Is it because of my weird-ass mind that I always pictured Vanessa and Lin as an old married couple? Considering their minimal interaction in canon, the answer must be yes.
DODGER STADIUM EXTERIOR
There was a lot of hustling about around the stadium, with the scene of Yamazaki's vicious attack on Kim still fresh in people's minds. The rest was the usual crowd; Food stands, street vendors, tourists, nothing out of the ordinary. One less worry for Vanessa, who was busy waiting for the very slim chance the person she was looking for appeared. The freelance agent was holding a comically improvised sign with "XIAO LON" being the only thing written on it. Taking her by surprise, Vanessa's bluetooth headset started buzzing...she already guessed who it was on the other end.
"Hey Lin, eager to check on me? It's been only an hour since I went out."
"You will forgive my impatience, considering the tournament it's well into the second bracket. Do you want to know how many hours ago Duo Lon's match was?" The Hizoku complained.
"Jeez, I didn't oversleep that much."
"Is that so?! I had to barge into your room and throw you out of bed and I was the one on the verge of collapse, mind you. I went from "equal partner" to nanny in the span of a day."
"Feels like I never left home. Sure you don't want to know how things are going out here?" Vanessa tried desperately to get things back on track.
"Nevermind...any signs of Xiao Lon?"
"Nope. All I've got are some fans who asked for an autograph." The agent admitted dejectedly. "If we missed our chance, what's our back-up plan?"
"You said you were accepted into KOUF, correct? I'm afraid we can only hope she was selected as well, otherwise-"
While she was paying full attention to Lin's planning, Vanessa's fingers felt lighter. The sign she was holding up was cut to shreds in the blink of an eye. In front of her, her potential new colleague stood with a blank expression, but it was clear she wasn't too amused by the agent's stunt. Instead of her usual Hizoku attire, she wore a green business suit and her hair was tied up in a braid so long, it almost reached her feet. Vanessa could only awkwardly end the call right then and there to avoid any further embarrassment.
"Heeeeeeeeeeey there, miss. Guess I did caught your attention after all." Vanessa nervously chuckled. She had to choose her words very carefully, since for all she knew, she could meet the same fate as her sign at any moment despite how crowded it was around them.
"Are you dense or what, showing my name in public without thinking of the risks?" Xiao monotonously questioned. "I hope you have a very good reason for drawing me out."
"O-of course. You see, due to a series of circumstances beyond my control, I found myself with Lin literally crashing on my doorstep so-"
"Oh? Why would Master Lin seek help from an outsider and someone from the authorities at that?"
Vanessa recounted what happened that night, how Chat, Sai and Luan beat him within an inch of his life, the deal they striked and how it all connects with this year's KOF. Vanessa felt a little chill running down her back while telling the first part, thinking back at how Lin was reduced when she first saw him at the motel. Now with a much better grasp
"...I see. The ultimate proof that the Hizoku I knew is gone forever. That explains your urgency to meet me." Xiao looked defeatedly on the ground as she said that. The principles that even a black sheep like her wanted to preserve after the clan's demise...turns out they didn't matter one bit to those who were once its leaders.
"Yeah, you didn't deserve to know it like this. From what he told me, Lin treated you decently enough in the old days, right?"
"Besides the third crowned prince, he was the only person who didn't consider me a burden..." Her face wasn't showing it, but many bad memories were resurfacing in Xiao's mind.
"My point is, we all need to start seeing the bigger picture here, as much as I didn't care initially." Vanessa was trying her damnedest to stay professional and not let her feelings on the matter through. "Whatever is going down in this KOF, Ron is one of the main players...and he's amassing cronies and power faster than any of us could've prepared for. We must put a united front now, because I can already tell he's gonna be a fucking pain in the neck in the near future.
"I understand your argument, but I have no interest in the usual power games of King Of Fighters. This is a problem that I must solve with my own hands."
"What, you think you can take down Ron and his crew all by yourself? You don't strike me as a complete moron, even you don't believe that." It seems a breakthrough in Xiao's facade has been made.
"I-it's my responsibility to bear this crux, as one the last vestiges of the real Hizoku-"
"Look, up until now I've tried to stay neutral in your Hizoku business but now? I'm gonna put it as politely as humanly possible. This "I must do this alone" shtick is and always will be the dumbest reasoning that ever existed. You want to march into a losing battle and for what? To uphold some stupid honor bullshit that your own clan doesn't care about anymore? The only thing you'll get with such a pointless death will be the disappointment of the two people who still care about you."
"...You simply won't desist, are you?"
The female Hizoku couldn't help but admire such stubbornness. Perhaps it was jealousy of a trait Xiao wished she had during her youth. Regardless, she decided a compromise was in order, as she walked calmly past her and making her way to the sidewalk.
"Hey, don't just start walking without giving me an answer!"
"I must evaluate your strength properly before anything else. As established by the sacred code of the Hizoku, I will grant you my collaboration only after you prove your worth."
"If you wanna rope me into something illegal I'm seeing myself out in a heartbeat, sister."
"Do you think me so dishonourable? Surely you are confusing me with those other treacherous Devas." One could almost feel the disdain in Xiao's words.
"Oh for the love of god, fine! I swear, with all this Hizoku drama you lot pulled me into, this is starting to feel like an adults-only docufilm." At that remark, Xiao almost betrayed a giggle, something she felt incredibly ashamed for.
"Save the sarcasm for later. Don't stay more than three steps behind me and make sure to watch your surroundings."
Vanessa was a bit iffy about her intentions, but it seems she's considering the offer at the very least. Before that, she sent a message to Lin, updating him on the what just happened and asking to keep himself ready to reach their destination, wherever that is. Better safe than sorry when dealing with one of the deadliest assassins of the planet. Hopeful that Xiao won't go back on her word, the agent reluctantly followed her in search of a taxi in the vicinity. However, in an alleyway on the other side of the road, people Xiao knew very well were observing.
"I was willing to wait for tonight's mission, but this trip via memory lane will prove to be quite interesting all the same. Follow closely, Sai."
NEXT TIME: Far away from the spectacle of New Horizon, Vanessa will try to pass a very special test to gain Xiao Lon's trust.
