Zev accepted his presence simply, and it was this air of acceptance that Enzo appreciated about his acquaintance. Despite his penchant for social niceties, there was no need to put on airs for Zev–they could cut straight to the chase without pretending there might be more innocuous reasons for his appearance at the hotel.[break][break]

“An unfortunate truth,” he replied with a desolate sigh. At one time, he’d considered setting up there given the bustle that Slateport seemed rife with. But no, business did better here where it was a slight degree removed. A destination location. And if someone really wished to hide out or find a particular type of work, they now knew Mossdeep was good for it. “Glad to hear Howling is servicing you well, however.”[break][break]

Enzo listened as the other man went on about the state of affairs elsewhere, nodding at the appropriate moments with quiet hums as he sipped from his glass. “I suppose if war is what it must come to, then we have no choice but to prepare.” His head rolled to the side to look over at Zev, a lax smile curling the edge of his mouth. “So long as they don’t do battle in my foyer, they can level the rest of the city as much as they please.”[break][break]

The rule of civility continued to be set hard and fast here. But that did not mean Enzo himself was wholly pristine, even as he played at being somewhat neutral despite his obvious alignments. Outside of his management, however, he wasn’t always so pristine in his actions.[break][break]

That, however, was of little importance at present. Enzo was much more curious about what Zev might need from him. And if not from him, then from here. “To what do I owe the pleasure?”

[break][break]
Zev Harcourt | m: sleepless in slateport

[attr="class","milkcredit"] [attr="class","fas fa-cookie-bite"]

He didn’t have ties to consider here. There were, perhaps, a few individuals he’d care enough to see safe if the world began to crumble and deteriorate around them, but Enzo was a solo operative for exactly those reasons. Avoiding excess attachment meant avoiding both vulnerability and reckless action. Idly, he wondered what Zev might hold dear. If he did.[break][break]

Enzo hummed in thought, the sound low in his throat. “I can understand the struggle.” It wasn’t just ammo that had become more difficult to import, but nearly everything necessary for jobs like theirs. “I’m afraid to say I’ve been in much the same boat for the past few months.”[break][break]

His head tilted as he considered the available options. There were other means of doing what was necessary, of course. Such as training, like Zev had been recommended. However, it wasn’t all that helpful in a pinch, wasn’t it? In situations where pokemon might not be as easily accessible as an inanimate weapon.[break][break]

“I’ve managed to find a few. Scarce though they may be.” Still, however, there were more factors to consider. Would it help him, or harm him if he gave up the few names he’d managed to scrape together since the dome had come down? Would it mean he lost out on some aspects of business because that business was being shifted elsewhere?[break][break]

Rather than readily offer, Enzo held his tongue in favor of how Zev might proceed–if he’d barter, or ask outright. He downed the remnants of his old fashioned and wrapped his knuckles on the bartop in request for a fresh drink.

[break][break]
Zev Harcourt | m: sleepless in slateport

[attr="class","milkcredit"] [attr="class","fas fa-cookie-bite"]

“I don’t disagree.” He eyed Zev over the rim of his glass, “it’s unfortunate, having to make due.” But what else was there to be done? Closing doors because of the dome’s persistence was out of the question. At least misery loves company, and he didn’t mind commiserating a bit.[break][break]

Enzo’s head lolled to one side, the motion fluid as he rolled his neck in show of lazy thought. It was more calculated than it appeared—but then, most things about him were carefully tailored. Keeping the baser, more brutal aspects of his nature at bay.[break][break]

What did he want?[break][break]

His middle finger tapped against his glass, the gold ring nestled there making it clink. one, two, three. He wouldn’t lie, Zev’s services had proven useful in the past and he had no doubt they would continue to be so effective. However…[break][break]

“I’m more interested in future prospect, Mr. Harcourt,” he finally said after another measured swallow of liquor. “I help you know, you help me later. On my call, no negotiation.” Enzo pulled back his suit jacket to pull free a lighter and silver case of rolled cigarettes.[break][break]

Plucking one free, he stuck it in the corner of his mouth before holding the tin out in silent offering.


[break][break]
Zev Harcourt | m: sleepless in slateport

[attr="class","milkcredit"] [attr="class","fas fa-cookie-bite"]

He could be patient as Zev did mental evaluations on the offer he proposed. In truth, Enzo did not have any current jobs that would suit the skillset Zev had. So, in his opinion, it would be far more sensible to have an option for some future endeavor.[break][break]

And it was not something Enzo would abuse. A deal was a deal, and though he could cheat and scheme as much as befitted someone who had crawled his way from the gutters to reach the place he sat in now, he did not go out of his way to double cross those who proved reliable.[break][break]

To his credit, Zev fell into that category for the hotel owner.[break][break]

Enzo smiled, serpentine in nature. Fluid curl of the lips as heavy-lidded lilac eyes fixated on the end of his cigarette as he lit it, then slowly drifted back up to Zev. The tip of the cig glowed orange and he inhaled, exhaling a lazy stream of grey away from his companion’s direction.[break][break]

Then, plucking it free from between his teeth, Enzo offered his free hand toward the assassin. Handshake deal. “One favor is fine. Even just that is a good card to have in hand.”[break][break]

Only after the physical signifier would he consider leading Zev to his study, to pull a list of suppliers kept safe and sound in his personal files.

[break][break]
Zev Harcourt | m: sleepless in slateport

[attr="class","milkcredit"] [attr="class","fas fa-cookie-bite"]