*I don't like this idea," Elpis repeated for the umpteenth time.
"That," said Allegra in a tone of utter serenity, "is because you don't like lying."
Which, of course, is exactly what it was going to be. Allegra didn't bother pretending otherwise any more than she worried about being caught. She had reasons for the deception, after all; it was for her sister, the best reason on Allegra's mercurial list.
...even if the sister in question would rage at learning of the matter. Then again, Mischa really should've known better by now. After all, she was supposed to be the "smart" one.
Allegra knew how Mischa talked about her and so she knew Mischa never gave the right facts; she either told people she was a twin and refused to elaborate or said she had a troublesome, younger sister and refused to be specific. People never received enough information for a true picture. As a result Allegra was often...unexpected.
A girl could learn to do a lot with "unexpected".
Those on a lookout for a sweet carbon copy didn't expect Mischa's sugar smile to turn into caramel on Allegra's lips. Those waiting for "younger" expected a shy-eyed kid, not tango hips and the ability to start a brawl with stretch. "Troublesome" didn't begin to cover the knowing, reckless light animating the characteristic expression that was usually summed up in two dangerous words: try me.
"Ok. That's the place." She straightened up and ground out her cig under her heel. "What do you think? Not quite Wall Street, but..."
*Feels...strange. Murky.* Elpis' tone had an edge Allegra recognized as scrutiny. It was oddly enough the most awake she'd heard the goddess since the morning's incident with the kitten. *The whole neighborhood's like this. I don't like it, Legra. I don't.*
Damn. "Okay, tell you what, kidling; go have a nice, deep nap and let me take care of this, hmm? None of this is your trouble to deal with, anyway, right?" She tried to sound cheery.
*...'kay.* A moment and Allegra felt it, the curious lightening that signified Elpis retreat from her immediate perception. With a small shake of her head head, and a silent promise to be extra nice to the kid later, Allegra focused on the task ahead. She reached out to better adjust her hair over her ears.
It wasn't a complicated plan. Find "Cam". Talk to "Cam". Decide if "Cam" was a threat, a hoax, or--most dangerous of all--actually dating her sister.
Hmm. Maybe she should have borrowed one of Mischa's designer suits for this instead of sticking to her own ragtag supplies. Except there'd been something awfully familiar about the majority of Mischa's wardrobe: the classic lines and chic cut, even that faint ghost of French perfume--all of it were not reminders of her sister, but of her. Sato.
Bitch, Allegra thought with honest, bracing passion. It made her shove the door open a little too hard.
"Knock, knock," she called out cheerfully. "Holler if you hear it."