Alice sat on the countertop, fiddling absentmindedly with a bullet casing he’d found in the streets during midday. The dim lamplight above reflected against its scratched, brass surface, giving off an amber glow. It was growing dark out, and the streets were being emptied of carts and stands, people eagerly returning to their homes and families after a long day of work. In the lower levels, however, the nightly routines of Mistral’s less reputable were just about to commence. The bars and clubs would soon open their pearly gates, marking the start of a night of carousing and merriment with loud music and bright, radiant lights. Though cleverly hidden behind that veil of debauchery and delight was the real point of interest of Mistral’s nightlife: The underground. A nocturnal hub of for gangs, black market merchants and other less savoury types.
The door to the shop opened with a creak, letting in a chilly breeze. Alice looked up, forgetting the casing as he put it down on the counter. It was past closing time, and the shop owner said he wasn’t expecting anyone else for tonight. Unease started brewing in Alice’s gut as he looked to the unexpected visitor who had barged in without greeting nor invitation. He was high in stature, yet far from lanky. His rugged features and worn, dark attire gave Alice the impression that the man wasn’t from the higher levels, more so resembling an outlaw than an honest citizen. With heavy footfalls thumping across the wooden floorboards he neared, the amber lamplight illuminating his aged visage. He did no more than glower at Alice, who subconsciously withdrew into himself in response.
“Shop’s closed,” Alice uttered, putting on an assertive tone despite his uneasiness. The man didn’t seem fazed at first, but then two aureate eyes widened in surprise. A burst of gruff laughter suddenly escaped him as he hunched forward slightly, holding a gloved hand to his stomach. His laughter withered as hurried footsteps neared the two, and Alice turned to see Everett emerging from the back room with a stark face that shifted as soon as he recognised the stranger.
“Auric! What a surprise,” he smiled warmly at the newcomer, settling behind the counter close to Alice.
Without a word of warning he carefully grabbed Alice under his shoulders, hoisting him from the countertop to beside him. Though he put up a neighbourly expression, Alice couldn’t help but feel the other felt as unsettled as he did.
Auric returned the gesture with a smarmy grin on his patchy bearded face as he leaned against the counter.
“What brings you here?” Everett inquired.
“I just thought I’d drop by and see if the rumours were true,” Auric responded, leaning over slightly to gawk at Alice, “The most respected and respectable weapons manufacturer of the underground taking in some lowly street rat. Never imagined you’d be a family man.”
Everett’s face fell slightly at the man’s crudeness, but Auric evidently ignored his discomfort.
“So,” he started jovially, “What’s her name?”
Alice stepped forward just as Everett’s warning hand came to rest against his chest, effectively silencing him before he could protest.
“His name is Alice,” Everett answered evenly, not paying any mind to Alice’s inward bristling.
“Hah! Even his name sounds like a girl’s,” Auric laughed with a mischievous glint in his serpentine eyes, “Are you sure he isn’t one? Did you check?”
Everett was entirely unamused by the other’s jest as he dropped his friendly façade, crossing his arms defensively.
Auric stilled, then sighed as his shoulder sagged slightly.
“Always so serious, Fox,” he grumbled, reaching into his coat. As the fabric creased, Alice caught a glimpse of shiny gunmetal holstered at the man’s belt, and he abruptly grabbed onto Everett’s apron as fear shot up his throat. Everett shot him a concerned look as the man across the counter merely pulled out a packet of cigarettes from his inside pocket, giving Alice a playful smile as if he’d noticed his short-lived panic.
A lighter as golden as the man’s eerie eyes chimed as a small flame lit up Auric’s shadowed face. He then offered a cigarette to Everett, but the man refused, pulling a face.
“Say, Fox,” his tone changed as he pocketed the packet, smoke wafting up lazily from the lit end of his cigarette, “Are you serious about this?”
“What do you mean?”
Auric took a drag, his expression turning solemn.
“The kid,” he replied, “He’s not going to last out here, with you. You’d be better off giving him to the madam; at least then he’ll have a chance to get by.”
The very air seemed to grow heavy as Everett tensed visibly, a strange silence filling the shop. It seemed to bounce off the walls, permeating the ever-present buzzing of the lamp above.
“…Don’t say such things,” Everett uttered, barely audible.
“Face it,” Auric chided, pulling back, “If he stays here, one day he’ll be swiped from under your nose and sold all the same. That, or he runs in with a bad crowd and gets himself addicted, imprisoned or killed.”
Alice had never seen Everett in such a state of silent fury, and it was almost terrifying as he saw the man’s fist curl without a sound, knuckles a stark white colour.
“I won’t let that happen,” Everett stated, as if pure conviction could make it so. Alice didn’t dare say a word, holding onto the dirtied fabric of Everett’s apron like a lifeline. He wanted to believe it was the truth, but Auric’s unchanged, annoyed expression told him otherwise.
Auric relented, a tired sigh torn from his throat. He held up a hand as if to signal his defeat, smoke swaying in the air.
“You’ve always been a stubborn piece of shit, Fox.”
The scathing remark bore no aggression, but rather an almost affectionate tone that Everett wasn’t used to hearing from the other. Nevertheless, he stood his ground. He wasn’t going to hand Alice over to anyone.
After taking another drag from his cigarette, Auric reached for his belt, unholstering the sizeable handgun from before and placing it on the countertop, along with a few bills.
“The damn thing’s been jamming on me, that’s all. I’ll stop by later to pick it up.”
After fruitlessly waiting for a reply that never came, Auric rolled his eyes, turning and walking with thumping footsteps towards the exit. Everett followed him with a steely gaze, unresponsive when Alice tugged at his apron. Just before the door, Auric halted, giving a sideways glance to the two behind the counter.
“One last word of advice,” he said, “While these streets are safer than most places, one of my men told me the traffickers seem to be on the rise again. Watch yourself, and Alice, too.”
The door opened and closed, a faint chill creeping up Alice’s spine from the nightly air.
Everett seemed to snap out of a trance as he turned to him, crouching down and placing a gentle hand on his shoulder. The shop owner looked somehow older than normal, a tiredness visible behind his dark eyes.
“I’m… Sorry about that. Auric means well, but he can be kind of uncivilised.” He uttered apologetically.
Alice shook his head in response.
“That’s okay. He’s kind of mean, though.”
The other smiled lightly at him, giving his shoulder an assuring squeeze.
“Agreed. There’s lots of people like him here, but he’s one of the better ones. Now, it’s high time for bed, young man.”
Alice pouted, but complied anyway, stepping in to give Everett a hug before pulling back and walking towards the back room.
“Alice,” Everett called out to him before the other exited the room.
He turned with curious, doe-like eyes directed at the shop owner.
“I’m sorry, but you can’t go outside for the time being,” he said with a face that contorted at his own words, “Not on your own, at least. I hope you understand.”
Although he didn’t, Alice hummed in compliance, giving Everett a smile that he hoped would comfort him.
“Good night, Everett.”
“...’Night, Alice.”
