The View in New Orleans

Come on Baby (Don't Fear the Reaper)

Orion walked away from the casino, money in hand as he slipped it into his pocket, glancing down at his pocket-watch. Broken, again. He'd have to ask the professor when he got to his University. He needed to pick up the pace, however, lest he be late.

The journey was long, hours on hours at least. But it wasn't one that Orion was unfamiliar with, matching the exact footsteps that he'd left on the trail last time, the boot indented over the last footprint, with a gentle touch. The man had procedures he abides to with care, though most might not give him that thought. He was an evil man, but even the worst of the worst have their good qualities.

He would spend his nights traveling across the swamps, going over his lists and sitting. Watching. He watched the people in their daily lives, scoping out the best from the worst. Those who saw him at night knew to run, the sickly red glint in his eyes as he would march toward them, or just stand there, staring. Without a care in the world. Most did not know his true name, only the name given to him by the men and women throughout the swamp. The Boogeyman. Seeing him was the worst omen you could ever get. The devil on Earth, many would say.

The man had standards, of course. Though, his standards were not exactly "moral". Nobody was off-game for the boogeyman, however people deemed important to keep normal and alive were not in his priority. Rather, he picked off the easy first, the sickly, the elderly. Most died to him, rather than natural causes. Easy prey, and easy money, as he would steal their belongings and make it seem like nobody ever lived there.

But people watched. People learned to track him, yet he got better. Better and better, at hiding, at murdering. Nobody knew who he really was. Women and children feared him, because they were at constant risk. If they were "valuable" they would be kidnapped, smuggled, never to be seen again, without a trace. He was a professional in the worst sense.

But still, some chose to work with him, as he was a powerful ally. That includes a certain Mr Virgil, head of the prestigious Saint Vonn Clair university, the last bastion of Louisiana that people still come from miles away to visit. Their headmaster, Danny-Lee Virgil was an astound man, often recognized as one of the most skilled professors in the whole North American Region. His students adored him, and his peers looked up to him.

The man, however, had a dark side about him. And that's where Orion came into play. He was the secret supplier, the man working from the shadows with the professor. They had a dependence on each other. Not built on friendship, like his and Lalo's was, but one to survive. Neither could live without each other in the sense of, the professor required a fetch man, and a secret keeper. Orion required a side job to keep himself still feared, his reputation still intact.

Orion kept on the trail, the darkness consuming the swamp, the water reflecting the crescent moon, the eerie treeline standing still in the back. Slowly, the swamp drifted to sleep as the insects quieted down as the hours passed. Yet the real danger walked slowly through the mopey wilderness, wading through the trees, cutting the pathing.

It was late into the night before Orion arrived at the University, the lights cascading down the sides as it stood tall, high and mighty, the walls making the place feel secure, as the campus shone down upon the rest. It was a fancy place, Orion made no mistake of that. Yet, he brought dress ware appropriate to the situation. His black lace suit, inlaid with red velvet. It was nice- a gift from Eden when they first met, as a token of good acquaintance.

He quickly changed behind a bush, shoving his traveling clothes into the bag, and made his way through the metal gate, clinging onto the bars as he swiveled it shut. He walked confidently, straightening the mess of his hair into a presentable, reliable suave.

He opened the grand door, revealing an empty commons room, with brick surrounding the older wooden tables and chairs. It looked amazing, yet he never had the time to stop and study. He made his way up the stairs, four flights of big, rounded stairs, before reaching the final hallway. At the end of it, laid the Headmasters Office. He walked towards the big wooden door, before stopping, and knocking three times.

"I have been watching you from when you first entered. Come in, Orion." The man on the other side of the door spoke, with the background of noise of papers rustling, hitting on the desk.

Orion opened the doors, revealing a beautiful office. It was made with dark wood, the walls being covered with beautiful woodwork on the panels, with bookshelves made to stand in front, highlighting the elegance of the room. And sitting in front of that, sat the Professor, his glasses dipping down on his eyes. The man looked to be in his 30s or so, but held himself like a man who had more experience. He wore a silk shirt, his chest peaking out of it as he sat, mindlessly filling out paperwork with a quill.

"Sit down, I insist. We need to talk." He spoke, before looking up at Orion. "It is a pleasure to make your acquaintance again, Mr Hathoway. I assume everything has found you alright in your... travels here. Tell me, how has everything gone?"

"Perfectly, according to plan. I have three new... specimens for you. All lined up to be delivered. No issues either while acquiring them, and I even made sure they would be the best for you. I only do the best work, Mr Virgil."

"Good, good. You were always ontop of everything. I assure you, you will be paid handsomely for this. And I assume this, like our other dealings, will be kept under the rug?"

"Absolutely. I always hold my word." With that, the professor extended his hand out the man on the otherside, shaking it with ease.

"If you would like to stay here, there are extra rooms in the commons. I have one booked for you. After all, it would be a shame if my prime associate had to overwork himself just to arrive home. I know you walked hours upon hours to get here. I have you booked in the suite. Fifth floor in the commons. Room 59F."

"Thank you, Virgil." Orion smiled thinly.

"Please, call me Danny."

With that, Orion stood up, and made his way out the door. He navigated the dark hallways, before managing to find his room. It was a beautiful room, and in the middle stood his bed. He stripped his clothes, and promptly fell down onto the bed, exhausted. He would drift off to sleep in a matter of minutes.