A few minutes later Chaos called us into the kitchen. Supper, as I suspected, consisted of a few different types of sushi, rice balls, chicken fried rice, and for dessert little round rice cake type desserts, mochi. There were three small plates in the middle of the circle of larger, food covered plates. One contained a pool of soy sauce, another had a dollop of wasabi and the last had a small pile of pickled ginger.
The ginger, she explained, was for cleansing your pallet after eating sushi and the like. I found out later, the hard way, that there was a reason it did that when, after finishing my meal, I took a piece of ginger I thought would be decent enough.
“That may be too big a piece.” She warned as I inserted the piece in question into my mouth.
As I began chewing I understood why: It was very bitter. I could see everyone chuckle as my face contorted from the taste.
“That,” I was interrupted by the need to clear my throat, “was interesting. I can see why you would say it’s for cleansing the pallet; I may not have a pallet left.” I chuckled at my own joke and everyone followed suit.
“See, it’s the things like what you just did that make me call you a dumb ass all the time.” Link said, speaking for the first time since dinner started.
One cut in, “Oh yeah, says the guy who would probably eat his silverware if he weren’t focusing.” Everyone laughed, and then he added, “Seriously man, I promise you it isn’t a competition.”
“He thinks that if he eats any slower he’ll gain weight.” Sayn’t defended.
I laughed. Link may eat fast but he’s also eccentric. Sometimes to the point of being bat-shit insane, but he was still our friend and, in a world where friends are far and few between.
We went on like this for another twenty minutes before we’d finally finished the meal.
I sighed contentedly as I laid my chopsticks down. “That was great Chaos. I’m glad you’ve decided to stay on.” I gave her what I’d hoped was a warm smile and she smiled back.
Everyone agreed, even Bob and Hill, who’d apparently enjoyed the meal as much as everyone else had.
“Well, who’s up for TV?” Sayn’t asked as we began standing from the table. Everyone agreed that they were OK with TV aside from Bob and Hill, who would probably learn whatever they needed to from the internet or hacking.
“I’ll be in after I’m done cleaning.” Chaos said, obviously still trying to do her job well.
“Alright, if you’re sure, it’s not that important.” Sayn’t apparently didn’t care if as much now.
Chaos gave him a slight glare. “And that’s exactly the thinking that led you to need a maid in the first place. No, I’m sure, I’ll be in soon.”
Sayn’t looked taken aback, if only just a little. I chuckled quietly. She was serious about making a good impression.
After Sayn’t had left I walked over to Chaos, “Hey, if you want to change out of that outfit you should check up on your bed. You may like what you find.” She looked at my questioningly but I was already turning to walk away.
I walked into the living room to find that, instead of the news, everyone had opted to watch Comedy Central. Today was truly a day to relax. It wasn’t long before Chaos came in and, after tapping on my shoulder gently, sat down with a sly smile on her face. She was wearing the gown I’d bought for her. It was more intended for winter use as a nightgown so it had substance to it while the inside was lined with silk for comfort. She looked absolutely wonderful in the snow white outfit. The others took notice as well, though more noticeably so was One.
I guess I’m not alone in my attraction to her, and of course it would be him.
I let it slide though. It’s nothing to worry about yet, I hoped.
We sat and continued watching a comedy special for its hour long run, laughing more at a few of the more un-politically correct jokes. But, who can say they don’t do that really? That’s something you find out being so in touch with the times. People, behind the glitter and sugar of the media and political correctness, tend to be vile, easily influenced creatures. I guess that’s part of why there’s a need for people like us.
While some would say that mercenaries or hit men are the most evil of beings, killing people simply for money, they rarely take into account the evils they let go unnoticed day by day. I’m not trying to say that I’m without fault, nor are any of my friends. We’re just a different kind of evil, in my opinion, a necessary evil. Because, in a world where the general public regularly supports corrupt government officials who make some dictators look tame in comparison someone needs to take a stand, and although we don’t do anything without a client’s paying us, that someone is most always people like us.
Because, where there is a person in power, there is another person, weak and unable to do anything, that wants that person gone. So they come to us. Not to say all of our jobs are so justifiable, but if we don’t work we can’t afford to stay in business let alone eat.
Another special was about to come on when Bob came down the stairs.
“How do you guys feel about India?” We had a new job.
“How’s the weather this time of year Bob?” Sayn’t, asking what kind of job.
“Hot.” And he walked away. He didn’t need to say anything else. This was a political assassination.
“So,” Chaos started, pausing, as though she was nervous about what she wanted to say, “Who all is going?”
“All of us, including you.” A reply from Sayn’t that he quickly followed up with, “I mean foreign food is fine, but you really are a great cook.” He flashed a smile.
It was standard procedure that, if we needed to go out of the country for a job, everyone went in case something came up that they were needed and we couldn’t just leave her here.
“Oh, well that sounds good, when should I start packing?”
“Tonight actually, Bob’s probably already booked a flight for tomorrow.” With that he stood up.
I took an opportunity to add, “Pack some warm clothes too. If we’re going to the Middle East we have to stop and see someone in Russia as well.”
She tilted her head slightly to one side, “Russia and India? Well, I’m glad I decided to stay with you guys.” She smiled brightly. Apparently the thought of travel appealed to her.
With that we all went upstairs to begin our preparations. I was in the process of packing my “Russia bag” when a knock came at the door.
“We need to leave at eight in the morning to get to the airport on time.” Sayn’t was making rounds, after a talk with Bob in the computer room, telling everyone when to be up and ready to go.
“Alright, are we traveling light?” Even though we were in the privacy of our own house we preferred to use code for a lot of things, and this was a quick way to ask if we were taking our weapons with us or if we’d be supplied on arrival. Sayn’t’s reply in the affirmative told me that we’d be supplied on location.
After I’d finished packing I decided to go check on Chaos and ask her how she liked her gift, as well as to know what alias she’d been set up with for public conversations. I can’t say I was happy that as I approached the door to her room, One stepped out of it. I passed him with out acknowledging him and knocked on her door.
She opened it with a, “Well, aren’t I just popular these days?” She smiled and invited me in.
“Thank you for the gown by the way, it’s absolutely amazing.” She said, motioning with a flourish down her sides, showing that she was still wearing it because of that fact.
“I was actually going to ask what you thought of it,” I laughed, “I’m glad you like it, it’s not too often you get to buy something like that in our profession.”
She looked confused.
I sighed, it was understandable though, “Well, it’s not like I get too much time to meet women.”
She laughed quietly and smirked, looking down slightly. “Oh, is that it?”
I scratched my neck, “Well, you’re not without your merits, cat burglar.” I dangled my silver pocket watch in the air in front of me, “I’m sure you’d like this as a matter of fact, better than that gown.”
She was already in her own world watching the pocket watch sway gently on its chain. She nodded rapidly and jumped at the watch, grasping outward but I pulled the watch back and put the other hand on her forehead, stopping her. It was something that didn’t take too long to figure out: She was absolutely infatuated with getting her hands on things that shined.
She began begging, “Please, please can I have it?” She even went as far as looking up with a puppy-dog pout.
I couldn’t help but sigh and laugh a little, “Well, you can’t have this one, but once you’re done packing come to my room. I have quite a few that I’ve collected and you can have one of them.”
She smiled but still wasn’t happy with that, “But why not that one?” She kept her pleading eyes focused on me.
“This one’s,” I paused unsure how I should word it, “special. I’m sure you understand.”
She tilted her head to the side, as she often does when she is confused by something, which is something I find very attractive about her.
“I suppose so,” She put her hand over a necklace she was wearing; “Everyone has something like that, don’t they?”
I laughed, turning to go to the door, “Yeah, I suppose so.” I stopped with my hand on the knob. “Oh yeah, what am I supposed to call you in public?”
I heard a giggle from behind me, “Men,” She obviously realized that it’d completely slipped my mind to ask her, “They actually let me pick, so Rosa Lynn.” She sounded happy with the choice. “It’s a name I’ve always wanted. What should I call you then?” I replied with, “For now let’s use Stephen Michael.” I’m sure she was smiling as I left the room with a, “See you later, Rosa”, I was smiling too.
I nearly laughed out loud at myself on my way back to my room. I was clearly out of practice with women. I couldn’t even remember why I’d gone to her room because I got so wrapped up in the conversation, even though it was a short one. Though, it would be nice to get to talk to her again when she came to my room.
And sure enough twenty minutes later she knocked at my door and, without waiting for me to answer, bounded in.
“Someone’s excited.” I joked.
Her expression became a sarcastic imitation of innocence and confusion, “Why, whatever could you mean, kind sir, or is it Stephen?”
I laughed, standing up from my bed, and walked over to the box I kept my pocket watches in. It stood upright with twin doors that opened outwards. It, like the other wooden furniture in my room, had been colored with a cherry stain. I opened it and turned it so she could see inside, turning around I found her slack jawed, staring at the collection.
I had about ten in all, mostly souvenirs I’d collected while on jobs. A few were simple in design, merely a gold or silver pocket watch with no other outside decoration. I opened these one for her, and she only grew happier as she saw that, though the outsides were simple, the insides were elegant with intricate designs and, in some, jewels at the twelve, three, six, and nine.
I stepped aside, motioning toward them with my arm, “Go ahead and pick one.” I emphasized the word “one” another time. She didn’t try to defend herself as she looked at me guiltily.
“But, they’re all so pretty,” She paused for a while, admiring the collection, “I want them all.”
After I reaffirmed the “only one” sentiment she settled for a plain gold one with the diamond studded clock face. She seemed absolutely enthralled with her choice as she visibly held back the urge to attack me with gratitude. It was a shame really.
“So then, you’re not going to pawn that off are you?” Her look of shock told me that the very thought was blasphemy, “Never mind.” I raised my hands up in defeat.
When she’d gone I began worrying if I was just trying to buy her affection with gifts and decided that, on the trip, I’d refrain from buying her much of anything and simply get to know her better. The fact that One obviously shared my interest in her troubled me. The thought that it was quite typical that he’d be the one to give me competition flashed through my mind again. I shook the thought as, in this business; if the team didn’t work together everything could go to shit in no time at all.
I began reading; laying back in my bed, and it wasn’t long before I had to turn my bedside lamp on to continue. A half hour later I finished the book, happy that I could start the book I’d bought earlier today. Though, I didn’t start it, figuring I’d save it for the trip. Instead I got up and went downstairs figuring to get a glass of orange juice before I went to bed. Hill, who was our group’s hacker as well as the mechanic, was in the kitchen talking with Sayn’t.
“Hey, guys,” I greeted to let them know I was there, though they continued talking, “Is there any orange juice left?”
They laughed at my disregard of their conversation and stopped, “Yeah, it’s on the door.” Sayn’t informed me, still laughing.
I smirked, “Thanks, could you grab me a glass man?” He did.
After I had poured my glass of juice I asked them what they’d been talking about.
“Cars of course, what else do we talk about at eleven-thirty at night?” I laughed at Hill’s answer.
“Well, you guys already know where I stand on cars.”
They both nodded in agreement. It was true; I made no effort at all to hide the fact that if given the choice of car I’d be torn between one of the old 1990’s Jaguars and the ’08 model of the Porsche 911 gt2. We talked about the pros and cons of certain models as well as about whose car would win a race for another half hour. At this time two things happened, I drank the last of my orange juice, and we all noticed the time. After a few quick goodnights we all headed to our rooms. It didn’t take me long to fall asleep, which was unusual, but I chalked it up to being happy for once.
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