The elven boy's face for once wasn't pulled in a smirk nor a scowl as he watched his horse, Star eating her food. Instead a rather calm had settled over his features; his dull crimson eyes not narrowing in annoyance or anger, his gloved hand not reaching for the sword that hung on his waist. He was calm, at peace.

Faint glow of the moonlight crept into the stables, showing the many other horses that lived there. DL didn't really care for them and why should he anyways? They're not Star. they're not his. But regardless he looked after them as well, being the only resident of this mansion having an experience with horses he was basically forced to keep them alive. It didn't bother him though, not as much as he thought it would. Then again, horses always seemed to have a calming effect on him- that and meditation.

He sighed lightly, a puff of air escaping his lips. He pushed his white hair back before opening the stable. Straws of hay rustled underneath his dark boots as he walked over, about to fetch the bucket. The smell of... well, horses was rather strong here but DL didn't noticed nor care. He had grown used and familiar to the smell making him rather immune to it.

Reaching down, his fingers fixed themselves around the handle of the bucket, lifting it up as he was about to exit once again. However his action was short lived as the midnight coloured horse began to panic, throwing it's head back in distress and putting it's weight on it's hind legs. DL fell back, the bucket clattering across the ground as he hit the hay stacks. He looked up, his eyes wide with surprise and fear as the hoofs of his horse nearly crashed onto his head. He pressed himself against the wall as Star raced off, galloping into the night. Distressed whines sounding from her.

"Star!" He called out, rather astonished for what had happened.

The link-look-a-like swore underneath his breath as he raced after her. If Dina was around she would have dragged him back, reminding him that he under no circumstances what so ever should leave the house. For what reason, he didn't know nor care- the urge of getting his horse back and calming her done was too strong to ignore.

The grass folded itself beneath his feet as he ran down the hill, the faint sound of the stream accompanying his actions along with the caw of the crows that flew overhead. His sword banged against his hip, the shield on his back being a burden on him as he continued forwards- the sounds of his horse motivating him even more.

He reached the woods at the foot of the hill, fog weaving through the tall trunks of the tree and hanging a little above the stream, creating a sense of mystery and being a marking point for where Dina's land ended and where Slender's starts. The thought of crossing that border and being in the same general area as him brought the famous scowl on DL's face. However he decided to brush it aside, if he ends up encountering the kid then he'll just continued forward- maybe stab him a little if he was being annoying .

A look of determination then settled on DL's face as he ventured forward, hand on the hilt of his sword. The fog seeped through the black tunic and white shirt he wore, instantly making him colder than he was before.

As he went on little sounds floated up to his ears making him tense up further. Cracks of twigs, buzzing of insects, the rushing of the stream. Soon a faint clattering and clicking greeted him alongside yips and howls, the heavy sound of galloping mixed in with it as well. Progressively getting louder and louder until it was right in front of him. He moved to the side, Star coming into view as her eyes showed panic and fear. Not wasting a moment, DL went up to her, trying hard to calm her down and sooth her.

"Hey, hey, hey..." He said softly, not looking away from her for a second, "what's wrong? What's got you all spooked, girl?"

As if on cue more growls were made and the clattering got louder. DL squinted, trying to make out the shapes that he was seeing in the fog. Some of them looked human, others seemed a bit more animal- either way they couldn't be good if Star seemed anxious on getting out of the area.

So, not wanting to be separated from her again he clambered onto her, burying his hands in her mane. And all too quickly shapes darted past them- masses of black fur and a blur of red raced out of the forest with skeletons of various of sizes trailing behind. A few of these creatures decided to stay back and torment the horse but DL was going to have none of it. He and Star raced out of the area, trying to get past all the wolves and all the skeletons so they could reach the mansion. DL had to warn his friends about the danger that was coming.

He had to tell them that it's starting.

~ * ~ * ~

The five of them stepped in the warmth of the Slender mansion. White marble stretched out before them, a chandelier made of crystals uang overhead being the source of light for the room. Neon looked around in awe, her eyes wide at all the fancy stuff she manage to spot, the luxury couches, the big flat screen TV, the velvet curtains hiding the large arch windows. She couldn't help but feel out of place with her black tank top, knee high combat shoes and short shorts.

"I'm going to get Slendy." Stated Masky, "hopefully he can finally give us a break."

Toby yawned obnoxiously, feeling tired from the day he had. "Guess I'm going to bed then."

He then proceed to excuse himself from the group, dragging himself upstairs as Hoodie went over to the kitchen to get something to eat. Meanwhile Cyn went over to the couch, her gaze fixed on a man with white skin and a wide smile.

"Move." She said.

The killer looked away from his channel surfing to meet her cold glare, not intimidated by it nor caring for it, "no." He answered before looking back at the TV.

She huffed in frustration, "c'mon Jeff, I just got back from my mission and now I'm all tired and want to watch TV. So move your fucking legs."

"Oh boo hoo the handicap girl couldn't handle a little patrolling. What a shame." He replied in great sarcasm.

A low growl of annoyance was heard from her, "actually we were busy running from a bunch of demon wolves and we finally got Splendy's missing proxy. So no it wasn't just patrolling."

"And the wolves didn't even bit or scratch you once? Now that's a real shame." Said the white faced killer, actually being serious.

"Whatever, just let me use the TV. That's all I want."

"We live in a big ass mansion, find something else to do. I'm busy."

"You're busy? You spend most of your time lounging around like some fucking king, and if not that then you're in the fucking jail." She snapped. "I actually do something."

 Well guess what, I'm busy nearly 100% of the time since I've got a lot of work to do. Now for the first time in a while I have some time to wind down so let me use the god damn TV."

He waved his hand dismissively, "fuck off, the stuff you do is worthless"

The girl crossed her arms, looking down at him with absolute distaste on her face, "Jeffrey, I just want to watch something. Is that too much to ask for?"

"Yes."

"Now why is that?"

"Ben was using it for ten fucking hours, it's my turn."

She threw her head back and groan in annoyance, Neon looking over at the pair with some interest.

"Just let me sit on the fucking couch you prick."

"No."

"Okay, that's it." And with that being said, Cyn gripped the ankle of Jeff's leg firmly before forcefully dragging him off the couch in a fast motion. She then dumped herself on the piece of furniture but since she had provoked Jeff she was already being forced back onto the ground- nearly being pinned down by his weight. She kicked him off and stood on her feet just as he made another attack making her retaliate. The two continued to fight, fierce punches and kicks being sent in various of directions. Neon just looked on with a look of confusion plastered on her face. Were they really fighting over watching TV?

"Cynical! Jeffrey!" The two that were mentioned looked up from their fight, their eyes landing on the tall, faceless owner of the mansion. They immediately scurried up to their feet.

Cynical.... So that's her name, concluded Neon.

"Might I ask what caused you both to act in such vulgar ways?"

"Jeff was being a prick." Stated Cyn, instantly.

"Cyn was being rude."

"Says you."

"Oh you want another go?"

"Enough!" Yelled out Slender making them both jump once more. He sighed heavily and rubbed his temples in frustration. Four years of putting up with this. Four years.

"Are you guys together or something?" Asked Neon.

In response Cyn and Jeff gave her both deadpan expressions, their faces almost answering the question for her, "no."

"Really?" She pestered, deciding not to believe it.

"Yes, now I think you should stop wasting Slenderman's time with stupid questions." Stated Cyn rather coolly before turning to leave. Neon frowned slightly at the change of character, wondering what she did to the girl.

"Cynical."

She sighed and turned back, a blank look meeting Slendy's blank face.

"Would you please patrol around the back before you retire? I don't want anything or one getting past."

She nodded, deciding not to speak as she continued to walk away. Jeff decided to follow her lead as well, leaving the area as he saw that there was nothing interesting to keep him there.

"I'm going to check on Hoodie." Said Masky before he too left, leaving Slender and Neon in silence.

"I'm sorry for their actions child, Cyn is not very social and Jeff.... Not very welcoming."

Neon looked up at the man, taking in his appearance. She couldn't help but feel slightly intimidated by him, scared even. But she tried to remind herself that he's like Splendy. Except this guy seemed more serious... And colder.... and more formal.... and-

"Child?"

She blinked, the voice disrupting her thoughts. "Um heheh, yes?" She asked, nervously.

"I believe you are in need for some medical assistance, so I shall escort you to EJ first. But tomorrow will you mind seeing me in my office? I believe you have some things to talk about and I believe that I have some things to explain to you if you are to live here."

"I'm living here?"

Slender nodded, "for now. You've been gone for quite a while, I believe a rest in a proper bed and some proper food would be good for you. And perhaps some training." He glanced at the lack or muscles she seemed to have making her frown once more, "but for now, do you have any questions?"

"Um... When can I call Splendy? I think he should know I'm still alive..."

"Do not threat about that child, I will take care of that. For now, follow me. I'll lead you to EJ."

And with nothing else to say, Slender began to walk off with Neon following him. She didn't expect that many people lived with Slender, she only knew of Hoodie and Masky as her boss would often tell her stories about them when she was young. She wondered why everyone else lived with the faceless man if they weren't proxies, and she wondered how they all got here in the first place.

 Oh well, it's probably not all that important.

"EJ?" They had stopped outside a navy painted door which opened upon Slendy's words. A dark blue mask with black paint surrounding the eyes met them, dark brown hair all tousled and dark grey skin exposed.

"Yeah Slendy?" His voice was rather deep and a bit husky, an indicator that he only just woke up.

"I need you to attend to Neon's injury and then lead her to her room. She will be staying with us for a few nights."

"Um, right. Yeah okay, is she-" but before EJ could finish his sentence the tall man had disappeared leaving the two alone.

Neon just stood there, feeling rather awkward around this masked guy. He too could probably feel the uneasyness in the air for he had sighed and shut the door behind him.

"C'mon." He said, "I'll take you to the infirmary."

He led her down the hallway, taking various of twists and turns until they arrived at a set of double doors. EJ opened them up, revealing the various of beds and medical equipment that was scattered around, he walked over to one of the cabinets opening it up to grab a roll of bandages and antiseptic. However he paused for a moment.

"You got a scratch on your arm, right?"

"Um yeah. A wolf gave it to me, it hasn't stopped bleeding."

"Right." He said, retrieving one more item from the cabinet before closing it shut no walking over to Neon. "So... You're one of Splendy's." He stated, gesturing for her to show him the scratches.

In reply Neon's eyes widen in surprise, "how did you know that?"

"Well your hair is a big enough clue." Replied the masked man, dabbing some ointment onto the scratches. "And Slendy wouldn't let just anyone stay here. So how did you become missing?"

"A mission gone wrong." She muttered, her face showing a downcast expression.

EJ nodded, putting on some sort of potion onto Neon's arm now, "I see."

"What does EJ stand for?" Asked Neon who had been wondering about that.

"Eyeless Jack." He answered.

"Oh."

Silence then greeted the two as EJ finished up bandaging her arm. Small waves of pain greeted Neon thanks to his actions but they weren't anything bad. She looked around the room, seeing just how big it was. It seemed as if it could look after a whole army if needed, but that didn't really surprise her. Every creepypasta in existence had visited the mansion at least once and since Slenderman was the most well known figure in the world it wouldn't be a shock if everyone went to him for help.

"EJ?"

The two looked over to the doors to see Cyn standing there, supporting a male who was dressed up in greys and blacks and had what seemed to be golden blood running down his lighter grey skin.

"Whoa." Whispered Neon, looking amazed that golden blood actually existed.

"Is that Puppet? What happened?" Demanded EJ, taking the bleeding man now known as Puppet off her hands.

"I don't know." Said the boxer, her tone rather cool, "I was just walking around in the back and next thing I know golden strings were around me and his body was in front of me. He didn't say anything before he collapsed if you were going to ask that next."

"Guess nothing good is happening at Dina's then." Concluded EJ as he started his work on Puppet.

"Guess not." Cyn looked from Puppet to Neon, her eyes wandering over her before stopping at her now bandaged wound. "I'm going to tell Slendy that we have a new guest so don't eat his kidneys." She warned before exiting.

Neon's eyes trailed after her, wondering why the girl seemed to be so cold and serious all the time.

"I don't think she likes me that much." Neon said at last.

"Don't worry about it, she doesn't trust people all that easily." Answered the doctor, "heck she wouldn't come to the mansion nor work with the other proxies for at least a year."

"Oh... How come?"

He shrugged, not looking up, "I don't know. But I don't think you should ask her, she might snap your head off."

"Might or will?"

He paused, as if contemplating about the choice, "will. Now c'mon, I think you should get some rest."

He stood up, Puppet's body now bandaged and lying on one of the many beds. He walked out of the infirmary deciding to leave the doors open as Neon followed suit, taking in more of her new home. Although she knew it was going to be pointless as she was going to forget about it but it doesn't hurt.

The two of them didn't talk until they reached a carpeted hallway, the same hallway Slendy got Jack from. Doors of various coloured lined the walls, reaching to the end were an arch window lay, allowing light to flood in and allowing the forest to be viewed. EJ walked down the hallway until he reached a door that was painted bright yellow, beside it was a grey door and a beige door.

"You're going to be sleeping here." Explained EJ, opening the door to reveal her room, "Toby and LJ are right beside you if you need help with anything. I suggest you remember what door you have, some people here would probably kill you if you enter their room without their permission."

"You're kidding."

"I'm not." And with nothing else to say on the matter, EJ turned and walked back out of the hallway- probably to the infirmary so that he could check up on Puppet. The assassin huffed slightly, turning to see her new room. She entered it and shut the door behind her, collapsing onto the bed.