An Angel Over His Shoulder (John Hart/Open)

[The Angel]

Night was always the best time. The darkness caused the dull eyes of the planet's massive populous to dim and weaken as it stood, and their love of fermented beverages and illicit substances further hindered their visual centers.

It made it that much easier to go unseen, for they were so much less likely to jump at an unexpected shadow and follow it to its source. Gabriel could move freely, on fleet foot and swift wing, often with sentient creatures not more than a few meters away. He became stuck every once in a while, but even when these creatures could see, they were rarely very observant.

So what if there was a strange new statue which they hadn't remembered being there? They might come take a brief look and comment on the artist's workmanship, but they would ramble on just as soon as their shallow curiosity was spent. And they usually had only nice things to say.

Tonight he was bored, and making a petty game of dashing through the streets and over low rooftops as patrons shuffled in and out of the loud establishments below. He didn't have a particular target in mind for hunting, nor a particular companion at present for the harassing.

And then he caught it. Like a pheromone on the air, an energy signature, one very unique, considering the time and the place. Keeping to the shadows to avoid drawing eyes, he chased it, not even needing to leave the row of bars and clubs to find it.

Just a man. But certainly more than he seemed. Sharp-eyed, in spite of the scent of distilled vapours, and practically radiating with the strength of his own potential, and a glorious past.

Gabriel stood poised upon a small ledge on the opposite facing building, just watching the fantastic creature below. Perhaps this night might yet turn more engaging.

[Captain John Hart]

The night was his time; it was the time where he could move around without much attention being paid to him or what he was doing, when he could get things done. Sure John loved attention and often being the center of it. But there were moments when he didn’t need those. It wasn’t the only reason why he loved the night, it was when things to come alive at least here in Cardiff where he seemed to be stuck for now.

John was suppose to be back at Torchwood recovering from being shot in the midsection by their very own doctor. Another wound, another scar thanks to Owen. A couple of his lower ribs had been broken thanks to the impact of the bullet at such a close ranger. It had made breathing a little hurt and moving around hurt each time he moved in the wrong way. But he couldn’t stay cooped up any longer and need fresh air. He wasn’t sure how long he had out here before Jack showed up but at least he could enjoy himself for a little while.

He had left a few clubs after having drinks scattered between the clubs. It helped to numb the pain from the wound but also helped to settle his mind. The alcohol wasn’t strong and barely did anything to him so he barely tipsy between all that he downed. Sure he flirted with the locals but for once, he wasn’t in the mood for sex. He was standing down by the docks after having walked for a while.

John had his eyes closed, enjoying the breeze coming off from the body of water. Water wasn’t something he was too fond of but it had moments where it could be relaxing. The whole time he had been walking along, he could feel something behind him, following him. He wasn’t sure what it was but his weapons were back at Torchwood thanks to Jack de-arming him.

The only reason why he was around and sticking around was to help Jack as a favor to make up for what happened. Maybe by doing so, the nightmares and pain from that event would stop bothering him. But instead, he ends up getting shot and treated like the bad guy. Though he was still holding back what he knew, knowing it was best to wait until he had their trust. Time was on his side with this, he had come far enough ahead of the even to know that. ”I know your out there.” He said loud enough so that whatever was following him could hear.

[The Angel]

"You're one of the very few," the voice purred from a distance, caught on the breeze off the bay and bandied about until it was little more than a whisper. Ambiguous, with a touch of velvet, and more than a little amusement.

Gabriel loved this. He grinned to himself from his perch on the ledge of a crumbling brick warehouse, just gazing down at the sandy blonde back of the human man's head. This one obviously possessed more bravado than most of his species, so frightening him would mean work, but it was the sort the angel reveled in. A challenge, to make a hero quake in his boots. And they were such nice, well-worn and battered boots this man of action wore.

"When did you know?" The stresses on the words were slightly odd, playful, perfectly pronounced, but with a cadence that seemed unused to the language. For all his love of company, Gabriel still went such long spans with out making use of a reanimated consciousness. This one was nearly worn through.

[Captain John Hart]

The smirk was not one he could help or hold back when he heard the voice, which was almost a purred even from the distance it was at. It was strange voice one that seems to lure him in but yet he could still catch the amusement within the voice. Clearly this wasn’t the first time who ever was following had done such an act but however clearly wasn’t use to being caught. John was highly trained; he had trained himself that even a presence behind would send a chill up his back.

John didn’t bother turning around because he didn’t want this little game to end, he liked the mystery of it and it was the first time that he could say he was truly entertained for once in a long while. As he stood there on the docks, the waist level coat flapped in the breeze slightly. It was chilly a little but John needed to feel that coldness at the present time, it reminded him that he was still alive.

”I’ve known for a while now, since I came out of that one club… the gothic club. I just waited until we were alone to address it.” His voice still carrying that flirting tone even though he wasn’t really flirting at the moment but it was still a warm voice. John brought his arms up to cross at his chest; he knew what his pheromones did to people, more so with the humans on this planet. But John was far from a hero; he was in the middle, neither a hero nor a villain. He did whatever he wanted, whenever he wanted. Depending on the time and place, he might take the role of a hero but it wasn’t often that he even bothered getting in the middle of things.

He took a deep breath, wincing a little at the pain that caused. He didn’t feel a threat from the being behind him but a part of him wished Jack was here. He longed for the other man and a chance to get him truly alone. ”I know your not a human either or else the shadows wouldn’t be your home. Most humans have a fear of the darkness.”

[The Angel]

The angel let loose a peal of laughter, a sound that split the night open with its sharp, cacophonous scream. Just as quickly, he dodged around the building corner so that he would not be found by the revealing sound so cripplingly soon.

The angel's true voice was a horrific, unearthly thing that ricocheted off the building faces and echoed down the lowly alleyways that lead away from the lonely docks. When he spoke again it was with that disembodied murmur which bore no resemblance to the 'laugh', a thing that may have seemed more a sound of rage than amusement but for the sing-song that followed. "You are a rare one. Usually only the very little ones know that. They make themselves forget it once they grow as tall as you… But the little ones, they know."

[Captain John Hart]

It would have been a lie if he said or thought that the laughter that ring through the buildings and down to the docks didn't scare him, didn't bother him. But it did, it sounded like a scream one filled with horror, almost like something was evil and filled with rage. This had John's guard up even more. Sure he could handle things on his own but right now he really wished he had some back up. Everything in his body was screaming to him to run, to get the heck out of this place. But instead, John stayed where his was.

The want to know what was out there was stronger than the need and desire to run, to pull out his guns and fight his way out of this if needed. He could tell the voice was coming from a different direction when the creature spoke again. Telling him that whatever was out there moved. That the laugh, which had come from the same place when the being first spoke, was that creature's laughter but it had moved in order not to give it's self away. However, John had a fair idea where it was if he wanted to act.

”I'm one of a kind. Nothing else out there like me and never will be again. No one can resist me.” John smirked and stood tall and proud, being as confidant as he was before. Trying not to show the worry and a bit of fear he was feeling at the moment. He glanced over his shoulder for a moment before looking back at the water, thinking for a moment wondering if his next words would be the wise ones to say. ”Why don't you come out from the shadows and show yourself, creature.”

[The Angel]

Gabriel's milky eyes slid to the side at the human's question, bloodless lips pulling back from vicious fangs as he grinned. With the most silent footsteps he dropped from the building face to the street below, alighting on the ground at the opposite edge of the empty street. He remained ensconced in shadows though, stealing forward to the very edge of what he dared, lest he be observed, and thus trapped.

"Why don't you come into the darkness...?" he baited, the scent of human fear wafting deliciously upon the air. Just a hint, though. A moment of panic mixing with the pheromones, now subsiding into reasonable caution.

And well-advised. He could see even at this distance and in this darkness that the subject of his interest was already injured. The posture, though proud, was careful. Ginger about the midsection. If Gabriel was too reckless he might further damage his new friend with out even meaning, should he provoke the red-coated man too far. He wasn't yet ready to break this toy.

[Captain John Hart]

John had gone from thinking this was going to be a waste of a night to rather enjoying the night and thankful he was able to slip out of Torchwood for a while. He had no idea when Jack or his team would notice he was gone but currently he didn’t care. He didn’t want Jack or anyone else taking away the fun he was having at the moment. Jack owed him this since his former partner’s team member shot him. John wasn’t sure where all this was going, let alone what kind of creature was luring him in but he was more than right to fight even with the fresh injury.

He laughed a little at the question, his eyes glancing to the side for a moment, he could feel whatever was behind him had moved closer but still wasn’t willing to leave the shadows and the question confirmed that. ”Sorry but I don’t play in the shadows anymore. Not that much fun these days. I promise, I won’t bite well not too hard if you come out of those shadows.” John said, trying to lure whatever it was out from it’s hiding spot even more.

His coat still carried a bit of his blood on it but he had taken one of Jack’s tee shirts to wear under his coat seeing how his favorite black one had be ruined. Thankfully his coat was spared the close range gunshot. ”Or are you too scared to come of the darkness?” He asked wondering if he could provoke the creature into coming out instead of playing nice. Him playing nice was rare and didn’t last long unless it was someone rather special to him which there was only one person that fit that role. Sure he could easily turn around and get a better look but this game was rather interesting and he wanted to see if he could break down the creature and get what he wanted before giving into play along.

[The Angel]

Gabriel spread his wings wide and lifted them above his head so that he could lean back against the cold brick of the building, comfortably, one foot planted on the ground and the other propped up behind him. A bored sort of posture, not the usual angelic poise, so that if he were seen now he would make for a very unusual statue.

"You jest, sir. I fear nothing, least of all a maimed human. The light is simply... inconvenient to me," the words had flattened somewhat with the passing challenge. It was hardly the first time he'd been accused of cowardice. They just didn't understand how annoying that quantum locked state could be.

[Captain John Hart]

With most, this game would have brought him boredom and he would have stopped playing along time ago. However the scream like laughter and the voice of this creature had kept him interesting. Sure he knew it was dangerous and that he was taking a risk here but currently, John didn’t care much about his life. Through all that has happened in the past few months, he was feeling tired and worn out. He thought coming back here, helping Jack out would be the change he needed but things were not going planned with that or else he wouldn’t be here at the moment looking for excitement.

”That could very well be your down fall. I am a very dangerous man and not really a true human, well not like the ones on this planet. You shouldn’t let my injury bring your guard down.” John found it strange that this creature knew he was injured with lead him to think that whatever was behind him had really good senses. Sure he might have some broken ribs and the bullet wound just stitched up a day ago but wasn’t enough to slow him down. He had gone through worse than this…

Gray…. His thoughts went back to Jack’s brother and what happened to him. How he peeled the bonded bomb from his wrist, tearing off the skin along with it. The scars still on his wrist to this day for he still hadn’t gone around to see a doctor about having them removed. John turned slowly around, wanting to finally see what was out there… He needed to know what he was up against, to figure out how he could defend himself if needed.

[The Angel]

As soon as the man's boots began to scrape across the dock, Gabriel launched himself upward into the roof line again. They were testing each other's patience at this point and he could hear it in the human's tone as easily as it had slipped into his own.

"There is a small yard just a short way back down the path you walked to reach here. In it is a a war memorial for the men of your Queen's navy. Come there and I will let you see me."

He didn't wait on the man's answer, just darted away across the rooftops to the place he'd indicated. In the center of the little yard was a pedastal of worn stone work with a corroded metal plaque upon its face. It listed the brave young men of Cardiff Bay who had given their lives in the second world war, but standing just taller than a meter, nothing topped the monumen.

Until the Angel lit upon it. Poised with half-spread wings and outstretched palms, serene features tilted down benevolently, he awaited to see if this brave and special human creature would come to seek him, and if he would recognize the angel for what he was when found.

[Captain John Hart]

As he turned around, he could feel the creature moving and by the time he had turned around he could tell it had moved away. John was getting tired of this little game of hide and seek but his interest in what the creature kept him in it. John knew something bad was coming, he hadn’t told Jack that much but he knew they were coming. He couldn’t help but to wonder if this creature was one of them. But it didn’t feel right to him, this was something else and he didn’t know what or if he should bother to call Jack in on this.

When the creature spoke again, he growled low under his breath just as show. John wasn’t anger or pushed towards that edge but he sure the heck could act like it. Instead of running away or ignore it, he did the one thing he knew he should do and that was head off where the creature told him to go. Sure he knew it might be a trap and there might be others waiting there for him but at this point in his life, he couldn’t see any reasons why he shouldn’t take the chance or a reason not to put his life on the line.

A few moments later, he had come into the yard the creature told him about. He stood on the edge of it, those dark eyes of his looking around slowly. He could see that this was some kind memorial with the statues and such around. ”I have you know that I don’t have a Queen and this planet is not my home. I just came to give a friend a warning.” He told whatever was out there. He could sense the creature there and he could sense the danger that was here it rode up his spine like a shiver.

[The Angel]

As the man came into view and his eyes passed over Gabriel, the quantum lock engaged. The alien assassin instantly transformed from flesh to marble, and looked no more out of place than if he'd been built as part of the memorial. His eyes became sightless and his ears ceased to hear as truly as senses ought, and yet he was aware of the human, his words and actions, in a sixth-sense sort of fashion.

It wasn't until this man, who became all the more intriguing as he revealed he was also of non-terrestrial origins, turned his eyes away to search some shadow where Gabriel no longer stood even on his sight's periphery, that the angel was able to respond.

"Do you see?" He asked, the source of the voice now much nearer to the man with the unique energy signature about him. Just a stone's throw away in the midst of the lonely yard, all grainy orange in the sodium lamps that threw their light about. If the blonde looked back again the angel would have to fall silent though, locked, immobile. Solid stone.

[Captain John Hart]

It didn’t take him long to notice the change with in the air and to sense something was different was happening as he looked around. It felt different as if the creature was gone but yet still there. Even though all he seen was statues there. Nothing out of the normal but yet it still bothered him. As if he was in some kind of game with an invisible force. This was not a game he wanted to be part of, did not want to be stuck in but yet he still felt drawn and wanted to know more. What did they say about a cat’s curiosity? Though John didn’t think this would kill him, nothing had so far.

This wasn’t even his century, let alone his home. John was far away from both and never had plans of going back to his home world. There was nothing left there for him anymore, just memories he rather not deal with. He was a loner by trait and habit but there was one thing he would drop everything for. Well it really wasn’t a thing but a person. That person was the reason why he was here not. The one who he would give up his life for just to be with him one more time. But he knew that person didn’t feel the same about him, not after everything that had happened.

”Unless you are a stone like creature that is hiding among all these statues then I don’t see but I can still feel you here, though I must say you are a rather intriguing fellow.” John flashed his signature smile, the one that was flirty, playful and warm all rolled into one. The smile that was award winning but could draw anyone into him. His eyes glanced around the area again, wondering if this creature could take a former of a statue or was just invisible. He wondered if this was something he really should tell Torchwood about but he didn’t want to deal with that walking dead doctor again.

[The Angel]

"You are not of Earth," the voice responded obliquely, taking advantage of a moment when the man glanced away to speak.

And to move.

Not much, just a shift of the hands from that outstretched offer of comfort (which he knew not the significance of, but had learned to mimic in his time on this world), to cover his face. Anyone on Earth would see it as a posture of grief, but there were those, off world, who knew better. "Do you know?"

Once the man's eyes returned to him Gabriel was stuck again, waiting to be noticed, but when he was sure that he had been at least seen he took advantage of a brief, involuntary blink of the eye to part the stony fingers of one hand, one milky eye peeking mischievously out from in between.