Thread: Venus Ascending [Chai & Alkaline]

That's fair, I don't trust you either, Kaisa said in response to Emily, dropping the sarcasm for once, though her voice was gentle and uncharacteristically polite. The sentiment was more intended for Dominic anyway, being that it was his ship and he was technically in charge. It wasn't accusatory or suspicious, but simply true. People in this line of business didn't go around trusting people they'd just met, much less those they'd known for years. Trust wasn't earned on words and compliments, only repeated action, similar to respect, and even then, it was fragile and easily broken. She suspected that her misplaced trust in others was what led to her capture, along with the lack of loyalty in her crew. Whoever had convinced them to turn her in was clearly able to out-pay her, but that was an error on her part. Any loyalty that could be bought with money was sure to shift to whoever had the bigger wallet and, as rich as she was, sometimes it wasn't her. And as annoying Emily was, she could understand not wanting to trust a random woman with a record. Besides, I don't need a gun to look scary, she smirked, casting a sidelong glance at Dom as they walked down the ramp, then seeing the horde of visitors and travelers up ahead. The lighthearted tone had returned, and she beamed a toothy and dazzling smile at him. The reputation does it for me. Or maybe that's just the resting bitch face that makes people look away, who knows. She shrugged and moved forward, beginning to wind her way in and out of the passing crowd. Kaisa had, of course, already heard the rumors about herself. Apparently, she was at her scariest 5 inches away from her victims' faces, their horror growing as they stared into her cold grey eyes and realized with each passing second that they were about to die. She supposed that description wasn't exactly wrong considering most of her assassinations relied on stealth, cunning, and frankly, her good looks to even get remotely close to her targets. Covert operations and hand to hand combat was her bread and butter, and while she was an excellent shot out of necessity, she most definitely didn't need a gun to make even the toughest guy in a room piss himself. But still, having the gun visible meant fewer people attempted to fuck with her on average, and that was always welcome. She knew this place almost by heart, weaving through the people with ease to get to the place she was after, itching to have something holstered to her hips once more. Mike first, definitely, she told the man beside her, arching a beautifully groomed eyebrow as she shifted her gaze toward him while walking. Price isn't normally something I consider. If I like it... Well, I've usually had enough to get it, she finished almost smugly, though she was positive Dominic's experience was similar if not the exact same. The best, as with all things, came at a steep price, most of which was still likely to be affordable even given that her credit account apparently wasn't as robust as his. This part of the port was decidedly emptier, filled with fewer guests as the two of them ventured deeper into the shadier areas where bright, friendly flea market faces turned into standoffish vendors silently observing those who passed by. Around them, tourist shops transformed into questionable stores manned by equally questionable staff, ranging from herb shops to foreign imports. If she had to take a guess, she wouldn't have been surprised if they all had some sort of ulterior purpose the place she was headed definitely had a secondary purpose, one that was very different from how it presented itself. A few moments later, Kaisa and Dominic were standing in front of Applause , a quite obvious titty bar and strip club with its flashing neons signs and menacing-looking bouncer right outside the door. Strange, that Mike opened the doors to his club in the middle of the afternoon, but business was business, she figured. Hey, she started after approaching the bouncer, watching him incline his head just the slightest bit to acknowledge her, I was wondering if... Big Mike was in. Who? He replied, his deep voice rumbling in some sort of accent that she didn't recognize. Big Mike, Kaisa repeated, and after a pause, he spoke in hushed tones into a comm device before nodding his head once and ushering them inside. He opened the door and the duo was met with a thudding bass and a pulsing beat that vibrated through the floor. There, the bouncer pointed quickly to the curtained-off area in the very back of the establishment before leaving them to return to his post outside. Hues of deep blue, pinks, and purples flashed around the room, bright lights filtering through the mist that surrounded the small stages where the few go-go dancers and half-naked strippers were currently entertaining clientele. The place wasn't packed given that it was only late afternoon, but there were still a variety of customers to be serviced. She was able to pick out some of the alien species she'd run into during her travels while walking through, only a little bit surprised that they found interest in what appeared to be mostly human women up on the stage. But she supposed the male mind was able to appreciate a bouncing set of tits no matter what species they came from. She heard his voice even before she pulled back the curtain, his obnoxious laugh reverberating and audible despite the loud music. Nevertheless, she found herself donning a genuine smile as she pulled open the black fabric, revealing a man in a tangerine, floral printed suit , and his entourage. Well, it was more of a harem of scantily clad women at the moment, draping themselves over him as he lay back on a plush sofa while talking animatedly in a business call. Hold on, hold on I'll call you back. I've got company, Mike said, grinning, and hanging up to welcome both mercenaries. Kaisa, my most beautiful rose, he continued, standing to embrace her and give her a quick peck on the cheek. Welcome to Applause , where hands aren't the only things clappin'. To what do I owe this pleasure? And well, well, if it isn't Mr. Ryan in tow. I didn't realize the two of you knew each other. He walked to a small table and poured a couple of glasses of water, offering them to his guests before taking a seat at the edge. We didn't. At least, not until now, Kaisa answered, accepting a glass and taking a few sips. And if I'm here, you already know what I want, Mike. Or in this case, what I need. Of course, he said, eyes twinkling with unvoiced giddiness, If you'll follow me. He touched a panel on the wall, causing a solid metal door to close off the open curtained entryway, and then waved them on to follow him down a narrow hallway. And girls, do find a way to entertain Mr. Ryan. Mike flashed Dom a knowing look, and within seconds a couple of his strippers had latched onto either side, giggling and stroking Dominic's arms as they walked along.