Claribel exits a van filled with armed thugs, all wearing masks and carrying various weapons. Her shoes click against the cracked pavement as she approaches Stella's Strip House, the neon signs flickering and buzzing in the graying atmosphere. She tugs her long coat tighter to cover herself from the chilly wind and adjusts her stetson, her red eyes glowing beneath the brim as she walks towards the entrance.

Two burly badger guards watch Claribel from their post at the front door, and when she reaches them, she sizes them up with a calculating gaze. She flicks her forked tongue, tasting their cheap cologne and the tang of gun oil. Definitely armed.

“Can we help you, miss?” says the taller badger.

"I need to talk to your managers," says Claribel.

The guards exchange a glance, then bark out harsh laughs.

"What for?" snickers the shorter badger. “You looking for a job?”

“No. This is related to Mama Bear,” says Claribel.

The two guards lose their smiles, and the larger one sneers.

“This is neutral ground. We don’t mess with Mama Bear, and she don’t mess with us,” says the large guard. “And if you try anything with your goons in the van, just know none of you will leave this parking lot alive.”

Claribel takes a heavy step forward and tilts her head up to look into the guard’s eyes, her tail rattling and her fingers gripping her holstered pistol. “One of your employees has been engaging in hostile activities against us for a while and now kidnapped one of our fixers. So, either you let me in to speak with the managers, or we’ll send Thaddeus Yap. What’s it going to be?”

The two guards stare at Claribel, and she stares back, her tail continuously rattling. Chilly wind blows trash between them. Finally, the large guard nudges his smaller partner.

“Tell Stella and Sebastian they have a guest from Mama Bear,” he says.

The smaller badger guard hurries inside and the larger guard turns back to Claribel, his expression guarded.

"Wait here," he grunts.

Claribel clasps her hands behind her back, waiting patiently as the muffled thump of dubstep music emanates from within Stella's Strip House. Her red eyes scan the surrounding area, and a few minutes later, the guard returns, flanked by two more burly badgers in matching security uniforms.

"The bosses will see you now," he says gruffly. "But no funny business, understand?"

Claribel nods. “Understood.”

She enters the establishment with the badgers, her heels clicking on the grimy linoleum of the main lobby. Inside, the air is thick with the mingled scents of sweat, alcohol, and desperation. Neon lights pulse in time with the heavy bass, casting lurid colors across the main stage where a few dancers halfheartedly work the poles. A handful of patrons nurse drinks at the sticky tables surrounding the stage. They don’t notice Claribel being escorted by the trio of badger guards.

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They reach a narrow hallway guarded by another badger. He opens the door to reveal a steep set of stairs leading up. Claribel follows the guards, their heavy footsteps echoing in the confined space.

At the top is a solid oak door with a brass plaque that reads "Management". The lead guard knocks three times. There's a pause, then a gruff male voice barks, "Enter!"

The office is posh compared to the seedy club below, and frankly it is one of the nicest rooms in all of Bliss Town. The room is furnished with burgundy carpet, mahogany paneled walls, leather armchairs, plush couches and cabinets full of drinks and snack, plus a large TV and a wall of smaller monitors displaying camera feeds. A polished oak desk dominates the room, and sitting behind it are two badgers, one male and one female.

As Claribel walks further into the office, her keen eyes taking in every detail of the well-appointed space. The male badger rises from his high-backed leather chair, adjusting his tailored charcoal suit. His graying fur is neatly trimmed, and his small dark eyes appraise Claribel shrewdly.

"Ms. Blair, I presume? I'm Sebastian Taxus, and this is my wife and business partner, Stella."

He gestures to the female badger seated beside him.

Stella Taxus inclines her head in greeting, her elegantly coiffed silver-streaked fur gleaming under the soft light of the brass desk lamp. She wears a black sheath dress and a string of lustrous pearls around her neck that hug her lithe body perfectly. Her manicured claws tap gently on the polished oak of the desk.

"Please, have a seat," Sebastian says, pointing his palm at one of the plush leather armchairs facing the desk. He nods to his guards. “You may leave. There’s nothing to fear from her.”

The guards leave without a word, and Claribel settles into the chair, crossing her legs and resting her hands on the armrests. The leather is buttery soft beneath her fingertips. Sebastian resumes his own seat, steepling his fingers and leaning forward.

"Now then, to what do we owe the pleasure of a visit from one of Mama Bear's fixers?" asks Sebastian calmly.

Claribel flicks her tongue, tasting the tension and manufactured scent in the air. "I'll get straight to it. One of your employees kidnapped one of Mama Bear’s fixers and has been engaging in violent operations against us. I want her contact information and address.”

“She’s pretty. Exotic, too,” says Stella, eyeing up Claribel.

Claribel tugs her coat tighter around her without sacrificing her stern gaze, and Sebastian clears his throat.

"Now, now, Stella. Let's stay focused," says Sebastian firmly. He turns back to Claribel, his expression neutral. "Ms. Blair, I'm afraid there must be some misunderstanding. All of our employees know better than to interfere with Mama Bear's business. We value our neutrality."

Claribel leans forward, her red eyes glinting. "Then you won't mind providing me with the information I've requested. Her name is Lexia Hartwick."

Sebastian and Stella exchange heavy glances. Sebastian drums his clawed fingers on the desk.

"Perhaps there is another way to solve this conundrum. Lexia is one of our more popular dancers, after all,” says Sebastian.

“I don’t care. Give me the file or I’ll force it out of you and then you'll answer to Mama Bear,” says Claribel.

Stella calmly opens a drawer, rifling through some files for a few seconds before pulling out a folder. "Lexia is very well liked by our patrons. Seeing her go will put a damper on our business." She closes the drawer with a steady push. "But I assure you, we had no idea she was involved in anything hostile towards the Mama Bear Syndicate."

"The file," Claribel says firmly, her hand extended.

Sebastian's jaw tightens but he nods. "Very well.”

He grabs the file from Stella and gives it to Claribel. She flips through the file, putting special focus on the address, which is merely a post office box.

“Our deepest apologies to Mama Bear and those who were negatively affected by Lexia's actions. We will fax her a copy of Lexia's termination letter immediately,” says Sebastian.

“Apology accepted,” says Claribel. She stands up and slips the file inside her large inner coat pocket. “Now, if you'll excuse me, I have a rodent to find.”