Everything I'd Hoped For . . . [open]

[Alexander Turdour]

So this is the place, huh? Looks trashy...His crystal eyes scanned the remains of a slum that once looked as if it was a slummier bar with fights and baby dolls. And old... He kept his hands away from the rotted wood. He kept his over priced boots away from the grim carpeting the floor. He kept his eye from the faint blood splatter from the rear wall. The Canadian had only been here a short while but everyday felt like a year in this place. Searching for a lost soul among the growing pile. The screams at night were never an indication either of where or who or what was causing them. Passion? Pain? Who could tell. One thing was this place was nothing like Louise described over the phone. The family wondered where it all went wrong. His father wondered if he raised her right. His mother wonders if she did wrong. Marie wonders when she will gossip with her older sister.

Alexander wondered if he would ever find her alive.

Everyday this city seems to reek more and more with corpses and grief. As the body comes, another is at risk from the action, causing a ripple of reactions. So far the Cryomancer has not been able to even find the name of the group causing all of this. One person said one thing while another claims it is another. He doesn't care though. he will take all the leads he can get to find his sister. The one thing that matters to him in this heap. Regardless of what she says, the second he finds her he is getting her on a plane out of there to live with him. In a high rise where no one could harm her. There was other rumor that gave him some hope that everyone seemed to confirm where ever he went. They seemed to be disposing of bodies that were experimented on. Whether this was better or worse, it gave him hope she was alive and waiting to be rescued.

Stuffing his hands into the navy jacket, he began waking away from the building and back into the crowd. Sadly he can only come out at night in the city when it was cooler. There was no snowy mountain to live in or frozen lake or the weather even being winter. It made his situation very difficult. Sure he was wearing a very fitted jacket but with the nightlife, people dressed a little riskier, taking it that extra step to either finally be themselves in the cover of night or to be someone they are not, he wear nothing underneath. He wasn't sure if he would melt in a puddle if he wore more then one layer in this place. All he did was snap a few necklaces around his neck, pull on his trousers, laced up his boots, and began his constant search for the woman in white.

In his nature, his eye did wander to a beautiful woman or fashionable lady, but nothing really grabbed his attention. He would need to stop for a refreshment soon just to keep his body temperature down. Was he really the only one that just wanted to rip everything off and dive into a pile of fresh snow!? Luckily he spied a cart vendor claiming to sell "Fresh Lemonade". He quickly bought the biggest and guzzled it, waiting to suck on the ice cubes. He continued down the cracked concrete with his cup in hand.

[Carson Rocheforth]

Carson was a cautious soul, not taking many risks if any at all. He was never one to dive into a problem and when faced with one, found himself running away more often than facing it and trying to solve it. But in reality, he loved a good puzzle to solve. It was just another complexity in this world of jigsaw puzzles and riddles. It was how he liked to see things anyways. He was far from pessimistic and despised even thinking that the world could be so bad. But...things were changing.
Each night he could smell the scent of chemicals on mysterious bags left in the lawns of unsuspecting people. Their neighbors sticking their noses in it only to find something they would regret. Blood now stained the hands of the innocent and Carson found this mystery a hard one to crack, which was rare for the little genius. 
The cold weather wasn't all that great but he didn't mind it all too much to not go out and enjoy the enveloping shadows of the night. The raven-haired boy wore a fitting grey sweater on top of a long-sleeve white shirt and some dark colored jeans. He wasn't all to worried about how others saw him and he could care less if they thought badly of him, so long as they kept it to themselves. He wasn't a fan of bullies and certainly not of fighting. It scared him, the thought of conflict involving himself and someone much more capable and larger than him. He dare not risk it. So he put up a barrier. Power Negation was what he classified it as, the ability to block others from using their powers should they have any. He was always paranoid of something happening and certainly wasn't comfortable enough to go out into the streets without it. 

He scuffed his dark boots against the sidewalk, not bothering to watch where he was heading as it was late out and most people were either in the main part of town or inside watching TV or eating dinner. Carson owned his own little place in the slums of Northbell, a small apartment on the north end of the ghetto. It was clean and he made sure that not a dust particle was out of place. He was a neat-freak about anything pertaining to dirt and grime. Which was why he got strange looks when he walked out all pristine out of a dingy, grey concrete apartment. 
He glanced up to see the much brighter part of town where people began to spread out into the roads and his part of the sidewalk. He recoiled slightly but drew ahead as the inevitable was surely not too far haead anyways. He let out a drawn sigh and surged ahead, his small and frail form easily thrown about in the confusion and he even found himself on the ground a couple times. 
With his head bowed, he finally was able to find his footing when suddenly a hand reached out to shove him away once more, only this time he was able to fall onto something much more appealing than the concrete. Carson glanced up wordlessly at a strange looking man about 4 or 5 years older than him, but he was less than intimidated. The man had stormy eyes and hair that made his head surge with slight envy at the abnormal color. He was very tall and had the body of someone who was sturdy but delicate, almost like a gentle giant. He blinked up at the main with his greyish blue eyes as a tinge of pink dusted over his cheeks.
"S-Sorry." He mumbled almost inaudibly.

[Alexander Turdour]

It was like something off of those cheesy movies or television shows that are all the rage to make what money they could. Alexander found his prized ice, tipped his head to hear them come crashing toward his mouth. Right as the sound startled him, a force of nature crashed on his frame. He seemed to be having an unusual night, praying for a woman but taking that second glance to determine that yes it is a boy. The cup of ice laying forgot in the street while tires and shoes crushed everything, the ice creator took a moment to steady himself as to what had just happened. He didn't panic about the young one detecting his ice cold skin before realizing that he didn't feel like himself suddenly. Shaking it off as if a case of just the nerves, Alexander quickly regained himself while simply helping the lad up, dusting himself off. After all this pants alone costed more then a month of his rent.

"No problem. It is usually women throwing themselves at me." He smirked, checking over the other male. As his heart was returning to normal, he did confirm that indeed, his body was in fact at a normal temperature. It wasn't ice cold. He didn't feel like he was taking a pilgrimage through a desert. He felt... normal. But I didn't get any ice... He's not a Pyromancer or very different things would be happening. What the hell? He couldn't place as to this feeling he had and it was very unsettling. Still it was rude to both a strange with such things and he merely bowed his head to the young gentleman.

"I do apologize. In my haste to finish my drink I wasn't watching where I was going." Alexander didn't mind taking the blame since he truly wasn't watching where his feet carried him. Better to be hit by a person then by a car or worse. But there was no reason for the shorter of the two to take responsibility of just what transpired. His professional eye was working though and he noticed the complete lack of care to what the other wore and what it said about himself. He couldn't help but want to do something about it. In his defense though Alexander was out in a jacket with no shirt underneathe. Oh but reasons were different for everyone and he kept his mouth shut about what he could do for him for now and instead inquired about his well-being.

"You're not hurt I hope?"

His lips were still curled in a friendly gesture, hands nestled in his trouser pockets with thumbs poking out and pointed to one another. All he could tell was that the boy was younger but not by much. While he was already in a career he loved, this one was possibly fresh out of class.

[Carson Rocheforth]

Carson staggered away, a feeling of ice hitting his skin only dissipate in a matter of seconds. Yeah, that was the great thing about his powers. He was a medium of some sort that was able to manipulate anothers powers either by copying it, empowering it, or cutting it off altogether. He could also somewhat communicate with spiritual beings but that was rather an odd thing that he didn't necessarily like. In fact it creeped him out more than anything. 
He stepped away from the man and looked up to examine further. He didn't see much besides what he was wearing, something that seemed sensible but also thrown together at the last minute almost as if it was an afterthought. He looked down at himself consciously ridiculing his own attire. He may not care of what others thought, but it wasn't completely true. Should the occasion arise, he did care. He shook his head and looked back up to see a flash of surprise cross his eyes. Probably because he was unaware that he was no longer a freak show and was now human so long as he stayed 100 feet within Carson's proximity. His powers had limits save for the Power-ups.
He brushed himself off and looked at the ground where ice was laying crushed on the sidewalk. He frowned and looked up self-consciously
"Um, yeah I'm fine. It's not really your fault, people should learn to have manners." He hissed, his gaze following the perpetrator who had pushed him in the first place.
"But, I truly am sorry that I have soiled your drink, if need be I can replace it." He proposed with a gesture to the fallen lemonade. He did find it quite odd that the man was drinking a cold drink in the midst of winter.

[Sorry, rushed]

[Alexander Turdour]

[OOC: No problem! I can still work with it! ]

The taller man shook his head and lifted one hand from his pockets to wave off the offer. "There is really no need to since it was an accident." Alexander assured him, willing to buy another for himself. Maybe just a huge cup of ice actually. Why he didn't do it in the first place is really beyond him. But he was distracted by his thoughts. His family. The faces. They stuck to him for a moment but they fled quickly. He unconsciously reached to his ear with two loops and made sure they weren't hooked together for it sometimes happened when he took a tumble. Despite his fashion sense, Alexander was enjoying the boy's company. After all they seemed to share a love of treating one with kindness after hearing his comment about manners and he wasn't drunk like some of the people outside. He tilted his head slightly towards his hand now just lightly tugging at his ear lobe. One thing nagging him was that he stopped feeling his normal right when they touched. He needed to know more since he got the feeling he couldn't do his parlor tricks.

"Were are you headed on a night like this?" He questioned, also knowing he wasn't hitting any clubs because of age. Headed to a girlfriends house possibly? Maybe headed home from hanging out with friends and wasn't watching the time? Headed home after work? There could be a million reasons but only one would interest him. If he was going to meet with a group that kidnapped and killed. Then again he doesn't really look the type. But they never do.

Alexander's hand causally found his pocket again, standing tall as life happened all around them. Sure it was what this may consider winter but it was nothing compared to where he came from. His origin of birth always 'explained' why he dressed so freely in winter in other places. Coming from one of the top 5 coldest places on earth did that to a person but he could live in Antarctica with nothing but a shirt and jeans and would live to a ripe old age just fine and comfortably. Needless to say he was used to the looks people shot or glanced in his direction when his clothes didn't match the climate.

[Carson Rocheforth]

Carson looked guiltily at the fallen drink, it did matter to him. He felt there was a need since he was the one most at fault. He didn't like not making up for whatever he had done, whether it was small or not. His conscience would lay heavy on his mind should he never repent. He frowned slightly but quickly shook it off to face the bright man once more. Perhaps there was another way to right his wrong, no matter if that wrong was insignificant.
He had never made many friends back in school, being he started school early he was actually an alumnus now that he didn't have to go to classes anymore. He wasn't really planning on taking on a career anytime soon. He wasn't all that talented like some were with singing or drawing. He was just your average 17 year old kid. His interested were odd and he certainly liked doing them, but as a job he felt like they would lose the gloss that he had found in them. He loved astronomy and although the idea of such a job was thrilling, how long would the thrill last? It was the same with his love for plants and botany. He worried that with a job he would lose sight of the things he loved and therefore only worked small part-time jobs. He hated working and would rather live off penance as a kid than wait for retirement to roll around.
The raven-haired boy glanced around as the taller male asked him where he was heading 'on a night like this'. Wasn't every night like this these days? He let his eyes roam  up to the sky where the stars were hidden by a blanket of grey clouds. It was chilly and he didn't really have a reason to get out of the apartment other than what he said. but, he didn't want to come off as a weird loner guy. He racked his brain for a lie of some sort to stave off the questions. Who knew, maybe he'd be lucky enough to see this guy again somewhere.
"I was...heading to the outskirts of town." Well, that didn't seem too suspicious. Some weirdo teenager just so happening to be going outside of the city for some unknown reason. But Carson was no killer. Like mentioned prior, he didn't have the conscience to do anything heinous. He was but child after all, or at least in someones' eyes. 

[Alexander Turdour]

His eyes widened but for a fraction of a second at the inquired location. Maybe the young are to blame. After all Alexander did stop feeling his elemental demony self once coming into contact with this other male. Lets not jump to conclusions now. It could mean anything! He assured himself, trying to rationalize where he was headed. After all the activities of the group be heard in in city, coming from everywhere and nowhere. Above and below them. It drove him crazy at night.

Almost as if observing the boy like he was waiting for his nose to grow, he leaned a little further, closing some of the distance. Alexander needed to be sure about him and to do that he would be taking a risk. One that he knew he wouldn't learn anything unless the other agreed to his proposal.

"Mind if I join you?" He questioned, his face suddenly softening with a grin as if trying to appear friendly enough. In all of his life he had never resorted to such tactics or tricks. There were so many possibilities as to why he could not be involved in the group but a million others has to how he could be in on it. Nevertheless he has to explore every clue and odd remark and untied shoe till he got to Louise. If not then he should have never come.

Straightening his shoulders and back to his usual posture, the ice demon added to his question with a causal remark, "I'm looking for someone who might be in your clique," as cool as a cucumber in the snow.

[Carson Rocheforth]

Something switched as soon as he said where he would have liked to go. It was as if there was a thermostat and someone just so happened to turn it all the way down. His arms unconsciously wrapped around himself and he avoided the man's eyes. He barely knew this stranger and yet he felt as if he was forbidden to even question his motives. He had thought that maybe he had broken the thin ice in order to possible gain a friend, but as soon as he did the only thing he found as a large glacier standing between him and the possibility of never being alone again.
He narrowed his eyes as he stared at his shoes. He didn't know this man at all, let alone why he was so interested all of a sudden, why he was suddenly so distant. Was is something he said? Some sort of hidden code of body language he didn't know about? He looked up slightly as the tall bright stranger leaned in towards him and Carson involuntarily took a step back. He avoided eye contact and instead looked at something easier to focus on. He swallowed any sort of guilt he harbored and forced himself to look back up. What was so wrong?
"S-Sure. But, first things first, my name is Carson, Carson Rocheforth." He stated, summoning up any courage his frail and sickly body could create. He looked up boldly and dropped his hands to his sides. So, he was looking for someone. Perhaps he was just lost or was joining him in hopes of finding his loved one, whomever they were. Carson knew just about no one besides his mother and step-brother who lived states away from him. Maybe this was how he would redeem himself for the small mishap. He smirked internally at the idea and gave himself a high-five in his head. It seemed he wouldn't have to part ways just yet...
The raven boy began to walk along the sidewalk toward the East part of town where he knew the town lights would ruin his evening.

I'm looking for someone who might be in your clique...

He paused, glancing over his shoulders with a look of what was almost fear. What did he mean by clique? He set a grim expression over his face and snapped back to boring holes into the sidewalk. His cheeks burned with embarrassment, "I think your mistaken; I-I don't belong to any c-cliques. Your actually the f-first person I've had a decent conversation with." He said, burrowing his face into the neck of his sweater, hiding from the embarrassment of being a 'lone wolf'. He wasn't volunteering to be alone. But his childhood had shaped him to be that way. He had always been bed ridden especially in the winter when his immune system was at its weakest point and he had no real access to the outside. He missed a lot of school and only got by with the perfect grades he got. He continued walking, his head bowed.

[Alexander Turdour]

He could feel his heart rate slow a little as the young man agreed to him tagging along. It actually gave him the idea that he may know nothing and is just an innocent kid on an innocent walk in a not-so-innocent city. Half of the population is not in on the cult action milling wherever it is cults mill about these days. If he had any clues he would be there in a heartbeat.

His eyes widened slightly in disbelief that he had not introduced himself as well yet. In all of the excitement and conspiracy theories he forgot the first rule of etiquette. "My apologies for not telling you my name. I am Alexander Turdour. But please, do not call me Alex. I hate nicknames," he requested while following the young man now named Carson.

He listened to the claim from the other as they weaved through crowds and groups and couples. He found it hard to believe that he could be the first of any that this man has spoken with decently. Sure he seemed rough around the edges a little in conversation but not so much to make him believe that he was a hermit of any kind or the shy type. Then again Alexander was the outgoing type at social events and parties so what did he really know of the outside world these days. Until some time again he never thought someone he knew and loved would disappear and here he was.

"No friends? Not even a girlfriend in your life?" He probed, now genuinely interested in what he had to say. After all they had some time to fill and it was pointless to walk in silence even if there were women that were eyeing him in silent pleas to spend time with them then his current mission. He bent at the waist, his head next to the boy's ear as he asked "Not even a crush?"

[Carson Rocheforth]

As the other's slowed, his quickened. He didn't really believe that having a companion, even if for an hour or so, would make him so uncomfortable. All these questions and probing made his stomach wrench and he was far from an 'outgoing' person. He was used to being backstage instead of in the lime light. He was always the kid whom was never heard, seen but not heard. Hear no evil, as the saying goes.
He kept walking as the man named himself as Alexander, apologizing for not clearing it up earlier. He waved a hand in acceptance, "It's alright, I never actually asked for it in the first place. But then again I didn't expect to have an escort to the edge of Northbell." He couldn't help but let a bit of sarcasm seep into his words, lightly coating them in enough that would make them seem innocent enough, but still make you wonder. He was good at that for someone who rarely spoke to strangers. He had a way with negotiating and slithering his way out of sticky situations using his words instead of his actions.
He glanced at Alexander as they walked, listening cautiously to the words he spoke. This man was treading on thin ice, but Carson was too naive to turn him away for comfort's sake. He was too eager to make a simple association with someone beside those of the dead and other unholy beings.
"No. I'm not exactly popular with the girls, never was. It seems there is always someone bigger and better, especially if your comparing them to a pale, sickly one." He commented, venom dripping off as he aimed each word at himself. He couldn't help but loathe himself sometimes. He was weak. He didn't have proper powers to defend himself unless he was being attacked by a monster of some sort.
"I've only known my family and a few less than significant others." He said, not letting his blue eyes stray from the path ahead of him. He could only imagine what sort of ideas Alexander was getting about him now. But it was too late to just turn around and go home like he normally might.
Not even a crush?
He turned his face away, becoming flustered as he walked. He shook his head silently, not a word being spoken. Carson didn't understand why he had to say it like that, as if he was asking if he was a virgin or something private like that. 

[Alexander Turdour]

The older gentleman chuckled, straightening his body out as he turned off to the side and let the subject drop by instead referring to his earlier comment."I thank you for thinking I'm handsome enough to be an escort. But I assure you that isn't all part of the job," he teased, his eyes roaming over the neon and LED of the strip. "You could be one too given a little training." As much fun as it seemed to get him going, Alexander decided to open a little since it seemed the right thing to do and maybe, just maybe, he did see something.

It's always the quiet ones they say?

"I'm actually looking for my sister," he began, his eyes turning back to the younger one. His tone was more serious, more urgent even. This was important to him. "She moved here half a year ago after hearing about what was going on here. I believe she got mixed up..." He trailed off, not wanting to think about the worst of it all. Surely the issues happening here were known to all even if some didn't openly talk about it.

A quick burst of wind threatened all with hair of any length and coats and jackets of even thinner layers but he felt none of it. His mind lost in thought. All of the laughter there drained as he marched behind the other who knew this place better then him. He was an outsider here and even if he would never admitted it, Alexander needed all the help he could get.

[Carson Rocheforth]

Training? Now wasn't that a preposterous idea. But it was certainly fun to entertain within the confinement of his head. He imagined himself surrounded by admirers of his choice, all of them adoring and smiling at him when he talked and responded. He'd be lying if he said he didn't want that. He wasn't born to be confined to one-skidded chats with only spontaneous meetings of a person. That wasn't a life he wanted. He stared coldly at his hands then back at Alexander. Of course he'd be the type to lighten up someone's day or strike up a conversation with a complete stranger as it was currently happening. Carson had always been jealous of his type. Maybe if things had been different he'd be able to stand up against his step-father and he wouldn't be so broken. Carson shook his head, refusing to dwell on the subject any longer. 
A sister? He looked up at the man with empathy, he didn't have any female siblings, but he'd do just about anything for his older brother. But, he couldn't do much when they were so far apart. He listened intently to him, at least lending him an ear was something he could do correctly.  
"With the wrong people?" He said finishing his sentence as he trailed off. Of course, that was only part of it. The 'wrong people' he referred to was a big cult-like group of people who hunted and slaughtered people like them. Luckily, Carson was a simple man who looked nothing more than an average 17 year old. But Alexander might run into a bit of trouble with that hair of his. 
"I suppose I could help you if you needed it. I'm fairly familiar with just about every area in town including outside the city in the forest and such. But, my only request is that when you do find her, that you'll continue to be a friend to me." He said cheerily. Even he knew how corny he was sounding, but he didn't want to let to of the one person he might befriend. 
"This town doesn't take kindly to strangers like you. I'm also good at protecting against power-based attacks despite what my physique might tell you. He gave a sheepish smile and blushed lightly as he realized what a sap he was being. 
"I don't like this group any more than the next guy." He said seriously, pausing as they reached the very end of the city to where it opened up into a large clearing. The lights from the town were distant and it made the sky light up clearer than ever before. He stopped walking and turned towards Alexander. 
"I know what you are too." He said secretively. 

[Alexander Turdour]

He knew his family here would stick out like a sore thumb. Hell even his eyebrows were the same shade of blue. He was only lucky in his feild of work because everyone did stuff like that. Dyed their hair and or eyebrows the same or different colors. But here in Northbell City everyone seemed to keep it natural looking or spice it up. But he was a little on the extreme side. He couldn't touch others either for they would simply think he was coming in from out in the cold but others...

Alexander simply stayed silent at his words and almost protested to break said silence till Carson admitted to having his own set of skills. Even more so when he claimed to know what he was as well. I knew it! He thought to himself, semi grateful as well though for he no longer had been feeling he was going to burn up in this so-called cold weather.

With their eyes meeting again, he smirked trying to stifle a laugh. In all of his travels and time, he had never met someone so powerful but too shy to even speak to a woman. He seemed to not know how great his powers were or maybe it was just his character to not know or even think of the possibilities. Surely with his help he could find Louise in no time and still in hope of her having a pulse.

"Well Carson, this is most dangerous with you coming with me. After all you can pass for normal." He pointed out, his tightly clothed legs moving to circle the youth. "Not to mention this group is no stranger to blood," he continued, stopping in front of him once again. "I can only guarantee your safety if I can actually use my own skills. And even then we may not be enough to save her."

Alexander knew Carson meant everything he said including the plea to still be friends after Louise was located. But he needed to make sure he knew what he was getting into. Alexander had two sisters to protect but Carson was still in the middle of 'finding one's self'. Is that what they call now a days? Who knew but he didn't want to be the reason he never reached his next birthday. After all they literally just met.

"There's nothing safe about this, Carson. I want you to know that."

[Carson Rocheforth]

Carson always knew what he was getting into, he wasn't that naive. He knew just about anything in the city and could navigate through it blindfolded. He kept up with the newspapers and had nothing else to do except get involved with anything that somehow caught his eyes. Carson had powers that only benefited others, which was a big catch when he had some poweful moves of his own. He could replicate the powers of another or power them up by tenfold in order to give someone an advantage. He was incredibly calculative and even now, every word he said was true. 
"I know what I'm asking of you and myself. I've lived in Northbell for almost two years and trust me, I've had a few run ins with the cult. I'm not helpless and without me you'll find your sister at the minimum of maybe 6 months and no one will guarantee she'll be with breathe." He explained, his grey-blue eyes burning with want and need for something other than the sad and empty life he led since he was born. He nodded at his request to use his own skills, "I can cut off yours and other's powers if you stay close enough. I'm able to control whom I block and so far you've been powerless since you crashed into me. Sorry though, it's a precaution." 
"I'm meant for something greater than sitting around working puzzles. I want to help." He added once more, brushing his black locks out of his eyes. 
He clenched his fists along with his eyes as he pulled out a trump card. 

"And if you do find her, but not as you liked, I can help you communicate with her..." He said, slowly lifting his gaze to him. 

[Alexander Turdour]

Alexander's lips softened to a smile of pure gratitude as he stuck out his hand for a hand shake of men coming to an agreement. "Then shall we find my lost little sister?" he asked, trusting him. It took guts to agree to something on this degree of magnitude. He did get shivers on his offer to speak with his sister should she no longer be a part of this world but asking and wanting to understand would mean giving into the idea that she may be gone. With no door step to terrorize her family with he didn't know what they would have done with her body.

He could feel the ambition in Carson but wondered why he hasn't done anything till now about it. Surely there was plenty to do in this city for someone such as him then help a man he met find a sister he didn't know. But maybe that was why he was helping him. Because a man he met was looking for someone precious and he had no evil motives. In a world where the waitress could be giving directions to some guys in a van to take you in the night should you be different there were also the yang of it all. The force trying to stop them. Trying to find the love they raised before it was too late.

Plus having an extra person would make it less boring and surely go twice as fast. Carson himself pointed that out. Well the second bit.

"Carson." He spoke, getting an idea. "If you help me find my sister, you could even come live with me I would be so grateful. It's lonely sometimes and you don't seem to be doing too good here." He spoke, observing it while they were speaking earlier. "You live on your own?"