GANG RELATED [SWEET PEA] [✔️]

TWELVE || BODYSNATCHED

"Penny Peabody, I don't believe we've had the pleasure." Veronica snit at the Ghoulie who sat at the counter, an empty glass in front of her. "Now what the hell do you want?" Penny merely laughed, her face infuriatingly smug. "No, no, no, no. It's not what I want. It's what you want. Protection. The Ghoulies are offering their services, for a modest price." She said, and Veronica's lip curled.

"Let me guess. Protection from you, right?" She asked, and Penny looked around, a slight smile on her face. "It's a nice place you've got here. And as above, so below, I'm guessing? Maybe even nicer down there in the speakeasy. I'd hate for something bad to happen to it. Food for thought. I'll let you chew on it." She said, leaving a couple of bills on the counter, slinking out the door.

Veronica turned on her heel, practically flying down to the speakeasy, where Reggie was cleaning glasses. "What's up?" He asked, and Veronica sighed. "I need to call Fallon Fogarty, ASAP."

~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Fallon was in the middle of target practice when her phone began to ring. She flicked her safety back on, sliding her gun back into place on her ribs as she answered, holding the phone next to her ear.

"Fogarty." She said flatly, and was surprised to hear Veronica Lodge on the other end.

"OMG, Fallon, I'm so glad you answered. I need you to come to Pop's, like, now."

"Why?" Fallon asked, holding the phone between her ear and her shoulder as she pulled on her gloves, walking to her bike. "I can't say over the phone, just...please come." Veronica responded.

"On my way." Fallon said, hanging up the phone, sliding her bandana up over her mouth and nose. She slung her leather Serpent vest on, the leather comforting even in 80 degree weather. Her bike started with a growl, Fallon riding quickly out of Sunnyside and to Pop's as quick as she could.

Parking her bike next to what she recognized as Reggie Mantle's car, she rolled her eyes and pulled her bandanna down, walking into Pop's as the bell jingled.

"Miss Fallon! What a pleasant surprise!" Pop Tate said, looking immensely relieved that it was the Serpent VP instead of anyone else. "Hiya, Pop, good to see you. I'm here to see Veronica." She smiled, and he nodded, picking up a phone and dialing three numbers, speaking softly into the receiver.

A few seconds later, Veronica came out of seemingly nowhere, looking overly relieved to see Fallon. "Your Majesty," Veronica said, giving a joking curtsey, "I need your help."

"What's up, Ronnie?" Fallon asked, and Veronica beckoned for Fallon to follow her. Veronica picked up the old phone in the phone booth, dialling three numbers, and a panel slid aside, two brown eyes behind it. "Password?"

Fallon's lip curled as she recognized Reggie's voice, Veronica making him let them in. "Thank you, Reginald." Veronica said as they passed, Fallon refusing to look Reggie in the eye, acknowledging him with a slight jerk of her chin.

"Wow, Veronica, this is...this is beautiful." Fallon gasped as she walked down the stairs into the Speakeasy, the vibe giving off straight 1920s Hollywood glamour. "Thank you, Fallon! Anyways, come, have a seat, Reggie will make you a drink."

"Unless you have whiskey neat, I doubt you can make anything I'll like." Fallon chuckled, Veronica rolling her eyes. "Unfortunately not, mocktails only, but I won't tell anyone if you decide to bring a flask to opening night." She winked as Fallon slid onto a barstool, resting her elbows on the bartop.

"So what's going on, Veronica? Urgent call?" Fallon said, and Veronica's brow furrowed with worry. "Earlier today, I received a visit from one Penny Peabody. She came peddling Ghoulie services, security and the like. Told me to chew on it. And then followed shortly thereafter by one Sheriff Minetta."