The noise had stopped. For an hour Belaohorde lay awake, spiders running up his spinal cord with tickling anxiety. He could just go up and have a look. If it’s nothing he could go to sleep, in case of an emergency he could call someone. The Esper might be bleeding out, or he could be trapped under a beam. Belaphorde’s mind painted scenarios. His sleep was restless.
The stories of the day simmered in his mind. The Little Prince was cute, but it did not resonate with Belaphorde. The prince traveled between planets with stereotypes; an accountant claiming to own the stars, a king of nothing, a man who just wanted to be admired. And lastly, the fox that through time and care became the Prince’s special fox and he became the fox’s special boy, for that’s the price and treasure of giving yourself away.
He didn’t like it the same way the relationship between a dog and its owner didn’t sit well with him. Sure they love each other, but one party can kill the other without explanation in the eyes of the law. All the nuances in the world that he didn’t have the words to describe but frustrated him endlessly. Perhaps if he needed to continue to read for his mind to get better at Guiding he should ask for non-fiction titles.
***
Belaphorde thought back the itch to scratch at his eyes. Vigo was propped up in bed, his damaged leg propped up on a stack of pillows. The old man had mostly recovered from his fever. A couple of painkillers later and he had no trouble arguing with the S-Rank manager over the agreement of their stay. Since Jenny arrived around noon the two had been in a heated civil discussion that boiled down to Vigo wanting some substantial proof of their future legal situation while the manager pushed back, claiming that there is not a lot to be done on such short notice but that she will write down his requests. Trust was a premium product not easily sown within a wide power gap.
While enjoying some alone time in the bathroom; it was a luxury to enjoy a fresh, tiled, bathroom with plumbing, though he could do without the disco ball and aggressive lamps around the mirror; Belaphorde checked his phone to see several missed calls from Tobi. His guts twisted. He did not know when the phone had been put on silence, perhaps it had always been and Belaphorde had not noticed. It did not manage to ring once before Tobi answered the call.
“Hey Bel, finally you picked up. I was thinking you had left me for dead.” His voice was acidic, bubbling with drug-dampened panic.
“What are you talking about? What has happened?” Belaphorde’s uncertain voice echoed uncomfortably. He’d liked to have his pants up for this conversation.
“I won’t beat around the bush with you. I need cash. Right now. Right, right now.”
“I’m sorry Tobi but I told you I need time.”
“You owe me for all the work I’ve put in for you and the Guild. If you don’t help me out I’m going to be hunted down like a dog. Do you want my blood on your hands?”
“I can hear that you are stressed but could you explain the situation to me?”
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“The Outskirts has all gone to shit, you know how dangerous some groups are out here. I made some deals with the Skulls a while back, the specifics are not important. I don’t have the stash to meet their demands and they’ll have my head over it if I don’t pay up. You are a good person, right Belaphorde? So help me out!” Tobi lashed out. There was a sound of glass breaking over the phone.
Belaphorde tried to think. He did not want to handle this but could not leave Tobi to the wolves. There was a time long ago when the Outskirts were safe, built on cooperation and innovation, but that was not now. Belaphorde believed Tobi when he said his life was in danger.
“Are you still there? Don’t go silent on me.”
Belaphorde answered in as calm a voice as he could, “I will see what I can do. I’ll call you back tomorrow. Would that be alright with you?”
More noises of frustration.
“Fine. Alright. Every hour counts. No pressure. Enjoy some time with your alive and well Little Big Boss.”
“Take care. Goodbye.” Belaphorde hung up.
Rigorously he washed his hands and face. While holding on to the sink he could move. His legs were strong enough to allow him to walk short distances with aid. It helped his pride to be able to do simple things without aid, but his body did not agree as he swallowed down whimpers and fought back the impulse to convulse. The wheelchair was a good invention, even when the user was acting stubborn.
Belaphorde wheeled across the hallway to the entertainment room. There was tea and sandwiches served on the game table next to a beige book with the title Modern Guiding Techniques.
Jenny was sitting on the sofa with her laptop. She always had either a serious or irritated expression.
Belaphorde searched for words as he poured himself a cup. He had not tried tea in years. It was disappointing and bitter.
“You look like you have something to say, sir Belaphorde?” Jenny looked at him over her glasses.
“Is Esper Kaigo alright? I heard distressing sounds last night.” It was easier to start with a subject the manager could easily answer.
“I didn't hear anything,” Vigo added even though he would not have woken up even if a truck crashed into the room.
“If you heard noises that means he's still alive. I'd suggest you get to Guiding him as soon as possible. Kaigo is too dangerous for us to help at this moment.”
It disturbed Belaphorde to think Kaigo was left to his own fate. Espers were hardier than most, and with his high ranking, Kaigo could go for days without food or water. But there was no cure for ichor other than a compatible Guide.
“I see. So the third floor is off-limits to everyone?”
“Correct.”
“Hey,” Vigo interjected. “I’m still not hearing anything about a savings account. We need to know there’s somewhere we are storing up our pay while we wait for identifications.”
“We can get physical cash, then there should not be any issues,” Belaphorde said to test the waters.
“You are making it sound like I personally am sitting on the Guilds treasury and that I can hand it out however I’d like. That’s not how this works. I’ve shown you the standard agreements we have for our Guides and Espers. We have paid your medical bills and are allowing you to stay here with nothing more than your word to go on. I’d like to do things by the book and only deviate when absolutely necessary.”
“I might not have the details but I’m sure the Guild would have no issue providing us with some financial stability. We are here on the basis of trust. I saved Kaigo’s life. I want cash not out of pettiness, but because I need something to prove that we are equal partners, that I’m not financially forced to be here.” Belaphorde straightened his back as he projected authority and ice. “Even if I was healthy I don’t have the means or knowledge to even walk beyond this house. I’m grateful for what the Guild has done for me and Vigo. We can be patient with the process, but I need money right now to not consider myself a prisoner.”
Jenny did not falter for a second. “This situation might have been different if our intelligence network had not painted you as a dangerous man. The company trusts you enough. Your medical treatment, training, your stay here. That costs money. The situation may change when you prove you can provide the service you are here for. Guide Kaigo. Then we can speak of rewards.”
Belaphorde tried to speak up but could not find any more arguments. Jenny stood up and straightened her long black skirt. “Tina told me to leave you this. Study it well.” She gestured to the book and made her exit.