08-29-2022, 12:32 AM
While Seven considered the details of his investigation, his friend seemed overcome by some sort of spell. It lasted only a moment and concluded with profanity and a drink. Z declared himself the victim of a sudden headache, and Seven was genuinely concerned. They had together partook of a great deal of alcohol over the course of the evening, and watery intercessions were few and far between. There were pharmaceuticals that could counteract the mal-effects of alcohol, and Manifesto no doubt offered some on their menu, but before Seven may place the order, Cruz’s interrogation monopolized the conversation. The young man certainly seemed intent to dislike their new acquaintance. It could be for no more reason than mere posturing between men, and the rich and powerful were even more likely to posture before threatening company. But what threat was there to be found in Z? American, indeed. A trueborn Moscovian like Cruz may take offense to western infiltration, but with the world being so small a place these days, it seemed unlikely. Vanity produced many tensions. Z wasn’t unattractive a male, and there were many handsome faces in Manifesto: Cruz himself included. It had to be the threat of powers unseen, and Z was a prickly thing. Whatever the rift forming between Cruz and Z, Seven would bridge the divide.
“I am always in the foulest of moods when beset by something so terrible as a headache,” he said with such drama that the others laughed in response. “I’m sure we can find a pharmaceutical that can alleviate the suffering,” he added and promptly placed an order for everyone. “And who are we but a group suffering from my droning on and on! Unfortunately, you must endure me a while longer so I may fulfill Ms. Zhenya’s important commission,” he smiled and offered his old friend a conspiratorial wink.
To the coin, he gestured at Cruz’s pocket where the treasure was hidden away. “Your coin is an interesting find. While it is not as old a trinket as what I am most experienced in delving, but it is quite rare as much as I understand it, only to be traded by obscure hands,” he said. Then, just like some sort of ill-spirited cloud infused the group, the secrecy of Seven’s voice settled to hush tones like they spoke of something forbidden. There was an amusement in him, though, with the way a master spun a tale. “A calling card to the underworld,” he said at last.
“I am always in the foulest of moods when beset by something so terrible as a headache,” he said with such drama that the others laughed in response. “I’m sure we can find a pharmaceutical that can alleviate the suffering,” he added and promptly placed an order for everyone. “And who are we but a group suffering from my droning on and on! Unfortunately, you must endure me a while longer so I may fulfill Ms. Zhenya’s important commission,” he smiled and offered his old friend a conspiratorial wink.
To the coin, he gestured at Cruz’s pocket where the treasure was hidden away. “Your coin is an interesting find. While it is not as old a trinket as what I am most experienced in delving, but it is quite rare as much as I understand it, only to be traded by obscure hands,” he said. Then, just like some sort of ill-spirited cloud infused the group, the secrecy of Seven’s voice settled to hush tones like they spoke of something forbidden. There was an amusement in him, though, with the way a master spun a tale. “A calling card to the underworld,” he said at last.