Laying in the center of New Meridian, the Grand Cathedral sits in the shadow of the gigantic towers of the city. An ancient landmark that commands its presence from not looking like the rest of the glitzy downtown area. The gothic architecture contrasted heavily to the Neapolitan cityscape. Yet, despite it's much more old fashion appearance it still garnered many seeking the enlightenment of its followers and teachings to The Trinity.
Despite all this however the cathedral held its own closet worth of secrets. A nun working as an assassin, A preacher taking money from the charity funds, or the monster hidden deep in the catacombs of its underground labyrinth. Few know of the secrets aside from Agatha Gloomfoil, a nun that continued her devote practices well into the evening while many of the missionaries had long since retired. Finishing her prayer, she moved herself slowly across the glistening stone smothered in moonlight breaching through pale stained glass in the likeliness of the divines she worshipped. She paused eyeing her surroundings for a second time before opening a wooden door often reserved for burial purposes and slowly closed it as she entered the dark staircase. The pitch in the stairwell was troublesome for the nun as she slowly moved toward an unlit lantern in a very practiced fashion. She manages to light the lantern to guide through the winding staircase passing many skeletons, urns, and coffins as she strolled down the stairwell far into the depths of the earth.
"May your peace be everlasting for your judgement has been passed." She uttered quietly as if not wanting to disturb the dead. "When you are called upon; your debt to The Great Mother will be paid." She muttered another prayer slowly hearing the strumming of a string instrument in the distance.
Passing farther through the claustrophobic corridors of the mausoleum lights became more frequent. Blue light emanating from behind a door where the sounds of the stringed instrument originate from. Agatha opened the door placing the lantern off to the side leaving it on.
Inside the room was nothing more than a moderately sized chamber filled with several coffins, and a few worn out amenities suggesting someone had been living down in this room for some amount of time. The resident in question sat herself at an old piano that somehow was not considered in disrepair. The girl looked to be slightly older in her early teens. Her face while holding its still recognizable youth was gaunt with dark bags under red colored eyes slightly obscured by pale gray hair from the nun's angle. Her attire was that of a traditional maid, a black dress with white thrills well pressed and neatly cared for with meticulous thought and stitching. Only the upper torso where the dress' seems have burst open showing a ribcage and blue flames emanating from her back.
The child in front of her was at one point known as Marie, though for the world she was simply the next Skullgirl in line. She continued playing the piano either unaware of Agatha's presence or simply chose to not acknowledge her for the time being. "Our masters grow weary of your feud." The tone of Agatha to many would be unexpected, a twined voice as if a whole chorus spoke in eerie unison. "You are to give up your mission and begin their harvest." She continued. The piano kept playing either as an act of rebellion from the maid or she simply did not hear the nun speak. This debate remained irrelevant however when the maid cocked her head slightly in Agatha's direction.
"The cancer is almost purged. Once Lorenzo is no more, I shall do as the master's desire of me." Marie's monotoned voice kept her almost impartial stance as she kept her fingers dancing across the ivory keys of the instrument.
Agatha scoffed at her remark. "You cannot deny Mother's will child." She rebutted "If you do You can easily be repla-" Agatha was cut off by a heavy slam on the piano by Marie's fists. The blue flames in her back flared up more so than normal as part of her face began to rot angrily glaring at the nun.
"I MAY BE A SERVANT TO THE TRINITY BUT I WILL NOT BE A PUPPET FOR MY OWED RETRIBUTION!" She yelled angrily standing up facing the demanding nun. The flames had died down, her face slowly reforming little by little. "Once my vengeance is done you will have your monster." She declared. "Has he found a new gem?"
"No, it seems the miscreant rogue feral took it for herself." Agatha responded seeing the maid settle down at her report.
She seemed satisfied by her report though her glare still never left the nun. "And of the other candidates?"
"Most have been accounted for." Agatha responded her eyes still closed though the bit of an eyebrow has shown a tinge of annoyance at the Skullgirl's selfish desires. "The lost souls in seek of you remain unchanged though threats levels of each have altered."
"Altered?" Marie pondered the question "Who's mind has changed?"
"It would seem the acrobat strong arm of the Medici's has taken a strange interest in the mystery of a coverup they blamed on you." Agatha explained recalling her close encounter with Cerebella the evening prior. "As for the feral thief Fortune she dropped interests in the Skullheart after an encounter with Annie."
"Hmm…" Marie began to reflect on the new details. "Odds are I doubt that means it will affect my plans then. What of Lab eight?"
Agatha's face curled into a disappointed frown "Valentine has proven to be, abysmal to work with. Her progress is slow it would be prudent to remove dead weight." As she spoke, footsteps could be heard as well as the smell of mild ash.
"A nun without faith, now I have seen everything." Valentine chided half amused at her own dissonance.
"You're late." Marie spoke while no anger was in her tone her eyes told much more to her thoughts.
"Was dealing with an unexpected appointment." Valentine unapologetic to her absence. "An old experiment returned from lab eight looking for someone."
"Peacock?" Marie spoke up interested all the sudden.
Valentine's eyes looked away in the far reaches of her mind she noted that Marie had a strange fixation on that operative. "No, Experiment Eighty-four."
Marie was mixed with relief and disappointment. "Oh, the one you and your other doctor kidnapped from a slaver's den." There was a pause as she thought on it. "Painwheel was it?"
Valentine nodded calmly as she readjusted her stance to keep a moderate amount of distance away from the maid and the nun in eyesight. "It seems her disappearance was not some fluke." She pushed her hand into her cleavage to yank out a handful of photos each of them marking a strange mixture of familiar faces and some that were new to the maid.
"Hmm... The Medici girl, Peacock, Painwheel, the acrobat… Cerebella, and the cat feral. Why show me this?" Marie held the photos up for Agatha to also look at briefly before eyeing the other enforcer she had.
"All four of them suddenly vanished for several days; in the Medici kid's case she has been gone for several months." Valentine clarified her remark before getting closer she noted that Agatha got slightly more tense as she did. "But look at the other people in the pictures." Valentine began to point out what could be seen as a total of eight unknown faces that they did not recognize.
"I have never seen them before. I do not see your point." Marie responded Agatha nodded in agreement at this thought.
"These eight people are not of this world." Valentine explained her tone serious but the ludicrous claim coming from her made the situation look like she had gone mad.
"Enough of this." Marie commanded annoyed at this new prospect. To her, it sounded so idiotic, something straight from a child's cartoon. 'You expect me to believe this without verifiable-" she was cut off when a heavy folder fell into her hands her eyes bulged at the slight weight of the file making her seem off put by Valentine's dedication to her mission. "Proof…" She opened the file to cautiously reading the first few pages meticulously.
"It was abandoned a long time ago. Likely the one before Selene Contiello if my guess is correct." Valentine explained as she waited for Marie to finish her reading the research report.
"I see." The SkullGirl closed her eyes and began to reassess her plans. After a moment of intense contemplation, she reopened them and took another look at the photos "What do you know of these… adventurers?
Valentine shook her head disappointed. "Not much I believe we have a total of nine, possibly more, but not by much." Marie's eyes seemed dedicated to looking at the photos though she had been around the maid long enough to know she is paying attention to what she said. "The only thing I can tell is technology wise, these off worlders far surpass any and all of the technology here in Canopy; possibly the world."
"You know this because?" Agatha spoke up irritated at what she believed to be pointless dribble.
"Double quit your nagging." Marie demanded concerned about the new details. "That said, how do you know?" She eyed the second muscle she conscripted.
"I had a chance encounter with one hiding out in ASG lab eight. His cybernetics is nothing like Black Dahlia or Ottomo" Valentine remarked as she recalled her one chance encounter. "The man's motion range was way to steady to be organic."
"Those two were severely dated if I recall." Marie rebutted in disappointment.
"You're right on that." Valentine lamented in defeat. "But given your experience it helps put the robotics on this one person into perspective."
"I see." Marie responded her eyes closed. "The eight that have been traversing with Double's candidates, what is your take on them?"
"No different than your standard SkullHunter." Valentine waved off "If I were to guess, they have some form of reliance on something they no longer possess." She paused briefly putting her personal experience into account. "If the amount of trouble the blonde gave me is anything to go by." Marie seemed satisfied with the response as she went back to the piano readjusting her seating before playing some more.
"It does not matter what they are capable of." Marie concluded as she began to lose herself in the notes of the song. "Prioritize Medici henchmen, and Painwheel."
"And of the rest?" Agatha now revealed to be Double spoke up.
"See to it anyone who wishes to face against me must defeat you, everyone hunting me is a target, except for Peacock." Marie responded already expecting the reaction.
"A foolish decision Marie. her weapons are theonite enhanced designed to disrupt your powers. She should be irradicated." Double responded angrily at yet again going ignored by the SkullGirl.
"That is an order Double, not up for discussion. Now leave. Come the evening of Beowulf's return, it shall beckon my justice." Marie seemed satisfied with the meeting. The two paused for a long moment before Double left to make her own preparations.
Valentine went to leave as well before she was blocked by several undead guards. She rolled her eyes as she turned to see Marie had another undead musician playing the piano as she floated several feet away from her. Close enough for Valentine to make out the skull like pattern engrained into her eyes from her transformation. Her face was filled with much more concerned than usual, a calm demeaner that normally would mean she was not excited about a new problem.
"Valentine. I seek counsel, you can do such, correct?" Marie asked the nurse which made her gaze back at her in disbelief.
"It was more Nurse Patty and Nurse Hallow's fields of focus, but I can listen if you need." The nurse responded cautiously. She was unsure what the Skullgirl's angle on this was.
The Maid looked disappointed but seemed to keep her thoughts on this to herself. "I see, I am not sure who I can trust." She tried to seek advice. "Double has become much more aggressive recently. I fear she will disobey me."
Valentine looked away for a moment before turning her face back to Marie. She let loose a disappointed sigh as she removed the surgery mask she had on. Marie seemed puzzled looking at the nurse's scarred lips. "Double, like me, was never loyal to you Marie." She responded coldly.
"But she was the one who gave me this pow-" Marie spoke up only for Valentine to cut her off.
"Only because Double's masters allow you to use it. The Skullheart is a device, one that predates many. But Double is not loyal to a tool. Her allegiance is to someone or something else." She rebutted sternly, glaring at the child in shock. "This is a cruel lesson you should have learned a long time ago Marie; those who give power seldom have alternative motives. She was never loyal, you just helped further her goals."
Marie's brow furrowed as she heard Valentine's cold unsympathetic tone. "And why should I trust you, are you no different?"
Valentine smirked looking at her. "Simple, I never admitted to having allegiances to you. You gave me a choice, join you or perish like my team. I still have my own mission. One that has gone poorly cause of a snot nosed brat with a harbinger complex whose rage has blinded her to the poin-"
"ENOUGH!" Marie shrieked angrily fire erupting and the tomb shaking violently she felt her face melt showing the skeleton underneath her skin. The Skull heart barely peeking through her rib cage. "I DO NOT HAVE A REASON TO TRUST YOU!"
Valentine rolled her eyes completely unamused at her outburst. "Here is the difference between me and that nun." Her tone was still cold, but her voice was the scarier part as she was not angry just disappointed. "I have no reason to lie to you, If I do, I am deemed useless and I am killed. You already know I want you irradicated, but I believe only Painwheel or Peacock stands the best chance at destroying you. I simply have to do my mission you have gave me, and the stupid part; you're setting yourself up for failure and both me and Double can see it." Marie started to face away as Valentine's cocky tone started to fade, she suddenly saw the scared girl that she figured took the Skullheart all that time ago. Something tinged in her that came from when she did work with her fallen team. She suddenly saw Marie's big plan. "You planned to die."
Marie floated away as she eyed a few skulls she had kept extremely close to her. She put her hand on one of them looking at it apathetically. "I only sought my revenge; I don't want to hurt the undeserving." The way she started to explain her mind seemed to be melancholic "But the corruption of the Skullheart is growing stronger. I fear if I do not act soon. The Medici's will not be the only ones who will be needing to fear me."
"Corruption?" Valentine asked looking at the maid who seemed troubled by something. She mulled in her head Marie's strange way of thinking only for her to look at her in disbelief. "How have you resisted the Skullheart for this long?" She decided this would be a suitable time to figure out why Marie has defied all expectations of the typical SkullGirls.
"Resist?" Marie repeated the question seemingly too off put by it. "I haven't resisted th-this curse." She sighed when she thought on it.
"If you haven't resisted it then… That makes no sense." Valentine questioned Marie further as she looked at her puzzled. "I already know you are nothing like the last one. Yet here is the bigger mystery, you have spared people from your wrath."
Marie looked at Valentine unsure what to make of her observations. "They have not done wrong." She half brushed off her thoughts.
"The Renoirs have done wrong, an entire wasteland from one king's conquest. The same wasteland that you arose from." Valentine interjected. "Yet you are more concerned over the Medicis. Scum I will agree having seen their handywork up close."
"Make with your point already Valentine." Marie demanded irritated at the pondering nurse.
"My point is for an individual who wants revenge. You lack any form of resentment or at least enough to hold a feud with the Renoir family." Valentine spoke up annoyed at Marie's brash desire to end her questions.
"Canopy's monarch has ruined the lives of many. I have anger for those they have ruined. My home nation, Their own citizens, Grendel. They had paid for it, the king is dead, slain by his own wife; a fine slice of irony given her peace desired wish." Marie responded before her rage began to boil in her tone "Lorenzo, no, He ruins countless through his actions and is treated like a hero. Even Parasoul couldn't touch him when I tried to kill him. This time is different, I will crush his empire and make him suffer." The flames on the back of her started to flare as the dead in the room started to rattle alive making Valentine on edge, she got into a combative stance ready to strike Marie believing she may begin to lose her composure. "But I fear that it may soon be too late and that it is why I want Peacock unharmed."
Valentine eased herself seeing Marie calm herself, her rage often would spike like this and was unsure if it were just uncontrolled malice or the Skullheart's corruption. "Perhaps some advice I learned back in the war might be the best prescription for you." She decided to see where her composure would fluctuate. "Out on the battlefield I was in an overran situation an operation gone bad two hundred miles away from the Gigan Empire's home city. It was where I first meant my old leader." Her tone was nostalgic though it was in her own special unfeeling way that the nurse often exuded.
"Leader? As in the one in pink?" Marie's interests piqued.
"Yes, Christine or codename Nurse Christmas as you knew her." Valentine responded hastily. "She encountered me after I recklessly charged into an enemy encampment as many of our soldiers were being tortured often for the commander's amusement. She scolded me of course but I managed to buy enough time to allow for evac. I was expected to be court marshalled." She was about to continue before She eyed the maid who seemed more invested in the story than she would like to admit. "Perhaps I am getting off point. If you believe you are falling to someone else's will, remember what defines you."
"Defines you? That sounds absurd." Marie chastised looking at the nurse who was now disappointed that it was falling apart.
"Reminder Marie, this was more Patty's field. She always had some old proverb from her homeland." Valentine's temper started to flare a little. "The point I am trying to make is this: since you are so scared of the source of your power decide on what you believe is you: are you someone else's monster, or are you that teenager with a harbinger complex? You have resisted this long, a little longer cannot hurt." After she threw the question out, she turned to walk out of the room. Still being stopped by the guards. "Now if you would?"
"One more question Valentine." Marie spoke up "What defines you?" She asked interested to see if she would answer.
Valentine smirked as she put on the surgeon mask. "A nurse with a very long patient list." She strode out leaving the SkullGirl to think on what they had discussed.
Elsewhere…
Renoir Castle's halls were barely lit. not often this corridor of the castle receives visitors. Given its restricted access nature, many of the castle's staff assumed that it is for military reasons though even high-ranking military personal are often denied access to this wing. The only ones allowed access to this section was the head of the personal staff, a solum butler who had been in service to the royal family since a youthful age and knew the castle better than most of the living relatives, the second in command of the Black Egrets, Adam Kapowski, Communications Officer Molly, and Chief Mechanic Roxie. But of course, that also left current leader of the nation, Parasoul herself.
This intruder, however, was none of the personal that were allowed access. In fact, it was a tiny pink haired child bored out of her mind looking for adventure with her best friend. Said friend being a sentient umbrella with an extreme appetite and a loyalty complex that would put most other pairings to shame. Her name was Umbrella Renoir the youngest of the Renoir family and known castle troublemaker. This evening for her was no exception. She was currently on the run from her babysitters, two Egret soldiers that Parasoul had given the fancy title of Egret Operation S.I.T.T.E.R.S, effectively over glorified babysitters to watch after her while she managed "official business" in New Meridian. Not that it mattered to the junior infiltrator. All that mattered was she knew the two guards were on her trail as she had accidentally knocked over a vase alerting the two in a hallway some ways farther down.
"What do you think Hungern?" The child asked looking left and right at the intersecting hallway. "The broom closet or just go for it?" Hungern grumbled in response, it looked as though it was giddy at the commotion they were causing. "Yeah, Broom Closet definitely a better option." She confirmed herself quickly running to the closet trying to get the doorknob that was little high up. "Uh, little help?" She asked her friend who in turn stuck out a long grotesque tongue from the top of the umbrella wrapping it around the out of reach item. Opening the door, the two ran in closing it behind them. They heard the Footsteps coming quickly.
"Ugh, again." A voice spoke up muffled by the military issue mask they had to wear. "Where did she run to this time?"
"If her highness finds out she slipped past us again." The second voice spoke up concerned more for his well being if anything else. Umbrella was not sure what it meant but knowing her sister it meant harsh punishment.
"Then find her dammit!" The fist guard spoke up again. "I am not going get in trouble because you decided we should play hide-go-se…" the second guard cut himself off when he noticed the jarred broom closet door. Umbrella looking through the crack realize she had been found.
"Get ready Hungern." Umbrella whispered; she was not sure if they knew she knew they knew where she was. But if they did know she knew then she needed to be ready for her own ambush. Luckily, Hungern was more than willing to oblige.
The two guards approached the door cautiously, they already knew what they were dealing with, as expected with Canopy's elite fighting force. The second guard began to put his hand on the door while the other got into position.
One… The two guards were ready, hands poised and ready to lunge into the closet to catch the troublemaker.
Two… Umbrella got into her own position. Hungern held forward like a lance its eyes twitching like a dog about to go on a walk, or more appropriately, getting teased with a snack.
Three… The door swung open. "Gotchya!" Yelled one of the two guards as the secondary guard lunged into the closet. This proved to be a mistake as the guard had just jumped into the gaping maul of Hungern. The tongue was fast and shot under the lunging guard and latched itself onto the other babysitter's arm yanking with extreme force being quickly dragged into its mouth.
The two struggled as the umbrella chewed on the unfortunate victims happily slobbering along the ground. Umbrella smiled humored by her counter ambush. The screams began to die out inside the living weapon. She froze up looking at Hungern "You can let 'em go now Hungern." She spoke up seeing him still chewing on his snack. Hungern began to regurgitate the two guards who now were several shades pale and needed new underwear after that experience. She smirked at how smart she was.
The two continued the adventure through the halls of the abandoned wing looking for her next big discovery. "Wonder if this is what it's like to explore ancient ruins." The child pondered amused before looking at her friend. "What do you think?" Hungern gurgled its response again. Unintelligible as it was, for her she enjoyed his company more so. "Yeah, your right, Ruins are much more dirty and exciting. There is not even a single trap here." She went to open the next door when suddenly a pillar of flames erupted in front of it before she could open the door.
"AH, A TRAP!" The child shrieked as the flames died down. Her free hand was suddenly caught by another hand. Hungern in retaliation and wanting to protect his wielder tilted itself to bite at Umbrella's assailant only to find another umbrella in his jaws. Suddenly another burst of flames came from inside Hungern causing the eyes to bulge and eventually pop out of the umbrella. Smoke emanated from the sockets until they hastily regrew.
Umbrella tilted her gaze recognizing the hand as she turned to look up and see a familiar red head looking down at her with very much a mixture of annoyance and disappointment. "Hi, Sis." She muttered sheepishly.
"Care to explain to me what in the Trinity's name you are doing here Umbrella?" Parasoul asked not wanting to play any of the child's games.
"I've already seen the rest of the castle." The younger sister muttered.
"When you are older." Parasoul remarked as she loosened her grip bending a knee so she can look at her sibling in the eyes. "There are many things you are not ready for Umbrella."
"I'm eight years old; I'm not a kid anymore." Umbrella puffed her cheeks up annoyed at Parasoul's insistence on this. "Besides Hungern can protect me." She spoke up as Hungern started to wiggle happily at being recognized.
Parasoul sighed in defeat. "Prove to me you are ready." She responded her eye's narrowed on her dear sister in disappointment.
Umbrella perked up in hearing this. "I can? How? Anything to get out of this castle." She started to chirp with excitement.
Parasoul gave a warm smile at this. "Tomorrow we are having many dignitaries here."
Umbrella cut her off with a loud audible groan. "Again, another ball?" her disappointment was immeasurable, and her excitement was ruined.
"Very important dignitaries." Parasoul repeated herself still serious. "As in a new country, possibly world." She continued to explain. Umbrella seemed to get interested but not as much as the promised mission. "If you behave tomorrow, I will let you join us on a sparring mission."
Umbrella seemed uninterested but she decided to humor her overprotective sister. "You promise?" she asked not exactly believing it will be anything worthwhile.
"Have I ever lied to you?" She asked putting on her own kindhearted tone.
"Yes. Yes, you have." Umbrella spoke out bluntly.
Despite the child's terse response damaging her pride, Parasoul kept her annoyance hidden, luckily her usual tell of her twitching eyebrow was hidden under her swooping bangs. "Well, this time I want to test you since you just outwitted some of my best sitters" She responded not even bothering to save face.
"Okay, if you promise. If not, I get ice cream for dinner. Deal?" she asked to Parasoul's shock. Umbrella was always a surprisingly daring negotiator. Even with no leg to stand on she will try to get something out of it.
"Fine, but you better brush your teeth to be nearly spotless if that's the agreement." She responded sternly.
Umbrella smiled again as she looked at her older sister. "Deal!" she chirped ecstatically as she ran out of the restricted access corridors of the castle.
Parasoul sighed as she turned to face the Egret Sitters she assigned. Her gaze turned to the same strict general she often showed. "See to it you go through Panzerfaust's door breech protocol again." Her tone filled with irritation. The guards saluted as the two departed following after the younger princess.
Parasoul however stayed behind as she turned to the door that was nearly opened. She tapped on it disappointed. "She's gone, you can come out now." She spoke up. She waited a few moments before she opened the door.
The room was a stately office living quarter hybrid. An extravagant desk sat off in the corner behind it was a massive oil canvas depicting the royal family. The painting was made back when Umbrella was first born. An almost bitter memory in Parasoul's mind as the painting was several months before her mother's transformation. The painting however was not as much of a bitter reminder to her, more like what makes her remember why she tries to steer away from her father's path.
"She came too close today." A masculine voice spoke up seemingly amused. However, the sternness of his words gave his firm dedication to his clandestine behavior.
"It would be easier if you decided to just tell her the truth at least." Parasoul refuted in annoyance at the male voice's dedication.
"In do time. Not until she is ready." He responded. "So, what is this about new ambassadors You mentioned?"
"So, you do read my reports? Normally you are so hands off I figured you ignore them." The princess remarked in annoyance at the voice. "But yes, I had an encounter with an individual claiming he was here wishing to discuss furthering a cultural exchange." She explained.
The voice remained silent though it was not abnormal. If Parasoul were to guess the voice was likely observing the other two-family heirlooms: Todd and Eroberung. She waited for the voice to finally speak up again. "What do you make of them?" He asked seemed more curious about enemy intelligence if anything.
"They seem well informed; we likely have the teenager with the hair parasite to thank for their intel." Parasoul concluded. Before continuing she moved to the desk looking over the files on them to ascertain the voice's mindset. "The foreign individuals seem to consist of eight children of highschooler age and three chaperones. I do not know weapon technology, but I assume it will be revealed, I believe its safe to say they do not possess the science for dimensional travel."
"Neither do we." The voice retorted it was in more deep thought. "What do you think of the leader?"
Parasoul's eyes contorted into a stare of annoyance and slight anger. "Cunning. I caught him reading my lips when discussing the next plan of attack with Adam." The voice hummed in response. "He is hard to read, definitely well practiced."
"You believe them to be a threat?" The voice questioned still in the other chamber.
Parasoul stayed quiet reflecting on what she witnessed when she encountered the mysterious Ozpin individual and then her encounter with Ruby and Weiss. "Not likely, the two students I met this evening seemed to have grown close to our accidental explorer. Though I imagine we may have some trouble, ASG has apparently kidnapped one of them."
The voice remained silent, it seemed to be in deep thought. "You sure it was not Lorenzo?" He asked coldly it seemed Parasoul's incident a year ago still weighed in on their decisions.
"The trafficking ring died the same day I saw the new SkullGirl." Parasoul responded "Intelligence has implied the Medici's are still after the missing life gem. They are pulling out a large list of killers and assassins they have on their payroll to try and get their hands on it or a new one." Parasoul responded catching the voice by surprise. He seemed to move toward the office chamber though only the shadow cast along the wall of the next room over. "Strangely Cerebella, known Medici strongarm has been seen aiding in the chaperoning as well."
"Medici's helping outsider out of free will?" The voice sounded astonished. "That is a first. Who else has been seen with these travelers?"
Parasoul began to run through the list in her mind. "ASG operatives Peacock and Painwheel for starters. Along with the Fish Bone Gang feral, Nadia Fortune. And of course, Filia, the amnesiac SkullHunter." It was not a name she liked giving her, but it was the street title that the homeless girl was known for.
"I see." The voice responded in a state of pondering the information.
"I have given them invitations to the Royal Ball to hopefully pull them away temporarily to evaluate their discussion a foreign exchange, but I am not sure what to expect." Parasoul explained as she readjusted herself. "Of course, details about these travelers are being held in high confidentiality."
"Then perhaps it is best for ghosts to talk among ghosts." The voice remarked.
"You?!" The current ruler spoke up baffled at the absurdity of the proposition.
"Who better a person?" The voice responded confident in his opinion. "I believe change is necessary, perhaps it'd be best for me, a known tyrant to put my own better foot forward than the monster of old I have chosen to bury."
Parasoul listened but was not fully convinced at the idea. "This seems like a dangerous notion. You have not been the same for the past seven years." She began to argue.
"I know Parasoul." The tone mellowed away from the confident commanding voice he once had. "I need to prove I can change for the better, for her sake." Parasoul glanced back at the family portrait. Her eyes dialed in on her mother.
"Very well." She responded giving up. "But should you get out of hand I will pull them away from you and any future communications with them immediately. You have already ruined the Renoir name enough; I cannot tell you how often I am reminded of that."
The voice let out a soft chuckle at this command. "You have far surpassed me as a ruler, my daughter. Now if you would not neglect your duties as an older sister." His tone returned as he went to criticize her. "Umbrella needs you more than ever as you are her only family left. Keep that in mind."
Parasoul looked at the shadowy figure with slight disappointment. "She makes that hard to do." She paused before looking at the figure in the doorway to the family armory "But I'll try to do better, Father."