Babette’s Brothel
The glow of candlelight flickered off polished mahogany and crimson walls as Vi stepped into Babette’s office. The air was thick with the scent of lavender oil and a faint trace of whiskey, both layered under the subtle tang of aged smoke that clung to the walls. It was a room that tried too hard to feel opulent, with its swaying silk curtains and finely carved furniture, but it was a hollow kind of luxury, a veneer of refinement atop years of scraped-together resources.
Vi swept aside the heavy velvet curtains as she entered, her boots scuffing the worn carpet. She had been too young to see it before prison, but she assumed that not much had changed.
Behind the desk sat Babette herself, a Yordle woman. Time had only deepened the lines around her mouth and eyes, but there was still a shrewdness to her gaze that put Vi on edge.
When Babette’s eyes flicked up from her ledger, they widened in recognition. For a beat, she just stared, her pen pausing mid-air as though she wasn’t entirely sure the woman in front of her was real.
“Would ya believe it?” were the first words out of her mouth, her tone hovering between shock and amusement.
Vi didn’t respond immediately, her fingers twitching at her sides as she tried to pull together her confidence. After a moment, Babette gestured toward one of the plush chairs pressed against the wall, then stood with a creak of wood and settled on the couch opposite.
“Sit, sweetheart,” Babette said, her voice softening slightly as she took a drag from the cigarette that dangled between her fingers. “I was real sad to hear about Vander... and the kids.” She exhaled smoke slowly, her words heavy as the smoke curled up lazily. “Just terrible.”
Vi’s jaw tightened, her hands curling into fists on her lap. The mention of Vander felt like a blade twisting in her chest, a wound that had never truly healed. “By the looks of it, no one around here lifted a finger to stop Silco,” she spat, her voice laced with venom.
Babette’s expression shifted to something more somber, her ears drooping slightly as she stared down at her cig. “A few tried,” she admitted quietly. “But Silco’s got the muscle and the money. He took over the Last Drop without much of a fight.” Her tone was tired as if she’d been telling this story for far too long.
“I saw,” Vi muttered darkly, the memory of Vander’s bar, his bar, twisted into something despicable flashing through her mind. The sight of Silco’s mark on it had been enough to make her stomach churn.
Babette sighed, leaning back against the couch as she regarded Vi. “Things have changed without Vander looking out for us,” she said, almost wistful. Nostalgic “No one left to protect the little people.”
Vi pressed her lips into a hard line, the weight of those words settling heavily on her shoulders. “Have you heard anything about Powder?” she asked, her voice quieter now but no less urgent. “I think Silco has her.”
For a moment, Babette was silent. Her gaze dropped to the cigarette in her hand, her expression unreadable. Finally, she gave a slow shake of her head. “No,” she said simply.
Vi’s chest tightened, disappointment coiling into frustration. “I have to find her,” she said, standing abruptly. If Babette had no information, there was no reason to waste more time here.
But Babette raised a hand to stop her. “Wait,” she said, her tone more measured now. “Silco’s number two is a regular here.”
Vi paused, narrowing her eyes. “Number two?”
Babette nodded, taking another drag of her cigarette. “Sevika,” she clarified. “She’s attending a special party tonight—a masquerade. Most of our usuals are going, but we’ve got plenty from topside attending too. The masks make them feel safer.”
Vi frowned, the unfamiliar word sticking in her mind. “A masquerade?”
Babette’s lips twitched into a faint smirk at Vi’s confusion. “Everyone wears a mask, and most go by an alias,” she explained, her tone taking on a patronizing edge. “People deny themselves a lot of things, sweetheart. But once the mask goes on, they’re more than eager to indulge. Sevika likes to take advantage of that.”
Vi’s hands clenched at her sides, her pulse quickening. She’d been waiting for this lead, but the thought of stepping into Sevika’s world felt like walking into a trap.
“But here’s the thing,” Babette continued, her voice calm and smooth. “You’ll find her at that party, yes. But if you want to talk with Sevika, avoid the party. A fight at a gathering like this would send customers scattering. And topsiders don’t like trouble. They won’t come back if there’s any.”
Vi exhaled sharply through her nose, her frustration bubbling just under the surface. But she nodded, “I won’t interrupt your party.”
Babette inclined her head, her expression serious now. “Good. You’ll have better luck catching her alone anyway. If you would still like to attend, it’s being held in the bar next door. Tell the boys at the entrance that I waived your fees. You will still need to buy a mask, though.”
Vi hesitated for a moment, weighing her options. She could feel the sharp edges of opportunity and danger pressing against her. Finally, she gave a small nod. “Thanks, Babette,” she said, her voice steady but clipped. “I appreciate it.”
Babette’s lips curled into a faint, stressed smile. “Just be careful, Violet,” she said softly. “You’ve only just returned to us.”
Vi turned and left the office without another word, her mind racing with possibilities. The scent of lavender and smoke lingered on her clothes as she stepped into the hallway, her heartbeat pounding in her ears.
She (shockingly) had a plan forming and she was going to see it through.
Vi found Caitlyn easily enough, guided by her laugh, a warm, familiar sound that cut through the dim, hushed noise of the brothel. It wasn’t hard to spot her; Caitlyn’s energy was magnetic quietly, drawing people in like moths to a flame.
Vi lingered in the doorway for a moment, taking in the sight of her companion. Caitlyn reclined on a plush couch, one hand propping up her chin as she laughed at something the woman beside her had said. The other woman, a young brunette with striking eyes, was charmed, leaning closer with a shy smile. Caitlyn’s gestures were soft and teasing, her voice lilting with ease, her whole demeanor effortless.
For a fleeting moment, Vi wanted to leave Caitlyn here. This could get messy, and she didn’t want to put her in line of danger. But Babette had mentioned needing to buy masks…and Vi had just gotten out of prison and had nothing to her name but the rugged clothes on her back. And hell, she’d stolen the jacket she was currently wearing. Caitlyn, on the other hand, looked like she belonged in a world of warmth and luxury. Vi wasn’t sure if she envied or resented that. Maybe both.
She shifted her weight, leaning against the doorframe, her sharp grin spreading across her face. She needed Caitlyn for this.
“Well, well,” she drawled, her voice cutting through the air with mockery and ease. “I hate to interrupt a moment of true romance and seduction, Cupcake, but I think I found something you need to hear.”
Caitlyn was startled, her head snapping toward Vi. She glanced between her companion and Vi, her brow furrowing slightly.
“Vi,” she said, her voice uncertain but irritated. “What is it? And can it wait?”
Vi stepped fully into the room, the grin still plastered on her face as the other woman took this as her cue to leave. With a mumbled farewell, she slipped away, leaving Caitlyn staring expectantly at Vi.
“I have a lead,” Vi said, crossing her arms as she leaned against the back of the couch. “There’s an event tonight, a, uh…” She frowned, snapping her fingers as if it might jog her memory. “A… Masker-aid?”
Caitlyn raised an eyebrow, her lips twitching into a teasing smile. “A masquerade,” she corrected, her tone light.
“Yeah, that.” Vi’s hand waved dismissively. “It’s some fancy thing Babette mentioned. Sevika’s going to be there.”
Caitlyn’s smile faded as she straightened, her eyes narrowing slightly. She had heard that name a few times, but she wasn’t sure who exactly the woman was “Is this safe?”
Vi shrugged, her tone deliberately casual. “Safe enough. No fighting allowed inside, so I gotta get her alone. But I figure it’s worth a shot.” She pushed off the couch, turning toward the door with a decisive step. “Now come on.”
Caitlyn sighed but rose to follow, adjusting her jacket. “You’re insufferable, you know that?”
Vi smirked over her shoulder. “You’ll thank me later, Cupcake.”
The scent hit them before they even stepped into the building: smoke, booze, and a heady musk of perfume that hinted at lust and indulgence. The air felt thick, almost oppressive, as they approached the neighboring building where the masquerade was being held.
It had once been a bar, but the owner’s debts to Silco had left it in Babette’s hands; Or as much as anyone could own anything under Piltiver and Silco’s shadow.
Two men stood at the entrance, both dressed in masks and little clothing, one holding a clipboard and the other stationed behind a table cluttered with a sparse selection of masks. Both men looked up as Vi and Caitlyn approached, their eyes scanning the newcomers with practiced wariness.
Caitlyn hesitated just a fraction, her shoulders stiffening slightly, but Vi stepped forward with the kind of cocky confidence that came naturally to her.
“Hi,” Vi said, her tone breezy. “Babette sent me and her to attend the party. We took care of the fee with her directly.”
The man with the clipboard looked her up and down, unimpressed. “What name did you register under?”
Vi shook her head, her grin faltering slightly but her voice steady. “We just got back into town, so we didn’t register beforehand. But I can promise you my dues are settled.” She gestured toward Caitlyn, her tone growing sharper. “Both of ours are. If you want to verify with her, you’re more than welcome to do so. We can wait.”
The man gave her another long, assessing look, clearly weighing whether it was worth bothering Babette over this. Finally, he sighed, scribbling something on the clipboard.
“Fine,” he said curtly. “But you need masks to enter.”
Vi turned slightly, glancing back at Caitlyn. Caitlyn met her gaze, her mouth tightening into a reluctant line as she let out a soft sigh. Reaching into her pockets, she pulled out the necessary amount of money and passed it to the man at the table.
He pocketed the money without a word, gesturing to the picked-over selection of masks. Most were elaborate, or at least as elaborate as something in the lanes could be, adorned with fake gold and silver accents, while others were sleek and simple.
Caitlyn picked a fox mask, it was a white plastic with gold detailing that caught the light as she turned it over in her hands. On the other hand, Vi grabbed a dark wolf mask, its sharp lines, and jagged edges suiting her better than anything too polished. Plus it was long enough to cover up the tattoo on her cheek.
As they both placed their masks on, the energy around them seemed to shift. The men stepped aside, allowing them to pass into the pulsing, shadowy glow of the masquerade.
Inside, the sound of soft laughter and low music mingled with the clinking of glasses and the rustle of clothes. Vi’s pulse quickened as they stepped deeper into the building, the scent of smoke and the hum of conversation enveloping them. This was it; the place where she would finally find some answers.
Now, all she had to do was find Sevika.