Ulterior Motives

Posted on Thu Aug 5th, 2021 @ 2:13am by Sasha Stone [Whavi]

Mission: Darkness Rising - A Phoenix Lalor Sub Plot
Location: Rigel X
Timeline: MD 23
883 words - 1.8 OF Standard Post Measure

"Sasha, you wanna tell me where exactly you have me accompanying you?" Gwynn asked with a bit of an attitude.

"I told you. Lily said we weren't to go anywhere alone. I'm just following the rules." Sasha whispered back harshly and ended her sentence with a sigh.

The surface was freezing, all buildings and fixtures coated with a thick layer of ice. The wind was so cold it was like fire across their cheeks. If they weren't careful frost bite would claim any extremity within minutes.

The two cloaked figures emerged from the darkness of an alley unseen and unnoticed by any passerby. Their pace steady and certain.

The smaller of the two figures lead the way, the route they took anything but simple. More turns and unnecessary backtracking, all to shake any would be followers. Soon they came upon a public tavern like establishment. Entering with no hesitation.

The room was filled with loud voices, mostly those belonging to green skinned males. Scattered throughout were females wearing scarce clothing consisting of animal furs. Swaying their bodies for attention and grappling hands. Empty were their eyes.

The smaller figure took a moment to scan the room before spotting her target. An Orion man sitting alone surrounded by a cloud of smoke. The two figures weaved their way through the crowds, the smaller figure stopping just before, flicking her wrist in signal for the other figure to stay back.

Gwynn could tell by Sasha's body language that she was serious and this was not the time or place to bitch about keeping watch. The character they were approaching looked shady and deserving of a good ass kicking. But Gwyn did as asked and stepped back, finding her way to a corner in which she could both watch the front door as well as keep an eye on Sasha.

The smaller figure stepped up to the Orion's table, pausing directly in front of him for a moment, her head swallowed by the over large hood she wore.

"I have to say I'm shocked you haven't sought me out sooner." The Orion said and then coughed, snuffing out the cigar he was smoking onto the table, not bothering to use the over packed ashtray beside him.

In one fluid motion the figure slid into the bench across from him. Her voice was low, "I've been busy."

"What's wrong? Mess up that pretty face of yours?" He jerked his chin towards her hood.

Slowly Sasha pulled back the thick hood, finally revealing herself to him. Her face was anything but kind as she looked him in the eye.

"Red huh? You were more of a catch as a blonde." He said.

Sasha smirked, a taunting evil smirk, one she reserved for occasions such as this where she needed to keep her emotions in check and motives a mystery.
"I like to keep things interesting. It's been awhile Menik." Sasha wanted to spit his name.

Menik didn't look entertained, rather bored as he reached in his jacket for another cigar.

Sasha could see Gwynn tense up in the corner of her eyes as Menik moved but under the table she gestured for her friend to stay back.

"Where ya been Sash? Haven't heard a peep from you since Jurian's unfortunate accident."

The mention of her former partners name caused the humans eye to twitch slightly, a reaction she couldn't help.

Of course it didn't go unnoticed. Menik commented, voice heavy with false sympathy. "Wound still sore I take it? Death isn't always easy to accept."

"He's not dead." Sasha said more fiercely then she should have. She had anticipated this conversation, so why was she letting Menik get her so fired up?

"On the contrary little mouse, he is."

"There was no evidence, no body, he's just hiding....and I think you know where."

"Me? What makes you think I have anything to do with his disappearance? Is this why you sought me out? Here to solve two year old mystery everyone in the universe has accepted but you?" Menik lit his cigar and took a long drag, when he released his breath the air between them filled with clouded smoke.

"You were the only one who knew the details of the exchange." The smoke burned Sasha's eyes, made them water but she refused to take them off Menik.

"Trying to discredit me now?" He asked, voice unthreatened and growing more bored.

"Where is he." She demanded.

Menik was silent. Drilling his gaze into Sasha, a slight bit of anger coloring his face, but also a flash of...sadness shown.

His voice sounded was low, "You ever consider maybe he doesn't want to be found...even by you?"

Menik's words send a pang through Sasha's heart. It wasn't a possibly she hadn't already considered time and time again. Nonetheless it hurt to hear someone else say it.

This wasn't why she was here, she needed to redirect the conversation. She was a fool to let Menik know she was still searching for Jurian. A rookie mistake she'd regret later.

"I know of a team looking to make some connections, connections you can help arrange." Sasha's schooled her expression, keeping it void of all emotion.

Menik's eyes scanned their immediate surroundings before leaning slightly forward.

"Tell me more."


{OFF}