I lean back in my chair and cross my arms, shrugging. I've realized Anubis and I are awful at addressing the elephant in the room, especially with earlier with the anniversary, but the tension in the room was so thick you could suffocate in it. Either way, I ignored it for now and merely responded,
"I guess not, but I'm not participating in any babysitting. We'd better have a place to drop off the kid."
"Well, gee, why the fuck would they want their kidnapped kid in the hands of a dark web bitch for longer than an hour. Clearly, this is their last result and they want their kid back as soon as possible. Click on it."
Jean moved his mouse over the hyperlink. His eyes scanned over the words, but I ended up spacing out. Thoughts overwhelmed my brain, but I couldn't sort through any of them. The job, Olli…
"Kid's about nine years old, dark hair…" I scan the details of the job request as I squint my eyes. They stung in pain. "They've got an idea of who might have taken him, but don't know where they're hiding."
I turn my head to Anubis as I notice he didn't take in anything I was saying.
"Are you going to be able to focus or should we just skip it tonight?"
"No, no, I'll be okay. This'll help me feel better." I turned the laptop towards me and took in each word carefully.
From what we gathered from the request, the father had refused to give a mob boss a certain sum of cash. Likely, the mob boss was positioned near the city of wherever the fuck we are rn i forgot im so sorry. The child had been missing for only a couple days, but that meant the risks were high. Whether the kid is dead, or they erased any trace of him, we couldn't be sure. The language of the request was unbelievably vague, but Jean and I managed. It was a bit of a relief to have another brain because often Jean's head worked in different ways. Sometimes he noticed details or thought of situations that I would never brush my finger over.
I raise an eyebroholy shit i switched perspectives so easily this time i usually have to fix after being used to bgm
I raise an eyebrow at Anubis as I watch him re-read the post.
"Well, you're the gravedigger. I'm sure you can find more about the kidnappers with just a name, right?"
I mutter, standing up slowly to grab a cheap beer from the mini-fridge. I hold one up for Anubis as if to offer if he wants one.
"After that we need to be subtle. I'm sure the mob boss has already seen the post. And even if he hasn't if he's smart, he'll prepare for anything."
I nod in acceptance of the beer. I move the laptop closer to me, starting my research and turning on all of my programs. First, check //insert a lotta high tech correct hacking stuff idk ill do more research later lmfaooooooo//
"I'm 70% sure this is a real calling, but nothing is certain on here. As soon as I sent the accept, they took down the request and messaged us privately. So, I analyzed all of the shit, and we're good to go. The boss should be in this area," The map I pulled up highlights a certain zone in the city next to us. "Tomorrow's what, Saturday? We can start tomorrow. It might be too late to do it tonight."
I nod at Anubis, watching him closely. After all he's pulled tonight, I'm waiting for him to slip up and mention it so I can ask him about it, but he doesn't, so I keep quiet. I blink slowly and sit back down, taking a swig of the beer, then placing it on the table and crossing my arms, returning to watching Anubis.
"Sounds good. Tomorrow it is."
time skippppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppp
We went through a similar procedure as the first job, only altered with stronger weapons and a much different mindset. Many secrets have been revealed since then, emotions, events, hidden for so long. But, there were some secrets deep under the ground that neither of us could feel the dangerous tremble.
"Got everything?" I asked, eyeing Jean.
no i need my emotional support stuffed Tug the Wartortle to help reassure me that everything is gonna be ok so no anubis i DON'T got everything
"Taking a break?"
I only rolled my eyes at his remark as Rose returned to my side. Rose began talking to me about how she was excited for Summer. I knew she was trying to hint to me that she wanted me to ask her out on a date, but I didn't want to waste my time or money on her. Even if we were technically dating. Anubis left for a bit, so I had to pretend like I was interested in whatever Rose and Stephanie were talking about. At least there was alcohol.
"Hey, GG," Anubis came out of nowhere, somehow immediately at my side. Didn't he just leave? How long had he been gone? "Don't drink that."
Yeah right, don't drink that. This is a party, what do you think I'm gonna do, Anubis?
I don't remember if I said that out loud or just brushed him off, but I do remember how serious his tone was. That was the most prominent thing I remembered from that night- until today.
"Got everything?"
His voice protruded through my thoughts like a fucking bullet. I didn't want him to know just how spaced out I had been, and that his question actually almost made me flinch, so I disguise it by inhaling deeply, sniffing my nose and turning away from him as I respond.
"Yeah, let's go."
I squinted my eyes at Jean. "Then where are your keys? Nevermind. I'll drive." I strode towards the drawer that held our keys and a couple lighters. My eyes linger on them for a moment too long. After I slammed the drawer closed, Jean and I made our way out the building. On our backs were normal clothes, as to look casual as possible - red and blue shirts - but in our bags were other things to change out of. Can't be too careful.
We drove for awhile, surveying the area - looking for any buildings that might be fine. Really, I was trying so hard to get a signal from somewhere. Anything out of the blue. A song came up on the radio. I don't really listen to music, but this one made me move my head a little.
"I called because I needed to tell you something…"
She didn't even sound concerned or worried about what she was going to tell me.
"What is it?"
"Stephanie doesn't want you coming to her parties anymore. And she'd prefer it if you and Anubis stayed away from her. She's not-" Rose paused. "She just doesn't want to see you or Anubis anymore."
Her voice was so annoying, especially first thing in the morning during a hangover. Fury boiled inside of me as I stormed out of my bedroom, yelling at Anubis.
"You can fuck up your own life but for god's sake do not fuck up mine!"
I don't remember why I immediately blamed him, or why I yelled at him in the first place. It's not like I liked Rose to begin with; I guess she was the only person I knew that had parties, and now I'd have to find someone else willing to invite me to a party.
Anubis merely smiled after I yelled at him. I was so confused about why he simply smiled. Even now, why did he smile? What made him smile?
I blinked my eyes, noticing an Italian food restaurant.
"Hey, what about that?"
"That is literally so cliche, for a mob boss to be Italian. You know that right?" I tease Jean. I pull down the sun visor and opened up the mirror, fixing my hair as to not look like a psychopath. "Well all right then, love, carry on!"
We park in the lot and enter the day. I forgot what the weather was, but I'm gonna pretend I said it was nice, really nice and spring like and aaahhh aiirrr. I love air. good shit. "I hope they have good food, GG," I say, looking to Jean.
don't like how happy go lucky he sounds bc i've become unable to trust anything ever thanks to this rp
i mean uh
"Nothing would compare to Arjun's Kitchen." I respond, sticking my hands in my pockets as I follow Anubis. Bringing up food made me realize how hungry I was and walking in to smell the fresh bread didn't help either. I almost forgot about our job as, for a split second, I immersed myself in the atmosphere at face value.
I look around to take in the vibes of the place. A basic dark wood flooring spread under tables with neatly folded cloths on plates. The waiters and waitresses twirled around in their aprons to place steaming pastas and seafood meals in front of hungry customers. All Italian.
"Table for two?" A hostess greeted us and got out two menus.
"Yes, ma'am!" I respond with a smile as she leads us to our table. The whole way, I mark every door in my head.
I study the employees' movements and body language silently. As we sit at the table, I do a quick scan around the room, gazing at other customers sitting and eating, paying attention to each one long enough to get an idea of whether or not the conversation is suspicious. Most people are better at casual business talk than others, but I'm waiting for a slip-up.
I scan my eyes over the menu, pretending to choose a meal. Then, I set the menu down and lean back in my chair, gazing around the restaurant. There's small hints to reveal a front, if they're sloppy enough. I hoped that Jean would know as well.
"Hey, I need to take a piss. Can you ask for the drinks menu and check the wine prices for me? I know we're low on money," I said, with much emphasis on prices. If the wine was cheap, that was one of the signs. "And, see if they take card." If it was a front, they'd take cash only.
I stand up and search for the bathroom. On the way there, I noticed someone who looked rather familliar. The bathroom was hidden on the side of the restaurant, right past the kitchen doors. Before pushing open the door to the men's restroom, I noticed a fourth door. An old scratched up sign read 'Member's Only.'
I nod to Anubis as he stands up to leave. Making eye contact with a server, I wave him over. He approaches me, pulling out his notebook and pen.
"Alright, sir, what can I get started for you today?"
I lean forward and glance up at him.
"Could I actually have the drinks menu? I'll go ahead and start with a water for now." He nods and scribbles on his notebook.
"I'll get that drink menu for you."
I nod, turning back to scan my surroundings. Tension rolled around inside me like thunder; I should probably smoke next chance I get.
"Here you go, sir." The server holds out the drinks menu for me to take it. At first I'm silent, still trying to get out of my haze. Just before he left, I remembered to ask about payment.
"Oh, also, do you happen to take card?"
The server shook his head, slowly. "Sorry, sir, the card machine is,,, broken today. Only cash."
After a fake trip to the bathroom, I make my way back towards Jean. The familiar man still sat in the booth, with nothing but a glass of what looked like alcohol in front of him. He was nestled in the corner of the restaurant. The tables around him were oddly empty, despite a family waiting at the door for seats.
Jean notices me as I sit down. He comments on the broken card machine. "No matter, we have plenty of cash. I think you chose the right place, Dan," I exclaim. "The food just smells so good!" I slide the drink menu towards me. There was a limited selection, and everything was less than eight pounds. On the list was a beer I didn't recognize the name of. "So, what's the plan after we finish eating? More sightseeing?"
stop fucking italicizing ur so obvious
the fucking waiter sitting there listening to anubis say "so what's the PLAN,,,,,, DANNN????": bro r u ok
anywaay
I shrug, eyeing the server who had already walked away from the table.
"I dunno, I don't think I'm really that hungry right now, you know? Maybe we should just get an appetizer and figure out what's next."
As I utter the last words, I pat my hip, as if there were a holster there. The waiter returns, notebook and pen out.
"Alright, are you two ready to get started?"
I gaze at Anubis quickly before looking up at the waiter.
"I think we'll start out slow, you know, take it easy, with some calamari."
I smiled very hungrily oh my god imk hungry ok one sec