Tapping his talons against the floor, Raziel managed a soft sigh as he proceeded to lean against the marble pillar. This new shopping center needed a police presence? Of course it had to be Raziel, the new guy. After finishing his education at the military academy in the Skyline, he was forced to move beneath the shadow of his father, a general. To avoid maintaining a presence in the man's legacy, Raziel sought not only the police force, but also downgraded from the Skyline, to The Middle. One could perhaps consider it an act of defiance, not wanting to be coddled by one's rich parents, a mother owning a fashion business and a father managing a presence in the military force as a high ranking general.
As such, a lot was expected from young Raziel. He had many options, none of which he chose. Of course, being an Umbran, rebellion such as this was actually condoned. Rather than condemning his actions, the young police officer's parents applauded him for paving his very own path. A police office, in The Middle no less, was not what they would have chosen for him, however.
"This is exciting, isn't it?" Came a tired voice belonging to an older man, one who had been in the force for quite a notable amount of years.
"Not what I expected," Raziel sighed, earning a soft chuckle for him elder, a human by the name of George. He had been an officer for twenty years, ready to hang it all up, though continued as a matter of principle. 'I'm never too old to defend others', he would chant. Though, one could wonder how true it was. Ever since getting Raziel as a partner, George had been forced into more aggressive situations than he would want. Truly, danger sniffs out an Umbran with ease.
"Ah, come now, son," George commented, a hand reaching out to pat the canine atop his head, those ears twitching as a result, "take the moment for what it is, eh? You might even find a cutie to ask out when you're not in the uniform," the man chuckled, winking at the younger male.
"Ugh," Raziel clicked his claws against his biceps,
"wouldn't say I have time for that," the young officer noted.
"That's because you work far more than you have to, or should," George frowned, "the only man who works as much as you either has to feed a family of ten or is running away from something," he spoke, "and as far as I can tell, you have rich parents."
The man wasn't wrong. Not only could Raziel need a day off, but he had earned a few to spend. The loneliness of his apartment wasn't the best choice, and for reserved young man such as he, diving into work as a response to personal conflict was a common result.
"Why do you care, so much?" The Umbran asked, raising an eyebrow as he turned to George. It was no question of malice, but one of curiosity.
"I've seen too many youngsters run themselves ragged in this line of work," he commented, "don't overdo it, kid."
"I'm fine," Raziel responded, shifting his focus to the mass of people wandering about in the shopping center.
"Come on, we should keep going," the Umbran continued, his talons clicking against the floor as he proceeded to walk along their patrol. There would undoubtedly be attempts at theft, it wouldn't be the first time at a grand opening, and it certainly wouldn't be the last.
"Eh, you know I'm here if you want to talk, Raz'," George finished, earning a quick thanks. Though it came from a place of escape, an attempt to end the conversation, the old police officer had been in the presence of youngsters such as Raziel countless times in the past. People unsure of where to head, where they are and what to seek, they were a commodity in this line of business. Mainly, though, it was prevalent in those riding in the back of the car, not the front.
There was more to it than the cold, hard and solemn exterior. Raziel had much to offer, and while a boy of few words, George had seen his young partner in the field. He was as quick on his feet as he was with his wits. Though, not just that, Raziel displayed a warm heart more so than the Umbran would admit. Though his military training drew him an excellent warrior in the field, there were more emotional aspects to being a police officer that Raziel appeared more than willing to learn.
Open stores, countless hands tracing an ever growing amount of wares, some hands more eager than others, Raziel's eyes maintained a vigilant gaze upon his surrounding, more so than George who seemed to enjoy the break. After a murder case that was recently solved, it was a pleasant variation. "See anything you'd like?"
"Might get a video game," Raziel returned, motioning towards a store long their route.
"So, I have always wondered," George tapped his chin, "how does an Umbran get drunk? You can't drink alcohol, can you?"
"We just need to eat grapes," the Umbran shrugged.
"Seriously?" George blinked, looking down to the creature who shook his head.
"No, we don't get drunk on grapes," Raziel admitted.
"Oh, so you can joke, after all!" George laughed, patting the young police officer on his back, "you should reveal this side of you more often, kid."
"I'm fun," the Umbran scratched the back of his head,
"I just save it." "Oh yeah," the elder officer chuckled, "that's it."
"Mhm," Raziel finished.
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