zexion/ienzo

((Question. Since Kat uses flames, wouldn't she be able to deflect the knives and the wires?)) "Of course I'm ready." Kat responded, clenching her fists tightly. She focused on gathering the energy within the palms of her hands like yesterday and swallowed. She was nervous, no doubt about it, but she knew why she had to do this time. Focus only on the battle, not the impression she was making. And she also had to figure out how to have enough time to light her gloves. Last night she deterred that it needed the utmost concentration of just a few moments. That or quite a large feeling of desperation to not die. She just hope that the opportunity present her self in these terms. But it was unlikely. Especially with how swift Bel seemed to move. She could only pray. Squalo watched as they took their positions and nudge Levi who was deep in thought. The darker male only snickered. "She should get in just for surviving this. If she survives anyway."

Kat glanced at Bani, nodding as she slipped on her fingerless gloves again. Xanxus' crimson eyes followed the motion carefully, analyzing the fabric. He still couldn't believe he had seen this girl summon almost exact replicas of the gloves that had destroyed him at the Varia Ring Battle. He didn't like the idea of her learning the full power of those gloves either. Kat sighed combing her fingers through her hair before heading in the direction of the Battle Area. She could see Belphegor in the distance across the floor. "Hey." Squalo followed after her with the others as always and growled dangerously at bel as he passed him, his eyes narrowed to darken his eyes marvelously. "Don't do anything stupid brat." He muttered before going to his viewing station.

The next day, Kat was exhausted. She had stayed up for most of the night trying to figure out how to work these gloves he had received and only made a bit of progress. She understood how to make them light up again but she had been to afraid to test them out in her room. And it's not like she could go into a training room or outside. People would suspect she was running away or something. Everyone was up by the time she arrive downstairs, her sides still aching whenever she moved them in the wrong way. Thanks to a certain pinkette downing a mouthful of waffles right now. She didn't hold it against her. She just wished that Bani had been...a bit gentler. But that was impossible for why she was asking. These people weren't made to be respectful and gentle. They were made to kill. In sight of her, Squalo nodded and Levi grunted as she took a seat, giving a small good morning. She hadn't noticed Xanxus in the living room just a few feet away.

((I was sick~)) ((Next Day?))

((I stayed home from school today )) Squalo glared at Bel from the corner of his eyes, washing the white substance off of his face and leaning against the counter, his back to the mirror. The brat was being quite irritable. An he hated being annoyed at this time of night. "I'd rather not have to scout for another member for the Varia and go through this shit." Squalo concluded with a sneer. Although that was partly true he would admit that he dint want to see Bel die. He was a very valuable asset to the Varia. Probably one of the few that had beaten Squalo himself to get into this sick, twist organization.

((That's why I made them share. It should be...er, useful )) Squalo rolled his eyes, feeling his chin as he wiped his mouth and frowned. There was a bit of stubble growing. With a sigh, Squalo reached under the sink and pulled out his shaving cream and razor in the midst of replying to Bel. The brat had some nerve. Being excited about such a battle-if he went all out Kat wouldn't survive the first two combinations of knives and sleek wires. Bel wasn't just a knife expert, he was a master mind at traps too. Squalo would be very impressed if this girl manage to just live through tomorrow. "Just watch out for those gloves brat." Squalo warned, slowly shaving down the angle of his jawbone, which was now smooth. A few floors up, Kat was awake and alert, thinking deeply as she sat on the edge of her bed, eyes closed in focus. If she could just figure out how to make those gloves light up again and maybe use them to fight...The thought was ridiculous but it was her only hope. She just needed the will to survive. Easier said then done to find it. Even though earlier had been a sure sign of desperation she wasn't sure if she could do it without being on the brink of death.

That night, Kat awoke to find herself in a room, laying comfortable under the plush comforter. She winced from the soreness in her back and sides but they were fairly bearable. Someone had seen to it she was patched up nicely. She'd have to thank them tomorrow morning. When she stretched her arms though she was shocked to see the gloves were still there. They should have disappeared right? Or..maybe not. Either way, Kat knew she had to practice a bit and figure out how they worked. They had appeared when she said she wanted to live, to fight. Willpower perhaps? Maybe that's what they were fueled by? The will to survive. Meanwhile, Squalo was in the bathroom he and Bel shared and was brushing his teeth, spitting out the toothpaste as he looked up at the blond doing his hair. "VOI, you're up next." ((Brb going out to eat.))

((God damn Bani's a BOSS )) Kat blinked but didn't have much time to react as she was plunged into the depths of unconsciousness, her eye sight going dark. She had lost. Shocker. Squalo was still a bit stunned at the gloves though. No mafioso member within the Vingola had the same weapon as another, let alone as the boss (Mary Sue) and when he glanced at Xanxus he was stupefied. There was a smug, amused smirk on his lips but it was clear that he was irritated at the same time. Probably because of the gloves. At least...at least there was some potential for her now if she learned to build more stamina and maybe how to use those gloves. "Lussuria, go patch her up. Bani," Squalo looked to the pinkette and gve a solemn nod. "Good job." He glanced at the blacked out Kat. She was going to have a tough next few trials.

((Oh that sounds harsh o_o Am I doing okay by the way? Fights scenes aren't my strong point...)) Squalo sighed as Bani delivered a flawless axe kick. That was it. Kat wouldn't get back up after that. No one would unless they were so desperate they had resulted to being a moron. Squalo was sure the blond didn't have much hope to begin with. A reason as to why none of those techniques worked. She'd be a complete moron to get up. After all, Bani wasn't lying. If she gave up, she'd have a quick and painless death or slightly humiliating loss. She showed, truthfully, nothing to stand out. Nothing that would make her Varia Qu-- The swordsman blinked in mild shock as Kat moved. She pushed herself up with what looked to be a lot of effort on her behalf, her elbows shaking as she sat on her knees and rose one leg up. From here they could hear her shallow breaths and she looked up at Bani, a defiant glare in her sapphire eyes. Well he'd be damned. She was an idiot. But bold, definitely bold enough to push on. Levi's disappointed sigh was heard. He had been counting on her dying. Dumb lap-dog...Xanxus' eyes narrowed as he noticed the tremor in Kat's hands. That wasn't from exhaustion. The blond's voice shook and hitched as she spoke, standing up once more the best she could. "No. I'm not going t-to lay here and let you step a-all over me. I'm not going to die like this." She coughed as her hands gloves grew hotter. What was going on? "I have to fight to live-that's how it is. I won't give up." And Squalo couldn't believe his eyes when her hands were suddenly combusted into white-ish pink Hail flames, following the outline of her gloves. He honest to God believed he was seeing things. And he questioned his insanity when they died away to reveal white and grey gloves similar to Sawada Tsunayoshi's in the Ring Conflict nine years ago. The orb surrounding the insignia was still sky blue and almost identical with the exception that the lining around it was silver-not black. And Kat seemed pretty damn shocked too. "Wh-what..?" ((God that was a bitch to type on this shit keyboard ))

Kat bit back a cry of pain as she was slammed into the floor with what felt like the force of a thousand tons. This was...this was ridiculous. What was she even doing here? This was a joke. This whole fight with Bani had a clear result from the beginning. She wasn't cut out on her level, despite how much she wished she was. From her position she looked up at the onlookers, feeling a pang of regret. Squalo looked so disappointed and Lussuria and Mammon had something that might resemble concern. But it was the boss Xanxus, that caught her eye. He wasn't caring either way what happened at this point. If nothing stood out about her then... Then he'd let her be killed by Bani. That...that couldn't happen. She at least needed to survive this to try and win the other fights as unlikely as it seemed. For the love of God her life was on the line. As these thoughts rang through her head, Kat was vaguely aware of warmth on the skin of her hands. She could only guess, as she staggered to her feet to face Bani, that it was heat and friction from the fingerless gloves she had on. Regardless. Kat stood with difficulty. She couldn't die yet. Squalo narrow his eyes. Why was she still getting up? "Trash.." The swordsman heard the matter from Xanxus and rolled his eyes. Levi shook his head. "She'll be dead in ten seconds flat, watch."

Kat gasped a bit as the wind was knocked out of her from a sharp jab into her back. Hadn't she avoided Bani? That meant--She's fast! Of course, what had she been expecting? A walk in the park? She had forgotten these people were mafioso. They were built to kill. A stupid underestimation on behalf of Kat. She winced and lost her focus for a moment as she fell flat but willed herself to roll over from under the hilt, backing up to get her lungs to function properly again. This was bad. This was really bad. Kat cursed herself silently, trying to clear her mind. She should have waited longer. Squalo sighed. He thought he had seen a glimpse of something but no-it was only a reaction that Kat had acted the way she did. She had brains but not skill. Not from what she was demonstrating. Xanxus sat in the back watching the blond with disinterest. The 9th had really messed up in his choice this time...

Gulping, Kat was very thankful for being light on her feet from always running around the orphanage on the newborn's floor. The thought of them dead made her cringe and she was carefully to get that thought out of her mind as she ran forward with all the bravery she felt he could handle. That ax was firetrucking huge. Squalo had a look on his face. The look of interest perhaps. Going head on was risky with Bani. That was a fifty-fifty chance of either getting your head chopped clean off your neck or ducking to save your life. At least she has a risk factor about her. That or plain stupidity. Thinking quickly as Bani drew back to swing, Kat half closed her eyes in fear as her life flash before her eyes and she duck, sliding under the ax and behind Bani. Just like she was sliding to home base in baseball. Pure instinct to be honest. Thank God she and Mary Anne had playe Little League with the boys a bit... ((I promise she won't be an expert at fighting I just figure she'll at least some sense for ducking an stuff ^^'))

Watching as Bani held a stance that surely meant "let's get this over with" and that this wasn't even considered a warm-up in her eyes. Something you'd laugh at because of how pathetic it was. She gulped. How was she to beat this girl. Kat noticed the members of the Varia heading to the side where they were apparently watching. Fan-fricken-tastic. Shakily, got tried focusing on what she could process. Stay focused. Stay calm. Feel the power surging through her. Feel the will--... She felt so stupid. "Ready when you are." She mumbled, taking her best fighting stance. Squalo shook her head. She had good form but he had a feeling it was by chance. She didn't know what she was supposed to do, obviously. Levi seemed a bit annoyed at Mammon's silence. "Fine, be that way..."

Kat blinked. Wait...what? Now? But...she didn't have time to prepare or anything. As she followed Bani she frantically searched her mind for any I formation she remembered absorbing last night about techniques and things she could use. The only thing coming to mind was for her to keep her stomach contents in her body less she made more of a fool out of herself. She felt very, very queasy about this all of a sudden. Squalo noted the green tinge on the blond's face and scoffed. Her irritation had gotten the better if her. There was no way she could beat Bani this early. She'd lose for sure. He looked over at Levi and gave him a knowing glance, mouthing: She can't do this. Levi nodded in agreement. You could see it in her posture. Her unsure form, her hesitant walking pace. This wouldn't be much of a fight it was clear. He snickered softly under his breath, speaking back to Squalo and Mammon under his breath. "Ten bucks she loses this fight."

Kat shot a glare in Bani's direction. That girl was really getting on her nerves. And it wad only day one of meeting her. Taking a sip of the orange juice placed in front of her by Lussuria she cooly replied. "Yes actually." Kat knew very well though that she wasn't ready by any level of comprehension. She understood the concept of these techniques persay but not how to actually pull them off . Still, she was having enough of Bani's attitude and doubt towards her. So she'd show her up. Easy as that. Levi choked on his milk at the response, shaking his head. This chick was bat-shit crazy, taking on Bani. She was a tough cookie. Just because she was a girl didn't mean she couldn't fight. Levi had that taught to him the har way. Squalo shook his head. "Don't rush into thing stupid..."

Kat blinked. Had he just called Squalo a peasant? Who called people peasants in this time? Then again, look at who she was hanging around with. A bunch of insane people. Such an odd combination of people to. Between the deranged blond Bel and the Silver haired male who seemed calm at the moment these people were quite the odd bunch. As everyone got seated, Kat spoke quietly, looking at the counter of the breakfast bar. "So...I was reading a bit up on the techniques....and I think I understand a few of them." She said softly, remembered the things she read in the files. Squako raised an eyebrow as Levi scoffed. She already understood the things listed. It was impossible. In response to Bel Squako only nudged (kicked) him with his foot.

((Got a funny visual of Bel clawing at the stares screaming "no" while Squalo drags him And did you know Spanner is actually British?! Do you know what that means?! He has...an ACCENT!)) Kat was bewildered through all of this. These people, they were all crazy beyond belief. Kat attempt not to stare and was a bit irked that her good morning had been so casually ignored by Bani. She was trying to be nice after all. Then again maybe not all assassins were nice like Lussuria. She wanted to say something, really she did, but he didn't know what would be appropriate. If she said something wrong she'd get death threats and if she said something that they didn't really care for she'd get ignored. This situation sucked, especially since she didn't get any respect. Thank gosh for Squalo--he was kind enough to say good morning (it was actually more of a grunt to be honest) and she nodded in response. Squalo yanked Bel upwards, sitting him down on the ground as he sat on the other side of Bani. "What's on the agenda for today?" He asked, moving his hair out of his face.

Kat stared at the battle ax that had been so casually dragged through the kitchen and living room, swallowing. That's what she was up against? A girl with a battle ax? She was royally screwed. How could vibrations fend of that weapon? Especially when she didn't have one of her own to use...But why was an assassin making pancakes? She remained silent as Bani plopped down next to her with messy bed head and a slight slur in her voice. She seemed to just be waking up from the morning haze. "Ah...good morning." Kat greeted softly, noting how Squalo was coming in the door with Levi following after. He headed upstairs and she heard a few shouts, a thump, and Bel being dragged down the steps by his feet. "What the..."

Squalo and Levi had both gone out on behalf of Lussuria and Xanxus (Lussuria needed Squalo to pick up some bleach and Xanxus needed Levi to give him whiskey). But only a few minutes ago the two had been sleeping soundly in their beds (despite their snoring) and had been extremely comfortable. Of course all they were now was awake and grumbly, on their way to another town in the opposite direction of the one they terrorized with the orphanage. Asleep on the couch though, with files still scattered around her, was Kat. The blond had tried to stay up and read all of the files and paperwork-truly, she had. But she found the task impossible on such a comfy piece of furniture. She was stirring though, rolling over a bit and crinkling papers, at the smell of breakfast being cooked a room or two over. "Mm..." Awakening, she sat up and looked around. For a moment she didn't realize where she was but then it became clear. That's right-she was in the Varia's Manor. A mafia base of assassins. How could she have forgotten? Not sure on what to do, she walked into the kitchen, rubbing her eye, and spotted the multiple color haired man humming happily and making a feast of a breakfast while doing the dishes and setting the table. How was it nothing was burning? "Uh....good morning?"

Squalo hardly paid attention to Bel's half-nudity, taking the towel and sweeping over his form with a simple glance. "Thanks." Only whe. He turned away did the heat blast his face somewhat. It was bound to happen. Seeing Bel naked would put anyone into a fit really...So he couldn't say he was the only one. As the silverette stepped into his shower within his own personal bathroom, he sighed, washing his hair and thinking. He thought about Bel and he thought about he orphans. And then he thought about the newest recruit. Kat was it? Yes, Kat. She would have a hard time fitting in, he could sense it, so long as Bani kept this horrible attitude up. Squalo only hoped this Kat was nearly as half decent as Anika was at waning their respect during her battles. At least Anika and Avril had known how to shut someone up nd teach them a lesson. But asleep downstairs was Kat on the couch. She wasn't in any state to hurt anyone at the moment. Not until much later. ((Next morning?))

((Because you want him //shot)) Kat sighed, sitting on the couch and looking over the abilities list. Only one caught her eye and it was relevant to vibrations of the sorts. But how in the world was she supposed to pull a trick like that? She wasn't a miracle worker. And what did the text mean when it said "flame of resolution and resolve". She coudn't conjure fire from her hands or anything like that. She was about to ask the hooded boy laying down on the couch for help but was annoyed to find he was asleep. "Perfect..." Squalo growled, knocking on the door to Bel's bathroom, yawning deeply. He was in the middle of pulling his hair up into a low ponytail and had promptly knocked by kicking. He needed an extra towel for his shower. "VOOOIIII! Brat, I need another towel!"

Kat glared at Bani as she stomped back up the stairs, taking the files Squalo handed to her. Flipping them open and reading them over she sighed, running a hand through her hair. Judging by the looks of these documents they were abilities she could use. What exactly... "These look...really complex." She murmured. Illusions, Swordship, Knifery...all these were really hard and seemed to take so long to learn how to master. She didn't have that much time. "How exactly am I supposed to learn these? Or any of these for that matter?" Xanxus had long winced dropped out of the conversation and Squako had ventured upstairs to follow after Bani to the dorms upstairs. "Way to help me."

Kat ignored Bani with ease, still a bit focused on how she could be killed within a matter of seconds. One screw up and that was it. She was done. Rising to her feet and dusting off the small particles on her shirt she looked awkwardly around at the surrounding people. "So...when do I fight that?" She questioned, pointing at Bani, not caring if she insulted her or not. Xanxus scoffed and Squalo snorted, the two of them shrugging. Squalo wad the one to answer her, handing her a folder thatcontained information on possible attacks she could learn. They were purposely to advanced for the normal being to learn. "It's up to Bani when."

Kat was stuck in momentarily disbelief. This kind of thing only happened in movies and such. At least so she had thought. Definitely not in real life. Definitely not in her life. It was just...unthinkable. She didn't really know how to reply to that. It's not everyday someone asks you to be a member of the mafia. "How will I join...?" Squalo decide to hop in at this point, voice a bit bitter. "You'll go through a battle with us one on one from the newest member to the oldest member, being Bani to me." Kat gulped. "And if you lose we kill you." Kat's heart stopped for a split second, her sapphire eyes widening a bit as she looked around at the group. Were they...were they serious? She'd get killed if she couldn't win? Couldn't they just...wipe her memory or something? "Well...gee. No pressure or anything. There's just, well, one small problem. I can't really...fight."

Kat watched with slight interest as the pink haired girl carried Bel upstairs somewhere in this extravagant house. As she disappeared from view, Kat turn her attention back to the "boss" and swallowed, fiddling with a strand of loose blond hair flying annoyingly in her face. "So...why did you guys recruit me?" She questioned softly, looking up at the man. His dark hair was just falling over his eyes, the black hair looking incredibly soft. (That was so weird to think....) He had faded crimson eyes and tanned skin contrasting nicely. Italian-obviously. And not to shabby on the looks. But he was clearly rough around the edges and not...kind looking. Squalo watch as he sighed and cleared his throat, motioning to Levi for a drink. "As Bani said. To join the Varia. You were the best qualified intelligence-wise to be our newest...Hail Guardian. The replacement." Squalo stiffened and Kat could feel slight tension in the air. Obviously she wasn't entirely welcome to be this "replacement" without proving herself through skill. The hard way. "The Vongola is a mafia organization founded many generations ago by Giotto, otherwise known as Vongola Primo. He had a group of guardians for each elemental ring in the family. Sun, Storm, Rain, Lightning, Cloud, Mist, and Sky-which was his ring. These were passed down to all the next generations." Xanxus' eyes narrowed a bit. "However, during the first generation, there were three rings that were locked as forbidden to the other generations. Their power was to much to handle for the average guardian. Those rings were Snow, Sleet, and Hail. But now they are needed." Kat's eyes widened. They couldn't be serious. "Bani, the insulting girl from earlier, is the Snow Guardian replacement for this generation. And you," The dark hailed male hesitated. "You have the potential to be the next Hail Guardian." The tension was surely growing with each passing moment. "The only new bearers of the rings within the same generation since they retired...." Levi murmured. Squalo gave a glare.