined Felice standing in front of him, acting as of Felice was standing at the entrance to his home unexpectedly and deciding what to do with him. Kaiden thought quickly on his approach. He was going to pretended to be one of their neighbors and ask for some sort of ingredient for his coffee, but after he was able to look Felice over, he realized that the door hadn't been opened for him but rather the kid was leaving his home.

And before Kaiden could switch tactics again, he heard the radios throughout the city blast the outgoing message for all citizens to remain inside their homes. This complicated things seeing as he didn't have a home. Kaiden looked back to Felice "Hey, yeah you can actually. I'm sorry to bother you like this but I just got to town and I have no place to stay, no money." He opened his arms to show all he had was the clothes on his back and no hidden weapons. "It sounds like this is the worst time to be on the streets alone. Do you think I could stay in your pace for one night? I'll help out with dishes or any cleaning to keep my stay." He brushed the hair that was hanging around his face back to reveal himself better, trying to give a look of innocence to gain his trust.

[YamiCuoreLaroux]

"What do you mean 'the worst time to be on the streets alone'?" I mean, no duh, it's night, but it's not exactly like a stranger's place is much safer." Since he and Kido did not own a radio, he had no way of knowing exactly what was going on at the moment. The neighbors in the apartment next to theirs probably did, as did likely most of the people in the complex, but most of the money the two earned went towards food and rent rather than appliances. "Why was this the door you knocked on, anyway? Were you already rejected at the others or something?"

His eyes narrowed as he asked this question. Though he knew that the crime rate around these parts was particularly low, he still felt that he couldn't just trust someone who showed up so suspiciously. It seemed strange that someone would happen to arrive at this particular door right when the only two inhabitants - two minors, for that matter - were heading out. Perhaps the man didn't know that they lived alone, but the thought still irked him.

"You really shouldn't walk back without your jacket, though! I know the weather has remained pretty nice lately, but you could still--!" Kido froze upon seeing the man at the door after he rushed back into the room with the two jackets. For a moment, he just looked at them in confusion, but his face brightened up again soon enough. "Felice, who's this?"
The older boy looked back when he heard him enter the room again and answered him with a huff. "Some guy who wants to spend the night. He says he doesn't have anywhere else available."
"Oh. Are we letting him stay, then?"
"I don't know yet. First off, I still have to be somewhere and you were going out as well. Second, even if you do stay, I don't trust you alone with l'uomo misterioso over there. Third, we know nothing about this guy, and he kinda looks like a thug to me." Felice stated bluntly, not even caring that the man was still standing right there. Kido pouted childishly at his behaviour. "Don't be rude! Besides, it's not like we have much to steal, and well...you know..." He trailed off, looking at him knowingly.

The slightly taller boy sighed, turning back to the man at the door with a slight glare still in his eyes. "Fine, you can stay, but we have somewhere to be right now. Don't you dare mess up anything in there!" He pushed past the man and hurried down the hall, grumbling under his breath. Kido stayed behind for a minute longer, smiling up at the stranger. "Sorry, he's probably just stressed again. I'll go catch up with him shortly, so let me get you some blankets for now."

[Kaiden]

Kaiden hesitated at Felice's questions. He didn't dare say how he had followed them. That would defeat the purpose of him trying to gain their trust and show his innocence. "I was just...uh..."he paused, unsure of his explanation. He could try being honest and leave out the fact that he was a wanted man from another realm. If he did no harm to them they would have no other reason to be suspicious of him. Before Kaiden could give an adequate response, Kido had joined them at the door. Kaiden was just as surprised to see Kido as he was to see him in his doorway. He made eye contact with the kid and listened to the two argue. It was strange the kids lived together and he had a strong feeling they were on their own, bickering like an old married couple.

Kaiden didn't mind as Felice spoke brazenly about him to Kido. He stuffed his hands in the front pockets of his coat and waited. He wasn't sure what Kido meant by his last statement but it seemed to him that Kido had won the argument to let him stay. Kaiden watched Felice grumble off and out of sight, leaving him with Kido. It was surprised how fast he had been able to find a place to stay. "Thank you" Kaiden said to Kido, following him through the doorway and in to the home. He watched Kido reach for the extra blanket then said. "I don't think anyone should be out on the streets tonight" he wasn't sure if they heard the radio announcement. After a moment of hesitation he spoke again "Where is your friend going off to?" he ask innocently enough. He looked around the room. He was intending to take what he could unknowingly to sell the next day. What he really needed was something big enough and special enough to trade off to Thane for his freedom; he needed to find this before Thane found him or he was in serious trouble.

[YamiCuoreLaroux]

"He has another performance tonight. He always has to do a couple of them every day." Kido replied as he went to fetch a blanket from the bedroom. "Why do you think he shouldn't be out there, though? It hasn't been a problem before, and he's pretty tough, anyway. He should be okay." Finding the blanket, he skipped back out of the bedroom, placing it on the table of the small main room. "I think there's a mattress-type-thing that the last person here left somewhere. I'm sure I can find it."

Outside the building, Felice had stopped for a minute to consider whether he should wait for Kido. Perhaps he should go back, after all. He really didn't trust that strange man who showed up...
No, Kido would be fine. He had that...thing that he did. And besides, it wasn't like he hadn't learned anything during the time that they had spent together thus far. He sighed to himself as he turned to walk to the plaza. Kido would be fine...

[Kaiden]

Kaiden's interest perked as he heard the word "performance". Kaiden looked to the doorway Felice had left through, contemplating his options while Kido skipped around getting him things for his sleep. Kaiden turned to Kido suddenly and grabbed his arm. "Wait" he said, looking down to him. "Let's go see your friends show huh? You're right, there's probably nothing to worry about. I'd enjoy seeing him perform tonight." He smiled, letting go of his arm. He already had an invitation to stay in their home and was interested to see what exactly it was that Felice did. He still needed to bring Thane something that would buy his freedom. If Felice had a unique enough quality perhaps this would be his ticket out of here.