Norbert sighed in recognition, not seeing any other path forward other than drinking the elixir before him and uncorking it. He shivered as all the hairs stood on end, and the smell escaped the bottle. Swishing it around slightly, confirming that nothing weird was inside, only the inky blackness of the liquid reflected Norbert, looking at his quizzical reflection.
Corking it again, Norbert stood up, moving towards the fire in the fireplace right next to them. Holding the elixir above the flames, he slowly spun it around, confirming that even with the extra light, he couldn't see anything through the inky blackness, with no light making its way through.
He resigned himself to the fact that he had no clue what could be inside, thinking about the jelly-like liquid floating in the other one, still racking his brain. Unable to uncover it and with only Luck's confidence to continue, Norbert sat down, uncorking it quickly and swallowing the liquid.
The elixir stuck to his throat like black tar coating the inside of his body. Unable to wretch it up, Norbert held his breath again, wishing it wouldn't be so. The energy within his body once more rushed forward at the invading substance, pulling it apart.
Norbert's face grew redder, and panic started to wash over his body as he thought about what would happen again if he was not covered as well—forcing it around him, the ink sliding down his throat, sitting into his stomach.
Taking a massive gulping breath, Norbert inhaled the sweet air into his lungs again. He could smell its sweetness even in this clean environment, which smelled good. He placed the empty glass bottle back into its spot in the velvet-lined case. When he let go, the case closed itself up, the two golden latches locking themselves in place with a click. The presentation was finally over.
Norbert looked up at Elizabeth as he slid the case back to where he found it under the coffee table. Norbert took a sip of his tea in hand, feeling it bathed his throat once more. The three of them sat in silence as the tea slowly grew cold in Norbert's hands.
Finishing up his cup, Norbert stretched and looked towards Elizabeth. "Anything else you would like to say before we go?" Norbert asked her.
Elizabeth shook her head as she continued to sit. Norbert shrugged as he walked down, feeling around his body to ensure everything was as it should be. Taking his contents, Norbert headed towards the stairs, not hearing another set of footsteps with him. Norbert looked back and saw Vivienne sitting there, Elizabeth starting to talk to her.
Remembering what happened last time when he went out on the streets alone, Norbert could not return to Elizabeth and Vivienne after he dismissed himself like that. He knew he could not listen to the conversation, knowing that both women would know any feeble attempt he would make and thwart it instantly.
Taking the steps down one by one, Norbert wondered what he could do. When he was visible, everyone looked at him, staring as the sounds of chips being played and dealers shouting slowly quieted down.
Norbert skipped over it, not bothering to talk as he wondered how to fill his time. Walking down to the first floor once more, everyone looked at him, sure they would have heard him up above, his voice sounding like a ghost haunting the place.
Mask once more on his head, knowing it wouldn't hide his identity for long after the next few matches in the tournament. Heading towards the exit, Norbert thought he could wait by the casino stairs beside the bouncers.
Passing the centre of the room, something caught his sight, a golden light reflecting in the light. Turning towards it, Norbert saw the hidden doorway to the workers and the casino's underground. Looking both ways, Norbert changed his vision to magic, looking to see where the cameras were. The tables were filled with magic runes along the roof and walls. Instantly changing his vision, spots danced in his eyes as he blinked profusely, returning his vision to normal again.
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Smiling, wondering how much trouble he would get into, Norbert headed towards the door. Parting through the crowd, Norbert quickly unwrapped his weapons and placed them correctly on his body. He needed to jump slightly to get the dagger holsters around each leg.
Counting and seeing nobody exit, Norbert stepped through, quickly dodging to the side in case a casino worker wanted to exit. He then walked down the hallway, striding it like he was meant to be there.
Walking forward, Norbert was surprised as he turned to the right, seeing to the left the hallway with the kitchen over there. Smelling something, Norbert turned around on his heels, the allure of food making his stomach rumble.
Walking through the doors, Norbert saw a narrow kitchen before him. Every surface was metal as the fire leapt, vegetables were chopped, and pots were drained.
Turning to the side, one wall holds all sorts of bottles with station after station of drink making. A stack of silver trays on each side allowed them to turn around and pick up the drinks on the platters to be taken outside.
Norbert stood there, stepping further to ensure he wasn't in anybody's way. Looking around the place,, Norbert saw a chef, in their white spotless uniform,, move away from the stove they were working on and heading towards Norbert.
Wondering how the conversation would go, Norbert stood there, resting both hands in front of him and smiling at the man coming his way.
"Anything I can help you with?" Norbert asked him.
"I was going to ask you that." The chef said to Norbert.
"Not really. I'm just looking around the place while waiting for my friend to finish up with Elizabeth. I'll be on my way," Norbert said as he walked past the chef, entering the kitchen folds. He saw their dishes, creating something that should be on a plate for a six-course meal and turning it into something that could be eaten in a single bite.
He went through the maze around him, dodging moving pots, pans, and people as they continued to work around him. Swaying back and forth, Norbert picked out pieces of ingredients as he went further into the back of the kitchen, surprised at how far he could still go.
Turning around, the chef no longer bothered him as he watched Norbert deftly navigate the obstacle course for a moment. He then returned to his dish, which he needed to create.
As Norbert progressed, the further he went down, the more he saw fewer and fewer people there. The drinks were no longer being poured here, and only a smattering of people were working. Norbert wondered why they would have so much extra space that was not being used.
In the far back corner, Norbert saw a single older man. He was surprised that he looked completely normal. There was no weird clothing, horns coming out, serrated teeth, or pink or blue skin colour. He was a regular older man, old enough to be his grandpa.
The man was sitting on his stool, leaning over two buckets, a bag on his right side. He took some cylindrical vegetable out of the bag, a knife in his other hand, and began peeling it, letting it fall into one bucket before placing it into the second. Norbert already saw a pile there.
Looking around, Norbert could not find a stool. Turning to the man, he asked, "Need a hand?"
The older man was startled by his action, the knife starting to slip but recovering enough so he didn't cut himself. Norbert cringed at the bare miss that happened. The older man was recovering himself from his near miss, opening his mouth, ready to start, until he looked up, seeing Norbert's non-white clothing, the weapons strapped to his waist, and the helmet on his head.
Norbert took the mask off, threading his hands through his hair as he conjoined the two pieces together, placing them on the ground and staring at the older man.
The older man looked back at his work without saying anything to Norbert and took it as a sign that he could help with his peeling. Norbert took his gloves off and added them to the helmet.
Norbert looked at his hands, unable to remember the last time they had been cleaned. Looking around them, he saw a tap. Walking towards it, he remembered there was nothing for him to turn to allow the water to flow.
Turning back to Grandpa, Norbert asked, "Can you turn the water on?" He tried his best to ask as kindly as possible, hoping he wasn't dealing with a grouch of a man who was spitting at everyone and everything for his current lot in life.
The older man was not moving slightly off his stool, taking another vegetable to peel. Norbert left the older man as he walked into the busier section of the kitchen. Spotting one of the chefs quickly move some washed fruit away, Norbert ducked in, unable to stop the water.
Instantly feeling the boiling water touch his skin, he was surprised at it as there was no stream coming off. Spotting the cook coming back, Norbert quickly evacuated, heading back towards the older man. Spotting a knife along the way, a short one that looked appropriate enough, Norbert snagged it from the empty side. He sat on his helmet, moved around to get comfortable, and reached for a vegetable. He began to peel over the bucket.