The Next Chapter...Sephiroth Kingdom

Chapter 5

POV Nina

I love being in the Outer World. It's like a dream come true! I can do whatever I want, while doing what I'm suppose to at the same time. I am kinda surprised that my mother even agreed to send me on this mission, but it was kind of refreshing to leave the kingdom, and explore the Outer World. I get to visit new places, meet new people, all while stalking my sister! This really is great. Speaking of my sister, Legretta, I had heard some interesting news through the various bars that I go to. I thought nothing of it at first, but the news had been a recurring thing that I heard everywhere I went. Every bar I walked into had some soldiers of the Order talking about their superior officers. Being as curious as always I made my way over to them and had some drinks while listening to the rumor mill. Apparently, Legretta had shown some signs of having feelings for the commandant of the Order (Aka her boss). I was going to have fun with this information, since I enjoy making people flustered especially Legretta.

I flagged the waitress down for my fifth refill of hard liquor, and took a look around for Legretta. We were suppose to meet here, so I could pass on the message from mother. She's about ten minutes late, and I am now on my fifth glass going on my sixth. Where could she be? This was so unlike her.

"Of all the places you could have chosen to meet; You pick a bar?" Legretta asked arms crossed with a raised eyebrow. "You're not meeting a guy after this are you?"

I looked up from my drink, and smirked at my eldest sister. "Unless you happen to be the guy, then no. I'm not meeting anyone else here, or I don't plan on it."

Legretta pulled out the chair across from me, and sat with her legs crossed back flush against the backrest of the chair. "What did you need to meet me for? I don't have that much time. I need to return to Yulia City in time for Tear's lesson."

"Is that Van's sister? Wow Legretta, I didn't peg you for the get good with the sister, so I have a better chance with the brother type." I teased.

Legretta blushed and stuttered "I-I am n-not! What gave you that idea!? I'm acting on orders from Van!"

"Mmhm, sure you are." I skeptically hummed.

Legretta shot me a glare and growled "What do you need? I'm not here for your entertainment, so what do you want?"

I absolutely loved it when I got under Legretta's skin. "Mother just wanted me to tell you to speed the plan ahead by ten fold. We had less time than we originally thought we had." I nonchalantly informed Legretta as I watched her tense. She looked fairly conflicted, and at a loss for words.

"What does she... want me to do?" Legretta slowly spoke.

"She wants you to get Van to lower the lands somehow. How you do that is up to you. Whether you turn him or play him like a fiddle is your decision. Just get it done is what mother told me to tell you." I said with a shrug. "Personally, I really want to see you play him, but you don't seem the type my dear sister."

"You're right, I'm not the type to do things in that manner. I think I know how I'm going to go about it. Just give me a week to plan and arrange everything." Legretta responded.

"Sure thing, you have a few months before things get too hectic, so take that time. I'll be in the Outer World for a while, so if you need any help give me a holler. Walk into a bar and ask the bartender for me. He'll ring me up." I said before finishing off my drink. I stood from my seat and stretched by reaching up while leaning from side to side letting out a breath when I finished. "Don't you have somewhere to be?" I reminded Legretta.

"Yea. Don't cause too much trouble Nina. I don't have time to clean up after you." Legretta warned.

"Yea, yea, you just get to your student Legretta. It would be a bad example if you were late, Major." I waved her off placing the correct amount of gald on the table to pay for my drinks, and started for the door leaving Legretta at the table. "Later." I said with a wave.

When I exited the bar the sun blinded me. I had quite sometime before sunset, and proper information gathering. I might as well burn my extra time in the new bar that opened in this city recently before meeting my informant. I headed in the direction of the bar called Starlit using the back alley streets to avoid prying eyes and large crowds. The bar was easy to find because of it's large sign and brightly colored outside. The front doors were large, tall, and decorated with different constellations in various colors, shapes, and sizes. Upon entering the bar it was almost pitch black minus the glowing dots on the table cloths and ceiling. It was as if you were in the embrace of an endless spacial void.

I sat at the main bar that was placed in the center of the establishment. I leaned onto the smooth wooden counter top putting a hand up to signal the bartender to order a drink.

"I'll have a scotch on the rocks." I ordered somberly. I may have liked the atmosphere, but I was already bored of place. It didn't have that spark or feel of a bar. It felt more like a fancy place rich people came to mingle, than a traditional bar where you go to be merry and drink until you drop. After I finished my drink I paid the bartender and stood up to leave. There was no interest to stay any longer if I was the only one at the bar. It was truly depressing, and a waste of my time. I took note of it anyway for my mother. She liked places like these for her and father to spend time together on the rare occasion that they decide to have a drink.

It may have been early, but I decided to head to the bar where my informant was scheduled to meet me. It was a popular joint located at the heart of the city. It was a very lively place, and one of my favorite places to kickback with a drink. I took the main paths this time, since the sun was starting to set causing the streets to become clear of people.

The place itself was small, but had plenty of business. I took a table in the far left corner to wait for my informant. I leaned back in my chair while watching the other people in the bar. It was only dusk and the place was packed with people. I wondered if my informant was here early. If he was then I could get the information, be done, and start drinking the night away. I rocked the chair back and forth on its hind legs while keeping an eye out for my fellow kinsman. Just as I was about to get too bored he showed up in a peasants attire covered by a thick dark brown cloak.

"Your highness, It is a pleasure to meet you on this fine evening." He said with an apparent sarcasm, "I just know how you love your titles."

"Quit it Heric. I'm not in the mood for your games today, so what you got for me?" I responded with a warning tone. I hated it when people called me your highness or princess for that matter.

"I think I have some good news for you, but as you know everything comes with a price." Heric stated with a tap to the table and a smirk on his smug face.

I rolled my eyes at him then tossed a small sack of gald onto the table. "That should be enough to cover the expenses. Can you please tell me the information now?" I said clearly annoyed.

"Sure thing Nina and I'm sorry by the way." Hertic sincerely apologized.

"No problem Hertic, so what did you find-" I started only to be interrupted by a young male slamming his palm onto our table.

"Say babe, how would you like to come back with me?" He arrogantly proposed.

"Hey, buddy I really think that would be a bad idea…." Hertic tried to warn the tipsy young man.

I had about had it at this point, so I grabbed the edge of table, tipped it over onto its side, stood up, and kicked it propelling it into the offending individual thrusting him into the wall across the bar. The whole place went still when the loud crash and the crumbling of the wall resounded throughout the bar. I walked over and grabbed the table dragging it back over to its original position between Hertic and me. I took my seat once again and looked over my shoulder and shouted "There's nothing to see here. Next round is on me!" After my promise of a free round of drinks the bar was once again lively.

"Well that could have gone better." Hertic muttered under his breath.

"I heard that." I mocked "Let's just get this over with, so I can get out of here before the real fight starts."

"I figured you would say that, so I just wrote everything down to give to you." Hertic stated while handing a file over to me.

I groaned. "Geez, why couldn't you just tell me? I hate reading reports you jerk."

"I'm your jerk though." Hertic winked before rising from his seat. "Well I'm going to take off if you don't mind."

"You're free to do what you want. I don't own you lover boy." I said while smirking.

Hertic gave a laugh before walking out of the bar with a smile. He can be a pain in the ass at times, but I enjoyed his company. He also does good work and that is always a bonus in its own right. With information in hand I figured I could use a little break for all of my hard work, so I joined the merry people and drank the night away.