FellPoth Short Stories and One-Shots

Conflict of Interest: Chapter 1

So, I finally managed to get a story completed after going through two semesters' worth of college classes (and many group projects) taking up all of my time. Since my Sundays are going to be busy for the foreseeable future, each chapter's going up on Saturdays around noon instead (though I won't be online to see/respond to comments for a few hours afterward). Hopefully, the story's worth the wait, enjoy~

Chapter Warnings: Injury, swearing

***

"Is it him? Did you find the guy?"

Rurik glanced down at the picture he'd obtained and back up at the hooded skeleton conversing with a blond-haired woman; they were gesturing down to the vegetables of the produce stand they were manning. He had to admit he wasn't expecting to find the elusive mafia boss's son in a backwater town selling fruits and vegetables, but there was no mistaking the resemblance to the picture. Leaning against the alley wall and keeping his voice low, he confirmed into the phone, "Yeah, it's Lotus Death all right."

"Great, go grab him and bring him t-"

"Why rush and attract unwanted attention? It's like you want the law getting involved," the skeleton playfully chided the man who called himself 'Diz'; he was starting to see why the Family had made the overeager greenhorn a mere liaison while contracting Rurik to perform the job in their place. "There's a certain finesse that comes with catching a target alive; you gotta lure them into a false sense of security, making them think you're an ally before pouncing for the highest rate of success. Going in guns blazing's likely gonna end with a dead body and a pissed-off don."

There was grumbling, followed by a terse, "Whatever, just get on with it." The line clicked off, but Rurik paid it no mind as he tucked the phone and photo away, shoving his hands into his pockets and slipping out of the alley into the crowded street.

He was five stalls away from his target, but stopped by the second one to peruse the wares; the vendor asked if she could help with anything, but he navigated away from the interaction with polite talk and a practiced smile before bidding farewell and making his way over to the next stall. The next vendor was busy chatting up another monster, giving him an opportunity to shoot a glance toward the smaller skeleton; they were tying off a bag of what looked to be radishes and setting it on a collapsable counter beside two other bags.

Satisfied his target was none the wiser, he sauntered past the last two stalls and approached the unsuspecting skeleton's stand. Now that he was closer, the picture he had didn't do Lotus's appearance justice; from the soft curvature of their skull, lithe figure hidden beneath their cloak, and smooth movements... everything about them was easy on the sockets.

Spotting an opportunity as Lotus reached out for a carton of strawberries, Rurik stuck his hand out in time for their fingers to brush against each other. Lotus jerked his hand back and Rurik pulled his away with an apology, "Sorry, I wasn't paying attention; you can have them."

"Thank you; I'll be with you in a moment," Lotus nodded their skull and reached for the carton again, then turned to the customer, "These would be just the thing to give you the sweetness you want without having to worry about the sugar content going through the roof."

"You haven't steered me wrong yet," the woman chuckled, "add those to my total, if you would."

"Right, that should bring your total to...," Lotus's single eye light shifted for a moment as he set the container on the counter, "$23.50. Cash as usual?"

"You know me well, dear," the woman fished into her purse and pulled out two bills, handing them over to Lotus.

Crouching behind the stand and reappearing with two bills and some coins, they passed over the money, "Thank you for your patronage, and good luck with those tarts."