Gotta go gotta go

The rest of my day ran away from me. With the time tables rapidly accelerated I decided to retire back to my little bed. Either cause of the lack of proper sleep, or just nerves, I felt more exhausted than I should have. Even then, getting some rest before a date wasn't a bad thing. With the day escaping me quicker than I cared for, a long nap felt like a good way to prepare. Some rest before I get none.

Waking up hours later I stretched out the rust in my joints. My back and neck cracked uncomfortably before the tension eased. Rising up I glanced up towards the narrow windows that light shone through into the communal sleeping area. Seeing next to no light seeping through I knew the time had come. I gathered my important gear and waited for Tront's people to arrive. Apparently to take me wherever I was to meet his insider. My wait wasn't long as a familiar face came into the room carrying a small folded package.

“Brie? Guess Tront dragged you into this as well?” She stepped into the room and carried my pack over to me. Seeing it clearly it was wrapped in a brown paper. Not unlike a gift wrap. “Can't I assume that's my outfit?”

With that same professional smile she set the package down and nodded her head. “Right on both accounts. I was… already aware of your involvement, but not the full extent. Still not. It's not as complicated as you might think. Our clerks are essentially the first line of information that comes and goes from the guild. I'm no spy, but people talk and I listen. Simple really.”

“Go figure, the sweet receptionist is the most cunning.” In response Brie simply looked at me with a confused face. Raising my hand I waved my statement away and apologized. “Sorry, human thing. Ummm… so this is my order from Eleanor? Have you seen it yet?”

“I have not. It only just arrived and I brought it to you. Good timing too, your appointment is in the next hour or so.”

“I see, no time to waste then. Especially since I have no idea where I'm going. Could take an hour just to walk there for all I know.” I sat back down onto the bed and began to unfold the paper. Not being so careful to not rip it but avoiding making a mess all the same.

“No, nothing so far, but yes. I would recommend hurrying to get ready.” She watched as I opened the package and as I pulled out the vest first. The first thing to catch my eye was the intricate silver pattern sewn into the very layout of the vest. Aside from the veins of silver that were already in the fabric, Eleanor had gone above and beyond to sew in a stunning set of antlers into the back of the vest. Silver lines intricately worked and folded, stitch work second to none.

Least as far as my useless eyes could see. Last time I tried to stitch clothes I ended up with my shirt attached to my jeans.

“It's stunning…” Brie said next to me as we examined the work. I found myself at a loss for words but ultimately agreed with the woman. It was a stunning set. Eleanor had put in next to no time at all into it and still pumped out something spectacular. Worth every penny.

“It is. She did incredible.” I reached into the bag and pulled out one of the shirts I bought from her shop. A decent looking long sleeve. Not quite a button up but a cut above the standard shirts that most everyone else wore. Same price though so the only reason I could think of was the sleeves being too warm. But for something like this, it fit best to wear it. “Alright, I'll get dressed and be out in a bit. Mind?”

“Oh, of course.” With that Brie left me once more. Closing the door behind her as I gathered my items. Walking behind one of the many partitions. After only a bit I was fully dressed once more and ready for… whatever came next. Least I hoped so.

As I stepped back out to the common area I came to a small halt as a familiar figure, or set of figures, stood at the counter talking to a guarded Brie. The Captain Fuck-Nugget and his squad of goons. I dodged behind the wall before any of them caught sight of me thankfully. Though I couldn't hear what they were saying Jack-Fuck was speaking directly to Brie and she seemed tense. Shoulders tight and even her business smile was burned away.

I felt my hand start to shake as another familiarity hit. This one of energy charging around my fingers. Clenched fists with tense static that crackled softly. Barely audible even to me. But enough. As I peeked around the corner two of the guards turned their gaze and afterwards their steps in my direction. With barely dodging their sight once more I hurried back through the door to the bunk room. Just shutting the door before being caught. Though I didn't have time to wait. I could hear their heavy boots tracking across the room even through the door.

Kicking off my own dust I bolted through the room back out to the hall where I had previously met with Tront. Closing that door behind me as well, though realizing too late I had left my bag and gear behind. Unfortunately that wasn't a luxury I could afford to worry about. Not with the gook squad on my trail.

Hurrying down the hall I was caught off guard in an instant when an arm shot out from the wall itself. Though… much to their credit they didn't scream. Due to Eros’ gifts the arm didn't stand much of a chance. I blew through it as if it weren't there. Slamming it into the edge of the wall. Despite that attempt to break their arm they didn't yelp or scream. Instead, they silently winced in pain as they clenched their arm. An older man who clenched at his arm and glared at me angrily before calming. His white goatee doing little to hide his grimace. He took a deep breath before stepping aside. Gesturing for me to follow, which I begrudgingly did after a few seconds.

I entered into a thin, long, dark hallway built into the very structure of the guild halls. It continued on for a few dozen feet before rapidly descending. The man who let me in gently closed the gap and followed behind me. The hall was only lit by the occasional candle every ten feet or so. I had to focus on each step to avoid tripping over my own feet. The stairs threw in an obstacle that made it only that much worse as I traveled down and before it finally leveled out.

“Where are we?” I asked the man. Obviously this was part of the guild, I doubted it was the fabled Cabbage Mafia.

“Somewhere a little more private.”

As we walked the hall grew a bit brighter with each step before it finally opened up. From wooden halls to carved stone worn down by trickling water on the walls. Looking around the room there were almost a dozen different halls spreading out in every direction. Each of the with a small cut in the stone to guide water away from the doorway themselves. The water itself seeping out of the stone itself. A spring? I pressed my hand to the rock and almost shuddered. Definitely a spring. Absolutely freezing.

My attention turned to the center of the room where Tront, two women, and the older man who brought me down were standing. A large stone table lay with a sheet covering it. Standing in the center of the fearsome foursome, Tront said, “Good evening. We're sorry for the interruption but we can't exactly afford for you to be caught or attacked. Worse still, you're a wanted man, Mr. Kross. Allegedly you attacked the Commander's guard. Serious allegations.”

“Of course I did. Wish I could have gotten to at least enjoy it before they made up a story. Fuck…” I raised my hands and grabbed the back of my head. Entangling my fingers in the still damp hair as I thought. Of course they decided to make up some bullshit. Wasn't enough to threaten and beat me, they had to escalate anyway.

“You're not alone in that sentiment. Unfortunately that won't stop them from making your life hell.” Tront turned around for a moment before returning with some recognizable items. My bags?

“How did… I just passed those? There's no way you could have brought them down that quickly.”

“I told you, it's good to be guild master. In this case, to have a few backdoors. We retrieved these at the same time we retrieved you.” Tront set most of them back down, only passing the package over. “Thankfully, this doesn't change anything. You're still on schedule for your appointment. Though you might need to keep a lower profile, you should still have your night.”

“Okay… So Fuck-Nut has put a bounty on me and we're proceeding as planned. Fantastic. Great. Can't go horribly. Do we have a fake mustache too?” I finally let go of my hair and dropped my arms. Resigned to whatever came next. Had to be. What else was there? “Alright, so we're going. I'm assuming they don't know the plan? Rather not be caught with my pants off again. What are we doing?”

“To our knowledge they don't know anything. It's the plan as set. No mustache unfortunately, though I'm sure we can figure something out. Wig too?” Tront passed the package over as he spoke.

As I took the package I ran my fingers through my hair. Still far from used to the idea of how long it was. Just didn't feel like me just yet. “No, no wig please. Hair is already enough. Don't need any fake hair too.”

“Understood. Shame, we had a nice one made up.” In response Tront received an elbow to the ribs by one of the women next to him. She had dark blue skin and short brown hair braided on each side leading to a longer braid that was rolled into a bun.

“Let's get a move on. Last thing we need is them getting ahold of the covenant.” Her voice was sharp but didn't carry any malice. Nor anger. It came across as nothing more than authority. Just simple action that needed taken.

“Fine, fine. Kid's got some wit, can't fault me for enjoying it.” With the package in my hand Tront didn't seem to be in an immediate rush. Given his presence during basically everything so far, it was a little calming to see he wasn't panicking.

I took a moment to breathe before tucking the package under my arm. “Where am I headed? Still no idea where the brothel is, so some pointers might be helpful.”

This time the second woman stepped up. Getting a full view of her, she was stunning. Dirty blonde hair that hung in loose curls. Her eyes were a light green and her smile was kind. She bowed slightly as she stepped forward. “That would be me, good evening. My name is Gwen. I work at the same establishment as your Cecilia.”

“If you work there why can't you just deliver this thing? Why do I need to be at risk for it?”

“Easier said than done, unfortunately. I work in the same complex, but not in the same category. If I stepped foot into her wing I would likely be arrested. It's…”

Tront spoke up, interrupting her as he did so. His voice much lower, angrier, genuine. “She can't be seen interacting with the staff of Cecilia's rank without being beaten. That includes the ones who work near your Cecilia. Our Gwen was… demoted. She grew a bit of a spine and was ruined for it.” Tront kissed the side of her head as a faint smile formed on her lips.

“Regardless of my situation, I can still take you there. I just can't risk being caught near her or the others. I'm sorry, I know this is complicated, but we've already had issues with me just… just…” Her eyes began to fill with tears before she swallowed them down. Forcing herself to speak despite the pain of her situation. Whatever happened to her. “I can't do it safely, but I still have friends. That's who you'll be meeting. Some friends.”

“Friends in low places are just as good as high. I'll go ahead and thank you for the guidance ahead of time. So, thank you.” She wore that smile once more and nodded her head. Acknowledging my thanks without speaking. “Ready whenever you are. I'd rather be early than late, if that's alright.”

“Of course, won't be a long walk since we'll be taking the undercroft much of the way.” I figured that had to be where we were. Following her as she turned around I nodded to Tront and the other two. Had to remember and get their names at some point.

Our walk through the undercroft didn't last very long. About twenty minutes in total before we came upon a small staircase. Tall and narrow, this one rising in a spiral high into the stone. For her part Gwen talked little and only offered a polite smile when I tried to speak or ask anything. It didn't feel as if she were ignoring me, but more that she couldn't.

“Gwen… let me ask this just one thing before we reach the street. Before the masks have to come on, so to speak.” This caused her to stop at the bottom before turning to me. The smile had faded and she wore an inquisitive expression. “Do you regret what happened to you? I… won't ask for details, but it's obvious that it's fueling your portion of the current plan. Your part, at least. Do you regret it. Whatever happened.”

She stared at me for a long while. Her face had shifted from inquisitive to something more akin to affection, then to pain. She watched me for a few seconds more before finally speaking. “You remind me of him. That same concern. You even asked it in a similar way.” Her hand fell to her abdomen as her smile reformed. That smile that she wore when Tront kissed her head. “I couldn't possibly regret anything.”

I took the insinuation and accepted her at her word. Decided not to push her any further on the matter. Rather to follow her lead as she began to climb the stairs. Careful to keep my eyes from traveling too high. After two attempts to look up I was met with rather enticing views of a woman who wasn't mine to admire. “Gwen, do you mind if I take the lead up here? Squeeze past you?”

“Oh? Oh! Not at all. Please.” She pressed herself tight against the wall as she gave me just barely enough space to squeeze past her.

My hands raised as I sucked in the non-existent gut. Inching my way past her to take the front. No more upskirt views. “Perfect, ready to move.” The stairs climbed for a few stories worth. I wasn't sure exactly how deep we had walked but climbing the stairs made me start to regret it.

That regret didn't last too too long thankfully we finally came out onto a small room. Wooden walls and wooden floors. Rough with nails protruding in more than a few spots. Crates were stacked all around, some in rather precarious ways. As if a gust of wind would knock them down in an instant.

“It's not far.” She said softly. Opening a panel in the wooden wall. A hidden door out onto an alleyway. Not even lit by lamp light or building lights. If not for the distant street glow I would have been blind. “You should be a few minutes early, if anything. I… I'm sorry but I must take my leave now before we reach the street itself. I can't afford to be seen. If.. I'm sorry.”

The sudden apology threw me off my step. Only after catching it once more did I manage to respond. “Gwen, please don't worry. You already said you couldn't be caught. It's okay. You said just down the street, right?”

“I… yes, you'll see it as you reach the street. To the left.” She calmed herself and breathed. Patting her clothes down after a moment before speaking further. “You'll see the complex at the end of the street. It's not as grand as a royal castle, or even the Lord’s estate on the far side of the village, but it's still impressive. The gates will be open and you'll be let in without issue. Your appointment isn't under your name though, so keep that in mind.”

“With the warrant out for you we sent word and had the appointment name changed. It wasn't too difficult, only a few bribes and friends. Rather than Leo Kross it's currently under Theo Koro. Had to keep it easy to change, unfortunately.”

“Theo Koro? Guess that's easy enough to remember. Doubt it'll be too hard to remember me though. Humans being a rarity and all.” I sighed weakly before moving the comment along. No point in dwelling on it considering the situation. “Thank you, Gwen. I can manage from here. So thank you. I suppose I'll see you again, especially if Tront is involved more. Seems like he might drag me into something else in the future.”

“More than likely, he's a good man, but a conniving one. No… that's a bit harsh. Should say he's good at plotting, cunning. Always having something under his sleeve. It's what got him this far.” She let out her own long sigh as that smile reformed on her beautiful face. She shook her head, “It's just down the way, Theo Koro appointment for one.”

“Theo, appointment for one. Got it.” I thanked her once more before she finally turned away. Walking off into the darkness, away from the street. I took a second and turned my own way. Walking out to the light.