~*~Aftershocks: Chapter Four- The Proposition~*~
~Silverium~
Disclaimer: Epic Megagames owns all.
Jean-Paul watched as Crystal entered the office looking more than a little suspicious. She sat down and kept her posture at perfection, her chin raised staring almost defiantly into Milano's eyes.
"Ms. Devroe," Milano greeted in a deadly voice,
"Mr. Angston," Crystal's tone was sharper than a blade,
"I have a proposition for the two of you," Milano said craftily, his cunning dark eyes shining, "Ms. Devroe, Crystal, wants to know the knowledge of her parents, this information that I have securely in my grasp. Jean-Paul wants his job back, needs his job back, rather. After all, if he doesn't want the job he'll no doubt be killed for all that he knows."
It was said lightly, but Jean-Paul didn't miss the hidden message. Milano wouldn't carry out the assassination, but someone from the WAR organization would. Crystal shot Jean-Paul a look of surprise, she had under estimated him.
"So! I noticed that you both brought your 'bots, the Shadow and the Jaguar. You two will battle against each other, and the winner will get what they desire. Knowledge, or a place in society,"
"I don't want placement. I want my job," Jean-Paul said darkly,
"Same thing," Milano snapped, "Do you agree?"
Crystal and Jean-Paul shared a long look. He had beat her once, why couldn't he do it again? To be back in the Shadow, to be the Shadow once more, wasn't that good enough for the moment? Jean-Paul tore his eyes away from Crystal's and looked now at Milano with a coldness in his green orbs,
"I agree."
Crystal frowned, but she knew now, that she had no choice, besides, Jean-Paul had gotten off lucky, and she would demolish him in the ring. It was her desires first, and she deserved to know how the fate of her parents was justified. The fact that he might be killed afterwards…was not going to be her problem.
"You're insane!" She hissed angrily, nearly jumping to her feet,
"Do you, Ms. Devroe, agree?"
"I agree!" She growled,
"Excellent, you have one week to train, the battle will be in one of four arenas, all that you are accustomed to. I look forward to the exchange." Milano smirked,
"You're a cold bastard," Crystal hissed, "I'm shocked you'd trade your friend's life in for some entertainment!"
"All part of the business," Milano said smoothly, "You're both excused. Take them to the guest accommodations."
Jean-Paul rose and strode away with a fuming Crystal in tow. He wasn't surprised that Milano would throw his life out like that. Jean-Paul had won their last encounter, and he could do it again. They were taken to a fancy hotel where Jean Paul opened his door, opposite Crystal's, and looked into a well-furnished set of four rooms. Kitchen, bathroom, living room and bedroom, it would serve well for him. Dropping his luggage and then walking to the balcony he traced his fingers over the glass covering. Outside was the methane-filled air that looked horribly inviting. Fighting Crystal, she had motivation, which was the real enemy, but it was Jean-Paul's life that was on the line.
Crystal dropped her bags on her bed and sorted them into the shelves provided. She changed into more comfortable attire—black dress pants, and a light blue t-shirt. Sliding into the chair at her kitchen table she pressed her hand to her forehead and sighed, letting her pale gold hair fall over her face,
"He beat me last time, but I have to find out what happened to my parents, if I do, Christian will come back, he'll get better. But if I win, Jean-Paul will die. Milano must be bluffing, he wouldn't let that happen! I have to win, no matter what."
But Jean-Paul's death loomed in her mind like a dark shadow with icy green eyes.
~*~I don't actually know how long this will end up, I have the ending in mind, of course, so it will get finished. Reviews would be nice though; I noticed not a lot of fanfics dealt with the characters themselves, so I thought I'd have a go at it. ~*~
