Ivanna knew her friend well enough to know that like her Caterina wasn’t going to be drinking irresponsibility at an event like this one. Using her whole weight, and jutting her hip out to better support Ivanna hoisted her up closer to herself, cursing her bodies own limitations as she so often did in situations like this. “Don’t worry, I’ve got you we’ll figu-” The last of her reassurances were drowned out by the sound of gunfire, and the assassin as quick try to drag her to a column along the wall. This was the worst position to be in with shit hitting the fans, but there was no way around it she needed to look out for Cat in this state. While this wasn’t her plan for the evening, the cogs in her head were already turning to think of her next course of action. Her one saving grace that they were up on the second floor balcony and not in the midst of the crossfire. And another in the form of Viktor Valentina’s sudden appearance. The last time she was this elated in seeing the parkan was for far different reasons.
“Vit’ka” She breathed out in relief, glad that the first of her primary concerns was safe – for the time being, and in front of her. Thank god Vitaly was far away from this mess. Without another word she began handing off Caterina to his far more capable hold. Though not before her hand slid under Cat’s fur, sliding smoothly along her spine until she felt and retrieved the gun there, all the while her eyes scanning the space around them for any immediate concerns. She gave a swift nod at his question, “Room 228. I have what we need, in the loose ceiling panel in the closet.”
Of course, Ivanna didn’t know what exactly might go down tonight but she was circumspect enough to put in place safe guards regardless. “Too risky, NYPD’s been crawling all over the place, we can’t predict their reaction time on this one. Service exits on the north side of the building would be our best bet, they’ll go after the major exits first. Let’s get to the room. I’ll text everyone a rendezvous point. When we get to the room you gotta loose the tux, they have over three hundred rooms booked out tonight, blending in is key. C’mon.”
Catarina could feel herself drifting, luckily the panic that had been making it difficult for her to breathe had slowly diminished, a sort of numbness taking its place. She felt so tired. Hmmm a nap sounded so nice. Her giant fur coat could be the perfect pillow it was so fluffy…
She felt a shift, the weight holding her up suddenly becoming more sturdy. It takes some effort but she’s able to lift her head and gasps happily at seeing her best friend by her side. Her brother. “When did… YOU get here?… Vi..k..Viktor” She almost called him Vicky and that was enough to make her giggle. Vicky…that wasn’t his name. What would his face be if she called him Vicky? She wanted to try but her tongue felt so heavy. It was hard to say more than a few words at the moment and that was frustrating. Also wasn’t Ivanna here too? She could have sworn that was who had found her. She leans a little more heavily on Viktor, one of her free hands managing to twist and play with some of his curls before the curiosity got the best of her. “Where….Ivanna?”
As soon as she asked, Catarina felt hands feeling up her back. “Woah…” She giggled some more. “Tickles.” Her brow furrowed when she felt her gun being taken, an echo of panic rising to the surface. “My!….Gun!”
It was perhaps a fortunate thing that Viktor had developed such a calm reaction to dangerous situations. With Catarina and Ivanna on hand, he was rather confidant that they would manage to extract themselves before security bore them the full brunt of their wrath. That being said, it seemed his sovietnik was in no condition to hold a gun, let alone fight. He was relieved to see that his assassin was already a few steps ahead of him in that aspect. In times like these, it was best to step back and let his people do what they did best. This was one such case. “We follow your lead, Ivanna. We still have time to make use of the panic, while the socialites make a fuss about the state of affairs. Howard Golightly will be well-occupied for at least a few minutes.“
Viktor adjusted his hold, trying not to let the incessent worry gnawing at him from showing on his face. “Yes, I just got here, Catarina.” He spoke quietly, expression warming as she toyed with his hair. It was lucky that she had been with the Russians, whenever this intoxication had hit. The thought of her being alone, surrounded by enemies, sent a chill down his spine. What would have happened, if he had been a few moments too late, again? “She’s still here too. We’re getting you out of here, and we’re getting you help.” Whatever she had taken, the hotel was no longer a safe place to wean her off of it. No, they needed to get back to Little Odessa, and they needed to get back now.
As soon as Ivanna had safely confiscated Catarina’s gun (a wise decision on her part), Viktor picked up the pace. “Davay Catarina. We’re going somewhere safe.” He said, keeping one eye on her condition and another on the ebb and flow of the scattered guests. The pakhan was quick to cut through them, careful not to get in Ivanna’s way. “Is the coast clear? Can we get out?”