II. Business Meeting
8. Laggard
First Dorothy crossed her legs, then her arms, then she leaned back on the booth, giving him her haughtiest look, which wasn't hard since it was clear how superior she was to everyone else. From the tips of her toes to her perfect blonde hair. Now, that guy was the only one whose hair rivalled her own and he just had to be her most reliable contact. Damn him.
'You're late, Duo Maxwell.' She informed him.
'My bad.' He smiled sheepishly. His alarm clock had died a horrid death…under his fist. So he'd been late.
He sat. 'What d'ya need?'
9. Languid
'I need you to locate someone.'
'Locate?' he gave an exasperated sigh, sliding further down his seat.
'What?' Dorothy demanded, irritated at his exhausted face.
'I thought you'd want something easy and fun… Like hacking into someone's email account and stealing compromising pictures.' He mumbled.
'We've already done that. Relena only has teddy bear pictures.'
'Yeah, I remember that…' Duo drawled lazily. 'Most disappointing pictures ever.'
'So?' her eyebrow twitched.
'So what?'
'Will you do it?'
'Do what?' he yawned, displaying a perfect set of pearly white teeth.
Dorothy clenched her own pearly whites. 'Locate…the…guy…' she growled.
'Tsk… Why not?'
10. Clemency
'I do not appreciate being mocked.' Her eyes narrowed dangerously.
'I'm not mocking you!' Duo waved his hands frantically in front of him. 'I swear!'
'I do not believe you… But! I happen to be feeling merciful today so I won't have you killed. Yet.'
'So…' he hurriedly changed the subject. 'Who's the guy?'
'He's a supposed assassin…'
'Whoa! Things are looking up at last.' The daredevil rubbed his hands together.
'Goes by the name of Heero Yuy.'
'Wha'?!' he jumped so high he nearly fell off his seat. 'You said you were not going to have me killed yet!'
11. Blandishment
'No.'
'Why not?!' Dorothy stood up.
'Don't you know? That guy's not just a supposed assassin… He's like…the top one.'
'Then that's all the better. It'll be easy for him.' She settled back down.
'I want nothing to do with him.'
'But you are the only one I can count on!' Dorothy batted her long eyelashes.
'I'm just a hacker and occasional mediator. Occasional.'
'You are the best hacker and the most eloquent mediator. Oh, please, Duo, you must accompany me! Without you I am but a defenceless young maiden!' she blinked away fake tears.
'You? Defenceless? Maiden? Yeah, right…'
12. Petulant
Fed up with her cheap acting, Duo crossed his arms and looked down on her like a real boss. 'Fine. I'll find the guy and schedule a meeting, but that'll cost ya' twice the usual. Thrice, if you want me to accompany you to it.'
Dorothy's mouth curled in distaste. To think she had to abide to the wishes of such scum. 'Whatever.' She waved her hand.
'And I'll also require a badass black outfit to intimidate the rascal, a faster pistol, new throwing knives, mean looking shades and a bullet proof vest.'
'Will that be all?' her eyebrow twitched.
13. Antecedent
Agreement reached, they were finally able to enjoy their meals, except Duo's curiosity, which kept poking him with a fork… A very sharp fork. 'How did you come upon this guy anyways?'
'He shot Sylvia's grandfather.'
'Uh… Nice.' He didn't sound impressed.
'Do you know anyone else he's… You know…dispatched?' Dorothy sounded morbidly interested.
'You mean 'did'… I mean… I could not know someone after their dead…' he reasoned.
'Spit it, Maxwell.' Her eyes narrowed.
Duo gave a nervous laugh. 'You know that Heero Yuy guy? The organized crime big boss? I heard he offed him and stole his name.'
14. Temerity
'Are you…cops?' the elderly waitress asked in a whisper.
Dorothy threw Duo a nasty glance. He pouted. Why was it always his fault? 'Because your big mouth is known worldwide.' A voice inside his head said matter-of-factly.
'Can you keep a secret?' he whispered, shielding his lips with his hand.
'Please,' Dorothy cut in, waving a hand. 'don't mind my cousin… He does believe he's a cop.'
'Oh! It's alright, dear. I've a grandson with special needs too. I understand.' She smiled and waved goodbye.
'What was that all about?' Duo turned back to her, but Dorothy was already gone.