Viv sat on the edge of the bed, patiently waiting for what will come next. Pinching a piece of the kimono and rubbed her thumb across the silky texture of the kimono. Her eyes took in the bright aquamarine color, the kimono was well made. Viv nearly forgot what it felt like to wear such extravagance, and the Fire Lilies giving her such an expensive piece proved that they knew who she is.<br/><br/>The click of the door opening was the moment Viv turned to face the one person she's been avoiding for eight years. She slowly stood and stepped around the bed to stand directly before the door.<br/><br/>Standing in the middle of the door frame, the Desert Flower stood with two Fire Lilies behind her. A silence stretched across the room as the woman's grey eyes roamed over Viv's face and down her body. Finally they came back to lock with Viv's and the women's eyes glazed with a few tears.<span style="color: #ffa07a">"Scarlet,"</span>the woman spoke with a hush tone, her face beaming with joy as she made her way over and hugged Viv.<span style="color: #ffa07a">"It is good to have you back with us, my daughter."</span><br/><br/>Viv just stood there, refusing to return the hug unless she knew for sure one thing.<span style="color: #8080FF">"Did you let them go?"</span><br/><br/>The woman stiffened and she slowly pulled away from Viv, the joy was gone, replaced with a serious stare. Viv's face paled as she stood frozen with fear.<span style="color: #ffa07a">"This is the first thing you will say to me after eight years?"</span>The women asked.<br/><br/>Viv lowered her head and kept her voice from becoming shaky.<span style="color: #8080FF">"I'm sorry."</span><br/><br/>The woman's face remained unreadable as she stepped forward forcing Viv to move to the side as she walked over to a mirror.<span style="color: #ffa07a">"I have released them,"</span>the woman said as she used the mirror to look at Viv.<span style="color: #ffa07a">"Your freedom for theirs."</span><br/><br/>The relief that swept through her was short lived, but at least they wouldn't be on her conscious.<span style="color: #8080FF">"Doesn't sound like a fair trade,"</span>Viv commented, she needed to know if the Desert Flower would really leave Tyler and Deckard alone.<br/><br/><span style="color: #ffa07a">"I did require a bit more payment,"</span>the woman responded. A shiver ran through Viv.<span style="color: #ffa07a">"But you joining us again of your free will, is still valuable."</span>This time she turned to face Viv.<span style="color: #ffa07a">"You care for them?"</span><br/><br/><span style="color: #8080FF">"I owed them one."</span><br/><br/>The woman shook her head.<span style="color: #ffa07a">"They were enough payment for everything you needed from me. Your goal for vengeance would have come sooner than theirs."</span><br/><br/><span style="color: #8080FF">"They would have destroyed you."</span><br/><br/><span style="color: #ffa07a">"Your message provided us time for their arrival. They wouldn't have lived if I didn't wish it."</span><br/><br/>Viv was quiet then, her mind struggled for something to say.<span style="color: #8080FF">"I never sent a message."</span><br/><br/>Her grey eyes pierced into Viv's. Viv looked away again. The woman walked forward and raised her hand to stroke Viv's cheek and forced Viv to face her. It took all of Viv's will to not flinch at the touch.<span style="color: #ffa07a">"Do not fall for him, daughter. He will destroy you if you do."</span><br/><br/>The fear within Viv was replaced with shock.<span style="color: #8080FF">"What. . I -"</span><br/><br/>A frown marred the woman's calm features. She released Viv and made her way for the door.<br/><br/>Unable to stop herself, Viv asked,<span style="color: #8080FF">"What did you tell him?</span>"<br/><br/><span style="color: #ffa07a">"Only what he needed to know at the time,"</span>the woman replied. Pausing in the doorway she turned to look back at Viv.<span style="color: #ffa07a">"The next customer is yours. Work hard, Scarlet."</span>With that, she closed the door leaving Viv alone.