Chapter 1:
One hour and a handful of screws and metal plates later, the tall blonde man rose from his uncomfortable position and headed towards his desk to reorganize the material he didn't need back into their usual places. While doing that, his client rose from the chair as well, checking his newly made artificial hand with a pleased look.
"Excellent work as always, Mr. Beilschmidt. No wonder you're the best payed engineer in town. " said the noble with a strong british accent. The other man nodded thankfully, accepted the golden coins the noble gave him and checked their amount thoroughly. Nothing to complain.
"Well then, " the Brit said, "have a good day," while tilting his hat a little down and leaving through the shops door with a soft ringing of a little bell.
The blonde man waited a little to make sure, the noble wouldn't come back before he shook his head and mumbled to himself.
"And just why did he need a whole new prothesis when his old was completely intact?"
But why should he complain about something like this? His pay was good and that's the only thing that mattered these days. Having a noble as a client is something he should be proud of, actually. But why does a noble – a person who doesn't need to work in such dangerous places that he could lose an arm (or work at all) – need an artificial limb anyway?
Before thinking about this a little more, the man is pulled back into reality by the door's bell and a familiar voice that drowned the poor bells little effort.
"Brüderchen!"
There comes a terrorist…
"I told you not to yell in my shop, Gilbert. Especially not something so embarrassing."
The scolded white-head went on without any reaction.
"Was that Kirkland guy here again?"
"Ja, but he went already."
"That guy sure has a lot of money to blow if he can come here so often. Don't you think it's a little strange, Ludwig?"
Seems like the blonde German wasn't the only one who noticed.
"I mean, he's a noble and all! Not that I want to complain, since he leaves us so much money everytime, " laughed the albino.
"Money you aren't working for Bruder. Where were you this time?"
"Aww, come on! I'm your beloved big brother!" he pouted before actually answering the question.
"Wandering around town, talking to a few people and stuff. You know, the usual."
Impatiently, the younger one still waited for a serious answer and raised one eyebrow. And if the older one would understand, his eyes became more serious as well as his voice.
"You know, I've been thinking about the things Elizabeta told us a week ago. You've noticed as well right? The increase of work."
Without saying a word, but with a more curious look, Ludwig followed every movement of his brother with his eyes.
"And I wanted to investigate a bit about that matter. So I went outside the city."
"You did what?! Gilbert, you know how dangerous that is! The police could have found you and you know what that means."
"Hey, it's not like I went completely into the wilderness. Just a little out of the outskirts, " tried the albino to calm his brother down successfully, while holding his hands up.
"Elizabeta said, that there would be something …unnatural roaming around. But to be honest, I haven't found a thing."
"So, do you believe her story then?"
"Of course I do! I've spent my entire life with her so far and she isn't the type to lie. Maybe it's further into the forest. After all, she's a skilled huntress and goes there almost regularly. There is nobody who knows it better than her."
Basch would be hurt if he'd hear this…
"But what do you think about this, Ludwig? There must be something going on out there, right?"
A short silence and the blonde man shrugged his broad shoulders before answering.
"I'm not sure, but it is strange. Years ago, we only had clients who were working in the pipes or the power station. But nowadays even normal people lose at least one limb…" he said while looking at a picture drawn with colourful crayons. A thanks from a child – just one of the people he spoke of.
His brother continued his train of thoughts.
"Not to mention nobles…Inselaffe…" The last word was merely a whisper, but one could definitely hear its sharpness.
"So, what'll you do Ludwig?"
"What can we do? We don't know the reason and where could we find out more?"
With a large and evil grin the albino stated his idea.
"Les Travaux Nuit ? But that's just a bar," Ludwig said, while looking at the not so shady sign over the bar's door. His brother corrected him triumphantly.
"Oh dear Bruder, you forgot who the owner of this oh-so-simple bar is. I thought you'd visit a certain somebody there often?"
But his brother just ignored him slightly blushing not only over the fact, that he seriously forgot it. Without another word both Germans entered the bar only to be greeted by a mixture of the smell of cigarettes, lame music and a very faint smell of perfume. Their eyes had to overcome the sudden dimmed light before being able to greet the even less shady bartender both knew very well.
"Luddy! Gilbert! Long time no see! I missed you two, where have you been?" The Italian was overjoyed and put down the glass he held in his hand just a second ago to leave the counter and greeted both of his friends with warm hug and a kiss on each cheek. Even though Gilbert greeted him in the same way, Ludwig was a little hesitant and actually froze when the Italian kissed him. Good that the light in the room wasn't strong enough for anyone to see how much he was blushing.
After a rather long welcome (for Ludwig, that is) he and his brother seated themselves in front the counter while their red-haired friend went back to his work and simultaneously chatting.
"So, where have you two gone to? It's been so long since I last saw you."
"It wasn't that long Feliciano. Only a few weeks," the younger German said.
"But that's long for me!" whined the Italian as an answer.
"You know Feli, that's the reason we want to talk to Francis. Is he here today?"
"He is, but…" before the Italian was able to continue his sentence, a crashing noise was heard further in the premises followed by an angered scream and rough footsteps heading towards the main bar before the door popped open and a man with blonde curls appeared. Together with a man he dragged along by his collar. Even though he protested loudly, the blonde man with the stubble opened the entrance and literally kicked the uninvited guest out into the street and slamed the door. With a satisfied smile the man turned around to his new guests.
"Mes amis! Long time no see, what are you doing in my humble bar?"
"What? Not happy to see me?" The albino jumped from his stool and hugged his old friend tightly as if they hadn't seen each other for years. After a while both sat down again.
"Well, what's stranding both of you here?"
"Something important…But first, what was that just now?"
"Oh, that was just a costumer who couldn't play fair. You must know, this is a honest establishment and I do not allow any swindler to stay."
The acted innocence of the Frenchman made the Whitehaired laugh so much, that he almost choked on his drink.
"The only thing that's honest in here is our little Feliciano!" The said boy continued to smile, since he didn't understand what his friend ment. After a little nudge from his side and the laughing stopped. Back to more serious buisness.
"Lets make this short. I know you've certain connections Francis and I'd like to borrow them."
"Oh ho! May I ask why?" The Frenchman was now all ears.
"Have you heard of the rumor of a monster being outside of town?"
"Oui, I did."
"We think, that it has something to do with our increased work."
"Well, it's just understandable. After all, if that monster attacks people they get hurt, non?"
"True, but guess who started to become a regular guest: That noble Kirkland."
"A noble? If there is a monster, than wouldn't he hire himself mercenaries to travel safely?"
"And that's where the mystery begins! With your connections, it should be as easy as stealing candy from a kid to find out more about this, right?"
The Owner giggled quietly, sipped on his drink and looked back at his friend.
"You can count on me Gilbert. If it has something to do with the nobles up there, then I'm into anything."