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Danklook was already awake by the time he hears the scratching on the walls outside his balcony. He rises from his luxurious bed, goes outside and looks down at the troll climbing up under the moonlight and smirks.
“You know you can simply enter through the front door? I promise you my staff and guests wouldn't get in the way nor ask questions.” He just calmly leans on the intricate railing, observing as the other just keeps climbing.
“Mew know me, I like to do things my way! Besides, i purrfur to keep our meetings under secrecy, for your own protection.” Muckrake says, trying to come off as suave, but only earning an eyeroll and a helping hand to pull her up the rest of the way.
Her feet hit the floor and they both walk silently into Danklook’s chambers, closing the doors and the curtains behind them. The olive blood sits on the comfortable armchair she already elected her favorite, while the indigo goes about his nightly routine.
“So, to what do i own the pleasure? I haven't been to any social events recently, so i know it’s not that.”
“Oww can't a gal just want to catch up with her favorite pale fling?”
“I bet you say that to all the socialites you interview.”
“Seriously! I just wanted to spend some time with mew, mew are always so busy, day and night! And by the marks on your back and neck i can tell last day's business ran real violet~” She teases, making the other blush slightly as he fixes up his robe to cover up the bites and claw marks left on his skin.
“Well the company is expanding and i do need to keep my connections and contacts on board. It's a shame so many trolls even need prosthetics in the first place, but i'll keep doing my best to supply them what they need."
“Oh, sweet sweet Exemplar! If mew could, mew would cull the entirety of Beforus, i bet.” She joked about, moving dramatically then spreading herself more over the chair. “Speaking of which, how mew charges been doing?”
“Miss Charon has been doing better, but we all can tell her time will be up pretty soon, such is the tragedy of a burgundy’s short life-span. Little Xianli is still getting used to her new routine, but she has been adapting well. And then there's Marcus, still always bugging me about something being wrong all the time, i can tell the boy does it for attention but i will still keep trying to fix him a leg he will be happy with, it's the least i can do.” He goes through his rant while picking up and putting on his clothes, just something casual to have breakfast and resolve the things around the mansion before he has to get ready for work.
“Wow, mew make culling 3 trolls at once sound easy! And mew do that, run your company and still has the energy to pail every day! I would be exhausted."
“And what about you?” He clears his throat and tries to change the subject. Despite Danklook's… sexual openness, he could be a real prude around the topic. “We always talk about what i'm doing but never about your endeavors, Miss Leijon. What about we start making this relationship less one-sided?”
“Ho ho ho! Since mew insist, Mister Zahhak, i will gladly yap to you! Mew know how celebrity gossip is only one step removed from criminal investigation, right? So i’ve been helping a colleague with something really interesting!”
Danklook sits down on another chair and nods for her to continue, making sure to show interest.
“Remember the mine explosions that happened a couple of weeks ago?”
“Yes, such a tragedy. I made a personal donation to help the survivors, such a horrible tragedy.”
“Yeah yeah, pretty sad, but look! Despite the media treating it as just an accident, the investigation behind it has been weirdly hush hush, and some really high profile officers have been involved in the case. Rumor has it even the Constern is looking into it! Something is extremely fishy there!”
“You know how i don't like this line of thinking much.” If there was one sore spot they didn't seem to get over it ever was their opinions on politics. They managed to stay off the topic for most of the time, but their disparity in opinions and blood caste still showed it's ugly head from time to time. He sighs “Just promise you won't get in over your head and get into trouble.”
“Okay, i promise.” She lowers her head like a wiggler being scolded by their lusus and mutters that ‘it wasn't even her story, anyways’.
Before the climate between them could turn turvy, they hear a knock on the block’s door and a meek voice coming from the other side.
“Master Danklook, breakfast is about to be served, sir.”
“I'm on my way, Doreen!” He raises his tone just a little and waits for the sounds of the maid leaving before returning to the conversation. “Would you like to have breakfast with me and my wards? We don't serve any meat, but i'm certain you would still like it.”
“Nyah. I rather avoid any commotions and just get out by the way i came in. It was nice talking to mew though, we should do this more often!”
Muckrake stands and goes back to the balcony and the other follows her. Before she could start climbing down, she was pulled into the softest, most delicate hug she had ever received. Like he was hugging the air around her. Obviously doing his best to not hurt her.
“Just… be careful. Please.”
She reciprocates by actually squeezing him as tight as she can. They separate and just stare at each other for a while, smiling.
“See you soon, Equius.” She says and jumps over the railing, using her claws to start going down the mansion's brick wall.
“Bye, Nepeta.”