Norbert followed the guards through the room, wondering what had them in such a bind. As he followed the two, people stared at him as he walked through. Whispers went through the crowd that was on the first floor. Heading towards the back of the cube, past the stairs leaning forward and the kiosk, people changed chips.
Walking to the back, Norbert passed the roulette table he was using, all the tables in the same place as in Vesivan. Meeting the wall, Norbert saw the guard in front of him step through the wall, going through the invisible door. Following through, Norbert entered the passageway as before entering through to the other side.
Instead of the torches he saw before this, the tunnels had lights shining out from the wall. Around it was a magic circle and crystal from which the light emanated. Looking at the difference, people here were humans, not the beast folk he had seen before.
As he followed between the two, the other servers coming in and out of the kitchen stepped to the side of the hallway, not wanting to get in the way of the guards and the individual between them. Norbert followed them, turning right at the T junction and going down.
He realised it was the same layout as last time, going down the winding stairs, guards positioned looking the same as before as they went down. On the staircase were the torches as seen before, the guards in the usual position. As he passed one, instead of just looking forward, they stared at him as he walked down, following him with their gaze.
Norbert continued down the step, growing more nervous by the second until he reached the bottom. Once more, walking through the room, the same setup as before, he found the people milling about with boxes on the side. Instead of the gate being unused, it was currently active—a blue swirling mix, as he would expect. People coming in through one side, placing the crates they were carrying down and leaving out the other side in a loop.
Stopping, he stared at the people moving about, wondering what they wanted to bring in here at such a large amount. All the crates looked the same size and made the same way. His curiosity peaked, but knowing that he shouldn't stop following the guards or else have to run away again and have another chase through the city.
Following past it, everyone stared at Norbert as he made his way, seeing the door again. One of the guards opening it up, and Norbert saw the same desk and wooden flooring as before. Entering the office, Norbert saw Elizabeth sitting there, papers on her desk. The door closed behind Norbert as he looked around the room, wondering why he was again invited here.
Obsius flew off his shoulder, not knowing when the bird arrived that it flew off onto the desk, hopping around in front of Elizabeth. Finally looking up from her papers, Elizabeth scratched under Obsius's chin before she put her head back down and continued writing.
Norbert, slowly coming forward, sat in the chair opposite her again. Arranging his sword so it wouldn't be in the way, he got comfortable, waiting the time out until the woman opposite him was ready for the conversation.
And wait, he did; at first, Norbert thought she was just being annoying, reminding him of Taschen. But thankfully, Norbert saw one pile steadily grow while the other shrunk, and with the last piece of paper, Elizabeth quickly skimmed over it and brushed a quick signature from what he could tell by the bottom before placing it on the pile.
Sighing, she rubbed the brow of her nose as she put the pen back, tapping her hand on her desk. Moments later, a staff came in carrying a tray with two teacups, saucers, and a kettle. Placing the papers on the tray, they left as Norbert looked at the interaction.
From the kettle, a floral scent came out of the spout. He was filling the air and entering his nostrils. As Norbert leaned forward, trying to get more of the smell and pinpoint where he remembered it, Elizabeth took the kettle and poured some into both cups.
The steam rose off it as she finished, placing the kettle back on the table as she picked the cup and saucer up, taking a sip, sighing as she relaxed into the chair she was on. Norbert picked the two up as well, held it under his nose, breathing deeply in, feeling the steam clear his sinuses, each breath easier than the last and finally, taking a sip, sucking as he heard the once quiet room filled with the sound he was making.
Feeling it on his tongue as it washed away, feeling like he was being rejuvenated with each sip. The memory of his drink in the ruins made him pause momentarily. Calming down as he thought about the memory, this not having the urge and necessity of him to drink it all like that and the elixirs have.
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"So, what did you want to talk to me about?" Norbert asked Elizabeth as he took another sip of his tea before placing the cup and saucer on the desk. "And how did you even know it was me, mask and all?" Norbert said, tapping the side of his helmet with his finger, the entire room echoing.
"Firstly, a bird perching on someone's shoulder constantly is not common for most people. Despite what you may think, individuals don't normally walk around with birds on their shoulders." Elizabeth said, taking another sip before continuing, "And like I said last time we talked, I know people." She said, no sound of slurping happening as she finished her drink.
Norbert just stared, trying to think of the connection between them. "I'm assuming you talked to Commander Sally, then Dousan, Martitia and finally Nancy about the helmet. Well, unless you have contact with Beckia somehow?" Norbert asked, remembering the engraver that she was also someone that knew.
As Norbert waited for Elizabeth to confirm or deny his suspicions, the woman didn't say anything, just smiling at Norbert. Growling to himself that he wouldn't get anything extra out of the woman unless she were willing to give it. "So, what do you want out of me then?" Norbert asked.
Putting her hand to her chest, she breathed in sharply. "My goodness, I wouldn't want to chat with a friend who takes too much of my money. You know how to strike at a woman's heart." Elizabeth replied. Obsius spun around to look at Norbert as the bird chirped at him.
"Now, I don't want none of that with you. Dealing with a power-hungry woman is enough. Don't want to be dealing with you as well." Norbert said to Obsius as he quickly took his finger back, getting it out of the reach of Obsius before it was pecked.
Leaning backwards, Norbert continued, "See, I wanted to have a nice chat with you, show off this mask as a way of thanks for helping me out in Vesivan. What little I know about you, your not one to want to have an inconsequential little chat. So I repeat myself, what would you like me to do?"
Elizabeth went and took another sip. "Well, I need a distraction. I would like you to retrieve an item for me. But I saw enough about your operation in Vesivan to know silence isn't your strong suit."
Norbert nodded, confirming that he wasn't the silent type, although he liked to dress in black. "What distraction would you like me to do and when? I don't know when I will be called next," Norbert said.
"Whatever distraction you feel like, just make it big. And will be tomorrow night, at the docks." She said.
Norbert looked at her quizzically. "And where are the docks in this place?"
Pointing up at the sky was her only response. Norbert just looked at the ceiling. "The casino?" He asked.
Receiving a shake of her head in return, Elizabeth explained, "The flying docks on the tree. There will be cargo leaving tomorrow that I need to acquire. I have other people running to retrieve it. You must make a big stink and grab as much attention as possible."
"And why should I even agree to this and just leave now?" Norbert asked, leaning forward and placing both hands on the armrest, ready to bolt out of the room if needed.
"Let me tell you in your own words. One, because you will need to go through all of those guards you saw on the way here if you want to escape. Not even including the amount I can call for. I know your good but I don't think your that good. Two, because you will be paid for your troubles. And three finally because aren't we friends?" She asked the last remark, tilting her head to the side as she tried to make her eyes be as big as possible while she gave a puppy dog look.
Norbet just staring, bewhildered at her expression. What a strange woman. "Fine, but the payment better be good, and can I bring anyone along with me?" Norbert said.
"A handful of gold coins and nobody else. You're not the only one running a distraction in the city that night. Don't think anyone is going to get some sleep that night." Elizabeth said as she continued drinking her tea.
Norbert just nodded as he felt he tapped his hand against his helmet, looking at the custom design. "Well shoot, I'm going to need a new mask now," Norbert said.
Elizabeth just nodded. "Just get one like before; you can always get it done up after. I would recommend going to whoever did that mask. Did a good job." Elizabeth replied.
Norbert just nodded, thoughts going through his head on what would happen tomorrow. "Well, I best be off then. Going to try and place the order tonight. And can I get some of that gold to pay for the equipment.?" Norbert asked.
"Oh, but I thought you wanted to talk, so let's talk a bit more," Elizabeth said as she topped up his cup. Obsius leaning forward and drinking some of it chirped her approval. "Ok, I relent to the two of you. So, is there anything you would like to know?" Norbert asked.
"Tell me about your story," Elizabeth responded.
"Well, it all started when I fell –"Norbert began, only to be interrupted
"No, not that, from the beginning. Tell me about you from Earth." Elizabeth said.
Obsius turns to him, also turning her head, wanting to hear the story.
"Well, I lived in a small town."
***
The sunrise streamed in from the entrance steps of the casino, he did not even understand how he could have spent an entire day in there, but he was happy that he did. He was leaning a bit more about the woman who ran these casinos.
With Obsius on his shoulder, Norbert headed out to get a new mask and have it get as many upgrades as possible shoved into it.