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Many in the White Fang questioned the partnership between Adam Taurus and Roman Torchwick, some even going so far as to demand Adam's resignation. But it was really, truly, very simple.
Adam was not the easiest person to make a deal with, but people like that were Roman's specialty. It required knowing what the person wanted, and why they couldn't have it. In Adam's case, he wanted two very 'difficult to acquire' items. 'Difficult to acquire' was Roman's other specialty.
One item was literally impossible to get your hands on, as it was intangible. But the other, Cinder's anklet, shouldn't have been too hard to wrangle.
After weeks and weeks of having minions do research, and then asking outside experts, Roman had determined that Cinder sported the 'Anulo Lux' as a fashion statement on her foot! It was an ancient talisman of power, worn by old kings and emperors, rumored to absorb any light that passes through it's center.
"Bullshit." Roman muttered as he finished reading the textbook. "It's a pretty little jewel that everyone thinks is pretty so whoever is wearing it is the prettiest, and they win." Adam was just accessorizing, something Roman could understand, but he'd never try to impress others by what he wore. A smile lit up his face. "I'm joking." He whispered to his internal monologue.
So, Cinder's anklet. Shouldn't be hard.
It was impossible.
Years had gone by since their collaborative project, resulting in loss of connections, contacts, fences, smugglers, snitches, and generally anyone who knew where Cinder's anklet had disappeared to. He growled in frustration, grinding his teeth. "Neo! We're leaving!" he shouted across the library, calling to his diminutive partner who was engrossed in the comic books of aisle four. He stood, placing his bowler hat in just the right place so it sat perfectly balanced on his head, grabbed his cane and started leaving.
"Sir! You must remain quiet in the library. The other guests are-" the librarian tried to scold him.
"Shut it, grandma." He sneered at her as he walked out the doors. "And I'm keeping this book!" he said angrily, shaking the textbook.
The librarian's mouth opened slightly in shock, and she held a hand to her chest. "Well, I never..." She looked down when a small girl waved her hand for attention. "How can I help you dear?"
Neo held up the comic book and pointed to herself.
"You'd like to check out that book?" the octogenarian asked sweetly. Neo nodded vigorously in response, reaching into her pocket to get her library card.
"Neo!" Roman's voice called from beyond the doors. Neo turned to look at him, and, seeing his upset, frowning face, turned back to the librarian. She shrugged and skipped out the doors, clinging tightly to her new comic book.
The librarian sat down in her chair and contemplated retiring. "Children these days..."
"Roman..." Adam's cold, gravelly voice sent a shiver up Roman's spine. "You said you would get me the Anulo Lux. Where is it?" The two were standing in a small, dark room in the back of the White Fang's warehouse in southeastern Vale. Two dim lamps in the corners were all that illuminated the space, casting light across several filing cabinets and a large White Fang flag that hung from the back wall. Adam was seated in a tall-backed leather chair behind a large desk made of dark wood, with his sword resting threateningly on the top.
Roman gulped, twiddling his thumbs and rocking on the balls of his feet. "Well, I... I have a plan, you see." Adam's eyebrow raised slightly, barely visible between his mask and hairline, gesturing for Roman to continue. "Neo, the stealthy devil that she is, will infiltrate Vale's security and retrieve the location of Cinder's personal effects. Then, she and I will retrieve said effects, and deliver them to you." He flashed a smile, hoping it looked as genuine as he wanted it to.
The leader of the White Fang touched his fingertips together, and exhaled loudly through his nose. "That plan is thinner than the bones of a fish." Roman didn't really understand the idiom, but was too nervous to ask for an explanation. It made sense, but weren't there better metaphors to use?
After several moments, Adam continued. "You will have three weeks. I have provided you with supplies and muscle, as well as a hideout for months." Roman scoffed internally. Some hideout. A rusting barn in the ghetto. Apt, considering it was filled with animals. "You have provided me and my soldiers with dust and weaponry very reliably, but soon we will have no need of your services. And when that happens, the Fang will have no reason to shelter you from the Vale police. Do we understand each other?"
How long do you think I've been in this game? "Absolutely." He put on his straightest face and nodded as solemnly as a... solemn creature. It just had to look good, not have some poetic metaphor behind it. It was solemn, okay? I think I'm going crazy.
"Good. Get me that jewel."
"Neo!" He called, summoning the small girl. She pranced over to him, heels clacking on the floor. "I'll be staying in tonight, I think." Code for 'I'm going to stay and drink something.' "Why don't you head home and I'll see you in the morning?" She gave him a skeptical look, but nodded and scampered away to collect her things.
He waved from the back entrance as she wandered off, parasol held gracefully across her shoulders.
Author's Notes: This story will be infrequently updated and often contain very short chapters. Sorry for the inconvenience.
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