Chapter 11
Shadow, having completed his latest mission and obtained valuable information, decided it was time to switch back to his more inconspicuous persona, Cid. As he entered the safehouse, the familiar surroundings and the faint scent of the various potions Zeta had been working on greeted him. It felt like a different world compared to the chaos outside.
Zeta was already there, waiting for him. She looked up as he entered, her eyes brightening. "Master, you're back."
Cid smiled, shedding his dark, intimidating aura and relaxing into his more casual self. "Yes, Zeta. It’s good to be back. How have things been here?"
"Quiet," she replied, her eyes sparkling with admiration. "But productive."
He nodded, taking a seat. "Good. We need all the information we can get."
They sat in comfortable silence for a while, both of them appreciating the peace. Eventually, Cid broke the silence. "Do you ever think about our childhood?"
Zeta tilted her head, her ears twitching slightly. "Sometimes. Those were simpler times. We were just kids, not worrying about wars or dark wizards."
"Yeah," Cid agreed, his voice soft. "We had big dreams back then."
"What did you dream about?" Zeta asked, her curiosity piqued.
Cid leaned back, a nostalgic smile on his face. "I always wanted to be a hero, you know? Someone who could save the day, fight the bad guys, and protect those who couldn't protect themselves."
Zeta's eyes softened as she listened. "You are a hero, Master. You protect us all."
He chuckled lightly. "Maybe. But it's different now. The stakes are higher, and the world is a lot darker than we imagined."
Zeta moved closer, her cat-like instincts taking over. She snuggled up to Cid, her head resting on his shoulder. "It's still good to have dreams."
Cid began to pet her head gently, his fingers moving through her soft hair and stroking her ears. Zeta purred contentedly, her tail wrapping around his arm. He continued to pet her, finding the action soothing.
"What about you, Zeta? What did you dream about?" he asked softly.
She closed her eyes, enjoying the gentle caress. "I dreamed of a place where I belonged. A place where I could be myself and not have to hide who I am."
Cid's hand moved to her tail, stroking it gently. "You belong here, with us. You never have to hide."
She purred louder, her body relaxing against his. "I know. And I'm grateful for that."
They sat like that for a while, the quiet intimacy of the moment wrapping around them like a warm blanket. Eventually, Cid's hand stilled, and Zeta opened her eyes, looking up at him.
"We should get out for a bit," he suggested. "How about a trip to Diagon Alley?"
Zeta's eyes brightened. "I'd like that."
They both dressed in more casual attire, with Cid donning his Cid persona's typical clothes and Zeta in a comfortable outfit that still allowed her to move freely. With a final check, they apparated to Diagon Alley.
The bustling street was filled with witches and wizards, all going about their business. Cid and Zeta blended into the crowd seamlessly. They made their way to Florean Fortescue's Ice Cream Parlour, where they each got an ice cream cone.
Cid watched as Zeta savored her ice cream, her eyes sparkling with delight. "You always did have a sweet tooth."
She smiled, her cheeks tinged with a faint blush. "It's a rare treat."
They continued to explore the alley, stopping by various shops and enjoying the atmosphere. At lunchtime, they found a small stand selling fish sandwiches. Cid bought two, handing one to Zeta.
She took a bite, her eyes closing in bliss. "This is amazing, Master."
Cid nodded, taking a bite of his own sandwich. "It is. You know, we should think about starting a business here. Something like Mitsugoshi."
Zeta's eyes sparkled with excitement. "We could create another Tuna King! The people here would love it."
As the sun began to set, they continued to wander through the alley, discussing their plans and enjoying the simple pleasure of each other’s company. The warm glow of the setting sun cast a golden hue over the cobblestone streets, making everything seem almost magical.
Finally, as the sky darkened, they decided it was time to return to their safehouse. They apparated back, the familiar surroundings welcoming them once more.
Zeta looked at Cid, her eyes soft with affection. "Thank you, Master. This was one of the best days I've ever had."
Cid smiled, his heart warmed by her words. "I'm glad, Zeta. I enjoyed it too."
They went to their separate rooms to sleep, both feeling content and at peace. But in the middle of the night, Cid woke up to the sensation of movement. He opened his eyes to find Zeta had snuck into his bed, curling up next to him like a cat.
He chuckled softly, finding the sight both amusing and endearing. She had curled herself around his body, her head resting on his chest. Her soft purring filled the room, a comforting sound that made him smile.
"You're like a cat, Zeta," he whispered, his voice filled with affection.
He gently wrapped an arm around her, pulling her closer. She responded by snuggling even closer, her purring growing louder. Cid found it funny and adorable but also incredibly comforting. He closed his eyes, feeling her warmth against him, and soon drifted back to sleep.
The morning light filtered through the curtains, casting a soft glow over the room. Cid woke up to find Zeta still curled up against him, her breathing steady and calm. He watched her for a moment, feeling a sense of peace he rarely experienced.
Eventually, he gently shook her awake. "Zeta, it's morning."
She stirred, blinking sleepily up at him. "Good morning, Master."
"Good morning," he replied with a smile. "Sleep well?"
She nodded, stretching like a cat before sitting up. "Yes, very well."
They both got out of bed, ready to face the new day. After a quick breakfast, they sat down to discuss their plans.
"We need to keep gathering information," Cid said, his tone serious. "The Death Eaters are planning something big, and we need to be prepared."
Zeta nodded, her eyes focused. "I'll continue my surveillance. But we should also think about our business idea."
Cid agreed. "Yes. Having a legitimate business will give us a good cover and resources. We need to find a location and start planning."
They spent the morning mapping out their plans, discussing potential locations and strategies. It felt good to have a goal, something to work towards beyond the constant fight against dark forces.
After their planning session, they decided to take another trip to Diagon Alley. This time, they focused on finding potential locations for their business. They walked through the busy streets, evaluating each possibility with a critical eye.
"This one looks promising," Zeta said, pointing to a shop with a "For Rent" sign in the window. It was in a good location, with plenty of foot traffic.
Cid nodded, agreeing with her assessment. "Let's inquire about it."
They entered the shop, greeted by a friendly witch with graying hair and a warm smile. The interior of the building was dusty and in need of repair, but the potential was evident.
"Good afternoon," the witch said. "I'm Mrs. Paddock. How can I help you today?"
"We're interested in renting this place," Cid replied, glancing around. "Can you tell us more about it?"
Mrs. Paddock's eyes lit up. "Certainly! It's been available for a while now. The previous tenants moved out last year. It's in a prime location, but the rent is a bit high because of that. It's 500 galleons monthly."
Cid and Zeta exchanged a glance. It was expensive, but they both knew it was worth it. The location would attract plenty of customers, and they had some reserves from their previous exploits.
"We'd like to rent it," Zeta said decisively. "We'll take care of the renovations ourselves."
Mrs. Paddock smiled. "Excellent choice! I'll get the paperwork ready."
As they filled out the necessary forms and finalized the rental agreement, Cid and Zeta discussed their plans. They had some money and valuable items they had taken from the Death Eaters they had encountered, and they had managed to sell these without arousing suspicion. They had enough to cover the initial rent and start their business.
Once the paperwork was complete, they received the keys to the building. Cid and Zeta wasted no time. Using their magic, they began to renovate the shop. With a combination of cleaning spells and repair charms, they quickly transformed the dusty, neglected space into a clean, modern store.
They added an expansion charm to the building, making the interior much larger than it appeared from the outside. This allowed them to create an advanced shop layout inspired by their old world. They included spacious display areas, comfortable seating for customers, and a sleek, modern design that would attract attention.
Finally, they added a sign to the building front with the name of the store: "Mitsugoshi." The elegant, gold lettering stood out against the freshly painted facade, drawing the eye and inviting curiosity.
With the physical renovations complete, they turned their attention to staffing and stocking the store. They needed workers and products to sell. Fortunately, Shadow had already begun recruiting members for their new Shadow Garden during Zeta's investigations. These recruits were being trained in a hidden village he had established.
Shadow had chosen a remote location in Spitzbergen for their hidden village, Alexandria. It was a place where few humans ventured, and the landscape was dramatic, with black sand beaches and a nearby volcano. The fertile land and strategic location made it ideal for their purposes.
Using powerful protection charms, Shadow had created a barrier around the village. Inside the barrier, the temperature was pleasant, and the environment was lush and thriving, in stark contrast to the harsh conditions outside. The barrier also made the village invisible to both muggles and unauthorized magical beings.
Shadow had transported all his recruits to Alexandria, where they were being trained by the more experienced ones among them. The village was rapidly developing, with plans to expand further. The recruits were working on creating large farms and production facilities to support their endeavors.
Back in Diagon Alley, Cid and Zeta decided to keep Mitsugoshi closed for the time being. They needed to recruit more members to work in the store and transport their products from Alexandria. They used this time to refine their plans and ensure everything was ready for a successful launch.
Zeta and Cid split their efforts. Cid focused on recruiting new members, using his keen eye to identify potential allies and assets. His charisma and persuasive skills made him an effective recruiter, and he soon had several promising candidates lined up.
Meanwhile, Zeta focused on the logistics of transporting products from Alexandria to Diagon Alley. She coordinated with the recruits in the village, organizing the production and ensuring everything would be ready for transport once they were ready to open the store.