The Rules of the Game

Sometimes, I feel that I should go and play with the thunder

Somehow, I just don't wanna stay and wait for a wonder

-- The Rasmus, "In The Shadows"

Back On The Road

A long time ago...

Raphael Cornell walked at a rather fast pace and it was difficult for Rani to keep up. It also did not help that she kept being distracted by the portraits that adorned the walls.

"Hello, dear!" said one, waving her pink handkerchief.

"My, what a beautiful lady," another one added, giving Rani a cheeky wink.

"Is she new? Is she new?" a little girl asked, holding a large beach ball.

"I haven't seen her before," an old man said thoughtfully.

"What's your name, dear?" the woman above him asked.

"Keep up, Ms. Zahra," Cornell snapped, quickening his pace.

"Well, quite rude," one portrait said.

Rani gave them an apologetic smile and hurried to catch up with her "tour guide."

"You should not dawdle," Cornell scolded as they turned a corner, "especially with the portraits. They can talk for hours if you let them. Why Bellamont wishes to keep them around is beyond me. You're new, so I suppose being distracted is forgiven, but do keep up."

Rani tried not to bump into a badly placed table and sped up to be by Cornell's side.

"Now, I must admit that your choice of clothing isn't quite what I suggest--" Here Cornell glanced at her t-shirt and shorts quite pointedly. "--but I suppose Mr. Faris will fix you up once he sees you."

"Is, um, Mr. Faris very strict?" asked Rani.

In the two weeks she had been adjusting to Biggerstaffonia, she had never come across this so-called Mr. Doyle Faris, and all she knew about him was that he was going to start her up on her fighting skills before she passed on to more serious trainers.

Cornell seemed to stop for a mere second to ponder on her question and then he was off again. A portrait waved at Rani and gave her a curtsy.

"Mr. Faris is extremely strict, and will not enjoy the fact we are late," Cornell finally said. "He shall definitely have to whip you into shape, for I'm quite sure a Barbie doll could have you in a grip before you even thought about it." They turned another corner. "Also, may I say once again, your outfit is atrocious."

"What does he do exactly?" Rani asked.

"He raids tombs, I suppose you could say," Cornell said, wiping his brow. "And sometimes he helps train the newbies if Bellamont requests it." They turned yet another corner. "He's been quite around for a bit, and will do the odds and ends that need to be tied out. A specialist in all trades, that would be the term."

Rani made a face. Great, she was going to be trained by some old guy who would talk about wars and how "this generation" never did anything of use.

"We're almost there," Cornell announced.

"Yee haw!" greeted a portrait.

When Cornell has said "we're almost there" what he had really meant was that after taking a left corner twice, going up three flights of stairs, turning right after a rather erotic portrait, giving a password to a member of King Author's Round table, and then going down one flight of stairs would you achieve "we're almost there."

For after that whole trip, which had Rani quite out of breath and annoyed, did they reach a large wooden door with the words "Exercise Court 1" written in white paint.

Cornell knocked twice on the door, stood firmly, and waiting for someone, presumably Mr. Doyle Faris, to open it.

Rani felt her heart beat faster.

No one opened the door, so Cornell knocked again.

When no one opened the door after various knocking and poundings, Cornell opened it himself and they were greeted--

With a very empty room.

Rani looked around in surprise. Everything was white, with a few objects for target practice and weaponry.

Cornell, well, Cornell looked like he was about to die from the mere shock that Mr. Faris was not there waiting for them, pointing at his watch meaningfully because they were late.

"Perhaps--perhaps he gave up on us and left?" asked Rani.

"Left? Left?" demanded Cornell. "He cannot leave. He has an appointment with you. On Bellamont's word!" He took a deep breath. "Well, let's go then. There's no point in staying here yourself. I shall have her greatness know about this immediately!"

Rani looked at the man in front of her. Her greatness?

Right.

*

The food court was an extremely big room, connected to the kitchens, where various tables were laid out. There were scheduled food times, and Rani found herself eating quite a delicious lunch of lamb and mashed potatoes. The food court itself was filled with people, and everyone seemed to be talking quite happily with their fellow companions.

Rani had been too concentrated in finishing her potatoes and wondering what she was going to do with the rest of her day when a rather attractive man took the seat in front of her.

"Hope you don't mind," he said. "I just need to write a few notes, and I'm gone."

Rani, who had turned into a puddle of goo and wondered if she was capable of intelligent speech, merely nodded.

He gave her a charming smile and pulled out a stack of papers from his bag and a pen. "I don't believe I've seen you before. Are you new?"

"Um, oh, yes," Rani said, nodding feverously. She put a piece of lamb in her mouth to stop her from stammering more.

The man chuckled, making something off on the first paper. "I'll have to see if I can get Bellamont to let me train a pretty thing like you." He winked. "You look like you could swing a sword with ease."

Rani, who was now beyond stammering and only blushing, said, "I'd much rather train with you than with Doyle Farris. The cretin missed my first lesson. He's supposed to be this big shot here, and he can't even keep a commitment."

The man's smile grew even wider. He leaned over the table, shook her hand, and said, "Let me introduce myself. Doyle Farris."

The image Rani had introduced to her mind since the beginning of the day flew away with a sharp cackle.

She blinked once and then twice, let out an embarrassed squeal, and made a run for it, leaving her bag behind.

*

And now...

God said let there be light.

That was all Bill could think as he kissed the fresh soil, took in deep breaths of pure air and tried to pretend the light wasn't too painful to his eyes because - oh mighty Zeus - the warmth felt great.

The jungle itself was deadly quiet, and despite the small clearing of where they were, Bill could see the tangle of trees ahead where Eddy and José were hiding.

"I am so, so happy," said Summer, who had collapsed to the ground in relief.

"I think I'm due a two week holiday now," Chuck added. "You okay, Doyle? You don't look so good."

Doyle, who looked paler than he was meant to be, swayed on his feet. "Just a bit hungry and hot and feeling like I'm about to erupt into particles of dust."

"There is a lot of sun here," Rani said, moving to help support him. "We should head toward the trees. It's all shade and anacondas there."

"When was the last time you had some blood, Doyle?" Summer asked.

"Um, some time between the killer bees and the fire spirit," Doyle said. "I'll be ok, I just need to adjust a bit."

"How long can he go without some blood?" said Bill, hurrying to catch up.

"Well, he's strong enough to not live on it for years at a time," Chuck explained. "But I think with all the energy he lost in Vetula and this godforsaken sun, we're better off not testing that theory."

"Eddy, can you tell us where you are?" Rani said into her microphone.

"Yeah, babe, let me pull up your coordinates," Eddy said, and then mad typing followed. "All right, you're not too far off the main entrance of Vetula, but let's keep you to the sidelines in case Montanez is sniffing around. From where you are now start walking east. You'll be on the borders of a clearing the whole time, but try to stick to the trees. You'll reach the river, from there just follow it down, and you'll start to recognize the headquarters."

"Got it," Rani said. "Let's go, people."

The walk back to Eddy was neither entertaining nor boring. Everyone seemed to make good use of it to relax and come to terms that they were out of the worst danger and ready to go home. Bill, especially, could not wait for a good meal and possibly a hot shower before catching the first portkey home.

The only event on the walk was coming across a rather cheeky monkey who stole Doyle's sunglasses and hearing a shot in the distance that made the group hurry. However, it did not look like Montanez was on their trail.

When they did reach the camp, it did not take long for them to start packing. Rani seemed as desperate to reach Caracas, and Doyle's appearance wasn't improving.

"Eh, Billy, why is your bag jumping around like that?" Eddy asked.

Bill looked at the offending item. "Oh, that's just Pat," he said, thumping the bag once. "Do you think Bellamont will be able to help him with his small t-r-a-n-s-f-o-r-m-a-t-i-o-n?"

"I can hear and spell, you know!" snapped Pat from the bag, but he didn't hop anymore.

"I'm sure she can come up with something," Eddy said.

Zorro, who had been quite happy to see everyone, kept zipping around, snapping at people's heels, but not barking as if he knew that any sounds could alert danger to them.

"How are we supposed to get back to Caracas?" Bill asked Rani, as they shrank the rest of the stuff.

"Same way we got here. Boat until Puerto Ayacucho and we have a contact there with a waiting portkey," she answered. She tied her hair into a quick braid. "You did a good job, Weasley. I must say I'm impressed."

Bill gave her a smile. "I'm nothing but the best, love."

Rani rolled her eyes, while Eddy snorted.

Bill looked around to see if they had missed anything. Everyone was packed, the luggage was shrunk and the sun would be at its peak soon enough.

"Everyone ready?" he called out. "Let's start moving then. It'd be good to get to Caracas before dinner, eh?"

"Aye, aye, captain!" Eddy cheered.

*

Bill leaned back in the Jacuzzi and gave a delighted sigh. The water was just right, the bubbles were plentiful, the dinner he had eaten before settled nicely in his stomach, and the bottle of beer by his side played agreeably with his taste.

Caracas. Four starred hotels. This was life.

He was so happy to be back to civilization, even if it wasn't quite home. But there was nothing to complain about, was there? They had the Sphere, securely placed in the room safe with a numbered code only Bill knew about. Tomorrow morning Rani had promised him a portkey back to Egypt (no airplanes, yay!). And there was no sign of Montanez or his goons since Tweedledee and Tweedledum.

Nothing could be wrong with Bill's life right now.

There was a slight knock on his bathroom door, and Bill opened an eye warily. Had he ordered room service? Doubtful, since he had eaten dinner a mere half an hour ago, but maybe it was a complimentary dessert...

"Come in," Bill called, making sure that he was completely covered by bubbles.

Not that he had anything to be ashamed of.

But it wasn't room service or anything of the kind, instead it was Eddy, casually dressed up, who peered from behind the door.

"Hey, Billy boy," he greeted. "Enjoying the commodities of the city?"

"And everything it has to offer," Bill said, lifting his beer bottle in a sort of mock toast.

Eddy laughed. "We're heading to the wizard bar we saw across the street now, and we wanted you to join us. A celebration for a job well done," he said.

Bill pondered the idea. It did sound like a good idea, and he was always one up for alcohol. "I believe I will join you," he said. "I'll meet you lot there."

"Excellent!" Eddy said, and hurried off.

Bill submerged himself one last time under the water before getting out and going to get dressed.

*

The moment Bill entered the bar it was not hard to miss the small crowd gathered around a small, round table filled with tequila glasses being filled by the second. On one side of the table was Doyle, smug and looking like he had just been promised the richest blood in the world, and on the other side was a man that quite resembled Cornelius Fudge. Each was holding one tequila glass in each hand, and looking daringly at the other.

"Fondo blanco!" the crowd around them cried.

Both men threw back their shots.

"Fondo blanco!" the crowd cheered again. Someone slipped a dollar bill onto the table.

The two men threw back another shot, and more dollar bills were placed on the table.

"Fondo blanco!" cried Eddy, sipping his beer and falling back into his chair.

"Fondo blanco!" agreed the crowd.

Doyle drank his thirtieth shot. The other man did as well and promptly slumped onto the floor.

The crowd cheered and Doyle took his money.

"I love being a vampire," he whispered to Eddy as he left to dance with Rani.

Bill had first thought of joining Summer in a more secluded table or possibly Chuck, who was fighting with the barman (but I am of age! I just don't have my passport with me.), but instead there was something that caught his eyes a few stools away.

She was pretty and blonde, and Bill had great experiences with blondes.

"Hi," he said, sitting on the stool next to her. "What are you drinking?"

"Dry martini," she said with a polite smile. Then she gave him a once over.

They always did.

And he returned it. Thank you very much.

Bill waved two fingers at the barman. "I'll have what she's having, please."

The barman nodded and went to fix the order.

In a table to the left, Eddy stumbled over a chair and gave Rani a thumbs-up.

"Wizarding bars," the woman commented, "amazing people you meet."

"Oh. Yes," Bill agreed. "I'm Bill Weasley."

"Astrid," the woman said, shaking his hand. "Tourist, I assume?"

"Lovely name," complimented Bill. "And, yes, tourist. You?"

"Oh, just popped in to do a quick job," Astrid said with a secretive smile. "But I've always been one to mix business with pleasure."

Bill gulped and gave her a radiant smile. "You know what they say about a girl who works all day..."

Astrid smiled politely again, taking another sip of her martini. "Are you staying in a hotel or with friends?"

"Hotel," Bill said. "The Tamanaco, actually. How long are you staying?"

"Maybe for the rest of the week," Astrid said thoughtfully. She tilted her head slightly, and Bill got a glimpse of a gold chain with a matching cross.

"What, er, do you do?" he asked.

"I'm a vampire slayer," Astrid said. "I work primarily in Argentina, but I work my way around Latin America for the extra money."

Bill unconsciously looked at Doyle, who was participating in another tequila with a rather ugly-looking woman. The crowd kept chanting "fondo blanco! fondo blanco!" around them.

"And what do you do?" Astrid said. Correction, perfectly purred.

Many innuendos passed through Bill's mind, but what he really answered was, "I work for the Gringotts section in Egypt. Curse-breaker."

"Oh, Gringotts!" Astrid exclaimed, looking impressed. "No wonder you have such a fit body. I have a cousin twice removed who is a curse-breaker for the division in Zambia. Always working out and staying healthy, he is."

Bill smirked. "So," he said, taking a handful of peanuts, "what vampire are you after now?"

Astrid took out her purse and paid the barman. "Top secret, sorry. I think I'm done here for the night." Bill frowned slightly. "But, if you'd like to join me for more drinks up in my room..."

Bill perked up. "Drinks?" he repeated. "I don't see why not."

A little voice in his head, which sounded oddly like Percy for some reason, kept saying, "Er, hello? What about Rani? And, oh, I don't know, your stupid SPHERE?"

Naturally, Bill ignored it. And it wasn't hard to do so, especially if Astrid always wore belly dancing outfits.

"You'll have to excuse me, though," Astrid said, as they left the bar. The hotel was only a few minutes away, and Bill enjoyed the walk. "My room is a bit of a mess. I hope you don't mind."

"We could go to mine, if you want," Bill offered. "Same perks, and I think my roommate ordered the film channels."

Astrid gave him a glorious smile. "Sounds wonderful," she said, touching his arm softly.

The next thing Bill remembered was trying desperately to get the door open as Astrid kissed his neck, her hand... well, the door wasn't really helping.

"I think there's something wrong with this card," Bill murmured, trying to unlock the bloody door.

Astrid took the card from him, her lips still suckling and kissing at his neck, and passed the card through the holder. The lock beeped and the door opened.

"It always has to be the woman," Astrid teased, as they tumbled into the room. "Are you sure your friends won't walk in?"

"They won't be back until midnight," Bill said, opening the door to his bedroom, the air conditioner making the hairs at the back of his neck stand up. "And the door locks nicely anyway."

Astrid kissed him and took off her shirt. "Well then, Mr. Weasley, let's get this show on the road."