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Post by skull0 on Feb 16, 2013 10:51:22 GMT -5
Jude wasn't an idiot the first time he'd gone down into the sewers. Friends had told him there were snakes in these old structures, stupid friends that heard from other stupid friends that had no clue what they were talking about. And when he suggested they investigate, that fact that it was too dangerous was only fueling his curiosity. What sort of snake hid in the sewers? The human kind, he discovered. The human kind that was as bland in coloration as milk, and eyes sort of like the lab rats in the Biology department. Of course, it was only in his nature that a smile spread across his face.
Nonincriminating hands lifted to eye-level, since it was impossible to guess what sort of threat this stranger posed to him. By his silhouette he didn't seem too much bigger than the stocky male, but looks could definitely be deceptive. "Hi," His voice practically boomed within the corridor, "Do you live down here or something?" The frames of his glasses began to slip down the oils of his nose. Without a thought, the bluenette reached over his face to lift them back with thumb and index fingers positioned across the width.
"Well, anyway, my name's Bailey--what's yours?"
ooc: feel free to add on to how bailey got there, like if he was noisily going through the tunnels or whatever. ^ ^ i don't mind that minimal amount of control.
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Post by zane on Feb 16, 2013 15:52:06 GMT -5
[atrb=border,0,true][atrb=style,width: 387px,bTable][atrb=cellpadding,0,true][atrb=cellspacing,0,true][atrb=valign,top]  | [atrb=valign,top] OH NO I'VE SAID TOO MUCH It generally took some times to get from point A to point B when you had to move discretely like Zane did. He decided to move via the sewer's tunnels this time, as it was daytime in the city. His eyes had become so accustomed to the little light that they saw best in this kind of atmosphere, his pupils wide to allow as much light in as possible. They seemed to glow in the darkness of the sewer, peering curiously at anything that moved slightly. But that curiosity was a feeling that Zane never felt- his eyes portrayed lies. Curiosity was an emotion he had never felt before. Anything besides basic emotions were foreign to the albino crouching in the sewers, deeming his pathway safe.
Occasionally, a large sewer rat scrambled by, their dark pink ears and noses twitching as they stopped to stare Zane down. Their long, hairless tails trailed lazily behind them as they turned to scamper away from the possible predator lurking in their sewer. Zane gave a low hiss and continued on his way through the sewers, his red eyes catching the muddy browns of more sewer rats and the occasional snake. Nothing was more satisfying than finding an individual of a particular species that Zane preferred. He was more than pleased as the spotted a boa constrictor, once that must have been a pet previously, flicking its tongue out as it watched him with its fixed eyes.
Twisting his wrist in slight disinterest, Zane stared back at the non-poisonous serpent, his heart beat increasing slowly. With one more flick of its tongue, the constrictor turned, its muscles flexing impressively beneath its scales. With one more sight, Zane watched as the patched creature's tail disappeared in the darkness of the sewers, possibly looking for its next meal. It can't be too terrible of a life, can it? Zane blinked slowly, peering to his left as he noticed some movement. More brown rats. Especially when your food source basically comes right to you. A rat squeaked in distress as if it heard his thoughts before he began progressing again.
Fifteen minutes had passed slowly before Zane found anything worth his attention. He heard a weird shuffling sound, then a muffled curse. Someone was down here with him - did it surprise him? The sewers weren't off limits to anyone. Zane just felt as if they were his hideaway, where he didn't have to deal with anything but himself. Not his occasionally obnoxious subordinates, nor the threat of rivaling gangs, warning that they were going to blow his brains out the next chance they got. Looking back, Zane sniffed tiredly as he realized he must have been some type of threat to those other gangs, even back when he first formed the Tunnel Vipers. A slight smirk graced his fair face before it fluttered away, his eyes focusing intently on the entrance of another sewer up ahead.
It was where he had thought the noise was coming from, although he couldn't be quite sure yet. The entire sewer system was expansive and every single noise echoed. Zane found himself guessing that noises came from his right when they had indeed come from his left. Such was the life of someone who lurked in the sewers of New York City. Peering at the shadow that had suddenly appeared on the stone floor of the sewer's edge, Zane crouched in the shadows, his eyes hard as jewels as he watched the individual slip and slide into view. He was young, although probably not much younger than Zane himself. The albino furrowed his brow at this, but remained hidden.
The kid kept himself interested for nearly five minutes, before Zane determined successfully that he was of no threat and would only make his plans take a step back if he waited for him to leave. Standing up as quiet as a downy feather falling from the sky, Zane stepped from the shadows and walked, his hands stashed in his pockets. His lithe fingers gently touched the barrel of Luger, cold against his warm skin. He blinked in response as he tried to quickly bypass the stranger in his sewers. But of course, it was to no avail. The kid noticed Zane - Did I expect him not to? Zane grumbled - and quickly brought all his attention to the albino man trying to escape. It was definitely an awkward exchange, by any type of vocabulary Zane could produce. His red eyes stared at the stranger, his facial features unmoving.
At the mention of his home being the sewers, Zane nearly let out a low hiss. He didn't mind the sewers, true, but did he look like the kind to live down here? Red eyes narrowing dangerously, Zane took a step back from the kid, whom had just previously introduced himself as Bailey. Zane spared a quick glance at his clothes, still confused at the kid's words. A clean leather jacket was laid elegantly over his thin but muscular body, black jeans gently hugging his lithe legs. There were no stains or smudges from what the albino could see. Looking back up, Zane gave a low hiss. "What?" He spat, suddenly dreading interacting with this punk. He offered no alias for the other male to call him by, his eyes hard as rubies as he challenged Bailey.
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Post by skull0 on Feb 16, 2013 17:10:27 GMT -5
Mismatched hues wouldn't be frightened from the sinister eyes. In this darkness, they glowed like the evil orbs you saw in classic Disney cartoons. Yes, something quite evil stood before him but the kid wasn't too bothered. He was the hero of this story, thus it was impossible he'd die like this. There was a content smile on his face, more of a default expression than actual content, when his face turned down to bring his cell phone from his pocket. His movements were quiet slow and deliberate, hopefully nothing to cause alarm when all he wanted to do was use the light of his cell phone to get a better look at this stranger.
"That's a strange name." He teased, while his deft digits worked across the screen. "Or maybe you're a ghost, huh?" Bailey chuckled to himself until he was quieted by a modest light shining some light on the latter, at last more than just a suspicious silhouette. The bluenette was convinced this guy didn't live down here now that he could actually see him, though he couldn't be so sure about him not being a ghost. Nonetheless, his smile spread into a clever grin. "Oh, wow. Aren't you cool-looking?" He laughed, the shift of his posture became less tense and more comfortable.
The light descended the latter's figure, cascading shadows up Bailey's stiff expression. Suddenly, his attention snappd on yet another scampering silhouette. A rat. He looked almost disappointed while following the fat rodent running along the opposite wall. "Man, there sure are a bunch of rats down here, but I haven't seen any snakes yet..." There was a glint in his eye when it returned to the guy that had yet to offer his name. "Come on, don't look at me like that." He was referring to that hard look he was getting--and for what? This dude just tried to pass him like nothing, if anything Bailey was the one that should be giving him that look.
But he wasn't going to, there wasn't a real reason he should. Not yet, anyway. "So you got a name or what?"
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Post by zane on Feb 16, 2013 19:46:07 GMT -5
[atrb=border,0,true][atrb=style,width: 387px,bTable][atrb=cellpadding,0,true][atrb=cellspacing,0,true][atrb=valign,top] | [atrb=valign,top] OH NO I'VE SAID TOO MUCH Zane couldn't find himself very interested in the kid, despite the interesting mix-matched colors of his irises. Zane himself had some peculiar eyes - nothing as simple as two different shaded eyes could amaze him. Instead, he continued to stare gruffly as the boy teased him. When the phone was brought out to shine upon Zane's pale skin, he flinched, not used to the light. A soft hiss escaped his lips as he tried to withstand the dulling light emitted from the cellular device. "Do you have any manners?" Zane growled, his eyes re-adjusting to the darkness. "How about a warning next time?" His words seemed to drip with venom, to slide in the air and send a chill up even Zane's own spine.
When prodded, Zane furrowed his brow. "I don't think my name really matters, does it?" He took another step back, the edges of his sneakers now dancing with the sewer water, lapping at the sides of the ravine. He crossed his arms across his chest after looking back to Bailey, his eyes still as hard as rubies as he watched what the boy did. He hadn't seen any snakes? "Are you looking hard enough? I've seen probably five since I came down here." Granted, Zane had a knack for spotting the reptiles in even the most obscured places. "They're not as plentiful as the rats, of course, but they're still readily available." The albino man uncrossed his arms and gestured to his right, where he had previously seen the boa twenty minutes ago.
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Post by skull0 on Feb 16, 2013 21:08:25 GMT -5
Bailey found him quite intriguing. It crossed his mind he might be like some sort of criminal, but it didn't bother him too much. He seemed nice enough, right? It's not like a gun was pointed at him--if only he knew--or he was being demanded all his money. He was like another creature that seemed to move naturally within the sewer, unlike himself that had earlier slipped and scraped his knee. There was a darkened portion of his jeans where the little bits of blood saturated the fabric. It didn't really hurt, just stung a bit, so he ignored it. Bailey, ever so nice and friendly couldn't help but feel the nasty looks and fearsome tones was just the typical acts of the anti-social.
"I guess not, but it'd be nice to know." He responsed without missing a beat, somewhat amused that the latter looked annoyed with him. It was just a friendly question, no harm in that. This guy was so unpleasant that it actually humored the bluenette. Bailey would chuckle at the latter's display, careful not to turn his light on him again after the incident earlier--it was hard to say if this guy was an actual albino, or if that's just how he made himself look, though the university student was certain of the latter explaination--he didn't want to discomfort him like that again. Even Bailey's eyes had been bothered, and he was practically going blind.
"What?!" Disbelief slashed across his features. He slid up next to the other, hoping he'd be informed just where these snakes could be found. When the other explained further about the wildlife here in the sewers, Bailey felt his heart ascend into his throat where he then had to swallow it down. "You're not messing with me, are you?" He asked, following the male's lead as best he could with such light steps to avoid slipping as he had earlier. He made a soft pant, looking down at his feet which were obscured by the darkness and his own poor vision. "So, like... do you come down here a lot?" It really seemed that way.
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Post by zane on Feb 16, 2013 21:52:10 GMT -5
[atrb=border,0,true][atrb=style,width: 387px,bTable][atrb=cellpadding,0,true][atrb=cellspacing,0,true][atrb=valign,top] | [atrb=valign,top] OH NO I'VE SAID TOO MUCH Zane was still pretty uncomfortable with the entire situation, but the Bailey kid was persistent, leaning closer and closer to the albino. He gave small hisses in warning but otherwise didn't mind the kid too much. After all, he seemed the type to only try harder if Zane pushed him away more. He felt Bailey's skin brush against his hand as the younger man ogled at the thought of reptiles lurking within the sewers, and Zane jerked away, displeased at the skin-to-skin contact. He glared at Bailey for a second, wanted to ask him if he even knew who he was, but of course he didn't - the kid didn't even know his name yet. Zane softened his glare as he watched Bailey try to tread lightly as to avoid slipping on the nasty stone floor of the sewer. The tiniest of smirks touched his lips before he turned away, back toward where he had saw the boa.
"My name is Zane." He said, simply, as he took a few steps away from the blue-haired kid. The hair on the back of his neck prickled around his Kerberos spine as he felt the other pull close to him, peering around Zane's shoulders easily - he wasn't a very tall man. Zane took another step forward, uncomfortable again. "You're going to have to walk quieter if you want to see any snakes," He hissed, walking slowly toward a tin can that lay on it's side, battered and broken. He stooped to pick it up, turning it in his pale hand slowly before crouching to set it down. "Yeah, I come down here sometimes..." He peered around his shoulder at the blue-haired male. "Why are you so intent on finding some snakes, anyway?" He turned slowly, crossing his arms over his chest defiantly.
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Post by skull0 on Feb 16, 2013 23:03:35 GMT -5
Persistant would be saying the least about Bailey's tenacity. It didn't occur to him those little hisses were because he was making the latter uncomfortable, he didn't feel uncomfortable so he didn't know why the other would be. Yet when he jerked away, the student made quite a stern face about it. He wouldn't stay offended much longer, though once he caught sight of the latter's rare smirk--well, maybe not a complete smirk but it was better than the usual scowl. There was a particular switch in the back of his mind that was flicked on. Maybe this dude wasn't so bad...
His smiled warmed. "Zane, huh?" He toddled along, feet clacking loudly down the tunnerl and scaring away all the rats. Eyes rolled toward the sounds of skittering, bumping into his stooped guide. The boy took a few steps back, "Oh, sorry. I wasn't paying attention where I was going... hm?" Only sometimes? For some reason the bluenette doubted that. Of course, that wasn't important because no sooner was Bailey asked a question that paused him. "I heard from some friends that snakes are in the sewers, but I just thought they were pullin' my leg," He started walking again, managing to keep his footing even this time, "no one wanted to come check it out with me, so here I am."
He grinned, looking down at Zane. The kid pulled out his phone and piddled with it for a second, every now and then flashing the dimmed light on the latter just to mess with him.
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Post by zane on Feb 16, 2013 23:35:44 GMT -5
[atrb=border,0,true][atrb=style,width: 387px,bTable][atrb=cellpadding,0,true][atrb=cellspacing,0,true][atrb=valign,top] | [atrb=valign,top] OH NO I'VE SAID TOO MUCH Zane held his arms in place across his chest as he watched the blue-haired male play with his phone, teasingly flashing it in Zane's red eyes occasionally. "If you don't knock it off, I'm going to knock that stupid thing right out of your hand," He hissed, displeased with the attempt to be friendly. Once the phone had been put down - for the most part, at least - Zane turned back around and continued down the tunnel, his feet hardly making a sound as he stepped over garbage, evading any obstacles. He couldn't say the same was true of his new companion, though - loud scrapes and thuds could be heard from behind him, but Zane couldn't be bothered to tell him to hush up. If he was going to be loud, he would lose out.
Peering before him, Zane let out a strained sigh. "Your friends weren't quite 'pulling your leg'," He said in a matter-of-fact tone, his pupils darting from left to right as he searched for any giveaway hints as to where he could successfully search for a serpent. When he saw nothing, Zane raised his hand, running his lithe fingers through his messy white hair in a sigh of frustration. How much more annoying could this kid be? First he wants to find a snake, then he's louder than old hell. Next he wants to be a comedian, flashing his silly phone's light in front of Zane's sensitive eyes. "I wasn't kidding about the phone thing, either, Bailey." He peered around his shoulder once more before stooping to lift a medium-sized rock aside.
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Post by skull0 on Feb 16, 2013 23:49:44 GMT -5
He hadn't meant to get Zane in the eyes, but that's just how it happened when he flashed it at the guy's head and the dumbass looked straight at it. He snickered to himself, agreeing to stop but he still kept the light shining on the ground so he could see where he was going. He kept stepping on stuff and tripping on the debris. It crossed his mind to get a group together to clean up the sewer, but it all sounded ridiculous even in his head. Zane was so light on his feet, he was like a sewer-gazelle. Just as evasive as the snakes Bailey hunted. The young man smiled fondly at the back of the other's head, secretly snapping a quick picture while he wasn't looking as proof he had found the snakes rumored to lurk in this underground.
"Oh?" He replied with mild interest, tucking his phone away into his back pocket. "Alright, alright..." Hues drifted to the ground, waiting for them to adjust before he looked back up. It occurred to him that Zane used his name. Maybe he was reading into it too much, but if his little serpent chose to remember his name would that mean something significant? For that reason Bailey felt a tug of satisfaction, of accomplishment. He stood behind the latter, leaning to see what was going on with that rock. It'd be great if there was a snake under there even though with the luck he'd been having he doubted that. The collegian's lips pulled in anticipation. A harsh whisper pierced the silence, "Is it a snake?" while his intrepid hand placed itself innocently on Zane's back so he could keep his balance when crouching beside him.
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Post by zane on Feb 17, 2013 15:29:13 GMT -5
[atrb=border,0,true][atrb=style,width: 387px,bTable][atrb=cellpadding,0,true][atrb=cellspacing,0,true][atrb=valign,top] | [atrb=valign,top] OH NO I'VE SAID TOO MUCH Zane was satisfied when Bailey finally agreed to stash his phone away. Not only did the light bother Zane's eyes, but he had read studies that suggested that snakes were sensitive to the electromagnetic waves that the cellular devices emitted. Zane had his own, but he used it sparingly. Especially if he wanted to see some snakes in the sewers. There were far better places to look, but being so dark down here, Zane preferred it over the sunny meadows and whatnot. Anyhow, it was winter above ground. The only snakes not hibernating at the moment were the sewer serpents.
Lifting the rock gently as to not startle any potential creatures, Zane squinted, attempting to see beneath the crack he had created between the floor of the sewer and the rugged edge of the rock. A glimmer of pale cream scales, and Zane was fascinated. "Bingo," he hummed quietly as he eased the rock off the snake. It was just a juvenile. From what Zane could see in the darkness, it appeared to be a Northern water snake, but it was hard to tell, especially considering it's age. The snake tilted its head slowly, flicking its tongue out lazily. Did I wake you? Zane thought, a gentle smile touching his thin lips.
Careful not to startle the reptile, Zane set the rock aside and slowly moved his hands near the youngster. It curled tighter, but did not give any signs of attacking. Zane was pleased, and gently pinched the sides of the water snake's tail, moving the serpent into the palm of his hand with pain-staking preciseness. The scales were cold to the touch, suggesting that the snake might have been resting or even contemplating hibernation. Zane furrowed his brow, concerned for the little reptile. "Hmm, he seems thin... but snakes can go for long, long periods of time without eating, especially younger snakes. It takes some time to learn how to successfully stalk prey, despite the instinct being embedded in their brains from day one." Zane mumbled, more to himself than to Bailey. In fact, he had even forgotten that the blue-haired boy was crouched behind him, despite the warmth he felt at the small of his back.
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Post by skull0 on Feb 19, 2013 22:21:53 GMT -5
Bailey's hues followed the motions of the rock being lifted as vague silhouettes in the darkness of the sewer. His eyesight wasn't too good to begin with, and he was having trouble adjusting to the minimal light. The city was so bright, always so bright, he'd rarely been anywhere that he couldn't see the details of his hand if he held it out in front of him. But Zane was so pale, he was like a beacon. A lighthouse at the shores of the ocean, guiding ships except in this case it was the snakes of the sewers he was bringing to harbor.
Eyes blinked, not believing the creamy hue that shifted in the latter's palms. He exhaled his excitement, unaware of his hand that gripped hold of the slick leather jacket clothing his new friend. Could this be? Mild awe hung his mouth open, sucking in yet another gasp of the putrid sewer's air. "What would it eat down here?" Probably the bugs and such... these rats seemed to big for the little weakling. The young man shifted onto his knees, sitting on his calves when it felt like his body might fall back. Bailey almost felt sorry for it, yet his fascination with the specimen could only increase.
Cupping his hands, he reached toward Zane's while asking, "Do you think I could hold it?" The sheen of its scales, he wondered how one might feel in his own palms. As tender, as careful, as the albino was with the snake Bailey was under the assumption handling it wouldn't be too difficult. If he were a suspicious person, he would have found it odd this stranger that had been bent on avoiding him earlier had now helped him. "Do you like snakes, Zane?" He had to ask, gesturing for it to be relinquished to him as though it was newborn and Bailey an eager relative.
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Post by zane on Feb 19, 2013 23:04:14 GMT -5
[atrb=border,0,true][atrb=style,width: 387px,bTable][atrb=cellpadding,0,true][atrb=cellspacing,0,true][atrb=valign,top] | [atrb=valign,top] OH NO I'VE SAID TOO MUCH Zane held the creature delicately, his mind so wrapped around the concept of this animal being here that he didn't even feel the fistful of his jacket being clutched by Bailey. His red eyes seemed to touch the juvenile, caressing it gently as he looked for any distinguishing features- a notch in its tail, a scar on it's back, an area of lacking scales. But there was nothing that Zane could see, at least right now. Perfection, his head cooed gently as he seemed to cradle the creature to his chest.
When Bailey asked if he could hold it, Zane was a little more than cautious. "...u," he murmured a small sound, cupping his hands a little more tightly as he felt the snake wrap its tail loosely around its body. "You have to be careful, or you'll scare him. He will bite. It won't hurt much, but he's still young yet - he's afraid." Zane slowly, slowly tilted his hands so that the small serpent fell into his new companion's own cupped hands, the snake looking around as if it was confused by the change of environment. His surroundings weren't so bright now. "Does that question even deserve an answer?"
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Post by skull0 on Feb 19, 2013 23:47:09 GMT -5
When it seemed Zane was so busy admiring the reptile, Bailey leaned so much closer to him that their shoulders touched. The young man was essentially leaning against the latter, though it happened more as a gentle push to get his attention. Just a friendly nudge, to be quite honest. The bluenette didn't mean much by it beside to simply hinder the other without causing harm to anything. A sheepishly mischievous caret-like smile came to his lips.
He could understand Zane being so protective. The way he brought it to his chest--Bailey's mouth fell open, eyes widened at the feel of the snake wiggling in his hands. Teeth clenched, worried it might immediately bite him yet it shortly calmed down. "Please don't bite me little guy..." He chuckled softly, "I guess not... ah, this is so cool..." How could he explain? Snakes looked wet, but it wasn't... the scales were somewhat rough but still slick like the latter's jacket. It felt to him somewhat like water beading through his hands.
"Cold..." He breathed, glancing back at Zane appreciatively. "So, if this is just a baby... do you think the mom is nearby?" Some people might be satiated by this, but if there were baby snakes hanging around here, there definitely had to be adult snakes to make the baby, right? A determined grin flashed across Bailey's features, lowering his hands to the dirt to let the creature go free. Yet he stopped. "... What do they eat, anyway?"
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Post by zane on Feb 21, 2013 23:25:11 GMT -5
[atrb=border,0,true][atrb=style,width: 387px,bTable][atrb=cellpadding,0,true][atrb=cellspacing,0,true][atrb=valign,top] | [atrb=valign,top] OH NO I'VE SAID TOO MUCH Zane was more than satisfied by the awe that crossed Bailey's face when the small serpent fell into his hands - it was the same face that Zane himself made when he had first held a snake. The surprise that erupted in someone's mind when one realized that snakes were, indeed, not slimy like they appeared - they were actually smooth and cool. His body seemed less tense as he watched the boy handle the snake gently, like it was valuable. He reached out carefully and touched the tips of his fingers against the creature.
"Small bugs, I would bet." He looked around, his eyes glinting. "They're too small yet to eat the sewer rats... but no, these water snakes don't care for their young." He brushed the tips of his pale fingers against the serpent again. "The mothers are live-bearing... They can have litters up to nearly one-hundred offspring, but it's generally more often in the mid-twenties." He paused, looking at the blue-haired boy, realizing that he had been rambling a bit.
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Post by skull0 on Feb 22, 2013 1:12:54 GMT -5
The snake seemed at home in the warmth of Bailey's palm until it realized the cool ground called freedom. It wriggled off, finding cover in the cracks of the tunnel's wall. He was content watching the reptile slither away, fascinated by the movements of his milky body. So fluid, like mercury and milk. Bailey clenched and uncleaned his hand that felt odd after the serpent left him. "I wanna find a bigger snake, but maybe we can find some bugs to feed it..." He looked around, eventually finding the rock Zane had shifted out of the way.
From his bag, he pulled a highlighter that'd accidentally been swiped from work. While he intended to return it, the manager ended up using it again and just making off with it once more. There was a certain tenderness in his smile aimed at the latter beside him, endearing perhaps. "You know a lot about snakes." He stated, expecting to receive and explanation though he figured the guy probably just spent so much time down here with them it'd become a hobby. However when he thought back to the earlier mannerisms, maybe Zane was a snake that could assume human form.
The idea made him chuckle, for which he apologized. "Sorry--let's see..." The bluenette lifted onto his feet with less effort than he expected. "Hm... if I were a bug, where would I be?" He turned to the wall, running his fingers over the small incisions in the texture.
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