FSE

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The day of the date has arrived, and Arya once again dons her humanoid disguise. She runs her thumb over the lip of her cup of tea, bouncing her leg quickly as she glances around the place. Nothing seems out of the ordinary. Why would it? Oh, that's right. She only set Uma up to steal her invention, all the while making a completely unintentional pass at Uma's… crap, what is Jay to her? They can't be significant others, right? No, not with how she didn't object to this date. They must be relatives, or maybe they're in a really open relationship? Or maybe-?

Arya slams her hands on the table and pushes herself up. It's time to evacuate. There's no way she's going to get involved in anything so complicated. There are so many factors she didn't notice before. Why did she let her feelings get in the way of this job? Was it because he was so mysterious, or was it something else? Doesn't matter—she needs to get out of here, now! She slides on out of her booth and heads towards the door, only to feel a freezing tickle down her spine, warmed after the initial shock is over.

The door opens, and there Jay is. The rat enters the coffee shop, a briefcase in one hand and wearing the same sharp outfit. When their eyes lock, he smiles, his whiskers doing that little happy twitch, and he tips his hat to acknowledge her further.

Arya melts down into her seat once more. Since he's actually here now, there can't possibly be a way to escape from this. Well, maybe she could jump out the window and disappear into the late morning bustle. No, that's completely idiotic. Maybe she could use her toxin… just a little bit of it? No! That's a horrible thought. She'd never--

“You look to be deep in thought," Jay says, slipping into his seat and tossing his hat into the empty seat next to him. “You as nervous as I am about this?"

“Nervous!?" Arya says, barking in laughter, but she covers her mouth. “Er, maybe a little bit?"

He chuckles, pulling off his jacket. “That's fine, that's fine. Me too." He says, rolling his shoulders and then taking a sip of his coffee. “So, what would you prefer first? Business? Or Pleasure?"

Arya's tongue shoots out, but she hides the serpentine gesture by licking her lips really quickly. “Business," she says with a curt nod. “Might as well get that out of the way. If the date goes completely upside down, it won't affect the business any."

“A real professional. I can dig that, babe. So, first of all, this is a code-locked case. Only I have the passwo-"

She holds her hand up and shakes her head. “Don't call me 'babe."

His whiskers twitch, and he narrows his eyes. Placing his hands on the case, he leans in, wrinkling his nose ever-so-slightly.

She fights the urge to lean back and to stay away from his gaze. Instead, she locks her eyes onto his and not standing down.

“Well, then. You're someone who respects herself quite a lot. I admire that. Really. Sorry to have caused offense."

Had she the right type of blood, she'd blush then and there. “Well, you just jumped up a few points, then."

“And here I thought we were talking business."

Warming up to him, she shuffles in her seat, sitting up so she was just above his eye level. “Can't we mix it a little bit? As long as we're aware of the rules of engagement, it should be fine."

“Well, then, if we're mixing the two, you might be interested to know that I'm the only one who can open this case," he says, tapping it. “So, if you want to get the data in there, I'm going to go with you when you deliver this beauty."

“You… you what?"

He shrugs. “It's just a matter of security. Can't be too careful. Nothing says your boss can't see his client, right?"

Her eye twitches. “No… nothing does."

“So, this is the way I see it: we can have a nice little walk back to your place of business, and I can make the delivery myself. It'll go a long way to bring my dear sweet Uma some comfort. After all, this is her life's work, and I will protect it with my own."

“That's… duly noted," Arya says, sipping her tea. How much more difficult is this going to be, she wonders, yet, even with his demands, she must admire his gumption. “Alright, well don't expect any payment until we complete the transaction."

“I wouldn't dream of it. Now…" he pulls the case away and lets it rest on the side of the bench. “Shall we move on to pleasure?"

“It wouldn't be entirely unwelcome," Arya admits, “But don't expect us to mix the two when I take you home."

“Oh, of course not!" he says, his back straightening. “What kind of rat do you take me for?"

“The kind who mixes business and pleasure, of course."

“Touché. So, tell me a little about yourself. You're obviously smart and talented. Seems you'd be doing something bigger than being somebody's errand girl."

“I'm a little more than that," Arya says. “But I know absolutely nothing about you!"

“You are absolutely right. Forgive my haste to learn more of you." He places a hand over his heart. “Well, you know me as Jay, and I'm a jack of all trades. 'Always keep a professional head up and always make sure to be ready for any occasion,' I say."

“Any?"

“Certainly."

“Alright then," she says. “Tell me how you'd prepare for… someone stealing that suitcase, right here and now."

“I'd call the police," he says, shrugging. “And stay here to make sure no one used that as a distraction to get to you."

“Really?" Arya asks, lacing her fingers together and leaning in.