Crossing the Dark [open]

[tag]

The sun had set hours ago, and the cold of the night had settled into the crevices of the twisting alleyways in the heavy way it always did. The heavy feeling was only perpetuated by the arctic fox's tenseness. Her muscles were pulled into tight knots, and while a lesser furre may have been shaking, Bryony Bentley, better known as Tag, had paws as steady as the gates themselves. She'd been tracking her suspect for the better part of the evening, and frankly, he'd moved beyond suspicion at this point and into the harsh realm of certainty. Assigned to a series of brutal murders, Tag's perpetrator, a tall, eerie greyhound, had eluded even her skills until today, and she wasn't about to loose him now. He was faster than Tag by far, but he had been cautious in his escape, and that had allowed the swift-thinking Tag time to catch up with him.

Though she didn't know quite where she was in the winding labyrinth of alleyways, Tag could clearly hear the heavy breathing and light steps of the greyhound on the larger street just ahead of her. Taking a breath to steady her nerves, Tag reached out to ground herself with the earthy feel of damp brick beneath her tiny paw. Then, dashing forward, 10mm pistol clasped tightly, Tag ran out into the street, ready to shoot. Tag wasn't about to hesitate. This was a dangerous canine, who, if given opportunity, would think nothing of disposing of Tag in any violent way he pleased. He should have been within shooting distance, if the road had been straight, as Tag had expected. But it wasn't. Tag turned the corner just in time to see his thin figure disappear into the shadow of a forest. The forest was small, but past the first line of trees, was pitch black. Tag growled. Her night vision was adequate at best. On the semi-lit streets, she could get by, but in there, not so. Not even the street passed through. Tag felt a little like an idiot. She hadn't been expected to run into Dark District.

Biting her lip, Tag walked to the edge of the forest, the mist wrapping around her as she moved closer, chilling her even through her thick winter fur. If she went in, she would be at a serious disadvantage to the greyhound. But the more she hesitated, the more time she lost, and as she had decided earlier, he wasn't getting away. There just wasn't time to wait for backup, and she couldn't make it around Dark District before he got through. If she got through. And Tag really wanted to see this guy in the Hourglass Guild's prison.

Tag made one concession. Taking a small communicator from her pocket, she spoke into it, sending a message to central in the law enforcement facility, where they were tracking her chase. "Tag here. If I wait I'll lose him. Going into Dark District." She didn't mention how she hoped she wouldn't need a rescue. And with that brief message, Tag pushed on through the thick mist, white fur soon enshrouded in the darkness of the forest. She could smell the way the greyhound had taken, and took off in his direction, gun at the ready.

[[If anyone has any ideas on how to jump into this, feel free to do so. ^ ^]]

[aluinn]

____________
BALLARI AMARE

A person consists of his faith.
Whatever is his faith, even so is he.
^{- Indian Proverb}

it was dark, and late. The moon lit the sky like the neon lights that buzzed in the white noise which intoxicated the air. The alleyways were dank and putrid. There was no distane for that, however, as it was just the way things were meant to be. As the moon was meant to reflect the light of the sun during the night to provide visibility. There was a natural order to things and Ballari Amare had the feeling that it was not by chance that all things had come to settle how they were now. There was design that was not sporadic or pure happenstance. She dragged a sharp nail down a filthy brick of the wall she was standing beside. Her left foot pinned down a page of yesterday's newspaper as it fluttered in the wind. She folded her arms, her shoulder propping her lean frame against the wall. The opposite wall was not four feet away; the alley in which she'd chosen to stand was narrow, indeed.

today had been one flummox after another. It seemed like Ballari was constantly cleaning up after someone. Usually it was not another angel, thankfully, for she took great pride in her job and it would bother her to see a fellow Angel fumble in their duties only to be embarrassed by having Lari clean up after them. No it was usually local authorities, or that damned council after which Ballari was sent. Regardless, the day's activities were finished with and as she fought the first trickles of dreary tire, she caught sight of her next mission. A greyish dog had clicked across the street only moments before. His stature was tall and lean, not unlike Ballari's own. She'd watched him with interest; he walked in a shifty manner, as though he was being followed. Which he was, Ballari had known for a fact. But now he had disappeared into the blackened trees on the opposite side of the street from where Lari stood, cloaked in shadows.

now came the one whom Ballari had been sent to keep an eye on. Those higher up had great faith in Byrony Bentley's detective skills. So much so, that they'd practically assumed she would be hot on the tail of the murderer which she had been tracking for some time now. Little did Byrony, known affectionately by some as 'Tag', Ballari Amare had been assigned to keep an eye on the white fox when she was out in the street doing footwork. While it had bothered Lari at first, for she felt that this assignment was something of a pithy baby-sitting duty, she had eventually realized that this young vulpine was quite capable of taking care of herself; in most situations. Lari had done her research, however, and knew that the more-or-less dainty arctic fox had only passable combat skills. Though she was quite adept with a firearm, Lari knew that when the time came and the greyhound attempted to take down his small pursuer, that Byrony was going to need a helping paw.

and that was exactly why Lari was here. She squinted her golden and hazel eyes at the exact spot where the canine had entered the trees then shifted her gaze back toward the small white animal who was following the canine. Byrony was right on the suspect's tail when he disappeared into the thicket. The cheetah raised her brows, impressed at the level-headed nature of Byrony to call in her location before disappearing into the dark alone without backup. Many a time Ballari had witnessed a hot-headed chase which had ended badly for the one in pursuit. Amare was beginning to think more and more that the higher up's had been wrong when they'd sent her to keep an eye on this young gel.

regardless of what Ballari thought, however, it was her job to follow orders. She was expendable, much moreso than this Byrony was. For while Ballari offered only her body, which could be trained and abused, Byrony offered her intelligence to the league; something which could not be spared. As an ArcAngel, Lari had quite come to grips with her extendability and she was perfectly aware that every day, every moment may be her last. She would focus, for now, on being the best at what she did, and surviving for another moment, another day. In this case, you ought to help that girlie survive the night. Ballari blinked and nodded in response to the voice that trickled away down the back of her mind, Oi, yer damned night visions gonna be for shite when you get in there. the other voice commented. Ballari licked her upper lip and twitched her nose before glancing both ways and following the Middle Angel into the darkness.

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