THE FAME WOLF.

"When the Express kids said there was a weirdo in a suit helping them out I thought 'no way', but now I feel bad for telling that little cowboy he has a few screws loose." Since he was a No Show in recent events she had figured it was a reasonable enough assumption to consider him dead. However hearing about it had peaked her curiosity enough to get her to leave the train and go wandering around a bit despite the insanity of Elation's planet, and lead to this meeting. "So, you're a detective now? You know that means solving problems, not causing them."

‧₊˚ ⋅ ꒰১ ᯓ ☆ㅤ˗ˏˋ⠀ㅤ𝑻𝒉𝒂𝒕 𝒔𝒖𝒓𝒆 𝒘𝒂𝒔 𝒂𝒏 𝒊𝒏𝒕𝒆𝒓𝒆𝒔𝒕𝒊𝒏𝒈 𝒘𝒂𝒚 𝒕𝒐 𝒐𝒑𝒆𝒏 𝒖𝒑 𝒂 𝒄𝒐𝒏𝒗𝒆𝒓𝒔𝒂𝒕𝒊𝒐𝒏. That was what the child thought as he stared at the man up and down. Who was this FRIEND he was talking about ? His first thought was perhaps one of the other members of the Express. Maybe Mister Dan Heng. Maybe Mister Yang. Maybe even Mister Sunday. Or perhaps it wasn't someone from the Express. Mister Gallagher was a dear friend, as well as his pals in the Bloodhounds.

˚ʚ ☾ ɞ˚ㅤ˗ˏˋㅤㅤ⠀Butㅤ—ㅤthere was something ODDLY familiar about this man. The way he stood, maybe. Or the way he'd said those words. Perhaps even the way he gripped that ornate cane in his palm. Something he couldn't quite place.

˚ʚ ☾ ɞ˚ㅤ˗ˏˋㅤㅤ⠀❛ㅤCan youㅤ—ㅤtell me about this FRIEND of yours ? I have a lot of friends . . .ㅤ❜⠀

Personally, Ashveil hadn't met the other two Nameless who had been Tiernan's dearest friends. Like the pact he'd once forged with those two before they'd gone on to slay Zulo, it had made an uncomfortable nostalgia well up in his chest at how far things had soured between them. Maybe it was fortunate that Penacony had a way of whisking away all the bad feelings until a lachrymose hollowness remained where the bitterness and grief had once bloomed.

"...Name was Tiernan. He used to be a Nameless, a real pal of Razalina and Mikhail. Does that ring any bells?"

          “   dramatic.   ”

one simple dispatch mission and ashveil’s susceptibility to the leviathan was made apparent. no doubt he would wave off any pointed concerns with excuse of impending old age. when ren was yingxing, he had been the same, irate over the pity in their eyes. its not the same, the aches and pains they now share as the result of their various sins, their various sacrifices, but he knew how to assuage that look of guilt, of concern. stolen nutrient bars were fished out of his pockets, one offered to the detective while ren ripped his own open with his teeth. the abundance and the voracity alike, both capable of creating such insatiable beasts.

          “   hnn.   ”

dead-eyed stare meeting the humorous quip, swallowing whatever grit and bark this brand boasted. to ren it tasted like cardboard.

Regardless, this tasteless slop was better in the company of an old friend, Ashveil thought with a wolfish, crooked grin once he'd finished devouring his share.

Hallen taps her pencil against the desk, raising an eyebrow. "And how much do you think rent and electric is over there, if we're already having issues keeping the lights on, boss?"

"I see you haven't kept abreast of the news, have you? The world knows I'm La Mancha again, Miss Blone. Meaning, there's going to be a lot of people eating outta the palms of my hands, so might as well ride that wave."

"Do doot doot doo." He last saw her that way. "Doo... Doot do doot. Dood do doot doot do do dooo." She... Has a habit of ending up in dangerous places. Her hair is pink and looks like candy, and she is always helping people!

"Huh... yeah. I actually know some areas you might find a gal like that," Ashveil supplied as the little pegasus hovered by his shoulder, Mr N likely on the trail ahead of them. He'd go one way, the detective would go the other. Canvassing an area was a lot more efficient that way.

"I don't know, that group of warriors seems to enjoy your humor. What was his name....?" Ever since she'd started traveling along with this galaxy ranger, she's received not only protection but an opportunity to see other places without the lens of The Family. It's nice to be able to offer her help to those that need it, without the Family dictating where her help went. Besides, he's a great traveling companion. Very agreeable.

"It's very good. I've never had something with a kick like this. Did you try any of it?"

"Yingxing. He's the one who made my cane and helped his master with my prosthetic." Ashveil spared Hallon the grisly details of the entire procedure, of the necrosis that had rotted his arm and forced them to amputate. Thankfully, as his immortality didn't stem from Abundance, so they were able to get creative with it via including a Shadow of Nihility in its make. A long, boring process he doubted the young Halovian cared to hear. Not when he had been summoned to specifically repay that enormous debt that amounted to his life.

"Hm? Ah, yeah, yeah-- Spices Supreme really knows how to kick you in the throat, in a good way. Better than coffee, even."

unusual friendships were a common occurrence when one accompanied the nameless on their journey among the stars. for the sunday of the recent past it would seem laughable that he'd found himself here - eating parfait with la mancha, the galaxy ranger of legend. & yet despite the oddness of such a bond, the halovian is glad for it.

"the abundance is a path I've had few dealings with. crossing with an emanator of the path has been an experience, which is putting it lightly." a spoonful of parfait melts on the man's tongue. a gentle flutter of wings ( beyond his control ) follows, thrilled at the perfect blend of dark chocolate and rich berry sauce. a rich reprieve from the exhaustion of late. "how do you manage it? it must be...exhausting doesn't feel strong enough a word."

"Mm-mhm?" came an unintelligible hum as Ashveil seemed preoccupied with shoveling as much of the sweet and crunchy treat down his gullet as he could. It came part and parcel with the high rent that the Shadow demanded, taxing his body to the extent that his appetite was nearly bottomless as a consequence. The only thing that would make it better was a hunk of steak slathered in barbecue sauce and heaps of mashed potatoes saturated in butter... Skybow, that was enough to make him crave more.

⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ * 𝑪𝑶𝑵𝑻 . from @vanagander . 🪦

⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀—— 𖦏 ⌯⁍ * sharp eyes turn onto his senior, a man he deeply, unendingly respected . one he would almost viciously stand up for even if Ashveil wasn't present . but he was a wild one —— one the old wolf still had yet to fully guide to a less volatile path . Boothill looks at Ashveil with an intensity that borders on intimidation, but the eldest Ranger likely knows it's no malice aimed to his person . Boothill has damage ; damage no one will ever be able to heal with condolences, no actions big enough to soothe that hatred .

⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ * ❛ ain't no fuckin' shame fer what happened t' me . ❜ to any other individual, his tone would make them back away in submission, but this was mere barking to LA MANCHA . maybe it was the liquid burn of intoxication that brings this sudden anger out of his most unruly Ranger .

⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ * ❛ i ain't tellin' ya 'cause i get a feeling yer gon' hold me back from doin' what needs t' be done . ❜ it was a bit uncharacteristic, this sudden display of fierce independence, like suddenly the coyote needs to puff up his fur & make himself look bigger, scarier, to the wolf .

⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ * ❛ ain't no fuckin' use crying 'bout what's been lost t' nobody no more . it's time fer action . it's time to kill that fucker, an' i'll do it even if ya tell me not to, boss . even if it ends up with me dead. ❜

Ashveil smiled to himself, admittedly amused by this act. He'd seen it before, so many times, back when their numbers ranked in the thousands. "Yeah--lemme stop you right there. Correct me if I'm wrong, but you seem to have this strange idea of who I am and what I wouldn't condone. Was I the angel on your shoulder telling you not to pull the trigger, perhaps~?" His voice lilted teasingly, the corners of his lips quirked at the corners. Wouldn't be the first time; hell, there were probably Rangers out there that held him in higher esteem than he ever could for himself. What a shame that their hero was a fraud, someone not even worthy of being the ground they stepped upon.

"...Lan's sake, Boothill. Just because you can let what happened to you roll off your back doesn't mean the people you're fighting for will. I don't think you like the idea of angry, betrayed ghosts on your heels. Take it from experience," Ashveil continued with a lackadaisical wave of his hand, knocking back more of his drink. It had a nice way of loosening the tongue, especially when he was giving one of his groan-worthy lectures.

"Of course, boss." She giggles, sitting back. "I suppose you would have more paperwork, have less of an idea of where the receipts are, be stuck in payback hell...." Yes, yes. She knows he appreciates her. She looks over her own information as well, wings flapping in surprise when the file snaps shut. "What do you mean, not up to snuff? Ashveil, seriously....." She laughs softly, though her wings are fluttering in response. "Yep, let's go. Where to first?"

"Might as well embrace the future and get a scanner or something. Just get it all on that hunk of junk computer," Ashveil mused aloud, more to himself than to Hallen. If anything, they could use the space, and he kept wanting to be more organized... Wanting was far different than doing, however. "Yadda yadda, details. You all good to go? I'm ready to head out if you are, Miss Blone."