“We’re already at maximum capacity dealing with the preliminary matches for the tournament. But now Lady House says that she wants the final banquet timetable accelerated! I’m not sure how much more the kitchens can take. We are reaching critical fondue levels.” The Thimbletopped Gourmet waved a ladle over his head.

The catering kitchen of the Ocean’s Bounty was larger than most tennis courts but still filled with people constantly serving. A grand variety of butchers, sous chefs, and sauciers ran back and forth in every direction.

Angel crossed her arms and shouted over the commotion. “I don't care what it takes. Lady House gets what she wants. Request more crystals from the artificers if you need to, but make sure that your catering staff is prepared. The Boss wants those banquet tables fully stocked and she always gets what she wants.”

“But the fondue. It’s only good for a few days. We can’t keep the tables up for much longer.”

“That is not my problem. You figure it out. Or would you rather walk the carpets with the servers in the high roller rooms?”

The Thimbletopped Gourmet quivered with rage. “Fine. you want the big banquet! I will fill this hall full of cheese. You remember this when you see how fat the rats in the service tunnels will get.”

Angel scoffed. “Make it happen.”

Angel turned suddenly and looked over her shoulder. The kitchen behind her was filled with steam from pots, pans, and prep tables. Was there someone watching her from the other side of the kitchen?

#

“Oh crap! I think she saw me.” Tasha ducked behind an oven.

Ave peeked around the corner. “Are you sure?”

“I’m wearing a bright purple fish tail, I’m pretty sure.”

“Quick grab one of those food carts.”

A line of food carts was stationed next to the prep counter in the kitchen.

“Which one?” Tasha panicked.

“Any one. It doesn't matter. Lets go.”

Tasha grabbed a food cart. She started pushing it towards the edge of the kitchen. Ave rounded the corner and walked beside her.

#

Angel shrugged her shoulders. Probably nothing. The woman turned, adjusted the axe on her back, then strolled out of the kitchen and back into the service tunnels.

#

The Thimbletopped Gourmet mumbled as he made some notes on his kitchen order form.

“More supplies… double shifts… extra cheese for the banquet. Hmmm, thinking about cheese, by the dark eye where is my gouda? I had a wheel of it right here.”

#

*Squeak*Squeak*

“Where do you think she is going?”

“It looks like she's on her way back to the elevators.”

Ave and Tasha made their way through the underground tunnels beneath the Ocean’s Bounty. The trolley that Tasha was pushing rattled noisily as the wheels rolled over the stone floor.

*Squeak*Squeak*

“Keep walking. Act normal. We've done nothing wrong.” Tasha said.

“I'm fine. I'm walking normally. Are you nervous?” asked Ave.

“No. Not at all.” Tasha wiped sweat away from her eyes.

“Look up there. I can see Angel getting on one of the elevators. If we hurry we can-”

The lid of one of the food trays rattled. Tasha stopped in her tracks. Ave and Tasha looked at each other. They looked at the tray. With a trembling hand Tasha reached over and lifted up the lid.

Eins rolled over on a bed of lettuce. One half of a baked potato was stuffed in the dog’s cheeks while it chewed on the other half held in its paws. Crumbs of gouda and leftover shrimp tails decorated the rest of the cart.

Eins looked up and gulped. “Oh? There you are.”

“Eins what are you doing down here?” Ave asked.

“And why are you covered in sour cream?” Tasha asked.

“I was sent down here to find you two.” said Eins.

“Then why were you hiding in a food cart?”

“I got distracted.” Eins whined.

*Ding*Ding*

Ave looked up. “Fudge chuckles, we missed the elevator.”

“Oh well. Too bad. Should we head home now?” Eins stretched its little wings.

Ave watched the floor counter on the elevator tick down.

“We’re not leaving yet. It looks like she’s heading down to the pool area.” said Ave.

Stolen content warning: this tale belongs on Royal Road. Report any occurrences elsewhere.

“The swimming pool?” Tasha asked.

“No, the vehicle pool. How did you know there was a swimming pool down here?” Ave asked.

*Ding*Ding*

“Look! There’s another elevator we can take.” Tasha pointed.

Another server turned around the corner and paused. The server looked over at Ave and Tasha crouched down next to a food cart with a dog sitting on a platter in the middle.

Tasha nudged Ave. “Let's all hurry and get on the elevator.”

#

*Ding*Ding*

Ave, Tasha, and Eins stepped off the elevator into the motor pool area under the Gambling Hall. Three servers heading the other way waved at the group as they stepped onto the now vacant elevator. Ave waved back. Tasha kept her head down and pushed the trolley.

Ave walked behind the carriages. She peeked between the vehicles at regular intervals.

Tasha’s head swiveled around as she looked at all of the parked carriages.

“Oh wow, look at these. Are these from the Capital?”

Ave glanced over. “Some of them are. There’s a few personal cabs for the Captens. Those five wheeled carriages are troop transports and the seven wheeled ones are for supplies.”

Tasha pointed at a giant metal monstrosity. “And what about that one?”

“That’s… a special type. My friend Platina brought that with her. Some kind of prototype.”

“What's that giant metal spike on the front?”

“I don't know. I think they use it for hunting leviathans or something.”

Tasha’s eyes sparkled. “Oooh that's really interesting. I've never been to the coast. Do you think that your friend has any of the documentation that these things came with? I would love to add it to my compendium.”

*Grumble*

“Oooh.” Eins rolled on its side on the cart.

Ave leaned back. “What’s wrong Eins?”

“My tummy hurts.”

Ave rolled a crumb between her fingers. “For like the thirtieth time Eins, please stop eating so much cheese. Or at least stop eating it so quickly. Aged gouda is thicker than regular. And then you ate a bunch of potatoes on top of that.” She rubbed the dog around the midsection. “I think that you doubled your weight.”

*Clink*Clang*

Tasha’s purple fishtail shook back and forth as the young woman crawled under a nearby carriage.

Ave frowned. “Tasha what are you doing?”

“Hold on. I want to check under the chassis real quick.”

“We don’t have time for that right now.” Ave hoisted Eins over her shoulder. She scanned the room. “Over there. I can see Angel on the other side of the room.”

“She’s talking to someone. Some kind of dour auxiliary… Look! They’re heading towards the exit.” Eins looked over her shoulder.

“Then there’s no time to lose. Let’s get out of here and-”

“There you are Eins! And you brought your foolish human with you!”

>>>⧨⧨⧨⧩⧩⧩<<<

The bulky form of Zestal appeared on the top of a nearby carriage. There was the rasping sound of keratin on metal as the cat’s claws scraped over the roof of the vehicle.

*Scritch*Scratch*

The shadow of the hulking feline fell over the group like a dark cloud.

Eins lowered its ears. “Zestal. How, how are you? This isn't what it looks like. We were only visiting today. In fact, we were just on our way out. Isn’t that right ladies?”

Zestal jumped down in between the carriages with a *Thud*. The cat’s scaly tail swished back and forth behind it, menacingly. The spirit seemed even bigger than before. There was no way to move past.

(I really should have warned Ave about the cat.) Tasha thought.

(I really should have warned Tasha about the cat.) Ave thought.

“You’re not making this very fun for me Eins. I know every corner of this building. There is nowhere you can hide from me. I was expecting more. I was expecting a chase. Maybe… I should eat one of your little humans right now? That would certainly put some spark in this game. Meow meow meow…” The cat laughed to itself.

“Zestal, no…” Eins shivered.

Ave stood up on her tiptoes and craned her neck to catch a glimpse of Angel leaving the motor pool area.

“We do not have time for this.” Ave grumbled.

Ave crouched down on the balls of her feet. With a sudden spring she leapt forward onto Zestal’s back.

“Ah! What! Get off of me!” Zestal thrashed.

Ave curled an arm around the cat’s prodigious neck. With her free hand she started scritching Zestal’s chin.

“Quiet now. You need to stop being such a little cranky paws. Are you hungry?” Ave said.

“Ah yes! Hungry for your human bones! *Purrr* Release me!” Zestal tried desperately to claw at the human latched onto the back of its neck. But cat anatomy was not accommodating and Ave held on.

“Tasha! Grab some food from the cart!” Ave yelled.

Tasha snatched a dish off of the food cart. She pulled off the lid revealing a roasted pig’s leg. Grabbing the pig’s hoof she underhand tossed it into Ave’s waiting hand.

Ave caught the roast pork and dangled it in front of Zestal’s nose.

“Does kitty want some munchies?”

“Don’t you patronize me!” Zestal shouted.

Even so the cat’s eyes followed the ham hock as it swung back and forth in front of its nose. With a reluctant grunt Zestal lurched forward and started nibbling on the side of the roast.

“There we go. Good kitty.” Ave said. She reached down and started rubbing Zestal’s pudgy belly. The cat rolled over on its side.

*Purrr*

Tasha pulled another tray off of the cart. “Maybe some cantaloupe bread as well?” She waved the tray in an appealing manner.

“I don’t… I don’t see why not.” The cat said with its cheeks full of ham.

Tasha tilted the plate into Zestal’s mouth. The cat’s serrated fangs parted like the teeth of a zipper and latched onto the bread without releasing the ham.

Ave kept petting. “That’s better isn’t it. Maybe you won’t be so angry when you’re full.”

“This is *Chew* very demeaning. *Crunch* I’m in charge of the facility’s security.” said Zestal.

Eins patted Zestal’s cheek. “And you’re doing a great job. You’ve already scared us into leaving. Care for some gravy?”

“Only a little.”

Eins scooted a gravy boat in front of Zestal’s nose. The cat’s tongue licked out and started lapping gravy directly into its mouth.

*Slurp*Slurp*Slurp*

“How about this? We leave the rest of this food here and then we leave and promise not to bother you again? How does that sound?” Ave offered.

“I suppose I can *Munch* eat you anytime. Do whatever you want.” Zestal waved a paw dismissively.

“Great.”

Ave and Tasha shoved the remaining trays from the cart onto the ground. Zestal took its time daintily devouring the dishes. Ave and Tasha squeezed past the cat and started jogging towards the room’s exit.

“It was nice to see you again Zestal.” Eins said.

“This isn’t over Eins. You haven’t won. Not yet. You’ll never win.” Zestal grumbled.

“You might be right Zestal, but I don’t think I want to win. I don’t think it matters to me. Not like it does to you.”

“Then you’re a fool Eins. Winning is all that matters.”

“Maybe you’re right. I am a fool. But I spent so long being afraid that right now, being a little foolish feels good.”

“...”

“I’ll see you later Zestal.”

Eins hopped up and ran to join Ave and Tasha.

Zestal spit up a bone and let out a loud *BELCH*.

“I’ll get you next time Eins. You and your little humans too.”