>>6318872“Beg your pardon, sir, but the party that requested you was insistent I bring you up as soon as possible…” The attendant murmurs with a hint of trepidation in her tone, “Forgive my presumptuousness, but your arrival might be a welcome distraction…”
Hey, you love causing those! Leaving your gang with one last wink, you rise from your seat and let the attendant lead you across the lobby and into a cramped, octagonal room!
“Please hold onto the railing.”
Before you can ask, the whole thing jerks upwards–anyone else would have been bowled over by the sudden movement, but you’re <span class="mu-b">ANTON PEAS…</span> and you fear <span class="mu-i">no</span> elevator!
The lift stops a few floors up–six, if you were counting properly. Allowing you to disembark first, the attendant swiftly overtakes you and leads you down a maze of plush-carpeted corridors.
“Your party will send for someone to escort you back to the lobby once your meeting has concluded,” Explains your guide–a Gnok, from the looks of it–”Please don’t hesitate to request refreshments.”
She leads you to a door, you think–the two familiar-looking Skogs bordering it give you that impression, at least. Hey, you remark as they regard you with wary eyes and blank faces, you’re the triplets, right? You met ‘em on the train!
In place of an answer, the two play a soft, but specific tune on the door with their knuckles, the bodyguards coordinating with each other in almost spooky synchronization! After a moment of silence, they both send a nod your way.
“Miss Lutza’s expecting ya’, Sir.”
“Go right on in ta’ Miss Lutza, Sir.”
Errr… thanks? Leav ing the guards and the attendant in your wake, you cautiously enter the suite and follow the faint sound of voices…
“-ll discuss the matter shortly.” Prim. Firm. You’d recognize the professionalism oozing out of that voice anywhere: that’s <span class="mu-s">JOPLIN,</span> Lutza’s manager!
Your guess is right on the money–turning a corner into the suite’s lounge, you spot the Gnok’s hard-worn glare almost immediately! But what shocks you, well…
That’s another story!
Lutza sits alone across the room–the demure Durher’s expression brightening as she senses your approach! Looming over her from behind stands the third Tiito Triplet–the Skog’s posture wound up tighter than a spring in a sardine can!
The first one to greet you, however, has a face you wish wasn’t so familiar: thick, long teeth covered in jewels and bangles… eyes burning like a Summer sunset…
And a deep, rumbling laugh that pierces you to the core!
“Well, well, well…” Purrs the Molegg as his gaze is joined by an unfamiliar pair of cyan Durher eyes, “Anton Peas… small-fuckin’-world, ain’t it?”
<span class="mu-s">Rolo...</span>
>CONTD. 