There are many supernatural whatsits in the world… most people just tend not to notice them. Of course, such strange or unusual something rathers come in all different shapes, sizes, and colors. Quite synonymous to humans in this fashion. Some are blatantly obvious with their oddness while others remain much more obscure. It is quite normal for the average person to go through their daily life without noticing such peculiarities lurking amongst them. Why one might wonder? Consider it a similar effect to when a person is walking through a crowd or driving past inconsequential scenery. Fundamentally, the brain would acknowledge that something is most defiantly there, but not register it as something out of place nor trigger a fight or flight response. Like trees, they become part of a person's everyday surroundings.
The average human will occasionally notice a somebody that may push the limits of 'normal' just a little bit too far, but other than the familiar feeling of heebie-jeebies or an instinct to avoid such persons, nothing of significant consequence accords. Direct connections with the unaware are rather uncommon so, generally speaking, worries about paranormal tempering is unfounded. On the time of every-now-and-than, there will occasionally appear a human who can't spot such whatsits with little difficulty or sense these something rathers quite adeptly. One could consider them interchangeable with that one person who always notices when their friends got a hair trim or can quote lines from T. Macaulay's History of England Volumes I-V virtually unprompted and thoroughly unasked. Simply put; your everyday genius or overly observant weirdo. Unfortunately, such people are usually both.
On the other hand, the one-in-a-blue-moon other hand, comes the people who from birth can spot these peculiar whatsits. A most uncommon and rather unlikely lemon to be handed by that oh-so troublesome monster that is life. Usually, these unfortunate human beings are gifted an attribute that both identifies them as unfortunate human beings and simultaneously allows them to protect themselves from all the dubious something rathers. Why would the ones who could see need to protect themselves? Well, there is a perfect analogy for that. These luckless people can be considered the truffles of the people world, an expensive delicacy for most whatsits. Do they get some sort of power boost from consuming these rare twists of fate? No. They just taste really good. Obviously, even whatsits, something rathers and peculiarities want to enjoy fine taste. And, of course, with ingenuity quite similar to that of the normal everyday human beings, amongst these truffles… they also found truffle-hunting pigs.
Another question arises; just what is the identity of these truffle hunting pigs? To answer said question; the magically inclined. Most magically inclined also have a tendency towards hunting down these delicious rarities. They are quite adept at sniffing them out and, like the something rathers, also enjoy their consumption. That being said, the magically inclined, while definitely hunting them down for taste, can also use these hapless souls to get a bit of a level-up. Of course, this is messy and generally involves not consuming them immediately so most of the magically inclined don't bother. Consider it the difference between preparing a five-star meal yourself with the added bonus of a couple hundred dollars vs just eating such a meal for free. Most would obviously just choose the latter but, occasionally, someone will go through the trouble. Even then some of the magically inclined just don't bother with the trouble of attempting to consume a living breathing human being with intelligence, emotion, and a very annoying way to defend themselves.
While on the topic of the magically inclined, might as well continue chatting about them. These truffle hunting pi– herm, wizards, witches, sorcerers, college students, Roombas… whatever that has an inclination towards the occult, their scarcity generally ranges from normal human to blue moon kinda guys. That is to say they aren't common but they aren't exactly unheard of either. The magically inclined don't exactly have to see various whatsits to be magically inclined, they could just be your average joe. They have quite a complicated system of command and one should never divulge too deeply into wizarding politics… there's more… blood than word at their… debates, if that's even the correct term. Anyway, some of the magically inclined stick in groups, while others hit it out in pairs or even go full-on single Pringle. Every single one of them has visions of grandeur, overly complex plans, dubious morals, and at least one something rather contact. Basically, the magically inclined are a hassle to deal with because of their annoying personalities and inability to just say right out what is going on in a situation. Just tell the person if their car is on fire! Don't do freaking loopty-loops of fate while speaking prose a smoking a who-even-knows cigarette.
If nothing else had been gained from the above tirade of various nonsenses, then there should have at least been a take-away that those born with the ability to see have pretty short and shitty lives. Case and point; Allen Walker. Allen here, a teenager of fifteen years, had just been walking down the street, returning home after getting groceries, when he was suddenly aware of the fact that he was being followed. Now if Allen Walker had been anything remotely related to normal, he may have begun freaking out. Worrying about who the hell is following him at the unholy time of two minutes before the sidewalk equivalent of rush hour and if he was going to mugged or something stupid like that. No, Allen here had the perfectly reasonable fear and exasperation of both 'Is something going to try to eat me?' and 'Is something going to try and eat me again?'.
Shifting his head slightly, Allen gave his shadow a side-eye. His shadow stared at a pigeon. Allen glared at the pigeon. Stupid convenient rat with wings. Allen picked up the pace as he moved down the steadily growing busier street. The teenager was so not in the mood to deal with a potential and literal predator at the moment. He was almost out of pepper spray. Yes, pepper spray works wonders on all manner of things with eyes. The magically inclined had all sorts of defenses against magic, physical assault, and other such things, but they seemed to have a resounding weakness against one of the most common street defenses in the world. It was almost amusing how quickly they fall to the ground with just the push of a button. All had never been a particularly sadistic person, but watching powerful beings crash to the ground screaming about their eyes grew increasingly more amusing every time it happened.
That still didn't mean it was utterly terrifying. Nobody likes to have the feeling that there is something out they're actively attempting to consume your flesh or use you for some bizarre blood ritual every other month. Allen supposed that was basically what Cross technically did, but Cross was a lot more cordial than some of the other weird things that roamed the street. Allen curled his lip. Ugh. He just called Cross cordial. The world must be ending if Cross Marian was cordial with him.
Allen released a pent-up sigh as he turned down the familiar home stretch of his street. Just a couple of houses to go before he entered the safety of an antique store housing many temperamental and volatile old cursed items. Excellent. Cursed items were a rather decent way to ward-off the particular "presence" he apparently "released" which made him like "fucking cat-nip to feral cats". Cross was indeed not cordial on his best of days… Anyway, Allen had almost made it to home-sweet-home when irony decided to intervene. In a typical busy-Mum-wit- four-whiney-kids fashion, one of Allen's grocery bags, both the fullest and double bagged one, decided to rip and spew its contents upon the 100-degree sidewalk. Perfect. Wonderful. Amazing. He totally wasn't being tailed by someone who would potentially use his bones as toothpicks.
Allen swore in every language he knew. Which was quite a few.
Frantically he attempted to gather every can, orange, and totally legally purchased bottle 'o booze that had decided to begin rolling down the sidewalk. Which was completely falling. Too busy was he panicking about escaping groceries to notice that snorting laughter that was coming from a couple steps away from him. What he did notice, however, was the fact that his Master's too damn expensive booze hat shattered upon contact with the burning hot pavement. It was then that Allen lost his will to live. Allen covered his face with his hands and attempted not to sob. Death was really inevitable at this point. He was going to die by Cross' gun, and then he was going to be baked into a casserole and consumed because all he was good for was booze and the occasional blood ritual. From the looks Cross had been sending him, Allen was steadily rising on the 'too troublesome to keep around latter'. The hand that landed on his shoulder practically caused him to leap out of his skin.
"Damn kid!" His stalker laughed, "I was totally going to eat you! But after watching how pathetic you are I'll cut you some slack."
It was a red-headed demon that was laughing at him. Allen didn't mean a literal demon of course; Cross was a true red-headed demon. This bastard, perhaps only a couple more years than himself, was most definitely one of the magically inclined. Allen tilted his head and smiled polity at the person who just admitted to wanting to eat him.
"While I can't say it's been a pleasure meeting someone who was actively trying to kill me, I must be on my way." Allen smiled brightly.
The red-head annoyance stopped laughing and glanced at him curiously. Allen began to pack his escaped groceries into his other bags.
"You're awfully polite given the situation." The menace rebutted.
Picking up his groceries, Allen gave another polite smile.
"I like to make good first impressions, unlike some people." He replied, only slightly bitter.
The red-headed teen blinked, seemingly considering Allen's words. Only after did a rather noisy truck speed by did the menace decide to pick up the rather dismal conversation.
"Huh." He started, "You are rather old… Hear me out!"
Allen felt his eye twitch and began to turn to leave, better to flee while you're maybe, maybe not the opponent is mentally busy, when the other teen grabbed his arm.
"I just mean… well, your kind usually doesn't last very long… so it's, uh, rather odd to see that you've lasted this long." A smirk slowly spread across his face, "Either you're very lucky… or you're pretty decent in a–"
The menace let out a shriek as he fell to the ground clutching his eyes. Allen twirled his handy-dandy pepper spray, a dark smile painting his features. Like he was to let his potential killer keep him in one spot or, for that matter, find out where he lives.
"WHAT THE HELL DID YOU SPRAY ME WITH!" The downed potential murderer screeched.
Allen released a dark chuckle.
"Pepper spray you magically inclined murderer wannabe!" Allen laughed.
Allen realized he had no actual idea where he was because he had not brought Timcanpy. Like an idiot. This street was not remotely similar to his actual street, and in fact, looked nothing like it. The red-headed menace withered on the ground.
"I can't believe I was downed by a tiny brat like you!"
Allen kicked him in the ribs.
… … …
Quite honestly, Lavi had not expected his day to go as it had. It had been a perfectly wonderful sunny afternoon with him just having escaped been released from a boring review session with the old panda. Now he had just been making his way down the street like your normal every day hidden in plain sight sorcerer, off to go torment Yuu and meet up with Lenalee, when he had been greeted with a positively glorious sent. Once that practically had his mouthwatering and stomach growling. Now being the intelligent person he is, Lavi immediately recognized the striking white-haired teen walking down the street with a bag of groceries as the cause of his current cravings.
So, he had decided to follow what was most definitely an all-seer if only to find the optimal point in which to strike. Perhaps he could even share with Yu and Lenalee and they all could have a lovely little picnic. The Panda probably would have made a big deal about something involving a gain in magical strength or whatever but, quite frankly, Lavi was too hungry to care. So he followed the white-headed teen that obviously knew Lavi was following him. The teen also seemed to have no idea where he was going. At first, Lavi had thought it a ploy, the random changes in direction and roundabout ways to get back to the same street, but it rapidly became clear that the boy, clearly, had no idea where he was going and didn't realize that.
It was thanks to the teens unknowing incompetence with direction that Lavi's bookman brain was kick-started back into gear. He was quick to realize that not only was he practically stalking a kid younger than him with malicious intent, but also forcing him, not the tallest teen in the world, to push and shove his way through foot traffic as quickly as possible. Guild was almost inevitable. Clearly, this was a kid who was used to be hunted down by the various supernatural beings that haunted the streets. Hell, Lavi was proof enough that he likely couldn't even get groceries without finding trouble. In was the grocery bags ripping and the kid's utterly defeated look that had pushed him over the edge.
Which he totally shouldn't have done. That kid was a little asshole with a height complex! Although perhaps he may have deserved it, and Lavi could respect the use of pepper spray to get around most magical barriers, there was still the matter of him getting pepper-sprayed and having to attempt to navigate the city half-blind. Not to mention he was fairly sure that kid fractured one of his ribs. By golly, he was going to have a major bruise tomorrow!
"Lavi!" A familiar voice gasped, "What happened to you!"
Ah. Lenalee. Lovely. Hopefully, Yuu wasn't around to see his pathetic state. No doubt he'd get a kick out of it. No such luck for Lavi.
"Che. Baka-usagi probably flirted with the wrong woman." Kanda Yuu growled.
Lavi released a dramatic sigh. Collapsing dramatically onto what was hopefully Yuu.
"It was awful!" He gasped as Kanda shoved him off, "I found an all-seer and was going to eat him when I changed my mind because his life already looked pathetic enough. When I told him such and commended him for living to such an only age he pepper-sprayed me and then kicked me in the ribs."
For a moment all was silent.
"…Lavi. I hate to break it to you, but it sounds like you deserved it." Lenalee sighed.
Lavi visibly deflated.
"Che…" Kanda grunted.
Lavi glared in the general direction of the blurry blob that he assumed was Kanda.
"Don't agree with her!" He pulled up his shirt, "Look what that brat did to me."
Lenalee took a sharp intake of breath. A finger poked his side and he hissed.
"Ouch…" She muttered.
For a moment all was silent.
"Do you think he would teach me how to do this to brother?" She questioned.