Rainy day in the city

[Ashtin Evans]

A pair of once bright yellow sneakers squeaked their way along one of the many pathways through the park. A green and white umbrella protected the rest of the body from the dripping rain. The weather had suppressed Ash’s happier mood from this morning. Though the rain did feel good, and enriching, it was just too much for the day. The sun had receded behind the grayness that was the overcastting clouds. “Why can’t it just stop raining for a few hours?” She asked the sky.

The bottoms of her blue jeans were soaked from her walk, but her yellow hoodie protected her upper half from the chilly air. Still the feeling of being a drowned rat tugged at her mind. ‘If this keeps up, I’ll have flowers sprouting everywhere…My, what a sight that would be.’ She thought to herself. Her brunette strands where pulled back in a French twist, holding the tresses out of her face as her chocolate gaze turned from the ground and back to the sky.

Next, is what she gets for not paying attention to where she’s walking. The toe of her sneaker caught itself on and uneven sidewalk, knocking her off balance, and causing her to fall forward. This sent her parasol flying from her grasp. Ash landed on hard on her right arm and slid forward slightly from the momentum. She hissed at the sting from the scrape on the palm of her right hand and elbow.

But at the moment the jacket and flesh was tattered a left large enough to cover each area sprouted from her skin and lay protectively over the wound. Ash’s eyes widened and she quickly stood up tucking her hand into the pocket of her hoodie, while covering her elbow with her left hand. She was worried someone might see, and this was the only thing she could do at the moment to hide it. Next Ash looked about for her umbrella, soon locating it a few feet away. Stepping lightly she made her way towards the object.

[Kane Woonren]

Daemon landed with a yawn in the middle of central park, stretching his arms above him as he did. His bat-like wings crossed over him and covered his upper body from the rain. Well, most of it, his head and hair was still getting wet. He sneezed, causing a small stream of white flame shoot from his mouth. He was lucky he could manipulate the flame so expertly... he had never set anything on fire that he hadn't meant to.

Well, unless you counted his clothes. And his first apartment. And his second apartment. And some of his food. And his head.

But never any plants. He was very very careful when he was walking through the park not to activate his abilities involving fire. He didn't need to burn it down.

Even his increased body temperature wasn't enough to hide him from the cold of the rain. Thus, why his wings were wrapped around him. He clicked his claws together as he walked down a deserted path. It was his day off at the conveniance store, and his apartment was flooded.

How exactly, he didn't know. He was on the seventh floor of the 20 floor building, and he didn't even have running water. He didn't really have anywhere to go, seeing as he'd been kicked from the Xavier school for walking into the wrong locker room looking for someone. Rogue certainly was touchy....

There was someone walking toward him, and the six foot mutant glanced around, unable to see anywhere to hide, and unwilling to hide his wings. If they had a problem with it, they could talk to him about it.

[Ashtin Evans]

Ashtin had just reached her green and yellow parasol and she wrapped a slender hand about its handle picking it back up off the ground. But as she lifted her gaze, it fell on something else. A man or at least it looked like a man was on the side walk ahead of her. Her almond shaped eyes widened momentarily as she frantically tried to figure out how to hide the obvious unnatural broad leaves growing from her right arm.

Still holding the umbrella with her left hand, she did her best to stuff her right arm further into her hoodie. Hoping that that would be enough to hide it, unfortunately there was no place to hide her elbow, and the dark green of the plant form stood out against her bright yellow jacket. So giving up she let it be. Hopefully they would not notice it.

Gathering herself back together, the girl continued her movement through the park. The wet spots on her clothes made it evident that she had fallen. And the dampness just made things feel slightly colder. Still she would have to survive for now, at least until she made it back to the school. ‘Just be calm, relax, and don’t worry about it.’ She told herself, letting out a sigh.

By now she was only a few feet from the other individual wandering along the pathway. Ash bowed her head slightly pulling the umbrella down just enough to cover her eyes.

[Kane Woonren]

As Kane approached the girl and she shifted her gaze, he thought she was avoiding looking at his wings. Something that he tended to see a lot. Even if people didn't mind mutants, the six foot man tended to make people nervous. Either the wings... or the claws... or the elongated canines. Or his ten foot full demon form. Or his height. Whatever.

Now, graceful, on the ground at least, has never been a word to describe Kane. Even when he was young and one of the smallest people in his class. Falling was something he did a lot, especially if he was on a bike or something. But, he was on his own two feet at the moment. And, when it happened then it was the most embaressing.

His wings spread, blocking the pathway in an attempt to stop his fall. It didn't work. He didn't even know what he tripped on, there weren't any stray rocks or anything... and he wasn't wearing shoes. He didn't like shoes. That, and they were expensive and he wrecked them a lot.

As he was dropping he glanced back over at the girl, not quite able to think of something to say. He couldn't get his hands to the ground quick enough, so he was going to hit it.... He didn't know why he said it, it was just something on the edge of his mind that he decided to say. "Timbeeeeerrrr," he said, and smacked into the pavement.

He moved his hands out and shoved himself back up, brushing some dirt off his chest. Various old scars from his own claws were up and down his arms, and were easily visible. "I'm okay," he said, cracking his nose slightly.

[Ashtin Evans]

Ash froze when she heard him say “Timber” and quickly spun around just in time to see him hit the ground. Quickly dropping the umbrella down to her side she rushed forward to him. “Oh my gosh, are you okay?” She asked in a worried tone. Deciding that it was safe to stay at least a foot away from him she stopped a short distance from him, knowing that most people liked their personal space.

‘Well at least I’m not the only clumsy one.’ She thought to herself with a small smile. “That was quiet a fall you took.” Ash stated in her small sweet voice. From her fall earlier her once neat hair was tossed a bit and stray bangs were hanging across her face. Her brown eyes took a sweeping glance over him to check to anything that might appear to be hurt. ‘So I’m also not the only non normal person in the park. Interesting.’ She thought.

He was quiet strange looking from her point of view. But then again if others saw her other form they would give her funny glances too. Ashtin attempted not to let her interest in his appearance show too much, knowing that it was an uncomfortable feeling being stared at. So now she let her gaze fall to the concrete beneath her sneakers.

[Kane Woonren]

Kane shook his head sort of like a dog drying off, sending a spray of water all around him. "Yup, I'm fine. I think," he said cracking his arm slightly. He had a slight headache but other than that he was fine. And a piece of gravel in his nose that he wouldn't discover until later.

He glanced at her and she had a few sploches on her outfit, meaning that he wasn't the only one that had taken a spill. "Well, I'm not the only one," he said. He tried to manuever one of his wings, somewhat successfully over his head, while the other one wrapped around his upper body again. "Mine's just a little more noticable because I'm the one walking around half naked in 60 degree New York City in the rain. And I'm taller," he said, sticking out his tongue a little at the random comment.

When he noticed that she was looking him up and down, and remembered something he'd seen Iceman do once. He struck a pose like a surfer on a board with the dumbest look he could think of on his face. Some days it was difficult being the Daemon of Comedy. Other days it was easy. Some days he was just an idiot.

[Ashtin Evans]

She blushed as he noticed that she had fallen as well. “Well yes, being short has its advantages. And having clothes is helpful.” Ash stated looking away a small smile planted across her lips. His next action, or pose, confused her however. Tilting her head slightly to the side she raised a slender brow at the move.

Then unable to control herself another smile cracked her features, followed by a soft giggle. “Are you always so out going to strangers?” The girl asked teasingly. Momentarily forgetting her natural bandages about her right arm she pulled her hand out of the pocket it was in, and switched her parasol from her left hand to her right.

There was no point in actually keeping the object open at this point in time. Seeing as in this point in time she was already mostly soaked, almost matching her lower half. Giving a sigh she decided to not bother holding the umbrella up anymore. So she pushed a button on its stem and slid the shade shut.

[Kane Woonren]

"You're not short. I just make everyone shorter than a redwood around me look two heads shorter," he said with a smirk. His usual outgoingly joking demenor was in full control as usual. And considering his only other demenor was mopey and depressed and always thinking about the past, that was a good thing. Well, maybe not always because everyone seemed to think he was an idiot.

When he got a giggle to escape from behind her shy face he grinned triumphantly. "Victory!" he said with his usual smile. He was however, unsure with how to deal with the 'soaking wet' problem. There was his flames, but not everyone liked his fire dry right away. He was pretty sure he wouldn't burn her... but, eh. Who knows?

He noticed the leaf growing out of her palm. It was something that wasn't exactly unusual to him. He'd seen people at the Xavier school with weirder things coming out of their palms.... Like a knife. And another one with a tentacle... Oh and there was his own palm which had five nail-less talons coming out of it. Note, do not use fire powers.

"I'm Kane, or Daemon. Or as Rogue was shouting this morning, 'Wing-ed-hot-head-perverted-snake'," he said, saying the last part in a really bad southern accent immitation.

[Ashtin Evans]

“Oh indeed I am short. I’m most defiantly not tall enough to reach the top shelf in the kitchen.” She stated with a small smile. It was true, and she swore that they built those facilities specifically for taller people. If it were not for the fact that she made sure there was a step stool in the room she would have to wait for someone else to decide they were hungry too before getting what she needed.

Another giggle escaped her at his victory claim. He was funny, she had to admit. Not most people got her to laugh the first time she meet them. Her shyness and stand-offish behavior normally kept her separated from the usual social groups. That and talking or hanging out in crowds is not one of her favorite things to do. Much preferring the quietness of the school greenhouses or library, now she’s really starting to sound like a nerd.

Ash saw that he noticed her hand, and quickly moved to hide it behind her back. Though by now she was use to her, differences, and there were others similar to her. Just having random leaves sprout out of you was not the best thing to walk around with. It was not the best way to blend with the moving crowds. Her gaze also moved back down to the ground.

Her gaze returned to his face as he introduced himself. ‘Kane.’ She repeated in her mind, in her own personal attempt to memorize the name. Even if they might not bump into each other again, it was still good to have a name set to a face, and remembered for later use. The girl could not help but laugh at his imitation attempt. When the short lived giggle subsided she introduced herself. “I’m Ashtin, or Ash. But at the school my other nickname is Thorne.” She stated. “It’s a pleasure to meet you Kane.”

[Kane Woonren]

"Well then, stand next to me while you're doing it. I make the shelves shrink down and it balances out your height loss," he said, using made up logic from his earlier statement. "Well, in my case I can usually reach the top shelf. Although it's usually a case of reaching downward," he said with a grin. Making fun of his height was something he did a lot. And something one of his friends liked to do a lot... from her position on his shoulder.

He did the two fingered 'V' that the dude on pokemon made whenever he won or caught one with a slight smile when she giggled again. It took at least minor talent to be as stupid as he was. Or at least acted. He was a C student in school... which was probably why he was working at a conveniance store. Although, he hadn't really thought about any other career moves to make.

He watched her hide her hand behind her back, and raised his so his nail-less clawed fingers were in full view. "For some reason, I think that the things coming out of my hands are a little weirder than yours." He clicked them together a couple of times before putting them back down. Kane had almost always stood out of a crowd. Whether it was his wings, his height, his claws, his tail... whatever. (tail currently not out)

"Well hello Ashthorne," he said with a slight bow. "I don't think I've ever met a girl named Ashton before. I know a couple of 'Ashs' but they're Ashleys."

[Ashtin Evans]

He was funny she had to admit, and she laughed at his height statement. “Well everyone has their issues.” Most of her friends were talker than her, there was maybe a select few that were shorter. But most of them would grow out of their short stature.

His pose was an interesting one, but she smiled and shrugged. Being funny was something that she was not very good at. Most likely because of her dorky side, that liked to shine through every now and then. Instead of being laughed with it she was being laughed at, so to avoid that situation she stuck to her plants and books unless hanging out with close friends.

When he lifted his hand Ash felt sort of ashamed that she was worried about her appearance. “Yes, it would seem that way.” After saying this she recognized it as it could be taken insultingly. “Not meaning to sound rude…or…” Her voice trailed off. ‘Good job. It would be better if you just drop it.’ She scolded herself. Letting out a sigh she pulled her hand around from behind her. “It’ll go away as soon as the scraps are healed over.” As she said that, the leaf that lay across her palm began to turn a russet color.

“I guess my parents were weird.” She shrugged and smiled. “Maybe thought there were too many Ashley’s and wanted me to be different, but you knows… Kane is also an unusual name.” At this point she decided that her hair was being a nuisance. Taking out the clip she gathered the brunette tresses and re-twisted them.

[Kane Woonren]

"Yup, I've got more than most people. Demon wings. Demon fangs. Demon claws. Demon tail with a mind of its own..." he said, counting off his fingers as he went down the list of a couple of his physical mutations. There was a church down the street that thought he was the spawn of satan. He would stay away... if their belltower wasn't such a nice place to sit.

Daemon had never been the most brilliant student in the world anyway. Maybe one or two A's in a class or two, but usually gym. And that was because his gym teacher made them do basketball every day to avoid having to do any actual work. Then again, how much work is involved in regular gym? Jotting down a couple of numbers and blowing a whistle?

He chuckled a little bit as she tried to apologize for the comment. He found that people that thought a lot, either said to much or to little. Him, he didn't think a lot but he talked a lot anyway. Unless there was a small rare moment where he was silent and moody. Didn't happen often, but did sometimes.

"Eh, my claws don't go away. But I can make them do this," he held them back up and they expanded, turning into more butcher knives than claws. "They're a bit clumsy to use for picking stuff up but they're perfect for cutting steak and the like. I cut straight through the table once like it was a hot knife through warm butter." He put the claws back to their regular size. So many physical mutations... so many jokes.

"Kane is an unusual name, true enough. But I am an unusual man. I mean, I look like me, and I've still got a sense of humor. You put most people in my body and they'd probably have either killed themselves or joined the Brotherhood by now," he said. He'd almost cut his wrists once. It'd been an accident though, back when he was still getting used to his claws. He still woke up with a new scratch every now and then... not as often as when he was a teenager though.

[Ashtin Evans]

She smiled warmly at him. And as the water began to run down her back she suddenly remembered that it was still raining. Ash grumbled slightly at the cold sensation of the water. So shaking her umbrella off the best she could, thought it did not do much good, she opened it back up and covered her head once again.

“Um. Though I would love to stand outside and chit chat, I think that it might be a better idea if we go somewhere to get out of the rain?” Her chocolate gaze peered up at him from below the brim of the parasol. Ashtin really could not wait until the sun came out. She was ready for a boost, or a re-charge, whichever one wanted to call it.

The news had said that the weather was not supposed to last long but the sky said otherwise, and so did the chill upon the air from the moisture. She let out a small sigh as she hoped the rain would die down some time in the near future.

[Kane Woonren]

"Well, I can take care of that, if you don't mind me heating things up," he said. A small white flame flickered off the edge of his finger. It wasn't a threatening flame, and it couldn't even catch anything on fire. It was more like the flame off a candle wick. He sent it up into the sky and it expanded into a disk of white flame covering the small area, and stopping the rain from reaching them.

"We can still go inside if you want to," he said, looking up at the flames for a moment before returning his eyes to the girl in front of him.

Being the way he was, he'd already forgotten that he'd made a note not to use his flames. He didn't know if it would matter or not anyway... sure she'd probably not like flames, but it was just keeping the rain off them. It was even high enough that they couldn't feel the heat off of it. Which wasn't necessarily a good thing to him.

[Ashtin Evans]

Ash gave a slight jump as the flames shot into the air. Fire was not her friend. Though if she would have had it her way flames would be her favorite thing in the world, but her plant side made that almost impossible. So she had to try her best to avoid coming in close contact with the element at all costs.

“Interesting trick.” She said with a small smile, her eyes fixated on the flaming disk in the sky. It was true she could not feel the heat from the inferno, so she figured she would be safe. Which set her at ease, that and it being quiet a distance away from her made it easier to deal with.

“Well I would prefer to go inside. I like a little rain every now and then, but all day is just ridiculous.” Her voice had a slightly irritated tone to it, directed towards the weather. But then her gaze moved back towards his face. “That and I think I’ll start to take root if I stay in one place for too long.” She joked, knowing that it was highly impossible to happen. Otherwise she would have been rooted to her bed a long time ago.