Neo lays in her black sleeping bag, or at least that's what she liked to think of it as, staring at the slowly rotating ceiling fan. Her inexperience with her semblance prevented her from acting long-term in her illusions. So her first task was to fool a retinal scanner, simple enough with enough practice. Then to mask an ambush Roman was orchestrating. It was rough and sputtered off in the end but that was enough as the gang known as the Thunders were wiped moments later. Afterwards she was to tear a gang from the inside out. Photos were taken of her in various forms of a rival gang's members colluding with Roman. The group would then tear itself apart as they each believed each other to be the rat in their midst. With his brains and her skills Roman was becoming the rising star in the underground, always seeming to have a leg up on everyone.
The jobs were relatively low-risk for her and didn't require her to personally kill anyone but that was the ticket wasn't it? She was accepted in Roman's group and was paid well for her service. Even the light camaraderie with his goons was more than she thought possible while on those streets begging for change. Regardless she would have to do more. More people to kill, more lives to ruin and Neo wasn't sure how to feel about all that.
Roman opens his scroll to see a message.
"We're on."
Neo closes her eyes as she tries to focus on the picture Roman showed her earlier. Capturing the image of the young girl Eliza from her blonde hair and warm brown eyes. She finishes and looks at Roman for confirmation. He nods and hands her a roll of duct tape, Neo takes it and places a strip tightly over her mouth. Roman zips up the bodybag and his henchman starts recording.
First he turns on a decrepit television set in the corner. Making note of today's news broadcast. He turns and lazily drifts the camera back and forth to show off the poor condition of the room before focusing on Roman softly smiling. Roman motions to the table where the body bag was and pulls it up by the shoulder, the bag squirming the whole time. Opening it to the face of a terrified Eliza. Roman puts a finger to his lips and zips it back up slowly. The camera catching one last shot of her tear soaked face before turning to Roman and cuts off. The henchman fiddles a bit more on the scroll.
"It's done boss." He smirks cruelty. "Bet you anything the poor bastard is singing like a canary right now."
The bag zips open and Neo blinks away the sudden fluorescent lights. When her visions resets she sits up. Roman needed her this time to extract information from a hostage. The man was hardened and wouldn't crack, he was experienced and made sure to make preparations for his family if he was caught. All of that confidence must have flew out the window however when he saw his little girl not outside the city but trapped in a dark room. With that in mind Roman's negotiator would strike a deal, get him to tell them all he needs to know about the Teals and his daughter would be able to leave safe and sound. The hostage already knew he was dead and ensuring his daughter's safety would be all he could bargain for. None the wiser that his wife and daughter were already miles away from here.
Neo might not have pulled the trigger but she might as well of killed him herself. Sinking deeper into this cesspool that was becoming her home by dyeing herself in blood. However despite all that she felt… calm. The same as the last few missions. Hell, she was feeling better than calm. There were no claws of guilt dragging her down just peace and a warmth as Roman put his hand on her shoulder. It reminded her of years ago, of a ruffle of her hair at passing a test with flying colors. But those days were gone. A normal life was ripped away from her and this was her life now.
Roman unzips the bag fully and lends her a hand that she softly slaps away. He shakes his head but he's still smiling as she gets off the table and the group leaves the room, certain to meet up with the others and celebrate a job well done. Despite all the horrible things she had and would have to do, Neo felt that this was where she belonged now.