Author's note: I do not own Final Fantasy VII or its characters. This is for the 30 Kisses challenge using list lambda. Theme 28: Masquerade.
We Hide and Seek
Tseng pulled her zipper up, securing Elena's costume. "Are you ready?"
Elena nodded, stepping away from her partner in order to tie her mask in place. The two of them both wore elaborate masquerade costumes in order to both blend in with the crowd tonight as well as to conceal their identities. They would be the ones carrying out the assassination tonight. Reno and Rude would be proving a distraction.
She double checked her weapons and made sure that her costume was in place. She was dressed as a Renaissance lady. It was choice that was common enough that she wouldn't stand out, and the neckline of the gown would keep most men from looking at her face. Not that would be able to tell much with her mask in place, but it was better to be safe than to be sorry. Elena adjusted her mask and turned to let her partner check her over.
Tseng nodded at her and smiled. He adjusted her mask and pressed a kiss to her bare shoulder. "You're all set."
Her partner put on his own mask, and the two of them slipped out of the hotel room in order to join the rest of the partygoers. Before long Elena doubted that anyone would be able to pick them out specifically amongst the throng of costumed and masked party-goers. And of course, that was the point. Another couple at the party would hardly gather much notice. These sorts of missions were always rather routine in truth: slip in with the guests, mingle, kill someone, mingle some more, and then make a discreet exit eventually. Elena had completed over a dozen of them at this point in her career.
Tseng tucked her hand in the crook of his elbow, and the two of them moved out onto the dance floor. Dancing was a very good way to get close to a target without being noticed, and Elena never minded dancing with her partner. Three songs later fireworks began causing most of the guests to head towards the windows. Elena used the opportunity to fire a single silenced shot into the target's brain while Tseng kept watch for her.
The two of the part ways as they disappeared into the crowd. The body would probably be found once the fireworks display was done with. If they really were fireworks. Elena wasn't sure that Reno had actually gotten his hands on actual fireworks; he might have improvised something. It wouldn't be the first time. About ten minutes later, just as the fireworks were beginning to die down, Tseng reappeared by her side, holding a pair of Champaign flutes.
"The body hasn't been discovered yet. It was a good idea to pull him back into that alcove. He probably won't be found until either the party is over or a couple needs a place to make out."
She took one of the glasses. "Good. So when do we leave?"
Tseng kissed her. "In about ten minutes. We'll have one more dance and then slip out early. I doubt we'll be the only ones."
Fifteen minutes they were driving away from the hotel. Their costumes had already been discarded in favor of their regular uniforms, and the body had yet to be discovered. Elena smiled to herself. These missions really were rather routine, but it was just a part of being a Turk. Besides, Elena really couldn't say that she minded them.