ZZZ: Fading Echos

Jane Doe swallowed, steadying herself as she slipped into the act of a gang member. Any moment now, she would be face-to-face with the boss of New Eridu's most infamous criminal gang. The Umbral Court.

The opportunity had come swiftly, right on the heels of her last job with the 'Mountain Lions' gang. There was no time to rest; the higher-ups had pushed her to seize this invaluable chance. Although she was bummed about missing a well-needed break, she understood the significance of the operation.

The Umbral Court was an incredibly dangerous group of criminals responsible for mass distribution of weaponry and illegal mining of hollow materials across all of New Eridu. The organisation seems to have no fear of PubSec and will openly act in the middle of day. Often civilians become collateral in their dangerous activities spreading word of their image like an unstoppable wildfire.

The identity of the organisation's leader had remained shrouded in mystery ever since its founding. But today, after hours of gruelling work, sweat and near-death experiences, Jane was about to become the first person to meet him.

"You may enter." Echoed a dark voice from the other side of the door she was waiting by.

Slowly rising form her seat, Jane pushed open the door to his 'office.' The room was dim and oppressively gloomy, its emptiness almost echoing. Aside from a sofa, an expensive television, and a cluttered work desk, the space was baren, giving off an eerie vibe overall.

Seated upright at his desk, his elbows resting on the table and his fingers intertwined, was a man with intentionally messy snow-white hair. His heterochromatic eyes—one a piercing blue, the other a shimmering gold—glimmered softly under the room's dim light, adorned with white stars instead of pupils. His static gaze was rather intimidating.

"You are?" He asked, voice devoid of care.

"My name is Jane Doe."

Jane was no stranger to pressure, working undercover always being a stressful endeavour, but for some reason, the man's gaze filled her with a powerful unease. It was as if those eyes lacked even the faintest trait of humanity, their cold celestial light a spear piercing straight through her.

"You seem... nervous."

Panic swelled over ruling all other emotions within her, had the man already discovered her intentions... No, she had to pull herself together. It was impossible the man had already uncovered her intentions after just one look of her expression...

...Even if she was feeling incredibly vulnerable.

"I'm perfectly fine, boss~" She replied, her tone smooth and composed, masking her nerves and true intentions. "I suppose it's only natural to feel a bit... intimidated when faced with someone as impressive as yourself." Her tail gently unwrapped from around her leg as she stepped towards him.

"I heard you're working really hard," He said, his voice calm but carrying a undercurrent of something dark. "That kind of dedication... can be both impressive and dangerous. Don't push yourself too far."

'Is this a warning...'

The bosses' words came like a sword—sharp and decisive—as if he knew her limits, each syllable weighing heavily. Jane felt the unease grow, the implications of the word 'dangerous' slicing through her thoughts like a bolt of lightning. What had seemed like a simple compliment now felt like a veiled warning. A danger message meant to keep her in her place.

"My name is Astraeus, remember it." he said, his voice cool. 'Remember it.' The simplicity of the statement carried a weight that made Jane feel as though his presence was crushing her. The simple phrase echoing into a threat.

"Y-Yes... Yes!" Jane stammered, quickly forcing a smile. "It's quite unique. I don't think I'll be forgetting it any time soon." Her laugh was light, almost forced, as she tried to mask her unease tightening in her chest.

These feelings were alien to her. Normally, Jane could control any situation, effortlessly bending others to her will through either manipulation or seduction. Yet, standing before Astraeus, she felt truly powerless. It was as if his very presence suffocated her usual confidence, leaving her vulnerable and exposed. Any risk, no matter how small, felt like it could lead to immediate execution.

She had never felt insignificant and fragile like this before—and it terrified her.

"I would like your assistance."

Jane's mind tired at his words. 'assitance.' a normally innocent word usually meant something entirely darker in this context. Before even knowing the situation, her mind rushed with possible countermeasures. Trying to find anyway she could 'complete' the request without breaking any laws.

"After all that talk about not overworking myself?" Jane quipped, lightening the situation. If not for the boss, for herself.

Noticing his stern gaze, she sighed.

"What can I do...?"

Astraeus' gaze swished to his desk and he pulled open a small compartment. Jane couldn't properly see all the contents but the boss placed a small bag onto the table.

"Need this delivered somewhere?" She probed, assuming it was maybe illegal money, or something else.

Astraeus' shook his head and emptied the bag onto the table.

"A movie?" Jane gaped at him, slighty confused on what he wanted her to do. Not to mention, surprised Astraeus would interact with trivial things like movies.

Her stare quickly shifted back to the movie case. A sense of familiarity quickly washed over her like a wave of comfort.

"This is from the place on Sixth Street, right?"

To Jane's surprise, Astraeus' eyebrows raised. The small expression finally betraying something softer than his dark gaze.

"It is," he answered with a firm nod. "Do you frequent it? I heard it's quite popular."

"Well I'm a regular customer. I have a membership but, I wouldn't say frequent. I'm far too busy." She clarified, not daring to explain her busyness stemmed from her constant infiltration jobs. She wouldn't even dare to imagine what Astraeus would do if he found out.

Acknowledging her words with a nod, Astraeus quickly moved the subject.

"Would you mind setting the movie up for me?"