W I C K .

        ❛     john.    ❜     slate of marble       ,       emotionless visage. entire facade cracks the moment familiar frame takes residence in the seat beside her &. corners of lips begin to tug at a smirk. A DANGEROUS MAN ; AN EVEN MORE EXPENSIVE ONE IN HINDSIGHT. gilded coin is dropped along bar top &. slid forward with an index &. middle finger , widow near CHUCKLING to herself while opposite hand allows digits to curl around drink.   

     ❛     someone looks like they’ve had a long night.    ❜

@boogeykill·        /        starter call  .

fresh   from   a   job ,       not   more   than   a   nod   to   the   concierge .       red   dots   of   crimson   still   upon   white   collar   as   he   sits     -----     too    EXHAUSTED    had   he   been   to   stop   by   his   room   for   a   change   of   attire ,       instead   heading   straight   for   the   bar .       an   anger ,     an   unrest   that   comes   with   the   spilling   of   blood      that   needs   to   be   suffocated ,       quenched   first   with   a   burning   gulp   of   strong   liquor   before   he   can   function .       weary   eyes   track   gold   coin   before   they   adopt   something   that   could   be   interpreted   as    PLAYFULNESS    if   one   doesn’t   miss   it   with   a   blink .          “     that   mean   your   treat   ?     ”

𝐓𝐇𝐄 𝐒𝐎𝐅𝐓𝐍𝐄𝐒𝐒 𝐓𝐎 𝐇𝐈𝐒 𝐅𝐄𝐀𝐓𝐔𝐑𝐄𝐒 𝐃𝐎𝐄𝐒 𝐍𝐎𝐓 𝐆𝐎 𝐔𝐍𝐍𝐎𝐓𝐈𝐂𝐄𝐃 .     a laugh ,  no matter how inaudible ,  is noted down as a win in her book  (  or ,  database ,  rather ) .   humor .     huh .     who knew a man with a form like ice could be capable of great warmth .     and she ?     a moth to his flame .     when he glances up towards the intricate projector scrawled across the ceiling like an ugly black line of wires ,  her expression falls slightly .     ah ,  right .     it was her tether ,  holding her back from exploring a world she had only just begun to understand ,  to document ,  to immerse herself in .

she chews the inside of her cheek ,  running through careful options of how to continue .     ultimately ,  she manages a soft sigh .     “ well ,  the company’s working on new tech ––  wristbands ,  for mobility . ”     she shakes her own wrist ,  bracelets clinking together gently to emphasize her claim .     “ its in prototype mode currently ,  but uhh –– ”     her amber eyes focus themselves on his drink currently perched on the table in front of him .     without hesitation ,  she reaches over to grasp it .     though technically she cannot take it ,  a holographic version of said drink does manifest into her hand ,  one that she brings to her lips in a nervous sip .     “ –– i can put in a good word for you to the company so you’ll be amongst the first to get it . ”     plump lips give a careful smile before taking another sip .     “ i hope to see the beach one day .     have you been ? ”     then her eyes widen slightly .     “ that was a silly question ,  of course you have . ”

excitement   fades   from   her   face   as   rationality   of   his   answer   seems   to   dawn   on   her     -----     a  topic  he  was  not  supposed  to  bring  up ,   maybe ?       (     he’d   not   read   any   instructions   beforehand   after   all .     )       teeth   graze   the   inside   of   his   cheek   when   he   notices   he’s    ROBBED    her   of   that   temporary   happiness .       even   when   it’s   programmed     -----     to   her   it   must   be   real .       where   do   the   lines   blur  ?       a   less   rational   part   of   him   wants   to   keep   her   happy ,       wants   to   enjoy    HER   SMILE .       the   prettiest   thing   that   has   long  -  since   filled   his   apartment .       she    -----    the   most   lively   person   that   has   been   present   here   in   a   long   time .

◜♔ / *   @boogeykill  liked for a starter , accepting !

𝐕𝐀𝐃𝐎𝐌𝐀❜𝐒   𝐄𝐘𝐄𝐒  were  solely  focused  on  the  man  she  had  heard  so  much  about;  all  bloody  and  gasping  on  her  doorstep.  she  knew  of  him.  knew  of  the  contract  on  his  head  too,  but  she  had  no  interest  in  going  after  the  boogeyman,  so  she  kept  inside  her  house.  well,  one  of  the  many.  admittedly  this  was  almost  like  a  base,  the  rest  were  well  hidden  in  case  of  needing  a  place  to  hide.  no  wonder  he  stumbled  upon  this  one.  ❛❛  what  are  you  doing  here   𝐉𝐎𝐇𝐍   𝐖𝐈𝐂𝐊 ?  ❜❜