Location - Somewhere in Eden - 11:45pm
It was a warmer night than he had been expecting.
Regardless, Cassian didn’t regret his choice of dress. Khaki tactical pants, ebon boots, and a matching black button-down was a standard outfit of the Asian contractor since he preferred a professional look even above comfort. The only doubt in his mind at that moment was whether the jacket had been a touch too much. Sure, it was thin and light, worn more for style or function versus warmth, but it also added that pesky second layer of dark fabric and everybody knew dark fabric liked to retain heat. In the end, the slight breeze that came and went was just enough to keep the man’s mind off his attire and more on the situation at hand.
He had just arrived at the coordinates sent to his smartphone and it was, as he expected, another back alley. His first clue had been the maze of narrow walkways and paths he had to take to even reach the moderately large square opening, but his disappointment stemmed from the fact that Aya always insisted on meeting in these kinds of stereotypical places. The Ito-Gumi had their hands in a lot of business around Eden and they outright owned a mess of entertainment facilities, but for some reason Cassian’s former partner-in-crime never suggested any of those to meet at. It was like she was against being comfortable. Cassian pulled his phone from a velcroed pocket on his pants and checked the time just before the sound of steps began growing in volume.
“Hey, sorry I’m late,” A tall woman apologized as she strode into the square and stopped just a few feet short of Cassian. Aya was full-blood Japanese and very attractive to go along with it. She was petite in form and lithe in movement, traits that had many turning a head when she passed by. Her eyes were large pools of umber that always maintained a sharp gaze under professionally done eyebrows and silky, black hair usually styled in an up-do of some sort. This time she was wearing a form fitting red dress with gold accents and designs and high heeled shoes matching in color. A long, leather trench coat barely hid the dress and stopped just short of dragging the ground. Cassian whistled in approval. Aya shook her head and chuckled.
“Another meeting after this, I take it?” Cassian asked, a slight grin curling the corner of his lips.
“You know how it is, Cass. My role during negotiations is obvious and important, but that doesn’t mean I appreciate it.”
“The same can’t be said for the clients, I’m sure.”
“As it’s meant to be, of course.”
“Meant to be, indeed. Sounds like the same kind of fate that forces us to meet in these alleys.”
“You don’t like the alleys?”
“Not a big fan of alleys, truthfully. Especially when you literally own a restaurant.”
“I don’t literally own anything. That would be the business’ property.”
“Either way, it’s still a restaurant.”
“Are you hungry? You always seem pretty straight-to-business during our monthly meetings, Cass.”
“I’m not saying I’m hungry at this moment. I’m also not saying I wouldn’t have liked to maybe sit in the comfort of that restaurant. If a little food came my way, I wouldn’t refuse it.”
Aya chuckled. “Okay, okay, no more alleys.”
“Is it a promise?”
“You have my word.”
“But do I have your commitment?”
Aya smiled and moved a piece of hair behind her ear. Her hands found warmth in the pockets of her trench coat as a slight exhale escaped the crack in her lips. “Down to business,” she said, a sudden seriousness enveloping her disposition. Cassian straightened himself up as well.
“To business, indeed. Here.” A small, manilla envelope emerged from within the Asian man’s jacket. He held it out towards Aya, beams of moonlight illuminating small patches on top of the thick package. Aya hesitated a moment before she slowly, but surely, accepted the package. She placed it into an unseen pocket within her own coat. Her expression shifted a bit; she started to seem a little nervous.
“Cass… You know-”
“Don’t say it,” Cassian interrupted, “I
do know. And that’s why I choose to do it anyway. I’ve told you before. This is something I feel… I feel that it’s my responsibility. Even if you disagree, just let me fulfill my duty.”
Aya’s visage perked up a bit. “There’s the Cass I know. Blindly following your own sense of duty.” She began to take a few steps back and raised a hand. “Till next time, then. I won’t hold you up.” With that, she turned and picked up a brisk pace as she made her exit through the same path she entered. Cassian stood a moment, time seeming to slow as his thoughts raced. Amongst the disorder though, he knew he had to continue. It wasn’t even close to being made right yet. Not by a longshot.
Location - Cider's Safehouse - Midnight
"Whatever this thing is," Cider took the attention of everyone in this room,
"we have to stop it. Whatever this thing is, it's tough. Magpie couldn't beat it. Please, all of you here, this is a new job. It's urgent. Located in the 9th Industrial Ward at the Tetsu Foundry is our target. We bought out some EDENPOL officers to evacuate and contain the area, but we don't have them forever. We can't let this thing get out. If you have any questions, don't hesitate to ask Mags, Worm, or me but time is of the essence. Get ready for a sortie." Cider's voice brought Cassian back to the present moment. He realized he had been staring at his drink and slowly sipping it without consciously thinking about it. A hand palmed his forehand and ran through ebony locks. Meeting with Aya always seemed to have that effect on the contractor. Meeting with her was the only time he was truly relaxed and free to be completely natural, something he had given up long ago in favor of controlled emotion and disposition. Besides the meeting, the night itself had proven to be a pretty barren one.
Cassian hadn't found anything out of the ordinary on his rounds and the back of his neck never buzzed even slightly. The man wasn't in the contracting business for the thrills, but it would have been a lie to say he wouldn't have enjoyed a
little rush. As it were, he had sufficed to get his blood pumping with a cool elixir and it turned out that it had been a good thing he decided to purposely take one of the weaker brews. If there was something out there that Magpie couldn't take, then the night was going to be much more than a little adrenaline kick. Cassian stood and promptly abandoned the last quarter of liquid in his cup. It was time for a sortie and he knew what he needed to do. Before grabbing any weapons though, there was someone he wanted to speak with first.
At the pace he walked, it didn't take long for Cassian to reach his destination and knock firmly, but lightly on the bathroom door. "Mag," he called to the wounded blonde, "When you're ready, I need to ask you about that thing you fought. I just want a little more information." He moved to the side of the door and leaned back on the wall waiting for Magpie to either emerge or her voice to echo.
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