Herosae Kitsune: Chapter 2

Moans in the darkness. Dim moon light cast burning through glass before subtle silence. Two glasses at the bedside, both empty.

Sarephel wrapped tightly, tails entwined, bare skin against skin. Sweet gentle yangery fruit filled the air, soft satin sheets withsilk blankets, faux fur pillows and long heavenly dark chestnut hair against face and lip; two lovers doted in bliss. The sun risen and no one wanted to move. Both switched their positions constantly squirming about to get comfortable, too lazy to make the day, too restless to stay put. An hour blanked away without conscious memory, to be disrupted by a knocking. Aera rolled onto Sarephel. “Maybe they'll go away.” her dry throat begged.

Sarephel could only wish. The knocking continued. “I could see what they want.” She reasoned.

“Nnooo.” Aera cried, hugging tighter “It's nice and warm here.” The knocking stopped. “See...”

The door lock beeped and the handle was turned from the outside. Sarephel's ears rose, reaching under the bed. A man walked though the doors announcing himself. “Good heavens daughter, it is almost noon, what are you doing still in bed?”

“Father.” Sarephel astonished, pushing herself up quickly “What drops you by?”

“Master Herosae!?” Aera embarrassingly uttered in disbelief, quickly covering herself behind his daughter.

“I was due to pay you a visit.” He said, pouring over a photo on the coffee table of the two together. “I'm also here on business, about that hole that you found in shop fifty eight, twenty seven 'B' and your experience with what you found down there.”

Sarephel began to dress herself. She turned to Aera and assured her. “As long as you are my girlfriend, it's okay, he's blood.”

“I am not embarrassed of the mortal body dear.” Herosae added, “Don't be so shy.”

Still unable to be at east, Aera dressed herself in the other room as quickly as she could.

Gripping the door casing of her quarters Sarephel inquired farther. “What did the investigation team find out Dad?”

He nodded and retracted from the frame. “They found a little more worrisome evidence that you overlooked.”

“I'm sorry.” She apologized, pulling back.

“No need. It is a very cunning illusion that took a few hours to discover. It appears that the entire thing is a very elaborate underground drug trafficking operation. We are not sure to where yet. Maybe you can shed some light on it. You said in your report that you found something and that caught my eye, an abandoned stairwell?”

“Yes, it was a very old one, most the metal was rusted and not sturdy.” Walking out. “Most likely a maintenance shaft.”

“That is the thing, I have no records of such a structure existing. My great grandfather who remodelled Herosae Tower over eighty years ago had archives of details and maps of the entire tower as it was back then. He needed them so he that he could structurally build up the ninety more floors that we have today. He left all of which in the special archives which have not been tampered with since their arrival. Those maps could not provide any proof of such a stairwell ever being there.”

“Are you sure?”

“I reviewed them myself, they could not have been manipulated, the digital maps are identical to the prints, and their copies printed over eighty years ago.”

“I don't get it, did any teams scout the tunnels? Maybe it's not where you think it is.”

“Not yet, for now they have requested this matter be handled more delicately. For now I want this to be a solo operation. Rather a duo, I have one of my finest stealth explorers working on it but he's requested to speak with you on your findings in person. I also have a small detective unit working on whatever they can find on the area and former second tier guard Rolaund Ebord Daz.”

“Former?” Sarephel asked stricken.

“Yes, he dropped out after two consecutive failed examinations to the higher rank. He seemed discouraged and in a lack of determination he took up mechanics. It's too soon to confront him about this so this is all under your hats.”

Silence plagued the room in void. It seemed to match up; Daz worked there most likely but he was mischievous in the dim light and would certainly know about the tunnel in his own work place. Nothing could be done yet, Sarephel wanted to have an answer but she was just a guard. She was no investigator. Her specialization was armed and unarmed combat and heightened senses.

Wandering in, Aera woke the vacant conversation “Sir, Do you always make special home visits like this? I imagine you must be very busy,” She approached respectfully shy.

“Not always...” He replied, “Drug trafficking is not a problem that can be necessarily dealt with, but I'm more concerned about there being large holes in my house. The integrity of this tower is greatly important for everyone... And I wanted to see my daughter every chance I can.”

“I see...” Area collected herself nervously.

“And maybe get a chance to meet her girlfriend that I hear plenty about.” His warm voice fluttered proud.

Aera blushed. “She talks of me does she? What does she say?”

“We can discuss that another time. I need to be heading out... Do keep your PDA turned on, I'd hate to have to wake you with another hologram invasion.” Stroking his gote in ponder. “You should hear from Garath soon about what you found there. I entrust this situation to you two entirely...” Herosae walked to the door, nodding as he left. “Oh, and one more thing. I do hope you two have a well endowed life together and an enriching relationship.”

Sarephel waved her father off gratefully. Aera walked up, laying her hand along her waist. “Did... Your dad just give us his blessing?”

“So?” Sarephel brushed off.

Aera held a quirked expression “I, just didn't think it would be that easy is all.”

“Why wouldn't it be?” She returned resting her hand against the chair. “I'm a skilled woman, I can make my own choices, and deal with their outcome.”

“So it's because I'm just a weak 'ol waitress, isn't it?” Aera huffed playfully.

Sarephel smiled. “I like to think more that he just respects my decisions.” Reaching under Aera's hand covered waist. “Now, what shall we do with him gone?” Taking hold.

“Shouldn't you turn on your PDA?” Aera asked, being pushed back into the chair.

“I'll get the messages eventually.” She finished before crawling up onto her girlfriend's lap.

“You sure took your time.” The man, assumingly Garath, said as Sarephel walked though the door.

“Had to slowly escort my coffee pot to an elderly facility, the new one's giving me sass. You'd be Garath?” She looked around the dark room.

“Correct, Sarephel.” He said turning around in his chair. “Second highest ranked, tier 6 unit of the special guard and personal daughter of Master Herosae the fourth, am I correct?”

“Wow, you didn't need to be a complete smartass about it but yes that's me.” Standing just inside.

“I do my research.” He said, irked. Getting up, he walked over to offer his hand. “It's a pleasure.”

“Sure, likewise.” Sarephel replied, suspiciously.

“Shall we get to business?” Asking rhetorically optimistic. “What exactly did you see down there?”

Sarephel recalled her findings formally “I saw very little, there were no lights. When I returned with a light the halls were plaster, the ground was old warn turf carpet and the passage was very narrow. It went both ways, I sent a drone behind me on silent so it captured the layout but nothing more. The drone flew for forty seconds before returning from a dead end. The way I went however had a split. I went one way, the drone went the other.”

“Were there any doors?” he incited.

“None, just hallway.”

Pulling away to himself he remarked coolly “Very strange.”

“My drone detected life so I was cautious. When I later viewed the feed, there wasn't anything there so I don't know what it picked up. The way I took lead to an abandoned stairwell which Father explained should not exist. It went both ways, I didn't use it, it seems too unstable.”

“How tall was it?” Returning to face her

“Roughly five floors. The second drone had not returned yet, I continued along the path that lead adjacent to the stairwell. I then found a room at the end which was locked and the door rusted. I then returned the way I came, cautious of whatever tipped off the drone I then headed out and handled my data.”

“In other words, you got breezed though it and left it for the professionals.”

“Uh... Yeah, it's not my field, what did you expect?” She expressed straightening her back.

“Something, anything else.” holding his tablet and papers in hand. “I have all the layout from your drones, I was just hoping for some small details that they couldn't pick up. Maybe what else you saw in the stairwell...” He asked, inciting her memory.

“It was just a normal metal stairwell. And what about the dead end at a rusted metal door that was locked. That wasn't on the drones.”

“Were there any signs?”

“None, flat painted plaster walls and carpet, same all the way though. No markings, no text.”

“Would you care to accompany me back down there?” Garath opted

Sarephel shrugged. “Why? You should have all the data and I've told you everything I know.”

“The company, a trained guard.” He reasoned

Sarephel floppped her ears forward, “Isn't stealth your specialty, that's why Father put you on the job. You shouldn't need a guard.” She replied sympathetically.

“Then what do you plan on doing?” He asked, intently studying her.

Confidantly she replied. “Waiting until I'm needed. There is still plenty going on in the background, I should be ready the moment the signal is sent.”

Garath reached out, forwardly. “You said there was life but the drone couldn't find it; maybe someone knows you were there, maybe they could be following you, maybe you could use someone specialized in stealth to watch your back? Someone who can tell before they strike or threaten someone you...”

“Garath, stop the charade.” Sarephel asserted, narrow eyed and fed up. “What is your motive?”

Garath halted. Setting his documents aside he pondered, and at last walked past Sarephel. Leaning against his shelf with his arm propped against his head he finally confessed awkwardly cool like. “You know, you are a very beautiful woman and I wou...”

“I have a girlfriend.” She cut off.

“Damnit!” Garath swore aloud. Sarephel nodded gently confirming, with some false regret. “Wait, lesbian, lesbian, or...” He tried again.

“Just lesbian.”

“GREAT!” he announced, frustrated. “Boss offers me a chance with a beautiful woman and she's a freaking dyke.”

Half her face glared sadistically. “Yeah, and this dyke gets a hell of a lot more than you creep!”

“Aahh!” Garath groaned, recollecting himself as he returned to his desk. “Sorry about all of this... You can go now.”

“W-WHAT?!” Sarephel exclaimed, “Is that the whole reason I came here, just for you to try and pick me up?”

“Don't credit me as such a villain,” He uttered carelessly with his hand over his shoulder waving her off. “My line of work is very lonely.”

“Yeah and I bet you do a lot of peeping in your line of work too!”

“Hey,” He returned, extending his finger. “That's just speculation! I have a fully respectable job and I take great pride in it.” Boldly reminding.

“Fine, then take your job and... And do it yourself.” Sarephel stormed out. “Call when you need me.”

“Yeah, and why do I need a dyke like you anyway?” Slouching on his arm right rest.

Leaning back in. “Father entrusted this job to both of us need I remind you.” She asserted.

“I can handle it all on my own, thank you.” He smiled falsely

“Yeah, but I'm not going to let you just screw it up with my name on it.”

“I'll call you, alright...” Pulling away This never happened.”

“Pervert.”

“Dyke.” He returned.

Garath palmed his face. The noise of machines in his office irking him. The wide open door echoed the humiliated murmur of people outside. Getting up to close the door, he was reuniting with his new enemy. “Oh yeah, and by the way, this dyke could hand you your ass a heartbeat!” She informed slamming the door shut.

The stress was bottled off and in desperate need of uncapping. The seventy third floor took forever to get to her, it was roughly Sarephel's usual time to run some scenarios in the simulator. Her card went into the slot unlocking the door with a satisfactory clicking tone. On her side was Tanis the technician and Jaero the weapons expert having a conversation. “Hey, Sare, you look like you could use a little combat exercise.”

“Run 'T83'”

“One of those days, huh?” Tanis commented

“I'm sorry but we've restricted the gun usage for that sim after last time.” Jaero informed

Cracking her joints, Sarephel assured. “I don't need guns.”

An hour past, finally wearing on Sarephel's endurance. “You know...” Jaero admitted, “I rather not be the guy that pissed you off.”

“It's fine.” Sarephel replied. “I got that out of my system long ago.”

“If those holograms had emotions, I'd feel very sorry for them.”

“Huh?” Sarephel wondered. “Oh... Yeah, that.”

Putting his water aside. “You know,” Jaero continued to inspect his arsonal. “I'm pretty sure that you could rank up to tier 7 if you really wanted to.”

Sarephel shook her head. “Nope. Tier 6 is as high as I can go. Father gave me special privileges, otherwise I'd always be busy. If I ranked up, I wouldn't be able to walk around while on duty. Tier 7 requires standing in one place and guarding one of two places and that's just a waste of my time.”

“What about tier 8? That lets you walk around more.”

“Huh, yeah right.” She chuckled, accessing the refreshments. “As if I want to walk around with my father every waking moment of my life. Besides, he already has Kaunzi my sister to do that for him. How is she doing anyway?” Pouring herself a glass. “I don't really see her around much.” Sarephel admitted.

“She comes by every so often,” Grabbing some ice out of the empty picture. “She's a lot better, not as scary though, but better.”

“Than me?”

“Who else?” crunching on the cube.

“I'm going to head out, I have an arrangement.”

“This early?”

“I'd love to stay and fight holograms all day but I got things to do.”

With that she made her way down to the fifty ninth floor. The restaurant wasn't open until supper, but she knew that she would find Aera there.

*old chapter start*

Closed solid red wood immobile doors towered like lifeless castle walls *insert name* restaurant. She knocked but no answer, someone was bound to show up to address the disturbance eventually but no one came. Her ears flopped and eyes shifted. No one came even now, no sound nor aura. Pulling away hesitantly, ever attracted to the gateway Sarephel scampered off determined.

Light from the outside world darkened the dining area with the ambient bloom of brightness peeking just barely past the deck. One shadow appeared above, a stalker, clinging to the roof and blind as all mud to the voided space. The inside was just as dark as her shadow cast, Sarephel tried to adjust her sights to make out the details in the back but nothing living could be found.

The door clanked a metallic sound, an irking squeak and then creaked with it's hefty mass as it swung open. Inside was beautiful, a romantic room and a contrasting sunshine into the dream she once wished for. Aera finally arrived, a few bags in hand. A moment she relished in the the bliss of her quiet restaurant before noticing someone in the tub. Aera could have heard the crackle of ice form, all was awakened in her stone standing body.

“Took you long enough.” The familiar voice teased.

“Sar... You, how did you get in? The door was locked.”

“Your patio isn't.” She replied, pointing in it's direction.

A forgiving tone calmed Aera's irritance. “And who would try and break in that way?”

“Theives, burglars...”

“And who would do that?” Aera restated, hinting at her peaceful new living.

“...Girlfriends.” Sarephel continued.

Dragging in a large cloth bag from the entry. “How long have you been waiting?” She asked setting it aside.

“Long enough to warm the water after I got bored.”

“I can't get in quite yet.” Aera informed retrieving some stock from the slanted sack.

“You know you want to” Sarephel toyed, splashing water out at Aera's feet.

“I need to put things away, then I'll play with you.” She promised, moving into the other room. “I have an hour before opening, and my staff will be here much sooner.” Quickly opening cupboards, Aera impatience began to wear on her fish.

“How are you enjoying your new home?” Sarephel asked, half wet peeking towards the kitchens closest express.

“It's very nice, not as nice as yours though.” Aera Admitted, under classed as she pulled the rest of the bag in. “Still kind of empty apart from the bed, the kitchen, a luxurious couch that's too damned hard, and a monitor system with nothing on it.” She lamented,

“I could probably put in a word about a new couch.” Flopping outward, Sarephel's laziness eagerly tying her to the ground.

“No need, I've already ordered a newer, much cheaper one, it's bigger too.”

Excitedly Sarephel asked. “But how comfy is it?” Kicking the surface.

“A cloud, I'd show it to you but I don't have it yet, it would be here already if I didn't accidentally give them the wrong address.” Aera poked out of the kitchen, adjusting her hair. “How is the job?”

Sarephel frowned, rolling crooked.

“That bad?” Aera inquired.

“It's gone nowhere.” She groaned, sinking back into the waters. “And as far as I'm concerned it can still go nowhere.”

“And what about that Garid... Whatever his name was guy.”

Sarephel turned her head. “He can burn alive.”

“That's harsh.” Aera remarked, laying down at the edge of the spring, chin braced. “What did he do to deserve your malice?” beckoning Sarephel nearer.

“He's a perv.” She scowled.

“And you aren't?” Aera returned sassy, placing her lips on her partner.

Sarephel's eyes veered guiltily. “I mean, he's the stupid kind. The guy that goes out of his way to pick someone up, and only cares about the sex.”

Aera slit gaze and entertained smiled as she said. “That could describe a lot of people.”

Jotting up “If anything were to ever happen to you...” Sarephel confined compassionately. “I'd... “I'd rip through half this tower til someone put me down.” Yanking out her fury before retreating back, afraid of what she could do.

“Then I guess if anything were to ever happen to you... I should probably do the same.”

Sarephel blushed. “You don't have to... But, I'd love it a lot if you did.”

Behind them, they could hear footsteps. “It seems my time is up.”

“Shall we continue this later then?” Sarephel adjourned, respecting Aera's work for once.

“I can take some time off tonight, but only if there are no more workplace interruptions.” Aera conditioned.

Sarephel reached in and sealed the deal with a kiss.