Partnership

Sol walked through the bustling lower districts, weaving between vendors and neon-lit stalls as he picked up supplies. The streets hummed with life, the air thick with the scent of grilled street food, synthetic oil, and the ever-present hum of flickering advertisements. He moved casually, blending into the chaos as he bought what he needed—basic necessities for his training: food, drinks, spare clothes.

Eventually, he made his way to a familiar place—Old Man Marlowe's store. The shop was a relic of an older time, tucked away in a narrow alley with a faded sign that flickered intermittently. The bell chimed as he stepped inside, the scent of aged wood and engine grease greeting him.

Behind the counter, Marlowe looked up from a worn ledger, his grizzled face breaking into a wry smile. "Well, if it isn't the infamous ghost boy himself. Thought you might've gotten yourself killed by now."

Sol smirked as he began picking items off the shelves. "What can I say? People keep trying, but I'm annoyingly hard to get rid of."

Marlowe chuckled, shaking his head. "I've heard what happened. The rumors are spreading fast—seems like you've made quite the name for yourself. Half the lower districts are either scared of you or curious enough to want a closer look."

Sol sighed, setting down a pack of nutrient bars on the counter. "Fame is a real pain in the ass."

The old man leaned forward, resting his forearms on the counter. "You know… he regrets it. The old man."

Sol's fingers paused for a fraction of a second before he continued placing items in his bag. "Yeah," he said quietly. "Me too."

Marlowe watched him for a moment before nodding. "Figured as much. You're not as cold as you like to pretend."

Sol let out a soft chuckle. "Don't start getting sentimental on me, old man. Just ring me up."

Marlowe snorted but complied, scanning the items. "Just saying—be careful, kid. The higher you climb, the harder the fall. And you've been climbing fast."

Sol took his bag, slinging it over his shoulder. "I never planned on climbing at all. The universe just keeps throwing me higher."

The old man grunted. "Then you better figure out how to land before it decides to drop you."

Sol gave him a nod before stepping out into the neon glow of the streets once more, his mind already shifting to the next part of his plan.

He made his way toward the Luminara District for his meeting. The choice of the fountain as a meeting spot wasn't random—he had picked it with purpose. If things went south, if the talk turned into something more dangerous, he needed an escape route. And there was no better place to disappear than the Luminara District.

Especially since he had a way into the Archive—the one place, as far as he knew, only he had access to. A hidden refuge among the glowing towers and shimmering streets, one that could turn the tables in his favor if the need arose.

As Sol arrived at the fountain, he immediately noticed that the entire plaza was empty, save for a single figure seated near the cascading lights. The fountain spewed ethereal streams of color, painting the area in a celestial glow. And sitting there, framed by the stars in motion, was a woman of breathtaking beauty. 

Her presence was striking, the soft illumination of the fountain shimmering off six pristine white fox tails that draped elegantly behind her. Her silver-white hair cascaded over one shoulder, complementing the gleam in her golden eyes. There was an effortless grace in the way she sat, poised yet inviting. The moment her gaze locked onto Sol, she offered him a charming smile.

Sol exhaled, muttering under his breath, "Here we go again."

He made his way toward her, keeping his steps measured, his expression unreadable. As he approached, the woman's smile widened with an air of playful amusement.

"It's not very polite to keep a lady waiting, you know," she teased, her voice smooth as silk.

Sol blinked innocently. "My lady, I was just playing hard to get."

Her laughter rang out, rich and mesmerizing, the kind that had an almost hypnotic quality. But before Sol could process the unexpected reaction, a sharp chime echoed in his mind.

[System Alert: Pheromones detected. Analysis… Charm spell identified.]

His easy-going smirk didn't falter, but inwardly, he frowned. His eyes flickered slightly, his expression shifting ever so subtly as realization settled in. So, she was playing games too.

Sol leaned against the fountain's edge, crossing his arms as he regarded her with a lazy smirk. "You know, if you wanted me charmed, you could've just asked. I might've played along."

Elise chuckled, her golden eyes gleaming with amusement. "Oh? And here I thought you enjoyed a little mystery."

But inwardly, she was shaken. She had never met someone who could immediately detect her charm spell. It was subtle, nearly undetectable even by experienced manipulators, yet Sol had called her out without hesitation. That alone made him dangerous. Her smile remained, playful as ever, but she was now far more wary of him.

"I do," Sol admitted, tilting his head. "But I prefer my charmers to be a bit more subtle."

She let out a soft hum, resting her chin on the back of her hand. "You caught that rather quickly. Not many do."

"I have my ways," Sol said smoothly. "And something tells me you're not used to people catching on so fast."

"Perhaps not," Elise conceded, her tails flicking behind her, their movement deliberate, mesmerizing. "But then again, you are rather... unique."

Sol sighed dramatically. "So I've been told. Repeatedly. And yet, no one tells me what they actually want from me."

Elise grinned. "Patience, Sol. I simply wanted to see what kind of person you are before we get into business. And you are quite the fascinating one."

He quirked an eyebrow. "Fascinating enough that you'd try to nudge my emotions in your favor?"

Elise gave a mock gasp, placing a hand over her chest. "Would I do such a thing?"

Sol scoffed. "Blatantly."

She laughed again, the melodic sound carrying in the quiet space around them. "Fine. You caught me. Consider it a harmless test."

"Harmless is subjective," Sol muttered, rolling his shoulders before nodding at her. "Alright, you've had your fun. Let's talk. What does the infamous Madam Elise want with little old me?"

Her expression shifted slightly, her playful demeanor settling into something more measured, more serious. "I want to offer you something, Sol. Something that I believe would be in both our best interests."

Sol's smirk didn't fade, but his gaze sharpened. "I'm listening."

Elise tilted her head slightly, observing him before continuing. "I need someone with your particular talents, Sol. You have a reputation now—one that both intrigues and unsettles people. That kind of notoriety can be useful."

Sol chuckled, leaning back against the fountain. "So, you're interested in me because I scare people? That's not exactly a rare skill in the underworld."

Elise smirked. "No, it's not. But you… you're different. People don't just fear you. They don't understand you. And fear of the unknown? That's far more powerful than brute force."

Sol's eyes narrowed slightly. "And what exactly would you like me to do with that power?"

She exhaled softly, her expression calm but calculating. "Work with me. I don't need an enforcer or a bodyguard—I need someone unpredictable. Someone the other players can't figure out."

Sol raised an eyebrow. "You mean you want a wild card."

Elise's smile widened slightly. "Exactly."

He let out a slow breath, studying her. "And what do I get out of this?"

She leaned forward slightly, golden eyes gleaming. "Protection, resources, and a seat at the table. You'd have access to places even the most powerful in the underworld can't reach. You'd get to play the game from a vantage point no one else has."

Sol tapped his fingers against the stone surface, considering. "And what if I say no?"

Elise's expression didn't change, but there was a knowing look in her eyes. "Then you'll continue walking alone, dodging people who don't know what to make of you. Eventually, someone will figure out how to corner you. I'm offering you an advantage, not a leash."

Sol let the silence stretch between them, then smirked. "You really know how to make an offer sound tempting."

She chuckled. "It's a gift."

He exhaled, glancing up at the swirling nebula above them. "Alright. Let's say I'm interested. What's the first step?"

Elise's smile lingered, but there was a deeper calculation in her gaze now. "First, we need to establish trust. Not just between us, but in the eyes of those watching. You may not realize it, but there are always eyes on people like us."

Sol arched a brow. "And here I thought I was the paranoid one."

"Paranoia keeps people alive," Elise said smoothly. "And right now, you're an enigma to the underworld. That works in your favor, but it also paints a target on your back. If you work with me, we shape that perception to our advantage."

Sol crossed his arms. "So, what, you want me to put on a show? Make people think I'm on your side?"

Elise tilted her head, her fox tails flicking lazily behind her. "Something like that. There's a deal coming up—a high-stakes exchange between some very important people. I want you to be there."

Sol tapped his fingers against his arm. "And what exactly would I be doing?"

"Observing. Listening. Making your presence known just enough to keep them uneasy," Elise said, watching him carefully. "I need to see how certain individuals react to you. There are people in this city who have their own plans, and I want to know who they see you as—an asset, a threat, or a wildcard."

Sol narrowed his eyes slightly. "And what do you see me as?"

Elise smiled again, this time with a glint of intrigue in her golden eyes. "I see potential. But potential is a fickle thing. It can be wasted or harnessed. Which path you take? That's entirely up to you."

Sol exhaled, rolling his shoulders. "Alright. Say I agree. When and where is this little gathering?"

Elise's tails flicked again as she leaned back gracefully. "Tomorrow night. I'll send the details to your communicator. Dress sharp, Sol. First impressions matter."

Sol's demeanor suddenly shifted. The playful air around him dissipated, replaced by something colder, sharper. He let out a sigh before fixing Elise with an unimpressed stare. "I think you're mistaken about a couple of things first."

Elise, who had been expecting a smooth transition into negotiations, frowned slightly. "Oh? And how so?"

Sol scoffed, his gaze unwavering. "Protection? Resources? A seat at some stupid table? Do you think I lack those? Do you think I'm stupid enough to cause such a mess if I couldn't handle it? Protection? What a joke. You all act as if you know a single thing about me. I'm not scared of confrontation. Hell, I welcome it. In my eyes, this game you people keep trying to put me in is nothing but a joke. So don't come to me boldly claiming you can offer me protection. And why would I be interested in a seat at your table? I see nothing to gain from it except more annoyance."

His voice was calm, but the iciness in his tone sent a shiver down Elise's spine. 

For the first time in a long while, she was speechless. She had thought the conversation was going well, had expected Sol to at least entertain the notion of working together. Her research on him was limited, but she had assumed he was nothing more than a wild stray—useful, unpredictable, and moldable. But now she saw she had miscalculated. 

Sol was anything but that.

Her golden eyes studied him carefully, recalibrating her assessment. He wasn't an asset to be molded; he was a force unto himself. The way he carried himself, the unwavering confidence, the sheer defiance in his words—it was the mark of someone who had never relied on anyone but himself. And someone like that… was dangerous.

Still, Elise was nothing if not adaptable. She allowed a small, amused smile to return to her lips, though inwardly, she remained far more cautious now. "I see," she said finally, her voice smooth, betraying none of her wariness. "Then tell me, Sol, if all of this is just a joke to you… what is it that you actually want?"

Sol leaned back, his eyes drifting toward the swirling nebulae above them. For a moment, he looked lost in thought before exhaling heavily. "Originally? I just wanted to be a bartender."

Elise blinked, caught off guard by the unexpected answer. Of all the things she had anticipated, that was not one of them. "A bartender?" she echoed, tilting her head slightly.

Sol sighed again, running a hand through his hair. "Yeah. A simple life. No power plays, no schemes. Just serving drinks and watching the world pass by. But since all of you clowns want me to join in on this joke, I might as well show you what a real mess truly is." He smiled then, a soft, innocent expression—yet something about it made Elise's pulse quicken with unease. "Just hope you won't regret it later."

Elise kept her expression composed, but deep inside, a realization settled within her. She had miscalculated—again. This wasn't just a reckless wildcard she could steer. Sol was something far more dangerous: a man who had no real attachment to the game yet played it better than those who lived for it. And now, after hearing his words, she wasn't entirely sure if bringing him into her orbit was a smart decision at all.

His innocent smile looked anything but innocent to her.

Sol didn't let her dwell on the thought for long. He straightened up and stretched slightly before flashing her a lazy grin. "I'm not cheap, by the way. If you want me on your side, I'd better see some sincerity."

Elise let out a soft chuckle before pulling out her communicator. Sol, noticing the motion, instinctively pulled out his own. Without a word, Elise tapped her device against his, and a soft chime signaled the transaction. A moment later, a notification flashed across Sol's screen: 5 million credits transferred.

His entire demeanor shifted instantly. The innocent, calculating look in his eyes was replaced with something far greedier—his gaze locked onto Elise as if she had suddenly transformed into a walking piggy bank. 

With the biggest smile he could muster, Sol clasped his hands together, his tone dripping with admiration. "Boss, you're so generous! I knew working for you was the right call! This is exactly why I ignored all those cheap bastards."

Elise blinked, caught off guard by the sheer speed of his mood swing. One second, he had been calculating and cold—the next, he was practically worshiping her. 

Sol stood up, still grinning ear to ear. "Alright then, boss! I'll see you tomorrow! Can't keep you waiting now, can I?" he said, waving exaggeratedly as he turned to leave, still throwing compliments her way.

Elise watched him go, utterly baffled by what had just transpired. She rubbed her temples, muttering under her breath, "I hired a fucking psychopath."