Gunnigite had snuck out of the window of her bedroom, a two story drop, with nothing to break her fall. As a human she’d of been loathe to even try to scramble down the ivy covered lattice that covered the back of the house, knowing fully well that it was barely attached to the wall as it was. The backyard needed far more upkeep that in really got - but for now, such things were not a concern.

As Gunnigite a two-story drop might as well been barely six feet. Still rough, still possible to roll her ankle and get hurt, but she’d been careful and rolled at the end. Then it was off like a shot in the dark. She didn’t have long, and she couldn’t stay up all hours of the night. But, she needed to make her quota or there was going to be hell to pay.

You didn’t tell the Negaverse you couldn’t collect energy because you were grounded. That was… bad optics at best, a good way to get your a** handed to you at worst. It was a militant organization. One that… As Gunningite was coming to discover - may not be as.. Pure of purpose as she’d thought.

They did after all - consort with Daemons. They had Daemon hosts.

They were a bunch of rogue, radical inquisitors at best. Heretics at worse.

She just hoped it wasn’t the worst.

She’d found a fairly good place to get energy - near a small coffee shop on the DCU campus. It also helped her get a good idea of how the campus was laid out for when she eventually graduated and ended up there.

The frat ******** she’d cornered though - he might not have considered the night so good, as she drained him of his energy. She frowned as she extracted it from him letting it form into an orb as she watched the terror in his face. Was she really so scary?
---
The closing shift had gone well enough. Though gabriel was still cursing his second closer for calling in. Making coffee and prepping baked goods for the next morning was hard on a man

He pulled his coat around his body. It was a bit cold for him. That was when he felt it. Negaverse. He ground his teeth, cursing under his breath as he found a safe place to transform. Couldn't do with stripping down in public.

Nirvana emerged moments later, the page running at top speed toward the source of the energy he felt. He had better not be too late.
---
She felt a slight spark come to life behind her and down the block a bit, but she had finished what she had come here for. The frat boy’s body dropped like a sack of meat, landing limply in the debris of the alleyway as she pocketed the glowing orb of energy in her hand. It was only then that she turned, to face the alley’s entrance, standing her ground feet shoulder width apart, hands behind her back.

After all - she could not flee in the face of the enemy now could she? She would face them head on, and show them the might of the Negaverse. Even if she knew - deep down - that she had no idea how to actually fight. She’d never really had to up to this point.

But she was curious as to what this new… signature - entailed.
---
He leapt up onto the building nearest the location. He had always be one to favor a bird's eye view of the situation rather than jumping in feet first.

He ran along the edge of the building, leaping to the next before looking down and over thr scene below. He could see the crumpled body of a man. Damn it he had been too late. He also saw the attacker, great, another agent. This was not his night.

‘oh well, better get on it, nirvana. Time to explain away all the bruises.’ he took a deep breath and jumped down the side of the building. He landed on three points, his hair covering most of his face.

“you guys just don't know how to leave well enough alone, do you?” he growled and stood to his full height, the paleness of his skin making him almost shine in the moonlight.
---
He was handsome in that pale, milky, I don’t get sun because I choose not, way. Gunningite frowned, shaking her head and watching him, not moving from her spot as she clicked her tongue.

“How have you not broken an ankle?” She asked flatly. “Three point landings are terrible form. Sure they’re impressive, but you’re just asking for a fracture…” She sniffed, chin rising in disdain. “And what is… that… THING. You are wearing?”

“God, please tell me that is not standard issue…”
---
He rolled his eyes as she baulked at him. He was used to this by this point. Heaven only knew that everyone questioned the outfit. It wasn't like he had a choice.

“I appreciate the heartfelt critique. However, there is a gentleman here that would like his energy back. So if you don't mind…” he reached into his waistband. Pulling out the pocket watch in a quick snap. He then hurled it forward, using the watch itself like a bolo to try and snatch the bag in which the energy had been placed.
---
Oh, this was lovely.

As the watch came forward she turned and shoved the energy into her jacket, snarling as she summoned her 8-ball, and as she snapped back, she HURlED it at him as hard as she could. She didn’t care about the frat boy - he’d live. The energy she needed to fulfil her quota and she’d be damned if she was going to lose it.

“Can’t be having you taking my prize now,” She hissed. “Now, you going to fight or you going to stand there and faff about all day?”
---
The young page quickly sidestepped the hurled ball, he dropping and rolling to grab and pin the item under his hand. “oh look, i dare say you shouldn't throw things. It is not very nice.”

He held fast to the ball. Rising to his feet and rushing the agent before him. He spinning fast, whirling his watch about him like a ribbon before lashing forward and making another attempt for her pocket.

“just make it easy on yourself. I feel like you really don't have a grip on this fight.”
---
The watch lashed out at her again and she hissed in anger as it struck the arm she held up to defend herself. It was metal and it HURT. It was going to leave a bruise and she would rather prefer not to have those. While it was still long sleeve weather, she had enough trouble with her uniform. Oh well - she hit a door frame obviously.

But he had her weapon, which she could not allow. Reaching out with her will she summoned it back to her, feeling it drain her reserve of energy but she did her best not to let it show as the 8-ball appeared in her hand once more.

“Don’t think you’ve fully grasped the flow of this battle, xenos scum!”
---
Nirvana blinked as his hand was suddenly empty, he grinding his teeth and cursing slightly. So it was good to know that he could not disarm her, much to his displeasure.

“xenos? What the bloody hell?!” he gave her a questioning look as he drew his watch back, readying another attack.

“what do you expect to gain from this encounter? What does the negaverse gain in your little gifts?” he had met many agents, none of them have been able to explain their blind loyalty.

“you are human, just like me. This earth. It is yours. Just like me!. What fo you think you are saving in harming other humans this way?”
---
“Heretic then,” Ainsley said, her jaw setting in an imperious scowl. “There is only the Queen,” She said before moving toward him in a run, bringing her 8-ball to bear to try and slam it into the other man’s face.

“AND WE ARE HER SWORD!”
---
“what the ********?!” he hissed and took this hit. His head rolling to the side. It was all he needed. He got her in close enough that he could grapple her. His hand reaching out to grab her shoulder, holding her firm as he dragged her back against him.

“listen you little b***h. What queen? One cannot be against that which does not exist. Humanity...we have our own loyalties. Our lives to lead. No hellspawn queen will stomp us under her boot.:
---
As he grabbed her shoulder she balled her other hand into a fist and swung it up hard trying to land a blow into his gut with a snarl. How dare he? How DARE he!

She tried to squirm out of the grip, she attempted to stomp her foot down on his foot as well. She wasn’t a fighter. She’d never really lashed out ever in anger. Every swing was wild and uncoordinated.

“DEATH TO THE HERETIC!”
---
He soaked the hit to his gut, he groaning abit and tightening his grip. This only lasted for a moment however. As her foot slammed down on his own, he cursed, releasing his grip on her and doubling over.

“what the ********?!” he growled and made to grab for her again, unsuccessful this time. s**t. What was going on?

“i am no heretic. I stand… to protect those… that cannot protect themselves... from people.. like you!”
---
Gunningite had him on the ropes… Thing was… His words resonated with her, and with a frown, she took a step back. Then a second. Then a third.

She took advantage of him being doubled over to run down the alley, taking long strides. She wasn’t sure what she was running from, he wasn’t a threat.

But his words had stung. Stung in that odd way that made her wonder. Made her question…

Was she doing the right thing?
---
Nirvana had but a moment to catch his breath. He had looked down, away from the agent that could have, so easily, beaten him. He expected another blow, something to knock him down, but it never came.

As his gaze lifted, he was astonished to see her on the retreat. What had happened?

He glanced around the area, half expecting to see some larger, badder monster behind him. Nothing. Nothing at all.

She was gone. He remained. What in the name of hell was going on?
---