by P. S. Power
That thought sounded wrong to him, but he knew it wasn't. Things weren't real.
If that was actually the case though, what was?
Judy coughed and pretended she was thinking, which was done in a way that let him realize it, holes showing in her demeanor.
"I do have what I need, except a Visa, which I bet won't be asked for. It could be fun, but I can't ask you to do that."
"Well, you know, you have to fly standby and all that sort of thing. First we need to make sure that it's safe there. You can get some fancy pastries for the rest of us, and we'll call it a trip for provisions."
She nodded, looking at her plate, then eating for a while.
"If you twist my arm, I guess. I just wish I could pay you somehow."
Zack got ready for the offer of sex in exchange, or at least hints at it, but if that was going to be the case she at least needed to convince him it wasn't a payment. There were rules to things like that, after all.
"I don't suppose you'd like a part in a movie? Nothing big, mind, just a walk on or something?"
"Nope. That actually doesn't sound good at all. I'm too likely to be mistaken for the drugged out production assistant. Say, did you sleep on the sofa? I know I took the bed..."
She actually smiled and winked at him.
"Nah, I climbed in with Troy and Calley. Very nimble, that girl. I'm actually almost certain that neither of them have any clue who I am. Or even that I'm an Alede. I collected so much energy that I didn't need the down time, so I read most of the night. Scripts that my manager wants me to consider taking on. Most of them are... Fine, really. Not what I want to do, but not awful. Howard knows not to give me those." After that she just ate, and so did he. He'd thought it was going to be too much, but finished it and barely felt full at all.
"So... Zack... Were you serious about Paris? Because otherwise I've got nothing." She laughed again, this time seeming a bit embarrassed. She didn't take it back though.
"Yeah. I was also serious about the pastries. You see how this works? I do a little something for you..." For once his attempt to be flirtations didn't totally fall flat at least and she winked at him. That got his attention, because it seemed to be a thing with a lot of people he knew suddenly. Really, no one did that anymore, did they? It was just a thing from old movies.
"I hear you. That works... poorly, and with such a deficit in value that I can't believe it, but if you're really sure?"
After he nodded she ran to change for the day, using the shower first, doing it all quickly enough that he had water left too. Troy and Calley would have to wait. The water heater just wasn't that big. It wasn't a well kept up place and had been built about sixty years before, so a lot of things were less than perfect. They paid their rent, but the landlord stayed away, which was the best thing about the man, as far as Zack could tell.
It meant they got out the door early, about seven-thirty, and were safely in the Mall three minutes later, let in the back by Hiram, who was actually just sitting and chatting with Conrad. Merry was asleep and looked peaceful. Like a tiny angel laying there on the brown and tan cushions, covered by a well worn light blue blanket. Out of place, but lovely, nonetheless.
Before he could ask how they all were, Elis started speaking, not looking at him directly, just splitting his attention between Conrad, who was sitting up normally, and his sister.
"The man woke up. He needs rest for several days, but healed the wound on the woman. She should sleep now, for a time, due to that. They both seem to believe that she'll live now. She spoke to me about it before she drifted off." He sounded focused, rather than tired or bored, which Zack would have been, doing nothing else for that long. Keeley had set him the task, and it apparently meant more than he better do a good job, or else. It was almost as if he literally couldn't do anything to contradict her wishes at all.
'Which would be why the smart money doesn't hang around with Greater Demons, dim-bulb. You know what I'd do if I were you? I'd go to Paris with Blondie here and see if you can score some fresh.' He stopped suddenly, but Mirror Him had used this one before.
Zack was supposed to act clueless and ask; fresh what? Then he'd tell him, in depth, about what he meant. It was attached to Judy, so Zack actually had a decent clue already this time.
Mirror Him laughed at the thought.
'Such a dirty mind. I meant croissants. Filled with buttery goodness. Though, if someone like that offers, you should fill her with buttery goodness too. To think, three months ago you had to sweet talk your hand to get any action, and now you're swimming in possibilities. That you keep failing at it pretty much means you're playing for the other team. It's a sad thing, but best to admit it now, so we can start looking for a nice fellow for you.' The words didn't stop for a bit, so Zack nodded and tried to talk over him, without sounding like he was screaming. It was only a voice in his head, so it could be done.
It was just harder than it sounded like.
"Um, sending out for pastries. They won't be in for..." He looked over at Judy who smiled winningly at each of them, including the sleeping Merry.
"Let's call it four hours? I should call first, so that no one is surprised to see me. May I use your phone? It will be long distance, but I can cover it."
She was speaking directly to Bob then, and the man, no matter how old he actually was, practically purred at her, even if she wasn't trying to be all that heavy handed for an Alede. In fact she seemed like no more than any other attractive, currently famous actress in the back of their little store. Which meant that he practically ran to help her do what she wanted.
Ten minutes later she was off in Paris, a driver coming to take her around, and a nice bit of cash waiting on the other end. It wasn't a clothing store that he took her to, but a modeling agency. They were temporarily closed however, since the building they were in was closed for "renovations". The woman that met them hugged and kissed Judy, making it seem like they were old friends, but then started to kneel in front of him. She was saying something in French, but Zack couldn't keep up with it all. It seemed a little strange, but Judy didn't laugh, just translating for the lady, who had black hair and a single mole on her upper lip, while being very nicely dressed. She looked about his own age, but that didn't, he realized, mean much for her people.
"Claudine wanted to know if you'd like her to blow you? You should say yes, she's really very good at it. Of course she also thinks you're actually a Greater Demon, and might make her do things anyway."
The interplay then was quick, but, Zack noticed, Claudine moved closer, shuffling delicately on her knees, which had to take a lot of practice on her part, to get it done so smoothly.
"Um, I'll be back in four hours? Please call if you need me sooner than that, or later? Also, pastries. enough to share with everyone?"
Judy laughed and hugged him, but didn't grope or anything, clearly getting that he was fantastically embarrassed already. So far she'd been the nicest of her people that way. Even Kaitlyn tried to do that, at times. It was almost like they couldn't help it. That probably meant that Judy was a lot older than she seemed. Or than he thought. Old enough to manage being in the public eye as a Succubus and not get too bad of a reputation.
"Understood. I know a place, so don't worry."
Then he got back to his job, expecting a scolding for being friendly with the woman, or at least not charging her, but Bob was busy looking at him so strangely he stopped thinking that almost instantly.
The man looked oddly proud, for some reason.
"You have the mother of an Alede Ambassador doing food runs? Well, that should at least engender good will. She gets a trip to Paris that way after all, and we get fresh baked goods. Unless that's a code phrase for something? Or you aren't sharing, in which case I'll have to beg." He tried to look sad for a moment, but didn't pull it off well at all. "Of course I won't be here when they come in, but save me some for later tonight?"
"I did ask for enough so everyone could have some. We won't k
now the results until later."
Then Bob left, and so did Hiram, which pretty much meant all he had to do was make certain Elis got his blood to drink and eat a cup of yoghurt that Lenore brought for him.
"Spending each night with an Alede... I won't be able to compete when next we get to have some time together, will I?" She was teasing lightly, instead of seeming mad at him for the supposed transgression at least, as if it was really just expected that he'd be doing that kind of thing with Judy, if she were around.
"Not me, I haven't ever had sex with an Alede at all. Judy hasn't pushed me very hard either. She's really polite that way. Now if you have sex with Troy, then, that seems pretty likely. He'll be ruined for good women everywhere, no doubt. He's been having threesomes with her and other girls for the last two nights."
That got a slight stirring from the awkward little cushion beds on the floor, and Conrad sat looking at him closely.
"An Alede has been staying with you, and you've resisted her? The others here too? That's an impressive feat. Few manage that once they set their sights. It's part of their nature." He really did sound impressed too and brushed his short hair with a hand, smoothing it a bit. It was clear he needed a comb or something, which Zack should have noticed earlier. Other things too, like a shower and some clean clothing.
It felt mean but after he mentioned it, he had to shake his head.
"It will have to wait so I can get to the store, I'm afraid."
Conrad gave a look that wasn't unkind, but had a bit of a patronizing air.
"Merry and I live behind our kitchen. We won't be dispossessed. Not just because Kenton put some chicken in our pressure cooker, and became side tracked with other matters. Leif is an ass, and I heard what he said about us, but the others wouldn't have done it. We're far too distant from home to waste. The fact is, the Elth Ambassador here is less requested than good Chinese food. That you took us in was a kindness however. It should shame him endlessly, no doubt. It would be petty of me to want to see his face when it occurs to him, and alas, that moment has most likely passed, but I won't claim it wouldn't be worth the viewing."
Elis chuckled, which was the first time that Zack had heard him do anything of the sort, and Lenore lifted her shoulders, delicately.
"Well, it might be a bit more serious than that. I hear the Trickster is aware of the event, and seems to believe that Ambassador Leif might have been a bit more concerned for his people. Hopefully this doesn't end in you needing a new leader here. I personally get along with him tolerably well."
That got Conrad to cover his mouth, which given how small he was looked a bit girlish.
"Oh, my then. I guess we'll have to see what happens. Poor Leif. He's not the best of our kind, but he's far from the worst."
Lenore turned back to him, but didn't suggest a way to save the man, so Zack figured it wasn't their business.
"I noticed that we missed each other last night? I hope it wasn't something I said?" She seemed a tiny bit miffed at him suddenly, but not so much it was scary or anything, just the kind of thing that women did when they thought they were being ignored or avoided.
Zack nodded and fell on his sword.
"My fault. I let myself get side tracked and ended up just going home. That's hardly a good reason, but it's what happened. Should we reschedule for tonight? Do you have enough blood?" She didn't really sleep, but she had to eat, and so did Elis. If the others had been drinking the blood too...
"No. I hate to ask you to purchase more, at the prices you paid." She stopped and then shrugged. "We have some coming via rapid post. It should arrive in a few hours. Rebekah was most eager to hear from you. Did you forget her as well?"
He had, and that was a horrible thing to do, especially since he still owed her trips for the blood she'd been providing. Zack decided to give her a call, just as soon as he finished his meal. Of course, he noticed, that Conrad wasn't eating anything, just sitting and not complaining, letting himself heal from his wounds. Or whatever he needed to do.
Looking down he was about to offer half of his meal to the little man, when Lenore saved him the trouble.
"Would you like anything Conrad? We can send for it, from the food court, if dairy products aren't to your liking at the moment?"
"Oh, aye, that would be good. I could tolerate a hamburger, if Kenton can do it without burning the place down. That's a bit unfair, of course, as the boy is a good soul and skilled enough, if a bit too interested in a certain Human girl. I doubt they're delivering right now, since that would be Merry and mine own task. I should retrieve it myself." He actually started to stand and seemed well enough for it, but Zack shook his head. Rest meant something other than work. He was almost positive of it.
"Let me make a call." It sounded very important, but it wasn't really. They could get a person to do deliveries after all.
He still ate first, even if it was selfish, and complimented Lenore on it, enough that she pretended to blush and pushed his shoulder with girlish charm before she left, her phone ringing across the way, from what she said. She was wearing a nice green dress that day, that still would have looked right about a hundred and fifty years before then. It was new, and she had a cute white apron on to protect it.
Finding a good delivery person for inside the Mall was harder than it sounded at first. It wasn't a paid position or anything, so no one had any real reason to volunteer, he didn't think. That meant coming up with a bribe for them. Maybe a trip? It made sense to him at least.
Getting Bob's big blue binder of numbers, he decided to try the Trolleinkein gym first. After all, it would have been easy to get Kaitlyn to do it, but the Alede got most of the perks, didn't they? Life was a lot easier in a certain way, when you were the best looking, and loved everyone. Even if only as a source of food.
The man that answered spoke with a slightly too deep voice and an accent that was more about his jaw shape and vocal structure than about lack of good diction.
"Good day. Trolleinkein Embassy, this is Darrow."
"Hello! This is Zack Hartley? I was wondering if you might have someone willing to trade doing deliveries from the food court to everyone here at the mall?" He was about to put in the rest of it, about the free trip, but the man made a single, very simple noise and the clanking and din of the other place cut out totally. "Certainly, Line Walker. How many do you think the task will need?"
It didn't seem like that large of a job to him, but he looked at Conrad who could clearly hear the phone conversation. He mouthed the word two.
"Two should be good. None of you have used your Christmas presents yet, but please let them know that I'll trade them a round trip for it. Each. It isn't cash, but..." Again, he'd been about to say they could do that too, but there was a bit of an outburst from the room on the other end of the line. It didn't sound angry at least.
The man was silent for a moment, speaking as if debating his own words internally first.
"Would it be possible for you to retrieve our Great One and High Shaman from our homelands? This would not be an option normally, but communications are very slow without such, and we must pass messages through dream talking, which is less than reliable for a dangerous time such as this."
Conrad tensed, looking almost angry, but Zack couldn't really see it.
"That will work. We'll have to figure out how to get there of course and arrange that. Would tonight, or sometime tomorrow be all right for that? I'm working the early part of the day here by myself." It could take a while to actually find the right people after all.
"That... I must check, you are not playing games with us?"
"No. I don't do that. It's a failing of mine, but you know where you stand."
"I see. Tentatively, I would agree to this for my people, if we can accept, would a time during the day tomorrow be serviceable? Regardless, those deliveries will be made, without question."
That was nice of them, if they didn't know if they could trade with him for what they needed. Then, cash
was possible as well, if they wanted.
"That's really great of you. Thanks. This kind of thing is more important than a lot of people get." It was to him at least, since getting out of the store all the time was hard to manage.
"The pleasure is ours. Service to the whole is the most important thing, after all." The line clicked, and a dial tone played, but different places had different ways of doing things.
Over on his pad, Conrad sighed.
"That is too mighty a reward for my work, I fear. It must be done now, but I'll never be able to repay you for it. I know, I'll give you Merry. That's hardly fair either, but at least I won't be burdened with her anymore." The man was a bit dour about it, and glared at the female that lay sleeping, but Zack felt something that he didn't normally, most days.
Anger.
"Slavery isn't allowed here. You don't owe me anything for being a friend, and if you talk about your sister like that again, I'll find a nice little deserted island and leave you on it. She saved your life, healing you with a big piece of steel in her side. I don't know if that hurts, personally, but I'm going to kind of guess the answer is yes. You should treat her well." He glowered at the man and started to fail at it, since it wasn't a thing he could do really. Mirror Him could though and did.
Conrad sighed.
"I know, I know. She's a darling, but I was set the task of finding her husband here, by our mother and none of the others of my kind are interested. It's no fault of hers, a simple class matter, but we don't meet enough Humans for her to find one of that ilk either. At this rate I'll be searching for her husband in my dotage."
Given how tiny she was, it might be a problem to find her someone good, Zack had to agree. If it was going to work, they couldn't be overly large themselves he didn't think, not if they could have children. Otherwise they might be too big and kill her. If that was a thing for her people.
"So, of course, I keep trying to send her to you. Wealthy, powerful and able to care for her well, even in dire times." He waved at her sleeping form, there on the sofa cushions from across the way. "She speaks highly of you, and how you always treat her politely and with kindness when you've met. I think worse matches might be met."