#knight cod

You always felt colder when his hands left you. Only a confusing other warm feeling was left behind. It left you puzzled what brought this change to him. A few days after the doctor declared you safe to go outside again, Johnny had giving you the promised scarf.

You wore the scarf proudly during tea in the garden. He was perfect, as if Johnny knew exactly what colors were your favorite. The wool was made into a elegant pattern, similar to your favorite dress. Thinking about how much time, work and consideration Johnny put into it leaves you with butterfly's in your stomach. You have to admit to yourself, you feel something for Johnny, and if you are even more honest probably for the others as well. All of them giving you something you never believed you deserved of a man. Not only were they all handsome even beautiful, with voices that made you nearly feral. Johnny with his ability to make you smile, cheering you up every time but also listening like he was happily absorbing everything you were willing to give him. Kyle with his presence alone that made you relax and feel safe, no matter how stressed you were. Sometimes bringing you little trinkets, just because he thought about you when he saw them. Simon who made you feel protected and weirdly seen. With his clear gaze seemingly following you everywhere. But he also shares things about himself that make you believe that he wants you to know him, too. And Price, he never outright said it but you just knew that he was their leader. His authoritarian aura giving him away. Every encounter with him leaving you weak in the knees. You were tempted to just let him take the lead, melting into his warm arms and letting yourself be guided.

Before your daydreams could get the best of you, you hear a small cough next to you.

Kyle is looking down at you, his brown eyes soft and with a small smile on his face. "I hope i am not disturbing you, my lady?"

You straighten your posture, a little flustered about your thoughts involving the person in front of you. "Of course not, please feel free."

As Kyle is sitting down, he puts a small tea tin on the table. Softly pushing it towards. "For you my lady, i believe you would like this flavor."

You lean forward you can not believe it, it is the flavor you were searching for all this time. Another lady had mentioned it at on of the many gatherings, boasting about how rare this specific flavor was. When you mention it to Kyle you could swear you saw a little smugness and something...darker pass in his eyes. But is gone to fast. "I am delighted that it makes you that happy, my lady. There will be a market tomorrow at the towns square, would you like to accompany us?" You light up at the prospect for a chance to leave the estate, the last time already being to long ago. "I would love to, but i don't know if my father would let me." Towards your concern Kyle smiles reassuring, "Do not worry, my lady. Price will get permission from your Father. As long you are fine with going with all of us?"

You could not wish for anything better, a chance to be alone with all of them, has god be a witness to your dreams? You readily agree. With a last big smile, Kyle leaves you to yourself again. You can not wait for tomorrow.

----

The Next day you are already up early. Your sister is on a visit to her fiancés estate, leaving you with the full attention of the men. The Sun is warm on your skin and immediately raises your mood even further. You don't remember when the last time was you were so happy. The Market is already full with people, some sellers are shouting to attract attention to their products others are simply walking around, much like your small group. The Men shielding you from the other passerby's. Kyle directs you to one of the many stalls. One with jewelry and other accessories. But even if you are impressed with all the handmade pieces it doesn't escape you how Johnny seems to slip away. Before you can think more about it, Kyle interrupts your thoughts, "How about this one lovely? It would match your eye Colour." It seems as if Kyle is hell bent on getting you something, when you try to refuse he smiles one of his gentle smiles. "Don't worry about it, is it wrong wanting to adorn my lady?" You have to admit the jewelry is beautiful and you were never strong against Kyles charming smile, that made him look even more handsome, if even possibly. In the mean time you try not to think about the way he so naturally grabs your hand, holding it while walking.

After a while you also notice Simon slipping away, this time you want to ask him about, but before you can say anything Price is at your side. Completely covering Simon from your sight. For a moment you pause, did he do this intentionally?

"My Lady, look over there, would you like some of these?" There are beautiful made scented candles, with some of them having an odor you have never smelled before. You try to catch a look into the direction Simon left, but with the broad chest of Price in the way you have no choice but to give up. This whole situation leaves a weird feeling in the back of your stomach.

Price and Kyle continue to show you different stalls around the market and you have to admit you kind of push down your weird feeling. With them both looking at you so softly and insisting to spoil you with everything you want. Completely making you forget the fact that Simon and Johnny keep slipping away during your visit to the town square.

It is already late when you get back to the estate, and for once you dismiss them, being really tired. That is when you hear it, two maid talking to each other. They did not notice you, and curiosity gets the best of you, keeping quit and listening in.

"Isn't weird? they are never with the second lady, always just with her. And he is always coming in and out of this room."

The other maid is nodding, "how did they he even get a office from the lord, they are not high born, didn't even deserve that much."

When you hear that, you are ready to come forward and rip into the maid, but the next sentence lets you stop yourself.

"But you are right they are always around our lady, just last time one of the butlers got intimated by one of them, poor men didn't even know what he did. The lord must be blind to let them behave like that, i don't know how they did it." They both sigh and start to make their way down the hallway, talking along the way. Leaving you wondering what you heard. What was said. And for once you don't give yourself the luxury to shrug their behavior of, thinking about past actions in a new light. Could their be something about their talk? What did they mean, the Men are always around you?

Wraith’s journal Jan 1, 1984

Well, it had been a while since I wrote a journal (It’s not like the busy missions that Stitch’s been planning for a year gave me a break) But He said that this year will be the start of a new beginning; might as well write something to look back on a further date.

Stitch wanted to continue Perseus’s plan along with some personal endeavors.He had two goals: to broadcast the numbers program and personal revenge. Stitch suggests a distraction that can kick start both goals: Nova 6 gas. The CIA had always had their eye on that gas, but what they would find is empty barrels. As for revenge, Stitch simply said that his presence would be enough for the man who took his eye on Rebirth island to fall for the honey pot trap. (I think he said the man's name is Russel Adler? Something like that)

Stitch wanted to test on him with the numbers to gain leverage over the CIA, which may be risky, but as long as it helps with the cause of Perseus I do not care what method he uses.

Jan 14, 1984

Stitch heavily insisted the plan to be perfect, no mistakes. Stitch has some comrades in America telling him that there may be a perfect spot for the ambush, an American mall that has yet to open. He had planned on setting it the night before opening day so that if there were any lingering evidence left behind, it would be contaminated by the mall goers the next day. All that is left is creating a false poster to lure the Americans there,Perseus’ mission can finally be completed: One power to unite all.

Jan 20,1984

Stitch has planted the lure, all we have to do is wait. 

January 21, 1984

5:00 pm

Location: Mall at the pines, NJ

-T-2 hours before the ambush– 

“So this is what an American mall looks like huh, definitely larger than Norways’…”

Wraith’s thoughts are interrupted as the silence of the newly completed mall is broken by the screeching sound of welding metal plates along with occasional Russians moving barrels painted with Nova 6 symbols left and right. Stitch had ordered all entrances and several hallways in the mall to be sealed off after a walkthrough; There were just simply too many blind spots to be exploited from the sharp corners of the stores there.

-T-1 hours before the ambush

Whatever, Wraith needed to find Knight. Walking across the neon-colored mall, there were all kinds of stuff there: Cinema, toys, CD store. Maybe she’ll take something from there, a souvenir perhaps. It’s not like anyone is going to miss it. Wraith would eventually arrive at an arcade, the sign “Galaxy Room” purple light emitting from there screams “look at me". Some rustling  can be heard from the inside.

“How the HELL did the Americans not get nausea from these Bright ass colors”

 Unlike Wraith, Knight is less than interested in walking around shopping malls. After all, he enjoys a good fight rather than waiting for hours.

“Knight.”

“Finally, is it almost time to crush some Americans?”

“Almost, in less than one hour 

-insert something here

One last look then, there’s a high ground near the food court: could be useful for later.

“It’s getting dark, time to be ready” ~

7:55 pm Location: Mall at the pines, NJ

The mall grew silent once more. The sun had fully set, plunging the entire place into darkness with the occasional light from the store signs. The stage is set, May the show begin.

8:00 pm (adler team pov)

Something was wrong. Everyone in the team could sense it the moment they got off the helicopter, there were too few people on their team to cover such a big mall. Ever since Adler found the (not really) welcoming poster left by Stitch after his attack on one of CIA’s safehouses in Berlin, he’s been on edge. He claimed that if he doesn’t stop-(its a lie, he doesn’t care, everyone knew that)