Sam
"No, not the red one, it's too revealing. You're classy, not sleazy."
"That's what you said about the black one!"
"You're misquoting me. I said it was 'suggestive.'"
"You're just jealous I have a figure!"
Sam sighed, choosing to ignore the jab at her apple shaped figure. She had been over Tanya's for the past hour fighting with the older woman about what would be appropriate for the date. They were just going to see a movie, yet Tanya was insisting she should wear a dress.
"Look, it's November. Why would you want to wear a dress now? Besides, all your dresses are more for summer. Just go with jeans or something." Sam said impatiently.
Tanya looked aghast, clutching the silky fabric of a cobalt dress. "Jeans? No, no, that won't do! You should see this guy; he dresses like he has a business meeting to attend to! If I show up in jeans, I'll look like a bum compared to him."
"Then wear your business clothes."
Her publisher paused and contemplated it before nodding. "Yeah, I think you will."
"Thank you!" Sam grumbled softly to herself.
Tanya went into her closet then called, "Sam?"
"What?"
"Should I go with the beige one or the white one? I don't want to wear black; I'll just blend in with the night."
Sam automatically said, "White."
Tanya poked her head out and grinned. "Why? 'Cuz that's what that guy you saw was wearing?"
H-huh? Why would you ask me something like that? I chose white because it's a lot better than beige."
Tanya still remembered seeing Near, though it was a fleeting glimpse. She occasionally badgered Sam about it; Sam wasn't sure how she exactly even remembered him. Then again, Near did stick out like a middle finger to conformity.
"Suuure. I'll go with the white one." Tanya rolled her eyes playfully and got dressed.
"Now, hair up or down?" She looked over at the blonde.
"Up for sure. But, don't put it up in a bun. Maybe a braid." While Sam was giving her opinion, the doorbell rang.
Tanya squealed like a giddy teenage girl. "Ooh, that's him! Go get it! Tell him to come in, but I'm not ready."
Sam reluctantly headed out of the bedroom to the living room. She opened the door and saw the handsome brown haired man wearing crisp clothes standing there. He had a carnation, Tanya's favorite flower, in his hand. His eyes were celery green and when he smiled, his brilliant teeth blinded her.
"Hello, I'm Garrison. Is Tanya here?"
A few minutes later, they were sitting across from each other, the silence both uncomfortable and cumbersome as they waited for Tanya to finish getting ready. His eyes were wandering over the room, flitting over to her once in a while.
"I'm sorry, you didn't tell me your name." He broke the silence, eyes finally landing on her.
She didn't like the way he said it, like she owed him to tell him her name, and for a minute, she almost told him off about it. Instead, she smiled tightly. "I'm Sam."
He stared at something over her head and frowned. Puzzled, she turned around to see what he was staring at, but saw nothing. Weird. Is he like a cat staring at an empty corner like he can see something?
"Are your eyes really purple?"
"That's a rude thing to ask." She blurted out, only looking momentarily sheepish.
His face flushed in perturb and he stammered, "I-I apologize. I've never seen someone with purple eyes before. Other than Saxon Leroux, I mean."
Her foot twitched at the mention of her pen name. "Yeah, they're naturally purple. So, you know about Saxon?"
"Who doesn't nowadays? I liked her before; I'm a fan of her writing." He admitted.
She felt her suspicion rise. She leaned back as casually as she could, feigning ease. Oddly enough, he mimicked her.
"What do you like about her writing?" She asked.
"Oh, everything! The gallows humor, the dialogue! Her stories are always so intricate, I can't help but be immersed by them!" He chattered excitedly, eyes brightening.
Erm, okay, weird. I wonder if he knows Tanya is Saxon's publisher...This is almost too much to be a coincidence. I had better not blow my cover; who knows what he would do, especially if he's Inclementia.
Sam paused in her head. No, that isn't fair. Just because he is a fan of Saxon's writing doesn't mean he's Inclementia. He certainly doesn't seem like a killer.
"Sorry it took me so long! I couldn't find my other shoe." Tanya finally walked out of the bedroom, looking more made up than a harlequin jester.
She beamed at Garrison, who returned the smile half heartedly. Sam stood up and called, "Well, I'm leaving, have fun."
She glanced over at Tanya for a minute, but she was too wrapped up in gushing over Garrison. She shook her head and left the apartment, going down the streets.
The November chill was just bordering on wintery, but there was still the smell of rotting, damp leaves swirling with the wind. The streets were illuminated by blinking neon signs of clubs and cars zipping down the roads, bathing everything in surreal flashing of blue, red, and dimming yellow.
"I should really consider getting my permit; I'm starting to get sick of walking everywhere." Sam muttered to herself, shivering as the icy wind caressed the back of her neck where her hair was just short enough not to shelter it.
Drunken laughter sounded from somewhere behind her. Someone had stumbled into a trash can, his friends doing nothing to help him get unstuck. She turned around just enough to look and cracked a smile, though she felt a bit bad for him.
Her apartment building came into view and the doorman opened the door for her, politely welcoming her back. She thanked him and headed up to the penthouse.
After turning on the lights, she went into the kitchen and began to boil a pot of water. She grabbed a pack of ramen. When it was done, she sat on the couch, watching some crime show, and slurped up her noodles.
I should try to talk to Near; maybe he would know what to do. Then again, I don't have any proof; just my instinct. And I know Near relies on logic rather than intuition. Shoot, I don't even have his number, it's not like I can call him or anything.
"Nothing to do but wait for him to contact me." She decided, setting the bowl in the sink.
She then got ready for another long game of ceiling staring. She was beating the ceiling. For now.
Near
"A man I haven't seen around her entered the building. He was up there for about fifteen minutes. Sam was there as well and just left. He just came down with Tanya." Halle mumbled into her collar, her hawk eyes watching the couple.
Near frowned. I didn't think he would make a move this soon. I would have thought he would lay low for at least a couple months. He is either very arrogant or incredibly stupid. "Does he look familiar, Halle?"
"I can't tell from this distance, but I don't dare get closer. Should I-"
"No. Don't endanger your life. Follow them at a safe distance." He interrupted, fiddling with a Rubik's Cube.
"It looks like they're going to see a movie."
He concentrated on the task at hand, shifting the faces rapidly, though boredly. He had solved the puzzle when he was two, but he just needed something to do with his hands. "Go in and sit in the back."
The movie lasted two hours and for two hours, Halle was silent. Near had given the Rubik's Cube to Rester, who was staring at it like it was some sort of foreign object to him. Near began to twirl his hair, patiently waiting for Halle to respond. Even he was startled when she finally did after growing accustomed to the quiet.
"They're just left the theater and are heading back to her apartment building. They don't look too cozy, though." Halle stated.
"Care to explain?"
"He seems a little cold; his body language is completely shut off from her, but she doesn't seem to be getting the message. She keeps trying to grab his hand, but he just yanks it back. To be honest, he didn't seem that interested in her to begin with." Halle surmised.
Near paused his twirling, taking in the information. Why would one go out with someone they aren't even interested in? It just doesn't add up. Who am I to judge that situation, though? I will need another's input.
He turned his head to look over at Rester, who had finally given up on the Cube. He had only gotten two faces uniform.
"Rester, what is your opinion on what Halle just said?" He inquired.
Rester looked at him, surprised. "Huh? What do you mean?"
Near sighed and replied dryly, "Please don't make me spell it out for you. I know you were listening to what Halle said. Give me your opinion; do you think his behavior is odd?"
"Oh! Well, yes. Normally, people don't go on dates with someone they don't like. Not counting Yagami, of course."
Then my initial thoughts were accurate. If he's like Light Yagami, then he could be using Tanya Smith to get to Saxon. "His chance of being Inclementia at this point are rather high. Have you heard his name?"
"No, not yet. Okay, they both went up to the apartment. Should I wait?"
"Yes. If he comes back down, follow him until he gets to his house."
Halle nodded and replied, "Alright...He just came down."
"Well, that was a short visit. He probably just walked her to the elevator." Rester said.
Halle began to follow the man, always keeping in with a crowd, just in case he felt like he was being followed. He never once looked behind him and his pace was slow and confident. He walked for a while, almost to the suburbs, but he turned to a large building and disappeared inside. Halle stopped and pressed her collar to her mouth again.
"He just went into a building."
Near tapped his knee. "What's the address?"
"114 Crescent Ave."
He nodded approvingly. "Good work, Halle. You can return to headquarters."
"Yes, sir." She turned off her wire and Near removed his headset, setting it down on the metal table in front of him.
He leaned back in his chair, staring up at the ceiling. Looks like I'm back on track, even if I am possibly miles behind Inclementia. I'll still bring him to justice by any means necessary.
Tanya
He was polite enough to walk her back home, but unwilling to go up to her apartment with her. Instead, he opted to walk her to the elevator and grabbed her waist, pulling her into his body. To any passerbys, it looked like a loving embrace, but to her, it felt like he was trying to crush her.
His lips were against her ear as he hissed, "Remember what I said. And if you even think about telling someone about it, I'll kill you. It'll be the moment when you least expect it, too."
"I-I understand." She whispered shakily.
He released her and smiled down at her. She pictured maggots pushing his perfect teeth out. "I'll speak with you tomorrow and we can set up the meeting then."
He turned and left without another word. Tanya went to the elevator, taking deep breaths through her mouth as she tried to calm herself. When she was alone, though, she bursted into a nervous, sobbing mess. She hugged herself and whispered, "Please forgive me, God, for what I am about to do."