ZZZ: Fading Echos

The NEPS instructed Jane to make occasional visits to report the information she had gathered periodically—on account of how dangerous this organisation was. The hope was that even if she were caught, the fragments of information gathered by her would still allow the NEPS to dismantle the gang. This was an approach differing from her usual methods, but it was necessary. Even the smallest pieces of information could be ground-breaking in a case like this.

Jane—who should've been focused on detailing crucial information—found herself ensnared by a single memory, lingering in her mind like a breath she couldn't release. When she had asked about Astraeus' Ether Aptitude, his response had been strange, completely contrasting the internal image she had built of the man.

"Technically I should be... At least, it's in my genetics to be..."

At face value, the words themselves seemed unremarkable; however, it was the inflection and expression he carried while speaking them that truly remained locked in her mind. His voice was soft, a quality she never thought possible from him, and carried a tone of blatant reluctance. For a fleeting moment, his eyes would flicker away from her, and time and again, a shadow of longing crossed his face as he spoke.

Jane was smart, incredibly so. The subtle cues were enough for her to pick up on the raw, pained longing—the kind that gnaws at you when someone prominent vanishes from your life, leaving nothing but an aching, empty place in your heart.

Astraeus had trusted her with something incredibly personal, and she couldn't fathom why. Either way, the thoughts were now trapped at the forefront of her mind, refusing to be pushed away. Was she perhaps feeling bad for him? No, that couldn't be right. For all she knew, the situation could have been a complete farce, carefully orchestrated by him to make her more docile, easier to control.

Humanity was evil. 

That was Jane's conclusion—plain and simple. She had experienced the many dark sides of the world: its horrors, its tragedies, and of course, the deceit that followed in their wake. She knew better than to let a single moment of vulnerability sway her, especially considering who the words were coming from.

Arriving at NEPS, Jane discarded the train of thought. She had only had one interaction with the boss of 'Umbral Court' so far, but either way, the information she had gathered was priceless. She told them about the name he was using, 'Astraeus,' and, though reluctantly, mentioned his visit to the Random Play video store in sixth street. That alone would no doubt lead to a lot more undercover officers stationed on Sixth Street, increasing surveillance in a place that might hold far more secrets than they realise.

However, for some unknown reason, she refrained from mentioning his small show of vulnerability. If true, it could be a valuable weakness—Jane knew that all too well. But despite that, she chose not to reveal it to the NEPS. Something about it felt too personal, too delicate to share, even if it could aid in taking him down. 

The reason why? That was out of her reach too. It lingered on the edge of her mind, but no matter what, she couldn't grasp it. Maybe it was a gut feeling, or maybe just some part of her that refused to see him as evil. Perhaps Seth's goodwilled nature had actually had an affect on her after all, softening her in ways she hadn't realised.

For some reason, she couldn't help but feel the urge to help Astraeus. It could be true that she had simply fallen victim to his manipulation, but she didn't care. Whatever it took, she would try to pull the horrid criminal out of the darkness and make him a better person. Even if it was a lost cause, she couldn't shake the feeling that something in him deserved saving.

"Kitty really has changed me, even if only a little bit~"

Jane knew better than to underestimate the dark side of the world. Humanity could be cruel, deceptive, and unforgiving. Yet, thanks to a certain white cat, the way she chose to deal with such people would shift, ever so slightly. Jane would seek empathy in Astraeus, get to know him, and uncover the reasons behind his descent into crime. If he truly wasn't as heartless as he seemed, she would do whatever it took to help him.

The feeling was alien, unfamiliar in a world where caution and distance were her usual companions. But despite its strangeness, she couldn't shake the thought that it was the correct route to take. It was a gut feeling, one she couldn't ignore, even if it defied all her experience.

Of course, she wasn't stupid. If Astraeus truly was a heartless monster, driven solely by his own gain, she would have no hesitation in treating this mission as she had every other. She would remain focused, unflinching, and ready to take him down without a second thought. But until then, she couldn't dismiss the chance that there was more to him than met the eye.

---

Meanwhile, back in Astraeus' office, an unknown figure entered. Someone who had known his true identity for far longer than Miss Jane Doe. Their presence was quiet, but their intent clear, as they stepped into the shadows of the room, watching him from the corner with eyes that had seen more than most could ever comprehend.

"You put on quite the show there."

Astraeus' gaze shifted, lingering on the corner of the room, where the voice had come from. His eyes narrowed slightly, but he didn't seem surprised. The air in the room grew heavy, as if acknowledging the presence of someone who knew him far too well.

"You heard, then?"

Astraeus asked, his voice a mix of curiosity and caution, still not fully turning to face the figure in the corner. He could feel their gaze on him, sharp and knowing, but he couldn't yet bring himself to acknowledge them fully.

"You let your guard down quite a bit," the figure continued, their tone tinged with amusement. "And, you were scarily close to mentioning 'her.'"