Monsterhearts:Nothing Special

Tuesday August 19th, 4:35 PM
Wildomar, Chris's House
**Natalya seems to have vanished from the house for the most part, even her "presence", that strange feeling of being watched whenever Chris leaves his room, is gone, as is Agatha. However Chris's uncle, Orion Nadrageel, flew in this morning. A well-repsected medical doctor and biologist, Orion has treated Chris since he was just a small boy, and he's been called in by Natalya to examine Chris's arm. Unlike Natalya, Orion is much more relatable. He has some of the family's strange quirk's, however he speaks and acts as you'd expect a normal family member would. After Chris's father left, Orion had possibly become something closer to a father figure in the last seven years.**

**Orion**: **He stands at Chris's height, and like Chris, has the Nadrageel green eyes. He has short brown hair and he's wearing a button up long-sleeve white shirt with black pants, with a stethescope around his neck. He has Chris sitting at the front of the room on top fo the table. He's slowly undoing the bandages to Chris's arm, which is very painful.** So how are you handling the... Revelation of our ancestry?

**Chris**: **He's wearing boxers and a loose-fitting black tank top with green piping, having spent most of the day sitting around watching TV or sleeping. He's been to scared to leave his room after how his mother acted last night when he got home. He winces a few times at the pain from his arm, but has otherwise been fairly emotionless.** ...It's shit.

**Orion**: **He smirks and shakes his head slightly, he turns to his bag, sitting on one of the chairs, and pulls out a pair of angled scissors. He cuts a few pieces of gauze a part and goes back to pulling at the wound.** Really now?

**Chris**: **He looks out the window, his eye twitching as pain radiates from his arm.** All I ever wanted to be was normal... Like any guy. Now I find out that even on a biological level that's not even remotely possible...

**Orion**: **He pulls off the last of the gauze. Chris's arm looks like it was pulled from frankenstein, as two long winding rows of stiching wrap around his forearm. The skin is also inflamed and covered with a gel of medications. Exposing it to the air makes his whole arm burn, despite the medication he's taken.** How bad's it hurt?

**Chris**: **His eyes are watering, but he's trying to hide how bad it hurts.** Real bad... **He bites the inside of his lip, hard, and it starts to bleed.** How long is it gonna take to heal?

**Orion**: Depends on how dominant your blood is. **He's looking the arm over.** I would say at least three more days, if you're lucky. Might scar, might not. What'd they give you at the hospital?

**Chris**: Anti-biotics, morphine... I dunno what else. Can you just wrap it back up, it hurts. **His eyes are downcast, and obviously pained as they shimmer with tears.** ...Really hurts.

**Orion**: I highly doubt they gave you morphine for this... **He walks over to his bag and pulls out the patient report he had sent over from the hospital.** ...Says you were given anti-inflammatory nsaids and a sedative to help you sleep through the worst of the pain. **He flips the first page over the top and looks at the second.** Along with local anesthetic... **He tosses the paper back onto his bag.** Unbeknownst to them they were treating a strapping young six foot reptile. **He goes back to Chris's arm.**

**Chris**: **He lets out a long sigh, his breath catching in his throat a few times.**

**Orion**: Bet it still hurt pretty bad last night, didn't it? **He looks from the arm to Chris.**

**Chris**: Yeah... Thought that was normal though. **He watches a bird fly outside longly. He doesn't want to be trapped at home anymore.** ...Why couldn't we be birds?

**Orion**: **He laughs.** ...I'm sorry?

**Chris**: ...Why snakes? Or reptiles, or whatever the fuck... **He blinks his eyes and rubs them with the back of his left hand to wipe the tears from his eyes before they run down his cheeks.** ...Why couldn't we be something... Better.

**Orion**: We're born from a curse, not a blessing, Chris. **He shakes his head slightly, remembering when he first learned of what he was. After a quiet moment he looks to Chris.** Hop off the table and take off your tank top.

**Chris**: Are you gonna bandage my arm? **He looks at his uncle with anger and annoyance. It doesn't seem like he cares that it hurts like hell, though a small part of Chris also thinks he deserves to feel the pain for the way he lead his friends into trouble.**

**Orion**: After this. I want to see the extent of your transformation. **He takes a few steps back and motions for Chris to hop off.**

**Chris**: **He gets off of the table and begins pulling off his tank top, doing it with one hand as he can barely move the other one without extreme pain. He fumbles with it for a moment and then pulls one side over his head. Afterwards he grabs at the right side and pulls it over his head, but part of the cloth catches on his arm and pulls at it. He groans loudly in response and then pulls it the rest of the way, throwing the tank top a feet feet away, where it lands on the railing fo the spiral stair that leads up to his bed.** Transform? **He's starting to sweat a little from the pain, and he looks a bit sickly.**

**Orion**: As quickly as you can. **He takes a few steps back and looks at Chris, waiting.**

**Chris**: **He closes his eyes and the emerald green scales slide over his skin. His arm hurts as it transforms and he lets out a quiet wheeze from the pain as his face shifts and transforms into a more spiked reptilian appearance. He opens his eyes and looks to his uncle.**

**Orion**: **As Chris's transformation finishes the pain in his arm dimishes greatly as the scales cover his exposed raw wound, however the scales near where the majority of the tissue damage is, such as the stiches and "bite" marks, are coming in crooked and have a black and withered appearance, like they've been burned, just like his skin.** Well, you got the deluxe edition, huh? **He looks down at Chris's legs.** You're this far along and your moulting occured on saturday? **He walks around Chris a bit.** I'm guessing the scales are full-body?

**Chris**: **He feels relieved that his arm doesn't hurt as badly. His uncle's question makes him feel a bit uncomfortable.** ...Yeah... Everwhere.

**Orion**: The reason I had you transform like this is because when you return to your human appearance, your body will shift your soft tissues, injuries like this are sometimes healed more quickly, as your body will automatically attempt to produce healthy cells as part of the transformation. **He motions to Chris's arm.** Revert to your human appearance, let's see if you heal up a bit before I dress your wound.

**Chris**: **He closes his eyes and shifts back to normal, his face reshaping to its human appearance, and his scales shinking beneath his skin.**

**Taylor**: **(Rolling for** ***Shed Skin*** **door 5 + 1** **+1** **from** **Failing Dynasty** **is 7.**

**Half of 1** **Aggravated Damage ()** **removed with** **Shed Skin**

**Orion**: **He quickly walks up and looks at Chris's arm. The skin looks less inflamed, and the skin held together by the stitches has fused on its own, though it still looks like there's a ways to go before it gets better.** The wound is certainly more healed. **He bends down slightly to get a closer look. The burning sensation from exposing the skin to the air quickly begins to return. He stands up straight and walks over to his bag, moving the patient report from it and pulling out a syringe and a small bottle with clear liquid in it.** I'm going to give you an anesthetic, something more specialized than what they gave you at the hospital. Should help with the pain, give you back some movement in your arm, but you should still take it easy. **He uncaps the syringe and pokes it through to the liquid, pulling a small amount of it up into the capsule.**

**Chris**: So what do you look like? **He's trying to keep his mind off of the pain from his arm as it rushes back.**

**Orion**: You mean while shifted into a snake? **He walks over to Chris and presses the needle into his arm, slowly injecting the liquid.**

**Chris**: **He nods.** Yeah.

**Orion**: I don't. **As he pulls the syringe out the pain in Chris's arm is already numbing considerably.**

**Chris**: Huh? What do you mean? **He looks from his arm to his Uncle**

**Orion**: I don't change much in appearance, I guess that kind of make me the family runt. **He puts the needle in a plastic wrapper and seals it.** I get the eyes, claws, skin changes color a and toughens up a bit. I have some of the other features and abilities that come with it, but you're already on your way to a stronger transformation than I have. **He pulls his stethoscope from around his neck and throws it into his bag.** Guess there's too much humanity in me.

**Chris**: ...How much is in me? **He says it solemnly.**

**Orion**: We'll have to wait and see. You're still developing. **He turns to look at Chris.** If I'd take a guess, I'd say a lot. **He looks at Chris sternly.** But I think you're different than the rest of the family. Suffice it to say, you're a lot more human than your mother, and a lot more monstrous than me. **He shrugs slightly.** You are what you are Chris. **He turns and reaches into his bag, pulling out some gauze.**

**Chris**: **He lets out a long sigh.** ...You I was ok with it... For a little bit. I mean... When it first happened I wanted to... Die... Then I was fine... Then mother... Seemed proud of me. Like I'd finally done something right. Felt like I belonged... Now... **His eyes start watering, but not solely because of the pain.** Now I don't know what do to. I made a mistake... I fucked up.

**Orion**: I heard... **He lifts up Chris's arm and starts wrapping it in gauze, tightly. This gauze is black in color, and seem to be expensive, silken and treated with medicine. It has a faint smell of lavender.** You tried to go toe-to-toe with some Warlock, right?

**Chris**: He attacked two of my friends... **He wipes his eyes with the back of his hand.** ...I've never had real friends before... Wanted... To show that I could protect them... Wanted them to *like* me... Now one of them is in the hospital, in a coma, because I'm an idiot, and I thought I... **He doesn't finish what he's say, trailing off for a moment.** ...They even told me it was a bad idea... I didn't listen. Thought I'd be able to get the guy running off in fear if I showed him what I was or something... I was an idiot... Am and idiot. **He gulps as his throat starts to get sore from sadness.** Now mother doesn't want anything to do with me.

**Orion**: **He clips the gauze and then starts rolling it farther up Chris's forearm.** Natalya dislikes failure. She's not like us, Chris. Never has been, but you know that... She doesn't love you the same way a normal mother does. You want to impress her? Want her to accept you? You'll have to think smarter. **He takes a deep breath.** Find out more about this walrock, where he is, what he's doing, and why he was doing it. Show her that you can learn from things like this.

**Chris**: Think I might know where he is... Kinda know what he was doing... **He shakes his head and sighs.** That's what we were *supposed* to do. Go see someone about information on him... But I didn't listen.

**Orion**: I know your friend got hurt. But you're going to have to get over it. **He's it with a cold nonchalantness that immediately reminds Chris that his uncle can be just as socially callous as his mother. He finishes bandaging Chris's arm and clips the gauze again.** If you sulk, you're never going to get anywhere. **He rolls of the rest of the guaze.** These bandages should last you until tomorrow. **Chris's arm, from the wrist to his elbow, looks like it's be wrapped almost skin-tight with black mummy bandages.**

**Chris**: ...Alright... **He nods slowly and looks at his arm.** ...Thanks... Not just for the doctoring... **He looks at his uncle.** Nice to be able to talk with someone.

**Orion**: I'm not one for talking, listening maybe, but you probably shouldn't count on talking too much. **He turns to his doctor's bag and puts a few things into it, then snaps it closed.** Just keep what I said in mind. **He picks the bag up and looks at Chris.** I'll be staying in one of the guest rooms down stairs for the next few days if you need me.

**Chris**: **He looks back to arm and sighs.**

***Meanwhile, in the high school parking lot...***

**Shane and Liam are sitting in Chris's car. The two of them having agreed to go over to Chris's to see how he's doing, and tell him what they learned of Leo today during swim class. Since their detention in Swim Class ended, a bank of grey clouds has moved in and the temperature has dropped considerably and it's starting to drizzle very lightly.**

**Shane**: **Shane puts Chris's car into gear. He's still getting used to driving it, and he looks around before pulling out, even though the parking lot is almost devoid of cars, he's still sure that he's careful. He looks over at Liam making sure he's put his seat belt on, as he's still not confident about driving this car.** You're getting better at swimming. **He looks forward and pulls the car out, turning right towards the street.**

**Liam**: **He's sitting in the passenger's seat with his pack over his lap. He keeps opening and closing his left hand, remembering the feeling of what it touched.** ...Huh? **He looks to Shane.**

**Shane**: **He notices the way Liam is moving his hand.** Your swimming. It's only been a few days an you're obviously a stronger swimmer than you were last week. **He pulls out onto the road, taking a left.**

**Liam**: Oh... **He looks back down.** ...Thanks... **He seems distant, almost uneasy, like something else is on his mind. He closes his hand into a fist and then lets it relax again.**

**Shane**: **He looks at Liam again for a moment and then looks back to the road. He's driving well above the twenty-five mile-per-hour speed limit even though he doesn't mean to.** You hurt your hand?

**Liam**: Wha-No! No, I just... It feels weird. **He looks out the window.**

**The drizzle begins to give way to full on rain, and there's a quiet sound of thunder from somewhere in the distance.**

**Shane**: **He takes a right away from the freeway, choosing to take the back roads as he doesn't want to drive on the freeway with this car, afraid he'll get a speeding ticket or spin out. As the rain starts to fall he fumbles around with his hand behind the steering wheel, trying to find the switch for the window wipers. He alternates looking from the road to the side of the steering wheel several times.** Feels weird?

**Liam**: I just touched something... And I can still feel it... **He trembles slightly.** ...You know how that happens?

**Shane**: Yeah. **He hits something on the side of the steering wheel and the windshield wipers turn on suddenly. He leans back in the comfortable seat.** I think I might just drop you off at Chris's, leave his car... I'll catch a bus home.

**Liam**: Huh? **Shane's remark breaks him from his trance.** What -Wait, what? *Why*?

**Shane**: This whole... Supernatural gig... I'm not up for it. I'm no Zombie Hunter... Or wizard... I think I should just leave it to you guys. **He has a calm resolution to what he's saying, like he's been thinking about it for some time, despite it not appearing so.**

**Liam**: But you're part of the group, you can't just... Leave. **He looks worried.**

**Shane**: The three times we've been challenged by a supernatural enemy, all I've been able to do is huddle in the corner and watch you guys do all the work. The first time with Odie and that Zombie, the second time with you and Leo, and the third time... Well I guess that was you *again*. **He sighs and turns onto a back road, he doesn't like driving this car on the freeway or around a bunch of other cars as he's afraid he'll get in a wreck.** ...There's nothing that makes me "special", not like you guys.

**Liam**: **Everything Shane's saying is making him feel bad, like he's abandoning them.**

**Illiadius**: **(Rolling to** ***Hold Steady*** **5 + 5** **-1 Cold** **is 9.** **Choosing to keep his cool.)**

**Liam**: **He looks over at Shane.** You're special to *me*.

**Shane**: **He just shakes his head, not really paying attention to what Liam said.**

**Liam**: You... **He looks down drumming up enough courage to say what he wants to say.** You were nice to me. You... You help me in swim class... You even offered to train me after school... **He looks to Shane.** It was so unexpected that I had to run to the bathroom because I was... So embarrassed... **He smiles a little.** No one else has ever done *anything* like that for me. Especially a guy like you that's... Smart... and Strong... Kinda funny... **He looks away from Shane.** ...Handsome.

**Shane**: **He pulls the car over to the side of the road and switches it into park.** I caught you staring at me in the locker room. **He looks over at Liam. He's nervous, but his smirk hides it as he displays confidence.** Then again when I was stretching.

**Liam**: **His neck starts to turn red, even though he's already made himself clear, he's quickly becoming embaressed and nervous by Shane having caught him staring, more than once.** I-uh, yeah, you... I... **The words all seem to catch in his throat for a moment.** *You were right there*! **He looks away from Shane.**

**Shane**: **He smiles.** It's ok, Liam... **He turns and leans closer toward Liam's side of the car.** ...That rumor going around school a year back... It's true.

**Liam**: **He lets out a trembling sigh and looks over at Shane. His cheeks, right under his eyes, are turning bright pink.** Really? **He smiles hopefully.**

**Shane**: Yeah... **He leans back and looks out at the rain. He takes a deep breath, feeling his nerves settle.** I think... I like you too... **He looks away from Liam.** I mean... You saved my life... What's not to like? **He looks at Liam and smirks.** ...I think it's that you just scare me, too.

**Liam**: Scare you? Is it because of... **He looks nervous and looks down.** ...The guardian?

**Shane**: I guess it is... Even though I'm grateful... It... It's just scary, what it did to Leo... Even though he deserved it. **He leans forwards on the steering wheel, looking out at the rain.** Lately I'm finding that everything scares me... I Don't think I'm as brave as you think I am. I didn't help Chris when he attacked that zombie creature... I didn't really do anything against Leo when he attacked us, and when we saw him again I stayed in the car... And what you and Chris can do? ...It scares me. I was ready to bolt at both of those encounters...

**Liam**: That's because you're not an *idiot*. **He looks out the window.** Chris isn't brave, he's stupid. We told him not to do what he did, even Odie said to run... Both times...

**Shane**: I just wish I had some kind of power. Maybe I'd feel better about it... **He rests his chin on the top of the steering wheel.** Maybe I wouldn't be so scared.

**Liam**: You don't have to be afraid of me though! I promise! **His voice is almost apologetic, while also being pleading, in tone.** My protector, he-he only does bad things to people that try to hurt me, or-or my friends!

**Shane**: I know... **He closes his eyes.** I like you Liam, but...

**Liam**: *Please*, I thought we were in this together... We're becoming a team... And...

**Illiadius**: **Rolling to** **Persuade Shane to Stay as part of the group.** **3 + 5** **-1 Hot** **is 7**

**Liam**: And I really like you a lot, alright? Please don't leave! **He closes his eyes, realizing how hopelessly desperate and pathetic he probably sounds, begging a guy he barely knows, to keep him from leaving a situation that any sane person would.**

**Shane**: **He opens his eyes and looks over at Liam.** Alright... I don't think I could go back to a normal life knowing what's out here now anyway...

**Liam**: **A burst of happiness surges up through him that overshadows Coty's brazen advances. He smiles a big goofy grin, then without warning, he leaps across the center divide and grabs Shane, hugging him. The hug is awkward, both emotionally and physically, as his seatbelt keeps him from moving too close to Shane.**

**Shane**: **He looks down at Liam, the awkward hug catching him off guard.** Heh... I didn't think you liked me... *That* much... **He feels uncomfortable, but at the same time he smiles with a bit of relief. Glad that he might actually have a boyfriend this year like he wanted.**

**Liam**: **He immediately lets go of Shane and leans back against his chair and the car door.** I-I'm sorry! I just... I was happy that you said you liked me, and that you weren't going to leave and... I... I overreacted...

**Shane**: **He smiles a little wider, interrupting the end of Liam's sentence with his response.** It's alright Liam... Really, I... You just caught me off guard... **Though he feels socially awkward, he doesn't show it. Even though he's gay, getting a hug from another person like that is still a bit strange, even though he liked how it felt.** I wasn't sure if you really wanted to go... That route yet.

**Liam**: Oh... I see what you mean... I thought... **He seems to be getting really nervous, like he thinks he screwed something up.** ...I was just.

**Shane**: I said it was ok Liam... **His expression changes to a wide smile for a moment.** ...So... I like... You... You obviously like me... **He looks down.** What do we do now? ...Go on a date or something?

**Liam**: Please? **He gulps nervously and then says quietly.** I've never been on a date or anything before...

**Shane**: Yeah... Me either... **He leans back in his seat and adjusts his seatbelt, he then grabs the stick-shift and puts it into drive, pulling out onto the street. After a long silence he speaks softly.** ...Where do you want to go for our date?

**Liam**: I... Don't know... We never got to go to the movies... **There's a kind of happiness, a feeling of relief and fulfillment that's welling up inside of him that overshadows Coty's brazen advances from earlier.**

**Shane**: Yeah... We were gonna see Spawn, right? **He smiles, feeling better about himself, like a weight has been lifted off of his shoulders.** ...Dinner and a movie. How about that?

**Liam**: **He nods quickly** Yeah... **His positive attitude starts to fade suddenly, as the world comes crashing into his mind.** ...Should we tell Chris? **He almost whispers.** Or keep it a secret?

**Shane**: **He lets out a long sigh.** ...I don't know... Could he really reject us after that... Skin job he showed us last night?

**Liam**: **He looks down.** ...A lot of people aren't exactly... Understanding.

**Shane**: ...Yeah... I think we should tell him. If he doesn't like it... It's no skin off my nose. **He looks sternly ahead at the road.**
**Liam**: ...So does this mean we're "going steady"?/ **He looks at Shane.**

**Shane**: ...Yeah... **He nods with more resolution, despite hi reservations he doesn't want to be afraid of his preference anymore. If he's going to be someone he's gonna own up to it and not feel ashamed.** Hell yeah. **He shifts into a higher gear and drives even faster.**

***A few minutes later, at Chris's house.***

**Shane**: **He knocks on Chris's door, he looks around as there's no answer. The rain has made them damp and they're standing under the very small overhang from the door.** ...So what'd you touch anyway? **He looks at Liam.**

**Liam**: Oh, was just... Something after I finished rinsing off in the locker room. **He rings the doorbell, looking up at the tall house.**

**After a moment the front door opens, Chris's Uncle is on the other side.**

**Orion**: I'm sorry about that, the caretaker must be out somewhere. **He looks at the two of them.** Can I help the two of you?

**Shane**: We're here to see Chris. Just to check up on how he's doing. **He looks Orion over, wondering who he is.**

**Orion**: Ah, come in then, out of the rain. Quickly. **He steps to the side to let them into the house.**

**Shane**: **He walks in, looking at the huge four-story foyer of the house. This is the first time he's been inside.** ...Jesus...

**Liam**: **He nods quickly. He's standing a lot closer to Shane now that they've come out to one another. He wants to touch him, not inappropriately, just hold his hand, but he refrains, especially with Chris's uncle present.**

**Orion**: Quite redundant, isn't it? **He shuts the door and then looks up at the interior before looking back to Shane and Liam.** I'm Orion, Chris's uncle.

**Shane**: ...Shane. **He feels strange being in such a massive home.**

**Liam**: Liam. **He looks at Orion awkwardly and then away. He's not good at making eye contact with people he doesn't know.**

**Orion**: Pleasure... Are you the two that were with Chris when he had his "accident"? **He turns and walks towards the large stairway.**

**Shane**: Yeah... **As he follows after Orion, he looks into the large ballroom and just shakes his head. The foyer alone is large enough to fit several normal houses into, and the ballroom looks just as obnoxiously sized.**

**Orion**: I'll lead you to Chris's room. **Orion leads them up the two flights of stairs and then opens a door into a short hallway.**

**Orion**: That door at the end of the hall there is his room. If you'll excuse me, I'm afraid my meal is cooling. **He nods to the two of them and walks away before they can say anything, moving towards the stairway strangely fast, though he doesn't actually appear to be walking.**

**Liam**: **He waits for Orion to leave before he looks at Shane and speaks.** So how are we gonna tell him?

**Shane**: **He keeps looking around the spacious interior, baffled that people live in places like this.** ...I say... We just spring it on him... **He takes a step into the hall and looks out one of the windows, having never been in a very tall building before, he feels like he's in a skyscraper, though the feeling is obviously exagerated by the fact that Chris's house is enormous.** Like he did to us with his "skin condition"... **He takes his time walking down the hall.**

**Liam**: Alright... **He takes a deep breath, then starts walking down the hallway towards the door to Chris's enormous room, he looks at Shane for a moment as he passes him.** Pretty outlandish... Bet it takes him five minutes just to get to the kitchen. **He looks to the door to Chris's room and keeps going.**

**Shane**: **He suddenly grabs Liam's hand and pulls him over to him. He looks into Liam's eyes.**

**Omniance**: **(Rolling to** ***Turn Liam On*** **and pending a String to increase the result. 4 + 6** **+1 Hot** **+1** **from** **True Grit** **+1 from Spending a String is 13.** **(Marking Experience)** **Taking another String on Liam.**

**Shane**: **He breaths out his nervousness for a moment before planting a kiss right on Liam's lips. At first it's a bit awkward, as despite it not being Shane's first kiss, he doesn't have a lot of experience. However as the seconds pass it becomes a bit morepassionate.**

**Illiadius**: **(Rolling to** ***Turn Shane On*** **4 + 4** **-1 Hot** **is 7. Choose something from 7-9 list.**

**Liam**: **His surge of embarrassment is quickly replaced by a surge of hormones, and he grabs onto Shane and pulls himself tightly against him and he does what he's seen people do in TV shows and movies, opening his mouth a bit wider to try and kiss Shane more deeply.**

**Choosing to "Promise something Shane thinks Liam wants."**

**Shane**: **He soft rubs his hand against the side of Liam's neck, up to the edge of his lawline, after was seems like forever he pulls his lips away from him, but keeps Liam close.** ...I promise I'll stay... Even if I don't have any powers... **Though he only had a passing like for Liam before, barely more than a physical attraction, the sudden emotional investment of the last half-hour has developed into the possibility of something more and he doesn't want to lose it.**

**Liam**: **He's so happy to have had his first kiss, and with what Shane says he's even happier and he hugs him a little tighter.**

**Shane**: **He looks to the side at Chris's door, waiting for Liam to let go of him.**

**Liam**: Oh... **He lets go of Shane.** Sorry...

**Shane**: **He shrugs awkwardly, but happily at the same time. He turns and heads for Chris's door. As he reaches it he knocks loudly.** Hey Chris, it's us.

**Chris**: **There's a sound of him walking to the door, and it suddenly opening. He looks happy to see them. He's wearing the black and green tanktop and still hasn't put on any pants, not really wanting to deal with them, so he's only wearing a pair of black boxers.** I didn't know if you were going to drop by or not. **He steps out of the doorway to let them into his room.**

**Shane**: We got detention from Coach Boomer... **He narrows his eyes at what Chris is wearing.** ...Had to stay after and help put away... Pool crap. Are you just wearing boxers?

**Chris**: **He shrugs.** Yeah, I didn't feel like getting dressed, my arm hurts too much trying to put on clothes... We've all been in the locker room together, so It's not really a big deal, right? **He walks over to the minifridge.**

**Liam**: **He walks in after Shane.** So your arm still hurts? **He looks at the black gauze wrapped around Chris's arm, thinking it looks cool. Making sure to avert his gaze from his boxers. He's still pretty turned on by everything that's happened within the last hour, so he has some difficulty doing this.**

**Chris**: Yeah, but my uncle gave me something to help with the pain, so it's not as bad. I can even more my fingers a little. **He lifts up his hand for Shane and Liam to see and wiggles them all a little bit.** I was just about to make something to eat, you guys want anything? **He bends down and pulls the door to the minifridge open.**

**Shane**: **He narrows his eyes at Chris's butt as he bends over, then quickly looks away.** I think I'm good. **His eyes dart around Chris's room. The Wide screen TV, two couches, mini-fridge, microwave, small table, huge walk-in closet, an expensive computer, a custom stereo, private bathroom... He looks at the spiral glass staircase that leads up to the second level loft inside Chris's room and wonders what else.** You have an entire house worth of stuff in your room...

**Chris**: I asked for a stove like my old room, but routing the natural gas up here was too much of a pain for the contractor so I have to make due with a microwave. **He pulls out some microwavable burritos.**

**Liam**: Couldn't you just buy a toaster oven? **He nods and looks at Shane, whispering quietly.** With your millions of dollars...

**Shane**: Or set up an electric stove? **He rolls his eyes.**

**Chris**: Those are all things I hadn't even thought of. **He dials in some numbers on the microwave and looks at Liam.** So did you want anything Liam?

**Liam**: **He looks into the minifridge, cautiously passed Chris's boxers.** Are those mini-pizzas? I'll have one of those.

**Chris**: Mini-pizzas are reserved for special occasions. **He crosses his arms over his chest.**

**Shane**: Special occasions? **He looks back at Chris.** Like what?

**Chris**: **He shrugs and casually and says,** I like to eat them after sex.

**Liam**: **He raises an eyebrow at Chris and his eyes widen a little.**

**Shane**: **He turns and looks back at Chris.** *Why*?

**Chris**: They have a kind of... All american taste that I love. **The microwave beeps and he turns around, pulling out the burrito with a few quick pinches to keep from burning himself.** Plus the surge of carbs lets me get back all of that expended energy. **He shrugs again.**

**Shane**: Uh... Huh. **He rolls his eyes and looks away.**

**Chris**: So did you want a burrito Liam? **He looks from Shane to Liam.**

**Liam**: Sure. **He smiles awkwardly trying to pretend Chris's casual talk of having sex, with the implication that he has it so often that he has a special snack prepared for afterwards, isn't making him uncomfortable.**

**Shane**: We talked to a guy on the Swim Team, said Leo is in the hospital. Leo survived our encounter. That was definitely who those nurses were talking about. **He walks over near the couch and looks down at the N64 console.**

**Chris**: So what do we do? **He puts the other burrito into the microwave.**

**Shane**: Don't know... Odie could be in a lot of trouble right? What if Leo tries to finish the job? **He says it with a tinge of melodrama.** Though I'd think there's a lot of people in the hospital so... **He looks down.** Plus Leo's probably still drugged up I guess.

**Chris**: **He dials in some numbers on the microwave as Shane speaks and then turns to look at him.** ...Shouldn't we... "Finish the job"? **He turns around and looks at them.** ...But with Leo I mean... If he's vulnerable we could... Get him. **He doesn't seem to comfortable with the idea.**

**Liam**: you mean *murder* him? **He looks at Shane, feeling uneasy about the idea.**

**Shane**: **He sighs.** ...Well there's no question that the guy is dangerous... But... Maybe there's some other measures we could take? Isn't there something we could do to take away his powers or something?

**Chris**: **He takes a bite of his burrito, it's obviously still pretty hot as he opens his mouth a little as he chews it and then swallows.** We can go next door, to Karen's. She's got a bunch of books on the occult or something. I'm sure if there was a way she'd know, or she could help us find out.

**Liam**: **He groans.** Books? After a full day of school?

**Shane**: Books on the occult could be cool. **He shrugs.** Maybe I can do some of my homework there too.

**Chris**: Yeah. Could be fun. **He smirks, thinking of Karen. The microwave beeps and breaks the image of her laying in his bed with nothing on. He turns and opens it, pulling the Burrito out by pinching the corner and dragging it onto the counter.**

**Shane**: Might want to put on some pants... **He crosses his arms over his chest.**

**Chris**: Might just end up taking them off again anyway. **He says it braggingly, but he's also obviously joking. He pulls a paper plate from the bottom of the one he's using and slide it under the burrito, he turns and puts it on the table.** Bon appetit.

**Liam**: **He looks at Chris sheepishly and then walks over and sits down.**

**Shane**: Also, sidenote. We're a couple... **He says it matter-of-factly.**

**Chris**: **He picks up his burrito and looks at Shane with a sardonic smile.** If we were a couple, I think I'd know. **He takes a bite from his burrito.**

**Shane**: Not me and you **He narrows his eyes and shakes his head, unsure if Chris is really that dense or if he was just making a joke.** *Me and Liam*.

**Chris**: **He coughs as he chokes on the bean and cheese in his burrito for a moment before he's able to swallow it.** *What*? **He looks at Liam and then back to Shane.** Seriously? You two are *gay*?

**Shane**: **He just tilts his head and looks at Chris with an unamused blank expression.** Evidently.

**Liam**: **He seems to have shrunk in his chair slightly.**

**Chris**: When did this happen? **He keeps looking back and forth between the two of them.**

**Shane**: On the way home from school. **He looks at Liam, and then back to Chris.**

**Chris**: **His mouth goes slack-jawed with a look of disgust.** What?! Please tell me you didn't fuck in my car or something!

**Shane**: **He breaks into a smile and lets out a sudden laugh putting his hand over his mouth.**

**Liam**: **He stops eating, freezing up with embarrassment.**

**Chris**: Oh... Man! **He throws his burrito back onto his plate.** That's why you were late, isn't it!? ...Ugh. **He shakes his head.** Well you can keep that car...

**Shane**: *Oh my fucking God*, Chris, we didn't do anything in your car. **He rolls his eyes harder than he ever has in his entire life.** What do you think we are?

**Liam**: **He shakes his head silently.**

**Chris**: I dunno, I've had sex in that car at least five times. **He breaths a sigh of relief.**

**Liam**: **His eyes go wide and all the color leaves his face.**

**Shane**: **He puts his thumb and index finger to his head and sighs.**

**Chris**: What? I get it dry cleaned afterwards... **He looks back and forth between them.** ...So when did you decide you were "gay"?

**Shane**: I didn't *decide* anything, it's just the way I am. Damn, Chris. You're some fucking V-faced alien and we don't bat an eye, but I tell you that we're gay and you flip out? *Really*?!

**Chris**: I didn't mean it like *that*, I meant... **He shakes his head.** ...You just decided to become a couple on the way over here? That's when this happened? **He shakes his head.** ...I figured you were Shane, but Liam? Guess I didn't notice.

**Shane**: Wait, what? Why did you you think I was gay over him? **He sounds annoyed.**

**Liam**: **He smiles to himself silently.**

**Chris**: I don't know, there was that *whole day* where you kept staring at Liam, like non-stop. That and you practically shoved you ass in my face the first day of swim class, stretching right by my *personal space*. Keep away from my personal space, Shane. **He suddenly realizes his in his boxers and gulps slightly, feeling uncomfortable, he puts his hands over his crotch.**

**Shane**: Oh my god, don't flatter yourself. **He rolls his eyes and looks at Liam. Shane's clearly annoyed.**

**Liam**: **He picks up his burrito and takes a bite, his hunger winning over the awkwardness of the situation.**

**Chris**: I'm gonna go put on some pants... **He inches away, around Shane in a wide circle, then runs towards the stairs, and up around them out of sight.**

**Shane**: **He speaks in a mocking tone.** "We've all been in the locker room together so it's not a big deal right." Der-duh-der... **He takes a deep breath and rolls his eyes twice, shaking his head as he does it.**

**Liam**: **He almost seems to giggle. He murmurs quietly.** He took it better than I thought.

**Shane**: **He shakes his head again.** So what's the deal Chris, you cool with this? **He turns and looks up at the loft where Chris's bed is.**

**Chris**: **His voice comes from out of Shane and Liam's sight as he looks for a pair of pants.** Uhh... Umm... **He walks up to the railing and looks down at them.** Can't I decide later? **He sighs.**

**Liam**: **He looks at Shane, feeling uncomfortable.**

**Shane**: **He lets out a very loud groan as he looks up at Chris.** You're not even human, what the hell do you care what *we* are.

**Chris**: **He leans forward onto the railing on his elbows and looks away.** ...Alright, alright... **He shakes his head.** ...Alright, you're right. You're the only friends I have... I just... You know... It's weird for me... I've never known any gay guys... Before... And you're *both* gay? And a couple? You weren't a couple before today?

**Liam**: **He shakes his head.** First kiss was today too! **He smiles innocently.**

**Shane**: **He looks at Liam and shakes his head.**

**Chris**: Ugh... I don't need that image. Please. **He closes his eyes and shakes his head.** I'm gonna need at least three women to get out of this frame of mind... But yeah, whatever... I'm over it I guess... **He turns and lazily walks down the spiral stairs, stopping at the landing. He's wearing black athletic pants with a green stripe up the side, he has another green jacket one, but this one is longer, more like a trench coat.**

**Shane**: Good, cause we might've had to kick you to the curb. **He looks over at Liam.**

**Liam**: **He nods slowly as he finishes his burrito.** So are we gonna go see that lady?

**Chris**: Yeah I guess so... Let's go. **It's obvious that he feels uneasy.** C'mon, we'll go out this way.

**Shane**: **He looks at Liam and then follows after Chris, walking to the stairs and down.**

**Liam**: **He looks at his paper plate, wondering if he should clean it up or something, he then quickly gets up and runs after them.**

**Chris**: **As they reach the bottom of the stair well he opens the door.** From now when either of you drop by just use this door, so you can avoid the rest of my family.

**Shane**: You have your own entrance to your room too? **He shakes his head. The cold air and the rain feel refereshing to him, letting up some of his tension.**

**Chris**: Yeah, so I can bring over whoever I want and avoid my mother melting them into a quivering mass... **He leads them around the swimming pool and towards some more stairs.**

**Shane**: I haven't even met your mom. **He looks at Liam, walking kind slow so that he can catch up to him.**

**Liam**: **He runs up next to Shane.** She's terrifying... Like... Really scary... **He pauses.** Wait, is she a lizardman too? ...Lizard woman...

**Chris**: She's definitely something inhuman... Where'd you part the car? **He looks back at Shane.**

**Shane**: In the driveway, near the entrance to it. **He looks at Liam for a moment and then back to Chris.** Wasn't sure where I should put it since you're driveway is as long as the football field at school.

**Chris**: Should take it over to Karen's, I don't want to walk all the way there, I'm still a little woozy from the meds I'm on. **He leads them through the front yard and onto the driveway.** Gimme my keys, I wanna drive.

**Shane**: **He fishes into his pocket for the keys.** Didn't you *just say* you were "woozy"? Should you be driving? **He pulls the key off the ring.**

**Chris**: The house is about five-hundred feet away. **As they reach his car he hold out his good hand for the key.**

**Shane**: **He hands him the key and shakes his head, walking to the passenger's side and openning the door. He pulls the seat forward for Liam.**

**Liam**: **He smiles at Shane for a moment, then gets into the back seat.**

**Shane**: **He gets in afterwards, making a note to put on his seatbelt.**

**Chris**: **As he puts his seatbelt on he drums his fingers on the steering wheel. He looks relieved, like he's glad to be behind the wheel of his car again. He backs it out of the drivewave and immediately floors it, speeding towards Karen's up the street. He shifts into a higher gear and the car lurches fast, the engine hums softly, like a jet. After a minute his expression changes.** ...You guys didn't kiss in my car -Did you? **He looks worried.**

**Shane**: **He lets out a quick groan.** We didn't do anything in your fucking car, Chris!

**Liam**: We hugged... **He clears his throat and then looks around awkwardly.** ...We hugged in the car...

**Shane**: **He lets out a long sigh.**

**Chris**: There wasn't any excessive groping during that hug was there?

**Shane**: OOOOH *MY GOD*! You're fuckin *gayer than we are*! You're literally thinking about this *more than we have*. We've been together for *less than an hour*! **He looks out the window and shakes his head.**

**Liam**: **He tries not to laugh.**

**Chris**: Hey-hey! I want to know if I need to get my car *cleaned* alright? Or reupholstered. Or buy new sets. *Alright*?

**Shane**: **He lets out an annoyed sigh.** We did nothing in your car Chris. *Nothing*.

**Liam**: **He murmurs quietly.** We hugged.

**Shane**: Alright! Yeah, we hugged. Alright? That alright Chris? Us, hugging? *Hmmmm*? **He turns and glares at Chris with his pale blue eyes.**

**Chris**: **He shifts gears and spins the car, causing the tires to shreik as he turns into Karen's driveway. The car slides to a stop righ tin front of Karen's door. After a brief pause he nods.** ...Yeah... Alright. Hugs are ok. **He pulls out the key and opens the door, getting out of his car. He quickly makes his way to the front door.**

**Shane**: **He gets out and pulls the seat forward for Liam, waiting for him.**

**Liam**: **He hops out and smiles at Shane again before taking a few steps to follow after Chris.**

**Shane**: **He shuts the door and follows after the two of them.**

**Chris**: **He's already ringing the doorbell.** ...Hope she's home.

**Shane**: **He looks around at the huge mansion. It's not as big as Chris's house, but it's still just as ridiculous to him.**

**After a moment the front door is opened by and old butler. He looks the three of them over and just as he's about to say something Karen's voice is heard from behind him.**

**Karen**: I got it Jeeves! **The butler shuffles off strangely and she can be seen walking towards the front door from a few feet in the house.** Finally back for that repeat perfomance huh? **As she reaches the door she smirks.** You know I don't have any of those crass little pizza bagles you got- **She stops speaking as she sees Shane and Liam.** Oh... Hey boys.

**Chris**: **He smirks and looks back at Liam and Shane, her comment about the pizza bagles making it obvious that they two of them have gone at it. He looks back at Karen.** We were hope you'd help us with something... Occultish.

**Karen**: Hmm... Well alright then, quick, get in out of the rain and we'll see what we can... Do. **She shakes her head, almost feeling embarrassed about the pizza bagels thing.**