Author's Notes: Onward to the next chapter!
Disclaimer: I own nothing but the plot and the OC's. All other characters are under the property of their respective owners.
"Hope in reality is the worst of all evils because it prolongs the torments of man."
A globe made entirely of crystal reflected in the tall pane glass window as she watched Ciel already waiting patiently, book in one hand; his fingers tracing the Its iridescent light illuminating the countries.
"Has Elyse written back yet?"
An aching intrusion settled upon Esmèrie's heart as her eyes drifted towards the United Kingdom where her twin resided. It was better this way. If keeping Elyse from the insanity that overran their family's estate meant her dealing with bit of loneliness, then so be it. She always was more outgoing. Unsatisfied with reading about history, she'd felt compelled to be a part of it, to challenge the status quo of what they'd been taught. She 'd been so much like their mother in that way. Always striving to disrupt patriarchal obstacles no matter the cost. It's been a year now since she left to enlist. How many countries had she been to now? What adventures had her eyes seen? And what strengths had her heart learned?
"Not yet. But she will." She flashed a smile before joining him beneath the globe. Opening the book, she couldn't resist tickling his nose with the feather they used as a bookmark. His giggles brought about joy in her heart as she leaned down to kiss him. "Alright, now where were we?"
"Sebastian and Ciel just escaped the angel of death." He nodded empathically as they opened the book about a boy and his demonic butler. She cleared her throat before starting, putting on her so-called narrator voice as he reclined, his head resting in her lap.
It'd been less than half an hour when his sweet snores reached her ear. Carefully closing the book, she gently cradled him, lingering a moment to brush some of his soft, black strands from his smudged glasses. A surge of emotions flooded through her as she struggled to hold back the tears. The thought of holding him like this for the last time was unbearable.
The heaviest of drops trailed off her face and dotted his cheek as he stirred. His round, blue eyes fluttered open. She thumbed away the droplets and swallowed. "What's wrong?" His voice was still laden with sleep as she gave an unconvincing smile and she realized that even if she wanted to, she wouldn't be able to protect him with a lie. Not this time.
"I'm going to be away for awhile. Think of it as an adventure." She forced a dry laugh as she wiped her eyes with the back of her hand.
"Can I come with?"
Esmèrie shook her head, his disappointment piercing her heart.
"How long will you be gone?" His words were weighed down by concern.
"I'm not sure. But I promise to tell you about every step of the journey." Relief surged through her as his lips curved into a smile.
He yawned. "And then we'll finish our song?"
She nodded. "And then we'll finish our song."
He rose slowly, stretching before bidding her goodnight. She managed to keep it together long enough for him to reach his bedroom door before crumbling. The weight of her reality arrived in full force as she began to shake. Her nails digging into the wood floor, her shoulders heaving. Her breathing became ragged, her eyes screwed shut, her heart felt like it would explode. She knew what it was. Pure unmitigated panic as the reality sunk in that she'd just been offered in exchange for the one thing she despised most in this world.
Her toffee colored waves hid her face as she felt her tears singe her cheeks. Choking back a sob, Esmèrie tucked short curls behind her ear, as she sat up. Her fingers trailed over the United Kingdom as she bit her lip. "What I'd give to be with you, Elyse."
Her fingers caught on a protruding piece of crystal as a droplet of blood escaped from her index finger. Sucking the on the wound, her hazel eyes snapped to the offending piece only to notice an opening along the equator. Slipping her fingers along the edge, she paused at the feel of a pulley. Tugging it at an angle, she noticed the globe split into two parts. Sliding her hand inside, she felt the smoothness of leather beneath her fingers. Removing her hand had been the simplest aspect to all of this as she held the binder of a small, dark green ledger. Curious as to its contents, she flipped through the pages to see random numbers and names. Coordinates and contacts? The handwriting had been her Maman's except for a few scribbled notes. Why did she leave this here? Her mother was meticulous to a fault, especially when traveling. Something this detailed wouldn't have slipped through her mind. Her hands began to shake as she felt another wave of panic surge through her veins. She forced her breathing in through her nose and out through her mouth. Curling her fingers around the booklet, she swallowed her fear, her mind drifting to Elyse. Her composure, her strength, her resilience. If she could just channel enough to get through this… The room grew warm around her as she felt sudden perseverance heat the blood in her veins. She could find a way to keep her family alive and not be turned into chattel.
Flipping through the pages, Esmèrie thumbed a page with the Black Dahlia emblem. Thinking carefully as to where she'd seen that logo before, she quickly rose from the floor before leaving the library.
She'd been no stranger to her grandfather's wing as she soundlessly made her way to his office. Closing the door, she logged into his computer. Searching through his files, she clicked on the Black Dahlia folder. Password protected, she frowned at the irritating beeping reminding her that access wasn't granted.
Biting her lower lip, she ran a mental tally of all the passwords the family used. Birthdays, anniversaries, etc. Closing her eyes, she typed in one final guess, relieved to see that it opened the file.
The stored information was slim considering the extra level of protection. Black Dahlia was a consultant organization that comprised of mercenaries and other unscrupulous works. Rereading the notes in the ledger, Esmèrie swallowed as she thumbed over scribbled digits and the name Hawke. Her heart raced inexplicably as she reached for her phone. She'd need a plan. Help to disappear. And the money to do so. Retrieving the financial records, she worried her lip before clicking the transfer button. She didn't doubt the cost of hiring a mercenary group as the numbers in her family's account dwindled before her eyes.
Days would pass as she grew more nauseous about her decision. She and Hawke had met in the city, in the lobby of one of the finest hotels in France. He'd sensed her nervousness and reached out to touch her knee. "We wouldn't want to draw attention, now would we?" His smile unnerved her as the warning signs sounded off. "There's no need to fret, my dear." Another smile that sent ice to her veins. "I'll make sure you're taken care of…"
Her vision blurred, hazel eyes brightened by the morning sun as Esmèrie sat up on the creaky mattress. Discouragement settled into her heart far better than she had settled into the room which contained little to no familiarity whatsoever. An old vanity with chipped polish rested in the corner at the foot of her bed. Her toffee hair had grown longer draping down her back as she wiped her eyes. A knock at her window caused her to jolt as she snapped her neck in the direction of a young girl with bright brown eyes and cropped hair. Prisha, as she'd come to be known, came for fresh water carrying the large ceramic jug on her head back home.
Opening the window, Esmèrie extended a hand to bring the little girl inside. "Good morning, miss Esmèrie!" She beamed as she bounced on the bed, giggling at its squeak.
"Good morning, Prisha. How are you?"
"I am good. Can I have some water for my family?"
"Of course."
"Thanks!" Flashing a toothy grin, she bounded for the bathroom with her empty jug at her side. Their frequent meetings were supposed to be secret though Esmèrie doubted how little the Black Dahlia agents missed. Dressing in her tunic and slipping on her sandals, Esmèrie finished shoving her latest project into a bag.
Prisha struggled to carry the ceramic jug on her head as Esmèrie lunged forward to catch it as it nearly fell. "Why don't I help you today?" Her offer wasn't usually denied as Esmèrie smiled, lifting the jug to her own head. A flash of fear filled the Prisha's eyes as she shook her head. "N-no. T-thank you, miss Esmèrie." Her voice failed her as she swallowed.
Furrowing her brow, Esmèrie lowered herself to the ground. Prisha struggled to make eye contact as she gulped.
"Why not, chèrie?"
Prisha locked her jaw and looked down at her feet. "I cannot say, miss Esmèrie."
"Sweet girl. Haven't we always kept each other's secrets?"
Prisha worried her lip as tears pricked at her eyes. "Because I don't want you to face the ghost man."
"Ghost man?"
She nodded. "My papa said there's a man looking for you. They call him the ghost man."
Esmèrie smiled, tucking a strand of hair behind the girl's hair. "You don't need to worry about me, chèrie. My friends will take care of me."
"You mean like mister Kill-ith-shian?"
Esmèrie chuckled. "Yes. And that is a much better way to say his name."
The two giggled before Esmèrie's door swung open. Cillian stood in his usual suited attire as the Esmèrie stood protectively in front of Prisha.
"She's not supposed to be here." Cillian glowered as Prisha hid behind Esmèrie.
"She came here for water. I'm helping her take some back to her village."
"No, you're not. We received word that someone may have found your location."
Esmèrie rounded her fists. "So send someone with me to deliver water. Isn't that what you're here for?"
Cillian sharpened his glare as Esmèrie felt Prisha's legs shake behind her own. "This has to be the last time you do this. Understood?"
Esmèrie nodded before lifting the ceramic jug with one hand, reaching for Prisha's hand with the other. She felt the girl clutch at her wrist as they passed Cillian.
The trek to the village wasn't far but with almost ten gallons of water on her head, and a child at her side, Esmèrie realized how necessary the invention was in her bag. Cillian's attempts to boor a hole through her back didn't help either.
They found some refuge from the heat by the ocean as the small village consisted of fishermen, pregnant moms feeding their babies, and children chasing one another. Prisha's age got the best of her as she joined her friends in their latest game. Esmèrie glimpsed Cillian reaching for his sidearm as an older woman cautiously approached. "Cillian, it's fine. This likely belongs to her."
Esmèrie extended her arms as the woman reached out for the water jug. They exchanged forced smiles as an awkwardness set in. The woman had just turned whenever Esmèrie tried to breach the language barrier. "Excuse me," She began in Malayalam. "Could I speak to…village elder?" The woman looked puzzled before pointing in a vague direction. Thanking the woman, Esmèrie looked towards an unused path to follow into the alcove filled with contaminated water. An old man with a long white beard was tossing poisoned fish back into the sea. He looked as if he were expecting her. "You are…the Inventor?"
She nodded. "I am."
The exchange was awkward but brief as Esmèrie chided herself for allowing her speaking ability to dwindle in her seclusion. After the elder relinquished a bit of his distrust, he and Esmèrie set off to place the netting at the edge of the cove. The waves were calmer here, making the weighted buoy drift little from its original position. The netting hit the water with a slap, the buoy instantly ringing. The resonating hum reaching the ears of the curious locals. This sliver of accomplishment was enough to restore a bit of hope in her spirit. Esmèrie could practically hear Cillian's patience thin as he glared from the beach, a knot forming in her stomach as she felt the boat return to shore. He was planning something. Meaning she'd have to find a new avenue of escape much sooner than she'd expected to…
The rippling sound of a punching bag clinging to its metal clasp echoed throughout the empty gym. Infuriated fists pummeling the invisible targets Mactavish had been ordered to cooperate with. In most of his career, his civility had eased more tensions than he could count. And while there were exceptions, coming mostly from his second in command, he'd still prided himself on never losing his cool. Not like that sperm donor. Striking the bright red bag, Mactavish cursed under his breath at the image of the man who beat and abandoned his wife and son. He'd worked odd jobs in high school before enlisting at 17. The money he made would cover the bills and then some. However, the day he told his mother, she didn't scream like he expected. Her eyes simply fell, her hand withdrawn from his for the first time and she slowly began to fade from his life. Feeling the cross at his neck burn into his skin he threw one final punch before yielding to his fatigue. The silver cross dangled from his shirt as he brought it to his lips. The gentlest of kisses he'd hope his mother could—would accept from him.
Overlooking his shoulder, he glared at Riley casually strolling to the gym. He'd just lifted a few weights, before shooting a glance towards his captain. "You got a problem there, sir?"
"Aye. And it has to do with you startin' shit where it doesn't need to be started."
Riley didn't respond as he put in his headphones, disregarding Mactavish's presence had been a habit he'd all too quickly adopted since joining the 141.
"I'm talking to you." His accent thickened as Mactavish whipped out one of the earbuds earning him a glare from Riley. "I don't need you causing any more trouble amongst the divisions."
"You're on my case about what—the medic? Where the hell is this fury for the Sergeant who slammed one of our own face first into the ground?!"
"That's been handled."
"By the Lieutenant who likely instigated it. You're either gettin' too old for this or you're becomin' soft."
Mactavish's knuckles cracked as he gripped Riley by the collar. "You're want to talk about chain of command whenever it suits you but when someone else's ass is on the line, you're cavalier? And here I thought you gave a shit about your brothers in arms."
"Fuck off with that brothers in arms shit. You know damn well, I'd take a bullet for you and any other number of these ass hats. Don't question my loyalty now, Soap."
"Captain. I bloody well earned the title."
"Fine, Captain. You want me to play nice with the other kids, I'll play nice. But don't expect me to be fuckin' sweet about it."
Elyse rubbed at the knot in her stomach while waiting for the 141 to clear the shooting range. They'd intentionally taken an extra half hour to shoot as a part of their house rules. She and the other members were to wait outside in the blistering heat until they'd finished.
The knot in her stomach tightened as Elyse smoothed her shirt as Archer approached. Whenever Mactavish or Riley weren't around, group leadership seemed to fall on Archer's shoulders as he led the rest of the squad out of the range. Elyse kept her gaze forward ignoring the scowls from Royce and Scarecrow as they stood on either side of Meat. As soon as they'd left, she'd waited for Evans to lead their group inside.
Shooting had always been an outlet for Elyse as she aimed down her sights before pulling the trigger. A spark gleamed in her eye as a smirk tugged at her plump lips.
"Nice shot, Levèsque. Perhaps you could show our medic a few tips." Elyse recognized an order no matter how subtle as she moved over to see Clover struggling to hold a gun nearly the size of her. Her earmuffs blocked out her voice as Elyse watched her jump after being tapped.
"I'm here to help you shoot." Elyse watched her flush.
"Sorry, never really got the hang of ending lives." Worried she'd offended Elyse, she bit at her lower lip.
The brunette responded with an apathetic shrug. "That's why you're a medic."
Relief surged through Clover's veins as she resumed her stance, pointing the gun down range. She felt Elyse's foot push under one heel while her arms steadied the medic's. "Now try."
Hitting the target with surprising accuracy, Clover beamed. "Wow!"
"Yep." Elyse chuckled, allowing the briefest smile to grace her features, whenever she saw Clover's glance in her direction.
"You have a really nice smile, you know that?"
"Tell anyone that and I'll make you out to be a liar." Her voice was stern as a bit mischief filled her hazel eyes. Clover released a nervous chuckle before resuming her shooting.
Gary Anderson considered himself fortunate. While the title of FNG was irritating, it paled in comparison to the treatments the Paragon members experienced. He would at least have to be accepted, trusted, respected. He watched Elyse enter the rec room as vengeful looks swarmed her. Meat's physical injuries had healed, though he still wandered with limping pride. In an attempt to not seem obvious, he took a drink of his water bottle. In the corner of his eye, he'd seen Royce festering in the corner, waiting for Elyse to prop herself against the wall before he stalked over to her.
"You gonna stand there and fester all day or actually apologize for what you did?" She didn't need to make eye contact to know that the arrogant voice standing beside her belonged to Royce. When she didn't respond, he leaned his head just inches from her ear. "You lose your gall? Can't even look me in the eye?"
Stultified hazel eyes locked with resentful brown as both parties equally unyielding. "Alright, that's enough mate."
"This doesn't concern you, Anderson. Not like she's one of our anyway."
"She is if Shepherd brought her here."
A dark chuckle fell from Royce's mouth. "Aren't you a bit of a boy scout?"
"We cannot continue this shit."
"Says who?" Royce stepped forward, standing over Anderson. "Who the fuck left you in charge?"
Anderson rounded his fists, squaring his shoulders. Royce may have had more muscle on Anderson, but anyone who sparred with the youngest member of the SAS knew the kid had speed and agility on his side.
"Knock it off you two." Archer's voice rose from a dark corner. A puff of smoke reaching them before he did. "I'm in no mood to drag any one of you towards the infirmary."
Gary could feel her sharpened hazel eyes shoot to him as he waited for Royce to yield. He could practically hear her sizing him up. The sandy blond was taller than her, his cognac brown eyes locked with her fierce hazel. "I didn't need you to do that."
He shrugged. "Meat and Royce inflate their egos too much. It's nice to remind them they are no better than the rest of us." His eyes still held their glimmer of humanity, his smile still carried hope. "We were never properly introduced. Name's Gary but most people call me Roach." He extended his hand as Elyse glanced down at it before returning to his face.
"Levèsque, or Eclipse in the field." She shook his hand after a moment of watching making him wonder if she expected him to squirm under her gaze.
"Nice. Wanna come out for a smoke?"
She shrugged. "Sure."
They'd barely sat down when Meat caught their attention. "You're wanted by the Captain." His terse words held a glint of satisfaction as he smirked watching her narrow her eyes before standing to leave the rec room.
It had been her understanding that part of the 141 and half the Paragon division had gone on mission. OPSEC prohibited any vital details but Shepherd seemed pacified with the decision. The man's twisted mustache curled upwards ever so slightly as he sauntered through base that morning.
The base itself wasn't extensive but due to poor structuring it was spaced unevenly. The male quarters were older but larger providing nearly everyone with their own sleeping quarters and washrooms. The CO's offices were tucked into an L-shaped hall. Mactavish's office in the end corner. The door ajar just enough to see a large shadow split into two as hushed voices reached her ear.
"Now we just need to make sure you don't die out there." The gravelly voice sent chills down her spine. Without thinking about protocol, she entered. For the first time since she enlisted she felt her eyes light up, her breathing hitched, mouth parted as her voice caught in her throat.
"Parrain…"
Author's Note: Bit of a cliffhanger for you all! Please let me know what you think. How do the characters (both canon and OC) sound?