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Post by Pearl Dragon on Jul 6, 2017 11:49:43 GMT -6
The bench underneath of Stenson felt all too hard and cold, as he sat with his head in his hands. He'd messed up. He'd messed up big time. And now, not only was he going to be fired, he was going to lose everything his Father had wanted for him. The idea of jail lingered in his mind, taunting him with visions of cold hard criminals beating him, stabbing him, bludgeoning him to death in his cell. "You know what happens to cops who go to jail, right?" Sneered an imaginary inmate, his stereotypical bloodshot eyes glaring hungrily at Stenson from amidst an entire mob of other prisoners, each one holding either a pipe, a shank,or some other deadly prison-made weapon.
But then, he'd probably deserved it. How could he have been so stupid. His mind raced now with memories of the past few hours. Even as he looked up, eyes brimming and hair disheveled from having run his hands through them time and time again, as he sat there and stared at the barred door of the detainment cell, he could see every detail of the memory in his mind's eye. They were only children, what else was he going to do? When that psycho had escaped the shop and fled from the police, Stenson had given chase, he was the only one who could keep up. He was sure he'd catch the man before any harm was brought to him, the police, or any civilians. But, just as Stenson had gained on the tiring villain, he had watched in horror as the man turned a street corner and charged into a school bus that had just finished loading the last child on board. The crazed maniac had shoved his way onto the bus, had pulled the poor woman driving the vehicle from her seat, nearly strangling her with the seatbelt as he did so, and had pulled the doors shut right as Stenson reached it. A young boy in one of the front seats had risen to flee from the criminal and retreat to the back with the others, but was quickly snatched up by the man's arm, hooking him back into a deadly hug.
"NO!...NO GET OUT, GET OUT NOW!" Stenson had roared at him from the other side of the door, drawing his gun and aiming it at the bus' new driver, but immediately lifted it at the sight of the terrified child trapped under the man's arm. Stenson's heart skipped a beat or two in panic as his eyes fell upon a hand gun now gripped with whitened knuckles in the man's hand, which had now been leveled at the boy's head.
"Go ahead, COP!" he spat, a line of drool dripping from the corner of the man's mouth. "I'll blow 'is brains out, I will!" The man's lips were curled back in an evil sneer, eyes wild and challenging. Stenson stood frozen, feeling helpless, and as the bus roared to life and began to roll forward....he reacted. It had been an impulse. There was nothing left to do except....
Before the bus could round the corner, it suddenly halted in place with a screech of tires, now anchored by the iron grip of an enormous clawed hand gripping its back tire. Stenson bellowed in rage as he shifted, pulling the big yellow bus back towards him, piercing black claws digging and ripping the metal surface with each pull, the spinning tires now spilling white smoke behind it as the wheels continued their effort to drive forward. Soon, Stenson was once again staring at the man in the driver's seat, but the gun, no longer held against the boy, was now aimed at the snarling beast currently ripping the doors clean off their hinges. The boy had been forgotten, shoved away down the aisle, and the crazed look on the man's face had been replaced by pure, unadulterated terror. There was a shot fired, children screamed, but Stenson bowled his way into the bus without faltering, even as the bullet punched into his hardened shoulder. What was left for the police to clean up, Stenson refused to remember. The man hadn't died, but Stenson was sure he probably wished he was. Now, sitting in the detainment cell, Stenson winced as he rolled his bandaged shoulder, still bleeding underneath where the bullet had pierced the solid granite that had formed just before Stenson had charged into the bus. The public eye had seen him. The police had seen him. Before he had everyone convinced he was a splicer, just a cosmetic thing. Grey skin, spliced eyes, it was cool, they had said. Weird, but cool. Now, the truth was out. They had approached him with just as many guns drawn as they had with the criminal. Most of his closest coworkers had assured him he did what was right, but they now regarded him fearfully, as if he might shift at any moment and go Hulk on them. He had come quietly, shifting back without incident and stepping off of the bus with only a half of what was left of his pants bundled across his waist to conceal himself from view, even lowering himself to the ground so that handcuffs could be administered without difficulty. He was an embarrassment. The only comforting thought had been that the boy, and the other children, had not been harmed.
There was a loud clank, and a flood of light, as the door was opened. In the threshold stood Stenson's supervisor, Brian, looking down at him with a mixture of pity and...something else.
Brian's silhouette, wide in the tummy but otherwise still beefy for his age, faded into focus as Stenson's eyes adjusted to the light. Brian had been his supervisor for years, now approaching his mid to late 50's. His olive skin was dappled with sun spots and imperfections, and his hair, once jet black, had become a salt and pepper grey, though still holding onto his scalp. Along his mouth was a rough, bushy moustache that covered most of his lips, and across his chin and jaw was a thin beard, thick enough to cover his skin but short enough that he didn't look like a grey Santa Claus.
"Brian..Brian, I'm-" "Can it, Jones." Brian said, cutting Stenson off, "I heard everything. No need to explain. In fact....I made a few phone calls. C'mon, get outta this nasty metal cage and let's go talk in my office like civilized blokes."
"Orders were I'm to be detained for safey rea-"
"Jones, did I say you could speak yet? No? Then CAN it." Brian repeated, a half smile pulling at the side of his mouth as he spoke. His tone was stern, but Stenson could still sense that something else. Stenson had heard it many times before, usually when he'd outdone himself in an assignment. Usually it was in the form of abrasive praise. Stern, and harsh, but always with a hearty slap on the back. And, as Stenson rose to follow, the deep ache in his shoulder sparking to life from the movement, Brian planted that exact same hearty smack on his back, albeit on the opposite shoulder.
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Post by Sharei on Jul 6, 2017 13:14:35 GMT -6
Warm yellow light buzzed around the slats of Brian O'Conner's office blinds. It wasn't much of a space as far as offices went. Wenfirth wasn't an especially rich city for the size of its population and much of its tax money had been routed into construction projects. Despite that the city housed a considerable police force with multiple precincts. The buildings were clean and well maintained but had that old world charm that much of Wenfirth favored. The floors were all hard wood, likely original, beaten smooth by the countless boots of generations. O'Conner's desk was a thick, solid oak monstrosity of a thing that would have taken three men to move into position directly in front of the large panel sectioned window. An ancient computer hummed beside a newer flat screen monitor, and a well used keyboard was out on the desk's sliding tray. Papers and forms filled an OUT box on the side of the desk, dwarfed yet still by the stack within the IN box.
There were a pair of leather padded chairs with metal arms in front of the desk. Isaac was seated in one of these, his suit coat thrown over the back of the second. The golden WDSA badge glinted in the dying light of the evening in its place of honor at the base of his throat, over the knot of his tie. A fan in the corner next to tall metal filing cabinets served as the only relief from the warm summer air. The central air was broken at the moment, Brian had told him. Isaac had assured the man that it didn't matter.
It had been a long time since Isaac had been to Wenfirth. His stay in the city had been brief but profitable when he'd been passing through thirty years prior. He had met O'Conner when the supervisor had still been a young recruit in the police force, aspiring as all young men of his caliber did to changing the world to be a better place. His predecessor, a man named Jonathan Chu, had been among Isaac's associates. He had not obtained the prestige of his current title of Director of the Supernatural Law Enforcement Department, but even back then Isaac had known the importance of having very particular friends in particular places. Long centuries of practice had learned him well in that regard.
He had been surprised when O'Conner had reached out to his office and left a message with his aide, Sullivan, regarding an urgent matter with one of his police officers. They had fallen out of contact when Isaac had taken up his new post with the WDSA. The Supernatural Law Enforcement Department had been in such a state of dysfunction when Isaac had taken over that he'd been forced to devote his existence into making something better of the mess that his own predecessor had left. He had turned that disorganized chaos into a well oiled machine with values and integrity.
It was ironic, he supposed with a little whimsical smile, that the sort of people that they were dedicated to catching were the sort of people that had rescued the ailing department in the first place.
The door opened and Isaac turned to look at it. O'Conner walked in with a rather large looking man at his back. Isaac assumed that this must be the Stenson Jones that he'd been told about, less because of the fact that his face matched the picture on the manila file in his lap and more for the utter dejection in the fall of his shoulders.
Isaac adjusted his sunglasses and stood.
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Post by Pearl Dragon on Jul 6, 2017 13:44:10 GMT -6
Stenson passed through the door of the detainment cell and into the hallway, where two officers were waiting nearby. Once he was out of the cell, one of the officers reached out to Stenson's cuffs, glancing nervously up at Stenson as he did so, and inserted the key. With a click, the handcuff's pressure loosened and released his wrist from its hold.
"Thanks, lads," Brian said, patting the one on the shoulder, causing him to flinch slightly "That'll be all. Oh come now, he ain't gonna bite. Where's your head?" The officer straightened to look at Brian and gave a brisk nod. "Sir, I'm sorry sir. It's just-" "It's just Jones, ya hoot." Brian interrupted, before waving a hand at the two men. "Now, be off. We'll take it from here."
A sense of dread still gnawed at Stenson's gut as they made their way through the precinct towards Brian's office, though the removal of his cuffs did help some. As they entered the office, Brian first and Stenson following, he noticed a man seated in one of the chairs before Brian's overlarge desk. Stenson suddenly felt awkward, standing in the office with only a baggy, woolen detainee shirt and pants, his shoulder and bandage blackening from his wound, while the two men greeted each other. All at once, his heart sank as he took in the appearance of the man's wardrobe; crisp, professional suit and tie, a gleaming golden badge, Stenson immediately assumed FBI. He began to guess at that very moment that he really was screwed. They'd called a higher authority. They were going to turn him over, question him, interrogate him, or worse...
"Aaaah, Isaac. It's been too long." Brian said with a hearty chuckle. "Isaac, this here is Stenson Jones. One of my best. Isaac and I go way back. I still remember those days, not so young anymore, but Isaac? Still a handsome buck, aren't ya? Ha!" Brian chuckled and stepped to the side so that Stenson could be seen. He may have been taller than both men, but that didn't stop him from trying his best to seem small and unnoticeable, shoulders hunched painfully forward in a sloped posture. If he was in any way guilty, he certainly wasn't bothering to hide it.
Stenson stared ahead blankly at the man in the suit, Isaac, before offering his hand, with the blandest of half smiles that appeared and disappeared just as quick, for a handshake. He was already certain he knew what was coming next. Might as well cooperate. "Pleasure..." He said, voice low and hoarse. "You must be-" Stenson started but his voice was lost for a brief moment. He cleared his throat to try and speak clearer, "You must be FBI."
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Post by Sharei on Jul 6, 2017 14:06:32 GMT -6
"Some of us don't like to look our age, old friend," Isaac nettled good naturedly. "It takes long hours of primping to look this good, I assure you."
Like his predecessor before him O'Conner was aware that Isaac wasn't human and therefore didn't age. It had become a matter of course for Isaac to carefully evaluate any relations he had with humans and determine which of them could be trusted to remain long term acquaintances. It became difficult to explain the aging problem when you'd known someone more than ten years. People began to ask uncomfortable questions.
Isaac put his hand out and took Stenson's in a firm grip. The handshake he got in return was limp and placid.
Isaac let go of Stenson's hand and shoved it into a pocket. The sunglasses had not left his face and the large man was reflected in their highly polished lenses as he gazed at the detainee. "FBI?" Isaac eyebrows rose theatrically above the black rims. "My my, Brian. What have you been telling this lad? No, Mr Jones, I do not represent any such mundane organization. I represent people like you."
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Post by Pearl Dragon on Jul 6, 2017 14:25:36 GMT -6
Brian stood back as Isaac shook Stenson's hand, and laughed a bit to himself as Isaac addressed his question regarding relations to FBI. Stenson's eyes shot to the side at his supervisor before returning to meet the reflective shades of the man named Isaac.
"FBI?" He replied, eyebrows raising in humored surprise, "My my, Brian. What have you been telling this lad? No, Mr. Jones, I do not represent any such mundane organization. I represent people like you."
Now it was Stenson's turn to raise an eyebrow. People like him? Monsters? Things were certainly getting weird...
"Ya see, Jones, I've been onto you for a while now. T'was only when you had your little incident that I began to suspec' that you weren't what you'd said you was." Brian said, clapping a hand on Stenson's good shoulder. Stenson winced all the same, as Brian continued. "I've got contacts, and they're willing to help ya, boy. Mark my word, you've been the best officer a man like myself could'a ever asked for. It'll be a shame losin' yeh, but I've always been proud to call you one of my boys."
Stenson looked at the ground, brows furrowed as he tried to process what he was hearing. Apparently not everyone had been fooled by his splicer story. "How did you know?" He asked at last, to which Brian replied rather quickly, "Oh, ya know, habits 'n such. You don't like the sun, you got that odd glimmer in your eyes, nothin' I've ever seen from a splice job. And trust me, I've seen plenty of interesting splice jobs workin' on the force. But enough from me, I'll let Isaac here fill you in all the more." Brian's hand slid from Stenson's shoulder as he made his way around to his desk. With a heavy thump, he fell into his chair and leaned back, hands folded behind his head, watching the two with keen interest.
Stenson's gaze drifted now back to Isaac. "So what now? You take me away? Put me in some kind of institute for...whatever you think I am?" His tone was somewhat clipped, still nervous. If they were playing games with him, which part of him did not want to accept such a thought in favor of clinging to hope, either way he wanted to know what was coming. "I know what I did. And I know I'm not human. But I'm not dangerous. Whatever it is you think I'm guilty of, I did it because I HAD to. Those kids were in danger." Stenson momentarily lost himself in his rambling, before he stopped. He'd felt the sudden urge to plea his case, as if this man were now also a judge, ready to sentence him to god knows what. His heartrate was picking up, and he took a few deep breaths, trying to calm his nerves. However, he held the man's gaze earnestly, his pupils reflecting the dying, evening light like silver mirrors.
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Post by Sharei on Jul 6, 2017 14:57:10 GMT -6
Isaac held up one pale hand to ward off any further protest. Stenson seemed fixated on the idea that he was somehow in trouble with a force beyond his ken, and while Isaac would normally enjoy a thing in one of his victims it was by far less endearing when he was on the job. He liked it best when the victims of supernatural crimes listened calmly and let him get on with his work.
Stenson was not a victim, in truth, but he still required calming.
"Mr Jones, please," Isaac said with gentle patience. "You are not in any trouble. Quite the opposite. Your actions in the face of adversity and your particular nature have selected you for a very specialized program."
Isaac removed his sunglasses and carefully folded the arms over the lenses. He then placed them into his breast pocket. Every gesture was graceful and elegant, as though he his body had been fine tuned to be as aesthetically pleasing as possible. "I represent the Wathais Department of Supernatural Affairs," he said and lifted his gaze, his scarlet eyes meeting and holding Stenson's black and orange ones "In particular, Wathais' Supernatural Law Enforcement Division. You see, Mr Jones, you are not quite so alone out there in the great wide world, and it is my job to ensure the safety and security of all those thousands. Perhaps it will become your job too. "
Isaac removed his suit coat from the back of the second chair in Brian's office and gestured at it. "Please, sit.
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Post by Pearl Dragon on Jul 6, 2017 15:38:50 GMT -6
"Mr Jones, please," Isaac said, and Stenson stopped any temptation to continue talking in favor of listening. He was digging his own grave, he knew it, probably best to put the shovel down now before he made things worse. "You are not in any trouble. Quite the opposite. Your actions in the face of adversity and your particular nature have selected you for a very specialized program." The hope that had been lingering stubbornly in Stenson's chest now flowered to life. Not in trouble?
As he said this, Stenson watched as the man now removed his sunglasses. The man's movements were so pristine, it was almost unsettling. It was as if he'd already practiced this entire conversation from start to finish a hundred times already, and he'd perfected the scene perfectly. "I represent the Wathais Department of Supernatural Affairs. In particular, Wathais' Supernatural Law Enforcement Division. You see, Mr Jones, you are not quite so alone out there in the great wide world, and it is my job to ensure the safety and security of all those thousands. Perhaps it will become your job too."
The man's eyes had now met Stenson's, and Stenson immediately noticed the scarlet red hue of the man's eyes. Stenson's first thought was 'splicer, just like the others', but then he noticed something else. If Isaac hadn't had Stenson's undivided attention at that exact moment, he certainly would not have noticed it, but he did. Along with the red hue of his eyes, they also seemed to glow, as if lit from within. Stenson blinked and a caught a sharp inhale of breath when he noticed it, his own eyes wide with wonder.
Brian didn't miss a beat. "Isaac, you doin' your eye trick again? Good one, that." And then he fell silent again, grinning.
"So..you want to recruit me, is that it? There are others like me? Like you? What are y-" Stenson stopped himself again, clearing his throat as if he'd lost his voice again in an attempt to try and cover up his words, perhaps that was not an appropriate question to ask. "I mean, I have questions, of course."
"Please, sit." Isaac said, motioning now to the chair. Stenson stood for a moment longer before finally willing himself to move, approaching the chair and seating himself slowly and carefully. His shoulder screamed in protest, a fresh ooze of blood now soaking the bandage, and he closed his eyes against the pain as he eased himself to lean back on the chair. He opened his eyes again and glanced briefly up at Isaac before lowering his gaze to his lap, where his hands were now folded, waiting. "What do I have to do?" He asked.
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Post by Sharei on Jul 6, 2017 16:25:40 GMT -6
"The exact same thing that you're doing at the moment. Perhaps minus the detention cell," Isaac replied with a smile that softened the lines of his face. "We're not big on confining people for who they are at the WDSA. You're more likely to get a slap on the wrist and disciplinary action for outing yourself in public like that, but circumstances are what they are. At the end of the day we at the Law Enforcement department are dedicated to upholding justice and the protection of the public. Because, Mr Jones, I'm afraid that there are a lot of people just like you and I, but unlike us they don't like to play by the rules."
Isaac walked around the chair and sat down. The leather was soft and supple against his frame and he crossed his legs at the knee with an elegant movement. "I am a vampire," he said in response to Stenson's early question. "My kind have a notoriously bad rap, and there is good reason for it. Many vampires use their talents to hurt or to steal. Being predators by nature, we pray off of the blood of others and cannot survive without it. This, combined with society's stigma, leads many of my kind down dark paths."
He sighed regretfully. It wasn't something he regretted, of course, because Isaac was not a vampire. That was something that Stenson did not need to know.
"Many supernatural beings, or supers, parahumans, come to Wathais because it is a safe haven for them. We offer social services and protection, help, guidance to teach new fledglings about themselves and how to control the otherwise wild abilities that they possess. We assist them in how to interact and co-exist with human kind, and in doing so, have created a supernatural community that is by far the largest in the world. Our city has grown because of this. So has its underbelly."
Isaac lifted the file he'd been holding and waved it neglectfully at Stenson. The gargoyle's picture was on the front. "I've reviewed your file. I must say that I'm impressed with your service record. As Director of the Law Enforcement division in the WDSA, I am always on the look out for officers or prestigious individuals will exceptional talent and integrity to join my force. You would be a cop, the same as you are now, but one which polices not the human populace, but the supernatural one."
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Post by Pearl Dragon on Jul 6, 2017 18:45:40 GMT -6
"The exact same thing that you're doing at the moment. Perhaps minus the detention cell." Isaac said, smiling. That smile was so perfect, just like his movements. This guy really knew his game. He listened, still gazing at his folded hands, as Isaac spoke, explaining the WDSA and its motives and inner workings.
"I'm a vampire." Now Stenson did look up. His eyes cast a look across the other man's face, unable to help his curiosity. A vampire? Wow, just like in the movies? Weren't they the bad guys? He almost wouldn't have believed it, vampires had always been so...Hollywood. But then, who was he to judge. Not to mention, one look into Isaac's blood hued eyes and remembering the unearthly red glow, it quickly reminded Stenson that, yes, the vampire was probably not as 'Hollywood' as he'd previously imagined it to be.
It was unfortunate then, that Isaac explained the way of his kind, and their misunderstood reputation. So, yes, some of them were bad guys.
"Many supernatural beings, or supers, parahumans, come to Wathais because it is a safe haven for them. We offer social services and protection, help, guidance to teach new fledglings about themselves and how to control the otherwise wild abilities that they possess. We assist them in how to interact and co-exist with human kind, and in doing so, have created a supernatural community that is by far the largest in the world. Our city has grown because of this. So has its underbelly."
As Stenson listened, his thoughts raced. He tried to imagine himself, now, as a supernatural police officer. The idea was absurd, just a few minutes ago he was certain he'd be facing a judge with the prospect of going to jail. Now...he didn't know what to expect.
"I've reviewed your file. I must say that I'm impressed with your service record. As Director of the Law Enforcement division in the WDSA, I am always on the look out for officers or prestigious individuals with exceptional talent and integrity to join my force. You would be a cop, the same as you are now, but one which polices not the human populace, but the supernatural one."
Stenson glimpsed his own image on the front of the file now being waved in his direction. Now that the cat was out of the bag, he supposed that file was going to get fuller whether he wanted it to or not. "Not that I don't want to, but I would guess I probably don't have a choice either way. I'm sure this WDSA isn't going to let me just walk out of here." Now he glanced again at Brian, who was watching him very closely. Across Brian's desk was a pile of photographs, somewhat fanned out. Pictures of the wreckage, detailed shots of twisted yellow metal where claws done their damage, blurred images of a grey, winged beast tearing its way into the vehicle, and the all too familiar mess that was the sorry sap who'd thought it was a good idea to hijack a school bus. The faces of the children, terrified and helpless, drifted back to him. It was the life he'd chosen, the life his Father would have been proud of. "But...I'll do it." He said.
"Great!" Brian piped, leaning forward to rest his elbows on the desk. "Well, Isaac, looks like you've got yourself a new recruit!"
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Post by Sharei on Jul 6, 2017 19:02:33 GMT -6
Isaac blinked his scarlet eyes at Stenson Jones and shifted in his seat, uncrossing and recrossing his legs in the opposite position.
"Not quite, Brian," Isaac said and placed the file with Stenson's picture on his lap. He folded his hands over it and gave the man opposite his chair a level look. "I think that we need to clear something up before we embark on this brave new world."
Stenson had said something which he objected to and he was going to correct it rather immediately. That sort of behaviour bred unnecessary resentment.
"Mr Jones," Isaac said smoothly. "This is not a draft. You have the option to decline my offer if you wish. The WDSA's Public Affairs department has already contacted this precinct and the local medias to handle the matter of the incident. Whether you come with me or not, your existence and the existence of supernaturals will be smothered in the public eye. I have been authorized by our financial board to assist with any expenses that you require to relocate to a different town. This matter will be stricken from your record. You may even wish to apply again as an officer of the law. We are prepared to offer you recommendations, as is Mr O'Conner," Isaac said and gestured with his hand at Brian.
He leaned forward just slightly in his chair. "However, I do hope you will consider it. You could do unimaginable good."
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Post by Pearl Dragon on Jul 6, 2017 19:47:05 GMT -6
"Not quite, Brian." Isaac said, now folding his hands over Stenson's file.
"Mr Jones." The man said smoothly, to which Stenson swallowed nervously. Here it goes, here's the catch. "This is not a draft. You have the option to decline my offer if you wish. The WDSA's Public Affairs department has already contacted this precinct and the local medias to handle the matter of the incident. Whether you come with me or not, your existence and the existence of supernaturals will be smothered in the public eye. I have been authorized by our financial board to assist with any expenses that you require to relocate to a different town. This matter will be stricken from your record. You may even wish to apply again as an officer of the law. We are prepared to offer you recommendations, as is Mr O'Conner."
Stenson stared at Isaac. That was not at all the catch he'd been expecting. He was free. Completely and utterly free. Stenson wiped a patch of sweat that had begun to form on his forehead with a sleeve. He had begun persperating partly from nerves but also from the pain in this shoulder. "Th-thank you..." Was all he could manage. His voice sounded hoarse again, on the verge of breaking, and a tight knot was forming in his throat.
"However, I do hope you will consider it. You could do unimaginable good."
"I-...yes." Stenson sat up straight, and regained his composure, "Yes, I have made up my mind. I understand that there are no strings attached, and I would like to fully accept your offer, Mr Isaac." Stenson reached out with his good arm (the other had now gone stiff and rigid, muscles and tendons locking stubbornly in place from the injury) to shake Isaac's hand in acceptance. "To protect and serve...I have dedicated my life to it. It is what I love, and it is what I will always strive to do."
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Post by Sharei on Jul 7, 2017 11:02:33 GMT -6
The smile that spread over Isaac's face was luminous as he took Stenson's hand and shook it. "Excellent!" he said with an incline of his head and quiet enthusiasm. "You will not regret this decision, Mr Jones."
With the formalities taken care of Isaac pushed out of his chair with a fluid movement and picked up his suit coat with a swish of fabric. "I'll have my office send over the transfer papers, Brian," he said to the older gentlemen behind the desk. "Given the situation I believe it would be best if Mr Jones accompanied me back to Wathais now so that the media don't get their teeth into this even further than they actually do. Memory altering spells are costly."
He gestured that Stenson should stand and collected the file that he had been given. He handed it back to Brian with a few words to have that transferred along with the rest of the documents and then lead the way out of the office.
"I noticed that you're bleeding," he said without turning to look back at him. "I have medical supplies in the car. I'll take a look at it while we're driving. Do you have any personal items that you wish to pick up or people that you wish to say goodbye to before we leave?"
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Post by Pearl Dragon on Jul 7, 2017 11:35:20 GMT -6
Once again, Stenson noticed the fluid motion of Isaac's movements, and now knowing the man's secret, it all seemed to make sense in an odd sort of way. Stenson rose, groaning slightly, from his own seat, although much slower and more stiff than Isaac had. His bad shoulder feeling as if it were 50lbs heavier than the rest of his body as he pulled it up level with his other shoulder. It remained that way for about 30 seconds before it began to sag down again, wanting to curl forward in a hunched position.
Isaac ordered Brian to transfer any and all paperwork to his office, before insisting that Stenson relocate immediately to avoid media attention. Stenson thought of his current home, his Father's sculpting supplies, his brother...
He turned quickly to Brian, "I-..I need to make sure my things are moved from my house. Some of it is personal... Would I be able to-"
"Boy, stop your worryin' and go on ahead with Mr. Isaac. Your things will be fine. I'll make a few phone calls to have everything treated with gentle care and professionally moved asap to your new home in Wathais." Brian said, now standing to see them out the door. "Do us proud, son."
Stenson nodded, "Of course...my house keys are in my car, should be unlocked. Just...be careful with everything, ok? You'll know what I mean when you go in there." He then followed Isaac out, glancing nervously back at Brian's office as he closed the door behind them, leaving Stenson alone with the other man. "I notice that you're bleeding." Isaac said without looking back as they walked. "I have medical supplies in the car." Stenson glanced in the direction of his desk, and as Isaac asked if he had any peronal belongings or people to say goodbye to, Stenson nodded. "Mh, yes. Just a few things in my desk, not much. If you don't mind..." But he was already headed in that direction. With his injured arm tucked against his midsection, Stenson opened the drawers to his desk and rummaged through them with his good arm. Most of it was useless paperwork and office supplies, nothing that someone else here wouldn't be able to use. He would leave all of that. No. There was something very specific he was looking for, if he could just remember where he'd put it.
Then, in the bottom drawer, he felt the familiar surface of a small, black leather case underneath a pile of binders. "Ah.." he muttered, and pulled it out. He tucked it under his good arm and rose to face Isaac. "Ok, I'm ready." From there, he would follow Isaac out, nodding his goodbyes to coworkers as he went, but most looked away as if afraid, giving Stenson a small pang of sadness. He could only hope his new home would be more welcoming that his old life that he was now leaving behind.
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Post by Sharei on Jul 7, 2017 15:18:33 GMT -6
The looks of Stenson's colleagues did not escape Isaac's notice. He stood back at the rear of the bullpen as the larger man collected his things from his desk and simply observed the atmosphere. A well-working precinct was one of his favorite places, provided it was operating as it should. There was something about the clearly defined lines of authority that calmed his agitated moods. Of course he preferred his WDSA to the human idea of what a police force should look like. Here in the human world uniformity was required, as though the police were not people but a single entity of justice and law. In the WDSA Isaac directly encouraged his officers' uniqueness and personality. Only through the creative thinking of quick minded individuals could the task of catching supers with such a wide variety of powers and strengths be possible.
And there was such fear here. Isaac would normally have enjoyed it but for the fact that it was inconveniencing to him. Not to mention that now that Stenson had agreed, Stenson was one of his people. Isaac did not care for others. They were beneath him, individuals who's lifespans would eventually come to an end and mean nothing in the grander scheme of things. They were lesser life forms, entertainment, pets, food.
But they were his, and he did not like it when people disturbed what was his.
He made no comment as they turned together to leave the precinct. The setting summer sun was glowing across the horizon like a band of fire. Isaac slide his gloves on and lifted the collar of his coat. A man in the WDSA's black uniform was waiting for him at the door and offered Isaac an umbrella. He took it, opening the thick black canvas and used it to protect himself from the harshness of the sun. The car was parked out front thankfully and they only had to get down the stairs to reach it. The man who had given Isaac the umbrella opened the door with its heavily tinted windows for him, and Isaac climbed into the cool, plush interior.
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Post by Pearl Dragon on Jul 7, 2017 16:25:47 GMT -6
Isaac remained quiet as they exited the building, Stenson still following behind. There was a man clad in a black uniform waiting for them at the door, which was opened for the two men as they approached. Stenson noticed as Isaac pulled out a pair of gloves which he slid onto his pale hands, and then raised the collar of his jacket over his neck and jaw. There was a rustle of thick canvas and soon the other man had opened a thick black umbrella over Isaac's head, which Stenson thought was a little much, seeing as the sun itself wasn't even visible beyond the horizon. Still, he reminded himself that Isaac's condition must be far worse than his own when it came to sunlight exposure. In the dying light, Stenson's own sensitivities were almost nonexistent now that the worst of the sun's rays had been diluted in the evening sky. Hell, he had never even felt a thing at this time of the afternoon, which was also a favorite jogging hour of his.
They were now approaching a car, the door to which had been opened by who Stenson now assumed would be their chauffeur. The windows had been heavily tinted, and once Isaac was inside, the other man motioned for Stenson to climb in next. As he slid into the seat, gazing about at the posh, comfortable interior, the curving seats facing each other, and the ice bucket for refreshments, he gave a huffed laugh of approval. Stenson didn't fancy himself as a car enthusiast, but he could at least recognize taste and class when he saw it. "You sure know how to travel in style." He mumbled with a slight smile of appreciation, half to himself but then again, also directed to Isaac. The chauffeur closed the door behind them, and walked around to the front of the car before climbing into his own spot in the front driver's seat. A second later, the engine hummed to life and they were soon pulling out smoothly onto the open road. The precinct grew smaller and smaller behind them, and Stenson soon turned his attention back to the car's interior. It was strange...and Stenson couldn't help but feel out of place, sitting there before Isaac in his simple, pre-prison clothes. For now, he sat somewhat rigid, enjoying the ride but not wanting to seem like he was enjoying it too much. After all, this was all pure luck. And if it wasn't, well, at least it was a pretty good dream, which he was all too prepared to wake up from at any moment, pulled back to the dark metal box of his detainment cell. For now, he was quietly enjoying himself, even his pain was somewhat forgotten in the moment.
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