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Chapter 31 by Mmmm102 Mmmm102

Who do you go for?

Go for Holden

You smile Suzy's most winning smile, the one she uses in the main restaurant to gather as many tips as she can.

"No, sir. It's down this way." You point, balancing the plates you are carrying, down a walk that leads further into the garden. This is a perfect opportunity; as the groom you can comfortably get closer to the Bloom, and nobody would ask any questions. Holden sways, and gives you a dreamy, sleepy smile, turning the direction you pointed and beginning to stagger his way down the path.

Quietly, you look for somewhere to set down the tray of plates and turn, Suzy's flat shoes - ideal for waitress work - crunching the soft gravel behind. Holden's staggering all over the path, and you step into the shadows of the hedgerows as you stalk him. You're too close to the main path at the moment, even if it's only used by service staff, and want to make sure you're not disturbed. Your opponents - whoever they are - know who they're looking for, and that means you've got to be doubly careful until you make your switch. Up ahead, Holden has paused, looking baffled by your directions. As he should be - you've just led him further out into the isolated gardens.

Then his face appears delighted.

"Ahhh, siiir. Issssth the way to the..." he never finishes his sentence. Suzy's pale blue eyes widen with shock as Holden Parry collapses into a suit in front of you. A shadow emerges from the square.

Rodney. So you were right. Without another thought, he begins to shed his clothes, then grappling over Rodney's head, pulling his black hair in front of his face, and sliding it off. The man looks young - early 20s at a guess - but with a weasel-like face and pock-marked cheeks. You don't recognize him, but then, in your line of work, that means practically nothing. Without hesitation, he begins to slip into Holden Parry's collapsed skin, tugging his legs over his own, grabbing the torso and forcing it up, slipping his hands into the arms and flexing his new fingers - still wearing the wedding ring. In seconds the head is drawn over his own, and a naked Holden stands there.

You crouch in the shadows, watching this unfold. You've caught your opponent - assuming he's the only one. There might be more; Rodney wasn't the only one with a headset, after all. And your worst feelings as confirmed as the new Holden, flexing his muscles as he does so, slips into the groom's trousers and shirt, buttoning up the cuffs, and slides into the jacket.

"Switched to Plan B. I'm now the groom. Repeat, I'm now the groom. Any sign of our unwanted guest? Last seen in a waitress, Suzanne Goldman. Yeah, well, find her. One sec... shit. This guy's memories say she was on the main path less than a minute ago. Everyone, get over here. Comb the grounds! Hold on..."

Holden, or whoever he is, turns to his pen set, and levels it at Rodney. A small green beam hits the still-deflated manager. "Just covering our tracks," he says, firing another pen to reinflate Rodney. "Right. Scout the place. I'm heading to the restrooms, you check the kitchens. She can't have gone far. Remember, Plan B. So hold fire until the honeymoon suite." Holden laughs. "I'm going to have some fun with this."

You keep crouched, watching as 'Holden' turns and walks down the path, eyes searching. You hold your breath as he storms past, looking out for you, and relax a little as he keeps going. Rodney is beginning to stir, but he's not an option: unless you're mistaken, he's been converted to a greener.

If you head to the left, you could quickly slip past Rodney and work your way around to the entertainers' preparation area. From there you could easily slip into either the main marquee, or grab one of the entertainment staff: a singer, the band, the magician or assistant. Nancy might even be around, coordinating things.

Alternatively, you could wait for whoever comes to hunt you down. You've got a pen set of your own after all; you could surprise whoever is tracking you and impersonate them. Maybe you could even get hold of a green pen. You know Gunther would love to get his hands on one of those, break it down and find out what it's made of. It would be even better than coming back with the Bloom.

You're certainly not going to let whoever your opposition are take this from you.

Back to the wedding? Or go for the hunters?

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