Intro to Zoology (Izzack)

[Lepa]

"...!” Katsurou hopped backwards at the flash, hand on his hilt as he took a ready stance.

"I'm not going to run any longer. I told you that I didn't want to fight, and you still did. Consider this my final warning, and stay clear of me."

"...Ah.” He relaxed, releasing his hand from the weapon at his side. "...Again, I am very sorry for the trouble I have caused you.” He frowned. "But... what is it that you do?” He placed his hand near the hilt again, though his expression was softer compared to when he had been fighting Leo. "Whether or not I leave you alone depends on this.”

[The Izzack]

"I help people, that's what I do. At least, I help them when people like you aren't trying to kill me." Izzack said, attitude towards Katsurou hardening once more at the man's statement that he had to somehow prove himself to the swordsman. This man misinterpreted what a scared girl had said to end up attacking him, chased him despite his clear unwillingness to fight, and he had the gall to put him on trial like this? Forget what he had thought earlier, this man was very rude!

"I saw the young girl running away, obviously terrified, and when I tried to see what was wrong, you decided to use me as a knife block! So maybe I should be asking you. What is it that you do? Because as I see it, you're the villain here, even if you saved me from that man. Far as I see it, you started this whole mess." Mostly, his retort was born of his irritation at the stones on this man, but there was a hidden motive behind his shifting of blame. There were things that he didn't want this man knowing, even suspecting. It was true that he helped people, yes, but there were times when that meant helping on a more...spiritual level. Something that he was sure this one wouldn't quite understand. So as far as he saw it, the more questions he deflected from himself, the better. " 'What is it you do' bah, who does he think he is?" Izzack muttered under his breath, both letting of a little steam.

[Lepa]

Katsurou furrowed his brow as Izzack spoke. "...I see. What you've said makes sense.” He folded his arms. "Again, I apologize.” He looked aside in thought. "...I simply cannot tolerate when the weak are preyed upon.” He said. "I have vowed to use my strength to help those who cannot defend themselves. That was the scene I saw before me, so I acted.” He glanced back to the reaper. "And the fact that I ignored your pleas... Hrm. I have heard many others make the same pleas in order to avoid my judgement, but that is because they were cowards,” he growled slightly, gritting his teeth at the thought of such people he had encountered. "The moment I would show them mercy, they would immediately betray it. So I learned to be less... forgiving. However...” He tilted his head up, looking down slightly at Izzack. "The fact that we are able to speak like this... is probably a good sign.”

[The Izzack]

"I...you...aaahhh!" Izzack shouted. How dare this man act like this? Why didn't he get mad? Or at the very least get offended by what he said? But no! He just took it and apologized! How was he supposed to stay angry at a man who would accept blame so readily!?

"I...I...I suppose you weren't completely in the wrong." he said after some pause, his anger quickly dissipating like steam out a kettle. "Given the circumstances...and your past experiences...and this absurd costume...I suppose I would be being unreasonable to assume that you wouldn't act in the way you did while trying to be the hero." he continued, pointedly looking away from the man he had been so mean to. "It's just that...after so many times, you start assuming people to not care about what you have to say, or what you've actually done. That they only want you dead...I guess I, too, have been taught to be less forgiving in these circumstances...sorry." he seemed rather sheepish. This man, though a bit...rough in places, seemed to had actually wanted to set things right, and all Izzack wanted to do was yell at him. That's not what a hero should do. Once again, Izzack would have to learn from his failures.

[Lepa]

"...Hm?” Katsurou tilted his head inquisitively. "But I was the one who apologi-”

"HEYA!" Sierra popped up in between the two, grabbing both their arms and yanking them closer to herself. "So, now that that's cleared up," She draped an arm around each of their shoulders. "You wanna come with me to see my boss so he doesn't yell at me?!"

"Erm... I'm sorry?”

"...Actually, that's less of a request and more of a demand for you, mister sword man," Sierra removed her arm from Izzack's shoulder, using the hand to playfully jab Katsurou in the chest. "Since you're so willing to help the defenseless, I'm actually probably still being hunted! I mean..." She shrugged. "I can... kiiick? Really really hard? Buuuut, that's not really good... against weapons."

"...Why is this, exactly?”

"Oh!" Her ears perked up. "Well, you see, that's because I'm actually part rabbit, so I've got real good leg strength and-"

"Er, no...” Katsurou shook his head. "I have heard... this reaper's motive, but what about you?” It only just occurred to him that she could have been guilty of some sort of crime herself.

"Oh! Well, uh..." She rubbed the back of her head. "I kiiiinda... yanno... just casually... wandered into their house..."

Katsurou halfway lowered his eyelids. "That is... breaking and entering, is it not?”

"Errr... Well, YEAH, but... there was a bad guy in there! I swear!" She clenched her fists, determined to justify herself. "That's why he sent his goons to hunt me! I could be attacked by 'em any second!" She pouted. "...You wouldn't let a cute little wabbit like me wander off with that risk, would you?!" Katsurou looked to her in bewilderment. After a moment, he sighed.

"...Fine. I will accompany you... just for a while.”

"YAY!" Sierra's ears stoop up in excitement as she threw her hands up in the air. "Oh, oh, oh! Oh yeah, I forgot!" She glanced back to Izzack. "You and sword man here... You're good guys, right?! So you fight bad guys, right?! Well, my boss, the cappytain," she explained, "He runs this place thing where you get to catch bad guys all the time! Maybe you could help out there!"

[The Izzack]

"Gah! Izzack yelped. He had not been expecting Sierra's move in the slightest, especially considering the mood of the conversation just moments before. "You want me to...uh...I...can?" Izzack said, not quite agreeing, though not necessarily out of unwillingness to help. Thing was, after so much aggression, a sudden change into polite request gave him quite a case of emotional whiplash.

As he tried to get his emotions under control once again, he listened, and actually listened this time, to what Sierra had been through. That really was terrible! No wonder she was so scared. He made a mental note to ask her about this man who had caused her such fear.

"Oh! I...uh...I could help your boss, but I...I am also part of a...group, so I don't know...you know, how much I could...do." he continued. A true fact, most certainly, even if it was more pity that had allowed him to join a hero group comprised of a young girl and her robotic companions. Still, a group was a group, and that did take priority. As he spoke, however, Izzack realized that he had been quite rude, not even giving his name. True, there hadn't really been a good place to sneak it in while he had been fighting-err 'fighting'- or when he had been running, or when the other two had been fighting...or, well, there hadn't been a time to say his name period, but even so, it did seem rather rude. "Izzack." he said, abruptly, "M...my name. Izzack, O'Connor." he explained, removing his hood from his face to show what he looked like. There were few other ways he could see to show...trust? Not really trust, he supposed, but...something. Some form of respect, maybe, or an agreement that this man wasn't evil, or a celebration that he did not see Izzack as such.

[Lepa]

"Ooh! Well, you don't haaave to officially join, yanno?" Sierra shrugged. "Anyone can turn in a bad guy from the list. It's just that you get more benefits if you're registered under Aegis Wing!" She nodded enthusiastically.

"...I see.”

"Yeah, yeah! If you're into this whole "bringing bad guys to justice" thing, then maybe it'd be for you!" She clasped her hands eagerly. Her ears perked up when Izzack introduced himself, and she snapped her head back in his direction. "Oh? ...Oh! Neat! Okeydoke, Izzack! I'm Sierra!" The rabbit was chipper as ever, although she frowned slightly when he removed his hood. "Oh no!" Surprisingly, her tone wasn't out of disdain. "Are you okay? You look tired!"

"Ah,” Katsurou's brows slightly lifted in concern. "I agree.”

"Aw, noooo!" She pouted again. "Is it because of..." She paused, looking over in Katsurou's direction, trying to remember his name. "...Cat-sorrow? Cat? Kitty?" She shrugged, settling for the latter before looking back to Izzack. "Kitty! Is it because I sic'd Kitty on you?"

"...Kitty?”

"That's no good!" She frowned, ignoring Katsurou. "I'll make it up to you when we get to the building, then!" She decidedly clenched a fist. "We have some great snacks there! I would know!" She skipped a few steps ahead of them, then turned around. "I eat them all the time! " She paused. "...And shop for them. I mean, it's only fair, right?!" She shrugged, turning back around to lead the way. "Now, c'mon! I've gotta tell the cappytain about the bad hunter man!"

[The Izzack]

"What? Oh! I...uh, no. My...fatigue has little to do with Kitt-err...Katsurou." Izzack said. That was weird. It wasn't often that someone was concerned for him. "Training...magic training...it takes a lot out of a person. It takes a lot of...it's tiring, that's what's tiring, you don't need to make it up to me...but, you know...thank you" Izzack trailed off into a mumble, a noticeable blush forming on his cheeks. Again, this form of interaction was foreign to him. It was something he had not had since his childhood.

"After you, Mr.Katsurou" Izzack offered. One might think he wanted to bring up the rear because he did not want the man's sword at his back, but that wasn't the case at all. Truth was, he felt rather drained from all the commotion of the day, and spending time in a group led by a rather...excitable girl seemed like it would just drain him more. Lagging behind a bit-not enough to lose them, but just enough to be able to collect his thoughts-seemed like a solid plan to him.

[Lepa]

Sierra happily took the lead, excitedly babbling about... well, anything she could think of. She felt a bit bad about dragging Izzack into the line of Katsurou's wrath, and although all was swell now, she did her best to be as energetic and friendly as possible in hopes of further dissipating any lingering feelings of the conflict. Plus, she now had the Competent Fight-Man protecting her! Maybe if she played her cards right, she could get Katsurou to stick around for a bit...

After some time, they eventually reached a rather ordinary looking building, save for an a winged emblem branded above the entrance. Sierra paused there, her excitement obviously diminished. Her ears had flattened sheepishly, knowing that she had to confront the captain that she was just praising a few minutes ago. With a deep breath, she puffed her chest up in attempt at emulating confidence. She then looked back at them. "C'mon!" She said, then waltzed in.

The interior was sleek and metalic, brimming with technology. The atrium was decently sized, though activity was slow. Sierra spotted two distinct looking men chatting off to the side. "Hmm... Oh, there we go." She frowned determinedly. She darted behind Katsurou.

"Who are those- gh?!” Katsurou began, though he was cut off by the fact that he was suddenly being pushed from behind. "What are you doing?”

"Introducing you two to the cappytain!" she smiled as she pulled on Izzack's arm as well, dragging him along behind her.

One of the men - the "cappytain" - spotted them immediately. His amused expression was enough to turn his colleague's head, who gave a weathered smile. "Are these some of your members, Engle?"

"One of them is," Captain Engle answered with a laugh. "Sierra, are you trying to recruit people again?"

"Nah!" She grinned cheekily. " ...Well... Actually, maybe, but... Oh!" Her ears perked up suddenly. "Sorry! Did I interrupt you guys?"

"It's fine," Engle waved his hand dismissively. "Mr. Blackmoore here just finished up passing along some information."

"Mhm." Cardinal nodded. He glanced over the three that stood before him and the captain, though... for a second, it seemed that his gaze lingered on Izzack a moment longer. Maybe. Or not. It could've been anyone's imagination.

"Ah..." Sierra frowned. Maybe she should get the bad news out of the way first. "Before I introduce these guys, well... uh..." The captain sighed internally as she trailed off. Sierra had gotten herself into trouble before - enough times that he could usually tell when she was about to come clean with another fiasco.

[The Izzack]

Shortly before he entered the building, Izzack ducked around the corner. He didn't want to cause another ruckus, and, wearing the clothes that he was, such a thing would be inevitable. He had to change that, and so, with a short spell, he warded his gear, and removed it. Underneath his robe, he wore rather simple clothes, if a bit...old. His jeans seemed more hole than fabric in places, and his off white shirt seemed like it had seen better days, probably when it was still pure white. That, along with the sweat stains that come from all the running and being under a heavy layer of wool certainly made him out to be anything but an impressive figure, but looking stupid was definitely better than looking scary. At least he thought so. He folded his robe, and placed it and his scythe in a hidden little spot between this place Sierra had brought him to, and the next building over. Hopefully, no one would come to steal them, though the ward would protect them from actually being taken any good distance away.

And so, with that settled, Izzack entered the building, unable to access his powers, but feeling more free with the absence of those accursed items.

Of course, that didn't keep him from feeling out of place. This seemed like an important building, and he certainly didn't belong anywhere of any importance. He was about to just leave without telling anybody when Sierra started pulling him somewhere. "Oh! I, uh...I don't need to meet...you know I just don't think...I...I..." he protested rather weakly. In the end, he continued allowing himself to be dragged towards what appeared to be a small meeting.

He didn't say anything, though he certainly did look a bit sheepish, feeling as though, despite what the captain had said, they had interrupted something important. As it was, he seemed to wilt under Cardinal's gaze, reading more into it than perhaps he should have. He probably didn't like his get up. Probably didn't like the robe and the...wait, no. Izzack had forgotten momentarily that he had left those things outside. This guy probably just didn't like the thought of some bum marching into such a fancy looking building as if he owned the place. If possible, he would have slouched down even further. If he could have, he would have hidden behind Sierra, and hoped that everyone forgot about him.

[Lepa]

"If you can hold that thought," Cardinal interrupted. "But... is he okay?" He glanced to Izzack again with a small frown. "You look as if you've been through... quite a bit."

"Huh...?" Sierra glanced back. "Oh!" She just realized the reaper was... not much of a reaper anymore. "Hey, yeah! That's right! Where'd your robe go?! "

"While Blackmoore here does bring up a legitimate concern," Engle cut in, " I'd rather you tell me what trouble you've caused this time, young lady." Sierra's ears flattened again. It was the dad voice. How'd he know so quick?

"Aheh," she twiddled her fingers. "Well, uh, you see... I used the info we had on that one guy... You know, the one spotted by the funny cat lady? Said he was in that one neighborhood, so I investigated..."

"You broke into another house again," Engle easily concluded, rubbing his temple. Katsurou, though silent, looked to the rabbit as if to repeat “that’s what I said.” She pouted back at him. "Please, Sierra.” Engle spoke again, regaining her attention. "Just tell me what the residents looked like so I can issue another formal apology to-"

"No, no, no!” She raised her hands, waving them frantically. "It was different this time, I swear! I mean, I didn’t see the guy we’re looking for, but... "

"He has sent underlings to pursue her,” Katsurou spoke up. "She quite literally ran into me on the street, begging me for help.” He frowned, motioning to Izzack with his head. "I assumed he was one of these underlings and went to engage him, but it was a misunderstanding.”

"I see..." the captain mused. "...But did you see any of these underlings yourself?"

"Admittedly...” he paused. "No.”

"I’m not lying, honest! That man was crazy! He threatened me and everything! He had a gun and-” Her ears perked up again, remembering another bit of info. "That’s right! He had a basement armory! It was filled with stuff! Dangerous stuff!” And it was true! She hoped he believed her. He had to, right? Sierra may have gotten in trouble with other stunts like this before, and while she’s made up excuses (that the captain almost always saw through anyway), she wouldn’t make up something that could get an innocent person in trouble.

The captain sighed again. Maybe he did want to believe her, but... "Even if that were true... We couldn’t search the place without a warrant. Or probable cause." He frowned again. "I’m still going to have to apologize to them."

"You’re going to apologize to a bad guy?!" she near yelled in astonishment.

As Sierra shrieked to Captain Engle, Cardinal had approached Izzack off to the side. He did still seem a bit intimidating - perhaps it was the eyes. "Seriously, are you okay?" He asked again. "I can’t imagine what you have on is comfortable... Who’s taking care of you?" In another tone, it would’ve sounded condescending in any other tone, but... it was clear he was genuinely concerned.

[The Izzack]

"Oh, I...I am...it's...I uh...left the robe..." Izzack could almost hug the captain for taking attention away from him. How was he supposed to answer them? The older guy, Blackmoore, well that was a bit of a confusing question. What did he mean by okay? like, how was he feeling? Was he dying? He hoped not, was he an okay person? He hoped so. Sure he could try to put it in context to the rest of what the man said, but, well, what if it wasn't related? And as for Sierra, how could he possibly think of a reason for abandoning the robe that wasn't...well, kinda stupid? Nothing at all came to his mind, and so, thinking that he had managed to avoid answering from Engle's interruption, he just sort of...well, he just tried to stand apart from the rest of the group, doing his best not to seem worthy of real notice.

"Oh!" he chirped in surprise as Cardinal spoke directly to him once again. He should have known it wouldn't be that simple to get away from the questions. "I am. Comfortable, I mean. I am comfortable in these. The clothes. I like them, it's fine." he attempted, awkwardly, to respond. It was the last question that gave him true pause, though. Who was taking care of him? Well...no one, really. The last place he had been cared for was the orphanage, and if truth were to be told, it was less depressing living on the streets. Did he say that though? Was that the right thing to say to this man, or would he disapprove? "I...uh...I'm taken care of." was what he went with. Deciding not to really lie, for he took care of himself, but not really tell the truth either. A lie by omission, as it were. Maybe he would leave it at that? Hopefully? Izzack...didn't really like being stared at by those intense eyes of Cardinal's.

[Lepa]

Cardinal glanced over him once more. "...If you say so," he sighed. It seemed he had something else to say, but it was clear he decided to drop it once he turned his attention back to Captain Engle.

"You have to look into it! Please!" Sierra was pouting. "I promise I won't wander into any other houses!"

"That's something you're not supposed to do to begin with," Engle snerked. "...But all right. I'll look into it. "

"Yay!"

"No more hunting for today, though. I think you've caused enough trouble."

"Trouble? Me?" Her ears perked up as she pointed to herself. "Naaaah~!" She laughed, swinging an arm around Katsurou's shoulder. "That's just crazy talk!"

"Sierra." His tone was a bit more firm.

"Yes, yes," she flapped her hand dismissively. "I understand, cappytain. Can I keep this guy, though?"

"...Heeh?" The swordsman looked aside in mild surprise. He frowned in protest. "...I am not a pet.”

"Heehee! That's not what I meant! I just still think you should join us." The rabbit grinned cheekily. "After all, I still need you to protect me from those hunters!"

"...I did say I would assist you in that regard, but...”

"What is your name, anyway?"

"Ah... Katsurou."

"Katsurou, huh... You seem capable enough of helping out." Engle nodded. "And it would be nice to have someone around to keep Sierra grounded..."

Katsurou frowned. "Anything more than that... seems like... a bad idea.”

"You don't have to join officially or anything." The captain folded his arms, tilting his head. "All we do is subdue criminals or any other dangerous persons and take 'em in here. If you don't want to do that, that's fine. I don't force people into helping Aegis Wing."

"Hmm... It's not that. It's just...” Katsurou looked aside again, pausing as he tried to find the right words. Eventually he shook his head, giving up. "Nevermind. It's of no importance,” he shrugged. "I suppose I will babysit your rabbit for the time being.”

"Hey!" she pouted. "Don't go talking like I'm the pet, now!"

"It suits you," the captain laughed, lightly swatting Sierra on the head. He turned back to Cardinal to resume their earlier conversation, though he noticed Izzack timidly standing off to the side. "Ah, that's right." He glanced back. "Sierra! What about your other friend over here?"

[The Izzack]

Izzack...surprisingly enough, felt kinda bad for not being forthcoming with the older man. There was something about how he reacted that hit him hard. Like...like disappointing someone who only wanted to help. What was done was done, however, and Izzack couldn't see himself changing how he had acted even if he had been given a second chance. A bad feeling did not overwrite years of conditioning to mistrust strangers.

As soon as he was mentioned once again by the captain, Izzack was shaken roughly from his contemplation. With an awkward jolt, he stood up straight. "Ah! Izzzzzack, sir! My name is Izzack!" he managed, hand nearly popping to his forehead in salute. "I'm...well...I'm..." he didn't want to say 'hero'. It sounded much too Cliché, and, just as he had not wanted to disappoint the older man, this man he felt he needed to impress. This man lead this whole...thing...for crying out loud! He would probably see some idiot in raggedy clothes calling himself a hero, and just laugh at him! "I...I...I help people. When I can, that is. That's how I met your employee here...uh...I was trying to help." he decided that it would probably be for the best to leave out the whole 'running away from Katsurou, and then cowering behind a guy who wanted him dead' bit. Those two did not an impressive introduction make.

[Lepa]

"Hey! Don't worry!" Sierra chirped to Izzack. "The Cappytain's a nice man! No need to be so nervous~!"

Engle chuckled modestly. "I mean, I can understand why..." He glanced aside. "...running this group and all." He turned back, looking over Izzack again. "...But before you help others, shouldn't you think about helping yourself?" He frowned in concern, not too different from Cardinal moments ago. "You don't look too well..."

"Oh, yeah!" The rabbit raised her hand studiously. "It's because he does magic!" She blurted out in excitement. "...Or something." She shrugged. If Izzack wanted to keep that a secret, well... it was too late now. After all, he didn't specifically say it was a secret, so Sierra figured it was a-okay to mention it out loud!

"Ohhh, is that so?"

"...Magic?" Cardinal's brows rose slightly. He was definitely interested, though for what reason was unclear. On one hand, he could have been one of those zealots who condemned any sort of magic as the devil's work (he wasn't), or he could have been a practitioner of it himself (he was). "What..." he paused for a moment with a brief, awkward cough to recompose himself. "Erhem... What... sort of magic?"