THE NIGHTMARE - FACET VII
Maxwell looked around the corner of an old warehouse in the middle of the red-light district. He was looking at a nightclub. More specifically a gentleman's club. Something Maxwell was told to be some sort of cross between a tavern and a ballroom dance floor. Judging by the clientele though, it looked more like some sort of fancy brothel to Maxwell… One that didn't seem to have any private rooms.
Pirates, commoners, and fancy-pants aristocrats were all entering the establishment. Some were with their buddies hooting an hollering. While others came in with dates on their arms ready to enjoy the night. And now Max and Saga were dressed up to join them.
After the whole fiasco at Eight-Legged Shipping Co. Lytton had sent them to a place called Sally's. Day-to-day, it was a laundry mat with special cleaning services for unconventional fabrics. Behind the shop though, was an entire armoury, tailor shop, and black market emporium for those in the know.
Maxwell now wore a black martial artist manfu robe with gold hemming lining the edges. A golden sash wrapped around his waist to hold the robe in place. It was tailor fit to match his body, and the dark colour was perfect for spy work. He had been told it was lined with a special weave to help stop bullets, however Maxwell had the feeling someone just wanted to dress him up again.
The mage also wore some baggy white pants, simple black shoes, with white socks, and he had been outfitted with a new prosthetic. This extension had been much more lightweight and comfortable then then one he received at the palace. It was a frame work design, with of some metal called titanium making up the prosthetic.
He was surprised it came with a glove, let alone that Sally's had such an item in stock. It cost another piece of the Spider's Parlor, but it was well worth it in Maxwell's opinion. Schneider and Saga didn't buy too much, personally. Saga had wanted a whetstone, and Schneider just needed gaatlok, but they all freshened up for tonight.
Maxwell turned back into the alley. "We have to go in there?" the mage asked, unsure about entering.
"Yep, and we're sending you two in with this little guy!" Schneider presented a baby den-den mushi to Maxwell.
They all agreed they needed something to spy on Helsing with. So, they had also bought a twin set of den-den mushi and their transceivers. Their hope was to get close and capture Helsing while she was meeting with the Children of Nightmare. However, they all understood they might not find the cult tonight, so they needed a way to spy on her and tail her afterwards. That's where the transponder snails came in.
"All you need to do is get close, magic this little guy somewhere it can hear her, and I'll listen in on their plans. Besides, can't your book there just relay what I'm hearing?"
"Yeah, but…" Maxwell had already lent Mordred's skull to the old pirate. He had planned on lending Mineive's hilt to relay, but the desire demon flat out refused.
"Ugh, you'll be fine," Saga told the mage. "Just put on the glasses."
Maxwell scowled and put on the giant spectacles. Not that he didn't mind the look, the glasses actually looked a bit like Coby's. With the glasses and Salem's grimoire on his hip, he was meant to look like a scholar or record keeper… Or as Schneider liked to call him, "NERD!"
Saga's robes had been freshened up too. The front re-buttoned, and the hemming resown. He no longer looked like an unkept vagabond that kept his chest open. Now the pair wouldn't look too odd coming in together, if they stuck to their nerd and jock friendship routine.
The only problem was they couldn't have any obvious weapons going in. They had watched a few bouncers asking clients to surrender they weapons before entering, and couldn't risk having their own weapons confiscated. So, Schneider offered to hold onto them.
Saga had been reluctant to surrender Shichiseiken. It would have been too obvious to try and smuggle in, so he settled for having his tanto dagger stuck in his robes. Maxwell handed over his mace-staff, and kept Mineive's wand in the folds of his sash. She really didn't want to be left behind.
"And for good reason!" Mineive shouted in Maxwell's head. "I refuse to be a chew toy for that slobbering mongrel!"
"Ah yes. Because having you become the stick up your ass while the duo play fetch would be most unfortunate!" Mordred drawled sarcastically, "Whatever shall we do?"
"WHY YOU—!"
"Come on, let's get this over with," Saga grabbed Maxwell by the shoulder, knocking him out of his mental communication, and started walking out of the alley.
"Good luck fella's!" Schneider called after them.
The street still had the same cobbled look as the rest of the city. The lampposts were lit with oil and a wick behind their glass cages. However, even in the lamp lit darkness, Max could tell that the street hadn't been cleaned in a while. Dirt still laid in the grooves between each rock.
"This is a bad idea," Maxwell muttered as they came closer to the doors.
"Don't worry about it. Just follow my lead." Saga whispered as he slung an arm around his shoulders and started dragging him. Then, Saga's arm went over his head, and the swordsman turned backwards, bouncing on his feet. "Come on man! I've been wanting to check this place out since we came into port!"
"I know, I know August, but did you really need to drag me out here?" Maxwell held his book close to his chest, "I still have work to do!" He also made up that name on the spot.
"Lighten up man! You can finish accounting when we get inside! Besides, think of all the beautiful girls!" Saga twirled around, raising his good arm in a pirouette as he walked towards the doors. The momentum seemed to create an illusion of him having control of both arms.
"Ugh…" Maxwell groaned, partially in character, and partially not wanting to go in. He never visited such places, even in Thedas.
"Yo! My man!" Saga greeted the bouncer, "Any chance we could go in? My friend, is in some dire need of some fun."
The bouncer smirked, "Yeah, yeah, go on in. You're in for a treat tonight, boys!" Saga grinned his thanks and wrapped his arm around Maxwell again, rushing him inside.
Soon as they entered the doors, music started beating in their ears. It was muffled, coming from another set of doors leading into the club proper. They were in the waiting area, with a ticket booth near the doors. Some of the patrons were waiting in a short line up to purchase their entry, and Maxwell and Saga quickly fell in line.
"'In dire need of some fun!?'" Maxwell half whispered the question into Saga's ear.
"Not my first time having to play playboy," Saga whispered back. "And seriously? 'August!?'"
"We'll we couldn't go in with our real names! It was the first name that popped into my head! What did you want me to do!?" Maxwell whispered quickly as they became next in line to the ticket booth.
"How about think of some better lines—! Hey good looking!" Saga quickly greeted the female cashier, leaning against the glass with his hood arm. "Two tickets, please. For me and my boy here."
The cashier barely even looked up as she stamped the tickets. "3,000 beri, please."
Saga looked at Maxwell and brought out his money pouch. Then the mage dipped his good hand in and drew out the wad of cash. They were also smart enough to exchange the token for some cash at Sally's. Maxwell handed it to the cashier and with their tickets, proceeded inside.
"Smooth." "Oh shut up."
The hall was more spacious then he thought. It was an assembly of chairs, tables, and stairways, all revolving around a walkway stage. One side of the room had a massive bar along the length of the wall. A shelf of various liquors shone brightly behind it. The other side seemed to an entrance to the kitchen, as waiters and waitresses entered and exited the free swinging doors.
A band sat in the corner near the stage. An assembly of musicians with brass, wind wood, lute, and percussion instruments. And though the musicians didn't play them, Maxwell did see there was a harp and a piano leaned up against the wall.
They played with absolute gusto, the music blaring loud for all to hear. A fast-paced, exciting number that seemed to encourage their patrons and enjoy themselves. Maxwell had no idea what they were playing, the sounds were absolutely frightening to Maxwell. But he bit his lip and kept calm as they looked around.
There was no way Helsing was going to be on the first floor, so they looked up.
A whole second floor was above them, as if it were some giant catwalk. People could look over the edge and see the stage below them while they enjoyed their food and refreshments. It also might have been quieter up there, being farther away from the band.
"Saga…" The mage tapped Saga's shoulder and pointed up at the second floor. Max didn't quite sure how he recognized her. Helsing wasn't in that pirate queen getup she wore last time. Yet, something drew his eye.
"Yeah, I see her…" Now they just had to find a place where they could get close.
"[Ladies and gentlemen!]" The band quieted down as a man spoke into a den-den mushi microphone. "[Thank you for coming to the Second Dock Lounge! Our main performance will begin in 10 minutes! So keep those tickets ready!]"
"Over there!" Maxwell pointed out a table that was empty. There were still a few glasses and mugs strung about the surface, but it was unoccupied. It was just below the edge where Helsing sat, even if it was a little bit to the left.
"Good, let's get started," Saga nodded. The pirate and and the swordsman then headed over to the table and sat down.
Maxwell brought out the baby den-den mushi and made the call. *Peru-peru-peru-peru-peru-peru—Katcha!* "Schneider? Schneider, you there?"
"[I can hear you loud and clear!]" the transponder snail morphed it's expression to look something like Schneider, "[Sounds like you guys got in. How are things on your end?]"
"We've spotted Helsing, and we're in position." Maxwell looked up at the railing on the second floor, "I'm going to levitate this snail near Helsing's table, and have you listen in to their conversation. With any luck, we can get some good information out of them."
"[Alright, get that book of yours ready. I'm placing your skull in front of my snail.]" Maxwell nodded, and placed both his grimoire and the den-den mushi on the table. Saga kept an eye out to make sure they weren't going to be noticed.
The mage then energized the little creature, focusing on the harness on the snail's shell, and lifted. Their little spy floated upwards, like a dandelion in the breeze. Up, up, and up, untill it was safely on the second floor, behind the rail spoke.
Maxwell then unfastened the clasp on Salem's Grimoire and the book snapped open with it's pages turning. The leaves then settled onto an empty set and words began to appear. Salem was writing what he was hearing from Mordred.
Max could here what he was saying too, "It seems like Helsing in talking to a pirate—," but a lot of it was Mordred's paraphrasing and commentary. So he shut the thoughts out and focused on the pages. Plus it also gave Saga to see what was happening as well.
O O O
"I'll admit, I'm surprised you accepted my invitation, Gasparde." Helsing leaned forward, fingers laced, framing her chin. "You have a reputation for being… no funciona bien with others."
Gasparde leaned back in his chair as he swirled a glass of wine, "Well, it's always good to get a lay of the land. This is my first Treasure War after all." Even leaning back, Gasparde loomed over the small red head as they conversed around the table.
"True," Helsing nodded in agreement, "However, you haven't even sent out any of your men to participate in the Treasure Wars yet. Why is that?"
Gasparde chuckled maliciously, "I have every intention of winning these games, princess. I'm merely considering my options."
Helsing scowled at being called princess. That position wasn't hers… not yet at least.
She was wearing a long green dress, with her hair over her shoulder. Her golden eyes made her seem inhumanly beautiful, but it was part of her disguise. No one knew she secretly owned this club. And if they did, they wouldn't know it was her at first glance.
"And speaking of options," Gasparde adjusted his seating, "I find myself curious as to what I can do for you?"
O O O
"Hello gentlemen~" Both cripples looked up and Maxwell immediately turned red at what he was looking at. The waitress was in dressed in a provocative red and black laced corset. Her shoulders were bare. Her cleavage, pronounced. And the feather filled skirt around her hips was split, showing off her fishnets and panties.
"Hello yourself," Saga grinned back at the purple haired waitress, rolling his arm up over the top of his chair.
"Can I get you anything?" Maxwell then realized she had a serving tray in her hand, and realized she was taking their order, when she handed them two menus.
"Er—" "Two tankards please," Saga cut Max off, "Whatever brew you guys have tonight."
"I'll be back then." She winked and then scampered off to another table.
Saga then looked back at Max, "You really never have been to one of these places, haven't you?" This time the mage turned red out of embarrassment.
"Remind me never to take Brook here…" "Noted."
O O O
Gasparde knew she was a public menace, despite her heritage. Drunken brawls, extortion, public harassment, everything a cozy little noblewoman should not be up too.
Helsing's eyes darted around, as if making sure no one was listening, "…I'm recruiting personnel to… reevaluar the state of Creamy Mist's monarchy. I already have one course of action in motion, but my assets there have been proving difficil."
"Hm…" Gasparde pondered this, as he thought of the implications. "There's a cult in this archipelago isn't there? One that just tried to kill the king?"
"Si… And?"
"They're your ticket to the throne." Gasparde stated. "You want to upheave the current stability of these islands so you can create something new. You won't go full pirate, because you want to stick around. You can't appeal to the Navy, because they value the steady export of groceries. And you can't appeal to the Revolutionary Army because that would bring down too much scrutiny. So you use zealots as your minions."
Gasparde then began to grin, "And you plan on double crossing them when you get what you want! How deliciously cold-blooded of you!" He smiled as if approving this course of action, "BUT, still, what's in it for me?"
Helsing's scowl deepened as, if she could barely tolerate this scum of a man. "…I can offer you a piece of 20, to the royal treasury. Plus, your selection of food stuff you can hold in your ship, at no price."
Gasparde scratched his chin, as if considering the deal, "One twentieth to whatever's in Creamy Mist's safe… HA! Try again princess. A common theIf might be able to get away with that amount. I want a bigger score that that."
Helsing's eyes narrowed, "We're not here to haggle, Gasparde. I'm TELLING you, this my price for your help. And I WILL have your support."
"Or else what? You going to sick your little cult on me?" Gasparde mocked her.
He then looked down as he felt four short needles sink into his leg. It was the princess' pet snake, biting down into his calf.
"No, but you might not survive Alucard's venom if you don't." Helsing smiled. The kind of smile one had when victory was assured.
The only problem was, Gasparde was smiling too.
"Heh… Hehehe… HAHAHAHAHA! You've got guts, girly!" Gasparde then stood up and, in one quick motion, pulled the python and a chunk of his leg out. "But you're going to need more than your little pet to pull one over on me!"
Gasparde held the serpent by the neck. The chunk of flesh Alucard was supposed to have in his mouth was actually a glob of green sticky candy. It was translucent enough that you could see the venom fluids injected into the hardened syrup. And even worse, the snake couldn't open it's mouth to dislodge the candy.
Helsing's eyes widened in horror as she realized Gasparde had a Devil Fruit. His whole body rippled as it began to turn into syrup. She was in over her head. Again!
O O O
The lights began to dim in the club, making Maxwell look up from his book. He could still see Salem's grimoire because of the oil lamp they had at their table, but the lights around the walls were being put out. Then higher up, above the second floor, two beams of light shone down, onto the stage curtain.
In the spotlight stood their announcer, who, Maxwell realized, wasn't part of the band. He wearing a magenta suit, with two white strips, and a pair of sunglasses.
"[Lady's and gentleman thank you for your patience. I hope you are all enjoying yourselves tonight! …Now… Introducing…!]" The man turned, walking backwards as he gestured for the curtains to open.
The stage lit up and the curtains opened, revealing a woman in front of a magenta backdrop. And the paino began to play.
*"There was a time. I don't know when."* Maxwell blinked. It was the waitress that had taken their drink order earlier.
*"I didn't have much time for men~"* …Though looking at her now, Maxwell began to think they never were going to get those drinks.
"Max…!" Saga called out to his companion. His tone sounded alarmed! Maxwell quickly looked down at the book.
*"But that was now, and that was then, I'm learning~"*
Helsing's deal just went south and— "MAXWELL!" Mordred's voice cut through his head.
*"A girl alone, all on her own,"*
"The guard is coming down the street! They're heading to the club!" Maxwell caught flashing images of the city guard running past the alley.
*"Must try to have a heart of stone~"*
What!? But who could have—!? Bellos! That bastard! He must have intercepted his last report to Karasu!
*"And so I try, not-to-make it known~ my yearning~"*
A thudding sound from up above makes Maxwell look up.
*"I try to show, I have no need~"*
Helsing's chair had fallen over. She was backing away from an amorphous blob that may have been Gasparde.
*"I really do. But I don't succeed…"*
Suddenly the visitor's entrance to the club burst open, with three guardsmen holding wielding their pikes. "NOBODY MOVE! THIS IS THE CITY GUARD!" Everyone in the audience looked back in shock as move guardsmen poured into the club, forming a shield wall. Even the people upstairs looked down to see the commotion, including Helsing and Gasparde.
Nobody moved. The crowd was a full mixture between aristocrats, criminals, and civilians. It was going to be a powder keg as soon as someone did something stupid.
…And apparently, they arrived on a natural break in the song.
The songstress rapidly snapped her fingers, getting the band's attention. And Maxwell looked at her even more incredulous, realizing what she was going to do. "You got to be kidding me…!"
*"SOOOOOOOO!
LEEEEEET'S!
BRING~!"*
And on her crescendo the band began to play.
*"—ON THE MEN, AND THE FUN BEGIN.
A LITTLE TOUCH OF SIN.
WHY WAIT ANOTHER~ MINUTE?
STEP THIS WAY! IT'S TIME FOR US TO PLAY.
THEY SAY WE MIGHT NOT PASS THIS WAY AGAIN—
SO LET'S WASTE NO MORE TIME—! Bring on the men!"*
(Song, "Bring on the Men," by Linda Eder. From, "Jekyll and Hyde the Musical." Somehow I just wanted to include this song, given the setting! XD Apologies for the delays. Still sieging the castle that is Writers Block!)
