The Varia headquarters never looked so small, thought a tired from travelling Mammon. Small, light steps on the den of the feared animals of the Vongola seemed so unreal, but for the illusionist, it was as if it was just a walk to the park.
As usual the interior of the establishment was top class. Like the people who stayed and lived there during their non-work days- or when they're bored at constantly shedding bloodshed- the castle that has long been the home of the said assassins were of Varia-quality.
Nothing less than perfect, to be exact.
Mammon- as if it was the first time the illusionist had seen the castle's interiors- idly looked around, taking in as much detail as one could. The ceilings were high and proud, much like every one of its inhabitants. One glance around and it's easy to know how old yet classy the design was, it must have dated from years ago, proof that the Vongola cannot exist without capable people in the arts of assassination. A look to the left and there was a window, draped in fine velvet. It was already dark and the cloudy skies disabled Mammon from looking at the moon.
Shame, the moon was always comforting to look at.
The large, heavy, wooden doors opened, the sound not failing to catch the attention of the only figure that's been walking the long halls. The noise of 3-5 men indicated they were just lackeys, and the loud, uneducated singing indicated they just came back from drinking.
Nothing of importance. Irrelevant child's play.
For short, it was not worthy of Mammon's attention.
Not even bothering to look back, Mammon simply continued to walk onwards, already aware of the time and the fact that it was already 13 minutes after the supposed meeting time.
Being tardy shouldn't be so bad, especially when one had good reasons.
"Doesn't it get tiring?" A calm and gentle voice said, the deepness of his voice resonated in Mammon's head as if the words were said directly at the annoyed illusionist's ears.
Of course that wasn't how things were; there was always distance between Mammon and the rest of the arcobaleno. The curse they shared was no excuse for them to be 'friends' or what-not. If anything, it was just a reminder of how wretched things have become due to being associated with their lot.
"What are you blabbering about now, Fon?" Replied Mammon irritably, the steps the illusionist now took became lengthier, an obvious attempt to flee from the company of the martial artist.
"Hiding behind a mask is never healthy, even for you." Cool as always, Fon simply caught up with the greedy arcobaleno. In a matter of seconds, he was already behind the escaping Mammon. "You can go back to your old life, you know. After all this."
Mammon let out an irate grunt, refusing to respond since it will only encourage Fon to go on with his words of supposed wisdom. Mammon was not stupid. Mammon didn't need any advice whatsoever,
Mammon did not need Fon and his nonsense about identities.
"And yet here I am." Mammon muttered as the short flash back ended, eyes now staring at the dining hall door, reserved for those of the Varia's top assassins. There was hesitation as the illusionist's small hands reached for the door, muffled voices could be heard from the outside, but none of it was clear enough for Mammon to distinguish whether or not the meeting had started.
Bickering.
For sure, there was bickering.
None of their meetings and meals together had ended without one or two arguments arising. Mammon, being the more quiet and reserved one who chose to eat the quality food being served, simply listened and allowed herself to be amused, only adding a snarky remark here and there from time to time.
The particular loudness heard from even outside was surely from Superbia Squalo. The second in command of the Varia had a certain flare when it came to arguments, yet no one took him seriously despite the authority in his voice.
Or Lussuria with all his flamboyancy and cooing at every little thing. If not for his expertise in martial arts, Mammon would never see him as one worthy of anyone's attention, let alone the illusionist's. But his comments were always entertaining; Mammon at least gave him that.
There's always Leviathan, of course. Ever so loyal to the boss Levi. For the entire time Mammon has known the man, he has always been the target of insults and bullying. There was something about his nature that urged everyone who found joy in stirring irritation from others.
One of those was Belphegor.
The Varia's prince. The obnoxious and annoying brat who never fails to make Mammon's quiet days impossible to have. Even now, there was a high chance he was the one causing this commotion.
It almost made Mammon smile.
Almost.
Adjusting the hood that reliably concealed the mysterious illusionist's eyes, Mammon took a deep breath before finally opening the doors of the dining hall.
The noise stopped abruptly.
"My, you have cute little breasts." Commented the always flamboyant Lussuria, immediately breaking the silence stirred by Mammon's arrival. All eyes were now on the illusionist, questions refusing to be opened yet. Their boss, however, had other matters to point out.
"You're late." Said a glowering Xanxus, more displeased than shock at the tardiness of his mist. Mammon simply chose to not directly look at him, he had a knack for injecting fear on those who dared and meet him eye to eye. Mammon was more than happy to simply walk onwards and sit down on the chair that was always occupied by the sweets-loving illusionist. That specific spot, along with the one next, always had more sweets and desserts than the other sides of the table. Mammon and Belphegor were more than pleased with the said arrangements, and the servants are relieved to be able to sleep well without having any casualties all because they failed to serve anything 'properly'.
There was an odd and heavy atmosphere around the table, and despite Mammon's attempt to simply eat like usual, the stares were making it impossible. With a small sigh, Mammon continued to cut the steak on the plate in front and started speaking, "I'm inclined to charge an observation fee if this keeps up. Except for you, Boss."
"Shishishi…" A maniacal chuckle almost made Mammon stop, but didn't, of course. It was just the prince. "What game are you playing, Mammon? Coming here like that after disappearing for a week."
Had it really been a week? Mammon failed to notice how time flew. "I don't know what you're talking about, prince. Has the meeting ended?"
But Belphegor had no intentions of answering Mammon's inquiry. Oh no, no, no. The prince had other plans. At the moment, he was set on finding out why in the world Mammon was—
"Why are you cloaking yourself in such an overrated illusion? Tired of being a baby? A girl's no better, go back to being cheeky."
-a girl. Or a woman, to be more precise. Although her features didn't exactly scream feminine, Mammon still chose to come back here, tonight, at her supposed home after all this years, finally in her true form.
"And what if I don't?" Mammon said simply, again refusing to entertain the now madly grinning blood prince's demands. And why should she when all this time she had suffered from being in that wretched body? A baby? Her? The feared and widely renowned psychic Viper? Ha! "Best to get used to this now, I won't be going back any time soon." Or ever. "Pass me the salt."
But the salt was never passed; Belphegor simply stopped grinning and turned away. Apparently he was upset, but for what?
Squalo quickly ended what seemed like a small dispute between allies, and proceeded to go on with the meeting. The Varia received a large number of possible recruits, all with backgrounds that fit their high expectations. In months time they will undergo personal observation from the Varia's top members, for short, everyone in the dining hall. With the exception of Xanxus.
"I sent in portfolios last Wednesday. Mammon, since you've been missing over the last few days, I'll give yours after the meeting. Clear?" Squalo turned to face Mammon, a glint of curiosity over certain unasked questions still in his eyes. When Mammon simply nodded, he paused for a moment before finally asking what everyone had been dying to ask, "What happened on your trip with the rest of the arcobaleno?"
With the exception of Xanxus and Squalo, Mammon chose not to tell the rest of the Varia where she was headed to when she left the headquarters on one Sunday night. 'Arcobaleno matters' was the term she used to describe the purpose of her sudden leave. Xanxus didn't object, and naturally, so did Squalo.
Now, what they needed, were answers.
In a slow pace, Mammon slowly told them of how her body had been stinging after the representative battle. It was a tolerable sort of pain. But in some instances, it would grow so strong, even Mammon would be left groaning in pain. On those times, she'd simply leave the castle or lock herself in her room, only returning once the pain became tolerable once more.
Not long after, Reborn had contacted her along with the rest of the arcobaleno. It wasn't just her; the other 6 were experiencing the odd pain too. Left with no one to answer their questions, they decided to do so for their selves, once against embarking on a journey to go back to where their curses started.
After the craze brought forth by the representative battle, everyone assumed they would have to live 'normally' and simply grow up again. Their curses were already lifted and patience was all they required. But as the pain being triggered increased the closer they got to pacifier spring, the more they realized the curse was still there, still contained in their infant bodies.
Mammon twitched as she recalled how they were practically forced to drag theirselves, the pain almost unbearable and only their will to continue urged them on.
When they finally reached their destination, almost at once, a bright, mysterious light blinded them. Unable to know what was going on, they all fell to the ground, the pain fully immobilizing them.
Mammon can still remember it clearly. How she ended up crouching on the ground, hands clutching her head as if it felt like it was exploding. Then, she inevitably fell on the ground, nothing but a scream escaping her as unimaginable pain hit her.
For a moment, it felt like she was dying.
And like all deaths, there's that one moment full of flashbacks.
Hers was too short. Mammon's flashbacks consisted of short glimpses of a poor childhood, adolescence focused on the realization and honing of her psychic abilities, an adult life full of pride brought forth by her skill, and then… it stopped with the image of her infant form.
Yes, that was her first death. She had died then during the start of this curse. And now, she'll die again despite being sure it was finally lifted.
A surge of pain came to Mammon again, this time causing her to roll on the ground, hands desperately banging the ground.
Let me die already! She thought angrily, almost pleading for death, choosing it over the pain she was feeling now.
Another flashback appeared, this time it was of her life after the curse was given.
And what a 'happy' flashback it was.
Life as an assassin didn't call for a lot of happy times or memories that were considered important enough to be cherished. The first years of her stay in the Varia was dull and consisted of the same old routines.
Mission after mission, Mammon would return to the headquarters and rest. On some occasions she'd venture out, equipped with the money she worked hard to have, and attempts to rid herself of the curse. But there was a sudden rip in Mammon's tide of dull routines. A rip that came in the form of a bratty prince.
Irritating as they were, the memories that flashed almost always consisted of an image that contained the blond heir of a dead monarchy. More so often than not, Mammon was being purposely dragged by the prince in his attempts to relieve themselves of boredom, and the mist baby found herself getting so used to the spontaneous activities, she didn't realize they became the only fragments of her memory she'll ever deem cherishable.
And now those memories will remain as just memories; death was near, Mammon was sure of it. Her body was growing numb to the pain and all that she could feel was the pain in her eyes brought by the blinding light.
At least let me say goodbye.
Came her last wish as consciousness slipped away.
"And then I died." Said Mammon simply as she reached for the glass of wine and promptly took a small swig.
One glare from the feared boss was all it took for Mammon to take back her joke, the smug smirk that almost formed in her lips never came to be. Instead, there was just a small line on her lips. A short pause passed, and then she continued. "Technically, Mammon died. The entity of the mist arcobaleno—the infant who I've been taking the form as is… no more."
"Obviously." Snarled a seemingly bored Belphegor, not liking the tale at all. The rest of the Varia seemed to be listening. It wasn't everyday Mammon talked on and on like this, especially when it concerned a much powerful force than theirs.
That one word disturbed Mammon, a part of her brain told her there was something behind his current attitude. But Belphegor has always been moody and unpredictable like that, he'd grow irate in a matter of seconds, and then delightfully annoying after another. And with this thought, Mammon was able to push the disturbance away. "What I mean to say," She cleared her throat, ignoring the urge to ask him why he was being like that. "Is that I'm Mammon no more. Boss, if you'd allow me, I'd like to continue working for you. You… you've seen my capabilities, have you not? I'll be more useful now. More powerful."
"You're a fucking woman." Belphegor commented again, this time, Squalo reacted with an alarmingly loud voice. "Bel, shut up and let Mammon finish!"
"I… know." Admitted Mammon with a small nod. The Varia didn't accept women; from the years she's stayed within the elite assassination squad, never has she seen a female. Which encouraged her even more to take on a new persona, a different one than Viper. But now… fear of what will become of her settled in. The rest may look down on her, but surely her boss, Xanxus, would see things in a different light? He's always had a clear judgment when it came to these things, and the respect she had for him surely wouldn't be gone now. "Boss?" She called out professionally, the fear well hidden. "As Viper—let me continue being Varia."
Xanxus simply stood up and was about to leave the dining hall. Instantly, Mammon—or better yet, Viper—'s heart broke. The Varia was far from being family, but it had grown to be the only thing she's living for, especially since the curse is no more. "Bo-"
"Weren't you listening?" Xanxus cut him off, his voice so deep and emotionless, it was frightening. "Go over the portfolios and report back if anyone catches your eye. This meeting's over."
Oh.
Were her ears deceiving her or did Xanxus just indirectly state she's still Varia?
Oh.
Mother of all that is vile and evil—thank you!
Soon enough, the dining hall slowly became empty, leaving only two figures behind. One of a hooded female and a crowned prince.
"Bel." Viper turned her head to the side, now facing the stubborn prince who continued poking the uneaten steak on his plate. "You're wasting food."
Silence. Belphegor didn't answer.
"Bel." Said Viper again, feeling a little patient over Belphegor's stubbornness to avoid looking at her on the face. What game was he playing, ignoring her like this? Last week before she disappeared, she can still clearly remember eating a mont blanc with him! "Belphegor."
The prince stood up, a chin raised over Viper's small, dainty figure. His eyes were still a mystery, carefully hidden under his shaggy blonde mane. But somehow, hidden as they may, Viper was sure he was giving her a glare that almost matched Xanxus'.
Viper's mouth opened partly, about to speak but unable to find words to say. She felt as though Belphegor was scanning her, taking in as much of her like she did with the castle earlier. Feeling wary and incredibly conscious, Viper flinched and stood up as well, now at shoulder's length with the tall and royally elegant Belphegor. "What has gotten into you?" She finally asked, her voice almost pleading to find an answer.
But Belphegor never answered. Instead, he marched away, muttering something under his breath that Viper failed to hear.
Word Count: 2, 886
Notes: Sup, Khr fandom? Been a long while since I wrote anything for ya, and I have to admit, I miss it. My canon knowledge isn't very reliable, and even though I finished the anime and manga, I can't remember much. Ooops. All I know is the ending sucked. Pfft.
So here I am, struggling to post this with my bad internet at 5 in the morning since I started writing this around 3am...
Anyway, this story is actually connected to my previous BelMam story, What I miss the most. Obviously the title for this series isn't connected to it. OBVIOUSLY.
Ehem.
Bel's acting pretty weird, huh? Pfft, in all honesty, the plot is still pretty shaky. But if you read WIMTM, then you probably know what comes next after this.
And... Yes, yes, yes, Mammon is a girl. Like I said in WIMTM, I sort of adapted to this headcanon I once saw in tumblr. We all know how Mammon is Viper, right? Mammon is just this other persona Viper made once she became an arcobaleno. So gender wise? Mammon is male, Viper is female.
There ya go!
Did you notice I tried so hard not to use pronouns and such when referring to mammon before the revelation that he's actually a she?
It was hard okay!
If you like this story, reviews are very much appreciated. They urge me to write more and updates faster u
It'd be really cool if you follow the story if you're curious to know what happens to these two, and a few words as a review would be rad.
Oh and since I normally write stuff from Midnight to around 6am, typos and stupidity is inevitable. Feel free to point them out!
Thanks for reading!