open Nothing personal, it's just business...

[nx9100 1,013]

"Home cooking?" Sakuya thought for a moment.  "I'd like to try that, someday.  And sure, you can come with.  In fact," she looked at the clock again, "why don't we skip the office and head straight to the warehouse.  After stopping for some food first," she said with a smirk.

[Gatekeeper Giggle 2,902]

Dividend Yield awoke to the sounds and smells of cooking food. Curious as to just what was going on, he quickly got out of bed, pushing the covers off of himself and stepping softly to the floor. He made his way through the warm morning light, heading to the closet. He pulled out one of his finest suits and put it on, and then made his way out of the bedroom and into the kitchen. He was greeted with the sight of Rhythmic Rhapodist making pancakes.

 

"You can cook?" Dividend Yield asked.

 

"But of course! We can't wait for room service, or we'll miss our appointment. Here, have a few of these so we can get going already!" Rhythmic Rhapodist replied. 

 

 

Rhythmic Rhapodist handed Dividend a plate of pancakes. Yield stared at the pancakes suspiciously for a few moments before hazarding a small bite. After waiting a few more moments, he wolfed down the rest of the pancakes in silence.  After he was done, he left the dirty plate and silverware on the table.

 

"Are you ready to go?"

 

"Almost."

 

Dividend Yield trotted off to the bathroom. There, he put on a dash of cologne and hastily brushed his teeth. He then rejoined Rhythmic Rhapodist in the kitchen.

 

"Alright, let's go." 

 

Without another word the two stallions made their way out of the apartment and exited the building, making their way towards where Ennex did business...

[Gloomfury 243]

@@nx9100,

 

 "Fantastico! We got a game plan." He said as he got his clothes back on. Then he went back over to Sakuya and rest his arms on her shoulders and hugged her around her neck." And when you're off work, maybe I could show you my home. I have a feeling ma will love you. But once you've had her cooking anything you try from that point on won't taste as phenomenal." He said with a smirk.

[nx9100 1,013]

She returned the hug, then pulled free to lead him out of the apartment.  "That does sound nice," she said, feeling a bit nervous.  Part of her was afraid things were moving a bit fast, but at least he's being kind about it.  "Come on," she said, heading for the elevator, "Lets go get some breakfast."  A short ride down, and they walked out the door together, getting a nod from the old door-pony.  

 

"Where did you want to eat?" she asked, once outside...

 

----------------

 

He finished the last danish, chasing it down with a gulp of hot chocolate, and studied the daily calendar the secretary had brought him.  There was a morning appointment with a pair of stallions, followed by a meeting with one of his 'managers' that afternoon.  With a sigh, Ennex sat back in his green-leather chair.  With Ravage away on an errand to Ponyville, and Sakuya scheduled on a delivery to Cloudsdale, he would be on his own most of the day...

[Gloomfury 243]

@@nx9100,

 

 Before he left with her he grabbed his bat and rest it on his shoulder. "I know a great place that a buddy of mine runs. Their three cheese vegetable omelette will blow your mind." He leaned close to her and lead her towards where the restaurant is. "Can I ask you something?"

[nx9100 1,013]

She followed along as he lead her down the street.  "Um, sure," she replied, "what's up?"

 

----------------

((filler))

 

Meanwhile, in a warehouse across town....

 

They were finishing loading large crates onto a wagon, as a pair of Pegasus ponies hitched themselves up to pull it.  The supervisor studied his clipboard, then his watch.  "Where is Miss Sakuya?" he wondered out loud....

[Gloomfury 243]

@@nx9100, 

 

"Are you comfortable with me being comfortable with you? I mean going with you to work, inviting you to meet my ma. I know most ponies who just became a 'thing' normally wouldn't be like this. I... I honestly don't know how I should act. I've never really... been in a relationship. Usually when a mare sees my eye, teeth or horn they take like their running from hells gate." His head went down.

[nx9100 1,013]

Sakuya smiled at him.  That was MY first impression, too, she thought.  "So, we're a 'thing' now, are we?" she teased.  "Honestly, I'm not really sure.  I've never had a relationship like that either.  Since I lost my mother, my life has been filled with violence, work, kinda-excitement, and so on.  Never had the chance to try something like this."  Her smile wavered.  "How about...  how about we just run with it and see where this takes us?"

[Gloomfury 243]

@@nx9100,

 

 "That seems like the best way to go about things. I don't want to seem like I'm trying too hard. Or come on too strong. I guess if we just be ourselves everything will be roses." He smiled and then lightly nuzzled her. "I hope you don't mind a little public affection. I just felt the need to nuzzle you."

[nx9100 1,013]

Once again, her cheeks warmed, and she nudged him playfully.  "Oh, stop it," she teased, "you're going to ruin both of our 'tough-pony' images!"  A flash of movement to the side caught her attention, and her head snapped around to look.  All she could see were the other ponies of the city, going about their own business.  But one stallion trying to look natural while walking away, was wearing a jacket with a familiar-looking grey delta on it.  Great, she thought, Ravage must have sent him to watch the place.  She sighed, and turned back to Malachi.  "Sorry, thought I recognized somepony.  So, where's breakfast?" 

[Gloomfury 243]

@@nx9100,

 

 "It's right up here." He said pointing at a small restaurant that didn't really stand out that much. But it had a good pit of customers that seems to be having a good time and really enjoying their meals. Some were even  dancing to the music being played. He led her to a table and took a seat. "And I'm not worried about my image. I'm already known as one of the toughest ponies in the city. I am also well liked even though I'm with the mob." He leaned against his seat and looked over the menu. "By the way, why is your bosses guard dog watching you, I notest him last night and that stallion who you  'thought you recognized' was fallowing us as soon as we left your apartment." He said without looking away form the menu.

[nx9100 1,013]

Sakuya sighed, lifting up her own menu.  "Ravage is... protective of Ennex.  He's been with the Organization since the beginning, way before I was recruited."  She studied the menu a moment.  "Honestly, I don't think he's ever really trusted me.  Probably thinks I'm just using Ennex."  That prompted a chuckle from her.  "As if anypony could use Ennex.  He's the one who uses us.  But as for back outside," she shrugged, "that was just one of his hired goons.  Knowing Ravage, he went off somewhere else, and sent that pony to watch my apartment."  A thought suddenly occurred to her.  I wonder if he's watching not be, but Malachi....

[Gloomfury 243]

"I think he's a little too protective of him. I never really liked guys like him. They kinda creep me out. I had a guy like that of a while. Had to fire him when my shirts started going missing." He shuttered. "If you want I can have one of my boys make sure they give ya some breathing room." He said with a smirk. "No killing of course, just... 'detaining'."

[nx9100 1,013]

Sakuya laughed.  "That's alright.  I've gotten used to it by now.  Just sometimes I forget.  Besides, Ravage would just take it as a challenge, and trust me, you don't want that.  Word has it he's taken down a full-grown dragon, by hoof.  And he's the primary reason nopony has ever challenger or tried to eliminate Ennex.  I don't know why he's so loyal, but I know this.  He won't hesitate to kill anypony who crosses him.  Trust me, I've seen it."  She looked to her menu.  "I'm not sure what to get.  You order for us."

[Gloomfury 243]

"Alrighty." He called over the waiter and place their order for a three cheese vegetable omelette with hash browns and two glasses of milk. "And a dragon? HA! That's nothing. I know at least three ponies who can do that. And I know one... well half a pony who took out about 200 dragons. So she tells me. But my point is just cause you're tough doesn't mean you need to be feared.

 

In fact I think I want to challenge Ennex's guard dog. Him and his strongest against me and my strongest. Not to the death because I still want to be on good terms with your boss. Just a a friendly competition of a little bloodshed."

[nx9100 1,013]

That got a smirk from Sakuya.  "It would be just you and him.  Ravage may use Ennex's thugs, but he doesn't train them or have his own.  He works solo, only ordering them when he needs to.  But he's an expert at hoof-to-hoof combat.  I don't know where, but he's had expert-level training."  She looked at Malachi with a frown.  "But that isn't why Ravage is feared.  He's never been bested in a fight, has no fear, and won't stop until either he's won.... or lost."

[Gloomfury 243]

@@nx9100, 

 

The wicked demon like grin that Malachi had when he first met Ennex came back.  He was starting to get excited. "Sounds like a friend of mine. He's the only pony I know who can best me in a fight. He's had top notch training as well. And a wrath that is almost impossible to stop. I swear, I would think we were kin. Because he looks like a demon of war when he's in the thick of battle. Plus he loves to fight as well. But his heart is kind of half dark and light like yours, but it also has gray in it. Which I've never seen from anyone other than him. That and he is the only earth pony I know who doesn't have his cutie and has teeth like a dog and eats meat along with greens."

Edited February 11, 2015 by Gloomfury

[nx9100 1,013]

This time, it was Sakuya's turn to smirk.  "Boys!  All you think about is fighting and how tough you are!" she said, in jest.  "Gotta make sure you're the alpha of the pack, huh?"  She laughed, as the waitress returned with their breakfast.  "Mind if we change the subject?" she asked.  "I'd rather not discuss fighting and bloodshed and such while trying to eat."

[Unicorncob 5,681]

Within the bustling streets on Manehattan walked a pegasus, slimly built with a coat of dark navy-blue, amber eyes, and a short mane and tail of rust-red. He was rather well-dressed, in a snappy black formal shirt, with matching leather saddlebags over his back.

 

He'd just arrived in the city, after hearing rumours. Rumours of a rather shady ring being headed by one of the city's big names. Which name that was, however, was still naught but guesses floating around in his head. But a few suspects were better than none, he figured; He'd just had to do some digging around.

 

When you're in this stallion's line of work, discretion is your watchword. And with his demeanour and attire, he looked no more out of place than a unicorn in a magic academy.

 

Now, all he needed was somewhere to start searching...

[Gloomfury 243]

@@nx9100,

 

 Malachi chuckled. "Alright, alright. Sorry." He leaned forward and started eating. "So is working for Ennex kind like a normal job? Other then the dark dealings and such. I mean like mandatory day offs, meetings, bonuses, promotions and whatnot? Do you guys even have union?"

[nx9100 1,013]

"As normal as one can get in this line of work," Sakuya replied.  "Most of the time, it's just like any other office job.  Managing, paperwork, etc.  Since we own and are invested in several legit businesses, I do have a few meetings to attend most days."  She grinned.  "But we keep the two, sides, of the Organization separate.  Only a few at the top, like myself, work on both sides."  She took a few bites before continuing.  "Almost all of the legit-business workers have no idea of the other...work...that they are indirectly supporting."  She smiled.  "That's how Ennex maintains his appearance as a normal business-pony here in the city.  He has a fully legit money trail, in addition to our... other activities."

[P-Jay 1,987]

Caliber stoped and read the sign.

 

"welcome to manehatten, huh? perfect. i need to stock up on supplies.

 

he looked inside his bag. "darn...seems im out of money. maybe i should get a job for a little while."

he truged towards the city. "maybe i should be a body guard..." he said as he arrived. "id be good at it. i have rather good swordsmanship. and my magic isn't to shabby either..."

[Gloomfury 243]

@@nx9100,

 

"Huh. For our legit businesses they straight up know they're working for the mob. And they don't seemed that worried. Because we treat them right and like they really matter. Unlike the other families. They treat the guys working for them like crap. Low pay, long hours. Even making them do things they were never meant to do. That's why most of them left to come work for us."

[Unicorncob 5,681]

The pegasus let out a soft yawn, still feeling a little groggy after the long trip to Manehattan. Some re-energising was in order. He popped into the nearest restaurant, scanning the small but decent crowd of customers, and even dancers, for a spare table. His luck came through and he managed to get a seat, popping his saddlebags onto the chair beside him.

 

In seconds, a waitress mare popped up to him, a smile on her face. "Welcome, sir. Can I get your order?"

The stallion returned the smile. "Just a coffee, please. Milk and two sugars."

"Right away, sir," the waitress nodded, scribbling down in her notepad before heading off to tend to more customers.

 

As he waited, his ears twitched as a rather...interesting conversation was taking place right behind him. Some kind of business meeting, perhaps? He didn't turn his head, so to not alarm them, but he did listen intently, especially since he'd heard the words 'mob' and 'other activities' were brought up...

[nx9100 1,013]

@@Gloomfury,

"Happy workers are productive workers," Sakuya agreed between bites of the omelet.  "I have to credit Ennex for that.  He's always insisted on maintaining a calm and friendly atmosphere in the office.  At least on the legit-business side.  And we keep them in the dark about our 'other' activities for one reason: plausible deniability.  This way, there's nothing that can link our 'other' work back to him, in case any authorities come sniffing around."