Horticulture
11.
Exchange
Pandora ventured to the underground arena on the Meljanac property. She occupied the same high seat her mother had occupied on the stands around the sandy ground where she had watched the Meljanac children test their skills. Pandora had bathed the white sands with the blood of her siblings and her father's bastards. She had stood upon them undefeated until her mother crushed her with her power, broke nearly every bone in her body, to show every member of the family that her time had not passed.
The fluorescent lights bore on her back, the heat prickling the surface of her skin. Apollo had followed his orders—though reluctant to serve any purpose benefiting Hisoka—without too many complaints.
Hisoka was set upon the blood-soaked sands and he'd be in a mood to kill after she drugged him. She prepared a sacrifice, another Meljanac assassin-in-training like Carpo that would tide over his bloodthirst. She planned to do the rest.
The elaborate plan didn't start as complicated. Pandora wanted to meet the man that fronted the Saturn Lily organization. He murdered her father. He had done it in an instant and slithered back into his darkness never to be seen or heard from again until he surfaced a second time to collect a reward he had bought from the Phantom Troupe, but this had been before Hisoka joined.
Hisoka was a means to an end. They shared the same target, except she only wanted to make a deal with Chrollo Lucilfer and Hisoka wanted to fight him to the death, but Festival Time rolled in. This resulted in her social calendar overflowing with new events.
Pandora had taken her time with Hisoka. She studied him, learned all there was to know about him and became the type of person that he wouldn't be able to shake. She created a whole new persona out of Selene's character. She needed to be interesting enough to attract his attention long enough to sink her claws into him required the unraveling of a drab story—an ex-assassin enamored with money that would do just about anything but kill to get more despite her wasteful nature being a constant obstacle in her life. Someone with potential that squandered it. That'd annoy him.
He fell. Not as neatly into her trap, but he stepped into her territory and played her game with her rules. She enjoyed him.
Pandora sat closer to the edge of the seat. Hisoka's fingers twitched over the grains of sand. Conscious returned to him as the powerful drug released him of its crutches slowly.
Hisoka rose and rubbed his face. He locked eyes with her from across the ring and he rushed headlong towards her, his bloodlust weakened her knees.
She observed the suit cards in his hands and tracked them each, evading them with ease, but Hisoka appeared before her. Her heart skipped a beat.
She questioned his speed. How did he cover this much ground in the blink of an eye? The drug should have left him sluggish. She raised her hands to defend against his punch, but she didn't put enough energy to ground her feet and she was hurled back into the wall when the hit connected.
Crap. Reset.
Pandora laughed as she moved out of the way of his next strike, but he was relentless. She needed to stall until Apollo returned. Careful not to drain too much aura. She had one more chance to void his nen. If she didn't meet the conditions, she would have to fight with Null alone and that put her at a disadvantage with the flexibility of his Bungee Gum. She was confident in her physical strength if it came down to it alone, she could overpower him as long as circumstances were ideal.
Hisoka surrendered to his bloodlust and it captivated her—watching him tear through another with an appropriately calculating method stole the breath from her lungs. There was no reasoning him. He required appeasement.
She took a solid punch across the face to seize his arm. She pushed up hard against the elbow until she heard the bone dislocate, but it didn't faze him. His mouth widened into a chilling smile that strummed slowly down her spine. She reeled him in because he let her or had it been the other way around.
She twisted around and hurled him as far from her as she could, but she sensed the cards flying towards her in time to evade them. One sliced across her shoulder. A shallow cut.
Hisoka landed on the sand and he sprang to her, but his attack connected with an adult-sized red clay doll that shattered. Shards splintered like a bursting flower and rained down around them, slicing through the air.
Hisoka halted, aware that he was outnumbered. She doubted it daunted him. He looked more pleased by Apollo's appearance.
Apollo's mood was obvious in his knitted eyebrows and furious aura that rattled the joints of his remaining three dolls.
Eos, their half-sister, squirmed against the leather bonds. She was the last of Theia's children. Without her, she would lose power as a mistress and she'd be a prime contender for the sort of death Pandora was dying to deliver.
Pandora cleaned the blood from the corner of her mouth and approached Hisoka, confident that he wouldn't strike. "Killing me like this won't be any fun." She placed her hands on his shoulder and turned him around. "Have an appetizer first."
"How romantic," said Hisoka.
Apollo released Eos of her bounds and handed her a jagged-edged dagger. "You kill him and you're free to go."
Eos died instantly. She didn't even have the opportunity to raise her weapon. She didn't slake Hisoka's appetite and his eyes narrowed at Pandora, the merriment in them a shield for the fight he planned to wring out of her. He stilled because of Apollo and her ability. This was how he intended to survive.
Pandora had no doubt in her mind that Hisoka believed her could kill both of them. She enjoyed that arrogance—his belief that he alone possessed the power to strike any target, but he wanted people that could match his strength, give him the thrill he desired.
"I'm not leaving," said Apollo.
"You will," said Pandora, watching Hisoka stalk to her. "I'll convince him before this week is out."
"He will kill you."
"Only if she lets her guard down," said Hisoka, eyeing her like he wanted to devour her. Her stomach tingled with morbid fascination. "I'm famished."
Pandora smiled. "I'm not good at staying dead."
"I like things that are hard to kill."
"Pandora."
"Take Hermes and go. If you are still on the island by nightfall"—she glared at Apollo—"I'll personally murder you both."
Apollo's jaw tightened, but he went, his dolls dragging Eos' corpse between them.
Hisoka stepped closer to her and she craned her neck to meet his gaze.
"This body seems to please you more," said Pandora, pressing her hand to his erection.
"It's more powerful than the others." He slid a hand down the curve of her back to her ass. "More resilient, too."
"You'd be surprised."
- : -
Pandora walked Hisoka to the residential quarters. He paused at the entrance to glance in her direction. He sensed no one and that smelled more like a trap than if the whole property had been full of people.
She exhaled. "You're very cautious."
"Wouldn't you be?" asked Hisoka.
"It's not like we're not having any fun," said Pandora, a smile dancing across her lips. "You don't know what's happening and I don't know what you'll do to get out of your situation." She slid the door open and gestured toward the right hallway. "After you."
Hisoka stepped inside first. "Should you be showing me your headquarters? Keeping a watch on me by yourself."
"If I nullify your ability to use nen, I'm stronger."
"Otherwise, I'm stronger?"
"It depends on the circumstances."
She invested in reparations to keep the residence quarters habitable, so the wide building had all the necessary utilities functioning. She made infrequent visits but liked prioritizing comfort so she ensured the availability of all amenities as well as provided Hermes the funds for its upkeep.
The wooden floors smelled of pine blanketed in snow and smothered the sound of her footsteps, choosing instead to echo the heel of Hisoka's shoes. Open shuttered windows welcomed the balmy breezes rustling through the high trees shading the grass in front of the two-story building. The little bit of sunshine that spilled through the spaces between leaves fell across the dark wood allowing their shadows to cast low across the walls.
Pandora opened the door to the entrance room in front of the bathroom. She planned to leave him alone and think about a way to approach the conversation, but Hisoka tugged her inside. The sealed shut door behind her back was soon pressed against her when he caged her inside his arms. She had no intention of sleeping with him. She gave him access to her body because it suited the character she played. She was curious, too. It had been a while since she last indulged with a man she had chosen without money exchanging hands and it felt good when he obliged her.
He said something along the lines of joining him in the bath, but she hadn't paid attention to the sounds he'd been making, too focused on the lewd shape of his lips moving, recalling them as they roamed her skin. Sex while using one of Hermes' costumes wasn't like having sex in her own flesh. She felt the pleasure, his hands memorizing the shape of her, his mouth on her—all of her—but it was as if he had done all of those things through a thin veil. How long had it been since she had last given her own body over to another?
Pandora wordlessly reached for his shirt and he tugged it over his head, casting it into the rectangular wicker basket. He drew her in by the sash of her robe and slid a finger into the knot, pulling it loose. She let it slide from her shoulders and threw it with his shirt. The white tank top she wore tucked into high waisted pants had gone through so many washes it was transparent and his wandering gaze settled there, observant of the way her nipples strained against the thin fabric.
Hisoka brushed his knuckles against one and the tension in her muscles eased.
He stepped out of his shoes. She removed the ribbon holding her hair up and the long colorless tickled her back.
"That's cheating. I'm half naked."
"You should wear more clothes."
Hisoka cupped her face in his hand and mushed it together, forcing her into an exaggerated pucker. He chuckled.
Pandora tugged his hands from her face and reminded him that it was his turn. He looped his thumbs into the band of his pants and relieved himself of them. He wore nothing underneath and impressed her with his distended cock. She kept her eyes on his but her hands twitched with the desire to press her palms against his hard chest.
She unbuttoned her pants and he pushed them past her hips, using the opportunity to hoist her up into his arms. He kissed her.
She wrapped around him and felt tempted to give in to her baser desires. His tongue darted into her mouth and she eagerly tasted him but started to draw back. She hesitated. This wasn't a good idea.
His grip around her tightened. He sensed her attempts to get away and he wouldn't let her leave.
Hisoka didn't bother preparing her. He thrust his engorged cock into her all at once. She shifted with a groan. She ached and reached down between them, flinching when she attempted to push him out. He pressed in, his eyes never leaving her face.
His dick twitched deep inside of her. He started to withdraw, but she wasn't wet enough for it to be the least bit pleasurable for either of them. He only minded it less. She tightened around him painfully and vocalized her discomfort.
Pandora grabbed a handful of his hair and tugged hard. "Foreplay is important! I can't get turned on as fast as you do!"
"But you do adjust quickly."
She moaned as he thrust in shallowly before she protested again. Faster. There. More right there. She lost herself wrapped up in him, her back against the wall, her sweat soaked into her transparent shirt, and the lewd sound of her body sucking him in over and over and over to the sure rhythm of his hips slapping into her ass. She touched herself to ease penetration, rubbing circles over her clit until the pain transformed.
Hisoka bruised her neck with his lips and teased her nipples with fleeting touches that left her aching for a little more—his hot mouth enveloping one and rolling it around his tongue. She would've killed for a more intimate kiss, even if he bit her again. She only wished for him to take his time tasting her pleasure on his tongue and that as she grew desperate in the onset of orgasm that he held her writhing body down, drinking every last drop.
She opened her mouth and sucked in a breath, stroking herself faster as she imagined what she wished he did.
He groaned at her ear, cursed. "You're close. I can feel it."
She moved against his piston-like movements, directing each thrust to where she felt the most satisfaction. She threw her head back and closed her eyes, her body hot and her insides spasming around his dick. The words that fell from her lips fell apart into pants on the precipice of her orgasm. She felt Hisoka's eyes steady on her skin, searing into it. She shuddered as her climax prickled under the surface of her skin and spread, flowing across her body.
Hisoka slowed, his hard cock sliding easily in and out of her. He drew out almost all the way, save for the tip of its slick head and slipped in all the way. His amber gaze fixed on the action. He licked his lips and moaned the next time he shoved inside of her. Oh, God. She cried out as she rode out her climax.
She kissed him as he came, his entire body quaking in her arms. Goosebumps appeared on her skin, a cold fire set underneath it. She relaxed as he set her on her feet. Her skin tingled. She was sensitive to the touch. She patted the door behind her, searching for the handle to step out, but he reached for her neck.
She slapped his hand away and it amused him.
Pandora stepped past him into the bathroom and sat down on the stool. She opened the water and held the sprayer over her head. She washed her body thoroughly and went to soak in the large bath. She watched Hisoka follow her lead, mesmerized by the flex of his muscles. She needed a better hobby. Her brothers were right, this was a terrible idea.
"I suppose now that I have you where I want you we should drop all airs and have an honest chat," said Pandora.
Hisoka continued to shampoo his hair. "Hmmm?"
"Don't worry, I'll sweeten the deal."
"You have nothing to offer," he said. "Unless you want to fight me."
"I've annoyed you, I know," she said, shrugging. "It had to be done, unfortunately."
"You planned this from the start?"
"Down to the last detail." Pandora cupped water into her hands and splashed the warm liquid onto her face. "I need to get close to the head of the Saturn Lily, but there is more conjecture on him than fact. Some time ago, however, my brother discovered a link to him through a little band of thieves called The Phantom Troupe. Ring a bell?"
Hisoka chuckled, but his interest was on display. He turned to give her his full attention. "Your information is outdated."
"Weren't you masquerading as a member of the Troupe for at most three years?"
"I see, you want to use me to get close to a certain someone," he said teasingly.
"Bingo."
"And if I say no?"
"I don't mind if you say no, but as slippery as Chrollo Lucilfer is, I always get what I want." Pandora turned her hand over, ripples shattering her reflection in the water. "Once I do, I'm going to do some thorough clean up ala Saar Ozwell."
Hisoka glowered, his mood soured. "Chrollo is my prey."
She leaned into the bath. "Thus, my proposal. You help me and I help you. I just want to talk to Chrollo about the Saturn Lily, see what he knows or what he's willing to tell me, and you want to fight him. I know he's evaded you since you helped exorcize his problem. I can convince him to stop running away from a fight."
He humored him. "Oh, you can?"
"Let's just say that I have something he wants. He just doesn't know it yet."
Hisoka finished washing off and joined her inside the bath, relaxing on the other end. "How long have you been tracking me?"
"Heaven's Arena, a little earlier before the fights that earned you Floor Master," she replied.
"Then you had an opportunity to meet Chrollo in Yorknew."
"I did," she said. "I kept an eye on that Blacklist Hunter that was after him. Figured someone that eager to track them down might actually lead me somewhere, but I ran into personal complications. Chrollo is rarely alone and most of the Troupe members are hard to deal with. I've been personally banned from challenging any one of them."
"Why?"
"Do you need to ask?"
"Your ability."
"It's too useful apparently." Pandora waved her hand dismissively. "I recently had someone contact me for a mission, but it fell through out of fear that I'd be killed during it, skilled as I may be. Things are pretty dangerous south of the Yorbian continent if you haven't heard."
"You don't look like the cautious type."
"I have my own goals."
"And they are?"
Pandora smiled, settling between his legs. She ran her hands down his chest. "The Saturn Lily. That's all you need to know. So, do we have a deal?"
"Sweeten it."
She captivated his interest. She saw it spark to life in his eyes. "What do you want?"
He raised two fingers. "I want to see what you want with this Saturn Lily."
Pandora didn't like that, but her expression remained neutral. She'd find a way to shake him off when she needed it. "Fine."
"And a fight."
"Shocking."
"You work your special charm on Chrollo and I fight you after I kill him."
Or he kills you and there's no fight. She leaned closer and felt his hands move down to her waist, guiding her onto his lap. "Fine."
"I lost track of him following you around, but I can find him in a matter of days."
"That's fine. I have time." She kissed him. "And I want to enjoy you as much as I can before then."
"Should you be so trusting?"
"Nobody said anything about trust."
Hisoka laughed. "Well, you have your deal, now what?"
"I plan to fuck you for an entire week before we leave the island."
"Don't I get a say?" he teased.
"We could always spend the rest of the week preparing for our long and arduous journey." She moved back to her end of the tub and propped her elbow on one side of it. She stared at his blurred reflection on the water's surface. "You're a very important guest, so I want you to be comfortable while we wait for the next airship."
"You sure you'll be safe on your own? Don't need your—"
"Let's get one thing straight, my brothers aren't around to keep me safe, they're around to keep everyone else alive."
Thank you for reading!
This is turning into...something.
