Chapter 3: OP Hippo Drop
Neyla was standing in her hotel room. Again looking loathingly at the dress she was forced to wear to the ball. The only consolation she had was the raccoon shaped calling card that had been left on her nightstand during the day when she was away.
"We're ready for the final operation, my love. Keep an eye out for me. P.S could you do something to incapacitate our mutual inspector friend?" Itread.
Neyla laughed at the post scriptum, Carmelita didn't need any incapacitating. She had drunk so much last night that was terribly hungover. The Contessa had been notified of the vixen's current state (by Neyla...) and she had spent good two hours admonishing her in her room.
'Serves her right.' She thought.
Neyla on the other hand was really looking forward to share another dance with the raccoon of her dreams. She quickly got dressed and headed to the lobby where the Contessa was waiting.
Neyla stepped out from the elevator and at the same the Contessa's menacing red eyes locked with hers. She held her gaze not wanting to be the one to break the eye contact. The Contessa kept up her stare until Neyla was standing right in front of her.
"Are we going?" she asked.
The Contessa didn't say anything, just turned and went to get them a cab. Neyla watched for a minute and then followed the spider.
I'm just gonna skip straight into the ballroom...
"Be alert" the Contessa said and disappeared into the ground.
Neyla huffed and scanned the area for the other Klaww Gang members. Rajan was sitting on his throne, the Contessa had disappeared, Jean Bison was on the upper floor pacing around ("Probably keeping blood in his brains" Neyla thought) and Arpeggio was nowhere to be seen.
"Probably for the best..."Neyla thought.
Just like last night, with nothing else to do, she went to sit in the bar waiting for Sly to appear.
Sly was sitting in the hideout wearing his tuxedo and waiting for Bentley to start blowing up the bridge.
"Okay, Sly, I'm on position." Informed his turtle friend's nasally voice announced.
"Ok, Bentley. I'll head off to the ballroom." Sly answered.
"Remember, wait until the guards have left the ballroom. Do not take action before that."Bentley said strictly.
"Yeah, yeah, I know." He said, hanging up.
Sly got up and headed outside. He made his way to the palace along the rooftops and knocked on the door.
"Ah, back for some more dancing 'sir'?" the doorman asked.
"Yes." Sly curtly replied.
The door swung open and Sly strolled in. Just as he was about to enter the ballroom his earpiece crackled:
"The bridge is down. Are you and Murray in position?"Bentley informed.
(By the way, has anyone ever thought the fact that Bentley stayed on the wrong side when the bridge collapsed. He was on the same side as the guest house and from what I could gather the bridge was the only way to and from the guest house. How did he get back to the van? I doubt his RC-chopper carried him. Just a little thought I wanted to share...)
"I'm ready." Sly said, "How about you Murray?"
"I'm pumped!"
"Ok"
'Time for another dance with, my beautiful tigress.'Sly thought smiling.
And with those thoughts he entered the ballroom.
Neyla was still sitting in the bar. She had kept a close eye out for Sly, but also for Arpeggio. There had been no sign of him in the whole evening, a fact, of which Neyla was happy.
"Good evening, my sweet. Are you ready for our dance?" Came a suave voice from behind her.
Neyla looked up only to meet a pair of chocolate brown eyes staring back at her.
"I was getting worried something had gone wrong with your plan." She said, getting up.
"Nothing could keep me from you." Sly said, his eyes shining with love.
"I know." Neyla replied, wrapping her arms around him.
They stared into each other's eyes. Sly started to lean in, but from the corner of her eye Neyla saw the Contessa. She was walking on the upper floor, where there was a good view over the whole room. She wasn't watching their direction, but Neyla didn't want to risk it.
"Sly" she said, gesturing to the upper floor, "Don't"
"Hmh?" he followed her gaze and saw the Contessa.
"Ah, the Contessa. You're here with her?" Sly (reluctantly) let go of the tigress.
"Yes." she said grudgingly, "Unfortunately."
"You're not fond of her?" Sly asked, glancing her sideways.
"Not exactly, no."
They looked at the Contessa carefully and waited until she was gone again.
"Now, shall we dance?" Sly asked, when he was sure that the Contessa was gone.
And as of on cue a tango began playing.
"We shall, Ringtail." Neyla answered smiling.
They walked to the dance floor. Apparently the pair was remembered from last night, because as they entered the whole floor emptied as the people gave them space.
"It seems we got a few admirers from last night." Sly said smirking.
Neyla smiled and they took the position.
The dance began. Neyla was again mesmerized. It felt just as lovely as last night. Sly was in every spin and dip looking deep into her eyes. The song was the same as last night, but Sly did the dance differently and Neyla did nothing, but followed his lead. She had always thought herself as a decent dancer, but Slyreallyknew what he was doing. Like last time Sly ended the dance in a graceful dip.
"I love you, Sly."
"I love you too, Neyla."
Suddenly Neyla drew Sly down into a kiss. The crowd applauded loudly at them.
"THE WINGS! WHAT HAPPENED TO THE CLOCKWERK WINGS?!"
Everyone turned to look at Rajan who was staring at the statue to which the wings had been attached only moment ago.
"That's my cue." Sly said, "I need to go."
"Wait, Sly." Neyla said grabbing her arm.
He looked at her questioningly.
"I'm coming with you,"
Sly looked at her for a moment and then grinned.
"Let's go then." he said taking her hand.
They ran from the ballroom and made their way to the Cooper Gang van. Bentley was already there waiting (no idea how he got there).
"Sly good you're..." Bentley's eyes widened as he saw Neyla.
"Sly!? What's she doing here?"
"She's coming with us, Bentley." Sly stated with a voice that left no place for argument.
"Give me a hand with these, guys!" Murray shouted from outside.
Sly went to grab the first wing and haul it into the van, Neyla came to help him and together they managed to get both of the wings into the van.(the wings are way bigger than the van but physics doesn't always apply so I think we can make an exception)
"Um... Hello, constable Neyla." Murray said a little uneasily.
"Let's get out of here! Step on it Murray!" Sly shouted.
Neyla and Sly sat in the back holding on to each other.
I hope you liked the chapter. Review and stuff...