After a wardrobe change Hisoka headed down to the flower shop. If he got the job he planned on slowly transitioning to his old style. The owner's daughter was running the shop while her father was away for the afternoon. She was a young but dull-looking girl. Hisoka couldn't find any characteristics worth admiring.
Once she saw him dressed in his white-collar dress shirt and tight pink jeans, she hired him right away. He was thrilled he got the job but it was a shame all the practice he did answering interview questions with the boys went to waste.
Hisoka was surprisingly calm around the girl. She smiled a lot and gave off a friendly atmosphere. She was small and possessed no nen ability. The girl had manners and would politely ask him to do stuff like sweep and move pots around. The work was easy and the scenery did help to calm him down. So far no customers had come in. This was a good thing because he didn't have to socialize with new people before he was comfortable in this new environment.
When her father eventually returned to discover Hisoka was his new employee, he wasn't happy. Apparently he had wanted a girl because a pretty face would bring in more customers. His daughter agued that she had hired a pretty face and that he would bring in plenty of customers.
The whole time they argued Hisoka was tightly gripping the handle of the broom. He was really hoping not to get fired on his first day. The thought of failure never scared him till now. The old him didn't even register failure. As long as he enjoyed himself he never really cared if he completed a mission or not. It was one of the reasons Illumi hated to go on jobs with him. He rather have fun playing with the bodyguards than actually kill the hit. Most times he would be so focused on the fight the target would sneak away. `
In the end the owner conceded to his daughter's wishes. Even though Hisoka now has an arrogant prick that enjoyed bossing him around, the magician was proud of himself. He had set out with a goal and he achieved it. For the next week he would show up to work and practice being around people in a safe and relaxing environment. It was getting easier to be around people.
That was till the majority of the Spiders were marching right towards him. Everything happened so quickly. Hisoka's fighter instincts kicked in. With an effortless leap he jumped over the flower stand and with three long steps reached the shop's entrance. He locked the door knowing full well that it would be useless in stopping them. The act just made him feel better.
The store had a back door but he was positively one of the Spiders would be waiting for him. He chose to climb to the attic and budge gum his way out like a spider. He should have known better than to try and imitate the arachnids because as soon as his feet left the roof he found himself tangled in Machi's tight and sharp strings. The threads squeezed tightly into his wrist and ankles. They dug so deep, blood dripped down the silk lines.
"I wasn't expecting you to actually run away. I thought you charge right at us and take us all on at once." Machi was standing on roof tiles. Her arms were spread out and dozens of threads were wrapped around her fingertips. Those same strings that had him trapped were scattered around the whole area in a web-like pattern.
"Under normal circumstances that's probably what would of happen. You know being the spiders head second really suits your nen ability well."
"What are you planing Hisoka? First, you pursue us for months, and then you drop off the face of the earth without a trace and now you run after seeing us. And what is with the flower shop job? Didn't take you for a florist."
"Ever heard of trying new things?" Hisoka was trying to control his trembling. He couldn't let them find out his secret.
"I'm not naive enough to believe your wising up and leaving us alone."
A voice suddenly interrupted them. "Machi, bring him down," Chrollo called from the ground.
Hisoka felt threads pull him down. "Wait Machi you don't understand."
It was too late. Like a puppet on a string he was lowered into the flower stores alley. It was a den of spiders and unfortunately for him, he was the fly.
Machi positioned him so his arms were tied behind his back and he was elevated from the ground but with his knees bent and ankles raised. This made the six-foot man eye level with most of the group. It also made it impossible for him to get footing and strike one of them, not that he could break free from her threads, but Machi liked to be cautious with all things involving Hisoka.
"You refused my challenge at heavens area. I thought you would jump at the chance to fight me." Chrollo was right in front of him. His sinister glare almost burned from its intensity. "Never thought I get ignored by you."
Chrollo was close enough that Hisoka could feel his breath against him. Never had the Phantom Troupe leader allowed himself to come so close before. Now that he was so near Hisoka wished he was a thousand miles away. Life could really be unfair.
"I-I had better t-things to do" it was difficult keeping his voice straight.
"Is that so?" Chrollo leaned closer. He knew something was off about Hisoka.
Hisoka looked around. He was surrounded by murderous faces. He had to keep Chrollo talking if only to avoid having to fight. His chances were not good.
Doing his best to act like his old self Hisoka sneered. "If I knew playing hard to get would be your trigger I would have done it years ago."
"Your acting differently." He observed.
"Just a little flustered Danchou-Chan. These bindings have me a little hot and bothered." Hisoka let out a moan. He actually enjoyed how Machi's face scrunched in disgust.
Ink black eyes narrowed. "You lost the right to call me that traitor."
"So harsh Danchou. I'll accept your request and we can fight at heavens arena."
"No point if your right here." Chrollo wrapped his hand around Hisoka's throat. Ever so slowly he tightens his grip. "And so venerable.
