[hr][hr][center][h1][color=#ff0000]Scarleth "Ruby Red" Pevensey[/color][/h1][img]http://66.media.tumblr.com/a5a47c5c420738b677370ed938009d1e/tumblr_n4vijqscJo1ru64ono7_250.gif[/img][/center][hr][hr]Scarleth nodded, not feeling the urge to make a sarcastic bite at Callum. After years of not speaking, of letting herself wither away and plotting an escape, all of the social interaction had proved tiring. She wordlessly moved among the killers and thieves, observing the death and carnage that seemed to greet them no matter where they went. At Callum grabbing the controls of the transport, Scarleth shuddered, seeing his tattoos vanish for a moment. She shook her head, feeling like the [url=http://68.media.tumblr.com/tumblr_m8voua0KzY1r1yj84.gif]young child[/url] she once had been, when she had been sold to the Pirate King. 

She stared into space as the transport carried them across the snow, mentally going through the dance routine the headmaster had drilled into them. They were supposed to mirror the elegance of death, to be as beautiful as they were wicked. And above all, they were not supposed to give into feelings, into emotions. As cold as death and just as heartless--the ideal killer. Keeping her mind focused on it, Scarleth moved with the others off of the transport ship, feeling disconnected with the world. She observed the trampled scientists, all void of blood, just as before. She saw the artifact on a pedestal, and she stared at the Pirate King and Jesse as they fell to their knees. 

And then, she truly was the eighteen year old girl again. 
[hr][center][img]http://67.media.tumblr.com/tumblr_m8voioyb1f1r1yj84.gif[/img][/center][hr]In plain sight in the capital city of Notrurn, a small gathering appeared within the Etiquette and Culture School for Young Ladies. At the surface, it was no different than a ballet recital, with the graduates dressed up in the finest silk, and paraded across a stage. The audience members consisted not of adoring family members, but of some of the most notorious game leaders in the galaxy. Representatives from the Black Stars, the Shepherds' Guild, the Golden Arrows, and many more were in attendance. One by one, the girls showed off their talents, brutally and yet artistically killing the poor souls fetched from the gutter of society. A polite applause followed each performance, along with an introduction of the assassin in question, and the commencement of the bidding war. 

"Next up, we have Miss Scarleth Pevensey," the headmaster announced gruffly, as a petite brunette walked up to the stage. And rather than show off any sort of fancy knife throws or aerial kicks, rather than do what each other candidate did that day, Scarleth merely gestured for the audience to turn their attention to Zyettie Marx, a bulky girl that all of the gang members were desperate to recruit. And practically on cue, Zyettie began to cough up blood violently, before keeling over. Scarleth hardly even blinked, taking a bow. "Let's start the bidding for Scarleth, shall we, folks? Do I hear....one million credits?" 

"Right here, one million!" A bulky man exclaimed and shot one of his tattooed arms up. Below one of his eyes was the small insigna of the Black Stars. He glanced around the room at the others, hoping they'd be smart enough not to try to outbid them, they were a newer gang but a fiercly determined one.

A thin wiry man grit his teeth on the butt of his cigar, his eyes passing over the crowd trying to gauge their reaction. So far, it seemed the dainty little thing had caused quite a stir. He coughed, taking the cigar from his lips and brushing a lock of raven black hair from his eyes. Covering the right side of his face was the insignia for Vulture's Gate. He smiled and scoffed, "Two million!" He called, shooting his gaze towards the first bidder. Little fish should go back to their pond.

The Black Star shot an intense glare at the man that outbid him. They could go as high as need be, he was impressed by this girl. The boss did send him to the world for a reason, not just to get drunk and dance with some floozies. The last thing he wanted to do was anger such a man.

"Three million credits." He muttered with a look towards the headmaster then to the Vulture's Gate welp. The headmaster, of course, couldn't have looked happier. His face was stretched into a wide grin, watching as the two gangs butted heads over Scarleth. Truthfully, he hadn't seen all too much potential in the girl, but the cut of the credits he'd receive from this contract? He'd be able to retire early! Not that he would retire of course. He loved money far too much to part with earning it. 

A few tables over the sinewy man sneered, attempting to hide his growing concern behind a glass of scotch. He could feel the other members figedting behind him, loosening collars, dabbing at sweat. He didn't have time to think it over properly, this fat little man thought he could keep pace did he? "Five, Million, Credits," He pronounced, a smile stretching across the side of his face as he gazed back at his competitor.

The Black Star clenched one of his fists, yet did not give off this motion as a sly smile slipped onto his face at the other gangster's large offer. They made five million in a hour or two a day. 

"Six million credits." The headmaster practically fainted at those words, fanning himself with a few hundred credits. "Do I hear ten million?" A slight panicked gasp rose up from the audience as the lanky snake of a man flipped the table in front of him with rage. Dishware and the like went hurtling into the crowd as he shot one last, heated look at the Black Star Member. "Don't think this is over scum, you should have stayed where you belonged—Beneath the heel of my boot," He gave one last sneer, before storming out of the auction all together, seething with rage.

"Sold for six million credits!" the headmaster called out breathlessly. He motioned for Scarleth to clear the stage, and the eighteen year old obliged, walking over silently to the Black Stars member. The next girl then took the stage, Scarleth all but forgotten. 

[color=ff0000]"I'm Ruby Red,"[/color] she introduced, her face void of expression. 
[hr][hr]
The automatic doors came open as the duo walked down a hallway of the space station. On one side was a window which showed the exterior of the station, a small orange planet in the distance which the station orbited. The sounds from the inside only grew louder as the two walked, at the front was the bulky bidder who purchased the young assassin. They reached another door which shot open right as someone was thrown out of it, covered in booze. The bidder stepped over the drunk then entered into the room with 'Ruby Red' in tow. 

It was more akin to a bar than anything else. Some very old metal music blared over the stereo, smoke was in the air, the stench of hard liquor also there. People stood all around the room, many of them obvious gang members. Many were humans but there were aliens there as well. The Stars were not racist, they accepted the very best. As a guitar solo began in the song, the bidder walked across the room and past a pool table surrounded by gangsters. Many in the room gave glances towards the brown haired assassin, yet none made any moves towards her. They knew better.

On the far side of the room were more people, several scantily clad women and more important gangsters. The most important of them in a chair which resembled a throne more than anything else. His hair was shaved on its side, but long on top, a light stubble on his face. His eyes had followed Ruby Red as soon as she entered the room. On this man's left side sat a heavily tattooed bald man, a cigar in his mouth, a needle in his hand as he worked hard on a half finished tattoo. 

"This is the assassin I purchased, she's worth every credit." The bidder said as he gave a bow to the leader currently receiving a tattoo. The seated man didn't even flinch through the pain. Behind him a gorgeous black haired woman gently massaged his back, her gentle fingers finding each knot.

[color=a36209]"You paid a lot for her. You'd [i]better[/i] hope she is worth it, she doesn't look like she can even lift up a rifle. We could've hired six great assassins with those credits."[/color] Callum said with a glare towards the bidder, then an equally imposing one towards Scarleth.

[color=a36209]"Have anything to say for yourself, Ruby Red?"[/color] The gang leader asked the girl, one eyebrow raised. As he said her name in a near mocking tone.

Scarleth had hardly batted an eye, listening to the entire conversation. She remained where she was next to the bidder, her hands neatly folded behind her as she counted the seconds. She had heard about Callum, the infamous leader of the Black Stars. Despite being new among the gang lords, he'd already carved out a decent reputation for herself. It wouldn't hurt to show off to the boss a bit. 

[color=ff0000]"One thing,"[/color] Scarleth replied simply, glancing up at Callum. [color=ff0000]"You may want to hire better security."[/color] She glanced back over at the bidder, counting in her head. [i]Three...Two...One...[/i]

Dead.

[color=ff0000]"Will that suffice?"[/color] she inquired, her voice a monotone.

As the bidder dropped dead the room went silent. Many, many of the gangsters drew sidearms and leveled them at the girl. None squeezed the trigger, but the wide array of different models of handguns were something to behold. Callum didn't flinch at the sudden death, the tattooist paused to stare at the now deceased gang member. The pretty lady giving the massage rose a hand to her mouth to cover a scream.

The leader simply stared at Scarleth, not saying a word for several long drawn out moments. One motion and she would be gunned down in a flash. He didn't want to go that direction, that'd be six million down the drain for nothing. Finally he spoke.

[color=a36209]"Clever, poison. He was a loyal man, was probably going to beat him a bit for spending such an extravegent amount on one young, girl. Guess that matter is taken care of."[/color] Callum slowly stated, adding a rare smirk to his words. The room was still silent, then he motioned for someone to drag away the bidder's body. The two grunts that did the dirty work keeping their distance from Scarleth.

[color=a36209]"Are you afraid of death?"[/color] He asked her, the guns in the room still raised and the tension still high.

Scarleth had made a note of all of the guns aimed at her, of the expressions of shock and horror. It had all ceased to bother her, ages ago. From the very first memory she had, she had been taught to compartmentalize and to repress. Feelings were a sign of weakness. Caring was surrender. Love was a defect of the losing side. All of it had been drilled out of her, leaving what she believed to be an emotionless and cool shell. 

[color=ff0000]"No,"[/color] Scarleth answered plainly, raising her eyes to meet those of the Pirate King. [color=ff0000]"Are you?"[/color]

[color=a36209]"Of course not,"[/color] Callum replied calmly, then rose out of his seat as he took a step towards Scarleth. Then another. Practically right in her face. [color=a36209]"I thrive off death. No one should fear something that will happen to everyone."[/color] He added as he looked her right in the eyes, locking the gaze.

She didn't blink. Her gaze held steady, she stared directly into Callum's eyes. Some said that eyes were a window to the soul, but all Scarleth saw was her own reflection. It wasn't the first time she had been lectured by someone in power, and she was certain it wouldn't be the last. [color=ff0000]"Am I acceptable to you?"[/color] she asked simply. 

Callum did not answer right away, he broke the locking of their eyes as he returned to his seat. The former dive bar like room was still dead silent except for the assassin and the pirate king's chat. The massage resumed, as did the tattooing.

[color=a36209]"Well I can't exactly say no. Spent too much money on you. Only time will tell if you're worth the steep price,"[/color] He said right as the woman began to massage the back of his neck. The tension in the room died down and the previous atmosphere resumed. The heavy metal music blared, drinks were poured and chatter started back up. Callum's eyes drifted to one side of him, towards two men. 

[color=a36209]"You don't want to know what happens if you're not worth the price."[/color] Callum stated as one of the men lunged towards Scarleth, a dagger in hand, the other followed suit. 

Scarleth's augmentation alerted her to the movement before they began. She kicked her legs up, flipping backwards. Whilst in the air, she pulled her two concealed daggers from her boots, landing on top of the first goon. She quickly targeted a key pressure point with the blade, rendering the man immobolized. If he showed any sign of movement, she would go for the spinal chord. The next goon that charged towards her, Scarleth allowed him to come at her, before diving to the ground at the last second. She slid underneath him, her knives tearing through his Achilles' Tendon. And then using her momentum, she began to roll into a cartwheel, kicking both goons on her way. Rolling to the ground, Scarleth came up in a crouch, her knives concealed once more, and her pistol at the ready. Her augmented eye informed her of the distance and angle for each shot, giving her a success margin from this range. 

[color=ff0000]"Shall I kill them?"[/color] she asked emotionlessly, the two goons in a heap in front of her. 

Callum watched the brawl end as quickly as it began. Those two were some of the best hand to hand combatants on the station, yet both were bested by a girl. She was something special, perhaps he would not have given the bidder such a harsh beating after all. He seemed to have made a solid business decision, or he got lucky. But it didn't matter, he was dead.

[color=a36209]"No. They're no use to me dead. Show them mercy, do not dwell on that as it is one thing you will never show your targets."[/color] Callum replied.

She put her gun back in her holster, and nodded at the Pirate King. She figured that the first goon was no use to him paralyzed, and delicately pressed the pressure point to undo the damage. She then backed away from the goon once more, hardly minding the blood on her hands. [color=ff0000]"Of course."[/color] Had her face not been blank, one might have caught a smile, the feeling of satisfaction filling her. Her boss had accepted her after all, she surmised. 

[color=a36209]"Glad you understand, now get out of here. This is no place for a young girl. You'll get your first mission soon. Be ready, Scarleth."[/color] Callum calmly said with a smile.
[hr][center][img]http://67.media.tumblr.com/ca3ad6752294ba8ca83bb3cb410f438b/tumblr_mk4qhheNay1qg94hko1_250.gif[/img][/center][hr]Scarleth came to, finding herself on the ground. Her hands were covered in her own blood, and it had smeared onto the ground as well. Over and over again, the assasin repeated Callum's words. [color=ff0000]"I thrive off death...I thrive off death...I thrive off death...I thrive off death...I thrive off death...I thrive off death."[/color] As Jesse fired a round towards the artifact, the sudden noise appeared to snap Scarleth out of it, and she pulled herself to her feet. She pulled out a gun, avoiding any eye contact with the Pirate King. She didn't dare think of what else she had muttered. 

[color=ff0000]"No one kills me but [i]me[/i],"[/color] Scarleth shouted, aiming at the artifact, and firing a bullet off as well, even with the meetings she had with Callum as a young girl flashing through her mind.