A Bitter Pill To Swallow

Earlier - That Morning at the Diner

Dartella smiles at Eva's kind words about the breakfast. "Well, I'll have you know I fried those eggs up myself," she says. "You're lucky to be here when it's empty. Once it gets fuller and I juggle ten dishes at once, nothing comes out near as good anymore. Luckily, none of my bosses care about quality, only how much I sell."
She watches Eva eat for a moment, resting her chin on one hand. Her uniform is clean for a change as she's still at the start of her shift and hasn't had much chance to mess it up yet and her curly dark hair is drawn back underneath a cap with a washed out Sunny Side Up logo. "It was less me wanting to tell you something," she replies to Eva's words. "And more that I felt maybe there was something you wanted to tell me. I'm just worried about you, Evie. I know you're good at getting yourself out of trouble, but you're even better at getting into it. And somehow, I had the feeling that girl you were with the other day, Tanya, that she's trouble."

Earlier - That Morning at the Diner

"She is trouble," Eva says quietly, before adding, "but she's also in trouble. With some of the same people... I got away from. You remember that first night when I showed up, looking like a drowned rat, not even knowing where I was? The same assholes I escaped from are the ones she's mixed up with. And it's not her fault."

Letting her friend refill her coffee, a kind of awkward moment where one friend is serving the other, Eva goes on. "Do you know something else about her, or is it just a feeling?"

ANNESBURG, 6 NOV 2023
Signor Valencia's, Patio
Eva shrugs those perfect, sculpted, beautiful shoulders. She's dressed for action -- a classic crew-necked commando sweater, complete with elbow patches, cargo pants riding low on her hips, showing a glimpse of her blue G-string from time to time, and lightweight combat boots. "We could do both. You distract the hired help, I jump down, grab Brian, and take off with him."

Looking at Augusta, she adds, "What's the mist? I don't think I've seen that yet."

"I can summon mist. It's an oni thing. I'll roll down the window and when I hear the screams and shouts, I'll fog the area."

Earlier - That Morning at the Diner

Dartella hesitates before answering, avoiding Eva's eyes for a moment. "I know she sells you drugs. Or gives them to you, at any rate."
She meets Eva's eyes again. "I very clearly remember that first night," she says. "And even though I know you're a lot tougher than me - You could probably lift me up and toss me out through the window if you wanted to - after that night, I'm not sure I'll ever stop worrying about you." She sighs. "If she really is in that same kind of trouble, I guess you do have to help her. Just promise me you'll stay safe. I couldn't bear this job without the hope to see you walk in during any shift."

Earlier - That Morning at the Diner

Eva flushes a bit, embarrassed Dartella knows about the drugs.

"It's -- not quite what it seems. That's mixed up with Wyver... hey, you know what?" Eva asks, interrupting herself.

"I'm going to not get you involved in a bunch of shit that can only get you hurt."

Then Dartella is talking about that first night, and... and is there some sort of spark between them. Eva isn't sure how to process how the spark makes her feel, how to interpret that look that the waitress gives her.

"Um. Don't... worry? I'll be safe. I'll keep coming here. For breakfast. And, I mean... for your company." Keenly aware of how dumb she must sound, the blonde adds, "Not in that order. You were a huge help to me in those early days. More than the eggs, and the eggs are good."

ANNESBURG, 6 NOV 2023
Signor Valencia's, Patio
"Oni mist, awesome, yup, use that to throw everyone off as we're getting away," Eva says. "And if you're going to be in the area, Dave, poking that muscle in the eye, I can focus on just getting in, grabbing Brian, and getting out -- fast as I can."

Eying the nearby rooftops again, looking for the best and closest angle, she adds, "And... then what? Get him in the car? Who's driving while I subdue him in the back?"

"That's where Kato here comes in." Dave hooked a thumb towards Augusta. "She can drive the getaway car while you keep Floyd from causing any trouble." He reached under his long coat and brought out the oversized knife he'd hidden underneath, "Probably going to need to leave this with you guys. Accosting the bodyguard is one thing. Doing while having a knife like that on me would probably get some jail time and I don't wanna miss Floyd's intervention party..." He laid the pig-sticker across the trunk of the car. Eva would recognize it as the one that ended up hurting out of Dave's arm that night at the Hop Spot.
"Oni, huh?" Dave rubbed his chin. "Hadn't thought about it that way but if you're gonna go with that theme a Kappa might be a better fit. No water bowl on your head though. Well, unless that's a really good wig you're wearing." He smirked at the girls' blank stares. "I know a bit about Japanese mythology. Spent six months in Japan after I walked there from the Marianas Trench."

ANNESBURG, 6 NOV 2023
Signor Valencia's, Patio
She desperately wants to sneer at Brian and tell him he's full of shit. That internal struggle to resist churns her stomach. Definitely not an ideal way to start a meal. But a slow and hopefully not too obvious slow, deep breath gives her the composure she seeks enabling her to smile sweetly.

"Thanks, Brian. You don't look too bad yourself." Taking the preferred chair she settles, shivering as she does so. "It is chilly. I'll take your jacket, sure."

Melissa wasn't cold. The activity helped her relax and prepare her for her next move whatever that would be. "Fresh air is always good and I thought it would be warmer. But it's fine especially now that I have your jacket." Another fake smile as she wraps his jacket around her shoulders. Brian's cologne invades her senses. The images it invokes redden her cheeks which only serves to make her act look more authentic.

"I can pick something, sure." Taking the menu and ignoring his comment about staying for the entire lunch, she scans the list. She doesn't know too much about wine, her only education being what Belinda had taught her so she picks the most exotic and expensive one. Why not throw in a subtle dig just for grins.

Augusta rolls down the passenger window, and says, "When you call, I'll bring the fog, and the car will be ready. Back door unlocked, so you can just wrestle him in and sit on him."

"Let's give her time to get through the Apéritif and get food ordered." Dave stated, checking the time on his phone. "It's going on loverboy's dime and no one wants to end up hungry after a good kidnapping, right?" He deleted any incriminating texts or calls from his phone before clipping the ancient device closed and smiling at his two coconspirators. "Say, ten minutes til 'showtime'?" Dave was filled with a giddy, nervous energy. It was nice getting back to making moves he understood and agreed with. The smile on his face would be heartwarming...if one didn't know what was about to happen.

ANNESBURG, 6 NOV 2023
Signor Valencia's, Patio
Glad that Brian was behind her, she had time to compose herself and will away her blushing cheeks made even harder by his resting hands on her shoulders. Once he was back in his chair, she was disappointed that he didn't say something about her choice of wine resulting in her internally chastised herself for caring. Why had he gotten under skin so much? She disliked the man intensely given what she now knew along with his arrogant attitude, yet still she felt the need to impress the man. She chalked it up to pheromones and moved on.

"I've been good. Can't complain other than wanting my best friend out of the TANC, life is decent enough." Her eyes drifted over the table, the menus, his left arm. Lying was hard, especially when you knew the guy across from you was going to be kidnapped, possibly taken by force. It didn't help that he seemed to know something was up but she decided to pretend nothing was amiss.

"What are you going to order? I hear the pasta primavera is good." She knew no such thing but felt that she had to say something to stir the electricity in the air, not to mention Brian's body guard, or so she presumed, was making her nervous.

Earlier - That Morning at the Diner

Eva flushes a little though she's not sure why, then just nods to accept the waitress's offer.

Nodding and offering both Dave and Augusta a thumbs-up, Eva heads for higher ground, looking to get into position.

ANNESBURG, 6 NOV 2023
Signor Valencia's, Patio
"Um ... yeah ... the pasta primavera, please," she says, smiling at the waiter. A part of her had hoped the waiter would linger. Brian made her nervous no matter how hard she tried not to be. She hoped he misread that nervousness as an attraction to him. He was certainly arrogant enough to believe it.

"Watching your figure are you?" Her attempt at a humorous quip about the salad probably fell flat. If she could have taken back the dumb comment, she would have. She found it hard not to squirm in her seat and started to mentally beat herself up again, wondering how on earth she could work for Dave if her nerves constantly pawed at her.

"How well do you know Belinda? That's pretty noble of you to be so concerned. She never mentioned you."

A team? Melissa's mind screamed at her. What does he mean?

"A team ... in ... what way exactly?"

ANNESBURG, 6 NOV 2023
Signor Valencia's, Patio
"Complicated is an understatement." Melissa takes a deep but hopefully disguised gulp of wine to settle herself. "You're hot and cold Brian. One minute doing things you need to apologize for, the next being super sweet. A girl can't figure out where she stands amidst all that."

She clinks his glass, realizing too late that her rude gulp was impolite. Her face is impassive as she listens to his story about her bestie and wonders where the others are, hoping they do the deed as soon as possible.

"Legally? Surely that hasn't stopped you before?" The second gulp gave her the bravado she lacked before and time to answer his question. No, she wouldn't be honest.

"Why else would I be here? I'd like to give us another chance but you ... well you frighten me. There, I'm being honest."