Finding a chance to speak with Narcissa was just as challenging as Mayumi expected it to be. But, finally, after days of waiting, she's able to slip away in the night while Pixie is asleep.
She sneaks down through the halls, her heart racing. With every glance over her shoulder, she expects to see bright blue eyes and pink hair racing down the halls after her. Thankfully, she's able to safely reach team GLCR's dorm and slip inside without an issue. Inside, cool shadows cast themselves over the three team members' sleeping figures as moonlight leaks through a partially covered window.
She approaches Narcissa's bed and stands there in silence. For a moment, she fears waking the woman, but eventually she reaches out and shakes her.
It only takes a second for Narcissa's eyes to snap open and catch Mayumi in their harsh, green glare.
"Mayumi? What is it?" she hisses. Mayumi swallows hard, but answers.
"It's Pixie," she chokes. Narcissa sits up with an irritated sigh, placing her hand against her forehead.
"What do you mean? What's she doing? Are all your teammates alive?" she asks, her gaze flickering to her roommate's bed. They're fast asleep.
"Let's take this to the hall, actually. Walk with me," Narcissa whispers. Mayumi nods and follows, gently stroking her tail as she does.
Once they're out in the hall, Narcissa wastes no time.
"What's she doing?"
"W-well, she's been acting… really mean to Randy and Gabriel, and Randy wants to go to Ozpin. I-I told him no, and he agreed to w-wait but I don't know how much longer he's willing to do that," Mayumi explains, her voice quivering. Naricssa doesn't even spare her a glance.
"That dumbass, she's going to blow our cover. I knew she'd end up fucking everything up," Narcissa mutters, her frustration painted in the furrowing of her brows.
"Can you talk to her? Make her stop?" Mayumi pleads. Narcissa pauses, glancing at the girl. Her eyes are inflamed, and Mayumi knows her concern is only for the mission.
"I'm going to talk to her. It's not my business to meddle with how she treats you." Narcissa pauses, rolling her eyes, "not that I care. But, she knows why we're here. I can't have Ozpin snooping in our business, and if those boys go to him with abuse allegations, which, knowing Pixie, I'm sure they'll have plenty to say, we're screwed," Narcissa vents, crossing her arms over her chest. Her hair falls in unruly red waves down her shoulders, a mess just as angry looking as the woman the hair's attached to. It's strange seeing Narcissa like this, undone and tired, when her usual appearance is so stiffly formal.
"Thank you," Mayumi says quietly, exhaling. Narcissa lunges for Mayumi, gripping her wrist and pulling the girl close.
"Don't you dare thank me. This isn't for you, you don't get things done for you. Pixie may have forgotten why we are here and who we work for, but I haven't. I'm doing this for Ivan and for Chaos. You're an underling. That's it. I don't want your gratitude," Narcissa snaps. Mayumi's eyes water.
"Am I understood?"
"Y-yes ma'am," Mayumi stutters. Narcissa releases her.
"I wish you had come sooner, but that can't be helped," Narcissa says.
"I'm sorry, I didn't want to get Pixie in trouble," Mayumi quickly apologizes. Narcissa snorts.
"Pixie's a fool. She made you more loyal to her than to the cause," Narcissa grumbles. "I want you to go back to your room. Now. This conversation is over."
"Okay," Mayumi responds quietly, turning away and quickly walking back.
Her head spins. If anyone can put Pixie in her place right now, it's Narcissa. However, her happiness is mixed. Narcissa's words burn into the back of her mind, rattling around in her skull. She grabs her head to try and quiet her thoughts.
It's been a long time since she's been reminded of Chaos, let alone her place within the group. She's been too busy worrying about Clover, about Randy, about Gabriel; she'd forgotten that they were here to serve Ivan and get him the information that he wanted. Suddenly, another thought starts to weasel its way into her brain.
What would it mean for her friends if Ivan did get the information back to him? Her heart stops and she leans against the wall. She hadn't thought of that. His plan is to destroy the school, appease their Goddess… but all of Mayumi's friends went to this school. They all lived here. She'd be dooming them, and that thought is too much for her to bear. Sliding to the floor, Mayumi clutches herself. Surely it's sinful to be thinking this way, but the cause she's been serving for so long suddenly feels bitingly malicious.
~Scene Break~
The table is awkwardly silent. Narcissa is sitting at one end, Pixie facing her, and Mayumi and Vira sit between them. Narcissa takes a sip of her water, then sets the glass down and rests her hands in her lap.
"Hey Pixie, how are things going?" she asks. Mayumi stares down at her hands. The restaurant air is chilly, but Narcissa's stare is what really makes the girl's shiver.
"What do you mean?"
"I mean, how is your team? I heard they aren't doing so well," Narcissa starts. Pixie shoots a glare towards Mayumi, gripping the polished wood of the table. Narcissa snaps her fingers at Pixie, her glare hardening.
"Don't look at her, look at me. She did the right thing coming to me. Pixie, you've fucked up. This is about the mission, about our mission-"
"Fuck the mission! Mayumi is mine, she's loyal to me and until the day she kills me, she's mine and only mine. She belongs to me first," Pixie snarls.
"She may be your underling, but she serves our goal first and foremost. Ivan let you have her, he can take her away," Narcissa hisses.
"Bullshit!" Pixie snaps back.
"This isn't what I'm here to argue! Pixie, if those boys go to Ozpin we have to leave, we have to leave when there's so much more we could learn by staying. We can't let that happen, and unless you shape up, it will," Narcissa warns. As a waiter approaches, both women fall silent in unison.
"What can I get for you guys?" the young girl asks. Narcissa doesn't spare a glance the girl's way, and quickly orders a salad. Pixie smiles.
"Oh, sweetheart, can I get a burger, and can I get it rare? I like it nice and pink and juicy," Pixie murmurs. The girl nods and takes Pixie's order, then Mayumi and Vira quietly order theirs. Mayumi orders cod, and Vira the same as Narcissa.
When the waiter leaves. Narcissa scoffs.
"You disgust me," Narcissa sputters.
"You love me," Pixie responds smuggly. Narcissa doesn't answer and Pixie rolls her eyes, her grin fading.
"Pixie, listen to me. I need you to at least pretend to be a good team leader, I need you to be nice to those boys, and be nicer to Mayumi, until we leave. Okay? I don't give a shit about what you do to her at home, but here, we need to look-"
"Don't tell me how to treat my Mayumi or my team!" Pixie shouts, slamming her hands on the table, causing a chorus of clattering plates and silverware. The restaurant falls into silence and Narcissa flinches, balling up her napkin in her hands. All these people staring, it's a bad look, even Mayumi knows that much. Mayumi grips her shorts, squeezing her eyes shut. All this embarrassment over her, it's shameful.
"Shut up! You beast of a woman, be quiet! Everyone is staring,"
"I'm sick of you telling me what to do," Pixie snaps back in return, though her voice is notably lower in tone. The people around them go back to eating and the clicking of utensils against plates fills the air.
"Well if you behaved appropriately, I wouldn't have to," Narcissa shoots back.
"I'm doing just fine!"
"You're going to fuck everything up with how you're doing things!"
The two fall silent as the young girl returns, now with their food. She's nervous this time, her smile unsteady as her eyes flicker between the bickering women.
"Here's your food ladies. Enjoy!" she says, passing out the meals. Mayumi quickly starts to eat, taking tiny nibbles of her fish to keep her hands busy.
When the girl leaves, Narcissa and Pixie start up again as if there had been no interruption.
"I do not intend to be forced home because of your actions, Pixie. I will not disappoint Ivan because of your mistakes," Narcissa snarls, "If I have to, I will take action against you myself."
"I'd like to see you try," Pixie shoots back, taking a bite of her burger. Her teeth tear through it, and as she swallows, pink juices drip down her chin.
"You know I can," Narcissa threatens. Pixie scoffs.
"I doubt it." Pixie rolls her eyes, but Mayumi senses a difference. Pixie is wary. Mayumi breathes a sigh of relief, thinking that it had worked. There will be no violence.
Narcissa's gaze, however, tells a different story. She knows Pixie too well. The only way for this mission to succeed is without her.
~Scene Break~
That night, Mayumi can't sleep. She lies awake, her mind racing as she runs over the events of that day. Her mind is still haunted by Narcissa's words. Their mission. What exactly did that mean for Mayumi? She peeks her head out from under her blanket and stares at Gabriel's sleeping form. He's been so kind to her lately, with everything that Pixie's been doing. She can't imagine any harm coming to him.
But what about Ivan? What about Chaos? Their goddess? Whenever she reaches back into her memories, that's all she sees. All she's ever known. Is Gabriel worth more than all that?
He must be. Her heart tightens, skipping a beat, when she imagines them gone. It's the same painful feeling that comes when she imagines Vira gone. Or, despite her faults, Pixie.
A door opens.
Mayumi quickly closes her eyes, pretending to be fast asleep. She recognizes the scent of Narcissa in the room, and the fur lining her tail bristles. Narcissa coming at this hour could not be good.
"Wake up. Pixie, hey, get up," Narcissa hisses.
"Fine… fine. Why?" Pixie grumbles, sitting up.
"Come on, our conversation earlier isn't over. We need to talk," Narcissa responds. Pixie gets up, and Mayumi hears shuffling as she gets dressed.
"Really? I thought we had figured this out earlier," Pixie complains.
"No. We need to talk some more. Why are you grabbing your weapons?"
"I'm not stupid, Narcissa."
She's met with silence. Without another word, the two leave. Mayumi bites down on her pillow, her chest heaving as she fights to convince herself of the reality of the situation.