Four - Noob
Don't ever show emotion; it's a code we all live by, but its hard to oblige at times
Tony stood before the apartment complex staring inside, ignoring the people who walked inside but before they did, they would stop to take a look at him. "Poor boy," one woman whispered to her husband as they entered "Must be one of the homeless."
Tony inspected his outfit on the reflection of a glass pane "What the hell, do I look that bad?"
Walking inside he went past the receptionist's desk while she chatted away on the phone, eyeing Tony her face lit up "Oh hi! Back for a visit! Miss Goldstein is upstairs, do you know where to go?" He turned away from her heading straight for the elevator, "Yeah, I know where to go," he stood in front of the over-polished chrome doors for only a moment as the doors slid open while a small chime signaled he could enter. Pressing the number three, he exited the steel box a moment later as he arrived at the determined floor heading straight for Nell's apartment he knocked once before noticing the 'Enter' sign right in front of his face.
Going right in, he was about to call for the Nell when he noticed a teenage girl sitting across the small living room in the corner where Nell's work desk was kept polishing a pistol. He stood for a moment just watching as she polished the gun with a piece of silk cloth. The girl was wearing short shorts and a black tank top, one of her legs perched up on the chair she was sitting on while the other rested on the ground, her dark hair fell around her face as she focused on the gun in her hand her face in a frown "Hey babe! Is the old bat home?" he called out as he entered casually slamming the door behind him.
Violette looked up squinting her eyes at him, "Excuse me?" Just a moment ago, she was peacefully greasing and cleaning her mother's pistols and now some random idiot had interrupted her 'meditation' and insulted her mother all together. "Who are you looking for?" she asked setting the the gun on the desk. "The old crone, Nell Goldstein, she here? If she is, can you tell her to hurry up, Enzo is waiting for the gun she's holding hostage."
Standing up, Violette walked up to the silver haired stranger "What the hell gives you the right to barge in here? Who the hell are you?"
As if asked his life's mission Tony gaveher a wide grin dangerous enough to split his face in half. "Tony Redgrave is the name the newest and probably the best thing to ever hit this barren little town! I just started working for Enzo Ferino, do you know the guy?" The girl raised and eyebrow, her green eyes seething with hate for an instant. "You're Grue's newest partner? Fucking Enzo lied to me," walking back to the desk she picked up the gun and began to polish it again. It took Tony a moment to realize that her eyes were on him.
Placing a hand on his waist, Tony's grin became a smug smile. "Checking me out? Sorry babe, but I don't have time for dates right now, but if you ask nicely I might be able to make some time for you." Violette rolled her eyes at him and extended her hand "The money, you owe us $ 800.00 exactly" the smile never left his face as he placed the wad of cash in her palm "Business woman I like it. I've always liked it better when a girl goes straight for the point."
"Do you ever shut up?"
"No. Only if my mouth is busy doing other things,"
"Pervert."
Tony scoffed pretending to be offended as his head arched back, looking at the yellowish ceiling. "What I was talking about was eating , I don't know what your sick , twisted little mind came up with. But I like it. Means you can be- " He was silenced by the sound of a gun cocked , luckily it wasn't aimed at him she was simply inspecting it.
"Stuck up little brat," he mouthed while she gave him her back "If you're going to insult someone make sure they can't see you stupid," she pointed to a mirror in front of her where she was staring at his glare. He turned his head sideways, pretending he hadn't heard her "So you got my gun?"
He was handed a silver long barrel revolver, no doubt Grue's since it had the word Python etched in the side. "Not your gun, Grue's . Care to tell me how the hell you became his partner? I've been training for a long time and he knows it . Why did he pick a greenhorn like you?" Tony laughed in a mocking tone, Violette simply kept her eyes on him "Greenhorn? Why the hell do you people call me 'greenhorn' what is that a term for all outsiders?" Sitting down on the dusty sofa , Violette crossed her arms over her chest tryingto hide the pout she always gave when angry .
"That's what we call someone when we don't like you. It means we don't want you here." Her voice was low and calm as her eyes danced with his both examining one another neither sure what to make of it.
Plopping down next to her, he watched for a moment examining her facial features. Heh, you're not too bad looking, if you loose that damn attitude of yours. He grinned as he tried to get her to look in his direction "Don't want me here? I was brought to this to this town by invitation! You got a problem take it up Enzo, but until then I'll be seeing you around beautiful!" She turned her head sideways ignoring him her eyes closed all she heard was the thump of his boots as he began walking.
In a manner of seconds he was out the door and in the elevator, ready to head out to the streets.
"Asshole, you don't deserve to work with Grue," she shifted her attention to the doorway of her mother's bedroom where Nell stood with a groggy expression; she had just woken up from her nap. "Was someone here? I thought I heard you talking to someone?" Violette nodded "Grue sent us payment for Python, and I met his partner. Why didn't Enzo tell me he hired a noob? The guy has 'Loser' written all over his stupid forehead! Ugh, I can't believethe nerve of that bastard," Nell approached her daughter while ruffling her chestnut colored locks, "Is something wrong? What did his partner do?"
Violette instantly remembered the way the silvered teen barged into the shop demanding to speak with the 'old bat' of the shop. "Nothing I just don't like him, who the hell does he think he is anyway? And who does he think he's fooling with that stupid silver hair of his anyway? We all know it's a fake, probably bleached his hair too much." The girl continued her rambling , Nell no longer paying her heed.
"Did you say silver hair?" She finally said after what seemed like forever. Nodding her daughter answered "Yeah, the guy was wearing a red trench coat and had silver hair, not to mention some over-sized sword that was strapped to his back." Nell sighed wishing she hadn't heard the last part of the girl's rant. "You mean Tony," Violette turned to her with a confused yet angry look "You know that clown?" Nell shrugged " I met him a few days ago, how the hell was I suppose to know he was the guy Enzo had brought in from Sepulveda?"
Tony knocked Grue's door twice before banging on the solid wood "I know you're in there, besides you need the gun , you can't leave me out here forever!" Grue swung the door open a grim look on him "You really are a nuisance, aren't you? Hurry up and get in Enzo took off he had to take care off some business with his sister in-law." Tony entered walking into the kitchen "Sister In-law? I thought you said the guy didn't even have a girlfriend, how did it get to sister in-law so fast?" Grue shrugged quietly following Tony's movements as he eyed the fridge "Go ahead just don't leave my kids without any supper or I'll take it from your pay," the teen helped himself to leftover chicken in a plastic container going to the microwave he heated the food ,but while he waited he said to Grue, "So, where's the missus?"
The veteran shot him dirty look "Didn't your mother teach you not to pry into private matters? Gee, you really are an ill-mannered punk." Tony, not offended by the comment replied "Had a foster mom, but that's about it. And no, she didn't really teach me crap, her or her dead beat husband," the microwave bell ringed signaling the food was ready to eat. Greedily scooping the plastic tray in his hands he flinched when he felt the hot plate against his bare palms, "Idiot," Grue commented while staring dully at him. Throwing the tray into the counter top, Tony dug into the chicken gobbling piece by piece ravenously. "This is some seriously good chicken! Kudos to your wife Grue, she's outdone herself!" Smiling the older man responded "My daughter Jessica made it , not my wife!" Looking from the plate, Tony wiped greasy stains from his mouth "Well even better! Your wife either way taught one hell of a cooking lesson to her! So, when can I meet Mrs. Grue?"
They were interrupted by screams of a toddler who ran into the kitchen, her short brown curls loosely sticking out in random places as she gripped Grue's knees. "Daddy, Jessie called the monster again!" Tony watched , as Grue took the child into his arms cradling her, "Jessie isn't calling the monster ,she's only bluffing. Besides no monster will ever get you as long as I'm here I'll protect you from all monsters Jessie calls, okay?" Rubbing noses with the infant, Grue released her as soon as she kissed his nose. The scene struck Tony deep inside in a way he couldn't imagine, he couldn't understand why but it felt as if a part of him was struck badly by the heartwarming scene of father and child. He didn't know why, after all he'd never been the sentimental type, clinging to other's for emotional support just wasn't him.
"Did you hear me?" Snapping out of his daze Tony pushed away the chicken bones "What?" Grue took the plate, placing it on the kitchen sink "I said sorry for sounding like a jerk, I'm just not used to having a partner. Anyway, about my wife, since you're going to hassle Enzo for information I might as well tell you. She passed away some time ago. She fell ill, and that was it. I mean it wasn't like she died the following day or something, she just withered away. Her health slowly began to fail, and one day she just didn't wake up. To this day doctors can't tell me what was wrong with her, they're still baffled. But that's not what's troubling me" Grue exhaled , Tony couldn't help but think he didn't like how this was going to end "What worried me is Jessica, I mean ever since the death of Irma , she took over the house duties , she quit school, her social life, everything. She dedicates her self to my other daughters, Tiki and Elizabeth and that's it. But recently she's been very fatigued, I tried sending her away to a relatives home so she can rest for a while but she won't do it, she comes back that same night."
Tony saw the pain in Grue's eyes as they slightly glazed over while he continued speaking " I just don't want her to get sick like Irma."
Coughing nervously the teen patted Grue on the shoulder lightly, "Maybe this is too much pressure for her, I mean she's just a kid she should be out enjoying life, not facing it like she is right now. Looks like you need some alone time I'll come back around six, we can head to Bobby's then."
Outside Tony walked back to the park where he had spent the morning.
"I can't remember you, I know I have memories of you deep inside me, but I can't find them, why?" Tony sighed his own past playing before his closed eyes like a movie. He'd never had the memory of a genius, but for some reason he could never recollect anything from his early childhood. His earliest memories were from age eleven. He'd woken up in hospital bed, and there was a couple sitting next to him telling him they were his new parents.
********
My new parents, what happened to my old ones? That was the only question he ever had for his 'family' and they could never provide him with an answer.
He recalled asking but no one ever had a response for him. For some reason his head was bandaged up, and his body had numerous bruises. There were several scratch marks all over his neck and chest but the doctors said he did it to himself while sleeping. The only thing tat remained with him from his childhood 'accident' was the sword he was carrying. He was told he was found embracing it.
He didn't even know the term 'Mercenary' until his fourteenth birthday when his neighbor, a seventeen year old boy named Joseph mentioned to him that he was running away from his home to work as mercenary.
"What's a mercenary?" Tony asked, the others gave him a blank stare before bursting into laughter. Joseph looked Tony in the eye and answered "A job for true men, that's what! We're running away we're going to become to mercenaries, you stay here and rot in our hell of a town Tony, we'll send you a postcard or something!"
"I wanna be one too! Can I come along?" Tony's voice didn't mask the over-eagerness in it which caught the attention of the teens who were leaviong the city. Joseph and his friends laughed even harder than before shoving Tony into the dirt, "Listen up squirt, because we like you, we wont beat the crap out of you but don't ever say something as stupid as that, you're too young to go with us, people will notice your gone, your dead weight to us!" Joseph kneeled down to the young boy and whispered, "Wait 'till your fifteen, then come hunt us down."
So he trained he never told the other teenager's pain stricken parents about their child's career choice, thinking that it might ruin his. So the following year was nothing but training for him. Well training and girls, which he always failed to successfully woo. The day after his fifteenth birthday he left his home. Not even leaving a good-bye note he walked out of town and into Sepulveda where he remained until he met Enzo six months ago.
He'd been having a streak of bad luck for nearly three months, no one wanted to hire him and for good reason , he proved to be the most destructible force in the entire city, causing thousands in damage.
He had been on his way home, an old boarding house near downtown Sepulveda , or as he called it the 'Crack house' with the sword dragging behind him, he ignored the sound of scraping metal while random sparks were ignited around him. He hadn't realized it but he was being followed, probably an ex employer angry with his work. The attack was anticipated. As soon as the first thug made his way to Tony, the teen threw the sword in the air, spun around and kicked his enemy in the gut as the man doubled over he was grabbed and head-butted. Reaching out Tony grabbed the sword's hilt, and struck down two more men who had charged at him. "C'mon guys no one ever told me it was going to be this boring! We might as well stop for a nap!" The brawl continued, all the while a lone stranger watched the entire incident awed at the sighted of a white haired kid beating the snot out of three adult men , all in a seven minute period.
The thugs groaned painfully on the ground as the held their stomachs or whatever body part was injured. "Don't be a bunch of wusses, we've just gotten started! Don't tell me I'm out of dance partners!" he was interrupted by the sound of clapping towards him came a short, pot bellied man in a khaki jacket and dark pants, his dark hair stuck out from his hat , his brown eyes gleaming as he continued to clap. "Bravo kid. I gotta say you are something! I'm glad I decided to stay in this city for one more night!"
Tony kicked aside one of the thugs, walking in the direction of the clapping man, "You care to tell me who the hell these clowns are? Or am I going to have to beat the crap out of you too?" The short man chuckled, "I'm not with them kid! But I gotta say, you've got skill! Dispatching three men in under ten minutes, now that's skill! You got a name? Judging by the oversized knife you carry I'm going to assume that you work as a mercenary, am I right?" Tony stopped for the first time analyzing the man before him, He's not with them, then he's...
Returning the blade to its sheathe, Tony looked the stranger straight in the eyes "If I were a mercenary, what's it you?"
A loud high pitched laughed escaped the man's lips. "Kid, you have Mercenary written all over your head. So what agency do you work for?" Tony shrugged "I don't have one. Hey you mind of we talk elsewhere? I don't want these clowns to call their friends for help."
And that's how it started. A chance meeting , a stranger in a unknown town, walking to his hotel room one moonlit night. That same night Tony found out who the strange man was, Enzo Ferino one of the most recognized names in the underground world. He was often labeled as an informant , but what he famously known for was the fact that he was the gateway to the mercenary business. Anyone wanted a decent start, they would have to seek Enzo out, if he approved of your skills he would find you a partner and commissioner, and if you were lucky, he'd be your boss.
Tony had heard of him before, he had read in magazines dedicated to the crime world of Enzo, and although he wasn't going to admit flattery to the stranger, it did surprise him that Enzo returned to Sepulveda several times and sought out Tony, in order to recruit him.
"You've got skills, you're perfect for this! I have someone in mind to be your partner but she's hasn't completed her training! When you arrive to Strafe you're going to be partnered up with the best I've got I'll make sure of it myself!"
********
Opening his eyes, Tony ruffled his hair, yawning viciously, the dream and distant memory fading to black as he stood up. "Crap, I fell asleep," dusting himself, he headed out of the park back to Grue's .
Nearby in Nell's shop Enzo was facing Violette who had called him to her apartment.
"Please don't make a scene," Nell warned them both as she sat in her corner working away, Enzo shifted nervously his eyes on the teen who was seated across from him, giving him a death glare. "So you ready to explain to me why you chose that idiot over me?" Enzo scratched his head trying to think of a good excuse, if he didn't he might just get killed on the spot. Violette although not as top notch as Grue , wasn't a novice when it came to firearms, he'd seen what she could do when provoked, and ending up with a bullet wound just wasn't in his plans, not today at least.
"Simple Vi, you see the boy already has street cred and experience , unlike you who although I wont deny your potential, well you haven't got enough experience yet to be with someone of Grue's caliber. Think of it this way, that kid will be with Grue for a short amount of time and then he'll move on, he told me so himself, he's not the type to stick with a partner for long, and when he does eventually leave town or renounce being my employee, you'll get your jump start! Besides your name is already well-known, in and out of town and you know why, why not stick to that profession I mean you're doing so good in it, people known you, you make good easy money, stick to looking pretty Vi, it suits you better. You don't want to spend your life watching your back constantly trust me, its not the way to live."
She scoffed unconvinced "Mom did it for over thirty years, Grue has been doing it for over twenty-five I think I can manage , anyways I want you to find me a partner. I've already begun training , Bobby arranged it for me, I'm going every Wednesday and Friday, but I want to have a partner already by the time I finish, okay?" Nell set down the welding torch and said "Did you just say that you started the training already?" the teen nodded turning in her mother's direction, "It's been three days since I started , oh that reminds me, I need a gun smith, Bobby wants me to take whatever weapon it is that I'm considering and show it to him, he wants to see it's potential." Enzo coughed, the thought of him losing money finally dawned him, "Wait! If you're training does this mean that-" she nodded "Yeah," she stood up and stretched her back, Enzo shuddered when he heard the bones in her spine crack "I put modeling on hiatus, at least until my training is finished."
Rising to his feet the overweight man said "You know what? I'll take over your training! I'll find you a partner and talk to Grue maybe we can reassign Tony to someone else, if I'm still your agent that is," smiling Violette gave him a kiss on the cheek "You're lucky you're my brother in-law, otherwise I might've reconsidered." Nell rolled her eyesthe voice on her head muttering She's only coming to you because she had no other choice
Patting him on the back, Violette clenched her fists rising one in the air as she said "Then it's settled. Violette Goldstein is officially entering the mercenary business," Enzo hugged her, sighing in relief he knew he was going to live for one more day.