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Owen was sitting on a chair pulled out from the dinner table. He had washed up and was feeding Alleluia. Stripped of his cute apron, he was talking to her through her feeding. Alleluia listened to Owen as he explained his plan. He would get her eyes seen as soon as possible, and when it came from Owen it was a fact. She was in good hands. But instead of him ‘gathering’ these magical glasses for her, She needed to do it herself. By seeing the Human Optometrist. Owen assured her it wouldn't be difficult,
“-The Doctor can be trusted,” Owen said, Alleluia took the food into her mouth. Alleluia grimaced at the mention of ‘doctors’, they haven't had a good history, they've always psyched her out. She met with Xanatos’ scientists and doctors throughout the months. They regarded her with fascination and were quick to study her. But utter disrespect. Always grabbing at her fins, or her arms… taking blood… Alleluia rubbed her arm resentfully at the memories, especially of the new horrid memory by Xanatos himself. The remainder of it brought up all kinds of horrid assumptions.
“... What will they do to me there?” Alleluia asked concerned but with a mouth full of fish, bits and scales smashed together. Owen looked away with a wince and pulled the fork he was using to feed her with him. The thought of the usual poking and prodding with metal instruments not on her body but only at her eyes and the thought of anything sharp near her eyes was terrifying. “They won't hurt me?”
“- Manners , Alleluia.” He said wearily, just as some food fell down her lip and onto her chest.
“Oh-” Alleluia picked it up and chucked it back into her mouth. Closing her mouth now that she was reminded. She was used to eating so openly, she didn't have ‘manners’ when she was alone in the ocean. You eat fast or your siblings steal your meal. She chewed and then swallowed, slightly embarrassed at making Owen disgusted. She looked off to the side. “-Sorry Owen''
“It is quite alright...as I was saying, they will simply check your eyes, if you have astigmatism or any problems. It is purely for your benefit, no one will hurt you there.” Owen explained, holding the fork out to her. He was assuring and it helped quell her worries. Although Alleluia doesn't exactly understand what checking the pressure of eyes meant or even what astigmatism was but as long as Owen would be there she would be fine.
“This Optometrist isn't one of Mr.Xanatos’ Associates. It would be wise if you did not reveal your nature.” Owen explained further, holding out another bite to her, Alleluia continued to eat, chewing and listening to Owen.
“The doctor will ask you questions about your eyes and the history if you have issues. Please refrain from… Mayhem . The Doctor is not your enemy.” Owen assured her, he pushed around the food on the rectangle plate. He pierced a slice of fish, cut down to bitesize. He fed her another once Alleluia swallowed and continued to talk.
“I will call tomorrow right in the morning to get you in, I'll also let you know in the morning when I stop in to get you ready,” Owen explained further.
“You will be there with me?” Alleluia asked, she didn't want to worry about being alone, Owen was no doubt a comfort to her. After this morning with the needle, she needed to have him there.
“Yes, I will,” Owen said, he let the fork go against the edge. He grabbed the plate and held it up to her. “Are you done?”
“Yes, thank you. Do you want the rest?” Alleluia asked, pointing a finger at the leftover bits, mainly bones, and scales, fins. But they were good pieces too. Owen raised a brow and regarded them.
“No… id rather not.”
Owen turned his head over to the expansive windows, his blue eyes behind his glasses focused on the skyline of Manhatten and the dwindling sky. his brows lowered and he spoke up.
“I suppose it's time for you to head to bed.”
“Now?” Alleluia asked, her shoulders slumped and she frowned dissapointedly.
“Yes, I will help you to bed.” Owen stood up, he held a hand out to Alleluia. Alleluia took it and he helped her up off of her perch.
“I've noticed you tend to wake up… late because you stay up late. A schedule change is in order.” Owen held an arm out towards her bedroom and Alleluia followed.
Alleluia was already in her robe, so she plopped down on the bed. Climbing onto the side to sit, she turned her back to Owen, familiar with the nighttime rituals. Owen reached over and began pulling off her hair tie.
“Owen? Do you have astigmatism?” Alleluia asked. Owen runs his hands down her hair and takes the hair tie away.
“No, but I've required glasses since I was a small child,” Owen explained, a kind soft lilt to his voice, the one he’d get when he’d chat to Alleluia. Pulling hairpins out of the sides of her head. Alleluia always felt relieved to have her human hair taken out of the binds Owen put into it. But the weight of it began to pull on her scalp. “My family has a history of eye problems,” Owen said offhandedly as he settled down her hair into one hand.
“Can you comb it too, it hurts,” Alleluia asks with a slight frown, she pressed at the aching spots on her scalp with her fingers. Owen gave her a nod. “Of course.”
Owen procured a brush and a wide-toothed comb from her Bathroom. He came back, Alleluia sat with her back facing the edge. Alleluia was content, Owen brushing out her hair for her, he started with the tips. Her Ankle long hair was usually a challenge for her, but Owen did it like he was a seasoned pro with it. Usual attitude for him, all-knowing. Alleluia turned to him. Owen had separated her hair into three parts, the sides and the back. He was combing through the back, in the middle all the way towards the scalp. There were hardly any tangles, Owen was through when he did her hair, rarely did it hurt to have his comb through tangles. Separated them with his fingers when it got bad.
“Where did you come from Owen?” Alleluia asked, it was one of the questions she had for Owen that she compiled that would tell her of his character. “Philadelphia, it's west, farther over the land,” Owen explained. Alleluia wondered what Philadelphia looked like, west was unknown to her. Alleluia had never been this far up the coastline of the ‘U.S’, she was brought here in a tank, driven in a giant truck, and hadn't been seen outside of the Manhattan area.
“If you are curious, it's not much different from Manhattan.”
“Concrete and metal?” Alleluia asked over her shoulder. She spotted Owen nodding.
“ The very same… and you? Do you migrate?” Owen asked,
“No, we have domains, hunting grounds surrounding that domain, usually near reefs. My ‘family's’ domain has been an ancestral home since forever. We all lived there- happily and we would all sing and -and play- my siblings would chase me and id chase them… till they all left. ” Alleluia’s voice started off playful and cheerful, but she had forgotten that her life had changed.. Dramatically. Her shoulders slumped.
“Where did they go?” Owen asked, stopping combing through her hair. His hands rested on her hair. Alleluia’s hands turned to fists, her nails dug into her palms briefly at the question. “Your family-”
“I don't know…” Alleluia snapped incredulously. Her mood is sullied… by thoughts of what she doesn't have anymore.
“One day they were gone- and I was alone.” Alleluia hissed, her voice was small and hardly carried her proud weight. “I don't want to speak of this-'' she ordered.
“Very well, we won't speak of it…” Owen said, his tone sure and close. Only spoken to her and Alleluia was thankful for his attentiveness. He stroked over her forehead and combed back her hair. His hands were warm.
“-Where are you going tonight?” Alleluia asked, She prodded Owen at times like this when they could chat. He would usually answer too as long as it didn't return to horrid memories.
“ Working . The same as every night.” Owen answered simply, one-note voice droning.
“What do you do anyway?” Alleluia asked, turning his way to peer over her shoulder at him. Pulling some of his work out of his hands. she couldn't imagine Owen combing Xanatos’ hair for him or feeding him… unless-
“I am an assistant to Mr.Xanatos, you know this,” Owen spoke, combing the parted hair together. He further explained. “I make calls for him, as well as schedules, driving him places. I offer my support when he asks. Much like what I already do for you.”
“Do you feed him too?” Alleluia asked hotly, bristling at the comparison. Owen chuckled to himself, a slight smile on his features. He shook his head.
“No, I only do this for you, because you asked me to,” Owen answered and Alleluia stood prouder. Imagine wasting away a resource that was Owen on paper, and ‘taking calls’.
“Why can’t you be my gatherer? assistant, all day?” Alleluia asked, opting to use the Human terms. If only Owen were around all day, she asked because she could see that the sun was going down, meaning Owen would be leaving her soon. It was approaching too fast, to her, she had only just woken up. She was in high spirits when Owen was near.
“Xanatos isn't that great, compared to me.” Alleluia turned her nose up.
-Owen breathed deeply behind her, it came off as an exasperated sigh and suddenly Alleluia felt very… silly for asking that of him. Why would he want to stay near her anyway- he was Xanatos’ ‘assistant’ first.
“ I only do what is in my power to do. I cannot be at two places at once and I have a life of my own.” Owen draped a thick bunch of her hair over her shoulder. He left it alone and began tying her hair up into a bun. Loose and high up on her head. Alleluia looked at her hands, folding above her thighs.
“Xanatos asked me to aid you to your standards and I followed it to the letter,” Owen said, it was the usual answer she expected from Owen. slate responsibility, distant, detached… from her. Alleluia peered down at her palms, she clenched them together at the thought of a ‘detached’ Owen. an Owen that could leave her.
“- Do you… enjoy- being my gatherer?” Alleluia asked out, turning to look at Owen, trying to see anything beyond that straight face he always had on. Alleluia had asked him the same question before but worded it differently, they never were blatant in how she was asking him exactly how he felt. She didn't want to face the truth that she was alone…
Owen did not respond immediately to the question, he continued to brush through her hair in the silence. He pulled at small tangles in her hair, they pulled on the base of her hair and the sharp pricks of pain only made the unanswered question between them even more excruciating. Alleluia wondered if Owen heard her or if he was ignoring her. Suddenly Alleluia understood what it mean to cry when someone says ‘no’... because if he-
“It has its moments,” Owen answered, stroking over her forehead before pulling all of Alleluia’s hair back and combining the separated parts. Alleluia beamed, she smiled wide at the affirmation.
“Really!” Alleluia asked, turning fully, her hair slid out of Owen’s fingers. Alleluia spotted the slight smile on Owen’s face. Just the tiniest amount, but to Alleluia that was a lot, so much. Suddenly Alleluia felt fluttering inside of her, the happiest she could be.
“Yes, I su-” Alleluia didn't need any more affirmation, she clambered over, she practically pounced at Owen, but without the claws. She wrapped her arms around his waist. Squeezing him tightly and clinging to him immediately. Owen was stiff, his back straight and his arms locked in place. He gasped after a breath when Alleluia squeezed again.
“Ah- Ahem , as much as- ... Uhm.- ” Owen stifled his words above her, his hands aimlessly wandering in the air unable to find a place for them, his head swiveling in different directions and face pinched in a soft wince. Alleluia hummed contently. Owen was warm, his clothes were soft and they smelled nice.
“Uh-” Owen mumbled, there was an unmistakable warmth emanating from Owen, a warm soft coastal waters feel to it right next to her chest. Alleluia remained close to him for several moments, Owen let his arms drop down and rest at his sides. Staring down at her.
“Alleluia please.-” Owen spoke, clearing his throat. He patted her shoulder, clearly needing to be let go of. Alleluia fell out of her burst of overt friendliness and affections.
“Oh- sorry Owen.” Alleluia pulled back, sitting up straight and smiling up at him widely. Owen gave her a curt nod, his face flushed in a rosy glow, pushing his glasses up onto his nose and collecting himself. His gaze was on anything but her.
“ Yes- thank you- Alleluia. ” Owen cleared his throat again, coughing into a fist. Alleluia remained smiling up at him, she felt her human illusion faltering, falling apart. Her teeth were sharp, glinting, and dermal fins fanning outwards. Enamored by her Gatherer.
The sun outside the windows of the bedroom was now dwindling rays of light on the horizon, the buildings’ lights in the windows were brighter and the nightlife was in swing. Owen watched Alleluia’s dermal fins as they flicked, retracting back into her illusion with her sot excited breaths, the sun’s last rays now disintegrating into the night behind Alleluia’s smiling face.
“Uhm- well-” Owen broke out of a short trance. looked down at his watch, pushing his sleeve up and gesturing to his watch. He took a polite step back from the bed. It was time for him to take his leave, otherwise, Xanatos would be calling for him. He mustn't be late.
“I must go. Remember to head to bed early. I will be there to collect you in the morning.” Owen explained as he made his way to collect his coat near the door. Leaving through the open door in the bedroom to leave. Alleluia didn't mind he was leaving, far too giddy with her newest information-
“But- Owen? do. Do you like me?” Alleluia asked, teetering on the edge of the bed before chasing after him. Her question was in a small voice that was slightly embarrassed, but she was persistent and if she didn't know the answer then she wouldn't know what to do then. hoping she caught that, She trotted after him,
“Owen?” Alleluia asked after him. Owen was putting on his blazer, straightening it. His back to her, he was rolling his sleeves down his arms. Owen paused his hands on the blazer’s buttons. He was frozen in place near the door. Alleluia waited in suspense, watching him carefully. Her human teeth bit her tongue softly.
“Do you like me? ” she asked again, bolder that time. Owen then continued to button his blazer back, motion returned to him. He straightened it out, setting it straight on him.
He turned his head back to her. Alleluia tugged on the sleeve of her robe.
“I do.”
Owen offered her a slight smile, the gaze was one Alleluia has not seen in a long time. Trust. Familiarity. She beamed brighter,
“I'll be back tomorrow, early to feed you.”
“Goodbye Owen!” Alleluia called out happily, waving her hand after him. He offered up a short wave with his hand, giving her a nod he turned back to the door. The keypad next to it blinked red steadily.
Alleluia watched Owen’s hand on the keypad, his fingers crisscrossing the pad. With the sound of Owen’s fingers hitting against the keys, Alleluia raised her head up and squinted in its direction. Unable to make out the pad, it was a blurry mess and the edges were not defined. One day she will be able to see it with those miracle glasses.
Tap, tap, tap tap tap tap. Alleluia eyed Owen’s hand as he swiped a card across the surface, and it beeped. The door slid open and Owen stepped out into the white-tiled hallway beyond her room.
“Goodnight Alleluia. Sleep well…” Owen gave her one last look and Alleluia beamed brightly, waving both of her hands in his direction. Owen was straight-faced when he met Alleluia’s gaze. He gave her a small smile.
The door slid closed and Owen was gone, now for the waiting game to begin. This time, the night seemed short compared to long as it usually was. She was going to be getting those miracle glasses tomorrow, Owen would be there… Alleluia sighed softly as she backed into her bedroom.
“You really like me…” she whispered to herself. “ You really, really like me. ”
Alullia turned the lights off using the switch on her wall, the overhead lights to the other rooms, and her pool room switched off. The blue pool lights illuminated the room there, the city was a night light but Alleluia still turned and ran at the bed.
There was always a shrill fear in her as she scampered back to the bed in the dark on her human legs. Like there was someone chasing her, even in the dark ocean she wouldn't swim far from the domain. It might not be pitch black here but there was always the thought of predators out there… her proximity to them never changed, from water to this steel tower.
Alleluia covered herself up with the blankets on the bed, content with sleeping on the human bed then attempting to sleep on the tiles of the pool again. She was sitting up, she looked beyond the buildings of Manhattan to the seas beyond them. The open seas… home. She pulled the pillows over to her on either side.
She plopped down between them, curling up between them with a smile.
“He likes me…”
“ I'm David Xanatos and this is my kingdom, will you be a part of it! ” Xanatos gave a point to the camera. Underneath his hand, in the large italic font was Xanatos Industries faded into the foreground, the X of Xanatos stark red. The logo overcame the picture, Xanatos disappearing into a white background as a cheery tune began to play. Guitars and soft drums were in the background as a familiar voice began to sing. Rising and lowering so sweetly with the beat of the song. A sweet light piano chord twinkling in the back.
“ ♪ Today ah aaa~, la la la- tomorrow, the future, We’re here for you. La al ah Come be with us, Together for the Future~ ♫ With, Xanatos industries~. ”
The real, physical, Xanatos at his desk with the computer screen facing him, he leaned forward, his attention solely on the screen and his performance. he tapped his foot to the beat. Alleluia was definitely the right choice for the job, she could make anything sound persuading, the first time he watched the commercial, he said ‘nearly got me, Siren.’ with a smile when that song began to form a slight pull on his mind. His focus was only on the voice of Alleluia, how it seemed to manifest an image in his mind, of his own company. even now as Alleluia sang he could see a glorious future. His own self-completion. Xanatos sighed softly, nodding his head to the mantra.
'`This Commercial was brought to the people of the world by Xanatos Industries, the Only Self Made Company…’ Underneath the Xanatos logo, ‘the only Self Made Company…’ appeared, sliding across the screen. Xanatos was at the edge of his seat now
The song was definitely pleasant, slow, and heavenly. Alleluia’s voice added all that was needed to his performance. Xanatos watched the end of the commercial for the 4th time, watching his magnum opus. His vision was finalized, right before his eyes, it was exactly as he envisioned. Fashioned from his very soul…
Well…
He didn't particularly like the color of the red of the X in Xanatos, it wasn't large enough, it appeared stretched rather than sized to the rest of -anatos. Definitely off to Xanatos’ and his artistic vision. He should have Owen send it back, and get it fixed… Xanatos instead opened up his email on the computer Attaching the video he typed in an email. forwarded it to some guys, hoping to get their opinions on his performance. He really needed someone to see this.
So he called Dr. Anton Sevarious, the good doctor. His chief specialist in genealogy, biology, and scientific pursuits. He had sent the doctor the commercial, he runs the company so he saw no harm in letting Sevarius take a look. Xanatos knew that he'd enjoy it, because who wouldn't?
“Well, Dr. Sevarius, what do you think of my newest commercial? Snazzy ?” Xanatos asked, threading his fingers together and staring pointedly at the phone on his desk where he had the doctor on the speaker. He had just heard the last bit of the commercial playing in the background of the other end.
“Oh– absolutely. Mr.Xanatos. She certainly has a beautiful voice.” Dr. Sevarious spoke lowly, his nasally sniveling voice spoke up. He was definitely feeling the effects of the music, but that wasn't what Xanatos had in mind when he had asked for Sevarious opinion. But it expected of the doctor…
“I was actually asking about my performance, Doctor.” Xanatos frowned, he was in the commercial, not Alullia.” Xanatos clarified, frowning slightly. He heard Sevarious go ‘ -your performance? ’ offhandedly and dazed sounding.
“Oo-oH! It was wonderful sir, absolutely breathtaking, ah hee-he-rm.” Dr.Severious laughed, it was an attempt at charming that tapered off into a grumble. Xanatos was a little offended he was upstaged by the music… he didn't need magic to do any of his tricks.
“To the right you are. Doctor.” Xanatos spun around in a half-circle before he stopped himself with his foot and went back the other way. Xanatos visibly shook himself out of his minor stupor and decided to just change the subject entirely. It was a bad idea to even try to get Sevarious opinions on the arts anyway…
Xanatos clapped his palms together energetically. Moving onto greener pastures, if they were on the topic of the siren.
“so- what is the status on Her blood, doctor?”
“Well, remarkably healthy by our human standards I suppose. Not a disease at all, I’d suppose that's her… mystical defenses , Slight regenerative properties, the blood as it ‘died’ tried to build more of itself.-” Dr. Sevarious was always head deep in his work, it was made him a great mind to use, but the pointless information that Xanatos has already heard from the source itself was tiring.
“But is she ready ?” Xanatos asked, adamantly on the question of the hour. listening to the doctor stutter and stumble on his words due to the interruption. Dr. Sevarious cleared his throat and answered. “-She is ready for the next phase of your... Plan . Mr.Xanatos.”
Xanatos smiled at the news. Then Sevearious opened his mouth again, stifling off congratulations and a swift goodbye from Xanatos’ end. He was about to hang up with another good evening when he was interrupted.
“- That was just what I was about to bring up actually!- I have seen you’re… shortlist of potential patriarchs - ‘sires’ she calls them.” The doctor spoke in a small voice, losing its strength and hardly audible.
“Your point. Doctor?”
“The chances of study- for the extension of my knowledge- our knowledge- would be best left in the hands of someone who understands biology- I would gladly offer myself up as a potential sire” Severarius voice lost all its confidence and he wasn't even under Xanatos’ gaze. Xanatos listened with an amused smile growing on his face. Understanding exactly what got the Doctor so flummoxed. “For the scientific study, I would gladly take her to my facility- to better house her under my care and - ”
“ Her song really got to you? ” Xanatos asked flat out, a knowing tone to his voice. He could recall that the first time he met with the siren, he was on the bow of his priceless one-of-a-kind yacht with his right hand Owen and on his least truthful side. Nearest to his blindspot was Doctor Sevarious . Not wearing earplugs that night with that stupid explanation that his ‘gusto’ was strong and that he could handle the song.
Xanatos wasn't going to take that risk but Owen, Well Owen was rather special. When he said his will was enough, Xanatos listened.
But- How foolish the doctor was that night, falling over himself to be the first to see the Siren on the horizon at the first note of the song. Xanatos destroyed recordings of her lure song taken that night, her lure song was a one-of-a-kind charm. From what Alleluia offered, it always, without fail worked. On those that were weak to it. Drove any that heard it loopy unless they heard it from the lips of the siren that sung it. Right before they have their souls ripped from their bodies at least that's what Alleluia said, Xanatos wasnt sure if that was true or not.
He suspected that Dr.Savarious might have a copy somewhere. Xanatos would even say the Doctor has been obsessed with the siren with how much he asked to see her… those requests had been denied by xanatos and they would continue to be. Sevarious was much too weak…
“No-,” Xanatos spoke up loudly. Firm. He heard a nasally noise behind the speaker. Sounded close to a scoff. Regardless, Xanatos continued on despites the Doctors attempt at a ‘but!’.
“Actually Doctor Severarius. My mind was made up already, I have already ensured who this ‘sire’ will be. And you know, I won't change my mind.”
The other end went silent for a time. brief sounds were heard in the foreground somewhere in what Xanatos assumed was the mad doctor's lab. The sound of rattling and muttering? Xanatos waited, a smile pulling at the corners of his lips at the struggle he couldn't see. Dr. Savarious returned with a breath.
“- of- of course sir. He will make an excellent choice.” it was said with such exertion. So begrudgingly underneath. Xanatos could imagine Anton’s displeased look that came off as cowardly regardless of how far his brow lowered. Xanatos chuckled, essentially laughing in the doctor's face, and nodded to the grumble in response.
“ Well ,” Xanatos clapped his hands together as he sat up straight. He leaned forward to the phone stand.” that wraps up the time I have for you. Goodnight Anton. ” Xanatos drawled, his voice
“Of course.” the doctor snipped, he continued to grumble on the other end and Xanatos knew it was about time to hang up the phone. not prone to entertaining any more ideas.
“I am a very busy man, Anton . Goodb-.” Xanatos held a finger poised over the hang-up button before just electing to press it down to hang it up. Xanatos leaned back in his chair with a sigh now that it was peaceful in his world. He shuffled his feet under the desk.
“ Uhg- What a funny guy...” Xanatos spoke to himself under his breath with a shake of his head. He ran a hand over his forehead and over his hair to the top of his ponytail. Suppressing a yawn as he put the phone up. The night hadn't begun and he was tired… must be the beginning of a slow night?
Xanatos raised his head up, towards the falling sun over the Manhattan skyline. Soon his guests on the battlements of his castle would be waking. The door opened to Xanatos’ office, Xanatos watched as Owen made his appearance for the night. Striding in ready for the night ahead of them.
“Right on time Owen, so what's the news,” Xanatos asks, his mood rising. Ever since Owen began spending his late afternoons to early evenings with their Siren he found himself rather bored, He must have a ton of time on his hands… but now that Owen was here, the night could really begin.
“-Before I give you the update. Mr. Xanatos.” Owen held up a hand, stifling the rest of Xanatos’ voice. Owen moved across the room stopping a professional foot away from Xanatos’s desk.
“Alleluia needs glasses, her vision is-” Owen explained, shuffling the papers in his hand. He pushed his glasses up on his nose. Xanatos raised a brow, not sure if he heard that right. Well- Xanatos supposed the doctors didn't check her eyes when she came to them.
“Our siren? Needs glasses?” Xanatos asked, he stopped spinning in his chair. He looked pointedly at Owen. Owen nodded and took a step towards the desk. He laid the papers down. Several forms of the business kind and checks needed to be signed.
“Yes sir. I ask for a day off tomorrow. To get her to an optometrist as soon as possible.” Owen spoke, he pushed the papers towards Xanatos. There was a post attached to them with notes from Owen on what the paragraphs meant in summary.
“I would also ask that I can leave early to get rest tonight… Alleluia is a late riser but I’d rather have a full night's rest so I can prepare her paperwork.” Owen explained, that he procured a paper-clipped bunch of papers, holding it up for Xanatos to spy on. The picture of Alleluia in her human illusion was staring straight at the camera, a calm look on her face. Various stills of information were plastered about the page. It was the only identification Alleluia had as to ever existing.
“She can be erratic in new situations and I'd like to accumulate her earlier… explain the ‘law of the land’ persay... ” Owen spoke, he coughed into his fist at the end. Owen passed over three plastic ID cards. Xanatos took them, raising a brow at Owen’s work.
“I've had the ‘issued’ ID’s for her, medical and her state ID. technically she is now a citizen of the United States.” Xanatos looked at the picture of Alleluia on the front of her Identification, straight-faced and unassuming in her human illusion.
“You put your all into this, Owen.” Xanatos waved the ID in the air, taking note of the made-up birthday for the Siren. January 14th, 1973, Eye color- brown. Although Xanatos would say her eyes were more yellow than brown.
“Yes, thank you, sir. I didn't leave anything out, it should run smoothly. I have your scheduled events and my paperwork is all filed and sent correctly. I've already handed in my forms of absence and I will take my leave tonight in the next hour.”
“If that is… acceptable by you?” Owen asked, stone-faced, his blue eyes behind his clear glinting glasses were kept on Xanatos.
“…I don’t see a problem with that…'' Xanatos spoke out, his voice had gone to a resolute low tone. He pressed his hands together, over and over. One fist to his palm. Owen watched. Xanatos pointedly made a look towards his ‘right hand’, There had been a slight ‘problem’ that Xanatos was having as of late… pertaining to Owen and the Siren. This ‘problem’ only complicates things.
They were getting closer together. Xanatos would even consider that his Right hand might actually like Her.
and that was what could complicate Xanatos’ future plans.
“Owen.”
Owen looked at him straight on. Xanatos' face was serious, a slight frown on his face. The sharp brown eyes focused solely on Owen’s. Owen straightened his back and stood tall under what felt akin to scrutiny. Moments passed as Xanatos eyed his right-hand man appearing to be searching for something. Owen kept his face calm if he was. Xanatos then spoke. His voice piercing through the silence between them, he cracked a smile and leaned back. His Chair creaked slowly.
“ This won’t be a regular thing I suspect? I still need my right-hand man to do his job, you know. ” Xanatos spoke nonchalantly, but there was an edge to his voice. Owen pushed his glasses up and gave a nod, hands clasped behind his back neatly. The image of a diligent right hand, unfaltering and calm.
“Of course sir…” Owen’s hands turned to fists but his face remained unchanged and straight. Xanatos eyed him for a second longer before he spun around in his chair, making a scene of it. When he stopped himself after a full spin, he was smiling up at Owen
“ Good . then I have no problems.” Xanatos clapped his hands together, then he began ushering Owen over with quick beckoning swipes off his hands to the screen of his computer.
“Now, Come watch this- ”
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