Part 12
The little cup tea may not be the most original name for a teahouse, Kwannon admits this now, but, at very least this is a popular point and is usually frequent by several people of upper classes and an unspoken rule rules in this small teahouse that is respected by men and women alike. “If you go to take your mistress/lover here be extremely discreet and don´t be hypocrite, at least not here” and Kwannon has a golden mind of juicy gossips as Lords and ladies are often taking a new paramour for funsies. Sadly for Ariel, the name Amanda Szardos is being thrown a few times on the conversation as the woman´s intention is quite obvious as is obvious a failure every time she tries to snatch a good bachelor and marry well.
At this very moment, Kwannon and Ariel are talking, as this is not the “lover hour” and have more privacy, at least for now, to talk about anything else without having to worry about the upper classes knowing (or any other client as the teahouse only gets full-on “lover hour”) what two common are speaking behind their back.
“So, tell me, who is cheating you this time?” Ariel asked drinking her tea calmly as Kwannon is too amused to tell this story.
“Wouldn´t you know? Magneto...yes, my teahouse is getting nobility from Poland, anyway, Magneto is dating a woman named Monica...even though he´s pretty much married” Kwannon speaks excitedly. Magneto and Madga´s marriage is loveless, political and once the twins are born and grow...is completely sexless (is a silent agreement among the couple that they can take lovers, but, they can´t divorce each other and so far...no one is complaining) “And well, let's not say age will ever be a problem in any relationship”
Ariel nods and she wonders about Dr D´s age. The man said to be her age, but, when she asked about his mother and about his birthday, the man couldn´t answer straight (either he´s lying and he´s immortal, which is not uncommon thanks to Queen Gloriana or he´s terrible at math)
“And you? How are things going on with Dr D?” Kwannon asked back to Ariel as the woman bites her lips for a moment and shares her inner thought with the only person who won´t use this against her (Laura and Jubilee return to the US in a bittersweet decision as they want to help the mutant´s society)
“I think...Dr D is linked to the nameless Killer. Do I have evidence no, none, but, my guts are telling there´s something in regards that man that no one wants to see or refuses to see” Ariel confessed and concludes. “I know he sells drugs, is pretty obvious by the remedy he gives and the smell present...grant, I was...dealing with hysteria” she cover her face for a moment to help her get through the fact “and it was nice, very nice, but...the point is...he´s a croaked doctor, not exactly illegal per se but not seen with good eyes”
Kwannon says nothing for a moment as she puts a finger on her lips briefly until something grants her the chance to speak again in a more grave tone. “Ok, let me ask you something, are you prepared to be Countess Darkholme? Because if Dr D is not the killer or you can´t fully prove what his connection is...you will be in a tough spot to be free of the wedding and look, the nobility is taking a great like to Cinderella´s stories and divorce, in this case, is almost impossible”
Ariel narrows her eyes at this and shakes her head. And somewhat Kwannon was expecting that. “Then whatever your plan is...be quick about...because, Bavaria, by what I´m seeing by some representatives of the country, yes...they cheat on their wives here too, are warming up to the idea of you being a countess”
Ariel pales at that and is not sure how to process this. “What a countess does exactly?” she knows he was married and she was...devoured by Blop, how she knows this fact? Good investigation and knowing how and who to talk.
“Honestly? No idea, but, think of this way, Countess have more power, even if in paper to do certain things...you think mining is unhuman, well, if the countess says is unhuman...”
“...I´d not know if Dr D will be ok in me using his name for my own projects and heck, I didn´t even plan that ahead...I feel as if I got reality slap, thank you, Kwannon”
“Anytime, that´s what friends are for” she jokes and Ariel cracks a smile. “By the way, you may want to be ready to face Elizabeth Braddock...”
“Is she still giving you trouble?”
“She still thinks she can be Japanese, but, Ariel, Kitten...she´s madly in love with Count D and only loses to Amanda who is near to taking her clothes off in public if it means Count D will marry her...you have a very powerful and sough fiance who may or may not be a killer” and Kwannon sighs “When you do something stupid and dangerous is something you planned or is at the moment?”
“Yes”