"Uh oh," Liz said, biting her fingernail as the group crowded around the large screen. They were in the observation room adjacent to the one that their captive was in. It was a large room that housed only a black, clinical looking sofa and a coffee machine for furniture. It was the several large screens set about the room that were the highlights of area, screens that showed various chambers of the institution. Hellboy was looking over Liz's shoulder, hands on his hips, tail twitching.
"I dunno if you should have sent Abe in there, Liz," he voiced, chewing on the sad remains of a cigar. "We don't know what that damn bird might do."
"He'll be killed," Manning said as a matter-of-factly, opening a package of gum. "You wouldn't listen to me when I advised that that thing be sedated and locked up, and, as usual, everything will go wrong and -" he popped a stick of gum into his mouth. "- I won't feel bad for any of you when it happens."
"Surely you are wrong," Nuala cried, her soft voice permeating the air. She was standing beside Hellboy, and gazed at the screen with compassion. "I cannot see why she would choose to harm any of us. She has done nothing for us to assume that she would."
"Manning is right," Prince Nuada chimed in. "She is not to be trusted." He was standing the farthest back from the group with his arms crossed over his chest; he had adopted the position since they had all filed into the room to view their guest. His yellow eyes were narrowed in both suspicion and detestation as he looked at the screen, his dark lips, mirroring his eyes, were formed in a decidedly ugly frown. The black robe he wore only added to his overall unfriendly effect, and in contrast with his vividly long white hair, made him look very imposing indeed.
"See?" Manning said, gesturing to Nuada with his pack of gum, "I'm right."
"Ah, shut up, Manning," Hellboy muttered, placing a hand on Liz's shoulder. Nuada quietly seethed as his sister watched him with concern.
Ever since Nuala had persuaded him to join the BPRD, he had scorned her and every living thing inside its walls. His normally calm, albeit slightly formidable composure had turned wrathful and contemptuous. Most days he confined himself to his meditation area, a secluded back chamber that led off his room, and attempted to block out the surrounding world in deep, trance-like contemplation. Those were the good days. When prolonged contemplation could not satisfy his vexed state, he would prowl the halls of the bureau and snap at anyone who even glanced at him. Not even Nuala could soothe him, as she used to be able to. As he blamed her for causing his misery, he shunned her more than anyone else, causing their bond as twins to diminish day by day.
"She is a Valkyrie," he hissed lethally. Everyone started and turned toward him in astonishment.
"Well, thanks for piping up there, Prince," Hellboy said sarcastically, his tail flicking to and fro. "We could have used the information oh, say, about four damn days ago!"
"Why didn't you tell us?" Liz asked, her dark eyes burning.
"I assumed your ignorance would not lead you so far astray as to fail to recognize a Valkyrie when face to face with one," he replied smoothly. Everyone looked uneasy.
"Did you know this, Nuala?" Liz inquired, not unkindly, turning towards the other elf. Nuala fidgeted with the sash on her blue gown.
"I did," she replied with a quick glance at Nuada, who was scowling at her. "Although I, too, expected the bureau to discover what she was in a timelier manner." She dropped her gaze to the floor.
Nuada turned back to look at the screen where Abe and the Valkyrie were face to face with each other. His eyes roved over her folded wings and long, dark hair…her orange eyes. He had never before encountered a Valkyrie, but knew enough about them to know that they should be dealt with cautiously. They were very deceptive creatures, and he wasn't about to allow this one the opportunity of fooling them all into letting it loose.
"So, what are we going to do, then?" Manning said, chewing noisily. "Just let this Valkyrie thing do whatever the heck it wants with Abe? Look at it," he said, gesturing to the screen. "It looks like it wants to cut him up and fry him in beer batter."
"We're just going to wait," Liz said angrily. "We don't know what she wants yet. We sent Abe in there because he's the most sensible and calm out of all of us. Plus, maybe he can get a little information out of her, like why she's in our realm at all."
With only the most minimal amount of caution or fear, the blue stranger met my eyes and blinked. I was captivated by his features and the tint of his skin; never before had I seen a creature so odd as the one before me. I was unable to help myself from uttering the first thing that came into my head.
"You are blue," I said. The strange man inclined his head.
"Yes," he replied, looking down at his body as he didn't quite believe it himself. "I am sorry if it startles you. Most people find it rather alarming."
"May I touch you?" I asked without hesitation. The blue man looked surprised for a moment but then assented. He held out his hand, which I saw was webbed. I ignored it completely and raised my own hand to his face, where I poked him squarely between the eyes.
"Oh!" he exclaimed, obviously not expecting me to poke him in the head. I lowered my hand and examined my finger. His skin had been moist and soft, and I had made a high-pitched mewling sound when I discovered its strange texture.
"You are blue and damp," I said, unable to stop myself from sounding foolish.
"Yes," he repeated. "Every day of my life. Would you like to come out and meet some other people?"
I tilted my head to the side and blinked once. "The people who brought me here," I said. The blue man nodded and replied in affirmative. Eager thoughts immediately began swirling in my head about such people. Yes, I would like to know them. Very much so.
"Take me to them," I said.