Side Story II - Entrenching (III).

Yes, another delay of a week. Yes, busy. No, can't do much about it. Anyway, I decided to upload all sheets and other stuff AFTER a Side Story is done. Weekly uploads to my slow ass is far too much it seems.

"Welcome, Rosie."

"Hello, Manuel. I see no formalities are needed today?"

Rosie smiled as the old man stretched, old bones creaking. It would be better if he didn't know how hungry that made Rosie. She wouldn't tell, of course, it wouldn't be polite. But an aged gentleman like him would've been a delight for Rosie.

No, bad Rosie. Curb those dark thoughts. Though no one would fault her just because her natural instincts acted up.

"We are alone and no one is going to be coming over." Manuel shrugged as he lifted his rifle to carry around. He fell back on old customs from the military: Never go anywhere unharmed. "Besides, you said you wanted to talk about that 'proposition'. I think being tense and all business is well and good for the youngsters and those that lack respect. But us? I may be younger than you, but we have a little bit of experience with this crap."

Rosie chuckled. The old man was right. "I agree with that. Would you like to walk and talk?"

Manuel gave a simple nod. The entrance to The Tower was yet unfinished, so the walls and everything else that divided the place were yet to be fully fleshed out. There was still a door to separate the entrance from The Tower though, and Manuel was enough of a gentleman to open it up for Rosie to step through.

Today it was sunny and clear within the First Level. It wasn't specifically warm though, more like a neutral temperature and, as one may imagine of a place that commanded Water of all elements, it was also easy to feel the moisture in the air. But compared with the usual? It was a nice day to take a small walk and clear their heads.

The ground was still wet, but the magic on her clothes made sure it didn't cling anywhere, not that it would have by default. Rosie knew the construct was not 'real' Hell as it were, the smell alone, as if it was Earth, gave it away to any denizen of Hell. Still, she would gladly admit the smell of nature here was entrancing. Hell's own air wasn't foul, but the smell was… different. There was something familiar whenever she went to the land of the living.

But let's ignore that. Rosie came with a purpose, as she usually did.

"Have you thought about my offer?" The Overlord didn't look at Manuel as they walked. There was something that made her uneasy in the air. A smell of something foul. Was it Alastor's warning from yesterday?

The old mortal next to her was clearly on alert for some reason too. Natural instincts from an old warrior, if she had to guess.

"Is it much of an offer if you tell me to do it?" Manuel didn't seem angry, more like amused, at the prospect.

"Well, you DID tell me you had been in politics at some point. I just thought this role would be a good fit." Rosie hummed with a teasing grin. "Besides." She looked forward, having delivered what she wanted in the way she desired. No need to intimidate the man. "I know you have not lied to me yet, and it is strange to find someone like you, someone that did it to help everyone they could. It is nice to talk with people that won't outright lie to you and a rarity to find someone that went into politics without the desire for corruption."

"And I told you all it amounted to." Manuel huffed. "Nearly twelve years as part of the socialist party back in Spain, and for what? To have everyone act like-. Don't you give me that look."

Rosie couldn't help her sneer. It was not itself directed at Manuel, but she had lived long enough. Socialists were just conceited assholes most of the time, like many other politicians. Hell, Rosie had a disdain for most politicians. Those on the 'left' were usually much more sly about what they wanted, until they got in power. Those on the 'right' were far more sincere in how rotten they tended to be. Why do you think almost, if not virtually, no politicians got to Heaven? Just like lawyers. Even those with good intentions usually did far too much crap to ever have any hope of reaching the pearly gates.

And the really good ones? Those that WANTED and COULD do good without tainting their soul? All of them died 'for some reason'. Only a marginally small number ever achieved anything before being killed off.

"You are far too old to think anything that has to do with 'socialism' is any good, my good man." Then again, Rosie was biased. Cannibals were very much aboard the 'Self Sufficent', 'Survival of the fittest' and 'Fuck Around and Find Out' train. Socialism, to most of them, sounded stupid. In fact Rosie was pretty sure none of the communities of her kind had anything like that. Then again, why would a Cannibal society worry with such concepts? "But I will admit. You did sound very convinced that you were doing good."

"I was TRYING to do good." Manuel grumbled more like a young child than an adult. If he had one pet peeve was someone aiming to attack what few beliefs he had. "I just wanted to help and elevate workers a bit more. The more the base earns, the more those on top get."

"Perhaps."

Rosie wasn't going to say shit about that. To be honest, it wasn't a bad idea. A happy worker was a very productive worker. But a pampered worker? It was useless. So ideas versus implementation.

Most politicians would ultimately want a 'pampered' person. They are dependent on someone else, they are largely useless, but still can get things done if directed, and they will not want to rock the boat. That kind of people were disgusting, both in personality and their meat. They were soft skinned wastes of space that tasted of greed and weakness in equal measure.

But a solid base DID make a solid nation. One that respected tradition, roles and made for a sturdy future where change is applied when needed, not just desired. The problem was having people that beat the base JUST ENOUGH to get them in shape, not enough to piss them off.

… Maybe Rosie should get into politics beyond just ruling her little town? Rearing Cannibals was probably harder than doing the same for the average human. With a firm hand she could control more territory and-.

Rosie shook those thoughts away. "But differences aside. What do you think of the idea? Would you be interested? Ignore my 'suggestion'. What do you think?"

Manuel stopped. "It doesn't sound bad." The man crossed his arms and looked up. The clear sky seemed to tell him something Rosie couldn't see nor hear. "I'd like to check on everyone that comes here. I miss trying to help people instead of just working away for incompetent idiots. I had dozens of jobs after it was made clear no one wanted to hear me, and not one of those jobs had a passable person in charge."

The Overlord nodded. They had political differences, and many more besides, but Manuel was a very determined man. He also minced few words, and generally could hold a conversation, or 'fight' a debate with a clear mind and wisdom behind his words.

He was an apt caretaker for the people that would live under Rosie's thumb in The Tower. She knew it. And she wanted to show some trust in him by offering Manuel this position.

Honestly, it was hard. Rosie did NOT want to let go of anything now. The memories of past mistakes weren't going to go away in a few days. But with Manuel, Carlos and others in this family? That feeling of dread she had every time she considered someone to take care of things wasn't present. It was a bit like Evelinde, or Anastasia, or those few truly close to her.

There was trust. Rosie hoped it wouldn't be a mistake to show it again.

"I think I'll accept your proposition." Manuel decided after a moment of contemplation. "I'd like to check who comes, who goes. Get to know everyone. Help you get everyone situated and keep them in check. These people are far rowdier than those back home."

Rosie couldn't help but titter at the words. "My dear sir! You are trying to handle DEMONS, various criminals and degenerates long DEAD and now immortal. The fact that you just call them 'rowdier' than the usual mortal makes me wonder WHAT you had to deal with."

"You don't want to kno-"

Rosie knew Manuel hadn't felt what she had.

The old man would've done more than just snap his head in the direction of the streets that had the three rows of houses if he had an inkling of what happened.

No, Manuel heard the scream. It was less than a second, and clearly far too low for most people to hear. But there were things to consider, despite not being all that close to the small 'village':

One - Barely anyone stayed here. Almost everyone was either in the Cannibal Colony right now, or they were about to enjoy some 'fireworks'. The only people here were either in their homes or they were Pilar and Pedro, far, far away in the woods. And what he heard? Was familiar.

Two - Manuel was a father, and he had heard his children scream many times. Scrapes, falls, fights with other children and many discussions. And as they grew? That ear was trained to anything that could endanger his family. It was as if the man was on alert twenty four seven.

So when that particular sound reached Manuel's ears he knew what it was and who it was from, because he had trained himself to jump at the single notion of it.

His child was hurt.

Rosie knew she was. Her Deal with Carlos had many ways of working against her, considering the situation. But the thug she felt? The electric sensation of someone attacking HER as they attacked Mireya? Rosie knew all she needed to.

Neither of them said a thing as they sprinted towards the houses. Someone was going to die today.

And Rosie promised, by the will of that hunger that left a permanent pit in her stomach, that it sure as all Hell it wasn't going to be Mireya.