ratcatchers | (no subject)

"I need your help Francois. I can't get this done on my own." Nev sat across from the elfin Fey as they ate lunch at a local restaurant.

"Nev.... I work for Elle now. And she would not appreciate me going off to get myself killed like in the old days." He sighed. "Life was different back then. Maybe I was trying to get myself killed.... But I've found purpose again. I don't want to throw it away on a suicide run."

"I'm not asking you to take part. I need Hunters. I don't have your connections. You know people."

"Elle's trying to come to peaceable terms with the Angels. This will not help her efforts!"

Nev dropped his voice low, not only to keep others from hearing but to put some menace in his tone, "If we don't stop this Francois, her efforts will be for nothing. Maybe Thermidore is honest in her desire to leave, which I doubt. But Calenture is an arrogant ass. If he starts getting new recruits, it'll be War all over again, and his troops won't run out."

Francois shook his head. Internally he wanted to help out Nev. He knew the brutality of Calenture first hand. But his ties to Elle bound him somewhat. She wouldn't approve of this, he was sure of it.

"I can't Nev. I'm in a different world now. Elle won't go with this."

"Then let's go see her."

Francois blinked, "I don't think that would be a good idea Nev."

"Why not? You're assuming how Elle would react. Let her make up her mind. Or are you blocking for her?"

Francois eyes narrowed as her spoke, "Don't insult me like that Nev. You're a friend. I wouldn't lie to you."

"Then start acting like my friend. Don't lay the blame on someone else. If you've lost the nerve or the taste for hunting, Tell Me! Don't hide behind your Prince. And if you really think she'll disagree, then let me hear it for myself."

Francois turned to face Nev square on and locked eyes with him. "I don't think it would be a good idea for you to see her again Nev." His voice had an edge of pity and frustration. "She was your Prince as well. You had her cut your ties. Who knows how you'll react to seeing her again."

"I know damn it! I already went through the pain. And I'm willing to risk it. This is too important to let little thing like hurt feelings get in the way."

"It's not a little thing Nev!"

"It is to me. Take me to see her."

Francois leaned back in his chair, head shaking in disbelief. "Stubborn ass...." He looked back at Nev. His response was matter-of-fact "I warned you."

Nev clapped his hands together. "Let's get going"

********

She greeted them at the door, "Welcome stranger." Her tone was friendly and familiar. Nev felt the separation tear at him the instant he spotted her. It was hard but he swallowed the pain and smiled, "Good to see you again. Looking good."

"Thank you!" She smiled and Nev suppressed another wave. "What brings you here?"

"Information... and a request."

"Hmmmm..... why is it that I'm getting a bad feeling about this?"

"Wisdom beyond your years?"

"How about some coffee then?" She ushered them into the house.

After the pleasantries were over and they were settled into the kitchen, Nev opened the conversation, "We know what they are." He waited for the inevitable curiousity from the Prince. "They're embryos."

"What?"

"Embryos. Little frozen Angel podlings."

"And you're certain?"

"Positive."

"My God.... I need to tell Ett..."

Nev cut her off. "I've already been."

"You went to his house first?"

"Of course... I didn't know where you were. And Francois has a terrible track record for answering his phone."

"But Theo knows my number...."

"Theo's not here. I'm running solo on this one... at least right now."

"Did you tell him what he had?"

"I have my suspicions he already knew."

Elle looked shocked, "Why would you say that?"

"Because I don't trust him farther then I can throw him."

Elle sounded a little put-out, "How can you say that? He's my friend and he helped you out when you first got here!"

"Helped us as far as his own interests lay. People who are part of an ancient secret society are not to be trusted."

Elle sat there, bewildered. Francois spoke up, sarcasm thick on his voice, "Like, say, a society of non-humans that have kept their existence hidden from humans for centuries."

"Hardly. You were born. That doesn't make you a member, just a mistake." Humor evident in his voice he chuckled as he pulled out a piece of paper and a pen. Tracing three concentric circles, he drew a flame coming out of the center. "This is a tattoo that Ettienne has on his forearm. Julien was able to confirm that this symbol has appeared in ancient texts going back 3-400 years. Innis confirmed that they are a group of Watchers. No one really knows what their agenda is but themselves. However Ettiennes friend, the dead one, Andre. I'd bet he was one as well. That symbol was on his grave marker."

Elle shook her head to get clear, "But if he's got the vials, then...."

"He doesn't have them anymore. I took them."

"Took them?" Francois peered at Nev.

"I didn't hurt him." Francois didn't budge, "I didn't!! I might have made some non-subtle remarks but I wouldn't have hurt him.... Nothing permanent."

Elle whirled to face him, "You threatened Ettienne?!?"

Nev shrugged, "I didn't have to. He caved pretty quickly. Terrible liar. I didn't make any friends, well maybe his wife..."

"You did this in front of his wife?" Elle's voice was exasperated.

"Of course I didn't do it in front of his wife. I made her breakfast. Ettienne came down first, I got the vials, destroyed them and everything was back to normal when she showed up." He took a mock-snooty attitude, "I was a perfect gentleman."

"Nev you try me some...wait.. destroyed them?"

"Yes... Elle, these are viable Angel embryos. Prenatal Angels, ready for the hatching." He took a sidelong glance at Francois, "Which brings me to my second reason for being here...."

********

Nev cradled his head in his hands. He'd been talking to her for a half and hour and had still not gotten anywhere. She hadn't said No, just made up excuses why he shouldn't make the attack. He sighed heavily again, "Elle... this needs to be done. Everything that everyone has done to try to get their kind of peace will be worthless if we don't."

"Well I just don't see it. It's too risky and it will not help matters with discussions with Calenture." She didn't like the idea of Angel reinforcements but she believed that she could come to terms with them. Any attack would be devastating to negotiations.

Francois spoke up from his side of the table, "Nev, why do you keep on when she isn't willing to help?"

"Because she hasn't said No, DAMN IT!" He took a moment to center himself again. He was having a really hard time keeping himself in check. "Elle, you more then anyone know Calentures brutality. You were his hostage, his slave. A play thing for his amusement!"

"I've seen his gentle side too, Nev"

"And what about the Fey he's butchered? Did they get to see his gentle side as well? What about Sofia.... "Nev's voice caught in his throat and his muscles tensed visibly. Francois got up and walked over to where Nev stood. He laid his hand gently on Nev shoulder. Elle sat back bewildered. She didn't know what was going on, but the single tear that hit the table before Nev straightened up told her there was more to Nev's story then he was letting on.

Nev calmed his breathing and stretched his neck. "Sorry... it's hard to stay calm. Francois warned me it would be tough. But it doesn't change the facts Elle. If you want this peace between Angels and the world you cannot. Allow. Calenture. To have access to unlimited reinforcements, or the possibility of such. He is an arrogant son of a bitch and does not care about the world outside his city, only that it is subservient to him."

"But Nev, you're talking about staging an assault on the city. Calenture, if he is as bad as you say he is, will retaliate to this attack."

"One: it's not an assault, we are not going in to butcher the "innocent civilian" Angels. It is a strategic strike against the facilities that create the embryos. Even if I wanted to create mayhem, there isn't enough time to get the team in and out before being caught. And two: we have no choice. Whatever his retaliation is, it can't be as bad as what he would do with a fresh army."

She sat there brooding. She wanted to believe she could take it out with Calenture but she did know his darker side.

Nev sat next to her, "Elle, I'm not asking for Francois to come fight with me. I just need to get in contact with the Hunters in France and he's knows the people."

She looked sideways at Nev, resignation in her voice. "You have to promise that you aren't going on a killing spree."

Nev sat up straight and true, making a cross on his chest with his fingers, "Cross my heart and hope to die, No innocent Angels will be killed."

Her eyes narrowed and she kept staring at him. He sighed and rolled his eyes, "Fine! No blood-thristy killing of random Angels"

"Nev..."

"If we run into guards we can't let them raise an alarm Elle."

She huffed, "Fine. Francois can go." She turned to Nev again, her eyes sincere, "Nev, please try your best. We can't be at War forever.' She placed her hand over his and gave a gentle squeeze.

Nev's breath caught in his chest as she touched him, but he placed his trembling hand over hers. "I promise Elle."

********

Francois waited with his back turned to Nev as he composed himself outside. He was surprised that Elle let him go, but deep down they both knew that Calenture would not listen to reason unless he had no options. An army at his disposal was leverage they could let him get.

Nev rested on one knee, wiping the sides of his mouth. So much for the food Elle served him when it came up in garbage can. .oO Not even bound to her and it still hurts as bad as the first time... Oo. He stood and steadied himself, straightening his jacket. AS he turned around he saw Francois and not for the first time admired the strength the Fey had under his delicate features. To have been bound for so long and still managed to push through the pain after his lose......

"We should be going."

Francois turned to look at him, "How are you suggesting to get across into France?"

"Not going to France just yet."

"Oh...."

"Have one more stop to make before we leave." Nev turned to his mentor, "How's you're German?"

********

The campfire crackled, illuminating the darkness of the night. They had decided to walk acorss the border instead of trying to make a checkpoint crossing. The Tiefling lay on his bedroll. The shaggy green hair fell to the side of his small horns, his yellow eyes hidden behind closed lids. His small sharp teeth were slightly visible from a half closed mouth and his fingers laced over his chest, which rose and fell with the rhythm of his breathing. Francois looked over and pondered Nevs choice. The Hunter was unhinged as far Francois was concerned. He turned to his student, "Are you sure about him?"

"He's been vetted." Nevs' eyes were closed by he was going over plans in his head.

"And you trust them?"

"I trust their word as I trust yours Francois."

That seemed to be enough for the Fey. "What's his story?"

"Ex-Hunter. Busy during the earlier parts of the War. His team collapsed after a while when they went their separate ways and has been atrophying in Switzerland ever since. He use to run with Elle's friend, Ettiennes' Wife."

"Ettienne's Wife was a hunter? Surprised you didn't try to recruit her."

"She has kids." His tone was matter-of-fact, as if there was no further need to discuss it.

"So what's he do?"

Nev turned to look at the sleeping tiefling, "He hates Angels as much as I do."

********