[Noah St Cloud]

The heads-up that the police were coming was appreciated, even if Noah responded to it with a groan and an eyeroll. Considering the sketchy scenarios he found himself landed in on a regular basis, he really needed to get his hands on his own police radio – how the hell did the cops know already? Weren’t the theater rooms soundproofed enough to muffle a gunshot? It must have been the subsequent chase of the girl and her shout that had reached someone’s ears. He couldn’t see any shaking employees peeking out from behind a counter or from over the balcony rail, so he had to hope that whoever had made the call hadn’t seen them, or at least had been too far away to identify their physical features in the darkness. 

“Fuck. I thought you had cut off the phones lines?” Noah sighed. Maybe Acker’s gift didn’t work so simply, or maybe the caller had moved out of his range. 

Unsurprisingly, Acker didn’t want to join Blackstorm. On a different night Noah might have kept pressing, kept trying to convince him if only because it meant Blackstorm would trust him with more assignments and therefore put more gifts in his hands. But their time was running out and he wasn’t invested enough to risk getting arrested, especially since he hadn’t yet figured out how he could borrow Acker’s gift.

“Guess I’ll be on my way then.” He gave the scientist a playful salute and injected his voice with its usual cheerfulness as he strolled to the theater entrance. “Maybe we should hang out some other time–” absolutely not, Noah really wasn’t interested in making friends with Acker, Blackstorm order or not– “and finish our movie. I’ll bring my own drink if you’re still shy about sharing.”

He paused by the door. No sound of sirens or sign of flashing lights. They were in the clear for now, and part of him briefly wondered if the police were truly coming at all or if their alleged approach was a ploy of Acker’s to bring their meeting to a swifter end. It was the kind of thing Noah would do, and the thought made him smile. 

“I hope you reconsider our offer. We could have so much fun together y’know, there’s bound to be tonnes of crazy jobs my people want you to have a go at.” He cocked his head, amusement clear in his dark eyes as he turned his stare away from the parking lot and back at Acker. “Say, do your family know about your additional talents? I can’t imagine Emilia would approve.” ‘Additional talents’ could be referring to a number of things (the murder which didn’t appear to be Acker’s first, the unethical hacking jobs, the super power which surely gave him an unfair advantage in his field of work and meant no ordinary person could ever hope to surpass him) and Noah himself wasn’t sure what he was referring to when he said it. Regardless, renowned philanthropist Emilia Villin didn’t seem like someone who would be completely accepting of any of those things. Then again, before their encounter Noah hadn’t thought Acker would be either. It didn’t matter. The implication of his words was unintentional; Noah would never purposefully out someone in any way. It wasn’t his style to tattle.

He shrugged. “Whatever, see you around, moustache man.” He pushed the door open, feeling the night’s cool breeze fan across his face once more, and headed for his car.

Nicholas Acker Villin

[Nicholas Acker Villin]

"In the building" Acker replied about cutting the phone lines "Someone must have called from outside, probably a good Samaritan worried about a bunch of teenagers trashing the place" it had happened lots of times before, so someone must have heard something from outside and called security just to be on the safe side.

"Absolutely not" Acker unknowingly voiced Noah's thoughts about hanging out together again, it was not going to happen, he was not interested in making friends with Noah. To be fair, Acker was not interested in making friends with anyone, his assistant was the only human being he truly tolerated, even more than his own family.

"Considering it would be like kissing..." he replied about sharing the same drink "...it's never gonna happen" which was a relief for the both of them for sure. However, it wasn't true that Acker wasn't interested in Noah at all, the mad scientist was curious about Noah's powers.

"Mad, not crazy, there is a difference" the tone sounded offended and snobbish, but he wasn't really offended of course. They had been teasing each other so far, but the atmosphere around them changed when Noah mentioned Emilia. Acker became serious and cold, the Lads started approaching the younger man, Noah's phone started overheating.

It didn't matter if Noah wasn't implying blackmail, Blackstorm would surely try to blackmail Acker someday and the mad scientist here wanted to send a clear message: Draco Dormiens Nunquam Titillandus.

The Lads attacked Noah from behind while the younger man was walking towards the car. The Lads tried to bite Noah on the lag and the shoulder, it didn't matter which one "Tell Blackstorm to leave me alone" otherwise he could find Noah again and finish the job, and Noah would be just the first of many.

Noah St Cloud

[Noah St Cloud]

CW: (robot) animal "death"

Noah had almost made it to his car when the sound of rapid pawsteps reached his ears. Perplexed rather than alarmed, he looked over his shoulder. Wondered if Acker had something else to say–

The dogs lunged at him; one aiming for his ankle while the other sprang up, flinging its weight into Noah's back. It drove the air from his lungs, sent him crashing to the ground. He absently noted (when the dog treading on his spine dropped its head to his shoulder, ready to bite down) that the dogs didn't smell like dogs. But of course they wouldn't. They were machines. 

He threw an elbow back. Felt something connect, heard a growl. Did Acker's robots have pain receptors built in? He wouldn't think so. But the force of his hit knocked it off him at least. The other dog had its teeth in his jeans and was trying to drag him across the concrete but Noah paid it no mind as he reached behind him, drew his gun for the second time that night and rolled onto his back. His jean leg twisted. Denim tore. The robot closer to his face lunged again and he flicked the safety off as he shoved the gun into its open maw.

The shot burst through the parking lot, ringing in his ears. The robot collapsed, the hole in its head sparking while Noah pushed it away. The remaining dog spat out the fabric it had ripped from his clothes but, unwilling to risk literally shooting himself in the foot, he didn't turn the gun towards it. Instead, he wound his leg back and kicked hard when the dog made another go at him. It was sent back, giving Noah the space to roll up into a crouch before he sprang at it. They wrestled. Noah did his best to keep its mouth away from him even while its claws raked down the front of his sweater, and managed to maneuver them both until it was laying on its side with his knees pinning its body down. His free hand pushed its neck against the floor, keeping its snapping jaws away from him. He half expected to feel Acker's power flood into him, to feel a sudden connection to the robot that would let him make it attack its master. But he didn't. Damn. He seemed to be having some performance issues. 

Nevertheless, he whirled the gun on Acker, barking a laugh. It had all happened so quickly and the adrenaline made his head rush. "You dumb bitch." He was more than ready to pull the trigger, almost did so with the same reckless abandon he'd shown the couple earlier. Yet he stopped himself – rational thought creeping back in at the crucial moment. Acker was a public figure. There'd be a full investigation into his disappearance if Noah got rid of him. At least one Blackstorm member knew Noah had been with him that night since they'd set up the meeting, and there could be others that knew, perhaps someone who would grow a guilty conscience and turn him in. Maybe Acker had thought about this, and wasn't so dumb. Noah's grin smoothed away, the flames of his excitement thoroughly doused. He lowered his weapon. 

"Okay, sure. We'll back off," he shrugged, casually, as if Acker had refused an offer of coffee. He'd tell Blackstorm to leave Acker alone alright. He'd tell them Acker was a complete psycho who killed that teenage boy, see what that did to his reputation among Blackstorm's ranks. But Noah? Noah wouldn't be leaving him alone. Attacking Noah while his back was turned had been a dick move (albeit the kind of thing Noah himself would do), and he reckoned if it weren't for the message Acker wanted him to pass on, the scientist might have set the dog's upon him with instructions to kill rather than threaten. 

He rolled his neck. His shoulder ached from where one of the dog's jaws had closed around it, though luckily it hadn't drawn blood as Noah had been able to dislodge it in time. Speaking of – his elbow was sore, as if he'd thrown it into a car door. And there was grit caught his sweater, rips in the main body of it (and likely scratches on his chest underneath), and his forearms were likely bruised from where he'd used them to break his fall. His jeans were torn, ruined; his right leg from his ankle to mid-shin was now exposed. And finally his phone felt hot in his pocket. Uncomfortably so. Acker had to be messing with it, probably dealing all sorts of damage that Noah wasn't technologically inclined enough to put specific words to. Oh well, he would buy a new one. 

The dog struggled under his knees, its paws scrabbling for purchase. Noah started to reach for his knife until he realised there were no arteries to sever; the blade would only be dulled if he tried shoving it into metal. He patted the dog's side. Sadly, it didn't seem to appreciate the gesture, metallic growls reverberating from its throat as though in direct protest. "Sorry doggie." He liked animals, even if they tended not to like him. It didn't feel like a fair fight whenever he had to put one down. But it's not a real dog, he reminded himself. He put the barrel of the gun to its temple, where its 'brain' would be if it were real, then shot the machine dead. It was yet another awfully loud noise, certain to prompt more phone calls to the police and probably give him some terrible tinnitus if he used his gun again. 

He shifted his weight back onto his feet. Scooped up the broken robot as he stood. Then he slunk over to its owner, smile returning as if nothing awry had happened between them. He imagined Acker would have no trouble rebuilding it once he returned home. "I'll just be giving this back," he said pleasantly.

He shoved it at Acker, hard, hoping the scientist would instinctively try to catch it or else stumble against the weight of metal if he didn't step back in time. He darted closer, threw a punch that was aimed at Acker's jaw. He didn't expect there was time for a full on brawl, but he wanted to get a hit in at least. The feel of his knuckles against skin would make him feel a whole lot better about their encounter.

Nicholas Acker Villin

[Nicholas Acker Villin]

"I can be a bitch sometimes, but I am never dumb" there was a knowing look in Acker's eyes, but the most compelling feature was the fact that there was no fear. He wasn't an idiot. He knew that Noah couldn't kill him. Blackstorm wasn't above killing, not even Noah, in fact they probably were even more psychopathic than Acker or Noah, but at least the mad scientist wasn't a hypocrite about it. Unless he had to pretend to be a Villin, then he had to, but that was out of his control.

Acker seemed unaffected by the dogs demise, but only because the mad scientist could take care of them later, well, the shot had been loud so they didn't have much time "They'll remember that" he replied while observing Noah return Zeus, there was a threatening tone that meant Zeus and Apollo would be extra furious towards Noah next time.

The mad scientist didn't think Noah would attack again. He couldn't be that stupid. Yes, he was. Acker stepped away when Noah threw the dog, it weighted more than a normal one with being a machine and all, but stepping away left him open to the punch. The mad doctor took it and his mind went back to bullies in high school. Acker massaged his jaw, luckily there was no blood to deal with "You do realise that I am not alone" another sign that the doc here wasn't dump. Acker fought the urge to hit him back, but he was aware that the younger man was probably a better fighter, age being on Noah's side.

A black van was approaching and three men in black got out. Henchmen. Employees. Acker pointed at Noah's pocket "I would get rid of that phone before it explodes" too much heat could do that to a phone, as some manufactures were aware. The henchmen grabbed the dead dogs and followed their boss towards the van. The phone heating had been unexpected consequence of Acker's anger, but not an unwelcome one.

The mad scientist wouldn't have warned Noah if the phone could have been used against him. Sure, it could explode, but in a while, Acker would have been long gone by then. Instead, Acker had used his phone to call the henchmen, just in case they would have needed to deal with the cops. Luckily, that wasn't the case.

There was oil on the pavement, but it wouldn't lead to Acker, not even the pieces of metal, they were too fractured to be recognisable anyway. The cops were going to believe it was vandalism.

Acker had acted indifferently, but in reality he cared about the dogs. Sure, they were going to be fine, but it still hurt. The mad scientist was going to work all week at his mansion to re-build his loyal companions and who knows...perhaps he was going to receive a visit.

Noah St Cloud

[Noah St Cloud]

His fist met its target. Noah’s grin stretched wider, satisfied with the impact and the corresponding thrill it sent up his spine. He snapped back, expecting a retaliation that didn’t come; Acker merely rubbed at his jaw (a show of restraint that Noah might have been impressed with had he not been raring for a fight) and announced he wasn’t alone. Shit.

A van swung into the parking lot and Noah instantly backed off, dark eyes narrowed as he edged closer to his car. Three unfamiliar men stepped out of the new vehicle. Not good. He could pull out his gun, leave more bodies for the police to find and puzzle over, but that would completely ruin his lovers’ spat cover story. Fist-fighting when he was so outnumbered would be a foolish endeavour unless he wanted to be found beaten and bloody with a body in his trunk.

He drew out his switchblade and flicked it open as they approached, calculating how many slashes it would take to battle his way to his car door, only to blink, baffled, as the trio swept straight past him to pick up the broken robots and escort their boss back to the van. Huh. That was easy.

Pocketing the blade, Noah made for his own car as soon as the van’s doors were shut. He drove casually rather than peeling out of the parking lot; no need the leave tire marks or draw attention to himself. But there was still his phone to consider. Acker’s warning about it rang in his ears and as much as he wanted to think he was lying, he was sure he was not. With a sigh, he rolled his window down and chucked it, hard, down a random alley once he was a few streets away. Home awaited. But with the corpse to deal with and a Blackstorm superior to report to, he doubted he would be getting any rest.



– Thread End –