~Ed Unknown~

Ed liked to think that he was skilled at keeping out of the way. He knew how to disappear when he wasn't wanted, how to avoid those that might cause him problems, and how to find quiet places to rest when they felt like it.

It helped that not many of the other Hunters and staff could access all of the places he had free reign of. For example, Ed was currently clinging to a small ledge several dozen feet above the floor of the third training hall. The light from the glow-orbs couldn't reach them up here, effectively hiding them from view if anyone came into the large room. Which they didn't, at least, not typically. 

He hummed to himself as he surveyed the area, content to remain still and revel in the near-silence. It was hard to find quiet moments like this when he was almost constantly surrounded by other Hunters or the staff that worked for them. There never seemed to be enough room for them all in the facility, which tended to alternate between awkward and annoying.

"Hey, Ed!"

They instinctively pressed themself closer to the wall, doing their best to avoid detection. Out of all the Hunters, the owner of that voice was one of the more irritating ones. He would be more than happy to steer clear of any interaction with her for the time being.

No such luck. A moment later Azylia Wyrmblood stomped into the room, orange gaze rocketing around the training hall. Her muscular build would have made her seem masculine if it weren't for the choppy black hair that framed her face and reached all the way down to her waist. As always, it appeared to have been recently mauled by a blunt knife, the tips frayed and uneven. Ed had no aversion towards her rugged appearance, but her personality tended to drive him up a wall - literally, in this case.

"He's not in here, Bailey!" Ed's hope of remaining unnoticed withered the moment he heard who Azylia was speaking to. Even though someone as dim as her might not notice him in the shadows, no one could hide from Dawson Bailey, their resident mind reader.

"Yes, he is." Dawson sauntered into the training hall, their petite stature in stark contrast to Azylia's. Their face was downturned and Ed couldn't see her expression, but imagined it was something along the lines of smug. There would be no escaping whatever was in store for him.

You're the worst, you know that right?  Even though he didn't speak out loud, Ed was sure that Dawson heard him loud and clear. His theory was proved right when the mind reader lifted her head and glared up at him with dark aquamarine eyes.

"I disagree." Their voice was eerily calm and just a touch smug, which made Ed's face twist into an irritated frown. "The term practical would be more suitable. Supposedly there's something you'll want to hear."

"That's what the mentors say every time," Ed grumbled as they hopped off of the ledge. For anyone else, the fall would have been short and painful, but for them it was merely the fastest way to reach the ground. He descended in a series of hops, bouncing off of the cement wall like a mountain climber, minus the safety harness and bungee cord.

"Ed! Wow, I didn't see you up there! You're really quiet, it's weird." Azylia grinned at him widely and he purposely ignored her.

"So what is the important announcement about this time around?" Ed asked Dawson instead.

The mind reader shrugged disinterestedly. "They sent me to find everyone before I could overhear. You're the last. All the others are in the cafeteria already."

Ed ran a hand through his dirty blonde hair and frowned in Azylia's general direction. She smiled back at him brightly and he huffed in annoyance. "Fine. Let's not keep them waiting any longer."

A short walk later, the trio arrived in the cafeteria and found themselves crammed in amidst the crowd of Hunters and staff. Ed retreated to the edges of the room, losing sight of Dawson and Azylia in the process. He intensely disliked being hemmed in on all sides, but at least he had an escape when near the wall - not many could follow him up if it came to it.

"Is this everyone?" A man wearing a scarlet and gold tunic stood on a table, surveying the crowd with an unreadable expression. A few of the assembled Hunters nodded affirmation and he settled back on his heels. "I have some news for all of you. Change is on the horizon. It will take some getting used to at first, I'm sure, but I have no doubt that you'll appreciate it." His features rearranged themselves into something resembling a smile, though there was no warmth behind. "All your years of training and preparation are coming to a head. Tomorrow, you will all be moved from this facility to an exclusive wing in the Council's tower."

For a moment the entire room was quiet as the Hunters digested this. The staff remained silent as well, though Ed had no doubt that they'd known of this ahead of time. Finally a voice pierced the eerie stillness.

"You mean...we're leaving? For real?" Ed sympathized with the shocked tone, a sentiment he was sure was echoed by most, if not all, of the others. He couldn't see who'd spoken, but that was no surprise. His short stature meant he could see very little anyways.

"For real." The man in the flamboyant tunic made a wide gesture, like he was inviting the entire room in for a hug. "All will be explained tomorrow, while you are given a tour of your new quarters. I'm sure it will be...illuminating."