Artemis, as Diana, exited Reina’s cafe in ALTR. The door already had a wooden sign flipped to ‘Closed’. Inside, Reina stood behind her counter, facing away from the door. She pet a cat in her arms while mumbling. A woman entered the cafe, making a beeline toward Reina with a determined expression. She shoved aside a mewing cat that approached via her foot with little regard. She wore dark clothing with a black leather jacket and had short, jet-black hair. Most of her visible skin had tattoos, while she had over a dozen piercings on her face and ears. Even as she came to stand at the counter opposite Reina, she’d gone unnoticed.

“Who do you think you are?” the woman snapped. Her voice startled Reina, who nearly dropped the cat. Reina turned around while placing the cat on the ground, as she had caught it awkwardly. She stood, feeling the intense glare of the woman.

“Sorry, but I was just about to log—, I mean, close up shop. Wasn’t the sign set outside? Did she forget?”

“How dare you. Miss Diana would never forget. It was set to closed. That’s what you mean, right?” The woman leaned in closer over the counter. A brief silence ensued. What the fuck? She’s supposed to be intimidated! Why’s she just look confused? Is she an airhead? I’ll repeat it again. “I said, who do you think you are?”

“Uhm. I’m not sure what you’re asking. But you just said ‘Miss Diana’. You know Diana?”

“Of course I do! I’m Belle!”

“Oh? Ohhh. Aelfric’s sister?”

“Yes!” Belle looked quite agitated. Wait, I never introduced myself, did I?

“Nice to meet you, Belle. I’m Reina.” Reina offered her hand toward Belle. “Oh, duh, you’d already know that.” She flashed a whimsical, soft grin.

Belle stared at the hand, then gripped it as hard as she could and shook vigorously. Reina gave no reaction. She’s unfazed? Gah! Of course, it’s ALTR. Depending on her settings, she might feel nothing. She withdrew her hand, then shook her head.

“Is something wrong?”

Belle’s determined look returned. “Yeah, you didn’t answer my question! Who do you think you are?”

Reina looked confused again as Belle glared at her. “I’m not sure how to answer that?” Reina paused. “Oh. Did you maybe message me ahead of time and I missed it? I’m terribly sorry if that’s the case.”

“What? No!” Belle fell to her elbows on the counter, distraught, head in hands. This isn’t playing out like I planned at all. A peculiar series of events flickered in her mind of confronting Reina, Reina being intimidated and acquiescing to her every whim.

“Sorry then, I’m a bit lost.”

“Quit apologizing! You’re making it worst!”

“Ah, er. Bad habit of mine, s—.” Reina paused. “Is there…something I can do for you? I know you’ve helped facilitate my weekly discussion with Diana. I really appreciate it.”

Belle looked up, with a glimmer in her eyes. “How’d you know that?”

“Diana mentioned it. Said you’re always a great help with tech she’s unfamiliar with.”

“Yeah…but she already stopped needing…” Belle mumbled.

“Did you say something?”

“No. Forget it.” Belle took a deep breath. “This is the last time I repeat myself. I’m going to spell it out for you since you aren’t getting it.”

“Okay?”

“Who do you think you are, taking up precious time of Miss Diana’s each week? What makes you so special? Why you, huh? Huh?” Belle leaned in again with a fierce expression. She contemplated reaching for Reina. “What the hell do you even talk about? How’s it take so many hours? Why you? Has Miss Diana asked you to do anything? How’d you even talk her into these weekly meet-ups? Has she mentioned me? What’s she told you? Speak!” She glared at an even more bewildered Reina.

“Uhm. I’m honestly very lost right now, Belle. You seem really angry. I’ll try to answer, I guess? Not sure how to answer the first few. For what we talk about, it’s not personal so it’s probably fine to share. Some current events, like emerging tech. A bit of geopolitics. Recently though, it’s been a lot of philosophy and spirituality. Diana’s read so much more than me on the subjects. And we kinda traded. She had me read one, while I had her read a slice-of-life comic. A bit of a mischievous trade, I know. It was hard to tell how much she liked it, but she asked for another so I figure she liked it enough. Meanwhile, I was only able to get through half of the next one she gave me but it’s really interesting, you see—.” An obvious excitement welled up in Reina, as if she’d been waiting for a chance to talk about her philosophical discussions with Diana. After about a minute, Belle looked deflated. She slinked into a nearby chair as she gestured with an open palm.

“Stop.” Belle groaned. Reina ceased mid-sentence, watching Belle apprehensively. This isn’t going at all like I thought. Why, how, did I think this was going to be some kind of shout down? Philosophy? Spirituality? What the hell? I’ve never talked about those things with Artemis… I didn’t even know? She looked teary-eyed as her head drooped, staring into the counter.

“What was the comic?” Belle whispered.

Reina leaned in while sliding a tissue box into Belle’s peripheral. “Sorry, I couldn’t hear you?”

“What was the comic?”

“Oh. Strawberries.”

“What!” Belle shot up, startling Reina. Her demeanor had flipped in a split-second. “‘Strawberries’? About the ex-office lady and young girl who inherited a farm, and left the big city to run it together? That Strawberries?”

“Yes, that’s the one, you know it?”

Belle froze with mouth agape, her eyes looked as if they were sparkling to Reina. After a few seconds, Belle lunged forward, clapping her hands onto Reina’s shoulders. “She really read it? What did she think of it? What’d she say?”

Reina appeared a bit flustered until she met Belle’s intense gaze. “Sadly, we ran outta time today. I didn’t get to ask. We got too caught up discussing Kiersius. But she did ask for another recommendation before she left. So, I figure she must’ve liked it enough, don’t you think?”

A peculiar expression formed on Belle’s face, equal parts glee and disappointment. She withdrew from Reina, clearly in thought.

“May I assume you like Strawberries, Belle? Oh. Where are my manners? Would you like something to drink?”

“Yeah, sure.” Belle sat as Reina gestured to the chair.

“Anything in particular?”

“Just get me whatever A-aahhh.”

“‘Ahh’?”

“Ahh-chuu.” Belle pretended to sneeze. Reina raised a brow. Idiot! That’s the best you could come up with? You’re in ALTR!

“Oh, wow. You have that enabled? I was in disbelief when I first saw that setting. May I ask why?”

Belle gave a nervous chuckle. “Yeah. Uh, you know, a bit of flavor to make things more real?”

Stolen story; please report.

“Hmm, I see.”

“Anyway, whatever Diana likes having.”

“Sure thing.”

As Reina brewed coffee, they talked about the comic ‘Strawberries.’ Some time passed as they discussed similar works until both realized the time and excused themselves. Belle waved goodbye as she exited the Cafe. She then stood in place for a moment before dramatically falling to her knees.

What the hell? What just happened? Did I even accomplish anything? Well, okay, I got carried away but learned things I didn’t know about my Artemis I never had a clue about! Belle thought. She jumped back to her feet with a sly grin. Maybe I can use her instead?

Later that night, in Reina’s basement room, Dante tapped away per usual with Reina-cat working beside him. The flicker of Reina-cat’s screens paused.

“Did you read it, Dante?” Reina asked.

Dante lazily scrolled a forum. “Read what? Oh. Yeah.”

“How far did you get?”

“Two, maybe three.”

“You only read three pages?”

“Nah, words.”

“What?”

“Kidding. But yeah, I fell asleep on the second page. I think, at least.”

“Aw. Will you continue?”

“Maybe as a sleep aid?”

Reina gave a disgruntled sigh. “Why?”

Dante shrugged. “Just not enough time in the day for me to waste time reading philosophy.”

“Should’ve known it’d come back to ALTR.” Reina-cat shook her head.

“Eh. So, you figure anything out yet from mystery lady?”

“Not exactly… I was hoping to discuss parts of the book so I can better talk on her level. I feel like it’s a chance to understand her. I told you what we talk about, and I’m positive if I dipped even a toe over some line, she might never come again. But I had a strange encounter after.” Reina recounted her interaction with Belle.

“Whew. She sounds even more crazy-pants than her brother.”

“Huh? What do you mean?”

“Have you really not realized they’re borderline—. Nah, not even borderline. Straight up fanaticism. I hadn’t talked to Belle much, but some of the things she’s said made me assume. And you’ve confirmed it.”

“You think? I mean, they do say weird stuff like ‘Lady Diana’, but…”

“You’d need more proof than what just happened to you?”

“What happened to me?”

Dante turned to Reina-cat in disbelief. “Seriously?” He paused, imagining a confused expression on Reina’s face. “You can be so naïve sometimes. I guess, to be fair, though, considering your life up till now, probably haven’t experienced it before. Let me ask, why do you think Belle confronted you?”

“‘Confronted’? I kinda forgot to clarify after we started talking about Strawberries.”

“She was mad jealous, ya dope. If I had to guess from your description, she was even trying to intimidate you. Unfortunately for her, you’ve had little experience in the world of melodrama. Almost pity her.”

“Jealous of…my talks with Diana?”

“Hey, you get it. Some progress. Do you know how long it took me to convince you the guild leader’s wife was being crazy-pants jealous about the attention you were getting?” Dante paused, then started chuckling.

“She’s a friend now, though. What’re you laughing about?”

“Not that. And that doesn’t change that she was jealous. Anyway. I was just picturing how Belle looked from your description. I’d be willing to bet she doesn’t look like that at all and it was part of the intimidation. Yet you had no clue. She must be as socially inept as you.”

“I don’t appreciate your jabs. But…hard to deny. Hmm.”

“Heh. If it makes you feel any better, you missing social cues is probably how you were able to ‘befriend’ Diana. Most people wouldn’t engage with someone so dangerous in such a carefree manner.”

“You know, Dante, you can be pretty insightful sometimes. I really think you’d like the book if you gave it a chance. I’m sure you’d be able to understand it.”

Dante shook his head. “Nice try. Not happening.” Reina clicked her tongue. “I’ll give you a few points for trying to appeal to my sneaky intellect.”

“Your ‘sneaky intellect’ didn’t help much against that boss last night.”

“Ouch. Low blow. That one for real stings.”

“Good,” Reina said snarkily.

“And you didn’t follow up with an apology.” Dante applauded. Reina giggled. “Random, semi-related segway. Been meaning to bring something up to you.”

“Oh? What is it?”

“You know I hate talking about RL stuff when I don’t have to. This’ also kinda too late to be bringing up. I might’ve realized you’ve somehow become the closest friend I’ve ever had.”

“You’re weirding me out. Kinda gross. Are you dying?”

Dante laughed. “A dark joke from you? Damn, I’m proud. But that you of all people would be comfortable enough, proves we’re so close that I’ve corrupted you some. So, maybe you’ll be alright.”

“Okay, you really are weirding me out now. You’re not really…?” Reina asked in a regretful tone.

“No, no, you dope. How the hell can I put this?” Shit, I should’ve planned what I was gonna say. Just had to keep putting it off. Stop being a bitch and get it over with. She actually just gave a perfect example. Yeah. “I could hear the regret in your voice just now. I can picture you even tearing up. You’re an addict to being kind. Even if you can make a dark joke now, you revert easily. Like I said, this is kinda too late, though. But it’s been bugging me a little. The route you and your family have chosen. I know you’ve been in the game for so long already, technically, but Vyxora isn’t like others at all. I know for a fact you wouldn’t be okay with half the shit Abyss is up to now that my family’s syndicate is part of it. So, I have to ask. You’re not really that naïve, right?”

“I’m not.”

“Then how are you okay with things? You can’t be, right? Not someone like you? It’s only going to pile up.”

“Déjà vu. I actually already had this conversation with Val.” Reina repeated several things she had told Val. “It’s really only Vyxora that matters.” Wow. I realized Dante was easily my closest non-family friend a while back, but with his obsession, never thought he’d feel the same.

“Well, alright, if you say so. Honestly, the thought had only really dawned on me after a while back, I went drinking with the guild. You excused yourself for work. I didn’t outright say anything revealing, but I may have let it slip you were an underworld information broker. Know what they did? Laughed at me. Like a lot. That’s how absurd the idea was to them based off your personality. Which, you’re pretty much the same in ALTR, as out, so, yeah.”

Reina laughed. “I see. I appreciate it. I can count the number of times on one hand you’ve expressed genuine care for something outside of ALTR. So, thank you.”

“Eh, whatever.” Dante turned away.

Reina giggled. “Might you be embarrassed?”

Several weeks later, Tyr hurried into the office connected to Freya’s bedroom. He knocked on the bedroom door. No answer. He repeated until at last it opened halfway. A naked woman stood there. She looked completely out of it, under the influence of something. Cries of both pain and pleasure leaked out from the room. She looked Tyr up and down.

“Whooose yous? Ear fr da?” the woman’s speech slurred together.

“It’s urgent I speak with the All-Mother. Please fetch her,” Tyr said.

“Who?”

“Freya.”

“Oh. Shh bit buizzz…ee.”

Tyr stood for a moment, then shoved the woman aside as he entered. A few minutes passed until he returned to the office, dragging a disheveled Freya by the arm. She had a silk robe barely hanging on and appeared heavily intoxicated. She grabbed onto the door frame, resisting the pull for a few seconds.

“Jus join in, Ty,” Freya said. With a little yank, Tyr pulled her along. “Ooo fuck yuh- are? Tah- deny? I Alll-mutha.” As Tyr brought her alongside a chair, she flung herself onto him and grabbed his crotch. “Myn.”

Tyr grabbed Freya by the shoulders and forcefully sat her into the chair. “Please forgive me, All-Mother.” He reached into a pocket and pulled out a device, to which he jabbed into Freya’s neck. He then tidied up her robe.

“Holy fuck!” After a mere few seconds, Freya’s face changed completely, and she appeared alert. Tyr withdrew to a nearby chair. She blinked rapidly as her eyes darted about until turning to him. Rage rippled across her face as she opened her mouth.

“I will accept any punishment later, All-Mother. A missive has arrived from the council. The other four councilors have issued an investigation into our current state, based on reports that have been made to them. A team will be dispatched within the week.”

Freya glared as her face flushed red. “You’re fucking joking?” Tyr gave no response. “You’re saying someone ratted us out? We have spies? Is that what you’re fucking telling me?” She shot up from her chair. “Fucking find them! Skin them alive! I want them dead by the morning! Do you hear me?”

Meanwhile, someone had their ear pressed against the closed door within Freya’s room.

“All-Mother, I will find them. However, the investigators will arrive regardless at this point. Time has run out on your plan.”

“How! How have we not incited them enough? Did you kill a few to make an example like I said?”

Tyr hesitated as he observed Freya. “Yes, All-Mother.”

“And yet still no word from Abyss? Fucking crickets?” Freya kicked aside her chair, then toppled a nearby table, breaking several objects. She looked at Tyr, who sat stoically with no response. Her eyes were alight with fury. “How are you so incompetent? Huh!” He gave no response as she loomed over him. “Answer me, goddamnit!”

“I have no excuse, All-Mother.”

Freya punched Tyr square in the nose. “I get it!” He flinched, though no visible damage appeared. He gave no further reaction. Regret flashed across her face as she withdrew, but at the sight of his unchanged lack of expression, rage returned. “You want me to fail, don’t you? Everyone does! Why wouldn’t you? Do you think you should have become the new Odin?”

“Absolutely not, All-Mother.” Tyr stood, startling the enraged Freya. She turned away. “We have no choice but to utilize our council position to expedite a declaration on Abyss.”

“So, you do wish to see me humiliated further?”

“I will fabricate reasoning and call in favors that I have accumulated amongst the council members. The investigation will get postponed. You will win, and the Scions of Odin will be reinvigorated by your triumph.”

Freya sighed. “I grow tired of you. Do what you will.” She turned. “Just find me the spy. I’ll flay them alive myself.”

Tyr nodded and left. Freya looked at the upturned table. She walked to a nearby wall and pried an ancient axe from a wall mount. She then indiscriminately attacked furniture, paintings, cases, and more. She stopped when she came upon a majestic fantasy-like painting of her and presumably Odin.

“Will this always be my life?” She buried the axe blade into the painting, separating her visage from Odin. “Does it end?”