The woman behind the counter nodded and began tapping at what some might consider an
ancient-looking computer
. But it’s probably not much older than this body or at least the years I’d lived in my world - and
that just kind of irks me
.
"I’ll need a payment card and some ID."
I quickly began to hand over Kyrie’s white plastic
lifeline
, but faltered at the request for identification. This really is a
problem
I need to deal with somehow.
"I... don’t have an ID with me."
The woman looked up and I could catch her expression shifting from
business friendly
to privately wary. A kind of look that suggested there was a
story
there.
"We require ID for check-in."
"I understand. Mine was stolen recently. As you can see, I have a lot on me and was... an easy target. I intend to start the process of replacing it, but I’ve only been in the city a day. I’m just grateful that I never keep this in that wallet..."
She frowned at my
improvised story
as I clicked the card on the table with a downcast expression, clearly debating whether to turn me away. I could see the calculation in her eyes - known risk versus
questionable
reward.
Finally, she sighed as the sense of being a
good samaritan
and a
bad business owner
sunk in. And my wolf whined at me like I’d done something heartless!
"I’ll need an extra deposit, refundable when you check out. And if there’s any kind of trouble, you’re out immediately. No refunds."
"That’s perfectly fair. I just want a place to rest, not cause trouble in."
She ran the card, eyes twitching and
looking at the rectangle
over whatever she saw on the screen. But she said
nothing to me
about it and... after a moment of reaching into a cabinet, she handed it back.
Along with a key attached to a
plastic tag
with the number 217 stamped on it.
"Second floor, far end. Quietest room we’ve got. Housekeeping comes on Wednesdays unless you put the Do Not Disturb sign out. Checkout time is 11 AM."
"Thank you."
I took everything and gathered my bags on the floor with a slight grimace that didn’t go unnoticed. She landed the ’bad news’ with a
half apology
- while putting her glasses back on and picking up what I see now is a
romance novel
.
"Lift is broken. Has been for months. Stairs are at the end of the corridor."
⧖ ☾ ❄ ☽ ⧖
It was basic just like the other motel... but
cleaner
, just as promised. A full-sized bed with a faded floral comforter dominated the space, flanked by two nightstands with
dated
lamps according to Helene’s knowledge.
> Seventies...? Or is it just that I’m growing more and more spoiled now that I remembered werewolves are not immune to the fatigue of carrying extra weight all day... And it would be suspicious to make all those trips like that to the same spot, with empty then full suitcases... while also making it pointless because I’m still using her funds just to go get the items! <
Renting a car would also solve the
transportation issue
, but that still required money and identification I didn’t have. Kyrie could probably arrange something, like she said, but the mere thought of asking for yet another favor made my
pride sting
.
Even as the idea of her smiling brightly and ’jumping to’ at my request sends a little jolt of...
something
up my spine. I begin to pace the small room, feeling
caged
despite having more space than I’d had in days.
Money worries were important and so was
independence
from her and everything this bond potential is making me feel. But it was really
one main matter
in my head.
The memory of being
confronted
in the alley flickered through my mind. If some
random werewolf
had tried to intimidate me or worse today, others might try tomorrow.
Having weapons designed to harm my kind would provide a level of
insurance
against future threats that I need. To
feel safe
.
"Because despite my bravado, there was a good chance that I did not, in fact, have everything handled. And underestimating me may only work once or twice until rumors spread."
And then there was Jace. If he was likely going to
come looking
for me, in revenge or
madness
someday, I wanted to be prepared.
I stopped in front of the mirror, studying my reflection. Helene’s face but more of Citra’s expression to it... a fox princess that
always liked to claim
she was resourceful and could find ways out of
all kinds
of situations.
"This is ridiculous. There has to be an easy way to bring back more than I can physically carry."
I muttered to my reflection... and the
system
again demanded attention. Blue misty glows drew me to the
task list
.
Like it had a
solution
to my pressing problems.
Just like the
two times before
.