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Ooc:// Why would you pause Nightmare at the most controversial part? WHYY?!
...Also, should we fast forward a bit? Or do you want there to be something happening in the air?

Ooc:// I know, sorry. You can post if you really want to. I just want to give the others a chance to post as well.

And they could always be attacked, but I don't think that's necessary. We should prolly just skip to where they get to Jeb's.

Ooc:// Okay, I was just like, "What?!" when I first saw that it was paused, 'cause if it wasn't it would probably turn into another Private RP between us ^^ And I guess I'll just skip to Jeb's.

As Lark turned the small map of the state every which way, he finally saw a similarity. They had been flying for hours, and now that they'd finally found where they were... "Guys!" Lark called anxiously, sounding a bit like Pascal. "I think Jeb's house is closeby!"

Pascal let out a relieved sigh. His wing was killing him by now, and he had secretly been stopping on two-second breaks wherever he could to ease the burning. He thought that maybe a bone had been broken, and perhaps it hadn't been healed properly. But he was so glad to finally be close to their destination, even though it was already getting late.

Rue had noticed Pascal's discomfort, though she hadn't commented yet. She was relieved when Lark announced they were close; Pascal was beginning to concern her. Looking down, her keen brown eyes narrowed. "I think thats it!" she called, excited.

Kara followed Rue's line of sight. "I hope so," she murmured. She was sick of flying by now; plus, she was starving.

Rue angled downwards, putting on an extra burst of speed. She landed lightly on the ground in a somewhat secluded area, hidden by a small grove of trees.

Lark sped down behind Rue, beating his wings to keep up, but then kept them still to glide down into the small area, careful not to get caught in any branches. He landed on one knee, like he always did. Then quickly stood up and looked around, glancing back at the map as well.

Pascal hovered over the landing zone for a moment, then decided to fold in his wings and just drop. As they relaxed for a second, and he was definitely thankful for it. When he got close enough to the ground, he gently opened them to ease his fall, then landed on the ground softly, his wings relieved to finally be free from the pain for a little while. "So what do we do?" he asked, "Just waltz up to him, say, 'Hey, we're the second-generation Flock'?" he put on an idiotic face while demonstrating the introduction, his fists on his hips like a superhero.

Kara giggled at Pascal's example, amused by his expression and tone.

Rue gave him a look, edged by a hint of amusement. Unable to say, "we'll just be winging it", which was her real plan, she didn't say anything. "Let's just get there first," she said, folding in her wings and cautiously walking out of the grove.

Lark followed Rue, but uncertainly. Of course he knew she had no real plan if she hadn't said so already, so he guessed they'll just be playing it by ear.

Pascal followed close behind Lark, watching for anything that could be watching them. He didn't have any idea what to expect, and knowing that they probably will be taken by surprise no matter what happens, he was definitely worried.

Trying not to show any outside hesitation - even though she was brimming with it on the inside - Rue rang the doorbell. The doorbell, apparently broken, had no effect. A slight scowl forming, she instead knocked on the door, trying to be polite about it.

"Do you think he's even home?" Pascal asked quietly, his voice cracking a bit from both worry and dehydration.

Jeb Batchelder, his eyes glued to the newspaper before him, adjusted his glasses once more, then scratched his nearly-bald head. His eyes scanned an article about scientific discoveries and, even though he was into his late 80's, the young scientist he used to be still lived within. Even when his most important experiment, Maximum Ride, failed her mission, he still held his head high, knowing there would be more to come.

Suddenly, an impatient knock on the door awoke Jeb from his trance. He fiddled with his cane, finally able to find it, and then used it to assist his standing. He shuffled to the door, first looking out the peephole. What his eyes saw were four worn-out looking kids, two older and two younger, and they seemed to have impeccable similarities to the Flock... Jeb shook off the thought, thinking his eyes were simply playing tricks on him. He cracked open the door, looking out of that instead. "H-Hello?" he croaked. "Can I help you?"

"Are you Jeb Batchelder?" Stupid question. Of course he was. Without waiting for an answer, she continued. "I'm Rue. I believe you knew my mom and dad, Max and Fang?"

Jeb widened his eyes, wrinkling his forehead even more than it was. "...Max...and Fang? Their daughter?" He stood, shocked. He had no idea they'd had a child. He didn't even know where they went after the Flock had decided to live normal lives. He undid the chain on the door and opened it a bit more, getting a better look at the other kids. "Iggy's son..." he breathed. "And Nudge... and... Gasman?"

Pascal sighed, smiling weakly. "Angel." he corrected.

Jeb excitedly smiled and opened the door. "Oh my!" he cried. He didn't know what to think. "Please," he insisted, gesturing inside with his cane. "Come in- we have MUCH to talk about!"

To be honest, Rue didn't know what to think either. She felt a bit self-conscious, and was highly aware of his muddled history. While he seemed okay now, she couldn't help but keep her guard up, even if he was really old.

Jeb shuffled to his kitchen, where he was reading previously, and offered seats at his table for them to sit and talk. He no longer worked for the School, because of his retirement, so he had no reason to capture them, but he still remained fascinated at every step they took. They were marvels; just like their parents before them. He took a seat at the head of the table, gesturing for them to sit down, all the while smiling ear to ear.

Lark held the door open for everyone else, looking in cautiously. It looked like a normal house; no jars of eyeballs, no Frankenstein monsters anywhere, and no genetically-modified organisms either. Well... he wasn't so sure about the last one when he spotted a plate of some mystery casserole on top of the fridge. Anyway, when everyone else entered, he went in himself and closed the door behind him, taking a seat.

Pascal entered, and, for the first time since they got here, he heard something in his mind, but it sounded so unmistakably real. It sounded like Jeb's voice. It's alright. It said in a tone that sounded like a mother telling a child that they're okay. You're safe here. Pascal froze in his tracks, remembering how Rue had told him once that Jeb had done a Voice in Max's head once. But since Pascal could somewhat read minds like Angel, was Jeb simply thinking it? Pascal focused on Jeb's thoughts, but got nothing. It was like Jeb's mind was dead, but Pascal knew he was very well alive. He decided to put this issue off for a minute, and sat down, now knowing that someone informed him that they were safe for the time being.

Kara sat down, curiousity shining in her brown eyes.

Rue sat down after Kara, her muscles tense. Her stomach rumbled unexpectedly, and her cheeks flushed slightly.

Jeb was aware of the rumbling in Rue's stomach, and he eyed her curiously. "My," he said, "You all must be starving! You have all made a long way to get here!" He grabbed his cane, standing up to hobble over to the refridgerator. He looked on top it, which sat the mystery plate and a pizza box. "I have a box of pizza here." he offered, opening the top slightly. "Only one piece is missing." he reported. "But, since I know you all need more to eat than normal people, so I can order another if you finish this one." Jeb took the box down, placing it on the table. "Help yourselves; I insist."

Lark leaned over to Pascal before taking anything. He whispered, "Did you get anything from him?"

Pascal whispered back, "I think it's safe. It's hard to get anything from his mind, but I picked one thing up before." With that, he nodded to Rue and Kara, letting them know it was okay.