Kai -
I growled, low and dangerous in the back of my throat. So. Pierce had a pet bird? Tch. Whatever. I knew he's wise up and get a woman one day, but watching him hug her just succeeded in pissin' me off.
I pretended it was because we were only a few yards from the mansion territory now. Miss Vana, if that was her name, was waiting there.
"Hey, Red! This th' place?" I ran up to our redheaded escort, and grinned, trying to shake off my jealousy. He nodded at me, smirking. "You ready to run?" I nudged his shoulder playfully. Pity he couldn't stick around. He could've been okay, in my book.
He gave me a look of determination, "Nope. 'May never be ready t' run away from my problems, mate. Not anymore." He walked a little faster, then called to the group, "Gather yer wits, kiddies! We're arrivin', and th' ones who don't think are th' ones tha' don't live! Look alive!" He gave a stern look to everyone with that warning.
I didn't understand his first comment, "What? Whaddya mean, Red? You're losin' me." I caught up to him.
He gritted his teeth, "I ain't leavin' ya, Mate. Call it guilt, pity, whatever ya like, but I'm fightin' with you lot. I owe it t' all th' halfer's I've doomed." He grinned sheepishly, "Now, grab th' ones who can fight an' put 'em in the front lines--jus' behind you an' me. They'll definitely find some action when we get in. Til then, you an' I act like we're jus' bringin' in new 'pets'. I saw yer acting, an' ya got th' guard act down, so keep it up. Put yer hat back on--Giovanna never lets 'er guards' hair grow out, so it'll give ya away." he shrugged off my stolen jacket, shoving it down on my head, "'Ere. Take this back, too. Everyone knows me, they'll think I got inta a town scuffle, but the less they see o' you, mate, th' better."
I opened my mouth, then closed it, then opened it again, finally ready to say something, "...Thanks, Red." I smiled, "You're all right."
He tried to stand a bit taller, and in the small light the clouds let in, I could see sporadic freckles on his lightly tanned face, "'Name's Ennis. Remember it, an' maybe we'll meet again, mate."
I smirked, "Ennis(*coughs*Del Mar?*coughs* XD), you say? Well, My name's Jack(*coughs*Twist*coughs* XD Kai, yer a bad liar.), but calling me Kai works fine, too. Besides, I think 'Red' has a nice ring to it." I grinned shamelessly. I was a sucker for classic movies, after all. I would have been Jack instead of Ennis anyway...Even if I hadn't traumatically terrified of tire irons after that movie. (-*Kai is a hardcore Brokeback Mountain fan*-)
Ennis seemed to catch on because he grinned, "Ya don't say?" then looked down, shaking his head, and putting a hand over his heart, and, looking for all the world like he was heartbroken, began, "Jack, I swear--"
We probably could have spoken for hours like that, but the group suddenly bunched up, and Ennis looked back that them and yelled, "Look like prisoners! No smirking, growling, or funny faces! An you, Kai," he elbowed me into place, "List'n mate, keep yer mouth shut, and act like ya hate bein' here. They'll jus' think yer a newbie who was forced inta this job like me an' a few o' the others." I nodded and stood tall, fitting my think hair into the uniform's cap, and throwing my jacket on.
We both stood tall as Ennis stormed up to the entrance and kicked the door open, "Honey, I'm home!" he called walking in and motioning for all of us to file in.
There was only one guard at the door, a big, mountain of a man who had fists like turnips and eyes as beady as a hawk's. He greeted us with a stiff nod, "Ennis. Shut your mouth before Giovana has me rip it off. You know I don't want that." he warned carefully.
Ennis waved it off, "Yeah? Glad t' see yer in a good mood, Nancy."
The guard sighed, "Vance, Ennnis. My name is Vance Vincent, remember?"
Ennis shrugged, "Yeah, yeah." He lead us forward until we were out of the guard's sight, then looked back at us, "I can probably show you where they are-- but all of the guards'll be in there, tryin' t' break 'em in. They may, 'r may not, have collars on, so they may 'r may not go batshit crazy on ya. Ya 'ave two choices: attack Giovana an' the guards first, or get t' yer friends. If ya git th' guards outta th' way, yer friends'll probably be a lot safer, but, it's up t' you."
Everyone looked around, trying to decide who would decide, and th' Shadow guy finally stopped growling obscenities and stood forward and said, "Let's just knock out anyone in our way and get Giovana first. I will get Echo back safely."
The hyena-girl nodded, "I agree. If we knock her out first, we'll eliminate half of our entire ordeal."
I shrugged, "I'm cool with whatever, kiddies. But, if we're gonna go, let's go on now." I glared at the guards that wander through the intersecting hallways who sneered at the halfers, "I think I'm ready to kick some pompous-guard arse, myself, right 'bout now." Pierce nodded violently, walking over to join me, the bird quickly following after. I resisted to 'miss' a guard and hit her instead and grinned at the though of being near Pierce again.
Ennis looked over all of us, "So have ya agreed?"
Most of the group nodded, and a few cheered, so Ennis nodded, "Right-o, mates. Keep left, an' you'll find the Vana brat. Go crazy." he stepped out of the way, as the halfers stampeded by, and reached into his pocket to grab a dagger. He sauntered over to me, grinning, "'Think I'll hang back with you m'self, mate."
"Fine by me, Red." I nodded.
Suddenly, Pierce froze and his eyes widened, and he called out urgently, "Shadow!"
The back wolf was immediately beside us, he growled, still bitter, I guess, "What?"
Pierce pointed behind us, "Somewhere, where, gods know, but I heard her scream! Echo. Look for her, I think she's in trouble!" he said quickly, and, in an instant, all malice Shadow had toward us vanished, and he was just a worried young boy as his ears pricked up and he nodded, running off before we could say another word.
I stretched my arms, and tensed myself, "C'mon. Let's go find this Vana woman." I smirked, and ran off, feeling Red, Pierce, and even Abby trod off after me.
---
Continue?
Only Ennis
Kai
Pierce
Abby
Rika
and Shadow
were in it at all. I fail. I know. XD
Well, go crazy. We're here.
