Post by Bianca Sabbato on Dec 13, 2020 1:00:10 GMT -5
Putting the lien on the slot of the vending machine. I bent over and collected two small metallic cans of cola-flavored soda that the machine so gracefully had spat in my direction.
It wasn’t the healthiest of drinks, but everyone deserved a little treat once in a while. So armed with a can of soda and a ham sandwich. I made my way across the school campus.
Sitting down, I patiently waited for my invitee to arrive sooner or later. I had texted Kishka last night, telling her to come to meet me in the quad at this time, to talk about she knows what.
For this, I picked a nice bench far away from the main building, so we would have a little bit of privacy without people coming to interrupt us.
The fact that it was really early in the morning also helped. Classes wouldn’t start until a couple hours from now. So very little chances of someone coming to ruin our reunion. And as much as we weren’t technically doing anything wrong. I didn’t want anyone coming to give us a hard time about it.
It was a reunion we had coming since a couple days ago. After the disaster that was the White Nights Festival. After what ultimately happened to one of our own schoolmates and friends.
Holly’s death hat hit us all differently. Some didn’t know the girl very well and were unaffected except for a more lenient disposition towards those who did. Some didn’t like her, but even they were respectful about it as far as I could tell.
And the ones who knew her and were friends with her... Well. You had different reactions. Some cried some kept them to themselves, some stoically accepted it as the fate of any huntress and moved on... But some were unable to do so yet.
Because to move on would mean there was nothing else to do about it. And this was false. There was still one thing left to do before the issue could be left to rest in peace alongside Holly.
Taking a sip from my drink. I watched as Kishka made her way through the quad and towards me. I had already unwrapped my sandwich and was about to start eating it. But nonetheless, I waved in her direction so she would notice me.
I greeted the purple-haired Burzanova with a short nod. Patting the empty space beside me for her to sit down. I really would have preferred for her to do so. So we could talk about things more calmly. But I would understand if she decided to stay where she was.
-Well, Kishka. I take it you already know why I called you here. But I will clarify it again, just so we are on the same page-
I replied with a voice not entirely neutral, but actually more on the side of explanatory. Like a teacher trying to conduct a classroom more than a normal person having a conversation.
Taking a bite out of the sandwich, I found it a little bit dry. But not overly so, not enough to make the whole experience unpleasant as I washed it down with cola. I motioned with my head for her to take the other if she wanted, no use in inviting her and not even offering a refreshment.
After a couple seconds. I crossed one leg over the other and continued with a level voice.
-There is someone dangerous in the city. Someone powerful enough to obliterate Holly’s semblance in an instant. And unhinged enough to do so without a second thought- Even when the memory managed to wake up some unsavory feelings inside me, I decided to quickly drown them out. You don’t plan taking out a person with your mind clouded by rage, that’s how you get yourself killed.
-And we, for whatever reason we may follow, are aiming to kill her. Is this true?- I asked the girl in front of me with an arched eyebrow. Before suddenly holding a hand up to stop her from any answer she may give, I had made a little mistake that needed rectification.
-Let me correct myself. Since I don’t like half-assing things... We absolutely, no uncertainty about it, are going to kill her...-
That was much better. No room to pussy-out halfway through. Something as serious as taking a life was not something to be taken lightly. So I needed to know I had her full commitment if we were going to make any kind of partnership.
Details may vary. But once you said you were going to get rid of someone. Then you were to do so or die trying. Still. As we were, we stood closer to the “die trying” part of the equation than from any semblance of success. So I also needed to know she wouldn’t recklessly charge in a suicidal attempt that would most likely bear no fruits whatsoever.
-But we cannot do that right now. Since we aren’t strong enough to do so yet, maybe even together- Maybe not even if we could get more people involved in this. And I’m talking about some of the strongest students. Argent, Rose, Heidi, Nasrin, Carmim... Even then, our chances were slim at best.
But that didn’t mean it was a doomed endeavor. Merely, that we needed the right preparations, the right tools, and ultimately, the right skills to take onto this particular contract.
And yes, I knew I was talking in bizarre terms. But they were the ones I knew. And as much as Kishka was a familiar face. I would treat this with as much professionalism as I could muster.
-So... What are we going to do about it?- I finally asked. Taking another sip of the cola while my eyes stood unwavering over those of Kishka.
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