The sound of a piano playing in the background. The low murmur of chattering bargoers. The warm lights, the cozy corner we found ourselves in. In another corner, there were pool tables and darts. People milled about playing billiards, drinking.

  The atmosphere was good. I could almost feel it pressing in, insulating us from other groups while we chatted. We discussed Grim’s offer, the patrols, and among other things, my debut.

  I told them of my debut, how it went, my uniform and all. I drank and drank. Everything swirled and blurred. Liche kept her tongue still. Doing her best not to trade barbs or anything else. Likely having realized she was in the wrong.

  At the core of it, our relationship was one of convenience, at least, that was what I thought. Something we both knew in our hearts. As the alcohol thawed out the ice, my truest thoughts came out. A confession of sort, just not one spoken aloud.

  There was an accord. An accord that could only be shared through sentiment not words. I was the captain, she my first mate. She was my sword of Damocles, hanging above my head. Swaying, waiting, until the moment I make the wrong move…

  That was what I thought… I had seen Liche as someone similar to me, but… that wasn’t the case. She was desperate, but not in the same way as me. Desperate for something, something I couldn’t quite grasp, not yet. Not now.

  And that, was problematic. Yet, no matter how much I drank, clarity never came. No matter how warm it was, no matter how the world began to bleed away, it never seemed to come into focus. Like an elusive truth, slipping and sliding free from my grasp at every moment. A slowly growing sense of frustration grew in the pit of my stomach.

  In the midst of it all. As the warmth took hold. At some point, I found myself somewhere familiar. Under the spotlight, moving, skating. I put my all into my movements. Countless eyes watched me from the stands.

  This was where I belonged. My place. A single mistake would see me crash to the earth. Disgraced, lost, like an angel whose wings had been clipped. Such a sensation wasn’t foreign to me. There were ways to hedge bets, push events into my favor, but when it came time to perform all that mattered was if I could pass muster. Whether I could do it, or not.

  So, I danced. I gave it my all. Throwing myself into the routine. Letting myself fly across the ice. Weightless and in my element and yet…

  The light above seemed just that much brighter. The silence, that anticipation of my next move, like a heavy cloth, missing. The air seemed oddly light. Oddly, absent.

  Still, undeterred, I pressed on. For what else could I do? I was in the spotlight, on the stage. I could only perform.

  Then it happened. Like lightning in the dead of night. A gunshot, a crack… that was what it felt like. In reality, it was something small, subtle. A voice. A low murmur that snapped the tension like a twig. One murmur grew like a cancer. Soon the whole audience began to speak and talk amongst themselves. A dull roar that filled my ears.

  Still, I was under the light. Still, I gave my all. No, perhaps it would be best to say that I put more than my all. With grit teeth, I pushed myself. Doing grander feats, pressing closer to my limit. All in the hopes of garnering their attention, no, not just their attention, but admiration.

  Instead, the more I fought for attention, the more I performed, the more I felt the mood shift and change. Awe swiftly became disinterest. Disinterest morphed into derision. The audience no longer cared for me. They swirled their glasses of wine, they chatted and talked while I did all I could to perform at my best.

  Had I failed? That thought rang through my mind. Even as I performed a new grand feat.

  No, it couldn’t be. I retorted, settling my breath. Doing my best to keep cool under the growing pressure. I was doing the best I could. Yet, some part of me asked, was that really enough?

  I knew the answer though. It had to be enough. So even as they ignored me, even as they disregarded me, as they derided me with snide words, I continued. This was nothing new. This much I could handle.

  I was ice. The very image of perfection. I would allow no mistake and when it all ends, I would hold my head up high in victory…

  Or… so I thought.

  Had I deluded myself? Was something inherently wrong with me? Such thoughts tried to worm their way into my heart, to shatter my solid confidence and conviction. Solid as a frozen lake in the depths of winter.

  I had thought I was made of sterner stuff…

  Then, a phone rang. A solitary sound. Yet, it pierced through the veil, through the ice I had encased myself with. Broke through the surface, past the icy depths, right into the core of my being.

  A shiver ran through me with the first ring. Then, it rang again. The sound grew. It widened the cracks it had made; it disturbed the still icy water surrounding my core. With each successive ring, I could feel the ice shatter and crack. The solid wall that was my confidence crumbled away like sand.

  My entire body began to crack and sway. Until finally, after a leap, the moment my foot hit the ground, my ankle shattered into countless shards of ice. I hit the ice hard. More of my body shattering on impact. A dull roar, the sound of laughter filled my ears.

  My heart thumped in my chest. My body began to crumble away. The burning spotlight above, caused me to melt. At the height of it all, I felt something bubble up in my chest. A single, last, defiant cry ripped through my shattered being.

  “ANSWER THE DAMN PHONE!”

  I woke. My head hammered. My mouth dry. My eyes fluttered open. Eyelids like sandpaper on my dry eyes. My first breath was followed by a hacking cough. My throat rebelled and quaked in thirst. My stomach roiled. My tongue burned. Something acrid made itself home in my sinuses.

  As I blinked, as the world came roaring back. The dull pain in my skull gave way to a familiar sound. That of a phone ringing. Blearily, I reached over and grabbed the phone. With practiced ease, I flipped it open and answered…

  “Hello?” My voice dry, cracked. My tongue licked at my dry lips. Only to accomplish little. Automatically, my body began to move through the motions. I moved out of bed and went for closest faucet, when a voice came over the speaker.

  “Prima, did you just wake up?”

  “Mm, Leo?” I mutter and turn on the water. I cup my hand and gather what I could downing it as quickly as my hand would allow. “Yeah… I just woke up, why?” I answered, my throat soothed and watered.

  “Well, it’s about noon and…”

  I felt reality crash in.

  “Noon?” I answer.

  “Ah, yes, its noon and I…”

  “Shit… Oh shit…” I mutter despite myself. I pulled the phone away, my eyes land on my watch. “I’m late.” I say. I feel something kick in my brain. Almost like a car engine misfiring a few times before roaring to life.

  This story has been stolen from Royal Road. If you read it on Amazon, please report it

  “I’ll be right there!” I yell into the phone and hang up. Cutting him off. Did I have time for a shower? Did I have time to change? I was still in my attire from last night, and it was soaked through in sweat. It smelled of alcohol as well…

  I ran to where I usually kept my keys and… “Where are they!?” I cried, nearly upending my living space when something knocked loose. I’d taken a taxi. Joan, having been the most sober member of our group had made sure I didn’t drive home completely smashed…

  The moment I processed that thought, a plan of action came into being. I stripped and called. Gathering what I could while the phone rang. The moment it connected I gave my request and the moment I had my confirmation, I hung up. A swift shower followed. I changed and readied. My hair still dripping wet.

  I barely had stepped out, somehow remembering my bag in the process, by the time my ride arrived. I had maybe a moments rest inside the car, but even then, I spent the time easing out wrinkles, doing my best to fix my appearance, re-buttoning my blouse.

  By the time I arrived, I felt mostly back in charge. Adrenaline pumping through my veins helped me through the cold as I stepped out. The crisp winter air licked at my still damp hair, sending shivers down my spine. I made my way up the stairs, trying to look both professional while legging it as fast as possible.

  I went to the door, hands reached out to open it…

  It did not yield. I walked right into it, the door shuddered, rejecting me. I slam right into it with my whole body putting me in a daze. Terror took hold as I pushed and pushed, the door still unyielding. I looked up and saw the company logo. I looked around, and sighted no employees and inside, was… empty?

  Was this a prank? Had something happened?

  I thought of the blood moon and looked about. The statues were all missing. Which was conspicuous and yet… Something felt off. None of the lights were on. The building was locked off. It was as I stared blankly into the empty lobby that someone called out to me.

  “Prima!” I glanced over, it was Leo, slightly out of breath, his clothing disheveled. I stared at him, too numb and stunned to really forge a response. “I had a feeling you wouldn’t realize, but we have a whole week off for new year’s break.”

  I tried to process that information… what followed was my meeting last night. When I had mentioned work, hadn’t Liche laughed? Had, she known!?

  “Is… this normal?” I ask to be sure.

  “Yeah, it is. You’ve been rather busy lately, so it makes sense that nobody clued you in. Though, I had made sure to tell Liche to let you know.”

  Of course… I let out a sigh. “Figures… Well, is that the reason you called me? Just to make sure I knew that we had today off?”

  I highly doubt it was, if only because it was now noon…

  “No, actually, I called you for another reason. Specifically… I wanted to ask if you wanted to meet somewhere so we could discuss something?” His tone suggested a question and yet…

  “Discuss what, exactly?”

  “You’re meeting with the boss and… well, other things.”

  I raised an eyebrow at that broad statement, but… “Fine. You brought your car I hope?”

  “I did, rushed over once I realized you were rushing over and were ignoring my calls.”

  Another look at my phone confirmed that not only had I ignored multiple calls from him, but I appear to have missed a call from éclair as well… What a horrible way to start the day.

  “Yeah… I might have had a little too much to drink last night.”

  He gave me a funny look but said nothing as he led me to his car. Neither of us spoke during the drive and eventually we arrived at a rather upscale restaurant. We were settled in a corner booth and left more or less alone. Leo had the audacity to order wine, while I stuck with tried and true water. Brunch was the order of the day, just fancy enough to fit the rich boy aesthetic Leo had going for him without breaking the bank.

  After all, Leo was my division manager, not that he did anything prior to my takeover. Our relationship’s been strained since I pulled a coup and threatened him. It was fine at first, but my own arrogance nearly caused the division to crash. After all, I had burnt a lot of bridges and unlike before I had arrived at this city, I wasn’t a man. With their egos’ hurt, they weren’t willing to back down, and my own options were limited.

  Not unless I wanted to escalate the situation. With no cards in hand and no recourse, I had to throw away my pride. Since then, Leo has taken the wheel. He’s doing well enough, but the situation between us remains hazy. Especially since his father was throwing his weight around and seemed to have an interest in me. Which brought up other thoughts I’d rather not ponder over on an empty stomach.

  Though… my initial signing bonus wasn’t juicy enough to make me think he made a move then… He did, however, make sure I was placed into the division with his son. A son he considered to be a failure who, even now wore sunglasses in a restaurant to hide his telltale eyes announcing him as his father’s son.

  The drama doesn’t end there. Due to my failed coup, and harsh words on my part, I couldn’t quite get past my distrust for Leo. Not when he reminded me of my old boss, and also, a man I had called a friend, a brother of sorts.

  Really. Our relationship was a tangled mess.

  “So, why am I here?” I ask, breaking the relative silence between us. Our food was done, and we were just waiting for the check at this point.

  “For food, of course.” He said first, “But also, I wanted to discuss… our future.” He followed up with. His wording could use work, however.

  “Our future? How so? Isn’t your future already good? From what I hear, we have plenty of work thanks to that girl you brought in. She’s even talked about bringing some of her friends in, right? You should be able to recover and renegotiate contracts with that leeway. Even if your father steps in, I imagine you won’t have many issues holding your position if you really want it.”

  “That’s just it, I don’t want it.”

  “You don’t?” I ask confused.

  “I don’t.” He reconfirms.

  I pursed my lips and gave him a once over. “Is it that dumb dream of yours?”

  “A little, but really. I’m just done with my father, and everything he’s involved with. I’m actually surprised you even remember it.”

  “Why wouldn’t I? Your whole dream of rubbing elbows with actresses and actors as some kind of male gigolo was rather striking.”

  He laughs. “It was, wasn’t it? But you also remember what you said? Or rather, what you offered?”

  “That I’d consider investing into your little dream.”

  “More specifically, that you’d invest in me if I were to give you, my position.”

  “Is that even an option still? I mean, if I want to, I could just wait it out until your father gives me your position.”

  He shrugs. “You could do that, but you know, if that happens, he’s not going to just sit idly by. He’s going to expect something from you.”

  I frowned. “Quid pro quo.”

  “Yeah, whatever the hell that is.” He says, earning a scandalized look on my part.

  “Anyway, that’s why I wanted to talk with you. Clearly, I’m not up to the task of giving you the throne, and obviously I can’t do anything right without fucking up in some way, so… yeah. Got a plan?” He said all too calmly. Was he still hung up on what I told him after he invited me out to drink?

  No matter, with a short, self-deprecating laugh I gave him my answer. “Last time I made a plan, we very nearly collapsed. And it ended with me having to get on the floor and beg for contracts.”

  His smile faded. His eyes, hidden by those sunglasses he wore offered no further information. “Yeah… But that wasn’t your fault. I was content to sit back and watch you fail, but… in that short period of time, you did a hell of a lot more then I had ever done in my whole life.” He said, making his position clear.

  “Not only that, but my father see’s something in you. And… well, even if it wasn’t for something good, the executive even called you out.”

  “Just to chew me out and give me a task.” I say, which has him wince.

  “Speaking off… how is that going?” He asks, cautiously.

  “Well… I’m pretty sure I accomplished the task.” I say, to his shock.

  “Really, so quick? No, who am I kidding, I should have expected that.” He smiled and laughed.

  “Right… well, I haven’t received a dismissal notice yet, but I can’t say that won’t change.”

  “If you say you’ve done the task and you haven’t been fired, then I’d like to think you were cleared. The executive moves fast from what I hear.”

  “That is good to know…” I say with a sigh. My eyes flick to the near empty glass of wine.

  “Want some?” He asks, catching my glance.

  A jolt of pain reminds me of last night’s debauchery. “No, I’d rather not have any alcohol anytime soon.”

  He laughs. “I have to say, I’m rather surprised I caught you like that. Even now, you look so out of place.”

  “Does it?” My hair was still slightly damp. The frost that had clung to it was gone, as for the tips of my hair, they still had an odd tint. It hadn’t faded since the fight with that magical girl. I should probably ask éclair about that…

  “Yeah, you always sound and look in control, even when the world is falling apart. Sure, you lashed out that one time, but even then… even at the party you never looked as unruffled as you do now.”

  “It’s a bit unsightly, isn’t it? I shouldn’t have drank so much last night.”

  “No… actually, I think it makes you appear more…” He pauses, and a trace of color bloom on his face. “Human.”

  “Human?” I say with a little laugh. “An odd turn of phrase.”

  “Just strange to see you with your tie loosened and all.”

  “Sure, sure… If you want to see me more relaxed, maybe you should just join the division when we go drinking.”

  “I’ll have to do that, though… I don’t think that will be happening soon with the curfew and all.”

  “Funny how that works, isn’t it?”

  “Yeah, funny…” He trailed off and looked at me for a long moment. Even through his sunglasses I could feel his mind chipping away at something.

  “Now, how about we discuss our future then.” I asked, pre-empting any further delving.

  “I suppose we should…” He said with a sigh and a final long drink of his wine, straight from the bottle.