And Hiro-sama returns five minutes later with the next chapter! :D I'm really efficient aren't I? (Nope) Anyway, here is the next chapter so you're not left hanging thinking: "What the hell is happening?" with more or less exclamations...
Disclaimer: If I owned Maximum Ride then Iggy would be gay and out for Gazzy's heart.
ENJOY
Chapter 2: Surprise
Derek jumped up from the bench, "I have to go," he said, quickly trying to slip is shirt back on, "Wait, no!" Fang called, jumping up from the bench as well, "You're an experiment too?"
"Too?" Derek asked, turning slightly to look at Fang, "What is that supposed to mean?"
"Your scales, they're mutations?"
"Depends," Derek said warily, "why do you need to know?"
"Did the School do that to you?" Derek tensed at the word "School" and Fang had his answer, "it's okay, I'm an experiment as well."
"It's one thing to know about this stuff," Derek said, "it's another to be a part of it, how can I believe you're not an Eraser?"
"How can I believe you're not one?" Fang countered and Derek narrowed his eyes, watching Fang for a moment before turning to face him fully. "Fine, what hybrid are you?"
"Human/Avian," Fang answered without hesitation, Derek's eyes widen, "You mean there are more alive?" he asked and Fang raised an eyebrow, "What do you mean?"
"I thought I was the only one!" Derek said, looking shocked, confused, and delighted, "You're one too?" Fang asked and Derek nodded, "Well, I'm a hybrid mix of a Snowy Owl and a Black Mamba, which explains the scales,"
"Huh, I don't know my exact avian breed, probably something like a Raven, or a Rook, or something…" he muttered, "You have to show me your wings," Derek said and Fang looked around, Derek knew what he was thinking. This place is a bit public…
"Over there," Derek said, pointing to a large but fairly dark alley between the hotel and a closed mini-mart. Fang shrugged and the two hid within the darkness, "Okay, you show me yours, I'll show you mine," Fang said and Derek nodded, "A fair deal."
Derek first brushed the hair out of his right eye to reveal a nonhuman eye, it was… snakelike. He then grinned and two long and slightly curved fangs snapped out, looking menacing. Fang looked impressed though. Derek then pulled his white undershirt off and let a large pair of fluffy white wings unfold; the feathers had a grey rippling pattern. Derek turned to also show off the obvious scales running up his spine and mingling with his feathers and hair.
"Pretty cool, I've never seen a mix Hybrid like you, I always thought hybrids were just human and a single animal, I didn't know they would mix multiple animals…"
"Yeah—your turn," Derek said and Fang nodded. He pulled his jacket off and rolled his shoulders as he let his black wings spread wide. He didn't have as much to show off but he still looked proud as he did, "Wow," Derek said "it's actually very refreshing to know you're real, I honestly thought I was the only one…"
"You're not; and there are five others too,"
"More?" Derek asked, even more surprised, confused, and delighted. Fang nodded, "Yeah, my Flock,"
"Flock?"
"It's what my little group has called itself for a long time, the name's not the best but it's catchy," Fang said, "Ah, I only travel with one person, another experiment,"
"Your 'girl'?" Fang asked and Derek nodded, "Yeah, she's uh… a piece of work," Derek said, scratching the back of his head, his bangs falling in front of his eye again, "I understand, so's mine…" Fang said. "Oh, and by the way, my name isn't actually Derek…" Derek said and Fang smiled, "I kind of guessed when I discovered you were an experiment. My name's actually Fang."
"Mine's Prince," the two then shook hands as they reintroduced themselves. "So what are you really doing in L.A.?" Fang asked, "My girl and I are hiding out, we were recently found in New Mexico so we came here. You?"
"Trying to make enough money to get a plane ticket to Russia to reunite with my Flock,"
"Russia?"
"We all got separated," Fang explained and Prince nodded as if understanding, "So you're making money while wasting it while wastin' yourself?" Prince asked and Fang chuckled nervously, "It's uh… complicated, I've been having a hard time getting money so I just threw away what I had, not my best move," Fang admitted with a shrug, feeling the drunk giggles trying to surface, folding his wings back in and slipping his jacket back on. Prince followed and slipped his shirts back on.
"You know, I can help you out with that,"
"Ugh, I heard that today already. I ended up at a brothel," Fang said and Prince chuckled, "I guess that's where the 'street girl trouble' came from?" Fang nodded and Prince laughed, "Believe me, you won't end up at another brothel again, I don't whore around, my girl's done it once or twice, but she could make money fast doing anything," Prince waved his hand dismissively, "Look, my girl and I have a condo rented out nearby, you can stay with us until you have enough money to go to Russia,"
"I'm not sure… how are we supposed to get me money?" Fang asked warily and Prince chuckled, "Random jobs, stealing, conning, pickpocket—normal stuff," he smiled and Fang smiled back, "Sounds better than fucking random people most likely carrying diseases. As long as you and your 'girl' don't try to kill me, at least," Fang added and Prince shook his head, "We won't try to kill you, my girl might threaten your life if you touch her things or eat her food, but you won't be fatally injured," he promised and Fang nodded slightly, "Alright then, lead the way to your condo," he said.
"We'll have to use a taxi, we can't fly here, it's too crowded, and I'm trying to keep on the down low,"
"That's fine,"
"Whiskey?"
"Yes, please!"
The two rode the taxi nearly the entire way to the condo. By the time they got there they hadn't even gotten horribly smashed again from the whiskey, the two ended up talking more than they drank. Prince paid the taxi driver and the two began to walk on.
"Wow, this part of town is loud and bright," Fang stated, noting all the neon lights and honking traffic, "It's better in the condo," Prince assured him, "it's right over here," he added as they turned a corner. Fang saw it, a very tall, very large, very fancy condominium complex.
Prince led him inside which looked really expensive, decorated with a lot of gold colored décor. Prince led him straight to the elevators, clicking the button that leads to the top floor. Fang hesitated in front of the elevator—claustrophobia from being locked in a cage all those years kicking in—and after a moment he entered, but he immediately felt his heart rate speed up as he crossed the threshold into the small space. He had to force his breathing to stay calm as the doors closed. He prayed nothing bad would happen and he'd be stuck in there.
"You okay?" Prince asked "you're tense and panicky," he added and Fang swallowed, realizing his drunken state kept him from looking stoic and collected, "Uh… I'm just a bit claustrophobic…" he admitted, watching the doors anxiously. He almost jumped out of his skin when Prince placed a hand on his shoulder, "I know why," he said, and somehow, that was reassuring. But when those doors opened Fang still practically scrambled out, his breathing and heartbeat getting more rapid before dropping as he felt relieved to be out of the elevator. Prince looked collected and casually exited the elevator, although he still couldn't walk straight to save his life.
"This way," Prince said and led Fang down the hall and around a couple corners before coming to room 1913, Prince slipped a key card into the lock and pushed the door open, "I'm back!" he called, "c'mon in, make yourself at home, just leave your shoes by the door," he added and Fang did so. The apartment looked nice, very modern with white carpets and a lot of chrome and bright, obnoxious colors, not actually something he'd usually like, Fang preferred dark colors or earth tones.
The foyer dropped out into a large room, on the right side was a large, futuristic kitchen with every appliance possible, a hallway entrance near the kitchen as well.
To the left were stairs going three steps down into a large circular area with a large curved couch facing a fire pit and large flatscreen. Also there was a bright red, grand piano and a terrace. "Cool," Fang said and then he saw her. No, he saw her hair first.
A girl came around the corner from the hall. Her hair was long, wavy, fluffy, and blood red. No kidding. It was the reddest hair Fang had ever seen. The next thing he saw was her shockingly gray eyes that sparkled like stars. The next thing he saw was her fine bust. Then the rest of her features came into view. She had fair, flawless skin that just looked soft, she looked to be a few inches shorter than Fang, maybe Max's height, and she was nicely curvy. But her looks—although very flamboyant—weren't as seemingly dreamlike as Alice's, she looked real.
But she also looked pissed off.
"It's about time your back!" she growled, "and who the fuck this? And are you drunk again?" she demanded, glaring up at them both, "No, I'm actually pretty sober right now," Prince defended himself, "and I'd like to introduce you to Fang, an Avian hybrid."
That melted her angered expression. She looked at Fang with shock, "No way, really?" she asked and Fang took that as a cue and slipped his Jacket down and let his wings out. Fang was pretty sure if she was holding something she would drop it. "That's surreal," she said and threw her hand out for a shake, "I'm Ace, nice to meet you," she said with a warm, welcoming smile. She seemed very much unlike Alice, which actually relieved Fang. He nodded in greeting—realizing just how much his voice felt worn—and shook her hand. They were very soft, as if they never experienced the wear and tear of a fight. And they were also very cold, like they've been held in front of the AC for hours.
"Ace, Fang needs a place to stay and help getting some money," Prince explained and she shrugged, "That's fine, I could use some company when you're out drunk off your fucking ass!" she said, directing anger at Prince who didn't seem to be put off by it, "then again, he looks wasted too," she analyzed, putting her face inches from Fang's to look into his bloodshot eyes, which made him feel awkward, to be honest. Ace turned back on Prince, "You best have brought me some damn alcohol too!"
Prince immediately pulled out the third bottle and Ace smiled and took it, "Thank you," she said and started to walk towards the kitchen, "Make yourself at home, Fang!" she said, "Where's the bathroom?" Fang asked Prince and he pointed at the hall, "First door on the right,"
"Thanks,"
"No problem."
Fang rounded the corner into the long hallway and entered the bathroom. It was as vibrant as the rest of the house, full of dark purple and orange. It was actually kind of sickening to look at. But Fang could ignore it. Fang washed his face and hands, noting the buzz still vibrating throughout his skull. Fang looked okay, I mean, besides the bags under his eyes from the lack of sleep he's been having he appeared to be fine. He hadn't gotten in a battle for several days so all the wounds and bruises had healed.
Fang returned to the main room where Ace and Prince were sitting in the living room, drinking from their own bottles of whiskey, "Ah, Fang, come sit," Ace said with the smile of an egotist. Definitely not Alice's smile. That was relieving, Ace didn't seem manipulative.
Fang did just that, sitting down on the surprisingly uncomfortable couch besides Ace, Prince on the other side of her. Ace passed Fang a bottle of whiskey, "So… tell me Fang, what's your story?" she asked, taking a large chug of whiskey, actually too large for her, a small portion of it ran out of the corner of her mouth and down her neck, soaking her white tank top that actually seemed too small for her.
"My story?" he asked, raising an eyebrow, "Yeah like, where you from? Who've you traveled with? What are your experiences with the School?" she asked, taking yet another large chug. Fang sipped from his whiskey, "Uh… I wouldn't know where to start—"
"Let me then," Ace said, taking another large chug before continuing on, "Um… let's see… I grew up in the School branch in Wisconsin until I was… six? Around then I was released,"
"Released?" Fang asked and Ace nodded as she drank some more, "Yeah, they were going to put me in the 'Organic Weapon Program,' so I tricked some fucking moron into letting me out, I've been running like hell ever since…"
"I can understand that," Fang said, taking a larger drink of whiskey, "I, um… was taken out of the School when I was still a mindless squirt," Fang said, "along with two other Avian hybrids, three more came later on, we grew up in Colorado, it was only until last year when Erasers and other sons of bitches started hunting us down,"
"So there are five other Avian hybrids?" Ace asked and Fang nodded, "Yeah, we've all been separated though. I need to get enough money to get a plane ticket to Russia to get back with them,"
"Russia? Wow, you really did get separated," Ace said and there was a moment of silence as they all drank. "So what about you?" Fang asked, gesturing to Prince, "I came from a School in Japan," he began, "I broke out four years ago after killing half the faculty," he said simply and chugged back some more whiskey. Fang wasn't quite sure what to say to that.
"I see, I must say though, your fighting skills sound impressive," he said and Prince nodded in thanks. Another silence as they drank. "So how did you afford this place?" Fang asked and Ace snickered evilly, "Oh, I'm just a genius! I have the place rented out under the name of a superstar,"
"What? How?" Fang asked with disbelief and she gave a devious look, "Trade secret," she said, tossing back more whiskey. Seriously, this girl could drink, but she's managed to drench the front of her shirt, and it appeared this busty female wasn't wearing a bra. Fang was trying to make his peeping discreet. "Well, I find your skills pretty impressive too, Ace," Fang said and Ace grinned, "Well, thank you, good sir! Now, if only Prince was this nice to me," she said, flashing him a glare, he returned that with a smile.
"Well, I guess I'm the second nicest guy you know now," he said, taking another sip of his whiskey, "Wow, that's kind of sad," she laughed, "Yes, yes it is," Prince agreed, "I should find more men…" Ace said thoughtfully.
"I don't think so!" Prince said quickly and Ace laughed. Fang chuckled, "Is this how you always act?" he asked and Ace giggled in a strangely sadistic way. Fang cleared his throat when he saw her bust bouncing, "Yeah, sometimes it's worse,"
"Worse?" Fang asked and Ace continued to laugh, clearly drunk off her ass. "You can just ignore her now, she's a perky drunk," Prince chuckled, still calmly sipping his whiskey, "I see, and when she's sober?"
"Same, but more angry," Prince laughed and Fang chuckled. Of course, Ace did hear that. "Look here, bitch," she growled, "I don't take that shit from you!" Prince put his hands up in surrender, "Okay, okay!"
Fang laughed, it was kind of interesting watching these two. And Ace was certainly something, she sort of reminded him of Max, except clearly more shameless and cussed a lot, then again, they don't exactly have small children around, so it made sense.
"So how old are you guys?" Fang asked out of curiosity, "Because I'm guessing you're not actually drinking age…"
"I'm fourteen," Ace said, "you?"
"Fifteen," Fang said and gestured for Prince to answer, "I'm nineteen."
"No kidding?" Fang asked and Prince nodded, "I thought I was one of the oldest Avian hybrids,"
"Guess not," Ace said and yawned, "oh, god… I'm beginning to run down…" she said with a stretch, "It is getting rather late," Prince said, scowling at his watch, "You ready to hit the hay, Fang?" Ace asked and he shrugged, "Depends, I don't sleep well,"
"Well, the condo only has two rooms and both are taken, so you'll have to sleep on the couch, I don't share, much less my room," she said, rising up from the couch and leaning down to hug Prince, "Goodnight, moron," she told him and Fang chuckled. Ace shuffled by Fang and he tried to not make his staring obvious as her breast came in his line of sight.
Ace leaned down and kissed his forehead, then whispered into his ear, "Stop staring at my breasts or I'll claw those eyes right out of their sockets." Fang swallowed. So much for being discreet. "Sorry," he said and she smiled, kissing his forehead again before leaving down the hall. "Sorry 'bout her, she's… shameless, rude, sarcastic, but affectionate nonetheless," Prince said, still watching the hall entrance as if she still stood there.
"So how long have you two been together?" Fang asked and Prince laughed, "Oh no, we're not actually together, she's more like my little sister,"
"I see, I guess the age difference would be a little weird,"
"No, not really, we're only five years apart, but we have a considerably special relationship… I don't think we could ever be in a real one," he said, "and what about your girl? Hmm?"
"Oh, yeah, she and I have gotten together earlier this year. We've sort of grown up together—"
"Ah, I see, so it's like really being with your sister," Prince joked and Fang shrugged, "More or less." Fang then concealed a yawn, "You tired too?"
"Yeah, a little bit, you got any blankets I can use?" Fang asked and Prince shook his head at him, "You are not sleeping on the couch," he said, "No, it's fine, I've slept in worse places—"
"No, it's not, you can sleep in my bed, I'll take the floor,"
"But—!"
"I insist," Prince purred firmly and Fang felt as if he shouldn't argue anymore, "Uh… fine…" Prince smiled, "C'mon," he said, gesturing for him to follow. Prince led him down the hall to the last door on the right. The bedroom was actually some place comfortable for Fang, it was simple, a king size bed, a tall dresser, a closet, a desk, a few chairs. And all the colors were dark and earthy.
"Nice room…" he said and Prince clicked on the light, "Uh, I don't have a lot of clothes but I think I have some extra pajamas for you, I'm taller than you so they might be baggy…"
"That's not necessary, Prince,"
"No, I insist,"
"You insist a lot," Fang pointed out, "It's a habit," Prince said and Fang chuckled, "interesting habit, how'd you form it? Or was it because you used to be an ass and Ace whipped a gentleman into you?" Prince stood straight, smiling slightly and folding his arms, "So you think I'm an ass?"
"No, I said you might have used to be an ass,"
"But you still called me an ass," Prince said and Fang, shrugged, "I said ass, I never said you were an ass, I mean, you might be a smartass, I'm not too sure about that yet, but I have my suspicions," Fang said, grinning rather smugly. Prince smirked, "Ah, so now I'm a smartass?"
"Yeah, maybe…" Fang shrugged, still grinning, "Well, you know, that makes you sound like a jackass,"
"Now that doesn't make you sound very nice," Fang said, shaking his head in joking disappointment, "And who said I was nice?" Prince asked and Fang shrugged, "Maybe I just thought you were nice,"
"Well, you are drunk… maybe that's just what you perceive and I just am an ass," Prince said, stepping forward to tower over Fang, "So you don't deny being an ass?"
"Can I have yours?" Prince asked suddenly and Fang paused and blinked, "I… I'm sorry?"
"Damn it, just come here," he said, his hand sliding behind Fang's neck as he pulled him forward and pressed his lips against Fang's, who was standing frozen and completely shocked. Prince pulled away after a moment. "I…" he began then stepped back, "sorry, I just… we… I…"
"God damn it," Fang said and grabbed Prince by the collar, pulling him down to him, and kissing him.
Sora: That was fast...
Hiroko: Well, when you say it like that... yeah, but it's just how things work out when you're drunk!
Sora: I don't know... they seemed pretty sober...
Hiroko: QUIT SCRUTINIZING IT!
Sora: O.O Sheesh, fine! I thought you WANTED criticism for your story.
Hiroko: Not from you! I don't even like you!
Sora: But I love you! :D
Hiroko: -_-* If you guys love me, you'll R&R.
