Anita opened the door.
"Yes?" she inquired of the young woman standing there.
"I have a business proposition. May I come in?" asked Felisha.
"What kind of proposition?"
"The kind that shouldn't be spoken outside."
"I see," Anita glanced over and and then stepped back from the door. "Come in."
"Thank you."
Felisha followed Anita inside. Anita lead her to the living room where she invited her to sit down.
"Can I get you something to drink?"
"No, I'm fine thanks. To business."
"Indeed."
"Have you heard of the Fudge Gang."
"They've attempted to scam me for donations a couple of times, if that's what you're asking."
"I represent them," Felisha refrained from mentioning that she ran them.
"Oh, I see," Anita replied. "You're moving your cons up to the next level."
"Indeed," Felisha replied seriously. "Conning people for donation money is petty and cliche, and while it wasn't the only thing the Gang was doing to build up its resources, it's other activities weren't much better."
"Was?"
"Yes, was. A few months back, the Fudge Gang finally became organised. A new, single leader, who actually has some direction. Finally the Fudge Gang has some leadership who thinks outside of the square and beyond."
"Well, I'm glad for the revitalisation of your group. But what has this to do with me?"
"You have a rare power."
"So do many other people on this planet."
"But you have Ghost."
"And I know three others with the same."
"They're no good to me. You're are."
Anita gave Felisha a long look.
"I'm not interested in being recruited by your organisation."
"I'm not trying to recruit you. You're much more valuable as a contractor."
Anita sat back in her chair.
"I'm listening."
"Obviously you have you're own... activities, and have been for years. Obviously, getting out of those would be... difficult, as you're well established, and I doubt that you would want to give us a cut."
"Not under any circumstances."
"That's what I thought. Also, you are aware that YIRAAS has been watching you?"
"Of course they are," Anita snorted. "I'm the sister of one of the most notorious crooks they've ever seen, and they know I don't make all my money from selling Halloween goods."
"So joining us gives the fudge gang a... unneccesary risk."
"I would think those tattoos are an unneccesary risk."
Felisha shrugged.
"Not really. Most people don't know the significance. We have special makeup available for those who may need to cover up and can't use a shirt sleeve. And those who do know the significance, and try to infiltrate us get... a rude shock," Felisha smirked. "Let's just say that the tattoo cannot be as easily forged as it looks."
"I see. But you take a risk, meeting me at my home, when you know they're watching."
Felisha snorted.
"Please. I am not a fool," she said. "We both know that you have this place bug free. The Eye did that for you when you first moved in, and gave you his contact's name, and his contact has been keeping this place up to date ever since. I could put a neon sign on the roof and not even your next door neighbour would see it."
"That's because my next door neighbour is blind," Anita replied drolly. "Your assessment of my situation is correct, if exaggerated. I see the the Fudge Gang's intel department has improved."
"Our new leader brought around a whole list of much needed changes. We're a much better gang because of it, and finally taking our place amongst the elite underground organisations."
"I imagine the the current elite don't like that."
"Please. Ever since your brother's organisation fell, there's been unrest. Every leader and their brother is looking to become the next Eye," Felisha considered. "Well, perhaps the next Spider, as that was what he was known in his prime."
"Including the Fudge Gang new leader?"
"We always had the resources to be big, but we never had the leadership to command those resources. Now, we do."
"Good for you. What do you need me for?"
"The majority of the Fudge Gang's membership are human. Most of those are aware that we do have mutants amongst us, most are unaware of aliens. As a result, most of our roster does not have powers. For most things it's not an issue - we just spread out our powered people to where they are best needed. However, it does restrict us in what activities we can pursue, or how efficient we are at them."
"Go on."
"Your power can be very valuable to us."
"I have found it rather profitable over the years."
"And this arrangement will be profitable to both of us. Occasionally, I shall have different members of the gang contact you for services. You do the job, you get paid, and we get what we needed."
"What kind of services?"
"Oh, nothing you don't already do, I'm sure. Hauntings. A little theft. By the way, when you possess someone, can you read their thoughts? How long does it last?"
Anita's eyebrows went up.
"It depends on the person," she replied. "At most I get surface thoughts, which are usually 'help', 'what's happening to me?', 'who are you?' and mental screaming in general. It's rather a headache, actually. I don't know how long I can hold onto someone at the outer limit. As I said, rather a headache, so I usually choose not to stay long. Just enough time to give them a proper scare and then I go."
"You'll be well paid."
"I should hope so. I'm not cheap."
"But... a discount for bulk?"
"I can't be well paid and give you a discount at the same time. The price of my usual jobs vary, depending on what's involved - which will be the case here, and the time of year. I'm very busy at Halloween. And relatively so around Black Fridays. So the price definitely goes up. However..." and here Anita considered, "if you plan on giving me as much work as you imply, I may consider giving you my priority service."
"What's that?"
"Emergancies."
"You have emergancy jobs?" Felisha asked, sceptical.
"You'd be surprised."
"Hmm."
"Additionally," Anita went on, "unless you plan on providing me with the one contact, you had better show me what makes a genuine Fudge Gang tattoo legit."
"Why?" Felisha asked suspiciously.
"Because, I don't want to risk dealing with an infiltrator. Perhaps one trying to confirm whether I deal with you or not."
"We don't send people who don't have legitamate tattoos to contractors."
"You wouldn't need to send them, now would you? All that needs to happen is that work gets to, say, YIRAAS, and they send a couple of agents with fake tattoos," Anita pointed a finger at Felisha, "I am currently only guilty of human offences. YIRAAS isn't interested in wasting precious time and resources on me. If for one minute they even suspect that I am in with you, or any of the other elite underground organisations, well, lets just say my home might be bug proof, but it's not raid proof."
Felisha nodded slowly.
"I shall take it under advisement."
"Good. And you will also understand that I reserve the right to refuse or abort any job which places me, my business or my idenity in jeopardy. I will not be blackballed, blackmailed or otherwise forced into any course of action by your organisation. You will simply have to trust my judgement. Otherwise you will wish you had never made an enemy of me. Understand?"
"Completely."