Welcome to Gaia! ::

It was one of the stranger missions she'd be sent on, but Alex was used to oddness more than normalacy. Kyou had left a briefcase for her with a name for her newest delivery, but not much else; she'd had to research on her own to find this man - a Milton Fettua - who had apparently written a piece or two on how science and magick were one in the same. The Italian wasn't of an opinion either way, other than the reclusive wizard might have been a touch mad for having no other worldly means of getting into contact with. Many strings pulled and favors called, and she had an address - it was time to spring the new joy upon the man.

It was already boding to be most bizarre.

She almost didn't bring Zul with her, but she wasn't entirely sure the man would take her serious if she handed him the bottle and essence and told him what to do with them. Alex wasn't much of a skeptic herself when it came to existance and creation but even she had done a double-take when she had found out. And so, with her cut black hair pulled into a loose ponytail and a fedora-like hat on her head to stem the sun, dressed in her staple of jeans and a tank top, the woman and the Raevan found themselves pulling in front of a house that seemed to be constructed in the middle of nowhere. The woman knew her way around the facility, thankfully - rather, she knew where there weren't houses and finding it had taken a few extra minutes. Why anyone would choose to live here was another bafflement to add to her day.

Exiting her work truck with briefcase in hand, she made her way towards the house with a faint scowl at the sky. It wasn't even summer yet and it already felt hot! Green eyes flicked momentarily to her charge, who seemed quite fine, before returning to the house, now in front of the door. Kicking her boots against each other to remove the majority of the dust, she knocked and prayed the man wasn't a shotgun-toting maniac.

Despite his desire to look around, Zul stayed by his woman's side. He could tell she was anxious, and the last time she acted oddly was when she'd met with the white-haired doctor and that had been a mess. The demon exhaled in slight boredom, arms crossed over his half-formed chest, wings tucked against his back with the tips curved over his shoulders. The sun set his hair aflame everytime he moved, and indeed, he looked more the part of the demon as the days got warmer. "Will we be here long?" he asked after a moment, looking dubiously at his Guardian.

"I hope not," she replied out of the corner of her mouth. She'd never had an instance of having to track someone down and tell them they'd been chosen - she didn't rightly know what she'd do if he declined.

Zul was already near the truck, and Alex was ready to follow. She didn't mind being the errand girl when it came to the Lab, but she did mind that people might not have the same respect for Kyou's work as she did. Granted, this Milton fellow had no idea what was about to hit him upside the head, but that was half the fun in it! Half...considering how long it was taking him to answer the door, anyway.

Deciding the fellow was not home or not answering, she shook her head and took a step back, preparing to leave, but life played its funny little trick by having the man answer at just that moment. And what, exactly, did this charming man have to say for making her wait? What. With annoyance. And then! Then! He went so far as to threaten to hex her, as if she were some mere solicitor! If it weren't for the fact this was business, she would have walked away in disgust for his manners alone. Luckily, it was business and Alex would not back down.

"I'd pay to have a solisitor show up at my door dressed like I am, rather than some seasonally challenged bafoon," she replied with a dry smile, lifting the briefcase. "I'm here on behalf of Doctor Kyou of Lab Three-Oh-Five. We have a proposition for you that has nothing to do with selling and everything to do with science and a wee bit of magic. If you believe in such a thing." Of course he did. She knew that. But if he was going to yank her chain, damnit, she was going to yank right back. "Before you shut the door," she remained where she was, not quite in front of the door, instead indicating something near her truck, "please look to your left."

The Raevan was not keen on his woman's posture or the strange way she was talking, which was why he was returning to her side in the first place. When she motioned to him, he scowled a little but spread his wings bone framed, marble webbed wings and continued towards her, giving the door - that didn't appear to be open - a disapproving glance. Whether or not the man looked, Zul returned to his Guardian's side, running a gloved hand through his creme-and-fire hair around his horns. "What are you waiting-" He paused, brilliant blue eyes shifting to the side as he realized the door was open, and that a man's head was in the crack.

"What are you doing?" he asked the man with confusion, tilting his head to the side and regarding Milton strangely. Did the door get stuck? Was he hiding something? Was he a Raevan and maybe was ashamed of his body? Zul looked back to Alex, posing the same question to her, "What's he doing?"

"Hopefully not hexing us," she replied with that same bemused smile, absently patting the briefcase before speaking to Milton once more. "If you're still not interested, I'll ask another ten seconds to get off your property." Alex had to pat herself on the back for this one, giving Zul a sidelong glance that said he better be listening to her should she give instructions. She could take her own consequences but she'd not let her charge be harmed.

The breath she'd been holding released in a relieved sigh, her shoulders slumping a little. She gave Milton a far more friendly smile that was more than a little apologetic. "I wasn't entirely sure we were going to survive the introductions," she laughed softly, "I'm so sorry for the dramatics. I--yes, I do drink tea..." The Italian trailed off a little as Milton came fully into view, stricken by a memory of a dark-haired man in dark blue robes. Was Milton like Kumoru?

Taking a small breath, she entered as she was bid, tilting her head for her charge to follow. "I'm Alex - this is Zul. He's what we call a Raevan and that's what I'm here to talk to you about. Kyou chose you specifically, and...quite frankly, you were not an easy man to find." It was somewhat obvious to her that the man made it that way intentionally, although she had thought that it was perhaps because he was an author and that was just what they did. As her vibrant green eyes slid over the contents of the house, her free hand drawing the hat off her head, she decided that his reasons would be starkly different than what she'd assumed.

"Awesome place," she muttered softly with appraisal, glancing over her shoulder to make sure Zul was following. It was quite humbling to be within the house of someone who was potentially a very impressive magic user, a brilliant mind, the feeling turning almost intimidating as she continued to think on it. They were somewhat at his mercy, which worried her enough that she reached behind herself to indicate Zul should stay close, her fingers brushing over his ribbon. She was a little surprised to find him nearly on her back, turning a little and giving him a quizzical look. "Are you--?"

"Mmhmm." The house felt different to him, like there was a presence within this one that wasn't in most abodes. Zul wondered if it was because the man practiced magic - something Alex had warned him about, but he hadn't thought much on, since he could use it too - which made him wonder if Milton's ability was potent, or perhaps along the lines of his own abilities. The Frei experienced a thrill of curiosity; would this man be more powerful, a challenge, a friend...an enemy? The Raevan floated to Milton's side, putting one hand over his half-formed chest and bowing a little as he often did in greetings, the only difference being the bright glow of intrigue in his brilliant blue eyes.

"I'm Zul," he introduced himself, ignoring the fact his woman had already done so for him. She really needed to get out of that habit. "It is a pleasure to meet you, Mister Fettua." Zul gave himself a little pat on the back for remembering the man's name, although it wasn't very hard, given how much Alex had repeated it to herself while searching for a scrap of information on him.

The woman moved towards the table indicated, but had no intention of sitting. Indeed, she was turning small circles, trying to absorb everything with an open, almost child-like curiosity. Alex had never personally been so intimate with magic, save for a few of the creatures she had worked with in her time, and the Raevans. Her employer was a demon of some sort, half of the Guardians were not human, and yet her experience with such mystical things was embarrassing at best. It was like walking into a book, and she had not been prepared.

"It was intended as one," she replied in an awed, amused voice, finally turning her attention back to the man as he began to speak. She couldn't help but grin a little at his words, nodding her agreement. "If I thought I could get away without the use of a phone, believe me, I'd be happy to do without." Alex very carefully chose not to comment on the 'wizard' remark, as she still didn't know what to make of it all. Was that the reason Kyou had chosen this man?

The question posed to the Raevan made Zul grin, shaking his head with good humor. "Demons? No. I could not say that, only my woman, for certain." The Frei had never asked, and he knew Alex would never tell; the information was not meant to be shared without consent, or something of the ilk. It was hardly as important as the compliment he had received - backhanded as it may have been - and it was all too easy for him to preen, wings tucking and furling against his bare back. "We're all different. Some more remarkable than others." Naturally, he was thinking of a certain one or two, but his affectionate tirade was stopped by the unfamiliar noise that prompted him to turn around.

"What are you?" His eyes were wide, floating closer to the one called 'Adam.' He'd never seen such a small being up close; it seemed to have human characteristics, but was definitely not a human by substance! Fingers lifted to wave at the child, keen gaze taking in all the differences and similarities Adam possessed between human and Something Else.

Alex had remained rooted in place during the exchange, not missing the shows of magic and knowing very well the man was likely giving them just a taste of what he was capable of. Inwardly, she was quite cowed by the display, but outwardly, she retained her professional manners as well as she could in a house that seemed to breathe on its own. Once Milton asked her a question, she blinked and managed to find her ability to move again, carefully resting the briefcase on the table. One hand remained against it; it was precious and she would not leave it until she had the man's word that he would take mind and care of what was within.

"I couldn't say specifically," she admitted, eyes flicking between Milton, Adam and the briefcase. "I'm not privvy to those details, only that they've been chosen and are as informed as possible." Her gaze lingered on the wizard, clenching her jaw in thought before speaking again. "If I had to guess, I'd say it's your knowledge, and your belief of magic and science as one. That's what the project is, really. To have been chosen personally by Kyou, I...I don't know, you'll have to ask him if you can get a hold of him." A small smile surfaced on her lips. "He's not a wizard, but he's definitely a hard one to find."

The Raevan was a little surprised as the man insisted that he was uninterested in being the babe's amusement. Zul would have been quite pleased to have studied the little creature as much as said creature wanted to play with him, and he was mostly certain that they'd entertain each other for a few minutes at the very least! He could not go against the wishes of the wizard, however, and with a brief glance to the blue flame so similar to the blue pulse of his own gorget and gloves, he floated back appeasingly.

Alex was no less baffled by the man's seeming arguement with himself. Wide green eyes blinked a few times, simply watching the war take place that apparently was won in her favor; a small victory, if there ever was one! She was, to say the least, extremely confused by the strange meeting. Never had she met someone so unwilling to hear her out, especially since Zul came into the picture. Raevans were a wonderous and life-changing beings, and to be paid such a flippant mind had ebbed a bit of the wind from her sails.

The Italian quirked her lips into a vague smile, taking the floating tea and putting it down by the briefcase. God knows what's in there, she thought, although it wasn't really her concern - the whole 'floating' thing made her feel like she walked into some children's book. You're not in a book and you're not being filmed for a movie, so stop acting like a halfwit! Alex's inner chastizing seemed to work, as her expression smoothed into a more relaxed appearance, dark brows askewer over her vivid eyes as though to find the lack of interest amusing.

"I'm no salesman, but I'll do my best to persuade you to the dark side," she teased, feeling less ruffled as time passed. Yes, the man was a challenge, but damn if she didn't love her a challenge! "Zul, will you--?"

The Frei was already floating away from the two, entertaining himself with the golem child once more. "Your colors are very striking," he informed the little one, smiling at Adam. Zul's attention seemed to wane from the two humans until they were but noise in the background.

The woman gave a satisfied nod. Scarred fingers snapped open the latch to the briefcase, carefully opening the plain case; displayed within were a bulbous bottle with a tiger-colored flap and a smaller vial, covered with soft leather. It was the former that she picked up, displaying it for Milton to see clearly.

"This," she introduced, "is a soul bottle. Anything that lives, anything that evolves, has a life essence. This bottle, when put next to said things, will draw out it's soul." The bottle was carefully placed back in the briefcase, as Milton was not allowed to touch the items until he agreed to what it meant to care for them. "This goes for rocks, plants, animals...you name it, it can be taken from. Be very careful with it." Alex addressed the man as if he'd already made the agreement, and really - if he didn't, she would question his sanity and thus his ability to care for something as precious as a Raevan to begin with!

She was even more careful with the second object, craddling it against her palm as though the glass were not as sturdy as it was. It didn't matter; to Alex, all fel essence were delicate and to be treated like the priceless objects they were. "And this," she continued in a more gentle voice, "is the fel essence Kyou chose for you. A fel essence is...well. You can see for yourself." The leather was withdrawn. The slender tube against her palm shimmered and glowed brightly. "This one, we simply call a glowing moon rock. It's a fragment of the moon, but as you can see," she held the vial upright, the tips of the tube secure between her palms, turning it this way and that, "it glows on its own. It casts light but has no light cast against it, which as science told us is...impossible."

Alex gave a little smile, holding the tube up for his inspection. "This and what you choose to take as a soul will make up your Raevan, Milton. But...that's only if I've sold you on the idea. Naturally."

Intrigued, the Raevan reached out to pick up the bottle, mimicking what he'd seen Milton do earlier and put the nib back in the baby's mouth. Zul had no idea what this baby-business was about, or what the purpose of the bottle was, but if it helped, it was good enough for him. "Eat?" he offered up, not really sure if that's what was going on here. His woman didn't eat like this, but Adam was clearly not a human. Maybe this was how golems ate?

"You are so...cool," Zul commented to the child, brilliant blue eyes turning over the baby's form. If Alex worked with animals, what would this construct fall under, he wondered? Maybe you had to be a wizard to study other beings. The Frei glanced momentarily to Milton, finding a new interest in the unfriendly man.

The wizard's reaction was priceless, and Alex did well not to laugh. She remained quite still, holding the fel essence between her palms like some game show girl for magical items. Her green eyes watched Milton's, satisfied by his curiosity that she might have at least won him over enough to consider just what Kyou and the Lab was offering. The single word he uttered only cemented her conviction, earning a pleased smile from her, making sure to keep that smugness out of her face. She really didn't want to come across as the victor here when Milton would truly be the one coming out on top.

Ah, questions. She could handle questions! Alex turned her eyes away from Milton to the fel essence in her grasp; it truly was a dazzling one. "Anything other than a human or similar races," she said, only partially joking. The second part was a little harder to answer without sharing too much information. She'd just have to balance what would be obvious upon meeting certain Raevans verses how the souls were caught.

"In my experience, most the ones I know of have been accidents," she admitted. "Either by misjudging the power of the bottle or the container of the soul, like a rose or family pet." There are others, however... "But, some were purposely considered and taken." She thought of Roux, and...Gage. "Things as fantastic as unicorns and a sphynx. The options are truly limitless." Alex gave the man a slightly crooked smile, not exactly thrilled about this part of the discussion. She hadn't caught Zul's soul herself, but she knew it could be dangerous, to the Guardian and the object of their desire. Like Sa'ida...and Jeremy.

Again looking to the fel essence, her expression became wistful. "I wish I could give you pointers on how to be prepared, but you'd know what to do better than I would, I imagine. Just be safe, no matter what you do."

Startled laughter erupted from the demon's throat at the protest of the wood against the baby's weight. How marvelous was this being! Zul leaned a bit closer, his hands against the tray in front of the baby, blue eyes wide with curiosity.

I've heard that tone of voice before, Alex thought to herself at the man's snort, making her smile more warmly. It was easier for her to understand the wizard and relate to him on a more personal basis to find something familiar in him when the rest of the house was so foreign. She glanced to the side, uttering a short, "Zul," before looking back to Milton.

The Raevan withdrew his hand from the baby as though it were smacked, giving his Guardian a rather doe-eyed look that was wasted as her attention was returned to the wizard. With a faint sigh, the demon sensed that the meeting was drawing to a close, and gave Adam a rather petulant look over the fact. He would have liked to have stayed and stared at the baby for a bit longer, to admire the dark skin and bright lines. He supposed this was how people felt when they saw Raevans, afterall.

Zul reached his hand out and lightly pat the child's dome, giving him a winning smile. "Maybe we'll meet again," he offered up cheerfully, withdrawing the limb and placing his hand over his chest in another bow. "Be well, Adam."

Content that her charge wasn't going to spook the baby further, Alex gave the wizard a brighter smile. "Don't try to open either vial. Call if you have any questions or emergencies." She procured a card from her back pocket, flipping it between her fingers before sticking it inside the suitcase. "That's my cell number and it's on twenty-four-seven. The Lab's number is on there too." Not that she knew if Kyou would be able to find a phone when he was elbow-deep in research, but that was besides the point.

"You just have to sign a paper saying you understand all that good stuff and that you will bring the completed project back to Lab three-oh-five, or have someone pick it up for you. Then...you can take your time." Alex exhaled softly. This one was hard, but she rather liked the ill-tempered wizard, when it was all said and done! The Italian carefully replaced the essence into the suitcase before withdrawing the aforementioned paper from an inner pocket, as well as a pen. She held it out for him to see - half expecting him to use magic to call it to himself - and agree. It said everything that she had, with his information already filled out - with his signature, the deal would be done.