#allaik

Al looks back at Mayara again, tilting his head slightly. “W- what exactly do you even have there? The whole time, you’ve just had that and it looks suspicious as hell.”

“A sledgehammer. Never did get my hands on a pick.” She returns his puzzled look with a sly grin, shuffling the weight to her other shoulder. The ‘suspicious’ part he’s talking about lies not really with the hammer itself, but the weird paper bag strapped to the head of it. “Anyway, don’t worry about it. Let’s get this over with already, I’m sick of waitin’.”

“Worryin’ about it,” he replies. Instead of questioning her further though, he opens the door to let them inside. 

Sliding past Allaik, Maya pokes her head into the newly-opened corridor, looking both ways before entering all the way. It’s eerily quiet, the only noise being the hum of fluorescent lights flickering now and then. She turns left and continues sneaking inside, her partner following close behind.

“Al.” she says in a hushed tone, “I know you said there’d be like, no one here tonight- but what the fuck. Where is everyone?”

He thinks for a moment before answering back. “Well, gone. After Mar went and claimed the lead seat for himself, it threw everyone into a tizzy. Splintered the group up, and he could barely keep a hold of ‘em. What with the stunts you’ve been pulling, most of ‘em saw him as weak. Thought they’d be better off doing their own thing.”

Mayara stops, looking back at Al blankly. “Yeah, probably right about that.”

“Probably,” he shrugs.

Down the hall and to the right with no one to stop them, the duo enter into a modified storage room. It’s a mess, various crates and boxes stacked around like tables and chairs. But like the rest of the place, it’s empty otherwise. Immediately, Maya feels the need to comment- not bothering to quiet herself any this time.

“Damn, you just got rid of all of my shit, huh?”

“Like you wouldn’t’ve in the same situation?” Allaik rolls his eyes, still keeping a hushed tone. 

“No, no. If I were pissed, I’d’ve done the same thing.” 

She ambles around the room, kicking crates around while looking down at the floor. In particular, she’s looking for an off-colored section of concrete- a clear sign of where she buried the stash of goods. “Ah. There we are,” she coos.

Maya steps back from the square, planting herself while she shifts the sledgehammer down. “Get ready, and y’ might wanna take a bit of cover. Psi can’t protect both you and me from this.” 

“Protect- from what??”

Al panics, diving behind a particularly large crate as Mayara hefts the hammer over her head- swinging it back down full force. As soon as it makes contact with the ground, an explosion rings out from the point of impact. Dust and debris flies into the air from the force, and so does Maya. She’s just thankful she has a psionic barrier to absorb the impact from that and her fall.

As the cloud starts settling, she hops back to her feet to inspect the newly formed crater. Sure enough, it was enough to crack the concrete. A slightly dented (but intact) metal box sits just underneath the rubble as she shoves it away. Allaik rises out from his hiding spot, looking like he just saw a ghost.

“What the fuck! You could’ve told me that’s what you were carrying!” He’s yelling now, no real point in keeping quiet after a fucking explosion. “Don’t worry about it, you said. I had every right t’ be worried!”

Mayara just rolls her eyes as she reaches a hand into her sweater pocket. “Puh-lease, Al. You’ve seen me do worse-”

“Maybe I have, but carrying something like that around like it was nothing?”

“- It’s not even like it was that bad!”

“A warning would’ve been nice instead of being coy about it, asshole!”

She digs in her pocket again, searching for an item but unable to find it. “I ‘unno, I thought it was pretty damn obvious as to what I was doing. ‘Specially when I told you the plan ahead of time.”

“Maya,” Al’s tone shifts from livid to concerned.

“What!-” She finally takes a moment to look up at him, and realizes why the sudden change in attitude. …Fuck. Yeah, probably should’ve seen that one coming.

“Stay right where you are, Khepar.” a voice hissed out from behind Allaik. He didn’t dare move, unless he wanted a bullet in his back. The figure behind him must have snuck right up while they were arguing. If it weren’t for getting distracted, he might have noticed sooner.

Mayara forces a smile, still hunched over on her knees where she’s at. “Heeeey, Mar,” she calls out nervously. “Long time no see. Ya’ look good.”

“Oh, shut the fuck up. There’s no talking your way out of this one.” 

Marote Meccay, the man himself. Five feet and eight inches of malicious authority. A shame he has such a baby face; it would be way easier to take him seriously otherwise. He also wasn’t supposed to be in tonight, but that obviously isn’t the case. There’s only one thing that Mayara really fears he’ll do- and of course, he starts doing it.

“Did you really think you could just sneak in here and do whatever you wanted? That I would just leave this place completely vacant? I knew you were after something here. I just needed to know what.”

He starts monologuing.

“I’m not stupid, Maya. Ghost problem, my ass. You’re the damn one that’s causing problems. You’ve always caused problems, ever since the beginning. I thought, maybe I’ll be nice. Maybe I can just keep you at your job here once I take over. But then that stupid fuck had to go and break your contract.

And since then? You’ve been offering to competitors, fucking with my own supply lines. So I- … what do you have there.” Marote’s speech is cut short by the realization that Maya’s other hand was reaching for the holster on her hip. “Don’t you fucking dare. Hands where I can see them.”

She obliges, a giddish smile starting to tug at the corners of her mouth. “Sure thing, boss.”

Pulling her other hand out of her pocket and raising both into the air, she holds a small device in one- a large button on the face of it depressed. It’s a dead man’s switch for the explosives they had set up. Technically, there were two of them- one for this building, and one for everything else. Unfortunately for her, Maya forgot which one was which. Call it a moment of panic.

“Oh messiahs, you did not just-” Al started, before being cut off by Marote.

“The fuck is that supposed to be?”

She giggles before answering. “Oh, just a lil’ switch. I wouldn’t worry about it too much-”

“I’m not buying that for a second. What’s it for?” he barks, interrupting her.

Maya is silent for a moment, that same smile on her face that she just can’t contain. “Since you wanna know so badly, it’s for this building. I let go, and the whole place goes up with everything else left in it.”

Allaik has a look of panic again, not able to tell whether his partner is dead serious or not. It’s not an empty threat, and he wouldn’t put something like this past her. Unfortunately doesn’t have much of a speaking position right now.

“... You wouldn’t.” Marote tries to call her bluff.

“Oh, but I would! You should know that by now, dipshit! If I’m going down for this, I’m sure as hell taking you with me,” she laughs. This is no bluff- besides the fact of not being sure which button she pressed.

“Did you think I was just here to steal? This was always part of the plan, I just hoped I’d be outside before this part! So put the gun down, Mar-mot- unless you wanna see what shrapnel in your good eye looks like-”

“-Wait! wait,” he interjects again- an attempt to de-escalate the situation at hand. He pulls the revolver he held away from Al’s back, making a vague gesture with that hand. “Surely we can talk a little about this, right?”

Mayara feigns a frown, pouting. “Didn’t you just say there was no talking out of this just a second ago? For shame, for shame.”

“I didn’t realize you had a fucking bomb! Maybe you should’ve led with that on the table?!”

“You have a point,” she agrees. “But it’s more fun this way, don't cha think? The fear? That little rush you’re feelin’ right now? No?”

“No, not really!” he wheezes, pointing the gun this time at Mayara.

“What’re you gonna do with that?” She questions, continuing her prodding at him. “Shoot me? Better not miss. Even if you don’t, it means I let go. There’s no way you’re surviving that. There’s enough explosives lying around here to make sure nothing’s left after the fire.”

“You would go through that much trouble just to see me burn? Is it worth that much to you?”

“It’s worth everything!” Mayara finally snaps. “You must’ve forgot that this whole operation kinda fucked over my life, right? Well I didn’t! I was even content to let it lie and pretend it never happened. But ya’ couldn’t let go, could you?”

Marote backs off, shoving Al away from him and to the ground as he backpedals for the exit. His last mistake. “You’re insane, you’re actually insane,” he repeats.

The only sort of response he gets back is a smile at first. “Duh! You just figuring that out now?”

But she’s not about to just let him get away. Mayara wants absolutely no chance of him coming back to haunt her again, and is well beyond giving any second chances. Her free hand snaps back down to her holster, drawing her own firearm. It takes less than a moment for her to find her mark. With one swift shot, the once-was leader falls to the ground, dead.

Maya stares ahead for a brief pause before snapping back to the present. “I can’t believe this dumbass was giving me so much trouble before. Not bringing any sort of back up to this thing, was he even thinking?” She continues mumbling to herself as she stands up, holsters her gun and hops over to check on Allaik before doing anything else. 

“How’s the pusher doing there, bud?”

Al lets out an uneasy breath- “You had it stopped there for a minute, not gonna lie.”

“Eh, you look fine to me.” she beams. “But uh, hey. Let’s hurry the fuck up with this box, before this place actually does explode.”

Her thumb still has the button depressed, but she knows for a fact that it’s also on a timer just in case- in her own words- ‘some bullshit happened.’ She helps pull him to his feet before rifling through her pocket again, pulling out a key to the cache. 

Inside the box is a medium-sized duffel bag, which she pulls out and slings across her body in a swift motion. Underneath it were various folders and smaller bags- none of which she bothers to grab. There just isn’t enough time to. Instead, she grabs hold of her partner’s hand and makes a break for the exit.

Upon clearing a bit of distance from the building, Mayara finally releases the tight hold she has on the switch. The abandoned store behind them combusts, further explosions sending shards of hot metal and burning wood into the surrounding area. With the flick of another switch and pressing of a button, it should set off the remainder of things they had set up.

ME: I Mean. No, not the press. NaCre runs that intelligenCe op right? SoMething along side the whole MerCenarY n bountY hunting gig

TU: :// yeah

TU: :// so youre pawning it off to the underground?

ME: That's the plan

ME: Like, it's More a sCare taCtiC than anYthing right

ME: But also. WhY not also give awaY all of their possessions like a little treasure hunt. I got CaChes, reserves and Mar's little hideout too

ME: To the bravest and best hunters go the spoils n what not

ME: Like that one aniMe. Y'know the ones with the pirates and that lost treasure or soMething. But I give eM a Map at least

ME: and don't get exeCuted

TU: :// i have no fucking idea what youre on about

TU: :// but i think i get the point

TU: :// really drivin the nail in huh?

ME: What else am I known for =:]

TU: :// putting yourself in places you dont belong. doing things you really shouldnt

TU: :// having shit luck when it comes to meeting new trolls. i could go on

ME: OuCh. Please don't

ME: AnYwaY. Vizz got baCk to Me n said everYthing's set up. Means all it takes is a flip of a switCh to set things off

ME: You Can't see it but I shook a little reMote around

TU: :// good. id keep that on you just to be safe

ME: Worried?

TU: :// ... yeah? you arent?

ME: Eh. A bit.

TU: :// just got a bad feelin is all. could be nothing but who knows

ME: There's a separate switch for HQ's sYsteM anYwaY. Don't worrY too MuCh about it

TU: :// thats not what im worried about

TU: :// just

TU: :// be careful alright? prepare for the worst. hope for the best

TU: :// ill see you soon enough. theres one day when the least members will be around

TU: :// keep ya posted.

She’d decided to get some actual commission work done seeing that at this point, this was all a waiting game. Unfortunately for her, it’s hard to hear anyone trying to get your attention with all the noise. Let alone with a welding visor on and plasma cutter in hand (and in use.)

Allaik had dropped by as promised. He’d slipped in relatively unnoticed; Mayara too focused on cutting the steel rods and not the benchtop she was using. His voice couldn’t pierce through to let her know he was there. So, instead, he opts to throw a nearby empty bottle. It hits the back of her head with a ‘thunk,’ causing her to flinch. She whips around to look at Al, who gives a wave and a laugh. Both have to yell over the noise of everything just to be heard.

“Jeez, and I thought you were gonna ignore that too.”

“I could’ve,” she replies, “but knowing you,  you’d’ve thrown something heavier.”

Maya puts the cutter down, shutting off the flow of gas and lifting up her visor. It’s been a long night, evident by the soot and sweat on her face, metal dust shimmering in her hair. Various materials have been strewn about the shelves and tables, making up parts for half-finished gadgets. Tool cases lied around as well, but every bit and socket was in its place, neatly arrayed.

“Started to think you weren’t gonna show. What kept ya’ so long anyway?”

Allaik holds up a small, clear bag filled with a shimmery gray powder. “Got what you asked for. Don’t know what the fuck you need silver for, but it wasn’t too bad to get a hold of.”

“That’s for me to know and you to find out later,” she replies with a grin. “‘Preciate you getting the odds n’ ends I’ve been askin’ for.” 

She moves to take off the visor, along with the work gloves and welding jacket she had on. Maya grabs a remote on the bench nearby, turning down the music to allow for less strained voices. Tapping a hand on her chin, she continues. 

“Let’s see… sand, toluene, nitric acid, sulfuric acid- now silver powder. Think that’s everything, actually. Minus a pick.”

“A pick? Like a lock pick?”

“No, a pickaxe.”

“What the fuck do you need a pickaxe for?” Allaik makes a confused noise, not unlike a squeak. He’s baffled, but knows better than to question Maya’s antics and whims. But this, this just- what?

“Listen. You ever try to break apart concrete with your bare hands? It’s a lot easier with a pickaxe.” She gesticulates her speech by making a swinging motion. It’s unclear if she’s joking or being earnest, even with the giddy grin.

“Wh- is this about what’s at HQ? Did you bury something under the floor there?”

"Yes. And Maybe."

Al sets the bag on the worktop, shaking his head in near disbelief. A pickaxe. What’s so valuable that it’s worth all this trouble and materials? Why couldn't it wait?

Everything hinged on this going through. Sure, they were both capable of being menaces on their own, and together they were even worse to deal with. However, there’s still this lingering feeling of doubt at the back of his mind. Even with everything, all the preparations the two’ve done.

“Maya. What’s so important that you, one, had to bury it under the floor and two, needs to be done before the day of action? Hell, just what is it that you’re after? Are you serious about this or not?”

She stops fiddling with the device she’d picked up, setting it down on the table. Maya silently looks him in the eyes, searching her own thoughts for the words she wants to say. That’s quite the question. What is it that she’s after? Why would she go through all of this trouble in the first place? Is that really not obvious to him, the one person that’s paid any attention?

“You’re really questioning my motives- now? Of all times to ask? Not, say I dunno. A couple perigees earlier?”

Normally, Maya is not one to hold a grudge for long. But that’s under standard circumstances, and doesn’t apply to this… situation. Her old boss (and new one.) They've taken friends and her teacher from her, uprooted and took away her livelihood. They’ve burned her shop down and harassed her on multiple occasions.

She was constantly afraid that one night she’d wake up to find everything up in flames again. Many times, too much so to leave the hive. Even after all of that, they expected her to come crawling back to make amends. Or, something of that sort.

She’s too stubborn to do that. Too angry. This- this was personal the moment she was forced to take over the debt of her teacher. There was no compromise to be made, no mercy to be shown. All of these feelings have had a long time to pile up and fester, and it didn’t help that Marote kept twisting the proverbial knife in the wound. There’s only so much prodding anyone can take before they snap.

"What am I after? I'm after a damn resolution, Allie. I'm sick of pretending I don't have a problem, and like ya' suggested, runnin' away isn't gonna solve shit. Nor do I want to."

“I want my freedom. To make a point- that I’m not one to be messed with. That they made a mistake. I want what's mine.”

And maybe some peace of mind to boot. Mayara sighs, closing her eyes to contemplate for a moment. She thought he knew pretty much all of this already. She’s not going to give a recap of all the events he’s already privy to, so it’s best just to get to the point.

“It’s a bag. I started a collection way back during my early nights there. Not just caches and safehouse locations- there’s files on each and every member that meant something. Names, identification, real castes, personal information- y’ get the idea.”

“Anything I could get my hands on. Anything they didn’t want others to know. There’s also some… goods in there, but that’s besides the main point.” 

Normally one for being ‘cryptic’ and flippant, her tone and attitude are quite the opposite. Al is a bit shocked to say the least. This must have been meticulously put together and hidden to evade even his sight. It’s not like her. Maya’s normally very spur of the moment. Not patient enough to keep doing something like that, and doesn’t think this far ahead.

This isn’t like the Maya he knows.

“All that? You really just had all that, sitting underneath the complex?” The incredulous tone he holds gives away his disbelief.

“No, I don’t- I know you hate them, but fucking hell, Maya. I don’t think even I could hide all that, let alone have that sort of dedication. There’s no way.”

Maya remains silent as he speaks, staring him dead in the eyes. After the indirect insults, she strides across the shop to go up the stairs at the back. Just a few minutes later, returning with a manila folder. She simply holds it out to him, glaring and speechless. Offended that he thinks of her as incapable.

He opens it, scanning the contents to find papers and photos- of himself? Allaik Tentau. Alias: Gemish Iffrit. Yeah, that’s definitely his file that she just shoved in his face. There’s not a lot there, given that he’s been careful enough to not reveal too much. However, it’s enough to be incriminating. Enough to get him killed if the wrong person were to get a hold of it.

“Wow. Uhm- okay. I retract my earlier- ah, statements.”

“Them were more than just statements,” she snaps, some bitterness about his words evident in the way she speaks. “Y’ have any more doubts I should know about?”

Allaik doesn't respond, minus a slight wince.

“Good. ‘Cause I got a few questions of my own- it was you who told Nacre, wasn’t it? Why?”

Now that’s a question he’s gonna have trouble answering. He’s the one who asks that sort of thing, not the other way around. Not to mention, the full answer’s a bit complicated.

“Yeah, that was me. If it makes ya’ feel any better, I didn’t tell her your real name-”

“It doesn’t,” she interrupts.

“-Alright, I get it. I figured we can use all the help we get, alright? I had a favor to turn in, anyway.”

That seems to check out. He’d know about taking out Nacre’s men, and it doesn’t seem to be all that hard to get favor with their organization. Al’s origins are still pretty mysterious, so who really knows how well he knows Nacre herself. But there’s something he avoids saying, and Maya knows she’s not likely to get the answer. 

It’s not worth prying into just yet. She relaxes, now more concerned than angry.

“Why couldn’t you just tell me? One of her lackeys dropped by n' broke the fucking door in.”

“Ah- Then that one came to get ya’. Apologies. Nacre insisted on introducing herself n’ I had to oblige. Somethin’ else I had to take care of.”

"Okay, sure." Maya sounds extremely doubtful.

"There was!”

“Whatever. Are ya’ gonna help me get the damn thing or not? You can keep that file, by the by. Or burn it in the forge. Don’t care.”

She nods at the folder in his hands. Keep it? Hell no. That just risks someone finding it. Allaik stands, walking over to the furnace and swinging the doors wide open. It’s still running, hot enough to ignite the papers as soon as they enter the main chamber. He stands there for a moment, vacant. Watching it all burn before promptly slamming it shut again. 

“If you’re tryin’ to scare me or somethin’, you’re gonna have to do better than that.” He manages to push his nerves back down, turning on his heel to face Maya with a suave grin. “You act like you could do any of this without me.”

“Oh, you thought that was scary then?” she snickers. “I didn’t even have to try.”

“Right, right. As if you weren’t dying to spring something like that at me, planned perigees in advance." He freezes for a moment, eying the bag he'd brought to her.

"What’s the silver for anyway?”

“It’s a surprise. I think you’ll like it.” She finally takes a moment to rid her face of all the built-up ash and metal powder.

“Plan on stickin’ around for a bit? There’s green curry in it for you if ya’ do.”

Al folds his hands in front of his face in mock contemplation. “Hm. Strange form of payment, but one I can’t turn down.  S’pose I can hang around.”

“Good. I always make too much of it anyways.”

TU: :// never said that

TU: :// but usually youve got something in mind whenever you bother me

ME: OuCh. and I thought we were friends =:[

ME: Nah, You right though. Did Y' finish setting things up?

TU: :// sure did. why do you ask

ME: Well

ME: You see

ME: OkaY

ME: LeMMe first prefaCe with this. Do You think this'll aCtuallY work? TU: :// what kind of question is that

TU: :// i mean. yeah the whole point of going through all this was to make it work wasnt it

ME: Yeah but like. realistiCallY. on a sCale from 1-10, 1 being we fuCking die, 10 being I get to dangle Mar off a Cliff

TU: :// theres no cliffs around here

ME: Not the fuCking point al

TU: :// i dunno. like at least a 7 at least. 7 being the crews gutted enough that theyll just fade out

ME: Huh.

ME: It's just. I haven't seen MuCh of 'eM latelY. I know for a faCt theY're Mad beCause like, who wouldn't be

ME: But part of Me's like. What's even the point. I'M just tired of this shit

TU: :// i get you. but knowing mar hes not just gonna let go of any of that. previous and what we pulled recently

TU: :// petty motherfucker ill tell you that. but you already know

ME: UnfortunatelY

TU: :// i think that if you stopped now

TU: :// things might chill for like a few months max. but then its back to where you started out x10

TU: :// as soon as that stuff happened with gwin this was all inevitable. not like its your fault this started.

TU: :// don't gotta put up with this bull and i dont want you to move across the state to get out of dodge ya hear

ME: I hear

TU: :// good

TU: :// mars had this coming to him since forever ago. if it wasnt you and me itd be someone else

TU: :// the only question i still have is what the fuck is at hq still that you want so badly

ME: Stuff. n' things.

ME: I'll tell Ya' in person. How's that?

TU: :// its fine i guess. surprised you even thought about giving me a direct answer

TU: :// that all? just a little bit busy right now

ME: Yeah I guess

ME: Better aCtuallY stop bY or I won't tell

“Doll?” Mayara scoffs. “That’s a new one,” she says before promptly returning to finish the piece she was working on. 

It was almost done, and going towards a deal she made not too long ago. It was originally just supposed to be a standard project, but for some reason she started putting a lot more effort into it. Guess he’s getting a steal, comparatively, she thinks. Considerin’ I haven’t asked for anything yet.

“What’cha got there? Looks… old fashioned. Like one of those revolvers from a western.” Al peeks over at her worktop as she burns a design into the grip of said revolver.

“Nothin’ for you. Gimme a sec, and I’ll put this away. Just needed the momentum to finish up.”

“Don’t want it anyway. Still happy with the other one I got from ya’.” He waits somewhat impatiently as Maya puts her tools away. There’s important things they need to talk about and get set up. “So, I noticed y’ managed to get the uh, errands all ran.”

She looks over at him with a particularly neutral expression. “Guess so. The real question is, did it affect his business? Can’t really tell just from fucking shit up.”

“Oh, trust me. It did. Even overheard a conversation. ‘Take care of your little ghost problem, and maybe then we can work something out!’ Mar’s absolutely livid. Distributor wants nothin’ to do with ‘im.”

Now that puts a smile to Maya’s face. “Good, then I have his attention.” She motions him over to the center workbench, which had been cleared of tools and miscellaneous debris. Instead, laid on the table was a map with various locations marked and circled. “Part one, ruin his reputation and completely fuck his business partners over- done.”

“Heard that. Guess we’re movin’ on to the next part, eh?” Allaik points down at one of the marked locations.

“Part two. Sabotage. Chrome’s got two other small warehouses across the city. We destroy the supply, maybe take the whole building down with it. I already know what you’re gonna suggest, but for that you’re gonna need somethin’ that burns a lot hotter than gasoline.”

“Way ahead of ya’. Already got my eyes set on a sizable supply of flash powder. Or as I should call it, thermite. That stuff should do the trick, and we’ll just disable the fire suppressants while we’re there.”

Al looks almost… impressed. Maya’s not usually one to take initiative like that, or to plan things so far in advance. That’s one of the reasons he was here. “Okay, well ‘s soon as you get a hold of it, we can get that part set up. Don’t wanna do it too soon, otherwise it’s more likely that someone’ll find it-”

“-Yeah yeah, and that’s the last thing we want. I know. And you’re the one who said I worry too much, doll.” Her laugh is apparently contagious, as Al chuckles along with her.

“Fuck, when you say it, it just sounds weird. Don’t ever say that again.”

He sighs, catching his breath and returning to the matter at hand. “There’s no real time limit, but there is a night that most of the lackeys’ll be out. Probably our best night to make the point. You got ideas?”

She pauses for a moment, looking over to the corner where a small, four-legged robot was charging. “Yeah, kind of. I’ve got a ton of throwable and remote choke bombs for a decent cover. That’ll let ‘im know it’s me who’s there at least, as well as give me some room to work.”

“Fire won’t work with the choke bombs, though,” Allaik points out.

“Yeah, but we’re not burnin’ this one down, are we? It’d be fun, I admit. But there’s something in there that I want- something you can’t grab for me. That’s why you’re gonna plant these around instead.”

Mayara hands him a box- kind of small, but no shorter than his forearm. Upon peeking inside, Al sees it’s a box with small, flat disc-like devices. They’re snuggly fit into foam to avoid jostling, which means they’re somewhat delicate.

“Maya. What the fuck are these?”

“Controlled demolition explosives. Just plant those around on major supports, the whole building’ll crumble apart. Careful not to shake those around too much, don’t need my workshop blowing to pieces for a second time-”

“Second??-”

She makes a sharp noise to cut him off, and continues. “Not what you should be worryin’ about. You’re the one who wanted to burn all the hideouts down-”

“-Excuse you, arson was your brilliant idea-”

“Anyway,” she cuts off again, “that’s the best way to’ make sure what I want from there survives. Do not put a charge close to where my old shop was. ‘Kay?”

Allaik is just baffled by the request, along with the fact that these devices are supposed to be strong enough to bring the whole place down. However, he doesn’t say no. He tucks the box away into his modus, and shakes his head.

“I knew you were fucking crazy. What’s even there that you want so badly?”

“What.”

“What?”

Maya looks him dead in the eye. “...None of your business. I have my own secrets to keep, and you got yours. Just don’t need anyone seein’ it other than me- and don’t, go looking for it. That’s a threat.”

He returns The Look. “Fine. Whatever. Don’t know what’s so fucking important to you there, but I can appreciate you not diggin’ into my business well enough.” He mumbles under his breath. “Askin’ me to fuckin’ blow the place to bits. Okay,”

“Anything else you needed from me this wonderful evening, Allie?” Mayara smirks. She knows he hates that nickname.

“Fuck off, Khepar,” he chuckles. “Naw, I think that pretty much covers it, other than specifics. I’ll keep in touch though.”

“You better.”

Before he makes it out of the back door, Al turns around to face Maya again. “-And hey, try not to get yourself killed, yeah?” 

“Pfff. What’s with the ridiculous get-up? Laundry get mixed up with the hivemate’s?” She snickers.

“Nice to see you too, asshole. I’m not allowed to try something different now and then?” The anon moves to sit across from Maya, case in one hand. Though, it’s set down next to him and disregarded for the time being.

“Whatever. I didn’t come here for you to judge my outfit.”

“Riiight, and I suppose we’re not here for a friendly chit-chat, either- are we, Tenny? It’s a shame, really. I was lookin’ forward to tellin’ ya’ all about the little adventure I had a few weeks ago.” The sarcasm in her tone is heavy. An ‘adventure' is the nice way to put it, considering a whole building got burned to the ground.

“We can talk all you want afterwards. First on the order of business, though- a little bit of news, along with some questions.” Allaik stretches in his seat- he seems a little calm considering the usual reasons he calls in the irregular meetings. “Anything weird happen at your place recently? Out of the ordinary- even for you?”

She pauses for a moment, thinking. It’s kinda weird that he knows that already. “Yeah. One of your friends threw a brick through my store window. Was a pain in the ass to replace.”

“Mm. Not one of my friends, and you know this.” He pauses in turn- crossing his arms- but only briefly before starting up again. “I think that little incident there was only a distraction. Hence, why I’m returning this to you.”

“A distraction?” She gives an incredulous scoff.

With a slow motion, Allaik brings the case up to the table and slides it over to Mayara. “I wouldn’t open that up here. Might ah, scare a few folks. Maybe even get us kicked out, given the “no weapon” rule here.”

The barista behind the counter perks her head up at the sound of ‘weapon,’ scanning the contents of the café. Mayara takes note, and puts the case back on the ground without opening it. “Well, obviously I wanna know what’s in there.”

“That’s reasonable. But tell me- have you taken stock recently?”

“You’re kidding. One of mine? Who the hell’d you pull it off of?” She kicks the box under her chair, as if that would make it a little safer from others.

His smug grin grows a little wider. “Some poor schmuck. Probably the same one that broke your window. Doesn’t matter now though- it’s all taken care of.”

All taken care of. Maya knows exactly what that means. She’s no stranger to death- what bothers her the most is the fact that she failed to notice what was going on right under her nose. Her ear flicks with the slightest bit of annoyance, and it carries over to her intonation. “This Mar’s doing?”

Al shakes his head. “Believe it or not, no. Though, he wasn’t too happy with a splinter group takin’ things into their own. Got rid of Finnic right in front of everyone else, and told me to take care of the rest.”

Geez. That got dark real quick. “Hm. Don’t suppose that he changed his mind though, did he?”

“Nope. Boss man still wants you back. Though, he insists on the ‘alive’ part of that- much to the dismay of all the violent ones kickin’ around.”

Aw. Poor things, Mayara thinks. They want her dead, they can try. But the fact that Marote is still chasing a pipe dream only annoys her further.

“Per my last message: Tell ‘im I said to shove it up his ass. He wants any work done, he can commission me like everyone else does. I’m still pissed about the ‘severance’ package deal.”

That last statement made Allaik titter. “As you should be. Was pretty shit of ‘im to break the last boss’s word like that, huh?”

“I get he’s not happy about me leavin’- but I never liked workin’ for you guys in the first place. Nbiish knew that. Why can’t Marote get it through that tiny fuckin’ skull of his?”

Maya looks off to the window front, and sighs. The whole situation was just asinine to her. She was just tired- wanted to just get away and have nothing to do with the group anymore. But now? She’s livid. Being idle and ignoring the problem wasn’t doing anything- so what’s the harm in prodding back? Why does she even have to prod back? Couldn’t they just leave her alone?

A question disrupts her thoughts. “Hey. You alright?”

She looks back to find Al’s hand on hers, and she frowns. “Same shit as usual. You know already.” Maya pries her hand away.

Allaik gives back a weak smile, retracting his own hand. “Yeah, unfortunately I do.”

The silence between the two is short-lived, but awkward and stifling enough to make it feel like a lifetime. Finally, Allaik speaks up. It seems that wasn’t all he had to say.

“Well, in lighter news. This little group’s actions put Marote on the radar finally. Caught the attention of the one and only.”

“Al, you know I don’t keep up with this gang business that much. Spit it out.”

“Right, right.” He clears his throat. “Chromatics aren’t so secret anymore. Caught the attention of an intelligence group in the area. Took long enough, honestly. Thought they’d never catch on.”

Maya just looks at him blankly. “I knew you were a rat to me, but I didn’t know you ratted out to anyone else. The fuck are you doing? Trying to get yourself killed?”

She never receives a comment on that part- Allaik just continues on with that smug grin he perpetually has. “Anyway, they’re under a lot of scrutiny right now. People wanna know if they’re a threat or not- me included. It would be interesting if something were to… damage their reputation permanently. Maybe a certain interloper-”

Mayara rudely interrupts his statement. “Fuck that. I am not putting on that persona just to have more people watching my every move.”

“Oh come on, no one even knows who Moxie is besides the other Chromes and me. You’ve got your stunts and whatever, but other than that, no one knows it’s you. You’d be a ghost! Didn’t you say you wanted a reputation? This is a chance to shine, and hit ‘em where it really hurts.”

She thinks on it, almost considering the option. “It could be. But consider- a group popping up and getting their ass handed to them? Happens all the time. No one’ll care.”

“An entire organization driven back into hiding because of one person? I think people’ll care. We just make sure to leave enough evidence to prove it was just one, and not enough for them to know who.” He’s feeding into her ego and talking as if he wouldn’t help. But why in the world is he so set on this? It’s almost like he knows something she doesn’t.

She sighs, giving in. “Alright. But I’m not committing mass murder- dismantling only, so you better have a good idea. What do you want?”

Allaik’s eyes light up, and he’s just beaming. “Fine by me. I don’t need anything. This is reward enough! Marote, gone- all of ‘em, gone? Like a dream come true. Well, not gone. But y’know what I mean.”

“Wait. Why do you not like the guy?” Maya knows why she doesn’t like him. But Al? How do you even get on Al’s bad side? She doesn’t like the grin on his face. It’s hiding something, and it bothers her that she can’t tell what.

“Hm.” He puts a hand to his chin. “Killed one friend, treats another like shit. Think that’s reason enough. But if not, then I just hate the guy personally. Especially hate the way he acts like everything’s this big game.”

The first part of that statement clicks in Mayara’s head, the realization setting in. “Oh.” That’s all she can manage to say at the moment. The fact that she’s so silent all of a sudden brings Al to laughter.

“Wow. That taking a bit to process there? Fine, fine. Go on, I’ll wait.” He leans back in his chair, looking all too pleased with himself.

“Oh fuck right off. If that’s how you’re gonna be, maybe I won’t do it after all. Moxie’ll stay dead.” Maya crosses her arms, and chuckles to herself. That was a bald-faced lie- she’s already sold on the matter.

“Don’t be like that. We’ve got work to do- money to make, plans to scheme…” Al gestures in front of him, talking with his hands.