Глава 12

Siege, everyone in Norport's bowing down to you as their one hope...

So you tell me. You having fun?

You think saving them is your glorious bloody calling?

I'd never say 'calling.' Never.

Just—

Just, you think you've got some kind of responsibility. Like they're watching you and you need to answer them.

Some bloody mess you're in. Poor old Royal Highness.

I'd ask, but you know full well. Are they willing to pin their sights on you because you're a member of a street gang—

—or because of your bombshell of a surname, 'Victoria?'

I'll be frank, I've just as much been hoping for someone to save all this, save all of us, save this bloody endless cesspit.

And who's going to do that? Quit dreaming.

Daring to bear the responsibility's a fine moral thing that helps us muck our way in the streets, Siege.

But don't give people false hope with that 'king' persona.

And don't... ever buy—that they were right to expect this shit of you since the day you were born.

Got visitors.

Tch. Do we do them in?

Don't jump to anything. We don't want to tip them off. We just need a grasp of how they're deployed for now...

Something's off. Be on high alert.

You... lot...

Don't get the wrong idea, sir, we're not here for trouble, just passing by...

Baird! Didn't you say don't tip them off?

Shit—I didn't do anything!

This blood... He was already badly injured. He was fleeing this way.

Someone in the lockdown take him to task?

Don't think so. Not like we haven't tried before. Maybe there's a chance to take one or two out, but it's a whole army keeping us in here.

Even if a sneak attack goes well, they'll retaliate fast. Unless...

Is it... usually this quiet around here?

From atop the zone's walls, searchlights throw down beams of death-pale white.

They're well-versed in the odors that pervade Norport, but here, the smell of fresh blood fills the air.

Get out of here, fast.

We need to gather every citizen we can still find on this plate.

But we still don't have word back from Miss Ines and the Doctor.

We'll just have to assume for now their side's going smooth.

Someone's already made a move here.

You're sure?

I'm sure. That's an Aslan.

She's not part of our objective.

That's fine. She'll make the call herself.

Dammit, the door here's been sealed.

Doctor, stay behind me.

Everyone, a warm welcome to the Sunset Street Hotel. We haven't had this many esteemed visitors in a very long time.

Colbert! I told you to stay hidden!

Not receiving guests at the door would be my failure as the owner of a hotel.

I'm very sorry for how limited we are under present conditions. I'd have some complimentary tea brought out to you all, otherwise.

Is there anything I might be able to help you with?

Do you have normal water, then? I am, er... a bit thirsty, actually.

That, I can serve you, Miss Delphine.

Old Wellington wasn't willing to let this place off after all.

Nor Duke Caster.

Would you allow me to leave now?

You and that blue-haired Feline are staying.

I imagine the Duke of Caster and the Duke of Wellington have an unspoken agreement on the 'standing off against the Sarkaz' front.

And as for the goals of each one of us... some unspoken agreement too.

I simply obey the orders I receive.

Are all Tarans as dreary as you?

My sense of humor is reserved for my friends.

Wonderful, I love making friends. Being fellow Victorians, why don't we start by complaining about the weather?

Yes, the weather... Londinium's has been horrible, and it's only getting worse.

We actually saw the sun some days, forty years ago.

Our hotel was much better then than now, too. What an incredible place it was!

I still remember to this day when I first came on as the doorman.

I hear back then, even the dukes loved staying here!

Your presence isn't needed, Sarkaz.

Sir, I'm truly sorry, but it's my hope you'll regard me as a Victorian much like you.

We <i>are</i> all the people of Victoria. What need do we have for tensions like this, no?

Rare to see a Sarkaz self-identifying as a Victorian.

Isn't your case much along the same lines as mine, Miss?

Us Sarkaz living outside of Kazdel have to find a home for ourselves, don't we?

I'm afraid most Sarkaz don't think so.

Hence why they're always so despondent, so weary.

In my view, well, I've lived here all my life, and every wall and every floor is a familiar one to me, far more familiar than Kazdel so far away.

Pardon my negligence these days, but I'd wipe every table spotless by myself in older times.

I was proud of my work. You really should've seen what it was like back then.

Oh, different times... they put me under the illusion that days like those would last forever.

*sigh* But times like those come to an end.

Percival, it really is a shame you came to work here after the place declined.

To be honest, I don't really care that much.

If it was as ravaged by war and shaken to rubble as everything else now, honestly, I might be taking things better myself.

What hurts me is...

On an afternoon like all the afternoons that used to be, I finished wiping the tables, lifted my head—

And it suddenly hit me, how old everything around me was.

And I was clueless how it even happened.