Into The Woods - [OPEN]

In this world, laughter was the best medicine. Unfortunately, Alexander was no doctor. The lackluster response this acquaintance gave stung him internally, yet this was no time to recoil. Nevertheless, the conversation persisted. How fortunate. Replying in kind to the Father's own formalities, the woman gave mention to this and that about her typical visitors. Some of Alexander's mental assumptions bore a very correct fruit, it seems. Then again, perhaps this was no convoluted association. Regardless, Lex brought himself upright. This time, only his left hand hid itself away within a vacant pocket. An index and ring finger fiddled and tip-tapped away at a mobile phone as Pitta formally introduced herself.

Alexander shifted his weight somewhat as Pitta -- specifically -- parroted that of his insignificant importance. However, this woman's lack of a surname piqued Lex's interest. Was she intending to separate herself from something? Someone? The Father of the Hope House soon was afflicted with a familiar sensation. It was one all too contradictory to his underground image; ever more so with his immediate visage. A sort of, likely, magically inclined individual with no family name, possibly living in the woods, alone? Alexander could already recount all nineteen... remaining family members with similar predicaments. Not all of them were magically gifted, or even bothered with that impossibility, but many had been lifted out of all that through the House. This wasn't a feeling of pity, however. Yet, as such thoughts swirled about shamelessly, Pitta continued.

Apparently, Lex's garb was a bit dressier than he had become accustomed to it being. Understandable. The potential segways were almost masterly on their own. Had this woman been attempting to steer this conversation as well? Further peeks into it would be reserved for the upcoming events.

"I heard a real banger of a noise out in this direction. I had some time before I had to take care of something else, so I figured: why not poke around as to why? And, as an aside, I present myself this way every day."

The details of Alexander's profession wasn't necessary; not yet. There needed to be just the right ease of access into that offer. That, and enough leeway to potentially outweigh the contempt for... "illegal activity", among other things. Provided that this Pitta was a true-blue wizarding sort, that'd be more difficult than your everyday Homeless Homer. They never cared much for worldly or material luxuries, nor opportunities. As the Father's newfound acquaintance propped herself against a nearby tree, such thoughts brought themselves along once again. A pause. A glance to the left, away from Pitta. Lex's vision shifted. A tremendous flame, still vastly beyond its peers, flickered just as Pitta stood. It faded as Alexander blinked.

A sigh was all it took to confirm Alexander's curiosity. The vocal confirmation, however, was all well and good enough given the circumstance. The tug of a smirk struck Lex's facial features as Pitta gestured to her outerwear. Alexander's gaze returned to meet Pitta's own. This mountain's resident witch? More specific than anticipated, albeit nothing too far out. However, this woman's additional details weren't on the radar. You'd think someone so intent on their isolation would be secretive. Granted, there was no strong reason as for there to be a need to, was there? It certainly didn't appear so, if any guess proved correct.

Pitta's mention of a predecessor was rather intriguing. Better yet, she didn't seem particularly thrilled about handling what remained of them! Alexander's teeth were revealed somewhat, huffing out another amused exhale. This woman was another bit of something, indeed. As Pitta continued on, however, Lex pieced together bits and pieces of conversational roadmap. There was limited time, principally due to his simultaneous attempts of listening and formulating. Words of magical failures and unpleasant fragrances. Do this if it turns like that. A joke concerning the value of your sense of smell. An ultimately brief chuckle, assessing options behind a friendly face. Time for a strike at chance.

"I'll admit -- Pitta -- I know a few too many members of my family that'd love to get their hands on you. Maybe you'd even come to be friendly with them; although, one or two of them happen to get on sarcastic streaks every once and a while."

Kini and Pasley came to mind, concerning the latter point. Railey, Marka, and Jell were others that reminded Alexander of... horrid afternoons. Nonetheless, they were a group of absolute divas and roughousers that'd just devour anyone wearing only one color. Unfortunately for Pitta, if she ever came across any of them: buckles never seemed to count. Ignoring the minor wave of goosebumps crawling about his back, Alexander allowed the comment to hang for just a brief second, essentially permitting Pitta to reply. This interaction, in theory, should be becoming a bit heftier in just one moment. Suddenly, the Father's facial expression turned neutral.

"So, is poring yourself over chicken scratch what you want to do with your life?"

It was portions of instigation such as these that Alexander assured himself that acting through so many tepid waters was vastly more worthwhile than he could've ever imagined. Maintaining his flat facial expression, an everyday parlor trick occurred. A finely manufactured table and chair set manifested out of thin air. Quaint. As Pitta seated herself ever so silently, she gestured for Alexander to do the same. A most minute twitch came across his brow. A terribly brief moment was taken to stare at the magicked up chair. There's a great amount of trust willing to be at play here. Pitta had little clue as to who Lex was. The penultimate scope of magic was unknown to Lex. The prowess of either of their abilities were confidential to each opposing side of this conversation. Against better judgement, the Father figured it'd be best to abstain from assuming there were any explosives within or beneath that seat.

Grasping the crest rail with his unpocketed hand, Alexander promptly sat himself without a word. Revealing his right hand, folding his left leg atop his right, Pitta's words struck at the Father without delay. Swiftly procuring his mobile device, clicking the power button, the current time was displayed. Still over fifty minutes left. This'll do just fine then. Leaving his multi-purpose phone to return to sleep mode, Alexander kept a straight gaze as his acquaintance continued. A moment was spent listening. Only that, in fact. Pause. Then, Pitta carried on. Apparently, that doctor's handwriting was far more imperative than Alexander gave it credit for. Well, it was as much to Pitta, at the very least. Secrets to her existence, unlock conditions to her penultimate prowess, a long, convoluted tale concerning all of that; what intriguing joys it must be! Legitimately romanticizing all that would be fruitless, however. The wink that this woman gave, meanwhile, damn well nearly prompted Alexander to raise his brows. Thankfully, he wasn't as easy as Sam is.

Yet, all things do come to an end eventually. In this case, it was Pitta speaking of and for herself. Alexander interlocked his fingers, resting his palms at his lower abdomen as their respective arms readjusted. A somewhat deep inhale, alongside a pair of shut eyes. A curt exhale, ice blue eyes released evidently afterwards. Suddenly, Alexander's gaze became sharp, his eyes seemingly in an attempt at boring a hole through his acquaintance.

"Do not misunderstand me. I mentioned my family before by no means with the intent to abuse any magic you may or may not have. While I may, if everything goes over well between the two of us, ask for assistance in learning a wider range of it myself, I will not force you. It would be against my character to do so, unless its under very different circumstances. If you well and truly wondered what I meant by mentioning some of my family members earlier, then I will willingly explain later."

"Ten minutes ago, I had no ulterior motives towards you, nor what you could ever do. Five minutes later, I did. However, do not misunderstand me again -- not before I can elaborate. You seemed pestered, be it by the lost or by the witless. You had no surname, and presumably live alone. While your past or true circumstances are unavailable to me for a more thorough analysis, do know this: I offer asylum for the unwelcome, the unfortunate, and the destitute. You do not seem like someone who would be influenced by posturing; therefore, I will refrain."

"By all means in which I have been able to glean upon your current situation, I will extend my genuine offer. Pitta, you already know my full name. I have much to hide, but not at this time. East City, in which I and my own predecessors based themselves, is home to the Hope House. Connect the dots, if you please."

A silent moment was taken to reaffirm the clasp upon Alexander's breath. Then, a continuation.

"A primary gathering of my family is there, in East City. Be they -- once upon a time -- a street rat or the finest warrior, wizard, or workaholic you ever saw, it never mattered. While their ability and proficiencies often played a part, it was never necessary. On that note, I wish for you to join me, and the others of my family, in the Hope House."

"If you were to affiliate yourself with the Hope House, you would have access to a small network of earnest magic users, each with varying degrees of ability, many others that happen to develop themselves -- and perhaps even yourself if you find yourself interested -- in numerous other ways, a personal living quarters, guaranteed and total privacy -- particularly within secondary and tertiary locations throughout the House's currently available locations -- enough storage to last you, a minimum of, approximately, seven years, a broad enough insurance policy to cover even alien abduction and your taste buds, a retirement plan that doesn't oblige you of anything from the age of fifty and older, and last, but not least --"

A pause, giving way to evidence of a large intake of breath.

"A lifelong experience that begins in business and ends in family."

Unfurling his interlocked and folded positioning, lurching forward in his magicked seat, Alexander swiftly concluded with one, singular stipulation. A crucial one. Evidently, the Father's visage began to shift; that of a softer image.

"And if you happen to agree, then all I ask is that you attempt to follow our rules and help our family. You follow your dreams, assure yourself of your hobbies, favorite activity, what-have-you, and we'll support you besides that. One-hundred percent. I value self-actualization, and so does the Hope House."

Inevitably, Pitta's retort began with a compartmentalization of what Alexander had spouted. The preface was necessary; there have been others, including Ellbran, who have been almost needlessly suspicious of strangers. Wary and seemingly weary as she was, Pitta -- thankfully -- held herself at a differing degree. Although, her comments labeling herself as "slippery" wasn't an ideal adjective. The slippery sort never sat well under poorer circumstances; namely, with the Hope House. However, as the Father simmered himself whilst Pitta spoke, there was a slithering sense of uncertainty. This witch hadn't agreed yet. Yet, as if on cue, there it be, that dreaded word. A pitfall had been fallen into.

Pitta's words blurred into the local noise pollution, just for a moment. a pair of eyes fell upon the tabletop. Resting his elbows atop his knees, a slack left hand tensed. Alexander's right hand rolled in its socket. Within his left palm, an object manifested. This didn't happen often enough to be desensitized. The object was a light grey. Metallic. The worst she would've said was "no". Here we are. Familiar clicks, clacks, and ker-chacks rang out from the back of the Father's mind. It raced against his lacking, secondary instinct. Now, a witch, isolated in the... mountains. She knew too much. Pitta's rejection returned to more listening ears, rather than those that merely heard. The object vanished. A seemingly accelerated, sighing sort of nasal breathing escaped Alexander. As his acquaintance spoke of her dismissal of her affiliation, her lack of importance, etc, Lex desperately assured himself that this needs to be a learning experience. There was a nigh critical lack of self-control at stake; just in that recent moment.

A pause, hastily bringing attention to a key detail.

"We're no royal family, Pitta."

Frankly, this is the cleanest Alexander had spoken in weeks. A hasty attempt at saving face was made, soon meeting Pitta's returning gaze. Thinking a mile an attosecond wasn't going to do him any better than... the "other" idea. Oddly enough, the witch also had another idea. Something bordering on some kind of twisted joke; yet entirely acceptable. Barely. As Lex settled himself, mentally, words akin to a freelance mercenary invaded his ears. Support for a price -- or perhaps none -- and all for their abilities' benefit? It was convenient, as if Pitta was cutting him a deal of her own. Alexander slumped inwards, somewhat. Then, boisterously arose to his proper posture! Fine then! It's not concrete, but we may as well give, and give, until Pitta gives in! Alexander would give her all the practice and field experience she'd ever need. Admittedly, there was no clue as to if this urge was fueled by spite -- or a strange, ironic generosity.

Launching himself to his feet, Alexander slammed his palms onto the table's surface. Swiftly gliding his right hand into his overcoat, the Father committed to this nonsense. There's been worse. Creasing his visage to display a crooked smile, only ever so wry, a capsule was revealed. This was against his better judgement, for sure. Marked as number thirteen, Alexander jammed his thumb over the capsule's lone button. With a trademark CLICK-!

"Let's have a little test for you then, shall we?"

An obnoxious puff of smoke erupted from within Alexander's palm. From it, however, was no item one in his position would be caught dead carrying. A beaker-like vase, completely transparent and of a tame, glass material. As the Father placed it, gingerly, atop the table's center; its primary component became truly visible. Exactly one gardenia flower. Propping himself up fully, with both hands, Alexander veered himself away from such dainty flora. This certainly wasn't in his right mind, was it? No, it couldn't be. Regardless, something like this made a fine runway for future endeavors before. Well, it had for Arved, at least.

"Has your forebear ever got you to transport something to someone with your magic?"

As Pitta's reactions came and went, Alexander came to multiple conclusions. For one: for the love of ungodly fucks was he screwing the pooch, and fast. Additionally, two: either Arved was far often too lucky, or Alexander was too full of shit. Finally, whilst not exactly a conclusion, there was one, final overarching thought. That of which, of course, summed up to be: "what the fuck am I doing?". Perhaps it was the attempt to conceal something else that steered him back from absolute stupidity. Regardless, the witch's suggestion to "simmer down" eroded the Father's borderline manic behavior the most. For one thing, when was the last time someone told him to do that? When was it last that anyone even uttered those words? Posthaste, Alexander's wry-esque grin was cleared away from his visage.

It seemed that either he, she, or both happened to come to misunderstanding one another. Frankly, it seemed more so upon Alexander's part of this interaction. Then again, everyone was their own worst critic. Be it poor diction, a misinterpretation of social cues, or perhaps an incorrect read on Pitta's personality. Regardless, it was indeed the Father that needed a moment to refresh himself. As the acquaintance reaffirmed her position, once again addressing her conditions, Alexander removed himself from the table's face. Yes, yes, yes, yes, yes, just move on, please. The weight of this conversation had been leveraged drastically in Pitta's favor already. Lex finally took notice of that. In fact, (mentally) admitting to that alone gave that witch more of an advantage.

Settling himself, albeit still forcing his posture upright, Alexander kept himself silent throughout Pitta's business talk. Granted, it was no convoluted business. "How", "who", "where". The common methods, additional options, traveling between the living world and the next life. Evidently, it was standard fare. Although, frankly, the off-handed detail of, namely, Pitta's "withered old heart" was... strange. Yet, besides all of that, Pitta's final comment entered via an unknown left field.

...Was it not obvious? Despite his lunacy, even? Alexander blinked, amid a pause. Without a mental word to himself, there was a strong urge for some sort of proper recuperation after this. Now.

"...It-- ...Isn't it--"

Another pause. Suddenly, an outstretched index finger arose.

"Please allow me one moment."

Almost stiffly, Lex turned heel and strode towards the hidden end of the nearest, opposite tree. Seemingly, and deliberately obscuring himself from Pitta's viewpoint, a strange course of events transpired. Reaching into his vest, out came a paper-thin, avian-esque print. It twitched, as it had a mind of its own! With a modest pop, out came the titular penguin Empy -- in a flash, once again in 3D! Blank, beady eyes stared back as its acclaimed roundness encompassed Alexander's palms. Without delay, however, Alexander's visage plunged into the penguin's rotund belly. Strangely enough: not a sound escaped the fuzzy depths. Thank god, for within Empy's fuzz -- no one could hear you scream. Recent, worldly events gave no room for failure nowadays, and Alexander just riddled himself full of it. The only immediate solace was in that no one would believe a somewhat unusually-dressed mountain hermit. Better yet, no one would believe they were approached by one of East City's infamous, leading mafia bosses, either. That's the theory, at any rate.

Escaping the infinite, pearly fur of stress relief, Alexander revealed himself from behind the modest tree. Still grasping at his peculiar pet with both hands, the Father silently returned himself to his previous seating. Now with accommodations enhanced: a proper answer or two. Seemingly, Lex's visage appeared relieved, albeit akin to as it was once a long, long minute ago. As he spoke, his voice was clearly softer.

"I apologize for my very recent behavior. I would request that we rewind this conversation, but you did talk business. I'll explain myself once again."

A harsh, sinking feeling hung around his upper abdomen. This definitely wasn't his usual behavior. Maybe the stress from the last two months was finally catching up to him, leading him to this predicament. Maybe, just maybe, more administration was what Alexander needed, instead of more magic types. A note to jot down for later.

...

Two notes for later.

"My word choice wasn't as indicative as I had imagined it to be."

There was greater emphasis between sentences, as if Alexander were to skirt around just merely apologizing.

"I wished to take up on your counter-offer, but as you... declined my initial offer, it did not sit very well with me."


"On another note: perhaps I did not explain the Hope House to you enough as I offered, or it may just be that you truly aren't interested. In this particular case, it is unfortunate for me to state that the secrecy is necessary."

In a remote little corner within Alexander's mind, he loathed speaking these meek words. Fortunately, little shit thoughts like that wouldn't be cutting himself off from this peculiar meeting.

"While I will not force you to commit to an oath of silence, I will be clear that you now know too much. I, or one of my family members, will need to frequently meet with you for that reason."

"I do hope you can understand, as of security is a very imperative priority. Especially as of late, at that, with the events and repercussions perpetuated by the Ancient Saiyans still lingering over us."

Meanwhile, Empy waggled a brief wave towards Pitta. As per usual, however, the penguin never blinked. It didn't seem to care about the conversation between the two Humans in the least.

"Speaking of, that gardenia flower was for one of my more recent additions to my family. She's only been with us for... I'd say... eleven months now. And, if I'm going to be spilling so much of this shit, I figured she could use a pick-me-up. That's... all."

Alexander's gaze flitted to the right as he haphazardly assured Pitta against any other connotations. This "she" -- of course -- is none other than River, one of the primary reasons Alexander ever became capable of manipulating Ki to begin with. That's for another time and place, however. Within the current moment, meanwhile, Alexander checked off a mental list of what needed covering. Calming down, the "test" -- or more so that poorly worded request -- concerning Pitta's magic, etc. What was left was simple enough. Surely, that is. What else?

"...On that note, I appreciate the lack of complexity."

Didn't need any more. Attempting to coerce and advertise to the rest of the world that East and West City weren't depopulated fuck-dumps wasn't exactly simple. That, and wrestling the remaining control from the Central City government and local governors, among other things made everything even more fucked! Not mentioning how many Hope House members there were, too; he and the captains were getting their work cut out for them often. Alexander's contributions were bordering on equal with the three of them, however. They had to. What kind of leader would he be otherwise?

"..."

Yet, among all of his thoughts as of the last minute or three, now: something began to stick out. Alexander had first heard it before he had gone to scream his fool head off into Empy. Its on the tip of his tongue.

"..."

Ah, right.

"...So were you serious when you claimed to be able to go between this world and the next?"