Chapter Text
Illumi disliked Zaban, he found it positively distasteful.
It was a city of petty crime, filled with drug dealers, shady businesses and even shadier people.
The boy dodged the body of a large, hairy merchant and pulled his beige foulard over his nose, covering his face and blocking out, if only a little, the permanent stench that lingered in the streets of that God forsaken place.
'I need to get this job over with as soon as possible' he thought, as he moved out of the way of a cart made entirely of what seemed to be rotten wood.
When his grandfather announced that he was ready to go on his missions alone, Illumi had been so excited that when his father described the job to him, he hadn’t been discouraged by the absolute lack of information on his target.
He was starting to regret that now.
He had arrived in the city two days prior and was still without a lead.
Amar Karafun, gender: male, age: unknown, connections: unknown, occupation: con artist, description: long brown hair and a hooked nose.
Distinguishing marks: none.
Illumi cursed him for being so average looking.
Apparently Amar had scammed his very rich client and made him lose 10 000 000 jenny invested in a nonexistent stock.
Curse him too
He was pulled out of his thoughts by a shout and figure running past him, leaving behind nothing but a fleeting laugh and a sweet scent in the air.
The hairy merchant he had seen before started yelling, “Ye bloody thief! I’ll cut ye’r bloody han’s off next time I catch ye steeling from me!”
Illumi sighed, he didn’t dislike Zaban, he hated it.
“I did see the fella”
Illumi almost let a sigh of relief escape his lips, after four days he had finally found someone who had seen his mark.
His informant took a sip from his pint, “He was talking to Karal ‘n her boy a few hours ago”
Good, a name
Illumi slid the man 5000 Jenny “Where can I find this Karal?”
The man blinked in surprise but took the money “Ye’r not from around‘ere are ye?”
Illumi discovered that the woman was well known among the habitants of Zaban, for she owned almost all of the establishments in the gambling and red light districts.
“Listen,” said the man “I don’t know why ye’r looking for Amar an’ I honestly don’t care, but don’tcha go sticking yer nose in Karal’s business, ya hear me?”
The boy tilted his head to the side “Why not?”
The man gulped down more of his beer and sighed, “The woman owns this city. Her eyes are everywhere I tell ya.” he stared past Illumi, his gaze unfocused “She’s a beast to be feared.”
Ignoring the warning Illumi kept investigating, determined to get rid of his mark and go home. A few other residents refused to give him any kind of information but after a few hours he managed to gather enough to find her.
Full name: Karaline, surname: unknown, age: 32, connections: the mafia, the police, politicians and other prominent public figures, occupation: former prostitute, business woman, residence: Morow's whore house.
A black car pulled up beside him, the boy stared as the door opened. A woman came out and took a drag from her long cigarette holder.
She was tall and angular but by no means frail, a strong layer of muscle covered her entire body. Her hair was golden and voluminous, cropped right beneath her ears and parted to the side. Her makeup was so thick it was almost a mask, but her eyes, also golden, where staring straight at him with such intensity it made him feel exposed.
A tasteless leopard print fur sat on her wide shoulders and partially hid how her long, black evening dress hugged her boney hips. Despite that, Illumi didn’t miss the slight bend of fancy fabric on her upper thighs.
Garter straps, five throwing knives on each of them.
The boy, on full alert, narrowed his eyes at her.
The woman smirked as she began to make her way towards him in long predatory strides, her red, pointy high heels clacking on the pavement with each step. She stopped just a foot away from Illumi who was now fully ready for battle.
“When I heard a Zoldyck was looking for me,” With incredible speed she grabbed his face and leaned towards him “I assumed it would be a hunk, I wouldn’t have dressed up if I knew it was for a brat like you.” She took another drag of her cigarette and blew the smoke in his face.
Illumi recovered from the shock fast and freed himself from her grip, it didn’t take long for him to connect the pieces together “You’re miss Karaline I assume” It seemed she had found him before he could and she already knew who he was.
This woman is trouble.
“Pinpoon~ correct!” she clapped her hands making the many bracelets she was wearing clink together.
“I’m surprised your parents actually taught you how to speak! I thought Zoldycks were a family of mute killing dolls, I’m actually impressed to find I was wrong~” she put her hand in front of her mouth in fake surprise “Whatever have i done to have someone unleash a Zoldyck puppy on me?” she asked this while passing her hand over where her knives were, a warning.
Illumi had the feeling there would be quite a lot of reasons for someone to want her dead. He suppressed his rage and ignored her insult to the Zoldyck name. “Actually, I was originally looking for-“
“Amar right?~” she rudely interrupted, still smirking annoyingly. The woman was toying with him.
“I’m sorry darling it seems I can’t really help you with that.” She made an over exaggerated pout “You see, he is currently paying me back for a favour~”
Illumi blinked, expression as impassive as ever despite his growing irritation “What do you mean?”
She seemed to read his thoughts anyways and her smirk grew “You see, my son wanted oh so badly to have a playdate with him~” she said “So I agreed that his debt would be paid if he agreed to play along” the lady laughed “I can never say no to my boy! I would gladly let him kill me if he asked” she ….joked?
“I see. Could you tell me where I can find the two?” Illumi was a bit surprised at how annoyed he sounded.
Karal clapped her hands once more, clearly amused “Ah~ since you asked so nicely I’ll tell you!” she then murmured, “It’s not like you’ll be able to kill Amar anyways.”
This b i t c h
The woman put out her cigarette, “I’m quite sure they’ll be right outside town, there are many abandoned buildings Hi-chan likes to play in~”
Finally his answer.
Illumi thanked her through grit teeth and immediately started running toward the outskirts of town, obviously trying to get away from her as fast as physically possible.
Karal’s nasal laugh followed him all the way to his destination.