Distraction and Observation (Manifesto)

[Nhysa]

Li was by the bar when she returned, not alone, though she would not expect him to be. Nhysa was possessive, but not jealous of the attention his lifestyle afforded. The fans that doted upon him amused her, though it seemed the circle he attracted tonight was more sedate. That was Manifesto for you though – famous faces were not so rare.

The altercation had been simple enough. A test of reflexes, and a little brutality on her part, mostly to plant the invitation inside Edwin Dean’s pocket. It stirred something in her, a legacy of SPET indoctrination, though the twist of her arm had not really been to hurt, just to open space. Security never stirred. She made sure the cameras were obscured. It had been easy for someone of Nhysa’s capabilities and experience.

Though she was sure he’d sense her coming, it was from behind she slid her arms around Li – possessive and hungry, not with the sweetness of a woman surprising her beau with her presence. “The job is done,” she told him. If she interrupted anything, she let Li smooth over the intrusion, as with a sultry smirk she plucked the wineglass from his fingers, discarded it on the far, and claimed his hand in hers. For the rest of the night, she was his.