Kapitel 39: A Devil You Know #39
Evan's smile carried a sense of subtle assurance as if he were privy to a future outcome that held intrigue. The sweep of his hand conveyed an air of casual dismissal, a nonchalant attitude toward his request. His voice, smooth as silk, weaved through the air with measured intent, "There will be plenty of time for that."
"I only ask for a bit of your time," A playfulness colored his words, as though their current situation held more layers than met the eye. He waved away any concerns before they could fully form, his demeanor enigmatic yet oddly reassuring.
The weight of Evan's words seemed to settle upon Felicia's shoulders, evoking an almost imperceptible sigh from her lips. Her response carried a tinge of reluctant acquiescence, "Fine, what do you want?" It was a straightforward question, a demonstration of her practical nature as a thief who valued directness above all.
Evan's hand dipped into the folds of his jacket, retrieving a file that held a significance beyond its mundane appearance. He tossed it toward Felicia with a casual flick of his wrist, and as she caught it, the file's weight seemed to symbolize the gravity of the task at hand.
Evan's words were purposeful, their intention crystalline as he explained, "Robert Kelly. I want every dirty little secret he has—prostitution, gambling, whatever might put an abrupt end to his career..." His eyes bore into hers, a directness mirrored in his tone.
Felicia's gaze flitted down to the file in her hand, and with a subtle furrow of her brows, she glanced back up at Evan. Her voice carried a note of curiosity tinged with skepticism, "You a friend of mutants?" The question held an undercurrent of a deeper inquiry, hinting at the unspoken motives that might guide his request.
Evan's response was tinged with an air of intriguing ambiguity, his smile holding a mysterious allure as he replied, "Do my motives really matter? Would you even want to know them?" The words hung in the air, an invitation to curiosity coupled with the recognition that some truths were best left untouched.
Felicia's sigh was a mixture of exasperation and resignation, the embodiment of someone who was accustomed to navigating through a world that rarely unfolded as expected. Her head shook slightly as she uttered a candid "No," acknowledging that the intricacies of Evan's reasons were not within her immediate scope of interest.
A moment of consideration swept over Felicia as she perused the file's contents, absorbing the weight of the task that had been handed to her. Her voice, a touch contemplative, emerged from her thoughts, "Sounds easy enough... what do I get in return?" The words held an underlying assertiveness, a reminder of her own agency in this dance of intentions.
Evan's smile grew wider, revealing a glint of something akin to appreciation for Felicia's pragmatism. His voice was laden with an almost velvety charm as he laid out the offerings, "Well, there's money, of course, but I doubt that would interest you enough..."
Felicia raised an eyebrow at those words, but Evan continued, undeterred. "Then there are the whereabouts of your father, or maybe a simple power-up-- take your pick," He gestured toward Domino, and the latter fished out a glass container, filled with a green liquid.
The options he presented held an allure that touched upon the intricacies of Felicia's life. The only thing she ever wanted was to avoid feeling the helplessness that plagued her that fateful day. However, reuniting with her father was just as tempting.
A flicker of frustration crossed Felicia's features, her fingers instinctively rubbing at her temple. Her response was a blend of vexation and a hint of bemusement, "Is this the part where you sprout wings and a pair of horns?" The words carried a thread of playfulness, underscoring the strange nature of their conversation.
Evan's chuckle was a testament to his ability to navigate even the most convoluted situations. "Funnily enough, this isn't the first time someone made that comparison..." he remarked, "But that's neither here nor there. Now, take your pick,"
Felicia's gaze shifted between the glass container held by Domino and Evan, a curiosity laced with a touch of wariness residing within her eyes. The enigmatic contents of the container seemed to invite questions, and it was to Evan that she turned for answers. "What even is that thing?
Evan's smile held a trace of mysterious allure, his features casting subtle shadows and highlights in the dimly lit urban atmosphere. His voice, tinged with a note of intrigue, provided the explanation Felicia sought, "Intelligence-enhancing serum—made from Hulk Blood. It would sharpen your mind beyond human capability alongside your reflexes."
The mention of Hulk Blood drew a cautious frown from Felicia. While she might not be well-versed in the specifics, she was familiar enough with the dangers associated with such substances. Her apprehension was palpable, a testament to her knowledge of the potential side effects that accompanied such an enhancement. Evan's perceptive gaze didn't escape her notice as she processed his words.
Evan's response to her reaction was a nonchalant shrug, a gesture that seemed to suggest an understanding of her concerns. His voice carried a calm assurance as he sought to alleviate her worries, "I assure you, it's perfectly safe. I've ingested it myself." The casual admission was meant to instill a sense of trust, to bridge the gap of skepticism that lingered between them.
Felicia's eyebrow arched in a skeptical response, her voice dripping with a hint of incredulity, "And I'm supposed to take your words?" It was a rhetorical question, a reflection of the skepticism that underscored her thoughts. Her head shook in a gesture of negation, her stance firm, "No thanks."
Evan's response was a nonchalant shrug, his demeanor unwavering despite Felicia's rejection. His voice held a hint of playfulness as he proposed an alternative, "Then you'll settle for your father's whereabouts, I assumed?" The words were delivered with a knowing tone, as if Evan had anticipated her refusal and prepared an alternative offer.
Felicia sighed, her resistance appearing to waver in the face of the intrigue that surrounded Evan's proposal. Her voice, a mixture of resignation and curiosity, inquired, "And how would you even know where he is?" Her words bore the weight of genuine intrigue, inviting Evan to unveil another layer of the enigmatic tapestry he seemed to be weaving.
Evan's words hung in the air, a subtle revelation that seemed to tease at a depth of knowledge that extended beyond the immediate exchange. His voice, a blend of casualness and intrigue, provided the first thread of explanation, "Let's just say I happened to read his file some time ago..." The cryptic statement suggested a familiarity with Felicia's father, leaving enough room for curiosity to take root.
He continued, his words carrying an air of casual observation, "Besides, I did find you here, didn't I, Miss Hardy?" The utterance of her real name caused a shiver to dance down Felicia's spine, a realization that this man's knowledge extended into realms she had preferred to keep guarded. His ability to uncover the depths of her identity hinted at an intricacy that went beyond a chance encounter.
The weight of unease settled upon Felicia's shoulders, mingling with a touch of wariness. Her eyes bore into Evan's, a mixture of curiosity and caution swirling within their depths. A resigned sigh escaped her lips, her words carrying a sense of reluctant acquiescence, "Fine, but you have to throw me a bone first... who are you really?" Her brow furrowed as she voiced her desire for clarity, an undercurrent of tension underscoring her words.
A wry smile tugged at Evan's lips, a hint of amusement that danced within his gaze as he replied, "The name's Evan Shepherd—former soldier..." The words held a weight that seemed to echo with experiences beyond the surface, a past that held both shadows and light.
Felicia's response was a quirked eyebrow that bordered on bemusement, her gaze locked onto Evan's enigmatic expression. The lack of context seemed to tease at the edges of her curiosity, an unsatisfied itch that begged for more. She voiced her thoughts with a dry chuckle, "Well, that's a start, I suppose..."
Evan's shrug was casual, as if he were allowing the conversation to dance within the boundaries of intrigue he had set. "I'm afraid I don't have the time to share my life story, but feel free to look into me if you wish," he offered, his voice carrying a hint of challenge. The unspoken invitation lingered in the air, tempting Felicia to uncover the layers of Evan's past if she dared to delve deeper.
Felicia's gaze held a mixture of contemplation and curiosity, her fingers tapping thoughtfully against the file in her hand. She acknowledged the unspoken challenge with a nod, her voice carrying a playful note, "Well, Evan Shepherd, former soldier, consider my interest piqued..."
...
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