There were more important things to do than investigate strange sounds. Killian was about ninety-five percent sure that it was just the rats in the walls anyway. His rats, no less.

Still, here he was in the middle of the night patrolling the sub instead of at home with Alexandra Briarwood. Killian frowned, an expression he was quickly growing accustomed to these last two months.

"Hmm?" he and the Espeon curled around his neck glance at the overtly friendly woman. "No, I'm fine." Nanette was a recent addition to Rocket. So far, it didn't seem like the organization would be a good fit for her. Rocket ate kind people like her up only to spit them out as someone different.

"But if you're hungry, I'll go with you."

nanette bouvier

"oh, why! i'd never. any time i eat past 7pm it's triple the calories!"

she pauses, and lets her munna go where it stays midair, even without her support. floating, its slumber continues on. she pats it thrice on the head before sauntering away.

don't you love how she moves? angel gliding from cloud to cloud, one light-footed step after another. wings a sheer gossamer of white tulle.

(if you look close enough, maybe you can see her halo. it burns the same color as her golden eyes.)

"still, would it be rude of me to insist?" her head tilts, and round eyes look up to him. she's facing him in full now. "you know, men with such high pressure jobs never seem to have enough time in the day to eat properly."

"regardless, if not food, then i will make tea. we have a long night ahead of us, don't we?"

she flutters away. hopping from cloud to cloud. her munna a trail of stars behind her.

Killian Decker

He'd thought she was a little bubbly, but maybe little wasn't the right word. Very enthusiastic might have been a better fit. Nonetheless, Killian can't help but chuckle while she rambles about the place.

"I eat properly, I assure you."

Actually, thinking about it now. Killian and Lex didn't eat home-cooked food all that often. Admin duties kept him busy, and she had her own assignments to deal with.

His shoulders shrug. "Change of plans. We have to check out that area anyway. So sure, I'll eat if you cook." what's the worst that could happen?

Killian led the way to the dining hall.

nanette bouvier

the way she moves is almost inhumane, automated. she glides across tile, like it’s ice and the soft padding of a nighttime slipper is a razor tipped skate. she doesn’t make a sound. not even an audino could hear her.

it’s as if she floats.

what a peculiar girl.

she stops. right at the edge of a stainless steel island, she’s frozen perfectly still. her limbs are risen, elbows crooked, her hands ready to work, and she doesn’t move a muscle.

she’s like a picture, an old painted ad from a different time.

Does your husband yawn at the dinner table? Well just wait until he tries Heinz Cream of Tomato Soup!

what a peculiar girl.

five… four… three… two… one…

what was she doing again? oh, yes!



“do you have any allergies? i would just die if something bad happened.”

it almost sounds ludicrous, such severe words plucked from pink rose petal lips.

Killian Decker

Nanette seems almost supernatural in the way she floats down the halls. Even stranger is when she stops herself from entering the kitchen. Looking at her, Killian swears she goes somewhere else.

"Are you alright?"

Then suddenly, she snaps to her senses. Yeah, this woman was definitely a strange one. He'd have to keep his eye on her.

"No, no allergies. You can whatever you'd like. I'll eat almost anything."

Odd, she still hasn't actually entered the room. Killian blinks and motions for her to come inside.

"It's hard to cook from out in the hallway."

nanette bouvier

"oh good!" angel sighs, "i would just die if something bad happened."

she rummages around a wide fridge, sliding ingredients out of the way to reveal home-made cookies carefully stored in the back. "i know it's a little bad to start with dessert, but i made these earlier today."

she sets them on the counter, carefully removing them from their saran wrapped confines.

"chocolate chip. everyone's favorite, right?"

she slides through the kitchen like it's a dance. like she's done it her whole life. like it is her whole life.

ingredients go in here, and we leave them out there. we chop this thin, but leave this in big bites if we really want to taste it. shall we roast the garlic, or just sauté it as is? red meat could benefit from roasted garlic, put perhaps that would take too long! she drops it into a pan with butter and it sizzles.

Killian Decker

The cookies are presented, and immediately Killian is reminded of the brownies he'd shared with the other higher-ups. It's a memory that makes him chuckle. It was one of the few good times he'd had with Rocket since joining.

"I prefer a good lemon cookie, but chocolate chip is a close second."

He picks one up and takes a bite without hesitation. What's the worse that could happen?

Chew. Chew. Swallow.

Greedy, Killian eats another. Watching her cook and enjoying the scents of garlic and meat as they fill the air.

nanette bouvier

Munna is there. 

Sound asleep.

Deep breath in, deep breath out.

Dream mist is an opaque cloud fogging dear Nanette’s mind. 

Deep breath in, deep breath out.

Nanette’s demeanor changes. She’s sharper, golden eyes molten. Viscous they pour over her surroundings, spilling into Killian. Her gaze burns. 

It’s because of those damned cookies, but Killian is at fault too. Would anyone have cared if a dwarf ate a poisoned apple? No, the story only works if Snow White gulps down her curse. And a curse this is. 

For as sharp as Nanette has become, Killian has dulled. His senses, his faculties, his mind.

”Now let’s begin,” says the witch.

Killian Decker

The shift is subtle. Killian doesn't even notice as the world starts to dull. He's sharp and alert one second, and several later, he couldn't be more relaxed. It's like all of his problems have melted away.

Lulu Flint isn't his enemy. Cillian Quinn hadn't betrayed his trust. Alexandra Briarwood doesn't have to worry about Kaito hunting her down.

He hasn't a care in the world. There's no reason to be suspicious or distrusting. Everything is good. Everything is fine.

There's a glossiness to his eyes as they glaze over. Lost to whatever foul concoction had been baked and buried into delicious chocolate treats.

"Begin?" it's a question at first, but something tells him not to bother asking.

"Yeah, okay. What are we doing?"

nanette bouvier

She's so far away.

Limbs move but they don't feel like her.

Soft padded feet step one in front of the other.

But she doesn't feel the warmth they provide.

Nanette is so confused.

Marionette strings pull and her mouth opens.

"Does Team Rocket have any intel on any relics?"

She pauses.

"Do you have any intel on any relics?"

Killian Decker