“I am flattered that my opinion is so important, but you know that I think you look great in everything that you put on,” he remarked with the genuine compliment. “I was thinking that we could gra…” the rest of his sentence cut off as another made themselves known within their group. Not so much as an<span style="font-style: italic">Hello</span>or even a look in Alex’s direction was given when Professor Tiernan felt the need to just interject himself right into the middle.<br/><br/>Thanatos growled, perhaps he felt the unease from his own as Alex’s jaw worked silently. The desire was there, to stand up for himself and make himself known, but for whatever reason when it came to this one professor he had the hardest time. Instead, while he basically acted as if Alex did not even exist he stood there with a glance down at his boots while he stroked the wolf that still appeared more keyed up than his Master.<br/><br/>Eyes cast about the street; Alex nodded and smiled to the various people who walked about. Content, for the moment at least, to watch the passer byes as they went about their lives. His creative mind wondered where they were off to after this trip shopping? Did they have more shopping to do? Was there a loving family waiting for them? If he were to shift, right there and then, would they run in terror from him? This thought was ever prevalent in his mind, even as he enjoyed the fragrant aroma of some baked goods that left a store further down. Followed by the pungent and salty scent of cured meat that all but made his mouth water, despite the large breakfast he had that morning with his parents. Perhaps, he will wander off to get himself something to eat? It was like he could not stay full for very long, his body nearly demanding the constant supply of carbs and calories least he become sick and often grumpy.<br/><br/>Just as the desire to leave became strong enough to act there was a change in the air. Thanatos, the wolf who had glared at Tiernan without waiver looked away now and up to the sky. Tail soon tucked between his legs, his ears laid back against his head as he whined and fidgeted nervously in place. Then the wind picked up and Alex reacted without thinking. The instinct of the wolf that lay hidden within him screamed for them to move, to get out of the open and get somewhere safe.<br/><br/>“MOVE!” he shouted to the people on the streets who had paused when the sky darkened but did nothing else. Next his hand went to Tiernan’s chest, the palm came to rest of the firm muscle beneath, a fact that caused Alex to arch his brow as if he had not expected to feel that when he touched the man. There was little time to dwell on it, however, for he shoved him in the next instant, “Move! We have to get off the streets!”<br/><br/>“Sorry,” the next word was uttered to Nice, even as he bent and scooped her up into his arms. Down the street, he ran with her in his arms, Thanatos at his heels with the grumpy professor at his side. Part of him relieved that the man had followed, the other part uneasy that he might retaliate when they got somewhere safe. At their backs, he could hear the wind and the destruction it brought with it. Those who had not been fast enough to heed his warning had been snatched up or had been knocked completely out of the way by the force of the winds. Metal against stone, the sound as countless items were dragged and forced down the streets at the behest of this unnatural wind.<br/><br/>To think he had thought to just enjoy a nice day of shopping with Nice and now, he ran with her in his arms, with a man that he wished would not make him feel so uncomfortable after he had to lie to his parents yet again. This had turned into such a great day.<br/><br/>When a space opened up between two buildings he went for it, “Thanatos!” the command barked to the wolf above the wind who ducked into the space without further instruction. “You next!” he shouted to Tiernan and used his shoulder to shove him into the space after the wolf, with Nice finally being set down and placed into the small space as well, which left Alex to block the entrance with his body as much as possible. Whatever had happened or was about to happen, Alex would at least protect those that he could.