they eventually reached the ground, and nik looked at his surroundings before picking a seemingly random direction. he figured that if she climbed with no difficulty, she could handle a quick pace. he started off at almost a run, not quite there.
She retracted the spikes in her boots and took off after Nik, pulling off her gloves while she jogged next to him. "What, too winded to run?" she teased him with a smirk.
"never. just figured this'd be pleasanter for you, miss stitches." he shot back, quirking an eyebrow. "got mind for any mischief in the future?"
"I just scaled a wall twice, so I think my back is good," she retorted. "And I'm always up for mischief. It's technically my job." She winked. "I'd be broke otherwise."
"same here, then. i think you might get me addicted to arson at this rate." he continued walking, gesturing towards a corner with two shops and red lighting. "there it is. anyway, mischief-wise, there's a politician i fucked a while back who's making it his life's mission to find me. i can pay you for this one."
"I'm going to assume you mean screwed over and not the kind–you know what? I'm stopping right there." She tilted her head as she gave the shop a once over, then nodded to herself. It'd do. "And what are you wanting me to do? Same thing as Noah?"
"um, both literally and physically. certain favors get good information, and in the adventure of cheating on their spouses they forget that most flat-cap-wearing poorboys are true weasels. i'm wanting you to do mostly the same thing, but i'm currently thinking of ways to spice it up." he walked over to the counter, greeting the person behind the counter and giving his order.
"Just order me whatever has the most calories," she told him. "And don't I know it. You won't believe who I've had to screw to get some information." She visibly shuttered. "Blech." Someone caught Tessa's eye and she narrowed them, then lightly tapped Nik's arm. "Hey, be right back. There's someone I need to talk to."
"aye aye." he turned back to the person, scanning the menu board until he found something he thought she'd like. he ordered it and leaned on the wall by the shop, waiting for her and their food.
She spoke to a strangely well-dressed man, hands flailing as she spoke. Soon enough, she scoffed and stormed back over to Nik. "Men," she spat. "Always think they know best. Anywho… what'dya get me?"
"just told 'im to add everything carb heavy and spicy. no idea what the actual dish is called, but knock yourself out." he handed her the bowl, clutching his and finding a dingy picnic table to sit at.
"despite of what you might think, this place is pretty clean. the outside isn't up to any standard, though."
"Ooo, spicy. Me like." She sniffed the bowl while she followed Nik. "I'm not too worried about cleanliness. You eat what you can find in the streets, even if it means garbage. So this is pretty high quality compared to that."
"ooooh, i have to smuggle you food from the next executive banquet. it's even better when i have a rich fling going on, but even when i don't it's wild. they're held where zan works." he passed her a pair of paper-wrapped chopstick, breaking his own in half.
She grabbed the chopsticks but gave Nik a curious look. "You do realize I am capable of feeding myself, correct? Favorite Mafia weapon here?"
"of course i realize that. you can come with, even, i'd just enjoy for my shameless theft to have another positive outcome." he shrugged, positioning his chopsticks in his hand and taking a bite.
"Fancy parties aren't exactly my thing. Bad personal experiences. Childhood trauma," she joked and dug into her food. She groaned as she tasted the spice. "Mmmm, it's been too long since I've had spicy food."
"yeah, you can say that again. a poor mood." he sighed, going silent as he ate his food.
Tessa also fell silent, too focused on her food to pay much attention to anything else.
when they had both finished, he stood to throw the disposable bowl in the large trash can by the wall.
"well, thank you for doing this with me. would you like to plan our next… trick, or go in blind?"
She did the same, then stretched out her arms. "Either is fine by me. I'm impulsive, so I'm sure I'll be able to come up with a plan on the fly. A plan ahead of time is alright as well."
"let's go in between. here's his name, address, and phone number. do what you will with that. once again, i discourage huge explosions or mass death, but it's… slightly more welcome this time. there's a reason his wife divorced him if you know what i mean." he inclined his head, pulling a pen from his pocket.
She nodded, eyes already distant as she made rough plans. Maybe some broken bones, some threats, torch a valuable and then threaten to do the same to him… "Just tell me who and I'll sniff him out."
"here." he handed her a slip of paper. "go for it, and tell me when you do it. my number is there too." he tipped his cap, standing to hand his bowl back to the vendor and disappear into the alleyway going off of it.
She scanned the paper, then smirked. "Oh, I know you. Ready for another game, signore?" She had screwed this man before for information as well, and he kept trying to reach out to her for another "sleepover."
Tessa headed through the city quickly and practically silently, falling into her old habits until she reached the location. She fluffed out her hair and adjusted her clothes so that they pronounced her curves, then knocked on the door.
nik had already been to the door, marking it with a crude copy of her sign and an n. he waited a good distance away, phone in hand and building in sight.
The door opened, revealing a young man. She tilted her head and lowered her lids seductively. "Signore," she purred, "Apologies for the delay in receiving your invitation, but I've been kept a little…" She ran her fingers down his arm. "Busy. Will you forgive me, signore?" She pouted her lips as she gazed up at him.
(am i doing the guy)
(please do)
he looked stunned, but quickly fell into stride. "of course, madam. come in, will you?" he gestured her inside.
She smiled up at him and walked inside. "Why, thank you." She pretended to be interested in the house, but was really preparing her attack.