Colin's posts

Cecil looked over towards her, and smiled slightly.

"That's nice of you." he said.

"But I'm worried because of this." he told her.

He then moved his laptop so that the screen was facing Sierra, and she could see he was on an internet news site, mostly meant for mages and non-humans.

And there was a headline that was particularly troubling:

OVER 25 PEOPLE MYSTERIOUSLY DISAPPEAR. UNKNOWN SOURCE OR METHOD. MASS PANIC BREWING. it read.

There was silence for about 5 seconds, before she heard him.

"Oh, hey!" Cecil called back from the den area.

"I'm in the den!" he said.

"I'll come and get the food in a minute!" he added.

There was something to his tone. Something... weird. It sounded like worry or concern.

"I think so, too." Azazel replied.

"I've heard he's been toying with the idea of putting some things up here." he told her.

"Like a machine for drinks, some lawn chairs, you know, make this place more like a sort of secret break room area." he said further.

"Or a herb garden of sorts, for rare plants and such." he continued.

"But he's not surer." he went on.

"He knows this is like your own little personal safe space, so he might not touch it."

"Well, that's excellent!" Azazel replied.

"You found a really conscientious roomie, it seems." he commented.

"They're rare to come by." he said further.

"Nice to see he's making things easier for you." he went on, continuing to smile as he stepped up beside her and looked out into the distance.

"....really pretty." he commented.

"It's easy to see why you like it up here."

"Oh, I got nothin' goin' on, and I wanted to come talk to you." Azazel replied.

"I've noticed you're a lot happier and more relaxed. Wanted to see what was up." he went on.

"Good to see you're doing well on your own, even if you needed to take on a roommate." he continued, sincerity more than evident in his tone.

"That's all." he told her.

Azazel was silent for a moment, seemingly thinking about that.

"Well... I mean, there's no real need to be TOO liberal with info, is there?" he asked.

"You put it out for mages and non-humans, so it's safe to say he's one of those." he reasoned.

"But I don't think you should have anything to hide, though." he added.

"You're the nicest banshee I know, Sierra." he told her honestly. "And while a lot would say that's not a high bar to clear, you certainly set the bar impossibly high for OTHER banshees." he said with a small smile.

"....that... probably sounded more awkward than I meant it..." he then mumbled.

"....for real?" Azazel asked.

"Yes." she replied.

"Wow." Azazel responded.

"I'm surprised, but.... well... pleasantly so." he said.

"I'm glad you found a roommate, a way to lighten your financial burden, and I'm glad you seem to be happier." he told her further.

"Does my demonic heart-like core good." he added with a small laugh.

She was up there for a little bit, before she was joined by someone. It was one of the Unit's resident demons, Azazel. He had his ring on, suppressing his demonic appearance, but he still looked recognisable to those that worked there.

He looked over towards her, and smiled a little as he started to make his way over.

"Hey." he greeted her when he was close enough.

"Thought I might find you up here." he said.

"I just wanted to say that you seem a lot calmer and relaxed lately. I remember you said you were having a bit of stress with moving into and affording a new place. You find a workaround for that?" he asked her.

"Oh, a bedset?" Cecil asked.

"Sure thing." he said.

"I mean, you don't have to, but it's greatly appreciated." he told her.

"And... I like dark colours." he then informed the woman. "Like, dark greens, maybe greys... I guess more earthy colours." he elaborated.

"Thank you." he then said.

"Already you're super nice to me." he chuckled lightly.

"Yes... yes, of course." Cecil replied.

"Thank you so very much." he told her.

With that, she left him to set up the room to his preferences, and he shut the door behind her.

"...well, then." he commented, his tone a little different now.

"This is perfect." he said.

"This should be the perfect place to be 'home base'."

Cecil's eyes widened a bit when he saw the room she was offering him.

"Ah..." he stammered.

"Ah... this... this is the master bedroom, yes?" he asked her.

She nodded in response.

"Satisfactory? This is well above and beyond what I need, or what I was expecting." he told her.

"Are you sure about this?" he asked.

"I know you said you don't need the space, but... I mean... as long as it's okay, and I'm not putting you out or anything." he then said, clearly sounding a little awkward, but obviously grateful.

The midday sun shone down upon the quiet and sleepy suburb on the edge of the city. Nothing really happened in this area, and that was the way people liked it. Several modest houses dotted the zone, and most (if not all) of their properties had neatly kept and maintained lawns, with some gardens as well.

"....wow." a young male mumbled, looking around. "This place looks even nicer in the daylight." he commented.

He had blonde hair with blue streaks in it, as well as deep green eyes. His skin was a fair caucasian, and he stood a little shorter than most guys, at 5'7''. He looked to be younger, around the early '20s or so, and was dressed in a pair of faded jeans, white sneakers, a white undershirt, with a thin plaid loose shirt over it, front open. His face was cleanly shaven, and he looked like a man that definitely took care of himself.

He'd been in this area once before, but it was during the twilight hours. It was to see someone about an ad that he had seen in a local posting on a special site, accessible only by specific groups. Specifically, mages and mythical creatures.

He approached one of the modest dwellings, clutching a key in one of his hands, a backpack stuffed to the brim on his back, and a rolling suitcase behind him, stuffed as well, the handle in his other hand.

He smiled as he reached the door and used the key to open it, stepping inside.

"Hello!?" he called into the house.

"It's me, Cecil!" he said further, shutting the door behind him.

"........mm." Vincent muttered with a nod.

Angela then left, and Vincent stepped forward.

"...Vincent." Hal said.

"Sharp." Vincent responded.

"....so you know what happened." Hal commented.

"I do." Vincent replied. "And I have a question for you." he continued.

"Do you blame yourself for Hollie's current state?" he asked.

"I do." Hal admitted.

"Good." Vincent responded, before pausing.

"It means you're a good man. But you shouldn't blame yourself." he sighed. "From my understanding, things that were beyond your control happened, and they happened too quickly... I would be remiss to blame you for that." he sighed.

"Well, that's a relief." Hal replied.

"And... yes, that's true. There ARE only a select number of people that are even allowed to be in the know when Hollie is in a compromised state." he said further.

"There's you... myself... Vito..." he went on, before they were interrupted.

"And me." her brother added, standing at the entrance of the room, having just arrived.