[center][img]https://i.imgur.com/qCKX8Gs.png[/img] (Written with Ari bro)[/center] That shower was a lot better than Su thought it would be. Her hair was all nice and straight, and she was able to try a new type of shampoo. Typically Su used herb-scented shampoos, but Helga had an assortment of fruity ones. One of the reasons Su tended to prefer the herbal shampoos was because they weren’t scented too strongly. But having hair that smelled like apples every once in a while was alright. She was considering getting some for her own shower. Since their shower turned into a bit of a laundry session towards the end, Su needed dry clothes too. She didn’t want to risk wandering over to her room, so she put on some of Helga’s clothes. They were about the same size in terms of shoulder width and waist size. But Su was slightly taller and had a broader bust, causing a snicker from Helga as Su passed by and a button on the blouse popped off. It wasn’t like Helga had a second bathrobe lying around. And aside from the sleeves on her blouse looking a little short, it didn't look bad. Su had gotten dressed while Helga was steaming her curls in front of a mirror, the both of them having moved to the locker room. Unlike more mundane hotels where the personnel-dedicated facilities are dull and utilitarian in design, the rooms and hallways in the basement of the Golden Trove were serene and pleasant, with marine-blue walls and a carpeted floor, giving the illusion of an aquarium. But for Su, there wasn’t really any reason to stick around there. The hallway upstairs was still littered with Helga’s clothes, and Su planned on picking them up for her. Then she could go into her own room and change back before Mika got done playing with Lupa. With her plan in mind, Su walked towards Helga’s room. She took the service elevator back up to the top floor and stepped into the hallway. But Mika. Was standing right there. With Helga’s clothes in her arms. [color=tomato]“Hi Su!”[/color] Mika had transformed back into a civilian, and was eyeing Su with a raised brow. [color=tomato]“I don’t think I’ve seen you wear a button up blouse before. Isn’t that more something Helga would wear.”[/color] Su could feel the blood rush into her cheeks. She was getting flustered. [color=PeachPuff]”U-Um, no. I wear stuff like this sometimes.”[/color] Mika closed her eyes and sniffed the air. [color=tomato]“You used Helga’s shampoo too!”[/color] Her face was getting redder by the second, but hopefully Mika wouldn't jump to any embarrassing conclusions. [color=PeachPuff]”A-ah! I just wanted to try it!”[/color] [color=tomato]“Aren’t those your shoes next to Helga’s room?”[/color] [color=PeachPuff]”Ghhhhhhhh-”[/color] [color=tomato]“I also just picked up a lot of Helga’s clothes.”[/color] [color=PeachPuff]”Ahhhhhhh!”[/color] [color=tomato]“So I think-”[/color] [color=PeachPuff]”Mika!”[/color] She paused, still giving Su a bright smile. [color=tomato]“What is it Su?”[/color] [color=PeachPuff]”I-I um, I just noticed you had some new jewelry.”[/color] [color=tomato]“Oh that!”[/color] Mika placed a hand on her head. [color=tomato]“Yea, it’s magical. Someone who works for Veronica gave it to me.”[/color] Su sighed. It wasn’t too surprising that Veronica would reward Mika for acting like a go between for them. She didn't fully trust Veronica, but if it got Mika to change the topic, she wasn’t going to ask too many questions about it. [color=PeachPuff]”Alright.”[/color] [color=tomato]“I got something else to ask you. But first, I have a request.”[/color] [color=PeachPuff]”A request?”[/color] [hr] Despite her harsh past, Helga was always considerate of her appearance, especially in her normal life, and took to a habit of curling her hair at a young age; it was one way she brought a semblance of order and routine to her chaotic life, as the process requires meticulous attention and patience. And when she was done and saw the revolving strands of hair, they reminded her of how life also revolves around itself. At least, that’s how her more childish self thought. Still, it gave her a unique look, so she continued upholding the habit. And that time, she made sure there was not even a single stray strand. Once she was done curling her hair, she returned to her room and found Mika and Su sitting at the foot of her bed, her mouth open in surprise: Su was still wearing her clothes, and now so was Mika. Mika was relatively thin for her age, and Helga’s clothes didn’t fit her at all. But Mika looked happy to be wearing them. “Uhh, what are you girls up to?” Helga asked, having raised an eyebrow with her hands on her hips. [color=tomato]“We’re trying your stuff on today, Helga!”[/color] [color=PeachPuff]”I think we have a problem.”[/color] Su did not look as amused as Mika did. [color=PeachPuff]”Mika told me that while playing with Lupa, she just ran down an ally and encountered two monster girls.”[/color] Su looked at Helga. [color=PeachPuff]”They took Lupa, but they said they would give her back if we gave them a room.”[/color] “What? Is that true, Mika?” [color=tomato]“Noooooo.”[/color] Mika giggled. [color=tomato]“They said they were going to fix Lupa and they would pay for a room, but they wanted one on the top floor. They showed me their gold coins, they can pay it.”[/color] [color=PeachPuff]”They are willing to pay for the room, but it seems sketchy to me.”[/color] Su folded her hands in her lap. [color=PeachPuff]”I’m just concerned. Aside from Sergei and Maria, we really don’t have anyone with magical powers that close to Boteg. I don’t think he would be too happy having that kind of power next to him anyway. However…”[/color] She raised her eyebrows. [color=PeachPuff]”It is the slow season.”[/color] Su placed a hand on the side of her head. [color=PeachPuff]”I’d like your opinion. And Mika said they’d come here with Lupa in an hour, so I’d like you to be with me when they show up.”[/color] Helga stepped before Mika, and attempted adjusting her clothes so they wouldn’t sag so much on the lithe girl, only to sigh as it didn’t work. “Alright. If you trust them, Mika, then I’ll believe you. That’s what I’ve promised, after all.” She petted Mika as she looked at Su. “However, first Boteg needs to be informed of this. They also need to understand that we are not going to tolerate any suspicious behavior near our Master.” Su nodded in agreement. [color=PeachPuff]”That does sound like the most reasonable thing to do.”[/color] She folded her hands in her lap. [color=PeachPuff]”I can’t believe so much is happening before we even had lunch yet.”[/color] Su shrugged and turned to Mika. [color=PeachPuff]”Alright, lets get changed back, then we’ll head to the auditorium to talk with Boteg.”[/color] Su noticed Helga flash a grin, and looked at the missing button on her blouse. [color=PeachPuff]”I’ll sew that back on later today.”[/color] [hr] Debriefings with Boteg were always relatively short. He was very in tune to the magical forces around him, and could feel when a magical entity had been driven away or eradicated. The only thing Boteg really needed to know was if they felt the entity in question would be making a return or not. Su refrained from telling him about Sophia, as that felt more like something Helga and Su would have to pursue on their own. She probably wasn’t a threat to Boteg, and thus wasn’t something he cared about. [color=gold]”Thy scares hath protected new home most splendidly!”[/color] Boteg chuckled. “Thine gratitudes be gracious Master,” Helga replied in turn, holding the skirt of her dress and making a curtsy. [color=PeachPuff]”We had a bit of a development on our way home, Boteg.”[/color] The dragon tipped his head. [color=tomato]“Yea! I met some new friends!”[/color] And so Mika explained what happened to Boteg, with Su making comments to better inform him of what was going on. [color=gold]”More scares!?”[/color] Boteg placed his hands on the side of his head and paced back and forth. [color=gold]”Twisted scares no less! I compare them to a dog-hearted ratsbane!”[/color] Helga bit her lip, looking a bit dejected. He swiftly turned to her. [color=gold]”Not to sully the dragon scare’s image. Methinks thou is fair! Far more comparable to a summer’s day.”[/color] “Ah, I comprehend thine intent,” Helga replied, feeling a bit better. “I entrust mine faith in Mika, Master. If twisted scares dare to make big faces, I shall cast them off the Trove mineself.” Boteg pulled a handkerchief out of his vest pocket and dabbed his forehead with it. [color=gold]”A summer’s day.”[/color] He repeated. [color=PeachPuff]”If they did help Lupa, they could be powerful allies to have.”[/color] Su started to count her fingers. [color=PeachPuff]”We also have Charlie Rocha, Janice Hunter, and Noida Losey from Charlie’s angels here with us. As well as Sergei and Maria, who haven’t been causing any problems. We can probably handle two monster twins if they get out of hand. ”[/color] [color=gold]”Hmmm.”[/color] Boteg scratched his chin. [color=tomato]“They’re also really rich!”[/color] Boteg’s head shot up. [color=gold]”Sky Scare!”[/color] He spun on his heel to face Su. [color=gold]”Thou shall do everything in thy power to ensure thy guests are at the peak of comfort.”[/color] [color=PeachPuff]”Just keep in mind tha-”[/color] Boteg pointed at her [color=gold]”Get thee gone! Return when thy guests have been served.”[/color] Su pulled her lips into her mouth. [color=PeachPuff]”Alright.”[/color] [hr] All that was left to do now was wait for the ghost twins. There weren’t any pressing administrative duties at the moment, so Su decided to wait outside for them. Mika was also there, hopping from foot-to-foot. She had already explained that she was going to pounce on Lupa as soon as she showed up. Helga stood next to her, anxiously tapping her foot with her arms crossed. Then, the ghost twins arrived; Lupa was following them. [color=MediumVioletRed]‘We fixed Lupa,’[/color] Julia stated matter-of-factly, before slinking behind Jillian as she saw Helga’s scornful look. [color=Aqua]‘Here you go!’[/color] Jillian cheerfully spoke as she gestured for Lupa to join them; she blinked, looked at the others, and slowly walked toward them. [color=afab2c]“Uhh...Mika?”[/color] She asked, only to be met with a tearful hug from the smaller girl. [color=tomato]“You’re fixed!”[/color] Mika repeated over and over again, nuzzling her head into Lupa’s shoulder. [color=tomato]“We did it! We got you back!”[/color] Julia blushed. [color=MediumVioletRed]‘C-Cute...,’[/color] [color=Aqua]‘So, is it okay if we move in?’[/color] Su was still watching the two embrace. There had been too many accounts of brainwashing for her to fully trust the work of the ghost twins, but it was too late to reject their help. She would have Boteg look over Lupa later to make sure everything was in order. But for the moment, she had to adress the twins. [color=PeachPuff]”yes, you may come in.”[/color] Su gave a deep bow. [color=PeachPuff]”Mika was quite distraught when Lupa lost her ability to move independently. You helped them both out more than you know.”[/color] Su stood back up, keeping her eyes on the ground. [color=PeachPuff]”Mika has told me of your needs. we understand you made an arrangement with Mika and kept your end of the bargain. So we will keep our end as well.”[/color] Su looked to the ghost girls. Her eyes did not carry scorn, but her gaze was no less intense. [color=PeachPuff]”But do know that this is not a privilege that is normally granted to guests with your qualities, regardless of how wealthy they may be. There will be rules, and you will be required to follow all of them.”[/color] Su gave a much smaller bow. [color=PeachPuff]”But I must stress that we are grateful for your help, and if a few rules doesn’t bother you, I would love to show you your room. It has a view of the cityscape, one of the best ones in Penrose.”[/color] The spectral siblings looked at one another, and then nodded. [color=MediumVioletRed]‘We understand,’[/color] Julia softy spoke, and bowed. [color=Aqua]‘We are in your care.’[/color] Jillian bowed next. [color=MediumVioletRed]‘Please’[/color]...[color=Aqua]‘Lead the way.’[/color]