✧ same target

[quicksilverwings]

[That had been... an interesting job.

Somehow, Ciar--Wing to his teammates and clients--hadn't anticipated other people going after one of their marks, but that sure is what happened. Now, Ciar can't personally say he minds. They were tackling it from different angles, and now he can't help but think that it was even more effective.

... And maybe he dragged along the mark a little more for the sake of showing off to that handsome (and clearly adorably smitten) blond.

(He still got the desired results, it was fine.)

Speaking of that aforementioned handsome blond, though, Ciar's on a mission today, to track that man down, wherever in the city he might be. He wanted to see that guy again anyway, and he has a question.]

Comments

[quicksilverwings]

Exactly the point, yep~

Plus, this place being a bar helps with... quite a few things, actually! It's good for info-gathering, and... well, the image of the bartender as a sympathetic confidant helps us find clients sometimes.

[A pause.]

... The people who don't really have any options left, when the rich and powerful have ruined their lives.

[destinetmalediction]

[...oh.]

I think I've heard of groups like yours. Offering assistance like that, while here I am, just straight up robbing the bastards who hurt people.

[quicksilverwings]

I mean, I can't exactly judge when so many of the team's plans involve some kind of public humiliation for our marks...

[The "engineered public confession" might be a favorite tactic of his, but he's not saying so directly--]

[destinetmalediction]

There's public humiliation and there's literally stealing their purses and donating it all to their hated charities.

[quicksilverwings]

Hey, that at least sounds like its own kind of fun.

[He laughs.]

We try to give the money back to their victims. Their hated charities are usually our go-to if we can't.

[destinetmalediction]

If you want to see me at my best, look up some of Mockingbird's heists. You should find a few with me front and center~

[quicksilverwings]

[Ciar grins and slips behind the bar.]

Yeah? I'll absolutely be doing that, then. Hey, want something while I'm over here?

[destinetmalediction]

Well, if you're offering.

[He heads over to sit at the bar properly, leaning his head on his hands.]

Bartender's choice.

[quicksilverwings]

[Ciar turns to reach for a couple of bottles, then pauses.]

Any preference on alcoholic or non-alcoholic?

[destinetmalediction]

Non-alcoholic. I had my daily limit already, unfortunately.

[quicksilverwings]

[He nods as he resumes reaching for the bottles he was going for to begin with.]

We have non-alcoholic versions of most of the spirits here, at least.

[One of the bottles is set down so Hugo can get a look at it once Ciar's done with it. Soon enough, a non-alcoholic Negroni is being set down in front of him as well.]

[destinetmalediction]

How considerate.

[And he will take a sip of that cocktail with a pleased hum.]

You're quite talented.

[quicksilverwings]

[Ciar grins a little, moving to join Hugo once more with his own drink.]

Talented, huh?

[destinetmalediction]

Mhm. I saw your work the other night, obviously, and now I've learned you're a talented mixologist and a wonderful conversation partner.

[quicksilverwings]

Well, the mixology came with considerable guidance and practice.

[He chuckles.]

You're a wonderful conversation partner yourself.

[destinetmalediction]

Mmm, I try. It's one of my strongest suits, after all~

[Drama king.]

So you run this bar as your day job?

[quicksilverwings]

Yeah. It was our hacker's idea and it gives us something to do when we don't have a con to run.

[destinetmalediction]

Certainly nicer than my little apartment and, ah, part time job.

[What else do you call the legal job you do to kill time between heists?]

Advice, Ciar: don't take up data entry unless you really like numbers.

[quicksilverwings]

[He laughs.]

Noted. I certainly don't mind them, but there's things I'd rather be doing~

[destinetmalediction]

Oh? Such as...~?

[quicksilverwings]

Dancing, cooking, reading anything I can get my hands on... Talking to excellent conversation partners like you...~

[destinetmalediction]

[The two keep talking until Hugo has to leave to let Ciar open his bar for the evening. They do end up talking again, though, when Hugo comes by a day or two later to visit.

A month later and Hugo is swearing at himself and life in general. This heist was supposed to be simple, straightforward, easy. He was going to go in, mingle a little, escape out to the house's art gallery, and make off with some very nice pieces that were never paid for by the commissioner. A bog-standard sort of thing for him.

The extra guards, however, are not, and Hugo is running of of room to run as he makes his way to the roof with the painting in his bag.]

[quicksilverwings]

[What might be a bit unusual when he manages to get to the roof is someone suddenly getting between him and the guards.

There's even someone waiting on the roof--a tiny figure dressed in black, who's suddenly tossing a rappelling harness at him.

That Hugo might recognize from the bar.]

Think fast!

[destinetmalediction]

[...works for him! Hugo grabs the harness, slips it on, and tugs on the rope to let the tiny figure know he's good to go. Where does he go next?]

[quicksilverwings]

[Ange gestures down the side of the building and then over to a parked car.]

C's waiting in that car. Hurry.

[She isn't using Ciar's actual name here but she doesn't know if Ciar mentioned that he uses "Wing" on the job, when he isn't playing a role.]