It was late afternoon around 8 o clock I estimated, and by this time I had already informed Emma of our soon to be encountered crime boss, needless to say, this only put her in more of a mood than she had already been in. I reasoned I would probably have to drag her the whole way if I expected her to accompany me, the wolf did say her presence was optional, but I know Tong Fo would probably be disappointed if she didn't show up. I also had basically called her my partner, and as such it would look pretty weird if I were to come there without her, if we were truly partners then our presence there would be of equal importance...besides I think if I were not to bring her Tong Fo may not trust me as much. Keeping her from meeting him might have seemed disrespectful to him, or worse...distrustful as if I was hiding something about her. If it's one thing I know, it's criminals can be very suspicious of things that most average people wouldn't bat an eye at, but that comes with the territory I guess.
I was really nervous about this meeting, I knew if nothing else I would be able to impress Tong Fo with my knowledge, but what then...knowledge is only part of the package, the other was knowing how to fight...which I honesty did not even have the faintest idea about. However I knew someone who did...Emma. You see when I was explaining our skills to the wolf earlier, I wasn't exactly lying...I did know how to do all the things I mentioned such as planning, strategy, and even the building and producing weapons...although admittedly most of my "projects" in real life where for much less violent use... and as for Emma I knew that her obsession with KPF had lead her to learn a little Kung fu in her spare time. Which I found highly ridiculous when I first learned of it, but hey...now that fact proved rather useful. I was kind of surprised at how good of a potential team me and Emma could make, and I had to admit that it was rather eerie that we a had such varied skills and were so polar opposite of one another we perfectly countered the others weaknesses. It was kind of a wonder I had never noticed this before, well leave being transported to an alternate dimension to notice these sort of things. I was brought out of these thoughts however when I hear a knock on my door.
I hurriedly rushed to the door and swung it open like a mad woman, my nerves still on edge because I knew what was about to go down tonight.
"Hello Ivanna I'm glad to see you are so...awake, are you feeling ok about this still, you look as pale as an albino Python," The wolf greeted with concern noticing my nervous expression.
"I'm fine, just admittedly a little nervous...it's not every day you meet a crime boss...I'm not sure I know what to expect," I quietly confessed.
"Nothing you really need to worry about, unless of course you have anything of consequence to hide, I know we all have our secrets and I am pretty sure I can sense you have many by the way you act...Tong Fo is pretty relaxed about that though, as long as it doesn't involve him he could care less about your past...he is only interested in your present, after all that the only part of you he needs to know. Also try not to think of him as a crime boss, especially if it makes you uncomfortable, just think of him as a normal boss, and don't feel the need to suck up to him either, he hates brown noses. If you want to get on his good side and earn his favor, do whatever job he gives you well and as fast as you can," The wolf explained hoping it would calm me down.
"Yeah...easy for you to say, I'm not nearly experienced with this as you are...besides I don't really know if I even trust this guy yet..." I said not really thinking about my words.
"Ahh, so I was right...you are hiding something." He commented at my remark.
"What?! No...no..no where did you get a silly idea like that?" I stuttered out nervously sweat pouring from my brow.
"Look ok, I'm a criminal, I can tell when someone is trying to hide something from me from a mile away...and that's perfectly alright, if it doesn't involve me then I really don't need to know. Just don't deny it alright...it's rather annoying to say the least." The wolf said knowingly
"Fine...ok, maybe I am hiding a few things...but only out of necessity. And no they don't have Anything to do with you." I said answering the slyly unasked question.
"Well that's good enough for me. You see was that so hard? Just remember though don't ever keep a secret from us that could affect us...or Tong Fo would be furious." The wolf warned.
"Note taken, but do you really think I'd be that stupid?" I questioned
"Well if our first meeting was anything to go by, then no. I have to say you defiantly impressed me with your cunning and ingenuity, you should be most useful to our organization. But there is one thing that is still bugging me a little bit..." The wolf trailed off
"What's that?" I asked, my voice a little edgy.
"Well it's nothing too serious...it's just...if your friend Emma is as good as a fighter as you say she is then why didn't she help you to defeat the rhinos back there?" He asked
"Well the simple answer is...because she is smart, she knew we were hopelessly outnumbered...even with her fighting skills they would be no way she could defeat all of them and she knew if she tried she could be killed, or even worse captured. She knew my cunning and quick thinking was the only way we were going to get out of that situation alive, even revealing herself would have further complicated the situation." I answered without a moments hesitation, and it was actually easy considering that was pretty much the truth.
"Wow, that actually makes perfect sense, I was beginning to wonder whether your friend was simply a coward." The wolf said rather ineloquently.
"Trust me, Emma is anything but a coward...but at the same time she is realistic and very intelligent at figuring the odds, but even a situation like with the rhinos, where the odds are insurmountable...I have no doubts she would step in if my plan was to fail. But in this case it was unnecessary for her to needlessly put herself in danger, because she knew I had it under control." I explained proudly.
"Seems like you really trust this girl, even with your life." The wolf commented slightly astonished.
"Well that's what friends are for, without trust we wouldn't be able to work together as seamlessly as we do." I replied.
"Well anyways you and friend better start getting ready, the last thing we want is to show disrespect to Tong Fo by arriving late, he greatly values punctuality." The wolf said as he urged me to my friends room so I could inform her to prepare for our departure.
"Oh boy...here we go." I thought silently.
