Murderer and Doctor

[Cat]

Myra #8

The young lady expected almost everything but not praise for ruining Gabriel´s previous life. She raised her eyebrow, but she stayed silent. Gabriel´s life was better from her point of view, which was most of the time completely different from public opinion.

When Michael continued, she got it. He was happy that his brother was free and thought that she will the one who is doing boring tasks. She slightly nodded her head, there wasn´t a chance or she hoped so. But then he understood the reason, why Gabriel asked for his help. Michael was the lawyer so he could take the whole paper staff from her.

She silently observed her new lawyer and was finishing her drink. Their first meeting was almost ending. Just a few formalities, the lawyer will take papers and they will say goodbye to each other. No problem and she will have enough space for her next meeting.

When Michael started talking about her brother, she slowly stood up and wanted to leave.

“See you later then”

She said and turned to the doors when she didn´t hear the expected reply. He wanted to go with her.

“I don´t need your help with this. I am more than capable to take care of myself and my business”

Yes, this was exactly the reason, why she didn´t want his help at the beginning. He obviously wanted to check what was she doing. Myra was intelligent enough to know that her protest will not help her, but she tried it.

“If you ruin it…”

She growled at Michael and headed to the city center. The owners of the local fighting club didn´t want to meet with her in her cafeteria but requested their place or some public place. And so, they were heading to the city center to the most crowded place.

[Mr. Moon]

Michael #9

The lawyer frowned when the young Raven actually tried to threaten him, but he didn't comment on it any further, letting her words slide off him like water drops on the raincoat
"I am terribly sorry to break it to you Myra, but I am doing this much longer than you. I know how to handle a negotiation."
He followed her out of the door and outside, all the way to the main square.
"A public place…"
He muttered to himself looking around at all the people that were visiting today's market.
"They don't trust each other."
The lawyer made a mental note, looking around whether he'll see some familiar face or not. And he did. Just ten minutes after their arrival one appeared.
A bald man of average height, yet robust build in his early fifties. Dressed in semi-formal style, in black pants and a shirt of the same color. He was accompanied by two other men, both a head taller than their employer and heavily muscular, although seemingly unarmed. Their mean, threatening expressions were in direct contrast to the jovial smile of their employer.
Denis Black, the owner of a local fighting club together with a few others, more shady businesses. He has a history with Michael and is not a pleasant one. The lawyer was representing a few of his fighters who felt ripped off by him, just a few months ago, winning a few million over him.
"Miss Raven!"
He greeted Myra, trying to hug her around the shoulders.
"Given the matter of our meeting, I thought you would take a fighter or two with you. It would definitely paint a better image of that M.A.R.I. of yours than this half-assed lawyer."
He stabbed the lawyer with a murderous gaze only to be completely ignored by him to much of his frustration.

[Cat]

Myra 9

The stubborn lawyer followed her and tried to reason with her. Yes, he probably had more experience with negotiation, but he didn´t know her reason why was she doing it. Also, she didn´t suppose that this meeting will be successful – it was just a formality.

She wanted to provoke one man to do a stupid thing. The rumors were that he was trying to use Python´s death for his profit and silently took his place as a tournament organizer.

Young lady Raven silently found one blank on the square with a nice view around her. She self-confidently took out a book of poetry and started reading. She had time, but the owner of the local organization did not. She decided to give him 20 lists of her book before she will pay him a visit to his dojo.

“Hi Denis, you decided to come after all”

She smiled and wasn´t hiding amusement. The man before her obviously didn´t understand the situation correctly.

“Oh, you don´t like him? Mr. Gladio has a nice sense of humor.”

Myra looked at Black and wasn´t impressed. He was boring.

“Do I need to present some of my fighters? They were on the tournament where Python unfortunately died, but I didn´t recall your fighters from there…”

She smiled coldly. It wasn’t a polite or good idea how to start a successful negotiation, but that man started it. It looked like this man will be a nice warning example for the other potential partners.

“So could your bodyguards introduce themselves, please?”

Myra looked at Black´s fighters. Do they also forgot that they were speaking to Raven as their boss did?

[Mr. Moon]

Michael #10

The lawyer was standing a silently single step behind Myra, watching the scene, that was unfolding before his eyes. As it turned out, Denis couldn´t overcome the animosity he felt for Michael, starting his conversation with the young miss Raven with a jab in his direction. One, that the lawyer completely ignored unlike Myra, who immediately returned the favour proving that she was either a terrible negotiator or she came there to provoke him from the start. Michael didn´t know that young woman long enough to decide, but if she was like his brother, he wouldn´t be surprised if it was the first option.

“Oh, you mean that little thing?”

Denis asked, trying to mask his anger behind a friendly smile.

“Why should I waste my precious fighter on something like that? My own club exists for a whole decade. One time thing like that is beneath me or my fighters!”

It was nothing but an empty boast intended to mend a wounded ego and Michael knew that. While Denis was right that his fighting club had a long history in Loguetown, he forgot to mention, that he was a greedy little imp who was giving a change to his fighters while keeping most of the money for himself. That made him rich, but it also meant that no one with any real skills bothered to fight for him, just local brawlers, a few martial artists who were passing through the town, or fighters at the beginning of their careers. So no wonder they weren´t invited to fight somewhere else.

He let his thoughts reflect on his face in the form of a silent smirk that stung Mr. Black like a dagger.

“But if you think my fighters need an introduction…Bobby, would you be so kind?”

The guy addressed as Bobby was a tall mountain of muscles standing to Denis´s left, wearing a suit that seemed to be a little too tight for him. Without a warning he lunged forward, sending a powerful strike in Michael´s direction. And while the lawyer didn´t doubt its power, he also realized how sluggish and direct it was.

“Blink”

Hitting the ground beneath his feet several times in the blink of an eye, the lawyer followed the direction of the strike, backing a few steps with blinding speed, so he would end just a few centimeters outside of that hulk´s range.

“Yeah, very impressive…”

He muttered with a tired, distant voice as if it didn´t really concern him at all.

[Cat]

Myra 10

The club owner was angry but was still trying to smile. Myra kept her friendly smile too, but she was more amused with his every other word. When he called Bobby to introduce himself, she was slightly surprised by the method of his introduction and also with the technic of Michael.

It seemed that she underestimated the lawyer. Young lady Raven nodded.

“Your fighter obviously knows where to stop his punch to be polite during discussion. How … kind of him.”

Myra smiled at Bobby, who wasn´t kind. He simply was too slow and didn´t know it.

“It is all right, you just need to learn a few techniques from our library”

Myra turned back to Mr. Black.

“Ok, you showed me one of your fighters, is it my turn or do you want to show me the second one?”

She looked relaxed, but she was thinking about two options. The first one was to use Denis as an example to warn others like him. The second one was using his fighting club as the opposite type of example and accepting his club under MARI and teaching his fighters a few basic techniques.

No, she cannot be too soft and she can have both…

“SO do you want to introduce yourself so we can discuss your future?”

Myra turned her attention to the second bodyguard and completely ignored Denis. The wasn´t a place for him, but he didn´t know it yet. The more important was to speak with his companions. Myra was prepared to defend herself with a clef, just in case Denis or one of his bodyguards have this stupid idea.

[Mr. Moon]

Michael #11

Bobby blinked once, then twice making dumbfound expressions as he was trying to figure out what just happened. Standing just outside of his reach, Michael could see in his eyes how he was trying to figure out what would be more embarrassing, admitting to himself, that he missed, or that the tired-looking lawyer in front of him was so much faster than him, that he managed to dodge without him even noticing.

Unfortunately, before his brain could answer this question for him, Myra came with another jab against his ego.

“And now you are playing some kind of Dojo or what?”

Denis couldn´t hold his nerves, snapping at the young lady Raven angrily. His tone brought Bobby back to reality, so he finally pulled back his fist and retreated to his employer, murdering Michael with an angry gaze, while the lawyer was doing his best to control a sudden impulse to send him a kiss, keeping his mask of a tired man who was lost in his thoughts. He was starting to slowly understand what Myra objective was and if he was right, it would be better to refrain from any direct provocations. Especially when Bobby´s previous action called unwanted attention from the crowd around them. And while the presence of two large and mean-looking bodyguards was enough to stop people from making a circle of curious bystanders around them, it couldn´t stop them from looking over their shoulders.

“Oh, and you have one? Aside from this sore excuse for a lawyer?”

Asked Denis sarcastically in response to Myra´s question.

“Listen, young lady, I don´t know what kind of game is playing here, but you should already realize, that you and your business are nothing. I agreed to meet you because of the reputation of your family, thinking that you would like to let your fighters fight in my club, not to let you scout my fighters, or discuss my future or whatever, so…let me give you some advice. Stop playing on my turf. Find yourself some small unimportant island, build your name, and in three or five years, we can talk business. Otherwise, I won´t be so polite next time!”

As he was snapping at her Michael gently sighed for himself. That man just signed his death sentence and didn´t even knew it.

[Cat]

Myra 11

Myra was politely smiling and observed every movement of Mr. Black. It was a disappointment that he didn´t try anything and started yelling. No, he obviously wasn´t clever and he didn´t suit her plans.

She reached into her pocket for one of her glass knives without a change of her expression. While Denis was still so loudly complaining about her, she took her knife out and throw it quickly. It was a genial idea to create an almost invisible knife.

”Quaver”

And frowing a knife on curve like boomerang was another perfecz thing for this.

“Done?”

She asked with bored voice and give it a second until her knife hits its target.

“Oh… so unfortunate”

She said coldly.

“I am a doctor!”

She continued loudly and quickly squatted and with a quick move cleaned her knife and moved it under her sleeve. Then she tried to find Mr. blacks pulse and stood up.

“There is nothing that I can do for him… we should probably call someone, what unexpected turn of events”

She put her hand back into her pocket and returned her knife where it belongs. Young lady Raven looked at unemployed bodyguards. They obviously haven´t done a good job and there wasn´t a chance they saw what happened but they also weren´t stupid.

She wasn´t showing any emotions and sat on the bench from before. There were too many people for her to leave, so she sat and waited calmly with her lawyer for marines or local guards. Nobody saw her, so she was obviously innocent or not?

[Mr. Moon]

Michael #12

The lawyer would never say it aloud and especially not to her, but he had to admit to himself, that the young Raven was good, almost enough to make him want to try to hunt her himself. Especially because at first, even someone with his experiences didn´t notice anything out of the ordinary that was until Mr. Black fell to the ground with a mortal wound on his back. Only after that, when he wen´t through his memories of that event he remembered the subtle movement of her wrist, that probably signaled some sniper…¨

“No, she threw a blade?!”

He realized when his eyes noticed something resembling an almost invisible glass blade that she quickly pulled out of her victim´s body.

Naturally, people around them started yelling and screaming in panic, running away, or calling marines, while Myra, seemingly bored out of her head headed toward the nearest bench when she sat down.

“Jesus…she is a good killer, but her acting needs some polishing…”

He muttered for himself as one of the bodyguards stepped towards her, his hands clenched in fists.

“You! It was you! You killed him!”

He yelled at her, only to hit Michael´s cane, which suddenly rested against his neck.

“Good sir, you know that accusing someone of such a hideous crime without a single piece of evidence can be considered a crime too? My client is willing to let it slide for now, but if you ever…”

The bodyguard clearly lost his nerves as he batted his cane away, rushing toward Michael.

“Shut up you…”

Unfortunately, the curious lawyer never found out what clever insult he wanted to use as the bodyguard fell to the ground after a swift uppercut from the killer, causing another wave of panic. He positioned himself in a way that his punch was largely hidden from the sight of the crowd by Bobby at one side and the bodyguard himself at another, to make it harder to find out what actually happened.

“Relax, nothing happened to this one, just probably couldn´t stomach the sight of blood.”

Mr. Gladio addressed the crowd with a sweet voice, before giving a warning look to Bobby.

“What about you? Can you stomach the sight of blood?”

He asked so quietly that no one else could hear him in that commotion. Letting him see a glimpse of the beast hidden deep inside of him, Michael watched as the fighter turned pale and quickly shook his head.

“No sir…I think I don´t…good day!”

He stuttered before turning around, quickly disappearing into the crowd.

“Now, the harder part…”

He sighed for himself as he headed towards Myra, while a group of Marines was making their way towards them. Fortunately, it looked like someone just fetched a nearby patrol as dealing with Mon Roy was the last thing, he wanted to do that day.

[Cat]

Myra 12

Young lady Raven calmly sat and observed people. People were screaming and running away. Some people were stunned and one of the bodyguards decided to accuse her of the murder. Technically, he was right. The more important thing was that he didn´t have proof.

One could guess that yelling at her in public was a dangerous thing, but this obviously wasn´t the case. She observed him coldly and looked for the correct angle to hit him. She frowned when Michael stepped in and decided to teach him a lesson and save the bodyguard´s life.

Myra turned her attention to the second man, who seemed undecided about his action. The lawyer probably guessed her intention and turned to him too. Young Raven sighed; Michael was spoiling the fun. Probably, he decided to save her from herself for a moment. It sounded like something Gabriel would try to do, maybe it was the case. The worst option was that Michael wanted to steal the whole fun for himself.

„Never mind “

She muttered when she saw local marines. They weren´t prepared for this and they know it. She guessed that somebody more competent will be here soon. It was time for the lawyer to prove his skills or contacts because she didn´t want to wait here long.

How should she greet those marines? Should she simply say „Hi“ or should she be more formal? Should she greet them at all? Those little details were mysterious to her, so she waited for Michael and some hints.

[Mr. Moon]

Michael #13

There were three of them. Two young seamen, a man, and a woman who looked very fresh in their uniforms, and an older Petty Officer who was leading their patrol. For the two of them, it was probably supposed to be routine work, patrolling the streets during the day and learning the ropes of their new job, well at least until one cheeky Raven decided to make it a bit more interesting.

The onlookers were quickly moving away, clearing the path for the three officers.

“Oooooh sh*t, what happened here?!”

The Petty Officer cursed, rushing to the body of Mr. Black to check on his vitals.

“Why are you just standing there like this? That man needs…hmmmm, never mind…”

He muttered as the two sailors that were accompanying him turned pale, realizing that they just found themselves on the scene of a murder.

“She is a doctor.”

The lawyer said without much interest in his voice.

“And already proclaimed Mr. Black dead, before you arrived…if you want to know.”

The Petty Officer looked at Michael and his face turned from annoyed to angry.

“Oh really? How nice of her, and would she care to tell me how he died in the first place? Because from what I heard you guys were arguing just before it happened!”

Despite facing such an angry outburst Michael didn´t move a muscle in his face.

“Personally, I wouldn´t use such strong words. My client and the victim were in the middle of a business meeting when suddenly Mr. Black collapsed. My client rushed to give him first aid only to find out that he was beyond any help.”

The experienced marine frowned.

“Yeah, and his bodyguard…”

But Michael didn´t let him finish.

“Experienced mental breakdown and fainted right afterward, but perhaps you should be interested in the other one? He started running away right after Mr. Black died. Pretty suspicious behavior, don´t you think?”

The marine frowned even more before his jaw suddenly dropped.

“Wait, I know you! You are the lawyer from a year ago!”

The way he said it was hinting that whatever experiences he had with Michael, they weren´t pleasant.

[Cat]

Myra 3

Young lady Raven was outraged by the manners of the marines. While thinking about how she should greet them, they simply ignored her and were rude. Myra frowned and gave them a second chance.

They were discussing the death of Mr. Black with Michael and she was almost ignored. So when the marine mocked her skills as a doctor, Myra silently stood up and approached the group before her. The lawyer was trying to describe her meeting.

“Thank you, Mr. Gladio, for describing my unlucky meeting. There isn´t a reason why anyone should suspect us. Poor Mr. Black was killed from behind…”

She turned at the marine officer.

“Or are you telling me that I can kill a man from behind, while I am before him? I suppose that we have enough witnesses…”

Myra was expressing her curiosity. Those marines obviously started badly. They didn´t ask about the identity of the dead body or hers. It seemed that they were more interested in the lawyer himself. Myra was offended by everybody´s rudeness and ignorance.
"Perfect, so when you know each other, I can probably go back to my café. I suppose you are capable of finding the killer."

Young lady Raven knew that she should stay, but the presence of those badly behaving men was outrageous. She was lady Raven and nobody will behave like this to her.

"If you want something, you could find me in the Café in the port. Just ask employees for LADY Raven. Or do you wish me to stay, officer?"

She coldly asked the man before her and introduced herself.

[Mr. Moon]

Michael #14

When she addressed him, the Petty Officer turned his face from Michael to Myra in a way, that was clearly saying that it was exactly what he was thinking. After all, in a world where a piece of fruit could grant you the ability to transform into a living flame, there surely were stranger things than killing a man from the other side where you are standing. Not to mention she could easily hire a sniper that would do the dirty work while she would act as a decoy and lure him out! These were all things he wanted to say but didn´t because of the “Lady Raven” card she pulled at him.

To be completely fair, he never heard about a noble family of that name, but the way she acted and the fact she had enough money to hire that b*stard Campbell were telling. And Petty Officer Gravis knew better than to get involved with the aristocracy. That s*itty lawyer made sure of that. So better to let them go and find out who is he dealing with first.

“All right, lady Raven…”

He growled, moving aside to let Myra and her companion pass.

“You can go now, but expect an official Marine visit later, we sure will have some questions for you and…your…”

He looked at Michael with a murderous gaze.

“friend.”

He finished, using the word “friend” as if it was the worst insult imaginable, earning a sarcastic smile from the lawyer before he left.

Heading towards the Raven Café, Michael was completely silent at least until he was sure, that they got far enough for the Marines to hear them.

“Very well, I have to admit, you are more than just a spoiled princess.”

He muttered silently.

“But who taught you diplomacy, Gabriel?”

Now that could be seen as an insult by anyone who crossed paths with the Professor as his social awkwardness was not only well known but also led to many dangerous situations for him and the people around him as well.

“I understand that you guys are taught to look down on Marines, but if you really want to keep your business here you should be more careful. Gravis might be an i*iot, but the same can not be said about his boss Mon Roy.”

[Cat]

Myra #14

She was self confidently smiling and observed the officer. He quickly shut up and bit his lip just to stay silent. His history with Michael was obviously interesting when only the lawyer’s presence made her suspicious.

“See you later then”

She smiled and elegantly turned around. It was time to leave the square. The young lady was obviously in good mood and when she heard Michael calling her “spoiled princess” she chuckled.

“I like that others think so. If you tell someone, I will kill you.”

She said without losing her friendly smile. It was friendly warning, because she find Mr. Gladio as pleasant company and hated idea that he would talk too much.
“Oh, I do not care about diplomacy, but I am also not rude to them.”

She looked at the lawyer.

"But I get it, no payoffs for local marines. Just perfectly done job without traces"
Myra shugged, like she really didn´t care and talking about payoffs was just regular theme to speak about during way to her café.
“I would probably do some things differently, if I know that funny story about you and that officer, but never mind. Will you tell me about it? We have probably an hour or two before the marines visit my café.”

Young lady Raven was in a surprisingly good talkative mood.

[Mr. Moon]

Michael #15

Following the young lady Raven as he wanted to make sure she won´t do anything stupid when the marines will come to question her, Michael grinned in the face of her threat.

“Yeah, good luck with that.”

He said with an amused voice. While he definitely wasn´t looking down at that girl, not after what she did on the square, but that didn´t mean he couldn´t be confident in his own skills as well.

After that, his amusement grew only stronger as Myra started talking about possible bribes for the local marines and his personal history with Petty Officer Gravis.

“He used to be a lieutenant a while ago. Not because he would be so good, but because he married a second daughter of some noble family, and they pulled few strings.”

The lawyer went down his memory to one of his easiest cases to date.

“Then, however, his wife became suspicious of some of his late arrivals and so asked me for help. Usually, I don´t do these private detective things, but the pay was good and I already had from a good source he was cheating on her, so I took the case found some evidence, and destroyed him at the court.”

He didn´t really feel the need to say that the “good source” was himself as he was getting ready to kill that man for his affairs after he randomly met him with three different women on several occasions.

“Anyway, the Marines didn´t take it well either and demoted him to Petty Officer. Or maybe it was revenge from her family? I don´t know and honestly don´t care”

The lawyer shrugged his shoulders as they approached Myra´s café.

“So, do you have any other plans or will we just wait for the officers to question us?”

[Cat]

Myra 15

She didn´t respond to Michael´s challenge. She only widely smiled and looked at him. She was curious about what Gabriel´s brother could do, but it wasn´t the right timing for it. She shrugged as if hunting anyone was just an ordinary topic of dialogue.

Young lady Raven was smiling and enjoying that almost everything was going like planned even though she had so many things to do. She also was able to find some fun during her boring routine.

Also, she wasn´t sure if she wanted the lawyer by he side when officers will come to ask their questions. Michael´s story was quite funny, but also could cause trouble to her plans.

“I don´t have plans for this. I just have a few things to solve, so the officers will be able to find me in my cafe.”

She carelessly shrugged.

“If you don´t want to go with me, you can go anywhere. I suppose that you have a lot of work to do.”

Myra didn´t care if she has company, she wasn´t planning to do anything interesting. When she entered her café, Emily was biting her lip and letting another waitress take care of customers. Young lady Raven frowned. Her mood and expression changed quickly to a cold smile.

“I left newspapers on your desk”

Emily whispered and fled to the kitchen. Myra sighed and slowly walked upstairs to her favorite terrace. Everything was like she left it, only one newspaper was peacefully laying on her desk. Myra was nervous, about what catastrophic news are coming, but she didn´t hurry and kept her self-confidence and elegance.

Young lady Raven sat down took newspapers and raised her eyebrows. She wasn´t sure if she should laugh or kill Gabriel. He gave her another reason to do so.

“I think you want to sit, order another tea and read today´s news”

Myra was trying to hide her mood, but it was hard. She laid newspapers on her desk and turned them to Michael. She had job to do in meantime. She had to add one another wanted poster to her collection.