Nothing amazing happens. But we get visitors

You were only alone with your thoughts for about 3 minutes when you heard the sound of the deadbolts tumbling from the door. Scarlet ducks her pistol on the table as Arabella steps in, both the twins following closely behind her. Her eyes dart towards Scarlet before they fixate on you.

Scarlet gleefully chirps out a greeting to Arabella and the others. You nod at Arabella once to indicate that there’s nothing to worry about…yet.

She screws the corners of her lips into a tight and fragile smile as she approaches the table where Scarlet practically has you hostage. She places down a case of bottled drinks— soft or hard; you can’t decipher. All that you know is the contents are dark.

“Long time no see,” Scarlet winks at Arabella. “How have you been?”

Arabella is about to retort something less than pleasant, but you catch her by clearing your throat while making an attempt to nod at the twins, trying hard to ignore the showdown. Arabella makes a face as she swallows whatever words she conjures in her mind. “I’m doing well, and how about you?”

Scarlet waits, causing Arabella to blink. “How have you been, m-mistress?”

Scarlet bows her head. “Been following a lead. I’m sure you’re aware of where it has led me?”

Arabella’s expression becomes pale. “Yes.”

Scarlet looks at you and then the fox. “You two act like I’m some kind of boogeyman. So, if I may, I’m going to request you both relax.”

The only person to take her advice is you. Arabella remains tense. Scarlet continues. “It’s becoming clear to me that I’ve thought poorly of you and your, uh, new owner?” She eyeballs the drinks. The corners of her lips quirk in an uptight smile. “I apologize… especially to you, Warren.”

Your guard is heightened, but much to your surprise, Arabella gasps. “What do you mean exactly?”

Scarlet shakes her head. “You don’t need to worry. I don’t have a remaining contract with the ARS.”

Arabella lets all the air from her lungs. “Then why are you here?!”

Her outburst earns the glance of the twins, who quickly gather around the table. Scarlet clicked her tongue, waving them off. The twins shoo away in an instant. You suppose they’re conditions to such things. “Honestly. I was concerned your new master was selling you off or being a small-time pimp. Apparently, the only person you three seem to be whoring for, though.”

“We’re not whoring ourselves for him,” Arabella goes curt, dodging Scarlet’s gaze.

“Let’s not get sidetracked,” you inject before you are forgotten on the table. “You need to answer Arabella’s question. Why are you here? You can’t be telling us that you’ve come all the way just to stop me from sex trafficking. There’s more to this than you’re letting on.”

Scarlet’s hard eyes fix on you. They seem different now that the hostile tension has evaporated. “I have decent enough intel to have concerns that you were going to pawn off to a different trader group specializing in livestock. That’s all I’m willing to share.”

“You are under contract then,” you fish out. “I don’t know you, but no contractor would go all this way to stifle a slaver clan in the act.”

Scarlet keeps to her word and shares nothing more. She doesn’t even comment. However, how Scarlet moves tells you she’s stored her pistol away. After leaning, her eyes wash over each of you. “I guess I owe you an apology. I shouldn’t have disbelieved you or suspected you were doing something you weren’t supposed to.”

“You have the right to suspect the worst of people. I’m sure you’ve seen your fair share of shit.”

“She’s done her fair share of shit,” Arabella says. “Make her leave. Now.”

Scarlet gives her a toothy smile. “What’s the matter? Scared of the big bad witch still?”

“You made me do unspeakable things,” Arabella’s voice is shaking. “You aren’t welcome here. Master, make her leave. If she’s no threat to us, then she’s no help either.”

“I’ll save you the trouble,” Scarlet gets up. “I have things to do, And since your pet doesn’t want me to be here, there’s no point in me lingering here causing friction.”

“Good,” Arabella says.

“Ah, yeah…You better leave, Scarlet. I’m sure we’ll bump into each other if you stay in town.”

Scarlet cocks her head, her smile remaining. “I know we will. And, if you’re looking for work. You should talk to me about it sometime,” she said, her eyes going to Arabella. “You take care of yourself now. And your new master.”

Arabella is about to snap, but you cut in to stop her. “Arabella, take a breath. She’s leaving.”

“Yes, Arabella,” Scarlet mocks. “She’s leaving.”

When Scarlet leaves, Arabella pushes you. “What the hell? Why did you let her in?”

“She had me at gunpoint,” you fight the urge to snap at her, but this is the first she’s become physically aggressive with you. Your eyes move to the twins or watch wearily. You wave them off, copying the same movement Scarlet did when they were getting interested in their conversation at the table. They look at each other and have a quiet discussion before leaving the room. You return to Arabella and shake your head at her. “What’s the matter with you? You should be happy. Scarlet isn’t looking for you, and she’s not working with the ARS any longer.”

“She knows we’re here, though.” She says urgently. “What if she’s rehired and sent to torment us? Or worse, making us rejoin the fold.”

“Do you honestly think she will?”

“She might,” she sounds unsure of herself, but you listen anyway. “I don’t know. I don’t like her, and I sure as hell don’t trust her. Regardless of her reasoning.”

Arabella crosses her arms, now refusing to look at you.