17 Hot Dog (1/2)
”What do I want? A lot of things! Let's start with a hot dog!” he answered.
Suddenly, two hot dogs appeared in his hand. He handed one over to Catherine who looked confused, she had never seen one before, after all. Unsure, she took a bite out of it. It was surprisingly good!
”Thanks,” she said.
”How are you holding up?”
”I've been better but I'll manage. Meeting an ancestor from four centuries ago wasn't really something I had expected. We barely got time to exchange a few words.”
”I understand. It's really a shame. Still, I think he was happy he got to meet you at the end.”
”I think so too, at least I hope so. Considering the situation he was in, anything would have been an improvement.”
”Stop underestimating yourself, you're not 'anything'. You're Catherine Lippi, future Empress of the Lippi empire!”
Catherine sighed.
”I know you like people who don't give up on their dreams, but this won't happen in the near future. I still have a long way to go before that.”
”Well, you're much smarter than that idiot sitting on the throne. That's a good start. Also, you're much more attractive than some old dude with a long beard. You'll have no trouble winning over the masses. Your beautiful smile will make people fall for you all over the country.”
She answered with a vague chuckle.
”You're making it sound like I can smile on demand.”
”Well, I can help with that!” he answered.
”You have a peculiar humor, but I'm not convinced you could make me laugh constantly,” she said, rolling her eyes.
Joshua got closer to her and placed his hands on her shoulders.
”Oh, I do know how!” he answered as he slightly lowered his arms. ”Your cousin taught me!”
He let out an evil grin and started to tickle Catherine's underarms.
”Nohohoho! Stohohohop!” she said.
He had no intention to though and continued so she started to tickle him back. Soon they were rolling back and forth on the ground as they were tickling each other. Any dignity had disappeared from Catherine's face, she was determined not to lose.
This little surreal moment went on for about five minutes, after which they both stopped to catch a breath. Joshua smiled as he saw Catherine's expression looked much brighter than before, he didn't like it when she looked all gloomy.
”You have the strangest cheer up methods I know of,” she said, not unhappy of the situation.
”You should know by now, my plans are always brilliant.”
”I'll admit, you haven't disappointed me on that flank so far. If you don't mind, let's get back to the matter at hand. Damien was stronger than me and still failed this task. Do you think we have a chance to succeed? ”
”That's the main reason I came here tonight.”
”Sort of. Let's call it a… security measure.”
”What do you mean?”
”Let's go back to my lab, I'll show you.”
She nodded and followed him. They entered his world and she was led to a freshly created small cabin. The place looked very small compared to the size of the world. And was about 5 meters in length and width. Joshua opened the door leading to it but didn't enter the place. Instead, he turned to her and said:
”The main reason Damien's group failed is that somehow his spirit was turned against the party, through unknown means. Afterward, the spirit was responsible for their demise. In other words, should the same thing happen to us, I would become the liability to the party.”
”And you have a way to prevent to be turned against me?”
”I wish I had, but it's hard to protect myself from something when I don't even know what I'm up against. There is, however, a way to make sure I don't harm you. Please, enter this room.”
Intrigued, Catherine did as asked. Joshua didn't enter and closed the door. This was really a bizarre room, the place was empty apart from a single desk and chair. Catherine approached and sat down on. When she did, a screen materialized above the desk. Suddenly, Luna's voice resonated in her head.
[Welcome SuperAdmin Catherine. This place is fully isolated from User Joshua, he cannot hear what happens in here.]
”Why did he create this place?” Catherine asked.