Wanna Go to The Zoo? (Ambrosia/Ahote/Job)

A silent, desolate fortress atop a mountain dressed in silver, the feature never seemed to escape the gloom that encompassed itself, and neither did its brooding habitants. Few earnest smiles were worn, names of Basilisks only spoken in fearful whispers, no good things seemed to exist in the wintery wasteland. Dreams overshadowed with dreadful reality, settlers of Mt. Hakobe worked until death in taxing, laborious jobs that could hardly keep their stomachs full and wives satisfied. Yet, those atop the mountain shared no fate any better. Tired fingers doused in the blood of targets, yet none could ever make a name for themselves or escape the darkness of the fortress without fear of a Rune Knight's handcuff. Like a constant loop of insignificance and vain, all habitants of Mt. Hakobe were crippled underneath of gloom.

Despite this gloom, such darkness was like a home to the inquisitive and soft-spoken Ahote, who greeted it with bitter smiles and narrowed eyes. It was a friend that only he and those who dwelled in it could understand and greet so warmly. Even so, they would not befriend this darkness on their own accord, but out of the fear of being spotted underneath the prying eyes of the Magic Council. So, in this darkness, they hide in wait, their disgruntled sentiments festering within and transforming into the shape of bloodied fingers and crimson blades. No matter their pasts, criminals had always tended to flock to one another. It was the sad resort of unfortunate souls.

Like most days, the air had been cool, sunshine had pierced through the overcast of clouds, and Ahote had been away from the guild for some work. He wore a suit vest he had recently had tailored for his new appearance. Though he had originally ordered such clothing for convenience, he had eventually taken a liking to the tightness of the vest and the snugness of the belt. There had been just enough pressure against his stomach and chest to keep him comfortable. He even wore it around at home. This discovery had been groundbreaking to the young Ahote.

Ahote had been seated in the back of a quiet and relatively empty train. It was the only train that went from Shirotsume directly to Clover Town, and living where he lived, cheap and accessible transportation was hard to find. Of course, extortion and violence were always go-to options for people with his sort of lifestyle and line of work. But how much time in the day was worth spending on a process that often involved the Rune Knights? "Just pay the poor soul," Ahote often thought and often did. But as often as he did pay the fair for train rides, he didn't nearly earn enough to travel as often as he needed to. So, what do criminals do to continue their criminal life? They work, of course! Questionable, terrible, suspicious work!

Ahote leisurely shuffled through a newspaper as the train approached an unsuspecting Clover Town, humming peacefully, "All these legals. . . hard to keep track of them all." he whispered to himself indignantly, shuffling between pages before crumpling the newspaper up when he couldn't find anything interesting. The train had slid into a stop, metal against metal until motion had ceased.

Ahote rose from his seat, stepping off the train with no one following him. He had never been to Clover Town before, and surely enough, it was bustling with chatter and busied people. The smell of freshly baked cakes sneaking through the cracks of windows, children zooming through the streets with toy planes in their hands, it was perhaps one of the busiest towns Ahote had ever stepped foot in. It was nearly overwhelming.

Metal digits slid into his vest pocket, pulling out a small sheet of paper with ink scribbled across it. Ahote held it close to his face by the tip of his thumbs, "I suppose the zoo is. . . that way?" he queried to himself, looking down the avenue to his left. He's never been too great with navigation, but judging by the clumsy directions he had written down and the mass of people flocking to one direction, he couldn't be too far off!

WC: 702/4,500

THE ART OF PLEASURING IS THE ART OF DECEPTION

Flectere si nequeo superos, Acheronta movebo

Job information
A place of generations, one of those towns where your last name mattered and everyone knew who the others was. Perhaps the town held secrets not spoken about, yet regardless of the prestige behind the name this was still a place which she needed to record, the winding streets although known to her on a map still help new scents and sights, landmarks only marked in ink rose above the rooftops to stab their spires and roofs into the skies above. Her feet had guided her to the city, spending time travelling around Fiore had paid off in many ways, as the world around her grew more interesting with each step. A couple of tickets here and there had lead the simply dressed girl to make her way around most of the prominent cities, finding her way across the country travelling a path that was less than economic, yet money could be gained in various ways, the true currency of her lifetime was experiences. Time had passed while messing with the boats and ships in Hargeon Town, surely they wouldn’t miss a few of those too much, such boring forms of transport seemed alluring and luxurious at first however their decks made of dead trees and commonalities, slow speeds, and the simplistic life on bored lacking in entertainment. Honestly apart from the movement of essential items they were just livestock carriers, herds of the little beings crammed below decks while some oversized dead tree dragged them towards the next settlement. After that there was the oddity of Magnolia town, oh what a name, magnolias, whilst living in this country it would be smart to read up on the flowers that ’fiore’ was named after. Yet that town had been slightly more amusing that the fish barrel of Hargeon Town, they had a little something there, it was tasteful, a little slice of magnolia on the side. The way that the town had swarmed entertainers, simple ‘buskers’ children who played sound creating objects. A memory had been made of that place, filed away in her cabinet of a brain, Magnolia although not particularly strong in military might the citizens were surely bound to have some complaints. Lords, she had thought of them as citizens, what would happen next?

The world here was wondrous in many ways sometimes she forgot that it was livestock who inhabited it, the thought whisked through her head accompanied with a sigh, time here was drawing on, stretching thin her interest for the green leafed named settlement. Rattling into the station, similar to the one she had arrived on the train came to a slow stop, its smooth surface reflected light, a few heads poked out of odd windows yet it appeared to be one of the less populated routes. Most of the. Sunlight shot holes in a clouded sky, the slight winds picked up her hair, still partially wet from where she had lounged in the baths earlier it appeared almost sheet like, curling around her back as if it were a wall of moonlight. Perhaps there was something else to do here, she had meandered the roads, slept in the beds, explored the roofs and swirled down into the basements full of darkness. Cakes had been tasted and dressed had been danced in, the enjoyments of the areas which she had seen had all be wringed out, drawn forth and wrung dry. Yet perhaps there was a possibility of some kind of amusement left in the area.

School style loafers softly pressed against the ground as she skipped towards the general horde of beasts, there appeared to be a few who stood out, a feeling of strength surrounded them or perhaps it was just their atrocious choice of attire in regards to one rather tall lady, whom the exceed glanced over for a moment, almost blinding herself at the sight of such neon clashes. How could the policemen let a lime green blazer be worn with a hat, one which not just had orange hues but purple as well. Perhaps the idea was plausible. Yet only in muted pastels would the combination work. It drew her lips back into a grimace as disgust showed across the young woman's face, pointedly looking towards the woman dressed as material failure. With all the clothes she could wear and she chose that. Honestly, idiots. Hair swung as a sheet of moonlight, breaking apart to display the red of her blazer as she spun to a stop before some male who appeared better dressed than the previous human.

”Say, you mentioned this ‘zoo’ would you perhaps be going towards it?~  Would you mind telling me more about that?” A smile crossed her lips, electric blue eyes closing for a second, this zoo, she had seen pictures of it but the oddity of creatures cadging creatures never ceased to amuse her. Perhaps they needed some sense of power and control over their lives.

824 ♟ 824/3,000 ♟

The masses of people had almost left the bewildered Ahote feeling lethargic, never seeing the suns that shined over any other settlement but his own. The clear, cerulean skies had been a refreshing sight but were ever so different from the overcast atmosphere he greeted as a sight of home. Though his and his many other guildmates' home had been a depressing one full of awful secrets, it was a melancholy they had grown terribly comfortable with and escaped to during nauseating times like these.

Ahote anxiously fumbled with his unkempt raven-locks, eyes so narrow they resembled a glare as he reviewed the paper with scribbles on it. His orbs would dart from the paper to the area around him, then back to the paper until his excessive exchange of glances had almost been comical. Flush crept up his pale complexion as he felt himself become nearly upset with his poorly sketched map and hastily written directions. They proved to be no help as people would flock to any which direction, the streets a sea of fair complexions and full heads of hair. He sighed grouchily, "What joy. . ." his arms would fall to his sides as if he had abruptly removed the strength within them, giving in to his exhaustion and frustration that was the geography of Clover Town.

Just as quickly as his arms descended did a figure of crimson appear next to him. Ahote flinched, topaz hues fixing to what now appeared to be a smaller, shorter woman who wore stunning fabrics and had lips that looked so glossy and soft that even the usually dignified Ahote was tempted to rub them ever so tenderly. Moreso, it was her inquisitive spirit that startled him, hardly expecting such intrusive words to be spoken to him so soon. The baffled young man inched away from her, "Pardon?" his brows would snap together with irritation, even though he had heard her question, "Well, that's none of your business." Ahote would then chide, his voice abrasive and words rolling off the tip of his tongue like a mild venom. Even in a town bustling with chatter, it was impressive that the woman could hear his soft words over any other's.

Ahote crossed his arms over his chest, his lips quirking into a lopsided frown and eyes narrowing with impatience. Even with the streets filled with people, most likely natives who knew this town like the back of their hands, why was it him that the woman had to confront? With an impressive suit and his extensive pause in the middle of the streets, any other person would conclude that he, and rightfully so, had not the slightest idea of what he was doing or where he would do so. Quietly, a sigh escaped his lips, weary eyes rolling about their sockets until they fixed on a pacing figure. He smiled indignantly, "There," he pointed to a pacing stranger in armor, "why not ask them?" he would grunt through his nose, turning to follow the flow of people through the narrow streets of Clover Town without another word to the vibrantly dressed woman. Yet, he did this slowly, as he was still clueless as to where he was going still, and instead trailed behind the flocks of people.

WC: 1,249/3,000

THE ART OF PLEASURING IS THE ART OF DECEPTION

Flectere si nequeo superos, Acheronta movebo

Job information
For a few moments whilst her feet swept her towards the target she watched his movements, worry, regret and the furtive way that he didn’t make a public fuss out of his obvious confusion, a scrap of paper in one hand whilst his eyes searched, raking the area for some kind of sign or landmark. Oh wasn’t that just so adorable, he had flinched a little, despite being physically larger in body mass the male so opposite to herself was almost shying away from her. Brows drew together as if questioning his actions, the tone of voice he used only strengthened the opinion that she had of the man. ”Why isn’t it any of my business, you did pronounce to the world ‘the Zoo is that way’ -my hearing is very good don’t try and shy away from the truth.” A slight roll of the eyes over dramatised the moment as her mind reflected back, of course it was only natural for her to have heard him, she heard everything in the area. That sound over to the south was a small human child, judging from the sound of excess material it was a young female in an overly bulky dress, from the weight and lack of scented cosmetics perhaps under the age of eight and playing with a rubber ball. Two males of similar ages were nearby both with their own ball. Was that someone nearby who smoked, not too heavily perhaps only three or four a day it seemed to be a mild blend. She had smelt everything from vials. Very few scents had been missed during her childhood training, the days of trying to remember the scents of different bomb contents and how to track a person back to their residence based on the scents which hung around their home and clothing. Hearing slightest movements, counting the enemies bullets so one could jump out of hiding just as they had an empty clip so their face would contort as they understood the horrific situation they were in. The senses she had heightened not just by her species yet from the very power she held within.

The expressions on this one were amusing, how he had huffed at first yet now appeared irritated as if the slightest wind would cause him to snap. Whilst the lips on the male turned slightly dragged downwards with the weight of emotion she had goaded on wards. In comparison her own were not pressing together nor giving into gravity, they pinched up to the side in a soft smirk. A slight parting hinted at pointed teeth whilst energy surged into her face, amusement filling every ley line and vein with sparking youth. Such extravagance. A sigh and deep eye rolls. Yet the smile hinted at something deeper if only she could scratch- and rip apart the surface. ”So I should ask someone else, more explicitly you would have me ask her, particularly that one.” Her mind mulled over it, there was a high chance she was merely a stranger yet strangers was what classified everyone at one point. It could be most fun to frolic with strangers as if they didn’t know your name then you could leave them with memories that would provide to be a fruitful source of amusement. ”well okay, Mister; you had better not move.”  for just a brief moment she set her gaze upon the designated. Soft silver hair cascading down her shoulders yet it crashed into the armor that was worn, as if the hair wasn’t quite used to the shape of it. A strong scent dragged off her, a body stance that wasn’t quite reassuring not respectable or proud yet it seemed to exude power. More so than herself as hard as it was to admit perhaps this individual was one best left alone.

Yet that could prove to be more exciting indeed. This was one he hadn’t come across before, not in person at least hence why the scent of them was unfamiliar, neither that nor the taste of the air that streamed off her was something Ambrosia could identify. Until it was shown to her, the face of this flailing uncomfortable individual, who seemed to speak into the air as if she lacked the regard for anyone who may be lending an ear to the world. Those footsteps she had remembered, the same weight and sound back and force it had sunk into the background after a while. Indeed she had better work on that, framed by hair with an expression of embarrassment painted across her face, that was a well known face indeed. Whilst the majority of people glanced once then kept walking perhaps would it be amusing to approach the one known as a saint. ”stay.” A bark like command, almost one she would have given to a work dog was spoken towards he with the hair of a starless night whilst her neat shoes carried her towards the confused female wearing down her own shoe soles with the constant pacing. An approach, soft faced with a welcoming expression would it be better to gain the trust of this one? Indeed it would be amusing should she be able to keep the facade going and hidden from Astrid's friends. ”Say miss! I’m here today, I just met another friend! Oh Im meeting so many new people here today it's great! But we really wanted to go and see some animals but we can’t find where the zoo is!.” Sadness, like a mask it was drawn across her face in the fashion that curtains were yanked shut. ”Would you happen to know? Or maybe, oh we could all go together if you don't! I heard that they have a little cafe in the aquarium and it's always better to eat sweet things with friends!” Shining vivid blue if it had been animated then little swirls of white emotion would have curled around the school girl styled exceeds eyes as a slight smile brought her face into a sweet expression of heartwarming hope.  

1012 ♟ 1836/3,000 ♟

The image of the vibrantly dressed woman still lingered in his mind, leaving Ahote's brows scrunched together and his nose crinkled up as if he were thinking of something terrible. He wondered if such excitable women were a normal occurrence in the everyday lives of townsmen.

Of course, Ahote did not come to the town expecting a day of pleasure and sightseeing, knowing that the jobs offered to him and the services he provided never being clean, innocent work. The raven-haired man had half expected that what he was about to do at the zoo was going to be almost comically villainous, as this day of all days had the finest recipe for discord. Anticipating children, quizzical adults, and advertising businessmen making the best of their colorful posters and voices that could be so loud and clear that one could maybe hear them from two avenues away. Everyone rushed to see animals from faraway lands, animals one might've never gotten the chance to admire beyond a lacrima screen or picture books. Regardless, it was a questionable assignment for one who so deeply appreciated the very existence of these animals.

The brooding Ahote would mooch down the crowded avenue of Clover Town, trailing behind the sea of full heads and screaming children, not daring to diverge from the wide, open road, hoping that said sea might scoop him away to the zoo. Hues flickered from vendor to vendor, some serving treats he'd never seen before, some bread twisting in shapes he didn't think they could twist, candies with a such an enchanting myriad of colors that he almost hesitated to call it more mesmerizing than appetizing. Although his eyes flickered with anticipation at this inviting treats, only the taste of lightly salted potatoes and jasmine rice swirled in his mouth. Ahote's blank expression dimmed, lips curling into a small frown at the thought.

The raven-threaded man grimaced as he would begin to edge away from the crowd off to the sides, where a large, cool blanket of shade coiled around him. The comfort in following the masses was briskly overwhelmed with a shower of doubt, quick to return to the security of his own directions than the excitable crowd's. His arms would fold over his chest, one arm upright with the crumbled piece of paper pinched between his fleshy digits. His complexion would twist into a frown, "What a joke. . ." he grumbled gratingly, pinching the ends of his locks like some sort of tic. When he rose his head to view the unstopping swarms of people, his gut curled and chest would fall like a weight. He felt no need to rejoin them and instead observed them quietly.

Ahote's eyes would dart about the steady flow of moving people leisurely without looking at one particular thing for more than a brief moment. None of them wore fabrics nearly as colorful as the intrusive, obnoxious one from earlier, and his complexion would dull at that realization. Burly men wore standard tank tops while women wore long, pretty dresses. None of them were especially attractive people.

WC: 1,765/3,000

THE ART OF PLEASURING IS THE ART OF DECEPTION

Flectere si nequeo superos, Acheronta movebo

Job information
It was a little odd for sure, how this woman acted, whilst she still had minimal information there was some things that showed forth with how the one eyed woman acted. Perhaps there was a difference in how this saint was presented in the media to how she acted in reality, whilst there was always some kind of difference the change here was indeed rather large. The laughter the movement, how her cheekbones and eyebrows moved in a specific way. There was something just amusing about it, so very doll like indeed. Of course she knew where the zoo is, for who would fail their very own task and job in life? That would be simply absurd. ”That would be wonderful, things are better with others after all!” Her face was still soft, voice sweet as she spoke the words in response to the smile offered to her, it was large indeed, full of emotion and energy. Astrid had motioned towards ‘Blackie’ the man whom she had given a nickname to match both his appearance and canine pet tendencies. Perhaps they sold dog collars at the zoo, or would there be a petstore on the way back. Nevermind, she could afford to look ditzy but staring off into space any longer would be considered rather odd. A slight smile flickered back across her face, the blue eyes she held briefly closed before nodding in assurance. ”Yea, he’s a little cold but a nice person really.” She glanced back once more, eyes grazing over the male with the expression of distaste playing over his face. He seemed to be deep in thought, perhaps thinking about herself or the fellow white haired slayer beside her.  Yet for the following moments her gaze simply tracked his progress of movement as he wandered down the streets, there seemed to be some entertainment for him. Small stalls and such offering treats and scent emitting foods.

It would be awkward if he wandered too far away, yet the need to locate the zoo was growing stronger within her as the anticipation was cultured and nurtured, swelling up in a way comparable to that of a great thirst. The venom in her eyes sharpened, a predatory gaze setting upon the one eyed mage. ”Hey! Come with me, lets go and we can find the zoo with him!” She made a move to take the others hand, hoping her hand would be smooth and warm from the black gloves which had been slid on earlier, encompassing the other in a ressurence as her. Shoes made soft sounds against the cobble of the streets, he hadn’t wandered far luckily, and whilst out of site she had soon gathered up his scent trail, leading to a small quiet end of the street. He seemed to be a quiet one, the expressions on his face displaying only resignation and a lack of enthusiasm from what she could tell. Well no matter, this was an interesting way to go about a zoo visit so perhaps something would happen. After a shuffling of feet and odd moments of being squished between blandly dressed people Ambrosia and Astrid soon stumbled out of the horde. She settled herself, standing a little straighter and releasing the female's hand. ”Well! I’m Ambrosia it's nice to meet you miss.” Eyes landed on Ahote, the rather odd and annoying little puppy who couldn’t sit still. ”This is Astrid Foss. You should introduce yourself!” Honestly if she was going to get a collar for him she needed to know what name to get engraved on it.

597 ♟ 2,433/3,000 ♟

The skeptical Ahote remained at the shoulder of the street with his crumbled piece of paper still pinched between his fingers. Frankly, he hadn't worked up the courage to step foot back into the swarm of people and instead found himself observing them march to the zoo instead. It must've been nice to stroll about so carelessly, so comfortably, without the threat of a Rune Knight's dagger against their throats. He could only ever imagine the times he would occasionally walk through town with his mother, Kanix. When his chest was light and his orbs twinkled with innocence. Strangely, he did not miss those days.

However, he did miss his time with himself before Ambrosia approached him again, this time with a well-equipped woman dragging behind her. Fortunately, the woman would not make it to him as she ripped herself away from the bubbly Ambrosia's grip and disappeared into the crowd. This was enough to pacify Ahote's oncoming frustration but not enough to do away with his bad mood at the sight of the still-approaching Ambrosia. A grin stretched across his complexion as the pale woman's lips parted, "It seems Miss Foss wasn't too keen on zoos, or myself, perhaps," he said as peals of laughter escaped his pearly white teeth, his eyes glowing quizzically, "Regardless, you can address me as Ahote. That's all you need to know, Ambrosia." his toothy grin reduced to an amused smile as he introduced himself only by his first name. If he had let himself be known in his entirety, far too much attention would flock to him on this otherwise peaceful day. For better or for worse.

The raven-haired man's topaz orbs floated back to the paper, his complexion still beaming with a muse. Sluggishly, he pointed into the flocks of people in the street, "You brave enough to jump into that crowd?" Ahote beamed, more excited over the idea of her disappearing into the sea of heads rather than delving into the mess together.

WC: 2,098/4,500

THE ART OF PLEASURING IS THE ART OF DECEPTION

Flectere si nequeo superos, Acheronta movebo

Oh
So she was gone, some great saint or god woman just gasped. her eyes lighting up briefly before turning around [b]"A butterfly!"[/color] With a flurry of white hair as if some blizzard had overcome the lands she whisked herself away, diving through the crowds with minimal disturbances. No worries. The day would go okay, yet this man was one that she wished to tie to her ankle a little more. He was sightly more amusing than the rest of these meat sacks around. Well he had quite the mouth on him. Yet the swirling pool of intrigue more than calmed the anger that once would have arisen from the comments. "Ahote then, well it is nice to know that a pup has a name. To you it's Miss Ambrosia." Although the tone which she spoke with was soft at first it held a certain note, not quite that of thread but one more of belittlement as she corrected his naming of her.

Was she brave enough to jump into that crowd? Oh dear, a chuckle arose within her as the smooth metal cooled her fingertips slightly, she was spinning it around, a flash of silver its whirling mass rather beautiful in the sun. "Lets go! Heel~" It came to a stop, the swirling silver handcuffs softly snapping around his right wrist, their neon blue fluff comforting the soft smooth skin, untouched it was so perfect like a blank canvas. A tiny acid pen would so beautifully carve words into his skin. Whilst fetching Miss Foss she had come across a vendor, selling the handcuffs, with their elongated chain it seemed to be rather perfect. of course the other end was around her ow wrist, why would she waste such a perfect accessory! The silver matching her hair whilst the blue smoothly linked together her eyes and nails.

With it presumably following behind obediently or getting dragged along the schoolgirl like dressed female pranced across the ground, bee lining for an elderly woman who looked like a local. "Madame! Hello! please would you help us, I'm Ambrosia. This is my pet dog, and we want to go to the zoo! Tell us where it is." Sweet, sickly as if it were one of those lollies that tasted too much like chemicals. With an adjustment of her spectacles the elderly bitch pointed down one street, saying a brief 'that way dearie'

Bitch, oh that was a good idea, with a collar maybe she could get a pink one, register it as a female and then call it bitch. That was such a sweetening thought. "The Zoo is this way Ahote. Lets go boy!" It was male sadly. If only for a short while.

453 ♟ 2,886/4,500 ♟

Ahote was prepared for the woman's bubbly attitude to sink into a more defeated, disappointed one after her companion fled from the scene, and yet his spirits were spat on with only being given a mediocre reaction. The broody man convinced himself that it was his own fault for poking some fun at an effervescent spirit, the kinds of people he could never seem to win against in most things. While his raven strands gloomed over his pale complexion, his topaz orbs would languidly float back over to the silver-haired woman who then introduced herself to be Ambrosia. Ahote sighed peevishly, "Thrilling, Ambrosia, now if you please excu. . ." he paused slack-jawed look on his face, almost as if she had suddenly spoken to him in some other language. His head tilted bewilderedly, ". . .Pup?" Now Ahote has met a handful of strange people and Miss Ambrosia was quickly bordering the territory in joining them. Dogs were probably the last thing the flustered Ahote could make a connection with her mention of "Pup", and would quickly brush it off as some quirky slur or foreign term people used. He wasn't one to tell who was from here and who wasn't, after all. Regardless, he continued to brood her presence. Or, so he thought he would.

Something loose and shiny twinkled in the sunlight and danced around Ambrosia's finger while she herself chuckled quite proudly as if she were showing something off. While squinting at her at the twinkling object, the inquisitive Ahote's unblinking eyes could not figure out what she was twirling around her fingers. However, it soon became clear just what it was as it latched around his wrist and sent a chill through his veins as it clicked. Anxiously, he rose his wrist just inches from his face now ghostly white in realizing that these were handcuffs! And lo and behold, another clicking noise followed, this time coming from Ambrosia's own wrist. Ahote spoke in a trembling, raspy voice, "What are you doing. . ." he said quietly, his voice wavering as if he was stuck in between anger and confusion. Although, his scrunched brows and burning eyes made it so even the clueless could tell he was displeased with what was happening.

It had only seemed to get worse from there. The jovial girl dressed in a rather showy school outfit frolicked about the streets like a woman without a care in a world, where her world was all rainbows and sunshine. Ahote, however, sluggishly shuffled behind her with a glowering expression. As frequently as he yanked and pulled at the cuffs, he eventually found himself brooding once again instead of fighting against her in public. It was as if the swarms of people and the cuff around his wrist had crumbled whatever nerves he had left.

Ambrosia stopped in front of an elderly woman, who looked like she had seen better days judging by the enormous amount of wrinkles on just her face alone. Ahote stared down at his feet with a face so apprehensive it looked as if he were gazing over the edge of a dangerous cliff, with a sea like death itself crashing against it treacherous rocks. Sweat glazed his ghostly complexion as he continued to brood, "No. . ." he sputtered pathetically, "I am not her dog. . . I. . ." before he could finish what broken thought he had, he found himself shuffling behind her once more, although he continued to pull away from the cuff subtly.

Ahote remained speechless at the thought of that old lady remembering him, an infamous criminal, as some delusional street girl's pet dog. The uncertain, disgruntled, raven-haired man felt his throat boil at the thought! Why, he was Ahote Laspor! Who was she, Ambrosia, to boss him around like some thing? Infuriated, Ahote planted his feet in the stone road they frolicked on. He folded his arms over his chest and frowned, "Just who do you think you are, Ambrosia? Take these cuffs off immediately!" he demanded, although for how loudly he spoke his voice was still wavering. The rush of rage consumed him just temporarily, and soon he could feel himself descend back into a state of confusion and shock.

WC: 2,808/4,500

As much as the man fumed over his incarceration, his demands didn't evoke any cheeky response from Ambrosia. But this simply wouldn't do, and while the embarrassment of his state made his skull like lead on a feather for a neck, his indignancy seemed to grant him the strength to raise it furiously, confusingly. But like a traditional magician, the sneaky, pretty-faced girl who had been his captor, his warden, his dread of today, had vanished into the sea of people and only the questionable, fluffy handcuffs remain as the only mark of her being. Ahote stared deeply into the empty space before him with a puzzled expression, rubbing the cuffs gingerly with what fingers could caress them.

With a hurried shove, the crowd continued to press onward in spite of his stillness, pulling the man from his bewilderment and into the flow of the sea, moving hastily and with a concrete sense of direction. No one seemed to pay mind to his attire or the strange cuffs that wrapped around his wrist, not because it wasn't the strangest thing they've seen with their untouched, milky eyes, but because some far prettier and exotic than this well-dressed man was ahead, and like schools of fish, flocks of geese, they all hurriedly rushed to this place.

WC: 3,023/4,500

Ahote didn't fight this wave of people, however, since he had business at the zoo too. But he had a difficult time differentiating the zoo animals from the people themselves, who, in his eyes, looked like crazed animals themselves. Grin stretching from ear to ear was on children's faces, and older, stocky men who had the posture and demeanor of men who lived in office cubicles had creased their foreheads in delight, and women who had cotton candy in one hand and deep-fried dough balls in the other. Or maybe Ahote was the odd one here?

Nevertheless, Ahote continued forward, the fantastic zoo in clear sight ahead. The swarm of people diverged into several paths up ahead, creating enormous lines at each of the zoo's several entrances. Even with these numerous entrances, the wait these lines foreshadowed seemed impossibly large, and yet only few could be seen being visibly upset over this.

Now the treacherous Mister Laspor cared little for the fairness of cutting others in a line, for he was not here to indulge in captive animals and instead looked for the man who invited him here in the first place: Doctor Stein. But, for a man who was about to ruin the days of many, Ahote wasn't expecting for him to be indiscreet about it.

WC: 3,241/4,500

Ahote searched among the lines on and on, using his six feet and some inches to tower over the crowd, but not even his long legs and sharp eyes could unveil his client in waiting, whoever he or she was. He could only imagine how difficult it must be to arrange such a scandalous meeting with such curious eyes wandering around so loosely. But this was surely too indiscreet for even the client to accept, Ahote thought, and with this, he decisively stepped out of line and crept along the outskirts of the lines, circling around the crowd until the masses became thinner and thinner until hardly anyone were with him by the time he arrived behind the zoo.

There, behind the zoo, it was much like a barren wasteland. There were hardly any signs of life besides the chatter on the other side of the area and every dumpster that had been placed here had their trash scattered about the pavement. It was an absurdly dirty and unorganized lot compared to the lines up ahead, which were, surprisingly, cleaner than the back.

In this lot was a plaza of large buildings, much like warehouses. None of them stood out much like one enormous building that had been directly connected to the zoo building. The building easily towered over the others and rattled with the viscous croaks and silverly howls of animals. Clearly, some zoo animals were kept there, and this was most likely the best location to find the mischievous doctor who had plans for them.

The messy-haired Ahote wandered over to the building with weary eyes. The cries of the animals continued to stir the pavement, and still, there were no clear signs of any human being anywhere near the facility. That was what the criminal had thought until his topaz orbs fixed to the door know, which had its locks chipped and broken. The keyhole wasn't nearly as clean and spotless as others and had been tampered with.

WC: 3,573/4,500

Ahote looked at the doorknob with a strained, suspicious stare. This was not the work of a registered employee, who, most likely, had the keys beforehand, but the handiwork of a mediocre lockpicker, a basic skill and asset for any ne'er-do-well worth their salt.

Ahote had extended his coolest hand to the knob, bracing himself for whatever claws may lunge at him when they hear the click and clack of twisting brass or any blinking taser that might thrust its electric fangs at him. He did this, but before his fingers could twist the knob, a set of bony, pale fingers grasped his shoulder.

Ahote only peered over his shoulder to view his attacker, but alas, no more than a smaller, lanky man dressed in a zookeeper uniform that was perhaps two sizes oversized for him. His gaze had been veiled by his hat (which was perhaps the only thing that fit him). Ahote continued to stare at the man until finally, his paper-thin lips had parted, "Are you Mister Laspor?" he'd say to him, a grin stretching across his face.

Ahote nodded weakly, "Who's asking?" he responded.

"Doctor Stein, I am the one who sent for you!" Stein placed his other hand over his heart, his very character elated to see the taller, stronger wizard.

WC: 3,789/4,500

So Ahote and Doctor Stein left for the warehouse that was crawling with animals. The Doctor pushed the door open quickly, quietly, and inside was a poorly lit room with no windows despite it's impressive air conditioning and ventilation. They would both step into the space lined with cages filled with a variety of exotic apes and some having kinds of ill hyenas. They were most certainly exotic.

Stein rushed forward with an acute twinkle in his eyes, probably the greatest light to ever flicker off his orbs in that man's lifetime. Ahote closed the door behind them gingerly, "Save the explanation, let us be done with this." he insisted. And like that, slipping from Stein's pockets and into his digits was a syringe filled with bright, translucent serum. He'd scramble from cage to cage, injecting from one appendage to the next until the room was silent and rumbling with groans.

Moments passed and each animal held the injected area with an agonized face, desperate for relief until some had finally succumbed to its effects and reduced from beautiful creatures to horrific ones. The infected areas inflated with tissue and the whites in their eyes expanded, their groans ghoulish and mouths wet with an uncontrollable amount of saliva. They were akin to zombies.

They beat on their cages until the bars with stumble from their positions, collapsing over the animals, but this did not seem to visibly perturb them or keep them from crawling out. Ahote looked at them with a nervous amazement, "Well this is quite something. . ." he'd say matter-of-factly, but Stein would not hear him over his elated giggles. Ahote, looking at this, ended up shuffling his way closer and closer to the exit until he was nearly outside, and finally free to let the ghoulish animals ruin someone's tranquil day at the zoo.

WC: 4,322/3,500