Half-Moon

1. Unconventional Ear Piercing

On the streets of Newmore, they only know her as Half-Moon, the mercenary from some faraway land east. No one knows her real identity despite the fact she doesn't wear a mask or guise. But all could recognize her by the colors of her eyes: one a vibrant golden hazel, the other hued a watery blue.

One could say she was a hero, she killed the most violent gang leader in the city. One could say she was a villain, she killed the mayor the day after and took his place. Yet despite her position as mayor, she still remains a mercenary by night just for fun of it. To act like a psychopath while being as intelligent as she is confused the town. It made them afraid.

The man standing in front of her desk stares in fear of the small blade Half-Moon flips over and through her fingers. Each time the blade passes through, a tiny cut appears on her skin adding to the hundreds of tiny other ones.

"I like pain." She says after what feels like hours of silence. "If I were to be captured and tortured I would relish the pain until I either fall unconscious or die." The man's thin lips quake in fear while her own curls up into a smile. "Do you like pain, Hubert?"

Hubert furiously shakes his head, looking down at his bare feet. In one quick movement, Half-Moon slips out of her chair and onto her feet. Using the tip of her knife, she places the blade of her knife gently underneath his chin, forcing him to lift his head.

"Look at me when I speak and answer me when I ask a question." Though she doesn't change the volume or tone of her voice, there is a threat in her statement.

"I'm sorry ma'am. No ma'am." His wide-eyes attempt to hold her own, but he ends up looking at her nose instead.

"Hm. Hold still a sec, I want to draw a picture."

She removes the knife from his chin and walks her desk until she's so close to him that their feet are touching, and she can smell his sour breath. Pressing the knife about half a centimeter into his cheek, she draws a line about an inch down his trembling face. He grits his teeth against the pain.

"Tell me Hubert. What made you want to try to kill me?"

"Rumors and lies," he hisses, "I would never betray you."

She removes the knife from his cheek briefly, only to slice another line right next to the bleeding one. "If you keep lying to me, we'll be playing tic-tac-toe soon."

He gives her a sidelong glance. "You must believe me."

This time, she grabs his earlobe and carelessly slices it off. His scream echoes in the room but she only watches the piece of skin and fat fall onto the marble floor with fascination.

"Commanding your superior? Hubert, you've fallen fast and far. Just like that piece of your ear I cut off."

Tears stream down his face down and Half-Moon pursues her lips in distaste. "What do you want from me?"

"Well I would like to know if you were working with someone." She leans into his face and a smile, "Pretty please with a sliced-off earlobe on top?"

"I didn't work with no one." She reaches for his other ear and he flinches away from her touch. "King Arlington wants you dead."

"Well, you sang quick like a little bitch." Her eyes narrow in annoyance. "We'll see if my torture guy can get anything else out of you." She steps away from him. "He's down the hallway to the left. Pick up your earlobe on your way out."