Lucien stared at Vicente, in surprise. His forehead creased over slightly in thought- he mulled over Vincente's idea for a minute. He gave an affirmative nod, much to Vincente's delight; Lucien had never seen Vincente smile before. And it chilled him, slightly to the bone.
"I hope you know what you're doing, Vincente." Lachance said, in a cool voice.

"You have a contract, Miss Sonnerset," Lucien said across the table, in a jaded tone. "As do you Antoinetta. In fact, you will both be working together." He paused, waiting for the inevitable squeal... and it came loudly from Antoinetta's lips. It came as a sharp pain to Mhezsura, who clamped her hands over her pointed ears. Lucien's face cringed slightly, earning a snicker from Arquen nearby. "You are to send Galus Venturia to Sithis- his corpse must be easily found, however...'-he paused for effect-' you will have to get past his contingent of guards." Mhezsura cracked a small smile at him- he coldly walked away. She merely dropped her lips down, and waltzed away with Antoinetta [whose excited babbles began to get on her nerves... already.]

Antoinetta grabbed her gloved hand, and led her away- shoving along the corridor, and into a small room; the walls cloaked in swaths of blood-red cloth. A rickety bed squatted in a corner, shrouded in black cloth. On the ground, in front of her, was a loose circle of plump pillows. Next to the bed, a grim armoire- made of black, pure wood. Antoinetta ran towards the armoire, her steps muffled by the thick carpet underfoot. Clack. Click. Boom. The armoire spilled open, rusty mechanics tugging down a solid, sycamore board... laden with weapons. Mhezsura's eyebrow quirked up. Antoinetta kicked the bottom of the wardrobe, and out popped two drawers. Full of clothes. The blonde Breton dropped to her knees, and grabbed a small, black dress-designer- and chucked it at Mhezsura.

"Over there." Antoinetta pointed, towards a shutter in the background. Mhezsura walked over, gently unbuckling her leather straps. She shut the shutters around herself, and slipped out of the leather- peeling off her second skin was harder than she thought. And she felt exposed, as her dark skin trembled with the cold; and she slipped the black, party dress over her head. It was flimsy, to say the least. A slight corset at the waist, but nothing too seductive- just a whole lot of chest and legs. She stepped out, to see Antoinetta in a posh one-piece corset dress- blood red of course.

"We ready to find Galus Venturia?" Antoinetta asked, tightening her lace gloves.

"By Oblivion, yes."

The Imperial City, Market District. 25. Second Seed, 3E 430.

It was about midday, in the bustling market square- the Imperial flags flapping high above the stalls. Smoke hung high in the spring air; and the clash of colours everywhere was enough to make her eyes blind. Antoinetta took her head, and led her through- taking confident steps, instead of the scared, baby-steps Mhezsura was taking.
"Over there! The informant..." Antoinetta gasped, in a low whisper- Mhezsura's head twisted around to meet her gaze. And all she saw was a weedy Imperial- or Nord- whose left hand was slack... and containing a suspcious bottle. Mhezsura quirked an eyebrow at 'Netta, but Antoinetta hushed her doubts. They loitered over, making their movements seem natural.

"Galfri, how are you?" Antoinetta asked, sweet honey pouring along the words. Galfri, a weak excuse for a Nord, began to back away slightly until his slumped back hit the wall. Mhezsura looked around for onlookers, whilst Antoinetta grabbed the Nord's neck in her hands.
"Clear."
"Good... Now, Galfri we can do this the easy way or not. Easy way: you tell us where Galus Venturia is and we go. Hard way: we'll rip out your fingernails until you do. Pick." Antoinetta delivered, her little face warped madly. Her cheery-blue eyes were cold and cruel. Galfri shook his large forehead free of sweat. and began to tremble slightly.
"You can find Venturia in his house, in the Temple district." Galfri said, with a slight shake to his harsh voice.

"Why, thank you. Have a nice day." Antoinetta warped back into her sweet-natured self. And pranced away, with Mhezsura's hand in hers.

"Oh fuck." Mhezsura said, breaking the silence around them. Antoinetta sheathed her sword, and held it aloft- she pointed it at Phillida's throat. Phillida looked amused.
"That isn't going to help you, assassin." Adamus said, thickly as two Imperial guards came up from behind him; brandishing heavy, steel axes. A thick plume of red feathers decorated their helmets, and their armor was polished white.

The room began to suffocate her- behind her a large bookcase, with a small window above. Bright summer light... hopefully not the last I will see. Antoinetta snarled at Phillida- his bold forehead lifted with laughter. A brown mess of hair sat on top of his head, with a few grey hairs streaking through in small lines. Mhezsura stared to her left at the dead Imperial, near her feet.
"He wasn't Venturia, was he? He was just the decoy." Antoinetta said, realization hitting her suddenly. Mhezsura looked over to her; the breeze twirling in her small, black folds of fabric.

"Well done, Miss Marie'- 'Netta flinched harshly-'but I think you regret trusting your informant" Phillida said darkly, his green eyes flashing in their deep-set sockets. Antoinetta bared her teeth, like a feral animal, and took a slow step forwards- tightening the grip on her silver blade with another hand.
"Don'-Don't, Antoinetta. It's what he wants" Mhezsura's voice was laced with contempt. Antoinetta's ear pricked up, and thought came over her small features. She took a step back, next to Mhezsura.

Adamus smiled.

Cliffhanger, much?

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