[center][h3]Dance with the Devil[/h3]
[@Ariamis][/center]

The figure kept scurrying about, shifting through the streets. It was a mix of faded colours at first, with some passersby who did not even notice the white creature scurry about.  The white Puchuu known as Umukamui went like this for a while. He appreciated privacy, and some of his current allies did not.

Which was a tricky situation, as that limited the ways and deals he used to have through indirect censorship. But he was not cowering in the slightest. He passed through a portal, hidden away from prying eyes. The sudden surge of altered space in a monochrome fashion told him he had arrived at his destination. Without further ado, like one changes suits, he changed his appearance to one he had been using of late.

A female form. It had its uses. Not as good as appearing harmless, but as a form to be taken seriously. She even ordered a drink, as she waited for the Mint broker to come.

"Nice joint. I find the warped reality trick fascinating." She added as she checked her dress code was in harmony with the place.

[hider=Umukamui][img]https://i.imgur.com/8Hb70lu.jpg[/img][/hider]

[b]“Well, well well, look what the cat dragged in.”[/b]

Shadows gathered, like a billowing cloud of smoke, until they coalesced into a tall, wide-shouldered shape of a man leaning an elbow against the bar counter. A cup seemingly made of ashen glass then formed in Al Scarpe’s hand, and the shadowy barkeep poured wine into it.
The barkeep also served Umukamui with a martini, complete with an olive.
[b]“I suppose the Puchuu do indeed take a form most fitting for their audience. Still, I am surprised. Your kind usually keeps distance from the Mint.”[/b]

"Well, what can I say… a tool for each job. Most stick to the cuddly forms around girls. I prefer a little flourish. I have grown fond of this form's… will nullifiers." Kamy added as she drank the martini in slow sips. "I also understand the value of keeping things professional and not letting silly… preconceptions get in the way. I also value greeting possible business partners once in a while."

The Coin Broker laughed, and took a sip from his drink. 
[b]“An interesting way to call them, but sure.”[/b]
He snapped his fingers, and the big band at the stage began playing smooth jazz, cloaking the club in an aesthetic lost to time.
[b]“So you’re looking to do business with us, correct? What did you have in mind, dolly?”[/b] He asked, leaning slightly closer to the beauty.

Kamy bare a smile. "Not at the moment. I have made an association with strings attached...to a certain group of moral watchdogs. Still, I heard that there was movement among one of the oldest institutions in town and I am here to bid greetings and wish for all the best."

The Mint executive tipped his fedora.
[b]"I see. I wouldn't recommend trying to form relations with the Beacon at the moment; they'll soon be in a heap of trouble alongside the new arrivals."[/b] He took another sip from his drink, and placed it on the counter.
[b]"Thanks for the cheer, Miss…?"[/b]

“Kamy…Although I go by the name Umukamui.” She smiled and shrugged. “Well, it cannot be helped. Sometimes, all you have is a hammer to solve your problems. Yet, I try to keep as professional as possible. There’s so many options besides oblivion.”

[b]”Indeed there are, miss Kamy,”[/b] The mobster-looking man said with a smile.
[b]”I’m Al Scarpe,”[/b] he introduced himself as he took one last sip before returning the glass with a slide to the barkeep. [b]”You know, I have a business proposition myself. If you would be interested in sharing some information about Beacon’s inner movements, I could be persuaded to provide compensation in return. Oh, and don’t worry; this would be strictly professional…And private.”[/b]


"Well met then." Kamy smiled."
As interesting as it might be, I am dreadfully sorry. Sharing information on current contracts is a big no. After all confidentiality breaches do compromise my ability to make deals in the future. What would you do, mr Scarpe, if I were to accept an offer to disclose Mint workings to a third party?" She paused. "Still I have a counter offer. Two magical girl bodies. They should be given… proper burial but, waste not, as I say."

Al's brow rose. [b]"Stiffs, eh? I'm listening."[/b] He took out a cigar, and lit it up with a lighter.

"Two former magical girls, one dark, one normal. Former servants of a horror. As long as you can keep it out of sight, out of mind, they are all yours."

He took a puff of smoke, the trail of it lifting straight up and back to behind him.
[b]“Why thank you. I’ll promise to take good care of them.”[/b]
He signalled to the band to play some slow music, and gestured a hand to Umu.
[b]“To express my gratitude, would you allow me a dance? It is an activity humans do when they want to celebrate something.”[/b]

Umu's expression went blank for a second, as if thinking something. Tilting her head, she then addressed the Mint Broker. "Customs, right. Then I will allow it." She said in the same emphasis as one would take out the trash. "My meeting with Cradle is not due for a while, anyway."

The Mint monster smiled widely. [b]"Excellent. Now, just follow my lead, Miss."[/b] He gently took Umu's hand, and brought her close, the other hand on her waist, as the two began to dance. Despite his top-heavy figure, Umu would note that his steps and movement were smooth and suave, as if he glided across the floor.
[b]"Ah, this takes me back…"[/b] He spoke.
[b]"Have you ever felt nostalgic for something, Miss Kamy? Ever yearned for something that once was but never will be again?"[/b]

"Emotions are just useless baggage."Kamy said. "Some among us consider it a mental illness." She added as she was led by Al. ". But they have their uses. Others want a certain set of emotions enforced to all costs… the Beckoners are of this persuasion." The woman-shaped puchuu bluntly stated. "Although yearn is something I can sympathize with. Libra was my own organization back in the day. I used to concern myself about settling the universal scores. But my view was not popular. Beacon used my minute deals with the Mint as an excuse to dismantle me, making me once again a single, sad middleman. Or woman, as I am in this shape now."

The song slowly shifted from the initial smooth jazz to more peppy swing, and Al picked up the pace accordingly.
[b]”Mm, yes. They can be very prickly about such trivial matters,”[/b] he replied, and spun Kamy by her lifted hand in the dance before returning her back to him.
[b]”But it doesn’t have to stay that way. I could help you bring Libra back to its full glory. Then you could make the score you’ve wanted to.”[/b]
He leaned Umu back in a tango-esque fashion, like a master dancer, before lifting her back up.
[b]”By the way, are you enjoying the dance, Miss?”[/b]

“A tempting offer. I shall consider it carefully.” Kamy said, as she let Al lead, doing her best to do the human reaction of a smile… and not letting it seep how dull this affair was becoming. Human rituals were so weird. “I could say I do, yes.” Well, if she was a human anyway. “But for the time being, let’s just keep it as a greeting, shall we?”

[b]”As you wish.”[/b] Once the song ended, Al released Kamy, and bowed.
[b]”For someone new to dancing, you didn’t fumble,”[/b] he observed.
[b]”Now if you’ll excuse me, I have some business to attend to. Goodbye for now, but I hope to see you again.”[/b]

“Don’t we, all… Al, don’t we all. I am sure if we do our tasks, our paths might cross in the future.” Umukamui greeted him as she left. “Do you want me to call Veronica a whore for you? I can do that much.” She said as she flickered, turning back into the furry critter he was widely known. 

Al's face scrunched up as the beautiful woman assumed the smaller form. [b]"...No need. She was never the type to be easily offended."[/b] As the creature scurried away, the coin broker smoked deep from his cigar.
[b]"Damn rat...Even had some nice perfume.[/b]