Thread: Deceptive Guise (Ookami & Sumi)

The old woman once again waited patiently as Chloe looked over each flame carefully, her eyes initially falling on the red flame the woman had lingered her hand over, before looking curiously at all the other flames, her eyes finally sparking with the determination that indicated shed made up her mind, the hooded head of hers nodding slowly as if to say shed known all along that Chloe would choose the red flame. Her head nodding one last time before going still her head hung low like a puppet that had suddenly had its strings snipped. Even as Chloe explained that she needed to get going, the old woman remained unresponsive, simply sitting there silently, it was almost like shed suddenly fallen asleep, though Chloe wouldnt be able to hear any snoring, or even the sound of woman breathing. With nothing else to do, and no reason to stick around Chloe headed off. Heading out of the alleyway, when she turned back to peer into the dark path shed just walked though, the other three flames had disappeared, along with the stall and old crone.. haha, yeah right, she was probably still sitting there in the dark, trying to act all mysterious and creepy as part of some advertising performance. There was no way she could have left since there was only one exit, and Chloe would have noticed for sure if an old woman walked past her carry the stall and candles. ----- When Chloe finally returned to the apartment building, the first thing shed notice was the line shining out of Trents living room, the door still left wide open. The creepy feeling had lingered and perhaps still did hold a place inside Chloes body, but things had gotten significantly better when the moon had come out of hiding. The bright assuring light of the moon feeling strangely warm and comforting, it was hard to believe that Chloe had experienced anything in the alley at all. In fact, it was probably starting to feel like a dream or her imagination going wild and conjuring up something purely fictional. Approaching the door though, shed notice a dark shadow slumped right next to the door, the crumpled figure barely noticeable from a distance, it didnt take much longer before the figure could clearly be discerned as her own brother. Trent too seemed to notice Chloe at the exact time, his head slowly lifting up and glancing towards her lifelessly, the cerulean blue eyes almost looking a pale grey. His expression looked so different for a moment that Chloe would be forced to wonder if it really was her brother, though there was no way shed mistake that flaming red hair of his. Chloe?.... a hushed shaky voice called out to her, the usual pair of blue eyes staring over at her with a mixed look of disbelief. It took a few seconds for Trent to pull himself up, stepping into the light as he approached her, his once clean white shirt had been torn in a few places, and a smear of dirt gave him a sort of homeless look. The first few steps seemed awfully shaky and unstable, but the closer he got to her, each step became more firm and steady, until finally he was standing an arm length away from her. His blue eyes staring down at her with a stern look that gave away just how annoyed he was at her. Lifting his hand up, he swung his hand towards her face, seemingly intending to give her a good slap across the face for the worry shed caused him. Strangely though, the slap never came. A gentle hand cupping her cheek kindly as his finger trailed over her cheek. If it happens again, youre getting a sixoclock curfew. He whispered sternly. Not seeming too angry with her. Being furious with Chloe really wouldnt do him any good, and the sense of relief that washed over him when hed seen Chloe safe and sound was currently stronger. Come on, its late, youve got school in the morning he continued, pulling the warmth of his hand away from her cheek and turning his back on her. Not waiting for Chloe to follow he headed back towards his room, the light revealing how his feet had gone black with dirt, and cut by jagged rocks that littered the streets. If hed bothered to wear some shoes before leaving it was an injury he could have spared himself from, but his concern for Chloe had won out. Standing infront of the door, he paused, looking back towards Chloe before outstretching his hand, his voice sounding a lot more confident now than it originally had. His lip twitching a bit as he spoke Hurry up, thanks to a certain someone, Im a bit worn out from running around all night. He grumbled, his voice sounding exactly like the irritated Trent that shed been reunited with a few hours ago.