Classical music waltzed in the air emitting a relaxing atmosphere. The clink of glasses and respectful exchanges of greetings droned in the ascending piano notes. The private small ballroom provided enough space for Corrigere members to gather around by the appetizer tables and corners of the golden walls. There were a few men Itzal recognized while the rest was unknown to him. The room was mostly filled with men, but there were occasionally two or three women he had spotted. The organization was filled with members scattered across the United States and even out of the country.
Itzal was dressed in a formal blue suit and spoke with several associates. As he listened, he swirled the wine in his glass before taking sips. Among them who gained his attention was the dark-skinned man named Jelani. Jelani was a 'retired' mercenary in his forties who served Corrigere for many years. Silver hairs found their way in his scant black hair, but his large brown eyes still retained their youth.
"Itzal, it's good to see you again!" Jelani exclaimed with a wide smile. "How long has it been, partner?"
Itzal grinned at him. "Sixteen or seventeen years I suppose?" He remembered clearly the first day he met the mercenary. Itzal was in his early twenties when he met Jelani by the docks. Jelani was a few years older than Itzal, and they were both illegally transporting weapons across the sea. They decided to form an alliance which lasted while it could; they broke apart to do independent work and eventually lost contact with each other throughout those years.
The retired mercenary's brown eyes held a mischievous gleam. "Ah, yes. I remember the mission we first did together."
Itzal's grin widened. "Don't get me started," he said with a laugh. There were many things they had done together that were brilliant and just plain foolish that he didn't wish to reminiscent.
Jelani chuckled. "So, what has a retired assassin like you have been doing?"
"I've taken up an apprentice," Itzal replied. Shocked, Jelani stared hard at him for a moment. "She'll be eleven soon," he continued unbothered by the man's reaction.
Jelani relaxed his facial muscles, but skepticism remained written all over his brown eyes. "A girl? Really? That is quite unlike you, Itzal… What caused the change of plans?"
Sipping his wine, Itzal pondered for a moment. "I prefer not to say, but she is artificial."
The retired mercenary frowned. "You do know that… you have to be careful. There are cases that had happened before… because of one's carelessness... Don't become too attached."
Itzal clasped his hand on Jelani's shoulder. "Do not worry about me, mate. I know my limits; she'll never find out."
"All right," Jelani replied. However, Itzal detected that the retired mercenary was not fully convinced. For the rest of the conversation, Itzal listened to Jelani as he rambled on about politics.
~~~
Daiyu took a good bath before she headed out of the bathroom. Although she smelled of soap, she could still imagine the stench of iron lingering in her nostrils. Drying her hair with a towel, Daiyu gazed at the clean knife resting on the sink. She had given it a good wash and removed the bloody smell from it. However, it could never stop giving her the impression of her murderous act upon Iván. It would take her a while to accept that she had killed someone for the third time. This was her career though, and she better start getting used to it.
Zipping on a purple baggy hoodie, Daiyu went downstairs. Cassidy wouldn't be back until 7:00 PM or so since he was delivering the trophy to Red Scarf in exchange for the money. The man was also going to buy Chinese food in takeout boxes to celebrate the assassins' successes. That left the girl alone now with Indigo in the house.
Indigo was seen nowhere in the first floor.
Why do I even bother to look for him? Daiyu wondered curiously. Was it boredom? She didn't understand why she believed the marksman tolerated her presence more after the assignment. Thinking hard on it hours ago, Daiyu recalled she had the most communication with Indigo during the mission. It was the only time he didn't act unfriendly, and he actually spoke to her.
The creak from the backdoor drew Daiyu's attention toward the kitchen. Several feet away, Indigo was in his jacket with a M-16 slung around his shoulder in a tactical sling. Daiyu gazed at the lethal-looking weapon which reminded her much of Itzal's M-14. The M-14 was much larger and heavier, but it was much accurate than the M-16. Her mentor allowed her to use it a few times during her rifle training a long time ago.
"Want to shoot a few rounds?" Indigo offered, slightly embarrassed as if he was not used to inviting people. His light brown eyes stared off range of Daiyu's right face to avoid eye contact.
Daiyu buried the smirk that was about to appear on her lips. "Sure," she replied. "I'm only accustomed to the AR-15 though, but I'll use whatever rifle you got."
"All right, I'll get you an extra M-16 upstairs then. Wait for me outside."
Daiyu waited outside in the yard. She couldn't help but smile to herself. She was finally tolerated by the boy.
~~~
Throughout the days, Indigo and Daiyu spent time shooting at dummies and bottles in the yard. The girl was much stronger with the handgun, so she ended up using her Glock 26 more often instead of the rifle. They had contests seeing who could get the most shots in a certain amount of rounds. The contests usually ended in ties, but Indigo occasionally beat her in long range shootings. The games enabled the young assassins to recognize each other's weaknesses and strengths.
Daiyu's last day with Indigo and Cassidy arrived too soon. She spent her time with the boy in the yard one last time. The tactical sling slung around her shoulder as the M-16 pulled her weight down. Sitting down by a wooden picnic table, she lowered the rifle on the table. Focusing, she positioned her aiming at one of dummies yards away.
Indigo was standing up ready to shoot at another dummy at the same distance. He stopped chattering about his knowledge of rifles and focused on his target. The boy had opened up slowly during the past days.
"One… two… go!" Indigo exclaimed.
The two assassins pulled their triggers the same time. They squinted as the bullets pierced through the dummies perfectly.
"Damn," Daiyu muttered. "It's another tie."
Indigo lowered his M-16. Glancing at her, he said, "Someday one of us will be better."
The younger assassin laughed. "Maybe." It seemed quite impossible to her because they were equally skilled. One was just better and adapted using one weapon than another. However, who knew what the future would bring.
The hours rolled past quickly. The sun was lower than its highest point as it shined in the sky. Daiyu heard Cassidy calling her name inside the house. Itzal had arrived.
Daiyu look back at the door and the marksman. Indigo knew she had to leave now. He watched as Daiyu removed the rifle and laid it on the table.
"I had a good time," Daiyu remarked extending her hand to him. Without hesitation, Indigo clasped her hand and shook it. It was something the girl would never expect from him when she first met him; the two's opinion of each other had changed drastically. Daiyu wondered if Itzal would believe her if she told him that she and Indigo had become 'friends'.
"Same," Indigo replied. They said their farewells, and Indigo stared as Daiyu opened the backdoor. "By the way," he said stopping Daiyu in her feet, "you're cooler than I expected…." His cheeks lightly colored at the sound of his own words.
Daiyu grinned at him. "Thanks."
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