“There’s something different about you Ave.”

“I’m sure I don’t know what you mean.”

Platina and Ave walked side by side through the maze of tunnels underneath the Ocean’s Bounty Gambling Hall. An assortment of soldiers and porters moved to get out of their way as they walked past.

Platina studied the shorter girl. “Like that. You talked back to me just now.”

“No I didn’t.” said Ave.

“And your skin looks so much better recently.”

Ave absentmindedly rubbed her face. “This? This is nothing.”

Platina clapped her hands. “Oh my moons! Ave, have you started to care about your appearance?”

“No. This is just some sun cream.” said Ave.

“It’s happening. My sweet little bud is finally ready to blossom into a beautiful flower.” Platina gripped Ave’s shoulders.

Ave flexed but didn’t break free from Platina’s grip.

“No. Nothing is different. I’m the same person I’ve always been. I’m keeping my head down and doing my job. But I’m… doing it better now. That’s all.” said Ave.

Platina let go. “If you say so. I wish my job was so easy. Then there’s this woman, the head of the Hall security, she’s a real urgent urchin that one. Constantly getting in my way. I keep having to rearrange the patrols. Uuugh, I didn't take this promotion to lead. I took it to command. Organizing people is such a chore. That's what Le Tenats are for.”

“Couldn’t you let the local Guards handle security while the Councilor is in the city?”

“No! We’re the Capital Guard. We have authority when it comes to the Councilor’s security detail.” puffed Platina.

Ave looked momentarily confused. “No you don’t.”

Platina smiled. “I know. Normally it would be the Mayor and the head of the Local Guard that would have authority. But guess what? This town doesn’t have a Mayor!”

The Dour Auxiliary walked up to Platina in the hallway. The man had a hunched posture and bags under his eyes. He had a sharp nose and a widow’s peak. His dark crimson hair shot back from his head like the crest of a bird. While he wore the uniform of a Capital Guard there was no badge on his breastplate.

“I have those patrol routes for you Sir.” The Dour Auxiliary held out a sheet of paper to Platina.

“About time Nevre." Platina slapped the document out of the man's hand. “Now get me a coffee.”

Platina shoved past the willowy man.

“Uuuh, yes sir…”

Nevre dejectedly fell backwards and rolled down the hallway until he was out of sight.

“All the resources of the Capital and this is the best you're able to field." The Inflexible Bouncer walked around the corner. Her suit was freshly pressed and her dress shoes were shiny with polish. Two additional bouncers followed behind her. She held a strawberry, banana, blueberry, mango, yogurt, mint, and vanilla smoothie in a glass with a bendy straw in one hand.

The Inflexible Bouncer took a long *Siiip* "What a shame Platina. This is why Kaseihgaeu has no need for government escorts."

"Why if it isn't the head of security herself, Angel. I was looking over the patrol details now. Tell me do you pay your people extra to step all over my toes?" Platina smirked.

*Sluuurp* “I’m merely making sure that you’re not wasting tax penders on unnecessary activities.” Angel quipped.

"My soldiers serve with honor and distinction as befitting of loyal servants of the crown!"

"Your latte Sir." Nevre waddled up to Platina and presented her with a tea cup and saucer filled with steaming coffee.

Platina took the coffee cup, hammered it back, then *Smashed* it on the ground.

"Too much foam!" She shouted.

"Understood sir." Nevre scooped up the pieces of broken cup, then tucked and rolled away from the conversation.

A case of literary theft: this tale is not rightfully on Amazon; if you see it, report the violation.

#

Ave had kept walking. She strolled right past Angel and the other bouncers and kept going until she was around the corner. She paused to watch dozens of servers, porters, and stewards running through the back halls of the Ocean’s Bounty.

Ave nervously tapped the metal case with a finger. “If I could only find out which way I needed to go.”

“What are you looking for?”

“The vault.”

“I know the way.”

Ave turned.

[https://i.imgur.com/3zjrSb7.png]

There was a large cat watching Ave from the top of a rolling rack. You could say that the cat was grinning at her. But the nature of a grin is based on the human perception of a mouth being open to expose teeth in a cheerful manner. And this cat had far too many teeth to be considered cheerful.

“Are you with the Llama?” The cat asked.

Ave looked over her shoulders. “I’m not with anyone. Did you say a llama? I’m not sure that I know what that is. Care to explain?”

“A large camelid. Herd animal. Has a long neck and a thick wool that covers most of its body.” The cat explained.

“Is it like a horse?” Ave asked.

The cat pulled a loaf of rye bread off of the rolling rack and bit a semicircular chunk out of it. “Something like that.” It mumbled.

“Then no. I don’t have a horse.” said Ave.

“Hmmm, then you must be with the dog.”

“Did you say a dog? I’m not sure that I know what that is. Care to explain?”

“That was a terrible lie.”

“It was a question, not a lie.”

The cat swallowed the rest of the loaf. Then it hopped down off of the rolling rack and pranced its way over to Ave. It rubbed itself against Ave’s leg. Ave had to brace herself against the cat’s weight.

“You don’t seem surprised to hear me talk.”

“Should I be-” Ave dropped to her knees. She faced the cat. “Before we go any further. Can I pet you?”

“What?” The cat twitched its whiskers.

“This is the most important thing in the world to me at this exact moment. Can I pet you?” Ave leaned in closer.

“You stupid human. I don’t care what you do.” The cat turned its head to the side.

Ave pounced. She reached out and started scritching the cat behind the ears. “What’s your name?”

“Zestal.” The cat purred.

“Are cats supposed to eat that much bread?”

“I’m not a real cat.”

“Do you belong to Lady House?”

“I’m a cat. I belong to no one.” Zestal leaned into Ave’s hand ever so slightly.

“I thought you said you weren’t a cat.”

“Grrr… that’s enough!” Zestal swatted Ave’s hands away with a paw.

Ave stood up. “You’re right. I’m in a hurry. We should get going. Should I carry you?”

“Carry me why?” Zestal asked.

“Because you’re going to show me the way to the vault.”

#

Ave walked down a hallway in the hotel section of the Ocean’s Bounty. The floors were carpeted with images of splashing dolphins. The suites had names like ‘The Mermaid’s Treasure’ and ‘The Walruses’ Grotto’.

Ave had Zestal wrapped over her shoulders. The sheer size of the cat meant that it was like walking with a fur covered inner tube hanging around her neck. Zestal made no attempt to distribute its weight evenly. The cat’s head was propped up on Ave’s right shoulder.

Ave rolled her shoulders to try and find a comfortable position. “Where is your tail?” she asked.

“Don’t you worry about that.” Zestal purred.

Ave tried desperately to get some cat hair off of her tongue.

“Take a left here.” Zestal said to Ave.

They passed a food cart that was sitting unattended in the hallway.

“Grab me that fruit pie.” Zestal pointed a claw at a dish lying on the cart.

“Are you sure? Its got a bite taken out of it?”

Zestal brought her teeth right next to Ave’s ear. “Did I stutter?”

Ave picked up the fruit pie in her left hand. She lifted the pie to her shoulder. Zestal’s head snapped forward. In an instant the cat’s jaws consumed the pie and wrapped around Ave’s hand at the wrist. Ave held her hand perfectly still. Zestal’s eyes glittered. The cat's teeth sank in almost to the point of drawing blood.

Ave took an even breath. She looked Zestal in the eyes. “No… bad kitty.”

Zestal’s lips slowly parted. The pie was gone. Ave withdrew her sticky hand.

“Meowh, meowh, meowh.” Zestal chuckled. “Only a joke. You’re not afraid of me?”

“I am.”

“You don’t show it.”

“I don’t.”

“How do you know that I’m not a monster? I could be luring you into a trap. Taking you to a dead end where I can devour your skin and bones without anyone watching.” The cat purred.

“I’ve seen you eat. You don’t hold back when you actually want to consume something.”

“Meowh, meowh, that’s right.” Zestal licked its lips. “I think I might like you Ave. I’ll be sure to eat you last.”

#

Ave and Zestal made their way into the high roller area of the Gambling Hall. Occasionally a server would give them a strange look as they passed. Ave kept walking and looking straight ahead.

“This is the place.” said Zestal.

Ave and the cat stood in front of a massive set of double doors. The door’s handles were inlaid with mother of pearl and shaped like curled eels.

Ave set her mouth in a tight line and gripped the handles of the door. “Okay.”

She opened the door.

In a large, lavishly furnished meeting room Lady House, Councilor A, and Mayor Letterman, surrounded by their attendants and guards, turned to watch Ave open the door.

“This should be fun.” Zestal purred from Ave’s shoulder.