#seika

   Panic and tension spiralled inside the affluent, flamboyant office room. One stood and slammed her palms against a black, marble desk while the other flailed her arms in panic as a failed attempt of calming her furious friend.

   “S-Seika—” A squeak of a mere whimper peeped through trembling lips. “Seika please—!” Pupils shrunk to shrivelling dots, Lida glanced at the two men from across the very expensive desk before focusing back at her.

   Unfortunately for her, Lida learned the hard way how stubborn her friend could be.

   “I am not—” Rage seethed through clenched teeth, “—doing some stupid labour just because my stupid friend decided to do the stupidest thing a human being could ever do!” Besides, she barely knew him for a few months!

   One man remained in his seat. One hand was raised in Philippe’s—who had stood upright after her outburst—direction. “Such improper manners.” Calm. Concise. “May I remind you that your friend should settle this then.” Once his right-hand man had settled down next to him, Corbeau cocked his head in her direction.

   Sharp yellow eyes glared under the dazzling light. “And yet, he isn’t here.”

   Sounds of nails lightly screeching the marble table echoed loudly.

   “He’s not that hard to find.” A placid tone amidst a thick atmosphere. “All it takes is a few connections and he will be in our place. Whether he’ll be in my office or…somewhere unpleasant is a different matter.” A vile smile burned her vision.

   The shorter girl remained standing, breathing heavy through parted lips. She stood her ground; black eyes fixated on the man who decided to ruin her day—and possibly her life.

   Fuck this.

   However, although her mouth opened, words failed her when Corbeau continued.

   “Besides, the little jobs aren’t that taxing. If anything, it would quite easy for someone of your capabilities.” Yellow eyes observed the young woman before him. From the second he met her gaze, a feather of curiosity tickled him.

   Why wasn’t she scared? Compared to her taller friend, the girl entered as if she had a personal bone to pick with him. Corbeau had information of everyone in Lumiose City and almost every single person in Kalos. Even when the new girl’s information was received just last night, he remembered his breathing being hitched just at the sight of her out of the elevator.

   Adorned in mostly black—a black leather jacket with a black undershirt—she looked like a rebel through and through. With hair streak of teal and black, it was tightened nicely to a side ponytail despite her manic head-shaking. Lips were glossed in the same black colour, complimenting her warm, brown skin tone.

   The more he looked at her, the more she reminded him of his past self.

   Hands cupped to a single fist as he rested it on the side of his right, crossed leg. “And even if that is too much…” Pupils dilated slightly at the sight under her waist. The deep-black jeans that she wore were quite short, verily so. Long, ebony socks were wrapped around her legs, reaching all the way until it stopped a few inches above her knees.

   His gaze lingered on the plush skin of her thighs—a heartbeat; maybe two—before meeting her indignant glare. “There are other ways your body can be useful to us.”

   No one in the room was stupid. Not the men. Not the MZ members.

   Not even her Pokémon.

   Shock still shook her core. First: at his blasphemous alternative. Then: at the wild vibrations on her belt. “W-Woa—oi!” Hands finally flung off from the fancy table, Seika brought her widened gape at her rattling team.

   Yori was shaking most violently.

   Before the Houndoom could release himself and set some humans on fire, Seika pressed her palm against his Love Ball. Slender fingers squeezed the object, hoping that the comfort was able to go through the mechanism. “Shh, shh, it’s okay...” Gone was the toxicity of her voice, now replaced with a soothing shush for her beloved childhood friend. A few seconds passed by, and all that could be seen and heard was a trainer calming down her team.

   The sight alone intrigued one man in particular.

   After feeling that her belt wasn’t being shaken with such vigour, Seika took a long, deep breath. Her head was still turned to the side, gaze not met with neither friend nor foe.

   Black lips pursed carefully. Another sigh popped out.

   Finally, finally, after what felt like forever, she locked eyes at the Rust Syndicate crime lord.

   Gone was the kindness that flickered in such dazzling eyes.

   “Fine.” She spat. “Your little jobs it is.”

   Ba-dump!

   He was a master of deception. A hint of a smile died immediately before a curve could even twitch at the corner of his mouth. “Excellent.” A smirk instead appeared, kept right at a nice angle before it could be any wider. Keeping his sights on her, he stood up. With a single wave of his left hand, Philippe too stood up and went to his desk to fetch the contract.

   “I’m sure it will be a pleasure working with you girls.” One hand flipped through the strands of his thick, black hair. “I’ll be in touch. Once you’ve read the terms and conditions, do place your signatures before heading off on your merry way.”

   Lida got off the comfortable sofa last, frown forever etched the second she stepped into the building. She first took the contract that Philippe handed, quietly reading through while her friend continued her silent animosity against the boss.

   Corbeau didn’t mind.

   Right hand was stretched forward in Seika’s direction. “I’ll see you soon,” His smirk curled just the slightest, “Seika.”

   Against her better judgement, Seika returned his handshake with a very firm, very tight grip.

   Corbeau didn’t mind at all.

   Heh, He returned her violent grip with a gentle squeeze, this will be a pleasure indeed.