D.E.M.O.N.S: Getting Summoned Weekly isn't so Bad

Chapter 2255 Last Chance to Steel Yourself

--- Kat ---

Angie was the first stop and it wasn’t too hard to find her where she was expected. Simply asking to see her at the main entrance of the guard station was enough to have them sent in to see her. Perhaps a bit lax on security but it was possible they’d checked her for illusions and Kat simply hadn’t felt the wave. Might be worth testing the enchanted item they’d just got to see if she could sense it when not paying attention, or when focused.

Once inside it was easy to make her way to Angie and the conversation was essentially what was expected. Kat explaining that she was leaving but would help later, while Angie larped as poorly as possible about being sad that Kat was leaving and not trusting she’d be back in the city ever to help. Which was true of course, but both Kat and the real person acting as Angie knew. It also wasn’t the point. The idea was always to sort this out after Thyme especially after things had gotten so messy here.

Angie was also able to check with some other guards to see where Steel was and point her off in the right direction. Kat wasn’t sure how she felt about hearing the answer. Steel was currently off meeting with Weaver, and that he’d likely be done with it sooner rather than later. It meant Kat needed to head over to the warehouse that Weaver’s tunnel was set up in... before heading back to Steel’s house for that last meal and then returning to see Weaver. Hopefully Weaver won’t take offence to the ordering of things or that she was ’visiting’ without saying hello.

Sadly, getting inside the warehouse proved to be more difficult then the guard post. Which sort of made sense... but the bottom line was that Kat simply wasn’t allowed inside. Even though the guards knew who she was, Kat hadn’t been added to the approved list yet. Kat didn’t want to argue about it, so she accepted that as an answer... and decided to lean against one of the nearby buildings while passive aggressively looking at the guards.

The wait didn’t prove to be that bad, it only took around ten minutes for Steel to emerge, surrounded by a small company of his own guards. Clearly someone had let him know she was waiting because Steel was already making his way over as soon as he left the building, no need to even look around.

After exchanging greetings, Kat said, ”I’ve got some stuff to share that maybe should be kept private? I don’t mind who you tell, but I don’t know that you’d want to tell all that many people.”

”Ah, I see, one of those things,” accepted Steel with a nod. ”Follow me, there’s another guard station not too far here that serves the warehouse district. I should be able to commandeer that room for a few moments. This isn’t going to be a long discussion?”

Kat shrugged, ”Probably not.”

With that all sorted the group headed off to the guard post in question. Steel was let in easily after a quick check where the rest of the guards were told to take a quick break, get a snack and some water before coming back to the main area here to meet up with Steel later. For Kat, she followed deeper into the building and into a small conference room. Once the door clicked shut, Steel asked, ”What’s the news? I take it that it isn’t the best?”

”Right... well remember how Hedera and I said we might need to leave at some point? Well that point has come. Though Hedera has actually decided to stay. She does still want to visit Weaver though, as a heads up. So... yeah if possible we’d like to take Weaver’s tunnel out with Hedera coming back later after a short conversation with Weaver, or maybe a long one I don’t know,” explained Kat.

Steel let out a long breath. ”Not great to here but I’ve been expecting this to happen. Well, truthfully I expected it to happen a few days back...”

”Yeah so did I,” admitted Kat.

Steel shrugged, ”I’d started to suspect that with... everything going on you were simply ignoring the call to leave considering the time it’s taken. At least I didn’t have any active missions for you. A few I might have suggested, but it’s fine. This place won’t collapse the moment you look away.”

”Good to know,” said Kat. She wanted to say something more reassuring like ’I’d stay if it was serious’ but it just wasn’t true. With how the tournament was set up, nothing in the city ever could be truly serious. Sure perhaps if she decided going to the centre wasn’t worth it she’d stay... but that was an entirely separate issue and Kat likely would’ve just not mentioned it at all to Steel.

”So, is there anything else?” asked Steel.

Which caused Kat to wince as she realised that there WAS something else. ”Um... yeah while Hedera might be staying apparently Appoline wants to come along?”

”What?” asked Steel slowly, as if unsure what he’d heard.

”Appoline wants to come along,” confirmed Kat.

”She... she can do that?” asked Steel, arguably breaking character for a bit with the shock of the news.

Kat nodded, ”Well... she said ’who is going to stop me’ and well... I mean... is it any of my business?”

”I... I have questions involving multiple levels... just so many questions. I... don’t think I have the authority to stop her? Or no I do... but I mean... not in a way that would really stop her? No I... I couldn’t do it without alienating her which would be bad but... well... you know what? I’m NOT going to stop her. If that means she goes...” Steel shrugged.

”Yeah that’s sort of how I feel about it. Even warned her I wouldn’t necessarily be able to protect her all that well from everyone we’re likely to face but she’s still going. For the ingredients of course,” commented Kat.

”That part... doesn’t surprise me I suppose. I just...” Steel shook his head. ”Alright then I guess. What are your plans now?”

”I was going to head back to everyone, maybe snack a bit while the other girls eat, and then come back here and head off. I don’t plan on sticking around overnight because I’m not even sure where we are or how close Weaver can put us to my final destination. I hope I can get somewhat close, but the extra time might be nice. Worst case I’ll need to head there from Autumn but I think that runs the risk of running into other people, something I’d rather avoid,” explained Kat.

”Well, best of luck to you I suppose. I’ll let the people guarding the warehouse know you’ll be allowed past, and if they try to ignore you... either sneak in or complain. I wish I could come back for one last meal but I’ve still got other things that need my attention,” sighed Steel.

”Well, I DID spend my break cooking a bunch of extra food. I found out I enjoyed it quite a bit... but I also may have used it to experiment where I could. So while there is a considerable amount of food present, probably more than ever before... unlike before I’m not certain that it’s all good. Edible probably, but maybe not tasty,” admitted Kat.

Steel laughed, ”Ah well, if it’s not that good to eat I can just pawn it off to someone as a joke,”

Kat nodded, ”Yup, I don’t mind. So... yeah I guess this is it. Thanks for everything. Oh, wait actually, is it possible to get a small bit of storage for some extra orbs? If not that’s fine, just something that would be useful.”

Steel nodded, ”Well it’s not like I’ve been paying you so... yes I think I can spare one. Let me just duck to the armoury here and see what they have. Though do wait here because accessing them with a guest is a pain I’d rather not endure.”

Kat nodded back and leant against the wall. It didn’t take long for Steel to return, this time with a necklace in hand. ”This should work for your purposes. It’s not overly large, about half the size of the barrel you guys have been refreshing but it’s something I can let go of easily.”

Kat nodded taking the necklace gently before slipping it over her neck. She’d transfer it to Lily later. ”This is plenty. That should keep us topped up for quite a while, especially because it’s just me and Lily.”

”That’s good then. I’ll have a barrel sent over to refill the one you have and the necklace. Good luck with whatever it is you’re off to do,” offered Steel.

”Thanks Steel. It means a good deal,” agreed Kat as she bowed and the pair left the room. A few more doors and soon, Steel was back with his group and Kat was heading off to see everyone else. One last meal with the group. *Though I should bring something around for Weaver as well. I bet she’s getting food from the government here... but it would still be nice. Maybe one of the better pies.*