It was a typical spring day in Oklahoma City. The air was damp, the breeze was crisp. Clouds hung low in the sky. They lacked the conviction to truly rain in any formal sense of the word but they would occasionally direct water at the city below as if to remind them that they could, they were just too tired.
It was on this day, in a place known to many as Coffee Slingers, in the Automobile Alley district that individuals, some of them already in motion were to meet Fate in a way that defied predetermination and coincidence.
I watched eagerly as the dice began to fall into motion.
It was on this day, in a place known to many as Coffee Slingers, in the Automobile Alley district that individuals, some of them already in motion were to meet Fate in a way that defied predetermination and coincidence.
I watched eagerly as the dice began to fall into motion.
Dominic shrugged against the meager sunlight that peeked through the cloud cover. He hated it outside, he hated it more during the day. Orders were orders though and he dared not disobey.
Pulling his hood tighter over his eyes he ducked into the coffee shop. Ignoring the painfully cheery greeting from the woman behind the counter he took a chair that sat alone at a table in the darkest corner he could find. Unfortunately, the entire front of the shop was made of glass and did little to shield him from the light. He shifted in the uncomfortable wooden chair and pulled out his book, turning to a page with practiced ease he began to write.
“Is this the correct location?”
Words appeared in a bold hand on he opposite page.
“Indeed my pet, indeed. Now you must wait... you may purchase a beverage if you desire.”
Dominic wrote on his side of the page.
“All I desire is you, master.”
“Good Little human... you do learn quickly.”
Pulling his hood tighter over his eyes he ducked into the coffee shop. Ignoring the painfully cheery greeting from the woman behind the counter he took a chair that sat alone at a table in the darkest corner he could find. Unfortunately, the entire front of the shop was made of glass and did little to shield him from the light. He shifted in the uncomfortable wooden chair and pulled out his book, turning to a page with practiced ease he began to write.
“Is this the correct location?”
Words appeared in a bold hand on he opposite page.
“Indeed my pet, indeed. Now you must wait... you may purchase a beverage if you desire.”
Dominic wrote on his side of the page.
“All I desire is you, master.”
“Good Little human... you do learn quickly.”
I sat outside the coffee shop in a white plastic chair.
Seven.
Eight, nine.
Although my heart rate jolted every time one of them approached, fourteen patrons walked past me without saying anything.
I put my head down when they rounded the corner and reached for the door, as if I were scrolling through the latest news feed. I hadn’t stolen one of those devices yet, however. I was stuck staring at my empty hands.
Even if you’re talking, shopping, eating, or otherwise distracted, you can tell when someone’s looking at you. I slowed my breathing and begged my heart to behave properly. I watched the teenagers cross the street and kept my posture straight. When they were feet from the door, one of them caught my eye. Or, the corner of their eye caught mine.
He didn’t flinch. He shuffled through the door with his friends, our brief encounter finished.
It had been almost a month since I’d eaten. I would have to get food eventually. I leaned against the wall, letting the bricks warm my skin. I dug inside my sweatshirt pocket, retrieving a crumpled bill. Ten dollars should be enough to grab a bite inside. Maybe something to drink as well. It wasn’t Starbucks.
Seven.
Eight, nine.
Although my heart rate jolted every time one of them approached, fourteen patrons walked past me without saying anything.
I put my head down when they rounded the corner and reached for the door, as if I were scrolling through the latest news feed. I hadn’t stolen one of those devices yet, however. I was stuck staring at my empty hands.
Even if you’re talking, shopping, eating, or otherwise distracted, you can tell when someone’s looking at you. I slowed my breathing and begged my heart to behave properly. I watched the teenagers cross the street and kept my posture straight. When they were feet from the door, one of them caught my eye. Or, the corner of their eye caught mine.
He didn’t flinch. He shuffled through the door with his friends, our brief encounter finished.
It had been almost a month since I’d eaten. I would have to get food eventually. I leaned against the wall, letting the bricks warm my skin. I dug inside my sweatshirt pocket, retrieving a crumpled bill. Ten dollars should be enough to grab a bite inside. Maybe something to drink as well. It wasn’t Starbucks.
To Grier~~
You enter the coffee shop and a man behind the counter looks past the group of teens he has just finished gathering orders from and makes eye contact with you.
“Good afternoon, what can I get for you?”
His voice is pleasant, his complexion is dark and well accented by a couple of choice piercings punctuating his otherwise smooth features.
You enter the coffee shop and a man behind the counter looks past the group of teens he has just finished gathering orders from and makes eye contact with you.
“Good afternoon, what can I get for you?”
His voice is pleasant, his complexion is dark and well accented by a couple of choice piercings punctuating his otherwise smooth features.
Adele parked her car and, after turning it off, sat dazed for several minutes before sighing heavily and checking her mirror for traffic. She gathered up the library books and her purse as she waited for the road to clear. Maybe a good, strong cup of coffee will make this all come together. Heaven knows nothing else has...
It had been a week. Or maybe it was a year. Maybe none of it had even happened and she'd wake up with everything as normal as could be on a Tuesday morning. No dragons. No reading up on how to care for reptiles. That would be what a dragon is, right? No calling in sick on Friday just to deal with the stress. But the wind certainly seemed real enough once she stepped out into it. Her hair whipped about her face as she scurried toward the door of the coffee shop.
Adele paid little attention to the customers ahead of her. Her mind was in such a mess that she actually didn't notice immediately when the barista was ready for her order.
It had been a week. Or maybe it was a year. Maybe none of it had even happened and she'd wake up with everything as normal as could be on a Tuesday morning. No dragons. No reading up on how to care for reptiles. That would be what a dragon is, right? No calling in sick on Friday just to deal with the stress. But the wind certainly seemed real enough once she stepped out into it. Her hair whipped about her face as she scurried toward the door of the coffee shop.
Adele paid little attention to the customers ahead of her. Her mind was in such a mess that she actually didn't notice immediately when the barista was ready for her order.
To Adele~~
You might be more out of it than you think. The barista, a man of dark complexion and soft words, was not addressing you, but the customer in front of you... a rather pale person who looks more uncomfortable than you currently feel.
You might be more out of it than you think. The barista, a man of dark complexion and soft words, was not addressing you, but the customer in front of you... a rather pale person who looks more uncomfortable than you currently feel.
My voice croaked as I spoke and stepped forward, "Right."
Breathe normally. Blink. Make small movements.
I examined the shelves of pastry behind the glass. Fruit, bread, nothing substantial. No fish. Coffee shops don't have fish.
"I'll have a jalapeno cheddar scone and an English Breakfast tea," I said, smoothing out the ten dollar bill and sliding it to the barista. I returned my hands to my sweatshirt pocket.
"Please," I remembered to add. Every shop I've observed does this next part differently. Does he hand me a number? Do I wait here? Do I come back up when called?
It took a millisecond to plan where to sit. Humans are mostly uncomfortable in the center. They want the corner table. The side table. Facing the window so the only eye contact is by their choice. I shared their love for the shadow, but if I took their favorite spots, I would earn a subconscious disdain as they searched for another perch. If I took what was least desired, they'd happily scuttle to their preference with a silent gratefulness for its availability. No reason to note my existence.
That's what I wanted. The middle table. For now.
The barista hadn't given me a number yet.
Breathe normally. Blink. Make small movements.
I examined the shelves of pastry behind the glass. Fruit, bread, nothing substantial. No fish. Coffee shops don't have fish.
"I'll have a jalapeno cheddar scone and an English Breakfast tea," I said, smoothing out the ten dollar bill and sliding it to the barista. I returned my hands to my sweatshirt pocket.
"Please," I remembered to add. Every shop I've observed does this next part differently. Does he hand me a number? Do I wait here? Do I come back up when called?
It took a millisecond to plan where to sit. Humans are mostly uncomfortable in the center. They want the corner table. The side table. Facing the window so the only eye contact is by their choice. I shared their love for the shadow, but if I took their favorite spots, I would earn a subconscious disdain as they searched for another perch. If I took what was least desired, they'd happily scuttle to their preference with a silent gratefulness for its availability. No reason to note my existence.
That's what I wanted. The middle table. For now.
The barista hadn't given me a number yet.
To Grier~~
The barista took the bill with a gentle “out of ten...” and muttered a few more numbers before handing you your change. (2.14 if you care to count it)
Gingerly grabbing the scone with a napkin he hands it across the counter.
“Name for the order?” He asks pleasantly.
The barista took the bill with a gentle “out of ten...” and muttered a few more numbers before handing you your change. (2.14 if you care to count it)
Gingerly grabbing the scone with a napkin he hands it across the counter.
“Name for the order?” He asks pleasantly.
I took the scone. Still warm.
That's a loaded question, I thought, not bothering to count the change I tucked in my pocket. I glanced at the chalkboard menu again and found inspiration.
"Virgil," I replied. The irony made me smile.
That's a loaded question, I thought, not bothering to count the change I tucked in my pocket. I glanced at the chalkboard menu again and found inspiration.
"Virgil," I replied. The irony made me smile.
To Grier and Adele~~
The barista wrote the name down with a polite smile as he addressed the next costumer in line. A pretty, but clearly stressed brunette.
“What can I start for you, miss?”
The barista wrote the name down with a polite smile as he addressed the next costumer in line. A pretty, but clearly stressed brunette.
“What can I start for you, miss?”
Adele had glanced around the interior of the shop when she first stepped inside, looking for the quietest place to sit. She had also started to step forward when the barista asked, "... What can I get for you?" It took a moment for her to realize that he was addressing the person still ahead of her in line. Fortunately, the smallish person didn't seem to notice, and so she shuffled awkwardly back to her waiting spot. Pull yourself together, girl!
She couldn't help but notice the unusual appearance of the customer and wondered if it was the lighting in the building. She shrugged it off; it wasn't the strangest thing she'd encountered this week.
Still embarrassed at her earlier faux pas, she almost waited too long to smile and walk up to the counter. "Oh, uh, hi. Could I have a large caramel macchiato, please? Umm... and maybe an additional two shots?" Maybe an extra boost would jumpstart her brain. "Aaannnd a muffin. Cherry almond, sorry." She smiled apologetically for her awkwardness and then realized that she needed to put her books down so that she could fish her wallet out of her bag.
A stabbing thought told her that a nap would probably have been more beneficial than coffee. As if!
She couldn't help but notice the unusual appearance of the customer and wondered if it was the lighting in the building. She shrugged it off; it wasn't the strangest thing she'd encountered this week.
Still embarrassed at her earlier faux pas, she almost waited too long to smile and walk up to the counter. "Oh, uh, hi. Could I have a large caramel macchiato, please? Umm... and maybe an additional two shots?" Maybe an extra boost would jumpstart her brain. "Aaannnd a muffin. Cherry almond, sorry." She smiled apologetically for her awkwardness and then realized that she needed to put her books down so that she could fish her wallet out of her bag.
A stabbing thought told her that a nap would probably have been more beneficial than coffee. As if!
The flash of steel rang against the shrill cry of sirens and occasional gunshot.
Katie fought, blow for blow against the armored combatant. They were good... dangerously good. With a single sword they had rendered an entire SWAT team useless.
There, among the flashing lights and bodies of her teammates she stood toe to toe with the unusual combatant, barely catching and returning the quick and precise sword strikes with her daggers.
She opened her eyes as she took a sip of burnt coffee.
Forcing her mind back into the present she tried to put the events of the prior night out of her head. Savoring the flavor of scorched beans in her mouth for a moment before swallowing she reflected on her position.
She, personally, had no idea what she had fought last night. Nothing coming out of Boston Dynamics... at least not publicly, had anywhere near the mobility and precision of that creation.
Could it have been a man in some sort of armor? It’s possible, but that wouldn’t explain the sudden limpness and lack of heartbeat when she removed the external power. No, it had to be mechanical... but how?
Sipping the dark brew again, she forced her mind back into the present, and into the future.
Her commander had high words of praise... even given the unusual circumstances she would probably get a promotion. The report stated that her “unique skills and timely application of situational awareness were critical in the capture of the assailant, officer Harris was due commendation for her performance.”
A lot of words to mean things got real scary and she somehow managed to keep her head... that was all.
Sipping the coffee again she mentally made a note to thank her commander for this unexpected day of leave... she wouldn’t have been able to focus on work at all and it was better sitting here, in a quiet downtown, with the best burnt coffee in the city, served up the way only Coffee Slingers was able to do.
It was then she noticed the girl...
From across the street, a young girl, couldn’t have been a day over 10 was staring at her.
From this distance it was hard to tell, but she seemed to have some sort of scars or hardware on her face... that was odd, but not as odd as the stare.
Shifting uneasily on her stool she triple checked the knife belt she wore to insure that they were only a twitch away... but also reprimanded herself for being wigged out by a child.
But... after last night...
Would anyone blame her?
Katie fought, blow for blow against the armored combatant. They were good... dangerously good. With a single sword they had rendered an entire SWAT team useless.
There, among the flashing lights and bodies of her teammates she stood toe to toe with the unusual combatant, barely catching and returning the quick and precise sword strikes with her daggers.
She opened her eyes as she took a sip of burnt coffee.
Forcing her mind back into the present she tried to put the events of the prior night out of her head. Savoring the flavor of scorched beans in her mouth for a moment before swallowing she reflected on her position.
She, personally, had no idea what she had fought last night. Nothing coming out of Boston Dynamics... at least not publicly, had anywhere near the mobility and precision of that creation.
Could it have been a man in some sort of armor? It’s possible, but that wouldn’t explain the sudden limpness and lack of heartbeat when she removed the external power. No, it had to be mechanical... but how?
Sipping the dark brew again, she forced her mind back into the present, and into the future.
Her commander had high words of praise... even given the unusual circumstances she would probably get a promotion. The report stated that her “unique skills and timely application of situational awareness were critical in the capture of the assailant, officer Harris was due commendation for her performance.”
A lot of words to mean things got real scary and she somehow managed to keep her head... that was all.
Sipping the coffee again she mentally made a note to thank her commander for this unexpected day of leave... she wouldn’t have been able to focus on work at all and it was better sitting here, in a quiet downtown, with the best burnt coffee in the city, served up the way only Coffee Slingers was able to do.
It was then she noticed the girl...
From across the street, a young girl, couldn’t have been a day over 10 was staring at her.
From this distance it was hard to tell, but she seemed to have some sort of scars or hardware on her face... that was odd, but not as odd as the stare.
Shifting uneasily on her stool she triple checked the knife belt she wore to insure that they were only a twitch away... but also reprimanded herself for being wigged out by a child.
But... after last night...
Would anyone blame her?
To Adele ~~
“It’s no problem at all.” The barista refreshed his smile as he handed you a muffin.
“Name for the order?”
“It’s no problem at all.” The barista refreshed his smile as he handed you a muffin.
“Name for the order?”
The next customer stepped forward as I walked to my chosen seat. I passed the neatly arranged cutlery. Disgusting. I hated the taste of metal. I would eat with my hands. Even if I ordered soup, I would have rejected a spoon.
I had a lot to consider before my shift tomorrow night cleaning the warehouse. I might be able to find a more permanent home by then. In six months of freedom, this city hadn't tried to hurt me.
Still.
I looked around the room in between bites of scone to take note of anything I found concerning.
I had a lot to consider before my shift tomorrow night cleaning the warehouse. I might be able to find a more permanent home by then. In six months of freedom, this city hadn't tried to hurt me.
Still.
I looked around the room in between bites of scone to take note of anything I found concerning.
His smile was reassuring, and Adele returned it. "Thank you. Adele." After paying for her items, she stuffed a dollar into the tip jar, gingerly placed the muffin on top of her stack of books, and picked her things up from the counter.
Do you see them? The pale one whom just sat down?
I see them, master.
Good... good... I need a portion of their blood... quickly now!!
Dominic was genuinely surprised, but carefully did not show it. He was not certain his master couldn’t see him, although he had his suspicions and theories.
How much do you require?
Just a few large drops... now be a good pet and collect it for me!
Of course, master.
Closing the book, Dominic stood and moved as smoothly as he could muster across to the table which was awkwardly in the middle of the shop. Sitting suddenly in the chair across from the other patron he spoke in what he hoped was a friendly voice but sounded gruff even to his own ears.
“The name’s Dom, what’s yours?”
At that moment, one of the women behind the counter loudly said. “Breakfast tea for Virgil?”
I see them, master.
Good... good... I need a portion of their blood... quickly now!!
Dominic was genuinely surprised, but carefully did not show it. He was not certain his master couldn’t see him, although he had his suspicions and theories.
How much do you require?
Just a few large drops... now be a good pet and collect it for me!
Of course, master.
Closing the book, Dominic stood and moved as smoothly as he could muster across to the table which was awkwardly in the middle of the shop. Sitting suddenly in the chair across from the other patron he spoke in what he hoped was a friendly voice but sounded gruff even to his own ears.
“The name’s Dom, what’s yours?”
At that moment, one of the women behind the counter loudly said. “Breakfast tea for Virgil?”
My eyes narrowed at the giant in front of me. I couldn't very well question his clothing choices when I wore a hood myself, though my covering had nothing to do with fashion. Maybe his didn't either.
"Excuse me." I flinched a smile and got up to retrieve my tea.
"Excuse me." I flinched a smile and got up to retrieve my tea.
Vivian let out a sigh as the moisture from the cloudy sky threatened to extinguish the lit cigarette absently hanging from her lips as she shuffled North up Broadway, eyeing the only remotely threatening covered sky with either disdain or chagrin, but possibly both.
Appearing to take little notice of the chill in the air aside from the hunched over shoulders that might have just been weighed instead with existence and not by the weather, one of the hands thrust deep into the pockets of a pair of baggy jeans curled around a lighter as she spied a couple of white chairs aside tables left outside to their own devices further up the sidewalk.
The pungent aroma of coffee--Gross--wafted from the glass doors on her left as some random passerby ducked inside, but Vivian just skirted around their likely drug-addicted scurry for their precious bean water looking somewhat bored, only pulling bare arms out from where they had been pocket-shoved up until now when she sat at the first free chair.
Just as she meant to relight the cancer stick, Vivian eyed the distance to the door and let out another sigh, getting up and moving one seat farther before leaning forward over her knees and cupping one hand around the end and the lighter, trying to marry the two together somewhere out of the wind she only just noticed sweeping down the urban plain.
Appearing to take little notice of the chill in the air aside from the hunched over shoulders that might have just been weighed instead with existence and not by the weather, one of the hands thrust deep into the pockets of a pair of baggy jeans curled around a lighter as she spied a couple of white chairs aside tables left outside to their own devices further up the sidewalk.
The pungent aroma of coffee--Gross--wafted from the glass doors on her left as some random passerby ducked inside, but Vivian just skirted around their likely drug-addicted scurry for their precious bean water looking somewhat bored, only pulling bare arms out from where they had been pocket-shoved up until now when she sat at the first free chair.
Just as she meant to relight the cancer stick, Vivian eyed the distance to the door and let out another sigh, getting up and moving one seat farther before leaning forward over her knees and cupping one hand around the end and the lighter, trying to marry the two together somewhere out of the wind she only just noticed sweeping down the urban plain.
"Of course."
Dominic tried to sound cordial... it sounded more like a growl.
He could feel his master writing in the book and tried to steady his breathing, he couldn't just whip out a knife in the middle of a coffee shop... sometimes the master was ridiculous but this was next level.
He waited patiently for Virgil to return to the table.
Dominic tried to sound cordial... it sounded more like a growl.
He could feel his master writing in the book and tried to steady his breathing, he couldn't just whip out a knife in the middle of a coffee shop... sometimes the master was ridiculous but this was next level.
He waited patiently for Virgil to return to the table.
"Target located, awaiting instructions." 0814 muttered under their breath. The familiar voice of Lotus filled their mind.
"In order to retrieve the weapon you must first attain the power essence from the human female. This will take cunning, not force. Remember, you look like one of their younglings, use this to your advantage. Seek allies who can help you get close to the target. I'm going to disconnect for now, we cannot risk detection. Be careful my child."
0814 felt the presence of their commander disconnect.
Breaking their constant stare with the woman across the street they scanned the sidewalk for useful allies, as Lotus instructed. A movement caught their eye. A young human, attempting to set fire to an object in their mouth. The creature's posture told 0814 that this female was accustomed to being looked down upon... and yet she seemed unbothered overall... at least to the casual observer.
This creature could make a good ally.
Walking quickly across the street, 0814 sat in a chair next to the young human.
"Do you require assistance creating fire?"
"In order to retrieve the weapon you must first attain the power essence from the human female. This will take cunning, not force. Remember, you look like one of their younglings, use this to your advantage. Seek allies who can help you get close to the target. I'm going to disconnect for now, we cannot risk detection. Be careful my child."
0814 felt the presence of their commander disconnect.
Breaking their constant stare with the woman across the street they scanned the sidewalk for useful allies, as Lotus instructed. A movement caught their eye. A young human, attempting to set fire to an object in their mouth. The creature's posture told 0814 that this female was accustomed to being looked down upon... and yet she seemed unbothered overall... at least to the casual observer.
This creature could make a good ally.
Walking quickly across the street, 0814 sat in a chair next to the young human.
"Do you require assistance creating fire?"