<div style="text-align: justify">Mallory was only partially happy with the girl’s interruption. She could take kicks and was ready to be attacked, preparing mentally – because physically, there was no way to – take the beating, if need be, and perhaps even die at the hands of the Revolutionists. In a way, it was still a fate better than coming back to Victor Lavonne, something she had been doing for who knows how long nowadays. Mallory definitely had little understanding of the period in which she had been in that particular position – it was like time moved differently when faced with Lavonne; which, truly, wouldn’t surprise her. People bent, so why would something so <i>silly</i> as time act in an opposing manner?<br/>
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When the man called Levi finally let go of her, Mallory shook like a wild dog shakes off the water, letting out a short, piercing laugh, seeing some of the youngsters from the group surrounding her take half a step back. Even being between themselves, those people felt respect, or, fear, when faced with someone like her. It was clear they were unhappy. But how much of that exactly was fearing <i>her </i>and how much was it fearing Lavonne, who would come in crashing, taking <i>no </i>or <i>all </i>prisoners, the latter actually being the worst-case scenario? Would they be shaking even more had she wore the uniform?<br/>
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She could not help but turn around a little bit and give Levi a long look, as if remembering his face. That earned a rough cough from Connor. Mallory peeled her eyes off of the younger man and looked towards the woman who spoke to her moments ago. She seemed almost like a child, not much having changed in her general appearance from what the militia officer could see. “You saw him. Most of you did. The lucky ones-,” Mallory smiled, but it was not a smile of happiness. “-from a distance.” Her eyes scanned the place, and the woman nodded to herself, noticing a certain understanding in other’s glances, even one belonging to Connor. He, all of people, knew full well what Victor Lavonne meant.<br/>
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“Let me tell you one thing. I in no way am a friend of your little ideals; do not assume I’m here to help you win or provide some sort of leverage. I am a militia officer, and if there is one thing I have learned, is that there are many of us, and there will be more.” Mallory’s tone was solemn, but had little to do with personal grief. “Quite frankly, I consider your resistance dumb, and futile, and a reason for which people like Lavonne end up being let off the leash. So.. That’s that, good job, everyone. Making the world a better place, aren’t ya, <i>Connor</i>?”<br/>
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With a grin, Mallory took a step back, raising her hands when Connor moved forward. The anger was clear on his face, and with the corner of her eye Mallory could see Levi almost fuming with fury. Oh, how easy it was to play with them. “There isn’t a single person who wants to keep close to Lavonne.” She continued, her tone twisting from sarcastic to rather serious again. The dark-haired woman locked her eyes onto the other girl, thick brows furrowed. “Not even the people who put him on the streets in the first place. When it’s time to meet him, to give briefing, to do anything – high-ups will do whatever in their power not to face Lavonne. Can’t blame ‘em. Point is-,” Mallory stopped for a second. “Maybe not all would want him dead. But not a single person cares if he stays alive.”<br/>
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Feeling confident enough, and seeing the effect her words had on the listeners, Mallory turned around and back towards the bar, the group of people opening in front of her to let her walk by instantly. It was the magic of a moment, the few seconds Mallory had to do whatever she pleased; and she decided to put one of the bar stools back on its legs and sit on it. She crossed her arms in front of her chest, and let out a long breath. “Don’t tell me you don’t wake up in the middle of the night thinking about Lavonne, Connor.” Mallory added, without as much as a hint of joke in her voice.<br/>
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