The Flavia Droher Lunch hall, in what was now the Great Kingdom of Gwenael, was originally just  a popular, old world, franchise eatery. Just another location for the massive entity that was Happy-Pappy’s Fun House Eatatorium.

Mascotted a by a certain cartoon squirrel, backed by a certain megalithic corporation, it and all it’s surviving sister locations were products of commerce and old world ingenuity which was how they stood the test of time.

Surviving to gift the new age with such things as spray cheese, gummy candies, soda  syrup, and the food processing, pasteurization and vacuum sealing techniques required to ship perishables from one end of the extremely long continent to the other.

In short ‘Happy Pappy’ was one of the grandfather’s of modern trade.

Which was why the EITC purchased them all. Turning the fast food establishments into upscale lounges for the elite. Lounges like the Flavia Droher Lunch Hall.

A place that was often frequented by the wealthiest of merchants and the upper echelons of society. Favored by those who were in the know, because of the lengths the staff went to respect their clientele's privacy.

*****

“You’re late.” said Enzo Maynard. His long suffering,ever loyal secretary, Darlene sitting at his side.

Thespian Gray, Jermaine Abbotts, walked in, choosing to eschew his usual gray and purple opera mask, because he knew very well, that people were more likely to leave their guards down if you limited your masks to the less obvious sort.

“No...You’re just early. We agreed to meet at five and it’s now four fifty, and here I am.” he said. His voice humming with his good humor, lackadaisical manner, his smile and the easy going set in his posture and stride, carrying a special kind of infectiousness.

Enzo scowled because the other man’s words were technically correct but he was still unwilling to take the loss.

“You still could have come earlier….” said Enzo. Aware of the slightly whiny pitch in his voice and hating it.

Jermaine Abbott pulled up a seat and plopped himself down at the table. A wry smile on his face.

“Nah...Had shit to do. You know how it is. You being a man of business, with a hundred different things on his plate. Time must be spent...wisely. Or things go awry.”

Enzo frowned, drumming his fingers against his pants leg. While this was supposed to just be a friendly chat, he couldn’t help but feel like he was on the losing end of an argument.

“Whatever...so your guy Matthew Something said that you wanted to talk...Well actually he said, that the Bone Tree Company and ‘Associates’, wanted to talk.  I can’t help but notice that there’s no one from the actual Bone Tree Company present.”

Jermaine chuckled.

“Good thing, the Associates showed up, right?”

“Right….” said Enzo. His look slightly listless, and somewhat unconvinced.

“Anyway, to cut a very long, very tedious story, short, a certain Asphodel of the Bone Tree Company would like to talk turkey with you and see if you and he, could get on friendly terms.”

Despite the fact that he already knew this, despite the fact that this was the only reason he’d come here, Enzo’s breath still caught in his throat.

The sharp inhalation that wasn’t quite a gasp, coming from a place that was out of his conscious control.

“Hmph...Though that’s all well and nice, I do feel I have to point out that I’ve been trying to extend a similar olive branch for years now.” said Enzo. A bit of bitterness in his voice.

Jermaine simply shrugged, seeming not to notice.

“Yes and finally ‘I’ am here. Sometimes these things take time. Sometimes the romance you chase for the longest time is the sweetest…” said Jermaine.

His tone lilting and slightly musical.

Enzo snorted and rolled his eyes.

“Okay...sure. Let’s pretend that’s not a crock of shit. Might I ask why Mister Asphodel isn’t present? Considering that he’s the one I’d been trying so hard to meet?” said Enzo.

“Oh, that? Mister Asphodel is unfortunately detained with one or two pressing issues that he had to see to.”

“And what about the other times, I tried to get in touch?” said Enzo.

“Same excuse...different issues...Plus you know Asphodel is one of those reclusive types. As far as I’ve seen he’s more gun-shy than an Albrechtian Unicorn. The only thing that’s really changed is that he has ‘me’ now. And can now more easily get in touch with those he’d otherwise be unable to contact.” said Jermaine.

Enzo neither nodded, or shook his head.

“And who ‘are’ you, if I might ask?” said Darlene. Finally speaking up, one brow raised.

Jermaine simply smiled, his dark eyes unreadable, his poker face perfect.

“Please...let’s not pretend that we didn’t both do the due diligence of looking each other up. You’re Enzo Maynard, young scion of the Maynard family. One of the biggest families in the  EITC, holding not one but,  three seats in EITC’s executive council….” said Jermaine.

“And you’re Jermaine Abbott, a relatively successful, young leader of the Thousand Ghosts gang. Successfully managing to make your gang into a proper company. Establishing a deep background and an impressive rep. Building ties with various groups in both the underworld and the EITC. Quite a lot of work for a guy who's only a little old than I am. Now you’ve apparently begun working with the Bone Tree Company.”

“Thanks…Actually it’s more ‘for’ than ‘with’, but that’s nothing big and unbelievable as it is to say it, it’s nothing bad either. Excellent pay, great benefits and as for the perks...well...let’s leave ‘that’ to your imagination” said Jermaine. Still grinning as he took a sip of the wine that a waiter had brought to the table.

This story originates from a different website. Ensure the author gets the support they deserve by reading it there.

He let just a little of his aura leak, revealing a cultivativation that was at the peak of the twelfth layer.

The whole thing was done subtly, like the passing of a pregnant storm cloud. Like thunder that one had heard rolling in the distance. Noticeable but not attention grabbing.  Enzo felt it wash over him, and everyone in the room shivered without quite being aware that they’d done so.

“....Anyway going back to the matter at hand, I still don’t know why I’m here.” said Enzo.

“Ah...didn’t I already say? Mister Asphodel want’s to be your friend, Mister Maynard.”

“Please...Mister Maynard’s my father, call me Enzo...And all ‘I’ am saying is that I’ve no clue what wanting to be my friend, even means.”

The waitstaff came around asking if they were all ready to order and they did, choosing light fare because the food really wasn't what they’d come here for. With only Darlene, choosing some of any substance ordering a duck pate a side of cucumber drizzled with dressing.

Jermaine just shrugged.

“Friends. You know friends. They help each other, they watch each other’s back. And sometimes they might even make each other’s dreams come true.” said Jermaine.

Enzo’s brow furrowed.

“I think I might have to take issue with whether you’re talking about friends or fuckin’ sugar plum fairies, cause part of that’s sounding a little too saccharine to me.”

“Really? What a shame it must be to be so jaded at such a young age.” said Jermaine.

He reached into his pocket and brought out a manila envelope. Sliding it across the table.

Enzo scrutinized the envelope, his expression wary.

“What’s this?” said Enzo.

“A goodwill gift. Just a little show of our sincerity.” said Jermaine.

Enzo stared at the other man who sat comfortably on the other end of the table. He chewed his cheek wondering what to make of the man or the whole situation.

As a snake, he knew when he’d run into another snake, maybe it was something with being so low to the ground all the time, maybe it was the smell or the look or the way they rattled their tails.

In anycase,  he was absolutely sure that there was some angle he wasn’t seeing. He felt like a naive teenager trying to buy drugs from someone’s sketchy friend. On the one had everything was shady as hell, on the other hand he really didn’t want to leave here empty handed.

He contemplated the man across from him, trying to think of what angle he could be playing. Finding no immediate answer forthcoming he chose to open the envelope trusting that at the very least it wouldn’t be some trap.

“....Shit.” said Enzo. The invective uttered as a whisper, escaping him against his will and breaking the poker face he’d been trying to maintain. He didn’t know whether to laugh or cry now.

“Tell me something.” said Enzo.

“Sure.” said Jermaine.

“I said your Thousand Ghosts were working with the Bone Tree Company and you said that you were working ‘for’ them instead. Why would a man like you, A man who more or less pulled himself and his fellows up by their bootstraps, someone who if the rumors I’ve heard are true, tends to be staunchly independent, why would such a person, choose to let someone else sit at the wheel? Especially when you were already doing so good on your own.”

Jermaine’s smiled, flashing set of shiny white teeth, that gleamed brightly in his handsome dark face. Using a single figure to stroke his well trimmed, goatee.

“Well...that’s an interesting question you ask. And to answer your question, I guess all I can say is that it’s a bit of cognitive dissonance on my part.”

“Oh? How so?” said Enzo. Sitting forwards as he heard Darlene chuckle.

“You’re right. I am actually more the type to march to the beat of his own drummer. Unfortunately or fortunately, as history will later decide,I am also simultaneously a dreamer ‘and’ a realist. Possessing the values and sensiblities of both.”

“....And that means, what exactly?” said Enzo.

“That muddled sense of values is where the Thousand Ghosts were born. The Ghosts were something I dreamt up. Just like any other person who starts something up in Monde, I dreamt of becoming number one in the world. But I knew that the best I could aim for comfort stability. Thus I moved forwards head in the clouds, feet firmly on the ground.”

“...And?” said Darlene.

“And that’s the answer right there. The best ‘I’ could aim for was a little comfort and stability. In Monde, though the men can fly, aiming too high invariably leads to death.. Billy Maddoc, Asphodel, Cold-Mercury Angel, Tyrant Queen, and everyone else at the Bone Tree Company, a group that now includes my Thousand Ghosts.  Well, they’re another story.‘They’ I honestly believe that they can reach farther. What’s more is that belief is based in something solid. That belief has been rewarded with results. Results that I sincerely suspect are beyond anything that either you or I have ever seen before. I’m not sure how much further they’ll go but I’m curious to see what happens.”

Enzo stared at the man and then he stared at the envelope and then he stared the man again. Placing the envelope within his coat.

Jermaine jolted a bit, which startled Enzo, at least it did until the man held up his hand and stared at a screen that appeared, projecting itself above his palm.

“Mhm...looks like duty calls. I’ve much to do and little time to do it.” said Jermaine. Sighing. He stood, that same wry smile still on his face.

“Think on it, Mister Maynard. We’d really like to be your friend and I think you’d like to be one of our friends too. You can rest assured, we treat our ‘friends’ quite nicely.” said Thespian Gray.

Putting on his mask as he turned to go.