Stardom

It takes a while for Ori to process the news, going over the shard another couple of times to make sure he hadn't missed anything. Still, reality remained the same, he was somewhat relieved to know the truth, along with the fact he hadn't been the cause... But in the end, it left him feeling, hollow.

The death of his family hadn't been some grand scheme, some retaliation, but because multiple groups wanted something they had. Christy hadn't even known she was being hunted at that point, apparently, so it wasn't her fault either...

He habitually chews his nails, wondering if Rogue knew the names of the Animals he needed to kill. The suit in Arasaka who'd paid the Tyger Claws too... The gang itself would also get his attention, Wakako's offer was probably still on the table.

...

Fine, he'd accept the gig. But while Christy wouldn't die, he'd get some payback for her role in it all. See how she likes suffering in silence for once?

[Group Chat Created: Ori, Rebecca, Sasha]

[Guys, we've got a gig, meet up at my place.] - Ori

[Aw, really? I thought this was our day off?] - Rebecca

[Dw about her, she just mad her nails won't get done. OWO] - Sasha

[You said you wouldn't tell him! And did you just fucking owo? What are you, five?] - Rebecca

[What? I think it's cute. And I also say 'I wouldn't say anything to him', this is text.] - Sasha

[Aren't your nails usually painted Rebecca? And if you're in the same place why are you arguing over group chat?] - Ori

[I'm standing outside the store. And she didn't want me to say anything about her black nails.] - Sasha

[YOU DIDN'T JUST SAY THAT!!!] - Rebecca

[Black? Funny, aren't you the one who keeps calling me 'Emo'?] - Ori

[Fuck you! And you traitor cat!] - Rebecca

[We'll be down there in ten] - Sasha

[Rebecca has left the Group]

--------------------

"Why don't we just get her to pay upfront and," Rebecca puts a finger gun to her head, "Boosh." she mouthes in the passenger seat of the truck.

"Because, while she's a bitch she didn't wasn't completely responsible for Casinha. Don't worry, I've got my own plans for her." Ori assures, turning into the parking lot where they'd been requested to meet at.

"Come on, back me up here cat?" Rebbeca asks, glancing over her seat.

"I'm with Ori, no point in risking our rep like that. Besides, isn't it his choice what to do with her? You'd want to choose how to deal with your grudge, wouldn't you?"

Rebecca waves her off, "I'm just saying, is all."

Ori pulls up in the empty lot and turns the truck off, he could only see a single empty sports car in the far corner so it looked safe enough. "You seem to be forgetting something. Her gig lines up with my intentions anyway, her bandmates hired the Animals which killed my dad. With this we're killing three birds with one stone.

"You mean two, right?" Sasha queries.

He shakes his head, "Three."

...

"So, when's the client coming?" she asks.

"Zat her?" Rebecca points out at the colourfully dressed woman walking towards them from across the street. Tanned skin, pink hair and eyes.

"Yep, that's her." he nods as he locks eyes with the woman. She quickens her pace and all but barges into the back of the truck, closing the door and patting the shoulder of his seat.

"Let's get out of here," she gestures at the sports in the lot, "I don't wanna risk driving that right now..." she admits.

Ori crooks a brow, "What, you think they planted a bomb? That isn't Animal style."

"They're exploring now that they've screwed up three times." she states, "But if you want proof." she pulls out a key and unlocks the sports car from a distance. The lights flicker, indicating the change, but nothing else happens.

...

"Looks like you're just being paranoid. That porn star lifestyle of drugs and sex finally hitting you?" Rebecca wonders aloud.

"I'm hardly a porn star..."

"Yeah right, I've seen the private sites posting prices. Almost every BD star was on there."

"Wait what? 'Becca, there something you not telling me?" Ori can't help but voice.

"What? No, that's when I lived with my bro... Pilar went through a phase." she admits, uncaring about spilling her brother's secrets.

Christy just folds her arms, "Well I never did any of that. They tried, but I have standards, if you wanna talk about whores talk to my bandmates. There probably isn't a suit in the city that hasn't had a go at them." she shakes her head mirthfully, "I overheard them talking about one guy who wanted to shi-"

*BOOOM!*

Christy's car abruptly goes up in flames, leaving a huge billowing cloud of smoke from the fireball.

"Huh. Must've been a timer then." Rebecca casually remarks.

"Who cares! Just drive before those goons get here!" Christy exclaims, pale at the fourth attempt on her life.

Not needing to hear it again, Ori spins the truck around and drives away. Sticking around for the Animals would force a confrontation, but that would probably alert Christy's bandmates. Not to mention the NCPD which'd investigate the explosion anyway.

"Talk while I drive, I wanna know about our targets." he states.

Christy takes a moment to calm down, before beginning to detail her bandmates. "Sheila Curves and Fae Yono," she snorts to herself, "Both stage names, they're actually called Julie Miriam and Sophie Francis, and they're both dumb whores." she can't help but add.

"Very descriptive." Ori drawls, "Anything actually worth saying? Home address, common locations, a party coincidentally happening tomorrow... The usual?"

"I don't know, I missed our last recording session because of their goons... I've never been to their places and I have no idea what their hobbies are..."

"So you want us to do it blind...?" Rebecca asks with a dull glare.

"I mean, I'm paying you to do the research aren't I? I may not know much about punks, but I know fifty thousand is a big payday for you." Christy states.