The flick of Brian's lighter is heard inside of his dilapidated home. The state of it is in shambles... broken glass, no front door, and the victim of at least one bum raid while he was away briefly resulting in tossed furniture and rummaged through belongings. If there was one thing Brian's father did it was keep the house in complete order. Similar to his choom Nicholas' place... it was spotless in times past... a direct contrast to the current condition. As Brian smokes he thinks about how pissed his father would be to see it... and how uninterested he personally is in fixing it back up. The metaphor of times changing in Brian's life are clearly seen through his home.
Zaunya sat back on the couch with her long slender legs crossed already smoking watches Brian slowly pace back and forth in the living room. Its clear due to their energy and body language that a conversation has happened prior to them being back at his place.
"So who's this for." Brian asks finally breaking the silence.
"What?"
"The gig, who gave you the job."
"This isn't a gig... just a... solo endeavor... why?"
"Any significant moves made in this city always catch a whiff from fixers..." He turns away and walks towards one of the houses front windows scanning outside before continuing slightly under his breath. "Especially in this shithole where nothings ever going on... That car chase and shootout raised some serious ears by now i'm sure. It gets easier to decipher the difference between a random street spat and a fallout amongst corpo huscle."
He looks back at Zaunya and catches her subtle reaction to the claim before continuing. "6th street is everywhere in this neighborhood... but when it comes to who could've took it in such a small time frame.. you won't have to look far."
Zaunya takes a drag of her smoke "Your neighbor said there was only one."
"Only one he saw." Brian takes a drag. "Remember... he doesn't know shit outside of those window views." He pauses briefly while changing subject. "Did you check the angles while we were up there."
"Yeah." She responds
Brian starts to continue, "Two blindspots in the backyard window and-"
"One in the front on the-" Zaunya says.
"Right side." They both say in sync. The chemistry gives Zaunya some levity while discomforting Brian and making him pause while shaking his head slightly. He turns back around and continues. "And what's on that right side blindspot out the front window?" He says as he can't help himself but test her ability to observe.
"The street." Zaunya replies figuring it out.
"And you're telling me you have NO idea who it could've been."
Zaunya takes another drag before flicking her cig out the front window. "I was chased to Arroyo... had no business here." She glances outside before licking her lips and putting her black leather facemask back on... Brian catches another glimpse of her defined scar... running from her neck up to her jawline... just like his fresh wound but on the opposite end of her face. "They mirror each other..." He thinks to himself. She continues. "Honestly have never really been down here before outside of the occasional flyby."
"There's an outfit across the street that i know... ran by one Rick Forrester... real bleeding heart this guy. Been a 6th streeter for as long as I can remember. They get first dibs on pick throughs in the neighborhood whenever something like yesterday goes down. They tend to be far more... proactive than they really need to be lets say. Tried to get me to join once upon a time but..." Brian catches himself before finishing the thought. He changes the subject. "His crews small... but loyal... only 4 or 5 em i think... We should go have a talk with em."
"A talk..? Really..? That's the plan..?" Zaunya chuckles
Brian flicks his cig out the same window she did before glancing at her. She continues.
"I'm familiar with how these things go... But yeah, lets talk." The pair share a silence with each other for a brief moment as they prepare to leave. Zaunya breaks the silence. "Y'know... you haven't asked me any-"
"If you don't know the how... i'm not even gonna bother with the why." Another pause takes place before Brian looks directly at her.. "Not yet at least."
She breaks eye contact before Brian continues.
"First move is ours... alot of advantages to that when dealing with a situation like this. Information is key when searching around in the dark... especially around here. I know this asshole as well so.. that helps." Brian realizes hes thinking out loud before turning the thoughts towards Zaunya. "Just be discreet alright? Wait for me to move first." He says impatient.
"Oh, you think i can't be?" She raises her eyebrows and smirks forcing her cheeks slightly above her facemask.
Brian scoffs. "Yeah.. lets avoid burned rubber car chases and neighborhood shootouts alright?"
Zaunya gets up off of the couch and stands in front of Brian nodding her head in silent agreement.
He's again taken aback by her slender 6 foot 2 frame matching his height almost exactly... him being slightly taller. He returns the nod... looking at her emerald green eyes... This hits him with a wave of discomfort before turning to walk out the front door. The pair exit his home.