A/N: It's my birthday! I'm actually impressed with this chapter. It took some time because I had to fix it, but I think it paid off :D I thoroughly hope you all enjoy this!
Have a happy and safe new year everyone!
The walk to the manor was semi quiet. Most guests didn't want to talk. Except for the Gambler and Mr. Brown. They tried to make small talk but no one else responded to them except Mouse. He would have but with everyone else he felt too shy to speak and lost his nerve.
The manor was as beautiful and breathtaking as he expected it to be. Massive, white, with more rooms than necessary. He didn't know where to begin taking in the sights before him.
Beyond the large white wall surrounding the property was a large lush lawn and beautifully tended garden with flowers and shrubs he had never seen before. A beautiful fountain sat in the middle where a large red sand driveway curved around it.
A grand staircase would bring them to a modest verandah and was guarded by large pegasi with spread wings. The stairs are white marble and large enough that all of them could stand side by side on one step alone quite comfortably.
Then there were the towering marble pillars, the massive white and gold double doors and so many windows. He couldn't fathom how many rooms were within or what purpose they served.
"Welcome to Blossomfalls Estate." Mouse pronounced happily. No one said a thing but they were more or less in complete awe of the majesty of this place. Even the silent extravagant man appeared a smidgen impressed, or amused.
Mouse opened the door and allowed them all to enter one by one.
The lobby was just beautiful!
The polished white marble tiles peaked from out of a rich red carpet. The roof was so high another floor could fit above them. Gold frames houses lavish and expensive paintings or mirrors and rich oak wood tables sat beautiful houseplants along the walls. A beautiful wooden staircase wrapped around straight ahead of them and right above them was a beautiful gold and crystal chandelier. Small pegasus ornaments adorned the staircase rails and there are doors leading to various rooms.
Once they were all filed in and they had chosen a space to occupy, Mouse faced them with a beaming smile. He claps excitedly. "Okay! So, again, welcome to Blossomfalls Estate. Your host will join us for dinner in approximately half an hour. If you would like to leave your things here, we will have them moved to your rooms. Introductions will be easier at the table, so if you would all kindly follow me."
He cuts his way between them and happily waits by an open door to the left. The group hesitate, each eyeing the other warily until the Gambler is the first to lead the way. Mr. Brown follows him swiftly and the rest followed behind one by one.
The dining room did not disappoint. A large white polished table and beautiful cushioned chairs for each of them welcomed them. Silverware was already prepared and candles lit every second space with small plants alternating in between. Small cards are placed on each plate with their respective names. Or pseudonyms he supposed.
The King of Games found himself seated beside the brunette woman and Mr. Brown. The Gambler is seated at the end of the table. Across from them, sits the brunette grumpy man, the sandy blonde rough looking man, the ever so hot man across from him. Leaving one spot free at the other end of the table.
"Who is that seat for?" The sandy man asks. His voice is gruff and hoarse, but the english accent isn't what any of them expected. While his voice may be harsh he speaks with refinement and class. He's a man fallen on rough times, he thought.
"That seat is for your host." The course, husky and scratchy voice came out of no where and caused them to immediately look towards it.
Behind him stood a man in a steel grey suit. His dark gray hair is brushed neatly and his skin is aged. He stands tall, his hands behind his back. He's a proud man, stern and strong, but they told the King of Games a different story: he was nervous.
"Ah." Mouse claps enthusiastically. "This is C."
C… He must be the man who sent me that letter. How much of my situation does he know then? He wondered.
"Thank you Mouse. Please see to the guests belongings." C says with a small bow of his head. Mouse stands at attention, bows softly and hurries off, leaving the guests alone with a much less welcoming host.
"Ladies and Gentlemen, I am the butler, C. On behalf of your host I would like to welcome you to Blossomfalls Estate -"
"Yeah yeah, we've been welcomed like ten times already." The Gambler interrupts him abruptly, pulling each of their attentions onto him. He doesn't seem to care though. He sits with his foot on his chair and an arm hanging off the back, his other hand playing with the cigarette languidly on the table. "When do we find out why we're here?"
He agreed with him in spite of how harshe and crass he was with his point. He wanted to know why they were here and how much everyone around him knew.
"It shall be addressed after dinner. I am sure you are all hungry." C addresses him patiently. "Now. Have you all been properly introduced?"
"No." The Gambler groans and he found himself pursing his lips to stop from laughing.
"Then starting with you sir, please announce yourself. We will go around the table to your left." C says, offering him a hand as if to welcome him to the stage.
Eagerly they listened.
The Gambler sighs and stood, fiddling with his cigarette. "I am the Gambler. I don't know why I'm called that. Before you get your panties in a twist, I don't gamble and I don't know why I'm here."
The seemingly bored brunette scoffs but before the Gambler can voice his irritation, the sandy blonde stands and draws everyone's attention.
"Looks like we're two of a kind then, Gambler. If you folks are worried about him, be worried of me. I am the Thief and unlike our friend here, I can think of several reasons why I'm here."
The Thief. Perhaps it's the name, perhaps its the confidence in his voice and no fucks attitude, maybe it's the predatory gleam in his eye - but he worried him. He was classy, but it was this charm that would work in his favour. He made a mental note to be wary of him.
He sits down and the Gambler follows suit, eyeing him warily.
The next is the mean brunette. He doesn't stand though. He sits with his arms crossed over his chest and his eyes cast down boredly. He is not impressed at all to be there.
"Sir." C encourages him and he sighs heavily.
"I can't believe I'm agreeing to this stupid game." He mumbles. His voice is as stern as they imagined it to be. A cynical type, perhaps a little pessimistic and definitely egotistical.
He's going to be difficult to agree with. He thought.
"I have been asked to go by K-boy. But I am more willing to put myself at risk and have you all call me Kaiba instead. It's bad enough I have to be here, I won't have you belittling me as well."
He tried his best to hide his surprise and feign indifference, but he felt as shocked as the rest expressed when he said his name so casually. He glanced around at the others, feeling somewhat relieved at how openly surprised they were too. He thought they were supposed to keep their real names hidden - hence the entire reason for an alias.
"Excuse me, Kaiba, but is that your real name?" The brunette woman beside him asks gently. Her voice is soft and sweet like honey, but firm and strong too. She's fierce and independent, but friendly.
"What do you think?" Kaiba sighs at her and the conversation somewhat ends there.
"Wait we're aloud to use our own names?" The Gambler asks C loudly.
"You are strongly advised not to divulge any personal information. After all, you are hereby named for certain reasons and the very reason for your being here is rather delicate. Should your personal information be leaked, it could serve to further condemn you. It is therefore cautioned, but in no means a requirement. You divulge and put yourselves at risk on your own account." C explains.
It made sense, he thought. But he decided to play it safe and keep his cards close to his chest. For now he would play along with the intended rules until he could determine who he could trust and if revealing anything personal was necessary.
The hot stranger beside Kaiba stands politely, holding his left arm behind his back. He gave them all a small bow of his head and he felt his cheeks warm at the gesture. Everything he does was just so graceful.
"Good evening. My name is Pharaoh. Pompous, I am sure but I did not choose it. I hope in our short stay here we may each get along."
He inwardly held a breath but his eyes were bulging and his hands curled tightly around his knees. He felt himself swooning and desperately clinging to his surroundings.
But his voice is so refined. It's handsome and deep and commands respect. It's lined with such silken authority that it has his mouth drying and his blood pumping. He had to shake himself free of his charm before he notices him staring at him; but he couldnt help but steal as many glances as possible as he sits back down. Pharaoh smirks at him and he hides his eyes by looking off to the side, anywhere but at him.
Next is the brunette woman beside him. She stands shyly and offers everyone a nervous wave. "Hello. I am the Dancer. Um… I actually do dance. I'm not really sure what else I should share." She is as nervous as expected but he found it rather endearing and comforting. Afterall, he hated public speaking and he was next.
He stood stiffly, wiping the sweat off his palms as he stood but hiding the gesture by straightening his jacket. He laughs nervously, glancing at each of them and doing his best to remember every word of advice ever given to him when it came to speaking among a crowd.
"Uhm, hi. My name is the … King of Games. I guess Pharaoh isn't the only royalty here, heh. Uhm… I hope we can get along." He felt so stupid and nowhere near as classy and cool as the one person he hoped to impress.
He sits hastily and shoved his hands between his legs, keeping his head down lest he catch whatever expression his company wore.
Mr. Brown stands beside him then and clears his throat. "Well I am the least interesting of you all. I'm Mr. Brown. Hey, why don't I get a cool name?" He turns his question to C.
"Dun worry Brown, you could be K-boy." Gambler snickers and he wasn't the only one trying and failing to hide the snicker that followed. Kaiba glares at him but Gambler doesn't care in the slightest.
"Your host found it difficult to name you. He says brown suits you, hence your name." C answers rather professionally, but with that the introductions are over.
"So may I ask when we meet our mysterious host?" Thief asks as he idly spins a fork upon the table cloth.
"He shall be with us shortly, I assure you. I shall go check on dinner." C leaves them with a short bow and now… it's just us. The guests.
They sat in uncomfortable silence, eyeing one another for any sign of anything. The most fidgety of them is Gambler as he twirls his cigarette in his fingers but it is Thief that looks the most anxious. He keeps his expression steady and unreadable but it's the way he's paused all movement with the fork since C left, it's the way his jacket bounces because he's bouncing his leg under the table. He's nervous.
"So, are we just going to sit here in silence? I know why I might be here but what about the rest of you?" He asks hastily and all of a sudden, looking wildly at each of them. Silence. That's what he doesn't like. He can't stand silence. He surmised.
"Is it wise to discuss our suspicions? We might further incriminate ourselves." Pharaoh suggests.
"That suggests we have something worth being incriminated for." Dancer suggests coyly.
"Does 'delicate financial obligations' ring a bell for anyone?" Thief asks, pulling out a folded piece of paper from his breast pocket.
He felt his skin crawl but he refused to allow it to show. Everyone else save for Kaiba is glancing around, trying to gauge everyone else's expressions.
The Gambler brings out his own from his breast pocket and slaps it against the table. Mr. Brown followed his example though he tosses his languidly.
The rest of them weighed one another, waiting to see if they would cave too. His eyes lock with Pharaohs and while a blush threatened to warm his cheeks, they seemed to share an agreement and in unison brought out their own to gently place before them.
The dancer beside them digs through her purse for hers and he notices Kaiba is last, though he merely slips the corner of his letter out of his breast pocket.
"Hmm… the thick plottens." The Thief muses.
At once then, Pharaoh, Kaina and Thief all sat up in attention, and a moment later he felt the presence of someone standing behind him.
A moment later Mouse and another girl dressed as a maid enter the room. The Maid is carrying a serving dish with two large metal dishes while Mouse is carrying an opened bottle of champagne and a dish towel over his arm.
"Dinner is served." C announces and they waited for their respective dishes to be placed before them.
It's a seafood dish masterfully prepared and artistically served. The colours are beautiful and they look like they were pulled right out of a cooking magazine. He felt it almost a crime to eat this but once they all had their meals and shared uneasy glances, they dug in politely after the Gambler took his first bite.
The meal was delicious. Cooked to perfection, the salmon falls apart in their mouths and the intense flavours washes away almost all anxiety he had felt for this trip.
The others seem to be enjoying their meals too. The only sounds filling the dining room are knives and forks on expensive plates and the occasional hum of approval.
The silence did feel awkward, but in this moment he could at least enjoy the luxury that was being afforded for them.
Sadly it is short lived. Just like any fancy meal the food is small and quickly devoured. But Mouse and the Maid seem to have perfect timing because it doesn't take long after he is finished that they are collecting their plates and replacing them with some kind of soup.
"So, we're all here for the same reason, right?" Thief asks them all. Several minutes of silence seems to be all he can take.
"We don't know why we're here." Dancer says matter of factly.
"Speak for yourself." Kaiba bites back, clearly bored and unimpressed. He barely touches his soup, opting instead to swirl it around lazily with his spoon.
"You mean you know why we're here, K-boy?" Gambler asks, leaning over his bowl and waving his spoon around recklessly.
"Do not call me that." Kaiba commands.
"Whatever. Well we all got the same letter right?" Gambler asks, waving his letter around now.
"Mr. Brown. Your presence is requested at Blossomfall Estate. The details of when and where are enclosed. It is in your best interest to attend as matters of delicate financial obligations will be addressed and disclosed among others who share your plight. -C" Brown reads from his and he notices Dancer, Thief and Gambler each flinch.
"I got the same letter." Dancer admits.
"So did I." He spoke up quietly.
"As did I." Pharaoh assents.
"So we are the others that share our plight?" Thief surmises. Seems like a logical conclusion.
He wondered what exactly was going to be discussed and how much the others knew. However he felt that without implicating himself it would be unwise to ask. For now he remained firm in his stance to be careful and observe. But he felt the clock ticking. He knew it would only be a matter of time before all was exposed.
C returned with impeccable timing as each seemed to be finished eating. Their soups went mostly untouched as C cleared his throat and announced their host would be with them shortly if they would just follow him to the lounge.
They take their champagne with them and follow C into a room across the hall.
The lounge was furnished with fancy bookshelves and couches. An exquisite fireplace warmed the room and its fire crackled and snapped. There's a fancy desk in the corner and the heavy red curtains are drawn. There's a statue bust between the windows and a fancy mirror above the mantle of the fireplace. Upon the buffet table are glasses and bottles of whiskey and scotch. Unlike the rest of the manor so far this room seems to be from the 1950s.
What makes them all stop though is not the decor - but the man standing by the fireplace.
He is a tall, slim man with silky, shoulder length white hair. He wears a bright red suit and is standing tall with pride and dignity. Their host they presumed.
"Ladies and Gentlemen." C announces. "Might I introduce your host. Mr. Pegasus. Sir, our guests."
Pegasus turns and smiles at them warmly. He welcomes them with open arms but he felt unsafe here. If he had the choice he would have returned to the dining.
"Ah welcome! Please, come in. Come in. Take a seat!" His voice is thick and coated with amusement, but none of his guests shared his enthusiasm. He greeted them like old friends, but they each knew they were here for more sinister purposes that would soon be revealed.
Still, after a prolonged moment of uneasy stillness they reluctantly chose a seat. He chose to stand against the wall where he could observe the others and hide from their judgemental glances. He was taught from the best after all to watch your enemies and keep your tells hidden.
Each of the others took a seat and he smiled when he watched Pharaoh sit easily on the couch, a leg swinging over the other and his drink in his lap. He supposed he should take more note of the others, but Pharaoh was quite distracting.
"So you're our host?" Thief asks. He's taken a step back in his confidence, and is clearly uneasy.
"I can't believe this." Kaiba mumbles under his breath. He has chosen to sit by himself in a single armchair.
"I am. My name is Maximillion Pegasus, but I am sure many of you have heard of me. If not, I'd like to welcome you to one of my many private abodes."
He knew Pegasus. And he knew Pegasus knew him too. He was the king of his game after all. But what he could know of his predicament was a surprise to him. But this could be good for me. Afterall it would hurt his company if people learned of what I'm being implicated for. He thought. It would be good for him to clear my name.
"Why are we here?" Gambler asks. He didn't seem impressed at all at the status of this man. He was a billionaire, a famous game developer and head of more than one company. He was rich beyond their dreams - but Gambler didn't seem to care.
"Straight to the point? What, no thank you for your expenses paid trip to an exotic island and fantastical manor? Talk about priviledge." Pegasus joked around but it did bring a smile to his lips. He was always so non-chalant and as irksome as it could be in dire situations, it did add to his charm.
No one responded and the eccentric billionaire sighed. "Very well. In that case, let's get started. If I am correct, then something very interesting is about to be discussed."
"What do ya mean? Do you mean ta tell us you don't know?" Gambler asked and both Thief and Brown raised their voices in annoyance and alarm.
"If everyone would remain calm, everything will be explained." C says firmly. He passes through the room and stands beside the desk. His fingers brushed over an envelope on the desk but turned his attention to Pegasus instead. "Unless sir, you would like to tell them?"
"What ever would I tell them? Do they know more than they should?" Pegasus asked him, feigning confusion by the sound of it. And not very well… he thought.
"No, it hasn't been discussed."
"Then I suggest we all partake in some brandy or wine and retire for the night. You must all be tired from your trip."
He was confused. He thought perhaps Pegasus was welcoming them before, but now he seems too eager to be rid of them. Getting here wasn't exactly a drive down the road either. They had to be expected.
"Nah nah nah. We want to know why we are here!" Thief demands. He didn't exactly wish to be exposed, but he wasn't in the mood for coming here for no good reason. If he knew this could be a simple trip on an island for a few days, no strings attached, he'd be all for it. But he couldn't guarantee his safety considering the nature that brought him here.
"If that is the case…" C picks up the envelope and carefully opens it. He reads the contents quietly, which appear to be a letter followed by a small stack of smaller cards. When he is done, he sets down the letter and straightens the cards in his hands, cradling them as if they were precious. He looks upon the room, grimacing at his boss before turning his head to address the guests.
"I have been instructed to inform you all of why you are here."
"Oh come now -" Pegasus laughs but the glare from C silences the billionaire.
"Ladies and Gentlemen." C begins. "As you know, all of you have been invited to this manor to discuss very sensitive, financial obligations. Each of you received a letter with instructions and advice to do so."
"Yes, so what are we here to discuss exactly?" Mr. Brown asks impatiently.
"So eager to divulge your secrets Mr. Brown?" C asks him accusingly. "I suppose that is fitting given how eager you were to spend your inheritance. The inheritance you only received after swapping out your grandparents will with that of one you made yourself. And rather convenient timing as the will was only amended days before their untimely passing."
He was surprised to say the least to learn something intimate as that straight off the bat. Mr. Brown seemed horrified at the accusation and the others were equally as shocked or intrigued.
"What?" Mr. Brown laughed, but the nerves in his voice and the way he shuffled his feet - suggested C was right on the money. Literally in this case.
"You tampered with your grandparents' will before you killed them?" Dancer asks, disgust clear in her voice.
"I did no such thing! They left me that money fair and square, I was as surprised as the rest of the family was." Mr. Brown defended but he doubted that was true.
"But you don't deny that you killed them." Kaiba mused quietly.
"Their car was totalled by a semi. There was no possible way I had anything to do with it." Mr. Brown snapped at him angrily.
"They were your family." Dancer said in disappointment.
"You should think twice about making moral judgements, miss Dancer. For I have here that you did in fact earn your way to stardom - through the bedrooms of agent after agent to get you into the starlight."
"Excuse me?!" She shrieks at him. People sleeping their way to the top wasn't too surprising to him in the slightest. It was always a popular controversy among celebrities. But she reacted in such a way that it was difficult to tell if it was true or false. It could be genuine horror - or it could be genuine horror at being ousted. "How dare you claim that I slept my way to the top."
"I am simply reading facts, miss Dancer, and I also have the negatives to prove it." C waves a large envelope in the air and she rushes to snatch it, but he is taller and surprisingly quick.
"Give those to me!" She demands.
"What are they?" Gambler asks curiously.
"In this folder is every ounce of proof that these claims are true."
The entire room reacted then. Even Kaiba, who simply sat up right in his seat.
"Will everyone calm down! This evidence will not be shown, but it will be used to clear each of your names." C announced loudly. It took a moment for the chatter to die down but slowly everyone settled enough to keep listening.
"As I was saying." C said, much calmer now. Dancer stalked back to her seat and he set the envelope back down on the desk. "I have with me in my possession evidence of your crimes or misdeeds, and I am instructed to put out in the open what those accusations are."
C waits a brief moment but when no one moves to speak, he refers back to his cards before he turns his attention Pharaoh.
"Pharaoh. You claim to be a young average male living an average life, even attending college and maintaining a humble job as a grocer."
"I hardly see a crime in that." Pharaoh shrugs.
"No - but on your income living in your residence and driving the kind of car you drive, it seems rather impossible for you to be able to afford all this luxury."
"So how does he afford it? Daddy no doubt?" Thief asks and Pharaoh glares at him.
"He affords it by selling priceless heirlooms from his heritage to buyers on the blackmarket, straight from the stores of his families museum back in Egypt." C proclaims and Pharaoh shifts uncomfortably in his seat.
"Ah so you're a black market dealer." Thief coos in amusement.
"And you a dealer of many things, Thief." C turns his attention to him now but Thief merely holds up a hand.
"Allow me. I won't pretend I haven't done anything wrong. All I've done, I've done to survive. I'm indeed a thief. Quite the master if I do say so myself. No one has managed to catch me and I'm able to live an honest outside appearance because of it."
"But you're here now. What is stopping any of us from calling the police so they can catch you?" Dancer asks and Thief smirks.
"You've not checked there's no cell reception out here. Even if there were, what would you tell them? Would you implicate yourself to the police?"
Dancer remains quiet and he idly slips out his phone to check his reception. Thief is correct - there's not even a single bar. Anything could happen on this island and they wouldn't be able to call for help. Their only escape is the Ferry too. Suddenly coming here did not feel like a wise decision.
"Kaiba." C continues, turning to approach him. "Is it not true that the success of your company falls solely on the murder and dethroning of your father."
"It is publicly known that I bought out my adopted father's company. His disappearance has nothing to do with me." Kaiba replies cooly.
"So it is said, but was there not a weapon found with your father's DNA, hidden in a secret vault within your room at his mansion?"
Kaiba remained quiet, as did the others. It was one thing to murder someone via a third party, but it was another to do the deed yourself - and Kaiba was not the kind of person any of them wanted to be on the bad side of. Especially not if murder was easy for him at such a young age.
"C, what is the purpose of telling us all this?" Gambler asks, which brings C's attention to him.
"The purpose, Gambler, is to lay all the cards on the table. A phrase you must be most familiar with. Laying everything on the line, often to lose it all."
"So you are a gambler?" Thief muses.
"I am a gamer!" Gambler snaps at him. "I happen to have a lot of luck and thought to try my hand. Once. It didn't work."
"And it landed you in more trouble than you bargained for. A tip for beginners, it helps to know your opponent." C says rather smugly.
"Who was your opponent?" Pharaoh asks him.
"His opponent was none other than a major head in the mafia. He bet more than he could afford though and is now their faithful lackey." C explains.
"Lapdog, more like." Kaiba mutters.
"So that leaves…" C turns to him then and suddenly, with everyone's eyes upon him, he felt small and vulnerable.
"The King of Games. Perhaps Gambler should have had you in his court. Then again, the King of Games may not be as masterful as the world seems to think."
"What do you mean?" Dancer asks.
He decides it was best to curry some favor here. After all remaining quiet would only solidify C's claims and if he spoke up, then it would show he is honest. So he holds up a brief hand before C could expose him. "I have been blackmailed under the pretence that I have rigged every competition I have been in. I have been accused of theft, fraud and sabotage in order to defend my title and prestige."
"Is that true?" Pharaoh asks him, and there's something disappointed in his voice that cuts him deeply.
"No it's not true." He says honestly.
"So why are you paying the blackmail?" Mr. Brown asks incredulously.
"Because it is a scandal I cannot afford to have out there. True or not it would ruin my image, and my family needs the money I earn to stay afloat." He explained simply. C seemed to approve judging by the small smile upon his lips.
"Aight, so why is Pegasus here? Just cause this is his place or…?" Gambler asks.
"Oh - have you not worked it out?" C asks them, amused now. "He's the one blackmailing you all."
Once again the entire room roared to life, standing and shouting incomprehensibly. He himself remained quiet but tense. He couldn't believe it. Maximilian Pegasus, the creator of his beloved game and the reason he was the King of Games in the first place - was the very person blackmailing him? He might as well have paid for this island for the amount he's given to this man. And he has the audacity to pretend otherwise and smile and be merry?
He raised his hands and stepped back as Gambler, Thief and Mr. Brown advanced on him. He stepped a little too close to the fireplace and scurried away from it's heat, but Dancer was there to slap him across the face.
After that Gambler took a swing at him and Thief took his legs out, forcing him to the ground.
It was now that C stepped in and stopped them from beating the man senseless.
Few of them kept out of the brawl. He was among them. He never liked violence. Having been a victim of heavy bullying as a child he was more inclined to back away from it instead.
He stepped back to the furthest point in the room calmly so as to not draw attention. Hands firmly in his pocket, squeezing so to try and focus on anything but his rapid heartbeat. From the corner of his eye he saw movement and he stood firm when he saw it was Pharaoh quietly approaching him.
"Are you alright?" His voice is soft and subtle, but his own mouth was dry and he felt too nervous to be convincing.
"Fine." Is all he manages. It was poor. He knew it, he knew Pharaoh knew it and while the billionaire he once reasonably trusted scrambled to his feet and the others were slowly moving away, he felt compelled to grant Pharaoh something more. "I don't do well with violence."
Pharaoh said nothing. Nothing needed to be said. He offered a sympathetic smile and a small nod and remained standing nearby. Perhaps even closer than strangers might. It was almost protective in a way.
He thought maybe he was looking too deeply - but he wasn't going to put further distance between them. He felt safe with him close by and remarkably his anxiety was dropping.
"Well now, was that necessary?" Pegasus asks them, wiping away a small amount of blood from his lips.
"Do you want another?" Gambler asked him angrily. Mr. Brown pushed his chest back and he was thankful for that.
"If we could all keep calm." C says loudly.
"Are you in on this too, C?" Dancer asks, her tone aggressive but she doesn't make a move toward him.
"Our letters were signed - C. You're his butler." Thief surmised.
"I sent you the letters." C assented. "But I am not responsible for I, too, wish to see justice prevail."
"Justice." Dancer scoffed.
More mumbling followed but as they talked among themselves and C tried to grab their attention; he observed.
He observed them, his exits, the way Pegasus circled back to his desk and opened a drawer, and he observed what he knew.
"I want to know." He spoke up finally - and having been the most quiet of them all until now, his meek voice drew their attention, and all stopped and faced him. "I want to know why we are here."
"Haven't we addressed that?" Thief asked him, but he wasn't thinking big enough.
"No. We know that each of us received a letter from C. C has exposed us for the reasons we are being blackmailed. He has gathered us here, to his employers manor, his employer which has been revealed to be our blackmailer. I want to know: why?"
The others followed his logic and they turned to C expectedly.
C offered them a stiff smile and a nod of appreciation to him. But he was losing his patience. He didn't bring them back on track to help him.
"I wrote you those letters and brought you here so that we might band together and expose our blackmailer. Maximilian Pegasus has been benefiting from our plights and I have the proof he has been holding over each of us."
"So what do you plan to do with it?" Pharaoh asks him, his voice taking on a strong tone of authority.
"I plan to bring it to the attention of the police. We are gathered here, we have the evidence of his blackmail, we have our testimonies. All we need is his confession and we can put him behind bars."
"And what of their crimes?" Pegasus asks smugly. Intrigued, they all turn to him. He smirks at them and one by one he pulls out beautifully presented boxes. Simple black, but each tied with a red bow. He laid them out upon the desk neatly and he counted seven boxes.
Seven.
"I knew C was inviting you all here, and rather than impede his plans, I have a counter offer. But first, a gift! To each of you. Please, come and pick one. Any one, it matters little. Come, come!"
They hesitated, shared an uneasy look but eventually thought to humor their host. One by one they approached and chose a box. Each returning to a safe distance of personal space.
"Open them. Consider them a welcome gift." Pegasus instructed.
They were each losing their patience but they played his game and opened their boxes.
He dropped his box immediately and jumped back. He was afraid and horrified and prayed that the pistol inside was not real.
It's a prop. It has to be!
"Is that a gun?" Dancer asked. She was closest and peered carefully above to view his 'gift'. He was too afraid to investigate it properly. He'd never seen a gun in person before but this - this looked heavy - it looked real.
They each set to opening their boxes.
Pharaoh - a golden candlestick.
Gambler - a thick, tied rope.
Thief - a short silver knife.
Kaiba - a metal, rusted pipe.
Dancer - a heavy wrench.
Mr. Brown - a small vial and glass syringe.
They shared uneasy looks, holding their 'gifts' in their hands in confusion.
"Ladies and Gents. In each of your hands is a deadly weapon. C, wishes to expose us. Each of us. By turning me in, he threatens all of you." Pegasus begins to walk around the room, visiting each guest slowly and deliberately.
"In the name of 'justice.'" He continues.
He passes him, crouches down to pick up the gun and after a quick inspection, hands it to him. He holds it as if it could go off at the slightest breath, though his hands are shaking and he is sweating. He wants to be rid of it, but he needs to do it in a way it won't go off. He knows these things needs the trigger to be pressed - but his fear of the machine made him feel it was more a landmine than a gun.
"I propose a solution. We may each leave this island, happy as a clam and back to our lives of yesterday."
"How?" Gambler asks.
"Simple." Pegasus closes the lounge door behind him and his fingers hover over the light switch. "Kill C. It doesn't matter who. Kill C, and we will bury these secrets and take them to our graves."
"What?!" They shriek and look upon a very frightened and shocked C. He didn't know about this, that was certain. This is real.
"You heard me. Someone kills him now, we burn the evidence and continue as if this never happened. So, what are we waiting for? Kill C and walk free. Now."
A second passed and the lights were off.
He squeezed the gun in fear and felt the kick, jumped at the sound of the loud bang to follow and he dropped it. He heard a woman scream, some men tussling and glass breaking. He didn't know what was happening, if he had hurt anyone or if he would survive. All he could do was back away until he came to something solid. He yelped and smacked at it but it felt like the wall.
Then it quietened. He heard footsteps and clumsy collisions and a moment later, the bright light of cell phone drew his attention. It moved quickly, like a firefly passed him. It stopped near where Pegasus had been and then the lights blinded them.
He quickly scanned the room and felt his blood drain as the sight before him seemingly robbed him of his soul.
What have we done…?