PoB: Twilight Carnival [Closed]

[Mister J]

Paranormal Occult Bureau​

Twilight Carnival​

Hurried footsteps splashed through scattered puddles among the wet concrete. Deafening rain poured all around. A flash of red as the girl darts around a corner, knocking over a trashcan or two. Another figure follows, trampling through the spilled garbage. A hefty paper bag is dropped, scattering recently bought groceries all over the wet alleyway. Another glimpse of red. Blonde curls bounce side to side as she runs, the other figure keeping pace. A crimson hood conceals her face, but her breath is visible in the cold air. The dark figure is almost upon her, no matter where she goes in the maze of brick and mortar. She turns to try and catch a glimpse of her pursuer only to hear a loud howl. The sound of snarling echoes down the cramped and dirty corridor. She turns another corner and is finally met by the familar sound of cars and the lights of the crowded street. Just a few more steps... but no, it's already too late. Her cries are muffled by the pounding of the rain and the thunder in the sky.



The next day...

The rain has gone, leaving behind puddles, overcast skies, and damp attitudes. Filtering through the alley are dozens of men in black suits and ties. Huddled over something important are a group of crime scene techs. Special instruments and detection gadgets are scattered around them. The alleyway is cordoned off at every entrance and exit as well as surrounded by black SUVs and vans. Local police keep the small crowd back and begin canvasing the neighborhood and surrounding buildings. They don't know the extent of the situation, just what their superiors tell them and even they're in the dark.

One of the techs lifts up and examines what is left of a red hoodie.

Down the street at a small diner, a green haired man in a black suit lounges lazily in a corner booth. A black hat is pulled down over his eyes. His legs are kicked up and crossed atop the table. A waitress stops at the booth but he waves her away and sets his hands back atop his lap, interlocking his fingers. This was his first assignment at the P.O.B. since his inclusion in their service. Sitting atop the table next to his empty plate and glass was a black zippo. Carved roughly into the side was a date.

12-22-1901

Outside, a black SUV pulls up to the diner. The green haired man's ear twitches slightly and his lips curve into a smirk. The bells on the door jingle as it opens and he sniffs the air as the new scent reaches him. The man lifts a finger to the rim of his hat, tipping it up slightly as he hears the footsteps coming closer. Through green strands, he spies the shapely figure before him.

"Well you're not what I was expecting. How... refreshing."

 

[Mephistophelily]

The most I remember...
The most I can remember...

She sighed, staring at herself in the bathroom mirror for a moment longer. Dipping her hands back into the sink full of water, she splashed some up against her face, taking a deep breath before draining the contents and taking up the hand towel beside her. Patting her face dry, she tried to think on what exactly she was doing anymore. The only logical thing, wasn't it? They found her. They helped her.

Helped.
Well.
Potayto, Potahto.
There were different versions to that story, wasn't there? The head of her department said that they had helped her. Other stories said that she was a matter of circumstance for the Bureau. What exactly that meant, she wasn't sure. All she knew was that she was being placed on assignment, with a partner.

Better to be contributing than just mooching, she supposed. The Bureau had given her this apartment, as meager as it was. She still was still under observation because of her background (or rather, lack thereof), and had been told they were trying to decide who could best handle her.

Good thing she wasn't sure if she had self esteem issues. That could have stung a wee bit, there.

Dressed. Ready to go. Time to meet this new partner. Babysitter. Whatever.


Arriving at the diner, she skimmed the patrons with a curious look; wondering exactly who she should be looking for. She had only been told that she would know them when she found them. What exactly was that supposed to m-

Wait.
She felt it then. So that's what they meant by finding.

She hadn't known what to wear. The idea of attempting professional had seemed the best choice; a fitted pair of slacks and matching jacket, a white dress shirt peeking from beneath. The heels of her black boots made her steps fairly noticeable even in the loud surroundings, approaching the curious looking man alone at one of the tables.

"Well you're not what I was expecting. How... refreshing."

"Ditto." She smirked slightly, glancing to the seating opposite him. "You mind if I...?," She inquired, already starting to slip into it. "I was wondering what they had planned, with the way they were talking. I suppose this makes sense..." Her elbow came to rest on the table, her fingers cradling her chin as she peered around at the other patrons, taking a brief moment to glance at him once more. The attention drifted, however, to the curious piece between them. "Souvenir?," she inquired, an eyebrow quirking.

 

[Mister J]

He watched through squinted eyes as she took the seat opposite him. She was like him... but not like him. He could smell it on her, the scent of a demon or at least... traces of it. A half-breed? It wouldn't be a surprise. His kind fell into bed with all sorts of beings. Humans were never out of the question. He let his legs slide off of the table as he readjusted himself, sitting up a bit, arms stretched out across the back of the booth.

"Souvenir?,"

His head tilted a bit to the side, emerald strands sliding across his nose.

"Something like that..."

Lazily he reached down and plucked the lighter from the tabletop, slipping it into his jacket pocket before letting his arm find the back of the seat again.

"I'm..."

He paused for a second and glanced out the window, one eye open just enough to see a hint of gold. As if something caught his eye and then disappeared, he turned back to see her, both eyes squinted once again.

"... Dimitri, and you are?"

 

[Mephistophelily]

*Sorry to have bored you.*
Her tongue touched the inside of her left cheek, eyes watching him as he lazily slid about on his side of the booth. Oh, great; wonderful. This was going to work out perfectly.

She started to speak, but no words came out. What was she going to say to him? The only things they really had in common were the Bureau and their own supernatural natures. Not exactly the best fodder for conversation.

He spoke first. She looked up, catching the curious glint reflected in the glass; a realization hitting her then.

*Oh hell. He's fullblood, isn't he?*

A second realization. Her manners had vanished. "Oh, right; sorry. Rude of me. I'm Riade." She cleared her throat, glancing up with a smile as a waitress stepped up to the table, flipping over the coffeecup before her and filling it. "Mm. Thanks." Reaching out for the sugar container, she peeked over to watch the woman leave, then turned her attention back to Dimitri. "It's... kinda my first time without a PoB Watchdog lingering about. I guess I'm not really used to that..." She sighed, rolling her eyes. "You take a guy's soul once, you get grounded. He was a mugger, so doesn't that at least count for something? It's not like I just went after our waiter or a cabbie or anything..."

More sugar.
The container was nearing empty.

She finally took a sip, her nose wrinkling slightly. "Oh, yuck. That artificial crap..." Setting it back down quickly, she gently nudged it aside, looking at him once again. "So... Any idea what it is we get to go play with tonight?"

 

[Mister J]

Through squinted eyes and past dangling green strands, he watched her empty the sugar container. A faint smile playing at his lips where that mischievous grin used to be. Dimitri wondered if she was nervous being around someone like him. If her mannerisms were any indication, she had figured out that he was fullblooded. Perhaps the same way he had noticed her own taint. All you had to do is know what to look for. The same way wolves distinguish themselves from common dogs.

"So... Any idea what it is we get to go play with tonight?"

He brushed a strand of hair from his eye, staring across the table at her.

"So how did it feel, when you ripped his soul out?"

Ignoring her previous question and instead focusing on something a bit more... fun. His lips parted in anticipation of her answer. Dimitri had always gotten a thrill from feeding, but to his kind it was more of a necessity. Incubi and Succubi were unlike other demons in the fact that the souls stolen kept them alive.

He let his arms fall to the table as he leaned forward, anxious to see if she enjoyed it as much as he did. He had always been curious if it was the same for the halfbloods. Maybe they hated it? Here was his chance to find out.

 

[Mephistophelily]

The question stunned her. Froze her. How was that even related to-

"It was certainly... not... quite what I expected. I think I've done it before. I'm.... not really sure." She hesitated in her reply, refusing to look at him as the words delicately left her lips.

She didn't have to look up to know he was moving. She could feel him, hear him peering across the table. Inspecting her? Studying her?

The hair on the back of her neck was starting to stand. Why did they think this teaming was such a good idea again?

Was he waiting for a better response?

"I think.. At one time... It was something I enjoyed. I'm- I'm not really sure. It was. Scary. But... Beautiful. A combination that left me feeling so ill inside. But I was smiling. When I first did it, I- I didn't feel... anything. But when I was done- I felt... I felt... sickened with myself."

What a fun way to start things off between them.

The way he had asked lingered in her ears for a moment. So nonchalant. As if asking her favorite drink. Her fingers tightened on the coffeecup, quickly bringing it to her lips and gulping the contents down, trying to refuse the phantom taste of that event from returning.

She may not have liked what she had done, but she had liked the taste.
A human soul, pure or not... Was delicious.

"I answered yours... What about mine, hm?" Her voice was flat, trying to hide the hint of waver that wanted to leak through.

 

[Mister J]

He had slumped his chin into his palm as she explained, her words like candy on his tongue. He loved the way she was so nervous, so anxious. Each hesitation caused his brow to lift slightly, curiosity getting the best of him. She delighted him in her... contrary feelings. Part of her enjoyed it, the other detested the act. To be expected, he supposed... from a halfblood. The two sides were at war within her.

Oh this was too good to be true.

He would have no end of fun with this one.

"I answered yours... What about mine, hm?"

"Hmm?... Oh.. oh yes. Hrm, well... what was the question again?"

He tilted his head to the side, that hair of his swaying back again.

"Kidding... kidding..."

With a push and a scoot, the demon moved to stand, almost instantly slipping his hands into his pants pockets.

"We should probably start at the crime scene. Then go from there. Did they brief you already?"

Dimitri started for the door, talking as he walked.

"Another kidnapping, teenage girl like the others. Sound familiar?"

They made their way down the street, Dimitri preferring the short walk over her SUV. On the way, he explained what he knew. There had been seven total abductions including this one. Each, judging by various clues left behind, had been a teenage girl near 17-19 years old. They were all tied together by a single similarity; lycan fur. Traces of it had been at each scene. Same color, same thickness, same everything. They're main suspect was a werewolf with white fur.

"... and that's about all I know."

He ducked under the yellow police tape and then lifted it up slightly for her.

"There are several tribes in the city, but as expected they're all... unfriendly. In our line of work, warrants don't exist so no one is going to open their door for us. However..."

Dimitri pointed up to a huge luxury high-rise building overlooking the alley.

"Back in the diner, this building caught my eye. The 'Outfit' work out of there, the Troll Mafia. This is their territory. I figure, if anything goes down here, they would know about it. Plus, I have an old friend who might be able to help get us in."

He gave her a bit of a playful grin.

"Ready to go play?"

 

[Mephistophelily]

A slight frown pulled at her lips with the teasing response, closing her eyes for a brief moment. She had talked with him for all of maybe 10 minutes and was already feeling oddly uncomfortable with this guy. Maybe it was what they had in common...

Her eyes cracked open slightly as she heard him moving, widening completely with his motions away from the table. Quickly getting up herself, she pulled a few dollars from her pocket and slapped them onto the table for the coffee she had guzzled moments ago before taking the hastened steps to catch up with him before he hit the door.

"...Did they brief you already?"

She nodded slightly, an added bit of a shrug to her motions. Enough, anyway. Between the quick skimming of the basic troubles and her own outside experiences (that old fellow in her building was pretty adamant on warning her of the last few disappearances and how she should watch herself), she had picked up a good deal of info on what was going on. Dimitri's continued details brought a higher level to it all, Riade frowning once again as the suspect was described.

Werewolves?
She'd only met one, that she could recall anyway... And he wasn't exactly the typical lycan. A bookworm in his human form, and still a rather intellectual yet well-built creature when his other side came through. Learned one lesson from that, though. Never, ever tell Harold his books were lame. The reaction of a subdued lycan was still a very destructive one.

Ducking under the yellow strip after him, her own hands had now worked into her jacket's pockets, an eyebrow curiously raising as he pointed out a building in particular. "Friend, huh? With the Trolls? You sure asking them for help isn't just asking for more trouble...?," she replied skeptically, looking over the building once again.

Well... Wasn't like there was much else in the line of options. Any lead was a good lead, and chasing every wolf in the city wasn't going to get them anywhere.

"Play...? Yeah, sure. Hey, at least I'm not going to be some wolfie's chewtoy. Yet." She gave him another glance with that, frowning before shrugging yet again. "He's your friend. Let's see what he's got."

 

[Mister J]

They could have walked the few blocks to the high-rise but having the SUV made for a better escape plan if things went south. With Wex there was always the chance, so it was best to play it safe. Dimitri had known him for a long long time, but they always seemed to be on opposite sides of the fence. Wexner, or just "Wex" as he preferred, was young for a Troll. Around 102 and his tusks were still growing. The relationship was touchy at best. Last time they met, Dimitri tried to kill Wex... but that wasn't something he was going to mention to the girl. Not likely she would have come with him then.

They parked on the roof platform of the parking garage just across the street from the high-rise. Dimitri coyly mentioned it was for "easy access". From the outside, it looked like a normal building. There weren't even guards out front. It was what you couldn't see that kept the place protected though. Etched into each brick and stone of the building were protection spells. Similar to what the PoB headquarters used. It kept creatures like Dimitri away... but that's why he needed Wex.

Next the the building's revolving door there was a speaker box. Dimitri nodded towards Riade and pressed the button.

"Hey, tell Wex Dimitri is outside."

There was a moment of silence before a gruff voice came through from the speaker.

"What's this look like pal?! Your own persona--"

Muffled voices could be heard, one much louder than the other.

"... Mr. Wexner says come on in. He'll meet you in the lobby."

They were buzzed in as the revolving door started to turn. A figure emerged from the other side. Time seemed to slow as a young girl walked out, escorted by an older gentleman in a suit. The girl was dressed all in white. Fur hat and long coat, big boots and gloves. They passed the two P.O.B. agents as if they didn't even see them. Dimitri thought he saw a glint of red in the little brunette's eyes. If he didn't know better he'd have widened his own eyes at that. The two entered a waiting limo and before the window rolled up, the girl looked right at him. Her eyes filled in with red and glowed brightly. Before he could make a move the car pulled away. Dimitri was still staring when the door buzzed again.

How could she still be alive... and after all these years?

He brought a hand up to his face and shook his head, reaching out with his other to catch the door. He stepped inside the spinning doorway and passed through a tiny hallway with two doors, one on each side, before heading out into a large lobby. There was a grand staircase leading up to a second level. On that level there were elevators that went up to the higher floors. The Trolls spared no expense with the place it seemed. Everything was lavish and expensive looking. Dimitri took out the lighter and ran a finger across the numbers etched into the side. Those red eyes flashed back into his mind, but before he could think any further on it he heard a familiar voice.

"Been a long time D."

Green skinned with bright orange hair, spiked up and back. Two small tusks poked up from his lower lip. He was tall and lanky, wearing a fine tailored grey suit. His collar was undone and he wore no tie. Dull yellow eyes peered down at them.

"No grudges I hope... Mr. Wexner."

Wex's laugh echoed through the lobby.

"Of course not. Bygones be bygones and all that nonsense."

There was an uncomfortable silence as the two stared at each other.

"Lets talk upstairs."

An elevator ride later brought them to a spacious office with a huge glass wall behind a large desk. The window-esque wall faced the street. The clouds rolled across lazily in the distance. The room was immaculately clean as if it hadn't been used in quite some time but kept tidy all the same.

"I haven't broken it in yet. Just got the seat yesterday as a matter of fact."

He must have noticed Dimitri's inspection of the surroundings.

"Movin' on up eh?"

The troll moved behind the desk but remained standing, his hand lowered to his side and disappeared behind the desk.

"You could say that. Now what can I do for you?"

Dimitri told him about their case, the girls, and the fur. After he got done explaining, Wex brought a hand up to his chin and long fingers stroked it thoughtfully.

"You know she told me you'd be here. I didn't believe it until I heard you buzz in. I couldn't believe you'd work for the P.O.B. What do they have on you? Meh, nevermind it doesn't really matter."

The green haired demon furrowed his brow as his right foot slid back slightly. Wex noticed and just smiled.

"Don't do it Wex."

The troll lifted his hand again, this time with a large silver handgun pointed at them.

"Already did. She paid me an obscene amount of money to kill you and it only seems fitting after the shit you pulled last time we saw each other."

Both of Dimitri's hands slowly lowered to his pockets. Wex noticed that too.

"Keep 'em where I can see 'em D."

"You know it will take more than that gun to kill me."

Wex tilted his head to the side and smirked with a tusk-filled grin.

"Then I'd better shoot where it'll do the most damage."

The troll suddenly whipped the gun to the his right, pointing at Riade. He didn't know they had just met, but he did remember that Dimitri had a soft spot for women and children. That was why he tried to kill Wex all those years ago. Dimitri happened across Wex and a hit squard after they had burned down a school for not paying for their protection... while the children and teachers were still inside.

A flash of gold flickered out of the corner of his eyes and suddenly the whole room went white for a split second. The gun went off, the sound echoing through the room. With the white bleeding away, it revealed Dimitri standing next to the troll. His hand clutched around Wex's wrist, the gun pointing up at the ceiling where it had just fired into. In half a second Dimitri had cleared the distance of the large office and diverted the shot or at least that's how it appeared. The clouds in the distance seemed to have skipped across in the instant when Dimitri moved as well.

Wex's eyes went wide.

"How did you--"

Dimitri didn't give him time to finish. The demon flicked his wrist, revealing a curved butterfly knife that seemed to appear out of nowhere. He spun around, lashing out with the blade before jumping the desk. As he ran and skidded to a stop in front of Riade, a thin red line appeared across the troll's neck. Droplets of crimson started to roll down from the lesion and Wex seemed to be having trouble breathing. Dimitri grabbed Riade's wrist and started for the glass wall overlooking the street. Halfway there the door where they had come in was busted down. A handful of trolls poured in and started to unload their guns.

Again, time seemed to slow. Bullets trailed past them on either side, some barely missing the two of them. Dimitri was breathing heavily and he looked exhausted. Glancing over, Wex's head had slid off of his neck and as they passed the desk, it rolled across the floor. Just before they got to the window Dimitri grunted loudly as a spray of blood shot out from his right knee. He pushed down on it despite the pain and took the last lunge towards the window. The bullets had shot holes into it, but it was plate glass and not easily broken. Dimitri put his shoulder into the window and it broke against the weight.

The two of them soared over the street far below, shards of glass and bullets surrounding them as they began to fall. Dimitri rolled in the air, pulling her atop him. He came down onto their SUV, crushing it inwards. With the momentum of the jump, he bounced off of the crushed vehicle losing consciousness and letting her go. She rolled off to the side, mostly unharmed. He continued to skip along the concrete parking platform until his body crashed into the wall on the other side.

He fell over, sprawled out on the ground a mangled mess of what he used to be. Surprisingly though, his body began to heal itself. Broken limbs snapped back together, wounds closed up, blood stopped pooling around him. Still unconscious, but almost completely healed. All that remained were some bruises under the skin. Signs of internal injuries still being repaired.

Across the street, dozens of men in suits began to pour out of the revolving doors headed for the parking garage and more specifically... them.

 

[Mephistophelily]

Riade her doubts on the so-called 'friendship' from the doorman's reaction on his request to be let inside. Not exactly the interaction she'd have expected between buddies. The quick argument in the background, however, caught her attention- as did the look the woman who left as they entered gave her new partner as she passed.

An eyebrow raised, but she said nothing. Just something else to take note of.
She was already getting the feeling there'd be lots of little 'notes' on this guy.

The reunion between 'friends' started as warmly as a freezer. Riade watched from the sidelines, curiously glancing between the two, watching the troll's reactions to the information given on the missing girls. Didn't seem to bother him too much. Trolls weren't bothered by much that didn't effect them, though, were they?

"Thinkin' this was a waste of time," she mumbled softly, closing her eyes as she sighed.

"You know she told me you'd be here. I didn't believe it until I heard you buzz in. I couldn't believe you'd work for the P.O.B. What do they have on you? Meh, nevermind it doesn't really matter."

"Don't do it Wex."

Wait, what? Riade's eyes parted open slightly, peering up at the exchange between the two. Oh, hell. Where'd short shit get the gun?!

"Friend my ass," She growled with a frown, looking to Dimitri with a glare.

The troll was serious.
"Dimitri-"
The gun came in her direction.
"Dimitri!"

Her training was a sudden blank. Everything that had been taught to her on how to use her abilities properly, how to handle even the basic demonic powers- Gone. She froze. How the hell could she freeze NOW?!

But he didn't. He knew his abilities far better than she knew hers. He moved without moving... And was unphased by what he did in that time. Those knives, barely noticeable in his sudden motions, seemed to come from nowhere, move with such ease. Before she could even realize what he had done, he was already back at her side, grabbing her arm and hauling her toward the window with him.

Gunfire. Wait, gunfire- Gunfire! At them! She glanced back over her shoulder as the attacking trolls, only moments before the collision against the glass. She caught sight of what remained of Wexner's body falling to the floor, cringing slightly as they fell from the building. Something. Try to do something. What the hell do you do when you're falling?

He was holding her as they met the car, the vehicle buckling inward and launching them both back off. She met the pavement beside it, but no longer felt his hold on her.

She did feel the pain in her ribs, however.

Cringing as she sat up, she looked around for Dimitri, catching sight of the rest of Wexner's men coming after them. "Shit... Dimitri-!" She tried to get up, yelping at the stabbing pain in her ribs. Not broken. Breathing wasn't that hard... but certainly not helping at the moment. "Dimitri, get- get up!"

He wasn't moving.
She could see his chest rising. At least he was alive.

The footsteps were getting louder, closer. She spun back around, frowning as she balled her fist. Dimitri had his knives. She had a sword, summoned up through her demonic blood.

She just wasn't as good with it.

Well, they didn't know that. The first three to approach were met with a quick slice of the blade across their chests, the feel of meeting flesh sending a chill down her spine.

Too many of them. Her partner was down- She swallowed hard, banishing the summoned sword to instead call up the gentle blue flame that protruded from her right hand. If anything, a mental attack could slow them down. Her spirit fire drew at the very soul of a person... but how well did it work on these guys?

 

[Mister J]

Birds in the distance danced between clouds, playing with each other and singing along as if nothing else in the world mattered. The sky was a radiant blue, the sun a sharp contrast on the horizon. It had fully crested and floated majestically behind passing clouds. It's rays reached out across the city, showering it with brilliant light and casting wide shadows all the same.

“I admit, it is quite a sight from up here. Might not have been a terrible idea...”

Two pairs of legs dangled freely from the tri-beam they were sitting atop. It was attached to a larger antenna structure situated on the very top of the high-rise building along with various other instruments for measuring weather and wind range. Most of the skyscrapers had them.

One of the pairs of legs was long and slender, clothed in black slacks. The other shorter and feminine, smooth and delicate. The stayed up there for some time. The sun was higher now, perhaps almost midday already. They had much to talk about after all. What had happened before and what was to come in their... unique relationship. They seemed to be on good terms with one another, but something was different. They were closer now. Something happened to the pair, something unforgettable.

In mid-conversation, the sound of shattering glass greeted them. Even up so high, with the winds rushing past, he could still hear it. The legs swung up and then fell back down again. This time though, they soles of his dress shoes made contact with the bottom of the tri-beam and his body was whipped downwards. He stopped impressively, his long black hair dangling, reaching back down to the ground far below. He was standing, upside down, but standing and looking down, his head tilted backwards slightly. Red orbs swimming in endless black narrowed in on two figures as they soared across the street and into the parking garage on the other side. He then spied a large group of trolls burst from the street level doors, headed for the garage. He turned slightly and looked up at her.

She didn't need to say a word. He already saw what she was thinking.

“We don't even know them. They might not even need any he--”

He stopped... her unmoving expression saying what words didn't have to.

“Fine... but just a peek. If they need help we help... but that's it.”

He stepped forward into open air, his shoe coming around to land on the top side of the tribeam. As it touched, the rest of his body followed, pulling up and around so that he was standing right side up again. She stood as well and he opened his arms with a smirk.

“Come to Daddy.”

A roll of the eyes was all he got as she took the few steps towards him on that narrow rail. He wrapped his arms around her and as he did, the suit of his changed and grew outwards, latching onto her. It looked like deep black oil spreading over her body. It completely enveloped her figure and he melted into it, disappearing as the darkness covered her. Then, simple as that, she dove off of the beam.




The parking garage was quickly filling with trolls. Each in an expensive looking suit. They were after Dimitri and Riade. The green haired one was down, but alive. The woman seemed to be fighting for her life. The first group to reach her fell as expected but the others would be there soon. Looking at the scene from the safety of the shadows, he knew she wouldn't survive for much longer. Not without help. So, as he promised, he helped. The girl he left in the darkness which had become a safe retreat for not just him anymore. She was becoming more and more entwined with him and his powers. Some even bleeding off into her.

The next group of troll gangsters ran up the ramp leading to the level Riade was on. She was firing at them from behind a solid concrete support, but they were going to flank her. He could see it and knew she probably noticed too. She was most likely quickly running out of ammo and whatever magic she used to draw the fire might have been used up.

As she fired a few more shots from around the corner, the lights in the garage flickered. Suddenly all of them burst outward, the glass casings exploding. The shadows surrounding them swept outwards. Sharp looking tendrils lashed out at the trolls. Snapping like whips, the tentacles wrapped around their necks, lifting them up into the air to finally hurl them at nearby vehicles. None of them got back up, their necks crushed inwards.

The shadows retreated back to their normal spots. A dark haired man with red eyes then rose effortlessly from a shadow pool on the ground. Fully emerged, he wasn't more than a foot or two from Riade. He winked at her and then put his finger up to his lip gesturing “Shhh” as he sunk back into the shadow.

Finally Dimitri moved. His fingers stretched out and he pushed himself over and onto his back. Turning his head, he spit up a good amount of blood and then tried to sit up. It hurt more than he thought it would. With another grunt, he finally leaned forward and rested one arm on a raised knee. He glanced around and noticed the gruesome scene around them.

“Riade... what... what happened?”

 

[Mephistophelily]

Shit. Shit. SHIT!

Riade was shaking now. Not how her first day was supposed to be, not at all. "Dimitri, you gotta get your ass up at some point here- Your friends aren't playing so NICE anymore!"

Too many. Not for her alone. Not while trying to make sure no one decided to give Dimitri a pounding without her around. "I'm not trusting you on any more friendships you claim to have, either-!," she snapped, starting to glare back at him- Until the lights blew.

Ohhhh damn iiiit. Now I can't even SEE who's going to kill us.

Wait. What was-
Those shadows were-

Was this one of those shadowwraiths she had heard about? But why was it helping her? Or was it just seeing this as playtime?

No, she had seen footage of wraiths. They certainly didn't do that, she noted as a trio of trolls was lifted into the air, then hurled off across the garage like rag dolls. More of the curious dark appendages came from the shadows, attacking at the offending company. Riade lowered her hands, staring in awe at the confusing scene before her.

Of course Dimitri would be out for all this. Would he even believe her when he came to?

A man suddenly came from the shadows, a smile not unlike that of Dimitri's earlier in the cafe resting on his lips. His fingers rose up to meet that smile, his eyes on her.

Silence?
He expected her to be quiet on this?!

"Uh..."
She glanced around, meekly spreading her hands and shrugging. "Thank... you...?"

Motions were being made behind her, Riade quickly turning around and pointing her weapon. Oh. Dimitri.

Oh, NOW he wakes up.

“Riade... what... what happened?”

The Shadowman had told her to stay quiet on it. So what was she supposed to say?

"They... um... Fell down?" She frowned, shaking her head before going to help him up, offering a hand to her fallen partner. "I'm not... quite sure. All I know is, there's way more going on around here than just trolls with guns. Which, by the way, I'm a bit mad at you for." Helping him to his feet, she took another glance around. No sign of the shadow guy. Of course, how she planned to keep tabs on someone who seemed to just meld away into the darkness was beyond her. If she had only gotten a chance to touch him...

"We should get you back to the office. You need some help," she mumbled softly, still glancing around. "I've got a few.. things... I think I need to look into myself."

 

[Mister J]

All he could do was nod, still a bit shaken by the fall and subsequent crash. His body healed fast, but with so much internal damage, it took a bit longer for all the pieces to fix themselves. He let her help him up. Leaning on a nearby car, Dimitri made a “phone” gesture by putting his hand up by his ear. They would need a pick up and the garage needed some attention. A scrub team would clean everything and tie up all the loose ends. He didn't carry a cell though so hers was the obvious choice. It didn't take long for the POB boys to roll through. They were handed the keys to a new SUV, identical to the old one. Dimitri smirked, thinking they must have a lot full of those ugly things.

The drive was awkward. There were lots of questions but he didn't feel well enough to get into it. His lungs still hadn't fully patched up and it was hard for him to breathe, let alone talk. The biggest thought scratching at his mind was that she had lied to him about what happened. He saw the carnage with his own eyes. There was no way she did all of that. Someone or something had helped. Maybe he'd ask her later. Both of them needed some rest first.

Finally they arrived at the post office front building. He was always amazed at how it hid in plain sight. They moved inside and parted ways in the underground HQ. She said there were some things she needed to take care of. He simply shrugged and headed for the showers. The POB had a large locker room and attached shower area for all the agents. He enjoyed a long hot shower. The warm water ran over his pale skin. Almost all of the bruises were gone now and all that remained of the external wounds were some light scarring here and there. He could heal himself but the body can only do so much. There would always be reminders. He smirked at the thought, running his hand through dripping emerald strands. The water felt good, relaxing. Maybe he had needed it more than he thought. Finally stepping out, he noticed he had been in there for an hour and a half. With a sigh, he dried off, wrapped the towel around his waist and left the locker room. His clothes were dirty and he wasn't about to put them on again just to get a new outfit.

He strode down the hallway, one hand clutching the small towel barely around his waist and the other waving smugly at those staring.

 

[Mephistophelily]

There wasn't much to talk about on the drive back. She was still rather annoyed with the now questionable story he had given her on the troll being a friend, and he seemed rather doubting on her own story on the incident that left him such a mess.

Well, this was a fun ride.

Parting ways back at PoB Central, she made her way quickly to the Data Library, settling at one of the computers to try and make sense of what had happened. She couldn't very well tell Dimitri about all that. How was she going to explain it? Besides, that guy... thing... had indicated to stay quiet on it.

After what he had done, she wasn't about to piss him off.

She pulled up the Directory of Known Paranormal Lifeforms, entering the search parameters she could think of: Shadows, darkness attacks, shapeshifting.

Shadow wraiths.
Nope, certainly not one of those.

Blots.
Couldn't have been that. There was no ink nearby, no billboards for it to pull from.

Metas.
That had a possibility...

"Interesting research you have running, Riade." The nasally voice over her shoulder caused the half demon to jump, quickly looking over her shoulder to the shortstatured turtle-like creature beside her. "Perhaps I can be of assistance?"

"No thanks, Newman. Just a little... ah, curiosity. That's all."

"Mhmnm." Newman's fingers reached up, jabbing the lowering thick glasses back up his nose. "I hear today you got your first assignment. And your partner-" He paused, chuckling. It was a rather disgusting noise; almost as though he were choking. "Well. I think you two are a good fit."

"What're you talking about? He's already lied to me, asked some totally uncalled for questions, wrecked my car, damn near got us both KILLED-"

"A good fit."

"Oh, shut up, you TMNT reject," She growled under her breath, slinking further into the chair and closing her eyes. Waiting for Newman to walk off, she stared up at the screen for a few moments longer, trying to make sense of what she had seen. A shadow creature, with some very unusual attack methods. It didn't seem to be anywhere in the Bureau records. An unknown PL?

She needed a drink. What she really wanted was hard liquor, but a soda from the machines would have to do. Shoving her way up from the chair, she started back out for the main halls, her mind still wandering to the incidents of the day instead of focusing on her current surroundings. It wasn't until a sharp gasp sounded off ahead that she really paid attention- and what she saw nearly caused her to trip over her own feet.

"Oh for GOD'S SAKE, Dimitri-!," She hissed, sighing and shaking her head seconds later. "I'm not... Nope... Nevermind. Forget it." She jabbed her thumb over her shoulder to the vending machines, trying hard not to look down from his face. "I'm grabbing a drink, and then maybe we should, ah, talk about all that stuff from earlier..."

Her gaze lowered.
Oh, damn it-!
Quickly, she looked back up.

"Pants. Please. I beg you, go find some pants. Looks like you're healing up fairly well from it all, though..." She hesitated as she started for the other hall, turning enough to finally ask. "Uh. Just a little, um... random question.... Do you... have you ever heard of a possible uncatalogued shadow creature in the area?"

 

[Mister J]

Do you... have you ever heard of a possible uncatalogued shadow creature in the area?"

That smirk plastered to his face never wavered, even when he noticed the downward glance. It was his mask, a defensive mechanism of sorts and it kept people on edge whenever he was around. Behind that smirk though, his mind was taking in everything she had said and going over every detail. An unknown shadow creature? So that's what had helped her in the garage.

For a full awkward minute, Dimitri stared ahead as if he was thinking hard on her question. Then, just like that, he simply shrugged and cocked his head to the side innocently.

"Nope!"

However, his smirk dropped and one of his eyes opened just enough to let a bit of gold glint in the light.

"So is that what you think it was that helped back in the garage?"

He had no reason to pretend he didn't know she was lying.

"I've never seen any shadow being capable of doing something like that. Did you get a good look at it?"

 

[Mephistophelily]

He saw right through that, hadn't he? Riade's gaze fell from her partner to her hand instead, suddenly deciding the quarters in her palm needed to be recounted as she nodded slightly. "Possibly. No, I didn't get too good a look at it. I mean, it was a shadow creature. Kinda hard to tell what you're looking at with that."

She frowned slightly, finally glancing at him. "But it didn't seem... right. I looked up what I could on other PL's, and none of them really seemed to fit the description. This guy- thing... whatever it was... It seemed to be attacking with intent, not just destruction. Everything on file didn't have motive, other than to cause havoc." The hand slipped back into her pocket, a frown slowly pulling at her lips. "And that kinda worries me. The wraiths and such- they attack because they just feel like it. No rhyme or reason. Whatever this was... it had reason. It thought about it..."

Speaking of thoughts.

"And you." Her change was now deposited into her pocket, the hand quickly withdrawing to point a finger accusingly into the other demon's chest. "You lied to me. You almost got us killed! This is my first damn case, Dimitri! I'd like to see a second one, please!" Her voice was firm, a slightly angered look on her face as she slowly lowered her hand.

Calm down.
Gotta calm down. Get too wired up, and things go bad...

"I'm not as good with my abilities as you, ok?," She noted softly, looking back to the floor. "You were able to get over that without much issue. I'm still... I'm still learning. And I'm only half blood. I don't even know if I can do that. So, I dunno- maybe next time you decide we should visit someone with it out for you, you could give me a little more warning?"

 

[Mister J]

Dimitri shrugged, lifting one hand up to rub at the back of his neck while leaving the other to hold the towel up. His eyes cast down to their feet.

“Well I really didn't think it was going to go down like that. We had been at odds before, but I never thought he'd take it that far. It had to have been her.”

He sighed as his hand dropped back down to his hip.

“The little girl, with the long black hair. The one we saw coming out of the troll high rise. I'm pretty sure you've heard of her... Lilith. Mother to all demon kind.”

The demon paused for a second just to let that sink in.

“Yep... her. “

He looked back up to her, noticing for the first time how hurt she was by how he had treated her. His hand landed on her shoulder and gave it a light squeeze.

“Hey, look. I'm sorry. I shouldn't have dragged you in there, but you should have more confidence in yourself. You got the spark doll, just need to find ya some fuel to set it off.”

 

[Mephistophelily]

"Don't worry about it," She growled, shaking her head while still refusing to look at him. "Spark... Yeah. I'm afraid if it gets too much fuel, it might explode..." She cleared her throat, finally looking back at him as everything he had explained began to filter through her head.

"So you knew... KNOW Lilith? God, I'd hate to know where I fall on her list. I've learned pretty fast that half bloods aren't exactly smiled upon by most full bloods." She paused, glancing at him. "Still not quite sure where I make it on yours, either. You send some mixed signals, and it's kinda hard to...." She trailed off, clearing her throat again before nodding down the hall. "Anyway. Clothes. You should get some before the Chief walks by or something. Gonna go get that drink."

Pulling the change from her pocket, she headed down the small side corridor to the machines, pushing in her money and waiting for the can to drop.

Lilith.
That was Lilith.
Two interesting sights in one day.

Plucking the can up, she simply held it for the time being, contemplating her thoughts with the cold metal in her hand. She still wasn't sure about Dimitri, either. As another demon, there should have been some sort of... connection. At least, that's what it sounded like had been expected, especially after Newman's little comment.

But she couldn't read him.
At all.
When he had been down in the lot, she had tried to peek into his mind to see if he was okay... but there was nothing. Like a brick wall, keeping her from seeing inside.

She wondered if he knew.
She wondered if he could get into hers.
Well, that would suck. Especially with that bastard deciding that clothing was optional.
And that accidental glance.

Oh, damn it. Now her mind was wandering back to it again. Him and that taunting smirk of his, the way he didn't seem to care either way, like he was daring her to-

DAMN IT!
Clutching the can a bit tighter, she gave a frustrated little shriek, punching the machine before starting back up to the main halls.

"Can this day just end... Please...," She muttered to herself, shaking her head with a sigh.