We meet again... Wednesday 1.34

[oracle-dreams.livejournal.com]

Crawford didn't need to know where Farfarello was holed up, reconnoitering the Flower Shop. The cover operation still brought a lazy smirk to his face, the sheer irony of it. In the West, there were all sorts of things to be read into such an innocent seeming business for four young men. But, as decadent and debauched as Japan could be, it still had this charming air of inocence when it came to tradition. It was a profession still held in high esteem, the mastery of arranging delicate flowers was still considered as high art. As far as he could recall though, ichibana usually didn't involve so much bloodletting...

Crawford glanced in the shop window, pleased to find the shop empty except for the old woman. He gave an unfocused glance out into the street. Farfarello would take the cue to follow his lead. He reached for the door and swung it open, the tiny bells over the frame chiming his entry. Charming.

Crawford smiled curtly at the old woman, and a small bow to the elder where she sat perched on her chair like a fat old hen. The cat in her lap wasn't much better. This woman wasn't here accidentally. He'd put money on her being Kritiker, their network of unassuming spies was vast. Best to err of the side of caution.

"Hello, grandmother. Not too busy today I see."

She eyed him consideringly, the knowing smile never leaving her face, her rhythm as she stroked the cat in her lap never pausing.

"Well, we are now, aren't we? The larkspur are fresh in this morning, beautiful blue. Or are you looking for something special?" Her kindly voice matched her unwavering expression.

Crawford smiled warmly at her, crossing the small shop, leaning down just enough to skritch the cat on her lap behind the ears lightly.

"Oh, I am looking for something quite special. But I think maybe I'd prefer something in red."


((cue Aya-chan and/or Farf...))

 

Comments

[bloodyfarfie.livejournal.com]

Farfarello saw Crawford in front of the shop and breathed a sigh of relief; Finally, he'd be to do something! He was already getting up when he saw the cue to move, and was standing outside the flower shop, opening the door, within mere moments of Crawford's entrance.

He looked around almost curiously; really, it wasn't a bad looking shop.. He just couldn't believe it was their cover of all things. He wondered how much business they actually did; there were apparently flocks of girls that came every day, but he didn't know how much they actually bought. Likely, very little, since they supposedly just fawned over the kittens. Then there was time off for missions or recovery after missions.. If it weren't for the killing on the side, this place quite possibly would have shut down.

He actually rather liked their cover, though.. Gave him something to think of that would always amuse himself.

Finally, his attention turned to the woman in the chair, nodding once to her and looking at the cat in her lap. Really, what was with the cats everywhere? They were taking it a wee bit too far...

[kuchren.livejournal.com]

Aya-Chan flung open the door and then stopped in her tracks. It was that scarred man from before. And... someone else she'd never seen before. She wondered if the scarred man was going to start up a commotion with this well-dressed stranger also in the house. "Hi!" She said brightly, choosing to see what'd happen. "Welcome."

[oracle-dreams.livejournal.com]

Crawford's gaze snapped to the unexpected movement of the door, the suddenness of it tightening his muscles, barely stemming his instincts to reach for his Walther.

The younger Fujimiya, finally awake. Crawford had actually spent a considerable amount of time with the vegetative girl, more as an experiement than anything else. He was curious if contact with her and her sibling would strengthen his visions exponentially. Apparently, with her brain effectively shut down, there were no visions whatsoever to be had from the contact with her. Still, he couldn't help but wonder if she had any memory at all of the long nights spent at her bedside, holding her hand.

Crawford stood with a small smile and approached the counter. "Thank you... Aya-chan? You must be. Ran has said so much about you." He offered her half a bow in greeting, liquid brown eyes warm and soft, his whole demeanor instantly relaxing into approachability.

[kuchren.livejournal.com]

Aya-Chan gawked for a moment at the well-dressed stranger. She unconsciously glanced at the scarred man beside him. So they were together...? But there was such contrast between the two men. Maybe they just both knew Ran, but differently... maybe the elder stranger was actually here to help.

"A-ah..." she jolted back into the present, and in doing so, noticed that her face had turned a bright shade of red (at least, it felt like it was burning up...) For a moment, a thought about how handsome and well composed the well-dressed stranger was entered her mind, but Aya-Chan quickly pushed it out. "You know my brother?"

[oracle-dreams.livejournal.com]

Crawford took note as her eyes warily fell on Farfarello and nearly applauded her restraint. Farfarello didn't make people nervous, he terrified them. It was just that predatory aura that awakened primal self preservation instincts in virtually everyone he met. A mere blush was much more compose than the hasty retreat most girls her age would usually make in Farfarello's presence. The girl was unique in many ways. Apparently, now that she was awake, there were still more unique suprises to be had.

"Oh we know each other well enough..." His words were evasive yet sounded nothing but sincere. "I'm afraid there has been a misunderstanding... I was hoping we could clear things up. Do you think I could speak with him?"

[http://users.livejournal.com/tarot_card_/]

Farfarello said nothing, still looking at the flowers, listening intently to the conversation between the girl and his leader. Crawford was definitely laying the charm on thick, and she was apparently quite happy to buy into it. He wondered if he could get close enough to touch her before he brother got out here.. He knew that Ran would probably have a coronary at the though of him having gotten that close to his precious sister.

Made him want to try it, but.. He was supposed to behave. Damnit. Oh, how he wanted to play with the pretty little girl, string her up like a puppet and-... No, that wouldn't help him to continue to behave at all.

He shook the thoughts from his head, frowning slightly, and glancing at Crawford to remind himself just what would happen if he screwed up again. Crawford was much closer now and able to stop him this time, without him being able to even play for long..

[kuchren.livejournal.com]

He was so... charming. It was hard to associate him with the scarred man. Aya glanced out of the corner of her eye at Farfarello, but her words were directed towards the stranger. "Ran is..." she paused, watching Farfarello study the flowers. "...not here at the moment." She turned her attention back to the stranger. "But I can give him a message for when he comes back."

[oracle-dreams.livejournal.com]

"I understand... I would expect no less. I know you wish to protect your brother. Especially now." Crawford spoke slowly and gently. She was wary of Farfarello. She must have gotten a good look at him on his and Schuldig's first visit.

"I need to speak to him about Yohji." His voice was still soft but the tone was unmistakably serious. After a moment, he smiled warmly."Like I said, it is all just a big misunderstanding. Living here, you must know how difficult men with differing opinions can be. Perhaps you can bring a bit of feminine wisdom to this mess, hmmmm?"

Trying to convince her while still skittish from the earlier debaucle would be near impossible. But he would not risk entering the kitties' den without Farfarello at his back. Not now. He would do this the hard way if he had to and Farfarello would probably be much happier if he did.

"Don't let my friend frighten you." Crawford glanced back to Farfarello sympathetically. "I promise you, no one will be hurt. What do you say? Can you help us bring Yohji home?"

[kuchren.livejournal.com]

Aya's eyes widened in surprise and then immediately narrowed. Suspicion overcame her when the word 'friend' was associated with Farfarello. "Who are you?" It just didn't fit... such a charming, handsome man with... the a madman. It just wasn't clicking in Aya's head. "H-how do you know my brother?"

[oracle-dreams.livejournal.com]

"Weiss was kind enough to assist us recently on a small project. I believe our chosen professions find us traveling in the same circles more often than not."

Crawford rounded the counter, expression still disarmingly friendly, his movements slow and deliberate. He motioned for her to lead the way through the doorway. "Please, Aya. We already know he is here." Crawford glanced back to Farfarello for confirmation but continued undeterred. "Without you, I'm afraid we may never come to an understanding. We need your help."

Crawford dipped his head, big brown eyes nearly pleading from under the rim of his glasses."...please..."

[kuchren.livejournal.com]

Aya backed away as Crawford approached. She felt herself hit a wall, and began to panic. "N-no." She tried composing herself. "Stay here" - here, she glanced at the old lady, wondering if it'd be safe to leave her alone with these strangers - "I'll go and get him."

No way in hell was she going to let those two into the house.

[oracle-dreams.livejournal.com]

Crawford just nodded and stepped back two steps. "If you insist." He motioned for her to go retrieve her brother. "Whatever you are most comfortable with." He turned, glancing hard at the old lady then to Farfarello. She would need to be contained if she moved to alert anyone. If she was smart she would keep her hands where the Irishman could see them.

Crawford reached smoothly into his jacket and unsnapped the Walther's holster before turning back to the girl.

"But I am afraid we are on a schedule. Please tell him time is of the essence."

[bloodyfarfie.livejournal.com]

Farfarello simply took in the exchange between the two of them, curious and amused. He was especially amused at how the little girl surprisingly had a backbone.

However amused he was, he was still working though, and at Crawford's look he nodded just slightly, shifting and letting his fingers touch a knife hidden under his vest. He didn't move an inch more than he had to, not giving away his movement at all. He smirked at the sound of Crawford unclipping his gun, amused.

[kuchren.livejournal.com]

The stranger's hand moved into his jacket and for a moment, Aya could swear she saw the glint of a gun. She froze for a few moments, and then turned and bolted out of the room, in search of Ran.

((Back to Wed 1.33))

[oracle-dreams.livejournal.com]

And there was the reaction he had first anticipated. The girl was either very brave or just very stupid. He couldn't count on the latter. Crawford was quick to follow on her heels, letting the girl lead them directly to their target, not yet relying in the cold reassurance of his Walther. After all, they were just here to talk. With any luck, the remaining members of Weiss wouldn't do anything stupid either.

Abbysinian, Bombay and Siberian. One wounded, one prone to tossing small projectiles with remarkable precision and one with undeniable brain damage. Siberian would be the least subtle therefore the easiest to locate and subdue. Crawford wouldn't think to deny Farfarello his fun if the assassin wanted to engage them. Abbysinian was nursing a fresh gunshot wound in the leg. He would most likely try like hell, admirable but also easy to subdue. Bombay was the red flag in this situation. But, as Schuldig had ferreted out on a whim, he had a soft spot for girls. No doubt Aya-chan would come in handy in this situation for many reasons.

[bloodyfarfie.livejournal.com]

Farfarello didn't waste any time when the girl turned and fled, growling softly and pulling a knife out. He backhanded the old lady, knocking her out, just in case she decided to try and get help. He then walked toward Crawford, lone eye bright with eagerness for a fight just then.

he was just on Crawford's heel, blade out in the open in his hand, though his arms were loose at his sides; it was precautionary only. He'd only use it if absolutely necessary, and for the time being it wasn't.

He had to give the girl credit, after all; she fled and yelled out for her brother, but there was minimal flailing and screaming, and she was smart enough to get away while she could. Not that it would help at all, since she was bringing them exactly where they'd wanted to go in the first place.

[genuinelie.livejournal.com]

[Whole thread moves to 1.33]

[oracle-dreams.livejournal.com]

(cont in 1.37)