Alright, Friday has sorta become my new upload day. Hoorah?
Ok, at the risk of sounding like a totally ungrateful bitch here; PLEASE, when you review this story/a chapter, please put a bit more than "update soon." It isn't that I don't appreciate that you're eager to see what happens next. In fact I'm GLAD if you're excited or eager and want the next chapter. But the fact is, I WILL update soon. You don't have to ask me. I will update once a week at the very least so asking me to update soon is a bit pointless. Also, the point of a review is to tell the author what you think of the story/chapter, what you did/didn't like, and even make guesses (if you so choose) as to what will happen next. It is those kind of reviews that I get excited to read and so when I get an e-mail telling me I got a new review and I get super excited to read it and then all it says is "update soon" I get pretty disheartened. This isn't directed at anybody in particular. It kinda is more like advice for any future reviewing you may do to not only my stories but other author's stories as well. Keep it in mind, everyone. Please.
Ok, now back to the story. This chapter has NO JOURNAL ENTRY. And it is going to be that way for at least four more chapters.
This is the point in the story where the shit hits the metaphorical fan (the first time). The actual plot is starting to come out now. All that romantic ballroom dancing and wooing? FORGET ABOUT IT! Gone. Everything's going to hell in a hand basket now.
Three days have passed since the last chapter making this the 24th of March, if you must know.
Anyhow, really short chapter. Enjoy anyway!
Luxord awoke like he had the past couple of mornings; happy. Larxene was of course nowhere in sight. She'd likely snaked off back to her room in the middle of the night, still too ashamed with herself to let the servants know that she and he were now at least sexually content with each other. But that didn't matter because Luxord knew that come nightfall, she'd be back in his room and back in his arms and that was a fact he could deal with. He stretched and yawned as he climbed out of bed. But as he stood there and took note of just how the light fell upon the room, the more he realized something was amiss. Usually before now there was a servant with a wake up call for him as he'd requested one for seven in the morning each day. He picked up his pocket watch which sat beside the bed and noticed it was well into the ninth hour of the day. He pulled on a pair of trousers and started over to the door. He opened it slowly and peered out into the hall to see servants bustling back and forth. He caught Naminé by the wrist as she dashed by and looked to her curiously. "What's all the rush?"
Naminé jumped when Luxord caught her wrist, but when she turned to see it was him she sighed with a bit of relief. "Oh, Mister Luxord! Thank goodness, you're awake! There's no time to explain. Gather all your belongings, anything you wish to bring with you. Leave what you don't need."
"Wait, what's happening Naminé? Where's Larxene?" Luxord looked around the hall in confusion. "A-are some of the other servants stealing things?" He paused to snatch a gold candelabra out of the hand of a passing kitchen worker. "What the hell is going on!?"
"What the hell are you shouting about!?" Larxene grumbled as she stepped out into the hall from her room. She looked to Luxord with a scowl before turning her gaze on the chaos before her. "What's going on?"
Naminé sighed heavily and grabbed Larxene's hand, pulling her along with Luxord down into her father's library where fewer servants were scouring for valuables. "There isn't much time to explain. We received word today that your father has been arrested."
"Arrested!?" Larxene stared at Naminé curiously. "Arrested for what!?"
Naminé looked around cautiously before leaning in closer to Larxene. "He's been illegally producing and transporting moonshine with a few other gentleman around the city."
"What!?" Larxene grabbed Naminé by her arms and shook her lightly. "How long have you known about this!?"
Naminé looked away from Larxene sheepishly. "Ever since he started, about a year ago. He had to do something or you were going to go completely broke! The other servants and I, well, we've been helping. That's why they're all scattering right now. Mr. Even said that if anything should happen, for us to take what we could and get out."
Luxord looked to Naminé calmly. "Well, what happened to warrant this?"
Naminé looked from Larxene to Luxord and back again. "Your mother, strangely enough, was the one that alerted the authorities. We think that is why she decided to take the trip to Georgia. She likely didn't plan on your father accompanying her. Regardless, he was arrested. All assets now fall into your mother's lap, but your father despised the idea early on so he ordered us to take what we could and leave the rest in shambles."
"And what about me!?" Larxene crossed her arms and looked down at her servant in panic. "Where am I supposed to go!? What am I supposed to do!? Did he even bother to think about that when he was busy plotting the revenge he knew he'd have to one day take on my vindictive bitch of a mother!? Do either one of them stop to think about how their ridiculous squabbles are going to effect me or do they just not care!?"
"Actually, your father wanted me to give this to you." Naminé pulled out a letter from her apron and handed it to Larxene. "It doesn't explain much, other than what you should do and where you should go from here. There are contacts in Chicago, men who can help, and that's probably where you should be headed. I'll join you there as soon as I can but there is more I have to take care of here first. In the contents of the letter, your father should describe a man you must seek out when you arrive in Chicago." She paused as Larxene opened her mouth to protest and shook her head. "Larxene, there is no other choice! You will have to go to Chicago. There is not going to be anything left here for you and what is left of your father's money now falls to your mother. You have nothing." Naminé unlocked the top drawer of a nearby desk and pulled out a wad of money, handing it to Larxene. "This is money your father put away for emergency. It should get you to Chicago and maybe get you a place to stay for a bit, but it isn't much." She pushed Larxene toward the doors of the library. "Now go! Pack what you can and hurry. There isn't much time."
Larxene looked from Naminé to the letter in her hands. She tore it open as she started out of the library and back up the stairs in a rush, reading it aloud. "Larxene, if you're reading this then it means I've been imprisoned or worse. If you've spoken with Naminé then you also know what I've been up to these past months. Knowing you, you'd commend my efforts. Your mother on the other hand has strived so hard to aid the prohibition that I know she would turn me over to the authorities if she ever found out. In fact, that is likely what has happened to me if you're reading this. She's the only one who would do so. Everyone else involved stood to lose too much should our little endeavors be revealed. I know that your mother would do this, and you know it too. That is why this situation must be handled delicately. The bitch is to have nothing. Our valuables, our home, all of it will be stripped from her reach. In the meantime, I've arranged for you to safely relocate to Chicago where a large portion of our operation is established. At this point, Naminé will have sent word to my contact in Chicago telling him of your arrival. He will be waiting at the train station. His name is Axel. Do not leave the train station with anybody other than Axel. Once there, he'll help set you up with a job and a place to stay. That is all, good luck…" Larxene growled and crumpled up the paper, chucking it at the ground. "I swear! Those two are so damn vindictive with each other!"
Luxord chuckled and leaned down to pick up the crumpled up paper. "Yes, well it is a mystery as to where you got your personality from, my dear."
"Shut up!" Larxene glared at Luxord over her shoulder. "You heard what the letter said. We have to pack. My father intends on keeping this home from my mother's possession and if I know anything about him, that means it'll likely be burned to the ground before she arrives back. Go pack what you can carry! We're leaving for Chicago tonight…"