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LYKOS

Third Age

Chapter 13

(Invitation)

There was something unmistakable about the rapid clicking and clattering of a console controller being used by an expert gamer, especially when the urge to win superseded the need to be quiet early in the morning. Rodrigo yawned slowly before he'd even opened his eyes, letting his lungs fill with air - at least until he took in the aroma of college men that had stayed up way too late eating junk food. The young man blinked a little as he sat up, his lower half still covered in the most exquisite comforter he'd ever felt. The cushions of the rec room's crescent shaped couch had retained his body heat even as he changed positions, almost as if inviting him back to his slumber. Instead, Rigo looked to where Fletcher and Beck were fighting each other in a platformer game on the basement's big screen television.

For a long moment, Rodrigo didn't say anything. He watched the two playing, lit only by the multicolor spectacle on the screen and the warm golden light of early sunrise spilling in through the ground level windows near the rec room ceiling. It had been an odd request, but faced with his dorm room, Rodrigo had wanted to be anywhere else. The two young men had valiantly taken over the basement of the dorm building on his behalf and they'd watched a movie trilogy back to back until the early hours of the morning. It was an especially romantic sacrifice given the fact that Beck and Fletcher had classes later that day, though the apparent fact that they had stayed up all night was certainly on them.

"Thank you for staying with me." Rodrigo said, announcing his state of consciousness. Fletcher looked up from his controller despite continuing to play.

"Hey, I'm a guardian spirit, it's kind of my thing." his smile almost as bright as the sunrise and the faintly orange tint to his eyes.

"And I'm your boyfriend now, right? I better stay with you." Beck asked hopefully. Rodrigo grinned and nodded at that.

"Damn right." he said brightly, a faint blush coming to his well toned cheeks, "Now the big questions... What are we going to watch for the next marathon when you get back from your classes, and will we have enough food?" Rodrigo asked. Beck shook his head, his braids slapping his boney shoulders.

"I can miss one rambling lecture on the importance of thinking about how we think. We're going to ease into this weekend treating you like the king you are." Beck said sagely. Fletcher smiled at that and nodded.

"And since I've been elected to be on the home turf team, I'm here with you too. I'll get the popcorn going to get the ball rolling." Fletcher said, springing to his feet and heading off toward the kitchen area behind them. Rodrigo watched Fletch go before he looked back at Beck. Rodrigo lifted his hand, holding it upwards and making a pinching motion. Beck sprung to his gangly feet and moved over to promptly rest his chin in his roommate's grasp. Rodrigo used his hand to guide Beck in and gave him a soft kiss.

"You really are perfect, you know that?" he asked.

"Well, you may take those words back when I pass out cold in a few hours." Beck said. Rodrigo's eyebrows lifted and he nearly laughed.

"A few hours? You really do have stamina, don't you?" Rodrigo asked with a smirk, "I think the doctor said lots of sleep will be good for my wound to heal, so I won't object to lots of naps today. I just hope my legs don't do that thing where they start aching from not using them enough." he replied. Beck reached out, rubbing one of them through the thick comforter.

"I'll massage them for you." Beck whispered. The two kept staring into each other's eyes for a long moment, oblivious to the yelping that came as Fletcher started to spill popcorn kernels in the kitchen. To them, despite everything that had happened, they were both precisely where they wanted to be. That moment of perfection contributed to the fact that neither had noticed Marco appearing at the doorway to the basement, looking at their affection from afar. It looked serene enough that he was staring to doubt his resolve in coming down, but Beck's eyes shifted, catching sight of him in the corner of his vision from around the rim of his trademark yellow glasses.

"Good morning el capitan." Beck called to Marco. Marco gave a sheepish grin and moved in towards them, no longer able to change his mind and back down.

"I don't mean to interrupt, I wasn't even sure if you'd be awake yet." Marco said. Rodrigo followed Marco's movements, his gaze not wavering. He studied Marco's conspicuous weight change and the pale stripes in his long, thick beard. When they'd first come to campus, Marco was a slightly above average human. Over the last few days he'd grown quite rotund, only to rubber band back to normal. Rodrigo's mouth fell open a little in shock as his sleepy brain connected the evidence and came to the inescapable conclusion. Marco hesitated before he nodded slowly. Beck's eyes narrowed as he looked at Rodrigo, then Marco, then back again as he, too, realized what had happened and punctuated his realization with a gasp. The light glinted off of his sharper than average canine teeth.

"No..." Beck murmured, his head turning so fast that his long braids smacked his shoulders.

"Will someone fill me in, it feels like I missed a whole conversation because it was on mute." Fletcher said from the doorway to the kitchenette.

"Rigo just figured out that I accidentally gained his abilities after the attack. It's sort of why I came to talk with him." Marco said, "Well, actually, its exactly why I came to talk to him." he corrected himself, "I'm sorry if it isn't a good time."

"No, I mean, apparently we need to." Rigo said, sitting up straighter on the couch. Beck looked at Marco conspicuously.

"So you can do the whole... size change thing?" he asked coyly. Marco nodded, moving to sit down on one of the overstuffed chairs of the basement.

"I can, though I think I've barely scratched the surface. I didn't even know I had these changes at first, and everything's sort of... building momentum." Marco said. Beck tilted his head a little in thought.

"How exactly do Tanuki's pass their gifts on, exactly? It isn't like a werewolf or a vampire bite, right?" Beck asked. Rodrigo started to flush.

"It's a private ceremony, a ritual sort of thing, we'll talk about it later." Rigo said impatiently, looking at Marco. He tried to think of words, of anything to say, but it all seemed so preposterous. He didn't even know where to start.

"My first instinct was to figure out whatever that ritual was and give you your powers back." Marco admitted, "But then I started thinking about the attack. If someone attacked you to... do something with your powers, giving them back to you might make you a target all over again." Marco explained. Rigo's shoulders slumped as he followed his logic.

"So whoever stabbed me might try again?" he asked. Beck moved to wrap his arms around his boyfriend protectively.

"We won't let them get close to him." He swore defiantly. Fletcher shook his head, crossing his arms as he leaned on the door frame to the kitchenette.

"You might not have a choice. Whoever this was fashioned a weapon unlike anything the keepers have ever dealt with, using a stone that supposedly disappeared centuries ago. The only thing that might have saved you was a design flaw in the weapon."

"Which is why Yom and I are going to try and learn about the weapon. In the meantime, your future is a decision for you to make, not me. They were your powers, I just got them by accident" Marco said. Rigo looked Marco up and down.

"Well, you make a fine Tanuki even if it happened by accident. The beard is very handsome on you." Rigo said. Beck slid his hands up his exposed midriff nearly all the way to the nipples hidden beneath his crop-top.

"But you still like me, right baby?" Beck asked playfully. Rigo laughed.

"Marco might be a nice Tanuki, but you're the beanstalk I want to climb." Rigo said, leaning over to give his partner a kiss. Beck seemed satiated and maneuvered his long, gangly body around to straddle Rigo from behind. Rigo snuggled against Beck's chest, heaving a relieved sigh before he considered Marco's statement again.

"Tanuki don't have enhanced healing like werewolves or vampires. I don't think I'd be strong enough for the change, at least not for a little while. When I'm feeling a bit stronger, I do want my abilities back. Hopefully by then, though, you'll have found the guy that did this." Rigo said, although one of his hands rubbed Beck's long, skinny arm, "Or I might ask my boyfriend how Kitsunes are made." he said, looking over his shoulder at Beck.

"I don't know, that whole natural guy-liner look was pretty sexy." Beck smirked.

"Those were rings under my eyes from being tired all the time..." Rigo pouted. Marco smirked.

"Well, the offer stands regardless. Whenever you want them back, I'll work to make it happen. But I think you're right. We have to figure out who did this in the meantime." Marco admitted, shaking his head before looking back, "Is there anything I can do for you or get for you?" he asked. Rodrigo considered for a long moment.

"Do you know anyone that has all of the Lord of the Rings movies? Extended?" he asked hopefully.

****

It did not give Udo any comfort to imagine Marco and Yom in another country by themselves, leaving the rest of the pack behind. On an intellectual level he understood there was more danger on campus and having as many of them remain behind to help out made sense, but Udo couldn't help but think back to what Futurza had done to the werewolves. Still, he did the best he could to help pack for their trip. It was only supposed to be a few days so carry-on luggage was best. Artyom was a man of simple tastes so he didn't go overboard with too many variations of clothing. Udo reached for the socks when he sensed a slight motion at the corner of his eyes, turning his head in time to see a cardinal red envelope slip under the gap at the bottom of the door.

Udo had covered the distance to the door in two quick strides, opening it up and peering out, but there wasn't a soul in either direction. Grimacing slightly and feeling a tightness in his jaw, Udo crouched down to pick the envelope up and eased the door shut again. The quality of the envelope was higher than normal, feeling as if it was made out of something bordering on cardstock. He half expected to see some sort of wax seal when he turned it over, but merely found it neatly closed. Flipping it back upright, Udo examined the blank surface, walking back into the center of the dorm room. As the envelope caught the morning rays of sunlight, the paper began to sizzle as writing appeared.

"Oh shit..." Udo cursed, dropping it to the ground. The sizzling continued for a few moments until the hand written script was fully visible - Marco's Pack - Keller Hall 313. Udo stood there for several moments, even as the dorm room opened again and Duncan entered wearing only a towel around his waist. While his bronze colored beard was still fuller and longer than it had been before he'd met Marco, he'd gotten around to neatening up the edges. Likewise, he'd refreshed his undercut fade, making the pulled back hair and top knot atop his head distinct and clear again. The athlete hesitated, one eyebrow arching as he looked at Udo staring at an envelope on the floor.

"Air mail not working?" Duncan asked, closing the door. Udo shook his head a little.

"You'd think by now I'd be a little better adjusted when it comes to magic and stuff, but this letter just showed up on its own and the address appeared after I held it." Udo said. Duncan's eyes widened a bit at that.

"That's ominous... Red usually isn't a good color either." Duncan said, moving over to Udo's side before he crouched down, lifted the envelope and sniffed at it. Udo blushed faintly.

"I didn't even think of that." he murmured weakly. Duncan shook his head.

"There's almost nothing aside from you, I don't think you're missing anything." Duncan said before his face lit up with an idea. He focused, letting his index fingernail stretch from a flat translucent plate to a curved brownish-black claw, using it to catch under the edge of the envelope before he sliced open the flap and took another deep sniff.

"It had Marco's name on it..." Udo said belatedly, brushing a blond bang out of his face.

"It said 'Marco's pack', and that's us..." Duncan said, sniffing a few more times, "Copper? No, iron... iron and... I don't know, some other kind of metal, but it doesn't smell normal." he said before offering the envelope to Udo. Udo finished what Duncan had started and finished opening the envelope the rest of the way.

"You are cordially invited to a Founders Day celebration at the Echo Creek Mill, February First at sundown. The veil has been lifted. Attendees are welcome to come as their true selves..." Udo trailed off, caught slightly off guard.

"A party invitation? Is that everything?" Duncan asked in surprise. Udo flipped the card over and examined the back.

"There's an rsvp with menu options... including raw meat, sanguine, and vegan options." Udo said softly. Duncan reached up to rub at his beard.

"It's been a while since I wore a suit..." he mused.

"You want to go?" Udo asked in surprise. Duncan shrugged.

"I mean honestly, yes, but even if I didn't, do you think we're the only ones getting invited? The veil has been lifted, other weres are going to be there too and we're doing that whole RA thing, right?" Duncan asked.

"It is enough warning that Marco and Yom should be back by then." Udo considered hesitantly. Duncan's brow furrowed and he reached over and rested a hand on Udo's shoulder, giving it a squeeze.

"You okay? You seem..." Duncan hesitated. Udo gave a sad smile.

"More like my old self?" he offered, "I'll be fine. There's just a lot of bad memories getting drugged up. I'm thinking about how I was treated before Marco found me, what Futurza did, my family gas lighting me growing up. What's worse is that it isn't just me this time. We're responsible for a lot of people now."

"Including some that brought up these feelings." Duncan said. Udo gave a sad snort and nodded at that.

"Yeah, but I guess we have to take the high road and lead them on to a better path, right?" Udo asked before smiling, "Will you help me find a good suit?"

"Sure. Every dude needs a good suit... Although it said come as our true selves, I wonder if they meant birthday suit." Duncan wondered out loud, moving over to the dresser to fish out some clothes for the day. Udo remained behind, looking back at the invitation in his hand. In the matter of two days, Udo had been invited to two different supernatural parties. It felt a little weird, but then again Echo Creek was a sanctuary city now. Creatures of countless species had been waiting decades to be able to be themselves. Now that they had a place to do so, there were probably going to be a LOT more parties. Was there risk involved? Sure, but Udo knew that there was risk regardless of if someone lived their life or not. Maybe it was time to take a page out of the college handbook and have a good party.

****

There was a sweetness to the early morning air, a blending of dew and the grass that bordered the edge of the zig zagging creek that weaved its way through Grand Mesa's campus. It reminded Curtis of home and he relished it as he sat with his back against a V shaped tree near the foot bridge that led to the cafeteria. His fingers idly strummed chords on his guitar, his shaggy chestnut brown hair getting long enough to obscure his vision - not that he needed it to play his music. He let the rising sun warm his skin, feeling it soak into his corduroy pants and his brown jacket.

It had been quite the experience to come to an all male's school, let alone one that had just come out of the closet about being a school for supernatural creatures. The latter had been enough of a reason to come, but it had been a bit of a surprise just how many dates he'd managed to land in the short time since he'd arrived. It seemed like everyone wanted to buy him a coffee, either at the campus coffee shop or the fancier shop in town. Maybe it was the guitar, maybe he gave off coffee shop performer vibes... maybe the city folk just liked country boys.

Curtis jumped a little as something landed in his lap. It had been too heavy to be a leaf, and it was the wrong season anyway. He opened his eyes and shook his hair out of the way to look down, seeing a professional looking red envelope resting there. As he looked at it, his name appeared from the paper as if etched in by the sunlight - Curtis Martin, Wooton Commissary. Curtis looked around quickly to try and figure out who had delivered the message, but none of the students on the cement pathways would have been close enough to drop it, let alone throw it to where he was sitting... and how did they know he was going to be outside the cafeteria? Curtis reached up to tuck some of his hair behind his ear, his heart racing a bit.

It was uncommon for anything to sneak up on Curtis. His gift had come with enhanced senses, allowing him to feel the presence of others, especially predators. He was nimble and agile when he needed to be, and usually he was the one that was able to get by without anyone else noticing him - at least when he was trying. As far as he knew, he was the only Cernos on campus... His kind didn't even have a cool name like werewolves or vampires. He was descended from the therianthropes that had inspired legends like the Deer Woman for the Potawatomi or the Skin Walkers of the Navajo. If it hadn't been for the keepers of tradition calling them Cernos, they wouldn't have even had an internal name...

That lack of a communal identity had been one more reason Curtis had been drawn to come to Grand Mesa. He'd wanted a sense of belonging, of community, of something more. As he ran his calloused finger under the edge of the envelope, tearing into the high grade red paper, he was a bit taken aback by just how instantly his wish had manifested. He read over the invitation three times before venturing to the back, seeing the food options. A lopsided grin crossed his youthful face as he imagined how exciting a party would be with a bunch of weres showing off their true selves. It wasn't until he glanced back at the invitation that another question bubbled up in his mind.

"Why is the party at a Mill?" he murmured in confusion.

****

The light had shifted as the day progressed, coming in higher angles and cooler shades. The leafless branches swayed outside of Keller Hall as Marco and Artyom moved at a slightly quickened pace, cutting through the covered footpath where the two dorms bisected one another. Duncan had already brought the Mazda around, the luggage loaded up in the back. Marco opened the passenger door and climbed in while Yom hesitated, seeing Fletcher asleep, leaning against the closest side of the car. Yom exhaled a bit before he moved around to the other side and got in thee sinking down on the seat next to Udo. The car started pulling through the roundabout before Yom had even finished fastening his seat belt.

"How was class?" Duncan asked.

"It was good we were there, there was a test, but honestly it was hard to focus." Marco admitted, leaning back in his seat, looking up at the mirror on the sun visor. It might have been a good thing that he'd taken on the form he did given that it more closely matched his passport photo.

"The trip wouldn't even be necessary if my parents and Abel weren't being so secretive." Yom said, gritting his teeth a little.

"It's complicated I guess... It's their livelihood and real world changing sort of stuff." Marco said. Yom merely grunted as the car turned onto the main road, heading toward the edge of town and eventually the airport.

"How is Rodrigo?" Yom asked, glancing over at where Fletcher was asleep.

"Catching up for a long night with Beck. They finally went back to their dorm room. I think Fletcher's got some plans to bring Silas over and game with them this weekend." Udo commented, looking at Marco, "You didn't get a chance to tell me how your talk went." he added. Marco swallowed and shrugged a little, relying on the mirror to look at Udo.

"He said he'd wait until he was stronger and take me up on it then." Marco said. Duncan grinned a bit.

"Did he tell you how Tanuki give their gift?" he asked hopefully.

"Not yet, but I think I can guess." Marco said.

"Just no raccoon bites, we don't want any risk of rabies." Fletcher muttered and yawned, turning over and curling against Udo's shoulder for comfort.

"Tanuko aren't actually raccoons, they're based on a different species called raccoon dogs. In fact, there might be more in common with werewolves than raccoons." Udo said with a smile.

"Except that they are magic shapeshifters?" Yom asked. Udo tried to brush off the remark.

"What did you think about the party invitation?" Udo asked Marco, hoping to catch up given how busy they all had been the last few days.

"I'd be more comfortable if I knew who was hosting it. The Mill is half museum and half event space, usually used for proms and everything. If it was the city council they would have told us. That means someone else with money is throwing a party to encourage people to show off their other sides. It's a bit concerning." Marco admitted.

"People are going to go regardless. A chance to unwind without having to hide who they are?" Duncan asked. Marco sighed a little.

"Did we sign a waiver when we became Resident Assistants that we had to become party poopers?" Marco asked.

"I just think it says we can't get drunk in front of them." Yom replied.

"I guess we sort of have to go... But maybe we can plus-one a keeper or two." Marco said hopefully, "The invitation said for my pack, we might be able to fudge that a little." Marco said.

"I think that can be arranged. I'll talk to a few while you're gone." Udo said.

"And keep us updated, alright? Mexico is a far ways away and you're playing around with blood moonstone or whatever. We want to know what you know." Duncan said.

"As long as we can find a safe way to fill you in, but we will call and text. I just have to hope that Abel would have told us more if cell phones could be trusted." Marco said softly.

"It will be fine. We won't be drinking; we're just going to look at an ancient mine full of hidden mystical crystals." Yom said, leaning back to cross his arms behind his head like a pillow and yawn, pinning Udo between two sleepy men. Udo weighed the options before electing to join in, snuggling against the body heat from them both.

Duncan glanced back at the trip in the rear view mirror before looking over at Marco with a grin, reaching with one hand to turn on the cd player. In a few moments bombastic music was piping through the sound system, eliciting a disgruntled groan from everyone in the back seat. Marco gave a mock-chiding look at Duncan before he switched to a different, more relaxed cd. The buildings and houses of Echo Creek fell away as they got onto the road that wove its way through the greater Grand Mesa area, headed towards the distant Denver Airport.

****

Curtis held his hands in his pocket as he moved down the street, eyes peering out from the unruly shag of brown wavy hair that hung over his face as he looked up to see the wrought metal sign of a moose drinking from a winding creek. It was the symbol of the Echo Creek coffee shop, though he'd heard they had a wolf version they swapped out for special occasions. The young man eased the door open and moved inside, relieved to be embraced both by warmer air and a variety of appealing aromas. It was impossible to keep a smile from crossing his sleepy, doe eyed face.

"What can I get for ya?" Thackary, the blond haired barista, asked from behind the bar, matching Curtis' smile with his own. Curtis didn't have to think about it.

"May I have a viridescent vitality?" he asked. Thackary's eyebrows lifted in fascination but he only nodded, moving to pull out the blender and start gathering ingredients.

"Most people have their green shakes in the morning. A bold choice for the dinner rush." Thackary smirked. Curtis shrugged and sat down on one of the stools that ran along the coffee shop counter.

"What can I say, I like my forbs and mast." Curtis said. Thackary looked as though he had been stabbed by something.

"Oh you would have been trouble to have as a keeper..." Thackary chuckled. Curtis, however, looked confused.

"What do you mean?" he asked, blushing a little. Thackary smiled, adding various fruits and vegetables into the blender.

"Those are horticulture terms, right? Broad leafed plants and seeds... Sure, GMU might offer classes or something, but usually those terms are only used in reference to the diet of animals or by those that use plants to create things. I'm going to guess you're not a botanist." Thackary said, turning on the blender. Curtis waited to speak as the growling noise filled the coffee shop. Leaves, seeds, fruit and fiber were all broken down into a thick, bright green smoothie in the blender that Thackary poured into a tall milkshake glass, topped with a dollop of some sort of azure foam and quickly dropped in an extra wide straw. Curtis was impressed by the drink, but he was still hung up on the previous statement. The musician knew he could take the easy out and say he was studying botany, but he shook his head instead.

"I'm a Cernos, my name is Curtis." he admitted softly. Thackary bowed his head.

"Nice to meet ya officially Curtis, I'm Thackary, a Keeper." he replied just as softly, "I've seen you in here a few times, a couple nice boys." Thackary smiled. Curtis pulled the milkshake glass over and took a long swig of the verdant contents.

"I mean, they were nice, but... Oh wow, this is really good..." he murmured, taking another sip, then another, closing his eyes.

"I thought you'd like it. Kale and Kiwi are both fresh winter greens, but the secret is just a little bit of cooked acorn squash and a pomegranate reduction." Thackary said.

"This is a lot better than coffee." Curtis murmured, holding the glass with two hands now, drinking it down. Thackary grinned.

"Just don't tell the regulars. It takes a lot fewer ingredients to make coffee." Thackary smirked, moving to clean out the blender. Curtis had downed half the smoothie before he decided to pause for air, his blue eyes refocusing to look back at the barista.

"So you are a keeper for the werewolves?" he asked. Thackary considered for a moment, hanging the pitcher up to dry.

"I am a keeper for the city. I guess until recently that meant just werewolves, but my responsibilities have expanded." he offered. Curtis looked at the young man carefully, from his bleach blond hair pulled back into a high ponytail to the constellation of freckles on his neck. He was skinnier than any of the boys back home, fitter than any of the boys he'd dated from the school. They seemed roughly the same age, though Thackary had a fairly youthful face in general.

"Maybe you could... keep me company at an upcoming event? There's going to be a party at the Mill. You could be my plus one?" Curtis asked. Thackary let out a soft 'hmm' noise from his closed lips.

"I've had plenty of customers flirt with me before, but you may be the first to invite me to a gala. You're pretty bold for a deer." Thackary said. Curtis blushed again and smiled.

"My cousin used to say, when opportunity comes along, you just have to jump out in front of it." Curtis said. Thackary gave another pained wince.

"Oh that's a dark joke for a deer, oh god." he said, mock staggering behind the counter. Curtis just smiled and sipped more from his smoothie, feeling a happy flutter in the center of his chest.

****

Grand Mesa University had many places to obtain food, the most popular being the Hawk's Nest convenience store... but there was something about the tiny little shop tucked away just outside of the University Center that felt particularly comfortable to Beck. It was cramped, out of the way, operated unusual and unpredictable hours and had an eclectic inventory. In short, it was the closest thing to a bodega that Echo Creek Colorado had. Beck stood near the back of the shop, his long spindly arms wrapped around an assortment of bags of chips, trail mix and other assorted jerky. He eyed the hot dogs wrapped in saran wrap with an almost wistful nostalgia before remembering that Rodrigo was a bit more choosy on his sources of protein.

"Is that everything for you?" The clerk asked, eyeing the gangly young man curiously. Beck spun on his heels quickly enough that his long, tight braids smacked against and around his shoulders as he moved forward. Many might have made a mess dropping such a collection of purchases to the counter, but Beck demonstrated a practiced grace.

"Thank you most kindly my good sir." Beck said, standing on his tiptoes to bring his hip over to the register, the reader picking up the NFC chip to pay for the items. The register had barely finished chirping before Beck had scooped everything back up into his arms and exited back onto the cement slabs that ran from the cafeteria to the library. He'd only made it a few steps before he slowed, looking around. The setting sun glinted off of his colored glasses, but Beck wasn't using his eyes. He was listening? No, that wasn't quite right, he was feeling... Something was off.

At first the kitsune assumed it was due to the fact that he was mere feet from where Rodrigo had been stabbed. The facilities staff had done an excellent job ensuring no trace of his roommate's blood remained behind, but as far as Beck was concerned an indelible mark had been made, but that wasn't what was drawing his attention. The air was wrong... The realization of what he was sensing seemed to be the catalyst for a rapid and sudden shift. The blue of Beck's irises seemed to oxidize, taking on the greenish gold of his true nature. The roundness of his ears tapered to points as dark fur began to sprout along the back of them. The pigment in his cheeks shifted, darkening with the telltale marks of his fox breed.

In a moment of clarity and focus, Beck let go of everything he had just purchased, letting them fall toward the ground. His nails sharpened and darkened, elongating into claws as they were freed from their burden. The air snapped and popped as static electricity danced between his fingers. The young man's shirt rumpled in the back before a brownish gray tail seemed to emerge as much from shadow as flesh, splitting into two behind his narrow waist. Everything had happened in an instant, and in the next instant Beck reached his clawed hand out, aiming it toward the precise point that was ahead of the anomaly he had sensed.

There was a loud snap of air as the changing pressure was made manifest, a figure appearing at the point where Beck's hand had intercepted the slipstream. The kitsune caught a glimpse of a figure, a shadow, a being with black and silver eyes slit in a most peculiar way. There was a snarl of sharp teeth, a distinct sense of danger, and then... time snapped back to normal.

Beck landed on his twin tails, wincing from the sudden stinging pain. As he hissed, his sharper than usual canine teeth were visible, only accenting how much of the kitsune had emerged. He tutted a little, trying to channel the pain, looking back up. Whatever wraith he'd seen was gone, though there was one item that had not been there before... Sitting atop the pile of crumpled groceries was a red envelope. The high quality paper seemed to sizzle slightly in the setting sunlight as hand drawn calligraphy spelled out 'Beckett Barlowe'.

Sitting on his ass in a relatively public space, Beck looked around. A few had seen the event, though none of the witnesses were fully aware of just what had happened. Beck slowly collected himself, drawing himself back to his human state. His other side had emerged by instinct, a reaction to whatever supernatural abilities were at work... With the event passed, there was no need to advertise himself more than he needed to. Beck picked up the chips, more than half of them feeling crushed. Hoisting them up, he began a long legged stride that would take him back to the dorms. He wasn't sure quite where he'd begin when it came to explaining everything to Rodrigo.