>>6323272“Well, well, well…” He purrs, relishing the reaction he receives as he slowly rises from his chair, “She’s finally come home.”
Betrayal and confusion clouds Tzah-Tzie’s eyes as they frantically flit around the room in search of an exit… but despite the abject terror in her features, the girl doesn’t dare move… not even when Vhale closes the gap between the two and lifts her chin with a claw.
“So.” He remarks, his bride trembling as his hands begin to wander around her body, “Music, hm? You never showed me your singing voice.”
Tzah-Tzie’s on lockdown. No vitriol leaves her lips, no bites meet their mark… it’s as if she’s a completely different person–or an animal, rather. Trembling in place, she doesn’t respond or react to Vhale as he takes his time planting a kiss on her pursed lips.
“You’re nervous. Don’t worry–we’ll have lots of time to get… <span class="mu-i">reaquainted</span>.” Vhale’s sharklike eyes drift back over to you with an almost teasing glimmer. “Anton and I had a long talk… and he settled on quite the finder’s fee for your return.”
She doesn’t have to say anything to show her betrayal. As her eyes whip over to yours you see it plain as day: confusion. Anger. Despair.
And Vhale? He’s just lapping it all up.
You meet her gaze and mouth the words ‘<span class="mu-i">trust me</span>’, but you’re not sure if they hit their mark or not. Tzah-Tzie’s no fool, you know that better than anyone, but sometimes she’s almost <span class="mu-i">too</span> good of an actress…
“In return for Anton and company’s safe passage out of the city, you and Lutza will be playing at a concert tonight,” Vhale continues, earning an uneasy snigger from Rolo, “Here at Crystalmelt.” He makes a show of rubbing his chin in mock contemplation. “Think of it as… a <span class="mu-i">going away party</span>.”
TT doesn’t respond, but Vhale does. A sharp <span class="mu-i">CRACK</span> rings across the room as he brings his claw across her cheek! Lutza gasps. Joplin and her Skog bodyguard flinch. Rolo and his girls stand stoic. And you? All you can do is gnaw on your cheek to keep yourself from tackling the bastard to the ground…
“What do we say when someone does something nice for us?”
Tears begin to trickle down Tzah-Tzie’s trembling face. “<span class="mu-i">... Thank you…</span>” She stammers, her eyes burning into the floor. “<span class="mu-i">Thank… you…</span>”
“Good girl.” Giving her shivering head a pat, Vhale shifts his gaze back your way once again. “A deal’s a deal, Anton Peas.” He turns to face Joplin. “Tell the concierge what you need. We’ll foot the bill.”
The Gnok nods in silent assent as the Kingpin’s gaze falls upon a still-staken Lutza. “Break a leg, hm? This is my wife’s <span class="mu-i">big</span> night, after all…”
Vhale doesn’t even acknowledge Lutza’s wary nod as he takes the first few steps towards leaving the suite, but pauses.
>CONTD. 