Chapter Text
Twilight checked the time, ten minutes after their agreed time their contact entered the cafeteria. Nightfall had come with him from Berlint, Handler had told them that this mission required their best agents. They had traveled to Dresdet, a city at the east where they would meet with this man, Deadnight. He had been infiltrated on the farthest side of Ostania for a couple of years now, investigating their connections with their neighboring countries and determining how much of a menace they were for Westalis.
He had a pale skin and dark short hair with green eyes. He was shorter than Twilight, but since he was also a bit slender, he looked taller than what he actually was. He was wearing a worn out coat and a dark green suit. He took seat with them in the table and without much ceremony he explained the situation at hand. There had been really strong rumors that Donovan Desmond was going to visit Dresdet during that week. Some sort of secret meeting of the National Unity Party. And that had brought some problematic people from abroad. They had identified several mercenaries crossing the borders and taking a temporary lodge at Dresdet.
- And they’re not here to do tourism. - Deadnight said, drinking from the black coffee one waiter had brought to him. The cafeteria was a safe place, it was open to the public, but it was run by another WISE agent. - We know that three of them are very capable hit men, and from what I’ve heard they’re here after our man.
- Why should we stop them? - Nightfall asked him – Wouldn’t it be better to just let them act? Without Donovan in the way, for sure a lot of our problems would disappear.
- Unless Westalis is framed for the murder. - Twilight explained to her. - The information that was stolen from WISE HQ in Westalis could become very incriminating under these circumstances.
- Glad to see at least one of you know how to use their brain. – Deadnight said sarcastically. - I just want to make clear one thing, I never asked for help. If you get on my way, I’ll just get rid off of you.
- Understood. – Twilight looked coldly at Nightfall to ask her for restrain. Handler had warned him before about the man’s personality. - I think it would be more effective if we work separately anyway. I was planning to go and get more info from the Berlint delegation. Maybe we can gather again at the end of the day.
- Berlint delegation? - Deadnight repeated. Maybe he had heard about it, but it didn’t pique his interest at the time.
- There is a group of the city officers visiting. - Nightfall explained -. We suspect it’s just a cover for Donovan.
- I see. I think it’s better if I go then, I have a keen nose for these things.
- Didn’t you just said you didn't need help? - Nightfall asked bitterly.
- Consider it your first test, let’s see how good is your hunch. - Deadnight responded in the same way.
Twilight sighed, he knew he hadn’t had a choice in coming to Dresdet, but things always had a way to complicate with the Forgers. Just as he received his instructions for this mission, Yor called him, saying that she had been selected as part of a group that was going to visit Dresdet to promote collaboration between the cities. That had meant that both of them would be out of the city and he needed to find someone to take care of Anya. His main concern was that even if he could came up with an excuse about why Loid Forger had to visit Dresdet, it would be difficutl to explain why he wouldn’t stay in the same hotel as his wife. And there was the possibility of Yor suggesting taking Anya with them. He decided he wouldn’t say anything, just pretend that Loid Forger stayed back in Berlint while actually having Franky to look after Anya.
It took him a good deal to convince both of them to agree to his plan. Franky demanded an absurd amount of money, that Twiight wasn't really intending to pay, and Anya wanted a blank check for anything that she desired later on, since she couldn't decide on the spot. He set some rules about that blank check, not another pet, not another castle adventure, not a gun with a silencer. After everybody was happy with the agreement, he was able finally to start packing. He left in the same train where Yor was traveling, but of course he was in disguise. A disguise he planned to keep for the whole week. Nightfall had been very annoyed all the trip and refused to disguise herself until it was strictly necessary.
They didn’t spend more time at the cafeteria and moved to the convention center where the cities summit was taking place. There was a fair as well happening in the expo floor, where several of Berlint’s companies and businesses where displaying and selling their products. It was open to the public and it didn’t take them too long to reach the stand for the City Government. And of course, Yor was there, standing with a nervous smile next to Director McMahon, who was explaining something to the person in front of them. The disgust on Nightfall’s face didn’t go unnoticed by Deadnight who asked and received the explanation that Yor was Twilight’s fake wife for his current mission.
- I really hope this wasn’t just so you could check on your wife. - Deadnight sentenced annoyingly.
- Of course not. I’m convinced this whole set up is just a cover, and as such, talking with the city officers will not take us anywhere. Instead, we should focus... - He was starting to hate that man.
- Well, there is no way for Yor Briar to be an intelligence source, that's for sure. - Nightfall interrupted him.
– Say, why don’t we have a little contest to see who is the best? - Deadnight said staring at Yor.
- What do you mean? - Twilight asked him coldly. Handler had told him about Deadnight competitive nature and how he considered himself to be the best agent from WISE.
- I’ve heard you’re very good at honey traps and I’m confident enough to say that I’m better than you. Why don’t we see who can seduce your wife first? Let’s see who can get the best “information” from her. You’re welcome to join lady, if you’re into that.
- I think it would be incredible unfair. - Nightfall responded. - Allow me to provide you all the information I have on the target, so you’re on a more leveled basis against Twilight.
- What do you say Twilight? It’s just a little game to break the ice, you know? - Deadnight insisted.
- Do as you want. I’m going to investigate as I intended. - Twilight said, walking away from both of them. He knew his marriage was a farce, but it was very hard to keep his composure with whatever they were planning. Without saying that he knew he didn’t stand a chance with a honey trap against Yor. He had never been able to read her. He just hoped things would crash for Deadnight as well. Besides, the sooner he could find a good lead, the sooner he would get them away from his fake wife, so he went to search for his intel with the businessmen that had made the trip from Berlint.
His persona this time was Roman Mock, a trade lawyer searching for new customers. He talked with two or three men before he found any trace of information that sounded remotely useful. A young assistant had told him that she had had to arrange accommodations for additional fifty people that she had no idea were coming from. She was a little scared the SSS had anything to do with it, but Roman put her mind at ease, by telling her that the SSS wouldn’t need to cover their stay at Dresdet. She told him as well, that she had had a hard time finding a place large enough to host all those additional people, since there were already a lot of guests doing the trip from Berlint to Desdret. Her own group had had to split and move to smaller hotels to give the rooms to those mysterious persons. He got the name of the hotel and excused himself.
He continued doing small conversation here and there, but the hotel was his best lead and he wanted to go and investigate. He went to meet with his fellow agents, but he only found Nightfall, who was overseeing the place at a vantage point. Once he got close to her, she just pointed to where Deadnight was. The man was now using a leg clutch and appearing completely useless and harmless. He waited for the right moment to trip and drop the coffee he was holding, just barely missing Yor’s shoes. The woman of course, quickly offered her help and after a quick awkward exchange, Twilight saw how Deadnight asked her out for lunch, as thanks for helping him. He saw the hard time that Yor had trying to refuse the invitation and at the end she agreed to go with the man.
- It seems Deadnight will be victorious. Let’s follow them. - Nightfall told him and they followed the other pair to the place where they were going to have lunch. It was a small packed place, full of expositors and visitants, but Deadnight with his clutch was quickly seated.
Twilight knew that staying there was just wasting his time, since they couldn’t enter the place, but Nightfall wanted to look at everything from the window and was reading their lips for him. Not that he needed help, he just wasn’t interested in the scene in front of him. After a few pleasantries and compliments, Deadnight went straight to business.
- I’m really sorry to force you to come here with me, most of people don’t like spending time with an incapacitated man like me. Although, it has its good things, like I can almost always skip all the lines. - He smiled charmingly at her.
- Oh, no, it’s not a problem. I’m sorry that you had experienced that, Mr…?
- Dolion Yap. - He said, offering his hand.
- Yor Forger. – The woman exchanged a handshake with him with a smile.
- Are you from around here? I’m a frequent visitor of the convention center and this is the first time I see you.
- I live in Berlint.
- Ah, that explains it. I would have never missed someone as pretty as you in the crowd.
- Excuse me!? - Yor was blushing. - I-I don’t want to give you the wrong impression Mr. Yap, but I’m a married woman.
- The fact that you’re married does not annul the fact that you’re beautiful. Although, I’m sure your husband tells you as much everyday. I know I would do so.
- H-He doesn’t! I mean, we… we… - She was a complete mess. Just as he expected it. Nightfall had told him about the agreement between the woman and Twilight and that there was nothing real in that marriage.
- He doesn’t?! What a shame, you should be with a man who can recognize your worth. - His eyes were cold as ice.
- We’re just not like that. - She finally managed to say. She was used to the questioning of her coworkers, but that type of questions coming from a complete stranger threw her off balance. She was now worried that she was still not able to portrait a convincing image of a married woman.
- Sorry, I didn’t mean to make you uncomfortable. - But that had been his only intention. - How long have you been married? Maybe it’s just that the honeymoon has worn off, something completely normal.
- O-over a year…
- Oh, oh… never mind, sorry, I should not really say that kind of things. Sometimes I just babble and babble. - He looked at the menu, she hadn’t moved her eyes from it since the first attack. Nightfall was right, the woman was a pushover and he only needed to attack her insecurities. With a couple more punches she would be completely broken and at his will. - Do you have any kids?
- Oh, yes. We have a girl, Anya! - He saw how her eyes gleamed for the first time since she had taken seat in front of him. He almost felt guilty. - She is a very energetic and happy child, I…
- How old is she?
- Uh… Six, wh…
- Six? But you’re only married for a year, don’t tell me your husband kept you that long without a ring? Oh, wait…
- Anya is not my actual daughter… - the light in her eyes died completely and she hid her hands. He had her where he wanted.
- Don’t you want a child of your own? I mean, you’re not getting younger... Maybe your husband doesn’t want another kid because he already has one?
- N-No, L-loid is nothing like that… I-It’s just that my job… I-I…
- Your job? Didn’t you tell me you were a clerk at city hall? What kind of career is in there? - Now that he had broken her, he just needed to talk a little of reason into her. – Yor?
- Sorry, I forgot I have to be in another place – She said as she stood up but before leaving she stopped to tell him something more. - Mr. Yap, I don’t think it is the clutch what keeps the people away from you.
Twilight saw how she quickly walked away from the place and just then he realized that his fist had been clenched the whole time and it was starting to hurt.
Yor returned to her hotel room after dealing with the customers planned for the night. She hadn’t had too many expectations for the trip. Shopkeeper had told her that her services were required to perform a large scale cleaning operation. She was going to be doing that all week. At least she had the company of Director McMahon, after her unpleasant encounter with Mr. Yap she had feel depressed and started questioning once again what she was doing with her life. None of her jobs had any future. She just let herself drop into the bed and was gathering the mental strength to change into her pajamas when the phone rang.
- Yor? How is your trip going? - the voice of Loid make her heart jump in a way she didn’t expect.
- Loid! Everything is well, thanks for calling… - She found herself lying automatically.
- I’m sorry I missed your call tonight, I don’t know if Franky told you that I’m going to be in the night shift the whole week, the colleague who was assigned had a family emergency. Franky is going to help me to take care of Anya during the nights. Unfortunately that means I won’t be there when you call.
- D-Don’t worry, Loid! I know your job is very important… - “unlike mine”, she thought.
- Your job is also very important Yor, you should be proud of what you do.
- I-I’m just a clerk, there is nothing special about that. - She played with the phone cord. She could picture his smiling face.
- Without the clerks at City Hall the city would be a chaos, even if it seems like a small thing, rest assured you’re doing a lot for the people of Berlint. And look at you, not everybody went to Dresdet, right?
- It’s not a big deal… - She knew she wasn’t in there because of her work as clerk… but he was right, Shopkeeper had called Thorn Princess when he could have called anybody else. - How was your day, Loid? Please make sure to rest enough during the day, you tend to overwork yourself during those weeks where you work the night shift. - She felt the warmness returning to her body.
- Everything is fine, don't worry. Sorry, I have to go, someone is calling me. Have a good night, Yor.
- I-I…- She didn't want the call to end yet.
- Yor?
- Thanks for calling, Loid. Have a good night. - But she knew that it would be very selfish of her to keep him any more time.
- Good night.
She waited until she heard the line was cut. She felt her cheeks burning. She was surprised at how light she felt after that quick conversation with Loid. Her heart was still aching, but she felt so much better now. Well, he was a psychiatrist after all, he always knew how to cheer her up. She went to take a bath and then fell into a dreamless sleep.