|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
 Posted: Thu Jan 24, 2008 12:06 am
On the corner of one of the larger and more well known streets in Crosshaven sits a large, two story building. The two years it has been standing has done more damage to it than a building that had been standing for decades. At one time it was the most popular and refined restaurant in the city and had even started to look for advancement in future locations to spread its roots. However, now all it looks for is a way to make it from day to day.
The windows are boarded up and reinforced with thick wooden shutters for protection from the outside and all of its dangers that once held so much hope and promise. The once bright brown roof is now slowly sagging. The only thing that even resembles the old life this building once had is a small wooden sign that now hangs on a single hinge above the giant, chipped, oak doors that lead to the refuge inside.
"NATURAE"
This is Naturae, the once all natural restaurant of Crosshaven. Now however, it's Naturae, the only orphanage and haven for the young in the broken town of Crosshaven. The caretaker, Mike Brendt, once the head chef and proprietor of Naturae, lives on the second floor and his wards all live in the spacious first story.
|
 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Fri Feb 29, 2008 4:39 pm
" Mike ?" he calls out in to the darkens.
Not without a little hesitation he moves forward. The place seems pretty beat up but there are the tell tale sings of people having been here recently. He can hear little noises about himself. Convincing himself it must be his overactive imagination he moves in deeper and deeper in to Naturae.
" Mike" he calls again.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Fri Feb 29, 2008 4:41 pm
A small thumping can be heard coming from behind the counter of the once restaurant. Slowly it grows closer until the noise stops entirely. After a few seconds of utter silence a bright red ball whizzes through the air, aimed directly at Adrien's face.
"STWANGER," shouts a young voice in the darkened room, "STWANGER!"
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Fri Feb 29, 2008 4:47 pm
" Christ !" he says his heart pounding on his chest patting a little. Crouching behind what looked like a tree stump he knew had served as one of the nature themed chairs of the place. Judging from the scorch mark the beam had left behind him he might have lost an eye, if not all together half his face had he dodged a second latter.
" NO, no it's ok no STWANGER ... Stranger. " he called in to the darkness.
" Friend " at least he hoped.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Fri Feb 29, 2008 4:50 pm
The young voice, which could not be deemed a young girl replied, "Mr. Mike says nobody outside is nice anymore. They all went to sweep when the nighttime took over the city.". The child could still not be seen. However, the sound of a few more sets of feet could be heard all around Adrien.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Fri Feb 29, 2008 5:01 pm
By the sounds of it he was surrounded but by what he could almost not believe. A child was talking to him and he assumed more were flanking him. He got up slowly praying there would not be another red ball of hurt. Then he registered what the child had said. Mike had told him, he said.
Mike was alive.
"It's true, the world is not as nice as it once was," he moved closer to were the voice was coming from. " But not everyone went to sleep." Though some might wish they were he thought.
" I am a friend of Mikes. " he added inching closer.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Fri Feb 29, 2008 5:03 pm
"A fwend of Mr. Mike?".
There was a tiny mutterig all around the man now as the young girl said the question aloud.
"What is you na-".
Before the child could finish her question a large lab which looked to be made of some sort of shiny material jumped in front of Adrien from the direction where some of the muttering could be heard. THe dog began to growl at the intruder.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Fri Feb 29, 2008 5:11 pm
Startled he lost his balance and fell flat on his back for the second time in this short while. Ever so slowly he tried to put some distance between himself and the snarling dog.
" Ni-nice doggy " he stuttered. Where is a nice juicy bacon when you need one .. he thought as he backed away some more.
" Adiren," he said. " Professor Adrein Wullf, I mean you no harm none at all." he pleaded.
" I-I know this might be a tall request but you must trust me. I know the world outside must have beaten you my child. But you must trust me."
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Fri Feb 29, 2008 5:14 pm
The growling dog inched closer to the now grounded professor. At first it's fur had only a slight glow, however, the brightness now filled the dusty room and revealed twenty or so children, all of varying ages, standing around the two figures.
"Glyde, down," said a young girl of only seven.
The dog looked behind it's back to see the child and then sat on it's haunches and just stared at Adrien.
"I'm sorry for Glyde, he was just told by Mr. Mike to protect us," she said as she walked over and pet the animal.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Fri Feb 29, 2008 5:21 pm
" Nice doggy" he said staggering to his feet.
Now for the first time he took a good look at the girl. She seemed to be in a good condition, well as good as one would hope to achieve under the conditions he suppose.
" Where is Mike child? Has he been taking care of you? " he asked dropping to her level keeping a watchful eye on the dos beside her.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Fri Feb 29, 2008 5:25 pm
"Mr. Mike said he was stepping out to see if some old friends were still around. He said he would be at the town Square and if there were any problems to send Glyde.". The young girl seemed to have taken up the position of spokesman for the group since the rest of the children just nodded in agreement.
After a moment she answered Adrien's second question, "Oh yes! Mr. Mike found all of us in our houses after the nighttime made all of our parents fall asleep! He's been taking care of us here ever since.".
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Fri Feb 29, 2008 5:40 pm
Yes it seemed very much like Mike to explain such a horrific even to this youngings in such a way. He looked at all of them, unsure if she should leave them and go look for Mike but if their display of power before was more than enough reassurance that they would be alright.
Old friends at the town square He thought. He should go, he had to go.
" Thank you my dear. For the information, and for trusting me. " she smiled softly and winked. Steping outside once more the air began to gather speed around him. What better to get there than by bubble. He grinned and waved back and just like that, he was gone
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Fri Feb 29, 2008 5:44 pm
The little girl waved at the man and watched him dissapear.
"Oh my Glyde, he was a weird one," she said to the dog made of light.
The animal responded with a slight nod and continued to stare at the open door.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Sat Mar 01, 2008 3:34 am
Slowly and quietly Mike opened the front door to Naturae. A few candles had been left on in the main room as a courtesy as well as in the extension, which used to be the extra seating he had built onto the restaurant, which now served as the children's large master bedroom.
"It's good to be home," he whispered with a smile as he walked in and closed the door quietly behind him.
As he made his way towards the children's bedroom the large lab made of light appeared from behind the counter. "Hey there Glyde," said Mike in a whisper as he knelt down and rubbed the light animal's head, "Can you do me a favor and put this one to bed?".
With a nod the dog gently took Lucy by the collar of her dress and carried her into the room and gently laid her in her bed. "Thanks," replied the dog's creator as he walked in to make sure everyone had gotten to sleep safely. "You're on watch duty tonight so stay on guard for gangs and thieves okay?".
With an affirmativ nod the lab laid down in the children's doorway next to the kitchen as Mike exited to main room from the side and walked up a flight of stairs to his apartment at the top of the now orphanage.
"Today was really exciting," he said as he walked into his room and laid down on the bed in his clothes, "I'm relieved to know that almost everyone from before is okay. Even Professor Wolf is all right. It's even better to know that Ms. Morigan has been appointed Governor instead of someone that nobody knows.". As he rolled over on top of the covers he had a final thought before falling into a worl of rest, "If only Governor Nevermore was back though. For some reason, I just can't accept the fact that he's gone.". With that the young caretaker drifted off into one of the most restful nights of sleep he had gotten in a year.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Sat Mar 01, 2008 10:36 am
It was daylight when Vincente came up to the door of Naturae. He glanced down at the piece of paper he was given. The woman was quite drunk when she had given the directions, but he was sure he was in the right place now. With a paper bag under one arm, he used the other to knock on the door. He waited for a reply.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
