Chapter 11: Loose Ends
"She wears strength and darkness equally well, the girl has always been half goddess, half fell."
- Nikita Gill
-Faction 3: The Ball-
Tai was growing tired of entertaining, the circle of people around him began to decrease as pairs split off to dance. He sucked on his teeth, reaching for a third glass of champagne. "Tyler?" He raised his glass, turning to the voice of Lani, her arm linked in his. "Shall we?" Tai smiled nervously, a list of excuses flying through his mind. First, he didn't want to dance. Second, he was feeling the champagne more than he's like to admit. "Lani, listen." "Lord Roul, is it?"
Confused, Tai turned towards the hand that now rested on his shoulder. A tall man with green eyes and red hair was smiling at him. "Ah! I've been looking for you. It's I, Samuel." Tai shook his head, seeing this as an escape from dancing. "Samuel! It's been… Years?" Sam nodded, agreeing to the time frame Tai had offered. "Lani, if you don't mind, I am going to catch up with an old friend." The girl looked angry, quickly turning and accepting defeat.
"Man, why are women so confusing…" Tai said, watching Lani join a group of woman, hugging Clarissa. "Anyway, do I know you?" Sam shook his head, sticking out his hand to introduce himself. "I don't think so. I'm Samuel, you can call me Sam, I work for a local library." Tai smiled, Sam's heart fluttered. A true gentleman. He watched Tai's arm closely as he extended his hand to meet Sam's, with arms to hold me at night. "I'm Tai…ler" Tai chuckled, trying to cover up his small slip. Sam didn't notice as he shook Tai's hand, distracted by other means. "Nice to officially meet you. Do you mind if we take this away from the main crowd?" Tai shook his head, relieved to use this as a way to escape for a moment.
"Did you have questions on publishing? It might be best to take those up with my vendor," Tai said as the two stood off to the side. Sam smiled, sipping his drink. "Oh, your vendor. I believe I saw him in the market earlier today…" Sam's words trailed off as he caught sight of the vendor being guided outside by, no other than, Sora. He felt his heart pace quicken, wondering what she was planning, Oh we are in for it tonight. "Is everything alright?" Tai asked, following his eyes in hopes of finding the source that caught Sam's attention.
Reacting quickly, Sam stepped in front of his gaze, blocking Sora as she stepped outside. "Oh no! I just thought I had seen a familiar face," he tried to hide his nerves, "nothing to exciting, yet." I know she's itching for action, but the vendor?! His nerves made him fidget. No one caused this reaction in him like his reckless friend. "Did you need a drink?" Sam's worries were interrupted, 'Why, Lord Roul. What a gentleman." He winked, taking the flute from Tai's hand.
"So, you said you saw him in the market? Joe, my vendor?" Tai asked, eyeing the red headed man suspiciously. "Joe. Hm. I thought his name would be a bit more exotic, but yes Joe your vendor." Tai's breathing quickened, remembering that Joe had mentioned that a smaller woman and a taller man asked about Roul's books in particular, both with red hair. "Why did you interrupt my socializing, anyway? Not many people visit my booth in the marketplace," Sam blinked slowly, trying his best to keep up his wall, my captain wants you dead and it's part of my job to make sure that you are. "I find you to be interesting. A little friendship never hurt anybody." Sam smiled, his eyes trying to catch sight of Sora and where she took the poor vendor.
A frown formed on Tai's face. Friendship was all he had been searching for for the past 5 years. The friendship he had lost. "Listen, if you don't have any questions for me I'm going to get back to the groups," Tai looked for Kari. Sam nodded quickly, "Yes. Questions. I have some…" His words grew quiet again, this time he felt his anxiety getting the best of him as he hurried to the outdoor balcony to Sora. If she kills a man without me, I swear. "Some what? Hey!" Tai placed his glass down, trying to follow Sam as closely as he could, the idea of him being at the marketplace with the assassin in the back of his mind. He moves like water, no way he's average.
Sora smiled to herself as the vendor followed her outside onto the balcony, the fresh, night air hitting her face. "Hm. Dark night, isn't it?" She said, turning to rest her elbow on the cool rail. "Funny, that's what my friend said. I'm afraid I don't feel the difference." Joe replied, shrinking under Sora's gaze as she studied him. "What's your name, Vendor?" Sora's smile faded, her face appearing more demanding.
Joe wasn't sure what it was, but he felt the need to tell this woman everything. She had a pull, danger? He wasn't sure. "Joe." He hated how fast he gave his real name away. "And what do you really do in this faction?" Sora smirked as his eyes widened. So he does know about the other factions. "I-I don't know what you mean…" He froze as she pinned him under her gaze, her elbow closer to his own. "I only know there are three… I've never traveled to the others." He could tell that wasn't the answer she was hoping for. Please don't kill me. He thought words he wanted to say. He could feel the danger and darkness pulsing from her.
"Hm. Interesting." She stepped closer, fluid like water, silent like shadow, "I thought a scholar like you would know more." He could've sworn he heard the click of a dagger, but he smiled nervously. "I'm sorry to disappoint, I have no more information for you." She pouted, unsatisfied.
"Listen," he felt something sharp hover on his side facing the balcony rails. Her calm demeanor left her, replaced with a cold blooded killer. "I know something is going on with Lord Roul. Why else would he be on Linus' list? It would be in your best interest to tell me everything…" There was that feline smile again, "Linus makes sure to keep us up on torture techniques…" She whispered the last part in his ear, sweat forming on his forehead.
"He-He's a Jumper…" He closed his eyes tightly, cursing at how simple it was for her to get information. Why was he such a coward. *click* the sharpness disappeared. "There we go, who would've thought you were so good at conversation?" She smiled at him again, he felt his heart pace increase.
"Who are you…" His words were quiet. Shock filled him when she replied, picking up on his whispers, her senses are immaculate. "If I told you my name, I'd have to kill you at this very moment." Her eyes were enough evidence that she wasn't kidding. "Still want to know?"
Joe went to reply, but his words turned into a surprised yelp as the balcony doors opened quickly. "Sora! What are you doing?" The woman dramatically rolled her eyes, her black dress making her seem like an upset shadow, "Sam, I'm getting information." She pointed to Joe, "and now thanks to your grand entrance, he knows my name!" She threw her hands up, Joe's eyes immediately focusing on the black swirls the covered her arm onto her back.
Joe was frozen. Sora. Sora… Sora… He knew that name, and he knew her. He covered his mouth to hide his shock. "He doesn't seem to care much anymore anyway," Sam motioned to the shaking form of Joe. "What'd you do to him? I haven't seen anything this scared since the chihuahua who was almost ran over by that rolling cinnamon roll the other day." Sora shook her head, her eyes back on Joe. Oh god please look away…
Sora. It's been five years… And she's an assassin? The TOP assassin. The out to kill Taichi assassin? Why doesn't she remember me? He turned towards the woman "Joe. I'm Joe. It's me, Joe." Sora raised an eyebrow, nodding as she slowly reply, "Yes. And I" she pointed to herself, "don't care anymore." Joe was confused, his mouth stuttering to find words, What did this faction do to you?
"He's no use anyway," she waved him off, crossing her arms as she leaned against the rail, "I guess Lord Roul is a Jumper, but what's the use when we can't travel with him." Sam contemplated, then agreed, turning to head back in.
"H-Hey! Why'd you run off so quickly…" Tai opened the doors to the balcony, almost knocking over Sam. His eyes landed on Joe's terrified form first, full of confusion, "Joe? What are you…" his eyes took in more, landing on Sora. His eyes traveled up the black dress that hugged her body like ink, then to her face. He jumped back, holding Sam in front of him. "YOU! It's you. I knew you'd be here." He recognized her as the assassin. Sam placed a hand over his heart, gasping like a maiden in a romance move.
"Lord Roul, how nice of you to come to me. I didn't want to waste more time finding you." Her words weren't sincere and they made Tai feel small and vulnerable. Joe was frantically waving at Tai, mouthing her name. "Stop that, it's distracting," Sora quickly said to Joe, causing the man to shrink back, his hands behind his back.
"Not here… This balcony can be seen from multiple locations…" Was she crazy? Sam tried to reason with her, but Sora was already closing the gap, dagger in hand. "You heard Linus, finish the job…" She raised her dagger, Joe covering his eyes behind them. Her arm was stopped by Sam, his hand grasping her wrist. "Yes, I know what Linus said, but we can't afford exposure."
She ripped her hand out of his arm, "Fine." She began to walk back into the ballroom, stopping next to Tai, "I won't be so forgiving next time." The men watched her leave, Joe breathing loudly as he sunk to the floor.
"She's just having a moment is all. Linus is PISSED." Sam said casually, turning to Joe. "Sorry, she can be pushy… No hard feelings?" Joe shook his head, gasping for air. "N-No, but who was she?" Sam shrugged, turning back to the ballroom and leaving the question open.
Tai quickly hurried to Joe's side, helping his friend through his extensive breathing exercises. "Joe, c'mon. She didn't kill you you're fine." Joe shook his head, straightening his jacket. "You really don't recognize her? Not even a bit?" He was in disbelief. Out of all of the people to forget Sora, he thought Tai would be the last.
Tai shook his head, rubbing the back of his neck. "Just… Her eyes. I've seen them before, but I can't quite place where." Joe took a deep breath, standing up straighter. "Sora. Do you know the name Sora." Tai shook his head slowly. "Can't say I…" realization hit him. Reaching out his arm to sturdy himself on the bar, Tai inhaled deeply. "Soraaaaa… Oh god we are in deep shit." Joe nodded slowly, watching his leader rub his eyes out of frustration and anger.
"First," Tai pointed to his finger, "Yamato is being used as some creepy ass puppet. And now Sora is a deadly ass assassin who is obviously ruthless." Joe nodded, sighing. "She knew about the faction if that makes you feel any better?"
Tai sarcastically nodded, "Oh! Yes. That makes me feel great. The woman I have adored my whole life is out to actually slice my head off of my body, but she is aware of the factions. Godspeed."
"Guys!" The men looked up, Kari in the doorway. "What are you doing out here?" Joe went to respond, but Kari held up her hand. "You know what, never mind. It's… It's time." Nerves struck all of them, the trumpets sounding that Myotismon was descending the stairs.
*Author's Note*
Getting tricky! I hope the chapters I have uploaded today answer questions and spark new ones! Happy readings and thank you for sticking with me!