Chapter 9: The Deal

Your POV:

'I was waiting out front of one of Laurie's Patron's homes, I think it was Rodger... I hope this doesn't take too long. I was given a very expensive bottle of whiskey from a fan, and I need an escape.

I hear footsteps coming from around the corner. I turn my head to see who was coming. It was a man wearing a long trench coat and hat. I've seen that hat many times before, "Hello Kenny," I greet him, "Out looking for your next target?"

He tips his hat up a bit to get a better look at me, "I could ask you the same thing, (y/n)," He smirks, "Haven't seen you in a long time. I thought you got out for good." Kenny chuckled darkly. I don't say anything in return, I know from experience that small talk with Kenny is very unpleasant.

"Not very chatty? That's okay, I think I know what happened. See, I was reading the paper and I saw an article written by-" He paused when he felt the wind of my throwing knife speed by his head, and get stuck to the building behind him.

"Ooh, how I have missed your quick temper, (l/n)." Kenny laughs as he pulls the knife out of the wall. "Don't like talking about your dead husband, I get it." He tosses the knife back at me and I catch it with ease, and strap it back on my thigh.

"What do you want, Kenny?" I ask him suspiciously, "You're not one to hang out in the open for too long." He walks closer to me, close enough for me to smell cigarettes on his breath, "Why are you so important to Lawrence? In the past, if one of his pets ran away and did half the shit you did, they wouldn't be alive for long." I give him a bored look and shrug, "He enjoys the company of pretty young women."

"No, that's not it, Lawrence only hires pretty people, he's surrounded by them every day. What are you hiding, huh? What makes you so special?" Kenny eyes me carefully, and I stare back at him calmly, waiting for him to get to his point.

"The name he gave you is Peitho, right? Goddess of Persuasion, yeah?"

"And seduction, what's your point?" I ask, crossing my arms, not liking where this conversation is going.

"You're rented out to some of the richest and most powerful names within and around the capital. The only logical conclusion I can come to, is you gather information for him." Kenny smiles crookedly at me.

"I assume you're getting to the point soon?" I ask impatiently.

"I've been acquainted with your father for some time, he's a real asshole." I'm starting to get frustrated, where is he going with this? "I'm aware, but coming from Kenny the Riper, that's saying something," I reply.

Kenny laughs at the mention of his nickname, "Yeah, I've seen him recently actually. I can take you to see him if you want."

I narrow my eyes at him, "Oh yeah? And what would you want in return?"

"An hour of your time." He sneers, "Whoa whoa whoa! Relax," Kenny chuckles as I reach for my throwing knife again, " Not your body, I want information."

I laugh at his offer, "No deal, Kenny. I'm a little insulted that you would even think I would consider that offer. I prefer keeping my distance from my father."

"How about freedom?" He asks quietly.

I pause for a moment, he can't be serious. Laurie always keeps me close, especially now. If he has to go somewhere without me, he has his people look after me.

"What if I told you I know a way to get you out of Lawrence's grasp?" He clarified when I didn't answer him. I study Kenny carefully, trying to see if I can detect any hint of him being deceptive. "Why are doing this?" I ask him suspiciously.

"I have my reasons," he waves off my question, "But it will only work if you have someone close you can trust. Otherwise, it's back to the underground for you! Your father's old associates will be overjoyed to have someone to take out their frustrations on."

"Peter," I say softly, after thinking about it for a moment, "Peter, is the only person I trust." But could I really ask for Peter's help? It seems like whatever Kenny may be planning, it could be dangerous for Peter too. Could I really ask him to take that big of a risk? Isn't that selfish?

"Thompson huh?" Kenny nods, "I'll have a chat with him and explain the plan to him. But first, you're going to answer some questions I have for you. Make time for me tomorrow."

I bite my lower lip nervously and nod, "Fine, I'm scheduled in the lounge tomorrow."

"Terrific, I'll see you tomorrow, Peitho." Kenny tips his hat to me and disappears around the corner.

Barely a minute later, Laurie exits the mansion, rubbing his bloody knuckles off on a handkerchief. "Hello my pet," He smiles as he walks over to me, "I apologize for my tardiness, my 'meeting' went on a little long." He pulls me in for a kiss, and I submit automatically; I was still pretty badly bruised from the last time I rejected a kiss from him.

He takes my hand as we walk toward his carriage, and set off back home.'

.....

I jerk awake after I roll out of bed and hit the floor. I groan as I lifted myself up and dust myself off. It is about time I get up anyway.

Sasha was still asleep, so I dressed quietly and made my way out to meet Peter in front of HQ. I was pretty nervous and didn't really feel like stopping for food along the way.

At least the dream I had this time was a better memory than the last one I had. I wonder how Kenny is doing? Sure, he's a murderous lunatic, but he did help me in the end. I still don't really know what his motivations were, I'm sure he'll come slinking out of the shadows before long and ask me for something else.

Thankfully, I didn't run into anyone as I made my way down the stairs and out of the building; most people were making their way to the Mess Hall for breakfast.

Surprisingly, Peter was already out front waiting for me. "Good morning, sunshine! Love the dark circles under your eyes!" Peter chuckles when I get closer to him. I give him a playful glare and push past him into the carriage.

"No hood today?" He comments as he sits across from me.

"What's the point? I'll be going straight into your office and then straight back to the carriage. Plus, no one wears hoods in Wall Sina, that'll just draw more attention. You know how paranoid people are there." I shrug and pull my (h/l) (h/c) into a ponytail.

"Cute," Peter comments, "I always like it when you pull your hair back, such a pretty face." I narrow my eyes at him and reach back toward my hair to take it back down. Peter laughs and smacks my hands down, "Stop doing that! Can't you just take a compliment?" I smile back at him and stare out the window as we make our way to Stohess.

Author's POV:

Levi's squad left even earlier that morning, to get there before you and Peter. Each person was watching the roadways carefully as Peter's carriage came into view.

Levi, Eren, and Erwin were waiting on the roof of a building adjacent to Dr. Thompson's office. There wasn't anyone out on the streets yet, as it was still a little early for civilians to be up and about. Just a few shop owners going about their day around their stores, prepping for a normal work day.

As Peter's carriage pulls up, Eren tries to look over the edge, hoping to see you. "What are you doing, brat?" Levi yanks on the collar of Eren's shirt, pulling him back from the edge of the roof. "If she knows we're here we'll be in for a long lecture." Eren's cheeks go red and he steps further back.

You and Peter enter the building without being seen by any third parties. Once you two are out of sight and inside, the three men go closer to the edge at different points around the roof. They were trying to keep an eye out for anyone wandering around in the streets below.

Petra and Oluo are waiting on a building a few blocks down the street from Peter's office. "I wonder if we'll get to see what (y/n/n)'s mom looks like." Petra says, thinking out loud, "Do you think she'll look a lot like (y/n/n)?" Oluo glares at her, "How would I know? And why would I care?"

Petra rolls her eyes at Oluo, everyone was getting a little tired of the unwarranted hostility he holds against you.

Petra knows it's pointless to argue, so she stays silent and lets Oluo be annoyed and depressed by himself. The rest of squad Levi maintains their positions and keeps a close eye out for anyone walking the streets.

Mike goes from roof to roof, sniffing around for anyone suspicious. Eventually, he makes his way to the roof of Peter's office, joining Levi, Eren, and Erwin.

A couple of hours later, a fancy-looking carriage pulls up in front of the office. Eren, Levi, Erwin, and Mike look out below, trying to catch a glimpse of the people getting out.

There was a tall man with long, slightly wavy dark brown hair, tied in a loose ponytail. A woman hopped out next to him, same dark brown hair color, but it was cut shorter to just above her shoulders. They looked to be in their mid to late 20s.

Once out of the carriage, the man and the woman wait by the door to help out an older frail-looking woman. She looked to be well into her 50s, and also had the same hair color as the other 2, though her's was streaked with gray.

The men on the roof lean further for a closer look, and it was no mistaking that this older woman was your mother. You have the same face, though the woman's was gaunt and lacked any color. Your mother leans on the man, who they deduce is your half-brother. The younger woman, your half-sister, carried your mother's bag.

They entered the building, and the scouts relaxed a little on their designated roofs. But still kept watch as civilians started heading onto the streets.

Without Petra noticing, Oluo left his post and started wandering around the streets. Since there didn't seem to be anyone else hanging around the doctor's office, he decided to sneak away. Wandering through the streets he came across a building that looked like a fancy lounge.

"Laurie's Lounge," Oluo read the sign over the top of the door. Curiosity got the better of him and he walked through the big double doors.

It was a very expensive-looking lounge, fancy red curtains hung over the windows and around the lounge. Comfortable chairs and couches are placed spaciously around the big lounge. There are portraits hanging all over the walls, mostly of beautiful women but there were quite a few portraits of men as well.

Despite it still being pretty early in the day, the lounge had quite a few guests in already. There were men and women walking around wearing luxurious silks, greeting patrons at the tables. Some of them sitting and having tea with their guests.

"Hello," A female voice said sweetly, noticing Oluo entering the lounge, "I haven't seen you before, Master." Oluo turned to see a beautiful tall golden-haired woman sauntering over to him, blue eyes shining brightly.

Oluo tried to greet her in return, but he wasn't able to move, mesmerized by the woman. She giggled and tucked some stray golden hairs neatly behind her ear. "Please, come with me, Master." Before he could respond, the woman pulled him toward an empty table close to a window.

The woman sits him down, "Do you wish to request a specific hostess?" Oluo was confused by her question.

The woman giggled at his confusion, "Please excuse me, I will start by getting you some water." Oluo blushed as she smiled at him and she walked off toward the bar. While he waited, Oluo looked around at all the portraits scattered around the lounge. The women and men in the portraits were in various stages of dress, but much of them showed off quite a bit of their bodies.

Then he came across a portrait of a woman who was draped over a couch, with some blue silks covering her breasts and lower body. Oluo froze when he looked at the woman's hair, it was an all too familiar shade of (h/c). There was no mistaking that beautiful face, it was a portrait of you.

"Here you go, master," the woman returned and placed a glass of water in front of him. When he didn't respond, the woman turned to see what he was looking at. The woman's smile falters slightly, "Do you recognize her?" She tries to ask casually.

"I work with her," Oluo replied, looking around to see if there were any more portraits of you. "You're a soldier," the woman noted, finally noticing Oluo's uniform, "How long have you been working with her?" She asked, trying not to sound too eager. "Almost 2 months," Oluo answered.

He didn't notice her eyes darken at his response, "Who is she?" Oluo asked the woman when she didn't respond.

"She used to work here, one of the favorites, everyone wanted to request her." She said, getting more annoyed when she thought about you, "She doesn't appreciate any of it. She got everything handed to her."

"I know the feeling," Oluo muttered, making the woman smile again, "She gets a lot of attention from everyone." He pauses and takes a drink from the glass of water, wishing it was alcohol.

The woman takes a seat next to Oluo, hoping to get more information out of him. "Where is she?" She asked sweetly, "She is missed around here, and I know a few people who would love to see her again." Oluo looks at her suspiciously, noticing her sweet demeanor was faltering a bit into something more sinister.

"How about this," Oluo answers, putting his water back down, "I'll tell you what I know if you give me some of those portraits of her." He smiled mischievously at the woman. The woman considered his offer and sticks out her hand for him to shake, "You can call me, Antheia."

'Strange name', Oluo thought to himself, but reached out to grab the woman's hand and kissed the top of it, "Oluo."