A Tale Of Two Wings: Fired To Greater Heights

[Bobbie]

The way Annika looked back at Simon will forever be something beyond Miguel's comprehension – how this girl, as powerful as she had the potential to be and from such a terrifying family, put all of her faith in this… scaredy-cat of a man. However, although he didn’t understand it, he learnt that questioning it was not only pointless, but dangerous.

As their conversation was brought to a close and they carried on walking, Miguel scoffed and followed after them, reaching up to rub the tip of his nose with his sleeve as the cold air stung his skin as it felt cold as ice. “Fine.” he uttered with a sniffle.

Simon chuckled and passed Miguel to walk beside Annika with a big excited grin. Things were looking good and everyone was getting along! What more could he want? The truth was that Annika was right, however. In fact, something was bothering Simon at that very moment, but he decided to push it back and distract his thoughts away from the matter… I’m actually losing my job… His smile wavered for just a second as he stared at his reflection in the glass window of Burger Queen, in casual clothing. Out of uniform…

Annika’s voice shot through his thoughts as they seemed to have the effect of an anchor, keeping the man grounded. Perhaps it was the stark contrast in the way she spoke to him and the way she spoke to almost everybody else, or maybe it was how highly she speaks of him, making the man feel like he had some real value – more value that any polished badge or uniform could indicate.

His smile soon came back to life and he laughed, “Great, plenty of space for all of us!” He glanced at Miguel, slightly envious of how well he seemed to be handling the situation, then walked in after Annika with enthusiasm for their delicious burger. “Hmm…” he hummed as he stared at the menu, crossing his arms and bringing one hand up to tap his chin. “Hmm…” he repeated, clearly having some trouble picking what he wanted to eat. He was stuck in a state of limbo where everything was up in the air - his career, his plans for the future, his identity as an officer, and now his meal choice. Miguel had already made up his mind, but was waiting for Simon to state his order first, though he was taking his sweet time. Watching him with equal parts amusement and frustration, he waited… and waited…

“Hmm…”

“Would you just pick something?” with Simon’s third show of being deep in thought, Miguel snapped, “I’ll have the flame-grilled steakhouse with added bacon, no cheese and no onions.” He said as he got tired of waiting for Simon to go first.

“Okay.” Smiling Simon nodded, seeming to have finally made up his mind. Miguel looked at him and waited for his grand announcement of what he’d like to order, which required so much thought.

“I’ll have what Annika’s having.”

---

Simon: #d2ce2f

Miguel: #ffdfb2

[Kami-Gaz]

As Simon uhm’d and ah’d over what he was going to be having over his lunch the young woman figured out what she was going to drink, a nice ice cold Pipsi. This was going to be a lot quicker than the original restaurant that she had picked out for just the pair to enjoy a nice meal before attending the red carpet opening of the latest Pipsi-Man Theatrical experience. Oh well, the pair could walk and talk, they had not done that in quite a white with all of Annika’s training and Simon… she actually didn’t know all that much of what Simon had been up too.

After Simon spoke about having what Annika was having the young woman turned her head beneath her hood and caught a sideways glance at the man. “Sure!” She replied, offering a reassuring smile before heading to the counter and quickly giving the order, when she was done, she was given a slip of paper with their order number of “42”.

“So… Simon, strange question, but what’ve you been up to recently? Got yourself a girlfriend?” She asked, a slight tilt to her head as her cold and inquisitive eyes peered at him. She really had no idea about the man’s private life now she thought about it… he was always just the happy cop that did his best in the corrupt world he was given.

Her gaze did not budge an inch before she shrugged… “Or boyfriend, I’m not one to complain either way as long as your happy.” She spoke matter of factly, shrugging her shoulders and letting her hood fall back a little but a soft smile was on her face, quite in contrast to how she normally was when Simon wasn’t around… or Odie… Or her parents or Fonzie too... There was quite a few people that made her smile now.

---

Post: 9
Annika: acd1fc

[Bobbie]

Simon looked at Annika, taken by complete surprise with her question. “Me?” he pointed at himself, as if to clarify that he was indeed the ‘me’ that he referred to and that she was addressing. As she chained her questions together, he didn't have a chance to answer the first part without being hit with the second. He grew oddly flustered at her first question about courtship, and even more so when she brought it up a second time, and he laughed nervously.

“No, no… neither, it’s just me by my lonesome.” He said with another chuckle and a big smile. “I don’t think, erm…” he started, looking away as his face grew uncomfortably warm and he cleared his throat. “They wouldn’t really be interested in me, anyway.” He muttered, as silence followed.

Miguel frowned as Simon seemed to be answering a question that wasn’t even asked. “Who?”

“Hm?” as Simon realised his mistake, his entire face lit up and he frantically shook his head. “N-No one! There’s no one!” he reached up to his collar and pulled at it, before fanning himself with yet more nervous laughter that was awkwardly loud enough to fill the space all around them, “Phew, it’s hot today, isn’t it? Can’t make head or tail of this weather, huh?” he continued laughing, before looking at the number on their paper and then toward the counter, begging for their number to be called out soon. Now.

“I’ve been up to nothing…” he choked out as he felt like he was going to die of heatstroke.

---

Simon: #d2ce2f

Miguel: #ffdfb2

[Kami-Gaz]

Simon’s reaction was… weird, he was strangely defensive and avoided giving a straight answer to the question… he either was or he was not involved with someone. Avoidance meant he wanted to hide it or was embarrassed by it. Her eyes narrowed on the man as Miguel further prodded the man. Simon was a terrible liar.

“You’re a terrible liar.” She spoke coldly to the man, she did not like being lied to. With eyes like icy daggers, she stared at him, a gaze of piercing cold that seemingly made the air around the group feel cold. This was to be Simon’s first time in the direct path of this gaze… it may not be the last. “Don’t lie to me Simon….” Annika said, each word cutting off with a cold bite that emphasised her point.

“There is someone!" Annika Announced. "I will find out who sooner or later. They have to treat you right.” Annika added after a short moment before turning around as her number was called out by one of the fast-food workers of Burger Queen. As she turned her fringe tails flicked in the air as she spun to respond, raising her hand up. “Coming!” She called before hopping away from the boys to go and collect the food order.

Everything on the tray was perfect, to order specification. That was amazing, now these two would learn how top end fast food truly was. It was on a level far above MacZoneals and their poor customer service and cheap ingredients that just made the customer ill because of the grease and rubbish. No this was perfect. As she finished her moment of checking she turned around and began to walk forward with the 3 meals on the tray, a medium pipsi each too. “This looks amazing!”

---

Post: 10
Annika: acd1fc

[Bobbie]

Simon started with a smile as she fired her initial accusation, calling him a terrible liar. He knew he was a terrible one, but, technically, it didn’t have to be a lie. While he did have somebody on his mind these past few days, having not much else to do other than to mope and think about his journey since he began his job, especially his first day since being given this promotion, they were certainly not an item. His statement was not untrue.

When the icy stare came his way, however, a shiver ran down his spine as his entire body flinched, his shoulders rising with the tense chill that filled the air around them. One might even say his entire body visibly distorted in a clear wave that followed his shiver.

Swallowing air, his mouth grew increasingly dry as he suddenly felt himself shrink to the size of an ant before Annika, the mighty Anarchy Blue. For the first time he knew what it felt like to be on this end of her gaze, and he did not like it. “I-I-I’m not lying to you?” his voice came out as little more than a hushed whisper as the panic that filled his body from head to toe seemed to cause a malfunction somewhere in his very non-mechanical body, his tone - as quiet as it was - also rising an extra octave toward the end of his statement which just made it sound like a question.

As beads of sweat rolled down the sides of his face, he offered a wavering smile, his lips trembling, and he let out a laugh. A laugh that sounded like it came right from the throat of a man who had just travelled miles in the desert without a drop of water. Simon could hear funeral bells in the distance - perhaps not so distant future - as Annika announced it. It was the most terrifying words to ever leave the girl’s lips that revealed one thing and one thing alone: she knows my secret.

Perhaps that wasn’t accurate. She didn’t know it - yet.

The truth of the matter was worse, far worse than any secret that she could find out about him... the simple fact that she knew he was keeping a secret was terrifying enough.

Blinking, Miguel watched the very odd behaviour of a fully grown man, quiver in the face of a young girl, all because of some secret love interest. Snapping his fingers in front of the man whose face had become devoid of all colour, he raised an eyebrow. “If you don’t move it, I’m going to eat your portion.”

Simon didn’t know how much time lapsed, but all of a sudden, Annika was further ahead and holding a tray with their three meals on it, while he was swaying as he stood, rooted to the spot. When did they call our number? Finally, he took a slow, unsteady step past Miguel to go toward the light - their food.

“Annika, I think you broke Simon...”

---

Simon: #d2ce2f

Miguel: #ffdfb2

[Kami-Gaz]

“Yeah…” The blue haired young woman spoke, looking over to Miguel then back to the muttering man that was Simon. He looked out of it… was he really that weak in will that her just looking at him made him crumble under pressure? He was going to need some practice… Maybe Fleur could give him some backbone lessons before she left on that big trip to the north blue.

With a soft sigh she handed the tray to the sportswear clad man… doing her best to not look at him and how much better it made him. “I’ll snap him out of it. You get us a table.” She spoke with confidence before shifting and grasping to the man she saw as a hero’s forearm, pulling him down to be closer to her level.

“You okay Simon?” She asked, hoping the jolt and shift in position would be enough to bring him back from his haze. “I didn’t mean to spook you. I can tell you a secret of mine if it makes you feel better.” She spoke, very softly so only the man she had brought down to her level could hear it… this was as secret that could end her, destroy her entire image to the public.

With eyes of ice and a hard face her serious tone whispered the next words with a certainty…. “I… I am Anarchy Blue.” She spoke with a seriousness that this news was ground shattering that if she thought about it this was more hilarious that she had intended it to be.

---

Post: 11
Annika: acd1fc

[Bobbie]

Miguel took the tray with a gentle sigh at the work that was just dumped on him. Looking around he looked for a table for three and was soon off to claim one.

As Simon felt his arm being pulled, he blinked, as if he were indeed awoken from his stupor. He was still a little off, the telltale sign of that being the complete lack of any hint of a smile on his face. “Yeah, I’m okay...” he uttered, just the same. Her apology made things better - good, so she doesn’t hate me.

Next came her offer of a big secret reveal. She didn’t have to do that and he would have never asked her to, but his words didn’t leave his tongue fast enough and his body seemed to have a mind of its own as he moved closer to hear her hushed whisper, taken over by curiosity.

While the chatter of the restaurant continued on as usual, not many people even caring to bat an eye and look in their direction, the area surrounding the pair was soon filled with pure silence, as if they were in a vacuum. And that was it. Annika’s secret was out. It was made official to Simon and only Simon. Of course, Simon already knew this, and she should have known he knew this, but it was the gesture that really touched his heart as he was duly reminded what a sweet and caring girl Annika really was, no matter how many icy glares she’d pass in anyone’s direction, and no matter how many people would say otherwise. She had a heart of gold and will always have a very special place in his.

His lips slowly curved into a subtle smirk, then wider and wider into his usual happy grin, until he finally started laughing. “Thank you for sharing that.” he said in absolute seriousness that matched hers. “Okay, I have a secret for you too.”

Pausing for a moment, he thought about how to phrase it. “But you can’t tell anyone, especially not Miguel. I’ll never hear the end of it...” he rolled his eyes, knowing Miguel had a habit of teasing in a mean-spirited fashion, but it was more than that. This was a person that Miguel had met and instantly didn’t like for fairly understandable reasons. They got off on the wrong foot and that was enough for the hardened taller man to despise someone. Cupping a hand at the corner of his mouth, he leaned to Annika and whispered in her ear.

“I have a crush on someone, but I haven’t told them yet and I don’t know if I’ll ever see them again.”

And that was his secret, out and made official to Annika and only Annika. As he straightened up, his hands on his hips, he let out a sigh of relief and he smiled. It felt good to get that off his chest, all the idle time since losing his job has left his mind to wander and certain thoughts were a lot heavier than others!

“Now let’s eat! Where's the food?”

Miguel was sitting at a table, perhaps the only person in the room to be paying attention to them, partly out of concern, and partly because he wanted them to hurry up. He was hungry, but he waited.

---

Simon: #d2ce2f

Miguel: #ffdfb2

[Kami-Gaz]

That smile, that damned smile. It was back and better than ever. Seeing Simon without that smile was a concern to Annika, he was the smiling man that did his best to help anyone, even if he wasn’t the best at it. Then he told her the truth, there was someone in his life and he wanted that hidden from Miguel. That was fair and Annika nodded, bringing her thumb and forefinger up to her lips and zipping them shut with a sly smile. She would keep his secret, to the grave.

“Foods this way.” She said before leading the man to the table and sitting down to look at the bounty of fast food that was in front of them. Annika and Simon’s burgers were massive, a double stacked pair of quarter pound burgers with bacon and cheese as well as the burger salad in the top. Before her training she would never have been able to stomach this much food, it could have her fed her for the best part of a few days… now this was but a scratch on the calories she needed.

“Let’s dig in!” She spoke before picking her monster burger up and doing exactly what she said she would. She was very careful to not shoot the sauce our or to make the monstrosity fall to pieces in her hand as she started with a bite that seemingly stretched her jaw like a snake’s. Annika looked more than content.

A few moments into the meal a large figure appeared by the end of the table, a man in a decorated beige uniform that but the gaudiness of Miguel’s to shame. He looked between the three of them and let out a sigh… one that sounded defeated. “Miguel, Simon. Follow me, I have the final verdict of your investigation.” He took a moment, staring at Annika, her face turned away slightly as she carried on eating and pretending his presence wasn’t there. “Miss Stratonovski. I hope you are happy with the outcome of this. You caused it.” He hissed before turning on his heel and heading out of the fast-food restaurant and to a quiet side street. One Annika could see from the corner of her eye.

---

Post: 12

Annika: acd1fc

Captain Baltimore: 14ca04

[Bobbie]

Simon smiled, having no doubt that he could trust Annika to keep his secret, and followed her to the table. With a big ol’ grin, he sat down and breathed in the glorious smells that wafted off their tray of delicious, though not particularly healthy, meals.

“Don’t mind if I do!” he chuckled and picked up his own burger, trying to be as careful with the sauce as Annika was, occasionally going for a chip too, and was clearly quite satisfied with the flavours that they offered together. Miguel didn’t say much, but he certainly had no problem with digging right in, having spent a lot of his energy during that last basketball game and any source of replenishing it was very welcome.

Seeing a shadow cast over their table, Simon turned to look at the captain who had approached. “Captain Baltimore...” he greeted his former captain, as Miguel also politely uttered a ‘Sir’, putting his food down. For a moment the pair looked at each other, worried expressions on both of their faces, then Simon looked at Annika, as if to say that this was their big moment, and he was asking her to wish them luck.

As they both exited their booth and formally stood beside the captain, Simon’s gaze dropped to the floor as he heard what the captain hissed at Annika, while Miguel’s features twisted into a frown.

The air grew very tense as they followed their former chief out of the restaurant and into a nearby alleyway. Out of habit, Simon smiled and spoke very politely to the captain, “Good day, Captain. When can we return to work?” he blurted out, unintentionally, just to fill the silence and hurry up with the official statement. Miguel looked away and said nothing for now.

---

Simon: #d2ce2f

Miguel: #ffdfb2

[Kami-Gaz]

Simon was of course his happy self, blurting out the one question that he really did not want to answer to the young man. Despite being a clutz Simon was loved by the people, but he had to be made an example of. Him and Miguel. Getting involved with the Stratonovski family, a group that didn’t bend to his demands for protection money, a group that spat in the face of his job and took protection upon themselves. The day Oleg scorned him was the day Oleg had signed his family and his businesses fate. They were going to fall and burn in Captain Baltimore’s tenure; the issue was doing it in a way that would not tie back to the police and proving Oleg right.

He stopped the pair and looked around before sighing… the captain had wanted to get them to his office or at least the station before giving them the news but that was just too cruel, even for him to drag this out that long. “Son,” the captain started as he turned around and pulled the pair to the side of the street just across the window from where Annika was sitting and eating her meal.

“You aren’t returning to work. The board and I found that your involvement with the Stratonovski family has given you too many personal ties to organised crime and for the departments reputation and before dragging your name through any mud it has been decided to let you go.” He then turned his attention to Miguel. “With you being his commanding officer… you are being fired under the same allegations.” He explained without missing a beat, pulling his hat off and pressing it close to his own chest.

Then something happened, a blast of a cold aura stopped the captain in his tracks as the short, hooded woman pushed between Simon and Miguel and thrust her finger up to the man with a cold blaze in her eyes that threatened to envelop the woman. “You’re firing them!? Both?!” Annika spoke, she had seemingly thought it a wise idea to abandon her meal once she saw the captain pull them to the side on the street. “Neither of them did anything wrong! HELL! Miguel hates me and my family and did everything he did to protect Simon!” She shouted, bringing some big attention to the small group.

---

Post: 13

Annika: acd1fc

Captain Baltimore: 14ca04

[Bobbie]

As their captain began with a gentle ‘son’, Simon smiled and followed his lead as both he and Miguel were directed toward the side of the street to talk. Then it came... the talk... and two very different reactions from Simon and Miguel.

* * *

“...it has been decided to let you go.”

The news hit Simon hard, although despite his optimism, even Simon had to have known that a moment like this was coming. His eyes were fixed on Captain Baltimore as he struggled to process the words he had just heard - they were letting him go. He always thought that was a very stupid phrase, ‘letting you go’, as if it was some kind of generous act, a kindness to give somebody the permission to go somewhere... go where? Where would Simon go? What would Simon do?

Throughout his thinking process, Simon’s smile gradually faded, and although his gaze remained on the captain, he was staring right through him. In a conversation that was only a matter of seconds long, he lost everything... he lost himself. Who was Simon Rickshaw if not an officer of the law? The more he thought about it, the faster his heart pounded in its cage and his breathing quickened. Panic welled up inside him as his entire world came crashing down all around him and he was left to fumble in the dark.

I... lost... my job. I lost my job. I can’t believe I lost my job. I lost my job.

The words kept playing on repeat in his head, as if thinking them over and over again could somehow reverse the situation. Maybe the hope was for them to sink in faster and in a more appropriate way that would help him handle the situation with grace... but Simon was not one known for doing anything with grace. I lost my job...

His body jerked like a ragdoll as something seemed to hit him in the chest and Simon staggered backward, as if in a trance, then he was pulled forward. One more jolt, and then another, until his swaying body was suddenly abandoned of this foreign grasp with a final force, and he was left to stand there again, numb.

Moments later, he found himself in a pocket of cold air, and he suddenly realised that Annika was standing right in front of him, though he hadn’t noticed when she got there, nor could he make out what she was saying. Miguel looked very angry.

* * *

“you are being fired under the same allegations.”

Miguel’s face twisted into a hateful frown. It wasn’t a shock to him, but it was infuriating nonetheless. “I’m being fired!? Because this idiot royally messes up, I am dragged down with him!?” he snapped at the captain, one hand going straight to Simon and grabbing his shirt to jerk him around like a ragdoll in anger. This is his fault! If he hadn’t been dumb enough to get on that boat in the first place and just let me handle that smuggling case, none of this would have happened!

His other hand clenched into a tight fist. Miguel looked at Simon, who was just standing there, stupidly staring and speechless as Miguel’s grip moved his body back and forth with ease, then back at Captain Baltimore. He couldn’t decide who of the two men he wanted to punch more, until he finally let go of Simon’s shirt with a little push.

Just as the angry Miguel’s tongue propelled into a string of profanities, making no effort to lower his voice or show an ounce of respect to the man who was now only his former boss, Annika pushed past them and stormed to the front to face the captain. There she is, the second little rat who’s to blame- she’s... defending me?

Redirecting his anger toward the captain again, he glared daggers. Now what?

Suddenly, he spat at the captain before he spoke, “Who wants to be a part of your department, anyway? You’ve torn it down to pieces and made one hell of a mess with it trying to measure up to the chief that was in charge before you.” In all of his anger, Miguel said this with a genuine look in his eyes as he shook his head in disappointment. “You never will.”

* * *

Without uttering another word, Miguel turned around to walk away from the three of them. Simon looked at Miguel and reached out to grab his arm, “Miguel-” his attempt was instantly cut short as his old partner aggressively swatted his hand away, then shoved Simon back into the wall. “Don’t touch me!” he snapped and continued on his way to leave the scene. It seemed there was nothing left for him to do there and he’d completely lost his appetite.

His back against the wall, Simon watched Miguel's figure grow smaller and smaller, the further he went as he walked away with such purpose. A look of worry fell over Simon's face, his attention completely leaving his own concerns. He had no other choice, this wasn't something he could deal with. He wasn't equipped to handle it. Looking at the captain, he felt compelled to apologise on Miguel's behalf, but somehow held back. His gaze fell to the floor again as he became deathly silent for a few seconds, until he finally spoke in a quiet voice that would be difficult to hear had they been in a noisier street. "Annika, I'm not very hungry anymore. Do you want to take what's left of your meal to-go?" he offered, not wanting her to have spent her money on food that she didn't even finish. He assumed she couldn't have finished it.

---

Simon: #d2ce2f
Miguel: #ffdfb2

[Kami-Gaz]

That aura of cold air was biting as Annika stared down the Chief of Police, one hand grabbed onto the loose bit of Simon’s shirt. Her grip was iron, and one tug could tear it, her knuckles were white beneath her gloves. Miguel gave a scathing burst of words that actually made Annika proud of the man, but this was no time to feel pride for an enemy. It was time to show him the respect he was due.

“No Simon. What I want is for this lard ass to buckle up, take Miguel back and reconsider for you.” She hissed. Despite the cold air about her this was the hottest the young woman’s temper had been in a long time and she knew that. Her voice was raised and the people who had gathered to witness the spectacle were muttering.

“Stratonovski, this is police business. If you have a complaint submit it in writing and wait for it to be addressed like the rest of the city.” Baltimore spoke, doing his best to avoid grinding his teeth and letting a stone face crack. If he broke here it would prove what she was saying right. “Just because your daddy is rich does not mean he is a clean man. All it takes is for one slip and we can bring him in and lock him up for a long long time.” He spoke with the bare hint of a smirk that only those close to him could see.

“You’re corrupt to the core!” The young woman called as her hood fell back and she looked to Miguel who was walking away. Her eyes were laser focussed and dagger like, he had given up on his fight. So had Simon for that fact. This drove what people considered the ice in her veins into a boil. “He fired two fantastic and good cops because one of them saved my life from pirates!” Annika announced to the crowd, she had never really needed to raise her voice before but now it was menacing as a wave of people started to mutter.

“Stra-.” “No. I am sick of your blatant corruption!” Captain Baltimore tried to speak; the young woman cut him off before stepping closer, her hand now leaving Simon’s shirt to pull back in a balled fist. “You ruined two men’s lives today because your ego can’t take two genuinely good officers.”

“One more word and I arrest you, Young Miss.” The captain quietly spoke with an air of menace that completely bounced off of Annika who was deep down the path of preparing a punch to soundly sock this man in the gut.

---

Post: 14

Annika: acd1fc

Captain Baltimore: 14ca04

[Bobbie]

As Simon watched everything unfold, everything seemed to be happening in slow motion and he looked like he was going to be sick, his face going extremely pale for a moment as he began to feel lightheaded. Perhaps it was a good thing that she was holding onto his shirt, as if he did fall, he would either be caught or his shirt would be torn, hopefully the former.

“Annika...” he muttered, his voice not much above a whisper, as he tried to stop her from exploding at the corrupt captain, whose threat was not missed by Simon. He turned to look at the man with a frown. Did he actually just threaten Annika? Simon stared at the captain in disbelief, a man that he had grown to respect greatly with all his flaws suddenly stooped so low to not only fail two of his own officers, but also offer a stellar example of how not to deal with Miss Annika Stratonovski. No, she is not a girl anyone should be threatening, and it was not because she was rich, as his spiteful comment implied...

He was right, however. It would be a mistake to assume that they were invincible, even if they did seem to be damn near close. All it takes is one little mistake... a mistake that could be an honest one or not.

“Annika.” Simon repeated, to no avail. Of course, there really was no stopping Annika once she set off on her target, though he had to admit a part of him felt very special to be defended like this. He was quite surprised to hear her defend Miguel in such a heated manner too, but that only gave him hope that something could be salvaged from all this. He had previously passed off her offer of a job as a joke, but perhaps there could be a place for him after all... it was wrong of him to assume that he'd always be welcome under Captain Baltimore's wing. He had never met the previous captain, but if the stories that he'd heard were true, Miguel was absolutely right. The two didn't even compare in the slightest...

With the second threat that came her way, the broken man swiftly moved to step between Annika and Captain Baltimore, gently placing a hand on her fist. He didn’t expect to be able to physically hold it back if she really wanted to launch her attack, but he hoped that his touch would be enough to loosen her up just a bit. “Annika!” he raised his voice to ensure that he was heard this time, his vertigo dispelled, before he lowered his tone once more so only she would hear what came next. “Please stop, or I’m going to feel obliged to apologise to this piece of trash on your behalf, and I really, really don’t want to give him that.”

What would be the best way to get revenge on Captain Baltimore for this? Joining forces with the very organisation that he had a bone to pick with, of course. It was decided - Simon will be joining the Stratonovski’s organisation. To do that, Annika needed to remain out of prison.

“Come on... let’s talk. We’ll find Miguel and sort this out.” His lips moved as he spoke, but not for a moment did they arch into the slightest hint of his characteristic smile... It was a lot to take in and a lot to sift through in deciding what he could afford to focus on right now. It was clear, however, this his current situation was not one of the things to process at this point in time. Now he needed to focus on something else, anything else - Miguel, Annika, her family, anything but his old life that he had fallen in love with in all of its simplicity.

---

Simon: #d2ce2f

[Kami-Gaz]

Annika heard the ultimatum of the chief and was prepared to challenge him anyway; her mouth was opened, and a hand raised. She was prepared to throw everything away for the honour of Simon and Miguel. Neither of them had done anything wrong in Simon saving her life and coming to the mansion to ensure she was home safe and sound. And a personal reward from her father was not a bribe but a thank you gift for effectively doing his job.

“You-” she started before getting cut off by Simon calling her. She stopped instantly and leaned in closer to hear his whisper. She simply nodded with a dagger like glare to the round police chief. Then she turned away and began walking away, belly half full but her hunger clearly driven away by the anger that boiled in her heart on behalf of her friend and mortal enemy.

Once she was far enough away to be out of the pigs earshot, she let out a long icy sigh and looked to Simon. “That is totally not fair! He cannot just drop you like that!” She grumbled as her feet began to carry her with Simon along his path. “I will get you that job for my father. He will treat you well. Miguel too! He’ll pay you better than the police ever could anyway!” She spoke, with venom in her words wanting to stick it to the authority more so than usual.

The young woman had just had her beliefs reaffirmed by this one incident. The local police force were corrupt and incompetent, only taking justice into her own hands would make sure the streets were safe, that way everyone could sleep soundly. “Let’s skip Pipsi man tonight… I can always go another night; we need to sort you and Miguel out.” She spoke softly, giving up her one guilty pleasure for the sake of her friend.

---

Post: 15

Annika: acd1fc

Captain Baltimore: 14ca04

[Bobbie]

As Annika turned away and began walking away, Simon only offered a passing glance to the chief. What more was there to say? He didn’t work for the man anymore, so something as simple as a polite goodbye was no longer necessary. Usually, Simon would have been happy to offer that to anyone, even a stranger, but today... today, things were different.

His back to Captain Baltimore, he hurried after Annika, steadying his breath as he forced his mind to wander onto different things - but what? Where should his focus lie? The first step was to catch up with Annika, and so, Simon displayed excellent mastery of the meaning of the common phrase ‘living in the moment’. He needed to catch up to Annika and nothing else mattered or existed. Once that was completed, the static buzzing in his mind was soon silenced by Annika’s words. Sighing, he nodded, “It’s not fair... but we can’t go up against a captain and expect that to reap positive results... certainly not with the threats he can so openly throw in the air.” The man uttered, looking away for a moment with a hint of bitterness in his tone, before he nodded again. “Yeah! I think that will be great, your father is a very kind man. Miguel will probably be happy to hear about that as well once he realizes he's getting too old for basketball, we should find him.” Although his tone was a little bit more lively, his words were sharper and harsher than usual, as his smile barely lasted a second.

As the girl made such a generous offer to miss out on her favourite show, however, a more genuine smile appeared on his face with the reminder of how special she was to him. He had grown to care very deeply for her as if she were family. “I promise I will take you the next time it’s being shown. I suppose I should owe you a Burger Queen meal too!” he chuckled, nudging her lightly as he steered clear of talking about his job. “Let’s find Miguel. I’m pretty sure I know where to find him - and that I can get there before you too.” With a side glance, Simon’s smile grew into a grin, latching on to the distraction of fun and games.

A race!

“Loser has to buy ice cream for the whole gang!” he turned to start walking backwards, cheekily getting a tiny little head start.

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Simon: #d2ce2f