Dew is very glad that he isn't holding anything, because he knows that if he was, he would have dropped it to the ground in his shock. What in the world is the king of the Westhem doing, right here... in public? Without security? Well, unless this other man is some sort of bodyguard. That would explain the distant familiarity.

"Hi. Is this Dewey Price's residence?"

Dew honestly feels like passing out. His jaw is practically on the floor. What the fuck is the king doing in Avron? Downtown Avron? In Dew's apartment complex? This isn't a horrible part of town, but it's not a castle. The king looks so out of place in the slightly run down outdoor corridor.

"Uhhhhh..." Dew is at a loss for words. He has so many questions. "Call me Dew."

"Okay. Dew. May we come in?"

Suddenly, Dew is hit with the sensation of both determination and curiosity. It doesn't take him long to identify the feelings as Marley's current emotions. They are the only emotions coming from the two of them, so he assumes the other man must be feeling the same way.

"Sure..." Dew responds, unable to hide the confusion in his voice. Sorry, he knows he's in the presence of royalty and all that, but this is just so weird. What in the world is the king doing here? Is Dew in trouble for something? No, no he's not. Then he'd be dealing with the police.

Dew steps out of the way, leaving the doorway free for the two men to walk in. They do so, and before Dew knows it he's leading them into his kitchen. It's the only room in his small apartment with enough chairs for the three of them. They sit down, and Dew wonders if this is when he offers them water or something.

Sorry? He's never had guests before.

"Uh, can I get you water or something?"

The other two exchange glances. The king responds. "I'll take a water, please," while the other man simply says, "no thank you."

Dew nods, eyes lingering on the nameless man, before walking behind his counter and preparing a glass of water for the king. For the king.

Before he knows it he's seated at the table, noticing a stack of files currently in the king's hands. The 17 year old (yes, the king of the Westhem is 17. It's a trip) takes a sip of his water and clears his throat. This is awkward.

"Okay. I am King Marley and this is Captain Lux. I'm sure you're wondering why we've come today..."

More than anything, yeah.

"And it's because we want to offer you a job."

Dew frowns, leaning back in his seat and scratching his neck. A job? With the royal family? Last Dew checked, you have to be really educated and go through tons of training to do anything in the castle—and last Dew checked, he dropped out of high school.

Still, quitting his job at Bandy's? Sure, he's fantasized about it, but he didn't think it would happen anytime soon.

Dew doesn't even know how to respond to that. He has so many questions!

"What kind of job? Wait—why me specifically?"

"Well, you have an abnormality that could be useful to us—"

What? How the fuck do they know about Dew's abnormality? No, that doesn't matter. They've lost him. Use his abnormality? Voluntarily? No thanks.

"Yeah, uh, thanks but no thanks." Dew replies. King Marley just raises an eyebrow. "No offense but I'd rather cut off my leg and eat it than use my abnormality for anything."

Okay, so that's no way to talk to the king, but Dew really needs to get his point across here.

Dew glances over at the other guy—Captain Lux, evidently. What, does he sail boats?—and finds his attention elsewhere. Actually, the Captain is staring at Spikes, who is still seated on the counter. The feline has long finished eating, however, instead sitting there and watching the two strangers that have invaded her home. Dew can relate.

"Well, we don't want you to use it for its typical purpose. We actually need to find someone, and we think that an empath would be a lot of help." Marley explains.

Hm. That makes a little more sense. Still, Dew's on the fence about this. These two aren't the first to want to use his abnormality. When Dew was a bit younger (and actually talked to people) he had a few close friends that he'd told his secret to. Typically they wanted him to stand near their crush and see if he felt attraction, or things like that.

Dew doesn't like being used. Then again, it is for money...

"Here, I'll let you think about it. May I use your restroom?" Marley requests.

"Yeah, it's down that hallway on the left." Honestly it's barely even a hallway. It's just a separate area that connects to Dew's bedroom and a bathroom.

The king nods, smiling and standing up. He makes his way out of the kitchen, and once he's gone, Dew freezes.

Something's wrong.

Over the years, Dew has gotten used to feeling a certain way around other people. That is, feeling a lot around other people. He feels all of their emotions and it's a situation he's gotten used to. Therefore, when the sensation of everything ceases, it's noticeable.

Dew feels fine. Normal. Like he could very easily be alone... yet he's not.

Dew can't feel Captain Lux's emotions.

What. The. Hell.

Suddenly, Dew feels an emotion he's never felt before. A piqued interest that happens so suddenly it threatens to give him whiplash.

He feels... intrigue.

Dew can't feel what the Captain is feeling. What the hell is the Captain feeling? What's going through his mind? Why is he wearing sunglasses indoors? God, usually Dew hates using his abnormality, but now that he can't...

That, right there, is how an absolute stranger suddenly lays claim on about 80% of Dew's waking thoughts.

He has to get to the bottom of this.

"So... do you drive boats?" Dew asks, hoping to get a conversation going.

The Captain finally looks away from Spikes to meet Dew's gaze. He responds simply, "no, military, " while visibly sizing Dew up.

Captain Lux (oh god, now Dew wants to know his first name) has dark red, auburn-ish hair and your average military build. Honestly, Dew should have known he was in the military, judging by how muscular the guy is. Not to mention the uniform.

It's sleek, black, with white pants, and it has a bit less armor than the typical castle guard uniform. There is a striped patch on the sleeve and a little silver shield symbol pinned over the heart. Also, with the title Captain and the fact that he's assisting the king, he must be of a high ranking.

"Oh, that's cool. So like... you're important then." Dew already sounds fucking stupid but he can't find it within himself to care all that much.

"I'm the Executive of Defense—head of all military operations."

Dew nods, feeling intimidated in the man's presence, yet at the same time, thrilled. Someone he doesn't feel around! This is both amazing and horrible. Amazing because, well, maybe they can be friends? Maybe Dew will finally make a friend that it doesn't feel like a chore to be around? Horrible because he can already tell the this man is about to become his obsession. At least, until he can figure out why he can't empathize with him.

The Captain's sunglasses keep his eyes from sight, but Dew can tell the the man has since looked away... and back to Spikes.

"You like cats?" Dew asks.

The Captain gives him a swift nod, but doesn't verbally respond. He reaches out his hand and Spikes sniffs it. Like, she sniffs it. She sniffs it for so long that Dew's arm would have lost feeling from being held up.

"Her name is Spikes, and don't tell my landlord she's here," Dew feels like that's important information to slip in, especially now that they're on the topic.

"Your apartment doesn't allow pets?" The Captain clarifies.

"Nope."

Captain Lux nods, petting Spikes' head and being sure not to get any of her fur on his uniform.

Right then, King Marley comes back. He sits back in his spot across from Dew, and he has a polite smile on his face. Dew takes note that the king is much friendlier than the Captain, but that doesn't deter him in the least. He's gonna figure out why he can't feel this guy's emotions, no matter what.

"So did you decide?"

Dew glances at the Captain, then back to Marley. "Would I be working with anyone?"

He sees Captain Lux look away from Spikes and back to him at the same time Marley responds, "yes, Captain Lux will be assisting you."

Sold.

"I'll do it."

King Marley's eyebrows raise a bit in surprise, and he glances in between the other two occupants of the room for a moment. Then, a smile brightens up his face and he settles his gaze back on Dew. "Okay, great!" He replies in a tone that practically screams you gave in far more easily than anticipated.

Marley lays out his folders, then takes a deep breath. "Well, now that we've sorted that out... I have some information I need to share with you."

Dew raises an eyebrow, eyes glancing back to the Captain, who has now turned his full attention on Dew. His face isn't conveying any particular emotion, in fact, he seems totally bored of the situation. However, Dew can't help but to notice the small things that are obviously military practiced.

For instance, the Captain has one arm level with his torso and the other resting near his concealed weapon, he's seated himself so he has full view of the front door, his posture is upright and at attention, and every time he's spoken his voice has been pure resolute conviction. His aura is power and Dew can't help but to be fascinated.

"Okay." Dew responds, gaze turning to the king. He's still having a hard time processing the fact that the fucking king of the Westhem is in his apartment right now. Also, that his power is only working for one of the two others in this kitchen.

"Well, basically," the king radiates nerves and resolution. "The Westhem is not alone on the planet. There is a war brewing between the other kingdoms and empire in the world and we feel the only way to resolve it would be to find the origin of the abnormalities."

Dew blinks, staring at Marley Nocona with an absolutely dumbfounded expression on his face. Okay, this all has to be a joke. Dew has watched his fair share of conspiracy channels, but the Westhem not being alone? That's ridiculous!

"What?" Dew snorts, ignoring the sincerity he feels from the king.

Marley nods as though he was expecting that response. "It's true, and we need your help to find the origin and possibly restore peace."

Dew frowns, running a hand through his hair. There's no way, right? But... well, Dew can feel that Marley is telling the truth. Honestly, this guy is lucky that Dew is an empath and therefore a walking lie detector. Marley is telling the truth. Dew will take a moment to mentally freak the hell out about his life being a lie later.

"Okay, just... tell me what you need me to do."

Marley smiles, and slides the files over to him. Dew glances down, afraid to touch them without being given permission.

"I'd like for you to sort through these files, they have some information that would help you understand the situation better. I'll send Captain Lux here tomorrow to help get started."

Dew nods, watching as Marley gets up to a standing position. Captain Lux follows suit, and it isn't until about an hour after they leave that Dew notices something:

Spikes can't seem to stop staring at the front door.