Snippet #1075

It was often said that a women should never be out alone after sunset. The night was dangerous, it was unpredictable, and certainly no place for a lady to be by herself. It was then, after all the respectable, well-raised people had scurried off to the safety of their homes, that the Rome's more unsavoury citizens slithered out onto the streets. They were easy to spot - clad in black, face hidden, usually hunched over in an attempt to conceal whatever they had under their cloaks - but not so easy to evade. Especially if one was an innocent, defenceless woman who hadn't had the sense to head indoors as dusk had fallen. Easy prey, in the eyes of these shady characters.

Of course, it wasn't so much of a problem if you happened to be one of these shady characters.

So thought an amused Maria Gallo as she stole down the deserted street. Her pace was sauntering and easy, the pace of someone who had nothing to fear. And she didn't. Even if one of the dangerous, often drunk men that clogged the streets at that hour was stupid enough to try something on her, Maria's single dagger, held snugly at her thigh, assured that she would never be without the means to defend herself. So it was with confidence that she walked, her hips swinging smartly and her lips pulled into a permanent smirk of self satisfaction.

Only when she reached her destination - the living quarters of one Leo D'Arcangelo - did Maria stop. She tossed back her hood with the drama only someone who had been pined and ogled over for her entire life could have, her dark tresses rippling down her back. She appraised the apartment critically. You'd think that someone who had Rome's most infamous group of assassins at his command would live somewhere less...average. But then, she was part of that group, so she wasn't exactly in the position to judge.

She shrugged, and rapped on the door. Under normal circumstances, Maria would've simply invited herself in. But about halfway to the apartment she had made an impulse decision to give manners a try.