Rachel panted as she ran, paws thudding on the cobblestone. Cold, deep red light from the setting sun set the buildings alight, reflecting in the windows and washing the grey stone in vibrant oranges. Under different circumstances, she may have enjoyed the light, but Creya was adamant she needed to be on time today. She hadn't said why, but the message had been clear.
The building Creya used as an office, two stories and worn heavily in the wind and rain, stood ahead. The bottom floor was actually the office. The top had been converted to her living quarters, to keep from having to spend more money on transit and pain in the cold. Rachel'd been invited up before, just once. She winced at the memory, slowly as she came to the stairs. It was so barren, like Creya had only just moved from her parents' house. Creya had mentioned she sold a lot of things during the hard times. It had showed.
Rachel pushed the heavy oak door in, wiping her boots on the welcome mat. The little waiting room, previously the foyer of a home, sat empty in the light of the white oil lamps and red sunset, now greying in the upper reaches. The receptionist, an old friend to Creya, sat at her little desk, typing away on her typewriter. De'sive.
De'sive smiled brightly as she looked up. "Rachel, darling! I was beginning to think you'd taken a wrong turn. How are you, sweetheart?" she nearly cooed. Rachel smiled. She always loved being around De'sive. She was like a mother, in an odd sort of way. So happy to see Rachel every time they met up, always open to tell and hear stories...
Rachel set her coat on the rack. "I'm good, thank you. I heard Creya was expecting me?" she said, motioning habitually to hall. She noted in the back of her mind that the job board on the wall was rather empty. She must have dodged the rush.
De'sive nodded. "Right on into the office. Don't keep her waiting. It sounded urgent, darling." She glanced at the door as Rachel signed in, setting a few dollars on the counter for De'sive. "And please, do be careful. I know you're something of a target to those down on their luck."
Rachel started for the office, smile still in place. "Thanks for the worry, De'sive. I'll watch my back."
The old carpet had long since been torn up, and the wood floors left instead. Her boots thudded on the wood floor, somehow making the silence all the more deafening in the rooms around her. Wall sconces - filled with candles instead of oil - lit the hall just barely. Cold light filtered into the remade bedroom ahead, into the office where she could hear indistinct mumbling from Creya. Likely pouring over reports and such, Rachel thought. Creya had several runners that worked for her and usually spent hours figuring everything out from them.
Rachel stopped in the doorway and knocked softly on the doorframe. The bull inside startled at her desk, dropping her pen and whipping around. Bloodshot eyes softened only when they seemed to recognize the furred face gazing at her in concern, reflecting the train of thought racing through Rachel's head. Rachel strongly considered getting her a mug of warm tea and helping Creya over to the chair in the corner, warmed by the lit fireplace. Creya smiled tiredly as Rachel approached. "My favorite runner. I was getting worried. Why don't you sit, Rachel? I have much I want to discuss," Creya said, motioning to the chair across from her. Rachel instead took the chance to rub Creya's shoulders.
She gazed down at the older woman, longing to hug her instead but knowing Creya hated that. "Creya, you look awful. Have you rested at all?" she said softly.
Creya shook her head. "I have too much to do, sweetheart. This new offer is too important to rest on. Please, sit." Once again, Creya motioned to the other chair, putting some papers in their folders. Rachel sighed and did as told. Creya took the chance to speak a bit more on the topic. "Sweetheart, you know you're my best runner. You've always made a veritable fortune for what you're given, and always come back in one piece," she said. Rachel saw her wince at the mention and looked away. Tanner had always been clumsy, but to fall over the railing in battle... It was still a sore spot to bring up his recent death in the lower reaches of the continent. Creya took a deep breath to steady herself and took Rachel's hands. "This is going to put even you to the test, if you accept. You'll be fighting people off like crazy, you'll be dealing with the weather..."
Rachel tried to give a reassuring smile. "Whatever it is, you already know I'll take it," she said, squeezing Creya's hands.
Creya smiled. "I know." She let go of the tiger's paws and pushed the documents forward. Rachel had to strain to read the lettering in the dim light of the office, even with the fire nearby. "Lucinda Tresina: Prison Transfer", it read. Creya continued on. "You will be moving a dangerous prisoner, a mass murderer and cutthroat, from the local prison to a remote secondary transport in Trival. The Taneris will be fitted with proper quarters, holding cells, and flightsail at no cost to you, and yes, the pay is more than substantial. A worthy crew is being found as we speak. You were the last piece," she said. The tiredness in her eyes dulled a bit, enough to let her relief shine through. Everything was in place.
Rachel couldn't stop herself, hugging Creya across the table in joy. "I'll do everything needed. Thank you," she said, only barely managing to keep her voice from carrying.
Creya didn't pull away this time, smiling softly and patting Rachel's back. "There's one more thing. Because I have been the most heavily informed and have training in subduing enemies, I've been asked to join your ship. I hope that's-"
"Never. That's never a problem. You can stay in the captain's area too," Rachel said, sitting back and smiling brightly. Creya chuckled.
"I don't know about that, but we'll jump that hurtle when we get there. Right now, it's late, I'm tired, you're probably tired... Why don't I make us something warm before you head to your ship? My treat before this hell starts up." She stood, motioning Rachel up as well.
Rachel stood and walked over beside Creya. "We both can, and something for De'sive, too." Things were going so right, even with the danger ahead. Creya chuckled.
"Of course. De'sive too," Creya said. Rachel followed Creya out. Nothing could ruin this night. Nothing.
Outside, not yet illuminated by lamplight or moonlight, tall reptilian figures moved out, careful to stay out of sight of their targets till they got the call. Each had a separate figure in mind and in eye. All that remained was to get the call.
