_rokovoya:

           ^{the laughter that follows his statement of terms is easy and almost unexpected even for her. in truth, the words catch her off guard —that he’d actually think himself important enough for such treatment is wildly amusing. she had told him to name his price, of course, but she’d never said they’d pay it.   ❛  is that some kind of joke ?   ❜   as of yet, he’d done nothing to redeem himself in her eyes, nothing to prove such a task warranted. she could do it, of course — she’d wiped enough from her own records — but he would need to EARN it.  ❛   don’t push your LUCK, sweetheart. just because i’m here with a job offer, doesn’t mean you’re my only option, and it certainly doesn’t stop me from hauling your ass in.   ❜}

       _{he knew that his words were risky, but still, he wasn’t going to give up on this chance. if he could manage to get his records wiped, it would help, but at the same time… there was a doubt it would ever happen, and her words ( as well as actions ) confirmed that,  ❛   it isn’t a joke.  ❜  he said bluntly,  ❛  i want EVERYTHING gone. ❜  it wasn’t the only way he would agree, but… that was what he was aiming for,  ❛  you might have other options, might even have better one’s, but you asked me my PRICE  ❜ it was high, he knew that much, and it was why he was willing to negotiate ( to an extent ).  ❛ .   you can drag me in if you want, but i can assure you that i’d be of more use on a better side than the one i am now. ❜ a pause,  ❛   plus, i doubt you have a cell that would hold me for good.  ❜}