Elizabeth was surprised how quickly she'd taken to what she'd previously thought to be a distinctly male hobby. Though she'd approached it with trepidation, it didn't take long for her to notice her gradual improvement. It felt... empowering.
"Good,"
Elizabeth looked up at him with a genuine grin.
"Hopefully you can talk your father into letting you get some more instruction and practice and whatnot. I'm sure someone can teach you how to take that gun apart and clean it, too. If he objects, well... he can't take the gun off ya if he can't find it, can he?"
Elizabeth giggled, "If a young lady learns anything while under the roof of a stern father it's how to keep them ignorant to the dark truths their daughters hide." Turning back towards the target, she emptied the spent magazine and slotted a new one. This time her shots all met their mark, more or less.
Having spent the magazine, she surveyed the target from afar. Her lips curled into a mischievous grin. If only Shamus could see her now.
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"Yeah, and then some, Benjamino. Just put it on the floor. I can have you and Pixie phone-fucking each other inside twenty minutes. Then I'm going for a walk, 'cause I tell you what, Carmine, I ain't no god damn invalid. Seriously, I'm fucking stir crazy up in here."
Bennie opened the window and dismissed Brock with a subtle nod. Leaning against the wall, Bennie lit a cigarette and took a deep drag before exhaling it out the window, "I hear ya', Jake. I'd be pullin' out my hair if I were stuck in bed, too... had I any," Bennie mused. "But yeah, I reckon you're fit for a simple walk. Just try not to get yourself beat up again. It's just plain sad seeing a brother laid out so easily." After a teasing chuckle, Bennie flicked a fresh cigarette out of the pack and offered it to Ruffles. "Sure you don't want to be around for the chat? Would be kind of weird reportin' in for an op I wasn't originally a part of, ya' know?"
Though his point was fair enough, Ruffles could detect a hit of anxiety in his voice. It had been a long time since he'd spoken to her, after all.
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Pixie continued digging into her meal as the Gentleman gave his bid.
"... There's a significant risk that, if we back Austin into a corner, he will conclude that if he can't have his prize, then nobody else can either."
She shrugged. She'd give him that one.
"... If the Good Father ever were to hear of such a place, and of children who are his by right being forced to satisfy the most base desires of filthy pretenders, I think he might be inclined to pay a visit."
Pixie sighed heavily; her meal all but done now, she had little more to do than meet the Gentleman's unwavering gaze. It was a solid approach, but something didn't sit right with her. He seemed to be making a lot of assumptions about Austin's character and how he'd react to the plan. Pixie never was one to go into a battle thinking she had all the answers.
"... There need not be the blood of one more child spilled..."
She scoffed.
Yer full a' shit.
"... There need only be a series of unfortunate accidents, and you can take to the skies once more with Austin's head, and the heads of any others that needed taking, swinging from the prow of your ship like the pirates of old."
Pixie crossed her arms and leaned back in her chair. After taking a moment to consider his proposal, her expression hardened, "You said Amy came up with this plan, but I reckon you've had quite a bit'a input since it's original inception. There's a certain... 'Gentleman stink' to it. I never took 'er ta' be the ruthlessly methodical type, but then that shows 'ow much I actually know the girl. She is yer protege, after all."
Her eye diverted from the Gentleman's and began idly surveying the empty glass in her hand. Pity, it was really good orange juice, "Here's my problem with y'all's plan. It's a long haul. I don' 'ave any problem with y'all infiltratin' 'is cult, but when I'm ready ta' take my baby back you should be damn well sure I'm gonna go after 'im right then an' there. Time's the kicker, Gents. I reckon morale's gonna be lower'n it's ever been in the comin' weeks an' I need my Maidens ta' know we're not finished. They need ta' know we're doin' everythin' we can ta' get back on 'ar feet. Sittin' 'round waitn' fer Amy's girls ta' do their job fer 'em ain't my idea of a victory, an' it sure as shit ain't theirs either."
She leaned forward, resting her chin in her palm, "Then there's Austin. Whadda ya' think he's gonna do with all the time we'll give 'im? He's not gonna float 'round with 'is limp dick in 'is hand, I'll tell ya' that much. He'll hurt someone... he'll hurt 'em bad." She closed her eye and sighed. "I can' let that happen. I know yer all about the bottom line, Gents, but if I can stop 'im from usin' my Maiden to spread death 'n chaos I won' hesitate ta' take 'im on. Even alone, if that's what it takes. By all means, 'ave Amy's girls do their thin', but know I'm gonna jump down that fucker's throat the first chance I get. There's no arguin' that point, Gents. I respect yer council, but this is my Maiden we're talkin' 'bout. These 'er my people. We're gonna do it 'ar way."
Getting up from the table, she glanced down the hall to where the radio was setup before meeting the Gentleman's gaze once more, "Understand I won' let that fucker hurt those kids any longer than I have to. If it means I have ta' get my hands dirty, well, fate's a cruel *****. It'll be a fuckin' act a mercy puttin' 'em down, I reckon. That psychopath calls 'imself a father?" Pixie scoffed. "Makes me fuckin' sick."
She let out a long drawn out sigh and stretched her arms up over her head, "Anyway, I gotta take a call with ol' chrome-dome. We can continue this lil' discussion later if ya' really wanna try my patience."
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"What about you? The two of you seem to share a bond that defies explanation. Are you not part of the support she needs?"
He shot her an awkward look before turning his attention towards the food on the table. He wiped his hands on his hips, nervously, "N-no, no I'm not. Not in that sense anyway. It's uhhh," He grinned stupidly before immediately banishing it. For a conman he was being uncharacteristically transparent. It appeared Amy had struck quite a nerve. "It's complicated. I can never be that for her. I..." He frowned. "I've said too much."
Looking for an escape route, he glanced around the room. His eyes settled on the coffee brewer on the counter nearby, "Coffee anyone?"
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Tsubaki led Jun through the twisting alleyways, and though he'd likely assumed they'd lost themselves in its labyrinthine design, he'd be wrong. Glancing back at Jun, she could tell as much on the expression he wore.
"Oh ye, of little faith."
Though he may not have been able to tell, she was leading them right to their designated escape route. Having studied the city's grid for the past two days, Tsubaki knew every twist and turn within a five-mile radius of the warehouse. The pair kept up a decent pace and made sure to take their strides in relative silence.
As they turned one particular corner, Tsubaki could hear one of their pursuers bang against a trashcan while moving into the alley, "Down." She commanded, turning on her heel and placing a hand on Jun's shoulder as she brought her carbine to bare. Firing a short, controlled burst, she caught one of Vasa's men in the shoulder. "Let's move!" She barked, pushing Jun ahead of her.
They were upon it now. Pulling a smoke grenade from her vest, she looked to Jun and signaled for him to get his ready as well. Upon arriving at a small side street that divided two alleys, Tsubaki gave the signal and they both let loose their grenades, covering the entire area in a thick, dark cloud. With lightning fast precision, Tsubaki knelt down in the center of the street and pried open a manhole, ushering Jun inside before following suit. Their pursuers stumbled into the cloud, blind and disoriented. By the time they'd thought to check the manhole Tsubaki and Jun would have been long gone.
Trudging through the putrid sludge, Tsubaki double checked her gear. Everything was accounted for.
"---zzztttt-----The bleeders are still coming after me. How's everyone else?----zzztttt------"
Being underneath several feet of concrete tended to disrupt radio frequencies. Tsubaki fingered the radio on her vest and replied, "We've made it into the sewers and have lost our pursuers. Heading to the rendezvous. What's your status, Harvey? Over."
