Eliminating the Problem (attn: Alex)

Shit flows downhill, Tai thought as he lounged against the doorjamb of the fallen-down apartment complex and tried not to look as disgusted with the setting as he felt. Fortunately, this particular shit had managed to flow down in his direction before he turned on his proverbial fan. That could have been messy.

Yuu's tipping the state off to him had turned out to be a double-edged sword. On the one hand, now that his name was being bandied about in legal circles, he'd drawn more suspicion and that was bad. One thing had led to another though, and one of his oldest clan-members, a man still somewhat friendly with him, had dropped him a discreet message letting him know the Yakuza were, indeed, looking for Tai now. Hence the other edge of the sword... the heightened interest had brought out of hiding the one or two reliable contacts Tai still had.

Ellis had given him his orders; to find and recruit people of a particular skill and nature. Of course they needed to be tested, and they needed work. Tai didn't think Ellis would mind if his choice of targets helped him out a little, as well.

So here he stood, leaning back against the doorjamb of the nearly-abandoned apartment he'd given Alex the address to, the back of which let out onto Nachton's dark alleyways. There hadn't been much reason for choosing this particular place aside from its location, which was far from the opera house, and the fact that Tai imagined he'd want a bite to eat after this. He sneered distastefully at the entire area in general, thinking that even though he'd been plundering the populace here it didn't mean he really wanted to hang out any longer than necessary.

It was about five minutes before 9. He expected the assassin to be either early or on time, so he wouldn't have to wait here much longer.

Alexandra 17 years ago
Eyes narrowed, Alex watched Taiji from the shadows of another appartment, she had been there for some time making sure he would show, dressed in all black leather she quietly made her way towards the other building, she didn't look up when someone passed her by, it was just some of the scum that could be found here at this time of night.

She knew he would have probably noticed her by now, her sharp eyes looking straight at him as she stopped a few meters away, placing one hand on her hip she smirked slightly.

"Hi"

He was leaning against the doorjamb in a casual manner, but she could tell from the way he looked around he was anything but relaxed, this was the kind of man who was ready for a kill within seconds.
Ichiro Taiji 17 years ago
Tai favored Alex with the cool smile that didn't quite reach his eyes. She was a quiet mover, even in leather, which wasn't easy. Tai found leather clothing to be annoyingly loud. It squeaked, it creaked, it got horribly cumbersome when wet; even the highest quality suede. But she wore it well at least; if he hadn't actually been paying attention, looking for her specifically, he doubted he'd have seen her there.

He returned her greeting with a nod of his head, used his toe to nudge a portfolio from the corner, and squatted to pick it up. It was made of fabric, zippered closed. He handed it to Alex.

"Your first assignment, and fifty percent. You'll find everything you need in there. All the information we have on the target."

Tai continued, carefully striaghtening out the cuff of his shirt, a movement which rubbed both arms against the respective knives and their sheaths. Habit... he didn't actually expect any sort of attack from Alex.

"The death is meant to look natural," Tai said. "You've got three days to accomplish it."

He considered for a moment and then added, "And try not to use poison, if you can avoid it. It's so cliche."

And so very traceable, in most cases.
Alexandra 17 years ago
She watched him quietly, taking in as much info as she could as he spoke, looking to the move of his footh to move a portfolio, then crouching down to pick it up and handing it to her.

Reaching out she took the files from him, nodding slowly at his explination, natural and no potion, her eyes darkened for a moment, there were some poisons that didn't leave any trace but if he didn't want that.. she would have to think about another way.

"There are some poisons i know off that don't leave any trace, but if that's cliche so be it"

Putting the portfolio in the bag she had brought with her and zipped it close, putting it over her shoulder she looked back at him, unlike the flirty, playfull additude she had in the HOP Alex was stern and forward now, there wasn't a hint of humor written on her face, her body almost tense ready to strike at any moment.

"How do I contact you once it's done?"

Crossing her arms in front of her chest she watches his movement, the guy had something about looking neat, raising a brow she licked her dry lips, she hated being in dirty places herself, but that was what showers were for right?


Ichiro Taiji 17 years ago
Tai was satisfied that Alex had dropped the cat-in-heat routine she'd put on at the HoP. The sooner she got over the idea that he was either available or interested, the better. His relationship with her was strictly business.

"Contact me?"

Tai's cool smile grew. "There will be no need to contact me. I will contact you in three days. How I do so depends upon whether or not you've fulfilled the terms of your contract."

He bowed to her and brushed past her to tread lightly down the steps of the broken-down apartment complex. "Sayonara, Alex. I look forward to seeing your work."

With that, Tai was off. Feeding time, and the zoo was open.

The world spun around and around, picking up with frightening velocity.

((ooc: Tai out))