Chapter 2: Beast in Black
Disclaimer: I don't own anything but Scythe. So back off, lawyers, or I'll sick my private assassin on you!
AN: my sincerest apologies. In the previous chapter, I misspelled Madame Giry's name. I'm very sorry! And thank you for pointing out my mistake, E.M.K.. I really appreciate it, so giant chocolate hugs to you!
A dark figure made its way through the rain. Nothing could be gathered from the figure- its size, shape, indeed everything about it had been obscured by layers of loose garments that had been thoughtlessly been tossed over a roughly human form. The shadow slid into the Opera Populaire.
"Firmin," an icy voice wove out of the layers of dark fabric. "Andre." The two managers jumped at the familiar sound and rushed to meet the figure.
"Ah..." Andre stammered. "Monsieur Scythe...The man of the hour has arrived at last...to rid us...of..." he did not continue, paralyzed by the icy glare of the assassin.
"Monsieur...Scythe...?" Firmin tried to suppress a whimper. Two gloved hands took hold of several folds of fabric at the top of the figure's head.
"What makes you think," Scythe hissed "That I am a man?" The hoods fell back revealing a young woman, her eyes the same pale blue of the assassin.
"Madame Scythe, then?" Madame Giry asked calmly. Scythe turned to face the older woman.
"I am," she said quietly. She returned her glance at the two men. "I expect no hindrance in my work. If I want any assistance, I will ask for it personally. Is that understood?" The managers had found their courage during the instruction.
"Now see here, Mademoiselle!" Andre said indignantly. "Monsieur Firmin and I are paying good money for the best assassin in France! There is no room for a girl's...frolicking...here! We demand the services of Scythe himself!" he was cut short as a fine, jeweled dagger was pressed against his throat.
"It is not wise to insult an assassin," the girl said icily. "I assure you that I am Scythe." Her voice was now drawn into the sameheartless hiss they had heard from the 'man' they had hired. There was little doubt about the girl's identity anymore.
"Yes, yes, quite right, Madame," Andre whimpered.
"But...why the deception..." Firmin mumbled.
"What deception?" The assassin scoffed. "When did I ever claim to be a man? But Madame Giry, perhaps you can answer this simpleton's question..." As always, the woman showed no signs of intimidation.
"You provide your own example, Monsieur," she said steadily. "Many would be reluctant to knowingly hire a woman to kill a man, would they not?"
"Thank you. Now, do you two morons need any more explanations, or may I get on with my work?"
Silence.
"Very well. I expect no interference in my work. If I require any assistance, I will personally inquire about it. I will lodge within the opera house, which I trust will cause no difficulties."
"Madame?" Andre said timidly. Scythe turned her glacier colored eyes on the man. He took this as a cue to speak. "In the opera house? Do you want us to prepare a room"
"No. I will sleep wherever suits me, whenever it suits me. Again, I expect no interference. Understood?" The managers nodded meekly. Scythe adjusted her cloak and walked silently away, toward one of the corridors.
"Ah...Madame Scythe!" Firmin asked suddenly. The assassin stopped, but did not further acknowledge the address. "How long may we expect this to take?"
Scythe looked up at one of the balcony boxes, her face impassive.
"I don't know," she said quietly. "How long does it usually take you to kill a ghost?" Hearing no reply, she continued her march and slowly melted into the darkness of the corridor.
The Phantom of the Opera straightened, unwrapping himself from the curtain where he had taken refuge. That girl, the one in the black cloak, had stared right at him. Had she seen him? No, he told himself. His mask- the cursed mask- had probably caught a stray beam of light and attracted her eye. She couldn't have seen him. It was impossible.
And yet...
Bits of the previous conversation chased themselves through his mind.
'To kill a man...'
'Assassin...'
'How long does it take...to kill a ghost?'
AN: So Erik is finally in the story. Trust me, it gets better later. Did it surprise you at all that Scythe was a woman? Please Review!
