"Your mother is the Governor of Lumiose?!" Ash said in complete bewilderment. "And your dad is a CEO?! With such big parents like that, why the hell are you stealing stuff off the street in the first place?!"
"It's...a long story." Hilda sighed, adjusting her seat on the suite's bed. "It all started when Rosa and I were only kids, living back in Unova. My parents and Rosa's mom were very close, my dad especially was close with her. But then suddenly, Rosa's mom was struck with a terminal illness, out of nowhere. My parents vowed to take Rosa in, and she's been like a sister to me ever since. Rarely ever even wants to leave my side. She's been devastated over that, even though it's been almost 9 years since she passed."
"I'm sorry for your loss." Ash said to Rosa, who smiled back at Ash.
"Thanks..." She replied.
"I was too young to do anything then, but I overheard a conversation one night between my parents. They were beginning to wonder how a disease can just suddenly spring up in someone who was perfectly heathy, and a terminal one at that." Hilda went on. "My father even used his wealth to hire some private investigators to look into the matter."
"I take it they found a dead end, huh?" Ash asked.
"At first, it looked like that, but the pieces started to fall in line when my family was invited onto this ship, about 3 years ago." Hilda answered. "I remember my dad noting that this invitation usually went out to the rich and influential of the world. The Chateau is a cruise ship, after all. It's services can be reached by anyone, all they need to do is sail to a region of interest."
"I think I might be understanding where this might all be going..." Ash muttered, pondering his theory.
"I thought nothing of this place. It seemed like a meet and greet meeting. My father did them all the time when he networked and expanded his business. But this was different." Hilda continued. "After we got back home, my father inexplicably halted all his investigations immediately! Called the whole thing off! He even forbade Rosa and I from even seeing her mom's grave!"
"That's horrible!" Ash gasped. "But what sort of connection would this place have with Rosa's mom?"
"My mom wanted to find that out, too. A few months after that voyage, mom had Rosa and I pack our bags and move to Kalos with her. I know dad was reluctant to that idea, but I guess he felt it better this way." Hilda scoffed, laying down on the bed, listlessly watching the ceiling fan circle round and round. "Soon after that, my mom ran for Governor and won the election. She even gave that Principal Sycamore his job at Lumiose Academy. That's why we've been able to avoid getting expelled despite ditching school for days at a time."
"That explains some things anyways, but what does that lead us to now?" Ash asked.
"This! The Chateau! Prospects is running this rig! I confirmed that for sure with my stakeout last night! The Chateau is where my dad got coerced or threatened into cutting his investigation. I have my own personal problems with Prospects, too. They prey on innocents, but even my mom, the very governor of this city, does nothing, even when her own city's fucking police commissioner is in bed with these scum! I don't want a shred of her money being used for our goal. I don't like having to steal, but I refuse to use my family's money. If they can't be bothered to be there to help us, I don't want their financial help. I founded the Vipers to show people they don't need to be afraid of scum like Prospects, even if you don't have the money or power to do anything and that's why I want your help."
"Well, hey, I got a stake in Prospects' downfall as much as you. And beside, you said you'd be my plaything if I helped. How could I refuse?" Ash joked before having Hilda's hand stuck in his face.
"Hold that thought! I offered that, yes. But I have conditions." Hilda demanded. "Now, I'll have you know I wouldn't have dreamed of just giving myself up to someone they I promised. I'm making an extreme exception because I know you have a stake in this with your family indebted to that crime ring. That and one other thing."
"And what's that?" Ash asked.
"Rosa trusts you. At least she's opened up to you. Ever since her mom passed, Rosa's been kinda introverted. Barely ever speaks to anyone who isn't my mom, dad, or myself." Hilda mentioned. "The fact she was even willing at all to talk to you is a sign I can trust your judgement. And I have seen through your phone's camera. You do treat your slaves well. But like I said, I've got conditions if you want us to be your sex toys."
"Well, let's hear em." Ash replied, intrigued and willing to honor the conditions."
"1: You help provide us a meaningful lead on our case tonight. 2: That hypnosis device you want to use on us? I want you to use it in our pursuit of our cause. Brainwash a grunt, have him give us directions to a Prospects base. Hypnotize am Officer, have him give us the keys to their safes. That sort of thing." Hilda instructed.
"Sounds simple enough." Ash said. "Got any more?"
"3: After tonight, I want you to lead the Vipers." Hilda demanded.
"What?! N-now hold on now, what do you mean by that? I can't lead the Vipers! I don't have some super power Govoner for a parent! I leave school like you two, I'm losing my trainer's license, or worse, lose out on career options!" Ash stammered, uncertain of this deal.
"Relax, I can handle day to day stuff, but I want you to be a figurehead for the justice I want to bring." Hilda ensured him. "My second in command of the Vipers, let's just say he's...a little too radical for my taste. I want you to be there to show the others his methods are unnecessary for what we want to do."
"And who is this guy, might I ask?" Ash asked in reluctance.
"I can fill you in more on that later, but for now, do I have your word?" Hilda asked, extending her hand.
"Well, if your willing to offer yourself up to me, than I'm willing to uphold that contract." Ash replied, shaking her hand.
"Just one last conditional. Rosa, could you give us a moment, please?" Hilda asked.
"Sure thing, sis!" Rosa obediently responded, ducking into the bathroom to allow the duo a moment of privacy.
"I have one last conditional regarding Rosa. She's always followed me around like a little sister. We're not even a full year apart in age, and yet she considers me her superior. She obeys every command I give her, and while I think it's cute, I want her to have a bit more self esteem." Hilda whispered under breath in Ash's ear. "She's got a sexy body, and yet she thinks of herself as ugly, and I hate seeing her tear herself apart like that. You're already getting both of us because she obeyed when I said wed becomes slaves for you, but could you find a way to make her more confident in herself?"
"I've done something like that before. Don't worry, I can do that no problem." Ash replied, giving the brunette a thumbs up.
"Thanks! I appreciate it..." Hilda replied, her voice trailing off. "So if we really become your sex slaves, will you...let me have sex with her?"
"Pardon?" Ash asked.
"It's just...fuck, she's so damn hot! Is it wrong to think of her that way? I mean, we're basically sisters, but yet I just can't help but love the way she always has my back. And her body! Her fucking bod! How can she think she's ugly?! I've wanted to fuck her for so long now! Well? Is that something you'd have us do? Because if so, this makes this deal of ours a much better if we do. I mean, you're hot, don't get me wrong, it's just..."
"I know..." Ash smiled before admitting to his own infatuations. "I have a step sister, not much younger than me, and recently, I've really come to appreciate her physique. I've seen my mom that way sometimes too, but I'm not too sure on how to unpack that."
"Well, just know I won't judge ya." Hilda smiled. "Anyways, we got a job to do. Best place to look, judging by our pass' limited access, the gambling hall sounds like a decent place to start. And remember, keep our masks on. Your a youthful Kanto's politician's son and we're your concubines sold off to you by other groups wanting to get in with your family."
"Right." Ash replied, getting into role immediately by grabbing Hilda by the waist, bringing her in close. "Come on Rosa, time to go!"
"R-right!" Rosa stammered, coming out of the bathroom.
As the trio made their way to the gambling hall, with Ash's hands fixed to his cohorts like glue, the trio ended up in a decadent room, with golden trim chandeliers illuminating the lavish hall, the carpet a vibrant velvet color. Making they want to the chip exchange table, they were greeted by the attendee.
"Greetings, patron. Please present your Chateau invitation token to the RF reader on your side of the desk."
Upon placing the Glameow gilded token to the reader, the token made a short bleeping sound.
"We at the Chateau present our young patron with a complimentary welcoming package: 10000 club chips, usable at any of our tables, as well as payment for services rendered during your stay. Should you wish for more chips, simply return to my desk here, and we will screen your bank account from which this token was deposited to."
"Shit, not good! We can't do that, or they'll know that we weren't meant to have this token!" Hilda sharply whispered into Ash's ear.
"That will be fine. I will return for more once I need it." Ash lied, feigning interest in returning later.
"Very good sir." The attendee bowed. "Please enjoy your stay at the Chateau."
Making their way to the tables, Ash noticed various games available for play. Blackjack. Poker. Roulette. Even a screening for a battle taking place on the battlefield on the other side of the ship was playing, with more attendees taking bets from other gamblers. Sitting down at the bar, Ash and co stared across the room, with nothing to go on.
"Shit, everyone's wearing these fucking masks! How are we supposed to find any leads if we don't even know who's important enough to seek out?!" Ash scoffed.
"Not true, Ash." Rosa remarked quietly. "I've noticed that a good few of the staff are wearing the crest pins of Prospects on their vests and lapels."
"Hilda's right. You really are quite a genius." Ash smiled. "I didn't even notice them."
"O-oh, it's nothing really. I'm not really as great as she makes me out to be." Rosa replied, demeaning herself, much to Hilda's dismay.
"Hey, quit saying that about yourself! You'll-"
"Well, aren't you quite the looker!" A voice from further down the bar counter blurted, cutting Hilda off.
Turning to see interrupted them, the trio noticed a man wearing a skitty mask, with his white hair behind it, tied in a ponytail. He was a rather small, yet fairly built individual. Upon his stripped black suit's breast pocket was a letter P stitched into it.
"I'm flattered, but I'm actually his property. I'm his concubine, you see." Hilda replied, dismissing the man.
"Oh, I see you must have misunderstood. I was speaking the the gentleman beside you, little tramp." The man snarky chuckled, dismissing Hilda as beneath him.
"Why you!" Hilda grew angry, ready to step out of her bar stool, only to be held back by Ash, who retained his composure.
"You'll have to forgive my servant. She's just so infatuated with me that she rarely enjoys sharing me." Ash smugly grinned back. "But I'm afraid your advances are unwanted, sir. I'm afraid I've never been too keen on sharing my company with men."
"There's a saying here on the Chateau: Anything can be acquired, should one is willing to bet on it." The man spoke, continuing to hold a pompous air about him before pulling a flash drive from his breast pocket. "I couldn't help but overhear you were interested in Prospects' business dealings. Why don't we play a game? We go a round at the roulette table. If you win, I will give you this drive containing a juicy little deal Prospects will be getting in on."
"And if you win..?" Ash asked, almost afraid to ask.
"Than I'll have to ask that your lady friends depart, and you accompany me to my suite, no muss, no fuss." The man finished.
After pondering his options, Ash felt obligated to accept.
"Deal."
"What?!" Hilda whispered shrilly into his ear. "Are you really looking to just hold this guy to his word?!"
"Got no choice besides aimlessly meandering around here, now do we?" Ash whispered back. "I don't plan on losing, believe me. I ain't all about being with dudes."
"You got a deal." Ash turned to speak to the man. "But on one condition. I'm picking our table."
"Ah, a shrewd one." The man smirked. "Very well, lead the way."
Making their way to the table of choice, Ash sat down at his table, with the man on the other side. Passing his flash drive to the roulette dealer, the man sat comfortably, watching Ash on his side.
"Gentlemen, I'll take your bets." The dealer said, throwing the ball into the roulette, the wheel spinning and spinning.
"Red!" The man said.
"Black!" Ash said.
As the ball spun around and around, tension began to form on Ash, his brow dripping sweat underneath his mask. As the ball slowed down, it began bouncing in the pockets before finally coming to a stop.
"17 on black. The gentleman on the left wins!" The dealer said, clapping his hands while presenting the winner his spoils.
Before Ash could take the drive from the dealer's hand however, the man in the skitty mask grabbed the deal by the wrist.
"Roll it again." He demanded, his pompous attitude all but gone in exchange for anger.
"Release my arm, sir." The dealer promptly reprimanded him.
"Do you know who I am?! What a word from me can do to you?!" He spat. "Roll it again!"
"These were the terms you set when you reserved this table, sir." The dealer reminded him. "Shall I call the captain and see what he thinks of you besmirching our code of service?"
A moment of tense silence lingered in the air. The man with white hair turned at Ash, his eyes beneath the mask aflame with anger.
"...So be it..." He relented, reluctantly letting go of the dealer's arm.
Taking the flash drive, Ash proceeded back to the suite with his girls in tow.
Left to himself, the man was left to ponder the rest of what he heard at the bar counter he met the trio.
"Hilda...Ash... I'll remember those names..."