8769/A is for Assassins

A is for Assassins
Date of Scene:	13 August 2019
Location:	Somewhere in Manhattan
Synopsis:	Summary needed
Cast of Characters:	Darkness, Lady Shiva

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Darkness has posed:
Even murderers and monsters have people they look up to. Young boys idolizing baseball players and musicians. Jackie? When he was growing up, he devoured stories about the famous hitmen and mafia dons. Older and wiser, his list changed with taste. Matured. Like a wine... that kills people for money. The name 'Lady Shiva' comes with miles of accounts. Tall tales and legends. It's the finesse and flair that kept Jackie Estacado intrigued. When the stars align and he catches wind of the very bloody legend herself being in the city? Well. He sets to work.

A small tea house in Chinatown. Non-descript. Off the beaten path and an absolute unknown to the tourists and party kids. No, this is the kind of place you go to because someone else trusted you enough to give ghe address. Jackie knew from a past acquaintance. A girl he dated. Sure, she's in an oil drum at the bottom of the bay these days but the important thing is that Jackie is no tourist.

Seated at a small table by himself, Jackie dressed in his perpetual best, toys with a silver plated lighter. Lid snapping closed. Springing open. Snapping closed. Tall. Broad shoudlered. Statuesque in his bespoke suit the color of asphalt. He asked to see the myth. He was told with a smile that they don't exist. Then politely led to a table in the back.

Why is Jackie Estacado seeking out Lady Shiva? A renowned mob hitman as he is, she's a pay grade or three higher than his usual crowd. Still, he waits. Staring blank and calm at the fish tank, the little sharks inside swimming lazy and bored.

Lady Shiva has posed:
The elderly Chinese woman behind the counter has yet to take her eyes off the man who has sought out Sandra. Perhaps she is protective of the woman who frequents this hideaway Tea House. In fact, rumors have abound on the streets that those in Chinatown all protect the whereabouts and comings and going of the well-known assassin. It is almost as if she is a treasure they seek to keep.

There is a conversation behind a red curtain with a green dragon embalzoned upon it, leading to a back room. It appears to be between an elderly man and a woman, but is completely in Chinese. The man seems to be pleading, peaking out from behind the curtain from time to time at the seated figure. There is a moment of silence and the curtain is pulled back, the figure of Lady SHiva standing in the doorway.

She does not appear to be a hardened killed and certainly not someone overly threatening. She wears a simple t-shirt with some Chinese writing on it and a pair of jeans that stop right above a pair of Nike running shoes. She looks to the elderly woman and points to the man, murmuring in Chinese once more. It is only then after she nods that the woman makes her way over to where he sits, pulling out a chair without a word and plots herself down in front of him, leaning back with her arms crossed. There are now words said at first as she seems to be assessing him, but then she speaks, her words in English but laced with a heavy Chinese accent. "You did not come here for tea did you? There are many tea houses that are much better than this one. Word has it you are looking for me."

She leans forward, putting her elbows on the table and speaking closer to his face. "You've done your homework. Not many know where I am, and those that do...say nothing. So the question that remains to be asked is quite simple: Why are you here? It cannot be to kill me. You look too smart for that."

Darkness has posed:
Jackie is used to stares. He is. After al, he'a got a lock on that 'tall, dark and handsome' thing. Then you factor in the fact he's often got a gun to someones head and you get a man who is almost expectant of attention. The lighter click-clanks again in his right hand. The twist of a smirk on his lips as argument erupts. A brow arches, somehow he resists the urge to turn in his seat and look. Not like he understands Mandarin. His Italian is fantastic though.

It's when the curtain is pulled that Jackie stands up from the little table and its heavy, red table cloth. His tone is smooth, and easy bass that doesn't dip too far into Vader range. The hint of a smile remains.

"What? Why can't it be both?" He asks before a glance at the door. Force of habit. He makes no move to pull her chair and gives a simple, kurt nod as she takes the seat herself. He honestly expected no less. It's strange, looming well above this woman and feeling... for the first time in years... a hint of worry. How about that?

Taking his seat once again, Jackie smooths a long fingered hand down a cobalt blue tie. That smile dares tug wider even as he meets the gaze of someone possibly more accomplished in the field than himself! Such a rarity. He leans forward ever so slightly, tucking black hair behind his ear. "I'm a good student when the subject is interesting. I'm here because... I wanted to meet you. What tea is good in this dump anyway?" He asks while picking up a cheap, paper menu. "I don't expect you to know my name but I'm a fan of your work. Jackie Estacado. I do some work for the Franchetti family out here. You on contract?"

Lady Shiva has posed:
"The Green tea. Gineseng and honey, ask for the ginger." It is a casual response as she feels the need to first let him know what he should be ordering. She leans back in her chair once again, looking at the man with a non-emotional and somewhat stoic glance. "Jackie Estacado. I've heard of you. A murdereer for hire. Well, now I can relax. I know who you are. I must say some of what I have heard is actually quite impressive. That job in Paris a few years back. I was supposed to take that, but had a conflict. Well done Mr. Estacado. Well done indeed."

She raises her hands to tighten her ponytail. "Am I on contract? My my Mr. Estacado, you do get right to the point don't you?" She leans forward once more, whispering now, but more so because she is closer. "I am always on contract. Some things just take a little longer." There is a wink given and she exhales softly, "The Franchetti family. Ah yes. I tend to avoid them. We had a small issue a few years back. Something internal. You may have heard about it. One of them paid more...so the problem went away."

There is a moment of pause as she studies him once more, seemingly trying to dissect the man before her. "I trust nobody Mr. Estacado. Nobody. As soon as you trust you end up dead. That is why I am still alive you see. I have no true friendsb y fault of my own choosing. It is a lonely life. DO you feel the same way Mr Estacado?"

Darkness has posed:
"Green tea. Ginseng and honey. Don't skimp out on the ginger." Jackie, not even daring a glance to the staff of the place when he orders. No, no. When you're looking at death, you don't look away. You don't even -blink- more than you need. His name known by her, eyebrows loft upward. Taken aback, he chuckles lightly before swatting the menu down on the table beside them. "What can I say? Guy talked to the Feds and they put him up in Paris to wait for the trail. C'mon, like they wouldn't buy me a plane ticket?"

Another queit laugh, breath scented of cigarettes and mint candy. "Most people think that direct approach is crude. Too busy beating around the bush. Why waste your time when I know how much it's worth?" Sniffing to clear his sinuses, He tilts his head aside ever so slightly. Long, midnight hair spilling down before it's swept behind an ear again. "Ehhhh, water under the bridge. Uncle Frankie aanted me to impress upon you the... misunderstanding. You know how us made men get. Pride. Drives us loco." A wink back before he pauses to consider her question. Something behind those eyes. Cold. Curious. "Trust. Love. Money. The holy trinity. Either one will get you killed, all three will do it faster. I have friends." Reaching into his jacket slow, he pauses to illustrate no threat. Then takes out a pack of menthol cigarettes. "Nobody I wouldn't put a bullet into if told to. It doesn't have to be lonely. But it is."