Chapter 7: Just another Day

A/N: A delayed update, just writers block and motivation. But I got through it.

Yor's lack of work at her job and contracts that she was usually given as a result of the crackdown had given her plenty of free time and she had something to focus on. Her time spent with Chise and Anya had given her the opportunity to be that big caring older sister once more although in more of a properly nurturing and motherly role.

Aunt to Chise and Mother to Anya. Currently trying to break the phobia of Chise from her current predicament. She had been breaking through the hard mold one chip at a time with her 'niece' knowing that the girl had been slowly unraveling her.

Chise still didn't talk to her much, a few words or the polite or meek thank you but never in the eyes and hold the real endearment that her pink haired counterpart did. Anya became more affectionate and more needy of Yor's attention than normal, perhaps feeling that she was being alienated.

So Today Yor tried to break another chip as Loid was preparing a big dinner as he and Yor would be going out for the evening and they would be left with their sitter. Loid feeling it good to try and get Chise to leave the home and try and just not remain isolated. She needed exposure-more so that the neighbors saw Chise and not remain as a suspicious shut in- and not be locked away inside.

Of course the teen herself was the biggest obstacle.

Chise Hatori sat on the stairs leading to the outside, her eyes fixed on the ground in front of her. Her body was tense, her breathing shallow and rapid. She had been stuck there for what felt like hours, unable to muster the courage to take the next step.

She could hear Yor Forger's gentle voice as she sat behind her, offering words of encouragement and support. Yor was her emotional support system, the one person who had never abandoned her no matter how difficult things got. Chise was grateful for Yor's presence, but even that wasn't enough to make her move. The close moments had made Yor the person she clung to, when she wanted to shower or walk around she had to be close by.

Anya Forger was standing a few feet away, watching Chise warily. She had always been wary of Chise because of her powers, but she tried to remain calm and composed, not wanting to make Yor worried. Anya didn't speak to Chise or Yor, instead internalizing her thoughts and anxieties.

Chise's fear of abandonment, personal imposed isolation, and phobia of being around people she didn't know had taken over her life. She couldn't leave the safety of the house without feeling like she was going to be hurt or abandoned again. The thought of being around people she didn't know filled her with terror and anxiety, making it impossible for her to function in the outside world. If it wasn't Elias… or maybe Yor who could she trust? The entire world had turned its back on her up until this point in her life.

Yor knew how difficult it was for Chise, having seen her struggle with these issues for the past couple of days, trying the shoulder the burden herself. But even Yor didn't know what to do to help her, unlike Yuri who was with her the entire time and shared in each other's pain. This girl was foreign to her and carrying an entirely different experience. She sat behind Chise, her hand resting gently on her back, trying to offer some comfort.

As the minutes dragged on, Chise remained frozen on the stairs, unable to move. Yor stayed by her side, watching and waiting, hoping that Chise would eventually find the strength to take the next step. But it seemed like an impossible task.

However this didn't prevent Anya from being her usual self. As the scary girl was too scared herself. She didn't mind too much even though she wanted to go get some sweets. She was much happier seeing her inveshtigashoin process. Anya had been trying harder to squeeze her own powers and direct them away from Chise. Desperate to know more to understand what was going on but at the same time she was terrified of seeing whatever that thing was again.

"Why is she so scared?" Anaya asked as she rocked back and forth on her heels at the bottom of the stairs.

"Anya-san, Chise just has trouble being out." She was putting it lightly as Yor knew the girl was completely petrified.

Anya plopped up on the steps and saw the way the green expressionless eyes just stare right ahead. Looking at the way she sat, Anya remembered the way bond man had to help one of his partners after they failed a mission, 'Sometimes we just need a hand to pull us forward even when we don't want to ourselves.'

Anya took that to heart and if she did nothing she was risking the future that Bond had envisioned. So she had to do something if mama and papa were to live!

Sucking in a breath Anya whipped her hand up and grabbed one of Chise's which was loosely holding her leg and then pulled hard.

It was a sharp reaction which sent both Anya and Chise both falling down the steps.

Anya left the ground for a moment and Chise stumbled her feet unprepared and not even strong enough to stop her momentum.

Yor reacted in a panicked yelp moving faster than both girls to the bottom catching Anya with her right hand and collecting Chise with the left who fell straight into her bosom at the bottom of the stairs, taking another step backwards to steady the trio were standing just outside the open archway to their home.

Chise was too shocked to say anything, but the warm feeling of a hand at her back. The touch of soft pillows on her cheeks. Chise felt herself slip.

'Oh I hope I didn't hurt her and Miss Anya. I don't know what I would do if anything happened to them.' The words spoke in her mind as her powers sparked without her understanding. Chise looked up into the concerned face of Yor and then a flashback of her mother hit her. The parallels of a young girl looking up into a face like that.

Yor and the face of her mother merged into one and then it sparked.

It sent out a ripple… and she didn't even know it.

Even locked away deep within the protective vaults of the containment building. He felt it, he felt it as if she were beside him once more and the agonized scream of Elias shook the entire facility down its foundation.

The pulse rippled through Anya as waves rolled through, foreign thoughts and unfamiliar emotions that she did not understand mixed within herself. Like a cold hard shiver rolling through her head and down her spine.

But only she could feel it.

Chise buried her face into the chest of Yor and let out a mutes Sob uttering the words. "Mama…". She then latched her arms around the woman holding her to find any kind of peace from her past that now returned.

Unbeknownst to those outside in the gathering and while preparing dinner Loid was going over the plans in his head for tonight, having scheduled a 'date' night for he and his wife at the target location for drawing out Elias. It wasn't some greater upscale gathering but it was an art gallant gathering. One that would be sure to draw out many public faces and give him and Yor a screen but as well show their relationship off in a community setting.

This would give them cover, strengthen their appearance as a family, and build up bonds between the two of them. Of course the primary goal was seeing this alleged Elias Ainsworth, and the man who had some connection with Chise.

Intelligence was going to be pivotal in this mission so there wouldn't be any sort of risk taking on his side unless it meant capture or elimination of the target. 'Our newest adversary is shown to be foe so with authorization elimination would be the preferred method of taking care of him and removing a piece from the East's arsenal.'

But that would be only if authorized as this had to be done by or wholly believed to be initiated by an internal faction within the country's government. Pressuring those who might be looking at any party involved as a threat or maybe as a means to remove a rival or two during the gathering being held tonight.

Loid would be the one monitoring the event with support outside and acting in the wings of staff.

It was a bit on the riskier end but Twilight felt it would be safe and so did his handler considering the information he had gathered and seen so far if there was any actual correlation between the Elias mentioned by Chise, the one seen by Fiona Frost and the possible appearance of him tonight.

Much later, Chise firmly tucked away in bed seemingly exhausted and completely asleep by the time her head even hit the pillows. Anya showed some greater interest than ever as she even stuck her head around the doorway as Loid had picked her up and carried her to the bedroom as she nearly collapsed after eating dinner.

"You had an eventful afternoon Anya, go ahead and grab some peanuts until the sitter gets here."

The pink haired girl still remained glued to her spot, her mind trying to process everything she had felt in the past few hours at once was still feeling the aftershocks of what had occurred. The power she was terrified of unveiling out of being ostracized had come right back at her.

Of course Anya couldn't vocalize what she had felt, no way of expressing the fact that Chise was someone with powers far beyond hers. Which meant she had no way of telling anyone because of the unknown of what would happen.

So she just observed watching with wide eyes… and as crazy as it was to think. There was one person who she could talk to, they knew what it was like, and by comparison had it even worse.

It was the girl with jet black hair laying asleep in her bed, watching her rising and falling chest no doubt overwhelmed by the energy she had put out.

In the other room the main phone to the home rang and Yor was the only one to answer. Offering her polite greeting until the voice on the other end spoke… It was then the housewife's chipper demeanor completely shifted her eyes becoming hard and expression cold.

She didn't speak a word other than lower the phone down to the receiver and calmly let it click.

A job… while she and Loid would be out at their evening event and in the exact same location. How… fortunate.

Anya missed the slow walk of her mother behind her. Methodical and focused as she looked to get herself ready for the evening. Going to her closet Yor pulled out her box of tools she would need and in addition got her black dress ready as well.

Tonight the thorn princess was going to make an appearance.

Loid missed the appearance of his wife as a knock came from the door, no doubt it would be his informant Franklin.

[***]

Elias had been sent in, finding that it would be better to be out and acting like the diligent dog of the roaches than locked away inside of the room after experiencing the shockwave sent out by his prize.

Chise's shockwave had gifted him with the knowledge that she was alive and somewhere in the area but in terms of specifics there would be little to tell him where she was. However, it was the same double edged sword while she was alive he also felt that loss of her connection with him. Feeling that spark for that second only to have it be gone in the next.

A lesser being might question his ability to just break out and go about his duty but there was a problem to that, great as he might be he was still partially under the effects of technology. He did not understand it himself but at any time he could be brought low by something that the vermin had stuck to him. Their weak minds were limited in one aspect but gave them broad ideas when it came to annoying him.

It was quite the vexing situation, but it allowed him to manipulate the faculties of all humans. Donning the face of someone less than threatening. Meek and mild, cute but not overly beautiful (to them) but to him it was peak attractiveness.

Wearing Chise's face Elias shrunk his form to that of a mid-sized human female. He did not overly develop breasts, matching a similar contours of that of his precious sleigh beggy. His hair was a light white and ivory tone with striking red eyes. The shoulder length hair hung around his shoulders but his figure as a whole was mostly covered wearing a full sized cloak that covered everything except his white gloved hands.

Sheep felt less threatened by the wolf when they could not see him, so it would only be right to don the wool of an animal to hunt them better. Although in this situation he was trying to hunt sheep pretending to be wolves.

Entering from one of the side doors his presence was all but ignored, the complete opposite of before. Which appealed to him but it only drew the wrong type of attention.

Walking as his hands hung loosely at his side some of the attendees give him side glances and whispers amongst themselves as he walks. But Elias pays them no mind, his eyes scanning the room for the one thing that truly captivates him.

He passes by sculptures and paintings, barely glancing at them, as they hold no interest to him. To Elias, the only true beauty in the world is embodied in Chise Hatori, his prize and beloved. He compares the intricate details of the sculptures to the curves of her body, finding that none can match the elegance and grace that she exudes.

The paintings, with their vibrant colors and detailed brushstrokes, pale in comparison to the radiant beauty of Chise. Elias sees her in every stroke of the artist's brush, every flicker of light and shadow. And he knows that nothing can compare to the living, breathing embodiment of perfection that she is.

As he continues to walk through the gallery, Elias feels a sense of disappointment at the lack of true artistry in the works on display. He sees them as nothing more than cheap imitations of the real thing, which is the radiant and captivating beauty of his Surei beggah.

Despite the noise and chatter around him, Elias remains completely focused on the one thing that truly matters to him. For him, the only art that truly matters is the living, breathing embodiment of perfection that is his Chise Hatori.

Walking around he passes by the front entrance, his head turned ever slightly to the side concealing the approaching couple by only millimeters.

A woman wearing the darkest of black, her lips painted ina lush ruby red and hair pinned in place by two 'artistic' hair needles her hand resting alongside that of the man beside her wearing a nice charcoal gray suit, his blonde hair on full display and a pair of glasses resting on the bridge of his nose. Looking every bit the scholar and doctor part as he and his wife.

Loid was still on full alert as he tried to find the enemy agent who had given Fiona Frost so much trouble. He scanned the room, searching for any sign of his target, going through the report in his head of all of the glairing alarm bells that would be going off if he detected this Elias. Of course he had to do this while trying to act natural and engaged in the artwork on display. He didn't want Yor to suspect anything about his true intentions.

Meanwhile, Yor was also trying to locate her contract target. She pretended to admire the artwork, but her eyes constantly darted around the room, trying to spot her objective. She didn't want Loid to find out that she was a contract killer, and so she played her role as a loving wife to the best of her ability. Of course her focus dropped as she came upon something she shared a connection with.

"Oh, Loid-San look at this wing!" Yor stopped herself and Loid at what would be a child's art exhibit.

Walking into the bright and colorful art exhibit, their eyes are immediately drawn to a section dedicated to the artwork of children. The walls are adorned with various paintings, drawings, and sculptures, all created by young artists with boundless imagination and creativity.

One piece catches Loid's attention immediately: a brightly painted canvas with a large, grinning sun at its center. Rays of yellow and orange burst outwards from the sun, each one dotted with intricate, hand-drawn designs. Below the sun, a row of green hills stretch out into the distance, each one adorned with tiny, detailed back to when Anya had been given free reign of her own canvas.

Next to the sun painting, a series of abstract drawings catch's Yor's eye. Each one is made up of a series of swirling, colorful lines, overlapping and intersecting in fascinating ways. Some of the lines are sharp and angular, while others flow in graceful curves.

In the center of the room, a group of sculptures made from found objects are displayed on a long table. One sculpture is made entirely from bottle caps, glued together in a winding, twisting pattern. Another is a tower made from cardboard boxes, each one painted with bright, bold colors.

As the two continue to walk around the exhibit the two can see some familiarity although with none of the practiced skill of the pieces on display. Some pieces are abstract and full of vibrant color, while others were more realistic and detailed. Loid and Yor both find it more than enjoyable and one where Loid didn't need to put on a show for his wife.

"Ah Anya would love all of this," Yor commented, "and would fit in very well." As the girl's overzealous imagination would lead to her making up something similar to what the two of them saw.

"I could see that with Anya… although I have to ask you about-"

"Ah, I forgot to tell you about Chise!"

From across the entire gallah a figure stopped, their white gloved hand felt a twitch and turned back towards the sound which only mattered to them.

WIthout any sort of decorum the disguised Elias marched straight towards where he heard her name. Ignoring the gasps and cries of consternation as he all but shoved his way past those in his way, his red eyes had zeroed in towards the location. 'Youth exhibit' He saw the title and moved straight inside his head snapping around as he looked for the person who had spoken.

In that same moment Twilight felt his ear buzz, the glasses hiding a small receiver next to his ear vibrating in a manner to send him a message. His body didn't react although his mind certainly did, 'Contact possible, just entered.' Immediately his eyes turned towards the entrance and saw someone, the ivory hair and red eyes of a younger woman who seemed out of place.

He would have to take a chance to investigate further. But first, "Yor I am going to use the restroom, would you mind waiting for me?"

"Oh, are you alright Loid-san!?" Her hands raised up as she perhaps panicked that she had possibly done this.

The Agent recognized that response, "oh it's fine Yor I just need to use the bathroom, no stomach cramps this time." He grabbed one of her hands to assure her, trying to keep her calm and not feel guilt because of him.

His gentle squeeze assured his wife that everything was fine and she didn't try to protest any further. She had a bit more confidence in herself with his assurance.

Of course that wasn't the truth either as Twilight quickly disappeared towards the bathroom but immediately made a quick swap of his exterior clothing and face all within a matter of a few moments.

He had to get into the role of aid decamp of tonight's potential target. Viktor Ivanov started his career as a soldier in the Eastern military. He rose through the ranks quickly due to his tactical acumen and his willingness to do whatever it takes to get the job done. However, as he climbed the ladder, he became increasingly corrupt, accepting bribes and engaging in black market dealings. He used his power and influence to build a network of loyal followers who would do his bidding and after retiring from the military, Ivanov turned to politics, using his connections to secure a position as a senator. He quickly became a rising star in the Eastern government and aligned himself with a faction that opposes Donovan Desmond, seeing him as a threat to his power and influence.

Twilight made his way to one of the second floors where he spotted Colonel Viktor Ivanov. He was a tall, broad-shouldered man with short-cropped hair and a rugged, weather-beaten face. Dressed in an immaculate suit and carried himself with the confidence and authority of a military officer. His piercing blue eyes are his most striking feature and one that caught the attention of anyone had his focus.

Currently mingling with other socialites Twilight remained off to the side, his head slightly tucked down and wearing the face of a middle aged office worker with an unkempt hair the agent merely ducked off to the side and waited for any type of developments.

In that same breath and while he was changing into his attire Yor had gone to the second floor having seen her target and been given some breathing space by her husband's absence so that she might complete her mission.

Now it was merely a waiting game… but she wasn't the only one who was waiting. From her own shadow lurked a pair of red eyes. Waiting to hear if she spoke that word.

"If you excuse me I have a guest to greet." Ivanov said, taking the chance to break all of the ass kissing and hand shaking for a minute. Feeling the stress of the day already wearing upon him he would like to just have a break from the chattering mouths around him now.

Two of his personal guards followed him, barring others from pursuing him further and keeping Twilight away from him- unintentionally- and made his retreat through two sets of double doors into a private wing of the art gallery.

His hands went up to loosen his tie when he heard the sound of something being impaled. He spun back around quickly and took some steps back protectively out of instinct. It was then he turned back around to see both of his guards had two large decorative needles jammed into their necks at an angle no doubt striking their hearts.

Their wasn't even a chance for them to cry out as standing between them was a woman, his dark black dress and hair obscuring the top portion of her face, but her lips moved speaking evidently speaking directly to him as her head slowly raised up and looked at him with the ice cold look of a killer. "If you would be so kind sir and take your punishment."

Watching as her hands gripped the two impaled needles into his men were pulled out with a sharp prevision leaving a small amount of blood to splash over her wrists. Spinning them effortlessly in her hands she then made

Making her way forwards, Yor's emotionless gaze only locked on the man ahead of her.

He attempted to turn and run but one of the weapons that had just killed his guard struck the wall and impaled the back of his shirt into the wall.

Closer and closer the assassin approached her hand holding the pointed edge.

But as she came closer a hand grabbed her shoulder, the momentary shock that someone had snuck up behind her did not trump her instincts as she whirled about and spun to deliver a sharp blow with her weapon. It was precise and practiced catching her assailant off guard sending him staggering to the side.

Her strength stunned even Elias, never had any human hit him with such force before. The attack had caused him to lose balance several feet to the side. His illusion was lost as his concentration completely collapsed and he became his monstrous self.

Yor didn't react, her focus on the task at hand and years of being a trained killer didn't give her pause as whatever had tried to grab her now dominated the room. She raised her twin needles, her only weapons against the monstrous creature. The monster snarled, its eyes fixed on her. It lashed out at her with an aggressive snarl.

The two clashed in a flurry of movement, their blows echoing through the gallery. He blocked the first blow she countered with a sharp swing, her needle just barely out of reach of his face . He attempted to swipe at her but she then rebounded even faster. She jumped using the pressure on his forearm to throw herself upwards.

Elias had believed this assassin to be just human and was shocked when she was able to overpower him. Her leg swung out and kicked him square in the head snapping to the side. He felt something flicker within his body that had physically not happened in a long time. Bracing against the blow Elias felt that he could reach out and snap her in half but he controlled himself. She had spoken Chise's name and she knew something, but he had to quell her and get that information meaning that killing was completely off the table with this one.

Yor noticed the thing quickly recovered as she landed on her feet once again. Its attacks became more ferocious as it tried to take her down. His long swipes and claws missing her barely as mere inches separated her from its blows.

Despite the monster's strength, the assassin's near-superhuman abilities allowed her to keep up. Yor dodged its blows with ease, striking out with her twin needles whenever she saw an opening. The monster roared in frustration, its blows becoming more erratic as it struggled to hit Yor. It seemed to become more and more enraged as every time it got close she would either retreat or knock it back.

"You will stop hitting me!" It shouted its voice letting out a huge roar as he tried to barrel over this woman but she dipped to his side and slammed the blunt edge of her needle straight into the thigh of his leg. He didn't know what happened but his entire side went limp and he crashed into the ground. His head spilling into several exhibits sheltered away before grinding another several feet along the floor.

The massive crash was enough to alert anyone and Yor could see from the shattered glass doorway dozens of figures rushing her way… Job or no she couldn't complete her mission in this situation as the beastial creature rose back up.

Her target had pulled themselves free from the wall by then her needle skittered across the floor and rested up against her heel. Yor snapped it up into the air grasping it as her attacker made his next lunge at her.

Glowing red eyes charged straight towards her swinging back her needles to store them for another use she clenched her fist tightly as the monster drew upon her his arm reared back and in full momentum.

Elias was nailed with a flush uppercut. The woman's speed was blinding and he was launched upwards and then rolled backwards as he felt sharp heels run up his body but his arms were already flailing too much to stop his momentum. Crashing backwards as a pair of feet dug into his chest.

Tucking her legs, Yor bounded upwards, landing on the archway of the roof overhead, her heels clacking against the stone before turning and leaping back out an open window. Swinging around she grabbed ahold of a flag stand and kept her momentum before slowing to allow her momentum to allow her to drop down and follow the now quickly rushing guests and visitors out into the open.

A dozen or so security officers entered the location as the flapping from the banner outside was all that was heard.

From behind them Twilight spotted the chaos inside, he hadn't been able to approach as more security had barred his way and he had attempted to maneuver around to another side when the commotion had started. None of his other agents had any idea what was going on, but apparently their ruse assassination attempt had been married with a real one. Grabbing at the side of his glasses the WISE agent informed his team he would be pulling back.

With the chaos unfurling, Loud ditched his disguise without effort and headed towards an exit hoping to find his wife waiting for him.

Elias extracted himself from the wall and an annoying throbbing sensation was spreading through his body as he stood up, his 'ears' ringing and mind befuddled by further unknown sensations.

Grasping at his head he tried to shake whatever malady was affecting him off. Looking around he saw the vermin had gathered around him. They were all spouting something but he didn't care to try and understand, his head was hurting, his chest was beginning to ache as he tried to find the woman… Only to look down at his chest and see the hard proof that she had used him to get away.

He brought both of his hands to his head, he tried to shake these… Feelings out. But instead they only grew, what was this? What was causing him to feel this way? More shouting and sounds clattered all around him as he looked at all of the gathered roaches. They were making his head hurt, "SILENCE!" He screamed his massive clawed hand sweeping around him and stopped the noise.

It took but a moment as Elias turned the art exhibit completely red with a fresh coat of paint, the room becoming his canvas.

R&R