As the curtains parted to reveal the anxious face of the Irishman, Mercedes settled back in her seat again, her hand falling away from the healing symbols as the last vestiges of Gustavo's facial injuries faded away. Looking up, Gus gave a slightly uncharacteristically sheepish smirk, and his shoulders rose and fell in a small shrug.
"Be fair, Brother." He mused, "You know I have trouble with the redheads."
Shaking her head, Mercedes lip twitched up just slightly, "And the brunettes, so I hear… Hello, Shawn."
Shooting Sadie a look that suggested her words had touched a little close to something genuine, Gus's cheeks reddened, and he shifted his eyes to Shawn, "What matters, Brother, is you were there when it counted. And look… our Miss Sadie has made me once again more handsome than you. All is right with the world."
"Well… he's healed, anyway…" Mercedes teased lightly.
"And the blondes. And the dyed." Shawn's lips threatened to crack open into a smirk, but it drooped down once a gentle color encased his friend's cheeks. "Thank you, Mercedes." Shawn bobbed his head graciously, the back of his knuckles pressed to his throat as he swallowed. "Brother, do not scare me like that again. I'd rather keep my ugly demeanor than watch yours get torn to bits. Not to mention you have given Mercedes and Ricardo another patient to work on…" He tried to smile, although it was faint. "Next time try not to get with it with the hooved demon lady."
"Scare you?" Laughing softly, Gus shook his head, "Here I thought you would be relieved. Came so close to getting all the attention I steal away from you." There was an underlying current to his tone, however, that suggested the man had been properly humbled.
"You should get some rest, Gus. Fairly pieced back together, but and episode like that will take a great deal out of you." Turning her eyes to Shawn, the French woman's brow rose, "Anything hurt?"
"Lad, you are my brother. Of course I was scared I was gonna have to carry your sorry arse out of a bathroom stall with a dead demon in there. Good God, that report to Bethany is gonna be bloody horrific. Besides, I'd prefer your blabber over attention anyday." Eyes flickering briefly, he paused with a thoughtful nod. "Please. Do rest. I need you in tip top shape, just in case I need to knock on wood cause I get caught by the Fae." Grinning with a knowing wink, he turned towards Mercedes and shrugged. "Other than me pride, nothin' hurts."
"Don't make me blush, now, Shawnie. I'll get a reputation…" Leaning back, Gus relented, despite his initial thought to protest rest…
Mercedes smile crept towards sly, as she gave a brief nod, "I'm beginning to think you've got an affinity for trouble involving Succubus, darling."
"You already got a reputation Gus. Nothing worse than what it already is." Shawn gave a wink, even making his way to pull up the sheets and flattening them on the side. "Oi lad, soften up." Once again, Mercedes voice broke him out of his thoughts and he shrugged. "Technically a thing I study, not so sure about Gustavo over here."
"Gustavo has a trouble all his own," Mercedes suggested softly, as Gus sighed faintly, letting his mahogany eyes roll closed, "Glad you were there. Or he might not have been so lucky. Seems a bad day all around, but at least everyone made it back. Rescued a Chimera and a hellbound earlier yesterday evening. I thought that was complicated, but I suppose not…"
"He is a trouble all his own, lass." Shawn mumbled with a smirk, taking a step back from the hospital bed. Puffing out his cheeks in thought, he stuffed his hands deeply into his pockets. "It was supposed to be a calm night anyhow. Gustavo isn't exactly the most attentive person. But on the bright side, that succubus won't be killin anyone."
"Wait...you rescued a chimera…" Shawn's brow furrowed in major concern and in a soft whisper he asked "You mean slay one, ya lass? I'd be mighty concerned if ya saved a chimera."
"Good…" Mercedes said, with a small nod, as she moved away from the bed as well. She curled her arms around her, eyeing the mark on her wrist where she'd drawn the healing symbol. It had been a busy evening, but it was winding down, "The less of those in the world, the better."
Glancing over at Shawn, she frowned slightly, "...Erhm. You… you might be concerned, then. But it's not quite how it sounds. He was guarding the hellbound from a witch who had experimented on him. I was able to connect with his mind and convince him to let us take the hellbound, and offered to protect him, as well. Europa's already named the poor thing."
"What sort of creature is he?" Shawn questioned, blinking in concern. He had known fully well from his experience with witches that the rotten ones tended to experiment with nature more than they should have. It wouldn't surprise him if the witch was attempting to modify the creature into something stronger. "Where the hell is it?"
"From what I could see of him, he's wolf, for sure… and rat. And if I had to guess on the third, I'd say a mole, maybe? The claws… a bit. Not your typical blend, but not the first time we've seen this sort of thing from a witch." Giving a shrug, she slipped her hands into her pockets, "He saved our lives, to be honest. Ronin was hit pretty hard, and I couldn't get a ruin out. He jumped in to fight her…"
"Oi, that sounds like something out of a bloody nightmare!" Shawn exclaimed with a small frown, although made sure to keep his voice quiet to avoid waking up his friend. "Well, I'm glad he got ye three back alive, witches can be nasty if they ain't plannin on making you an honest cup of tea. Regardless, I suppose me thanks should be sent the beast's way. You ain't harmed yourself, are ye? How about Ro and Ronin?"
"Sounds it…" She agreed, with a small chuckle, "But he's really rather sweet. I would never have thought, if I hadn't connected with him. We found a place for him to lay low for now, and when it's light enough, we'll make a burrow for him." A brow rose at his question, and her expression softened, as she nodded, "I'm perfectly fine. Ronin took the brunt of it, but Ro's seen to him, no doubt. They were arguing like an old married couple over Ronin's coat, last I saw the two."
"You'll make a burrow for the beast?" Shawn questioned, a steady bemusement settling along the crinkles of his cheeks. A grin followed suit.. "Lass, how big did you say the creature was? That might be hard to accomplish without the use of magic." Wiggling his fingers to make his point, his eyes did a quick inspection of his friend to confirm what she was saying was true. "Aye, you look alright lass. I'm glad to hear Ronin and Ro are alright. Ronin can be quite the splinter in the arse. I'm glad to hear that he didn't outright steal the chimera's fur to keep em warm."
Chuckling lightly again, Mercedes nodded, "Roughly six feet or so. But I spent most of the evening and a little of this morning digging through spell books. Think I found one that would suffice. That's not to say I've completely lost my common sense. Europa wanted to keep him in her closet."
Looking over at him, she nodded, "He can be a bit prickly, but he's got something decent to him. Bit like our Chimera. I could introduce you, you know."
"Six...feet...of dog rat and mole…" Shawn's eyed brightened in utter horror, his jaw slackening in a gap of unbelief. He thought the four foot Fae were downright horrifying. Taking a hard swallow, he shook his head. "Please don't let her keep the creature in the closet. Gonna give her a heart attack one of these days...Er, um, I could meet the beast I guess. I dunno how much of a meal I'm gonna look like to him."
"I honestly think Europa forgets, sometimes, what we're up against out there. She's sweet… too sweet, and I worry about her." Shaking her head, she looked over to Shawn again, with a small chuckle, "...He's harmless, I promise. It's lightning up out there. I should check on him, anyway. Wanna grab a coat?"
"It's a good thing to have sweet hunters; ya know? Not everythin needs to be killin. Ro can be good with the victims, ya know?" Skimming his teeth along his bottom lip, his eyes darted down towards the tops of his shoes. "Er, I can survive the cold lass thank ya. You sure we should go look at it?"
"Oh, no… I agree. And I wouldn't change the way she is for anything. But it is disconcerting, watching how things get to her. She may be sweet, but this job will break her, if she isn't careful." Nodding, Mercedes adjusted course for the front door, pulling the arms of her sweater down over her wrists as she glanced over to him, "You can stand behind me, if your worried. Not sure I make the most imposing shield, however." She teased, lightly. Pulling her necklace from beneath her collar, she brushed her thumbnail over the symbol, "I'll be sure to let him know you're not breakfast, Shawn."
"I'd ask Bethany for a therapist." Shawn suggested with a light chuckle, knowing that it would most likely be a better solution for many of the hunters who had experienced more than many did their entire lives. "She'll be alright. She has people who love her, ya know. Everyone does." Adjusting the hems of his sleeves over his forearms, he figured a gentle fuck it would do and he decided to follow after his friend. "Look, lass, I'm just sayin, I'm Gus's impulse control...if I die we got a lot of pregnant ladies around here."
"Oh, goodness. I wouldn't put a therapist through that gambit. That's just cruel. I think she'll be alright, so long as she remembers not to keep it all buried." She grinned faintly, shaking her head, before she pushed open the door, slipping out into the coolness. The snow had stopped and the ground was a crisp, pale blanket of white, untouched and glistening in the wan light of pre-dawn. For a moment, Sadie took it in, before stepping outside.
"You'll be fine, Darling. And I wouldn't worry too much about Gus. There's only one girl on his mind these days… or did you think it was coincidence he's devolved to throwing himself at strange women in bars? He's trying to distract himself, I expect."
"Er, I'd even volunteer lass." A soft chuckle escaped him, knowing fully well that he wouldn't provide an incredible therapy session to multiple people who have witnessed monster attacks, lost a family member, or may have even lost an eye or two." Eyes fluttering down to the pearly white snow, Shawn's heel crunched delicately into the thin blanket of fluffy snow. Feet sinking in, allowing cold to seep into Shawn's socks, a gentle shudder travelled through his spine.
"One girl, no way! He never told me of such a thing. I can't believe it." Shawn gave a shrill whistle, clicking his tongue against the back of his teeth. "I can't believe it. Who's the lucky lady? And why do you know before me?" Smirking, Shawn's focus locked back onto the path ahead. "How far out is this beast?"
"Oh, Shawn. Don't volunteer for that. It's madness." She couldn't imagine the nightmare that would be. With the history that half of them had, it was undoubtedly enough to put someone into therapy, themselves, sitting to listen to it. As she followed him out into the snow and started down the path towards where they had left Roro, she glanced over to Shawn with a chuckle.
"I know because I observe, Shawn. Have you not noticed that last night was the first time he's been out to a bar in months? That he spends an inordinate amount of his 'social' time hanging around here. I won't say who it is… not if he hasn't, but you shouldn't be surprised if you figure it out." Running her fingers through her curls, she nodded, "About a half mile. You're sure you don't want a coat?"
"Er, well, I suppose I did notice that a little bit. It's mostly cause I figured he needed a little color in his cheeks that he go. Besides...er, I needed to get out of the guild anyway and he hadn't been out in a while. Figured he'd be gettin overwhelmed by the job. He's got his eyes on everyone, so I didn't really focus on a particular one." Shawn shrugged, concern suddenly seeping into his conscience for his buddy. This couldn't have been good for the man's psyche. "I'm quite alright, thank ya lass. I'm a big strong man, I can handle a little cold."
"...You… needed to get out?" A brow rose at his confession, and glanced at him, she frowned slightly, "Not like you to need a night out on the town, unless you're on a mission. And I wouldn't worry too much about him. This… This could be good for him, Shawn. He needs to slow down…"
Her lip twitched in a grin and she nodded, "Right, yes. Sorry, I do recall some rather manly feats two years ago."
"Lass I haven't had a breath of fresh air in what feels like a lifetime. Ya know? It's all just slice and dice and I haven't been able to just rest back." Brushing the back of his hand against his forehead, he thought about his last proper mission. Small tribe of Fae in a local Manchester community. stole a kid. Got him back no problem. Just...just a few fairies were fed to Mulder the demonic fox. Biting back a small chuckle at the thought, he shrugged. "Yeah, I know what ya mean. He's a good lad and I love em more than the stars in the sky, but he's quite the hopping John."
"Oi! I was very manly! Just couldn't help that fact that broad bitch decided to sex me up a bit! Kissed me too roughly ya know? A little too flirty round the mouth...God never again I say. I don't know I handled me the second succubus, well, the one from today. Good thing I had Mulder on me."
"Oh, trust me, I know…" She mused, with a sideways look at him, "Because I've been waiting for a certain Irishman I know to finally take me to dinner like he owes." Eyes shifting ahead again, she frowned, "...Gustavo is complicated. There's something there, more than he lets anyone know. Sometimes the ones with the longest list of paramours are the ones who have more to forget about."
Shaking her head, she slid her hands into the pockets of her jeans, shivering a little against the sudden gust in the air, "She probably couldn't help it, either, Shawn. It was in her nature, after all. And I still have scars from that day that make me wish our Incubus had been a little more charming. I'm glad you had Mulder on you, as well… for yours and Gus's sake. And because Mulder Junior has a bad habit of taking his time before he hits anything."
"Shite!" Shawn exclaimed, delicately placing his hand over his mouth as to not allow his voice to echo through the heavily wooded area. "I forgot that I said that to ya lass, my apologies." Swallowing hard, he shoved his hands towards his thighs and let his fingers curl up into shivering fists. Oi, it was cold. It infested his skin like damned, frosty parasites.
"And I've known that for a while. He's my best man, ya know? I just don't pry cause I understand what might be underneath the floorboards" Absentmindedly he found himself tracing his steps with each imprint in the snow and guilt flooded his system. He shouldn't have left his sleeping friend. Worry easily built in Shawn, especially at three a.m in the morning when stars acted as their only guide. "Mulder junior just needs a few obedience training sessions and he's good as golden." Shawn claimed with a chuckle, cupping his elbows as a shiver cascaded down his form.
"Technically…" She continued, with a smooth smile, "I said it. But you did agree, and two years is an awfully long time to make a girl wait. You're very lucky I'm patient." Her eyes shifted to him, but her smile faded at the look on his face.
"...We all have things under our floorboards, Shawn. I imagine people don't get into a business like this, if they've got easy, comfortable lives. And why would they?" Shaking her head, she looked up at the path again, "Nearly there. Thank you for coming with me. Didn't rather fancy taking this walk on my own after the day we've all had"
"Oi, I'm sorry lass. I didn't even consider a free meal for ya for saving me from a blood thirsty succubus." Trying his best to grin, he felt anxiety shoot up his nerves. Er, dinner now. He'd have to remember, considering food was the best payment for any attempted save.
"That's why I don't pry into things Lass. Although I'll admit, I could have been very cozy if I wanted to. I blame the little fairy man who wanted to make me into his human puppet." Shaking his head, a gentle shrug graced his shoulders, bouncing ahead of his friend ever so slightly. "I wouldn't let ya walk alone at night lass. Don't know what sort of monsters might be lurkin."
"Don't fret… I'm only teasing." She answered, with a faint glimmer of a smile, "That's not to say you can't make up for it. I'll admit a night without the promise of some hellish creature breathing down my neck wouldn't be the worst thing ever."
Pausing, she glanced at him fully, "I do hope you're talking about Leprechauns… Otherwise, you had a very strange life, indeed." Eyes turning to the path, she smiled, "Maybe not all the monsters. But I do know of one. Roro… it's safe to come out." She called, reaching to Shawn's arm, to halt the man, "I brought a new friend for you to meet…"
"Alright lass, I'll consider it." Shawn mumbled with a bob of his head, realizing that perhaps it would be good to get himself, Sadie and Gustavo out more. Besides, being in that guild for twenty four hours straight did horrible damage on one's psyche. "I am talking about leprechauns. Or the ones in my family." Chuckling softly, Shawn came to a complete stop as her arm crossed along his side and forced him to halt.
A gentle rumble emitted from the nearest tree, where as Shawn peeked up, he saw beady, yellow eyes peering into his. The creature clung to the thickest, sturdiest branch, it's entire form upside down like a slumbering bat. It made a gentle coo, letting go of its safety net.
It occurred to her as he spoke that Sadie knew very little about Shawn's history, and for a moment, she considered asking what he meant, but the low rumbling sound drew her attention upwards, and as Roro dropped down to the ground, she smiled delicately, touch her finger to the communication rune, to activate the necklace.
"
Roro… This is my friend, Shawn. We came to check on you… How are you feeling?"
The beast, within moments of the contact, straightened to its hind legs and allowed its head to tilt. Lowering to all fours, it gently crushed snow beneath its leathery paws and approached the young woman. It sniffed at her skin, brushing its muzzle against her cheek before fully encasing her face in a chaste lick.
Good woman. I am glad to see you. A friend of yours is good. Friend to me. Turning to Shawn, the creature graciously skimmed its claws along Shawn's jaw, inspecting his form as the young man nearly quaked in the creatures presence. It leaned in towards the human, pressing its forehead to his.
precious human
As Roro approached, Mercedes reached up to scratch between his ears, before laughing softly as he moved to inspect Shawn, watching as the Irishman tried very hard not to shake himself to pieces, "...He likes you, Shawn. Said a friend of mine is a friend of his…"
Looking to Roro, she patted her side, "
Come here… Let me look at see how you're healing up."
"Oi, hes got hungry eyes." Shawn whimpered, feeling a gentle lick administered to his cheek and a soft nuzzle soon followed. However, like a hound to its master, Roro peeked it's head up at Mercedes call. It lumbered over, cautious and attentive of the woman's size. Slowly it descended to its stomach, glancing at her with affection and letting its mouse like tail sweep snow aside.
"He's probably hungry, darling." She mused with a chuckle, "But he's not going to eat you." Leaning down, she looked Roro over with a small, thoughtful frown. The nicks and cuts, the scratches from the witch were still visible on it's form, and momentarily, Mercedes felt a prick of guilt at not having thought to heal him earlier, "
Do you want me to help you? I can, if you'd like…"
Shawn watched her beast squirm towards her feet while nestling close. It nestled its muzzle close to her feet; glancing up with pleading eyes and allowing his tongue to roll from its jaw. "
What you do I love. You may help.." For emphasis, the creature placed its muzzle onto her lap, poking the center of her stomach and holding up its paw.
Pulling a pen from the back pocket of her jeans, she rolled up her sleeve, and carefully, squinting in the darkness, she drew a circle on the inside of her forearm. After returning the pen, she activated the ruin with a brush of her finger, eyes closed a moment in concentration, before opening, focusing on Roro.
"
There you are, dear one. Good as new…" Giving his a scratch between his ears again, she smiled delicately, "So, Shawn… What do you think?"
The creature bounded to its hind legs in gratitude, tossing its gaunt arms haphazardly around Mercedes and pulling deeply into its wild mane of fur. Nuzzling her head, it's yellow eyes peered back momentarily to see Shawn paling exponentially with each movement of the creature.
"He's bloody big."
Chuckling softly, Mercedes patted Roro on the back, "
Good boy." When she was able, she rose to her feet again, brushing snow off her knees, her eyes returning to Shawn, "That he is. I'm contemplating talking to Bethany about keeping him on hand. He's strong and loyal. And we could use something like that on our side. We already work with Hellbounds. You suppose she'll be wary of the idea?"
"I...I don't know how to feel about…" Shawn swallowed as the beast set its beady eyes upon him, tilting his head innocently as if waiting for Shawn to conclude his thought. "Um...I don't know what she'll think. She's got a pretty good no demonic pets on guild grounds policy. I can't keep Mulder around ya know?"
"I can't release him into the wild, Shawn…" She murmured quietly, brushing her fingers down Roro's snout, "If… if another hunter finds him, without knowing. You know what would happen to him. He's been captive, too long." A frown touched her lips as she looked up at Shawn, "...I just want to keep him safe."
"He...he's a creature, lass. Meant to live in the wild." Even as he spoke, he grimaced at his choice of words. Hunters took down these creatures because they brought a potential threat to those of mundane lives. Yet, this creature was harmless, and as much as he hated to agree, it didn't stand a chance if the wrong hunter came along. Massaging his aching brow, Shawn released a near hiss of an exhale. "I get it, lass. I...I'll try and help."
Blinking, Mercedes turned her eyes up to Shawn again, and for a moment there was a weight of emotion behind her eyes, her fingers curling into Roro's fur as she considered the risk of getting to attached to the pitiful creature, "Y-you will?" She asked, and a smile brightened her features, "Well, hell, Shawn… Now I feel like I owe
you dinner."
"Er, I mean I suppose so."
It is the right thing to do, and you know it
Grinning sheepishly, Shawn rubbed the back of his head and hesitantly reached out to pet the creature before him. The beast's head melted into the palm of Shawn's hand, a leathery substance running against Shawn's fingers. He grimaced, only to realize that the creature was giving him a generous lick. A sigh of relief exited his system. "No. You don't. Consider this repayment for sayin me arse."
Laughing softly, Mercedes shook he head, "Saving you? Shawn, darling. Please. I would be dead if you weren't there in that room with me. If you hadn't cast that shield. And without Mulder Junior, we both wouldn't be here. It was hardly all my effort that kept us alive." Looking to Roro, she gave him a gentle pat.
"
We need to go back, now… Stay low and hidden, until I come back tomorrow… Promise?"
"We wouldn't have been there if you didn't lose control over yourself and straddle me." He teased, adopting the american accent he had greeted her with years ago. "Not to mention that we got incredibly lucky. The Boston department screwed up horrifically. We should have been there together in the first place…"
The creature gently bobbed its head against Shawn's touch, raising once again to its full, erect height. It glanced down tiredly at its adopted owner, head hanging briefly as it scuttled to all fours.
A laugh escaped at his words, and with another shake of her head, Mercedes pointed a finger at him, "It was that, or we gave up and went home. And considering there were two of those terrors in the hotel that night, I'm not sorry I chose that particular avenue." With a slightly sly smirk, she shrugged, "Besides, as I recall… you're the one who invited me up to your room."
Boston had certainly messed up, and they'd heard it from Bethany, for sure. It had taken quite a great deal of time for Mercedes to recover entirely, and Shawn hadn't been in the best shape, either. Luck was the word for it.
"
I'll be back tomorrow. I will…" Smiling at Roro, giving him one last pat, she nodded to Shawn, before severing the communication connection, sliding the necklace into her sweater.
"We can start back… He ought to be alright, for tonight."