So that was what was in the folder. Grave absentmindedly pushed the cigarette on his lip from one end of his mouth to the other, scrutinizing the dark haired woman standing at the front of the room with Overture. He wasn't sure why Finale would want to hide the contents of the folder so fervently back before the meeting. If she were planning to eventually show it everyone, why hide it at all? She had been acting strangely, subtle things that Grave began to pick up on and now couldn't stop seeing. The fact that he had seen Ceraves, the aristocratic, money-grubbing, manipulative son of a bitch, wandering around slums of Theatre Heights like he was welcome was one thing. Seeing the pig wandering around and meeting with Finale was another. It was a completely other thing. It would never sit well with anyone, seeing their second-in-command consorting with men like Ceraves, men who always took and never gave.

Grave was usually never one to suspect a fellow member of the Circle. And though he couldn't say he was the most trusting, or friendly, or even amicable towards other people, the fact that he felt even remotely suspicious to Finale bothered him. But her discrete meetings with Ceraves, the man who seemed to only have dirty work to give to the Circle, bothered him most of all. What could a woman, second-in-command of one of the most renowned guilds known in the city, have to do with a man like him? And yet, there was Overture, speaking to her with such regard as if she were a friend in trouble and he the only person able to give comfort. People with ulterior motives never sat well with Grave, second-in-command or not. Did Overture even know about Ceraves's comings and goings?

"Sounds exciting doesn't it?"

Grave was so engrossed in his own thoughts that he almost started at Rest's sudden words. "…Hm?"

"Exchange of hostages, tension from both sides, negotiation, terrorism. Signature looks excited."

Grave gave a single glance at Rest rising to his feet next to him. The room was alive with voices and movement, enough to even make Grave start to itch with restlessness. He pinched what was left of his cigarette between his thumb and his finger, pulling it away from his mouth and heaved a sigh, shaking the thoughts from his mind.

Rest swept his eyes over the bustle in the small room. "It's kind of weird. Not many times we end up getting into a mission where we are allowed to volunteer for what roles we play."

"Honestly, there aren't that many roles TO play. You have the bodyguards, the back-up bodyguards, and maybe the diplomat to keep things in order. I guess that would be you." Grave turned his eyes from Finale and Overture as soon as he noticed Finale turn away. He seemed as if he were discussing a government conspiracy or a murder rather than having idle banter with his best friend. "With any luck, I won't need to bring my sniper rifle along on this one..."

"Grave. A word please."

Grave looked up at Finale standing at the front of the room, alone. The manilla folder was still in her hands, and Grave found himself suddenly wondering if there was more to the mission than what she described. He shared a glance with Rest, his friend muttering, "Maybe you spoke too soon?"

Grave groaned under his breath, rising to his feet.

Finale, for a moment, seemed as if she were hesitating. Just for a moment. She blinked, turning her gaze from Grave and to the others within the room. "Elegy and Sharp as well. And Signature, you too."

Grave blinked, glancing around at the other members Finale called before making his way around the desk and to the front of the room. The unsettled feeling in his stomach still nagged at the back of his mind, but there really wasn't much he could do about it. Honestly, he hoped it was nothing, that Ceraves was just the only person who seemed to be interested in the Circle's services at the time. As unhappy as that thought made Grave, it was better than whatever it was his gut was worried about.

Finale walked around to a spare table set beside the podium as the four members assembled before her, laying down the folder. "As you might already know, this mission is a dangerous one. It's not going to take very long for the terrorists to realize that our Roman is a fake, and the best we can hope is for Sir Hildebrand to be retrieved as quickly as possible before any violence breaks out. But we can't afford to take any chances."

Grave crossed his arms. Any person with common sense could tell that this mission was a firefight in disguise. He already had a sneaking suspicion that his hope to be off of the sniper's nest was in vain. Though, the fact that even Overture agreed to take on such a mission with the members of the Circle at the front, in direct line of fire, was strange.

Finale shifted her weight, slipping a map out of the manilla folder and laying it out for the five to see. It was a street map focused on the northern part of their city. The streets twisted around each other almost as if the city planner had drawn scribbles to represent the roads. Being located so near to the cliffs to the north, there wasn't much space to expand, but that didn't seem to stop the contractors from building and leveling the land. There was a thick black line that bound all the lines into the confines of the city, dividing it from the narrow strip of bare land speckled with rundown shacks, buildings and homes between the city and the cliffs just to the north.

Finale spread the wrinkles of the map out with her hands and continued to speak. "As an extra precaution, Reeves has hired mercenaries to stand watch on the walls of the Northern Gate." A finger traced the thick black line at the center of the map. "He only has enough men to stand watch there. The move is more one to show the terrorists that Reeves means business, but the extra firepower is good nonetheless. You four will be posted in the buildings around the exchange point to keep eyes on the proceedings below."

Elegy shifted her weight uncomfortably, a slight frown on her face. "You're keeping us out of the party? Don't you want as many of us down there as possible?"

Finale looked to Elegy with a frown. "We need eyes up high, and we can't expect that the mercenaries Reeves hires to be doing much more than looking tough. You and Grave have the best aim of the Circle, so you two would be better up top."

Elegy moaned under her breath, a response that drew a frown across Grave's face. Elegy was restless, he knew that much. She was probably going to have difficulty staying focused, though Grave did agree with Finale. She was a good shot and knew how to handle a distance rifle better than some. He cast a glance around at the other members, gauging their expressions. Sharp, unlike Elegy, looked somber. He was an older member of the Circle, so at the very least, his experience could be counted on. Grave glanced at Signature, the newest recruit. He didn't know anything about that kid, but keeping a kid out of the line of fire was probably the only reason he was put here.

Finale was still speaking. "Sharp is a quick thinker and a good scout. And Signature has good eyes. If those terrorists start to look hostile we need to be on them before they can raise their weapons and fire. Strike first, minimize damages." Finale turned her glare to Elegy. "I know what you're thinking, Elegy, right now, we can't leave something like this to Reeves's men. If I could, I would have the entire Circle up in the buildings, but the exchange needs to be made by us. Four would have to do. Do you understand?"

Elegy looked down to the ground, looking uncomfortable. "Yes ma'am."

"Good." Finale pulled out two more copies of the map, handing one to Sharp, then the other to Signature. "Sharp and Signature are to act as Elegy and Grave's spotters. You four will be in direct communication with either me or Overture. I will leave those arrangements up to you, Grave." Her eyes glanced up and locked with Grave for maybe the first time during the entire conversation. Grave had almost fancied that she was avoiding eye contact with him, though it was a passing thought.

Grave regarded her for a moment, a frown on his face. The pause was long enough to be awkward. "So, do we know where exactly the exchange is to be made?"

Finale paused for a second, studying his face. "As per the terrorist's condition, the exchange will be made a mile beyond the North Gates, within sight of their headquarters." She broke his eye contact, looking back at Elegy and Sharp. "It is a poor position for your jobs, but it is all we have to work with. You will just have to make do" She paused once more. "Any other questions?" Her eyes turned back toward Grave, as if challenging him, but he said nothing. "Very well. Remember, you have one day to scout and to make necessary preparations. Use the time wisely. You are dismissed."