7th of Ash 124
Leon paused in front of the Hainiven Hotel, his eyes lingering on the grand structure. Even after all this time, it remained a marvel. An emblem of luxury and refinement. He made his way up the stone steps and stopped in front of the sleek glass door. The security guard, spotting him, pushed the door open, allowing him entry.
Inside, the warmth and hum of the hotel enveloped him. Leon scanned the lobby, looking for a familiar face. His gaze landed on a well-known mustache and neatly styled hair behind the front desk. He approached, and the receptionist looked up, his expression shifting subtly.
“Guten Morgen…” The receptionist's voice softened slightly as his eyes met Leon’s.
“Herr Welker, if you would follow me,” Gustav said, standing and leading the way toward one of the magitek elevators.
“The new seasonal product just arrived,” Gustav began, clearly eager to share the latest offerings. “A blend of hibiscus, green tea, safflower, and several other ingredients. It’s just one of the new items. The shortbreads from Reiger’s are also on the menu—”
Leon raised a hand with a chuckle, cutting him off. “Slow down, Gustav. And, by the way, the K-78 Imperial Luger you gave me last time? Still works like a charm after a little tinkering.” He slapped Gustav lightly on the back with a grin. “What’s the matter? You in trouble with the Fae’Noir family again? Or has it been the Frane family this time?”
Gustav shifted awkwardly, his hands fumbling as he twiddled his thumbs. “Um… it’s my nephew. He got into a little altercation with the River Rats.”
Leon arched an eyebrow. “I told you to keep him out of Trashtown.”
“Yes, but the thing is, he wasn’t even in Trashtown. He was in Northside, at his apartment.”
Leon’s eyes narrowed. “So you’re telling me the River Rats just barged into his apartment in Northside, for no reason?”
Gustav sighed, rubbing his temple. “Well, he didn’t say it outright, but I suspect he went to one of their underground casinos. I just… knew.”
Leon leaned back, exhaling a breath. “Well, it took a degenerate gambler to spot one. A few teas and pastries won’t cut it when dealing with the River Rats. They’re not some small-time thugs.”
Gustav lowered his gaze to the floor, visibly deflated.
“Alright, alright,” Leon said with a sigh. “I’ll see if I can talk to the O’Grim crew. It might cost a bit, though.”
Gustav’s relief was palpable as he half-bowed repeatedly. “Thank you, Leon.”
They reached the upper floors, where Gustav led him to a private tea room on the balcony, offering a stunning view of the Obelisk and the Palace of Spires.
“The refreshments will be here shortly,” Gustav said as he stepped back. “I’ll also add the usual platter.”
Leon settled into a chair, taking a cigarette from his pack and lighting it. He inhaled deeply, letting the smoke fill his lungs before exhaling it slowly. Damn, what a view. The Palace of Spires stretched gloriously in the distance, while the Obelisk stood tall and proud at the heart of Wintergarten Circle. For a brief moment, the world seemed to pause, the warmth of the morning sun wrapping around him.
His reverie was broken by the sound of the door sliding open. A maid wheeled in a cart, carrying a tea set that looked like something from a fairytale. Its intricate designs seemed crafted by the finest artisans in the Imperium.
“Herr Welker,” the maid said with a polite bow, “let me introduce to you the Ash Harvest Ember Set.” She gestured to the three-tiered tea tower. “On the bottom layer are teas crafted from ingredients found at the start of Searing. The second layer is from the peak of Searing, and the third layer comes from ingredients harvested just before the season turns. Once you’ve finished those, here is a platter of pastries made from ingredients harvested only a few days ago, at the start of Ash. And the centerpiece…” She paused, drawing attention to a delicate arrangement of herbs and flowers. “This is from the Madam’s personal garden, carefully curated by both Madam and Herr Reiger.” She bowed again. “Please enjoy, Herr Welker.”
Leon took the first cup and brought it close to his nose. “Ah, dried peach,” he murmured. After a sip, he added, “Interesting. I can taste the fruity notes, but the green tea is almost completely masked. There’s a hint of lemongrass and mint, too, but what’s really remarkable is how smoothly they blend the colors. Hibiscus, marigold petals, maybe?”
Leon closed his eyes for a moment, letting the warmth of the tea and the sunlight wash over him. His mind drifted, savoring the moment of peace. The soft clink of porcelain was the only sound, until a voice interrupted his thoughts.
“Are you back?”
Leon nearly choked on his tea, startled by the question that seemed to materialize out of nowhere. He blinked and looked to his left, where a young girl now sat, a red ribbon securing her bun. Her porcelain-white skin, nearly unnaturally so, seemed to glow in the sunlight. Her eyes were crystal blue, too clear, too cold. In her hands, she held a book with no title, its pages turning with an eerie smoothness.
“You remembered, don’t you?” she asked, her voice soft but unwavering.
Leon rubbed the back of his neck, trying to shake off the odd feeling that gnawed at him. Something about her was familiar, yet profoundly wrong. The girl spoke again, her voice almost detached. “The sun rises over the Palace of Spires, darkness chased away like the fool…” She paused, her gaze expectant.
Leon smirked knowingly and finished the line. “Ah, but the jester decided to have the last laugh.”
The girl remained silent for a moment, her emotionless eyes watching him closely. “You haven’t answered my question.”
Leon leaned back, a small smile playing at his lips. “It’s good to see you too, Claudette.”
Her lips curled into a faint, emotionless smile. “You never changed.”
“As do you,” Leon replied.
Claudette turned her attention back to her book, her fingers gliding over the pages without pause, as though the world around her didn’t matter. Leon watched her carefully, his gaze lingering on the book in her hands.
“How have you been?” he asked after a moment, his voice softer.
Claudette didn’t respond. She simply flipped another page, her attention absorbed in her silent reading.
Leon finished his tea, organizing his thoughts before speaking. “Yes,” he said after placing the empty cup on the table.
Claudette closed her book slowly, raising her eyes to the view before her. “...And the Jester decided to have the last laugh,” she said, her voice as cold and emotionless as ever. She turned her gaze to Leon, her crystal-clear blue eyes empty of warmth. “From one master to another.”
Leon chuckled darkly. “And I see you received my invitation.”
Her mouth formed a silent “Ah,” and she placed the book on the table. “So, what will you do next?”
Leon shrugged. "Well, that’s why I went looking for you, even if it meant working with Herr Guthenberg." He reached for the second cup and repeated the same ritual as before. "Ah, strawberries, lavender, and lemon," he murmured, then took a sip. Goosebumps prickled his skin. "Strawberry and honey, what an interesting mix. Fresh and sweet, reminds me of the warm, sunny days of Searing. The lavender adds a calming touch. It doesn’t taste like tea, but there’s a subtle essence, maybe green or white tea." He offered the cup to the girl. "Here, try some." After a few seconds, he pulled the cup back. "Ah, sorry. You can’t taste it anyway." He took another sip, then set the cup down. "Don’t tell me you’re not interested in making a comeback. You wouldn’t have accepted the invitation otherwise."
"Who said I’m interested?" The girl picked up a piece of flatbread, bit into it, and promptly spat out the crumbs. "I just pity you, spending your days here, gazing at the home of the person you almost shot."
Leon laughed. "Silly. Of course that human-like mannequin can’t taste anything. You’re just making a mess."
She brushed off the crumbs, her face impassive. "There’s still a lot of improvements needed. If we’re done here, I should return to my work."
Leon sighed. "Well, you could at least give this fool some advice," he said with mock seriousness. "I’ll trade you something crucial in return."
The girl sat back down. "Play along with the old man’s game. You need his connections, after all. But in the meantime, improve your production skills. What you learned from your childhood friend can be a quick money maker. And remember, don’t make anything unique, just high-quality, mass-produced guns. Nothing that stands out too much. Use Katya and her GCPD contacts to peddle your guns to either the O’Grim family or the Thomas family. As for your other products, your former neighbors at Little Lorien can help distribute them to the Grim family or the River Rats." She paused to ensure Leon was keeping up. "And don’t forget about that brat, Jack. You’ll need more than Tommy. Guthenberg never met Jack, and I barely did, if it weren’t for Solomon’s mess. Finding the others from the 1st Division will be even harder, but stay alert." She paused again. "Good call involving Gustav and Katya’s brother, Alexei. They seem ordinary, but they have potential."
Leon rubbed his chin, making mental notes. It aligned with what he’d been planning, and he knew Claudette understood that. "Stop repeating my plans," he answered. "Show me why that old geezer called you the First Jaeger."
The girl picked up the third cup, inhaled deeply, and sipped. "Dried orange peel, bits of pineapple, mint leaves. Hibiscus and calendula petals for color. Green tea base. Refreshing, perfect for the start of Searing, though not as fitting for Ash. It’s clever, the way the artisan tells a story of the changing seasons, from the start of Searing to the Ash harvest, bracing for Frost." She set the cup down, having needed only one sip to dissect the blend. "Impressive, though you might be disappointed with the last cups. His style changed after something significant happened in their life."
"His? Nobody knows the artisan’s identity," Leon said, intrigued.
The girl rested her chin in her hands, fingers tapping her cheek thoughtfully. "Only seven people in the Imperium brew like this, and only one matches perfectly." She tilted her head, her eyes reflecting a flicker of pity. "Like that girl, Stephanie Borisnovich. If you provoke Alice Frane, you’ll be outmatched. You can’t sustain a war without proper resources, manpower, warehouses, distribution networks. Alice won’t fight alone. She has the Grim family’s infrastructure and the O’Grim’s muscle. And you think you can compete?" She took another bite of shortbread, using it like a pointer. "Focus on what Billy taught you. Have Gustav’s nephew connect you with carpenters and smiths. Use Katya’s GCPD influence to monitor the families’ movements. Arrange a ‘raid’ or two on their illegal operations, starting with the River Rats. Treat it as practice while you gather the rest of the Jaegers and ramp up your production. You don’t need an army. Just a skilled hit squad and solid support." She finished the shortbread and added, "Just like old times. And when you can produce fifty kilos weekly, I’ll get in touch."
The girl stood to leave but paused. "Oh, and you were about to remind me to breathe like a human, right?" With a faint smile and a winked, she closed the door behind her.
Leon picked up the cup Claudette’s mannequin had left. "Dried orange peel, pineapple, mint leaves," he repeated. "Damn, how does she do that through a mannequin?" The mannequin’s eyes had seemed so real even her expression, almost human. Leon shivered at the thought. "Good thing she’s on my side," he muttered.
Leon paused in front of the Hainiven Hotel, his eyes lingering on the grand structure. Even after all this time, it remained a marvel. An emblem of luxury and refinement. He made his way up the stone steps and stopped in front of the sleek glass door. The security guard, spotting him, pushed the door open, allowing him entry.
Inside, the warmth and hum of the hotel enveloped him. Leon scanned the lobby, looking for a familiar face. His gaze landed on a well-known mustache and neatly styled hair behind the front desk. He approached, and the receptionist looked up, his expression shifting subtly.
“Guten Morgen…” The receptionist's voice softened slightly as his eyes met Leon’s.
“Herr Welker, if you would follow me,” Gustav said, standing and leading the way toward one of the magitek elevators.
“The new seasonal product just arrived,” Gustav began, clearly eager to share the latest offerings. “A blend of hibiscus, green tea, safflower, and several other ingredients. It’s just one of the new items. The shortbreads from Reiger’s are also on the menu—”
Leon raised a hand with a chuckle, cutting him off. “Slow down, Gustav. And, by the way, the K-78 Imperial Luger you gave me last time? Still works like a charm after a little tinkering.” He slapped Gustav lightly on the back with a grin. “What’s the matter? You in trouble with the Fae’Noir family again? Or has it been the Frane family this time?”
Gustav shifted awkwardly, his hands fumbling as he twiddled his thumbs. “Um… it’s my nephew. He got into a little altercation with the River Rats.”
Leon arched an eyebrow. “I told you to keep him out of Trashtown.”
“Yes, but the thing is, he wasn’t even in Trashtown. He was in Northside, at his apartment.”
Leon’s eyes narrowed. “So you’re telling me the River Rats just barged into his apartment in Northside, for no reason?”
Gustav sighed, rubbing his temple. “Well, he didn’t say it outright, but I suspect he went to one of their underground casinos. I just… knew.”
Leon leaned back, exhaling a breath. “Well, it took a degenerate gambler to spot one. A few teas and pastries won’t cut it when dealing with the River Rats. They’re not some small-time thugs.”
Gustav lowered his gaze to the floor, visibly deflated.
“Alright, alright,” Leon said with a sigh. “I’ll see if I can talk to the O’Grim crew. It might cost a bit, though.”
Gustav’s relief was palpable as he half-bowed repeatedly. “Thank you, Leon.”
They reached the upper floors, where Gustav led him to a private tea room on the balcony, offering a stunning view of the Obelisk and the Palace of Spires.
“The refreshments will be here shortly,” Gustav said as he stepped back. “I’ll also add the usual platter.”
Leon settled into a chair, taking a cigarette from his pack and lighting it. He inhaled deeply, letting the smoke fill his lungs before exhaling it slowly. Damn, what a view. The Palace of Spires stretched gloriously in the distance, while the Obelisk stood tall and proud at the heart of Wintergarten Circle. For a brief moment, the world seemed to pause, the warmth of the morning sun wrapping around him.
His reverie was broken by the sound of the door sliding open. A maid wheeled in a cart, carrying a tea set that looked like something from a fairytale. Its intricate designs seemed crafted by the finest artisans in the Imperium.
“Herr Welker,” the maid said with a polite bow, “let me introduce to you the Ash Harvest Ember Set.” She gestured to the three-tiered tea tower. “On the bottom layer are teas crafted from ingredients found at the start of Searing. The second layer is from the peak of Searing, and the third layer comes from ingredients harvested just before the season turns. Once you’ve finished those, here is a platter of pastries made from ingredients harvested only a few days ago, at the start of Ash. And the centerpiece…” She paused, drawing attention to a delicate arrangement of herbs and flowers. “This is from the Madam’s personal garden, carefully curated by both Madam and Herr Reiger.” She bowed again. “Please enjoy, Herr Welker.”
Leon took the first cup and brought it close to his nose. “Ah, dried peach,” he murmured. After a sip, he added, “Interesting. I can taste the fruity notes, but the green tea is almost completely masked. There’s a hint of lemongrass and mint, too, but what’s really remarkable is how smoothly they blend the colors. Hibiscus, marigold petals, maybe?”
Leon closed his eyes for a moment, letting the warmth of the tea and the sunlight wash over him. His mind drifted, savoring the moment of peace. The soft clink of porcelain was the only sound, until a voice interrupted his thoughts.
“Are you back?”
Leon nearly choked on his tea, startled by the question that seemed to materialize out of nowhere. He blinked and looked to his left, where a young girl now sat, a red ribbon securing her bun. Her porcelain-white skin, nearly unnaturally so, seemed to glow in the sunlight. Her eyes were crystal blue, too clear, too cold. In her hands, she held a book with no title, its pages turning with an eerie smoothness.
“You remembered, don’t you?” she asked, her voice soft but unwavering.
Leon rubbed the back of his neck, trying to shake off the odd feeling that gnawed at him. Something about her was familiar, yet profoundly wrong. The girl spoke again, her voice almost detached. “The sun rises over the Palace of Spires, darkness chased away like the fool…” She paused, her gaze expectant.
Leon smirked knowingly and finished the line. “Ah, but the jester decided to have the last laugh.”
The girl remained silent for a moment, her emotionless eyes watching him closely. “You haven’t answered my question.”
Leon leaned back, a small smile playing at his lips. “It’s good to see you too, Claudette.”
Her lips curled into a faint, emotionless smile. “You never changed.”
“As do you,” Leon replied.
Claudette turned her attention back to her book, her fingers gliding over the pages without pause, as though the world around her didn’t matter. Leon watched her carefully, his gaze lingering on the book in her hands.
“How have you been?” he asked after a moment, his voice softer.
Claudette didn’t respond. She simply flipped another page, her attention absorbed in her silent reading.
Leon finished his tea, organizing his thoughts before speaking. “Yes,” he said after placing the empty cup on the table.
Claudette closed her book slowly, raising her eyes to the view before her. “...And the Jester decided to have the last laugh,” she said, her voice as cold and emotionless as ever. She turned her gaze to Leon, her crystal-clear blue eyes empty of warmth. “From one master to another.”
Leon chuckled darkly. “And I see you received my invitation.”
Her mouth formed a silent “Ah,” and she placed the book on the table. “So, what will you do next?”
Leon shrugged. "Well, that’s why I went looking for you, even if it meant working with Herr Guthenberg." He reached for the second cup and repeated the same ritual as before. "Ah, strawberries, lavender, and lemon," he murmured, then took a sip. Goosebumps prickled his skin. "Strawberry and honey, what an interesting mix. Fresh and sweet, reminds me of the warm, sunny days of Searing. The lavender adds a calming touch. It doesn’t taste like tea, but there’s a subtle essence, maybe green or white tea." He offered the cup to the girl. "Here, try some." After a few seconds, he pulled the cup back. "Ah, sorry. You can’t taste it anyway." He took another sip, then set the cup down. "Don’t tell me you’re not interested in making a comeback. You wouldn’t have accepted the invitation otherwise."
"Who said I’m interested?" The girl picked up a piece of flatbread, bit into it, and promptly spat out the crumbs. "I just pity you, spending your days here, gazing at the home of the person you almost shot."
Leon laughed. "Silly. Of course that human-like mannequin can’t taste anything. You’re just making a mess."
She brushed off the crumbs, her face impassive. "There’s still a lot of improvements needed. If we’re done here, I should return to my work."
Leon sighed. "Well, you could at least give this fool some advice," he said with mock seriousness. "I’ll trade you something crucial in return."
The girl sat back down. "Play along with the old man’s game. You need his connections, after all. But in the meantime, improve your production skills. What you learned from your childhood friend can be a quick money maker. And remember, don’t make anything unique, just high-quality, mass-produced guns. Nothing that stands out too much. Use Katya and her GCPD contacts to peddle your guns to either the O’Grim family or the Thomas family. As for your other products, your former neighbors at Little Lorien can help distribute them to the Grim family or the River Rats." She paused to ensure Leon was keeping up. "And don’t forget about that brat, Jack. You’ll need more than Tommy. Guthenberg never met Jack, and I barely did, if it weren’t for Solomon’s mess. Finding the others from the 1st Division will be even harder, but stay alert." She paused again. "Good call involving Gustav and Katya’s brother, Alexei. They seem ordinary, but they have potential."
Leon rubbed his chin, making mental notes. It aligned with what he’d been planning, and he knew Claudette understood that. "Stop repeating my plans," he answered. "Show me why that old geezer called you the First Jaeger."
The girl picked up the third cup, inhaled deeply, and sipped. "Dried orange peel, bits of pineapple, mint leaves. Hibiscus and calendula petals for color. Green tea base. Refreshing, perfect for the start of Searing, though not as fitting for Ash. It’s clever, the way the artisan tells a story of the changing seasons, from the start of Searing to the Ash harvest, bracing for Frost." She set the cup down, having needed only one sip to dissect the blend. "Impressive, though you might be disappointed with the last cups. His style changed after something significant happened in their life."
"His? Nobody knows the artisan’s identity," Leon said, intrigued.
The girl rested her chin in her hands, fingers tapping her cheek thoughtfully. "Only seven people in the Imperium brew like this, and only one matches perfectly." She tilted her head, her eyes reflecting a flicker of pity. "Like that girl, Stephanie Borisnovich. If you provoke Alice Frane, you’ll be outmatched. You can’t sustain a war without proper resources, manpower, warehouses, distribution networks. Alice won’t fight alone. She has the Grim family’s infrastructure and the O’Grim’s muscle. And you think you can compete?" She took another bite of shortbread, using it like a pointer. "Focus on what Billy taught you. Have Gustav’s nephew connect you with carpenters and smiths. Use Katya’s GCPD influence to monitor the families’ movements. Arrange a ‘raid’ or two on their illegal operations, starting with the River Rats. Treat it as practice while you gather the rest of the Jaegers and ramp up your production. You don’t need an army. Just a skilled hit squad and solid support." She finished the shortbread and added, "Just like old times. And when you can produce fifty kilos weekly, I’ll get in touch."
The girl stood to leave but paused. "Oh, and you were about to remind me to breathe like a human, right?" With a faint smile and a winked, she closed the door behind her.
Leon picked up the cup Claudette’s mannequin had left. "Dried orange peel, pineapple, mint leaves," he repeated. "Damn, how does she do that through a mannequin?" The mannequin’s eyes had seemed so real even her expression, almost human. Leon shivered at the thought. "Good thing she’s on my side," he muttered.