"..." Adjutor considers the statement for a moment, then allows a slight chuckle, "And here I was thinking you were incapable of humor. Ah well, I suppose it's a bit too early for a fight right now anyway. Actually, I think I'll be saying farewell for now. It would probably be a good idea to see if I can get a new job, and I've got an idea that should be perfect..."
With that, Adjutor turns, looks around for the nearest shadow, and slips into it, making his way to the room Forest allotted for him and leaving a note saying he was heading to the Police station to see if he could land himself another job tacked to the front of the door before gathering up the Elementals, taking a moment to adjust to the awkward arrangement of their sheathes on top of his new outfit, before slipping into the nearest shadow and making his way back into the city.
Some time later, he finds himself in front of a somewhat modest building that really can't be anything other than a police station, though the vehicles vary a bit more than what one would expect, from police cruisers to...is that a broomstick? Shaking his head in minor disbelief, Adjutor makes his way inside, finding himself subconsciously evaluating the general condition of the police station, the placement of any nearby officers, any visible armaments, the general level of cleanliness before he steps forward to the officer behind the main desk.
"Hello," he says evenly, "I'm here to see if I can offer my services as a consultant."
The officer behind the desk, seemingly enraptured by what are likely displays linked to every nearby camera in the building, takes a moment to look up at the teen, then looks him over for a moment before saying, "Kid, you don't just up and join the force out of nowhere, let alone become a consultant."
"Well, what do have to do to join?"
"Well," the officer stands up and looks Adjutor over for a moment, "What are you good at?"
"Hunting," Adjutor says without hesitation.
"Hunting what?"
"Any that so happens to be my prey."
The officer stops for a moment, then takes a better look at the teen.
"You good with those swords?"
"They're not swords, but yes."
"...whatever. No magic?"
"I don't really like using it, but yeah."
"..." the officer takes a moment to consider all of this, then sits back down and activates an intercom.
"I've got someone here who says they want to help out. Probably a bit excessive, but you guys might want to take a look."
The intercom barks an affirmative, and both the officer and the person on the other end sign off.
A few moments pass before another officer emerges from one of the hallways.
"Riggs," the receptionist officer says, "Show the kid to the back, you've been here long enough to know what to do."
The officer, apparently 'Riggs' looked Adjutor over for a moment, before saying, "You're kidding, right? We're accepting emo-looking Saber copycats now? I mean, one sword is fine, but four?"
Not-Riggs, clearly a senior officer, gives Riggs a look to which said junior officer merely offers begrudging acceptance, "Fine. Come on, newblood."
Adjutor opens his mouth to object to the moniker, but thinks better of it, following Riggs back into the office, past all manner of people, some with magical capabilities, some without, and a few who weren't quite human in the first place, including an attractive fae(judging by the ears) and a man who, while he didn't look like he was a member of the force, had definitely seen better days, even discounting the rather powerful looking spirit that seemed to be part of him on a deeper level than his own bond to Xarrest.
Just attractive? Please tell me you're this is you making an effort to ignore that she's just straight up hot.
Even if I was, this doesn't seem like the best place to be ogling every ass you can.
Hey now, I'm perfectly within rights to appreciate curves like that.
With that, Adjutor pointedly looks away from the fae.
Dammit, Adjutor! At least tell me you're going to introduce yourself.
We didn't come here to ogle pretty girls, we came here for a job.
The fae seemed to be gushing over some one she refers to as the 'Law Unto Herself'. This, combined with the occasional mention of someone who goes by Saber, leads Adjutor to believe that his current hostess might be the person referred to by the fae. He certainly wouldn't put it beyond a vampire to be strong enough to go toe-to-toe with werewolves, though 'punching them into oblivion' might be a bit of an exaggeration.
Riggs leads him past all of these as they go deeper into the station. At this point, Adjutor notes that the increased frequency of people with magic abilities, equipment, or both.
"Here you are, newblood," Riggs says, "Have fun."
With that, Riggs leaves Adjutor alone amongst the well-equipped serious looking people.
The general hubbub dies down slightly as the people start to notice the new arrival, with one of them leaving his colleagues to approach the teen.
"You the new guy who thinks he can just walk in and land a consultancy?" the gruff voice queries, hard eyes sizing the teen up as the others go about their business.
"I just want to help however I can," Adjutor admits, having to restrain the urge to take a step back under that gaze.
"If you wanted to help, you would have just gone in as one of the boy in blue. But no, you wanted a more flexible schedule, mercenary pay, whatever, and you got handed to us. So, what can you do?"
"Umm...well, I can Hunt things," Adjutor says.
"'Hunt' he says," the Elite says, "You'll have to be more specific than that, meat. But first, a rite of passage to see if you can even match up to what you'll have to deal with as a merc on our level."
...Oh fuck.
"First, you'll go on patrol for a day with one of us. No bitching, and you follow our rules as much as you can or as the officer you're assigned to tells you. You will follow every order of the officer as if it were the word of whatever higher power you follow, and you will observe the officer at work. You will only involve yourself if things go south. Fortunately for you, things tend to go south a lot on patrol. Make it through the patrol while fulfilling the above conditions, and you're in and you're on our level. Do I make myself clear?"
Adjjutor stares at the man for a moment, then quickly nods his affirmative.
"Yes or no, meat!" the man barks, getting a flinch out of Adjutor, "Unless you're forced to make hand-signs, you will respond to my queries and orders verbally! You haven't earned the right to work under me, so don't bother saying sir."
"Yes," Adjutor says, still feeling a bit nervous.
"Good. Now," he turns back to the other people before calling, "Elites! Is there anyone still unaccounted for?!"
There is a moment of silence as assignments are checked and records reviewed, when one of them calls out, "Only one officer not on duty, on leave, or currently present. One Noel Vermillion."
"Well now," the gruff man says with a chuckle that inspired the slightest bit of terror in Adjutor, "Looks like we know who's baby-sitting you, meat."
A round of knowing chuckles passes amongst those present before being swiftly silenced by a single stern glare from the man who was likely the department head.
"Stein!" he barks as a lithe man with stitches all over his face and clothing straightens up, "If Vermillion isn't here within exactly fifteen minutes, call her and tell her about her new assignment!"
"Sir!" the stitched man says, making his way back over to his station.
"As you were," the department head says, the assembled Elites returning to their previous tasks as the general hubbub starts up again.
"You," the head says, turning back around to Adjutor, "I'd suggest you get ready for a long day. Enjoy your last quarter hour of freedom, for you will be thrown bodily into the crucible that is the Nexus soon, and don't come back here until you've proven yourself."
Adjutor stares at the man for a moment, then backs away a few steps before turning around and leaving.
...We have faced down wizards, warriors, and beasts of too many kinds to remember, and this guy, in my personal opinion, is fucking terrifying!
...I...don't think I have anything to add to that. Seeing as we're going to be enjoying ourselves, perhaps we could go back to that Fae and the guy with the creepy ass guardian angel?
That would certainly pass the time, at the very least.
With that, Adjutor makes his way back to the main area of the station, making his way over to the two, but not coming close or saying anything yet.
