Neutrality Order (TomBoo)

N.E. - Chapter 1

In a hole-in-the-wall pub like the one in downtown Kashyk, no one thought twice about the hooded figure stepping inside and silently making their way to the back in absolute silence.

Any form of identifying features was washed out for anonymity's sake; a black hoodie, a blackout face mask, and gloves almost made them look like a walking shadow; it wouldn't be put past anyone if that were the case. Stranger, more dangerous quirks and their users frequented this place, after all.

The figure sat down at an empty table, hands folded before them quietly, a clear sign that they were not to be disturbed except for whoever they were here for.

And so no one looked at them. No one disturbed them.

A man walked in with ease, being known to everyone as a frequent customer anyway, and walked straight for the waiting figure, almost jokingly asking to join with an exaggerated gesture. The figure merely gestured to the other side of the table, and the man sat, looking amused.

"Did I keep you waiting?" he asked without a speck of apology.

"No," the figure replied, voice low and husky as though having sustained a throat injury at some point. Without another wasted moment, they reached into their hoodie pocket and took out two slips of paper, sliding one of them over. The man took it and picked it up to read it, brow arching. "Do you know his whereabouts?"

The man shrugged, sliding it back over. "Can't say I have," he replied, taking out a pack of cigarettes and lighting one up. "No one's heard any concrete detailing, to be honest. Only rumors after Kamino Ward. Some sightings have been only breezed over in Maloch, but that's a ballsy move, considering it's Old Blood territory."

The figure nodded as though it was expected before sliding the other paper over. The man flipped it over, seeing a printed-out picture, and narrowed his eyes slightly.

"What's he got to do with anything?" he said, sliding it back.

"Unless he's actively engaged, he's not to be trifled with," the figure said, voice dropping a little lower. "Opportunities will arise...hero patrols, jumping into action, what have you...but alone or in civilian, he's off-limits. Orders from HIM." They put the papers back into their hoodie before taking out a 10 yen pocket spiral notebook and pushing it over. "Everything in there about both Light Fury and Shiv. You shouldn't have too many problems with them now."

The man picked it up and flipped through it, eyes floating to his hairline. "...I see," he said, snapping it shut and tucking it away. "A pleasure doing business with you. May you find what you're looking for."

The figure nodded and stood, leaving as silently as they came.

The man polished off his cigarette, grinding it out in the ashtray and hoping god had mercy on anyone who decided to go against the wishes of THAT guy.

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The figure melded almost seamlessly into the darkness the old-fashioned way, both literally and figuratively. No one paid them any mind. They vanished into dark alleys like a shadow, reappearing whatever street they needed to be at until they walked into a subway bathroom. It was almost empty from the lateness of the night, but they still walked into a stall and locked it before pulling off the blackout mask.

Tommy took deep, grounding breaths, rubbing his throat; using a different voice so much hurt, he thought, quickly swapping out the blackout mask for a beanie and tinted fake glasses, adding a few clip-on hoop earrings to each ear as an added measure of detail before leaving the bathroom and getting on the train back to Musutafu.