Working Title III: You Meddling Mortals

Chapter 8 - You Never Drink the Tea

With authority, Iris withdrew her hand from Bon Qui-Qui's grasp. The smile did not fade from Bon Qui-Qui's face. Iris surveyed the sight in front of her – a well and truly massive lady orc, all dreadlocks and bulging veins and shoulder striations and toothy smile, shouldering a calico catfolk with decidedly un-feline features – her figure and facial structure that of a well-developed woman, and yet her eyes, a pale green, gave way to a feline curiosity; she was studying her as much as she was studying them.

Bon Qui-Qui observed the pause.

"We were looking for guardsmen, Bon Qui-Qui." Patches tapped Bon Qui-Qui on the head.

"Oh yes! Miss Iris – are you a guardsman here?" Bon Qui-Qui asked, maintaining eye contact.

Iris, looking Bon Qui-Qui up and down, quips "I could see how that mistake is made when speaking to you, but I affirm I am not Guardsman."

"I do apologize-" Patches holds up a hand "Bon Qui-Qui is asking if you were a guard in town here – gender notwithstanding." Patches leans forward. "I do hope you can help us, instead of wasting our time whilst you defend your femininity."

Iris paused. Placing a finger on her lips. "Dressed like that, I have a feeling you'll have no trouble bringing the town's guardsmen to your hotel room bed."

"Yes, well. Men around the globe have paid for my time outside of my bedroom, as much as in. Can you say the same or do you have to give it away for free?"

"Pursuit of money, and men, is beneath me. I have a glorious cause granted to me by my god. Nothing glorious about men who have to pay for the company of a woman sweating and straining over you, I'd imagine."

Bon Qui-Qui gingerly grasped Patches by the shoulders and placed her in front of her. Patches was dwarfed by Iris figure by at least a foot. The armor she wore made her look all the larger. Patches maintained her gaze, staring upward.

"You're as dull as your profession would lend." Patches lead. "Now, if you could quickly point us in the directions of the guardsmen, as I have tithes to take from you when your congregation begins visiting me for worship."

Iris inhaled sharply. "You'd understand if I can't take threats of blasphemy lightly."

Bon Qu-Qui steps in between the two of them. "No threats here Miss Iris." Bon Qui-Qui stood up straight, making sure to emphasize that she was looking down on the woman.

"Only retaliation." Patches peeked out from behind Bon Qui-Qui's massive legs.

Bon Qui-Qui gave two sharp sniffs at the air. "Now you gon' tell us where we can drop this letta' off and be a good member uh da church?"

"...Your clientele can be found at the north side of town, next to your stiffest competition."

With that, Iris turned on her heel and promptly walked away.

Patches jumped back atop Bon Qui-Qui's shoulders. "I think I remember Aster mentioning something about how City Hall is next to a whore house."

Bon Qui-Qui's eye shot wide open. "Ahhhhhhhh..."

"You know I am no simple lady of the night. I am a courtesan. My charms exist at all times, in all situations."

"Okay Miss Patches." The pair made their way up through the main drag of the city, little storefronts selling knick-knacks and tchotchkes and other touristy charms. To their collective surprise, they spotted Aster at a restaurant, its outdoor seating jutting out into the cobblestone road, surrounded by a black steel decorative fence.