the inevitable

chapter 8- lets dance

Chapter 8-

The benefit gala was fast approaching and the two assassins spent the majority of the day planning their attacks. It was difficult considering they had to stick together according to Silva's rules. They were both glad that Star was allowed to move throughout the hotel by herself.

They were going over the plan for the third time: enter, scope out, find targets, lure to the back rooms, kill.

They had decided that they were going to lure them to the back with the lie of a 'secret auction' and the prospects of a night with Starling.

Elliot started to go over the details of the plan when he was interrupted by Star,

"Oh my god I get it. I know how to do this, you know, are you forgetting that your father chose me to assist you?" She groaned, clearly annoyed with the childish way he was explaining things to her.

Elliot scoffed and gave her a weak "whatever" and left her room. With two hours til the event, Starling started her preparations.

She started with a shower, then dried her hair and put it in curlers. She put on a simple makeup look but made sure to add details and eye liner to her eyes. She finished the look with a bold, red lip.

Star then rolled on some perfume she swapped at the dress store when no one was looking. Cherry scented. Her favorite.

She put her hair in an elegant up-do and then moved on to her outfit. She stepped into a simple slip for under her dress and attached one of the holsters the Zoldyck's provided for her. She then took the dress and pulled it up but couldn't zip it all the way.

She debated for a good minute but finally decided to swallow her pride and knock on the door. Elliot, looking dashing as ever in his tux, and he opened the door with an oh-so charming,

"What do you want?"

"No need for the attitude, can you zip up my dress?"

She turned around and Elliot closed the space between them, as he did he breathed in the intoxicating cherry smell.

How did she always smell like cherries?

He slowly zipped up her dress when he noticed a problem.

Her spider tattoo.

He stood there for a moment, examining it. It was a simple back spider around the size of his palm. In the center of the spider was the number eight. He couldn't believe he had forgotten that she was a part of the Phantom Troupe. How could he be so careless? Surely they were looking for her. Wait no, they probably think she's dead.

Seeing the mark along the base of her neck reminded Elliot of the first time they met. It was strange to think how much had changed since then.

"Something wrong?" Star asked, turning around to face him. Her eyes soft as they looked into his. Just as Elliot had learned to read her emotions through her eyes, Star was starting to do the same. He cleared his voice and spoke.

"Your tattoo is a bit of a give away don't you think?"

Starling had forgotten all about her tattoo. She forgets that the sight of it could very well bring people to tears. It's so normal to her, a piece of her identity crawling up her neck. She went to the bathroom and covered it with makeup.

This felt wrong, she loved being a part of the troupe. Sure they killed and stole things but that sense of danger is what fulfilled her life. They were like family to her.

After a few coats it was done. She looked at her bare neck and felt all kinds of mixed emotions. She ignored it and went into the hall to meet Elliot.