|
|
Post by ParamountKeymaster on Mar 31, 2017 18:43:50 GMT -5
It was a beautiful afternoon in Void City. Clear skies, cool air, nothing destroying the neighborhood... and boy, did Evan need it. After all the trouble he had been through over the past few days, a moment to unwind was more than warranted, and he was going to enjoy it. As such, the keymaster had ventured out for some alone time, opting to spend it taking a walk through Portal Park and letting the serene atmosphere ease his mind.
Granted, it wasn't exactly alone time. He had a dog to take care of, after all, and light conversation with said dog on walks like these was generally unavoidable. But who was complaining?
And so Evan strolled through the park with his hands in his pockets and Carter diligently trotting alongside him. At that moment, neither would've had it any other way.
"So how long ya think this peace is gonna last?" Carter sarcastically chuckled.
"Can't say. I'd rather not jinx it," Evan replied honestly. "I'd appreciate it if it went on for a while, but knowing this island, I'm not holding my breath."
"Smart kid. Can't argue with ya there."
Some people might've questioned why Evan was talking to a dog that so clearly wasn't talking back. He was used to it, though. He could concede that it probably looked strange to an outsider. Few understood Carter like he did.
"I'm just wondering how Rio and Mickey are doing, what with the whole... thing with Cat..." Evan awkwardly mused.
"Oh yeah... that..." Carter stared up at him with morbid curiosity. "What's up with that whole deal anyway?"
"Last I checked, Cat's just chilling out in the desert."
"Yeah, that's probably for the best..."
"Speaking of, I... kinda wanted to go check on the guys. If the camper van's still here, that is."
"Sounds good. Mind if I go do my business while you handle that?"
"No problem. Holler if you need me."
"Will do," Carter responded as he and Evan split. While his master continued down the path in search of the Trio of Three's domicile, the Berner wandered towards a more wooded area of the park, shuffling into the tall grass and sniffing around until he found an ideal place to squat.
|
|
|
|
Post by enigmamystere on Mar 31, 2017 18:52:34 GMT -5
Things probably would've gone as planned, had a portal not opened up nearby. A teenage boy races out of it, skidding to a stop when he realizes that this is not the place he was trying to go. He glances around, brow and mask furrowing as the gravity of the situation sinks in. "...this is not Paris. What just happened?"
|
|
|
|
Post by ParamountKeymaster on Mar 31, 2017 19:38:48 GMT -5
Carter had been right in the middle of relieving himself when the familiar sound of space and time ripping open caught his attention. Initially he just perked his ear up and looked around, but once he was done with his business, the Bernese mountain dog poked his head out of the grass to investigate.
What he saw was a young man in... some sort of black cat suit.
What the s***?
With a tilt of his head, Carter slowly approached the teen, sniffing and staring at him with scrutiny.
|
|
|
|
Post by enigmamystere on Mar 31, 2017 20:46:59 GMT -5
The boy blinks, looking down at the dog and smiling warmly. "Hey little guy." He reaches down and gently scratches his head, mindful of his claws. "You lost?"
|
|
|
|
Post by ParamountKeymaster on Mar 31, 2017 22:09:07 GMT -5
Carter flinched once, a but put off by the cat boy if for no other reason than lack of familiarity. This quickly wore off, to be fair. He seemed nice, and his gentle scratches behind the ears were pleasing.
When asked if he was lost, the Berner shook his head, the gesture a recognizable one of disagreement. He then reached up and nudged his collar with his paw, then straightened up so the young man could more easily read the golden tag with his name engraved upon it.
|
|
|
|
Post by enigmamystere on Mar 31, 2017 22:37:40 GMT -5
The costumed teen kneels down to look at the tag, tilting his head to get a better angle. "Carter, huh? That's a good name, especially for a bright pup." He rests on his heels, looking around the relatively empty park. "Say, you wouldn't have happened to see a human with crazy powers walking around here, would you? Or a girl in a red spotted outfit?"
|
|
|
|
Post by ParamountKeymaster on Mar 31, 2017 22:47:14 GMT -5
Well, humans with crazy powers were nothing particularly new to Carter. Red spotted outfits, however, he definitely didn't see those on a regular basis. Regardless, considering he didn't know this kid or any of his friends, Carter figured it was safe to say that he hadn't seen them around, promptly shaking his head again to convey this.
Besides, if the portal wasn't evidence enough, this guy had to be new to the island.
|
|
|
|
Post by enigmamystere on Mar 31, 2017 23:35:09 GMT -5
"Darn. Guess Ladybug isn't here." He crosses his arms as he closes his eyes. "Hopefully she can handle it without me, if only for now." He stands, walking around the area. "For now, since I guess there's no one around, it'd be best to not waste my energy." He focuses and the outfit disappears to be replaced by street clothes, and a little black creature floats by his head. "What now, Plagg?"
|
|
|
|
Post by ParamountKeymaster on Apr 1, 2017 9:43:33 GMT -5
Carter blinked, silently impressed by the boy's change of apparel, as well as the odd little... thing hovering nearby following said change. He had a lot of questions at that point, but the language barrier kept him from asking any of them. What he knew for sure was that this kid needed some direction, and as such, he needed someone who could adequately provide it.
"Hey!"
That was what Carter had said. To the boy, of course, it just sounded like a bark, followed by Carter turning around, trotting a few steps away, then looking over his shoulder to encourage him to come along.
|
|
|
|
Post by enigmamystere on Apr 3, 2017 21:01:35 GMT -5
They look at him, then at each other, the smaller of the two shrugging. "Follow him, I suppose. Not much else we can do... besides, he may lead us to some cheese." It gives an impish grin as the boy groans.
"Fine, I guess we'll follow him." He holds open his outer shirt. "You're hiding, though, in case people are about."
"Yeah, yeah." He hides quick enough, despite his protests.
|
|
|
|
Post by ParamountKeymaster on Apr 3, 2017 21:21:12 GMT -5
Well, that was curious... Carter would have to remember to have Evan ask about whatever the heck that little thing was.
First things first, though. Once he was certain the kid was following him, Carter turned back around and started walking down the footpath again, pursuing Evan's scent. Things would be sorted out soon enough... provided he hadn't meandered off in pursuit of the Trio of Three's camper van on the highly probable chance it wasn't where it usually was...
Suddenly Carter froze, turning his head in the direction of the breeze. It was that scent again. That familiar, sickly, tar-like scent coming from the woods.
Ugh... Why now?
The Berner hunched up, snarling lowly at the shadows.
|
|
|
|
Post by enigmamystere on Apr 3, 2017 22:09:06 GMT -5
The boy stops, staring at the dog, then in the direction it's facing. Slowly, carefully, he lets the little guy poke his head out of his shirt and holds out a hand. "Plagg, I think we may need to get ready for a fight." The creature shrugs and takes the cheese from his hand and starts to savor it, causing the teen to roll his eyes in response. "Nice to see you share our sense of urgency."
|
|
|
|
Post by ParamountKeymaster on Apr 3, 2017 22:19:36 GMT -5
Dammit, Evan, where are you? Kinda need your help here... Carter grumbled internally. Then again, knowing these guys, the fight's gonna come to you regardless...
The shadows were on the move. He only faintly heard them. Without warning, Carter started running, following the sounds and scents weaving between the trees. The thought occurred to him that it was strange for them to strike on such a sunny day. A risky move with a low chance of success on their part. Still... it was best to stay on one's toes when it came to Præt'nos.
The shadows stopped. Carter stopped alongside them, body rigid, ears erect.
Something was in the woods. Something obscured by the shade beneath the trees. Something dark... and tall... very tall...
|
|
|
|
Post by enigmamystere on Apr 3, 2017 22:37:39 GMT -5
The boy skids to a halt behind him, eyes wide at the sight of the creature. "Uh... what is that thing, exactly?" "What, do you think I know?" He frowns at his friend before shaking his head and striking a pose. "Plagg, claws out!" |
|
|
|
Post by ParamountKeymaster on Apr 4, 2017 9:09:09 GMT -5
Hearing all the commotion on the other side, the dark figure froze, perking up on high alert. Then it slunk to the ground, disappearing amongst the shadows.
Carter grimaced. Well, now that they'd been had, might as well get on with it. There couldn't have been very many of-
"YIPE-!!!"
A shadowy tendril wrapped around Carter's leg and whisked him into the trees. Shortly thereafter, the forest began to shake, punctuated by barks, growls, whines, and the occasional, distinctly non-canine hiss.
|
|
