After saying goodbye to Stelle and the others, Victor brought Firefly to a bar called the Dreamjolt Hostelry.
"Hey, Siobhan. Two of your specials, please."
Victor found a quiet corner booth and sat down, calling out to the blonde bartender behind the counter. She was easy to spot, a Halovian woman with striking blue eyes, a golden halo floating above her head, and wearing a sharp red bartender's uniform.
"Coming right up."
Siobhan nodded, then took another look at the pair. Her gaze lingered for a moment. They'd shown up during this particular time period... could they be the ones Gallagher mentioned?
Still, it wasn't really her business. She returned her attention to mixing drinks.
"Mr. Victor, may I call you that?"
Firefly sat across from him, hands folded nervously in her lap as she studied his face.
"Just Victor is fine. No need for formalities."
Victor waved dismissively, his tone warm and easy, like spring sunshine breaking through clouds.
"Okay... Victor."
Firefly relaxed slightly. He seemed approachable, at least. Maybe this conversation wouldn't be as difficult as she'd feared.
"So, Miss Firefly, you mentioned wanting to talk. What's on your mind?"
Firefly had been wondering how to broach the subject, but Victor cut straight to it, redirecting the conversation back to her.
"Just Firefly is fine." Her voice was soft, gentle. "We mainly want to know... who you are."
We.
Victor wasn't surprised. Of course she was here representing the Stellaron Hunters. It was exactly what he'd expected.
He'd appeared out of nowhere on the Astral Express, popping in and out at will with seemingly impossible ease. He'd grown close to the Nameless so quickly that it defied explanation. As Stellaron Hunters who kept close tabs on the Express crew, they'd naturally noticed his existence early on.
When Victor didn't immediately respond, Firefly continued. "Since you appeared, the fate of the Nameless has become... uncertain. Harder to predict."
"You're an existence that's difficult for us to understand. That's why we want to know who you really are."
"I'm a cultivator from another world."
Victor didn't bother hiding it. There was no point. Besides, while the Stellaron Hunters were branded as terrorists by the IPC, complete with hefty bounties on their heads, they weren't actually villains. At least not to the protagonists. They could even be considered allies, despite the potential conflicts that might arise down the line. Those were problems for another day.
"A cultivator? What's that?"
Firefly's puzzled expression confirmed something Victor had suspected. She wasn't surprised that he came from another world, only curious about what a cultivator was.
The Stellaron Hunters had probably already guessed he was from somewhere beyond this universe. Silver Wolf must have picked up that information when she'd infiltrated the Express to spy on Stelle and the others.
"Well... you could think of it as people who cultivate themselves and defy the natural order. Going against the heavens, in a sense."
Firefly committed his answer to memory, filing it away for later.
"Is that why the Nameless have grown so strong in such a short time? Because of cultivation?"
"You're quite perceptive. Yes, that's correct."
Victor's compliment made the girl's cheeks flush slightly pink.
"Then... what's your purpose here? Can you tell us that?"
Victor shook his head. "I don't really have a purpose. But if I had to give you one, I want Stelle and the others to become stronger. Strong enough to protect anyone they want to protect."
Strong enough to protect anyone they want to protect.
The words resonated deeply with Firefly, stirring memories she'd rather forget.
"I see. Thank you for being honest with me."
She had no reason to doubt him. Call it woman's intuition, but she felt Victor was telling the truth.
Siobhan approached their table at that moment, setting down two elegant glasses.
"Here you are, two Endless Joys. Enjoy."
"Thanks."
Victor took both glasses and handed one to Firefly.
"Now it's my turn to ask questions."
"What do you want to know?"
"What are the Stellaron Hunters really after? And how do you see the Astral Express?"
Firefly fell silent. The question hung in the air between them while Victor sipped his drink patiently, waiting.
After a long pause, she finally spoke. "I'm sorry. I can't tell you our ultimate goal."
"As for how we see the Astral Express... they're allies. But also... tools to achieve a certain objective."
She lowered her gaze, unable to meet Victor's eyes. She'd expected anger, or at least disappointment. Instead, his next words surprised her.
"That's a refreshingly honest answer. Even if it's not pleasant to hear, I appreciate your honesty."
"Thank you."
Firefly let out a breath she hadn't realized she'd been holding.
After that, they drank and talked about lighter things, topics that didn't involve secrets or hidden agendas. During their conversation, Firefly's curiosity about other worlds came up, and Victor was more than happy to share. He told her about different realms he'd visited, the cultivation systems that existed, the strange and wonderful things he'd encountered.
Time slipped by unnoticed.
Eventually, Victor stood. "We should probably call it a night."
Firefly nodded. "Right. Thank you for talking with me for so long. I really enjoyed it."
But as they moved to leave, Siobhan stepped in front of them, blocking their path.
"Hold on, you two haven't paid your tab yet."
Victor and Firefly exchanged awkward glances.
"Firefly, do you have any money?"
"I don't."
She shook her head apologetically. Her funds had been depleted for various reasons during her stay in Penacony.
"What about you?"
"I don't either." Victor gave a sheepish shrug.
"Then what are we going to do?"
Panic crept into Firefly's voice. If she got caught drinking without money, her identity would be exposed instantly. Escaping at that point would be... complicated.
Victor held up a hand. "Don't worry. I've got this handled."
He turned to Siobhan with complete confidence. "Just send the bill to the Astral Express. Tell them Victor sent you."
Siobhan raised an eyebrow. "I run a small operation here. No credit, no tabs, and definitely no 'send the bill to someone else' arrangements."
What?
Even that didn't work?
Victor's mind raced. He needed a new angle, and fast.
Then inspiration struck. He straightened up, putting on his most serious expression.
"Ahem. Alright, I'll level with you. I'm actually a major shareholder of Penacony. I'm here on an inspection tour. I simply didn't bring any cash with me. How about this, when I get back to the office, I'll give your establishment an Outstanding Business Award?"
His own Stelle would soon become a shareholder here, after all. And as Stelle's husband, calling himself a shareholder wasn't too much of a stretch, right?
Siobhan's eyes narrowed. She crossed her arms. "I heard your entire conversation just now, Mr. From Another World and Miss Stellaron Hunter."
Damn it!
She'd heard everything?
But they'd been so far away!
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