▍ @frntumare
if it weren't for his semblance, roman wouldn't believe it to be possible. to think that the partner he's been searching for would happen to show up where he follows the political discourse to... probability low, but not impossible. news of jaques schnee's arrest had spread quickly, drawing roman to the schnee manor amidst his ' investigation ' on the strange activity in atlas that were no doubt a result of previous ' allies ' ─ if they could even be considered as much. they aren’t.
it appears it was the right bet to take. likely, no one else would have taken notice if the girl he spots trotting away from the mansion among the chaos. just a worker, happy to be free of a tyrannical boss. but to roman, the sight is so much more than that. familiarity rises along with probability and that's all he needs to pursue her. she's so close, it's hard not to call out right then and there. but roman knows better than to take that chance. she's in disguise for a reason. so, he follows behind, sticking to the shadows until the opportune time. the normally calm and collected gambling man, very good at keeping his emotions in check, is erratic.
it's only a few steps into the alleyway before she's turned on him, blade drawn. in that moment, though his partner is still decorated with disguise, roman is sure that it's her. the moment feels so surreal ─ he’s sought her out ever since the fall. it’s unnerving when the unexpected happens in general since he’s relied so much on knowing the odds of each outcome. so when the unexpected happens that so significant, it’s alarming ─ but in this case, it’s no where near a bad thing.
❝ your skills are as impressive as always, neo. ❞ he finally says, a rare, genuine smile reaching his eyes as he steps into a dim light to fully reveal himself to her, ❝ i have to admit, though, i never took you as the type to want to hang around the schnees. ❞ his posture relaxes and he’s quite for a few moments before he holds up gloved hands, signing the rest of his words, ❛ i’m glad to see you again. you’re hard to find❜.
