Party of Millions (C 1.3, E 1.4, L 1.5)

"Princy... yeah, think so," I have to admit. "I don't usually come inside past the docks like this. I can name you every dock hand in the islands, I can, but who owns the place? I know you own this particular place. All I need to know."

Dinero... does he know? It doesn't feel like he knows.

I glance at Millions as Dinero asks about staying, but I'm missing the Refuge (aptly named in this case) and all this is... it's a lot. Dinero is attractive... not too far from my age, actually. But he's going to be working for me, right? I shouldn't be going, what.. dancing? With him?

"I'm sure you will," I answer Millions with a solemn nod. Have I just killed a man?

I glance down at the table, regretful that my glass remains empty, "I should really..." I glance towards the door entry, "...take care of my boat. I left her in a hurry and maybe... not in the best of hands."

I smile and look up at the taller men... and wonder if they've even finished washing my clothes...

Edmund,

You enter noa and your nose is filled with the smells of roasted meat, spices, and fresh vegetables. noa, as you know, all benefits from the Floating Farms nearby. Millions profits from all the families' desires to enjoy this remnant of a lost age. The people here all know you, esteemed butler of a renown family head, and many incline their heads in honor of your arrival. They don't notice the bloodstain at the cuff of your shirt or the wrinkle at your brow that indicates the stressful night you've had so far.

You find Canary sitting opposite the beautiful Yale, with Dinero sitting right beside her. Canary looks cleaner than earlier, wearing a lovely sunflower dress. She looks uncomfortable in this place, but you notice her plate is mostly empty. She's talking with Millions and it sounds like she's telling him about the trouble you had with Dremmer earlier. He says with finality that Dremmer will be handled. She's written his death warrant, most likely.

Canary,

You're trying to make an exit and look around to see Edmund has arrived at your table. He looks upset. Blue Light isn't with him. Something is wrong, you just feel it.

What do you do?

I look up from the table. Not surprised to see Edmund here. He lives here... somewhere right? But he seems more like a behind-the-scenes kind of guy.

I glance at Dinero just wondering if they know each other, but something's not right and I'm not going to speak up first with Millions right here.

Approaching the table, I’m aware of the many faces around me. Most of which see me in a positive light - I have the privilege and the reputation of being the one to help others feel more comfortable. But I’m not fool enough to think any of them will stand up for me if a conversation with Millions or Dinero goes South.

I know my place.

I greet them beginning with Millions, then Dinero, Yale, and Canary. "Deepest apologies for intruding. I’ll try not to take too much of your time."

I stand on my own, a little half-nod to Dinero. I see your gesture, and appreciate it, but no thanks.

Little things mean more in a place like this... I'm growing more and more sure, too, that Dinero doesn't yet know.

It's good to see Edmund again, actually, "Edmund," I feel a little self-conscious in this dress, "Everything good?"

"Unfortunately, very few things are good at the moment." A small sigh escapes me. I'm tired. Not the kind of tired that comes from being physical, or from a last of rest. This kind of tired is rooted in trying to make sense of a world that is shattering, trying to play political games that others have been bred for, and a constant fear that nothing is safe.

I extend my hand, holding a crisp, sealed envelope to Canary. "The agreed upon payment. I hope you find it to your liking." As I reach my hand I become aware of the blood on the cuff. I rotate my hand to hopefully shield it from Dinero and Canary.

"I have a couple questions for you Ms. Canary. We’ve been in business together for quite some time, so your reputation with me is playing in your favor." My eyes narrow and my voice is stern, "I must know about how Blue Light came to be in your service."

I walk a few steps away with Edmund, at least some of the attention of the room is off of me, of us... but this doesn't feel like a happy reunion.

I note the blood as he hands me my payment. With a nod I take it, but don't open it here. A sign of trust, but also a little self-conscious in this setting.

I lean in closer, "Blue Light?" I wonder what this is about, of course, "hired gun from the freighter... met him today. Or... or is it yesterday..." I'm unsure of the time.

Then I glance again at the blood I can't quite see on Edmunds cuff.

"Did something happen?"

I pause. Not because I want to, and certainly not for theatrics. Rather, the words stick in my throat. Some amalgamation of rage, fear, anxiety, and sorrow seem to be holding the vocalization back.

Suddenly, it seems that there is a small pocket of silence amongst the general din of Millions's party in the noa, a small world that only Canary, Dinero and I inhabit.

A tear slides its way down my cheek, and the words start to quietly slip out, "John escorted Blue Light and me to Princy's. She waited while Blue Light and I made our way to Princy with the consignment." I breathe a shaky breath. "The next thing I know Blue Light put two bullets into him. I don't know if it was personal or hired, but I'm going to figure it out."

That stuns me.

I blink as my mind races, "wait... B... Blue Light..." I shake my head slightly and gaze down at the ground, "... killed Princy?" I heard him but it doesn't process. "You're sayin' he's dead?"

I brought him here... is this on me? He was there on the freighter... they vouched for him. Right? And he seemed like a decent fellow too... I shared frellin' coffee with him! How could I not even...

I clutch the material of my borrowed yellow dress with one hand. Feeling hot...

Suddenly I look back up to Edmund's eyes, "where is he now? Blue light?"

"I stopped him..." I cut myself off and force myself to make the correction, "No. I killed him before he could do anything else, even pull the trigger another time."

I extend my hands, which I notice are trembling, and display the blood staining the cuffs of my shirt. Everything is blurry through the tears continuing to well in my eyes, "I don't know if this is his or Princy's." Opening my hands, I hold the two empty casings from Blue Light's sidearm and pass them to Canary.

"I was able to stabilize Princy. But recovery will be a long and difficult journey. He will likely have lasting physical challenges, and almost certainly psychological hurdles to overcome. Please, any information you have about where he came from or who hired him will be appreciated."

I become suddenly aware of how much I just said, and the presence of Dinero. I eye him nervously to see if I can tell what his thoughts are on this news.

Edmund did that?

My face falls from anger to sympathy. I take the casings Edmund offers, but also gently tough his hand as I do, "then you saved Princy's life... you did good."

I can't shake the feeling that I should have known.

"There's not much I can tell you about him. I picked him up from the [Levitan], on the sea road. We shared some... stories. Nothing that..." I try and remember. he told me about an adrift sailor, a captain who leapt in the sea to swim to a haunted storm... "Just old tall tales... Nothin' seems. Nothin' to explain this."

I follow Edmund's gaze to Dinero, then remember, "oh... he did say he was from 'round here. But that sounded like years ago the way he told it."

I relax a little after seeing Canary's reaction. "I am not one to behave rashly; however, I am determined to get to the bottom of this." I confide to her. "Hopefully, I can find the strength not to seek retribution, but understanding. And justice." I add.

I nod my head a little as I mentally run through our brief conversation and the events of the evening leading up to this moment - trying to make sure I didn't miss saying something important.

I step back slightly, creating space for a more welcoming mood. The privacy required of the conversation so far is fading.

"Thank you for listening, Canary. I don't mean to take up any more of your evening, though my presence has likely already ruined the mood for you. This is quite the lovely soirée Millions is hosting and you should experience as much as you can. Jean-Luc, behind the bar over there," I point to a svelte young man with a tight-fade haircut and fashionable glasses who is mixing drinks, "Makes a piquant drink called the 'Oceanside' that I think you may enjoy. By the way, you look charming in that dress, though I must say I also find your yellow slicker suits you perfectly as well."

Retribution? It sounds like he's already... oh... what if Blue light wasn't here for his own reasons. Could that be?

Edmund is all over the place. He's stressed... I wonder if he's forced to scramble like this often? He's always cordial to me... but our interactions tend to be short and done with. It's like he's overwhelmed and his reflex to be a good host just pours out.

"I..." I glance over at Dinero and Millions, wishing now that I'd said no, "I gotta get outta here.... that..." I do like a fancy drink though... don't get many chances, "that does sound nice... but."

I haven't seen my boat in half a day now. And I didn't name her Refuge for nothing.

I lean close, "I need to get back to my boat... any excuse... can you make that happen?"

When the two of you look around, you see Dinero is near but pretending not to be listening in. There's a guard watching the two of you as well. Millions and his table have returned to their feast.