As the two spoke, a well-dressed man with graying hair meandered towards them from the bar proper. His calm expression and casual demeanor marked him as a regular resident of the station, not one of the inebriated guests. Just before he came within range of their conversation, he took a long drag from a handheld Cardamine vaporizer and collected himself.
"It pains me to have to interrupt this touching scene, Wolfgang," he said as he approached the lounging pair, "but Provocateur Yoshida sent me here with an important and confidential request for our guest, Ms. Saeki."
The wrinkles around his eyes grew more pronounced as he grinned, perhaps taking some pleasure in the awkward change in atmosphere his presence was likely to produce.
"Of course, under normal circumstances I might take my time and let you two have your... Privacy..."
He attempted to pause for dramatic effect, but was interrupted by a beeping coming from his wristwatch. He flicked on the holographic screen and skimmed the text it displayed before speaking again.
"But, well, it's like they say. 'Fun causes accelerated progress through space-time.' You're being asked for in the communications room, and by the frustrated message I just received they want you as soon as possible."
Wolfgang was caught in complete surprise, his mouth was hanging open for several seconds before he realized what was happening.
At first he was ready to punish the Interruptor for his insolence but then he realized a higher-up wanted him at the communications center.
"I ... I.. am truly sorry my dear. I will make it up to you, I promise."
He said while holding Kurumi's hands and watching her affectionately. Then the Rheinlander returned his gaze for only a moment towards Maxwell Tarn, his eyes glittering from promises of vengeance before he silently departed from Cochrane's bar. The date was over.
The appearance of the other man didn't seem to bother Kurumi that much at first. Not until he started speaking. She turned her gaze towards the man, her topaz coloured eye flashing with a slight sign of anger.
"Interruption such as this is to be frowned upon.... Say... What are your views on torture, and it's relations to the progress of time?"
Her hand slowly disappearing behind her frame, reaching for something. But doing so with an obviously slow, somewhat threatening motion. Still, she seems to pay attention to the man for now, to cancel her further actions, if deemed necessary.
Maxwell slipped a hand into the pocket of his blue slacks and retrieved a small rectangular card of "digital paper;" a thin sandwich-like arrangement of micro-electronics layered within nano-printed crystal and clear plastic that would display information when the right fingerprint was exposed to its sensors. He rested his other hand behind his back casually, his expression bemused on the surface but with a wary narrowing in his eyes.
"Torture," he said, as he held the card out to Kurumi, "is quite relative. I guess you could say that it and space-time share that particular quality. But the fact remains that I'm here to deliver this message from the Provocateur, and my interruption was quite unintentional. Consider my joking... Just a lighthearted moment between colleagues."
He tried to give the impression of a genuine smile, but it was plain that he didn't seem to believe what he said. Perhaps it was the look of pure malice that Wolfgang gave him that had prompted him to re-think his personal security.
"The information on this card is for your eyes only. Provocateur Yoshida selects only the most capable agents, and with your skills in mind I'm positive he's given you something worthwhile to pursue."
The movement of her arm continued, a sharp dagger with golden etchwork appeared from behind her back. She could've easily lunged forward for a slice, instead she casually spun the dagger, eventually returning the weapon to it's hold.
"The peace of my mind can always be stirred up. Slices can be made with a 'lighthearted' smile."
She leans closer to the man, with a smile that clearly shows a glint of lunacy. Her charming looks hide the mind of a frantic. She would take the chip with a light chuckle.
"The Lane Hackers ran out of certified lunatics, it seems. Well, I can't say they've picked the best person. If the job doesn't suit me, I'll most likely decline it."She ponders, placing her finger on the small chip.
Maxwell stepped away and folded his other arm behind his back after Kurumi retrieved her coded data. As the liquid crystals slowly arranged themselves into letters on the display in front of Kurumi, he dutifully averted his eyes from the message and gave a friendly wave to one of the room's many disguised security cameras.
"Whatever the shortage is that prompted Provocateur Yoshida's recommendation, I'm sure you have the... Unique talents to remedy it."
He waited the few moments it would take to fully decrypt the data before speaking again.
"Do you find that this assignment piques your interest? If so we in the Inner Circle would naturally be willing to discuss proper compensation for your efforts, that is, if you have anything particular in mind."
"Provocateur Yoshida's recommendation? He never had the chance to see how I work."[/color] She throws up the chip, letting it fall onto the ground, then smashing it with her heels, disintegrating the small rectangular card.
"Nevertheless, I appreciate the fact that I was even considered for such a mission. I doubt I would be of any use with my short temper, and my occassional uncontrolable bloodlust. You can take that as a polite refusal on my end." With a step to the side, and a slight bow, she turns around, leaving the bar, adding a final sentence upon leaving. "Also, Arigato for scatting off Deceiver. I was about to do something I'd regret, thus make you all hunt me."
![[Image: 75.png]](http://lh.discoverygc.com/media/75.png)
