The PAX office buzzed with a peculiar sort of energy that morning, one fueled by both caffeine and a lingering shot of mischief. Celestine strode in, two steaming mugs clasped in her hands, and a tray bearing a small flask perched precariously on top. Even Luccio, notoriously averse to anything stronger than tea before noon, raised an intrigued eyebrow.
"What in the seven skies is this, Agent Celestine?" he sputtered, his expressive face a contortion of alarm and amusement.
"Coffee," she replied, the corner of her lips twitching ever so slightly. "With a touch of spirit, for good measure. It's past nine, Luccio. We're allowed."
Luccio made a sound between a gasp and a chuckle as she handed him a mug. Justin, however, accepted his spiked coffee with a smirk. The two always made an odd pair - Celestine with her stoic grace, and Luccio, all nervous energy and flailing hand gestures. Yet, somewhere beneath their bickering, Justin always caught a playful warmth that reminded him of an old, familiar couple.
"Excellent work on the rogue angel situation," Luccio said, taking a hesitant sip. The coffee was surprisingly good, even with the unexpected kick. "But let's talk about the elephant in the room..."
With practiced ease, Justin recounted his findings – the rogue angel's strange cybernetic modifications, the cryptic 'A-003', and Jagna's dead-ends on the mysterious android series.
"The 'A-000' series, you say?" Luccio mused, his frown deepening. "That's been nothing but rumor for decades. Urban legend stuff. And a Celestial hybrid? That sort of thing... it's impossible! It would violate… well, every rule! But then again…" A crease formed between his brows as he considered the possibility.
Celestine tilted her head slightly. "Is it? We don't truly know the limits of technology and Celestial physiology, do we?"
Luccio stared at her, then abruptly stood. "I'm going to need to dig into this. Deeply. That android series, this alleged hybrid..." A thoughtful glint had entered his eyes, a researcher's excitement overriding his initial shock. "Intriguing. And incredibly dangerous if it's true."
Dismissed, Justin rose and stretched. He had the rest of the day relatively clear and no pressing cases on his desk.
As he passed through the bullpen, he noticed the hushed whispers and subtle glances from his employees. Justin was used to the attention; his reputation as PAX's maverick half-angel CEO preceded him. Yet, even in the familiar crowd, something had changed. As he pushed open the lobby doors and stepped onto the bustling street, he was greeted by a wave of turned heads and lingering stares. Fame was a fickle beast.
He wandered towards Space Buns, drawn by the promise of their ludicrously good pastries. The place was packed, as usual. As Justin snagged a lone table by the window, the entire shop seemed to hold its breath in unison. He was the center of their universe for a brief moment, a darkly handsome sun they all orbited around.
Amongst the flurry of activity, Justin spotted her – Angelica. His breath hitched involuntarily. Even in the chaos, her movements were smooth, a soothing melody against the syncopated rhythm of the cafe. Then, she saw him. Her eyes widened in surprise the moment he walked in, a flicker of something unreadable crossing her face.
Riku scurried over, his grin as wide as always. Justin placed his order, all the while aware of Angelica's gaze upon him. He couldn't resist. He beckoned her over, curiosity outweighing his planned interrogation.
Angelica, a whirlwind of focused energy, caught sight of him the moment he had entered. Her heart stuttered, a strange fluttering she couldn't explain. Justin had a presence that simply couldn't be ignored. With a sense of inevitability, she approached his table.
"Good morning. Would you like your usual?" she asked, surprised by how breathless her voice sounded.
"No," he flashed a charming smile, "I'd like to ask you to sit for a moment."
Her eyes widened. Customers were piling up, and this enigmatic man wanted to chat? Yet, the pull of his charisma was too strong. She took a seat across from him, her hands fumbling with her apron.
The moment to ask about her powers, about her true nature, hung heavy in the air. Yet, Justin's sharp mind took another turn. "I have a request – could you perhaps cater an event at PAX?"
Angelica blinked, confused. "PAX? The tech giant? What kind of event?" Her curiosity was piqued. Everyone knew about PAX but still she wasn’t aware that this handsome stranger was the CEO.
He gave her a sly smile. "Just a little gathering. My friend is involved with them. I need help with refreshments, and your pastries are divine."
With a mix of pride and a cunning glint, he watched her process the information. It was all technically true, a warped mirror of the events to come. With her attention secured, a foot in the door, he could unveil the real mystery step by step. For now, he was simply Justin, the charming stranger. And it was quite refreshing for him. Acting not like the usual Justin, but just some nobody. He could already imagine the shock when she discovered the truth.
“Why are you smiling?” she asked, curious.
“I’m just…looking forward to the event” The girl couldn’t help but blush.
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