A/N: Update~! Yes, it is one! I know, it's almost too soon, right? E he he, my beta, Orihara Izaya is wonderful!
When her question was met with silence, she probed again. "Whom are we going to meet?"
"...Ottabio."
"Are we getting close?"
"Yes."
She did not speak again till they arrived at their destination. She could see there was something very wrong with Xanxus so she decided not to push her luck any further tonight and simply sat there looking serious.
When they did reach shore and she saw the place where they were to be guided, she gaped. It was...beautiful, but also historic! She knew of this place from one of her aunt's books! It was a little island, used significantly in the World War II and then it fell off the grid...so that was why. The mafia bought it.
Heh! A rather good investment if anyone wanted her opinion, which of course they didn't, not in this crowd. She sighed disappointed but somehow used to it. At least now she knew if anyone asked her anything they truly valued her thoughts about it or else they wouldn't even bother talking to her.
While she was looking around gobsmacked though, she failed to notice Xanxus was not by her side—or should she say, she'd left his side by now. He was...where was he? She looked around alerted fearing the worst if she was found wandering aimlessly around away from the boss. Yet, as she looked back, she saw Xanxus catching a man from the hair and wave him over.
Ouch, was her first thought and her heart went out to him. He'd done it to her not a while ago and seeing it on another person...! It looked more painful than it might have been. But as she drew closer to the pair, she started making out the stranger: he was a man of thirty or maybe a bit older, with unruly dirty blond hair. He had glasses covering his eyes and he was-...somehow familiar to her.
But why? She racked her brains but she couldn't make the immediate connection. So she opted to simply stare at him till she got a flash.
"Is there something wrong with me Francesca?"
Francesca jumped. "Huh?" the man she was so stubbornly looking at just spoke to her! That gave her a fright...! "N-no, why would you say that?" she replied more coolly, as she blushed by her own stupidity.
"Your gaze seemed to be transfixed on me."
"Begging your pardon, you just look sort of familiar...wait a minute, did you call me by my name?" she lit up! If he remembered her than maybe he could shed some light on this! "So we have met before!" she exclaimed thrilled as she struck her punch on her other palm.
The man laughed. "Indeed, I had met you at the party not too long ago." He replied good-naturedly and smiled. "But dear me, I mustn't have made quite the impression if you do not even recall my name. I'm Ottabio."
"The man we came here to help." she added thoughtful almost immediately.
He nodded, smiled and turned to go after Xanxus who was already going inside the makeshift camp to take charge.
Yet, there was something not quite right about all these...she couldn't place it, but she knew there was something very fishy going on. She wasn't sure why but she felt this man was a dangerous one and a liar. He was lying to her about something. He couldn't not be who he said he was, or else Xanxus would have snapped his neck when he had the chance. He also knew her by name thus he wasn't lying about knowing her either.
Then what was it? Could it be about the manner of their meeting? If so, why? She couldn't quite put it in words but she knew if she'd met him so recently for the first time, she'd definitely remember him.
She huffed annoyed she couldn't figure this out. Pouting, she followed both inside this odd tent they set up and tried to spot Xanxus so she could go sit next to him. If he was feeling charitable enough. Inwardly, she screamed; how her life had become nothing but a parody was still beyond her.
.
.
A little after an hour, the boss stood up decided to go fight – he had allowed her to remain by his side so long she provided air and food for him – and she watched him idly. She wouldn't be going with him anyway, she knew that. She wasn't "of use" as both Ottabio and Xanxus had put it – only one did so politer than the other –. And she didn't argue with that; she wasn't made for the heat of battle, she knew, but it still stung to have someone just throw it in her face.
Undoubtedly, Ottabio made everything easy for her, by giving her something else to do; something like doctor duty for the upcoming wounded, but there was still something bugging her about him. Behind all of his good manners, she felt something creeping underneath, something sinister.
Something untrustworthy.
Considering she felt more at ease and safe with Xanxus who was a proven psychopath and the fact she was certain her Stockholm syndrome wasn't that developed, she was almost positive there was something very wrong with the man who was always smiling at her. She means, honestly, the boss threw her stuff, chucked fireballs at her and pulled on her hair. If she was more at peace with him than the guy who did her a favour there was something off with the guy, not her. Because she always felt better at Nono's presence at any given time.
Still pouting, trying to figure out why he would lie and how it served him, she felt a strong connection with Nono. She felt she didn't bring up his name in her line of thought for no reason. Her answer was somewhere between him lying about when and where he met her and Nono...
And then, like a light turning on in her head, it all came back to her. Her eyes became wider, her throat felt dry and her breath was caught. She could clearly see it, like it was only yesterday.
Flashback, eight years ago...
Francesca had woken up in the middle of the night because of another nightmare: this once was the pair of Cervello who had convinced Nono to take her from her family. They'd come to the house to live with her. She'd been so averse to the mere thought, she jolted awake when the dream had only started!
So, she descended the big staircase to do the only thing that relaxed her: go to the kitchen and drink hot chocolate! Its silk touch and the milky taste always made her heart flutter content…But, as she was soundlessly making her way to the desired place, she heard voices coming from the living room; a little light was on, too making everything all the more exciting for her young overactive mind.
She approached, still hidden in the shadows, and looked into the large room; three people: her aunt, Nono, and another man about twenty-twenty five years old, were conversing vividly.
"But sir, I insist! We mustn't allow him the chance to wake up!"
Suddenly, the leader of the Vongola looked many, many years older. He rubbed his eyes tired and sighed. "Are you asking me to murder my own son, Ottabio?"
"We both know he's not your real son sir..."
"That doesn't change the fact I raised him...please don't ask me that."
Her aunt was only watching them argue apathetically, but Francesca could see the worry in her eyes.
"I'm only asking you to eliminate a very much active threat sir; I believe that is every boss's duty, no matter who the threat is."
"Are you implying I am a bad boss...?"
"No sir, the exact opposite; so far you've been exemplary and we all make mistakes. But should this be the one to make...?"
"I know you have a fair point. But I just cannot-...he is my son, no matter what. I would never kill my own son."
"But-...what do you think misses?"
Her aunt suddenly seemed thoughtful—a good cover up for her surprise, Francesca knew. She put her hand on her chin and pretended to be making up her mind –pretended because when her aunt took the "thinking" pose it meant the exact opposite: she'd already decided. "I think I want him alive."
The young man with the glasses resented the turn of events. "Why?" he asked and his cool demeanour cracked a little, showing some of his true feelings. Francesca thought it scary how he could mask his real sentiments so well.
"I want to study him; so long in the ice and hasn't died? He's news for my research."
Ottabio seemed to swear under his breath by the look he was having and just stood up. "I understand sir, madam; you cannot kill him. I shall respect your decision and now be excused…"
Both nodded affirmatively and he was allowed to go. But before he does, he ran into the scrambling girl, fighting to avoid him but failing. "And who might you be little girl?" he asked kindly with a fake but very warm smile.
It chilled her instead. "I-I'm Francesca Tutsi…"
"Ah, misses Tutsi's niece. Pleased to make an acquaintance with you young lady." He continued, his smile never fading.
She nodded half-heartedly and let him pass…she watched as he walked to the door and left the house; she could swear he looked back at her when she wasn't looking. Just a second later, Nono appeared out of nowhere with her aunt who locked her in a stifling embrace. "Did you have to wake up now of all times dear?"
End of flashback…
So he was…trying to get Xanxus killed whence he was in the ice. And if it were up to him, her boss wouldn't even exist anymore. The man she shared all her secrets with during her adolescent and early adult years wouldn't be there if Ottabio could help it. And she would have probably gone…mad it that was the case.
Her eyes were almost too wide to be true and her expression of surprise and realization almost comical. But if he'd managed to make Nono keep quiet about this and he was still Xanxus' vice captain who he had no idea of his true intentions – and how could he anyway – then didn't that mean he shouldn't be underestimated? If she spoke openly then he'd probably get her killed or at best away from her boss.
What if he tried to do anything funny to him? The rest of the special Varia were too far away – they were at a base just before the island they were supposed to retake while Squalo and the rest headed straight for Mare Diablo – to be of any help and she was the only one with the knowledge necessary.
She felt helpless. What would Mammon do? She questioned herself, trying to be as sly and inconspicuous as she could. After all, if she were to survive in a real mafia world, she'd have to be smooth...even though she had no idea how.
But then, the chance she was waiting for came; she had no idea how long she'd been standing out there but it felt like only moments later to her when she saw Ottabio leaving the tent he had entered with Xanxus...and the boss was still inside. After precariously checking left and right to make sure the man with the glasses wasn't coming back too soon, she ran for it.
"Boss," she asked, her head protruding "can I talk to you in private for a bit?"
He looked at her murderously. "What d'you mean, bitch? What about my medicine?"
"Oh shit, yes; I forgot!" she exclaimed slapping her forehead, ignoring the look he gave her when she actually swore.
And she swore, because she was inwardly cursing herself—now her chance would be gone...! But then she remembered: she had the shots with her! She exhaled relieved and moved to his side immediately. "Here they are boss."
She gave the serums but he gave her one more raised eyebrow. Previously he was acting weird something that would warrant her erratic behaviour before but why was she so fidgety now? She wouldn't stop looking around like a paranoid person, she would lose her footing all too often and she wouldn't be able to give him the serum on her own even if her life depended on it.
And when she came close to him, he almost slapped her away till he heard her:
"Listen to me; I don't think I have much time till he returns;" whispering in his ear as she was leaning over him, massaging his shoulders. "Ottabio is not who he says he is. He isn't your right hand or as loyal as he wants to depict himself."
She started picking it up while she was nodding the order of the serums he was consuming. "He was trying to get you killed when you were first encapsulated in the ice. I remember him talking to the Ninth about it!"
She then hurriedly finished him up with the rest of the supplementary medicine and slapped his back. "You're ready boss." she said cheerfully, hoping everything would work out for the best.
But what she didn't under any circumstances want to hear, she heard: "...what the fuck did you just say?"
Of course, that was just her luck. Could it get any worse—no wait, she never thought it! No, nope she did not! It was a rule: the moment you think or say that things can't get worse, then it happens. So no, she didn't even think it...
But she still had to answer. Fuck. "You heard me the first time..." she said a little wary as she glanced to the man she talked about to her boss.
But that was the wrong thing to say: Xanxus grabbed her arm and shoved her. "Don't talk to me like that, bitch! Do you understand?"
She nodded rapidly, tears in her eyes. Why was she even trying to help him after all? He was treating her like shit and like a masochist, she not only put up with it, she tried to save his life!
And for what? More abuse and torture? She was stupid, she should have let him to his fate, and maybe she'd get to watch him as he died as compensation for all the terrible things he'd ever done to her and her aunt...
"Good; now repeat what you've just said in front of him, too..."
She desperately shook her head in a "no" gesture, but he didn't care, nor had he released her yet. "I said, speak!"
And with that she found herself tossed in front of Ottabio's feet. Well, at least he let go of her hair...! She looked up and saw the older man looking at her with an ominous look, masked by a pretentious, unaware grin. "Alright" she said and felt a lump at her throat. "I have no problem saying it to his face as well…" she continued getting up while dusting herself down.
She stood ramrod straight and looked the older man right in the eye. "I only informed my boss of your true nature: you're a traitorous bastard and you want him dead."
She'd wanted to see Xanxus' reaction so badly, but she knew she shouldn't break eye contact with this man; she felt like she was watching a snake: if she looked the other way, then he would strike and bite her with all his venom! Just like a viper…
So she watched him. Surprisingly, his poker face never waned and nothing but the utmost shock was all that was ever shown on his face. What his thoughts were, she could guess though: various scenarios of how he should have her killed and make it look like an accident.
She swallowed with difficulty, but didn't stop the staring contest.
"I do not understand...why would you say such a thing Francesca? You barely know me…" he said, pretending to be actually hurt. He wasn't very dramatic about it, too—he was just enough to make him look like he was the one to be right.
She snorted. "Exactly; I have no reason to want you dead or anything. I am only speaking the truth." Finally, she decided to try appealing to her boss. "Please, believe me."
He looked at her seriously…maybe he was actually considering it!
But then, of course, Ottabio had to intervene: he cleared his throat, claiming all the attention for himself, and snapped Xanxus away from her begging eyes. "I know what this is about." he said solemnly, almost like he could see some greater truth none else could. "Nono has put you up to this. He wants Xanxus weakened, robbed of his allies, thus ordered you to make him doubt me."
Oh no, why did he have to bring up the boss's father? Now he would only see red and he'd never see reason…! Well, thinking about it, it sort of served him thus it was no strange thing he said it. Why couldn't she be fluent in words like him? "What? No! It was you who-!"
"No, I get it; you serve Xanxus, but Nono is your boss's boss after all. Who could ever disobey him? And I've seen him assert himself…he is a force to be reckoned with. You were scared or compelled into it, were you not?"
"No! You are the one who-!"
"Ah yes, it's all clear now; you can't help it. Boss, what do you say?"
She was about to protest once more, but the moment he drew Xanxus into the conversation she stopped; last thing she wanted to do, was to anger him further. No, she needed him on her side, something that didn't seem at all possible thanks to that man's silver fucking tongue, and satisfied. And it would be achievable if she only shut it.
Besides, no matter what she said, Ottabio turned it against her. So no point in talking aimlessly...so she braced herself for her answer.
As if she heard it all in slow motion, she knew what he'd say before he did it: "I see; take her away... once we arrive at the island, she'll be formally imprisoned."
She shut her eyes and after a long time, she felt real tears roll down her cheeks; he didn't believe her. She lost this battle of wits and tongues, even though she was the one who was right! She tried to save her boss and he rewards her with shackles? Heh, what else could she expect the way she did it, really?
As some person she'd never seen before came and bound her wrists, she scoffed and smiled between her few tears. She should have made a plan of action, not just rush in and accuse someone Xanxus apparently trusted.
The man secured her binds and shoved her forward, to move, to leave the tent; as she unconsciously did as she was told, being dragged and pushed around every now and then, she was left with nothing but her thoughts and her pretty clothes. She'd been so proud to wear the uniform when he'd announced the mission—she'd been so happy when he told her it was alright to put it on...
But now she feels annoyed by the very thought. Someone had torn away her Varia badge of her skirt anyway, so she was just a well dressed woman on a shore. Nothing more. Did they ever feel like she was a part of the squad—did she ever feel like she actually belonged? No, they never made her feel welcome. Well, all except Lussuria and Levi but she was positive the last person was talked into it by the others so she abhors them on purpose.
But what use was it, thinking of all these things? She would probably be somehow mysteriously killed now that her allegiance lay with the ninth as Xanxus thinks. He will find a way to dispose of her forever, or just leave Ottabio to do it for him. If that happened though, there would be an actual chance she'd live.
Nah, no; he'd be in a too dangerous a place not to directly obey the short tempered man. So...that was it? She'd die because she was stupid enough to try and warn Xanxus against a threat at his life? In fact, what possessed her to do such a thing on the first place? He was her jailer, her oppressor; her Stockholm syndrome was stronger than she thought after all—he wasn't even being good to her and she was defending him...!
She shook her head, trying to banish such thoughts; she tried to make happy ones instead. But all she got in return was a foul circle, running and running around in her own mind, trapping the same subject of mental conversation: what the hell is wrong with you Francesca, trying to save Xanxus? You could have been freed! Maybe you inwardly don't want to be freed because then whom would you have to blame for your life sucking as bad as it does other than you?
None. You'd be the sole person responsible for your own shit and, after so many years letting people make your decisions for you, you're just used and more comfortable even to be bullied around! Well done girl, well done indeed! Oh mother must be so proud if she knew what you were thinking! Her little angel finally became the perfect human doll for her to control better. Way to go...!
She had no sense of the passage of time; how long had she been in that weird and dark tent? An hour or two? Maybe just minutes? Or has it been a day already...? Yeah, she'd wish! It was probably five minutes later and she'd get to have countless of those for the time being, as it seemed...
She heard voices and shouts all around her; she had no idea what was going on but due to the commotion outside it was safe for her to assume something either too good or too bad was happening around her. She felt so empty though, she didn't seem to care one bit what might have been transpiring. She was only looking lifelessly at the side of the tent they had her confined in, bound and sorrowful.
She then swore to herself, after she made a complete idiot of her annoying Stockholm Syndrome, she would never be bullied ever again, no matter how strong or intimidating her foe was. After all, though she may not admit it to herself yet, it felt good speaking her own goddamn mind, be damned the consequences. It was...liberating. She felt strong in an entirely different account.
And even Xanxus' violent tantrum didn't take away from that: the fact she spoke freely without regard. Because, after all, she was only speaking the truth. And, as her aunt used to say, the truth will out! Either we like it or not...
Ottabio's days were numbered then...and if not, at least she knew Xanxus would too pay for not believing in her. If not with his life, then certainly with his blood. And all things considered, she deserved to be a vindictive at his point.
"Francesca, the island has been retaken; you are to be moved there where the boss will be to keep an eye on you." another random person she'd never seen before announced as he tried to usher her forward.
Once more, she did as she was told, looking lifeless still. But, this once, her mind was just reeling with the possibilities of what could and may happen now that Ottabio is still her boss's trustee. Would he kill him in his sleep? Would he try a coup just like Xanxus did, now that they are on his island? Would she, in the end, enjoy seeing it...?
Her first, immediate response to that was: Yes.
They shoved her in a small boat where barely fitted five people at the same time; yet, they were three in total, Xanxus, Ottabio and her, thus some space remained for her to be a little stretched out.
"What's with the apathetic stare?" the ever-pissed boss of hers asked when he saw her looking like a rag doll: eyes unmoving and a bit creepy.
"I have nothing left to be passionate for." she replied shrugging but continued anyway. "You'll probably see fit to kill me in the end and I'll wrongfully die because Ottabio here could talk his way out of punishment even if he were caught with his hand in the cookie jar. I have no chance against a man like that and, quite frankly, I'm sick of worrying about my life these past few months. So I say, to hell with it. Come what may."
Both men looked at her in a different way, but in the same context: "What the hell is wrong with you?"
"That is an awfully long answer for such a small question Francesca."
"And look at all the fucks I give." she snapped in the same apathetic way she seemed to be saying everything the last few minutes.
Xanxus had another opinion though: before Ottabio's second response, he laughed out loud, almost heartily. "Who would have thought the prospect of death would make you such a little runt? You keep amusing me like that and you might not die after all."
"I'd rather die..." she said with less volume but enough poise to make both men listen to her.
One could swear Ottabio was about to facepalm. "You know, I should just push you over right now" Xanxus said, going to her; he took her by the collar of her shirt "and no one would be able to say anything about how you accidentally drowned..."
"I know..." she simply replied, never losing her disinterested tone, her casual look.
The two people, she and the anger management-challenged youth, kept looking at each other: she wouldn't let go of her new-found apathy and he wouldn't let go of her shirt. Ottabio looked like he wanted to interfere, but he was too afraid Xanxus would probably push him over the edge because at least he could swim seeing he wasn't bound...but he had no intention of drenching his clothes. He loved this uniform.
Finally, the "duel" of stubbornness was over and it was obvious she had won, since she was still on the craft; unable to accept defeat though, Xanxus opted for another kind of approach: he severed her confines - drawing some blood there, too - and pushed her on her stomach.
"From now on, and at least until the moment Nono come looking for you, you will not see the light of day again." he simply ordered, blindfolding her.
Inwardly, she smiled. She somehow managed to escape with her life intact and a promise of her keeping it long enough to wallow in adequate self-pity...all things considered, this was a great turn of events!
"Ottabio, she's all yours to treat however you like." he only said, when he realised not only was she not struggling with the blindfold but she was too calm for his taste. He actually started thinking she was doing it purposefully.
So he handed her over to Ottabio whom she obviously did not like at all and let that be a lesson to her. He sat back in his seat, leaving her blindfolded and helpless on the floor of the small boat, at Ottabio's feet. And he'd see what things would lead up to...
Sometime later, they finally arrived at the Mare Diablo...she was immediately transported somewhere below, she was certain; though there weren't any stairs, she could understand the descent while even the air changed: it became cooler, denser and more...mouldy when it came to the scent.
So she was guided somewhere dark, cool and dry probably at some sort of dungeon of the man-made island. She could feel her own temperature dropping the deeper they went, and she didn't like it one bit. Just how long would she spent down there? Her nose had automatically curled up in distaste but other than that, she kept quiet about her problems and thoughts.
She also knew it was neither Ottabio nor Xanxus pushing her around because there was no way they'd lower themselves to such a menial task; not to mention the pushing was too gentle to be the boss yet too firm to be the snake.
Yet, from where they left her - she could swear they shoved her in the most remote location of the goddamn house – she could easily hear the trampling of feet and the shout of people and the whimpers of the hostages. They made no sense to her, meaning she couldn't possibly make out their words, but she definitely knew there was something going on.
She sneezed!
Oh great, the new environment was getting to her already... but then something unexpected happened: she heard footsteps and they weren't moving away, nor a level or two above her; instead, they were steadily approaching her with purpose. She'd bet all she had on her -which was a useless now due to her blindfold watch and a silver ring- that was Ottabio.
And a minute later, she was assured; the silk voice of the man was heard, feeling like it was next to her, speaking in something above a whisper: "You are a smart girl Francesca...no need to make a big deal out of nothing. You heard him, you are mine now. So why don't we try to make a deal?"
She kept silent, but her good ear was now turned to him, so he knew he had her full attention. She could see him grinning like a self-serving idiot besides the blindfold.
"I kill him, and you help me do it..."
She tensed, he could see her: every muscle on her shoulders twitched while she sat more fully. "I do not mean for you to take an active part, of course...but you could be the one to trick him. Not now, certainly, but maybe later. He'd always been a little...willing to be lead on by women."
Tch, is he serious? Since when Xanxus of all people is lead around by women consciously, she thought a little annoyed that never seemed to be the case with her if he was actually right.
"So, if you agree to work with me, on the contrary of him, I am willing to give you all the respect and riches he has denied from you—either material or mental ones."
"But he's my boss..."
"Ah dear, you only say that because you are too pure at heart and apparently, a little dependent. I will teach you how to be independent. You will be the master of your own self and you will not have to put up with his immeasurable anger and self-esteem issues. After all, it isn't your fault if he can't accept the fact his blood isn't Vongola."
He waited a moment, and only then did he go in for the kill. "What say you, young, innocent Francesca Tutsi, niece of the late Lucretia Tutsi?"
She was thoughtful, as much as she could be seen; her frown was evident and her shoulders were drooping forward and her hand was on her chin. She was deciding, he realised and gave her all the space she'd need, by taking a step back. He watched her expressions change and saw the transition of her feelings...he thought this was actually going to work!
"So...you're telling me I should betray Xanxus, my current annoying, over-demanding, violent and unpredictable boss, who wears his emotions on his sleeve to follow you, a fair, silver-tongued, calm, back-stabbing boss that I can never know what he's thinking; hum...I think I'll take the one who's at least man enough to tell me he thinks I'm a gullible idiot to my face instead of trying to manipulate me about it."
He didn't express his rage in words, no; he didn't even hit her, like she thought he would. No, no, he only stood there in his silence and she could almost feel the heat of his anger, his great aversion to the thought he'd been shot down again by another Tutsi! After all, the same thing with her aunt happened: she didn't side with him and allowed Xanxus to live.
Why was everyone so hell-bent on allowing such a man to...keep on living anyway? There was nothing, and he meant nothing special about him!
"He's just a spoiled brat with all kinds of issues! He's hurt more people than he's helped -and even that was by accident- and he constantly treats others like dirt on his shoes! Yet he somehow manages to...have everyone on his side? Even those he abuses? Why?"
"If you're asking me, I have nothing like that on my mind. I simply dislike you more than I dislike him. You scare me but in a much different way that he does. He has powers which you know when are coming for you. With you, it's another story. So I just like you less."
She shrugged in the end, making her point; either the point she made was satisfactory or not, she didn't quite care. In fact, she started believing she cared for but a handful of things from now on; on one hand, if her innocence was proven in the end then she'd get to be mean without a real problem from her part. If her innocence was never proven, on the other hand, she could easily be a mean bitch to them without the tiniest regret. What could they do to her that would be worse than this anyway...?
She heard him, Ottabio, stomping away and only then did she realise he'd been staring at all this while. She snorted a bit of laughter and shook her head. Maybe being a total bitch would work better than being kind after all—it seemed to work on Xanxus earlier anyway!
Her smile could not be contained.
Yet, the time passed and she was losing all awareness of it; had it been a day? Had it been hours since she'd been down there? She knew it couldn't have been more than half a day, since the flow of time when you're alone seems to slow down not the other way round so she could only doubt the amount of hours. She assumed it's been five, but she might have been mistaken.
She hoped she wasn't, because she was too tired and moody already. Her moodiness was evident by the fact she was thinking and thinking over and over her decision not to follow Ottabio in her head. Should she have somehow tried to trick him by making him think she was on his side so that she was released at the very least?
Did she even make the right choice not to succumb to his schemes? What did Xanxus offer her after all? Abuse: verbal, mental and physical; what would he offer her? A nice working environment where, even if it weren't true, they'd pretend to value her and her opinion. Only she'd never be anything more than a tool. She'd be a tool anyway, she knew, but at least Xanxus makes her know her place; Ottabio would have been sneakier and she always hated that sort of person.
No, she chose well. She believed that. But she could have chosen even better—to kill two birds with one stone: have Ottabio kill Xanxus, betray him before he delivers the final blow and earn a permanent leave of absence from Nono. And then she'd finally be free to do whatever the hell she wants.
But, she wasn't that thinker, the one who'd think things to make his own life better and not someone else's. She was always late to think of her own interest. But oh well, at least now she'd get to be loose-tongued around the-...
She was driven away from her train of thought, as she heard crawling and whispers; it was a large amount of people who did it too thus she excluded Ottabio coming back to kill her or even sending someone else to do it; besides, there'd be no merit in that, given he'd only prove himself wrong to Xanxus.
So what could it be? She was curious; she extended both her ears, willing herself to listen better...the silenced voices and the hushed moving was coming closer to her. She perked up entirely, going so much as to stand on her knees.
"Look, there's a woman here..." she clearly heard someone say, the first of the line, too.
She didn't know what happened then, but everyone stopped dead in their tracks—most probably the man leading them raised a hand to halt their advance. By the sounds they were making, they felt like professionals—not to mention the minimum amount of time it took to stop so many people.
She was even more curious now to know who they were.
She felt someone yanking away her blindfold; there wasn't much light—in fact the only light around was artificial, but it still hurt a little. It was as if she'd forgotten how to see...! When her eyes adjusted to the new conditions, she made out the silhouettes of about thirty men, armed to the teeth; wearing military uniforms...wait what? Military uniforms? Were these people...sent from the state?
Wow, wow, wow! What the fuck is going on? She had to find out! "Who are you and what are you doing here?" the man from before asked – she recognised the voice -.
"I'm a hostage. I'm a doctor, a scientist and they need me but I...you know, I don't want to-...!"
"She's a prisoner, men!" he said immediately, buying her story completely. "Let's free her and move on! One of you will stay back here to guard her!"
She would have grinned like a maniac had she not a role to play. "Oh thank you so much, kind sir!" She thanked her luck for Xanxus' foul mood that got her into a skirt but out of the Varia badge or else they'd never believe her. "How could I ever repay you?"
"You be safe and away from these people; that will do."
Jubilant, or at least she pretended very well to be, she allowed the soldier burdened with the task of keeping her safe until this raid was over to release her from her prison. She saw she was in an actual holding cell, very old school with bars and locks and stone walls.
The man helping her looked strong, healthy and big; he had all of his gear on, which was why he looked so ominous. Or it had to do with the fact he was holding a huge automated weapon. Yes, that might have been it.
The rest of the soldiers had already cleared out of the first level –or last, depending on which side you saw it from- and the two of them were left alone...she tried to think of a strategy. She figured she should strike up some small talk till she decided what to do.
"So cold down here comparatively, wouldn't you say?"
"I wouldn't know; I wear all these." he said apathetically, calling her bluff.
She bit her lip for her stupidity...but then a better thought came and she found it to be an excellent idea: if he considered her stupid then by all means, she should reinforce that belief! "...but I still am cold. Maybe if you gave me your jacket I would be?"
"...you want my jacket?"
She nodded, too girly for her tastes. "Right now?"
She fluttered her eyebrows momentarily and gave him a guilty smile; he sighed. Her plan was working! "Fine...but you'll have to hold my gun for a moment; can you do it without firing it accidentally? The safety is off."
"I'll try! And I won't touch the trigger."
He still seemed sceptical and he knew he was about to regret his decision for reasons unexplained, but he went through with it anyway. He handed her the weapon carefully, like giving a baby to someone to hold, and went for his zipper.
While he was occupied with his jacket's workings though, she started "examining" the gun, acting as inconspicuous as possible. When his jacket was off, and she could see the full extent of his bullet proof jacket, she fired!
She tried to aim for his neck and his hands solely, but the kick of the gun was strong and she ended up filling him with bullets and holes. At least she managed to land a few killing blows, she thought forgivingly to herself as she shrugged at her result. He was dead so no big deal. She made sure of it though by checking his pulse and once she saw he was truly dead she searched him: she found a good knife, ammo and of course a hand gun. Oh, and his intercom!
She took all, even his Kevlar, and after she hid him, she bolted upstairs.
A/N:Ooooh, action! And shit happening! More on the way; please read and review~!