Disclaimers: All characters belong to rightful owners.
Story concieved by Lee.


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Tesu tried to dodge the blows Alexei aimed at him, while at the same time, still trying to pull the crazy kid away from his chosen target. "Uh... I don't know..." he said desperately, "He looks just like an ordinary kid to me..."

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About this time, Lukas reached the table, and waded straight into the fray, trying to grab Alexei by the scruff of the neck and haul him away from his friend.

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"You're out of your mind!" Sam gritted through clenched teeth as he noted an almost irrational anger rising within him. His face twisting to a feral mask of rage, he drew back one arm and, hoping to get the little psycho in the face, he swung his fist foreward and down, then repeated this action as long as necessary.

"You stupid, violent, useless creature!" He snarled mindlessly as he continued to punch at the boy. "You encapsulate all that is wrong with your vile breed!"

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Alexei, far from being dismayed by Sam's insults, was, in fact, delighted, "You even talk like Azazel!" He crowed as Lukas hauled him away from his victim, "You _are_ one of Them. And not just the regular, run-of-the-mill Them, either. You are one of the demons! We knew you reminded us of Sergey and Azazel! You even smell the same!"

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Arvel, meanwhile, was still thoroughly confused, "Who's Azazel? Is he a member of their band, too?"

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"I may smell as Azazel but I swear to you my wrath is far worse..!" Sam snarled and, though the boy had been pulled from him, he attempted to tackle Alexei. His face showed nothing but madness as he continued to try to beat the boy, but his lips were pulled in a cold, almost skeletal example of a smile as if he were enjoying all of this.

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Tesu grabbed the valiant Stubby by a rear leg, pulling the little dog out of the melee and backing a couple of steps away from the table. Scooping the dog up again, glanced over at Sam... and backed away further toward the door.

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Lukas wrapped his arms tightly around Alexei in an attempt to keep the boy from lunging for Sam again, and likewise stepped back from the table. To his surprise, however, it was Sam who lunged for Alexei... and himself. Unable to keep hold of Alexei, fend off Sam's attack, and keep his balance, he was bowled over by his friend, carrying both Sam and the pirhana boy down with him.

"Sam! What the fuck do you think you're doing?"

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Arvel noticed the boy who had come in with the psycho backing towards the door. "Hey, are you friends with that guy? What is he doing?" And then the boy noticed Stubby. "Puppy!" He squealed and turned his attentions to the dog.

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Alexei crawled out from under Lukas and Sam. "We do not know about wrath. We just know you are one of Them and therefore we will kill you." He would have gone on, but at that point Willy came over and told them that if they didn't either leave or start behaving he woul call the police, and even Alexei was sane enough to take that threat seriously.

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What indeed. When this boy-- derranged, apparently-- had first attacked Sam, Sophia's reaction had been to promptly reach for her bag. Fortunately, Lukas was quicker, but then _this_ had happened. *I don't know much about these boys... but from the way he was acting before, I wouldn't have guessed he was even capable of this.* What _was_ the whole act? First he'd denied any knowledge whatsoever, but that last comment had been a _definete_ acknowledgement of the accusations of the boy. And in all this, what on earth did a demon have to do with it?

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"Yeah... it would. But I doubt it'll effect our day." Sasurai didn't care much for puppet shows. Whether this one would be good or not didn't matter. Tugging her coat closer aorund herself, she seemed even more mousy as she pushed herself closer towards Lemy, as if to just huddle for warmth or to keep herself hide herself from those she didn't know.

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"You will kill me, will you?" Sam chuckled deeply as he stood to his feet. Though he seemingly didn't hear the orders to stop from just about all present, he did cease his attack, but it was likely more from lack of interest than any will to follow orders. Laughing coldly, mockingly, he shook his head. "You will drown like a worm in a puddle, just as your brother. You're as weak, as useless, as corrupt as he... and any of them!"

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"You're... probably right." Lem nodded slowly to Sasurai's words and, as she pushed herself closer, he found a flush rising in his cheeks. Still, realizing that it was only likely for need of warmth, he rather tentatively wrapped an arm about the girl's shoulders and, rather uncertain if it was alright, he attempted to draw the girl to his side.

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Sasurai felt her breath getting caught in her throat, her cheeks turning red, and her shoulders tensing automatically feeling his arm wrap around her shoulders. It was a surprise, to say the least, to be this close to someone after years of perpetual solitude. But at the same time... it felt... comforting, especially if the someone was one who earned at least part of your trust. "Ano...", feeling him attempt to draw her to his side, she placed herself closer to him, consenting with his attempt. Though still nervous and even fidgety, she was tranquil.

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"Oh, I..." Hearing Sasurai's murmur, Lem drew back momentarily as if scorched, but, upon feeling her snuggling closer, he relaxed a bit. Of course, if he thought that she was uncomfortable in any way, he would have drawn away, but Sasurai did seem alright with everything for the moment. Sighing softly, he smiled lightly down to the girl. "Is it alright?"

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Tesu glanced over at the younger red-head, blinking uncomprehendingly as if the boy had spoken to him in ancient Greek. "...Um... not really..." he stammered, "We... uh... just met... His cactus wanted to go out for pizza..." He trailed off, clamping his mouth shut, before he said anything else that would give the others the impression that he was as crazy as Alexei obviously was.

At the younger boy's delighted squeal, Stubby cocked his head to the side, his long, pink tongue lolling out of his mouth in a goofy canine grin. Wriggling, he kicked off against the dancer's body, launching himself toward the younger. Landing squarely in Arvel's lap, he reared up, placing his front paws on the boy's shoulders and joyfully began licking the boy's face.

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"Ain't no one killin' nobody!" Lukas shouted, stepping between Sam and Alexei, reaching out to place a hand firmly in the center of each boy's chest in an attempt to keep them both from lunging at each other all over again. "Sammy, what the hell's wrong with you? This ain't like you..." As he glanced over at his friend, anything further he might have said died before reaching his lips. The utter madness possessing the familiar contours of Sam's face, the harsh, hate-filled words, and most of all, that cold, mocking laugh, sent an icy chill down Lukas' spine. Who was this person? This wasn't his friend... the boy he'd grown up with, shared secrets and laughter with, played pranks on and with... No. This wasn't Sam. He was looking at a total stranger.

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"H-hai... don't worry... it's... comforting." Sasurai stated, nodding softly, smiling gently back up at him. Of course, he was someone she only met today, but already she could feel layer by layer of her heavily guarded shell slip away, just for him at least. Mousy, looking up from the pocket of his friend, made a soft squeak, which would've been cute if it wasn't for the fact the sgueak was drawn out like a 'awwwww'.

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"Ah, good." Lem renewed his smile at Sasurai's words and then even moreso when Mousy chimed in with his squeaking. Giggling softly, he peered down to the creature and, once again, he reched to stroke a finger over the pocketed mouse. "It looks like Mousy agrees, too..."

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