Behind the colors (OPEN)

[Maia Veronna]

Maia took a deep breath, pulling the steam from her coffee into her nose to savor the scent. It had been a long day, one case after another was being thrown onto her plate, she lost important paper work and to top it off the only thing she had to look forward to was going home to a cat who hated her. She shook her head and sighed to herself. She looked up from her cooling drink and watched a couple snuggling at a table in the corner.

Maia smiled slightly as she traced the colors their bodies gave off. The young woman had a pale green glow about her that traced up into a mild purple and circled into her male partner’s shades. The young man’s body let off a gold light, once again vaporizing up into purple tips. Their love showed clearly, not only by their affectionate posture, but by the violet hue their souls pushed toward each other.

Maia’s eyes took a quick turn when a vision of red walked by her. A man, mid thirties with graying hair, shoved his way into the small restaurant. His eyes were kept low, showing his intentions were clearly not innocent. He trudged past Maia and sat in the booth behind her. The bloody shade that bubbled around him trickled into her line of sight even when she wasn’t looking directly at him.

With the risk of getting caught, Maia turned to look at the man. The man seemed to be only five feet at the most, his heavy shoulders hung around him as if his shame was to much to bare. His silver rimmed glasses just barely covered his large, sulking eyes. He studied the menu, but even Maia knew his mind was elsewhere.

As a waitress walked by the man looked up, muttered a girl’s name and waited. When the waitress nodded and pointed to the back of the restaurant Maia knew something was going to happen and it wasn’t going to be a love fest. She waited for the waitress to leave and placed a few bills on the table for her coffee. She took in a deep breath and rose to her feet. She calmly walked over to the man, placing her hand on the table. When he looked up at her she didn’t hesitate.

“Whatever it is, don’t do it.” She said, her voice low, but forceful. “I’m not sure what you’re planning, but I know it isn’t good. Whatever reason you’re here to see that girl, I know it isn’t going to help her or yourself. So do yourself a favor, walk out that door, and rethink what you’re about to do.”

The man’s blank stare of confusion and anger caused his color of blood to waver into a mild yellow before coming back into a full fire of red. “You don’t know anything, girly. So go back to your table and leave me alone.”

Maia didn’t budge. Apparently years of dealing with jerks was paying off. She leaned a little closer and looked him in the eye. This was a long shot, but it was worth the try. “Trying anything and I'll make sure its your last move.”

This simple line was meant to make the man go home… but it had a different effect. The man suddenly shot up from his seat, his hand moved for his jacket and within seconds a gun was pointing at Maia's head. Well… so much for trying to play the nice guy.

[Alistair Price]

The platinum blonde mutant sat at his table wearing his combat boots, black jeans, and a black T-Shirt. He looked like he had jumped out of the 80s, which was fine with Alistair; he liked the 80s. Good music. Crazy chicks. Billy Idol. Leather and spikes. What was there to not like? Well...the hair was a bit odd, but every decade has its flaw. Look at the 90s.
The black clad meta-human just sat there sipping his tea and reading, of all things, a manga by the name of GTO. It was a strange sight, that was for sure.

Alistair had just gotten off work about twenty minutes ago, and he headed straight to this restaurant to help relax himself before heading off to bed. He had been doing security detail one town over for some big concert for some kid he had never heard of. The music was awful, but the audience seemed to enjoy it. It was hard for him to believe what passed for music these days.

Mr. Price took a drink of his tea, and then sighed a pleasant sigh. The tea here was particularly nice, which is why he had become a regular as of recently. He didn't live close by, but the trek was worth it to him.

Something caused Alistair's head to shoot up from his book, but he wasn't sure what. ~Oh, great. Somethin' bad is about to happen.~[/color] He thought to himself. He was all too familiar with this feeling; it was his lizard side warning him of danger. He looked around the room, trying to spot anything odd or new. "Hello." He whispered as his eyes fell on a man who had just sat down. One eyebrow went up on Alistair's face. The guy didn't look all that dangerous--in fact he was kind of small.

The superhuman shrugged, thinking that maybe his sense was wrong this time. He went back to reading his book, occasionally chuckling out loud at it. But, the animal in him wouldn't let him be. His eyes darted over to the man again, and this time there was a little woman there at his table. A few things were said, but Alistair was too far away to hear. Price's eyes widened as the man suddenly pulled a gun. "Oh, bloody hell." He thought aloud, and then put his manga down on the table. He rose up from his table and took a couple steps toward the two. "Hey you!" He called out to the man. "Why don't you direct that thing over here and leave the nice lady alone?" He walked a little closer. "Maybe you and I can have it out, huh? It'll be a win win. You'll get to use your shiny toy, she'll get to not get shot, and I... Well, I just like to fight. Though, I guess that was technically a win, win, win."

[Maia Veronna]

Maia stared down the short barrel of a .380 automatic hand gun. The skittering thoughts she had managed to hold onto during her threat had fled, along with the urge to play protector. Why did she keep getting herself into these situations? Just for once why couldn’t she keep her big mouth shut and look the other way? She licked her lips, trying to think of the perfect words to say, only to hear the booming, yet calm voice from a man in the restaurant, getting her attacker’s attention. Risking her safety she had to look at the voice who captured the man’s attention.

At the end of the isle stood a man, possibly mid 30s to early 40s, though he appeared much younger. The colors that waved off his body like steam confused her. A shimmering green speckled a dark blue vapor, much like scales reflecting light off a fish or lizard. Within the royal blue stood lines of copper, showing the man was expecting more danger then she was currently sensing. She focused away from the colors and made note of his features, silver hair and deep set eyes, though she couldn’t make out the shade from here she assumed they were dark.

Maia tilted her head back to the man with the gun, his blood shade had dulled to an orange with traces of yellow, his confusing never showing on his face, only in the colors that covered him. The man’s furry suddenly returned, lashing his red rage outward. She took a step back only to have the man glare back at her, as if daring her to move.

When the new man moved closer to her and the crazed attacker she tensed. This wasn’t a good move, she could sense it. She held her hand back, as if pleading for Alistair to halt for a moment. “Just listen.” She said, her voice soft, almost weak though she was far from it. “This isn’t something you want to do, just put the gun down.” She nearly made another comment, than the doors to the kitchen opened and out came a woman.

The woman, apparently the one the man had been looking for, stared at the scene as if she had just walked into a nude bar full of old people. She grabbed her apron and twisted the end nervously. If it hadn’t been for the twist of fear on her face she could have been considered pretty. She was tall with long blond hair pulled into a pony tail. She was lightly tanned with pale green eyes, her only misfortune was a large scar on the side of her neck running from her left ear down to her chest. “Charles, what are you doing!?” She shouted, her voice coming out tight and fearful.

The man swung the gun toward the woman, his eyes full of remorse. Maia knew what was next and jumped for the gun. A loud shot rung out, she quickly prayed no one was hit.

[Alistair Price]

Alistair's attention was focused on the man and the firearm he was holding. However, when he saw the woman near him move away just a tad he shifted his gaze. She was trying to get out of danger; understandable but also unwise. The armed man glared at her. This was going to get messy, he just knew it. That gun was going to go off if Price didn't do something fast.

His slow approach was halted when he saw the woman motion for him to stop. Was she seriously going to try to reason with this madman? Basilisk stopped and listened for a moment, and then one eyebrow shot up in surprise. She was! She was trying to reason with him! Alistair rolled his eyes. He was ready to charge this guy when he heard a woman cry out to the armed man. His head turned to the person who came from the kitchen, and then his eyes moved to the crazed gunman again.

The gun swung around, and time slowed down. A dozen scenarios flashed in front of Alistair's eyes, and then they all went away when he saw the first woman try to push the gun away. With unreal speed, Basilisk ran for the woman who was being aimed at, his skin turning to scales in a flash and his body becoming denser. A shot rang out just as he wrapped his arms around the apron-wearing woman. A wounded shriek resounded from Alistair as a bullet tore into his right shoulder. He quickly moved the woman back into the safety of the kitchen, and then dashed back out into the dining area. His black on yellow eyes zeroed in on the man, and then claws extended from his fingers.

"I think it's time you got a good thrashing." He said before rushing over to the man, appearing as nothing more than a green and black blur. A set of claws lashed out at the hand holding the gun, and then a mouth of lizard-like fangs opened up right in the man's face. Basilisk hoped to scare the guy stiff so the cops could get him, and Alistair could go get some medical attention.

[Maia Veronna]

Maia had grabbed a handful of barrel as the man fired. The blaring heat gave her enough of a warning she had made a mistake. The man that had distracted her a moment ago had lurched for the waitress in a blur of black and green. She bit her tongue to hold back a cry of pain from her left hand and of surprise. She gripped the gun, none the less, and threw herself into the man.

Even with his short stature, his frame was solid. Her thin body was no match, she merely shoved him to the side, but he kept his balance. The man shoved her with his free arm, slinging her away from him and into the booth he had once sat in. She cradled her burned hand and glared up at him.

The scuffle of Alistair pulling the woman to the ground and into the kitchen had missed her gaze, but she had a feeling something was about to happen. She was about to kick the man when she heard Alistair’s voice. She stared in disbelief at the claws that poured from his hands like dripping wax. She cringed back, allowing this man, or whatever he was, to take over. She stared at him, his eyes catching her the most. They weren’t dark as she had thought, but a sunflower gold. His outer colors had changed as well, the once speckled and threaded colors had now molded into a solid black mass of anger and protection.

Maia shrunk away to allow the man beast to take over. Her hand burned like crazy, but she refused to look at it, not allowing herself a moment to freak out. She stared at the men before her, hoping this would be over soon.

The man didn’t waver until he saw Alistair shifting into something else. The man’s horrid shade of blood blended with the yellow of confusion. The sudden movement of Alistair scared the man, making his color turn to a puny lime color. He darted to the side, barely missing being gripped by the beast. He fell on his back, but quickly scrambled, propping himself up on his elbows.

“Don’t move or I’ll shoot.” He growl, though his fear was clear in his voice. Once he saw Alistair would call his bluff he pointed the gun at Maia. “I’ll shoot her.” He clocked the gun and waited, his arm shaking with fear and adrenalin.

Maia just looked at the man in disbelief. If that thing had come at her she would not only have put don the gun, but needed a fresh change of underwear! She shrunk back and glared at the fact he was threatening her life. She had given the man a chance to leave and change his mind, but no, he had to be stubborn and pull a gun anyway. She gripped the table with her good hand and leaned toward the man. "You idiot!" She shouted, the rage in her voice just barely overcoming her tone of fear. "Put that thing down, do you really think hes going to care about me!? I don't even know him!"

Though part of her hoped this stranger would at least help her out, she also knew she wasn't making the situation any better. "Hes going to eat you, or something, and that little gun isn't going to stop him!" At that moment she looked at Alistair, the blood from his wound just now apparent to her. Ok, maybe the gun would stop him. She gave Alistair a pained look of I'm sorry before turning her gaze back to the man. The gun was slowly lowering as if he was actually going to take her advice, then sprung up again in heated anger and fired, the bullet splitting the wood of the booth she was hiding in. She yelped and sulked back into her corner. BIG MOUTH, BIG MOUTH, BIG MOUTH!!!! When was she going to learn to shut it?

[Alistair Price]

The guy was scared alright, Basilisk could smell the fear emanating from him. However, instead of getting a good slash from Alistair's claws he fell back, probably shocked by his appearance. This was a pretty common reaction when people saw Price change--his lizard form didn't exactly scream good-guy. Usually people flipped out, called him obscenities, and/or ran.

Basilisk didn't let up on the gunman, he stayed right there in front of him, hoping to get him to surrender without having to seriously wound him...not that the madman had done him the same courtesy. Alistair blocked out the pain in his shoulder; his mental training came in handy in these situations.

With the gun in his grasp the little man started making shaky threats. Alistair just smirked, his fangs gleaming just a bit. His confidence was suddenly shaken when the barrel turned on Maia. ~Damn!~[/color] He exclaimed mentally, his eyes looking over at the woman for a short moment, barely catching her apologetic expression. His eyes moved to his enemy again, but soon darted over to the young woman when she started yelling. He didn't much care for the comments made about him eating the gunman, but maybe it would work, then again... A furious and heart-stopping scowl came upon his face as he turned his gaze back to the madman once the shot went off. ~Bloody hell!~ He shouted in his mind.

That was the last straw--this bloke had his chance. Now, it was time for the animal to get mean. "I'm going to tear your sodding arm off for that." He said grimly, growling the last five words. A set of claws launched forward, seeking to impale the man's shoulder with great speed and power.

[Maia Veronna]

Maia peeked around the corner to look at Alistair, oddly the lizard like appearance he had didn’t scare her, it intrigued her. His colors swirled and cracked together to make new colors as they collided. She eyes him carefully, taking in the reflection of scales in the light. She shook her thoughts away just as the woman from the kitchen crept back into the room.

As Alistair leaped onto the man the woman screamed. Maia jumped and followed the blur as it lunged. The man also screamed, his morphed into a deathly howl of shock. Maia shrunk back as the man screeched, her heart clinching with sickened fear. She closed her eyes from the scene and turned away.

The woman raced toward the mess of fighting men, her words a jumbled mess as she pleaded with Alistair to let go of the gunman and for the gunman, apparently named Charles, to stop fighting and give up. She turned white at the sight of the man’s blood, even though the wound most likely wasn’t life threatening she didn’t seem to be thrilled at the idea of him losing his life fluids.

Maia’s attention didn’t open her eyes again until the sound of sirens caught her attention. She looked around the restaurant. The young couple had fled when the trouble started, apparently that was the reason for the cops blaring around the corner. She refused to look at the scuffling men, instead she turned her eyes to the door, waiting on the police to come and control the situation.

[Alistair Price]

Alistair's claws went through the little man's shoulder on one side and out the other, blood splashing up to the lizard-like mutant's arm and face. He growled a little as the man screamed in agony. Basilisk had no remorse for his action--the way he saw it this man was getting what he deserved. The bloke turned a loaded gun on two women, shot Price in the shoulder, and now he was reaping what he sowed. Justice.

Suddenly, a voice irrupted from behind the mutant. Words were sobbed but not a one could be made out. Alistair readied his other hand to rip the gun from the man's grasp when he managed to make out a few words that the woman from the kitchen was saying. She was pleading... Down right begging for Price to let this madman go. A shocked and confused reptilian face spun to look at the woman in the apron. ~Are you daft, lady?!~[/color] He thought to himself. Here this guy had tried to kill her and the woman hiding, and this sobbing woman was begging on his behalf. What the devil was that about? Talk about an unhealthy relationship.

Alistair knew this guy deserved every bit of pain he was going through, maybe more, but Price couldn't say no to a weeping woman. Plus, there were sirens, which made Basilisk uneasy. He tore his hand from the man's body, flicking the blood to the floor the instant it was free. His whole body returned to normal in just a couple seconds, and then he moved back to his table. The black clad mutant grabbed his book, turned about, and headed for the door quite calmly. "Don't come cryin' to me when he goes all homicidal on your sorry bum again." He said lowly as he passed the weeping woman.

The mutant stopped at the door, a thought crossing his mind. He looked around for the first woman, the one who had enraged the gunman further. Once his eyes fell upon her he called out: "You comin'? Or would y'like to hang around in the blood and tears for the bobbies to question you?" ~Assuming that wanker on the floor doesn't shoot you first.~ He added mentally.

[Maia Veronna]

Maia tuned back into the station of chaos just in time to watch Alistair walk toward the door. When he offered for her to leave she nodded and hopped from the scene without a second thought. The waitress was now talking to the man, her voice inaudible. Maia looked over her shoulder as she reached the door, the man was now basked in a hollow shade of orange and pale yellow, his pain and fear mixing in a cloud of emotion. The woman’s own aura was filled with pinks, greens and purples, the colors of concern and compassion.

“She’s flippin’ nuts!” Maia grumbled under her breath as she slid out the door with Alistair. She ducked her head as the flashing lights came around the corner, the swirl of red and blue seemed like one of her own color visions. She made sure to stay close to Alistair, though clearly out of reach just in case. She eyed him carefully until they made it out of reach of the cops.

“Okay, I’m sorry for what I said back there… and for what I’m about to say to you… but what the heck was that!?” Her voice squeaked at the end, showing she wasn’t afraid, but fascinated. “I’ve worked with mutants before, but I have never seen something like that! I mean, I’m not saying you’re a mutant, but what else could you be. Heck maybe an alien, who knows.” She slid him a glare and blushed darkly before clearing her throat. “I’m a little edgy. I talk a lot when I’m spooked.”

She bit her lip to keep from saying anything else, but couldn’t resist. “Your shoulder okay?”
She clinched her own hand, feeling the sting of the mild burn.

[Alistair Price]

Alistair smirked ever so slightly at the woman calling the waitress nuts. The two started out the door with Price leading. He immediately turned in the opposite direction the cops were coming from, trying his best not to look suspicious in case they spotted him. He really didn't feel like repeating his days as a wanted fugitive being hunted by S.H.I.E.L.D. and bobbies all the time.

Alistair glanced back for a second to see the police advancing, and then he looked away. He was still a little worried about that stupid woman, although it was unlikely the gunman would be moving much with the wound Basilisk had given him. The lady near him burst into his thoughts with her enthusiastic and loud words. The mutant's head shot to the woman, who was nameless at the moment, his right eyebrow raised slightly. ~She's rambling like a kid.~[/color] He thought to himself as he listened to her.

The young woman soon brought up his shoulder, which broke his mental block. Pain shot through his shoulder, and a grunt came from his mouth as he fought back a scream. ~Good lord, that hurts!~ He thought as he halted, his opposite hand moving close to the wound. He looked back at it. ~Still bleeding. This isn't good.~[/color] He turned his gaze to the woman once more. "I don't suppose you happen to know how to pull out a bullet... Do you?"

[Maia Veronna]

(sorry its short, next one will be better!)

Maia hesitated before answering, the sudden blast of maroon allowed her a glimpse of his pain. “I don’t… but I know someone who does.” She added. She removed her jacket and handed it to him. “I think you’ll make it a few more blocks, just hold this to stop the bleeding… Don’t worry I swear it’s clean.” She tried to make a joke, but it fell short.

She took a turn and started walking down one of the side streets. She looked over her shoulder at him. “I’m Maia by the way.”

Her name was something she always had pride in. Maia, the greek goddess of spring, fit her well. She was full of life and hyper to boot. Julian had named her the night she was left on the door steps of the orphanage. The little girl she used to be was always babbling and getting into things she shouldn’t be, allowing herself to grow into her name.

She slowed her pace and walked along side Alistair. “You never answered my question.” She said, her voice a little calmer now. She was on familiar streets and the cops were fading into the back ground. “What are you?” She asked bluntly, there was no point in beating around the bush. Her hazel eyes watched him carefully, taking any sudden changes in color that might lead her to believe he was lying to her.

[Alistair Price]

(OOC: don't fret, love)

Alistair leaned against a building for a moment as Maia replied. He knew he still had a bit of time before the dizziness set in, but he would rather not get to that. He hoped whoever this girl was talking about was nearby.

Price looked at the young woman's jacket, a little surprised by the gesture. He hated to ruin her clothes, but under the circumstances he knew it was the smartest course of action. He reluctantly took the jacket and pressed it against the wound as best he could; it wasn't exactly easy to reach.
He pushed himself off of the wall and continued down the sidewalk with the newly introduced Maia. ~Nice name.~[/color] He thought to himself. The hero remained silence for a while, but then his companion repeated her earlier question.

~"What are you?" she says. No matter how many times I hear it...it always stings a bit.~ Basilisk thought sadly, but went ahead and answered. "I'm a mutant of the animorph class, which basically means I have a certain level of abilities related to a specific animal I'm capable of turning into, and in my case that's the basilisk lizard." He replied, trying to keep his mind off of the pain. "Some animorphs can turn into a bunch of different animals, some can't. Some, like me, are only capable of turning into half-human hybrids. But, on the plus side, I retain a certain amount of the animal traits like super strength." He added, now following Maia to wherever this person was that she had mentioned.

"Oh, and my name's Alistair." Price said nonchalantly. "Now I've got a question for you." He stated, turning his eyes to the young woman. "How did you know that bloke was up to no good? I know I felt it because of my innate lizard senses, but you... Well, if I had to guess I'd say you had a bit of power yourself."

[Maia Veronna]

Maia thought about helping him tie the jacket around the wound, but refrained. She wasn’t exactly sure how well he’d like to be touched by a stranger. She allowed him to hold the jacket on his own, it was only a block or so more to go. She let a faint smile creep onto her face when she heard he was a mutant and what he could do exactly. Best power ever! She thought, her mind panning to the different animals she would be stuck with it she was like him. Half snake, half lion, half bear. Though being her luck she’d end up being half bug or something.

She shook her head and tuned back into his words when he introduced himself. She picked at her shirt hem when he asked about her knowing the man was bed news. She shrugged and looked over at him. “I’m not a mutant,” She said, her voice showing she wished it was that simple. “I’m not sure what I am, or even if I am something different, or if I’m just weird… sorry, I’m rambling again.” She took a deep breath and returned to picking her hem.

“Since I was little girl I could see peoples… colors, their auras. I can look at someone and know their feelings, sometimes even their thoughts.” She gaze a small glance his way to see if he thought she was crazy or not. “The man was nothing but red. Anger and hate. I knew he was going to do something and I heard him ask for a woman in the restaurant. I didn’t know he had a gun though.”

She sighed and put her shirt tail down. “The woman I’m taking you to, she is the only person who believes me. So if you don’t I understand.” She shrugged again and looked over at him. “I bet I could tell you something about yourself to prove I’m right.” She added this as she started up the steps of an old convent.

[Alistair Price]

After a moment Alistair had successfully blocked out the pain, but that wouldn't matter once he lost enough blood to make him dizzy--even Sensei Giles wasn't able to push past something like that. But, at least the pain was gone. He still kept pressure on the wound though, which in turn made the hole harder to ignore.

Mr. Price's eyes stayed on Maia as she answered his question. The way she talked about her abilities certainly made it sound like she was a mutant, but she claimed that she wasn't sure what she was. Alistair raised an eyebrow briefly at her uncertainty. ~How do you not know?~[/color] He asked himself. ~A kid being confused about it, that I can understand, but she's an adult.~[/color] The mutant kind of shrugged it off, and then turned his gaze to what was before him.

"No need to prove yourself to me. Honestly, it's not so unbelievable." He replied. "I mean, come on, if I can turn into a bloody lizard monster then I don't think it's much of a stretch to say that you see people's auras in technicolor." The Englishman added with a grin on his lips. "Actually, I think I've heard of somethin' like that before. Don't recall where or when." Basilisk looked and saw an old convent before him, and concluded that whoever this girl was taking him to was a part of the Catholic Church, and thus would probably not take much a liking him; religious types had a tendency to think him a demon. ~Bugger.~ He thought as he followed Maia anyways.

[Maia Veronna]

Maia nodded, this was true. He wasn’t exactly one to claim she wasn’t what she seemed. She looked at him, noting the flicker of skepticism when he looked up at the building. A pale hue of whitish yellow orbed around him then drowned into the same black, blue and green flaked bubble he carried with him. The veins of orange had faded, telling her his pain was at least off his mind for the moment.

She walked into the doors, pulling out her cell phone to send a quick text. They entered into a large lobby with white marble floors and faded gold painted walls. A large, red sofa lined one wall to accommodate visitors. The other walls were decorated with religious pictures and crosses of every shape and size. The ceiling was low hung with a simple brass chandelier glowing faintly.

Maia turned to look at him as her phone chimed. She read the text and nodded. “Our help is on the way.” She said with a smile. She looked over at his shoulder, hissing a little at the spill of blood. “You want to sit down? I’m sure she’ll move you to the infirmary though.” She shifted from foot to foot.

A moment later the door in the far wall opened and a nun walked in, her habit cloaking her completely. Maia flashed a grin and shrugged. “You know how I am, Julian, I love to bring home strays.”

The nun gave a laugh and moved into the full glow of the light. She gave Maia a hug and turned to look at Alistair. She was nearly 50, but appeared to be in her 30s. Her deep blue eyes were stern, but caring; love basking within them. Her hair, the few strands not hidden under the black cloth, were light brown.
“Let’s get you taken care of.” Her voice was soft and gentle, like a mother’s voice. She stretched out her arm, telling Maia to lead the way.

Maia nodded to Alistair and started down the hall. She stayed close to him for a moment and whispered, “I haven’t told her about how you got this, that’s up to you. She’s not like most people.” She added with a large grin. “After all, she’s my mom.”
This was going to lead to an interesting look.