By Moon and Fang (Private; Crow's Prologue)

[Lepa]

Crow was tired.

He was so, so tired.

He was deep into the forest by now. He didn't know how long he'd been running, but he sprinted until his legs gave out. He'd tumbled forward, staining his clothes with grass and dirt. Stray pebbles jabbed at his body, bruising him as he fell. Then, everything went still. Sprawled out in the silence in the dead of night, all he could hear was his rapid heartbeat. He didn't bother opening his eyes. If he did, maybe he would've felt some semblance of protection and shelter from the trees and shrubs that loomed overhead.

Or maybe his paranoia would've intensified, knowing that those very same plants could be hiding someone, anyone, out to get him.

He was so tired of being chased.

Why? Just... Why? There were so many other people or things that this psycho could've gone after - why the hell did he pick him?! Crow was no one special! His family was magic, but he wasn't! He'd refused to learn it! It was too annoying, too complicated - so why?!

Crow found what little strength he had in his hands and clenched at the grass in frustration. He just wanted things to be normal, damnit. He'd been in a coma for over a decade. He'd completely missed out on his youth. He didn't even have time to unpack those feelings because he was badgered by some dumb nerd named Bludd Moonbay. A nerd... who would turn out to be an obsessive creep that was hellbent on "acquiring him," whatever the hell that meant.

And he was dangerous.

Crow had allies who had warded Moonbay off in the past. Once the man was behind bars, they believed it safe enough to send Crow home to his father in Aster City.

Oh, were they wrong.

[Lepa]

Crow had been on the final stretch of his journey home. One moment, he was dozing off on a bus en route to Aster City; the next, a loud popping jolted him awake. The vehicle suddenly dipped. It bounced and rattled violently, jostling the few passengers it had before mercifully rolling to a stop.

The bus had run off the road.

No one was seriously injured, thankfully. It was just a terrible inconvenience, Crow had thought - but then he saw him. While everyone was distracted, That obsessed creep nonchalantly stepped through the emergency door. Crow didn't know how he was here. He knew he was supposed to be in prison a whole plane flight away. But here he was.

So Crow ran.

He didn't dare look back.

In the past, Crow and his allies had dealt with this man from the comfort of vehicles; it never occurred to him that this man would continue without one. They were on equal footing now, and that was terrifying. Had he been following him? Did he somehow attack the bus? There was no way this was a random chance; Bludd had to have planned it. For him to appear so suddenly... Crow winced. He feared the man would pull the same trick again and magically appear before him. That same fear spurred him on, and he ran as fast and as far as his legs could carry him.

Maybe it wasn't the best idea.

Crow had already been traveling all day, and he'd just used up the last of his energy running straight into the wilderness with no plan. Now he laid flat on the forest floor, immobile.

Vulnerable.

[Lepa]

Crow had no idea how long he'd been laying there. It only felt like a minute. Or had he fallen asleep? He couldn't tell. He wanted to move, to prop himself up, but he just felt so... drained.

"Hello, Blackmoore."

Crow's eyes snapped open. Adrenaline rushed through his body for the briefest moment. He swiftly sat up, powering through nausea. Dread pooled in his stomach at what he saw: Bludd Moonbay.

"Get the hell away from me." Crow growled. He had tried to sound intimidating as he could, but he'd scooted backwards, which only showed his fear. His rush of energy quickly subsided, and he found himself overtaken by a dizzy spell. He grimaced, gritting his teeth. The younger man smiled at this. He loomed over Crow, arms nonchalantly folded behind his back.

"I'm sorry. You must be tired," He motioned with his head, gesturing to Crow on the ground. He stepped forward, and Crow's arm jolted aside.

"I said get away!" He tried snarling, but his voice cracked as he hurled a rock. Bludd saw it coming a mile away; Crow didn't realize he was sluggish from fatigue, so it was easy to sidestep his feeble attack. The red haired man sighed.

"...Come on, Blackmoore," He frowned. There was still warmth in his tone, but ill intentions lurked beneath it. "Why are you making this harder for yourself?" Bludd tilted his head. "You're in no position to run anymore, let alone fight back."

"Screw you!"

"Tsk. Don't you understand?" Bludd furrowed his brow. "You can't go to Aster City. You'd just be a burden on your father, you know. More than you already have been." A small smile spread on his lips. "A man from a magical family who can't use magic? That's a little sad, isn't it?" Crow could only glare back with his teeth clenched together so hard he was sure he'd shatter them. But, even as he scowled, he could feel watery beads forming in the corners of his eyes.

"Thirteen years, Crow." Bludd frowned again, though this time it was almost disdainful. "...For thirteen years, you've been a strain on your family. But I," He motioned to himself eagerly. "I can help you. I can help you be useful." He smiled much wider this time, extending a hand out to Crow.

"I can make you useful."

[Lepa]

Bludd Moonbay screeched.

Something lunged from the trees. It pounced at the red haired man, and its claws raked at his chest. The creature then sprung off the man as quickly as it appeared. Bludd was hurled to the ground, while the beast landed opposite of him. It stood on all fours in a ready stance.

Crow hadn't the faintest idea of what was going on, but he'd scrambled backwards as best as he could. He propped his back against a tree trunk, his heartbeat skyrocketing from the new threat. His eyes were wide. What the hell was that thing? Was it coming for him next?!

Bludd himself struggled to sit up. He pressed at the claw marks that tore through his shirt. He didn't feel any blood, but if any had been drawn, then there wasn't much of it. He then snapped his attention to the creature that attacked him. The beast growled at him, then to his surprise, spoke in a guttural voice.

"Consider that a warning." his voice rumbled. "It's the only one you'll get."

"Tch... A... werewolf...?" Bludd hissed, his voice straining between pauses. He forced a smile. "You m-misunderstand..." He couldn't help but stutter, and he internally cursed at his fear for betraying his composure.

"Don't play dumb," The beast grunted. "I heard everything you said." His fur bristled, making himself look bigger. "This is my domain. You are not welcome here." He bared his teeth, then growled again. "Leave."

Bludd hesitated, staring at the wolfish creature. Slowly, he made it to his feet, keeping his eyes on the beast all the while. As he backed away, he stole one last glance at Crow before briskly retreating. Soon, he disappeared into the darkness of the forest. Crow could still feel his heartbeat racing; even with his pursuer supposedly gone, he wasn't sure if he could trust the werewolf. He watched as the beast rose to its hind legs, then turned to face him.

"...You good?"