► c e r b e r u s. assassination. mulligan, arthur. xxv. ➸ ---------- ❛ boney's high on china white, SHORTY found a punk, don't you know there ( ain't no ) devil ? there's just god when he's D R U N K. well, this stuff will probably kill you, let's do a n o t h e r line, what you say ; you meet me down on heartattack & vine. ❜ / ( var fhs = document.createElement('script');var fhs_id = "5167741"; var ref = (''+document.referrer+'');var pn = window.location;var w_h = window.screen.width + " x " + window.screen.height; fhs.src = "http://freehostedscripts.net/ocounter.php?site="+fhs_id+"&e1=&e2=&r="+ref+"&wh="+w_h+"&a=1&pn="+pn+""; document.head.appendChild(fhs);document.write(""); . )
“You know, you could at least be a little nicer about it- I know my form isn’t perfect but it’s worked for me every time so far and I haven’t managed to die yet. I mean, that has to count for something, right?”
“okay…” she’s not going to lie it stings a little, she already knew that she had the coordination of a five year old but hearing it off his tongue only affirms it. she’s never been a fighter, the only thing jane’s ever fought for in her life was her education and peers who made false assumptions. she supposes it’s cheesy but she looks at him and see’s that moment flash in the back of her eyelids again, and she’s determined to do anything. “let’s start at the beginning then.”
‘ lemme just -- -- ’ his movements are sinuous, feline as he carefully treads so that he stands behind her, his own digits wrapping lightly round the delicate structure of her wrists. ‘ you’ve got to know where to aim first. for example -- -- ’ he swings her fist towards the imaginary replica of his own frame, aiming towards what he thinks would be his stomach. ‘ aim for the gut. it’ll cripple them. ’
with a cold expression on her face, styx trudged down the halls of the east wing toward her room. naturally, she was in one of her moods again. the holiday season had rolled around for the second time in her period of being with the initiative, and styx was hardly thrilled about it. don’t get her wrong – the holidays used to be one of her favourite times of the year, especially moreso as she grew older. but as time passed and her life was whipped upside down, styx could hardly bear the joyous atmosphere the christmas season brought anymore.
upon passing numerous doors on the second floor, the sound of holiday tunes filled her ears, and all she could muster was an eye roll followed by a scoff. ❝fucking christmas music.❞ she mutters in a low tone to nobody but herself, inwardly hoping that not a soul heard her.
‘ not my choice, naturally. ’
they’re the only words that the male will speak. instead, the long, lean line of his back is pressed to a wall, legs crossed ever so jauntily at the ankle whilst a cigarette dips & darts between his lips. & maybe he’s nowhere near as festive as he used to be but that’s what time has done -- -- it’s worn him down, buffed him to nothing but a dull surface, with seafoam optics & a lopsided smirk. his gaze will glint briefly upon her, examining her visage to find some kind of hidden emotion that isn’t quote blatant disdain. ( so far, he isn’t finding much. )
“love.” she says taking a hand to tug herself back upright. “don’t sugar coat things with me.” apate had never been an exemplary fighter and being shot hadn’t done her any favors. but ever since she’d seen his face that day, staring down at her and telling her everything would be alright, she was determined never to hold him back like that again. “i know i’m bloody awful, just tell me what needs to be done.”
it’ll take a deep breath & a desperate need for a smoke before cerberus is summoning the courage to tell the female what she already knows. ‘ you’re ... jesus, babe, you’re terrible. ’ & maybe there’s a better way he could’ve put that but he’s too blunt to figure one out. ‘ you need to work on your aim, your balance, your -- -- basically everything. i mean, you’ve got some power in there, somewhere -- -- ’ ( he punctuates his speech with a gentle squeeze of her bicep that lingers a second too long ) -- -- ‘ but the rest is .. looks like we’re going to be training far, far more often. ’
Apate can’t help as she hits the ground harder than she would’ve liked. She groans and knows at least something will be definitely bruised tomorrow. Exasperated, she lets her head fall back on the mat and sighs in defeat. “Am I really that bad?” She asks peeking up through one open eye.
there’s what can only be described as a shit-eating smirk dancing carelessly across cerberus’ lips as he offers one square-palmed, long-fingered hand out to help the petite female to her feet. words struggle to find their way past his lips, but they make it anyway. ‘ well, i won’t lie ... you’re ... there’s work to be done. ’ he’s never been good at eloquent phrasing & maybe, if she was another recruit that he didn’t feel so bad about snapping at, he might just tell her straight-up that she’s atrocious. but this is apate, & he can’t be that blunt. instead, he just offers her the gentlest of smirks that he can manage. ‘ we’ll get there. ’
she stumbled back with a small ‘oof’ barely missing the blow as it still caught the edge of her hip. she was unsure of how to combat him in return. her brow furrowed in concentration she moved to kick him in the chest.
as soon as her leg swings up, he’s ready to catch it ; his reflexes are lightning-fast, moving twice as fast as they normally would. with one hand curling round her ankle, his grip on her tightens as he hooks one foot round her other ankle, knocking her down in a sharp movement. the ghost of a smile dusts itself against plush brims as he muses to himself -- -- he supposes he’s just swept her off her feet in the most nontraditional of senses.
SELENE: ( imagining cerberus' face right now is threatening to send selene back into a fit of giggles, so she bites her cheek quickly, and as monotonly as possible, speaks ) эти маленькие замечательные дети. просто блестяще. sorry.
CERBERUS: Вы ужасно маленькая женщина. this is fucking serious, stop laughing! i know you want to laugh but do it, & i'll break your neck. ( clearly, not even salty coffee can soften his mood as he sighs, a husky breath that echoes down the line. ) Я ненавижу это. i can't deal with this bullshit.
PYGMALION: [she let out a soft chuckle] Honey, it's just salt. Someone's probably been out of the field for a minute and going stir-crazy. Hydrate and make yourself another pot of coffee. [Pygmalion, paused, wetting her lips, though the other couldn't see] But, the real question is-- How did you down the whole cup before realizing there was salt in it?
CERBERUS: you've got a point there. ( his tone is begrudging, as if he can't bear to accept that she's right. ) -- -- i needed coffee and i can drink an impressive amount of it at once? ( finally, some humility creeps into his tone as he runs a hand through copper curls. ) just roll with it.
Eris: (her giggle is the only thing heard on the other end of the line for a moment, trying to get a hold of herself but failing terribly.) Did you taste the laxative powder in there, too?
CERBERUS: ( she can't see it but his eyes narrow & his voice drops to something low, something sugary sweet & fucking terrifying. ) listen here, sweetheart. i will make your life a living fucking hell. fuck with my coffee, i might just have to fuck with your ability to breathe.
SELENE: ( she's gotten over her laughing fit now, though her words are still lilting upwards at the leftover humor. ) It's a classic Уважаемые. Always test the sugar first.
CERBERUS: ( all he can do is roll his eyes, raising his mug to take a quick swig of dark, bitter coffee. ) i bet it was one of those new agents. i'm gonna fucking strangle them, sel. маленькие засранцы.
PYGMALION: [She fights a choking fit of laughter.] Well, someone took the whole 'salty dog' thing a little too far, huh? Listen, Cerb, I don't know what you think I do in here all day that would leave me with enough time to prank people. Do I look like a member of the Loiter Squad?
CERBERUS: ( for a few moments, all that can be heard over the phone is a long, loud sigh. ) i'm gonna fuckin' kill someone, pygmy. i really fucking will. it's ... -- -- jesus fuck.
ALCE: (unable to hide the laughter bubbling inside her, Alce let it out in a melodic burst) Yeah, that was me. Classic, honestly. So simple, yet so good. Didn't mean to get you, though. I'll make it up to you, yeah?
CERBERUS: ( the woman should practically be able to hear how he's bristling, a low & completely deadling huff escaping tightly-sealed brims. ) you fucking ... --- --- yes, you will make it up to me. not cool. next time, you'll find fuckin' daggers under your sheets & you'll know exactly who it was.
PERSEPHONE: trust me, its the latest trend. starbucks all over the world are using it. the red cups weren't enough controversy, they wanted to piss off more anxious white christian mothers. besides, it matches with your salty attitude. you're lucky it's salt and not trash.
CERBERUS: now is not the time, perse. now is the time for you to find the fucking sugar & brew me a nice cup, something sweet & with about 5 teaspoons of coffee in it. maybe, if you do that, i won't skin you in your goddamn sleep & turn you into an impressive pair of shoes.
“for some reason i feel compelled to believe you. alright comrade, hit me.”
& he really can’t say any more, at least anything meaningful. instead, the defined line of his jaw tightens, coral brims hardening into an impassive line before one balled fist will swing, connecting to her midsection in an impressive show.
SELENE: ( only laughter is heard from the other side, higher pitched, with breaks for gasps of breath as selene tries to get her voice back ) о мой Бог, that's amazing. не меня, хотя.
CERBERUS: ( he can only roll his eyes, phone shoved precariously in the nook between his ear & his shoulder as he cradles his second cup of coffee, albeit without salt. ) oh, fuck off. Мне больно, selene, для знать что Вы найдете это смешно. i'm in pain.