Chezhekov's Headquarters

'Iill take the dungeon.'

"Remember cupcake, this hurts me a lot more than it hurts you..." He stroked her face gently. It was a bad thing to do, he knew it. But what other choice did he have? She'd get away otherwise...

He claps his hands again and his familiar men come back in the room.

'Who said it hurts me? This...you are just an inconvenience'

"For now..." he promises her, despite his heart feeling stabbed at being called an inconvenience.

'For always'

"Well we'll see in a moment won't we?" The men take her by the arms and take her down to their dungeon area. As to be expected, it was filled with grim and puddles and barred cages. It was also clear she was far from the first occupant given the fingernail marks on the floors and walls.

There was a small, filthy mattress in yhe corner of the cell they pushed her into. She went and at on it, crossing her legs and staring up at the men.

They closed the cell on her and locked it. 

"What's the boss want with her anyway?"

"Who cares? Let the little prick call the shots for now...." The two talked while walking away from her.

Krystal lent her back against the wall, her eyes already scanning the plqce for a way out

Days passed and krystal had been left alone, apart from when a silent minion came to leave her some food. She guessed she should be glad that they were feeding her, but the more she was left alone, the more she rather they didn't. 
It want anger, no, she could remember how that felt, the burning rage and wanting to shout. This was ab emotionless discontent, a dislike of the person that had put her here 
all she wanted was to leave, to go vack to the mibistry where she belonged

Joachim entered the room with a bottle in hand, or rather he slumped in. He constantly had to use the walls as support as he made his way down to the cell, "Damn you, you..." He slurred barely coherently. "you have any idea how much I've been searching to fix you and found nothing?"

'Your drunk, joachim. Go away and sober up.'

"N..no you shut up and listen. I was riding the gravy train with biscuit wheels you know?" he hiccuped as he continued, "But then you... miss holier than thou.. you told me to help people. I gave it a shot... know what I got out of it?"

"A burnt down inn, and a broken heart..."

"I was a perfectly happy selfish prick, gladly not giving a shit about anything. But now thanks to you... I have to give a shit. Got to give enough of a shit for both of us..."

"Glad to see you were so ready to throw me out, just like everyone else..." He told her sarcastically as he took a swig of his drink.

She opens her mouth to argue but shuts it again looking awayfrom him. After several tried, sge eventually managed ti speak.  'Do you kbow what it us like to feel like you are burning alive?'

"No, but I know how it feels to freeze to death thanks to ya..."

'Its all I could feel. The agony of heat and the thought that I had to pretend it disnt hurt. Fir you. Because you were so broken already I didnt want to ruin you anymore. And then this happened. Peace. No pain. No hurt. Just...emptyness....'

The american young man scoffed, "yeah whoopy-fricken-doo for you. Know what I would've done if our positions were flipped."

He shrugged, "Well I had a good run, better make the last few days the best for ya before I croak..."

'Before you....croak? Joachim what have you donr?'

"Nothing, I'm saying that if I were the one in your place, dying and all. I would've just croaked and given you the time of your life..."

'I was scared, joachim. I didnt know what else to do.'

"Yeah well you scare me now too..."

'I...am sorry.'

"no you're not..."

'No. I think i am. I wish to help you.' She frowns. 'I do not understand why.'

"And how do I know this ain't some kind of ploy to rat me out?" As a conman, the first rule was always assume the other guy is trying to play you before you play him...