The young man did his best to stay calm and collected as he was driven to the testing facility. They'd been driving for what felt like hours when Agent Attaway spoke up again  from the driver's seat, as they continued to drive down the highway "You mentioned that you had just gotten home from work, what do you do?"
"Oh... I work at a local fast food place." Connor responded. He hadn't had anything to eat since his lunch break, which had been at least six hours ago. He was very hungry, but he didn't quite trust these people to ask for something to eat... Even if they did have something. Besides it sounded awful presumptuous to ask for food from people who were dragging him to a testing facility. "Agent Lee... You mentioned my father earlier... Do you know him well?" He couldn't keep the curiosity out of his voice, and since one of them had spoken to him, some of the many, many questions he had were threatening to spill from his lips in a verbal flood.
"I'm not entirely sure which of the arch mages is your father, but I do know that he is one of them." Lee groused "I do know a few of them well. Do you not know anything of your father? Figures that she wouldn't say anything about him. She did run off after all, although I can't imagine why."
Connor glared at the back of Lee's head, taking in a deep, long breath and slowly letting out so that he didn't say anything stupid to this mouthy asshole. The other might be trying to rile him up on purpose in order to try to get him to say something while he was angry that might get his mom into further trouble... As for some reason, this pompous asshole seemed to hate his mom. "I know that mom loves him, and that she told me that he was clever and charming, and would have come with her, if both of them thought it was safe enough for the both of them to leave wherever the two of them were being held. Apparently mother thought that she was being held against her will, wherever she was, which was why she left when she realized that she was pregnant with me." He couldn't keep some of the challenge out of his voice, and the stubborn suspicion out of his gaze.
"You little-" Lee started, turning around in his seat to glare venomously at Connor, about to say something, when Attaway cut him off.
"That's enough, Lee. There were several reasons why it was recommended that you weren't to go on this mission. It was only your absolute insistence that pressed the higher ups into allowing you to go anyways. It was likely your vile temper that caused her to leave in the first place." Attaway snapped, glaring at Lee for several moments, before focusing on the road again. "Lee was one of the people who worked with your mother, before she left, and the two of them never really got along... And if you can't tell already... Lee here has a bit of an abrasive personality, so I wouldn't be surprised if she felt rather... Uncertain about allowing her child to be raised in an area where Lee would be around. But you needn't worry, if you do have arch mage class magic, you will be trained properly, and while we would suggest that you turn to certain kinds of careers, depending on what sort of magic that you have, you are free to do as you like, so long as it doesn't involve harming others, or manipulating them for your own gain."
Connor nodded a little at that, before responding with a quiet "Okay... But then why was my mom arrested, if archmage level beings are allowed to wander where they will? Or is it that the man with a rat on his face was a little overzealous?" He gestured towards Lee, causing the agents on either side of him and behind him to snicker softly, each of them seeming to be rather amused by his sass.
Attaway sounded like she was smiling as she spoke, and Lee's magical aura was showing his irritation, but from the way the other had just crossed his arms, seemed to be under orders not to be the biggest asshole possible - and was already apparently walking the line enough as it was. "It's rude to insult people like that, although I suspect that you are feeling a little bit crowded back there. Your mother has been detained as if you do possess arch mage level magic, she would be almost certainly aware that you were, and she will be doing community service for several months, if you are."
"Erm... Well... If I am... Which I would be very surprised if I was as I really don't think what I'm capable of doing is all that remarkable... She might not have thought that I was, either? I mean  - you hear of arch mages doing incredible feats of magic - like containing the force of a bomb with a single shield spell, or turning a dozen tanks into a small forest... Something like that." Connor responded. He was going to tell them what sort of magic he had, but hopefully his mom wouldn't get into trouble "I have healing magic and that's it. I've tried learning other kinds of magic. But I just can't." The young man looked distinctly grumpy by that admission.
Lee scoffed at that "Oh please, like you think that I... We are going to believe that bullshit. You might be trying to talk your way out of this - to talk her out of this, but there's no use pretending, boy."
Connor's eyes darkened a little, and he hissed "Would you like a demonstration?" Before any of the agents could say anything - and the agents on either side of him were starting to respond, pulling out magic-suppressing charms, Connor growled out "Fireball!" And a small, white ball of magical energy slammed into Lee, looking almost exactly like the spell was supposed to. It exploded upon impact and washed through everyone in the SUV - including Connor.
None of the agents were able to react in time to even get a shield spell working... But none of them needed to. Attaway gasped a little, pulling off the road and stopping the car, turning around and staring directly at Connor as she did so "While that was a very effective way of showing that you only have healing magic, please refrain from using such spells in enclosed spaces without forewarning others. I can understand that you feel threatened and anxious, but we really are here to help you. If you like, I'll put a silencing spell on Agent Lee, as it is very clear to me that he is making you very anxious and upset every time he speaks... As evidenced by that spell you just cast."
"Why the fuck would you silence me? He's the little shit who just cast a fireball spell in a car! I-" Lee was abruptly cut off as agent Attaway jabbed a finger in his direction, a flash of light hitting him squarely in the neck. Â Lee choked a little and continued to mouth words hotly, flailing and glaring darkly at her.
"I... Thank you. I wasn't sure how else to communicate the fact that all I can use is healing magic, and the fireball spell is... Effective at communicating that. I probably should have chosen a defensive spell, I'm sorry for scaring all of you. I wouldn't have cast the spell if I thought that it might have actually harmed any of you." The young man apologized earnestly, looking at each of the agents as he spoke... Except for Lee, who was turning an interesting shade of purple red, still obviously trying to scream his lungs out, but was completely unable to make a single verbal sound whatsoever.
Attaway nodded, and started the car up again, easing their way back onto the highway as she asked "Do you have any plans for what you want your career to be?"
"I... I want to become either a doctor or a veterinarian, actually." The young man responded shyly, ducking his head a little. He knew that it was more than a little cliche - a person with healing magic wanting to go into medicine, but it was what he really wanted to do in life "I want to help people, to make a difference, and going into the medical field really seems to be a good way for me to do that. I know there are many ways to help others... But that's what I'd like to do with my life."
The agents on either side of him both started grinning, and one of them ruffled his hair a little, unable to help themselves "You're adorable, you know that? Even if you don't possess arch mage level magic, I'm sure that you'll go far. Lee's been an obnoxious shithead all trip, and the fact that the cap finally muffled him is more than a relief... By the way, you healed several scars of mine - could you do that again... Maybe without the fireball spell?"
"Agent Wellis would you please refrain from insulting teammates, no matter how obnoxious or irritating you find them to be?" Agent Attaway responded, attempting to sound stern - although from the way she said that, she was only saying it because she was the team leader and had to, otherwise Lee might cause a bigger stink for the agent when they got back to headquarters or something like that.
"Yes ma'am." Wellis responded, before winking a little at Connor "I apologize for insulting agent Lee, and I shouldn't have done it." The other clearly didn't seem to think much of Lee - a sentiment that Connor could understand completely.
"Good." She responded with a small, professional nod. "It's interesting that you can heal scars of previous injuries - what sort of scars can you heal, if you know." Lee seemed to stop trying to scream - although the other couldn't, still under the silencing spell as he was.
"I... I don't really know? I mean... I volunteer part time at an animal hospital, and a dog was brought in by firefighters. She was suffering from smoke inhalation and I was able to heal her of that - I think she also had burns on her tail, but she was covered in soot." Connor responded honestly, shrugging a little. "I can try... I don't think anything bad will happen if I try to heal someone's scar and it doesn't work but... I don't know a lot about healing magic, as the teachers at my high school know about the standard spells... I did go to the school nurse, but they don't have healing magic, and none of the doctors in town have healing magic, either."
"Ah. I'm not sure it would have any negative effect either, but it is better to be safe, than sorry so we will leave that theory to when there is someone who is a fully trained healer and doctor watching you use your magic, in the event that something does accidentally go wrong." Attaway responded. The radio played quietly as they drove the rest of the way to the testing facility - which was on the outer edge of the large town that they were driving to.
The testing facility was a sleek, modern looking office building - all steel and reflective mirrors, and the young man could sense the barrier magics in the marking lot, and paused for several moments, staring up at the three story building and willing himself to move forwards, rather than to take off running in the opposite direction. Fleeing wouldn't help him or his mom - who might be in more trouble if he did try to run... Besides there was every chance that they'd catch them - there were six of them and it was their job to hunt down rogue or runaway magical beings and Connor didn't know the city at all. Which was why the young man took in a couple of deep, calming breaths before walking with the group of agents into the building. They had stopped when he was moving, and Lee - who was still silenced - was glaring at him and had been tapping his foot impatiently, waiting for the young man to move. The others seemed to be a bit more patient, thankfully.
His stomach rumbled hungrily, and despite how nervous he was, the young man couldn't quite suppress a yawn - though he hid it behind one of his hands. He knew that it wasn't more then nine or ten at night but... He'd been up since five in the morning, as he had taken the early volunteer shift at the animal hospital, in order to feed the patients their breakfast, and to walk the animals who were well enough to walk, but not quite well enough to go home yet. He had also been on his feet all day at work - rushing around the kitchen, making food as well as interacting with customers, as the place he worked for was short staffed and the manager was dragging their feet on finding a replacement.
Attaway asked "Did you have anything to eat before we brought you here? I heard your stomach grumble from here." She said this with a light smile... Possibly trying to lightly tease him?
Connor usually took gentle ribbing better than the suspicious response that almost left him, and he drew away from her. The press of the barrier magics and the magics of everyone who were in the building was... Oppressive to say the least, and he was starting to have some troubles breathing. It felt as though there was a heavy weight on his chest, and the young man tried to focus through the sensory overload. "I... I haven't had anything to eat since... Since lunch... I'm not... Feeling well... All of a sudden..." The young man wrapped his arms around his stomach, holding himself defensively as he stared around the foyer, somehow continuing deeper into this place, despite the stifling atmosphere and heavy ambient magical energies that were surrounding him.
"The ambient magical aura here can be more than a little bit overwhelming, to people who haven't been here before." Agent Attaway responded, sounding understanding, coming closer and lightly patting him on one shoulder "It will be less stifling once we get you into one of these testing rooms, as they've been deliberately designed as neutral spaces. I'll also arrange for someone to get you something to eat. Are you allergic to anything?"
"I... Something to eat would be nice - I'm allergic to nightshades and seafood. Is a testing room far? I really don't feel well, and I' not trying to stall things as I really don't want to be here longer than absolutely necessary, and I can tell that you are determined to test my magic - although why  you think that I have archmage level magical power simply because my parents do, I don't know." Connor responded, trying to keep upright and stop himself from groaning in pain and exhaustion as the oppressive feel of the magic continued to press down on him from all sides. He really hoped that he would be able to leave this place soon "How can any of you stand how it feels in here?"
"We're used to the feeling, besides you seem to be particularly sensitive to sensing the barriers and given that you've been living on the edge of a Fae reserve all your life, you've learned how to sense the intent of others through their magic, which would mean your senses are rather acutely attuned, causing a place like this very difficult for you to stand, at least until you learned how to scale back such senses." Attaway responded, guiding the distinctly unhappy young man to the nearest open testing room.
"OH... I hadn't realized that I’d been doing that." Connor managed out, suddenly feeling much better, just outside of the testing room. He wondered why, before realizing that someone had just wrapped a bit of their magic around him, causing the young man to feel much more steady. He'd never met this person before, but they felt protective, and very concerned. Connor was about to make a comment about that, when his escorts suddenly all looked confused and wary.
Out of nowhere, a strikingly attractive man came rushing towards them, a frown on the other's face and a strange expression in the other's intensely blue eyes. His hair had a touch of silver in it, but Connor found them to cause the other to look more handsome, rather than detract from the other's appearance.. Without meaning to, Connor moved closer towards this stranger, dark brown eyes wide and full of curiosity. A shy "Hi..." Left his lips.
The stranger moved in closer, and the escorts all took a couple of steps backwards, Attaway looking as though she was about to ask something, when all six of them realized that Connor hadn't moved back with them, entirely too fascinated by the man in front of him. He asked, in a low, pleasant voice that showed his worry and irritation "Is there a reason why you are tormenting this young healer, or is it simply that all of you are too blind and stupid to notice?" The other's voice was a pleasant baritone, and had a slight English accent in it that somehow made his voice even a bit more charming.
This handsome, enchanting stranger subtly gestured for Connor to come closer, something that the young man was more than happy to indulge the other in, pressing in close and delighting at the other's subtle, but very reassuring scent, and delighted to be closer to the source of the being's magic that was helping him focus in this terrifying space. "Thank you for the help. I feel much better now." Connor murmured softly, dark brown eyes searching for the strangers "What's your name? I'm Connor."
"My name is Haytham, and I wish that they had told me beforehand that they were bringing you in... Though they aren't likely to realize the true treasure you are." Haytham rumbled, something close to a purr in the other's voice. One of the other's arms wrapped more firmly around the young man's waist - an action that Connor wasn't going to protest at all, as the other's presence was wonderfully grounding and calming in this tense and miserable situation... although why, the younger man could only guess.
"... I... I didn't show them, and no one in my home town is aware of what I am, except for my mom... Who they arrested and took away. I don't know where they're holding her." Connor murmured, pressing closer to the older being, having a guess as to what the other was. A soft "Are you like me?" Left his lips before he could stop himself "Do you have wings?"
In just as soft a voice, Haytham murmured back "Yes, I do, and I am." Before looking directly at the half-dozen agents and glaring darkly at them "I can understand why you wouldn't want to tell this group of idiots what you are... But don't worry, I will protect you from their idiocy." The other's voice sounded distinctly possessive, and Connor's instincts were yelling at him to trust this absolute stranger.
The younger winged being had the distinct impression that Haytham was having difficulties with his instincts as well - the other clearly had some sort of combative magics, and non-human healers were fairly rare... And Connor had heard stories of non-healer magical beings of the same race going into protective rages, when new healers were brought into an area. Connor tried to remember what he should do, but all the young healer wanted to do was plaster himself to Haytham's side and not let go until they were all alone in someplace safer than this strange, terrifying place. "Thank you."
"Oh balls." Wellis cursed quietly, before grousing. The other was glaring and irritated "Why didn't you tell us you were an angel, young man? Now Kenway's going to be utterly intolerable for months, you do realize that?"
"Wellis, shut up before you make things worse." Attaway growled, sending her underling a glare that shut him up immediately before looking at the pair of angels, noting that Kenway looked very close to flying off with the young healer - which would mean that the two of them would have to chase them down and separate the two of them for at least a week, and she had no desire to deal with a completely obstinate Kenway... Besides he held grudges like few she'd ever met - who weren't angels - and if Kenway was able to speak of the young one to the others, then they would all become completely intolerable, especially since the lad was the first angel with healing magic they'd found in the centuries that this organization had existed, to her knowledge. "Archmage Kenway, this young man needs to be tested for magical potency before anything else happens with the young man. Whether or not he is arch mage class will depend on what happens next. If you would please let him go, we are very close to one of the testing rooms and it shouldn't take long to find out."
The glare that Kenway gave her was telling, and Connor clung closer to Haytham, not wanting to be parted from the older angel, although he wasn't entirely sure why... He had a deep seated feeling of safety and security from the moment he'd felt the other angel's magic touch his, and the young angel had absolutely no desire to leave the other's side unless they brought his mom to him. "Do you want to leave my side, Connor?"
Connor shook his head, but responded after a couple of moments "I... I don't want to, but I think they're going to make us if we don't do what they say... B-Besides, it's not like they could stop you from waiting outside the door, and I think there's only one way in or out of that room so... So we could be able to talk and stay together afterwards, yes?"
Kenway huffed a little, but nodded. He very slowly let Connor go, staring imperiously at the agents as they tentatively moved a little closer again. "Very well, you do bring up a good point - and they do so love to cause trouble at every possible opportunity. It would be best to play along with what they wanted, so that they'll let us interact with one another again, as irritating as it is to play along with their little games can be."
The young man nodded, and walked into the room, feeling the older angel's magic leave him. Connor found that the utter.. Lack of magical presence in this room almost more disturbing than the oppressive pressure of the ambient background magic was. He shook himself a little and stared at Agent Attaway, asking quietly "Now what?"
"I would like you to fill these sunstones with as much of your magical power as you can muster. You can fill them one at a time, or several at once- and I will be able to tell if you're faking not being able to fill as many as you can." Attaway instructed, gesturing to the little row of sparkling golden gemstones in front of him.
"... That's it?" Connor responded, reaching for the first one and concentrating a little.
"Unless you're stubborn, yes." Attaway responded, going quiet, and deliberately looking away from the young man.
He... Didn't like the sound of that, and concentrated on filling the first sunstone - he'd done something like this before, for graduation gifts for his friends, although he hadn't been able to afford actual gemstones. He'd carved a healing sigil onto stones and poured as much of his magic into each of the stones as he could, without fracturing the rock. It had taken a couple of tries to figure out where the balance was. After he filled the first stone, it shone and sparkled with a new light that was fascinating. He set it down on the table, and grabbed the next one, concentrating. It was rather a lot like meditation, and though he was exhausted by the time he filled the last stone, it too, was completely full.
Connor looked up at Attaway - who was reading a book - and called her over "Uhm... I'm done filling the sunstones... Is there anything else that you'd like me to do... Or can I go now...?"
She looked up at him, before closing the book and coming over, lightly touching each of the gemstones and murmuring an identification or scanning spell of some kind, her dark eyes widening a little in surprise at something. It wasn't as if the gems were particularly large, so why was she looking at him like that? "I... You definitely have arch mage class magic, and you will be provided a tutor who will instruct you on how to properly use your magic. Although you are correct that you have healing magic and only healing magic." The way she studied him made the young man more than a little uncertain.
"Uhm... Okay..." The young man responded, nodding a little as he started to get up, heading for the door "Can I get out of this room now?"
"I... Yes. I will have someone bring you food. There are temporary living quarters on the higher levels of this building - though I suspect that Kenway will whisk you off to his place, if you don't protest." Attaway responded absently.
Connor thought about what she'd said before nodding a little "I... I'd like to get to know Haytham a bit better, anyways. His magic was warm and comforting."
Attaway blinked rapidly a couple of times, seemingly taken off-guard by his response. "If you say so."
Connor nodded and found that the rest of the agents were waiting outside, as was Kenway. "I'm apparently staying here." He informed all of them, though his attention was mainly focused on Haytham.
The older angel hummed a little before nodding "I'm guessing that these idiots didn't bother to try to get you something to eat before they half-kidnapped you, yes? There's a lovely little restaurant not far from here that's still open. I'd take you there, if you'd let me?"
"I... That sounds great! Thanks, Haytham." Connor responded with a bright smile and a soft blush appearing on his face as the two of them wandered off.