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Chapter Text

Lycaon stood in the shadows, hands behind his back, smiling serenely at the singer onstage before him. Astra Yao, Queen of New Eridu. The title may not have been literal, but the wolf Thiren would've gladly followed her as if it was. As her personal butler and bodyguard, it was his honor and duty to be her White Knight. Lucky for him, she made it easy. She was sweet, a little bit absentminded at times, but Lycaon found it all the more endearing. He watched her as a proud uncle would, or an honorary mentor-figure, if familial designation was too presumptuous.

And her voice… There weren't even words to describe its radiant beauty and ethereal—not Ethereal—quality. Lycaon's eye drifted shut, an indulgence he allowed himself for only a moment. After all, it is improper for a bodyguard to lower his gaze while on duty. And to allow his protectee to go unguarded and unwatched for even a millisecond. But Astra's voice was just so enchanting… The sound seemed to fill the entire room, surrounding them on all sides, and it was amplified when Lycaon could focus solely on his hearing.

The only sound sweeter than Astra's song was the way she cheerfully, excitedly squealed his name at the end of every show. "Lycaon!"

"Ms. Yao." He smiled down at her fondly, ears twitching as she skipped over to him. Even after hours of performing, she is still so energetic! Though the stage lights were behind her now, he could see the beads of sweat around her forehead, and he could smell the sweat. With a flourishing bow, he pulled a lacy handkerchief from his pocket in one, fluid motion. In tiny print on the corner, it read "Victoria Housekeeping Co."

Astra giggled, eyes lighting up as she took the handkerchief. Awww, it looks so tiny in his hands! "Thank you! It really is such a shame to use a handkerchief as lovely as this, though…" She sighed wistfully as she admired the lace and the graceful cursive of the logo in the corner.

"Heh. Fret not, madam. There are plenty more where that came from." To humor her, Lycaon opened his vest to reveal a pocket on the inside. Indeed, several Victoria Housekeeping Co. handkerchiefs were stuffed inside.

Astra couldn't help but laugh again. "You're always so prepared, Lycaon!"

"It is my duty, honor, and pride," the wolf Thiren answered, puffing out his chest slightly as Astra continued to smile up at him.

"Did Corin and Ellen and Rina like the shoutout?" she asked hopefully, referring to an earlier part of the show where she'd affectionately referenced the rest of Victoria Housekeeping Co. Even though Lycaon was the only one TOPS assigned to work for her, she'd grown close to the others too. There's Rina! She's as kind as she is beautiful. There's Corin, who is super cute! And then there's Ellen… Astra chuckled to herself.

"Hah, they loved it, Ms. Yao. They all told me to send their eternal gratitude." Well, those were Rina's words. Corin had been sobbing and hyperventilating from embarrassment and gratitude too hard to speak. And while Ellen had turned away with crossed arms and a pouty expression, both Lycaon and Rina caught the touched tears glittering in her angry eyes.

"Good! I'm glad to hear it!" Astra gave a self-satisfied smile as she sighed in relief. Another concert in the bag! But only after all the other guests and all the other staff had left did Astra allow herself to make a slightly more playful request. "Oh, Lycaon!" She gave a melodramatic yawn, stretching. "I'm so tired! Would you mind letting me hitch a ride to the parking lot?"

His ears twitched in amusement as he lowered himself to her level. "Of course, Ms. Yao." White Knight? Perhaps noble steed… He chuckled as she clapped in delight, racing behind him to jump up onto his back. He caught her easily, standing up again.

"Woah!" the singer gave another breathless laugh as the floor fell away. The moment Lycaon felt her securely grip his shoulders, he turned away from the stage, the auditorium dim as the lights were slowly shut down for the night. It was time to go home.

THWUNK! The very last lights of the auditorium suddenly gave out, and so did the lobby lights. A second later, through the darkness, both Lycaon and Astra heard the sound of metal doors clanging shut.

"Who goes there?!" Lycaon thundered, straightening up, Astra quickly sliding off his back. He still left a hand on her shoulder, so he wouldn't lose her in the darkness, but he entered a defensive stance, preparing to shield her from a blow from the shadows. Even with his night vision, and the blue lights along the sides of his prosthetic legs, he couldn't make out any moving shapes or outlines. Not at first, at least—

"Lycaon. My darling…" A familiar voice purred, and Lycaon felt a chill run deep into his very bones.

"Darling?" Astra whispered from behind him. "D-do you know…?"

"Unfortunately…" the wolf Thiren grit his fangs in shame. "Forgive me, Ms. Yao. I was never comfortable talking about my past, but perhaps I should have been more forthright with you. Ah, but I never expected…"

"Then that's on you, doddering fool! You've grown soft, lapdog!" Something flashed in the darkness, and then suddenly, a single light illuminated the auditorium once more. Standing in the center of the pale halo of light was a tall, suave, svelte man with golden hair, pale skin, and mismatched eyes, both haunting and haunted.

"Who…?" Breathless, the question died on Astra's lips.

At the same time, Lycaon narrowed his eye and growled. "Hugo…"

"The one and only!" The man threw open his arms, removing his hat in the same motion.

"Why are you here?" The wolf snarled again, taking a threatening step forward, still keeping Astra in his long shadow.

"Can't an old friend drop in and say hello?"

"Show's over." Lycaon crossed his arms. "And if you didn't buy a ticket, you don't belong here."

"Oh?" Hugo's voice was like silk as he raised his thin, arched eyebrows, amused. "Then where is your ticket, Lycaon?"

For just a moment, the wolf Thiren faltered. "I… work here," he murmured softly, knowing what was coming next…

"Hmm." Hugo sounded smug, satisfied, as if he'd just gotten Lycaon to confess to something great and terrible. "Traitor…" Silence hung like a veil between them, Lycaon on guard, and Hugo still smirking as if the best was yet to come. "It is not I who has changed, Lycaon, but you. I still stand against TOPS, just as I always have. You just gave me… something extra on the side. Nuit!"

What did he say? Lycaon's ears twitched, but he barely had time to ponder before he heard Astra shriek behind him, and his blood ran cold. "Ms. Yao!" He whipped around to see a long, black glove resting across her collarbone, and a dark blade curved like a vampire fang at her throat.

"A traitor gets all the honor a traitor deserves. Under the cover of night, we come, and what can I say? Madame Nuit is excellent at what she does." The Dark Knight to your White one, wolf!

In a blind panic, Astra slammed her microphone against the ground. A blast of Ether radiated from it. Lycaon was able to withstand the blow, and Hugo was far enough away, but the masked assailant—Madame Nuit?—stumbled back. Lycaon didn't waste a single second.

"Ms. Yao! Run!" Covering her, he lunged at the assailant and grabbed her by the throat, lifting her up. He whipped around so he was facing Hugo again, making a point to show that he still had a free hand, if Hugo thought he could sneak past the wolf Thiren. But the vampiric man only crossed his arms and smirked. As puzzled as he was frustrated, patience running thin, Lycaon turned on the masked assailant again. "Who are you?!" he snarled, but he was too impatient to wait for an answer, ripping the mask off himself.

It was a human woman, and not one he recognized. She had pale skin, like Astra's, but her eyes and hair were different. Her eyes were an almost-glowing purple, while her hair was a pale gold, tied back tightly.

"Well, it is rather difficult for her to answer when she cannot breathe, no?" Hugo asked patronizingly. Lycaon was stung by his words, stung by the reminder, and his fingers immediately loosened as he allowed the woman to land on her feet. Most people would've been at least a little shaken, being manhandled by such a burly wolf Thiren, but ex-masked assailant answered him without hesitation.

"Hugo's already given you my name." Her voice was a little raspy, but she met Lycaon's eye defiantly.

"Have you been with him long?" Lycaon asked back, tone and expression unreadable as he stared Madame Nuit down.

"When you left Mockingbird," said Hugo disdainfully, "I needed a new enforcer."

"This is a temporary engagement," said Madame Nuit quickly, coldly. "It has continued longer than expected, but I am not here for either of your personal, petty quarrels."

"Patience, patience." Hugo flicked his hand dismissively, drawling. "You should learn to enjoy the job more, Madame Nuit."

"I don't mix business with pleasure."

Hugo smirked, but before even Lycaon could blink, Madame Nuit took off. The wolf Thiren gasped, lunging, the blue lights of his prosthetic legs glowing as he kicked off as hard and fast as he could.

"No—!" He reached out to her. Even though her hair was such a bright color, she practically melted into the shadows. A split second later, pain lanced through Lycaon's shoulder. He grit his teeth to bite back a snarl and glanced over his other shoulder in time to see Hugo tug his scythe free. Lycaon hissed a second time as blood and ice gushed from the wound. It wasn't deep, but it left its mark. Hugo didn't waste any time in lunging again, but this time not at Lycaon. Madame Nuit had already slipped through one of the doors, and Hugo made short work of freezing them all shut.

He smiled gleefully at his ex-canine companion. I'm not locked in here with you…! Ah, it's time for a dance of and with a maddened moon!

Lycaon forced his horror into fury as he swung his leg around in a kick so powerful his entire body spun toward Hugo. "If you really want to dance with me, then let the waltz begin!" Effortlessly, the lithe man parried the blow with his scythe, the metal colliding with a satisfying CLANG!

Ms. Yao! The butler didn't even dare throw a glance over his shoulder as he silently prayed that she was able to escape before Madame Nuit began her hunt. Or that he would be able to subdue Hugo quickly enough that he still had time to rescue the singer. Forgive me… 

Chapter Text

Lycaon…! Astra bit her lip as she peeked around the corner, heart thundering in her chest. I can't just leave him! She knew she wasn't a trained fighter, but that didn't make her useless. And especially with Lycaon being outmatched, two to one, Astra felt compelled to go back and even the odds however she could. But she also knew she couldn't just rush in blindly. C'mon, Astra, think! Don't just stand there useless!

BANG! One of the auditorium doors burst open, and the noise was both curse and blessing, because although it startled Astra badly enough that she couldn't contain a yelp, it was also loud enough to mask her cry. She backed up swiftly, gripping her microphone to her chest.

Lycaon?! Astra hardly dared hope, and her stomach sank a moment later as she realized the footsteps were far too light to be his. And of course, there was no tell-tale blue light piercing the darkness of the theater lobby. Swallowing nervously, Astra tried to carefully maneuver her way to one of the staircases that led to the balcony. Either she could try a surprise attack from above, or at least the emptiness of the upper floor would give her more time to think, more time to plan.

The singer barely took her first step onto the upper floor when she ran into something solid and warm blocking her path. "Have to admit, you're slyer than I thought. I wonder, is it a skill from evading fans?"

Astra froze like a deer in headlights, stunned by her assailant for two reasons. The first, of course, was the sheer and sudden surprise of seeing her there, already one step ahead of Astra, literally. The other, though—

Woah… Astra couldn't control her thoughts. Madame Nuit could be "une belle nuit" if she tried! With the black mask ripped off, Astra could see the other woman's face and hair, and she was a little starstruck by what she saw. Her eyes are so… so… so intense…! In the back of the singer's mind, she wondered briefly how much French Madame Nuit knew.

Without thinking, Astra took an instinctive step back. "You don't have to do this—"

Faster than the blink of an eye, faster than lightning, Madame Nuit struck. "Don't even try!" she snapped, and before Astra knew it, she was on her knees before the other woman, cold, metal cords wrapping around her body, tying her arms behind her back. Her microphone clattered uselessly to the ground behind her. She gave a strangled shriek as Madame Nuit leered down at her triumphantly.

"Wait! I was going to say that if it's help you wanted, I'd be happy to give it!"

"Help?" Madame Nuit scoffed, tugging the cords just a little tighter.

"Yeah!" Astra winced as she nodded. "I heard what Hugo said earlier; it sounds like he feels betrayed by Lycaon. Lycaon never told me much about his past, but he's spoken before about old friends he wishes he could've helped more. If you two are willing, I know both Lycaon and I would be happy to work with you on some sort of agreement—"

"Typical," Madame Nuit interrupted with another scoff. "Trying to bribe your way to freedom."

"That's not what I meant!" Astra looked genuinely stung. "Lycaon's told me how turning over a new leaf and getting a chance at a new life was one of the best decisions he's ever made. If that's something you or Hugo are wanting—"

"I'LL BITE YOUR THROAT OUT!" Astra was interrupted again, but this time by someone else. Madame Nuit barely had time to look up before a metal foot connected with her chest, sending her flying back. The cords around Astra's body loosened as Madame Nuit dropped them.

"Lycaon!" Astra cried out in relief. Lycaon only smiled ruefully back at her. In the battle with Hugo, the wounds to Lycaon's heart hurt him more than the wounds to his body.

"Hugo! What is this?!" the wolf and vampire continued their maddened dance, only a spotlight illuminating them, giving them both halos.

"I already told you, my dear: revenge!" Hugo flashed him a fanged smile, mismatched eyes glittering with madness.

"Then why involve Ms. Yao? She has nothing to do with this!" Ice burst from the floor as Lycaon raced after Hugo.

"Mockingbird has always sought to benefit the poor at the expense of the wealthy." Hugo's scythe flashed like a crimson-dipped moon.

"Don't you DARE make a mockery of what Mockingbird used to be!" Lycaon snarled, dropping down on all fours. The wolf Thiren knew full well that Hugo remembered what Jack's original vision for the group had been. No murder. Especially not of the innocent or uninvolved. Hugo could try all he wanted to make a case that Astra was part of the bloodsucking elite, but Lycaon and Hugo would know that Hugo's motives would've been driven by revenge rather than a genuine desire for social justice and equality.

"Who says I was going to kill her?"

Lycaon eventually managed to land one, swift kick to the vampiric man's jaw. It was a blow so powerful, even Lycaon's leg recoiled from the shock of the impact. Hugo went flying, unconscious.

But not dead, thought Lycaon grimly. As powerful as his kick had been, he hadn't been aiming to kill. Of course, though, the wolf Thiren had to balance his personal desires with his duties. He turned to Astra, holding out a hand, expression soothing. "Quickly now," he murmured. Astra had only just taken his hand before Madame Nuit cried out.

"Get BACK!" Like living snakes, the cords snapped away from Astra completely, but they swiftly lashed around Lycaon.

"Lycaon!" Astra wasted no time trying to tug them off, even though she knew the chances of her succeeding were next to zero. But this time, the cords slowly began to glow, hotter and hotter and hotter. Astra was finally forced to let go while Lycaon growled in pain and confusion.

"What is this?!" he snarled, struggling to claw the cords off, but they were stronger than steel.

"Sorry, no slips past me," Madame Nuit smirked coldly as she restrained Lycaon.

"Wait!" Panicking, Astra reached out, not toward Lycaon, but Madame Nuit. We'll never win in a fight against her! My only hope is to try negotiating with her again… She knew the odds of that succeeding were also low, but… What else can I do? She cast a helpless look at Lycaon. With hands tied, she fought to steady her nerves and hold Madame Nuit's fiery, purple gaze. "What do you want from us?! I- I- I mean, what are you getting out of this?" Astra hadn't been there when Madame Nuit said that Hugo and Lycaon's quarrel was none of her business or interest, but the singer could still see that she had far less personal gain than Hugo when it came to the outcome of the fight.

Madame Nuit, though, refused to shed any light on her, or even Hugo's, deeper motivations. "It's what Hugo wants."

"If he wants to talk, then let's talk!" Astra insisted. "We don't need this violence! We can settle this peacefully!" If it's really something between them, there's no way Hugo would want Madame Nuit to be the one to kill him, right? Right?! It was a hope so desperate it bordered on insane, but Astra clung to it like a lifeline. Perhaps it was.

"Ms. Yao…" Lycaon growled, but Astra couldn't ignore the scorch marks on his fur, nor how they worsened the longer Madame Nuit held him down. For a moment, Madame Nuit only stared at Astra, as if torn between amusement, disbelief, and… something else.

"You'd give yourself up that easily?" she scoffed, but there was an undertone of genuine curiosity and fascination in her voice. Why? What do you have to gain? Was New Eridu's brightest superstar trying to be some sort of sacrificial sun?

"Unfortunately, my hands are… kind of tied…" Astra sighed ruefully. She hated to admit it, but how could she deny it? Lycaon kept on telling her to run, but even if she tried, what hope did she have of outrunning the spider and shadow-like Madame Nuit?

"Hmm. Fine. I have no desire for more work than necessary either."

"W-wait. Really?" Astra blinked in surprise as the burning cords unraveled from Lycaon's body just as they had from Astra's moments prior. That easy? "Wait. Y-you won't tie me up again, will you?" she asked a moment later, nervous. Madame Nuit cocked her head in amusement while Lycaon growled threateningly behind them both.

"I trust neither of you will go back on your word." Her voice was smooth as she glanced at Lycaon while he slowly got up. He scowled at her, but said nothing. His hands were tied too, after all, even if not literally. Instead, he glanced at the staircase, silently gesturing for Madame Nuit to lead the way. So long as she played nice, he would have to do the same.

Chapter Text

The trio returned to the auditorium just as Hugo was clambering to his feet, rubbing his jaw, blood dripping down his pale, smooth lips.

"Ha! Back so soon, are you? I'm almost disappointed you didn't give me a chance to join the chase! But what did I tell you, Lycaon? Mockingbird needed a new enforcer, and Madame Nuit does a killer job, wouldn't you say?" Hugo's mismatched eyes were sharp. He noticed the scorch marks on the wolf Thiren's fur. He also noticed how Madame Nuit managed to bring him and the songbird back, unbound. "Or perhaps, what I said about you being a soft, little lapdog is true…" He flashed Lycaon a bloody, unhinged smile.

"No. Neither of you fight fair! That's the only reason you got the upper hand on Lycaon!" Unable to contain herself any longer, Astra took a daring step forward. "He's… he's too honorable for his own good!" Her face and voice became rueful.

"Ms. Yao…" Lycaon took a step forward, but he heard Madame Nuit's blades behind him and stopped, not for his sake, but Astra's.

"Fair?!" Hugo cackled. "Young lady, who are you to lecture me on what is or is not fair in this abysmal life?!" He couldn't stop himself; his wild eyes darted to Lycaon, the turncoat! Ha! Some people are born into all the luck, aren't they? All the wealth, fame, adoration, and support! She even managed to steal YOU away from me…

Just how the wolf Thiren ended up under the popstar's employ was beyond Hugo, but Hugo knew from the moment he found out his old battle buddy had become a butler—a collared house pet—that he would never stand by Mockingbird again. Hugo lost his last chance at reunification before it had even begun.

"So what are you going to do?" Lycaon growled, trying to cut to the chase. "Kill us?" Because if you try, you KNOW I will abandon all pretense of propriety, and even if you and Madame Nuit manage to defeat me, I will NOT go down alone! No matter what, Astra would escape the night. Hugo's only choice was whether or not he would do likewise.

"Hugo." A voice none of them expected interceded, soft but stern. "Our original operation."

"This is the operation." Hugo smiled at Madame Nuit, but there was something impatient, something dangerously close to snapping, in his maddened gaze. Madame Nuit, though, met it evenly.

The only amount of respect she gave Hugo was in dropping her voice so Astra and Lycaon couldn't hear. "Remember. I was sent to you to aid in your quest against the Ravenlocks. I work for you, but I will not take any unnecessary risks until our original goal is achieved. I only came this far because you have been a fair employer to me thus far, but I stand by what I said." She crossed her arms, expression cold and hard.

"Don't tell me you're going soft too?" Hugo grit his teeth.

"Kill both for all I care. But don't drag it out. And if you kill one—" she glanced at Astra, "—kill the other," she glanced at Lycaon. "Or allow me to do so. Leaving one alive is a risk I am unwilling to take, no matter how much it may suit your agenda."

The tension in the air shifted. It certainly didn't dissipate, but suddenly, Hugo became utterly unreadable, and in that, Lycaon could see right through him. It was a reflex, but the wolf sniffed. Clearly, what Madame Nuit said wasn't part of the plan. She was… trying to defy Hugo. And while her words were brutal—Astra even winced at how calm Madame Nuit was in designating who would kill who—Lycaon could sense that she had an ulterior end goal in mind…

"Mmm. Fine." Hugo shrugged, and for just a moment, doubt gripped Lycaon like the hand of death. Then he felt Madame Nuit grip his shoulder, even though he could've sworn that just a second ago, she was farther away.

"Buy me time." She spoke so quickly, it sounded like one word, and she spoke so softly, even Lycaon nearly missed it, but then he saw her purple eyes dart toward Hugo even though she was pretending to drag him away from Astra and the other man.

Lycaon had only a split second to make a decision. Ordinarily, Ms. Yao, you know I would give far more thorough consideration before entrusting your safety with anyone else, especially someone who previously tried to harm you, however… He didn't waste a single second longer, silencing his racing thoughts and lunging toward Hugo, ripping free from Madame Nuit's lackluster grip. He heard her metal wires hiss as they ignited and whistled behind him, but he knew that this time, she was only pretending to aim for him.

As he raced past Astra, he pushed the singer gently toward the other woman. He only had time to catch her confused gaze for a split second, but he tried his best to convey his message, staring at her pleadingly.

Go with her.

Astra stumbled, confused by the look in Lycaon's eye. Then she felt a gloved hand on her arm. She jerked back with a quiet yelp, but although Madame Nuit held on, she didn't tighten her grip like all the other times she tried to restrain Astra.

"Shhh!" she murmured, then she gestured with her other hand to the auditorium doors. Escape. Freedom.

"What?" Astra was dazed. She glanced over her shoulder at Lycaon. There's no way I can trust Madame Nuit, right? So then why did Lycaon push me towards her? Was that really what he was doing? Maybe I misunderstood… But as soon as she had the thought, she rejected it. No, he was DEFINITELY pushing me towards her—

"Ms. Yao," Madame Nuit's voice was suddenly uncertain, and it occurred to Astra that it was the first time the other woman bothered to say her name. "Please hurry. We can help him later."

Astra's stomach tightened. Do I trust Madame Nuit? Probably not… But do I trust Lycaon? That wasn't even a question. She took a shaky breath, trying to steel her nerves as she nodded and allowed Madame Nuit to lead her to the doors one last time. Madame Nuit made quick work of the ice that blocked their path, but when Astra started towards the theater doors, Madame Nuit held fast to her arm, stopping her dead in her tracks.

"You really think Hugo and I didn't set up defenses at every entrance? All the exits are sealed," she smiled grimly. "So we'll have to leave through a… nontraditional exit…"

Astra could only shake her head, dumbfounded. "I just don't get it. Why save Lycaon and I? Why work with Hugo?"

"It's… complicated," Madame Nuit's smirk became a rueful and self-conscious smile. "I guess you could say that, at least for now, our goals align. Perhaps our psyches too, for I feel we understand each other better than anyone else ever has. But of course," the smirk returned, "we have our disagreements…" She glanced at the auditorium. This is a proxy war. Plain and simple. But it is a war in which I will have no part. As I told Hugo before, we have far larger targets and threats to hunt than a songbird and her guard dog.

"Well… Thank you," Astra murmured, reaching out to touch Madame Nuit's arm. Her purple eyes widened, and she seemed unsure of how to react. So instead, she gestured towards the staircases that led to the balcony.

"Follow me this way," she murmured.

Well. Back here again, thought Astra with a dry smile, only this time, Madame Nuit allowed her to take more than just one step onto the upper floor. This time, they moved to a window near the end of the hallway, passing by Astra's microphone on the way there.

"Please stand back," said Madame Nuit, holding out an arm, and gently pushing Astra behind her.

"What?" Astra asked. A second later, the sound of glass shattering interrupted the night. "Madame Nuit!"

"I can create something of a zipline to the parking lot. That way you can slip past Hugo's defenses," Madame Nuit carefully cleared out the jagged glass still left in the windowsill before hurling one of her blades through the darkness, a cord tied tightly to it.

"What if it burns me?" Astra glanced at the cord doubtfully. Madame Nuit couldn't help but snort softly.

"First of all, I wasn't going to ignite it this time. Second of all, you can use your microphone. I wouldn't advise ziplining barehanded. And I'm keeping these gloves." Her tone became increasingly teasing as she admired the fuel lines that ran the lengths of her fingers, the cannisters on her knuckles. The only reason she'd ignited the cords the first time was because she'd been taken off guard by a massive wolf Thiren.

"Still… Are you sure? Not about the cords, I mean, but… All of this…" Astra gestured to the window, and the parking lot below. "Because like I said earlier, if you're willing to work with us…"

Madame Nuit paused, and after a moment, looked Astra squarely in the eyes. "Why do you keep offering me that?"

"Because if you're willing to go to this length to help me sneak out, even if you claim it's just "being smart" and covering your tracks better, then I know you've got a heart in you, and we can work with that!" I know I wouldn't mind. I'm always down to try to help someone out. And I know Lycaon wouldn't turn away someone honestly trying to make a better life for themself. After all, that was what brought him first to the original version of Mockingbird, and then to Astra.

"You trust too easily." So why, then, am I drawn to a liability such as you? Still… You risked everything for your bodyguard…

"Maybe I've given it more thought than you give me credit for." Maybe I know more than you think I do.

Madame Nuit looked away, not because Astra's words had stung or humbled her, but because she still wasn't ready to take flight from Mockingbird. Astra could only sigh and accept the other woman's decision.

Chapter Text

Barely a minute had passed before the two humans heard the tell-tale sound of metal shoes pounding on the stairs in the distance. Blue lights came into view as Lycaon rounded the corner and jogged toward them.

"Quickly now!" he murmured. Just like before, he managed to subdue the other man, but he still was not aiming to kill.

"Wait. You won't get in trouble for this, will you?" Astra asked Madame Nuit worriedly. Madame Nuit only shrugged.

"If you wish, cast some of your Ether onto my garrote. It'll make it look like I lost a fight against you, rather than simply letting you go."

"An excellent idea," Lycaon rumbled. "I will contribute as well."

Astra picked up her microphone and waved it, sparks of Ether running along the cords like electricity. When she stepped back, Lycaon stepped forward.

"I will give you more than just ice," he murmured, then after freezing part of the cords, he held one of his wounds over them and squeezed.

"Lycaon!" Astra winced as dark red blood stained the pale blue ice.

"Forgive me, I know it is not very sanitary or hygienic." Lycaon dipped his head politely as he straightened up again.

"I appreciate the dedication to the deception," Madame Nuit smiled darkly. "I considered doing the same thing, although I worried Hugo would not be fooled. He would know it was my blood, and not either of yours."

"Well, hopefully now, you can evade suspicion," said Lycaon gently, half-joking and half-serious. Then he turned to Astra. "Are you ready, Ms. Yao?" She nodded and clung to him while he took her microphone, preparing to use it to help them slide down the makeshift zipline.

"Wait. Before you go." Madame Nuit handed Lycaon her cellphone. "Call for help. That will keep Hugo busy, and force him to flee rather than pursue. I would rather you use your voice, though, than mine. And I am requesting that you destroy the phone as soon as the call is over. Hugo doesn't need to know about this."

"Mmm." Lycaon nodded once, swift to dial for backup. Astra, meanwhile, watched her with wide eyes.

She really thought this out, didn't she? The singer still couldn't get what drove the other woman to go to such lengths to protect them, but she more than appreciated it.

As soon as the call was over, Lycaon crushed the phone in his fist, then dropped the remnants to the floor and crushed them beneath ice and metal. Astra turned to Madame Nuit one last time.

"It's not too late, you know?" she murmured quietly.

"According to my calculations, we have four minutes and 38 seconds before the authorities arrive," Madame Nuit replied with a sardonic smile. Her implied answer was clear, and Astra was again forced to accept it.

"Bon nuit," Lycaon murmured, then, after checking again that Astra was secure, he leapt from the window toward the parking lot.

Madame Nuit gave a low, dark laugh. "Bon nuit." She watched Lycaon and Astra go until they were out of sight, then she returned to the auditorium one last time.

"Where are they?!" Hugo snarled, meeting Madame Nuit in the lobby, having been headed in their direction. Madame Nuit only held up her cords, stained in ice, blood, and Ether. "What?!" Hugo hissed. For just a second, suspicion and doubt crept in. You singlehandedly subdued them both before, and brought them back to me unbound! You're telling me that NOW they were able to defeat you in combat?! But before he could press Madame Nuit any further, sirens began to blare in the distance. How did that mongrel mutt call for help already?!

"PUBSEC, OPEN UP!" The auditorium doors quickly went under fire, a barrage of kicks and curses emanating from the other side.

"Ugh. So be it, then." Hugo smiled through his fury, adjusting his head and twirling his scythe in his hand, stirring up an icy tornado that quickly coated the floor in slick, blue-white frost. "I suppose a traitor gets all the honor a traitor deserves." Even though Hugo would never admit it out loud, he could acknowledge that he was trespassing on TOPs territory. Maybe Lycaon wasn't as soft of a lapdog or house pet as he seemed… Ah, if only you were willing to play dirty for ME that way, Hugo thought sardonically. "Now, let order and madness dance…!"

There was a reason Lycaon managed to defeat him twice in combat that night, and it wasn't just because they were fairly, evenly matched. Hugo had also held back, neither man ever aiming to kill. For all of Hugo's bravado and claims of desire for vengeance, while he wanted Lycaon to suffer, he did not want the wolf Thiren to die. It was the other truth he refused to admit to anyone else, and barely even himself. Hugo felt no such reserves around PubSec. Upon them, he could—and would—unleash his full, unbridled fury.

"Behold! Mockingbird! Phantom Thieves! Rulers of the Night! Our dark wings will stretch across this starry sky and blot out the light!" Just as the officers began to flood the darkened auditorium, opening fire upon the two lone figures in the room, Hugo lunged. Propelled by a wintery wind, for just a moment, he hung suspended in the hair, hovering over the awed and terrified officers. His jacket billowed behind him, his hair like a halo as the spotlight shined down upon it. "And the brighter the light, the darker the shadow! Now prepare to prostrate yourself before the abyss!"

When gravity took over and Hugo began to fall back to earth, he scooped up his scythe in a glittering, icy, downward stroke. At the same time, coming up from below, Madame Nuit lunged. This time, her fiery cords were aiming to strike, and like living snakes, strike they did. The blades were fangs, and she burned and immobilized officer after officer. As she zipped by Hugo, her own dark jacket fluttered in the icy breeze like a pair of black wings. Together, they painted the room red with hands of fire and ice.

"The best defense is a strong offense," the woman smiled darkly as her cords of fire lashed around the enemies, scorching their flesh and staining her weapon in their blood. And Hugo was quick to slice through them with an icy, scarlet stained scythe.

Meanwhile, just outside, under the safety and cover of night, a songbird under the shadow of her wolf Thiren bodyguard's wing took flight. Only the stars bore witness.