Somehow, Hebs was able to spell out what Shadow was thinking about but he didn't say anything anymore. He simply waited for Alfie, Gian and Shadow to finish with their food. Blinking, though, in surprise at Shadow suddenly perking up and announcing Blake's to-be arrival, he found himself smiling slightly and pushing his chair back to get up to his feet. "I'll go get him," was what he'd said, deciding to play the role of the butler considering Shadow took his place as the cook. With the current condition of his hand, there really isn't much he could do.

Hebs got to Blake's room and knocked on the door before he'd slid his hands into his pocket. He didn't bother waiting for a reply and uttered the words that should probably entice the boy to go out of his room and eat with them. "The food's ready. You should eat it while it's hot. It's really good."

Kenichi was panting as he got to the nearest gate he could find. The police were after him. Well, they wouldn't be in the first place if he hadn't done anything but the man just kept touching him in all places. He didn't want to be touched and he hated it, too, that the said man resembled an octopus so he did what he thought would solve everything: kill the man. With the use of water. Getting behind the bushes and ducking on his forearms, he supposed he had to find another job. This wasn't the first time he was sexually harassed nor was it the first time he's been chased at by policemen. Once they'd passed by, he let out a quiet sigh of relief and stayed there, laying on his stomach. He was hungry. Very, very hungry.

I should've eaten that food the head chef offered me a while ago... he thought with a frown as he rested his forehead on his hands.

Shadow knew that Hebs' hand wasn't going to be in the best shape for a while...and thus, that was why the fallen angel had decided he would take the brunt of the other's work for a while until he was better. He had, after all, caused the injury, in a sense. He made his way out toward the kitchen slowly, taking his time, and then easily prepared a plate of hot food for Blake. Now that Blake was starting to get comfortable around them, it was time to start treating him like a family member.

There was shuffling inside the room, followed by the door opening just a crack. Blake looked dazed, like he'd just woken up, and he was still in nightclothes. But, he didn't seem to mind that at all. He still seemed very nervous, though, around Hebs...and all of the other freaks, to be honest. He had little confidence in himself and his powers, and until recently he'd been frightened to even speak about them openly. It was going to take him a while to calm down.

"Oh," was his simple response as he pushed the door open. "All right. I'll come."

As Shadow returned to the table with Blake's plate of food and set it in front of one of the few empty chairs, he was just about to sit down when suddenly he paused, eyes seeming to focus on a random point in space. A disturbance, perhaps? His mind had picked up on the thoughts of a stranger nearby. Even though he still had food left on his plate, the blue-haired man's attention was now focused on this stranger. He scanned his thoughts closely as he stood there, trying to determine if he was going to be a problem or not.

Hebs smiled softly at the sight of Blake and nodded. "I'll wait for you out," he told him, "It's all right to wear your night clothes, though. Gian is... well, in boxers and a tank top." Stepping back and keeping his hands in his pockets, he did what he'd just said: wait for Blake. Of course, the moment the boy stepped out and went to the kitchen, he also followed suit.

About two policemen came to ring the doorbell and Hebs blinked. It was only eight in the morning. What could be up in this time of day?

Kenichi was still behind the bushes, hiding. There was no way he was going to show himself to the police. He may have had done a fault by killing that said stranger but he wasn't going to tell them either that he, well, was sexually harassed. Integrity was something Kenichi would want intact within himself.

Shadow was the one who stood to answer the doorbell. The doorbell was set so that it rang through the hallways, the main den, and the kitchen. It didn't do the same through bedrooms, as people could be sleeping. "I will take care of that," he said simply, scooping up his plate on his way out so he could eat while he spoke to the policemen who he knew were at the door. Perhaps he could learn more about this stranger? He was already scanning their thoughts to get the full story...but if he didn't answer the door, then they could become suspicious.

In his haste, he'd forgotten that he wasn't wearing a mask. Now that he was already at the door, he figured it was a waste of time to trek back to his room to grab one...so he hoped these men wouldn't be too dumbstruck by his looks. Using his free hand, he opened up the door and peered outside, putting on a dazzling smile. "Yes?"

Blake had arrived just in time to see Shadow leave with his plate--he watched him with an eyebrow raised. Really, that man was very strange. Deciding to pay it no mind, the young man trotted over to the empty seat intended for him and sat down, immediately beginning to eat.

Well, that was a pretty good move if Hebs were to speak. Seeing him without his mask and conversing with the policemen, he could only guess how the outcome would be. "We're sorry to bother you at this time of night, sir," one of them started as they both looked at Shadow. They couldn't look away whatever they did. "Uh... did you happen to see a man with white hair pass by here? Long, white hair, a blue shirt and a pair of black slacks. He was also wearing an apron of the cafe named Te Amo."

Hebs happened to see what Blake had seen and he followed after Shadow to stand a step away from him. He was, of course, watching with amusement at the officers who were too entranced by the fallen angel's beauty. "Why are you looking for this man?" he asked them as he raised his eyebrows a little, "Has he done something wrong?" The police officer nodded and managed to reply. "A man was hurt. We found him in a puddle of water, drenched and saying he was strangled."

By the time Gian was done with his food, he let out a rather happy sigh and turned to look over his shoulder. "What's up with that?" he asked as he tilted the chair back a bit and tried to see if he could take a peek of the situation. He could only catch the sight of a uniform and from the looks of it, they were police officers, weren't they? Turning to look at Blake, he tilted his head a little. The boy didn't look strange at all. He seemed like any normal human being, not mutated or anything like their naga, the snake man and their merman.

Shadow paused carefully before he answered, his expression deceivingly looking like he was thinking hard about what he had seen...which, of course, he wasn't. After scanning idly through the mind of the stranger, something finally occurred to the fallen angel. The stranger--of course, he knew where he was--had a power...a power he could use. This thought clearly influenced Shadow's answer, as he only continued smiling and shook his head.

"No. I can't say I have. I did hear something out here earlier, but...whatever it was, it went that way." He motioned back toward the city, but in a different direction than the direction the officers had come from.

Alfie was listening closely to their conversation. He was in a position where he could see Shadow's face. So he was watching his expression very carefully. Having known him for a long while, the naga immediately noticed that very faint glint in Shadow's eyes. He seemed to get excited, a big smile breaking out across his face.

"Oooh. I know that look..." Blake blinked, looking up from his food in confusion. He swallowed his mouthful of food and then cleared his throat. "What look?" he asked, mystified.

"That funny look Shadow has?" Gian asked. He was leaning a little towards Alfie so he could get a glimpse of Shadow. Apparently, that look was the first thing he'd seen. Hebs also had noticed it and he kept on a straight face as he shook his head and shrugged his shoulders. "I was getting someone from their room to eat breakfast so I wouldn't know." The police officers, though, seemed to have fallen for the fallen angel's charm and the moment Hebs had shut the door, that said entrancement spell was broken. It was obvious, though, that they went the way they were told to go. Once the shuffling of feet were gone, Hebs turned to look at Shadow.

"That guy they were talking about. He's here, isn't he?"

"He's in the back, behind the bushes," Shadow replied, nodding as he moved back toward the table. "He believes he killed that man. Thus...I believe he'll be looking for a place to hide for a while. He has the ability to control and manipulate water. So...there is a chance we could add a new member to our family." He leaned against the table, peering around at his other family members. A quick scan of the man's mind brought something else to light--that he was terrified of marine creatures. There was a chance he would be terrified of Hebs and Alfie...

"...Gian. Would you like to come with me to confront him?" he asked, casually. "I don't want him to be frightened right off the bat by clear mutations."

Alfie seemed to understand this, but there was a pout on his face. It was unfair that he couldn't see the new guy right away.

Gian had leaned against Alfie now even when Shadow had returned to the table with Hebs in two. Listening to him talk as Hebs hummed a little, the male was just about to get himself comfortable when he'd heard Shadow's question. It had him blinking. "What? He's afraid of snakes?" he asked with a frown before he'd grinned, "I don't see why, though, since they're adorable."

Pinching Alfie's cheek before he'd gotten up to his feet, the male looked at himself for a second or two and scratched the back of his head. "Err... let me put on some pants, at least." With that said, the boy left the kitchen to head back to his room only to come out a few seconds later. He was still currently battling with his button and zipper. "You make sure you don't scare him off," Hebs told Shadow as he patted his back a little, "As you said, he'd be a great addition with such power."

Kenichi sighed for the umpteenth time as he sat up and put his hand on his stomach. It had grumbled loudly. Now that the police officers were gone, he had to think of his next step. He couldn't exactly go back to that cafe. There was a possibility his boss was still there and his co-workers were going to tie him up or something to keep him there until the police came. A couple of short strands fell over the sides of his face, framing his already pale skin. A tie was loosely holding his hair together and he was, strangely, beautiful in an eccentric way with his snow-white hair and eyes that were almost pale to white.

"I'm not sure if he's frightened of snakes, but...it would be best to approach him with the idea of joining us quite slowly. You know how most people react when they see Hebs and Alfie..." Shadow reminded Gian as gently as possible. Alfie squeaked when his cheeks were pinched, swatting at Gian with a clear frown on his face. "This tail is more of a hindrance than anything else," he blurted out, a whine building up in his throat. He was never the first to see new potential freaks because of his very clear mutations. It wasn't fair.

Once Shadow saw that Gian was ready to go, he made his way toward the door. "He should be hiding down in the bushes. He's hungry, and there are still leftovers...surely we can cajole him inside with the promise of food? A place to hide for a while would be nice for him, too..."

Shadow's pace was slow and leisurely as he made his way outside. Even from a distance, the mere sight of Shadow without his mask on elicited reactions from strangers--different reactions from different people, of course. He was making a beeline straight for the new stranger, his expression curious. He didn't want to seem too imposing...

Gian nodded in understanding. He didn't think of it that way. In fact, he was strangely treating Hebs and Alfie like an equal - like they weren't any mutations of the sorts. Did that make him strange? Following after Shadow, he blinked and then grinned. "I'm sure food will make anyone want to come with you even if you're a stranger wtih a charming beauty." Gian made sure not to look at Shadow. Without his mask on, he was sure he won't be able to take his eyes away from him. That was one thing he hated about the fallen angel. Other than that, he was a pretty much responsible and rich fallen angel.

Kenichi had just gotten up to his feet. He'd looked up, too, and saw some strangers coming towards his way. With him now visibly seen, he knew he won't be able to run away. There was a pretty high wall beside him but other than that, he'd have to brush past them and he wouldn't be sure if he could get away. "Um," he started, noting one of them having such an exquisite beauty. Unlike the others he could easily look away and there was that obvious fear apparent in his eyes. Were these men going to give him up to the police? Hadn't they left to go chase after him? "Please don't turn me in." The two hadn't even reached him yet nor talked yet. He was already out of the bushes, on his knees and his hands on the ground. He was bowing to them. "I'll do anything you want... just..." His stomach decided to cut in and grumble out loud, which made the man's cheeks color a little in embarrassment.

The water user's snow white hair fall past his shoulders and the hair framing his face hid his face from view.

Shadow chuckled under his breath. True, true...at the very least, he wasn't hoping to come off as too imposing. If he did, though, he was willing to work that to his advantage. Threatening the stranger and offering him a place to hide out as a fugitive from the police...that could work, too.

He quietly approached Kenichi as the other moved out of the bushes and handily dropped down to his hands and knees. Shadow cracked a brief grin when he heard the white-haired male's stomach interrupt the tense situation. He brushed some of his own long hair out of his eyes before shifting closer to the other. "...I don't plan on turning you in," were the first words out of the fallen angel's mouth. "But you are trespassing on my property. That aside...you've just stumbled into an opportunity..."

Shadow leaned down a little bit, offering one of his hands to the younger male. "I run a freak show. I give shelter to those with amazing abilities and strange mutations. I myself can read minds. I know what you can do." The way he spoke that last sentence was low and deliberate. "I also know what you've done. You're on the run from the law. I'm willing to give you a place to hide. But...you need to earn your keep. That power of yours will do well as a part of our show. So...? Are you willing to join us if I harbor you?"

At least he sounded professional about it.

Kenichi was just about to open his mouth to say something when the other had said something about trespassing on his property. But, when he'd heard the words 'an opportunity', he froze on the spot. He looked thoroughly surprised, especially when he'd seen a hand in front of his face. "What do you..." He trailed off, of course, to keep quiet and listen to the other speak.

A... freak show? His eyes widened again and he'd hesitated a little before he'd put his hand on Shadow's own. He took that hand to get himself up on his feet as he nodded. He really had no choice, did he? If he said 'no', there wouldn't be a place for him to return to. He was pretty sure the police would be all up his ass and his place and his things since that cafe owner he worked at really can't keep his mouth shut. That, and the old man was a coward. "Yes," he said with a rather firm voice before he'd let go of Shadow's hand. He also intend to keep his word. After all, he was a man of his word. "Just... don't make me look like an idiot." There was a slight frown that marred his beautiful features.

"Oh, I doubt Shadow'll make you look like an idiot." Gian grinned. "He's actually making the other freaks look pretty cool on-stage."

"Everyone that lives and works here is a family member of mine. I would never shame a family member for profit," Shadow informed Kenichi firmly. He released the white-haired man's hand and turned around, starting to head back inside. "Come. We're in the middle of eating, and you are hungry...come and eat. We have a show tonight. All you need to do is demonstrate your abilities for the crowd to see...do incredible tricks and wow the spectators. Just, ah...please don't mind our more...abnormal freaks."

He was, of course, speaking of their naga, snake-man, and merman. He didn't know if any of them would frighten Kenichi. But if they did...the show would be difficult--would the other man be able to keep his cool?

Back in the kitchen, Alfie was shifting around in his chair impatiently. Even though he had finished eating, he didn't want to move, yet. "I want to see this new guy," he complained in Hebs' direction. "...But..." he paused, realizing something, "...will we scare him?" he asked, looking...timid, perhaps? Alfie never did like scaring newcomers. Though it hurt when others feared him, he didn't want to cause problems.

Kenichi's stomach seemed to answer that for him and he put up a hand to rub his stomach as he smiled rather sheepishly. "Thanks and... already?" Blinking for a second or two, he stopped and nodded. "Understood." He really had no say in that. After all, he did agree to use his powers. He was pretty sure he'll be seeing some familiar faces - more or less - in this show. Most of the customers he served back at the cafe lived around this block. Idly, he wondered if they'd be surprised that he wasn't as normal as they thought he was.

"We'll know once he gets here," he told Alfie as he smiled softly and patted the naga's back. "You're looking tense. Try relaxing a bit." Putting both of his hands on the naga's shoulders, he started a slow and gentle massage to hopefully calm the naga down. Luckily for Alfie, too, he'll have Gian with him if this new guy would be afraid of them. Alfie, after all, was pretty sensitive. At least, this was what Hebs had learned.

Shadow was conscious of Alfie's concerns. When he did return to the kitchen, he was the first to enter the room. He then stood half-blocking the doorway at first, trying to cajole Gian into walking side-by-side with Kenichi in case something went wrong. When he finally did move, he made his way toward the table. "Proper introductions are in order..." he declared, quite simply, as he leaned against the table. "My name is Shadow. I run the show...I can read minds," he began, to start everyone off. It would be best for them all to get acquainted quickly.

Alfie, who had leaned into Hebs' shoulder massage, opened his eyes and smiled at the strange human. "I'm Alfie. I, ah...have the lower half of a snake," he admitted, looking uncertain once more. He would understand if Kenichi was wary of him at first...but he would be a little hurt if he didn't warm up to him after time passed.

Blake was silent as this all happened, seeming to want to keep to himself as he finished up what little food he had left. But when Shadow and Alfie's eyes turned on him, the young human grew clearly uncomfortable. He swallowed his mouthful of food, glancing in another direction. "I'm Blake. I summon demons," was his simple, curt introductions.

Gian was standing beside Kenichi with his hands still in his pockets. Smiling at the man and seeing him smile back a little was enough to tell him that the other was trying his best to stay friendly and comfortable. But, the moment he'd stepped into the kitchen with the two, right after Shadow, he froze on the spot and his eyes widened a second time that day. Was that... a snake man? And, a... what the hell?!

Unconsciously moving to step back behind Gian, he warily looked at the two and then at one strange-looking lad. He didn't think it'd be this much of a freak show. This was... strangely...

"I... ah, I'm Kenichi. I can control water?" Gian chuckled. "What's with the question mark?" After teasing him, Hebs seemed to not give Kenichi a chance to reply by introducing himself. "I'm Hebs and I simply have these scales. I suppose you could call me 'snake man' and... that one over there, he's Gian." Gian turned to look at Kenichi and gave him a short salute. "What he said. Nice to meet ya." The smell of food made Kenichi's stomach grumble again and Gian and Hebs seemed to blink before Gian burst out laughing again.

Shadow quietly slipped into the kitchen and returned with a plate full of food, offering it to Kenichi. "Sit. They don't bite. We have three other family members that aren't here at the moment...you will meet two later and perhaps the third tomorrow." The fallen angel returned to his spot sitting next to Hebs and closed his eyes, looking tired. He wouldn't mind taking a short nap before having to prepare for their show. If not a nap, then certainly doing something nice and relaxing for a while...

Alfie seemed discouraged by Kenichi's reaction, but it was to be expected. He reached out for Gian at once after Shadow sat back down next to Hebs, seeming to want some cuddle-time. Alfie did love to cuddle, after all.

Blake had just finished his very last bite of food. His ice blue eyes swept around the room before he stood up, his plate in hand so he could put it in the sink. "I'm...going to head back to my room," he declared, casting a wary glance in Kenichi's direction before he moved to put his plate in the sink and then headed out into the main hallway. Shadow watched him absently. It was going to be tough work to get Blake comfortable around the other freaks...

Kenichi was quick on his feet. He went straight for the food, took it from Shadow and sat down on an empty chair before he started eating. "Where's the third one?" he asked, with a pretty full mouth as he chewed and downed some of the food with water. Hebs had taken the seat beside Shadow and was crossing his arms over the table. He looked pretty amused watching the water user. Gian, on the other hand, took Alfie's hand and leaned in to kiss the naga's forehead before he'd pulled him close. "You're such a baby," he mumbled with a grin as he lost that grin and blinked at Blake.

He sure was a kill joy. Breaking off the air of friendliness. Not that he minded. After all, it was only a few weeks since Blake's arrival. He was probably still adjusting to them.

"He doesn't live with us, currently. He has unfinished business to take care of before he can do so." Shadow was busying himself playing with a loose, stray string on the sleeve of Hebs' shirt. He just hoped the other male didn't mind. "Unfortunately, he's about as sociable as Blake is--in other words, as sociable as a rock--so it might take time for him to get used to you. He and Blake and still settling in as it is..."

Alfie frowned at Gian's statement before slapping gently at his arm, looking defiant. "I am not a baby! I just want to cuddle. I don't think that's babyish at all--I think that's affectionate." He rested his head against Gian's, closing his eyes and looking content.

Shadow was concerned about both Blake and Johnny. They seemed to be a little antisocial, the two of them, and not very willing to open and make new friends...

Johnny sneezed and made a face. Someone was thinking of him and he didn't like that fact at all. Unless it's Gian, he could make an exception. Arranging his papers as he slipped them into his briefcase, he gave a polite smile to the judge who'd congratulated him again for winning the case. It looked like the man was going to be happy taking his land and his house from his ex-wife who'd filed the case. As long as there was evidence, Johnny can crack any case - any case at all. It would explain his little nickname, "The nutcracker". He doesn't give up. He'll go at the cases he'll handle with full force.

It also explains why he asks for such a high amount of money in exchange. If Gian knew that, he was definitely going to look up more to him; more than he had when they were kids.

"Sure it is," he teased Alfie as he rubbed that arm that he'd slapped. Sticking his tongue out a bit, he pressed a quick and chaste kiss onto Alfie's lips and grinned brightly. "Love you, too, Alfie."

Kenichi seemed to be in awe at Gian and Alfie's little display of intimacy out in the public - with them. "Must be hard," he commented as he turned to look at Shadow, "To be handling such hard rocks in the social department."

While Johnny probably had quite a bit of money, it was most likely not a match for the fortune that Shadow had garnered over his centuries of being alive. Money of all shapes and sizes was his to hoard. The very careful, frugal way in which he invested his money, as well, was something to be admired. Every single show that his freak family held earned them all a lot of money. With a steady source of income, Shadow's fortune could only swell in the near future. The plane tickets to Austria, though, would probably take away the profits of their show tonight...

Alfie squealed with happiness, immediately leaning up to offer Gian another soft, quick kiss. He didn't mind giving the human affection around other people so long as it wasn't over the top. Shadow didn't mind going over the top...but Alfie had learned from him that it was best to be careful and more reserved around new people.

"Oh, it can be. They will open up sooner or later, though..." Shadow seemed sure of this. "When you finish eating, I can take you to one of the free rooms for a rest. You'll be needing it if you're going to participate in the show."

Gian snickered at Alfie squealing with happiness and he grinned brightly at that soft but quick kiss. "And I guess Johnny's just like that because of his work," he said, rather randomly, as he played with Alfie's hair and sighed, "The man would bend down at my will though if I just show him some tears." Snuggling Alfie, he whispered a, "Let's get back to the room," before he'd turned to look at Kenichi. It seemed like the man understood that look because he'd seen him smile.

Kenichi sure was good-looking. His beauty can't be at par with Shadow's though, but for an average and normal human being like him... he was.

"That'd be good." He gave Shadow a nod and another smile. "Thank you!" Hebs chuckled lightly and started to keep the plates. He soaked them in warm water before he'd returned to sit beside Shadow again to wait up for Kenichi to finish. Once the water user was finished, he tapped Shadow's shoulder as a silent sign for them to leave so he could clean up. His burnt hand wasn't going to stop him from doing most of the chores that had been left for him to do.

Alfie immediately rose from his seat, eager to get back to one of their rooms. It seemed that, if the two of them did grow closer and closer...they would need to merge rooms. But for now, with things as uncertain as they were, it was best to keep their rooms separate. After all, neither Alfie nor Gian had recognized their feelings as honest love. Alfie led the way down the hallway, this time toward Gian's room. They had been bunking in the naga's room for a while...but Alfie couldn't imagine his nest as being as comfortable, for Gian at least, as a bed.

Shadow frowned at Hebs. He obviously didn't want the scaled man to do too much work because of his hand. He didn't seem to feel like fighting with the other, though, because he simply stood up. "Ice that before you start cleaning up," he muttered, stubbornly, as he headed toward the door. He politely beckoned to Kenichi before slipping out into the hallway. There were many empty rooms. They weren't as well-kept as occupied rooms, but he figured that the white-haired man would settle in.

Hebs seemed rather amused that Shadow didn't even start an argument with him. After all, the both of them could be pretty stubborn. At least, that was what Hebs had noticed. "You worry much." Smiling and waving at Kenichi who'd bowed his way, he started with the ice first so he could use his hand. It wouldn't do him good, after all, if he infected it. That, and covering it was a must if he was going to deal with dirty plates.

Gian followed after Alfie and nudged him a little. "Want to take a bath with me?" He asked as he smiled and kissed the other's neck. "You could rub my back for me."

Kenichi looked rather in awe at the numerous rooms in the house. It almost seemed like there had been a lot of occupants. It made the man wonder. Tying up his hair together, he looked again at the man before him. There was something off of him, too. Was he not a being of this land?