Albrook

-Professor Mellix. Are you sure this is necessary? –Tobias asked, worried. They both knew about the risks. The risks themselves had been taught by one Aaurux Mellix 27 years ago when describing “Travel to Ser: Customs and Warnings.”

-We’ve travelled long enough as is to back down now. And besides, Central cannot know what we are doing here or that we even are here. At best, we came to indulge my need for pastries. With style. –He replied. –Besides, I don’t have long to live, but I surely do not want to spend my last 10 or 20 years in one of central’s basements. Did you buy the things that I asked you for? –he asked.

-Yes, professor, but I don’t see the point. A bakery? Erotic cupcakes?

-Trust the plan. Now, let me have one of those cupcakes... wait. You did buy the half dozen I asked right?

-Yes, professor –Tobias replied, half exhausted half exasperated.

-Great. Let me have one. –he said. –I’ll be right back before you can sigh in disapproval! –he finished.

Inside his long coat, Aaurux had a little device he claimed he didn’t know too much about but he knew just enough. It was all a lie of course, a convenient façade to avoid unnecessary explanations to superiors that would certainly try and replicate it. A lot of people, he had seen firsthand, are very happy accepting a weapon without understanding what the consequences of using said weapon are. He wasn’t above moral misjudgments, but he always meant well and calculated that his actions caused the minimum amount of harm around others, sometimes taking on certain punishments on himself. But this little device, was special. And it would be crucial for his inopportune visit with the prime minister of the UK who leisurely stood watching the Rememberance day parade.

Tobias had barely started to inhale, when Aaurux grabbed the device with his hand. In an instant, everything froze in time but him. Of course, this was an illusion.

Trying his best to keep his pace swift, he moved along crowds of people towards the stage where the prime minister along with his hefty security detail surrounded him at a distance. He moved with a lot of care of not touching anyone, because he knew if he did, both would be hurt. For him is was nothing but a lively stroll down the street. He finally made it through to the space where the prime minister along with other dignataries watched the procession of the parade. He took the device out of his pocket extending a very thin golden chain which had a very small hook at the end. He clipped this hook to the prime minister who was immediately shocked to see everything around him freeze to a standstill except the man in front of him.

-Good afternoon sir! –he said –First, it is an honor.

-What in the hell is going on here? Guards? –the prime minister yelled.

–I am afraid they cant hear you... Ta tatatata... -he said motioning him to stop moving so fast. -Don’t move so quickly or you’re going to kill someone, please. I mean you no harm! –he added.

-What do you want? –he asked, nervous about the abrupt silence and darkening of everything.

-Secondly, I have a gift for you. –he said, motioning to the paper bag he had on his other hand. –But before I do, I have a fair warning for you sir. And trust me, I know it is difficult for you to trust a stranger that just froze time around you but you need to hear this and take it to heart. We know about the meetings you’ve had with some very wealthy strangers you know, who are very eager to get into the Breenshire vaults. Only place safer than the Vatican vaults. But we have no business there. Never did. –The prime minister looked stunned.

-I don’t know what you’re talking about sir! –he said, defensively.

-Oh, I know you do. But this is not me threatening you about what we will do if you grant them access. This is me warning you that if you do, it wont be long before you alone will be responsible for the deaths of all your countrymen, potentially even more. The fact is, it is much better for you to not even know what the vaults contain. The men who are coming to you come with mountains of gold. You must not accept this, because if you do, and they get to what they’re after, you wont be alive to spend it. And just to clarify, this is a social call to warn you about it. I am sorry I cannot remain too long with you my time is almost up. –he added. –Oh and by the way. Please extend your hand like you’re about to receive something... -he added.

Shocked by the information, the prime minister did as requested. Tobias was about to object when he saw that Aaurux had returned, pale, sweaty and horribly tired.

-I... told you... I’d be... -he said, panting –back before you could... sigh...

-Professor! –he said. –are you mad? –he complained, worried about him. He knew that Aaurux was much to old to do these kinds of irresponsible forays, however he admired both his immature charm and determination.

-Hand me my canteen! –Aaurux demanded. Tobias looked for it in his bag.

-I don’t think its good for you to drink under the circumstances! –he nagged.

-Its for my heart, idiot. Its about to burst! –he replied before desperately opening the canteen and taking a long sip.

A block away from the alley, the prime minister was suddenly facing the opposite direction from the parade with a very sexy confectionary girl sitting on a pink cupcake. Her legs, coming out of the sweet dough looked enticing. Her face, a fondant head, with her eyes made of chocolate looking directly at him, her face sporting a tiny seductive red smile.