The Reception: Aya/Schreient/Ken/Open
That was the Aya that Ken was used to. Aya's clipped tone and professional detachment were all too familiar. To Abyssinian, missions were just words on paper, not something deserving of any opinion or reflection. It was only a job and apparently a way to pay rent and make a living. Some life. It had never been that easy for Ken.
Ken took a step forward even as Aya moved back a pace. He wanted to shout at the other man and punch him for being obstinate, but discretion and training got the better of him. He knew better than to ask what Aya had been about to say and instead to rose to Aya's demand. "Esset," he whispered, voice harsh. "/That's who we're after. Of all people, I wouldn't have thought you--/" he cut himself off.
Ken shook his head slightly, then studied Aya closely, looking for any obvious reaction. Aya had to know who he was protecting. He wasn't that careless when it came to details... unless he was out of practice. What had he been doing all this time?
Ken tensed, holding his breath. If Aya had gone into this job with his eyes open, Ken doubted he was going to back down. Things could get really complicated rather quickly.