[Her voice colors his name warmly and she suppresses a wider grin at his lack of reaction. His boss is definitely high up and it must make him untouchable by proxy if he's so unaccustomed to attention. Unperturbed, Sombra relaxes a fraction into her seat.]
I appreciate the opportunity to be considered for such prestigious work.
[There is no way in hell this work is on the up and up if they're looking for someone like her, but she's not about to ruin the gig by scrutinizing more than usual. Especially when the contact is so nice to look at.]
Would you like somethin'? [She nods at the menu.] I'll take care of it since you're a guest.
(at least she is polite, if not overly expressive for what he is accustomed to. oda folds his hands together neatly on the table, briefly taking a moment to study sombra just a bit more. she is...colorful, not unlike other denizens of night city. not unattractive by any means but, again, not his priority.)
You would not be considered if your reputation did not precede you.
(at the mention of the menu his expression does shift but not positively---lips become a thin line and there is a semblance of a scowl.)
[The desire to fuck with him is strong, though she only just manages to avoid preening when he studies her. He's so straight-laced it's almost painful and were it not for her desire to lock in the gig, she would have gone off the rails. The mention of her reputation earns a nod of acknowledgment.]
Oh, I know.
[The pretense of gratitude is usually necessary, though her clients inevitably learn better. The souring of his expression at the mention of food draws a tilt of her head, though his answer removes any confusion.]
Fair enough. [He's spoiled she can't help but think and settles in to play.]
A little cruel to send you where you can't stand to eat, isn't it?
My preferences are not priority, (he redirects, the ghost of a scowl still lingering. his impulse, of course, is to defend hanako-sama but her identity has not been revealed to the netrunner just yet. she is not cruel; they would all prefer to be back in japan but the circumstances are not theirs to control.)
Order I you wish but I will only tolerate some jasmine tea. (it is likely to be hot leaf juice rather than anything decent but he at least acknowledges how awkward it can feel to be eating when company is not. oda reaches into his jacket in the meantime and produces a shard---one of two he had been instructed to bring. this one is a test crafted by hanako herself for sombra to de-encrypt. the other, to come if she succeeds with the first in an acceptable time frame, contains the job details---also encrypted.)
This is for you. (oda slides the shard across the table towards her.)
[Back to flirting she goes, for a moment. She suspects he would fall apart if someone paid attention to him for anything other than his work.
Sombra orders two Jasmine teas and smiles when the shard is presented to her. She makes sure to brush her fingers against his when taking it, giving it a cursory glance before inserting it. ]
Let's see what we have.
[Her optics light up with the blue ring, making the purple of her eyes all the more vibrant for a moment as she analyzes the code. It's elegant work for sure and more importantly too pretty to be the job. Her eyes dim and she sighs dramatically, leaning on an elbow.]
Y'know, you should be glad I'm not the type to get offended by all this testing.
(the first comment oda resolutely ignores but the inadvertent brush of her fingers against his earns more of a response---an almost visible bristling. oda understands that he is an attractive person: well built, muscular, and with pleasing facial features. he has been told as much. while it should be flattering to be flirted with. instead the distraction from the task at hand merely annoys him.
oda watches as sombra's optics glow and she begins examining the shard. netrunning is not in his milieu, or hacking for that matter, so he has little scope for what kind of task she is to accomplish.)
There is no room for error, I am told. The best are required.
[Sombra only barely tries to suppress how entertained she looks at his bristling, eyes crinkling with delight. Oh, he's cute when he's mad. However, this decryption test is interesting enough to pull her focus back to work, which is no small achievement.
The code is built beautifully - weaving or sewing would be her usual metaphor, but this is built like glass or perhaps like a snowflake. Brute forcing or even rushing would destroy more data than it would be worth. Most runners would have pushed it but, fortunately, Sombra is not most runners.]
Tell your boss that whoever wrote this deserves a raise or two. It's elegant work, real preem stuff. Should be done shortly though.
(her amusement at his discomfort only serves to vex him further and oda finds himself glad that the shard adequately distracts her.
lips pressed into a thin line give way just a fraction with the compliment. the thought of hanako-sama giving herself a raise amuses oda on principle.)
I will relay your statement, (he says stiffly. if she could already crack the shard then sombra would be well-qualified for the second one which he idly thumbs in his pocket.)
[Just as Sombra states, she works through the code with delicacy. The look on her face is focused and thoughtful as she works and it's little wonder people like her better when she's working. Without the teasing and intentional annoyance, she's quite pretty.
Unfortunately, she knows it too.
Blinking a few times, she sits up and the tea arrives, just in time for the both of them. Sombra thanks the waitress before her attention returns lasciviously to Oda, already starting again.]
It's done. So, I imagine we'll be meeting again for the actual gig?
Good. (he has a feeling this woman does not need him to feed her ego. though his expectations of the the tea could not possibly be lower, oda is gracious when the server arrives:)
ありがとう ございます
(oda reaches for the second shard and slides it over to sombra, ignoring her question for a moment.) You will use data from the first to access the information here. I am to tell you that if you accept this shard, you accept the job on terms of utmost confidentiality.
(he meets her gaze quite directly, his eyes an alarming bright blue.) As to your question: yes. I am to take you to my employer and ensure security throughout the job.
[Sombra never needs the ego boost, but she feels proud anyway sensing that getting any kind of compliment from Oda would be pulling teeth. Oh well.
He passes over the second shard and Sombra behaves, taking it without bothering him in the process.]
Understood. I-- [She nearly starts in on flirting again, but when she meets his gaze something halts her. His eyes are pretty, enough that it takes whatever sly statement off of her lips and she has to clear her throat. Cheeks flushed, she grins and returns to form easily.]
Are you alright? (he asks, seeing her thoughts derail and a flush color her face. oda is not entirely oblivious and he wonders if sombra can avoid distraction if he will be running security.)
[Oh goodie. Not only did he categorically refuse to flirt, but he picked this moment to be aware of her reactions. Sombra takes a deep breath and nods, giving him a quick thumbs up.]
Bueno. Just great.
[She inserts the new shard to avoid looking at him for a moment, wondering what had come over her. He was a pretty face with a stick up his ass from one of the biggest corps on the planet. However fun it was to rankle him, the point of this was to get the gig done and go home to more practice and leisure. Keep it together.]
(he does not believe her and there is the slightest hint of a smirk that crosses his expression. maybe that would be enough to deter her for the time being. oda reaches for his own cup and takes a very tentative sip.
it tastes overly steeped and bitter but maybe not as bad as he would have expected. still, oda wrinkles his nose and sets it aside.)
You have time. The project is only time sensitive once it has begun. Do you have further questions?
[Sombra doesn't bristle. She doesn't miss the ghost of a smirk either and it makes her frown just slightly. It's perhaps bad form to be unable to take what she dishes out, but all the same, she finds herself annoyed that now someone that doesn't play ball finds whatever is happening entertaining.
She takes a sip from her own tea, enjoying the floral taste. This tea house was one of the few authentic places in Night City, so it was always a nice indulgence. Her attention turns to his question.]
A few actually. What's the expected turnaround on this job? And are you the only guard I'll be expected to work with?
You will receive payment immediately upon completion and I understand at four times your usual rate. (hanako-sama pays generously for a job well done as much as for silence in this matter. oda reclines some in his seat and crosses his arms, one pale brow raised at the subtle suggestion that he would not be enough on his own. or at least, that is how he takes it.)
Yes, I will be the sole bodyguard. Is that an issue?
[Sombra masterfully suppresses her whistle. Not that she doubts the pockets of the legendary Arasaka, but being frank her services aren't cheap on a good day. She thanks her tendency towards discretion even if it is belied by her more gadfly-like tendencies.
Her gaze flicks over Oda and his pissy little shift in posture before she smiles again, pleased with the shift back to their original tenor. ]
Not at all.
[She is more pleased she doesn't have to figure out a second person or how to account for differing temperaments while she works, but she lets implication color her tone anyway. No sense in ruining hard work done thus far.]
(oda tries not to let her irritate him too much but there is something about her demeanor that is gets under his skin---maybe it is the smugness, the brazen flirting. maybe it is purely the air of night city. he must remind himself that he represents arasaka and, more importantly, hanako-sama and not get to wound up.)
Good. Once you meet her you will understand. (a pause as he takes another sip of tea, thinking the second one would be better. it is not.)
[Sombra can't describe why she enjoys getting under Oda's skin, more than she would usually enjoy such a thing. It's probably the formality, the way he presents himself. No one is that put together.]
Then I look forward to it. [She takes another sip of tea, savoring the warmth of it.] Is it a long trip?
No. First I will take you to the Arasaka Estate, (oda sets aside his tea for the final time. he is not too keen on bringing outsides there but it is what has been asked of him.)
From there we will both receive further instruction.
(he watches sombra, still trying to get more if a read on her---if she is like other night city scum: thieves and killers with no moral code.)
[Sombra takes a sip of her tea and very nearly chokes on it at the mention of The Arasaka Estate. She knows it's not a joke, that he'd likely die before so much as smiling on the clock, but she can't help but look at him incredulously for a moment.
She sets her cup down, her expression is a bit skeptical as she sits up straight. Meeting his gaze, she gives him a smile that doesn't quite reach her eyes and nods towards the door.]
(her reaction somewhat perplexes him; would she expect anyone lower on the rung at arasaka to be able to pay so well? still, oda does not comment and merely nods, standing to lead her way to the car. driving in night city is gambling with one's own life---he would much prefer to be on a kusanagi but knowing he was going to have to bring her with him ruled that out.)
Come. I will show you to the car. (they exit the tea house with oda in the lead.) Have you been to North Oak before?
[The shape of the gig becomes far clearer now. Sombra had assumed that this was mostly delegation and simply funded by someone high on the ladder. She's grateful he doesn't comment on her reaction at least and stands to follow him to the car.]
Mm. And what is? (oda asks before he can stop himself. he does have a mild curiosity, though, if not just to fill to silence on what has the potential to be a very stilted drive. the approach the car, a sleek black one but is otherwise non-descript. out of habit oda moves to open the car door for sombra.)
[Despite teasing him, she is curious about why he wants to know. She figures his propriety is winning and suspects neither like to sit in silence with a stranger.
Sombra gives him a nod of thanks as he opens the door.]
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[Her voice colors his name warmly and she suppresses a wider grin at his lack of reaction. His boss is definitely high up and it must make him untouchable by proxy if he's so unaccustomed to attention. Unperturbed, Sombra relaxes a fraction into her seat.]
I appreciate the opportunity to be considered for such prestigious work.
[There is no way in hell this work is on the up and up if they're looking for someone like her, but she's not about to ruin the gig by scrutinizing more than usual. Especially when the contact is so nice to look at.]
Would you like somethin'? [She nods at the menu.] I'll take care of it since you're a guest.
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You would not be considered if your reputation did not precede you.
(at the mention of the menu his expression does shift but not positively---lips become a thin line and there is a semblance of a scowl.)
I do not care for Night City food. No thank you.
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Oh, I know.
[The pretense of gratitude is usually necessary, though her clients inevitably learn better. The souring of his expression at the mention of food draws a tilt of her head, though his answer removes any confusion.]
Fair enough. [He's spoiled she can't help but think and settles in to play.]
A little cruel to send you where you can't stand to eat, isn't it?
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Order I you wish but I will only tolerate some jasmine tea. (it is likely to be hot leaf juice rather than anything decent but he at least acknowledges how awkward it can feel to be eating when company is not. oda reaches into his jacket in the meantime and produces a shard---one of two he had been instructed to bring. this one is a test crafted by hanako herself for sombra to de-encrypt. the other, to come if she succeeds with the first in an acceptable time frame, contains the job details---also encrypted.)
This is for you. (oda slides the shard across the table towards her.)
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[Back to flirting she goes, for a moment. She suspects he would fall apart if someone paid attention to him for anything other than his work.
Sombra orders two Jasmine teas and smiles when the shard is presented to her. She makes sure to brush her fingers against his when taking it, giving it a cursory glance before inserting it. ]
Let's see what we have.
[Her optics light up with the blue ring, making the purple of her eyes all the more vibrant for a moment as she analyzes the code. It's elegant work for sure and more importantly too pretty to be the job. Her eyes dim and she sighs dramatically, leaning on an elbow.]
Y'know, you should be glad I'm not the type to get offended by all this testing.
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oda watches as sombra's optics glow and she begins examining the shard. netrunning is not in his milieu, or hacking for that matter, so he has little scope for what kind of task she is to accomplish.)
There is no room for error, I am told. The best are required.
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The code is built beautifully - weaving or sewing would be her usual metaphor, but this is built like glass or perhaps like a snowflake. Brute forcing or even rushing would destroy more data than it would be worth. Most runners would have pushed it but, fortunately, Sombra is not most runners.]
Tell your boss that whoever wrote this deserves a raise or two. It's elegant work, real preem stuff. Should be done shortly though.
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lips pressed into a thin line give way just a fraction with the compliment. the thought of hanako-sama giving herself a raise amuses oda on principle.)
I will relay your statement, (he says stiffly. if she could already crack the shard then sombra would be well-qualified for the second one which he idly thumbs in his pocket.)
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Unfortunately, she knows it too.
Blinking a few times, she sits up and the tea arrives, just in time for the both of them. Sombra thanks the waitress before her attention returns lasciviously to Oda, already starting again.]
It's done. So, I imagine we'll be meeting again for the actual gig?
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ありがとう ございます
(oda reaches for the second shard and slides it over to sombra, ignoring her question for a moment.) You will use data from the first to access the information here. I am to tell you that if you accept this shard, you accept the job on terms of utmost confidentiality.
(he meets her gaze quite directly, his eyes an alarming bright blue.) As to your question: yes. I am to take you to my employer and ensure security throughout the job.
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He passes over the second shard and Sombra behaves, taking it without bothering him in the process.]
Understood. I-- [She nearly starts in on flirting again, but when she meets his gaze something halts her. His eyes are pretty, enough that it takes whatever sly statement off of her lips and she has to clear her throat. Cheeks flushed, she grins and returns to form easily.]
Lucky me.
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Bueno. Just great.
[She inserts the new shard to avoid looking at him for a moment, wondering what had come over her. He was a pretty face with a stick up his ass from one of the biggest corps on the planet. However fun it was to rankle him, the point of this was to get the gig done and go home to more practice and leisure. Keep it together.]
Do I at least have time to finish my tea?
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it tastes overly steeped and bitter but maybe not as bad as he would have expected. still, oda wrinkles his nose and sets it aside.)
You have time. The project is only time sensitive once it has begun. Do you have further questions?
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She takes a sip from her own tea, enjoying the floral taste. This tea house was one of the few authentic places in Night City, so it was always a nice indulgence. Her attention turns to his question.]
A few actually. What's the expected turnaround on this job? And are you the only guard I'll be expected to work with?
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Yes, I will be the sole bodyguard. Is that an issue?
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Her gaze flicks over Oda and his pissy little shift in posture before she smiles again, pleased with the shift back to their original tenor. ]
Not at all.
[She is more pleased she doesn't have to figure out a second person or how to account for differing temperaments while she works, but she lets implication color her tone anyway. No sense in ruining hard work done thus far.]
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Good. Once you meet her you will understand. (a pause as he takes another sip of tea, thinking the second one would be better. it is not.)
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Then I look forward to it. [She takes another sip of tea, savoring the warmth of it.] Is it a long trip?
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From there we will both receive further instruction.
(he watches sombra, still trying to get more if a read on her---if she is like other night city scum: thieves and killers with no moral code.)
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She sets her cup down, her expression is a bit skeptical as she sits up straight. Meeting his gaze, she gives him a smile that doesn't quite reach her eyes and nods towards the door.]
Ready when you are.
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Come. I will show you to the car. (they exit the tea house with oda in the lead.) Have you been to North Oak before?
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Rarely. Not my type of scene.
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[Despite teasing him, she is curious about why he wants to know. She figures his propriety is winning and suspects neither like to sit in silence with a stranger.
Sombra gives him a nod of thanks as he opens the door.]
I'm a homebody, mostly.
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