WHO: Leona & Brielle WHERE: The Library of Verona, first floor WHEN: May 22nd, 2019
They slink through the library with the distinct look of satisfaction decorating their features, fingers tracing over the spines of long-neglected books as they weave their way through the aisles, taking in their surroundings with all the fascination of a cat patiently stalking a bird. It wasn’t the first time they’d set foot in the library ( far from it, in fact, long-forgotten memories of visiting this very place with their mother many years ago suddenly resurface, but with nothing more than a slight tick in their jaw, those memories are repressed back from whence they came, leaving behind nothing but a tinge of nostalgia ), but it was the first time they’d been granted access to the upper levels.
Alvise had promised it to them, once, that they’d be able to stand atop the the third floor of the library and gaze out the great windows, that the view of the sprawling city below would be unlike anything they’d ever seen. He’d promised it to them in the dark of their laboratory, sealed away from the rest of the organisation as they worked in secret and in solitude. Now, it seemed, they were closer than ever to tasting that victory. Their masterpiece had finally been completed, and they had been given the chance to step out of the shadows and into the limelight of the Montague ranks, the feeling of all eyes on them still sending tingles up and down Leona’s spine. It was the acknowledgement ( no, the admiration ) they’d craved since they’d first shown up on Montague territory all that time ago.
Now, they are reaping the benefits of their ascent out of the shadows, basking in the nervous looks they receive from the captains scattered around the library, clearly recognising them from the events two nights prior. It was almost strange, really -- they’d been working alone for so long, they’d forgotten what it felt like to be in the company of others, how much they liked it. It was particularly pleasing for Leona to know that the people here who recognised them did so because they knew the power that Leona wielded, that the weapon they’d crafted had the potential to win the Montagues the war... just as surely as it had the potential to end the life of everyone in this building.
They spot a soldier sitting alone ( she looks young, Leona notes, perhaps around their own age, though, no doubt, not as impressive ), with an empty seat opposite her. Deciding they’re done wandering for just the minute, Leona opts to take it. “Is this seat taken?” They ask the soldier, a faux kind smile painted across their lips, though they’ve already sat down before the woman opposite has the chance to utter an answer. “Thanks.”
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