It was a weird world they lived in, a sort of "Earth", but without all the annoying humans. "Middle-Ground", they called it. It was more of a central meeting point, or perhaps common grounds was a better term. Angels remained in their World, and Demons in theirs, but this place was where anyone could gather without risk of being immediately slaughtered, no guarantees. It was a place of mingled business and interactions, a place where there was reluctant acceptance. Still, there was still somewhat of a divide, Angels tended to hang around one place, and Demons in another, with Town Center, as large as it was, being a free for all.

Tensions were high, as always, but war was definitely not an option. Keeping the balances in check was hard enough already, without most of their resources going into funding a war. Right now, they were bound by a sort of truce, but neither trusted one another to keep it. Trust, after all, was a hard thing to earn, and an easy thing to lose.

~

Town Center was a weird place, Lyra decided, a mingle of both Demons and Angels, and their cultures colliding. It was weird seeing it all at once, but if there was any sort of neutral ground, it was here. She entered the tavern on her right, a popular place, based on what her friends told her, and the constant stream of people going both in and out. "Two," she ordered the Angel working behind the counter, sliding into place at the bar and placing a few bills down, "And make it snappy."

She wouldn't say, but she was looking for someone. Truth be told, she hadn't met him before, and she was admittingly a bit nervous, but she had something she needed to ask. The bartender came back with her drinks and swiped up the money, counting the bills as he walked away. Lyra rolled her eyes, but picked up one for the two mugs, sipping at it occasionally, her eyes shifting to the door once in a while. Come on, her lead couldn't have been wrong, could it?

A dark haired man walked through the streets, sighing Greg's life was difficult enough with what he was doing, but having angels around had put his whole body alert. He needed to relax, he went into the usual tavern he only went there when he wanted to relax. It was a hard life always looking over your shoulder all the time, making sure no angel stabs him in the back.

Greg sat down in a chair, in the far corner of the tavern he ordered his usual drink. Trying to keep a low profile, when a couple of angels passed him. He leaned back in his chair, closing his eyes letting his body relax what many people don't realize is he can strike when threatened even if he is relaxed.

There! Lyra's eyes widened when the person, or more specifically, Demon, she was looking for walked in. Ugh, she was disgustingly nervous, heart racing, palms sweating. In a place like this, she hadn't the need to feel out of place, if anything happened, there were plenty of Angels around that could easily cover for her. She let out a shuddered breath, it was now or never, and she was desperate. Picking up the untouched keg as well as her own untouched one, she walked over, making sure to avoid bumping into anyone else.

"Excuse me." she said curtly, catching the leg of the chair opposite him and pulling it back so she could sit, "But I heard it through the grape vine that you... Know some people." She set the full mug down in front of him and leaned back in her chair. "Sorry to catch you in more of a... Relaxed place. But I'm willing to pay, you know. Maybe we could talk business?" Lyra looked up from the pale drink she was sipping at, hoping she hadn't made a fool of herself. Business between Angels and Demons were hard enough as it was, and she was pushing it by saying something in such a public setting. Shit... She was getting nervous again.

Greg opened one of his eyes, as he heard someone approach. She wanted to talk business huh? "Depends on what kind of business you want?" A smooth yet gravelly voice said. Greg wasn't much of a person for giving out information, but this was new an angel asking him for something. He took a drink from the mug, that was the good part about being a demon they didn't get drunk.

"Something tells me I'm the only person with the information you want," Greg out his arms on the table . Sea green eyes searched the angel in front of him, looking for anything threatening he didn't find anything. He relaxed again, wondering what the angel wanted from him. Usually no angel bothered him, but this one wanted information.

Lyra smiled internally, though she didn't dare let it show. good, he was taking her at least a little seriously. It was like a breath of relief she didn't dare take. "Maybe you are the only person who can help me," she began, pausing only to sip again at the alcohol, "Maybe not." She set the keg down again, wiping her mouth with the back of her hand, suddenly serious. "I'm not asking for treason, war's not something I want on my hands here."

She sighed and leaned forward, her voice dropping down to just above a whisper. "I have a friend who's.... In a bit of trouble over on your side of the Universe. I heard you know people that have access to what's happening... And I also heard you can help me get her out. Just to be clear, I'm not talking legally here." Yes she was proposing to cross the border into Demon territory. Call her crazy, but she was a good friend. And besides, she needed answers.

Greg raised an eyebrow, but he had to admit she had guts. He leaned back in his chair, then he leaned forward. His arms folded on the table, "in order to get that information out of my contacts I have to pay a hefty price." He leaned back into his chair, the angel wanted information. It was hard to get it out of one of his contacts, but it could be done.

The angel was asking a lot from him, "if your asking this from me you must trust me a lot in order to get that information." Other angels were starting to reconize him....shit he had to get out of here, "well I got to run." Greg out his card down on the table, and walked out of the tavern. His hands in his pockets as he walked the streets.

"Don't worry. Money's no object," Lyra dismissed it with a small wave of her hand. She grimaced, an Angel trust a Demon? That was a first, and it didn't exactly happen the other way around, either. It was a bit of a stretch but... She was desperate, after even going so far as to seek a Demon's help, there wasn't much worse she could do. "Alright. You've got a deal." she nodded, sliding the card into her jacket pocket, "See ya around."

When he finally left, she let out a breath of relief before waving the bartender over for another round of drinks. She deserved it. But not too long afterwords, she was confronted quickly by some "observers". "It's nothing," she told them when they asked about the meeting, "He looked down, and I decided to help a guy out, even if he is a Demon." She waved it off nonchalantly, and they seemed to take the bait. Lucky for her. Now all there was to do was wait. But then again, she was never a patient person, maybe she could speed it up a little. Lyra dismissed herself on the excuse she had to get some sleep that night, and headed out, hand in her pocket, lightly tapping the flimsy cardboard. Shit... She was getting nervous again.

Greg got to his place, he closed the door with his foot. He pulled out his phone, talked to his contacts. He got the information, but it would be hard to get to the angels friend. Greg needed some sleep, he tossed and turned. In his sleep, after awhile he got up, and started to walk through the streets. He had his hands in his pockets.

Soon it started to rain, he pulled up his hood, and kept walking. He found himself at the old warehouse, he opened the doors, and went inside. The place was a place for him to escape, he collapsed in a chair hearing the rain hit the roof. He just needed to relax, it was here that he could escape.

Lyra sat at home, a nervous sweat running down her back. Shit... She couldn't get her mind off of it. Yes, she was supposed to trust him, but with the situation as it is, she couldn't help but worry just a tad. Well, more than just a tad, she was stressing out majorly. Time wasn't exactly on her side, and with every passing second, it felt like her stomach was sinking lower and lower. She sighed, running a hand through her hair as she stared at the illuminated phone screen. She had been up for an hour now, contemplating whether to call or not. Maybe it was a bad time, or maybe he just wouldn't pick up.

"Screw it." she said with a sigh, and pressed the "Call" button. Yes, she was desperate, but she had come to terms with that before. She wanted to gave save her friend that very second if she could, but for now, she would settle for any info he had. Lyra bit her lip as the phone rang. Maybe she was making the wrong decision, maybe she should just call it off now. But she knew she couldn't, not now anyway, it already felt like she was in too deep.

Greg closed his eyes, he was trying to sleep, then his phone had to ring. He pulled it out of his pocket, and answered it. "Hello?" Not many people would call him this late, he was tired. He got to his feet, " if you want the information I have it, but I rather say it in person not over the phone."

Greg was back at the tavern, closing his eyes he dosed off for a bit. Waiting for the angel to show up, other angels were giving him a weird looks, but he didn't care. He was tired his body was screaming for rest, but it wouldn't happen anytime soon he knew that, so he waited he waited for her to show up.

"Hi, yeah, I'm sorry for calling so late..." Lyra began, her wings drooping a little from guilt, "But I'm just... Worried. And really stressed out and I can't even think straight anymore. I'm really sorry, you must be annoyed, and probably tired, but, any chances you have the info now?" And when he replied, she immediately perked up, wings at full again. "Thank you so much!" she said, barely containing her excitement, and ended the call. Hastily, she pulled on her jacket and rushed out the door.

Lyra had to stop herself in front of the tavern to stop from breaking the doors down in her rush. She took a moment to just take a deep breath before she entered, eyes quickly scanning the bar. There were people there who may ask questions, but as long as she didn't personally know them, she would be fine. "Again, I'm really sorry," she muttered, sitting down, "I'll buy you anything you want here. Beer, food, whatever. It's just been really hard, ya know? I've been worried about my friend, and... Shit, I'm seriously sorry about this."

Greg opened his eyes, "it's fine, but the problem is your friends being held in the fields of punishment it's gonna be hard to get in and out without being detected." He leaned forward, crossing his arms out on the table. " I can help you get your friend out the hardest part is getting out, but with me on the walls taking out the demons. You should be able to get out."

The only part he left out was he was going to be captured, but it would be one less demon for her to worry about. He sat back in his chair, it was hard enough living in this city, but still Hell was worse. He closed his eyes waiting on what the angel would say, "names Greg just to let you know." She wouldn't care about his name anyway, so why did he even bother with telling her it.

Lyra frowned and her brow furrowed slightly. "That's... Not going to be a walk in the park, right?" She sighed, running a hand through her long hair, a habit she picked up when she was stressed. Well, at least she wasn't as stressed as before, the news that it was possible to save her friend did relieve a heavy burden off her shoulders. Difficult, perhaps, but not impossible ."If you're willing to do it, then money's no object, or that's what I'm assuming you're asking for. I'll help in any way I can, just... If you can get me there and back, with my friend, I'll be forever in your debt."

She smiled slightly when he told her his name. It felt almost like a symbol of trust that sealed the deal. After all, names weren't given out so lightly anymore, it was too easy to find someone nowadays. "Lyra. It's a pleasure to meet you. And, thanks again for helping me out here... Geez, I don't think that I can really express how grateful I am. The best way I could put it is... I would hug you, if Demons were into hugs. So, yeah, thanks."

Greg shrugged, "no problem we leave by morning that gives me time to rest, and figure out the rest of this." He leaned back in his chair, "by the way how did your friend end up on my side of the area anyway?" He had to admit he was a tad bit curious, but he had the time on his hands.

He put his arms on the table, no demon would cross him, if they could help it anyway. Not many demons would even talk to him, scared they would get blown to smithereens. It was still a way of getting rid of steam without starting a war .

"Alright, I'll make sure I'm prepared by then. I guess we're meeting here again?" Lyra rested her elbow on the table, and then rested her chin in her hand. "Well, it's weird, and I don't even know all of it..." she began, "But it's something like...He's a curious guy. When he doesn't know the answer to something, he will get that answer no matter what. Apparently he wanted to know somethings about Demons, but since knowledge isn't exactly free, he decided the best thing to do was the seek it out himself." She shook her head in a disapproving manner, "He crossed the Border. I know, it's delusional and crazy, and I don't know why he did it, but he did. Of course, they caught him trying to steal some books out of the libraries, and they think he's a Spy or something."

When she finished, she sighed and leaned back in her chair, crossing her arms as she did so. "I can't believe he would do something so idiotic, though. It was stupid of him to even try. Apparently they won't listen to him, and with good reason, and that's why they wouldn't let him go. The Angel Government doesn't even know anything either, so not many people know about it."

Greg shook his head, so that was the person that tried to get the fire demon books. He remembered this guy he wanted information about fire demons, but Greg wouldn't give him the information so he went where no angel was supposed to. He wasn't really suprised either way, the guy just gave him a bad feeling, if he got that information.

(Ugh....short <.<)

Lyra shrugged, "That's all I know, I wish I knew a little bit more, but... I guess I can ask him about it later, or something like that." She looked up to the small clock hanging on the wall. It was getting extremely late, only perhaps four or five more hours of darkness left, and then then sun would rise again to start a brand new day. Probably not enough sleep, even if she started a nap right then and there. But then again, she always did need her sleep more than others. "It's best we both get going and get some sleep before tomorrow," she suggested, rising out of the chair, "I'll meet you here tomorrow morning, say, 10 in the morning?"

Greg shrugged, "fine by me" he rose out of his chair it was to late for him to start walking back to his place. He asked the guy behind the counter for a room , he handed over his money before grabbing the key. He got the room kicked off his boots, and layed down in the bed.

Greg soon fell asleep, after a few hours the sun was starting to rise. He got up grabbed his boots, he got himself a drink. He waited for lyria to show up, most angels paid him no heed but one walked up to him, and slammed their dagger into the table. "Demon you better leave town, your enemies are starting to catch up to you including me." Greg keeps his face in a cold look, his hand ignites with fire " you either back off now, or I'll burn you to a crisp," he said in a cold tone as he started to rise from his seat.

Lyra gave a small wave good-bye before leaving a short while after him. After all, she needed her sleep too. Tomorrow would really be a big day if they would carry through, and he didn't just rat her out for trying to aid a "Spy". She quickly walked back to her place, kicking back on the bed with a loud sigh. "Yeah, I should probably sleep now, if i want to get up." she told herself aloud, rolling over in the covers and willing herself to sleep.

Morning came too soon for her liking. Just a few hours sleep, but she would make do. A quick cup of coffee, and she was fine, really. Okay, that was a slight lie, but give her maybe an hour or so, and she would be awake enough. Everything packed, and ready to go, Lyra headed out, saying a quick mental good-bye to the place she probably wouldn't see for some time. It had served her well. She quickly ran to the tavern, already a few minutes late. Shit. She hoped he wasn't that picky about being exactly on time.

As soon as she pushed open the doors, Lyra could tell the tensions were running high. For what, she had no idea, but it certainly wasn't good. "Oi, Orlick, calm down," she interrupted, pushing the bigger Angel away, "He ain't worth your time. You can't run all the Demons out of town anyway." She hoped that Greg had picked up on the act, otherwise she would have really seemed like a bitch. "Sit down and have a drink. This is neutral ground anyway, it's not your place to patrol."

Greg caught on the act as soon as she started, he looked at the bigger angel then shook his head slowly his fire receded he sat back down. "I know it's neutral ground, but that doesn't mean he has to get in my face on a very bad morning," the bigger angel stepped back he was buying the bait that, if he bothered him again he would get blown to bit. "You aren't my time anyway demon," the angel walked off.

Greg let out a low laugh, some angels were stupid enough that they couldn't tell a threat from a bluff. It always amused Greg to see that too. "So shall we get moving or what?" Greg just wanted to get this over and done, he didn't want to stay in he'll longer than he had to. He never really liked it anyway, either way he just wanted to get it done. He got up from his seat, a small bag over his shoulder, he walked out of the tavern he only liked to be there at night not to many people.