Clay City; a place for all those of remarkable ability to freely travel the streets without fear. It stood between the human and magic realms hidden by the powerful ley lines that rested beneath the streets. Being magically charged, the ley lines acted as a weeding machine, separating human reality from the middle ground between their world and the enchanted ones. From Clay City millions of different realms broke off into a billion different directions. It was the way station between here and there and always had been. If a human happened to cross the city boundary, it would appear as though they had continued walking toward their destination. If a supernatural creature crossed, they would smoothly transition to the city limits.<br/><br/>Dashriel had spent the entirety of his life in this place. At only twenty-two, it wasn't a substantial amount of time, but it definitely felt that way. In a city full of freaks Dash still stood. A half-breed shunned by his demon brethren for being part human and would undoubtedly be outcast from human society if he'd ever bothered to try. Unlike other demons, Dash couldn't hide the twin ivory horns that protruded from his head. He was doomed to be an obvious abomination, but he could care less. It'd been too many years for him to be bothered by it. Sure the wound was there, but it was neatly hidden by scar tissue.<br/><br/>When he was only a baby, having been abandoned by his mother for his freakish appearance his father had brought him to Clay. Of course, from there he'd disappeared never to be seen again. The local orphanage had took to caring for him. He'd come across other half-breeds, but they hadn't been cursed to look as heinous as he did. They'd taken leave the instant they were old enough. He, on the other hand, stayed. There had been a time when he'd attempted to join his demon kin, but they could smell the human blood in his veins. Dash had been refused, violently. From then on he conceded defeat, taking up permanent residence in Clay City.<br/><br/>Now, he worked at a local bar, Tarder's Gate. It wasn't glamorous, but it paid the bills and every now and then it even got him laid. Women just loved his muddled blood when they were sauced; something about being forbidden fruit. It helped that he was good-looking, aside from his horns of course. Sitting on a stack of wooden crates, Dash's grey eyes surveyed the alleyway. It was damp, dark, and empty; just like his soul. Grinning at his own joke, he took a deep drag on his cigarette before casting it away. It was time for his shift to start. Today he was working as a bartender, tomorrow maybe a chef. He was whatever Tardar wanted him to be.<br/><br/>The back door squealed as he pulled it open and slammed shut behind him alerting the over amped doorman to his presence. "Dash, T says get your ass moving or your fired." This from Adar, a Weretiger with a bad temper. He was Tardar's do-boy and incredibly annoying when he got all puffed up with self-importance. Dash tossed Adar the finger as he crossed the threshold into the busy bar beyond. Music barely carried over the bustle of bodies all laughing, dancing, and howling. Dash wouldn't say he wasn't envious. He'd never gone out with friends to party cause he didn't have any. Usually, he'd steal a bottle from behind the bar and go home to drink on his own.<br/><br/>Rubbing his palms against his jeans, he grabbed a hand towel and threw it over his shoulder. It was damp on one side and left a large wet spot on his white t-shirt.<span style="font-style: italic">Great</span>. At least three dozen people ordered drinks before Dash saw her. She was cute with wild hair and the distinct scent of animal. Dash didn't usually like using his powers as they seemed to make his horns grow. A strange side effect he'd never been able to figure much out about.<br/><br/>He watched her move through the crowd, swaying every now and then to the music, then continuing on in his direction. Curiosity got the better of him, he poked psychically at her. Just a little, just to see what she was made of. Dash could sense something else beneath the surface and he wanted to know what. His curiosity had gotten in trouble more times that he could count, but he just couldn't help himself. A rush of magical energy reacted to his prodding. He withdrew; better not to alert her to his obnoxious digging. Whatever she was, it wasn't just the animal, there was much more.