- By the way, I found out who the man with Reed was," Benjamin suddenly said as I sat there, thinking about the Infinite Eternal.
- Yeah? Who was it? - I asked with interest, making myself comfortable.
- Alexander Anderson. A priest. He lost his family in a natural disaster not long ago. Perhaps that was the trigger for the Distortion.
- No, there has to be something else," I countered, rubbing my chin. - Just one bad day isn't enough. There has to be something long-term, followed by an immediate emotional explosion.
- Hmm, indeed. And it kind of has that, too. He served in the army, after which he came back a changed man and became a priest.
- There. That's more like it. Actually, though, I don't know what Carmen's powers are. Maybe she doesn't care about her limitations and can make a bunch of Warp, as long as it's Light. I, for one, can do that. What about Doomsday in a skirt?
- Doomsday? - Ben asked.
- I mean the unkillable one. If that girl keeps adapting like that, we're going to have a hard time with her. And doomsday sounds like a good idea.
- I guess so," agreed his friend, adjusting his glasses. - I can't say anything about her yet. Apparently, this adapter has changed her appearance. Her body shape is too symmetrical. It's like it's artificial.
- Yes, the shapes are there, my respects," I said, remembering the lady.
- I've been thinking about how to neutralise her," Benji said. - We could change the information component of the essence by rewriting some of the points. Just cross out the adaptation and that's it. What do you think?
- It's an interesting option. You're good, - I praised my friend sincerely. - But don't do it without my participation. There's no chance of anything going wrong. If you don't succeed, I'll hit you myself with all calibres. I'm not giving the Adaptant a second chance.
- Saw, saw, saw!
- What's wrong, Aki? Is it time already?
- Yes. I've prepared everything," came the girl's anticipatory voice from the phone.
- Roger that. I'll be right there.
- I'm waiting.
- All Ben, let's wrap it up," I told the guy, switching off the phone. - Wagyu beef won't eat itself. Why don't I give you a lift home and then I'll take you to the rendezvous point.
- Come on.
I transported Ben to another dimension, having warned the guards beforehand and put up a concealing barrier. Next, we jumped after Daniel and the girls. Aki took with her a weighty bundle, a bottle of brandy, jars of spices, kitchen equipment and a cooker. Gerda in turn had prepared a container of tea and a whole kit with which to conduct a Chinese tea ceremony.
With the help of our abilities we quickly organised a fire, seating and other necessary things. Aki immediately got to work on the meat while the guys and I got everything else ready. She cut a large piece into several pieces and started roasting them one by one.
- Don't you have anything to add? - Dan asked as he watched Aki put the meat on the cooker with nothing on it.
The girl took a raw piece and showed it to us. If you do the math, it looks to me like there's about equal parts fat and meat.
- Wagyu has enough fat, so the same oil isn't really needed. It'll cook as it is. And the spices, too," she explained, wielding a metal spatula and a large fork with enviable skill. - At least you'll have the first one without anything to savour the flavour of the beef itself.
Next, she cut the steak into smaller pieces, quickly fried them on all sides, and placed them on a plate. The whole thing took a couple of minutes. We each took a piece and tasted it.
- Mmm! This is delicious! - Daniel gave his verdict.- I agree," Benjamin said, immersed in the tasting.
Indeed. You don't even have to chew this meat. It's so soft. But I don't think everyone will like it.
- Not bad," Gerda said, with a nod of approval. - It's very tender, this piece. But it's a little fatty. Eating too much of it is dangerous for your figure.
- What about Kai? - Aki asked, taking her portion.
- Quite good. Although maybe it's the best seasoning? -he asked her, finishing his portion and squinting his left eye slyly.
- Hmm? I didn't add anything to it.
- They say that love is the best seasoning," I explained with a wide smile.
Aki snorted and smirked as she began the second bite. This time she used pepper and salt. As a seasoning lover, I liked this one a little better.
And the last part she decided to flambé it with cognac. It turned out, perhaps, even tastier than the second version, with a slight sourness.
- How much does it cost? - Daniel asked.
- I don't remember exactly, as this meat comes from our clan's farms and is therefore free of charge, but I think it starts from four hundred dollars per kilo. Why?
- Ahem! It's not bad!
That's a pretty hefty price tag.
- And by the way, the whole princess cooked for you today! - Aki proudly proclaimed.
Naturally we assured her that we appreciated it and thanked our Alovlasu princess respectfully.
As the meat came to an end, Gerda stepped onto the metaphorical stage. The first thing she did was to begin to warm the water on the fire, and set before her an ornate wooden chaban board, under which was a special container. This is where the water used to wash the tea things and the tea itself is usually drained. Next, tea utensils were displayed on the board. Each item had its own pathos Xianxi style name. For example, the Bowl of Justice. Wooden tools and a small brush were revealed next. And last, Gerda carefully pulled out the box containing the tea itself.
While all this was being put in its place, the water boiled and the girl began the sacred act. First she poured boiling water into the teapot, sprinkling it liberally over the dishes. From it the remaining utensils were washed with water. Just in this case the very board, where all the excess liquid was poured, came in handy.
- According to the ceremony, the tea itself should be poured over the dishes. But it's very expensive, so I've omitted that part," she explained, pouring the liquid into bowls and handing them to us.
- Yes? And how much does it cost? - I asked, taking a sip of the pleasant-smelling tea.
- More than a hundred thousand per kilo, - the girl answered calmly, inhaling the aroma of the liquid. - I can't say for sure, because my mum got this tea as a present.
- Ahem!" Ben coughed, having tasted the drink.
- Don't spit it out! - smiling strainedly, I told my friend, patting him on the back. The boy covered his mouth with his hand, not letting the precious, literally, liquid spill out.
- What's the price? - Daniel asked cautiously, looking at his bowl anew.
- This tea is grown in one place only. The plants themselves are not very plentiful. And only the top leaves are used.
- This tea is very tasty, but I don't think it's that good," Benjamin said.
- Maybe. Next time I'll use a simpler variety for the full guanfu tea ceremony," Gerda promised.
- Yeah, I feel like an oppressive capitalist," he said with a laugh, taking a sip of the super expensive tea.
- What do you think of Aki? - Daniel turned to the girl. - You have your own tea ceremony in Japan.
- Our ceremony is so boring! - she complained. - It is not for nothing that there is a saying that the tea ceremony in Japan is a lot of ceremonies and little tea, and in China vice versa. To master our version you have to study for years. I like the Chinese version better. And the tea itself isn't bad. I will have to ask my relatives to send us a variety that is grown in a certain place and with the use of Qi. It gives the tea an ineffable flavour and has a beneficial effect on the body.
- Hm, something like that would be very interesting," Gerda said, visibly revitalised.
- All right. I'll order some from my relatives," Aki promised, finishing her drink. - And this tea is probably the rarest of all, as there are only a few people who can taste it besides our clan. It's not for sale and is only occasionally given as a gift for some invaluable help. And just for killing Abe, you can ask for a few kilos.
- I'd appreciate it immensely. Tasting something so unique is an unforgettable experience.
- How rare is the tea you gave us today? - I asked.
- It's not the rarest. It is inferior to a couple of other varieties and especially Da Hong Pao.
- I would hazard a guess that they are all even more expensive.
- That's right. For example, the tea I mentioned costs a million two hundred a kilo, - said Gerda as if nothing had happened.
- One million two hundred what? Not dollars? - Daniel asked, but seeing the girl's predatory grin, he repeated in amazement. - It's not dollars, is it?!- You answered your own question.
- What's it for? - Ben asked.
- There are only six bushes left, dating back to the fourteenth century. I dream of trying this tea when I earn enough.
Hmm, that's a nice way of putting it. I'll know what to get her for her birthday.
- By the way, guys, I've got an idea," Benjamin said, looking round at us.
- Yeah? What is it?
- I think Kyle should bind us all to the Contracts.
- What makes you think that? - I asked my friend in surprise. Danielle and the girls, judging by their emotions, also wanted to know the answer.
- Anything can happen," Benji began to explain his thought. - We could be captured and tortured. Or somehow get into our heads bypassing the Moonstone. Besides, the Contracts' connection can't be blocked. You'll know where we are and what we're doing if you need to.
- Aren't you worried about Big Brother being on the lookout?
- I don't think you're going to use the connection for anything, Kyle, so it doesn't bother me," Benjamin said, shrugging and adjusting his glasses.
- And what do you say? - He turned to the girls and the boy.
- It makes sense," Gerda said, thinking. - I don't mind making this contract with you.
- Heh, and I'm of the same opinion!
- I won't fight off the collective, - said Den.
- Well, good. Then let's sign the Contracts first. After that, we'll enjoy our holidays. I have a feeling we won't get a moment like this for a while.
My words were eagerly supported, and I turned to the abilities within me.....
Retreat.
Carmen walked alone towards an unremarkable house. She had left her companions at the temporary base. Alexander had barely managed to talk her into it. The man wanted to accompany Reed, but there was no need for that today.
Reaching her destination, the girl knocked on the door. But neither after a minute, nor after two, no one opened. She had to knock again. Only then the door slowly opened. A woman wearing a medical mask, wide black glasses, and almost completely wrapped in clothes peeked out cautiously from behind it.
- W-who are you? What do you want? - she asked hoarsely.
- Hello, Miss Megan Young. My name is Carmen Reed," she introduced herself, smiling affectionately. - I'm here to see you,
- And what was the occasion, Miss Reed? - The woman asked apprehensively, not inviting her guest into the house.
- The very reason you're hiding your appearance," Carmen answered honestly, tilting her head to the side.
- Yes? Well, speak! - Megan said with a sob, squeezing the doorknob with all her might.
- I know what you're going through! - The girl said with feeling, stepping closer to the woman and gently taking her hands in hers. - To lose your looks and then the love of your life ...
Yang wanted to pull her hands out of the strange girl's grip, but something prevented her from doing so. Whether it was because the stranger's touch gave her some warmth and comfort to her tormented soul, or because of the voice that sounded like an angel's singing. The woman could not answer.
It so happened that as a result of her actions she had received a chemical burn on her face that could not be removed. This led to her separation from her husband and subsequent loneliness for seven years.
This story was rare enough for this world, but not unique. It so happened that Megan fell in love with the same guy as another girl. It would seem nothing unusual. Except in this particular case, they couldn't form a family. The ladies had been on bad terms since high school. So Yang did everything she could to keep her lover from even looking at her rival. And most of the time, not the most dignified methods were used.
And Megan got what she wanted. Except that on the eve of her wedding, her former rival caught up with the bride and splashed some chemical crap in her face. It permanently disfigured the woman's face. Afterwards, her fiancé found out what happened and disowned Yang.
As a result, the woman was left alone for so many years. No friends, no family, no relatives she didn't want to meet. And right now, she was perfect material for the Distortion.
- It's awful when a lover despises you for what you've done and doesn't want to see you again," Carmen said, looking straight into Yang's eyes. Her glasses didn't bother her at all. - But you must have realised what the reckoning could be.
- Why are you saying all this?! - the woman asked hysterically.
- So that you'd stop hiding behind made-up excuses and accept your existence," Reed replied sympathetically, stepping insistently into the house and closing the door. - Lying won't help anyone. It will only make things harder. Stop running away from the past and the present.
The girl's every word hit you right in the soul. All these years Megan tried to convince herself that she wasn't to blame for her own problems. It was hard for many people to admit their mistakes and Yang was no exception. She had to cling to something to keep from drowning in the cruel hopelessness. And now the words of the girl she was seeing for the first time brought to light what the woman wanted to hide.
- You've finally stopped running from the truth," Reed whispered in satisfaction as she gently began to remove Megan's glasses and mask. The woman tried to resist, but a look and a gesture were enough to stop her. What she saw did not embarrass Carmen at all. She smiled and gently passed her palm over Yang's face, then created a small fire in her hand, blazing with incredible power. - Don't resist. Give in to this feeling without a trace. I promise you'll never be alone again.
Megan may have felt she was doing wrong, but she was too tired to resist. And the moment the woman gave up, Carmen used the last bit of Light at her disposal, pouring it into Yang's mind.
- From now on you will receive as much Love as you want," Warp signalled with her words the end of the old life and the beginning of a new one for her new follower.
This time the controlled transformation was not as painful. The whole process took a couple of minutes, after which instead of a disfigured woman Carmen saw a brunette with beautiful, long hair. Her fringes covered her right eye, while the left one, perfectly almond-shaped, glistened with a noble red colour. The oval face possessed an aristocratic grace, with scarlet, full lips standing out brightly against the pure, white skin. The body kept pace with the face, a model of unattainable perfection. All the curves were so beautiful that it seemed as if a goddess had descended to Earth. And all this splendour was complemented by grace and elegance inaccessible to ordinary people. Carmen felt a desire that did not require additional deciphering.
- I... I feel strange," Megan said charmingly, groping her body. - Oh, what's wrong with my voice?!
- Better look in the mirror," Carmen suggested with a smile.
Yang froze fearfully, touched her face with her fingertips and walked uncertainly to the nearest mirror. It was covered with a blanket, apparently so as not to further traumatise the woman's psyche. Freezing in front of the mirror, she hesitated to pull the cloth away for a while. But then Megan gathered her courage, removed the obstacle with a single tug, and froze in amazement.
- H-how is that possible?! - whispered the woman, groping her face and body and twisting round in front of the mirror.
- Sometimes desperation can give you what you want most," Carmen replied, struggling to stay sane.
- That's just something! - said the brunette, still unable to believe in the miraculous healing.
- I agree, Light's abilities are beyond imagination," she agreed.
- And now what? - Megan asked after a while, unintentionally assuming a seductive pose. Though after the Distortion, any pose would be like that.
- Now we should leave this place. From now on, as I promised, you won't be alone. Come, I'll introduce you to your new mates.
- Are they as interesting as you? - the woman asked.
- Yes.
- Then let's go! I have no desire to stay in this place any longer than necessary," Yang said with disgust as she looked round the room. - Just let me change my clothes and get my papers.
- Okay.
A few minutes later, the two ladies left the unremarkable house and fled in an unknown direction.
End of retreat.
All in all, we had a pretty good time. I didn't want to end it, but business, be it bad, doesn't wait. Even with clones, it's not easy to keep up with everything. Especially when you consider that sometimes you need to be there in person. Like now.
- So, Mrs Bloom. I'm honestly surprised to see you here. Does the state department of taxation have a problem with me? - I asked the brunette sitting across from me, who had a pleasant appearance but an unpleasant emotion and expression.
Her name was Amber Bloom. The lady worked in this very department of taxation reporting to the deputy head of the organisation. And the fact that she suddenly needed something from me was very strange.
- Surprisingly enough, yes, Mr Smith. I happen to have some information that looks very strange," the woman said with a smirk.
- Really? And what kind of information is that?
The lady pulled some A4 printouts out of a folder and handed them to me. I took them and started reading them. It took me about ten minutes, during which time the woman didn't say a word, but was actively flaming with smugness.
- Interesting reading, Mrs Bloom," I said, putting the papers aside. - And now I have a question. What do you want by showing them to me?
- I want this," she replied, writing her demands on a piece of paper.
When I read these scribblings, I whistled. She was definitely not being petty.
- What demands you have," I remarked as I started looking for a file on the computer.
- Proportionate to your misdeeds, Mr Smith," Amber said cheekily.- Well, then I'll answer after you watch this video.
- What? I'm not going to waste my time..." Bloom started to say indignantly, but I interrupted her.
- I suggest you watch it," I told her, and apparently something in my voice made the extortionist suspicious.
Then I just turned the computer monitor in front of her and showed her the dirt Benji had dug up. And there was a lot to see. Amber had been involved in an unbridled orgy involving drugs and minors of both sexes. You put a record like that out in the public eye, it'll never get cleaned up. She'll just be thrown out in the cold to save the department's prestige and that'll be that.
- It's an interesting record, isn't it? - mockingly asked the woman.
- What's that got to do with me?
Look at her! You can't even tell she's practically terrified. My compliments, as they say.
- While this video shows you, - I explained with the intonation of an adult, convincing a child.
- Nonsense! You just took some horrible orgy and edited it to make it look like I was there! - Amber said with a face of hurt innocence.
- Yeah? Well, why don't we send it to forensics?
- Then I can put my information to work!
- Please," I said indifferently. - But you realise that my lawyers will have a much easier time fending off the charges than you'll have cleaning up the mess you'll get if this lovely video goes public.
Bloom shut up, tensely considering what to do next. I didn't rush her, waiting for the client to mature.
- What do you want? - The pale woman asked.
- Who?
- ...If I tell you, they'll kill me.
- No, you won't. My guards will protect you if you need them.
It took a while to convince her, but I finally got what I wanted. The name of whoever sent that fool and another signed contract to go along with it.
The information she brought me was quite interesting. It so happened that I had bought some of the real estate where the bases were set up through front men. But already Amber's former owner, namely Gregory Profaci from Majia, was able to link it to my company. Well, not him, but his subordinates. So the old man decided to go after the youngster for his share of the pie. And to the Mafia's credit, they were able to unravel a very intricate tangle.
They unearthed the non-payment of taxes (of course, I will not indicate as my property bases associated with some obscure group?) and the purchase of some necessary devices with secret weapons. Naturally, such information should be cleaned up. Still, someone from the subordinates made a mistake and hid our activities badly. However, it's even good that it was revealed now. We won't make such mistakes in the future. I hope so.
Except that Macaroni guy attacked the wrong guy. His family (the criminal family, not the ordinary family) will have some problems soon.
- "Mr Pluto, the girls have found something interesting here," Abby reported over our comms. - "I think you should see for yourself."
- "Yeah? All right, then. I'll be right there."
Digression.
- Crazy... After hearing that, I started seeing it everywhere... Everywhere I look these goons are doing exactly the same thing," Petra muttered quietly as she looked out over the evening city from the roof of a small building.
After the "excursion" arranged by Pluto, the girl took a couple of days to recover. Then for some time she investigated, wanting to convince herself that the "slaughterhouse" was an exception to the rule. But, alas, she did not succeed. Yes, such dirt she found no more, but what was there was not distinguished by cleanliness. Therefore, all the last days Parker has been thinking hard in accordance with the phrase "who is to blame and what to do".
She couldn't come up with anything good. Maybe still contact Pluto? Where the man is approximately Petra guessed. But he was a criminal! On the other hand, those with power, using impure methods, are even worse, because in the open they shout about the benefits for ordinary people, but in the shadows they do such things ...
- Hello!" came a familiar and disgustingly cheerful voice from the side. Frightened, she turned round and saw Pluto, as happy as ever, smiling with all sixty teeth, who had been on the roof for some unknown reason. - I'm going to sit down?
Speak of the devil...
End of retreat.
***
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