The smoke from the lit cigarette danced in the soft breeze, sending the nicotine-filled air towards a very disgruntled and dread-locked debt collector. Although he had been the blonde's partner for many years (rather, the smoker in question was his partner, as it was undoubtedly he who protected the debt collector), he had still failed to get used to the unhealthy habit his bodyguard had. As it was, no sooner had Shizuo taken a few drags from his cigarette then he found himself suddenly several feet away from Tom. Lifting an eyebrow at the man, Shizuo continued on with his habit. It gave him a sense of calmness that he knew was invaluable, especially when Tom was talking about something like the current topic.
"…gonna have to collect a huge debt. It's a customer we haven't heard from for a long time. So…I'll most likely need you for this one." With this, Tom glanced at his partner, perhaps attempting to predict just how irritable the ex-bartender was on that particular day. "They'll likely resist," he finished.
The truth was that Shizuo was actually relatively relaxed for once in his life. He had had a peaceful couple of days, and that morning he had even woken up with enough time to catch the tail end of one of his brother's movies playing on the television. The cigarette was more out of physical addiction than emotional need for once. Whether or not their next appointment was to be a violent one was of little concern to him; he would win regardless. A part at the very back of his head hoped he wouldn't have to throw anything that day, but he knew by Tom's description that as much as he hated violence, a peaceful result was rather unlikely.
Sighing, he took a few more drags before stomping out his cigarette. "Whatever. You know I hate violence." A slender finger pressed the purple sunglasses further up the bridge of the bodyguard's nose. As much as he enjoyed working with Tom, he found that he often wished he didn't have to attack so many people. "Just lead the way. Let's get this over with."
A wry smile played on Tom's face as he nodded. The cloud of exhaust behind the two was the only sign that a bus had occupied their corner moments before. "It's just around this corner," he said, making the turn even as he spoke. His finger pointed towards a sleek building on their right, but Shizuo's eyes were on his boss rather than the building. There was no point in studying the structure; this was simply one of dozens of houses they would visit that month demanding money that the occupant often didn't have.
As the two ascended the steps, however, the blonde couldn't help but feel a slight sensation of unease. There was something about the building that unnerved him, as if he had some reason to feel…threatened? No, it couldn't be that. Shizuo Heiwajima never felt threatened, even when he was fighting that annoying furry flea. Still, something about the area set him on edge, and he found himself already restraining himself from getting angry. It wasn't a good situation to be in when entering to see a client, but it wasn't exactly something Shizuo could control either.
A short elevator ride brought them to the small entrance to what the blonde could only assume to be a rather lavish apartment; he hadn't even stepped foot inside, and yet he could already see signs of the wealth of the occupant: a fern over there, little hanging pictures on the right, even a portrait of a battle scene. There was little doubt that this customer could pay back what they owed Tom.
The debt collector wrapped his knuckles across the solid door, awaiting a response. A short yelp could be heard from the inside, almost as if someone far away had uttered a name. A few scuffling sounds later, and the door to the apartment swung open thanks to a young woman.
"Hello there, miss," Tom began, regarding her from his place outside of the dwelling. "I'm quite sorry to bother you, but is the owner of this apartment in at the moment?" A congenial smile followed his words, attempting to mask the purpose of his visit behind false kindness.
The woman merely rewarded his greeting with apathy. Her eyes simply glossed over his face as she replied. "He's over here. Come on." Turning her back on the suspicious pair, the women led them into the apartment. Although the inside was much darker than the out, the furnishing seemed to remain similar to the pieces that had greeted Shizuo on the doorstep. Indeed, there was another fern in the corner of what appeared to be the main room. The bartender glanced around at the house, mildly interested. It was unlike any apartment he had seen – more like a flat, really.
Tom's voice ripped him from his reverie and he turned his attention to their client. Across from the two partners was a large, oddly shaped desk, and behind that a black chair facing an incredibly large picture window. Shizuo's eyes worked their way up to the back of the client's head.
He felt something snap.
He was mad. He was furious. He was so fucking mad! Shizuo didn't know whether to be angry with his boss for leading him there, or at the man on the other side of the desk. All he knew was that in a matter of seconds, he had hoisted the leather couch over his head, planning to hurtle it at the man in the chair. "IZAAAAAYAAAAA-KUUUNNNNN!" The couch went flying, and the chair turned quickly, suddenly vacant of its former occupant. A crash marked the sound of the couch hitting the window which, surprisingly, failed to break. But Shizuo wasn't focused on that. He had already turned his attention to the face of the sneering man who had appeared beside him.
Orihara Izaya's smile only grew as he beheld his nemesis. "Oh! This is wonderful! Namie! Namie, go put on some tea. Shizu-chan's stopped by to play!"