[center][h1][color=lightgreen]Oli[/color][color=pink]via[/color] [color=white]& Peter[/color][/h1][/center]
[hr]

[color=lightgray]Peter took a long, slow drag on the stump of his cigarillo, savoring the woody taste as the embers burned dangerously close to his fingertips. Leaning on the fence, he watched the thin stream of gray curl up into the night sky.

The rhythmic clip-clop of heels on pavement grew louder in the dark. With a casual flick, he tossed the spent cigarillo, letting it burn itself out. He blew the remaining smoke from his mouth and straightened just as she came near.

[color=white]“Well, well,”[/color] Peter drawled. [color=white]“Hey there, gorgeous. Back for more trouble?”[/color] A crooked grin played at the corner of his mouth. [color=white]“Persephone.”[/color]

Olivia lingered at the Vikena Estate longer than Charlotte. Due to never attending a masquerade, she had taken longer to get ready. Unfamiliar with nobility, Olivia had taken more time deciding on her outfit. Once finished, she stared at herself with shock. A stranger stared back at her in the mirror as if taunting her. Never would she have imagined herself to look [i]noble[/i]. She longed for her old clothes, her messy braids, and the biggest concern being if she would eat that day. Now - especially now - her main concern was whether or not she’d be burned at the stake the next day. The appearance in front of her and the delights she’d adorned for the evening was a stark reminder of how much pressure she had on her shoulders. Liv finally broke away from the mirror, braid her goodbye to Delilah, and then began her reluctant trip toward the masquerade ball. 

Her hair lay in an elegant [url=https://i.imgur.com/BkY7bJB.jpg]braid[/url] her back adorned with a silver owl clip. The [url=https://i.imgur.com/KPh9GKq.png]owl mask[/url] obscured the makeup over her face - a feature she reluctantly allowed Charlotte and Delilah to use. The [url=https://i.imgur.com/Vqe0KN2.png]dress and accessories[/url] were unlike anything she had worn in her life. Instead of pearls over the cape, she’d sewed feathers into it to match her mask. The walk to the Damien Estate filled her with dread. Each step in the high heels was careful and precise, and she couldn’t help but wonder why women wore these torture filled shoes. Stumbling was going to be common; Olivia inhaled as she nearly collided with a tree. 

With a groan, she pushed away from it and ignored the stares she was receiving. As she neared the Estate, visions of her assault filled her mind’s eye; the guard’s faces had been sown with fear and surprise; the looks of anger on Calbert’s expression, and the gun at Kazumin’s head… Butterflies rose inside her stomach as did bile; if she had been minutes later, would Kazumin have died? What would have happened to him? The unanswered questions, the dread and fear, coursed through Olivia as if it were a tidal wave coming to knock her down. A voice interrupted her reverie and forced all other thoughts out. 

[i][color=white]“Well, well,”[/color] The man drawled. [color=white]“Hey there, gorgeous. Back for more trouble?”[/color] A crooked grin played at the corner of the stranger’s mouth. [color=white]“Persephone.”[/color][/i]

For a moment she paused, as if she’d been punched in the gut and the air had been lost. Olivia whirled around to find a man with ginger hair staring at her. Her gaze flickered to the cigar on the ground then back up at him. A scowl accompanied her expression, and then a sneer.

[color=lightgreen]”You must have confused me with someone else.”[/color] She replied curtly. Then, she drew in a deep breath, not realizing she’d been holding it. Her lungs screamed for air as she pondered her next response. A dry laugh escaped her. [color=lightgreen]”You normally wait around to pick up women and call them by the wrong name?”[/color] 

Peter chuckled a rough sound. [color=white]“Nice try, [i]Olivia[/i],”[/color] the name rolled off his tongue with a touch of sarcasm. [color=white]“But I’d recognize those eyes anywhere, no amount of makeup or costume can hide that spunk.”[/color] He took a step forward, the lamplight casting an uneven glow on his face. [color=white]“I’ve been a fan since your first spat with Calbert at the castle. Remember? All that bread.”[/color] He took another step.

Olivia scowled at his chuckle. Why was this funny? How did he know about her? Though she was unarmed, she thought of different spells she could use. When he took a step forward, Olivia held her ground, and glared venomously at him. Her mind told her to run, yet she was captivated - upon why the [i]hell[/i] he was interested in her. 

[color=white]“Gotta love how you broke into C-Bert’s house to save your pal. Ballsy move.”[/color] He shaped his hand into a pistol, pressed the finger-barrel to his temple and pulled the trigger, mimicking the dramatic recoil that followed. [color=white]“Paid off though. How’s living with the Vikenas?”[/color]

Liv flinched at his recoil to the gun. In her mind’s eye she saw Kazumin’s head being blown off and shuddered. Questions raced through her mind, all vying for her attention. She glanced around to ensure they were alone. The less who saw her do magic, the better. Was this a prank from Calbert? She shook her head and took a step back. Her heel clicked on the ground and she knew she could not run from the madman in these devil shoes. Maybe she could knock him out with it? 

He paused to let all that sink in. [color=white]“But now you and cowlick are back. After all that sh*te. Why?”[/color] Peter leaned in a bit, voice dropping lower. [color=white]“Come to finish him off?”[/color]

[color=lightgreen]”You’ve done enough talking, stalker.”[/color] Olivia finally replied. [color=lightgreen]”Why do you know so much about me? Are you stalking me?”[/color] Olivia scowled at him and continued. [color=lightgreen]”Do you work for him or something? Get out of my fuckin’ face.”[/color] She attempted to side-step him to the left toward the estate. Maybe this was a bad idea, and it would be wiser if she went back to the house - then the thought of Charlotte being alone there caused her chest to ache. How could she leave Charlotte in that lion’s den? Was Charlotte being harassed by one of these pests too? What would that poor girl do, Liv wondered. She had to go find her. [color=lightgreen]”Stay out of my fuckin business.”[/color] 

Peter scoffed. [color=white]“Or else what? You’ll zap me with a spell? Do me in? Go ahead, give it your best shot. But don’t think I’ll make it easy on you.”[/color] He let “Olivia” slip past him and shadowed her closely, jamming his hands into his pockets.

Olivia glared daggers at the man. She watched his hand movement and was prepared to act if he had ill intent. With her back now to the estate, she folded her arms and scowled. Why was she wasting her time on him? Despite it, she found herself rooted to the spot; this man could be dangerous to Charlotte and her, and who knows who else. She couldn't let him leave with these memories. 

[color=white]“Let’s just say you do get rid of me,”[/color] he went on. [color=white]“And let’s pretend I was working for C-Bert. What’s the point? I’d have already tipped him off about you, your magic, and your pals. He’d be ready and waiting to spring a trap when you prance right in there.”[/color]

[color=lightgreen]”What the fuck do you want?”[/color] Olivia inquired. Her temper now flared and she was no longer playing his game. She slipped her devil heels off and assessed the man. In the back of her mind she wondered how much magic he knew, if any, and how prepared he was to fight. [color=lightgreen]”You have a fuckin minute to tell me what the hell it is you want or need and then you’ll get the fuck away from me. And why the hell are you stalking me - get a life.”[/color]

Peter watched Olivia intently, his gaze following her movements. She stood straight and steady, shoulders back, feet planted. Ready for a tussle. He didn’t blame her. The smart play was to come clean, explain everything. The kind of thing a reasonable man would do.

But when has Peter ever been accused of being reasonable? And he was itching to see what she could do.

A wolfish grin split his mug as he rolled his neck, and then his shoulders, to limber up. [color=white]“Short answer: you.”[/color] He relaxed into an easy stance. [color=white]“The longer version is gonna take more than a minute. So either extend that deadline or show me whatcha got.”[/color]

Olivia narrowed her gaze at him. Why was he beckoning her to fight? What the [i]hell[/i] was going on? She growled her displeasure and glanced at the dress. Charlotte paid for this against her wishes and now she might muck it up? [color=lightgreen]”You are not worth this.”[/color] Liv sneered, but didn’t back down. 

[i][color=black]”You’re not a coward, Persephone. Why don’t you fry him? You do enjoy playing with fire…”[/color] [color=red]”Do it, Seph. Make him pay for stalking you.”[/color] [color=black]”We didn’t raise a fuckin coward so quit acting like one you little bitch.”[/color] [color=red]”He’s obviously a threat so why play games?”[/color][/i]

She ignored the voices, much to her displeasure; her head was beginning to throb. Pain flickered across her expression but she didn’t move. The reasonable option was to hear him out; the shorter route? Kick his ass. Lottie and Delilah hadn’t gone through this much trouble to make her look presentable or house her to have her fuck it up the next day. She growled again with fury. [color=lightgreen]”Fine. You have five fuckin minutes before I rip your throat out. Start talking, stalker,”[/color] 

While waiting for a response, whispered an incantation: [color=lightgreen]”Communicare in mente.”[/color] She focused on sending the message to Charlotte telepathically. [color=lightgreen][i]”Will be late. Do not worry. It’s Liv.”[/i][/color] Then in the back of her mind, she thought of the next spell she’d use in case he didn’t fulfill her wish: [i]Obice.[/i] 

A whisper passed her lips. [i]Communicare in mente.[/i] Who was she contacting? Had to be Lady Lottie or cowlick. [color=white][i]What did I tell you, Udo? She’s not reckless.[/i][/color]

[i]The memory of Udo chortled. [color=white]“Are you sure about that?”[/color][/i]

Peter regarded the fugitive. [color=white][i]Not [b]completely[/b] reckless.[/i][/color]

While Olivia sent out her message, Peter scooped up the heels she tossed. [color=white]“Free tip, better not face someone directly when you’re casting. They might read lips,”[/color] without glancing back, he started down the road, [color=white]“time how fast you can cast, and narrow down which spells you’re gonna use next.”[/color]

Olivia scowled at Peter. If looks could have killed, he would have died. This man was on her shit list and he was soon going to surpass Calbert if his shenanigans continued. Fury rushed through her veins, egging her on; however, the sense of whom she portrayed and her friend’s lives, kept her grounded. 

He turned over his shoulder to see if she was following. [color=white]“What are you standing there for? Your pals are expecting you. Or… Can’t you walk and chant at the same time?”[/color] He shot her a playful, taunting look. Always fun to poke at the dangerous ones.

Rooted to the spot, Liv didn’t move. She couldn't show up barefoot, and those devil shoes were expensive. With every ounce of patience and sheer will, did she begin reluctantly following the nuisance. 

[color=white]“So, introduction. Name’s Peter. No family name. I’m a bastard and a son of a whore… Literally. Pops was a noble who liked sampling mum’s wares. Left us high and dry, as they do. A**hole.”[/color] He spat the word out. [color=white]“Anyways, I grew up hustling around the streets. Would’ve joined the Woodsmen given the chance, but that didn’t pan out. Found similar work in the end.”[/color]

Peter. Olivia glared at him as she hiked up her dress and soon fell into step beside him. She clamped her jaw shut stubbornly. She didn’t want to give him the satisfaction of caring, so she stared ahead with a scowl. So he had a bad background - [i]boo hoo[/i]. 

She would have remained silent - until he brought up the Woodsmen. Her gaze shot to him and nearly gave her whiplash in her hurried response.  Realizing she’d given in emotion, she resumed her scowl and narrowed gaze at him while she continued holding her dress up so it wouldn't be dirty. 

[color=lightgreen]”What?”[/color] she inquired incredulously. Then she started to chortle once he mentioned ‘finding similar work in the end.’ [color=lightgreen]”So you're telling me you’re some kind of rat? Fits you. You are a rat for who now?”[/color] She tried to grab her shoes, but he evaded her and she let out a frustrated sigh. [color=lightgreen][i]I will murder this man.[/i][/color] 

Peter barked out a sharp laugh as Olivia scrambled to snatch her shoes back. They danced around each other, nimble as cats, until she gave in.

He considered his words to her question carefully, then abruptly stopped to face Olivia. He met her gaze straight on, all smugness gone. He couldn’t reveal every detail, not unless she was on board, but she deserved the truth.

[color=white]“... For folks who have a bone to pick with the Danroses,”[/color] Peter said. [color=white]“That family hurt a lot of people. Ruined lives, taken lives. Then pretended that they had nothing to do with it. And they’re still at it. My employers are going to end their lies, drag the truth into the light.”[/color]

[color=white]“They want justice, but they’ll settle for revenge,” [/color]He held her gaze a little longer, before turning away to continue down the road.

[color=white]“To be clear, I was stalking C-Bert, not you. It looked like he has King Edin’s ear so we figured it wouldn’t hurt to find out more about him. You just kept popping up around him.”[/color] He glanced sidelong at Olivia, a brief smirk returned, [color=white]“And each time, you impressed me. So much so I want to recruit you.”[/color]  Peter sighed, scrubbing a hand through his hair. [color=white]“Not that the others agree. Given your record so far, they think you’d be more of a liability than an asset. Me, I think with a little training you could make a damn fine scout and thief. Maybe even more, with your magic.”[/color] 

[color=white]“Boss didn’t want to get you into deeper sh*t than you already are in, but he did say to help you when necessary. Like, say, throwing the hounds off your scent after your first big escape.”[/color] Which hadn’t been as easy as Peter made it sound, not with two people leaving a literal blood trail to their hideout.

Olivia sighed loudly when he relented on giving back her shoes. A smartass retort made it to her lips, but she let it slide. He seemed like he would finally open up. Coldness enveloped her and it wasn’t from the night. The injustice the Danroses inflicted onto her family caused rage to boil to the surface. If she could have caught fire right then with it, she would have. While he spoke, she glanced around to ensure they were alone. Her eyebrows rose at those two words: scout and thief. Two things she was proud to be good at. 

Once he finished, Olivia stared at him and then smirked with amusement. [color=lightgreen]”Well damn, I’m flattered.”[/color] She teased and then bit her lip. Could she do both and maintain her fake nobility status? What if it endangered Charlotte and Kazumin? Her heart couldn’t take losing either of them. 

[color=lightgreen]"However – with this new persona, I am trying to turn over a new leaf and blend in. That doesn’t mean you don’t have my attention. I am interested in helping take down the Danroses; in fact, they ruined my family’s life.”[/color] Bitterness weaved its way into her voice. 

Then, she half-smiled kindly, offering the first sign of no longer wanting to murder him… yet. [color=lightgreen]”Thank you for your help so far, and your praise.”[/color] She chuckled and rubbed her arm and glanced away. 

[color=lightgreen]”I’ll think about it, how's that?”[/color] Olivia glanced toward the Damien Estate and then back to Peter. [color=lightgreen]”Maybe we can continue discussing our… [i]arrangement[/i] at a certain masquerade? And who is your boss anyway?”[/color] Olivia shivered slightly, now aware of her bare feet on the dirt ground beneath them. [color=lightgreen]...Unless of course, you’re here for that specific reason and want to run off now?”[/color]

Peter leaned in close to Olivia, trying for a bit of charming roguishness. He didn’t have the allure that came naturally to Udo—the priest could’ve picked his damn nose and it still would’ve made people thirsty for him. Even Karl got more than a few appreciative looks without trying. Life just wasn’t fair that way. But a guy’s gotta try, right? He cocked a half-smile, his voice dropping to a husky whisper. [color=white]“You asking me to be your date?”[/color]


Olivia tensed as he leaned closer, but couldn’t help but smirk. His eyes up close, were nicer than she had initially thought. Realizing she was thinking this, she scolded herself, and then focused elsewhere instead. [color=lightgreen]”Well, my fellow rogue, where else would we be going?”[/color] Liv mused and batted her eyelashes at him. [color=lightgreen]”I didn’t get dressed up to meander the city, did I? We’ll have access to[i] C-Bert."[/i][/color] Her voice dropped to a mysterious hush as she waited for his response. 

[color=white]“And looking fine doing it. Even avoid giving a straight answer like a proper noble.”[/color] Which, with the ladies, usually meant they were trying to let a guy down easy. Especially if they got all tense like that when you leaned in. So much for roguish charm. [color=white]“I can take a hint.”[/color]

Peter pulled away, answering Olivia’s other question. [color=white]“What I can’t do is tell you who the boss is. Not until you say ‘yes, I’m in.’ You get where I’m coming from, right?”[/color] He figured she wasn’t the type to rat Fritz out, but sometimes stuff slipped out at the wrong moment and suddenly details were out that couldn’t be taken back. Long as she was on the fence, he said all he could and he already said too much.

Olivia stared at Peter and a frown slowly encompassed her face. She recognized how her words had sounded, and her chest panged with guilt. She approached Peter again and gently took his hand.  [color=lightgreen]”I understand.”[/color] Her voice was quiet and sincere, and Olivia stared at him long and hard for a minute. She was silent briefly, with the wind being the only noise and rustling of leaves disturbing the peace. Charlotte’s and Kazumin’s expression swam into her mind, but another one filled her too: her parent’s. Liv bit her lip and then took a deep breath. A weight lifted off her shoulders and she let out a relaxed sigh, as if she had her corset loosened. 

[color=lightgreen]”I accept your offer. You’re right that they ruined too many lives; including my own and who knows what Calbert’s up too and what else he might do.”[/color] Olivia then took his hand and grasped it loosely, allowing him the chance to let go of it if he so pleased.  

[color=lightgreen]”Yes, I do want to date. I’m not good with shit shit, I didn’t mean it to come off as though I didn’t, although I only did just meet you so it must be fate. Besides,”[/color] she smirked as she gazed at their reflection in a nearby puddle then back up at him. [color=lightgreen]”We may be the best-looking damn gingers in the room. Why deprive them of beauty?”[/color] 

Olivia’s touch sent Peter’s heart racing. He watched her watching him, unsure what she was thinking. With little else to do, he indulged in the chance to admire her up close. He fought the urge to remove her mask for a better view.

Her “I accept” almost slipped right by. Peter blinked, digesting her words, then it clicked. He smacked his forehead. [color=white]“Ah, sh*tf**kf**kdamn.”[/color] Crouching, he let his head droop but kept his other hand in hers. [color=white]“Sorry, should’ve been clearer. Didn’t mean you had to give me your answer right now. It’s a big decision and it’ll be dangerous working with us.”[/color] He peered up. Even from this angle, she looked good. [color=white]“Think about it more. Only if you’re sure, leave a copper piece by your window.”[/color]

Grin back, he said, [color=white]“But for now, my fair maiden, we have a party to crash.”[/color] He wiped the grime from her feet and eased Olivia’s shoes back on.

[color=white]“Give me a sec.”[/color] He swapped the bowtie for an ostentatious lace jabot and matching cuffs. The glinting jeweled cufflinks he nicked off some highborn fop completed the transformation from just another waiter to a nobleman who thought bibs were high fashion. With the weasel mask in place, he was ready.

[color=white]“Let’s wow these stuffed shirts with our beauty.”[/color] Peter bared his gap-toothed smile.

[color=lightgreen]”Oh - right. Yeah… I will think about it. I just... Never mind.”[/color] Her voice dropped and then she giggled. She shuffled her feet and adjusted her mask in the awkwardness that followed. Despite it, Peter grinned and the offer to go to the ball was back on. With a sigh of relief that the decision could be paused, Olivia relaxed. 

Then as he wiped the grime off her feet and slipped her shoes back on, Liv was now glad for the mask. It covered the majority of her blush and she had to bite her lips to keep from grinning. 

Next, she watched as he completed his costume and started laughing; a high-pitched musical laugh. [color=lightgreen]”A weasel?”[/color] She exclaimed with shock and amusement.  [color=lightgreen]”Did you purposely try matching my costume?”[/color] Olivia shook her head. [color=lightgreen]”Stalker.”[/color] Olivia fought back a grin as she stared at him and offered him her arm. Together, they headed off to Calbert Damien’s Estate. [/color]