Rose Tattoo
Chapter 2
(Chrollo)
"Hello?" I answered my phone. As I predicted, the mystery girl called a couple of days after the incident.
"Chrollo Lucifer, if I have not mistaken?" her voice was confident and gives off an authoritative vibe.
"Lilianne Vin Roze" I replied in a tone that says 'I've been expecting you'. She's not the only one who did her research.
I got Shalnark to research about her as soon as possible and I was right in assuming that she's a mafia don's daughter. Moreover, she's the youngest among her siblings. Their father is quite old and will soon die so there is a power struggle within the family for inheritance.
"Heh... Someone did their homework." She said with a hint of sarcasm. And I smiled unknowingly.
"I expected you would call. So what do you want?" I asked and oddly enough, I feel a slight excitement. This girl isn't at all ordinary.
"Meet with me. Bring the whole Troupe if you want but I need you to meet with me." Her voice was cold and stern and all business-like.
"What for?"
"Just do as I ask. Meet with me tonight in the same place where you killed my foolish men."
Normally, I'd feel insulted at being ordered around but right now, I just feel excited, like this is something to look forward to.
"All right. Would ten o'clock be fine?" I asked. I'm amused that a girl like her exists, someone who has the guts to steal from a professional thief and call them with it and even ask to meet with them!
"Fine. I don't like tardy people so make sure you're not late. See you then." She hung up and I stood up as I put my phone back in my pocket.
"We're meeting up with her tonight." I announced, then turned to Machi. "Machi, contact Hisoka. See if he can come. I'm still not sure about the urgency of this event."
"Got it, danchou" Machi took out her phone and dialed Hisoka's number.
"Danchou, what now?" Feitan asked.
I smirked. "Now, we wait."
(Lilianne)
I sighed as I hung up and put down the phone.
"Are you all right, oujo-sama?" Jonah asked, concerned as ever.
The both of us are in my room since no one in the family knows that I'm contacting the Phantom Troupe.
I nodded. "It's successful so far. We need to get them to agree, especially their leader, Chrollo Lucifer."
"Will you-?"
"No, I won't." I cut him off sharply. I took a deep breath to calm myself. "I know better than to tame a naturally wild beast, Jonah. It will only be for a short while so using it will only be a waste." I looked at the rose tattoo on my hand.
Taming a lion... is an absurd idea... because it is a hunter and wild by nature... Sooner or later, when you outstretch your hand to it, it might as well take a bite and gnaw it off...
"What else do you wish to do now, ojou-sama?" Jonah asked, flashing me a bright smile.
"Wait for the darkness to cover the earth, I suppose." I mused and gazed out of the window.
(Chrollo)
I looked at the star-filled night sky.
2 minutes...
"Danchou, why are we meeting with that brat?" Feitan approached.
I smirked. "You're questioning me, Feitan?"
"No, it's not that. I'm just... curious." Feitan looked away.
"Mmm... I don't know either." I gave him my usual smile and he seemed satisfied enough.
It's not that I don't know. Maybe I can say that I was just bored and this girl happens to have snatched my interest. I wanted to see how this will turn out so I invited the whole Troupe into the fun and I bet some of them already knows that.
I soon felt the familiar presence and heard the tapping of her heels on the pavement. Her servant, whom I heard she calls 'Jonah', has very silent footsteps and a somewhat faint presence.
"Glad to see the whole Troupe assembled." she smirked under the light of a lamp post.
I took a few steps towards her. Her servant tensed.
"We came as you asked, all of us present. What could you want that would have you calling us, a band of thieves and murderers, here?"
(Lilianne)
His question amused me. Despite doing his homework, it seems he doesn't know how my family settles matters of absolute inheritance.
"Survival of the Fittest." I declared.
He looked at me silently.
I smiled musingly. "You know that there is a power struggle within my family in terms of inheritance, correct?"
He nodded.
"We settle it through a game... a game to the death." This made the whole Troupe stir and I know I'm getting somewhere. "My elder siblings have assembled their men. In my case, I barely trust mine and only ever truly leave my life in Jonah's capable hands. "
"If you mean to make us work for you, don't get any ideas." the man who attacked me from before warned.
"My troupe will not fight for the sake of your greed." Chrollo stated in his usual tone but there is a sternness to it.
"Let me tell you this: I have no interest in the family fortune or the power I will inherit... but I have no intention of dying either." I said, looking straight into his grey eyes.
(Chrollo)
The way she said those words, it's like she's just playing a game involving walking on a tightrope and falling is certain death. Yes, getting us to agree is the tightrope and I get the feeling that if we disagree, we'll be the indirect cause of her failure, and ultimately her death. So what? It doesn't have anything to do with us... and yet, why do I feel this urge to accept her request? Have I grown soft over the years? I doubt that.
Her dark amethyst eyes had a glint as she stared directly into mine. It was the push I needed but I also need to assure the safety of the Troupe.
"I will agree" This caused a stir among my subordinates and a hopeful look on the Vin Roze's face. "But first and foremost, tell me what your power is."
It's probably somewhere around Manipulation given how she ordered that boy, Jonah. But most manipulators need an object of some sort, like a needle or something in order to control the person. Shalnark uses that needle and controls with his phone. I can assume that her tattoo is like the phone but what could be the needle?
The hopeful expression dropped to a completely neutral and expressionless face.
"If you are afraid that I would take control of the Troupe, then you're just plain paranoid. I don't have any intention of such. I know better than to control and tame a naturally wild beast. And besides, why should I waste my power on something that won't even last? Once the tournament or the game is over, you can scatter wherever you want with your bags full of rare items and cash, and I won't even bother tracking you all down."
There was complete silence.
(Lilianne)
"Then tell us" From among the group, beside Chrollo, stood a man with red hair styled backwards, with yellow eyes that ache for murder and bloodshed. He has a star and a tear drawn on each of his cheeks, like an insane and psychotic clown. "How does this game go?"
There was an amused smile on his face. It was so twisted. This man itself is twisted, the very embodiment of insanity.
"My two older siblings have their own 'army' of skilled men and so do I. The three groups will battle it out in a field. The ones who get their troupes eliminated will be killed by the victor. In short, I want you to massacre my siblings' men in battle." I answered coolly.
"Won't it be easier to hire an assassin? You can be sure enough that they'll be able to kill every one of your siblings' men without betraying you, as long as you have the money to pay them." This time, a pink haired girl who looks like a ninja, with piercing blue eyes, stepped forward.
And so it's time for the question and answer, huh?
I brushed off a lock of pale blonde hair from my shoulder and said, "Unfortunately, none of us are allowed to do so. It would make the game boring if you summon assassins to kill each other off, not to mention, the mafia community will hate us for depleting the population of hirable killers. Still, some tend to have it done in a less tedious manner and that's why I have Jonah by my side 24/7."
I explained it as best as I can without giving out too much, especially about my ability. Rather, it's my family's ability.
"So... will you accept my offer? The tournament is a mere 3 days away. For the time being, you can stay at the mansion. I can take care of your food and lodging." I told them in a professional manner.
In truth, I'm a little excited but I will never show it. I need to keep a cool and professional face to get them on my side, so they won't think they're merely speaking to a rich and snotty brat. Besides... I shouldn't get too close to anyone, even Jonah. A rose has thorns and anyone who grabs it just so suddenly... gets wounded and bleeds.
(Chrollo)
I looked at this determined little girl. Despite having close ages, she looks quite young, like a little princess indeed, with pale blonde hair and dark purple eyes that are like amethysts. Her skin is pale as porcelain and she looks so fragile that the slightest touch would break her and yet, she's emits an authoritative vibe that makes people bow down and obey her, like a rose, the queen of flowers.
"All right. I accept your offer but as for staying in your mansion, we'll do so tomorrow. But keep in mind, you're letting thieves into your house willingly." I said and with that she smirked and left us with the words, "All right. You already know where I live. See you then." hanging in the air.
The whole thing looks as though it was only for her amusement, a bored soul looking for some entertainment through the bloodshed of her family's subordinates.
That's when I concluded that Lilianne Vin Roze... is a cruel and genuinely insane princess.
