Here's the next installment of our Metallum Nocturne story. If you need to catch up on any of the previous episodes, click here.
Episode Fifty-Three
The apartment was in the seventh ward near the Canal District. Claire had used the maintenance tunnels to leave without getting mobbed by the press. She kept her hood up to not be recognized, but passersby jerked their heads as if they sensed they should know her.
The door opened, revealing Elle in a pink cottage dress and a matching headband which pulled back her hair into a blonde cascade.
"Come in."
"I hope you don't mind me coming over. I didn't know who else to talk to."
Claire hesitated as she examined the stylish, but small interior. A framed poster of the Mystique, a famous traveling circus, was on the wall. The lamps and furniture matched the esthetic that Elle exuded. The reporter faced Claire with her hands gently clasped before her, lips parted and tongue resting on her bottom teeth.
"Of course."
"I love your apartment."
Elle lifted a single shoulder. "It's small, and the drunken college students in the Canal District are annoying at two a.m., but the rent is reasonable."
"Did you dress up for me? I feel bad, I'm just wearing a hoodie and my workout tights."
Elle grabbed the sides of her frilly skirt and pulled it wide. "This? No, I enjoy dressing up, even when no one sees me. Do you want something to drink? A glass of wine? Or beer? You look tense."
"It's barely the afternoon."
"It is Saturday." Elle disappeared into the kitchen. "I'll make us some snacks."
Claire followed her and took a stool at the little island, while Elle rummaged through her refrigerator. In short order, she cut up cheese and meats, setting them on a presentation board. Two glasses of dark red wine were poured. They took the drinks and snacks to a narrow balcony with a view of the street that smelled like hotdogs.
"I would have preferred a view of the Spire."
"How long have you been here?"
Elle held out her glass, which they clinked together. "A few months. What's on your mind?"
Claire gave her the rundown of what happened in the shower when Nocturna pulled her consciousness back to Umbra.
"She wants you to kill for her? But not Annette anymore?"
"I was trying to explain why killing Ivankov's men was okay, but I think all I did was sign myself up for her service."
"Merlin's tits," said Elle as she set the wineglass between them. "What are you going to do?"
"That's why I'm here. I don't know," said Claire with a sigh. "I think my options are kill for Nocturna or get dragged back to Umbra. I don't see another path."
Elle leaned back in her chair as she stared across the city. The street noise rose up, honks and engines revving, the chattering of afternoon drunks headed to the Canal District. A trinket vendor was yelling at a bike messenger that had bumped into his cart.
"It's a big city," said Elle with eyebrow raised.
"You're not suggesting… are you?"
Elle pursed her lips. "The Terrors aren't the only gang out there. You know crime in this city sucks, especially with the Head Patron missing and the heads of the Halls all at each other's throats and that's not to mention the weird shit that happens from time to time because some idiot mage can't keep his spells in his pants."
"I don't know if I can..."
"You already did."
"That was in self-defense," said Claire. "What you're suggesting, I don't know if I can do that."
"Then you should make peace with returning to Umbra."
"What would you do?"
Elle's chin dropped. "I know I wouldn't want to lose my friend."
"Even if that means, you know."
"I know," said Elle, bunching up her lips.
Claire put a hand to her forehead. "I wouldn't even know where to begin."
Elle raised an eyebrow. "Start with the crime section of any newspaper. Or just hang around in the western wards. You can also try talking to the homeless. They're a great source of information." A smile grew across her face. "You also have a friend who works in the newspaper business. I'm sure I could pass some tips your way."
"You're serious? You'd help me?"
"Yeah. I would. I've already thrown all semblance of impartiality away when it comes to you. Why stop now?"
Claire chuckled.
"Why?"
Elle said nothing and held up her glass. They drank at the same time and fell into a comfortable silence.
After a time, Elle asked, "When are you…?"
"Next week after everyone's out of the Hall. Canterbury is letting me stay until I can find my feet. He said he knows some people who will take me as an assistant, but I don't know if I can do that. To be around people using magic while I can't."
"Why can't you?"
"Because he's kicking me out, ending his patronage, I already told you that."
Elle gave her a look.
"But Claire, you have a new patron..."
