[h3][center][color=goldenrod]Rook[/color][/center][/h3]
The bellhop had been about ready to follow his King's orders, puffing up just a bit under the positive attention he had received. A smile just for him and permission to stay  present during a seemingly important meeting. He practically glowed from it, which showed as the White Queen appeared behind him. He paused in his attempt to close the door and showed her a sweet smile instead, coupled with a small amount of delighted surprise. He hadn't been expecting her to make it in time. Reaching out, he caught her hand and pulled her inside the office as he let the doors fall shut afterwards. If a little Rook like him was allowed as a witness, it just made sense that the Queen could. He pulled her a few steps in and then released her in favor of finding his own seat.

He flopped down in a big armchair that practically enveloped him in the cushions.  He wiggled around, sunk even deeper and pulled his feet up and under him. Jade eyes glittered, tacking in every sight.

Bobby --the Congresswoman hated her name, Roberta sounding ugly to her ears-- glanced over her shoulder at the interactions behind her. She grew a bit nervous as the amount of people in the room increased, adjusting her pin. She rested her hands on her stomach now and tried to hide thee emotions that this whole scenario brought up. The shame at being found in such a place, asking for this favor.  The irritation at the man's informality and the fear because she knew what these people [i]were[/i]. Her almond skin grew a little heated at his flattery, mostly from further anger at his inappropriate behavior.

She cleared her throat and refused to lie. "[color=darksalmon]It would be foolish to trust a person of your profession. Yet, in this case it seems that I have to trust you with my life.[/color]" She placed a hand to her forehead and forced a slow breath out before divulging into her story. "[color=darksalmon]For about a month now, I have been receiving threatening letters from an unknown origin. They always say the same thing: that they'll kill me and everything I stand for it I don't 'offer myself' to them.[/color]" She looked a bit ill then, but brushed it off and started pacing instead. "[color=darksalmon]At first, I thought it was just another lunatic, I've receive similar letters in buckets, so I ignored it.[/color]"

Once again, she was fiddling with her hair as she struggled to keep herself steady. Her eyes darted away and she looked devastated. Stopping in her movements, she looked to the Black King before moving forward with sharp heeled steps, placing an envelope on Liam's desk. "[color=darksalmon]Then, I received the most recent letter.[/color]" Her finger tapped against it, hand shaky. "[color=darksalmon]I run a shelter for victims who have suffered violence against them, mostly woman and children of abuse. The men don't like to reach out. But it's a safe place for them. Or it used to be.[/color]" She closed her eyes and continued, a photograph in her head displaying mutilated remains. "[color=darksalmon]One of the girls there was murdered a day ago, the picture's in the envelope. I tried to go to the police, but they wouldn't believe me. They insisted they had evidence it had been her abuser.[/color]"

She slammed her hands onto the table then, a loud noise sounding throughout the room, her fingers gripping at the edge firmly as she leaned towards Liam. "[color=darksalmon]Those girls are my [i]life[/i], now they have nowhere to go.[/color]"

Owen tensed at the noise and frowned, sitting up properly for a moment. He tilted his head as he watched for danger to his leader, or any need to interfere. But it simply appeared that she felt very passionately so he fell back into the plush of the chair with a quiet huff. He started scraping at some left over polish on his nails, thinking about how she would be an easy mark to bleed dry.

"[color=darksalmon]I can't let this person harm my girls and I can't just give myself to them. That would leave the shelter just as ruined![/color]" She drew back with that, standing tall once again. "[color=darksalmon]So, I would like to employ your services to track down and stop whoever is doing this.[/color]"

[center][sub][@bluetommy2][@FantasyChic][/sub][/center][hr]

[h3][center][color=royalblue]Kestrel[/color] & [color=mediumorchid]Fledgling[/color][/center][/h3]
Fledgling was seated atop one of the generic desks that furnished this area of the Nest, for those that needed to do a bit of research in the course of their hit. They didn't get much use, however; Kestrel was always striving so hard to keep them from having to do the boring parts. Fledgling appreciated that, couldn't sit still long enough to pull up google, let alone get knee deep into research and paperwork. He did regret the way Kestrel --no, [i]Ian[/i]-- killed himself for all of them, for his quest. He had been there since the beginning, seen the effect all of it had on their leader and part of it was the anger.

The blonde man rested his cheek on his fist, seeing Ian ad his sister file into the main office. He jumped just a bit when the yelling started, closing one eye against it and sighing. Straightening to a better position, his hands braced against the edge of the table, his tongue darted out to trace at his scar. It was a nervous habit of his. He listened to  their words with only reserved interest, just curious enough to beat out his polite indifference. The moment he heard of the missing birds, he started to scan the crowd around him, taking inventory. It was useless. Not everyone was here.

Hayden exited and Fledgling flinched, not from the fury she showed so readily, but from the reddening of her eyes and a promise of possible tears. It was true that nothing could hurt Merlin like her brother could.

Ian called for three of them as was expected, his voice steel and gravel. It was time for damage control. Fledgling bit at his scar once more before pushing off of the desk and walking into the familiar process of a debriefing. He was met with two vaguely familiar face, the newest member --little Pigeon-- and the slightly more experience Owl. Still, he was the supposed senior assassin here, but definitely didn't feel it as he walked over to perch on Kestrel's messy desk, displacing a few files to do so.

Kestrel watched Owl without emotion until she was done, barely holding in his grimace when she called his fight 'entertainment'. The anger was fading though, melting from his blue eyes and he went to sit at his desk. He pinched his nose as he debated even responding to Owl's words. Headache. Again. When Pigeon spoke next, he looked her way and his gaze softened just a small bit further. He rested his hands on the arms of his chair and focused on her entirely, though he began to address the whole room.

"[color=royalblue]It seems there has been a situation. Two of our members have gone missing after they failed to check in upon completing their last hit: Mockingbird and Sparrow. Merlin has already checked out the scenes and each mission was carried out, but there is not a trace of the two. Which is how it's supposed to be of course, but troublesome.[/color]" He slowly rose to a stand, going to Fledgling's side and pulling a file out from under him, causing the other man to snicker. He traversed the room and handed the folder to Pigeon. "[color=royalblue]I believe Mockingbird has a lover in the fourth district. I want you to research her, find out all you can and then very, very [i]very[/i] politely ask Familia if you may question her. If they say no, we'll back off and hunt down another lead, understood?[/color]"

He turned to Owl next, offering her the slightest bit of a smile now that he didn't want to yell in her face and boot her out. "[color=royalblue]Owl, I've got a few witnesses that were last in contact with Sparrow. Some are of the unsavory sort, so if any give you trouble, utilize any means to get the information we need. Within the boundaries of not killing or crippling.[/color]" He paused and then realized he should add. "[color=royalblue]And no vegetative states.[/color]"

After handing her the envelope of names and addresses, he pivoted. His attention now on Arrion, the young man was more than relieved that Ian had cooled off and was making proper plans. "[color=royalblue]Fledgling, you've been to Sparrow's apartment in the past, correct?[/color]"

The blonde squirmed at that, one hand reaching for the nape off his neck and rubbing. Honey eyes traced the floor and his response was a nervous mumble. "[color=mediumorchid]I mean, yeah… sorta. It was kinda weird though, y'know…[/color]"

"[color=royalblue]I know.[/color]" Kestrel handed him an address. "[color=royalblue]Just check it out, get a feel for any drastic changes.[/color]"

Fledgling accepted the small note hesitantly, tucking it into his pocket and standing from the desk. "[color=mediumorchid]Right…[/color]" The boy glanced Owl's way and made an offer. "[color=mediumorchid]We're probably going in the same direction, want a ride?[/color]"

[center][sub][@PM][@Rune_Alchemist][/sub][/center][hr]

[h3][center][color=sienna]Helianthus[/color][/center][/h3]
He smiled against her lips as he guided her deeper into the apartment, their breaths mingling together. Evelynn giggled, arms wrapped around his neck to keep from topping over thanks to his pushing, his hand on her waist aiding in keeping her steady. His free hand closed the door behind them, blindly finding the dead bolt and latching it. Her fingers slid up, fiddling with the hair at the nape of his neck as se was kissing him again, stars in her eyes. She laughed once more as both hands went to her side, rubbing along the curved outline as if he didn't already have it memorized.

"[color=powderblue]Thirteen minutes.[/color]" She reminded him, not bothering to pull back so he could feel her words. She was playful but insistent. She didn't want to be late again, couldn’t get too caught up.

His smile grew as he moved to nuzzle at her jaw, stopping them before they collided with the couch. "[color=sienna]Mhm.[/color]" He hummed and dipped down to her neck, trailing his lips there as she sighed. Debated the necessity of being on time.

And then there was a knock at the door that had them both stiffening and then groaning in unison. Her fingers knotted in his hair, immaturely wanting to keep him, make him stay for the next twelve minutes. Knowing better, she released him and sat on the back of the couch, adjusting her makeup in an attempt not to pout like a brat. However, catching sight of his sour expression, she had to laugh again.

"[color=powderblue]If looks could kill…[/color]"

He glanced her way and growled without malice, pinching her cheek before making his way to the exit. "[color=sienna]Don't be cute, little monster.[/color]"

She bared her teeth at him and he felt good enough to smile for a moment. Opening the door now, their suspicions were proven to be correct as a bouquet rested at his doorstep. He swept over the sunflowers to the wolf's bane at the center. He sighed, leaning on the doorframe.

And ten minutes later, he was stepping through the doors of Bellflowers and offering a neutral nod to the cashier. He passed by and went to where he knew he'd find his leader. Knocking once at the door, he slid his hands into his pockets and looked to the ceiling to clear away any remaining resentment from his face. He was on the job now and so, he waited.

[center][sub][@urukhai][/sub][/center]