op how did he set an entire house on fire without gasoline

yeah i actually dont remmeber what i put but im pretty sure he didnt have gasoline with him because he wasnt planning on burning the house so he just lit a curtain on fire and it spread

It was a joke y'all ReLaX lmao

"We didn't come here to hurt anyone, so don't make us change that," Jean said, eyes stone-cold. Vincent merely let out a chuckle. It sent chills down my spine.
"Then what is that gun doing in your hand, boy?" he snaked his hand around my neck as if I would run. "Alright. let's make a deal. I don't need employee deaths on my hands, and I could use you two. Talented motherfuckers."
I was already frozen, but his words made my heart rate shoot up. Is Jean going to agree? Am I allowed to agree? Can I pull this off without sabotaging everything I've worked so hard to get?

"Talented motherfuckers."
Shock and surprise shook my legs as I held my breath for longer than I realized I could in an attempt to maintain my composure. If I even think about hesitating, he'd take his chance. Instead, I don't move, keep eye contact, and stare Vincent down.
"What would you want us for?" I utter coldly, almost spitting the words at him as I force myself not to look at Anubis, but curious what's going through his mind. I can't think about that right now, I need to focus.

"What would you want us for?" Jean said.
I flickered my eyes all around the room, trying to devise a plan, but jenny isnt smart enough to make one. Without moving a single finger, Vincent replied cooly, "Well, I'd assume your little boss wants these documents for a reason. I want to know about your plan. And maybe, just maybe, you two can 'accidentally' ruin the plan. What do you say?"
Alarms set off in my brain. We must have mics on our phones somewhere. Michelle has to be listening in on us, right? But if we don't agree, what will Vincent do? How are we going to get the upper hand in this? "What are we gonna get out of it? Besides our lives?" I said.
"What do you want? Money? I can give that to you easily."

My muscles started to waver, but I couldn't let it show, not yet. Instead I held my stance, one foot slightly behind the other, the gun poised directly between Vincent's eyes.
"What do you want? Money? I can give that to you easily."
"And what would happen if I put a bullet in your brain? Alarms? Security? You're a little tied up right now."
If Vincent was willing to negotiate, I had a chance to evaluate my options. I just hoped Anubis was doing the same. I haven't gotten desperate yet, but if that point comes, I have to decide what will happen if I lose Anubis, and what I can do to avoid that.

"And what would happen if I put a bullet in your brain? Alarms? Security? You're a little tied up right now."
Vincent's expression hardened, and he pressed the gun deeper into my head. I shot a glare at Jean for irritating him. "I see how it is then," he said. "You kill me, you risk failing your job and potentially your life. We leave all of our lives alone, and maybe you'll benefit from this. Put the gun down and let's talk."
I look to Jean despairingly.

u fukin wh

My life? What is he trying to imply? I stare directly at him, not breaking my composure as I cross my arms.
"I'm not putting down shit until you put down your gun." I breathe, almost as if I was stalling. Was that a risk? Definitely. Am I trying to ensure that security won't appear anytime soon? Who knows, but there's no way I'm allowing myself to die here.
"I'm open to talking, but let's make it a fair game. I lose my leverage and you lose yours."

I feel the gun's pressure loosen until there's no longer a barrel threatening to end my life. I contemplated turning around and knocking Vincent off his feet, but I knew it was better to move to his side. I immediately jump around to the other side of the desk, where Jean is. Jean lowers his gun. He ever-so-slightly relaxes his posture.
"Alright. No guns. Shall we talk?"

I lower my gun slowly, still not breaking eye contact with Vincent as I stuff the weapon into my belt. Anubis returns to my side as we wait for Vincent's next move. If he calls security I'll pull my gun out again. He made a deal to talk, so I can only hope he retains his honor by negotiating.

Judging from the silence, Vincent continues his deal. He approaches us only to wave us away from his desk. "Sit down, boys."
I cautiously take a seat, eyes flickering over Vincent's every move. The man clasps his hands together and rests them on the desk. "These documents… do you know what they mean?"
"No," I said.
"They didn't tell you the reason they need them?"
"No, sir."
Vincent leans back in his chair and sighs. "No matter. What else were you instructed to do?"
I held down the memory of Michelle talking about some kind of secret weapon to avoid it showing on my face. "That's all. We were supposed to retrieve the documents, and then lay low for a couple months and live here."
"Alright, how about this. Tell them you have the documents, but I will give you what you will give them. Give me the original documents back. Do this for me and you get your lives and guaranteed security for the time you live here. And if you'd like better housing I can provide that as well. But you must obey every official here."

I cross my arms against my chest, listening intently to Vincent. Guaranteed security, better housing? That's already better than the American government promised to do in the 1700's. I purse my lips, tempted to take him on the offer. What am I to lose if we did? If the American government didn't like me anymore, I could just move back here with ensured safety. I turn my head to gaze at Anubis, indifference filling my face as I hold back saying anything in case Anubis would rather answer. Does he want my opinion? Does he want to discuss this? What benefit do we get from following through with the original plan?
Fuck, that's right, a million dollars each.
"Match our pay for this job."
I utter, my eyes now fixated on Vincent.

"Done. All you need to do is sign up for this entitlement program to make sure the transaction doesn't seem suspicious on my part. What was your pay?"
"Two million split," I muttered.
"Easy." Vincent grinned - the smile of a politician and a businessman.
Jean and I exchanged glances. "We have to discuss this first," I said. We got up and stood outside the office. "Well?"

I nodded at Vincent's agreement, but grew confused when Anubis shoved me outside the office.
"Well, what? This is just another job as far as I'm concerned."
I cross my arms at Anubis, furrowing a brow at him. I get this was sudden, but it's not like we haven't killed former clients before. We can turn against anyone as long as we're getting paid.

"No, no, I am fully aware we're saying yes. Something feels… I don't know, I don't even remember why I pulled you out here. I swear I have no self-control. Let's take the offer. Maybe he'll give us a chance to check out that alleged secret weapon," I said, scratching my head.
We head back in and agree to each other's terms. Vincent informed us that we would have the fake documents shortly and let us go back to our jobs.

stop saying something feels wrong anubis ur giving me clinical anxiety

he has clinical anxiety

b u m p

OH GOD I THOUGHT I RESPONDED TO THIS

I nod at Anubis as we return to the office, but as we exit yet again to return to our jobs, I stop him.
"What are you suspicious about?" I utter, his paranoia growing contagious as we walk. With each agent that passed by, I felt I had to watch him closely, thinking he'd turn around and attack us at any moment.

I started to work through my thoughts, only to realize I wasn't suspicious at all. The fear that strangled my brain stemmed from the fact that I had to work harder to hide this from Jean.
"Everything. I'm always like this with bigger jobs. It helps me make sure they're not planning to stab me in the back. Or, us, in this case." I shrugged at Jean and continued walking. That wasn't really a lie, I did keep my walls especially up when I worked with bigger and more powerful people. A headache began to grow and I felt the need to throw up. Not this time, Anubis.

"Whatever," I utter, reaching the elevator as we step in. "Next time, if you're going to get so worked up about this, either give me a good reason or keep it to yourself."
I snap, angry at Anubis for inflicting me with paranoia for no reason. Of course we can't trust anyone, but did he really have to make it seem like such a big deal?

"Get so worked up about it?" I furrowed my brow. "I barely said a thing. You didn't have to listen to me at all, you know. You don't have to trust me for fuck's sake, no one told you to." I pressed my floor and Jean pressed his, but we stood on opposite sides of the elevator. Why is he always so angry at me for no reason? I didn't do a single thing.