Boys will be Boys

[LittleDeadGrrl]

We aren't allowed this deep in the swamp ...

-Grey sighed going after the other harlings. He tripped over a few fallen logs trying to keep up with the others and pull them back. Lorcan was following lazily behind smirking beside Flint. Kismet was the one leading them. The strange dark haired boy had his pet snake wrapped around his arm sure that there was more to find deeper in the swamp. He couldn't stand being cooped up inside. If dirt wasn't deep between his toes he didn't feel at home. The only human amongst them was Blaze who was inseperable from Kismet. Kis who now smirked a little ... -

I'm keeping tabs on them ... once I feel the big ones get worried we can be back before they figure shit out ...

-Kismet purred in that soft voice. He looked deceptivly gently, almost sweet, the way Sin did but there was little sweet about the har. Lorcan shook his head as he dusted the bright red hair from his face ... -

That is so creepy how you can do that ... you know that right ...

-Grey frowned a little as he tugged at Flint's arm ... -

Come on ... we are seriously gonna get a whoopin ...

-Kismet stopped and pointed. A huge alligator passed them by. Kismet smirked. He'd been what he'd been searching. The seemingly oldest and biggest alligator in the swamp.-

Old Slider! There ...

-All of them crouched down a bit watching in awe before the big old boy whipped around and snapped its jaw at them sending them screaming and running. None had ever gone so far before them made it all way back into some clearly falling on the ground laughing. Well Flint and Lorcan were laughing. Kismet was smiling content as if he'd found what he wanted. Grey was shaking and growling ... -

That was not funny! He could have eaten us ...

-Kismet smiled content staring up at the ceiling ... -

He wouldn't have ... uhoh ... big red is looking for us ...

-Lorcan sat up ... -

Shit ... Nails ... we better get back or its me that get's whooped ...

-Kismet pushed up Blaze ... -

Come on ... he's pinging black and white and blue ...

-It was Kismet's code for the other har parents. Red was Nails. Black was Zev. White was Angel. Blue was Zillah. He knew Spirit could feel him when he was searching through the har's mind and so could Sin and Linx so he tried to keep a loose connection to them and only invaded the one that didn't seem to notice. It was how he stayed out of trouble. Well. Mostly out of trouble. -

[Synistergrrl]

~Flint moved with the agile grace of a fox kit. He slipped through the swamp, Lori, his best friend at his side. The shock of white blond hair a stable of his father, but he was a strange mix of his parents, having his father's blue eyes and white hair but there was a slant to those sapphire orbs and a golden tone to his skin that reminded others of Spirit. He heard Grey whine and rolled his eyes, pushing Lori and almost making the har trip before jumping back and keeping out of the redhead's way. It was strange that these two had become so close, as their parents had started off not seeing eye to eye at all. But now, though Zillah and Nails weren't friends by any stretch of the imagination, the general valued the redhead's opinion and though he seemed ready to punch Nails more often then not, Nails seemed always included in their discussions. So for these two to become friends, and not just slight friends, but so close that they were more like Flotsem and Jetsom then children was ironic.~

Where...

~Flint was suddenly pulled out of the need to avoid Lor when Kis pointed out the old gator. He moved in closer and then looked over at Grey who was tugging on his arm.~

Stop whining... I'll give you a whooping myself if you don't stop acting like a wet rag...

~Of all of them, Blaze seemed some how the least like the others. He was a years older then the rest, but they all almost looked the same age with in a few years of one another. He was wild and feral but he was also much more fragile then the harlings. He was after all, still just human. When he got sick, it was always a much bigger deal and when he got hurt, it took much longer to heal. Orion, Spirit and Sin couldn't just infuse him with their own energy and power, it didn't work that way. And though Riot and Angel were no less harsh with him then they would be any other harling, he knew they were constantly keeping a close eye on him. When the gator snapped at them, he was the first to tug Kissy back. He was oddly protective of the strange har. But their past seemed to explain that some. As they came to a halt from running and Grey moaned again, Blaze just rolled his eyes.~

Ya know... you could just go and hang out with Cat and Nala... I'm sure they could use some help.

~That sent Lorcan and Flint into peels of laughter until they all groaned at what Kis said next.~

Come on....

~Flint growled. He reached out and tugged Grey forward and then fell into line as the group darted back through the swamp. But that little tug sent Grey stumbling as he would hit a root in the ground and go sprawling into the water to their left. The image of the harling covered in mud and swamp grass was hilarious, though they all knew they would be in trouble once he ratted on them. But what happened next had the laughter cut short. Grey stood, soaked through, but fumbling to get out of the water and as the harlings laughed as shadow fell over them. When they turned they'd find themselves face to face with Thrush. The only one of the group that even got near that har was Blaze. He pushed through the group roughly and quickly and grabbed Grey with a harshness that made all the harlings gasp. He tossed the harling back behind him and to the ground just as Slider emerged with a sudden deadly lunge. Thrush stumbled back, but managed to keep his balance and push the rest of them back as he took a shot with the gun he carried. Bullets were precious these days and wasting one was a horrible thing to do. But Thrush managed to hit the gator just right so it decided they weren't worth the trouble and descend back into the depths where he came from.~

Whoa.....

~It was all Flint could say. But Thrush turned on them and his eyes narrowed. He pushed up and jerked Grey up with him.~

Are you okay?

~He was looking the harling over for wounds and sighed with relief when he was sure the harling was just scared. He straightened then and motioned for them to all move back to the house.~

Do you have any idea how stupid that was? You could have killed him... or worse you could have all just become lunch. That creature is not that old because he is stupid. You shouldn't be out here....

~The gun shot had alerted those looking for the harlings and as they came around the bend, they'd see Zillah, Zev, Nails and Scout looking for them. In the rear was Rebel and Riot, the brothers were out helping scout out the harlings. So to find Thrush dirt and a bit wet with a very soaked Grey and the rest of the harlings looking chastised was not the best situation. Since Thrush's kidnapping attempt, he'd not been really trusted. Even though Orion swore that Thrush had been possessed and most had seen that he'd had to be healed in a way that was rough on Orion and Spirit but worse on Thrush. It did little to diffuse the tension and distrust that was still present.~

Old Slider almost ate Grey.....

~Blaze knew that his uncle Rebel loved Thrush. And those Thrush was quiet and seemed to float away some times, Blaze knew that if Rebel, Riot and Angel trusted him, then so could he. He moved ahead to keep the others from wanting to hurt Thrush whom the human boy considered family.~

Thrush saved his life....

[LittleDeadGrrl]

-Lorcan dusted the dark red hair from his face moving along side Flint. The harlings of course had no real idea that their parents had never gotten along. That it was the height of irony for the two of them to be so close but they were the best of friends. Lori and Flint were closer to twins than anything else. Not a bad idea was formed in the group that didn't originate between these two. When Lorcan was pushed he growled. He smirked looking as if he didn't care until a few moments later when Flint forgot and he got nailed in the head with a rock. The redhead flipped him the bird before walking along side of him. They all ducked down watching the old gator with great big eyes. Grey frowned looking a bit wounded when Flint snapped at him before growling himself ... -

Like you even could ...

-Grey snapped pushing the blond har a bit before shaking his head. To hell with them. He hoped they all did get eaten. Kismet seemed almost ready to go towards the gator, even when he snapped at them, unlike the others whose natural and sane response was to fall back. He was tugged back by Blaze before smiling a bit as they all ran together. Kismet had fallen next to Blaze before chuckling a little at what he said ... -

Don't be mean to Grey ... Black is almost as scary as Blue ...

-Grey growled ... -

I don't need my dad fighting my battles. I can kick your ass alone ...

-When he was tugged and he fell Grey gave a little whoomph. He fell in the water with a splash, sputtering and cursing, before trying to get up slowly out of the disgusting water. He stopped when the shadow fell over them. Grey stared up surprised and scared. Kismet stared at Thrush a bit wearily. Lorcan just looked shocked. Grey made a little noise trying to pull back from Thrush when the big scary har tried to grab him crying out when he was tossed landing hard on the ground. He scrambled a bit before all the harlings screamed when slider came out suddenly and Thrush slammed the bullet into the big bastard. As the gator descended back into the depths a silence fell on the group. Grey whimpered a bit looking a bit bruised from his fall before he nodded quickly ... -

I ... I'm ok ...

-He stared at Thrush half as terrified as he did of the gator before he realized slowly his life had been saved that without him slider would have had him for a snack and no one else could have done shit. All the harlings nodded a bit looking suitably chastized. Grey still looked the most terrified and angry at the fact none of them had damn well listened to him. Zillah and Zev broke through first hearing the gunshot. They took in the scene. Zillah's eyes narrowed dangerously as he moved in ... -

What's going on?

-He gazed at Flint for a moment for an explanation but it was Blaze that came forward and explained. Rebel moved in behind the others closing the gap between him and Thrush. He stood beside him protectively. Zev moved in after Zillah dropping on one knee in front of Grey to make sure his harling was fine. He sighed a bit in relief when he realized he was just scared ... -

That what happened Grey?

-Grey nodded slowly staring up at Thrush ... -

He did ... I ... fell in the water ... tripped ... and Thrush pulled me before Slider came out ...

-He left out the part about Flint pushing him not wanting to get the harling in trouble. Zev sighed pulling Grey up in his embrace holding him tightly. He stared at Thrush for a moment before moving in closer ... -

Thank you ...

-He didn't care about the old wounds. All he knew was his harling could have died, in the blink of an eye, and he'd been saved by Thrush. That kind of debt would be hard to repay. Zillah moved in grabbing Flint roughly ... -

How stupid are you? You know you shouldn't be out here ... do you think the rules are in place so we can all amuse ourselves. Think Flint ... use your brain once in a while for something other than causing trouble with Lorcan!

-Lorcan winced a little bit trying to avoid looking at Nails. Kismet knew Scout would be just as pissed but he moved quietly trying to avoid Zillah as he slipped in towards Blaze wrapping an arm around him a bit whispering softly-

That was close huh ... guess our trips are over for a while ...

-He sighed a little bit looking upset the leash would tighten. Stupid Grey. Zev just held the soaked harling tightly before speaking a bit softer then Zillah ... -

All of your start marching back ... now ...

-He stared at Zillah ... -

Come on ... I think slider freaked them out enough ...

-Zillah sighed tugging Flint close to him hugging him tightly. Flint could feel the bigger har almost shaking but it wasn't anger. It was relief. He couldn't lose Flint. He just wished the boy would become more responsible. He and Lorcan were two peas in a pod full of trouble. He had no idea what the fuck he was going to do with him as he got older. He could barely handle him now much less when he became a teenager-

[Synistergrrl]

~Thrush cocked his head at the boys but then the others showed up. Thrush watched as they came in eyeing him. It wasn't unusual. Since he'd taken Kismet they would never trust him. He understood but it was like living in a world were he wasn't really a part of anymore. And then the harlings told the truth. He cocked his head as Zev thanked him, arching a brow and shrugging. He was about to say something when his eyes shot to Zillah who was chastising Flint. The blond harling was looking down, chewing his lip as Zillah grabbed him and yelled.~

He's had enough, General...

~Nails spoke a bit softly as he touched Zillah knowing the har was simply scared. His eyes leveled on his own harling. He motioned for Lori to come to him and when he did, he pushed him forward.~

You're in a whole lot of trouble...

~Blaze looked at Kissy and shrugged.~

We always figure things out....

~But Thrush was already slipping off from the group but Nails stopped him.~

We all owe you Thrush... and more then just a debt... but an apology...

~Thrush shrugged again.~

It was nothing...

~There was still a darkness around Thrush, something that would never go away. But it didn't mean he was heartless. He looked at the kids and as Kismet moved passed he leaned in.~

We're even... little harling....

~He glanced at Blaze and gave the little human a smile.~

You best get home.... I don't think either of you are out of the woods just yet...

~Thrush moved off away from the others as Zillah was hugging Flint who hugged him back tightly. They were safe, thanks to the one har who'd a few years ago almost taken one to his death.~

[LittleDeadGrrl]

-Zillah frowned a little bit glancing up at Nails before he tugged Flint to him picking him up for a moment. He knew in his arms was about the most important thing to him save for Spirit. Still a mate was a mate and a harling was a harling. He'd lay his life down for the boy in his embrace. He ran his fingers through his hair whispering in his ear-

I love you more than the moon and the sun but you will be the death of me won't you ... serves me right for wanting a son so much ...

-He sighed before setting Flint down. Lorcan moved in closer digging his toe into the ground. The red hair fell in his eyes before he moved in closer winding his arms around Nails ... -

Don't tell Linx ... he'll get all gross and cry ...

-He smirked across at the one eyed har. He liked his father had the distinguished mark. Made him look all tough. Kismet was leaning into Blaze nodding when he spoke as he gazed up watching them talk to Thrush. He knew none of the big ones trusted him. His own hostling told him never to be alone with him. He knew Blaze's folks were close to him though so he couldn't see why not to trust him. Kismet moved and stopped staring up at him ... -

Why ... you saved Grey's life not mine. You still owe me and Blaze ...

-He smiled slowly looking up at Thrush would those big blue eyes. He moved pushing Thrush a bit playfully before hugging him for a moment as he walked off whistling a little tune not looking nearly as effected as he should have been. The others walked back suitably chastized and terrified. Grey looked especially pale as if he might throw up at any moment. He also looked like a drowned rat as Zev wrapped him up in his coat and carried him back knowing Bast would just love hearing about this one-