Eren walked into Baelor's office with his head hung low. Not from the fear of being scolded; if anything, it was the exhaustion of the night's events.
Many months since his felt this tired. No many years…
Not since his time in the land of dead. When that horrifying training with Malphas was at its peak.
Baelor sat at his office with a golden glare. Like he hadn't moved from the spot since Eren left to chase the loan-sharks.
"Explain."
A simple command from Baelor. More than enough to let Eren know of his feelings on the matter.
"It's not that complicated. I went after them, I got caught. I would have thought you knew that already?" Eren replied with no filter; he just wanted to go to bed.
"Do not be conceited, Eren. I can understand your pursuit of those that would seek harm against you and your sister... But you were caught. In the time I have known you, never have you been so careless." The elf spoke carefully, like a scolding father.
"Have you heard of Murphy's law? What can go wrong will go wrong-"
"I am aware of that human adage; but that only applies to the humans, you nor I can afford such mistakes. You are fortunate in your role that we have the resources to circumvent such mistakes. I ask again; explain."
Eren sighed and sunk into the elven chair. Reminding him of seeing Baelor for the first time in that underground hideout all those months ago.
"I got angry... They just kept coming back; no matter how many times I put them down. When I finally managed to corner them, death did nothing to change things..."
Eren trailed off. His mind was still stuck back there in the warehouse.
"They mentioned your sister, correct?" Baelor continued.
Eren's eyes lit up with flames at the stinging memory. Cops and crooks both knew how to strike right at the heart.
What good was a reaper with a beating heart.
"Yeah..."
"A weakness that many seem to exploit by coincidence or design... I do not wish to see you or your sister in harm's way. Yet your role often may put you both at risk..." He sighed deeply.
"Do you have any of your elven wisdom? To deal with failure and disappointment in one's self?" Eren asked dryly.
"Elvish people think themselves infallible, thus I cannot speak on my people's wisdom on this matter."
A look of doubt cast upon Eren. Strange to think by looking at the only elf he has ever meet; arrogance was a trait many of his kin shared. Baelor had to have been the exception.
"Although, I can share my own personal experiences." He began.
"Twice in my life I have experienced failure that you likely feel... Once, I stayed my hand in the name of appeasement. The other, I raised my hand in the name of wrath... Both times cost me my family. Once in blood and once in trust."
"Do you regret it?"
"Everyday. I still reflect upon my actions... However, I wouldn't be the elf before you without those experiences. If I were to make the same decisions again... I would do the same, for better or worse."
"No matter how much it hurts?"
"Even if the pain slew me and those memories dissevered my will." He replied.
Eren nodded, although he didn't fully appreciate the wisdom being imparted to him. Failure stings like a bitch no matter what way one slices it. But it was good advice. And equally as comforting to know that even the mighty can be brought down.
"Thank you, I'll... keep that in mind." Eren nodded once again. Baelor had nothing more to say, instead the pair sat in silence for a moment.
"I am aware that acting Captain Takeshi Yamanaka approached you with an offer. He has requested your aid in hunting down the Blood Tooth Cartel?"
Word travels fast in the Silvermane. Baelor already knew most of the night's events; including the offer.
The elf probably already had several plans and their contingencies ready to go. Advantageous as it often was to have a sagacious elven Guildmaster.
"Yes. They want me to hunt down the cartel leaders. In exchange for leaving me and my sister alone." He repeated the offer given by Takeshi.
"I think we should take it. A fruitful partnership with the authorities could be useful in the long-term."
"I'm not sure I should. It would be easier to go after them myself-"
"Allow me to clarify the decision-making process... This is an order from your Guildmaster to you, a member of the Silvermane. You are to work with acting Captain Yamanaka to hunt down the Blood Tooth cartel."
Eren really didn't have much of a choice. Not that Baelor gave anyone much of a choice.
As well he did bail Eren out of certain life imprisonment or execution. It's time to repay at least some kindness.
"Call the number... And we will arrange a meeting."
"..."
Eren just gave a blank stare. Ever the telephonophobe he was.
Baelor reached into one of the desk drawers and pulled out a phone. He placed it on the desk and pushed it over towards Eren. He didn't really want to; but the elven gaze that never wavered made it impossible to refuse.
"Hello... Acting captain Yamanaka? Yeah, this is Eren..."
***
An overlook at the highest point of ward 4. Watching the docks below; the morning light breached the horizon casting a warm glow against a cool breeze. Seagulls and other birds squawked as they flew overhead; ready to scour the shoreline for food.
Back in Eren's youth. This was a 'Lover's point.'
Where one would take their lovers to get away from the busy city below. A place to drink, talk, scream into oblivion and do all the fun stuff young men and women do. He could see why.
Never taking Rika, he was too vanilla of a boyfriend for places like this.
*Vrrrroom*
A small black car drove up the peak. Acting Captain Takeshi and Detective Mai exited the car.
"How romantic; A lovers overlook. For a deal between star-crossed parties on different sides of the fence. A paring meant to be." He snarked dryly.
Eren was accompanied by Baelor and Jiro. Partly for the sake of legality, partly to keep Eren from doing anything stupid.
"Thank you for meeting us, Eren." Takeshi gave a slight nod.
"So, what's your deal?" Cutting straight to the chase. Every party was likely far too tired for any shenanigans or back stabbing.
"Simple... You help us catch our white whale. In return we give you a wide berth in the future."
"A white whale?" Eren repeated, without understanding the reference in the slightest.
"Moby dick; Captain Ahab hunts the whale that took off his leg." Jiro added.
"Yeah, that. But I prefer to see myself as the whale in this instance. Playing the good guys in this case. Basically, we catch one big bad captain of the blood tooth cartel. Their entire foothold in Japan will come crashing down." Takeshi explained. He began to look over the city below, as if imagining it free from the cartel's grasp.
"Name?"
"Oh, my white-haired fellow." Takeshi started to chuckle as if the name was an inside joke to only himself.
"El Rey sol." Mai added over the acting captains chuckling.
"Spanish for 'the sun king.'" Jiro offered his translation. A man of many talents it seemed. Not just a gruff face.
"Man, girl, boy, dog, or lizard. We have no idea what this thing is. We know they control the Japanese branch of the blood tooth cartel. De-throne a king we can at least breath until a new one is crowned."
"So, you want me to find and kill this... thing?"
"Kill? No, no. Working with the cops, you gotta play by our rules, in cuffs and chains we'll lock 'em away for life." Takeshi explained simply.
"Deal or no deal?" He extended out one hand to Eren; waiting for a shake. A moment passed as Eren stared at the captain's hand; not a twitch in sight.
"Deal." Baelor took the captain's hand.
"I'll ensure he remains on his best behaviour during our... alliance."
"Eh, a vice grip you have Mr. Baelor." Takeshi chuckled, shaking out the sting from his hand.
"Mai, will be you point of contact for any police information." He nodded to the younger detective.
Both Eren and Mai looked at each; Eren held an anger with those words spoken about his sister. Whilst Mai wasn't too happy to see a criminal free.
Their glares spoke more than words ever could. Like dogs about to fight over the same meat.
"Detective Kaizaki... You'll be on your best behaviour as well?" Takeshi asked in a stern tone. His wry smile gone.
"Yes captain." She relented with a nod.
"Alright, you have a little something, something for him?" He motioned for a package held in her arms.
"Yeah." Mai tossed over a thin manilla folder.
Inside was information about a Ryu Masaru; the one that Sora fingered. A place to start at least, start from the bottom rung and work his way up.
"Not a lot to go on..." Eren complained. More work he needs to do himself.
"It will be enough. Find the next link in the chain. Take it down. Then find the next link. A man of your capabilities will make quick work of this little quest you rankers like to go on."
A long-winded plan; but if it meant the end of those that would hurt Emi.
Then Eren will stick to it. Even though he is not one to do things slow; sometimes the slow road was the only way.
Mai left with a scowl. Takeshi remained behind; wanting a word too Eren and Baelor alone.
"Is there something else, Captain Takeshi?" Baelor asked.
"A lot of my people are gunning to meet your troublemaker in a back alley with their pistols accidentally going off. The fact that I'm even speaking to you would land me a whole load of problems with my superiors... and my juniors, the public, our local coffee shop-"
"Why are you doing this then?" Eren interrupted before the old man got sidetracked talking about nonsense.
"Because sometimes the law just isn't enough. I've been around the block enough times to see bad people skip out of sure-fire cases. Men and women worse than you that go on to hurt and abuse. Sometimes you just gotta go beyond to get some justice." A sad story of his own behind those thin-rimmed glasses.
"A couple of us do appreciate the Reaper's works, Mai too. But that girl is stuck in two places at once with her heart. Go easy on her yeah?"
"Where is this going captain?" Eren asked impatiently.
"I just want to say thank you. For putting away some of the worst that Japan has to offer. You've made this place just that little bit safer..."
He gave both Eren and Baelor a deep bow. An honour bestowed from the acting captain.
A slight bow from Eren and Baelor in return. He turned on his heel turning back to his car.
"Well done Eren you held your tongue the entire time." Baelor praised, like Eren was a child being given a star sticker. While the words were encouraging, they were also condescending.
Eren didn't reply; instead opting to look out on the skyline. The cool breeze, the motion of the ocean. It felt nice for the briefest of moments.
*Bzzt* *Bzzt*
~
Eren?
Are you home yet?
No. Why?
I'm hungry. Can you cook me some food please? ;-)
Sure. See you soon.
~
Eren gave a deep sigh as he closed the chat. Ever the needy sister; if only Emi knew what happened the past night.
A fact that Eren wants to keep his sister well away from.
"Oh, Eren. It seems you have run afoul of Miss. Kato; she is currently exceptionally upset with your recent behaviour. I suggest you find a way to placate her anger." Baelor warned the man.
He himself must have some experience with a woman's scorn if he was warning Eren of the looming danger.
"Thank you, Baelor..." He sighed again.
A woman scorned is a dangerous creature to deal with. Especially one such as Kaori. Not even Eren knew what she's capable of.
But a pocket rocket like her… Gods help him.