OLYMPIA

Together in Paris, part 2

The streets of Paris was filled with many people as it usually is. People going about their day to day lives, hoping to somehow regain their city's lost glory. There's almost no cars in sight, though, despite the busy roads that ferry people. Although it's not like anybody in their right mind would ever want to drive through the broken down, unfinished streets filled with holes and trash.

Wild Rose found herself mingling with the crowd, her dress fluttering silently as she gracefully weaved through the city, like a hot knife going through butter. Never once taking a stop to have a moment's rest, Wild Flower eventually reached her destination - a run-down building overlooking the enormous lot of cars parked just outside the city.

"Wild Flower!" said a man as she entered the building. "You're rather late today."

Wild Flower stripped herself of her dress, leaving only the skin-tight suit that is the uniform of the Parisian Quintet. "Forgive me, Pike, but our friend here Bug has been pestering me while I dressed myself."

"I told you I turn them off when you dress!" said another person from inside a locked room.

"Well forgive me for not having any trust in you in this regard! It's not like you'd show us proof!"

"Temper, temper," said a fourth person. "There's no need for us to fight among ourselves right before a job. Maestro would be displeased."

The other two were visibly unnerved by her presence, but not really out of fear or lack of trust, but because of respect and mystery.

"Of course, Strings. I'm sorry for snapping."

"It's all in the past now." Strings brought out her HLD, sending a message to everybody in the building. "Maestro has given us the plans, all that's left to do is to execute it. The target is the daughter of a visiting Brazilian general, and the goal is to extort money for the people of the city. However, no harm is to come to her under any circumstances. Is everything clear?"

Wild Flower raised her hand.

"Yes?"

"Are we sure that this will benefit Paris?" she said. "How do we even know if that general would pay for her daughter's ransom?"

"Worry not about that. The Maestro has it in good faith that the general loves his daughter very much. Any other questions?"

"NO!" all three answered in unison.

Though she answered with them, Wild Flower is still rather confused by the notion. However, if the Maestro says it is so, then she really doesn't have the right to question it. After all, the Maestro has rarely been wrong.

"Then let us be off. Bug, report any notable changes to me."

The three people outside the room vanished in nearly an instant.

***

"We're here!" a young lady said excitedly as she exited a car. "We're actually here!"

"Careful, Julia, your injuries still haven't healed."

"I know, papa. But this is THE Paris! THE Paris from the books! Although it seems to be missing one thing..."

"I know you're excited, but your injuries haven't fully healed yet, so don't try pulling any of the stunts you usually do."

The two continued their merry little conversation as they walked into the city. Wide-eyed and excited, Julia marched forward, taking in the scenery of her favorite historical city. After all, even if this Paris is no longer the Paris it was before, it still is THE Paris she's been dreaming of.

But sadly, it seems that her visit will be cut short. In a single moment that barely lasted a minute, the air was filled with smoke, Julia was grabbed by an unknown person, and they disappeared completely, leaving only a Queen of Spades in their place.

***

Wild Flower has always done these kind of things. She's used to it by now. The fast-paced action, the threat of death for a single misstep, and the ever-changing state of the battle. It's nothing to her or to her group.

As such, it took them little effort to grab the General's daughter right under his nose, and now she's kept in one of their underground bases scattered all throughout Paris.

"Wild Flower," Strings called out to her. "Keep an eye on the prisoner, Pike and I will go to negotiate the terms."

"Understood."

And with that, Wild Flower is left alone in the safe house with the prisoner, Julia August. From what the Maestro told them, Julia is the daughter of a Brazilian General coming to visit Paris for some incomprehensible reason. No one in their right mind would want to visit this hellhole, after all. Hell, the only reason Wild Flower has not left it is because of the Parisian Quintet!

But that really isn't her problem, though. Whatever reason these idiots have for visiting Paris matters not, all that matters is that their foolishness will help in rebuilding it.

So all she need concern herself with is ensuring that the closed door in front of her will remain close until the time Strings opens it. It shouldn't be difficult, honestly. But it will definitely take time. So for now, she removed her mask, poured herself a cup of coffee from the coffee maker that the Maestro gifted to them, and sat on the chair to relax.

"Hey Bug!" she shouted to nobody. "I know you're listening to this, Bug, so can you please bring me your HLD? I left mine at home and it's kinda boring here."

"You..."

The sudden voice stunned Wild Flower. Her surprise caused her to drop her mug to the floor, causing the coffee to spill all over.

Behind her stands Julia, their prisoner, conscious and out of her ropes.

"You're part of the Parisian Quintet, aren't you?"