Twenty-two years later...
Dawn slowly crept over the horizon, turning the black sky and lighting it slowly to a dark blue. A couple of cats were prowling within the parlor, searching for prey to kill. The usual sound of boots clicked across the floor, and the cat that was in the way lunged at a mouse it spotted, clearing the way. The figure sighed and sat down near the bar, leaning back against the surface of it.
"Oi, you okay over here, Red?" Someone called from behind.
Scarlett turned her head at the sound of her code name and she only nodded. "Yes, it's nothing personal, Scourge." She murmured, though a quiet, amused chuckled breached his lips. "Your own eyes deceive you, y'know." He mused, leaving her to sigh again. He punched her shoulder lightly.
"C'mon Letty, I know something's up." He encouraged before continuing, "What's on your mind here?" He added, leaning closer to her from behind the bar. She glanced over, seeing him perched against the counter behind her. 'I don't know, I've just been thinking a lot, I suppose." She sighed quietly. He tilted her chin up and made him look at her from behind. His gaze, normally lighthearted, seemed a bit more solemn, as if he could see her internal struggles.
He took a quiet breath and spoke up. "If you don't mind me asking, what's going on in that head of yours?"
"It's just... What Arthur's doing... You think he made the right choice last night?" She murmured quietly. His expression almost instantly darkened at the memory, his usually calm hazel gaze now hard. "About last night when we raided The Known Treason? Probably considering they gave us hell for so long." He spat, bristling slightly at just mentioning them. Her fingers rested over his and his cheeks warmed slightly.
"You got a good heart, Letty. Don't ever lose that value of yourself." He sighed, his tone laced with hidden affection. She smiled slightly, the gesture imperceptible. A low, quiet chuckle left his lips as his cheeks remained tinted with a slight pink.
"Enjoying yourselves much?" A voice called to them.
Scourge looked up from her quickly, only to find their boss, a tall, slightly muscular looking male standing a little ways away. His green eyes were sharp on them, but not unkind. Scourge met his gaze calmly.
"You could say that, boss." He spoke. She flicked her gaze over his frame, quickly but not unnoticed.
He took notice of her glance and he hummed slightly, almost acknowledging it. His eyes stayed on her a moment long before he sauntered over to the bar. "Get me a double." He ordered. Scourge nodded quickly before turning back to the shelving.
Her gaze remained on the counter top for a moment before her head snapped over to her boss. "Something funny?" She bristled after hearing him chuckle.
"Nothing, nothing. Your perception is uncanny." He mused, his eyes glinting with amusement. She narrowed her gaze sharply on him, her expression terse. "What's that supposed to mean?" She hissed. "Mean you've got a keen eye, Scar. We've been looking for someone to help us with that and I feel you're a worthy choice."
She blinked a couple times. "Pardon? Thought you counted me off as a random member." She growled, leaving him chuckling again. "No, no, I never said that." He chided. His gaze met hers an eerie calmness settling into them. She nearly flinched back, but the sound of a glass being dropped on the counter caught her attention. His gaze flicked down to it and he took it with a grateful nod. He downed the drink in less than a second, his expression neutral.
"What's it to you?" She spoke firmly.
"Just looking at my men to see who qualified for what job." He answered calmly.
"So why me?" She shot back. It left him slightly in surprise, but he replaced it with a neutral expression. "You have a knack for small details, Scar. That's why I'm sending you on a mission with the boys." He replied calmly. Her head snapped back to him, her expression dark.
"Relax, it's a simple one." He assured her, his tone remaining the same.
She stayed quiet, allowing him the chance to continue. "You're just going into that office building five blocks southeast and getting information about one of our clients, Rose Madrame." He finished. She sighed quietly, her expression unchanging.
"Fine, I'll go." She grunted, displeased by the request. He nodded quietly his expression betraying nothing before she turned on her heel and began to walk away.
"One last thing, before you go." He called to her. She turned around to face him, clearly awaiting an answer.
He took a couple strides to close the distance before he spoke quietly. "Be careful. Madrame is one of those clients I feel will be more of a challenge than what we're used to." He murmured hushedly.
She nodded slightly, taking his words into account before continuing to walk away.