A needle in a haystack.... burried in snow. (OPEN)

[Levi Storms]

January 13th

Levi was sitting in the snow, his back against a wall. His hair hung over his right side of his face, shielding much of his facial features. A red hoodie was on, pulled up over his head. The boy kept his eyes averted toward the ground. He pulled a cigarette up to his mouth taking a drag from it. Slowly he released the smoke into the air, flicking the cigarette lightly.

He glanced up, looking at the people around the area. There wasn't many of them out and about. Most of them seemed to make it indoors and stay there. Who could blame them? It was cold.

"Who thought finding these people would be so hard?"

[/i] Levi was deep in thought. He'd spent the past month or two trying to hunt down more power-users, while keeping himself hidden at the same time. It wasn't easy. He couldn't tell when people had powers or not. He had to wait and see them in action to know it was them.

He was here now only on a tip. Someone was said to have some talents up in this area. The ability to control chlorophyll, so typically, plants. It would be interesting to see what use the user had gotten out of these skills living in the snow-covered Alaska. Levi was willing to take in any ability though. Anything to push his plan forward, and keep himself safe as well.

The boy stood up, dropping his cigarette to the ground, and walking with his head still down. His attention was on everyone around him though. He continued to look for his target, while watching for the enemy.

He would have just masked himself, but he was tired. He'd been at this for 3 days straight, on very little sleep. His powers were drained. He was drained. He needed to keep the energy he had left for a quick get away if needed. He hoped it wouldn't come to that though.[/center][/blockquote]

[Revi Balalaika]

The light steps of reddened bare feet making a crisp crackling as the snow beneath then cracked each step he took. A pair of pants that where torn up and stained over many times looking as if sent through a furnace and ran over somewhat. A lot of events had happened to this man, but he was looking healthy none the less his trek across the country, and across Canada on foot with his lack of direction winding up the opposite way of new york where he had wanted to go for revenge. He was however here now walking into yet another town getting some baffled looks from those who lived there this man in the worn torn and gray jeans, and the one long sleeve white shirt that was sleeveless and missing at parts of the torso only to be covered by a tan cloak that had a hood drawn up over the mans head shading his face's features mostly in its shadow all but his lower half of it. The scruffy defined jaw line the thin lips cracking along their edges chapped up only to split some more as he grinned the brittle skin it was, but even that didn't last each movement causing a wound soon after sealing itself up as his body always did, and how he was able to move about in the environment without getting frostbitten or dieing.

As he treaded up into the town he the glowing ember at the end of a cigarette that was planted into a young man's mouth. Revi squatted down his eyes piercing through the shade of the hood into the others, as his right hand went and took the cigarette from him and he sighed shaking his head "Young ones should not smoke it could be detrimental to their health, but if you so please to shorten your life you can take it back of course." The man said letting out a light chuckle afterward. He then spun the stick around his fingers until it landed atop his palm that found itself face up in between the space that occupied itself between the two men.

[Levi Storms]

Levi's lip curled into a snarl. He was tired. He was grouchy. He was annoyed he hadn't located his target yet. He wasn't up for some stupid game that dealt with his smoking habits. It didn't matter anyways. He wouldn't make it that long anyways. Not if things went like he wanted them too. He'd most likely end up some maurder. What did it matter if he gave himself cancer in 50 years. He wouldn't be alive then most likely.

Levi stared the large man in front of him straight in the face. He'd long lost his sense of fear. It didn't matter if this man could pummel him into next week. He'd find his way out of it if he needed. As Levi spoke, his voice almost hissed with contempt. "I believe I am over eighteen. If I feel compelled to smoke my life away, what should it matter to you?"

Levi narrowed his eyes. He felt compelled to reach out at the cigarette, but was sure what would most likely happen. He would find himself looking helpless when he couldn't get the cigarette back from the large man. And if there was one thing Levi didn't like, it was looking weak. That is exactly what would happen. If he did manage to get his hand onto the burning stick, he would most likely only get hurt anyways. He didn't like that prospect either. So he took to just staring. A deep col stare that showed a man who was beaten and tired. A man so sick of doing this that he might just snap the neck of the next person to say 'hi' to him.

"Now, are you done lecturing me? If so, I have far more important things to do then stand around here talking to you about nicotine." Levi's eyes stayed locked onto the large man.

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[Revi Balalaika]

Revi watched the man's reactions he was giving him more credit then was due in truth Revi had no other motive with the cigarette he was truly only holding it out for the other to take if he so wanted it. The defeated look worn into his eyes now seemed to strike Revi he was not one to just leave someone with troubles and a cigarette not his way of doing things for the most part. He simply grinned as he let the man speak his words of wanting his nicotine and nothing more, as well as picking up the slight of hostility in the voice. Revi gave a light shrug that rolled his shoulders back causing his hood to fall back unveiling the buzzed dark black hair atop his head, before he then shoved the cigarette into the man's mouth.

Slowly he stood back up and looked around before turning his back to the other and sidestepping "So tell me what is eating you friend... name is Revi by the way." He said warmly, as he plopped down next to Levi resting his back to the wall. His head arched and looked up at the sky letting out a sigh "I mean it may be something I can help with especially if it takes me to New York... speaking of which what direction is that at I have been walking for what feels as if ages and well I feel as if I may have been going the wrong direction since Texas you know?" He said letting out a light comforting laugh trying to get the other to ease up on his sour disposition.

[Levi Storms]

Levi sat for a few seconds, not sure how to react to the cigarette being put back in his mouth. Then the man sat next to him, and Levi decided to let it go. On any other day, he would put this guy in a bottomless pit to fall for what seemed like an eternity, or something along those lines. He just had no strength to do it right now. Instead he just took a drag and glanced up at the large man sitting next to him.

"I am afraid, my friend, you have gone way off course. New York is on the other side of the county. You're in Alaska right now." Levi glanced back down, closing his eyes, "And I am doubting that you will be able to help me...not unless you're one of us." The last part was thought in his head. You couldn't be to careful these days. He couldn't just ask people if they were gifted as well. He just had to go off information he could find.

"Honestly, I am just trying to find someone. I don't even know what he looks like though. All I have is a name to go by. It quite difficult." Levi opened his eyes again as the past days began flashing through his mind. He'd been following the trail of this man through five cities. He moved a lot it seemed. His father was a military man. Levi was getting weaker by the hour, more tired every minute, and colder every second.

Levi was so close to being done with this man. He couldn't though. He had to give all the power-users a chance, at least that. One chance to come to his side. If they didn't then they picked their side, and when the time came, they would be annihilated with the rest of the scum. Giving them all the chance though was much harder then Levi had expected it to be. Much harder.

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[Revi Balalaika]

He listened and followed each word, as he smiled lightly when he was done speaking "Ah you show alot of determination to come all the way out here to find some one, even I myself have found these conditions quite problematic, almost makes me consider getting a car instead of walking everywhere... thought that may also save me alot of time as well...." He said shaking his head at himself.

He then simply shrugged, as he closed his eyes "So Alaska huh... seems to be a beautiful place all white and stuff... wolves are cool, and they become obedient after playing with em...." Revi said as his mind wandered from one thing to the next unable to stay focused some what must have been the cold. His eyes opened showing their exhausted and tired expression "Tell you what I can help you find this person for a small fee... food and board... sounds fair right? Also I never caught your name." He said as he turned his head looking tot he man next to him.

[Levi Storms]

Levi looked up at the man, watching him idly for a few seconds. He wasn't sure if he should trust this man or not. He gave him no reason to do so, nor did he give him any reason not to. Unless you counted the fact that he was human. Not evidently gifted. Still, it was a possibility. You couldn't always tell by appearance. Not to mention the fact that the man was out in the snow in ripped clothing. Maybe he was special. Levi made his decision.

"I'm Levi." the boy said, dropping his head back down towards the snow. Most would have asked for the others name, but Levi didn't care. He figured he would get it anyways at some point, but he wasn't going to take the time to inquire about it. This man wasn't important enough to him. Not unless he proved he was.

"I can get you food now, and up until we find the man I am looking for. I'll pay for a room for you to stay in for the week. Sound good?" Levi said all of this without even glimpsing at the guy. Now it was the hard part, describing the man, without tipping off he had powers, even though that was all Levi had to go on. Levi did not wait for the large man's answer.

"He will respond to the name Harlen Retorin. Around the age of 24. He will most likely have a greed thumb. Yeah, I know. Weird in a place like this. And if you find him today, I'll give you some money for doing it so quickly." Levi finally looked back up at the man. "Food first though, yes? What do you want? I think they have whale blubber and fish in about every shop here." Levi grinned his crocked grin for the first time in the past three days.

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[Revi Balalaika]

He listened and looked around almost for the blubber but also about this green thumb deal he spoke of "Any leads on where the man may be? I mean I don't see no greenery around here really nore have I as I came here..." He said as he got to his feet. Revi then scratched the top of his head and looked to the sky smiling "However I am not one to be picky on food as long as it is something I can gain energy and nutrients from... maybe some milk calcium is a plus... would make me more useful." He said, as his gaze traveled down to his hands.

Revi slowly opened and closed his hands into a fists feeling the tendons using more force then need be to move his fingers the calcium running low inside of him causing the main areas he had concentrated density and bone mass to become more heavy and almost fused. He let out a sigh and nodded as he turned back and faced Levi once more "I agree we need food before anything..." He said almost annoyed since he had wanted to help first and foremost.

[Levi Storms]

Levi nodded. He stood up, and dropped the cigarette, stomping it out. "Sounds good to me. I will catch you up on where our target is not." Levi turned and walked down the sidewalk, his arms wrapped tightly around him for warmth. He didn't even look back to see if Revi was following him. If the man wanted his food and money, he would follow. Levi wasn't concerned.

Levi turned into the first restaurant on the same side of the road as the two. "Looks a little cheap, but not bad looking food. Smells good too." Levi sniffed the bbq smell coming from the back kitchen. He hadn't realized he was hungry until just now. He'd spent so much time hunting, he hadn't eaten for nearly two days. His stomach had started to protest in the proximity to the food. "Well, lets get a table," Levi said, turning finally to see if Revi was behind.

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[Revi Balalaika]

Revi followed behind Levi a few paces as he whistled lightly to himself, and his right arm reached across to his left forearm and began to lightly scratch it. His mind was wandering as to thinking of why someone would be hidden out here and why the other would be trying to find them, but of course it may have been a relative of his or something like that "So this guy he a relative or friend? I mean why take the time to search for someone out here, and so specifically point out their thumb is green... are they sick?" He said as his mind wandered off to one then another thing.

His feet then felt a more solid ground without snow and a warm air come across his skin causing the corners of his lips to curl, and his arms to shoot forward pushing the cloak to his back leaving it to look more as a cape then anything. He let out a sigh as he looked around, and Levi said that they would need to find a table, and so he walked past Levi and nodded "A table of course..." He said. Revi soon walked past the bar pushing his way past other people carelessly before finding his spot in the back where there where two booths open. Slowly he turned around and looked confused "Ahhh.. Levi?" He said looking to see if he had followed.

[Levi Storms]

Levi followed Revi as he burst through the restaurant. It was nice having someone large enough to move people to get to the tables in the back. Didn't have to be all polite and ask them to scoot in. Not that Levi was ever polite about it. This just made things much simpler.

Levi got tangled up as one man jumped out of his chair to go and fight the man who had shoved him. But upon looking at Revi he seemed to chicken out. Revi called out looking for Levi, and Levi, annoyed with the man in front of him, pushed the chair back under the man, knocking his knees out from under him, and putting the man back in his chair. "Move it. You are blocking the way." Stupid normie.

Levi moved forward, not looking back at the man he'd probably pissed off even more. "Thank you Revi." Levi sat down in one of the chairs, and pulled up a menu. He scanned it for something he wanted, but was not to thrilled with most of the food options. He settled on some soup, and closed his menu.

"To answer your question from earlier, he is not a relative, nor a friend. I just need to talk to him. That's all. And his thumb is not green. Not sure if you're being sarcastic, or you are just dumb. He will have lots of plants and greenery around him most likely. I would assume inside, since the outdoors would make it evident...." Levi cut off. He'd probably said to much already, but he wasn't sure this guy would catch on. He hoped not at least. If he did, he'd just have to eliminate the threat. It was just a large human, that's all. Nothing remotely frighting.

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[Revi Balalaika]

Revi looked perplexed as they sat down feeling relieved that Levi was capable of diffusing his own problem, but now sitting there hearing Levi's explanation it had caused Revi to be confused more so "Now I am no stranger to the strange and outlandish, but having something grow out in this area... it seems a bit outlandish enough so that this guy should be easy to find..." He said as he looked up at the ceiling and laughed it made him think some of himself . Revi knew not of many people like himself, but he felt an inkling of relief hearing of another person who may possibly be like him, but he was unsure if it was as it seemed in his mind or if this was just a skilled gardener... a damned good gardener he made a mental note of.

Revi looked back down to Levi with narrowed eyes as he leaned in and whispered "Now is this greenery because of some ability this man may have or is he a good gardener..." Revi said making no note of himself or asking of the other with him since he knew verywell what the outcome may be if his secret was out, and it was the one thing he knew he had to keep to himself, at least in order to keep himself clear from troubles. Revi leaned back and sighed laughing nervously "I mean thats silly why would you be looking for one of those kids that so many people seem to have an irrational fear of... he's got to be a good gardener." He said feeling something uncomfortable grow larger in the pit of his stomach.

[Levi Storms]

Levi watched as Revi deduced what the man was he was looking for was doing. Clearly, he was coming to the only logical conclusion. Who wouldn't though nowadays? All you heard about on the news was the horrible things gifted people were doing. Of course, it was never mentioned that they were being hunted at the time. Or that there were some of them out there trying to save the world. No the humans were to close-minded; a flawed race in Levi's eyes. They didn't deserve to be the ones calling the shots. Not anymore.

Levi nodded at Revi when he began questioning Levi outloud. He was glad to hear the man thought of the fear as 'irrational.' That was a good sign. There were some humans who felt that way, but far to many didn't to make any that did worth saving. Still, majority of the people didn't like them. They were scared of powers. To find a human without fear was a rare case indeed. Maybe Revi had something more to him. Maybe he was going to be a bonus here in Alaska. Of course, if he did have a power, Levi needed to know what it was. He was almost obsessed with it. He'd just have to force it out of him.

"Good gardener, eh? That's what you are going to go with?" Levi's demeanor had now changed greatly. Rather then cold and shut off he was inquisitive and had a large smile across his face. "I don't think even the best arborist could get anything besides an evergreen to grow here. No, I'm sure you understand what this man is doing. And don't worry, I'm not here to capture him or anything like that. You're not aiding some government agent in capturing him. More like trying to protect him."

Levi let his mind race now. The man seemed big. He seemed like he would protect anyone in danger. That's why he approached Levi in the first place. A man that looked down trodden and in need of help. Levi let the image or a group of men form in his heads. Masks on each of them. They carried assault riffles, and were ready to kill. Levi then pushed the image into Revi's head. The 4 men burst into the room, hollering about valuables. The guy up front pulled the gun up and shot the nearest patron in the front of the room. Killing her, and leaving her children watching in horror.

Levi grinned again, waiting for Revi's reaction. Of course, it could have been a bit crazy. Levi created another image for the rest of the cafe. The room didn't change at all for them. Not even if Revi did anything. All they would see was the two boys sitting at there table talking. Now it was time to see what happened.

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[Revi Balalaika]

Revi let out a sigh of relief, as he smiled happily "Oh I am glad you are just looking to help some one else... it is nice and gives me such hope for the future." He said as his smile grew and his eyes slit shut. However after that Revi's whole body jerked up hearing the men burst in so loudly and threatening, and he saw as a mother was gunned down in front of her own children. His fists clenched until his knuckles where white finger nails digging into his palms, as he let out a low growl. Why was it wherever he went he had trouble followed people got hurt, and why was it he the only one to react to it all as if it was his own doing in the first place.

He shook his head however ridding himself of the thoughts somewhat as he stepped foreward "No! Put down the weapons now, and get on the floor!" He roared out, but his mind was too impatient to give them a chance like all the other times. He was always rushing in never giving men like this a chance to surrender his eyes almost as if they had become lit up from the inside with so much anger. As he pulled his right fist back mid step the skin tore across the knuckles as a thick set of bones pierced out at about a half inch. As he got close enough he stepped in hard with his right foot all of these motions in a short period of seven seconds after yelling his entire body's weight being forced into the right foots step, as his right fist then shot forward putting all that weight into it only focusing on the one who had shot first.

[Levi Storms]

Levi watched as Revi got up and tried to punch the image. Levi allowed the illusion to respond. Only, he could not see the small bones protruding. The man that got punched fall backwards, covering up his cheek. He wiped it and looked down at his hand. His face now wore a large bruise, but showed no markings of the spikes on Revi's hands.

Levi just smirked. "Well, he's strong, at least." Levi muttered to himself. It wasn't quite what he was expecting. Maybe, he needed to push him further though. This might not be enough to get Revi to show off his true talents if he had any. Not in front of all these people at least.

Levi focused on Revi's mind again. The other guests got up and began running. Within minutes the restaurant was empty except for Revi, Levi, and the men with the guns. At least, in Revi's mind it was that way. The man on the ground stood up again, and they all began approaching on Revi, now pulling knives, and other weapons to attack Revi with.

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