Contrapasso

Part 4

Chapter 4: The third day

Astrid got out of the bath and with a towel wrapped around her middle she picked out the clothing bag that she had found the first day in her closet. Opening it she still blushed.

She then went to her suitcase and opened a secret compartment. Looking at what she had stashed there she was certain that she'd strap on most of them. Better to be safe than sorry.

It was nearing midnight when Astrid stepped out of the elevator on the 2nd floor. She was dressed in a mermaid style ballgown which had a slit up to her thigh and a small train. The gown was Devil Red and was for the upper part almost completely lace. The V-neck accentuated the golden locket she chose to wear along with zircon studded earrings. She also wore red lipstick as well as red heels. Her hair was in a braided bun with the Briar rose stuck in it. To say she looked like pure Sin would have been an understatement.

Snotlout who had been standing guard outside of the ballroom gave an appreciative whistle.

"When Hell freezes over Snotlout," Astrid muttered as he opened the double doors for her.

"Hell froze over a long time ago," Snotlout commented. "It's not all fire and brimstone you know." Astrid lifted a brow as the doors closed behind her.

She was a bit early and took in the opulence of the large ballroom. It looked like something out of the Russian Palace before the Revolution. A large chandelier hung in the middle of the room and illuminated the place in a romantic glow.

The double doors on the other side opened at midnight exactly to reveal a man in a black and silver carnival mask and black tuxedo. Astrid couldn't help but check him out. Who wouldn't with that tuxedo hugging all the right curves.

The man approached her with a smile on his lips. They met nearly in the middle of the ballroom. "M'lady" the mysterious owner greeted and held out his hand, though what happened next no one expected.

Instead of Astrid taking the offered greeting she proceeded to knee said owner in the stomach with a precise kick. The man doubled over and within a blink of an eye Astrid had the guy in a chokehold with a knife to his throat.

"You owe me some answers," She stated "Don't think this suave act is going to work on me."

"Can't..... Can't.... Breathe.... I give.... I give...." The man managed to gasp. He proceeded to tap her arm and Astrid let go, satisfied that she would be getting some answers.

"Well then Hiccup, start talking." Astrid said as she looked at the guy trying to catch his breath.

"How did you know it was me?" Hiccup asked as he took off his mask. "You look radiant by the way."

Astrid blushed slightly and then coughed to get back to the point "The interaction with your colleagues was strange." Astrid told him. "I had my suspicions when they looked to you for answers. A simple gardener wouldn't be high on the totem pole. Also you have a distinct mop of auburn hair."

Hiccup subconsciously ran a hand through his hair. "I think we got off on the wrong foot here. I'm willing to answer some questions if you are willing to not turn me into a strainer with your knives."

"How do you know I have more than one?" Astrid raised a brow. She was sure none of the others were visible.

"I know more about you than you think," Hiccup said and then raised a brow.

Astrid thought this over quickly in her head. On one hand she could always put Hiccup back in a chokehold but then she'd get minimal to no information. On the other hand she could play nice and see where this encounter took her. With a sigh Astrid hitched up the slit of her dress causing Hiccup to blush and look away. 'The blush was cute' Astrid thought as she started taking off the knife belts she had fastened to her leg.