NOTE: Wondo is writing some short stories that fit in with the Animula Universe, I can't post a link cause FFnet doesn't allow it, but just search for Animula and you'll find her! First story is titled "Now we are cooking with gas".
Note: I was going to have Neal notice that Peter isn't doing so well in this chapter...but this chapter got out of hand so it will have to wait til the next one. Hope you are all still enjoying!
Chapter Eleven
"You call this a plan?"
"It's beauty is in its simplicity." Neal chuckled as he reached up and tilted his fedora slightly.
"It doesn't get much simpler than 'walk through the front door'." Peter sighed.
"Correction: walk through the front door with you."
"I'm not a magic key."
"I'm willing to bet you are."
Peter looked like he was about to argue further or at least argue about what happened the last time Neal gambled, but then he glanced around at the people making their way to work around him and he fell silent. Neal felt a little guilty, it was obvious that Peter didn't feel comfortable being out in public, in fact he looked like he might pass out at any moment. For the most part the busy New Yorkers just went about their day not even noticing that there was anything different about him, he was just another obstacle in their way as they navigated the busy sidewalks. Peter mostly kept his head down to keep his eyes from giving him away. Neal had witnessed a few times when he'd looked up and someone had caught sight of his metallic eyes. They all automatically took a step away from him no matter how far away they already were.
Neal knew it was extraordinarily rare for Animula to stray outside the buildings where they worked or rather where they lived. With only the richest companies and people able to afford ownership most of the population would go their entire lives without ever seeing one in person. Despite there being so little known about Animula by the 'common man' it still appeared that people had a natural aversion to them.
Peter kept a step behind Neal, but only a step away. He wanted to make it clear that he was accompanied by a Master. Animula weren't allowed out on the streets without an escort or written permission. The last thing either one of them really wanted to deal with was someone challenging Peter's legality. It put Neal a little on edge to have Peter stand at his back, he was used to walking with people at his shoulder not just behind it. At first he had been constantly looking back at Peter to talk to him, but after Peter had reminded him for about the dozenth time Neal was getting used to looking forward when he spoke to him.
Glancing back at Peter again before heading across the street towards their mark Neal was about to ask him if he was alright, beyond looking nervous he look just plain unwell. However Neal had already asked serval times and always got the same answer of 'I'm fine'. When Neal had gotten up this morning he had found Peter standing patiently outside his own door dressed in a deep navy blue suit like was waiting to head off to a board meeting. He had to basically be forced into accepting something to eat for breakfast and even then he had barely eaten. Neal hoped that if he stocked Peter's side of the house with food that he'd do better with keeping himself fed. Neal hated to think that Peter felt he needed to sneak around or steal any time he got hungry or thirsty the way he had in the middle of the night.
"Okay, let's do this, just act natural." Neal reminded Peter.
"It's not my behavior that I'm worried about, 'Master'."
"I'll do better once we are inside, just don't take any of it personally."
Peter shrugged, but he instantly regretted doing so. Neal was already heading out across the street so he didn't notice Peter grimace. The aspirin was helping take the edge off his fever for now, but it really wasn't doing much for pain. Following Neal out into the street Peter briefly considered lagging behind, with the way people drove there was a good chance he be killed by on coming traffic. Peter shook off the dark thought and caught up with Neal on the far sidewalk. Although he knew he needed to stay out of Elizabeth's life for her own good Peter wanted to live long enough to at least ensure that she managed to pick up the pieces of her life that he had shattered. So far she hadn't even really had the chance, but he had faith in her.
Lost in his own thoughts Peter just blindly followed Neal through the richly decorated front lobby of the large skyscraper. Just as Neal had predicted no one stopped them on their way towards the executive elevator. Neal had done his research and knew the CFO he was after had his offices on the 42nd floor. When the elevator lifted up Peter felt the bottom of his stomach give out on him and he feared he might actually be sick. Closing his eyes he kept everything under control. Neal was busy with his phone reading the list of names and connection one last time in preparation to impress the CFO.
"Remember I'm 'Nick Halden' when we are out and about."
"Yes, Master Halden." Peter returned dryly.
"Cheer up, Peter, this will be fun."
"Fun?"
"Think of it as a chance to get some revenge on the fat cat cooperate owners."
"I don't want revenge, I..."
Peter didn't get a chance to finish as the elevator doors opened. Neal pulled his hands out of his pockets lifted his head up a little higher as he stepped off the elevator, holding himself as though he owned the entire corporation already. He strode up to the young receptionist behind the marble desk and inquired where Simmens the CFO was as if he was expected and was a little put off by the fact that the man wasn't already there waiting for him. Peter was a little taken aback by how effortlessly and perfectly Neal slipped into the persona of every entitled Master he had ever dealt with.
The secretary didn't mind Neal's lofty tone, she just looked pleased that he was talking to her at all. When she said that she would personally go get Simmens Neal smiled brightly at her and she blushed. Peter instantly saw the danger of a man who knew how to use his own charm, but the secretary either didn't know she was being played or flat out didn't care. Peter suspected it was the latter, but either way it worked and Neal got what he wanted from her. She lead Neal and Peter back to a large private waiting area and left them there for a moment. It was only a minute before she returned with her boss and then retreated back to her desk.
"Who the hell are you?" Simmens demanded.
"Nick Halden." Neal smiled as he stepped forward and offered his hand to Simmens. "I'd love ten minutes of your time, I promise you it will beneficial to us both."
Simmens eyed Neal suspiciously for a moment before glancing at Peter. Peter quickly brought his eyes down and offered Simmens a shallow bow. Clearly intrigued by anyone powerful enough to be walking around with an Animula Simmens nodded before inviting Neal to talk in his office. Neal thanked him and took off his hat, handing it back to Peter without looking at him. Peter automatically took the offering and held on to the expensive looking felt Fedora.
"Stay here." Neal ordered.
"Yes, Master Halden."
Neal and Simmens left to discuss business. Peter was grateful that Neal wanted him to stay here, he could feel his fever starting to become a problem again as his skin felt chilled. With the humans gone Peter would be able to relax for a moment and take some of the aspirin he had stored in his pocket. Peter looked down at the hat in his hands and shook his head sadly.
"Hat rack...a new job to add to the resume, right next to 'accessory to white collar crime'. Great. Perfect."
Keeping the hat in one hand Peter fished out two of the bitter aspirin and chewed on them. Absent mindedly playing with the band on the hat in his hands Peter looked around the room and contemplated sitting down. Before he got a chance someone entered from the left entrance. Peter jerked his shoulders back the way he always did when humans approached and with a flash of agony he could suddenly feel blood drip down his back. He prayed that the dark jacket he was wearing would hide the stain if it started to soak through. Risking a glance up at the new comer Peter was surprised to see a familiar face.
"Ian?" Peter asked.
Ian had just been passing through the common waiting area but responding to his name he changed direction and came to stand a few feet from Peter. He kept his eyes down at the floor, but that did little to hide the gold rings around his light blue irises. He was a few years younger than Peter with short sandy blonde hair.
"Yes, Master? How can I help you?"
"What? No. I'm not..." Peter corrected awkwardly. "Ian, look up at me."
Ian didn't seem comfortable with the idea, but he did as he was told. Seeing that Peter was Animula as well caused Ian to relax slightly. He furrowed his brow as he tried to recognize Peter. Being raised alone and being discouraged from looking directly at people's face Animula never developed much skill when it came to recognizing people. They tended to focus in on a single physical trait to identify their Masters rather than committing a set of facial features to memory. The problem with that was if a long period of time went by without seeing that person the single feature would easily be forgotten. It had been over twelve years since Peter had last seen Ian. Peter had taken years and worked very hard on training himself to be able to match faces and names. Having changed hands so frequently it had become a needed skill.
"We've met..." Ian struggled to come up with a name.
"Peter." Peter supplied.
"Right..." Ian said still sounding doubtful.
"We were at Morbane Investment together."
Ian nodded, the name of the company helping more than Peter's actual name. Peter waited a moment, but Ian didn't seem to have any follow up questions. Peter sighed quietly at Ian just standing there staring at him emotionlessly. Peter had tried time and time again to make a connection with other Animula but he had only succeeded once. The only time he'd ever managed to truly befriend an Animula was a young man named Daniel.
He had very quickly learned that Daniel had all of the same problems he had, right down to having 'imprinted' at far too young an age. Although neither one of them really understood what that meant. Unfortunately Daniel also had the same issue with never being kept by an owner for long and he was sent back to the Market just a few months after they met. They hadn't kept Peter more than a week more than that before trading him off as well. Peter often worried about what became of his friend, it had been nearly fifteen years. He had been younger than him by nearly a decade, but already had a list of owners that nearly rivaled his own. Peter focused on Ian again, the Animula looked like he was waiting for orders even though there were no humans in the room.
"Are they treating you well here?" Peter prompted.
"Yes." Ian nodded slightly.
"How long have you been here?"
"I don't know."
"How many owners have you had since Morbane?" Peter asked instead.
"Just this one."
"Are you wearing a collar?"
"No."
"That's good."
As soon as Peter stopped asking questions Ian fell silent. It was behaviour like this that helped continue the belief that Animula were soulless. Having been more traditionally handled at the Market Ian had no real interest in social interaction. The way he glanced at the far door showed Peter about the only thing Ian wanted was to get back to what ever task he'd been set on. Peter found satisfaction with a job well done, but he never found himself as absorbed in the work the way most of the other Animula he'd met were.
Not wanting to get Ian in trouble Peter told Ian he could get back to his day. He felt a little too much like a Master giving an order, but he didn't know how else to dismiss the submissive Animula. Ian gave him a shallow bow and left. With blood continuing to slowly seep from his burning shoulders Peter stared at the door that Ian had disappeared through.
"Is there something wrong with him...or with me?"
