[b]Shania by [@Fallen Muse]
Grace Liu by [@tanderbolt]

[/b]

[hr]

The whining of the Toyota Corolla was now replaced with the gentle rumble of a two thousand three Ford Ranger, complete with tool chest. Shania stared up at the field office, as she opened the door of the vehicle and slammed it back shut. She was back in her FBI officer outfit, button up shirt, slacks, flats, the works. Unfortunately she was also sporting a rather large bruise on the side of her face, and nursing a broken rib as she walked as delicately into the field office as possible. 

Grace had arrived early and already commandeered one of the interview rooms for her meeting with the suspicious investigator. The receptionist would relay the instructions, and hopefully the individual would arrive on time. She sat at the table, flanked by two nondescript men in black suits, while she wore usual outfit of dark colored businesswear and mirrored sunglasses, even indoors. She kept her eyes on the door and her watch, checking the time and the growing chain of email alerts she was ignoring. Occasionally she focused on the black case sitting on the table, but most of her nervous energy focused on the doorway.

It wasn't long before Shania found herself standing at the room door, and turned the knob to walk in. She settled into her seat, and stared at Grace for a moment, before setting the files she already had down on the table. "These are the ones I have... I'd like" She slides them in half. "Any that have similarities to these on the right." She looks up at Grace and then frowns. "Excuse me that was rude. I'm Agent Shania Collins." She looked between the two men in black suits, but her focus stayed on Grace, the odd aura that came off the woman. Shania narrowed her eyes a bit and then slid her hands up on the table. "Or maybe we can talk about why you really wanted to meet me?"


Grace did not bother looking at the files, they were not her focus. She maintained a calm voice and stared at Shania. "I want to know why you wanted those files. I know you are not attached to this investigation." a

With lips pursed Shania began to stand. "I am not, and I do not feel the need to indulge you in the whys. Just know they are important." She started to stack the folders together. "I think it's quite clear we're not who we claim to be..."

A slight smile crept across Grace's face. "I haven't claimed to be anything yet. Believe me, I know the importance of these crimes, I have collected significantly more information on this phenomena than is available in those files. Now, that information will stay with me and your deception will be reported to the proper authorities if we continue down this path. Alternatively, you can start answering my questions and we can see where it leads us." Grace made a slow movement to open the case on the table, it folded out and showed an electronic device with a dozen different gauges and a place to place one's right hand. "If you do want to cooperate, I ask that you tell the truth. This little lie detector will do a lot to build my trust in you."

This was all very strange to Shania, but it seemed there were few other choices in this situation. Slowly she retook the seat, and placed her hand on the device."I see.. Well if you really must know. I investigate strange cases, and look for links to supernatural phenomena." She pursed her lips a bit. "Then I seek out that phenomena."

The smile remained on Grace's face, but she looked at the reading from the machine. Satisfied, she asked another question. "Do you do this on behalf or in association with anyone else?"

Shania took a moment as the question gestated in her mind. She considered how to reply, yet be truthful. "Yes I do... On behalf of all innocents in the world. On behalf of those who commit the crimes themselves so ultimately they can understand the crimes they have committed."

After she finished speaking, Grace said "But, ultimatley, are you alone in your endeavor? Is it just you who is out protect the mundane world from the monsters that lurk in the shadows?"

Sitting back, staring at Grace, Shania chewed the inside of her cheek for a moment. "Who said anything about monsters in the shadows? Anyways.. I am in fact alone.. For now, though there are others like me out in the world."

There were many other points of data to discover, but Grace had found out the most essential ones. She gestured to Shania that she could remove her hand from the lie detector and said "You have more company than you think. The organization I represent has a deep and lasting interest in defending human civilization against supernatural threats. I believe we may be able to cooperate, especially in this current climate. From the looks of you, you may appreciate the help."

"I can't say I'm sure if I want to accept your help." Shania pulled her hand back from the lie detector. "I can't say I'm willing to, because I don't know what the hell you are." She narrows her eyes more. "I've never seen someone like you before, That color, that shape. What are you?"

The smile was gone from Grace's face, and her voice grew more monotone. "The reality of our present world is more fragile than one might expect. Out of the world, some have the power to alter it greatly, and each of them must choose whether they will serve it or serve their own selfish interests. I count myself as one who defends it. Now, at present we do not ask much of anything of you, just that you keep the line of communication open. As we both learn more about each other and build trust, our shared mission will become clear." Grace hid the fact that she did not know how Shania could see her aura, but she reassured herself that reviewing the reading from the device would answer her question eventually.

Shania stood and nodded. "Fine. I will keep my phone open to receive calls, but do not expect me to come to your bidding like this anymore. You do not want to entrust me with information when I ask questions, and only give it when you are ready. Expect the same in return. She opened the door to the room, preparing to leave.

Grace gestured to one of the men, who handed her a briefcase and smartphone. "I promise I do not intend to intrude on your time like this again." Grace held out the briefcase and phone for Shania to take. "I will entrust you with these, each of which may be needed in our continued dealings. Do not share them with anyone else or attempt to access them without being directed, the anti-tampering mechanism will make them useless if you do. It was a pleasure doing business with you."