Magenta hair is spiked in every direction, singed at the edges, greasy from a lack of care. Similarly coloured eyes dance with the light of flames, even as they stare past the metal figure in front of them, choosing to focus on the lens of their glasses, glimmering with the footage of their workshop. It’s...clearly visible, now that they know what they’re looking for. Here, and further on, and...the next day on the tape as well... a small figure, shifting in and out of the shadows. Stealing their things. Paper clips. Cuff links. Small figures.

Flint Fevre’s fingers continue to heat the metal between their fingertips, rolling it into a thin metal tube as they turn it into the body of a pen. The footage plays over, over and over, through the days, the weeks- spotting of the figure as they attempt to determine how they’re doing this. They’ll set up smaller cameras in more fitting positions to catch this...little thief clad in black.

A blonde haired girl with a height of only a couple of inches, seated on the edge of a rooftop with small thin white wings fluttering behind her. Soft blue eyes wander the enormous city far below, overwhelmed by the sight of it all. She’s not used to such a large place with so many people, but...it’s...better than being alone.

A minuscule figure with black wings pressed against their back, glinting in the low lighting much like their leather jacket, amber eyes flitting around the grungy bar below them. It’s quite the place to stay for someone like them. Plenty of food gets dropped and no one ever notices if it goes missing. Now they just need to wait for the perfect moment.

A red headed borrower walking along a tree branch, a small lute in hand constructed from an acorn cap and spider silk. A red and black spotted carapace rests upon his back, shielding a set of fine, lacy wings that are never used. He’s hidden well behind the beautiful blossoms that surround him, the gentlest of aromas dancing by with the slightest of breezes. It’s a beautiful way to spend a summer’s day, and he’s grateful for the chance to wander here, undisturbed.

A city dwelling borrower with chitin plated armour along his back and the back of his arms like a built in shield, easily protecting his body if he needs to curl up and protect himself. If he crouched down he almost looks like a rock, which is a wonderful disguise for someone who traverses the side of the roads seeking out crumbs before birds are able to snatch them up. The black haired borrower runs along the side of the road, a bag strapped to his chest with his belongings, keeping them completely safe from the stray cat stalking after him.

A green haired feral borrower is perched in a hollow, a small area carved into the side of a tree. Tiny handmade jars are stacked carefully along the walls of the hollow, full of what appear to be an assortment of golden and berry coloured liquids and jellies. Beautiful brown, golden, green, and transparent wings that flutter calmly as they stir a small pot with a bubbling liquid inside. The setting sun glints off of their glistening wings, golden eyes flicking out to the world beyond their hovel. So much to explore, to learn...they have all the time in the world.

A brown haired young girl sits atop a flower, legs folded beneath her as translucent wings open and shut beneath her. She tilts her chin up to bask in the soft sunshine, smiling a little at a glimpse of brown from beneath her. Her older brother sits at the base of the flower, visible only through the gaps in the petals. His stature may be small, but the stinger wrapped gently around him definitely holds some danger. Not...not much, given it’s size, but...he likes to think himself capable of defending them both, and the venom he’s harvested from it lines a couple of daggers tucked into the pocket of his jacket. His fingers tap nervously against the handles, something in him warning him to keep his eyes sharp.

A young borrower stands over a workbench in the attic of a building, brushing their damp magenta hair back from their face with a grease covered arm. The attic is lit by a faint magenta glow from beneath the burgundy tinted carapace along their back. The small window at the edge of the attic blows open, drawing their frazzled gaze to the steadily darkening world beyond it. Their hands still over their assembled metallic contraption, expression one of confusion as they stare to the horizon. They brush off their unease quickly, shutting the window and turning their attention back to their work. It’s nothing, they’re certain.

Red hair rests on the shoulder of a young girl, the borrower peering down from her perch in the rafters at the lively scene below. Bar patrons laugh and smile, passing drinks around and singing drunkenly into the device at the front. A smile rests on her lips as a particular tune comes on and she stands, stretching her beautiful wings out behind her. The routine she’s made fits the song perfectly, delicate footsteps purposeful and thought through well enough that she’s never in danger of falling, always just out of sight. As the music fades she takes a seat once more, out of breath and cheeks red with the effort of her show for none, eyes light with a deep sense of joy.

A young android stands at attention next to a pen holder, waiting for instructions from his owner, metallic beetle carapace glinting behind him as he smiles softly, eyes bright. He gently fiddles with his fingers, eager to please. He folds his hands in front of him, watching the empty room. A clock chimes in the distance, and he finds his gaze wandering to the nearby hallway. He’s been alone quite a long time now...perhaps...tomorrow, his owner will return?

A suited male borrower stands atop the ruins of what was once a borrower’s village, surveying the damage done with glowing purple eyes. Dragonfly style wings are settled on either side of him, his hands folded behind his back. A black haired borrower steps closer, taking a knee before him with black and white wings folded behind him, the faintest fluff littering them as he’s brought back up to his feet to report. They both grow silent suddenly as faint sound of bells rings in the distance, drawing both of their attention.

Darkness, swirling and shifting. That’s all it was, surely, their small shadow shifting as they turned the corner. Just the shadow.

They must have imagined the colourful glint, like clouds at sunset or the light from an old lamp post. It’s too dark to have seen...eyes? In the shadows? No, it must be a reflection in a puddle, right? Their parents would have said that. That it’s just a figment of their imagination. “Stop being silly, Adrian. A little boy like you should be studying, not playing some stupid pretend game” they would surely have said.

The child hates when their parents say things like that.

They hate when their parents call them Adrian, too.

They brush it off and duck into the dimly lit side street where they are familiar, accompanied only by the sound of their footsteps and yet feeling... so far from alone. Usually the darkness feels comfortable but today it seems claustrophobic.

The thud of their footsteps grows heavier and faster, a desperate rhythmic tapping that mimics their pounding heart.

Maybe if they make it to the light, if they just get to the sidewalk-

Silence. Their steps stammer to a stop, a figure standing at the end of the path. It’s wavering, dark form looms above them, slowly shrinking to the same size as them.

It steps closer and they freeze, unable to run away out of pure stubbornness. Their parents aren’t here, now...they...won’t even know, right? What’s the harm in seeing what happens?

Shadowy tendrils arch above them and in a moment the young child is surrounded entirely by darkness, the figure stepping into them. All light is drowned out, their lungs feel empty as something darker settles into their chest, fear tearing through their body. They’re going to die, they’re going to-

With a gasp Hadria sits up, chestnut hair plastered to their forehead with sweat. Their chest rises and falls with terrified, heaving breaths as the haziness of sleep fades from amber eyes. The familiar feelings of this place ground them. The chill seeping through their jeans from the metal beam beneath their legs, the gentle breeze from the holes in the warehouse ceiling...

Moss green eyes reflect the flickering lights of the small television as the musician lays in the back of his van watching a fireworks show, running his hand over a border collie curled against. The announcers onscreen count down and he smiles, scratching the pup’s ears.

Amber eyes watch the sunset from the roof of a rundown warehouse as very illegal fireworks are set off beside them, filling the air with the burnt scent as the figure beside them stares up at the colourful sparks, reflecting them in wide magenta eyes. The smell of gunpowder and the feeling of sparks on your skin. Reborn in shadows and fire alike.

A young man sits in an old couch, it’s springs digging into his back as he leans against it, asleep where he lays. A bullet proof vest hangs on the back of the apartment door, a shiny badge glinting in the light from distant fireworks.

In a beautiful manor far from the shabby building, a man stands at his balcony to watch the fireworks, his arm around his sister. Her childlike gaze trails every movement of the colours, and she jumps at the booms and pops felt in her chest but not heard. The man raises a glass of champagne to no one as they hit the hour, placing a kiss to the dark haired girl’s temple.

A loud club filled with friends, allies, and the smell of cheap booze. A girl dressed all in red raises a glass, her voice joining the crowd as they beckon the new year. She’s not alone, this time around.

Somewhere in town wanders a young girl, broken down and confused, cowering from the unknown sounds and explosions. She is lost, in more ways than one, and even...barely human.”

The silver gleam of moonlight shines through gaps in the wooden ceiling, washing over ivy hair and golden eyes. Their voice turns gentler, now.

48. Do they have any tattoos? What are the stories behind those tattoos?

Hadria has a simple black and white design of torn wings on their back. Whether this is a tattoo or something else is unclear. Micah has a tiny clouded full moon tattoo on his left shoulderblade.

49. Do they have any piercings?

Addie lives In libraries in large mansions. She loves to read and learn as much as she possibly can, but often gets easily distracted and can have some close calls. She relies on schedules and can get into tight spaces due to assuming a bean won’t be back for a while and being more reckless. She’s smart, fast, and resourceful though, so she’ll always be hard to find and harder to get to trust you. She’s terrified of humans and sticks firmly to the borrower rules. Her nest is in the vents and contains a blanket, a small jar for food, and a container for water. Just the essentials. Well. The essentials and the things necessary to brew tea. She has a small shard of glass fastened to a handle as a weapon/tool. She has empathic abilities, allowing her to sense when beans are nearby.

Hadria lives wherever they feel like. Their ability to hide in shadows and go unseen in even the most open of places is unrivalled. A bean doesn’t stand a chance of finding them or even noticing they’re around until they get comfortable and start taking bigger things. Jewelry. Cuff links. Things like that. They keep an actual dragon’s hoard in their nest, full of all kinds of shiny trinkets. They don’t care about being seen by humans due to their agile nature, they simply assume they’ll never be caught. Beans are slow and clumsy, and Hadria is better than them. Beans don’t scare this thief at all. They have no weapon, nor a hook and rope. They simply...get around. They can quite literally travel through the shadows, making their life about a million times easier.

Micah makes his nest in the walls situated so that the closest exit is in the kitchen. That way he can get out and get food easily, limiting his time in the open. He’s a brilliant and resourceful borrower despite his recklessness, and can make just about anything if he finds the right materials. His big project is the guitar he’s working on carving. His weapon of choice is a sewing pin he carries strapped to his hip. Micah is likely to leap into battle if necessary. His nest is the best furnished, with little stools made out of bobbins, a little makeshift medical kit to one side, shelves for food and herbs, and a lineup of treasures on one wall. Things he’s yet to find a use for, like acorns and feathers and leaves. He’s curious about humans but knows how dangerous they can be. His trust is easily won.

Liam is much the typical borrower. His nest is mostly barren but he has some things scattered around, including a couple of fishing hooks that he’s managed to find, in case he loses his. He’s got some decent systems set up for getting around the house, pulleys and the like. Liam is best at devising hidden elevator style contraptions and other ways of making life easier. He lives on the bottom floor of an apartment building and often houses borrowers who are passing through, making sure they’re well looked after. He’s definitely wary around humans. They’re obstacles more than anything, to him. Liam occasionally gets...visions of potential futures. It helps him stay hidden but can be disorienting and put him in danger.

Cytisus is a nomadic borrower. They live only outdoors off of the land. Their nest is in the hollow of a tree, filled with berries and nuts and closed off with a sliding door made from the bark of the tree. Tons of food they find or make is stored there, as well as stolen feathers from birds for warmth, hay, and other things. Cy is amazing at making delicious meals or drinks from different plants. They have a weapon that’s basically gauntlets with wasp stingers on the knuckles.

Elicius is a typical borrower. He sticks to the rules and is terrified of beans, although he masks it with sarcasm and would much rather go out with snarky remarks and anger than fear. In fact, he hates beans for forcing them to live this life of near starvation, of only taking what they can find, of only eating the beans’ leftovers. He often takes more than they need and can even get sloppy in his pettiness. They have a comfortable bed and other comforts in their nest due to his trading with other borrowers for supplies. He’s electrokinetic, and can charge up electronics with his abilities.

Ella prefers to live in smaller homes, preferably with house plants. She does best with beans who stick to routines, given she can’t always tell when they’re nearby. She doesn’t have a weapon, but she doesn’t need one. She’s the most timid of the crew but the most likely to investigate a bean if given the chance. She isn’t technically allowed to borrow, according to her brother, but she does anyways whenever he goes to another building for a few days to trade with other borrowers. Ella has healing powers, though only strong enough to heal a borrower- not a bean, no.

Flint’s nest in the air vents/attic is filled with scrap metal. Springs, batteries, switches, anything they can grab is up there. They have lots of equipment built, like a grappling hook, tazer bracelets, and a flamethrower. They’ve learned to take matches and utilize the head of them to make them sized matches. They have a fanny pack filled with modified explosives for making new entrances. They often forget to borrow food and water, sometimes not eating for a few days while working on a project. They can create small sparks and flames in their hands

Sadie is easily the most reckless borrower. She sticks to typical borrowing methods but has a glider that she uses to jump from higher places and travel across rooms and long distances as easy as can be. It folds and can collapse mid flight to allow for changes in height. Sadie has a sewing needle she uses as a weapon if necessary.