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You're my only hope

[ Anthony looked frazzled as he cast a careful glance over his shoulder before slipping back under what appeared to be a blanket fort so he could stare at his phone. ]

Ok look, bad week... shit happened. Lots of shit happened, most of it was my fault. Got engaged, broke it off the next day, had to spend most of the rest of the time at the hospital looking after a sick relative. The visit from the creepy alien hunting suit was incredibly spooky... But none of that compares to this!

[ He swallowed and hushed his tone so he wouldn't be overheard. ]

Mum is here. Actually here in my flat right now, cleaning everything and making dinner because she says I look unwell even though she has done the magic heat sensing mum hand trick three times already and I don't have a fever. What do I do!? I can't tell her about even half of this stuff without--...

[ A second voice, much sweeter and calmer broke in to ask... ]

What is this?

[ And Anthony paled as he and phone broke free of the covers to see his grey haired mom holding that conspiratorial message from the mysterious MMF. Never had a man shot so quickly from a blanket tent to snag the paper, crumbled it, and chuck it into the nearest bin. ]

Nothing! Just some chain letter, probably thinks he is being funny by sending weird notes... Nothing to worry about at all! I told you everything is fine!!

[ His mum merely gave her poor highly strung son a sympathetic look and once again set her hand to his forehead. ]

Honey, you really need to calm down. I know what will help!

[ She turned and dug through one of her many bags until she found a tattered old teddy bear wearing yellow wellingtons. This was pressed into Anthony's arms as he was ushered back to the blanket covered sofa. ]

Its Mr. Yellow Boots! Now you and he can sit here all cozy until dinner is ready.

[ Anthony was sulking but he sat back on the sofa and looked helplessly after his mom until she was well out of ear shot. ]

Send help. Anything... I need her to stop worrying.

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[He blinks, supposing he should have expected she'd answer. Mmn, but if he could get a little of whatever was baking, it might just be worth the trouble without calling in the favor later.]

Y-yes, ma'am. I'm sorry to interrupt. Is he home?

No, no. That I understand--and I would even say part of that is my fault, though I was simply worried about him with...recent events. I was not aware he had family in the area, however. I've no intent of making what was intended to be a playful threat anything near reality.

[Her honor, what little Yotsuyu thinks she possesses, demands her honesty. Therefore if Anthony refuses her aid? So be it. She really does have no intent on doing anything now, nor was this any attempt to get closer to the Crowley family, such as it was.]

I actually am in real estate, though mostly I serve as a jack of all trades at Galvus Enterprises. I do know how to get an inspection arranged. Though usually my employer asks me to do so, for his holdings.

[However, she's not averse to getting it done elsewhere, and for other reasons.]

Alec is a private person. Doesn't like to talk much about himself or about family. I am grateful so many people were willing to help him even if it did send him on the run like a fugitive. Really could have done without that last part.

[ Now to accept her help or not. Anthony barely pondered it. He wanted that deadbeat landlord punished for putting his cousin in such peril or failing that... how about just a lift that actually works?? ]

How about you get the ball rolling on that and I can stop by your offices some time. Give you the building address and anything I know about the landlord. Which isn't much. I've never met them.

Why no, dear. I'm afraid you just missed him. The most horrible thing happened! The Botanical Gardens are on fire!! Oh, I do hope Anthony will be ok... He was called to go down there and help!

[ This wasn't entirely true but it was the impression Evelyn had been left with. ]

Are you a friend of his, some one who lives in the building? I'm sorry you had to find out this way, dear.

[ About that time his phone would jangle with a text message. ]

Wei managed to spring me. He could have come up with a better cover story but it worked.

[Well that.. wasn't expected. And now he's out a cab fare for no reason. Well, at least Anthony had managed then. He ignores his phone for the minute]

Oh.. I didn't know it was that bad. I just heard there was some sort of emergency and to come here to make sure he got the message. I hope the orchids are okay...

Shamey-shamey, liar-liar. [But it's said with obvious sarcasm. He smiles as he confirms his order and slips his phone back into his pocket.]

Yeah, just give her a treat and I'm sure all will be forgiven.

[He shrugs.] I've been in this area for about a year now. I'm pretty familiar with which buses run on time and which ones you're better off skipping.

So, whatcha order?

[Is he stalling for time? Maybe.]

[even though he didn't have to climb anything, he was exhausted by the time they go to the flat. Aunt Evelyn said something to him in a concerned voice and he might have said something back, but all he could think of was crossing to the bed and not so gracefully getting himself into it. The rest could take care of itself later]

I never did. The guy on the phone I had call my flat was the one who did the actual lying. I only played along.

[ Still guilty but not as badly in his mind. ]

I ordered the Quad Grande, Non Fat, Extra Hot Caramel Macchiato Upside Down... mostly because it had the longest name on the menu.

[ Anthony leaned a little closer over the table so he wasn't prodding too loudly. ]

So what makes you think you have powers?

Oh, my dear. It will be fine.

[ That could always be reimbursed once Anthony realized the kid had actually sprung for a cab. In hindsight the details of the escape plan could have used a little more ironing out. ]

So do I! I hope the whole place is ok. It would be horrible to come all this way and then to miss even being about to see the place my son works.

[ A beeping from the oven startled Evelyn so much that she jumped and looked quickly back into the kitchen. ]

I forgot all about my cookies! Excuse me a minute, dear.

[ And with that she was off to collect her oven mitts and retrieve the tray of cookies before they burnt, but she had allowed the door to swing wide up when she left. The apartment was small and the kitchen filled to the brim with cakes and desserts. Her fresh baked shortbreads were scooped from the sheet pan and placed on a rack to cool. ]

So sorry about that. I cook when I'm upset and I have had so much to be upset about lately! Do come in? How to do you feel about fresh baked cookies?

[He checks his phone while she retreats in lieu of just awkwardly standing there]

It's cool, but I kind of made it here a few minutes ago. Should I just make an excuse to leave or?

[Elliott just manages to finish hitting send when she reappears]

Oh uh.. well, I mean if you don't mind. I don't want to intrude..

Lucky you, not having to be the one to take the brunt when it all unwinds.

[The drink name caused him to squint, mouth twisting into a frown.]

... That's twisted, dude. [It made his grande mocha cappuccino with an extra shot sound tame.]

Oh, you know...

[His frown became more of a grimace and he glanced around, making sure everyone was too engrossed in their own conversations or laptops to notice them. Then he cupped one hand to the side, allowing for some extra cover of his other hand, lying it flat on the table. It only took a little concentration for a heated, red glow to start emanating from his half-hidden palm.]

I just kinda do.

Whoa! Whoa...

[ Anthony recoiled from the table before casting a quick look around and flapping his hands at Clarence to knock that off before the table burst into flames. ]

What do you think that is, magma hands? And why is it always the hands that become magical?? I saw some one else do a trick like that...

Was there any warning or did you wake up on day to find your bed on fire or something?

[Started by Anthony's reaction, Clarence lost hold on the magic and it ceased, his hands slipping off the table to hide in his lap. He hissed to try to keep Crowley quiet.]

Jeez, calm down! The glowing isn't the dangerous part.

I actually started having dreams, more memories I think, of causing sparks as... I guess I was a child at the time? I can't exactly look at myself when they happen, but I feel like I was young at the time. Mostly just poking around with stuff, nothing too crazy, except...

[He bites his lip, still a little worried from the vision.]

You're there already? Damn. Thought I could catch you before you arrived. Did you tell her the cover story anyway? I mean, couldn't hurt now and it would make it seem more believable. Up to you really. I mean if you are up for cookies you could stay for a bit, she will probably offer you a dozen.

[ No sooner had the text been sent then... ]

It's not an intrusion at all! Actually I was going stir crazy cooking away in here and talking to myself like I had any business to! Come, sit, have a few of these while they are still warm and you can tell me all about how you and Anthony met.

[ Which was then followed by another very timely warning. ]

Oh and watch out. She will want interrogate you. By now she has to be getting suspicious as there hasn't been any reports of a fire on TV. I owe you.

Sorry.

[ His voice dropped into a low whisper as if that would make up for the earlier panic. ]

You would think I would be used to seeing the whole magic hand thing by now.

That does sound a little like a kid with matches. I always liked to play with them too even though I wasn't supposed to.

[ Magical sparks were a great deal more unique than matches however. This he acknowledged with a head bob as that 'except' had to lead some where.. ]

Not the same thing, I know. What happened?

Yeah yeah, everyone is coming out as a wizards or something. It's basically the new normal.

[He nodded. It seemed like a similar enough situation to compare it to.] Fair enough.

Uuuughhhhh. [He slowly dragged his hands down his face, then slowly let his head fall down until his forehead touched the table. Not looking at Anthony helped him say it. Or something.] So like, when I first found out I was Different, I had a memory where I was trying to get this floating helmet thing? And like, whatever, you know? But then I shot a ray of magic energy out of my hand into this old man and I'm pretty sure I straight up sent him into cardiac arrest.

[ There was no way that story would have had a happy ending. Kids playing with fire always lit something on fire, a leaf, themselves...a friend. Straight up murder was not something he was prepared for and it left Anthony gaping. ]

You... murdered some one for a hat?

[Slow, Clarence raised his head and stared Anthony in the eye.]

The worst part is, I didn't even care. It was like I had done stuff like that before. No thought to how terrible it was. I was just determined to get what I wanted.

[ Anthony drew in a long slow breath, trying to find something comforting to say about any of that but there really wasn't anything. ]

Wow... That's heavy.

[Sighing, Clarence dropped his head to the table with a light thud.]

Heavens, you don't know the half of it.

[The call of his name caused him to look up and he groaned, not really feeling like getting up when he felt this vulnerable but damn, maybe the burning sensation of chocolate and coffee would take away the sourness leeching through his system.]

[ He didn't have any idea what that was like, at all. You would think as the serpent of Eden one might feel a little guilt over the whole apple thing. Condemning humanity to suffer the original sin and force them from the garden ought to make him feel some guilt. But... it wasn't murder.

When Clarence went to retrieve his drink Anthony stared down into his cup feeling guilty about how he didn't feel guilty and moreover, upset for the kid. Murder was terrible! How could a kid murder anyone for a hat??? ]

Did you know him?

[ Anthony asked when everyone was sitting at the table again. ]

[The drink warmed his cold hands, reminding him he was here and now. Not back in that memory. Only to be brought right on back by Crowley's question.]

[He paused, unsure for a moment as he thought back.]

You know... I think I did. Sort of? I can't remember his name, but I knew he was my enemy. So I didn't care if he got hurt. [Or died.]

[He took a sip of his coffee, then waited a minute to swallow before adding one more thing.]

There was another teenager there, too. He saw the whole thing.

Another teenager? Did you know him too?

[ Anthony sipped at his long named drink and made a face as it didn't taste nearly good enough to deserve such a long name. ]

I can't imagine what the use is in that hat, beyond the oddity of it... but at least the man was an enemy. There might have been a war or something. These memories only give us a small peek into the past and many times the context is missing.

Okay. Uh, thank you.

[He follows her in and closes the door behind him, then takes a seat on the couch and only manages to glance over his received texts before he's accepting the cookies she pushes his way]

I've been a student at the Gardens for a few months. I'm planning to go to college for nature conservation, so I've actually been planning to ask him about maybe getting a job there this summer.

[And is actually the whole reason he agreed to come out and help, if he's honest. ..At least assuming he won't already be working full-time for the Bureau..]

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