✧ 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]

[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.

[destinetmalediction]

I see.

[He did send his GPS location to a friend, just in case, but he does trust Ciar oddly enough.]

You know, I've passed by this bar a few times. Never even caught my eye, which I guess is the point?

[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.