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EDIT: Semi-decent changes; not necessarily in this chapter, but some here and in the previous two. Mostly done because I'm a doof and messed some stuff up and didn't realize until now and was also mentioned to me in a recent review (And honestly I might have put off editing had you not said something; I'm bad like that).

IMPORTANT: Due to these changes, Clarisse was teaching Bet/Viper Italian and lock picking.

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So, no mission. But I'm fond of this chapter.

Also, for clarification, Viper/Bet is sixteen now. Arlette is ten.

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der neunte

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Four years – it had been seven years of intense training in illusionary arts since I'd arrived, and it was hard to comprehend. I had been ten, then eleven, and then twelve and then I had realized to Arlette was, and then things just seemed to jumble together in my head as training got more intense and muddled with the mental stress of everything. The illusionary training, hacking lessons, language lessons, and the joy of my second chance at puberty were the highlights of these four years; if you could call them that.

And I had a blatant, itching reminder of these years spent in Paris.

The process of getting the upside-down triangle tattoos was basically the same process as getting a tattoo (not that I had much experience with this in this or my previous life). Though these burned and itched – during the process it was like drops of boiling water followed every tiny prick of the needle. It was apparently a necessary evil of sorts, as the ink was apparently special in the way that the marks would never fade or wear with age, thus leading to the burn and itch – the latter of which had just faded after eight days.

"I still can't believe," Pierre rubbed at his own fairly fresh markings, "That we got these done at the same time, especially when I've been training for longer. You sure are something, Bet!"

"And I can't believe you still call me by that." His green eyes practically effervesced in happiness; something that hadn't changed a bit in all these years.

"Whaaaat? Clarisse calls you that; so does Arlette!"

"They're different." He was like a giant child, even as an almost-twenty-one-year-old. In a way I almost felt as if what I lacked in childish qualities growing up had been handed over to him. "I actually like them."

"My heart! My heart, Betlinde!" His hand clenched dramatically at his chest. "It's breaking; can you hear it?"

"Is that what that beautiful sound was?"

"Man, Bet. You're so cruel to me, you know? And speaking of 'man'…" My eyes narrowed at his cheery, cheeky grin. "If you keep speaking in that deadpan tone people might think you're a man. Considering, you know…"

At this an indignant squawk left my mouth unbidden as he teasingly eyed me.

Because, damn it, it was fairly true. Puberty had brought me very subtle curves and almost no chest to speak of – my voice was even a little more on the deeper side of things, though it was feminine enough. Actually, my voice combined with my eyes was probably what allowed most to identify me as a woman. If I covered my eyes, it was much harder to tell, though my voice was probably enough for those who really listened to realize.

I was far more sensitive about it that I ever thought I would be; though I knew it would be a useful thing for me – so long as I wasn't hassled about it.

"You," I felt my eyes narrow, my voice bland, "are a pervert. Starin' at my chest. Tch. What would the hag say?"

Pierre sputtered. "Don't tell Granny that! Bet! I am not. Don't tell Granny!"

"But Pierre," my voice was a low drawl, "Don't you need to hear about the birds and the bees?"

"Not again I don't!"

/*\*/*\*/*\*/*\*/*\*/*\

"So, are you goin' away then?" Arlette furrowed her brows, her spindly legs kicking restlessly under her chair. "You'll still visit, right? Keep in contact, sis?"

"Well, I'm not goin' to completely drop off the face of the Earth." I idly smoothed back the hood of my caplet, ignoring the sudden itch in my tattoos.

Arlette hopped down from her chair, her over the shoulder braid bouncing prettily and colorful skirt fluttering. "Good, because you're my sister. Sisters don't abandon sisters."

She was still precious, this child – and I had come to realize years ago that, yes, she truly did feel like my sister. In fact, Arlette felt more like a member of my family than any other family member I had had ever been (how could she not be when she looked at and treated me with such love?). Not that I could say that out loud, ever. She was like a warm spring breeze, bringing wonderful sensations wherever she went. Arlette was a gangly little ten year old now – all legs and arms, as she would be for a few years, almost like a newly born foal – but when she got older she'd be stunning and Clarisse would have to beat boys away from her with a stick.

Or Arlette could deal with them on her own – she would certainly be capable of it.

"How sickly sweet." Clarisse threw a sarcastic smile over her shoulder. "How did to kids under my influence end up so mushy?"

Arlette tittered a breathless sort of laugh, "Because even maman has a soft side."

Clarisse snorted, rolling her shoulders before waving her daughter off. "Didn't you want to go down the street to the café? Something about ordering the lunch special?"

At this Arlette's eyes lit up before she babbled something about the supposed special, and how she'd order enough for everyone (Clarisse snorted at that, replied that she wasn't paying for everyone; the others in the room chuckled). Though not even a minute later Arlette had collected money from everyone and was out the door, calling that she'd be back soon and that, oh yes, the food was going to – oh, how do the Americans say it? – knock your socks off.

"That kid. Makes me feel older and older every day, I swear." Clarisse shook her head, a fond but wry smile twisting her lips.

"Oh yes." I pointed at her and twirled my finger, my voice sarcastic. "I can see it. The grey, I mean."

"Oh, fuck off brat." Arlette flipped her middle finger up, her smile fond and amused despite her words and action. "Now, what exactly are you going to go off and do?

"That Pierre is plannin' on joinin' that new circus, isn't he?" Arlette swiveled in her seat, legs crossed, leaning back on her elbows on the counter. "The one that's getting famous 'round here. What about you? Goin' to join him?"

My lip almost curled at the thought – because, no, I did not want to be constantly be surrounded by the combined aroma of carnie food, BO, and animal stink. It wasn't a pleasant thought and made my nose twinge a bit just thinking about it.

"Not a chance. I won't subject myself to that stink."

Clarisse laughed, loud and pretty. "Okay, I can understand that. Going as a solo act then? Or are you planning on focusing on languages? I mean, how many do you speak now? Or are you going to be some petty thief? You'd be better off in the circus, then."

"Four right now, with basic understanding of another." And the intention of learning another one (because having to know it was an inevitable sort of thing). "But no. I never really considered those options. I will use your lessons often enough though, I do believe."

The blonde woman frowned a bit and leaned forward, arms resting on her legs. "What are you wantin' to do? You have had all these options available and you've honestly never thought about them?"

I was prepared to respond, but froze – because, what had that Viper done? Viper… now that I thought about it – really thought about it – nothing had said Viper had started out as a Mafioso/a, had it? In fact, not all of the Arcobaleno had been mafia before being 'chosen'. Colonello and Lal had been special operatives in the Italian army, hadn't they? And Skull – Skull had been a stuntman (not mafia, right?). Verde, a scientist. It was Reborn and Luce that had been bluntly labeled as mafia, and Fon was in with the Chinese Triads – which really was just the mafia of China.

Viper might have been just some performer – solo or with a circus or some sort of other group.

But, my going into the mafia – or the underworld, at least – was better, wasn't it? The whole recruitment process for the 'Seven Strongest' had been greatly focused on not 'who the strongest assassins were' for recruitment – it had been who had the strongest flames or at least the best capability. Then the seven had been trained as to become the strongest seven, and had been trained to be a team (lot of good that part did). So my joining the underworld sooner would give me more training prior to the unavoidable ordeal.

Unavoidable because attempting to hide or run away from Checker Face was not something that I was keen on trying. I couldn't deny him either – I doubt that would go well either, plus he might then ask for reasons, and reasons would get me axed immediately.

I exhaled slowly, deeply. My violet eyes met Clarisse's stunning blues. "I never considered them, because I know where I'd end up eventually. A hunch, I suppose."

"I see." Her voice was low, and I could see in her face she understood at least a little bit of why; she undoubtedly knew what I was going into – it was the only other real option not mentioned. "Be smart about it, Bet. Don't you dare ever put Arlette in danger – and if you ever do you better lay your life down for her."

"I'm not stupid or heartless."

And at that moment Arlette made a rather loud and wonderfully smelling entrance, her face bright. "I brought snacks, guys. Freshly baked and extra delicious."

The chatter around the café went from a dull murmur (we had been taking quietly enough that no one had overheard, thankfully) to a low roar as Arlette handed out the baked treats. After doing that she pulled me from my seat to the bar where her mother sat before sitting down herself, flashing me a sparking smile as she did –

"This can be our sort-of temporary goodbye, since, you know, you're coming back."

"Of course." I ripped a piece of the pastry of, raining a bit of powdered sugar down on the wrapper. "I won't be leaving for a few days yet, though. Maybe a week."

Arlette perked up, her head swiveling to me, a smear of powdered sugar on her left cheek. "So, we have time for more lessons?"

"One or two, I suppose."

"Score!"

/*\*/Approx. One Year Ago.\*/*\

Betlinde – no, Viper – had found that she was awfully fond of Clarisse and Arlette's home the moment she had laid eyes on it; even now her infatuation with the rustic little place only grew. It was a nice little cottage on the outskirts of Paris with faded paint and ivy creeping prettily up the walls and trellises full of pretty, fragrant flowers. Viper had mused out loud that the pretty home didn't much fit Clarisse – said musings had earned the then-thirteen-year-old a smack to the back of the head.

It had been the start of her new sometimes-home-lessons, which happened when Clarisse had things to do at home or just didn't feel like going into the city. Viper couldn't say she had ever minded; the atmosphere in a home-that-wasn't-hers was better than the one in the 'underground' café.

But what had made the lessons become a permanent at-home-but-not-her-home sort of thing happened slowly, but not too slowly. Because it happened as Arlette gave a rather detailed description of the unicorn she'd seen in her dream the night before.

It had slowly built up behind the teal haired child in little wisps, and had Viper almost reeling before she silently composed herself before her actual composure could be broken –

Because, no, it wasn't unusual. Her son would be Fran, after all. One of three illusionists who could fool the Vindice.

Arlette had conjured a unicorn using mist flames that she had no idea she was even using. Viper had watched as it happened, Clarisse had walked through the door, seen it, and dropped a plate in surprise. It was her dropping the plate that had Arlette spinning around, only for the nine year old to freeze in place and watch in awe as the horned beast slowly faded.

"Big sis Bet! Did you do that for me?"

Viper smiled wryly. "Nope."

A glistening smile. "I did…did I?!"

"Yeah, sweetie, you did." It was Clarisse that spoke, her voice somewhat apprehensive. "Maybe your sister can teach you the ropes."

/*\*/Present Day\*/*\

As Arlette spun around the clearing, almost shrieking with laughter as her very own illusionary butterflies fluttered around her, I couldn't help but to feel like I was being socked in the gut. The kid was good, like I had been, like Fran would be. Arlette wouldn't be joining the order – even if they asked (because there was more than likely no way they didn't know about her considering Paris was practically theirs). No, Arlette wouldn't join them because she would refuse if they asked.

In fact, that old hag Solange had tried hinting at something along the lines of asking the child and I had nearly bitten her head off.

Arlette didn't need the Order – I planned on making sure she wouldn't need help from them, even if I wasn't going to always be around.

"Bet! Bet!" Arlette stumbled over, breathless, flushed, eyes glistening like the ocean. "I'm really going to miss this. I'm going to miss you."

"Yeah, yeah. I'll miss you too." My violet hair blew into my face with a gust of spring air. "But I'll visit. I won't forget."

Her laughter chimed like tinkling bells this time around instead of the shrieking it was before. "Neither will I! But what if I ever move away from Paris and can't tell you?"

"Then I'll find you."

A pause. A low, sad voice. "This is really our last day together, for now, isn't it?"

A sad, fond smile. "For now. But not forever."

"Right. Not Forever."

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Note: Languages Betlinde/Viper currently knows: German, English, French, Italian. With working knowledge of Spanish. She plans on learning Japanese, of course.

Also, I love the Arlette-Bet sisterly bond.

We have not seen the last of the teal haired girl or her mother.

Also x2; Would you guys like me to make a tumblr where you could ask questions and such? Or pester me to update.

Guest Reviews:

Guest 1: Thank you! :)

Guest 2 (That asked about age.): Betlinde is sixteen. She could become an Arcobaleno anywhere from, lets say, Age 18-23. Luce doesn't give birth to Aria until sometime after becoming an Arcobaleno. And Aria is somewhere around 24-27 in the main storyline. So therefore all Arcobaleno would technically be in their forties or fifties by then!

KK: Ah mah gah. Thanks so much.

Also, sorry for now updating sooner! :x I hope you're still with me, friend!