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Happy Brokerversarry!

The world is a strange place. With as much as one tries to make sense of the magic and mayhem that plagues it, there are still more mysteries to uncover. What are dungeons? What do they represent? Some appear as mirrors of our own world, twisted reflections of what already is. Others are carefully crafted puzzles designed to test the person who seeks the treasures within. Still more appear as entirely different worlds, different lands with different people. So what are they, really? 

Perhaps we will never fully understand.

VRRRRRR

The engine of the limousine hummed as it pulled up along the brilliantly lit street. The stars in the sky were all cast away by the illumination of the city. The limo came to a stop in front of a towering three story nightclub. A line had formed along one side of the steps of over a hundred people waiting to get inside. The front door opened. The driver, his hat pulled down over his face, made his way over to the side door and opened it with a flourish. A pair of white heels slipped out and landed on the sidewalk as those waiting in line turned to gawk.

Sonya slipped out with a smug smile on her face, flipping her hair back as she pulled the long coat over her shoulders, it flapped a bit like a cape. She straightened her pink tie and white jacket before turning and holding out both of her hands. A small hand with delicate fingers wrapped around her right while a stronger calloused hand wrapped around her left. She pulled the two women out of the car and grinned at them.

Carla’s decadent figure was clad in a long form fitting dress of black and silver with a low cut back and high neckline to emphasize the silver collar around her neck. Her face was framed by that crisp dark bob cut of hair that curled just lightly at her chin. The chairwoman adjusted her glasses and absently fiddled with the large pink sapphire hanging from the collar as she flushed. “You don’t think it’s a bit much?” she murmured.

“Too much? You look fabulous, love,” She said and turned to Chunhua, “Don’t you think so, gorgeous?”

Chunhua was in a black blazer and nearly transparent undershirt that revealed the silver tank beneath it. Her slacks were dark and fitted tightly around her frame ending in a pair of no-nonsense heels. The relaxed look was one thing, but seeing her hair up and tied in a bow added a whole level of appeal to her look that Sonya really appreciated. She huffed and cleared her throat, “It’s a good look, Chair-” she paused at the testy look from Sonya, “Carla.”

Sonya took a few playful steps back, “See, ladies? You’re fine! It’s time to have a little fun! Shake all that stress off, yeah?” 

The two women looked at one another and smiled before shaking their heads. Sonya crossed her arms, “What?”

“Nothing,” Carla said with a small laugh, “Just taking in your energy.”

“There’s plenty of it,” Chunhua added and started up the steps. Carla let out another laugh and followed her while Sonya watched them.

Sonya stomped her foot, “What’s that supposed to mean? Hey! Get back here!” she protested and followed them up the stairs. 

They walked past the crowd towards the VIP side of the doors, getting a few unpleasant looks but mostly getting a lot of photos taken of them. Sonya caught up with her girlfriends and locked arms with the both of them, grinning ear to ear. The guy at the door took one look at them and stepped aside, letting them pass into the pulsing beat beyond. The air thrummed, the scents of alcohol and carefully crafted mood fragrances filled Sonya’s nostrils. She took in a deep breath of the atmosphere and watched the crowd of dancers move like a single entity, lights flashing above them, the DJ a silhouette in the distance.

“There’s our room,” Sonya said quickly, nodding towards the elevated portion to the right. There were doors leading into VIP rooms where club goers could stash their belongings and take breaks during a particularly long night. She led the two of them past the bar, waving at the bartender who waved back pleasantly and turned away to start making something.

“Come here often?” Chunhua asked.

Sonya jumped a little and winced, “Uh… maybe?”

Carla and Chunhua squinted at her before rolling their eyes and squeezing her arms. Carla turned and look at her, “Are you going to behave while we’re here?”

Sonya grinned nervously, “Uh…”

Chunhua leaned in next, “Better make it a promise, love.”

Sonya started to sweat before slouching a bit, “I promise to behave.”

The two girls grinned at one another in victory as Sonya finally understood the downside of being in a polyamorous relationship. The other two could gang up on her if they needed to. She swayed dejectedly as they arrived at the door and Sonya lazily swiped the pass she’d purchased. The door chimed and the three of them stepped inside. It was a luxurious room with a TV, karaoke machine, and long couches accompanied with tables. There was even a tablet on the wall to order food and drinks from.

“When are the others getting here?” Chunhua asked while Sonya planted both hands on the wall, leaning against it in defeat. “Oh don’t be a baby,” the hero laughed, “You’ll be too distracted to misbehave anyway.”

Sonya blinked and looked over to see the grins on Carla’s and Chunhua’s faces. A goofy grin spread across her face, “You too are so pretty.”

“Sonya, the others?” Carla pressed.

“Oh, right! Colin said that they’ll be here a bit late. Probably come in waves,” she shrugged, “That gives us some time to have fun on our own.”

Carla chuckled, “Colin’s just taking his time picking out an outfit.”

“Or getting Amos to wear something other than a lab coat,” Chunhua countered.

The three of them laughed until Carla crossed her arms and frowned, “It’s a shame that it’ll be hard for Barry and Gia to come.”

Sonya smirked and tapped her nose, “You might be surprised with what they come up with. Don’t worry, everyone will be here.”

The two of them brightened as the door chimed behind Sonya and she turned to open it. She blinked, a little surprised not to see the host with a tray of drinks. Instead there was a woman standing there she’d never seen before. She wore a white pinstripe shirt and suspenders along with a pair of black slacks and pointed shiny shoes. Her face was pretty in a dour sort of way, dark bags under her eyes. They were a light brown so bright they might as well be yellow or orange. Her dark hair was a complete mess but it seemed to work somehow. She smelled like burned sage.

“Can I help you?” Sonya asked, raising an eyebrow.

The woman glanced to the right, her eyes unfocused for a moment before she shrugged, “Probably, I’ll figure that out later. Nice meetin’ ya.”

“Uh… okay?” Sonya mumbled as the woman turned away and started walking away with her hands in her pockets. “What the hell?”

Sonya squinted at the stranger and the name bar appeared over her head.

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“Huh,” she grunted.

Carla and Chunhua popped up behind her and peered past towards the figure that disappeared into the crowd. “Who was that?” Chunhua asked, her tone a little guarded.

“No idea,” Sonya said.

It took the two of them a moment to register the statement. They looked at her in confusion, “You don’t know her name?”

“Nope.”

“You used your power didn’t you?” Carla asked.

“Yup.”

“Creepy,” Chunhua murmured, “Some sort of anonymity ability?”

“Maybe,” Sonya shrugged and brightened a little when the host walked over with a tray balanced on his hand. Three drinks were already ready. A pink beverage filled with bubbles and sparkles, a rainbow-colored margarita, and a dark drink with a swirl of cream inside. She, Carla, and Chunhua all drooled as the host presented them. 

“Please enjoy, ladies, thank you for your patronage as always, Miss Chernovna,” the host said with that perfect smile that came with the job. 

She grinned and plucked up the margarita and cream drink first, turning to hand the first to an elated Chunhua and the second to an eager Carla. She grabbed hers next and returned his smile with a winning one of her own, “Perfect service as always, thanks again,” she paused and glanced towards the crowd, “Did you see that woman who was at our door?”

He blinked and looked towards the crowd for a moment before nodding, “Queen? Yeah.”

“Queen? What’s her deal?”

“She’s an odd duck, loses focus a lot but never trips over herself. A real grouch but has somehow never gotten into a fight. She’s been a regular for the past month or so,” he shrugged, “She’s like an unpaid bouncer, no one messes with her and she breaks up fights with a look so she gets free drinks on occasion.”

“Interesting,” Sonya said and sipped at her drink, “Oh that's good! Well thank you for the info.”

“No problem, enjoy your time!” the host said and turned away.

Sonya glanced back at her lady friends and smirked, “Welp,” she said, “No time like the present. Let's party!”