by P. S. Power
"Finding anything?" The man, who was dressed like a regular Police officer said, trying very hard not to seem bored.
Zack shook his head.
"Not at all. This place is a mess. Even the building construction isn't quite right. I need to go soon, myself. When do you get off?" It was an odd thing to say, like he was hitting on the man, but all of it was true, which meant he could speak the words. The guy tensed a bit and moved back, not realizing that Federal Agents didn't walk around in Tennis shoes too often, it seemed.
"Bout six..."
Zack just nodded, and sighed.
"Well, back to it then. Keep your eyes open." Then he walked to the Node and waited for the man to turn around, stepping through to Candles and More instantly.
Mirror Him mocked him, but it was pretty light, considering everything that had just happened.
'Hey sailor, when do you get off shift? I can come over and show you a real good time...' It was classic MH, so Zack just looked around and realized he had ten minutes still, according to the clock on the wall.
"Made it!" There was a pleased lilt to his voice, because he'd honestly thought it would have taken him a lot longer than it had to do that. The bit with the cop had been scary, but not too bad. The man had just spoken with him after all, and not been unfriendly.
Lisa came out and then let her eyes go wide, pretending to wipe her brow.
"Seriously? Not bad time then. Yavvel will be here in a bit. I didn't cancel the meeting or anything. He's kind of large... and I'm not sure if dynamic jumping things are exactly the type of thing he's into. Maybe we should get some help for that?"
Nodding Zack smiled.
"Ask for Hildegard at the Trolleikein Embassy. She did really well earlier. Barb can take over at five, if we have anyone then. I need to call a Demon about some medicine, right now." It sounded far more awkward than if he could have said it was about a horse, but things were what they were.
He went to the front for that, and got the man almost instantly.
"Mr... Cleric?" Greater Demons could be picky about their titles and all that, so it was important to use them. Keeley had mentioned that to him a couple of times, so it was probably not meant as a joke.
"Line Walker. Did all go well?"
"Not bad. The stuff has been delivered, and they're using it. I got one of the doses, so hopefully there was a little extra? I'd hate for some little kid to die because of me. It was interesting. Hot. Is all of South America like that?"
There was a low chuckle from the phone, and the voice that spoke wasn't unfriendly, but did correct him, on several points.
"Guatemala is in Central America, very near the equator, so it does tend to be warm. You were in no danger of catching the disease, which is a hemorrhagic blood born thing. As long as you didn't stuff any bodily fluids in your mouth, you would be safe, no matter who you are. There should be nearly twice the doses of the compound sent as needed however, so having yours will not harm anyone. Excellent. May I call on your services again?"
That part was less than fun, and MH really wanted him to say no, but the fact was, if the Greater Demon wanted him dead, he would be, so doing work for him for even trade wasn't that dangerous really. He hoped. It was probably wrong, but what else could Zack do? Insulting the man would be worse than almost anything else he could think of.
"Sure. Same kind of arrangement. If you want me to do something, I can refuse at the time, and if I take it, you'll owe me something comparable as a favor in the future." There was no law saying he had to call those markers in, right?
"Most fair." There was a pause, one that was for affect, it seemed. "Now, I hear that you and the Mistress of Souls are managing the new conflict that has arisen within the ranks of the Peoples? She's cheating you horribly as to your payment, by the way. Seizing control of a war, even a potential one, should gain you in the billions, not a few million. Unless, of course, it's also a pet project of yours? I hear that you've done wonders at assuming control over the Vampires? Very nicely done too, without bloodshed or threat at all. Well, I'll let you get back to your day. It's been good working with you, Line Walker."
"Cleric."
It was a strange conversation, and had a tone that said that he didn't think that Zack's dealings with Keeley were just about him surviving or something. She could have offered a popsicle in payment and Zack would have taken it for the same amount of work, just trying not to be her slave forever. The worst part was that she was also just Keeley too. She looked like a harmless and very pretty teen girl. Some of the others had to be a lot scarier. True, not the Greater Demons that he'd met, but that Balthias guy sure was. Zack was nearly positive that Greater Demons could seem like whatever they chose.
The Ettarian Ambassador wasn't just a little large, like Lisa had said, but prodigiously so. He wasn't tall, about Zack's own five-nine or ten, but he was at least four hundred pounds and moved slowly, with great folds of fat wiggling as he did it, his breath coming in panting hisses just from walking into the store. Thankfully Hilde came in at a much faster pace, looking ready for work.
"I am Yavvel S'tress Condiceit. Ambassador of the mighty Ettarian Empire!" Glancing at Zack he grinned at least, and then nodded, doing the same with Hildegard. "And neither of you care at all, do you? At least we're finally getting to host something, my people. I have come to show the way, though I do not know how. Is that your part in this?" The look went directly to Zack, as if he knew exactly who he was speaking to. That would be strange, but wasn't wrong, so got a nod in return.
"That's right. Basically I just need to know where I'm supposed to get people. We can do that in the back, I think?"
It was a lot harder with Yavvel than it had been with Hilde, because the man knew of three Nodes in his homeland, and a fourth that was just outside the natural bend in space and time that he'd had to come through in order to move into the Human lands, some fifteen years before. His memory of them was great, but the telepathic communication that he'd gotten about where things were to be held wasn't exact enough for him to know for certain.
It meant that Hilde had to carry the man physically, since Lisa had been right, he wasn't up to jumping at all, through each of the Nodes, more than once, so that they could then double back and walk around the various complexes to try and find someone that actually knew that a horde of strangers was about to descend on them.
Ettarians were not, as Zack at suspected, a bunch of overweight and slow people, but seemed to be tall on average, and fit. They all had blond or light brown hair and were attractive enough too. It seemed that Yavvel was sent because he was different. Short and prone to endocrine disorders. It let him fit in with the people of the United States, better than a seven foot plus Aryan looking fellow would have.
When they finally found someone that was able to help them, there was a bit of a shock, since they'd been told to expect no more than five individuals, not the nearly three hundred that were likely to come. The woman they were talking to hurried to the wall and touched it, bending her head to send a message.
'Alert, incoming dignitaries, all aid is needed at the conference section.' The voice in his head was hers, but in English this time. It was handy, but he had to wonder why she hadn't just done that before? Except, of course, that touching the wall seemed to send the thought out to everyone.
Yavvel translated it for them, his words a bit different than what the woman had used, seeming a lot less panicked.
"She's setting things up for the increased numbers. Everyone is most excited, I think." He smiled a lot and others came, thinking at each other at times, which Zack heard just fine, but Hilde didn't, for some reason. It was strange too, since they clearly all thought that she was in charge. Probably because she was so tall and intelligent and telepaths would realize that last bit easily enough.
It wasn't a bad idea, was it? She was really smart, and knew more about what each group might need or want for comfort than Zack did. He touched the tall and thin blonde woman on the
arm, trying to project his thoughts to her on the matter, hoping they were clear.
She gasped, but didn't pull away at all.
'You send? I wasn't aware. Yes, we can do as you suggest, the rooms must be restructured, it will take time, perhaps...' That part wasn't clear at all, and they had to get Yavvel in on it.
He spoke out loud to include Hildegard at least, which was very polite of him.
"We need an extra day, before people come. It's unfortunate, but such things happen. Can the various leaders be brought here? We can transport them to the conference hall from this point. Myself and Hildegard will be needed to check the facilities before then, to ensure no missteps happen. Again." He did not seem pleased by the first set of problems, but Ursal, the tall woman, just made a face and touched Zack's arm.
'May we contact you directly? With use of an amplifier we can reach your lands, and it will increase the speed of converse.'
Thinking back, trying to be clear about it, Zack agreed. It might mean he'd have intruding thoughts in his head all the time... but oh, wait, he did already. He'd live. He let her know this, and while a bit baffled, the woman didn't act like he was insane.
Yavvel smiled a lot and seemed like he was about to be screamed at, but suggested they go back to the Mage Embassy to set things up. It turned out that he wasn't really wrong, because after Hilde set him down and he started to explain to Lisa, she flipped on the man.
"What the hell? I just spent a day getting everything set up! Keeping groups that hate each other apart, finding ones that are willing to be touched by Vampires and Trolleinkein, and working it out that way, smoothing ruffled feathers over the timing... and now you want me to redo the whole thing? Are you insane? I..." From her curled right fist it looked like she was about ready to beat the Ettarian Ambassador down, but she didn't start swinging. Instead she yelled. "Argh!"
It was loud enough that half the Mall had to have heard her. Possibly literally, given how keen some of them were that way. Zack didn't try to sooth her. She was right and the very fact that the Ettarians hadn't been planning for everyone to come, only a few people, who were probably already on hand, meant that the whole thing had been worked out as some kind of scam in the first place. A sham meeting, one way or the other. To what end though? No one would have gone along with wanton killing based on something like that, would they? Had it just been about buying time to let things cool down? Or something else that Zack didn't understand at all?
It seemed to him that a good, solid meeting, with people that mainly wanted to set things right would work better than anything else. Unless it didn't, and people got into fights and started something bigger.
Unfortunately he didn't have a clue at all as to what would happen, and now Lisa was going to have to redo everything. That meant being stressed and getting yelled at, she assured them all, glaring at Yavvel as she did it. Like it was his fault?
"And I don't need that right now. Not at all."
Zack nodded a bit, but didn't speak, since suggesting that she better not relapse wasn't going to really help, was it? It was part of her job, but at least she didn't have to do it all alone now. She had him, and Bob, to round things out. Jennifer and Hiram. It might not be the dream team, but it wasn't alone, either. They were due in shortly too, which he hoped would help.
Yavvel made his escape, back to his own Embassy, which was on the upper level. His people ran the electronics shop, which was a bit like a Radio Shack in a real Mall, except had useful things in it, and component parts for do it your-selfers. They also didn't take down all your information for the NSA each time you bought a battery. Zack had actually done part of his Christmas shopping there and was intending to see about getting a bigger, and much nicer, television from them too. The people that worked there weren't all really tall, so it had thrown him off a bit at first.
Lisa started making calls, and even with her door shut, it was clear that she was being yelled at on about half of them. That made Zack wince, but there wasn't a lot else they could do about it, since the Ettarians just weren't going to be ready.
It was nearing two when he and Hildegard got to the front of the store, so he got on the phone and ordered some lunch for all of them, hoping he got something close to what Lisa would like. She ate, he knew that, but what she normally wanted he had no clue at all.
Conrad brought it down, and seemed to be happy enough.
"Leif actually got things fixed before we were back, and didn't try to send off to home for replacements. I didn't think he would, since that would make him look like an imbecile. Poor Kent is in for a time however, for damaging us. Beatings and the like. It was his fault, but he didn't mean to do harm." It was all said like Zack would know who that was, but Hilde got it and winced a bit.
"The Hamburger Elth? That's not good. It's one of my favorite places to eat here. He won't be too damaged, will he?"
That got a laugh. A low thing that sounded nearly sinister.
"Nay. Oh, he'll taste the lash, but Leif isn't going to be doling the punishment himself. Not until his arms grow back. Remind me never to get on the wrong side of a Trickster, if it comes up?"
Zack just nodded, trying to remember that for himself. Because, as far as he knew, his arms didn't grow back at all.
Chapter twelve
The others, thankfully, all started coming in about three, like they were supposed to, with Hiram being the first one through the door, then Bob. Jen was a bit later, since she had to come from school, and brought her homework with her in a clear plastic backpack. That was so she couldn't take weapons or bombs to class. When she'd first told him that, Zack had thought she was kidding, but it was apparently a thing now and all the kids had them. Not by choice either.
It made him glad that he'd been home schooled.
Bob was in the back, taking his turn being shouted at, meaning Lisa got to eat something, while Hiram went over the store itself to keep it tidy and Jennifer did complicated math that was beyond what Zack could do at all.
Hilde stood and stretched a bit, then smiled big enough so that her heavy canine teeth showed.
"At least I got to use my gift to go home. I would have liked to stay longer, but someone had to retrieve the Shaman and our Leader. This is a good thing and a kindness, allowing us to pay for their passage with work. Am I needed at the moment however? I should go and see to my front desk duties if not." It was what she did, running the desk, being that she was so cute as she'd said, compared to the others. She wasn't wrong there either.
'Thata boy Zack. Now just get her to bend over and...' MH didn't finish the thought.
Zack got that the guy was horny, but he'd been hitting the sexual stuff a little hard for some reason, lately. It wasn't that much more than normal, but enough that it was becoming apparent. He'd have to ask about that when he got a chance.
'Except you won't, will you? You're walking around just working constantly, not even knowing why. If you aren't going to go out and have some fun, you could at least let me have some every now and then, you know? Get out to a club, or go on a nature hike that doesn't have me searching the bushes for anti-government rebels. Anything. Paint a freaking picture... Macramé. I don't really care, just do something before my head explodes from boredom.' The hiking line got Zack thinking, since he could use more exercise.
"I should take up weight lifting. That way I could walk with more than thirty pounds some day." He spoke out loud, not really thinking about it, and was shocked when Hilde clapped suddenly, instead of looking at him funny.
"Yes! I will get you a trainer and arrange for a time. Perhaps three times a week to start? That will give you some chance to heal, between times. How exciting! Yes!" She didn't wait for him to say anything else, practically running from the store, which was just a walk for her, but still quicker than he could have gone.
It was a good idea, but MH sighed in his head and sounded miserable. 'Not what I meant. Not at all.'
There was no name calling at least, which was a
good thing.
Then, other than tension wafting off of the back room, from all the phone calling. Nothing happened until about four, when the florist got there, pounding on the back doors of places, since that's what Zack had suggested they do. The woman that came in to the candle shop smiled and passed things to Lisa and Jen, which meant that they both stood there, blinking for a bit, having not been expecting anything at all, it seemed.
Lisa read her card and nodded, then moved in and gave Zack a big hug.
"Thanks. This means a lot. I... Well, it's been a day. I hate this holiday."
Jennifer hugged him too, and kissed him on the cheek, which Hiram saw as soon as he walked into the back, glaring suddenly. He did soften when he saw the red Mylar heart balloon that went with the little flower arrangement. It was mainly daisies, instead of roses, since he really wasn't trying to get the girl into bed. Lisa had a rose. It was yellow and not red, for much the same reason. No balloon for her. She got a giant chocolate chip cookie on a stick.
The ex-thief just sized up the situation and snorted, a bit disgusted sounding.
"Kiss-up. I suppose for arbor day you're going to get them little trees to plant too?" He sounded skeptical.
It was a great idea though, wasn't it?
"No, I'll get everyone little trees. You can help me pass them out. Good thinking. You're a genius Hiram, you know that?"
"Sure I do. But does anyone appreciate me? Nope. It's always just checking the wallet and making sure they have their visa card on them. Like I'd take that without the PIN?"
On the good side it meant that Zack was going to be allowed to go home a bit early for once, since there didn't seem to be any pressing need for a sales clerk, what with the Mall being shut down, but it wasn't going to happen, he realized, about the time that Kaitlyn called.
Sounding like a boy.
"Hey Zack. Could I get a trip to Keeley's? She said that you needed to be ready to go out to dinner too. She's driving?" There was a hopeful tone to his voice, which meant that Kyle thought that Zack might just say no, even if he didn't want that for whatever reason.
