To Capture a Deity

[Zorayda]

"Aw, Kitty..." Zorayda said when the onyx-haired girl made that bitter sound. "We're in it together now, though, right? I...I was a computer hacker, one of the best...I helped people blackmail other people and threaten them...I stole money...I quit, though, and even though it's still haunting me, I'm glad I stopped..." She looked away, unable to hold Kitty's gaze.

"I really...I...thanks," Zorayda stammered in response to Kitty's offer, looking down at the Poke ball that held Eeve. "Maybe we'll make up for our mistakes if we help each other, right?" She asked, sounding like a little child. This night would change her forever, she knew.

"I hope I can keep up with you--I'm not physically strong, really. I mean, I was a track runner for a while, but that was it..."

[Moonlight]

A thin smile touched her lips at Zorayda's attempt to comfort her, nodding in appreciation. "... We all make mistakes. Some are just larger than others. I've certainly made more than my fair share ..." she said softly, although she would've long quit if she had the choice. But, like most things, she did not. Free will, and being able to use it as she wished, was practically null and void. Any time she tried, she received consequences. One way or another. And usually more than once.

"Well ... We can try. That much is certain," she said, trying to reassure her. But she knew if she was ever caught, especially now, she would receive a death sentence. It was sombering, to know that her entire life had been used by someone else. And it would be, until the day she died. Or at least that was what it appeared to be.

Shaking her head, though, a small sigh escaping her lips. "We'll see what we can do ..."

[Zorayda]

Zorayda smiled at Kitty's doubtful words, drinking them in desperately. Right now, she needed sunshine and hope. Right now, she needed someone to tell her good things...

"Well, I'll try my best...maybe..." she trailed off, her eyes flicking to the door and the smile on her face fading. Maybe we can get out, together, Zorayda thought desperately. Someday...

"But...he probably won't let us be together much, will he?" She said, not needing to say who she was talking about. Her brows furrowed as her mind whirred with many thoughts. She WOULD figure something out. She just had to.

[Moonlight]

Her fingertips gently rubbed the bruising mark that covered her entire cheek, nodding as Zorayda spoke. "Well ... As I said ... I'll try to take care of you. This is my fault ... I have to take responsibility for it," she told the older girl softly, before dropping the hand at her cheek. Garret wouldn't care. But when he intervened in her 'discipline', it was bound to get worse. She could only hope that Elliot would keep quiet about her words. Of course, he was spiteful enough to tell his father for principle.

"Well ... I'll more than likely be training you, when Elliot grows bored ... So we do have that, guaranteed," she added, almost forcing her tone a little lighter. At least they did have that small consolation. And it would be worth sacrificing sleep to make sure Zorayda stayed healthy, or at least as healthy as she could be during the first few months.

(OOC: Bah. Short post.)

[Sabaku No Akaiame]

A few minutes later, the blonde stepped inside his room, somehow mustering up enough strength to slam the door shut. He instantly flipped on the lights and headed for the bathroom.

He stepped inside the shower, clothes and all, not caring about anything. He simply let the water run, plastering his hair and clothes all over his thin frame, and sat down, pulling his knees to his face again and putting his chin down on them. He couldn't take long. Ten minutes. Should be enough.

He took a deep breath, closed his eyes, and suddenly screamed. The sound didn't make it past his room as all the door were closed and the water was running, and he was thankful for that fact. After he let out the accumulated frustration, he simply putting his head down, fighting not to start crying again.

"Stop lying..." he whispered to no one in particular, dead gaze fixated on the faded white walls of his bathtub. "Smile." he ordered. As if trying to obey the order, he tried lifting one of the corners of his mouth, but immediately winced and frowned again.

There was a creak of the door and something padded inside quietly. The assassin immediately guessed who it was, but didn't move.

"I'm asking you to smile..." he whispered to himself, managing a half-smile. "But then I ask you not to lie anymore..." his face eased back down to a neutral expression. "What should I do?"

The curtains suddenly opened, and the blonde didn't even bother looking as soft meowing came from his side.

"Inazuma." he simply reacted. "Are you hurt?"

The Luxray stared at his master softly, sadly, and shook its head, jumping into the bathtub and snuggling close to his master. Screw getting wet, the electric Pokemon only wanted to see his master smile again.

"You're right." the assassin nodded with a sad smiled, petting his Luxray's wet fur. "I should stop thinking for a while. Just... become the kind of vegetable the old man wants me to become... But never forget to smile and hide the pain." he forced his smile, feeling his muscles stretch at the familiar expression.

The two stared at each other for a moment, the shine in the boy's eyes returning just by staring at his beloved companion. After about five minutes, he finally got up and turned the shower off.

"Right. Let's get changed. We have a mission to complete." he whispered, getting out. His Luxray followed and paused expectantly. As if sensing this expectation bar set over his head, the blonde suddenly turned down and grinned widely at his Pokemon. "Hopefully, we'll have enough time left to go buy a chocolate muffin, I'm suddenly craving one of those."

[Zorayda]

Zorayda shook her head violently, her hair flipping into her face. "No! This is not your fault at all! I never blamed you--I never even had the passing thought that you would do something like this... It's whoever is in charge of all this, Elliot, this place... I don't want you thinking that. You helped someone in need, Kitty, and damn the bastards who put you in this position."

Her voice was fierce, and her ice-blue eyes were determined. It wasn't Kitty's fault...how could she ever think that? Kitty must have been brainwashed for so many years by these people. Zorayda shuddered to think of what they would force HER to do.

[Moonlight]

Her brow arched in surprise at Zorayda's sudden outburst, muffled though it was. Did she actually mean that? It wouldn't have ever happened if they'd parted ways earlier, would it? Yet ... Her words did seem sincere. Kitty's head dipped slightly, sighing. "... I do appreciate the thought, Zor," she stated softly, nodding to her. "I will do my best to look out for you, though ... I know that the transition will still be rough, but ... I may as well do what I can, right?" she asked with a small smile, although pulling her hair from behind her ear so it'd fall over the side of her face. Covering half of the bruise, at least.

Kitty pushed herself up after a moment, offering a hand to pull Zorayda up. She knew all too well the affects of Gair's possession, expecting her to be shaky from the combination of that and everything that had happened. "Are you all right, though?" she queried softly, jade eyes watching her friend carefully. Prepared to catch her if need be, but it seemed she was mostly steady.

Stiffening as Elliot opened the door, motioning them in. Offering a silent nod to him, head held high and shoulders back as she entered the room. Zorayda only steps behind her. The heels of her boots made muffled clicks on the rug-laiden wooden floor, the intricate blue and gold patterns quite delicate. Offering a single bow to Garret as she stopped in front of his desk, hearing the door click shut behind them.

The older man's pale eyes settled on the deep purple bruise across her cheek as she straightened, but made not comment. Knowing she was far too proud to acknowledge it, especially in front of him. But an unusual smile curved his lips. Nothing had changed about him, though - An ever neat and tidy office, the simplicity yet elegance of it giving a very foreboding feel. The bronze salamance statues in each of the four corners, necks arched and fangs bared, only enhancing that feel. A large tapestry covered the wall behind him, the Sinnoh office one actually bearing two of Hoenn's fabled legendaries. Both a latias and latios around a 'glowing' blue Soul Dew, forming a yin-yang symbol on the dark background.

Garret himself was unchanged, his salt-and-pepper hair neatly combed. His suit, even, maintained the same formal feel. So what had caused his unusual change in demeanor? "... Sir."

He nodded slightly, glancing briefly at Elliot. "Please, bring our newest guest a chair, Elliot. It is rude to leave her standing in the doorway, is it not?" Garret pointed out calmly to his son, whom had been lounging against the door frame.

"Certainly, Father," he returned, a hand slipping onto the small of Zorayda's back to guide her to the nearest armchair. Overstuffed black leather, in a pair behind where Kitty was standing. Once satisfied, Elliot chose to stand behind Zorayda's chair.

"I understand that, this time, your mission was a success, Kitty," he stated calmly, interlacing his fingers as he rested his chin on them.

"Correct."

"Good ... It would be a shame, were you to outlive your usefulness. There would only be so many options, after all. However, completing your mission does not excuse sparring this evening. Bear that in mind," he added softly, causing Kitty's head to bow slightly. "At the same time ... I suppose we owe you thanks, for locating our guest. It saves us much time. For that, I suppose a small reward is in order ... You may have the day off of training tomorrow. The time is also expected to be used to get our new guest settled in, and teach her the rules. The rest may be used as you wish."

She nodded slightly. "I understand, sir," Kitty murmured, before stepping back. He was obviously through speaking to her.

Garret's gaze instead turned to Zorayda now. Observing her. "Miss Moonlin, was it not? I do hope that your welcoming was uneventful ... And I presume that Elliot explained the choices to you?" he queried, clearly referencing his words of either joining them or being imprisoned.

[Sabaku No Akaiame]

"Ah, my favourite little assassin." was the greeting that reached him as soon as he entered the doors.

"Save the small talk for later and just tell me what I must do." the teen growled murderously as he glared at the man, whose face was once again covered in shadows from the dark room.

"An infiltration mission. Something... easy, to let you recover from solitary confinement and its perks." as the man laughed, the blonde couldn't help but shudder. His skin, especially the skin on the underside of his forearms, tingled at the thought.

"What am I infiltrating?" he asked quickly.

"Another hideout in which I have business." the man smirked and seemed to lazily enjoy the heavy air around them. "I'll give you the coordinates, your mission is to infiltrate it and make your way to the boss's room and inform him that I agree. You'll then hear his reply and report directly back to me." he informed.

"Yes sir." the young teen's tone was serious, yet bored.

"Also." a feral grin appeared on his face as his Mismagius floated into view and dropped a parchment in the assassin's hand before disappearing again.

The red-eyed blonde shuddered and clutched the paper tight, unconsciously inching away from the ghost-type pokemon. At his feet, Inazuma seemed ready to faint and was having trouble peeking up on his small legs.

"Tell him this." he called as the assassin turned around to leave. "Pawn to G6."

Idly wondering what that meant, the blonde simply shrugged and figured it was a code between the two hideout bosses.

"I will."

And he was gone just like that, the only proof of his previous presence being the open window in the hallway.

[Zorayda]

Zorayda took Kitty's hand--and, in that moment, it didn't matter what that hand had ever done. It didn't matter that it had touched stolen items, or that it had murdered a man. What mattered was that, just then, Zorayda knew that she and the girl who helped her up would be friends throughout their lives.

She got to her feet, smiling serenely at the thought, when Elliot once again ruined everything with his presence. He led her down a hall and into an office, where a man sat behind a desk. The man insisted that she sit down, and she did--not that she would have much choice, with Elliot hovering behind her like he was.

"Yes, I'm Zorayda Moonlin," she answered so politely that it could have come off as sarcastic. "Such a pleasure to meet you," the words came out extremely forced, and the look on her face was frozen into a falsely calm expression. Inside, her gut twisted with fear and an intense longing to get away from this office and from this man in front of her...

Her eyes flicked once to Kitty. If she could do this, so could Zorayda...

She sat up straighter in her chair. "I get the feeling that you wouldn't send me to jail. I think that you wouldn't want me to talk about this place, to be someone who knows the inside. The reason I'm here is to stay alive, and that reason only. I'm here to work for you, albeit reluctantly. I'll play your games. I've already surrendered. I just want to know what it is you want me here for."

Her tone was businesslike, clipped, but it still had that polite air about it, like she was calmly chatting over a cup of tea. The only thing that betrayed her outward courage was a single bead of sweat that slid down her temple as she talked.

[Moonlight]

While Kitty would see that Garret's expression was impassive at Zorayda's sarcasm, Elliot snuffed the situation before it started. Easily pinching the violet haired trainer's nerves as her collar bones to get her attention. To someone who hadn't grown immune to that mild form, she knew it'd hurt. Her jaw clenched as she observed from the sidelines, not daring intervene. As much as she wanted to.

"Your expertise is computer work, is it not?" Garret queried mildly, as if Elliot's discipline hadn't happened. "We will be cultivating both your strengths and your weaknesses, to round off your skills into a balanced manner. Your main assignments will be related to research, online infiltration, and other small but related projects. But you will also be trained physically, as to be able to accompany my son and Kitty. As such, you will observe their sparring match this evening before you are shown to your room," he added, ever calm. But causing Kitty herself to tense. Knowing what she was training against would only cause Zorayda to fear Elliot more so, which was what Garret wanted. But obviously, that example would shake her.

"You are excused," the older man stated flatly, returning to the papers he'd been reading. Marking the discussion as closed.

Sighing, Kitty offered a brief bow to Garret before crossing the room, nodding for Zorayda to follow her. This was not good. They were trying to frighten the older trainer into complete submission. And the unfortunate thing was, it would likely work.

Her eyes watched the floor as she walked through the corridors, feeling Elliot's gaze on their backs. And they were unfortunately enough focused especially on her. Of course, the catsuit framing her toned body perfectly to his appeal. As if the night couldn't get any 'better'.

When they reached the main training room - which appeared to be a very odd combination of a gymnasium, indoor pool, weaponry center, and war tactics - Kitty moved to the nearest knife rack on one of the tables and removed her weaponry, placing them in the empty slots. Kneeling briefly to tighten her boots, she pulled off the gloves she'd worn all night. But the blood that stained them still, flaking off in maroon bits. Her grip on them tightened briefly, head bowing, before slowly exhaling as the threw them in the 'burn bin'.



Blood welled from her broken lip as she retreated, breathing heavily. The sparring match had already ticked into the fifteen minute timeframe, but she was unwilling to give in. Elliot had a bruise to match her own now, but from a far more painful method. But while he'd indeed taken several hits, she had taken a beating and a half.

Kitty shakily inhaled as Elliot advanced, keeping both hands up and in set position. Jade eyes watching him carefully, tactically. Taking in every movement. But his soft chuckle was condescending, amused. "Really, Kitty Cat? Tonight of all nights, I would not expect you to keep going. Or have we awakened a killer in you?" he asked softly, a smirk curving his lips.

Her eyes narrowed, scowling. "Go to hell," she hissed, immediately countering as he lashed out in attack. Twisting both arms around his in a snaking motion, sharply bringing her knee up. Ramming it into his stomach, jolting a gasp from him. Kicking him away with the same motion as she released his arms, ensuring a tender area on the morrow.

But his amusement remained. Icy eyes observing her with a predator's instinct, mocking her with a tiger claw hand motion. "Rawr. I'm so frightened," he returned with another chuckle, before lunging forward again. Sidestepping as she moved. Intercepting as an uppercut made its way towards him, swinging around with a sharp twist. Jerking her arm behind her at a harsh angle, his free arm latching around her throat in a death grip. Immediately cutting her supply of air.

"... As I told you, Kitty Cat ... I always win," he whispered in her ear as she slowly started to fall limp, expiring from lack of oxygen. Nipping at the lobe of it, enticing a repulsed shudder from what was left of her consciousness. Her vision was swimming now, dangerously so. Lungs burning for air, pleading. Only to fall entirely limp as Elliot released her from the infamous 'sleeper hold', collapsing roughly on the floor. But entirely unconscious, rather than simply fainted.