「 RUN BOY RUN ︱ JOINING ; O. 」

[Howard]

[align=center][div style="borderwidth; width: 500px; padding: 0px; text-align: justify; line-height: 15px; font-size: 9.5pt; font-family: arial"]There was a fire under his skin.

A raging inferno that had nearly consumed him, that continued to tear through his insides until it felt as though he would truly set alight. It had always been there, he believed, flickering brighter as he become more aware of the ridiculousness his employer had forced upon him ( upon them ). Unlike his "siblings" who allowed their fires to be put out, to be smothered in favor of obedience, he had always cared for his flame. He was no fool, he knew that the moment his flame went out that he would no longer be himself, but a mindless servant to the bastard of a man they called father. So he fanned it gently, waiting for the right moment to allow the burning to run rampant and to consume everything—himself included—around it.

When it did, oh, it took everything.

Had he gone too far?

It was too late now.

...

...

The uniform did little to help the climb, the suit sticking to his body uncomfortably and pulling taunt in areas that left Howard wincing as he tried to keep his footing. He would not lie, he rather enjoyed complaining—however, he knew in situations like these there simply was no point, he would have to make do. It may hurt, and his body may ache from old bruises and wounds but he forced himself forward over the top of the hill. There wasn't much to say, really, he could have chosen a far simpler path than the one that consisted of hills and mountains but, stubborn bastard that he was, had refused to reconsider and committed to climbing the abominations. He was, after all, confident in his choices... or egotistical, it truly depended on how you wanted to look at it.

Howard paused, hands slipping into his pockets as he stared down into the small beach town. It wasn't beautiful, but it didn't appear to be falling apart either and, well, Howard had long ago learned that he could not be picky in a situation such as this. He didn't have a choice and, with the dark clouds swirling above, it was likely his best option at the moment anyway. Letting out a soft sigh he began the trek downwards, dress shoes skidding across the mud as Howard tried desperately to keep upright; he was not going to clean mud out of these clothes, not on his life. Reaching the end of the hill he gave a short hop-run before straightening himself out, pulling his tie tighter and wiping his shoes against the ground to remove some of the mud before continuing. He wasn't too far out from the town before the water droplets began to fall, soft before turning harsh.

The boy paused, casting a glance upward before sighing and moving a hand to pinch at the bridge of his nose. He was tired, he didn't need this. The frustration coming from the fifteen year old was palpable, his body nearly shaking with it as he groaned loudly before stomping forward and pulling the edges of his suit jacket over his head.

"Absolutely fucking ridiculous," the words slipped out, accompanied quickly with a sneer befitted across the young man's face. As he got closer the rain pelted harder, the skin exposed to the weather turning red with cold and irritation; it wasn't anything he couldn't handle, pain wasn't knew, but the cold that was sinking into his soaked skin was one he wasn't sure he could handle. He could feel the suit dragging him down, his small frame looking more similar to a drowned rat than an actual teenager. The pistol pushed haphazardly into his pants was sticking to his skin, everything felt too sensitive and it was driving him mad.

He wasn't happy.

[MICHAEL.]

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[div style="font-family: georgia; font-size: 13px; line-height: 13.5px; text-align: justify; padding: 4px; color: #000000; opacity: .75"]"speech" 'thought' text ||[abbr=thoughts of violence, blood, murder, mentions of alcohol, religion, injury, broken bones, blood]Hover for TWs[/abbr]

Mike was out rain or shine, though on the beach there was often at least some humidity in the air, and the probability of rain stemming from that was relatively high, especially in the spring months. But he didn't care, he wore what he usually wore, a pair of jeans, a tank top, and a gun slung across his back (though the gun was covered to keep it from getting wet).

He had an umbrella attached to one of his belt loops with a carabiner. He also had a pistol tucked into a hip strap, and a few knives also visible. Since getting his position as a Grunt back, he had replaced his weapons belt right away, it was a security blanket for him, yes he could fight well without the weapons, but he always felt better when he had at least one on him, just in case.

The sight of a wet and bedraggled figure brought mixed emotions to Mike, though he did find the scene before him amusing, he knew he shouldn't, he knew he should feel sympathy for them boy, and maybe a small part of him did. But he did know that without trials, growing was next to impossible, and growth was important, change, development, hell, without half the shit he'd been through, he wouldn't be the same man as he was.

Was that a good thing or bad thing though? Interesting question that he posed himself, not one he really was disposed to answer at the moment. He jogged forward, wincing at the aggravation that it caused his still healing leg. Stopping a few paces from where the dripping figure was. He had a grin on his battered, and healing face. Reaching to his belt, he unhooked the umbrella and tossed it towards Howard.

"Yo kid, what brings you out here in the rain?" He asked cheerfully.

[CATALYST]

It had been so nice out these past few weeks; spring was undoubtedly in the air, and they were actually enjoying it. It was pleasant, and Mo had been especially enjoying it. They couldn't really argue with that, could they? Even if they dreaded the eventual heat that summer would bring. Do they give up their aesthetic, or sweat? Both were unthinkable.

Fortunately, they didn't have to do anything right now. Well, that wasn't true, since the clouds had rolled in and they were not hanging around in the rain. Unfortunately, they were a good ways away from any shelter, but now there was another matter: some kid they didn't recognize was charging along the beach, Michael going up to greet him.

Since everyone that came into the Badlands went through them, they knew that he wasn't some member they hadn't met yet... and that they'd have to talk to him pretty much immediately. So Catalyst stalked over to them, clearly annoyed by the rain droplets pounding down on them. "Inside." They growled; normally they did the interviews or whatever outside, away from the city, but in these circumstances? Nah. Fuck that.

[spoiler=IF YOU DONT KNOW NOW YOU KNOW && INFO && 05/05/19]GENERAL  welcome to the end of eras, ice has melted back to life
⇥ Given name is Scott Mathew Darrow ⇥ Goes only by Catalyst or Cat
⇥ Assigned male at birth ⇥ Agender ⇥ They/Them pronouns only
⇥ Twenty-one ⇥ Born 11/27/17 ⇥ Sagittarius ⇥ Real time aging
⇥ Boss (leader) of the Badlands ⇥ Ex prisoner of the Badlands
⇥ Ex cultist (Mourningstar) ⇥ Ex member of the Young Rogues

RECENT EVENTS  done my time and served my sentence
⇥ 04/20/39 ⇥ Released Northstar from Badlands occupation
⇥ 04/16/39 ⇥ Was saved by Sheogorath
⇥ 04/15/39 ⇥ Took the Badlands brand

APPEARANCE  dress me up and watch me die
⇥ Catalyst is 6'2" tall; they possess a lean and muscular body, one that has a variety of old scars adorning it. One of the easiest to notice is one that stretches down their right cheek. While not a scar, one very notable marking on their chest is the "BL" brand. They have two piercings, one in their tongue and the other in the cartilage of their left ear. They typically dress in dark colors (favoring jackets with some sort of writing on the back), and their hair is black. They're not all dark, however, as they have pale blue eyes that peer out from beneath medium-sized eyebrows.

PERSONALITY  if it feels good, tastes good, it must be mine
⇥ Catalyst is ambitious, with the cunning and ruthlessness to reach their goals by any means necessary. They can be brutal when they feel it is needed, however when it's not they won't bother. They tend to be rather aloof and apathetic to most things and people, with some very rare exceptions. Provided those around them don't cross a few specific lines, they're content to leave them be, though they've been known to take an interest in some people, which seldom has a positive end for whoever their interest is in. They can be manipulative, and will often encourage people to make bad decisions. Those that stick by them will be rewarded, but those that do not will be cast out, as they've been outcast for their entire life and have learned to appreciate loyalty wherever they can find it. Even during the most stressful of situations, they usually keep a firm grip on their temper and keep their calm, though when they do snap and lose their temper, it is uncontrollable. They're remarkably observant, often able to deign much from subtle clues in what people say, how they say it and how they act.

RELATIONS  dynasty decapitated, you just might see a ghost tonight
⇥ Molly Darrow x Austin Darrow ⇥ No siblings
⇥ Adopted parent of Molly Valentina Darrow-Lupei (Mo)
⇥ Pansexual/Panromantic ⇥ Very much taken ⇥ One Crush
⇥ Not looking but it happened ⇥ Rarely forms romantic attachment
⇥ Holds most people at arms length and doesn't get close

INTERACTION  i'm taking back the c r o w n
⇥ Hard physically ⇥ Hard mentally ⇥ Doesn't let their guard down
⇥ Is most comfortable with close ranged-weapons ⇥ Dislikes guns
⇥ Brass knuckles ⇥ A variety of knives ⇥ Carries a handgun
⇥ Will kill/capture/maim in certain circumstances
⇥ Will leave things be in others ⇥ Will start & finish fights
⇥ No kill/capture/maim without permission
⇥ Peaceful powerplay allowed but they may react negatively
⇥ Dislikes almost any sort of touch unless they initiate or agree to it
[/spoiler]

[Howard]

[align=center][div style="borderwidth; width: 500px; padding: 0px; text-align: justify; line-height: 15px; font-size: 9.5pt; font-family: arial"]His teeth were chattering, the cold of the rain having finally sunk down into his bones. Howard knew that he would need to find shelter relatively quickly if he was going to avoid catching some kind of sickness, which was the last thing he needed at the moment. There was so much to do, so much to plan, but he knew that he had to remain focused on the present as well or he could easily find himself sidetracked and forced to deal with newfound obstacles that could have been easily avoidable. Seemingly as soon as the thought crossed his mind, Howard spotted a dark figure out of the corner of his eye. His hand twitched towards his gun, eyes narrowing as the giant of a man came ever closer; blood was rushing through his ears, but the boy kept his composure and moved to face the person head-on.

He didn't appear threatening, but Howard had built his entire life on that sentiment and kept his guard up and body poised. The smile felt odd over the person's bruised face, and he could feel his face contorting into a soft sneer as the man reached towards his belt; his hand instantly fell to his side, palm ghosting over the hilt of the gun before the stranger pulled the umbrella from its holster. The boy dropped his hand again, body still rigid but he felt himself pulling back together gracefully catching the offered umbrella before pushing it open.

"I don't believe that is any of your concern." He rolled his shoulders back, free hand brushing out his dampened suit jacket before his eyes snapped back towards the older man. Howard was not even half of the man's size, and it set him on edge immediately—he didn't like to be in the weaker place, not in the middle of seemingly nowhere. He kept his composure, green eyes staring into blue unblinkingly; he was young, but he knew how to hold a presence, the man believed him a child... which was something Howard could use to his advantage if it was truly needed. Well, that and the fact the other's leg was obviously damaged in some way and if something were to happen a sharp hit could be enough to ensure Howard's survival.

"Thanks for the umbrella, though." The boy allowed a cheeky smile to spread across his face, eyes mocking before finally dropping from the older man's. Then, without missing a beat, he turned on his heel and continued down the road. His clothes were still soaked, his hair flat against his head, still holding onto the appearance of a drowned rat. However, he did not get very far before another figure joined the fray. He was far less intimidating than the other, but the way in which he held himself drew Howard in before realizing this was not a good place for him to be in. He was surrounded, with nothing more than a dammed pistol to protect himself with. He needed to play a new role.

"That depends, do you have any coffee?"

[Asyli]

[align=center][div style="borderwidth; width: 500px; padding: 0px; text-align: justify; line-height: 15px; font-size: 9.5pt; font-family: arial"]Small bump for me!

[CATALYST]

In the middle between Catalyst and Mike was never a good place to be, especially when you weren't being cooperative. "Maybe not his, but it's mine, and I'm the one you need to worry about." They might not look like much, an irritated half drowned rat, especially when you put them next to the imposing figure of Michael, but they were the one in charge. And, more or less, Mike would listen to them. Not that they were likely to sic him on a teenager; they were trying to train him out of that habit, they weren't going to encourage it unless it was absolutely necessary.

And a kid that was even scrawnier than Cat? They weren't worried about needing Mike's help that much. "You're like eight. How do you even know what that is?" They asked, raising an eyebrow. That was about all they had as far as patience was concerned, though. "You can get the fug out of my territory and stay in the rain or come talk to me. Your choice."

[spoiler=IF YOU DONT KNOW NOW YOU KNOW && INFO && 05/05/19]GENERAL  welcome to the end of eras, ice has melted back to life
⇥ Given name is Scott Mathew Darrow ⇥ Goes only by Catalyst or Cat
⇥ Assigned male at birth ⇥ Agender ⇥ They/Them pronouns only
⇥ Twenty-one ⇥ Born 11/27/17 ⇥ Sagittarius ⇥ Real time aging
⇥ Boss (leader) of the Badlands ⇥ Ex prisoner of the Badlands
⇥ Ex cultist (Mourningstar) ⇥ Ex member of the Young Rogues

RECENT EVENTS  done my time and served my sentence
⇥ 04/20/39 ⇥ Released Northstar from Badlands occupation
⇥ 04/16/39 ⇥ Was saved by Sheogorath
⇥ 04/15/39 ⇥ Took the Badlands brand

APPEARANCE  dress me up and watch me die
⇥ Catalyst is 6'2" tall; they possess a lean and muscular body, one that has a variety of old scars adorning it. One of the easiest to notice is one that stretches down their right cheek. While not a scar, one very notable marking on their chest is the "BL" brand. They have two piercings, one in their tongue and the other in the cartilage of their left ear. They typically dress in dark colors (favoring jackets with some sort of writing on the back), and their hair is black. They're not all dark, however, as they have pale blue eyes that peer out from beneath medium-sized eyebrows.

PERSONALITY  if it feels good, tastes good, it must be mine
⇥ Catalyst is ambitious, with the cunning and ruthlessness to reach their goals by any means necessary. They can be brutal when they feel it is needed, however when it's not they won't bother. They tend to be rather aloof and apathetic to most things and people, with some very rare exceptions. Provided those around them don't cross a few specific lines, they're content to leave them be, though they've been known to take an interest in some people, which seldom has a positive end for whoever their interest is in. They can be manipulative, and will often encourage people to make bad decisions. Those that stick by them will be rewarded, but those that do not will be cast out, as they've been outcast for their entire life and have learned to appreciate loyalty wherever they can find it. Even during the most stressful of situations, they usually keep a firm grip on their temper and keep their calm, though when they do snap and lose their temper, it is uncontrollable. They're remarkably observant, often able to deign much from subtle clues in what people say, how they say it and how they act.

RELATIONS  dynasty decapitated, you just might see a ghost tonight
⇥ Molly Darrow x Austin Darrow ⇥ No siblings
⇥ Adopted parent of Molly Valentina Darrow-Lupei (Mo)
⇥ Pansexual/Panromantic ⇥ Very much taken ⇥ One Crush
⇥ Not looking but it happened ⇥ Rarely forms romantic attachment
⇥ Holds most people at arms length and doesn't get close

INTERACTION  i'm taking back the c r o w n
⇥ Hard physically ⇥ Hard mentally ⇥ Doesn't let their guard down
⇥ Is most comfortable with close ranged-weapons ⇥ Dislikes guns
⇥ Brass knuckles ⇥ A variety of knives ⇥ Carries a handgun
⇥ Will kill/capture/maim in certain circumstances
⇥ Will leave things be in others ⇥ Will start & finish fights
⇥ No kill/capture/maim without permission
⇥ Peaceful powerplay allowed but they may react negatively
⇥ Dislikes almost any sort of touch unless they initiate or agree to it
[/spoiler]

[BONESAW]

[align=center][div style="width:500px;font-size:9.2pt; text-align:justify"]Funny how quickly the kid realized fucking around wouldn't go in his favor. He wasn't an idiot, but he was small, and Bones had seen plenty of broad-brained boys weave around until they tripped over their own threading. Usually helped to have someone around who could nail a few heads into brick walls, but that required trusting loyalty. Didn't look like the kid came from the streets, anyway; suit was too clean before the rain, too put-together. Didn't mean he was helpless- just working with different ropes, and Bones' had a tendency to loop into nooses if people weren't careful. A barbed tongue wouldn't do much when choked out of a mouth, a temptation Bones had to fight each day he was here, compliant only because Tyd had asked so nicely.

Same reason Bones hadn't set his gauntlet into Cat's abdomen the moment he saw them. 

He folded his arms, tapping fingers along the grip of his gauntlet, eyes unblinking as lashes snared raindrops. Wasn't hard enough to strip the paint from his face, given how heavily he'd caked that on. There were worse sensations than water anyway, but their obvious preoccupation with it had part of his upper lip curling for a brief moment. People had the right idea, trying to blow this place to hell. Foundations were rotted, all of it feasted on by termites; it'd collapse one way or another, sooner or later. Might get to see it.

"Kid's all dressed up and you're asking that?" His tongue snapped against his teeth. "Ultimatums could use some work there- too much choice." But that wasn't the kind of ship Cat wanted to run. Theirs had stowaways in the cargo and rats in the barrels multiplying. Maybe that was their choice to make. Maybe it wasn't. Bones was beyond caring, and dropped his hands to his sides, fingers clenching around the handle of his gauntlet before he turned and left the trio, wondering if he could get someone for Tyd to play a game of cat and mouse with. That was always entertaining.

[Howard]

[align=center][div style="borderwidth; width: 500px; padding: 0px; text-align: justify; line-height: 15px; font-size: 9.5pt; font-family: arial"]Howard felt his hand curl tighter on the umbrella, smile still upturned as his teeth began to grind together. His siblings had always told him he was never patient, something that he knew was true; however, it was in these moments that his control was beginning to slip. It was always difficult dealing with fools, with people so dedicated to a certain way of acting they felt they needed to constantly be "the big guy" in simpler terms. Usually Howard would find it funny, but he was cold and exhausted and these two were the epitome of everything that got under his skin. Although, he would admit, his grip loosened slightly and the small laugh that slipped from his mouth was unexpected.

It had been a very long time since he had ever heard anyone even attempt to censor themselves, much less someone who tried so desperately to give off an intimidating persona. He felt his eyes narrow, smile turning somewhat nasty as he tried to rein himself in with the given moment of reprise.

"The word is fuck, you can say it."

They were holding back, likely too afraid of throwing the first punch against a child they assumed would not be able to fight back. He knew that he was outnumbered, out-gunned, and simply did not have the advantage the others had—he did, however, have the slim advantage of age. It wasn't something he could always use, one he usually preferred to veer away from, but it was most certainly going to be beneficial in current circumstances. Supposing none of them fly into a blind rage, that is. He knew he still had to tread carefully but he knew he had a lot more room to work with that he initially thought, and that gave him some comfort and he allowed his shoulders to relax quickly. He couldn't remember tensing them in the first place, but that was beside the point.

At the sound of another voice, Howard let out a small sigh. He brought his free hand up, fixing his tie and pulling his soaked collar down away from his neck as he watched the interaction. The other seemed to be in the same boat as the others, but looking him over Howard found himself weary. Not fearful, never fearful, but understanding that his person was not as... sensitive, as the other two.

He closed the umbrella, pushing the soaked material into Cat's chest before moving past them. The closest building to the trio was only a few feet away, and Howard was quick to open the door and invite himself in; green eyes shifted back towards the other two, leering for a moment before disappearing into the house.

"It's alright, Scotch is fine too."

[CATALYST]

.

.

.

.

They shot a mildly irritated look at Bones. "Yeah. Generally, when I comment on someone's clothes, they feel entitled to comment on mine. And to be quite fugging honest, I'm not in the goddamn mood." Which in all likelihood meant he was going to comment on it now. God fucking damn it. Whatever. They snorted. "Oh, buddy, you don't even know." Everything was predetermined - no one had a choice about anything.

Oh great, now the child was telling them to say fuck? "Sure I can. Sometimes I do, even. Most the time I don't, and it's a waste of breath to tell me to do otherwise." Some of the random aspects that made up the finer details of who Cat was as a person weren't really meant to be understood. That's just who they were.

They took hold of the umbrella as it was poked into their chest, managing to keep their face blank. "How about water?" They didn't take kindly on people just barging in and demanding drinks - they had a history of the opposite, even.

[spoiler=IF YOU DONT KNOW NOW YOU KNOW && INFO && 08/16/19]GENERAL  welcome to the end of eras, ice has melted back to life
⇥ Given name is Scott Mathew Darrow ⇥ Goes only by Catalyst or Cat
⇥ Assigned male at birth ⇥ Agender ⇥ They/Them pronouns only
⇥ Twenty-one ⇥ Born 11/27/17 ⇥ Sagittarius ⇥ Real time aging
⇥ Boss (leader) of the Badlands ⇥ Ex prisoner of the Badlands
⇥ Ex cultist (Mourningstar) ⇥ Ex member of the Young Rogues

RECENT EVENTS  done my time and served my sentence
⇥ 08/16/39 ⇥ Witnessed their boyfriend get shot
⇥ 08/05/39 ⇥ Confronted Louie about his drinking
⇥ 08/01/39 ⇥ Was confronted by Addy about their cult past
⇥ 07/30/39 ⇥ Went with Salem and Addy to the confrontation
⇥ 07/29/39 ⇥ Got in a fight with Volatile

APPEARANCE  dress me up and watch me die
⇥ Catalyst is 6'2" tall; they possess a lean and muscular body, one that has a variety of old scars adorning it. One of the easiest to notice is one that stretches down their right cheek. While not a scar, one very notable marking on their chest is the "BL" brand. They have two piercings, one in their tongue and the other in the cartilage of their left ear. They typically dress in dark colors (favoring jackets with some sort of writing on the back), and their hair is black. They're not all dark, however, as they have pale blue eyes that peer out from beneath medium-sized eyebrows.

PERSONALITY  if it feels good, tastes good, it must be mine
⇥ Catalyst is ambitious, with the cunning and ruthlessness to reach their goals by any means necessary. They can be brutal when they feel it is needed, however when it's not they won't bother. They tend to be rather aloof and apathetic to most things and people, with some very rare exceptions. Provided those around them don't cross a few specific lines, they're content to leave them be, though they've been known to take an interest in some people, which seldom has a positive end for whoever their interest is in. They can be manipulative, and will often encourage people to make bad decisions. Those that stick by them will be rewarded, but those that do not will be cast out, as they've been outcast for their entire life and have learned to appreciate loyalty wherever they can find it. Even during the most stressful of situations, they usually keep a firm grip on their temper and keep their calm, though when they do snap and lose their temper, it is uncontrollable. They're remarkably observant, often able to deign much from subtle clues in what people say, how they say it and how they act.

RELATIONS  dynasty decapitated, you just might see a ghost tonight
⇥ Molly Darrow x Austin Darrow ⇥ No siblings
⇥ Adopted parent of Molly Valentina Darrow-Lupei (Mo)
⇥ Pansexual/Panromantic ⇥ Very much taken ⇥ One Crush
⇥ Not looking but it happened ⇥ Rarely forms romantic attachment
⇥ Holds most people at arms length and doesn't get close

INTERACTION  i'm taking back the c r o w n
⇥ Hard physically ⇥ Hard mentally ⇥ Doesn't let their guard down
⇥ Is most comfortable with close ranged-weapons ⇥ Dislikes guns
⇥ Brass knuckles ⇥ A variety of knives ⇥ Carries a handgun
⇥ Will kill/capture/maim in certain circumstances
⇥ Will leave things be in others ⇥ Will start & finish fights
⇥ No kill/capture/maim without permission
⇥ Attack in bold #0d0d0d and tag @/Bryne
⇥ Peaceful powerplay allowed but they may react negatively
⇥ Dislikes almost any sort of touch unless they initiate or agree to it
[/spoiler]