32 for andromaquynh!!!!
You wear matching masks at a masquerade party.
The flow of fabric around her is almost dizzying, the shine of delicate silks shinning off the low candlelight of the room. To the back of the room, an orchestra plays, and Quynh takes a look at her companion whose green-grey eyes watch the room behind a simple black mask as his hands play expertly at the cello. Subtly he turns his body to the left, his head tilting down and Quynh moves in that direction, understanding his single. She sees the target easily enough, a pompous gentleman with a hunger for power that only rivals his hunger for fame. Sir Merrick was quickly abusing his power, kidnapping innocents and holding them for ransom under a different name, and he hired people to kill his competitors. Slowly she makes her way in his direction, moving through the crowd easily, ready to make her move on the man. The song changes to that of a more sultry dance and there’s a hand on her waist, spinning her and Quynh turns, hidden knife in her hand tucked against this stranger’s throat. The stranger is a handsome woman, dressed in a suit with a mask that was identical to Quynh’s own, and just like Quynh had a blade to this woman’s throat, this woman had a blade to her side. “As much as I’d love for you to kill the bastard,” The woman says quietly, with no fear of the blade at her throat as she looks at Quyng with amusement in her beautiful blue eyes. “I’m afraid I need him alive a little longer to get the information I need to save someone who is very close to me.” The woman says and she pulls the blade away from Quynh’s side, tucking it back into her coat with clear and careful movements, showing Quynh she wasn’t a threat. “I might not get another opportunity,” Quynh says, tucking her own knife back into the sleeve of her dress, dropping her hand to the woman’s shoulder, and letting her lead her into a dance. They’re closer to the band stage, the music covering their conversation easily, and she catches Nicolo’s eye, knowing he will step in if something goes wrong. “I’m asking for three days,” The woman replies, dipping Quynh low and lifting her easily going back into the steps of the song. “After that, I will help you kill him.” Quynh hums in response, considering the woman’s offer. The plan for tonight had been to separate Merrick from the rest of the party and let him talk about himself long enough for Nicolo to slip away so they could make it look like Merrick suffered an unfortunate accident. “How could I trust someone I don’t even know,” Quynh asks as she’s spun around while lifted, mirroring the couples around them. “Andromache the Scythian,” She replies with a smile, and Quynh’s eyes widen in recognition. Andromache the Scythian is someone who had a reputation in the world of assassins. “I assume you know my name,” Quynh says, the dance coming close to an end, their steps slowing with the music. “And that of your companion, my research never mentioned di Genova being able to play so beautifully,” Andromache says and Quynh smiles, stepping back as the song ends, giving a curtsey to her unexpected dance partner. “Three days time,” Quyng reminds the woman when they part. “You’ll meet me at The Garden, and we will take care of our mutual problem together.” “I look forward to it,” Andromache says as she takes Quynh’s hand while she bows, kissing her knuckles and looking up at Quynh through her lashes. Andromache, Quynh thinks, is frustratingly charming.
