Arsen had sat down as well, and for once he was giving Alexa the floor. Because if he was going to be honest with himself - he wasn't - Pidge kinda scared him. A lot.
"Of course," Pidge said warmly, leaning back. The couch squeaked in protest, but he didn't seem to notice. "My children, I've been here to give you a side assignment. You already have the main one, you know, the boring one. This one, the System wants you to do, to test your skills." He shrugged, muscles rippling at the movement. "You two are smart. I'm sure you can do it."
Alexa’s interest was piqued at this. She looked to Pidge curiously not minding the groaning of the couch. Of course if they took the mission that was more to plan and prepare which meant more time spent together. But that was maybe the one downfall, “Alright. So what is this side assignment?”
"We want you to kill someone," Pidge said smoothly, and Arsen, who had been picking up the telephone book that sat on the nightstand, dropped it at the words, and the book thumped against the floor with a loud thud.
Alexa felt her eyes widened slightly. She had never been asked to kill before. Sneak and steal? Well duh. Maim? Occasionally. Kill, never. She looked to Pidge keeping her composure better than Arsen was, "Who is this someone?"
"His name is Cornelius Raddin," Pidge said cheerfully, not seeming to notice how shocked and uncomfortable the two of them were at the thought of killing someone. "No one important."
"If you're asking us to kill someone," Alexa started choosing her words carefully, "Then he must have some importance to the System."
"Of course he doesn't." Pidge waved a dismissive hand. 'We're just testing to see how loyal you are to us, and to your country."
"So we're being told to kill an innocent man," Alexa responded and nodded along leaning back. She held back her panic and shock at what they were being asked to do, "Understood."
"Oh, he's not innocent," Pidge laughed. "He's a criminal. We would never tell you to kill an innocent man unless we were really doubting your loyalty. Which we haven't had reason to yet, so you're fine."
"Oh, good," Alexa nodded. She almost visibly crumpled in releif. She didn't have to kill an innocent. If she had, she wasn't sure she could forgive herself, "Mind if I ask what his crime is?"
"It's murder of a very important official." Pidge shrugged. "Nothing too serious."
Alexa was about ready to pull her hair out. She took a breath in and out realizing she would only go in circle with this man, "Understood. Have any questions for him Arsen?"
"Nope," Arsen said, itching to leave. "Is that it?"
Alexa looked to Pidge. She tooka deep breath and stood up from the couch, "If that was all, than yes I think it was."
"Indeed it was," Pidge said. He stood as well, and handed a card to Alexa. "If you want to contact us, please do so." He ushered them out the door, and shut it behind them.
Arsen walked quickly to the elevator. He knew it wasn't safe to talk so close to them, or even in the same building.
Alexa pocketed the card in her bra as she hurried next to Arsen. She was still attempting to process the whole ordeal. The System probably had the whole place bugged so discussing the situation wouldn’t be the best. In fact, Alexa probably would make sure this card of hers was in a place that wouldn’t be able to hear much in case it was bugged too. Her bra seemed fine for now.
He scowled as they left the hotel. "I really wish I went to school somewhere else," was the first thing he said.
"I actually agree with you at the moment," Alexa let out a sigh running a hand through her hair. She walked up to the car, "Killing someone? That's wrong on so many levels."
"That is something both of us can agree on," he said grimly, moving to his side of the car and climbing in.
Alexa nodded climbing into the car. She looked out the window and let out a sigh, "Probably the first thing we've agreed on, ever."
"No, the second," Arsen said, starting the car and pulling from the parking lot. "The first was when we agreed that our school sucked."
“Oh yeah,” Alexa nodded after some thought, “That was the first thing we agreed upon. Well I feel like this is a great start to our late blooming friendship. Not.”
He snorted. "It is a fantastic start. We only have to agree fifety more times before we get to be friendly to each other."
“That’ll be difficult,” Alexa mirrored his snort, “Considering how long it took us to get here.”
He nodded, hiding a grin. It couldn't do to let her think that he was enjoying this conversation. "What do you mean, it only took us a week!"
