Allie had spent the day buying groceries and cleaning supplies and doing various chores that Intan had laid out for her. All that is left to do is to deliver these packages that Intan had given to her, all wrapped neatly in brown paper and twine and no return address.
The teenager was dressed in her uniform- a white blouse with a black ribbon bowtie around her collar, tucked into a navy skirt, topped with a blazer. She added to that her message bag, which a yellow star-shaped cross body affair, her favorite that she used every day.
She had only been 'working' with Intan for a short while but it still striked the girl as odd that someone ... something... like Intan would have an eBay page. She wondered if the recipients would be surprised to find the genuine article when they open up the package- instead of a novelty bootleg. And, knowing Intan...the girl wondered what the other party gave up to receive these items that were tucked in her bag.
Briefly, though, Allie was distracted. Her delivery route had led her to the Santa Monica Pier and it's been a while she had seen the beach. It was around late afternoon and a weekday so the normally busy pier felt empty. However, it was still another beautiful California day and the sun shone on the pier's brightly colored amusement rides and white beaches enchantingly. Booth and stands lined the edges of the pier, selling novelty treats, funky sunglasses, hats, and souvenirs while eager fishermen lean over the railing to cast another line into the sea.
A distant memory of the last time she saw the sea flitter into her mind but she instantly shook it out before it had the chance to manifest.
"I'm gonna get an ice cream." Allie said to herself with newfound determination as she walked up the pier to find a treat stand. "Just one. Strawberry. And then back to work." She told herself.
The sea in all its captive beauty had always been Trixie's first love, and even now, as she stood atop a stone pillar lining the pier, overlooking it, she couldn't help but feel lost in its calm tranquil. The sea brought back memories, distant and surreal, such that it sometimes felt like they hadn't happened. A time when she was still human, and still living life as if it was short and transient, a time when she had something to treasure and cherish, and guard with her life... Those times seemed so far away, they hardly felt real anymore. This was her reality now, she thought to herself with a wry smile, long white hair billowing in the cool sea breeze, framed by a black lacey elegant headband, matched with a matching black, fitting Victorian dress and a blood-red corset. Although she was hardly dressed for the weather, she hardly seemed to be breaking a sweat, pale skin almost glowing in the afternoon sunlight.
The rhythmic lapping of the waves against the shorelines, the way the rim of the waves would pull back with the tide, the boats in the distance bobbing up and down at the mercy of the current, the curious way in which the sea unevenly reflected the sky on its clear waters...
"...how... curious..." She murmured as she spotted a young figure in the distance, crimson orbs fixed inquisitively on the approaching Allie, silver brows raised in intrigue. Trixie folded her arms and grinned in amusement as she regarded the young looking figure approaching the pier, making no move from her conspicuous perch atop the stone pillar. "Been a long while since I've seen one of....these..." she murmured absently to herself, giving Allie the slightest hint of a sympathetic gaze through her crimson eyes, framed by strange crimson markings under her lower eyelids. "...curious. Very curious...."
The rhythmic lapping of the waves against the shorelines, the way the rim of the waves would pull back with the tide, the boats in the distance bobbing up and down at the mercy of the current, the curious way in which the sea unevenly reflected the sky on its clear waters...
"...how... curious..." She murmured as she spotted a young figure in the distance, crimson orbs fixed inquisitively on the approaching Allie, silver brows raised in intrigue. Trixie folded her arms and grinned in amusement as she regarded the young looking figure approaching the pier, making no move from her conspicuous perch atop the stone pillar. "Been a long while since I've seen one of....these..." she murmured absently to herself, giving Allie the slightest hint of a sympathetic gaze through her crimson eyes, framed by strange crimson markings under her lower eyelids. "...curious. Very curious...."
Allie walked over happily to one of the free ice cream stands, this one said 'Dippin' Dots' with a bright sign on its wooden exterior. She remembered having the brightly colored little spheres of ice cream here, just a year ago, with her friends and sister. It felt almost like another life.
Intan had told her that if she was hungry, she should just go to a shop, take some food and leave- which abhorred Allie. That's theft sir, she had said. They will forget you the moment you walk away, Intan had replied but Allie insisted that she pay like a normal human being. After a week or so of pester power, Intan relented and started to give Allie a 'bi-weekly stipend for good behavior' which she was cheerfully using at this moment.
"Can I have...ummm, a medium strawberry ice?" She asked as she peeked her head over the counter at the white-uniformed college-aged, bored-looking employee there.
"Sure, let me just...." He grabbed his ice cream scooper and then hovered his hand over the buckets of ice cream displayed through the glass counter in confusion before looking back up to Allie.
"Wait sorry, can you repeat your order?"
"Medium strawberry ice." She said.
Once again, the employee looked down at the ice cream and back at Allie.
"One more time?"
"Strawberry ice." She repeated and pointed to the flavor she wanted. "Medium." She said as she leaned over the counter, picked up the medium cup and pushed it on to the poor employee's hand.
Allie was used to this by now but she can already imagine the look of annoyance on Intan's face if he was standing behind her, watching all this happening.
While the employee fumbled with her order, Allie took the time to quickly glance around at the pier, enjoying the carefree atmosphere of it.
Her eyes caught against an unusual, undeniable figure in the distance at the end of the pier. There was a woman, dressed far too warmly for the California sun and too grim for a beachside amusement park, that stuck out against all the brightly colored signs and causal tourists milling about.
And she was looking right at her.
The girl's heart suddenly skipped a beat. That hasn't happened in a while.
At first, Allie turned around. Maybe the mysterious woman was looking at someone behind her. No, there was no one behind her.
Well, maybe she was just spacing out. Allie met the woman's eyes and immediately out of fear, her own glaze shot down to the floor. Nope, she was focused right on her. Allie clutched her star-shaped messager bag close to her and turn back to the ice cream stand man. No need to be paranoid, this can all be a coincidence...
"Um, can you hurry please?" She asked the cashier, a bit of panic showing in her normally polite voice.
Intan had told her that if she was hungry, she should just go to a shop, take some food and leave- which abhorred Allie. That's theft sir, she had said. They will forget you the moment you walk away, Intan had replied but Allie insisted that she pay like a normal human being. After a week or so of pester power, Intan relented and started to give Allie a 'bi-weekly stipend for good behavior' which she was cheerfully using at this moment.
"Can I have...ummm, a medium strawberry ice?" She asked as she peeked her head over the counter at the white-uniformed college-aged, bored-looking employee there.
"Sure, let me just...." He grabbed his ice cream scooper and then hovered his hand over the buckets of ice cream displayed through the glass counter in confusion before looking back up to Allie.
"Wait sorry, can you repeat your order?"
"Medium strawberry ice." She said.
Once again, the employee looked down at the ice cream and back at Allie.
"One more time?"
"Strawberry ice." She repeated and pointed to the flavor she wanted. "Medium." She said as she leaned over the counter, picked up the medium cup and pushed it on to the poor employee's hand.
Allie was used to this by now but she can already imagine the look of annoyance on Intan's face if he was standing behind her, watching all this happening.
While the employee fumbled with her order, Allie took the time to quickly glance around at the pier, enjoying the carefree atmosphere of it.
Her eyes caught against an unusual, undeniable figure in the distance at the end of the pier. There was a woman, dressed far too warmly for the California sun and too grim for a beachside amusement park, that stuck out against all the brightly colored signs and causal tourists milling about.
And she was looking right at her.
The girl's heart suddenly skipped a beat. That hasn't happened in a while.
At first, Allie turned around. Maybe the mysterious woman was looking at someone behind her. No, there was no one behind her.
Well, maybe she was just spacing out. Allie met the woman's eyes and immediately out of fear, her own glaze shot down to the floor. Nope, she was focused right on her. Allie clutched her star-shaped messager bag close to her and turn back to the ice cream stand man. No need to be paranoid, this can all be a coincidence...
"Um, can you hurry please?" She asked the cashier, a bit of panic showing in her normally polite voice.
Trixie watched, unmoving, as the young-looking figure attempted to purchase an ice cream from a person who couldn't quite seem to register her existence. "...as I thought..." she murmured to herself as she watched the exchange with amusement, wondering why the girl wouldn't simply opt to obtain the ice cream on her own without detection. She seemed to be clinging to the tiny fabrics of being a human being on this plane.
Perhaps she isn't used to not being a part of this world any longer, mused Trixie, being fully acquainted with such a feeling. She continued to smile in amusement as she watched, the sea breeze billowing her hair around her. She couldn't blame her for an innocent desire such as that, wondering if the girl would notice her watching her, not that she minded, really.
And notice her Allie did. The undead reaper continued to grin in amusement as the girl seemed to look around her nervously, as if checking to see if Trixie was watching someone behind her. "Ah... so she knows she is not supposed to be seen..." Trixie noted, once again intrigued. "Whose little charge is this, I wonder..."
Putting up a hand, the intimidating-looking white-haired woman tilted her head as she gave a cordial wave back at Allie, with a wry smile, as if to say, "Yes, I see you too~"
Perhaps she isn't used to not being a part of this world any longer, mused Trixie, being fully acquainted with such a feeling. She continued to smile in amusement as she watched, the sea breeze billowing her hair around her. She couldn't blame her for an innocent desire such as that, wondering if the girl would notice her watching her, not that she minded, really.
And notice her Allie did. The undead reaper continued to grin in amusement as the girl seemed to look around her nervously, as if checking to see if Trixie was watching someone behind her. "Ah... so she knows she is not supposed to be seen..." Trixie noted, once again intrigued. "Whose little charge is this, I wonder..."
Putting up a hand, the intimidating-looking white-haired woman tilted her head as she gave a cordial wave back at Allie, with a wry smile, as if to say, "Yes, I see you too~"
"So you said you wanted cherry sorbet right? That'll be $5.45" The ice cream stand employee offered Allie a cup of red frozen happiness.
"Um, no it was strawberry..." Allie was barely paying attention, her eyes kept checking back at the mysterious woman every few seconds. When the stranger waved at her, she bristled.
During the second or so week of working for Intan, someone had suddenly attacked Allie's employer in a crowded street. Intan had made quick work of them but Allie never managed to forget that moment when the kind-looking, feeble old man pulled a glowing red dagger out when he was a foot away from Intan...
Demons, Intan had explained to a shocked stiffed Allie when they were back in the shop. Not always and not always this weak.
Demons.
"You know, strawberry, cherry, they are both fruits right? It's fine! I'm fine with it!" Allie snapped back to the present as she fumbled with her wallet. She stole a glance at the mysterious woman and noted her pale hair, crimson eyes, sharp features.
She's a demon! She must be! Is she after these packages? Allie's mind raced with absurd fantasies as she rested a hand on her bag. She threw $10 at the ice cream man as she grabbed her cup and made an immediate about-face, away from the demon woman. "Keep the change!" She said to the employee who was looking at the ten dollar bill in surprise as if he couldn't figure out where it came from.
I have to hide, find someplace to hide, she thought in a panic as she quickly strolled the pier to get away from the demon as fast as she can.
"Um, no it was strawberry..." Allie was barely paying attention, her eyes kept checking back at the mysterious woman every few seconds. When the stranger waved at her, she bristled.
During the second or so week of working for Intan, someone had suddenly attacked Allie's employer in a crowded street. Intan had made quick work of them but Allie never managed to forget that moment when the kind-looking, feeble old man pulled a glowing red dagger out when he was a foot away from Intan...
Demons, Intan had explained to a shocked stiffed Allie when they were back in the shop. Not always and not always this weak.
Demons.
"You know, strawberry, cherry, they are both fruits right? It's fine! I'm fine with it!" Allie snapped back to the present as she fumbled with her wallet. She stole a glance at the mysterious woman and noted her pale hair, crimson eyes, sharp features.
She's a demon! She must be! Is she after these packages? Allie's mind raced with absurd fantasies as she rested a hand on her bag. She threw $10 at the ice cream man as she grabbed her cup and made an immediate about-face, away from the demon woman. "Keep the change!" She said to the employee who was looking at the ten dollar bill in surprise as if he couldn't figure out where it came from.
I have to hide, find someplace to hide, she thought in a panic as she quickly strolled the pier to get away from the demon as fast as she can.
As Allie began to panic, Trixie raised her brows in amusement, not entirely surprised at the reaction she was getting. How many criminals had she appeared before on their deathbeds to help put an end to their lives, and how many of them displayed similar signs of fear, coupled with remorse, regret, and reluctance? It was always at those moments that she thought to her own end, how she had held a lifetime of regret and guilt, and was ready to trade anything she could offer to right those wrongs...
"If it was so easy, everyone would be giving up their souls in exchange for... this," she mused with a wry smile, looking down at her unearthly pale hands as she recalled the memory of the exchange. She didn't recall any such feeling of "fear" however, but she could recall details she'd rather not remember along with that distant memory from centuries past.
"It is a blessing to fear, and a bigger blessing to forget." As she said this, she fixed her gaze on Allie again, who... was beginning to run away from her. In said fear. She chuckled in amusement, speculating on the reasons for the girl's quick departure and take off. Stepping off of the stone pillar, Trixie began to follow after Alouette, though she kept a safe, consistent distance from the girl, matching her speed appropriate to maintain this distance.
Even though she had every ability to close the distance between them both in a second, and she also had the ability to prove there was nothing to fear about her, since her soul wasn't up for Trixie's taking, the crimson-eyed reaper did none of the above, and simply opted to follow after Allie silently, her curiosity piqued.
Her heeled boots clicked rhythmically against the pavement as she strode on calmly and elegantly after Allie, still smiling her same, cool, collected, almost-smug-looking smile, unconcerned that she might be looking like quite the "demon" that Allie had mistaken her for....
"If it was so easy, everyone would be giving up their souls in exchange for... this," she mused with a wry smile, looking down at her unearthly pale hands as she recalled the memory of the exchange. She didn't recall any such feeling of "fear" however, but she could recall details she'd rather not remember along with that distant memory from centuries past.
"It is a blessing to fear, and a bigger blessing to forget." As she said this, she fixed her gaze on Allie again, who... was beginning to run away from her. In said fear. She chuckled in amusement, speculating on the reasons for the girl's quick departure and take off. Stepping off of the stone pillar, Trixie began to follow after Alouette, though she kept a safe, consistent distance from the girl, matching her speed appropriate to maintain this distance.
Even though she had every ability to close the distance between them both in a second, and she also had the ability to prove there was nothing to fear about her, since her soul wasn't up for Trixie's taking, the crimson-eyed reaper did none of the above, and simply opted to follow after Allie silently, her curiosity piqued.
Her heeled boots clicked rhythmically against the pavement as she strode on calmly and elegantly after Allie, still smiling her same, cool, collected, almost-smug-looking smile, unconcerned that she might be looking like quite the "demon" that Allie had mistaken her for....
Despite herself, Allie looked back as she was briskly walking down the wooden planks of the pier.
She was following her with a smile. The demon was following her.
AHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH, Allie silently screamed in her head as she felt the rising dread raising in her chest. Frantically, she looked around, her walking turning into a jog and then that turning into a sprint.
She ran past the colorful amusement rides, which screams of delights emitted from. The pier was lined with charming blue and white booths and stands selling corndogs, cotton candy, pretzels. She would be enjoying those if she wasn't in this situation. She ran past them too. The dark beachside arcade, the restaurants, the police station outpost, no the police can’t help her now.
A large building loomed into view as she approached the end of the pier, right before the pier transitioned to the rest of Santa Monica and the beach. She knew this was the indoor carousel, a tourist trap, always busy. She did an immediate, sharp turn, right-hand turn and ran blindly through an open door, hoping to lose the demon in the crowd.
What did Intan say to do if she is in trouble? Just say this name?
“Mister- wait no- Sir- wait-“ She said aloud to herself the names she usually addresses Intan in and heard the edge of panic crackling her voice.
She was following her with a smile. The demon was following her.
AHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH, Allie silently screamed in her head as she felt the rising dread raising in her chest. Frantically, she looked around, her walking turning into a jog and then that turning into a sprint.
She ran past the colorful amusement rides, which screams of delights emitted from. The pier was lined with charming blue and white booths and stands selling corndogs, cotton candy, pretzels. She would be enjoying those if she wasn't in this situation. She ran past them too. The dark beachside arcade, the restaurants, the police station outpost, no the police can’t help her now.
A large building loomed into view as she approached the end of the pier, right before the pier transitioned to the rest of Santa Monica and the beach. She knew this was the indoor carousel, a tourist trap, always busy. She did an immediate, sharp turn, right-hand turn and ran blindly through an open door, hoping to lose the demon in the crowd.
What did Intan say to do if she is in trouble? Just say this name?
“Mister- wait no- Sir- wait-“ She said aloud to herself the names she usually addresses Intan in and heard the edge of panic crackling her voice.
"Oh. She's running..."
Trixie was definitely amused now, her interest piqued as she quickened her stride to keep the distance between her and Allie consistent, even with the girl's hastened pace. Why run, though? Only the guilty run, no? she thought to herself, remembering the faces of the criminals she had been tasked to reap as they fled from her, attempting to escape their imminent fate. People would resort to many things to escape death, even if they innately know it is futile in the end...
"You don't seem guilty to me..." she mused, eyes glazing over the carnival taking place around her, smiling to herself as she basked in the celebration and merrymaking, marvelling somewhat at all the unbridled joy of the people partaking in the festivities. When Allie rounded the corner and attempted to disappear into the crowd, Trixie couldn't help but smirk a little at the attempt.
"How troublesome..." she murmured, amused, eyes flashing bright red for a moment as she grinned at the little girl pushing her way past people who didn't seem to register who, or what, had nudged them out of the way. As Trixie's eyes flashed, so did the markings under her eyes, as she continued to stride confidently, and began to step up an invisible staircase into the air, giving her an elevated height of about a metre above the heads of the crowd.
And there, she began to walk on air. Much like a scene out of a Mary Poppins movie. Or the Matrix. Whichever you were more into. It was as if there was an invisible glass flooring she was walking on, as she effortlessly spotted Allie in the crowd, not taking her eyes off of her as she continued to walk a metre above the crowd, unobstructed and undeterred.
Trixie was definitely amused now, her interest piqued as she quickened her stride to keep the distance between her and Allie consistent, even with the girl's hastened pace. Why run, though? Only the guilty run, no? she thought to herself, remembering the faces of the criminals she had been tasked to reap as they fled from her, attempting to escape their imminent fate. People would resort to many things to escape death, even if they innately know it is futile in the end...
"You don't seem guilty to me..." she mused, eyes glazing over the carnival taking place around her, smiling to herself as she basked in the celebration and merrymaking, marvelling somewhat at all the unbridled joy of the people partaking in the festivities. When Allie rounded the corner and attempted to disappear into the crowd, Trixie couldn't help but smirk a little at the attempt.
"How troublesome..." she murmured, amused, eyes flashing bright red for a moment as she grinned at the little girl pushing her way past people who didn't seem to register who, or what, had nudged them out of the way. As Trixie's eyes flashed, so did the markings under her eyes, as she continued to stride confidently, and began to step up an invisible staircase into the air, giving her an elevated height of about a metre above the heads of the crowd.
And there, she began to walk on air. Much like a scene out of a Mary Poppins movie. Or the Matrix. Whichever you were more into. It was as if there was an invisible glass flooring she was walking on, as she effortlessly spotted Allie in the crowd, not taking her eyes off of her as she continued to walk a metre above the crowd, unobstructed and undeterred.
Inside the carousel house, the merry-go-round was in full working order, spinning and playing a cherry, tinkling, inane tune as the painted horses turned and children happily waved from them. Parents were leaning against the railing surrounding the carousel, yelling at their kids to smile as they lifted their cameras. Many others circle the colorful attraction, in line or just watching with cones of cotton candy and pretzels in their hands.
Allie slipped in between them, ducking low to try to hide her brown pigtails in the mass of people in order to get to the other side and hopefully dart through the other exit. When she managed to get midway, she dared a look back. For a moment, she didn't see the demon and, for a moment, relief washed over her. Then she looked up and saw the demon standing on nothing but air above the crowd, looking at her with red gleaming eyes.
Allie screamed. No one paid her any attention. Frantically, she tried to scramble to the other side of the room, blindingly pushing people out of her way.
"Intan- Mr Intan- INTAN INTAN INTAN-" She yelled and abruptly ran head first into someone, hard.
Allie slowly opened her eyes as a set of strong hands gripped her shoulders, steadying her. She first saw a familiar black wool, double-breasted coat, too warm for beachside attire. Her wide eyes looked up as strands of his cold gold hair like long silk fall around her. She met Intan's face, in shadow, and as he looked down on her, his callous, chilling glare.
Allie felt as if Intan had just dumped a bucket of ice water over her head. Around her, tourists walked by as if there had always been a tall imposing man standing there when Allie was sure Intan had appeared from thin air.
"...demon, there's a demon...behind me..." The girl whispered, her voice shaking. She wasn't sure who she was more afraid of right now, the terrifying demon who was floating behind her or the one who was silently standing in front.
At that word, Intan spotted the obvious floating figure and pushed Allie behind him.
There were minute changes in his normally stoic face. At first, there was a brace, as if he was readying for a fight but then upon seeing that the 'demon' was Trixie, another expression crossed his face. One of recognization, a look one might give a rival.
"That's not a demon." Intan said, his voice quiet and even as he stared up at the woman floating above the crowd.
Allie slipped in between them, ducking low to try to hide her brown pigtails in the mass of people in order to get to the other side and hopefully dart through the other exit. When she managed to get midway, she dared a look back. For a moment, she didn't see the demon and, for a moment, relief washed over her. Then she looked up and saw the demon standing on nothing but air above the crowd, looking at her with red gleaming eyes.
Allie screamed. No one paid her any attention. Frantically, she tried to scramble to the other side of the room, blindingly pushing people out of her way.
"Intan- Mr Intan- INTAN INTAN INTAN-" She yelled and abruptly ran head first into someone, hard.
Allie slowly opened her eyes as a set of strong hands gripped her shoulders, steadying her. She first saw a familiar black wool, double-breasted coat, too warm for beachside attire. Her wide eyes looked up as strands of his cold gold hair like long silk fall around her. She met Intan's face, in shadow, and as he looked down on her, his callous, chilling glare.
Allie felt as if Intan had just dumped a bucket of ice water over her head. Around her, tourists walked by as if there had always been a tall imposing man standing there when Allie was sure Intan had appeared from thin air.
"...demon, there's a demon...behind me..." The girl whispered, her voice shaking. She wasn't sure who she was more afraid of right now, the terrifying demon who was floating behind her or the one who was silently standing in front.
At that word, Intan spotted the obvious floating figure and pushed Allie behind him.
There were minute changes in his normally stoic face. At first, there was a brace, as if he was readying for a fight but then upon seeing that the 'demon' was Trixie, another expression crossed his face. One of recognization, a look one might give a rival.
"That's not a demon." Intan said, his voice quiet and even as he stared up at the woman floating above the crowd.
"It seems like every thing I've chosen to do is just instilling more panic in the little one..." Trixie mused aloud as she watched Allie push her way in alarm through the crowd, the people she made contact with looking confused for a moment before writing it off and enjoying the carnival atmosphere once again. It wasn't difficult at all to keep track of the girl's intended route of escape, as Trixie followed after her with steady, confident strides, feeling a tiny tinge of guilt at how amusing she was finding this entire situation. Definitely, following the girl was the best decision she had made all week.
She was still looking at Allie when she saw the girl yell something repeatedly and in exasperation, eyes widening in intrigue as she felt another presence's sudden appearance in her immediate vicinity. She came a stop just as Intan materialised right before the girl.... who ran straight into him. She couldn't help but chuckle a little at how unamused he was by the collision and how quick he was to put Allie behind him to protect her, she presumed. "So she's your charge... hmm...?"
It was when Trixie locked her gaze with Intan's cold, quiet, stare, that as she realised who... or what he was. She studied him in silence for several seconds, not dropping her gaze, as if she was trying to be sure of something. She raised a brow in intrigue and amusement, finally folding her arms as she began to descend from her invisible staircase of air.
"I knew she was curious. But you... you are just as curious. What a treat, indeed." She came to a stop just before Intan, still locking her gaze with him, her smirk growing wider. Her boots hadn't yet made contact with the ground yet, as she remained floating several inches off of it just so she would be the same height as him. At this, she tilted her head in amusement, arms still folded, her smirk growing into a full, elegant smile.
"It's been a long time since I've met one of... you."
She was still looking at Allie when she saw the girl yell something repeatedly and in exasperation, eyes widening in intrigue as she felt another presence's sudden appearance in her immediate vicinity. She came a stop just as Intan materialised right before the girl.... who ran straight into him. She couldn't help but chuckle a little at how unamused he was by the collision and how quick he was to put Allie behind him to protect her, she presumed. "So she's your charge... hmm...?"
It was when Trixie locked her gaze with Intan's cold, quiet, stare, that as she realised who... or what he was. She studied him in silence for several seconds, not dropping her gaze, as if she was trying to be sure of something. She raised a brow in intrigue and amusement, finally folding her arms as she began to descend from her invisible staircase of air.
"I knew she was curious. But you... you are just as curious. What a treat, indeed." She came to a stop just before Intan, still locking her gaze with him, her smirk growing wider. Her boots hadn't yet made contact with the ground yet, as she remained floating several inches off of it just so she would be the same height as him. At this, she tilted her head in amusement, arms still folded, her smirk growing into a full, elegant smile.
"It's been a long time since I've met one of... you."
Intan matched Trixie's level gaze as she walked down her invisible flight of stairs. He had given almost no reaction to the woman except a slight haughty raise of his head when the woman had said 'you'.
Behind him, Allie peeked out from Intan's coat like a child clutching to the hem of her mother's skirt. Her eyes which were filled with fright a moment ago lit up with curiosity now. Her gaze fluttered from Intan to Trixie back to Intan. Clearly, she had no idea what kind of creature Intan was or what Trixie was talking about.
The topic at hand displeased him. And there was something to be said about the smile of amusement on the woman's face and the fact that she was still floating a few inches off the ground, just enough for Intan to see the light of jest in her eyes.
Intan had heard of this woman before, how could he not. Los Angeles is not as big as seems and the world of magical trading is smaller still. However, he had always felt best to avoid all interactions with fellows of similar occupation unless moments like these drag him into it.
"Trixie Lexingdale, I presume," Intan said, not taking to Trixie's provocation. "Do you often spend your day terrorizing humans? Have you no other pastime?" His voice had a ringing quality to it, like low church bells from a distance.
Allie fidgeted, not use to this odd situation or conversations concerning her. Around them, life continued- children were still spinning around on the carousel, parents waving back at them, couples taking photos, none the wiser of the incident that was occurring before them. It felt as if the three of them were in their own world; as if they were the only sentient creatures trapped in an idyllic plastic snow globe.
Behind him, Allie peeked out from Intan's coat like a child clutching to the hem of her mother's skirt. Her eyes which were filled with fright a moment ago lit up with curiosity now. Her gaze fluttered from Intan to Trixie back to Intan. Clearly, she had no idea what kind of creature Intan was or what Trixie was talking about.
The topic at hand displeased him. And there was something to be said about the smile of amusement on the woman's face and the fact that she was still floating a few inches off the ground, just enough for Intan to see the light of jest in her eyes.
Intan had heard of this woman before, how could he not. Los Angeles is not as big as seems and the world of magical trading is smaller still. However, he had always felt best to avoid all interactions with fellows of similar occupation unless moments like these drag him into it.
"Trixie Lexingdale, I presume," Intan said, not taking to Trixie's provocation. "Do you often spend your day terrorizing humans? Have you no other pastime?" His voice had a ringing quality to it, like low church bells from a distance.
Allie fidgeted, not use to this odd situation or conversations concerning her. Around them, life continued- children were still spinning around on the carousel, parents waving back at them, couples taking photos, none the wiser of the incident that was occurring before them. It felt as if the three of them were in their own world; as if they were the only sentient creatures trapped in an idyllic plastic snow globe.
"Ah... it really has been awhile since I've been addressed by my full name," Trixie's smile extended to her eyes this time, narrowing them a little to upturned slits. It seemed like she was very pleased by the fact that she didn't have to introduce herself for him to know who she was. Of course he knew who she was. After all, this was indeed the being she had heard about but never gotten to meet in person, till now. The being who she had heard being referred to as...
"...Intan." She bowed her head just a little as if in greeting, still not taking her eyes off of his. Her gaze was challenging as she enunciated each syllable slowly and deliberately. Intan would probably be able to hear a strong trace of a British accent from her voice. It was an accent she didn't quite bother hiding, though its thickness seemed to have been eroded over time with the blending of other accents. "Well, yes, I actually do. I find it rather enjoyable. Though technically.... she's not quite human, is she? Not anymore, at least..." she grinned at him, before intentionally cutting short the staring contest to bend to the side, stealing a peek at Allie. "I merely followed her to say hello. Both to her and... surprise, surprise. To you." She smiled innocently, high cheekbones rising just a little higher on her chiselled features.
"Hello, little one." She smiled and waved at Allie who hiding behind Intan, her smile just a tad kinder-looking than the one she had been giving Intan. Straightening her posture, she then looked straight into Intan's eyes once more. "And hello to you too--" her smile quirked on one side, making it look a little more like a smirk than the smile she gave Allie, "--Intan. It is truly lovely to finally make your acquaintance. If anything, I'd misunderstand and believe you were intentionally avoiding me all this while. That would've been...tragic."
"...Intan." She bowed her head just a little as if in greeting, still not taking her eyes off of his. Her gaze was challenging as she enunciated each syllable slowly and deliberately. Intan would probably be able to hear a strong trace of a British accent from her voice. It was an accent she didn't quite bother hiding, though its thickness seemed to have been eroded over time with the blending of other accents. "Well, yes, I actually do. I find it rather enjoyable. Though technically.... she's not quite human, is she? Not anymore, at least..." she grinned at him, before intentionally cutting short the staring contest to bend to the side, stealing a peek at Allie. "I merely followed her to say hello. Both to her and... surprise, surprise. To you." She smiled innocently, high cheekbones rising just a little higher on her chiselled features.
"Hello, little one." She smiled and waved at Allie who hiding behind Intan, her smile just a tad kinder-looking than the one she had been giving Intan. Straightening her posture, she then looked straight into Intan's eyes once more. "And hello to you too--" her smile quirked on one side, making it look a little more like a smirk than the smile she gave Allie, "--Intan. It is truly lovely to finally make your acquaintance. If anything, I'd misunderstand and believe you were intentionally avoiding me all this while. That would've been...tragic."
Allie couldn't repress a squeak when the woman sneaked a peek at her. She immediately hid her face behind Intan's coat, as if the woman's eyes had the chance to turn her to stone. Was Intan sure she was not a demon?? The hair, the eyes, the outfit. She was pretty sure she saw someone like her attack the protagonist of gothic action movies. The beautiful seductive enchantresses.
"Don't flatter yourself," Intan replied to the accusations in a soft dry drawl. Normally, he would ignore such jabs but it was the smirk that the other gave that really did him in.
It was not as though Intan was avoiding the woman but rather he had absolutely no need to talk or even introduce himself to her in any friendly fashion. What she did was of no concern to him and he saw no benefit in an alliance so why waste his time. And judging from the woman teasing tones, the rumors that he had heard about her, this very situation that he was in, Trixie seemed like a woman that found amusement in the business that she took part of, while Intan found none. But here they were, forced together because of his clumsy 'assistant'.
Intan closed his eyes, ending the staring contest between them, and walked a step to the side, leaving Allie exposed to the woman's sights.
"Allouette, where are your manners. Say hello."
Allie suddenly stood straight and stiff at this suggestion. The color drained from her face as she gave her boss a wide-eyed, desperate look. It felt as if Trixie and Intan were playing a personal game with extreme confidence while she didn't even know the rules. Now Intan was forcing her to join in, to her dismay. Forcing her to join or playing her as a pawn, one or the other.
"Oh- but..." Allie started as she meekly pleaded with Intan but stopped when she saw her boss's sights drop for a moment to what she was holding and the back up to Allie's eyes. A small scowl spread across his face and he lifted his head slightly as he looked down at the young girl.
Allie looked down too and realized in horror that she was still holding the ice cream cup, still full of cherry ice cream, though slightly melted. She even managed to keep the spoon in it, which would leave her delighted under normal circumstances. It dawned on her that her boss had pieced together the reason why she had strayed from her delivery route, how she ran into Trixie, why she just called him halfway across town to save her butt from a non-demon. Allie flushed a bright red as she stared down at the ice cream. Intan had probably figured it out the moment that she had run into him and looked down. She felt Intan's glare at her now and the feeling might have been akin to getting frostbite.
Allie realized that she was in so much trouble and was not in any position to argue. So abruptly, she swallowed her heart back into her chest and turned to Trixie.
"HiI'mAllouettebutIhatethatnamesoyoucancallmeAllie,pleasuretomeetyouMsLexingdale." Allie spat out as she forced her head down in a bow. "Imsorryforcallingyouademon. Youarenotademon,demonsaresupposetobeuglierithink."
Allie seemed to be the talking type when she got nervous.
"Don't flatter yourself," Intan replied to the accusations in a soft dry drawl. Normally, he would ignore such jabs but it was the smirk that the other gave that really did him in.
It was not as though Intan was avoiding the woman but rather he had absolutely no need to talk or even introduce himself to her in any friendly fashion. What she did was of no concern to him and he saw no benefit in an alliance so why waste his time. And judging from the woman teasing tones, the rumors that he had heard about her, this very situation that he was in, Trixie seemed like a woman that found amusement in the business that she took part of, while Intan found none. But here they were, forced together because of his clumsy 'assistant'.
Intan closed his eyes, ending the staring contest between them, and walked a step to the side, leaving Allie exposed to the woman's sights.
"Allouette, where are your manners. Say hello."
Allie suddenly stood straight and stiff at this suggestion. The color drained from her face as she gave her boss a wide-eyed, desperate look. It felt as if Trixie and Intan were playing a personal game with extreme confidence while she didn't even know the rules. Now Intan was forcing her to join in, to her dismay. Forcing her to join or playing her as a pawn, one or the other.
"Oh- but..." Allie started as she meekly pleaded with Intan but stopped when she saw her boss's sights drop for a moment to what she was holding and the back up to Allie's eyes. A small scowl spread across his face and he lifted his head slightly as he looked down at the young girl.
Allie looked down too and realized in horror that she was still holding the ice cream cup, still full of cherry ice cream, though slightly melted. She even managed to keep the spoon in it, which would leave her delighted under normal circumstances. It dawned on her that her boss had pieced together the reason why she had strayed from her delivery route, how she ran into Trixie, why she just called him halfway across town to save her butt from a non-demon. Allie flushed a bright red as she stared down at the ice cream. Intan had probably figured it out the moment that she had run into him and looked down. She felt Intan's glare at her now and the feeling might have been akin to getting frostbite.
Allie realized that she was in so much trouble and was not in any position to argue. So abruptly, she swallowed her heart back into her chest and turned to Trixie.
"HiI'mAllouettebutIhatethatnamesoyoucancallmeAllie,pleasuretomeetyouMsLexingdale." Allie spat out as she forced her head down in a bow. "Imsorryforcallingyouademon. Youarenotademon,demonsaresupposetobeuglierithink."
Allie seemed to be the talking type when she got nervous.
Trixie clutched her heart at Allie's introduction, her smirk softening just slightly as she looked fondly at the ball of nerves before her, letting her heeled boots finally touch the ground as she bent a little, so that they were eye-level with each other. "Hello, Allie," she replied calmly, petting Allie's head. "Admittedly I didn't mean to frighten you so much. That was certainly unexpected. But, truthfully, it was indeed entertaining," she laughed a little as she said this, though her gaze was apologetic. "Apologies. I delighted in your misery and fear for quite a bit. Do forgive this tendency of mine,"
Her eyes went to the cup of ice cream she had watched Allie buy just minutes ago, head tilted to the side as to why Intan would be so angry at some frozen dessert. Perhaps he was not a fan of ice cream? "You're very hard on her," she commented, looking up at Intan and shaking her head. "I am aware that I do not have the right to pass any judgements. But I suppose I have the right to share an opinion," she added, standing beside Allie as if she was an alternative protective guardian. "I have learned that sometimes people tend to be hard on those who they hold high expectations of. Do not let this be a discouragement to you, little Allie. Be encouraged by all things, including your strict and demanding boss." She said to Allie with a wink, and a confident smile. She then turned her attention back to the intimidating man, looking up at him for a few moments in silence before addressing him.
She had sworn she had come across a being like him at least once in her servitude, with their gleaming golden hair, sharp ethereal features too perfect to be human, and a similarly intense aura about them. She studied these same features on Intan, noticing how his hair seemed to have a faded sort of gold gleam about it, as if it had been weathered down by time and weariness. It made him look just a tiny bit more human... although she fully understood that he was far from it. He, like her, was far from human. And would probably always be. It was a strange sort of bridge she felt, though she was fully aware that both parties were unwilling to cross it to reach a midpoint as of yet. But perhaps.... just perhaps, some good could come from a connection such as this. Perhaps it would be good for her to take the first step on this bridge, to attempt to make some sort of a connection. Of course, it would be stooping lower than her pride, but...
It wouldn't hurt to try, she thought, as a small smirk lit up her devilish-looking features.
"It was lovely meeting you in person, Intan. I suppose you've heard about what I do--" she made a name card appear out of nowhere in her hands, holding it to him in invitation of taking it. "This is where my agency is located. Unfortunately, I am rather botchy with technology, as my employees tell me so kindly. So the best way to get in direct contact with me is through a personal visit. You, and of course you, little Allie--" she smiled at Allie at this point, but the smile turned back to a smirk when she looked back at Intan, "--are always welcome there. I think you'll find that we deal in rather... differing areas of goods and services from you. Well, mine being more services-based than goods, I suppose. I do believe it might be advantageous to the both of us to collaborate every now and then...? Though of course, taking my name card doesn't bind you to anything whatsoever. It's just the beginning of a potential connection. No commitment or obligation, whatsoever. It is all up to you, eventually,"
The name card Trixie presented them was a sleek black with text in white and red. The top of it read TOJA, which seemed to be the name of the agency Trixie owned. On it was a physical address, an office number, a phone number, an email, and a website address. The back of the card had a logo and a single tagline "The one-stop agency for all your odd-job requirements and needs."
Her eyes went to the cup of ice cream she had watched Allie buy just minutes ago, head tilted to the side as to why Intan would be so angry at some frozen dessert. Perhaps he was not a fan of ice cream? "You're very hard on her," she commented, looking up at Intan and shaking her head. "I am aware that I do not have the right to pass any judgements. But I suppose I have the right to share an opinion," she added, standing beside Allie as if she was an alternative protective guardian. "I have learned that sometimes people tend to be hard on those who they hold high expectations of. Do not let this be a discouragement to you, little Allie. Be encouraged by all things, including your strict and demanding boss." She said to Allie with a wink, and a confident smile. She then turned her attention back to the intimidating man, looking up at him for a few moments in silence before addressing him.
She had sworn she had come across a being like him at least once in her servitude, with their gleaming golden hair, sharp ethereal features too perfect to be human, and a similarly intense aura about them. She studied these same features on Intan, noticing how his hair seemed to have a faded sort of gold gleam about it, as if it had been weathered down by time and weariness. It made him look just a tiny bit more human... although she fully understood that he was far from it. He, like her, was far from human. And would probably always be. It was a strange sort of bridge she felt, though she was fully aware that both parties were unwilling to cross it to reach a midpoint as of yet. But perhaps.... just perhaps, some good could come from a connection such as this. Perhaps it would be good for her to take the first step on this bridge, to attempt to make some sort of a connection. Of course, it would be stooping lower than her pride, but...
It wouldn't hurt to try, she thought, as a small smirk lit up her devilish-looking features.
"It was lovely meeting you in person, Intan. I suppose you've heard about what I do--" she made a name card appear out of nowhere in her hands, holding it to him in invitation of taking it. "This is where my agency is located. Unfortunately, I am rather botchy with technology, as my employees tell me so kindly. So the best way to get in direct contact with me is through a personal visit. You, and of course you, little Allie--" she smiled at Allie at this point, but the smile turned back to a smirk when she looked back at Intan, "--are always welcome there. I think you'll find that we deal in rather... differing areas of goods and services from you. Well, mine being more services-based than goods, I suppose. I do believe it might be advantageous to the both of us to collaborate every now and then...? Though of course, taking my name card doesn't bind you to anything whatsoever. It's just the beginning of a potential connection. No commitment or obligation, whatsoever. It is all up to you, eventually,"
The name card Trixie presented them was a sleek black with text in white and red. The top of it read TOJA, which seemed to be the name of the agency Trixie owned. On it was a physical address, an office number, a phone number, an email, and a website address. The back of the card had a logo and a single tagline "The one-stop agency for all your odd-job requirements and needs."
Allie did an incredible impersonation of a stone statue when Trixie pat her head. Though she was listening to what the woman was saying, she barely registered it at the moment since all she could think of was how abnormally red the other's iris was, how sharp her cheekbones were, how pale and almost translucent the quality of her skin was. She had remembered this same feeling of awe when she first saw Intan.
After this is all over, after Intan's inevitable scolding, Allie would be laying on her bed in the quiet attic of the shop, in dispirits as she folded countless paper stars (her way of relieving stress). Perhaps then Trixie's words would sink in and Allie would be able to think Intan was right, she couldn't possibly be a demon after all. One could even say that she was nice. Pleasant even.
However, at this moment, Allie merely nodded wordlessly to Trixie's voice, too shell-shocked by the supernatural beings next to her to react in any meaningful way. She did manage a squeak when the woman produced a card out of thin air to her boss. She looked at him for a reaction.
Intan was dispassionate to Trixie's speech and did not give enough emotion to confirm or deny the other's claims. There was perhaps a tiny minuscule change as he clenched his teeth when Trixie touched Allie's head. It was a reflective action, much like how one would react if a stranger touched their property or pet without permission. When Trixie offered him her card with a flourish, Allie thought for sure that her boss would reject it. However after a moment of careful observation, Intan took the card between his slender fingers.
"Perhaps." Was all he said, offering no promises.
"Perhaps...?" Allie repeated absentmindedly, a bit surprised as she looked at the card that was in her boss' hand. The woman had a business card? Why don't we have a business card, Allie thought, curiosity trumping fear.
Intan didn't have anything similar to produce to Trixie, simply because his business model was if someone was desperate enough for help, they would find him. It was an incredibly one-sided approach to business, his customers always needed him more than he would ever need them. This was an arrangement that suited Intan. However, he saw the sparkle in Allie's eyes as she scanned the card. Abruptly, Intan flipped the card to his palm and it disappeared in a blink. Trixie's card now sat neatly on the desktop of Intan's bureau, a few dozen miles away.
"Come Allouette, that's enough fun for the week." He said as he looked away from Trixie and offered Allie a hand. Actually, 'offer' was a generous word. He had raised a hand, palm up, in Allie's direction but the look in Intan's eyes compelled obedience. This was an unspoken order. Allie knew the moment she took Intan's hand, both of them would teleport back to his shop in a blink of an eye. The girl raised her hand up nervously to accept Intan's but turned back to look at Trixie before doing so.
"It was nice....meeting you...madam." She said with a small smile.
After this is all over, after Intan's inevitable scolding, Allie would be laying on her bed in the quiet attic of the shop, in dispirits as she folded countless paper stars (her way of relieving stress). Perhaps then Trixie's words would sink in and Allie would be able to think Intan was right, she couldn't possibly be a demon after all. One could even say that she was nice. Pleasant even.
However, at this moment, Allie merely nodded wordlessly to Trixie's voice, too shell-shocked by the supernatural beings next to her to react in any meaningful way. She did manage a squeak when the woman produced a card out of thin air to her boss. She looked at him for a reaction.
Intan was dispassionate to Trixie's speech and did not give enough emotion to confirm or deny the other's claims. There was perhaps a tiny minuscule change as he clenched his teeth when Trixie touched Allie's head. It was a reflective action, much like how one would react if a stranger touched their property or pet without permission. When Trixie offered him her card with a flourish, Allie thought for sure that her boss would reject it. However after a moment of careful observation, Intan took the card between his slender fingers.
"Perhaps." Was all he said, offering no promises.
"Perhaps...?" Allie repeated absentmindedly, a bit surprised as she looked at the card that was in her boss' hand. The woman had a business card? Why don't we have a business card, Allie thought, curiosity trumping fear.
Intan didn't have anything similar to produce to Trixie, simply because his business model was if someone was desperate enough for help, they would find him. It was an incredibly one-sided approach to business, his customers always needed him more than he would ever need them. This was an arrangement that suited Intan. However, he saw the sparkle in Allie's eyes as she scanned the card. Abruptly, Intan flipped the card to his palm and it disappeared in a blink. Trixie's card now sat neatly on the desktop of Intan's bureau, a few dozen miles away.
"Come Allouette, that's enough fun for the week." He said as he looked away from Trixie and offered Allie a hand. Actually, 'offer' was a generous word. He had raised a hand, palm up, in Allie's direction but the look in Intan's eyes compelled obedience. This was an unspoken order. Allie knew the moment she took Intan's hand, both of them would teleport back to his shop in a blink of an eye. The girl raised her hand up nervously to accept Intan's but turned back to look at Trixie before doing so.
"It was nice....meeting you...madam." She said with a small smile.
Allie being stricken and all statue-like didn't go unnoticed by Trixie, though she was clearly unbothered by it. The girl had earned a little bit of a soft spot in her non-beating heart, for her innocent demeanour, and her rather special condition/state of being (and also a tinge of sympathy for having a boss like Intan). She seemed to delight in the fact that Intan had been slightly riled by her physically making contact with his charge.
As she turned her attention back to the intimidating glowering figure of a man, a brow of hers was raised in amusement that he hadn't chosen to burn up the card on the spot. Trixie continued to maintain her gaze with his, both brows raising at his "Perhaps", since she had been preparing herself for a "hell NO". Allie's echoing of the "Perhaps" made Trixie's grin grow even wider, pleased that the little one seemed just as invested as she was in this.
As Intan turned away from her, Trixie watched him walking away from her, guessing correctly that the angelic being had decided that this was a good time to take his leave... with his charge, of course. She wondered if she would see either of them again. A part of her firmly believed that she would, that now that their paths had crossed and intertwined, they were bound to keep crossing in time to come. "It was lovely meeting you too, lil Allie~" She bent a little to match Allie's height, waving at her as the two vanished before her eyes.
At this moment, Trixie stiffened, and from thin air, she summoned a small glass sphere into her hand, turning it amusedly around as a loud voice suddenly resounded from it.
{ T-R-I-X-I-E-D-I-X-I-E TRIXIE WILL YOU PLEASE ANSWER ugh this is why I wanted her to take the damn CELL PHONE this comms sphere only works when she wants it to IT'S LIKE ONE WAY COMMUNICATION. LIKE A PAGER. WHO USES PAGERS IN THIS DAYS-- }
Trixie smiled at this, letting out a somewhat weary sigh. She closed her eyes, bringing the glass sphere to her lips and speaking into it. "Joella Rioz, your voice is too loud and it's interfering with my receiving your message--" she stated calmly, ignoring all of the yelling on the other end of the line.
{ AAAAAA. YOU ANSWERED. YOU FINALLY ANSWERED!!! WHERE. THE HECK. HAVE YOU BEEN. THERE'S BEEN A LINE OF PEOPLE COMING TO SEE YOU AND THESE ASSHOLES WON'T TALK TO ME-- } A faint shout of "hey who're you callin' an asshole--" in the background at this point.
"Bridging connections." came the simple, calm reply. There was a loud { HUH??!!??!!? } on the other end of the comms sphere, which Trixie ignored once again. "I'll be back in less than 5. Surely you can cope for 5 more minutes, Jo. I'm counting on you~
" There was loud indiscernible rage and yelling from the other end of the sphere-line at this point.
{ Well... how did it go? } A much gentler, calmer voice now sounded through the comms sphere, which Trixie couldn't help but smirk triumphantly at.
"He said "Perhaps"."
{ Just perhaps? }
"A 'perhaps' is more than good enough for me, Rhea. It's what I came for. I'll talk to you all when I get back. There may be some exciting new developments to come from this "Perhaps.". I simply can't wait."
As she turned her attention back to the intimidating glowering figure of a man, a brow of hers was raised in amusement that he hadn't chosen to burn up the card on the spot. Trixie continued to maintain her gaze with his, both brows raising at his "Perhaps", since she had been preparing herself for a "hell NO". Allie's echoing of the "Perhaps" made Trixie's grin grow even wider, pleased that the little one seemed just as invested as she was in this.
As Intan turned away from her, Trixie watched him walking away from her, guessing correctly that the angelic being had decided that this was a good time to take his leave... with his charge, of course. She wondered if she would see either of them again. A part of her firmly believed that she would, that now that their paths had crossed and intertwined, they were bound to keep crossing in time to come. "It was lovely meeting you too, lil Allie~" She bent a little to match Allie's height, waving at her as the two vanished before her eyes.
At this moment, Trixie stiffened, and from thin air, she summoned a small glass sphere into her hand, turning it amusedly around as a loud voice suddenly resounded from it.
{ T-R-I-X-I-E-D-I-X-I-E TRIXIE WILL YOU PLEASE ANSWER ugh this is why I wanted her to take the damn CELL PHONE this comms sphere only works when she wants it to IT'S LIKE ONE WAY COMMUNICATION. LIKE A PAGER. WHO USES PAGERS IN THIS DAYS-- }
Trixie smiled at this, letting out a somewhat weary sigh. She closed her eyes, bringing the glass sphere to her lips and speaking into it. "Joella Rioz, your voice is too loud and it's interfering with my receiving your message--" she stated calmly, ignoring all of the yelling on the other end of the line.
{ AAAAAA. YOU ANSWERED. YOU FINALLY ANSWERED!!! WHERE. THE HECK. HAVE YOU BEEN. THERE'S BEEN A LINE OF PEOPLE COMING TO SEE YOU AND THESE ASSHOLES WON'T TALK TO ME-- } A faint shout of "hey who're you callin' an asshole--" in the background at this point.
"Bridging connections." came the simple, calm reply. There was a loud { HUH??!!??!!? } on the other end of the comms sphere, which Trixie ignored once again. "I'll be back in less than 5. Surely you can cope for 5 more minutes, Jo. I'm counting on you~
" There was loud indiscernible rage and yelling from the other end of the sphere-line at this point.{ Well... how did it go? } A much gentler, calmer voice now sounded through the comms sphere, which Trixie couldn't help but smirk triumphantly at.
"He said "Perhaps"."
{ Just perhaps? }
"A 'perhaps' is more than good enough for me, Rhea. It's what I came for. I'll talk to you all when I get back. There may be some exciting new developments to come from this "Perhaps.". I simply can't wait."