we're all the same | private

Darkness had taken hold of the sky. It was a perfect shadow which caressed the thousands of stars above, the dying, the newborn, the forgotten or the famous. It was too difficult to tell when they all looked the same. A beautiful little light in the wonder of so many which dwelled upon this magical planet. From his point of view it was rather straining on the eyes. Something at such a distance could not be perceived so clearly, despite the endeavor to glimpse at what source it may have came from-- even for him that was impossible.

The air was cool from the slight breeze which came from the water, the gentle touch relaxing as he’d press further into the railing. Just below the water wavered with the smell of salt. Boats crowded the majority of the edge where land encountered the start of the ocean, after all it’d been a resting point for those that traveled the unpredictable nature of the sea. Unlike most which scarcely had a presence in the late evening due to whatever length they’d gone across the world, he had come in search for the missing. How vivid the images were of the loss of his friend and power. It was an uncomfortable feeling. As he’d outstretch his fingers not a single formation of lightning pooled into the palm. It was empty and lacking. The only thing which remained had been a weapon-- still it didn’t make much sense. As much as he’d convinced himself that the value of these things didn’t matter, it was something that was directly apart of his being. Not of his father or this magical sphere.

A sigh was discarded from the lips, rotating himself so he faced the town instead. Just down the stairs on a lower level, there were few people loitering outside in the still open shops. Either drunk or just enjoying the presence of the night, there was a group that stood out more than the rest. As much as they may have tried to do otherwise, his azure pools sharply minded them from a distance. They hadn’t bothered to step into the spotlight, keeping to the gloom which countered the light. It was much more crowded by the port which had encouraged them to disappear into the alley. Perhaps  a distasteful feature in most towns, when one could so easily be assaulted in the narrow routes. No option for escape.

His features briefly revealed a furrow in the brows. It was an obviously bad situation that was about to arise. Whether he should stay or go help was what was more vexing than anything. Natsu-- the name of the apparently young man-- was anything but a hero. Always he’d press that matter strongly with everything that had been done. It was a blur of unfortunate events which twisted those times into the dark or into the good. For the most part it was the beginning. He was not an individual at which could consider himself good. Everything he did or said made sure of that. Opposing those thoughts was a surprising feat as his slim figure moved from the railing and down the stairs. Quickly did he follow the group, allowing the darkness to swallow him whole as his slightly basically shoe-less feet made no notable sound against the cobblestone ground.

The voices muttered in the distance. With such inhuman features that opposed the normal idea of what it was to hear, see and smell, the many rise of apartment buildings or empty stores blocked out the clarity in what was being spoken. Natsu rushed forward abruptly-- the solidity below disappeared momentarily as he’d forced himself so high up that a rooftop became his next choice. It was difficult to grasp balance, but with the stumble and eventual support of a hand he continued to move forth. Lastly there was an opening in the confined bundle of structure, the dimly lit street below seemingly empty.

At first glance-- just to the right the same group had surrounded an innocent. They were threatening him with knives and hissing out threats like a pack of wolves cornering its prey. Of course money had been the aim. It was everything if what you wished was a roof atop your head and something to eat. Not having so meant dying, unless one was lucky enough to find a soul which would so easily gift a stranger anything they pleased. That kind of thought was something that came from reading to many stories of  fiction. Unrealistic and impossible. What was made up in the pursuit of what we truly pleasured. Distracted for a moment the voices which raised a bit louder brought him back into reality. Expressionless he observed. It seemed for now those knives, a silver that gleamed in the glare of the moon were all simply for show. How long that would last-- he'd have to wait and see.  

ALL I ASK OF YOU IS BELIEVE

The confrontation seemed harmless for the few seconds which passed, gradually the minute coming forth in the abrupt decision to oversight a meaning of harm. No longer did the meager weaponry flaunt itself in the shade of the moonlight. However quick did the attacker presume himself to be-- Natsu was more than nimble enough under the time at which he'd been watching. From the rooftop he let himself fall, the long crimson garb scarcely keeping itself steady as the clarity of metal against metal rebounded down the avenue. As if in the flutter of their eyes he'd appeared in the present, the golden lance handled against the switchblade. Two pools countering the ones which stared onward in surprise, to slow to grasp the moment as the brilliant gleam of the bolt slid from the blade, throttling a forceful smack onto the left of the mans face. Clearly the discomfort of the bone was heard as the figure fell over, losing sight of reality and falling into darkness.

"Ah... I didn't mean to hit him that hard..." the mumble was audible in the still lifeless route, presumably something to be taken as an insult with the seething company that seemed ripe for the beginning of a brawl. Natsu however, had been genuine, no matter how much the tone would lack such emotion. What captivating irises blankly regarding the men, handling them smoothly as they'd lunge forward like rabid animals. Each time they'd come forth, they stumbled back, endlessly following a cycle at which he'd only been trying not to hurt them as he'd mistakenly done with the one that lay unconscious. It was all quite comical, no matter how dire the situation had seemed before. Eventually beads of sweat were beginning to form upon the forehead, the others already striving to just keep a steady breath.

One hand passed the lance onto the other, briefly allowing the outside to wipe the moisture from his forehead. "Look, it was an accident..." he started, a bit louder this time, his voice uncertain, "Why don't you learn from this and stop threatening the innocents..." in the quaking strain of tiring muscles, the last four men glanced at each-other, seeming to regard his words rather than take this occasion as a sign to continue the swing of fists and the tearing of blades piercing the air. Gradually they'd move towards the still senseless individual, lifting him up and embarking further down the quiet street, making off without a single attempt at voicing an apology. Not that Natsu really held a whole lot of desperation for something that couldn't even be considered a craving in this moment. What had been sought out was the safety of the one behind him, somebody he'd finally had the time to heed with a still emotionless gaze.

"Are you alright?" lacking of injury, it would seem that the timing had been just perfect. To stay and make conversation however-- not on that list. "Next time it would be wise not to wander alone in dark places like this. Unfortunate as it is, we do live in a world where we need to worry about such things." the ruby fluttered out, concealing the majority of the skintight outfit, golden armory lacing through the black material as the majority protected the forearms and then the hands. What had been dealt with didn't need further attention, and so, he started to leave just as the shady group had. Turning off in the same direction at a much slower pace.

ALL I ASK OF YOU IS BELIEVE