Tala/Scarlet above^^^

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I knock on the apartment door, Isa standing behind me. The door opens a second later, to reveal a girl of medium height. She had frizzy black hair, chocolate colored skin, and black framed glasses. She looks at me first, before her eyes flit to Isa.

She turns back to me. "I'm guessing you're Scarlet Wolf, but-" she turns to Isa again- "who are you?"

"I'm Shadow. Scarlet's apprentice," Isa replies in a surprisingly strong voice.

"Right," Sage says. "Well if you don't know, I'm Sage. You two need an informant, and I'm one of the best. So, what do you need information on?" She asks as she leads us inside her 'office', which is really just an apartment with a few computers at a desk surrounded by a couple chairs.

"On March 2, 2013, Emilia and Victor Morana were murdered in their family home. The murderer was never found, and I'm trying to track down whoever killed them. I need any information you can find from police files, newspaper articles, anything," I reply in a cold voice, trying not to give away my feelings.

"I can do that. Were they your parents or..." Sage trails off.

"Yes they were. In your research you will doubtlessly discover my real name. If you tell anyone my name or any other information about me, you'll figure out why I'm the city's best assassin," I threaten, because the last thing I need is the police or any gangs or criminals coming after me or by extension, Isa.

Sage rolls her eyes. "You don't think I don't know that? I deal with gangs every day. I know how to keep secrets."

"Good. Then you'll know how to keep mine," I reply. "Call me when you have the information."

"I'll call you within a week and a half. Pleasure doing business with you," Sage concluded, the last part said sarcastically. I took that as our cue to leave. Turning around, I walk past Isa, and out the door, Isa following behind me.

When we reach the street again, I stop and turn towards Isa. "I'm proud of you! You didn't stutter!" I exclaim. Isa smiles shyly, before it drops.

"Why were you so rude to Sage? I know it was a business deal, but she was perfectly polite to you, before you got all hostile and threatened her," Isa scolded.

"I can't have her telling my secrets. Informants get paid for information, and if someone pays her for my information, she might sell out. I've been dealing with people like Sage since Ced trained me. I know what I'm doing."

"That doesn't give you an excuse to be rude! In fact, being rude to your informant just makes it more likely that she'll sell you out!"

I pause after this. Isa did make a good point, I guess. And if Sage did sell me out, she'd be selling Isa out by relation, and I promised she wouldn't get involved in my business if she didn't want to. Isa obviously did, but I still don't want her getting hurt because of my job.

"Ok," I concede. "You're right. Being rude doesn't help me. I'll try to be nicer, but you'll have to help me. I've gotten this far by not getting attached, by being rude and distant. You'll have to help me change that." What I don't add is that she has already helped me. It's only been a few days, and I've already gotten attached to her, more so than I've gotten attached to Ced even.

Isa grins, blushing a little. "Ok! I will help you!"

We walk home, and I can't help but smile. All in all, a pretty good day so far.

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A/N- I'm so sorry this is super late! I was on vacation, and between hanging out with my family and the spotty connection there, I wasn't able to update until now. I should be back on my regular schedule, and if anything changes, I'll try to post an announcement. Thanks!