After that, I threw myself into work, mostly helping the hotel accommodate Orna’s stuff, and the settling of the mouse people.

The latter wound up being more interesting, difficult, and fun.

I surveyed the large room I’d ended up renting for the mice to stay in as bell boys and even professional movers came in and out of it, moving my orders around in it. The most difficult part for housing the mouse people, oddly enough, came from a shockingly chronic lack of imagination on the part of the hotel staff. As well as a motivation to go and find some!

It was strange to me, how they stared in fascination and wonder at the tiny mouse people, but were seemingly forever stumped on how to help them improve their lives.

Their living conditions were easy to fix, whether temporarily or permanently, at a simple glance!

Yet I was the only one who seemed to even notice. The hell’s wrong with these city folk? I wondered, annoyed at having to take charge to solve such a simple problem.

But solve it I did.

I sent out several bell hops for various wooden doll houses, or special made model houses, the kind various toy shops or carpenters have to show off their skill.

“Doll houses?” Lillianne asked, coming to stand next to me for a moment as the bell hops and movers did their job. The mouse people were gathered in baskets on small tables, watching everything with riveted fascination.

I shrugged with a small grin. “My sisters had always liked them, and we’d been able to afford a few growing up, so I knew at a glance that these mice people would fit in them perfectly.”

So perfectly that honestly it was almost creepy, making me suspect that witch had been more amused with herself, and far more cruel, than anyone had actually realized. She hadn’t just turned all these human people into tiny mouse people, apparently permanently. She’d also scaled them in such a way that they fit inside doll houses.

Meaning, I realized as I saw some of the houses arrive and a few of the mice families start to go into them, she’d literally turned them into living toys. A fact I think no one else had noticed since, well, everything else had been so hectic, bloody and horrible.

I wonder if anyone else will ever actually noice at this point? I idly thought as the movers and bell hops helped a large family of mice people into a large doll house. The humans all immediately became slaves to the mother mouse as she took charge of having everything in all the rooms arranged just the way she liked it.

I chuckled as I watched the scene play out. Some things never change, no matter the size or species. I thought as Lillianne, myself, and several of the other mice families and movers all started chuckling.

Someone probably will figure it out, but if the mouse folk played it right, they could turn it into an advantage. I reasoned, as a few more Victorian Style doll houses arrived. They could be great living advertising for toy shops, I guess? Or maybe as another brand of servants and staffers?

I shook my head at that thought, resolving to talk to them later about it. Out of Lillianne’s earshot, at least for the moment. Much as I hated to admit it, for the plan I was thinking of in my head, she’d probably be absolutely crucial.

However, I was still steamed about her newspaper headlines about me, including all the ones I now knew were likely coming. The memory of the kiss I’d had with her hadn’t gone away either, and that certainly didn’t help. A careful approach was needed, or it was even more headlines, and a possibly awkward conversation with her and Orna, while Maggie and Halona would both probably watch from the sidelines and cackle.

“This room will fill up quickly with just the houses.” Lillianne muttered, looking around and biting her lip in thought. “Have you considered Cabinet Houses?”

“The hell are those?” I asked, blinking at her in curiosity. I’d never heard of them.

“Basically a doll house built into a cabinet.” She explained with a smile. “All the shelves have been divided up into rooms stacked on top of each other, and connected with doors between them. Stairs would need to be added between one shelf and the next, but that’s about it.”

“That’s a thing?” I asked, stunned.

“They’re more for teaching young girls how to run a household, with showing them where everything is. And as rich marks of status for wealthy women.” Lillianne shrugged. “I saw them a lot with some rich families that I interviewed, and asked about them. Some of those women just wouldn’t shut up about the things either!”

I chuckled at the thought of Lillianne running from the enthusiasm of a collector before I just shrugged.

“Sure, why not?” I told her. “Ask which of them would prefer the Cabinet House, or any other kind of house, and I’ll order them.”

“Will do.” She smiled at me. A real, genuine, honest smile that lit up her whole face before she turned and strode over to the baskets of mice families who were still watching everything in awe.

“Huh.” I muttered, feeling a little out of sorts from seeing her like that. Usually it was a fight of some kind between us, with her always grinning sardonically. It was amazing how much softer and warmer she looked with the smile I’d just seen on her face.

I blinked and shook my head as I took up a spot by the door to just stand and watch, and occasionally direct the traffic. It was a most bizarre, but fascinating show. Especially with Lillianne bustling around, asking questions, doing interviews, and laughing with some of the little girl mice I figured were her own age.

Until the hotels main manager decided to show up that is.

“Why are we housing all these, these, vermin here?!” He snapped, furious. “Word is already starting to spread of strange mice on the premises! Guests will soon start leaving and telling everyone that we’re infested! This can’t go on!”

I just stared at the annoying little man in his well tailored suit for a moment. And he was little, barely coming up to the top of my chest, and a bit on the portly side as well, with strands of well oiled hair over a balding head. He’d also made the point to come over to me, where I was standing and watching all the activity, and Lillianne for that matter, just to get in my face about it.

A small little bully of man. I concluded coldly as I deliberately took my time in responding. Used to everything being what and where he expects it. And throwing tantrums when it’s not. The lack of imagination of the hotel staff around here suddenly makes so much more sense.

However, he wasn’t the hotel’s owner. He wasn’t some political official, super rich industrialist, or a lawman.

Nor was he a monster, giant, enemy army, or other, far worse things.

As such, the blustering ego and temper tantrum approach did not impress. Just annoy.

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“Vermin, was it?” Lillianne’s cold voice cut in just as I started to reply. “That’s an interesting description.”

We both turned to look at her in surprise, as she stood in the middle of the room, staring back at the little man. All work around us had stopped, and everyone was watching the show, while at the same time edging back a little from her. She was suddenly very imposing, like an ice covered mountain.

The little pompous suited fool twitched a little, then stupidly plowed on.

“Mice are vermin! They’re animals! And they spread diseases! They can’t be here! They’ll get into the food! They’ll destroy our reputation!”

The little bastard looked like he was just getting warmed up, but Lillianne coldly cut him off.

“If word gets around?” She snapped, raising an eyebrow. “Like if word gets around that these are intelligent, sapient, working, clothes wearing, talking mice people? I would think if word of that got around, you’d be flooded with people eager to meet them!”

“The only story that people will tell is that we have mice in a hotel!” The little man snapped back, actually stomping over to her to try and get in her face, for all that he was a foot shorter than her as well. “The little vermin must go! And if you love them so much, you must go as well! I will not have them in this establishment!”

Wow this guy’s an idiot. I thought darkly. If I was still in the army, he’d probably be a major. A desk major. He’s certainly got the bluster, and lack of general practical skills, to pull it off.

Lillianne eyed the man coldly. She was about as impressed, and intimidated by this guy, as I had been.

“Oh, you needn’t worry about stories people will eventually tell.” She remarked, smiling viciously. “The only one that anyone will remember is the one I tell. After all, that’s what reporters and newspapers are for in the end, isn’t it?”

“Newspapers?” The little man asked, blinking in bewilderment. “Reporters?”

“Indeed.” She continued to grin at the man. “And stories in the newspapers need to have a certain punch to them! Take this story for example.”

She gestured to the mice on the tables in baskets, all of whom were staring at her in rapt fascination.

“The poor immigrants, turned into mice by an evil witch, now on our shores.” Then she pointed around the room before landing on me. “And after going through hell in the slums, now have new homes to live in and work in, thanks to our hero! The man who came across them, protected them, saved them, and now is giving them new homes, and a new future!”

I flinched a little at the description, but everyone else seemed to ignore me as they focused on Lillianne. She coldly turned back to the little man. “A striking story! One with all the makings of a grand drama! But it doesn’t have a proper villain. All good drama’s have to have a villain, and a far off witch just won’t do.”

She grinned at him then, a very evil grin, that made even that imbecile flinch a little.

“Fortunately, it looks like we have a volunteer! The man who will drive them back out onto the streets, ignoring the money everyone is paying for the rooms, ignoring their horrible plight. Even going against the hero himself! Why, you’ll be a household name by this time tomorrow!”

“How do you figure that?” He asked, looking increasingly like someone who realized the ground they were standing on was cracking under their weight. “All you have is gossip and here-say! No one will listen to you! Who even are you?”

“Oh, where are my manners.” She chuckled darkly, before giving a mocking curtsy. “Lillianne Lancaster, at your service.”

“And as to why everyone will know this story, and your name in particular? Why, because I’ll make sure of it!” She laughed, almost cackling, as she pulled out a rolled up newspaper from her large bag-purse, and handed it to the man. “After all, it wouldn’t be my first time. Everyone reads the Gray Lady after all.”’

I watched the look of slowly dawning horror on his face as she pointed to the headline, and then to the name of the author of todays front page story.

“No.” He muttered in horror. “It can’t be.”

“Now then, what was your name sir?” Lillianne asked, pulling out a notebook and a pencil. “And how do you spell it? I want to make sure I have it right for tomorrows newspaper. And it will be tomorrows. Front page and all. I’ll make sure of it.”

He just stared at her, his mouth opening and closing like a fish. I couldn’t help but grin myself.

“She really doesn’t fight fair, does she?” I asked, mostly just to twist the knife. “Believe me, I know.”

She looked at me with a smile and stuck her tongue out at me! Before she smoothly went back to cold and furious ice queen.

“Now then, about how you’re willing to kick these poor immigrants out onto the street, even though their rooms have been paid for?” She asked, readying her notebook right in front of the little mans face.

At that point some level of good sense finally won out over ego, and the little fool turned and fled. “They can stay as long as their rooms are paid for!” He all but shouted over his shoulder as he turned and left in a hurry.

“Well now, that was fun.” A very familiar voice said behind me. Turning I found Maggie standing in the doorway, making room for the manger to bustle by her. The whole room burst into applause, and Lillianne actually blushed, and even did a slight bow.

“Alright, shows over!” I called out, grinning despite myself. “Everybody back to work.”

There was some sarcastic groaning, and some laughter, but soon everyone was bustling around again.

“It was a privilege watching you work Lilly.” Maggie said with a smile as she strolled over to Lillianne.

“Thanks Mags.” Lillianne replied with another genuine smile. “But why are you here?”

“I’m getting ready to go dress shopping for the big event tomorrow night, and I saw there was some drama playing out here.” Maggie replied, shrugging. “I stopped by to watch. And to let our dear leader know that he has another visitor.”

“Another one?” I asked, confused.

“He’s waiting for you in your room.” Maggie nodded with a shrug. “We met him this morning actually. You should go see him.”

“What big event are you dress shopping for?” Lillianne asked, curious, as I turned to leave. I didn’t know who was here bothering me now, but given Maggie’s statement, I figured I better go find out.

“Why, the concert at Carnegie Hall of course.” Maggie answered, and I could hear the smile plastered on her face. “Jake was invited to it, and since most of the people he knows are busy, I’ll be tagging along with him.”

“Carnegie Hall?” Lillianne repeated, before sudden excitement colored her voice. “The giant music building Andrew Carnegie built? Jake’s been invited to that?!”

At that point, I made my way through the door, and practically slammed it shut behind me. I groaned. That damn cat woman! I sighed before turning and heading to my room.

May as well find out who’s here and what’s going on. I thought as I walked the fairly short distance down the hall to my room.

Heading in I did indeed see a recently familiar face; Frichie the Pinkerton.

His arm was in a sling, but he otherwise looked much better than he had this morning. Must have gotten his wound treated.

I smiled and shook his hand.

“Good to see you made it!” I told him, smiling as we sat down at the table he was at. The table I noticed that had something sitting on it covered in a cloth.

“Good to see you too sir.” He chuckled before glancing at his arm with a sigh. “Got this fixed up before coming over.”

“How was it?” I asked, looking over the well treated wound.

“Not as bad as it could’ve been.” He replied, sighing in relief. “Hit the meat only. No bones or anything much more special or delicate. Meat will heal up, and then it’s back to work. Eventually.”

“Well, enjoy you’re rest.” I told him with a smile. “You earned it.”

“As did you sir.” He nodded respectfully. “You led us well.”

“Thank you.” I nodded, before turning back to the table, and what was on it. “So then.”

“Managed to bring it back to you, safe and sound.” He nodded, carefully pulling the cover off the strange device.

For a moment, we both just sat and stared at the thing, a mixture of curious wonder, and horrified terror running through me.

“Thanks.” I told him eventually, looking back to him. “I really didn’t want Boss Tweed or his cronies getting ahold of this.”

“Nor I sir.” Frichie nodded in agreement, shuddering. “Couldn’t trust them to even store it right. Not sure anyone can honestly though. I’ve never seen anything like it.”

“I have.” I muttered darkly, looking the thing over.

“Really?” He asked, shocked. “Where?”

“A small little Terminus Town called Sugar Leaf.” I replied, looking back at him, my face hard. “On the edge of the Frontier, deep inside the continent of the Union.”

He stared at me for a moment, before shock and horror washed across his face as he looked back at the strange device.

“Someone’s passing them out?” He whispered in horror.

“Seems so.” I nodded. “Might want to tell your organization to be on the lookout for these devices. And their buyers.”

“Wait, didn’t you fight Furwraiths in Sugar Leaf?” He asked, looking back to me. I blinked at him in surprise before sighing.

“Had to time to read todays paper huh?”

He smiled and shrugged, carefully. “The doctors office was boring.”

I rolled my eyes before nodding to him. “Well, yes, I did. And they had a device similar to this. A hostile clan of nonhuman creatures, deep inside the Union continent, had a similar device to this thing. That’s just a terrifying play of events.”

Frichie shuddered again. “I’ll let them know about it. They’ll pass the word along, and make sure lots of people got eyes out for ‘em.”

“Good.” I replied, sitting back in my chair for a moment, thinking. “After that, all that’s left is to try and figure out who the hell is passing them out. And who’s making the damn things.”

“Sounds like fun.” Frichie replied sarcastically. I couldn’t help but grin in response.

“Sometimes, it actually is.”