Everyone meets up

A little bit later, we all meet up again.

Lupin was a big winner, and was told not to come back by the people running the casino.

Victoria spent her time peacefully observing her surroundings.

And Nemo tried to rig a slot machine, was caught by security, stripped naked and paddled. She is still naked right now, with a red bottom.

Lupin hands Nemo a revealing black dress, purple high heels, black gloves, a black choker and an American flapper. "I won these in blackjack." Nemo quickly gets dressed. "Hmph. I may have gone a bit overboard with the winning, but it did give you a break for a change, didn't it, Caleb?" Lupin says.

"Yes. I've seen so many things for the first time, and it was fun." I say.

Everyone smiles at my words. Knowing that they're concerned about me makes me feel bad, but a bit happy as well.

I feel like I will be able to get along with these women.

"Sorry, but we're going to have to stick around here for just a little longer. I have business to attend to." Lupin says.

"Business?" I ask.

"This place is like sample of London's seamy underbelly. We might find some information on Septima's disappearance." Lupin says.

"I see. Is that the reason we came here?" I ask.

"It's a reason, but my priority was to take your mind off of things." Lupin says.

"Thank you." I say.

"I just realised something. Everyone is dressed up except Victoria." Nemo says.

We take Victoria into the changing rooms.

She comes out, wearing a red dress and high heels.

"You look nice." I say.

"Thank you. You look pretty handsome in that tuxedo." Victoria says.

"It was Lupin's idea." I say.

"Hmm... Would anybody mind if I left early? I'd better get out of here before security notices me again." Nemo says.

"Nemo. What on earth did you do?" Victoria asks.

"Hey! You! Stop right there! No admittance without the host's approval!" There is some commotion at the entrance.

"Hmm? What's going on over there?" Nemo asks.

We look towards the noise and see a beautiful woman surrounded by a number of security guards.

She is medium length with long red hair, fair skin and small rectangular glasses.

"Huh? I've seen her somewhere before." Victoria says.

"A friend of yours, Victoria?" I ask.

"No, but..." Victoria says.

Suddenly, a loud bang rings out, and in the next instant Lupin pins me to the ground.

"Lupin?" I ask.

"Just stay low. That was a shotgun blast. That woman shot at the guards." Lupin says.

From the floor, I look over to where the woman was.

All the guards that had been around her are on the ground.

"Could the Yard have followed me here?" Victoria asks.

"No way. If they were going around shooting at people in crowded places, they should all be arresting each other first!" Nemo's logic is sound.

Panic is beginning to spread because of the gunshots, and screams can be heard.

"In any case, we'll have to save the tour for later. I've lost sight of the gunwoman, and she may be after him. Let's go." Lupin is helping me up when a threatening metallic "click" can be heard behind her.

"'Go'? Do you think you can really escape from me?" A cold voice. "Do you think it's even possible?" I gingerly look up. "'Viscount Perenna'. Did you think a false name would keep me from recognising your face, Arsène Lupin?"

"I don't owe you an answer. Besides, if you know someone's name, it's only polite to introduce yourself." Lupin says.

"I see no point in being polite to someone like you." The woman narrows her eyes. "Just hand over the monster. You stole it, didn't you?"

"Monster? What monster? The only thing I stole was the heart of a handsome man." Lupin says.

"The monster Progenitor's after. Everyone knows you stole it from the Royal Guard. There's no point hiding it. I have some business with it. If you don't hand it over, you're going to experience some pain. Not going to answer me? Fine. You leave me ****." I can see the woman's finger tighten on the trigger of his gun but Lupin is faster.

In a heartbeat, Lupin was a metal stick in her hand, pointed at the woman's face. "Bang!" Lupin shouts, and the stick emits a blast of smoke.

"Did you already forget what I said, Arsene?"

"Now's our chance! Let's run!" Lupin grabs my hand.

"Too slow!"

Suddenly, Lupin disappears from my side.

The next moment, I see her body fall right in front of me. I realise that, somehow, Lupin had been thrown into the air and dropped.

"Gah! Ow. You're more like a monster, with that brute **** of yours." Lupin says.

"I'll say it again. Hand over the monster."

"Lupin! Duck!" Victoria stands and shouts, throwing a glass tube. It's probably the same way she dispatched the soldiers we encountered in town.

The woman's shotgun goes off, and the tube explodes in midair. "A valiant attempt, but surprise attacks will only work once."

"Ugh... It didn't work!" Victoria says.

"Just who is this girl?! She's irritating as all hell." Lupin has already taken my hand, and is pulling us away from the woman.

I break free from Lupin's grip. "We can't leave Nemo or Victoria!" I carry Nemo and Victoria.

"Caleb! Put me down!" Victoria protests as she is carried.

"It's much faster this way!" I say.

"Who the heck was that, Lupin!?" Nemo asks.

"No idea. Probably someone sent out by Progenitor to capture him. I don't really know why she's alone. But let's hurry."