Trueshot sat in the armory atop an opened munitions box, slotting more bullets into empty magazines.
“What’cha up to, sniper?” Feather Duster popped up, sitting across from him on another box.
“Getting more spare ammo,” he replied, completing another magazine. This was his seventh one done. “You can never be too careful.”
The Saddle Arabian Assassin watched Trueshot’s hands, noticing his missing fingers.
“Say, what happened to your hands? I mean, if you don’t want to talk about it, it’s fine.”
“It’s fine.” He lifted one hand to look at it. “It was a vampire that bit off my fingers.”
Feather Duster nodded at an extremely slow speed. “Vampire…? Really?”
“Yeah. Didn’t believe it myself either, but after the fangs and the supernatural powers, I think it’s safe to say she was real.”
Feather Duster shrugged and propped her sniper rifle up on the box as she began to dismantle it. “Well, I can’t say you’re lying. You’ve got the fingers to prove it. Or not.”
Both Assassins shared a laugh before returning to their weapons.
“How have things been?” Trueshot asked, breaking the silence. “I heard that black haired one, Keila, complaining day and night about Frigid Night.”
“Yeah. I think it’s because he didn’t want to cooperate with her.”
Trueshot sighed. Something really had happened with that guy, and it looks like there was no changing it.
“He’s been through a lot for someone his age. After a few incidents, he decided to go solo. I guess he didn’t want anyone else to get hurt.”
Feather Duster nodded, but Trueshot didn’t think she fully understood what he was saying. To understand Frigid’s story, he would have to start from day one.
“So, how many rounds can you fit in there?” the Saddle Arabian pointed, taking their minds off the dark topic. “You mentioned full-auto for that thing.”
“Twenty,” the Stalliongrad Assassin answered. “More than enough to cut down a squad of Templars in a go.”
“Impressive. May I… May I try it…?” she asked as nicely as she could.
“Oh… Well… Sure.” Trueshot walked over and held his weapon out for her. “Just be careful with her.”
“You couldn’t trust anyone better, my friend.”
She rotated the gun around a few times before putting the stock to her shoulder. Feather Duster looked down the scope and shifted it around.
“It’s very light,” she smiled. “This isn’t bad.”
“Why, of course. Made every part myself, remember?” He looked to Feather’s rifle and pointed to it. “You don’t mind do you?”
“I normally wouldn’t let anyone touch it… But you’re alright, Trueshot. Go ahead.”
Both snipers pointed the rifles around, loading in empty magazines and pulling back the slides like they were using the rifle in the field.
“Wow. It’s very well made,” Trueshot marveled. The weapon truly had fantastic craftsmanship, especially the wooden parts.
“You bet it is,” the other sniper laughed. “This old girl’s seen me through a dozen firefights and won me at least two sniper duels. You ever get into one? It’s harrowing, I tell you.”
“Oh yes. That I know,” Trueshot rolled his eyes, remembering his duel with Mirror. He never stood a chance. “Have-have you ever… dueled someone who could bounce bullets off objects and nail you with them?”
“You two look like you’re having fun,” Shadowstrike said as he and Rose Petal entered the armory. “Still deciding who’s better?”
“Hmm… Equal level, I believe.”
“Yeah, I agree,” Trueshot added. “She’s pretty good. No, really good.”
“How about you two?” Feather sat back down on her box. “Who had the better CQC?”
“She did,” Shadowstrike pointed. “But let it be known, I don’t hit beautiful women.”
“So I’m not beautiful?” Feather Duster playfully questioned. “To think we know each other after seven years as partners?”
“I didn’t say that,” Shadowstrike waved his hands in front of him. “But I’ve never seen the likes of Rose before. She’s a glamorous red flower among the white ones.”
“Uh huh.” The Saddle Arabian sniper wasn’t impressed.
“You flatter me, Shadow,” Rose smiled, but couldn’t stop a small blush from spreading. “But I’m sure your partner is quite a rare one as well. Including her skills. I’ve only ever seen one good sniper in my life, and he’s standing in front of you.”
“Yeah, you two are pretty much the same,” Shadowstrike gave Trueshot a friendly punch. “It’s no wonder Mentor Shamal assigned you two together.”
“Whatever gets the work done, you know?” Trueshot went back to loading bullets into his magazines. “Speaking of work. When are we getting back out there again?”
Frigid Night stepped back into the bureau, close to afternoon, walking right past the guards as they tried to ignore his presence. Besides them, there was another face there, actually happy that he had returned.
“Frigid, you’re back!” Morning Blade greeted him in the lobby. “I was worried you were in trouble or something.”
“Yeah. Just a storm, Morning. I just waited it out in one of the safehouses. Didn’t find my target, though.” Frigid scratched at his face and tried to focus on the ceiling. “Uh, well, did anything happen while I was gone? You get any training done?”
“I trained a little with Dewdrop,” Morning smiled. “She’s very skilled. Oh, and Mentor wants us to go back to Saddle Arabia with her. She says they need more Assassins there.”
“Go… back…?”
Frigid immediately walked over to a wall and pushed his head against it.
“Guuuuh,” he groaned, his voice muffled. “Why? Isn’t there anyone else who can go?”
“Well...” Morning walked over and leaned against the wall. “You’re one of the best, sir. I think the Mentor chose you because you are able to help make a difference. Don’t you think so, Frigid?”
Frigid didn’t answer, but he doubted it. He’d lost the Mentor’s trust a long time ago, and he’d been trying to restore it for the last year. She probably still didn’t trust him enough to leave him here without her supervision. Although, under her eye, Frigid had still spent the night with Mirror Match anyway. It pained him to leave her again, but he knew he still had his duty, and whether he liked it or not, he would have to go to Saddle Arabia again.
“Let’s get it over with then…” Frigid Night sighed and headed up the stairs. “One question. Do we have to travel by air again?”