#( threads: wendy satou / love p )

[musingmemories]

Actions and Consequences

@5ofhearts-chris

Routine will take you further than willpower. Down to the most finite detail, Wendy had grown up learning that discipline was a strength, and preferred to keep her mind clear and spirit pure because of the weapon she possessed. The Ace of Spades was an heirloom, a blessing or a curse depending on the user, and Wendy could only hope to one day to make her father proud. This time...this time...a mantra every time the card was played, the sword secured in its sheathe. Wendy's skills with a sheathed blade were often times unrivaled, and Love and Peace's spirit wasn't needed. But there were times her alter-ego was called.

This time will be different.

This time she'd be the one in control.

The card weighed heavily against the fabric of her breast pocket, as though carrying the very soul of the sword and the lives it had taken, the blood that had spilled. Usually the burden disappeared the second she stepped into the High Card automobile company, Finn yelling in surprise from learning something new, Vijay there with a soft smile and her cup of tea ready to go. The air was different, quiet, and Wendy hesitantly gathered her hair into that signature ponytail, glasses adjusting. "You seem serious...is there a mission for me?" She asked Leo, just as the door opened.

"Actually, this mission is for both of you." Leo said with a thoughtful hum.

Wendy expected to turn and find Vijay, anxiety swelling in the pit of her stomach and heartbeat skipping when her gaze locked with the person she would be partnered with instead: Chris.

[musingmemories]

@5ofhearts-chris

Hearing how her suggestion that Chris add extra equipment must’ve sounded, Wendy wished she’d bitten her tongue. "I don't mean to say that you need it, Chris--!” She added hastily, recalling moments when Chris proved time and time again he was High Card's strongest player. Quite literally immortal and seemingly invincible, if Chris was disarmed he was still left with four additional weapons: his limbs he'd trained to be just as lethal. But what surprised her was the agreement, followed by her teaching him. "If it means you'd be able to predict Love-P's moves and disarm her quickly, then yes, I'd want to teach you." Surely they were truly one, Wendy and Love-P. "But she's not coming back anymore." Said in such an assuring way even Wendy fooled herself as she so often did. Wanted desperately to believe that she had total control now that she'd decided to try her own path.

Which meant being the target of Chris' endless flirting, and Wendy was left wondering just how red her face could get. Calm, cool, collected unless drunk, Wendy wasn't used to such words that were uttered that landed with each thump of her heartbeat. So when she'd teased, she hadn't expected Chris to call her out, thoroughly embarrassed. Had it really made him happy? "I was more so being sarcastic..." She managed to say in an effort to save face, thankful for the shift in topic to banoffee pie. Wendy watched Chris' reaction as he described the sweet, a soft smile on her lips, finding herself drawn to such passion about a baked good. Chris seemed passionate about most things, from what Wendy had observed in the past, despite her claiming not to care otherwise...she'd still listened. "I look forward to trying it." She admitted, hoping their mission would go well enough for them to share the dessert sooner rather than later.

But only time would tell. As they retrieved Chris' rental car and drove to the base, Wendy said, "I hope you got insurance." A light joke to maintain the positivity that had started from the train, anticipating Leo's explosive reaction when they reported that yet another car had been used as a weapon in Chris' hands. One too many Fast and Furious movies, and Wendy wondered if they had been Chris' influence. A thought that wanted to be asked, forgotten when Chris parked the car, keeping in mind the distance for their future getaway. It was almost like two well-dressed people were just taking a leisurely stroll in the countryside and returning home perhaps, with the mansion looming ahead like a beacon. Not a guard in sight as they neared, just as the report had confirmed. Nothing but a beautiful three-story mansion sitting in the middle of nowhere just outside of town.

What made it reality was Chris' glance in her direction before he activated his card. Hesitation was only a split second before she too called out "Play!" and her sheathed sword is in her hands. Following Chris' signals, Wendy had his back as he led the way, sheathed sword clenched in her left hand, right itching to hold the hilt. All seemed quiet around the household, no one coming or going through the front, windows covered with curtains drawn, no approaching cars from the distance. A little too quiet, the only thought at the side entrance, and a firm nod of confirmation for Chris to go ahead before the door revealed itself to be unlocked. Coincidence, or a trap.

Entering and flanking Chris' side, they appear to have entered a large parlor with a grand piano, couches, tables, and plenty of seating. Still eerily quiet. Wendy moved to one of parlor entrances, opening the door to take a peek in the hallway, and found herself face to face with a guard which made her nearly leap out of her skin. "Hi." She says, not hesitating to deliver a swift hit to the guard's gut with the backend of the sword's hilt using the same motion to the back of his head as he keels over and collapses in a heap to the floor. "One down." About to usher Chris out of the parlor, there's only a split-second reaction when Wendy senses another presence rounding the corner, followed by an angry "Hey!" and an immediate spray of gunfire before she ducks back inside the parlor.

She greets Chris with a smile. "Okay so...one--no two guards down the hall, and probably more incoming from the floors above what with all that gunfire. If you cover, I'll charge and see if I can get a lead on the rest that are coming." Without another word, Wendy ran back out into the hall, trusting Chris to cover as she made her way ahead, showing no fear under the gunfire sent in her direction. Only a few more guards from their report, not knowing that an influx of men and advanced weaponry had been hired to protect the card in the mansion's safe on the upper floors.

@musingmemories

Wendy's excitement about showing her sword skills was endearing to him and it made him a bit excited for her to show him, too. It was true that he tended to be more cautious around swords, especially when Wendy activated her card, since the experience had never been pleasant so far with Love-P's particular way with swords, but he was always amazed by what Wendy could do with just an activated card and a sheathed sword. He respected her skills a lot.

"Oh, me?" Chris was a bit taken aback by her proposal of him learning to use a sword. He actually never considered using one, having acquired the skill to use different kinds of guns and additionally relying on his MMA and kickboxing proficiency on most of the missions. He did survive so far, after all. Her reasoning sounded sensible though, so he replied, "Mh~ You... might have a point there. Maybe I could try. Would Wendy-chan teach me then~?" he grinned cheerfully. He was sure that he would never make a good swordsman, especially not one that could live up to Wendy's level of skill. But maybe he would be better at predicting Love-P's insane next moves when he had the basics down? Oh, wishful thinking... He banned any thoughts on Love-P from his mind. At least he would see Wendy be all excited about swordsmanship. That outlook seemed nice.

When he heard her tone of voice, he stared at her, surprised. Was Wendy actually teasing him? "Wendy-chan, I am so happy right now - to see the day that Wendy Satou is actually teasing me~" He grinned and the awkwardness was gone.

His grin dropped dramatically when she mentioned the tragedy of never having banoffee pie before. Poor poor Wendy. He put his hand to his chest. "Oh Wendy~ You will be in for a treat then! It's a wonderful composition of coffee-flavoured cream and pure white whipped cream. Beneath some bananas there is a rich toffee traditionally made from boiled condensed milk and a crunchy short crust pastry at the bottom... You're going to love it." He loved cakes and even though he rarely shared his sweets, since he could devour all of it by himself in one sitting, the thought of sharing some with her wasn't bad at all. He smiled, when she agreed. He felt like they were making progress in getting to know each other better, in removing the wall that had always been there between them.

They stood on the platform when she mentioned a car ride. "Oh, good thing I prepared this for us then~" He produced an order confirmation for a rental car service located near the station. He nodded seriously when Wendy said that they would be home sooner than they'd realize.

Within minutes they got their nice-looking car (he made sure of having that particular model) and he drove them to the base. He parked the car a bit further from their destination so that they could walk the rest of the way. When they neared the mansion, it looked calm and mostly empty. So far, so good.

He looked back at Wendy and activated his card. "Play."

Then he signaled to her that he would like to check out the side entrance. They approached it slowly. He couldn't see through the windows since they were all covered. When they got closer, he pulled out his gun, looked at Wendy to check if she was ready, before he tried to open the door.

It was unlocked. Maybe that should've made him suspicious already...

He looked at Wendy one last time before entering the mansion.

[musingmemories]

@5ofhearts-chris

When Chris suggested she show her his sword skills, Wendy lit up with the words. She assumed, based on Love-P and her bloodlust, that Chris wouldn't want to be anywhere near Wendy and a sword outside of High Card. And if he did feel that way then Chris was an excellent liar and one smooth talker. Which he was both of. Even if it was a suggestion that wouldn't see the light of day, Wendy warmly took it to heart, interpreting it as though Chris didn't think she was the same psychopath her card created.

"If you want, I think you could learn. I mean, you're a marksman but if you ran out of bullets a sword is a great backup." Meanwhile, the sword was her primary weapon of choice and she carried zero backups. Which meant Wendy was either ridiculously confident or completely reckless, both of which were traits Love-P possessed, unbeknownst to her.

As Chris stammered, Wendy chuckled again, finding it amusing that she'd caused that sort of reaction when he was usually so fluid with his words. "Taking your time...I see. Now that I think about it...I've never seen you inhale ice cream or Fudgees bars, or any other food, have I, Chris?" She hoped her attempted teasing was airy enough to dance with the words, expression attempting to lighten itself from the previous glare that had probably been more intimidating than intended. At least his laughter and his second bite, which Wendy almost reached out to beg him to stop continuing, soothed the air between them, ceasing any worry and overthinking that threatened to clamp her mouth shut again.

But it did, anyway, with Chris' next suggestion: sharing a banoffee pie. The intimate offer, or just friends sharing food as anyone else would've taken it, caused her cheeks to pink. "You know..." Wendy tapped her chin thoughtfully, unfocused gaze cast at the train car's ceiling in an attempt to collect herself, sandwich finished somewhere between their exchanged chuckles and words. "I don't think I've ever had banoffee pie." She admitted. Typically around the holidays there were cakes and pastries, but not pie. Wendy couldn't find herself immediately saying yes thanks to doubt the ugly beast trying to rear its ugly head. But as Chris smiles at her somehow it alleviates some of the darkness, reminding herself to remain positive. Because, after all, she'd been trying to stray from the original path she'd taken: Togetherness rather than solitude. "Sure. After the mission." The words made her heart skip a slight beat.

Right on cue, or a sign of foreboding, the train slowed to a stop, the station looming beyond the windows on either side. The countryside visible in the distance. A secluded home somewhere beyond, a base where the card lay waiting. With her belongings packed, Wendy was just about to stand when Chris offered his hand, to which she smirked and accepted. A contrast to before when she'd brushed him off back at work.

No time to dwell anymore. Focused sharpened, Wendy was already calculating their next moves. "We'll need a car for our getaway, but the base is about a 10 minute drive from here. According to the information that was gathered, the card's supposedly not very guarded. So we should be able to get in and get out by the next train and be home sooner than we realize." And if it was as lightly guarded as their intel had gathered, her sword wouldn't need to be unsheathed at all. Maybe they could walk away without spilling any blood. Maybe it would be their first successful mission together.

@musingmemories

Chris often wondered how Wendy could act and distract their clients on the missions so easily (though he suspected the drunk state that they would find her in afterwards played a role in it) and seemed to get along with Vijay and the others just fine, but was so uptight and quiet when it came to him, since he usually didn't have that effect on people. But it seemed like she finally warmed up to him a little and he had fun sitting right next to her on that train ride.

He couldn't help but chuckle when she confidently stated that of course she was skillful with her hands. "Maybe you should show me sometime, Wendy-chan~," he cheerfully replied and would genuinely be happy about whatever she would show him. Her katana skills were very impressive to look at, after all. He found that he wouldn't mind just sitting there and letting her show off her passion and skill with the sword.

When she glared in his direction he feared that he might have seriously offended or hurt her and worked his mind in overdrive to come up with a smooth reply - of course, he could lie his way out of this, but - should he? Did he want to? Wendy's honorable ways somehow made him want to be honest with her, "Ah, it's not that... I don't like it-" at least a little. "I just like... taking my time?" Gosh, that was pathetic. He started to make a fool out of himself in front of her. What was wrong with him?

But then she chuckled and he found himself chuckling along with her like an idiot. When she offered him to not finish the sandwich, he felt a bit bad. He considered eating it all up - but what if his stomach couldn't take that? And since when would he force something not enjoyable into his stomach? Anything to make her smile just one more time. So he mindlessly mirrored her and took another bite of the sandwich. He was so going to regret it.

Wendy made him smile widely again when she innocently asked what things she should share. "Mmh~ I can't think of a thing right now," he lied for her sake. "Let's share a banoffee pie when we get back from the mission maybe?" He intentionally mentioned something sweet to distract from his initial innuendo and couldn't stop grinning somehow.

The arrival at their destination saved him from his death by sandwich - he hadn't been able to finish it in time.

"Let's get to work, shall we?" He smiled kindly at her and offered her a hand to get up from her seat. Then they headed out to their mission.

He straightened himself, bracing himself for what was to come. Get in, get the card, get out. Nothing too complicated, right?

[musingmemories]

@5ofhearts-chris

In the effortless way he conversed, Wendy could almost imagine they weren't on their way to a mission, didn't own their cards, and were just two people on a train together. Or maybe they'd just met. After all, Wendy, who'd been a professional in the art of ignoring Chris, and was still trying to keep up with him and his charm. Wendy could see why he always had a date, someone to text, someone to call, and maybe she'd ignored it all out of jealousy.

But Wendy wasn't so unlike Chris--usually it was easy for her to flirt and use the art of distraction (mostly thanks to alcohol) to be a decoy, extract intel or steal an item or a card. Straightforward, to the point, all of it was an act and none of it from her heart. All for the mission and her desire to protect the world. Or she'd been drinking.

Maybe that's what she needed right now. A drink. Ah, right, they were en route to the mission.

Later then.

For now, she'd take Chris' olive branches and promise herself that if Love P needed to be drawn, she'd cleanse his doubts and anxieties by displaying total self-control. And do it again and again and again until he'd trust her.

The thought warmed her heart with hope and determination, or it was Chris' compliment on her food's presentation that did. "Of course I'm skillful with my hands." Wendy replied as matter-of-fact, genuinely referring to her sword skills. Anything he might’ve referred to otherwise went completely over her head.

Hesitation was expected and only proved that Chris felt the same way as everyone else did about her cooking. About to withdraw the offer, Chris surprised her by actually taking one, and she could only watch as he took a bite.

Her breath stilled.

There wasn't an immediate hum, his eyes didn't sparkle, his chewing was cautious rather than excited and the grimace appeared when he had to swallow. Her sigh is released with a heavy shoulder heave as Chris suggests making sandwiches with her next time. "You didn't even try to pretend to like it." Wendy flashed a glare in his direction, which gave way to a chuckled smirk and a bite of her sandwich.

His efforts didn't go unnoticed. In fact, Wendy felt a sort of stillness settle in her chest, soothing the flutters in her stomach. Too bad it was at the risk of Chris' life. "You don't have to finish it." More than likely he hadn't even planned on it, but she felt compelled to tell him.

Wendy had been considering his offer to teach her when he added a suggestion of sharing more than just sweet things with him. "What things should I share?" She asks genuinely, taking another bite of her sandwich.

@musingmemories

It often left the others unfazed when he got injured or 'killed' because of his ability. They tended to forget that it always hurt immensely and often more than any human could normally take. He hated the pain. But he endured it silently or waved it aside with lighthearted remarks, because who was he to complain? He was practically immortal after all. Immortal with feelings - an immortal who got hurt, too.

If possible he would avoid pain in any setting. He also avoided thinking of what Love-P would actually do to him if she had unlimited access to him, since Wendy would have it under control and Love-P wouldn't be needed. His lovely co-worker would never want to hurt him after all. He knew that and so he concentrated on the easy conversation at hand, which he began to enjoy a lot.

He saw her blush and couldn't help but smile a little. "They look very lovely," he complimented honestly. "Shows that you are very skillful with your hands... Heh," he grinned about his own unintended ambiguous statement and winked at her.

Then he hesitated when he got offered to take a sandwich. The last time he tried one, it... wasn't to his taste. But maybe it had just been bad luck and this time it would be better?

What you need is manners, grace and a readiness to risk your life. He decided to go with High Card's motto and picked an unsuspicious-looking sandwich out of her bento box.

"Then I'll give it a try. Thank you for the food~" He bit into it .... and chewed deliberately.

Then he finally swallowed. "... Wendy-chan, how about I make some sandwiches with you together some time?" he suggested in a cautious, friendly way. He didn't know what she did to make the sandwich taste so... interesting, but surely, he could help her improve those? "Maybe you can share more than just sweet things with me then~" he added to give her a playful out, if she needed one. He didn't want to push her and cherished the peaceful conversation they had. Too bad that they would arrive at their destination soon.

[musingmemories]

@5ofhearts-chris

Anyone that knew Chris would've noticed that he'd evaded Wendy's heavy-hitting question with an airy breath of disarming charm. For now, offering silence in exchange for the compliments, Wendy accepted his answer knowing that only time would tell. Still, it doesn't quiet the ache in her chest to be met with a lie rather than the truth from her partner.

Can she blame him?

From the puzzle pieces she's picked up here and there about Love-P and her bloodlust, it made Wendy want to run and hide every time she saw him after Love-P had taken over. How nauseating it must be sitting by her. In reality, it should be Chris to avoid her all together.

And yet...here he sat. A pillar of faith, just that good of a person.

Or he was a masochist.

You can share sweet things with me anytime. Wendy was thankful she'd worn her hair down as it provided a curtain between them, her face still peeking through the various strands of hair that had fallen forward from her shuffling. Slowly but surely she was opening up and talking more with just about everyone in High Card...everyone but Chris, it seemed, from how tongue-tied he made her.

But this wasn't the first time he'd flirted. No...it seemed like just about every conversation started and ended with him flirting with her. With women, in general. Having Chris' attention now though while they were alone...it was a rare moment when Wendy thought that so far it wasn't the worst thing in the world.

Did you prepare them yourself, Wendy-chan~?

The apples of her cheeks warmed, and Wendy couldn't help but think back to her father calling out her lack of culinary skills, or how less enthusiastic the others had seemed about her bringing breakfast in again. "And what if I did prepare them myself, Chris?" She asked with, what she hoped was readable as, playful suspicion. A quiet hmph and she takes one of her sandwiches to make a point, her stomach all too used to her own cooking.

"You're welcome to have one, if you want. In exchange for the Fudgees bar." Which Wendy planned on replacing regardless with some sort of sweet the second they got off the train, drilled into her mind how important it was for Chris to keep his Calories High.

@musingmemories

Chris thought it felt nice to sit next to his co-worker and managed to relax a bit, since he made the decision to trust in Wendy and noted the fact that she didn't push him away - one step closer to having a real conversation with her today.

When he started the conversation however, the familiar pattern resurfaced and Wendy remained quiet. Funny, because when she got too drunk, she seemed to like talking. He thought of all the nights he made sure that the drunk samurai girl got home safe. Those were the little moments that revealed her true thoughts and where she let down her guard for a bit. Maybe that was why he wouldn't give up trying to make a connection with her.

Chris didn't skip a beat when he replied, "Oh, I'm always a bit nervous around pretty ladies - especially someone as pretty as you, Wendy~" He didn't go into what she actually wanted to imply. He didn't want to think about the possibility of Love-P getting involved too much and hoped that it would distract from the topic.

His face brightened when she took the Fudgees bar and he just found out that he really liked seeing her enjoying her food and being content. He would love to see more of that.

He didn't even notice his lopsided grin from observing her and almost missed her 'thank you'. It took him by surprise and he wanted to exclaim it in a cheerful way, but when he saw her shuffling consciously, he bit back a remark, proceeded to smile genuinely and said, "You're welcome!" Though he couldn't resist playfully adding, "You can share sweet things with me anytime~," and meant it.

When she put her bento box onto her lap, he got curious and witnessed her opening it to reveal neatly prepared sandwiches. He couldn't help but remember the last time she brought in sandwiches. He decided to push his luck in conversing with her and asked, "Sandwiches! Did you prepare them yourself, Wendy-chan~?"

[musingmemories]

@5ofhearts-chris

Is this seat next to you still available, beautiful lady?

Before giving Wendy a chance to answer, Chris was already sitting beside her, surprise widening her eyes ever so slightly. His forwardness was always alarming, only because it was something she wasn't used to. In another life, maybe she would've been closer to Chris.

Or wasn't it better late than never, as the saying goes?

Besides, Chris and the rest of the team probably knew Wendy more than she could recall, what with her sober thoughts often tumbling from drunken lips after drinking past her limit. One of two taboo's of Wendy Satou. Despite shutting everyone out, she still went to the pub after work, same time as everyone else, but sat alone. Close enough but still far enough away. Yet her laments fell on the person taking her home, often complaining about being alone, acting like an old broad, portraying a boring attitude, and her desire for friends, and wanting more out of life.

'It's not fair!' She'd curse at the sky.

And a turning point, later on. Even after drawing Love-P, both Chris and Finn had helped her home. When Wendy had awakened, Finn had been there acting like a friend even though she couldn't remember the chaos her alter-ego might've caused. A team he'd called them and Wendy had considered trying to accept it. Not all at once, but bit by bit through acts of service such as mopping the shop floor and bringing breakfast. The latter doing more harm than good with her not being much of a cook, but it was the thought that counted. Maybe one day she'd sit and have a drink with all of them at the pub. Maybe, maybe, maybe.

But talking still wasn't her strong suits. Evident as she was still silent while Chris continued, taking a steadying breath with her attention focused, thankfully, on the mission briefing. Somehow he had a way of making her feel nervous, her heartbeat elevating slightly whenever he was around, flashing that signature smile, eyes capturing hers with such an intensity that she had to shy away. As though she were facing the sun. Wendy couldn't pinpoint why, especially when she felt more at ease around the rest of the High Card members, but she wanted to try.

"You're not nervous being partnered with me?" She asked, eyeing the sweets, wondering if it was too much for her to actually take one. What's wrong with a little trouble? Finn had asked, and it prompted her to set the mission briefing down to take one of Chris' offered sweets, biting into it and eyes lighting up at the taste.

"Thank you," She mumbled, hoping he wouldn't make a huge display of it, attempting to use movement to distract herself from focusing too intently on how warmed her cheeks suddenly felt and produced a bento box.

A silent offer of exchange, yet she froze. It wasn't so different than before when she'd brought food for everyone else at the shop, right? Surely she could offer Chris one. It was just a sandwich. But she remained still, box now sitting open on her lap.

@musingmemories

As Wendy ignored him once again, he tried to brush it off easily, not letting him get affected by that, and dropped his arm to make her feel more comfortable. He expected as much, but still - having her react to him once in a while would feel nice, he supposed.

"Off we go then~," he said, when they were done with the briefing. He threw away the empty bag of donuts he already devoured and left the office to make his final preparations.

Chris arrived at the train station shortly before their train left - just in time. He had looked around the platform but didn't see Wendy there, so he finally went in to check the wagons.

"Is this seat next to you still available, beautiful lady?" he asked using his charms.

He put away his suitcase and sat down next to Wendy without waiting for an answer.

"Ha~ Isn't it nice, Wendy? Us two together on a mission again?" He tried to break the ice a bit by offering her his favourite sweet. "Fudgees?"

Okay, yes, maybe he was a bit more anxious about this mission and less excited after all. But he decided to trust Wendy. She could handle any situation. And so did he.

[musingmemories]

@5ofhearts-chris

Wendy-chan.

His warmth always threw her off trajectory, uncertain how to react, a flight than fight when it came to being around Chris. Which often left him ignored. A reason why they were rarely paired, no secret of Love and Peace's obsession of Chris and the endless entertainment she found in his card's ability. A perfect excuse for Wendy to avoid him, out of shame, embarrassment, and guilt.

That's what it was, an excuse. It wasn't because she wanted things like making friends or exploring her desires or maybe falling in love. Not Wendy on her lonely path of solitude. She knew better. She'd always known better.

Vijay respected it. And it was why they were the preferred duo for missions as they balanced each other out so evenly that drawing her sword wasn't necessary. Better this way. Everyone was a partner, nothing more, if that. Everyone at an arm's length, even better if it was by her sword's.

Now Wendy had even more of a reason not to draw it for Chris' sake.

Arriving at the train station fashionably early, to which she would chalk up to as a good day, she didn't bother to wait for Chris as she stepped onto the train, settling into an open spot by the window.

Just the train ride, the mission, then back home. Those three things she could handle. Pulling out a folder, Wendy began going over the mission briefing again in finer detail.

@musingmemories

The day started really sweet, Chris went to pick up a full bag of lovely donuts from one of his favourite bakeries before heading to Pinochle's Old Maid branch.

When he turned around the corner he was delighted to see Wendy further in front of him. He entered the office shortly after her with a donut in his mouth and just heard Leo's last sentence as Wendy turned towards him - their eyes met and time stopped for a second.

Chris' eyes widened and he didn't shout out his usual cheery greetings, but he quickly caught himself again, swallowed his donut and winked mischievously at Wendy.

"Ah~ a mission with my dear Wendy!" He came up to her and playfully put an arm around her shoulders. "This is going to be great, right, Wendy-chan~? When are we going to leave?" He directed the last question to Leo and got the answer that their train would leave this afternoon.

"Wonderful~" He smiled pleasantly and hid the small worry that had been creeping up in his mind by now. Surely, Love-P wouldn't be needed on that mission, he reassured himself, she rarely was. Wendy was already incredibly skillful with the card's enhancements and her sheathed sword. Chris would need to stock up on sweets... just in case.

Their mission briefing was short, the mission itself simple. Infiltrate the base, retrieve the card from their surveilled storage, get out. Simple. What could possibly go wrong?