Gula Invidia: Black Market (V): Acquiring An In

--- Booker H. Freeman ---

With his work finished and his struggling victims all properly pinned in place, he took one last considering look around the tunnel.

(Lust: Hmm, are we sure this will leave a proper message? I mean crucifixions are so… last season. We don’t people thinking our act is stale before we’ve even truly begun!)

(Wrath: No, it felt… right… Though… perhaps it could have used a bit more fire? Or maybe some barbed wire?)

(Gluttony: I think the deranged claw marks all over the wall are a nice touch.)

(Envy: None of that matters so long as the point gets across.)

(Sloth: Which it will.)

Deciding that his message was well enough delivered and apparent for all to see, he went ahead and made his way back to the club while humming a tune that he could only vaguely recall. His spirits much higher than he could recall, especially once he felt a bit of Sin flowing through his veins after his latest hunt.

(Gluttony: Enough to wet our appetites but not enough to sate it… We should’ve just eaten the lot of them…)

(Sloth: That wouldn’t have gotten our message across.)

(Greed: And a long term community investment may prove more valuable than a short-term personal payout.)

(Envy: Hopefully this’ll keep those girls safe at the very least…)

(Pride: Actually, all of this does bring to mind a curiosity… What happens if a body is completely destroyed? How do people resurrect from that?)

(Something to test at some point.) He grinned as he climbed up the steps to the train segway, the nearby club goers all giving him a polite distance that they hadn’t earlier.

(Lust: Ooh, maybe miss V told them to treat us right since we’re helping her out!)

(Envy: Doubt it.)

Whatever the reason, it wasn’t something that he was going to complain about.

Upon returning to the others, he found the trio of Beez’el, V, and dear Lydia all sitting quietly. Or at least as quietly as it could get in a club as lively as this one.

Deciding to give them something to talk about he happily informed them that, “Those ruffians will no longer be accosting your poor associates.”

All three of the others jumped upon his declaration, their eyes wide as they all stared at him.

“What do I have something on my face?” He wondered, running a few fingers across his face only to find blood on them. “Oh! I do…” (How embarrassing!)

(Pride: Ugh, we should’ve cleaned up. We must look our best after all!)

(Lust: If we’re lucky the angle it hit our face it might even be tasteful)

(Gluttony: A bloody grin they won’t forget.)

“It seems my business was a little messier than I’d initially believed.” He couldn’t help but laugh the event off.

“You, uh, you took care of… the… thing?” Miss V asked, sounding a touch odd.

(Then again, I don’t really know her.)

(Lust: Doesn’t mean we can’t get to know her!)

(Sloth: Speaking of, she’d probably like to know that) “They won’t be a problem for quite some time I think.” Booker assured her with a grin.

For some reason that didn’t seem to reassure the Inferni.

“If you’d like I can take you to see the message I left for all who would see your girls harm.” He offered instead, knowing that if they wanted to get paid for their efforts then she needed to believe the job was in fact done.

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V’s face twisted. “No that’s… that’s fine. I’m sure whatever… message, you left will scare people for a good long while…”

(Pride: Of course, after all we’re the ones who left it!)

“Then I doubt you’ll have any problem aiding us in this little venture of ours?” He smiled.

V shivered. “No I, uh…” The Inferni licked her lips. “I’m going to… I’m going to need… a few minutes to make some phone calls…”

“Take your time dear, I’ve plenty of it to spare.” He chuckled as he took a seat between Lydia and Beez’el, both of whom were watching him with wide eyes as if he were some kind of rabid animal.

(Gluttony:?)

(Valid point.)

(Lust: Heh~)

With a rather quick step, V hurried away seemingly uncaring for the fact that she was leaving her station unattended.

Something Beez’el apparently had no problem taking advantage of as the small Inferni reached across the counter and pulled out a bottle of something.

Upon noticing his gaze, their guide flinched before offering the bottle. “Uh, want me to pour you something?”

“Hmm,” He tried to recall a drink he might appreciate. “I don’t suppose you know how to make a… Sazerac?” He wasn’t sure what that was, but-

(Pride: A Sazerac was one of the most common cocktails within New Orleans, prepared by blending two cold drinks rye whiskey, bitters, absinthe, and sugars. Modern variety frequently replaces the absinthe with herbsaint due to a shortage within the States.)

(Lust: It’s got a sweet taste almost like ice tea with a licorice finish if done right.)

“I do… not…” Beez’el slowly admitted. “But I can pour you a shot of…?” Their guide checked the bottle. “Vodka? If you want?”

(Lust: Ew, where’s the flavor?)

(Envy: We’ve still got work to do. We can drink until we pass out when we’re done.)

Not quite sure if he agreed with that opinion, he still decided that it would be best if, “I’ll abstain for the time being then. Little indulgences are all fine and dandy but we still need to keep a clear head for our work.”

“Uh, right…” Beez’el nodded, looking just a little disappointed.

“I did say you could still indulge, just with moderation.” He reminded the Inferni.

“Oh, in that case…” Beez’el went ahead and poured himself a glass.

While their guide did that, Booker turned towards Lydia. “Same for you my dear if there’s anything you’d care for.”

His young companion blinked. “Uh, I’m under twenty-one?”

Which had him blinking back. “What’s that have to do with anything?”

“Uh, the… drinking age?” Lydia answered, more as a question than anything.

“The fuck is that?” Beez’el asked in his place, if perhaps far more crassly than he would’ve.

Rather than explaining, Lydia merely stared at them for a moment before eventually running a hand down her face. “Right… why would you have that down here?”

He glanced towards his tour guide in askance, only to receive a shrug.

“So is that a yay or a nay on the drink?” He tried once more.

Lydia gave the bottle a complicated look before shaking her head. “No. If we’re sneaking into a gang hideout now probably isn’t the best time for a first drink…”

“Yeah, we can get you one when your half of the plan fails.” Beez’el nodded in agreement as the Inferni poured himself a second glass.

One that was promptly stolen as V came back to the counter before downing the glass in a single go and wiping at her mouth.

“You’re paying for the whole bottle.” She warned her fellow Infeni with a glare, before turning towards Booker and Lydia. “Alright, it took some string pulling but I’ve got you guys an in.”

“That was quicker than expected.” He admitted, a touch impressed.

“You’d be surprised how helpful people are when they think it’ll get them laid.” V smirked a hand on her hip.

(Lust: I really don’t…)

“Anyway, this perv that’s been bugging me all month apparently works for the fight club. He’s been trying to convince me to go with him so that he can show off in the hopes that I’ll put out, but given how he’s all talk he can and probably will go fuck himself.” V explained before adding that. “This means I’ll have to go with you but talking him into letting in a new fighter won’t be that hard.”

Beez’el made a face. “Is this the only way you can get us in?”

“Without making enemies I don’t want, yes.” The pink Inferni grimly nodded. “And I like it even less than you, who put me in this situation.”

Beez’el could only grimace.

(Lust: That’s no good…)

(Sloth: People do what they have to to get by…)

(Envy: That doesn’t make it right. Especially when we’re the ones responsible for their suffering…)

“If you require, I can send this gentleman a… message just for him?” Booker smiled already imagining the feeling of blood on his hands.

V’s face twisted unbecomingly, even as she seemed to actually consider the offer. “I can handle him, but if he’s got ‘friends’... Well I won’t say no to help as long as there aren’t any strings attached.”

“As you so desire, my dear.” He shrugged, aware that he’d be getting all the violence he could want soon enough.

Nodding back to him, V began to move around the counter as she told them, “Either way, the actual fighting won’t be until later tonight and I’ve still got a couple hours left on my shift. So either buy something or figure out something to do because you aren’t getting in without me and I’d rather not lose my job if I can help it.”

“Fair enough, I’m sure we can figure out something.” He grinned.