act32side

Miss Ela. Are your friends not with you?

Your guards are very interested in Fuze and wouldn't stop asking questions. I left him there since you said you wanted to get them trained up.

You said there were four of you.

Going by what we agreed on, two of us will protect you while the others continue our search here. They'll be on hand if we need them.

You're not going out in public today anyway.

Just curious. In fact, it's easier on me with fewer people around.

I saw you have two top-secret meetings on your schedule.

I do? What meetings?

Bungee jumping? That's a meeting?

Of course. Miłosz wouldn't let me do this, but he's not here today. Why not seize the opportunity?

As your bodyguard... I advise you to rethink this.

As your employer, I advise you to advise less.

Is my safety harness ready?

Yes, sir. You're good to jump anytime.

See you later.

Yahooo—!

What an asshole.

Nothing to worry about. Our equipment is first-rate. There's no danger at all.

You wouldn't have had him sign that waiver if there was no danger.

Would you like to come back and remove your safety harness, then?

On the other hand, my boss did pay for it.

Ela backs up to the edge and feels nothing but air on her heels, a tingling feeling that goes straight up her spine along the harness.

She smiles at the worker and falls backwards, allowing the feeling of weightlessness to seize her heart.

She waits for the rope to become fully stretched, then bounce back, pulling her back up.

Then she hears the sound of a splash in the roaring wind.

Oh no, that Vulpo unlocked his own harness?!

Gówno!

Don't get sunburned when you enjoy the beach! Buy Sombrero Dude sunscreen now and get a free set of tail care oil...

What is that?

That girl with cat ears was handing them out. I took one.

It's true that UV rays are strong around here.

Not that, this.

Polishing stone for horns? What are they babbl—

Who would have thought there would be such a wonderful vacation spot in war-torn Bolívar? I was dreading this business trip at first.

It's been great, except the salt water makes your horns rough. I need to polish mine when we get back to the hotel.

And conditioner tailored to Vulpo, Lupo and Feline.

Ten-liter set?! I mean, I know they have ears and tails and all...

This batch is a good one. Let's talk details on the beach tomorrow.

They'd better be worth the price.

Okay, they need it.

Nothing could surprise me now.

(Frowns disapprovingly)

(Goes around scornfully)

Sacré dieu...

Let's welcome our guest today, Mr. Reynell Kowalski, the new star of Dossoles's art scene!

Thank you, Dossoles TV, for giving me the chance to be scorned by thousands sitting in front of their television screens, and a way for them to let off some steam.

Hey, isn't that the owner of Galería Krysztauowa?

I didn't expect to hear his voice on the street.

I wonder if Ela and Fuze are getting along with him. I have a hunch he's one to get on your nerves.

If you're not playing, get lost! You're scaring away customers with that shabby outfit.

Hm?

I'm just advertising our community festival. I'm not bothering your guests.

You'd better not be.

Hey, folks! Wanna check out our festival? Take a flyer! It's a real special event in the street art community!

Thanks, but I don't think we'll have the time...

You're not going to that glass house opening, are you? Don't let that guy fool you with his fancy talk! He doesn't know anything about art!

Er...

Come on, take a flyer.

What does it say?

Hmm, I would be interested in checking it out, if they manage to pull it off.

...This ceremony will stimulate Dossoles's artistic and cultural fields.

My staff and I have prepared extensive plans for acquisitions, business development, sector growth...

The opening of Galería Krysztauowa will be a turning point in Dossoles's economic history.

Now I'm more interested in what's on the flyer.

*Cough* Are you out of your mind, you son of a vixen?!

Wake up, you bastard!

Stop playing dead! I can feel your pulse!

*Cough* Haha... *cough*

Just a moment of capriciousness. Releasing the shackles that bind me at the closest point to the surface, and falling freely into the water...

Isn't that so much more fun than just bouncing up and down on a rope?

...I'm sorry, Mr. Reynell, but I don't think I can continue to serve as your bodyguard. Thank you for giving us a place to stay. My squad and I will move out tomorrow.

Come on, I've fallen into water from even greater heights. See, I'm completely fine, am I not? No need to get angry.

I can't protect a man who plays jokes with his life.

You're mistaken, Miss Ela. I have a goal that I've been working toward for many years. Until it's complete, no one values his life more than I do.

Remember to wipe yourself dry. I can tell your constitution is not as strong as 'ours.'

Don't you know? Once you step through this door, it's not up to you whether you get to step back through it again.

I come in good faith, Capitán Mateo.

Good faith? After the reception my men got from your boss?

Why can't you and Reynell stop bickering with one another?

Interesting question. Is he going to hand over the plot of land where that street art community is squatting?

Get in my way, and you get in the way of Bolívar's Coalition government.

A Kazimierzian with nothing but money thinks he can negotiate with a government representative just because he hired a few mercenaries?

Reynell doesn't want to fight you over that piece of land. If we can reach an agreement, he is happy to cede control of the land to you... or to the Coalition government. It makes no difference.

And you speak for him?

I do.

We could have been talking about this under more amicable circumstances, if not for that ill-conceived kidnapping attempt.

You blame me for that?

It was an unfortunate misunderstanding.

No need to make excuses for me. I don't care. Just tell me, what does Reynell want?

One doesn't do business in Bolívar for long without the support of a powerful patron... someone like you.

I spent most of my years in the army, not the classroom. Get to the point.

Well... that neighborhood is not so much a home for artists as a lawless place where gangs roam unchecked.

We had plans for its development, but the residents were utterly vicious. Even worse, there are Infected living among them.

Hmph. You thought money could solve all your problems in Dossoles.

Yes. Only those who are can solve problems get to enjoy the ultimate fruit.

I don't know your style or skills, so I think the quickest way would be a simulated engagement.

Two teams, four in each team, best of three.

Attacking team tries to locate the hostage and rescue him, defending team tries to stop the attackers from rescuing the hostage.

Any questions?

Who's the hostage?