We're The Crooked Kind (Jaya)

[Kenji]

10:30pm

It was at this point that he officially gave up the idea of sleep.

He rolled up out of bed and gave a weary sigh as he rose up in the darkened apartment and shuffled around for some clothes that were clean, which turned out to be more of an endeavor than he thought. However he finally managed it and grabbing his fedora from the hook by exit, he wasthen was out the door and on the streets. As his weary feet hit pavement he looked around as the city began to go sleep. Lights began to shut off and shops began to close up. However despite the lights that were fading there were still others that only glowed brighter. The bars and nightclubs, the criminal hangouts, the floating casinos, and the late night noodle restaurants. After all Republic City never really slept, it was city that moved night or day.

A city of twilight.

That was where he lived these days, not that anybody knew it. To most he was just Kenji, the former thief turned legitimate a private eye that helped those that could afford it during the day. To others he was The Ghost, a masked vigilante that had on several occasions humiliated the Triads and had made them rage and worry during the night. However there was no one that knew where he really resided, in that world of twilight, for good reason. He was on the edge of a knife with this path he had chosen, just one wrong move and he could fall on the blade. So he had layered deception after deception to those around him masterfully, so no one would suspect that his two worlds were linked.

He had done it though. He had managed to fool even those that had known him quite well.

There were costs to this life though. The physical was the most obvious, as he had to stagger out any visits to the healers, because even though they claimed confidentiality, there ear of the Red Monsoons and the Triple Threats were never far. Then there was also the fact that he was starting to get restless on nights were he should be getting sleep.

However all of this reflection was making him maudlin, so he pushed it out of his mind and detoured to a late night noodle stand. A quick exchange and some money changing hands and he sat down to eat some noodles. He wolfed it down and then slid from his seat and then kept on walking.

Soon he found his way toward his office. It was in a building that had managed to survive all the commotion of Republic City. His office was on the third floor. It was the smallest on the floor but it was on the corner so he had two windows, which was nice on good days. As he paused for a moment at the door marked Kimura Investigations, and then unlocked the door. As he stepped in he walked toward his desk and took a seat....and waited.

He had spotted the shadow when he had made his stop at the noodle place. He was being followed, though whoever was following him was good enough to not follow close enough so that he could get a good look a them. So now he kept the blonds of his windows drawn low so only slits of golden light from the outside could get in. Eventually he saw the shadow pass over his door, though it was still obscured from the frosted glass.

He grew tired of waiting so he said loud enough that whoever was on the other side could hear " It's open."

[Jaya]

There were a lot of curious rumors going around the city these days. Lots of stories about the social menace that was what people called the Ghost of Republic City. This ghost was known to cause a lot of trouble for her kind and recently he had crossed the line of annoying pest to something that needed to be terminated right away.

It was only a week or two ago when a shipment of expensive Sato Mobile parts went missing from one of the Terra's warehouses. The men on duty that night had sworn that The Ghost was there and that it was like he simply walked through the walls and came and went in the shadows. Mostly the things they said were nonsense, they said he was a angry spirit that was out to protect the corrupted city. Others said he was a former Triad himself that met a painful and untimely end and now he cursed the others in the business and that if you saw him it was a omen of disaster to come. Some thought he was a man with supernatural powers that allowed him to come and go like he did.

Jaya thought they were all full of it.

The shipment was quite the loss for the Terra Triad and the Terra boss had put a hefty bounty out on the Ghost. Spirit or man, mortal or immortal he did not care. He wanted him brought in alive, alive meant he could teach this guy a thing or two, break a bone for each yuan that had been lost. Naturally, everyone within the Terra ranks was clambering for the chance to bring the ghost in. It was more than about the money; it was about prestige, if you wanted to make a name for yourself in the Triad then this was it. Word had even spread to the rest of the criminal underworld which meant the competition was going to be fierce. Everyone would be after him and soon the Ghost would have no where to hide.

But, Jaya was confident she had a ace up her sleeve that no one else had.

Listening to the stories that the men in the warehouse that night told made her realize something. So many of the ways the ghost acted were familiar to her. His techniques, his mannerisms, his style, she had seen it all before. How could she forget? She had seen those moves up close for years, had personal experience with them and the man that used them. That was not something that she just forgot about it..after all he had taught her a thing or two and without that she probably wouldn't be as far in the world as she was now. Jaya knew she had been good before but without the lessons and techniques he provided her she would probably be locked up in jail or in a grave by now. She supposed she owed him for that but Jaya was not in the business of owing people, people owed her not the other way around and all of this was just a unfortunate turn of events. But first, she had to find him and prove her suspicions.

After a little digging she knew she had her answer. It couldn't be dumb luck that Kenji just happened to be in the city as well. Jaya didn't believe in luck, well maybe in this case she would make a exception. What would the chances be that she would be lead to Kenji so easily? It was almost too perfect and too easy, something that usually would send up the red flags but, in this case she would take the exception. The easier the better as she was going to have her work cut out for her with this.

Once she had the information she needed Jaya decided to follow Kenji for a bit, get his routine: where he went, who he spoke to, what shops and bars he favorited. Tedious work but well worth it in the end. Finally after learning his habits these days Jaya decided it was time to make her move. She had planned to show up to his apartment, the old flame in distress and having no where else to turn too. It was the perfect cover but in true Kenji fashion he was not going to make things easy.

The day she had planned to put her plan into motion was nothing particularly special or important. Things went on as normal within the city and with her people. Jaya herself had been busy with a few last minute touches, everything had to go just right for this first meeting. If things went as she expected them too Kenji would throw her back out on the street before she could get a word in. She had left him in a very unceremonious and compromising way...maybe had even broken his heart, it would not be something that was easily forgiven and if she was going to avoid that she needed a reason for him to keep her around.

Kenji may be many things but she knew that deep down he was not as heartless and uncaring as he tried to play off. She had seen that side of him, had probably been the only person too. Jaya knew what was under all his sarcasm and wit and that was what she needed to appeal to tonight.

Walking up to his apartment building Jaya was ready to set her long con into action but movement by his door as she entered the hall put a slight detour in things. As he exited his apartment Jaya ducked into the shadows of one of the doors, pulling the brim of her own hat down to cover her face. She needed him to see him first not the other way around, how they met would greatly influence how the night went and now she had to rethink a few things. Giving him some time Jaya followed him, staying back far enough and out of sight so as not to be seen. Finally after what seemed like forever he arrived at his office. This was perfect, this worked better than showing up at his home and when he went inside Jaya gave him a moment before she followed.

Coming up to the frosted glass she paused a moment just as he told her it was open. Placing her hand on the door knob Jaya turned and entered the dark office. She stood in the doorway, letting the door close behind her. Hands coming out of the pockets of her long coat and resting awkwardly as her side. It was time to put her acting skills to the test. "Hello Kenji.." She spoke at last, voice quiet and raspy. Jaya waited for him to act before she did anything else, wanting to see if he was going to throw her out into the cold so quickly or not.

[Kenji]

"Hello Kenji.."

In a thousand lifetimes he never would have guessed that she would be walking through his door. The sheer surprise overrode any other emotion he might have had at first as he leaned in slightly and said “ Jaya.”

The name alone was enough to cause his mind to wander back to different days. They were both younger then, or maybe it just seemed that way because it seemed like a lifetime ago. His mind continued to wander until it focused on one moment, crystal clear.

Their camp just outside of the town they had just finished casing. The rustle of the tent, as the flaps lightly fluttered in the breeze, the stars alight in the black sky, the rangy toughness of the meat they had just finished eating, the cool air of the night and the warmth of the fire blazing in front of them. He remembered her standing up, and the long flowing desert colored skirt shimmied. Her feet, barefoot moved quick and with purpose as she danced to music no one heard but her. He remembered her beauty, her grace, and the hint of playfulness.

It had been the first and last time he had seen her dance.

He pushed away from those thoughts before they reached their inevitable unfortunate conclusions as he pulled back to reality, though he didn't know if had been minutes, hours or days that had passed, but she was still there at his door. It took him another bit of noticeable silence to fight against the torrent of emotions that came out from under places he had long thought closed, however he eventually steadied himself.

He wanted to say something clever, something that would cut her to the quick.Something, anything that might leave her as speechless as she had just left him. Instead when he opened his mouth, only the basic and most obvious question came tumbling out.

“What are you doing here?”

[Jaya]

She could hear it in his voice by how he said her name. The shock he may have felt by her presence here was quickly surpassed by all of the memories of their time spent together and even from here she could practically see the memories flash across his eyes. Well she wanted to catch him off guard and Jaya would say that her mission was accomplished. "It's been a long time..." She spoke softly, trying to convey the same conflicting emotions back to him. Their time spent together had been arguably some of the best time spent in her life, they were kindred spirits. Different sides of the same coin and when they worked together it was like watching a well rehearsed dance. Both of them just knew what to do and how to act, words weren't needed. It had been a good partnership both professional and physical but nothing good last forever. Kenji had outlived his use, or at least that was how she choose to look at it. Easier that way.

Jaya made no movement to sit down instead she stood there, not keeping eye contact for very long and looking at the floor, she didn't want to come off as too cold or cocky right now, Kenji had to want her around and she knew that he wouldn't not be so quick to throw her back out. He may want to, he might even yell at her and tell her to get out but eventually would let his chivalry over shadow his anger. He may hide it and deny that it was there but he was such a sucker for being the hero and if she laid the right cards at the right time, dropped hints of her distress he would look beyond her past actions and want to help her.

Finally, after what seemed like forever he finally spoke, this time more than just a word. He wanted to know why she was here, why she would choose to pick him out after all this time. Looking up from her feet Jaya looked across at the man sitting at the desk and took in a slow breath. "I need your help." Jaya took a step forward but stopped like she had a second thought "I know I don't deserve it but you're the only person I can trust in this city. I had no where else to go."

[Kenji]

As she spoke, his eyes narrowed involuntarily. If this had been a year or so ago, then he might have had other questions, been angrier. He was more raw about the situation then. That time had past, now he was just suspicious. So he made no move to her, but instead reached down and opened his bottom desk drawer. Pulling out a bottle and two glasses he placed one in front of him and the other on the other side of his desk.

In the bottle was a desert classic. Cactus Juice, diluted and fermented. It no longer gave you visions (at least most didn't) but it still was a very potent liquor. He hadn't had it in some tie had been saving this for some occasion, but this seemed as good as any and appropriate given the memories that had managed to dig themselves up tonight. He then poured the slightly green tinged liquor into the glasses as he collected his thoughts.

"You might be able to understand my skepticism Jaya." he said keeping his face blank as he placed the bottle down and took a sip from his glass, letting the burn keep him on track "Not the part where you show up, when you need something, that's pretty on point. No it's the fact that you've managed to get yourself into something you can't manage to slip your way out of, that makes me a disbeliever tonight, after all it's what your best at."

....okay maybe he was still a little angry.

He hadn't kicked her out yet though. If she had a tale, she get too it sooner or later.

[Jaya]

Jaya gave a slight, sad smile at his words and the slight venom behind them. He was still hurting about what happened, didn’t Kenji know that holding on to grudges was bad for you, it clouded your judgment and made you act on emotions. Well, then again, that was what she was hoping for because that would make her job easier. ”I know what this must look like, but, believe me Kenji..I would not be here if it was something I could get out of myself.” Jaya looked at him and waited, still making no move to sit until he offered ”May I sit?” She motioned to the empty seat across from him ”or are you still deciding to throw me out or not?” His silence thus far pointed more to throwing her back out on the street but he had gone this long without doing it and the fact that he pulled out two glasses told her that he was far more interested in her troubles than he was putting off.

[Kenji]

Kenji was many things,unfortunately stupid was not one of them. If it was then he might be able to take this at face value. However he was not, so he could not ignore the two obvious problems. The first is that if she was lying then that meant she was setting him up for something. The second was that if she was telling him the truth then that meant he was about to jump into a hole he might not be able to dig himself out of. Either way the best thing, the smart thing would be to tell her to leave. He raised his hand....

...and picked up the second glass and poured the liquor into it as he then placed it at then end of his desk by the chair as he raised his own and said " You know the expression Jaya, time is money, you have until I finish this drink to tell me whatever is going on, and when I'm done with my drink I'm going to decide whether or not to charge for my time."

He took another sip " Tick tock."

[Jaya]

Jaya swiftly moved to sit in the open chair, removing her hat once she had and setting it on her lap. ”Always right to the point” She said once she was settled Jaya reached forward and picked up the glass that he had set down for her and she held it in her hands a moment before taking a sip like she was trying to buy herself time. As the liquor touched her lips and she felt the tingle as she got a sample taste she took a larger sip once she deemed that she liked it. Kenji always did have good taste in liquor, that was one of the things she missed having him around all the time, coming from the desert you drank whatever you could get your hands on which meant whatever the merchants had to trade. You weren’t picky about it either, even if it tasted like gasoline you drank it.

Jaya’s taste had grown and become more refined but when it came down to it she could just as easily drink cheap, bathtub liquor as she could an expensive vintage.

Now that she had gotten her drink in and had wasted enough time Jaya placed her hand around the opening of the glass to hold it securely and rested it against her knee. Taking a deep breath she began.

”I’m sure I don’t have to tell you that if I’m coming to you after all this time that I am in something bad. “ Jaya paused for a moment but not long enough to give him time to comment ”when I first came to this city I was running high off of a few successful heist, was cocky and I decided to push the envelope a bit. Tried taking form a Triad boss.” Another sip from her drink ”bit off more than I could chew in retrospect, I thought I got away easily but after I fenced what I stole the fence sold me out and I was visited by the Terras. They roughed me up a bit and I thought they were going to kill me but instead I was given a choice. I could die, or I could work off my debt to them. Naturally I told them to stuff it but this guy had done his homework. I don’t know how but he had managed to dig up information on me, aliases, contacts…things that would easily put me away for the rest of my life and then some, told me that if I worked off my debt that he would make it all disappear…if not then he would turn it all over to the police and I would have nowhere to hide.

I had no other choice, I had to play along and hope that once I did enough work for them that it would be enough to buy my way out. “ Jaya paused and looked down at her glass before picking it up and taking a bigger drink ”It’s been 3 years. I’m too valuable he tells me, too good of a investment to just let go. He’s no fool, he knows that if he gives me what I want that there is no chance of me sticking around after whats happened these past few years, he also knows that I would try looking for the file with my information myself which is why he’s hidden it somewhere I cant get to it….or find it.

I wouldn’t be here if I wasn’t on my last leg, neither one of us wanted to have this conversation but I cant do this anymore and I have no where else to turn to. I need an out.” Her story wasn’t a complete lie, it was how Jaya had been introduced to the Terras a long time ago but she had long since proved her worth and earned her position within their ranks but it did make for a good damsel in distress story and Kenji did have a bit of a hero complex.

[Kenji]

”I’m sure I don’t have to tell you that if I’m coming to you after all this time that I am in something bad. “

The reply to that came quick to his mouth, but he bit his tongue and listened to her tell the tale. He listened to what she said as she described the trouble that she was in. He took another gulp as she continued and eventually she seemed to be winding down. So he took the wheel from there.

" Let me see if I can guess how the rest of this plays out you need me to find this information, steal it for you, so you can ride your thieving self into the sunset and out of danger? Am I getting warm?" the question was rhetorical of course he knew he was right. He was even pretty sure it wouldn't take too long for him to find it, let alone steal it. Sneaking one by the Triads and getting one over on an ex? Well that was almost too good to resist.

...which was exactly the problem.

He had worked far too hard, and burned more than his share of bridges to give the appearance that he was on the straight side of things these days. He wasn't going to give up the charade for good story and an old flame. So he leaned back and then finally said " It's a good story, it''s got it all, intrigue, betrayal, a surprising reunion, a spunky female protagonist." he nodded as he said " I'd see that mover. But here's the plot twist, my answers no." he chuckled " and here's why. First and foremost, I'm out of the shady side of this city, made a clean break and never looked back. I''m just a simple private investigator. Second thing, is that the Triads and I keep out of each others orbits as much as possible, it's a delicate balance that I'm not quite willing upset just yet."

He paused and then finished " But we do have a history together, so tell you what I've still a few contacts in that world still, give me a day and I'll set you up with them and they might have some options for you." he said as he swirled the remains of his drink around once or twice.

He could tell stories too.

[Jaya]

His no was expected but she would be lying if she said she hadn’t been hoping for something a little more just to make her job easier but, Kenji was predictable in that way. He never made anything easy. ”Truthfully, if things were different I would ask you to steal the information for me and find me some compromising evidence on him so I can get some payback, but that is not in the cards.” Even if she was coming to him for help that didn’t mean she still wouldn’t be herself and that is exactly what she would have done if the situation had been truthful. If anyone tried to blackmail her like that she would turn right around and do worse to them and get herself something good out of it. ”Something is coming, the Triads are gearing up for something big lots of people are going to get hurt and I want no part in it.”

That was true, with the Triple Threats hold on things being weaker now and the new non bending some would say Equalist Triad The Platinum Fist coming on to the scene things were getting heated and eventually it will all come to a head sooner rather than later.

" It's a good story, it''s got it all, intrigue, betrayal, a surprising reunion, a spunky female protagonist."

Jaya looked down as he continued

First and foremost, I'm out of the shady side of this city, made a clean break and never looked back. I'm just a simple private investigator. Second thing, is that the Triads and I keep out of each others orbits as much as possible, it's a delicate balance that I'm not quite willing upset just yet.

" But we do have a history together, so tell you what I've still a few contacts in that world still, give me a day and I'll set you up with them and they might have some options for you. "

”So that’s it? This is how you treat the people that come to your door asking for help?’ Jaya’s voice sounded like she was holding back something. She had an ace up her sleeve but she wanted to wait to lay that card out till the last minute. ”You’re the only person I can trust, which is why I came to you and not anyone else. All your ‘contacts’, most of them are in the Triads pocket; why else do you think I would even bother coming here. Word would get back to them and then I would be dead.

…Kenji, I need you.”

As the last words left her mouth Jaya took what was left of her drink and threw it back, gulping it down in one drink and then setting the glass back on the desk before pulling out a cigarette holder from her pocket and plucking one of the thin rolls from it, closing the holder and hitting the back of the cigarette against the hard surface. It took all but seconds and once she was done she put the rolled paper between her lips and struck a match before taking a deep inhale of the tobacco. As she took a puff she rested her forehead against the fingers of her free hand and waited for what she knew would be coming.

”I’m sorry, I know I have no right to ask anything of you after how I left you but I’m desperate” She said, taking another puff and dropping her hand and looking over at him.

[Kenji]

…Kenji, I need you.

Years before, when this was all still fresh he imagined, that he and Jaya would catch up with each other eventually. His mind would play out different scenarios in his head. Sometimes he was angry, yelling and cursing her out, other times he was questioning, other times he was witty and clever. In all of them no matter what version of him was in it, eventually those four words would come out of her mouth. They would embrace as if they had never parted and never would again.

Cue the music as the mover fades to black

He was older now and saw those fantasies for what they were, the heartbroken hopes of a kid. He had moved on since then, he had made a name for himself, had stolen the hearts of plenty of other women, along with their various valuables. He had even once upon a time made headlines in Republic City. He had given up the criminal acclaim some time ago, but he was still a name even a legend, albeit one no one could ever know about.

The point was those four words should not have had any effect

But they did.

Damn it they did.

A part of him, a larger part then he wanted to admit, wanted to relent, wanted to ask her what help she needed, wanted to help her. However that part was overruled by the part of him that knew that it was a suckers bet. Even if, and that was a big if, what she said was on the level,this would open a door he kept closed for so long. It would make that razor all the closer to his throat. It could undue everything.

....and no matter what manner of feelings were bubbling under the surface he just plain knew better.

Didn't make what he had to do any easier

”I’m sorry, I know I have no right to ask anything of you after how I left you but I’m desperate”

That did though.

Polishing off the liquor in his glass he put the glass down with more force than he intended as he said " Your right Jaya you have no right. Now I told you what help I can offer, but there's nothing else I can do for you. I won't waste any more of your time because your better off using the time to figure your own way out of this damn city. I'm sure you can do it, exit plans have always been your specialty."

He didn't say anything after that...she knew where the door was.

[Jaya]

His refusal was not a surprise and the words he used…harsh, the force behind the glass was too much. She had gotten to him just like she wanted and all that was left was to put the final touches on. Jaya looked down and sat there for a moment, she wanted to smirk and she had to fight so hard not to. It was a thrill, the power she had over him..even if he wouldn’t admit it she knew it was there just by the tiniest things he did.

Jaya stayed there for a moment while she collected herself ”if that is how you feel then….It has to be you. Only you and without you there is nothing else, no one else I cant trust.”

She looked up before standing from the chair and gathering her things and once she had her bag and her coat Jaya walked around the chair and paused at the side of Kenjis desk and stuffed her hand into the pocket of her coat and pulled out an old copper coin and set it on the edge of his desk. The coin itself was nothing fancy but it had been expertly shaped into a lotus flower. He had given her the coin years ago back in the desert, back when things were different and Jaya had kept it this whole time. Well, more or less.

”Goodbye Kenji.” With the coin down and the words said Jaya turned and walked to the door and back the way she came, it was all a waiting game now.