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Post by skyeknight on Jan 31, 2017 15:50:35 GMT
"Anna, wait, I don't think it's a good idea to go after them this late at night!" Axel protested.
She didn't listen. She probably never would. She was headstrong and independent. She probably never faced a problem that she couldn't get past with sheer determination alone. Two of her Other co-workers would be nothing under her sheer force of will alone. She paid and headed out the door. Frustrating little creature. The drinks had probably impaired her a little more than she had anticipated. Next time he would certainly pull his punches.
If there was going to be a next time.
His eyes flickered over to the table that had been watching her. They got up behind her, paying their tabs as they did, not even waiting for one of his waitresses to drop by the check. They probably stiffed the girls their tips anyways. He shook his head, silently daring them to do it, eyes narrowing and anger starting to sizzle beneath his skin. He would crush them if they did. They followed her out. Nothing but bad intentions for the young medical examiner. Swearing profusely, Axel leapt over the bar top with ease. Those guys had set him on edge. And normally, at this point he would have called the police but the only thing that was going through his mind was that if they hurt her, they would all burn.
"Lacey, take over. I'm going out."
He headed out, keeping at a distance. He never ever followed Anna home and he really hoped he was just getting the wrong vibe from these guys. He was seldom wrong when alcohol was involved but there was always a first for everything.
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Post by neverlandlostgirl on Feb 4, 2017 6:04:40 GMT
Anna wasn't even aware that she was in danger at that time. No, rather her mind was focused on other things and her eyes only took in the sidewalk before her as she made her way down the road and back towards her apartment where she could get organized. She knew that the first thing to do was to actually talk to Shadow and the only way to do that was to find him. She had a feeling he hadn't left Bellerouge and knew him well enough to have some possible ideas as to where he had gone.
As she strolled along with her purse swinging lightly from her arm, she hummed a happy tune. Behind her, the group of young men continued to follow at a short distance, there eyes never leaving her and carefully watching for the right opportunity.
Anna walked several blocks with the men following. It wasn't until she turned down a side street, a section quieter then the rest and with several of the streetlights out, that the men made their move. Immediately they picked up the pace so that soon they were only a few feet away from Anna before one of them called out.
"Hey there."
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Post by skyeknight on Feb 4, 2017 17:32:56 GMT
Axel was muttering darkly under his breath. He never should have let her go on her own. He should have grabbed her when she decided to go out, hailed her a cab and sent her home. She was just asking for trouble, going out on her own. Drunk no less. And when she started to walk into a not-so-nice part of town, Axel wanted to scream. He would have words with her, once he scared off the losers who thought they could just go into his bar and pick out some 'victim' for their fun. Especially since it was Anna.
He could feel his hands growing hot. The fire burning beneath his skin was harder to contain. He knew that his no blaze streak was going to die that night. At least it wouldn't be the stubborn redhead. That stubborn stupid woman who just seemed to think the best of everyone that she encountered. The men caught up with her easily. Axel stuck to the shadows. He couldn't throw the first punch. He knew that. If the police got involved, then he would be the instigator. He couldn't do that to Anna. A pair of chakrams appeared in a blaze, hidden from the alley he had ducked down. He could throw them fast enough to keep them from doing anything.
"Don't you fucking dare," he uttered darkly, but they wouldn't hear him.
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Post by neverlandlostgirl on Feb 6, 2017 3:00:46 GMT
Anna paused and turned towards the voice, an innocently confused look on her face. Immediately the young men formed a loose circle around her, the smirks growing on their faces as the guy who had called out stepped slightly closer to her. He had dirty blonde hair with dark brown eyes and might have been considered attractive under different circumstances, but despite the smile on his lips his manner was far from friendly.
"Hey, what's a pretty little thing like you doing out on the streets all by yourself?"
His friends snickered and continued to stand around Anna, their eyes growing hungrier. One of the gave a low wolf-whistle and another licked his lips suggestively. Anna, however, seemed perfectly at ease despite the fact that it was clear she was in a dangerous situation. She tilted her head slightly, the smile still on her face as she spoke in a perfectly friendly voice.
"Walking home, of course! After all, Bellerouge is a free city and I can go wherever I want."
"Sure you wouldn't like some company? After all, you could run across some nasty characters being out on your own. Maybe even some monsters..."
The guy's smile could only be described as wolfish as by some unspoken word all the men moved in closer. And yet still the pleasant and easy air around Anna didn't falter.
"Oh don't worry. I've dealt with monsters before and I know how to handle them just find, cupcake."
Suddenly, a look of brief confusion spread across each of the men's faces at Anna's words. The one who had spoken to her, clearly the leader of the group, merely stared at her blankly for a second before his pale face turned bright red at being called a cupcake.
"Grab her!"
But Anna was suddenly a blur of motion even before the blonde-man finished his words. The silence of the street was suddenly shattered by a crunching sound instantly followed by a high-pitched scream. The sound was coming from the leader, who looked down through a sheet of agony to see Anna's foot firmly planted in his crotch. As soon as her foot dropped away, the man sank to his knees and put his hands over the crotch of his jeans. His comrades merely stared in complete shock for one second, two, three... Finally, the blonde man started to scream, his face contorted into a twisted mask of pain and fury.
"YOU BITC...."
However, he didn't get to finish his remark before Anna had followed up with a resounding kick to the side of the man's head. The blonde's head rocked to the side and his face immediately connected with the brick wall to his right side with a sharp crack. The guy crumpled to the ground without another sound while Anna turned towards the four men still left standing and staring, her legs spread out for balance and her hands up in a perfect defensive stance.
"So...anyone else?"
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Post by skyeknight on Feb 6, 2017 3:38:16 GMT
He had been right about their intentions for her, particularly when one whistled. Fire broke out along his skin, this time he was unable to contain it. He didn’t even care if they could see him. He stepped out of his ‘hiding spot’ and raised his weapons, prepared to strike. Hurt them, make them suffer, burn them all, it just echoed under his skin and he honestly didn’t feel like fighting that urge. Not when they were patrons from his bar and not when one of the people they were attacking was someone that Axel himself was fond of. Anna had been a great regular to the bar, always funny, always unpredictable, and now to see this?
Just as the men tried to jump her, just as his weapon was raised to leave his hands, Anna kicked the guy in between the legs, causing even the demon to wince. Particularly when the man hit a note that could only be described as a squeal. Very unbecoming. Though it brought forth a surge of pride and relief. Anna could take care of herself, if they were human, but he wasn’t going to take any more chances. They already had too many of those already. He would make them suffer if they tried anything else that night. That was a promise.
"Now, boys, I suggest you leave the lady alone." Axel mocked. "Before she loses her temper."
He stepped up, walking casually despite the fact his weapons completely visible, fire burning around his hands. Ironic that he was going to have to step in and play good ‘cop’. Despite the way his tone hinted at teasing, there was the threat that if they lingered, he would take action. The weapons alone should have sent them running, and perhaps the weapons if they weren’t too drunk to realize what he was or what he could do to them if they didn’t comply.
"Or before I lose mine." He snarled.
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Post by neverlandlostgirl on Feb 6, 2017 5:05:10 GMT
The men had continued to stare at her in complete dumbfounded silence for several more seconds before they seemed to rouse themselves. Immediately their expressions turned to looks of rage. Three of them balled their fists and inched towards her while the last reached into his pocket and pulled out a small knife.
Uh oh.
Anna managed to keep her face calm but knew she would need to be extremely careful. If there was one thing she had going for her, it was the fact that these pathetic excuses for men probably thought she was just some timid, silly girl who couldn't defend herself. After all, that was most likely why they had come after her in the first place.
Thankfully, she'd undergone extensive defense training with the BPD and knew a thing or two about how to protect herself. On top of that, her family had signed her up for a number of personal defense courses ever since she was a teenager. But while she had managed to subdue one of the assailants before they could attack, she was still outnumbered and at least one of the men was armed with a knife.
The men tensed, obviously preparing to charge her all at once and overpower her. She was just debating on if she should try to break away and run for help when suddenly a voice spoke as a figure rapidly approached them.
Anna allowed her gaze to dart briefly away from her attackers to the source of the voice. Immediately she recognized the form of Axel. However, her eyes dropped to his hands and immediately she felt her own jaw drop in surprise. The bartender's hands were completely engulfed in flames and he was holding some kind of weapon in each. And the look on his face as he slowly approached...
For a moment Anna's guard dropped completely as she took in Axel's flaming form. Of course she knew all about Others, often worked with them in her job and had several friends who were Other, but the only Other she had even known to control fire was Esmeralda, the Phoenix. And some instinct inside told her that Axel was no Phoenix.
Three of the men immediately started to back away from Axel, their nerve quickly disappearing now that Anna was no longer alone. However, the one holding the knife was either too drunk or too stupid to care and instead stood his ground.
"This don't involve you. That whore is ours so screw off!"
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Post by skyeknight on Feb 6, 2017 14:04:13 GMT
Axel ignored the look of astonishment that Anna was giving him. He had never directly admitted to what he was, so he would come to terms with whatever her reaction was after he took care of these punks. The redheaded demon just walked closer and closer still. The heat he was giving off should have made them want to put some distance between them. Three of them already took the hint. It was good to see that some of them still had self preservation skills. Even when they were drunk. He was going to have to have a talk with his waitresses about how much they let people have or serving customers who were already under the influence. But for now, he was going to try an intimidation factor. Humans never did like fire. But there was one moron was wasn't backing down.
He stood within striking distance of the moron with the knife, glowering and dangerous. Axel wouldn't have been too upset if the guy tried something, but only because he had already broken his fire-less streak and he wanted to burn something. Or someone. He wasn't going to be too picky. He could very well say he was defending Anna if the police got involved, just to a level of extremity that most would frown upon. Oh well, he already did time in juvi. What was a few more years?
"You see, it does involve me." Axel said. "You are going after my friend. So if you lay so much as another finger on her, I'll turn you to ash. Got it memorized?"
He was smiling, dark and promising. His tone, still jovial and mocking, was just as equally cruel and bode ill for the men who tested his patience. Axel would do it if the man gave him a reason to. If he so much as looked at Anna the wrong way again, Axel would burn him alive. He would later find this odd, since he wasn't normally this 'territorial' over people, but he supposed with the way his evening had gone and his lack of fire starting had just reached the breaking point. He lifted one of the round weapons in his hand, ready to bring it down over the punk's head.
"What's it going to be? Medium rare or well done?" he asked.
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Post by neverlandlostgirl on Feb 6, 2017 21:57:53 GMT
Axel's threat and his show of power was more than enough for most of the men. The trio who had already been edging away immediately turned on their heels and ran, not even looking back to see what was happening to the ones they had left behind. The unconscious man still lay quietly on the ground, no longer a threat to anyone. However, the man with the knife didn't move and it was clear he was out for blood.
He adjusted his grip on the knife, the look on his face more demonic than the Demon's himself.
"You think you can scare me off, you damn freak?! ME? I'll slice that smile right off your fucking fa...."
However, just as the man moved to lunge forward with the knife, something swung threw the air and hit him directly on his temple. The guy's expression didn't even have time to change before he fell forward onto the sidewalk, as unconscious as his friend. Anna stood over him, her hand still balled into the fist she had just used to punch with.
"I've never been fond of people with foul mouths."
For a moment, her expression was deathly serious and completely in contrast to her normal demeanor. However, a second later the hard look disappeared and was replaced by one of pain as she shook her fist.
"Ow, ow. Ok, totally hit him the wrong way."
She cupped her wrist in her other hand and continued to mumble to herself for the next few moments before she suddenly remembered she wasn't alone. She looked up at Axel where he stood still holding his flaming weapons. For a time she merely stared at him. Finally, a somewhat embarrassed smile appeared on her lips as she looked at the two unconscious men still lying on the ground.
"Hey Axel.....hehe. Um, talk about a interesting evening, huh?"
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Post by skyeknight on Feb 7, 2017 2:06:29 GMT
Axel moved. His weapon came up to block the strike. The knife clattered to the floor the moment it struck his chakram but before he could deliver a finishing blow, it seemed Anna beat him to the punch. Literally. She had straight up punched the man in the head. If Axel weren't as livid as all get out, he would have been impressed that she had managed to knock him out like that. He was 'blazing' at that point. A fury that had boiled over and was visible for everyone to see.
"Foul mouths? They just attacked you and you're upset because he swore?" he growled. "What were you thinking?"
He willed the weapons away and they vanished. But the fire remained. As Anna winced and griped about the pain, Axel reached towards her, stopping short when he realized he was still ablaze. So he retracted his hand to stop from burning her. It took a lot of will power but the fires on his skin smoldered out. It hurt to put them out like that, but he couldn't just stand there ablaze when he was a fire hazard to everyone around.
"I swear, you're going to be the death of me." Axel groaned. "What were you thinking? It's dangerous to go out alone. If..."
He supposed he couldn't be entirely angry at her. She did manage to fight off the people attacking her, but if they all jumped her at once, if he hadn't scared those sniveling cowards away... Anna might not have been so lucky. But he couldn't go around attacking people. It was one thing for a human woman to defend herself, but it was another for a fire demon to burn someone to a crisp and he would have.
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Post by neverlandlostgirl on Feb 7, 2017 3:34:46 GMT
"What? I don't like swearing. And besides, if you swear all the time you sound like an idiot."
Anna's voice had the tiniest trace of a whine to it, but her expression was also set into a stubborn look that her coworkers at the BPD knew all too well. She might act childish at times and seem like an immature airhead, but she was still a grown woman who could make her own choices and look after herself. And anyone who thought otherwise was likely to get their backside handed to them.
"And besides, I have every right to walk these streets. I know who to handle myself just fine, thank you very much! Just because I'm the medical examiner for the BPD doesn't mean I don't know how to protect myself."
She lifted her chin but her blue eyes continued to stare at Axel and her skin could feel the heat radiating off of him. Even now when the flames were starting to dissipate, she couldn't help watching him.
"I didn't realize you were Other... so are you a phoenix or an elemental or....."
Anna acted as if she were still back at the bar and not standing on some seedy street with two failed attackers laid out in front of her.
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Post by skyeknight on Feb 7, 2017 14:52:16 GMT
Axel scrubbed a hand over his face. He had a few swears he wanted to issue right there. His restraint was wearing thin. He would probably have to go to the dump or something to roast something that wouldn't be considered public vandalism. Because that had been too close. He sneered at the two unconscious figures at their feet. They really should call in Anna's co-workers at this point before the Tweedle twins woke up. And the other three... His bar had surveillance. He could give the police those pictures. Stop them from hurting anyone ever again. Because Axel knew that if he kept the video, he would go after them himself.
"I know. I'm glad you do know how to take care of yourself, but it was five on one. If one of them had been an Other..." he shook his head. "You're okay, right? They didn't hurt you?"
Granted he was an Other, but Anna was just... Anna. Human as they came. No powers that she displayed, no super strength or foresight to protect her. It made her more vulnerable to attack, something that always rubbed Axel the wrong way when he saw people try to take advantage of that. He could happily say that he underestimated Anna. It still didn't make him feel any better about letting her leave the bar at night. Alone. He was already debating tactics to try and convince her to take a cab or hail a ride with a friend. He would drive her home himself if he had to.
"Fire demon..." he replied. "Cherufe if we're getting specific."
People probably wouldn't have freaked out as much if he had been a phoenix or an elemental.
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Post by neverlandlostgirl on Feb 8, 2017 7:43:52 GMT
"Me? Pfft, I'm fine!"
Anna made a gesture with her hand as if she punched out would-be attackers on a daily basis. However, the movement caused a spasm of pain to race up her arm and it clearly showed on her face as she grabbed her wrist.
"Well...might have punched that last one the wrong way, but it's nothing!"
She tried to smile up at Axel but part of her couldn't help and look somewhat surprised when he stated that he was a fire demon. Of course she was familiar with a few different kinds of demons and even worked with Pitch on occasion, but she had always thought they derived their powers from darkness, things like fear and night and shadows. Seeing that Axel controlled fire and hearing him state he was a demon made her realize that there was a great deal she didn't know.
"Cherufe. Well, I'll be sure to add that to my own personal dictionary."
She was trying for light and friendly still, but she could see that the bartender was frustrated by the way he held himself and the set of his mouth. And she was pretty sure the frustration was directed towards her.
"Listen Axel. I really do appreciate you coming after me to make sure I was ok. I don't always pick up on how dangerous a situation can be, I know that, but I do know how to take care of myself."
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Post by skyeknight on Feb 8, 2017 15:01:04 GMT
"Let's go get your hand looked at." Axel sighed. "Or let me walk you home."
She obviously hurt it. For all he knew, she either sprained it, strained it or broke it. He couldn't do it himself. His skin was still hot and if he tried, he might burn her. His hands were still smoking from the fires he put out. He could feel it though, the fire itching beneath his skin. He just broke a damn for Anna. When she didn't need too much saving. He could perhaps get his skin to cool down low enough so that the heat could help alleviate her pain, but then that would involve him grabbing her. After she had almost been grabbed, he didn't want to overstep his boundaries. Most people who had been in a situation like hers would have been a little more jumpy.
"Yeah, you do that."
She was taking his species thing rather lightly. For now, he would let it go. He just wanted to see her off safely. Make sure she got in okay and the other three runners didn't come back to try to finish the job or make sure there were no 'witnesses'. Then of course, they had to report the unconscious men at his feet to the police. He would be happier to know they were in cuffs and behind bars. No more attacking women in the dark of the night. In a group no less. It disgusted Axel to his core.
"I'm not about to let any of my patrons get hurt." Axel said. "And we should probably let one of your coworkers know where to pick up the trash."
He gave one of the unconscious men a light kick to the ribs, nothing that would hurt or leave a mark. Though it was the first time he personally chased down the would-be attackers. Normally, he just called the police. He would let them handle it unless he thought the situation would escalate too fast. Just when they had got up to follow Anna, his usual procedure went out the window for some reason. And now his temper was petering off. He certainly didn't feel like a volcano that was about to erupt at any second.
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Post by neverlandlostgirl on Feb 9, 2017 10:32:13 GMT
"Yeah, I'll give the BPD a call once I get back to my place."
Anna was still holding her wrist like it hurt slightly, but she wasn't really focused on it at that moment. Instead, she was looking at Axel curiously. He seemed to be awfully interested in her wellbeing and had gone out of his way to make sure she was safe. Even now, he was offering to contact someone to look at her hand or to walk her home. He claimed he wasn't about to let one of his patrons be harmed, but something nagged at the back of Anna's mind. As good of a bartender as he was, she was certain he hadn't shown this much interest in his other customers.
"Sure....sure, yeah. I wouldn't mind some company on the way home."
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Post by skyeknight on Feb 9, 2017 15:55:26 GMT
Axel motioned for her to lead the way. He didn't like leaving those scumbags behind where they could get up and just run off. But Anna still wanted to go home after this. Stubborn human. He still had the power of video cameras to make sure those cowards went down for what they tried to do. He walked beside her. She was still nursing her injured hand. From what he could see, the knuckles weren't split and she wasn't bleeding. Which only strengthened his theory that she had either sprained it or strained it. Either way, her punch didn't go the way she needed it to.
He was still fuming. Angry at her for going out, angry at those humans for attacking her and angry at himself for getting all worked up. He didn't do these things. He was always the rational one, at least until his temper had been tipped. Throwing logic out the window like that wasn't like him. Granted, he was about 99% impulse to be fair. But why had this gotten to him so quickly? Anna was one of his patrons yes, but he had dozens of other patrons. When he was a teen he would get into a fight over the slightest things at the drop of a hat. If someone insulted him, or he saw someone getting pushed around or even if he thought something was unfair. He thought he had put his scrappier days behind him.
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