[u][b]Five years prior
Location: Holding cell within Innocence[/b][/u]

[color=tan]"Where is she?!"[/color]

"That isn't of concern right now. There are more pressing matter to converse about." After ten or more minutes of agonizing silence from the older man, the man in glasses started to speak. It pissed Keith off that the man still wouldn't look up from reading the folder he brought in but after prodding and demanding answers it appeared that the man was finally caving. Hopefully.

[color=tan]"What the hell did you do to her? Did you take the woman as well?"[/color] After spending hours if not days in this holding cell with no idea of what was going on, it was time for answers. The time they left him here to what he suspected was to cool down wasn't going to dampen his anger towards these people.

"Yes, we have Ava." The man casually as he flipped the page over in the folder as he took no heed to Keith's outburst as if he was just a toddler with a tantrum that could be fueled by attention. "What is to come of both of you solely depends on both of-"

[color=tan]"What?!”[/color]  Keith yelled as he slammed a fist down on the table. [color=tan]“Kill us like you did with my partner?"[/color]

"That,” The man said with emphasis as he laid the folder down and for the first time giving Keith his full and undivided attention. “Is exactly what you shouldn't do in a situation like this."

Having enough time to momentarily glance at the folder before the man closed it, it only gave enough time to get a brief glance at what was in it but that was more than enough for him to see what it was information about himself in it. Personal information that no mere group of crime lords or organization would have. Who were these guys?

[color=tan]"Do you fuckfaces even know the shit you got yourself in? A dead and a missing officer won't be something looked at lightly."[/color]

"You underestimate the power we have [i]Rookie[/i]." The man said emphasizing the nickname his deceased partner would use for him. Preparing to interject again, before Keith could do so the man raised his hand slightly to hold him off. "Your little precinct is just a tiny strand within the web of power we have. Your partner is a speck of dust so insignificant that it doesn't even matter if it sticks onto the web or not. It makes no difference. His death was meaningless in the grand scheme of things."

There was no threat in what the man said but he spoke as if he was stating just a fact. He wasn't afraid of the repercussions of getting caught. Either this man was crazy or maybe there was a grain of truth in what he was saying. [color=tan]"Who are you? The CIA? Spys? Terrorists?"[/color]

"Tisk, tisk, tisk. You are still thinking too small Mr. Hanson." 

[color=tan]"What the fuck do you want from me? What the-"[/color]

"There! Finally a good question.” The man said sarcastically as he feigned excitement. “You are learning Mr.. Hanson. All I have is a simple choice for you to make. Join your partner or become a fellow spider."


[u][b]The present
Location: The Ice Cream Parlor[/b][/u]

[color=thistle]'And out of all assignments and Asylums we could be teaming up with we end up here. Why the fuck do we have to be stuck here today?'[/color] AJ groaned as he watched the chaos unfold as the Chrono and the others entered the parlor.

[color=tan]'It's not that bad. These are the people who were at that one attack that happened at Innocence right? They'll be able to hold their own weight. Besides you need to be around other people besides Cams and myself.'[/color]

[color=thistle]'You forced Ava to hang out with me so there's that.'[/color]

[color=tan]'Force her?'[/color] There was a slight smirk as gave a glance towards his partner. The sly fox wasn't someone he could remotely even say he had the ability to tell what she should do. [color=tan]'Ava forces herself on you whether you like it or not so you might as well give up on bringing that up. Besides, this will be good for you. You need to socialize with other norma-'[/color] There was a slight pause as an unfamiliar woman leaped out for a kiss in the middle of her and her partner's introduction. Seeing that calling this group of eccentric people normal wouldn't work, Keith quickly changed his wording as he gave a slight shrug. [color=tan]'other people.'[/color]

[color=thistle]'Sure, if you say so'[/color]  Rolling his eyes, the younger partner glanced around the room with disinterest. [color=thistle]'A child, vampire wannabe and a group of eccentric personalities is a perfect place for me to become normal or whatever it is you are aiming at to shape me into the perfect partner.'[/color]

[color=tan]'Just stop bitching and introduce yourself so that you can at least pretend to be a human.'[/color] Kieth nudged as the introduction moved towards the two of them.

[color=thistle]'Oh, of course. [i]Sheriff[/i].'[/color] AJ mentioned with a sarcastic enthusiasm. “I'm AJ and my partner is Keith.” AJ said briefly with a forced friendly tone as he addressed the group, standing up just long enough to give his introduction.

[color=tan]'You're not done yet. You're here to give a proper introduction.'[/color] A slight smirk crept on Keith's face as he waited to see what else the polite version of AJ might say. 

[color=thistle]“If you are curious on learning more about us Keith, my dickish partner, will be more than happy to give you all more bullshit facts about us at a later time.”  'Happy?'[/color] The sarcastic edge was quickly back as AJ gave a slight smile towards his partner. Keith knew AJ wasn't a fan of introductions and other social obligations such as that and AJ wasn't going to let it slide for forcing it on him.

[color=tan]“I don't think I've personally met most of you,”[/color] Keith said jumping in without being fazed by his partner's introduction. [color=tan]“but seeing that we've been on the field for almost two full years now and that I joined Innocence as an adult, that's understandable. We are known as the Midnight Sun.”[/color] Keith said before concluding the duo's introduction without as much flair as the others.

[color=tan]'What is wrong with you today? I was expecting a robot or even Spock from you but you are being bitchy today.'[/color] Keith inquired after the briefing was done and the two headed towards the waiting ship

[color=thistle]'So acting like Spork or whatever the fictional character's name is now acceptable?'[/color] AJ scoffed, not taking his eyes off the ship as the two walked closer. 

[color=tan]'It's Spock and at least acting like him is tolerable.'[/color] Keith mused at the man's lack of knowledge of yet another common reference that even a person not living in normal society like AJ should understand. [color=tan]'It's the assignment isn't it.'[/color] Keith asked, cutting all of his joking and bantering aside.

[color=thistle]'It's been eleven years since I last saw him. Family reunions are never a good thing.'[/color] AJ said quietly as a mix of emotions swirled within him.

[color=tan]'How bad can it be? They're your family.'[/color]

[color=thistle]'Hellish.'[/color]