Chapter 23:
The sight of a half-naked Tallulah at her door, wearing every kind of cut and scratch as if she'd run through a thicket alarmed Henrietta. The older woman's face whipped right and left, searching to see if there were anyone else there in the hall.
Brushing past her, Tallulah muttered, "I had to suck off the attendant in the lobby to get in." Closing the door, Henrietta responded, "w-where're your clothes?"
"I lost them," Tallulah retorted. Sitting down on the couch in a huff, she said, "my mother's had Astartes murdered. I barely got out of there alive." Those words sent Henrietta's heart racing. Heart pounding, the older woman wobbled over to a chair and sat down all in a rush.
As she listened in shock, the young nymph told of how her mother's henchman had simply shown up at Castle Lemongrab and taken over, ordering everyone around. She'd kicked out the servants, leaving Tallulah to feed herself. More to the point, Tallulah had needed to lock Astartes in her room, to make sure she didn't get the urge to wander.
"W-why would she do that," Henrietta babbled? "Mother's cleaning house," Tallulah muttered. "Melosia told me to get out. She... those she hired killed everyone in the house... all my friends. No witnesses." Jerking on her hair, Henrietta babbled, "w-why would she do that?!"
"Mother's descended from the very first High Lady," Tallulah sighed. "She's a direct descendant. She wasn't very happy with the idea of making Astartes' bastard her heir. I think this was her way of reining in the governors."
"B-but we needed Finn's child," howled Henrietta! "I don't think mother cares about that," Tallulah responded. "She's playing her own game." "What," demanded Henrietta? "What's her plan?! Finn's still a danger to her too!"
Twirling a lock of her hair with one finger, Tallulah signed, "mother doesn't always think things through. I... I'm still frozen out. Neither Finn nor William like me, and the Vampire King terrifies me." "Th-there's Boniface," Henrietta burbled, "and there's that Jacob."
"I may have to go home," Tallulah sighed. "I... may need to borrow a little money to take an airship." The fat peanut-person glared at her. "She just wrecked our plan," Tallulah reminded Henrietta. "We need something." Rising, the fat woman declared, "well, we'll have to see what the others think..."
Meanwhile, at the seashore, Astartes stepped onto a boat, who's ostentatiously filigreed and scrimshawed prow screamed 'nobility' from the heavens. It was a far different business than she'd been expecting. Normally, when a nobody got pulled into the High Lady's business in the Confederation, the boat taking you out to sea was a half-rotten pirate skiff.
Mireya's cries and her scent suggested she needed a new diaper. Unfortunately, this wasn't really the place to bother with such things.
Settling onto a bench, the wizard was conscious of the desire for freedom. As a water-nymph, she could swim with a facility only equaled by the creatures of the sea. Even now, the water called to her, screaming at her to simply dive in.
Reality, as always, shouted back. She was dressed in clothes and heavy shoes that would slow her. Did she try to shed those items, her foes would catch her. They would kill her or simply beat her. If that wasn't enough, she was burdened with a child, who was far too young to swim. Though Mireya wouldn't drown like a lander's child, she'd be prey for the terrifying predators of the deep.
They'd rescue Mireya, Astartes thought. The High Lady needs Mireya. She doesn't need me. I could escape, by using my child as a shield.
One look at that cherubic face put paid to the idea, though. Mireya was hers. Though she hadn't set out on this road with the intent of being a mother, Mireya was her responsibility. She wasn't going to abandon her child, the way her mother had been abandoned.
The moment she'd settled herself, the slaves below the deck began to row, straining against the oars. Momentarily, the boat had pulled away from shore and begun to turn.
As the beach receded, the plump nymph saw her life passing before her. She'd fled the Confederation to have a peaceful life here in the east. She'd escaped the back-stabbing and the games of nobles. And yet, here she was. If you ever escape this, thought the nymph, never take a contract from your own kind again.
Just as the skiff had shouted ostentatious wealth, the grand galley that awaited them spoke of its owner's power and prestige. It was rare for a woman of Astartes' station to be hosted on such a grand ship—at least as something other than a slave or performer.
The sleek, black hull spoke of the ship's speed—speed that would be used to carry the nymph and her child into exile in the Kingdom of Hearts. The High Lady's ally, the Queen of Hearts, was waiting to receive her there.
A part of Astartes remained hopeful. Mireya was valuable after all. She wanted to believe that her child could protect her from an ugly change of fortune, while the ugly streak of pragmatism at her core feared she'd find herself in a watery grave in the middle of the ocean.
Aboard the ship, Melosia announced, "this way, Astartes. I'll show you to your quarters." Falling in behind the High Lady's administrator, the wizard found herself shushing her child, even as she glanced around her. "Just a bit further," Melosia declared, as they went down the stairs into the cabins below deck.
Melosia led her to a beautiful cabin with a clear view of the sea. "I'll leave you here," said Melosia. "For obvious reasons, you'll be restricted to this cabin. The cook will bring you meals... whatever you'd like, depending on what we have for ingredients. Ariana makes excellent sushi rolls. Once we're far from shore, she'll likely have the crew do some fishing. Any questions?"
With a sigh, Astartes said, "I... nothing." Resting a hand on her shoulder, Melosia said, "you did well, Lady Astartes. You'll be rewarded. Bide your time. When the High Lady's heir has been anointed before all, you'll be set free once more. My Lady has considered rewarding you with lands. In the now, rest. I'll send the nurse-maid to care for Mireya. Good day."
In the forgotten city of Yakutsk, the Nine-Tailed Fox watched as her husband's royal-father tore down the water-stained plaster from the wall of Talia's apartment with his bare hands. He'd been at it since dawn, barely stopping to take a break to eat a little breakfast.
As the temperature rose, he'd taken off his jacket and then his shirt, baring that magnificent body. I always thought of a distinguished older man, when I heard the word 'king', thought Katsumi.
The man she'd met in Shiyan just a bit over a year ago had been on his way down that road. While he'd looked good for his age, he'd clearly been getting older. In his current guise, the King of Ooo looked far more like a hunk from one of their movies than a king.
You've landed in one of dad's manga, she thought. Wasn't that how the story always went in the Japanese comic industry? The mysterious character who was far older than he or she looked? Old and wise with a beautiful facade?
It was laughably ironic. Her father had fantasized about beautiful, exotic women, little realizing just how exotic his wife and daughter were.
A voice from behind teased, "you already got one..." Katsumi gave Talia a harumph, not least because of just how true that was. Her husband was also a very beautiful man. Truth? She'd been attracted to father and son both from the moment she'd laid eyes on them. Having Talia remind her of that fact irritated her out of proportion to what the rusalka had said.
Glaring at Talia, the Nine-Tailed Fox reminded her, "he does have a lot of work, you know. Did you really need to jerk his chain like this?"
"El-Presidente," Talia burbled? "Oh, sure. I'm sure he has lots to do. Firing squads to organize. Wars to fight..." She was now pulling Katsumi's chain. The Nine-Tailed Fox well knew the sort of man that Finn Mertens actually was. More to the point, she knew that Talia knew it as well.
She'd been calling Finn El-Presidente since before they got here. For some reason, it amused her to compare him with the dictators of their era.
Katsumi tried again, offering, "can't you be serious? The world's on fire. Those idiot gum-people have been trying to get their hands on high-enriched uranium. They already used nerve-gas on some unsuspecting town southeast of here. And if that isn't enough, that damned colony threatens to fall on our heads in just a few months' time."
In solemn tones, Baba Yaga responded, "sometimes it's important to remind people just who I am, Kat." That serious demeanor lasted all of a second before the witch burst out laughing. "Look at you," chuckled Talia. "So serious..." Katsumi cussed her.
Hugging her suddenly, the witch murmured, "maybe I wanted company. Maybe I needed a mental health break..."
Katsumi's eyes went wide. Hadn't she said it? Though she'd talked about getting Talia a phone, she hadn't really put in a lot of effort to do that. She'd been head down trying to get the people of Shiyan resettled on King's Island, and then she'd been buried trying to save her husband's sanity.
Stacking the last of the rotten plaster in a basket, Finn announced, "there's black mold, T." The witch looked up at him with puzzlement. Shaking his head, he said, "black mold's not healthy. This... needs to get cleaned up. I don't think you can stay here right now."
Goggling, Talia babbled, "w-why?" Katsumi rumbled, "because it'll rot your lungs, dummy! I know you grew up in a hut, but you're living in a city."
Said Finn, "you can bunk with us on the airship for a few days, while I get this cleaned up." The witch frowned at him. Finn's blue-blue eyes stared back steadily, suggesting that this wasn't a negotiation. In cool, even tones, Katsumi said, "let's get some of your things packed."
As Finn carted the box of toxic mold out to the stairs, in the Candy Kingdom, Hurletta Mertens looked up to find the family doctor approaching, her expression carefully neutral. The slime princess climbed to her feet, her expression one of worry and fear. "Well," 'Letta demanded?
Resting her hands on Hurletta's shoulders, the curvy doctor replied, "I've put Blargetha into a coma to stabilize her condition. She's sleeping. I think she had some kind of seizure. Her EEG has some anomalies just now."
Hurletta knew nothing about medicine. She imagined those words might've meant something to her sister, but they left her with more questions—and fear—than she'd had, when she arrived.
"Is it something she ate," 'Letta asked? "She often eats before going to bed! I've shouted at her about it..." Before the pretty doctor could answer, she howled, "w-what if somebody tried to murder her?! Did you test her for poisons?!"
With a hand on 'Letta's shoulder, the family doctor steered her over to a table. Sitting down before her, Drew declared, "the truth is... I don't know. I'm not really sure how to test her. I have some rudimentary information I got from Maja."
Hurletta grabbed at her hair, as the tears began to fall. Blowing out a breath, Drew admitted, "I'm a little out of my depth, dear. I've never seen anything like you before. There's... similarities between you and I. You have a heart. You have lungs. You've got nearly all the major organs I've got."
"But we're different," 'Letta burbled. Nodding, Drew said, "that's the thing, dear. You didn't have those things. I don't understand how that's even possible..." "You need to talk to Maja," 'Letta murmured. Face gone hot, Drew nodded.
"I called and left a message," the doctor declared. "A message," howled 'Letta?! "That bitch better get her ass back here! My sister's laying in a sick bed!"
Taking her hands, Drew said, "she might be out in the jungle. She might not have signal, dear. Give it a bit. I'll try calling Shoko or Fionna. If that fails, I can call Abeiuwa. Blargetha's doing alright. She's sleeping. Her vital signs are stable. We're going to get this fixed."
Elsewhere in the castle, unpleasant news of a different sort was getting shared out. Star had arrived near noon—fashionably late, after days of wrangling the arrangements to protect a bunch of airheaded princesses while they hectored her father. She'd lounged in bed, tap-tapping the snooze bar again and again, then taking a luxurious bath.
And this is what happens, when you don't get up, she thought. That's what her father would have said. This was adulting at its finest. Sleep in, get a massive problem.
"What do you mean, 'nobody's there," Star growled? The hapless banana before her stammered, "we... we lost the cameras. I sent some guys up there. They say the place is empty." "What happened to the servants," Star demanded? "They ought to know something..." "W-we found the caretaker and his family tied up in their space in the gatehouse," the banana responded.
"What about the other servants," Star growled?! This was getting out of hand really fast. The fact that someone would go after some of the servants was already alarming. "The nymph woman sent them away," the banana responded. "And you let her," howled Star?! "Why didn't you contact me?!"
Staring at the floor, the hapless banana explained that she'd been really busy with security for all the dignitaries. Which was to say that no-one wanted to disturb her. Truth? She'd been really cranky, but that wasn't really an excuse.
Shooting to her feet, the little woman lectured her idiot subordinate on why it was that such decisions weren't left to him. "I want an evidence team up there within the hour," she commanded! "They took my half-sister somewhere! I need to know who was there and where they went! If this ever happens again, I will skin you alive!"
It was nearing four in the evening, when Talia's ramshackle car rolled up to Yakutsk's forgotten airport. The two witches climbed out of the car, looking irritated. Finn imagined they'd argued on the way over here. Truth be told, he'd been expecting to have to go get Talia, since she was stubborn and having trouble with their strange relationship.
Striding forward, the King of Ooo announced, "come right in... I'm glad you came." Frowning, Talia rumbled, "ok, what gives? What's with the apron?"
With a smile, Finn said, "let me take your wrap. Have a seat in our outdoor café..." Talia's eyes flicked to Katsumi, who's expression was just as puzzled. "I'm hungry," muttered Katsumi, as she brushed past.
Taking Talia's arm, Finn said, "I have a table right here, near the street." Pulling and tugging and cajoling, the big man finally got her to go over to the table where the Nine-Tailed Fox was sitting.
"Shall I bring you water to start," Finn asked? Frowning up at him, Baba Yaga rumbled, "trying to romance me, gigolo?" "I'm a humble waiter," Finn responded. "We have coffee, if you'd like?"
The witch glanced away, licking her lips. Been a minute, he thought. "Coffee it is," said he, as he turned and went into the airship. Minutes later, he returned with two steaming cups of coffee. As he lay out menus, Katsumi stared at him. Face placid, Finn smiled back.
I don't understand, thought Katsumi. I don't understand any of this. Why's he behaving this way? I thought we were coming out here to discuss the Deadly Legacies, but he's remodeling her apartment instead.
With a smile, Finn said, "I'll be back in a minute to take your orders." Just like that, he left them. Glancing down, Katsumi found herself looking at a hand-made menu. When did he have the time, she wondered? Maybe on the way over? The bigger question was why? Why do this?
Returning to the table after a bit, Finn said, "what'll you have?" Frowning up at him, Talia asked, "do you really have Fusilli Ground Pork Ragu?" "Our specialty," Finn replied. "I'll have the same," Katsumi announced. She imagined him arm-twisting the cyborgs into helping him, so she didn't want to bring extra drama.
The big man went inside, returning minutes later with fresh bread, which Talia promptly devoured. "I said I was going to get you a phone," Katsumi sighed. "I... didn't keep my promise." "Forget it," Talia retorted.
Sniffing back tears, Katsumi responded, "I can't." Glancing up, she admitted, "you picked me up, when I was down so many times, and I always paid you back with swear words." "Ah," Talia chuckled, "you were fun to tease. It was a riot to watch you blow up."
"I was an idiot," Katsumi muttered. "You're taking this too hard," Talia murmured. "It's done. We can't fix it. We only have now."
"My husband keeps telling me that," Katsumi admitted. "He told me to be a mom that my dad would be proud of." "He's right, Kat," Talia chuckled. "You miss them, but you can't bring them back. You won't see them again until the afterlife. You have to make the best of things. At least you'll see them again, someday."
Frowning at her, Katsumi rumbled, "w-what does that mean?" Staring at the westering sun, Talia sighed, "I always dreamed that I'd see Yuri again... in the next world. Now... now, I know different." Sitting up straight, she chuckled, "I guess life is different, when you know there really is a hell."
The Nine-Tailed Fox flushed to her hair. One of her in-laws was Satan... or at least Satan's grand-daughter.
Changing the subject, Talia remarked, "your child is beautiful. She'll be a real looker someday." Holding out her hands in front of her modest chest, the mighty Baba-Yaga chuckled, "I hope your husband's skill at boxing is decent."
Katsumi felt her face go hot again, not least because her father had punched out a man he found eyeing her chest. She'd been twelve and already rather well endowed, thanks to her mother. She couldn't imagine what Lila was going to look like.
Finn returned with salads for the pair of them, taking the empty bread-platter away. Katsumi dug in, though Talia merely shoved the plate aside. "He went through a lot of trouble," Katsumi reminded her. "I eat enough greens," muttered the rusalka.
Katsumi grimaced, as she thought about what Talia's diet must be like in this empty place. She'd had a whole village looking after her needs in the ruins of China.
Silence reigned, while she worked her way through the salad. Finn returned not long after, with the main course, laying out savory dishes that smelled heavenly. Talia dug in greedily, devouring that plate and then a second, telling Kat just how little of such good fair she got.
Laying out a small card, Finn said, "would the ladies like some wine?" Katsumi stared at him in suspicion. She'd thought maybe this was some sort of spur-of-the-moment thing. The idea that he not only had wine, but multiple selections, suggested he'd been planning this for a while.
Talia chose a glass of the Chianti. Though, she wanted the Cabernet, she decided to share the Chianti to avoid making trouble. You weren't supposed to be here, she thought. This is his favor to her.
The big man went inside and swiftly returned with their glasses. Popping the cork, he let the wine breathe a bit, while he carried off the dishes. Returning to the table, he poured glasses for both before leaving them alone.
With a little wine in her, Talia became far less grumpy. Slowly, as the evening wore on, she became the irreverent, funny woman Katsumi remembered from so long ago.
Talia talked of the antics of her fellows, many of who had settled in the vicinity after the war. She laughed about the politics, which seemed just as idiotic as those of the normal human nations they'd both lived and hidden among all their lives. The rusalka even spoke of her brief visit to the Candy Kingdom and all the wonders she'd seen there.
"I'm having trouble getting used to it myself," Katsumi admitted. "I... I guess I lived too long in Shiyan. It was kind of a shock..." "Got homesick," Talia admitted. "Missed Paris." Katsumi flushed. They'd been neighbors for a time there. In a fit of pique, Katsumi had moved, though Talia scarcely noticed.
"I'm sorry," the rusalka announced. Kat's face snapped up in puzzlement. "I... had no right to stick my nose in your business."
Frowning, the fox-woman responded, "I... I guess I didn't think you even noticed." "I pretended not to care," Talia sighed. "I always pretend like I don't care, but I guess it took that for me to realize that you were the only real friend I had. Anyways... I'm sorry. You made a mistake, but I made it worse."
Rising, she yawned and stretched, announcing, "anyways, it's been a long day. I'm going to sleep."
Finn returned after the rusalka had gone inside the airship. Just as if he really was a waiter, he started clearing away the mess at the table. "Thank-you for doing that," Katsumi murmured. "I... she needed that."
"Have to," Finn replied. Frowning, Katsumi remarked, "you sound like you mean more than just those silly favors you owed her..."
"I'm her caretaker," Finn murmured. Puzzled, Katsumi responded, "what does that mean?" With a shrug, Finn responded, "something I learned from Cherry, years ago. When her dad got so old, he started having problems taking care of himself, she stepped in."
Eyes blazing, the Nine-Tailed Fox growled, "why would Talia need a caretaker?!" With a shrug, Finn murmured, "the Talia that you see is an illusion. Talia stopped maintaining whatever magic kept her from aging over a year ago."
Katsumi's jaw came open. "She's dying," the King rumbled. "I don't know how long she's actually got. A year. A hundred. No idea. I came here... to make up a place where she can live out her final days in comfort..." Shooting to her feet Katsumi howled, "I won't accept that!
The Nine-Tailed Fox gets some bad news. Star discovers Melosia's treachery, and Tallulah finds herself confronted by the reality of her very untrustworthy allies.
