inkwreaths | AU; ain't no rest for the wicked

[He'll run into this person whether he dawdles or not. As it is, Monica just shows up pretty much anywhere. It's a mystery what she even does around the neighborhood. Honestly she's not very sure what she does, herself, aside from walk around all day and then run into that funny kid that works under Guy and ask him cryptic questions. It wasn't even that entertaining to get him all flustered at first, but she can't deny that she's been having fun talking to him.

So when she sees him go into whatever place he's going today for his deliveries, she ditches whoever she was talking to at the moment to cross the street, stopping at the entrance to the building and peeking in. She figured he was on the job, so she doesn't follow him inside. It's better than to cause him trouble, because that'll cause her trouble too -- she'll just be sitting there outside the door when he comes back out, throwing him a smile when their eyes meet.]

Hey. [It's a simple greeting.] I saw you from across the street.

[It's a quick drop-off, nothing more. Business was always quick and impersonal. He doesn't notice the young woman at first as he heads out, not until he almost passes her by.

That smile she gives is met by a blank stare. He told himself that he wouldn't get sidetracked today. Geez, luck really didn't like him, did it?

Not like he didn't know that from day fucking one.]

... that's a convenient coincidence. [To his credit, he doesn't bolt after that greeting. Rather, with a heavy sigh, he shuffles his lanky self closer to her so he won't be blocking the entrance.]

What're you doing around here? This area's not the best.

[He smiles up at him brightly, satisfied when he gets closer.] I just had a little someone I needed to talk to, that's all.

[She'll give him points for not bolting. He never really did from the beginning though; for all the annoyance he throws at her, he never actually ditches her, does he? She hums and pushes herself to her feet, stretching once she's standing.]

What about you? Delivery?

[A 'little someone,' huh? That earns a snort from Seki.]

Yeah, the usual. You know how it is. It's been pretty hectic lately. Dunno what's going on, but... my schedule's fucked over, I know that much.

I hope you're getting paid for overtime. Hey.

[She swings her long hair over her shoulder, one hand digging into her jacket pocket in search of a hair tie. Maybe she should cut it. But she's been considering that for years and not doing anything about it, so she probably won't.]

Do you have more you have to do? Where to?

Tch, as if. [His gaze follows how her hair swings instinctively. Hey. He's a dude, after all. But at her question he rubs the back of his neck.]

I got one or two left to make. [Pause. Don't say it, Seki.] Hell, if whoever it is you wanna talk to is on the way, I could give you a ride to them.

[shit he fucked that one up]

You're so daring. What if I was meeting up with someone dangerous? You could get shot the moment you enter the area! [She's joking. Maybe. She smiles though.]

A ride might be nice though. It'll be okay -- but hey, I just wanted to warn you, you should avoid this area tonight after seven.

Nobody's gonna shoot a messenger like me. I'm one of the safest places around here. [He's got diplomatic immunity, thanks to Guy's influence.]

Saying stuff like that makes you sound awful suspicious, you know.

Hmm. [No hair tie. She gives up on her hair and peers at him thoughtfully.] You'll keep me safe, then? Even if I'm suspicious, my warnings are serious, you know? I heard the government boys are coming in tonight to get that drug dealer holed up in the apartment a block away.

No guarantees. [Don't ask him these sorts of questions!! But what she says does make him groan.]

Seriously? They've been coming more and more often these days.

I know. I guess they don't have anything else to focus on, or there might be some huge trouble for us in the future.

[She shrugs. The government having conflict with this neck of the woods isn't anything new, right? Seki should know that best considering his boss.] As long as you're out of here by six, I think it'll be okay.

[It's not that he's not grateful for the hint. Seki doesn't like getting tangled up in the crossfires between Guy and the government. All he wants is a decent pay, a decent standard of living, and none of the baggage that came with living down here. In any case, he stuck his neck out for someone before. He still remembers how that went.

It didn't go well.]

And what about you? [Not like he's worried about this chick.]

Me?

[Seki's not the type who likes to act for other people's sake, or worry about them. She knows that well. But she also knows that sometimes, despite saying so, he still asks her questions like he worries. And she giggles every time to hide that that's a nice feeling. Kind of like back when she was little and her actual big brother would worry about her. So she giggles right now.]

Well, I guess I'll be avoiding this place soon, too. Hopefully they don't fight and end up in other areas, because I don't have shelter tonight yet.

[What a vague and frustrating answer. It's what he gets for dealing with a person like Monica, he supposes. She was just mysteries within mysteries, never clear with what she thought or what she wanted. It was a little annoying and a little nice at the same time.]

When you say things like that with such a carefree attitude, you'll make people worry about you.

Hmmm. [Another giggle, and Monica leans over to peer at Seki.] Are you worried about me, then?

No way. [The answer's instantaneous.] When you tell a guy this sort of thing, though, it's hard for him not to feel guilty. What's a good person supposed to do when you say you don't have a place to stay?

So Seki's a good person, huh? [She's teasing. She takes a few steps and grabs his arm and presses herself against it.] What is a good person supposed to do?

[He doesn't move away when she does it. Like with most everything, he just takes it. Goes along with it. It's a familiar routine.]

Supposedly, you're supposed to lend them a hand. But it's not like I should know. It's not my job.

[He's no fun ever since he stopped reacting. She shakes her head in disappointment.]

Yeah, if anybody had that job, it's definitely not you. But so, with a girl telling him she has no shelter, what is Seki going to do?

Dunno. [He's very good at sounding nonchalant.] Maybe, since you aren't too bad looking, I could offer to buy you dinner tonight.

Really?! [She smiles brightly. Look. She'll light up your night. She'll blind you.] Will you?

[This is why Monica is a terrible friend to have around. She's actually nice to be around. Seki rubs the back of his head.]

I said I might. Don't push your luck.

[That's a yes, captain.]

[SCORE.]

What if I said I wouldn't make you do it for free, if that's the problem?

Huh? [He blinks.] ... you wanna make it troublesome? That's too bad. I'll keep on insisting.

[She grins.] I don't want to owe you any favors. I'd rather pay you on the spot so I don't have to worry about it later.

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