Chapter 827

Kat made a rather lackadaisical ‘escape’ from Jara’s house. The guards still on rotation recognising her easily and letting her past. It didn’t take long to be in the skies once again and heading towards Apep’s house. Things, it seemed, were winding down in a particularly unsatisfying way. Apep seemed to have at least some chance with Zuhra but not for some time. It’d take dedicated effort on his part mostly geared towards dragging the unwilling maid out of her depression completely.

That’s not even getting started onto the fact that Gaston’s death would have to remain a mystery, for now certainly, and likely for some time afterwards. Kat didn’t think it was likely that any demon below Rank 3 would have an ability to see that far back unless it was very specific, and that specificity would cause the price to rise all the same.

Lily was currently dozing in Kat’s arms. Knowing that she’d need to sneak the pair in soon Lily decided it was best to be as alert as possible when the time came. Kat didn’t mind. It was a bit quiet without the gentle background noise of Lily’s thoughts, and the fact she was high enough the general hubbub of the city below was also muted. That was probably the worst part.

Alone with her thoughts and no truly positive ones to focus on besides Lily... but Kat didn’t want to direct her thoughts that way too much in case she woke her sleeping girlfriend. Perhaps an unfounded risk, but not one that had been tested properly. Kat knew directing her thoughts towards Lily could wake her more swiftly if it was already in the process of happening, but not how it affected Lily’s deep sleep.

So she flew silently, the only noise accompanying her was the sound of the wind whistling around her wings. Soon enough Apep’s house came into view, so Kat found a good cloud to hover above and proceeded to wake up Lily. That took a little bit of work to do gently, but she had practice now and Lily was expecting it. A short time later and Lily was gliding down while Kat was standing once again, in a copy of her room.

Lily managed to quickly find her way through the guards. They didn’t look up... at all really. Likely relying on protections around the compound that her demonic energy messed with. When she found Apep’s room... there was a slight issue though. [Um Kat... we’ve got a problem. Apep seems to be writing something but the real problem is the butler watching over him]

It was as Lily said. Apep was sitting at his desk with two piles of paper, one covered in writing, and another empty. The empty pile was significantly easier and did not bode well for Apep’s wrist. A closer examination revealed the forms had ‘I will not sneak into the wine cellar for fun’ written out multiple times. The butler watching over Apep didn’t seem to be hovering at all. They were there more for motivation and to prevent him slacking off completely.

.....

[It seems Apep got caught using the wine to summon us. His parents just think he broke some. I’m not sure what that means for us though. How do we talk to him with someone else in the room?]

“Not sure...” said Kat ‘aloud’, “I’m tempted to say we can just wait for him. Can you like sneak under the bed or something without being spotted?”

Lily glanced at the butler again. He was leaning against the wall focused roughly on Apep but it was clear he was pretty zoned out. [Maybe... it depends how good the butlers peripheral vision is. Sneaking under the bed probably won’t be too hard... and I don’t want to just stay out on the roof forever. Not only is it still heating up under the sun but the walls aren’t that much lower than the roof. We’ll be spotted if anyone cares to look.]

“Well, I can’t see what you’re seeing. We still haven’t figured out if there’s a trick to that... so it’s up to you. Personally, I think your best bet is just to go for it and then not move. Worst case scenario you can pretend to be a somewhat normal cat and Apep can pretend to know you. Well, actual worst case scenario we just come clean to Apep’s parents but that’s more a worst case for Apep then us. I’m sure we’d be fine,” said Kat.

Lily nodded, not that Kat could tell, but the feeling of approval from the link was enough for them both. Lily carefully watched the butler in question for a few moments and was blessed with the perfect chance. The butler sneezed rather heavily and in that moment Lily moved, dashing down from the high window sill to the bed and quickly under the covers. The butler did glance over at the bed, having seen something in the corner of his eyes...

But quickly turned back to Apep. He had just sneezed, it was probably just a mistake from how the sneeze rapidly changed his view. His assumption was wrong of course, but he was no trained guard. Simply one of the few butlers that worked there. His usual job was as quartermaster for the household. Tracking supplies that weren’t food. That was the domain of the head chef, and he didn’t want to get caught up in that mess. When things were sorted and tracked, he usually just did some light cleaning, but for the moment he was assigned to be Apep’s watcher.

On Lily’s end things were actually pretty good. Apep’s bed was regularly cleaned and laundered and that included the underside of it. There was hardly any dust and no stray articles of clothing or extra reading materials to be found. The only downside was the space wasn’t quite large enough for Kat to fit underneath as well. The extra width she gained from her wings just a tad too much. It was already a bit of a squeeze for normal humans after all, and was usually cleaned by simply moving the frame to the side and back. So the pair did their best to relax.

Some time later, Lily’s ears half listening still picked up some words from the butler, “I believe that is enough for now young master. I will return with lunch shortly. Do you wish to eat here or will you take dinner in the dining room? The Lord and Lady are not in at the moment,”

Lily could hear Apep running his fingers on the desk for a few moments before saying, “I think I’ll just eat here,”

“Of course sir,” said the butler and a moment later the door was opened and closed. Apep let out a long sigh and could be heard standing up. Lily took this chance to poke her head out from under the bed. Apep was glancing lazily around the room when his eyes widened at the sight.

“Lily?” asked Apep softly.

Lily nodded.

“Ok um... you’ll have to be quick. Parem will be back soon with food and you probably don’t want to get caught,” said Apep shakily.

Lily hopped out from the bed and poked at Kat mentally. In a burst of smoke Kat appeared next to Lily, who used the cover of the mist to transform herself. They stood across from Apep, slightly strained smiles on their faces. “So, what did you find out?” asked Apep.

Kat glanced at Lily and sighed. “Well... we found out a few things. Also... we did end up letting Zuhra know earlier today at the behest of Jara.”

Apep winced and his face pulled into a frown, “Was that really necessary?”

Kat shrugged, “Maybe? Who knows?” Apep just shook his head and made a ‘continue’ gesture, “Right... well. Her first love was a man named Gaston. He’s dead now. Possibly an accident possibly a hit by the Lord of the 8th”

“That’s just great,” grumbled Apep under his breath.

Kat continued on, ignoring Apep’s outburst. “It’s quite clear the Zuhra hasn’t really moved on. On top of that she uses her work as an excuse not to confront her feelings. Jara things Zuhra is probably depressed,”

“That’s... about what I thought but not great to hear... so... knowing that... what are my chances? What should I be doing? Do I have to give up?” asked Apep worriedly.

“Zuhra advised you just give up...” Apep winced at Kat’s words, “...but on the other hand Jara thinks she needs the help. She managed to poke Zuhra a bit and get her to accidentally admit that she prefers understated gestures of affection and has a fondness for singing. Jara is of the opinion that you DO have a chance but you need to understand Zuhra is really not in a great place mentally.

“She thinks that... with time and persistence things could work out. The issue would be making sure, first and foremost, to help Zuhra with her issues and then building from there. Also... don’t try to directly compete with Gaston. He was many things that you are not, and we think that leveraging that would be for the best,”

Apep nodded and opened his mouth only to wince and say, “Ok, I’d like a bit more but Parem will be back soon. Do you think you can hide again?”