"I can't decide which one I want to take over…"
The trio sit in another alley, this time in the inner city. Harry sits on the ground leaning against the wall, rubbing his right thumb against his palm anxiously as he decides which of the nice manors to take over. Meanwhile Crim and Will stare at him, clearly exasperated. While Harry thinks the pair examine their surroundings. After checking over a dozen houses they believe they found the right target, at least Crim and Will think so.
This manor is more on the small side, the front garden holding a few apple trees and flower patches. In front of the gated fence guarding it two men hold still, clearly armed. On the inside of the spike tipped fence there's a trio of large dobermans sleeping next to the largest tree. They would've gone to sneak in already if Harry hadn't stopped them.
"I don't want to have to hurt the dogs! Look at them! They're just too cute!"
Will and Crim look at Harry, then at the ninety pound, muscle packed, and fang toothed guards and wonder what part of them is supposed to be cute. In the end the trio end up just chatting in the alley, taking the moment to relax while they can. Crim and Will take a seat on the ground, Harry instead choosing to stand. After making sure there's no policemen around, Crim speaks first followed by Harry.
"Not tha birthday I wanted but it ain't a bad one. Could be worse."
"Wait wait wait it's your bday!?"
Crim, surprised by Harry's intense reaction, jumps back and nods. Ignoring his surprise Harry turns around and hides his front. After a few seconds he awkwardly turns back to Crim.
"Hey, ummm. I forgot to ever ask your name. Ah, and what's your favorite cake flavor? Oh! How old are you too, please."
Crim stares at Harry for a moment and responds, his face wearing on odd expression.
"Anyone ever tell ya ya's an odd one? Names Crim, love me a chocolate anythin, and sixteen."
"All the time, now please close your eyes and turn around."
At first the pair hesitate but after seeing Harry's goofy appearance they can't help but trust him. For a few moments there's nothing but silence. Harry first makes sure they're not looking then turns in front of him. His eyes shine a weak silver. Suddenly the air in front of his outstretched hands starts to warp and shift, a small head sized chocolate cake on a plate appearing. On the brick wall in front of him small rainbow banners shoot out, a white sign saying happy birthday sprouting from the center. Within seconds the alley around him turns into a small party site. Proud of himself he turns around and sees…
"Did…did you see everything?"
The pair are looking at him in amazement. Crim, being a shifter, knows what a shifter should be capable of. The most they can do is move matter, the highest tier capable of creation to an etent and manipulating the air but they need the materials to make things and physical contact with whatever they're manipulating. No shifter will ever be capable of creating something out of nothing. Crim immediately slaps himself to see if he's dreaming while Will stares in shocked silence.
"Ah…I may have gotten too excited. Sorry but I can't explain how I did that but ummmm…what do I say here? Can we just eat the cake? I promise I'm harmless!"
Harry, with a weak smile, moves to scratch the back of head. Seeing him slumped forward and embarrassed, Crim can't help but let out a small chuckle. Will on the other hand lets out a heavy sigh.
"Haha aight mate! Thanks for tha cake. Now cut me tha biggest slice please an thank ya."
"I'll take a slice too."
So, for the moment, despite the cage of strands all around and the approaching army of infected beyond the horizon the trio are at peace. While police wander and people cower in their homes Crim eats his cake, choosing to use his hands while Will and Harry use a fork and knife that Harry pulled from nothing again. In the end, after the trio finish eating the trio decide to break into the manor after Crim asks Harry if he can just make some treats to bribe the dogs. Maybe he can even lace them with something to knock them out.
So the trio circle around to the left side of the fence, Crim removing a portion of the fence so the trio can walk in, putting it back in place immediately after. The second the trio enter the dogs wake up, immediately on guard. Cautiously they approach the side, fully prepared to rip into whoever dares to invade their father's territory. The second they cross the corner they see it. They see Harry holding a massive stuffed turkey in front of him with the friendliest smile he can make.
"Let us in and the turkey's yours." He whispers, completely ignoring Crim and Will as they facepalm wondering why they're doing this when the man is a walking supply factory.
The dogs look at each other, then at Harry, then at the turkey and they decide…to start barking! Of course, before they can do anything the guards have already shown up, both attracted by the smell of the turkey. Immediately they try to pull out their radios but before they can do anything Harry throws the turkey at them. They dodge, giving Will and Crim enough time to lunge at them and immediately knock them out with a choke hold. Meanwhile the three dogs choose to chase down the turkey and start eating as soon as it lands!
Click!
The manor lights turn on, a man appearing from the nearest window holding a huntsman's rifle aimed directly at Harry's head. Will puts on a surprised face seeing as it's the merchant he saw at the hotel! He's wearing a loose blue dress like pajama robe, his pale skin contrasting his fluffy brown hair and hazel eyes. Glaring at them, he moves his finger, almost pulling the trigger. Instead, he decides to speak after seeing the turkey fueled ridiculousness on his lawn.
"Speak…why's ya 'ere an what's with tha turkey?"
Crim and Will immediately turn to Harry. In response he scratches the back of his head and puts on an awkward smile, speaking immediately after, anxiously rubbing his thumb across his palm again.
"We wanted to see if you'd hire us as guards."
The merchant raises his brow.
Crim and Will facepalm.
The merchant raises his brow even further upon seeing the pair look at Harry like an idiot.
"And why feed my dogs…a stuffed turkey?"
"Well I mean all dogs deserve a good meal. Plus, I didn't want to have to hurt them so I figured, hey, I like turkey. It's pretty good, maybe I can bribe them with good food!"
The man really is an idiot the merchant thinks to himself, in the end, after several moments of hesitation he decides to hear them out. I wonder what otha kinda idiocy will 'appen, he wonders. Before the other two can say anything Will speaks first, strutting closer confidently with both his hands up.
"We 'ave two shifters with us an I'm a retired military man. Fought in tha Civil war two decades ago."
With a self deprecating smile Will lowers his collar to reveal part of a tattoo. Looking at the headless serpent tattoo near Will's neck the merchant frowns. Shortly after he lowers his gun and signals the guards to step away. Looking at his dogs he decides to let them enjoy the meal instead of sending them away.
"Come in. I'll hear ya out."
Will nods, looking at his partners only to find them petting the dogs. Harry is a bit rough but the dogs seem to enjoy it while Crim is more gentle.
Twitch
"Come on ya two dumbarses!"
Why can't these two take anything seriously, he thinks to himself as the trio enter the small manor. The first thing the trio notice is the lack of servants. Instead a little girl opens the door. She looks to be around ten years old. Sleepy, she rubs her hazel eyes, pushing her long bangs aside. Just like the merchant she's wearing a loose blue gown and again just like him on her head is a bushy brown mess of hair.
"Hi there. Please don't break anythin."
Pause.
The trio stop to look at each other, wondering who she thinks is likely to break anything. At least Harry does, hearing her words Will and Crim immediately focus on him. Will let's out a small chuck while Crim puts a hand on Harry's shoulder. "Ya 'eard 'er mate. Break anythin and she'll break you." The little girl looks at Crim, then looks at Harry, then looks at Crim again.
"Wha she said."
She sends a thumbs up at Crim then walks back inside, guiding the three to her father. After a short walk they find themselves in a spacious office. In the center is a large paper covered wooden desk, a large window with purple iris patterned curtains. The walls are lined with shelves, some full of books and some full of family photos with various oddities. The floor, just like the rest of the manor is made of light brown wooden planks. Behind the desk sits the merchant, now dressed well.
He's wearing a black frock coat with a brown vest underneath, his pants matching his coat and his dress shoes matching his coat. Leaning forward he rests his head on both hands, looking at the three with a straight face. Silently, they examine each other, waiting for someone to make the first move. Just as the mood is about to reach its tensest a childish voice breaks it.
"Dad, can I 'ave some turkey too?"
Standing on her toes she leans her head against the high window, staring at the dogs while drooling as they chow down on what's left of the turkey. The merchant looks at his daughter then sighs. "My name's Charles. Ya 'appen ta 'ave any more turkey?" Suddenly, everyone in the room is staring straight at Harry. At first he hesitates but after seeing the little girl he pulls a turkey and several plates out of thin air, putting them on the desk.
"Whoa!"
The little girl jumps up with a wide smile, immediately moving to the desk to try and grab a plate. Unfortunately, she's too short to reach. Charles, dumbfounded by what he just saw, accidentally ignores his daughter as she asks him for a plate. Crim and Will look at Charles, wondering how he'll respond. Harry, on the other hand, gets the little girl a plate, gently patting her head before giving her a plastic fork and knife.
"Thank ya mister!"
Without a care she climbs onto her dads lap, struggling to hold her plate. Feeling her pull at his leg Charles snaps out of his stupor. Sighing, he pulls his daughter up to sit on his desk. "And this is Lily, my daughter," He said while wiping his daughter's mouth. In seconds the mood becomes relaxed, everyone enjoying their meal, everyone except Charles. Instead, he sits lost in his thoughts as he examines the trio, wondering what the other two might be capable of. After thinking he can only come up with a few words.
"I'll hire you."
They've shown good will. Considering how odd just one of them is, the other two must be odd in their own ways. Better to risk benifits than risk confrontation