The Assassin's Way
part 9 The CEO is Dead As Fuck
"Once I dreamed I could leave my body, my soul could fly and see in to the hearts of men. The only thing I could not do, was wake up"
-Draco Jr
9 June 2055
Crescent City to Trinidad California
Dawn
Mark was up early. The first thing he did was manage to find a Tuxedo within his monster of a suitcase, and frown upon seeing all the wrinkles. Luckily, he was no stranger to Ironing and Dry-Cleaning, having done so for his Assassin Cloaks for years as a part of his "humbling" by Blackmane. He smirked, of course it'd be her who made him do the tedious work to keep him busy and out of her hair when she was watching him and his sisters due to Snowfeather being off on a contract.. or with his father in law at the Cairo Zoo.
It would take a few hours before Mark was fully satisfied with his work, having ironed out all the wrinkles and made the creases hardly noticable he smiled. Now it would be another few hours still before he had gone over the entirety of the thing with a fine pair of tweasers, removing everything that resembled an imperfection; strands of hair, flakes of skin, specks of dirt, etc. By the time he was done with that alone, it was just past 10:00AM. It was time for breakfast.
There was a knock at the front door of the house. Ruth opened it Upon seeing the young woman there, in Talaks colors of jade and red, the older woman smiled. "Ah... Miss Yu, come in" Zhao Yu was of Chinese decent and originally worked as Princess Yei Jia Jias bodyguard. She was also the same recruit that brought he necklace to Mark two days before "I assume you are here for the..."
"Mm" Yu replied simply with a curt nod, "Where is ?"
"In the dining room having breakfast, I had him bring his weapons he wanted to bring along to the ball though the invitation insisted no weapons"
"I can smuggle his gear and that of his guest inside when I clock in for duty, I will see them upon entry to the Manor the ball takes place" Yu replied
"Good, then see to Mark hes eating. Maybe talk some sense into that boy too" Ruthie said stepping aside to allow Zhao Yu to enter. Upon entering the dining room, if Mark didnt know better, he'd have sworn to be speaking to the same recruit {he was} that gave him the necklace two days prior.
"Master" The woman said once again, using the same saulte as before, her hair was more done up however "What gear do you wish to smuggle in ?" Her gaze went to both Mark and Sazhori as they presented their weapons they wanted to sneak it. "I am to be the door warden today at the ball, you will see me first when you arrive tonight. I will tell you where your gear is then." Once she had their required smuggled goods to take with her she took her leave with a bow towards Mark.
After eating, Mark went over the tux once more with a prying eye before nodding. Finally satisfied, it was time to clean himself. Before he showered, he looked at himself in the mirror. His hair, and his beard, it needed to go. For all he knew, Talak already knew what he looked like, that meant he'd have to change his appearance drastically if he wanted to remain undetected. He sighed; Elsa wouldn't like this, but it was for the greater good. Besides, hair grew back. He started with his beard, using one of his throwing knives since he actually didn't own a razor, the blade gliding through the hair like it was going through water, yet never once cutting his skin, instead leaving it smooth and soft. Setting the knife down, he found a pair of scissors, and went to work on his hair, making sure the clumps of thick Brown hair fell into a trashcan. No longer was it shoulder-length when he had it down, but now was almost a shaggy mess. Finding an electric hair-trimmer, he was careful to keep it off of his actual head, save for his side-burns and rounding out the end of his hair as it descended towards the back of his neck, making it look natural. Finally, nodded, leaving actually doing his hair until after he was done with his shower.
Once was done, showered and dried, he took a light dab of hair-gel, and added it to his hair, taking a fine-toothed comb and styling it to perfection. Finding his part-line, over the outward corner of his right eye, he combed the left part of his hair to the left, the natural wave of his hair coming out by itself as he did so. He kept the right side of the part-line close to his head and both sides tucked behind his ears. After a few minutes, he set the comb down, and looked at himself in the mirror, holding another mirror behind his head to observe his handiwork.
"Y'know what... I look damn good..." he said, satisfied with what he'd done. He looked like an entirely different man. Taking another moment he moved from the bathroom to his room.
No one would see him until it was time to go, when he was fully dressed in his Tuxedo; the black of the tux contrasting the Pristine White of his dress-shirt Contrasting them both in a dazzling appearance was a brilliant Sapphire Tie tied into a Trinity Knot. Freshly shined black Dress Shoes finished off the outfit as he also put on his Mask; the thing covered the right side of his face, and extended to the left side of his face, only covering his forehead. The Mask was also primarily a stunning Sapphire, with a Splash of Jade Green over the right Eye and over the left Eyebrow.
Fixing his Tie, Mark looked to the people in the room, namely Sazhori, Wezaki, Big Tony, and Ruthie. "Well? How do I look?" He asked.
It wasnt easy to get rid of the feathers, no, but then she could make it look like she wore a feather boa... which worked a lot back home in royal venues. Her dress, a simple black with golden and red edges. She went over her hair carefully, nice and dry and clean her eyes glittered, Sometimes it sucked having those feathers on her shoulders, hands and hips, but other times it made her dang pretty. Slipping into a pair of heeled shoes of black and leather Sazhori was soon ready and was downstairs before Mark left his room
She hadnt seen him since breakfast when Miss Yu got their stuff, she felt naked with out her daggerfeathers in her shoulders waiting to be their mission had stated no weapons, but Miss Yu was able to smuggle them in. It was almost time to leave when Mark finally came down the steps and even Wezaki stared. Ok so Mark could look amazingly handsome. Even as a boy he looked great in that memory they had seen the days before.
Mark stared back, fixing the collar of his shirt and the lappel of his Tuxedo's Blazer, he blinked. "What?" he asked. "Come now, be honest. Is there something in my teeth?" he asked. Of course he knew he looked like a completely different man, but he didn't expect them to react this way. This was likely the best he'd looked in a long time, perhaps since arriving in Arendelle or at that party in the Castle Courtyard when he first kissed Elsa. He cleared his throat and checked the watch he'd put on; a simple one, nothing too fancy like the rest of his attire and appearance.
"Right then... Sazhori, we'd better go. If we're late our gracious Host might think something's off." he said, moving to Ruthie and giving her a quick hug and kiss on the cheek, patting Big Tony's shoulder, giving a curt, annoyed nod to Wezaki, and then moving towards the Garage to the car; which thanks to hardly being used, was still clean and not in need of a thorough Cleaning and Waxing.
Mark was stopped by Big Tony clearing his throat. "Mark."
The Assassin turned. "Yes?"
"We're not taking your car; no way we'll all fit." Mark blinked, shutting the door before shrugging. "Follow me; you'll be riding in better style." Tony said, leading Mark to the side of the house, where a Hover-Limo awaited them, Car Key sitting in the front passenger seat on her phone.
"Looking good, Scorpion. If I were a caring woman, I might even try to hit on you." she said.
"Thanks... but I think that's as close to being hit on I think I'll get out of you anyway." Mark said as he climbed into the back of the limo. Car Skey smirked
Sazhori got in after Mark as Tony held the door open for them both before he himself got into the drivers seat and they were off. As they drove along the hoverlane a good fifty meters off the ground, car Key went over the mission. "Ok here's the plan. Zhao Yu has your stuff, said she'd see you at the door to give you the intel on where she put it when she went in to work today. keep your masks on at all times,. if shit goes down, your mask has a direct video link to my phone. If shit goes down Grandma sends in the marines unless you give the word."
Seemed easy enough. Tony spoke up "The Warmoon place will have guards everywhere keeping an eye on everything. We dont know the layo uto f the place either only that its an old manor of some form with a massive ballroom" He said bringing the car down towards the ground on a easy glide to hover a good half meter or so off the road as he got into line with other cars ahead. "Best case scenario, we do this and learn more of our dear enemeis plans, worse case scenario, war starts and the kids suffer."
"Better avoid a war then. I hope you can dance" Sazhori mused, sure she could dance, but not ballroom dancing level.
Big Tony pulled up to the stop as a doorman stepped up to the limo and opened the door as they came to a stop "Good luck in there, we'll keep in touch"
"Got it, learn some stuff, dont kill anyone, don't get killed. Simple enough." Mark said calmly. He looked to Sazhori. "You've got our Invitations?" he asked. At her nod, he stepped out of the limo and quickly adjusted his blazer and shirt once more before taking Sazhori's arm and walking up the steps to the palace. Once they were past the man holding the clip board asking to see their invitations, they proceeded towards the second door, where Zhao Yu stood with a metal-detecting wand to detect any weapons. Mark figured this would be where she'd tell them where their weapons were.
Mark was right, once shown their invitations to the doorman, he directed them to the door woman, Zhao Yu stood there with the detector in hand and quickly checked them over, as she did so she spoke softly. "Your gear is stored in my locker, behind the kitchen, servantea area. Use this to get past the guard on duty" She handed a seal to Sazhori, one of them had to fake getting ill and get back to the servants area to get some medicine and rest. In other words look around.
Quickly checking Mark she handed him something, a key "Your gear is kept in the guards bedroom, second floor. If anyone saw me putting a bandolier of throwing knives in my locker they'd look into it, I had to put it there to not arouse anger of others" she said, She then stepped back "Welcome to the ball, please enjoy your evening"
Mark smiled and nodded, quickly taking Sazhori's arm in his again as they were allowed past the doorwoman. "So...You'll have to pretend to get sick... I'll sneak my way to my stuff and sneak back. Easy." he said in a low whisper so only she'd hear him. After a second they set their plan into action. With Sazhori moving to a guard complaining of not feeling well, and Mark backing her up by playing the role of her concerned boy-friend. Once she was past that guard and on her own, Mark quickly vanished into the crowd; and even with the video feeding live data to Car-Key as she watched; she still couldn't figure out how he did it and made it look so easy.
It wouldn't take long before he was out of line-of-sight of the guards and climbing the stairs to the guard's bedroom, using the key to get in. Just his luck however as there was already a guard in there. "Richards? Is that you?" the guard asked; getting himself ready, facing away from Mark.
"Yeah, it's me. Got here late; fuckin traffic, am I right?"
"Yeah I hear ya, man. Think it'll be big crowd tonight?"
"Saw quite a bit of people out there on my way up; I'd say so." Mark said, quickly putting his holsters into places where they'd be easy for him to reach but almost impossible to detect; his Desert Eagle Holster putting the gun right under his armpit yet allowing him to move with ease as if it weren't there. The Knives were hidden up his sleeves and at his hips, covered by the lower portion of the blazer so long as his arms didn't raise over his head, which being as tall as he was, wasn't a problem.
"Alright you take it easy, man. I'm heading down there, got posted on first watch." Mark said.
"Take care bro." the guard said, nonthewiser.
After a few more minutes, Mark was back in the crowd, making his way to the buffet table, where Sazhori would be able to find him, or where he'd be able to see her. His eyes glowed dimly as his Eagle Vision marked everyone in the room; most of them were grey; he didn't care. The Guards were obvious, and thus were red, people of interest would be Gold as usual; Talak would be Pink, a color he wasn't familiar with...but he assumed it meant either the prime target, or the biggest threat. But she hadn't appeared yet.
A minute or so passed and Sazhori thanked the guard as she returned to the main zone of the ball. Moving along the outside of the dancing crowd, the band already flaring up the music into good songs and ballads she made her way to the food table, She didnt feel as naked without her daggers anymore, she had them hidden so carefully in her 'feather boa' that nobody knew they were there. Stepped up next to Mark she saw him looking around. in his vision, she appeared as blue, an ally. And then briefly he saw outside the building the way they had come into the massive manor. and briefly he saw two people seated, bright blue outlines, Car Key and Tony in the limo just waiting for trouble apparently. A good dozen guards between the limo and the front door
A steady stream of people entered the ball. How many invitations had Vitas sent out ? Vitas didnt appear just yet but somehow briefly voices were heard as two guards went past the table, one of them snagging some food "The cats awake, not stressed either, you think she's tamed it after this time ?"
"If anything only magically so, normal work on that furball wont do shit. You saw how it reacted to Nexison"
"Yeah, bite the poor sod in the hip, had Lady Vitas heal him"
"Screamed all day as she... Well.. yeah"
"Yeah, I hear ya, come on, we got second watch, lets go relieve Bradly and Richards" Of course that made Mark smirk as both guards drank down their wine and scarfed down their handfuls of cheese before heading upstairs
Sazhori noticed the smirk "Something I want to know about ?" But it was the mention of a cat, a big cat, that had Marks attention What exactly did they know about Vitas ?
At Sazhori's Question he let out a small chuckle. "I posed as this... Richards in order to get my stuff. Guy didn't suspect a thing." he chuckled before quickly eating a small brownie. The big cat they talked about... For now he shrugged, and held out his hand to Sazhori. "Care to dance? Since we're here, we might as well." He said, turning to look at her, his eyes glowing just the faintest shade of bronze. "I'm sure our gracious host won't mind if we enjoy ourselves before she arrives, no?" he added with another smirk, taking Sazhori's hand and moving to the dance floor, quickly observing what everyone else was doing and nodding. He could do that, easy. Placing a hand on the Raven's waist, he joined the dance with her in step, flawlessly joining the group of other masked people within the ballroom as if they'd been there all along.
"Hope you know how to Waltz." Mark smirked as they started.
Thankfully Sazhori knew a little bit of ballroom dancing, not enough to get skilled at it, but passable if one were to watch her and want to dance with her. Nobody suspected the two Assassins, or rather Assassin and Raven. As the two danced however a pair of eyes came upon the ballroom. Dressed in pale green and dark red along with some dark blue, Spike had arrived. Spike was Vitas best and at some points, only friend. The masked woman watched the dancers as the band played.
The doorman, as well as Zhao Yu recognised her and let her in without stopping her. Even with the mask she wore Spike was easy to recognise by her color choice alone. She gave a nod towards the guards, the men nodded and stood by the door keeping watch as planned as Spike stepped down the first step to the dance floor towards the buffet
Or rather as they danced, towards a certain pair of people. But, as she stepped up to Mark and Sazhori the song came to an end, everyone stopped dancing and clapped the music was great, Spike even joined in on the cheering the band for their music.
However right before Sp9ike could ask Mark to dance, a voice broke in "Welcome my friends!" A womans voice rang out from above. Looking up everyone saw first a woman dressed in a very regal gown of red, green and dark purple, but then their attention was briefly taken by a massive white cat next to her.
Vitas had arrived.
Mark was aware of Spike approaching, but was unable to react to it as the song ending, and he joined in on the clapping with the crowd; quite the lovely song indeed. As the voice rang out, Mark turned to face Vitas, or Talak, as he knew her and he blinked. She looked great; all things considered. And the cat at her side...his eyes narrowed; the thing appearing purple in his Eagle Vision. It wasn't hostile, but he didn't know for sure... she looked iso familiar...
"And now, a Speech from our dear Lady Warmoon! Afterwards, the Foxtrot!" A man said from the stage the band was situated on.
Vitas smiled, a slender hand resting on the railing as she looked over the crowd, the ballroom was large sure, but it was still packed with people attending the ball. Vitas herself had a mask that worked perfect with her it was twenty fifty five, and women still wore dresses. Just think of Wezaki was all Mark did, that Dove wore a white and silver dress constantly even in battle. But then the outfit Vitas had worn when they broke up was the typical Egyptian outfit for a young assassin.
"My dear friends!" Vitas began "We can celebrate tonight because it was ten years to this day, when my parents and their empire fell. And look at us, look around you. See what we have become from the ashes of the past!" She raised a hand, most of the people there knew she was magical. tendrils of eldtrict energy flared to life, showing a beautiful tapistry of what the area had become under her parents, to what it had become under her. "Ten years ago we threw off our yoke of pain, and in its place, we grew into a world where our children can live with peace!" She raised her hand again, this time a drink floated from the table. to it. She held it in a toast "To another ten years!"
As she raised a drink, those with drinks raised theirs in response, and those who didn't began to clap, Mark joining them. "Good speech; short, to the point." he said calmly as he clapped along with the crowd. As the clapping settled down, the band started up gently.
"Alright Ladies and Gentleman, find yourselfs your dancing partners, it's time for the Foxtrot!" the man announced again before the band began to pick up in volume. As Mark held his hand out for Sazhori, the Raven was beaten by Spike, whose hand reached his before Sazhori's. Mark turned and looked at the woman, tilting his head gently as he lifted her hand to his lips and offered a small kiss to the back of her hand. "Hello there... I don't believe we've met, stranger." he said, getting into character, he gestured to his mask, reminiscent of the famous play, the Phantom of the Opera.
"I'm the new Phantom. Who might you be?" he asked, smiling wide. His eyes could see Sazhori, who by now had been picked up by another eager gentleman who fancied a dance with the Raven.
Spike of course was in character as it was a masked ball right off, a soft giggle as is lips brushed against her knuckles, the first thing his draconic side tasted was blood, old, but still on her knuckles from a recent fist fight. "I am Christina" Spike said simply as they danced. Mark was good at it, and so was she, her patrents had made her take lessons, but for the most part she wanted to take lessons on her own in order to seduce her targets. Who wouldnt want a pole dance to get the target down where they had him ?
Sazhori had indeed been picked up, by none other than the guard Mark had fooled, the man apparently had just gone off duty. But it didnt matter, the guard was a good dancer too, not as good as Sazhori, but still good.
Spike of course had Marks direct attention, In this case 'Christina' had Marks undevided attention, and the two danced quite well. "Tell me, Phantom" Spike began "Why have I never danced with one as skilled as yourself ? Are you from this area ?"
"I must confess that I am not; I've recently moved here from What's left of Ohio." he said. "And of course before that I was in France." he smiled, playing into his character. As they turned, their bodies becoming closer the more the dance went on, Mark let out an amused sound. "None of the girls back out in the world can dance quite like you, Christina. Pray tell me, why choose me to dance with?" he asked, curious.
"Surely there are other good-looking guys around? Quite a fine selection of girls, too, if that's your cup of tea." he asked her, being careful not to use any of his magic for the moment, lest his eyes glow and give him away as some sort of spy. Which he was, but there was no fun in being found out. Not this early in the game.
"There are yes" Spike replied, "yet, I chose you because..."He dipped her slightly, she looked up at him, her bright eyes sparkled "I think it is fate we were to dance together" he stood her back up and she twirled as he raised his hand up to let her do so. When she was back in his arms a smile graced her face "Besides, none of the other men are free upon the floor. Just you were" truth was she had cut in before Sazhori managed to take his hand again.
Vitas stood up on the balcony overlooking the crowd below as a henchman, in this case Zhao Yu handed her a mask of jade green, it was identical to Spikes own ink black and edged in gold mask. It was time for Vitas to enjoy herself. Turning to Lady Yu she said softly "Care for my cat, dont let anything happen to her. or it will be you in her place" the woman was visibly scared of becoming by force of magic alone, into a massive cat and promised that the cat, Miao would be well cared for.
Vitas moved towards the stairs leading to the lower floor and stepped down then. Briefly passing through the minds of all she passed she looked over the dancers, her mask on she looked like any of them on the floor. A older man offered to dfance with her, she agreed, and the Templar Grand Master was upon the floor. Moving it seemed from man to man after briefly scanning into their minds. Moving around the dance floor as Spike danced with Mark
"Perhaps you are right." he said in response to her answer. As for being free, he chuckled. He kept flashes of Vitas in the corner of his eye as they danced. She was moving from man to man, and each one seemed to zone out for a moment while she was with them. His eyes narrowed, and then the song ended, and once more the crowd cheered for the band before another song started. Again he and Spike danced, this song a bit more up-beat than the last, the dance faster and more elegant as well.
As the song came to an end, Sazhori and her partner, the guard off duty known as Harrimint also clapped along with the other folks before the enxt song got into gear. Getting into a good rythem the two seemingly headed for the edge of the dance floor as the dance moved around pretty well before coming to a halt at the foot of the stairs. Nobody noticed as the guard then shifted stance slightly and offered his arm to Sazhori, who, try as she might could not see Mark anywhere among the masked folk
The two headed up the stairs and passed Zhao Yu who didnt even recognise Sazhori in her befeatherd mask covered Sazhoris feathers perfectly. The two went into a room down the hall. None suspected a thing.
In the hoverlimo Car Key switched channels from Sazhori's mask to Marks own. She hated seeing the results after Sazhori was done with her food Car Key grumbled something of "Valley jocks unable to keep it in their shorts" as she kept an eye on the tablet and phone.
"How're things lookin' in there?" Big Tony asked, having leaned his seat all the way back so he could relax his eyes half closed as he stretched out, careful not to hit any of the pedals. The engine was off, but the key was still in the ignition and everything was ready to go in case things went ary.
"Just dandy, a valley jock cant keep it in his shorts. just took Sazhori to a bedroom." car Key grumbled, "Scorpion on the other hand seems to have landed himself a good dancing partner." She held the tablet so Tony could see it as he leaned in his chair nice and comfy. "I'm seeing brief shots of our target however. So many guards"
Tony looked at the screen with a thoughtful look, thinking for a second. "I wouldn't worry about Sazhori... she's not the easy-type. As for Mark... leave it to him to manage to keep catching glimpses of our target without attracting suspicion from his dancing partner... that's Spike... Vitas' right-hand woman." he said. "We also have audio, right? Catch anything important?" he asked.
"Just this" She held out her left earbud for Tony to hear, she replayed Vitas speech and Spikes questons "Trust Milligan to use a stage name from the play directily" Car Key said simply. "Scorpion had a 100 percent completion record when he was CIA, his handler, a guy named Slicer ensured he had access everywhere he went. stationed out of Cairo and briefly Langely itself" Well that explained a lot. Car key agreed however on the assement of Sazhori, because when Car Key went back to the Ravens mask the first thing they saw was her hands picking the out cold guards pockets
Yep, not the easy type Thankfully Car Key had it recording, and could replay the tripping the guard on the trug so he'd knock himself senseless on the toilet dead on and konk out completely
Tony smirked at what he heard, but blinked, going back to Mark's recording and stopping it briefly. "That cat... Vitas' pet..." he switched to Sazhori's view, the woman coming back to the ball, passing Zhao Yu and Miao on her way down, getting a good look at them. "Is... That a Tiger?" he asked, knowing Key wouldn't know what a Trigis was, or assuming she wouldn't based on how grounded she was in earthly beliefs.
"Lion, Tiger, Bobcat, Caterpillar escavator, Its a big cat whats the difference ?" She had no real clue what he was getting at "Wait.. is that Lady Yu ?" She rewound the playback, focusing on the woman standing guard over the massive cat. There was a worried look on the womans face. Almost as if she were scared something was going to happen to either herself or the cat
"Yeah... that's her. Vitas must have said something to her... But the question is...what? And why does she have a damned Tiger as a pet?" he asked. He returned to his leaned back position. "Oh well...questions for another time... let's continue to keep an eye on those two... Knowing Mark... something's bound to happen. soon." he said, basing that off of what he'd heard of Mark and what he knew from actually being around him.
"How can you tell thats a tiger ? Its solid white" Car Key said she couldnt tell what kind of cat it was other then it was a big one. Car Key moved the viewing towards Mark as things were happening, a new song started up. "... you hear that ?" She turned the volume up as Vitas herself approached Mark after the third song was finished. "Sounds like a music box..."
Tony nodded. "Strange... I've heard it before." he said.
"Shh, listen..." Car Key said softly, turning the volume low
As Vitas approached Mark, the man felt her enter his mind, and so he closed his eyes, opening them again as his eyes glowed bronze. First she would find that she could move no further than the current moment in his mind; finding out nothing about him, next he was able to force her out, and he shook his head, parting from Spike to embrace Vitas flawlessly into the next dance, starting extremely slow and melodic, the music akin to that of a music box. Meanwhile a set of lights slowly raised on another wall, revealing a massive organ, a man starting to get ready to play.
"I'd appreciate if you stayed out of my head, Lady Warmoon." he said calmly, but with a stern edge.
Vitas smiled behind her mask, "It is a habit, sometimes when music is playing I am not heard, I merely wondered if you would like to dance" She said simply as they began dancing as the organ player began to play a rather haunting song, One that Vitas enjoyed rather emensely. The two along with many others continued dancing as none noticed Sazhori returning on her own.
As they danced across the floor Vitas then asked him softly. "You know me, stranger, but I do not know you. Tell me then" he twirled her, as she came back into his embrace she continued "What is your name ?" Spike only learned so much from him. Yet it was Vitas who got the most info, he could kick her out of his head!
"I'm the Phantom." he replied calmly. "The Phantom of your past... your present... your future... The Phantom of the Opera." Mark said. Well, no one could say he lacked a sense of dramatic timing, as just as he said that the Organ Player bumped his playing up to Eleven, practically slamming his fingers down on the keys as the proper control switches were pressed by his assistants, and the manor shook with the power of the Organ. Mark chuckled and hummed along with the tune as the dance intensified with the music becoming almost a fight for dominance as the song went on. Most people stopped dancing; unable to keep up with the movements the music demanded.
As the music calmed down again the dance slowed, Mark's and Vitas' hips connected as they danced.
"You move like an expert, Lady Warmoon. You also tried to get into my head another five times while we danced. I did tell you to stop. I may have to pinch you." he said, teasing. After a few moments, he smiled. "Tell me... that cat of yours, what breed is it? It has to be a Lion at the very Least. Maybe a Tiger? A Liger? Something else entirely? And why..." his eyes flashed Silver for a moment before returning to their normal Bronze Glow. "...do I sense Magic coming from it?" he asked.
"How else can I keep her calm around guests ?" Vitas asked simply, truth was she had drugged Miao just enough to be docile, adn then magically locked her in her tiger form for the duration of the ball. Which meant the poor woman as tormented constantly by the sheer need to scream for help, but unable to make anything more then purring or growls at people
"And yes, she is a tiger. My parents told me when they gave her to me as a cubling that she was extremely rare being solid white. No tigers are solid white, either black and white, or brown and white" Vitas mused as the music made the manor shake around them. Again the Organ piped up after the music box started up again. But as the music box started up Mark noticed Vitas own eyes glowing a deep red as her magic began working.
The floor around them had trails of eldrtich energy spark along it before rising under them, liftiing up the dfancers on the floor by a few feet or so the closer one got to Mark and Vitas directly, the higher the 'lift' became until they were a good four feet off the ground seemingly dancing upon glass as the organ player hammered at the keys in a very haunting song.
"Pinch me ?" Vitas giggled, when Vitas approached Spike had taken that as her cue to find a new dance partner, the truth was, her job was to find a certain young lady who had snuck out with a guard...
"Yes, Pinch you. People still pinch others for various reasons, do they not?" Mark answered her question, nodding in understanding of the description of the Tiger's current position. As the song continued, it called for a parting of bodies, both of them spinning into a certain stance, before spinning back into each-other's embrace as they continued to dance. Mark used this opporturnity to gaze upon her full body with his Eagle Vision; yes she was leaking Magic; she was a source of it. Despite floating into the air they moved like on solid ground, her magic keeping them afloat as they danced; many eyes were on the pair.
"You have the tan of a woman from out of tan, Lady Warmoon... Africa, if I had to put a finger on it... Perhaps... Egypt? Your style helps me deduce that as well, the way you walk, the gentle sway of your hips against mine as we dance... the rolling of your R's and the shortness of your T's... yes you are from Egypt... Tell me... what brought you to this place?" he asked.
"If you don't mind my asking, that is. I'd hate to pry if it is unwanted. After all, I think Anger and sorrow are not the emotions that best suit this face of yours." he said, one hand genty caressing her cheek with the back of his knuckles, trailing down her cheek-bone before moving back to her hand as they danced.
"I am originally from Cairo" Vitas said as they rejoined, she shivered slightly at his touch, her hands sliding back into his as they went back into the dance. "I was adopted after my own family were slain by... my magic. Its a long story I wont bore you with during a ball." She said as they danced. "My new family, they had no children, but they had a massive house. And upon arriving here, they gave me my pet" the way she spoke of her pet was as if it was her most prized possession. Another thing Mark noticed was she didnt have a Sling-Ring on either hand. which meant her magic was strong enough to not need such a thing.
Vitas smiled however when Mark, or rather, the Phantom she was dancing with aplogised for his asking but she shook her head "It is fine, it is not often I am asked about my birth city. I miss it a times. But my home where I was born and raised is long gone. Burnt to the ground" He was right however at the mention of anger and sorry not being the exact emotions to be in her face. Sadly, both were the core of her being.
Spike went up the steps to the balcony where the tiger laid at Zhao Yu's feet. Sazhori had already gone back downstairs, so when Spike gave the woman a look, Lady Yu jerked her head towards the halway behind her, the guard hadnt returned yet., which lead Spike into looking for the wayward valley jock
Mark smiled; noticing the lack of a Sling-Ring, making sure that he saw it; that Tony and Key saw it. "Cairo...I've always wanted to go there... heard it was a beautiful City. That the Pyramids pale in comparison to the city now..." he said. He looked down at the floor, some ways beneath them and smiled. "I must say.. your magic is quite fascinating...so effortless, so easy... pray tell me, how are you so gifted? I grow jealous each moment we're in the air like this." he said lifting his arm to twirl her gently.
"For a long time when I was younger I couldnt so much as open a door with my magic. And then... when I was fourteen my magic manefested, my parents were killed, my house burned, and I was adopted, " Vitas replied as she twirled before rejoining, Then gently as they continued to dance towards the end of the song they returned to floor level and the eldritch energy faded when each 'level' set back on firm ground
As the music ended once more with a music box playing everyone began clapping. A few men raising a toast to their beloved leader, in this case Vitas herself. Some women were mumbling among themselves who the man dancing with Vitas was. One or two saying he sounded hauntingly familar. Another few saying he sounded like the man right from the old new york city show
As the song came to an end, Mark offered a low bow to Vitas, and she to him, and they smiled. Mark offered her his arm, and he gestured to the buffet table; "Come... I'm famishd. All this dancing gets a Phantom hungry, y'know." he said. So far so good; she didn't know who he was. "Surely a beautiful woman such as yourself eats, yes? I'm sure using all that magic so easilly will eat away at those calories...would explain your slim figure." he said, offering a wink.
Vitas smiled behind her mask. He knew her name and where she was from, so maybe small talk over food could get them knowing each other further ? As she was given a plateful of six different cheeses and four different meats {and nine different types of breads!} The two went and found a table to sit and eat to enjoy themselves fully After a few moments of watching others eat an dance, Vitas said "You sound like someone I once knew. from long ago. But you cant be him, he's dead. My father said so"
She meant a car accident her father had set off in Egypt, one Mark and his sisters barely avoided, the van identical to their own however was destroyed and its driver slain at the scene. She waved her hand then as if dismissing the thought "it is not a big deal' She said simply.
Mark chuckled as she said he sounded familiar. "Many people say that; but then, I Am the Phantom he said with a chuckle as he took a sip of champagne. He was treading dangerous water with these words, but he was confident that he'd be fine. "If that man is dead, then I can't be him. Besides... I'm not from Cairo... I'm somewhere much further North." he chuckled once more, smiling and finishing the narrow glass of champagne.
He remembered that Car-Crash; his own van had rolled, he bumped his head, and Serenity had landed on his ribs, cracking one while Serena landed on a leg, bruising it. Snowfeather and Blackmane in the front seat were fine, the other van though, it exploded. It's magnetically powered engine utilizing Lead in its compound, therefore being unstable, and exploding upon impact, the shockwave of said explosion sending thier own van rolling off the side of the road.
He plucked another bite-sized brownie from the platter, and chewed it quickly. "I must have the recipe for these brownies... they're superb." he said idly.
Vitas smiled, Ok so he was from the north ? "iof you dont mind my asking, where exactly from up north ?" Please dont say Arendelle Vitas thought, Arendelle was one of the Templars top enemy states in the Northern Sceptre. Should he say Oslo, Vitas smiled, that was fine, it was after all, a Templar City.
Though he said if... "If ? Do you think he could be alive ?" She found herself oddly enthralled by this man. In the limo both Tony and Car Key couldnt believe their ears when Vitas said simply "the ball is but for one night. I want to get to know you more. You pushed me from your own head, five times in your own tracking when I recall I only tried to enter it once to ask if you wanted to dance. A man with such strength of will I wish to learn more from, more of."
Before she could speak further another woman, in fact Spike herself came up to the table and dropped to ear level Speaking softly in a strange langauge Spike said "We found Bradly in the bathroom, knocked out by something, possibly too much wine. Other guards recall him dancing with someone, a woman in a black dress and feather boa. I cannot find her. What shall I do ?"
Vitas got serious She held a hand up to Spike, as if asking for a moment, turning to Mark she somehow, magically drew up a piece of paper, writing with her magic a time and place she slid it over to Mark. "Meet me here, tomorrow" She said simply "I am sorry but I must cut my night short. Spike, you are here in my stead, see to it everyone enjoys themsevles. I must return home."
Spike nodded as Vitas stood from the table and briefly gave a curt bow to Mark before taking her leave, swiftly going up the stairs as four guards in similar clothing patterns followed a few steps behind her. When Vitas got to Zhao Yu and the tiger, Vitas turned towards the guards slightly "Carry my pet to the car. Lady Yu, you may return to your duty at the door. Thank you"
Zhao Yu nodded and bowed to Vitas before the other woman left down the hall.
Well, tonight ended up eventful. Sazhori moved through a crowd and spotted mark before sitting behind Spike at a different table, able to hear everything said between Spike, in this case well, now known to Mark as Spike, but during their dance, Christina
"So. Christina. Do you enter people's mind s as well? or is that only our lovely Lady Warmoon?" He asked, making idle small-talk with Spike, seeing if he could get information from her as well. He caught of Sazhori, very slightly nodding his head to the door while adjusting his mask; indicating that they were looking for her and that she needed to leave. If she'd understand that anyway.
"I do not" 'Christina' Replied simply taking her seat, if it werent for the color of mask, she'd have been mistaken for Vitas herself. "Only Lady Warmoon has that ability, While I too have some magic ability, I dont do it much" Spike had to use a Sling-Ring. She hated the thing because it hurt, so she did magic with it as little as possible
Sazhori saw the movement from Mark, took a bite of cheese and stood from her seat before heading to the door once she saw their mutual friend retake her post at the metal detection space. It was time to go Sazhori then left the area also jerking her head towards the door before holding up two fingers, Basically saying to wait two minutes before taking his own leave, she then shook her head, there was nothing of importantce in the house whatsoever. Vitas didnt live there, someone else owned the place and let her rent it for the ball
Sazhori went to the door, Miss Yu stood there blocking her path briefly "One moment, Lady Warmoon is leaving, she is to leave without others around her." As she spoke a massive hovervan,which Sazhori mistook for an Aaethertruck left the area. Once the taillights faded, Zhao Yu let Sazhori leave "Enjoy your night my lady"
There wasnt any more worry on Zhao Yu's face anymore, she had done her job carefully, the tiger was safe, and she wasnt the pet. It would have been bad. Very bad. To be turned into a cat that big before all those people
Mark nodded, idly examining the piece of paper in his fingers before smiling. "I think, then. I will take my leave; I've work to go to in the morning, and the day starts Early." he said standing and offering a small bow to Spike before turning to leave, walking with a sense of regal purpose. Many a girl approached him to ask for a dance, but he declined, saying that he must go. A few girls left that night dismayed that they didn't get to dance with the man calling himself the "Phantom of the Ballroom" they were calling him, since they weren't in an Opera-House. The nickname didn't stick around long, instead shortening to simply "Phantom."
Once he was outside, he strolled over to his limo, entering and smiling, sighing. "Well, that was an experience and a half. She is one great dancer, I gotta tell you." he said running a hand through his shortened hair, taking a moment to remember that he'd cut it before continuing the movement.
"We got everything, Tony, hit the gas we're out of here" Car Key said as Sazhori was taking her heels off. Man she hated those things, she preferred her taloned feet over shoes any day. She stretched her toes, her nails stretching a little bit before settling in a neat pose and removed her mask. car Key took it and went through the camera system as Big Tony started up the hoverlimo and pulled off from their parking spot.
Seeing Marks look towards her Car Key explained as she worked "place is owned by a outside source we've never heard of, Bliingswood. the guy rented the place to Vitas for tonights ball, a two day rental apparently, set up, the ball, takedown. Nothing of importants tying anything directly to Vitas is in the place. Thanks to Sazhori here we got information that she stationed guards in a seemingly random set up... Never could find out why Miss Yu was so scared for her life"
"Still cant believe you danced with her, and survived it" Car Key said
Mark chuckled at Key's words. "Nothin' to it. The tricky part was keeping her out of my head." he said. That, and not checking her out while the cameras were there in his mask. He had to admit she was beautiful; and he wanted to look on her more, but he behaved himself. Once they were out of sight of anyone from the party, he finally removed his mask, his Bronze eyes fading to his natural Brown ones. "She wants to meet up again... I think I'll wear the mask again so she knows its me. As for my Assassin Coat... that'll be harder to change... I'm sure I've got other things to wear in that suitcase of Mine... I'll take a look." he said, leaning back into his seat and sighing. "Gets stuffy in that mask..."
He rubbed his eyes and yawned. "Time for this Phantom to head to sleep."
"Assassin coat wont do any good. She'll recognise you as an Assassin. So... Go with the mask,... and the suit ? She'll be expecting you in it most likely." car key said, Big Tony kept quiet in thought as he drove, After a block or so he spoke up "She mentioned a car accident her father set up back in Cairo. Was that the exploding van incident back in twenty twenty six ?"
"Seems like it" Car Key said bringing it up on the screen "Two November, twenty twenty six, a car accident leaves two people dead and four hurt when a van is struck and explodes in downtown Zagazig Egypt. Of the deceased is named a Mr Mark Elisar and a Mrs Brighton Elisar both of Cairo. Amazing that she brought hat up, why ?"
At the mention of Mark needing sleep Tony smirked, it was a good two hour drive to home and the clock was ticking. Big Tony turned on the air conditioning to low and opened the window a crack for some fresh air. "The one thing that worries me" Big Tony mused aloud "Is why Lady Yu was so scared for her life."
"Maybe she'll tell us in the morning ?" Sazhori mused
"She brought up the car-crash because I was supposed to die in it." he said. "Instead, my van was rolled by the explosion; cracked three ribs and bruised my Femur. She killed the wrong Elisar with the name of Mark." he said, his eyes half-closed. He looked at the paper again, the Observatory at Ten in the Morning. Precicely when no one would be there. Sighing he stretched out his body and nodded. "Sure; I'll wear the suit and mask again... wonder what I'll end up having her call me. Phantom would be too.. troublesome, no?"
"I agree, and going by Mark Elisar wont help matters as he's dead" Car Key said
The car drove... err flew along in silence for a few minutes before Tony up and slammed on the breaks, the car halted in midair, a good hundred meters up, nobody around "impossible!" He said suddenly.
"Hey! Call your stops will ya! I nearly spellied my coke!" Sazhori complained her hand soaked in the sticky liquid
"Miss Yu was freaked out when you passed her, she was guarding the tiger, the pet of Vitas... whatever Vitas said to her made Miss Yu scared and the look she gave you was one of a scared woman and worried woman. Angie, replay that moment so Mark can see it." Sazhori had infact gotten a good look at the brief moment Vitas spoke to Zhao Yu, warning her of something and asking her to guard her pet. Of course of all people, Mark apparently knew something of a threat was said, but iwhat/i the threat was he did not know
Mark sighed. "Let's just get home; I've got a date tomorow morning you know" he said. With a roll of his eyes, Tony flew the limo home. Mark slept immediately after changing, waking up early to clean his suit once more,
June 10th, 2055
10:00AM
The Sacremento Observatory
Mark strolled through the observatory with his hands in his pockets. He had all his weapons on him now, his Deagle, his throwing knives, and even a Rope-Dart up his right Sleeve. The rest of his weapons, his hidden Blades and Sword, could be summoned at a moments notice. His Tux Blazer was buttoned in the center button, and his tie was missing, his top button undone so he could breathe easier. He rounded a corner, his Mask reflecting the Light of the early-morning sun along with the dew in the air. He stopped, leaning back cooly as he observed the scene before him. Zhao Yu, already beaten and bruised, held between two big thugs that made him look skinny, and Vitas sitting on a bench nearby.
"Lady Warmoon. I'm not interrupting, am I?" He asked, his eyes already glowing a dim bronze as he monitored the level of Magic in the area as best he could.
"Nope" Vitas replied cooly as she relaxed, one knee crossed over the other, she flicked some dirt from her red cloth heeled boot. "You are just in time." She smirked, Zhao Yu spat up blood. Mark had arrived just as Vitas struck the other woman solid, causing Zhao Yu to bite the inside of her lip and spit up blood.
"You see" Vitas said standing from the bench and turning to Mark "It seems isomeone/i let two others into my ball yesterday, with weapons on their person" Vitas held up a crystal, similar to Kaldas own journal, and a recording played, it was of a CCTV type camera of the entry of the metal detectors, Zhao Yu halted both Sazhori and Mark, scanned both, and handed both something. "A guard was found in the toilet, knocked out but not dead. And Spike said iyou/i My dear Phantom, carried a Hidden Blade upon your arm while you danced... with me"
Vitas turned towards Zhao Yu."And now we find who allowed weapons into my Ball. It seems my trusted guardian of my Pet... let weapons into the ball where weapons were not permitted... or tolorated" Even her guards didnt have weapons during the Ball. But each one had a Sling-Ring on their belts.
"Do you know what I do to those who do not follow the rules ?" Vitas asked turning to Mark, He could see clearly Zhao Yu was scared for her life even though beaten and bruised, also whipped
Mark was silent, his expression visibly grim, even behind his mask, the bronze in his eye dulling a bit as his fellow Assassin was struck again. i"I don't like where this is heading./i Kalda's voice rang in his head. Mark grunted in response, his hands slowly retracting from his pockets, folding with his arms over his chest, unbuttoning the Blazer on the way up.
"I would prefer not to, Lady Warmoon. Besides; I iAlways/i carry a weapon on my person. Call it a Force of Habit. Just as you always have your Magic, I always have something." he spoke calmly, his voice much deeper than what she heard at the ball; much deeper, and very different from the boy named Mark she once knew.
"I'm sure our friendly Door-Guard would prefer to not find out as well." he said, his lip twitching.
Vitas clinched her fist, "This door-guard smuggled in weapons into two locations, and told you were to find them. She broke my rules. And therefore, must pay the price. When she klnew she was breaking my rules!" Vitas turned towards Yu, a very evil look in her eyes as they flared brightest red with magicaly energy. "And that price... is high indeed"
Zhao Yu was whimpering softly, almost screaming at that point "No, no please!" And then Vitas magic slammed into her, the thugs let go as Zhao Yu lost her voice as it went from screaming to gutteral roaring as her bones cracked and shattered and powerful magic swirled madly through her body.