Quick Walk in the Park

November 9, 2023

The gang are all in the living room. Luna and Hinata are sitting on the sofa while Cole is leaning on the wall. Spider is lounging in an armchair and Lochlan is sitting on the floor. They discuss the conversation they just had with Icarus that day.

Lochlan speaks up, "What about bandages?"

Luna responds while typing on her laptop, "Icarus states that he has used bandages for his leg injury that Cole fixed. But he lied and actually used torn t-shirts for his wounds. He's hiding something."

Lochlan squints, "What are bandages?"

Luna gets up, "Ah! Uh, one moment." She walks to the cabinet and pulls out a plastic red box with a plus symbol on it. On opening it up, she pulls out a roll of white cloth. "These are bandages. You use them when you have a cut on your skin or something similar so that dirt can't get in it. They help you heal."

All of Lochlan's fur stands on seeing the box and bandage she scoots back some with wide eyes.

Luna tilts her head confused as to why Lochlan is scared of the kit, "Lochlan, it's nothing to be scared of. It's just things that help you feel better when you're sick or hurt." She gives a warm smile and soft voice, "I have a lot of experience with first aid."

Luna puts the first aid kit away from Lochlan's gaze. Luna then returns to the computer to continue her work. Lochlan watches and stays quiet. Her fur slowly lays flat again.

Hinata continues to look at the laptop to Luna's notes and wonders outloud, "Interesting how the used bandages are making Icarus this level of defensive. I wonder where they came from? Maybe it has to do with his previous job? Add onto that the blood stained mattress."

Lochlan looks down in thought.

Luna tilts her head, "I find it weird that if you manage to win the bet that he'll destroy the evidence. That's a strange offer."

Cole looks over at Lochlan with a curious expression, "Do you know about the town, Trotston?"

Lochlan looks over at Cole and gives a confused look at first, "No?"

Cole nods as he returns to staring forward, "Interesting"

Lochlan looks more confused, "Well what is it?"

Cole shrugs, "Some old town"

Lochlan stares at Cole as if processing a lot of information. Cole continues to stare forward.

"Hey Lochlan?" Hinata turns around a bit, still on the couch, "What do you know about Haze Borough?"

Lochlan looks over at Hinata, "I think I've heard of it before. Has someone rich there?"

Hinata continues, "Rich? That's what Icarus basically said, it's like the ritzy part of the state apparently? Have you ever been there yourself?"

Lochlan shakes her head, "Never. Only one or two places but never where rich gangsters are."

Hinata nods, "Ah right, they don't know what lightbulbs are. Where have you been then? I'm just curious. Your world is interesting to us."

Lochlan looks off to the ground in thought and stays quiet

Hinata is confused and keeps leaning her head side to side, "Something up?"

Lochlan continues looking out in thought, "I've been to a walking park."

Hinata smiles, "Oh those are nice to go to. Lots of trails and stuff. I love going for walks."

Lochlan looks a bit upset, "I don't like it there."

Luna asks with slight concern, "Aww why not?"

Lochlan shakes her head some and sounds slightly more upset, "No."

Luna nods. "I understand. Don't worry about it. I'm not gonna force you to talk about something you don't want to."

Hinata glances at the laptop again and exclaims in shock, "Just a casual town of 600 people getting poofed away. What the hell is the nonferal world doing!?" She shakes her head and gets back on topic with Lochlan, "This is ridiculous. Lochlan, tell us what happened at the walking park." Her voice is firm as if there aren't any other choices here. Luna sighs, trusting Hinata's action.

Lochlan's ears perk up at the change of tone, "I walked?" She avoids eye contact.

Hinata speaks directly to her, "Come on Lochlan. Tell us what happened."

Luna tries a more commanding tone as well, "I agree. You clearly have something to hide considering the behavior from before. Tell us."

Lochlan frowns and gets anxious from the direct glare. She shifts uncomfortably, "Ok fine. We were walking and I ran into gangsters."

Hinata continues, "First off, who's we? Second of all, what were they doing?" She starts to give Lochlan some space by easing up on the glare.

Lochlan uses the chance to skip around the question the moment the glare is toned down as she responds, "We held conversations with the gangsters and they didn't appreciate me bein weird."

Hinata sounds firm again and glares, "That doesn't tell me anything! Lochlan, I can't help you if you're not honest. Tell me the truth."

Lochlan sighs and sits up a bit, "Fine. Fine. They hurt me and threw me in the water. Is that enough information?" She still avoids eye contact.

On hearing this, Hinata balls her hands into fists, growling under her breath, "Almost. You said we talked to the gangsters. Who is we? We is more than one person. Who is the other person?"

She lowers her head slightly, "Some person, not a gangster. I don't know her well."

Hinata asks, "How about a name?"

Lochlan shakes her head, "I never heard it."

Hinata is taking deep breaths while talking to stay calm, "Last question. You said the gangsters 'didn't appreciate you for being weird.' I don't know what you could've done to incur their wrath, but do you have any idea?"

Lochlan cowers some, "I don't know."

For a split second a smile tries to creep into Hinata's glare, "Tell me the truth. I want to have a chat with these gangsters, if you catch my drift."

Lochlan continues, "I just don't know. They didn't like me."

Hinata sighs and releases the glare and tone, "Sorry, It's okay. Thanks for being honest with me though." She takes a bunch of deep breaths and leans on Luna's shoulder.

Lochlan stays quiet.