“What the hell is this?” one of the women accompanying Jason Foreman cried from her bathroom stall, followed by the sound of her bowels loosening. “Was the sushi bad?!”

“You can’t get intoxicated like that in The Novus, stupid! Someone drugged us. There’s no other explanation! Oh, god--!”

“Whoever did this is dead, then!”

“Just try it,” Marissa Laflamme, disguised as Brittany, giggled from the sinks while checking her outfit and makeup. All set! Now I just have to convince Jason to get out of here, and…

She heard a liquid dripping beside her, and for a second, she thought someone was pissing on the sinks. Turning to her left, she found the third woman fighting for Jason’s attention, pouring down her drink.

Merde…

“Diarrhea pills? Seriously?” the dark-skinned woman asked, squinting.

“They’re fine, aren’t they?” Brittany shrugged. “They left the battlefield with their wallets intact. But I won’t be able to say the same about you.” Brittany stepped forward until getting into the woman’s personal space, but she seemed unfazed.

“Are you going to get rid of me, too? Mmm?” She half-smiled. “Why bother with the ‘shit pills’, then?”

Marissa stared into that woman’s hazel eyes and clicked her tongue. “What’s your name?”

“Joana. You?”

“Brittany. What do you want?”

“The same as you. A piece of that pie called Jason.” Joana exhaled. “Unfortunately, I’m not as skillful as you to get rid of the competition, but I can play along if it benefits--” Joana stopped talking at the sight of Amelia Laflamme entering.

The redhead peered at them for a second, before going to the sinks to wash her hands.

“Let’s go,” Joana whispered, holding Brittany by the hand. “If you're planning on stealing from him, may I advise against it?” she continued, outside. “He might not seem like one, but he’s a Max-Leveler, and currently under the protection of Kathleen Maher. You know, the owner of this place.”

“Are you saying that I wouldn’t be able to do it?”

You don’t have to say, gal. Even I know it will be difficult. The guy has a Passive Skill called ‘Deep Pockets’. He liked to brag about it all the time.

“I’m saying that it’s super risky.” Joana half-smiled, stopping in the middle of the corridor.

“You said that you could play along if it benefitted you,” Brittany said. “So you want a cut.”

“If you had returned to the room on your own, that'd have made him suspicious. But if the two of us work together for the same goal…”

I wouldn’t mind splitting the spoils, but I’m doing this on behalf of the guild, Marissa thought, closing her fist behind her back.

“Alright then,” Brittany said, raising her chin, “but it won’t be a 50-50 collaboration.”

“What do you mean?”

“I was thinking of a 70-30 partnership.”

Hearing that, the soft-spoken Joana showed anger in her eyes for the first time. “What are you talking about? I’m doing half of the job here. After doing this I won’t be able to show my face in this city again, you know? So I require a handsome compensation for this.”

“Sure, but I was the one that got rid of those bitches, I’m the one with an actual plan to get this moron’s money, and I’m the only one perfectly capable of dealing with him in case things go south.”

Joana squinted at her. “Are you a Max-Leveler?”

Brittany only smiled at her, while a large, muscular man passed them by. “Hi, ladies.”

“Hi,” the two said in unison, grinning.

“Are you guys having fun? If not, maybe I could fix that,” he said, checking their bodies and nodding approvingly. “What do you say?”

Oh, William the Stoic, go eat a dick, you fucker! You were always after my sister and never treated me nice!

Brittany feigned an apologetic smile while grabbing Joana’s wrist. “I’m sorry, handsome, but we already got a date. Maybe some other time.”

“I wouldn’t mind waiting.” He winked at her. “I’ll be at the bar if you change your mind.”

Oh, I’d love to come back for your throat! Sadly, right now I’m after a bigger fish.

“What a dick,” Brittany whispered to Joana as they returned to their private room.

“What? I’d swap Jason for him in a heartbeat!” Joana chuckled, making Brittany grimace.

“But his biceps are as big as his head! If he gets over you, you’ll die crushed!”

“I’d die happy between his big, hard muscles, then.”

Brittany grunted. “I’d prefer dying asphyxiated by a pair of nice, thick thighs…”

They stopped in front of the door, holding their breath. A sign read: ‘Iris Room’.

“So, 50-50. Okay?” Joana reminded. “And don’t try anything stupid afterwards. I have powerful friends you won’t like to meet.”

“I haven’t agreed to that deal yet,” Brittany replied, grabbing the door’s knob, but Joana pulled her arm.

I want to cut this bitch’s throat so badly! Dammit, Helen! Why did you make me promise to never kill someone weaker than me?!

“Let go,” Brittany whispered, not showing a glimpse of anger in her voice or face. “For now, let’s enter. If we make him wait more, he’ll end up looking for other bitches to impress. Do you have 'Incog-me' installed? We can keep chatting there.” She smirked at Joana. “While maintaining our anonymity intact.”

Joana let out a sigh and manipulated her User Interface while making a grimace. “Add me, 153597G.”

In a matter of seconds, both were connected to a private incognito chat room.

“Done,” Brittany said, opening the door for her, revealing Jason Foreman beaming at them from his seat.

“I knew ladies liked going to the restroom in groups, but this is ridiculous!” He laughed out loud, before frowning. “Where are the other ladies?”

“We got rid of them,” Joana blurted out, taking strides to sit on his lap.

“That you what?!” he asked, eyes wide open, at the same time that Brittany tried to hide her bewilderment.

What is she thinking?!

“They were being a nuisance,” Joana said, turning to Brittany. “Isn’t that right?”

“Yes, those bitches got what they deserved.” Brittany responded, sitting beside him. “Don’t feel bad for them. Those morons tried to get rid of us first.”

“How unfortunate,” Jason whispered. “But it gives us a chance to get to know each other better, then!”

“Sure thing!” Brittany grinned, but her lips turned upside down as she heard a very popular song playing on their private projection.

“My he-aa-art goes boom-boom when you’re arooound! So don’t leave! Boom-boom!”

“Can we do something about the music? We’ve heard that song, what, a million times already?”

“No way. It’s my favorite song,” Joana hissed.

“You like Miss Cosmica? You?” Brittany let her frown show her skepticism, before sneering. “Wait, it shouldn’t surprise me...”

“What’s with that reaction?! It’s even weirder that you don’t!” Joana replied, squinting.

Jason, who stood between the staring contest, chuckled nervously before getting out of there quickly. “Um, ladies, if you excuse me… I need to…”

“Is it a bad thing to be a fan of pop music?” Joana continued as soon as the door closed, making Brittany shake her head.

“Forget that! We should talk about our next goal! Do you have any idea where he could spend a large sum of money in one go?”

Joana exhaled. “So you can steal that instead?”

“Good job! I’d have stopped talking to you if you hadn’t come to that conclusion on your own.”

“Bite me,” Joana grunted.

Brittany giggled as she greedily grabbed a fistful of nachos, while rolling her eyes at the sight of Joana watching the screen showing Miss Cosmica’s last concert.

“Iregorn isn’t far from here,” Joana muttered, entranced by the dancing and the overflowing energy of the idol. “Too bad I couldn’t go…”

Wait… I could use this… Brittany opened their private chat, and added a photo.

When Joana heard the new message notification, she reluctantly tapped on it, and jolted after inspecting the picture. “Where did you get this?!” she cried.

“I know a friend that knows her manager,” Brittany said, shrugging, while dipping another nacho on cheese sauce. “Mmm… So good...”

Shaking her head, Joana stared at the photo of a pink-haired girl absently opening her mouth wide to eat a submarine sandwich, and compared it with the pop star dancing and singing in the projection in front of her.

“This can’t be her. She must be a lookalike,” she muttered, as if the image of her beloved idol had been tarnished.

“Photos and videos can’t be manipulated inside the Novus,” Brittany quoted like it was textbook information, loudly munching on chips. “And artifacts that let you change your appearance have their limits and can’t replicate an existing face. So, this is my last offer… Accept your 30%, and I may arrange a way to have a little peek of Miss Cosmica off stage.” She grinned. “We may be able to see her doing something embarrassing again, just like this. Wouldn’t you like that?”

“Do you really think I would fall for something like this?” Although Joana was wrinkling her nose, she continued checking the photo. “30%? How much would a guy like that have in his account, anyway?”

“Maybe close to 10 million.”

“What?!”

“Hey, dolls, I’m back!” Jason grinned, kicking the door open. “Have you worked out your differences yet?”

“ Don’t kick the doors,” Joana said sternly.

“S-sorry.”

“Leave him alone! What are you, his mom?!” Brittany said, hugging him as soon as he took a seat. “Don’t take the fun out of this room, Jo!”

“Hey, don’t take him all for yourself!” Joana cried, hugging his other arm. “And don’t make me look like a party pooper. I agreed to the threesome, didn’t I?”

“T-threesome?” Jason gasped, gazing at both of them and their curved bodies.

"What is it, J?" Joana asked softly in his ear. "Don't tell me you’ve never been in one. Don't worry, sweetie, I can guide both of you." Her hand ran through his chest, all the way to his stomach.

“Sure, whatever,” Marissa said, pouting. “But, daddy, keep in mind that I won’t move a finger until you buy me a pair of new shoes!”

“Brit!” Joana cried. “We talked about this…”

“What, what is it?” Jason asked.

“Sorry J,” Joana said apologetically. “I told her we shouldn’t bother asking you to buy us stuff. But she won’t listen.”

“Hey, my motto's always been ‘wear your heart on your sleeve’!” Brittany shouted, squeezing Jason’s arm against her breasts. “And if I am going to have my first threesome ever, I want to get something good first to sweeten the deal!”

Jason's astonishment turned into laughter. “I certainly like the sound of that! Do you want something too?" he asked Joana. "Shoes, clothes?”

Joana smirked. "There's this Mount I always wanted."

"A M-Mount?" Jason stuttered, working out how much gold that would cost.

"Not fair!" Brittany cried, leaning forward to confront her while positioning her hand on Jason’s thigh. "If you're getting a new mount, I want one too! A feline one."

Jason snickered, changing the expression of his eyes. "Why would you want a cat? I had one for over a year and it sucked ass. I sold it for cheap as soon as I could."

Brittany stared at the deep of his eyes. Oh… I’m starting to understand why you stole the gold.

"What do you suggest, then?"

"I won't know until I see it," Jason groaned while adjusting his glasses. "But it will be a thousand times better than a stupid cat, I’m sure of it."

Joana got close to him, caressing his chin. "J, if you need a Mount too, why don't we all go to the best place in the city to buy one?"

"Yeah! A Mount that shouts, ‘look at me’, or, ‘don't mess with me’," Brittany added, whispering into his ear.

Jason stood up slowly and adjusted his jacket. "You know what? That sounds like a good idea."