𝕿𝖍𝖊 𝕼𝖚𝖊𝖊𝖓'𝖘 𝕷𝖎𝖔𝖓

The Double Charles

"You're a perceptive one, aren't you," It wasn't exactly a compliment.

"It doesn't take a genius to look around and figure out you two don't exactly belong in a place like this. You've got money, spend it."

"Maybe, but money doesn't buy the Lion, in fact, it seems like poverty does," Grey declared.

"Maybe that's a good thing: not every hero has to be for hire," Y/N huffed as she pulled out her notepad and pencil.

"Perhaps. We would like to ask you a few questions before we order, if it's not too much trouble," inquired Phipps. Y/N sighed before tucking away her notepad.

"Fine, but make it quick. Just 'cause you're dressed fancy doesn't make you entitled to the time of day. Miss Alice and I've got a full house so make it fast."

"You're educated, aren't you?" That was an odd question.

"To a degree, I suppose, yes?"

"You said 'Miss Alice and I'," observed Phipps.

"And?"

"Most people of your class would have chosen the wording 'me and Miss Alice," pointed out Earl Grey, "However, you used proper grammar and phrasing, and aside from a few shortenings of words, your English has been perfect."

"Maybe I just worked around higher class nobles or had an old employer who demanded I have proper grammar."

"I doubt it highly," Earl Grey waved off her statement, "Your hands aren't scarred or very calloused, they've hardly been worked. You either came from money and lost it, or you're just not using it. And your accent gives off the notion you're most likely not local." Y/N was a little shocked they had come to such conclusions after only speaking to her for such a short time.

"So what if I was wealthy, or still currently am. My financial status is none of your concern-"

"How long have you been employed here?" Phipps cut her off. Y/N looked slightly offended, she figured Grey would be the one to interrupt her.

"About three weeks, almost a month," she answered them, "You can ask Miss Alice if you don't believe me."

"And how long have you been in London?"

"I really don't see the point behind all these questions," Y/N was getting a little nervous now, they were asking specific questions about her whereabouts and it was getting more than suspicious. 

"Well, tell us we want to know and maybe we'll return the favor," Grey mused.

"Funny thing: I don't feel like I can trust you two all that much," Y/N said with a fake laugh, "Also I'm not stupid, which is why I'm still answering your questions. You've got a blade and I'm sure you've got the skill to use it. The only reason I'm still talking is because my tongue looks better in my mouth than on the floor." Phipps sipped his drink and Grey laughed.

"Oh, you really are a bright one, aren't you?"  He laughed a little longer before repeating his question, "So how long have you been in London?

"Same amount of time I've been working for Miss Alice. I got the job only hours after I arrived here. I tend to get lucky like that." Y/N did not care to elaborate on how she had acquired her job at the Pub.

"A smart, determined, social young woman like yourself. That's not too surprising." She knew what they had put together: both her and the Lion had shown up around the exact same time in the exact same area. 

"Anything else about my personal life you'd like to intrude on or can I finally tell you about today's specials and take your order?"

"One more question: have you come into any contact with someone you think or know is the Lion?" Well that was pretty direct.

Y/N took a minute to pretend to think about his question when in reality she was coming up with a fake answer. She waited a few more moments before declaring: "Nope, no one comes to mind, I'm afraid. Sometimes I've seen someone run by the window after a gunshot but I've never seen a face. You should probably go invade some of the saved people's lives if you want information about the Lion's appearance." Grey just leaned on his arm and gave Y/N a smile, his eyes closed. Y/N felt like she had just gotten a big, fat, red target slapped on her face. 

"Thank you for your help, Miss," Phipps said in his monotone voice. Grey nodded and then began to rattle off his order which contained practically everything on the menu. Y/N wasn't surprised but she was sure the cook would be. She was only one woman after all. 

Closing time felt like an eternity away but Y/N and Alice were all the more relieved to lock the door once everyone had gone. They were so tired neither was able to stand any longer and they both collapsed in a booth by the window with huge sighs. "I don't know what was with that man in white you served, but he ate at least one of everything. Poor Rosina was up to her neck in dirty dishes. I wanted to help but she insisted she could handle it on her own." Y/N nodded before laying her head down on her arms. She and Alice just sat in silence and rested for a bit before Y/N went upstairs and changed into her binder, trousers, shirt, scarf and matching cloak. Alice had tried to convince her to skip tonight's shift but Y/N insisted that she go out and help people. Y/N passed Alice asleep in a booth before she left through the back door which she locked behind herself. She walked for a little while before she noticed her footsteps unnaturally echoing behind her. She continued to walk as if nothing was wrong, but slowly and without sudden movement, she sheathed one blade and pulled out and readied her pistol. Y/N continued to walk before she abruptly stopped, turned around and aimed her gun directly at who was following and was ready to blast the bastard full of lead, or in this case, bastards. Y/N was met face to face with Charles Grey and Charles Phipps. She would've lowered her gun but that would prove she knew them. Also, she knew what Grey could do to her with his rapier. 

"Wow," Grey laughed, "You're a lot more fun than you were back in that Pub!" He pulled out his rapier before Y/N even had a chance to fire. She sighed and put down her gun. Phipps rushed over to her and took it.

"Push-y," Y/N emphasized the 'y' as Phipps unloaded the pistol and put the safety on just in case. Grey laughed again.

"So we were right! The strange, new waitress from the Dozy Dog is the Lion!" He declared.

"Hey! Be quiet! Other people haven't exactly figured that out yet," Y/N snapped at him.

"Well if we keep it a secret will you do something for us in return?" It wasn't a question and Y/N knew it. She was cornered.

"What?" She snapped.

"We've got a job offer," Phipps informed her.

...

"What kind of job?"