Streetsmarts [Hollow Bastion - Open to Schuldig]

[southpaw_boxer]

As Aya left the coffee shop, his nose wrinkled slightly against the fresh air. Despite their quaint airs they were always such horrendously smoke-filled places and quickly earned his disdain because of it. He felt what could, he hesitantly admitted, be described as a twinge in his stomach at the memories the clouds of smoke brought

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[plans_in_motion]

"I thought you liked working alone," an amused voice observed from the shadows. Aya really should get in the habit of checking the alleys he lurked in more thoroughly for previous occupants, Schuldig mused to himself.

He strolled out of the shadows he'd been skulking in, not terribly interested in concealment. He wanted Aya to know he was there, and it's not like he was worried about the assassin actually being able to hit him - as if the look on Aya's face whenever he saw Schuldig wasn't worth any amount of risk to see.

He nodded companionably to Aya, as if they were old friends rather than arch enemies. "It's been too long, Aya Fujimiya." This last sentence was said in mocking Japanese, with Aya's first and last names spoken in the European style - first name first - rather than the Japanese just to further the taunting effect. "I trust you missed me."

[southpaw_boxer]

A sudden surge of emotions hit Aya heavily in the side as he heard that voice. The coincidence that that was- no, surely not. He felt the bile rise slightly in the back of his throat and turned his head, the same flat expression still remaining on his face. Whether it was out of stubbornnes or now out of shock, he no longer knew.

He frowned and, against his better judgement, let his lips purse slightly at his name. Bastard always did know how to get a rise out of him; But then, Aya reasoned, he probably knew how to get a rise out of everyone.

"As much as a man can miss a snake," he levelled at him, his old instincts kicking in and lightly resting a hand on his katana handle. Though, and Aya had no reason for it (no reason he would admit in any case), he found himself hesitating far more than usual.

Yet knowing the man's ability wasn't the factor here, not this time. Perhaps it was hope.

His frown softened and turned slightly curious "...what are you here for?"

[plans_in_motion]

"You, of course," Schuldig replied, almost laughing. "I can taste your mind from miles away." Not entirely true, but he was speaking for effect, not accuracy. "I've never found pain that tastes quite as good as yours does."

He tilted his head slightly, keeping his hands in his pockets - a relatively nonthreatening position - as he studied Aya. "I'd think you'd be grateful to see a familiar face."

[southpaw_boxer]

Miles? True or not, it was enough to throw a miniature spanner in the works, so to speak.

Familiar was certainly the word. The rush of anger that surged upwards through Aya's chest was very familiar. "My 'pain' is none of your concern," he said flatly, scarcely able to help himself as he whipped the katana from it's sheathe.

There was only so long he'd put up with this.