[Jaykobell]

[Prompt: If you offered to help Zae - Complete the original task and get a sample for Zae]

With the Parade on the verge of commencing, trying to get information from the crowd proved difficult. Everyone was a lot more focused on their last minute preparations than helping out strangers with some farfetched line of questioning. The more they tried to question strangers, the more frustrating it got. They were ignored, others were rude, or they dismissed the questions for the sake of getting last minute snacks and souvenirs for the parade.

Ultimately, much to Clovis's despair, but somewhat to Hark's delight, they had to settle for watching the parade as well.

"I wonder if they got some good folks and things for this," Hark mused passively as Clovis begrudgingly crossed his arms and looked on towards the parade.

[Jaykobell]

As everyone settled down and the parade started, things seemed relatively normal. Some floats appeared, and although they were difficult to see from their position, they seemed nice enough. Hark was particularly taken by them, and although he wasn't about to admit it outloud, even Clovis was interested in seeing the different creations people had put together for the parade.

But things took a quick turn when a large lizard appeared. At first, it looked like an incredible life-like costume, or some kind of animatronic creature, from the way it moved.

But the more it moved, the more...

"That's no float or robot," Hark hissed softly, catching Clovis's attention. "That thing's real," he added, the reptilian slits in his eyes stretched and focused on the creature.

[Jaykobell]

"That's what they wanted us to find?" Clovis gasped.

"Reptilian, black and gold," Hark observed, "checks out."

As they realized what was happening, the crowd started to move. They had to step back to avoid being dragged along with the sea of people that seemed to be following orders to evacuate.

"We have to get a sample of this thing," Clovis said as they escaped the brunt of the panicked crowd.

Hark narrowed his eyes. "If we get slip through this crowd," he mused, trying to come up with a quick plan, "maybe we can get to the tail and grab something from it, like a scale."

[Jaykobell]

"Fine," Clovis agreed, the plan sounding good enough for what they needed to achieve. "But are we going to get through this crowd?"

"Tch," Hark groaned in response, narrowing his eyes. The people were moving in one direction steadily, making it difficult to cut right through them. "We could... No." Going around would be pointless. By that time, the lizard would have had enough time to escape or get attacked.

As they stood by the crowd, Clovis frowned and gritted his teeth. "We're gonna have to cut through the crowd."

Hark groaned at the thought, but they were running out of time, standing there and questioning their limited options. "Grab my arm," he said, offering his to Clovis.

A stunned look. "What?"

"You want us to get separated?" Hark said dryly. "Grab my arm. We'll have more of a push that way, too."

Begrudgingly, Clovis complied.

[Jaykobell]

With combined efforts, they pushed through the crowd. It was difficult at first, but as they found a path through the people, they eventually got close to where the Chaos was.

In the commotion, they acted quickly. Clovis let go of Hark's arm so they could move freely, and Hark headed straight for the lizard. Although human in appearance, his abilities were much more enhanced than that of a human; sharper and tougher nails, and strength to match.

Though a bit sloppily, with enough effort, Hark managed to grab ahold of the tail and to pluck a scale right off the Chaos. He retreated quickly after, Clovis catching up to him a little ways away.

"Got it," he breathed, as the Seraphs started a stronger assault against the creature, and as humans seemingly tried to meddle in the conflict.

Clovis took the scale and put it safely in the vial they had been given before. "Let's get this thing to that scientist, or whoever they were," he suggested, grabbing Hark's arm again. "I'm not getting involved in this."

Hark watched the scene as Clovis grabbed his arm, and he huffed. "Fair," he agreed. "They seem to have it handled, anyways."

[Prompt: If you offered to help Zae - Complete the original task and get a sample for Zae]