(ACE) The HEARTHOME Team

Elidr hissed as Reeves called out the number of fiends they were going to have to deal with. Simple logic would put it in halves, that each dragon would get two, but with the way they could melt into shadows the Dratini wasn't sure how well that was going to work. And his suspicions proved correct when the Deino took on two of the Sableye by himself leaving him with the other two. Backing up slightly his eyes darted across the room, twitching at any shadow that moved. He could hear their maniacal laughter as they taunted him and it was beginning to iritate the normally calm dragon.

'Keep laughing you little devils. You have already proven too weak for this world.'

"You don't frighten me!" Elidr shouted, more to psych himself up rather than as a warning, just as the first one made its move. Its claws and fangs reaching for his face he wasted no time in firing a Dragon Rage into its gut before ducking to let the second collide with its companion rather than him. With both of them together in a pile Elidr summoned a Twister to trap them while he started pummeling them with Dragon Rage after Dragon Rage. How he hated ghost types! He only had two moves that could even hit them! And once his Twister failed to contain them they would both be upon him once more.

This was just freaking great.

Ullr ran as fast as she could away from the ravenous undead, her bell loudly ringing as if it too were screaming. She felt how the air shifted as it grabbed and bit at her, and heard its gurgles of frustration, anger, and worst of all: hunger. Her heart beat wildly, and as it nearly caught her ribbon in between its rotting teeth, bell and all, she saw a sign of hope. It was Cray, rapidly coming to help. Ullr put on a burst of speed as she saw the avian ungracefully take off into the air, wings glowing in preparation of his next attack. The pursuer, seeing the new prey, leapt at the bird, but the skarmorys well aimed blow cleanly severed the undead’s head from its body as its neck was weak from decay. Its head and body fell to the floor with a sickening sound caused by its deterioration.

Ullr stood at the opening of the hallway, shaky and frightened. Her headache was now a horrible pain around her eyes and temple, her stomach a cavern with demons clawing at the walls. She felt weak and useless because she was unable to defend herself, with her one “real” attack long range. She stood for a moment, regaining her breath before speaking.

“t-thank you…” she choked out, her breath still swift but slowly returning to normal. “I might have died…” with that Ullr stopped talking, as every word hurt her head more. She put a hand to her forehead, closing her eyes to shut out any light. Migraines weren't common with her, but when she had one it felt like someone was hammering nails into her head.

Cray watched the head topple to the ground with a satisfying thud, a fountain of blood coating the Skarmory’s rusting body as the headless body tripped and fell lifeless to the ground. Pleased at having made quick work of the undead, the bird made a surprisingly soft landing, a light smile of his face. Perhaps his battling skills weren’t as rusty as his aging form after all. Flexing his wings, pleased, he turned around to hop down the hallway with the familiar cling of metal echoing with each light footfall, approaching the distressed Banette.

“T-Thank you…I might have died…”

The Skarmory gave a quick dip of his head, a soft smile on his beak.
“Well, you’re alright now,” His voice was gentle, his signature gruffness mainly buried by a gratitude at being thanked. Not often he was appreciated – especially by a pretty lady. Gesturing down the hallway back to the main hall, Cray extended a wing behind the ghost-type to lightly guide her to his collection of berries. “Come on. You can build your strength with some berries,”

(( Skipping Thread, he’s just assessing Reeves & Elidr, lol. ))

Reeves was ruthless in his fighting, the two sableye not having a chance to retaliate as he got a system down. Bite, throw, Dark Pulse. Bite, throw, Dark Pulse. It continued until they stopped coming, their shrieks of laughter dying into what Reeves could only think to be oblivion. Panting, glad that at least his half was done with, he turned to listen to Elidr's fight, gathering with the dratini's scent that he was anxious and somewhat distressed. Maybe he was too low a level to deal with these imps? Rather than calling and asking if he needed help, the deino merely continued his pattern, and bit a sableye, tossing it behind him. "I have this one!" he called, continuing to fire Dark Pulses at the distant ghost. This fight would be over; he was going to make damn sure of that.

Like clockwork his Twister fell and soon the demons were lunging for him. Pissed Elidr let out another but it completely missed and they soon had him pinned. Just as their claws started raking across his skin Reeves jumped in and snatched on by the head, effectively tossing it to the side. "I have this one!" Grateful to his partner Elidr focused his attention on the sole ghost trying to come at him. "I'm finished with your nonsense!" he cried, letting out his last Dragon Rage and nailing the Sableye, finally happy to see it fade from existence. He had done it.

Suddenly a brilliant light surrounded the small dragon and he felt a sudden shift. He was evolving! Thrilled with the prospect of new power Elidr embraced his evolution and allowed himself to shift and morph until the light receded to reveal a brand new Dragonair. Unfortunately, while his evolution did come with new power and strength, he still only had the same moves as before. "Damn it!" he cried, knowing that his only good move was completely used up still. Slithering up to Reeves he trapped the psychotic demon inside another Twister and glared at it. "Hit him for all he's worth, he isn't going anywhere."

Fuck these stupid ghosts.

((OOC: Why you no learn any new moves until 3 levels after evolution Dragonair? lol. Poor Elidr.))

“Come on. You can build your strength with some berries,”

Allowing the steel type to guide her, Ullr walked down the hall. Hopefully, her headache would go away once she ate. Her bell softly rattled as she walked with Cray, reminding Ullr of long gone days with her old family.

"Cray," She couldn't help but blurt out. "Do you have any family?" Why did i ask that!? She thought, regretting her question. They could be dead... "You don't have to reply!... Not if you don't want to..." Ullr hurriedly added, not wanting to force him to talk when he may not want to.

((Short post is short :I))

Thread was essentially impressed at the sight his protégés were putting up against the pesky ghosts. Although outnumbered and relatively disadvantaged in terms of moves against the chuckling imps, they had obliterated almost the entire group in a matter of minutes. Loitering in the doorway, eyes following the movements of the battlers and remaining opponent, the Aerodactyl distractedly nodded along, approving of what he was seeing. They certainly had potential.

“Hit him for all he's worth, he isn't going anywhere."

Staring, pleased at the teamwork shared between the dragons, the feeble Dratini now boasting a far larger form, Thread flexed his wings. This would end soon. Perhaps a little encouragement was in order.
“Tick Tock,” He called, an indication of his slowly growing impatience. He was timing them after all in this little test.

--

"Cray. Do you have any family? You don't have to reply!... Not if you don't want to..."

The question certainly surprised the steel avian as he turned his head to regard the ghost, the female suddenly realizing her curiosity might endanger her. Shaking his head, shushing her suddenly erratic insistence he needn’t reply; Cray simply smiled in response.
“No… I don’t actually,” He replied honestly. He’d never known his parents, children were out of the question and the word ‘commitment’ lacked a definition in his mental dictionary. In fact, the avian was a fairly lonesome soul. Everyone knew he had an eye for the ladies – he’d had more than his share of female company over the decades – but he’d never even considered settling down. With the epidemic’s grip on the world, it seemed a missed opportunity now.

Choosing to move on from his own neglected experiences, he turned to the Banette with a shrug of his shoulders. There had been no sorrow in his tone, no shred of remorse that his mind silently considered.
“What about you?” He asked, slowly to a halt before the small pile of berries he’d brought. Taking a quick scan of the room, eyes alert for any signs of undead the others hadn’t yet dealt with, Cray gestured to the food. “Help yourself. Ladies first, after all,”

With the imps' numbers quickly dwindling down, Reeves felt more and more confident that this usless fight would end soon. Turning as his sableye promplty bit the dust, something strange in the air quivered. A power, an aura, something enveloping Elidr that made his fur bristle and stand on end. Something that made his nerves jump and his muscles twitch. It soon dissipated, leaving Elidr's scent changed and different... Reeves scoffed, a smirk playing on his lips. Well, damn.

He'd evolved.

Jealousy for his fellow dragon's ability to evolve almost overwhelmed him, his longing for enough power to properly defend himself something he'd yearned since his hatch date. With power came respect, as Thread so enthusiastically preached. But with his own evolutionary lines... he knew there was nothing but pain and anger waiting for him. The life of a Hydreigon was nothing but inflicting terror... and enjoying it. He had vowed he'd never become such a thing... but witnessing an evolution firsthand... Doubt crept into his mind as he was put at a loss. Thankfully, Elidr's voice ripped him from his own thoughts, a beacon in the dark.

“Hit him for all he's worth, he isn't going anywhere." Thread decided to remind them that he was there, watching, somewhat surprising Reeves. Had he been there the entire time? “Tick Tock,” he called from afar, earning a grunt of frustration from the deino. If he wanted it done quickly, he could have done it himself.

"He isn't worth anything," Reeves growled in response to Elidr, his small legs carrying him swiftly to the downed opponent. With a final Dark Pulse, he shot the attack full blast at the imp, earning a cry of agony from the ghost as it dissipated into nothing, its existence erased from the world. Good riddance. Panting from the excursion, Reeves trotted back to where Thread's scent was, pausing in front of him. "...This room's clean." He turned to Elidr, jealousy still festering within him. How he longed to evolve... into something that wasn't a demon incarnate. "...Congratulations." His tone was flat, only a hint of his yearnings tinting the otherwise emotionless praise. He would never have that.

The question made Ullr’s heart sink like a stone.

“M-my family?”

She didn’t know if she could talk about them yet, but she didn’t want to be rude by ignoring Cray’s question. Ullr looked down at the ground and spoke quietly. “I…I’ve had two… the first family… I was with my parents then, before a man caught me and took me away… that’s when I met my trainer… That was my second family …she-,“ Ullr, at this point, struggled to hold back tears. “she’s… gone now….” That’s all she could say. Ullr shakily picked up a small berry and nibbled on it, trying to calm herself again. She hadn’t spoken to anyone about her trainer after her death, she never had a chance.

As she ate, her mind stayed on her family. From when she got captured to when she left the house to be alone. The performances, her parents, her friends, the house, snow, ice, and the recent death. That past replayed in her mind, and with it came a sudden realization.

"It's all my fault..."

"He isn't worth anything,"

Thread gave a malicious laugh at the dragon’s ferocious response, watching with a sadistic grin as Reeves proceeded to end the imp’s miserable existence. To any sane being, the joy alighting the fossil’s face was near-repulsive; twisted that such emotion reached the Aerodactyl only with the suffering and demise of those he deemed lesser. However, his sick delight was a sight more appealing than his fiery temper.

"...This room's clean,”

Thread nodded, lecherous smile finally dying away as the moment passed and a peace descended upon the room.
“Right you are,” He purred, approving, eyes skimming over the Ninetales’ mangled body at the room’s centre, a beam of moonlight from the broken ceiling illuminating the canine’s form. Let it be a warning to the undead foolish enough to enter the place. Thread was in his element. This was a contest hall no more. From the spectacle put forth by the dragon duo, the Aerodactyl was convinced that he would be sculpting the beginning of his own army in a matter of hours. This was a training arena now and each and every undead would be wise to detour the facility.

"...Congratulations."

Skimming over the Deino’s congratulations, Thread merely nodded his head in acknowledgment of the Dragonair’s transformation.
“Don’t get used to it,” He spoke bluntly, his voice still tinged with his earlier amusement. ”You’ll be a Dragonite by the end of the week,” Turning to exit the room, tail lashing as he expected his comrades to devotedly follow their leader, he called back to them. “I think you’re entitled to a couple of berries for that display,”

“M-my family?”

Perhaps that had been a bad question to ask the sensitive ghost. Lowering his head, the sorrow in her voice blatant even to an aging steel-tin like him, Cray listened with a rare sincerity as she continued. Whilst he could never understand how pokémon could have a connection to those loathsome humans, the Skarmory could see that some meaningless creature had meant a lot to her. He himself couldn’t remember experiencing such love, such devotion in a familial environment. All Cray had ever known was work, duty – it must be hard to experience love to have it all torn away in one fell swoop.

"It's all my fault..."

Shaking his head, certain the Banette might burst into tears – a scenario he was not prepared to handle, especially with Thread lurking in the buildings in preparation to obliterate all ‘bleeding hearts’. Looking concernedly about him, he hurriedly hushed Ullr, voice surprisingly tender.
“No, no, no,” He soothed, smiling apologetically knowing he lacked the proper qualifications to deal with such a situation. Still, he was going to try. “The epidemic is nobody’s fault, you shouldn’t blame yourself,”

"He isn't worth anything."

Elidr couldn't agree more and watched with pleasure as the Deino tore through the last of the miserable ghosts with a final Dark Pulse. He announced the room's status as clear giving the newly evolved dragon leave to release the tension from his coils. His body was much longer than before and he easily towered over his Deino companion which caused him some distress. He liked it when he and Reeves were on the same level, it gave a stronger solidarity to their similar minds. Now it was a little unnerving.

"...Congratulations." For what? He didn't do anything other than what nature intended for him to do. Evolution was natural and necessary for survival. Perhaps Reeves's kind had a harder evolution? “Don’t get used to it. You’ll be a Dragonite by the end of the week,” Elidr blanched at the thought, not particularly fond of the idea of being a portly dragon with a jolly complex. "If it is all the same I'd rather not..." he muttered under his breath, low enough that if anyone only Reeves could hear.

“I think you’re entitled to a couple of berries for that display.”

Well if food was the reward for that much effort then it had better be the most delicious thing he had ever eaten. A few berries didn't sound like much, but maybe they would help him regain the moves that actually did any damage. His Dragon Rage was his best move and it was completely depleted. But not willing to anger their new 'leader' Elidr nudged Reeves gently with his tail before continuing after Thread, a scowl barely hidden underneath a mask of indifference. "Thanks." And that was all he was going to get out of the Dragonair.

“Right you are”

The fossil's amused purr of a reply gave Reeves some relief, glad that they'd managed to further the despicable dragon's amusement and placed them deeper into his good side. Good. They'd need that. Once he and Elidr were strong enough, they'd be able to formulate some sort of plan to get the hell out. Then again, Elidr would be the only one to evolve and be useful, as Reeves would likely only kill everyone around them...

“Don’t get used to it,” Thread spoke, breaking Reeves' concentration. ”You’ll be a Dragonite by the end of the week.” "If it is all the same I'd rather not..." Elidr mumbled, Reeves' mouth turning upward slightly. Thankfully, it seemed his fellow dragon's remark went unheard by their dictator, as the heavy footfalls sounded more and more distant, indicating they should probably move. “I think you’re entitled to a couple of berries for that display,” Thread announced, voice airy with a pleasure that only a puppet master would be able to achieve. Of pawns or soldiers executing orders. Reeves trotted along behind him, stomach growling with excitement.


"Thank you, sir," was the deino's low response. Food certainly sounded good, especially after the fight they'd just endured. A nudge to the side brought his attention to Elidr, who slithered beside him, earning more of a smirk from the dark dragon. His mind went to their battle, and an idea popped in his head.
"What is your moveset, Elidr?" It was an honest question, but the scent and sounds of the same attack over and over again... it made Reeves wonder.

“The epidemic is nobody’s fault, you shouldn’t blame yourself,”

Ullr Sat on the ground, Her bell softly ringing with the movement.
"No... I-It... I strayed to far," She started. She felt worse with every word she said but she couldn't stop talking. Not after being silent for so long. She hoped she wouldn't cry. "I left... th-then my trainer. sh-she went a-after me..." She knew there was no way to stop herself now. The tears would come. She hugged her bag and ocarina tightly, still hoping that she wouldn't cry. "There w-was no way... sh-she couldn't... The b-blizzard t-took h-her." Ullr quickly turned her back to Cray as tears rolled down her face. She hated when people saw her cry. But there wasn't a way to stop it.

Thread was beginning to warm-up to the duo, admiring the fact they were essentially silent and showing some gratitude for his charity. It was about time – he’d almost forgotten the feeling of respect, control and had absolutely no intention of losing it. If anything, it needed to be stronger. For now, however, it could wait. Thread, as malicious and conniving as he was, was always a man of his word. He’d promised them food so they would eat. Cray wouldn’t dare return empty-handed; his muffled voice in the distance was enough confirmation to the fossil that a meal was currently awaiting them.

"No... I-It... I strayed too far. I left... th-then my trainer. sh-she went a-after me... There w-was no way... sh-she couldn't... The b-blizzard t-took h-her."

Cray flinched as the Banette broke down, sobbing quietly as she recollected her woeful tale. He couldn’t sympathise, love was a foreign idea to the steel avian – but he’d never grown accustomed to the sight of a distressed woman. Looking away, awkward that he had absolutely no chance of easing the ghost’s sorrows, the Skarmory soon heard footsteps loudening from the hallway.
“We-Well… She might be okay?” Cray was grabbing at straws, distracted in the knowing that Thread was approaching. After seeing what he did to that Ninetales, who knew how he’d handle the crying ghost? Concerned, the Skarmory clicked his beak, placing a wing comfortingly over Ullr’s shoulder. “Just ha-have some berries, hm?”
“Cray,” Thread barked, strolling onto the scene, the pair of dragons in tow. “There better be some meat there,” Damnit. Cray took a deep inhale, turning to face the approaching fossil as he gestured to the small pile of berries he’d salvaged.
“It’s deserted out there – I was lucky to find them,” Thread looked displeased, a snort escaping him as he picked up one of the berries for himself. Eying his colleague suspiciously, he shook his head.
“No matter,” He responded unusually forgiving, though bitterness tinged his tone. “You can get your ass out there and look again,” Turning back to the pair of dragons, Thread gestured to the berries. “Take your pick,”

Elidr didn't seem to have enough time to reply, as Reeves soon heard other voices. He recognized them both, the whiny female voice belonging to the ghost from earlier, and the more awkward, low male voice belonged to the rusty, steel male. He trotted behind Thread, knowing that his footsteps were the easiest thing to follow in a room full of debris and corpses.

There was a small, tense exchange between Thread and Cray, Cray admitting that there was little to be found. While this didn't really surprise Reeves -he'd been living off of a harsh rationing of berries for a while now- it seemed berries was not what the fossil had in mind. “No matter,” he dismissed, his tone airy. “You can get your ass out there and look again,” There was a pause, and suddenly Thread's voice sounded more direct. “Take your pick.” Ah. He was talkign to them now.

Reeves moved forward, chirping lightly and sniffing to learn the location of the berries. Assessing how many were in the pile divided by portions and how much Thread would allow them to take, Reeves took a considerably humble amount, pawing a few leppa and sitrus berries to him. Getting his ration to a small corner away from the rest of the group, he slowly began to nibble on his meal, knowing that the slower he ate, the more full he would feel and the less berries consumed. He was starving to be sure, but thankfully, he had self-control.

Elidr frowned when he didn't have time to answer Reeves's question, Thread leading them to where the other two in the group were settled. They were once again forced into the company of the female ghost from before. Hadn't he spent enough time with her lot? He had already had his fill of those awful creatures for today and he was not looking forward to sharing a meal with one. But unfortunately luck was not with him as Thread seemed more interested in demeaning the Skarmory than getting rid of the pesky female. Looking at the meager food supply that Cray seemed to have gathered he realized that this area must have been picked clean long ago, it wasn't likely they would be able to get much else no matter how many times Thread sent him out.

“Take your pick.”

He watched carefully as Reeves made his way to the pile, taking a meager amount before retreating to a corner to feed. Sure that his fellow dragon had the right idea he made his way over and was delighted to see Leppa berries. They were the only known berry to recover power and he had completely run dry of his Dragon Rage. Grabbing a few and one Oran berry for good measure he made his way over to the Deino and coiled up beside him to feed.

"Dragon Rage, Twister, Slam, Wrap." Reeves would know what he meant.

((Don't worry Katia, I have nothing against your character. Elidr is just piss face, lol. He needs to learn to lighten up!))

Ullr slowly wiped away her tears. She felt stupid, and forced herself to stop her sobbing. I shouldn’t be crying, she told herself sternly. I just make myself look stupid when I cry. She wiped her eyes with the cloth of her bag and stood, staring at the ground sadly. She still felt a bit hungry and slowly went up to take two more berries from what was left after the two dragons took their pick. Ullr held an ember of dislike in her heart towards the dragons and the rock type. At least Cray had helped her, therefore was more liked than the rest.

Soon she walked to sit near the entrance and away from the others in order to hide the traces of her tears. Maybe… maybe I’ll be able to sneak a few songs on my ocarina once they’re asleep. It is night, and hopefully they'll sleep soon. She thought, hoping that she would be able to play. She felt so sad and depressed. Playing her ocarina would definitely make her feel better. Hopefully they’re deep sleepers. I would hate to wake them up… I’ll have to play a lullaby then. Just thinking of playing again lifted her spirits, and she was, for once, thankful for her insomnia ability.


((XD))

Thread watched the duo, pleased at the silent response. The humble actions of the dragons said enough to him, a slick grin crawling over his features as they claimed their reward and retreated to a corner. At least they knew their place. The Aerodactyl stared at them a moment, happy they hadn’t made the error of gorging themselves – a couple each was more than enough to keep them going. Anymore and Thread would have ensured they learnt the protocol for future use.

Cray managed a sympathetic smile at Ullr’s strength of mind, the ability to suck up her sorrows not going unnoticed by the Skarmory. Nodding his head approvingly, he stealthily tossed her his own share of berries, nudging the remaining trio towards Thread.
“You want me to go now?” The bird asked grudgingly referring to his boss’ earlier demand that he secure some protein. Thread turned to regard him, attention shifting to the berries he’d brought as a feeble offering. A pause and the Aerodactyl shook his head.
“Later,”

Following the example of his latest colleagues, the Skarmory hopped towards his own section of the room. Everyone had occupied a corner; the dragons to one side, the sorrowful ghost in the other whilst Cray perched on an upturned registration desk. Thread stood proud in the middle, surveying each of his followers. With a deep exhale, an aura of superiority exuding from his form, the dragon thought it about time to offer up a schedule.
“Now,” Thread began, commanding voice echoing about the spacious room. “Finish your food, then sleep. You’ll need your energy for tomorrow. I’m giving you vermin a night to recuperate, but don’t get used to it,” The Aerodactyl had begun stalking around the room, passing Ullr first, staring disdainfully at the instrument she cradled. “You follow my orders now. You eat when I say you can eat, you sleep when I say you can sleep, you piss when I say you can fucking piss – got it? You question me you’ll end up like that fox,” He gestured to the ‘trash room’ with a lashing tail. “Cray will keep watch tonight. Any of you fuckers dare trying to make a run for it and I will hunt you down like the cowards you are,”

Passing Reeves and Elidr, the Aerodactyl sidled up to Cray’s perch, taking a liking to higher ground. The Skarmory didn’t need an order to move, taking his cue with a huff before jumping down with a metallic clink. The dictating rock-type stood in his place, eyes wandering across the gathering, satisfied that they had an inkling of what was to await them in time. It would be hard work of course, but Thread would make keen on his promise of training them. They would grow strong.
“Introductions can wait until morning,” He finished bluntly, not particularly caring of the names of his company. He’d heard words tossed around but couldn’t be definite on their identities, instead opting to await a more formal exchange. Settling himself on his throne, Thread silenced, losing himself to thoughts of inevitable power.

Cray, evicted from his perch and alerted of his duty as night watchman, wasn’t in the best mood. A frown hung over his rusting features as he made his way to the hall’s entrance. Nudging the door open to stare out into the abandoned town beyond, the Skarmory made himself comfortable. Between quietly preening his metallic feathers, Cray would dedicate a moment’s observation of the quieted streets, alert for glimpse of undead.

Three days.
It had been three days Glitch had been flying in the Peliper's mouth. Three horrible days! The electric pokemon prayed he would be able to rid himself of the fish scent that clung to his fur now.

Ears gently swaying from the passing wind, he looked down and made out the dark shape of land down below. Excitement coursed through the electric type at the thought of being able to feel the earth under his feet again.

"There's land down there, mind going lower so I could get a better look?"

The bird made a small noise and tilted it's wing down, spiraling down closer to the ground. Everything was going fine, until the flying water type cried out in pain, almost spitting Glitch out. As they came plummeting to the earth, the Jolteon leaped out of the bird's mouth, seconds before it crashed loudly. The noise of bones cracking and snapping reached his ears as he turned around to see the mangled remains of the Peliper who was barely alive by now. Blue eyes looked up to the dark sky, watching as a large Fearow swooped down and landed atop of the fallen bird's body, pecking at it's flesh before the poor pokemon took it's final breath. Pity and anger filled the electric type and he bristled his fur, waiting until he had enough electricity concentrated to zap the bird into carded remains. A loud crack filled the air as Glitch released a strong Thunder, eliminating both the odd behaving bird, as well as the Peliper who was caught in the crossfire.

Quickly before any other undead or infected could find him, he hid in a smaller building to rest, and avoid any other further battles. He went to rest under a small desk, keeping an eye on the entrance.

(OOC: sorry for crappy entry, it's way late lol. Anyone who wants to confront Glitch, you can go right ahead. Awesome to be on the team. XD I came back to edit my reply since I was half asleep, I don't even remember typing the last part lol)

[ooc: Skip. I dont think i will have time to make a good post before three days and dont want to hold up this lovely team. Gil the Sexy shall appear next cycle. B)) ]

"Dragon Rage, Twister, Slam, Wrap."

The reply came swiftly and quietly once Elidr came to Reeves' side, his own bundle of dinner with him as well. Reeves nodded, munching lightly on only his second berry, relishing the juices and flavor for as long as possible. Good. While it wasn't a bad moveset, Reeves knew that with Elidr only using one attack against the small grouping of imps they'd just killed, something needed to change. Elidr needed another move with firepower, something that would be able to knock any foe to the ground. Keeping his voice low, he replied bluntly, "...We can change that. I know Dragon Pulse." He wasn't quite sure whether Thread would see this as mutiny or undermining, but he shifted away from Elidr, silently conveying that their conversation was over.

Thread, on the other hand, decided to make his rule known. Surely perched somewhere higher up to observe his subjects below and further asserting his dominance and superiority, he began to speak. At length. “Now,” he began, his stern voice echoing throughout the room. “Finish your food, then sleep. You’ll need your energy for tomorrow. I’m giving you vermin a night to recuperate, but don’t get used to it.” Reeves made a small note in his mind, bidding his body to rest as much as possible before the hell that likely awaited them in the morning. “You follow my orders now. You eat when I say you can eat, you sleep when I say you can sleep, you piss when I say you can fucking piss – got it? You question me you’ll end up like that fox,” The deino's mind went back to the screaming of the falling fox, ending as abruptly as he'd heard it as Thread continued. “Cray will keep watch tonight. Any of you fuckers dare trying to make a run for it and I will hunt you down like the cowards you are.”

Reeves gave a small exhale as he finished his second to last berry, mulling Thread's words over. Yes, they were stuck here until either they grew powerful enough to fight back or Thread trusted them enough to let them scout or watch without his supervision. It was likely the former would happen first... “Introductions can wait until morning,” were Thread's final words to them for the night, giving them a reprieve. Well. He'd enjoy it while it lasted, at least.

After finishing his meal, somewhat full now, he curled tightly into himself for warmth, huddled against the cold that surrounded him. Luxuries like comfort and peace would not be given, and the deino had to will himself into sleep. He needed it, sorely, for the possibilities that tomorrow brought.

Elidr finished his berries while listening to Reeves but something he said made the Dragonair pause. Dragon Pulse? What did that have to do with anything? Could his kind even learn it? Elidr had a puzzled look on his face for a moment until something clicked. Was he talking about training? Elidr had usually relied on nature to provide his strengths but it was not unheard of to work to make oneself strong enough to survive. Yes. Perhaps that could work.

Reeves had shifted away from his fellow dragon and when Elidr saw Thread he understood why. “Finish your food, then sleep. You’ll need your energy for tomorrow. I’m giving you vermin a night to recuperate, but don’t get used to it.” The Dragonair was seriously displeased by the accusation that he was vermon, having done more work already than the bossy Aerodactyl had likely done all week. “You follow my orders now. You eat when I say you can eat, you sleep when I say you can sleep, you piss when I say you can fucking piss – got it? You question me you’ll end up like that fox,” His glare didn't falter even at the underlying threat, not willing to let Thread see him as a pushover. While he made no move or comment to argue his eyes spoke volumes.

As soon as he was strong enough he was getting the hell away from this psycho. But for now, this was life. Curling up next to Reeves he settled down as best he could, anger making sleep a difficult reach. But he knew he would need his strength and to recover his lost moves, as he was likely to need them come the following day. Whatever demons possessed this ancient rock were likely to try and kill them all.

((Elidr so piss face XD))

Thread, taking some twisted pleasure in the venomous glare shot to him courtesy of the Dragonair, merely nodded his head in approval. He always liked a bit of fight – and the dragons, at least, seemed a worthy challenge. He would enjoy breaking their spirits once and for all. But that could wait. They had promise, battling and in terms of professional attitude and for now, he would permit them a night’s rest. Following suit, the Aerodactyl soon made himself comfortable on his perch – eyelids heavy with fatigue.

With a final nod of his head directed towards Cray, the avian sat rigid aside the building’s entrance, Thread embraced sleep. Smiling to himself as dreams of his former power surfaced in a twisted mind; dreams that he hoped, soon, would become a reality.

Cray could only watch in silence as the group descended into a state of unconsciousness, following the Aerodactyl’s commands like clockwork. Heaving a defeated sigh, he tore his gaze from the gathering and back out to city streets beyond. Whilst he felt some inner pride in having effectively saved a group of youths from his boss’ bloody fury, he couldn’t help but feel that things were going to take a turn for the worse. He thought back to the days in their district, how ruthless Thread had been when it came to orders – the torture, the deaths. He’d been robbed from such twisted pleasures for over a year now. Cray didn’t even want to consider what he had in store for his latest collection of pawns.
“I’m sorry,” He muttered quietly to himself, staring out towards the moon as a darkened shadow crossed the blackened skies. It descended a distance away, bulky and with a little noise – but he didn’t dwell on the matter. The Skarmory wasn’t going to go charging into a fight and the midnight stranger soon drifted out of his memory.

It was going to be a long night.

((OOC: Skip please, can't think of anything for glitch to do, he's still hiding out))

((Skip-- Reeves is asleep. I will change it to morning next round if nothing happens))