//------------------------------// // The Party // Story: Leap of Faith // by A bag of plums //------------------------------// Velvet Breeze scratched at her rear as she and Dewdrop approached the line of well-dressed people, looking to gain entry into the esteemed Match Mansions. They had on their new dresses and masks, along with a coat each, to protect themselves from the cold. “Velvet,” Dewdrop saw what she was doing. “Quit it.” “There’s something back there,” Velvet complained. “It’s tickling me.” “Well, try to ignore it, at least till we get to the wine cellar,” Dewdrop whispered as they got closer to the line. “It’s probably just a tag or something. Just make sure people don’t see you touching your butt. You’ll make a fool of yourself.” “I’ll-I’ll try…” Velvet mentally hit herself for not checking the dress before putting it on. Now she had to deal with this itch on her bottom. Just deal with it a little longer, Velvet. Easy, right? Easy… Match Mansions was a towering condominium, standing tall at thirty-three floors in total. Painted a bright white, it blended in well with the clouds of falling snow that were depositing themselves on the party goers. The tallest building for blocks around, it was a veritable hive of activity this night. The opening of the condo was decked out in tinsel and fairy lights, a testament to the upcoming holiday. A guard was at the door, snow piling up on his cap as he checked invitations. “So what? We’re just grabbing off an invitation from some complete stranger?” Velvet looked from person to person. “Is it easy? Pickpocketing, I mean.” “If you know what you’re doing, yeah. Watch and learn, Velvet.” She looked around, eyes settling on a woman who had an insect mask and was idly taking a pull at a cigarette. Dewdrop walked past her, pretending to stretch and at the same time bumping into the woman. “Oh, I am so sorry about that,” Dewdrop pat at the woman’s coat, smoothing it back. “I apologize. I should be more careful.” “You got that right,” she snorted and looked away. Dewdrop then sauntered back to Velvet, winking at the girl as she did so. There, in her hand, was an invitation. “Wow, that was amazing, Dewdrop! Can you teach me how to do that?” Dewdrop smirked as they got back into line, brushing snow off her shoulders. “When we get this over with, I’ll teach you anything you want, okay?” “Deal.” The two Assassins waited in line, slowly getting closer and closer to the entrance, though it wasn’t going as fast as they had liked. Soon, Velvet got bored and started to play with her fingers, tapping them on the back of a hand, making a sort of popping noise when it hit in between her knuckles. She wanted to touch the golden metal shard that Sunset had given her, but it was securely tucked into her sock, and she didn’t want to risk looking out of the ordinary. A suddenly scuffle up front had taken Velvet’s focus away from her hands. She looked up to see a woman, the same one that Dewdrop had taken the invitation from, yelling at the guard, trying to force her way in, but he held her back, shouting for help. Two more guards came out from within the building and pushed the woman back. “No invitation, no entry, miss,” one in a suit said, shaking his hand. “I’m sorry. Rules are rules.” “But I’m telling you, I had one! I must’ve dropped it somewhere,” she said and looked around the ground. “No invitation, no entry,” the man restated. “Now, please leave or we’ll have to call the police.” She stalked away, stomping footsteps in the snow, turning around at the other side of the street to shake her fist. “This isn’t over!” Then she left, heading away to a black car, disappearing inside. People began murmuring about the whole uproar around the Assassins. Velvet looked at Dewdrop, who smirked and gave her a concealed thumbs up. Eventually, the line moved up enough for Dewdrop to present her stolen invitation. The guard took it and looked it over,  raising a questioning eyebrow at Velvet. “She’s with me,” Dewdrop said quickly. The guard grunted and returned the square of cardboard. “Have a good night, ladies. Welcome to Match Mansions.” And just like that, they were in. Once inside, Dewdrop and Velvet Breeze were welcomed by the sight of the brightly lit lobby, which was also generously decorated with tinsel and plastic snowflakes. Soft orchestral music was playing in the background, and there were tables piled high with ice sculptures and finger food. Dewdrop saw the champagne fountain and her face lit up. A woman by the side was taking coats from the guests, storing them in a side room as they passed. Dewdrop and Velvet shed theirs and handed them to her as they made for the lobby. “Looks fun, huh, Velvet?” Dewdrop smirked and headed for the champagne fountain. “Come on, let’s see if we can’t enjoy ourselves a little.” Velvet followed, looking around at the other guests. It was hard to tell with all the masks, but she thought she recognized various celebrities, a man from a TV talk show, a minor actress or two, and even a man she recognized as the mayor of Canterlot.   “Looks like a pretty high profile party, Dewdrop,” Velvet gulped. “Are we sure they won’t find us out of place?” “They won’t if we keep our masks on,” Dewdrop muttered, sipping from a tall, fluted glass. “Hey, this stuff is good.” “I’ll just settle for some punch,” Velvet looked at the large glass bowl in the center of a white table and headed for it. When she was almost there, she noticed the itch was there again and struggled not to scratch at it. She grinded her teeth together and walked on, finally arriving at the table. The young Assassin poured herself a glass of punch, sniffing at it before placing her lips to the glass, taking a sip. Mmm… grape. Satisfied, she returned to where Dewdrop was standing, only to notice she wasn’t there. Great. Where’d she go? Velvet moved around the lobby, looking from table to table for her friend, at the same time, quickly sneaking a scratch to her rear to satiate her need for the moment, hoping no one saw her do it. Most of the guests were standing around, drinking from tall glasses like the one Dewdrop had taken, while the rest were either dancing or eating. One such guest had spat out a mouthful of alcohol after his friend had told him something funny. It would’ve gotten all over Velvet if she hadn’t jumped back. The chubby man didn’t even seem to realize he had almost gotten his beverage all over her. Velvet Breeze ignored him and kept going, wanting to get as far as she could from the man. Eventually, she found Dewdrop, standing by an ice sculpture of a lion, conversing to a man in a gorilla mask. “So where are you from, my dear?” Velvet could hear him say when she got close enough. “Might I add, you look absolutely stunning.” The young Assassin was afraid Dewdrop was going to start insulting him and start a scene, but thankfully, she smiled and looked to the side instead, pretending to act shyly. “My, you’re such a flatterer. I’m from San Franciscolt.” “Ah, San Franciscolt. Allow me to be blunt,” the man showed his two rows of white teeth. “You are very beautiful. I cannot see your face, but I know more beauty hides behind that mask.” “Thank you,” Dewdrop took a sip of her champagne, before setting her eyes on Velvet. “Sorry, but if you’ll excuse me, I must attend to my sister.” “Please, go ahead,” the man motioned with a hand. “Perhaps you would like a dance later?” “Maybe,” Dewdrop waved to him and joined Velvet. “Did you see that man? The nerve.” “You’re picking up guys really fast,” Velvet laughed into her glass. “So I’m your sister now?” “You know, to keep up the act. Besides, you would’ve pretty much been my sister.” “I kind of like that, Dewdrop,” Velvet closed her eyes and chuckled. “It’s been a long time since I’ve had a sister.” “And today, we’re here to avenge her, Velvet,” Dewdrop wrapped an arm around the girl’s shoulders. “Just you wait. We’ll do what we came here to do.” Deciding to enjoy more of the party first, Velvet grabbed a plate of strawberries and grapes, while Dewdrop got another fill of champagne. They walked around the lobby, searching for signs of Wolfgang, but they had yet to see him. Instead, countless men had approached Dewdrop, fascinated by her beauty. Velvet rolled her eyes as the latest one, a man with a rat mask, nervously tried to hit on her. His palms were sweaty and beads of sweat dripped from his face; it was unpleasant. Then there was a tap. The sound of someone tapping a finger against a microphone. Suddenly, the crowd of guests looked upward, directing Velvet’s and Dewdrop’s attention to a second floor balcony, where a familiar face was. Mirror Match leaned an arm on the balcony railing, a microphone in her other hand. She had on a beautiful black and green floral dress and some sort of black mask with a horn in the middle of its forehead. Together with her hair, which was tied up into a bun with two sticks protruding out the top and a translucent cape around her shoulders, she looked like a character out of the East. The guests fell silent, all of them waiting for their host to speak. “Season’s greetings, everyone!” Mirror said. “I’d just like to thank everyone tonight for coming. As you know, eighty percent of the proceedings tonight will go to charity, so I’d like to thank you for your part in that. “Also, in addition, I will be donating a hundred thousand dollars to the Manehattan Home for Orphaned Children.” She held up a large check, and the photographers proceeded to snap pictures of her with it. “Again, I’d like to thank everyone here for coming. That’s all. Please enjoy your evening.” There was a great outpouring of applause and cheering. A woman next to Velvet muttered, “She’s so generous.” “Huh?” The woman turned to Velvet, her face beneath the mask red and flushed from the champagne. “Mirror Match is not only one of the wealthiest people in Manehattan, she’s also one of the most open-handed. She frequently gives money to all sorts of worthy causes. I wish I could be like that…” Velvet watched as the woman sashayed away. Squinting up at the balcony, Velvet focused her eagle vision on Mirror Match. If she truly was as dangerous as Dewdrop said, it would pay to know where she was, if only so that she could avoid her. Mirror Match was still having her photo taken, and when Velvet’s eagle vision washed over her, it highlighted her not as red or grey, but as… “...Purple?” Velvet muttered in surprise. She blinked several times, then refocused her gaze on Mirror again. There she was, still highlighted in a purple aura. Velvet had never seen a purple one before. “Dewdrop? What does this mean? Why is she purple?” “Purple?” the older Assassin looked at her. “What are you talking about?” “Eagle vision,” Velvet explained. “It turns her up as purple.” “You must be mistaken,” Dewdrop shook her head. “She’s clearly red. Did you have something to drink?” Velvet frowned, confused. “She’s purple to me…” She looked back to the balcony, but Mirror Match was no longer there. However, someone else was. Someone highlighted in gold. “Dewdrop,” Velvet tugged on her friend’s sleeve. “Look.” “What?” The blue haired Assassin fell silent as her eyes settled on the man in a wolf mask at the balcony. “Wolfgang…” Their target had on a light grey suit, carrying some kind of walking stick in his hands, talking to someone else up there. “What do we do, Dewdrop?” Dewdrop glanced at Velvet. “We can’t assassinate him out in the open like this,” Beneath her mask, her eyes were narrowed. “Let’s go closer. Maybe we can get him alone.” Velvet followed behind Dewdrop as she gently pushed past crowds of masked people, heading to the side to find a staircase. Some shot them irritated stares, but they calmed down after seeing Dewdrop. Psssh… These people… Velvet frowned and watched them peripherally as they watched the two Assassins move on. They were so quick to fall under Dewdrop’s charm. It wasn’t hard to locate Wolfgang’s trail after they arrived at the second floor. The golden light left behind by the man lead all over the floor, and Dewdrop had no trouble going after it. Velvet’s eyes weren’t as trained, so she had to rely on Dewdrop’s as she followed the senior Assassin, unable to see the golden trail herself. “Don’t you worry, Velvet,” Dewdrop kept an arm around her. “Just follow my lead. I’ve got this.” They traveled past two lounging areas, where groups of people sat back and relaxed on large couches, drinking champagne from tall glasses. Further down, it seemed a woman might’ve had too much to drink. She was lying on the floor, likely passed out, a guard beside her trying to get her up. Velvet didn’t know why people attended parties. All they did was drink, eat and dance. For her, it wasn’t much to do, plus, they had to wear fancy dresses like these, which continued to irritate her rump. A bathroom door on the right side opened, a man walking out groggily, wiping at his mouth with a tissue. He probably ate and drank too much. Suddenly, Dewdrop stopped, looking to the side, to a shady alcove draped with swathes of dark blue fabric, obscuring it from prying eyes. “Is he in there?” Velvet whispered. “The trail leads there, yes.” Dewdrop steadied her breath and went on slowly. “We shouldn’t get too close,” Velvet pulled at Dewdrop’s dress. “They might see us. This area isn’t exactly crowded.” And it was true. The second floor wasn’t exactly flooded with guests like the first. It was more of a spot where people could get away from all the noise and just relax. “I just need to get close enough to listen,” Dewdrop crept closer to the alcove, Velvet in tow. They clung to the shadows, hiding behind a floral wreath and an ice sculpture of a rearing stallion. From there, voices from the alcove could be heard. Dewdrop peeped in through a tiny gap in the fabric, revealing four people standing around a table, a glass of champagne before each one. “...not sure how they managed to kill Talon,” A man wearing a tree mask was saying. “I’ve never seen anything like it.” “Correction,” Mirror Match’s voice came. “You have seen it once before. I believe the name Bullseye rings a bell?” “Talon’s lieutenant?” Tree Mask sat back and swapped his glass to his other hand. “You mean it was the Assassin Mentor that did him in?” “The Assassin Mentor is dead,” Wolfgang said. “I saw it myself.” “Then how else can you explain his death? He was sliced in half, Wolfgang. Clean. What blade could’ve cut right through his armor, but her sword?” The fourth member of the party, a man wearing a crescent moon mask, shifted and looked around the room. Dewdrop quickly drew back as his gaze swept over the small crack in the curtains. Satisfied that there was no one watching, the man in the moon mask went back to the conversation. “Well, we have to take proper precautions,” Tree Mask said. “Now that we’ve lost Citrus, we can’t exactly operate out in the open like we used to.” “Yes,” Mirror Match chuckled. “Didn’t you make a promise to her father? That’d you would keep her safe and away from this war? If it’s one thing I hate, Mahogany, it’s empty promises.” “Watch your tone, Mirror Match,” Crescent Mask went for something at his side. From Dewdrop’s view, it looked like a sword. “Or what? Are you threatening me?” Mirror said quietly. “Just making sure you watch your words around the chairman,” Crescent Mask grumbled, taking his hand off his sword. “Weapons are not necessary, Crescent Wing,” Mahogany raised a hand. “She is right. I failed to protect her adequately. I only have myself to blame.” “Anyway,” Mirror said. “It’s not as if Grand Master Sombra needed her much longer. His auditorium has been taking up most of his time. Why, he couldn’t even attend my party!” She sniffed derisively. “I’m sure he would have had a grand time.” “He isn’t even in Canterlot,” Wolfgang sneered and pushed his mask up higher. “Though I will say this is a right proper party. Nice speech, by the way. The people seem to love you.” He raised a cigar to his mouth and lit it. Mirror smiled behind her black mask before removing one of her gloves and snuffing out Wolfgang’s cigar with her fingertips. “Of course they do.” “Party aside, Mirror Match,” Mahogany Wood dusted at his sleeves. “Crescent and I will be heading to Canterlot to oversee the construction of the auditorium in a few days. When will you be joining us there?” “Their auditorium is in Canterlot!” Velvet hissed to Dewdrop. “We should warn Frigid.” Dewdrop nodded, but remained quiet. Mirror drank a sip from her glass. “Soon, chairman. I just need to finalize all the charity donations before I’m free. Although, I suspect the auditorium will be done by the time I arrive. The Grand Master really is putting his all into it. Makes one wonder what exactly is so important about it.” “He’s planning to force his way to the other world,” Mahogany entwined his fingers. “We will have order, not just for our world, but for his as well. We will make both worlds better, all because of him.” Mirror nodded once, her expression inscrutable behind her black mask. “If you say so, chairman.” “If anyone is to blame for this wretched world we live in, it’s the Assassins. They can’t see that there will be peace if we achieve our goal. No more killing, no more hate, isn’t that right, Crescent?” “Absolutely, sir,” the orange haired man nodded. “A world full of love and peace, hmm?” Wolfgang snorted. “Yeah. Sure.” “Oh, I don’t know,” Mirror said dreamily. “I think a world full of love would suit me rather well.” “That is why we must push forward, no matter the odds,” Mahogany leaned forward and put his arms on his knees. “It’ll all work out. We just need to keep the Assassins away until then. After he is ready, even those killers will fall under his control.” “Well, if that’s all…” Wolfgang said, preparing to get up. “I plan on getting some more food before the night’s out.” Mirror’s hand shot out, stopping Wolfgang from leaving. “One more thing,” she said softly. “I think it’s fair to tell you, there are Assassins here tonight.” Dewdrop and Velvet held their breaths, stepping further away from the little opening in the alcove. “Did she hear us?” Velvet looked around worriedly, watching out for guards. “She knows we’re here!” “She couldn’t have,” Dewdrop looked back in carefully. “What?” Mahogany hissed. “Why didn’t you tell us immediately?” “I didn’t feel like alarming you,” Mirror said coolly. “But they’re here, hiding amongst the guests. I would guess that they’re here for either you, chairman, or you, Wolfgang.” “You’re not concerned that they might be here for you?” Crescent muttered. “Oh, it would take more than a few Assassins to kill me. Unlike the rest of you, I have a reputation.” Mahogany scrunched up his face and stood up. “Crescent Wing, I want you to search the area. Any sign of the Assassins, I want you to take them out. Discreetly, if possible.” “And risk ruining my party?” Mirror pouted. “No, I won’t have it. Chairman, you and Crescent must leave immediately. Take the back entrance to the carpark. Wolfgang, if you would… come to… “ Mirror’s voice dropped to a whisper, so that Dewdrop and Velvet could only hear snatches of her words. “... floor thirty-one… express elevator… hours.” Mahogany Wood buttoned up his suit jacket and proceeded towards the exit of their alcove. Dewdrop pulled Velvet back behind the sculpture, finding a bench, sitting down on opposite sides of a man in a mask with wings on the sides. The Board’s chairman and his trusty bodyguard emerged from behind the blue cloth, turning in the opposite direction, walking away without noticing the two Assassins. He was soon followed by Wolfgang and Mirror Match, each of them going separate ways, not even looking once toward the bench. “Close one…” Dewdrop sighed, pushing at her fringe. “You catch all that?” “Catch what?” the man in between the two of them smiled, pushing his combed hair back. “You? I’m certain I did.” “I’m not talking to you,” Dewdrop pushed him forward. “Velvet, you catch that?” “Floor thirty-one, express elevator,” the young Assassin nodded. “That’s all I could get.” “Ooh, floor thirty-one, eh?” the man interrupted. “Perhaps you’ll like me to accompany you? I hear the view there is quite… romantic.” Dewdrop slapped a hand to her forehead and held back a groan. Then she smiled sweetly and looked at the man again. “We could… after you get a glass of champagne for me. How’s that?” “You got it,” he said and swiftly ran off, heading back down the stairs. Dewdrop quickly grabbed Velvet and ran in the opposite direction, towards the second staircase. “I’m tired of people hitting on me. You know, once or twice is fun, but not every single man here. Ugh… Not even a single pretty woman.” Velvet nodded, taking care not to trip on her dress as they descended the stairs and returned to the first floor. She spied the man that Dewdrop had sent off, rushing back up the opposite stairs with two champagne glasses in his hands. “Well, he’s going to be disappointed…” she mumbled to herself, trying not to laugh. They kept to the wall, looking for the entrance down to the wine cellar. Eventually, Velvet saw the sign, pointing down to a dark corner at the rear of the lobby, where a waiter was returning from, two bottles in his hands. Velvet increased her speed, excited to be out of the dress soon; the itch was becoming unbearable again. The pair descended into the cool darkness of the wine cellar, checking quietly for any other members of the staff that might be down here. Satisfied that the cellar was empty, the two Assassins quickly found the marked crate that had their gear in it. Dewdrop yanked off the cover and dug deep, pushing aside the top layer of bottles to reveal their outfits and weapons. They got dressed swiftly, discarding the dresses and masks in the crate. Velvet strapped on her hidden blade, feeling much better now that she was out of that itchy dress. She also transferred the sword shard from her sock to her jacket pocket. “Perhaps if we have time, I’d like to come back down here to retrieve that dress,” Dewdrop pulled her blue coat over her shoulders. “I rather like it.” “I didn’t,” Velvet rubbed at her rear and pulled her grey hood over her head. “Glad to be out of it at last.” “All set?” The senior Assassin pulled her hood low over her eyes after slinging her swords on her back. “You know it,” Velvet put her slingbag on. The two Assassins returned up the stairs, hiding around the corner from the party guests. The elevators of Match Mansions were positioned just across the hallway, within five meters of their position. Dewdrop waited until there were no guests looking in their direction, then sprinted across the open area to the safety of the elevator lobby. She jammed a finger on the button, before pressing herself against the marble wall. Velvet joined her, keeping low as she ran across from the cellar staircase to the lift lobby, joining Dewdrop by the wall. Unfortunately, a man rounded the corner on the other end, a glass of champagne in each hand. “Ah, there you are, my dear,” he smiled when he saw Dewdrop. “You’ve changed your attire? Might I say, you look lovely.” He didn’t seem to see the weapons on her back. Dewdrop looked to Velvet and rubbed at her head. Then she widened her eyes, like she suddenly had an idea. Looking back to the man, she pulled down her hood as he walked over, handing her a glass. “Thank you,” she accepted the drink and smiled. “I thought I’d get ready before meeting you here.” “And you’re absolutely beautiful,” he nodded his head. “You look so much better without your mask on.” “You’re so kind,” Dewdrop stepped closer. “I think you deserve a little something. Close your eyes.” Excited, the man did as Dewdrop said. Instead, the blue haired Assassin walked around him quietly, then hit him hard with the side of her hand at the back of his neck. The man’s eyes rolled up his head as he dropped forward; Velvet crouched down and grabbed his falling champagne glass, not wanting the sound to attract any attention. “Men…” Dewdrop downed her glass and shifted the man’s body so that he was leaning against the wall. She took the glass from Velvet and placed a glass each in of the man’s hands. Now he looked like he had passed out from too much drink. “That’s how you get things done, Velvet.” After a few more moments, the elevator arrived, allowing the Assassins to rush in, before anyone else could appear out of nowhere. The elevator only had two buttons, an arrow pointing up and an arrow pointing down. There was also a numeric keypad next to the buttons. Dewdrop pressed the up arrow, but then the keypad beeped. Please enter code. It read. “Code?” “I don’t know,” Velvet said in a whisper. “What do you think it is?” She glanced up at the elevator ceiling. There was a single security camera there, nestled in the corner and watching them with its one unblinking eye. Dewdrop was about the press a button when suddenly, the elevator doors closed with a quiet slithery noise and the lift began its journey upwards. Dewdrop’s eyebrows shot up and she glanced at Velvet. “Hey, I didn’t do anything,” the girl shrugged. “Maybe it’s a malfunction.” “I doubt it,” Dewdrop looked up at the camera and drew her pistol. “I have a feeling Mirror Match has her eyes on us.” And Velvet was afraid. “What are we going to do, Dewdrop? What if she’s waiting for us up there?” Dewdrop looked at the girl grimly. “Then we’ll finally see if it’s possible to kill a nightmare.” “But we came here for Wolfgang! We aren’t ready for Mirror Match!” Velvet pleaded. “Please, Dewdrop. Let’s just get out of here. You know we can’t beat her, especially not in her own home.” At that moment, the elevator bell dinged, and the doors slid open. Ahead of them was darkness, and when Dewdrop tried to press down, a metal panel slid over the buttons, concealing them. They were trapped.