unseriousassassin

[unseriousassassin]

Buffy the Vampire Slayer – 1.01: Welcome to the Hellmouth

[unseriousassassin]

Tae-Oh smirked, a devil-may-care gleam in his eyes as he leaned back, balancing precariously on the rear legs of his chair. The whole war thing? Whatever. Just another circus act orchestrated by the higher-ups who had no idea what they were doing. Didn’t mean he couldn’t squeeze a little chaos out of it. Life was too short to sit around playing by the rules. “And your point is?” he asked, his tone dripping with mockery, as if the question was beneath him. He cocked his head to the side, that dangerous tilt that always came right before something reckless—and probably stupid. “It’s all pretty dumb, isn’t it? A couple of bruised egos, some family drama, and now we’re all stuck playing in their sandbox. Fantastic leadership, really.” Tae-Oh didn’t pretend to know all the details. Something Serpent-related, no doubt. It always was. But he wasn’t about to waste time dissecting it. Instead, he leaned further into Jayden’s hand, flashing that lazy, dopey grin of his, the one that screamed trouble. It wasn’t smart being this close to the Ghost Rider, but when had Tae-Oh ever cared about smart? “Believe me, I get it,” he said, voice low, almost conspiratorial. “But what can I say? I’m broken. Horrible. It’s just how I came out of the box.” His words held no regret, no apology—just the cold, undeniable truth, delivered with the kind of twisted charm only Tae-Oh could pull off. He could launch into a whole speech about his tragic backstory, about how life had dealt him a crap hand, but why bother? He’d made his choice a long time ago. Whether it was justified or not didn’t matter. He was the bad guy—always had been, always would be. “Doesn’t mean I won’t try to shake things up, though,” he added, his grin sharpening into something wild. Chaos wasn’t just a choice for Tae-Oh—it was a way of life.

˙ ˖ ✶ Tae

Tae-Oh had always been a master with words, knowing how to say exactly the right thing to get Jayden going. Even now, Jayden felt his pull. The way he could tug on his heart strings and trap him in his blanket of chaos. "You can't say these things, you know we're on opposite sides of a very dumb turf war." Jayden spoke softly, hands almost reaching up to caress Tae's features the same he did so long ago. "Best worst decision. Guess I'll wear that badge with honor, because even if our respective gangs wouldn't agree we were quite a pair. Able to pull off any job." He could reminisce about their time together forever, standing in their shared bubble of what ifs and maybe's. This time Jayden let his hands wander towards his ex's features caressing his cheek, laughter bubbling up so easily he'd almost forgotten they were in public. "You can't do this, you can't just leave and then expect me to jump into your arms like nothing happened, rob a bank and recklessly waste all the money."

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Tae-Oh sprawled across the couch like a king without a kingdom, a smirk tugging at the corner of his lips as Henry’s words washed over him. “Oh, please. Life skills? Assessments? You’re talking about the world like it makes sense. Half the people out there don’t even know how to boil an egg, let alone survive on their own. Honestly, it’s hilarious to watch.” He let out a low chuckle, clearly amused by the thought. It was funny how humans were considered the advanced species when Tae-Oh could list off so many idiotic things done by the average person. He rolled onto his side, propping his head up with one hand and casually tossing a couch pillow at Henry with the other. “And don’t get all high and mighty with your ‘comfortable home’ talk. You know damn well this place is practically a five-star resort compared to some of the dives I’ve crashed in.” As Henry mentioned having a busy night, Tae-Oh waved a dismissive hand. “Pfft. Stuff to do? Sounds boring. Let me guess—responsible things, right? Come on, live a little! I’m practically doing you a favor by hanging around. I’m like your chaotic life coach.” He winked, clearly unfazed by any protest. “But fine, fine. Be a buzzkill. I’ll entertain myself.” He flopped back onto the couch with a sigh, spreading his arms wide as if the room—and the world—was his playground. “But seriously, you need me here. This place would be way too boring without me.”

"I just don't understand how it's possible to be able to get a place of your own without any sort of life skills. There should be some sort of assessment you need to pass in order to be able to live on your own," he stated, head shaking in disbelief. People could be remarkably stupid, and while he should've expected it by now, it never failed to surprise him. How could people be so careless and helpless? Perhaps the fact that he'd been on his own most of his life had something to do with his impressive survival skills, but he thought people should've had a basic idea at the very least. People continued to be disappointing. "Makes sense," he said, shrugging. "Can't risk getting caught or losing your supply," he deduced, nodding. Henry wasn't interested in getting into any of that shit. He did enough dirty shit as it was, and while he had no moral objections to what he was doing, he didn't want to continue to add more to his already heavy table. "Yeah, I try to keep things comfortable around here even if I don't spend a shit ton of time in this place," he told the other. Homes were supposed to be comfortable. "Dude, I've got a shit ton of stuff to do tonight. I don't think that's a good idea."

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Tae-Oh tilted his head, his smirk widening as Jayden’s words washed over him. “Adorable? Oh, babe, you’ve always been more than that. Cute gets you through the door, but chaos keeps you in my head. And you—” Tae-Oh’s voice dropped into something softer, almost conspiratorial, “—you’ve always been my favorite chaos.” Tae-Oh was shameless. It didn't matter what you did to him or what he did to you. He was a flirt. He let his gaze linger, a flicker of something deeper behind his playful demeanor, but it didn’t stay long before he shrugged with his signature recklessness. “Hell yeah, you still hold the crown. Best worst decision ever.” Tae-Oh’s grin was sharp enough to cut, and he took a slow step closer, his eyes trailing over Jayden with obvious appreciation. Tae-Oh straightened, his grin softening into something warmer, though no less maddening. “You’re right, though—I haven’t changed much. Still wild. Still reckless. Still know how to find trouble. And you…” His eyes lingered on Jayden for a beat too long. “You’re still my favorite kind of trouble, Jay.”

˙ ˖ ✶ Tae

Jayden didn't have a little black book of exes, but the ones he did have had always left an impression. None quite as much as Tae-Oh, the man who reveled in their madness and chaos, and their love was fun, reckless, young and exuberant, but all together doomed to fail. Only because Jayden had made the mistake of loving him far too much. "Bad decision? You're surely not talking about little old me, especially after you spent countless hours doing...well, we both know what I mean," he mused, thinking back on the many sleepless nights where all they truly did was wreak havoc together. A man who let Jayden indulge in all the little questions his brain came up with, and the experiments that came about. "Some would say wiser, but don't worry, I'm just on a tight leash because apparently I could cause mass hysteria. And I mean me? I'm just adorable," he grinned. "If there's one thing I'm not it's boring, but you seem...the same, maybe a little more muscle on you but still as wild as ever I assume."

[unseriousassassin]

Tae-oh tilted his head, the corner of his mouth curling into a grin that didn’t quite reach his eyes. “Oh, Nico,” he said, voice dripping with mock sympathy, “you’ve got that whole ‘tragic antihero’ thing down, huh? Real impressive. Bravo.” He clapped slowly, each clap louder than the last, the echo bouncing around the room like a countdown to something inevitable. “Poor, broken Nico. Turned into a monster by my family. Boo-fucking-hoo.” A cruel grin curled at the corners of his lips. “A Serpent kid? Think I would’ve remembered that. Clearly, you weren’t important enough if they didn’t even bother paying.” His mind drifted back to the heated argument between his parents, the echoes of their voices still lingering in his memory. Nico’s father had refused to pay, and the younger version of him had wanted to just let Nico go—let him disappear. But his parents, always thinking they knew best, had insisted on keeping him. He paused, licking his lips like a predator about to strike. "Newsflash, Nico: you didn't let me live. I let you live. Because when I take you down-and trust me, l will- want to enjoy every goddamn second of it. So keep smiling. Keep playing cool. It won't save you when I rip your world apart the same way you ripped apart mine." Tae-Oh stood, throwing some cash at bartender. Tonight had proved entertaining enough for him. He pauses before he passes Nico, the grin returning to his face, manic and reckless. "Oh, and Nico? Don't worry about Francesca. She'll be fine. Jason, we’ll see. You, on the other hand? You're not walking away from this one." He lets out a loud laugh as he walks away. Time to plan.

End?… unless you want to add to it of course

Nico rolled his eyes. "Uh. Yeah. Caught them off guard while I was chained in your basement. Very cute of you all by the way." He was just a kid. He spent his teen years in there, barely holding on to life. They turned him into what he is today. His one regret was letting him get away. And even after all these years, he had several chances too. Deep down there was always something stopping him. He was the result of the same people. What they did to Nico, turned him into... they did that to him too, just in a less vulgar way.

"All dreams are, are fantasies." He said with a shrug. He didn't let Tae-oh rile him up. He had years of experience keeping him calm and holding a poker face. He wasn't fast enough to snap or lose his grip, but Tae-oh wasn't either. That's why they were in this never-ending cycle. "You've never found me scary, but you do know what I'm capable of. You saw what I was able to do at just seventeen. I do have you to thank, your family taught me everything I know, up until that point. It was a shame they could never finish turning me into that weapon like they planned. Besides, do you think your partnership with the Serpents would stay as strong if they knew that they kidnapped a Serpent child all those years ago and tried to get something out of them?"

They targeted the wrong parent. Atticus Lynch didn't give a shit about his bastard son, but maybe if they pulled that plan on society, his mother would have given up some form of money. "I hope you do." He said with a smile, never showing any fear or anxiety for the ones he cared about. There were only two people he truly cared for right now, maybe a third. Jason and Francesca. Iris would always hold a spot in him too. Jason and Iris could take care of themselves and he would never let Francesa be hurt. But maybe it was time to give her a heads up someone might target her.

[unseriousassassin]

Tae-oh leaned back in his chair, balancing it on two legs like he had no concept of stability, grinning like a lunatic who’d just been handed a grenade. His eyes darted around the room, as if mentally scanning for anything he could turn into a weapon if chaos broke out again. Tae-oh grinned like a kid who just got handed a box of fireworks. “Bro, his friends don’t just suck—they’re an active liability. If that was me? Oh, I’d be catching charges for you, no question. Chairs flying, fire alarms pulled, probably setting something on fire for dramatic effect. Like, if we’re going down, we’re going down spectacularly.” Finally, he dropped the chair back down with a loud thud and leaned forward, his elbows hitting the table hard enough to make Kenzo’s drink wobble. “Next time can be any time. Life’s all about expecting the unexpected. Gotta be prepared.” His grin widened, manic and wild, like he actually believed it.

Kenzo laughed, nodding his head in agreement. "Yea - if he came here with a friend, they suck ass. 'Cause like, at least I'd jump in for you if someone made you look that bad in front of everyone. They left his dumbass struggle by himself." he shook his head, unsure of which he found worst. But of course that dick couldn't have better friends. People like that always traveled in pack that were either bad or worst. "I just don't understand what the fuck he was trying to achieve? Like... if you can't fight, why start one? He totally underestimated your ass." he took another sip of his drink. He couldn't help but laugh at the ideas his friend suggested for the next time. "Next time? Just exactly how bored are you that you're planning for another one? But if there's gonna be any bets, count me in - I mean, might as well, right?"

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Tae-oh leaned back against the couch, throwing Reyna a sideways grin, his eyes gleaming with mischief. “You really want to fight me on this, huh?” he teased, popping the last bit of his snack into his mouth before tossing the empty bag aside. “Fine, fine. Women can be just as ruthless, I’ll give you that. But you’ve got to admit, hitman just rolls off the tongue better than ‘hitwoman’.” He chuckled, his fingers drumming lightly on his leg, considering her point for a moment. “Honestly, you might be onto something there,” he continued, tilting his head as he lazily looked her over. “Maybe ‘contract killer’ is a bit more neutral, but it just doesn’t have the same edge, you know? Doesn’t quite hit the same impact.” He gave her a devilish smile, leaning forward a little, watching her with an amused glint in his eyes. “But then again, you do make a damn good case. What if we start calling it ‘hired gun’ just to make everyone uncomfortable?” He raised an eyebrow, clearly enjoying the playful back-and-forth. Tae-oh had a way of making things sound like a game, even when they probably weren’t. His smirk never left, and his energy was always unpredictable. He wasn’t wrong, but Reyna had a way of making him think about things from a different angle. He respected that about her. Hell, he might even let her win this little verbal sparring match. For now.

Reyna had always felt like an outsider in the Crimsons. She'd been a relatively more recent addition, only pulled in through the smaller con group she had been with before. Liam's cold ignoring since that day had only heightened that feeling. It was hard to believe she had only gotten him to start talking to her once more recently. So, she often did not hang out around the Crimson's hangout. Except, Tae-Oh had texted her, asking her to join him most likely out of boredom. Reyna laid on the opposite couch across from him, wondering if she could convince him to let her go home or to join her so they could go somewhere comfier. "That's very sexist." She scoffed, looking over at her friend. Her affectionately known work husband. "Women are still statistically just as likely to kill. In fact some of the most prolific serial killers have been women. We are far more efficient." She looked over at Tae-Oh, daring him to insult her whole gender again. "You know why it's called hitman, right? Because some man killed someone for a job and thought he invented something so he named it that to only cut it out for himself and other men." Perhaps not entirely true, but she was willing to bet she wasn't that far off. "Contract killer? Hired gun?" She offered other options.

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Tae-oh flashed Gabriel one of his usual, reckless grins, the kind that always seemed to promise trouble. He leaned back in his chair, throwing a glance around the bar, not a care in the world. He didn’t even seem to register the potential danger of being seen together. "Good idea? Nah, Gabriel. It’s a great idea," he said, voice dripping with his usual mischievous charm. "It’s trivia night, baby. Who cares what people think? Besides, I like living on the edge. And if Miray's biggest issue right now is me playing trivia, she needs to get her priorities in order, and pay for my dinner." He picked up a beer bottle, casually spinning it between his fingers like he had all the time in the world. “Look, it’s not like anyone’s gonna connect us anyway. You’re all serious with your brooding vibes, and I’m... well, I’m me. So, who’s gonna guess we’re anything more than just two guys who like to kick ass at trivia, huh?” He winked and leaned in a little closer, as if making it sound like the most casual thing in the world. Tae-oh wasn’t concerned with appearances, at least not in the way other people were. As far as he was concerned, this was his time to have fun, and Gabriel had been roped into this mess of chaos whether he liked it or not. And yeah, maybe they had to keep things low key, but Tae-oh didn’t exactly play by the same rules everyone else did.

Gabriel was taken aback when he received a text from Tae-Oh, insisting he show up for their usual trivia game. What had started as a joke between strangers, after the bar insisted no one could play alone, had somehow turned into a regular thing. His time with Tae-Oh was always unpredictable—he never knew what the guy was up to. But, honestly, it might be the only normal thing in his life right now, so he didn’t question it too much. "Wounds are a pain," he muttered, sinking into the chair with a grunt. His shoulder still ached, but he could move around without issue. "Are you sure this is a good idea?" Gabriel asked, eyeing Tae-Oh with suspicion. He couldn't help but wonder how it would look for a Crimson and a Society member to be seen together in public.

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Tae-oh stood frozen for a moment, the weight of Avery’s words hitting him harder than he expected. He had prepared himself for a lot of things, but not the bitterness in her voice. Not the disappointment. She was right. He had been an idiot, an asshole, and he knew it. And now, standing here with flowers in his hands, it felt like the worst kind of joke. “Avery...” He trailed off, unsure how to even begin. The words didn’t come easy, not when the mess in his head was so complicated, so tangled. He ran a hand through his hair, taking a breath, trying to find the right thing to say, but nothing seemed to fit. “I don’t... I don’t know how to apologize for this. I can’t just explain it, because if I tried, it’d probably scare you even more.” His voice dropped, rougher than he intended, the apology there but hidden under layers of regret. “I’m sorry I left you like that. I didn’t mean to hurt you. I never wanted you to feel like you weren’t... well, like you weren’t enough. You deserve so much better than what I gave you.” He stepped forward a little, still holding the lilies out to her, but his eyes stayed on the ground, unable to meet hers. “I know I screwed up. I know I hurt you. And honestly, I don’t even know how to fix it. I wish I had a better answer for you, but... it’s just complicated. And I get that you probably hate me now, but I needed to do this. I needed you to know I realize I fucked up.” Tae-Oh’s shoulders slumped slightly, like he was carrying something too heavy to shake off. “But, if you want me to go, I’ll go. I just... wanted to say I’m sorry. I shouldn’t have done what I did, and I know I don’t deserve forgiveness. But I had to try... at least try to make things right. Even if it’s too late.” He had no intention of actually leaving her alone, but he supposed he need to give her a choice. He finally looked up, just a quick glance, meeting her eyes with that same vulnerability he rarely showed. "Why now? Because I couldn't live with the fact that I just let you walk away. That’s on me. And if I’m being honest... I’m not ready to let you go."

Avery looked at the lillies in his hands. It was easier to focus on them than it was to look at him. She didn't think she would see him again after he dumped her. She had wanted him to reappear for so long, but that want had left her. She took the flowers as she stood there and struggled to know what to do. Part of her wished there was someone else in the house with her. It would give her an excuse to close the door and avoid whatever this was. "You left them that way long enough. Why stop now?" The words didn't even sound like her. The tone was one she used when patients had pushed her too far, and she was tired of their shit. "I do deserve better. A lot better. I'm glad you realize you're an idiot and an asshole." She looked back down at the flowers and leaned against the doorframe. "Why now, Tae-oh?"

[unseriousassassin]

Tae-oh flashed one of his signature grins, all charm and mischief, as he leaned back against the counter. His eyes flickered to the glass cases, scanning the array of weapons with an almost casual interest, but deep down, he was impressed. He didn’t just trust anyone with this kind of business, but Nero? Nero was the type of man who didn’t mess around. And that? That was the kind of person Tae-oh respected, even if it was all a game of dangerous strings being pulled from the shadows. “Jealousy is a great look on you.” Tae-oh said, his voice light, but the edge of a challenge was there. “You know, I’ve got lots of options, Nero. You can’t expect me to stick to just one when there’s so much fun to be had, right?” His eyes gleamed as he followed Nero’s movements, his every gesture calculated. He’d known Nero long enough to read the subtle shifts in his demeanor, even if he kept his cool. And that made it all the more interesting. When Nero gestured for him to follow, Tae-oh pushed off the counter with a fluid motion, silently acknowledging the invitation. He stepped into the back room, letting the flicker of light reflect off his smile. This place? This was his kind of environment. The darker, the better. The more chaotic, the more fun. “Oh, now we’re talking,” he murmured, stepping closer to admire the weapon. He tilted his head, examining it with a mix of curiosity and deep appreciation. “Military grade, huh? I can already feel the power of this one.” His voice dropped lower, as if savoring the possibilities. “Messy sounds real good to me. Real clean too, if you want it neat. Either way, I’m gonna make sure it gets a proper workout.” He glanced up at Nero, his smile never faltering. “See, this is why you’re my guy. You know how to pick the toys that’ll keep me entertained. Bet I could get real creative with this one.” There was a dangerous edge in his tone now, the kind that hinted at all the chaos he could bring to the table—and he wasn’t shy about it. “Tell you what, Nero, let’s just say this is exactly the kind of thing that’ll keep me coming back. You keep ‘em coming, and I’ll make sure I’m always taking my business right here.” He winked, the game between them only getting started.

tae-oh had that kinda vibe that made people drop their guard. big smile, all charm, like he wasn’t thinkin’ about the quickest way to gut you with whatever he could get his hands on. but nero knew better. tae-oh wasn’t just dangerous—he was chaos. the kind he liked to keep him happy, keep him busy.

nero leaned back against the counter, the polished oak cool under his palms. his guys ran the store well—smooth transactions, no loose ends—but he didn’t show up unless it mattered. and the hitman in front of him? yeah, exceptions got made.

“your favorite, huh?” nero’s voice was steady, smooth, not giving shit away. his eyes slid toward the glass cases lining the wall. rows of sleek, deadly toys, all shining under the lights.“taking your business elsewhere? y’know i’m a jealous man”. he pushed off the counter and moved to the back room, letting tae-oh behind for a moment with a vague gesture of hand. he didn’t keep his best choices behind glass. when he came back and opened a case he brought with him, he was tae-oh would feel like in a candy store.

“got something you’ll like,” he said, voice low, almost casual. “military grade. real clean. real messy, depending on how you wanna play it.” the kind of pieces that didn’t just work—they impressed.

[unseriousassassin]

Tae-oh burst out laughing, clearly enjoying Henry’s frustration. "You gotta love it. People out here with no basic life skills just risking it all over a goddamn noodle soup. I mean, what’s next, setting their whole house on fire over toast?" He leaned back on the couch, still chuckling. "I swear, Henry, it’s like the universe has a weird sense of humor. The stuff that makes it into the ER—that is the real comedy show. Half the time, I think I’m in a reality TV show, like ‘How To Not Be A Moron 101.’” He grinned, obviously amused at his own chaotic take on things. When Henry asked about the usual, Tae-oh shrugged nonchalantly. "Same old, same old. I got my hands on some opioids, nothing crazy good, but it's only two bottles. They were doing a count so I couldn't be too crazy." The life of an EMT mention he was limited on what hospital he could grab from. It was random so it helped his tracks, but not for trying to get anything specific. He grinned at Henry. "'Appreciate it. Your couch is pretty nice. I dig it." Couch surfing was the like when you never really had a home. His whole life was on the move so it was hard to think about things like settling down. "Boo, you're boring me. Want to cruise tonight, feeling like I want some trouble?" He asks with a glint of mischief in his eye.

Henry didn't have the patience to go into the EMT field. He didn't know how some people could be so careless and stupid on most occasions. Surely, it wasn't that difficult to make wise decisions and ensure one's own safety. "Sounds like you had a rough night," he commented, nodding. "It takes a special kind of talent to deal with levels of stupidity like that," he told him, shaking his head. "I don't know how the fuck people are so dumb. You'd think that they'd know how to cook ramen responsibly. How the fuck do you set your whole kitchen on fire trying to cook it?" Henry was baffled. Some people clearly didn't have any business being in kitchens. "Really? What'd you manage to get?" He asked, arching a brow. "Hey, you know it doesn't bother me," he stated, shrugging. He didn't mind having people crash at his place, it wasn't something that irked him. He still had his bedroom as a private space. "Nah, just the usual. Nothin' exciting or whatever."

[unseriousassassin]

NEW GIRL (2011-2018) 2.13 | A Father's Love

[unseriousassassin]

closed starter @jaydensrsly // babylon

The nightclub was a blur of neon lights, pounding bass, and bodies moving in chaotic syncopation. Exactly the kind of place Tae-Oh thrived. His grin was as sharp as the edges of his tailored leather jacket, and his energy matched the reckless rhythm of the night. He weaved through the crowd with ease, feeding off the chaos, the drinks, the heat. Tae-Oh hadn’t expected to run into Jayden. He froze for half a second, then grinned like a man who just found out he wasn’t in trouble yet. “Well, if it isn’t my favorite bad decision,” he drawled, weaving through the crowd with practiced ease his smirk sharp enough to cut glass.. “Jayden. It’s been a while. You look good… grounded even. Predictable. Don’t tell me you’ve gone boring on me?”

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closed starter @nerodifiore // nero's weapon store place

Tae-Oh liked to think of himself as a cheerful guy—at least, as cheerful as someone could be when their life revolved around murder and torture. He always managed to find the fun in it. The secret? Having the right tools for the job. "How's my favorite weapons dealer?" he asked, his tone annoyingly bright, laying on the charm like butter on toast. "What kind of beauties have you got for me today? The messier, the better. You know how I like to leave an impression."

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closed starter @reynaxarcher // crimson hangout

The worn couch was as good a place as any to kill time between jobs. For a Crimson, the work was never really done. Tae-Oh lazily tossed a ball into the air, catching it over and over as boredom gnawed at him. It wasn’t late enough to crash at his sort-of roommate’s place, and he had zero motivation to get up, even though his restless mind itched for something to do. “I get why they call it a hitman,” he mused aloud to no one in particular, letting the ball rest in his hand. “Statistically, men are more likely to kill—sure, makes sense. But hitwoman? That’s just clunky. Doesn’t roll off the tongue. Why couldn’t they come up with something better?” He frowned, tossing the ball again. “Assassin’s cool, but way too formal. Like, I’m not out here signing contracts with a wax seal or something.”

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Ta-Oh Bang’s grin spread slow and sharp, like a wolf savoring the hunt. He let the weight of her words hang for a moment, studying her with a lazy kind of intensity, one that promised both chaos and control. His fingers drummed once against his thigh before he leaned forward, voice low enough to make it feel like a secret but still drenched in arrogance. “You’ve got a good pitch. Real tempting,” he said, the corner of his mouth quirking up. “But I don’t play games where the other person thinks they’ve already won. What’s the fun in that?” It's like he saw his own arrogance reflected back at him, and that was enticing, but to think she won already, boring. He tilted his head, gaze flickering briefly toward the hallway she mentioned, then back to her with a smirk that was pure provocation. “Here’s the thing, though—I never stop until I get what I’m after. And right now, darling, I’ve got something else on my mind. Something that doesn’t strut around in red bottoms trying to see who blinks first.” His words came with a wink, teasing but edged with enough seriousness to remind her he wasn’t one to lose focus. He let his fingers brush hers, slow and deliberate, before pulling back just enough to assert his control. “You want to test me? Fine. But I don’t break. I bend the game until it’s mine. So let’s say this—when I’ve finished what I came here to do…” He leaned in close, lips just grazing her ear. “Then I’ll decide which of your options I feel like taking. Or maybe, I’ll give you a fourth option you didn’t even see coming.”

SOMETHING IN VERONICA CAN'T help but wonder, what brings him here? even if they were allies now, he had to have a reason. stress relief, unanswered questions? perhaps it could still be the distrust she carried for most of the world. a grand majority of folk had some kind of need when speaking to her in general, considering the hooks she had in the law system. most prosecutors groaned the second she walked in the room. however, that was not where her mind was now. while curious, her attention was otherwise occupied. " i wouldn't sell yourself short. regardless... i always offer a challenge. " she hums, chin arching upwards ever so slightly. it was interesting -- the way flirting was like moving chess pieces. at least, in her eyes. one move after the other, attempting to take control. wrap the other person around your finger. veronica had become rather accustomed to the natures of most of the serpents, her whole reason for being one of them was that she had entered on a soldier's arm. but now, there was a whole new throng of folks to engage with. forces like these should have brought their power together a long time ago. and then there's him. veronica has made sure to learn the pieces in play. tae-oh bang. hitman. and yet, she doesn't quite let him in on that card she has yet to play. when she had sworn not to give him a sign, she meant it. " how funny -- neither do i. except... i simply don't lose. " with the final two words, veronica closes the space even further. it's as if her eyes are taunting him, having nearly forgotten all about the drink she had been nursing. someone else being fully engaged was far more interesting. ever so slowly, her louboutin grazing the edge of his leg with a sly smile. her lips soon move in the direction of his ear, words she'll make damn sure only he can hear. " you have two options -- well... if you think about it -- three. " she hums, fingers grazing the underside of his chin as she adjust, making the space somehow even closer. " you can either have me right over there.. " eyes make clear she's referring to down the hallway, where she's well aware of both the bathroom and several offices are located. " we can go back one of our places... or i can tease you until you break. the choice is yours. but either way... " she emerges from the crook of his neck to face him, eyebrows raising. " i still win. "

[unseriousassassin]

Tae-Oh’s smile was sharp and cold as he leaned in, eyes locking with Nico’s with an unsettling calm. The family Nico had destroyed, the life Tae-Oh had lost—none of it was forgotten. It simmered beneath the surface, but Tae-Oh wasn’t in a rush to unleash it. Not yet. "Oh, Nico," Tae-Oh chuckled, his voice dripping with mock sympathy. "You're cute when you try to be all... threatening. You really think I’m scared of some guy who thinks he’s a big deal because he managed to catch a my family off guard?" He shook his head, grinning wider. "But hey, I can’t say you didn’t make an impression. You killed my family, but you didn’t take me down. You should be proud of that. I guess some people just aren’t good at finishing the job." The last sentence dropped from his lips like a challenge, the words sharp and taunting.

Tae-Oh leaned closer, narrowing the space between them, his gaze piercing through Nico as if he could physically break him with a glance. "But let’s talk about your fantasy, Nico. It sounds riveting, but sadly a fantasy is all it will ever be for you. You'll never get the pleasure of being the one to kill me." He chuckled darkly, then straightened up, as if bored by the whole thing. Tae-Oh would never give him that; he'd sooner off himself. "You wanna gut me alive, huh? Well, here’s the thing: You lack presentation. Because right now? You don’t scare me."

Tae-Oh’s grin sharpened into something predatory, his voice dripping with quiet menace. "And Nico… thanks for the compliment. I’ve been keeping tabs—very close ones. You've got some interesting people around you. They seem like a good time. Maybe I’ll pay them a visit… get to know them better." The threat was laid.

Nico rolled his eyes, "What? Are we friends now so you can use my nickname?" Of course, it must have been a way to get under his skin. He started going by Nico after his escape, before then it was just close family friends that called him that sometimes. "No tension here. Just fantasying about watching you die, you know, cute little things." He said with a playful smile. "Ah yes, You would know something about that huh? Your parents really were the best teachers. Did so good they didn't even see me coming when it was their time." Tae-oh was the only one to get away from Nico's assault. A 17 year old boy taking down the whole family. "I'll put an end to your curiosity. I am well. Good job keeping tabs. I'm actually rather excited you are back Tae, looks like our favorite past-time can continue. Have you been keeping up with your skills since you have been gone? Maybe I'll give ya a few days to brush up. I want you at your best when I gut you alive."