"Wait, is this right?" Quackity holds up a sheet of paper to the light, his eyes squinting. It's just him and George in the office this morning, alongside Schlatt and I. Though I wouldn't exactly call Schlatt present. He keeps nodding off in his chair. The only reason he made it into the office so early is that I dragged him here.

"What is it?" George questions, leaning over to try and see what Quackity is reading.

"It's a list of all residential estates within the country, but- Tommy's house is on here."

"And?" Schlatt mumbles, a hand massaging his temples.

"Well, Tommy's house is the Embassy, isn't it? And the Embassy is managed by the vice president." Quackity gives a nervous grin. "Sir, I think I own Tommy's house."

The room falls quiet as we all soak in this news. It's logical. Tommy was the last vice president, which gave him ruling over the Embassy. But somehow the idea of Quackity owning Tommy's things makes me uncomfortable. It feels wrong.

"So...we can do what we want with it?" George questions.

"Mr President?"

All eyes turn to Schlatt, seeking guidance on how to use this new information.

The man has his fingers laced together, his eyes closed in thought.

Very slowly, a large, crocodile grin cracks across his face.

"The Embassy, you say?"

I shift uncomfortably. His tone is dangerous.

"Yes, sir. What would you like us to do with it?" George confirms.

"Can we burn it down?!" Quackity asks, far too eager for my liking.

Schlatt hums. "I don't see why not...it is an eyesore. We could put a lovely apartment complex in its place."

Alarm bells go off in my head as I give Schlatt a look of horror. He actually wants to burn Tommy's house down?! But- that's Tommy's house. The house we once shared. To Tommy, it's the only bit of home he has left in L'Manburg! I can't let them burn it down on a whim!

"Actually, sir." I interrupt quickly, placing a hand on his desk. "Wouldn't it be a better idea to search the premises first? Tommy was the vice president. He may have hidden legal documents or other valuables within the walls. Items of importance that may be lost if we burn them."

The horned man flicks an ear, releasing a low hum as he does so.

"That would be troublesome..."

He sits up straighter in his chair and smirks. "You see this, boys? This is why Ares is my favourite. Always thinking two steps ahead, she is."

George nods, not really paying attention. He's unconcerned with the idea of being Schlatt's favourite. But Quackity's face creases into a frown, his eyes narrowing. He purses his lips.

He looks like he wants to say something, but is holding it in.

"Ares."

"Yes, sir?"

"This was your idea, so I'm putting you in charge of the Embassy for now. I trust you'll search the place and bring me anything of interest?"

"Of course."

Quackity mutters something under his breath, clearly displeased with having lost the Embassy to me. It sounds like he's speaking Spanish, but I can't quite pick it out.

"Hmm, and George. You go with her."

"What?" George blinks.

"What?!" Quackity gapes.

Schlatt grins and takes my hand in his, rubbing his thumb over my fingers. I stare at him, suspicious. What is he up to? We both know the house isn't big enough for it to need two people searching it.

"Do you have an issue with working with my Secretary of Defence, Mr Co-Vice President?"

George glances to Quackity before shrugging. "I guess not."

"What are you doing?" I question, lowering my lips to one of Schlatt's ears.

"Just helping my number one woman have some fun." He smirks.

I lean back, lips pressed thin. He's trying to set me up with George! If this man weren't a ram, he'd be a dog.

Ignoring Schlatt's many eyebrow wiggles and winks, I waste no time in leaving for the Embassy, with George right at my heels.

We walk mostly in silence, enjoying the scenery. The skies are pale blue, with a spattering of cotton candy clouds decorating the horizon. It's so peaceful that for a moment I forget George is right behind me, up until he breaks the silence.

"So, you and Schlatt are a thing, right?"

I purse my lips. I knew this question would come up eventually given the amount of flirtation exchanged between me and the ram. But to think that George would be the one to ask it. He doesn't strike me as the sort of person who'd be interested in the lives of others, too intrigued with the ongoings of his own little bubble.

"I am his bodyguard and a close friend. There is nothing romantic between us." I reply. Blunt and clear to avoid any misunderstandings.

"Has anyone told him that?"

I smile. "Yes. Many times."

Thirty-nine, to be exact. I think, but George doesn't need to know that.

"Oh, okay."

"Is that all you wanted to ask?" I say,  glancing back with a bemused expression. I find the brunette's lack of enthusiasm for anything very refreshing. His deadpan words are entertaining.

It's usually people like him that have the best smiles.

He shrugs, "Is there more to say?"

"No. No there isn't." I chirp, giving a warm smile.

We soon leave L'Manburg's walls and begin climbing the stairs of Prime Path up the side of the cliffs, growing closer to the Embassy with every wooden step.

About halfway up the staircase, right as the sun peaks over the clifftop, is when George unexpectedly slips forward, accidentally knocking his shoulder into my back.

"Ah! Sorry!" He says quickly, righting himself and raising a hand to his eyes. He's squinting so hard it's a wonder he can't see where he's going.

"Do you want to stop for a moment? The stairs are pretty steep." I offer, wondering if maybe George has similar stamina to Schlatt. And by that I of course mean none. I've seen a rock travel further than Schlatt without stopping for breath. But George doesn't seem to be showing any signs of fatigue. In fact, he's hardly out of breath. Was it a lapse of concentration that caused him to trip?

"No. That's alright. I just got blinded by the sun for a moment. My eyes are pretty sensitive to light so it happens sometimes."

"Is that a side effect of being colour blind?" I ask, genuinely curious.

"Yeah, it sucks. But I'm kind of used to it now." He rubs at his eyes and blinks a few times. "I usually have sunglasses, but I misplaced them somewhere a few days ago. I really need to get a new pair."

An image of the white-rimmed sunglasses I'd found in the Community House springs to mind. I found them on the same day George came looking for his boots. Could they be the same glasses he lost? I'll have to show them to him once we return to the White House.

"You can hold my hand if you want? To stop you tripping?" I offer, unable to help a small grin cross my features. I'm teasing, of course. But I won't back down if he agrees, either. What if he trips backwards and falls down the stairs next time? My handholding could save him from a very serious injury.

George, in response to my question, laughs. "Nah, you're fine. Let's just get to Tommy's house. I'll be good once we're inside."

"Okay, if you're sure." I smile.

The front garden of Tommy's house has grown long and wild since my last visit, with weeds reaching up past my ankles. The front window is still boarded up with planks, and I wonder if anyone will ever get around to fixing it. A wave of sadness washes over me at the sight of the dishevelled home. This place used to feel so alive. So noisy with Tommy and Tubbo's laughs. But now, it's empty. A hollow shell.

George pushes on the front door and it swings open, unlocked.

"Well at least we don't have to force entry," he says, trying to find something positive to say about the situation.

I open my mouth to agree, but a sudden smacking of feet on wood has my head whip around, just in time to see Sapnap charging at me from across Prime Path.

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Thanks Wolfdragon86 for the art! I love the bright colours.