Disclaimer: I Do Not own Noir. Noir belongs to Ryoe Tsukimura & Beetrain, ect. This story is rated T for violence, disturbing images, and slight shoujo-ai content. This story is told through Mireille Bouquet's POV. Spoils the first 5 episodes.
"A Bouquet Of Memories"
Chapter 3- 'LES SOLDATS' ep 5-
This morning, I recieved an unexpected phonecall. It was one that could be very important to the mysteries of my past, and my uncertain future. I replayed the conversation in my head...
"Is that you, Mireille? It's Valnel. I have some information. Yes, it's about that. No, I will tell you the details when we meet in person. Why don't you come to my house tomorrow? At noon, perhaps. Yes, my wife would like for you to come as well." my trusted friend told me.
I wondered what Valnel had found out for me. I hoped I would receive the answers to the questions that had been disturbing me lately. I needed to know who was trying to kill Noir. Why had Alfred Dux and the lady who had liked Belladonna lilies been hired to kill Kirika and I, especially when Dux didn't even know that Noir was two people? Who was the Mastermind? Who was this unseen enemy that Kirika had spoke about, and who had taken her memories away from her?
Hopefully, tomorrow I would find out these answers.
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As Kirika and I approached the front door of Valnel's home, we discovered the door was standing ajar. Something wasn't right- Kirika and I exchanged a look, wondering if we might be walking into a trap of some kind. We each drew our weapon and went in opposite ways as we searched the house.
I walked and looked around carefully, then I checked around the stairs for any intruders. I made my way to Valnel's study and gasped as I found him slumped over his desk, with his wife and children lying dead on the floor in front of him.
(NO! This couldn't be...my friends...dead...) I thought sadly.
"We're too late." Kirika said softly, as she came to stand beside me.
I looked harshly at her for a moment, then walked past her. This carnage took me back to when I was a child. The open pocket watch on the table playing that same melody, my beautiful mother still in a pool of blood on the floor, her arms outstretched. My father and older brother dead beside her-just like Valnel and his family. This was all my fault...
I just wanted to find out who killed my friends. Once again, people I cared for had been taken from me.
(I'm sorry, Valnel...I'm so sorry I got you involved...)
I felt like crying, but I wouldn't. Nothing came from tears anyway. I learned that lesson a long time ago.
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I stopped and looked out at the river before we made our way back to my apartment. I just couldn't shake the grisly scene of my murdered friends from my mind. I could feel Kirika's eyes on me as I leaned against the wall and looked out toward the water.
"It was my fault. I was checking out everyone Dux had recently come into contact with. And I'm sure he was killed for it...along with his entire family." I explained to Kirika, sadly.
"It's no use." Kirika said suddenly. I looked at her angrily. How could she ever know what I had lost? But then again, she had nobody either. I wondered if she would have when she got her memory back again.
"It's no use thinking about it." she said softly. She stared out at the water with a sad look.
I sighed. She was right, just thinking about this wasn't going to help answer my questions. I'd have to take action and find out what Valnel had discovered on my own.
"You're right. They're trying to kill us. They're trying to kill Noir. Valnel must have found a clue to who they are." I told her in agreement.
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I couldn't sleep. Kirika was asleep beside me on her back, while I laid on my side with my back to her. I looked over at the window and at the plant that was on the table near it. I knew what lay next to the plant even though I couldn't see it from the bed. It was the pocket watch. I remembered the melody it played. It was the same one that was playing the day I discovered my family murdered.
That watch was a part of my past. What part did Kirika play in it? Everything was a mystery to me, but all the clues were pointing in the direction of my childhood tragedy. What part did I play in this game? Everything seemed so chaotic since Kirika had come into my life. Did I do the right thing by teaming up with her?
I could feel the warmth of her body as she laid next to me. We were so close together in this small bed. I could easily touch her if I wanted. But I wouldn't. I was supposed to kill this girl when we found out the truth. She agreed to that too. But even though I didn't understand her, I found I wasn't looking forward to having to kill her. She had nothing, and I felt for her. I guess my heart wasn't as cold as I thought it was.
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I was up before Kirika this morning. I opened the window to find the day was sunny and beautiful out. I had on my lilac capri pajama pants and matching top. I thought about starting to put the water on for tea, when the sun glinted off the silver of the pocket watch. It was right next to the plant, and I found myself reaching over to pick it up so I could examine it closer...
"Good morning." Kirika said, as she walked over to me with a glass of water in her hand. She was wearing her purple tank top and short pj set.
"Oh!" I gasped, as I pulled back to let her pass. I was so close to that watch! It seemed that every time I tried to look at it- she would magically appear. I couldn't help but feel annoyed as I watched Kirika water the plant.
She paused and looked at me curiously. "Huh?" she asked, softly.
I knew she was responding to the annoyed look I was giving her.
"Watering the flowers is fine, but don't forget they might be turning black anyway." I said firmly.
I softened my tone as I continued. "Noir, I've heard that name before. It's one of the oldest designations in our line of work but no one knows its origins. It's like a puzzle made up of odd shaped pieces. There's the piece we call Noir- you're another piece." I said as I looked at Kirika pointedly. "And then there's one more." I said, as I stared down at the pocket watch.
Kirika listened to me with a sad look on her face as she finished watering the plant. I thought about my first meeting with her back in Japan. I wonder what part Kirika plays in this. I wish she had her memory so I could find out the connection between her and the pocket watch.
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I dressed in my usual mission outfit. My red turtleneck, black miniskirt and boots don't scream out assassin. That is one reason I like to wear this. I decided I am going to try to find out what information Valnel had. I had some ideas on where I can look for clues.
"I'm going to check out some of Valnel's old haunts!" I called to Kirika as I made my way to the door.
She rushed up to me dressed and ready to go. She actually seemed excited about going.
I looked at her coldly. "You needn't come." I told her firmly. I wanted to do this on my own, I decided.
Kirika looked dejected as I closed the door behind me. She didn't follow me though.
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I stopped by a bar where Valnel once worked. The man behind the counter was shocked over the deaths.
"It's so brutal! The entire family slaughtered like that! Valnel was a good man with a strong sense of honor. Even after he became well-known, he still stopped by to pay his respects to me; his old superior. To many he may have seemed reserved, but he was a doting father. Our friend loved his son and daughter as dearly as life itself. His wife was a fine woman as well. It's so tragic!" the older man said about his former employee.
"Yes, it was. Valnel and his wife were among the few people in this world I could trust." I agreed sadly. It was my fault, I felt so guilty for my friend and his family's death. Why did I involve them? I guess I didn't think he might be killed for helping me.
"Yes indeed. Now you were asking me about..?" the older man asked me.
"About last week, sir." I responded.
The older man leaned down onto the bar and thought. "Ah...yes! As you said, he came into the shop rather unexpectedly. It was the first time he stopped by in nearly two years, so I remember it quite well." he replied.
"And did he say anything..?" I asked, hopefully.
"Now that I think about it, he was looking rather pale." he responded thoughtfully...
'Oh, I see." I replied sadly.
"Now I remember! He had a bottle with your name on it!" The older man exclaimed.
"A bottle? Where is it!?" I yelled, as I rushed over to the bar.
The man pulled it out and handed it to me. "Here, this one! He said he wanted to share it with you next time!" he told me.
I grabbed the bottle and studied it. Written on the label is- To Mireille, to our memories of St. Galens cathedral.
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As I left the bar, I began to get the feeling of being followed. I looked down the stairs I had just walked up but didn't see anyone. I slowly walked down the sidewalk and could feel someone following me. As I came to a corner, I quickly darted around the side of a building and pulled out my gun. I could hear footsteps getting closer. As soon as I felt my stalker upon me, I turned to face them with my weapon ready. I am surprised to find there is no one there.
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Back at Mireille's apt-
I stared at the wine bottle as I sat at my pool table with my chin rested on my hands. I was trying to figure out what Valnel wanted to tell me with the clues he left on the label.
Kirika is stood next to me and stared down at the bottle.
"What memories of Saint Galens cathedral?" she asked softly.
'I've never been there." I admitted.
Kirika picked up the bottle and studied it closely for a moment. "And this?" she asked, meaning the circles and triangles that are on the bottle.
"I have no idea what that's about either." I said.
"Circles around d and 5, triangles around g and 7." Kirika read off the label.
"I think Valnel discovered something really big. Something that scared him so badly that he felt he had to hide it." I suggested to Kirika.
"In Saint Galens Cathedral?" Kirika guessed softly.
I think so too. "In the chapel? In the Bell tower?" I wondered.
"In the monastery? The cloister?" Kirika suggested.
"No, Not there." I disagreed. "The herb garden?..." I guessed.
"In the catacombs?" Kirika asked.
That's it! It must be! I gasped and turned to look at Kirika with the realization- that is where Valnel must have hid whatever he found for me.
Kirika looked back at me, her brown eyes wide.
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The night air is cool as I walked to St. Galens Cathedral. I wore my long grey jacket over my red top and black skirt. I made my way down to the catacombs of the Cathedral. I used the clues Valnel left me to help me find what I am looking for.
"D is for droit, right 5. 1,2,3,4,5. Fifth to the right." I thought as I followed these instructions.
"G is for Gauche, seventh to the left..1..2.3..4.5.6...7". As I come upon 7, it led me to some stairs. I carefully walked down and came to the place where supposedly something was hidden there for me. I leaned over and began to dig through the old skeletal remains until I notice a large manila envelope. I gasped as I realized this must be what my friend had hid for me here.
I reached out, grabbed it, and opened it quickly. Inside is some photocopies that seemed to have been made from a very old book. I looked at these copies in confusion. What do they mean?
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I walked up the stairs with the folder of the photocopies nestled against my chest. As I reach the top, I paused for a minute. I knew that I had been followed. Suddenly, I felt a gun being shoved against my neck. A large dark-haired man grabbed the manila envelope as I raised my arms up in surrender.
I looked at him and gave him a smile. "I thought you'd be here. I knew that I was being followed out here and I knew you were after that." I told him in a playful voice as I nodded at the envelope he had just taken from me.
He stared at me in surprise for a moment, then began to pull the trigger of his gun.
Suddenly, Kirika walked out and shot the gun from the man's hand. He grabbed his hand. She held her gun on him steadily.
I smiled at him coldly.
"But what we're after is you! You're going to tell us everything you know. Let's start with who you are and who you work for!" I told him.
He stared at me with a arrogant little smile. "You think it will be that easy?" he asked.
Then somebody began shooting at us. Kirika began to return fire as I ran after the dark-haired man who had taken off running.
I followed him into the church. I looked for him as I ran up and down the aisle and down the pews. Suddenly, I felt something behind me and the man tried to hit me with a large candelabra. I aimed my gun at him and shot him before he can hurt me with the large object. He fell to the ground, wounded but still alive.
I pointed my gun on him. I was going to find out as much as I could about what he knew.
"So what's the big deal about the photo copies in that folder?" I asked firmly.
"It's precious, more precious than the life of anyone on this planet." The man informed me.
"You're the ones who killed Valnel and his family, aren't you?" I questioned him.
"Such were the orders that were given us. They said the secret must be maintained." The man replied.
"And who are they?" I asked icily.
The man looked at me with a cold smile. "Who are they? Wouldn't you like to know. They are everywhere, an absolute presence. But only a handful know they exist. But I know the truth!" he bragged.
I stared at him. Who was this absolute presence? Why did they want to kill Noir? Is this man just toying with me?
He stared up at me defiantly. "Shoot me, and your key is gone." he said.
I stared back at this arrogant man. The one who killed Valnel and his family. They were killed just like my family. Did this man have a part in my family's murders as well? He says he is my key...but so is Kirika.
The man looked at me and gave a little laugh. He didn't think I would kill him but all I can think about is Valnel and my family...
I felt my gun go off.
The man looked down and groaned but he still gave me a small smile before he died. I stood there with my gun still trained on him, as I wondered if I did the right thing. What if he really was my only key? Maybe I shouldn't have killed him. I didn't get all the answers I was hoping for...
Suddenly, I felt someone's presence. I looked up to see Kirika staring at me with a sad look. She looked at me so intently and she sighed softly. I just stared back at her. I didn't know if she was upset that I killed someone who claimed he had the answers we had been looking for, or if she is relieved that I'm okay. I lowered my eyes from hers, and she slowly turned and walked away. For some reason, I felt confused.
I had killed this man in the heat of anger.
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The next morning I looked over the photocopies.
"The man within the man, the love within the love. The sin within the sin, The hermit told onto the sinner, The Soldats is with the truth." I recited from the copies.
"The Soldats...so that is the name of our enemy." I told myself.
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Kirika was watering the plant as I walked up to her. I had something that I wanted to tell her. She looked up as she sees me watching her. "Hm?" she asked.
"Back home, in Corsica..my parent's and older brother were all murdered. To this day, I have no idea who killed them or why." I told her seriously, as I looked over at the silver pocket watch.
"That was the last time I saw this watch, until you brought it to me from my past." I told her, my voice choked with emotion.
"But now, I have nothing..." Kirika said, as she looked down sadly. She then looked up at me. "I'm sorry. I'm sorry Mireille." she apologized softly.
I gave her a soft look. She called me Mireille. She thought the watch was hers because she had so little. She's sorry for bringing a painful reminder from my past and also sorry she lost a piece that she thought was hers. She's not so emotionless after all.
I reached out and picked up the watch. I stared at the two women that are engraved on its cover. I am going to fit all these pieces of this puzzle together.
"I will open this door to the past. I swear I will." I promised myself, as Kirika watched me.
I would find the answers I sought.. even if it's the last thing I ever did.
Chapter 4 – The Black Thread of Fate- ep 7
A/n- Please review?
