Chapter Text
Hazel,
Could you make sure our guests are handled properly today? Also, would you mind letting Theodore tag along? Got a meeting with Ms. Ludwig today. Thanks!
- Samuel
—---
Theodore’s paws glided across the keyboard as he mindlessly watched each camera. He had woken up early for no particular reason. Usually he’d be in bed right now, but he just couldn’t go back to sleep for the life of him.
Guests had started to pile in. More and more games are being occupied by critters of all species.
Theodore watched a backstage camera as Bailey and Kasey went over some songs they had in mind for later that night. He hummed softly along as he switched cameras to Camilla working in her studio on outfits for a supposed gala coming up soon.
The feline sighed as he pushed his chair back and let it spin him in place. P.T. hasn’t answered any of his reports, and the only guy who would most likely respond is Harley, but Theodore would rather burn his tail off than talk to Harley willingly.
A sudden knock on the door snapped him out of his train of thought. Hazel poked her head in as she stared at Theodore for a good moment.
“Boss wants me to show you something.” She began to walk out, not waiting for Theodore to respond. The cat swiftly followed, the two's footsteps making no sound against the carpeted floor.
They entered the second floor, which was reserved for VIP guests. The tables and games were crowded with rich men and women who laughed without a care in the world.
“What are we doing up here?” Theodore asked as Hazel swiftly picked up a clipboard from a bar counter with her name on it. “Just have to show you the ropes, Kitty. If you’re working for us, we’ve got to make sure you aren’t a rat.”
Theodore watched carefully as she approached an old lion. He wore a deep black suit, with a golden watch hanging from his pocket. His ear twitched as he turned to face the green rabbit with a toothy grin.
“Oh, Hazel! It’s a pleasure to see you again! How’s Mr. Day doing?” He laughed loudly, making some of his companions laugh beside him.
“He’s doing wonderful, Mr. Mane.” She carefully checked the clipboard in her hand before continuing. “He wanted me to tell you that he loved your last conversation with him; he decided that he wanted to invite you to his own private dining area!”
Mr. Mane brushed his massive paw through his fur as he excused himself from his table. Hazel began to lead the giant feline towards the first floor.
Theodore trailed behind quietly. Why did Samuel want him to tag along for this? It’s just walking a guest! He doesn’t even interact with the guest!
Theodore had assumed they were supposed to take a left to Samuel’s office, but instead they took a right, which confused the feline.
He didn’t say anything as Hazel slid a keycard into a metal door. His heart thudded in his ear when they all entered the dingy room.
“Hazel, where’s Mr. Day? Isn’t he supposed to be here?” Mr. Mane stopped in his tracks as he took in the room.
Theodore took notice of the drain in the middle of the floor. Before he could react, a sudden and loud shot echoed through the room.
Mr. Mane fell with a loud thump. Blood poured onto the floor and into the drain. Behind him, Hazel stood holding a gun. Where did she even get that? Theodore thought as he processed what just happened.
Hazel sighed as her radio turned on. Brandon’s voice spoke through the static. “Status update?”
“All clear, big guy. Cover our tracks.” Hazel leaned on the wall as she watched Theodore. Her mouth twisted into a grin of delight as she snorted.
“So, you just witnessed business. What are you going to do, Kitty?”
His ear twitched. The two stood face-to-face, silently judging one another, awaiting the other to react first.
The feline took a deep breath before speaking, “Why’d you kill him?”
The gun in her arms clicked as she carelessly twirled it in her arms.
“Answer me, Hazel.” His voice raised slightly, not from shock but from the frustration of being ignored. “Why did you kill him?!”
She gave her shotgun one last twirl before catching it in her arms and aiming it at Theodore. “It’s business.”
The cat’s heart hammered in his ears like loud banging drums that kept getting louder and louder every second.
“This lion…” Her aim faltered slightly. Her eyes scanned the lion's body on the ground. His once beautiful mane, which he had been proud of, was tangled and full of blood.
“He wasn’t a good man, Theodore. He exploited the poor. One less rich jerk in this world.”
She didn’t wait for the cat’s reaction; instead, she walked over and carelessly kicked the body. Her green paw reached for her radio, and she spoke calmly into it. “Brandon, gonna need a cleanup in room 088.” The radio was just static for a moment or two before Brandon’s voice came through. “Affirmative.”
The rabbit let out a low whistle as she grabbed the pocket watch from Mr. Mane’s suit; she twirled the chain in her arms and began to walk out. Theodore glanced once more at the body before following her.
"So…" He awkwardly broke the silence as the two of them walked through the red hallway. The soft and fuzzy wine-colored carpet made his paws itch. “You guys kill... rich folk? I don’t understand your whole point, as Mr. Day is pretty rich.”
Hazel groaned with a laugh following right after. Even though she had just killed a man, she could keep a smile. “Samuel isn't like the rest. He hates rich folk who exploit others.”
They reached Camilla’s studio. Hazel knocked three times before the unicorn appeared. “Got you a new piece of jewelry.” She tossed over the pocket watch, which Camilla caught with her magic. “Mr. Day would adore that with his suit.” She winked as Camilla gave her a gentle thank you.
The rabbit and cat continued their walk to the other side of the hallway, where Samuel’s office was.
“We kill those who make this world worse. It’s like an anti-hero I guess.”
Theodore nodded. His tail twitched with each step. It was shocking that these critters had a huge secret. It’d be good info to give to PT. It's best to find out more.
Hazel entered Samuel’s office without knocking. Inside, said dog was going over papers with a small porcelain doll with flaming red hair.
Poppy.
“I suggest that we tone down the murders for a couple of weeks, Samuel. Brandon had a close call with an officer a couple of days ago…"
Her voice trailed off as she turned to face the two who had just entered.
“I see the jobs done?” Samuel’s tail wagged as he sat a bit more upright. “Sure is, boss.” Hazel snorted, tossing her gun aside. She jumped onto his messy desk and began to rummage through a jar of candies.
“Wonderful! Well... that should be the last of the murders for a while thanks to Poppy’s suggestion.”
His paw waved towards the doll, who was fixated on Theodore.
The cat made no reaction to her stares. She thankfully had not known him when she still lived under PT’s rules. She shouldn’t even be aware of the undercover job.
“Is this the new hire you were talking about?” She turned to Samuel, who gave a quick nod. “Yes indeed! This is Theodore Nap. He works in the security wing.”
Poppy stood up and walked towards Theodore with a gentle smile. “I’m Poppy Ludwig. Nice to meet you.” She reached out her hand for Theodore to shake.
“Likewise.” He leaned down and firmly shook her hand.
“Alrighty!” Samuel cleared his throat and fixed a couple more papers. “Since Theodore is still alive and well, I assume he handled the business well?” Hazel gave him a nod.
“Wonderful! It means the world to me that you were so quick to accept it, Theodore.” His eyes shot over to the cat, who stood proud and tall under the canine's gaze.
“Now, I don't usually condone murder... but sometimes you have to subtract a negative to make a positive.” His smile faltered for just a moment before he went back to his usual self.
Theodore stood awkwardly for a brief moment and then decided to start heading back to his office. He was halfway out the door when Samuel called out.
"Hey, wait, Theo!”
The feline turned around, his arms instinctively crossed over his chest as he waited for Samuel to continue.
“We’re having some drinks at a nearby bar tomorrow. I was wondering if you’d like to join us.”
Theodore thought for a moment. He had nothing better to do, so he nodded. “Sure. what time?”
“How about 6:40 after closing? We’d usually leave at 7, but it’d give everyone time to gather in the front.”
Theodore nodded at him one last time before heading out the door. Samuel let out a breath and slumped into his seat, which Hazel snickered at.
“Are you going to tell him what the party’s about?”
Her laughter died down, being replaced by a serious tone.
"Yeah... I mean... we have the remembrance during it, so I feel like he’d catch on.”
Hazel nodded and stood up, fixing her bow tie. “Alrighty, you two have fun talking business." She motioned between the dog and doll, who laughed slightly.
As the door closed, Samuel took one last glance at the paper he wasn’t holding before placing it back inside its file and fixing his hat.
"Alright... Where were we?”
———
Theodore walked into his room after the casino closed. A drink with the boss and his coworkers? Now that’s somewhere he could get info from.
He neatly placed his uniform in his drawer and lay down on his bed, his eyes focused on the ceiling above.
His tail twitched at the thought of making PT so proud with whatever he gave him tomorrow.
Oh, how fun it’ll be…