Session 32: Boredom, Sassafrass, Rich People, Long List of Ridiculous Jobs, Winging It, Useless Chit-Chat, Everyone I Can See, Gambling, Dancing with Grandfather, Peregrine Fucking Tumbledown, Grandfather’s Judgment

General Summary

I am almost completely dead of boredom when there is knock at door. I leap up from where I am sprawled across couch, and rush over to it. Should I ask who it is? Be safe?
No!
I throw open door knowing I will be just as happy if someone jumps me, as if they are bringing me cake. To be fair, I will be more excited. There is plenty of cake in Lightkeepers cafeteria.
But I am not jumped. It is little gnome in messenger outfit. Behind her is cart loaded with presents.
“Delivery for the… Unlikables?” gnome asks, pulling out little clipboard to be signed. I ignore this and push past to start poking at boxes and looking at labels. Grandfather sighs and does signature.
“And where would you like this delivered?”
“Here is fine,” he says, indicating open area of hallway.
Wait a minute! We have just invited someone into our rooms with boxes full of who knows what, and we are not even asking them who they are! It could be trap!
I squint my eyes and look closely at gnome, hoping I can see beneath her business-like facade is lurking danger. Sadly, there is no danger, although there is something… fishy… about her. She’s looking out our windows, checking sightlines.
Ah fuck, I do not know what she is being up to, but it is probably best to disrupt it. I suggest we move across hall to rooms where windows face in opposite direction, but she just shakes her head and drops her disguise.
Sassafrass. Well, this will at least not be boring anymore, I guess.
Packages are, of course, clothes we ordered from Hounds Tooth – and guess what! They are masquerade costumes! Ha! This is little surprise I kept from you last time. Can you believe it?! It is just like in last book when Venssa went to rescue her ladylove! My outfit is like I was describing to you before, but there is also crazy mask that goes with it. It is silver, with black scroll work around eyes and sides of faces. Lips and area above eyes are black, and there is beautiful silver crown that rises up and back from either side of my head, with four black silk tassels that hang down from either side. It is stupid and ridiculous and I love it! So, guess what I am! No, no, you have to guess!
Ha! Wrong. I am Sexy Death!
Baermek, he is dressed up like some kind of fancy religious guy. Grandfather is dressed up like, I don’t know what. He just looks like fancy version of himself with mask. I guess he is going as asshole. Ingoria is going as Mysterious Cape Lady And Skreek’s costume is most clever – he is going as bird person! Tailors, they made it look like his wings are false ones that are attached to him by straps, and his boots are constructed to look like they are actually stilts for gnome or something. They even gave him jewelry that makes his head look like it is really just a big mask pulled over his head.
I do not know what it is Sass has paid for these costumes, but it must be massive amount of gold. And this is causing me even more worry -- so much upfront investment in our mission is giving me sneaking suspicion that job is going to be very, very difficult – even harder maybe than already I expected.
Along with costumes, we are all also given copy of invitation to masquerade party. On front is drawing of mask that is pretty cool (but not as cool as one I am wearing right now). On back is description of all kinds of food and entertainment. At 11 Bells, there will be auction with many stupid things that rich people will pay stupid money for. There is fancy wine, some old hammer, ring that has big ugly yellow stone that gives you protection, whole fucking boat from Age of Light, potion to make you young if you are shortsighted enough to let yourself become old (you hear that, Grandfather?), and some kind of sword that is on fire.
All this is usual fancy auction crap. Who cares? But! But! There is one thing, one item, that makes my eyes go really big and round. It is personal journal of Valgrimenstein Ticklefeather, author of pirate romances that you and I are both loving so much! Holy crap, this is amazing! Can you imagine what incredible insight into his authorial intent will be included in these priceless pages?!
But there is, like always, big downside. When first I see this item on auction list, I am like yes! I will be stealing that right away. By which I am meaning stealing it for myself. But no, Sassafras must also be big fan – she tells us she wants us to buy it for her. And I bet she will not even give me chance to read it! This is total bullshit.
On top of this (which is practically theft of journal from me), she’s got whole list of other things she wants us to do while we are at this auction. Stupid things. Like she wants us to keep some asshole from buying crazy expensive wine. And we have to sneak into some guy’s room and spray some perfume in sheets of his bed. And then we have to deliver letter to someone called “the Pale Lady.” Sassafras says she does not care if pale lady catches us delivering note, but she says we will care if she notices us and assumes we have association with Sassafrass. Whatever that is meaning. Oh, and we have to figure out who is masked person who ends up buying hammer.
No big deal, right?
Fuck.
Anyway, to do all this she has given us checkbooks that are linked to bank account with 3000 pp in it! She tells us that we are not supposed to go crazy with money though. I think maybe she has mistaken us for someone else. “Take money and run” is definitely strategy we should at least consider.
Auction is at some place called Baleine Casino up in Hightown. They have these stupid parties four times every year, and all of Freehold’s most snootiest people will attend, so that they can try to impress each other with how much money they can waste. Weapons other than maybe just little knife are not allowed, and if we try to do any magic inside, we will be in big trouble.
This makes no sense. If we can not fight or cast spells or whatever, then really we are not playing to what is our strengths, right? Why would Sassafrass think we were right people to do this little job for her? I am sure she has other people who are stupid enough to owe her favor who would be much better at schmoozing type of job like this. I even ask her if she is sure about using us for this job, and she gives me smile and says oh yes, I am very sure.
That is not ominous, not even little bit. Sigh.
One thing, she tells us, that is advantage we have – Hounds Tooth is really, really hard to get appointments at, so everyone will be all surprised to see us show up in costumes from there. (Of course that is making me wonder how Sass got all five of us in and with the quick turnaround, too). This will make them take us more seriously as players, which is good I guess, since – once any one of us opens our mouths – it will be so very, very clear that we are definitely not players.
Grandfather asks her about guy that we are supposed to cockblock on wine. His name is Peregrine Tumbledown and Sassfrass makes little face when she talks about him. He is an arrogant, vain, cocky little halfling, who fancies himself a mover and shaker, she tell us. Also, he is maybe part of some kind of secret elite social club or something. His family has been rich bastards for long time, and most of their money comes from real estate.
She also gives us name of hotel in Hightown, where we can be delivering Ticklefeather’s journal to her. She might not be there when we arrive, she tells us, but we will recognize person who is. Then she turns back into messenger and fucks off, leaving big pile of shit in our laps.
So, it seems like there is nothing for us to do now, but put on fancy costumes and wallow around in it. We only have until tomorrow night to make the plans. Which raises little question — how do we even make plans for something like this?
Well, Baermek, he goes to do what he usually does – research at library. He is looking at objects which are being auctioned. Hammer of Arnak gives him problems – everywhere he sees it mentioned, already they are assuming you know what it is, so he cannot find many details about it. Flaming Sword of Pyrus is worth many thousands of gold, and was associated with some dwarven wizard called Xalander, who was friends with Arnak guy. Protection ring is not anything too fancy, except it was also worn by Xalander. It is interesting that there is connections between some of items. Maybe someone has very particular collection they are needing to sell off for money.
Skreek goes to talk to Prescott at Wunderbar. From what he tells us about conversation, it sounds like maybe Prescott will be at party, too. And he might be interested in bottle of wine! He expects single bottle will end up selling for four or five hundred pp, which, can you believe that? (Skreek tells me Prescott said you don’t even drink this wine, just put it on shelf so everyone can see you are idiot who paid this much for bottle!!) Also, he gives Skreek many warnings about going to fancy party like this. It is always same people at these parties, he says, so we will stand out very much, since we are so new and unknown. Everybody is always playing games, and we must be careful who we talk to, what we say, and all that.
Thanks Prescott, we did not already know that we are in way over our heads.
Ingoria, meanwhile, is looking into people who will be at party. She finds out that guy we are supposed to put perfume in his bed – Bargim Ironcloak – is from what is called “old money.” He says that his family are related to original dwarves who built Freeport – including Arnak guy who lost his hammer. So here is another connection to auction items!
Bargim was married to some human called Bethalin Harkensen until maybe it is eight months ago, when they had big, ugly, nasty divorce. Harkensens are large family, and they are probably being biggest weapons dealer in Underdark. And, of course, since everyone needs something to kill people with, they are also most wealthy family in town, too.
But there is more hot goss! Rumor is that he left her, and people are saying maybe it was because of secret affair or maybe she was trying to steal old dwarven crafting secrets, or something like that. Definitely her sons do not like ex-stepfather too much anymore. One of them is even in gossip sheets talking about what asshole this Bargim guy is. We can only hope there is Major Drama to liven things up (and maybe provide cover for sneaky things?)
But, I am being afraid, that is all we’ve got, which is basically nothing. I do not like this lack of plan, but how can you plan for something when so much is the unknown? It is not possible. We will just have to wing it (which is expression Skreek is not liking too much, so I try to use it pretty often, even if I do not like actually winging it part).
Oh, what am I doing during all of this useless “preparation”? Well, first I go to GG to see if I can get pointers on being fancy, but he is like we are bunch of reclusive scholars Alyona, why do you think we are knowing how to be at stupid masquerade? Which is good point, but still I am disappointed he is not little bit more helpful.
Then I try to go see Zinalla because she is fancy as fuck, and can probably tell me how to not look even more like idiot at this party than already I do – but stupid assistant will not even be letting me in!
Shit, we are all going to die. And, to add to humiliation, it will be covered in society papers.

*****

We do not go tromping from Lightkeepers up to Hightown all dolled up. Instead, we get rooms at hotel in Hightown, and change there. Also we do not arrive all in one clump, even though I think if we are only new people at party, assumptions will be made about us being together anyway.
First to go in is Baermek, then Cat and Bird, then me. Grandfather will be last – because he is attention whore.
When I arrive, there is guy standing outside in fancy suit with full mask. His ears look human, but there is nothing else to know about him just from the looking. He does not speak either – just holds out hand when I walk up. I give him invitation which he glances at briefly before nodding and holding out hand again.
What does fucker… oh, right. I give him other thing which Sassfrass had made for me. It is calling card – but we are not supposed to give out our real names, so mine says “Le Petit Morte” whatever that is meaning. I wanted to go with “Venssa” like from book, but Sass, she did not think this was good idea, since it might make us look too eager to win journal auction. She suggested this stupid name instead, and I am like, whatever, let us just go and do this stupid thing.
I go through doors and there is ballroom where there are some couples dancing, although it is not too crowded. Band is playing music like they all have flutes stuck up their asses – it could really use more drums, is all I am saying. To right I can hear sound of silverware clinking and smell of delicious foods. If there is one plus side to this whole fuck-up-in-waiting, it is that rich people always have great food.
To left, near bar, I can just see is entrance to casino. And at back of ballroom there is set of stairs which is being guarded by another of those masked attendants, which makes me guess this is probably way to where private bedrooms are.
First things first. I go over to bar, sit down, and try to talk to barkeep, who is also dressed in fancy suit with full face mask. Usually this is best way to get lay of land. But, they do not talk to me, just push over drink and move on to next guest. It is annoying, but maybe not too surprising. I sit there for few minutes, drinking and watching crowd.
Baermek swings by, grabs drink, and tells me there is tabaxi in casino area who is telling the fortunes! Shit, that sounds amazing! Also, wait…what? Another tabaxi? Crazy! If I go in there and ask for fortune, is she going to make me look at her butthole, too? Or is that just Ingoria thing?
Speaking of which, Ingoria also stops by bar to grab drink and mentions that there is super hot guy upstairs in casino who calls himself “The Golden Emerald.”
“Golden…Emerald?” I ask her.
“That’s what he said,” she shrugs and takes sip of drink before heading back into crowd.
Well, since barkeep isn’t feeling too chatty, and nobody she does not already know has come over to talk to Sexy Death, Sexy Death takes her hot ass over to where musicians are playing and tries to look interesting and approachable.
(Seriously, what in fuck was Sass thinking sending us on this job?)
But it works I guess, because guy who looks like probably he is gnome, walks in very regal-like and stops to talk to me. Poor guy. He is dressed like bird, with bird mouth that moves when he talks, and actual bird sitting on his shoulder. If I did not know Skreek’s costume, this one would be very amazing, but as is…
“You should see other guy who is wearing bird costume,” I say to him. “It has wings.” He looks little bit put out, but still he stays to talk to me.
He is going by name of “The Cuckoo,” which is interesting choice. I have heard of these birds – they are fucking sneaky bastards. He tells me how feathers of his costume come from surface bird who is now extinct, which also seems kinda weird. Is it just usual rich person flex or it subtle message to rivals maybe? We talk little bit about people around us and I ask him who is most likely to get drunk and make scene. He points across room to this guy who is obviously human, unpleasantly loud, and already well on way to drunkness. He is dressed up like worst stereotypes of dwarf with big fake beard and oversized mug of ale. I am knowing this type – they were always some of my favorite targets – easy to get drop on and just so very satisfying to gut.
Cuckoo says some nice things about my costume, then leaves to find his competition. I continue to wander around perimeter of ballroom, making the little chit-chats, trying to find out something helpful.
Grandfather stops by briefly to tell me he has been scoping out casino area. Pale Lady is in there, just standing in corner. Dwarf -- dressed in blue with bird face mask -- looks like he is maybe guy who will be getting perfume treatment – Bargin Ironcloak. There is also some human dressed in red and gold bear costume. And, finally, there is halfling dressed all in green with mask that has painted on it another mask, which is just kind of things assholes think is being clever. I think it is good bet that this is guy Sass dislikes so much.
I decide to go check out casino myself, to see these people Grandfather has described to me. When I walk in, Baermek is in far corner just finishing conversation with guy who has to be Prescott, because no one else has hair like that. He sees me and walks over.
“We’re backing Prescott’s bid on one of the bottles,” he tells me in low voice. “But he is uninterested in procuring both, so we need to figure out how we keep the other bottle out of the hands of Peregrine Tumbledown.”
“What about if we just buy…” but Baermek has disappeared in different direction with dramatic sweep of priest robes. That guy.
I am just thinking about going to look at food which smells pretty fucking good, when Skreek comes running up. “Alyona, I found Pergrine! He’s wearing green and has a mask with a mask on it.” Ha. I was right, as is usual. “You would not believe the way he talks about women…”
“Try me,” I roll my eyes.
“He said he wanted to climb some drow woman like a mountain. I think he might have meant you…”
I look down at dress. “Well, he is not blind, this Peregrine. Just stupid.”
Skreek tells me that both Peregrine and Bargim Ironcloak (who is going by “The Eagle”) did something strange during handshake. Sass told us Peregrine was part of some secret society or something. Maybe this is way of identifying members?
Turning away from Skreek before anyone is showing too much interest in our conversation, I cross ballroom and head into dining room. There are good number of tables, about half of which are occupied. Waiters are wandering around with little nibbles on trays and I snag handful of sausage rolls, before I spot pair of double doors at one end of room. Nobody else in room seems like they are person of interest, so I slip over to doors and slide one open.
Inside is red room, with large table at center. There are people here, gambling. Sitting in place of honor at table, is beautiful older human woman with long, silver hair and outfit that is like fancy leather armor. She smiles and invites me to take empty seat. I am not what you would call great poker player, but it is something I am more comfortable with than anything else which has been expected of me tonight. I lean over to person seated next to me and ask who lady is. The Diva, I am told.
I hold my own, when it comes to cards and maybe also conversation. She compliments my costume and asks if it is Hounds Tooth. I say yes and she teases that I have stolen her appointment at tailors, because she could not get in. At least I think it is teasing. How can you tell with rich people who never say what it is they are meaning?
I tell her that so far party has been little bit boring. She laughs, tells me night is young, and asks me what it is I am looking for. Drunken debauchery, I tell her, duels, that kind of thing. She grimaces and tells me to keep eye out for her sons if that's what I am interested in. When I ask who her sons are, she tells me it is guy who is dressed like dwarf and other one dressed like bear. From what I have foud out tonight, those two assholes are Harkensen brothers, which means this is Bethalin Harkensen – lady of recent, messy divorce. When she talks about her sons, voice is filled with the disdain.
After couple of hands, I am breaking even, and I think this is good time to leave before I am maybe losing what very little money I have right now (thank god GG bought some of artifacts we have from Iallon or I would be trying to pretend to be rich lady with exactly one gold piece in my pocket!) I excuse myself from table and pass again through dining room, taking another handful of some kind of little curried potato thing, which are almost good enough to be make up for having to put up with all this bullshit.
As I walk into ballroom, Grandfather comes strolling up to me and holds his hand out. I stare at it for moment with dumb expresion on my face until I realize this is him asking me for dance. Then it is probably ten more seconds that I just stand there blinking at him in surprise, before finally I reach out to take his hand. It is not that I do not know how to dance – Grandfather made me take lessons in year before he sent me to Academy. I will not embarrass myself. But to dance… with Grandfather. This is thing which is… uncomfortable.
If he feels this discomfort he does not show it. He guides me around room, his expression serene, his form perfect. One hand is at my waist and other holds mine in firm grip. This is most physical contact I have ever had from this man. He looks down at me and smiles slightly, and I can feel corner of my mouth twitch in weird smile-like expression, but my eyes look past him, staring off into corner.
“You look beautiful, my dear,” he says like he is kindly old Grandfather talking to beloved granddaughter. I can feel eye twitch. “But perhaps, you might have chosen something not quite as… revealing?” My eyes snap to his and I grin.
“You know there were some very interesting classes I had to take at Academy. On how to use your body to get close to the target. Even you might have been surprised at some of the things I learned…”
“Enough, Alyona,” he says with grimace, and I feel his body which was all smoothness before, become stiff and awkward as he tries to hold himself further away from me.
Why must you test my boundaries, Grandfather? Did you not send me to Academy to teach me how to protect myself?
We dance in silence for minute or two, and I do my best to look like it is not weird and terrible. When I make move to drop his hands and leave, he pulls me back in and starts talking.
He has made contact with Ironcloak, who was pretty chatty about work things. One thing he has mentioned which is interesting, is that he is working with his partner, the Cuckoo, on automatons -- like Boris but for working as servants in houses, and also not spider shaped.
After that, Grandfather made effort to speak to “dwarf” asshole, who he confirms is Jandrin Harkensen. Jandrin’s main interest seems to be keeping his former stepfather from getting anything he wants at auction. We wonder if maybe Ironcloak might work to get bottle of wine for Peregrin, so maybe there is way to leverage Jandrin’s spite to keep this from happening.
Finally music stops and I drop hands from Grandfather, giving him biggest fake smile I can do, and dropping him little curtsey. He rolls eyes at me but bows elegantly before striding over to bar and doing two shots, one right after other. Ha! Grandfather 0, Alyona 192.
I walk back to casino to get look at tabaxi fortune teller. She is talking to someone else right now, so I hang back waiting for her to be free. Baermek comes down stairs from upper area of casino and leans in to whisper to me, “There may be roof access to private rooms, but there are many potential witnesses.”
“Why are you telling me this? Do I look like second story girl? Go tell Cat! Maybe she can get in while everyone is at auction!” I whisper back, then say louder, “No, no. Sorry but I am all tired out from dancing already; it is exhausting thing to do,” and I shoo him off.
And do you know what has happened, while Baermek is talking to me? Ingoria has swept in and gotten to fortune teller first! Damn it! Sneaky cat! Fine, I will go upstairs and see what there is to see up there.
Upstairs is mostly just same thing as downstairs. Overdone furnishings, overdone people. There are several different gaming tables, but I wander over to the craps table in center. I have less experience with this than poker, but it is just rolling dice, and losing money, right? I take seat at table and try to look like complete idiot, and what surprise is this?! Asshole comes right up to me and introduces himself as The Mask while looking straight at my tits and twirling stupid fake mustache.
If I do not kill him by end of evening, it will be very disappointing party.
“What brought you to the ball tonight, lovely?” he asks in what I am sure is supposed to be charming way, but is just so, so oily.
“I didn't have anything better to do,” I say with shrug.
“That sounds fortunate for me.” He steps in closer, still talking to my tits.
“Isn't it though?” I say, leaning forward to place couple of chips I cannot afford to lose on table. “Seven, please.”
Dice are rolled, and of course, I have lost. I let myself show wince – it will not hurt for asshole to see this vulnerability. “What brings you here tonight?” I ask him, too brightly.
“Well, you know the never-ending poetic quest for beauty and true love.” He takes moment to look up at my eyes and smile. What refreshing change - my tits enjoy little break from holding most of discussion.
“Right,” I attempt a smile. “Will that be available at the auction?”
“Well, there's many things available at the auction, but nothing so fine as you.”
I smile at him, then look down as dealer sweeps away my chips. “This isn't as exciting as I thought this game would be,” I say with little bit of sadness.
“It's not the game, my dear, it’s the company at the table. And that…” he glances down to end of table where there is hot guy who must be Golden Emerald from Ingoria’s description. “...that certainly leaves something to be desired.”
I make big show of checking out Emerald then lean in to whisper in Pergrine’s ear, “Who’s that?” I say all breathy and bothered. Sometimes it is not about flirting, teachers at Academy always told me. Sometimes you just need to make them feel like they are stealing something from someone else.
He takes bait, running hand down my arm, like we have already agreed to price. “Nobody of consequence,” he says with sniff.
“Oh, come on, this is my first time here. I want to know everything.”
Look he gives me is more canny, less “charming.” I smile at him and try to make myself look like idiot.
(No comments, you!)
“He’s a two-bit rogue who fancies himself important,” he finally says, satisfied by what he sees.
“And you?” I lean over, exposing more cleavage. “Do you fancy yourself important?”
He chucks me under chin, and winks, “I know I'm important.”
I will not give him death touch. I will not give him death touch.
“So, dazzle me,” I simper. “What makes you so important?”
He drops his hand from my chin and twirls the mustache again. “My charming repartee. My dashing good looks. And the size of my bank account.”
Not gonna do it. Not gonna do it.
“I do like a man,” I reach out to tug on the other side of the mustache, pulling his mask slightly askew. “...with a sizable bank account.”
“Indeed,” he says smugly, certain now he will be inflicting his tiny dick on me sometime in near future. “I find that most women care less about height than wealth.”
“Oh, no. Your height is definitely not a problem.” I get up from table abruptly, bumping softly against his head with my chest as I do. “Show me around. Introduce me to some people.”
“Well, I've already mentioned the idiot at the end of the table,” he says as we begin slow turn around room.
“Who is he?”
“Tonight he is the Golden Emerald.”
“But, but… that name doesn’t even make sense!”
“No, it does not,” he rolls his eyes. “And that’s just a reflection of the quality of person we are speaking of. He takes an adjective and a noun, crams them together, and thinks he's being clever.”
“Got to admit though,” I say thoughtfully. “That is quite the head of hair.”
“Yes, yes,” he sas dismissively. “And also an impressive set of abs but, unfortunately, not enough going on upstairs.”
I cock my head at him “And have you checked out these abs yourself?”
He snorts. “Personally? No. I’ve heard stories, though.”
“I’m intrigued,”
“You really shouldn't be,” he chuckles, unconcerned. Yeah, he definitely thinks he has me locked down.
“Are you saying he doesn't have a large bank account?”
“Quite the contrary. His bank account is fine. His liquidity leaves something to be desired, however.”
“I see. So, you're telling me you have much better liquidity?”
“I'm telling you, my assets are considerably… firmer.” He pats me on my firm asset.
That hand is first thing I remove.
We continue circling room, and he comments on people we pass. “So who else? Let's see. Nobody, nobody. I guess anyone worth a damn has moved downstairs.”
So, he leads me downstairs as well. Pausing, once we reach bottom of staircase, he points at where Cuckoo is speaking with Skreek. “That’s the clockwork idiot. Sells weapons or armor or some such. Again, not not a person worth bothering with. Quite the bore. And over there by the bar is the Eagle, as I believe he's referring to himself as at this point. Friendly fellow, but a bit old for you, I’d say.” he laughs like he has made little joke.
Ha ha. I run fingers through his hair and fantasize about how it will feel to cut his throat.
“Over there in the corner…” he continues, blissfully unaware of my thoughts. “You know, I don't actually know much about her. Have you had any experiences with her?” He points at the Pale Lady, standing right where Ingoria told me she had been earlier. Has she just been standing in that corner this whole time?
“That one over there, looking all mysterious?” I ask to be sure.
“Yeah. Yeah. Dark clothes, white face.” I shake my head no, and he continues, sounding frustrated. “Nobody seems to know anything about her.”
“How long has she been coming?” I ask.
“Uh, she's not a regular, but she does show up for the masquerades occasionally.”
“Just the masquerades?” He nods. “Well, I guess there’s really no way to know who she is, then.”
“No, I don’t believe I’ve ever seen her out of costume.” How would you know if you did, idiot?
“And she never talks to anyone?”
“Not that I know of.”
“But she does participate in the auction?” I am maybe being too direct, but he does not seem to mind as long as I ask questions in breathy voice and bounce a little.
“Yes. I haven’t seen her bid on arms or alcohol, but occasionally she’ll make a play for some of the artifacts.”
“Silently, I assume?”
“Of course.” He looks around, apparently bored with subject of mysterious pale lady. “Oh look, there’s the bore, I mean bear.” It’s the other Harkensen son, his laugh loud and obnoxious over quiet murmur of rest of guests.
“Nice ass on that bear,” I say without much interest.
“If you're into that sort of thing,” he sniffs. “Sweaty and hairy.”
“It has its charms,” I say with smirk. He frowns at me so I boop him on his nose. Just being playful, just flirting. It wouldn't take much force to break the bridge of his nose and send the bone fragments into his brain.
He studies me for moment, then continues, “And then there’s the bear’s brother, the asshole.”
“That would be the…uh…dwarf, right?”
“Yes. He thinks my friend, the Eagle, has wronged him – I'm sure you've read all about that business in the sheets. This is his pathetic little effort to lash out.
“It really is pretty sad,” I agree. “Doesn't seem like their mother is too impressed with their behavior, either.”
“It's sort of an unfortunate situation. You know, that is also perhaps why she keeps the friends that she does.”
“Friends?”
“Well, let's just say that she looks to, uh, cultivate certain relationships that offer her a fine degree of business management. Someone to assist her with her enterprise now that her ex is no longer a part of it.” Fuck, he is practically crowing.
“You seem very pleased with yourself,” I say.
“Oh, well she only runs the most powerful organization in the city.” He pats me on ass again. “And I advise her.”
Is this supposed to impress me asshole? If I am impressed with someone, it is lady who actually runs most powerful organization in city. Maybe I should go back to red room and offer to fuck her instead. I’m sure it would be much more satisfying. But do I say this? No. For hundredth time tonight, I curse Sass for sending us on worst job ever, and try to act part.
“And she doesn't have a problem with your friendship with that one over there?” I ask, nodding my head toward Eagle.
He shrugs. “You know, business is business. And friendship is uh…You know, if you can compartmentalize, then it all works out.”
“You do seem like a good friend to have,” I smile, but I can feel it slipping. I cannot take more of this. “Well, I think I'm going to go get my fortune told, darling.”
He is already looking around for other people to schmooze, but he has time to give me one more leer. “Well, enjoy. Perhaps I might see a bit more of you later.”
“Oh, I think that can be arranged.” I mutter under my breath. Hopefully he does not notice my eyes go black behind mask.

*****

I am no mood for my fortune to be told right now. What is she going to tell me? You will soon be arrested and executed for murder of disgusting little perv? I already know this. Instead, I turn and head back upstairs. Passing through gaming tables, I find stairs up to roof that Baermek mentioned.
Air. Air would be good now.
I climb up to pretty bit of patio that looks out over hightown. There are guests out here as well, but it is not crowded like inside. I walk along perimeter, and I see where there is possible access to private rooms. It would be easy enough if I was still the old Alyona, but now it is something I will have to leave to Ingoria. Bitterness chokes me – an increasingly familiar feeling.
Couple of minutes later I hear footsteps behind me. At first I am thinking it is asshole coming to collect on all of little promises I just made to him. I am about to whip around and cast banishment on him, but I realize pattern is familiar, and relax. It is only Grandfather. He comes to stand beside me at balcony.
I turn slightly to look at him. “Well,” I sigh. “This is even worse than I expected.”
“Indeed,” he says and his voice sounds tired. Unusual for him to let it show.
“You will not believe the conversation I had with that little asshole Peregrin,” I laugh humorlessly. “I’m not sure why Sass is fucking around with this whole wine scheme. Why not just have us kill him? I’d do it for free. Hell, I’d pay her to give me a shot.”
“I…saw. When you came downstairs with him. I saw you let him… touch you.” His voice sounds pained. Fuck, is he still on this shit?
“I told you, Grandfather.,” I say rolling eyes. “It’s all part of the Academy training. Never was my strong suit, of course, but some people really aren’t too particular. You go through the motions and they stand up and applaud.”
He makes sound of disgust. “You should not allow yourself to be subjected to such familiarities.”
I snort laughter. Seriously? He draws the line at a pat on the ass? The slaughter of innocent people, a pact with the god of death and shadows? These are not problems. But letting some weasel grope me is a bridge too far?
“You’re kidding right?" I remove my mask. "You understand my body hasn’t actually belonged to me for years now, don’t you?” I say with exasperation. “Not since I passed through the tunnels. Not since you gave me to the Academy, and yes,” I hold up a hand when he opens his mouth to speak, “Yes, I know you didn’t realize what would happen when I was there. But it doesn’t change the fact that when they told me to kill, I had no choice but to kill. When they taught me how to seduce a target, squeamishness was never an option. Fucking Senenova aimed me straight at you! If there is one truth that has been drilled into me more than any other, it’s that my body is a tool. I’m just grateful that at least now I occasionally get to decide how it’s used.”
He stares at me for a long moment. Sometimes I think I can read him, but with the mask it's impossible.
“You are not a tool, Granddaughter. They lied to you.”
“You’re lying to yourself, Grandfather,” I sniff. “We’re all tools just lying around waiting for someone more powerful to pick us up and use us. Tell me you weren’t a tool for the Unseen! You made their drugs, you danced their dance. You lost your daughter playing their little games. And what are we doing here tonight, dressed up in these ridiculous clothes? Are we here by choice? No. We’re nothing but a bunch of fucking ignorant assholes, with no idea why the hell we’re risking our lives to accomplish these stupid goddamn tasks – reduced to a cheap set of tools by a manipulative little gnome. So why don’t you keep your utterly misplaced sexual morality to yourself, and I won’t pester you with questions about what you have done in your life to get where you are?”
He looks away from me, out into darkness, one hand gripping wrought-iron rail. “We are here paying a debt, Granddaughter. It is an honorable thing, but I’m not sure you’re really in a position to understand that right now.” He lifts his mask so I can see his face. “As for my past, go ahead and ask. You must have questions about me, Alyona. Your mother, god rest her soul, would not have been able to tell you much, and what she did know would have been colored by her own prejudices and misunderstandings. Ask me and I will answer.”
God, I am dying to ask him questions. I know nothing of his life before he discovered the secret to svetit’sya. His manners suggest he comes from money, lots of money, but he has told me, more than once, that we are the only Belovs left. What happened to the rest of the family? Who were they? Could he be wrong, are there more of us out there?
I find myself questioning so much about the past now. It is a map full of holes. Every time I think I understand where I am headed, I step off a cliff I never knew was coming. I desperately want to take him up on this offer. But…. but when you ask someone questions, you are always at risk of revealing more about yourself than you will learn in return. I cannot risk this. His vulnerability will only expose my own.
“Keep your secrets, old man. They are nothing to me.” I lean in close and pull his mask back down. He smells of cologne, the same cologne he wore when I first came to live with him. It has been a long time, but memories of that year… before the Academy…
“Call me a whore again,” I say softly, “and I’ll show you what else I learned at the Academy.”

Report Date

09 Mar 2024