Asterum

Chapter 5: Agreement

*****

"Personal?" Ephirum muttered. Confusion written in his eyes. It was as if the word 'personal' continue to repeat itself in his mind. "How so?"

Zephyrine never bothered to raise her gaze. Her eyes locked on the portscreen in her hand. Her gaze continued to trail on the footage, continuously playing on the screen.

She hadn't thought for the slightest that she'll see a glimpse of it again--a glimpse of them again. Her eyes were wary, hesitating but full of determination. A spark of hope in her eyes. A flint of fury along with it.

"Cirque de Marveille. They are the one you're dealing with." said Deimos when Zephyrine didn't answer. "Besides being performers, they are also a prime syndicate of corruption. Stealing, black market negotiations, abuse, you name it."

"It wasn't publicly known. They keep their secrets close to themselves. But the entertainment is less than the dirty work they do." Ila said this time around, her lips coiling.

"You know quite a lot about these people." Miu stated. She eyed them, her line of sight going in each one of them.

They were still bunched up into one spot, all looking directly at the portscreen. Finally, Zephyrine paused it, turning it off as she stopped letting her power surge into it. She closed her eyes momentarily, thinking carefully of the next move she has to take.

If they offered them something in return, something in their favor. It'll be a win-win for the both of them. Unless, they break their part of the agreement. But there is no going back now, is it? She already accepted the job.

"It's a long story for another time." Zephyrine finally said. "If we're really doing this, I suggest you start speaking of the terms and agreements. We won't be just sitting here idling."

Miu and Ephirum exchanged glances. Rigot took the the portscreen out of Zephyrine's hands, clutching it between his arm. He walked back to his spot, standing next to Miu who's ready to talk. Ephirum raised a hand, silencing her.

He slouched, putting both elbows on his knees. He interlaced his fingers as he stared at Zephyrine. Zephyrine stared back, her eyes beaming and intimidating. "Here how this is going to work. You will steal back the artifact from them, in exchange, we are willing to give you all the resources you need." Ephirum conferred.

"And what prize or reward do we get afterwards? When we successfully do the work?" Cassian asked, intrigued by the sudden offer. His lips twitched but as much as a small smile crept into his lips.

"Whatever you want." Ephirum bragged.

"Then what if we wanted was freedom, can you give it to us?" Zephyrine asked, mimicking Ephirum's stance.

She crossed her legs, lifting one knee up the other. She clasped her hands around her knee caps and straightened to look back at Ephirum. He raised a brow, so did Rigor who seemed to be amused of the turn of events.

"By freedom, you mean—"

"A pardon for all our crimes. Along with a job for all of us. Something legal." Zephyrine bargained.

Ephirum chuckled as if he can't believe what she was saying. "Is that all?" he asked.

"No, we also want—" Zephyrine slam her palms on Xadrian mouth and gave him a warning glance. Deimos pulled Xadrian out of his seat, pulling him as far away as he could from their conversation.