Meerjou exhaled to calm her nerves. The target's right there... I just have to somehow lead her to the back and she's a goner. Meerjou thought.

Meerjou did a quick scan of the surrounding people. Someone's approaching her! Meerjou realized. I have to act fast. She thought. The man approaching her didn't exactly look like he was having a good time, but he was definitely trying to approach the target.

The man was a little taller than Meerjou, with red curly hair that covered his eyes. He had a dignified, freckled nose and rough skin. He seemed a little anxious, or perhaps troubled? It was hard to tell with his eyes covered.

He was wearing a black button up shirt and had the sleeves rolled up to his elbows with some nice black slacks and dress shoes. There's no way she says no to him. Just look at him! Wait- no, I'm supposed to be stopping him. Meerjou thought. He had broad shoulders and a secretive aura to him.

Meerjou took in a deep breath, and without really thinking, she grabbed the man by the hand and pulled him away.

"H-hey!" the man exclaimed. Meerjou pulled him into a dark corner of the club.

"Sir, just go for anyone else here. There are plenty of fish in the-" Meerjou started.

"I'm here on business. Not by leisure," the man said. He had a deep, gravelly voice that sent a chill down Meerjou's spine.

"Well I'm also here on business, and I have business with her specifically," Meerjou explained.

"So do I," the man said.

"Wait," Meerjou started.

"No..." the man groaned.

"Don't tell me you're here to assassinate her," Meerjou said.

"I don't know, are you?" the man asked.

"That prick!" Meerjou exclaimed.

"Yeah. Wow. Two assassins for one girl. Didn't even think to let us know," the man grumbled.

"Wanna split the money?" Meerjou asked smugly.

"Only if you do half the work. How much are you getting paid?" the man asked.

"Ten thousand," Meerjou said.

"six thousand," the man said.

"So... eight thousand each?" Meerjou offered.

"How does that benefit you?" the man asked.

"As a girl, it's much more difficult to get another girl's attention, so... you're making my job a lot easier here," Meerjou explained.

"Fair enough. Meet out back," the man said. "I'll be there in a few, take out the cameras," he added, walking back over to her.

Meerjou walked out to the back as he instructed and looked for cameras. I don't think there are any out here. Meerjou thought.
She sighed, when suddenly, a deep, low growling came from behind the dumpster. It was dark, and the downpour had returned back to the light drizzle.

Meerjou whirled around to see two eyes glaring at her. The creature bared giant, sharp teeth at her. Meerjou was paralyzed by the creature's eyes, too afraid to move.

Meerjou suddenly found the strength to move when she heard the click of the back door. She quickly leaped to the rooftop and hid. She watched as the other assassin and the target, Ellie, walked outside. The other assassin cleared his throat.

"Well? What did ya bring me out here for handsome?" Ellie asked the other assassin. Ellie couldn't have possibly been more drunk while remaining conscious. Considering her heavily slurred speech and the saliva spraying from her mouth when she spoke. The other assassin wrapped his arms around Ellie and leaned in like he was going to kiss her but instead slammed her head against the brick wall.

"Kitty," the other assassin murmured. A giant doberman appeared from behind the dumpster, and without hesitation, leaped onto Ellie, tearing her apart while the other assassin kept her from speaking or screaming. It was a completely silent assassination, and when she finally died, Meerjou jumped down from the roof with a trash bag.

"Dismember her. We need to go," the other assassin said.

"With what? I had to go through a metal detector!" Meerjou explained.

"Fine. Use this," the other assassin said, pulling a dagger out of his shoe and tossing it over to Meerjou.

"How'd you-" she started.

"Don't ask questions. If you won't do it then I will," the other assassin said. Meerjou nodded, and looked at the dagger. It had a cool purple glow, like it was enchanted.

Meerjou started slicing up what was left of Ellie and shoving it into the trash bag. When she finished, she tied the trash bag with a pretty bow, and slung it over her shoulder.

"Great. Now what?" Meerjou asked. At the same time, both her and the other assassin froze. The click of a doorknob behind them. Crap. Meerjou thought.

"Woah hahaha, what're- what're you guys, hiding a body?" a man asked. He stumbled out of the door, clearly hammered. The doberman snarled at him. "Hehe... hi puppy!" the guy said, reaching down to pet the doberman.

"Just taking out the garbage," the other assassin said, deadpanning the man.

"Haha... okay! Hey, hey, are you guys killers?" the guy asked with a hiccup.

"Just garbage collectors," the other assassin said.

"Oka-y!" the guy said, passing out right then and there.

"Enough loligagging. Let's go," the other assassin said. Meerjou followed the other assassin and his dog through alleyways and ridiculous detours, until they ended up in someone's backyard.

It was the dead of the night when they got there, and the other assassin took the trash bag from Meerjou, and started towards the house.

"Is this your place?" Meerjou asked.

"It's my brother's. He's away right now," the other assassin said.

"Oh, by the way," Meerjou started. The other assassin tilted his head to look at her. "I never caught your name! I'm Meerjou," Meerjou smiled, offering her hand for a hand shake.

"Rory," the other assassin said, gently pushing her hand away.

"Not the friendly type? Heh. I can identify with that," Meerjou smirked.

"Great," Rory grumbled. "The client should be here in a few hours," Rory said, stuffing the trash bag under the back porch.

"We're still splitting the money right?" Meerjou asked.

"Only if you still want to," Rory said, unlocking the back door.

"Yikes. All business huh? C'mon! We just killed a gal and we're about to get paid! Lighten up a bit!" Meerjou smiled.

"We were almost caught," Rory snapped.

"Key word 'almost,' it was still successful and I say we have a mini celebration for collaborating so well despite the short notice," Meerjou said. Rory opened the back door and held it open from the inside. Rory sighed, and drooped his head.

"I'll see what I can find for said 'celebration,'" He grumbled. Meerjou smiled, and walked into the house, the doberman filing in behind her. When Meerjou walked in, she was completely underwhelmed.

It was old as hell inside. Wallpaper was peeling off the walls and half the furniture was broken somehow. "I'm sure my brother had brownies somewhere," Rory said, rummaging through the cupboards. Meerjou gingerly sat in one of the chairs.

"Brownies?" Meerjou asked with an awkward smile.

"Yup. Unless he took them with him, which it seems he did," Rory said, closing the cupboards. Rory sat in the chair across from Meerjou and deadpanned her.

"So... Rory!" Meerjou said, forcing a smile.

"Hm?" Rory grunted, leaning back in his chair.

"What do you like to do in your spare time?" Meerjou asked.

"Read," Rory said simply.

"Cool! I like to catch up with friends and play with my cat!" Meerjou smiled.

"So you're a cat person?" Rory grumbled.

"I guess you could say that..." Meerjou said. Rory was silent after that. "Whaddya like to read?" Meerjou asked, trying to keep the conversation from dying.

"Books," Rory said simply. Meerjou sighed.

"What kinds of books?" Meerjou asked.

"The kind that you read," Rory said. Meerjou sucked in a sharp, exasperated breath.

"Touche," she said. "Well then. What about your dog?" Meerjou asked.

"What about him?" Rory asked. Meerjou groaned.

"Why are you so difficult?!" She complained, leaning back in her chair.

"Why do you whine so much?" Rory asked, resting his cheek on his hand. He doesn't want to talk. Does he? Meerjou thought with a disappointed sigh.

"Aces, you're quite the Scrooge huh?" Meerjou sighed.

"Humbug," Rory said halfheartedly.

"Hmm... no, you're the Grinch and your dog is Max. Yeah that fits better," Meerjou said.

"His name is Kitty-" Rory started.

"Ooh! I'm like the little girl! Ah... what's her name again? Cindy Lou!" Meerjou exclaimed, interrupting Rory.

"Disagreed," Rory mumbled. "I never intended on stealing Christmas either," Rory added.

"You sure do act like it though," Meerjou chuckled.

"I've got nothing to give and nothing to get. It's just another day," Rory said. There was a moment of silence.

"What about your brother?" Meerjou asked.

"Psh. He's too caught up with exes and future exes to give a damn about me," Rory grumbled.

"I'm sure that's not true! He's letting you stay here isn't he?" Meerjou asked.

"He'd rather I didn't," Rory said.

"I'm sure he loves you!" Meerjou said. Rory sighed.

"Sure," he said solemnly.

"Would it kill ya to smile?" Meerjou asked.

"Don't know," Rory said.

"Well that's just sad," Meerjou said, crossing her arms.

"I guess," Rory shrugged. "Why do you care so much about my life? Can't we just sit here in silence or something?" Rory asked. Meerjou glared at him.

"Y'know, this doesn't really feel like a 'celebration' anymore," Meerjou sighed.

"My bad. Want me to blow up some balloons?" Rory asked sarcastically.

"You're mean," Meerjou mumbled. Rory grunted in response. Meerjou let out a long, heavy sigh. "You're so boring!" Meerjou complained with exasperation. "When's the client getting here? It feels like we've been here for-ever!" Meerjou groaned.

"We've been here for ten minutes," Rory said. Meerjou plopped her head on the table upon hearing that. "What's your favorite color?" Rory asked. He does want to talk to me! Meerjou thought gleefully, picking her head up off the table.

"Sky blue," Meerjou smiled.

"What's your cat's name?" Rory asked.

"Nemo," Meerjou said.

"What's your favorite food?" Rory asked.

"Dumplings!" Meerjou beamed.

"What's your least favorite food?" Rory asked, tilting his head.

"Spinach," Meerjou sighed.

"Favorite flower?" Rory asked.

"Hm, that's a tough one, but I think Morning Glory flowers are really pretty," Meerjou said.

"Favorite animal?" Rory asked. "There's a correct answer to this one," Rory warned.

"Uh... dogs?" Meerjou guessed.

"Good," Rory said. "What's your favorite subject?" Rory asked.

"Lunch," Meerjou said.

"Fair enough. Have I asked enough questions yet?" Rory asked. Oh, he doesn't... want to talk to me. Meerjou thought with disappointment.

"I can't figure you out," Meerjou sighed. Rory tilted his head. "I mean, one moment you're super nice and the next you're all grumbly and mean," Meerjou sighed. Rory shrugged.

"It's all the same to me. I can't tell," Rory said.

"How numb-" Meerjou started, when a knock on the door interrupted her. Rory stood up and answered it. Meerjou turned her head, and saw the client standing in the doorway. It was daylight outside, and in the light Meerjou could see the client more clearly.

He was definitely half Guardzard, his skin turning a pale green in the sun. A thin, spiked tail swayed behind him, and he had clawed hands.

"I'm here to pick up Ellie," the client said.

"Payment?" Rory asked. The client handed Rory a stack of cash, and Meerjou walked up to him and leaned in the doorway. She cleared her throat and glared at him.

"I see you two teamed up!" the client smiled nervously.

"Yeah. You're gonna pay her too, right?" Rory asked. The client chuckled nervously, and Rory lifted him by the shirt collar. "Right?" he asked.

"Of course! Of course!" the client said. Rory put him down, and the client handed Meerjou the money she was owed.

"She's under the porch in the backyard," Rory said.

"In a trash bag," Meerjou added.

"Awesome! I'll leave her disposal to you guys," the client said.

"Nah," Rory said, shaking his head.

"Yeah that wasn't... in our contract..." Meerjou said.

"You inconvenienced us enough by not telling us we were gonna be buddied up, you're disposing of her," Rory said in a threatening tone.

"Oh..." the client sighed, pleasure filling his eyes.

"Drop the act! You didn't act like this when I yelled at you yesterday!" Rory snapped.

"Fine! I'll dispose of her!" the client exclaimed.

"Good. Meerjou, go get the girl," Rory ordered. There was a moment of silence among the three. "Please?" Rory asked.

"Of course!" Meerjou smiled.