Chapter 8 - The Ball
Story by Gandoof on SoFurry
Amanda, frustrated with the mysterious LNV finds herself at the annual Indagator ball. Perhaps something will turn up?
So far…
After her encounter with the powerful spirit at the Asylum, Amanda finds herself rapidly growing. The mare’s ludicrously obscene assets grow more swollen with their fluids by the second. As they continuously reach sizes never attained before. Her height is rapidly becoming a problem, too, as she stands 900cm tall.
Despite this, the Indagator still has a job to do. Recently, the hermaphrodite mare picked up an investigation into the suspected dealings with the illegal drug known as “HyperX.” During this, she encountered a map that led her to a cave in the Amazon rainforest. Here, she found a warehouse kept within and destroyed it.
The mare finds three leads in the cave. LNV, Westdon Suppliers, and Stone Enforcers ltd. Questioning them was challenging, but all said the same thing. LNV was someone they had nothing on. Frustrated, the mare returned home and prepped for a ball.
Chapter 8 – The Ball
“Fuck.” Amanda stood in front of her bathroom mirror. The mare's thigh-length maroon locks stood in every which direction. Her eyes were sunken and hollow as dark circles hung beneath them. She placed an arm on her muzzle, swaying gently, and her vision began to darken. CRACK! SPLISH! Was the sounds her porcelain sink made as it fell to the ground in pieces.
The mare’s eyes shot wide open as she rubbed an immense cock sheathe. Damn it. Her thought rang. The mare took a moment to peer at the damage she’d done. Pipes jutted out of the wall gushing water, as sharp porcelain fragments remained embedded. The horse laid her head against the wall. “Ugh.” The mare grunted. Why didn’t I get to sleep any earlier?” The horse questioned herself. T_his damned case, that’s why._ She quickly answered herself, then let out a long sigh.
Bzzt! Bzzt! The horse heard her phone. With a groan, she walked into her bedroom. A notification spelled: “Indagator Ball, 20.00” Oh great. The horse remembered the ball. Maybe I can get some more sleep. Just as the mare laid down, she heard her stomach growl. Or not. The mare sighed again, got up, and went into her kitchen to find it wholly understocked. Guess I’m eating out.
The mare quickly threw on her cloak and grabbed her keys but hesitated just as she was about to step out. The horse recalled what Taliss had requested of her. But, another rumble of her stomach quickly changed her mind. I’ll deal with it later. With that, the mare left.
***
The horse's gigantic height still drew attention as she towered over the tallest giraffe anthros. Everyone shot her quizzical looks until she peered at an onlooker. The sight of the mare’s cat-like eyes had their jaw hit the floor as if they’d seen a monster. Quietly, they rushed to the next aisle.
As the mare waited in line, a tall man behind her spoke up.
“You’ve got lovely hair.”
With a swift movement, the mare peered at the man behind her. He was tall, dressed in a striped blue polo shirt, khaki shorts, and a pair of Birkenstocks. His black hair was long and tied nicely into a man-bun. The man had a warm smile, and his face showed smooth, pale skin. His eyes were red, with a subtle, gnawing hunger.
The mare narrowed her gaze.
“I really do mean it. Miss?-” The man held out his hand.
“Amanda.” The mare responded, uncaring.
“Lovely name.” He smiled.
“Next in line, please."
The mare’s attention shifted back to the cashier as she placed her groceries on the belt, scanned her card, and left.
***
The ballroom, elegantly carved into a vast marbled hallway, was supported by many grey stone pillars. They held up a swept, vaulted ceiling. Silver chandeliers suspended from the ceiling illuminating the white stone. Several round tables were laid out across the long hallway. A group of anthros stood on stage. It was gently lit as they played soft, smooth jazz. People bustled around the large hall delivering drinks and food as others sat at tables covered with a white cloth, lit by a small candle.
Amanda stood in the furthest corner of the room. A table sized for regular-sized anthros laid out before her.
“Would you like a drink, ma'am?" A fox anthro spoke.
“No thanks.” Amanda declined.
The waiter left.
“Ah! You look lovely, Amanda!” Taliss, Amanda's boss, spoke.
The mare peered down at the flowing red cloak she wore. The light glittered off in a shimmering silver hue. Amanda's hair was tied into a Celtic, three-strand braid.
“Hmph.” The mare grunted.
The centaur smiled. “I heard you went out today.”
The mare frowned. “Am I so terrifying I can’t go get my own damn groceries?”
“No, no, it's fine, Amanda. Just wanted to make sure the intent was true."
The mare rolled her eyes.
The centaur smiled. “Sorry, Amanda, I hope you enjoy the rest of your evening." He raised his wine glass and left.
Soon a tall, pale man approached her. “Greetings. You must be Amanda.”
He took the mare’s hand and shook it.
“I don’t recall who you are.”
“Ah. The grocery store remember?”
The mare tilted her head. “You complimented my hair.”
“Which, by the way, looks better now that it's groomed."
The mare held the man’s gaze.
“Your cloak accentuates your hair well.” The man sipped his wine.
“Hmph," Amanda grunted. “With all the complimenting, I'd say you're after something."
The man smiled. “Ah. How right you are.” He bowed. “Caught me red-handed. The name’s Vlad, Vlad Alucard.”
Amanda shook her head. “What is it you want?”
“Hmm. I was told you'd be blunt."
“A lot of people say that." The mare responded uncaringly.
Vlad smiled. “You seem just the right person I need.”
The mare frowned again. “No, I’m not getting in bed with you.”
The man chuckled. "Nothing so crass now; we haven't even had wine together."
The mare grunted.
“I have a different task in mind.” The man carefully set his wine down on the table.
“I understand you're looking for someone named LNV?"
Amanda’s gaze quickly changed. “Who are you?”
“I'm, let's say, a practitioner of sought-after goods."
Amanda held Vlad’s gaze momentarily. “You’re a drug dealer.”
“Ooh! How keen Indagator. What gave it away?”
“practitioner of sought-after goods?" The mare scoffed. "flattery, phrasing, ambiguity.” The horse shook her head.
“You’ve met people like me then?”
“Plenty.” The mare responded.
“Then why haven’t you screamed for the police?”
Amanda locked eyes with the man again.
He smiled. "You want to hear what I offer, don't you?"
“I’m not picky with my contracts. I get paid by the hour."
“Even if it’s illegal?”
The mare examined the man again. “That's a moot question, and you know it.”
The man tilted his head. “You’re right. I know you wouldn’t do it if it was.”
“Now, what do you know about LNV?" The mare’s gaze hardened.
“Well, quite a lot, actually. To start, I'm him." A wide grin stretched across the man’s face.
Amanda stared at the man. “Hmph.” She breathed. “Well played.”
“Thank you.” Vlad bowed again.
“So, LNV, I know you’re a cartel of some sort.” The mare watched the crowd dance.
“Very good. Yes, although I'd prefer an organization than a cartel.”
The mare crossed her arms. “Why are you telling me this?”
“Why haven’t you done anything?” Vlad rebutted.
Amanda sighed. “Fine. You've got my curiosity; tell me, LNV, what are you doing besides drug running?"
Vlad straightened his neck. “Information has never been as valuable as it is now.” He smiled again.
Amanda locked eyes with him.
“Ah. You seem to understand the kind of weight that carries.”
The mare took a deep breath. “Again, why tell me this?”
“Because the job I need you for requires it.” He calmly responded.
“And what’s this job?” The horse crossed her arms again and listened.
“You see when I paid for weapons and the carving of that cave. It was for an illegal contractor.”
“You mean the cartel who was headquartered there?”
“The one you so expertly killed. Yes.” The man’s tone shifted.
The mare smiled.
“I’m most displeased how they let you get to them so quickly.”
“So why didn’t you try to kill me afterward?” The mare inquired.
“Because Indagator, I looked over what information we had on you."
“And?” The horse insisted.
“You, might I say, are one of the few Indagators whose skill has virtually no match.”
“I’m honored.” The mare sarcastically stated. “What made you come up with that conclusion?”
“Your performance. You’ve single-handedly killed more than even I, with my vast network, might be capable of.”
The mare’s face grew dark.
“Does that upset you?” The man smiled.
The mare sighed. “Not anymore. Ancient history.”
“Good. I was hoping for that.”
“You still haven’t told me about your task for me.” The mare remained calm as the band droned on.
“My task is simple Indagator. I need your assistance with some business.”
“What kind of business?”
“The nasty kind.” The man responded.
“I’m not an assassin.” Amanda quickly shot back. “Nor am I about to deal in drugs.”
“Oh, I know. Trust me, you won’t have any business with those unpleasantries.”
“Hmph. Like I’m about to trust a damn crime lord.” The mare spat back.
“Now, now, Amanda, no mean to get rude." The man held up his hands.
“Then what is it you want me to do?” The mare watched the band continue to play.
“I need you to help me with a conflict.”
The mare scoffed. “Like I’m about to do that.”
“Well, Indagtor, it's not really a choice."
The mare tensed, glaring at the man. “Explain to me how it’s not a choice.”
"Well, there's a sort of war in my realm right now."
“By your realm am I to presume the underground?” Amanda interrupted.
“Yes, Indagator.” The man smiled.