Thread: In Secure Relations (Cordelia x AlluringEnigma)

The majority of people scramble through their life clawing to find something that fulfills their social requirements. Their need to meet the status quo. Have a family, buy a house, become a parent, get that promotion. These were the ever present standards formulated by who knows and circulated among the masses via academics and parental guardians. People are pushed and shoved into these little nicely packaged boxes and told that they must be sheep and follow those chosen to lead. How the leaders are chosen is simple, someone says theyre the leader and as long as one other person agrees, the sheep fall in line. Facts and common sense be damned. Before we know it, were gunning to hit that retirement age and consider that to be the true prime of our lives. The golden years. The years where everything that had been given up is now wide open to them. Only, theyre too old and tired to take the chances given by society. In a way, its clever. Keeps most of the populace under control and docile. The routines of waking up, going to work, then coming home and spending the appropriate money during the appropriate holidays does exactly as its intended. And then there are some people that live purely how they perceive to be the best route to navigate such a stagnant world. It just doesnt always line up with the morals and standards that were set in place. These people find little cheats that sheep avoid or turn away. Exploiting every aspect of every weakness within the design. Commonly called Criminals. Bandits. Murderers. Theyre always negatively labeled to keep people from seeing the genius that lies behind the acts of a select few. The ambition, determination, and resourcefulness required to join a violent gang in a big city after having just watched them take money from ones familys business. To weasel into the group and learn the proper way to use a gun, the right amount of pressure needed to inflict mortal wounds with a knife. The intricacies of starting a proper fire to burn just the right evidence required. Only to use what was taught to them to build a group and commit the grandest coup detat that a young person could muster. It wasnt the easiest route, but it was the quickest and after everything things changed. For ten years, an organization was being built by one young girl. It took her these years to reach the heights she had, but it was worth everything to her. A quote unquote Security Company. The gang knew her ambitions could lead them into a much higher pay scale and followed her willingly, like the sheep they were taught to be. She brought stability, guarantees, and a certain business savvy they hadnt had before. Working until they garnered the reputation she craved and commanded the highest regard possible. However, she knew to keep herself from the real limelight. An alias was formulated and a gentleman was chosen to stand in for her. It was not ideal, but she didnt wish to be captured while her empire was nearing its zenith. It did have his its perks. Today was one of those days, in fact. A visit to one of her business associates. A chat that didnt go as planned. A thud of a body falling to the wooden floor of an empty building. Dust should have billowed around the body, but this wasnt make believe. It wasnt some story. This was the reality of one Josephine Addler . Sorry about that Bill you were a good man. Just business, you know how it goes. Everyone has to do their job and we both know that Im no different. Came the voice of a young woman, adjusting the blue plastic gloves on her hands. If one were to take in the womans appearance, they would see a relatively sweet and innocent adult. Her long hair that normally cascaded in a waterfall of red waves was tied back. Just a few strands of hair that fell across her brow gave away the normally naturally wild locks. A few freckles on her nose and cheeks that didnt detract from the stormy blue eyes. She was lean from years of hard work and her outfit was very much a jumpsuit that could be removed after committing a felony. She slowly crouched down to the body of the old man, with jowls like like a droopy dog. Her hand reached into a pocket of the now deceased associate, pulling out a pack of cigarettes. You know smoking is still the number one killer in America, right? Well who am I kidding, we know its cancer. She slid a single from the pack and looked at the dead body. The deep stab wound in his neck still bleeding out slowly as she spoke once more. After all the years, nothing can cure it and cigarettes are one of the quickest ways to send yourself straight into that deathly embrace. I never personally saw what people liked about them. Theyre expensive and arent exactly a clean habit. Josie slowly peeled back the cotton butt of the cigarette, taking a great deal of care to not rip it. Most people seem to feel that way about it these days but it wasnt always so. Used to be that a cigarette meant you were cool, smart, sexy, and it was fashionable. Glorified in film and television, a good campaign strategy to lure young people in. Even I admit watching a woman smoke was once glamorous to me. How the smoke furled from their lips after taking a small drag it was alluring. She said, sticking a small pack into the end and then noticing the time on her watch. Oh, look at that. Sorry, Bill Ill have to cut this short. Got myself a date tonight. I know its hard to believe, a career focus-minded woman like me! Going on a date but shes cute. Theres a spark in her that I usually dont see and I find myself curious of just how far itll go. So rare that I find someone that likes the same sugar. She delicately placed the cigarette into the mans hand and straightened herself back up, letting out a soft chuckle. And she has my umbrella. It really is a shame. Ill send a care package to your family, just so they know there was no bad blood. You were good to our organization. You just stopped being profitable. She murmured, turning to leave the small building. The building was on a very quiet street, making it easy for her to escape unseen as she walked down the street to a waiting Jeep and hopped in. Alright, were done here. Tell the company to disassociate themselves with Retro Print Company and take me home. The man in the passenger seat nodded and pulled a phone out to make a call. The man behind the steering wheel drove from the scene, heading up the empty street and it was as though nothing happened. Josie removed the jumpsuit while in the car and looked out the window. Another day in the office, thats all this was for her. This city had become filled with crooks and criminals that were disorganized and clawing at each others throats when she started. In the last ten years, it felt like things were slowly shifting to fit the same orderly dynamic. A more evenly distributed chaos. Making some neighborhoods eerily quiet these days. Her eyes turned to see her watch again, noting the time. Still early. Good. Dropped off at her apartment, the woman now wore a simple black pant suit, much like she usually did when she wasnt handling the dirtier aspect to her job. Her loft wasnt exactly something to write home about, but at least her shower was. Perfect for a good steam wash before another try at being romantic. Just as she left her place, she could hear sirens in the distance. The incendiary must have gone off finally. With her purse and the little gift bag she had, she waited only a moment before a cab picked her up. Her fingers started tapping on the bag as she held it, feeling that first butterfly pit in the stomach. This could go either way for her. Either the lady she had met would hit it off with her or she would still be joining a singles cruise later that year. The place she chose wasnt an overly fancy, eat with twelve forks and spoons place. It was just a nice little brewery she discovered a while back. It allowed her to get away with wearing more casual attire from the first meeting they had. A simple, soft and billowy teal sweater with a wide neck. Along with a nice pair of black jeans that hugged the curvature of her rear down to her thighs and calves. Not to mention, they were comfortable and looked cute with a pair of burgundy velvet flats. She arrived early at the brewery, Bensons Brewing Co., just to be sure she could set her ridiculous gift down. Then proceeded to try and find the best spot for the gift. Which she did, right in front of the other seat, and then found herself contemplating the idea. Who just gives someone a mug with packets of sugar? Josie uttered under her breath, eyeing the bag for an answer. This was just a date. That was all.