With weeks having gone by since the incident at the Withering Lilly, filled with bureaucracy and detective work to resolve all those who seemed involved and track down the associated refinery, Lionel was finally awarded with a few days off. Although not as much awarded as prompted by his superiors to take some time off, claiming he was still worked up about the dead-end chase. Knowing that making a fuss against it would just prove their point, he reluctantly agreed to taking some time off.

But despite being reluctant at first, having some time away from the force was actually refreshing, realizing he couldn't recall the last time he took more than one day off that wasn't for errands or a sick day. And for being the first time in a while that he took some time off, the weather couldn't have been better. It was just past the peak of summer's heat, when the sun was still bright but the sky was starting to get cloudy and a chill breeze moved in the streets, making shaded areas much more pleasant to rest in.

Which was exactly what he was doing, enjoying a cup of fresh coffee and some sweet pastries outside a local café by the plaza, for once being able to enjoy it in his civilian clothes, not making a stop before or after work and just being able to sit around and enjoy the gentle bustle of the late morning hour, past the early rush and far, far before the evening rush. Just some sweet treats and fresh air.

Letting his eyes and mind wander around the plaza as he sipped on his coffee, eventually pausing and stalling over the bronze statue of Captain Rosso, standing up proud with an old fashioned gun in each hand, looking to the horizon. A magnificent role model if there ever was one, and Lionel always felt his chest swell up with pride, just being part of the group that follows the path he initially laid out, protecting his fellow humans. Even if for most people it was just a given situation, part of history long gone, Lionel still felt like Rosso was something special, to be admired. As his eyes trailed down from the statue's head to its pedestal, he was surprised to find that there still seemed to be someone sharing his sentiments.

Next to the statue's plaque, there was a young man inspecting the monumental piece of art, eyes seemingly glimmering in the sun even from the distance between them, like he was admiring him all the same. Lionel felt his heart picking up its pace the more he watched the man, who seemed as lost in thought and awe as he was until just a moment ago. Being on call almost round the clock at all times, Lionel realized that he never really had a chance to meet people outside of work. Even in his free time, he always preferred to rest more than going out. But now, having a few days off work, maybe he'll get the chance to at least start something. And if that doesn't work out, then it's back to the way it was.

Feeling resolved, Lionel packed his remaining pastries into a paper bag and downed the rest of his coffee, throwing the paper cup away as he got up and headed to the plaza, casually walking towards the enticed stranger, trying to immediately dampen down the realization that he never tried to flirt with anyone since his teenage years.

"Hey there."

Rædnael had to put a very conscious effort to not yelp out loud when he was suddenly approached, and even more of an effort when he met with the all too familiar face of the officer from the Withering Lilly that chased him down, recognizing him even without the uniform. He knew all too well that they were sometimes going around undercover.

He also had to remind himself that he no longer looked like the halfling that this man had relentlessly chased.

"Um...hello," he smiled back, awkwardly trying to keep from showing his teeth, despite knowing with absolute certainty that they looked completely human now, every single one of them. He didn't know whether he should offer help, since the officer clearly didn't look needy, so it might come off as rude rather than polite, and he didn't really know the layout of the district—

"He's quite striking, isn't he?" Lionel smiled against his fluster, looking up at the statue in admiration, although where Rædnael's awe was directed at the craft alone, the officer was clearly more taken with the man himself. Seeing the other man nodding quietly, he grinned wider. "They really did him justice with this one. I used to come here with my parents on weekends when I was a kid, and that statue always made me feel safe. Made me want to keep other people safe, too."

Slowly feeling more assured that this officer wasn't undercover, Rædnael let himself relax a bit, and even allowed himself a bit of doubt. This man talking to him sounded so...different than the one who chased him. Kinder, warmer, and...just overall nicer than pretty much any human that interacted with him in the past. "And...how is that working out for you?"

The other man's chest puffed up in pride, as if he was waiting for that question. "Pretty well, considering I'm one of the best the Las Flores police force has to offer," he grinned, sticking his hand out, "Lionel Young, at your service."

Rædnael's heart sank a bit at the final confirmation that he was really talking to a cop has set in, even if he was off-duty. Trying to not show the terror starting to build up in his heart, he realized that he shouldn't leave him hanging, too. "Oh. I'm, uh..." he reached his hand to grab Lionel's hoping his claws won't be felt against his skin. He had to figure out a human name, and fast. "I'm Rodrick," he did his best to flash a friendly smile back, praying he wasn't sweating, "Rodrick Quill."

"Pleasure meeting you, Rodrick," Lionel shook his hand as he gripped back, "what are you up to, loitering around these parts of town at this hour?"

"Uh...loitering?" Rædnael swallowed, slowly letting go of his hand before Lionel chuckled.

"I didn't mean it like that, I'm...sorry, I guess it's cop humor, relax," he laughed, pulling his hands back as well. "It's my day off, I'm not gonna get you in trouble."

Rædnael sighed, putting a hand to his chest and letting out a nervous chuckle. "Oh, you really had me going there for a moment," he said, moving his hand from his chest to rub the back of his neck, feeling a literal tightness in his stomach as his tail instinctively coiled closer around it, as if his whole body was prepared to take off running. "I'm...just having a day off, too. Taking a stroll, and...should be meeting with a friend in a few." Technically speaking, he wasn't even lying.

"Would it be alright if I...join you on your stroll, until you meet up with that friend of yours?" Lionel suggested, raising his arm and rustling the bag of pastries he was holding. "I've bought too many to eat them all fresh, you could share them with me so they won't go stale."

Clearly bribery at its finest, Rædnael was close to politely turning it down before realizing he was still hungry after his extremely modest breakfast as the sugary scent hit his nostrils. Fresh baked goods wasn't something he could usually afford along with his bare necessities, and here he was offered them for free...or rather, in exchange for some company. He almost felt like he's being manipulative even thinking of accepting, but...getting a bit of free food was harmless, wasn't it?

"How, uh...how could I possibly say no?" Rædnael smiled, finding himself almost taken aback for a moment at how elated Lionel was at him accepting his company, immediately pushing the bag at him. It still felt warm in his hands.

"Let's go, I can show you some nice spots around," he gestured to his new friend to follow, pausing after a couple of steps and looking back just as Rædnael had taken a bite of the oh-so-inviting pastries. He chuckled, "I promise I won't hold it over your head, you enjoy those," he said, seeing the flustered look on the man's face, "I appreciate you just having my company, you...I mean, if you'd like to exchange numbers after and meet again it'll be nice, but you really don't owe me nothing."

"I...thank you, Lionel," Rædnael nodded after taking the pastry out of his mouth, taking care to not be rude and avoid talking with his mouth full. "I really appreciate it, too."

Lionel paused, expression softening at his words. "I was...coming on a bit strong, wasn't I?"

Rædnael smiled back, lightly fidgeting with the rustling edges of the paper bag. "Just a little bit."

"So tell me something about yourself, Rodrick," Lionel caught Rædnael's attention after they'd been walking around the plaza for a while. "I've been here running my mouth about my memories from here since I was a kid, and you didn't even get a word in," the halfling was surprised to hear an apologetic tone in Lionel's voice, "do you have any nice memories from this place, too?"

"I never really got to go here," Rædnael started and then pursed his lips, realizing that while this was the truth, he couldn't possibly follow up with why he was never at the plaza before. He never imagined that he'll need to come up with a human name on the spot, much less a human backstory. "I lived with my mom farther up the district from here, and she was...kinda paranoid about me walking around where there are so many exiles. But she also never had time to come here with me, being a single mother. I never knew my dad and she...she never talked about him. But she worked a lot to get by, so...I didn't even see much of her, either."

"Oh...I'm sorry," much to his surprise, Lionel's voice was sincere in its sympathy, pulling at Rædnael's heartstrings knowing it was largely a lie, only loosely based on his real life. "Well, you...you decided to come by in a good time. They did a really nice renovation of the plaza last year, it looks so much nicer," he added, trying to cheer him up.

"I...I'm glad that I didn't miss too much, then," Rædnael smiled back, and against the feeling of this sympathy being undeserved, the sincerity of it was moving. He couldn't remember anyone other than Heks to show him such true caring, especially after knowing him for so little time. "It really is a nice place. It's so clean and well kept."

"And it's safe, too. The whole district is, thanks to the police making sure no one causes trouble," Lionel grinned, patting his chest, "so your dear mother could rest assured that her lovely son is safe and sound out on his own."

Rædnael pursed his lips again, unsure what to make of that comment. He could only assume his birth-mother was in one of the human districts, not wanting to risk another unwanted spawn, if she was even still alive--

"Oh, no, is she...?" Lionel quickly went quiet too, and Rædnael could hear him silently berating himself for being insensitive.

"She's...y-yeah, but don't worry about it," Rædnael was quick to try and calm him down, "it's not like you could've known, and it's been a while since," he said, feeling a warm sentiment rise within him as the only face that came to mind was Heks'. "I do miss her, but she's with me every day, in a way."

"Ah, that's...that's good," Lionel let out a sigh of relief, pressing his hand to his chest. "You know, I...my parents are still alive, but I don't get to see them much. They did give me a graduation gift," he smiled and pulled out a cross pendant from underneath his shirt, "they said it'll keep me safe."

"...From demons?" Rædnael asked. "You...know it doesn't work, right?"

"I know," Lionel shrugged, tucking the cross back under his shirt, smiling. "It's...more like they have my back at all times, when I wear this. I'm sure your mom still has your back, too."

And she really does. Heks has been more of a mother to him than anyone in his life, and she always had the halfling's back. "Yeah...thanks, Lionel. It's a good reminder," he nodded, looking around to find they were back in the plaza when he spotted Captain Rosso's statue again, suddenly struck with the reason he was there in the first place. "I'm...I'm so sorry, I got this...friend waiting, I need to go."

"Wait, it...wasn't something I said, right?" Lionel hurried to his side, concerned.

"No, not at all. I just lost track of time. Really, it's been nice."

"Can I...have your number, then?" Lionel asked carefully, hoping to not sound pushy.

Rædnael paused, humming. "Would you mind if I have yours, instead? I just—" before he could finish, Lionel already took a piece of paper from his wallet, jotting his number and handing it over.

"Hope to hear from you soon," he grinned, relieved, leaving him to his affairs.

"...At least I have the human name figured out now," Rædnael murmured, turning away to follow the instructions to Heks' contact, hopefully to make his new name official.