So We Meet Again... Wednesday 1.37

[oracle-dreams.livejournal.com]

A small spike of adrenaline coursed through his veins as the girl screamed for her brother. Something about his confrontations with Abyssinian always did bring a small smirk of sweet anticipation to his face.

'I am afraid I am not one to take orders well."  He shot back at the girl with a touch of amusement in his voice.

Abbysinian was looking decidedly pale but putting on a decent show of bravado. His first instinct was to protect the girl. Not call for help. Not run for his weapon. Not place himself in a better position to escape. It was the only thing that made him and perhaps all of Weiss totally predictable even without the visions.  They clung to their sentimentality, to some twisted notion of morality, and laughably enough, decency. Murderers with hearts. The day they all faced that reality would turn out to be a holiday for Schuldig to be sure.

Crawford waved Farfarello to the far door. The rest of Abbysinian's team would most likely come running to the girl's scream.  He was betting they wouldn't risk the confrontation with Aya in the room.

"Balinese is resting comfortably. It looks like Mastermind did him a favor... seeing how his team has taken such good care of him." The sarcasm was unmistakable and it was only punctuated by the casual stance Crawford assumed. He was clearly unconcerned and certainly unthreatened.

"Let's make this easy... all we want is information. But for that we will need Bombay."

Comments

[bloodyfarfie.livejournal.com]

Farfarello moved to the far door, watching Aya and Ran, though he was listening for the other two kittens, whenever they decided to join the fun.

A smirk curled his lips slightly as he thought about the siberian kitten's response to seeing him earlier. He hoped he got to play with him again.. No killing him, unfortunately, but he was so fun to play with that he didn't really want to anyways. That would stop the fun prematurely after all.

He noted with amusement that Crawford didn't let on that Schuldig wasn't supposed to take the kitten; of course, that would always mean he'd have to admit that his precognative abilities weren't perfect..

[kuchren.livejournal.com]

Balinese? Bombay? Weren't those... cats...? Aya's head was swimming with all this new information, and she couldn't make sense of any of it.

Omi and Ken hadn't appeared yet. They'd probably have heard her screams... part of her wanted them to appear and somehow save the day. Another part of her didn't... because... wasn't it better for a surprise attack than a frontal one? Especially while dealing with these two unpredictable characters...

She remained silent, but glanced around the room trying to find something to use that would get them out of the horrid situation.

[genuinelie.livejournal.com]

Ran narrowed his eyes at Crawford. The jab about Yohji's health struck exactly where the man had intended. The request for help was laughable, coming from who it was. Ran stopped himself just barely from uttering the snide comments he wanted to. "Information? Why should we trust you? Return Balinese alive and without further injury first."

[oracle-dreams.livejournal.com]

"Trust? Crawford gave a sardonic half chuckle at the thought. "What need do I have of your trust? I do not blame you really... Balinese isn't worth even that much, is he?" Crawford was focused on Abbysinian and his reactions. This was the answer he had promised to bring back to the waiting Yohji. Sometimes truth was all the weapon one needed to bring another to their knees. "Mastermind will be pleased..." Those words slowly fell from his lips with all the malice and menace Crawford had intended.

To his credit, the redhead didn't seem to be favoring a particular leg. And his instincts may have been sharper than Crawford initially surmised. His hand was tight and bent at an odd angle. Concealing a weapon of some sort, no doubt. Crawford smirked, resisting the urge to test the redhead's reflexes, refreshing his contact and hopefully his visions as well. That opportunity would come soon enough.

Abbysinian and his sister - both had unwittingly been a part of his life since he was fifteen years old. The vision that nearly stole his mind all those years ago featured both Fujimiyas. The fall of elders would not have been possible without them both. Crawford spent years waiting and planning for his first fateful meeting with the redhead. That was the only thing that made Schwarz's assignment to Takatori at all bearable. Knowing that the end of the elders was at hand and this man and his precious sister were to be the ones to deliver Schwarz's freedom.

Crawford let a small smile tug at his lips.

"You know... Ran... I believe I owe you my thanks."

[genuinelie.livejournal.com]

"Return our teammate!" Ran snarled. Balinese isn't even worth that much. Crawford was testing that statement, why? He would have no reason to believe that one of Weiss' four teammates was not needed, none that Ran could see.

Did he know something, then?

Or...was he parroting something Yohji had said?

His personal reaction, sharp guilt and anger at the threat, stayed walled off.

He said nothing to Crawford's latter comment, narrowing his eyes. He'd used his real name as well, and it felt wrong in context, and violating. A reminder of Aya, still behind him, and the disharmony of his character. He kept himself from flexing the hand he kept on the knife.

[bloodyfarfie.livejournal.com]

Farfarello was almost getting bored with this; as fun as teasing the kittens was, nobody was breaking and there was no fighting. He wished the siberian kitten was up there, at least then he'd have some action.

Did the blood-kitten's yelling really make him feel any better? He was still helpless, there wasnt' a damned thing he could do to get Balinese back, so why bitch about it? What did he think that was going to do? He wasn't going to be able to intimidate Crawford into letting him go.

He'd really be better off not goading Crawford; he may have seemed outwardly the charming, professional businessman, but he had a sadistic streak at times that could likely rival Schuldig's.

[oracle-dreams.livejournal.com]

"Just as much the conversationalist as always... " Crawford almost sounded disappointed that the redhead was taking the stubborn approach. He was not suprised though.

"I'm feeling particularly gracious in light of the service you and your sister have done us. For that, you will get your teammate back. And, if you pay attention, you may just realize that the information I need is of interest to your team as well." Crawford crossed his arms loosly across his chest, hand resting comfortably on the grip of his Walther.

" Sato... what do you really know about him? And what do you really know about your last mission?" Crawford knew the swordsman was just the muscle. Bombay was the one with the answers. Bombay was the one with all the access and all the knowledge and, it seemed, he kept it all close if Balinese's reaction could be believed. Bombay... or should he say Takatori... was the one in tight with Kritiker. He was beginning to doubt that Weiss even had any suspicions at all about their enigmatic employers.

[genuinelie.livejournal.com]

Ran met the promise to return Yohji with visible surprise, tempered only by his strong distrust. It was not a side of Schwartz he had expected to see: mercy, even though it had not yet been delivered.

But the whole thing made no sense. Why take Yohji, just to return him? Information did not seem enough reason for the other team to kidnap, when no effort had been made to bargain in the first place. They had only been after the disk before, not information. So what had changed?

Ran's face stonewalled again at the mention of Sato. He disliked the agent, and knew little about him to justify it. It didn't seem anything he knew would help Schwartz, however, so there would be no point in not doing as the other man had asked. "We don't have the disk," he said, "that was what we were sent to retrieve. I don't know the contents, our orders were not to open it. How do you know about Sato?"

[plotbunnytiff.livejournal.com]

By the time he retrieved his weapon and crept downstairs, he could hear the distinct tones of an angry Ran. He slid down the wall into a crouch, peeking just enough to see Aya, Ran, and Crawford facing off against each other. But there was no way he would come alone-

Ken swept the area until his eyes came to rest on *him*. The icy spike of fear that jolted him to his feet was chased swiftly by a deep resentment and self-loathing for allowing this man-

~And he is a man, in the end, a twisted human, not a nightmare~

-to terrorize him like this. He got to his feet and made his presence known, claws extended and jaw clenched shut tightly. Only the slightest tremor in his fists gave away any emotion other than restrained fury.

[oracle-dreams.livejournal.com]

Crawford's attention turned to Aya as her brother spoke. He brought her here, of all places, and told her next to nothing. She seemed genuinely confused. Abbysinian was going to have quite a bit of explaining to do. He stepped closer, still casual and relaxed, an ear still trained on the door behind them as Farfarello covered the other.

"How do you know about Sato?"

"We have Balinese." Crawford smirked as his dipped his head. It was all the explanation he needed to offer. Over active imaginations could fill in the details much more effectively than the truth.

Entirely apropriate that Siberian should make his presence known at that particular moment. Nothing but a glance was spared the assassin. Crawford wouldn't think to interrupt Farfarello's masterwork in progress.

His eyes lingered on Siberian as he spoke. "And I must say, his wounds are impressive. Judging by the pattern, I would chance a guess that you lost control of Siberian." His gaze snapped back to Abbysinian. "Does Sato know?"

It was an easy assumption to play. Sato worked with Weiss, relaying his field reports to Kritiker. Such a tangled web this was turning out to be. He was not yet convinced that Weiss were nothing but pawns in this game. He needed to be sure. A vision would be useful right about now. And provoking Abbysinian would be beyond simple.

[oracle-dreams.livejournal.com]

"Beserker." Crawford call for Farfarello to make the tactical retreat as he backed up towards the door, Aya still firmly in his grip as she stumbled back with him. He had what he came for. The tidbits of information were only marginally useful but contact with Abbysinian and now Aya was invaluable.

He had said more to these assassins in these few minutes than he had over the months leading up to the Fall. He could only wait and see if it had the intended effect. An image of Aya and Ran discussing this moment surfaced clear and true without a hint of pain in its wake, their discussion as Aya tended to Ran's wounded leg confirming that at least the apropriate questions had been raised in their minds.

Crawford backed into the doorway, reaching into his jacket to pull his Walther to ensure the proper restraint from Weiss.

"We took such good care of her last time, Abbysinian. Why is it you think she finally woke?" Crawford looked to the girl in his grasp almost fondly. Schuldig had been more than instrumental in sorting through the trauma that left her catatonic in the first place. True, there were no altruistic reasons behind it - they had simply needed to know what it was about the girl that had the elders nearly rabid for her capture. The fact that Ran was given his sister back was merely a side effect but irregardless, it was yet another thing to hold over his head. "I would have thought you'd have been more careful with her when it was all said and done."

"Easy now, leibling." Crawford whispered close to her ear. "I wouldn't want to accidentally have to hurt your brother." He poked the barrel of his Walther into view just over her shoulder as he back through to door, back out into the shop.

[bloodyfarfie.livejournal.com]

Farfarello grinned, dark and dangerous, and backed up to move in front of his leader. If they came after the two of them, Farfarello would happily take them on first, leaving Crawford ample opportunity to take the girl and get out, instead of having to fight them himself and risk losing his grip on Aya.

Farfarello backed up as Crawford did, quickly shutting the door to the shop and burying both of the knives in his hand through the door and into the doorframe. Pity he'd have to leave them behind, but he had others - and he pulled one of those 'others' out as he turned to Crawford with a nod. It would take them at least a couple minutes to get through that door, or to get to them another way. Leaving them a couple minutes to get out of the building and on their way back home.

[kuchren.livejournal.com]

Aya's first reaction was to twist out of Crawford's grip. But his words, and then the sight of a gun, made her go completely limp.

Whatever they were taking her for... (and here, her mind pulled up a picture of Farfarello who was, by far, the creepiest of them all) as long as Ran was safe...

But then again, it was Ran. He was known for doing stupid things.

"W-what do you want from me?" she whispered to Crawford.

[genuinelie.livejournal.com]

Ran's eyes darted between his sister, Crawford and the gun, searching for any opening to stop the scene from playing out. His body was shaking with restrained rage and his failing leg, the other man's blow had restarted the bleeding and triggered every available nerve.

"Stop!" He screamed the command.

They backed through the door.

[oracle-dreams.livejournal.com]

"Want from you?" Crawford chuckled in response as his grip loosened on her shoulder as they made for the front door, stepping around the still prone old woman on the floor.

"Interesting how victims always take it so personally... " He glanced to Farfarello with amusement before turning his attention back to Aya. "I know you all wish to see Balin... Kudoh... returned. Unlike Omi, I rarely have need to lie quite so often. We will return him as promised, but only because his employer asked it."

He knew the girl wouldn't catch the huge hint he just dropped in that statement but it would eventually find its way to one of the assassin's ears. He released her as they reached the front door of the shop.

"Tend to the old woman. Do nothing to assist them through that door. Do not give me reason to change my mind about Kudoh's condition." Crawford left as casually as he had arrived, pleased how the the day was turning around.

(exit Crawford)

[bloodyfarfie.livejournal.com]

Farfarello smirked as Crawford left, going over to the girl then and running the tip of his blade over her cheek.

He practically leered at her, "'Till next time." He turned and walked out of the shop, smirk widening; really, the girl was too much fun to play with, and playing with her got the other kittens involved.. He had no interest in her, but they didn't know that, which made it all the better.

[bloodyfarfie.livejournal.com]

[Exit Farfie, for that matter..]

[kuchren.livejournal.com]

Aya froze at the feeling of the cold blade against her cheek. She watched the two strangers leave, unable to move.

"Do not give me reason to change my mind about Kudoh's condition" Crawford's voice still rang in her head as she slowly and mechanically turned towards the old woman. She wanted to go and see if the old lady was okay, but her body remained stuck to the ground.

She opened her mouth, but nothing came out.

[genuinelie.livejournal.com]

Ran had followed instantaneously after the group disappeared into the Koneko, torn between the knowledge that they might kidnap Aya, or kill her if he attempted to stop them. His injury slowed his reaction time and his movement, but it supported his weight just enough. The bell to the front door rang, however, just as he broke through the door separating the shop from their private quarters.

It took him a fraction of a second to realize that Aya was still there.

He was hit by a wave of almost sickening relief. He caught himself on the doorway just as the frustration, rage, worry and guilt slammed through to the forefront.

"Aya! I told you to run if you saw those men again! You could have been-!" Ran's voice was a chilling shout.

And he almost wished there was someone still present to hit.

[kuchren.livejournal.com]

Aya was in shock. Then, a wave of frustration washed over her.

"And what would have happened if I did run?!" Her tone equaled Ran. "Then I wouldn't have heard everything? And I'd still be in the dark?"

[genuinelie.livejournal.com]

"You would be safe!" Ran yelled. "Not kidnapped! Not hurt!" He hit the doorframe hard with the side of his fist. "You need to listen to me, Aya! You shouldn't be involved in any of this!"

[genuinelie.livejournal.com]

Ran would have loved to have punched something, but instead his hand drifted down the wood frame of the doorway to his side. There was marginal comfort in knowing Omi would get Aya back for him. What would happen? She wasn't listening to him, and he couldn't force her to be safe. She was as stubborn as he was and had always been as protective, in her own way.

But she was foolish! A flash of anger came back. She had completely ignored everything he had told her about Schwartz, and his directions to hide or run or do anything intelligent at all. And she had run away from the Koneko, when they could still be nearby!

Guilt settled into the mix of emotions. She had done what she thought would help him. She ran to get them. And she didn't know what was going on.

...fuck!

Crawford hadn't taken her.

And he hadn't attacked them until Ran had attacked him first.

Why was Schwartz bothering with them again? Why did they need information on Sato? Who was Schwartz working for, and how were they connected?

What Crawford had said struck a nerve, as much as Ran sincerely hated to admit it. He knew very little about their employers. He hadn't cared, as long as they served his own agenda. They had given him the means to his revenge, and ultimately it had led to his sister's return; now it meant her continued protection.

They had helped eradicate tens if not a hundred criminals, scum that should never have been born. They had given Weiss the tools to protect the innocent, and the cover to do so.

But Kritiker...it was not the same Kritiker. Manx's disappearance was proof of that. The woman had given no notice, no warning and no update. And Yutaro Sato, without a codename? Who was he?

Why did not even Omi know who he was?

...but this was exactly what Schwartz had wanted. Doubt and a fractured team. But why did they need Weiss? And how did Yohji's capture factor into any of it?

Momoe was still in the corner of the room, but she was slowly coming to. Her eyes blinked blearily at him. "Oh, my..." She commented, eyes resting on him.

"We had a break-in." Ran said shortly. "It's over. Are you all right?"

"I must have been out for some time," she murmered, eyes resting on his leg. They didn't pause there long. Her hand traveled to her head. "Yes, yes, I believe so...but you, you better get that checked out, young man. You look terrible."

Ran's eyes passed over Momoe, assessing her condition for himself. "I'll get Ken to help you," He stated.

He was grateful, at least, that Ken had listened to him. If Ken had attacked...

Perhaps his restraint had saved Yohji's life. If Schwartz could be trusted to stay good on their word.

He turned on the heel of his good leg and limped through the kitchen, biting out, "Help Momoe-san," to Ken, who seemed stunned.

He threw himself into a chair, crossing his arms over his chest. He concentrated on blocking out the screaming pain of his leg as he waited for his sister and Omi's return.

He was fighting a losing battle. It was nearly impossible to protect someone who didn't want protection. He was not her parent. He was her brother, and even that was a role he was trying to remember how to fill. He had not felt like "Ran" again more than only a handful of times since he had retaken the name. But she expected him to be someone that had died on the night their parents did. He had been her friend, her protector, and a doting older brother. But he had hardly been anything but a hired mercenary since finding Kritiker. As Crawford had said - emotions were a liability. But Yohji would say that without that, they would lose their humanity.

Ran closed his eyes. Yohji was gone, and now he was listening to him. Ran's head fell back, and he looked blankly at the wood ceiling.

[plotbunnytiff.livejournal.com]

Throughout all of this, Ken could feel all his negative emotions churning into a white-hot froth. Just when he was sure he could take no more, when doing his level best not to show that smug Irish bastard what his entrails looked like spilled on the floor at his feet seemed like a lost cause, something went cold.

It started from the top of his head and ran down his spine, bloomed across his chest, and spread down his legs. He was locked in place, watching the scene unfold in front of him with a mixture of shock and residual irritation, but very little alarm. Ken somehow distanced himself too much from what was going on around him, and now he was close to frozen.

Ran was giving him an order.

He had a task to perform. With all the delicate efficiency of a well-oiled machine, Ken helped Momoe-san to her feet and took her into the kitchen. After making her a cup of tea in almost complete silence (ignoring both her gentle protests and her questions), he made a second cup and brought it out to Ran.

“I would have killed him if you didn’t stop me.” For some reason, in this cold state, the words didn’t carry the regretful sting they normally did.

“I want to,” he affirmed with a slow nod. “And I know they would see us dead the second we stop amusing them. So what new game are they playing?”

[genuinelie.livejournal.com]

[*GLOMP!!!*]

Ran stared at the cup that was handed to him as blankly as he had been looking at the ceiling. When he registered what it was, he gave a minimal nod of thanks. He rested it in his lap without drinking it, he wasn't sure he could keep even liquid down with the swirling nausea he was feeling.

He caught Ken with a stare. "You would only have succeeded in killing Yohji." He meant it as reassurance that Ken had done the right thing for holding back. He was exhausted, but grateful, for once, for his teammate's interruption of his thoughts.

"It sounds like they've kept Yohji alive. If they can be trusted," Ran's voice was musing. The guilt, the worry and the tentative relief was absent from his tone. The concept was vile to him, that Schwartz could be even approaching the thick line that divided them from Weiss. "But they let Aya go," he conceded.

Crawford's touch on his shoulder had left a lingering, unseen stain. The faux comraderie had thrown him off. And yet, Crawford had done far less damage than he was capable of after Ran had thrown his punch.

"They mentioned employers, and they mentioned Sato. Either they're simply toying with us, or perhaps they are under orders not to kill us." Ran had no answers for the questions that brought up. Because there was no way that Sato was connected to Schwartz' new owners.

[plotbunnytiff.livejournal.com]

"Whatever game they're playing, I don't like it one bit." Ken absent-mindedly ground his fist against the palm of his opposite hand. The entire scene played back in slow motion in his mind. "If someone is pulling their puppet strings, we can hunt them out, maybe put an end to the whole thing. But dammit, I should've known something was up with Sato!"

There had to be something, anything he could do to make things progress. He'd make them regret crossing the threshold of their home. He just had to figure out how. He cracked his knuckles; his expression bordered somewhere between anxious and angry.

"I don't, no, I *can't* let myself think that they're just messing with us out of boredom. Most of them are sick enough to do it, but-" He cut himself off. "I gotta go. Just for twenty minutes or so. If I try to sit still and wait I might just...I dunno."