XV
1157 Words
As we neared the casino I handed Henrick a sleek black mask. He looked at me skeptically but I continued holding my hand out.
"It's mandatory, well kind of." I answered his unasked question. "All sorts of people from different statuses in the society will be attending. Some people will not want to have their faces known."
"I see. Good to know if I'm going to do this."
"Yeah." I said and he took the mask. I then whipped out my own mask that looked identical to mine although with subtle differences. For example, mine had a black feather at the side as well as a dangling small black diamond.
When we entered the casino, Henrick took out the invitation.
"She's my plus one."
"Very well sir, please proceed this way."
We were led to an opposite corridor from the regular customers. As we went further, I couldn't help but suddenly stop on my tracks.
-That's a freaking elevator.
As we got closer, the doors I saw were confirmed to be actually elevators.
-Oh... my... gods. There is an elevator in a fantasy world! Edmund will have a fritz with this!
"Uhm, are you okay?" I heard Henrick ask.
"Yeah, no worries. Just amazed at the doors. I haven't seen that kind of door." I immediately covered up. "It has no handles, how does it open? Does it open the same way traditional doors from the east do?"
"Good observation miss, but no, it does not. I suppose this is your first time?" asked the guide.
"Yes. It's fascinating."
"It does. This is called an elevator. I am not sure about the specifics but elevators let travel from this floor to the next easier."
"I see. Thank you for that."
We entered the elevator. Henrick looked like he was going to be sick as we started out descent. Well, it was not only him though, I was feeling it too.
I never really liked elevators even back on earth.
"It's normal when it's your first time, but you will get used to it after coming back here often as you are VIPs. You can freely use the elevator to get to any floor you desire."
"I'll keep that in mind then." Henrick answered.
-Elevators is not a concept of this world, or at least I never heard of it back in my first life. Something like this should've been famous!
I couldn't help but be amazed and curious at the idea of the elevator. But then I realized something...
-The one who thought of the idea of an elevator either has some really wild imagination or he's like me and Ed. I would love to meet the guy behind the idea of elevators in this world.
We finally reached our destination, but I felt like throwing up. I had to take a few minutes to calm myself.
-Ugh. Have I always had motion sickness?
"Would you like to rest in your private room?" asked the guide, he sounded rather concerned. "You still have time before the auction starts. I will have them deliver medicine and drinks that can settle down your nauseousness."
"Thank you, that is appreciated." I told him and we were led to our private room.
The private room was not like the private room I imagined. It closely resembled that of a closed balcony with a curtain that hid the occupants of the room. We were told it would be open later once the auction starts.
I was pulled out of my thoughts when I heard a groan from the same room I was in. I turned to the direction of the sound and saw Henrick slumped on one of the couches.
"Why didn't you tell me about that b****y elevator?" he asked. He sounded annoyed.
"I didn't know either. I was as surprised as you, although I don't feel as nauseous as you now."
"Good for you."
A servant entered the room and gave us each a vial of medicinal potion and a pitcher of water.
"Please ring the bell if you ever need my assistance." the servant said with a bow.
"Thank you. You can head out now."
Once the servant was out, I immediately scanned the room for any spells or enchantments. I found an enchantment for soundproofing as well as an anti-teleportation spell. There were no recording devices or spells placed inside the room so I guessed it was okay.
"Hey." Henrick called, pulling me out of my thoughts. "Did we really have to be here? Why did you even insist on being here anyway?"
I looked at Henrick who seemed to have recovered a bit.
"I wanted to check on something." was all I said.
The door suddenly opened and a brown-haired figure entered. Once he was fully inside, smoke enveloped his body and the black-haired version of Edmund replaced the once tall figure.
"Hey Eddie." I greeted. He too was wearing a mask, a dark gray one.
"Who is this?" Henrick asked.
"An ally." was my simple answer.
Ed and I altered our heights a bit so we could appear taller. I doubt we would get past the entrance if we were in our original selves. Henrick did not need any alterations, he was tall for his age.
I never really got to mention but I had Edmund sneak in as a staff so he could check the place out. We had to secure the exits for the highlight of the night after all, it was his job to ensure that.
"How did things go on your side?" I asked my twin who sat down and took a drink.
"I found most of the exits. At least the obvious ones were easy, it's the secret entrances that leads to panic rooms or secret tunnels were hard to find." he sighed. "I already put an enchanted item per your instructions on all the exits I found. I also found the exit nearest to our getaway car, err... I mean getaway carriage."
"Good. Any news on the birds we're keeping an eye on?"
"I saw two of them, the parrot and the quail. We're missing the peacock but I doubt that one will come here themselves considering where it's nest is."
"Hmm, that is true. It will send the hen or something."
"True that."
All of a sudden, I remembered there was another person in the room with us. He looked confused. Very confused.
"Henrick, this is... Ed Bloomfield, my brother."
"Your... brother?"
"Yes."
"Is he... as weird as you?"
I only raised an eyebrow at his direction.
-Has he always thought of me that way?
"He's... probably worse if given the chance." I answered with a knowing look.
"Hey! I'm right here!" Ed growled.
"Don't mind him."
"So... birds?"
I just flashed a smile on Henrick's direction and gave him a knowing look. "Yeah, birds."
Our conversation did not continue since the auction started.
-It won't be long now.
- Writer
