5
China Sorrows had a knack for style, as most people do in her situation. On the day Skulduggery went to the Austrian Grand Mage's house four months prior, he had found her quarters around the same as Ms Sorrrows, but more fluffy. Ms Sorrows had a knack for owning the most beautiful things on the planet, including clothes, beds, wardrobes and so on. Her carpet was a lush purple, her drapes were a deep and velvety blue. Her dresser was so intricately designed it looked as though it had been made by fairies or a really small carpenter god. Her bed was typical of the rich and wealthy bloated. It was as soft as the bellies of the rich, and about as useful in a fight. Although, that being said, Skulduggery had found beds usefully in certain fights, especially as projectiles. Skulduggery found himself inspecting the area. The general shape of the rug meant that someone other than China had been here recently. She had stopped to speak with the individual, then had left in a hurry, moving the carpet back. The size of the track meant it was a man, or a really big footed woman, but judging by the imprint depth he was short. Possibly one of the new recruits. Ms Sorrows had done something recently on the bed as well, the general curvature of the bed meant that someone had been in here recently as well when she was in her bed, presumably in her dressing gown. Although, said dressing gown lay on the floor next to the bed, meaning that she had no clothing when this other individual was in the room. That explained the blood splattering on the floor next to the carpet, blood noses were common in that scenario. She had eaten recently, the wrappers of small and inconsequential candies lay in the bin. She had put on a new set of make up, the residuals lay in front of her mirror.
Skulduggery noticed all of this in the split second he wandered into the room. He approached the velvet curtains and looked out over Roarhaven city, a smirk on his non-existent face.
"You know China, for a woman who wants to be less conspicuous about her past, you sure are putting on display up here." Skulduggery said mockingly.
"The best place to hide a secret is in plain sight my dear, you know that better than anyone." China said as she walked over to her partition next to her dresser. She smiled an almost knowing smile. The wooden dresser had an elegant design on it, that of the Secret War with Melovelent. Of course a woman of her caliber kept one of these. They only made 20 of them. Collectors tended to gather the most horrid things, simply so no one else can have them. The sound of her clothes being unzipped and unfurled filled the room as Skulduggery watched people bustle and hustle beneath a Roarhaven sky. He didn't exactly hate this, he just hated that fact that he was alone while seeing this.
Valkyrie would love this view...
Shut up.
China had completely removed her clothing, Skulduggery could sense the wind against her body. It was obscure when he did this, but he could do this to everyone. When Valkyrie was still with him, he would reassure himself of her presence by sensing her shape in the air. He couldn't do that now though. The weirdest part of what he was doing was that it was rather subconscious. He didn't want to think about China's curves, such thoughts were unbecoming of a man of his caliber, but regardless, it was unmistakable how...
Curved...
Ms Sorrows was.
"Skulduggery, darling. Could you get my robe?" China said as she lent her hand away from the partition. Waving her hand slowly, as if she was trying to embody the spirit of 'come hither' through her hand.
She succeeded.
He knew if he handed it to her with his gloves, a number of things could happen, so he simply levitated it to her partition. He heard a slight harumph come from China. He didn't care. He knew this was hurting him as much as it did with every other woman in his life, but she was his boss, so he had to bear this or else he would have to go back to private detective work. That kind of work came few and far.
You don't seem to deterred with Valkyrie do you?
That's different.
Is it?
Not for you.
China slowly walked away from her partition. In a Silk robe that left all too much to the imagination and left all too little to it. Her legs shone with the light of the room, her hair as black as sin reflected into the back of Skulduggery's skull. Her make done up as perfect as always. Although, and the detective knew this was an issue, the only thing Skulduggery could think of was Valkyrie. He was wondering about her safety, her livelihood, everything. The last few hours had been riddled with Valkyrie thoughts, regardless of what woman, Low or Sorrows or any other, was in front of him.
Sorrows tried to gauge some level of reaction from Skulduggery, but upon realizing his lack of attention, she turned away to her bed and sat on the edge. Putting her hands in between her legs, tightening her thighs around them so her already ample chest became more pronounced. She was trying her best to tease Skulduggery, but even then, she was doing this to regain control over him. She had never thought of this kind of thing as demeaning, because demeaning would imply that she wasn't in the position of power. Regardless of whether she was flirting or fighting, being in control was the only thing she would ever do. Her strength emanated from every faucet of her being, but radiated as beauty. The thing about Skulduggery was that he was far too stern for womanly wiles, even with someone of China's skill. She knew he was better as a stable agent rather than a lunatic. If it took a ridiculous bath robe, she would wear it. Anything to bring him under her thumb.
But even her best moves weren't functioning. So she moved onto her next best tactic: psychology
"Skulduggery" China said as sincerely as she could. "It's been brought to my attention that..." China trailed off as Skulduggery attempted to turn back towards the window.
"China, if you're attempting to seduce me, you should be aware of the situation you are in. We are two war criminals, standing together several stories high. You hold the most power in this country, and if I were to bring you down, I could just as easily take that from you. Do not think anything has been forgotten. I just choose to admit that I have done things as equally as bad as you in our time on this planet and I will not have a kettle-pot situation unless it is on my own terms. I know I am being rather blunt about this, but so have you." Skulduggery said as stiffly as possibly. He then looked her in the eyes and stood stock still. It was quiet for a moment. They both stared at each other for the longest time, trying to figure out what to say. Skulduggery knew he would be out of a job if he took her out. He knew that she would be hugely shunned if she killed and Irish war hero. So they were an impasse.
Oh come now, what do you have to lose?
My job?
What job? You punch things for a living!
I do other things to!
What? Like reading files?
no. well yes. But no. I drive stylishly
do you vogue as you drive?
I should start doing that! Wait... Shut Up!
Just then, China simply sighed and lied down onto the bed.
"Skulduggery, dear" China began to say.
"Refrain from calling me that Grand Mage"
"Mr Pleasant then? Dead Man? Skul?" China said whimsically. The last one made Skulduggery turn away slightly. He was only ever called Skul by Ghastly and...
"Skulduggery is just fine Ms Sorrows. I understand why I am here. You and the rest of the community are worried about my mental stability as of late. I assure you that I am fine on my own. Now if you'll excuse me, the Baker case is still active and it needs my brilliance so..." Skulduggery went for the window, but China pressed a tattoo on her wrist and symbols glowed around the frame.
"Skulduggery, you know I can't just take your word for all that. I'm sending you to someone. Someone who'll be able to help you with all this. There is a psychologist employed with the Sanctuary who specializes in Post War agent's such as yourself. I am not giving this order to you as your Grand Mage, but as your fre..."
"We aren't friends."
"Acquaintance then. As your good acquaintance, I ask for you to see this Psychologist. They have the taken name of Arabella Freud. She is the best on the continent."
"Listen, China, i'm fine. Honestly. I don't need anyone's help. I can handle my own problems. Remember the war?" Skulduggery said as he pushed at the window again.
"Skulduggery, you went away for years, nobody even saw you after what happened. We all assumed you were dead. That may work in war time, but things are different now." China said with what sounded like legitimate concern. The fool.
Kill her now, she suspects nothing.
I SAID SHUT UP!
I can't... you know why.
No I don't!
"You know China, I feel like this argument would be more serious if you weren't laying on your bed in a bathrobe." Skulduggery said as he tried to calm himself.
"On the contrary Mr Pleasant, I thought this would be more persuasive." China said with a smirk.
Her life energy is so big... So bright! We could take all of it, all you have to do is...
STOP.
"Seriously China, i'm fine... I just need some time away from all this. I need..."
"My god! Is this... the fabled... Vacation!?" China said, sitting up rather too quickly for Skulduggery's liking, speaking in a mock tone. Hey bathrobe fluttered slightly, so Skulduggery had to avert his gaze somewhat. Others would have leant forward. Although, it could be said that the Great Skeleton Detective, shifted his pinky.
"You know what I mean China. Just a short one. Let me re-acquit myself with modern culture. Let me see some of the world. It's been months since I've been to Paris. Or the Caribbean. Just give me some time to think, OK?" Skulduggery said in the most pleading tone he could muster while a mass-murderer was whispering in his non-existent ears. He did need one. He was going to explode soon, he needed to go somewhere.
Soon.
She sighed, a reluctant agreement, knowing what she would lose.
"Fine. Judging by your instability, i'm giving you a month. I'm calling in a new detective. You will now be the problem of whatever Sanctuary you vacation to. Be careful OK? I'd prefer my favorite skeleton not die in the middle of the Amazon somewhere." China said, rather sad and wistful at the same time. Skulduggery took this as his option to leave. He went for the door and tipped his hat.
"You know it takes more than that to take me out China. Oh... and China?"
"Yes, Skulduggery?" China said with a sigh in her tone.
"Thank you. For everything." This made China sit up a bit straighter and stare at Mr Pleasant's back with a blush on her face. She immediately looked away, this wasn't like her at all. But, dressing up in a bathrobe in front of an agent wasn't something she tended to do either.
Skulduggery walked out into the hallway of her quarters, jumped out the window, and flew for the Bentley.