The To-Do List

Go time

"Where are we going, Jill?" Vivian asked, curious. "I told you, there are some things we need to talk about before the ball." Jillian turned off the main road onto a beaten dirt road, leading off into the woods. "This hasn't all been some elaborate scheme to kill me, has it?" Vivian teased. "Haha, good one," Jillian chuckled. Vivian smiled and relaxed into her chair. The dense wood thinned out and they arrived in a clearing. Jillian killed the engine and the two of them got out of the car. "Come on, I want to show you something." Vivian followed Jillian to the side of the clearing. There was a cliff that suddenly dropped down with a bench overlooking the drop-off. The view was breathtaking. "Viv," Jillian took a deep breath, "are you ready?" The two sat down on the bench. Vivian took sighed and looked into the sky, "For what? The mission? The ball? For it to be over? You're going to need to be a little bit more specific," Vivian laughed. A sad, forced, nervous laugh. Jillian looked out over the cliff. He seemed lost in thought. "Ready for what Jill?" Vivian shook his shoulder, repeating herself. Jillian looked at her and blinked like he was just seeing her. He shook his head and snapped back into it, "Everything I guess, but the mission in specific." Vivian shrugged and smiled, "As ready as I can be I guess. What about you? And where's Killian? Is he going to meet us there?" Jillian shrugged, "Not sure yet, I'll call him later. And me? Yeah, I don't really have too much to do but keep an eye on everything. Remember, if you run into any trouble, Killian won't be far at all, just give the signal and he'll swoop in and do what he can. If it gets really bad, I'll come. But let's hope everything will go according to plan." Vivian nodded. "Right, could we go over the plan once more?" She chuckled nervously.

"Vivian, you know the plan inside and out, but yeah. So, you're going to arrive by yourself. He'll be less interested if he has to compete for your attention. You make your grand entrance and turn all the heads. Be flirty. Wink at him. But don't seem desperate or anything. Keep it light. He should ask you to dance. Remember, he's a bit handsy. I hate to say this, but lead him on. Don't get crazy, but a little make-out sesh won't hurt. Get him drinking, get him to take you somewhere private, and when you think the moment is right, strike. Remember; strike once and you're golden, strike twice and you're taking a risk, strike thrice and you're in trouble. If anything seems even a bit unusual, fiddle with your right earring and that's the signal for Killian to check things out and maybe intervene a bit, fiddle with your left earring and Killian will come help, and if you need me I think a nice subtle "Shit!" will suffice. Got it?" Jillian finished and took a breath. Vivian nodded and checked her phone, "I should start getting ready, is there anything else we need to do?" Jillian shook his head and Vivian stood up and started walking towards the car. Jillian followed. He looked up at the sky and saw a crow, a dark purple crow, and hung back a bit. Vivian was almost to the car when she heard a noise in the bushes next to the car. She stopped and looked back at Jillian who shrugged. "Probably just some animal". Vivian started towards the brush cautiously.

Suddenly someone jumped on her and without faltering, she immediately whirled around and smashed her backside into the ground. "Oof!" Vivian wiggled out and in one second had grabbed a huge stick off the ground and jumped into her attacker. She placed the stick on her attacker's chest with dangerous pressure. Her attacker lurched violently to the left and jumped up. Surprised, Vivian flew onto the ground and leaped back up. Her attacker took a fighting stance and took a swing. Vivian ducked and weaved to the right, then popped up and swung hard as she could at her attacker, clocking them on the side of their chin. They staggered back, giving Vivian enough of a chance to leap forward and grab their hood yanking it back and jam her elbow into their chest. Killian crumpled to the ground. "Killian what the hell!" Vivian dropped to the ground next to Killian and shook him. He groaned and sat up, looking dazed. Vivian stood and helped him up. "Yep.. not a scaredy cat anymore." Killian wheezed. From behind them Jillian laughed and got into the car. "Come on you guys, let's go! Good job, Vivian!" Vivian helped Killian into the car. His breathing evened out as Jillian drove back to the main road and towards their house. "Are you okay Killian?" Vivian asked worriedly. Killian nodded. "Yeah. You just knocked the air out of me is all. Nice job V." Killian chuckled. "You didn't falter at all. You were quick and fought well. You're ready" Jillian said. Vivian unclenched her tight shoulders and let a long breath out. "Good".