One of Them

Chapter One

"There ya go," C, the old beautician, tells R as she puts on the finishing touches on her hair and passes her the mask she will wear on her mission tonight.
"Thanks C. You make everyone look better with your talented hands."
"Haha. Well look in the mirror now."
R walks over to the full length mirror and gasps. C never ceases to amaze her.
R look at her full length black and white dress that hugs her in all the right places and her black mask that makes her eyes look enchanting. Her hair is in perfect curls only slightly done.
C hands R her favorite knife pack and lifts the dress up a little and straps it to her thigh.
"It can detach if you want, but I assume you won't need to use your knife tonight." C says while looking at R in the mirror.
"I will never be used to dresses. I can't run in them and fight. They make a lot of noise, too." R complains while looking at her assassin uniform of all black longingly.
"It's only for a night. You'll be fine." C sets down her apron that holds all the equipment for hair and makeup that R gave her as a gift after returning from a mission in the upper district.
"It's time, R. Be careful." C whispers.
"Aren't I always?" R teases causing C to laugh.
----
"R, I hate this. It's to risky!" J said as they both got into the boat to take them to the upper district.
"I'll be fine. No one will know it is me. I'll have my mask on the whole time and I won't get drunk, I swear!" R said as she punches him on the shoulder.
"Ow. That hurts R," J mocked crying.
"Haha, whatever. So we are nearly there and I'll be fine. OK?."
"Fine."
The boat hit the side of the Upper District, to the right of the giant castle, where the party is being held.
"Bye, J." Picked me up here at 12:00."
"Fine. I'll be here. Don't forget your 'invite.'" J handed R the stolen masquerade ball invite.
"Thanks." She walked up the pathway to the castle and put on the mask as J got the boat ready to leave.
----
"Invitation, please." A guard asked as she got there.
"Yes, of course. Here you go." R put on a fake upper district accent.
"Thank you, Ma'am."
R took back the invite and walked through the door. She was surprised at such the large group of people.
"This should be easy. First gain their trust. Two excuse yourself. Three find the crown." And with that she walked to the center of the party.