Chapter Text
When Anya was five years old, she had run away from a laboratory where she was treated as an experiment not a child. At that time, she only wanted two things: family and fun. Arriving at an orphanage, she expected to find both. But her mind-reading powers always made her seem like a freak that was why she seemed like she would never find a family that loved her. Or at least that's what she thought, until that day when a woman came to the orphanage looking for a child.
She was a woman with black hair and a sweet smile, and she seemed to be lost as she walked through the halls of the orphanage as if she didn't know what she was looking for. "There are so many kids, should I only choose one or should one of them choose me, what if they think I'm weird?" she was thinking frantically, “I have to focus I have to adopt a child so no one will suspect me of being a killer, because no one would suspect a single mother of being an assassin, right?”
Anya who could read her thoughts was fascinated that woman was an assassin, what was that exactly? She didn't know, but it sure was exciting and action-packed. The esper approached that woman hoping that she would notice her before any other child. When their eyes met, the assassin thought “What a cute girl, maybe she should ask herself if she wants me to be her mother or that would be very strange? Oh, I have no idea what I'm doing."
-My name is Anya and I want you to be my mom.
-Uh, but why?
-Because… you look like a good person- Anya she just said the first thing that came to her mind.
- I just don't know, I...
-Anya will be a good daughter and she will always take care of her mother- the girl declared.
Yor was so moved by those words that he adopted Anya that very day. Since then, they have always been together. Living a happy and peculiar home life.
Over the years, Anya's life lacked that emotion and action that she supposed she would have as the daughter of an assassin, since she never accompanied Yor on any of his missions (fortunately), but that didn't matter to her. She had what was really important: love from her mom and from her uncle Yuri. They were with her the whole time helping her study, while she watched her favorite cartoons and teaching her how to defend herself.
Anya went to a public school and then studied at the university to be a journalist, when asked why she had chosen that profession she would say “I will discover the secrets of the world”, which was easy with her power to read minds and her natural ability to find problems. But in the end her life would have other plans for her.
…
Anya got up early that morning to prepare breakfast. She learned to cook since she was little, since her adoptive mother's food was lethal, her mother only knew how to make three meals well: soup, tea, and coffee. She prepared some pancakes and while she was preparing the table to eat, she heard her mother enter the kitchen.
-Oh, Anya you woke up early -Yor asked her, while she thought is she nervous about her job interview today?
-I decided to prepare breakfast, you know I'm unemployed I have nothing else to do.
-Darling, since I said don't worry about it, I could get you an interview to work at City Hall if today doesn't go well."
-Don't worry mom, I think today will be fine.
-But you were a journalist, and now you're applying to be a political assistant, you're not even interested in politics- Yor said worried.
-I know, but that will only be temporary, besides that politician is making history with his peace agreement with Westalis, what better than being at the center of change. -Anya said trying to reassure her mom.
-But you always forget his name!
-I don't, his name is… it starts with S, is it Syon? I know Syon Desmond.
- It's Damian Desmond. - Yor corrected
-Correct, well she wasn't so wrong, did I get his last name right or not? Also, it's not certain that she will get the job, but I have to think positive.
Yor was silent, she knew that ever since she was fired from her last job as a reporter at the Ostania Daily her daughter had been discouraged.
-But…
-Mom, I'm fine, I know that this job is far from my ideal job, but I'm 25 years old and I have to go back to work to help you with household expenses, and this is only temporary, I'll find time to write again, I haven't given up on my dream.
Yor smiled at her words, Anya never gave up.
…
In the afternoon, Anya arrived at the Center for Political Relations in Ostania, for her interview. She tried to hide her nervousness as she waited in a room with the other job applicants. One by one they were called in for a personal interview by Damian Desmond. Anya was the last to enter the politician's office. She sat down in the chair across from Desmond's desk. The 26-year-old politician looked at the woman with pink hair and strange hair ornaments in front of him and began to speak.
-Miss Briar, I'll be direct. Why do you want to be my assistant? I read your file and you studied to be a journalist, you wrote promising articles in the Ostania Daily and then you were fired for a violent altercation with your boss and now you are here asking to be the personal assistant of a politician, what is the reason for such a radical change?
-Well, I have not found a job anywhere else as a journalist due to that incident so I decided to explore new job opportunities, I may not be familiar with politics, but I will do my best in any task assigned to me, I also deeply admire your police decisions especially those related to Ostania-Westalis relations.
"Another flatterer" thought the politician, "Surely she thinks that working for me she will get exclusive news working for me, she is an opportunist"
-Thank you for the compliment, Miss Briar, but you see I come from a distinguished family of politicians, and I have a habit of carefully choosing the people who work for me based on their abilities, and I don't see any of the qualities I look for in an assistant present in you. So, thanks for coming, but I think you should go now.
“What a jerk” Anya thought and considered saying something scathing, but she didn't, instead she just nodded and walked away, utterly defeated.
…
At the end of the last interview, Damian was preparing to go home accompanied by his bodyguards. It was already getting dark, and he really wanted to get to his place and have a glass of wine. Lately his work was exhausting, if he wasn't dealing with the repercussions of his peace policy with Westalis, he was looking for a new assistant, since the previous one resigned when Damian started receiving death threats accusing him of being a traitor to the country for wanting peace with your neighboring country instead of wanting to create a war. Actually, because of that he had hired new security on the advice of his colleague and henchman, Loid Forger. Despite the fact that Mr. Forger had a not very distinguished career as a political consultant, that man was actually very efficient, no matter what impossible task was assigned to him, he always fulfilled it, he was also a reliable person, and although he did not say it Damian never thought that Loid was more of a father figure to him than his own father.
As the politician approached his car accompanied by his bodyguards John and Michael, when suddenly two burly men wearing black suits appeared out of nowhere with guns and started shooting.
-Mr. Desmond, get in the car now. - John yelled.
Damian threw himself to the ground listening as his guards fired at their attackers, until one of those mysterious men managed to hit Michael, who fell to the ground. John ran to help his partner, but when he did, he was knocked unconscious by another of the attackers.
With his bodyguards defeated, Damian watched as one of his attackers pointed a gun right at his head, ready to fire. No, I can't die like this, he thought. But suddenly a mysterious figure emerged from the shadows with incredible speed and with a powerful punch to the face knocked that man down.
- Are you alright, Mr. Desmond- she asked after knocking that thug down with one blow.
The politician was shocked, his savior was Anya Briar, the same woman he had just rejected for his assistant position. The same as an hour ago he had considered an ordinary person.
- Behind you. - he yelled when he saw the other attacker approaching her.
Anya spun around and then knocked the man down with a single kick.
After her she turned to see Damian, who was still lying on the ground and extended her hand to help him up and he took it. Damian stared at the person in front of him for a few moments, in the interview she didn't show any unique qualities, but now everything was different.
- You're strong, Miss Briar- he said without thinking, but then realizing what he said he added. - I mean, that was impressive, you saved my life.
- It wasn't a big deal, I was just trying to help, I heard a lot of noise when I was leaving so I…- Anya was interrupted when Damian took her hands and stared at her.
- Please, Miss Briar be my bodyguard!
- What?