Noir: Shadows are but Shadows: Chapter 6 Lo, How the Mighty Fall.
(Author's note: I realized that I made an error in continuity earlier with another chapter.^^; in Bernai's assassination scene Bali has a bow an arrow instead of the weapon she had when leaving the old manor house. Ehehe, sorry about that. Otherwise I hope you're enjoying? Oh, another thing, Mme. is an abbreviation for Madame, like Ms. or Mrs. I'm lazy and it saves me time, hehehe if only very little. Hey, it adds up. XD By the way, I realize that on the DVDs of Noir they translate the title of candidates for Noir as "saplings" but I started writing this before they began the NA release of Noir. On my fansubs it was always translated as "inner trees" so that's what I used and will continue to use for continuity purposes.)
Madeline waited silently back at Mireille's penthouse, waiting for their return, waiting for the other two trees perhaps, to come. In any case, Madeline felt it was time to get to work on her mission she would attack Kirika and Mireille as they came in and disregarding her orders from Elizabeth, kill the two herself. That would prove to Bali and Mme. Elizabeth that she was worthy to be the other half of Noir. Wrapped up in her plans of self-glorifying actions she didn't realize Mireille and Kirika were at the door until they'd already let themselves in and Mireille was questioning Madeline, with her gun pointed in the face of the undercover tree, "You! Madeline!" she commanded. Madeline blinked slightly and looked up into the barrel of Mireille's Walther P99, Madeline let nothing show, not even a look of surprise crossed her face even though there was a gun pointed at her. This sent a slight chill up Mireille's spine but she shrugged it off and continued, "Just who sent you anyway?" Mireille knew the answer, but wanted to hear it from Madeline's own mouth, Kirika silently observed with her hand on her Beretta ready to shoot if Madeline tried anything.
Madeline lowered her head slightly and reached for a letter opener that was lying nearby. Mireille noticed the slight movement and went ahead and fired a shot at Madeline, although she didn't feel like ruining her furniture she'd paid so much money for in this situation where her life might be in danger she'd gladly shoot in her home. Madeline was too quick and leapt from her seat just before the bullet hit the back of the armchair she was sitting in. Madeline was indeed too quick for Mireille, but not for Kirika. She leapt towards Mireille with the letter opener in hand but before Mireille could react Kirika fired a shot from her Beretta and down Madeline went. Dead with but one bullet fired.
Mireille walked over to make sure her assailant was dead and nudged the body slightly with one foot. Madeline was dead all right, but there were still two more trees to come. Mireille was lost in thought when Kirika spoke up. "Mireiyu, you have a phone call." Mireille snapped out of it and without saying a word to Kirika, took the phone "What is it?" she asked, annoyed. The voice on the other end spoke up; "No need to be so rude Mme. Bouquet." A chill ran up Mireille's spine, and she thought back to the first day Kirika moved back in and the phone call she'd received then, it was the same voice from before. "I am sorry I could not have contacted you sooner but there are many prying eyes.and ears about. I had to make sure it was safe to call." Mireille was getting fed up quickly "This is the second time you have called me, and I am quite sure it is not an idle chat you want. So get to the point." A chuckle from the woman on the other end; " All right, point taken. As you probably already know, Madeline was one of Les Soldats." There was a pause. "But.?" Mireille questioned. "But what you didn't know is that she was one of three. One of three from which two were to be chosen as Noir." Mireille thought back to the whole ordeal with Chloe and Altena. "I see." She said quietly. The woman spoke again " I would like to meet with you and your partner but there is hardly a place safe enough from the prying eyes of Les Soldats." Mireille's curiosity had been piqued and she spoke up "There is a park nearby, densely wooded, Meet us there tomorrow night." With that there was an odd noise from the other end and then the line went dead.
Kirika spoke up after Mireille placed the phone back where it was "Mireiyu. Was that the woman who called you before?" Mireille silently nodded. "She wants to meet with us." She then told Kirika what the woman had told her. They disposed of Madeline's body and the next night they went to the park as Mireille had told the woman they would. They waited for little less than ten minutes when a woman approached. "Are you Mireille Bouquet and Kirika Yuumura?" Mireille recognized the voice; this was indeed the woman from the phone calls. Mireille was suspicious though and cautiously answered "Who's asking?" The woman seemed to loosen up "My name is Nadine. I am the mother of one of the three new trees." Mireille was surprised slightly but didn't let it show, as for Kirika her emotions remained a mystery.
Kirika spoke up much to the surprise of Mireille "Then you're a Soldat, How do we know we can trust you?" Nadine shook her head " I'm not here to ask for your trust, I'm here for a request. My daughter, Bali was torn away from me to become Noir. Like your parents Mireille, I didn't want to let her go but it was the stories of the Bouquets that made me hand her over. I was weak and let her go and now." her voice trailed off. Mireille was annoyed "So what are you saying?" Nadine spoke up "I want you to kill her. I know my daughter is too far gone to ever come back to me." In a burst of anger Mireille spoke up "Don't you dare compare yourself to my parents. Here you are saying you've given up on your daughter and you want us to kill her. What kind of parent are you? You act as if you don't even care. You were weak and gave in now you want US to correct your mistake! My parents died to keep me from Les Soldats! I've had enough of this, Come on Kirika, we're leaving." A pang of guilt hit Kirika when she heard Mireille speak of the death of her parents. They turned to leave when they heard a rustle in the bushes. Kirika took out her Beretta and Mireille brought out her Walther. Nadine knew what was coming, she gasped slightly and her heart began to race. She wanted to run but she didn't know where to go. Adelirose and Bali moved from the bushes up into some of the trees ready to leap down and attack the three below.
Nadine finally could not take it anymore and began to run. She made her way out of the park and out into the streets she found a back alley to hide in and waited. Adelirose watched Nadine and went after her leaving Bali in the park. Kirika listened intently for any sound and when Bali positioned herself for an attack Kirika heard the tiny sound and fired up into the trees. Bali narrowly dodged the bullet and leapt from the tree grabbing Mireille in the process and holding one of her poisoned darts to the blonde's throat. Kirika aimed her gun at Bali's head and was about to pull the trigger when Bali spoke "Traitors! You betrayed Les Soldats and for that you must die!" Mireille used her opportunity to slip free from Bali's grip and aim her gun at their attacker as well. Bali realized the situation she was in and stood still waiting any moment for the black suited gunmen from Les Soldats that were sent as backup to begin attacking. Mireille spoke up "Not very impressive for someone who is to become Noir." A rain of bullets exploded forth from the nearby bushes and Mireille and Kirika both turned their sights on the infamous black suited gunmen they'd killed so many times before.
Bali used her time given by the gunmen to escape. Mireille and Kirika had no problem dealing with these over-rated assassins. Gunman after gunman fell thanks to Kirika and Mireille's guns. Kirika leapt from the oncoming bullets and shot the one firing at her while she was still in the air. Mireille hid behind one of the trees and when there was a pause in the firing of bullets she shot more of Les Soldats' men. When all the gunmen were dealt with Kirika and Mireille pursued Bali but it was too late, she was gone. Adelirose closed in on Nadine. Nadine began to cry "Please! Don't kill me!" her begs went unheard. Adelirose took her dagger and killed the unarmed Nadine. With that she met back up with Bali and fled to a headquarters for Soldats within Paris where they were to be staying. Mireille was frustrated, she knew more now, but still not enough.
(Author's note: I realized that I made an error in continuity earlier with another chapter.^^; in Bernai's assassination scene Bali has a bow an arrow instead of the weapon she had when leaving the old manor house. Ehehe, sorry about that. Otherwise I hope you're enjoying? Oh, another thing, Mme. is an abbreviation for Madame, like Ms. or Mrs. I'm lazy and it saves me time, hehehe if only very little. Hey, it adds up. XD By the way, I realize that on the DVDs of Noir they translate the title of candidates for Noir as "saplings" but I started writing this before they began the NA release of Noir. On my fansubs it was always translated as "inner trees" so that's what I used and will continue to use for continuity purposes.)
Madeline waited silently back at Mireille's penthouse, waiting for their return, waiting for the other two trees perhaps, to come. In any case, Madeline felt it was time to get to work on her mission she would attack Kirika and Mireille as they came in and disregarding her orders from Elizabeth, kill the two herself. That would prove to Bali and Mme. Elizabeth that she was worthy to be the other half of Noir. Wrapped up in her plans of self-glorifying actions she didn't realize Mireille and Kirika were at the door until they'd already let themselves in and Mireille was questioning Madeline, with her gun pointed in the face of the undercover tree, "You! Madeline!" she commanded. Madeline blinked slightly and looked up into the barrel of Mireille's Walther P99, Madeline let nothing show, not even a look of surprise crossed her face even though there was a gun pointed at her. This sent a slight chill up Mireille's spine but she shrugged it off and continued, "Just who sent you anyway?" Mireille knew the answer, but wanted to hear it from Madeline's own mouth, Kirika silently observed with her hand on her Beretta ready to shoot if Madeline tried anything.
Madeline lowered her head slightly and reached for a letter opener that was lying nearby. Mireille noticed the slight movement and went ahead and fired a shot at Madeline, although she didn't feel like ruining her furniture she'd paid so much money for in this situation where her life might be in danger she'd gladly shoot in her home. Madeline was too quick and leapt from her seat just before the bullet hit the back of the armchair she was sitting in. Madeline was indeed too quick for Mireille, but not for Kirika. She leapt towards Mireille with the letter opener in hand but before Mireille could react Kirika fired a shot from her Beretta and down Madeline went. Dead with but one bullet fired.
Mireille walked over to make sure her assailant was dead and nudged the body slightly with one foot. Madeline was dead all right, but there were still two more trees to come. Mireille was lost in thought when Kirika spoke up. "Mireiyu, you have a phone call." Mireille snapped out of it and without saying a word to Kirika, took the phone "What is it?" she asked, annoyed. The voice on the other end spoke up; "No need to be so rude Mme. Bouquet." A chill ran up Mireille's spine, and she thought back to the first day Kirika moved back in and the phone call she'd received then, it was the same voice from before. "I am sorry I could not have contacted you sooner but there are many prying eyes.and ears about. I had to make sure it was safe to call." Mireille was getting fed up quickly "This is the second time you have called me, and I am quite sure it is not an idle chat you want. So get to the point." A chuckle from the woman on the other end; " All right, point taken. As you probably already know, Madeline was one of Les Soldats." There was a pause. "But.?" Mireille questioned. "But what you didn't know is that she was one of three. One of three from which two were to be chosen as Noir." Mireille thought back to the whole ordeal with Chloe and Altena. "I see." She said quietly. The woman spoke again " I would like to meet with you and your partner but there is hardly a place safe enough from the prying eyes of Les Soldats." Mireille's curiosity had been piqued and she spoke up "There is a park nearby, densely wooded, Meet us there tomorrow night." With that there was an odd noise from the other end and then the line went dead.
Kirika spoke up after Mireille placed the phone back where it was "Mireiyu. Was that the woman who called you before?" Mireille silently nodded. "She wants to meet with us." She then told Kirika what the woman had told her. They disposed of Madeline's body and the next night they went to the park as Mireille had told the woman they would. They waited for little less than ten minutes when a woman approached. "Are you Mireille Bouquet and Kirika Yuumura?" Mireille recognized the voice; this was indeed the woman from the phone calls. Mireille was suspicious though and cautiously answered "Who's asking?" The woman seemed to loosen up "My name is Nadine. I am the mother of one of the three new trees." Mireille was surprised slightly but didn't let it show, as for Kirika her emotions remained a mystery.
Kirika spoke up much to the surprise of Mireille "Then you're a Soldat, How do we know we can trust you?" Nadine shook her head " I'm not here to ask for your trust, I'm here for a request. My daughter, Bali was torn away from me to become Noir. Like your parents Mireille, I didn't want to let her go but it was the stories of the Bouquets that made me hand her over. I was weak and let her go and now." her voice trailed off. Mireille was annoyed "So what are you saying?" Nadine spoke up "I want you to kill her. I know my daughter is too far gone to ever come back to me." In a burst of anger Mireille spoke up "Don't you dare compare yourself to my parents. Here you are saying you've given up on your daughter and you want us to kill her. What kind of parent are you? You act as if you don't even care. You were weak and gave in now you want US to correct your mistake! My parents died to keep me from Les Soldats! I've had enough of this, Come on Kirika, we're leaving." A pang of guilt hit Kirika when she heard Mireille speak of the death of her parents. They turned to leave when they heard a rustle in the bushes. Kirika took out her Beretta and Mireille brought out her Walther. Nadine knew what was coming, she gasped slightly and her heart began to race. She wanted to run but she didn't know where to go. Adelirose and Bali moved from the bushes up into some of the trees ready to leap down and attack the three below.
Nadine finally could not take it anymore and began to run. She made her way out of the park and out into the streets she found a back alley to hide in and waited. Adelirose watched Nadine and went after her leaving Bali in the park. Kirika listened intently for any sound and when Bali positioned herself for an attack Kirika heard the tiny sound and fired up into the trees. Bali narrowly dodged the bullet and leapt from the tree grabbing Mireille in the process and holding one of her poisoned darts to the blonde's throat. Kirika aimed her gun at Bali's head and was about to pull the trigger when Bali spoke "Traitors! You betrayed Les Soldats and for that you must die!" Mireille used her opportunity to slip free from Bali's grip and aim her gun at their attacker as well. Bali realized the situation she was in and stood still waiting any moment for the black suited gunmen from Les Soldats that were sent as backup to begin attacking. Mireille spoke up "Not very impressive for someone who is to become Noir." A rain of bullets exploded forth from the nearby bushes and Mireille and Kirika both turned their sights on the infamous black suited gunmen they'd killed so many times before.
Bali used her time given by the gunmen to escape. Mireille and Kirika had no problem dealing with these over-rated assassins. Gunman after gunman fell thanks to Kirika and Mireille's guns. Kirika leapt from the oncoming bullets and shot the one firing at her while she was still in the air. Mireille hid behind one of the trees and when there was a pause in the firing of bullets she shot more of Les Soldats' men. When all the gunmen were dealt with Kirika and Mireille pursued Bali but it was too late, she was gone. Adelirose closed in on Nadine. Nadine began to cry "Please! Don't kill me!" her begs went unheard. Adelirose took her dagger and killed the unarmed Nadine. With that she met back up with Bali and fled to a headquarters for Soldats within Paris where they were to be staying. Mireille was frustrated, she knew more now, but still not enough.