[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]WANDA'S HOUSE DINER - 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] #1.08[SUP][SUB]:[/SUB][/SUP][/COLOR][/b] [i][SUP][SUB]HARDBOILED[/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/5665307]HEADACHE[/URL][/SUB][/SUP][/i][/h1][/sup][/RIGHT][/INDENT][/cell][/row][/table][/SUP][/SUP][INDENT][INDENT][COLOR=606B8E]"Slow down, Superstar, no one's fighting for your plate here,"[/COLOR]

Archie looked up from the table, only now realizing by Bosley's words just how fast he had been shovelling food into his mouth. The two eggs that had originally been on his plate were gone, with no trace of their existence save for the signature yellow stain left behind by a runny yolk. His bacon was completely devoured, with only a small piece of a sausage link still on his fork of the three that had once lay on the edge of the plate. A fragment of the once generous portion of home fries and a sliver of a once gigantic slice of ham remained in front of him, soon to be thoroughly swiped through the house-made ketchup before being eagerly devoured and washed down with his third cup of coffee and a tall glass of orange juice. 

[COLOR=C0C0C0]"I didn't know-"[/COLOR] Archie started, stopping himself as he scooped another forkful of food into his mouth, chewing partially before continuing. 

[COLOR=C0C0C0]"I didn't know grease could taste this good,"[/color] He finally answered, his cheek inflated with the partial mouthful of food he was still chewing on.

[COLOR=606B8E]"It's called a hangover."[/color] Laughed Boz as he leaned back in his chair and slowly enjoyed the diner coffee. On the weekend, this place would have been bursting at the seams and lined out the doors, but mid-morning on a weekday, Boz and Archie had the place almost entirely to themselves save for several retired couples on the far side of the room. A countertop ran down the front of the kitchen, separating the cooks from the patrons and giving the waitresses a much-needed go-between while booths lined the exterior walls. Tables dotted the black and white tiled floor that sprawled across the entire establishment. Outside, an awning hung from the brick front of the baroque-style building, shielding several more tables that dotted the pavement outside. 

[COLOR=606B8E]"Takes me back, late night studying, place almost reminds me of Sandra's."[/color] Archie replied. Despite the more intentional styling and modern flourishes, even 'Wanda's' couldn't run from the undeniable truth that it was another of Calder City's greasy spoons. 

[COLOR=C0C0C0]"I don't think it's quite the institution that Sandra's is."[/COLOR] Archie smiled, recalling the mentioned cram sessions and the bitter diner coffee. Hot water that had been allowed to cool before being heated up again, beans that were ground too fine, enabling the grinds to pass through the filter and pool in the bottom of each mug. The watered-down flavour from being quickly topped up to ensure each carafe went as far as possible. 

Still, somehow the best cup of coffee he had ever had.

[COLOR=606B8E]"How are you feeling about having your first day ever playing hooky?"[/COLOR] Boz asked. Archie sheepishly rubbed the back of his head, clearly made uncomfortable by the question. It was only when the officers returned his wallet and keys that Archie remembered he had lost his phone in the scuffle the previous night, mid-phone call at that.

[COLOR=C0C0C0]"Not thrilled that I have to buy a new phone, Harri's probably fuming, and the timing couldn't be worse, I have a lot of work to do on the Hawthorne case-"[/COLOR] Archie began to ramble before Boz cut him off.  

[COLOR=606B8E]"Hey, don't spiral."[/COLOR] Boz held up a hand, [COLOR=606B8E]"Firstly, let Harri fume, we already established she doesn't deserve you, secondly, don't worry about the case. If I know you, you've already got a slam dunk; you need to be able to present it now."[/COLOR]

[COLOR=C0C0C0][i]Easy for you to say, Boz. People have always liked you.[/i][/COLOR]

[COLOR=C0C0C0]"Uh, thanks, I guess..."[/COLOR] Archie replied reluctantly while finishing another mug of coffee. [COLOR=C0C0C0]"I, um, speaking of work, how are things going at the D.A.'s office these days anyway?"[/COLOR]

[COLOR=606B8E]"Oh, you know, city's getting worse. Recently, we've had a major spike in juvenile crime, which isn't particularly great news."[/COLOR] Boz replied. [COLOR=606B8E]"I've had three cases come across my desk where the juvenile in question was accused of parricide. That's three separate teens in little more than a week who have either killed both their parents or at least the one they're living with. It's dark stuff. Glad you didn't stick around the office, I'm not sure you're cut out for anything this heavy."[/COLOR]

[COLOR=C0C0C0]"It's kind of why I left in the first place,"[/COLOR] Archie nodded, [COLOR=C0C0C0]"Much happier in copyright and patent law. Plus,"[/COLOR] He flashed a small smirk, [COLOR=C0C0C0]"Pay is much better."[/COLOR]

[COLOR=606B8E]"Yeah, but your hours are somehow worse."[/COLOR] Boz teased. [COLOR=606B8E]"Seriously, other than our games of G&G, I never see you anymore. This has been a rare treat."[/COLOR]

[COLOR=C0C0C0][i]Yeah, because you all moved on and forgot about me after college.[/i][/COLOR] 

[COLOR=C0C0C0]"We grew up, Boz."[/COLOR] Archie offered with a shrug.

[COLOR=606B8E]"I don't buy that, and I don't buy this loner persona you're always putting on. You think the world is out to get you, but truth be told, you just always want the wrong people to like you."[/COLOR]

[COLOR=C0C0C0]"It's not like that with Harri-"[/COLOR]

[COLOR=606B8E]"I'm not just talking about Harri,"[/COLOR] Boz continued, [COLOR=606B8E]"Look, Superstar, I know you want to be somebody, but until you realize that you already are, you're going to keep chasing the wrong goals until they take you to a point of no return. Now, I don't say this to lecture you, I say this because you and I are going to get dinner this Saturday."[/COLOR] He smiled, holding up his phone before entering the date into his calendar.

[COLOR=606B8E]"There, it's on the schedule, and I've sent you an invite for when you get yourself a phone again. I'm buying, and we're doing a proper celebration for Pendelton & Hawking's newest junior partner."[/COLOR]

[COLOR=C0C0C0]"You really don't have-"[/COLOR] Archie interjected before Boz waved a hand dismissively.

[COLOR=606B8E]"I know, but I want to, so don't give me any mock humility or the woe is me. We're going uptown, so dress appropriately, which means yes, you can wear a tie."[/COLOR] Boz teased. [COLOR=606B8E]"I'm buying, even on an A.D.A.'s salary, I can afford to treat a friend."[/COLOR]

Archie had to stop himself from physically sighing in relief when Boz's phone rang, interrupting their conversation and saving him from further social obligations. Boz held up a finger, sliding his thumb across the touch screen before holding the phone up to his ear and turning away from Archie. 

Turning his attention to what little food remained on his plate, Archie scarfed the rest of it down before trying to replay the events of the last twenty-four hours over in his head. It always came back to the book. He needed to find his way back to that store, and he needed to get another look at the grimoire. That Galloway guy was expecting him after all.

Though Archie wasn't entirely sure what he had meant by 'claim what is rightfully his.'

[COLOR=606B8E]"Hey, look, Stud,"[/COLOR] Boz said, bringing Archie's attention back to the table, [COLOR=606B8E]"I've got to run, office needs me. I'll pay the bill on my way out. There's no rush for you to leave yet; enjoy another coffee. Take whatever time you need to sober up."[/COLOR] He added with a wink.

[COLOR=606B8E]"But, I'll see you Saturday, don't worry, I'll send a town car to pick you up."[/COLOR] 

[COLOR=C0C0C0]"I can drive,"[/COLOR] Archie protested.

[COLOR=606B8E]"No, you can't,"[/COLOR] Boz smirked, [COLOR=606B8E]"Because you're going to drink with me on Saturday."[/COLOR] He called while heading out the door.

Slumping down into his chair, Archie fiddled with the last few home fries on his plate before looking at the clock across the diner.

[COLOR=C0C0C0][i]That store had to be open by now, right? Does it matter? You have a standing invitation.[/i][/COLOR]

Three invitations in twenty-four hours, was this what it was like to be popular?[/indent][/indent][/color]