sntabe

|| { Refracted: DH } ||

Sebastian examined them too. "It's a good start." He checked his map - the tracks led downhill, and if they followed them, they'd soon reach a supply station. It was pretty safe, save for the density of the forest in that area. He changed course so as to follow the tracks.

|| { Refracted: DH } ||

"You kidding? Save some for me!" Sebastian's ears perked up at the mention of mice, and he could hear them too. His tail curled in the air as he watched the ground for a rustle.

The corner of Ethan's mouth twtitched. "I don't mind as long as you're okay with me eating honey all the time."

|| { Refracted: DH } ||

"Yes! We have all day to travel. We can take our time." Sebastian led them across DHHQ to the southernmost gate, where he stopped briefly to show the guards there his leadership ID. The three of them were given permission to pass through, and they were on their way.

Setting the pace, Sebastian walked firmly, though not terribly quickly. He listened to the sound of the dirt and the leaves as he walked, crunching crisply as it was the turn of the season. The deciduous forests around the citadel had begun shedding their leaves, draping a red blanket and yellow blanket over the ground. He breathed it in - this wasn't exactly his natural habitat, but it was much preferable to a residential block in a sprawling citadel. He wanted to run, scratch the trees, dig up the dirt, but he didn't. It was for those kinds of behaviors that his population was shunned by humans.

Sebastian wished humans weren't so judgemental. This thought process quickly turned to his group members. What did Ethan think of him? And what did he think of Ethan? He didn't really know. He felt a slight kinship with Daya, since she shared some of his troubles, but other than that, he didn't know either. They really should have gotten to know each other better.

|| { Refracted: DH } ||

"Onward!" proclaimed Sebastian, taking the paper and replacing its spot on the wall with a card displaying their office number. He'd caught his breath by then, and was excited to get on with the mission. "So, kill mission, located near the south, spiky wolf," he rambled, reading off the paper as he jumped stairs three at a time. His free hand hovered over the rail, but the safety of it was far from. Amazingly, he managed not to slip or stumble, which unfortunately could not also be said of Ethan.

Ethan gripped the rail tightly as if he feared the stairs beneath him would suddenly vanish. He tripped about every couple stairs, and once nearly fell. Oddly, he'd had no difficulty walking up them earlier.

|| { Refracted: DH } ||

"Oh, er, it's just good all around. Honey's nutritional, doesn't spoil, and works well as both an oral and topical medicine. Um, anyway, are we ready to go?"

|| { Refracted: DH } ||

Sebastian ran to his house, which was a bit of a distance. If he were a human, he wouldn't have managed to get there, pack, and return in time. But he was a hybrid, and a fit one at that. Nimbly darting through streets and alleyways, he picked up speed as the terrain became more familiar. He slowed to a jog as he reached his neighborhood, panting, but exhilarated. He'd just made four miles in twenty minutes.

While packing, Sebastian thanked himself for being so organized - it paid off to have everything neatly arranged. Everything he needed was gathered so quickly that he had enough time to wash and have a light snack.

Hefting a large bag containing blankets, spare clothes, toiletries, non-perishable food items, first aid supplies, a knife, and other miscellaneous essentials, Sebastian started back to DHHQ. He didn't sprint as he did before, since he was carrying a heavy pack, kept a steady, fast pace. He reached their office at just about an hour after he left - perfect. Daya was already there, and she had packed similarly.

Ethan was the last to arrive, about ten minutes after Sebastian. He carried the typical items, but also several pots of honey.

|| { Refracted: DH } ||

"Okay, yeah. Meet back up here in an hour?" suggested Sebastian. Since he knew he didn't need to worry about Daya, he turned his attention to Ethan. "You need anything? Where d'you live? I can walk you home, if you'd like." Sebastian felt compelled to protect the kid, since he looked so innocent and fragile.

"I, um, that's okay, thanks," Ethan smiled awkwardly.

The hybrid wasn't convinced, but decided not to push it. "All right, back here in an hour," he repeated. "See y'all then!"

|| { Refracted: DH } ||

Sebastian thought a moment. "We should gather food and first-aid supplies, and possibly a few camping materials."

"Demons can't be hurt by non-magical items," Ethan remembered. "Are they enchanted? Even if they're not, they're valuable distractions."

|| { Refracted: DH } ||

Ethan glanced at the paper, but didn't comment. Sebastian was a little more excited. "A wolf? Sounds fun! It might be a little bit of a challenge, though, if you guys are up for it?"

|| { Refracted: DH } ||

"Uh, we can go check the listings right now!" Sebastian crossed the room to a second door, which led into the central chamber. It was currently empty of other people, though the walls were covered in small pieces of paper. On each of them was listed a demon and its last seen location. Some of them had pictures, some only descriptions.