FLM - A Nasty Discovery

[Kelyias]

Diana trudged through the snow on the streets of Wintervale, listening to some intel via an earbud in her ear. After the Guardian fight, Cynic had dispersed and tried to run away from the Ethos members that followed them to arrest them and put them to trial for their actions. While some were caught, the majority of them were still on the run. The intel suggested that some of the heavy hitters of Cynic were the ones that got away. Ofcourse, for Diana, that just gave her all the more motivation. While she definitely wasn't the sweetest apple in the Ethos tree, with her own illegal businesses, she vowed to 'use them for good' in their halls so she could get exactly this. Secret intel on fugitives on the run, to increase her own businesses here and there and to capture them and earn trust from Ethos if they refused. These so called heavy hitters worried her just a little, however. They had strong pokemon- and while Vewil was by her side and she had her other pokemon along as well, she couldn't with confident say they could get away unscathed this time around. She wouldn't be able to walk through the streets of Brookfell searching for these Cynic members as she would here, the second city so called associated with Cynic. She wondered then, if her mother knew about that little tidbit. She certainly didn't until she joined the Ethos force. 

She was dressed warmly, and well, a scarf covering half her face and a woolen hat covering her hair. Her eyes scanned the area around the streets, the sidelanes and dark areas of the city for any suspicious behaviour or clues. She suspected that whoever had got on Ethos' radar wasn't going to be walking around the streets as if they owned the place- and while the images they received from the intel were fuzzy and unclear, she knew to look for someone quite tall and with a well built but slender frame. The Seviper by her side slid over the snow soundlessly unlike her own boots which made the crunchy noise as she stepped along.

--

[Aldarch]

- Viggo had not long returned to the Wintervale - after the great battle, and the disappointing defeat, he'd needed to spend more time at home. Making everything seemed as normal as possible. To him, it was strange now. Doing the most basic daily tasks like he had done in the past, mostly with Elijah before it all. Everything certainly fell flat now.

He had met up with Sparks already, covering his tracks as much as he could. His connections spread far and wide, much like Diana, if not just further into the dark now. Some things always slipped through the cracks though, and he didn't suspect that he actually had some Ethos vigilante skulking about searching for him. Much to Diana's probable confusion, Viggo was swanning the streets like nothing had gone wrong though. Sylvie was tucked into her Pokeball, as she was far easier to recognise in any battle. For now, the large Mienshao fusion lurked at Viggo's side. As the Pokemon walked it's arms dragged in the snow like oversized sleeves, leaving a deep trail in the thick snow on the pathways.-

"Now, we pacify Micah as best we can..."

- Viggo mumbled down to Shen, and somewhat to himself, as he patted his gloved hand on the Pokemon's head, to which Shen didn't sound so convinced. He nodded regardless. The man was on his way back to the apartment, where he was sure Micah would still be hanging around. It wasn't like he'd up and move out without a word, it was too unlike him. Viggo was hoping the air would warm up soon, with the coming Rite of the Sun the days would maybe last a little longer. Maybe it was the Rivertide blood in his veins? Something'd never admit of course. He needed the extra scarf in the dark winters either way - it also helped cover his collar suppressor some more.-

--

[Kelyias]

Ofcourse, it just so happened that Diana currently was stood outside of the apartment complex, looking around at everyone that walked by and came through. Her steps had taken her from one of the landing pads to here- thinking to herself that she could afford to visit her friend if she was there anyway- once she was done with this that was. While for some it just looked creepy, those with a hacked system would get a chill or tingle in their system- for she was using her own to scan everyone she could see. Stable users revealed information such as their name, age, recent wherabouts. It was the latter that she would be paying the most attention to- knowing that if one had been in Ethermoor not long ago, they certainly were part of the culprits that she was currently pursueing. Vewil by her side was keeping an eye on anyone that looked threatening in the first place- though the appearance of the Mienshao fusion mildly distracted him enough. 

"Keep your eyes peeled, Vewil."

The snake hissed in response. The fusion then caught Diana's eye, and she narrowed her eyes as she reached to scan the approaching person.

--

[Aldarch]

- Shen piped up as he saw Vewil, eyes narrowing like he didn't get along with the Seviper at all. Viggo looked up then, recognising Diana after the short fuss Shen had made. He wasn't sure why she was asking like a door steward.-

"Well, well. I didn't think someone of your esteem needed to stoop to... Door work. Don't tell me you're hoping to catch Micah here?"

- The man rolled his eyes. Much like Diana was scanning others for their system, Viggo was using his to analyse the risks. He caught on afterwards the link to Ethos, but played it off like he was unaware. Shen walked forward towards the Seviper, turning his nose up at the serpent Pokemon and wafting an arm like he should get lost.-

"You'd do well to remember this is also my apartment. Not Micah's."

--

[Kelyias]

The voice startled Diana, not having expected to be addressed before sighing and lowering her guard- just a little.

"Could have fooled me. You've left him alone for quite a while he might as well own the place. He does text me pretty regularly, you know."

She smirked, reaching to pull down her scarf to show it, too. The woman looked him up and down, watching as Shen tried to waft Vewil away, though the Seviper only responded by putting his lower coils over the sleeves of the other pokemon, weighing it down.

"So where have you been off to? The fires of hell need refueling so you went there personally?"

Diana placed a hand on her hip as she asked him. Naturally, even without her scanning people's locations, she had known about his absence.

--

[Aldarch]

- Viggo rolled his eyes with a sneer. He didn't understand how Micah tolerated the woman, let alone... Well, he shivered at the thought.-

"Yes, I get it, you're a comedy genius."

- Viggo waved a foot around to bat Vewil off of Shen, and the Mienshao withdrew his sleeves into crossed arms. He wasn't short tempered, but messing with him was a mistake.-

"I have connections in Ethermoor. Personal connections. I do travel, and you know how it is with the bloody fog - and the state of reconnecting with them over there."

--

[Kelyias]

"Right. So you went there in the middle of a war to meet your fellow fire-spirited kin?"

Diana naturally raised a brow at the response, looking at Shen and Vewil as the Seviper shuffled to take its tail away, slinking back around the woman. Vewil stared at Viggo head on before he turned his attention to the streets around.

"So personal and secret that you couldn't tell Micah?"

The man had been worried, obviously, which Diana had heard all about.

"Well, you'll have plenty to make up for with him."

--

[Aldarch]

"Who are you to start looking into my business with your little magnifying glass?"

- Viggo tutted and shook his head. He poked at Diana just below her collar. -

"I've known Micah far longer than you. He knows, clearly better than you, that not everything needs to be shared. I have plenty of private business that's not remotely relevant to him, or to you."

- The man gave an angry sigh, urging Shen forwarding through the doors of the complex into the lobby.-

"You should learn what boundaries are."

--

[Kelyias]

Diana stood firmly as Viggo poked at her, rolling her eyes at his defensiveness.

"Yes, and that's exactly why he was blowing up my phone when I was in Ethermoor, protecting that stupid Guardian of theirs."

She shot back. Vewil hissed and slithered to place himself in between the two, protecting his owner. Diana had her eyes narrowed and shook her head after.

"Something in your story doesn't match up. For his sake, I suggest you straighten that up."

--

[Aldarch]

" Right. You were in Ethermoor. Of course you were."

- He scoffed, sliding around both Diana and Vewil and placing his hand on the door.-

"I suggest you straighten up."

- Viggo slipped inside then, making his way to the elevator and sliding his glove off. With the implant in his wrist he scanned his hand on. Once the green light flashed the elevator was called down so that it would take him to his apartment.-

--

[Kelyias]

Diana watched him leave, taking the time that he was facing away from her to scan him more diligently. His story didn't match up- and she was set to prove it. When her system dinged the Cynic association- she hurried after him, Vewil in tow, and grabbed his arm before he could make his way up.

"You want to tell me why you're with Cynic?"

She hissed under her breath at him.

"That's why you were in Ethermoor, weren't you. You're the one from the intel that I've been looking for."

The pieces started falling together and her nails practically dug through her gloves into his covered arm.

--

[Aldarch]

- The moment Diana grabbed him Viggo tugged his arm up and away from her, slapping her hand away and pointing at her.-

"Don't you dare grab me."

- The man's eyes narrowed as he looked around the lobby, hoping then that nobody else had actually heard what had been said. When the elevator arrived he more or less pulled Diana in, Shen much doing the same with Vewil. At least it was big enough to house people and Pokemon. When the doors finally closed a deep scowl set on his face. He adjusted his coat then after she had pulled at it.-

"Scanning me. What is this, the police department?"

- He raised a lip in disgust.-

"What I do is my business. Don't start sticking your little pig nose into things you're better off leaving be! "

- Shen made sure to put himself between Vewil and Viggo then, should anything go awry.-

--

[Kelyias]

Diana heels clicked against the floor as she was rushed into the elevator- pretty much doing the same as Viggo and adjusting her own clothing after he pulled her. Vewil, old as he was, didn't have enough reaction time to stop Shen from pulling him- and barely had the reaction to bring its tail in before the doors closed.

"Yes. That is exactly it. This guy look familiar?"

She sneered, pressing a hand to her wrist and bringing up a holoscreen- showing the intel of Ethos and the silhouette of the person she was hunting for. Her other hand reached to cover her face, letting out an aggrevated groan.

"Idiot. Cynic, really? You're lucky it was me that scanned you and not some actual Ethos hoity toity bastard."

The woman tapped her wrist again to get rid of the screen, shaking her head.

"Does Micah know? No- scratch that. Ofcourse he doesn't. He would have told me."

--

[Aldarch]

- Viggo swiped a hand to dismiss Diana's screen.-

"Well, aren't I just lucky that I got little old you. You aren't exactly going to pass me over to the authorities or Ethos-- Why did they even let you in?"

- The man laughed in disbelief, crossing his arms, but with a hand dipped into his coat.-

"Would Micah enjoy finding out that you are out bounty hunting? I don't think so... Do you think yourself a hero? Look at you. All you are good for is a pretty face and a bunch of credits, Diana."

- He sneered, though when the elevator clunked it was clear now that it wasn't making it way to Viggo's apartment.-

--

[Kelyias]

"Aww, you called me pretty. That's one for the books."

Diana smiled sweetly before it dropped, narrowing her eyes. The suppressor on her other wrist flashed unseen as she kept her guard up.

"Would Micah enjoy finding out you're a murderer? Have you crossed that line yet? Did it feel good, striking down another person and coming home to a warm apartment and a man who thinks of you as his family, clueless of the blood on your hands?"

Vewil in the back figured out the now, definitely not peaceful scene, staring Shen down before he slammed his head into the other pokemon- wanting to get to Diana.

--

[Aldarch]

" Would you like to find out?"

- Viggo tugged the firearm out of his coat. He was hoping he wouldn't have to, for Micah's sake above all else.-

"Because I don't think Micah would be fond if it was your blood."

He didn't quite point it at Diana, but he made sure she could see it all the same. Shen pushed back, whipping his sleeve-arms at Vewil and pushing at the serpent in return in some sort of deadlock.-

"Drop this. Walk away."

--

[Kelyias]

Her eyes glanced at the gun, taking in a breath, and shaking her head. She hoped it didn't have to come to this.

"You know I can't, Viggo."

At least she sounded genuinely remorseful.

"You'll hurt him. I can't let that happen."

The suppressor on her wrist glowed before it snapped, clouding the elevator in a white light before it revealed her perma fused form. While Vewil took that chance to use his tail to try and trip Shen, Diana threw herself at Viggo to get her hands on the gun.

--

[Aldarch]

- Viggo's TD flashed orange as Diana changed and dove straight at him. He threw himself to the side, letting out a grunt as he did his shoulder in pretty hard off the mark, better that than a naga getting hold of him. When the elevator dinged and the doors opened, Shen narrowly missed Vewils swipe and jumped to bounce off of the serpent Pokemon, leaping out and into the open. It certainly wasn't Viggo's apartment, it was one of the empty levels of the parking lot. Viggo took the firearm and took a warning shot, just short of Diana's serpent tail as he stepped out into the open space. The lights flickered on when it started detecting the presence of people, so it wasn't complete darkness.-

"Last chance! This has nothing to do with you. You can just walk away. I'm letting you."

- He tugged his scarf down a little, just enough so that he could deactivate his own suppressor. When the flame sparked into life on his head it lit the car park far better than the dull, flickering lights did. Shen was quick to meet Viggo at his side as he hid the firearm back into his coat. The Mienshao fusion took a stand, like it was more than ready to battle.-

"It's in both of our best interests."

--

[Kelyias]

Diana slithered into the open space, now definitely a foot or two taller purely by the length and girth of her fused tail. She had looked to the bullet on the ground and how close it had been to her, narrowing her eyes back at Viggo. Vewil came through as well, covering her sides in case Viggo whipped out his gun again and went to shoot.

"I'm not acting in my interest here."

She placed a hand on her chest as she spoke- shaking her head again.

"Micah will get hurt if you go on like this. Either because you'll get arrested, or you'll die, or someone will come for him when trying to find you. Now I'm here to give you a chance. Come with me, reform away from Cynic and join me. Work under me and I'll keep Ethos' light from shining on you."

Naturally, it was a speech she had ready for numerous people. That's ultimately what she did, recruit people under her ranks in return for protection. Classic Brookfell scheme.

--

[Aldarch]

- Viggo rolled his eyes as Diana practically scolded him. It wasn't like other people hadn't already come and said the same thing to him - but the offer was new. He curled his lip like Diana was joking when it came to offering him a chance. UNDER her. After that, he couldn't help it - he started laughing. Even Shen was confused.-

" That's a good one, you almost had me with your chances. Why would I work under you when I can stamp you out right now?"

- He held his arms out like it was an obvious answer. He flung his arm forward, and Shen Lu knew then exactly what was happening. The Mienshao jumped forward.-

" Cross-chop. I don't care if there's collateral with this one, but keep the Seviper busy."

- Shen nodded like it understood, swinging his sleeves across his chest in an X-formation and charging straight at Vewil. Viggo hoped then that, if Shen took down Diana's precious partner, she might just back off.-

" You're just a woman in his life. I've known Micah for a long time. If I take you out of the equation then he'll be upset, sure, but he'll move on just fine. He was better without anyway."

--

[Kelyias]

Vewil looked to Diana for a moment but figured she'd be fine, steadying himself for a similar order.

"Cross poison, Vewil! Keep him busy, any means necessary."

The Seviper cried out in response before swinging its tail in a similar X formation to counter Shen's and swinging his tail into the Mienshao fushion when it got close, swiping it away before following it.

"You're a selfish man, Viggo. Like all the others with money and power, no thought spared for those around them. It's a shame, really. We could have been good together."

Diana charged at Viggo in the same vein, then, practically leaping across. Her goal, for now, was to incapacitate him instead of any actual harm- and to at least get his gun away from him. Even if he shot her, she could avoid any real damage by using her ghost abilities to ensure the bullets didn't hit.

--

[Aldarch]

- Shen met Vewil's attack with his own, clashing for a moment before jumping back. After that the Mienshao lunged forward in a Dynamic punch.

Viggo practically let out a vomit noise as Diana spoke though, like she was crazy.-

" Good together? Are you insane?"

- Viggo stepped back a little, bracing for Diana's lunge this time. At the last moment two extra ghostly armed summoned at his side and grabbed onto her. The heat from his hands started to make his gloves smoke a little. He pushed her back then.-

" The only thing you want is to consolidate your place of power! I never cared for that! Don't you ever insinuate that I'm anything like you!"

--

[Kelyias]

"You never cared for it yet you've joined an organization that does nothing but?!"

Diana retorted, struggling against the arms for a moment before pulling back. Strands in her hair lifted and formed ghostly Ekans, snapping at the hands that held her. 

"I care for power because I use it to protect. What are you using it for? To go to this extent that you're blatantly putting others at risk?"

She sneered. Vewil, in his combat with Shen, took the punch though found his gaze and sight dizzying after. It took the Seviper a couple of shakes of his head to wear it off, hissing and forming a toxic string around the Mienshao to get it to stay put.

--

[Aldarch]

"Do you think I care about Cynic? That's hilarious."

- Viggo pulled back, more like he recoiled, when Diana brought her weird snakes out. He brushed himself off with a scowl. Though despite what he said he wasn't laughing.-

"I'm the only one who seems to want to figure out how the damn fog works!"

- He spoke just about in disbelief, hand to his head.-

"You don't deal with bullshit without getting your hands dirty! So keep your snotty Ethos propaganda out of this."

- Shen struggled against the toxic thread, but just managed to whip his sleeves out of the hold, slapping Vewil with them at a rapid pace to get the snake to set him free.-

--

[Kelyias]

"You're in over your head."

She spoke, perplexed at his way of thinking. Sure, the fog was shit and it was in everyone's way, but he was far from figuring out how to get rid of it in Cynic. Before she could retort further, the ding of the elevator sounded behind them. Somewhere during their scuffle and fight, it had closed and gone away to retrieve someone new. Hurriedly, Vewil slithered away from the Mienshao to return to Diana, and the woman herself clicked her tongue before reaching for her wrist, clasping the supressor and returning back to normal. She pointed to her eyes, and then to Viggo.

"This isn't over."

--

[Aldarch]

- The moment Viggo heard the elevator he returned Shen to his Pokeball. He pointed to his own eyes, and then to Diana's. He was thankful that she didn't just lunge to take him down, at least. Viggo sank through the floor in a ghostly fashion until the only trace of him having been there was the warning shot on the ground, and the marks from the battle between Shen and Vewil. It was definitely over, for now.- 

--

[Kelyias]

Diana blinked and definitely was more than confused at him just... sinking through the floor- but she didn't have a lot of time to react to that. The elevator doors opened to reveal Micah- with his small Lampent companion Ember by his side. He held a pair of heels in his hands, and upon seeing Diana just became more concerned. The woman cleared her throat and gestured for Vewil to come up.

"There was... talk of a commotion in the main lobby when I came back."

The man sounded more confused than anything, which... made sense. First, there was talk of commotion in the parking lot area and then he finds women's heels in the elevator, followed by Diana, barefoot? He couldn't really say anything afterwards, but held the heels out for her.

"Thank you."

Diana acted as if nothing was amiss, taking the heels and putting them on, leaning on his arm that he helpfully held out for her. 

"Should I ask?"

"Best you don't."

"Right. Are... you alright?"

He moved his other hand on top of hers, his brows furrowed in concern. The woman thought about her words before she nodded with a smile. Viggo, in the end, hadn't really done much than grabbing- and warning. For better, or for worse.

"I'm alright. Now, are you going to invite me up or am I going to have to find a place to eat?"

Nothing wrong with turning business into pleasure, she supposed. And if Viggo turned up, splendid.