"I will be joining the Hunt in your territory." He says, no room for 'let me join' nor 'allow me to join' for he Will join, whether she likes it or not. But blue eyes glint with a hint of mirth, and in return, she says: "Weren't you just preoccupied with hunting rats within your own domain?" 

​

A mildly miffed puff of smoke comes from Mayhem as he paused,

" ... Fuck. You knew that?" 

​

"I know everything."

Owner hums with that odd smile of hers. 

​

A sigh, and there was a short silence as Mayhem pondered over his next set of words. It was an obvious reason, to those who knew him. 

​

“My men are getting killed.”  He states, eyes narrowing, ”It’s becoming … quite personal now.” The audacity of Phoenix ... “I assume you share the sentiment, Owner.” 

​

“Oh …” Her smile tightens for just a moment, but it stays in place. Unshakeable. “Don’t I know that feeling very well.” One of her favorite darling Dogs was taken, after all. 

​

They share a considering look at each other as silence ensues. Eye to eye. …Predator to Predator. When both their territories are threatened by an enemy who are slowly but surely proving themselves to be a problem … don’t they say that having two heads instead of one works better? 

​

​

A decision to work together was made. 

​

​

First things first, 

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"We need to check for anyone else suspicious in our control. For PHOENIX to be getting away more than once... is enough of a suspicion for there to be Traitors." 

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"I agree,” Owner hums, idly thinking of a resignation letter from who she once thought was hers thrown away without bothering to even read, “Think you're up for the job to find out who could be offering their services like money or providing a hideout?" 

​

A considering look comes from Mayhem, his voice confident. "Of course I can." Nothing less from the former Leader who ruled with an iron fist, "But, why me?" 

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Owner simply smiles. "I'm a very busy person." 

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A roll of the eye, and Mayhem scoffs. "Sure you are." 

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She laughs, "In exchange for getting that information for me, I promise to lend you my darling dogs to find your killer, Mayhem." Her dogs have a very good nose and a sharp bite, after all. 

​

"What about the public?" The outrage that came to one of his men dying, the anger that sets its eyes to the normal government for justice. There was no way a non-patient did this but...

"Don't worry about them. They'll have their ease." Owner smiled. "I have this under control."

​

"Sounds good enough." Mayhem returns as silence follows, their first deal seemingly complete and they take a look at each other, weighing the other up, before—