Chapter 5

The Gossip of Elves

Alice had spent several hours wandering around the human areas, snapping pictures of every day life. Most people didn't seem to mind, a few even hoping that she worked for a famous publication and they were going to be featured... Alice never had the heart to tell them she was a virtual nobody, and now, was living off the charity of an MTF Agent because she'd been fired for doing the right thing... She didn't regret what she did, but she had wondered, more than once, if she could have handled it a bit differently. If only Norkas had listened to her and let her wait on Faltorin instead of Kyra, they'd both still be in their apartments and still working.

She wandered back to Elftown, snapping a few pictures of the guards as she approached, pulling out her permit for them to scrutinise. Something they did every time. But this time, they took an extraordinary amount of time checking her details, before finally handing it back to her, sneering at her as they let her pass. The comments at her back were not expected.

"You'll be out of here soon, human!"

Alice looked back at the guard who'd spoken; an elf, and one who didn't necessarily appreciate the status of his job. So, not a high born, but someone who had no problem expressing his superiority over her, and who had clearly heard of her plight. Norkas' mouth knew no bounds. At this rate, she'd never find work. If she couldn't find work, her permit would be revoked, and she'd have no permission to be anywhere near Elftown. She was certain that even Kandomere couldn't stop that.

Kandomere was just pulling in to his parking spot when he noticed Alice walking back. She looked tired, and worryingly timid. This wasn't something he had expected to see in her. He got out and walked briskly to catch up as she entered the building.

"You obtained some interesting photos?" he commented, opening the door for her.

Once again, he'd managed to startle her... How did he walk so gently? He was hardly waif-like, not that he had a weight problem, but to be so light-footed... Maybe it was an elf thing she'd never really paid attention to.

"Oh! Uh... Yeah, some good shots..."

"Is everything alright? Are your injuries hurting?"

"Oh, no, I'm fine. News is spreading fast, that's all. I thought humans could be bad gossips, but nothing seems to be sacred here..."

Before he could answer, she had sidestepped him and gone inside. He was tempted to follow her, but thought it best to leave her alone to cool down. He didn't like the effect this whole situation was having on her. He longed to see the same confident fire he'd seen on the night they met.

As it was, he barely saw anything of her for almost two weeks. Faltorin had put in a complaint to his superiors, and whilst they commended his swift action, off the record, a note had to officially be put on his largely unblemished record for stepping into a jurisdiction that was nothing to do with the MTF. It put him in a foul mood, and he'd snapped at Montehugh when he'd remarked that it could have been worse. Working with humans had changed his perspective on class and race, and he'd come to realise many years ago that whilst it was still frowned upon for races to mix, they had more similarities than differences. He hated it when the elves working under him tried to play the superiority game with the humans who held largely the same rank as them. He always made sure to slap it down when he became aware of it, though humans could be a little defeatist.

The fact that Faltorin was able to get away with his racist behaviour, left a sour taste in his mouth. He might not be in a position to push for the charges to stick, but he could ensure that Norkas never had business from anyone in the MTF again. Montehugh thought it was petty, but Kandomere was determined. He wouldn't give business to an employer who supported racist behaviour over their own staff. He also made it clear to Montehugh that he would have him transferred to the transport department of the LAPD if he ever went to Norkas' establishment behind his back.

Alice's fears had been realised. No one would hire either herself or Kyra. Not even to scrub toilets. They'd been living rent free in Kandomere's spare apartment for several weeks, and Alice was starting to worry that they'd soon be thrown out and their permits revoked. Kandomere hadn't bothered them for money, but she felt bad for living off his charity. Kyra was keeping mostly to her room, feeling more and more beaten down by everything as each day passed.

She listened carefully to any footsteps going past their door, knowing that if she heard him, she'd know he was finally home. As it was, he came home a little after 9pm, and Alice decided that now was the best time to talk to him about rent.

She was nervous as she approached his door. She hadn't seen much of him. She hadn't been purposefully avoiding him, but running into him after that first time was just a little much.

The door opened before she had time to knock. "Is everything alright?" Kandomere asked, worry creasing his features.

"Oh! Uh, yes. Everything's fine. Uh... It's just... Well, no. No, thing's aren't fine," she replied, sighing heavily.

"Please, come in."

"Oh, I don't want to intrude..."

"You aren't," he said, stepping to one side.

Alice hesitated a moment, then stepped inside. The decor was a little darker than the spare apartment, though far from dreary. The carpet was plush and the seating looked bespoke. She couldn't have imagined anything less. One thing that was blissfully absent was the gilt and gold that seemed to be emblazoned in most places in Elftown. Although his suits always looked expensively tailored, and always accompanied by the little details of his cufflinks, tie pin, a brooch, and an old-style pocket watch, she rarely saw him in the garishly blingy gold that most favoured.

She tried not to stare too much as his home, and turned to face him, realising for the first time that he was clad only in his shirt and trousers, the usual waistcoat and jacket discarded, along with his tie. He was also still not wearing the gorget she'd pointed out to him. She was dying to know why he'd stopped wearing it, but his soft voice disturbed her thoughts.

"What has happened?"

"Uh, well, we've not been able to get anyone to hire us. I was right about word spreading. Probably couldn't get a job as a shoe shiner."

"Have you thought any more about your photography?"

"I already told you, I need money to study for the qualifications. I need a job to earn money. And pay rent," she said, quietly.

"And I told you, you were doing me a favour by staying. I did not ask for rent."

She sighed and folded her arms, a flash of defiance in her eyes. Kandomere fought back a smirk. There was the fire...

"What about where you work? Any jobs going there? I need something, or they'll take our permits away and we'll have to move. I don't think even you could stop that," she said.

He thought a moment. He wasn't sure what jobs she and Kyra could do for the MTF, but he could easily find out. Perhaps an admin-based job in the archives. Better paid than waitressing.

"I will find out tomorrow what you could both do. I'm sure there will be something," he said, nodding.

Alice felt a little relieved, her shoulders dropping slightly from their formerly tight position. She shuffled to the door, trying not to focus on the buttons he'd opened of his shirt, a brief glimpse of the dark hair on his chest was remarkably inviting. She hadn't even considered that elves would be hairy in the same places as humans were.

"Thanks, I appreciate it. I'll leave you to relax..." she said, opening the door and walking through it before he could offer her a drink, as had been his intention.

She felt odd as she walked back to her door. It was too familiar. Too domestic. She'd not seen this side of any elf except Kyra, and she'd not been around a male of any description in such a relaxed manner, in several years. Elves were remarkably beautiful. Untouchable for anyone but their own kind, but in that seemingly innocent discussion of jobs, she'd seen a more intimate side to the elf who had essentially rescued her from an abuser, and given her a place to live. She was far too used to him as the Magic Task Force Agent. Rich and powerful, and far too out of the reach of a lowly human waitress. Why was she even thinking like this? In her many years of experience, elves didn't look at humans as potential companions, or even friends. Kyra was an exception. She was raised by humans, so partly considered herself as one.

She couldn't possibly be developing a pathetic crush on her would-be rescuer, could she? It was ridiculous! She'd worked around elves for years, and never developed anything beyond annoyance at their snotty-nosed arrogance. So, why didn't she think the same of him? He wasn't quite as arrogant as she was used to, and had clearly cared enough to ensure she wouldn't be thrown out into the street. What baffled her most was why. She had to know.