Todd
**Fr0stByte:** Hey Mark, do you want to hang out with me after the little cafe outside the school grounds? It's not too far from here. It's a lot of ways but the servers there are really nice! I am going to be there in about half an hour. Got a few little things I have to do! -Raizel!- =^0^=/

After pressing the send button, Raizel was lazily lying on a tree branch staring up at the cloudy sky. Her leg casually swings to the side before she decides to jump down to land on her feet with a thump. She has other plans to do first before possibly meeting up with her companion.

As the scene pulled over towards the sound of rummaging by the disposal area, there was someone dressed in an old brown leather jacket, a gray hoodie and jeans. A baseball cap was worn on his head with visors casting a shadow over his tired eyes.It was Malus who had found a metal trash bin where the school tossed out scraps from the kitchen. He was just too afraid to ask if it's alright to eat from the cafeteria. Waiting on his mom's permission was leaving him anxious for her reply. There was nothing for days. Malus could wait for Pernilla to find a way to feed him properly from other life sources, so he is taking it into his own hands to try to sustain himself. Desperate, he searched until he found a bag of chips that was outdated by a week. Some kids are fussy with outdated food but at least it wasn't opened yet. Hungrily, it didn't take him long to finish it. ||Then he heard something moving from the side of his vision. There was a dark, scraggly rodent crawling on top of the dumpster. His pale gray eyes turned to slits before his hand snatched it up. It let out a screech as he held it in his hand, draining its life as it shriveled up into a husk. At least... It made him feel somewhat better.||
Betty
*Mark gets the message and reads it. HOLY... She was inviting him out!? Was this a date!? Mark goes red and spins around in confusion. He was in the cafeteria when he got the message and was now freaking out. He then gets on his phone and types*

**AmethystBanana: Okay! I would love to! I'll meet you there!  🖐️**

*And after that, he turns his phone off and turns to the ||empty husk of a raccoon, then that familiar boy. Mark yelps in terror and jumps back*

"...M-Malus?"
Todd
Well, perhaps it did look like a raccoon? Malus wasn't sure but it was most definitely a rodent from what he could tell? The empty husk was clenched in his hands like a vacant vessel, hanging limp with no life left. 

When he thought no one wasn't really paying attention to him, it was when he turned to see Mark staring at him. Beneath the shadow of his visor, Malus's pale gray eyes glowed eerily. They were not right. They resemble most closely to a cat after they just made a kill. Now looking at Mark, he couldn't help but see the kid as the next morsel. All that life in a human. What made him more appetizing is how healthy this boy looked. Malus's mouth begins to water, just wanting to sap some life to satisfy his hunger.

Then that starving predatory look clicked off when he realized the situation. He shoved the dead critter inside the trash bin before meekly turning away to try to leave. Compared to when he first met Mark, Malus was wearing layers of clothes to look less thin. Right now, he was skinny with bony hands and sunken cheeks that could easily be distinguished just by a glance.
Betty
Well, perhaps it did look like a raccoon? Malus wasn't sure but it was most definitely a rodent from what he could tell? The empty husk was clenched in his hands like a vacant vessel, hanging limp with no life left. When he thought no one wasn't really paying attention to him, it was when he turned to see Mark staring at him. Beneath the shadow of his visor, Malus's pale gray eyes glowed eerily. They were not right. They resemble most closely to a cat after they just made a kill. Now looking at Mark, he couldn't help but see the kid as the next morsel. All that life in a human. What made him more appetizing is how healthy this boy looked. Malus's mouth begins to water, just wanting to sap some life to satisfy his hunger. Then that starving predatory look clicked off when he realized the situation. He shoved the dead critter inside the trash bin before meekly turning away to try to leave. Compared to when he first met Mark, Malus was wearing layers of clothes to look less thin. Right now, he was skinny with bony hands and sunken cheeks that could easily be distinguished just by a glance.

*Mark watches as all this happens, and he shivers. Yeah he gets scared easily, even by thus twink. Mark almost used his power: Gravity Pulse.*

"W-Wha..."

*He refrains, and rather steps back. As Malus turns away, Mark calls out*

"Malus! U-Uhm... You look malnourished... Would you like something to eat?"
Todd
Malus shuddered not only at the thought of his mother yelling at him if he got her in trouble, but also at himself for wanting to sap life from another being, and Mark having to see this. 

He has his back turned to the other, gripping his arm tightly. Unsure what to say since his heart was already rocketing inside his chest.
Betty
Malus shuddered not only at the thought of his mother yelling at him if he got her in trouble, but also at himself for wanting to sap life from another being, and Mark having to see this. He has his back turned to the other, gripping his arm tightly. Unsure what to say since his heart was already rocketing inside his chest.

*Mark just has a worried look, and tries to slowly approach without touching him*

"Uhm... I can get you something... If you want, of course!"

*Mark didn't know what to do, but he fast. He had to leave soon...*
Todd
There was a pained look from Mal as he tried to sign to Mark before remembering that not everyone understands. So he hastily pulls out a notepad to write,*"Do not tell anyone. And okay... I'll pay you back when I get my allowance.."*
Constance
There was a pained look from Mal as he tried to sign to Mark before remembering that not everyone understands. So he hastily pulls out a notepad to write,*"Do not tell anyone. And okay... I'll pay you back when I get my allowance.."*

*Mark had forgotten that he was mute. Mark smiles softly, then running into the kitchen*

"Its okay! I'll be quick, and you don't need to pay me!"

*Mark starts thinking about what he can make... Maybe an egg salad sandwich?*
Todd
Malus watched the boy run inside the kitchen, feeling sick to his stomach when he knew he might get in trouble. Maybe not by the deans but he was much more afraid of a parent who can hurt him. Tired, he had to take a seat on the ground with his back resting against the wall. Now washing his hands with alcohol wipe.
Betty
Malus watched the boy run inside the kitchen, feeling sick to his stomach when he knew he might get in trouble. Maybe not by the deans but he was much more afraid of a parent who can hurt him. Tired, he had to take a seat on the ground with his back resting against the wall. Now washing his hands with alcohol wipe.

*In the short time of 10 minutes, Mark was done! He grabs the sandwich and puts it in a small baggie and runs to Malus*

"Here you go! You seemed hungry..."

*Mark smiles awkwardly, and hands it to Malus(
Todd
His sharp nail slash the baggie open as soon as it was handed to him. It took a couple minutes after he devoured the sandwich, revealing his sharp canines and couple of honed molars. Swallowing was painful but it didn't matter as long as he got some food down into his stomach. 

For someone who looks like a proper kid having to dig in garbage for food and sapping life from a pest, something was clearly not right.
Betty
His sharp nail slash the baggie open as soon as it was handed to him. It took a couple minutes after he devoured the sandwich, revealing his sharp canines and couple of honed molars. Swallowing was painful but it didn't matter as long as he got some food down into his stomach. For someone who looks like a proper kid having to dig in garbage for food and sapping life from a pest, something was clearly not right.

"Oh- uhm... Was it good?"

*Mark tilts his head slightly as he stepped back. Was he... Alright? Mark sighs softly, hoping he would be taken care of one day. He was in a bit of a rush, though... He's already used up about 15 minutes...*
Todd
Malus nods and holds up a written paper. *"Thank you, I should be alright."* 

He was thin with indications that his malnourishment made him appear sickly, frail and paler than usual. There was a meek, sadden smile.
Betty
Malus nods and holds up a written paper. *"Thank you, I should be alright."* He was thin with indications that his malnourishment made him appear sickly, frail and paler than usual. There was a meek, sadden smile.

"..."

"...Yeah... I hope. I'm going to leave, now... Goodbye."

*Mark was going to go talk to an adult some other day. Maybe he can help. But for now, he was going to get ready for this hangout*
Todd
Raizel was already properly dressed wearing her usual coat, an ocean blue long dress T-shirt and gladiator sandals. There was no way this girl was going to ditch her tribal jewelry that she takes pride in. She kept her mask clinging onto her back pack that she kept beside herself. The girl was sitting by the window to watch the scenery while waiting for Mark.
Betty
Raizel was already properly dressed wearing her usual coat, an ocean blue long dress T-shirt and gladiator sandals. There was no way this girl was going to ditch her tribal jewelry that she takes pride in. She kept her mask clinging onto her back pack that she kept beside herself. The girl was sitting by the window to watch the scenery while waiting for Mark.

*Mark walks in the area, about 5 minutes late. He sits down next to Raizel. He was wearing a plain shirt, but a Hawaiian over it. He wore khaki shorts and nice shoes*

"I-I'm sorry I'm late! I ran into something..."

*Mark was already blushing. He thought this was a date. Who wouldn't think that? Oh right... Raizel.*
Todd
She turned to smile at Mark when she saw him appear. Not even complaining about him for being a little late."Hey, that's alright," She said, giving him a small wave. "I'm j-just glad that you arrived. 

The waitress hands them menus before asking for their drinks. Raizel just wanted to have a banana split sundae with strawberries. "Hm... Hey, something did happen... Are you okay, Mark?" She asked, looking at him with a curious look.
Betty
She turned to smile at Mark when she saw him appear. Not even complaining about him for being a little late."Hey, that's alright," She said, giving him a small wave. "I'm j-just glad that you arrived. The waitress hands them menus before asking for their drinks. Raizel just wanted to have a banana split sundae with strawberries. "Hm... Hey, something did happen... Are you okay, Mark?" She asked, looking at him with a curious look.

*Mark smiles, sitting down. He tilts his head. Mark orders the same thing as Raizel*

"Hmmm? Yes, Im fine! Nothing bad happened!"

*Mark shakes his head. It was an okay time! Nothing to write home about*
Todd
"Okay, I'll take your word on it," Raizel chimed, believing him. Of course, she picks up a familiar smell on Mark but does not question it. "Y-You wouldn't believe what I found in the woods today. There's this large chunk of rock that has bones in it? I-It's a fossil of some kind of weird bug?" She pulls out a gray stone from her satchel before placing it dead center of the table. It had a fossilized bug in it. "F-found it by a creek where I usually fish for trout."
Betty
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"Wha- whoa! Y-You don't need to put it here! We can wait until we are home... But... It looks nice! I wonder what it is..."

*Mark smiles, and they get their orders*

"So... Aside from this... Why did you invite me here?"
Todd
Raizel sneaked a small smirk before sliding the rock across the table before having it land inside the satchel. "U-Uhmm... Well, is it a p-problem to ask you to come hang out here?" Raizel asked, now looking confused. "Nyom!" And she gets a mouthful of ice cream, enjoying the taste.
Betty
Raizel sneaked a small smirk before sliding the rock across the table before having it land inside the satchel. "U-Uhmm... Well, is it a p-problem to ask you to come hang out here?" Raizel asked, now looking confused. "Nyom!" And she gets a mouthful of ice cream, enjoying the taste.

"Well, N-No! There's no problem!"

*So this WASN'T a date... Mark sighs in relief. He wouldn't have know what to do if it was. He shakes his head with a smile and gets a mouthful of his own*

"Mmmm! This is very good!"
Todd
"I rarely come here for snacks, this is a small treat," Raizel said, enjoying her banana sundae. "Have you been out in town yet? I-I was wondering because not a l-lot of students are aware that they could?"

She was already working her way towards the strawberries, enjoying the sweet flavor.
Betty
"I rarely come here for snacks, this is a small treat," Raizel said, enjoying her banana sundae. "Have you been out in town yet? I-I was wondering because not a l-lot of students are aware that they could?" She was already working her way towards the strawberries, enjoying the sweet flavor.

"I haven't, no... I actually wasn't aware of it!"

*Mark smiles, then eating his stuff. He loved it*

"I love sweets... Do you like sweets? Or prefer savory foods?"
Todd
"Sweets grow on me," Raizel admitted, remembering how overwhelming it was when she ate a slice of chocolate cake. "I-It was hard to come across things like candy in the wild. The closest thing to candy w-would be honey."
Betty
"Sweets grow on me," Raizel admitted, remembering how overwhelming it was when she ate a slice of chocolate cake. "I-It was hard to come across things like candy in the wild. The closest thing to candy w-would be honey."

"Thats fair! Sweet foods are amazing! Its like a magical taste! Especially when it's something new! Maybe next time we hang out, I can bake you something!"

*Mark smiles, seeming very happy with his food(
Todd
"You can surprise me? I don't know a whole lot of n-names for treats," Raizel said, scooping up a clump of ice cream and popping it into her mouth. "Mmm.." She places her hand on her cheek, blushing.
Betty
"You can surprise me? I don't know a whole lot of n-names for treats," Raizel said, scooping up a clump of ice cream and popping it into her mouth. "Mmm.." She places her hand on her cheek, blushing.

"Sure! I know just the thing!"

*Mark chuckles, thinking about what he should make. He then finishes his ice cream, blushing from the sweetness. He thought Raizel's little movements were cute. That and the little 'nyom' noises she would make. But he knew he could never say that*
Todd
Raizel had no idea what Mark is thinking while she was too distracted with her banana sundae. She find his company enjoyable and felt that she didn't need to worry too much about him judging her. After she almost finished the treat, Raizel turned to Mark. "You know... S-so far from a lot of boys in school, you're kind of adorable." She wasn't flustered when she said it bluntly. It just came out. This girl was speaking from what's on her mind. "I think you'll grow into a cute little man when you get older."
Betty
Raizel had no idea what Mark is thinking while she was too distracted with her banana sundae. She find his company enjoyable and felt that she didn't need to worry too much about him judging her. After she almost finished the treat, Raizel turned to Mark. "You know... S-so far from a lot of boys in school, you're kind of adorable." She wasn't flustered when she said it bluntly. It just came out. This girl was speaking from what's on her mind. "I think you'll grow into a cute little man when you get older."

*Mark was done with his sundae, so he just watched Raizel as she enjoyed her food. But when she commented, Mark flushes red. Now you're REALLY playing with his heart lol*

"...Wha- Huh!? I-I... Thank you..."

*The second comment was just kicking him while he was down. Now he was confused. Did she like him? No... She probably doesn't understand love. Does he like her? Fuck, he doesn't even know himself. He was just in a limbo, trying to figure shit out*

"...Th-Thank you... You are very pretty, too... Huh... O-okay, now I know how it feels to be complimented like that-"
Todd
The girl wasn't even aware what the comment would have indicated for the other. It just came out as it manifested in her mind. With his compliment, Raizel gave a kind and appreciative smile. 

"No, I-I really mean it, though," She said, finishing the last strawberry. It was much sweeter tasting. "You're going to be a nice looking older male. There's potential." She was serious when she meant it. Of course, not realizing how she is making him flustered.
Betty
The girl wasn't even aware what the comment would have indicated for the other. It just came out as it manifested in her mind. With his compliment, Raizel gave a kind and appreciative smile. "No, I-I really mean it, though," She said, finishing the last strawberry. It was much sweeter tasting. "You're going to be a nice looking older male. There's potential." She was serious when she meant it. Of course, not realizing how she is making him flustered.

"Y-Yeah... Thank you..."

*Mark clunks his head on the table, then sitting up*

"Y-You're too kind... You got me all embarrassed... Haha..."
Todd
Raizel jumped when Mark clunked his head on the table. There was a concern look as she was about to poke his crown, then pulls her hand away when he suddenly sits up. "S-say, maybe next time we hang out w-we could try to bring some friends along? I-I don't know... Ever since the chaos happened at school, I'm not sure if they'll let us have fun on field trips. I sort of want to check out the mall?"
Betty
Raizel jumped when Mark clunked his head on the table. There was a concern look as she was about to poke his crown, then pulls her hand away when he suddenly sits up. "S-say, maybe next time we hang out w-we could try to bring some friends along? I-I don't know... Ever since the chaos happened at school, I'm not sure if they'll let us have fun on field trips. I sort of want to check out the mall?"

*Mark smiles awkwardly, tilting his head. But... The mention of bringing friends threw him off the loop*

"W-Well... I don't really have other friends... But if you have someone you want to invite, I'll be glad to meet them!'

*Mark seemed a bit sad of the fact he had no other friends. But the mall sounded like a good idea*

"Okay! That sounds good!"
Todd
"Oh, should I wait u-until you find friends?" Raizel asked, looking at him with a concern look. "To be f-fair, I haven't seen my other friends in a long time...? They all seem to be busy... With their other companions... So I kept to myself."
Betty
"Oh, should I wait u-until you find friends?" Raizel asked, looking at him with a concern look. "To be f-fair, I haven't seen my other friends in a long time...? They all seem to be busy... With their other companions... So I kept to myself."

"Hehe... W-we don't have to do that. I'm not good at making friends. But... If you want, we can just go ourselves?"

*Mark smiles awkwardly, a bit sad he didn't have other friends. But he loved spending time with Raizel*
Todd
"Okay, that could work too?" She said, rubbing the back of her neck. "I-I kind of miss some of my other friends, we sort of drifted away..." And she nervously twindles her thumbs together. "It started with those angel girls... They were kind of dangerous and some of u-us wanted to investigate them. They hurt Annika who didn't want to see them... She got hurt by them? And her 'sisters' were out to go find her? The wh-whole thing felt like a cult... In a weird sense..." Raizel sighed. "Ever since then things just drifted away. The angel sisters were killing a lot of animals leaving their remains on the school property... T-to try intimidate the authority. They got me in trouble for it."
Betty
"Okay, that could work too?" She said, rubbing the back of her neck. "I-I kind of miss some of my other friends, we sort of drifted away..." And she nervously twindles her thumbs together. "It started with those angel girls... They were kind of dangerous and some of u-us wanted to investigate them. They hurt Annika who didn't want to see them... She got hurt by them? And her 'sisters' were out to go find her? The wh-whole thing felt like a cult... In a weird sense..." Raizel sighed. "Ever since then things just drifted away. The angel sisters were killing a lot of animals leaving their remains on the school property... T-to try intimidate the authority. They got me in trouble for it."

"O-Oh... Wow..."

*Mark's eyes widened as she told him the story. How did he not realize any of this had happened? Wow... Mark didn't know what to do, so he pats her head*

"I-I'm sure you can talk to them again and they will be happy to see you!"
Todd
"M-Mhm... I hope things are back to normal... I don't know if they want to talk to me is the thing? It felt like I am back to ground zero trying to find friends... Well... Ground one, I have you." Raizel said.
Betty
"M-Mhm... I hope things are back to normal... I don't know if they want to talk to me is the thing? It felt like I am back to ground zero trying to find friends... Well... Ground one, I have you." Raizel said.

"...Have you tried talking to them? You never know until you try!"

*Mark smiles softly as he spoke, trying to comfort her with his words*

"And since you have me... I'll do my best to be enough for you!"
Todd
Her face turns beet red as she hides it behind her sleeved hands. "Oh-Oh gosh, thanks... That's a lot hearing it from you, Marky." She felt her mouth turn to a shy squiggle. "I-I'll try talk to them? I'm n-not sure if they remember me."
Betty
Her face turns beet red as she hides it behind her sleeved hands. "Oh-Oh gosh, thanks... That's a lot hearing it from you, Marky." She felt her mouth turn to a shy squiggle. "I-I'll try talk to them? I'm n-not sure if they remember me."

"Really? Hehe-... I'm glad..."

*Mark blushes a little, but he doesn't give much of a reaction, as to assure her*

"But.. Yeah! I'm sure it will be okay!"
Todd
"O-Okay, I'll do it when they're not too busy. I'm not sure if they graduated yet?" And with that, Raizel pulled her sleeved hands away from her face after it cooled down. "Y-You know... I heard there are new kids coming into school recently... Some of em are odd but I think they might make good friends?"
Betty
"O-Okay, I'll do it when they're not too busy. I'm not sure if they graduated yet?" And with that, Raizel pulled her sleeved hands away from her face after it cooled down. "Y-You know... I heard there are new kids coming into school recently... Some of em are odd but I think they might make good friends?"

"That's good! I'm rooting for you!"

*Mark smiles, giggling a bit. He was glad he could help... Maybe he was a good friend! He was insecure for a while...*

"Oh, really? That seems nice!"
Todd
"S-say... Are you thinking about trying to make them into friends too?" Raizel asked, now looking directly at him.
Betty
"S-say... Are you thinking about trying to make them into friends too?" Raizel asked, now looking directly at him.

"Uhm... M-Maybe? I would have to meet then first!"

*Mark smiles awkwardly as she stared into his soul. He answers while exchanging her gaze*
Todd
"Alright," Raizel couldn't help but smile. "H-Hey, I think we should get back to school. L-Lunch is almost over."

|| Good time to end it here?