JOSI

They say to get The Caméléonne's attention, one needs to present an offering. There are speculations that she prefers eyeballs - fresh from the socket. And even within that same speculation, there's a belief that green eyes go for more, and that brown eyes are less esteemed. But those are all rumors. Josi knows this.

To put in a request for The Caméléonne's services, one has to write a letter stating their business. No more than two hundred words and kept concise. The target and ransom should be stated within the very first sentences. But even with a hefty ransom, there's no guarantee that your request will be chosen. One's luck has to be on the same wavelength as even leprechauns to be granted a deal.

And now it seems Josi is one of those lucky few. She sent in a request over a month ago and was only just accepted a week prior to this occasion. Quite a while, but it figures. A job chosen by The Caméléonne is a guaranteed job well done. There are probably others in queues waiting for their chance to be selected.

It is well understood that if The Caméléonne is after your life, it's best to forfeit. Perhaps death by her hands will be merciful that way. With the grotesque state of her victims, however, Josi knows mercy is not something the assassin possesses. Still, a killing streak as neat as The Caméléonne's is just what she needs in this cloudy path towards victory.

The scheduled meeting is supposed to take place in that den. That very den where Croff and Josi just shared their first kiss. All according to plan, it was. A plot for revenge with Croff around would crash before it even took off. It would prove difficult with his existence alone, hence why Josi had to take matters into her own hands. And what better way to put a leash on Croff than to distort his friendship with Idris. Let him bear this cross. It's the least he can do.

Now that Croff is secured, it's the assassin's turn. Josi waits a while in that room, contemplating if this deal she's put so much faith in really will succeed. She's dug up another plan in case the assassin doesn't see a partnership fit, but it would cost more than having her on board. Here's the part where luck comes to play. Although holding this meeting was already luck's doing.

Then the door opens, and in walks a maid with a housekeeping cart. Josi can't be too sure if this is the assassin herself, so she stands there and simply watches the new visitor, hoping that it is who she thinks it is, but also on the edge, because there's no telling how this will go.

The maid parks the cart in the middle of the den, then fetches from within a sheet of paper containing what Josi can only guess is some standard information on her life. "Client name: Josita Lissette Cade. Is that you?"

Josi stiffens up at the sound of her voice, as though she were being interrogated. As though she were the target and not the Verdonni family. This is indeed the assassin, no more doubt about that. Josi swallows down her nerves and nods at the question. Now is not the time to be intimidated.

The assassin continues reading the paper to herself, then tucks it back under the cart once she's seen enough. "This is funny. Why would Idris Verdonni's girlfriend send such a request?"

Here it comes. "Because you have some grudge against them."

The room seems to shrink a couple sizes, giving way to a thick cloud of tension. The assassin retains her silence, but judging by the stony look on her face, Josi can tell she's hit a bullseye. "What are you talking about?"

"I looked into every victim under the Verdonni family targeted by The Caméléonne. Yes, they all had their left eyes gouged out, but what's even more blatant is the condition you left them in. Some were skinned, others had their flesh turned inside out, and a handful had their limbs separated."

"What if those were just coincidences from the clients who wanted them dead?"

Josi shakes her head, now much more sure of herself. "Do you usually go out of your way for clients? Compared to the rest of your targets, the way you treat the Verdonni family is extreme. You must have something against them."

The assassin is now visibly disturbed. "What are you, a stalker?"

"Just a woman trying to strike a deal."

This is not on The Caméléonne's bucket list, however, because she shoots the attempt down. "I don't do partnerships. Find some other assassin."

But it has to be her. It has to be The Caméléonne. No other person seemingly holds the same hatred she does. Josi needs her brutality. She needs the grudge she holds. But she has to think up something fast, because the assassin has begun heading for the exit.

"I'm offering you the Verdonni family. I'll give you access to everyone. You want the capos? I'll make sure you have them. You want the underboss? He's all yours. The consigliere as well. Anyone you want." She pauses. Then, "Except Idris."

This does the job. The assassin pauses where she is, hand on the doorknob, and turns back to Josi. "And you think you're in a position to make demands, why?"

"Because you want them gone." Josi tells her. "I can make that happen."

Having been read so openly, the assassin takes time for herself to think. Meanwhile, Josi holds on to her breath, because the last of her bargaining chip has just been laid out flat. Should the assassin choose to turn her down after such an offer, then she'll have to make do with what she has, which isn't much. Which is why she has to push further. She has to strike as many chords within the assassin as she can.

"I need leverage."

This is the easy part. Josi takes a deep breath in. "Tell Idris Verdonni his girlfriend tried striking a deal with The Caméléonne. Tell him I despise him for ruining my life, for kidnapping me, and for locking me up in that prison cell. Tell him I plan on taking everything away from him, and that I won't stop until he's on his knees in tears."

The assassin records the confession like a videotape, in case Josi's promises are just empty words. Fine by Josi. She has every intention of carrying out her end of the bargain.

But the meeting doesn't end just yet. At least, not without some threats. The assassin pulls out a knife from a holster strapped to her thigh, then, under seconds too blurry, appears behind Josi with the weapon glued to her neck. Josi can hardly even breathe. The blade is so sharp, any sudden movement could dig up a cut. So she stands there as stiff as a cardboard, once again hoping that luck is on her side.

"If this turns out to be some silly prank, I will tear you limb from limb in a place where no one else can find you. Are we clear?"

As clear as day. Josi nods hastily, and finally the assassin lets her go. While the vivid threat makes her queasy, it's still a form of an answer. It means the assassin is on board. It means she's been won over. This is it. The hardest part has come to pass. In spite of the tense atmosphere, Josi smiles. She succeeded.

The assassin finds this strange. "Are you smiling?"

How could she not? A job chosen by The Caméléonne is a guaranteed job well done, they say. Josi's future has never been so certain.

The assassin tucks the knife back into its holster, then brings out a dress from the cart and begins changing. Josi only now pays attention to her appearance. With skin the color of the sunset and eyes as dark as space itself, the assassin sits somewhere at a towering six foot, as she surpasses Josi in height. Her hair is kept short, around chin length, and has a curly pattern. Then there are the cheekbones. Josi can't help wondering if it's all real.

"Is that your real face?"

The assassin lazily shrugs, now out of the maid uniform. This must be a question she receives quite often. "Who knows?"

Around her right thigh is a tattoo of a curvy snake, which Josi thinks must have taken some time according to its detail. What's even more astonishing, however, is the one on the assassin's back. It must have taken days and a great deal of pain tolerance.

There are scars and old wounds as well. Some big and others small. Figures, considering her line of work. Which also explains the toned muscles and abs. Being an assassin isn't cut out for the weak, it seems.

Once the assassin is all dressed, Josi's anticipation begins settling in. Out goes the anxiousness and in the excitement. She can't contain it any longer. "I've got a deal with The Caméléonne."

To this, the assassin grimaces. "Don't call me that."

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