"That's game, my friend!"
[JAMAL VS. OCTAVIOUS]
[FIRST TO 11]
[0-11]
[VICTORY: Octavius]
No surprise there. I caught my breath from the bench as Ock took on another challenger. The park held the usual suspects. A couple of games on the far court, few over by a bench, smoking, with the rest huddled on the bleachers focused on varied activity. I sat by idly and stared off into the distance, thinking how I would hold up my end of the deal.
If Ben requested something that could not be easily fabricated or retrieved, my plan would never take flight. I would have to venture over to North Forest myself and infiltrate their ranks. A likely defeat awaited me there.
If the item could be easily retrieved? That would only alleviate half of my worries. If Q said yes, that would be the end of it. All that remained was not to perish at the hands of Ben, as John so detailed frequently.
If Q could not get the item, that would be the end of that. I would have to find some other way to sway Ben's favor. If Q said no, then my problems double again.
The best case scenario is trading a favor for a favor, but I doubted there was anything I could do–or he would let me do–that would be worth his time. Especially with Will knowing more than he would like to share.
The shadow of a man came over me.
"What's good, cousin?"
It was Maurice in his usual wear. Though there was no malice, the way he stood gave me no semblance of a friendship. He looked down from the hat on his head with hands in his pockets, neither smiling or frowning. I made no space for him on the bench to sit, opting to stare back instead.
"I am fine, cousin."
The last word came out with a drop of venom, admittedly. Nothing in his response gave me any hint that he picked up on it.
"How's your little gang going? Sick of being a corner boy yet?"
"I quite like my corner," I replied, "Can't complain about the pay either. I have enough."
Maurice walked in front of me and sat down on the bench. From his backpack he took out another pair of shoes and laced them.
"It'll never be enough," he muttered, "You could have all the money in the world and it won't be enough. It's almost like I know what I'm talking about, but hey, you wanna do what you wanna do."
"Only because you won't help me."
"Only cause you won't help yourself, dumbass."
Maurice slipped the other pair of shoes he wore and sealed the bag. Neither of us looked at each other, both of us now staring at the players on the courts. I gave a performative exhale before breaking the silence.
"They speak of you as if you were legendary. DD did. Will does. Several others identify me as your cousin before they speak the nickname given to me, so why is that? It was your reputation that opened the doors, why do you close it now?"
"Because I'm done with that life. I was lucky to be able to get out of it, and you wanna go into that shit with a hard head. So, go right ahead. Don't listen. See what acting tough gets you when they put your ass in a room with no windows."
Maurice left and joined Ock on the court at his call. I sat there longer than I wanted to and watched the game, ruminating on his words. Experience is the best teacher, without a doubt.
However, only one of us has hunted dragons until they fell from the sky. Only one of us has chased them to the ends of several worlds to right the wrongs they caused. One one of us has bested almost every dragon in the realm–save for Retrius, whose time will come one way or another.
I arrived at Will's to find him and Q there, smoking on the patio. When I inquired where Rod was, they informed me he was out dealing with the mother of his child. After I gave a greeting to each of them, a pane of text appeared.
[50/50 PERFECT DAPS REACHED]
[BONUS PRESENCE CHECK CHANCE AFTER A PERFECT DAP: +10%]
So that's what it was for.
"Q," I started, "Is there any limit to the abilities of your alchemy?"
"Uh…yes?"
"What aren't you able to make?"
Q looked at Will. He shrugged. After a moment Q stood up and beckoned for me to come with him. He took me to the end of the hallway with a locked door. He produced a key and undid the lock before turning to speak to me.
"Do not. Touch. Anything. Not a damn thing."
I nodded fervently.
The moment I stepped foot on the stairs my surroundings changed. In a flash I was in my old regalia, walking down the grand staircase. I nearly tripped down the remainder of the steps from the sudden transition.
"My Lord, they're downstairs!" a voice called, "Should I tell them you're arriving?"
My mouth moved unwilled.
"I will be down shortly."
A spectator in my own body was what I had become. All I could control, for the time being, was where my pupils focused. Painting after painting of my likeness on the walls as I walked down the grand staircase. Busts of my head and those I assume related to me down the hallways, all labeled.
All labeled save for anything that resembled my face. Any plaques inscribed became foggy and blurred whenever I would try to look closer. I soon entered the foyer, the same voice from the door announced me.
"Lord [ ] has arrived. Lord [ ], may I introduce you to Roderick and Zasha. They have come from the Southern Isles to aid you in your pursuit."
Roderick, a short stocky fellow, gave about as deep a bow as he could manage. Through the folds of his suit he reached for a letter and presented it to me. Zasha, who stood at eye level with me, gave a polite curtsey. The servant with me reached for the letter, but Roderick pulled it back with a swiftness.
"Sorry sir, but it's for the Lord's hands only. I was instructed that none should touch it but he and I."
My hands, piloted by an unseen force, waved off the presence of my servant. He bowed and excused himself from the room. As my hand inched toward the letter, I could feel a heat come from it. A sort of warmth emanating between its seal and letter that invited me to grasp it.
The moment I took it in my hands, the aura ceased.
"Might we sit down, Lord [ ]?" asked Zasha, "Our journey has been long."
"Of course."
I watched as I ushered them from the foyer to a living room, equally as exquisite as the rest of the house. Roderick sat down with a thunderous impact. Zasha pleasantly lowered herself onto a cushion without making a sound.
"May I ask who sent you?"
Their eyes flashed crimson but for a moment.
"Vermillion Tau," I whispered, "They said I should expect someone but…"
"Perhaps you were expecting more grim company?" grinned Roderick, "Hardly. How we present ourselves is up to us. All that matters is that our loyalties are in the right place."
"Loyalty we hope are indeed aligned," leaned in Zasha, "Would be a shame otherwise."
"A shame indeed," I repeated, "Have they considered my request?"
Roderick gave a jolly chuckle.
"They're more than ready to oblige," said he, "But there's a matter of payment."
"You'll find I have more than enough money to-"
"Not money."
Zasha laced her fingers and reclined in her place on the couch. Her eyes narrowed, as if boring through a dot on my skull.
"You and the Tau have much in common. Though you are wealthy," she traced a golden bowl, carved with all the symbols it could hold, "No doubt, very much so, the Tau has ten gold pieces for every one you could muster. No, Lord [ ], money will not be the payment."
"What you and the Tau have also in common are enemies. Rather, you have yours and we have ours. So maybe an alliance is in order. Perhaps you, with your vast skills, deal with those the Tau can't reach."
"All I want is Retrius dead. Anything I have to do to get to that point is paltry."
No certainty in my words had been lost since last I said that. Content with my words, the two visitors nodded and stood up.
"Perfect, just perfect," said Roderick, "The letter has your first assignment. Read it carefully. Then, read it twice."
"It's been a pleasure, Lord [ ]."
I stood with them and escorted them to the door. Before it shut, Zasha stuck a finger on my chest.
"Oh, and Lord [ ] a private word with you?"
I glanced between her and Roderick. He nodded and idly stood on the stoop as I closed the door. Zasha put her face close to mine. I leaned back to regain some of the space lost.
"The task you've been assigned leaves little room for pity. And even less room for empathy. It would be in your best interest to look the other way as often as you can. If you think we were hard to locate? That's nothing to where we'll bury you should you have a change of heart."
"Like I said, Zasha. My only concern is Retrius. I'll do what is required."
Zasha smiled and left for the door.
"We'll be sure to notify the Tau of your hospitality. As well as your fealty. Good day to you, Lord [ ]."
The moment she shut the door the light changed from the warm regalties of the palace to the cold flat lights of the basement. I staggered for a moment and caught myself against a wall. Q immediately tensed and swiveled around, assessing what I may have broken.
"Nigga, will you be careful! There's so much money in this room! Delicate! You good?"
Nothing remained of the palace. Just row after row of plants growing under strange light. Crates and shelves full of ingredients took up every space on the walls. The space unoccupied by the supplies was home to a set of clear glasses and small devices.
"Alright. This is the lab. I do all my own shit from down here. The only thing I can't make down here is all the foreign shit like opium and heroin. But we got ketamine, crack, a little cocaine, bath salts, fent, weed and all the strands and shit…let's see…"
Q started to rummage between crates. He pulled an assortment of chemicals and minerals, held it up to the light, and put it back.
"What did you say you needed?"
"Nothing. Nothing yet, anyways. You have an order coming in that may require a bit of customization."
"Smells like money to me. Fuck it, let me know and I'll make it if I can. What's the cut on it?"
"It's more of a favor, really."
Q gave a side eye and climbed down from a shelf.
"I'm not making shit for free."
"I'll cover the cost. I just need it to be made."
"What is this for?" he said, stroking his stubble, "You tryna spike somebody or something?"
"No, nothing like that. I just need it for me."
[PRESENCE CHECK FAILED]
Oh.
[DAP PRESENCE CHECK BONUS: ACTIVATED]
[+10%]
[PRESENCE CHECK SUCCEEDED]
I knew it was good for something.
"Alright. Let me know and I'll see what I can do, I guess."
Perfect. The hard part had been completed. All that remained was for John to tell me the good news.