The whole atmosphere had changed in just a moment. The flirtatious and near sexual energy had dissipated like smoke in the wind. It suddenly felt like my tie was too tight and I was being choked. I took a deep breath and ran my hands along the pleats of my slacks. “Well, let me just ask. Have you heard of Grizzlebats the Magnificent?”
She nodded as she tied her hair up in a bun. A few strands of her hair dangled framing her beautiful elven features. The effortless grace and breathtaking beauty of the fae playing in her favor. “I have, he came into town last year. Recently had graduated from quite the prestigious school. What of him?”
“Well, I had someone come to me and tell me that he might be up to something that will hurt your town. I’m taking some time to look into it and see what I can do about it. Or if there is anything to do about it.” Nervous energy flashed through me like sparks of lightning across the sky preparing for a thunderous strike. I wanted to smoke so badly to soothe my nerves but the car wouldn’t allow me that.
“He has been an upstanding member of the community and like most wizards has carried a lot of wealth into our town. I’d hate for that to be disrupted. I want the best for my town, I also want to stay in my seat of mayoral power. I’ve grown accustomed to it over the last decade.” Her arms crossed and pressed her modest breasts together under her blouse and I swallowed the desire to gaze downwards. Her businesslike demeanor told me it wasn’t intentional.
“Well, I was approached by someone he influenced with his wealth and they claimed that he didn’t follow through with some of his promises. They believed he was more than what he seemed. Something in my gut tells me there is something more to all this and it is worth looking into.” I set one hand on the table and I tapped the table each beat of the next sentence for emphasis. “I trust my gut, it's never steered me wrong.”
“Something like this could displease the wizard. Are you sure you want that kind of enemy walking around? All for a gut feeling?” Her words were light and questioning. Her eyes weighed me and whatever bravery she was looking for.
“I’m not afraid of wizards. They may be some of the most powerful individuals in the world but there are ways to stop them. You seem to know a bit about this one though, do you know anything about his family that I need to be aware of?” It was difficult but I kept my fingers from nervously tapping as I waited for her.
Her look was ponderous and introspective. “Well, his previous family name was Wonderbells. I learned that over a particularly nice dinner at my abode when I thanked him for his contribution to a local orphanage. Have you heard of them?” Tulip arched a pretty eyebrow as the full green eyes gave me no indication of where they were looking.
“Vaguely, some minor nobles from Utony Principality. I thought they weren’t very affluent.”
“Well, they aren’t much more than that. Grizzlebats is their golden child. Born under destined stars and with massive mana capacity. He is so strong that he can charge his entire mansion's enchantments every month without assistance, and let me tell you those take a lot of energy. I have to pay nearly three dozen minor talented sages to refresh my enchantments every month. Though, with how much money the wizard has used I wouldn’t be surprised if it affected his family. His parents are very much still alive.” The food arrived as she spoke.
An english biscuit with a round slice of smoked ham and an overeasy egg sitting on top drenched in hollandaise. Forks were set down next to us and then small linked sausages set on a separate plate so they wouldn’t be touched by the sauce. Tulip started to eat as she watched me. My appetite wasn’t really there but I forced myself to take a bite while I contemplated what she said.
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“You said he has been spending quite a lot of wealth into Springtrove what do you mean by that?” Something about this might be the thread I am looking for to start chasing. A tingle in my gut telling me to follow this trail.
“Oh, he has bought several businesses around town and even helped fund a renovation of an orphanage. When I asked him about that he just told me that, ‘You gotta spend gold to make gold. It won’t make itself.’” Her eyes fluttered closed as she took a bite with quite a bit of the yolky sauce. “Mmmmm, delicious.”
I stabbed a link of sausage and took a bite. Just the right amount of spices and seasoning amongst the pork to make the whole thing pop with flavor. “Do you have records of how much that all would have cost? Even minor nobles might struggle to spend that much money in just a year.”
“I’m sure if you talked to the right people you could be allowed to pull those records. I mean, if you wanted to do it unofficially that is. If you start getting more official means in it you might tip off one of my favorite people.”
“Why help me if he is one of your favorite people?” A spike in curiosity filled my mind as I looked at her.
She reached over the table and took my orange juice from me and sipped at it without asking. “Well, if you must know, he wants his debts paid for things I don’t like to do. Like retrieving the hair from a unicorn. You know how difficult it is to remain pure enough to see and interact with unicorns. A woman wants to live after a hundred years.”
I choked on my food and pounded my chest at her words. She slid my juice back to me and I forced the food down with a wash of the acidic and sweet liquid. Through coughs I managed to get some words out, “I thought that wasn’t real. I thought anyone could see them.”
“Oh, have you ever seen one?” She quirked an eyebrow and I could see her judgment in them. “Do you have either a just or pure heart to the quality that they let you see them?”
“I…. I’ve never seen a unicorn. I’ve seen their scry stills and the products that are humanely harvested from them. Otherwise I wouldn’t believe they’re real.” My eyes watered as I washed away the last of the stuck food with my orange juice.
Tulip rolled her eyes, “I thought so. Well, I can see them. And I don’t appreciate your reaction to that news. You think I wouldn’t be able to?”
“Well you’re just so beautiful and you were so flirtatious. That doesn’t strike me as someone that would be so inexperienced.” Her cold stare told me I had used the wrong words while addressing her and I backtracked suddenly, “Not that it's bad you’re that way. I mean people are allowed to be themselves no matter what. It… I…. ummmm.”
With a huff she uncrossed her arms and kicked her feet out hitting my shin softly. “You were so suave I thought you would have enjoyed the flirting.”
“I did,” I stammered, “It was nice and felt good.” I rubbed my shin keeping the pain from my face. The food between us was gone.
“Well, I have a rolodex of people in my office. I think you could talk to that would give you some of the information you are looking for. I will be so gracious to help you out if you make sure that whatever you find you will loop me in on anything that would be affecting Springtrove.”
I held out my hand, “I’ll keep you informed of anything that I note that will be something you should worry about if you help me. In return if this needs to go to court, you will choose me to prosecute.”
She took my hand and stared me in the eye, “You know how binding deals are with my kind. I can’t give any debt to your name until it is completed. You’ll be at my service if it pertains to the deal. Even though I am only half fae you will be compelled to follow it.”
“I know.”
“Then you have a deal,” Tulip smiled widely as the magic flowed between us and wrapped around my heart as the contract took hold. “We are compelled to help one another. Bound by some of the most powerful magic. Exciting isn’t it?”
I could only nod. The fascinating and interesting woman before me shined anew as magic flowed between us. Something predatory in her smile told me that I might’ve made a mistake in all this.
“Next stop Springtrove, all passengers disembarking please get yourselves ready. We will be only stopping for five minutes before we continue on. All those staying on please present your tickets for punches.” The orc from earlier walked down the aisle taking tickets from a few people and punching new holes in them.
The waiter came by with his cart and picked up the used dishes cleaned of everything but some of the hollandaise. “I hope you enjoyed it. Thank you for riding with us today.”
We stood up and I pulled my jacket back on over my suit and made sure everything was straight and looked good. I felt Tulip’s eyes on me as she stood and stretched. “Well, I have some meetings for a few days before I have time to entertain you. Why don’t you come by around 4:30 on Wednesday and we can go over who you need to talk to. I’m sure that will give you enough time for you to find somewhere to stay. You’re gonna be here for a little while aren’t you?” I looked at her, the emerald orbs of her eyes shimmering with something promising. “See you later.” As she turned I couldn’t help but drink in the sight one more time.
“Fuck, what have I stumbled into.”