Chapter 48: Den of Filth
'How?'
Bewildered, she bit her quivering lips and took a step back, "What are you talking about?" But, unbeknownst to her, the aggressive, yet playful tone of hers was long gone.
Replacing it was a sharp, calculating voice.
Her true voice.
"Let's not play dumb, Lady Vanessa. I want to get down there without the information leaking through to Esme. Help me out. If you help me out, I won't leak the little deal you have down there with everyone. Do we have a deal?"
Furrowing her brows, "That doesn't sound like a deal, it sounds like a threat, Lady Alora."
Alora shrugged, "Take it as you like. To me, it sounds like a fantastic deal."
"But you just exposed your weakness; you do not want this information to pass to Esme. If I just go and tell her, then you'd lose this freedom of yours while I'd have practically no repercussions."
"Well-"
Vanessa interrupted Alora before she could respond with, "Many people already know of my underground activities, you cannot unveil a secret that was never a secret in the first place. You, on the other hand..." Pushing her head over to Alora's ear, she whispered:
"Have a lot to lose, don't you?"
Alora was quiet for a moment.
Vanessa triumphantly retracted her head, "So, still think it's a good deal?"
Alora remained quiet.
Dismissively waving at Alora with the back of her hand, "If you're done, get out of my way. I've got places to go."
Barging by the tiny Alora-
Grip.
-she found her wrist grasped by a cold hand.
"What do you want?" Struggling with the grip, Vanessa frowned and pulled her hardest to back away from Alora.
But her grip was too strong; faint cracking noises echoed from Alora's fingers.
"...Well, at least I gave it a try. You're smarter than you seem." Alora shrugged, and passing along a mad gaze into Vanessa's soul, she proceeded with the second half of her flimsy plan.
"Alora of Light, daughter of His Majesty and the Mistress. Sick, young, and fragile. She just so happened to spot an older Lady Vanessa perusing an underground market and was convinced into joining her escapade in hopes of arriving upon a cure for her illness. Lady Vanessa, understanding the power of Alora of Lights' status, used her to receive discounts and favours from the underground merchants..."
Smiling behind the mask.
"Now then, how does that sound?"
"Do you still like the deal, or no?"
Flushed pale, Vanessa gulped:
"Put on a robe to cover yourself at least, please."
Flashing an even brighter smile behind the mask:
"Great! I knew I could rely on you, older sister Vanessa!"
-----
I was once again standing above the underground market.
The hustle never stopped down here, and, as long as one ignored the filth occasionally piled up in corners and alleyways, this place could almost be considered heaven.
Anything and everything was for sale.
...Other than people.
According to Vanessa, every time anyone attempted to deal in human slavery, they'd disappear overnight, never to be found again. The slaves would also all be returned to their rightful place, with their memories wiped.
The reason for it was unknown, but the consensus was this:
[All within the Domain of Light are subjects of His Majesty; any who attempt to overthrow this ruling shall be smote.]
"Happy now? Go do whatever you want, but make sure to come back here in 45 minutes. They've seen you enter with me, so you'll be safe." Unlike me, Vanessa entered without hiding her identity; there was no reason to at this point.
"See you in a bit, older sister Vanessa~" Teasing her from underneath the dark garbs, I fixed my mask properly and took the slope down from the left side, Vanessa had taken the right.
If there's one place in Luminary City that may have access to restricted or suppressed information, it would be this underground market.
As long as Vanessa has not lied, there should be information brokers around here.
...
Iknow.
...
I'llbegettingsomeaswellwhileI'matit.
With both goals in mind, I stepped to the bottom of the slope. The stench flooded my face, a mixture of alcohol, rot and faeces.
A disgusting smell.
But, ironically, it felt fitting.
Hushed noises, loud noises; gruff voices, earnest voices.
From all around, the hustle of the underground market overwhelmed me.
It feels like I'm back in-
Uh...
I'm back in...?
Sighing:
I can't remember the name of that place anymore.
My memories of my days on Earth have slowly drifted out of my mind, lost somewhere in the sea of countless thoughts. Knocking at my temple a couple of times, I gave up on remembering once I concluded that it was gone forever.
Strolling across the park-sized underground markets, I kept my ears and eyes open for any information brokers.
I heard a couple of men whispering about me from nearby, but their gazes remained just that, gazes.
No one stepped up to me, interrupted me, or picked a fight with me.
Vanessa's arrival at that opportune moment was a blessing. I had panicked for a nanosecond before coming up with my devious—ahem, fair deal.
...Now then, information.
"Product?"
"Decent weight, jewel signature removed. Resellable."
"Price?"
Those hushed voices came from a jewellery reseller. Whether they were thieves or money launderers, I don't know.
"A pint for six? Bullshit, none of that fuckery round here."
"Tch. Six is cheap, fuckers on the west side would eat it up for more."
"Don't you even-"
These, on the other hand, were smuggling alcohol for cheaper prices.
It was quite diverse around here.
What I'm looking for, on the other hand...
Step.
I came to a stop at the entrance of a dim alley.
Faint traces of footsteps remained on the floor, but what sold it was the lack of filth. It's not as though the information brokers are attempting to hide too hard; if they did, business would drop.
Having a filthy entrance could also impact sales.
Staring at the sole sign dangling in the stale breeze in the depths of the alley, I walked onwards.
Arriving before a run-down door, I pushed the broken doorknob-
Creak...
-and stepped into a bar.
It was silent.
Yet amidst this silence, dozens of eyes glared down at me.
The wafting scent of strong alcohol crushed my nose, the smell of perfume from a few scantily clad ladies clinging to poles in the corners of this 'bar' stunk.
I took another step into the bar, allowing the door to close behind me.
The only movement that could be seen in this bar was mine and the dancers, but even their eyes were clinging to me; with greed.
This was an information brokerage, so they must have known I arrived alongside Vanessa, the daughter of a Duchy.
Meaning:
Wealth.
All they see when they look at me is a walking sack of gold.
So be it then.
Promptly, partially crushing my vocal cords with a slight wince in my eyes, "Who's the broker?" I asked with a neutral, nasal voice.
The dozens of eyes remained steady.
Ring~
But a separate noise came from the side, from where the dancers stood.
Elegantly pressing her tanned bare feet on the ground, the bell-adorned anklets sang as she took the steps across the wooden panels. Skimpily clad with most of her skin revealing itself, she passed on an erotic smile as she gazed down upon me; with each step she took down from the stage, I could sense a pressure oozing from her body.
It's her.
"Shocked?" With a classy voice, she licked her lips as she towered before me. Pressing her arms on her exposed belly, she leaned over, exposing her sweat-filled cleavage.
"Not really."
I don't care.
Pursing her lips, she leaned her head sideways, allowing her snow-white hair to flow freely, "Boring."
Twirling back, she walked away a couple of steps. "Aren't you coming?" And looked back at me with a seductive droop to her eyes. Promptly following her, she led me to a room behind the main bar.
It was a quiet office space with bottles of alcohol lining the shelves. Sitting on the desk, she crossed her legs and pointed to the guest seat.
Accepting the offer, I stared up at her; move your feet out of the way, your buttocks are of no interest to me.
"What does our little guest want in this pretty little bar? Looking for someone? Something? Need information passed along? Or are you looking to sell?"
"Flamms. Give me all the information you have on the disease, including when it was first recorded. That also includes before it was officially recognised as Flamms. Other than that, I want a list of all victims of Flamms within the past 20 years that have been recorded."
"...Little guest, that would be quite-"
Clack!
A sack landed on the table beside the lady's leg.
The rope tying it shut was loose, revealing a glint of the innards.
"It's a pleasure doing business. Wait outside of Sparkles in 30 days for the information. Come dressed in the same clothing, it'll make it easier to complete the transaction."
"A pleasure." Standing up, I eyed her and waited for her to lead me out.
A simple show of respect for the new 'business' partner.
But, before that, she held out her hand, "A handshake shouldn't be too difficult, should it?" She asked with an innocent tone, yet her face remained as lustful as ever.
Clasping her much larger hand with my own gloved one, she gleefully shook it-
Slip.
-and interlaced her fingers with mine.
"Cutie pie, when you look at my hair, you can see it, can't you?" She leaned in, whispering into my ear.
Before I received the opportunity to ask for clarification:
"My hair, what colour is it?"
Frowning, I pulled my fingers away from hers. "White, why do you ask?"
In return, all I received was another fake smile.
"Hmm...? No reason."
Planting her hands behind her back, she led me out whilst leaving our conversation incomplete.