Tense Conversations: Nakul ~ Thursday 8/31/4175

Nakul snaked through the streets of the undercity. His hooves barely made a noise as they met the cold, wet pavement. He ducked under debris left from when the new upper levels of the city were constructed. Capenna-Center District’s original city lay derelict miles below the bustling metropolis above. The humans had built it to escape the plant life on earth’s surface, only to one day discover they hadn’t built it high enough. Creeping vines had climbed the towers and skyscrapers below and managed to worm their way into ducts and tunnels. Rather than clear them out, the humans had come to a simpler solution. Taking after some other human city in the past, they built a new and improved skycity right overtop the old one. Leaving everything and everyone down here to rot. When the LDC burned down years ago, many of the rogue ‘bucks took roost in the ‘undercity’, still too wary of humans to travel higher. 

Nakul didn’t blame them. Humans had proven themselves untrustworthy too many times. There’d been one exception, years ago. And right now he forced himself not to think of her, the wrinkled face or the gentle caress of gossamer hands against his cheek. 

He prowled the dark alleys and the former subway. If anybody saw him, they pretended they didn’t. His coat was so near pitch black, had it not been for his orange horns and hooves, he may have simply been a shadow. Many people from the city proper would whisper his name in fear. They spoke of his misdeeds and plastered shaky camera footage of him on wanted ads and headlines. But he made his way undaunted. He knew his presence kept most of the real monsters at bay.

The warehouse before him wasn’t much different from the one he and his sister lived in. It was old and the concrete was cracking where the foundation had started to sag. He slipped under the chain link fence, unbothered by the plethora of do-not-enter signs. Crossing the open parking lot and climbing the steps three at a time, he entered the headquarters of the Copper Moths Syndicate. A hundred thoughts raced through his mind. But he drowned them out, burying them below the surface of his mind. Worrying was of little use here. 

As expected, there was an attendant waiting for him. The strange looking buck watched him with an unreadable expression. He stood in his humanoid form, outfitted in a stylish black suit. His short hair was shaggy but well kept. He swished his cat-like tail and waited expectantly.

Nakul hated using his humanoid form. It made him feel weak and exposed. That, and he never quite knew how to tell if he looked acceptable. Gnash had spent an annoying amount of time fussing over him in her half delirium. Fumbling with his clothes so they looked just right, tousling his hair and doing her best to get the one unruly lock to lay with the rest. She would be upset to find it hadn’t.

Nakul flexed his shoulders and nodded a greeting to the other ‘buck. Watching as he pulled a black paw-like hand from his pocket, Nakul waited for a reply. He got little more than a blink of acknowledgement from the shorter ‘buck. He turned on his hooved feet and led Nakul away into the dark corridors of the warehouse. Nakul fidgeted with his hands as he watched the strange ‘buck’s hooved feet gracefully click against the broken tiles on the floor. He’d known about them for years. But even still seeing Buckleos in the flesh gave him that uncanny-valley feeling. Familiar enough, but once you start looking closer you notice what’s off. For Nakul, it was worse knowing there was nothing off about them, it was with him. A tremor rippled through his spine. They exited the hall where the suited buckleo stepped to the side and motioned Nakul forward.

“Well, well. If it isn’t the most wanted criminal in CCD. Welcome!” Called the leader of Capenna-Center’s largest organized crime syndicate.

He was an imposing figure in every way; appearance, title and action. He was the ‘Death’s Head’, as the Copper Moths called him. And while young for a Buckleo he was more than capable of doing the jobs that needed to be done. His blue eyes followed Nakul’s movement through the room, white crosses for his pupils narrowing as he approached. He stood in his feral form, a sight entirely foreign to Nakul. The buckleo that had walked him in was strange enough, with the paws and hooves swapped around. Flynn was something else entirely. He had four paws, and his front were outfitted with claws of a lethal nature, and he had rounded cat-like ears with a notch in his left. Spiraling from a set of blue scales on his shoulders were plumes of blue flames. There’d been a special name for the ones like that, but Nakul was so caught up in that uneasy feeling he couldn’t remember it.

“Do you know why we called you in?” Flynn’s voice was jovial and he smiled around neat white teeth.

“No, sir.”

Flynn chuckled merrily and tossed is head in the direction of the stairs that lead to the observation deck. Nakul followed obediently, hoping none of the ‘bucks attending could tell his brows were knit with worry instead of annoyance. Praying they couldn’t read his mind. The Savager afraid of a meeting? That’s rich. He crossed the threshold that had once been the warehouse floor and proceeded up the steel stairs. The observation area had been somewhat repurposed into a make-shift living space. Flynn addressed the others in the room with a nod and turned to look back at Nakul.

“Come have a seat, make yourself comfortable.”

Nakul gave a gruff “Thanks.” and sat in the chair nearest to him. Only then noticing that it was one of two positioned on the other side of the group of ‘bucks. 

Flynn took his place directly beside Nakul and gave a look to the bored looking ‘buck that had accompanied Nakul in. 

“Well, without further adieu, let's get this show on the road? To make introductions quick-” Flynn began to nod to everyone in attendance, though Nakul got the feeling the only stranger was himself.

“Judge Kreed,” An intense looking buckleo who wore a mask to cover his lower face but who’s golden eyes were made all the more piercing by their black sclera. “Our personal weaponsmith. Every gun, bullet and blade of ours comes directly from him.”

“Evryn DarkTide,” an unusual conglomeration of SolarMech and ‘buck parts. She grinned wide in anticipation. Nakul couldn’t help but notice the portion of her lower jaw that was outfitted with black metal. “She’s our very own Gunslinger.”

“You’ve already met Graves,” The buckleo with the perpetually calm expression that shifted between hues of somewhat bored to slightly annoyed. He’s the one who walked him in. “He’s my right hand man, and the best sniper this place is ever gonna see.”

“Niko,” He was referring to the pretty doe who looked almost too pleasant to be trustworthy. She seemed almost out of place amongst the more obvious members. “Head of espionage-” That explains it. “-and my personal assistant.”

“And last but not least we have you. The Skycity Savager.” Flynn exposed his teeth in what Nakul guessed he meant as a friendly smile. 

“If I’m honest,” Spoke the spy, her voice bright and clear, “You’ve been the topic of enough discussion for us. It’s good to finally place a name to the face.”

The weaponsmith made a sound and all eyes turned to him.

“Oh? Kreed, you have a thought?” it had clearly piqued Flynn’s interest.

“You can think?” The scratchy voice of the doe was accentuated by the solarmech jaw plate clanging closed over her teeth as the ‘buck clipped her chin with his knuckles playfully.

“Quiet, runt.” The weapon smith was clearly the oldest of the group, and when he spoke it commanded the kind of attention an action hero in a movie might get. All eyes turned to him. And his were staring intently at Nakul, forming daggers if they could. 

“How do we know this is him?”

Nakul tried his best to not show how he froze at that moment. He’d fought a dozen humans, killed most of them too, and had been in and out of capture and experimented on above a host of other horrors. But something about sitting in a room with the inner circle of the crime syndicate- especially one who had its roots buried so deep into the guts of a city it didn’t know it even existed- the kind of organization that could simply make you disappear and nobody would come looking for you- it froze him to his marrow. He was beyond nerves and stress. Exactly where he needed to be to proceed.

Nakul answered by pulling out the handful of IDs and badges from a hidden pocket of his jacket. Letting them fall onto the table and fan out as they landed. 

Evrynn let out a lone note of a whistle. “That’s one hell of a collection.”

“Ah, a trophy collector I see, nice.” Flyn nodded in approval while Niko set to work comparing the names with a page in the folder on her lap.

“I don’t do trophies.” Nakul replied. When eyes glanced at the table he continued. “None of them were worth remembering. But I don’t let people take my name for credit and I don’t bluff. I’m exactly who I say I am.”

“And who is that?” Spoke the buckleo still standing at the door.

“Nakul.”

“Oh, interesting play on your LBIN number. It’s a nice touch.” Niko sounded genuinely excited. She was of course referring to the leather cord and metal tag clasped onto his left ankle. N4-K11. The thing he received instead of a name from the place that made him.

The entire time, Judge Kreed’s eyes remained on Nakul. Narrowing as he spoke. 

“So what’s yer’ deal? Just go around killing humans for the fun of it? Fancy pluckin’ off the rich ones? What’s the game?”

“Not a game when bucks are in cages waiting for death or worse.” Nakul narrowed his own glare back. At least this time it seemed to have an effect.

The older buckleo managed a laugh. “Ahh. So we got a freedom fighter then. How cute.”

Nakul’s tail made an angry leap that he tried to control, looking like a peeved cat.

Judge Kreed continued to stare, and his eyes alone told Nakul the kind of smug look he hid under that black mask. Masks were for the weak, too afraid to be seen showing how they really feel. But Kreed didn’t look weak. And Nakul had never needed a mask before.

“Okay, calm it down. We’re all here for the same reason.” Flynn reassured. “Nakul, I asked if you knew why I invited you over earlier. It’s ‘cuz we're thinking of expanding.”

Nakul raised his brow. “And? What’s it got to do with me?”

“Look, the whole Kaeraa thing has everybody in an uproar. A lot of us are coming out of the woodwork and making ourselves known.” He was talking about how the arrival of some of those even weirder looking buckleos have caused the others to flush up like quail. “We think it’s about time that so do we.” Flynn said.

“The Syndicate hides behind a public front.” Niko said. “We operate as a weapons manufacturer, I assume you've heard of Dauntless Industries?”

Nakul nodded. “You want a known criminal to work for your gun company?”

Evryn laughed heartily alongside Flynn. ‘Hell no! That’d be bad for business! We want you in the hunters circle.” At this her grin widened.

“Dauntless is both a front and a way to help aid the resistance openly. We need the front to protect those behind the scenes focused on preventing humans from mistreating ‘bucks of all varieties.” Flynn put an emphasis there. “And we need it even more now to back the resistance. Some of the humans are posing the idea to let the Kaeraa wipe us out, blaming our kind for bringing the plants that took over their world in the first place. Dauntless hold a pivotal role in turning that tide. We arm the militaries and private citizens. They see us supporting the rebels they’ll follow.”

“Or they’ll find a new manufacturer.” Nakul countered.

Flynn nodded. “That’s why we’re planning to make a public appearance. Win their hearts with a little song and dance and a half truth sad backstory to win over every little granny’s hearts.”

“But to do that, we need to fill in the roles for Flynn, Niko and Graves.” Kreed added.

“The operations you’ve stopped were ones on our high priorities list. The kind of jobs we planned to take care of ourselves.” Niko began.

“And dude, you didn’t even save any for us when we got there!” Evryn exploded in excitement, standing from her seat and pacing back and forth, going on a tangent about the spectacular kills and the carnage he’d left behind. “You did all that, all that, on your own! That’s impressive!” She sat back down, her shark-like tail thrashing against Kreed’s knees and making him shuffle to the very edge of the couch.

“Surely you realize how important it is that you’ve got her vote?” Kreed thrust a thumb at her.

“I wasn’t alone. My sister,” Nakul began.

“Oh yes, Gnash is it?” The fact Niko knew her name filled Nakul’s chest with worry. 

Flynn caught the change in his expression the second it existed. “Don’t worry, we’re not expecting her to join. And we’re not going to hold her over you’re head to twist your arm. We’ve got her in footage from some of the crime scenes. Niko just happened to track her down recently. Y'all hide your tracks pretty well.”

“Not well enough.” Nakul muttered.

“We thought we’d make you this offer personally, since it seems we’re working for the same end goal. You’d be doing exactly what you’ve been doing. You’ll just have added support.”

“And a global entity to help hide your activities.” Niko added.

“Better guns, better weapons.” Kreed nodded in agreement.

“And a shit ton of bombs!” Evryn chimed in. Kreed  gave her a withering look.

“Ultimately, it’s your call.” Graves spoke up. Finally coming to join them by standing at Flynn’s side. “But for what it’s worth, I think its in your best interest to take the job. If things get… Sticky,” he paused for emphasis, “with those you associate with. We’re already working on a way to exonerate you of your crimes. After all, most were done to save the life and wellbeing of others, and more so not all of them were yours. Were they?”

Nakul had underestimated this ‘buck. The poker face he wore showed no trace of any emotion aside from mild boredom. But his words were laced with venom. The ind that told you he always knew more than you let on. 

“Every kill is mine.” Nakul pointed to the tags Niko had politely piled neatly on the table.

“Yes. But not the earlier ones.” Graves didn’t break eye contact

Nakul felt his composure slipping under the weight of his past. Memories flooded his mind faster than he could dismiss them. Reaching for him like decaying hands trying to pull him back into their briny depths.

“Lancaster was a terrible human.” Graves went on. “You did the right thing. Sorry about Miriam, though. She sounded like a wonderful old woman.”

In the second it took for Nakul to rise to his feet, Judge Kreed and Evryn had placed themselves defensively between Graves and Nakul.

“Low blow, short-stuff.” Evryn rounded on Graves.

“If ‘e can’t handle a little hell he’s got no business with us.” Kreed fired back.

“I don’t need or want your pty.” Nakul sneered. “I just don’t want anyone else living through the shit he put me through. And I didn’t even get the worst of it.” He’d phased out of his humanoid form for his feral. If he was going to be pushed into a fight, he was going to do so the way he preferred.

“Which is why you're a perfect edition.” Flynn rose to his feet too and stepped around Evryn to stand square with Nakul. “I want you on our team.”

Nakul looked at Flynn for a moment considering. Then looked over his shoulder at Graves. “I’ll think about it.”

Flynn seemed to somewhat deflate. It clearly wasn’t the answer he was hoping for. “That’s reasonable. I can give you a week for your decision. In the meantime, all I ask s you don’t go around spreading this anywhere. You get why.”

Nakul nodded once. “I keep to myself.”

“Flynn,” Niko tried to add in but dropped it with a sigh as she watched the Death’s Head jog to catch up with Nakul, who’d turned and already begun to leave.

“Good one Graves.” Evryn growled. “Thought we agreed the old woman was a sore spot and to leave it alone.”

“We did.” Niko said with an exhale as she tried to compose her annoyance.

Graves’ face remained unmoved. “My apologies. I thought he required assistance.”

Kreed rubbed the space between his brows. “Well, yeah. But maybe not that kind? Probably should have swung the ‘we can help your sister keep out of trouble and get a better apartment.’ route first.”

Graves blinked. “He’ll take the offer.”

They all looked at him incredulously. 

“He’ll want to protect the girl.” He explained.

“His sister’s already pretty well taken care of.” Niko countered.

“Not the girl I'm talking about.”

Nakul nosed open the window and slipped inside. It was raining in the overcity, meaning the streets were a foggy mess. Most of the citizens in this part of the city outskirts were in bed or winding down for tomorrow’s work day. He shook himself off in the shower and made his way down the hall to the bedroom in the back. The aging cat squeaked at him as he scrubbed his head gently with his fingers, half waking him from his slumber on his perch.

Allesenna lay in her bed, curled up under the blankets. He’d wondered if he should wake her. Part of him doubted it was even a smart idea to come here, now knowing the Copper Moths had been keeping tabs on him. He was sure an Anti-Human group would have a field day with the intel that the Skycity Savager was soft for a human nurse. But his mind had been racing since Graves opened his stupid dead-pan mouth and there was nothing he could do to stop it or ease the storm surging around inside his skull. Save for one thing.

He lay beside her, doing his best not to disrupt the peaceful dream he envisioned her having. She stirred a moment and he mumbled an apology for waking her. She rolled over, throwing the comforter over him and burying her face into his collar. She was small for a human, feeling even smaller when filling the empty space against his chest. Times like these had become precious to him in the two years since they met. She was precious to him. And he’d known since he was summoned to the Copper Moths that he was willing to do whatever it takes to keep her safe. Everything in his power to keep moments like this alive.

In the morning he’d wake up, make her a pot of coffee and breakfast. And when he was sure they were safe, he’d tell her about the Moths. About the danger this would pose to her, and everyone around him. And then he kissed her goodbye as she left for the clinic with her brother.

And while she was safe at work, he’d return to accept the offer from the Moths, with a caveat he couldn’t be talked down on. He’d join them, but they needed to protect her with their lives as fiercely as he would. Because as long as he was alive, he wouldn’t let anyone lay a hand on her, and if they expected him to fill in their places, he expected them to do the same. No exceptions.