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It's All Relative (Monster Teeth and Verse)

M

Monster Teeth

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It was one thing to be woken up at 4Am by colleagues requesting your presence. But, it was another to have your sister call ten minutes later crying into the phone about how your friend had been murdered. She didn't think at first that they were the same people but, the moment she had ducked under the caution tape, Alexandria knew. The scene, so meticulously set up was her friend.

That sight never left her and still flashed vividly beneath green eyes. And even more so as Alexandria Morrer sat in her chair. The old furniture sometimes squeaking when movement was given suddenly. And each time it did, it emmited a sigh from her lips. It had been almost a month since the murder yet, nothing gave way to this brutality. She was, only in lower ranks and was thankful for that. It made it easier and no one expected much from her. But, this was an old friend, she had to. It felt like a task that no one spoke of but needed to be done.

Over the last few days her conscience told her to do this one thing. Call him, an old friend that could help her. Perhaps lighten the load of stress her body swallowed daily. Maybe, just lighten the mood. But, each time she was ready to, she had snapped the cellular device closed the moment the phone icon lit up a vibrant green.

This night though, it was different. She hadn't left the office, not even to allow any food into her slowly thinning form. Though, Alexandria always had a few pounds to spare when the job got to her. But, tonight, she could only stare at the paper, info scratched out, barely legible but just enough so that she could read it. Her thin fingers pulled in frustration at the deep brown locks that spilled from her pale scalp. But soon, those fingers gave in and grabbed at the cold device resting on the desk. Then, it was harshly pressed to her ear as the woman swallowed her pride. "Please pick up." Was all Alexandria whimpered before the loud ringing sounded like a bomb in the silent emptiness that was the office.
 
He quite loved the scent of his room in the morning. The floorboards would bake in rays of sun and remind him that whatever weather was playing outside, his home was warm and impregnable. A small comfort, and such security did make for a duller existence, but he enjoyed things that were faithful. There was no such warmth on the air when he woke up, and no light toppled to spill anywhere it pleased. So it must be night, his instantly clear mind deduced, as he looked up in the ceiling, a faint emerald hue there accompanying the sound of the flat device shaking on his nightstand. Ingram Westfield knew who's id he'd see when he stole the obnoxious piece of plastic from its own sleeping place, beside the glasses, the standing charger - whimsically having the appearance of a fat, black chicken - and his latest anatomy book.

Smiling down on her name, he held the piece of tech for comfort, green light blaring onto his face, making soft shadows and dispelling the magic of his bleached, almost white irises. The dark lashes remained, though, even in this blare of sullen magic, which always gave Ingram dark wings at the farthest corners of his eyes, as if nature had known the wrung out beauty of this black haired creature wouldn't be used for good, after all. Of course it would be her at this hour, who else needed a friend that was so easily mistakable for astute, when if fact he had a collection of otherworldly smarts. Standing out of bed, his svelte gait outlined by street lamps somewhere in the distance from his window, his thumb accepted the call with a swipe.

"Alexandria?" he started, voice deep, raspy and confused as if he'd been yanked back from a far dreaming slumber. Pale eyes even squinted for the act. "Lexi, is that you?" he continued, walking with his private confidence toward the light switch. When he called upon the illumination in the room with clean floor and cluttered supporting surfaces, the white from the awakened bulbs seemed to neglect most of everything else, rushing instead to inhabit his skin and light him from within. It was an optical lie, of course. In the wake of it, his complexion still held an alabaster quality, though not so severe, cut through as it was with shades between long muscles. He'd endeavored to keep his physique subtle, without traces of bulk, so he could still pass for frail with clothes on.

It hadn't been that long since their last meeting. Someone like Alexandria interviewed well and would always have an easy time connecting to people. After their university time she'd been hired right off the bat, just like she wanted. His own scores had been astronomical, but without ambition to put the knowledge his scholarships had payed for in to use, he had simply started taking stray courses, doing lab work and the occasional essay for under-the-table money. The educational organs had their own economy, and he lived well as ever within it. When he wanted extravagance he simply changed his clientèle from ramen eaters to silver spoons. Strangely, those with trust funds found themselves with his lower quality work while poor students who simply could not work two jobs and make academical deadlines received stellar papers on their chosen subjects.

Her calling had him reminisce for the reason she'd thought of him. Liza Cutberth. A blond with a twig figure. Normally he didn't care much for the Nordic ideal, her with her noticeable jaw and blue eyes. But Liza had wanted to dance. That's how she and Lexi had met, and thats why she kept herself so thin. Ingram could appreciate such dedication, so in her case the bones underneath mere skin was a sign of success and not primarily because of vanity. Her favorite thing in the world had been ballet. To dance on the scene in the city's famed Ivory Theater and have recognition from those who knew and loved the art. What poor Liza and her cutthroat attitude lacked in skill what she had in gusto, nonetheless the obsession became a dream and the dream became something she did on the side of her job.

But because of her dream, Alexandria had been allowed to find her in the Ivory Theater, strung up and posed. He'd propped her on a costume rack, those made out of a standing steel frames. She was doing the splits. Technically, he supposed, she had been naked, with the skin of her stomach wrapped around her waist as a skirt, expertly cut out course, with her hands gathering and holding in her organs as she leaped. Suspended like this, all but giving birth to her insides, Caesarean birth, she had looked alive even run through by wire to support the lifelike configuration. The press had a field day and even leaked an uncensored picture for the enthusiasts, all of it probably resulting in even more agony for Lexi and her sister, not to mention Liza's family and boyfriend, who would inevitably have to take the blunt of the suspicions in the wake of another scape goat. But Morrer would know better, wouldn't she? And Ingram, well, he knew the most.

Walking around in his room, stark naked with a dear friend on the other line, he couldn't help but feeling rather accomplished. Passing by the mirror he noticed his hairless organ had awakened with the rest of him. Tilting his head with the phone following, he smirked slightly. Perhaps the thoughts of Liza's confused gargles on her own bile while trying to roll her intestine small enough to fit back in had been too much to ignore. She'd pissed herself as much as she could, diluting the puddle of filth and blood she was already laying in. At the beginning of it, for reasons he hadn't known himself, he'd promised in a whisper that he wouldn't rape her. Her eyes hadn't hosted more happiness for it, but he'd liked to think that her spirit might be lighter once it left the body, knowing he'd extended that courtesy, at least.

Ingram wrapped his fingers around his fully flushed member, stroking as if to sooth it, while it is widely known that's not what touches do. "How can I help you?" again a slightly sleepy, worried voice. "This is about Liza, isn't it?"
 
One ring. Two rings. Three rings. Three rings had passed, loudly sounding in her ear before the phone went silent. At first there was no sound, making her think she had reached his answering machine. But then his voice rung deep and clear, a sound that brought her both a light smile and pleasant reverie. She sighed and nodded. "Yes yes, it's me. Sorry to bother you so late." There was again silence.

Then he asked if it was about her friend. How'd he know. Well, more like how could he not? Liza's name had been all over the news! If not for the gruesomly creative display the murderer had presented, it may have only landed her on the 7th page in the local news paper. The dancers body so carefuly placed upon wire, the skin pulled into a suit, much like one that she would now never have the chance to wear.

Her hands, one's graced with scares from childhood memories or simple things like catching on chicken wire at a scene, moved a large file of paper out of her way. "It is... I.. I'm sorry to ask you, knowing you're most likely busy.. But, I need help. If it hadn't of been her, if this monster hadn't felt the need to put on such an extravigent display, perhaps I'd be ok. But, I'm not." Her voice was soft yet a tone of horror tinged it delicatley. Gently, she pushed her form from the desk, standing. Long, tan legs, ones giving way that she spent enough time outside to keep from being paper white, stretched out. The flesh left exposed from her pencil skirt that stopped mere inches before the knees.
Alexandria grabbed her coffee cup and began to make her way to the kitchen like area. Moving passed empty, quiet, abandoned desks whose users had left hours before. And in the kitchen, the phone rest easily between her clothed shoulder and her ear. "Please?" The soft, hurt voicer ang out into the silence, only to be interupted by the slight drizzle of steaming water.
 
It was good to hear her voice again, the sigh had been an especially notable effect. Her words were charged with apology. No need, Lexi, he thought, but it was just like the brunette to make sure she wasn't opposing on him. They were friends, after all, their long parting had never been about lack of that affection. She had simply gone another way than him. Funny how those steps in different directions took them right back to this. Not that fate hadn't had a push or two in this case. The angel skinned and demon faced man continued to take the tour of his room, hand pulling sporadically at the thickness her call had filled with blood. "No, no. I'm up. It's no trouble, really. It's just nice to hear you." He would sound more alert now, dragging out on the sluggish slurring any longer would be over-selling. Not that she would be looking for chinks in an act.

His cock twitched when she called the culprit a monster. Such real dismay, and Liza hadn't even been her closest friend. This was just the beginning of the story. Alexandria was rattled to the core, and Ingram reveled in the audible morsels she offered. "Oh, Lexi." All the sympathy she could wish for, it must sound so genuine as he pressed his forehead to the door, shutting it with his weight. "It'll be alright. You'll see." It was the kind of thing someone would say when faced with this situation, and the person she had known him to be would look for anything that could comfort her. His occupation wasn't his passion, and there were no things he could think of, even for the Ingram he let the world see, to decline this opportunity of lending his mind to this investigation. But "I don't know if I'll be of any help, though."

A cruel thing, to drag it out. In essence Ingram Westfield was cruel. It suited his cover too, if she could recall that he'd been reluctant to help her when she asked. With her last pleading word his charcoal heart splintered, hand squeezing harder on the reddening member, precum evident off the slit on its crowning, dark, rounded flesh, taut for every tug. He let her hear him gasp for the pleasure, so that she could interpret it however she wanted. Surely not even her mind would deduce he was having his way with the memory of skinning and redressing her friend, mingled with the fantasy of Lexi's pleading face on the other side of the line. "Alright." Perfect control of his voice; tired, dreading, kind. "Yeah. Of course I'll do it." A little happier now.

"I've actually been following the case and your career, like I said I would." It had been a parting promise, when she announced to him that she had been accepted into the corp. "So I know some of it. They had a few think-tank debates at the university too, with some good access, so I think I'm pretty much up to speed, if you'd believe it." he laughed lightly as he slid down, rubbing his cheek against the door. The pace at which he abused his dick was urgent, furious. "But I'm also curious about some other cases in your department." Takes one to know one. They needed to be dazzled first, before they accepted him. "We could meet at the station, or anywhere you want, and you can show me around. I'll send you a list of files I'd like to look at. I think I can crack at least three, more if I get clearance for information."

Ingram held his breath and closed his eyes, brows gathering and wrinkling as he sat bent over his knees, head lodged into the door as the pleasure ripped through his inflamed, long meat with every thick emission of burning biological fluid. It became a curdled lake on his threshold. "When and where is good for you?" he asked, vocal chords level again without a trace of what had transpired for her to pick up on, except for perhaps a small sigh after his question.
 
Alexandria's pointer idly stirred the hot coffee, not acknowledging the burning sensation that coursed through the diget. Perhaps it was due to callausced fingers, always at work. As he spoke her lips embraced the finger, sucking away the sweet caffein before they curved into a soft smile. "Thank you, thank you." She was willing to agree to anything at this point. No, Liza had not been that close, aside from that one month that they became friends. But the mere thought of a friend, even aquaintence having met there demise in such a sick fashion, scared her.

As her legs brought her to the irritatingly squeaky chair, she listened. "Anything, just text what you need to me.. Or better yet, email them to me and I'll get them first thing when I come in." Alexandria stated, looking at the picture that remained paper clipped to Liza's file. Such a smiling, happy woman she seemed in this picture. Hopefully Ingram was able to help catch who had snatched that innocent grin from her.

Morrer could remember him well, he always was one to help. If not a bit reluctant at first, that is. And, when they parted, it was a tad heat breaking, having spent the last years being within a mile of him. But, now she lived just on the edges of town, further from him. Only once since her graduation had they met for coffee. Her awkward friend, kind and having a more intelligent sense of humor at times.

"When.. As soon as possible? You can meet me at the coffee shop tomorrow? Around noon?" He let out a sigh, thus causing her to frown. "Unless that's not a good time for you? We can plan a little later... If you want." The woman said, looking at the thin silver watch buckled to her thin wrist. As the phone once more rest between her shoulder and ear she began to gather her things. It was already passed midnight and sleep seemed like a crime to her with this case. But, it was a necessity for life. One more sip of her coffee and the rest went down the drain. "Preferably this week though."
 
He had long since decided which files to request, but hadn't written them down for fear of getting ahead of himself. The mistakes of others were so daunting he'd contemplated sending in anonymous tips to perpetuate their capture. In a way that would have been jumping the gun too, so he thought better of it. His sigh had been misinterpreted, which was probably for the better. He stood up again, long body basking in its own truth as it walked to his desk, a simple and solid wooden thing, where a formidable laptop lay, closed and ominous. Girth didn't always equal power on today's hardware, but he had seen to that it did in this case.

"Alright. I'll work on a list." he said casually as he sat down, skin to steel chair without a sound or winch. White screen as it blinked to light, no discernible noise of a fan present. He'd payed extra for that. The hand that wasn't holding the phone started patting away on the keyboard, his attention neither on the screen nor the keys as he continued. "Some of this might be hard to share with a civilian, but I don't want to work as a detective along side you, maybe you could get me clearance for a consultant? It must help that we went to uni together." It was important that she got to keep all the credit to herself, or sicking her department on these sloppy perpetrators really would be for nothing. Ingram leaned back, the joints of the new chair following without a creak, his hand still making names and id's appear on the document he'd opened.

The coffee shop. The one they'd met at last time, when she was in the thick of it all, just before the events that were now swallowing her up had started. He knew the place well. They knew it well.

She had swallowed the bait then. "I'll meet you at The Red." he agreed. Strange name for a coffee shop, but perhaps that had been part of its charm that had made them go there during their cram nights before tests and then again, after their last course. It's interior theme didn't so much follow the name of the place, it was mostly just any other eatery with chairs instead of booths. Cheap coffee, big bear claws, all that. "Noon sounds fine. My treat if you bring the files." He could have demanded any date for the rest of the month and she would have complied, but this was a fond rekindling of their friendship, he didn't want to make it too hard on her. Besides "I've missed you, actually.". And that wasn't a lie. Perhaps that was why his voice changed then - as he put down the last name on the list - to something warm and honest. "I'm glad you called."
 
Alexandria had her bag over her shoulder. Only her light remained on, the small bulb giving off and idle buzz. That is until the jungling of her keys moved with her hand, switiching of the light. It took her emerald eyes a moment to adjust to the darkness. The only light being givin off by her cell phone and the street lights able to make it through thick glass and blinds. The only sounds now were the sound of keys and the subtle honking off in the distance.
The large door creaked open and closed, making a loud clanking sound when it was locked. "Of course I can do that for you. Noon, The Red.. I'll have the files and a paper to fill out for your id.. Thank you..." She said, soft excitement hinted in her voice. Her thumb pressed the unlock button to her car before opening the door. A black suberu, one belonging to the office. And as she settled into the deep grey cushioned seats (ones lacking the asinine creaking), pink lips curled into a long overdue smile. "I missed you too.. I'll see you tomorrow, and, I'll have those files!" She reminded before a simple goodbye ending with the phone closing and her engine roaring.
--
The night had been calm, quiet, and a little bit refreshing. As she lay in bed, long brown hair splayed across silken blue sheets. Her eyes store up into the dark ceiling. Perhaps now she could sleep, knowing this case would be solved sooner. Thick lashes fluttered shut as her mind sunk deep deep into darkness.
 
He hadn't slept. After he sent off the list there were things to take care of. Wiping up after himself for one, and then quietly reminisce over Liza's expressions while her fear turned in to pain. The physical result had been more important than the impact he had on her, but it was hard not to dedicate some time to see the skin on her face contort in different displays of agony. She had shown her teeth to hiss a couple of times, wrinkles on her forehead and smoothness of her eyelids suggesting she wasn't fighting at that point, but trying to take it, trying to see it through. Like a virgin hoping to handle her first time without crying. At that time, though, Liza had already been streaked by the tears she shed.

It had been easy to lure her into euphoria. At first her reactions had been fear, desperation, anger. Those things and the scalpel eventually washed her brain in so many new cocktails of endocrine produce that she literally did not know what to think or how to feel. The last thing she had held on to before the lethargic state was her confusion, trying desperately to get him to explain to her why he was doing this. She had recognized him eventually, that friend by Alexandria's side, that one time when they met in the grocery store. How many times had Liza promised to betray Lexi for him, if only he'd stop? In the light of the warehouse he had chosen for her, one not too long from her final performance, he could see the wounds clear, stark, the red of her exposed insides and the white of her skin a pretty candy contrast. Had it not been for her darker organs and her gray parts, he could very well have made her an appealing bust, even for the layman.

But that wouldn't have been her dream. No. Instead her carried on with his mission, circling her body twice with the blades he could easily access from the medical facilities at the University. It had been a chore to ruffle the skin like fabric and fasten it around her waist, especially when she was still moving. Ample preparation had saved the day. Then the upper part of her neck had become tassels for the lower part - a pretty little chocker. By then she was caught in her own little world of Stockholm Syndrome, and granted him smiles whenever he was able to cause her a specific king of pain. She seemed to favor pressure from his hands onto free nerves in her building madness. By the time he strung her up and her arms were busy keeping her insides on the insides, he looked lovingly at him whenever he phased out of her dreams. They made a game out of rocking her on the steel frame. Her giggles were dry.

When he had gone through every detail of his first and last date with the ballerina that could never reach her ambition in life, the dawn had come, and he had many ideas for the next person he would highlight in Alexandria's life. It would be a closer friend of her sister's. Best friend. Humming on his favorite melody from Disney when they still bothered to draw their cartoons, he got dressed. With the morning entering his room, the reflection on his skin became almost so foreign to that of an average retelling of sun rays that it was good he was alone. The gift of beauty, simply. It was quickly covered by many layers of dark fabric. Glasses on his sharp nose, so that the lenses could dull the quality of his eyes, color of silver mixed with too much milk. On occasion, when they were studying across from each other, Lexi had remarked on them, and he'd quickly have to diver the conversation.

He couldn't appear modest either, instead he had to completely convince his environment that he was indeed as mundane as he seemed to be. If by any chance they suspected it was a front to hide advantages he wanted to save for his 'extra curricular' interests, he quickly thwarted their find by saying something mean or otherwise belittle his own blessings toward the goal of becoming unattractive. The hair was ruffled and awkwardly drawn to the side. His naturally straight posture was replaced by a subtle hunch that made his clothes even less flattering. The Ingram she knew was a bit of a mouth breather. One look in the mirror to make sure he had once again become a smart person with a dumb expression, and then he was off, computer in his khaki one-strap bag.

Having finished a number of errands to pass the time, he found himself through the door of The Red five minutes to twelve. He chose a table a little off to side, well visible from the entrance when she came, but away from the direct view of the windows. There would be plenty of students and shoppers coming in to fill the place soon, let them take the seats that would turn his skin into fire. The lap-top sat heavy in front of him, all but empty bag slung over the back of his chair, gaping open. The decor here was homely, with a few details that still made it look professional. The owners or at least the designers of The Red knew what they were doing, impressing without alienating. He curved his back to loom over the computer.

He knew a lot of his act was lost on Lexi, she didn't care how her friends looked, but the surrounding world still needed to be convinced he was no one special. Undoubtedly, there was an affinity between him and her, a natural one, so he still tried his best to be as unavailable for a connection as possible, and sometimes bordered on the rude, trying to be abrasive. Perhaps this was the biggest threat to his plans, rather than any of her colleagues ever finding clues in his flawlessly gutted and displayed prey. He let her know that he was at the place via a text.
 
Steaming water burned and steamed on tanner skin. Large red spots covered her skin in areas most effected by the heat. But, a scar along her leg was bright against her flesh, a constant reminder of her childhood and why she never again climbed to great heights. Multi-coloured bubbles slowly slid down skin that was lesser exposed to the water. Moments like these, warmth of a hot shower brought her peace. But, it could only last for so long. She only had hours to gather the files Ingram had requested and the paper work for his id. As quickly as she had risen, on which most mornings it was quite slow, she was buckled into her car.
A fitting white shirt with the required black coat. Another skirt, the weather was getting warm, and a pair of heels. She always left her hair down and hardly wore makeup, only adding the subtle hint of charcoal eyeliner.
Everyone greeted her, much like they did everyday. Except her boss when he interigated her on the paper work. He was reluctant to agree, but with a few lies and a gleaming, flirty smile, she was able to get it.
Soon everything was stuffed into her bag. "Going somewhere?"
"I've got to meet a friend, it's my lunch break anyhow, shut up James." She teased, smacking her partners head.
-
Her phone buzzed in her purse but it went unread. She was only moments away from The Red. The large door gave off a charm, one you could only here ifyou listened well, above all the idle chitchat. "Ingram!" She spoke excitedly, grinning and speed walking to him. She knew he may have shrugged off her hug but, being a woman, he was going to get it anyway. Her bag was set down on the table before standing next to him. The woman in heels bent over and hugged him around his neck before hurrying to her seat. "I can't even thank you enough." She gasped, brushing hair from her face that had gone askew in her excitement. And so, slightly winded, she began to pull some things out. "I have both the files you requested and the paperwok for your id."
 
He smiled widely at her arrival. She still had her hair down. The dress code of her profession fit her quite well. She was a beautiful woman and wouldn't need all the extra things on her worse day. It wouldn't be hard for anyone to find him if they knew what they were looking for, he had been seated to be easy to locate, but she still found him exceptionally fast. Powers of observation was her bread and butter now, after all. It was warming to see the smile she wore in return to his. Before he knew it, her arms were around his neck, and he was squeezing back, one hand on her back. Sweet Lexi. Her life had changed immensely, but she still wore the same bleeding heart on her sleeve. "You look good. It's good to see you again."

Her dark hair, one of his favorite features on her, was brushed back in to place before she started producing the information that he'd asked of her. She was so excited. The case of the Creator Murderer, as the press had so witlessly named it, must be just as stressful to her as he had hoped. Morrer was always thorough. Nobody they'd gone to class with would say otherwise. What he'd required was not easy to get by, especially for someone in her initiating phase, so the arcs she presented him with here, like little sacrifices to a deity in their ancient meeting and feeding place, was a testament to either her resourcefulness, popularity or both. His palm slid the stack she'd made so far over to him, some of the papers leaving a trail on the table. Ingram's method always looked sloppy, in contrast to Alexandria, but onlookers would learn quickly that was because he didn't need all the pieces for the whole picture.

"Thank you, Lexi." Another smile, his cheekbones lifting his glasses slightly. "I know you had to pull some strings for this." Three files were put in a separate pile to the left of the original stack, until the Razor case presented itself. It was the easiest to handle in an open place, because the mistakes of her department on this one were few. He wouldn't say as much, though. "This is the investigation of the murder of Jonathan Wilson. I looked into your suspects which were primarily the wife he abused and his son. Jonathan was killed by ingesting razor blades of a commonly found variety, right?" His hand was on the file, as if he was absorbing knowledge through the yellow bind with his fingertips. "And I looked up his son's, Jacob, online community history. A few weeks prior to the murder he had just broken up with his girlfriend of about a year, Emily Brooks. She was interviewed about the relationship between the family members but never a suspect herself."

Ingram had looked up her medical history and seen a photograph of scars on her wrists, ones consistent with the Cutter culture. From there it wasn't hard to find that Emily's own relationship with her father had been abusive, and that she'd latched on to Jacob who, despite his upbringing, was a stable and seemingly emotionally available individual. PM history had pointed at Jacob leaving her because of what his controlling father had thought. Once he'd told Lexi all this he shrugged. "It is a strong suspicion at best. But if you take her in and pressure her with the possibility of incarcerating Jacob for the murder, maybe use the Wasted Youth angle, she might confess." It had all stemmed from a news article he'd seen with Emily in the background. She had murderous eyes.

The explanation was followed by a grin and a shrug. "I'm getting ahead of myself. I'm sorry." He lifted his hand from the file and locked his fingers as he leaned back in his chair. "Like I said, it's good seeing you again, Lexi. Who could have imagined we would work together?"
 
Alexandria missed her old friend, his awkward ways always made her smile. "I look good? Have you seen yourself? I swear, everytime I see you you're even more handsom. Soon enough you'll have women at your feet!" She teased, looking in her bag for his paperwork. Thickly lashed eyes glanced up as he took the papers before pulling out her own.
During the Razor case she had been in another case and only glanced at it. "Hmm, I don't understand why no one felt the need to investigate her further.." She uttered. "Well, I'll have them check her out... When you talk about it.. it all really seems logical." Deep red fingernails tapped at the table above paper, a habit she mostly did when her mind was at work.

"Honestly.. I hadn't a clue! It's crazy, being able to team up... " Alexandria sighed, looking around. "And.. When you fill out this paperwork and I get your id.." The stark white sheets of paper, lined with empty spaces and questions pressed in front of him. "We can discuss the case.. I've.. found a few things but I don't know how reliable or... Helpful they could be." The woman was careful about what she said. "Liza wasn't that close to me but she was to Mariah.. I need to do this for my sister.." A soft sigh escaped from naturally pink lips. "But, is all you need to do is fill this out!"
Being surrounded by people like this made her nervous. And, her green eyes carefully watched like always. But for once, in the presence of something familar... comfortable she could let down her gaurd only a little. After all, everyone had something about them that never settled right with her. Even him, even Ingram gave off a vibe that kept some part of her aware, even if it was only a small percent.
 
Ingram reached for the back of his head and lowered his gaze at her compliment. He'd not done anything different to his disguise today than last time. With some effort he was able to call upon a blush. The Razor case had been gruesome, and the surrounding press had really wanted it to be a serial, but there had been no similar murders since. Just a little to wet his pallet, and some trust while he flexed his skills in the field. All to elevate Lexi to the new hope of the police. She followed the link well. It was good to see that the potential he'd detected in her hadn't gone wasted, mulling over the obstacles of the Creator murder. To celebrate their new partnership he would graduate from event to serial. "That's why you're going to solve this case and not them." A daring darkness danced on the tips of his smile then, pupils flashing swirls of depth to accentuate the promise.

The forms under the Razor file were standard. He'd prepared a drivers license and a passport to identify himself with, all in the bag that had carried his laptop. With a pencil he already set on the table, he started filling it out without so much as a glance on the questions. It was much more curious to him what she might have found. A car went by outside when she revealed having leads that hadn't been shared with anyone. The sound of the motor ushered in shadow in the otherwise idyllic eatery. With his all-encompassing malice sewn into his angel skin, he might very well reveal himself to be a monster in the short heartbeat that the noon light was absent. How did he look then? Like a misplaced gargoyle with feather pen, doing some poor souls undoing with a blood-fresh contract? It didn't matter. The shine of midday would return to cast doubt on any such suspicion and superstition.

"Oh?" he said as the last of the honest night flicked away from the corner of his lashes. It would be much like a white-bellied sheep asking a gray-bellied sheep if he'd heard the tale of a wolf in sheep's clothing. A last period sign on vital information, the stab of the pen final in it's nature and sound. Terminal. "Now you've got me curious, Morrer." Shortly his bleached eyes looked down, lips pursed. He blew on the paper once, a habit he'd retained from when his family had just bought a first generation ink-printer, before he looked at her again, slowly lifting the document and handing it to her over the table. Her self doubt lead him to a crossroad. Her intellect could very well be his undoing. At the same time, he had no intention of discounting her real discoveries this early in the scheme. How devastating it could be to his own ego, if the she could drown his watertight plans already.

"Don't second guess. We're just colleagues sharing thoughts." he reminded as he reached back. If she knew what he was, she might be worried for her life, but all that the unraveling fingers showed her when the hand returned was a photograph of him, that she could use for his id-card. It would be trouble to follow her around without it, after all. He smirked. "Can I meet Mariah, you think? How old is she now?" Oh yes. The younger Morrer had a very vital role to play. He best get charming with her soon. Poor thing, playing second fiddle to her sister at the end game of her life. But also a nice little note, he thought himself, that they'd be joined by fate. He noticed Alexandria's green eyes fill with slight worry at their surrounding, and swiftly tipped his palm to free it of the picture to grasp her hand, which was still putting papers down, and caress her knuckles with his thumb. "It's alright, Lexi. No one's listening to us."
 
"I know I know... " Alexandria muttered, watching a waitress of sorts pass by. She wrinkled her nose and set the papers neatly in the deep red bag matching her nails. Then, it was his image. The handsom face of Igram shadowed by the awkward touches. Mariah... Her sister, her precious younger sister who was only two years younger. "Mmm, it's up to her Ingram, sometimes she's not up for meeting new people."
Her teeth chewed a little at her lip. His thumb grazed her knuckles making her tense. Gently, more deep coloured hair was brushed aside. Then, she sighed, not one of boredum or misery, but one of confusion.
What she had found, observed most would bypass. Simple things like the artistic way her body was pulled together. How precise the blade had cut along her skin. And, last but not least, a leaf.
It wasn't from any surrounding trees and was only in the neighborhoods further in town and outside. She knew because it had ben the exact tree Alexandria had fallen out of and severely broken her leg when only ten.
"A leaf." Was all she told him. Perhaps it had been brought in on the murderers shoe, or maybe the wind blew it in afterwards. All she knew]was it had to belong to someone. "A leaf not from any where near the church. Perhaps it was brought in by a guest but, I don't think so though." Her face turned a subtle red in embarassment. A leaf! How big of a deal could a leaf be!
 
Steven quite enjoyed some tea before lunch. His work at the delivery firm afforded him long, early breaks, the only business that was crowded these days - being part owner helped - so he made good use of it, sampling the cheaper parts of life wherever he could find it. The Red had been a long standing favorite. He wasn't wealthy enough to eat expensive meals every week day, and instead reveled in not having to throw his food down his gullet and then leave to be back to work on time. A dark brush of hair ornamented his chin, which, like the rest of his body was strong. Kind, blue eyes and hair combed back. Too often he was mistaken for the current five o'clock shadow-sporting-leather-jacket-wearing males, ready for adventures of debauched nature. The novelty of being appreciated for his looks had faded. It didn't really attract the company he wanted.

This all touched his mind today especially because of a particularly pretty brunette that had entered. Now that was company he wouldn't mind keeping. She seemed modest about her beauty, though Steven was willing to bet she must have at least a notion of that she was attractive, since she carried herself with confidence. A plan was forming as he watched her. His spirit was somewhat dampened when she met with a man. The awkward look of him gave Steven some hope. Maybe they were just friends having coffee. The hug could have been a friendly one, and the papers that she handed Mr Glasses made Steven hopeful she wasn't taken after all. A business meeting. As he continued to evaluate her body language as discretely as he could, he tried to revise how he should go about talking to her, now that she had someone else with her.

He had seen pictures of Mariah. It wasn't hard to imagine that she was reserved. Maybe Alexandria would have been too, if her line of work allowed it. In some ways she was. He could appear patient, he supposed, but meeting her wasn't negotiable. In the end, Liza had known him rather well. By his doing or with Lexi's help, that was how it would be with Mariah Morrer as well. Understanding nod, keeping the determination on the inside. "Alright. I won't push it. I'd just like to speak with her. One of my favorite areas in school is the human psyche, as you remember. Maybe I could help her cope?" He was something of a savant when it came to cognitive reconfiguring, and that practice could both lend itself to- and disguise itself as the recovery of a strained mind.

He quite enjoyed this obstacle. Something subconscious in Lexi was trying to protect her baby sister from him. He'd seen physical intelligence before, when he was perfecting his knowledge of the human materials, so that he could properly manipulate the shape of bodies into what he wanted them to be after death. This struggle would be a matter of their friendship pitted against her innate desire to keep her sibling out of harms way. Without a doubt she would feel ambivalent about it, once she did let them meet. Ingram could also circumvent it by creating a run-in that looked like chance from the outside. This was one of the few components of his plan where he would be directly connected for her to see.

Ingram blinked when she revealed that her possible lead was a leaf. He held most of the cards in this game, and was therefor at a constant advantage, but her instincts were a point in her favor. He kept the tools of is trade in a shed out in the forest, about twenty minutes worth of wandering from the start of trees, if you knew where to look. He knew where to find the spot, well, because of the leafs on the branches. Instead of discrediting her, which seemed to be completely possible considering her blush, he said "If that's what you have to go on then you should follow it. Did you pick it up? Or would you recognize it if we found it again?" It was a precarious game to play. He was already thinking of contingencies. "I'll help you. The biology people in my lab know a lot of Botanists."

"And, oh." he said, smirking and making a show out of letting go of her hand. "You seem to have a fan. I'm sure you've detected it already, detective." A quick nod to the side.

Steven only noticed that he'd been staring when the two looked back at him. He'd been so bent on trying to figure out their relationship, especially since the man had touched her hand so intimately, that he was caught wide-eyed for an instant. After trying to pretend he hadn't been spying, he shrugged and waved from the distance. Embarrassing, but at least now she'd know. The man with glasses started packing up the papers, not to put them away, but to covered them, the last one hidden out of sight by placing the heavy computer on top of the pile. Rather than defensive and offputting, it seemed more like he was getting ready for Steven to come over. The blue eyes blinked and Steven stood. Why not? His cover was blown.

"Be gentle with him." Ingram teased at Lexi before the newcomer had reached them. "He's just a fan of yours." And then the stranger was there, extending his hand to her.

"Hello. My name is Steve." He wore his best smile and laughed, blushing. He looked from the brunette to her raven haired, male friend. "I'm sorry to interrupt, but you guys already caught me."

Ingram was amused at the squirming of their guest, but tried to look slightly uncomfortable at the situation. "Well, it is nice to meet you, Mr Steve. I'm Ingram and that lady over there, you know, the one you were staring at, is my platonic friend and recent college Alexandria." He gave her a meaning look so she would take over the conversation.
 
Alexandria had indeed kept the leaf. It was put inside a bag then tightly sealed, only to be opened upon request. "I.. I kept the leaf but it's at my work desk at home, if you stop by I can show you.." She had completely bypassed the conversation of her sister. Perhaps, if her sister was unwell within the weeks to come she would.
The hairs on her neck stood up and subcounciously, she fidgeted. Then, Ingram spoke out. Slowly, green eyes shifted to the side, then her head following suit. A man was staring at them! He gave an awkward greeting before Ingram moved his papers, stuffing them under the laptop. "What are you- shit." She muttered, glancing at him.
She put on a soft smile and looked up at him. "Hi I-" Only reason she had bern cut off was she spoke quietly. The mans hand swallowed hers, shaking it gently. Her eyes glanced to Ingram before back to Steven. "Nice to meet you, Steven. May I help you with anything?" The brunette knew why the kind man had approached, not just because Ingram welcomed him, but, Alexandria saved her self from narcassism.
 
Ingram nodded, somewhere lost in thought on the implications of the leaf, when she told him where she kept it. He had already made his peace with it. Since she was the detective to figure out who might be behind the Creator event, it helped that he got to hear her theories first. How sloppy of him, to forget such an important detail as soils and particles from where he'd been on the scene of the display. Like she said, it was a well visited area, so any clues would have be be considered twice before they could be thought of as valuable. It had been wrong to rely on this, as her formidable instincts had shown. Alexandria had reminded him of why she was so fit to unravel the puzzle he'd built. It was exhilarating to know he'd have to tread lighter from here, now that she had shown her worth as an adversary.

The silver lining of this rain presented itself as an inadvertent invitation to her home. It was all that he could wish for. Her sanctum, where she harbored the error in his plan. There wasn't much he could do to cover this up now, not without looking good for the murder himself, since he was the last person she told about it. Instead he was going to be helpful. All his academical branching could very well have prepared him to recognize the clue, without raising suspicion through insights on where the leaf might be from. The trees were native to that one area. She would find it sooner or later. It might as well be with his help. There should be a surprise in the shed for her, he decided with a smirk. The work he'd done on Liza required a specific set of tools, and he intended to leave them there for Lexi to find, since most of them were already deduced by the forensics team. Part of him also wanted her to know him through the equipment he used. How intimate they would become, when Alexandria held the things that a turned Liza into the spitting image of her own dream. Perhaps she could feel him on the handles of the scalpels, or smell the blood of her friend in the room?

"It's nice to meet you both." Steven had been more than happy to take her hand and shake it, applying pressure without being too obvious about it. He dealt with salesmen often, and a firm handshake was as important as not appearing like you tried too hard. Many men's men fell short of this discovery, and negatively affected their first impression. Large without being hulking, he remained standing as he looked down at her. "I wasn't going to do this like this, but I was just admiring you from where I sat." The green eyed girl would be able to detect confidence in his voice, and the way he hung his shoulder in the khaki jacket. "And I found you pretty." A glance at Ingram, who seemed more bothered by the fact that there was another person by their table than that this person was interested in Lexi. "But I didn't know how to tell you because you have company."

"That'd be my cue to get our orders." Ingram said, relief in his voice as he stood. Steven had already started waving his hand for the black haired man to sit down again, no trouble on his part, but the please eyes shot him down, and gestured for where he had sat. "Why don't you get to know this pretty woman, Steve?" he said as he was walking backward to reach the counter. "You'll take the usual, right, Lexi?" It was more to assure her she didn't have to get up as well. He had turned before she could answer. It would be enjoyable to see her in this situation. As students, many a male had gambled to see if they could win her attention while ignoring Ingram completely, at least this Steve had the decency to acknowledge him, and apologize for the intrusion.

Steve did sit down. This meeting had come about easier than he had thought, and he wasn't about to look a gift horse in the mouth. "Well, your friend seems friendly." he started as he kept his eyes on her, not really knowing if he should move the closed laptop in front of him or not. He decided against it, since it would be greedy to push his luck at this point. "So," he said, almost laughing. "This sort of feels like I imagine speed dating would feel like." He made sure to sit straight in the borrowed chair. "I'm Steven, but people call me Steve. I'm part owner of a delivery company and I'm obsessed with dogs but am too busy to get one. I have an incredible weakness to women who look like yourself and have a tendency to want to know them, sometimes at the price of me looking like a pushy jackass."
 
Alexandria was never one to worry about men. The brunette had her fun at the beginning of the University, yet was still a reserved young woman. She too had her fair share of shitty hookups that some actually wished to consider a relationship. But, that was years ago, and after graduating, the lovely woman found herself with little time to have interest in men. Her mother and sister would harp on her for it, even her loving father. 27 and still single, and honestly, she prefered that. Havinga family was the furthest from her mind and medapause was almost thirty years away. Though, despite her lack of interest in relationships at the current time, her sexual needs did get the best of her. That was what her bottom drawer was for. A quick thought crossed her mind, causing a soft laugh to escape.
Then, Ingram was leaving. Green eyes followed him with an unamused scowel. "Ingrim.. I do-.." He turned around causing her to narrow her eyes. Reluctantly, she turned back to the stranger man, the case slipping her mind for a moment. "Speed dating? That thought has never once crossed my mind so perhaps." The edge of her lip quirked up in a teasing smirk.

Steven was nervous, obviously. "Well, I can't say the same, haha. I'm a detective and well, I only have time for that. I highly enjoy the reptillian side of animals and well, men have givin' me no interest.. But, it's ok, we all have to look like a jackass at some point, right?" Alexandria winked, a light tone in her voice.
He was handsom, but, so were most men around her. Though, she was pretty sure she scared most men and that was a good thing. So, in her mind she comended him for having the balls to even come talk to her. The bonus being, unlike most, he actually acknowledged her male companion, Ingram.
 
Steven didn't know why the little laughter came out, but he thought there was something mischievous in her eyes just before the sound bubbled down her lips. He was as modest as any man with the properties to walk up to a woman already seated with another, and ask for a bit of her time, so he dared hope the laughter was for him. With the stroke of his ego came a stroke of his beard with one knuckle, and a sideways smirk. Her remark on speed-dating had been clever. He laughed in turn and felt the tension lighten on his part, settling in more comfortably in the already warm chair. "You should try it. A woman like you could pick and choose. Or so I hear." His expression left it up to her whether she believed he had tried it or not.

The wink was a good sign. "A detective? Is your friend a detective too?" he glanced over his shoulder. Ingram was still standing in line to get to the counter. "Sounds like exciting work." Steve remarked and nodded while sucking in his lower lip. The blue eyes now noticed the things on the table, and her line of work shed new light on what this meeting must be about. His eyebrows raises slightly, the chair suddenly less comfortable. "Am I interrupting police business? I'm sorry. I had no idea." There had been no real damage, he knew. He had seen and heard nothing, but it still felt much more like an inconvenience if they could be solving a crime instead of humoring one of her admirers. "I suppose you would rather talk with your friend on this..." He checked the closed computer and the equally closed files. "case?"

Ingram smiled to himself, still able to make out what was said during small stretches of silence in the increasing crowd of The Red. Save for the part that wanted to gut Steve with his nails and spread them around Alexandria as a warning for other suitors, he liked the way this man spoke. He dubbed himself a fair judge of what his friend would accept as attractive, and Steve fell within that category, unless he committed some horrible social taboo soon. From their time as student, she had gone home with a lot uglier and a lot worse behaved. The real fault of this Steve was that - he might be so clean that she could consider him boring. By the the time he had assessed this much, it was his turn to order. Despite what he had promised, there was no such thing as her usual, since The Red was known to have a varied menu. One beef and one chicken, so she could chose. The coffee order was easier.

The woman at the counter quickly jotted down his items and handed him a small rock with a wire sticking out of it, with the number twenty-three on the other end. This system was new. Looking around, her realized the waitresses must have delivered the wrong food to the wrong table one too many times in order for them to change something so integral. Good solution to a problem that could easily have cost them bad reviews. He huffed with a smile as he took a few steps aside to let the next person in the growing line order. It was his intention to give Steve a fighting chance, but he also needed to mark their table if they wanted to be fed. Looking over, Lexi didn't seem to suffer from the conversation.
 
"It's always nice when you can cheese things as you please." Aalexandria remarked, tinged with only a little sarcasm. At his question, she glanced over at Ingram. "No, not really. He's more of a collegue, he's a very wise individual." Her eyes shifted back to him and then the papers. Tgey were more or less neatly stuffed in folders, set under the heavy laptop.
Long legs shifted, crossing. "We were more or less just catching up. And yes, discussing a few things, but, it's ok. " Then Ingram was awkwardly standing next to the line. "I do think he has our food ordered, here, take this..." Her black inked pen scribbled numbers onto a napkin, then, she slid it to me. "Call me sometime... Perhaps we can meet up for coffee at a more cnvenient time?" Alexandria decided to give him a shot, it would be wrong to dismiss him so quickly.
 
So they were as platonic as Ingram had said. He had suspected and hoped as much, but going further without her saying so had to be a douche move of larger proportions than he was willing to stand for. Or at least worse than what he wanted to seem. Wise? Steve lingered on the word. Intelligent through experience, an old mind seasoned with much experience. What an odd choice of adjective. He figured that it might mean she and this Ingram were close, without being romantically involved. "He looks wise." Steve offered, but how would he know? So far he was just trying to be agreeable. To lend some credibility he looked back at the man, who was waiting by the counter. He almost felt bad for the guy. Good friend though, it seemed, to give her this kind of space in a crowded café. Should Steven leave?

She made it easier for him, giving him a way to exit without being rude. He was more excited about the napkin, though. Steve stood to take it, and remained standing as he looked at the note. He even stole a quick glance at her legs over the top of the paper, holding her number. "Wow. Today's a good day for me." He folded the means of contact and put it in the inside of his jacket. "And I will." Another smile as he walked around the table quickly, leaning down to hug her. It would have been awkward not to touch her before leaving, but perhaps the friendly hug had been too much? Would she even go for it. Steve excused himself finally by waving at Ingram, who hurried toward their table, number stand in hand.

"Get a room, you two." the raven haired said when he sat back down in the chair that had seen a lot of use since he first came in. It was a joke, but in usual Ingram jargon, he didn't let it be known by smiling. Alexandria hadn't been too excited about Steve, or put off either, so she'd still handed the man a napkin she doubtlessly put her number on. Or perhaps mail. He was inclined to guess on the former. It was an admirable part of her personality, not to count people out. It had given her a rich life so far. He scooted the number to the middle of the table, quite close to his computer, and made sure it was visible from the angle of the kitchen. By his guess the food would be done soon. It would be an informed estimation, too, since he used to be an often patron. To his surprise he was looking forward to eating here again. He should come more often.

"So, before any other princes come to whisk you away, what are your thoughts on The Creator?" he asked as he watched the door close behind Steven. Surely that guy would call. Ingram had read her report, but a lot of speculations and thoughts were not jotted down to be displayed for the scrutiny of superiors and co-workers. The hunches and gut feelings that detectives had were to be followed to real evidence, never be considered evidence on their own. It would be hard to get time away from other cases by crediting only a tingle. It was highly experimental too. No matter how meticulous a perpetrator was, they couldn't very well account for the sixth senses of their pursuers. "You were there, at the scene. How did it feel like?" He chewed on his lip as he thought about what words to use, pale eyes glistening distantly with the search. "What kind of being is The Creator?"

He sat back slightly, a play at standing up without the follow-through, as the waitress carried a large tray with their order on it to the edge of their table. She served Lexi first, and then him, automatically given him the darker meat. A small tug ruled his lips then, almost turning the smirk into a grin as an unruly and careless concept flitted through his mind. He decided to indulge. His hands came out when the waitress had left. "Yes. Pretend I'm The Creator." A freezing cold in his eyes, a vicious winter storm, asking you to come out of the warmth to explore a tundra ridden country that would surely be your death. But not, perhaps, without giving you some of its secrets to keep you company in your grave. "What kind of person am I?" He pushed his plate closer to hers, so she'd know to choose without him mentioning it. How aghast she would be to learn in the future, that she had been dining with her nemesis. "What would you say?"
 
Her arms stayed on the table with the light hug, her instinct finding it a bit too much contact for first meetings. Perhaps just a light hand shake would have sufficed. Ingram made his comment, causing her lip to twitch a little. "Oh, you're so funny Ingram, like always." Green eyes rolled in a more playful than rude way.
"What do I think? I... I think he's a psycopath who wants to b-" The waitress came out, setting down the food, causing the brunette to close her mouth. She gave the waitress a quiet thanks. Watchful eyes followed the busty server back into the kitchen before speaking. "I think he's a mad man who wants to be recognized for his creativity and intillect in a very.. dare I say it.. Fucked up manner." Pink lips gave a soft smile as he allowed her to choose, naturally picking the darker. Her knife cut into the cooked meat as she looked up at him. If he was the creator her fork would be lodged into his throat by now, but, she supposed that speaking her mind would be better first. She chewed a little and swallowed.
"Well, if you were The Creator, I'd tell you that I do acknowledge your... artistic ways.. but, doing so in a human is very, ironically, inumane. You're sick in the head, perhaps fell one to many times as a child?" She teased, stabbing her food with a sharp utinsel. "And.. I do believe you deserve the most painfully slow death I can think up of." Alexandria frowned and looked up at him. "Is that good enough for you, Ingram?" He was an old friend, yes, but, there was something there that bothered her. Perhaps it was the weather or too many people?
 
With the few glances Ingram stole for himself, sure not to send off something that seemed bothered or stressed, he watched Steve's back as the door eclipsed it. Inevitably, it was because the seat was spoken for, and again occupied. Oh, well, he'd done his best to get his friend a date. It wasn't good for her to be pent up, and quite frankly, everyone should get to do what got their blood rushing. He was no exception. The tangled web he fancied himself the spider in was just another thing in his own life that he did to feel satisfied. His needs were just -- a little more intricate than others. Harder to obtain, but - he'd bet - more gratifying. It was a strange way to justify it, if that was what he was doing, but a thought he often reverted back to when he examined how his desires met up with his believes.

After all, the things he did were the least possible suffering he could inflict on the world in order to reach his goal. He would call it mercy. And by that mercy Steven was gone, not passed, with fun encounter waiting for him in the future, thanks to this deviant's willingness to play a role in a suit that wasn't exactly his fit. Her pretty eyes rolled as his comment, and he smirked in response. He tasted some of the chicken, surprise to have it. That's what was so fun with Lexi, despite his ability to read people she could always, in some way, show him something he hadn't seen. He lifted the fork and looked at her as she spoke. He let her see that he was amused. "Fucked up?" he asked as he twitched his eyebrows once, teasing, despite the darkness in his snowy eyes. There was a red line in his chicken. All the better. Ingram bit into it and slid it over his teeth to let it rest against his cheek as he unsheathed the fork from between his lips. "I like that."

He shuffled the meat to be clutched between molars, it's fate of becoming smaller bits, saturated with saliva starting. Watching her eat was far more entertaining. He'd kissed those lips once, when they were trying to stay upright, after a party she had dragged him to. He'd been able to see through the fumes, but decided he wanted it. Every friendship should have its tests. Now those lips were handling food. He could understand why drawing attention to a glistening mouth would be such effective diversion. Primitive but profoundly eye catching. She increased her allure by spicing the insult. It was almost as if she knew, and spoke her mind under the veil that his question had lent her. If only that was possible at this juncture. Right now his actions were protected by their incompletion and thereby highly unlikely to be detected. Her intuition was sharp though. He shouldn't make assumptions.

"So, in your dark mind, Morrer, you could invent darker things than killing people with their hopes and dreams?" he challenged, making short work of the piece he was chewing on before swallowing it. He would love to dive into that skull of hers and dig out what evil she could conjure if she wanted to. In the end, he would see it. Everyone relents their shell at the edge of the fire. He tried not to think about it, that moment when she'd know and he'd revel in her knowledge. It was simply too distant, and the thought would be painful longing rather than anticipation. Until then, these small things were all he had. He tried the fries. Good but not with the trail of blood the chicken had. He drank more of his coffee. Odd, maybe, to drink this to their meals. Another remnant from when life had been stressful in different ways, when they were students. He did so regress, every time they spoke.

"Maybe not quite enough, no. This death you speak of" he started, wiping his mouth and setting his knife down, gesturing at her casually with his fork as if to dig out his own point from the air. It was nothing so innocent, of course. Truly, he was a predator of her kind, a creature that broke bread with its prey, pointing the sharp end of a utensil used to skewer things at her. The broadest part of the steel caught glitter from the surroundings, depicting the room in valved, tilted distortion. "would you care to expand for me what you mean?" He cut the fillet with the side of his fork and brought it to his mouth quickly. The chief had done a horrible job cooking this, much to Ingram's delight. He knew of the risk of eating like this, but the danger was endlessly small compared to the pleasure it provided. How long since he'd had blood on his tongue in a public place? Would she see the intensity of his eyes. Would she mistake the effects of his rushing blood for something else? She wouldn't be wrong, he supposed. If he'd ever try to seduce her, he'd imagine it would be with macabre topics.
 
The familar taste of seasoning and pepper filled her mouth as she continued eating. Within the past weeks having the energy or motivation, better yet, the time to pick up a fork and knife were few to come by. Ingram seemed to be in thought, much like healways was. She had always wondered what devious thoughts ran through his mind, perhaps his thoughts were over crowded like a New York substation. His attention seemed to be momentarily drawn to her lips, instinctively causing her to chew behind a stained napkin. And, one the destroyed meat had been swallowed, she spoke.
"Of course I could... No matter the person, sinner or saint, school girl of scholar, they are all capable of having all the most morbid thoughts. And.. Given my line of work, what I've seen in my lifetime, don't you think I could come up with something, Ingram?" Gently, the fork made a tinkering noise as it was rest on the pate. He didn't quite understand? What did he not understand.
"Ok... I.." Her fingers tapped the table a bit in thought. Green eyes seemed to shine vividly as the noon sun reflected off of metal into the resturaunt. "Perhaps you can be specific as to what I should go more in depht with? Other wise we may be sitting here for a few more hours." Alexandria looked to him before the silver watch on her wrist. "And I'm sure a man like you has places to be?" She wasn't sure what he did, after all they hadn't really kept in touch within the months. But, her mind found solace in the simple thought that he had a life and things to do to fill his time.
 
A childish disappointment inside when she covered her lips, working with the rest of her oral cavity, to make short work of the the piece of meat she'd deposited in there. He had another piece of his own food, enjoying the center of blood. A thought flitted to breaking her lips, some how, gently and kiss her until she fainted. He wondered if she would enjoy it on impact, or if it would have to be a required taste. How for was any human being from what he was, if they could all be civilized, and cook other creatures on the planet. Necessity, they said, and practicality. He would agree to those things. But the culinary arts were a science. Sweeten here, spice there. To say the human capacity for apathy toward death was great, would be to undersell.

But this wasn't any other person, going about their life, living from pleasure to pleasure, was it? No, he thought in the parody of a setting, his apex nature residing in a closed space with pray, this wasn't a deer. If anything she was the queen of his forest. Some strong body, built for running but also for defense. If it was in his nature to hunt, it was in her nature to protect. And protectors also have weapons, don't they? He had the impulse to feed her. Ah, but that would come soon enough, wouldn't it? This was simply another part of everything they would share. A last lick of iron before the chicken disappeared down his gullet. He had some coffee while he listened to her talk about the capacity of dark musings of people.

He smirked, a bit of shadow under his right eye, which made that the most truthful. There was always a large contrast between his pale eyes and the things that decided to line them, be it less bright lighting, shade or his bent forest of lashes. The few time he'd employed his beauty in his nightly activities, it had been effective. So to the point where he didn't find it a sport anymore. He longed to show himself to Alexandria, though. What would she think, of that reveal? And in turn, how would he feel, when he laid her bare, with or without her consent. He'd always like to think that some sentiment would take over in the last moment, perhaps overwhelm him to become that fabled hero, stronger than hos own urges. How could it be so, though, when the beauty of demise always eclipsed the fairness of Good's victory.

"Since you put it like that, I suppose I must rephrase. What then, Lexi of the dark mind, who has seen so much, would you do to The Creator, if you were to design his punishment?" There was playful mockery in his voice, which meant it was almost ceremoniously serious. He enjoyed teasing her. That part of his presented person had never been an act. She had always taken it well, since it was all based on camaraderie, anyway. Her eyes on fire, she asked for more details on his question, and he was more than happy to oblige. What a treat it would be, to listen to the structures of her vengeance. Any enforcer of the law will at some point try to create their own system. Now, what had she thought out of frustration when the current devices in place to protect the masses had failed her?

"What would you make him feel? What would you say to him? And then, what would you do in order to make him feel these things?" It would be intimate, wouldn't it, if she somehow would get the better of him, in the final stages, where she would have lost so much to his construct. Her pure mind, her virgin murderous intent. He would look at it and see through her. But what would he see? It would be inevitable, her desire to hurt him, and in that moment she would know him fully, but would the remnants of her current self be enough to take her back. If his failure looked like that, he would enjoy it still, without any bitterness. In the end, it was all to seduce her into her true form. And that would have been so, if she was the one to end him, at the zenith of things.
 
Many times through out her short career she had thought of this. Each criminal deserved his own crimes, meaning, what goes around comes around. Her throat shifted as the meat slid down it, she wiped her mouth, unceremoniously with the back of her hand. "Hm. Well, I'd restrain his body, his sound, his sight, I'd make him sit there in complete emptiness. Perhaps his mind can only stay in it's current sanity for so long. Eventually he may just go nuts. Maybe... maybe he'd ask for death and I wouldn't allow it. I'd make him sit there in his mind for as long as he can live." That was all she could think of, setting a creative mind in a setting where they can do nothing, see, hear, touch, express nothing.

"I would want him to feel the nothingness, I'd want him to indulge in the pride he must have for getting away with these. I want those previous thoughts to replay beneath those eyelids.. over.. and over.." She gently moved aside sweet peas. Her voice had trailed off in thought. Perhaps it sounded to gruesome? "Or... I'd simply break every bone in his body until he dies. He deserves to feel pain for such sick things he's done." Alexandria gave a simple laugh before looking at her watch. "Shit.. Hey, I need to go back to work in about fifteen minutes. I'll call you when you've been approved for clearance, ok?" She gently smirked, brushed some hair aside and reached in her jacket pocket. Quickly, ten bucks was pulled out and tossed across the table. "I'll pay you the rest for lunch later, I don't usually carry cash on me." Alexandria began to frantically gather her things, fearing she would be late. "And.. again.. Ingram, thank you for even picking up the phone last night." Her voice was calm and sincere as vivid green eyes looked over to the man. He was handsom, as if an inhuman creature from an old painting.
 
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