Born To Die Part Two - The Charm Of A Conflict

Strangelove's Fury

'You WHAT?' Strangelove yells, turning around to look at Kristoffer. He sits in a plush chair in her office, picking at his nails. He mumbles something even he doesn't understand. She laughs indignantly, slamming her hands on the table, 'How did you let them get away Piercebridge? You're my top assassin, come on.'

'I... I'm s...sorry Ms. Strangelove, I...' Kristoffer grasps for words, but his throat strains in fear. Strangelove only sees red, her teeth bared like a wild animal.

'I thought you were capable of getting them. But no-o-o-o! I was wrong!' She picks up an ornamental pot and throws it at him. He dodges it, feeling the object just clip past his ear. It breaks into hundreds of pottery shards with a loud clang. She clenches her fists, trying to calm herself down. The door suddenly swings open. Eudora stands in the doorway, confusion and fear on her face.

'Kathlyhan! I told you not to come in,' Strangelove snaps back to a kind persona, her cold smile shining on her face.

'I hear things breaking,' She looks down at the floor, seeing the crumbled container on the floor, 'I thought something might be going on.'

Kristoffer gives her a look saying "Help me please, she's gone insane". She nods and says, 'I need to talk to Piercebridge.'

'Well, I am, so, please leave,' She sneers, keeping the smile on her face. She can feel herself begin to tire from Eudora's behavior.

'If you're throwing stuff at Piercebridge, I'd suggest you don't. You can express yourself in a nonviolent manner,' Eudora disparages back, folding her arms across her chest.

'Oh yeah? What if I need to?' Strangelove laughs madly, raising an eyebrow at Eudora. She frowns at Kristoffer.

'The point is he's practically a child, Samantha-'

'Don't call me that!' She shrieks. She takes a sharp intake of breath, ending with a harsh sigh, 'Both of you, leave. I'll talk to you both later.'

Kristoffer needs no more confirmation, and half runs out of the room. He tries to calm himself as he reaches a small dead end. He slides down the wall, eyes blank and brain buzzing. Eudora pokes her head around the separating wall.

'So, no words of thanks? I saved your ass there, Kristoffer. If you'd said one more thing, you might as well have been magic,' She scoffs indignantly, barely able to hide her nerves too. He chews at his right thumbnail, scraping his hair away from his face.

Wait...

Magic seems to be like a curse...

'Eudora, you're a genius,' He laughs, springing up from the floor. His sudden mood change shocks her. She shrugs her shoulders at him, earning a look of "Isn't it obvious". He outstretches his arms, 'There must be some way to become magic.'

'Wh... Kristoffer, magic is genetic. Everyone knows that. And if there is a way, why would you want it?'

'To get away from here,' Kristoffer grins, 'I need to do some research.'

And before Eudora can get another word of warning in, he sprints down the hallway, veering into the staff room. She sighs and rolls her eyes.

*

Ashton stares at himself in the mirror, looking at his wings. Not a single feather left, just a blackened skeletal frame. He pulls his wings back onto his torso, pulling a shirt over himself to avoid seeing his wings again. He decides to go downstairs and start his day. He peeks over the banister to see Alexis grumbling over her phone again. Friday mornings are always her least favourite.

'Alexis, are you okay?' Ashton's voice is croaky and low. She looks at him standing in the doorway.

'Would you be up for this?'

'...Cheri?'