Feet pounding the concrete the blonde was running about as fast as he possibly could at this point down an ally and do one of the more packed streets ahead. Only briefly glancing over his shoulder as if to assure what he already knew… both of his tails were already coming out from behind the corner one moving into a sprint to try and catch up. Twins, both looked the actual definition of gangster in their white wife beaters and jeans. Bald as could be and the only way to tell which was which was one twin was covered in tattoos. The one now trying to run again to catch the slightly taller blonde who now again again then by at least a good forty paces.
By this point his chest was definitely feeling it having been running on and off since they'd taken off after him back at the apartment complex. He had to stop, and the only way he could think of to both lose them and catch his breath was the crowded street ahead which at this time of day was jam packed full of people heading to lunch or shop or to the park across the way.
That's where he finally slowed, ponytail clinging to the side of his neck beneath the hoodie he wore and his breathe near ragged. For a moment he merely paused hand moving to a trash can to stay steady as he fought to breathe. Then glancing over his shoulder he again started moving this time at a very fast walk. Ok blend, one of those moments he seriously wished he was a damn midget and his head wasn't one of the ones easily poking out above the crowd as he quickly walked down the sidewalk moving around people even at once point pushing between two people talking just because they were in his way.
Ignoring the comments called after him he kept moving now not even looking back for a food ten minutes until he was crossing a street a bit quickly and nearing a strip of stores. Probably help if he ducked into one right? Glancing over his shoulder he managed to let out a breath of relief not seeing them. At least for now, but then there was ALOT of people. Taking a breathe he moved to duck into one of the stores. A book store apparently which he hadn't even noticed upon entering and didn't really care. He just had to try and stay out of sight for a moment and make a call.
Pulling out his phone he took a breath and slowly pushed back his hoodie moving slowly down one of the isles which was mainly research, history, science subjects. Something he only briefly noticed upon trying to look like he belonged as he picked one up on Polar bear mating and attempted to avoid the look of the cashier. Oh right, probably not daily someone came in wearing an eyepatch. One of the more annoying things about that, he definitely stood out and got looks.
"Hey what's up?" Cristons voice came over the line finally.
"I need picked up…. I'll explain when you get here. I'm… you know that shopping strip like twelve blocks from my place?" He asked trying to keep his tone down and glance for where there might be a sign indicating where he even was. No answer, what the hell?! He'd waited a few moments before Cristons voice came back this time a bit gargled before cutting out again. Shit! He was probably out at his fathers and service there was absolute TRASH in certain spots. Moving to hit end call he let out a frustrated sigh and instead moved to text him placing the book back in it's spot. Hardly even noticing due to there being no bell and the shop door being propped open, but one of the twins had just entered and easily spotted him after venturing a few steps in.
"Know Knew Books, corner of Pollen and Main." Blaine whispered to the stranger who'd been making a frantic phone call. "Both starting with K-N."
He glanced up in time to see some bald-headed man making his way over to them. Shit. No time for that. He grabbed the young man's wrist and dragged him towards the archway leading to the young adult and manga section. This place was like a labyrinth even if you knew your way around, and Blaine was willing to bet Cue Ball didn't.
"Yes, of course I think cosplaying as the child of Vexen and Xigbar is outlandish," Blaine said, "but there are worse OC's out there. Still, I really think you should choose one, so I'd go with the black and white wig, not the blond one." He kept talking as he tugged the man safely away. Once they'd crossed through the arch, Blaine grabbed a Black Butler omnibus, opened it, and all but shoved it in the man's face.
"Keep your head down," he whispered, going to lounge in one of the armchairs by the arch. He hitched one leg up over the arm and affected a pensive expression as he put his nose in a volume of Priest. As someone approached, however, he straightened up and said, "Hello, welcome in! Did you know we're having a sale today? Buy two volumes, get the third half-off! Can I tell you about our most popular manga today? What's recently been adapted into anime on Crunchyroll? YOu do have a Crunchyroll subscription, right? All Crunchyroll Premium members get a 10% discount...." and on like that until people mostly steered clear and left this section alone.
Oh by all things unholy he couldn't have chosen a topic Aemond could of ACTUALLY played along with. His complete daft expression was all to evident by the time they were through the arch wat and the other male was stopping. Probably why he'd also gone finally whispering about keeping his head down as he shoved a book at him. Ok ok he could take a hint and all to quickly he moved to sit as well so his back was to the door. Pulling his hood up a bit quick and stuffing the pony tail into it he was just in time to quickly pick the book back up when the male came stepping through the door. Eye drifting down to the pages he made a bit of a face. Great, anime... Wait wasn't this the one his sister was in about? He was damn near distracted for the moment and nearly missed what the stranger had been saying until heard a low grunt from behind him and immediately knew it was the twin who'd followed him in.
"No actually I'm lookin for my kid you seen him? Fuckin long blonde hair, pony tail and wearin an eyepatch. Kinda hard to miss" The guy replied bluntly though his expression didn't remotely change. Hearing the guys story Aemond rolled an eye and moved to pull his knee up to his chest suddenly getting an idea.
"He went that way" He suddenly spoke, pointing off towards the further back. Then in that moment he nearly held his breath. Finally at least he was going to find out EXACTLY how well these guys even knew him.
"Thanks ..." The guy replied in a low irritated sounding voice before turning to head the way Aemond had pointed. Waiting a moment and just sort of staring off Aemond only let a breath of relief out once the footsteps had faded a good distance away. His eye closing for a moment before he moved to run both hands over his face. Fuck that one was close!
Cue Ball over there had looked like trouble, but it looked like the young man with the eyepatch could handle himself better than Blaine had given him credit for. When the guy had gone, Blaine felt some tension ease out of him. His shoulders relaxed and he went to kneel in front of the the guy he'd helped hide.
"Are you alright?" he asked quietly. "Were you able to give your friend the address?"
Moving to sit back a bit as the other came over his eye sort of moved to the dark haired male for a moment before Aemond just sort of smirked suddenly. "Sort of... I'll have to check my phone" he replied moving briefly to glance over his shoulder before back to Blaine with a raised eyebrow for a moment. "Thanks... I... Didn't see him come in" He added moving to pull the cell out to see if the text had even gotten to Criston. Nope, he hadn't even managed to hit send, but moving to finish typing he soon did before pocketing the phone and again glancing over his shoulder. Probably a good idea to stay put knowing there was two of them wandering around trying to find him right now. The other one could be out on the damn street.
"You're welcome," Blaine replied. "Do you mind if I ask-- and you can tell me to shove it, it's none of my business...." He nodded his head in the direction of where Cue Ball had gone.
"Shove it... It's none of your business" Aemond replied almost seriously. However a smirk was soon drifting across his face and he shook his head. "Kidding. Um, they were kinda in my apartment when I got home" He replied figuring it wasn't exactly a bad thing to have someone at least, partially in the know for a bit. Of course he wasn't going to go into all he suspected but still, it wasn't like this was a normal situation either and the one Blaine had seen DEFINITELY wasn't his father either.
Well it wasn't Blaine's business, so he wouldn't have taken much offense if Aemond had been serious, but that being said, it came as a relief that he wasn't.
Yikes. Those guys sounded like trouble. If they'd broken into his apartment, it probably wouldn't be safe for him to go back there, would it?
"If you're needing a place to hang out for a bit, I can offer you a room," he said. "And so you'll not be taking anything from a stranger, my name is Blaine."
He was Brother Blaine Menchineel of the Church of Divine Sciences, which worshipped Citakua, Goddess of Mystery and Dichotomy, but he wasn't out to evangelize today. And it wasn't like he always slept on church grounds; he did have his own apartment, in case the mad priest, Father Faustus Blackwood, turned out to be ...well, not just mad, but unhinged. Blaine may believe in the Divine Sciences presided over by Citakua, but he wasn't dumb enough to sign over everything he owned to a cult, no matter how worthy the cause.
Aemond rose a brow at the other for a moment. Was this guy serious? First of all he had to have seen at least ONE of those fucks after him. He wasn't just hiding out from a crazy ex clearly and secondly, yeah no this guy was just perhaps a bit to trusting in Aemond book.
"Mhmm" he replied slowly nodding before seeming to think for a moment. "Look not to sound rude but considering the fact I know only a name more of you than I know them. Think I'll probably keep planning to hide out with my family" He replied bluntly, though he did sort of chuckle afterwards and shake his head. "You offer save haven to every stranger or am I just special?" He teased a bit, at least a small smirk now pulling from at the corner of his lips.
"If they're in an uncomfortable situation, why not?" Blaine asked languidly. He pulled an index card out of his pocket and scribbled his name and number on it. "Text me if you change your mind," he said as he handed the card to him.
Watching the other a bit curiously Aemond moved to take the card slowly. His gaze briefly going down to it before he smirked. "Yeah... Ok" he replied rather simply, a brief smile following that before he pocketed the card. Again checking his phone he did happen to see a response finally. It would still be another twenty minutes though judging by where it said Criston even was. Heaving a sigh he moved to stand finally, growing a tad restless as it were. "Look um... Thanks again. Seriously. In the least you kept things from getting awkward there for a minute" he finally spoke again giving the other male a bit of a faint smile. At least before he'd turned and went wandering off for the archway without so much as another word. Slowing some he eye'd ahead, even behind him a few times before finally making it back to the exit.
Grabbing the door he sort of peered out at the street for a moment and seemed to debate for a brief moment before slipping out finally and soon heading to a nearby bench just outside the front of the store. Pulling out his phone once more he decided it was a good idea to call at least someone while he waited and eventually after long debate finally ended up dialing Haelena and spent the next fifteen minutes listening to her sort of ramble about making kids school lunches like it was the most important thing. Then again, to her it probably was considering she was currently taking care of three of the little shits.
Blaine gave him an up-nod of respect. "Sure, anytime."
He went up to the register to pay off the store for the discounts he'd falsely advertised. He was one of their best patrons so it wasn't like they'd take too much offense.
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