“Can I get a venti black iced coffee?” A relatively tall woman asked the barista at a local coffee joint, not even looking up from her phone.
“Sure thing! Can I get a name for the order?” The barista responded, almost too cheerily.
The woman moved her eyes but not her head as she looked at the barista with an annoyed expression. “Vex.” Her eyes immediately returned to her phone. You’d think after 3 daily trips to the same coffee shop someone would learn her name by now.
Vex lazily waved her phone at the card reader to pay and then walked away without a word. She stood there, 5’9” with long hair that was mostly blonde save for one dark brown streak that almost looked black, and impatiently waited for her coffee order. She was dressed in a thin black turtle neck that was tucked into some black high waisted jeans that perfectly shaped her body. Over top that she wore a wonderfully unique magenta raincoat that matched a pair of sunglasses she was not currently wearing but had stashed in case the day called for it. She loved fashion, even between her massive work load.
Her phone rang in her hand as her order came to the bar. She answered the call and grabbed her drink simultaneously.
“What?” She said, rather loudly as she found a seat next to the window. A moment passed before Vex snapped, “Why are you calling me about this, Clint? Is this your first fucking day? Put it in the dossier and have it sent to me. Christ, I don’t get paid enough to deal with this this bullshit.” And with that she hung up with another signature eye roll. Life as a mercenary had left little room for the coddling of male incompetency.
She sighed deeply, took a deep breath and took one sip of her cold brew. The sweet relief of caffeine.
“Sure thing! Can I get a name for the order?” The barista responded, almost too cheerily.
The woman moved her eyes but not her head as she looked at the barista with an annoyed expression. “Vex.” Her eyes immediately returned to her phone. You’d think after 3 daily trips to the same coffee shop someone would learn her name by now.
Vex lazily waved her phone at the card reader to pay and then walked away without a word. She stood there, 5’9” with long hair that was mostly blonde save for one dark brown streak that almost looked black, and impatiently waited for her coffee order. She was dressed in a thin black turtle neck that was tucked into some black high waisted jeans that perfectly shaped her body. Over top that she wore a wonderfully unique magenta raincoat that matched a pair of sunglasses she was not currently wearing but had stashed in case the day called for it. She loved fashion, even between her massive work load.
Her phone rang in her hand as her order came to the bar. She answered the call and grabbed her drink simultaneously.
“What?” She said, rather loudly as she found a seat next to the window. A moment passed before Vex snapped, “Why are you calling me about this, Clint? Is this your first fucking day? Put it in the dossier and have it sent to me. Christ, I don’t get paid enough to deal with this this bullshit.” And with that she hung up with another signature eye roll. Life as a mercenary had left little room for the coddling of male incompetency.
She sighed deeply, took a deep breath and took one sip of her cold brew. The sweet relief of caffeine.
The older and smaller woman stood a few people behind Vex, waiting patiently in line as she watched the younger woman curiously.
Look inside, this one is deceiving to the eye... came that familiar caress, sensing a delightful thrill up her spine.
Victoria shivered and with some hesitancy lowered her mental walls a fraction of the way, reaching an unseen hand out to peer inside the woman’s mind as the younger girl distracted herself with her phone. She was in and out, doing a cursory glance more than anything.
She had to concede the voice was correct.
“A venti latte, soy, blond, quad shot and extra hot. As hot as you are legally allowed to make it,” she ordered directly, paying with the app on her phone and moving to stand off to the side.
Her name was called out a little quietly, the baristas recognizing her and feeling a bit intimidated. She offered a politician’s smile and grabbed her drink, sliding a ten into the tip jar.
Victoria moved easily through the crowd, clothed today in a deep red blouse with a few buttons undone, a black designer camisole slightly visible underneath if she shifted the right away. She was wearing a black pencil skirt with a slit up the side and dark red, sheer thigh highs, her long legs sliding down into leather Prada pumps that would have her just under Vex’s height.
She moved to stand behind the empty chair opposite Vex and smiled beautifully and a bit scarily down at the girl, her smile a sharks grin and the light of the day briefly casting a peculiar shadow across her face. The moment faded as she asked, “Tiffany Jones, right? Would you mind I sat down. I believe we have much to discuss.”
Look inside, this one is deceiving to the eye... came that familiar caress, sensing a delightful thrill up her spine.
Victoria shivered and with some hesitancy lowered her mental walls a fraction of the way, reaching an unseen hand out to peer inside the woman’s mind as the younger girl distracted herself with her phone. She was in and out, doing a cursory glance more than anything.
She had to concede the voice was correct.
“A venti latte, soy, blond, quad shot and extra hot. As hot as you are legally allowed to make it,” she ordered directly, paying with the app on her phone and moving to stand off to the side.
Her name was called out a little quietly, the baristas recognizing her and feeling a bit intimidated. She offered a politician’s smile and grabbed her drink, sliding a ten into the tip jar.
Victoria moved easily through the crowd, clothed today in a deep red blouse with a few buttons undone, a black designer camisole slightly visible underneath if she shifted the right away. She was wearing a black pencil skirt with a slit up the side and dark red, sheer thigh highs, her long legs sliding down into leather Prada pumps that would have her just under Vex’s height.
She moved to stand behind the empty chair opposite Vex and smiled beautifully and a bit scarily down at the girl, her smile a sharks grin and the light of the day briefly casting a peculiar shadow across her face. The moment faded as she asked, “Tiffany Jones, right? Would you mind I sat down. I believe we have much to discuss.”
Vex had seen the woman come in and she knew exactly who she was, but that meant almost nothing to our little firecracker. Vex was staring out the window at the passers by when Victoria approached her. “Hon, I don’t know where you’re getting your information from but if they’re giving you that name - they don’t know anything about me,” Vex said, her gaze still planted on the outside world. She turned her attention to the politician and shook her head a little with a chuckle.
“It’s Vex. Tiffany died a long time ago,” the woman said, the last of her sentence trailing off a bit. She took another sip of her coffee and examined the woman before her. Prada shoes - nice.
“You sure you wanna be seen in public with me, doll? I’m not exactly the vision of virtue you politicians like to keep as arm candy. Can’t say I’d mind being seen with a woman like yourself though.” Vex said with a wink. Was she flirting? Yes, but only because it always worked. Vex was not above using her sexual prowess to get top dollar out of a client.
“It’s Vex. Tiffany died a long time ago,” the woman said, the last of her sentence trailing off a bit. She took another sip of her coffee and examined the woman before her. Prada shoes - nice.
“You sure you wanna be seen in public with me, doll? I’m not exactly the vision of virtue you politicians like to keep as arm candy. Can’t say I’d mind being seen with a woman like yourself though.” Vex said with a wink. Was she flirting? Yes, but only because it always worked. Vex was not above using her sexual prowess to get top dollar out of a client.
Victoria would remain standing the entire time they spoke, enjoying the semblance of superiority that literally looking down your nose at someone gave you.
She smiled again, an empty smile full of platitudes. “Yes, I’m sure Tiffany died after being sold,” she stated conversationally, her tone polite as if she were addressing a press room.
Victoria glanced around the room and arched a finely manicured eyebrow up, and as she did everything came to a grounding halt. The machines continued but the people all stood frozen, and she looked back to Vex with a surprisingly casual gesture of one shoulder lifting and a hand coming up as if to say: who will tell?
“You were saying?” She remarked as she finally sat down, removing her dark grey coat that her writer forgot to mention that she was wearing over her suit. She was all prim and proper as she sat down, taking a sip from her searing hot latte as the life returned to the room. The customers and employees alike continued on with their day like nothing happened.
“No one will remember either of us were here, as far as I’m concerned,” and she would rest her chin alone the backs of her hands, cocking her head to the side.
“Oh, darling... you will have to do better than that if you want to seduce me,” Victoria husked, leaning toward and reaching out telekinetically to wrap an unseen hand around the girl’s throat, squeezing but not in a life threatening manner. Her words also came out in a strange manner, sounding as if they were being whispered directly against the shell of the girl’s ear.
“My family did not appreciate what they had in a daughter, either. I barely made it out of my child alive. Yet you survived, Miss Jones. You are a survivor, aren’t you?” Her eyes were dark, molten chocolate as hey glittered seductively at the girl. Yet this seduction was far ahead of merely sexual, there was a darker promise in her gaze.
“I have use for a survivor.”
She smiled again, an empty smile full of platitudes. “Yes, I’m sure Tiffany died after being sold,” she stated conversationally, her tone polite as if she were addressing a press room.
Victoria glanced around the room and arched a finely manicured eyebrow up, and as she did everything came to a grounding halt. The machines continued but the people all stood frozen, and she looked back to Vex with a surprisingly casual gesture of one shoulder lifting and a hand coming up as if to say: who will tell?
“You were saying?” She remarked as she finally sat down, removing her dark grey coat that her writer forgot to mention that she was wearing over her suit. She was all prim and proper as she sat down, taking a sip from her searing hot latte as the life returned to the room. The customers and employees alike continued on with their day like nothing happened.
“No one will remember either of us were here, as far as I’m concerned,” and she would rest her chin alone the backs of her hands, cocking her head to the side.
“Oh, darling... you will have to do better than that if you want to seduce me,” Victoria husked, leaning toward and reaching out telekinetically to wrap an unseen hand around the girl’s throat, squeezing but not in a life threatening manner. Her words also came out in a strange manner, sounding as if they were being whispered directly against the shell of the girl’s ear.
“My family did not appreciate what they had in a daughter, either. I barely made it out of my child alive. Yet you survived, Miss Jones. You are a survivor, aren’t you?” Her eyes were dark, molten chocolate as hey glittered seductively at the girl. Yet this seduction was far ahead of merely sexual, there was a darker promise in her gaze.
“I have use for a survivor.”
Vex lifted only one, also very manicured eyebrow in response to Victoria’s little psychic theater stunt. She had seen it all at this point, though she had to admit miss ma’am had some style. When the telekinetic choke hold gripped Vex’s throat she smirked a little as the woman spoke. This very moment reminded her of a scene in Charlies Angels: Full Throttle in which Demi Moore did some -very- homoerotic villainous monologuing. Watching this scene was a very formative moment for young Tiffany.
When the politician finished her little show, Vex would raise a hand to adjust her turtle neck and wipe just a tiny droplet of sweat from the bridge of her nose.
“So you’re a psychic. What do you want- a standing ovation or something? It’s kind of rude poking your nose in people’s minds uninvited, don’t you think? I figured a politician would know better.” She rolled her eyes again.
“Bug off lady, I don’t ‘survive’ for free. If you want my services write a fucking check.” Vex turned her attention back the the outside world and took another long sip of her coffee.
When the politician finished her little show, Vex would raise a hand to adjust her turtle neck and wipe just a tiny droplet of sweat from the bridge of her nose.
“So you’re a psychic. What do you want- a standing ovation or something? It’s kind of rude poking your nose in people’s minds uninvited, don’t you think? I figured a politician would know better.” She rolled her eyes again.
“Bug off lady, I don’t ‘survive’ for free. If you want my services write a fucking check.” Vex turned her attention back the the outside world and took another long sip of her coffee.
Victoria’s smile deepened, turning sharper by the minute and the deep rouge of her lips taking on a much more vicious hue. Of course, that little thought hit her radar courtesy of the voice in the back of her mind and she almost laughed.
“I’m not one for playing games, Miss Jones. I like to cut right to the meat of it, if you will. My talents enable me to do just that. I apologize for the intrusion but I feel it was a necessary one as you don’t seem like the most forthcoming,” and she’s gesture to Vex as if that was enough of an explanation. She didn’t even look chastised by the comment, instead coming across severely nonplussed.
“I don’t require such ego inflating trite as that. Merely showing you that neither of us need worry about anyone seeing us,” she replied with a huff, her eyes narrowing for a moment at the girl.
“Silly girl, you think I wouldn’t pay you for your services. That is exactly what this is all about. I aim to employ you. You’re exactly the sort of talent I have been looking to scout, so to speak. And you are very talented aren’t you?” Victoria leaned forward again, resting her defined chin along the back of her hand once more, her eyes sparkling with curiosity and something greedier... something desirable but once more it exceeded that of a sexual nature.
“I want to hire you to put together a... protection and investigation detail, so to speak. I wish to employ your services but more importantly I wish to strike up a... partnership. I have always been one to invest in my community and you, my dear, have...” she ran her tongue over her lower lip, eyeing her as if she were a prized pony instead of a person, “so much potential that you are just squandering away. This is an opportunity for... growth, you might say.”
She took a sip from her latte, humming a bit as she did. It might scald anyone else’s tongue but not hers, it would seem.
“I’m not one for playing games, Miss Jones. I like to cut right to the meat of it, if you will. My talents enable me to do just that. I apologize for the intrusion but I feel it was a necessary one as you don’t seem like the most forthcoming,” and she’s gesture to Vex as if that was enough of an explanation. She didn’t even look chastised by the comment, instead coming across severely nonplussed.
“I don’t require such ego inflating trite as that. Merely showing you that neither of us need worry about anyone seeing us,” she replied with a huff, her eyes narrowing for a moment at the girl.
“Silly girl, you think I wouldn’t pay you for your services. That is exactly what this is all about. I aim to employ you. You’re exactly the sort of talent I have been looking to scout, so to speak. And you are very talented aren’t you?” Victoria leaned forward again, resting her defined chin along the back of her hand once more, her eyes sparkling with curiosity and something greedier... something desirable but once more it exceeded that of a sexual nature.
“I want to hire you to put together a... protection and investigation detail, so to speak. I wish to employ your services but more importantly I wish to strike up a... partnership. I have always been one to invest in my community and you, my dear, have...” she ran her tongue over her lower lip, eyeing her as if she were a prized pony instead of a person, “so much potential that you are just squandering away. This is an opportunity for... growth, you might say.”
She took a sip from her latte, humming a bit as she did. It might scald anyone else’s tongue but not hers, it would seem.
Vex kept her eyes on the crowd of people passing just outside the shop, her eyes almost hyper focused on every single movement that happened. She couldn’t help but chuckle as the women spoke. She loved it when they used big words.
When her talents came into conversation, Vex would bring her attention back to the woman. As Victoria leaned forward, so too would Vex, almost standing up out of her chair to come but six inches from Victoria’s face.
“‘Very talented’ is an understatement,” Vex quipped, sinking back into her chair right after and taking a sip of her coffee.
As Vex began, her eyes would be looking directly into Victoria’s. “Listen, you’re kinda fun and I like you. I’ll entertain the idea. But let’s get two things cleared up right away, here. I’m all about open and honest communication in a partnership,” she said, a smile quickly turning into a scowl. “My name is Vex. & I pity the fool who would call me by the name my piece of shit parents gave me after this clear of a warning.” Vex put her coffee on the table and leaned forward again.
“Are we clear? Because I’d love to ‘cut right to the meat of it.’”
When her talents came into conversation, Vex would bring her attention back to the woman. As Victoria leaned forward, so too would Vex, almost standing up out of her chair to come but six inches from Victoria’s face.
“‘Very talented’ is an understatement,” Vex quipped, sinking back into her chair right after and taking a sip of her coffee.
As Vex began, her eyes would be looking directly into Victoria’s. “Listen, you’re kinda fun and I like you. I’ll entertain the idea. But let’s get two things cleared up right away, here. I’m all about open and honest communication in a partnership,” she said, a smile quickly turning into a scowl. “My name is Vex. & I pity the fool who would call me by the name my piece of shit parents gave me after this clear of a warning.” Vex put her coffee on the table and leaned forward again.
“Are we clear? Because I’d love to ‘cut right to the meat of it.’”
Victoria studied her a bit, already having an idea of her abilities from the brief glance inside her mind. However she wanted to experience that for herself. She did so enjoy the physicality of it all.
“I’m sure,” she replied quickly, and smoothly. If she was rattled by that sudden movement it didn’t show. “Be that as it may, you don’t need to oversell yourself, dear. That being said, I am very keen on seeing these talents for myself.”
She took another small sip from her pretentious latte, cutting her eyes back to Vex. “Fun?” And she sounded genuinely surprised by that particular compliment, if her raised eyebrows and lightly flushed cheeks were any indication. Victoria’s awe didn’t last very long as her eyebrows dropped down, eyes narrowing into slits.
“While I do dislike being on any sort of first name basis with anyone... if that is your only demand, I will acquiesce. I can see why that is your chosen name,” the older woman commented rather dryly, displaying some of that dry wit the politician was renowned for when dealing with the press or members of the opposite party. Hell, just members of the opposite sex.
“I accept. However, you will still call me Ms. Demure, is that clear?” And she offered her hand out, dainty yet should Vex take it her grip was surprisingly firm. “Not Mrs.,” she added, her lips quirking up again. “Like I said, this is a partnership but since I am paying for your services, all that I ask for is just a smidgeon of respect. You aren’t going to be too difficult, are you” Ms. Demure asked, her eyelashes batting coquettishly at the younger woman, yet she wasn’t trying to be flirtatious, if anyone the gesture would come off a little condescending. Okay, maybe it was also a little flirtatious and challenging in a I’ll step on you and you’ll like it sort of way.
“I’m sure,” she replied quickly, and smoothly. If she was rattled by that sudden movement it didn’t show. “Be that as it may, you don’t need to oversell yourself, dear. That being said, I am very keen on seeing these talents for myself.”
She took another small sip from her pretentious latte, cutting her eyes back to Vex. “Fun?” And she sounded genuinely surprised by that particular compliment, if her raised eyebrows and lightly flushed cheeks were any indication. Victoria’s awe didn’t last very long as her eyebrows dropped down, eyes narrowing into slits.
“While I do dislike being on any sort of first name basis with anyone... if that is your only demand, I will acquiesce. I can see why that is your chosen name,” the older woman commented rather dryly, displaying some of that dry wit the politician was renowned for when dealing with the press or members of the opposite party. Hell, just members of the opposite sex.
“I accept. However, you will still call me Ms. Demure, is that clear?” And she offered her hand out, dainty yet should Vex take it her grip was surprisingly firm. “Not Mrs.,” she added, her lips quirking up again. “Like I said, this is a partnership but since I am paying for your services, all that I ask for is just a smidgeon of respect. You aren’t going to be too difficult, are you” Ms. Demure asked, her eyelashes batting coquettishly at the younger woman, yet she wasn’t trying to be flirtatious, if anyone the gesture would come off a little condescending. Okay, maybe it was also a little flirtatious and challenging in a I’ll step on you and you’ll like it sort of way.
“I said kinda fun,” Vex joked, winking.
Vex took Ms. Demure’s hand into her own, displaying a strong handshake - a businessperson’s handshake. She smiled and nodded.
“As you wish, Ms. Demure,” Vex said, her tone just a bit softer. “I can’t promise I won’t be difficult, but if you can offer me respect I can return it,” she added. She took another sip of her coffee and moved a stray hair from her face.
“So, who’s my first hit? Can you do that mind thing and send me their image or something?” Perhaps the terms weren’t quite clear to Vex yet.
Vex took Ms. Demure’s hand into her own, displaying a strong handshake - a businessperson’s handshake. She smiled and nodded.
“As you wish, Ms. Demure,” Vex said, her tone just a bit softer. “I can’t promise I won’t be difficult, but if you can offer me respect I can return it,” she added. She took another sip of her coffee and moved a stray hair from her face.
“So, who’s my first hit? Can you do that mind thing and send me their image or something?” Perhaps the terms weren’t quite clear to Vex yet.
Victoria actually rolled her eyes, a dramatic affair as she pulled back her hand. “Fun, kind of fun... neither are typically used when in regards to myself,” she said with a dismissive wave of her hand. It was true, she couldn’t really remember a time she had been described as fun. She had to grow up rather quickly and pretty much became her no nonsense self early one. With the addition of her sarcastic tongue, of course.
However, she was definitely having fun. She had never really shown off like this before.
Oh, what an astounding lie, Vicky. You just didn’t let yourself remember how much fun you used to be.
Victoria scowled quickly at the voice, pushing the gesture off her face almost immediately. It wouldn’t do to have her new partner thinking she was crazy.
She did have to admit, though, she did quite like how wilder younger woman said her name. It sent a strange ripple up her spine, something enticing and so very yummy.
Ms. Demure settled into that feeling, letting it uncoil her tense body just slightly.
“As long as you respect me, I will respect you. I haven’t always dressed in designer and been at such a high stature in my life. I have no need to disrespect or judge you prematurely, my dear. You may rest assured,” she stated as honestly as she was able to get across, taking another sip from her slowly cooling beverage.
She would finally chuckle lightly at the younger woman, dark eyes glinting at her. “Ah, the impatience of youth. Rest assured a target will come in due time. However, I need your assistance in recruiting more talent. Do you think you’re up for the challenge?” Dark crimson lips edged up again in that barely simmering smirk, shadowy promises tucked into each end. “I would like for you to be in charge of this team. If you need any weaponry or any sort of funds, you may acquisition them from me. However I will leave this up to for... plausible deniability purposes. As such I will be dealing only in cash to keep this little project off the books.”
She crossed and uncrossed her legs as she moved to lean back in the chair, resting her arm along the back.
“Though, I will like to meet any individual you deem worthy enough for our little group. If I may have final say?” She requested politely, head tilting down. It seemed so far she would keep up her end of the bargain.
However, she was definitely having fun. She had never really shown off like this before.
Oh, what an astounding lie, Vicky. You just didn’t let yourself remember how much fun you used to be.
Victoria scowled quickly at the voice, pushing the gesture off her face almost immediately. It wouldn’t do to have her new partner thinking she was crazy.
She did have to admit, though, she did quite like how wilder younger woman said her name. It sent a strange ripple up her spine, something enticing and so very yummy.
Ms. Demure settled into that feeling, letting it uncoil her tense body just slightly.
“As long as you respect me, I will respect you. I haven’t always dressed in designer and been at such a high stature in my life. I have no need to disrespect or judge you prematurely, my dear. You may rest assured,” she stated as honestly as she was able to get across, taking another sip from her slowly cooling beverage.
She would finally chuckle lightly at the younger woman, dark eyes glinting at her. “Ah, the impatience of youth. Rest assured a target will come in due time. However, I need your assistance in recruiting more talent. Do you think you’re up for the challenge?” Dark crimson lips edged up again in that barely simmering smirk, shadowy promises tucked into each end. “I would like for you to be in charge of this team. If you need any weaponry or any sort of funds, you may acquisition them from me. However I will leave this up to for... plausible deniability purposes. As such I will be dealing only in cash to keep this little project off the books.”
She crossed and uncrossed her legs as she moved to lean back in the chair, resting her arm along the back.
“Though, I will like to meet any individual you deem worthy enough for our little group. If I may have final say?” She requested politely, head tilting down. It seemed so far she would keep up her end of the bargain.
Vex would chuckle a little. "Don't you worry, Ms. Demure. I'm sure you and I will have a lot of fun together," she said, running her finger along the brim of her coffee cup gently. Her finger would wander from the brim of the cup, up and down the metal straw that her writer forgot to mention earlier, and then along the ridges of the lid again, before she finally gripped the cup and took yet another sip.
Vex would cock her brow slightly when she was informed she didn't have to kill anyone right away. To be honest, Vex hadn't had a job that didn't involve immediate and terrific slaughter in many, many years. Probably not since the last time she had a female client, if she really thought about it.
She would nod gently, "I can do that. I have a guy, he's good at finding people. Do you have a profile of what you're looking for?" She asked. Her confidence in Clint was low, but that mostly due to his gender identity rather than his reputation. Clint had actually always pulled through for her when she needed him, which was the only reason she kept him around. She also assumed he had to be gay because he had never talked about a girl even once in her 6 years of knowing him.
"I've got a job I need to finish, but I don't have any other clients on standby. So, after my next hit, I'm all yours," Vex added. "Don't worry though, I won't keep you waiting."
With that, Vex would pull a small notebook from the inside pocket of her magenta raincoat, attached to which was a pen. She jotted down a note that read, Ms. D - Coffee Shop. along with today's date. Very short, hard to decipher, but just enough to help Vex keep track of the interaction. In this notebook were thousands of other very similar notes. Consider it Vex's "Little Black Book (of death and murder)".
Vex would cock her brow slightly when she was informed she didn't have to kill anyone right away. To be honest, Vex hadn't had a job that didn't involve immediate and terrific slaughter in many, many years. Probably not since the last time she had a female client, if she really thought about it.
She would nod gently, "I can do that. I have a guy, he's good at finding people. Do you have a profile of what you're looking for?" She asked. Her confidence in Clint was low, but that mostly due to his gender identity rather than his reputation. Clint had actually always pulled through for her when she needed him, which was the only reason she kept him around. She also assumed he had to be gay because he had never talked about a girl even once in her 6 years of knowing him.
"I've got a job I need to finish, but I don't have any other clients on standby. So, after my next hit, I'm all yours," Vex added. "Don't worry though, I won't keep you waiting."
With that, Vex would pull a small notebook from the inside pocket of her magenta raincoat, attached to which was a pen. She jotted down a note that read, Ms. D - Coffee Shop. along with today's date. Very short, hard to decipher, but just enough to help Vex keep track of the interaction. In this notebook were thousands of other very similar notes. Consider it Vex's "Little Black Book (of death and murder)".
The older woman shivered at the sound of her more proper name coming from the lips of the younger woman. Her eyes darkening further into molten chocolate as she found herself following the girl’s movements, a strange predatory gleam alighting her eyes.
You could always sample the merchandise... it’s been so long... came the intrusive voice within her mind.
“No,” she mistakenly muttered allowed, so transfixed by the girl in front of her she didn’t even realize the slip up.
There is still something called professionalism, she thought to herself.
“What, are you going to loosen me up, young Vex?” She asked coyly, a full smirk on her plump lips. Her eyes rolled again, playfully this time. Many had surely tried to break the Ice Queen facade but none so far had accomplished it, not even her husband. Ex-husband.
Her hands moved to clasp each other around her latte as she slipped back into business mode. “Yes. You have just the background I need. I need more... muscle. As you can most likely ascertain, I am not very physically strong. I have an inkling that in the next few months I will be making more enemies than friends, despite my best wishes. I would like a private security detail filled with individuals such as yourself with unique abilities. The cleaner their backgrounds, real or imagined, the better.”
Her head tilted back up as she studied the girl, her cheeks darkening without her permission.
You hear that? All yours... you should see the things she’s imagining... want she would like to do to you... to us...
Victoria cleared her throat and shifted in her seat, crossing and recrossing her legs.
“Yes, do try not to keep me waiting, dear. I am a patient woman but even I have my limits. When you are done, simply imagine me in your minds eye and I will find you for our next meeting. Understood?” And she’d lift one of those dark eyebrows up, perfectly arched at her charge.
You could always sample the merchandise... it’s been so long... came the intrusive voice within her mind.
“No,” she mistakenly muttered allowed, so transfixed by the girl in front of her she didn’t even realize the slip up.
There is still something called professionalism, she thought to herself.
“What, are you going to loosen me up, young Vex?” She asked coyly, a full smirk on her plump lips. Her eyes rolled again, playfully this time. Many had surely tried to break the Ice Queen facade but none so far had accomplished it, not even her husband. Ex-husband.
Her hands moved to clasp each other around her latte as she slipped back into business mode. “Yes. You have just the background I need. I need more... muscle. As you can most likely ascertain, I am not very physically strong. I have an inkling that in the next few months I will be making more enemies than friends, despite my best wishes. I would like a private security detail filled with individuals such as yourself with unique abilities. The cleaner their backgrounds, real or imagined, the better.”
Her head tilted back up as she studied the girl, her cheeks darkening without her permission.
You hear that? All yours... you should see the things she’s imagining... want she would like to do to you... to us...
Victoria cleared her throat and shifted in her seat, crossing and recrossing her legs.
“Yes, do try not to keep me waiting, dear. I am a patient woman but even I have my limits. When you are done, simply imagine me in your minds eye and I will find you for our next meeting. Understood?” And she’d lift one of those dark eyebrows up, perfectly arched at her charge.
Vex’s gaze lingered on Victoria’s mouth as she spoke, her eyes dilating almost as she studied her new ‘partner’. Her gaze was unwavering, not even a blink interrupting her. Not until Victoria said “No.”
Vex’s focus was broken. She shifted in her seat as Victoria continued, and cast her gaze back out the window at the street.
“Ms. Demure, no offense, but something tells me I couldn’t loosen you up even if I had a horse tranquilizer and a bottle of Jose Quervo,” Vex quipped.
Just as quickly as Victoria began to succumb to Vex’s charm, so too would Vex turn it off. Always keep ‘em wanting more.
As Victoria finished her description of the scope of work, Vex would stand up with her coffee and notebook in hand.
“Understood.”
She stepped to the side and slid her chair in, casting her gaze back at Victoria, blue eyes catching the light for a moment. She pulled out her phone and shot off a text message to Clint.
“Is there... anything else I should know?” Vex asked, as she looked up and proceeded to drop her phone on the ground and stomp on it with her black combat boots until it was completely destroyed. “I’ve got a gig to get to.”
She picked up the shattered phone, chuckled a little to herself at the drama of it all, and then smiled at Victoria. Victoria did say no one would remember them being there, and this was so much easier than remembering to do it later.
Vex’s focus was broken. She shifted in her seat as Victoria continued, and cast her gaze back out the window at the street.
“Ms. Demure, no offense, but something tells me I couldn’t loosen you up even if I had a horse tranquilizer and a bottle of Jose Quervo,” Vex quipped.
Just as quickly as Victoria began to succumb to Vex’s charm, so too would Vex turn it off. Always keep ‘em wanting more.
As Victoria finished her description of the scope of work, Vex would stand up with her coffee and notebook in hand.
“Understood.”
She stepped to the side and slid her chair in, casting her gaze back at Victoria, blue eyes catching the light for a moment. She pulled out her phone and shot off a text message to Clint.
“Is there... anything else I should know?” Vex asked, as she looked up and proceeded to drop her phone on the ground and stomp on it with her black combat boots until it was completely destroyed. “I’ve got a gig to get to.”
She picked up the shattered phone, chuckled a little to herself at the drama of it all, and then smiled at Victoria. Victoria did say no one would remember them being there, and this was so much easier than remembering to do it later.
“Oh, are you admitting to being inefficient at something? Hm, what a pity,” she said with an only slightly feral grin. Something about her just screamed Big Bad Wolf, yet more of the eating you alive variety.
“I also prefer scotch and whiskey to tequila,” she said off handedly, wondering when her tongue had gotten so damn slippery.
Seems an awful waste... ticked at her mind, but she would lock that away for later.
Maybe she was well and truly going crazy.
Victoria startled out of her reverie, not quite jumping at the sound of Vex moving and grinding her phone beneath her heel but definitely startling at it.
“No, dear, that will be all,” she replied, her tone oddly throaty. She cleared it immediately, beginning to wonder if she was coming down with a fever or something to explain her out of character behavior.
She almost didn’t want the younger woman to go.
The councilwoman also stood, issuing a severe glare around the room that would ensure no one would speak of this. Her mind reached out to the manager on duty, nudging her to erase the security footage from the entire week, just as a precaution. And to tidy it up further, accidentally spill a hot coffee on the server itself.
“We will talk soon,” she all but commanded, shifting back into work mode. She had a press conference she needed to get to after all.
“I also prefer scotch and whiskey to tequila,” she said off handedly, wondering when her tongue had gotten so damn slippery.
Seems an awful waste... ticked at her mind, but she would lock that away for later.
Maybe she was well and truly going crazy.
Victoria startled out of her reverie, not quite jumping at the sound of Vex moving and grinding her phone beneath her heel but definitely startling at it.
“No, dear, that will be all,” she replied, her tone oddly throaty. She cleared it immediately, beginning to wonder if she was coming down with a fever or something to explain her out of character behavior.
She almost didn’t want the younger woman to go.
The councilwoman also stood, issuing a severe glare around the room that would ensure no one would speak of this. Her mind reached out to the manager on duty, nudging her to erase the security footage from the entire week, just as a precaution. And to tidy it up further, accidentally spill a hot coffee on the server itself.
“We will talk soon,” she all but commanded, shifting back into work mode. She had a press conference she needed to get to after all.
Vex would simply have to laugh gently as Victoria almost seemed to beg for more. But she would only nod as Victoria concluded.
“Cool.”
With that, Vex would slip her notebook back into her pocket along with the now destroyed phone and be off. She opened the door and went to step out before she stopped herself.
“Oh. And Ms. Demure, I suggest you set aside some time on your calendar to discuss my compensation. You know how to reach me,” she said, winking. With that Vex would away into the bustling streets of Capitol Hill, slipping into the crowd.
“Cool.”
With that, Vex would slip her notebook back into her pocket along with the now destroyed phone and be off. She opened the door and went to step out before she stopped herself.
“Oh. And Ms. Demure, I suggest you set aside some time on your calendar to discuss my compensation. You know how to reach me,” she said, winking. With that Vex would away into the bustling streets of Capitol Hill, slipping into the crowd.
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