Attempt #2: On the Enter Key
"AHIRU! What in the world are you doing HERE?"
Ahiru could barely stop the curses muttered vehemently under her breath. Here? Now? Really?
"AHIRU! What is up with that contraption you've got there?" Lillie pranced towards her happily. "And if I didn't know better I'd think-"
In a matter of seconds, Ahiru had ripped her mask off, kicked the machine and her mask into a conveniently nearby closet, and leapt beside Lillie...and with widened eyes, Ahiru realized that she had forgotten that the keyhole was still jammed.
"Lillie!" Ahiru whispered through clenched teeth. "Look! Over there! Do you see him?"
Lillie turned around towards where Ahiru was pointing. "What do you mean? I don't see anything..." Indignantly, she whirled back around. "Where did he go? And who is he?"
That had been time enough for Ahiru to unjam the door just as Fakir's footsteps neared her. Ahiru breathed a sigh in relief, only to tossed to the floor by the abruptly opening door. "Ohmigosh!" Lillie squealed. "Look at you! And...he's so angry! Great job Ahiru!" And just like that, Lillie skittered away.
Fakir looked like a ferocious storm cloud. "What are you doing here?"
Ahiru wasn't about to back down, but she had absolutely no excuse. "Nothing!" She folded her arms defiantly, her gaze searching the vicinity for an acceptable excuse. Her gaze finally alit on a potted plant. "Just...uh...checking...this potted plant for...bugs. See?"
"Right." Fakir said, unconvinced.
"So what if I was? Bugs can kill your plants! They're very dangerous!"
"Uh huh."
Ahiru heard him mutter, "This headache! Ugh! And all these idiots!" After a slight nod, she backed away. As she shook her head, Ahiru couldn't help but think of the incriminating equipment lying unprotected in the closet. She would have to retrieve it later.
"So she just interrupted you?"
"Um, yes." Ahiru admitted. "I almost had the job done. Almost."
"Do not try this again." Mytho advised. "It is clear that more planning is needed. Be on the lookout for attempts on your own life, especially now that you have committed a failed assassination attempt. It is entirely possible that he knows. Do you think he was alerted to your presence?"
"Of course not!" Ahiru said indignantly. "I am a professional!"
"Find out more." Mytho said, eyes narrowed. "The next time you attempt this, it must be successful."
"I will not fail again." Ahiru said determinedly. "How embarrassing!"
"I have faith in you." Mytho's eyes glimmered like amethyst jewels.
Ahiru knew that if she was to find out more about Fakir, she couldn't simply come and go to classes. No, she had to use her opportunities.
"Does the company have an empty practice room where I could dance in the mornings?" Ahiru asked Femio as she tried not to look like she was dying a slow, painful death. She had just told him about the deal she had made with the Director, and Femio seemed eager to help her improve.
If she could come early morning, then perhaps she could find where Fakir danced. A plan could be made from there, because the task would be easiest to complete when he was alone.
"Yes, mademoiselle. I believe we do. Upstairs, there is a small room that is empty in the mornings, if you wish to refine your technique. We used to use it for classes, but as if now no one uses it."
"Thank you! I'll be sure to do so." Ahiru's fingers adjusted the bun at the top of her head absently, where a tiny spare dagger was concealed beneath the mass of red hair. Now she had a cover she could use to deflect doubts. Oh, me? I was just practicing, and then I got thirsty and it's so stupid of me but I forgot my water bottle, and I was just going to look for it and then I got lost! Yes, it would only be too easy to do so.
"Wait, mademoiselle! You are not done yet after this class! We have rehearsal, and the Director has told me we should to use your services as a dancer in any way fitting…I do not intend to have you dance a pointe role, but you would make a rather lovely tree."
Ahiru groaned. "Did he tell you to make me a tree?"
"Well…his exact words were 'seeing as she has seen fit to invade our classes, please do not hesitate to place her in a role that best suits her nonexistent talents for the upcoming production.' I do think, mademoiselle, we would do best to escape his wrath."
Ahiru sighed. "Fine." At least she didn't have to dance.
Using a lockpick to slip into Fakir's office after he had left for the night wasn't much of a challenge for Ahiru; she had stolen past more fortified defenses before. She didn't know what she hoped to find, but if she could quickly analyze the possibility that she could perform the task right here…
She inaudibly closed the door behind her as she stowed her lockpick away. It was imperative that she touched nothing unless absolutely necessary. One of the first lessons Mytho had taught her was that careful planning overruled hasty decisions and even the slightest touch could alert the Director that someone had been in his office.
Ahiru wore sheer black gloves just in case. Her eyes scanned the room. Air vent to the right. Thin laptop on his desk, orderly papers next to it. The photo of that woman…
Ahiru found herself drawn to the picture. The woman seemed lovely, her hands folded on her lap demurely and dark curls framing her slender face. Yet, the expression with which she glared at the camera spoke of melancholy and resentment. Ahiru ignored the leap of jealousy in her stomach and continued to examine her surroundings.
There was an invitation to some upcoming gala on Fakir's desk for the upcoming weekend, which Ahiru was sure to memorize the date and location for. If she scoped out the place beforehand, she could be waiting when he arrived. Well, that was one possibility.
Or...Ahiru paused and stared at the keyboard of Fakir's computer. Her signature lethal poison...might work. After two days, it would cease to be lethal, but that would be plenty of time enough for it to act.
Despite the promise she had made to Mytho to be careful, Ahiru couldn't restrain herself. With a light touch, she retrieved her poison and set to work brushing it on the Enter key. One touch would mean death in two hours. It was time to end this business for once and for all.
"Darling, this is making me nervous." Mytho murmured. "Don't get too involved in the situation. That's not our style. Get in, execute the task, and then get out. That's how we operate. I don't want you to get attached to anyone, especially him."
"But it's already done!" Ahiru exclaimed. "Tomorrow, two hours after he touches his computer, he's dead!"
"That's very suspicious." Mytho said, eyes narrowed. "Did you really?"
"Yes!" Ahiru answered. "See? I'm not involved at all. And this time, I'll succeed."
"Mm. I'm glad." Mytho said, running an affectionate hand over her hair. "Voila, life is back to normal then. On to the next target."