After waking up I changed into the new clothes. I wished I had a mirror to check how did I actually look, but I didn't possess it. Then I left.
Slight hunger was bothering me. On the other hand, it was an opportunity to have dinner with Nadia. With a slight smile, I started heading to the Velvel Lotus. Sun was still shining, but not for long. The night was slowly approaching.
By the time I managed to get to the place, outside turned grey, and stars slowly showed themselves in the sky. I had a good mood. Everything seemed to be on the right track, and as I was thinking about it, I got worried. Because there is always calm before the storm.
Right then, there were no clouds. Not even a single one. Troubles are an inevitable thing in life, but it didn't mean I couldn't be happy in times of peace. This thought made me cheer up a bit.
Hailwic sat on a wooden stool, next to the entrance, just as earlier. There were no people in line waiting for the entrance, but few guys hovered around. My guess was they were banned from entering. Probably some troublemakers. She kept an eye on them, but not in an obvious way.
- Hi again - I said to her. - Ready for tomorrow?
- Of course - she answered with a smile. - I can't wait.
- Good. Be careful here, those guys are watching you as carefully as you are watching them.
- I know. I kinda want them to give me a reason for kicking their asses.
I chuckled a bit then entered the building.
- Have a nice evening, Peter! -she said as a goodbye.
Inside the usual view welcomed me. Alice behind the counter, and silent blue-ping duo playing cards on the bench. They ignored me, but Alice didn't.
- Hi Peter.
- Hi Alice.
- Any weapons?
- No. I have nothing.
- Then go on inside. Have a good evening.
- Thank you. You too.
I walked further, pushed cloth to the side, and entered the main room. It was filled with people. Talking, drinking, enjoying the company of other guests or workers, having fun. One could mistake this place for some kind of club from back home. The only thing revealing the truth was the primitive lighting. Olive lamps and candles. For me, it only enhanced the experience of this amazing place. Aisha was really amazing person for creating it.
I headed to the bar, where Vesa was serving drinks to the customers. They covered her like flies, and Will was among them. She noticed me and winked.
- Hi - I greeted them, patting my hunting companion on the shoulder.
- Hi
- Oh... Hi Peter. Did you come to have a drink with me? - he asked, after turning around on his stool.
- Maybe later. I actually came here mainly to Nadia, but Hatta is coming later, and the three of us should talk.
- About Blue?
- Yes. He is quite concerned about me not going, and we need to reassure him, that he will be safe.
- Safe and sound. I can give him my word.
- You will have the chance. Where can I find Nadia?
- She is upstairs in Aisha's office - Vessa answered quickly, still bussy like an ant.
- Thanks.
I left them, to make my way up, on the mezzanine, then straight to the boss. Zoë was hanging out right next to the door.
- She is busy - she said.
- Just ask.
She snorted but went to check.
- You can go.
- Thank you Zoë. I really love working with you - I said not hiding the irony in my voice.
She just rolled her eyes.
Inside I found Aisha sitting behind her desk, with a glass of wine resting in front of her, and Nadia on the opposite side.
- Hi - I started, getting closer, to stand next to both of them. - How is everything?
- Bussy -she replied. - Why do you want to steal Hailwic and Nadia from me?
She was kinda blunt with her question, and it caught me a little bit off guard.
- Well... They wanted to go, so was I supposed to just refuse?
- I need them to take care of this place.
- Other girls will do just fine without us - Nadia joined the conversation.
Her tone of voice was revealing a bit of anger. Aisha sighed in response.
- Look, Aisha... It's a good deal. They will return a lot stronger than they are now. Treat it as an investment. You are a businesswoman now, people like that tend to invest.
- Fine. Fine. It's not like I can stop them anyway. Especially not Hailwic - She snorted. - She is already crazy about it. Can you believe she already has a cart full of food supplies and axes prepared?
- I... I think I can. That sounds kinda like her, yes.
I peaked at Nadia, she was smiling, but not saying anything.
- Just promise me one thing, Peter. Ok? Bring them back safe.
- Of course. Although it might be hard with Hailwic. She is very... energetic.
- That's one way to put it, yes - she agreed. - Just at least try to stop her when she will try to do something reckless.
- I'll do that. We already had a bit of conversation about the dangers in this expedition, so I believe she understands and will be careful.
- Good. I guess then you can go - she looked at Nadia. - Just... Be safe, ok?
- I won't do anything stupid. Besides Peter will be with us.
She stood up, grabbed my hand, and pulled me out of the room.
- Are you hungry? Let's eat something.
- In fact, I am.
She led me to the kitchen, not letting go of my hand even for a moment. Shavonne was there, already making something. Not for us though. She didn't say a thing, just bit her lips, trying not to smile. Nadia put me in a chair and started working without a word.
Starting with a short trip to the storage. She returned with some vegetables, meat bottles filled with water. Then she grabbed a knife and started chopping everything. She was fast and precise. Her knife skills were really good. Probably because of practice, and very high dexterity. She clearly was making some kind of stew.
Shavone evacuated as soon as she could.
- Finally. I thought she will never live - Nadia said after dors closed.
- Why? You don't like Shavone.
- It's not like that. They just... They keep giggling like twelve-year-olds. Every time! Its... It's just annoying - at the end, she was holding her smile.
- Well... I think we are just kinda bad at this, and they find it funny.
- What do you mean by bad?
- In the movies when people like each other it's, I don't know, different...
- Oh... I get it. You think we should... Do something else?
- No. Let's do it our way. Fuck them.
She just shook her head, smiling. She threw the prepared ingredients into a clay pot, added water, and hanged it over the flame in the fireplace. Then she sat in front of me.
- We are just new to this... That's it. Maybe it's awkward, but I'm on board doing it our way.
I nodded in response.
- So... It might be a bad topic, but I actually wanted to talk about tomorrow. I really want to go, but I'm a bit worried.
- It will be tough, but there is no need to be worried. If I thought you won't be able to handle this, I wouldn't agree to take you.
- Hailwic... She is very excited. I never saw her so excited before. She prepared everything, for both of us, and now she is sharpening every ax she bought.
- You are more worried than excited?
- No, it's... Yes. I'm very worried. I'm not as strong as she is, and to be honest I don't want to be a burden to you. I'm not really, to be honest. I... I don't like killing. I know we have to, but I just don't like it. I always have to force myself.
- Then don't go. Take care of Velvet Lotus. I know that this thing between us just started, and me going for a month might seem like I'm leaving you, but I just really have to go. Blue is going, and Will needs to be strong enough to take him on. Hatta is scared since that asshole already tried to kill him once... It's a mess, but we really need this. They need to go and see for themselves. Hear the same story I heard. Maybe they will bring some answers. Maybe they will bring us a way to go back.
- It's not like that. I'm fine with you leafing and al, just... - She looked at me with very serious expression - Promise me you won't laugh.
- Laugh? No, I won't.
- When Hailwic said she wants to go with you I just... It was an impulse.
- Are you jealous?
- No... Maybe a little - she lowered her head.
- Wow... It's the first time for me. It feels... kinda nice.
She rose her head, to look me in the eyes, then smiled.
- I think I'll stay here, Peter. Just... When you come back, let's spend some more time together, ok?
- Yeah. I would love that.
Then we changed the topic and started talking about simpler things. Movies, music, dreams. I learned that she wanted to be an interior decorator when she was young. She wanted to have a small house with a big garden.
Then we started to argue about furniture and rooms. I always wanted to have a library with heavy, dark bookshelves up to the ceiling. She on the other hand preferred brighter decor. It went on, and on. Even after the food was done, and we filled our stomach the discussion about the fictional house with fictional rums went on, and on.
At some point, we were joined by Shavonne and Haf, and everybody had different opinions. The discussion moved to the perfect location for the house, and the two of us quickly agreed on choosing suburbs. Other girls preferred completely different spots.
Then Aisha showed up, angry because they instead of working, were sitting with us. I got kicked out of Velvet Lotus. Nadia went to escort me for a bit. We parted with a kiss and goodnight wish.
The long day ended with 256 071 points remaining on my account.