Селеста / Сelesta: Глава 15

Chapter 15

Camrad_RIP 25.01.22 в 12:09

Holiness looked the same - fat, smiling, with a pious expression on his face. He was habitually seated on a half-ruined couch, his arms folded over his chubby tummy. The old house where Celesta had previously met Fakasius was about to be demolished, and they had found another place to negotiate. The two predators, the living and the undead had no intention of bringing a rival to their lair, so they chose a room equally convenient for both. The second floor of the former store, which stood at the crossroads of two roads and was now completely ransacked, was an example of comfortable asceticism. In other words, there was almost no furniture, but the roof did not leak. Holiness was attracted by the possibility of placing guards on the first floor, without which he avoided appearing anywhere: secret and obvious enemies he had plenty of. The ghoul had appreciated the number of sewer manholes in the area and the small distance to the next building: a bit far for a human, but an undead, especially if he ran, would fly from window to window like a swallow.

Camrad_RIP 25.01.22 в 12:30

"Darling! I am extremely embarrassed to remind you of our agreement, but with a heavy stone on my heart I have to remind you of the deadline." The crime boss was still smiling, but his eyes looked unexpectedly sharp. "When is the promised shipment coming?"

Camrad_RIP 25.01.22 в 12:32

"Why are you in such a hurry? I didn't take an advance from you, and I warned you about the need to simplify the process." The girl looked coldly at the "dear friend". "Or you're not interested in the quality of the product?"

Camrad_RIP 25.01.22 в 12:40

"That's right, sweetie, that's right ... Only I trusted you, reduced the number of purchases, waiting for the promised products. But it's still not there! It's purely out of a friendship that I complain: the stock in the establishments will soon run out, there's nothing to trade with. The employees are asking, they're worried!"

Camrad_RIP 25.01.22 в 12:41

"Tomorrow you'll get a liter of concentrate," Celesta promised. "No more is ready yet. Technical difficulties."

Camrad_RIP 25.01.22 в 12:42

In fact, Stasch had been working nonstop in the lab, and six litters bottles of the undiluted final product had already been carefully wrapped up in the warehouse. Only Fakasius shouldn't know about the stockpile. A steady supply of goods will begin a little later when the idea of building their tavern takes final shape. For now, the location had not been decided, there was no preliminary estimate of costs, and it was not known when exactly the establishment should open. The impending Great Hunt has messed up all plans. If the spring expansion goes well and quickly, then the authorities will soon weaken the strict rules of trade and people will have free money. Especially the soldiers, who expect to profit from the poorly explored territories.

Camrad_RIP 25.01.22 в 13:12

It was necessary to carefully determine the place where the tavern would be opened. The rebels hoped to attract a certain kind of clientele. It would be more correct to say that they planned to open a brothel. A place where people in trouble with the law gathered, always ready to fight and drink their last money. The tavern-keeper and employees can also buy up stolen goods, collect information, and hire performers to carry out the ghouls' tasks. The masterminds in any business make better money than the doers, so Celesta aspired to become something more than a mere mercenary. In all areas. Quite naturally, it was better not to locate a thief's den next to the guards' apartments. That was the problem - there was no telling how living conditions in different parts of the city would change after the resettlement was prepared by the authorities. I wouldn't want to close down a brand-new establishment because of money losses or too much attention from neighbors.

Camrad_RIP 25.01.22 в 13:23

Finances were a problem, too. Dinirs were slipping through her fingers like water, her income was almost nonexistent, and she constantly had to look for ways to make money. Celesta was so angry about having to save money that she seriously considered robbing the house of some important official. If it weren't for fear of attracting too much attention from the spiders who are bound to investigate incidents of this nature, she would have broken into someone's coffers long ago.

Camrad_RIP 25.01.22 в 13:26

At least one issue was resolved: Varek agreed yesterday to serve the undead.

Camrad_RIP 25.01.22 в 13:27

The man gave a mixed impression. Not yet old, covered with scars, wearing a dirty shirt and greasy pants, he sat, arms folded and hunched over, on the doorstep of the community house. His whole posture was one of weariness. The kind people here had agreed to shelter his children for a while while he tried unsuccessfully once again to find work. I might have mistaken him for a completely desperate man if I hadn't watched him the previous week. This man did not break down. Give him a chance and he will cling to it, flounder as hard as he can, but not let it go. And he would do anything to get out of the misery of his family's situation. Even make a deal with a vampire.

Camrad_RIP 25.01.22 в 13:29

He didn't even flinch when I got in front of his face-just raised his head:

Camrad_RIP 25.01.22 в 13:29

"What do you want, girl?"

Camrad_RIP 25.01.22 в 13:30

I smiled at him, showing my fangs. The man immediately pulled himself together, a wary expression on his face. I followed his gaze and calmed him down:

Camrad_RIP 25.01.22 в 13:47

"Nothing happened to your kids, don't worry."

Camrad_RIP 25.01.22 в 13:48

"What do you want, ghoul?"

Camrad_RIP 25.01.22 в 13:48

"Talk, Varek. Just talk."

Camrad_RIP 25.01.22 в 13:48

"What do you and I have to talk about? If you want blood, take it, there's nothing I can do. But don't touch mine."

Camrad_RIP 26.01.22 в 18:16

His admission of weakness was doom-and-gloom: he knew he was powerless to resist.

Camrad_RIP 26.01.22 в 18:17

Varek, a fisherman of the Three Brides, lost his parents during the plague but managed to transport the rest of his family to Serpent Island, where he waited out the most dangerous time. Then he came to Taleya and entered the Duke's service. All went well at first, but then you quarreled with Lash, lost your job, and your wife, brother, and son died. For the last year, you've been surviving on odd jobs and the children are starving. Is that right?

Camrad_RIP 26.01.22 в 18:18

The man remained silent.

Camrad_RIP 26.01.22 в 18:19

"Do you want me to tell you what awaits you? You won't get a job: the officials are afraid of the Count's wrath and try to please him. You could, of course, try to go as an underling to the shady bosses, but I doubt you'll be accepted. The character's not right. You tried, didn't you? And you got ratted out. Next time they catch you, you won't get away with it. You'll go with your children to the villages or to the mine to work with a pickaxe. How long do you think you'll live at the mine? Or would you like me to tell you about the way the wardens screw up the stubborn... Is that unpleasant to hear?"

Camrad_RIP 26.01.22 в 18:20

The man parted his parched lips:

Camrad_RIP 26.01.22 в 18:20

"Why are you telling me all this?"

Camrad_RIP 25.01.22 в 14:01

You're good for me. I have a job for you.

Camrad_RIP 25.01.22 в 14:02

Varek grinned:

Camrad_RIP 25.01.22 в 14:02

"What, leading people into an ambush? Sorry, I'm not a murderer."

Camrad_RIP 25.01.22 в 14:03

"No, I need a manager."

Camrad_RIP 25.01.22 в 14:05

He hadn't expected to hear that from a ghoul. I was sure he'd never have been more impressed with an offer to share blood, or a mere bite in the neck. I started to explain:

Camrad_RIP 25.01.22 в 14:05

"It's very simple. I need someone to oversee business in my absence, and you seem suitable for this role. There are no complications with the distribution of duties either - I set tasks, leaving it to you to decide how to accomplish them. Money, stability, freedom, independence from authority. Agree to serve me and you won't have to worry about your daughters. Otherwise, their future is unenviable."

Camrad_RIP 26.01.22 в 18:21

If he refuses now, I will have to leave, having suffered a serious defeat. I have no second choice. The undead cannot exist outside human society, nor can he be inside it: it is his destiny to glide along the border. In other words, it is not enough to rob passersby in dark alleys in order to live a normal life. We need a steady source of income and a link to the world of the living, so we need someone who can become our "face" in the eyes of ordinary people. I was counting on Varek. He was shallow, moderately honest, and hard-working, and he seemed like a suitable candidate.

Camrad_RIP 26.01.22 в 18:22

"What would I have to do?"

Camrad_RIP 26.01.22 в 18:23

A stone fell from my shoulders. A whole mountain. Varek hasn't definitively agreed yet: he's hesitant but willing to listen. There was only a little bit of pressure left.

Camrad_RIP 26.01.22 в 18:23

"As I said, I need a manager. You will be the official face of the inn, practically the owner, I will not control how you do business, just pay a certain amount of money a month. Besides, from time to time we intend to eat at your inn. Oh, don't be frightened, no one's going to chase the customers around with glowing eyes. All it takes is a little blood from a sleeping man, and those drunks won't even notice. It's not in the interest of our kind to attract attention. You also have to collect rumors, gossip on topics of interest to us. Perhaps hire some people on your behalf."

Camrad_RIP 26.01.22 в 18:34

"What makes you think I won't report it?"

Camrad_RIP 26.01.22 в 18:34

"Because then you would lose everything. You will not be forgiven for associating with a monster."

Camrad_RIP 26.01.22 в 18:35

"Don't worry, Holiness, you won't be without product." Celesta turned her attention back to the conversation. "Have I ever let you down?"

Camrad_RIP 26.01.22 в 18:35

"No, no, I wouldn't think of it" waved his hands Fakasius. "I only wish it were quicker. What's the use of upsetting the people? They're all for the cause, aren't they?"

Camrad_RIP 26.01.22 в 18:38

The undead almost blurted out, "Not every cause is worth caring for". She kept silent. No need to quarrel with the fat man - his help was indispensable soon. Instead, she promised again:

Camrad_RIP 26.01.22 в 18:39

"You'll get the stuff as quickly as possible. I'll bring it myself."

Camrad_RIP 26.01.22 в 18:40

"Oh, why bother! Send one of your friends, I've wanted to see them for a long time! They say your friend, Medea, is a real flower, and the new guy, what's his name... I don't remember..."

Camrad_RIP 26.01.22 в 18:41

Under the ghoul's motionless, bone-crushing gaze, Facasius shrank, his voice becoming quieter and quieter. He should have screamed for help from the guards, but his throat was too tight with fear. He'd had time to wean himself off it, to get used to it, to forget why people were afraid of the living dead, to relax into the calmness that radiated from his partner. No, of course, Holiness feared Celesta, but for some time now he had regarded her as an ordinary person, albeit an incredibly cruel, cold-blooded one. He had stopped seeing her as a supernatural being, deceived by the joint affairs and the rational approach.

Camrad_RIP 26.01.22 в 18:44

Now the trembling man faced the Darkness itself, indifferently and mercilessly. The girl's snow-white face, with its clearly defined cheekbones, was frighteningly beautiful, her bright scarlet eyes overwhelming at the very thought of resistance. Long fangs protruded from her slightly open mouth. For the first time in many, many years, Fakasius felt the urge to fall to his knees and beg, truly, unpretentiously, for mercy. There was a pungent smell of urine, but neither of them paid any attention to the smell.

Camrad_RIP 26.01.22 в 18:51

Andrei was deciding what to do next. His instincts demanded, screaming at the top of their voices, insisting that he kill Holiness, who had allowed himself too much. He shouldn't have known the names and numbers of the other undead, moreover, he shouldn't even have suspected of their existence. Well, what he'd heard about Medea was no surprise: she's a very conspicuous girl, sometimes Celesta is not even noticed next to her. But he mentioned Hustin, who had only recently joined. So he's watching. How much more did his spies find out? If they merely collected rumors, talked to the poor, shook information out of them, not so much. It was different if they'd managed to recruit a Morvanite. The Dark One's worshippers have visited several hideouts, they are aware of many plans, they know the location of the lab, and most importantly, they have kept tabs on a sect of Illiar's servants. Which have knowledge that could be a real weapon against the undead.

Camrad_RIP 26.01.22 в 18:53

"How did your people know about Hustin?"

Camrad_RIP 26.01.22 в 18:54

A barely audible whisper made the man shudder and winch:

Camrad_RIP 26.01.22 в 18:55

"Trash said, Trash. He said the ghouls used to come one or two at a time, but now they always bring a guy. Big one, takes a lot of blood, like a pump. Says it's been a while..."

Camrad_RIP 26.01.22 в 18:58

"Enough."

Camrad_RIP 26.01.22 в 18:58

Fakasius shut up instantly, even stopped breathing. The rage and the desire to kill him slowly faded, followed by the consciousness of the stranger, displaced by the personality of Celesta. Killing the fat bastard was impossible - too much was tied to him. He was useful. Let him live a little longer. All the more so because he was so frightened, he wouldn't dare use the information. He will not dare to meddle in the affairs of his allies from the beyond. We only need to consolidate the result, because types like Holiness have very selective memory - they remember only what they want to remember.

Camrad_RIP 26.01.22 в 19:00

"Perhaps you are right, Fakasius." The ghoul lowered her eyelids, at last, releasing the mortal from her gaze. The inhuman mask was fading from her face. "Indeed, you don't know any of my kind."

Camrad_RIP 26.01.22 в 19:00