Lorna had lived in a world where she was really good at staying hidden, and because she was an empath, she often felt people, even COS Agents when they were getting close to finding her location. Something was bugging her, and she couldn’t exactly figure out what it was, the feeling was empty, completely empty and it felt like it was throwing her off her game.
Her training kicked in, and she took a hard left before jumping up to use the fire escape stairs on the building as a way to escape upwards. She probably would have been a gymnast if that had been a thing in her world. Getting to a safe hidden position, she waited the feeling went away before it felt like it was going to overcome her and she felt the presence of someone else, something else.
What a fun place this was, huh? Angelus had a hard time believing any of this shit was real, but he still enjoyed the perks of being the prized pupil of his benefactors. He’d just been enjoying a warm meal when he caught the scent of something - someone - familiar. Not exactly the same, but still close to the original source. A slow grin appeared on his lips as he realized who this was. During his scouting of the network and conversations around the city over the last couple of days, he’d seen and heard about some of the children that had come in from some future timeline. Apparently, he’d found one that was like family to him. Or, well, to Angel.
Watching her carefully from his spot in the darkness, Angelus observed how she moved and the way she seemed to look over her shoulder casually and then take the hard turn. Boy, did he enjoy it when they ran. Jumping high, he easily reached the rooftop of the building next door and then jumped over onto the one she’d started to climb. As soon as she reached the top of the fire escape, he made his presence known by stepping out into the moonlight.
“Are you alright?” He asked the girl. “I mean, you look like you might be trying to get away from someone.” She wasn’t sure if she would recognize him or not, so he took the innocent approach first. “I came up here to get some air.”
Lorna blinked as she looked at him, he was off, she could feel it, the lack of feeling was unnerving to her, but she wasn't going to let him know she was running.
"I'm good, I was just stretching my legs," she answered wishing she'd brought a weapon with her, she almost always had one on her, but she'd been stupid enough to let herself fall into false safety. Atlantis of the past wasn't as dangerous as her Atlantis, but clearly, it still had its dangers.
"You sure you aren't lost?"
“Lost? Nah,” Angelus said and waved his hand as if it was nothing. “I like the views. Seeing the city and watching everyone from this viewpoint helps with clarity. Don’t you think?” He watched her carefully, noticing how her heartbeat was beating a touch too fast, but he pretended to just be a random guy having a random encounter. But, boy, she was a pretty little thing too. Just like Mama.
“What’s your name?” He asked her and took a small step closer. “I’m Liam. I don’t think we’ve met.”
"I haven't seen you around here," Lorna didn't think anyone named Liam had been on the list of people showing and she didn't get the impression he was from Atlantis, she could be wrong, but there was something familiar about his look, but she couldn't completely place it. It was just wisps of a memory she couldn't get a hold of.
"Sally," she lied. Lorna had no real reason to lie, but she felt like giving him her real name wasn't a good plan. She'd use Sally as an alias long enough that her heart didn't speed up as she said it, although her heart was still beating a little too fast from the simple fact she couldn't feel anything off of him.
“Well, Sally, it's nice to meet you.” He wasn't sure if she'd given him her real name or not, but it didn't much matter. He'd figure out one way or another eventually. “As for me, I guess I try to keep out of everyone's way. Low profile.”
Angelus gestured to the rooftop. “Part of the reason why I'm up here, I guess. I like the views.” That part was definitely the truth since it gave him a great vantage point to see down below, and it kept him out of sight and reach.
“Can I ask you something, Sally?” He said, stepping closer again but only a small step. “Do you like living here? In Atlantis, I mean. I've been trying to decide whether or not to stay. With so much happening at home… it's a tough decision don't you think?”
"Where are you from?" She asked as he mentioned keeping a low profile, it felt off to her, really off and she couldn't pinpoint it.
Lorna noticed his small hint of a step closer and didn't move she didn't want to give him the satisfaction of watching her move, that would be dangerous. She did look at where she could escape but also knew whoever he was was quick. She'd need more than just an escape.
"I've found it to be a very worthwhile place to live." She answered after giving him no indication if he could ask her something or not.
“All over really. I move around a lot,” Angelus replied. “I was born in Ireland originally, but it’s been a very long time since I’ve been back there. Most recently Los Angeles. It’s easy to learn how to blend in there.” It was the truth. He’d lived all over the world from his home in Ireland to all across Europe to China and eventually onto the States the last seventy-five to hundred years or so.
He gave a shrug. “I suppose it’s not so bad once the weirdness sets in, yeah? There are an awful lot of interesting people to say the least. I’m hoping I eventually run into someone familiar. Maybe from home, but I’m not so sure if that will happen or not. What do you think? Do you have a lot of friends here? What about family?”
Not exactly what he meant by the question but decided not to push it, at least it told her that he was from a world that considered Earth to be the home base. That was something at least.
"Oh, yeah, who do you want to run into here?" Lorna asked ignoring his second question. He didn't need to know anything about her own connection. "Maybe I can tell you if they're here or not."
Turning the question around on him without answering it herself both amused him a little and annoyed him a little. She was skilled at evading questions, but he still took notice when she did. Not that it really mattered if she answered or not since he already knew some of the people who were here, but it would have been interesting to hear her version.
He had half a mind to grab her by the throat and drain her right here and now. Maybe drop her off outside of Fred’s door with a little note saying that he’d love meeting her kid and would be seeing her soon. He could even stick a cute little flower in the girl’s hand. Angelus did like sending his gifts to the people Angel loved. He was almost getting distracted by thinking up all sorts of arrangements he could place her body, but, no. It was still a bit too early for that, and he wasn’t going to be getting ahead of himself just yet.
“Oh, you know,” he said with a shrug. “Friends. Family. I’d know if they were here.” He tapped his fingers against his chest. “It’s like I can feel them.” Or smell them. “You never answered my question, though,” he said and took a final step closer, less than a foot away from her now. God, her scent was starting to drive him into a frenzy. One little sip wouldn’t hurt, right?
It was tempting to kick and run but Lorna got the impression that wasn't the best idea. She wanted to get away from the creepy guy but knew she had to do that carefully.
"Friends and family is a little bit vague, and how can you feel them?" That was another sign that something really wasn't right with this guy, he was dangerous, and she could feel it. Sense it. She kept trying to feel something, she always felt things, but it was just empty.
"I'm not the one looking for people," she said in response to her not answering his question.
“It’s just one of those feelings, you know?” His voice was lower now that they were standing closer together. Low and with an ominous feel to it. “Like the way you know someone is there when they’re standing right behind you. Or when you think someone may be watching you and when you look up, sure enough, they’re watching you so intently. How twins just have a sense that the other is in trouble. It’s in their bones.” Or blood. For Angelus, it was all in their blood. Their scent.
Reaching out, Angelus just barely brushed his fingertips against her chin and backed away before she was able to react. “It’s was good meeting you,” he paused for effect, purposely trying to indicate that he might have suspected she’d given him the wrong name. “Sally.” Backing up a few more steps towards the edge of the rooftop, he flashed her a smile. “Be seeing you.”
At that, Angelus turned and jumped off of the building and into the alley down below. By the time she went to the edge, he would have disappeared into the darkness.
There was something really wrong with him. As he disappeared she let out a breath she didn’t know she was holding in. She reached up to her chin shivering slightly. He was dangerous.