Fayde looked back to watch Flycatcher mop the floor with delight. It was like, she was almost hypnotized by the movements of him and the mop itself. She shook her head.
"Snap out of it, Fayde, think of the task at hand." She put her fist under her chin. "Maybe that Grimble guy knows where the strip club is?"
After wandering the halls curiously, Everwind finds her way to the lobby once more, and proceeds to sit on the security desk. "Wake up, sleepy."
No response.
"Hello?"
Just more obnoxious snoring.
"Hmmm." Fayde scanned her surroundings to make sure no one else was around.
Whoosh! Her physical self was nowhere to be seen. After Fayde reveled being in her ghostly form again, she kicked Grimble's chair with all the force she could muster.
"WHOOA! Ooof! Fayde held in the urge to laugh as she quickly turned back. The dazed guard tried to make sense of how he ended up on the floor. "Wha- what happened?"
"I was heading for the entrance until I noticed you leaning too far back in your chair. It seems that I was also late to warn you in time before you fell. Sorry."
"Really? Huh." He got up, positioned his chair like it was before, and sat down. He removed his cap to scratch his head. "Uh, did you need something?"
Fayde took a seat on his desk again. "Why, funny you should ask," She took a deep breath, hoping her question won't seemingly be at all weird to the guy. "Do you know where the Pudding 'n Pie is?"
Grimble looked at Fayde suspiciously. "Why do you want to know?"
"Had a friend who worked there, been wanting to visit."
"I'm afraid you're very late on that, Miss Everwind. The property's been shut down since the Crooked Case last year."
"The Crooked Case?"
"Stuff you don't need to worry about." Grimble's eyes opened and closed due to his urge to sleep again.
"Well, can you still tell me where the club is? Please?"
"No, and that's final."
Fayde crossed her arms out of annoyance. "And here I thought you were a nice guy. Hmph, guess I'll find out for myself then." She stormed out the entrance, while another Fable took her spot at the desk.
"Grimble."
"Sheriff."
Bigby scratched his head. "Who was that woman? She had an unfamiliar smell about her."
"Her name's Fayde Everwind, Sheriff. She's the new Fable that got interviewed by Snow White this morning for citizenship."
"Ah, that explains it. So, how'd she do?" Bigby took another huff from his cigarette.
"She did fine, but Bigby, she asked me about the Pudding 'n Pie before she left. Luckily, you arrived in time so I could tell you."
Bigby's eyes widened. "Did she mention a Nerissa or Faith? Maybe even why she needed to go there?"
"She said she needed to go meet a friend, and I told her about the club being closed. It didn't seem to stop her from trying to find the place, though. I didn't tell her where it was either."
"You did a good job, Grimble. You, uh, you can go back to sleep now."
After realizing he'd been awake this entire time, the guard willingly fell back to sleep. "Thanks, Bigby."
Bigby sighed and walked to the elevators. "Need to tell Snow."
"Tez! Stop it! I need to- oh..."
"Do you feel better now?" The thief nuzzled his nose against Rose's neck, kissing her gently all over.
"Yes, I-" Rose shut her eyes and moaned. "You never fail to please me, dragon."
"I only do what's best for us, Rose."
Ring!
"Wait," Rose opened her eyes. "Did you hear that?"
Tezoth stopped smoochin'. "Probably the phone, just let it go to speaker, Rose Bud. I'm not quite finished with you yet."
Ring! "Alright, alright," She paused. "We'll let it go to speaker." Rose smiled.
The phone beeped in the background, then, the message. "Hey, this is Rose Red's pad. Afraid I can't come to the phone right now - probably drinking or partying or eating pizza or whatever. Leave a message and I'll try to get back to you as soon as I can. Laters."
"Rose? This is your sister, Snow White. Would you please get Tezoth on the phone? I need to speak to him."
Rose rolled her eyes. "That's my sis for you. Doesn't even attempt to say hi or anything."
"I'm sure she meant to, Rose."
She scoffs. "Whatever you say."
The dragon rubbed her leg and walked to the phone. He picked it up. "Hello? ...Uh-huh. Yes. ...Of course, Miss White. It will be done." He hung the phone up.
"So, what silly task is she putting you up to this time?"
"She wants me to track this Fayde girl."
"The one we met at Holly's bar?"
"That's the one, it seems. Snow told me she's trying to head over to the Pudding 'n Pie too."
"Wow, not a day in and she already wants to strip. Holly has some weird friends."
Tez's face cringed. "I wouldn't say it like that. Besides, the building is closed to the public so I wouldn't see how she would, unless she's trying to find out something for herself, or for Holly."
Rose got up from her couch. "Well, what are we waiting for? Let's go find out!"
"Not so fast, my Rose. We need to have breakfast first, having scotch and wine in the morning just doesn't cut it for me, and it shouldn't cut it for you either."
Her stomach grumbled. She sighed. "You're right, Tez, but don't expect me to do all the work this time."
He walked over and poked her side. "Alright, I'll help you make the pancakes this time. Just let me put the bread in the toaster first."
"By all means..." They shared a kiss once more, while the two began working together like a true team.
