Issue 1 Downtime

The mockery was sniffing the air in an alleyway, a smile forming on her filth-encrusted lips.

"Ready for our social call?" Chthonia asked, smiling at her companion.

"NeeD tO makE a StoP First.." She replied, exiting the alleyway and entering through the front door of the adjoining residence.

She made her way to the kitchen, where a plate of raspberry cookies were cooling on the counter. She dumped several into her large plastic bag, while gobbling down a couple on the spot.

She then went to the front room and rifled through the chesterfield, pulling out several hundred dollars she discovered.

In the corner, the family that lived on the premises cowered.

"Do I need to come get you?" Chthonia asked "We don't have all day, dear."

"JusT GETting some SnackS!"

The Mockery left, not even noticing the family anymore. She'd been in enough times before for that.

"Did they have any of the chocolate cookies this time?" Chthonia asked.

She looked dissapointed.

"No. I thinK I MighT KilL the SeconD daUghTER Next timE If THeY Don'T BakE Some. Not SuRE How I Will Yet."

"I'll have to send them a reminder note." Chthonia said half to herself as they walked along.

"Oh! TimE to See FaultLinE!" She exclaimed, munching on a cookie.

"And here we are." Chthonia said with a smile "Would you like to be the one to knock?"

"WhY knOCK? We'Re FrienDS!"

The mockery opened the door, Loudly announcing their arrival.

A Will on the couch opened fire at the intrusion.

The Mockery dodged, used to Legion's standard reception.

"FAultLinE! YoU herE?"

Chthonia stepped into the doorway, once the shooting was over "Hello, Legion, we're here to speak to Dr. Faultline."

"The doctor is out," he said, stopping the guns-a-blazin' when he saw who it was.

"We'll wait for her to get back." Chthonia said, flopping down on a chair. "How have you been?"

"Fine, ma'am."

"How FinE iS Fine?" Mockery asked, as she began to go through the garbage.

"Please refrain from going through the garbage, ma'am."

"Why? YoU noT donE WitH it?" She replied, pulling out a metal soup can. "ooO, ShineY.."b

"I'm sorry." Chthonia said to Legion, "But you know how she is."

"We do, yes."

"Are you a new one?" Chthonia asked "You seem less jumpy."

"I'm just on guard duty, ma'am."

"They AlL LooK the Same. Now, tHE HumAN FroG.. He was JUmpY. UntIL I Took oFF hiS Legs, thaT is."

"Remember, we're not to eat the Wills, dear."

"That would be good, yes" Legion smirked.

"Too StringY aNd MushY, anyWaY." The Mockery remarked.

"I'll take your word for it."

Legion smiled a small, secret smile.

"Something amusing?" Chthonia asked sharply

"Something's ALWAYS amusing. You know that, by now."

"Indeed. I was just hoping that you'd share the joke."

"Hope is good too."

"You must be new."

"Well well, look what the cat dragged in." Faultline says with a friendly smirk, standing in the doorway.

"Faultline, how good to see you." Chthonia said, smiling.

"What gives me the honor?" she asks, casting a glance at Mockery rifling through her garbage.

"A little bird told me you have a lead on what happened to Balor."

"I have a theory on what happened." she clarifies. "Apparently there was an interdimensional event of sorts. Several people associated with Bowen are supposedly looking into it ever since."