Foreigner was uncertain about how to approach Foxtail. He could feel the anxiety radiating out of her, unmitigated and fierce enough to send his own nerves into a frayed frenzy. He understood why she was like this but it made her-

“If you’ve got something to say, then say it, partner.” She spat out the last word, her eyes unwavering from the path.

“Foxtail,” He reached out before pulling back, steeling the next set of words, “I offer no platitudes. Let’s get this work done and rescue our friend.”

“…Yeah.” The rest of their walk to the Turned Stone Office was relaxed despite the circumstances. Foreigner watched the crowds gather at eateries for their midday commutes, some lifelessly consuming meals like fuel into machines. Others savored their meals with vim and vigor. Those folks typically brandished their weapons openly, wearing all assortments of gear and colors to represent their chosen Office. Was he part of an Office too? He might have been if his relation to this Banshee was anything to go off of.

“We’re here.” Foxtail stopped in front of the Turned Stone in, fixers conducting the finishing touches to building repairs from the fight just a day ago. Even the blood on the streets were wiped clean, the littered dead not even silhouettes on the road. Foxtail called over to one of the fixer’s, “Hey! Is Mal-Chin here? We’ve got some words for ‘im.” She was dour and abrasive, tapping her feet and twirling her newly acquired baton to pass the time. The fixer nodded and wordlessly entered the building. If he was annoyed, he didn’t show it.

“What do you mean a little girl has some,” Mal-Chin walked down and out of his Office with his weapon brandished, turning to Foxtail and Foreigner and then laughing. He was wearing a brown overcoat this time, the symbol of the Turned Stone emblazoned on the lapel.

“You’re back so soon.” Mal-Chin placed his hammer down, allowing the weapon to rest on the side of his leg. “I’m assuming you need help from us?”

“You said not to hesitate to come back in the future, didn’t you?” Foreigner replied, raising an eyebrow.

“I don’t remember any statement like that.” Mal-Chin replied with a wry smile. He waved the two of them inside and sat them down on the seats they were in just a day prior. Two warm cups of coffee were served on the table as he prepared his legal pad. “Before I begin, does this have anything to do with the Meister case?”

“No. This is personal.” Foxtail was terse. She looked at the cup of coffee and glowered.

“What my partner means,” Foreigner used his knee to knock at her legs from the side, “Is that we need some help handling a sudden problem and this problem might put you in a bind.” Mal-Chin frowned at the last comment but clicked his pen, ink ready to fly.

This story originates from Royal Road. Ensure the author gets the support they deserve by reading it there.

“Give me a rundown of the situation. Explain what you can and I’ll see what direction I can send you.” He waited expectantly.

“Our house was burned down, my friend was kidnapped, and that fucking Banshee woman was the cause of it!” Foxtail slammed her hands on the table, the coffee rippling but not spilling over at the sudden slam. Mal-Chin turned over to Foreigner, leaving Foxtail exasperated.

“My partner is correct. We made an investigation and upon returning home, our home was on fire. Peepers, our friend, was kidnapped and we suspect foul play. The perpetrator is not settled.” Mal-Chin made a slow nod before writing something on the legal pad down.

“I can’t offer you direct assistance,” he turned to look at Foxtail, “Your partner understands that there are some legal ramifications for my involvement.” He stood up and walked to an accordion folder, pulling out a small business card with a flowerless rose. “I heard from a colleague of mine that the Blade Garden is currently reeling from an attack in its establishment. Its an affront to their safety capacity and they’d very much like some leads on the assailant. Talk to Rosko. He’ll be at the bar. Tell him you have some information for the House and you should get some of the assistance you need.” Foxtail snatched the small business card out of his hands and walked down and out of the building. Mal-Chin turned to Foreigner, “She’s gonna get both of you hurt or dead if she continues to act like that.”

“I’ll try to talk to her about it. She’s a kid. She’s scared for her friend.” Foreigner started to make his way out of the building before he felt a hand on his shoulder.

“Some advice from me to you then, so she doesn’t end up regretting her actions: kidnappers don’t often keep their victims in the same place as their contact points. If she doesn’t shape up, she won’t get the help she needs to handle a task like that.” Mal-Chin offered his words of wisdom to Foreigner and walked off to his office on the third floor. So much to worry about. Foxtail was waiting for Foreigner outside, her leg eating away at the sidewalk with how aggressive she was tapping. Foreigner placed his hand on her shoulder and knelt on one knee, looking into her eyes.

“Look. We need you to keep it together. Peepers needs you to keep it together. We’re gonna go to the Blade Garden and get some allies and we can’t do that if you continue to act like this.” Foreigner waited, scanning her face for a registration of his statement. With no reaction, he continued, “We are a team right now. We are all he’s got right now and we need to play this smart and safe. Mal-Chin mentioned that even the contact point might not hold Peepers, which is something neither of us considered.” He sighed, allowing his tone to soften. “I’m sure with help we can take her down and save Peepers but I need you to be here for that. Here, mentally.” Foxtail’s eyes softened and the agitation in her tapping lessened.

“I just want to save him now. I want to help him now.” She couldn’t look at him as she spoke. Foreigner stood up from his position.

“We are helping him now. We help him by taking the necessary steps to reunite with him. Keep your wits about you, Foxtail. We’ll need them.” Foreigner waited for Foxtail to wipe her face before leading them forward on the path to Blade Garden.