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"You know, I'd be in trouble if the boys figure I'm seein' you here."
The drawling falsetto was easy on the ears just as the heart-shaped face of the raven-haired woman dressed like a street hooker was easy on the eyes and Joseph merely smirked as he held her well-manicured hand in his own and kissed it on the knuckles.
"And yet you're here darlin'. Couldn't keep away for long eh?"
The Agent offered teasingly as his gaze darted around the smokey bar for a bit, looking for any red flags or suspicious behavior from the late-night crew who were holed up in the establishment with him; Some were cops off-duty, a couple of civilians who were clearly teetering the state's legal limit when it came to alcohol, others wore sharp suits and sat in corners discussing among themselves but as far as he could see, none of the attention had been focused upon himself and the young woman who was just one in a growing line of informants.
"You drive a hard bargain with that charm...and then some."
The pout on those rose-red lips turned into a small, wistful smile as she spotted the tiny owl chick nestled in his lap attempting to get a good look at what was going on over the table, one she extended a finger to and the smile only grew wider as she watched the creature nibble on it gently.
"I haven't seen one of those since I was a child. Popular with little girls. Funny though, you don't quite seem the type."
"Nah, s'a gift for my daughter. Figure she could use a friend what with her Papa bein' busy with work and chasin' smoke trails an' words in the wind day in and day out yaknow."
said the ex-con with a light chuckle, and he noted the way her eyes misted over with a warmth he'd only seen in the fairer gender when children came up. It wasn't the entire truth, but it would do for now to put her at ease with trusting him. A soft click of the tongue, and Adirael had disappeared into the cozy safety of his jacket once more and he leaned forward in interest.
"So you got something about that double homicide last Friday down in the red district for me?"
There was a wordless gesture for him to come a little closer from the woman who did the same, and he obliged only to feel her fingers pull at his lapels so she could drag him into a kiss. There was no protestation on his part as he went along like it was a role well-rehearsed and already he could feel some prying eyes looking away instantly. Oldest trick of the book, public displays of affection were certain to make others uncomfortable enough to turn elsewhere.
"An argument over some bets. Illegal pitfighting ring, they change locations every week. Sometimes the suburbs, sometimes the sewers, sometimes the abandoned warehouses down south."
The soft mewling came as she lapped at him open-mouthed and he reciprocated earnestly.
"The same one the popo's been huntin' down for a few months now yeah?"
came the husky whisper by her ear as Joseph allowed the heat of his breath to send shivers down her spine.
"Think you can get me on the inside?"
"For a price."
came the sultry whisper as she traced a finger along the cut of his jaw when they parted, and he could already see the flush rising up her neck betraying latent desires and the kind of price she was seeking.
"Perhaps we can talk about this personally somewhere a little more......private?"
"Yeah."
He dug into his wallet, pulling out a specific amount of money he'd memorized by now as well as a pen and scrap of paper to scrawl on the name of a hotel and a room.
"Take this. Book it under Jose Aguilar. Make sure you're unlisted, don't open the door for no one 'cept myself. I'll see you in a few hours."
Nodding curtly, the young woman finished up what remained of her Long Island iced tea and got to her feet to blow him a kiss before stiletto high heels clacked and sauntered to the bar's entrance and overhead, the Murkrow who'd been watching their exchange fluttered down to perch on Joseph's shoulder.
"Follow her. Make sure she ain't bein' tailed and reaches the rendezvous spot safely aight?"
He murmured to the avian who bobbed a feathered head in affirmation before flapping after the informant and with that, the ex-con shifted towards the bar counter instead, slipping the Togepi chick out of his jacket now that the coast was clear.
"Don't look at me like that, Addie. Gotta do whatever it takes to get intel eh?"
He couldn't help but wither slightly under the Togepi's scolding glare, feeling her nip at his finger reproachfully even as that was offset by her crooning as she nestled close to his chest when he set her on the wooden tabletop.
The dandy-looking fellow ext to him owned a Ralts, similar to Siegfried though this one looked marginally friendlier and Joseph pursed his lips in mild annoyance as his mind wandered over to the surly fairykitten who'd been assigned with keeping tabs on him.
"A shot of Tequila, another of chilled sangrita."
He called over to the bartender who looked at him in inquiry, watching as the portly bartender immediately got to mixing his drink.
Turning his attention to the nameless dandy whose features were half-hidden behind a fedora, gesturing at the Ralts who was enjoying a drink of its own, hopefully not of the alcoholic variety.
"Looks pretty tame, that one. Had a couple of bad experiences with 'em. You had him for long?"
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