Worthy Souls

Kit thinks a moment.

“Am conflicted.  Want for saying yes, as would be able to charge more.  On other hand, am not sure this collector would not object to alteration.  And too much money in self can problem be…” he huffs out a sigh.  

“Well, am thinking customer too dense for notice, and can spread things around with help.  If you please, upgrades kept, how you say… subtle.  No making of turn into bazooka, yes?”

“Take all the fun outta it, why don’cha.  I’m an artist, ya know.  Ya really want me ta stifle my talent?”

The bee introduces himself cheerfully– and does his best not to worry about Lucy’s reaction.  He’d hate to think he was somehow being a problem to any of Felicia’s troupe.  She might be the lead (and his absolute favorite), but in following her career he’s followed all them.

“Y’know something?”  The bee says as he follows Felicia, “Probably my favorite part of your act is what great chemistry y’all have. Like, you play off each other so well.  I know you guys weren’t actually raised together, but you might as well have been.  Bzz.”

JEDAH.

When the bee is led to Felicia’s room after the show, she is surrounded by her fellow catwomen which the bee will recognize as having made appearances throughout the performance.  Felicia immediately jumps to her feet upon seeing him, and waves him over.

“You’re here!  I’m so happy you made it!  Let me introduce you to my ‘sisters’.”  She gestures at the other catwomen.  Two look close to Felicia’s age, while the other five are all significantly younger and covered in more fur than the adults.  “Grace,  Lucy, Alto, Nana, Mimi, Nonno, and Piko!”  The younger girls are enthusiastic with their greetings, while one of the adults--Grace--is more subdued, and the other--Lucy--doesn’t seem pleased about the bee being here. Felicia doesn’t seem to notice, or at least doesn’t say anything about it.

“Thankings, gospozha Nico,” Kit says with a little bow.  He reaches into a satchel on his shoulder and pulls out the weapon.  He seems to be familiar enough handling weapons that he knows basic gun-handling safety– his finger is well away from the trigger even though it’s not loaded, and he’s careful not to point it at himself or Nico as he hands it to her.

The pistol itself, even in its present somewhat shabby state, is magnificent.  Clearly someone intended it to be as impressive to see as to use.

“Name of weapon is ‘Impératrice des arcanes’, AKA “Empress Arcana’,” Kit says.  “Made by Henri de Alsace, reputed half-angel, alchemist, watchmaker, gunsmith.  He was living 200 years, according to lore.  Legend tells he was blackmailed into forging 21 weapons for Holy Roman Emperor.  This one had special trick: Could harm enemies, and heal allies.  But firing mechanism seems broken.  Cannot take apart myself without damaging, needed an expert.”  He sighs shaking his head.

“This is big, BIG job for me.  Am not used to handling such things– am trinket dealer.  Frankly, would not have taken job if known how big.  But here I am, and am needing help.  Am, how you say, ‘in way over my head’.”

Nico takes the weapon, handling it almost reverently.  She may not deal with antiques ordinarily, but she still has a lot of respect for firearms of any sort.  And this must be a special one, if what Kit was saying was true.  She handles it carefully as she examines it, giving a whistle of appreciation.