Upon Arrival (Open)

[Lucas Hawthorne]

Lucas took the hand skeptically. He didn't know why the sudden change in Ren, but he didn't mind. Apparently only being half demon made more of a difference than he thought it did. "I'm Lucas..." He let himself linger on the last part of his phrase because he wanted to let him know how awkward it became since starting over after their long 'arguement' about magic.

Lucas' eyebrow quirked quite a bit when he said that he was part demon. So if what he said earlier was true as well, then he was the same as Lucas. Witch and demon. A smile spread across his face as he thought about it more, it wasn't often that he met other's like himself. "So you're like me?"[/color]

[René Bonner]

The young man—Lucas, apparently—lingered on his name. Ren’s brows drew together a bit at that and even more as the man’s hand twitched slightly while they shook.

Lucas belatedly registered the part demon statement with a raised brow. That could be good or bad. But the smile that followed seemed genuine, and Ren was willing to believe, at least for now, that the young man did not mean him harm. Though his face was neutral, his hand twitched, betraying his lingering suspicion.

Ren was as slow to recognize Lucas’ response as the young man had been a moment ago. He smiled mildly once again. “More or less,” he replied. Ren quirked his own brow, mirroring his companion. “I wasn’t making that up earlier, about my powers being bound.”

[Lucas Hawthorne]

Lucas nodded lightly as Ren tried to explain that he was telling the truth. "I know," Lucas replied softly. Even though he didn't have any sensing powers or anything like that, normally it was kind of easy to tell if the person standing opposite you was magic or not. And Lucas could just tell that Ren was not familiar with magic, but it did all make sense when he said that his powers were bound.

But he wasn't sure if he was telling the truth about how they got bound. "How did they get bound? Did you do it?" Lucas wasn't quite sure whether Ren wanted his powers bound or not, so he was trying to figure out if he was looking for help to unbind them or something.

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[René Bonner]

Ren licked his lips to spend some time, but otherwise he did not move. Lucas was, at least in part, a kindred spirit—a grey figure lost in a magical world that all too often seemed black and white. But this did not guarantee that he was not evil in some way, or even that he was trustworthy. His hand twitched.

Telling Lucas, who he thought was a demon at the time, that he had his powers bound was a mistake. Granted, it was about the only way to ensure his memories stayed intact, but it also revealed a weakness. And if Lucas’ shade of grey was really just a step away from black, then it would not do to reveal too much. Being an innocent, or even looking to be one again, would shout “Attack me!” from the rooftops.

On the other hand, he had not exhibited the foolishness of a lower-level demon or the haughtiness reportedly found in an upper-level one. The light in Lucas’ eyes seemed one of genuine curiosity, rather than one of cunning. Yes, and you would know, preeminent judge of character that you are.

Either way, Lucas was beginning to look at him strangely now, since he had been quiet for so long, and it was far too late to back down. He always had been a bad liar anyway.

Ren took a deep breath. “They’ve been bound all my life, near as I can tell. I’m trying to keep them that way.” He bit his lip as his hand twitched again.

[Lucas Hawthorne]

Lucas felt his left eyebrow lift itself up. It was odd to him why someone who knew about the magical world wouldn't want to have magic. The world was a dangerous place, yet powers made it easy to protect yourself, or just use for fun. Though he tried to use his powers for personal gain as little as possible. But then again, if his powers remained dormant, or got taken away completely, he most likely wouldn't have to worry about demons attacking him or anything like that.

But it still puzzled Lucas, most of the time he wouldn't give his powers up for anything. "Have you given your powers a chance? I mean I'm not trying to argue with you, but I love being able to have magic, I don't know what I would do without it."

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[René Bonner]

Ren’s brow lifted to mirror Lucas. He seemed sincere in his assertion, but the older man could not believe it. He suppressed a shudder at the thought of being trapped in the world of magic for the rest of his life. Unlike this young man, he knew exactly what he would do without magic. He would go home, kiss Granma Peggy good-bye, love his family, have a job, and be with Annie.

However, for all his vehemence against the second part of the statement, it was the first part that struck him as out of place.

“A chance?” His voice was deceptively calm. “When would I have been able to try them out? Not really anytime in the last 24 years. And quite frankly, the backlash from that is something I don’t want to see.”

He really did shudder this time. The demonic magic had not been active in anyone since Granma Peggy’s generation. His mom and all his aunts and uncles hadn’t come into the heritage. And he and his siblings had their powers bound from birth. It was a recipe for disaster, because if they were unbound, witch and demonic heritages would be trying to mix 25 years too late.

[Lucas Hawthorne]

Lucas sighed lightly. Of course he hadn't gotten the opportunity to give them a chance, but he felt very against the powers. He didn't even want to give them a chance. He seemed to have something against them, though he wasn't quite sure why. Maybe he was afraid that his demonic side would come out stronger than his witch side, and then he would turn evil, but he wouldn't let that happen. "Powers are easily enough unbound... I think," he added lightly. He had never done it, so maybe it was the person who had bound them that had to unbind, but he could certainly try himself. Or get the help of a Halliwell if needed.

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[René Bonner]

Ren’s mouth fell open slightly. He could not believe it. Lucas was insisting that good things came from magic. The only good thing he could find was the fact that his family was born. Even trying to get rid of it had destroyed his life and career. Everything had been blessedly normal until the day Granma Peggy had told them.

“Are you serious?” he asked, eyes wide. “I don’t want them unbound. I want them gone. I want my normal life back.” The young man did not respond for a moment, but he looked ready to argue with Ren’s point yet again. He decided it was time to find an exit from this circular argument.

“And if you’re unwilling to help me, then I bid you good day.” He doffed an invisible hat at Lucas. At that, he began to walk back toward the doors, now showing a darkened San Francisco skyline.

[Lucas Hawthorne]

Lucas sighed lightly, shaking his head. He couldn't believe this. This guy wouldn't even give magic a chance. Why not, it was a great thing, but he would never know that because he wasn't even willing to try. But Lucas didn't want him to leave mad, and he did like helping people, so he decided that he would help him anyways. "Alright, so you're looking for the Charmed One's?" He couldn't remember if he had actually told him that fact or not, but he figured that that's where he would be headed to find his answers.

[René Bonner]

At Lucas’ question, Ren paused and turned. What convinced him to change his mind? He would keep a close eye on the young man, he decided, but with his funds so low, a bit of help could go a long way.

He pursed his lips. “Yes,” the word was short and slightly tense. “But first I need to find a place to stay and a…” He trailed off as a though occurred to him. The casual mention of the Charmed Ones was too much for him to overlook, especially since they had not yet been discussed by either man. His eyes unfocused as he continued to look at Lucas, and his head fell to the side.

A small movement shook him from his silence, but his thoughts were far from forgotten. His eyes narrowed, and he asked, “How did you know who I was looking for?”

[Lucas Hawthorne]

Lucas sighed lightly. Man, this guy would just not trust anyone! All Lucas did was try to be helpful in all ways possible, but he got nothing back from Rene. Sighing once again, he turned his gaze up to Rene. "Well, it's obvious, really. Someone in need of powerful magic could only be looking for one thing," Lucas said, somewhat lightly. He was being as sincere as possible, but it obviously just wasn't quite good enough for Ren.

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