Actinium
Legacy Name: Actinium

"Lesson one, not everything is black and white. Something or someone is not just 'good or bad' end of story.”

Our Story begins on a morning in the graveyard the day after a funeral and most likely a day for another. A small dark matter demi was laying on the ground across a pair of fresh graves. Tiny tainted matter orbs would bob around occasionally bonded to the small child by an aura of silver. She sighed quietly, her breath making a small cloud in the cold air. She couldn't remember when she felt so alone it had been weeks after the accident that took the lives of her parents. She laid her chin on her arms and curled her tail around the black velvet dress she wore. She had hidden herself here after the funeral no one had really noticed and she didn't want to go back to the orphanage. She sighed again her eyes closing as she became sleepy from her thoughts and tears her ears drooping sadly as fog lay a bit heavy over the ground giving the place the air of a horror movie as she went to sleep.

Meanwhile in the management office someone was stirring, a young adult male Sheeta. He was of the graveyard style, which at first glance could cause one to get a few odd looks, but one got used to it. He moved silently from the back room, where he had fallen asleep the previous night, with a yawn, stretching. He was clad in a pair of black jeans and a black long sleeved shirt, rather casually for the owner of a cemetery he supposed. Oh well, he dressed better on the day he had clients...Though he paused, noticing with his remaining eye, his day planner. "Oh damn.." He forgot, he did have a client today...within two hours to be precise. Sighing and scratching his head with a paw he frowned, he really needed to stop going out and stealing on nights before meeting with clients early in the morning. "Nothing like starting your day off on the wrong foot." He commented sarcastically to himself but shrugged it off, stretching and yawning again. "Alright...Two hours.. I can change and be ready in two hours...Question is if I can give the okay on the plot they wanted." He mumbled something incoherent to himself and shook his head, heading for the door. "I had better double check..." And with that he headed out, padding between headstones silently. He wondered if the lady who came in the other day demanding her husband be buried in the less extravagant potters field so she would have the money to finish paying off the huge diamond necklace she bought would be much upset when she woke up this morning to find it gone. Oh well, the children at the orphanage would be pleased to have all those new beds the nuns would be able to buy with that 'anonymous donation.' He smirked to himself, paws behind his back idly, though paused in midstep noticing...well the little demi.

He thought for moment, looking towards her silently. Those graves… oh yes, the couple who had only just been buried. Car accident… tragic business really, people needed to learn how to drive in his opinion, too reckless. Though come to think of it there had been mention... of a child. He padded over to her, paws still behind his back and hoping that his appearance wouldn't be too off-putting to someone so young. "Hello?" He asked curiously, smiling kindly.

The demi opened her eyes and groaned a bit rolling over mumbling something about not wanting to go to school today her ears laid back as she pulled her hands over her face to block out the light with a small whine. He stood silently, tilting his head before back stepping and kneeling to be nearer to her level, still smiling kindly. "Good morning sleepyhead, and don't worry, I don't think school is in session on a Sunday." He added with a small chuckle. "Nngh... W-who are you?" She asked with a yawn sitting up rubbing her eyes. "Mestopheles, but you can call me Mest, its a great deal easier to say." He commented with a nod. "I'm the owner of this Cemetery, and I was just coming out to check on something when I noticed you. Its not to healthy to sleep outside in the cold you know." He commented with a nod, tail curling to rest over his paws idly. "Better then in a yucky bed with broken springs.." She said folding her arms looking at the ground. "Sides no one cares bout me now mom an dad are gone..."

"So they were your parents?" He asked, looking at the headstones, remembering the conversations he'd had concerning their burial arrangements. He then looked back to her with a mild frown. "Broken springs...I dare say that sounds like the usual signs of the nearby orphanage. Don't you have any other family members, uncles, aunts...who can take care of you?"

"They dun like kids..." She murmured her ears sagging looking away her eyes tightly shut. He frowned a bit, tail tip twitching. "Well that’s no reason to ship you off to the orphanage." He paused, seeming to consider something for a moment before continuing. "You know... rightfully I can't let you keep sleeping here like this." Was he saying he was going to kick her out? Hard to tell, he didn't look angry, more like... he was thinking. "I'm not going back! I wanna go home!" She said seeming very upset getting up and taking off at a run not taking any chances. He watched her for a moment before sighing and shaking his head, standing up and giving a whistle. In response a raven-like creature with a long tail flew from a nearby tree and glided along, landing on one of his bony horns with a 'craw!'. "Ret, would you be so kind as to follow after her?" "Crrr...Craw craw!" "Yes..I think so too." With that the bird took flight, gliding silently after her. Mest pulling a watch from his pocket. "Hm. Do hope the Smiths don't mind if I end up a bit late. I have a feeling this may take a bit." And with that he took off after her. "Wait!"

The demi cried a bit along the way running through the graves as fast as she could giving a slight scream as she fell into an open hole where a casket was to be buried. Retribution, or Ret, the Munin flying ahead gave a loud 'Crawwww!' and Mest stepped up the pace, skidding to the stop at the edge of the hole with a gasp, tail lashing. "Too close..." Frowning he leaned over to look down. "Oh no.." It was... well a six foot deep hole. Caskets had to go down pretty far. "Ret!" In response the crow dove into the hole and landed on the ground lightly, pausing and hopping towards the girl warily for a look. "Craw...." The Demi appeared to be unconscious from the fall but aside from a twisted Ankle she appeared to be unharmed. She gave a faint groan as she stirred a bit though she didn't really wake up. Ret tilted his head from side to side for a moment, before looking up at Mest with a loud 'Crrraw!'. The Sheeta gave a sigh of relief, it could have been much worse after all. "Thank you Ret... Now then… I have a favor to ask..." Ret gave a 'crrraaawww!' in response, and a second later was, albeit tricky and awkward with his wingspan, shooting out of the hole, carrying her in his talons, now the size of a small SUV. He released her and Mest caught her easily, the Munin shrinking in size again and landing on his horn. "Thank you my friend. ^^" "Craw!" And with that he started to head back to the administration office to clean her up and allow her to rest in the back room. "Ret, do you know if Kethend is nearby?" "Caw!" "Your right, she'll come sniffing about sooner or later."

The demi remained asleep though her tail began to flick a bit and she remained asleep for a few hours. After this she sat up and rubbed her eyes, before looking around the room seeming confused. She wondered way her ankle was hurting so much. There was a small 'mreeeow' from besides the bed where she had been laid, after a moment a black cat with yellow eyes jumped lightly up onto the bed with her, giving another 'mrrreeeow' and sitting, looking at her ankle, which had been bandaged and had ice set on it. The room was quiet, and there didn't seem to be much beside the bed and a dresser, where Ret was perched watching them. There were newspaper clippings hanging on the walls though, about various rare gems and items in museums to be displayed.

"Hi Kitty" She said reaching out her tiny hand to pet the cat carefully wondering if it would scratch. She had always wanted a cat but her parents had wanted to wait a little while more to check the local shelters for one. The cat purred and rubbed against her hand, before mewling and padding closer to her and rolling over to expose her belly, as if wanting a rub. "Mewwww" Ret watched them silently for a moment, before shifting his position and taking flight, gliding across the room and landing on the frame of the bed behind the child. "Craw!" At the noise of the Munin, someone outside the door could be heard saying "Oh it seems I have other business to attend to. I'm sorry for your loss, though I shall see you again in three days once you've... erm... collected... him? Yes, thank you, take care." And after a few moments the door opened and Mest glanced in, now clad smartly in a blue suit and tie. "Oh good! You’re awake. I was worried when Ret told me he thought you would be out much longer."

The little Demi laid her ears back for a moment stopping in mid belly scratch. "You understand the birdy?" She asked seeming confused. "Ret? Oh yes, we've known each other for two years now. When I bought the graveyard he just showed up one day and we became friends. We've got quite a bond." He sat down on the bed and Ret took to the air, landing on his horn again. "Well, that and Ret isn't a normal birdy." He added with a smile. "I see you've met Kethend. You must have a good heart or she wouldn't let you touch her." He commented, Kethend purring and pawing at her as if to continue to scratch her belly. "Mrrrr..."

"Really? How come? She not like mean people or something?" She said petting her some more. "What's so special ‘bout Ret...?" She said seeming confused. "Well Ret, short for Retribution, can… change his form. He can become a much bigger birdy, enough to carry people." Mest explained with a nod, Ret giving another 'crrraw!' in response. Though instead of Mest responding to the question about Kethend, she opened her mouth and… did so herself. "I suppose you could say that little one." "Wow you talked!" She said in awe her tiny fangs now visible in her fox-like muzzle. "And that's neat too! I bet it's fun to fly!" She said with a childish look of glee on her face. Kethend purred and rolled over onto her front again, tail curled neatly beside her and looking at Mest expectantly, Ret giving a 'craw!' and Mest chuckled. "I know guys, I know." He smiled and looked to the Demi. "I never got to learn your name...But Ret is urging me to take you for a fly, normally he can only carry one adult, but I think he can manage one more, don't you buddy?" He added, looking up to the Munin, who cawed in response. Mest nodded and looked back at her. "Would you like to go for a little ride? I'll carry you, you need to stay off that ankle." He said with a smile.

"Oh! That would be nice!" She said gleefully clapping her hands a bit. "My names Actinium... I got it cause I'm different from other Dark matter or so papa said... see the little orbs?" She said pointing at the little orbs that looked less demented and evil then that of usual Darkmatter, in fact they seemed to be somewhat neutral in both expression and temperament. "He said that they are only tainted matter..."

"Tainted huh?" He repeated, leaning in a little for a better look at them with his one eye. Kethend purred while licking idly at her paw. "I figured there was something that made her different... Never reacted well to many Dark Matters. Most are a greedy and dark bunch. Not all... Just a lot of them." Mest nodded in understanding and smiled. "Actinium, it’s a wonderful name." He said with a nod and with that he stood and carefully lifted her up, Ret cawing and jumping from Mest's horn, gliding out of the room. "He'll meet us outside." He explained, following after the crow-like minion. Kethend purred and yawned, curling up into a ball on the bed to catch a nap. She never was one much for flying. "Bye Kitty" Actinium waved as she was carried out of the room. "So... how comes you work here?" She asked with a blink seeming unbothered by his half dead appearance.

Mest smiled, seemingly glad she wasn't too off put by the way he looked, many were, and seemed to consider her question for a moment. "Well, I was raised by someone who used to work here. I was alone too once; my dad died when I was very young, and a few years later my mom followed after him. My younger sister and I were put in an orphanage, she got adopted and I ran away and came here. The one who found me, was a graveyard alignment like myself, an Irion named Loex. He raised me here because he needed to stay here at the graveyard to guard things. After he died I saved up money for two years and bought this place myself." He explained with a nod, leaving out only a few choice details. "But that’s enough of me, I hate hearing myself talk." He commented with a smile as they walked out, Ret in his larger form and crouched over waiting for them. "Craaaaw!" "I'm getting to that Ret, keep your tail feathers on." Mest scolded jokingly as he slid onto the Munin carefully, keeping a good grip on Actinium and sitting her in front of him so he could keep a good grip on her. Ret waiting until they were secure before giving a, well understandable much more daunting sounding 'CAW!' and taking flight. Mest smiling as they steadily gained altitude. "Actinium, I have a question I'd like to ask you actually. Ret seems to think I keep forgetting judging by how many times he’s reminded me."

"What?" She said clinging to him a bit after the first part of the take off looking up at him seeming confused. "Well...You mentioned other members of your family really… don't seem too eager to take you in. And you ran off earlier before I could finish what I had to say." He added with a joking smirk, adjusting position a bit so he could sit comfortably and she would feel secure he had a good grip on her as Ret evened his flight ascent out and glided along with his massive wingspan at its biggest. "What I'm getting at is I know that the orphanage isn't the nicest place, though I can't let you just sleep outside in the graveyard." He paused thoughtfully, before looking down at her with a smile. "So how would you like to live with Ret, Kethend and I?"

"Wha... Really?" She said seeming astonished before smiling "You sure it’s okay? I mean... My auntie thinks I'm evil." She said her ears drooping. He frowned at the comment by her aunt and only shook his head, smiling and hugging her close. "I don't care what your aunt thinks. Ret, Keth and I are all in agreement. We want to give you a home and welcome you into our family, if you'd like that is." He added with a smile. "I've never cared for anyone before aside from Ret and Keth, but Loex was an excellent teacher, and I'd be more than happy to do whatever I could to give you as happy a life as he gave me." He said with a soft smile. She thought for a moment and she nodded. "Okay I wanna stay with you. You're nice... like my Daddy was... but... my aunty... she forced me into the orphanage with out my stuff... it’s back in the house and she's gonna Sell it!” She said with a frown. "I wouldn't be upset... but the necklaces mommy and daddy gave me are still in there..."

He frowned a bit, though this quickly turned into a thoughtful look. "Hmm...Do you know how soon she's going to sell it?" "Crrraww?" "Yes I am Ret...Yes I am..."

"Dunno she says house is evil too... she blames me for everything bad... even what happened to mom and dad" She said her ears sagging. He narrowed his eye a bit, and raised astray paw to finger the chain of a necklace which was hard to spot period as the majority of it was under his suit. "That’s not true, there is no way you could ever be responsible for such a thing... It was a car accident, I remember... discussing the matter when making the arrangements. Listen, you aren't bad, there was no way you could ever be responsible for such a thing. Now as for the house... Ret, circle back would you? We need to get Kethend and I need to change my clothes. We've got a job." "Craaaw! Caw!" And with that the huge Munin banked easily in the air and started to glide back for the cemetary. "Don't worry Actinium. We'll get your necklaces back."

"How?" She said seeming confused. At this Mest smirked impishly. "Your looking at a master thief. Been at it since I was around your age. Slipping into an empty house won't be a problem. And don't worry." He added, placing a paw on her shoulder. "I plan to teach you everything I know."

"Isn't stealing bad though?" She asked seeming perplexed.

He chuckled a bit smiling. "You know, that’s what I used to think." He shook his head. "Lesson one, not everything is black and white. Something or someone is not just 'good or bad' end of story. Stealing from people to only make yourself richer, or to make someone suffer when they don't deserve it, that’s what a bad thief will do. When I started to steal I did it to feed my mom and my sister, because my mom was too weak to work and my sister was too young. People don't help others, a lot of people are greedy. That’s why you have to try and learn... to go out of your way to help someone. I steal from people who have too much and don't appreciate it, and I sell their stuff. But I never keep their money; I give it away to people who need it, orphanages, homeless families, charities. That’s when stealing turns from something bad to something good. That’s when a thief becomes an 'honorable thief'."

"Oh... Like Robin hood!" She said with a smile nodding in understanding. "He stole from the bad king and gave it to the people he was hurting" He smiled and nodded, chuckling a bit. "Keth mentioned that once, apparently it’s a trend." He joked but nodded. "I may not be stealing from a 'king' exactly, but the idea is the same." He grinned and glanced at Ret, who had his head turned to glance back at them and gave a caw. "Heh, that’s the kind of thief I'm going to teach you how to be, and this... Well this'll be your first mission." He added with a wink of his one eye. "Only difference is you get to keep the stuff your after, because really... they do belong to you, your aunt stole 'em. So... we're just gunna steal 'em back from right under her ugly nose." He commented with a grin. "Sound like fun?"

"Yeah!" She said with a mischievous little grin and a small giggle. "Can I call you Robin hood?" She asked tilting her head to the side. He blinked and glanced at Ret, who gave an absurdly loud 'crrrararara!' as if laughing. He then grinned, taking it in stride and smirking. "Of course! And you can be a 'Merry lady' alongside Keth. Ret can be Little Jon." He added mischievously, Ret seeming to find this even more hilarious and cawed in amusement. Actinium giggled and she clung to him a bit seeming a bit sleepy.

And so they returned home and tended Actinium’s leg a little more so she could walk on it a little, and as it grew dark, the 'mission' went underway. In the darkness of night Ret flew along high in the sky, Mest back in his black sweats and long black shirt holding onto Actinium, and Kethend curled up in Actinium's lap. "Is it much farther? I really don't like it up here." "Caw craw?" "I am not afraid of heights birdbrain! I just don't like… flying. Nothing to sink my claws into to hang on… besides you." "Caaaaw!" "Drop me and your dead meat!" The cat shot back in ill temper, Mest chuckling, glancing up when Ret cawed again and started to descend as they drew near to their destination. "Is Keth always so mean to Ret?" Actinium asked as they neared her old house. "Shes only playing, I think its just because she’s a cat and he’s a bird and not many times do they agree. She’s only in a bad mood because she doesn't like to fly." He chuckled as Keth glanced down and shuddered, snuggling closer to Actinium.

Ret's sharp eyes scanned the area briefly, circling around the house once before landing silently outside and crouching for them to slide off. Mest grinning and sliding off and pulling a small bag from a black belt slung loosely on his waist. "Lets see… I doubt your wicked witch of the west aunt would make it easy and leave things unlocked, but that’s fine, I always love a good challenge." He paced near a window thoughtfully for a moment before nodding and glancing at Actinium. "Did your house have a security system?"

"Um yeah... but aunty doesn’t know how to change the code… and I know how to turn it off" Actinium replied. "Good, that'll make things easier." He commented, looking through the window to see if he could spot the panel inside. "Yup, it’s armed...Alright...Do you think you could disarm it for us my merry lady?" "Why turn the security on for an empty house..." Keth meowed in annoyance, jumping onto the window ledge to sit. "Cause my aunty is weird…" She said blinking and looking around before finding the hider key her mom had kept in a potted plant and she stood on a stool by the door and unlocked it and opened it going inside and punching in the number turning it off.

Kethend prowled in after her with a 'mrrreeeoooww' of interest and started to explore stealthily. Mest glancing after her. "Don't worry… she won't take anything without your permission. It is your house after all." He frowned a bit, shame he couldn't do anything to help her keep this place... he'd have to score something huge to buy a house. After all there was never a problem living on the graveyard grounds. He'd need to remodel a bit to make sure it was comfortable for Actinium, but he didn't mind. "Ret, keep a lookout would you?" "Caww!" He shifted back into his tiny form and took to the air silently, gliding along outside the house for a moment before perching on the roof. Mest smiling to Actinium. "Alright, so where are your necklaces?""This way" She said going up the stairs and up into her bed room opening the door showing a room with neatly stacked toys and plushies and what seemed to be a jewelry box on a tiny school desk littered with crayons and coloring books. Actinium opened the box and a blue glow filled the room. She seemed puzzled. "Robin the other one's gone" He paused to marvel at how tidy and welcoming the room seemed, though frowned a bit when she spoke up. "Gone? Oh crap." He murmured, pausing a bit. "What does it look like? I can get Keth to help us out, shes particularly good at finding 'shinies' as she calls them."

"Oh you wont find it" A dark matter tigrean said walking into the room. "I got rid of that little trinket when your parents were buried you little witch…" She sneered glaring. Actinium grabbed the box and hid behind Mest. Mest, if he was startled, didn't show it as he held his stance protectively in front of her, narrowing his eye. "Hey now, I won't tolerate you calling my Merry lady names." He growled dangerously, arms crossed. "Now are you going to be a halfway decent creature and tell us where exactly it is? Or are you going to make me break code for once and hit a lady. If one could call you that." He added cheekily.

"And help that little monster behind you? Never... Her parents should have dumped her long ago and look what happened..." She snorted folding her arms. "Oh? And tell me why you think so my dear wretch. She is a delightful and kind child who deserves a loving home! Though I suppose since you’re a bitter old bat you want everyone else to be the same then right?" He added with sneer, baring sharpened teeth briefly and straying a paw near to his necklace pendant, a scythe. "Because she's not even a true dark matter for one... those tainted little orbs and that strange aura you have no idea what she is capable of…" She pointed at Actinium accusingly who had poked her head out for a second.

"And your point is? It makes her unique, and I for one think that is what makes her all the more special. In fact I would daresay she puts most of you so called 'true dark matter' aligned types to shame. Greedy and evil lot most your kind are, and you seem to be no exception." He growled, tail tip twitching. "I intend to find out what she is capable of, and praise her all the same and help her realize her true potential. But you know I think the real problem you've ever had with her is that you’re jealous. Of her potential, of the fact she’s different...because she’s better than you ever could be." He narrowed his eye and took a step toward her. "Now I'm only going to ask once more. Where is her property? Think carefully, or this is liable to get ugly."

She shrugged. "I burned it.." She said folding her arms, a small gasp being heard from Actinium. "That's not fair! My dad gave me that!" "Your father was freak just like you!" She snapped. Actinium’s ears going back and her matter glowing somewhat blue as the Tigrean was shot across the room by a large blast of water a stuffed clown landing on her head with a loud squeak. "Don't talk about Daddy like that!" She growled her hand outstretched.

Mest growled and made to make a move, though Actinium made a move first and he raised an eye ridge, giving a whistle. "Good show my merry lady!" He ran a paw over his pendant and in a brief flash of light it had enlarged to a full sized scythe which he twirled expertly with one paw before setting it into a relaxed position at his side and addressing the Tigrean. "Might be wanting to think before you speak again fleabag! If she doesn't do you more harm, rest assured that I will." He added with a menacing look in his eye. Keth meanwhile was sneaking silently their way, having been attracted by the noise. The tigrean growled and Actinium hid behind Mest again. "Maybe we should go..."

Mest didn't immediately answer, eye narrowed and glaring darkly at the Tigrean. "It's your house my merry lady, you shouldn't have to leave if you don't want to." He responded, scythe held at the ready. "But if that’s what you want and we have what we came for, I'm willing to head out when you’re ready." His ear moved slightly and he smirked a bit as Kethend prowled into the room, eyes gone from yellow to crimson red and fangs bared in a hiss. "Reeeeooooww....HSSS!!!" And just like that she charged, leaping for the Tigrean's face with her claws out. "I... don't really wanna.... but... I dun wanna fight either…" She frowned though gasping as her aunt gave a roar and made to flee so she could escape the evil psycho cat. Keth didn't seem to make it that easy, pursuing the Tigrean, hissing and spitting like a demon. Mest watched and released his hold on the scythe, which shrunk and returned to pendant form on his necklace. "Seems our other merry lady Keth will do the fighting for you..." He seemed to consider something and looked to Actinium, kneeling to her level and placing his paws on her shoulders. "I can see why you don't like your aunt much, cruel thing she is...I only wish... we had arrived sooner."

Actinium opened the box and put a water mage amulet around her neck before looking up at him. "It’s Okay..." She said with a frown. He nodded and smiled sadly, but looked at her pendant. "That’s very nice, you wear it well. Now is there anything else you wanted to take before we leave here..?"
"Daddy was a wizard..." She said blinking. "Mom said I gots my magic from him"
"That makes you all the more special then." He responded with a nod and a smile. "And don't let anyone ever tell you different." She gave a smile and a nod and she tucked her amulet into her dress. "Um let’s see... I needs my clothes... um... my puppy... and maybe we should take daddy's old books too" She said her ears sagging. "That okay? You can take some stuff too... don't care so long as aunty don't get it."
"That’s fine." He responded with a smile, but paused as Keth came strolling back, eyes normal yellow again and carrying... a pendant similar to the one Actinium had though this one was green in color. "Don't bother packing your things...I think we can stay here for the night. Also I found this... when I was looking around. It’s yours right?"

"Hey the other amulet! It’s not burned!" She cheered taking it happily. "Thank you Keth!" She said hugging the kitty tight. Keth gave a slightly startled 'murrroooowww!' but didn't fight it, though winced a little. "Ungh..o.x; Glad I...can't die...Not..breathing...." Mest smiled and paused, pretty sure he knew where Keth had chased the aunt. "Hm...Actinium, I'll be right back okay? I need to check something. When I come back, let me know what you want for dinner okay?" Her ears perked up and she nodded with a smile. "Alright!" Keth meowed and rubbed up against Actinium with a purr, once she could breathe anyway. "How would you like to keep living here Actinium..? Because I think you can now..." What was she talking about? She didn't elaborate as she ran her tongue over her paws idly, cleaning her claws a bit. "I'd really like to but... how? Aunty owns the house and she's gonna sell it" She said with a frown as she sat on her bed and picked up her puppy plushie. Keth jumped onto the bed with a meow and sat down next to her, curling her tail over her paws. "Oh I don't think your aunt will interfere in your life anymore." She responded cryptically. "If you'd allow us, we can all live here. I do remember courts willing items to other family members...when one has died."

"Yeah!" She smiled happily "We're family now aren’t we?" She said blinking a few times. "We should visit the orphanage tomorrow if Robin has time... Then he can sign the papers..." She said making a writing motion. "Oh yes… I'm sure he'll have time. No clients to meet tomorrow for once. Maybe the nuns will remember him." She added thoughtfully, tail lashing. Mest returning then with Ret on his horn. "Well then my merry lady, have you decided what you'd like for dinner?"
"Um.. Pizza?" She asked innocently tilting her head to the side. "Hey Robin... think we can go to the Orphanage tomorrow so you can tell the nuns you adopted me?" She asked with a blink. He paused with a blink, looking skyward. "The nuns..Heh..That'll sure be a blast from the past...When I left there was enough candy bars hidden between the mattress to end world hunger. Sure, we have to do this the right way, right?" With that he nodded and glanced at Ret as he flew off to find a phone to bring for them to use. Actinium nodded though gave a slight whine her ears sagging as she rubbed her ankle it was hurting a lot from the little expedition.

Mest frowned a bit and glanced at Keth. "Think you could get some ice for our merry lady?" Keth gave a 'mrrrow' of amusement but did as she was told, leaping down from the bed and prowling off. Ret returning with a cordless phone clutched in his claws, sort of slipping and dropping it on Mest's head, who gave an extremely over exaggerated expression of shock and fell over to try and amuse Actinium. "Agh! Little Jon how could you betray me?!" "Caw!" Actinium giggled a bit and she looked at him her ears pricked up in alert. "Are you okay Robin?" She asked curiously. He played dead and didn't respond, Ret circling a moment before landing near him and hopping closer with a curious 'craw?' "....Boo!" Mest suddenly 'came back to life' and Ret gave in indignant 'CRAW CAW CAW!!!' And took flight, scattering a few feathers and landing up on the top of a shelf. Mest winking at Actinium. "Just fine my Merry Lady. Takes more than that to kill old Robin!" He chuckled and sat up, glancing at the phone for a moment before to the demi child. "What kind of pizza do you like?"

"Um... Cheese and bacon" She said blushing a bit seeming embarrassed. He smiled and tilted his head a bit. "Sounds fine to me, but why do you look a bit embarrassed? Come on, tell old Robin."
"Doesn't seem like something a girl would like... I like weird foods... like sushi" She said rubbing the back of her neck. "Spinach is okay too"
"Now who says because your a girl you have to eat a certain way?" He asked curiously, before smiling a bit. "Listen, it doesn't matter what you like, you go on and eat it. Don't pay any attention to what other people say." He nudged her playfully with a paw as he stood and sat on the bed next to her. "No such thing as 'weird foods'. Unless you count the stuff Keth has brought home." He added as the cat returned with a bag of ice in her teeth and a muffled 'oh ha ha'

Actinium giggled and nodded. "Okay" She said with a smiled digging around in a desk drawer pulling out some playing cards throwing them at a small foam dart board across the room mounted on the wall. Mest paused to remember the nearest pizza place in the area and started to dial, ordering for delivery and once done and hanging up glancing at her as she tossed the cards. "Where'd you learn to do that?"
“Do what?" She asked hitting the bulls eye several times making the cards stick about an inch or more into the foam dart board. "Throw cards like that." He responded, watching her with interest. "Um... Not sure... but I can mess with the paper and stuff in them and make them do what ever I want I made a set of stairs once" She beamed.

He smiled a bit, seeming impressed. "Good show… You know that could be pretty darn useful." He added thoughtfully, leaning back a bit. "Another lesson of a noble thief, always have more than one escape plan. With a bit of practice I think you can have some great ones."
"Really?" She asked tilting her head to the side. "Wouldn't be kinda hard if I glow all the time?" He smiled a bit and winked. "A good theif can learn to overcome any problem my good merry lady. Between too crafty ones like us, we'll figure out something." She gave a nod and blinked. "I'm outta cards" He chuckled a bit and glanced up, hearing the doorbell. "Hm. Fast... Guess who’s getting a good tip. Ret, would you mind helping out our dear Merry Lady?" He asked as he stood and went to answer the door. Ret giving a 'Caw!' and flying to the wall, trying to pull the cards tha stuck there free with his beak without damaging them

The cards didn't come loose easily however and Actinium laid backwards on her bed with a wide yawn pulling her puppy plushie close. Ret cawed and clawed at the wall for a moment before giving up and changing to his larger form, taking up a much larger portion of the room, but chances were finding it much easier to remove the cards that were stuck fast.

And so the rest of the night passed by otherwise uneventfully. Morning came and while watching the morning news and eating breakfast, muting it when there was mention of an unidentified dark matter tigrean dying in a climbing accident, Mest scanned the phonebook to make an appointment. And so within a couple of hours Mest set out with Actinium for the orphanage, Ret gliding along behind them a decent height. Actinium was still unable to put a whole lot of pressure on her leg and thus was riding piggy back on Mest hanging on to his horns as a safety measure trying not to pull too hard as she looked around. He didn't seem to mind as they walked the sidewalk to the orphanage, getting a few stares now and then. Mest having commented earlier to pay not attention when people stared, they were admiring her beauty, and seeming oblivious to them as they walked. "You feel up to some ice cream after a successful first mission my Merry Lady? ^ "
"Oh! Yes please!" She cheered hugging him around his neck with a small giggle. Mest chuckled and smiled with a nod. "Alright then my little merry lady! Ice cream it is! First things first though." He added as they rounded the corner and he stood in front of the wrought iron gates of the orphanage, pausing. "Huh… Still looks vaguely like Auschwitz. Maybe I should steal something that'll get enough money for them to buy a more welcoming fence." He commented with a blink before walking in with her.

Actinium blinked and looked at the orphanage. "Maybe... but don't you haves a person you have to go to work and see in the morning?"
"Hm? Oh you mean clients? Well that’s simple my dear. With my job I'm allowed to bend my schedule around my terms." He commented with a wink. "I never have clients earlier than 11 in the morning, nor later than 6 in the evening. They don't seem to mind too much though. Gives me time to sell off things, donate the money and get a few hours of sleep." He commented with a small nod. "Day jobs my dear, are very important, we have to make an honest living, but find a job that allows for our lifestyles. You'll learn soon enough." He added as they walked in the door and he glanced around the empty halls. "Hm… Must be in the back playground. Lets see..Administrati--ow!" He swung his paw and blinked as suddenly there was a plastic ruler being waved in his face by an aged angelic Ruffie. "Mestopheles! Its been ages! ^^" "Aye...And you still swing that ruler as hard as I remember Sister Karin." He responded as he rubbed his paw ruefully. "o. Umf.." Sister Karin paused, noting the small Demi and frowning. "Actinium we were worried sick about you! Where have you been?"

"I was with him" she said pointing down at Mest's head. "He came to adopt me! ^^" She chimed hugging him happily again to the point of near strangulation. Mest coughed and choked a bit, grinning sheepishly. "I can't...adopt you...if you str..angle me...dear... x. ;" Sister Karin paused, before smiling a bit, and smacking Mest playfully with the ruler again, earning a yelp from the sheeta as he massaged his paw again. "Good for you! ^^ You know when you were adopted by that kind Irion, God rest his soul, I didn't think he would be able to break you of your habit of thievery, I have to say all the chocolate bars I confiscated from you...It took us a year to finally finish giving them as treats to the children...But here you are an upstanding citizen! ^^" "I won't be standing much longer if you two keep abusing me. o. ;" Actinium giggled and she let go of Mest's neck, leaning over his shoulder curiously her tail swishing like a cat that had spotted a ball of yarn.

Sister Karin smiled and motioned to them with her paw. "Come on then, follow me and we'll get your paperwork done. Where will you be living now?" "Well...I had been living on the graveyard property since I purchased it, but we're looking into getting a house." "Oh good! No offense dear but a graveyard is a bit of a creepy place to grow up..." "I suppose so. Never bothered me, but then again look at my type alignment." He added with a smile as they went into the office. "Doesn't seem so bad... I mean I can visit mom and dad..." Actinium said laying her chin on Mest's head. Mest took a seat across from Sister Karin, who sat at the other side of the desk and retrieved some papers from a drawer built in. "I suppose so dear… All the same it might not be exactly safe were you to play alone among the graves… There are sinkholes and open graves waiting to be filled." Mest grimaced slightly, she'd already took a tumble into one of those, but he spoke up. "Well don't worry Sister; she won't be unsupervised while we're at the cemetery."

Actinium tugged on one of Mest's ears. "Can I get down please?" she asked with a blink. Mest nodded and carefully took her from her perch on him and set her down gently, murmuring 'careful of your ankle' before glancing up as the sister passed papers to him to fill out. Actinium pulled herself up into his lap and sat down since there wasn't another chair in the room. Mest smiled as he started to fill out the paperwork, asking her questions every now and then as well as explaining a few things. Sister Karin smiling and offering Actinium a candy bar from her desk drawer. "Would you like some candy?"
"Yes please!" Actinium said with a nod reaching out her hand from around Mest's arm to avoid blocking his view. Mest leaned forward a bit to allow her to reach easier with a smile. Sister Karin handing her the candy with a kind smile. "You know Mest, things have been looking up recently for this place, only yesterday we got a large anonymous donation and we can buy the children new beds. Isn't that wonderful?!" "Yes! I'm glad Sister!" He commented as he filled out the last portion and held it for Actinium. "Can you sign your name here?"

Actinium nodded and she took the pen and signed her full name on to the paper and set the pen down. Mest nodded and smiled, slipping the paper to the sister who looked over it with a nod before giving it a stamp. "There, its official. ^^ Let me just runoff a copy and you two will be set to leave." Actinium fidgeted a bit and didn't seem to want to eat her candy right that moment saving it for later. It only took a few moments before Sister Karin returned and handed Mest a copy of the papers. "There we go, its official now. You lucky pair!" She added as she took another swing at Mest, though for the back of his head, thankfully he ducked in time. "Thank you so much Sister!” Actinium seemed overjoyed and she clung to Mest again in a hug seeming very attached to him. Mest grunted a bit, perhaps at the intensity of the hug, but smiled and held her close, returning it with a smile. Sister Karin smiling as well, glad that Actinium too had found a good home now and moving off to file her papers. "Well off with you two now. Enjoy each others company!" "Right, we've got an ice cream parlor to get to, right?" Mest commented, smiling down at Actinium

Actinium smiled and nodded. "Uh huh!" she said with smile though frowning. "I feel kinda bad bout you carrying me all the time though.."
"Oh I don't mind." He commented as he lifted her up to his shoulders and winked, adding in a whisper "After all, Robin has to be valiant to the ladies right?" and with that he headed out with her, waving a paw. "Take care Sister Karin! And keep up those ruler skills!" He added jokingly, the ruffie waving after them and smiling a bit. "I'm happy for them. ^^"

And so 20 years came to pass and Actinium led a happy childhood with a loving adoptive father. She had long since completed her training and her day job was a newspaper reporter. But now it was night and a black demi with black clothes and a jester mask was seen running from the cops amongst roof tops. She threw a deck of cards and used then to span a large gap between the roof tops and she ran across the small bridge which collapsed soon after she made it across the cops stopping and shouting curses at her as she made her escape a jeweled goblet in hand. Ret, in small form, watched silently from a perch on a streetlamp, high above the pursuit, ruffling his feathers slightly and clicking his beak idly. Silently he took to the air, following after her, gaining altitude to be harder to spot against the night sky. Mest was taking the night off because an insistent client demanded a nine o clock meeting, so Ret had nothing to do for the night. Giving a 'Caw!' as he fly along, seeming interested in what she had done thus far, and wanting to see what would 'come next' as if some show. "Craw!"

Another Munin and a Hugin joined him soon after the two birds known as Popple and Rookie they were Actinium's partners in crime and her dog, Reno remained at home at Actinium's apartment though. She often visited Mest and kept her thieving gear well hidden. She took the goblet and hid it in the graveyard so she could wait until the uproar died down enough for her to sell it and then donate the money she earned. Ret acknowledged the other two with brief 'craw's as he glided along. Since Actinium had moved to her own apartment it was like pulling hens teeth to get Mest to stop sleeping in the graveyard management office and stay at the house, and judging by the light on in the office that held true for tonight. Kethend gave an amused 'mreeeooow' as she spotted Actinium and prowled over. "Good haul tonight...?"
"Yup.." She said taking off her mask and fixing her hair a bit. "Is old Robin still sleeping in there?" she said seeming concerned. "Of course." Keth meowed in response, idly licking a paw and running it over her face. "Can I have a look at what you got?" She had such an affinity for shiny things...But she would never steal from either Actinium or Mest. She just liked to stare.

"Sure... just don't leave it out in the open.. I have to keep it hidden until the cops get their undies out of a wad long enough for me to sell it" She said walking into the building tugging on Mest's ears. "Hey Robin hood..." she said softly with a smile in place. Keth purred like a content kitten and moved to stare at the trinket with a purr. Inside Mest had appeared to have been sleeping at first glance with a magazine resting on his face, though this was the opposite as he smiled when she tugged on his ears and lifted the magazine. "Hey there Merry Lady, thought you might drop by, I wanted to congratulate you on that report on a rare and exotic goblet being shipped into town by that pompous billionaire." He winked and chuckled a bit, setting the magazine aside. "Sure going to enjoy the report tomorrow on how it went missing mysteriously."