A fox eared man with a fluffy red tail picks up the ringing store phone. “Abbot’s Alchemy and Components, how may we help you?” The fox eared man cheerfully said.

A voice over the phone cause the fox-eared man’s ears to flop down with every sentence. The occasional words of agreement can be heard from the fox-eared man. “Yes, sir.” “No, sir.” “Of course, sir, I understand.” With a click, the fox-eared man hangs up the phone. His wife, a lamia, (the upper half a pretty red head woman with her bottom half from her lower thighs and below resembling that of large red snake’s lower body.)

Her fox-eared husband scratches his ears and says, “It looks like the auction association is preparing for war. They’ve made their first preventive strike against their opponent.”

The lamia wife frowns and says, “A pox on them! Who’s the poor bugger that unknowingly crossed them?”

“The new auction house,” the fox-eared husband solemnly replied.

“The new auction house? But shouldn’t they be protecting their new member’s interests?” The lamia wife curiously asked.

 “Most likely the new owner refused their offer. They’re giving a light warning, either join them or else,” the fox-eared man warily answered.

 The lamia wife sighs dejectedly. She and her husband depended on their contract with the existing auction houses. They couldn’t abandon the connections, that took them years of hard labor to make. Regardless of her feelings on the subject, she would not go out of her way to defy the auction association. A small business like theirs could very easily be bankrupted by legal means.

The shop door opens as the bell rings signaling a prospective customer. Shoving her husband forward, the lamia retreats into the back to finish unpacking the latest produce. Some of those herbs were delicate and needed to be immediately stored properly lest they become rot. With that in mind, she hurriedly slithers away leaving her husband to greet their new customer.

*

Across the city across a variety of organizations similar situations can be seen. Within minutes or hours, any business owner was aware of the ongoing strife between the auction association and that of new auction house. Any organization that could afford to remain neutral choose to do so as sometimes an unexpected winner can crop up. However, the clear majority choose to cut off further association with new auction house. The business organizations swiftly filled standing orders, before terminating further business contact lest they be sued for failing to fail an existing contract.

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*

Mr. Moore takes a sip of his cappuccino as a well-dressed man approaches him with a portfolio of documents to sign. Mr. Moore sets his cup down with a soft clink and takes the portfolio of documents to be signed. Mr. Moore takes his time reviewing the documents, before taking the pen enclosed and signing them. 

 “Grant, did you complete the errand?” Mr. Moore mused out loud as he scribbled his signature on the remaining documents.

“Yes, sir. Everything has been taken care of. However, there are a couple of parties that have chosen to remain neutral despite my efforts,” Grant solemnly answered.

Mr. Moore pauses for a moment, before continuing to sign the documents. “Are they parties that we can be dwelt with?” Mr. Moore lightly said.

 “Unfortunately, no, sir. They are parties that should not be antagonized. I’m sure that you, sir, are much familiar with them than I am,” Grant quietly said.

“Indeed, they are parties that should not be meddled with. Very well, Grant, you’ve done excellent work. I will make sure to recommend you for the promotion,” Mr. Moore said, snapping shut the portfolio and handing it back.

Grant carefully takes back the portfolio and says, “Thank you, sir. Your recommendation will be much appreciated.” Without further ado, Grant quietly retreats and departs from Mr. Moore’s presence.

Mr. Moore frowns as he takes a sip of his cold cappuccino. He motions for a server to take the cup away and serve him a new. The server swiftly moves to do so and within seconds a piping hot cappuccino is in front of him. With a sigh of pleasure, Mr. Moore sniffs the coffee enjoying the scent while allowing the coffee to cool. The finer things in life must be slowly appreciated for one never knew when they might be taken away.

*

Mr. Noir upon receiving the disgruntling news solemnly dials a number and waits. The ringing stops as a familiar man’s voice speaks, “Hello, Mr. Noir to what do I owe the pleasure?”

 “As instructed Mr. Lee, I am reporting that the auction association has begun to move,” Mr. Noir nonchalantly answered.

A dangerous tint is heard in Mr. Lee’s voice, when he says, “If they dare touch her, Crush Them.”

 “I am aware of that, sir. For the meantime, I will act according to Miss Reed’s wishes. However, should Miss Lee be in any danger, I can assure you I will assign my personal security team for her protection. But in the meanwhile, Mr. Lee, I ask that you do not move against them. They may very well and rather easily connect Miss Reed to you, Mr. Lee,” Mr. Noir matter-of-factly stated.

Mr. Lee is silent for a moment on the other end of the phone. “Very well, Mr. Noir, I will wait. However, if they dare touch her, I will not withhold myself.”

The phone is pointedly hung up as Mr. Noir sighs with annoyance at his client becoming emotionally involved. He knew better than to pry into Mr. Lee’s affairs, but he was curious about Miss Reed after Mr. Lee’s reaction. Exactly, who was Miss Reed? Shaking such dangerous thoughts away, Mr. Noir returns to work. Such simple questions were often the ones that got one killed. And Mr. Noir knew that better than anyone.