✧ 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]

Perhaps with luck, we'll get to cross paths on the job again sometime. Or, better yet, perhaps when one of us isn't.

[He will happily show off for Hugo again--]

[destinetmalediction]

Ooh, now that would be fun. I'd love to show you what I can do, after all~

[quicksilverwings]

And I'd love to see, for sure~

[destinetmalediction]

Here's hoping, then.

[The bistro! Which is run by a friend and conspirator of Hugo's, because as pretty as Ciar is Hugo is not going to just totally blindly trust like that. If something happens, he wants a witness. He doubts something will, but just in case.

Regardless, it really is a lovely little place. There's plenty of sunlight and flowers around, and it's very clean. Hugo lets Ciar decide if they sit inside or outside while he grabs menus.]

[quicksilverwings]

[And Ciar is none the wiser, too impressed by the bistro to suspect a damn thing.

(If he did, however, he'd appreciate Hugo being sensible about the whole thing.)

He's opting to sit outside, and he'll be quietly admiring the flowers by the time Hugo's returned.]

[destinetmalediction]

[Outside works fine for Hugo. There's sunshades, after all.

He sits down in front of Ciar and hands him a menu.]

Here we are~ There are also vegan options, if that happens to be your preference.

[quicksilverwings]

[He quietly thanks Hugo as he takes the menu, humming thoughtfully as he looks it over. He doesn't necessarily need the vegan options, but he makes the mental note of it for recommending this place to one of his teammates.]

What would you recommend?

[destinetmalediction]

Depends on what you like. I tend to lean towards the roast beef, but I like beef. Their chicken is very good~

[quicksilverwings]

[He makes a considering noise, then nods.]

I think I'm in the mood for beef today~

[destinetmalediction]

[Hugo points out some good options, and when the waiter comes around he also makes sure to order a bottle of red wine for the two of them to share. It'll go well with their meals.]

I still can't believe you tracked me down.

[quicksilverwings]

To be entirely fair, I'm shocked I managed it. I was honestly expecting to fail.

[Especially since this was more or less a solo endeavor--he would've (rightfully, he'll admit) caught hell from his team if he'd asked for help.]

It was a risk on my part to do so, but I haven't gotten as far as I have by playing it safe all the time.

[destinetmalediction]

How did you even find me? The name on the guest list was fake, obviously.

[quicksilverwings]

[Obviously.]

We happen to have a couple of mutual friends, as it turns out.

[A certain pair of siblings, he means, but Hugo can probably guess that.]

[destinetmalediction]

Ah, a certain pair of siblings, I assume?

[Yeah. He doesn't have many friends, after all, so...]

They do know everyone, don't they?

[quicksilverwings]

You assume correctly~

[Since. Yeah.]

They certainly do seem to. It's simultaneously impressive and a little terrifying.

[destinetmalediction]

I am honestly not entirely convinced there's not six of them who all look alike, with how many people they know.

[quicksilverwings]

[He laughs.]

You know, somehow, that wouldn't surprise me!

[And he does have a story about at least one of his encounters with the siblings seeming to know just about everyone... (It's a funny story, at least.)]

[destinetmalediction]

[Hugo's pretty sure everyone has a story like that.

They have their lunch and then move on to a café nearby for that promised coffee, talking and getting to know each other all the while. Hugo's pretty sure that Ciar genuinely means no harm and was just curious about him. Which is rare.

As they sit at the café, drinking and enjoying some snacks:]

I have to ask, do you work alone?

[quicksilverwings]

I don't, no-- I tried flying solo for a while, but uh... let's just say that didn't work out.

[Good lord was that a bad time.]

There's a handful of us, but we're usually five to a single job.

[destinetmalediction]

That many? And they don't go poorly?

[quicksilverwings]

We've had some occasional close calls, but we're good at working with and around each other. And it's also not like we're all directly on site, typically. Depends on the kind of game we're running.

[destinetmalediction]

When we're in a place that's...a bit less obvious, you really must tell me what exactly it is that you do. I understand we're in the same solar system, when it comes to work, but on vastly different planets.

[quicksilverwings]

Certainly. I have just the place for us to be when we're done here, if you're so inclined.

[destinetmalediction]

Oh? I think I am so inclined~

[quicksilverwings]

[They finish up their coffee and snacks, chatting all the while. It's nice. The conversation comes easily and Hugo is just... so fun to talk to.

The next place they go is actually a bit of a walk from the café, and it's... a bar. Not that it's too clear initially as they approach and enter from the back, Ciar pulling out a key to let them in through the locked up back entrance.

Once they're inside...]

Here. This is the safest place I could think to bring you to talk about work, since this is where my team operates out of to begin with and we're closed for the day.