“Tausend Tobende Tornados! This is a mess…” Graam cursed with a groan before drowning his sorrows in another jug of patented Crimson Slur Brew for the nth time this day. With a slam he hammered the jug back on the table and just wanted to let himself sprawl out on it in exhaustion, just like the droplets of red shimmering alcohol did as they rained down.
“And with perfect timing to cut off any reinforcements.” The bobcat across him mused, paranoia tempered by cold logic and common sense reflecting behind his cold, ice blue eyes. Gingerly he nursed his own drink, something more classy and more juice than actual alcohol. James had never liked alcohol and even this little bit made him frown in distaste, but in a place like this he was lucky he got anything under 10%.
He let his gaze wander around the club. It was one of the more reputable ones, but seeing as it was only early into the afternoon the amount of visitors was rather limited. Only a single girl was currently dancing at the poles, her body clad in tight lingerie with fluttering bits that swished captivating around her body. The Bat Rabbit had her eyes closed, a serene look on her face.
“You think they actually planned this?”
Graam’s question pulled him out of his thoughts. It was not for the first time the shark had asked but then again James had had time to muse things over.
“No.” James turned back to his friend and co-conspirator and shook his head with a smile. “They would have dozens of other, far more dangerous options if they had actually managed to infiltrate us like that.”
“Great, then we’re just dealing with an unknown…” Graam grumbled, looking not too happy about that either.
“Well, whoever they were, they didn’t trash the room or steal anything from what you told me. I believe that we can at least count out immediate hostilities.” James chuckled lightly but then frowned. “Not that we can spare anyone to check either way.”
A lot went unspoken between the two. Even as the Noctis Xerxes was basically under their ownership, it was still a relatively public place and it wouldn’t do for anyone to overhear anything too incriminating. Like an illegal TelePad network leading directly into the Ebenerz’ capital.
“Stole my snacks, they did…” Graam pouted, looking sadly into his once again empty jug
“Perhaps we’re dealing with the Sweet Mafia then.” James offered, hiding his lopsided smirk behind his glass. His tail flicked amusedly through the air behind him.
“Another round?”
Their conversation was interrupted by a beautiful she-wolf waitress, a skimpy outfit of tight purple hot pants and half unbuttoned blouse just so covering her body. Her hair was long and green, fitting with her lighter fur, and had stripes of purple flowing through it. She was carrying a tray with another bottle to refill Graam’s jug.
“Haha! Keep it flowing, Mädel!” Graam readily accepted her offer with a laugh and smile that she brightly returned. It was most definitely played up, though there was genuine amusement sparkling her eyes.
“Another? I’m surprised you can even speak, much less sit right now.” .
“Bah! This is nothing! Back in Black Stone Keep I kept up with the best of the best!” Graam guffawed with a heavy belly chuckle as easily ignored Jame’s scolding. Smirking confidently he poured the bottle in its entirety into his massive jug.
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The she-wolf threw James a mischievous wink as Graam bragged about his old victories, making him hold back on his usual quibbling with the shark. Then he noticed the distinctly brighter colouration of Graam’s drink. Understanding dawned and James gave her small nod of amused approval, toasting her inconspicuously. She smiled back, first at him and then at Graam.
“Please call me for any of your needs~”
And with a cheeky sway of her hips and flick of her tail she left their table behind, drawing quite the attention to her backside as she made her way through the club.
“Well, can’t keep the fish from swimming.” James sighed dramatically, attention turned back to his partner, and leant backwards to enjoy the show. Sadly Graam was far too drunk to actually take notice of his conspicuously easy acquiescence.
“Finally you’re getting it!” Grinning widely, Graam threw back his head to jug his jug of definitely alcohol in one go. The grin was still there on his first gulp. Then it froze by the second. And by the third he slammed the jug back down with wide eyes, coughing and sputtering heavily as the bitter taste filled his mouth. Sobriety returned to him within seconds.
“Kahl Kotzender Klabautermann! What the Abyss did that girl poison me with?!”
“That’s what you get for not checking your drinks first.” James smiled amused. “Zirpern Nessel Tea, the perfect way to kill any buzz.”
Still sputtering in disbelief, Graam glared down at his jug as if it had betrayed him personally.
It took a short while but finally Graam had calmed down enough from getting his buzz stolen that their conversation was able to continue.
“Thank you.” James nodded to the she-wolf as she returned, handing him another cup while taking the now empty bottles with her. A small note appeared in his hands shortly after the girl had flitted back into the now slowly filling club.
“So, what’s it saying?” Graam sighed audibly, still moping about being sober.
“Well, it seems like our intruder has been making quite the ruckus. A Leporidea Felis has been seen fleeing the scene nearby before rising to the roofs with strange Amber Apparatuses.”
Graam blinked confused as the words washed meaningless over him.
“The who did what now? All that fancy talk is just making things confusing, keep to the common wording. You don’t see me talking about fancy sailing terms around you, now do you?”
James just rolled his eyes in amusement at Graam’s narrowed own and gave him a raised eyebrow.
“A bunny cat was jumping around in Amber Tech. That’s the gist of it. Just shortly after things went south. That good for you?”
“Hehe, very good. Keep it up.” Graam grinned widely, giving him a thumbs up. Now that he could understand! Only to then frown and scrunch his face up in thought. “A bunny cat… hey, didn’t old Holomew have someone like that? Daughter or something like that… can’t remember…!”
Lightly Graam knocked against his skull as his memories simply didn’t want to cooperate with him. Abyss take him!
“Sorry, I sadly don’t have any information about that. But if that is the case we can safely say the whole east side’s down.”
James sighed.
“Anyways, according to this she’s been last seen fleeing from a number of City Guards from the Coast Sector back into the Southern Vent Slums. So you better keep an eye out for her when you get back home.”
“And the heat’s back on now, too.” Graam groaned. “And here I thought the City Guards were all preoccupied with the festival.”
“I think she’s been quite the distraction in that regard. A complete unknown running around with most likely illegal Amber Tech? It’s no wonder that they are hot on her trails. That, or because she’s actually part of the Sweet Mafia.”
James chuckled softly only to quickly sober up under Graam’s light glare.
“This is serious.”
“I am sorry, it seems like the alcohol has been getting to me after all.”
The bobcat frowned down at his drink.
“Yeah, wish it was getting to me still…” Graam grumbled and then shook his head. “Hopefully this quiets down quickly.”
They stayed for another round of drinks, James having poured himself some of the Zirpern Nessel Tea, and then payed and went to leave their separate ways for the evening. By now the club was also crowded with people cheering on as the girls danced their hearts out and their clothes off. It was getting far too noise and populated for any sort of important talk.
“Have a good evening, Graam.” James tipped his head with a smile and vanished into the shadows of the alleyways.
“Heh, you too!” Graam chuckled and stuffed his hands into his pockets, whistling a jaunty tune as he wandered back home. On his way he kept his eyes out for any potential bunny cats passing him by. They widened. Adoptive Granddaughter! That’s what it was…! He snapped his fingers as he finally remembered. A nostalgic smile slipped onto his lips and he reminisced about his old friend Holomew.