where is dutchess?

daylight had finally ascended onto town returning to the forest. the clearing had gotten rather bigger. plenty of trees were chopped down. there was a series of puddles all blood surrounding the orphanage Dutchess stood in front of the front door. her hair and clothes all ruined with blood stains, both fresh and dried Butler having witnessed the whole thing brings out a towel he found in the lining area so that she could clean herself off Even with some of the bloodstains going duchess appearance wasn't great. her eyelids had dark circles around them due to her lack of sleep then her hair was also a mess because of all the extra movement she had to perform while executing the unwanted guests and some of the blood was too dry to be rubbed off with a towel so she clearly was in need of a shower or bath Butler not sure what the next move would be tries to gauge a response from Dutchess

Butler: ma'am how are you feeling? You've been going all night. would you care to take a break?

Dutchess: no, not really. I should probably sweep the area to make sure that there aren't you remnants that didn't run away.

The thing is with Dutchess connection to lunar she is no longer able to feel pain, which means that besides from the weird sensation of light-headedness and adrenaline from the exercise, she doesn't feel any of the pain from the excess movement or lack of sleep and therefore can't conclude that she is actually tired, which means she won't probably not be able to fall asleep until she's exhausted herself completely butler worried about that actually coming to pass tries to push for her to get out some rest.

Butler: I know you're concerned about the situation and I'm happy to help but we can't have you collapsing on a set of crucial moments. go inside and get some sleep and will wake you. something happens. I'll take a quick trip back to the office and get the documents due today for you.

Dutchess expresses a desire to refute his request, but after considering all of the different elements she concludes that he's right. so she lets it go and heads to the room Wanda designated for her use Butler's an apologizes to the still awake orphans for this gruesome scene that they had just witnessed and since that he will clean up the mess upon his return. he then takes off towards the office area as he gets ready to enter the office using his key. he has intercepted by an interesting duo. it's none other than Breck and a the self-proclaimed mother Darleen, but of course Butler's unaware that.

Breck: finally found you!

break was in a very mild condition like Dutchess. he too is greatly exhausted with dark rings around his eyes. Darlene is female companion on the other hand seem to be a bit better off. she also appeared to be tired, but she was doing a good job of hiding it so it was hard to identify it. butler observing this suspects that she's probably using makeup to hide some of the more common signs, but everything from her mannerism indicates that she is in perfect condition entering the office to retrieve the paperwork. Breck goes on spill about his whole night. he starts with the invasion of his personal living environment and then proceeds to the events that followed upon entering the top floor of the apartment complex in the penthouse.

after being surrounded by many goons from crocodile tears. Breck fights them all off furiously with his sword trying his best not to cut any of them as he does that to every once in a while when he knocks away. a few of the goons Orlando would try to catch him off guard with his mace the two would often clash against each other with Orlando winning over because Brett is resisting accidentally cutting his opponent. but before things would go too far, another goon would try to go in for the kill but Breck would knock them back out again. at some point during this exchange of combat, he starts to notice that Darlene isn't nearby anymore. he searches around the room frantically to see where she had gone off to and fine was that she has found comfort sitting next to the other captain of crocodile tears who appears to be sleeping. not only that, but on the table in front of the damaged couch she was sitting on. she had set up some equipment for making tea and was working on a batch as he was fighting. he starts to wonder where but before you can drove too deep on the subject, he is interrupted again by Orlando who was aggressively trying to take him out. break finally asks

Breck: what's the deal with all this? there's no way Rin just approved for all of you to go and invade this building.

while being forced back, Orlando smiles and gives off a little bit of a chuckle.

Orlando: it's like I said earlier we had a little talk with Ren. we made it very clear that we don't like working under you and that he should be the boss. lady is right hand man so we're trying to get her a little present. smooth things over a bit and see if we can't get a better position for ourselves.

Orlando last rather loudly while Breck gives the obvious expression of disappointment at their lackluster plan he was well aware that if they approached Dutchess complaining about their station she would most likely shoot them dead and have Butler bury the bodies after taking all their valuables to use his assets to further the cities development. he then after imagining that resisted the urge of snickering due to him feeling bad for their own stupidity. but Orlando's spots his facial muscles constraining resisting the urge to smile.

Orlando: what's so funny huh? share it with the class buddy.

breck resisted telling at first but then realize that if he didn't tell them he would be the bad guy for letting them go to their own slaughter.

Breck: I'm not going to tell you this once if you show up or trying to bribe her into giving your group are better position. she's most likely going to shoot all of you and then shoot me or even worse cut my paycheck again.

Orlando ignores what Breck is saying clearly he's convinced that his way will work Breck feeling fed up with a situation. kicks Orlando to the ground and then while he's on the ground takes a knee to his face. putting him unconscious. he then proceeds towards Darleen and the unconscious captain of the opposing gang as he does the sleeping captain wakes up.

mystery captain: this tea smells nice Care to pour me a cup.

Darleen chuckles at the friendliness of her enemy.

Darleen: only if you enjoy tea from an old woman.

the captain then stretches his arm over the back side of the couch where Darleen sat.

mysterious captain: age means nothing when it's mature, all that matters is flavor. then right now I spot myself a great flavor.

Darleen picks up his hand and throws it back to his side.

Darleen: funny, I prefer my husband better, but you're still welcome to drink the tea.

she pours him a cup and slides it his way. then pours herself a cap and takes a sip Breck not sure how to make the situation besides that, if they're not hostile he has no reason to fight so it takes a seat in the destroyed chair across from the couch.

Breck: so Cooper is what Orlando said. true. did Ren really agree to it? because if so, you've basically doomed your leader.

Cooper takes a sip of tea without a care in the world.

Cooper: everything Orlando said minus a few unnecessary details was true. we all went and pressured the boss man. now we're on a road to destruction.

Brooklyn's back in his chair. looking to press due to his old friend being in a bad situation. then Darleen after taking another sip of tea sniffs the air a bit

Darleen: by any chance are you a follower of mush?

Cooper looks to her was surprise and then since the air himself.

Cooper: oh would you look at that a fellow night alliance member? what's a rep of lunar doing here.

Cooper takes another drink of tea then he laughs a bit to himself. The thing The two of them are in the same alliance but have different standings. Cooper appears to be a follower, which means he holds the right to call upon spirits who follow mush while Darlene is a representative meaning she cannot only call upon spirits who follow lunar but also utilize her powers. this situation intrigued the two of them Cooper realizing where the situation stands. besides, it's best to retreat. I'm getting up he starts waking up the unconscious goons on the floor then picks up. Orlando and makes his retreat but before that he does say.

Cooper: I think it best we have the boss lady decide how things will land. I will have the boss meet with the boss lady later on. send me a letter when you're ready to talk.

what's that Cooper and his goons leave the room.

to be continued