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Post by Countess on Sept 13, 2024 22:42:29 GMT
The B'alam dreams of the jungle. It is a common dream of his, paws sinking into the wet earth as water drips around him. Far above, in the canopy, it rains, but so few of the droplets hit the ground as it should. Birds sing their seductions, monkeys scream their stories, and little bugs crawl in the darkness. The air is thick with humidity, it rests on his tongue and fur like a blanket, heavy. Something is coming, a darkness swirls around the jaguar. He is the king of the jungle, there is no fear in what is simply his home. He stalks closer, quietly, to the darkness. The world around him starts to fade... he is so close to the truth he can taste it...
Matias' eyes open, his dream interrupted. He is sprawled on his bed, sheets askew. Something coils low in his stomach, a warning. He is being watched. Slowly, he sits up, lips pulled back in a snarl as he pulls himself out of his dream, his sleep. There is no danger- not yet. Matias simply feels the eyes of someone on him, someone close...
Carefully, Matias gets out of his bed, body low as he crouches ever so slightly. Nostrils flare, testing the air. He is almost... animalistic like this.
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Post by Nomz on Sept 14, 2024 0:17:46 GMT
Felicia Hardy reconsiders her choice a total of three times. The first time is when she's crawling out of her penthouse window and out into the chilly night. She reasons that she could always back out a second time if the job isn't worth it. Matias seemed all too willing to leave her with options.
Black Cat rethinks her choice for a second time as she stands a little ways away from his home. She's so used to working for herself these days. More so since she's been inching closer and closer to a more neutral ground. It's easier to know when you're hitting a worthy target when you've done the research yourself. Mr. Jacinto had seemed passionate about right and wrong.
The thief thinks over her options for the final time as she perches just outside his bedroom window. Though, this time it is different than the last. Where her doubt had made her reconsider, it is now the scene unfolding before her that makes her think again.
She holds her breath as she watches the man in the bed across the room from her sit up, a snarl clear on his face. Felicia had been so certain not to set off any alarms and to be silent. He's sliding out of bed when she realizes that she needs to make herself known before he finds her.
Felicia pulls back her hand and knocks quietly at the window with her knuckles. The muscles in her body are tense as she waits, looking for all the world like she is prepared to run at a moment's notice. "Please don't bite me," she murmurs to herself while fighting to put a polite smile on her face with mixed results.
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Post by Countess on Sept 14, 2024 2:06:53 GMT
Matias turns his head to her as she moves to knock on the window. This is getting strange, too strange. He seems to relax, only slightly. A deep breath fills his lungs, then he exhales. No danger. Just a stray cat. He can hear her, though she doesn't need to know that. Those little murmured words, and he doesn't have to work hard to smother the smile that comes from it.
Slowly, he stands up tall. Felicia will see his usual garb for sleep. He just has on boxers- nothing else. He cuts a fine, if not bulky, figure. He isn't Hollywood- he is real.
"Well well well, look who it is," Matias says, loud enough for her to hear him. He moves closer to the window, but does not make a move towards opening the window. He gets close, breath fogging the window itself as he leans against the sill. "To what do I owe the pleasure?"
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Post by Nomz on Sept 14, 2024 2:47:04 GMT
Felicia's eyes dip as he stands up, head tilting a bit as she takes in his form. He's certainly bulkier than she would expect for a rich man. Attractive to boot. She waits as he talks, moving closer to the window, but not opening it.
She huffs a bit, trying not to smile at the dramatics of him talking through the glass at her. Felicia leans forward to breathe on the window and draws a little heart with one finger.
"I was going to say I wanted to talk further about that job, but-" She glances him up and down just once, eyes heavy. "I'm sure we can work something else out."
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Post by Countess on Sept 14, 2024 3:07:22 GMT
Matias is very aware of his state of dress, and he is using it against Felicia at this time. "Something else? Use your words," he says, watching her closely. He knows that look- but he isn't sure if it is a distraction on her part like him. He isn't one to fall for such things, but he isn't infallible.
"A job. I almost didn't expect you to come back, Gatita," Matias says, voice gravelly from waking up mere moments ago. She wants to play this game? He can play it. "I've got place I need tested, if you are interested. I've also got assholes that need a swift kick in the... coin purse," he says, chuckling darkly. One option is far more legitimate than the other. He wants to know what attracts her.
He is also smart. The window between them- nothing could be recording him right now. Trust is earned, after all. The Instinct hasn't roared in his ears about her just yet... but that is more neutral than anything. She could go either way, as if making up her mind.
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Post by Nomz on Sept 14, 2024 3:26:24 GMT
Her lower lip is caught between her teeth as he tells her to use her words, and she suddenly wishes she had worn her more revealing outfit. As it is, she's dressed properly for a job in an all-black suit. Felicia smirks happily enough as she speaks in a lower tone to match his gravel-filled one.
"I may be a bit overdressed for it, but I'm sure we can fix that. You know, you're far more attractive in this outfit. You should wear it more often." Felicia shakes her head a bit before she lifts her eyes to meet his again.
When he mentions work, she lifts her shoulder in a slow shrug. "Curiosity got the best of me. You offered work and I didn't ask nearly enough questions last time." Felicia hums low in her throat as she considers his words, eyes dragged back to his strong shoulders.
"A legit job and a less legit one. Interesting that you'd offer either," she trails off for a moment. It's clear she has two things on her mind and only one is the job offer. "Tell me about the coin purse option, Papi~"
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Post by Countess on Sept 14, 2024 3:47:07 GMT
Yes... she is a woman that uses her natural charisma to sway others. He has no qualms over it, nor any judgements. He does the same, and he cannot blame her for using her abilities to make sure she comes out on top. How the world works, sometimes.
"Well... I'll be sure to overdress the next time I go to sleep," Matias says, giving her a chuckle. A window between them. It must make her feel so much safer than the last time they met.
"Ever hear of Lex Luthor?" Matias asks, idle in his words. he is so careful, just loud enough for her to hear... but little else. He could always invite her in, see if she has a pesky little wire... But the Instinct still is quiet. So very quiet.
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Post by Nomz on Sept 14, 2024 4:14:46 GMT
She doesn't bother to school her expression as he mentions sleeping in more clothing, mouth twisting into a pout. "But that would make these late-night meetings so much less fun. I quite prefer this."
A small part of Cat is relieved that the window is still between them. It adds a layer of safety and also a layer of intrigue. However, she is no threat to him, so she is curious as to why the window remains.
At his question, she nods once, and that part of her that makes her such an excellent burglar spins to life. Her gaze is a touch calculating as she tries to leap ahead to what Matias is getting at. She hasn't tried to steal from Luthor before, but she'd be a liar if she said she hadn't considered it.
"You gonna keep me out in the cold," she says just as quietly as he had, though her tone is still teasing. She raises one hand to tap lightly at the glass again, not unlike a pet left in the cold. "It's quite lonely out here and it looks so much warmer in there. Better to have nothing between us, no?"
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Post by Countess on Sept 14, 2024 23:31:44 GMT
"Less it is," Matias says, fogging the glass a little as he leans just a little bit closer to it. He purses his lips, kissing the window, a mirror of the little heart she had made before. It fades with time. He smirks a little at her request, almost purring. It instead becomes a chuckle, smothered in its infancy.
"I suppose I could let you in... If I feed you, will you come back for more?" Matias asks, already unlocking the window. There is no stirring within him, the beast within quiet and content. The window between them is removed, gently lifted without a sound.
"Come in then, Gatita. We have much to discuss..."
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Post by Nomz on Sept 14, 2024 23:53:28 GMT
Cat blinks in surprise as he leans forward, kissing the window. A very pleased little smirk pulls across her lips as she realizes that it's a mirror of her heart. Yeah, even if the jobs dried up, she could see herself coming back just for this. Not many knew how to flirt anymore.
"Mmm, depends on how well you feed me." Felicia teases lightly as she watches him unlock the window before lifting it. It does not escape her notice that he doesn't move away from the window despite the verbal and nonverbal invitation.
Not one to back down so easily, Felicia shifts where she rests on the windowsill and slowly lowers a leg between Matias and the window. One hand comes up to rest on the underside of the window as she slips her other leg inside. All the while, those grey eyes are pinned to his gaze.
"Do you hold all your discussions in your bedroom or am I just an exception?" She brushes her hair over her shoulder, mindful to keep it where he can't grab it easily. "Are you keeping so close because I said I was cold? How, gentlemanly of you."
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Post by Countess on Sept 15, 2024 1:47:23 GMT
Matias does not move from his spot, but offers a hand and a shoulder for her to use when slinking in. "Ask nicely, I'll give you anything your heart desires.... Food, at least," he says, a rumbling in his chest that is just a little too close to purring than he would like. This is what happens when someone wake shim from his dreams, the dreams of his home, of the jungle. He belongs out there- or at least, a part of him does. Other parts, however....
They are quite happy where he is.
"I have found some of the best discussions of my life are done in the bedroom," Matias murmurs, smirking. "I am keeping you close because I want to know if you are recording me, Gatita," he says, hands going to her body. He is chase in his touching, if she allows it. Clearly, he is looking for a wire. "Would hate to have this private conversation with an audience," he says, giving her an idea of just how much he really trusts her. This will be earned.
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Post by Nomz on Sept 15, 2024 2:11:02 GMT
Her hand is delicate where it rests on his shoulder. She's quickly discovering that she quite likes that rumbling in his chest just a bit too much. She'll have to be careful moving forward because even she can see the danger that really lies here. The one that is almost overshadowed by how easily it would be for him to choke the life from her.
"I don't suppose you know how to make arepas, hm, Papi?" If he's going to offer her food, she may as well ask for something warm and gooey. While she may have teased about the weather, she hadn't lied about being cold.
"My, you must not have very interesting discussions if the best were in your bedroom. I often find the bedroom only good for begging rather than talking." Her body stays soft under his hands as they search for what is not there. Felicia pouts up at him just a bit, noticing their size difference for the first time this night. "Now, what could I possibly gain by making you angry at me? I didn't enjoy it one bit the first time and I have no plans at all to let it happen a second time."
The hand on his shoulder slides down to rest on his chest and Cat does her best to move forward, guiding him back. "What are the job details?"
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Post by Countess on Sept 15, 2024 4:13:10 GMT
"Yes. My mother taught me," Matias says, appeased for now. "I have some in the freezer," he continues, smiling slightly. He always makes many in advance- it is an easy meal in and of itself. "Would you like a drink as well?" he asks, the picture of a perfect host... even as he finishes feeling her for a wire. Best to be safe, no?
"I do love to hear begging... Never been one to do it, myself, but it is music to my ears," he says, sighing just ever so slightly. A finger grazes her cheek.
"Come along, we can go to my kitchen. Get you fed, out of the cold, feeling more... at home," Matias says, finally taking that step away. He moves through his room with a commanding grace. There is a robe he could grab- but he doesn't. All the better for her, right? He is having fun with this little dalliance. They are both playing with a bit of fire. Just enough to singe.
"You will have to forgive me for our first meeting, just as I have forgiven you," Matias says, turning back to her briefly. "I am sure you have claws, too, Gatita. I would hate to anger you, too."
The halls of his home are not winding, they are rather straightforward. Perfect for him to clear if he is under assault. "He sucks. He takes advantage of his workers in ways that are profoundly malicious. Union busting, downgrading insurance, firing in ways to make sure pensions need not be paid out, unsafe working conditions... the list goes on and on," he says. If he could have killed him, he would have by now. Man is more protected than the president.
"He bought a painting a number of years ago, a Rothko, that has only increased in price over the years. He has recently sold it for a great deal of money, and is in the process of transferring it over to the new owner. Should he be unable to deliver it in a timely manner, he would be on the hook for not only the money paid, but also whatever suit resulted of it. A lovely shame he sold it to a Disney heiress- and I am so very certain you know how good their lawyers are. Should it get stolen, it could be sold, you could walk away with a portion," Matias says, searching her for a reaction.
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Post by Nomz on Sept 15, 2024 19:51:24 GMT
"I do prefer to hear it from others," Felicia replies with a proud tilt to her lips. It seems that not all of their tastes align or perhaps she just needs to be broken down first. Those curious eyes turn to the halls of his home as he steps away and leads her out of his bedroom. Felicia follows along as if she doesn't know exactly where his kitchen is from his bedroom already.
"You speak as if you weren't already forgiven. More so when you decided to stay in such a lovely state of dress." Her smile is loud in her words and he can see it there before he turns back around. "I believe the best course of action for both of us is to remain in good graces, no?"
She grows quiet as Matias goes over his monologue about what kind of person Luther is as if he thinks she may require further persuasion or if he just can't help himself. Whichever it is, it is entirely unneeded in her book. When Rothko leaves his lips, Cat's full attention is focused on him.
"Oh, I am sure she'll know how to ruin him over it," Felicia says, eyes tracing over Matias' calves and up to his thighs. Those boxers are a blessing. Her voice sounds distracted even as she asks, "I don't suppose you know the location of this painting. Any idea of the security or the timeline of this trade-off between people richer than I am?"
"Any and all information you have could mean the difference between failure and success. But I'm sure you already know that, Major Jacinto."
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Post by Countess on Sept 15, 2024 20:30:25 GMT
Matias says nothing to her flirts, opting only to give her an increasingly heated look. The man is animalistic, good at searing glances. Why say anything else? His body speaks for itself.
"Ruin? Most likely not. Waste his time, get him tangled in the courts? Yes. If he is smart, and he is, he will seek to settle," Matias murmurs. Lex isn't the danger- Mercy is. "He might even send his lovely assistant to deal with is, avoid the headache," he says, almost purring again. Separate the two... and Matias will have a much better chance at getting to him. If this little burglar can get in, well... surely Ghost can. The man has used up all his chances, and then some. Sure, someone will come in to fill the vacuum more blood for the blood gods, right?
Matias opens a freezer, pulling out a foil wrapped bag. It is the arepas, and he starts getting everything else he needs to cook them. A bit of oil, cast iron pan, cilantro, just as a snack. It is more of a Columbian dish, but his mother had loved them. Easy, delicious, perfect for the children always running in and out of the home...
"I have everything I have been able to gather on a USB," he says, tilting his head to the side a bit as he starts to heat the pan. "There will be a dead drop. You will be sure to look at the information outside of any wifi-connected devices. It will not be traceable to me, nor my company," Matias murmurs, listening for a moment to the sizzle of oil on the pan. "If you are caught, you are on your own," he lies, knowing he can just send Ghost to take care of her, however that is needed at the time. If she starts talking, well... that is easily rectified, isn't it? If she doesn't, then he can get her out of the jail and Matias knows who he can truly trust.
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