Night had fallen over the town of Emerton. Several walked along the sidewalks and some on the streets themselves. Many sat upon benches by streetlights while others laid upon the grass, eyes gazing to the stars. Several officers in uniform were out and about as well yucking it up with the locals; though mostly they remained quiet as they patrolled around town.

Near the outskirts of the town was a park, a long path down the middle with many a flower pot scattered round, even under the trees and by the light posts. Swing sets, benches, picnic tables, flower beds around statues, fountains, the works. Many a thing stood in the park with lights stationed all around. In fact it was under one such light pole, upon a bench, where Elise was placed.

A fountain roared nearby, the platter of water. Next to Elise with a book of their own was a hooded man, turning their head to her on occasion. Her voice echoed occasionally as well, distraught yet soft, “-and so halfway through my time there I find out he’s behind be because Father pointed it out. I was so bothered thinking Father was going to call me out you know? But no my brother is behind me and where does it go after that?”

“Elise, I hear you, truly I do.”

The reply calm, belonging to a young man who now began to lean back, “Your brother is a jackass and that’s a fallback of where the clan is heading. Vulfax has gotten too political, too tyrannical, so that crap is somewhat to be expected.”

She stood, marching off a few paces with a growl. The man’s head rose as Elise moved over to the swing set where she plopped down. Hands on the chains, she held on as she kicked at the ground to slightly swing. Her head shook with eyes at the ground as they had done many times.

The young man nodded as his hood fell back, revealing dark blue hair with a bit of brown at the roots. His eyes glistened a brown as the light reflected off though as he leaned back the brown was replaced by a glowing silver. The man let out a yawn, “Oh man.”

“Alto you live by the night, why the heck are you tired?”

“Why aren’t you tired when you live by the day?”

“I don’t sleep well anymore anyway.”

“Really? Yet you still look so very awake. Neato,” he chuckled.

“Yeah, neato is right Alto,” she muttered back with an eye roll.

“Good makeup I guess.”

“I live in a cave, I don’t have makeup.”

“Really? Well, you collect so many things so I simply assumed. Then again, why would you need makeup anyway? Everyone hates you anyway.”

“Gee, thanks.”

“Sorry sorry,” Alto laughed with a stretch, “Just stupidly pointing out the obvious. You’re not the type to try and impress with looks regardless- not that you’re ugly or anything.”

The moon above stretched its gaze, light basking over everything but the vary shadows strung by objects. The swing set squeaked a bit as Elise stood back up, shuffling off with eyes looking up to the sky now. Stars glittered, covering much of what was above. A book flew open in her right hand to which she then looked down at, eyes drifting along the lines.

Alto hopped forward a pace, his head moving to the sound of laughter. Off in the distance several kids had begun to run around being chased by one another. Parents sat in benches nearby, laughing a bit at each other while also observing their own. A chuckle left Alto followed by a sigh as he moved ahead, “Man, there’s just something about peace. That’s really what’s worth fighting for ya know?”

“Fighting for peace which is the lack of fighting. Lovely logic.”

“Well, fighting to protect it I suppose.”

“I can understand that. People who do that have my total respect. People who fight to only cause pain though, not so much.”

“Well that’s the world we live in mostly,” Alto murmured throwing his arms behind his head, leaning it back upon them, “Have you ever considered fighting?”

“What?”

“Fighting, ever consider it?” Alto asked tilting his head now looking at her.

“No, it’s not really my thing.”

“Says the one who flipped a Vampire, eh?”

“Look, I don’t know how that happened- I blacked out for a second is all.”

“Heh, sure sure,” Alto chuckled, “So what’s next on your agenda?”

“Not really sure,” Elise said continuing on, “They’re dragging me along for some mission in about an hour.”

“You have a mission? That’s great!”

“Bah! They just want me to drop dead is all. That or they probably think I might have a decent strategy for them to use.”

“Hey, it’s something at least Elise,” Alto said with a shrug.

“Pft, I guess,” she mumbled back.

Owls hooted nearby, flapping off with the stars and moon as a backdrop as they went. Both had begun to walk through the park, staying on a straight forward path. Side by side they went, passing a group of children at play. Alto looked at them, eyes shut and curved with a smile formed.

They laughed and ran off, leaving the two be. A sigh left Alto, then a chuckle, “Man, reminds me of when we met.”

“What does?”

“Children just playing around. Of course I remember you getting stuck in a tree and needing help down,” Alto replied with a grin.

“And I recall that that only happened because your scarf got stuck in a tree and you couldn’t climb.”

“Hey, I was adapting to my bloodline and had paws and claws at the time. They aren’t the best for climbing.”

“Cats can climb.”

“Well, cats don’t count because they’re evil space wizards.”

“Ha! Right right, sorry. How could I have forgotten,” she laughed as they arrived at the sidewalk, “Listen, I’ve got to go and meet up with the others. I think it’s about time.”

“They’re waiting for you actually?”

“Yeah, hard to believe I know. Vulper has taken interest in me lately. Kinda weird. I swear Rusty is paying him off to kill me, or, I dunno, something nefarious.”

“Tell him to send some bribery my way then, haha!”

“Very funny.”

“Yeah. Well, see you tomorrow Elise!”

“Right, see ya-”

Elise strolled along with her head set forward, eyes still dodgy towards the ground. The book stood shut at her side with not a blink from it. Her head shook with each step she took as she moved towards the mountainside where the caves stood, a chill quickly coming over her. In front at the forest’s edge sat an owl upon a branch, an owl that simply observed as she drew close.

With a hoot it took flight, going right overhead though not alone. As it flew, a number of bats quickly joined in rank following alongside it. All completely ignored Elise, all heading right towards the park as she entered the forest. At the edge as she entered stood several individuals, all of Vulfax.

“Surprised to see you guys waiting here,” she murmured.

“Figured it’d be quicker to start here with you. Ready then young one?” one questioned.

“Pft, she better be so she doesn’t screw us over,” another growled.

“Yeah yeah, I’m about as ready as I’ll ever be,” Elise mumbled.