Corey wandered the streets on his daily evening walk. All the stuffiness of station had always gotten on his nerves. A wide smirk spread across his face as the cool evening breeze blew against his back. He ran a hand through his spiked hair. Despite what many had believed, his spiky hair was natural. No hair gel or hairspray needed to gain that gravity defying effect.

The street lamps flickered off and on, and distant barks and car alarms could be heard over the horizon. Corey glanced to the side and saw the broken and rusted chain link fence, lining the graffiti ridden park. He raised an eye brow and sighed, taking a good look at his surroundings. He had wandered into the rough part of the neighborhood. Again. Corey had never paid attention to stupid things like "directions", or "routes", so he always seemed to wind up on the sketchy side of the neighborhood. 

For most this would be a deterrent, but for Corey, it was a treat. Yes, there were gangs and the occasional drug dealer he would have to arrest. But most of the time he would come across the nicest people he would ever meet. Just last week, after helping a woman navigate the streets, and helping her carry her groceries, she invited him over for dinner. The woman, who was a nice Filipino grandmother, made Corey homecooked odobo and halo halo. She had even taught him how to play mahjong. Corey found her sweet, and very hospitable. At the end of the meal she had unofficially adopted him and tried to set him up with her grandson. Corey refused the offer but had agreed to keep in touch. They now play mahjong on Sundays after she gets home from morning Mass.

Corey smiled on the memory of meeting Mrs. Mesa as he passed her house. He looked up at the sky, the light indigo and scarlet hues overtaking the horizon. He breathed deeply and closed his eyes. Letting the wind carry him.

Thud

Ow.

Corey's eyes snapped open and he rubbed his head. A young man with scruffy hair and a scratchy beard extended a hand to him. "Hey dude you okay? You kinda ran into a pole," he said, gesturing his head to the telephone pole. Various flyers stapled to its exterior.

"Uh- Yeah. I'm fine," Corey replied, grabbing the man's hand and standing up. "Thanks man."

"It's cool bro," the man replied, turning his attention back to the pole. He grabbed another flyer from his bag and began stapling it to the pole.

Corey's eyebrow raised and he leaned in closer. "Whatcha got there?" He asked, a curious smile on his face.

The man blinked and glanced at Corey. "Hm? What, this?" He grabbed a flyer from his bag and handed it to Corey.

"It's a new musical that my theater has been trying to make for the past year. We even got permission and cooperation from the band and everything," He explained. His expression saddened slightly. "Doesn't mean it'll kick off though," he sighed.

Corey's eyes had stars in them already, a huge stupid grin on his face. "So- This is totally legal regarding copyright laws right?"

He said, voice slightly higher in pitch.   The man nodded. "Yeah, we made sure to use our research. We even used the last of our theater's budget to hire a good lawyer to look it over."

"Excellent," Corey said, before a small wave of shock hit him. "Wait, you used the last of your budget?" He asked, his brows furrowed slightly.   The man didnt respond, he simply nodded subtly.

Corey closed his eyes and stroked his goatee in thought. After a moment he spoke up. "Are you taking auditions?"

~~

Quin heard a thud on the other side of his door. He checked the clock. Who was banging on his door at 7:56 PM on a Sunday? He shrugged and opened the door. Before he could he even properly see who it was a large hawk had flown into his apartment. "What the fuck!?" He yelled, his hands glowing in defense.   The bird let out an excited squawk before it shifted and took the form of a person.

"Corey? What the fuck are you doing as a bird?" Quin asked, walking up to his friend.

"Ree ree!" Oliver shouted from his playpen. Clapping his hands together happily.

Corey gave an energetic wave to the toddler and then whipped back to Quin. He shoved a few papers in Quin's chest, all the while giggling like a schoolgirl. "You know how to act right?" He asked, every word coming out as a rushed mess.

"I- uh-" Quin stammered, trying to comprehend what Corey just said. "W-what? Do I know how to act?"

Corey nodded. No- violently headbanged.

"Uh- we did that school play back in 8th grade," Quin said, pushing up his glasses. "Why?"

"Cause," Corey shoved another flyer in Quin's face. "We're gonna be actors in this musical, and I know you can sing. Don't think I didnt hear you sing in the showers after gym class man."

Quin rolled his eyes and snatched the flyer from Corey's hands. He stared at it for a while before looking up at Corey with a incredulous look. "You're kidding right?"

Corey looked personally offended. "Of course I'm not kidding Quin! Why would I ever kid about memes!" He gave Quin a disappointed face, "Besides. It's to help save a small theater... They spent all their money just trying to make this musical legal." He looked on the verge of tears and he gave a pleading look up to Quin. "Please?"

Quin looked unamused. He crossed his arms and raised an eyebrow at him.

Oli glanced between Ree Ree and his dad. His small brows furrowed and he pouted. "Pwee papa?" He blurbled, looking up to his dad.

"See!? Even your kid wants us to! C'monnnnn," Corey basically begged.

Quin sighed heavily and groaned. He rubbed his temples, a small smirk appearing on his face. He laughed softly. "Alright, alright fine. We can try out for this weird musical."

Corey laughed happily and hugged Quin. "Fuck yeah! Thanks bro! This is gonna be so fuckin fun!" He let go and struck a victory pose.

Quin smirked and rolled his eyes. "Alright. When are these auditions?" He asked. "Gotta see if I can put it into my schedule."

Corey pointed to a date on flyer. "Next weekend! At 3 pm. Saturday and Sunday."

Quin smiled and gave a thumbs up.

Corey beamed and could hardly contain his excitement. His left hand began shifting into various different things. A claw, a panther's paw, even his entire arm transformed into bird wing for a second.

"Corey. Corey you're shifting again," Quin said, gesturing to Corey's left arm.

"Wha?" Corey looked down at his arm and quickly shifted it back to a regular arm. "Sorry bro! I'm just-"

"Excited?"

"Yeah!" Corey cheered, bouncing on his heels.

Quin chuckled and patted Corey's shoulder. "You theatre kids," He muttered before ruffling Corey's hair. Quin glanced at the clock. "It's getting late. Why don't you head out. We both have work tomorrow anyways."

Corey nodded, but instead of turning to the door, he turned to the window. He gave a smirk to Quin.

Quin rolled his eyes and walked over to the window. He opened it and gestured to it. "Go for it buddy."

Corey gave Quin a quick first bump before leaping out the window, shifting into a falcon mid jump. "YEET!!!" he screeched, flying into the horizon.

Quin smiled and waved goodbye to his friend before walking over to Oli."How the hell am I going to explain this to your mother?" He muttered. He sighed, deciding to worry about it later. Deciding to play with his son instead.