On the outskirts of the city, bordering the slums, stood a humble coffee shop. It exuded a charming aura, from the gentle aroma of coffee beans to the gorgeous barista that operated the whirring machines.
Within its sphere, everything seemed to take on a warm, orange tint that could only be found in the unique environment of coffee shops. As the sun descended to the west and flicked speckles of pink, purple, and orange over the sky, Joan patiently sat before King.
Her reunion with her previous mentor was nothing short of odd. Who would've imagined these circumstances? Never would Joan have imagined that she'd come back in time with a chip planted in her brain.
In front of her sat Thales, who stared at the swirling clouds of white gliding over the soft brown of his latte. His eyes were glazed over with mesmerization as the melting cream hypnotized him.
"Why'd you agree? He's nothing but trouble," PK questioned.
"Think about it for once," Joan scoffed. "You wanted me to unite the four gangs. Here's an easy gateway to the White Snakes."
Thales's head snapped up, and he seemed to realize what he came here for. "What did you say?"
"Nothing," Joan brushed it off. "What did you want to talk to me about."
Thales grinned. His boyish grin was something so familiar in this unfamiliar world. After coming back to the past, it seemed like the only thing that had stayed the same was Thales's mischievous grin.
Joan's feelings for him were mixed. His training methods were questionable, but he was good at his job. And before now, he'd never given her a reason to hate him. But after the unexpected ambush with the White Snakes and Immortals, she couldn't help but have her guard built slightly higher around him.
"Aren't you curious?"
"Get to the point," Joan snapped.
Thales complied. "Join the White Snakes," he said with all seriousness, but Joan couldn't take him seriously.
"Funny." She sarcastically laughed. "What did you really call me here for?"
Thales took a sip of his latte. The pale cream attached itself to his upper lip, giving him an odd resemblance to Santa Claus. He grinned and took the opportunity to lick the cream off suggestively.
Joan scowled at his poor attempt. Instead of wiping it off, he smeared the cream into a liquidy white mess of a mustache.
"I said what I said," Thales said, wiping away the cream on the back of his hand.
"Why?" Joan asked.
"Why what?"
"Why should I join?"
Thales grinned. He'd been waiting for that question. "How much money do you need? I've got enough to pay off whatever debt, rent, or shit you have hanging over your head."
Joan raised her brow. "And what makes you think I have shit hanging over my head?"
"C'mon," Thales chuckled. "You live in the slums. Of course you have shit you need to pay off."
"And what about you?" Joan probed. "You're well off, so why are you still in the slums?"
She knew Thales was from a wealthy family. It was the reason why he'd landed a job with the Superhuman Division in the first place.
Thales widened his eyes. Other than Isaac Louise, the leader of the Immortals, nobody should have known. But he was confident Isaac wasn't loose-lipped, so how had Rem found out? The air of amusement disappeared from Thales's eyes. In its place remained suspicion.
"How do you know that?" Thales asked.
Joan frowned, unaware that he'd been keeping his rich lineage under lock and key. "What? Is it some secret?"
Yes. Yes, it actually is.
Thales clenched his fist. "So, you're not the only one who knows then."
Joan examined him, unable to tell what he was so upset about.
"But that's beside the point," Thales brushed it off. He'd make sure to investigate it later. "How much do you need? 1,000? 5,000? 10,000?"
It was unlike Thales to use money to get what he wanted. He'd taught Joan to use violence to achieve her goals, so his blatant attempt at bribery provoked Joan's raised eyebrow. What had happened between now and 20 years from now that made him change so much?
"As a government employee, you're not allowed to take government bribes," PK chirped.
Joan huffed. "But, it's okay if I beat up high schoolers?"
PK contemplated her question. "Well, yes."
Joan shook her head. "Sorry I can't accept your money."
Thales frowned. "20,000?"
"No. No amount of money is going to make me join the White Snakes."
Thales leaned back in his chair and began to tap his foot anxiously. "Are you already with another gang? Don't worry. We can protect you."
"That's not-"
"Does it go against your morals? You need to wake-"Thales interrupted.
"That's not it eith-"
"I can accommodate a child, even," Thales nodded.
Joan reeled in confusion. "A child? What are you talking about?" she spat. Her hostile tone didn't affect Thales, who continued to throw words from his mouth.
"I said it just in case there was a single motherhood situation. If not-"
Joan hugged. "Do I look like a single mother to you?"
Thales paused. "Well…Yes, I mean no. Wait, Rem. Rem!" Thales stood from his chair. "Where are you going?"
Joan had stood from her chair and began to make her way out of the coffee shop. "You're wasting my time."
"Rem, Rem, Rem. Hear me out. I didn't mean the single motherhood thing," he blabbed. "I was just-"
Joan stared at him, incredulously. Was he always this annoying? A soft croissant in the hands of a teenage girl caught her eye. Joan yanked it from her hands and stuffed the luxurious bread into Thales's mouth.
"Shut up," she hissed as she strode out of the shop.
The teenage girl looked up hopelessly at the three dollar croissant gagging Thales's mouth. Thales stared back with the same amount of incredulity.
He hastily put the croissant back in her hands. "Sorry, that was all her." Thales brushed the croissant with his hand, attempting to cleanse it of his germs. "It's good now," he grinned and patted the girls back. "Rem! Rem! Wait for me!"