I own none of these Characters. Only Kiyoma, Kyra, and Lorelei are mine!

Left alone at Heaven's Arena, Lorelei finds herself thinking, even longing, for someone, anyone, to interact with her. She finds herself even thinking about enduring Hisoka's company. There's a surprise waiting for her one day though, and it could be the beginning of the change of her life.

An Interesting Opportunity

Lorelei was bored.

Extremely.

Bored to the point of insanity.

Bored to where she was just about to leave Heaven's Arena and go on a trip. An adventure. Anything that could save her from days at the café, books, and starring at the rabbit that now sat on the table by the window in her home.

Sitting on the couch in one of the inner rooms of her floor, she was staring at the said rabbit as she tuned her guitar. Those red eyes seemed to stare back at her, it's teeth munching at the food before it. A most awkward staring contest had formed between the two of them. To think that her boredom had succumbed to this. She'd even take a certain magician invading her privacy right now than this!

Kyra and Illumi had been in town just a week ago before they both took off on their own little missions again, Illumi being forced to return home and Kyra taking Raelynn on a mission for the first time. Kyra claimed to be back in a week but with her…something else would catch her attention and it would take longer; it always did.

Even Kina was gone, leaving her bar in the hands of her partner for the moment. When she normally got bored, that was where Lorelei would go and there she would perform, it was how Kyra and her had met Kiyoma for the first time, but she just didn't feel like it now that none of them were in town.

Kiyoma still had yet to return to the Arena; it had nearly been two months now. She hadn't heard a word from her since, either. The only one that she received messages from, outside of Illumi and Kyra, had been…

As if on que, a tune jingled from the phone beside her and she finally broke the staring contest to look at it.

At first she had been annoyed. She never gave Hisoka her number and she knew that neither Kyra nor Kiyoma would give it to him, leaving just two options. The bastard had either stolen it from the registry here at the Arena or hijacked his sister's phone.

Considering Hisoka's personality, both were likely, but she found herself leaning towards the first option more. Just taking Kiyoma's phone would be too easy; Hisoka liked to make a challenge out of everything.

The jingle sounded again, signaling another message, and Lorelei sighed, reaching for it. She never replied to Hisoka's texts but she never erased them, either. Sometimes, over the last two months, when she couldn't sleep, she'd find herself pulling them up just to read them. Some of the updates that he would give her were just comical. He liked to let her know how his day was going and assure her that he and Kiyoma were both safe. With every message, the man sent and emoji of his face, the star and teardrop obviously his signature.

Congratulations on your win last night.

The first message was simple. She had gotten it several times before. Every time she had a match he would send this message the next morning. He kept a close eye on her even when away from the arena.

I'll be back home soon.

The second message is what caught her attention, though. He was on his way back? The thought of him returning made her smile but she assured herself that it was only because she was getting annoyed in being alone. It's not as if she actually missed the Magician, right?

Despite telling herself that, Lorelei did something she had never done before. She wrote a message back and sent it with a smile.

Make it fast.

As if coming out of a daze, Lorelei scowled at her screen before tossing the phone aside and kicking her feet up on the table before her. Crossing her arms, she turned her attention back to the rabbit across from her, but it had decided it was done eating for the moment and had turned it's back to her to stare out the window. It was getting close to sunset, making the sky mixes of orange and yellow and red. Instead of staring at the window herself, Lorelei leaned her head back to stare at the ceiling instead. She didn't feel like doing anything right now, not even playing music. She just…wanted to do nothing.

She didn't know how long she sat there in silence, but the sky had turned black when a knock at her door broke the silence again. With a frown at a second set of knocks, Lorelei stood up and moved towards the door, not sure who it could be. The thought of Kiyoma or Kyra being back made her footsteps move faster.

The disappointment was clear on her face at the sight of who greeted her instead, though.

"It's you again."

"Ah, Miss Kudan! I was hoping you'd be here!"

It was a man named Isaac Netero and he was the Chairman of the Hunter's Association. He was an older gentleman and seemed harmless, but from their last encounter, Lorelei knew better. With a ponytail, a thick beard, and stretched earlobes with two piercings each, he was dressed in a traditional man's kimono of white and blue and a pair of geta. He wore that signature grin on his face as he stood outside her door, having to look up at her face.

"Don't you know the meaning of no, old man?"

"Come, Miss Kudan!" Isaac smiled. "You said you'd hear me out."

"I have no interest in becoming a Hunter, Netero."

"Yes, you made that very adamant…during our last encounter. I have, instead, come with another proposition tonight!"

Lorelei stared at him in disbelief for a moment. Three days ago, after a match, this old man had approached her and tried to convince her to participate in the Hunter Exams next year. He had been keeping tabs on her since she won the title of Floor Master due to her not having a Hunter License and wanted to change that. She had refused to get involved in his little club but here he was again. Her eyebrow twitched at that smile that still sat on his face before giving a sigh and moving out of the way, allowing the older man into her home again.

Isaac happily moved towards her couch and took a seat, leaving her to take the chair nearby; she had to move it to face him.

"Firstly, I'd like to thank you for giving me the time to speak to you. I know that you're…not interested in joining the Hunter's Association so instead I've got another idea." He closed his eyes for a moment. "At next years examination, I have two young girls participating. They're my granddaughters, Marianna and Korianna. I would like for you to join them in the exam and watch over them."

Lorelei crossed her arms, feeling her anger rise. This guy was asking her to be a babysitter. "Your granddaughters? Wouldn't they be strong enough to handle the exam on their own?"

"I have no doubt that they'd be able to, it's the other contestants that I'm worried about. Marianna is 18 so she should be fine, but Korianna is only 13 so I'm afraid that people will pick on her."

"A 13-year-old taking the exam? Are you so sure that's a good idea?"

"Though she's young, Kori is strong. That's why I'm worried. I would like someone I can trust to make sure she doesn't…go overboard and get herself, and her sister, disqualified."

At those words, Lorelei's mind immediately went back to Hisoka. What was so special about this Exam that made everyone want to be a Hunter?

"And just what makes you think that I'm someone you can trust? You don't know me."

"No, I don't, but I can offer you something I know that you'll take."

"And that is?"

"Money." Isaac grinned. "I know that after you make it this far, the arena stops giving you money. I know that they give you your home as long as you can keep your Title, but who doesn't want food and a little extra? I also know that you play music in a little bar just outside of the Arena for money every now and then for that very reason. If you do this task for me, then I'll give you a hefty sum."

"You've obviously been watching me for a long time if you know that," She stared at him. She smelled something fishy. "Just how much?" When he told her the amount, she lost all composure. "Are you kidding me!? There's no way you'd pay that much?"

Isaac laughed, pleased to see a different reaction from her this time. "But I'm very serious. My granddaughters are very important to me and I want to help them make their dreams come true. No one during the exam is going to know who they are, as long as they keep quiet, so I need someone to watch over them that knows the truth. There are some very ruthless people in the world and I can't help but worrying, despite knowing their strengths."

"But why me?" She demanded again, trying to calm herself. With that much money…she wouldn't have to worry about anything for the longest while."

"Because I can see potential in you; not very many have the spirit that you have. You are the, forgive me for saying, perfect warrior. Cold and ruthless. You don't flaunt your power and go out of your way to give tips to those you deem worthy. I could think of no one better for the job. You don't have to pass the exam yourself, if that's what you wish, you can drop out at the very end, but who knows…maybe you'll change your mind after participating."

Lorelei stayed in her chair, thinking things over as Isaac continued to stare at her with that damn smile on his face. He was trying to trick her into participating. If he could get her into the Exam then he knew that she would finish it; she hated to lose, after all. She tried to fight a smirk of her own. He thought that he was going to win; two could play at that game.

"I want to meet them before I decide anything," She told the older man. "If they annoy me then I won't do it."

Isaac clapped his hands together in joy. "I assure you, you'll love them! Such well behaved girls, they are." He stood from his seat. "Come to the Hunter Association main building when you're ready; I'll have them waiting for you!" He continued to smile. "Until then, perhaps you'd like to go get something to eat? Perhaps after that we-"

And there was his perverted tactics again. He had tried to pull this last time, too. She stood and moved towards the front door, the old man following her.

"I'll be by your office in a month, Netero. Any more harassment and I'll make it two."

"Ah, you can't blame a man for trying." He chuckled. "Until next month, Miss Kudan."

Lorelei frowned at the name before opening the door and letting the older gentleman out. She froze though. Standing there across the hall stood a man. Periwinkle blue hair, golden eyes, and dressed in those gaudy magician clothes, Hisoka Morrow wore a smile as his golden eyes stared at her with an amused expression.

Isaac popped out behind her and took in Hisoka before giving Lorelei a grin. "now I see. Expecting company, are we? You should have told me you were taken. I wouldn't have tried so hard to woo you if I had known I would be refused because of this strapping, young man."

"Get out of here before I beat you into pulp." The woman growled.

Isaac gave a laugh of glee as he scurried to the elevator. "Of course. Until next time."

As he disappeared, Lorelei rubbed her temples, trying to gather her thoughts. Only a few hours ago she had told this man to hurry back and now she was wishing he hadn't. To complain of boredom and then want to do nothing but sleep after meeting with Isaac Netero. She really needed to stop getting annoyed with things so easily. Perhaps a personality change was in order.

The form stood from the wall and lifted a hand in greeting. "Was I fast enough for you?"

Lorelei stared at Hisoka for a moment before giving a small laugh and a grin. Hisoka's eyes widened as his face gave off a look of pure shock.

She ignored it.

"Let's go eat."

The man was still for a moment, merely watching as the woman locked her door without a second thought. This was…strange. She seemed more at ease than normal. Had she been that lonely and just couldn't hide it anymore?

"So, need I ask why there was a man in your home?"

"A business proposition, that's all. He's been hounding me since you left, actually."

That made Hisoka's smile return as he followed the woman onto the elevator. He knew where she was taking him so happily walked along beside her. It felt…nice to be back in her company. After…all that had happened in Swaldani City, he welcomed the feel of her. The smile and laugh just added to it; both had been so pure. Perhaps he HAD spent too much time away.

"Business? What kind?"

She glanced at him. "Babysitting."

Hisoka blinked in shock, not sure he heard her right. "Surely you jest."

"I wish." Exiting the elevator, Lorelei led him into the dark streets of the city, heading for her favorite little diner not far away. It was where she always ate; and always where Hisoka found her before he had taken off for Swaldani City.

"What does he need someone like you babysitting for?"

"It's his granddaughters and…it's a tricky hire." She didn't want to reveal to Hisoka that it involved the Hunter Exam. If he knew he might try to convince her to join and then follow her all over the place like he normally did. Maybe what Hisoka needed was a babysitter himself when he was around…normal people. "Did you patch thigs up with your sister?"

"What makes you think we had to patch things up to begin with?"

"Considering how butt-hurt you were that she left you behind in the first place, it's hard not to know," She teased him with a light voice; the laughter he heard in it kept catching him off guard. He had barely accepted that the woman was in love with bunnies behind her strong façade but to hear her talking and joking so lightly…was this really Lorelei?

"Aren't you in a playful mood?" He grinned as they were led to their seats.

"You, Kiyoma, Kyra, and Kina ALL left me here by myself. You're my lease favorite of the four but at least your provided some form of entertainment for me," She told him, her voice retracting back into its emotionless tone.

"It's the threads of fate, leading us together once more," Hisoka smiled happily as he took the seat opposite her. "Our friendship must be meant to be."

"Are you high?" She asked him.

He leaned forward on the table, his chin cupped in his hand. "If it was not, then why did you beg for my quick return."

"As I just said, I was bored," She told him nonchalantly. "And you're the only one brave enough to come near me, outside of other Floor Masters. Being left alone here while everyone else gets to run off and play is most annoying."

"Then next time you should come with me," He offered. "I'm sure the two of us could think up wonderful ways to entertain ourselves. Or we could go up to my room after we're done eating and go ahead and take care of your boredom right now."

"Your return is taking care of that for me in full," She shot him down as she looked at the menu. "That, and getting to laugh at that atrocious hair color of your again is more than enough."

Hisoka felt his brow twitch. Her tongue was as sharp as ever.

The duo sat there eating and talking. Hisoka had never heard Lorelei so talkative before; it made him almost feel a bit guilty. Everyone outside of the other Floor Masters and a few contestants were afraid to even approach her, leaving her to brood in her room for nearly a month now; alone. If he had known that then he would have invited her with him to Swaldani City.

Then again, it's not like he cared. Why should her being bored for a month have anything to do with him? This woman had teased and ridiculed him since they first met, laughing and refusing to give him what he wanted from her; to fight. Perhaps this…strange change in her was what he needed to get what he wanted after all.

Leaning forward on the table again, Hisoka locked eyes with her; he tried not to snicker when she cocked a brow at him.

"Miss Kudan, have you, perhaps, reconsidered our fight?"

The woman swallowed. In all honesty, she had forgotten that all Hisoka really wanted out of her was a fight. That was the only reason that he was stalking her, after all.

Why did the thought of that make her sad?

At the ringing of the phone in her pocket, Lorelei found herself released from the gaze across from her and frowned as she pulled it out. She was more disappointed in herself for placing herself in that situation. As if she could find this…creep…appealing.

Recognizing the number on her phone, Lorelei smiled as she answered.

"I was wondering when you were going to call."

"Lorelei, where are you right now?"

Kyra's voice sounded panicked, making her sit up straighter in her chair, all essence of playfulness gone. "Heaven's Arena still, why? What's wrong?"

"I…I fucked up; bad. I need your help. How fast can you get to Zaban City?"

Zaban City. A bad place to be, in Lorelei's opinion. It was known for being home to shady dealers and Scam artists, and also to Johness the Dissector, a serial killer who maimed 146 victims with his bare hands.

"I'll be there as soon as I can," She stood up from her seat and began to dig through her wallet to leave the money for the food, unaware of Hisoka's surprised look. "Where do I meet you?"

"I'll send someone to you at the station; I can't be seen right now."

"Is it that bad?" Lorelei paused for a moment. "Do I need to bring Kiyoma?"

"If…if you can. Please hurry. They…they have Raelynn."

Lorelei froze and felt her anger rise. "I'll be there soon." Turning the call off, Lorelei tried to call Kiyoma immediately after but no answer. She would have to try again in a little while. This wasn't something that she was just going to leave on her voicemail. She began to walk off but then an idea struck her. Her phone gripped tight in her hand, she turned back to the man she had left at the table, a frown gracing her lips.

"Hisoka, would you like to come along?"

Her answer was a thin, twisted smile.

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