#agent cherub

It was still and quiet in the main entryway in the Manor as Caroline gazed upon the massive, decorated tree in the center of it. She would have let out a sigh, but a kiss to her cheek got her attention before she could.

“Aren’t you supposed to be at the Barn already?” She asked as Carter snaked his arms around her waist and snuggled in close. He only hummed and shrugged in response so she lovingly nudged him for an answer.

“I decided to put it off for a day because I knew you couldn’t get off duty.”

“I don’t want you to miss out on time with your mom just because I’m on call.” She began to protest, but he just squeezed tighter.

“It’s fine, this way Parker and mom can have a girl’s night, plus I get an opportunity to give you your present.” Caroline was confused at that, having distinctly remembered already exchanging gifts with him on the Solstice.

“What do you mean?”

“Yes… but also I kept seeing the way you look at this tree.”

“Oh! That’s just because I wish it were a bit more like the trees back home is all.”

“The Norns right? I know you’re used to your trees a little more ‘au natural’.” He raised her hand and planted a kiss upon it before leading her out the door into the snowy grounds outside.

“Not to say that I think it’s ugly or anything,” Caroline continued, knowing by now that Carter wouldn’t let them be out in the cold long enough to bother them. “In fact I think the whole house did an amazing job with the decorations.”

“That they did, but this,” he said gesturing dramatically to an empty clearing in the nearby forest. “Is just for you.”

She was about to ask what he was referring to when she saw it; movement. The snow on the ground stirred and shifted as a sapling broke through. Tiny and delicate it danced out from the blanket of white as it grew at an unnatural pace.

Within moments, that felt longer than they surely were, a large Fir was before her. Not native to the region, and larger than any she had seen before (or likely would again), its raw and untamed beauty put even the shiniest Christmas tree in the Manor to shame.

“Oh my god Carter,” she breathed, afraid that if her surprise was too loud then it would somehow go away. “This is gorgeous!”

“Like the ones from home?” He asked in his boyish and hopeful way. She could have smacked him because of course it was and more! But then he reached down to take a handful of snow and gently blew- scattering it towards the tree and alighting it with twinkling globes of light.

“I know we’re past Yule and the Solstice, but I wanted to give you just a bit of the magic that makes you feel at home that you give me everyday.”

With a quick nod, Angela led the way. Down the street and around a few corners, they came to a stop just outside a Starbucks coffee shop. A tall man in a grey suit was waiting for them. Before Angela could even say a word, he spoke first.

"Who is this you've brought with you?" He demanded.

"Agent Cherub, one of my colleagues from Roanoke. Cherub, this is Director Llewellyn of the Oceanic Council Agency." Ondine replied. She could sense he wasn't happy she had brought someone else. "We just finished wrapping up a mission when you reached out to me, Llewellyn. I apologize if it's an inconvenience for you, but in asking for my help, you've made it a Roanoke matter."

He frowned. Llewellyn still seemed to disapprove of Angela's choice to join Roanoke.

"You had such a bright future, once upon a time. That of course being before you left us for your little Society." He muttered. "I really am disappointed in you, Angela."

"Llewellyn, if you are going to insult my decisions, I will be more than happy to leave you to deal with this, whatever it is." Ondine snapped. "Don't forget, while I am happy to assist council agents and promote positive relations between The Council and Roanoke, I am no longer one of your subordinates."

Llewellyn said nothing as he gestured for her to enter the building. As she did, Cherub followed.

"Why are we at a Starbucks?"

Angela glanced back at her. "The King of the North Sea owns the company. It's a long story, but merfolk have been profiting off of human caffeine addiction for a long time."

"Seriously?!"

"They bought it back in the eighties I think." Ondine replied. She would have said more, but a loud noise interrupted. Both agents ventured further into the coffee shop to investigate.

The King of the Arctic sat comfortably on a leather sofa, a cloud macchiato sitting on the short table in front of him. Hlér, the great King of the North Sea stood angrily before him. The remains of his latte, probably pumpkin spice, dripped down the window behind Valdimar.

"You know what I am speaking of." Hlér said, his voice raised. "My shipments went missing in your territory,"

"Did they? " Valdimar inquired with mock skepticism. "It is a bold claim."

And with that, the two kings began arguing. One was angry, the other was more amused than anything else. It went on for another twenty minutes before Ondine was even acknowledged.

Hlér looked at her. "He has stolen several of my shipments from the Bering Sea. And the shipments continue to go missing after entering his region."

"I am no thief." Valdimar practically hissed. Llewellyn and Angela groaned softly, at the same time. Both of them dreaded what happened next.

The second the words left the Arctic King's mouth, Hlér rounded on him with all of his fury. A thirty minute rant of how Valdimar stole Hlér's wife well over three centuries ago dominated the coffee shop. Vald tossed insults, his own arguments, the fact that Hlér's wife simply left him, and the comment that 'he should get over it already'.

"This is ridiculous." Ondine muttered under her breath.

Both Kings paused their argument to glance at her. They now looked equally annoyed.

"Do you have something to say, Agent Ondine?" Hlér demanded.

"Yes, Angela, what was that you said?" Valdimar narrowed his eyes.

It didn't phase her. They were hundreds of years old, and arguing like children. There are two entire seas separating their regions, and apparently it's not enough.

"My apologies, I didn't mean to interrupt what seemed like a productive argument." Ondine responded. She did her best to be polite, reminding herself that both men were kings. "But I don't understand why I am here."

"He asked for you." Hlér glared in Valdimar's direction.

"You are useful, Angela." Was all Valdimar said. He offered no other explanation.

"You have assisted in these kinds of disputes before," Llewellyn cut in. "Or have you forgotten your time in The Pacific."

"I destabilized the North Pacific last time, or did you forget that?" Ondine muttered.

"Well now you have the potential to destabilize two regions at once." Llewellyn said, clearly enjoying her discomfort.

"They're already unstable." Was her response.

Ondine frowned and glanced at Cherub, who was no doubt confused. She felt bad for dragging her fellow agent into this. On the bright side, they had been given free drinks by the employees while the two kings had been arguing.

"You are the mediator." Hlér said. "You may have had relations with Valdimar, but I agreed on you because you are from Roanoke, and not biased against me."

"No one is biased against you," Vald mocked him. "That would hurt your sensitive feelings."

"Alright, that's enough." Ondine said, as Hlér rounded on Vald once more. Normally she wouldn't use a tone meant for children, but they were acting like children. It was a plus being a mediator, that alone gave her small authority to talk over them.

Whatever remark Hlér had been about to make was left unsaid. He relaxed his body, moving to the seat opposite Valdimar. One of the employees brought him a new drink, pumpkin spice latte as Ondine had guessed.

"If both of you are finished antagonizing each other," Ondine said, "then maybe we can sort out this mess. Who would like to go first?"

"I will." Hlér answered immediately, glaring at the Arctic King.

"By all means, you go first." Vald said, unfazed by the younger man's glare.

"I understand that shipments have gone missing." Angela prompted, "What kind of shipments exactly?"

"I trade with Marinochka all year round. Natural pearls in exchange for snow crab." Hlér explained. "After the last council meeting, the shipments have continuously gone missing."

"And what happened at the last council meet that makes you think Valdimar would be stealing your shipments?"

"I used a landfolk term." Hlér replied. "I called him a whore."

Cherub almost choked on her drink. "You...called him a whore?"

"He is one." Hlér stated, glancing at Cherub before returning his attention to Ondine.. "I believe the full term is manwhore."

Angela glanced at Vald, who was still waiting for his turn. "You're not wrong, but-"

"He thinks I care about this insult of his." Valdimar commented.

"So," Angela began. "You believe that he is stealing your shipments because you called him a manwhore?"

"Yes."

"Okay then," Angela looked to Vald. "Your turn."

"I could care less about the names he calls me." Valdimar spoke. He stood to dispose of his cup. "I'm not as easily offended as Hlér is. And that is all I have to say."

"I will ask once then." She said. "Were you, or are you, involved in any theft of goods traveling to or from the North Sea?"

"No," Vald responded. "And if I find any evidence that my subjects are involved, I will gladly hand them over."

"Is that satisfactory?" Angela asked the other king.

Hlér was silent, but he eventually nodded. He knew without actual evidence that this would have to be good enough.

After the agreements were made and forced apologies were exchanged, Angela breathed a sigh of relief. The last thing she needed was to be at fault for another oceanic incident.

Hlér left quickly. He said he would rather die then remain in the same vicinity as Valdimar.

She was about to leave with Cherub when the King of the Arctic grabbed her arm. She jumped slightly when he did so. Despite wanting to leave as well, she told Cherub to wait for her outside. Once they were alone, Vald spoke.

"Tell me," he said softly. "How is Rebekah?"

"She's fine." Angela said, an icy tone creeping into her words. She pulled her arm from his grasp. "And I think it would be a good idea if you refrain from getting close with any other Roanoke agents."

Once she was outside the coffee shop, Angela sighed.

"You did well." Llewellyn said. He had been chatting with Cherub, waiting for Angela to come out.

"Better than the North Pacific?" She asked, grinning.

"Yes. Much better." He replied. "Try not to get into any trouble out there, Angela. I won't be coming to your rescue like I did back then."

Without another word, Llewellyn left them.

"That was all very interesting." Cherub stated, watching the mer leave.

"Everyone’s all 'The Mer Kings and Queens are so majestic' when in reality, they are petty and childish." Angela sighed again. "Honestly, I was tired before all that. Do you think Lilith will let me sleep for a week?"

Cherub laughed. "Doesn't hurt to ask her."