.hack//SIGN Fan Fiction / .hack//LIMINALITY Fan Fiction / .hack//Legend Of Twilight Bracelet Fan Fiction ❯ Episode Three: .hack//Liberty ❯ Safe House ( Chapter 6 )

Chapter Six- Safe House- The Real World

 

“Ah, bienvenue, Monsieur Jeremie.” The customs manager in France said.

“Merci beaucoup.” Dan said. The customs man stamped his passport. He joined the others.

“Helba did a good job.” Dan said. “And I still can't believe how you got the van. Then again, considering what happened, it doesn't seem TOO outrageous.”

“So we mugged a CC Corps employee as they were leaving. They deserved it. Besides, we returned it. Just with a little blood.” Tsukasa said.

“Well, we have our ride waiting.” Ryo said. Dan, hobbling on his cane, goggled at the car. Limousine was more accurate.

“Hey, if you can afford it,” Tsukasa said, “then why not?”

“I'm not complaining.” Dan said in awe.

“Me neither.” Vanessa said.

“Welcome, Mr. Ryo. Ah, the Lady Tsukasa, making her return. And who are you?” The butler, a fit, older white man, with an American accent, asked.

“These are my nephew and his girlfriend, Jeremie and Emily.”

“Ah, it is my pleasure.” The butler said. “I am Jeeves, at your service.”

“It is a pleasure to meet you.” Dan said in a French accent. The butler smiled.

“A native. Very interesting, your wound. Accident?” Dan nodded. Jeeves smiled. “Well, go on! I'm sure you need to sit down.” The two got into the limo. It was extremely spacious in the back. Dan was able to lie down, something he was in desperate need of, his wound killing him. Vanessa cradled his head.

“Are you okay?” Dan nodded. Ryo rolled the window separating Jeeves from them down.

“Okay, Jeeves, the truth. These two are Dan and Vanessa. They are the last of the four new dothackers. They were kidnapped by CC Corps. Dan was severely tortured. He was also severely cut in two places. He is recovering nicely, though. They are on the run from CC Corps. They also can't return home because their families think they're deceased. So, they are here with me to finish their roles as dothackers, then they have to figure out where to go from there. Okay?”

“Of course, boss.”

“Jeeves?” Dan asked.

“Yes Sir?”

“What do we have to drink?”

“For our younger kids, we have water. For everyone else, wine and spirits.” Jeeves said in a teasing form of voice.

“Screw that. In France I am of legal age. Besides, my ID says I'm twenty-one, so I am universally legit.”

“You aren't really.” Tsukasa said.

“Check the records.” Vanessa said. Ryo laughed.

“Very clever, you two. I know why you were chosen as the Dothackers, and why you are so dangerous.”

“And why is that?” Vanessa asked as Ryo poured four glasses of white zinfandel.

“Intelligence is dangerous.” He handed two of the glasses to Dan and Vanessa.

“Cheers.” Tsukasa said. Four glasses clinked together.

 

“Alsace Loraine. Very good.” Dan said.

“I do the best I can.” Ryo said. They pulled up in front of Ryo's house.
More like mansion.

“I see you weren't joking about us having our own wing.” Vanessa said to Tsukasa.

“Actually, you could. But, you and I will be staying close together, and Dan and Bear will be staying close together. That was we're there if anything happens.” Dan nodded as the car stopped.

“'M Afraid I'll be a little stiff.” Dan said as Jeeves opened the door. Ryo laughed.

“Frankly we're all amazed, and still surprised, that you're alive.” Dan blinked. He'd already been through this, yet it still shocked him.

“I was that close?” Ryo nodded. “But it was merely a state of-“

“Yes, but coupled with your injuries, it could have killed you.”

“But rhythmic body movements, coupled with my harmonics, should have-“ He paused. “I wasn't moving, was I?”

“Nope.”

“There's the problem. If I had been able to move, it would have been better.” He lightly touched his wound on his stomach. “Curses.” Tsukasa laughed.

“Will you manage to get out of the car by yourself?”

“I think I can manage.” Dan said. Ryo placed his arms underneath Dan.

“Foolishness.” Ryo said as he picked Dan up. Had he REALLY lost that much weight since the whole thing started? Or was it from five days of not eating? Dan wasn't really sure.

“Put me down, you, you-“

“Bear?” Ryo, Tsukasa and Vanessa provided.

“I guess.” Dan said as he was put on the ground. He was extremely stiff, but managed to walk. He was going to have to take a nice, long, hot bath to de-kink himself.

“Well, here is the grand tour.” Ryo said. “Here is the main entrance. This is the foyer. To our left is the music room. To our right is a sitting room. Above us-“

“Is the biggest chandelier I have seen. Ever.” Vanessa said. The thing was monstrous, even from that high up. It had to be five foot tall, and five foot wide. She just stared at it.

“I was going for Bedrooms, but I guess that will work as well.”

“Ah.” Dan said.

“Continuing on.” Ryo said. “Kitchen is here. We make most of our own food. We only have Jeeves here permanently. We have a cleaning staff that comes by once a week to vacuum, dust, and do some general maintenance.”

“Why do you have Jeeves?” Vanessa asked.

“Because I can throw writing ideas at him. He'll give me his honest opinion on that, and just about anything else. He's not like most other butlers. I gave him a contract that lasts until he wants to quit.”

“So, he's here by his own decision?” Vanessa asked.

“Yes.” Tsukasa said. “He's nice. You'll like him.”

“Continuing on.” Ryo said. “Over here is the dining room. We have our meetings, discussions, and other things here. We also eat here on occasion.” He paused. “You may eat in your rooms, as long as you take the trash and dishes out of it. I won't have bugs in any room.” He smiled.

“Okay, I did that back home,” Dan said.

“Same here.” Vanessa said.

“Great. Well, over here is the game room. Here is a movie room. There is our television room. Here is another sitting room, which is connected to the library. There's is the gym. It directly connects to the pool we have. The two nodded.

“Upstairs is designated for rooms, my office, and, well, I guess your offices as well.”

“We get ones?” Dan asked.

“Yep. Both of you.” Tsukasa said. “I have one too!”

“Do whatever you like to them. I hope they meet your liking.” He stopped them there. “I know what's up. I know the risks of being in The World. So, be careful. Concerning The World, I have one thing to say.” He paused. “I get unlimited access, thanks to Helba.” He laughed. “Hackers are good people. So, feel free to use The World at anytime. We'll be on there occasionally, mostly for the meetings, speaking of which: there is a meeting in Net Slum this evening at ten. Okay?”

“So late?”

“It's later for the people in Japan.” Tsukasa said.

“Time Zones. Right.” Vanessa said.

“Hey, our luggage is on its way?” Dan asked.

“It's already here. I expect that Jeeves has placed it into your rooms. Now, I do hope you like the rooms. I asked questions to both of you, and I hope the answers reflect in both the room and office?”

“You would do that for us?” Vanessa asked, feeling emotional.

“Not only are you two The World's last hope, you have been through hell, disowned from your family, however unintentional THAT was, and placed into my care. I would like to think of you as family.” Ryo said, a smile on his face. “Now, Tsukasa will show you to our room, and I will show you to yours, Dan.” He watched the girls walk upstairs.

“Aren't we going up?”

“Yes, but you'll be using the elevator.” Ryo walked to a wood panel and tapped a tile on the floor. Two doors opened up. “Voila!”

“Nice. Which tile was it?”

“Third one.”

“Good. Why is it hidden?” The elevator was plush, with seating and better elevator music than in the Trump Tower possibly.

“To keep intruders away. If anything goes down, the staircases can be closed. We'll be safe on the second floor.”

“Ah.” Dan said, hoping THAT never happened.

“Now, we are on the second floor. There is a third floor, and tomorrow I will show it to you two.” Ryo said.

“Okay.” There was a beep, and the two doors opened.

“Take a right.” Ryo instructed. Dan heard the girls from the left, and he could hear Vanessa's astonishment and surprise, and then her joy. He was glad. She needed something to make her happy.

“Okay, here we are.” Dan looked at the door. “Go on,” Ryo insisted. “Open it.” Ryo's face light up with joy as Dan opened the door.