la_sombra

[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.]

Lucky me.

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.]

Do I at least have time to finish my tea?

(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.]

Ready when you are.

(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.]

Rarely. Not my type of scene.

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.)

Careful, you might like the answer.

[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.

Oh? (he sounds mildly surprised. then again, if given the choice living in night city he would keep to himself too. oda rounds the front of the car, briefly scanning their surroundings for any hint of something being amiss. sliding into the driver's seat, he turns to sombra once the doors are closed and locked.)

The person hiring you is Hanako Arasaka herself. Be on your best behavior.

Safest place to be.

[She settles into the seat, enjoying the luxurious design of the vehicle and freezes when Oda turns around to address her. This new bombshell draws less of a reaction, though she does blink at him a few times.]

Right. [Sombra gives Oda a bright smile at his instruction.] Don't worry, I know when to misbehave.

And what does that mean? (oda scoffs as he makes sure to buckle and starts the car. as far as he is concerned there is never a time to misbehave.)

I’ll show you when you’re off the clock, if you want…

[Her smile remains toothy and she waggles her eyebrows for added effect.]

(his only saving grace is that it is dark and the flush thay colors his cheeks would not be so obvious. she has taken him off guard, implying what she is, and oda cannot help the moment of dumb-founded silence that hangs before he replies.)

I am never off the clock. (a lie. mostly.)

Really? A shame…
[Sombra winks at the rear view before turning her attention to the lights going by.

A meeting with any of THE Arasaka family is amazing enough, but she can’t believe she’s managed to get to the kind of level where she’s actually meeting any of them. Too bad she can’t go public, else she would raise her rates from just being considered.]

Even if I were, I do not "misbehave" as you say.

(he huffs, perhaps trying to hide his curiosity. oda largely tries to focus on the road and the traffic, only occasionally glancing up to the rear view mirror to check on sombra.)

I suppose not.

[Sombra makes a show of considering this new information. Fact is, she’s pleased she managed to figure out something to pique his curiosity.]

You’re more of a gentleman, I think

(where is she going with this? oda grunts an agreement, largely because he is not sure how to respond. he would say he tries to be a gentleman, but at times his job requires a more aggressive approach.)

Not always. I must dirty my hands on occasion.

[Sombra suppresses a laugh at his admission. She suspects another derail, but her mind goes to the original subject she teased him about.

It’s almost too easy to imagine him close, teeth at her throat, a hand twisted in her hair. Her mouth goes a touch dry at the thought.]

We all do, sometimes. It’s just nice to know somefolks don’t jump to violence at first provocation.

[Of course, she neglects to mention she’s usually on the receiving end of such threats.]

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