05-10-2019, 06:14 AM
[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 immediatelyâ€â€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?"
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 immediatelyâ€â€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?"
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[b]I'M THE ESCAPE TO SOMETHING THAT'S WORSE
[div style="borderwidth; width: 400px; padding: 0px; text-align: justify; line-height: 19px; font-size: 12.7pt; font-family: ariel; letter-spacing: 3px; color: #4A4943"]⸺ [i]i am the shadow driving the hearse