Previously in NWC-
Reno and Luna decide to shower in preparation of the big day. While Luna showers, Reno decides to have a conversation with Ben. Reno discloses information about his past to the old man, admitting that the way he feels might be overexaggerated in regards to his parents. Reno also ponders if him wanting the best for his brother makes him just as bad as his parents. At the end of the discussion, Ben asks where Luna fits into Reno's story. Reno quickly realizes his is coming to confront him already. Meanwhile, at Lyn's house...
The morning sunlight creeps through the window, the partially closed blinds allowing just the right amount of sun to pierce through it. Sprawled on the ground is none other than Lyn, lying face first on a wadded-up jacket and surrounded by several empty alcoholic beverages. –N.W.C. DOES NOT CONDONE THE ABUSE OF ALCOHOLIC BEVERAGES— Mere feet away lies CeCe, passed out on the couch with her head flopped over the arm of the furniture. The sunlight filters through the window, warming CeCe's face with its embrace. CeCe's eyes slowly open, shutting quickly as she attempts to shield her eyes. "Ughh, what time is it?" Slowly, she sits up, rubbing her aching neck. "Oww!" She winces, pinching the bridge of her nose. Her gaze slowly shifts to the floor, observing the sheer quantity of empty bottles. "Maybe Lyn and I got a little too crazy last night." She groans as she pushes herself up, stumbling to the kitchen. Lazily, she shifts through Lynn's cupboards to find the cups. After procuring her cup, she reaches for the faucet. Rather than turning it on, she opens a small access hatch on the front of the faucet, revealing a small glowing stone. After inspecting the stone, she closes the hatch and begins filling her cup with water. With her water in hand, she begins walking back to the living room. While drinking, she slowly prods Lyn with her foot. "Lyn, it's morning. We're supposed to be planning for later today."
Lyn groans as she turns, laying on her side. "I'll deal with it tomorrow."
CeCe lets out a sigh, shaking her head. "We can't wait until tomorrow. We're supposed to meet with the town this evening, remember?"
Lyn groans, acting like a child being told to eat their vegetables. "It'll work itself out. Let a girl sleep!"
CeCe looks at the pathetic display before her and exhales slowly. She smiles sweetly and bends down next to Lyn. "Think about it, Lyn. You with a thriving business. Hundreds of employees reporting directly to you, looking up to you. Greeting you with a 'good morning ma'am'. Knowing the control and power you'd have over them."
Lyn smirks as she quickly sits up. Her black hair moving in every direction as she reaches around for her glasses. After finding them, she slowly puts them on, pushing them up with her index finger and looking up at CeCe. Without a word, she stands up and walks to another room. The door closes and all CeCe can hear is the faint sounds of vomiting. Concerned, she contemplates calling out. However, she decides against it, waiting for Lyn to finally return. Eventually, a flushing noise can be heard and Lyn returns. She smiles innocently, looking at CeCe with a small line of drool running down her chin. "What are you waiting for? Power and control aren't earned by sitting around!"
Deciding it would be wiser not to question it, CeCe nods. "Right…" The girls spend the next hour cleaning themselves up and getting ready for the day. Taking the lead, CeCe opens the door, covering her eyes from the harsh rays of the sun. The fresh air brushes across her face, cooling her body. "It's a nice day out today, isn't it, Lyn?"
Lyn breathes a breath of fresh air, looking over at CeCe. "My head feels like its giving birth to triplets."
"Well, that's what happens when you drink strictly hard liquor."
Lyn gives CeCe a look of disdain. "Quite the obtuse observation as always, CeCe."
CeCe playfully winks and flashes Lyn a sparkling thumbs up. "Aren't I the best?" Finally outside, the two begin plotting. "We finally have a chance to make this work. We can't afford to screw this up."
Lyn adjusts her glasses before slowly panning to CeCe. "Don't act like we had zero intentions of asking first."
CeCe nervously chuckles, wiping a bead of sweat that'd formed on her forehead. "Well, while that might be true, Reno provided us with an opportunity to handle the issue of Bambadale relations first. Sure, the plan was originally to just shoot first and ask questions later. But, it sounds almost like Reno got the mayor's endorsement, so we can't waste this opportunity!"
"I'm aware of the circumstances. While he's a long way from being obedient, I will admit he did good this one time."
A small sigh escapes CeCe and she shakes her head. "He's been very helpful, Lyn. Now, we don't need a giant well-thought-out plan. We just need something to pitch to the town so they'll be on board with establishing trade with the capital. We'll come up with some pros and cons and explore a good and bad outcome."
Lyn nods, placing a hand to her chin as she thinks. "Right. We don't want to try and make it sound like it's a perfect scenario and everyone will live happily ever after. You're more positive than I am, so I'll think of the negatives and you can think of the positives."
"Great! We'll come up with three reasons each. I'll act like I'm giving the speech to you and you act like a skeptical villager!"
Lyn walks over and sits on her doorstep, looking up at CeCe. "I'm ready when you are."
CeCe clenches her fists and nods her head. "Thank you for taking time away from your busy schedule to meet with us today!"
"This had better be good you damn bitch!"
CeCe's expressions shifts to shock and annoyance; however, she keeps a twitching smile plastered on her face. "Lyn, now's not the time to be joking around."
"You have to be ready for any situation. Someone could be having a terrible day and decide to take it out on you."
CeCe sighs, shaking her head. "I'm not saying it's impossible, but that would never happen here."
"We've already lost if we're writing off possibilities."
CeCe chuckles slightly and grins. "You're acting like Reno right now."
Lyn quickly adjusts her glasses and gives CeCe a look of annoyance. "Now you've gone too far. Apologize."
"Whaaat? I didn't mean that in a bad way!"
Lyn looks at CeCe over the brim of her glasses as if looking at her from a different perspective would change anything. "Right, and I'm a ray of sunshine who's the life of the party."
CeCe huffs slightly, thinking. "Now come on. I know you don't like people, but you have to admit Reno isn't as bad as most people."
"You've known him for a couple of weeks at most. That sort of trust is just going to lead into another bad situation, CeCe."
"C'mon, Lyn. I know you're worried about me, but we can't live our lives in constant hiding. I had a good amount of time to gauge the kind of person he is."
Lyn takes her glasses off, pinching the bridge of her nose and sighing. "I'm not saying he's not a good person. I just think getting friendly with random people you know next to nothing about is a bad idea!"
CeCe places her hands on her hips, getting slightly frustrated. "We're literally coming up with a plan to make Bambadale the center of attention and you're trying to distance us from potential allies?! If everything works out we'll be in more danger with or without Reno!"
"That boy is a liability!"
"How is he a liability?! His party is the only reason I was able to get that treasure and sell it. Which, might I mention, is the money being used to fund this mission!"
Lyn folds her glasses up, hanging them from the chest pocket on her long sleeve shirt. "He would have died without your help."
"And I would have died without his."
"That's beside the point."
CeCe groans with annoyance, looking at the sky as she grips her face. "You're not even trying to hide it!"
"CeCe, I'm just worried. I've already seen your life fall apart once. I can't let it happen again."
CeCe huffs slightly, observing Lyn's strained expression. Finally, she sighs, shaking her head. "Why do you think he's a liability?"
"It's not that he's a bag guy or anything. I just don't think he's cut out for the potential danger he'd be in if we kept him around. When the village was raided during the celebration he almost died from fighting one little bandit leader. He would have died if it wasn't for the old man."
"Well, yeah. Any normal person wouldn't handle well in the situations he's been in. But even then, I've heard, and even seen, really good qualities about him. You even admitted he showed up to town and immediately started helping. You even said it was his efforts that lead to the town being able to fight back."
"Yes, but it was mostly just him being in the right place at the right time. Anyone could have found the resources he found, and anyone could have stirred the town to rebel."
"Yes, but he didn't NEED to. When he and I were in the underground, sure he was more scared than I was, but he still fought. And you should see the way he treats Medusa, it's shows how sweet he can really be."
"If he's going to be useful then he needs to be tougher! We can't rely on someone who's scared of every conflict he get's in and has to be saved at every turn! He needs to be meaner!"
CeCe shakes her head. "You don't get it, Lyn. That doesn't really suit him. I think Reno looks like 'Reno' when he's a bit dumb and clueless. Not everyone has to be a stone-cold killer, Y'know?"
Lyn observes CeCe's face before sighing and shrugging her shoulders. "If you really trust this guy, then I'll give him a chance."
CeCe's eyes brighten and her smile returns. "Really?!"
"But. My priority is always going to be your safety."
"I know. You've always been willing to give up everything to help me. You really are the best friend anyone could ask for."
"Flattery will get you nowhere. But it's always welcome!" Lyn smiles smugly as the two return to their planning.
TO BE CONTINUED...