James stepped out of his car and looked down at the homeless man. Seeing a large bruise around his eyes that was swelling, he chuckled and went over to him. "You need to be careful who you beg from around here," James said, making the man laugh.
Reaching for his eyes, he let his fingers hover just above it, "Believe it or not, it was a woman. First time one had punched me." James thinly smiled and went back to his car. Opening his glovebox, he took out a small tube of cream and handed it to the man.
"I'm guessing you won't pay for ointment. Just don't use too much." The homeless man looked at it for a while, smiled, nodded, and thanked him before applying the bare minimum he needed. Taking it back, James quickly put it away and made his way to his apartment
Locking his door and placing a chair in front of it, he grabbed another, turned the radio on, took a seat before the door, and pulled his gun out. All he could do now was wait. If his prediction was wrong and they struck today, he wouldn't let himself be caught off guard.
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Hanging up his phone, Xavier turned around, hearing the elevator. The door opened, and standing in it, he saw Agent S, looking at him with an emotionless stare. Xavier took a deep breath and smiled, walking over to him. "I didn't know I was so important that the ISD would visit me."
Agent S said nothing and walked passed him. Placing the briefcase on the table, he opened it up and pulled out a small vial of liquid. Xavier stared at it, feeling his aura jump with excitement, urging him to take it. Keeping that feeling hidden inside of him, he took a deep breath and walked over.
The liquid was silver in colour with bright gems inside that sparkled when the light hit it. "Xavier Taylor. On behalf of the ISD, we ask again whether you would be willing to join?" Agent S said, holding the vial of liquid towards Xavier. Agent S spoke, "This will be used as a forward payment in return."
Xavier subconsiously gulped and stared at the liquid. Abilities could evolve under many circumstances. One was through intense training, as he had done to see the past and present. Some happened in moments of extreme stress; others, through luck; and rarely would a genius appear who could push their abilities to the limit, uncovering the pinnacle.
All those, however, required the weidler themselves. The final and rarest way was using an edible Artefact from nature to propel it forward. Xavier had only ever heard of it happening once, with the Grand Sentinel of New Horizon having found a rare herb that had become an Aretfact. He subconsciously reached forward, not having seen this future, but stopped and held back, smiling. He could only assume the liquid was related to time, like his own ability, and therefore blocked what he could see.
"I shut you down last time without hearing you out," Xavier moved and took a seat at the table, offering the one before him to Agent S, who sat, "But now you have piqued my interest. The two main questions I wish to ask are, why does the ISD wish to have me and will accepting interfere with my own ambitions and responsibilities to New Horizon?"
His eyes peered towards the liquid. Running his eyes, he smirked and confirmed his theory, unable to see its past. Agent S went into his briefcase again and pulled out a document. Xavier could feel the power of an ability in it. "Sign this. In the event you refuse, your soul will bind its author. Any disclosure of our conversation to a third party outside the ISD will cause immeasurable pain. In the event that the full contents are told, it can result in paralysis, falling into a coma or death. This does not only include audible exchange but also writing the contents, telepathic communication..."
Xavier waved his hand, understanding his point. He knew it was procedure for them to do such a thing, an NDA that had real effect. Although he was hesitant, seeing the vial, he brushed it aside and thoroughly read the contents to make sure they didn't include any hidden terms. Happy with it, he placed his finger on the bottom and felt the aura in his body being sucked out by the paper. Agent S nodded and put it away once it was done.
"The ISD places great value on abilities related to space, time and luck. Although your ability to see through time is hindered by certain things, we still see the value in it in the protection of the State." Agent S flatly said without a fluctuation in emotion. "The ISD is equipped with the means to manipulate time, but we do not have a person in our services who can see through it."
Pushing the vial toward Xavier, he carried on, "Those hinderances to your ability, we believe, will be mitigated with this consumption, although we can't be sure. As for your own personal ambition and obligations to New Horizon, they can be negotiated, although there are certain things you will have to give up."
Xavier took a deep breath and looked at Agent S. Wrapping the ends of the table, he smirked, "You wish for me to stop my pursuit of Zotkis Home, I assume." Agent S nodded.
"The effects of opening the Door can not be predicted. The safety of the State is our sole concern, and this poses a potential threat to it." Xavier took a deep breath. Looking at the liquid, it felt less appealing now.
"And if I did accept but carried on. What would happen?"
"Tried for treason." Agent S bluntly said, "As of now, we turn a blind eye because it is not illegal to delve into the occult, but if you agree to become one of us, you are agreeing to cease these activities." The two stared at one another. Xavier chuckled and sighed. Although he desperately wanted the liquid, knowing it would help him, he didn't want to give up his own goals. For twenty-five years, he had been working on it once he learnt of Zoktis. After so long, it felt wrong to abandon it.
Xavier closed his eyes and thought. Agent S patiently waited, not interfering. Opening them, he took another deep breath and smiled, "Personally, joining the ISD doesn't fit me as a person. The State has never been my priority. But I am a man who deeply loves this country and knows what it allows me to do." Xavier sighed, "Instead of becoming one of you, how about, in return for the liquid, I will become an associate. If this isn't enough, I will provide names and locations for numerous domestic terrorists. All I require is in-depth knowledge about them and, better yet, one of their personal belongings or part of their body, be it blood, an arm, or even a hair."
Agent S leaned forward, "What would being an associate mean?"
"Any time the ISD requires my services, they can call, or if I see something that threatens the State at large, I will report it. But as you know, my ability has its limits, and that could greatly help." Xavier held out his hand. "Deal?" Agent S looked at it and stood up, carefully putting the vial of liquid away.
"I will report your terms and be in touch." Xavier nodded, half expecting him not to agree on his own. Getting up, he escorted him out and went back to the living room, looking out at Newport. Licking his lips, he couldn't help but feel excited at maybe evolving his sight once more.