Chapter 35 - Sylph

Being predominantly unfazed by the projectile truck parts, Mind Flare and Josephine are both standing nearby. They're busy chuckling at the driver shoved down into the street, serving as a cushion for Lucas. An equally amused Jonathan is also nearby, although he is busy trying to think of a reason to go looking for Wraith Hunter.

"An acquaintance of yours?" Mind Flare can't help asking Lucas in a voice full of good humor.

"Nah, but I saw the way he was driving this way. I mean come on, think of the puppies. The nerve, seriously." Lucas shifts his position so he's now sitting cross-legged and tilts his head a bit. While bearing a raised brow, he looks up at Mind Flare. "Think he's got something against Black Ash Snow?"

The driver yells something incoherent into the crushed-up pavement, earning a smack on the back of the head from Lucas.

"Hmm... I doubt it. With how often I drag him out to have a meal with us, I imagine he'd mention something juicy like that." Mind Flare has a thoughtful expression as he taps his chin.

'Oh? I mean, they obviously interact, but uhh..? Is he..?'

[No. Mind Flare is in a relationship with Josephine. He and Black Ash Snow are childhood friends. One of the rare few that survived his powers developing.]

'Oh snap. Girl, you've got heavy tastes.'

Lucas can't help glancing up at Josephine, although this action goes unnoticed by anyone else.

"Um, maybe I should, um, go take a look where he came from? In case there's uhh, some sort of clue?" Successfully coming up with a good reason with the given opportunity, Jonathan offers to scout the area.

"Hmm? Yeah, go for it. Just let us know if you find anything, don't go chasing off on your own." Giving a thumbs-up as he gives his verbal approval, Lucas then turns his attention over to look at Faunahorde. He catches sight of Black Ash Snow through the big front window, walking up to the door in pursuit of finding out what happened.

Jonathan gives a nod and darts off in the direction the truck came from, intercepting Wraith Hunter in short order. He talks with him a bit to slow him down from approaching the scene, effectively giving Black Ash Snow a chance to actually interact with those who are still present.

Without the covering sound from exploding glass, Black Ash Snow's entrance is discovered by the small gathering. He frowns a bit as he looks at the pug-nosed truck, but lets out a stifled laugh when he notices Lucas sitting on the driver half-buried in the pavement.

Framing their scene, traffic flow has resumed mostly as normal, some rubberneckers sneaking a glance at the gathering in passing.

Since he isn't trying at all to sneak this time, the pace of Black Ash Snow's approach seems to appease the cheerful bird. As a reward, he receives a short jovial tune. Before he's come to a complete stop at a comfortable speaking distance, Mind Flare shoots him a slightly accusatory glare.

"You don't know him, right? You're not holding out on me, are you Daniel? You know how much I love gossip!" As Mind Flare makes his priorities known, Black Ash Snow just glances at him before turning his attention to the two on the ground. His gaze lingers on Lucas for a few moments before looking down at the driver beneath him.

'He really seems to know something about me though? You really have no idea what it could be, 427? Like, what the hell?'

[I'm at as much of a loss on this as you are. Adding fuel to the fire, you just got another .01 GDV from him, though I'm pretty sure it's related to having taken the offending party hostage.]

'Whyyy..?'

After looking at the captive driver briefly, Black Ash Snow turns his attention back up to Mind Flare. With a slight smile, he attempts to feign ignorance.

"Oh? Which one would you happen to be talking about, Mark?"

(My laziness has taken over, I'm just gonna call Mind Flare > Mark and Black Ash Snow > Dan from now on, you know who they are.)

Lucas struggles to control his laughter, with only limited success.

"Yeah MARK, which one of us?" Lucas is far too happy to have found an opportunity to say it out loud. Both Josephine and Dan chuckle as Mark purses his lips.

[...You are way too pleased with yourself. You do understand that most people would be dead right now, correct?]

'That's what makes it so great! If he doesn't try to stop me now, I'm taking it as consent!'

[You seriously have issues.]

Mark just sighs lightly and crosses his arms over his chest, his attention on Dan. "Clearly the captive! Wait, no, both!" He starts tapping his right index finger against his left upper arm in impatience as he gives his response.

'Permission granted! Hah!'

[...As long as you're happy.]

Lucas is grinning so broadly that his eyes are halfway narrowed into contented slits. While he gives a mischievous chuckle, Josephine has a hard time holding back laughter while looking at him. Dan has his own full smile at this point, though he does manage to not laugh.

"Hmm, no idea who the loser is. Though, I've heard a little bit about the apparent victor?" As Dan gives his response, Lucas can't hold back his curiosity any further.

"Oh, and what have you heard about me, DAN?" Now it's Dan's turn to purse his lips. Meanwhile, Mark and Josephine have a round of soft laughter.

Finally leisurely walking their way over, the as-awkward-as-ever Jonathan is trapped in a conversation with a particularly verbose Wraith Hunter.

Serving to further reinforce Dan's menacing aura is the small brightly colored bird now nestled upon the top of his head. It had fearlessly navigated the jungle of his braid with the help of its trusty beak, reaching the coveted summit. It fluffs its wings a few times as it settles down on its rightful perch, comfortable in its knowledge that all is as it should be.

Lucas lets out a small snerk when looking at the cozy bird, causing the corner of Dan's mouth to twitch a bit.

"Well, let's say a little birdie told me about your initial meeting with your recently arrived companion. Ah, not Sylph though, she doesn't get out much." Silently giving implicit consent for the nickname, Dan reaches up and scritches the top of Sylph's head with the tip of his right index finger.

'Ehehe, permission granted once again. Truly, he's the most intimidating of all supervillains.'

[Strange, I could swear you sound jealous.]

'...I want a bird friend too, okay!'

"Oh, um, h-here we are." Jonathan musters some words in an order akin to informative to Wraith Hunter, then promptly dashes over to stand near Lucas.

When Wraith Hunter gets a good look at the captive driver with Lucas lazily sitting on his back, he breaks out in raucous laughter. The captive freezes for a moment from his ineffective struggles, then after a few moments, he resumes with increased fervor. He even manages to raise his head long enough to squeeze out a "Fuck" before Lucas smacks it back down again.

"Oh my god! I truly wish I had my cellphone with me right now, could one of you PLEASE take a picture so I may show it to his brother?" As Wraith Hunter makes his request, Mark reaches into a pocket inside his suit jacket to oblige him.

The captive's current increased struggling looks exactly like a toddler throwing a tantrum.

Lucas scoots his position a bit in order to turn to face Mark directly, flashing a huge grin and a peace sign. With varying degrees of outward intensity, everyone apart from the prisoner burst out laughing once the photo is taken.

After a bit of an initial delay, introductions are made and Wraith Hunter gives his number to Mark to send the image over for later. While most of the others are distracted, Lucas holds up a hand from his seated position for a high five with Jonathan, who delivers.

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Lucas kills this chapter: 0

Lucas total kills: 6

Lucas deaths this chapter: 0

Lucas total deaths: 10

Lucas current GDV: 5.56 (+.01 net change)

Jonathan kills this chapter: 0

Jonathan total kills: 4

Jonathan deaths this chapter: 0

Jonathan total deaths: 2

Jonathan current GDV: 1.49 (+.01 net change)

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Little character theater:

Jonathan is a bit overwhelmed between everything going on and then needing to tank Wraith Hunter for a while.

Lucas, yawning and stretching a bit before crossing his arms and legs again to settle back into his position on the driver's back: Mmm, busy day.

427, deadpan: [Well, I guess no one can accuse you of being too heroic.]

Author, smiling and holding back laughter: Lucas may not be the hero we need, but he is DEFINITELY the hero we deserve.

Mr. Quacks, envious of Sylph's beautiful plumage: Quack....