LARRIKIN'S ARRIVAL

GEPOV

Valkyrie changed into her pajamas and started tugging in a big chair and Skulduggery watched in the doorway.

"What are you doing?" He asked, amused.

"Bringing in a chair for you to 'meditate' on" She used finger quotations, "You can help."

"I like it here, though." He sighed and helped her push it in, "There, happy?"

"Sure," Valkyrie shrugged and crossed her arms, "I don't have much in this room to entertain you, but feel free to wander around the house if you get bored, OK?"

He shrugged, "What happened to me sleeping in your bed?"

Valkyrie went rigid her cheeks flushed, "Don't take this the wrong way but…" She couldn't think of anything to say, but he caught on.

"Ah. Don't worry about it." He shifted the chair a little bit and slumped on it, "Plus, I'm sure this chair is comfier that your bed."

"Exactly, you know it's still nine and I'm not tired."

"Want to watch another movie then?" Skulduggery headed for the stairs and waited.

"Uh, sure. You pick the movie, though." Valkyrie walked past him and fell onto the cushions. Skulduggery grabbed a random DVD and fed the machine, "Which movie?"

"I seriously don't know." He admitted and sighed.

"What?"

"What were you sighing about?"

"About Larrikin."

"It's weird, right?"

"Indeed."

A beat passed, "How did he die?"

"He just another victim of Serpine. He-his reflection jumped in the way of Vex to save him." Skulduggery sadly said.

"Does he know? Like, about you?"

He shrugged his shoulders and the movie started and instantly realized what it was, "Oh, god."

"Indiana Jones? Nice pick, which one is it?"

"I could be wrong, but I believe it's the one about the aliens."

"Cool." They didn't say much during the film. Valkyrie's head drooped and her shoulders sagged. She slowly fell onto his lap.

"Valkyrie?" Skulduggery asked and shook her lightly, "You're asleep. Wake up." She shifted slightly and turned on her back while her eyes fluttered open.

"Yeah?" She recognized what she did and blushed, "Sorry."

"Doesn't matter, but you are tired."

"Yes I am, but I kind of like it here." She snuggled into his lap more slept instantly.

Valkyrie woke to find herself still on Skulduggery's lap, only in her bed. Larrikin walked by and smiled devilishly, "Mornin' love birds!" Skulduggery flinched and quickly glanced around.

"Morning Larrikin." Valkyrie muttered, "Help yourself to anything in the kitchen."

"Thanks." He rushed down the stairs and various beeps went off.

She looked up at Skulduggery and lifted her head instantly, "Did you carry me?" She asked.

"No, I levitated you."

"And you didn't sleep on the chair?"

"It doesn't look like that, no," He slid out and headed for the door, "Coffee or tea?"

"Um, surprise me." He headed downstairs and Valkyrie smiled. A few minutes passed and she urged to stand up and she slumped down the stairs and saw Larrikin, but not Skulduggery.

"Skulduggery went out to get more tea, Val."

"Ok, thanks." She examined him and asked, "Is Larrikin your first or last name?"

"I don't exactly remember… So, when are we going to the Sanctuary"

"What time is it?"

"Uh, eight twenty-six."

"We have to be there by ten." She smiled and slugged over to a chair and Larrikin joined her.

"Larrikin, Tell me about yourself."

"I can't say a lot, uh, yeah, I got nothing."

"Alright, than why are you really here?" She pressed as Skulduggery walked through the door.

"Got the tea." Skulduggery called back and placed the bag on the counter.

"I'll talk about when we get to the Sanctuary, K?" She nodded and Skulduggery passed her the tea. Everyone didn't say much. Valkyrie changed into her work attire as Skulduggery simply slipped on his jacket.

She got in the Coupe and buckled her seatbelt and Larrikin got in behind her, "Eh, is anyone new I should hear about?" he asked.

"Do you know Tanith Low?" Valkyrie asked.

"Yes, is she single?"

"No, she's dating Ghastly." Skulduggery replied, "Don't you try anything Larrikin."

"Fine, fine. Anyone else?"

"Rife Tenterhooks and Vendetta Dare." Larrikin smiled widely.

"The Vendetta Dare?"

"Why?"

"Nothing at all, mate." Larrikin's face flushed pink, "Can you turn up the radio?" Valkyrie obliged and practically blasted it. At the front of the Sanctuary Rife and Valkyrie were just standing and their form of chatting.

"Is that Rife and Vendetta?" Larrikin finally asked.

"Yeah, but right now Vendetta can't say a w-" Larrikin ran out and joined them, "Good old Larrikin." Skulduggery muttered.

Rife saw Larrikin and froze, "Oh, hell you're Larrikin!" Rife squealed.

"Hi, Rife? Is it?" Rife nodded, "And you must be miss Vendetta Dare. Hi, I'm Larrikin." Vendetta smiled widely and wrote something down on the pad.

Hi. she waved.

"Are you OK?" He asked and Rife interjected.

"Uh, she can't actually say a word, someone took her voice." She nodded in agreement.

Vendetta scribbled on the pad, it kinda sucks though.

"Vendetta, it has been an honor of meeting you."

You too. She smiled once more and lead him inside, than joined by Valkyrie and Skulduggery. Tanith walked by and gasps.

"Holy shit! It's you!" She runs and gives Larrikin a tight hug, "I thought Serpine killed you" She said and gave another hug

Skulduggery cleared his throat, "That was his reflection, apparently."

"Just wait until Ghastly gets here." Tanith joked and glared.

"What?"

"N-nothing." Tanith answered as Ghastly walked to her, "Hi, babe."

"Hello… Bye" and he left.

"Ghastly?" Rife called, "Did you not notice someone else?" Ghastly turned at a heel and glanced at everyone and quickly ran for a hug.

"Larrikin!" He shouted and broke away, "How'd you live? We all thought you were dead!""My reflection did the dying." He lightly laughed smiled, "I have information that I need to take up with the elders."

"What for?" Asked Ravel on cue but he went rigid, "Larrikin?"

"Don't wear it out." Ravel also hugged him and quickly broke away, "Where can we discuss this?"

"In my office?" Rife offered and everyone nodded, "Alright then."

"Ok, what is it, Larrikin?" Ravel asked and shut the door.

"Are you guys familiar with Gale Maladroit?" Both Tanith and Rife froze, "Is there something you two want to tell us?"

Rife started, "We use to be, uh, partners…?" All eyes turned on him and than onto Tanith, "And you?"

"I used to fight him, here and there. That's all." Rife didn't really believe her but he ignored it.

"What about Gale?" Skulduggery asked.

"I don't know much, but I kind of ran into him and he was demanding for Rife. I thought you should know, it could mean trouble." Vendetta's eyes bugged and scribbled on her pad.

What did you do, Rife?, He sighed.

"I don't know, apparently something bad."

What should we do? Vendetta asked in bold letters for everyone to read.

Author here, with one of my many bad endings… if you're new to me Fanfics it's recommended to read cases one and two first, so yeah. Thanks for reading!