#daggeraxston

she strolled through the front entrance like she belonged there, which, technically, she did. her clearance badge was somewhere in her jacket pocket (probably), but she didn’t bother flashing it. if the guards didn’t stop her by now, they weren’t going to—chalk it up to reputation, charm, or the fact that most people found it easier to pretend they didn’t see her when she moved like a storm on a deadline.

her boots echoed down the hall with deliberate weight. not stealthy today. this wasn’t a mission. this was a visit. unannounced. unnecessary. exactly the kind of thing that’d put a wrinkle between dagger’s eyebrows. she rounded the corner to, popped a piece of gum in her mouth like she had all the time in the world, and gave one solid knock—not waiting for a reply before letting herself in.

“you know,” she started, voice light, sarcastic, “most people get weirdly offended when you ghost their texts for three days. i, however, am a beacon of patience and grace.” nix leaned against the doorframe, arms crossed, a grin tugging at the corner of her mouth. “but i figured if i didn’t come check on you, you’d end up buried under a mountain of files or—god forbid—start taking yourself seriously again. and we can’t have that.”

the door creaked the way all good secrets did—just loud enough to make you think twice. nix slipped through it like smoke anyway, hood half-up, eyes sharper than the smirk tugging at her mouth. “look at you,” she said by way of greeting, voice low and warm with mischief, “still holding down the fort like it’s not three explosions and a ley line rupture away from collapsing on your pretty face.”

she lingered near the edge of the room, just long enough to scan for new surveillance points (habit) and to make sure no one else was lurking (paranoia, but earned). her gaze found dagger’s after a moment, and something in her expression softened—not much, not obviously, but enough that he’d notice.

“sorry i haven’t been around,” nix said, the teasing dimming just a little at the edges. “been harder to slip back here without someone clocking it. the city’s all jagged corners now. too many eyes in the cracks.” she gave a lazy shrug, like that might brush it off. like she hadn’t been calculating every step between her apartment and triad’s safe zones like a chessboard wired to blow. “but hey,” she added, smirk returning as she leaned against the nearest support beam, “miss me enough to make it weird, or just enough to guilt-trip me into a drink?”

She needed to get out of the office before she screamed. Sure, she loved her job, but there was only so much evidence and casework a person could stare at before it started to consume them. Zehra refused to become that kind of workaholic.

Settling outside a local coffee shop, freshly made cup in hand, she took a slow sip, savoring the rich flavor. Just when she thought the world couldn’t get any more chaotic, more unhinged, it did. Dead people—actually dead—were walking the earth. It made little sense, and as a banshee, she wasn’t even sure she was supposed to understand it.

Lost in thought, she didn’t notice she’d been staring at someone until she realized it. “Sorry,” she called, quick and polite, forcing a small smile.

"well, go on. sit." she eyed him, motioning to the empty chair. blade requested for her to make an effort, to be apart of this young man's life and for that reason, she would try. that did not stop the feeling within her, knowing who he was now, that whenever she looked at him all she saw and thought of were their two children that they lost, the ones she still mourns to this day, and how they never returned to them. "it's buttered chicken, not a bomb. dig in." arya once more damn near commanded-- a habit, but she was insistent to be able to say she made an effort here. painted nails reached out to grab and pull off a part of the garlic naan on the table, taking a bite to give her a moment of composure, and thought. "i figured a conversation outside of the job would be best paired with a meal."

"no... just, no." the brunette bit back a laugh, shaking her head as she looked at him. "not only can i not be seen bowling with you-- i will not have my cover blown in rentals. but you're definitely not driving around town in my car."