Cryptic Ink Redux: Deux
Sophie exactly certain what she was expecting when she'd waltzed into Adair's office, only that in no way or form would they ever be worth giving up torturing people. And she felt she was right, for a while. Jabari Quade was like every one else in the organization, it was practically a requirement to have some sort of mental or personality disorder, and a past awash with alienation. Only, people like Daray and so many others in the Hunters coped with their demons in different ways than shunning people, mutilating others and themselves. His circumstances were unique, just like everyone else's were, their mentality was different, you couldn't judge people's reactions down to the smallest fiber, because they were all different. But Sophie believed more in, more than anything else, fortitude. Coping. Adjusting to the circumstances, and not sulking like a child. He was weak, and it made a part of her curl with hatred. But almost as soon as the thought formed in her mind, she quelled it. Sophie was increasingly wary of the monster lurking in her mind, and she cringed. Adair must have heard her for sure. A peek from under her lashes confirmed the triumphant, and smug look on her face. 'Fine,' thought Sophie with chagrin, inserting a bit of haughtiness into her voice. 'I'll attend your psychoanalysis tests. But you won't get any more cooperation from me where that's concerned.'
Just as soon as Jabari's hand connected with hers, she was jolted out of her mental conversation, and her snare was a success. The red alchemist's circle in the palm of her glove glowed hot for the quickest of moments before settling docilely. A smirk of triumph sneaked across her features as she retracted her hand, and flicked back a lock of her hair, snagging a few strands in the process. "Oh Sophie," Daray said fondly, there was no suggestiveness in his tone now, just the warm feeling of having known a close friend for a long time. "You'll never change. Clever to a fault." and it was true, for what seemed like one foolish move, she'd already planned ahead five, taking things she didn't even need, for the reason that perhaps she would need them, in the future. Which was how it was now, she was slowly ensnaring this man, her partner, and unlike some time before, she knew she would need whatever she took from him, part of his essence from that handshake. Sophie was aware of Jabari's reputation for his cruel treatment of his partners in the past, and she wasn't about to have it.
"My name is Sophie," she replied languidly, crossing her arms and looking at him from under her lashes. "It surprises me you go through so many partners though, are you always so agreeable or are you just putting on airs for our noble Leader?" she inquired, a teasing wink flicked over her shoulder to Adair. A coy smile danced on the bow of her lips. "It would be in your best interests that I'm not somehow out of commission. I heard Adair is thinking of creating a new policy for partner abuses." another sly look to Adair.
'I honestly had not thought of that,' thought Adair with soft amusement. 'But now that she's put the idea into my mind, perhaps so.' she continued to watch the scene unfold. Adair's eyes widened however, as Sophie put her hands on his shoulders, both she and her second in command growing increasingly incredulous as she leaned up and into his ear. "I'm certain we'll get along just fine, Jabari Quade." retreating, Sophie sauntered to Adair's desk, and inquired "Where are the forms for partners? We haven't had to use them in years, I know, but it seems appropriate to do so now." Adair smirked at her amusedly, already drawn up the forms from Sophie's line of thought. "Sign here and here," Adair murmured quietly, speaking to both Sophie and Adair.
"Haha. I remember when we had to sign that, don't you Adair?" Daray chortled. "The penalities had something to do with 'expulsion' or 'pain of death' or whatever." Daray was lying of course. Well, maybe not about the expulsion detail. 'That ought to trap the kid good.' and Adair looked up from her desk to Jabari, expectantly. "Sign, Jabari. Or you won't be able to accept high level missions reserved for ones with need for teams. We reserve those for our best groups." By now it was a warped form of conspiracy. They were all egging him on with their eyes, gestures, subtle threats that were half heartedly veiled.
Just as soon as Jabari's hand connected with hers, she was jolted out of her mental conversation, and her snare was a success. The red alchemist's circle in the palm of her glove glowed hot for the quickest of moments before settling docilely. A smirk of triumph sneaked across her features as she retracted her hand, and flicked back a lock of her hair, snagging a few strands in the process. "Oh Sophie," Daray said fondly, there was no suggestiveness in his tone now, just the warm feeling of having known a close friend for a long time. "You'll never change. Clever to a fault." and it was true, for what seemed like one foolish move, she'd already planned ahead five, taking things she didn't even need, for the reason that perhaps she would need them, in the future. Which was how it was now, she was slowly ensnaring this man, her partner, and unlike some time before, she knew she would need whatever she took from him, part of his essence from that handshake. Sophie was aware of Jabari's reputation for his cruel treatment of his partners in the past, and she wasn't about to have it.
"My name is Sophie," she replied languidly, crossing her arms and looking at him from under her lashes. "It surprises me you go through so many partners though, are you always so agreeable or are you just putting on airs for our noble Leader?" she inquired, a teasing wink flicked over her shoulder to Adair. A coy smile danced on the bow of her lips. "It would be in your best interests that I'm not somehow out of commission. I heard Adair is thinking of creating a new policy for partner abuses." another sly look to Adair.
'I honestly had not thought of that,' thought Adair with soft amusement. 'But now that she's put the idea into my mind, perhaps so.' she continued to watch the scene unfold. Adair's eyes widened however, as Sophie put her hands on his shoulders, both she and her second in command growing increasingly incredulous as she leaned up and into his ear. "I'm certain we'll get along just fine, Jabari Quade." retreating, Sophie sauntered to Adair's desk, and inquired "Where are the forms for partners? We haven't had to use them in years, I know, but it seems appropriate to do so now." Adair smirked at her amusedly, already drawn up the forms from Sophie's line of thought. "Sign here and here," Adair murmured quietly, speaking to both Sophie and Adair.
"Haha. I remember when we had to sign that, don't you Adair?" Daray chortled. "The penalities had something to do with 'expulsion' or 'pain of death' or whatever." Daray was lying of course. Well, maybe not about the expulsion detail. 'That ought to trap the kid good.' and Adair looked up from her desk to Jabari, expectantly. "Sign, Jabari. Or you won't be able to accept high level missions reserved for ones with need for teams. We reserve those for our best groups." By now it was a warped form of conspiracy. They were all egging him on with their eyes, gestures, subtle threats that were half heartedly veiled.