What. A. Drag.

No, literally, he was dragging things.

Four things, to be exact, and he was having a little trouble.

You see, he'd done a little work, how do you say, cleaning up messes?
Regardless of how you phrase it he was rustling four large black bags, one in each hand, hopefully to be deposited in some form of dumpster. Mind you, he was an insect, so carrying things normally was not a problem, but the red liquid on one of the bags in particular made it a little difficult to keep a grip on the end of the dragging bag with his tiny hand; it kept slipping just a little.

A glance up told him he was nearing his destination, and what a destination it was. The Sanctuary; It was his beloved home right across the street from home. To tell the truth, he wasn't exactly headed for the sanctuary, but rather the dumpster in the ally way alongside it. This meant he still had quite a distance to trave-VVRRRIP, CRASH!

The slippery bag caught on something and tore just a bit, pulling itself free from his grasp, where it fell to the ground, and started leaking a red soup of foul smelling odor. "CURSES! Why must the fates be so cruel!" He slowly sat down his load, one heavy bag at a time, and sighed heavily.

Well, best to get to work getting everything picked up... Sure would be nice if someone could give him a hand.

Oh yes, Aurion saw what was going on. How could he not? It was a giant cockroach! Carrying trash bags! Trash bags? Aurion was sure the thing was a mutant, and mutant was was just as un-human as himself, but he could hardly contain the impulse to jump from his perch atop Sanctuary and squish the thing. Not that roaches ever hurt him or did anything to him that should warrant such a reaction. It must be a left over from being human. They were gross looking, their carapaces felt creepy and wrong, he remembered that much from his childhood when they were shown hissing cockroaches in school.

He managed to master the urge to stomp the roach mutant, but only just. He didn't want to think of trying to the roach's icky spatter off of him and those bags. What was he doing with them? ''I dunno...the dumpster maybe? Duh.' ...Yeah, that made sense, but...but.... Aurion edged closer to the edge of the building and over a little bit, hugging the wall to watch the big bug. It seemed to be having trouble with the bags. He chuckled thinking how bug were normally having fun in trash, not throwing it out.

It was only when when the bag ripped and fell that Aurion got the impression that the mutant could probably use some help, even if the thought of the giant roach made him a little uneasy. Taking a deep breath, he let it out sharply with a little shake of his head and started down the wall. The liquid coming from the bag could be any number of things, sure, but Aurion got the distinct impression that it was something very specific, and that the contents of the bag should probably be dumped...as soon as possible. Not that he cared if the stupid humans did anything, but the less trouble, or annoyances, was brought to Sanc's doors, the better.

With a push with his limbs and a slap of his tail, he was away from the building. A tuck and a spin let him land feet first, claws checking his momentum, bringing him to a stop. He tried to speak right away, but had to clear his throat, the idea that this giant roach would talk kind of gave him the heeby-jeebies. "That what I think is?" He said in a hesitant voice, pointing to the bag. Doing so he noticed the mutants 'hands', that weren't really hands at all. He realized why the mutant was having trouble, if it was only trying to carry two bags it wouldn't have had trouble, probably.

Without waiting, Aurion grabbed the other three bags, two in one hand, under the tied knots of the bags. He didn't want to risk grabbing the plastic like others normally did, his claws would tear through the flimsy material and they'd have a royal mess then. Indicating the torn bag with his tail. "You get that?" It was definitely a question, and a statement. He could grab it without it ripping more, probably, but he preferred not to try.

A sound above drew his eyes, and what he saw coming down toward him made his mandibles open wide. My goodness, it was like a being straight out of the nightmares of half of New York; the other half still having horrid dreams about a giant cockroach.

Could he grin, he would have, as the scaly mutant seemed to have trouble finding its voice. Oh my. This was certainly interesting, wasn't it? A magnificent beast such as himself, was taken aback by another of his kind? Sure, the cockroaches jaws were wide open as well, but for another reason. "Oh my... You are quite the specimen of mutant kind, aren't you? Beautiful. Tell me, young and/or old man, and/or woman... Wait a minute. "His eyes wandered down for just a second, and stayed fixed there. "Man. Man indeed." He looked back up after a moment's pause. "I don't suppose you could offer me a hand?"

"That what I think is?" Ah, he found his breath! Good for him! The cockroach froze in place at the question, and glanced on up to the sanctuary, where the beast had come from. "It may very well be..." He stated in a hushed, dramatic tone.

With gusto, the creature hefted the three untorn bags, showing impressive strength, and began to carry them away, suggesting, and yet asking if he would grab the last... How helpful! He gathered the bag at his feet quickly, and skittered up to follow.

"Many thanks. Tell me, lad. You came from the sanctuary's roof, did you not? Do you take residence there?"

He couldn't help but watch the creature as he walked, though he doubted it was the same way in which the pink skins might watch him... He was simply fascinated with him. It wasn't often he met other mutants who were as mutated as himself. It was refreshing, to tell the truth. To top it all off, he lived at the sanctuary... That was always a plus.

Aurion got the impression that the roach was a guy, though it could easily be a girl, but that thought didn't sit with him well. Referring to it as 'It' seemed rude too. Seeing and hearing a cockroach speak was weird enough, not to mention how he spoke. It wasn't in Aurion's halting, maybe-he's-dumb way, but...It reminded him of how some really educated people spoke. Like his station in life was somehow above other people, but without the arrogance? Was that the word he was searching for? It didn't really matter.

Aurion was sure enough not use to being called 'beautiful', nor was he use to the look, the scrutiny, the mutant was giving him. Maybe it was his eyes that made it odd. This was the second time someone had questioned which sex he was. He was beginning to wonder if he needed to put a sign on him saying he was a male. But really, what could he say to any of that. Sure there were probably a lot of things he could say, none of it would come out right. The whole situation was odd.

When the roach-man 'confirmed' what was in the bags Aurion felt a little better. "Long as not trash juice. It good." He said with a strained smile. Aurion watched the roach's face, trying to gauge his reaction, and wondered if that's how others saw him. Both of their faces were rather ill equipped to convey things via facial expression, the roach more-so than Aurion though.

Aurion had been taking somewhat long strides towards the dumpster when the roach asked him where he lived. Slowing, he looked back to the bug-man, then up to the roof, then back. "Residence on roof? No. Not lot food there." He chuckled as he tried to make a joke out of it. Really, the roach's words left it open for that.

Reaching the dumpster, Aurion flipped it open with his tail and set the bags in, but didn't let go of them. "So...Uhh...What with bags?" He said as he pointed to the last one. "Burn'em better, no? This bring bad attention to Sanc? No want that." The thought had really just occurred to him and he gave the roach a sidelong, narrow eyed, glare.

As long as it wasn't trash juice? Hmm... The Roaches antennae perked a little at that statement... Wasn't any juice that came out of trash 'trash juice'? He actually quite liked trash juice, personally. Perhaps this creature's tastes were more like that of human kind? Anyway, it was best not to point out his view on trash juice, and whether or not the juice coming from the bag was, in fact, the aforementioned tangy, usually somewhat sour, drink.

He kept silent until the lizard boy played with his words, making a joke out of them. He snickered a little. "Heh... Yes... you are quite the being, aren't you? I apologize, but the way you speak made me think perhaps your mental facilities were not up to snuff. I can see that in this case, assuming has made an ass of me, but not you. I suppose, though, thanks to your appearance, that the sanctuary might be one of the only places you could stay." It wasn't a long walk to the dumpsters, though he figured he might as well use it all up talking to this fascinating mutant. "It's a shame, how the world treats us... People with visible mutations like you and I... Most bankers would jump off something quite high before giving us a loan." As he spoke, he made small gestures, whether it was with his antennae, his pedipalp-like face feelers, or his mandibles... It was almost as if, given time, someone could find a way to gauge his emotions from his facial features; No one had been able to thus far, but Megan was starting to...

He watched as the the man placed the garbage bags in the dumpster with ease. "You are quite strong... aren't you? I can tell by how easily you lift those bags... I like that... This world rejects people like us... Only the strong survive."

It was then that the tone changed a little bit... The boy had a thought." So...Uhh...What with bags? Burn'em better, no? This bring bad attention to Sanc? No want that." Oh my... Did he think? Well, this was easily rectified-

WHOOP WHOOP.

He froze in place... He knew that sounds...

"Cz7, calling for back up... It's in the 240 block... wish me luck." He heard the cop's faint call over the radio as he climbed from his car. He headed toward the alley, his gun already out and in his hands. "Hello? I heard something about a suspicious figure dragging a bloody bag down the street... Anyone in here seen any-" He paused as he saw a mysterious figure with a red-covered bag in his hands, and raised his weapon.

One of Roach's hands shot up as if to stop Aurion from any rash action. "Now, now... no need to be hasty in your judgement, officer... I assure you, there is no blood in this bag." The officer didn't move forward, and his gun didn't lower, though it did shake a little. "Don't move! Place the bag on the floor!" He was sporting armor piercing rounds, this one... All of the police in this area had to, because normal bullets just didn't seem to cut it against the criminals around the sanctuary. Roach complied with the officer's request as well as he could without moving too much. "Now... Step back, both of you!" Gregory complied.

As he did, he spoke in a low murmur to Aurion. "My boy... I would never do anything to hurt the sanctuary's image... I do work there, after all... You'll have to trust me. Stay very still."

The police officer slowly edged forward, and kicked the bag a few times... Finally reaching down to try to open it as another cop car pulled up.

The roach-guy seemed to get the joke, and that it was at his expense. He didn't take offense to it, but seemed to apologize. Aurion thought he could get to like this mutant, maybe. The smirk he had on his face turned into a grin and a slight nod, trying to show the roach that everything was gravy. That thought made him think back to many years past, when he last could remember having gravy and being able to taste it. Of course he knew he was over exaggerating its taste and how good it really was, but he didn't really care. Aurion didn't know how much he would give to be able to taste food again, to really taste it, not just a shadow or hint or an imagining of how something tastes.

Roach, yes Roach, that's what Aurion would call this mutant until he actually had a name from the guy, mentioned something about banks and loans, basically money. Looking at Roach somewhat surprised and dismissive at the same time, he snorted. "Not care 'bout money. I no can use." He shrugged, "I not own things. Sanc give me home and food. What more I need?"

The other part of what Roach had said registered then and he looked at the man a bit severely. "Humans." The word was said with all the disdain, contempt, and hate he had. "Treat me like monster. I be monster. Make them fear."

After Aurion made his comments about the proper disposal of the bags, he thought he saw Roach react. He wasn't sure if it was good or bad, partially due to the man's insectoid face, but mostly because of the distinct sound of a squad car at the end of the alley.

Aurion turned slowly, watching the officer, as his lips began to peel back and twitch. A low rumble could be heard from Aurion as he stared at the human and his gun. Roach's hand was the only thing that stopped Aurion from acting. Not that the bug-man had any authority over Aurion, but it made him pause long enough to realize that a mutant that had troubles carrying the trash bags may not be able to do much in the situation. Aurion was okay with getting hurt a bit, it was par for the course when dealing with guns, but endangering another mutant because of his actions wasn't something he was going to do without thinking first.

Aurion barely glanced at Roach when he spoke. He moved back reluctantly, but only a bit, his hand, seeming to rest lightly on the dumpster's side. To others he may have seemed to be in a relaxed crouch, maybe even submissive. In reality his body was perfectly placed and positioned to aid him in launching the dumpster into and over the officer. His tail was almost rigid behind him, it weaved just slightly in a wave-like motion from base to fin-tip. Anyone watching that fin would see that it was very stiff, its edges like a razor.

The officer was within range of his tail, all Aurion had to do was wait until the man showed an opening. At that moment Aurion would strike, removing the human's hand, or at least sever the tendons on the inside of the his wrist so he couldn't pull the trigger on the gun.

When he heard, then saw, the other squad car pull up, his growl turned became louder as his lips peeled back completely and his jaw opened slightly. Under the growl was a higher pitched hiss-like sound. His tail began to shake, shudder, and rub against itself in agitation. All together it was almost as if hearing an alligator growling, a komodo dragon hissing, and a snake rattling it's tail. It wasn't all intentional, but it was a natural reaction for him.

Oh dear. It was starting to become clear that his new reptilian friend wasn't a fan of the color blue; He was hoping the fellow mutant didn't see it fit to turn it into red. He was mostly animal... He knew what it looked like when a predator was preparing to pounce. He only hoped that Aurion would heed his words.

"Search away, officer. We have nothing to hide."

The officer looked back up to him from his focus on the bag, and then back down. Still, trying to stay as alert as possible. Another officer climbed out of the second car, while a third stepped out from the passenger side, using the door for cover, and aiming at them.

The officer finally got the bag open, and looked up to them for a moment... the tension in the air... it was incredible... Any one thing could cause this scene to collapse on itself, falling into a puddle of violence and despair. That would be quite bad for the sanctuary, though; the area was already on this ice with the police department, what with several officers going missing in the area. he would do his best to prevent escalating the situation. The cop looked up again as Aurion began to hiss and growl. Roach quickly interjected.

"Yes, my friend... Is is quite chilly out, isn't it? You being... cold blooded, we'd best get you inside soon... So you can stop that shivering." The cop stared for another moment, wiped sweat from his brow, and then slowly peeled the garbage bag open....

And to his horror he revealed...

Garbage.

Particularly a mess of open ketchup packages, old, smashed watermelons, and... mannequin arms? He paused for a moment, staring down at the refuse... and then chuckles. "Oh... oh jesus... I'm sorry for bothering you two... It's just... I hope you don't take it personally. This areas known for shady things... I... Well... I kind of feel like an bit of a jerk. Whew... alright. I hope I haven't inconvenienced you two too much... If you could... do the best you can to clean up the stuff that leaked from the bag down the street? Sorry for bothering you guys." The cop was blushing, and still sweating profusely, but the main thing was that he was highly apologetic.

The Roach spoke up quickly, placing a hand on Aurion's shoulder to try and ease some of the tension further. "No worries, officer. We'll finish cleaning up this mess, and be right on our way. Sorry the neighbors troubled you by calling you out here."

The cop turned, and waved to the cops behind him, signalling that everything was alright... He then turned and started walking from the alley.

"A very important note, oh scaly one... When ever you go on a killing spree... It helps to have a taste for human flesh. That way the only pieces of evidence left over are the condiments." The Roach whispered slyly to the mutant next to him. He wondered if this was the first time a cop would come so close to the sanctuary without dying a horrible death in quite some time... It had likely been years.

Aurion saw the bag open up, saw it's contents fall and spill onto the ground, saw the officer's look of surprise and embarrassment. And he let out one loud, sharp, "Ha!" It really was filled with trash juice.

Aurion felt a little stupid, assuming Roach had at least one dead person, or parts of them, in the bags. Why did he jump to that conclusion? Because even though he was a monster, part of him was still...human, and Roach, was, well, a gigantic cockroach. Not to mention they were around Sanctuary, which Aurion knew wasn't the most human friendly place. Then he felt guilty, for nearly outright accusing the man of being stupid, and possibly bringing unwanted attention to Sanctuary.

Muscles relaxing, Aurion straightened to his full height and stared at the officer. He looked at Roach's hand on his shoulder and gave the insect mutant a little smirk and a somewhat quiet and sheepish, "Sorry." He then took a few steps towards the officer, his voice deep and a little irritated. "Human." He said with a slight sneer. "Always treat bad. Think bad things. 'Cuz not look like you. I not monster, you Humans are." Aurion's tail flicked up and into view and made a shooing motion. "Go eat doughnut." Turning he moved and picked up the trash bag the officer had opened and so politely did not put in the dumpster. A deft twist of his arm and the bag thumped against the inside of the bin.

Reaching Roach, Aurion put an arm up in a 'Let's go' motion. He listened to Roach's whispered words and chuckled low in his throat. "I not tried, yet. Could be interesting." Some moments past as he walked, at a less brisk pace, out of the alley. "Sorry. I assumed, accused of..." He indicated behind them to the dumpster. "I shouldn't do that. I wrong."

The Lizard man's telling off of the cop, who really couldn't do anything about someone insulting him, especially after he'd made such a mess for them to clean up, drew a slight chuckle from the giant bug's mandibles. The cop merely scratched the back of his head, and turned awkwardly, jogging to his car, and getting out of there before they had a PR hassle on their hands.

Roach waved to them as they went. "Damned fools... Some day we'll have to teach the police department a lesson... I can be patient about it, though..." He turned as the lizard waved for him. The Kafkaesque monster shrugged as Aurion apologized. "My boy, life is nothing if not a series of lessons to be learnt. I take no offense; You were merely looking after your home. Oh, right... I don't believe I got your name." He paused briefly, reaching into his shell, and producing a card.

"I am Gregory Samson; It really has been quite a pleasure to meet you. Since you were nice enough to help me, I am inclined to return the favor. so, should you ever find yourself in a jam, give me a call? I'll see what can I can do to help you out." He noticed once again that the boy might not have much by way of pockets... "We can start by, perhaps... getting you a belt? I notice a distinct lack of pockets... Pockets can be quite useful." He wondered if his mutant was young... He got a sort of air of... less experience from him; almost an innocence, though a primal one. Like a young lion... He would still eat you, but he might also play with his siblings afterward. Still, he was strong, and he was clever... It might be good to keep him around.

Aurion liked the idea of 'teaching the police a lesson'. He took that to mean, slaughtering the lot of them, or burning them, or making them all go up with some sort of explosion. Of course he wouldn't mind if that sort of thing was expanded to all humans. He smiled at Roach. "Oh, ah, name's Aurion."

Aurion took the card gingerly. Small things had a tendency to fall or get blown out of his grasp. It happens when you can't feel what you have in your hand. Even looking at the thing he couldn't feel it between hid fingers. The giant roach had a very, very normal, human name. Add that to the list of things that made this mutant strange. They were all human at once point, but... Really, even trying to shorten the man's name to 'Greg' didn't help anything. Aurion didn't dislike the mutant, but he was still a giant Roach, with a name that belonged to some white collared cubicle worker.

Aurion looked down at himself, "Pockets...I never use'em. I no own anything." He shrugged. "Haven't worn belt...10 years?" And even then, he only wore one on special occasions. "But," He smirked at the mutant. "I no object..Gregory." He tried it, didn't like the sound of it. He didn't want to be rude but he had to say something about it. "Ahh...I no mean be rude...but...you called different name maybe?"