[COLOR=GRAY][INDENT][INDENT][CENTER][sup][h2]O[i][sub][sup]nce was a man who lived a life so mundane, it could only be true. 

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Practically invisible to the world around him, life carries on while he felt perpetually stuck treading water just to keep his head

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afloat. Fortunately for the man, fate had different ideas and intervened with a heavy hand. Pushed into a corner, the man 

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was driven to hide amongst dusty shelves and heavy tomes. In the silence, he could hear his name being whispered, 

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over and over again, until his hand touched one particular opus. A worn book, bound in leather and tarnished steel. Though 

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sealed, it opened for a price, and upon spreading its pages, the man's life was changed forever. 
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Now, he is the Warlock they call...[/sup][/sub][/i][/h2][/sup][/center][/INDENT][/INDENT][sub][hr][/sub][sup][hr][/sup][CENTER][url=https://www.roleplayerguild.com/posts/5661999][img]https://img.roleplayerguild.com/prod/users/019e83f9-259f-75fb-95e3-57387106ed18.webp[/img][/url][/CENTER][sub][hr][/sub][sup][hr][/sup][SUB][SUP][table][row][cell][INDENT][h2][b][COLOR=SILVER]L[SUP][SUB]OCATION:[/SUB][/SUP][/COLOR][/b] [i][SUP][SUB]POINTE BORDEAUX PRECINCT - THE SOUND[/SUB][/SUP][/i][/h2][/INDENT][/cell][cell][INDENT][RIGHT][h2][b][COLOR=SILVER]U[SUP][SUB]RBAN [/SUB][/SUP]G[SUP][SUB]OTHIC[/SUB][/SUP] #1.07[SUP][SUB]:[/SUB][/SUP][/COLOR][/b] [i][SUP][SUB]HEADACHE[/SUB][/SUP][/i][/h2][/RIGHT][/INDENT][/cell][/row][/table][/SUP][/SUB][hr][SUP][SUP][table][row][cell][INDENT][sup][h1][b][COLOR=SILVER]I[SUP][SUB]NTERACTIONS:[/SUB][/SUP][/COLOR][/b] [i][SUP][SUB]NONE[/SUB][/SUP][/i][/h1][/sup][/INDENT][/cell][cell][INDENT][RIGHT][sup][h1][b][COLOR=SILVER]P[SUP][SUB]REVIOUSLY:[/SUB][/SUP][/COLOR][/b] [i][SUP][SUB][URL=https://www.roleplayerguild.com/posts/5665117]HUNGRY[/URL][/SUB][/SUP][/i][/h1][/sup][/RIGHT][/INDENT][/cell][/row][/table][/SUP][/SUP][INDENT][INDENT][COLOR=WHITE]"GET IT AWAY FROM ME!"[/COLOR]

Archie massaged his temples again before letting out a long exhale. 

The man on the far side of the holding cell had been screaming for the past ten minutes. Standing between Archie and the other was the black dog. It snarled again, snapping its dripping jaws towards the hysterical man. Normally, it was Archie running scared from the creature, but since last night, something in the relationship between Archie and 'The Grim' had changed. Maybe he had had it wrong all these years? Was the black dog always watching over him?

His own guardian devil.

[COLOR=WHITE]"GUARDS!"[/COLOR] The prisoner screamed again, climbing the bars of the cell while the Grim slowly crept closer. The guards had responded twice previously; unable to see the haunting creature, they dismissed the raving lunatic as exactly that. Archie raised a bemused eyebrow as the wolf-like dog's tail wagged excitedly. Clearly, the creature was enjoying tormenting the less fortunate man. 

Not that Archie minded either. Within thirty seconds of being tossed in the cell, the man had Archie by his shirt collar, spittle flying from his mouth, telling the younger man all the horrible things he'd do to a pretty boy like him. The Grim had appeared very quickly after that, seemingly responding to Archie's distress. Now, the man on the other end of the cell was far less interested in Archie and more so with putting as much distance between himself and the black dog as possible.

[COLOR=WHITE]"C'mon, man! CALL IT OFF!"[/COLOR] The other man pleaded. Archie could only recall a handful of instances where others had acknowledged that they could see the barghest. The first word he had ever uttered had been 'dog', because of the beast in front of him now. Archie couldn't even begin to count the hours of therapy he had been subjected to, all to convince him that the 'Grim' was in his mind. 

Didn't feel very in his mind right now.

[COLOR=C0C0C0]"I don't know what you're talking about,"[/COLOR] Archie deadpanned dismissively, continuing to stare at the yellowed wall across the small aisle in front of the drunk tank. 

[COLOR=606B8E]"Archie, Archie, Archie,"[/COLOR] A familiar voice approached the holding cell, repeating his name over and over again. Walking up to the bars of the confinement, the man cracked a smile, flashing perfectly straight, whitened teeth, while his hands hung loosely tucked into the pockets of the perfectly pressed navy suit. He clicked his tongue against the back of his teeth, a mischevious grin crossing his face as brilliant blue eyes were drawn to the mangled tie that hung from Archie's neck.

[COLOR=606B8E]"What bargain bin did you pull that rag out of?"[/COLOR] The man quipped. A visitor badge hung from his chest pocket, nearly covering his security clearance for the District Attorney's office.  

[COLOR=C0C0C0]"A bar if you can believe it, Boz,"[/COLOR] Archie replied, looking up from clasped hands. Thomas 'Tom' Bosley had been his roommate throughout his time at Calder City University. Boz was the outgoing, popular one, but he had always been sure to include Archie and was one of the few people that Archie had ever met who actually made Archie feel like he was wanted.

To Archie, Boz was everything he ever wanted to be. Charming, suave, good-looking. Boz had his choice of women; he was athletic enough to be asked to shoot hoops or toss around a football. People came to Boz for help; more importantly, people looked up to Boz. 

While Archie had only lasted at the D.A.'s office during his school years, Boz had been a natural fit and a born prosecutor. He was still popular even now, except with the city's underbelly. It wasn't exactly a surprise, then, that Boz had his eye on the District Attorney seat. The step made sense; he had been an effective associate D.A. for years now. But Boz would never be satisfied being stagnant; he needed to keep moving forward.

[COLOR=606B8E]"Hardly the hardest truth I've had to swallow tonight, Superstar. But I have to ask, how did Archie Hardwick find himself in the drunk tank? Last I checked, stud, you don't drink."[/COLOR] Boz asked, pacing back and forth in front of the cell. It was typical Boz, Archie noted, as he had already reminded himself, Boz needed to keep moving forward. He had never been able to stay still in social situations, always working the crowd, always moving. 

It made going to a movie with him insufferable.

[COLOR=C0C0C0]"A girl introduced me to Amaretto and Coke."[/COLOR] Archie offered sheepishly. He watched Boz's eyebrow rise at the sentence, assuming Tom was about to remark about the 'Coke'. 

[COLOR=606B8E]"A girl?"[/COLOR] Boz replied, subverting Archie's expectations. [COLOR=606B8E]"Oh, Archie, you should know by now, women will always bring you trouble."[/COLOR]

[COLOR=C0C0C0]"You've certainly been through enough,"[/color] Archie responded wryly. 

[COLOR=606B8E]"Ha, nah, dates only. You know that."[/color] Boz replied. Archie nodded in agreement. As far as he knew, Boz spoke the truth. He was always popular with the women, but Archie had never come home to a sock on the door, nor had Boz ever held a steady girlfriend. He was an incorrigible flirt, but he was also a flight risk. 

At this point, Archie was practically Boz's longest relationship. 

[COLOR=606B8E]"So, what d'you say about busting you out of this joint?"[/color] Boz asked with a smile, [COLOR=606B8E]"They've got no case, folded the minute you called me down. In fact, I think they're preparing a letter of apology and a gift basket with some nice fruit."[/color] He chuckled, waving towards a nearby officer. [COLOR=606B8E]"So, what d'you say? Open it up for me?"[/color]

[COLOR=WHITE]"Get him out of here!"[/COLOR] The man on the other side of the cell screamed again. 

[COLOR=WHITE]"Shut up, prisoner!"[/COLOR] The officer roared, opening the door and gesturing for Archie to step out. 

[COLOR=WHITE]"On behalf of the Calder City Police Department, I just want to issue our most sincere apologies."[/COLOR]

[COLOR=C0C0C0]"Uh, thanks,"[/COLOR] Archie replied, rubbing his wrists. Though he suddenly found himself wondering why, he hadn't had cuffs on in well over an hour. It was just something he had always seen on television and, out of ingrained habit, mimicked. 

[COLOR=606B8E]"I assume you didn't take the day off work, you want a ride?"[/COLOR] Bosley asked as Archie nodded. 

[COLOR=C0C0C0]"A ride would be great."[/COLOR] He replied, [COLOR=C0C0C0]"I uh, made Junior Partner."[/COLOR] Archie added, looking up to Bosley whose face suddenly spread into a wide grin. 

[COLOR=606B8E]"Congrats, Superstar. It's about time."[/COLOR] He applauded, clapping Archie on the back so hard that it nearly sent Archie falling forward. [COLOR=606B8E]"That's great news. I assume that's how you ended up at the bar?"[/COLOR]

[COLOR=C0C0C0]"Yeah, Harri took me out,"[/COLOR] Archie answered.

[COLOR=606B8E]"How are things going with you and Harri anyways?"[/COLOR] Boz asked, raising an eyebrow at the mention of the woman's name.

[COLOR=C0C0C0]"What's the opposite of going?"[/COLOR] Archie retorted, [COLOR=C0C0C0]"She took me out, but I ended up paying for my own drinks."[/COLOR] He exhaled, shaking his head. The thought of last night's drinks caused a wave of nausea to wash over him. 

[COLOR=606B8E]"Been trying to tell you for years, Stud, she uses you. Harri is not the person for you."[/color] He chuckled, [COLOR=606B8E]"Women will always bring you trouble."[/COLOR]

[COLOR=C0C0C0]"The whole night was a disaster. I think I probably blew it with two women."[/COLOR]

[COLOR=606B8E]"Two?"[/COLOR] Boz laughed, swatting Archie again, [COLOR=606B8E]"You dog, you. Who was the other lady in your life?"[/color]

[COLOR=C0C0C0]"Oh, just the bartender, but I'm sure she flirts with everyone,"[/color] Archie replied, downplaying Carmilla's friendliness. 

[COLOR=606B8E]"Oh, I don't know. Never had a bartender flirt with me."[/color]

[COLOR=C0C0C0]"Yeah, okay,"[/color] Came Archie's dry, sarcastic reply. Not watching where he was going, he bumped into a woman, stumbling backwards while profusely apologizing. Long dreadlocks and numerous tattoos gave the woman a very distinctive appearance, as Archie tried to pick him up. She turned to him with narrowed eyes, before they suddenly softened and she flashed a smile.

[COLOR=WHITE]"Child, you have a touch of destiny about you."[/COLOR] She held out a hand, helping Archie to his feet while a bemused Boz watched the interaction unfold. [COLOR=WHITE]"You should come visit me, in the 'Club. Molly Samedi knows a man whom fate has smiled upon."[/COLOR]

[COLOR=C0C0C0]"Oh, uh thanks, but I don't think that's true..."[/COLOR] Archie replied, his voice trailing off as he looked to Boz for help escaping the Moll.

[COLOR=606B8E]"Yeah, Arch here doesn't really have the best fortune in life,"[/COLOR] Boz interjected.

[COLOR=WHITE]"Oh, I be thinking your friend here, is a lot more than meets the eyes."[/COLOR] Samedi smiled, [COLOR=WHITE]"Samedi would take good care of you, come by anytime you, pretty thing."[/COLOR]

She gave Archie a playful pat to his behind before walking away, Boz gently ribbing Archie as the other stared dumbfounded at what had just unfolded.

[COLOR=606B8E]"Guess that's three women in twenty-four hours. Maybe she is onto something."[/COLOR]

[COLOR=C0C0C0]"C'mon, Boz-"[/COLOR] Archie started before suddenly clasping both of his hands to the side of his head. [COLOR=C0C0C0]"Argh!"[/COLOR] He cried out before a voice forced its way into his skull.

[COLOR=#4682B4][i]"You, you who opened the grimoire, you need to return to my shop. You have no idea the danger you're in."[/i][/COLOR]

[COLOR=C0C0C0]"Who?"[/COLOR] Archie weakly replied as the voice continued to thunder in his skull.

[COLOR=#4682B4][i]"My name is Deaglán Galloway, you ransacked my shop last night. You at least ought to come and claim what's now rightfully yours."[/i][/COLOR]

[COLOR=C0C0C0][i]The book![/i][/COLOR]

[COLOR=#4682B4][i]"Yes, the book."[/i][/COLOR] The voice replied.

[COLOR=C0C0C0]"How are you?"[/COLOR]

[COLOR=#4682B4][i]"Whether you realize it or not, you're learning to use your familiar. It's the first step any mage makes. Even as we speak, your senses are synchronizing to its own. It's why you can hear me now."[/i][/COLOR]

[COLOR=C0C0C0]"Get out of my he-"[/COLOR] Archie grimaced. No sooner had he uttered the words than the voice was gone. Silence fell around him as Archie opened his eyes, only to realize everyone in the precinct lobby, including Boz, was staring at him.

[COLOR=606B8E]"Must be one hell of a hangover headache."[/COLOR] Boz smiled softly, [COLOR=606B8E]"How about we get something to eat?"[/COLOR]

[COLOR=C0C0C0]"Yeah,"[/COLOR] Archie agreed, [COLOR=C0C0C0]"Yeah, food. Food would be good."[/COLOR][/INDENT][/INDENT][/COLOR]