CHAPTER TWO
"On The Rocks"

If he were being honest (an altogether rare event, in any case), Hisoka likely would have admitted that he'd never expected to be aboard an airship on his way to York New City. Well, that wasn't entirely true… Going to York New definitely was in the cards, but arriving on the private Zoldyck airship was certainly a surprise. Even more so was the case of becoming a willing prisoner within hours of landing. Yes - it was these two things that had set his nerves aflutter during this trip. Yet, the suspense of the unknown had its merit; it made the tumbler he was clutching, which was topped off with a fine brandy on ice, taste all that much sweeter.

"You look good," Illumi announced upon his arrival, which somewhat startled him and caused the ice in his glass to rattle loudly. That man's footsteps were quieter than death; a skill that was both considerable and undoubtedly an impressive result from being a trained assassin.

"You really shouldn't sneak up on a guy like that."

"Ah. My bad. Force of habit… you really do clean up nicely, though," Illumi seemed genuinely impressed, as he took the seat across from him. Hisoka didn't doubt that it'd be hard for anyone to believe that he could ever pull off such refined composure, with wildness and whimsy being his typical fashion.

Normally, he'd whisk his wavy, scarlet locks up and away from his face in a fiery spectacle. Now, however, his hair was left down: slicked back behind the ears, with the exception of a few strands that fell across his characteristically charming gaze. He had put on a tailored burgundy suit, and a white, collared shirt too. Finding a tie to match was a pain, as he rarely attended formal occasions, but Illumi kindly lent him one of his: a bold canary yellow one.

"You can keep the tie." Illumi signaled for the waiter. He was also dressed in similar attire, but the fabric of his suit was a brilliant shade of emerald that looked quite fetching on him, Hisoka thought.

"How generous of you."

"Don't think too much of it," he muttered. "It's just a tie…"

"...I won't, then," Hisoka smiled coyly.

"Whiskey… on the rocks… and I better not see any ice," Illumi snapped at the waiter coldly, before turning back to Hisoka and adding with some disdain: "The idiots always get it wrong."

"How unfortunate," was all he could think to reply and took a subtle sip from his watered down brandy.

"It is. By the way, we'll be landing soon. Are you ready for this?"

"Oh, of course! But…"

"Hm?"

"Well, there is one thing… About this man… Rem Valhoof…"

"The target? What about him?"

The waiter returned promptly to serve the drink but, as he turned to leave, with one fluid motion Illumi had taken a firm hold of his wrist and kept him close while he carefully inspected for ice. He only let go after the beverage was deemed acceptable and, with a small sigh of relief, the man quickly scuttled off to make himself busy behind the bar. Hisoka watched the scene unfold with a smile and considered he likely lives in constant fear, that every drink he makes could potentially be his last. That thought amused him for a few moments, before he refocused on the discussion:

"Where was I? Ah, yes. 'What about him'? Well, it's just that he's one of the top suppliers in York New City's black market, right?"

"Correct. So?"

"So… with such an influential target and so much muscle behind him, shouldn't we know what's in those documents we're risking our lives to get?"

"We're not risking our lives for that," came the clipped reply. "We're risking them for the money... and, in your case, a favour. The client wants the documents and have paid me to procure them. I don't ask what they're for… Besides, I'll be the one handling that, so why do you care?"

"I don't, really. Just curious is all," Hisoka smiled meekly. The tone in Illumi's voice warned him not to press the matter.

"Nothing good ever comes from curiosity… Just focus on completing your part."

"Yes. Get the target's password then eliminate him. Don't worry! I won't fail…"

"That's encouraging to hear. I'll be depending on you obtaining that code so that I can gain access to the network."

"I'll handle it," he clicked his tongue with mild annoyance. Was Illumi doubting his capabilities now? "What's wrong, Illumi? You seem eager."

"Do I?" He gave Hisoka a bewildered expression, "Well, perhaps I am. I received a troubling update before I came here to meet you."

"Oh?"

"I was informed that our timing might be a disadvantage. Apparently, Rem and his crew are preoccupied with acquiring in-demand products for an underground auction to take place soon. Getting in is the easy bit, because we'll be entering the compound as product, but…"

"…But they'll be stepping up security to protect such valuable goods… I see… How inconvenient."

"Mmm," Illumi replied and sipped at his drink. "Once inside, we'll have to move quickly to get the job done. No hesitations. No mistakes…"

"Of course, but then there's also that Nen user he has in his service."

"The body guard, Abu Dolan."

"Abu… what sort of name is that? More importantly, though, have you any word on what his ability is?"

"No. Nothing. None of my sources have ever seen him in action."

"Well… no matter," sighed Hisoka breathlessly. He could feel the twinge of anticipation settle in. "Not knowing just makes things that much more exciting!"

"Yes. We mustn't forget to enjoy ourselves."

Just then, a young attendant entered the lounge and briskly walked towards them with a sweetened smile. Bending over in a low bow, they were left left stunned when her forehead met the table they were sharing with a loud, "CRACK"! At first the girl was as shocked as they were, but that rapidly turned to humiliation. While Hisoka was polite enough and held back a laugh with one hand, Illumi merely stared the girl down, a unimpressed look on his face.

"I-I'm so sorry, Master Illumi!" She stuttered in a sudden panic, "s-so clumsy of me!"

"Yes... It was. Now, what do you need?"

"Ah! Right," she cleared her throat awkwardly. "T-the captain says we'll be docking in 10 minutes."

"Very good…," his tone was dismissive but that didn't stop her from continuing to stare for a few moments. "You may leave now…"

The attendant gave a nervous jump and, with a much more controlled bow, left in a barely composed fluster of embarrassment. Hisoka might have almost felt sorry for the poor thing, but remembered that now was not the time for pity. No... right now it was time to play...