Probation for a Killer!

[Bobbie]

Croesus frowned at Michael’s suggestion. “You know, I would be happy to do that, Eve is so lovely.” He said, before continuing in a mutter, “A lot nicer to me than you are.”

As he shook his head, he zipped around in front of Michael to get a good look at his face, as if that would help determine if he was a secret agent or not – he didn’t care about being called paranoid. In a world so cruel, who could blame him? He swiftly moved before Michael either rammed into him or swatted him away and then perched himself on Michael’s shoulder. He let Michael go on with his speech about manipulations and conspiracies, then about offering Eve a job. He was listening to every word even if he looked like he wasn’t. “I don’t care, you’re a killer and not a very nice person. I wouldn’t be surprised if it’s not your real name, that’s all. You’re a different person in there compared to what I saw in that alley.” He grumbled in a small, pouty voice.

As they arrived at the old café, Cro looked up at the name of the place, and then inside through the glass window.

“Here we are… what exactly are we here for? Oh no… you’re not going to kill anyone are you? If you are, I forcefully object!” he lowered his voice down to a hiss as they entered the cafeteria, the dwarf still on the man’s shoulder.

Upon reaching the table, he finally hopped down and stood on the table, staring up at Michael. “You can’t do this! I’m not going to let you!” he went on, as if he had some fighting chance to stop the trained assassin from murdering another person. While his words didn’t reveal very much about the situation, he was anything but quiet and clearly attracting quite a bit of attention as other people at the café were turning heads and watching the pair. "I object!"

“Also, are you ordering anything? I wouldn’t mind some food…”

---

Croesus: #ba00ca

[Mr. Moon]

Michael #9

Michael left Cro's comments and inquiries without an answer until they got into the cafe and the dwarf asked if he is going to kill someone there. Fortunately, he was smart enough to keep his voice down, so no one else aside from Michael heard him.
"What? Of course not."
The lawyer answered him silently.
"Who do you think I am? I am a lawyer, not some psychotic serial killer. So stop screaming or they'll kick us out of here."
He added the last sentence as an answer to Cro's laud protest, which was bringing in unnecessary attention to them.
"Sure…"
The lawyer muttered when Cro asked about food and gave him the local menu.
"Take your pick, just stay quiet, I have work to do here."
Just as he finished talking, the doors to the cafe opened again and a young woman walked inside. She looked quite ordinary. Around 25 years of age, plain face with shoulder-length brown hair, brown eyes, and older, yet well-maintained clothes. She looked around the cafe, and when she noticed Michael, she hesitantly headed to him.
"Mr. Campbell?"
She asked sheepishly, as Michael raised to his feet to greet her.
"Miss Adams, I am glad you came. Please take a seat. Do you want anything? If I remember correctly, they have an amazing apple pie here."
She silently nodded and sat down, giving Cro just a single look, probably taking him for a pet or something like that.
" Would you like to order something?"
An elderly waitress came to ask, with a wide smile on her face.
"Yes, coffee for me and the lady, and a piece of your apple pie for lady."
Hearing the word "lady", miss Adams blushed but remained quiet.
" What about you Cro, did you pick something?"
The lawyer asked his little companion.

[Bobbie]

Croesus quietened down when he was practically scolded by Michael, which made him pout and look down. With a subtle sniffle, he scrunched his nose and rotated his pouty lips to one side in a little sulk, before he muttered, “Yeah, well maybe they should kick you out, because you ARE a psychotic serial killer.”

Upon being given the menu, he looked down at it and sat on the table, since there were no chairs that would be suitable for his size. Crossing his legs, he stared up and down the large paper that held such a long list of food items, but he was clearly having trouble actually picking one. He was also having trouble seeing all the items at the same time since the menu was physically slightly larger than his entire body. He needed to stretch to read what was at the top and scoot back to see what was at the bottom, sitting at the lower end of the menu that was placed flat on the table. All the while, he continued to mumble to himself, “You have work to do, huh? What, plan your next murder? Well, I have work to do here too… ‘I have work to do’, ‘just stay quiet’.” He ended his quiet little grumble with a comical impression of Michael’s last words, making a grumpy face to match the grouchy tone.

When he heard the woman call out to Michael, he raised his head to look at her. He was slightly taken aback, she did look so ordinary. He said he’s a lawyer, so what kind of people would he be working with? Was she involved in something shady or was she a victim? Maybe this was more of a neutral sort of situation, in which some documents needed to be gone through and all the boring stuff like family disputes, law suits, and the like. He wasn’t sure if he should say anything – she greeted Michael, but not him. It was quite rude that she barely acknowledged that he was even there, but Cro offered a smile and a little wave anyway. “Hello.”

As she went to the chair, the little purple fairy got up and moved to the other side, since he had previously been sitting in the centre of the table. He pulled the menu with him, dragging it across the table and then sat down again as he watched the woman closely. “Miss Adams…” he quietly whispered to himself to try and remember the name. It might be important later.

The waitress’ voice interrupted his thoughts and Cro turned his head to look up at the elderly woman. Her smile was enough to brighten up his face. “Hello!” he greeted her, politely, as if he just had to say hello to absolutely everyone.

“Erm…” he paused as they were all asked for their order and watched Michael give both his and the woman's, who seemed to blush very easily. “Uh…” this was tricky – so many things to choose from and not enough time. “I’ll have a piece of your apple pie too. I hear it’s amazing.” He recalled Michael’s previous words and smiled to the waitress once more, as if that was a compliment to her, personally. “Oh, can I have a glass of water, please? With a straw, please… unless you have really small cups. A straw will be fine.”

---

Croesus: #ba00ca

[Mr. Moon]

Michael #10

Both miss Adams and the elderly waitress jumped in surprise when Cro spoke up as they probably thought him to be Michael's pet or something like that.
"But of course."
The waitress recovered from the surprise first. As she headed back to take care of their orders,
"I didn't think there will be someone else present…"
Miss Adams said with an accusation hidden in her tone.
"Don't worry miss Adams, Cro here is my associate, who is helping me to see things from different angles. You have my word, that he won't tell anyone about what happens here."
The young woman looked around herself fearfully, almost as if she was afraid, that someone could follow her, before nodding.
"Alright"
She muttered, only to pause again because the waitress brought them their order."
Both Michael and miss Adams took a sip from their cups before the lawyer asked.
"So, my assistant told me, that you have important information about the case of divorce between lord Lyons and his wife. Can you tell me more?"
The woman once again looked around herself, before nodding sheepishly.
"Yes, I...since you are representing lord Lyons, you probably know about their prenuptial agreement, right?"
Michael nodded.
"Yes, in the case of his infidelity, the lady will get half of his property and lifelong rent of million Beli per month. However, if she would cheat on him, she wouldn't get a single Beli."
Miss Adams nodded.
"Yes, and does it matter who cheated first?"
Michael frowned. It really did. As it was right now the case wasn't really good. Lord Lyons's infidelity was the main reason for their divorce and there were too many witnesses and evidence to overturn them all, but if he had definite proof, that she cheated on him first, he could still spin the whole thing in their favor.
"I am listening…"
Miss Adams lowered her voice.
"A year ago, lady Lyons had a lover. Her childhood friend, who was staying in the city. They continued for several weeks and he even asked the lady to run away with him, but I guess she cherished lotd Lyons's money more. They even exchanged many letters I...took few of them from her."
She reached in her purse, pulling out four lists of paper. Michael took them and quickly read through them, while miss Adams was eating her cake. A gentle smile appeared on his face as he finished. At least one of them was mentioning an event that was easily dated to a year ago. Almost six months before lord Lyons found his mistress.
"Very well."
The lawyer nodded.
"This will surely help, just allow me one question miss Adams, you work for lady Lyons, right? Why are you siding with the lord in this case? If he wins, you will probably lose your job."
A sad smile appeared on her face.
"I... the lady isn't a good person sir Campbell. She is moody, mean, spoiled, and cruel to people who she thinks are beneath her. Lord...he had his mistakes, but at least he always treated us fairly, no matter if we came from his household or hers."
Michael nodded.
"Alright, that will be everything, here…"
He reached inside an inner pocket of his jacket, taking out a large envelope filled with money.
"A token of appreciation for your services."
Miss Adams looked at the envelope surprised and then quickly hid it in her purse before getting up at her feet. As she was leaving, Michael called her back.
"And miss Adams"
She turned back.
"Once this will be over, I'll mention to lord Lyons about your contribution. I am pretty sure that all things considered, he will find you a proper job in his household."
Suddenly and without a warning her face was filled with tears.
"I...thank you, sir, thank you."
Miss Adams whispered before leaving. She didn't need to know, that her lord was among targets Michael was considering for his future hunts. He really hated cheaters, but all things considered, perhaps lady Lyons could take is a place, after everything will settle down.

[Bobbie]

Cro frowned and was slightly taken aback by their shock at him projecting an actual voice and speaking – he was surprised by their surprise. He glanced at Michael, as if to telepathically ask, did I say something wrong? Then back at the two women who were quick to recover, and one was also quick to leave and take care of their orders. “Maybe she didn’t get the compliment…” he muttered, quietly, his gaze following her movements.

He then turned to look at Miss Adams, but before he could reply, Michael spoke for him. He wasn’t quite sure of everything that he said – helping you see things from a different angle? Technically, that is true, but your associate? A look of sheer scepticism was written all over the dwarf’s face, but he didn’t want to cause trouble, so he simply nodded and smiled to the lady at their table. “You have my word that anything you say at this table stays at this table, miss.” He said, politely, as a smile grew on his face. He moved back to his side of the table once their cups arrived.

His wings gently beat the air and he flew up to the top of the glass and hovered by the straw. He tried his best to follow the conversation while also battling the straw – the corners needed to be folded to make the opening small enough for him to drink through it as his tiny hands flattened it to carefully do just that. Finally, he could comfortably suck up the perfect amount of water through it and he was satisfied.

“Oh no, they’re married, why are they cheating?” he interjected as soon as Michael finished explaining the agreement between the couple, as if they had foreseen this happening. “That’s not how marriages should work.” He said with a sigh, but with a quick glance in Michael’s direction, he lowered his head and sipped his water. He was supposed to be staying quiet while the man worked. At least, although a divorce was far from great, it was somewhat reassuring that this wasn’t some shady business like covering up a murder or some other crime like that. Cro raised his gaze once more as there was more to be said and he seemed to be just as invested as Michael was. Well… he was his associate after all. A soft gasping sound came from the little spectator, followed by a devastated “No…” as Miss Adams described this love affair between Lady Lyons and her childhood friend. He sipped his water again, following intently.

Then an interesting implication was put forward – Lady Lyons was not a good person, and Michael was going to punish her for it, through legal channels, of course. This went hand-in-hand with what he had previously said about the wicked only getting what they deserve.

“Is there really no way of saving the marriage...?” his idealistic views shone through once more as he was almost in tears, this clearly being such a heartbreaking situation to him. "Marriage has to mean more than this. If a married couple can’t even stand by each other, then how is anybody else supposed to form any real bond with any other soul? Friends, brothers, family… it will be a free-for-all.” He said in deep dismay that the world has become this way. The community from which Croesus came was just different. It was so very, very different. Ties meant something there and kind gestures were not a rarity but common courtesy.

What Michael presented next disgusted Cro to his very core – an envelope that had to be filled with money. Money, the source of so much conflict and strife, the centre of all the greed in the world, seemed to even have a place here.

A kind offer followed, and then the woman broke down in tears before she left. “No. No, no, no, this isn’t good. Don’t you understand the ties of a marriage? Things have to be repaired! Repaired, not waded through with hushed whispered gossip, backstabbing, and bribery!” Croesus lowered himself to the table and marched over to Michael’s side, standing in front of him and looking up at him. “You can’t enable this division, it’s wrong!” He insisted, but even the do-gooder knew that such a marriage would most likely not last anyway. The greatest mistake would not be them splitting up but perhaps was them being united in the first place. A unison of two lovers based on lies and expectations that were groundless.

“What a sad, sad world.” He sighed.

---

Croesus: #ba00ca

[Mr. Moon]

Michael #11

Cro had either some hearing issues or he had a death wish. Otherwise, Michael couldn't imagine why was he constantly interrupting during his meeting with miss Adams. Fortunately, that wasn't enough to stop his witness from providing him with the proof he needed, otherwise would Cro jump really high in his priority list for next rain. However, the lawyer wasn't happy and was be terminated to let him know.
"One more time…"
He growled once miss Adams left the cafe.
"You will interrupt my meeting like this one more time and I lock you in a small room with my cat."
What could possibly be understood as death thread for someone of Cro's size was actually empty scare as Michael's cat Loki was an old and lazy tomcat, who would more likely snuggle him than hunt him down, but Cro didn't have to know that.
Speaking his mind, the lawyer returned back to his tired controlled self, while gesturing to the waitress that he would like to pay.
"Why should I care?"
He answered Cro's demand with a question.
"I am responsible for protecting their rights in front of the court, not for giving them consultations about their broken marriage."
He dismissed him, paying the waitress for all three of them, adding a generous tip as well, before getting up on his feet.
"But be my guest, if you think they marriage can be saved, I'll give you their address, but you have to promise you won't return here to bug me afterward."
With that he headed outside, ignoring an old beggar, who was sitting on the pavement in front of the cafe, reeking of alcohol and unwashed clothes.
"Could you spare some change, good sir?
He asked with a hoarse voice, however, Michael didnt even slowed down. He was curious whether Cro will try to accept his offer or not, but something was telling him, that he won't be that lucky.

[Bobbie]

The little dwarf looked up at Michael, his eyes wide and teary, glistening in the light of the café. As Michael growled at him and threatened him, he flinched and looked down like a scolded child. “I just wanted to help...” he sighed and then frowned, “What kind of cat do you have?” he bravely glanced up at Michael but was afraid to hear his answer. He wondered if any pet owned by this man was equally terrifying and cruel.

He looked toward the waitress as Michael gestured for her to bring the bill, then turned back to him, “Well, you should care because these are actual people with hearts and lives, and what you’re doing could destroy both of those!” he explained, pausing and moving out of the way once the bill was brought over. He couldn’t help peering onto the paper to get a glimpse of what was owed, perhaps to make sure it was paid in full, “Nobody’s asking you to counsel them through their broken marriage, but why are you enabling such backstabbing behaviour? Why can’t you just … I don’t know, be a lawyer against divorce or something…” he grumbled in a pout because he knew what he just said was impractical and silly.

Kicking off the table, he flew after Michael as soon as the man got up and made his way out, “And can you learn to walk slower? Jeez.” He let out an exasperated sigh as he flew up to him, considering his offer. Going to their address would be interesting… In all honesty, this man seemed like a lost case anyway, he was clearly set in his wicked ways.

“You know what? Maybe I will! I can probably do more good there than here with you, anyway. There’s no helping somebody who doesn’t want-“ he got cut off by the old beggar that asked for some change and an idea came to him. Yet Michael simply ignored the poor desperate man.

Beating his wings faster, he flew out in front of Michael in an attempt to force him to a halt, hoping that he would actually stop and not swat him away. “Stop! I said you will be tasked with the challenge of doing three good deeds. Let this be your first test.” He crossed his arms, speaking partly out of spite and anger toward Michael and partly out of dedication to his cause. “There is an elderly man right behind you, asking for some change. CHANGE. What’s change to somebody like you?” he shrugged, his arms still crossed as he spoke sternly. “Give him a whole third of what you’re carrying in your wallet – and buy him a full, warm meal from the café.” Watching Michael, Cro narrowed his eyes, “I can play your game of threats too. So what’s it going to be? You going to play nice or am I going to be making a very ugly report of a murder tonight?” 

---

Croesus: #ba00ca

[Mr. Moon]

Michael #12

That little guy was so helplessly naive, it wasn't even funny, so the lawyer decided to ignore most of his questions and inquiries. After all, he was a lawyer, not a consultant or therapist. Marriages falling apart we're making a substantial part of his income, so why should he even care?
Well, obviously that wasn't the whole truth. He cared a lot or rather he despised cheaters and oath breakers including those who broke their marriage promises to the point where he was hunting them down, but that was Michael, not Jonathan and that guy was coming out only during the rain.
Anyway, the lawyer continued walking back, towards his office ignoring the beggar in the street. For a moment he had a hope, that the pesky fairy will pick someone different and leave him be but no, he obviously couldn't be that lucky.
"I think you misunderstood something."
The lawyer sighed as je stopped before the momentum of his body could knock Cro aside.
"you are only alive because I find you amusing. So don't ever threaten me again, or I'll kill you on the spot, understand?"
Just for a second, he let Michael emerge, to fill the street with his cold, predatory aura, before stuffing him back into his box.
"But be it your way."
The lawyer slipped back into his tired expression.
"Let's test your naivety against the real world."
With that, he turned around, walking back to the homeless man.
"Well good sir it looks like this will be your lucky day."
He said without any interest.
"Just allow me a simple question, if I give you 200 000 Beli, will you try to start a new life with this money or will you spend it all on booze?"
The homeless guy blinked in surprise as his mind was wandering somewhere else, before showing his remaining teeth in a wide smile.
"I...of course, I would change good sir. I would become a man of faith, get a proper job and...and...everything."
Michael nodded.
"Very well, in that case, follow me."
He led the dumbfounded guy into the cafe, ordering him the biggest meal in their menu and paying upfront, before leaving him there with the promised money.
"Follow me."
He said to Cro with a tone that was making it clear that he wasn't asking.
"Now, 200 000 Beli is a bit more than 1/3 of my cash but we can agree it's enough for two months of humble living right? That guy just got a chance for a new life. If he tries, he can rent a small flat, sober up, put himself together and find a job that allows him to continue in decent living now, lets's see what will happen. Will he at least try? Or will he drink so hard that he won't have a single beli before the week's end?"
He stopped in a nearby alley with a good view on the restaurant, leaning against the wall and waiting.

[Bobbie]

Croesus froze and stared at Michael as his true colours were revealed, and the dwarf did not like what he saw. His wide eyes fixed on the killer standing before him, he held his breath as his lip quivered ever so slightly. He wanted to instantly apologise and had to consciously stay his tongue before blurting that out – this needed to be done… he was doing a good thing here, right? If nothing really came of it and Michael continued to be a terrible person, at least there will be one happier elderly man who gets a new chance at life.

“I understand.” He muttered only once the façade of Jonathon Campbell took the place of the real monster that hid beneath it.

“What is there to test? He’s asking for help, and you’re giving it. Doesn’t that make you feel even the slightest bit good about yourself, knowing that you’re doing something nice for someone?” he asked in a quiet tone as he flew behind Michael, following him toward the beggar.

Cro tried to make himself less conspicuous as he hovered over Michael’s shoulder, hearing his question to the man and then the man’s response. It brought a smile to his face. “See? He wants to change, he just needs a kind stranger to give him a little push and there’s no reason that stranger can’t be you.” He whispered to Michael as he set his little feet on the man’s shoulder, a proud smile on his face. Once Michael headed inside the café, the momentum caused him to lose his balance and he went back to buzzing close beside him again, his wings unrelenting.

He was quite satisfied with the outcome of this engagement, seeing that a hungry man got some financial help and some decent food, surely providing him with the opportunity to turn his life around.

At Michael’s command, he smiled and did just what he was ordered to do with a playful, “Yes, sir!” until he started speaking and Cro’s smile disappeared once again. “Two months at least, that’s right.” He nodded in agreement. “Yeah, he can do all of that. You’ve given him something beautiful. His life will change. Doesn't that feel amazing?” He added, before the cruel speaker proposed the alternative. “What? Why would he do that? That’s ridiculous and makes no sense, 200, 000 Beli is a lot of money, nobody would waste it all on alcohol – much less in only one week!” he exclaimed, but then turned to face the restaurant and watch.

“You’re wrong. He’s going to do the right thing…” he spoke in a soft and hopeful tone, while his inner thoughts just kept nagging at him. He has to be wrong…

---

Croesus: #ba00ca

[Mr. Moon]

Michael #13

Cro´s naivety was amazing, he truly believed, that the homeless guy will change because he got some cash. Well, in that case, he was about to crash with reality, because the cynical Lawyer in Michael would never give that man so much money if he didn´t know how this will end. And he wasn´t mistaken. When he went out of the restaurant, he was still sober, well-fed and with pockets full of money, however, that was about to change. Michael followed him through the streets, watching him from a safe distance to make sure the homeless guy won´t notice their presence.

They didn´t have to follow him for a long, just a two, maybe three hundred meters, before he made a stop in front of a street vendor, buying two bottles of strong alcohol.

“Well, guess he is just going to celebrate his sudden luck, right?”

Michael grinned ironically as the man retreated into his usual habitat an empty side alley and sat down among the trash cans there to drink. And he drank, and drank, and drank, shot after shot, straight from the bottle, until there was nothing left, and the empty piece of glass flew through the air on a pavement, where it shattered into hundreds of sharp pieces. After that their future model citizen got back on his feet, wobbling and cursing, with the remaining bottle in his hand.

“Hey, watch out you filth!”

As he stumbled back on the main street, he crashed into young pair that was just walking around, almost knocking the young lady on the ground. Her partner, a tall gentleman in his early twenties couldn´t let it slide and pushed the homeless guy back, but that was like waving a piece of a red flag in front of his eyes.

“WHaadid you say to me!? Huh? What did you say?! Fllifith? I have money see! Lots of money!”

As he was yelling on the whole street, he put one hand inside of his pocket, pulling a handful of banknotes.

“Seee? I have money! I an do whatever I want! I can drink whenever I want so get…stop ****** with me you ******”

As he said the other curse he swung the bottle in his right hand, hitting the young man in the head. The girl started screaming as her partner fell down but froze in fear right afterwards, as their homeless guy grabbed her dress and pulled her closer both the money and bottle felling to the ground.

“You think I am filth too? Heee? You think I am filth too!?!

Hidden behind a nearby corner Michael grinned, this was even better than he expected.

“Now, now Mr. Cro, look what have you done. One injured and that lady doesn´t look really happy either.”

He said with a dark smile on his face.

[Bobbie]

As he watched the beggar’s movements, the fairy tried his very best to maintain a brave and confident façade, following after Michael to stalk their prey. This was interesting, it was like surveillance – not something Cro has ever done before, but now that he thought about it, he might actually be good at it, especially in his fully transformed body. It was how he witnessed Michael murder that other guy in the first place, after all.

When the homeless man filled his hands with two bottles of alcohol, Cro’s brave façade wavered as his brow twisted into one of worry. “Y-Yes. Yes, that’s probably it. He must feel like he has won the lottery, who wouldn’t want to celebrate? There’s nothing wrong with having a glass of some fine liquor every now and then, I’m sure he’s bought them to take them to his new home that he’s about to buy and stack them on some shelf for when he invites guests over and shares his happiness with other people!” he rambled on in a very long sentence, as each word uttered was an attempt to convince himself as much as it was Michael.

Cro let out an audible whimper when he saw the man begin to chug faster than he could even finish his next thought. This is such a disaster…

“Why is he sitting down beside the trash? I don’t get it… Why doesn’t he- oh!” little Cro raised a hand to his mouth as the bottle was suddenly flung across the street with a loud pop as the glass shattered. “That’s… that’s dangerous, somebody could get hurt.” He muttered to himself, seeming completely lost as he watched the old beggar carry out one reckless act after another.

Then the altercation happened.

Even in his drunken state, the man moved surprisingly fast and Cro had no time to react in any more meaningful way than a gasp. Before he knew it, the young man was on the floor and the lady was in the beggar’s hands.

Michael’s words cut through the dwarf like knives. Look what you have done the accusation echoed in his mind as he hovered in the air on the spot, speechless and frozen. This isn’t my fault. I didn’t do this, he did this. That man who would rather have a grasp on the neck of a bottle than his own future. He wanted to say something, but words seemed to come out of his mouth as he stared at the scene unfold before his very eyes.

“We have to do something…” he whispered, before he made a dash for the three people involved, intent on preventing any further harm.

---

Croesus: #ba00ca

[Mr. Moon]

Michael #14

The lawyer was standing silently in his hiding place, watching the confusion and horror in Cro's eyes with a hint of satisfaction, that was hiding a cold rage building up deep inside of him. That monster named Michael was raging furiously because that homeless guy represented everything he despised. Liar, traitor, cheater, he gave Michael his word to use the money to change his life, to stop drowning it in alcohol, and yet there they were, standing in a small alley, watching him break his promise. In response to that, the killer's eyes wandered up to the sky. There, dark and heavy clouds hovered above their heads, promising a reprise of the morning rain, however...no water was falling from the sky, yet.
"Have we?"
The lawyer shook his head, as Cro dashed towards the three people. For a second, Michael toyed with the idea of stopping him, but then he decided otherwise. It was better to let him go. Better to let him face the consequences of his naivety.
As the dwarf moved, the drunken homeless guy just slammed the scared girl against the nearest wall, letting her slide to the ground, paralyzed by a mixture of fear and pain.
"Yeah, who is filth now huh? Who is filth now!"
He screamed as he stepped over the girl, completely oblivious to Cro who was just behind his back.
Michael smirked. Now, this was getting interesting. The killer could only guess what will happen next. Will Cro reach him? And how will a drunk guy who is probably used to hearing strange voices react to him? Will the guard get there? After all, he's yelling and screaming already attracted a lot of attention from other people. Although no one did anything to stop his rampage or do help the affected pair. Or perhaps, will the rain come, putting an end to that man and his journey?

[Bobbie]

Cro didn’t wait for Michael’s response. Devastated by what had just begun to unfold before his very eyes, he decided to act first and think later. This is wrong, this is all so wrong.

As soon as he reached the drunkard and the woman, Cro flew in between them without a moment’s hesitation. “Please stop it!” he called out in his loudest voice to ensure that he’d be heard and hopefully seen as well. Of course, his little body didn’t provide much of a barrier to stop the man from reaching the girl, but he hoped his presence would be enough to deter the man from doing anything further, anything more drastic to this poor young lady and the young man who seemed to be unconscious.

“Why are you doing this? You have the money to turn your life around now, don’t throw this chance away!” he pleaded with the old man as, ironically, it was Cro doing all the begging to this beggar. He glanced at the woman to get a quick look at her and see if she was okay, and then at her knocked out companion.

“This young man needs some medical assistance, we need to call for help before his injuries have some severe effects on his body.” He turned back to the now rich man, beating his wings tirelessly to make sure that he remained in between the aggressor and his victim for as long as he could, but knew it would only be a matter of time before he’d be pushed aside or worse. “Leave her alone!” he cried at the slightest movement made by the man who was clearly too intoxicated to make any responsible choices. “Please!”

---

Croesus: #ba00ca

[Mr. Moon]

Michael #15

The lawyer had to admit for himself, that if nothing else, Cro was really determined. However, if his attempts were doing more good than harm was really questionable.
The small fairy caught up to the aggressive drunkard right as he was stepping over the girl, who was too terrified to move. And as he called to the man, he stopped and quickly turned around.
"What? Who said that?"
He screamed angrily. Only after Cro spoke once again did he finally notice that dwarf's presence.
"What...no...no...no...you are not here, you are not here!"
He yelled, hitting his own forehead with his fist.
"I saw you with thwtn guy, saw you, but you weren't there you are not here!"
Once again his fist hit his forehead only to erupt into hysterical laughter.
"Yeah I have money, tons of them and this piece of **** called me fill..filth!"
As he said these words, his boot hit the young man into his ribs.
"You think you candk do whateve you want because you have money? Well guess what I have them too!"
Completely ignoring Cro and his pleas, the homeless guy knelt down to the girl, putting a fistful of banknotes into her face. The girl turned pale and started crying.
"No..no...no...shut up...just shut up!!!"
Releasing the money, he grabbed her neck with both hands and started strangling her.
Michael frowned. They were no longer alone. His screaming and yelling attracted the attention of several bystanders. Ten, maybe more people were looking in their direction doing nothing. The lawyer was despising them. All of them thought that they were honest, honorable members of the society, that they had integrity, but when it came to it, when they got the chance to do something that mattered even if it was only calling the marines, they were just standing there watching young woman dying.
"Sheep…"
He mattered for himself with voice filled with contempt and disgust as he released his blade from the cane it was hidden in.
"That's why you need monsters."

[Bobbie]

Horror washed over Cro as he just couldn’t get through to this man. Despite the man being scum, the act of self-harm bothered him to his core just the same. “S-Stop it!” he said, somewhat reluctantly – if he was going to hurt someone, it would be better if it was himself and not this poor woman…

When the kick to her ribs was delivered, Cro cringed as he was overwhelmed with guilt and dread as this was going to end up in a murder – and, worst of all, nobody seemed to bat an eye.

“Please stop! You have the money you wanted, now leave!” he hovered down to the man's hands, standing on his knuckles as the fairy’s tiny little fingers tried to pry the man’s larger ones off the lady’s neck, but it was no use. He stomped, kicked, and punched. He even considered biting the man’s flesh, but was too repulsed by the idea.

Looking around him, he could see so many people gathered in the vicinity. “Sh-She’s dying…” he called out to them, but some of them averted their gaze to avoid his while others just stared on, urged to watch by their burning curiosity. “What’s wrong with you people!?” he flew up toward the crowd. “He's killing her, somebody help!” he moved among the crowd frantically, but his attempts to do good were only met with a batting hand, swishing at him as if he were some nuisance, while others simply dispersed and pretended to be on their way, only brought back by their desire for some sort of activity or bloodshed in the streets.

Croesus flew back to the beggar and the woman, his heart aching for the woman whose life was visibly leaving her body. “Please do something…” he uttered in a whisper to somebody, anybody who would be willing, his voice shaking and his lip trembling as his heart raced and adrenaline pumped through his small body.

He suddenly turned on the spot, hovering in the air, to look directly in Michael’s direction, right where he had left him in his hiding spot. “You have to save her…” he silently pleaded in a whisper, a look of pure fear and disgust in his eyes. It may have been a look that Michael could recognise; the young dwarf was now beginning to realise the cruelties that existed among them in this world, and much like Michael, he did not like what he saw. Defeated, he took a deep breath before he let out a bellowing cry that echoed through the air in a voice that was louder than it should have been, given his little size.

“Do something!”

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Croesus: #ba00ca