Twin dragons

Sol sat on the edge of the fountain, idly tossing Peach into the air and catching him with practiced ease. The plush bear, despite its unassuming appearance, had become a constant presence at his side, a companion that most people found strange but never questioned too deeply. He had arrived early, not out of enthusiasm but because he preferred to get a feel for his surroundings before any sort of negotiation took place. The Luminara District's nebula-spewing fountain cast an eerie yet mesmerizing glow over the empty plaza, the cosmic mist swirling in unnatural patterns.

He let out a slow breath, rolling his shoulders as he glanced around. The district was still waking up, its chaotic architecture as confusing as ever—floating platforms shifting subtly, buildings that looked like they had been stacked on top of each other without a plan. A perfect place for things to go sideways, which was exactly why he had chosen it.

Peach landed in his palm with a soft thump, and Sol sighed, squeezing the bear absentmindedly. "You think they'll show up on time, Peach?" he mused, watching the sky above. "Or do you think they'll make me wait just to prove a point?"

Peach completely ignored the question and just yelled, "Higher! Higher!" Sol couldn't help but smile.

He tilted his head when he finally sensed movement. His eyes tracked the approaching figures—Elise and her people, moving in a measured, deliberate manner. His smirk deepened slightly when he noticed an unfamiliar face among them. Tall, broad-shouldered, exuding an energy that felt barely contained. He didn't know who she was, but the way she carried herself made it clear she wasn't just another lackey.

Elise looked composed as always, but there was something in her eyes—a careful watchfulness that told him she was still unsure of him. Good. That meant she was taking him seriously.

Elise flashed a charming smile as she approached, her golden eyes flicking to Peach briefly before returning to Sol. "You clean up well."

Sol was dressed sharply, a tailored black jacket with intricate silver embroidery lining the cuffs and collar, paired with a dark high-collared shirt that complemented his slim but athletic frame. The outfit gave him an air of effortless elegance, a stark contrast to his usual casual attire.

He returned her smile with one of his own, equally charming. "Couldn't leave a bad impression on these lovely ladies now, could I?"

Jupiter, who had been quiet up until now, let out a low scoff. "You talk a lot."

Sol flashed her a grin. "And you glare a lot. Guess we all have our talents."

Asha, who stood slightly behind Elise, suppressed a sigh. It was clear she had been hoping to avoid unnecessary tension, but Sol wasn't one for conventional pleasantries.

Sol's gaze flickered toward her, and with a charmingly innocent smile, he said, "It's been a while, Asha. You look lovely today."

Asha smiled politely in return. "Thank you," she said, offering a small compliment back, but inwardly, she still dreaded this monster. No matter how charming he acted, she knew better than to lower her guard around him.

Elise gestured toward a bench near the fountain. "Shall we sit?"

Sol tilted his head slightly but shrugged, taking a seat on the stone ledge instead. "I'm fine right here."

Elise sighed but sat down regardless, crossing her legs elegantly. "You like to keep people on edge, don't you?"

"I like to see how people react to unexpected things," Sol corrected. "It tells me a lot about them."

Jupiter folded her arms, looking unimpressed. "And what exactly do you think you've learned about us?"

Sol turned his sharp gaze on her, his smirk never fading. "That you don't like not being in control. That you think strength solves more problems than it actually does. And that Elise is smart enough to bring you along just in case things get interesting."

Jupiter's eyes narrowed slightly, but Elise merely let out a soft chuckle. "You really don't hold back, do you?"

Sol shrugged. "Too much of a bother." Then, tilting his head slightly, he asked, "So, when is this meeting supposed to happen?"

Elise checked the time on her sleek, silver communicator before answering. "In about an hour," she said smoothly. "We'll be meeting with a representative from one of the larger syndicates operating in Luminara. They've been encroaching on neutral territory, and I need to make it clear where the boundaries lie."

Sol raised an eyebrow. "So you brought me along for intimidation?"

Elise's lips curled slightly. "Not exactly. I want you to observe, listen, and if necessary, remind them that there are consequences to overstepping."

"And if things go south?" Sol asked, lazily adjusting his cuffs.

Jupiter, who had been silent until now, scoffed. "Then I handle it."

Sol smirked at her confidence but turned his gaze back to Elise. "Alright, and what exactly do you want me to do during all this?"

Elise's golden eyes studied him for a moment before she replied. "You're not here to throw punches or start a war. You're here because you represent unpredictability, and that makes people nervous. Keep them guessing. If they think we have something… or someone… they don't fully understand, they'll tread more carefully. And if necessary, I trust you'll know how to make an impression."

Sol let out a soft chuckle. "Oh, don't worry. I'm great at making impressions."

Elise flashed a charming smile. "Good. We should start heading to the meeting spot now."

---

An hour later, they arrived at a massive floating restaurant suspended in the air, its grand architecture adorned with glowing golden accents. Beneath it, two enormous dragons, carved from an unknown shimmering material, appeared to be supporting the structure, their eyes glowing faintly with artificial life. A massive, elegantly designed sign at the entrance read: **The Twin Dragons.**

Sol let out a low whistle, taking in the extravagant sight. "Well, this is fancy. Wasn't expecting this."

Elise chuckled, glancing at him. "What did you expect? The meeting to happen in some dark, abandoned factory?"

Sol, without hesitation, nodded. "Well, kinda, yeah. That's how it is in the movies."

Asha blinked at him, momentarily dumbfounded by his response. Elise, on the other hand, looked genuinely amused, shaking her head slightly. 

Jupiter scoffed, arms crossed. "Bumpkin."

Sol grinned at her insult, completely unfazed. "Hey, I take pride in my simple expectations."

As they stepped inside, the atmosphere of The Twin Dragons was immediately apparent. The air carried the scent of exotic spices and freshly prepared delicacies, the soft hum of classical string music playing in the background. The floors were a polished onyx, reflecting the warm glow of floating lanterns that bobbed lazily overhead. Every table was adorned with expensive silk coverings, and waitstaff dressed in pristine uniforms moved with effortless grace, attending to high-profile patrons.

As they walked through, heads subtly turned, eyes filled with recognition and respect directed toward Elise. Whispers followed in her wake, some voices laced with admiration, others with wary acknowledgment. Sol took note of how effortlessly she commanded the room—without a single word, her presence alone was enough to shift the atmosphere. It was impressive, even by his standards.

"Damn, look at you," Sol mused under his breath, hands in his pockets as he observed the reaction around them. "Didn't know I was walking in with royalty."

Elise smirked. "Influence is a currency all its own, Sol. Knowing how to use it is just as important as money or power."

"Clearly," he muttered, watching as an attendant in a deep blue uniform bowed respectfully as they approached.

"Madam Elise, your guests have arrived and are awaiting you in the private suite. Please, follow me," the attendant said smoothly, gesturing toward a hallway lined with elegant golden embellishments.

Elise nodded in acknowledgment and followed, with Sol, Jupiter, and Asha trailing close behind. Sol couldn't help but glance around, taking in the opulence. "Not gonna lie, I expected more tacky gold statues of dragons everywhere."

Asha sighed, pinching the bridge of her nose. "Do you always have to comment on everything?"

"Yes," Sol answered without hesitation, flashing her a grin.

Jupiter scoffed but said nothing, while Elise simply chuckled in amusement.

As they arrived at the private VIP suite, the doors slid open soundlessly, revealing a lavishly decorated room with a long, glass-top table at the center. Already seated inside were several individuals, their gazes turning toward the new arrivals.

The game was about to begin.