A Drink Between Murderers

[Mae Garner]

The rain would annoy most people, she reckoned. Probably the reason it did the opposite for her. She wasn’t exactly “normal” after all, was she? Still, she settled for sitting indoors instead of outside in the cold. No sense in getting wet.

Her eyes remained fixed on the window while the downpour was busy outside. Only occasionally was her gaze drawn away when she poured herself another glass from the bottle readily at hand. If she was going to have one of her still moments, she figured she might as well make use of the bottle she’d stolen.

Once a thief, always a thief, she figured.

Between downing another gulp and staring out into the stormy abyss, she huffed. “You know, not knocking is normally seen as a rude gesture.” She deadpanned, not bothering to see who’d come in. There were only two types of people who’d find her there: one she worked with, and the other she could deal with.

[Talia Bracken]

Keeping track of the other Widows was harder than one might expect. But that was the point. They were assassins. Whispers. Things to be feared, more or less. So the harder they were to find, the better. However, Talia knew just who she was looking for. And just where she might be with weather like this.

She shook off the heavy coat she’d chosen. It protected her well enough from the rain. Meanwhile blue eyes glanced up to the source of the voice. Not knocking was normally seen as rude. The remark, delivered without a glance or inflection of voice, made her smirk. “Doesn’t look like I’m interrupting anything important.” A good amount of teasing was in her voice. She came closer, placing her coat off to the side somewhere to dry.

[Mae Garner]

She snorted, eyes finally tearing aware from the windowpane to see her guest. Not that she needed to; she could recognize who her leader was by voice alone. “Still means you’re interrupting.” She returned just as easily. Not that she frankly cared.

After that her eyes turned back to her glass and bottle, and she poured herself another one. However this time she offered it to her timely companion. “Want any?” She offered, observing the other assassin. “I can at least promise it doesn’t taste as bad as the usual stuff you find around here.”

Not that that was saying much.

[Talia Bracken]

Still meant she was interrupting. The reply came with a snort too. Talia felt her smirk grow somewhat. The other woman always managed to surprise her with her replies. They were often sarcastic. Even if she was technically talking to her superior. It was refreshing. “Should I leave then?” She asked even if she knew the answer.

Soon a glass was held out before her. Did she want any? She could at least promise that it didn’t taste as bad as what was usually found around these parts. She took that with a wry smile. But accepted nonetheless. “Thank you.” She added before putting the glass to her lips. It was better than most drinks she’d had in the Outer City, but that didn’t mean it was delicious by any means.

“Sometimes I wonder how you can manage to drink any of this at all.” Now empty, the glass was returned.

[Mae Garner]

She only answered the question with a curve of her eyebrow and pressed lips. If either assassin really wanted to be alone, the other would know. The perks of being well versed in body language.

Once the glass was out of her hand, she returned her attention to the window. The rain was still falling as heavily as ever, despite her interrupted vigil. Idly she watched it hit and trail along the glass while her companion commented on the taste.

“Because I’m pretty sure my tastebuds are dead at this point.” She answered while taking the glass back and pouring another cup. This time she was the one to down it all.

After that she simply sat in silence for a while. Watching the rain on and through the glass. Although she couldn’t possibly forget the woman in the room with her. “So whaddya want?” She finally questioned. There had to be some sort of reason.

[Talia Bracken]

She was pretty sure her tastebuds were dead at this point. Talia chuckled slightly while watching her down the drink she poured. “That would explain a lot.” Came the tease. No one could really afford to be picky out here.

What did she want? The question came after a few moments of silence. Talia held her own pause, watching the window now too. “Another job, but we don’t have to do anything right now.” Time wasn’t of the essence for this one. The sooner the better of course. But not vitally necessary. Besides, the rhythmic sound of the rain was starting to get to her. It was becoming a little more clear why she had been sitting alone inside in the first place.

[Mae Garner]

She huffed in response to the tease. The better reasoning was her preference to drink. It was one of the few things that elicited something. Whether that was good or bad, she’d take anything at this point.

She wasn’t so surprised there was a reason for meeting. Visits like these didn’t just “happen.” Although the lack of haste needed wasn’t something she was used to. Not that she’d complain.

“Good. Wasn’t planning on heading out right away anyways.”

[Talia Bracken]

A huff was all she got for her teasing. Not surprising in the least, but the smirk on her face turned just a tad more smug. A little more pleased. She’d take what she could from her expressionless companion. Small victories were still victories.

Good. She hadn’t planned on heading out right away anyways. A remake that earned an arched brow. “Oh?” The inquisitive sound came with a curious blue gaze. With some amusement thrown in. “What if I had ordered it?” She asked, testing to see what she would answer with.

[Mae Garner]

The question that came from the other assassin held some hidden weight to it. Slowly she turned her head from the object of her obsession to the object of her curiosity.

It was painfully clear that under any other leader, Mae would be kicked out for her normally informal tone alone. It wasn’t really something she could help: it was in her nature. As much as she could try restraining it, it always got out.

Which was why instead of balking, she arched an eyebrow as well. “Are you ordering me to?”

[Talia Bracken]

Most underlings, when speaking to their leaders, would immediately obey. It depended on the leader. Talia was fair enough, given that she had to adapt to different things happening in little to no time occasionally. Each widow had a different personality that she was aware of and used to get their jobs done. Still, there was a certain level of obedience expected of each.

Yet instead of an immediate answer, she got a slow head turn. She met the brown gaze evenly. Was she ordering her to? The words came back to challenge her equally. She could make it into an order. Force her to go out in the rain. See if she would. A few heartbeats passed. But finally Talia chuckled and shook her head. “No, I’m not.”

[Mae Garner]

In the silence that stretched between them, her own heartbeat mingled with the sound of the rain outside. She was aware she’d basically just challenged her boss’ authority, even if in a minor way. The blonde was a fair type, considering she lead a group of assassins of all things. However Mae found herself wondering if her attitude had gone a little too far for once.

She tried not to show any sign of relief when that wasn’t the case. With their little confrontation out of the way, she gladly looked back to the rain outside. “Well then there’s your answer.”

[Talia Bracken]

There was relief in her expression. Despite how much she clearly tried to hide it. A smile that was decidedly smug spread across her features while she looked away again. It was admittedly a little satisfying to know she had an effect on one so supposedly stoic.

There was her answer. She wouldn’t go if Talia didn’t say. She hummed idly in thought. It was a good enough answer for this case scenario. But she still pushed to ask. “But what if I had ordered it?” The question came while she too stared out into the storm. Despite her flexibility with rules, she did have to know.

[Mae Garner]

She could feel rather than see the triumphant look on the other woman’s face. Better for it to be entertainment than annoyance.

Although the question came up again. This time she wet her bottom lip while giving a nod. “Then yes.” She admitted, keeping her eyes on the window. Why wouldn’t she? If she had a death wish, she'd give herself up to the gangrels.

That didn’t mean she liked admitting the fact however. She could imagine the other assassin’s expression growing even more pleased with her answer. Answering had already delivered a blow to her ego.

[Talia Bracken]

Yes. She would. The word appeared to be reluctantly drawn. it was clear how little she liked to conform to some sort of authority. This drew out a flash of satisfaction in Talia. Wicked, but satisfaction none the less. “Good.” She purred simply. There was nothing more she needed to say, now that she got her answer.

Instead she mirrored the brunette and stared out the window. The rain still came. before she knew it, she felt herself start falling into something of a trance. The sound of the water against the glass, coupled with the soft warmth from the drink she’d had only minutes ago, was enough to make her still. Moments like these were rare. She imagined they were rare for her too. So the silence reigned for a while longer.

Eventually though, she chanced a moment to speak again. “I think I understand why you do this now.” A gesture towards the window came with the remark. Still, her eyes remained upon it and not her. She was just as drawn in now.

[Mae Garner]

After the mini confrontation, it seemed like neither of them wanted to speak. Mae was more than fine with that. Without interruption from her companion, she continued to stare out into the downpour.

There was just something about it that halted everything inside of her. Not the normal stillness she found, but a good one instead. It was enjoyable; maybe even peaceful if she dared to call it that. At any case, it made her feel calmer and more content than nearly anything else did. Combined with the alcohol, she could stay like that forever. Eternally staring out at grey skies and falling water. It didn’t sound like a great existence on paper, but she would’ve gladly taken it.

However the silence was broken once again by her fellow widow. In any other state, she might’ve been annoyed. Instead she simply nodded. “Sitting still without worrying about a knife or fang in your neck is a novelty. I'll take what I can get."