Pain Purity and Apocalypse

Chapter 14: Snake Averous

    Monday, May 22, 1993
(Location: Victor's Cabin)

       A small, wood cabin resting at the peak of a large, grassy clearing. All around, trees enclose the landscape, shrouding the far scenery in darkness. Vines and moss grow off the wood, some of the roof's shingles are cracked or laying across the grass. Upon the dark oak front door, a large gold knocker in the shape of a lion hangs. A calm rain trickles outside, tapping against the checkered, bedroom window, where Lok lays atop a small, wood-carved bed. His chest is covered in wrapped bandages, and wears a pair of loose jeans with a belt.

Trinity sits in an old, dusty arm chair to his right, wearing a pink t-shirt, light blue jeans, with her blond hair tied back in a rose gold scrunchy. Xander sits at the edge of Lok's bed, wearing a dark red t-shirt tucked into a pair of navy jeans.
a small fire crackles warmly in the red-brick fireplace behind him. Lok is still unconscious, and Victor took it upon himself to remove the one wing left. He told the two it was for the best, the wing was already severely damaged. At first they were weary, but looking at the state of the wing, they decided, he probably won't mind... He wouldn't be able to fly anyway.

When they came to Victor's house, hours ago, they were introduced to a nineteen year old boy by the name of Snake Averous. He is the young apprentice of Victor, learning biochemistry, philosophy, engineering, and herpetology in this residence. His appearance is quite odd, appearing with much similarity to a snake, rather than a normal Human. He has dark purple hair that falls over his violet eyes. His skin, rough and scaly, he is another kind of Human, one called, The Chimaera. Half animal, half Human hybrids from all parts of the world. They've lived on Earth for centuries, but are rare and few numbered. Victor met Snake while exploring Hawk Mountain, their cooperation is a mutual benefit. Snake gains study knowledge and Victor gains a creature to study.

Back in the room, a light knock raps at the tall, wood door.

"Is the boy awake yet?" Asks a raspy, hissing voice.

"You can come in, Snake." Xander replies. The door creaks open, revealing the tall, thin figure of Snake. His skin is lightly tinted with a yellowish green around the edges, and dotted with rough snake scales. His dark purple hair hangs in long bangs over his face; His cheekbones sink in slightly; And his eyes glow a deep violet. In his right hand, he holds a cigarette puffing a stream of white smoke. Xander turns his head away quickly, keeping his smile to himself, but Trinity notices the blush before he can hide it.

"I heard about what happened, i'm truly sssorry about your losss." Snake's forked tongue dips through the slight gaps in his sharp teeth, elongating s sounds with a slight audible hiss. Trinity watches the fire, her lips frowning with sadness, and her emerald eyes fighting back tears of grief.

"Sebastian was a good man, I haven't known him long, but I felt like we connected in some way... Like he connected with all of us." Xander replies.

"Whatsss the ssstory with your friend?"
Snake takes a few more steps closer to the bed,

"Lok? Well, he's the whole reason why we're here. I made the plan, but without him to convince me that our old home— our way of life— was a complete lie... We wouldn't be here, in fact, we'd probably be part of the problem."
"I was right then, you are part of AOME then?"
Xander shakes his head, correcting him.

"No, we are not part of my father's sick organization. Lok and I, we're members of RORO now." A look of relief washes over the Chimera's face. He seems to relax into the room with them, knowing now that he's safe.

"Snake! I told you to get your ass up here!" Victor's yell comes as a booming voice from upstairs. Snake runs his hand through his hair, sighing with a slight hiss.