[Deleted]

Amora stood outside the office building and looked up, counting the floors from the street.  She leveled her gaze toward the lobby and smoothed out the maroon skirt that stopped just above her knees and checked her cream blouse before heading up to the lobby entrance where a security guard stopped her.  She introduced herself and told him who she was meeting and the guard called someone on his radio.  Then he called someone else on the nearby intercom and, once he received a satisfactory reply, stepped aside and let her enter.  She thanked him and stepped into the lobby and, once she had found the elevators, took one of the cars up to the floor she had been instructed to head to once she had arrived.
    The elevator was against the side of the building and was built with a glass partition so that you could see the city as you rode up.  The night sky speckled with countless stars, like white pinholes in a black canvass, the full moon casting a navy hue out, radial and almost cloud-like on this night the lunar light so pronounced.  Amora stepped back from the glass and focused on her faint reflection staring back at her.  She knew who these men were, what they did.  
    But money was money.
    The elevator dinged at last and she turned around and found herself in a smaller lobby, this one adorned with fine carpet and paintings that likely cost actual fortunes.  But no one was present.  She listened but heard no one and looked around, then checked the slip of paper she had written the floor number on and confirmed that she was in the right place.  She let the silence surround her a few moments longer then said, "Hello?"
    There was clicking coming from down the hall and a young woman entered from a hallway.  "Oh, I'm sorry.  I had just stepped out.  Have you been waiting long, Miss...?"
    "Rivera," Amora said, using her real name.  She knew mingling with criminals was against federal policy, but she was not one to turn down an extra paycheck.  "I was told to meet here tonight.  I doubt I'm in any appointment book of yours, though."

[Sonnet Matsuda]

In the end everything collides

328

@amora

Sonnet wasn't supposed to have been here for this meeting, but things always seemed to conspire against her. She was sure that Kenshin would not have kept her around if he could've helped it, the other man in the meeting however, she knew he would do his best to make her life worse.

Ando was a worm, a dangerous worm, but a worm nonetheless. She'd never liked him, he'd always looked at her lasciviously, since she'd helped her father with the business, when she was fifteen. His gaze alone made her feel dirty. If he wasn't her superior she would have beaten his face in. That said, it was tempting simply to remove him from her life by force, and yet he had friends, and she'd have to do it carefully to not leave behind a trace.

That satisfaction would be for another time.

Kenshin had sent his secretary down for the woman while he, Sonnet and Ando finished their business. The woman was showed up and in by the secretary. Kenshin carefully folded up the documents they were examining, while Sonnet signed one last contract. It made life as a criminal a lot easier when there was a legitimate business behind you. Kenshin had a dozen different people ready to support alibis, all of them with perfectly valid jobs as office managers.

Sonnet raised an eyebrow, she could see why her services were being purchased, she was quite beautiful.

She clenched her teeth. She felt a strange sensation in her chest, feeling it worsen as she looked away from the other woman.

Sonnet slipped the last of the papers into a folder and dropped then into Kenshin's out tray. She slipped a final piece into her pocket, that manifest would be important. Kenshin smiled faintly as he retook his seat and gestured for the newcomer to come closer while Ando stared at her with unbridled lust.

"Miss Rivera."

Kenshin's voice was identical to his appearance, colourless and grey.

My childhood spat back out the monster that you see

► kaigra ◄

[Deleted]

The secretary smiled.  "You're right, Ms. Rivera.  You're not in our book.  But I was informed you were coming and they would be expecting you.  Please follow me."
    Amora followed the secretary back out into the hall and was taken to another elevator, this one unlike the one that brought her from the ground floor.  They stepped inside and the secretary swiped a keycard and they began to ascend, no window to peer out of this time.  "A different elevator for this trip?" Amora said.
    "Yes ma'am," the secretary said.  "Consider it a...precaution, if you will."
    "Got to do what you got to do," Amora said.  
    "Yes ma'am."
    The elevator finally stopped with a ding and Amora followed the secretary into what appeared to be a type of boardroom.  Men were seated, documents resting on the long table.  In one seat a slight young woman was signing some papers and Amora watched as she put the file into an outbox.  Her gaze moved to the men, one in particular was eying her without any attempt at subtlety.  She ignored him as another seated man beckoned her over.  He addressed her first and she figured he was the one in charge, the one she knew the name of.  She approached and held out her hand.  "A pleasure to meet you, Mr. Enatsu.  Thank you for having me.  I hope I'm not intruding on your meeting?"

[Sonnet Matsuda]

In the end everything collides

414

@amora

The secretary who had escorted the woman up here nodded once, then left, closing the double doors of the office boardroom behind her. The room was large, and intentionally impressive, with a large walnut table that stretched the length of the room, and a heavy desk with a sleek computer monitor to one side of it. A projector hung from the ceiling, directed towards one side of the room where a pull down screen had been stowed.

The whole room was tastefully furnished, with the kind of taste that suggested a lot of money had been spent to do so. It was every inch the legitimate boardroom of a respected company. Occasionally legitimate business was even carried out within these four walls. No truly legitimate business would have hired this woman though. Sonnet wondered idly if the woman knew who it was had requested her services.

Kenshin spoke, "No of course not."

He shook the hand she held out.

"I'm sure you have a good idea of why we have procured your services. We have a valued friend that would appreciate your company."

Sonnet rose to go, but paused as Kenshin called her name. "Sonnet-Kohai, I would like you to come along to the meeting."

Ando's stare was yanked back to Sonnet, yet this time it was filled with jealousy, he understood, as did she, that this was a rare mark of favour from Kenshin. She inclined her head respectfully, knowing that she did not deserve this honour, and wishing that she did not have to go. "Yes Kenshin-San, do we leave now?"

He glanced at Ando, his face betraying nothing, then nodded, "Yes."

He held out an arm, which she took, and then she rested a hand gingerly on the woman's shoulder. The world turned inside out, and when it returned to normal they were stood in the garage below the building. Kenshin, used to travelling this way, shook off the nausea with ease. Sonnet resisted the urge to check if the woman was OK, instead striding towards the office that Kenshin's driver used when his services were not needed.

---

Ten minutes later they were pulled up outside a hotel to collect their guest, a European 'business man' who eyed both Sonnet and Amora before wrapping an arm around the woman hired for his entertainment. There would be some entertainment, more girls, a meal, and copious amounts of alcohol, before they really got down to business. Sonnet was dreading every minute of it.

My childhood spat back out the monster that you see

► kaigra ◄

[Deleted]

Kenshin returned Amora’s offer of a handshake and clarified why they had arranged for her services.  She nodded.  “I am aware,” she said.  She left it at that.  For one, it was not the right place to discuss such matters.  After all, the specifics had been discussed prior.  Amora made it her business not to discuss what could be considered intimate knowledge with anyone except the client.  “I’ll make sure your friend is well taken care of.”
    Then the girl stood up from the table and Kenshin called out to her.  Sonnet.  A pretty name.  Amora rolled it around in her head and had to fight the temptation to repeat it with her lips.  Going by Sonnet’s reaction, the invitation had surprised her.  Amora wondered what her role was in all of this.  A type of personal assistant?  
    She had no time to ponder further, for Sonnet came over and put a slender hand on her shoulder then Amora felt as if she were in the first stage of falling, a heave in her chest, an intake of breath.  No time to even close her eyes and wonder what was happening, because she saw that they were standing in the parking garage then.  She stumbled a little, looking around and mouthing Wow.  Then a wave of nausea came over her and she prayed she wouldn’t vomit on her skirt and shoes, but the sensation passed and she stood straighter and was taken to a car and got in and they left the garage.
    They arrived at the event and Amora got out and was introduced to her client, a European man.  She was all professional now.  All smiles and flirting, prepared to laugh at all of the bad jokes and act interested while the men surely talked business from time to time.  As they went inside Amora glanced at Sonnet, wondering how she stood this every single day.  Then she decided that it was likely the same reason she did: a great paycheck.

[Sonnet Matsuda]

In the end everything collides

291

@amora

Sonnet caught the glance Amora threw her way, and pursed her lips in distaste. She could see the curiousity in her gaze, and had to fight the urge to smile as Kenshin introduced her to the European as his lieutenant. No doubt the woman had thought her some sort of arm-candy like she herself was. She would be sorely disappointed.

Kenshin was her superior, and so he did most of the talking, but it became rapidly more obvious why she had been brought along. The areas the man was interested in were her territories and her specialities. He was a drugs trafficker. Sonnet didn't have much to do with it directly, but she ran a network of dealers, collected payments, kept them loyal. It was logical that she should be a part of this negotiation.

Annoyingly, the man kept being distracted by Amora. Not actively, the woman was far too much of a professional for that, but he seemed unable to keep his eyes, and his hands off her. Sonnet didn't have a particularly high opinion of the woman anyway, and it was difficult not to let that opinion spread to the man currently drooling over her. It already had of course, but she had to keep up the pretence that she respected him.

After all, his business could bring the Yakuza millions of dollars. If he thought the woman he was doing business with found him repulsive then he might not be so eager to make dealings with them. She let Kenshin do most of the talking.

Eventually the European went to the mens room, making a crude joke as he left, and Sonnet allowed herself to look the woman up and down. "You seem a little old for this…"

My childhood spat back out the monster that you see

► kaigra ◄

[Deleted]

The conversations droned on and Amora smiled and nodded, listening to what the men said and refusing to absorb any of it. She knew nothing about them except that they were loaded, consuming more drinks, occasionally offering her one, which she always declined. She knew how these sometimes went. Guys drank too much. Girls had a good time. Somebody slips something in another’s drink and lives are ruined. Amora didn’t play that game with anyone, no matter who was footing the bill. So she played along and sipped her water, the little square ice cubes thinking together.
    She looked over at Sonnet. This woman was no secretary. She was not like Amora, either. Whatever her job was, these big shots trusted her. Amora wasn’t surprised. Anyone who could teleport would be an asset to any team, Amora thought.
    Eventually the European got up, made a distasteful joke, and left to use the restroom. Amora watched him go with feigned curiosity. Then Sonnet spoke to her. Amora looked at her, thinking over what she had said. Her base reaction would get her fired or worse. Federal offense or not, Amora didn’t want to get on the bad side of these men. So she smiled instead. “You might think so,” she said. “Thirty-one isn’t a bad age, believe it or not.”
    The girl appeared younger, perhaps barely eighteen. She wouldn’t put it behind these men to hire such a person. It probably looked good on a resume.
“And what do you do? I saw you with some files earlier. Are you like a consultant? Accountant?”

[Sonnet Matsuda]

In the end everything collides

356

@amora

Sonnet was drinking at least in time with the men, but was showing no sign of the negative side-effects that usually came with the rapid consumption of alcohol. It was a benefit of her ability. The energy that was required to literally tear a hole in the universe was immense, and while no human body should be able to produce that kind of power she could. Admittedly it came at the cost of an inhumanly fast metabolism. She hadn't gained weight since the event, and it took enough alcohol to kill a normal human just to get her tipsy. Still, it meant she could play the part.

She was holding a glass of whatever whiskey the European had ordered. It was good stuff, although probably overpriced, she got the impression that the man had just ordered the most expensive drink on the menu. It wasn't to her taste, but it was smooth, and it was alcohol. She downed the glass, placing it back on the table.

Her vision was remarkably clear for someone who had consumed enough alcohol to render a man twice her weight unsteady on his feet. Kenshin had barely drunk at all. Enough to appear that he was sharing in the European's habits, but she could have sworn he was still nursing the same glass. He was staring into the middle distance, ignoring the two women. Sonnet knew that the meeting was going well, and so it was likely that the Yakuza boss didn't need to talk to her.

"You think because I am female that I am merely a visitor to this world? Someone hired in like you?"

Her accent was harsh, almost mechanical, with the flat note that revealed the fact that it was a second language.

"I removed a finger from the last person who asked me that."

She glared at the older woman, then gestured roughly in the direction of the bathroom, "But I doubt he would be interested in damaged merchandise."

She didn't quite spit, but it was pretty obvious from her tone that she didn't have a lot of respect for the escort, high class or not.

My childhood spat back out the monster that you see

► kaigra ◄

[Deleted]

Amora studied Sonnet, eyes narrowed at the remark Sonnet had made.  But her expression did not reveal annoyance.  Nor fear.  No, Amora only showed pity.  This little woman bowing up at her like a trapped animal threatened by a larger predator.  Perhaps compensating.  But for what?  Amora could only wonder.  She took a sip of her water and tried to think of what kind of background this woman had.  Was it one of poverty?  Wealth?  She possessed some education - whether on the street or in the classroom Amora could not say - for she was working for such an...esteemed group of individuals.  Amora took another drink of water.  "I never said that," she said.  "I asked if you were an accountant.  Since you were handling a file earlier."
    She set her glass on the table and slowly touched her fingers to the tablecloth, her nails not making a sound.  "To be honest I don't really care what you do.  I don't care what they do.  I don't care what he," she gestured to the bathroom where the European went, "does.  You're all just a means to an end."  She gave a soft smile.  "So go ahead, make your threats.  I don't care.  I've heard it all before.  I've dealt with it all before."
    She leaned forward.  She was tempted to goad the girl further, but she wanted to be the better person.  Maybe Sonnet was just having a bad day.  Maybe she would be better tomorrow.  She picked up her glass and leaned back, eying Sonnet.  She raised her glass high, and with a raised voice said, "A su salud! To your good health!"

[Sonnet Matsuda]

In the end everything collides

292

@sal

It was probably fortunate that Sonnet had looked away at the moment Amora's eyes narrowed. Pity was not the right emotion to respond to her with, certainly not with the mood she was in. Of course Sonnet had no way of knowing Amora's abilities, but then Amora had only the briefest flash of hers.

The older woman's blasé response only angered her more, and she had to almost forcibly restrain herself. Kenshin had not turned, or spoken, but she could tell from his shift in stance that he was listening. She could not lose her temper here and attempt to kill the woman. It would be humiliating to show that the woman was getting to her. Sonnet didn't even know why she was reacting so strongly to the escort; she shouldn't care anything for her opinion.

Sonnet poured out another glass of the whiskey, way beyond the amount that was really respectable. She raised it a moment after Amora did, though her glare was still clear enough.

"Kanpai."

She sounded sullen. And it probably wouldn't have been a surprise to Amora when she downed the entire glass, quickly refilling it. The liquid burned as it went down, but it was good whiskey, better than the stuff she normally drank. Not that it was saying much. When it took multiple bottles of whiskey to get drunk you learned to focus on quantity over quality.

She glanced over at Kenshin again, the man had clearly relaxed. The European was clearly taking his time as well, and so she looked back to the escort. Her voice was hesitant, and she was obviously still angry, "I am sorry, most assume that because I am a woman, I could not possibly be a part of the organisation."

My childhood spat back out the monster that you see

► kaigra ◄

[Deleted]

Sonnet poured a good load of whiskey into her glass and raised it with a toast of her own - given her current mood, Amora would not be surprised if it was really an insult. But whatever it was, she rolled with it and took a drink. She wondered just how much Sonnet would have to drink before it affected her.  She wondered a lot of things about the skinny little girl.  Why was she so cranky?Could she fight?  Shoot?  Skip rope?  Do a handstand?  And just how far was that stick shoved up her backside?  Many questions, so few answers at the present moment.  So she took a deep breath and relaxed.
    Sonnet glanced over at Kenshin, then turned back to Amora and apologized.  Amora eyed the bathroom and frowned.  She looked at Sonnet again.  "Don't worry about it," she said.  "I guessed accountant or something because those guys are pretty important to an organization, I'd say."
    The European had not come back yet and Amora wondered how long this little party was going to last.  She wondered if they dragged Sonnet to all of these things.  For all she knew, Sonnet might like them.  But Amora had to wonder if Sonnet was bored out of her skull.  Amora knew she was.  
    She glanced down and pulled the St. Christopher medallion up from her chest and studied it for a few moments, but let it go when the European finally came back and they resumed their talk.  Amora was thankful that there was a clock on the wall.  Professionals didn't check their watches on company time.

[Sonnet Matsuda]

In the end everything collides

374

@amora

She still didn't like the woman. Swallowing her pride had been an effort, but it had been necessary to diffuse the palpable tension before the return of their business associate. Not that she'd managed that. Amora seemed to have relaxed, but Sonnet still felt tight as a bow string. She took a breath in through her nose, sending her mind back to a moment years ago, with her father. He'd trained her in several martial arts, but he'd taught her to control herself first of all.

Sonnet was glad that Kenshin had brought her along, it was a rare sign of favour, and she had been able to contribute something to the negotiations. Now though it seemed there was little left for her to say, it seemed a sure thing, the European was clearly a shrewd man, but he had come intending to do business.

Glancing over at Amora again, Sonnet caught the woman studying something in her hand, she recognised the icon as she dropped it to hang once more about her chest. Sonnet looked away swiftly, but she'd seen the St Christopher's medal. She wondered if Amora was actually religious, or simply one of those people that affected the imagery of faith.

It was clear when the European returned from the bathroom that the deal was all but done, his attention wandered considerably from the business at hand after only a few minutes. Sonnet watched as his hands wandered as well, feeling almost irrationally angry at his behaviour. It was as if he was here for the woman, not for the business deal they had done. She restrained herself though, glancing away towards the bar, as though considering buying another drink. In reality she was trying to get a handle on herself, she was honest enough with herself to know that her temper normally balanced on a knife edge, but she was not feeling herself tonight. She flicked a glance towards the escort, was it something to do with her? Perhaps she was rubbing her up the wrong way.

It wasn't long before they were leaving, heading downstairs towards the limousine Kenshin had leased for the evening.

Later Sonnet would reflect that it was probably the moment that everything went to shit.

My childhood spat back out the monster that you see

► kaigra ◄

[Deleted]

The European finally returned from the restroom and continued his discussion with the others.  Amora went back into her own thoughts, thinking of what waited for her tomorrow or the next day.  Being a public figure like she was, Amora had an image to live up to.  She knew she was potentially compromising this image with her mingling with these criminals, but she had her own life to live.  She figured her positive track record more than balanced out a night on the town with the likes of these men.  Besides, these were businessmen - or so they present themselves as such.  She had not needed to hit anyone, although Sonnet had been tempting quite a few times this evening.
    Thankfully the evening came to an end and the men concluded their meeting.  Amora stood up, her arm slipping through the European's, and everyone headed downstairs into the parking garage where the limousine waited for them.
    They reached the lower level and exited the elevator and rounded the corner and stepped through the glass door that led into the garage.  Amora watched a swarm of gnats fluttering around the bulb nearest them.  There was the sound of an engine starting up then the limo came around.  Amora heard some car doors slam from somewhere further down.  She watched the driver step out and open the door for her and step aside, his hand on the handle.  "Thank you," she said, approaching.
    There was a dull pop and Amora felt something splatter onto her cheek.  She winced involuntarily then saw the driver slump forward against the door, the side of his head running red, and collapse.  The door slammed shut with the force of his fall and she turned and saw some armed men down behind a few cars, taking aim.  
    Then they opened fire.

[Sonnet Matsuda]

In the end everything collides

271

@amora

Sonnet reacted instinctively when she saw the driver go down. Dramatic gunfights might not be as commonplace as they had been in the 20s, but they happened, and you either learned fast or you never learned anything again. She pushed Kenshin and Amora down, dropping herself, she spoke urgently to her superior in Japanese.

"Get behind the car, they're after you or him."

She nodded at the European. Kenshin didn't argue, the man could look after himself, but Sonnet was a metahuman, and she could deal with this situation a great deal more efficiently. Glancing over her shoulder, Sonnet rose, spinning and raising one leg to execute a back kick back towards the car. Before it could land there was a faint rush of air and she was gone. She reappeared behind one of the men who had opened fire on the group, and the force of her kick slammed his forehead of the hood of the car. He dropped instantly.

The man next to him turned to fire, but Sonnet forced the barrel up into the air and sank a knee into his groin, vanishing a fraction of a second before another man had the chance to riddle her with bullets. He hit his friend instead, and the windows of the SUV exploded as bullets passed through them.

Sonnet reappeared behind the car, crouching next to Kenshin and Amora. The grey Yakuza boss was holding a handgun of his own. She spoke to him rapidly in Japanese, "They're well-armed, this isn't opportunistic, they knew we were going to be here."

She glanced towards Amora, "Who else knew about this meeting?"

My childhood spat back out the monster that you see

► kaigra ◄

[Deleted]

Amora stepped away from the driver's body and felt a shove and keeled over behind cover.  Sonnet spoke to Kenshin in Japanese and Amora listened to the gunfire.  The dull pops remained level.  They had to be using suppressors.  This wasn't off the cuff opportunity.  This was intentional.  They had been waiting for someone in this group, likely Kenshin or the European.  Or both.
    Then Sonnet vanished and Amora heard a commotion and peeked over the hood and saw Sonnet taking the men down.  She was quick.  Then like a magician's trick she vanished and was behind the car again.  She said something else to Kenshin then turned to Amora and asked her who else knew about the meeting.  Amora shook her head.  "No one.  I came alone.  This has to be somebody else."
    An arm wrapped around her neck and yanked her to her feet.  She felt the cool barrel of the pistol against her temple as the European pressed it against her temple.  He was speaking to the others.  Amora looked at Sonnet.  She thought about why she had come here.  She had just wanted a good time.  These men and their meetings meant nothing to her.  But now this had become personal.  No one put a gun to her head.  They had to live with the consequences, as she did.  Being around such men was already a gamble.  Now the game had changed.  
    Amora's blouse, a thinner material than the skirt, tore first as she raised an arm and elbowed the European in the way that the self-defense courses had taught her.  The gun fired at an angle, her right ear ringing with the blast.  As she changed, her skirt followed and soon had no covering.  She cursed these men.  She had not anticipated the night to go down like this, so she had not brought her uniform.  This was going to be a long, aggravating night.
    The European's eyes widened as she went for him and he fired again and again, emptying the magazine to reload.  The bullets bounced off of her skin and fell to the ground as she closed in.  She backhanded him, her increased strength from her change enough to cartwheel him onto the top of the limousine.  She turned to Sonnet.  "Get everyone out of here.  I'll handle the shooters."