"Hey hey!!" Lynx grinned, raising her arms and approaching the police line that had been set up outside the diner. "Mind if I go inside? I'm with CA, I'm a negotiator. Just here to try and defuse things." Lynx grinned, raising her arms with a wolfish edge to her smile. "This is, uh, my partner. We're off duty, but my dispatcher asked me to come."
As she walked up to the closest officer's car, the man inside angled his eyes, suspicion obvious on his face.
"Oh yeah? What's your badge number?"
"Don't have one yet. This is my first assignment, and it's my luck that I was close by. Was supposed to start on Monday. Please, I just want to help and make sure nobody dies," Lynx added with a more genuine grin, closing her eyes for a moment, and pouring every bit of sincerity that she could manage into her voice, she implored him, "I won't hurt anybody."
"Alright…" The police officer, seemingly not CA or maybe just a low down, touched the radio at his chest. "Let the cat and her partner in. They're negotiators."
I need to ask Aerendyl if the standard police are technically a level of CA or a separate entity… Lynx shrugged and walked toward the diner, gently pushing the door to enter and looking around. Immediately, the wood to the right of her head exploded along the wall, splinters falling as the crack of gunfire made her wince and fold back her ears. Nevertheless, she simply jammed her hands into her pockets and walked forward with Alice on her heels.
"Hey, hey, how's it going?" Lynx asked, raising an eyebrow. Standing before her, a young man with soaked brunette hair glared at her, aiming his weapon straight for Lynx's face.
"Pretty badly, not gonna lie," the brunette snarled. His eyes were wide, bloodshot, and Lynx could see, sniveling on the ground, crumpled against a wall, the staff of the building and a few customers. "What are you doing here, crazy bitch?"
"Hey, now. I just wanted to talk to you." Lynx grinned, walking forward and sitting on a table, crossing her legs as she sat maybe ten or fifteen feet from the man. "Honest. I wanted you to see reason."
"Yeah?" The man laughed, then stormed forward, holding his gun an inch from Lynx's head. "WHAT HAPPENS IF I PULL THE TRIGGER THEN?!"
"You don't want to do that," Lynx whispered, smiling, and the man shook his head, his eyes blearing with tears and confusion. His finger slid off the trigger, even though he kept the gun aimed at her head. "Listen, this doesn't have to end the way that we all expect it will- Alice, no."
Lynx turned her attention sideways, away from the gun; Alice's fingers were coated in a thin layer of flame, and she was primed to jump. "Relax. Nobody has to get hurt. What is it that you want, man? What's going on?" Looking back at the armed man, now, Lynx's wolfish grin returned.
Shouldn't I be afraid? Nah, he won't shoot. No way; I've got this.
"I just need money. I need my fix, okay, I need more," the man laughed breathlessly. "My bitch wanted to leave- Told her I just needed some money to get me to payday, then I'll leave her alone. That's all I want, I just need some MONEY!!" He screamed, his voice spiking toward the end as his free hand pushed sweat-soaked hair away from his face. "I just need money, man."
"Look," Lynx smirked, mirth tugging at her mouth. "This can end in one of two ways. You feel me?"
"Such as?"
"Well, you're not getting any money. Let's get that out of the way," Lynx grinned and began laughing, closing her eyes and leaning forward until the metal of the gun's barrel touched her forehead directly. Alice's breath caught, and she stepped forward, but Lynx threw up an arm, warding her back. She stared the gunman down eye to eye, her smile vanishing, replaced with a complete and instant calm expression. "You can choose to die here; that's one of the two endings. Do you think for a second the police won't gun you down? They won't give you the freedom to kill everyone here. Best you'll get is maybe a single hostage."
"Shut up!!" The man shouted, and Lynx paused.
"What's your name?"
"What do you care?!"
"If you're going to shoot me," Lynx reasoned, "I'd like to know the name of the man who managed to kill me. Many have tried, you know?" Her answer gave him pause, but he didn't lower the gun.
"It's Alek."
"Alek," Lynx crooned, leaning forward, more forcefully pushing her forehead against the gun. "You don't have to die here. Nobody is hurt yet."
"Shut up! This is all a ploy to kill me, to get me to loosen my guard!" He grit his yellowed teeth, leaning forward and shoving Lynx back. She rolled with it, laughing, although her intention was not to mock him.
Why? Why the heck do I find this funny? This guy hasn't realized he's got no chance of getting his way.
"All I'm saying, man, is that you can give me your gun and I can tell the guys outside that you need rehab. Just turn yourself in. Nobody is dead, nothing is stolen. You've done nothing but threaten people. Turning back now would mean a few weeks in rehab and then getting your freedom back. So please," Lynx spoke gently, angling her head, "don't get yourself killed over a mistake that can be fixed."
The man faltered, and Lynx pushed.
"I want you to live," she whispered, and for the first time she was conscious of it- the tinge of power on her tongue, in her chest, as she spoke. The man's eyes softened, and he looked down, confused. At that point Lynx could have disarmed him -his finger still wasn't on the trigger- but she didn't.
"Come on man, just give me your gun. I'll go out there and tell them that you're insane and need rehab. You'll be arrested, yeah, but you've not committed any crimes. I'm like four weeks into the academy, and even I know that much."
"You're not CA?" Alek raised an eyebrow, sweating bullets, but there was sincerity in his eyes now.
"I mean, I'm… a student with them, technically? Right now, I'm just a girl who doesn't want to see you die if you don't have to, so come on Alek, please?" Slowly, she raised her hand, palm up.
"You'll…" Alek swallowed. "You'll get me help? I won't be killed? I'm… I'm so tired of needing this shit to survive."
"I promise. I'll tell them that you need rehab," Lynx nodded, glancing at the hostages against the wall. "That you're giving up. When they come inside, you're going to be on your knees with your hands on your head. You're going to make that be the truth, okay?"
"I…" Alek sighed, exhaustion flickering through his eyes as he nodded, slowly lowering his gun and putting it in the cat girl's hand. "Alright. I surrender," he added, and Lynx didn't move, watching as the man slowly stepped back, raising his hands to touch his head and sank to his knees.
"I'm proud of you." Lynx grinned and hopped off the table. Wrapping an arm around Alice, she walked toward the door and opened it. Very carefully, holding the gun by the barrel, she engaged the safety and lowered the weapon to the ground, then walked outside with Alice under her arm, waving to the waiting officers.
"The guy surrendered," Lynx grinned. "He was drugged out of his mind and needs help. He understands that he's to be arrested," she added, brushing past one of the officers, who put a hand on her chest.
"Hold on, 'agent', you'll need to come to the station with us for questioning, seeing as the real agents just showed up," the officer stated, jerking his head. Lynx followed his gaze to find a red-skinned demon and what seemed, at a glance, to be a normal human leaning against a car and sipping coffee.
"Me? Come with you? Nah," Lynx laughed, shaking her head.
"Don't make me arrest you, kid." The officer narrowed his eyes, resting a hand on his belt. "Reports have to be filed."
"Lynx, what you did was kind of crazy," Alice tried to cut in, speaking softly. "Come on, let's just fill out their reports of what happened inside. You didn't do much wrong, just lied about being sent." She smiled, and Lynx hesitated- then stiffened. Her eyes glazed over- part of her wanted to debone this arrogant officer for having the nerve to-
"Come on Lynx, I'll hold your hand," Alice whispered, hugging Lynx's waist, but then blinked rapidly a few times. "You okay? You're all sweaty."
"F-fine, I'm… fine," Lynx muttered, shaking her head, a wave of nausea slowly rolling over her. "Fine, let's go fill out our paperwork…"
-
With a slow yawn stretching his jaw, Aerendyl hauled himself out of the car and slammed the door, slinging his lanyard around his wrist, car keys jingling together loudly. Shaking his head and blowing a breath out slowly, he yanked his phone from his pocket and turned it off, walking up the long drive toward what, at a glance, might have been a normal, albeit large and expensive house.
Knock, Knock. He let the sound resound through the night air, waiting patiently. There was no answer… but he waited, eyes closed, drawing a slow, deep breath. Five minutes or so passed, and then the door creaked inward just a smidge. Inside, a young demon stared up at him with black eyes and pursed lips, their breaths coming in short, ragged puffs of air. Fear.
"Hello." He smiled, bowing slightly and slipping his hands into his pockets. "My name is Aerendyl. May I please come in?"
The demon in the doorway nodded, stepping back and slowly opening the door, revealing a simple entryway; chair, shoe rack, nothing else of note. There was a staircase leading up, a kitchen visible down the hall. It may have been the home of somebody unimportant, if not for the dark-haired, black-eyed maid politely curtsying and allowing Aerendyl past.
"Thank you very much." The angel spoke with a smile in his voice, and the maid, still silent save for her labored breathing, guided him down the hall and to the kitchen before slowly drawing back a chair and waiting, head bowed. Aerendyl smiled again, and then let his face relax, eyes closing as he stepped forward, taking his seat. Without a word, the maid turned and began to fiddle with a kettle, lighting the stove to warm some water.
"Thank you." The angel chuckled, rubbing a fingertip through the stubble lining his jaw and crossing one leg over the other. "You don't need to be afraid, you know? I'm not a brute."
The demon snorted sarcastically, and Aerendyl smiled.
"I do mean it. I'm no threat to you, even if you were to pour that water over my head once it's scalding." He chuckled, and the demoness behind him let out a rattling sigh, still working with the kettle. Perhaps she was fiddling with it more than she needed to, sure, but it made her look busy, Aerendyl supposed.
"Trust," she whispered, finally, her voice like silk.
"Yes, you can trust me," Aerendyl nodded, eyes still closed, "I don't like violence. Hate it, in fact."
The angel was far too exhausted to open his eyes. He only listened, breathing deeply, as the kettle began to warm.
"Will your master be home soon?"
"Yes." The maid answered simply, still fiddling with ingredients in one of the cabinets. 'Perhaps she seeks to poison me,' the angel thought with an inward laugh.
"I'm curious, do you serve here willingly?"
"Yes. I am housed and fed well, with allowance." the maid answered, and, while her reply was still short, she seemed to be relaxing some.
"Good. Is there… anything I can do to help you relax?"
The kettle began to whistle.
"No. I hate angels."
"That's fair. I apologize for imposing. Why did you let me in, though?"
"You were announced before you arrived."
"Then… Can I ask why you hate angels?"
Silence. A pause.
"No," came the answer as the demoness laid a small cup of steaming tea on a saucer before Aerendyl. "I will retire. Please wait here."
Curtsying again, the demoness turned on her heel and slowly walked away, stilettos clicking on wood as she turned and ascended the stairs, disappearing. A few moments later, Aerendyl heard the creaking of bedsprings, and then true silence. Smiling in the following silence, he began to slowly sip the tea, savoring it- it wasn't poisoned, after all.
For a time, there was nothing, and nobody. The kitchen was timeless, it was peace… and then, the front door opened. What followed was not the slow, measured steps of Aerendyl's old acquaintance, but fast steps rapidly pounding against the floor. Smirking, he raised an eyebrow as the smell of cinnamon and cloves reached his nose.
"You jackass!!" The redheaded woman from before huffed, storming toward the angel sitting down at the table and slammed her hands down on the wood. "You're truly repulsive, you know that?! What kind of underhanded trick-"
Aerendyl frowned, albeit playfully, and gently cupped the girl's chin, pushing her lips up and closing her mouth. Her eyes bulged and her face reddened, but for a moment, she was silent. "I was enjoying such a nice, relaxing cup of tea while I waited for the owner of this fine home," the angel told her, "Won't you sit with me, maybe have yourself a cup? I just didn't want you to see my horrible driving. I hope you can forgive me."
"You- what- UGH." The woman, practically seething, threw herself into a chair across from the angel. "You're actually horrible, the worst person I have ever had the displeasure of meeting!"
"Conversely, you're a pleasure to lay eyes on. My name is Aerendyl," The angel smirked as he sipped his tea once more, letting the warmth of the liquid seep into his bones, if just a little.
"You don't deserve my name. Die. I'm literally just doing my job," the woman added, scowling… but there was a sparkle in her green eyes that Aerendyl remembered well. He smirked and fell silent, allowing himself this victory.
After another small while, there was once more the sound of the front door opening and then approaching footsteps. Smiling wanly, Aerendyl finally looked up. "Wow, my old friend. I'd almost forgotten why they call you the giant."
"Aerendyl, a pleasant surprise." The man before Aerendyl smiled, but the gesture didn't reach his eyes. He was tall, too tall. His dark hair brushed against the ceiling, while his shirt was straining over his broad shoulders, the size of his entire frame making the room seem smaller than it was. Aerendyl smirked, biting down a joke about needing a bigger bra to contain those impressive pecs.
"I should hope so, old friend," The arch-angel smiled and sat forward, just a bit, slowly laying down his cup. "We should talk."
"Leave us." The Giant spoke curtly, and the redhead stood, all of her fiery attitude gone as she bowed and hurried off. "What is it you need, Aerendyl?"
"Won't you even sit with me?" Aerendyl frowned, guilt twinging his brow. "I came here to talk, and I would hate to see you uncomfortable in your own home."
"Is that right?" The Giant nodded, slowly sitting down in the recently-vacated chair, and folded his hands together in his lap. "You did not come here for pleasantries, Aerendyl, I know this. You know that there are traitors in your midst, and we know that you have been investigating more deeply into our leadership. However, as a father of the family, I see it as my responsibility to be fair- even to those who may not agree with me. Speak plainly; what is it that you want?"
"Hm… no." Aerendyl shook his head, smiling tiredly. "Before that, I absolutely insist that you tell me how you've been. It's been ages. Really."
For a moment, The Giant stared at him with an expression that could have been anything from rage to exhaustion. When he spoke, though… well, Aerendyl was sure he could hear a laugh somewhere in that tired old grandpa.
"I've been well, Aerendyl. Keeping my nose clean- that sacrifices rumor… It keeps people afraid, and they leave us alone. But you know the truth. We pore over our research and we pray for answers, for salvation. I hope our usefulness has yet to cease?"
"You are still as useful as always… But come on, old friend, give me something juicy. We've been through a lot together, haven't we?" Aerendyl added with a wink, wiggling his eyebrows slowly.
"You are… a nuisance, Aerendyl," The salt-and-pepper haired gentleman sighed, but Aerendyl was sure of it now–the man wanted to laugh. Well, that was enough of a victory. "Truth be told, I've taken up knitting."
"Knitting?!" Aerendyl blinked rapidly. "That's amazing! Can I see?"
"Do not mock me-"
"I'm not! I want to see. Is that so wrong? Good for you, finding a new hobby!!"
There was silence for a moment.
"Fine, I will show you some other time," the Giant compromised, covering his mouth for a moment- and this time, his smile did, in fact, reach his eyes. "So, Aerendyl, please, what brings you here, really? I'm an old, tired man who has no energy for games tonight," he added, chuckling, smiling unabashedly now.
"I get it, don't worry." Aerendyl smiled in kind, nodding. "Listen, badges are dying. It's your people. You know the rules; somebody needs to pay for this. Just do me a favor and point me in the right direction. I'll set an example and we can put this behind us."
"Hm." The Giant nodded, sitting forward, his expression twisting into something more serious. Aerendyl sobered himself as well, though he stayed comfortably leaned back. "I suppose, Aerendyl, you may expect an argument? Something like, 'Oh, my friend, the world will have conflict. I can't simply give up one of my own', and you won't torture me for answers, old friend."
"Well, yes, I suppose that I might, if I were younger and more naïve." Aerendyl nodded and closed his eyes, sucking a slow breath through his nose.
"It's true, Aerendyl. You can't just ask me to give up one of my own," The Giant leaned down, narrowing his eyes, bringing his face closer to Aerendyl's. "You've got some nerve even asking me to do something as terrible as that."
"Right."
"Aerendyl." He came closer, until their noses were nearly touching. "Get the hell out of my house. The audacity to come here and demand I give up my own; it's disgusting."
"Right. So are we going to kiss, or…" Aerendyl raised an eyebrow, and The Giant snorted, leaning back now.
"Did I have you even for a moment?"
"Nope." The angel grinned, laughing tiredly. "You're not stupid enough to let this happen- which means you didn't call the shots. What's going on?"
"It's not my people at all." The older man shrugged, leaning back and kicking a foot up onto the table. "It isn't… and it is. Several of our stations have gone completely dark, and every time that we send anybody to investigate, they also stay gone, unfortunately. We're not sure exactly what's going on or why members of our own are turning on us. We take good care of the family- they shouldn't have any reason to turn on us."
"Well, those people may well be the ones out there doing the killing, but regardless- the public thinks that they're you. They're going to start pushing for us to bring a war to your doorstep, soon. We need to think of a plan to get you out of the spotlight and figure out what this new faction wants. You… you're my friend, sure, but you as a collective- you're useful. I'd rather not wipe you out if I can help it."
"Right." The Giant chuckled, stretching his arms and folding his hands behind his head. "Let me pull some strings, talk with other fathers and mothers. I'll be honest, let them know that we need to make moves if we don't want to be wiped out by the CA for the sake of public interest, that there'll be arch-angels sent after us."
"Good. When will you have an answer for me?"
"As soon as I can. I'll make calls throughout the day tomorrow and see if I can't have an answer for you by tomorrow night. Though, you've come a long way. I won't ask you to attend any meetings with me, but would you like to borrow my guest room and have breakfast with me before you hit the road?"
"Sure, but not before I beat your ass in billiards," Aerendyl grinned, raising the empty teacup as if to offer a toast. "I know you still have that old table down there."
"You're right," The Giant chuckled, standing up and dusting himself off. "Tomorrow is for stress. Tonight is for catching up. I've actually been volunteering at the animal shelter."
"Shut up," He snorted, then laughed, the noise full of mirth.
"I mean it!!"
"Alright, let's see some of this beautiful knitting, old friend." The angel rolled his eyes, chortling, and crossed his arms. "Come on, up you get."
"Coming, friend," The Giant smiled, shaking his head.