The guy who knocked me down was Mercutio, and the bodybuilder woman was Camber. And, currently, we were having a nice one-sided chat in my 'room'. I sat on my bed while Mercutio sat in a chair, staring at me while draped over the headrest like a towel. A pistol hanging low in one of his arms. An excellent sign for me not to fuck around.
The amazon chick stood next to him, looming menacingly. The smile on her face would have ruined her menacing if it weren't for the fact she kept flexing her arms and cracking her knuckles. She-Hulk over here was literally flexing on me and I did not approve.
Mercutio kept taking a drag of his cigarette and looked every way around me except at me. My shoulder, chest, over my head, past my ear. He was refusing to give me eye contact. I doubt it was some Nen ability (though who knows), but it felt entirely based on disrespect. As if I and this entire situation were beneath him.
The world was quiet.
And extremely awkward...
I looked at each of them before speaking, a tired sigh in my voice.
"We've been in this room for two hours... Either of you gonna' talk or something?"
Hello silence my old friend. Come to talk to you again...
I shook my head and continued talking to my shy guests.
"So, there was a black guy in the the office. And an old man in a hat. A guy in some samurai get up and no eyebrows..." I said with hands in the air.
They just stared at me. One amused and the other staring at every other part of me except my eyes. I rubbed the right side of my face and thought back to better, more interesting things. Back to Kurapika's victory two hours ago.
I remember Briannaisa being there, but she was pissed off. Not as pissed off as Evira was, but hey, my problem was with Evira. Not Briannaisa. At least now Evira knew how it felt being told what to do over the phone. Oh it was a thing of beauty seeing her fume after Kurapika hung up. She refused to say a word. It was worth being pistol-whipped and dragged around like a prisoner of war.
"Sooo... how's everything going with you guys! I hope it's going well…" I said with a cheerful mockery of friendliness. Nothing. Not even a peep.
"Jesus Christ, you fuckers are professionals, aren't ya? Huh?" I declared.
I sighed and got up. The hammer on Mercutio's pistol clicked back. He stared at me dead in the eyes, last eyes suddenly sharp as knives as his pistol pointed directly at my face. It was so fast I didn't even see any movement. Only the beginning and the end. Silent too. Not a squeak of his wooden chair against the planked floor.
The wooden boards creaked underneath me as I held up my hands in surrender. I shifted my ass back onto the bed as I kept eye contact with the man. I was basically bulletproof if he shot me in the chest with an ordinary gun. My bullet-resistant suit and superhuman body would be enough to tank a revolver round. Add Ten and I was all but wearing a bulletproof suit. But I don't think Ten would do anything to stop a bullet to my forehead, though. And I ain't testing that out now...
"Hey let's not get hasty here! I just wanted to take a piss, that's all!" I said as I pointed to the bathroom to my right. Honest, no cunning from this man. Just a bladder that was about to burst.
Mercutio lowered the gun, then lowered the hammer back down to 'not death'. With a nod, he finally spoke in his deep, baritone voice.
"Sure. But she'll keep an eye on you," he took a drag of his cigarette and continued, "I'm not into seeing another man's junk," he finished, back to not even deigning my existence.
I sighed, got up, and waved Camber over.
"Come on, I rather not burst my bladder."
As I walked away, I heroically mimed dummy the mobster's words like a ventriloquist when he couldn't see me...
Whatever. I trusted that negotiations would go well tomorrow. A warehouse on the outskirts of York New City at noon. Kurapika demanded Evira bring me, Clyde, and some dude named Shoot. Whoever that was...
I wonder what they have up their sleeves...
Noon - Duskar Warehouse District
I was roughly shoved out of a limo by a guy called Cabo. I stumbled forward, trying to catch myself while having both of my bound behind my backs in handcuffs. I looked behind and snarled at the bastard. Spikey baby blue hair and a perpetual smile had made it an unnecessarily creepy ride on top of the silence we sat in. He was still smiling at me with those sharp teeth and narrow black eyes.
"Didn't have to push me, dick," I said as he walked away with a snicker.
I stood up from my fall-stopping crouch, turned around, and looked at the industrial park. Large warehouses and long, empty streets were the entire world. This place was a ghost town. All around me were six or seven-story warehouses with broken windows, overturned trash cans, and newspapers like tumbleweed flying across the abandoned streets. There were some wasteland-like, empty lots because that's how it goes in the city.
All the buildings were worn down and grimy, and no two warehouses were the same color or design: some were white, others blue. The one we were in front of was an ancient red-brick warehouse. Dead, yellow grass was peaking out of the ill-maintained concrete and pavement all around me as I stepped around, doing the opposite of admiring my environment.
It was if a zombie apocalypse came by the outskirts of the city and the universe forgot to leave the zombies on. So, in essence, how Detroit used to look in the nineties to early 2000s. Nothing new to me, carry on.
Staring around in fake awe, I tested the cuff links to see if I could break 'em. A slow tug between my arms and... nope, fuck no. These things were some type of super metal. The strength I put against the cuffs hurt my wrists something bad, the metal bracelets cutting into my skin and almost drawing blood. I could tear doors down and these things didn't even budge. I hid a grimace. Looks like I was in the hands of Kurapika and his group.
Leorio came bumbling out of the limo as some supermodel looking black dude in a hoodie pushed him out. Far more gently than Sharkboy did to me. I gazed at the tall teen as my shorter, teenage trainer Clyde was shoved out. They too were cuffed behind their hands. Last was the scary-looking samurai dude named Shoot how I finally got face to a name this morning. He wasn't thrown out by anyone. He simply got out like a VIP member. Leorio frowned at Shoot's favorable treatment.
"Hey, why isn't he in handcuffs! He's a hostage too!"
The slamming of a car door and feet hitting dirty, gravelly pavement called out in response. We all turned to see Mercutio's exit on the other side of the limo. His lazy eyes fell on us as he spoke.
"Because... he surrendered peacefully. You three, on the other hand, were a pain in the ass," he knocked the top of the limo before turning away and leaning on the car, "besides, he only has one arm..."
Clyde stared irritably as Mercutio, before turning around to the warehouse. Everyone looked around, wondering what was going to happen. I tried to lighten the mood.
"Soooo..." I jabbed my chin towards Clyde, "that's Clyde, he trained me. Clyde, this is," I nodded my head towards Leorio like my ear itched,"Leorio, good friend of mine and fellow Hunter. Soooo, this is a thing..." I said with a with wide, goofy grin.
The two of them looked at me like I was an idiot; which I thought was unfair. I was just trying to get them to relax. I had faith everything would go well. I mean, shit, it's Kurapika, Pairo, and Killua working together.
Another limo drove up to the curb, its tires crunching against the dirty asphalt as it came to a stop. Evira, Briannaisa, and seemingly regular security guards came out of the vehicle. Briannaisa was glaring at me like I masterminded everything. I closed my eyes and gave her a facetious grin. If only I were that great, but I'll take it.
I heard their feet crunch against gravelly concrete as they walked towards us. A high sigh told me Briannaisa was about to speak.
"For your sake, I hope your friends don't pull anything stupid," she said grumpily.
"Same goes for your side, 'Naisa. You heard what Kurapika said: Only the hostages and one extra person with Evira. I'm guessing that's you?" I said as I opened my eyes.
She nodded, "Tch. Yeah. Don't be too happy."
"Huh?"
Briannaisa snarled and muscled past me as I turned to Evira in confusion. Steel eyes and a thin line for a mouth was all that met my stare. Then, all of a sudden, that amusement that Evira had all those weeks ago came back with a smile and a twinkle in her eyes.
"She's very protective of her family. Though, that's hard to understand for one with no family."
It felt like I got punched in the gut. My good mood disappearing in a heartbeat. I fought back another snarl.
"Yeah, good for you and all for your 'family'. Take over the world if you want. Have fun! Tch..."
The amusement on her face disappeared for a split second when she narrowed her eyes for an instant. That glare disappeared just as quickly and was replaced by her steel-like, all-business look. She walked past me while patting me on the back.
"I may not particularly like your attitude, but we'll be here for you James. Whenever you wise up and are ready..."
I turned toward her and glared-
8
-My face must have been some kind of rage since Leorio walked up to me and whispered in concern.
"Rough family, huh? Don't let her get to you..."
I turned up to him, leveling the same face of destruction. Here I was trying to get everyone relaxed and Evira riles me up in a few words. I sighed, dropped my head slightly, and nodded.
"Yeah, you're right. Gotta' stay calm. Just antsy, ya know?"
Leorio nodded fiercely, his glasses somehow staying on. He squinted his eyes, looked left and right, and leaned in to speak.
"I don't know what Kurapika has up his sleeve, but I hope its something good. James, these guys are strong. Really strong. There's no way we can beat them. Even in an unfair fight..."
"Yeah, but a negotiation is a negotiation. Evira is a schemer and an opportunist, but she'll adhere to her deals," I said with some confidence... she did set me up in this world...
We turned to see Cabo come back from around the warehouse. He'd been gone for a few minutes.
"Ok, finished my sweep of the area: the warehouse and street's cleared," he said in a somewhat high-pitched, boyish voice.
Leorio and I stared at each other in shock. The guy was gone for a minute or two at most. This place was massive. That's not even talking about the other warehouses surrounding the area.
Mercutio's voice boomed out, "OK! Clear! Since we can't go in, we'll stay out here and guard the perimeter. Red Squad, silence in three, two, one..."
We heard a song play out from the distance. Some kind of techno, EDM? Whatever the fuck it's called. The music made with computers and sound with the 'wuba wuba' in it. It was playing in the distance like a whisper, entering through my crotchety, old man music ears with impunity.
Disturbingly enough, Mercutio and his Red Squad began coordinating without speaking to each other. Hoodie dude, Cabo, Mercutio and disappeared in a blur of movement. Several regular security guards split up and surrounded the entrance and the outside of the warehouse. I guess in case anyone else decided to show up for this meeting of ours. Even though I doubt Kurapika and company would or could gather an army.
Briannaisa ordered us through the doors first, followed by her and then Evira. The dark interior of the warehouse took a moment for my eye to adjust to as I saw the strangest sight.
A massive empty area that could hold a few 747s without issue. Dead, grey light came through dead, grey glass high above the warehouses. The light filtered through dirt and dust that hung in the air like a thin fog. Massive pillars held everything up in even rows. It was a dead, grimy place to do a deal in. In the middle of everything was a single desk, two chairs facing toward it on either side...
And thousands of books all over the floor, all open with pages fluttering around. All kinds of books: children's books, atlas', tomes, novels, guidebooks. A sea of neatly placed books spaced out evenly. Some pages flapped and moved, the crinkling of the flipping pages cutting through the silence of the warehouse. Hopefully the pages turned because of the slight breeze in the area from the broken windows. If not, I'm about to lose my shit.
It was... creepy. Too creepy.
Sitting at the central desk was Kurapika, who sat patiently as we walked through the minefield of books. I looked at my fellow hostages. Clyde and Leorio were just as weirded out as I was. Their faces being slightly disturbed to very disturbed. Shoot was calm, his eyes gliding around and understanding something we didn't. Were all these books an ability of some kind? Or prerequisites for some ability. Whatever they were, I guessed they were on our side, so I had little to worry about... I hope.
When we arrived at the desk, Briannaisa ordered us to stop. She walked up to the normal wooden chair and actually checked to see if the chair was dangerous. First looking at it from all angles, even getting to her knees and checking underneath it. Then touching it and analyzing it, I guess to check for Nen. After a minute she ok'd it and let Evira sit down.
Evira, the underground ruler of the United States of Sarherta and self-proclaimed Queen of Yorbia stared at the former last member of the Kurta Clan and newly-minted blacklist hunter, Kurapika.
Evira's steel glare tried to pierce through Kurapika, while Kurapika stared back cooly at the Don. He didn't flinch or look away as he kept the staredown going for a minute. After what felt like a lifetime, Kurapika spoke.
"So you're Evira. I thank you for taking care of Pairo, but don't think that'll have any bearing on the outcome of our negotiation."
She nodded, her left hand on her lap as the right one suddenly became very interesting to her. She studied her fingernails, rubbing them with her thumb as she decided they were more important than Kurapika.
"Yes. He was well-behaved and helped tremendously with the operations of my organization. His intelligence is second to none, but anyone can be replaced. Even if it takes a few more people to do it."
She lowered her hand and stared at Kurapika with indifference.
"Can I request that your friends come out from behind their pillars? Or would that shatter the illusion of having the upper hand?"
Kurapika frowned, reluctant to say anything. I bet it'd have stayed that way if Gon didn't come out from behind a pillar to Kurapika's right, then Killua from the left. They stared fiercely at Evira. Kurapika sighed, though I doubt he could have stopped Gon from doing what he wanted. Gon had the right idea though: they were already found out and there was no point pretending.
The two walked up to the negotiation 'table', but stayed a good distance away and stayed separated, same as us hostages. I couldn't tell if they were in Zetsu or Ten since I was in Zetsu myself. And I couldn't assume Evira knew I had Nen, though I'm eighty percent certain she did. I definitely didn't know if she knew Gon and Killua had Nen. I didn't see any sign of Zelle while they captured me, so I doubt she read me my mind... but that's the thing with mindfuckery. How would I know if she read my mind or not?
With gripped fists and tensed muscles, they were ready to fight if need be. I hope not. Even with all the planning... it was like several Hisokas and Illumis all around the area. Not including how strong Evira probably was...
Before Kurapika could open his mouth to respond, Gon spoke. Anger was in his body, but his face was a simple glare and had no mask of rage to speak of.
"You're the one who threatened my friends?"
She nodded, "I am, yes."
"We're here now, just like you asked. That means Leorio can be a doctor, right?"
Elvira stared at him for a long moment.
Then she laughed.
It was a high, chuckle that turned into a roaring laugh as she closed her eyes and leaned back her head slightly. All of us looked at her dumbfounded. It was as if she was laughing at something familiar, as though she missed something. After a minute of laughing, she wiped a genuine tear from her eye and looked at Gon. A smile on her face.
"Yes, he can be a doctor.. That was the truth. I apologize Gon. But ad I not threatened you all, you four would have never come to York New City," she turned back to Kurapika, "I'm sure Hisoka told you, 'something interesting about spiders...'"
All five of us froze. That was what Hisoka told Kurapika during his fight. He had only told us five through pieces of paper...
"His information is correct: The Phantom Troupe will come to York New City in September. Coinciding with the auction held every year."
I turned to find everyone staring in shock and disbelief. Even Briannaisa had her mouth slightly open, dumbfounded. Kurapika was the most shaken by this revelation, red peeking out from contacts. He shook as he tried to maintain his composure and failed.
"How do you know this information?"
She shrugged and replied, "I know more than you can imagine…"
They stared at each other, eyecontact never breaking. Slowly Kurapika nodded, as though he saw the truth in her eyes. He was rattled like I was when I first met Evira. Her conviction and honesty guard-stripping…
"I-I see. I can understand why you were interested in James contacting me... but why the Gon, Killua, and Leorio?"
Evira sighed and sat up a little straight, then spoke, "You may not understand anything yet, but the four of you are blessed with incredible potential. In Nen and in many other areas. It is the end of January and, in a little more than eight months, you four will be capable of stopping them. If you so choose." So she knows or can sense they have Nen, great...
Kurapika closed his eyes, anger and understanding obvious on his face, "That's what you were offering... and the sensitivity of the information wouldn't allow you to discuss it, nor would your reputation allow us to believe it..." he opened his eyes and matched a steel stare of his own to Evira, "But why should we work with you when you use your own family so callously?"
The three of them glanced at me for a moment, a disconcerted look on their faces. I frowned.
Evira replied, "The correct application of force on the correct place can bring down anything. He was at the right place at the right time, and called at the right time. That's all."
Killua shook his head and glared at her, "You manipulated the Hunter Exam so that Kurapika and James would eventually cross. Knowing your history and reputation with his people's eyes, things could have gotten ugly. Don't pretend like you were just taking advantage of the situation..."
"But I was Killua. And I did. If Kurapika killed James, then it would give me an excuse to control Kurapika and by extension you four. James maybe my family, but I never asked or wanted him to inherit my empire," she said with a raise lip for a split second.
She continued," "No matter what, I would win. Will win. I would gain something. This is how you stay on top in the underworld: even my losses are small victories lead toward a greater whole."
Kurapika, Killua, and Gon stared back at her with disgust and... something else. Hesitation. It was obvious from listening to her that she was a person singular of willpower and resolve. She would win no matter what… It was as if every person, every place, every scenario were game pieces on a game board. All that mattered were the rules...
She continued, "The fact is, his phone call was the best thing that could have happened. I had hoped to gather your services without much issue, but, ah, the obstinacy of youth... so here you all are. As I had hoped, yet not how I expected. I never intended to harm or twist your arms to work for me. Only make certain you met with me. To tell you this: we will need to work together to stop the Phantom Troupe."
To everyone's surprise, Shoot spoke up. We turned to him as he spoke, "Why would these four be necessary to stop the Phantom Troupe?" he turned to the three, "No offense, but you four are rookies. I doubt you four have even started training in Nen"
Evira smiled, "Believe it or not, those two children have Nen Potential of one in ten million. Which is understandable, given their parentage. Silva Zoldyck and Ging Freecss."
Everyone that wasn't the five of us who passed the Hunter Exam or Evira stopped breathing for a moment. They stared at Killua, then at Gon (who looked back, confused). Kurapika, Leorio, and I were confused as well on how she knew so much... though if this were some anime bullshit...
Evira continued, amused, "I believe Kurapika and Leorio are of equivalent talent. Does that answer your question, Shoot McMahon?"
The man himself hesitated for a second, forehead covered in slight perspiration, before nodding. I turned to Clyde who was dumbstruck, then to Briannaisa who was shaking with... something. She was definitely upset, her eyes wide and jaw clenched.
Kurapika and Killua stared at her, disturbed. Gon stared like he normally looked, kinda blankly and not bothered by the situation. He spoke up, "So, this was all a misunderstanding?"
Evira closed her eyes and laughed, before opening them and looking at Gon with fond remembrance, "Yes. Very much so. I'm sorry I frightened your friends, Gon. But there was no other way to get them to listen to me."
Gon nodded, "OK, I understand!"
Leorio yelled at the top of his lungs, "WHAT D'YA MEAN YOU UNDERSTAND GON! THE HELL'S WRONG WITH YOU! SHE'S A LIAR! SHE'S AS LOW AS THEY COME!" he said as he stomped his foot with all the fury he could muster. I never saw a man's face turn so red. I had to lean away from him as he whipped his head back and forth.
Even though he's going mad, I agree with Leorio…
Gon turned to Leorio, tilted his head, and scrunched his eyes in confusion.
"She isn't lying. Evira's weird, but I can tell she isn't a liar."
Killua's face faltered for a moment, unable to deny Gon's words; which was more damning evidence. Kurapika stared at Evira with half-lidded, dead, murder eyes. As though he wanted Gon to be wrong.
I stared at the woman with absolutely no understanding of who or what she was. An honest manipulator? An evil good person? A good evil person? A long-term opportunist? Was she cold or sincere? One of the most physically powerful people who only used words... She was a dichotomy of things that made no sense to me.
Evira moved her gaze to Kurapika.
"I'm sure this is disorienting and not what you expected at all, but Gon is correct. I do not lie. I cannot afford to lie. I have had to become far more dangerous because of it. Regardless of your preconceived notions of me, my only intentions regarding you four were to offer a hand of assistance. We have a mutual enemy in the Troupe and it would benefit everyone to work together as opposed to apart."
But before Kurapika could answer, Evira continued. Her face grew dark, "Unfortunately, reputation is the lifeblood of a criminal. Had you come to York New City peacefully, we could have produced a better arrangement. But now, I need you to hand over your hostages quietly and leave York New City by tomorrow. I had wished to give you boons, but your actions have left me little in the way of saving face..."
I blew air out of my mouth in frustration. I didn't trust her, but I couldn't sense any dishonesty in her words. Just annoyance and anger at the entire thing situation. Shit...
Kurapika shook his head, eyes unflinching, "No. We can give you back the Prince and Claudette, but Pairo is free and stays with us."
Evira pursed her lips, her glare never softening.
"Considering he betrayed me and may have cost me the favor of one of two of Princes, I cannot have that. Personally, I don't care if he left. And I don't care that he helped you five. I cared for him like my own child, but he is an adult now. He has made his bed... In terms of damage to my reputation, others will take it as a sign of weakness if he were to leave without retribution for his actions. It would look as though you gained everything you wanted from this negotiation..."
The mood of the room turned sour. I could feel the hairs on the back of my neck stand up as Evira and Kurapika stared at each other. Neither of them willing to budge as I felt Aura start to crush the atmosphere… Things grew worse when I saw Killua and Briannaisa crouch slightly, in anticipation of a fight.
Leorio's voice cut through everything.
"What if I stayed here? In York New City?"
Everyone looked at him in surprise. Save for Evira.
She still had the same implacable look on her face... But there was victory in her eyes.
I rubbed my wrists as we stood outside the warehouse. It was me, Kurapika, Gon, Leorio, and Killua standing around in a circle. Clyde and Shoot stood off in the distance discussing something with each other. It seemed that they knew each other, though I don't know how. Probably knew from Mayer.
"So, yay team?" I said as gracefully as a bear going through garbage.
The four of them stared at me with different looks of apprehension and disbelief.
Kurapika had made a phone call and released whoever the hell he kidnapped. Briannaisa freed us from our handcuffs, and that was that. It was incredibly anticlimactic, to say the least. But solutions don't always come in guns, explosions, or losing an eye. They should, but they don't- er, except for that last one.
Killua answered with a raised eyebrow, "We didn't really win or lose. This was a big waste of time," he finished with a huff and a kick of the ground.
Kurapika shook his head, "No. Not necessarily. While I do have my... reservations about working with her, this confirms that Hisoka's information was correct."
"She could be lying," Killua said, though his face and voice held no faith in that argument.
"No. As good as she is, it was obvious she was telling the truth. Even if she is deceiving us, her motives for gathering us points to towards her gaining an advantage for September."
I sighed and looked at Kurapika, happy that he was to my right since I didn't have to turn my head like a one-eyed owl.
"What's so special about this auction? I mean, the Southernpiece Auction is the world's largest auction, yeah. But why rob that? Can't the Phantom Troupe rob a bank or something? And how dangerous are the Phantom Troupe if a multibillion dollar organization needs so much help to stop them?"
"Hopless…" the voice of Mercutio coming from behind me almost making me jump five feet in the air. I didn't, so I just shook like a scared cat before turning.
"Oh, it's you," I said with a half-lidded eye.
"Hopeless. Really are hopeless…" he said as he lit a cigarette with a gold and silver engraved lighter against obsidian metal. He cupped his hands as the fire curled around his cancer stick and caused smoke to appear. After taking a puff, he continued.
"I think you might know this," he said with a point of his left finger to Kurapika, "but there is another auction that most people don't know. One that all the other auctions pale in comparison. It has no name, but most people just call it the Underground Auction."
Leorio squinted, "Excuse us, but this is a conversation between us five..."
"I don't care," Leorio's face faltered into a frown, "I'm just telling you this because Evira isn't lying. I've known since the beginning of the year the Troupe's comin'."
Kurapika narrowed his eyes and stared at the man. I could see him calculate his questions in his mind.
"She may not be lying, but why would you tell us this? Why should we believe you? What do you care if we work with her or not?"
"Other than the fact it's my job to enforce order in this city?" he said with a challenging glare. All of us giving him different kind of faces of disdain.
"As for red-velvet's question… I've fought a member of the Phantom Troupe before. If all of them were as strong as he was, they'd have no problem taking down a small country. They aren't a group to underestimate. Ever."
I stared at him gravely as I felt the stares of my friends grow just as hard. Mercutio continued.
"Granted, it was a guy who looked like a mummy in boxing gloves… I almost got crushed by a planet... Pain in the ass to stop that ability," he said as he twisted his left pinkie into his ear canal.
I stared at him in disbelief...
...What?
He looked away and continued, "Second, you don't have to believe me. I don't care. But I don't lie. Because of that, no one can lie around me. Take that as you will, but my word is as good as gold. Third, the only reason I care at all is that the Phantom Troupe isn't the only issue I have on my plate come September. I rather have more help than no help. Even if it's from four brats and an one-eyed idiot."
This cyclops was about to whoop his-
Mercutio turned around before anyone could even talk. He left us with some parting words," Oh yeah, make sure you're more careful next time. I had that clown come to the city. Really was a pain getting him to leave... Tch, hopeless..." he finished, obviously referring to us.
"I wonder what he thinks of us. Probably very hopeful…" I said, sarcasm dripping heavy from my voice.
Leorio sighed, "Ya know, I feel like we're way in over our heads..."
Kurapika nodded, "Yes. Which is why I'd like to ask you four to stay out of th-"
I rolled my one eye, "Shaddaup... I ain't dealing with this. I ain't..." I said as I rubbed my the right side of my face with my right and leaned my head back.
I heard Kurapika start to say something, only for Gon to speak up, "If the Phantom Troupe is coming to York New City, then we're coming too. They took your clan's eyes and your family away," I looked down to see Gon staring defiantly at Kurapika. Just begging Kurapika to say otherwise.
Kurapika stared at Gon with soft, guilty eyes. Killua of all people spoke up, "Jeez, I don't know who's worse about asking for help. You or James. Both of you are idiots."
I nodded, "Yeah, you got- wait what?!" I said with a glare to Killua.
Leorio shook his head and chuckled, 'We're your friends Kurapika. You really think we'd just let you do this thing by yourself?"
He grew serious as leveled a stare at us, all of us growing serious as well, "Besides, we're stuck in this situation whether we like it or not. I don't regret what we did here, even if it might not have been the best move, but it looks like we're in bed with James' aunt anyway."
I sneered. Leorio continued, "Evira said it herself, you guys have to leave by tomorrow night. James and I stay here and prepare for September. I still have my job cut out for me with premed and learning Nen. Man..." he said as he closed his eyes and grabbed the back of his head in frustration. I forget he's only nineteen, even though he looks like he's thirty-five.
I put my left hand on Leorio and nodded, "Hey, I got you're back here. It shouldn't be all bad, ya know? Maybe we can be roommates or something?"
He frowned and thought about it.
Kurapika stared at us gravely, before slowly smiling and chuckling. He shook his head, as though he should have known better. This emotional four-way beat down we gave him... Logic aint' shit.
Gon quirked his head up, a smile on his face, "Now that's done, we have a day until we have to leave! Show us around James!"
Uhhh. I don't actually live here...
At that moment, a German teenager savor saved my ass, "Let me help you with that, my friend!"
We turned to my right to see Clyde come up with Shoot, who's emotionless stare somehow made him even creepier than his lack of eyebrows.
Killua looked at Cylde with half-lidded eyes, "Oh, it's you."
"Hello, Killua! It has been far too long!"
Killua's reluctant sneer was something to behold.
"Let us go then! Celebrate our success!"
Clyde placed a hand to his chin and squinted as he looked up at my face in confusion. We stared down at him in confusion too, my right eyebrow high in the air.
"Hmm. Did you get new haircut James?!"
"YOU FUCKIN-"
