1- Note: Attempt to weaponize Bernard’s cheerfulness???

Of all the groups of assassins for hire, there are none quite like the Red Blade. Even to the most powerful criminals, almost no information can be gleaned from them. Their operatives have never been sighted, presumably masters of disguise. All dealings with them are done through their leader, known as Eli Musk.

But what makes them so unique? Consider their most infamous assassin, Mara Danniell. Cold. Deadly. Twelve years old.

Of course, this fact did not seem unusual to her. After all, she was the second oldest, not counting Musk.  She yawned, before pulling herself out of her bed. One of the trainees had found a child perusing the building the night before. Today they will join the Red Blade, or be exterminated.

Normally, Mara wouldn’t care. However, she was the only person qualified to mentor them that had yet to take someone on. She groaned internally. There was a reason she had avoided becoming a mentor. For starters, teaching snot nosed children how to use throwing knives was a waste of her time, not to mention her abilities. It’s unlikely the little brat will be able to pass inspection, though. Odds are, they’ll be killed and she can move on with life.

As a potential mentor, she was called to watch the trails. They were a boy, around the age of seven. Judging from their body and stature, she would guess  that he had been a street urchin. One who had no business in an elite organization like this, she might add. “Report?” she questioned the trainee, who had been attesting to blend in with the shadows. They startled visibly. “What, did you think I‌ couldn’t see you?” She asked, a trace of amusement leaking into her voice despite herself.

The trainees (Sarah Wilkens, she remembered) eye’s widened. “Of course not, Dan-danniel! I would never presume to be more talented than you!” Any amusement Mara felt faded. “Just get on with the report already.” she snapped.

“Oh! The boy is 7.345 years old. His name is Bernard Ferguson-” Had she not trained the reaction out of her years ago, she would have felt her breath catch.  Two years ago, the Fergusons ran one of the most lucrative crime enterprises in the country. That is, until they suddenly and abruptly went completely legal. There was no warning, just the cancellation notice for all operations and funding.

The Red Blade had not been very happy about the sudden lack of cash inflow, she recalled. Something had always seemed off about it. People as bent as they were don’t change like that without fowl play. Looking at the dilapidated former heir, she found her suspicions confirmed. Something very drastic must have happened to cause such a drastic change.

Wilkens continued on, unaware of her companion’s contemplation. “ He is in decent conditions, considering his circumstances. He has been deemed ready for trial.” Mara snorted internally. Nothing short of a missing leg would stop them from declaring him ready. She smiled sharply. Sadists, the lot of them. She looked forward to seeing this little boy break.

Or not. Somehow, Bernard, despite his poor condition, kept on winning! For a civilian, he was almost competent. Not that she would ever admit it, but she was almost… impressed by him. She didn’t know what to do with the strange feeling welling up inside her- whap! Bernard slammed face first into the wall. She rolled her eyes, the strange feeling long gone.

Unfortunately, Bernard made no more grievous errors. She realized with dismay that he was practically guaranteed a spot. There was no getting out of this one. As he completed his trials, she resigned herself to her fate. Maybe she’ll get lucky and he’ll be quiet and stay out of her way.

“Hi! My name’s Bernard! Wait, do you already know that? Oh, sorry, you do. Oops. So you’re my new mentor or something? Cool! What’s your name?” He looked at her with wide eyes. Mara gritted her teeth.

“Call me Dannial. Come.” she said sharply.

“That doesn’t sound like a first name…” the boy speculated.

“It’s not.”

“Oh.” The boy was silent as they traveled upwards. Strangely, she found no satisfaction in it. She, however, took immense satisfaction from what she did next. “Welcome to your new room.”

Calling it a room was a stretch. It was more like a broom closet, really.  The was empty, except for a pile of hay tucked in the corner. She waited the hear the boy’s dismay.

“Thank You!” Bernard cheered, his eyes watering. “You’re so kind!” Mara blinked. In what world was this kind? His, apparently. If she didn’t know better, she would be concerned with his living conditions. Something was off about all this. She would have to keep a close eye on him. She smirked. It had been a while since she got to really let loose.

Naturally, she was called away on a mission the next day. If it had been anyone else behind it, she would have protested. But even she wasn’t bold enough to defy Eli Musk. She would have multiple marks, this time around. Mr. Harold Doxen has offended some crime lord, so he and his immediate family must pay the penalty. He has two children and oddly enough, no spouse. She doesn’t pause to speculate. This should be a standard case, in and out. She’ll just get this over with quickly, and go back to actually interesting cases.

She slinks in the house, threading through the shadows. At first glance, the house would appear to hold an average middle class family. But little discrepancies reveal it for what it is: the home of a wanted man. A title loose, on the floor. A jagged crack in the wall just long enough to open up to a handgun resting in the void inside.

She crept into the master bedroom, hyper aware of any disturbances she could make. Mr. Doxen is fast asleep, snoring loudly. A dagger materializes in her hand. She methodically swiped the blade across his neck, before moving out of the room. How boring. Couldn’t it at least be a bit of a challenge?

Now, for the children. They were twins, she had been told. Mara searched the rooms, going through four before finding the right one. She crept up to one of the twin beds, ready to strike, when she realized- one of the beds were empty. What a rookie mistake! She scolded herself, before scanning the room incredulously. She found what she was looking for almost immediately. The little boy stood at the foot of his bed, staring at her blankly.

In one swift movement, Mara knelt in front of the child. “What- what are you doing to Billy?” They stammered, their gaze pleading.

She froze momentarily, struck by the urge to comfort them. She shook it off, mentally reminding herself to look into weaponizing it. Not wanting to waste time with conversation, she cut the child’s neck in much the same way as she did with Mr. Doxen. With one last glance at his sleeping twin, she did the same to them. She fled into the night, a ghost in the wind.