The City Is My Hunting Ground

Chapter 8: Thoughts of a Genius

If you hide in the shadows... you are only drawing me home

"Rumble?"

Rumble was confused. Teemo usually didn't talk to him.

"Yes?"

Teemo grinned. "Are you sure you aren't too young to enter a place like this?"

The Crimson Tooth wasn't just a bar. It clearly offered also some more... intimate pleasures. One could see it just by looking trough its windows.

Rumble had got used to things like this. Only handful of Yordles didn't see him as a child, the most notably one being Ziggs. But in his robot, he felt braver, so he stated back: "You could go regardless of your age, becaues you can't see anything like that!" (Cool fact: in all models, sprites and splash arts, Teemo's eyes are closed)

"That's one weak-ass comeback, but you shouldn't still mess with older guys..."

"Stop it boys! I have some information that might help us!"

Everyone turned to Tristana. "I overheard a conversation stating that Ekko left the scene a few hours ago."

"So we need to talk to that Ghenn. Let's go inside." Ziggs said what everyone was thinking.

The place's insides were cool-looking. The lobby looked like a normal bar, albeit the posters and decorations gave it distinguishing look.

"Prostitution is one of the world's most profitable businessess, even to a one-person company", Ziggs stated. He had some knowledge about economy.

"Why?" Rumble asked with an interested tone.

"You see, in it, you have a product, you sell it, and you still have it. You don't need to produce anything, or buy anything other than normal things everyone does. I once even tried it", Ziggs continued while grinning.

"Didn't make you a millionaire, I guess", Tristana laughed.

"Nah, it was a slum so poor I only got like, five customers in a month. But that's a story for another day."

Everyone laughed a little. They went to the counter, what was hosted by a young man. He seemed to be blind.

"I hear four people coming. Looking for an adventure? Need a man, woman or something else?"

"We haven't actually come for those things. We are investigating a crime", Teemo answered.

"A crime? I can tell you that the Crimson Tooth is the most honest place in this level. We have nothing to do with any kind of crimes", the man sounded offended.

"It's nothing like that. If someone named Ghenn works here (the bartender nodded), we need to talk to him/her. A possible friend, or at least a friend of a friend, is dead."

The bartender's expression changed quickly. "Oh then you must talk to him. She's in the room 7. He shouldn't have a customer now. But remember to knock still."

Tristana wanted to know one more thing. "You used both pronouns after each other. Is Ghenn, you know...?"

"Yeah, she's both genders. But he isn't so strict about these things. But it's nice that you asked. And, if you want to have some fun after this, it's okay with her. He's said that it takes the sadness away", the bartender chuckled.

Tristana turned to say something to others. "I think few of us should stay in the lobby, in case of Ekko comes back. Who wants to stay?"

After a lot of arguing and stuff, Teemo and Rumble headed to Ghenn's room, while Ziggs and Tristana stayed. Tristana had stated that Rumble and Teemo needed to do something together sometimes.

...

Ziggs and Tristana sat comfortably on a red couch. Both of them had taken the same drink, 'Misty Adventure'.

"Can I ask you a question?"

"Sure", Ziggs answered.

"Don't get offended, but aren't you gay?"

Ziggs chuckled. "Of course I am. But why would I get offended from that?"

Tristana was confused. She never had known a gay guy, and she had assumed it wouldn't be like this.

"I guess my answer was unexpexted. But I'm not blaming you on assuming, all yourdles I know like the opposite gender."

Ziggs took a sip from his drink. "You can ask me other things if you like. It's nice to teach people how things truly are."

Tristana smiled. "I've wondered, since you and Rumble are so good friends-"

"-do I have a crush on him? No, no. It's so annoying everyone thinks that gays and lesbians want any guy or girl they see. I can describe my sexuality with the following phrase: You only fall in love with the same gender. That's it, I guess. And back to Rumble, nothing would make him want anything more than you. You are his deepest desire. He mostly talks about you when he talks."

Tristana blushed a little.

"As a part of majority, it's hard to understand minorities."

"I don't believe in majorities or minorities. Deep down we are all the same. Darn, I finished my drink."

Tristana rose from the couch. "I'll get you another. Or do you want something else?"

"Tell the bartender to pour a shot of something stronger into it."

Tristana was back in a minute. "Here you go."

"Thanks. I've got like, 5 bandlers (Bandle City currency) left. That bartender is sure a lucky guy", Ziggs said, the last sentence coming with a lower voice.

"What do you mean, he is blind? I don't consider that being lucky."

Ziggs lowered his gaze to floor and said with a sad tone: "I mean, he's got a job in this kind of place. Most people with disabilities like that don't survive in this city. And I can see from his eyes he's been blind his whole life."

"Hmm, maybe he was born at upper levels."

"Impossible", Ziggs stated. "He has a code number on his ear. He's been a slave."