Roofrats 28

"Too late, then. We already ate," she answered affably.

"Do you just go against my advice deliberately?" asked Weft with a sigh.

"I can't really go against your advice deliberately before hearing it, can I?"

"Oh." Weft frowned. "Still, you should ditch him before he gets clingy."

Yavu finally broke in, in broken interworld: "Threesome I charge extra."

His effort was repaid by the momentary terrified expression on Weft, who shortly returned to his former disgusted scowl.

Nico burst out laughing; she couldn't help it. She pretty quickly got it from something loud and booming something you could not hear two blocks in all directions, but it still shook her shoulders and rattled her ribs.

"Fine," said Weft. "You can give each other girl germs for all I care. I don't know how you managed to find less reputable company than gangsters and contract killers, Nico; I guess you must have a talent for it."

He made to slink away.

Yavu shrugged and didn't move to stop him.

"Ahh, Weft..." Nico said, sobering up somewhat. "Thanks for meaning well, anyway."

Weft paused and looked back over his shoulder. "But you're still going on this crazy trip?"

Nico shrugged slowly once, raising her hands, and inclined her head. What can you do?

"I have a deal. Two deals, actually."

Weft rubbed a hand around the back of his neck, which at first glance seemed to be a casual gesture. But then he held out the same hand to Nico, palm downwards, with something concealed in it.

He hoped she'd just take it without argument, and preferably without the snare seeing.

Nico took the object and held it down by her side, so Yavu couldn't see. If it makes Weft feel better...
It was a small knife, and she assumed Weft meant it as help to protect herself, rather than a threat.

It did make Weft look a lot happier.

Of course, he'd have to explain to somebody soon enough where it had gone...

"Take care of yourself. Watch your back," he said, with another look at Yavu. Yavu ignored him and ran a hand prettily through his hair.

"Will do." I may be a lot less incompetent than you seem to think. Or then, he could be right, but she wasn't going to change her mind now. "And you, try to not get yourself killed on the job."

"There's nowhere else I'd rather get killed," retorted Weft. "But... thanks." Not many people cared if he lived or died, so he appreciated the sentiment if nothing else.

With that and a wave, he headed off at a fast jog.

"I think he likes you," Yavu said behind her.

"Looks like so."

After a slight pause, with a twitch of the head in the direction Weft ha disappeared into trying to indicate the past conversation, she added, "Sorry about that."

Yavu didn't look in the slightest bothered. "You have weird friends, lady," he observed cheerfully. "Let me guess, was he telling you sex is wrong and evil and sends you to hell?"

Reeee-pressed.

"No." She frowned and looked inward, translating in her head, then looked at Yavu with an impish smile. "He said you are evil, and maybe kill me."

Yavu lost his grin. "That's - I've never killed anybody," he said. He rubbed one of his upper arms.

"Very good." Nico patted his shoulder - with her left hand, she wasn't that oblivious. "Not to worry. You said, I have weird friends." Who all go at things using their job as a filter, it seems. It was rather funny.

Then she changed the subject. "We meet here later? I need to fetch things."

Looking only a touch apprehensive, Yavu nodded. "Come a bit early. I'll show you something."

Then he headed off, though whether to say his own goodbyes, root through some rubbish bins or collect belongings was anyone's guess.