Trudeh Trudeh Part 2

<Part 2>

Alex wriggled as gently, and as uninsultingly, as he could, from her bear-like grasp. “The thing is... darlin'... I wasn’t with these people last night. You and me, we’ve never met before.”
Jaxx confirmed the claim with a nod of the claw. “We-were-in-separate-groups.”
Trudy pursed her skillfully painted lips.
“Must’ve been in my dreams, then, precious” she said with a wink, treating him to another smack on the arse. “Now get going, the Marshals aren’t the brightest bunch, but if you’re as deviant as they seem to think, they’ll work it out eventually.
“Why are you helping us?” Alex grunted, rubbing his glowing butt cheek and hobbling onwards.
“I told you, I like the bad boys.”

As they walked, they found Trudy to be quite the interesting conversationalist and they became more relaxed in her company.
“Ms Trudy, where exactly does this tunnel lead?” Artemis had some theories of his own.
“It exits in another gorgeous establishment in town. Not as glamorous as mine, of course…”
“Of course.” Everyone agreed.
"Curious, curious." Artie rubbed his chin.
“It’s an old smuggling tunnel from back in the day.” Trudy continued. “And of course, a few times since.” She grinned. Alex blinked at a flash of gold tooth.
"Not to mention Fight Club of course, as I'm sure Chuck will remember." Chuck nodded. "That's off that way." She waved a hand towards a side tunnel as they clomped on.

After they’d been walking quite some time, not only had they warmed physically, but they were all warming to their hostess too. It was a little odd when she tried to hold Solvay's hand, though.

“Trudy?” He enquired.
“What is it, peach?”
“You do realise I’m not gay…” he said, gently. Not thinking it pertinent to mention the fact that he’d recently been seduced by male-sprites in AR, causing him to wonder.
“Of course.” Chuckled Trudy. “Why else would you be interested in a fine specimen of womanhood like myself, Tiger?”
Cue another Boyd snigger.
Alex’s brow creased in confusion. “Wait, no, I mean…”
“That you suffer from a delusion of boring fixed sexuality?”
A confused Alex’s face performed further facial origami. “Er, probably?”
“I don’t believe it!” She exclaimed loudly, startling everyone.
“I don’t believe it.” She repeated more quietly. “Why would you be visiting a joyful establishment such as mine, sweetie, if that were the case?”
“Jacky.”
“Oh that’s right, your delicious robot’s goggled companion.”
“I-am-not-a-robot” began Jaxx, but he was “shhh”d by Evelina.
Trudy halted and caused a tiny gust of wind with her weighty lashes. “Oh!" She exclaimed in grate-voiced excitement. "I’ve just remembered something else…”

They leaned in. “Yes?” Whispered Boyd. “Meehr?” Enquired Chibbly.
"What is it?" Murmured Artie.
She shoved her flashlight between her legs - which looked oddly phallic, even among the ruffles - and took out a self-lit mirror. She spoke to them as she inspected herself.
“He kept mentioning Ancient Egyptian architecture.”
Artie pulled a baffled expression. “Ancient Egyptian?”
“Might’ve been Mayan… Something like that.” She snapped the mirror shut, apparently satisfied with what she saw.

The Dwarfers exchanged confused shrugs.
Hmm. Ancient Egypt. Alex thought. Reminds me of Alex Two
A man had tried to kiss him in that universe. “Maybe I am gay.” He muttered, not realising he was speaking aloud.
“Oh darling, don’t say that!” Trudy teased. “We’ll never get married if you like boys.”
“I’m confused” said Boyd, flatly.
“Join the club.” Said Eve.
"FIGHT CLUB!" Said Chuck.

Eventually they came to a thick brown wooden ladder, which lead up to the exit hatch.
“Ladies first” said Alex.

“Ooh! A gentleman!” Trudy bulked up the ladder, a puzzling combination of muscular and elegant.
“You just want to look up my skirts” she beamed down at him.

Alex hoped his resulting inner grimace wasn’t showing on his face.

Hugo's
A startled, moustachioed guy with dark slicked back hair, a grey waistcoat, and a little red cravat, helped the blinking bunch out of the tunnel and into a secluded area behind the bar of his establishment.

“Trudy! Dahhhling!” He exclaimed, and embraced her. “It’s been a while.”
Her face glowed. “And you thought I’d given up my naughty ways” she sparkled.
He smiled. “Who’re your friends?”
“It’s best you don’t ask.”
The two old friends ran their eyes over the bedraggled bunch.
“I barely know, myself.” She pursed her lips and studied Solvay. “Mm. More’s the pity.” At this, Hugo giggled.

“Eh, yes, well. We’d best be on our way.” Artie said cracking the strange moment's shell and allowing reality to flow in. “Thank you very much for your help Ms Trudy. We won’t forget it.” He bowed graciously and kissed her hand. She fanned herself with the other.
“Yeah. Bye!” Boyd walked up, tiptoed and kissed her on the cheek. She flushed slightly.
“MEEEH!” Chibbly nudged her with his nose. “That’s rude” Boyd could be heard scolding as they wandered off.
“Trudy.” Chuck nodded and walked past.
Jaxx looked up. "Thank-you-very-much" he said, before trundling away.
Evelina thanked the tall, furry-armed, lady for the assistance, and gave her a sweet smile, squeezing both of her large hands between hers, before wandering over to Jaxx.
Alex offered his hand, expecting a shake. Trudy grasped it, and pulled him into a full-on goodbye snog. Alex’s eyes bulged hugely. Eventually she dropped him and let him get his breath.

“Ahhh!” She said, smacking her lips as if she’d just imbibed a pint of refreshing orange juice after a vigorous jog. “Good bye, my little Bad Boy” she husked.

Solvay swallowed and swayed off, tottering as if he’d just been electrocuted. “Buh-" he panted. "Buh-bye Trudy.”
He swayed dazedly towards the others. Artie caught him by the elbow and guided him and the others out of Hugo’s bar.

Behind them Trudy and Hugo waved delicately.

<snip> TAG What’s waiting for us on the outside?</snip>