Out of Journal Side Chapter 9/?
A few hours later, Bonte and Hanna stood outside of Split Tower.
The tall building towered over those nearby, and the light of the rooms bled out into the night making for a beautiful sight.
The streets were mostly empty save for the few people going to taverns and enjoying Parjo's night life.
The two walked to the entrance of the building, where Hanna stopped.
Bonte noticed and turned to her. “What's up?” He asked.
The Ork looked up at the building for a second. “Nothing... I'm just nervous,” she replied with a sigh.
The Tigea's eyebrows scrunched up. “Why?”
“Her Excellency is so... I don't know...” she hesitated. “Imposing? I hope I made a good first impression.”
An amused smile formed on Bonte's face. “Imposing? She's a chill woman,” he chuckled.
Hanna blinked a few times. “Chill?” She scoffed. “It's hard to think of a Halve as chill, to be honest.”
“You'd be surprised,” he sighed and walked into the building. “Come on.”
Hanna took a deep breath and let out a long sigh, then followed Bonte.
The concierge gave the man a nod that was returned.
Both went up the stairs in silence and reached the apartment, where Bonte retrieved a key and opened the door.
Natasha was sitting at the dining table next to Pokora. They were drinking alcohol and chatting.
The rest were nowhere to be seen.
The two women turned their heads to the door.
Natasha's eyebrows climbed her forehead, then checked her pocket watch. She stood up and walked to the newcomers.
Hanna looked down at the floor.
“How did it go?” The Halve asked the Tigea.
“Pretty good,” he replied and walked in.
Hanna stood outside the door, waiting for permission to enter.
Natasha stared at her for a second. “You going in or what?”
“Forgive my intrusion, Your Excellency,” the Ork muttered and walked inside.
The Halve sighed and ran a hand through her hair, then turned to the table. “Have a seat,” she offered.
“Ohh!” Bonte cheered and took a seat in front of Pokora. “What are we drinking?”
“Potato spirit,” replied the Elf with her monotone voice and emotionless face.
“Nice!” Bonte chuckled and served himself a glass.
Natasha returned to her spot next to Pokora and glanced at Hanna.
The Ork was standing next tot he table, looking at the floor.
“Hanna,” the Halve called.
“Yes, Your Excellency?” The woman quickly answered.
Natasha took a sip of her glass and sighed. “Do you drink?”
“No, Your Excellency. I don't,” she quietly replied.
The Halve nodded. “How about you take a seat and tell me what you found?”
The Ork nodded and sat next to the Tigea, still looking down.
“So,” Bonte began, taking a long gulp of alcohol. “We went to a meeting of sorts. They shared shitty opinions, stupid ideas, and came up with an imbecilic plan,” he recounted.
“About?” Natasha questioned and drank more alcohol.
“They plan on denying you service, Your Excellency,” Hanna replied.
“How many people were there,” the Halve inquired in a curious tone.
“Around a hundred people,” Bonte gave an estimate.
“Meh,” Natasha scoffed and shrugged. “Like that makes a fucking difference. We'll be leaving soon so I don't give much of a fuck about what they'll do.”
Pokora chuckled.
“Not like it's the first time I face discrimination,” the Halve pointed out. “Who was behind this, by the way?”
“A Changeling named Kulmonari,” Hanna quickly answered.
“Kulmonari...” Natasha repeated. “That's a cool name. Related to the Yugulari fellow?”
Bonte nodded. “Both in the same group. They got the nikontia Yugulari used to poison your drink.”
Natasha's eyes widened a little, then she glared at her glass. “Where is this Kulmonari fucker?”
Hanna smiled. “Dead,” she informed her.
“Good,” Natasha stated. “I hope you made it painful.”
The Ork was silent for a few seconds, then bit her lower lip.
“Eh, it's whatever,” the Halve sighed. “I was going to kill that little shit anyway.”
Hanna lowered her head. “I apologize for taking Your Excellency's kill,” she blurted out.
Natasha chuckled. “It's alright,” she assured her. “And if the opportunity to kill Yugulari presents itself, I hope you leave that insolent fuck to me.”
“Will do, Your Excellency,” Hanna promised with a relaxed smile.
Pokora turned to Natasha. “You'll kill them?”
The Halve scoffed. “Obviously,” she said. “You know how it goes... 'If you want to kill, be prepared to die', or something along those lines.”
“What if they surrender?” Pokora challenged.
“They won't,” Natasha instantly replied. “I'll cut their tongues before they can even speak.”
The Elf sighed and shook her head.
Bonte chuckled.
Hanna smiled. “What about Thavas and Pneumix, Your Excellency?” She inquired. “Should I leave those two to you as well?”
Natasha tilted her head in confusion. “Pardon? Isn't Yugulari's name Yugulari Thavas Pneumix?”
“No, Your Excellency,” Hanna corrected her with a respectful tone. “They are three different individuals.”
“I... see,” the Warrior muttered. “Yeah, leave them to me.”
“Will do,” Hanna replied with a nod.
“Why not bring them to the Watchers?” Pokora questioned, then took a sip of her glass.
Natasha gave the woman a look that said 'the fuck you on about?'. “Trying to kill me gets them a century in prison at best. I want them dead.”
“Why?” The Arched insisted.
“Haaa...” Natasha let out a long sigh. “Because otherwise they'll get out of prison and continue doing shady shit. While they're in prison, they may contact someone and do their bidding. They may do some wild prison break bullshit or something. Killing them makes the chances of anything else happening zero.”
Pokora sighed as well. “But killing them will justify their belief of 'Halves bad'...”
The Halve nodded. “And I don't give a fuck,” she chuckled. “If they want me dead, they have to face the consequences... which is death.”
“You're dealing in absolutes,” the Elf warned her in a joking tone.
“Anger is a pathway to many abilities some consider to be... unnatural,” Natasha replied, also in a joking tone.
The two laughed and brought their glasses together, then drank.
Bonte and Hanna shared a confused look.
Natasha put her glass down and addressed the Tigea and Ork. “So, did you learn anything about Ines?”
Bonte scoffed.
Hanna nodded. “Yes, Your Excellency. She joined the Changelings' group willingly, leaving her family behind.”
The Halve frowned and her eyebrows knotted together. Her hands tightened until the glass broke. “That bitch!”
