Skulduggery Pleasant - Midnight Hotel thing
24.1.2020
She approached the front desk one morning in the Midnight Hotel's New York location.
"Good morning," she said. "Do you accept jewellery as payment? I have no tender at the moment."
Anton Shudder looked at her. Red hair, black tank top, orange skirt and hiking boots. she had a flowery gym bag over one shoulder and a sack - a SACK - in her arms.
He'd still had weirder guests.
"Depending on the quality and quantity of the jewellery being traded," he replied.
She nodded, and undid the string of her sack. from within she produced a handful of gold rings of varying bedazzlement. "They should be 12 carat gold," she said. "And I'm confident the diamonds are excellent to perfect quality." She let them fall through her fingers onto the counter.
Anton looked from her to the rings and back.
She took a suite for several months. Breakfast included.
"You name is not suitable," he told her on the way up. She'd given him her Given Name without hesitation. "By giving me, or anyone, access to your name you give them power over you," he unlocked the door and held it open for her to enter.
"Oh," she stepped past him and dropped the sack onto the nearest sruface. "Ray," she said suddenly. "Autumn Ray."
Anton raised a brow but inclined his head. "The fasts naming I've ever witnessed. A pleasure to meet you Ms. Ray."
"And a pleasure to meet you, Mr. Shudder."
-
"You son of a mother! How are you?"
Ray looked up as two men came in with arms wide open. One was tall, blond and very muscled. The other was tall and ugly with scars running over his whole head.
Anton rolled his eyes.
"We've come to drink!" the blond declared. "To welcome your return to our fine Ireland!"
"I have guests to attend to," he told them.
Ray briefly wondered who else was supposed to be in the hotel. Every key but hers was still hanging behind the reception.
"Boo!" the blond declared.