Chapter 1: Reality Soft Spoken -Part 1-
Reality Soft Spoken -Part 1-
Sun beaming across the horizon, the world began its ascent to progress. Rousing pony or fact, it did not matter if the individual was one or a cat, all fell into their daily routines. A warm cup of coffee in hand, a newspaper in the other, suits and ties dotted the busy intersections as cars drove, ponies trotted, and paws patted against the pavement on their way to work. This was normal for those with a hint of bits in their pocket but for others, this was the goal, the ensured Equestrian dream that everyone dreamed of. A fleeting dream mind you.
Ponyville, 1923
The events described just now are of absolute wonder to the lower class stuck in the world's worst situations. Low income keeps the kids on the streets and parents in the weeks, working their hooves and tails off to make ends meet. But our story don't follow the tale of the low rising to the high but the high being humbled by the low. In one of these massive estates that became the beacons of the landscape, the final goal that all low aspire to lives a man who went through his own share of humbling troubles to get where he is. He worked and sweated for it all but his daughter, she's a special case.
"You certainly can't be serious, don't you have these already?"
To that response, the silver-maned pony scoffed, a hoot and holler at even the mention of, "What's the difference?" She flashed the required amount of bits and within only a few seconds, the hoof shoes were tucked neatly away with a butler who was already carrying 2 bags worth of expensive material. "Do be serious Diamond, you know very well that would have been the most necessary purchase of the day. I rarely find things in black so it's nice to accessorize."
"Though I do follow your logic Silver, I simply cannot fathom the rate at which you spend your money. Are you sure your father is simply ok with this?"
"Ha!" she exclaimed causing many individuals to look their way in shock. "Of course, he's ok with it, he's my father and one of the smartest men alive. At the rate he accrues bits, my spending is only a small chunk of the things he can do. Besides, I am feeding money into the community, am I not? They should be happy that I'm willing to put my well-earned bits back into the economy."
If there was one thing Diamond Taira got tired of, it was sighing. Did it damn near every day in the presence of her best friend, she could probably start a new energy source just from that alone. Silver's attitude wasn't unlike her own, coming from wealth herself, but she certainly didn't hesitate to showcase every chance she got. "You're a handful I can tell. At the very least, we could find ourselves swinging by The Taps, correct?"
"That place? but is it not full of ruffians and scoundrels?"
"Only because it is the center of a community uplift program."
"A scoundrel outreach program, how humorous of them."
"Silver, be nice dear, I quite enjoy their company and their products."
"Heavens forbid we are inspected by sooty individuals on the way."
Though that protesting would have any pony up in embers, Diamond was anything if not tolerable of her supposed friend's consistent aversion to The Taps. To Silver, it was a living petri dish of scum-worthy phantoms, ready to make off with her riches and send her to rags. It was a fear so settled in her heart that it warranted even the departure of her butler back to their abode, leaving the girls to their own.
The ding of the bell atop the door sounded their arrival in the store, a glint of an eye for want of their business. "Welcome in--" The owner paused, pursed, then smiled, a feeling of remembrance finally washing over him. "Well if it isn't my favorite customer from on up high come to see little old me! Bienvenue little diamond."
There weren't many responses that would put a star in that mare's eyes but such was one from a person she deemed worthy of her time. This ol crackpot of a bear was the owner of The Taps, his roots more than noticeable in his southern flare of an accent, not to mention his consistent use of the French language did more than rile up Diamond's curious side. "Bianv...Bienva, Oh dear, I only just practiced this yesterday, how I could already have forgotten it's saying? Bienvenue?"
"Well see now, you almost got it in one shot there. Bit more practice and I suppose I'd have to take you up on that offer to work here, now wouldn't I?"
Diamond let out a stifled chuckle. "Mr. Sell, please. You know I was only kidding for want of a better topic upon our first meeting. By no means does that mean I will not stop perusing your collection of wares, however, nor supporting you financially."
As if to blow Diamond's dainty laugh out of the water, the bear let out a hardy laugh loud enough to shake a soldier from his tank. "Well, I guess you can count on me to keep showing them discount signs then." A slight glance to her side made him aware of the new face. "Bringing friends on your picnics now?"
Diamond's eyes were directed to her friend looking quite displeased with her newfound attention. "Oh her? Do mind your manners, Silver, you are a guest here."
"Silver? Silverspoon? Daughter of that ol gob up in that mighty castle on the hill?"
A word too many it would seem. Silver stomped her hoof with a nonexistent authority steeling herself for a scolding. "I have no need of petty insults thank you, my father is a well-accomplished man and you would do well to recognize that."
"And what about you cher, you got bits to roll around in?"
"Not even in the slightest if it's intended goal is within this shop. Speaking of which, what even is the point of this trinket trap?"
"Well now, don't hear that one every day." he chuckled. "Gonna have to add that one to the list lest you're likely to forget a week from now." Even though this elicited a growl from Silver, he continued. "This here trinket trap is designed to give the people of Canterlot a little something to look forward to. Not you ivory tower residents mind you, save for your illustrious friend Diamond here, my prices are fair and give the people something to work for. Now while you ponies don't require no clothes or fancy trinkets, my two-legged brethren do."
"So, catering to the cretins are you?"
Despite the severeness of the aimed insult, the bear only leaned down on one arm and raised an eyebrow. "Indeed I am. My people, my store, my rules. Throw your insults and expressions all you want sister of mine, I'm here to build the community."
"Disregard calling me sister you vagrant, I have no need of your friendship."
"Shoot me, burn my shop down, give me a bad rep cher, I ain't going nowhere."
For what seemed to be an argument, Silver seemed to be the only finding frustration in it. The bear only retorted in positive energy no matter what was said leaving steam fuming from Silver's head. The half-and-half argument persisted long enough for Daimond to have perused the store and claimed what she wanted. "Silver please, the least you could do is mind your manners for my sake. Nice as he is and you still chase him, your company would be better appreciated outside if that is the future of this conversation."
"Fine, perhaps I will find my place outside then. I've grown tired of this grimy place anyway."
Even as Silver found her hoof on the door, the bear found his moment. "Be seeing ya cher, mind the riffraff out there."
Another growl as the door slammed behind her. Even as a few minutes passed her by, she was still fuming at her loss. To think that her vindication would go unnoticed by him, let alone Diamond. To make matters worse, he was completely unresponsive to any sense of her status. Certainly, a first for her to watch her insults be thrown into the trash, replaced with an exposition of positivity. The truly sorrowful point to be made is that even if she were to use her so-called status to displace him, he believed him when he stated that he would simply restart. Was this the first in a long line of battles that couldn't be won with bits?
This train of thought was not to be interrupted, it was her own personal crisis after all. So of course she was in a bit of a huff when a curious poke sounded all alarms in her brain. She turned to view her annoyance only to see a young filly, longing for a shower it seemed. In an instant, her legs moved her nearly a foot and a half away. "Ugh, refrain from placing your filthy hooves upon me if you so please."
"O-oh, I'm sorry mam, I just..."
"What could you possibly want that I have?"
"W-well mam I...have to eat something. Please, I've had nothing to fill my belly for nearly a full day. If I could trouble you for just 30 bits, I could buy..."
"Do not play dumb little trickster, I know full well what your intention is. How many bits have you begged for your so-called food? What will your parents use it for I wonder?"
"M-mam? No please, it's nothing of that sort."
"Absurd your parents are, sending you up and down the street to beg on their behalf, truly disgusting. Please leave my presence, I will not have any action in your illicit activities." Even as the boy continued to argue his case, Silver couldn't have shooed away her supposed assailant any harder. Eventually, the hint was taken and he went about his way. "Ugh, the riffraff are sure to get more bold as the sun descends, I can only hope that Diamond finds her way out of that heap soon."
"And see you shooing away an innocent boy looking for a meal for the day, indeed." Despite the look of agitation on Diamond's face, Silver held to her composure. "To think you would be so evil."
"He was begging of coin for Celestia knows what, food is far from the truth."
"A theory I aim to test I'm afraid."
"What do you-"
Before Silver had a chance to respond, Diamond's hooves trotted to the lone boy, addressing him with the ease of a professional. No doubt Diamond had been here before under the same duress of her emotions. Silver could only watch in quiet disagreement as the Diamond made the boy smile by words alone. When the pouch of bits was placed upon his hooves, that smile grew 3 times as wide, and off he was like a bullet. "See, you had nothing to fear Silver?"
"You truly trust that ruffian?"
"Trust my eyes more like. Look." True to his word, the boy was perusing the stand full of pre-cooked dishes. He must have bought nearly three of them. "Perhaps if you had listened to his story, you would have had the heart to learn that not just he was hungry, but his family was too. A mother, a father, and a brother. I simply helped them survive."
"Please spare your supportive sensibility."
"Fine, fine, if you're so hesitant, I suppose we can begin our trek home."
Well, cat's out of the bag. If there was a prize for being a little above it all, swiping at stars as if they belong to you, Silver would hold the candle at the top. If Silver is the one to be proud of her status then Diamond is the only thing humbling her. It's thanks to this dynamic that Silver hasn't been kicked out of every establishment she's entered, despite her consistent purchasing of their goods. Even as they trotted along their path, she consistently complained of the trauma she just experienced all the way to her front gate. A girl like that is bound to get a wake-up call sooner or later. And something tells me it's coming soon.
"Lady Silver! Bienvenue, I hope you had a more than rousing day out there." A butler greeted. Now one would think she would shoot this two-legged feline a look of disregard but to no one's surprise, she didn't. Instead....
"Why good evening to you too Rosetti....um...the gate dear?"
"O-oh right, sorry mam." Quickly, the rather rotund canine latched onto one side of the gate and began pulling it open. As the pair waltzed inside and the gate closed behind, Rosseti let out a huff of exhaustion.
"My word Rosetti, tired already?"
"No truer words spoken mam. I really oughta lay off the cake."
"Well that's a disappointment, I was just about to have some had you been willing."
A gasp. "Wait wait, I'm coming, I promise!"
"And please do not forget to lock the gate this time Rosetti."
Night and day, hot and cold, that mare switched up faster than most would give her credit for. As the large dog huffed and puffed locking the door behind them, Silver couldn't help but chuckle at his dedication to food. Diamond was far too pleased that at the very least, she had some good in that heart of hers. "You treat your staff as equals and yet you can't provide the same to those outside your gates."
"Not my staff, not my priority."
"Heavens above you are terrible, dear friend," Diamond uttered as Rosetti finally huffed those doors open allowing the two entry into Silver's abode. Upon entry, they were given pause by her father's first creation when creating the house, a large foyer that seemed to act like some type of museum. Dotted around the room were all sorts of glass cases and exhibits that showcased all of his memories from his life. From the day he almost found himself sauteed inside of his tank to the first present his daughter gave him when he came back from the war.
Diamond couldn't help but be amazed every time she waltzed through this room. Hard to believe that while many were stuck in some type of asylum deep down in the depth of their PTSD, her father seemed to be taking it in stride, even going so far as to showcase the stuff to anybody who walks into the home. Silver couldn't help but find a Glee smile and the entire ordeal, nudging her friend out of her trance. "Feeling a little jealous?"
"Hardly. I just find it very admirable that your father is taking such a good heart with everything that we've heard has happened over there. One would think that all that death and horror would scar a man for life."
Silver responded as they ascended a set of stairs at the back of the room. "And I say to them, what absolute nonsense it is to be scared of a conflict that's long since past." As the granite steps gave way to a flat ground once again, Rosetti pushed open a door that led it to a large living room outfitted with dozens upon dozens of different trinkets and decorations. And in it's center were four couches set up in the form of a square with one uniquely huge glass table in its center. To the left of these couches built into the wall was a wine bar of which only contains a simple array of drinks such as sparkling water and other posh examples. But anyone who was anyone knew the secret of that mechanism for if you were to pull one particular bottle that father never drank and no one ever wanted to drink, the bar would flip and reveal the illicit beverages so heavily scrutinized in this day and age.
Suffice it to say, Silver was saving that for a very special day. "I find your take on mental illness to be rather exaggerated Silver. Having to kill people that you didn't even understand were nothing more than normal people before all this. Not to mention that half the time they're shooting back."
"Indeed," Silver uttered does she plopped down on one of the four couches. "Though that need not concern me as my father did so in my stead to ensure that we have a good life. War of uncertainty aside, I certainly added a rather nice haul to my wardrobe this time. Rosetti, would you be a dear and fetch me something to drink, I'm simply parched."
"C-Certainly mam."
"Oh and do you help yourself to a piece of the cake."
Could have sworn that dog was a cat the way his eyes lit up. A few seconds of rummaging later, Rosetti returned elegantly as possible with a medium-sized cup of tea. As soon as Silver gave him the nod of affirmation, he was back at the fridge around the corner, cutting himself a piece of cake. "You have my thanks, Lady Silver," Rosetti uttered as he took his seat on a couch opposite the girls.
Now as the dog ate his way to martyrdom, Silver couldn't help but be interested in his own studies. "If you would be so kind as to halt your meal, I'd like to inquire as to the status of college attendance?"
"O-oh, yes, that's going well actually. Only a couple more years and I'll no doubt be able to attend."
"I've said again and again Rosetti, allow us to pay the cost, it's no troub--"
"Not on my life Lady Silver, my apologies mam. Much as I enjoy the thought of a free ride, working for it sounds all the more alluring. Sorry.”
"A teacher correct? That is your wish?"
"No better lot in life Lady Silver. Ever since I started taking care of my little cousin, I realized I'm just good with kids. Might as well start packing my talents on the right path right? Came a long way from that old farmhand title, gotta make it count."
"Which brings me to a good point," Diamond began. "What of your future Silver?"
"Hmm...perhaps a bath, then tomorrow morning, I'll have Simon take me on a drive to the out country, I feel as if seeing nature will give me a bit of peace from today's hazardous happenings. And you?"
"My hobby is coming dangerously close to becoming my full-time job. So many of the children out there find my designs to be soothing that I'm quite lucrative even without my inheritance."
"You mean those dolls right? I simply can't fathom how you are making any money off that riffraff."
"It's called marketing dear and you would do well to learn such a thing. I don't sell my designs for more than necessary, this allows even the less fortunate to partake in my business. As I'm sure you saw, my designs have even adorned a shelf in The Taps."
"Home of that codgy old bear, I'm aware."
"If I may," Rosetti began. "Lady Silver, what you got planned for the future? Can’t be sitting in this house all your life can you?”
Believe me when I say Silver became lost in thought and scoured her mind for what felt like an hour before she finally responded. Suffice it to say, her answer left much to be desired. "If I'm to expect a future, it will be the future of my father's company."
"Have you not thought that long into it?" Diamond asked.
"Why must I? My father is a smart man and will keep it running smoothly as long as he needs to."
Diamond found pause at that moment, a saddened look on her face. "Silver, I fear your father won't be around forever. What plans have you for yourself after his passing?"
Jumping on the wagon was Rosetti, placing his well-past-finished cake on the table. "I’m jumping on that train too. What exactly can you do that would give you a little smile during sleep at night?”
Silver was forced to sit up from her relaxed position as her metaphorical trial began. "A life of luxury is all I need. My father has no doubt planned for his passing and as such, I will leave it to whomever he deems worthy of taking his place."
"Lady Silver, I don't mean to outstep my station but you’re not worried for your future?"
"I second that," Diamond uttered. "I'm quite aware that your bank of skills is rather dry give or take. If you're to survive in your old age, you'll need to a plan."
Silver scoffed before vacating the couch, bound for the wine bar. "You two worry far too often for your own good. Things will work out, my father has planned for it, I assure you. Now where is that switch?”
"You know very well your father does not allow you to partake in his wares Silver, you are still only four days from 18 after all."
"I see no law prohibiting my consumption of it, let alone my father nipping at my heels. It’ll be one glass, don’t worry."
Even Rosetti was against such an act as he rushed to apprehend Silver before she could effectively find the switch, knowing full well that if her father found out she was drinking before his established rule of being 18, he would no doubt have his hide. Diamond could only giggle at the scuffle until a rather lanky pony Butler open the doors to address them all.
"Lady Silver, you would do well to remember that your father has forbidden you from drinking until you are 18," he announced.
"Simon, don't be such a stickler for the rules, get Rosetti off of me and help me find the switch."
The tall and elderly elegant Butler only let out a single entertained huff at the suggestion and instead went about doing his job. "I would much rather keep my position than incur your father's wrath, my lady. At the very least you can hold off on consumption long enough to greet your guest."
If you thought that Rosetti was rather fat, this man would put that notion to shame. This large rotund pony towered over even the tall pony butler himself with the weight to match. "Where is my little Silverware?!"
"Uncle Fat Cat!" Silver bellowed as she closed the fridge and proceeded toward him. Not before Diamond forced her to rejoin her presence with a whisper. "I was under the impression that you ordered your staff to warn you if he was at the gates before he came in."
"I assure you I had the conversation personally with every single member of my staff to warn me or my father if this bit-grubbing tower of a pony was at the gates. In which case I will have a rather bold discussion with the one who seemed to forget. Either way, we have no choice but to play nice and put on a smile." And just that Silver did. A smile beamed across her face as she approached the man as if his own daughter with an embrace. "A good welcome to you uncle. I can only assume that my father is expecting you?"
"Oh you know me too well, I'm a man of business and your father has the most passion for his I've seen in my years. Even so, it's more of a bonus to see my little Silverware every now and then. What of today's little stint, did you procure anything worthwhile."
"Why certainly, Rosetti dear, please the bags."
"Already here, mam."
"You've certainly conditioned this one well." Fat hardily uttered. "Such a hardy big one he is, wish I had one that loyal."
Amid closed eyes and uncontrolled laughter, Silver glared her uncle down with anger but held her composure nonetheless. "Indeed," she choked out through gritted teeth. "As you can see, I lacked this particular piece in black so I had no choice but to procure it."
"Oh my, that is a rare find. And what do have here if not the last piece to complete that collection of china I gifted your father long ago."
"As the curator of this wine & dine company, I couldn't bear to see this last piece missing from the set. The things the shop owner had to do to procure it was well worth the price and the stress today has been. I still shiver at the thought of my conversation with that codgy old bear."
"Old bear? Though I'm doubly interested now, I suppose my business here should come first. Your father is in his study I can assume?"
"As always dear uncle, he'll be awaiting your arrival in that chair of his. What pray tell is the business this time?"
Fat Cat chuckled as if to question her questioning. Only when he was back out of the door accompanied by Simon did he respond. "Nothing you need not concern yourself with Silverware." Silver watched as he proceeded to the left of the room, Knowing full well that her father's study was in that direction. Of course, he stopped right in front of it and the door opened with a loud click. His booming voice could be heard greeting her father like he was an old acquaintance and soon the door closed.
Silver could only let out an exaggerated sigh as she resumed her lazy position upon the couch. "Dear lord, that stallion will be the death of me."
Diamond was quick on the ball thankfully, taking her place next to Rosetti to comfort his emotions. "Save for the blatant insult to sweet Rosetti here, I thought you would be happy to see him. He always struck me as a well-earned opportunity for your father."
"That's just it I'm afraid. All that man sees is an opportunity. For nearly three years now, he's been nothing short of hell-bent on trying to relieve my father of our intended market to other chases. Every single time he approaches my father, it's to pitch some type of hair-brained scheme that goes against all our goals. It's simply a surprise that my father hasn't forbade the man from coming onto the property. Then again, that is why my father is my hero. Patient and benevolent to a fault, even after the war."
"That darn PTSD," Rosetti added. "Every soldier who fought in that damned war had it coming back into the Equestrian States. Most were diagnosed as unable to work or function due to the trauma."
"But not my father thankfully. Perhaps he didn't see as much combat or maybe he just handles it better than others. As evidenced by the foyer."
As the conversation drew on, another two-legged maid informed the party that the car bound for Diamond Tiara's home was outside and waiting. With the sun beginning to lower under the horizon, Diamond best be on her way lest she be harassed by less-than-reputable individuals. She left Silver with a hug for the road and strode toward her departure, leaving Silver to think for herself a moment. Once again, her future had been brought into question and she was none too fond of it. Even with the steady stream of bits, she wanted nothing more than to find a lot in life. Tried her darndest too, to find a happy place I mean. Life after school was different, she was bound to end up on the streets in normal circumstances. Perhaps that's why she depended on her father so much. Nonsense, she uttered to herself now in the downstairs kitchen garbed in her nightly robe preparing for bed.
It had been nearly an hour since her uncle entered the study. She often felt her mind wondering what half-planned scheme he was pitching now. It kept her up long enough to finally hear that door open and Fat Cat exiting thanking her father for his time and for at least listening. Silver was hasty to find him at the bottom of the steps descending into the foyer. "Any luck on your newest venture uncle?"
Even though he flashed her a smile, she could see the frustration in his eyes. "Unfortunately not I'm afraid, this idea just didn't have the steam to power the engine. That's fine though, it's simply a matter of going back to the drawing board."
"If I may offer my advice, you may have more luck with an idea that actually adheres to our product. Perhaps something that will help adorn homes in splendor?"
"A rather dashing idea Silver, perhaps I will think on that. It is getting late however and my driver is sure to be getting nervous so I will take my leave. You be sure to have a wonderful night Silver and do make sure to call, I still want to hear your story about that soggy old bear."
The two both exchanged fake smiles as the uncle left the residence and Silver was left to roll her eyes in disbelief, Rosetti quickly backing her up with a sign of disgust himself, eliciting a chuckle from the mare. "It wasn't you who forgot was it dear?"
"Never mam, I despise him just as much as you. Heard there was a new hire on though, maybe it was him?"
"Hmm...perhaps. Suppose I'll have a word with him come morning. In the meantime, please have a pleasant night Rosetti."
"You as well mam."
Early that night
Silver was restless, even more so than usual. she tossed and turned in her luxurious bed but nothing seemed to sate her inability to sleep. Why? What was causing such anxiety she wondered. Well, nothing to want for than a glass of forbidden wine, right? Her birthday was only a few days away after all. Donning a silver robe, she opened the door to the cold foyer air, shivering a bit in response. "Lady Silver?" an attendant wondered.
"Pay me no mind, I'm simply a bit restless. Is father still in his study?"
"Of course, still working on the agreement as expected."
"Oh my, I do wish he would take a break every so often. Thank you, you're excused."
"Right away mam." Descending into the foyer and rounding the right corner to the downstairs kitchen, she procured herself a wine glass and a bottle she was set to pour. Half the glass glew in the moonlight with rosey color as she attempted to re-ascend the steps quietly to her room. That's when a shadowy figure caught her eye down the hall toward her father's study. It stood there, motionless and quiet, a four-legged so it certainly couldn't have been one of her attendants. The only other option was...
"F-father, a healthy evening to you. I was just...uh...testing the wine, I didn't want to turn 18 not knowing if I disliked it or not you know..oh Silver you idiot, that was the most idiotic excuse you could have come up wi--" Unbeknownst to her ramblings, the figure dared not move. She noticed fearfully. "Uh...father? Are you...well? You're not moving very much. Is your illness acting up again?" She talked and talked, all the while, approaching and letting the pervading moonlight finally bring him into view.
He was wide-eyed, seemingly out of it. His body swayed as if off balance and he refused to acknowledge her. It was a frightening sight, to say the least. Silver on the other hand was more concerned, crossing the area with slow yet unwavering determination. "F-father, please say something, you're starting to worr--" It was quick, almost instantaneous, the change from standing there to dropping like a boulder. Silver was only able to partially slow her father's crash, his body crashing into her with unstoppable force and causing her robe to rip as a result. That didn't matter, however. Instead, her attention was firmly on the situation at hand, desperately trying to usher her father's consciousness but nothing working past her observation of his pale color. "ROSETTI?! SIMON?! CALL A DOCTOR, NOW!"
The staff found themselves rushing to her aid in seconds, all wondering what exactly happened. One was quick enough to rush for the house phone and make a connection with a doctor or a nurse or someone with medical knowledge. The only one to notice something strange however was Rosetti. Despite him being the closest to the situation his eyes couldn't help but catch a figure in the moonlight exiting the room in which her father had sat for hours on end. I think it was garbed in their attendant attire so no one was none the wiser but Rosetti found his intrusive thoughts wondering if the attendant was examining the room for any clues as to what happened or if something more sinister was going on. Nonetheless, it descended the stairs and joined the other attendant in getting help from the hospital.
Finally basking itself in the moonlight, Rosetti's eyes widened, not out of pure realization, but the potential of one. He knew that two-legged feline but just couldn't put his finger on it.
Chapter 2: Reality Soft Spoken -Part 2-
Reality Soft Spoken -Part 2-
It all happened so quickly.
Moon beaming across the horizon, the world stalled in its ascent to progress. Mellowing pony or fact, it did not matter if the individual was one or a cat, all fell into their nightly routine. Or so it should have been. As quick as can be, Silver found her life turned upside down, from unprecedented wealth to a wonder of survival. The staff arrived rather quickly and proceeded to operate on her father from the comfort of his own bedroom. No surgery mind you but procedures that were intended to help stabilize him for a trip to the hospital. With that door closed the silver-maned pony found herself hysterically pacing the floor, at least until Diamond Tiara quickly galloped into the home after hearing the news via telephone.
It had been nearly a couple of hours now, and all seemed to be quiet throughout the house. Despite the fact that this was a time of uncertainty, everyone found their own short-lived peace in the moment. The staff decided to continue their work amid an undeserved quiet while some were in the bedroom helping the nurses tend to Silver's father. Rosetti was carefully tending to Silver's comfort as she slept at Diamond Tiara’s hooves, all the while Diamond was doing her best to hold back her fear of the worst.
The tension in the air was thick as the bayou fog, only settling when the click of the father's door finally graced the ears of everyone. Within minutes, the crowd of workers reformed around the door, and Diamond was quick to nudge Silver awake who shot up like a bullet when she realized who was standing in front of her. "I-is he ok, what of his condition?”
The nurse let a deafening silence take the air, collecting her thoughts but unintentionally giving a wave of anxiety to everyone in the room. "He's alive but…his condition is declining. We can hold him at the hospital and continue to watch over him there but whatever took his consciousness this time has gone too far for us to save him. I imagine that within only a week's time, he will be with the spirits. I'm sorry, Silver Spoon."
There was an audible gasp or declaration of disbelief from the staff but all Silver could utter was a choked inward breath. Her father was dying…he was dying and there was nothing she could do about it. It all came so suddenly, hit her so hard. She was going to be alone in a week's time, without the father figure that gave her life so much meaning and value. Without the man who fought in defense of their freedom, returned from all that chaos only to dote on his daughter with a smile on his face the entire time.
Silver could feel it, Diamond could see it, her legs wobbling as the silver-maned mare dropped to the ground and tears began to well up in her eyes. Everyone was quick to offer Silver what support they could but the truth of the matter is, everyone was saddened by the news. Her father was such a benevolent employer, more so than his daughter or any other noble. To see him go would it truly mark the end of a serendipitous era. Silver was not so like-minded, getting to her hooves and rushing to her father's door in an attempt to be with him but the nurses were quick to deny access. "Miss Silver you must calm down, he is resting. If you were to crash into his bedside now, who knows what damage you might cause. You must be patient and wait just a little while until he stabilizes at the hospital."
"First you tell me that he's d-dying…and then you refuse to let me even see him. I order you to stand aside."
"As your medical professional, I refuse that offer. He is not in good condition just yet, you'll have to wait, mam, if you want him to live."
"You…you absolute charlatans, I should have you arrested here on the spot…" Silver only weld her anger when a reassuring hoof from Diamond Tiara embraced her shoulder. "Fine…fine, whatever…but hear me now if my father dies before I can see him at the hospital, I will hold you especially accountable. Do you hear me? I will have you in chains as fast as you can blink."
It wasn't their fault, she was angry and had damn good reason to be. It wasn't just her loss of a really close family member that was angering her but the idea that her way of life would be completely uprooted. Who would run the company? Would the bits dry up after long leaving her homeless on the streets? All the questions of a mare who's never worked a hard day's work in her life. She stay pondering that thought in her room for the time being.
At least until her train of thought was broken when the doors to her room opened and in walked a rather professionally dressed pony. His business suit and slicked-back white hair made it obvious that he was some type of official. "Ms. Spoon." the official uttered, taking another step towards her bedside adorned by Diamond Tiara and Rosetti. "I...am sorry for your loss. Even now I strain to hold back my own tears but...business must be done first and foremost. Your father was an understood pillar of this community and as such, he will not be forgotten. If you and your friends would be so kind as to follow me to his study, we have a matter of his to discuss." Despite her choked state, Diamond and Rosetti did manage to support her to her father's study where the official took the center of attention.
"Ms. Spoon, Mr. Cat, Diamond Tiara," he began. "I would like to direct your attention to the paper placed in front of you. Though he has not passed on yet, the nurses on their way to take your father to the hospital informed me that whatever affliction he has is going to be 100% fatal in a week's time. As such, he will most likely be in a consistently bedridden state and will not be able to look over his affairs. It is by his own words that before his death, his will be doled out. Lying before you is the document in which he has agreed upon including a message for his daughter specifically.
A clear of the throat before he began. "If this message is reaching you, then that means my passing has finally come. Thought it would take me in the war but it didn't. thought it would take me when I had to fight my PTSD but it didn't. Instead, I'm likely to have passed in my sleep, peacefully and without regrets, hopefully. In the event that that day comes around, I have something to say. Silver, I know it's been tough. Ever since I came back from the war, I know I've been a little distant. Ever since your mother passed, I know I've been a little irritable. Doesn't mean I don't still cherish those days back then, before the second deployment, those days when I was still stationed in my own city. I could come home every weekend, see you, take you and your mother out for food, and a day out in the parks. What I wouldn't give to have those days back. Even if right now, I was still alive, I'd like to give myself just one more day with you but...the company is in flux lately. At the point now where even a day's break leads to another issue I gotta sit down and fix. I ain't left this study in nearly 7 hours as of writing this and it's getting worse. I fear I'm doing something wrong here and it's starting to weigh on my mind more than usual. I'm hoping that with some luck, you might be able to fix that. I know you weren't expecting it but that's the case baby girl. The company is effectively under your watch as of the reading of this will. I hope you take good care of my dream and I hope more that you take care of yourself. Thank you for a life worth living Silver."
Silver found pause. The company in her name...but...but she didn't know one thing about how to run it. It's not important. It shouldn't be important. Yet here she is contemplating it. How exactly was she supposed to run this company, let alone save it? It was thought that the company would fall to someone who had the actual experience to run it but to give the company to his own daughter, she couldn't fault him on the logic but…what has she gotten herself into?
Fat Cat found pause. The company was in her name...but why would he delegate such a lucrative opportunity to her and not his own brother. Why on Earth would he find more comfort in a spoiled rotten brat taking ownership than he, a business connoisseur? He had half a mind to question such a disrespectful result, even as the sorrow lofted around the room. Unbeknownst to anyone, he poured over the document again and again trying to find out exactly how much power the little utensil had. Again and again and again until he finally noticed the stipulations at the bottom of the page. Yes...yes that would do nicely. “Your father was adamant that you undertake his affa--”
"Now hold on now, if you please.” Mr. Cat interrupted.
“Mr. Cat, could this potentially wait until after I have finished the presentation?”
“Now now, don’t get your horseshoes in a twist, I just thought it might be a bit important to point out a very interesting stipulation before we continue, as it says here in pretty bold words.”
Even the official was perplexed by his sudden interruption before he himself remembered exactly what Fat Cat was talking about. Even still, he let out a sigh and ripped the paper from Fat Cat's hooves. "As I am the one who helped write this will, that was going to be a part of the presentation. Please be seated, Mr. Cat." There was a nervous smile before Fat Cat took his seat and the official continued. "As per the rules stated by your father, you will indeed inherit the company Ms. Silver Spoon but unfortunately, not until you are of legality in age as that is when your father assumed you would be most knowledgeable about the inner workings of the company. As Mr. Cat pointed out so unnecessarily, the company will legally transfer under your name when you turn 18. I can assume that is soon?"
"Why yes, dear official." Fat cat begin again, stepping out of his seat and throwing a hoof around his shoulder as if they were best buddies. "Of which is woefully tragic, a true tear-jerker of the heart. Unfortunately, that means that the company will be without management for at least a couple of days, I wonder who could take over that process until Silver Spoon is ready to take that throne? What's that? You want me to do it?"
"No one said anything Mr. Ca--"
"Well I guess if you're really hurting for somebody" he interrupted once again. "Then I can take over the mantle for a couple of days and get things running smoothly for your eventual takeover. Worry not silverware and rest assured that your father and his legacy will stay firmly cemented into this foundation."
There was a glance of angered eyes from the official but he found a sigh replaced it. "Well this is certainly not by the books but your father has mentioned your brother as being one of the few who can help with company affairs. If there are no objections to this course of action, Fat Cat will effectively take over ownership of the company until Silver is of age. Any objections?
There was a sort of acknowledgment behind the uncertainty, the recognition that that would be the best course of action. At least, that was the thought process behind most of the room. Despite the fact that Mr. Cat would be taking over the affairs for a couple of days, Silver was still lost in thought on how she would actually run this company once it was her turn.
Taking Silver Spoon's words to heart, however, Diamond Tiara seemed awfully suspicious of Fat Cat's enthusiasm to have taken this position so boldly and quickly. Forgo coincidence for but a moment, a lack of civility was the most obvious giveaway, no tears shed. Brother of yours kicks the bucket and you only seem a might bit perturbed. Something was definitely off here, and yet, no one would still guess what was to come.
There was but a moment given, an assurance that Silver Spoon knew exactly what she was getting into. Then and only then did the official collect his part of the documents and depart the household. Only when Fat Cat was left to his lonesome did Diamond Tiara and Rosetti attempt to console their friend.
Tears dripped down the couch cushions like water breaking free of a dam. For as much comfort as the two could offer, there could never be any true comfort for the realization that true reality does not care for one's personified reality. Silver at this point was hysterical, like a bank teller trying to run the numbers over and over again. "I just don't, I don't get it! Nothing went to plan, everything's going wrong!"
"Silver mam, please calm down. Or at the very least, mind how much of that bottle is disappearing down your muzzle, that's one of your father's strongest applications."
"I dare ask the reason for such care to exist." She yelped, wine glass forgotten, bottle firmly in hand. "It is by this time in 4 days--"
"Three days lady silver, midnight was about an hour ago," Rosetti uttered.
Silver can only stare with scorn in her pupils causing Rosetti to shrink in his spot. "It is by this time in 3 days I will be running a company after all. So please do forgive me if I'm a bit perturbed as the man I know and love does my father is guaranteed death, in his sixties no less. In this day and age, as far as medicine has come, he still had a well enough 10 years before any of this was thought to come to pass. But no…here I am, drowning myself over an illicit beverage that I'm sure my father had to go well out of his way to procure, with only 3 days to figure out…anything!"
Just as it seemed like she was about to explode into an all-out temper tantrum, she plopped her stuff right back down on the couch in a huff. "Dizzy?" Diamond asked.
"Terribly so…"
"Please Silver, do your dear friend a favor, and let's try not to drink our problems away, tempting though that may be."
"I just…maybe in the back of my head I was still that little girl waiting for him to come back from the war. And every day that he did it, I ran, I jumped, I screamed thinking that that man was invincible."
"A lesson that has to be learned, I'm afraid." Diamond found herself the nearest and coziest blanket she could, draping it over silver as she attempted to fight off her dizzy stupor. "I know it hurts to hear but I wasn't kidding when I asked you what your plan was should your father not be here. Know that I will be here every step of the way during your grief but more than anything, I want you to be confident and how you approach the world from out under your father's shadow."
"I…I don't know…" Silver groaned. "I fear I have not a single skill to my name that would help in running a company. It's not like he sat me down every day and gave me a living example."
Rosetti came to a stand, removing the wine bottle and the wine glass from the table and returning it to the kitchen. "In which case, perhaps a little bit of shut-eye would do your mind some good. Best not to dwell on such stressful situations when you're lit up like a stick of TNT."
The kind of day they had, Diamond Tiara could only nod in agreement. "He's right, you're more likely to end up in an alleyway on the street in this state, let alone make decisions based on strategy. Best we all get some sleep for the night and think about it in the morning."
"W-wait Diamond--"
"Easy there Silver," Diamond uttered has she rushed to catch Silver from stumbling off the couch. "Don't strain yourself, I'll be here with you tonight."
"J-just…those dolls and the pricing and figuring out how to make everything work with other shops and…at the very least can you help me understand what I'm getting myself into come tomorrow?"
Diamond Tiara happily knotted and a sigh of relief was well-earned. As quickly as everything had happened, the pair found themselves sound asleep that night.
Not a soul alive that can say that curiosity truly killed the cat. Rosetti was one of skepticism, always has been when it came to that bulbous pony. Daring never to step outside his means, he withheld his accusations and simply went about his work tending to the house and the night. However, his hunch would be more than correct as Fat Cat wasn't exactly a night owl on usual occasions. That night, however, he found himself firmly in the study, seated upon the same chair that Silver's father sat and mulling over the new power that he had. Now any man worth his weight in liquid gold knew that 3 days wasn't exactly a lot of time to turn the company around. That's why a plan had to be set into motion.
"Of course I pulled it off, what kind of idiot do you take me for?" There was a slight grit of his teeth as the voice responded, causing him to crush his cigar between his teeth and force him to begin hacking up the substance inside. "You would do well to watch your tone, I don't appreciate these valid accusations you're throwing at me. Instead, why don't you listen, before I have one of those hellish hounds wring that precious feline confidence out of you." He uttered as he replaced the cigar to his lips and relit it. "The information you provided was rather accurate, his will was set up just the way you thought it was and for that, you will be handsomely compensated. After...you deal with one last issue. What is it? Why, shouldn't it be obvious? I left a little piece of silverware out and I'd like you to put it back in the drawer."
Damn, his heart was racing. Curse his curiosity and inability to mind his own business. Perhaps this day, curiosity will kill the cat after all. Rosetti's fear of what was to come was so heavy that the only thing that seemed audible to him was the hyperventilation he was now exuding. Rain had just started to fall outside and each kick of lightning flashing the household only stirred up his nerves even more. He tried his best to quietly back up and descend the steps to the couch where Silver and Diamond Tiara were sleeping. Unfortunately, not his fault he likes her healthy piece of cake every now and then, his weight caused a floorboard to Creek just outside the door. "Who's there?!" Fat's voice bellowed from the other side of the door.
"I-its just me Mr. Cat. Uh, Rosetti sir."
"Oh right, the fat one." Rosetti huffed, he was fatter than he was after all. "And what do I owe this visit, you hefty individual?"
"W-well sir, I found myself so excited by your offer to help Lady Silver run the company that I found it appropriate to ask if you would like to indulge in some of your brother's collection."
"Collection? Well damn, I never expected my benevolent brother to be indulging in something as criminal as that. In that case, I might take you up on that offer, later of course. I got a lot of checkbooks to balance."
"R-right sir. Sorry to trouble you." As apparently happy as he is, Rosetti wasted no time with hastening down the steps. Like the crash of a shell through tank armor, he damn near killed the girl as he shook Diamond awake. "Wake up, wake up."
"Rosetti, heavens above, stop shaking me at on--" A finger to the mouth as Rosetti motioned to shush. "Have you been partaking in the wine yourself?"
"What no, just listen. You and Silver need to vacate the premises, fast"
A raised eyebrow as she found herself in a more comfortable upright position. "What in the Equestrian States are you talking about?"
"No time, you two need to leave right now." He uttered, having to nearly double the power of shaking to rouse Silver from her buzzed stupor.
"It's nearly midnight Rosetti, what could possibly be so urgent that you need to rouse me from my slumber so aggress--oh, I feel like I'm going to throw up…"
"Throw up on the way out the door, you two needed to be out of here hours ago."
Even as frantic as the butler was, Silver only groaned and grunted as she attempted to fall back into a sleepy state, Diamond Tiara following her hoofsteps. "Apologies, but I see no reason for us to escape into the night at the moment. Unless you give us a good reason, I feel as though this can wait until the morning."
"You won't be waiting for anything if you're dead. Look, I just got done overhearing your uncle's recent conversation and you are not going to like what you hear." It was at this moment that the both of them sat up, now deeply concerned. "I don't know if you two have ever had the opportunity to fall in line with a couple of hardy criminals, but your uncle is by far the most natural. He planned this entire thing, from your dad's death to his taking over the company. And now we need to be gone yesterday because I just got done overhearing him telling someone that they need to deal with a silverware problem."
If hell had fury, it would be the expression on Silver's face as she got to her hooves. "You can't be serious. You mean to tell me that you're blaming my uncle for the entire ordeal. Rosetti, I'm tired and dizzy and...I think I need the throw-up, I do not want to hear your conspiracy theories. The only thing that my uncle has ever done has tried to go into partnership with my father. Where is your proof of ill will?"
As if the universe was answering her question, a flash of lightning illuminated the dark household. The unusual object in question was a strange silhouette standing on the terrace that overlooked their backyard. "There…" a slow and methodical movement as all of their heads turned to view the figure in their backyard.
Silver was especially concerned. "That terrace is nearly three stories off the ground, who would be so dumb as to--" Diamond and Rosetti were quick enough to realize what was about to happen. Their bodies moved quickly, hammering Silver's person to the ground as a loud bang rang out alongside broken glass and a small flash of light. Within seconds, Rosetti had reached under one of the couches and pulled on a small tab. When the tab opened, out came a rather small pistol, a colt .25, to Diamond and Silver's surprise."Wait just a darn minute, who hid a fully functioning gun in the couch?!"
As quick as can be, Rosetti haphazardly returned two bullets the assailant's way. "WHAT ARE YOU TWO STILL DOING HERE, RUN!"
Their hooves could only take them so far so fast as gunshots began to ring out behind them. Before long, Rosetti was bounding behind them as well, the assailant hot on their trail. His aim was damn near perfect, chipping off paint near their heads the two times he fired before they reached the doors.
Silver, Diamond, and Rosetti crashed through those doors with all their might, storming down the steps into the foyer where Rosetti had the ingenious idea of hiding among the base of the glass cases, spreading out to give him a hard target. All the while, the strange figure slowly and quietly crept into the room, his feline eyes scanning the dark room in ignorance until a flash of lightning illuminated just enough for him to attempt to make out their hiding locations. Clack, clack, clack went the two-legged assailants' shoes on the granite floor as he continued his search. He would find them, it was only a matter of time. "Let’s not drag this out please, I know one of you was on to me from the very start. And yet somehow, you still did not see this coming. If it's all the same to you, I'd much rather be done with this trifling matter sooner than later."
Despite the man's words, all three of them had patiently as the man crisscrossed around the room. Rosetti understood that they could not hide forever, it was only a matter of time before he got an idea and used it to weed them out. There had to be some way for the girls to escape at least, something that the assailant wasn't expecting. His eyes started from one corner of the room to the next but the only true option for them at this point was to either return up the steps and possibly give the cat a bigger target, try for one of the side corridors that led to the employee rooms and kitchen, or the laundry room. As he was firmly blocking off two options, the laundry room was their only choice. Rosetti motioned to the two other girls close by and pointed out the room, giving them a countdown of three to make a run for it.
One…two…Three!
Before the assailant could blink, a massive vase went sailing over the room and toward his head. Only by a split second was he able to dodge the incoming projectile and turn his head to see his targets bounding for the laundry room. He gave chase, of course, popping off a few shots to trip them up. Only by the skin of their teeth were Diamond and Silver able to enter the room but Rosetti found himself still a couple of feet away. With the assailant right behind them, he turned around and began firing back shots causing him to take cover. It was the assailants understanding however that this would end pretty soon as he spoke very quietly. "Four…" he uttered as another bullet passed him by. "Five…and six." Click. The sound of an empty gun. Within seconds, the assailant rounded the corner and allowed a bullet to greet Rosetti's shoulder. He whined out in pain for only a second before diving into the laundry room and slamming the door behind him and locking it. Crack. Almost immediately, the wood was already splintering as the assailant began rushing his shoulder into it over and over again. No doubt he would be within their hiding spot in only a minute, in which Rosetti had to make a choice. "Lady Silver, Lady Diamond. I'm starting to think that your uncle is out of his mind. Looks like this old Jack without his Jill is not going to stop until he has you in a bag at the bottom of the river."
"Stow your humor, Rosetti, you're bleeding. We have to get that patched up now." Diamond Tiara uttered as she began searching for some type of sheet to tie off the hole. "For the Love of--I was under the impression that you guys did laundry today."
"We did! Oh, where are those blasted blankets?!"
“Would you two stop for a second and just listen to me? He’s after you guys, especially you Silver. You two trot for the hills before he gets in."
“What are you talk…No…No, Rosetti. I understand that you are in service to me but you can't seriously be thinking that you can hold back that two-legged freak. I will not allow it, come on through the window with us."
"Apologies mam, but I think I have an idea of who is targeting you and there's no way you're going to make it out alive unless someone distracts him."
"You know him?" Diamond Tiara frantically asked.
"One of my own mam, which means I'm going to have the best possible shot at taking him down. Look, despite all the things I had to do to get here, despite all the corners I had to cut just to secure this job, I wouldn't have asked for anything better than life. I mean sure, now that we're talking about it, you do seem to have a little bit of hostility towards my kind, not to mention that every single time you leave the house you bring back at least five bags worth of expensive things you don't use or wear, not to mention that--" Amid his ramblings, his eyes shifted upward and was met with a duo of annoyed glances. "Well…that's not the point. The point is that despite everything that you've done and everything that I've had to go through, you have been good to me and I would like to repay that kindness in full."
Rosetti quickly began to search the room, frantically and thoroughly. He only stopped when he came across a secret compartment contained beneath a floorboard in the corner of the room. Inside that hole was a box covered in mountains of dust, a symbol that it had been there for some time. "Rosetti, what exactly is that?" Diamond asked.
"Well Lady Diamond, considering that you have given a lot of people like me a better lot in life, I can't say that I trust every single individual who works here. Kind of hard to keep your possessions safe when everyone is going for the same thing." Wincing from the pain in his shoulder, he still endeavored to continue. "You need to take everything inside this box and go west of the river to 24th Avenue. The place you're looking for is called Sit A Little. You show the cook there what's in this box and no doubt you'd be safe at least for a couple days."
"Absolutely not," Silver argued. "You can't simply expect me to run away while you potentially throw your life away."
"You ain't gotta like it Lady Silver, but it's the only choice you got. Or did you forget that there's a man with a gun trying to kill us right now? Your uncle ain't going to stop until all the loose ends are tied up, which means he ain't going to stop hunting you even if you escape this place." Another crack, this time coming from the door knob crashing to the ground. "My apologies Lady Silver but you two need to go!" Before that silver-haired mare was able to put up any more resistance at the sight, Rosetti, bless his heart, picked the girls up by the scruff of their necks and heaved the ponies out of the window. Next came the creak as the door swung open.
Shoes clacked in, a raise of the eyebrow as he looked from left to right. "Just you?"
"Just me I'm afraid. Found yourself wanting for work so much that you take a job from your victim's own brother? Sounds to me like you’ve lost those higher-than-most morals you used to be about.”
“Hmph,” he uttered, raising his gun to train on the nervous butler’s head. “Cowering child turned cowering butler, nothing’s changed I’m afraid. You still can’t even properly hold a gun correctly and yet here you are, parading yourself as something resembling strength. Please tell me that brave act wasn't for the girls?" Though his words stung like salt in an open wound, the gunman never lost his stoic composure and continued to point the gun Rosetti's way. "Doesn't matter I suppose. Besides, It’s just a job, nothing more, nothing less.”
"You don't know me D, the things I had to do to get away from eating scraps on the streets. I put on this brave face because that girl gave me a chance to be something more than a simple gun for hire, and I'm damn close."
"Your temperament? Gun for hire is generous at best. Either way, you were at the wrong place at the wrong time. I don't pick my targets, I just do my job, sorry. So will you put on that brave facade for your death to or--” The sound of a struggle emanated from the laundry room as Rosetti rushed his would-be assailant with previously unknown vigor.
Silver was right. Rosetti didn't stand a chance. Even with a weight advantage, it seemed like whoever this assailant was had more than enough expert knowledge and experience with a little tussle every now and then. If her father were here right now, he would have shed just as many tears as Silver did today. The gunshot was loud and deafening and when the silence became unrelenting, to the window came the would-be assailant looking out to the area just beneath the window. At least a 2 to 3-story drop it seemed and from its vantage point could he make out that the river winded its way through the estate. Thanks to the torrential rain, its current was rather rapid making it completely impossible to tell whether the girls survived their plunge or lay at the bottom of it. Not fond of getting his fur wet, he opted to hear the scolding from Fat Cat instead of jumping in head first.
The clacking of his shoes echoed throughout the quiet house as he proceeded back to the foyer, up the steps, and to the left toward the study. A click of the door knob as it turned and opened it to reveal Fat sitting peacefully in his brother's chair, smoking a cigar. "Is it done?"
"It certainly could have gone better."
"Wow!" The pony worthy of a slap to the face laughed out. "Am I actually hearing that you had trouble? With two girls who know nothing about anything outside of these walls no less? Are you or aren't you the supposed fabled two-legged Hitman, Damien Keller?"
To say that that feline wasn't ready to put a bullet through this pony's head would be a lie. The annoyance on his face couldn't have been more paramount. "At the very least you can stop throwing my reputation in my face…sir." He choked out. "If you could stop choking on your cigar for a second, you would benefit to know that they had help from a rather weighty individual. Suffice it to say, the girls have escaped possibly through the river."
Fat Cat found pause once again, At the very least, Damien was expecting a temper tantrum of extreme proportions. First was the removal of the cigar, then came the scolding and the muttering, before the table would be eventually flipped and the cycle would start all over again. To his surprise, Damien was not forced to use his precious firearm as Fat Cat simply replaced his cigar and turned toward the window to look out to the city. "Haha, now how's that for a twist? What about the fat butler?"
"Removed, obviously."
"Hmph. That girl has been sitting in this ivory tower for more than 75% of her life. To think she'd just run away. She's not going to last a day out there in the real world, let alone an hour if you have anything to say about it."
"Am I assume that means--"
"See, now you're thinking like that professional I hired. Don't come back unless her body is in the bag with you. Understood?" Damien glanced down at the envelope that was just pushed across the desk toward him. His eyes curiously scanned it before his hands went to open it. As the contents inside caught a glimmer in his eye, his seemingly stoic gaze fell back upon his employer who only smiled knowing that he had won. "Well?"
Damien's response? The adjustment of his glasses before he dropped a new clip into his pistol, the rack of the slide loud enough to cause a grown man to cower in fear. "Crystal…"
