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Post by Song Di on May 16, 2006 18:16:43 GMT -5
The faint smile which slowly spread its way across Song Di's face didn't reach her eyes. They never did. The Word's ranting made her feel good; it illustrated that Song Di was still in a position of power, be it actualized, or a memory boiling over with threats of potential. She'd come to this place in a seat of power, fighting to take away all that this triad held dear. Her soldiers died in her name, but that power loved in. It was never them. It was Song herself, bleeding it through the pores. Each motion, each wave of a hand, and each exhalation read strength. Not physical, not even magical... something different.
It seemed as though The Word felt it. The one preaching professionalism, and representing a group feigning control of an entire area of the city was the one losing her composure. Feeling cornered. Feeling such strong emotional investment in this that she reduce herself to profanities and posturing.
As The Word walked out, Song Di's laugh came quietly. She'd won this round. Another in a series of small intended victories, meant to let no one forget who and what she was. You don't bed a wildcat, no matter how useful it may be.
Turning to Diavolo, the cold humor drained from Song Di's face. The girl had shown her respect. This would earn her a few brief moments.
"We go about our business. We let them cripple themselves. They erect barricades between themselves and their goals, to try to hurt us. They forget that we are working towards their needs.
"And we remember that information is necessity, not a luxury. Someone who took a loan out willingly will respond differently to requests for payment than someone who is being extorted. Someone who is accustomed to paying the triad is easier to deal with than someone who is for the first time. The questions which I ask are asked for reasons beyond curiosity; for the sake of 'buckling down, and doing the task.'
"There are only two targets. I suggest we stay together, collect from one, and then collect from the other. We only have three bodies, and I don't believe in someone working alone, even on the easiest jobs. That leaves too much opportunity not only for loss, but also betrayal.
"Questions?"
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Slab
Blue Lantern
Mouth Breathing Rage Machine
Posts: 28
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Post by Slab on May 16, 2006 20:10:24 GMT -5
Damn, a bitch fight and there wasn't any Jell-O. What kind of shit was that? Slab didn't quite understand what was going on, much less all the big words and ideas Song Di was throwing around, but when The Word threw out that 'cunt' he was pretty sure they didn't take to one another.
Whatever.
Chicks did that shit; got all snotty and hateful, made little cliques, tried to use guys like Slab like The Word had done. Probably Song Di would now talk some serious hate about The Word to Diavolo, knowing Diavolo would go back and tell The Word who would tell her something to take back to Song Di. Repeat until everyone was lathered. The world would be a lot better place if they'd talk less and beat down one another more; just get it over with like guys and then go out for a beer. If they were normal chicks, Slab'd just grab each one by the back of the neck and make them chicken dance. Doing that to Song Di would be a bad idea. No, a seriously bad idea.
"I'll be outside," he rumbled and headed back to the main part of the store, pausing only to pick up a pair of tallboys. One went into the pocket opposite his pipe. The other fit into his hand as if materialized there by some redneck god of creation. Slab passed the time by sipping his Schlitz and imagining what Diavolo's tits looked like.
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Diavolo
Blue Lantern
Rob the jewelry store, tell 'em make me a grill!!!
Posts: 19
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Post by Diavolo on May 17, 2006 2:53:11 GMT -5
Song's lecturing of The Word is nice. I love listening to her talk. I know most people don't and I really understand why, but I like it. She's a little bit scary, but I like being scared. And she's smart. That's the part I really like. I bet I could learn a lot from her. Today's different though, because she's sticking up for me. I think she is at least: that's what it sounds like. The second the words pass her lips they stop being a bluff. I follow her willingly. She could lead me straight to hell and I'd follow happily if it meant working together.
No one seems to notice I'm rubbing my thighs together under the table. It's such a slight movement, but it helps.
I wonder if The Word uses magic...
Song's right, you know? It's pretty lame to not tell us stuff that could help. That's like ordering a pizza but refusing to give your address. I'm not brave enough to talk to them about it how she does, though. Instead, I just rub my legs together when she uses her big words, and like her even more.
I'm only brave enough to mumble a, "Bitch," under my breath as she leaves. Once she's gone, it's a whole other story.
Believe me, I get braver when no one can hear.
"I hate her so fucking much. If you're not playing about busting her some day, I want a piece of that shit. Give me the word, I'll get heated and I got you. Both of your plans sound tight to me. I'm following your lead: you know I'm new to this. I'll do whatever you tell me."
"Anything, Song."
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Post by Song Di on May 18, 2006 13:43:18 GMT -5
Any referenced implication was shot slightly too high. As smart as Song Di was, there were still things which she knew nothing about. Shame slab wasn't around to clear that one up for her; certainly, he would have understood. All that she had left was to look blankly at Diavolo for a few moments, considering what was said. She is too willing. There must be an ulterior motive to following me so blindly... perhaps there's more to her than there seems. Or else, they... One eyebrow raised slowly. Poor Song Di; there was a motive, alright. But nothing traitorous. Inwardly, she decided to play along, while keeping Diavolo from anything truly useful. A tool is a tool, regardless of what it's meant for. We've all had to hammer a nail in with the blunt end of a screwdriver, once or twice. "If that day ever comes, I will tell you." There was an awkward pause, as Song Di rose to her feet, glancing towards the doorway Slab had so abruptly left through. "We're leaving. The smaller payment will be first."
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Diavolo
Blue Lantern
Rob the jewelry store, tell 'em make me a grill!!!
Posts: 19
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Post by Diavolo on May 20, 2006 2:58:50 GMT -5
My sigh comes out without resistance. Song's so oblivious that she'll never realize why I'm disappointed anyway. Just like always, I push and she pulls away. The voice that comes out when I answer her is almost scary to me, it reminds me of hers so much.
"Whatever. Let's just go." I don't wait for her to answer. I just walk out, and back through the story like I always do. There's a pat on the back for Zhi but no smile this time.
Just outside of the shop I stop, and wait for Song, with just a cursory glance towards Slab. I'm not in the mood right now.
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Post by Song Di on May 20, 2006 3:05:19 GMT -5
The response was satisfactory, regardless of Diavolo's intentions.
In fact, it almost made Song Di feel a little better, as odd as it sounds. Disappointment was easily misconstrued as professionalism, in some instances. This was one such. And so with the confusion temporarily washed away, she strode through the small convenience store with purpose, a pace behind Diavolo.
No interest in stealing products, or paying respects to cashiers.
Out in the morning sunlight, she squinted slightly. It was a natural response; she spent too much of her time indoors. The sun always seemed that tiny bit brighter to her.
"We should take my car." Nodding, she motioned towards the lot around the store. Her car was hard to miss, as out of place as it looked here.
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Slab
Blue Lantern
Mouth Breathing Rage Machine
Posts: 28
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Post by Slab on May 20, 2006 13:09:14 GMT -5
Diavolo looked disappointed, like she'd chipped a nail or been told that she couldn't have a triple latte no foam half soy two cream machiato. More bitch stuff inside probably. And, with that label, Slab dismissed any concern he felt for Diavolo from the space-limited interior of his brain.
Song Di's car looked like rich people's sex. Slab didn't know what it was, or even if it was a Ford or Chevy, but it was more car than he'd ever been inside - at least been inside and not ripping out a radio, dashboard GPS or stealing the airbags from. Slab could imagine himself driving around in it, one window down and arm lounging out the side like those rich fuck playboys with bought hair did. Picking up seriously upwardly mobile pussy. Girls that'd make Diavolo look like some three-tooth corner whore. Oh yeah, that'd be real nice.
"You're sitting in back," he announced to Diavolo. It wasn't a request, and it wasn't negotiable. The only way Slab'd fit in the back was in pieces, preferably in name brand ziploc bags so he wouldn't leak on the upholstery. Without waiting for her to get in, he shoved the passenger seat all the way back and, grunting, got inside. It was like being in the world's most expensive glove, the way he fit so tight. It was just as nice inside as outside.
Shit, even the cupholder adjusted to fit his can of Schlitz.
"Let's go fuck somebody up."
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Post by Song Di on May 20, 2006 14:10:14 GMT -5
It wasn't Ford, Chevy, Chrysler, or even any of the expected, in the vein of Mercedes, or BMW. This was something which Song Di actually took pride in. One of the few things. A symbol. An Aston Martin Vanquish S, triple black, and worth more than the homes of most people she'd work with. Twice over.
Opening the drivers' side door, she made room for Diavolo to climb in, before taking her own seat. No complaints on Slab's position, as it was someting that Song Di herself would have requested, otherwise. No offense to anyone concerned, but it was the simple reality of the issue. The only way all three of them would fit in this car was with Slab filling half, and the girls two deep on the other side. No pausing for small talk, and no comment on the look on Slab's face as he took in the interior of the car.
Pulling from the curb, she left for the first address, with the group. 192 Elizabeth Street. It was a slower pace than some would prefer, but only slightly. Casual. She was sure of this.
"It is more than likely that somebody will need to be 'fucked up.' In that case, you're on, Slab. Before that, however, we're going to ask for the money. If that doesn't work, we will threaten, and scare. If they still refuse, you can break anything that you please. People included. As long as enough is left to pay us.
"Does anyone have any questions on how this works? Or... suggestions?"
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Diavolo
Blue Lantern
Rob the jewelry store, tell 'em make me a grill!!!
Posts: 19
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Post by Diavolo on May 22, 2006 3:45:50 GMT -5
I wanted to sit in the back of her car anyway. I always take the backseat when there's a choice because it lets me watch the other people in the car without being asked what I'm staring at. The other good part is how Song's hair reaches over the headrest, and the smell of her shampoo tickles inside of me. Her obliviousness is still disappointing but I guess I'm used to it. It's another part of why I like her.
Besides, this sure beats the El Camino. Car like this, you don't have to worry about it breaking down on the side of the road thirty miles outside of the city.
I know something they don't, though. "Is it okay if I try to handle the scaring at least once?" Smiling, I hope they're willing to give me the benefit of the doubt.
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Slab
Blue Lantern
Mouth Breathing Rage Machine
Posts: 28
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Post by Slab on May 23, 2006 10:42:42 GMT -5
Slab almost gave his usual grunt, but something about Song Di forced a "Okay," out of his lips. That was the equivalent of a 'Yes Ma'am' from the big guy. Hell, if the marks caught the sme vibes as he did from the little Asian woman, they'd piss themselves if she just looked at them.
The car was too damned small. Slab kept trying to edge away from Song Di, forced to violate her space by the arrangement of the seating. It was almost comical the way the huge man twisted and put his back into the corner by the door and the seat, as much as possible anyway, to maximize the distance between them. She was one scary bitch.
Diavolo? Not so much. "Scaring?" Slab laughed, a sound like someone expelling a worrisome bit of phlegm from the throat. "Yeah, right sister. Gimme an S. Gimme a...a..." Eyebrows grew into one ugly caterpillar as Slab tried to work out the complex spelling in his head. "K?"
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Post by Song Di on May 26, 2006 3:10:40 GMT -5
Slab's laughter was written off as a non-factor by Song Di, save as a milemarker for arrogance. Truth be told, she didn't see it as totally unfounded; Slab seemed to recognize his role as muscle. Accepting one's station in life, as opposed to struggling against it, left more energy to expend on being successful in their place. She was willing to wager that he was quite good at his function, and only better for knowing what it was. However, it also gave him a reckless nature.
Seemingly, Slab had accepted his role as pure muscle. He listened to orders, all the more willingly when they were laced with pretty explanations. He didn't bother offering input; only followed along. However, it seemed as though he'd taken this as a cue to not think at all.
Dangerous.
Song's face revealed nothing as Slab laughed off Diavolo's request. He was too caught in his own type of muscle. He refused to acknowledge it elsewhere, or realize that many things were possible, in this day and age. The horns were enough to make her wonder.
One hand raised from the steering wheel, one finger raised, signaling Slab to quiet the laughter.
"You may." It was a calculated gamble. If she failed, it would signal her as a non-threat to the target. Thus, she would default into the role of 'good cop' on the team. Making Slab and Song all the more frightening, by contrast, as they took over on her efforts. "If you fail, I trust Slab here to be intimidating enough to make up the difference."
Her eyes only left the road for a moment, to look at him.
"I can trust you to contain yourself, until it's time. When I give you the signal, you're free to destroy, hurt, and ruin everything in sight, as long as there's enough left to extract payment from."
It came across sounding like a question, but wasn't worded to be one. Curious.
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Slab
Blue Lantern
Mouth Breathing Rage Machine
Posts: 28
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Post by Slab on May 27, 2006 7:21:54 GMT -5
The finger was a switch, cutting off Slab's laughter immediately. He may? He may what. Oh, she was talking to Diavolo. Further analysis was cut off when Song Di's ophidian eyes speared him into immobile silence. It wasn't often that Slab felt afraid, but the mere glance from the diminuitive woman caused the hair at the back of his neck to raise like a dog's hackles.
"Okay."
Unable to tolerate the look any longer, Slab tore his eyes away and stared out the window for the rest of the trip, his slightly boozy breath fogging the tinted glass.
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