Wedding Jitters {Nina}

[CANDICE JADE LYNCH]

Oh god. Today was it, she had finally planned everything out, seen to every possible detail she could think of- which were many- and gathered up the courage to do it. She was gonna see Nina. Actually approach her. It may have been the most nerve-wracking, terrifying thing she had ever attempted. It was a public venue, so her little 'former' assassin would be inclined to be polite and cordial and not pull a gun on her, or so she hoped. But Nina hadn't killed her before, and she was pretty sure that rule still held true. Her heart was pounding a thousand miles a minute while she fixed her hair and makeup, triple-checking that she had her invitation to the wedding that the shifter was facilitating. It still rested there, in her yellow clutch, like some precious key to the rest of her life, and she forced herself to breathe before setting foot outside the door, a prompt half-hour early, easily gaining entrance and finding herself a seat.

The ceremony was gorgeous, and Candy couldn’t help admiring Nina’s efficient behind-the-scenes skill with the whole procedure, and she could swear she fell a little more in love with her. It was a weird thing that happened sometimes. The werewolf would learn some new, random tidbit about the assassin, and feel like some other little piece just clicked them together even better. Nina was a force to be reckoned with in all things, it seemed, and Candice couldn’t help but admire that. Finally, a bride and groom became husband and wife, and they were all ushered around for the reception, and Candy took that as her cue to find what she’d gone there for. With practiced skill, she forced her hands to stop shaking as she took a quiet assessment of her surroundings, once more, looking for the dark-haired, pale-skinned killer of her dreams. Finally, on a balcony- of course the high ground, clever thing- she spotted her, and smiled, feet carrying her up some nearby stairs with ease. Breathe Candice, breathe. And pray that she remembers you in a good way. Her lithe frame joined Nina and a handful of others on the balcony. And when those gorgeous brown eyes clashed with hers for the first time in years, it hit her like a punch in the gut, and it was like nobody else on the planet existed, just for a second.

’Hey beautiful. Remember me?’ She hoped, she hoped beyond hope that the shifter in front of her did. The werewolf forced herself not to glance at the ground with a quirky smile, forced herself to keep the eye contact that made her feel like she was falling. God, she was even prettier than Candy remembered. The years had only been kind to her. But sometimes she wished that she could’ve found her sooner. She swallowed hard and offered her a grin. ’This was flawlessly done, by the way. And um, you look amazing. Beyond amazing. Good lord Nina.’ Oops. Had she done that? Yeah she had. Well, no use in pretending that she didn’t know who the woman was.

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clicketh for clothes!

[NINA ZHAO QIAN]

Fingers drumming across her crossed are , as she swiftly moved down the isle of the church. This wedding was going to perfect , it was why they hired her as their wedding planner. Even thought she was a trained killer someone who snuffed out life when told to. She knew what to plans weddings like the best of them , brow eyes glancing around making sure every flower was in place. Every candle light , the music qued to go off exactly when it needed to. Weddings , ideally you only got married once so why not have it the exact thing you imagine. A soft smile would grace her features as the brides to be mother pulled Nina on the arm gently to take her to the bride room. Oh wedding jitters she couldn't count on her fingers the numbers of time this happened to her. Nina couldn't imagine what it would feel like to fully give that trust to someone , well she had that possible future but it was snapped away to soon. So she threw herself into a place that could make other people's dreams possible , Her face would be warm and welcoming as she calmed the soon to be bride.

Making sure everything was going to go smooth she would slip of their dressing area and wake up way upstairs to watch from above as things progressed. The music would play vows would be shared , many tears would fall on the audiences faces. Nina couldn't have planned it better , this was breathe taking , from the tiger lilys to orchids. A wedding to remember letting out a soft breathe she headed to where the reception would be held. Eyes taking in everything the dinner being served , the food would be a mix of meats salads and cheeses. Fading into the shadows , Nina would walk along the walls as she watched everything play out it was suppose. Checking the time she found that it was still early evening so she had plenty of time to make sure everything else went as it was suppose it. Finding a side door open she would slip outside and let out a slow breathe , the air was warm yet having a hint of sweetness to it. Heels clicking against the cold ground as she placed her hands on the railing of the balcony , the fountains below starting to turn on with their lights and colors. This place was truly beautiful she was surprised more people didn't get married here but to each their own.

Getting lost in her own thought she wouldn't ear the approaching person until the scent caught her nose as well as a voice, Vague thoughts of having heard it before passed her mind until her eyes laid onto the woman speaking to her. Suddenly her heart would fall heavy into her stomach as her eyes widen in thought, This couldn't be possible but she wouldn't ever forget the face of the woman she didn't kill. It wasn't possible , she was suppose to be dead another person was going to take care of the mark she failed kill. Candice still as beautiful and stunning as she remembered , thoughts of the night she went to wipe them out rushed into her mind. Words passing though her ears , being complimented on her beauty asking if she remembered her. Could anyone ever forget a meeting like theirs. A few moments later an expression of shock and slight curiosity, would pa her face as Candice spoke her name.

" Candice to say I am shocked to see you would be an understatement , more so that you would approach me given our past. " Making sure that her face stayed blank thur all the emotions that she was feeling now. How the hell did this happen , what if there was a moment she wished she could lose her shit now would probably be the most likely case. Hands instinctively going to where she normally would carry a weapon , pausing mid motion knowing nothing was on her. She wouldn't hurt Candy , she hadn't killed her the first time they met she knew she couldn't do it the second the instinct was still there though to protect yourself from things that could harm you , at the moment Candy was everything Nina thought she forgot and changed her life.

Glancing around approaching her a small business like smile now on her face. Why don't we take this conversation and meeting someone where private away from prying ears. Nina hoped she would take the offer ,I mean why come all the way here if you didn't want to talk which seemed like she would. "You look rather stunning as well , purple suits you. " Figuring Candy would follow she made her way down the stairs away from the reception and others she found a place far off the trail with seats and a lit fire pit. Glancing around , finding an empty chair moving to sit her eyes would take everything in as she waited for Candy to join her.

Outfit

[CANDICE JADE LYNCH]

There had been probably a hundred different ways Candy had imagined finding this woman in her head. Likely more. Every situation played out a little different, but only in the best ones did Nina actually even remember her. That, that was always more than she hoped for. In her sadder wonderings and creations of fantasy, Nina simply took out a gun and shot her, remedying what she’d previously ruined. Now, the bullet wouldn’t kill her, such a thing wouldn’t, given her canine state of being, but it would hurt, and Candice would feel like her whole reason for being had been shot at the same time. In the more average ones, Nina had no idea who she was, despite what the agent knew to be a near-flawless memory, and merely raised an eyebrow, inquiring just why the redhead was taking such an interest in her. That was the most awkward and gut-sinking feeling. To be madly in love with a woman who had no idea who you were, unpleasant. But, there they were, and Nina said her name. Just like that.

Like they’d parted company yesterday, instead of years ago. Like they’d been friends when that parting had occurred. Not like Nina had had a gun trained on her and her nieces before stealing away like the cat she was. Nimble and silent and predatory. Candy had always admired that about her. It was part of the reason they could never prove that the hits they suspected were actually Snow. Though they all knew very well that that was who had committed such things. Was it sad that every time Candy had seen some new case file that looked to Nina’s handiwork, she fell just a little more in love with her? The woman was just so… smokin’. And her voice. Goodness, she’d only heard that voice in recordings, on tapes, live feeds, mp3 samples. In person, it made her knees weak. Whoa. She’d have to build up some resistance to that if she ever expected to have a decent conversation with the woman. Actually, she hoped to have lots of wonderful conversations with her. But the likelihood of that remained to be seen, after this first little- well, second little- interaction.

’Oh, our past isn’t such a big deal. I mean, you didn’t actually kill me. And I doubt you’d wanna try it again here. It’d ruin such a beautiful presentation.’ She grinned, her hands animated slightly, as she talked to the pretty Asian woman across from her, with eyes that spoke of so much emotion. Surprise, fear, curiosity and a twinge of something that Candy didn’t wanna dare try naming yet. ’’Sides, that, you’re more lovely than intimidating in that dress.’ What gave Candice the courage, the audacity to tease this woman when she barely knew her, she had no idea. But she had this irrepressible giddiness pressing through her system, making her just… risky. And she liked it. She just liked being around the shifter. She had the feeling, though, that she was making Nina just a little bit uncomfortable. Good. She could do with the assassin being just a bit on edge.

’I’m happy to go wherever you want, Nina. Just, not too far away, okay? Wouldn’t want you getting any unpleasant, untoward feelings in my general direction. Just ‘cause I don’t think you’ll kill me doesn’t mean I trust you.’ The werewolf didn’t say the ‘yet’ that she wanted to put on the end of that sentence. She liked to think that she would though, someday. God, she had such ridiculous hopes for their future. Unfounded ones, really. Didn’t stop ‘em. So she followed the shifter to the suggested seats, settled herself in the one across from her, and basked in the compliment the woman gave her. ’Thank you. Really. I don’t usually attend such classy functions as this. I kinda like the opportunity to dress up, not gonna lie. But you’re used to it by now, hmm?’ Candy’s hands twisted in her lap, just a little, as she waited for Nina’s response. She wasn’t really sure how or where she wanted this conversation to go, so she was hoping to let the shifter lead it, mostly. Candy had done the work of tracking her down and showing up, after all. That had been a sufficient amount of work, in and of itself.

[NINA ZHAO QIAN]

Candy this woman Nina wasn't sure what to make of it , true not being armed at the moment did have her at a disadvantage, not that she wanted to harm Candy. At least that was what she was telling herself in her head. It was more of a shock that she was standing and breathing in front of her , why was she not taken out after she failed. It seemed like Nina was going to need to get answers after this lovely conversation. Her hands idle wiping away anything that could be on her dress , although they both knew nothing was there. Why humans did that out of a nervous habit Nina would never know but it seemed to be the one thing that was making her calm at the moment. Eyes flicking to the young woman in front of her. Slightly taller then herself which was cute but also annoying in a way, Nina never did like that sometimes she was shorter then her marks. Not that Candy was a mark now , just some things never change it seems.

Hearing her speak about not wanting to kill her again an eyebrow would raise , did this woman truly know her better then she knew herself. It seemed that way sometimes and right now was proof of that as well. No I didn't kill you and sometimes it still boggles my mind as too why , but you are right in the fact that I would not want to ruin such beautiful work. It did take quite sometime to make sure everything was perfect like you see before you .” Nina wasn't pleased about being this cold at the moment but it truly did still confuse her but she never did take the shot that would end her life. Answers she never fully got , and now they were back at the forefront of her mind. With seeing that said target right in front of her. It all brought questions and motives back, pieces of her past she thought she pushed far enough away never to be thought of. Oh well she would muse about that later when she was snuggling her cat and relaxing in her home.

A blush would grace her cheeks at the lovely comment , she wasn't known for being lovely deadly tactful, focused detached yes. Lovely though that wasn't a word that described Snow, until now it seemed. Coughing slightly trying to get her blush under control her eyes would dart away from Candy to gather herself. This never happened before. To allow herself to be unsettled by someone just talking to her. Taking a few moments to gather herself she would just continue her walk away from the crowd and become the strong confident woman Drey trained her to be. Why was this woman so egar to follow someone who almost ended her life and that of her family. Most people would stay hidden and just make sure never to be seen again. Not Candy though , it was like she was rushing head first into the belly of the beast and having no fear of it. While Nina found that confidence appealing, it made her wonder why exactly she had come.

A smirk graced her lips at the trust comment. “That is good I would be slightly worried Candice if you already put your trust in a known killer without any regard for your own safety. You wouldn't be the woman I knew if you had.” Yes the trained CIA agent had intelligence of her own , which is why Nina was tasked to take her out. She had been doing things that were going off to many radars to help and do things that just weren't meshing with Nina's clients so she needed to be taken out. Yet that didn't happen so it led them to this point now. Sitting in the chair her leg would cross allowing her toned and soft lighted skin to show. “ Yes these functions I am use to more often then not , but I always enjoy them every time. Yes you do seem to pull off beautiful gowns like this quite well, which brings me to wonder what are you doing here. I am pretty sure you have no ties to the bride or groom I would have found that out. So what bring a woman like you to such a beautiful event like this.” To say that she was hating the company would be a lie. Nina was rather enjoy Candy with her, which she couldn't quite figure out why but she wouldn't push that for now. Wondering why she decided to make her appearance here was pressing on her mind more then anything.

[CANDICE JADE LYNCH]

Clearly, Candy was making the smaller shifter a little uncomfortable and on-edge. Her pretty hands kept playing with the skirt of her dress, brushing at nonexistent pieces of fluff or lint or whatever else that wasn’t really there. The werewolf wasn’t sure how she felt about that. At least she wasn’t the only one breathing a little faster with nerves. But she didn’t want Nina too highly strung. The kitty tended to lash out in a dangerous fashion under pressure. So Candy put on some of her least threatening posture, and talked in normal way: happy and chirpy and open. Nina really didn’t have anything to fear from the redhead, anyways. But it was more than possible that the little agent could have things to fear from Nina. Not life-threatening things, but other, less substantial things. A little temporary maiming, or some severe blows to her ego and all her ideas. Yeah, she could do that without even blinking. God, what if this was all some giant, fucked-up mistake that Candy had manufactured in her mind? The bright-eyed were looked at the beautiful shifter across from her and shook her head, taking in all the subtle cues Nina was giving her, likely without meaning to.

She was trepidatious, walking on eggshells, scared of getting caught doing things she wasn’t supposed to. The leopard was wondering (more than likely) why in the world this intended victim wasn’t dead. Unless Nina had reported them as dead to save them… but that would’ve never worked, because it wasn’t like her family was hiding or anything. They were still happily and productively living in plain sight. Which was probably what was boggling her mind. Why the hell wasn’t Candice dead? Even she didn’t really know. Whatever organization- they had more than a few educated guesses about the source of the hit- had sent Nina after them should’ve been inclined to complete what Nina hadn’t been able to. But they hadn’t. Candy didn’t yet know why, but she intended to find out. That would come later though, after this. However this went. And she was really hoping for ‘well.’ The little bit of ice in Nina’s voice didn’t give a great amount of hope for that outcome, but so far, the woman hadn’t done anything to indicate she wanted Candy to leave, so she was taking that as a good sign. And to answer that with, ‘’cause you love me!’ probably wasn’t such a wise decision. So she went with something a little more neutral.

’Just wasn’t the right decision, I guess. Gut instinct. Still isn’t the right choice, in case you were thinking about it.’ She winked at her quickly, playful, before answering the other part of Nina’s statement. ’I know though, about the planning. What was it, twelve weeks? It would be a shame to mess things up with such a tragedy as a death. And what would the bride think?? Oh, your recommendations would go right out the window.’ Her giggles were practically irrepressible. Yeah, she was invading the woman’s space and nervous as hell about seeing her again and where everything, but she was just so damn happy. She’d finally found her, fer cryin’ out loud! And Nina wanted to be alone with her, kinda. Probably just didn’t wanna be seen with her, or discuss more volatile subjects in front of people who were clueless… either way, it led to Nina escorting her to a slightly more secluded area, so they could talk. So Candy could give her a compliment that actually made her blush. And the sheer volume of pride that swept through the werewolf at the tinge of pink covering her shifter’s beautiful face was immense. Oh, Nina tried to play it off, of course, and Candy let her, but they both knew what had happened. They both knew several things… like Nina being quite a dangerous killer, rather than a sweet and efficient wedding planner.

’Well, nobody claimed I was that dumb. I like to think I have an edge over most people though, in terms of my safety in your hands. Feel like telling me what your file said about me?’ A slight tease, and a possible segue into an explanation for why Candy was there, maybe. There, at that pretty party. Sitting across from a woman she kinda longed to know, more than her files told her. And clearly, Nina was interested in Candice, if for likely more… professional reasons. ’It helps, to enjoy one’s work. Do you miss what you used to do, ever?’ she asked, head tilted in genuine curiosity. Her file couldn’t tell her that one. Just that she was as good at planning as she’d been at killing. And that she was as sharp as ever, inspiring a soft chuckle from the werewolf and a pleased expression at a compliment returned. Well, that was unexpected, and not quite delivered like a compliment, but sweet regardless. ’No, no ties to them. But I do have one to you, and I finagled an invite for that. For you. I wanted… I wanted to meet you.’ Not a lie. She wanted to know Nina, in more than a brief moment of clarity the likes of which she’d never otherwise experienced.

[NINA ZHAO QIAN]

Candice wasn't a dumb woman she knew that Nina wouldn't try something here, her cover would be fully blown. The last thing she wanted to do was cause problems with her other job, so for now she was going to need to play it smart. Or at least try and act like this woman beside her wasn't putting her on edge. People always said the past can come back and haunt you, Nina always would blow them off though, because her job didn't allow things of the past to come back. They normally were dead and had no lead to follow back too. Not this though her past right now was sitting beside her, in the form of a beautiful stunning werewolf. Why did she need to be so attractive it was causing her to stumble slightly, she usually had more control over that though. All of those thoughts can be pondered at a later time though and possible with a big glass of red wine. She needed to make sure she got everything sorted before she went to sleep though because having a link to her past like Candice was not good and it would need to be handled.

“ You know me so well, but then again that is a given considering how tied we are with our past. Oh don't worry I am sure I can figure out some way to smooth it over if something tragic happened. I didn't get this far in life allowing lose ends to ways to allow people to cripple me, and I don't plan to start now. “ As she being a little forward and daring possible did she mind at the moment not really. This was her field her area and she didn't like anyone around that could cause a stir, while she wasn't minding Candy's company at the moment. That didn't mean it wouldn't change on a dime. For now though she couldn't see any more in polite conversation and drink with someone who seemed to not mind her company. Hearing her giggle though, that caused her heart to speed up ever so slightly. How power did this woman have over her, how could she just bring a swell in her heart from a single laugh. It was annoying and she wished that she knew the answers to all of these questions but some of them couldn't be answered at least not yet.

When the question of what her file said about her was brought up, she couldn't stop her own laugh from bubbling from her lips. That was never going to happen, she wouldn't allow a mark that she failed to kill see what information they had on her. If she didn't already have a big enough target on her, doing that would make sure her death would be swift, and not even her handler could stop it. It was bad enough that this woman lived, but she if saw her file. No nothing good would come of that, so she would need to make sure that she pushed that thought out of her mind. “ Now we both know that is not even a possibility. You know what I do Candice you know what would happen if I told you any bit of information. In fact we shouldn't be even talking about it now, so we are just going to close that subject for our own safety.” Not wanting to add even more fuel to the fire so to speak pushing the file discussion away seemed like the smartest choice. Did she miss her work, of course she did too her it brought balance and she got rid of people who truly deemed necessary to get rid of to better society. Sometimes good people died but that is the risk that was needed to take to allow the world to keep moving.

“ Yes I do, it allowed me to keep busy and keep balance in the world in a sense, I took care of people who were deemed not necessary, bad for society. If that caused some conflict in the world well so be it. Does that answer your question? It was a brisk and blunt answer but it was how Nina felt, maybe down the line she would change her views but for now she had no reason to feel differently. “ You wanted too meet me, may I ask why I assure you I am nothing special you are seeing what I do with most of my time now. So why risk what could have easily been your life to see me? Unable to hide the slight look of shock on her expression from that confession out of everything else she could have said, that was the last thing she was expecting.