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 Posted: Wed Apr 20, 2011 11:08 am
She had no plans to turn on him, provided he didn't suggest - through words or actions - that he had any intent to use the information she divulged against her, her comrades, or the organization she represented. Where he trusted her not to endanger his well-being, Aila trusted him not to betray her belief that he would hear her explanation to the end and react in a rational manner.
She cast a cursory glance around the apartment from the doorway, waiting patiently near the entrance until it seemed Izaya was content with the state of the area and gestured for her to have a seat. Similarly content with the privacy that was afforded by the shut door and drawn blinds, Aila adopted a more serious demeanor. She sat with her back straight and her hands folded neatly in her lap, a calmly professional expression on her features.
"As I mentioned," she said, sparing a brief moment to summarize what she had explained in the cafe, "housing and meals are provided as well as spaces for recreation and entertainment. After a mandatory training period, you will be paid wages for your work and will have the option to choose a specialization from a diverse array of departments." Her tone gained a degree of severity, "I will emphasize once more that it is a commitment. Parting from the organization is a painful process, and I don't recommend accepting my proposal if you foresee any desire at all to do so." This reiterated, her posture relaxed slightly. "If you have any questions, ask. I will respond to the best of my abilities." There was a limit to what she could say, of course, but she had every intent to answer as best she could.
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Posted: Wed Apr 20, 2011 8:19 pm
"Sounds very fancy," he commented, leaning forward on his knees. "And complicated. But worth it, judging by you and how you turned out. Hmm..." Catching her out the corner of his eye as she emphasized the weight of the commitment, he laughed. "How like a gang. Not to worry, I get it. Once you're in, you know too much, so you can't get out; at least not easily, right?"
"In fact, it's hard to say I don't know too much already," he added, picking up a chess piece from his table to examine it. "Alright," Izaya said at last. "I'm in. If they'll have me. But I say that up front so that I can ask this question: what is the main objective of these employers of yours? Not just stealing things, neh?"
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Posted: Wed Apr 20, 2011 8:39 pm
"That's about the gist of it," she affirmed with a nod. As he mentioned the extent of his knowledge, a wry smirk worked its way forward. "If I felt you knew too much, I wouldn't still be offering this as a choice." Though she had explained a great deal, all of it was easily associable with other professions and could be covered for with a sharp wit. The need for such a cover-up, however, was dissolved in short order as her company accepted her proposition.
"Very well," she said. "Welcome to Team Rocket. Does this name answer your question of our objection, or shall I explain further?" It wasn't exactly confidential information that the syndicate had staged several attempts at world domination throughout the years, but she would be the first to correct any assumption that they were a group of incompetent morons who were destined to be shut down by the first ten-year-old that wandered around preaching about friendship.
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Posted: Wed Apr 20, 2011 9:13 pm
"Oh, but there's always a choice," Izaya countered. "With the way your acting and stealth skills have improved, I'm willing to bet you've learned something about getting rid of 'loose ends' too." He stood, gesturing grandly - almost theatrically - as he explained. "You could still pose this as a choice for me for however long you wanted. In the end, though, if I refused, there's always the chance I could sell whatever I know to the next person with the right price." The young man grinned.
"On the other hand, if you finished me off here and now, in this room with no one to hear or see us, an experienced criminal like you could get off scott-free. After all, I have many enemies. The cops would never be able to pin down my murder on just one person, especially with your employers to back you up. There wouldn't be much motive to look into my death anyway, as I keep very few personal connections." He took a walk around the couch until he was standing behind it. Leaning down, he perched his elbows on its back and smiled wryly at Aila. "That said, I think it's probably in my best interests to keep my word and stand by it when I say that I'm in."
Upon her welcome, he laughed. "I feel so accepted already! Team Rocket, eh? That would explain a lot. It wouldn't do to make an enemy of them, would it? I hadn't heard they were back on the rise. Whoever's in charge now must really know how to keep a low profile." Leaning a little further, Izaya reached out playfully to touch a lock of Aila's hair. "So...are you going to kidnap me, now? Spirit me away to some secret lair?" he teased.
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Posted: Wed Apr 20, 2011 9:56 pm
Rose eyes followed Izaya as he moved. "I would have to agree with that," she said when he had concluded his evaluation of his circumstances, her cordial smile returning to her lips. She was not cleared for assassination at the moment, but she scarcely doubted that he would make it very far if he attempted to sell any information. And at that point she presumed she likely would have clearance to kill him on sight.
Fortunately it didn't seem it was going to come to that; the man was, as Aila had been confident, intelligent insofar as to know when to value his life.
She sat stoically as he moved to toy with her hair, a warning edge emerging in her tone when she next spoke, "It's not necessary that we leave at this very moment, but the sooner the better. I'm on leave for the evening, but I do need to report in and put in a request to have your paperwork processed. In terms of what to bring, I recommend you pack lightly. We'll be traveling either by foot or by Metagross - your pick."
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Posted: Wed Apr 20, 2011 10:29 pm
"Well, then, by all means," Izaya answered, withdrawing his hand and straightening up. "I wouldn't want to keep such a busy young woman from her duties. Just give me a call and let me know where to meet you whenever you're ready. Really, though; I am flattered," he reinstated, casting her an almost tender smile. "That you would think of me and go through such trouble to do this."
Hopping off the back of the couch, the information broker cheerfully went to go pour himself a cup of tea from the tray that sat on his desk. "It won't be a problem for me to pack lightly. As far as transportation goes, though, I think I'd prefer the traditional method. Not all that sure I trust pokemon like I do people."
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Posted: Thu Apr 21, 2011 7:59 am
"All right, then," she rose from the seat, turning to face him. "I have a few things I'd like to see to while I'm in here, so I'll contact you in a few hours." That would leave time to pack, make any necessary arrangements he wished with his apartment, perhaps even seek out his sisters and inform them of his imminent relocation - though it didn't quite sound like they had the sort of relationship that he would feel inclined to do as much.
A slightly warmer smile was offered in return to the expression of gratitude, but she otherwise waved it off. "I hope you'll find it to your liking." His information had always been accurate and reliable, and Aila trusted that he could become a valuable asset within the team.
That said, she nodded to affirm her recognition of his preference and moved towards the exit, "Understood. I'll leave you to make your preparations, then."
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