Drive by... what do you mean drive by!? Kurome, of course, said none of this, although it was sitting peacefully in the back of her head.
"Warechu!"
"Got 'cha!" Apparently this wasn't a first, if the duo's co-ordination was anything to go by. One word was all it took as Linda sped up, and the dark one herself was conflicted on how to feel as the mouse rummaged under his seat. He popped back up, and instantly something was shoved into her hands. "Start blasting, chu!"
Kurome spent all of seven seconds examining the piece Warechu so graciously gifted her. Normally being handed a gun and told to unleash a wave of fire would be concerning to normal people; she was not normal people. However there was one minor, teeny tiny issue with the weapon...
It was a paintball gun.
"What?" The question however was left unanswered as Warechu laid the heat on their pursuers behind. Kurome, with a strained sense of... anything at this point really, dared to glance back, and got a front row seat to the splotches of soulless black ripping across their foes ride as Warechu went to town.
Figuring she wouldn't get an answer, Kurome popped her head out, took aim, and proceeded to teach their opponents who they were messing with. Warechu may have aimed for the exposed metal of the car, but Kurome - as they say - wasn't fucking around. The woman was determined to leave a mark, and when she noticed the little flag waving arrogantly atop the hood she allowed a sinister smirk to present itself.
Three black shots found their places on the three baby-blue triangles, and the look of shock situated on the drivers face at the accuracy of her vandalism had him swerving the car off onto the side of the road. Kurome, still holding a hint of Uzume's desire for 'badassery' as she sometimes called it, fell back into the truck, leaving their attackers with one last display of the finger before blazing off.
"So..." She started before anyone had a chance to speak. "Mind explaining what just happened?"
"Why couldn't we have found you earlier, chu." The rat slipped his strap back under the seat. "Whatever. Those guys are running a rival gang from over in Lowee; The Lerulians. Word is they're trying to expand into new nations."
"And why is this our problem?" Kurome tried, only to be answered by Linda who slowed to a stop, pulling off the main road towards what she assumed was the club.
"You know that guy I said I get my drinks from?" Kurome nodded as the trio removed their seat-belts, stepping out onto the street. "Well, he runs with a local gang here, and gives us a discount if we help protect his turf."
"So you're running with this gang?" This must have been what Chuko was talking about. Warechu talked next.
"Nah, chu." He puffed his chest. "We're players for hire. If the offer's good enough we'll do just about anything... within reason." He was quick to clarify that last part, and Kurome resisted the urge to roll her eyes.
"Okay, but why paintballs?" That itself was weird. Kurome expected actual guns and bloody shootouts, yet paint seemed to be the main force of the fighting, if the battle she saw was anything to go by.
"What, expected guns, chu?" He waved her off almost dismissively. "Please, that stuff is for amateurs. If we go shooting up neighborhoods on the regular both the police and the CPU's will be on our asses faster than cats on a bird nest. We keep things down to color, and whoever has the most paint on the turf gets to keep it."
That was... oddly humane, and Kurome didn't quite understand how the whole operation hadn't fallen apart yet. There was one pressing question however, and the discount emo presented it in all its glory.
"But they still targeted us."
"Yeah, chu." Warechu scratched at the back of his head. "We've been getting into some consistent deals lately, so we were assuming they'd take notice eventually."
"Killer deals, by the way." Linda's arm found it's way around her again, only this time Kurome wasn't immediately itching to rip it off, as the woman found herself far more interested in what these 'deals' were.
"How so?"
"Well, as you know possession of eggplants within Planeptune is illegal." No she didn't, but Kurome nodded regardless. "Word is the goddess hates it. This essentially created a massive black-market ring for the stuff. But all the local joints which farm the stuff are being found and shut down by authorities, so making hauls to deliver the goods is... profitable."
Black market vegetables. Despite being the stupidest thing she ever heard, Kurome focused more on the last bit. With how dirty their place had been she saw fit to question the duo, although she kept in on the down low.
"Am I to assume you've taken advantage of this?" Their faces soured.
"We wish, chu. Thing is we haven't gotten the go-ahead from the boys; something about poor aim and our win loss ratio to the CPU's." That made more sense.
"Ah, I see. They view you as losers who can't be trusted." Kurome nodded for extra effect, taking secret pleasure in the defeated looks she received.
"Low blow." Linda began, only for her expression to shift a little. "Although, with how you handled the last encounter..." She looked to Warechu, and the two took a few steps away. Kurome watched as they debated something, which she was almost certain was both related to the gang and herself. Linda came back and proved her assumptions right. "So-"
"You want me to try and do the job for them, don't you?"
"Busted, chu."
"Well..." Linda scratched the back of her head. "You in?"
"How much do they pay." Kurome didn't care about laws or other such nonsense right now, especially stupid ones banning vegetables. Until she met with her other half again everything in between was fair game, at least as far as she was concerned. Besides, this was paintball firefights and eggplant trafficking they were talking about, so how bad could it really be?
"Enough to get us a better place, chu?" Warechu answered for Linda, and Kurome hummed a little.
"I guess I can give it a shot."
"Sick!" The arm was around her neck again, and Kurome allowed herself to be pulled closer to the colorful building ahead. "It'll be sweet, I promise you."
"We'll see." Kurome wasn't one for senseless time wasting, but if they were paying good then she'd be a fool to ignore that.
"Pray for good luck, chu." Warechu said as he followed along. "Our luck has never been the greatest when asking for the job."
Kurome held back her smirk. What use was their luck to her anyway. Unlike these two losers she found herself with, Kurome was all skill. There wasn't a single chance in hell the scrubs of this 'gang' could stand a chance against her...
And she was willing to prove it if need be.
.
.
"I see..." The glasses wearing toddler nodded in consideration, and Kurome was left to wonder just what the hell was going on. "Pardon this next bit, but... who are you three?"
The moment they walked into the club Linda had, expectedly, pulled them over to the bar in an attempt to get their drink on. Disregarding the fact they had no designated driver, along with the sickly pale girl looking underaged in general, it seemed the bartender was willing to give up the stuff without even the slightest question. It was then, as Linda was about to reach for it, that Warechu made an astute observation, or perhaps it was simple dumb luck, but he apparently spotted the gang they ran with. In the prospect of seemingly introducing her to their 'friends' Linda immediately ignored the drink placed so innocently on the counter and dragged Kurome along.
"Wha..." Linda let out a small chuckle. "Damn, you got me good man." The kiddy looking man - Kurome didn't understand either - wasn't laughing, and Linda's own sense of humor quickly dried up into one of exasperation. "Oh come on! Don't go telling me you can't recognise us, we've been painting this town for you damn near on the nightly."
Baby man clapped, and in response one of the burly gangsters hoisted him up - bib and all. His little legs dangled over the table as he was set down, at which point he pulled out an oversized lollypop, giving several carefully smooth licks before speaking again. Kurome would not punt the baby, though the urge was... tempting.
"Thank you." The gangster, who's head consisted of writhing grotesque tentacles nodded... maybe? Baby man adjusted his pompous hat and tossed the lolly aside and brushed off his suit. "Now then, who did you say you were?"
Linda again wore a face of failure, raw defeat evident in her eyes and maybe even burrowed into her soul. Kurome ignored the urge to smile; Linda looked nice when she seemingly wanted to off herself. However these thoughts were shoved aside as another elder horror man walked in with a paper bag covering the neck stump where the tentacles wriggled from. He leaned over and spoke... or at least that's what Kurome thought it did; hard to tell with one so faceless, and who's words were screeches and grumbles of slime.
"Ah." Baby man looked back. "Are you, per chance, the ones buying from Greg of Racoon street?"
"My man Greg, hell yeah!" Linda sounded happy, or relieved, really it depended on how you looked at it. "Dude's got the best slurpy."
"What she means is, yes, chu." Warechu helped to compose Linda, who was far too happy they were seemingly remembered.
"Ah, apologies, Mr. Kenny does not tell us much often." He clapped. "So, how may I help you today?" Warechu stepped forward at that, and Kurome hoisted him to the table to stand equally before the small man. Warechu, in turn, sent a confounded look to her as she wordlessly reveled in his now shattered dignity; he had neither the status or power to play off needing a helping hand as 'cool'. The mouse apparently opted to ignore her false friendly smile, and instead cleared his throat as he spoke.
"We're here for the EP Job, chu."
"Ah, that one." The mini-man nodded with a light smile. "No."
Warechu blinked, Linda followed after, and Kurome did her best to not strangle the man. The now blanked girl opened her mouth, and the dark one noted how dead she sounded.
"Uh... excuse me." She sent a lop-sided look. "Sorry, but I don't think I heard you right."
"Oh, well I'll reiterate. No."
"That's what I thought you said." Linda looked back, calling to the bartender. "Hey, can I borrow the sound proof closet?" The man in turn nodded, and Kurome watched as Linda walked over, seemingly thanked the man, and stepped inside.
The floor rumbled soon after, and Linda returned looking hollow.
"Right." Kurome turned back to the apparent boss of the gang. "Any particular reason as to why you're not giving us a chance?"
"Rumors of your incompetency are vast, if you are the group I hear of." He crossed his arms, though it wasn't so threatening with his miniature size. "With such a lucrative business as I run, I am simply unable to take such massive risks."
"I see, although, there is something still not adding up." Kurome crossed her own arms, putting on a mask of modest arrogance. "It appears you have been misinformed."
"Oh?" He popped a brow. "I see... are you implying my sources are incorrect, and if that is the case, what is it you 'claim' is wrong? My reach is vast, and I am not easily fooled." Baby man echoed a darker look. "I do so loath incompetent deceivers; I hope this is not a jest, as implying that my grasp on fact is lacking, falsely mind you, is not good for one's health."
"Oh." Kurome allowed only a calm smile to persist. "Upset that you're not fully updated. It's understandable, you hit me as the type who needs to feel like he's always in control." He was losing his composure ever so slightly, all the while her own tone stilled, soon enough smooth as butter; Kurome noticed none of this as she was lost in the moment. "If you had been properly up to date, you would have known that I only recently came into play."
"Recently..." His voice refrained from cracking, yet his eyes spoke of murder. "You must really believe you are rather valuable to question my influence."
"Care to prove me wrong?" Kurome taunted, her words so slithery slick as the air around them chilled. "Go ahead, look for information on me. I'm interested to see what you find, that is, if you can procure anything at all."
Baby man, rather than throw a tantrum like one would expect, snapped his fingers. Immediately one of the monstrosities handed him what looked to be a tablet, and Kurome watched with her sickeningly stable smile as his ire turned to intrigue. He faced her again, though this time the inner rage was replaced with suspicious curiosity.
"What is your name?"
"Kurome." She answered, her voice bathed in irregular peace. "You won't find anything with that name though, but feel free to try." Pulling herself down she faced the man with an unreadable look, one that felt so... natural across her face. "I'm content to wait."
And so she did, as for a half hour hence the trio remained in hopes of an answer, all the while the growth-challenged boss sifted through what must have been hundreds of names. By the time any change occurred, the others were already worn out from stress, all but Kurome who, in her own mind, had nearly blanked out.
"It is possible you are using a fake name." He tried, though he himself didn't sound very convinced; merely as if he were presenting the possibility out of necessity.
"I can give you any number of name's I've went by, and you won't find a thing."
"I see." He handed the tablet off, arms up, and was taken and placed down again to sit. From the booster seat, he linked his fingers and leaned forward across the table. "So, let's suppose I give you a chance, how would I ensure you do not fail?"
"If I were capable of failure, you would have heard of me by now." Kurome said with such obscured sass that it nearly came off as a taunt. The boss just smirked.
"Touché." He clapped, and one of his men placed what looked like a pacifier on the table. "Let's try this. Within the Planeptune Basilicom, on the second level and buried deep in the tower's server room, is a particular computer. It contains a list of all the eggplant farms that ran before being shut down. While there may not be much left to collect at said farms themselves, the equipment itself is still valuable."
"If they were in operation before, why do you need the list?" Kurome felt she was missing something. "Didn't you keep tabs on your suppliers."
"This was before the 'great wilting' as we call it; the time when the change was enforced. We had no real contact or relationship with these farms before, and by the time we began to take notice of the vegetable's value, these places were, as they say, scrubbed from the map. The law itself is rather recent in the grand scheme of things; you are not native to Planeptune, are you?" Boss tried, to which Kurome allowed her face to falter a bit.
"I am, in a sense. But... well, let's just say it's been a while since I've returned to the main cities."
"Small town girl, I presume." He nodded. "I can respect that; living out there is tough. Well, the cities themselves are where most laws tend to be enforced anyways, so I suppose it isn't too uncommon that you haven't heard of it. Although this development does present an opportunity."
"How so?" Kurome saw the look in his eye; deceitful and tempting.
"Most city goers have never faced any of the monsters in the wildlands, and even in the event of a beast raid on the city itself, many people flee. Tell me, have you any experience in monster slaying?"
"In a way, you might say I'm a professional." It wasn't a lie, killing monsters had been a skill of hers, before enslaving and creating them became the 'go-to' method.
"You are turning out to be quite the prize." He chuckled and sent a predatory gaze. "If you can prove that any of these claims are valid." He motioned to the pacifier. "Take it, this plug must be inserted into the main server. From there it will download the lists we need, and you can make your escape. I'll have a driver ready out front on ground level, should you require quick escape. Just look for the black motorcycle; the key will be wedged under the seat."
"Right." Kurome reached for the pacifier, feeling something... loose about the rubber nipple. With her curiosity peaked she pulled at the bud, only for it to come off, revealing a USB. She placed it together again, and slipped it in the small hidden pocket inside her outer-shirt.
The woman tensed a bit, before it left. The action was invisible to all but Linda, who just so happened to be observing the darker one's braids. Linda ignored it though as the boss man nodded.
"So am I to assume we have a deal?" He reached out, and Kurome took that tiny hand.
"Of course. Just tell me when."
.
.
"Damn, chu." Warechu was relieved to say the least, and he lazed on the couch like he'd just gotten back from a workout. "I don't know how you do it, but you'd make a killing with a poker-face like that."
"Yeah." Linda waved from her bean bag, looking away from the TV to offer her piece. "How do you create such a menacing aura anyway?"
"I hated a lot of people." Kurome knew they'd never truly understand the significance of those words, but even so Linda looked satisfied, returning her eyes to the cartoon they were watching.
Kurome however recalled the feeling from before, and slipped her hand back into the pocket which held the equivalent of baby's first USB, to grasp hold of the other object inside. Pulling it out she looked over the thing, only to hear Warechu speak up.
"What's that, chu?" It was an honest question; too bad she didn't really have an answer.
"I'm not sure." Kurome squinted, trying to make out the finer details. "I just... found it in my pocket.
"Huh?" The gray rat came closer, his eyes deviously locked to the small thing. "Looks like a game cartridge, although they're usually not bright colors like this."
That was true, and one more Kurome found herself intrigued over the blue hunk of plastic, wondering just how it even came to rest in her pocket to begin with. In that moment her head began to ache, and she did her best to refuse showing any sort of weakness. Warechu it seemed was close enough anyway, as he cocked a look.
"Something the matter, chu?"
"Nothing... just." Kurome gripped at her head again. "Just a headache."
This drew the attention of Linda, who shot out a response of her own.
"Try hitting the hay; works for me most of the time."
For once, one of their suggestions didn't sound half bad.
Author's note
...
A little wild this time, but not as wacky as what's to come.
Let's see, an artistic shootout, soon to be criminal espionage, vegetable trafficking; a healthy chapter I'd say. No CPU's this time, but as you can see, they'll be back pretty soon.
See you then.