Doctor Time [02]

It hadn't been long since Daven Nightshot and Tak had been forcibly reunited thanks to the former's wishes, however, despite their first forced interaction, the two found themselves sharing a vehicle to a hotel room in downtown Yorkshin City where they were going to continue the conversation in a calmer manner.

- This is Monique, Monique Allamellou, our interests tend to overlap so we tend to work together from time to time," said Daven as he adjusted the front mirror of the vehicle to get a better view of the two passengers in the back seats of the car he was driving.

There was Tak, still with his wound on the top of his heel, and Monique, a woman slightly older than Daven, with dark skin, dark eyes and short, curly, black hair that revealed her ears. The woman who was also a Professional Huntress was searching for the pockets of the vest Tak was wearing for any bladed weapons that might have made it past the initial search.

- He's clean, tell me, honey..." said Monique as she held the thief's wounded foot. -How did this happen?

Tak's angry gaze fell on Monique's eyes, who after a few seconds returned a look of resignation followed by a sigh.

- It's always the same with you, Daven, again and again. - Monique said with her eyes on Tak's torn joint. - If I don't know how this injury happened, I can't help you, so... Tak, right? - Monique added. - You know what to do...

Silence pervaded the vehicle for a few moments until the injured man finally began to tell his version of events that led to his foot injury.

- I see, judging from what you say, Daven probably shot you from somewhere in the alley, an elevated area due to the angle of the wound, is that correct? - Monique said, looking for Daven's gaze through the rearview mirror.

- Yes, that's correct. - Tak replied suspiciously.

- Perfect. Now I'll need two more things from you: tell me your blood type and apply some blood to the wound.

Tak's expression changed to one of complete confusion after that request, the guy was beginning to doubt if that woman was really a doctor, but, after all, he was already inside the vehicle with his assailant and an accomplice of his assailant, from any point of view, fulfilling those two requests was much less crazy than getting into a vehicle with just them in the first place.

- O+ - replied the rogue. - But what do you need me to throw blood on me for? I mean... You're not a doctor by any stretch of the imagination, nor do you have any tools here or anything to pass me blood to get to a... alive. 

"Specialist" thought Tak remembering the words the man who had shot him had said to him.

- O+ - repeated Tak while tearing a gum with his fingernail to apply some blood to the wound. Both Daven who was driving and Monique who was standing next to Tak let out a small laugh.

- I see that the boy finally understood the situation a little, don't you think, Monique?

- I'm sure he did - Monique replied to Daven as she activated her ability [Doctor Time] summoning a small cat dressed as a doctor that landed on Tak's wound. - Though seeing as his wound is still open, he could have used that same blood.

Tak blushed in sorrow as he realized that he had not thought of that option. As soon as the cat [Doctor Time] started to lick the young thief's wound, he noticed that the aura on his body looked different, no, directly there was no aura on his body unlike other times where he simply has his natural shield, at that moment he was completely defenseless to attacks with nen.

- You can see it, can't you? - Monique asked. - Do you see [Doctor Time]? - Monique asked.

- The cat? - Tak replied with an incredulous look on his face.

Monique nodded.

- Well, I don't know how someone like you knows about the nen or is even able to use it, but since you are a nen user this will be much easier for me, right now you are in [Zetsu] state which means your aura nodes are blocked, to make it easier to understand, you can't use your aura or life energy even if you try. And that's how you will be until the restoration is completely finished, it should take about 20 minutes - Monique finished.

- You may not be interested, but I am - replied Daven. - After all, I'd be directly involving a civilian in a potentially risky operation, so before I close any deal I'd like to know your abilities.

"Abilities, why are you interested in my abilities?"

- You have the information about my first clue, I have the money you want in exchange, however, I need different resources, and an additional hunter would be excellent for me.

- Ah no, not there, I am a thief, not a hunter. - Tak replied. - I'm willing to do business with the Dimecci Family list, but don't think I'll go God knows where because you ask me to.

- It is not yet decided that you will go with us. - replied the hunter without taking his eyes off the road. - Your full participation will be defined based on several factors: if you are reliable, time availability, some other migratory issue, common interests...

- No common interests not interested.

"Do you think we hunters are friends with each other?" thought Daven giving Monique a slight glance through the rearview mirror. "No. We are selfish beings who collaborate from time to time for common interests."

The atmosphere in the car changed radically after that conversation, in a place where only silence and discomfort reigned the only constant noise was the soft meowing of [Doctor Time]. The situation remained that way for about 15 minutes until they arrived at the hotel, disembarked, and went up to the floor of the room in question. Monique, Tak in a wheelchair, the cat [Doctor Time] and Daven entered the hotel room closing the door behind them.

The room was what you would expect from a hotel room with two double beds pointing to a television, a not very high table surrounded by several pieces of furniture to sit on, a shared bathroom located near the entrance, a closet and a space reserved for a study where there were documents lying on a desk, two computers and several boards full of information including areas of the city, names of people, phone numbers, subway lines and names of places of interest such as schools, universities and bars.

- Well, you had all the way to think about it... - said Monique while checking various documents on the desk and then plopping down on one of the beds - How much do you want in exchange for what you have?

Tak looked at Daven who was opening a bottle of wine from the minibar in the room while pouring two glasses.

- 20 million jennys for the list - Tak replied on the spot.

- Tak, the rogue. - Said Monique - The cat is still healing you? Don't you think it's cute?

The young thief understood what those words meant. He certainly felt more relieved, however, he still couldn't fully move his foot.

- What do you say we do the following? I'll give you $100 jennys for the list - said Monique seriously making sure to see Tak's reaction who swallowed dryly and moved his body slightly backwards out of pure instinct.

- Just kidding, just kidding. - said Monique mocking the young man. - I'll give you 12 million for the list, it's already more than you were going to earn for that robbery.

"They are well informed" thought Tak.

- 15 million - replied Tak decisively after thinking about it for a while.

- 15 million it is," said Monique. - Hey, Daven, you're on!

Daven brought the two glasses full of red wine to the table.

- Here you go, Monique, don't touch my glass, I'm going to get a couple of things, I'll be right back.

- 15 million... That's already 50% more than you got for the Dimecci family robbery, not bad - Daven added while looking for a few more things in the minibar - But you sold the list for 15 million, you could have easily taken 200 or more from us, do you have any idea how much the items on that list are worth? 

Tak turned to look at the woman who was now sitting on the edge of the bed with her legs crossed and hanging a few inches above the floor, smiling victoriously.

- But you let her comments intimidate you, she is indeed beautiful, but she is even more cunning. - Daven said as he returned to the table.

- Hey, it's not my fault the kid didn't do the research earlier. - Monique interrupted Daven's monologue and then took a sip of wine.

- Well, now that you know all of the above, how much money would you be willing to work with us for? - Daven asked and then took a sip of wine.

Tak was uneasy about the situation, he had underestimated himself which caused him to lose an absurd amount of money plus the cat that cured him was still doing its job Was it possible that Monique was delaying [Doctor Time]'s progress to keep him in an inferior situation any longer? It seemed difficult, she was also in a [Zetsu] state but it wasn't entirely crazy to think that it was possible that this was the case. 

- I need to know what the mission would be, what my role in the mission would be and how long it would take to fulfill my role in the mission. - Tak said after some time of reflection, the young man wanted, no, rather needed to make up for what he had stopped earning.

Daven nodded at Tak's remarks.

"This will be easier than I thought" Daven thought as he poured a third glass of wine.