without_hesitation | (no subject)

For a significant period of time now, Ilithyia has been slowly moving within the ranks of the men she has decided to take under her employ. They have not always understood her, though since their initial meeting there has always been a sense of respect, one she has cultivated carefully over time, and she finds she's quite satisfied with the way things are going when several of her men end up dead.

For a time, she is furious. It doesn't fade, simply turns into something else, something she will find a use for in time. There are still men who trust her, those who will keep her safe, but many of those she had come to rely on to fund her lifestyle are gone.

She is not well pleased to once more be working for the respect and power she knows she deserves.

It is on the street with Albinius that she finds herself coming upon Kaine at the same moment a man from a rival gang she knows little of approaches her. She appraises him, sensing danger, though she suspects there is little to be done on the street in the middle of the day.

"Kaine," she calls, greeting her friend. "Would you care to join me?" Perhaps the man approaching will take the presence of another as suggestion not to come closer or make any trouble.

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A display of strength is what she requires here and so she pauses as they walk, turning in the direction of the man who has been sent for her. She looks at him steadily, weighing her options, letting him know she's weighing her options.

"I would very much like if you were to break his jaw," she says, letting her voice carry. "As this is only first attempt at intimidation, I won't have you take off a limb yet."

"Works for me."

Breaking a jaw is a really good way to put someone out of commission for a while without risking any sort of life threatening injury. I'm pretty sure that isn't always going to be what Ilithyia requests of me so I should take these sort of commands gladly when I get them.

"You want to come with? Look him in the eye or something while I do it or should I tell him why it's happening?" I ask. It's fucked up, I know, but there's a certain intimidation factor involved when the person you were going to hurt watches dispassionately as someone breaks your jaw.

"Of course I want to come," she says with a laugh, almost as if she cannot believe such question is being asked. Should she truly wish to establish presence, she understands what is required of her. She stands apart from those in Darrow, in appearance, in words, in the very way she carries herself, and it is this difference she knows makes her memorable.

Should it be associated with strength and cunning, she will become quite difficult to forget. "My face must be associated with act."

I've seen the way she watches the fights and part of me wonders if it isn't pleasure as much as it is business and for a brief moment I wonder if I haven't gotten in bed with more than I can handle. Well, a little too late to think about that now. I sigh and scratch my head for a moment, thinking.

"Alright, just hug me goodbye so he thinks I'm leaving. I'll go subdue him and then you can come deliver the message."

Ilithyia smiles at request and slips arms around Kaine, pressing her cheek against the curve of his shoulder for a moment. "I suspect I will very much like working with you," she says, her voice low for a moment.

There is little she appreciates more than a man willing to do what must be done. Anything that must be done.

Those words really worry me but I just give her a small hug back to keep up appearances. I tell myself this is for the best, that I can help bring some stability back to the gang and I can keep Ilithyia safe while I do it. Plus I get paid so that has to count for something.

I quickly walk out of sight and a few moments later I'm creeping up a back alley where her would-be attacker is waiting. I hear him on the phone, cancelling whatever back up he had planned and once he hangs up the phone I hit him behind the ear, causing him to stumbled. I quickly shove him to the ground, pressing his face into the asphalt as I pin his arms behind his back. I ignore him as he struggles and quickly frisk him.

"Nice of you to bring these," I tell him, pulling out some zip-ties that I use to bind his wrists and ankles. I also relieve him of nearly $800 in cash, a gun and a knife. Stepping out of the alley I wave to Ilithyia before hauling the guy back deeper into the alley.

"My boss wants to have a word with you. If you shout, I'll cut out your tongue."

It's fascinating to watch, as fights always are, though there is much more to this one. Kaine is not simply fighting to win a pool of coin, he is fighting for a reason and Ilithyia smiles as she enters the alley, her gown trailing softly against the asphalt.

"Or perhaps I will relieve you of tongue," she says, smiling down at the man when he opens his mouth to speak. The dagger on its own is not impressive, but when a man is bound and she reveals weapon, it holds certain meaning. He does not attempt to say another word.

"This will serve as warning," she tells him. "Do not send others. I will not be so kind on following occurrences. Do you understand?"

I don't know about this guy but I'm pretty sure that I wouldn't want to be in his position. If I had ever doubted it before I know without a doubt that Ilithyia is a ruthless bitch. I have no doubt that she'd cut his tongue out if she thought it necessary. I really hope she doesn't ask me to do that to anyone.

"I'm not-"

I hit him, hard. Hard enough to shatter his jaw and spray blood onto the alley wall. I don't even know what he was going to say but that's not the point. The man tries to scream but he can't and it comes out as just a wailing moan.

"Just nod your head."

The man screams through his jaw but he nods.

The sudden show of violence excites Ilithyia and she finds herself smiling again, knowing the man's jaw has been broken, that speaking and eating and existing will be painful for many months to come. Her hand ghosts out, fingertips trail across the edge of his jaw and though her touch is light, it produces another scream of pain.

"I will not be so kind," she repeats, making sure he's heard her words and that he understands. "I am not a woman you wish to have as enemy."

Then she smiles at Kaine and holds her hand out toward him. "I think message received, yes?"

"I'd say so," I say with a nod. I don't feel bad, either, considering the guy was probably going to kidnap Ilithyia while she was with her kid. Whatever Ilithyia might deserve for getting involved with all this her kid doesn't and maybe it's just because I was there when the kid was born but I feel protective of him.

"Besides, if not I know where he lives and can pay him a personal visit."

"That is very kind of you to offer," Ilithyia says, taking Kaine's arm once more. In his carrier, Albinius kicks his legs, but makes little sound, staring up at Ilithyia and then at Kaine, a smile on his face.

"And you have my gratitude," she adds as they walk away, leaving the man in the alley. "Truly."