Belle
The exchange between Wise and Nicole acted as a rather overt signal that this impromptu meeting's "official" portion was at an end. A serious Qingyi led a frowning Captain Zhu Yuan out of the room, there being some obvious tension between the two that, presumably, they were now off to resolve between themselves. Belle wasn't entirely sure, but it seemed to her that Zhu Yuan had been ignorant of Qingyi's double life as a government agent- and that level of deception between them may be at issue. Well- it wasn't Belle's problem, but she mildly wished she could be a witness of the imminent confrontation.
Belle herself was not entirely sold on the idea of staying with the Cunning Hares, but she wasn't exactly in a place to argue. Random Play was a literal crime scene and half of it was rubble. Any place was better than here, surely. Yet Nicole was a… frugal person in many strange ways- the pink suit Belle now wore a clear example. That made Belle somewhat leery of what cost-saving considerations may have gone into a residence that allowed Nicole Demara to house herself and her three employees who seemed to rely entirely on her for their income. Nicole didn't strike Belle as someone who would pay rent if she could somehow avoid it.
"Lycaon," said Belle, rousing herself from her musings to explore her own options. "Will the Cunning Hares compound work for you?"
"Any location you wish to stay, Lady Belle, I will make adequate for your comfort and safety."
The ready and willing confidence was a mild thrill to hear- most of the time. But Belle realized she was actually looking for an excuse NOT to follow her brother to his girlfriend's hostel. It was a desire that would potentially offend Nicole and make Wise mildly angry, so Belle felt she couldn't say it herself. If she could get Lycaon on the same page…
"I have no doubt," said Belle, accidentally slipping into a strangely formal response. She lowered her voice, though no one seemed to be directly paying attention to her at the moment. "-that you can, Lycaon, but is there not a- uh- protocol of your organization that… would require… uh… a secure place for me to stay?"
Lycaon's crimson eye searched her face and, to Belle's relief and pleasure, a lift of Lycaon's brow indicated his understanding.
"I apologize, Lady Belle," said Lycaon suddenly and rather loudly, drawing the attention of the room to himself. "I would prefer to place you in a secure hotel this evening, in case of a secondary attack. Victoria Housekeeping has many such locations in New Eridu, including one near our destination for tomorrow."
Belle blinked, surprised to suddenly be a member of a farce- but hey, she'd just asked for this: "O- oh, really?! I see. Well- and- I could endanger my friends if I go with them, couldn't I?"
Lycaon's tail swished briefly but his face remained impassive. "Yes, that is certainly possible, Lady Belle. I wholeheartedly recommend you avail yourself of Victoria Housekeeping's hospitality tonight."
Wise and Nicole were watching their exchange with mild surprise. They seemed to be buying it. But Nekomata… Nekomata's eyes were half-lidded and she was looking directly into Belle's soul, her mouth was locked in a small smirk, a tiny fang peaking out, her tail-swishing. After she had so obviously smelled Belle on Lycaon, Nekomata seemed ready to get the wrong idea about everything! Belle tried to narrow her eyes at the feline thiren, but Nekomata didn't give any indication of an answer to that silent request.
"I guess that makes sense," said Wise. He didn't seem entirely distraught that his sister wouldn't be in the same building as him when he was sleeping with Nicole.
"I'm not worried about any danger, Belle," said Nicole, who seemed genuinely concerned. "All of us would be happy to have you with us."
"I'm sure Victoria Housekeeping approves only the best hotels," said Nekomata, still grinning at Belle. "Might be a bit better than what we can offer."
"You are correct," said Lycaon. "We only select locations of the highest quality and comfort. Lady Belle will be entirely satisfied, I am sure."
"Oh, I'm sure, too," said Nekomata with a tiny feline giggle. "Entirely satisfied."
Belle narrowed her eyes again at her.
"What about your men?" said Wise, suddenly. He seemed concerned and uneasy. "The ones who- didn't make it."
Everyone looked at Lycaon. As the present member of Victoria Housekeeping, he was their representative. Belle had nearly forgotten that three of their members were lying dead just a few feet away. She felt guilty about that. Meanwhile, Lycaon took a deep breath and seemed uncharacteristically emotional. His ears tilted slightly and his tail fell.
"Thank you for your concern, Lord Wise. The loss of the grounds crew is deeply regrettable," said Lycaon. Belle thought it sounded like Lycaon was blaming himself for it. Lycaon continued: "But all members of the Victoria companies accept certain risks as a part of our employment. But that does not mean that Victoria Housekeeping will not respond adequately to this event. We now have a vested interest in the pro-active cessation of hostilities against Lady Belle."
Everyone in the room took a moment to parse that statement.
"Additionally, Lady Belle," said Lycaon as he focused his attention back upon her. "I should take the opportunity to advise you of the addition of a new bodyguard to your detail. Miss Ellen Joe will be partnering with me for the foreseeable future- when she is not required to be at school."
Belle blinked and tried to place the name. That was the teenaged shark thiren just here a moment ago, wasn't it? Three employees are murdered and they reinforce Lycaon with… a schoolgirl? What kind of organization was Victoria Housekeeping?
"Is that really the wisest choice?" said Belle. "I mean- isn't she in high school?"
Lycaon's ear flicked and he took in a deep breath. Belle had the sense he was reorganizing his thoughts to say something diplomatic.
"I assure you, Lady Belle: This world is a vastly safer place if Miss Ellen is at your side. Do not worry for that."
"Have you worked with her before?" said Wise with mild concern.
"Of course, Lord Wise," said Lycaon. "I've known Miss Ellen since she was very little. I would trust my own life to her, and I often do. Please do not worry for Lady Belle's safety with us."
"Ohh… she's like a daughter," said Nekomata, unhelpfully. She looked again at Belle with that knowing smile of hers. "He's got a teenage daughter, Belle. Isn't that interesting? How old are you, Mr, Lycaon? I'm curious…"
Belle glared at Nekomata and stepped in before Lycaon could answer. She wasn't to sound dignified and official, and that again tinted her word choice: "It's none of your business, Nekomata, I'm sure! Miss Ellen sounds like a fine addition to my protection, Lycaon. I am grateful for the additional attention of Victoria Housekeeping in my safety. Your approved hotel sounds perfect for tonight. So: Nicole; thank you for the offer, but I have other arrangements. I do appreciate you taking in my brother. I hope he's not too much trouble."
"He's a bit helpless, but that's part of the fun," said Nicole.
Belle blinked and thought that was actually really funny. It summarized her brother in such an off-hand, half-true, mildly teasing way that it tickled Belle's funnybone intensely. She laughed suddenly and deeply, catching Nicole's eye. Nicole started laughing, too. They both laughed with each other on opposite sides of the room, sharing a sudden deep understanding.
Wise looked uneasily between the two of them, smiling slightly nervously, his eyes squinting in his habitual disarming look. "Uh- what's so funny? I'm not that helpless? Am I?"
Belle and Nicole's eyes met again and they managed to get their laughter under control, their eyes sharing a sort of sparkle.
Nicole patted Wise on the shoulder. "No, of course not. Shall we head over to our compound?"
"Uh- sure."
"Do you need to pack your things?" said Nicole in a sort of cooing voice.
"Oh, right," said Wise, thoughtfully. "Yeah, I do. Most of my stuff survived."
"Good. There's some things I don't want you to forget.."
They left the staff room together, and Nekomata followed, rolling her eyes a little. Belle was thankful that Nekomata now seemed more entertained by Wise and Nicole than herself and Lycaon. She breathed a sigh of relief now that the room was empty and the plan was in motion:
While Belle was with Lycaon at Scott Outpost tomorrow, the Cunning Hares would investigate the in-Hollow location-of-interest and PubSec would investigate the two others. With any luck, Belle would know the probable location of Daemon's server block by this time tomorrow, or at least a new crumb on the path. If not- well, then they would hit a dead-end with no new leads and nothing to do but wait for the next attempt on Belle's life. She rather hoped for the former.
"Well, Lycaon," said Belle with a sigh. "I guess we can go. I don't have anything to pack. PubSec will secure the store, I'm sure. Is there anything I need to do?"
"Nothing," said Lycaon, and that answer was exactly what Belle had hoped to hear.
She sighed and felt all the tension she'd been holding inside her suddenly release. She tried to stand from her stool and lost her balance. Lycaon caught her by the shoulder and pulled her against him, her face pressing into the fine fabric of his uniform. It was almost as soft as his fur. Her logical mind had a sort of power surge and blinked out. What would she wear tomorrow? What would she wear to bed tonight? Belle's fingers spread out and she rubbed Lycaon's chest absentmindedly: And what was the thread count of this fabric? It felt great.
"S-sorry," Belle mumbled, not actually sorry and not in a hurry to stand herself up. She let herself lean into Lycaon and her hands slowly patrolled his abdomen. The hardness of his body was obvious under the soft fabric and Belle wanted to feel it. Being held and feeling Lycaon was a small slice of heaven right now.
"Y- you need not apologize," said Lycaon, his voice sounded slightly tense, but Belle took that as a matter of course.
He was still battling with his internal sense of duty, or something. But Belle had already conquered that just a couple hours ago and she wasn't going to accept its resurrection. She would simply ignore it like the ghost she knew it was. She sighed and nuzzled her face into Lycaon's vest. His body shivered under her in a way that made her smile knowingly to herself.
"I don't have any clothes, Lycaon," said Belle, and she did realize that sounded a bit more salacious than she intended. It was actually just a statement of fact. "No clothing. No supplies. Nothing."
Lycaon startled her by placing a gentle hand on the back of Belle's head. She looked up at him in surprise and saw him gazing down at her with an intensity that she couldn't fully interpret. "I'll make sure you have all you need, Belle."
Belle blinked at him, feeling his chest swell against her as he took a deep breath.
Lycaon's ears twitched and he looked away, his face displaying the wolf thiren's version of a blush. "And it will all be delivered to the hotel. Everything you might need. Victoria Housekeeping is always prepared for the needs of a client who is suddenly without anything."
Belle pressed her face into his body again, sighing. So she didn't need to worry about her things, either? This just got better and better. Lycaon! Never leave me!
"What hotel is it?"
"The Black Sun," said Lycaon. "I will arrange it now, if you don't mind."
"The Black Sun?!" exclaimed Belle, un-burrowing her face as she looked up at Lycaon with shock, her heart suddenly beating in excitement.
"Yes," said Lycaon. "Is that a problem? Do you want a different venue? It is the closest to Scott Outpost so-"
"No- not a problem, Lycaon. That sounds great!" And plop, her cheek went back into Lycaon's solar plexus. She listened to Lycaon use some form of short-hand code to arrange things over his communicator.
The Black Sun!? The five-star primo luxury skyscraper hotel that overlooked Hollow Zero?! Its whole gimmick was for the abhorrently rich to drink, dine, and sleep in luxury while looking down upon the original anomaly itself: the literal destroyer of the old civilization, now made tame and tapped for corporate profit. It was all some sort of fetish kick, or something, but Belle didn't care about that. It was the super delux! And she was 100% certain it was the kind of place where the doormen would normally prevent her from even entering the lobby.
Victoria Housekeeping really was on the ins with high-society!
Enjoy Nicole's flophouse, Wise! I'm going to be staying at The Black Sun! Muwahahahaha!