alnifolia | OPEN POST;

[ If one were to ask Kasumi Goto, perhaps the greatest thief in the realm, if that job had been by contract or personal preference, she would answer, "Why not both?" After all, the contract had come from a long-time client of hers, but when she'd looked into it and found that a certain merry band of misfits were hired to guard the target, she decided she simply must take it.

Perhaps she'd wanted to gently remind a certain Star-Lord about her existence by intentionally crossing paths with him, see how he would react upon realizing they would be up against her. See what he would do thereafter. So she'd stuck around to see them discover their charge long gone, now in her hands, and smiled to herself when they seemed to collectively decide that they were more impressed than anything.

After that--well, she suspected they would go their separate ways once more; maybe their paths would cross again on the field.

She certainly hadn't expected to find Quill at one of her usual posts (odd as it may be for someone like her to even have those), but the moment she spots him, she's convinced that he's not really here to just pay more money for drinks, avoid the risk of disease, and inhale incensed air. He looks an awful lot like he's looking for someone. ]

Well, look who we have here.

[ it's almost like she's appeared out of nowhere, and she trails her fingers along the back of Peter's shoulders as he walks past him and then slips into the seat next to his, leaning forward onto the bar and tilting her head to cast him a sidelong glance. ]

Star-Lord.

[ To his credit, Peter does not jump completely out of his skin at her sudden arrival -- though he does stiffen in surprise; once the initial shock passes, he smiles and turns to face her, leaning one arm on the bar top.

Oh, and she used the call sign. He knew there was a reason he liked her. ]

If it isn't the illustrious Kasumi Goto. You've been busy.

[ She look up for a moment, as though in wonder. ]

Have I?

[ That is her way of saying yes, of course. ]

What brings you to a place like this?

Well, I got paid pretty well, earlier, but it was a pretty close thing.

[ He turns to sit properly in his chair, but he's giving her a sidelong glance. ]

Damnedest thing. Job went south in a big way, but, hey, shit happens, right?

[ Her lips curl into a smile. She has a faint idea of where this conversation might be heading. ]

Oh? Tell me more. I'm sure it must have been a rather eventful job, hm?

Actually? Not so much on the eventful side during. But after? Wow, all hell broke loose. Boss got pissed as hell -- I was sure his head was gonna explode.

[ He drains the last of his drink, then signals the bartender for another. ]

Screw 'im, though. Guy was a complete dick.

[ Kasumi gives the bartender a look to signal that she'd like a drink, as well, before turning her direction back to Peter. ]

How'd you end up working for him if he was such a jerk, anyway?

[ Something she'd earnestly wondered when she caught wind of their involvement. ]

[ He shrugs, sighing. ]

Money got a little tight, and -- here's the really weird thing -- the guys really like having food? For some reason? So it was either work for a dick or petty thievery.

[ The bartender returns, putting the drink in front of Peter and taking Kasumi's order. ]

-- Anyway. The petty theft didn't really fly with them, so. [ He waves a hand as if to say, "The rest is history." ]

[ She quirks a brow, and with a sarcastic tone: ]

Really? Food's overrated.

[ Her drink is simple enough that the bartender returns rather quickly enough with it, and she gladly takes it into her hands for a quick sip before she continues. ]

You know, if you're looking for jobs, I think I can help with that...

[ Definitely not a usual offer from someone like Kasumi. ]

[ He pauses, drink halfway to his lips, and he turns a little to look at her. After a moment, he puts on a smirk. ]

Is it recovering a highly valuable and recently stolen artifact? 'Cause I bet you'd be just the person to ask about finding it.

[ She shoots back with a smirk of her own and like, wow Peter way to just say things like that in the middle of the bar? Which is why she leans in close when she responds. ]

I may or may not be, depending on who's asking.

But since it's you, Star-Lord, I'll own up to it. I'm sorry I pissed your jerk boss off by stealing his stuff.

[ She's not really sorry, and the way she says it is a dead giveaway of that. ]

[ He waves that off again. ]

He was shady enough that I'm sure he deserved getting knocked down a peg.

But, hey, if you need a hand with something, I'm all ears. You sure you wanna talk about it here? [ And he arches an eyebrow when he adds, ] Or do you have someplace more private in mind?

Still curious after last time, are you?

[ Last time, after they had gotten cleanly away from the soiree, collected their payment from her client, and celebrated with drinks at the very tavern they met at that same night, Kasumi had only indulged Peter Quill with a kiss before she turned on her heel and disappeared into the night, her parting words merely being "Maybe next time." That, in spite of the way that Kasumi had made it seem like there would be more to the "afterparty" she kept building up throughout the heist.

She didn't want to dispel all of the air of mystery she'd so carefully crafted around herself, after all, and as attractive as she found Peter to be, she has secrets to keep.

Tonight, however, the story may be quite different. ]

That depends. Are you okay with me blindfolding you until we get to such a private place?

[ Is she joking? Who knows? ]

[ He huffs out a quiet laugh. ]

Believe it or not, Goto, I did actually mean, like, an alleyway or a dark corner or something. You know, the common meeting places of people up to no good.

[ she leans back, resting her hand on her chin and sighing. ]

Well, I guess we could do that.

But I still like my idea.

[ and then she turns her head just enough so that she can wink at him. ]

[ He smirks in reply ]

That makes two of us, then. It's probably a good idea not to mix business with pleasure, though.

And yet here we are, spilling drinks.

[ she raises her glass at him. ]

What do you say we head on over to one of those dark alleys after this for a meeting, then?

Hey, I said business and pleasure, not business and fun.

[ Still, he similarly raises his glass, smirking over the rim. ]

Sounds like a plan.

Point taken.

[ After a sip or two, she sets the glass back down and turns towards Peter. ]

So--before we get down to strictly business--how've you been, budget crisis and working for jerks aside? Still charming your way across the realm?

[ He grins at that, then affects a modest shrug. ]

I wouldn't say charming, but, yeah something like that. Honestly, we wouldn'ta taken the job if certain parties -- who shall remain nameless -- had to have their asses bailed out of jail a couple weeks ago.

[ He turns to her again as he nurses his drink, elbow resting on the bar. ]

How 'bout you? Fighting the good fight against dickish rich people?

Of course. [ She smiles. ] Who else is going to, if not me? I wouldn't call it a good fight, though. Maybe something more along the lines of "incredibly dangerous, yet alluring."

Did you have to bail out the raccoon? Or the big guy with the--[ and she clears her throat ] muscles?

[ Do you see this eyebrow? Because Peter is slowly raising it. Nonetheless, he's still in a good humor even when he puts on a dour expression. ]

Oh, I'm sorry. Should I grab Drax for you? So you can admire his-- [ He mimics her, clearing his throat. ] --muscles?

[ she smirks ]

Yeah, sure, why don't you? Maybe the three of us can have some fun.

[ He snorts aloud -- in a seriously stupid way, but at least he doesn't pretend it didn't happen. ]

Yeah, the three of you can have a good time, and one of you can spend half the night tryin' to explain metaphors and figures'a speech. I could do with a night off.

[ She tilts her head curiously and hums thoughtfully at his response. Maybe... ]

What if it was you, me, and the assassin instead? Gamora, was it?

❖
OPEN RP POST ① Pick a character ② Pick a prompt (or DIY) (shamelessly and selectively pilfered from bakerstreet's Random Scenario Meme) ③ Do the thing!. table code by betterdolphin

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guess who forgot to hit post comment

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