zélie lou chevalier | XXXI | atlas | four hundred “Can you understand? Someone, somewhere, can you understand me a little, love me a little? For all my despair, for all my ideals, for all that - I love life. But it is hard, and I have so much - so very much to learn.” ― Sylvia Plath, The Journals of Sylvia Plath
venus nodded slowly, of course she was. it made her job to be much easier and fun too. “i used to not see a different,” venus took another slow drink from her tea. it was a lie but it didn’t matter, killing people and breaking the law is all the same, she did it with pride and without remorse. the only reason that venus could see things in a new light was due to what pantheon offered her and she couldn’t deny that having a ticket to kill everyone she wanted, with the catch being that the person deserved the death, she was okay with it.
“nowadays? we’ve got the better deal.” venus shrugged, going back to listen to the conversation. it was simple enough, some drugs being moved around and the idiots thought that talking in an open restaurant was smart. “they’re talking about a warehouse i’d have to visit later to blow up, hopefully with them inside.” venus fought a smile, it’s been awhile since she had to fight to show her emotions. “you want to come help me kill them?”
“𝐃𝐈𝐅𝐅𝐄𝐑𝐄𝐍𝐂𝐄 𝐁𝐄𝐓𝐖𝐄𝐄𝐍 𝐖𝐇𝐀𝐓? the good and the bad?” a sunny afternoon is simply not the right time for a philosophical discussion on moral ethics, especially when she’d rather be drinking her frappé and basking in the glorious sun, and yet the one thing that she does know is that conversations with venus are never dull, so she’ll let it slide this time around. quite frankly, kingsbane doesn’t exactly see herself as the right person for this debate. her own intricate point of view has always been skewed and twisted, created in a way that helps her sleep better at night on her imported and overly expensive sheets. nothing’s better for naked body than silk.
“oh wow, sparks will be flying. how romantic,” she notes and sinks back into her seat, chuckling slightly when she hears venus' following question. “honey, you know i’m not a killer. red is a beautiful colour but i don’t want it all over my clothes. besides, i truly can’t. promise that you won’t miss me too much because i’m catching a flight tonight for las vegas. it’s my own little excursion with hades. you’re welcome to drop by if you want. it’s my birthday month and she’s crazy enough to celebrate it with me.”
They say, "You're a little much for me
You're a liability
You're a little much for me"
So they pull back, make other plans
I understand, I'm a liability
Get you wild, make you leave
✉ → [meleğim]: wakey wakey✉ → [meleğim]: I might’ve made sure Pantheon’s putting us together again ✉ → [meleğim]: put on some waterproof shoes. It might get messy
Send “✉” for a text that WASN’T SENT.
✉ → [meleğim]: If there’s a chance for the two of us to get into some trouble... let me go. I wouldn’t choose you over myself, either. I’m sorry.
Send “☎” for a RUSHED text.
✉ → [meleğim]: Left a surprise @ home 💋
Send “⁇” for a DRUNK text.
✉ → [meleğim]: No sleep✉ → [meleğim]: am hungry plz ✉ → [meleğim]: aaaaaa
Send “✿” for a SUGGESTIVE text.
✉ → [meleğim]: I’m curious to know if you have a heart, after all✉ → [meleğim]: might if I dig deep to find yours?
Send “ø” for a LATE NIGHT text.
✉ → [meleğim]: Hathaway’s keeping me awake✉ → [meleğim]: pls tell me you are awake ✉ → [meleğim]: come over, please.
Send “✘” for a HATEFUL text.
✉ → [meleğim]: this bitch is not getting closer to us, you hear me?✉ → [meleğim]: I’m not going to let them into our lives ✉ → [meleğim]: Keep them away from me, ffs
Send “#” for a RANDOM text.
✉ → [meleğim]: Do you know how much butter I need for me crepes? ✉ → [meleğim]: I’m unsure, all recipes are different ✉ → [meleğim]: and I’m sure you know best
Send “@” for a SCARED text.
✉ → [meleğim]: Call me once you get this✉ → [meleğim]: There’s a car following me, or multiple
Send “&” for a LOVING text.
✉ → [meleğim]: Serkan’s missing his auntie. ✉ → [meleğim]: I already told him I miss her more, tho
Send “%” for a CURIOUS text.
✉ → [meleğim]: What’s for dinner tonight? ✉ → [meleğim]: I decided to invite myself 😜
Send “ツ” for an EXCITED text.
✉ → [meleğim]: They’ve found a lead to the Quartz Egg.✉ → [meleğim]: We might be able to recover it from the Smithsonian soon and get it back to Brazil. ✉ → [meleğim]: we should celebrate
Send “$” for an ACCIDENTAL text.
✉ → [meleğim]: Enough is enough✉ → [meleğim]: Get rid of them or I will ✉ → [meleğim]: Ignore that ✉ → [meleğim]: Dinner at 9?
Send “♀” for a HEARTBREAKING text.
✉ → [meleğim]: You’re a liability, you know that, right? ✉ → [meleğim]: I can’t afford to care
✉ → [neshama sheli]: good morning, darling!
✉ → [neshama sheli]: i am aware that it’s 2 pm but it’s morning for me!
✉ → [neshama sheli]: so...
✉ → [neshama sheli]: you and i and some abandoned beach on the mediterranean sea, and more than a couple of bottles of krug champange? what do you say?
✉ → [neshama sheli]: i could also get us some fresh fruit
Send “✉” for a text that WASN’T SENT.
✉ → [neshama sheli]: you make me want to be a better person. that’s why i’m trying, i truly am, but i’m afraid that i’m failing. i’m not the person you think i am.
Send “☎” for a RUSHED text.
✉ → [neshama sheli]: SOS
✉ → [neshama sheli]: i just purchased two topiaries, one in the shape of a swan and the other of a cat
✉ → [neshama sheli]: but i don’t own a house! where am i supposed to place them?
✉ → [neshama sheli]: darling! would you be up for some nude sunbathing?
✉ → [neshama sheli]: my breasts look better than ever!
Send “ø” for a LATE NIGHT text.
✉ → [neshama sheli]: in the mood for wine and deep talks! come over to my place now
Send “✘” for a HATEFUL text.
✉ → [neshama sheli]: all these people who cough around me when i smoke should probably try to cough harder because i don’t give a shit
Send “#” for a RANDOM text.
✉ → [neshama sheli]: remind me to one day tell you the story of how i, during my uni days, went to sleep with hundreds of wine bottles all around my body and a flower crown on my head
✉ → [neshama sheli]: i’m pretty sure that makes me a deity
Send “@” for a SCARED text.
✉ → [neshama sheli]: call me when you get there! okay?
Send “&” for a LOVING text.
✉ → [neshama sheli]: i somehow found myself in istanbul and i’m staying at the ciragan palace kempinski and they serve quite interesting sweets
✉ → [neshama sheli]: and i just had the sultan's golden cake for dinner and i think you need to try it asap
✉ → [neshama sheli]: you know i actually ordered ten and made sure that they send it to your address! for you and your son of course!
✉ → [neshama sheli]: that’s all! 💋 💋
Send “%” for a CURIOUS text.
✉ → [neshama sheli]: i’ve never seen a single indiana jones movie
✉ → [neshama sheli]: are they worth watching?
Send “ツ” for an EXCITED text.
✉ → [neshama sheli]: i just got invited to the oscars? i don’t even know why? they’re just my associate, why should i be their plus one?
Send “$” for an ACCIDENTAL text.
✉ → [neshama sheli]: pictures of my breasts are not for sale
✉ → [neshama sheli]: unless
✉ → [neshama sheli]: oh hey aylin, feel free to ignore those messages above, i’ll tell you all about it on monday
Send “♀” for a HEARTBREAKING text.
✉ → [neshama sheli]: i’m sitting in a café and there’s a boutique right across the street and i just saw a mother shopping with her daughter
✉ → [neshama sheli]: and i can’t even tell you how much it hurts
✉ → [neshama sheli]: or why i hate that girl with the widest smile on her face
✉ → [neshama sheli]: just don’t forget to take care of your son, aylin.
✉ → [she-snake]: connarde!! you didn’t answer my call! and i know it’s 3 am but i think i’m right outside of your house
✉ → [she-snake]: this has to be your house, unless you lied
✉ → [she-snake]: i spy with my little eye...
✉ → [she-snake]: are you the naked woman looking through window? i can’t see that well from here
from [evren] to [bad bitch bane]: i need help cleaning up
from [evren] to [bad bitch bane]: something
from [evren] to [bad bitch bane]: and i can’t tell you what it is until you come down to help me
“✉” for a text that WASN’T SENT
unsent from [evren] to [bad bitch bane]: you’re my family
unsent from [evren] to [bad bitch bane]: and i would do anything for my family
“☎” for a RUSHED text.
from [evren] to [bad bitch bane]: 41.0082° N, 28.9784° E
from [evren] to [bad bitch bane]: <3
“⁇” for a DRUNK text.
from [evren] to [bad bitch bane]: ur so cuet !
“✘” for a HATEFUL text.
from [evren] to [bad bitch bane]: i swear to whatever fucking power there is up there if you post that vide of me sleeping with my mouth open i will destroy you and everything you have to live for
“#” for a RANDOM text.
from [evren] to [bad bitch bane]: ok and??
“@” for a SCARED text.
from [evren] to [bad bitch bane]: i think i can hear altair singing in the shower
from [evren] to [bad bitch bane]: or someone
from [evren] to [bad bitch bane]: this is terrifying
“&” for a LOVING text.
from [evren] to [bad bitch bane]: there’s no one i would commit crimes with than you <3
“%” for a CURIOUS text.
from [evren] to [bad bitch bane]: i’m just SAYING that if you can’t send me nudes, then who else can help you curate them!
from [evren] to [bad bitch bane]: please?
from [evren] to [bad bitch bane]: i’m REALLY good at picking the best ones!
“$” for an ACCIDENTAL text.
from [evren] to [bad bitch bane]: i think bulk orders might be smarter
from [evren] to [bad bitch bane]: oops
from [evren] to [bad bitch bane]: well, actually, do you think bulk ordering boba is better than ordering everyday?
“♀” for a HEARTBREAKING text.
from [evren] to [bad bitch bane]: if you left me i don’t know what i would do
from [evren] to [bad bitch bane]: and i always know what to do...
✉ → [ hamlet ]: i never quite managed to figure out why the agent name you chose is hamlet
✉ → [ hamlet ]: you do know that he dies in the last act, right?
✉ → [ hamlet ]: and i hope that someone has at least said to you that life often imitates art
✉ → [ hamlet ]: that’s all! a bientôt!
Send “✆” for a MORNING text.
Send “✉” for a text that WASN’T SENT.
Send “☎” for a RUSHED text.
Send “⁇” for a DRUNK text.
Send “✿” for a SUGGESTIVE text.
Send “ø” for a LATE NIGHT text.
Send “✘” for a HATEFUL text.
Send “#” for a RANDOM text.
Send “@” for a SCARED text.
Send “&” for a LOVING text.
Send “%” for a CURIOUS text.
Send “ツ” for an EXCITED text.
Send “$” for an ACCIDENTAL text.
Send “♀” for a HEARTBREAKING text.
when: flashback to october 21st, 2020
where: athens, greece
with: @agentkingsbane
venus’ next target was having a meeting outside in an open restaurant, which meant she couldn’t really shoot through to kill them, it’ll attract too much attention and cause panic. so intead she put a listening device under the table and now she was sipping her milk tea as they were talking about how they were going to steal hundred of weapons and sell them in the black market.
she invited kingsbane out of courtesy if anything else, wherever venus went she always checked if there was an agent there just in case she needed help or entertainment, or the real reason she just missed seeing them after so long, after what happened with agent hathaway. “people still think they can get away with doing something they shouldn’t.” venus said, suddenly realizing the irony of her words. “us not included.”
𝐂𝐀𝐔𝐆𝐇𝐓 𝐁𝐄𝐓𝐖𝐄𝐄𝐍 taking a sip and wishing to say something, she’s left with some crema on the very top of her nose as she nearly begins to chuckle. the famous frappé has always been her drink of choice on the greece terrain, served alongside a plate of ann's melomakarona, and while she’s not exactly certain that greeks would condone her tendency to combine drinks and sweets that usually don’t mix together, she can’t force herself to change. “the joke’s on you, darling venus. that’s my entire life described in one sentence. from the very day that i was born.”
“but nice save,” she notes and remains distinctly calm, taking the serviette off her plate in order to wipe away the crema as if though there isn't an ongoing espionage game happening right before her coffee stained nose. “do you ever revel in that notion? you know, the idea that you can get away with practically anything?” zélie, the woman born without a bone of morality within her body, has never had a clean-cut image or a life worthy of admiration, but she always drew the line at murder, knowing that same thing couldn’t be said about her companion. “also, what are you friends talking about? do share, don’t leave me out of the conversation.”
— location: le meridien beach plaza, monte carlo
— date and time: july 15th, 2020 | afternoon
— availability: closed | @agentkingsbane
The racing heartbeat that functioned remotely close to an alarm clock ever since the event of the month of may, hardly dissipated during her attempt of pretending she had been able to surpass the situation effortlessly. Yet, alone in her room — at least, some of those nights —, gave her the chance of leaving her nightmares behind the door in a tidy room until the moment she would find herself searching for Zélie, lips curved upwards while pretending everything was alright, until the moment her brain would actually believe in it.
The agent was part of a short list of people that Selin adored having around and that were able to give her room to merely appreciate being entertained by vanity in this world. Despite how much she was obsessed with history and everything surrounding it, Selin also had different hobbies and traits that shaped herself: and being pampered with a luxurious vacation was easily one of the items over that list.
Hours passed by, and the so known golden hour soon would start to gently touched her skin while behind sunglasses Selin appreciate the beautiful view of the private beach the resort offered. “Have you tried their mojito? It’s been my favorite drink they offer here ever since we got to this hotel,” alcohol was usually a great escape, anyway.
“I was thinking about our plans for the night, do you have anything in mind?” She questioned, arching an eyebrow and motioning her head to look towards Zélie. “Maybe we could head towards a casino. Change our outfits for the night and look incredibly stunning as we can always look. We can have our share of fun,” which could easily mean anything. After all, it was a place crowded by rich people urging to spend their money, to go through the rush of perhaps losing it.
. 𝐃𝐈𝐕𝐈𝐍𝐄 𝐈𝐒 𝐓𝐇𝐄 𝐁𝐄𝐀𝐔𝐓𝐘 and life of those who dance on the wrong side of the law. she’s a charmer, not by choice but by nature, and there’s nothing more that she loves than to flirt with danger, until the moment it flirts back and threatens to leave a sleek dagger in her back. one day, she won’t be able to waltz away with an easy, one day, her favourite tango partner will put its hands around her neck and squeeze the life out of her. it’s baffling to think how one moment can just change the course of everything, and even she, the one who swore to herself that she’d never look back, now finds herself looking past her shoulder.
— she tries to fight it, the urge to think of hathaway and kraken, and on most nights, she’s successful, focused, detached, but there’s always one notion that she can never shake off; that could’ve been me. does she mean the killer or the victim? what if she’s both? ❛ i have, but i find myself more drawn to the jungle bird, ❜ she snaps back to reality and lifts up her glass, concealing her smile behind the marmalade coloured drink. ❛ though i must admit that mojitos suite you quite well. sugar and lingering coolness trapped in a single glass. the best of both worlds. cheers to you, my darling selin,❜ life wasn’t supposed to be this way, she wasn’t supposed to get attached and yet, selin snuck up on her like a cat in the dark and she never stood a chance.
❛ well we could always rent vintage sports cars and cruse around the coast, perhaps even race a little, as after all, we’re in monte carlo. we ought to honour the old tradition. but when it comes to the rest of the evening... ❜ she pauses, wishing she hadn’t forgotten her trusted pair of sunglasses back in her hotel suit, practically forced to shield her eyes with only one hand. ❛ oh selin, it’s like you read my mind. i’ve been meaning to find an excuse to wear my vintage black yves saint laurent gown. maybe i could even put on some pearls. ❜
she lapses into silence, knowing just how indecisive she can get when it comes to picking the right dress. ❛ besides, why else would we be in monaco if not to gamble? do you think i could double my fortune? i think i’m feeling reckless today. ❜
LANGUAGES. french, english, italian , latin, swahili, mandarin, hebrew, modern standard arabic
HISTORY
born and raised in nice, france ( but this is up to debate ), zélie was an alleged orphan, left at a doorstep and later adopted by an eccentric art thief/forger and double agent for the pantheon who betrayed them. he was a distant man, who seemingly hated the entire world except for his daughter and their little cat named ‘chien’ which means dog in french. so a cat named dog.
despite her rather peculiar upbringings, zélie was loved and respected, and grew up idolizing her father quite a lot.
zélie never met her real parents nor does she have the means to find them as she was named by her adoptive father and even bears his last name ( plus no documents were left behind ). in one version of her life’s tale ( which is strictly narrated by her ), she loves to imagine that she was stolen, chosen for a reason. ++now this will play a major part in her future development because i’d love for her to have someone to help her with this. maybe they knew someone who worked with her father or alternatively, maybe they just want to spite her so they’ll use this info against her.
she spent most of her life in her father's shadow, following in his footsteps, and while most girls her age were taught how to braid their hair and play instruments, zélie had the privilege of learning how to forge documents, signatures, passports and get into any place where she wasn’t wanted.
the rest of her life was dedicated to art appraisal, all under the tutelage of her ambitious father and by the time she was 16, she was already helping her father pull off successful scams, allowing her to eventually become well versed in the art of stealing.
another important figure in her life was a woman named hila, who occasionally babysitted and took care of zélie when her father wasn’t around. while her father wasn’t exactly religious, zélie had the privilege of learning about judaism from hila. that’s how she learned hebrew, her second language.
now back to her history, she later went off to study in paris, where she spent four years, until the surprising death of her father. at the age of 22, she became his sole heir, inheriting his apartment back in nice and an art collection that consisted of only stolen items and art.
she started sealing most of his things on the black market, earning herself quite a fortune, and for some time, she either stole or was in charge of forging ( all thanks to her father’s ties to a parisian underground mob of thieves ) and all was well until the day she discovered his old files that contained details of his betrayal and the harm that he had caused to an organization under the name of pantheon.
while at first clueless, zélie took it upon herself to dip deeper and find the entire story, which eventually led her to discover her own name and face on the pantheon’s wanted list. firstly she was a daughter of the man who scammed and stole from them and secondly, she was an art thief.
tempted at first by the chase, as all young minds are, she kept selling the stolen art until the day she surrendered and willingly traveled to cairo, where she swore allegiance and offered her utmost assistance to the four hundred, the same crew that her father had been a part of.
guilt-ridden and at the same time curious, she hoped to discover more about the man who raised her and worked for them for over two decades. a criminal, a turncoat, even a stranger to his own adopted daughter.
for the last seven years, she’s worked as four hundred’s trusted atlas, a woman who seemingly can do no wrong and would sacrifice herself for the sake of a successful mission. she has a reputation of being a being brave and something far too bold and that of course makes her seem overly confident, arrogant and haughty.
the thing that most people don’t know is that she’s always dancing between the lines of ‘i want to do good’ and ‘i want to go back to the crime life’ ++ this is a real struggle for her, she’s always being tempted to revert back to her old ways, so i’d love to see someone who either wants to sort of spite her and give her an extra push or someone who’ll help her beat this 👀 you never know with her, she could betray you at any minute
she’s quite elegant, with the charm of a proper feline, and spending her fortune is basically like her second job. shopping, shopping, shopping, fancy lunches, parties, she’s all about that overindulgence.
she speaks in a rather calm manner, without ever raising her voice, and either seems playful or disinterested. like i said, a true cat.
she also has a cat of her own, a stray ( nearly all black ) cat she stole from the streets, but she didn’t have a collar so it’s hers now. the cat’s name is ‘oiseau’ which translates to bird, and yes it’s a cat named bird. the whole name thing was a game she played with her father. that cat is her only family.
++ now while she doesn’t want to get close to anyone and just sees other people as business partner, i’m here to change that and ask for some family vibes please. she might seem cold but she has a heart, it’s just hidden and she’s afraid to care.
another fun fact is that she always puts november 5th as her birthday, but that’s not her real birthday, she was only adopted on that day. there’s a good chance that she’s still a scorpio because she was only a few days old when she was adopted, but she’ll never know her real birthday. ++fun plot idea, if anyone wants to celebrate each day with her from october 22nd to november 5th, i’m pretty sure that she’d never recover and they’d be her best friend. ( usually she doesn’t celebrate her birthdays. )
her favourite hobby is painting. if anyone wants a portrait, she’s your gal for the job.
