» Valor vs. Virtue [Ajax&Nyx] «

[Birdybot]

The group remained oblivious to the eavesdroppers, too intent in their discussion to remain observant. This flying machine was far too important to the woman for her to worry about anything besides it at the present moment. Her sole focus was on that, as much as she should be keeping an eye on her surroundings having lost something so important. It was one of her weak points, letting things slip, but no one in the group were expecting to be seen in the secluded alley, least of all from above. Anyone walking past was checked out swiftly before them moved on. The rooftops were hard to reach, so seemed an unlikely source of enemies.

A figure startled them by sliding down the roof, landing in a heap in their midst. David was poised to take advantage of the distraction and flee, but thought better of it. After all, he might only be tracked down again. It looked far more suspicious to run than to stay. He was innocent and should have nothing to fear. Simon jumped. He and Zangoose took an offensive stance once the initial shock wore off. They could see a mean red claw gleaming in the dim light. The two slowly approached Ajax, ready to strike at any movement.

"Stop! It's just a little boy," the woman told the other two, who complied but stared at Ajax curiously. There was a tone of amusement in the woman's voice. She was angry, but more at herself. The kid was a Pokémorph, but he still couldn't be older than eleven. She did not feel threatened by him. What his purpose was, and whether he was working for someone more intimidating, were other questions entirely. She looked down at him, standing calmly and exuding authority. That a young boy had been able to eavesdrop worried her far more than she was prepared to let him know. "How much did you hear, kid?" She spoke sweetly with just a hint of threat. She refused to be lied to. She didn't want to upset him, but she valued her problem more than his comfort. "Be honest with us, please, and you have nothing to worry about. What made you stop by? Did someone send you here? Believe me, whatever this looks like to you, you'd much rather be on our side than theirs," her smile didn't reach her eyes, where there was a more troubled, sad look. Aurelio hovered a few feet into the air and scanned the rooftop with his more keen bird eyes, staring at Kharlan and Nyx. "His dæmon and a Baltoy are still up here," he called down flatly to the others.

The woman considered that information for a moment. Perhaps this boy was more useful than she had suspected. "A Baltoy? Are you a trainer?" she asked.