Late Night Stroll

Charon released a soft sigh as he ran his skeletal hand through his fluffy green hair while staring out the large arched window in his quarters at the gardens beyond. He did not think he had felt this unsettled in years. Not since his retirement from his bodyguard occupation yet here he stood, orange eyes gazing out the window. With a deep groan, he stepped away to grab a leather jacket and paused when his imps stirred at his actions.

"...I'm going for a walk," Charon told them as he departed his quarters. Only five of his imps had joined him while the rest chose to remain behind. Both Chthonic and Nenia Dea had been swift to fly and float next to him while Tartarus, Tiny and Orcus kept by his feet with practised ease. Charon frowned when he glanced down at the Natural Impup and was reminded of his beloved Diego.

He had been the one to bring the unfortunate news of Priest Olender's passing back to the farm and had to witness as Diego visibly shut down, Mckenna have an anxiety attack in Eden's arms and Eden had been concerned for his friends in the city which Charon understood as that had been one of his first thoughts upon finding out about the Head Priest of Church of Sulfur. Charon had quickly whisked Diego away to their cabin as Mckenna lost it on Eden after the Pride declared his intentions to go into the city.
He had not been planning to return to the Retina Ranch so soon after leaving that morning but upon hearing the distressing news Charon had swiftly turned back to alert the others along with taking the newspaper with him to show the others and stuck around for a couple more days than planned.

His beloved husband had fretted over Basilio and Charon had been quick to reassure him that he had been at The Envious Wines and the Pride had promised to stay on the property.
It had been....rather difficult to leave the farm again especially with Diego so distressed and shut down but Charon had needed to return to his workplace.

Tiny had been a lot more clingy than usual and Charon was not surprised by that as he had been quite tense recently with all murders going on in the city, especially Priest Oleander's.

The string of murders had him feeling on edge however the murder of the Head Priest? That had been what broke Charon's resolve not to return to old habits. The night had settled over the estate property and Charon had decided to go for a walk to shake off the unsettling feeling that had settled deep down in his gut. Unfortunately that had also meant he had grabbed a few knives to keep on him on his way out of his quarters. The estate he lived on was safe but precautions. You just never knew. Charon had been relieved to get a text from Lucien telling him to be careful as well.

With a sigh and another groan, Charon glanced upwards as his Marroth and Lilgrim kept each other company above him. It gave him some relief to see those two acting their usual selves especially as Nenia Dea taunted Chthonic into diving at them as they floated out of the way. Charon cracked a small smile as he began to twist around a small silver knife absentmindedly in his skeletal hand. His Fellantern and Impup were keeping at his heels very closely with Orcus occasionally headbutting his skeletal leg.

Tartarus as Charon had expected had gone on ahead to wander the gardens while also remaining in the eyesight of the Greed. Then both Nenia Dea and Chthonic flew ahead toward Tartarus as Charon knelt down to give Orcus some scritches under the neck then the familiar sounds of irritated loud chirping and screaming reached his ears causing Charon to flinch hard and his hand to clench hard around his dagger. Then he slowly relaxed with a soft sigh. Chthonic and Tartarus. They must have ran into someone. Most likely a fellow employee. Charon got up and hurried over with both Tiny and Orcus on his heels. Much to his dismay, Chthonic was chirping loudly at his long-time friend and superior; Thorne, while Tartarus was still screaming loudly from their position at Thorne's hooves.

The Baaaphie promptly stopped screaming once it had been plucked and put into air jail by an annoyed Charon as Chthonic settled onto his hair between the two white Greed horns while Orcus headbutted Thorne's leg in demand of pets as Tiny hid behind Charon's legs and Nenia Dea settled on Charon's left shoulder.

Before the Pride doll could open his mouth to speak, not that Charon would be able to tell due to the mask covering his mouth, Charon interrupted with "It is likely that you startled them and I do apologize for that." Thorne's eyes narrowed at the dagger still in Charon's free hand which was immediately put away in a pocket in his leather jacket.

"....Is there a particular reason you have a dagger with you?" Charon sighed at the hints of disappointment in Thorne's voice
"Fell back on old habits because of everything happening out in the city. It's got me unsettled." Charon spoke as he knelt down to release the thrashing Tartarus onto the ground before it jumped out of its air jail and risked hurting itself. The Greed observed the Baaaphie scamper off with his Fellantern to play around with his Marroth and Lilgrim joining in. Good. They've calmed down considerably. Charon rose back up to his full height to meet Thorne's gaze.

"Any reason you're out in the gardens?" Charon inquired and Thorne glanced to the side toward the imps playing around then back down at Tiny clinging to Charon's leg ".....Felt like getting fresh air. Also noticed you from the window and came to check on you."

"How unusually kind of you" Charon's tone was rather dry as Thorne huffed in subtle amusement.

"The estate property is safe, Charon as you well know." Thorne's eyes narrowed and Charon could only shrug "Falling back on old habits seems to appease the unsettling feeling I'm currently dealing with. Besides, with you, an ex-mercenary prowling the property I don't see why it wouldn't be safe."
"And you, a former bodyguard, is always out and about on the property" Thorne reminded him and Charon rolled his eyes.

"Old habits, old friend. Old habits." Charon pulled his dagger out and twirled it around as Orcus returned to climb Thorne's leg in an attempt to demand attention from the cold Pride much to Charon's quiet amusement. They could both hear the soft sounds of Tartarus, Nenia Dea and Chthonic playing around in the bushes nearby.

Seems that Orcus finally won in its demand as Thorne finally plucked it off his leg and into his arm for some gentle scratches on its belly; drawing out soft purrs as Charon shook his head with an amused huff.

"You spoil your imps a lot" Thorne scoffed and Charon glared. "Is it so shameful to have a soft spot for them?"
"....Go back to your quarters. It is safe here. I will continue my patrol." Thorne sighed as he handed the Fellantern over to Charon who whistled for his Baaaphie, Marroth and Lilgrim to return to his side as he returned to his quarters with a quiet farewell to Thorne; his Impup scampering ahead.