Chapter 8.2

Looking over, Alicia saw a tall Beastkin standing next to the table. She looked exactly like an arctic fox, with snow white fur and delicate, triangular ears atop her head. Small dashes of light gray fur highlighted her sharp nose and her bright, blue eyes. Her pants were as white as her fur, clinging tightly to her shapely, muscular legs. Her shirt was a mix of blue and gold accents, loose and billowy with open sleeves that floated down her arms. She gracefully pulled out a chair opposite them and sat down, smiling at them both.

“N-nothing really, we were just killing time. You’re Tabitha Kithkin, I presume?” Katrina asked.

“The one and only!”

“I must say, Tabitha, this restaurant is gorgeous, and the staff seem to be quite familiar with you. Do you come here often?”

Tabitha grabbed a napkin, spreading it across her lap as she listened to Katrina speak. Alicia couldn’t help but notice that the Fox girl seemed to be sizing them up, her eyes quickly darting over them. She couldn’t be certain, but she swore Tabitha’s gaze lingered for longer than it needed to on Katrina’s prominent cleavage. “I’m definitely a regular. The food here is amazing, and whenever fans win dates with me, I bring them here.”

“I’m sorry, fans?” Alicia asked.

Tabitha seemed surprised. “Oh, you don’t— never mind, I assumed you were more familiar with my… chosen profession. No matter, I understand we’re not here to talk about that anyways. I’m curious what makes you think you can convince me to delve when every other Guild in the American Midwest has tried, and failed, countless times.”

“Are you sure you don’t want to order first? We’re in no rush,” Katrina said. Alicia took the opportunity to look around the room and noticed that they had a fair amount of space between them and the other patrons. Katrina didn’t seem to be stressing about staying in control, and that was likely why.

“Eager to try the food, right? God, it’s amazing, you’re going to love it,” Tabitha said, flagging down a waiter.

“We’re actually not going to be eating tonight, our Races can’t really handle food,” Alicia said.

“Well, shoot, then why did you agree to meet in a restaurant? Now I feel rude for making the suggestion.”

Katrina spoke up next. “Just trying to make a good first impression, that’s all. Like I mentioned in my email, this matter is… sensitive, and I figured buying you dinner might be the only way to catch a few minutes of your time.”

“You’re a shrewd negotiator, Katrina, I respect that. Though, I seem to have forgotten my manners, who’s your girlfriend here?”

Alicia’s hand had, somehow, found its way to Katrina’s arm again, and she quickly pulled it back. “N-no, we’re not… we’re just friends. I’m Alicia!” She held out her hand, which Tabitha grabbed and lightly shook.

“Friends?” Tabitha looked at them both again, then shrugged “Sure, if you say so.”

At this point, the waiter arrived and interrupted the conversation. Tabitha ordered a large cut of steak, along with a bottle of wine. The waiter turned to Katrina next. “And for you, ma’am? We have several bottles of pig’s blood, though other animals might be available if you wish.”

Katrina seemed genuinely shocked by his offer, and took a moment to think of a response. “N-no, I can’t handle animal blood.”

“Ah, would you like me to check if we have any Human?” the waiter asked.

“That’s… that’s an option?” Katrina asked, swallowing nervously.

“Absolutely! Let me ask the kitchen, I’ll see what we have available.” The waiter nodded softly, then walked away from the table.

Alicia leaned close to Katrina. “Why would they have Human blood? I thought everything was being rationed out?”

“They can only ration out what gets donated to them. There’s nothing stopping people from donating blood to private companies instead, especially if they’re getting paid for it. Getting a license to sell blood costs a lot of time and money, so places that offer it always charge a ridiculous price. There’s no way we can afford any, even if they have some.”

As Katrina looked at Alicia, there was an obvious look of defeat in her eyes. Alicia wanted desperately to help Katrina out, but she had no idea how much human blood might cost. After learning the true nature of the Key Dungeon, she’d looked through her finances to see what state they were in, and had been surprised to find a sizable amount of savings. Still, after remembering the expensive purchase that now sat in her front hallway, she was pretty sure she didn’t have the money for fancy human blood.

Tabitha cleared her throat, quickly bringing the attention back towards herself. “Well, we’ve ordered. I’m ready to hear your pitch.”

Katrina looked over to Alicia, silently asking if she wanted to share the details. The Dyrad hesitated for a moment, then nodded and began to speak. “We found the Key Dungeon. It’s much further away from the city than normal, and because we discovered it, we get exclusive rights to it for three weeks. However, we’re not delvers.”

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“So you sell the rights off, happens all the time,” Tabitha said.

“It’s not that easy. I’m a Dryad, which means my life is tied to my Heart Tree. If it’s damaged, I could very easily die. The Dungeon is underground, and when it opened up, huge sections of my roots were exposed. If a fight breaks out, and people get careless with their abilities…”

“Ah, I see your problem. Need to keep Tarkowski as far away as possible. The other Guilds aren’t as bad though, why not them?” Tabitha asked.

“I can’t risk it. I don’t know any of them, and I won’t feel comfortable unless I’m down there myself. Even if they mean well, all it takes is one mistake, one second where they’re forced to choose between their lives or mine.”

Tabitha went silent for a moment, her eyes doing their best to stare into Alicia’s soul. She leaned back, interlacing her fingers as she picked her next words. “Just the two of you? What Classes are you working with?”

Katrina spoke up this time. “I’m a Bard, Path of Magic, though I have regen buffs instead of stat buffs. Alicia is a Bulwark.”

“So you’ve got a Tank, and some limited heals. If I join, you get a damage class. Not a terrible team comp.” At this point, the waiter returned. Before he could speak up, however, Tabitha gestured for him to come closer, and she whispered something into his ear. He nodded briefly, then left without a word. “Still, only three of us? Not very encouraging.”

“I’ve met with several other candidates, and all of them have turned me down. Well, one was interested, but he’s a Mermaid, so he has no way to travel outside of water.”

“Can I be forward for a moment?” Tabitha locked eyes with Katrina, her gaze intense. Kat nodded, and Tabitha continued speaking. “You’re a Vampire. How do I know I can trust you? It’s plain as day that the blood shortage is making your life difficult. What happens if we’re down in the Dungeon, and I get hurt?”

“I can handle myself,” Katrina said, her voice tense. “Plus, Alicia helps. She doesn’t have blood, and knows how to keep me distracted if things get hectic.”

“Of course, because you’re such good friends,” Tabitha said, chuckling to herself. “Look, I’ve got a confession to make. I like to push people’s buttons, I love figuring out what makes everyone tick, and it means I’m great at my job. Tell me, Katrina; have you ever considered being a cam girl? You’ve certainly got the body for it.”

The question surprised both Katrina and Alicia. Kat began coughing, and thankfully her lack of a drink spared the table a spit take. Alicia, on the other hand, began blushing profusely at the thought of the Vampire slowly taking off her clothes, doing everything she could to seduce whoever might be watching.

“What? No!” Katrina said. “I have nothing but respect for sex workers, and I’m legitimately thrilled everything is legal now, but I’m far too shy for something like that. Should I assume that’s your line of work?”

“It is! I happen to love what I do, and I completely understand where you’re coming from. Now, cards on the table, I registered as a Delver because I had a very wealthy patron that wanted me to. He paid for everything, even bought me some equipment, and he frequently asked me to roleplay as a lost Delver, trapped and alone, in need of a big strong man to come rescue me. Although, sometimes the monsters got me, and that’s when the really fun toys would come out… but I digress, I’m losing my train of thought. What I mean to say is that I enjoy my work, and delving puts me at risk of serious injury, if not worse. The rewards of delving never seemed worth it, in my opinion, but… you’re not in this for the money. You need to save a life, and that’s a wonderfully romantic idea.” As Tabitha spoke, it almost seemed like she was speaking to herself as much as Katrina.

“What do you want?” Alicia asked. “Assurances? Money?”

“Honestly, what I treasure most is novelty. I can’t deny, delving would be something new, a change of pace. I wonder…” Tabitha paused again, tapping the side of her snout as she thought to herself. “Alright, I’ll help on one condition. You do something for me in exchange.”

Katrina seemed suspicious, but clearly wanted to accept the offer. “Like what?”

“Hm… I don’t know yet. I’ve got a few ideas floating around, but I don’t know which would be more fun. If you’re willing to give me a blank check, I’ll join your little adventuring party.”

“Is this blank check from me, or Alicia?” Katrina asked.

“Both. A favor from each of you, to be discussed later.” A devious grin appeared on Tabitha’s face, and she eagerly looked between both girls.

“I’ll do it,” Alicia said. “No price is too high.”

With a heavy sigh, Katrina spoke up next. “I guess I’m in as well. A blank check from each of us.”

Tabitha clapped her hands together, beaming in exuberance. “Perfect! Oh, this is so exciting! Just in time too, looks like the food is here.”

Katrina pulled her hands off the table, watching as the waiter set down a plate of food in front of Tabitha. He also had three glasses, one of which landed in front of each girl. He filled Alicia’s glass with water, and Tabitha’s with wine. He then reached for another bottle, one that looked quite different from the wine, and poured a drink for Katrina. She nervously reached for the glass, bringing it close and smelling it.

“Tabitha, this is… what did you tell them? We can’t afford this,” Katrina said.

“It’s on me, love. After all, we need to toast in celebration, don’t we?”

Katrina hesitated. “I-I don’t… normally drink in public…”

Tabitha said nothing this time. She held her glass up, her expectations obvious, and simply stared at the Vampire. Katrina looked back to Alicia, who reached out and squeezed her arm gently in reassurance.

“C’mon Kat, it’ll be okay. I’m here with you,” Alicia said softly.

With one final sigh, Katrina raised her glass, and all three girls toasted to their new partnership. Tabitha happily downed about half her glass, while Alicia set her water down and sank her fingers inside the glass. Small roots pushed out from her fingertips, eagerly absorbing the water, and she looked to Katrina next.

The Vampire brought the glass of blood to her lips and began to drink. Alicia watched the blood pour into her mouth, cascading over her beautiful lips, and wondered again what they might feel like on her skin. As Katrina drank, her skin seemed to glow with newfound strength and vitality. Her eyes were closed in appreciation, and Alicia swore she heard Katrina’s breath quicken as she finished the glass. She lowered the glass slightly, opening her eyes, and Alicia couldn’t help but stare at the deep, glowing irises that she saw. Before setting the glass down, Katrina slowly licked the edge of the glass, eagerly searching for the last few drops. Alicia’s eyes were glued to Katrina’s tongue the whole time.

“Now that,” Tabitha said, “was hot. If that’s how you drink blood, I can only imagine how you’d look doing other things…”

Katrina immediately snapped out of her moment of bliss, blushing intensely at Tabitha’s innuendo. “I, um… thanks for the glass, Tabitha. It’s been years since I’ve had that much at once.”

“Believe me, the pleasure was all mine,” the Fox girl said. “Now, I’d love to hear more about what’s going on, why don’t you tell me everything while I dig in.”