Taiga has always hated waiting. He has always hated being kept waiting even more.
He ignores the people's eyes slipping past him and yawns, feeling the early morning gnawing at his bones. He could have slept in a few more hours at this rate, no matter how long it takes to get across the Rainbow Bridge. He regards one man as he steps around his leaning figure, like the guy can somehow see the codes tattooed on his arms. Taiga adjusts his long black sleeves at the idea. Where is this guy?
His employer should be on his way, or even here by now. Taiga clicks his tongue absently. His new owner is coming. Technical term should be banned in a court of 'this is completely inhumane'. Of course, no one would because of reasons. Stupid reasons at that.
His V-Pet throbs in his pocket, as if sensing his distress. He slips one hand in and soothes the creature without looking. He's had plenty of practice at it by now. Taiga feels his goggles making to slip over his nose and pulls them back up over his forehead, wiping sweat from his brow. Maybe he should have bought that other popsicle. Wouldn't that have been professional? In a sweater on a summer day, slurping an icy treat when a weirdo richie comes around in their fancy car and tells you to beat people in the ass? Great image, that. Really great start to the relationship. Not that he knows what he's doing for the crooked and crazy and loaded whoever, anyway.
He glances at his watch, which sparkles in the sun. Someone is looking at him. It's not who he's waiting to meet, that's for darn sure. It's a bystander, noting that he's loitering. Taiga mentally dares the man to tattle, imagining how well that would go over. It would just be his 'black cat curse' acting up all over again, according to Mirei.
He would never call it a curse.
If only she could have come with him to this, to stare blankly at passerby and look at all the books she wants to read. She would be able to tell him the client's fate in advance so he would know how much money to wrangle out of them for a paycheck.
Taiga lifts his head, feeling the air change before the car arrives on the street. Thick, cold gust, power, blood wrapped in something that's in that car. Nobody really notices outside of it. Digimaru buzzes the V-Pet. Taiga taps it. No need to make the client panic.
He pretends the whispers aren't there. Could they have been any flashier in that bright car? If this is why they were late, Taiga intends to ask for a pay raise on the spot. It's way too much to be hired to help someone who drives in a sleek, beautiful car like this and not expect attacks for every breath they took.
He watches the door open and someone step out of the car. Dark hair, monochrome clothes, an easy smirk.
Dear Yggdrasil help me in my time of need, he thinks.
(He knows, realistically, that she can't these days, but it's a nice hope.)
He's playing housemaid to some rich kid. It isn't even an adult, who he could con into giving him a little extra. Judging by the pin on his collar, he's a very important rich kid.
"Apologies, for the delay." The boy -young man, dear Yggdrasil, they are the same age!- says, quiet voice betraying just how sorry he actually is. Taiga tries not to twitch. "There was an incident at home. It is currently being rectified. You are…?"
"Taiga," he answers, tapping Digimaru's screen again. "Yourself?"
"No last name?" The other shrugs the words away. "Kuga Yuuya. Let's get this off to a good start, shall we?"
Taiga wants to swear, loudly. He only nods. Of course.
He was going to kill Niko for this.
A/N: Well, this was... interesting. It was this or have this fic go nowhere I guess. Anyway, here goes. I think I'm almost done... oh no wait, I still have like: four more and site editing to do. Curse me and productivity. Anyway, please read and review!
Challenges: AU Diversity Boot Camp (reboot!AU) prompt 15 'abortive', Pairing Diversity Boot Camp prompt 40 'security', Gameverse Boot Camp prompt 29 'passenger', and Diversity Writing Challenge (Digimon) I58. Write a dystopian/utopian fic.