"And to be honest, I'm not really sure what I can do," Guillaume explained to the table of his closest friends.
"So you really are a piece of shit, huh?" Dana asked with a cold and hostile stare.
"I'm not, it's just..." He started, before he was cut off by the Jerboa sitting right next to the enraged silver fox.
"The fact of the matter, Guillaume, is that you saw the one person that you claim to be in love with being raped by your boss. And instead of doing literally anything to save him, you did nothing," Tooru said as he played with his half-empty glass of whisky. "And then harassed him into telling you why he doesn't trust you. Which, by the way, he has every right to feel".
"But that's not... I just... I just didn't know what to do. Or I guess I knew what I wanted to do but I just... couldn't do it," he said reluctantly.
"I think we all seem to have forgotten that Reni is still Odette's property. If he did anything to stop her, he could have been in a lot of legal trouble and most likely lose his job," Naja said as she finished her bowl of Cargolade.
The Asiatic Wildcat suddenly felt the attention that was once focused on Guillaume shift in her direction.
"So you think you did the right fucking thing and just let her do that to him?" Dana snapped, her voice trembling with rage. "Have you lost your fucking mind? You know that raping a slave is illegal, right?"
"That's not what I mean. I'm just saying that he also needs to think about situational awareness," Naja explained. "If he did try to stop it, or hell, even report it to the authorities, he would have possibly been blacklisted from every job in town, let alone the country. The La Croix family's empire might be dying, but they still have their influence everywhere".
"That alone doesn't mean that what he did was okay!" Dana retorted.
"I'm not saying that, Dana. Of course he should have done something rather than just sitting there and watch it happen," Naja said. "What I'm saying is that no good would have come his way even if he intervened and that his life may have gotten a lot worse. So we shouldn't dwell on what could or couldn't have happened and just move on".
"That's easy for you to say, Naja," Dana seethed.
"Let's just stop it, you two!" hissed Calvin as he glanced at both of them.
The Vicuna looked toward his best friend. "Guillaume. It's probably best if you just give Reni space. I don't think he hates you, but I do think that he has a damn good point in not trusting you. And to be completely honest with you, I'm disappointed with you".
"I know. Even I'm ashamed," Guillaume muttered dejectedly to the table.
"Hey Sana, aren't you like a lawyer? Can't you press charges on that lady or something?" Tooru asked as he gestured to the Silver Fox.
"That's not how that really works. I'm a district attorney. I can't just press charges without an investigation. That part is usually handled by the police," Sana replied.
"I see..."
Guillaume got up from the table and tucked his chair underneath it. "I think that's it for me today, guys. I'm just going to go home," he said as he made his way out the door.
He was suddenly hit with the warm and humid air of the town as he headed home.
The following morning for Guillaume was slow and mundane. He performed his security checks as usual and made his way to the yard of the estate for the morning meeting.
"Well, that's almost everyone. Where in the hell is Guillaume?" the Western Mountain Coati asked as she sternly looked at the other nine guardsmen in the circle.
"Don't worry about it, Renee. He should be here in about a minute to two; I saw him earlier doing his checks," Engle replied as he scanned the area.
Guillaume stepped outside and sluggishly made his way to the group.
"Well look whose ass finally decided to show up," Renee shouted in his direction.
"Sorry, Renee. I guess I took a little bit longer on my checks than I usually do," he said sheepishly.
"Don't let it happen again." She looked back at her clipboard and began to read off her list. "First things first. There's been an increase in abolitionist activity in the area, so keep an eye out for anyone or anything suspicious. I know Sabrina had to deal with one of them the other day, so we know for sure that we're a target even if we have three slaves".
"But why would they even bother trying to free them? I'm pretty sure the Queen is going to outlaw slavery soon, so why even bother with it in the first place?" asked Lin, the young aardvark.
"It doesn't matter, Lin. As long as we're still getting paid. Our job is to protect both the La Croix's estate and assets. So until that changes, just do it".
Renee looked at her clipboard for the next item. "Which unfortunately leads to my second topic. As you all know, the La Croix family's empire is not what it used to be. Hell, it's practically fucking dead. And with rumors of an outright ban on slavery altogether, Miss Odette has come to the difficult decision to implement a reduction in force for both the Day and Night shifts".
A look of concern spread through the group, followed by a hand raised in the air.
"Yes, Aymeric?"
"By how much?" the quagga asked nervously.
"We may or may not be looking at a 20 percent reduction across both shifts respectively. So at least two people per shift," Renee recalled.
"How are both going to decide who to let go?" the priangan sheep, Kevin, asked.
"I'm not too sure. Armandine and I are still deciding between going by tenure or going by performance. We'll come to a final decision hopefully by the end of the week. Are there any other questions?"
Renee looked at the group and noticed Guillaume lost in his own thoughts. "Well, if that's all the questions you have, then get back to work".
The group began to disperse, but Renee called out, "Except for you, Guillaume. I need to talk to you".
The bovine stopped in his tracks with a slight wince on his face. "Yeah, Renee?" he asked as he made his way to her.
"Walk with me," she said, gesturing for him to follow her away from the estate. "You have something on your mind, Guillaume?"
"Not really. I'm just tired for some reason".
"Oh really? I've seen you tired before and you usually still manage to pay attention during my briefings, so what's really going on?"
"Nothing... I just had a long night, that's all".
Renee came to an abrupt stop. "I see. You know, for some reason, Odette wanted me to fire you yesterday. I was against the decision and spoke up for you, of course. I thought you were an honest man, and while not the brightest or our best worker, you were one of our hardest workers. But now, I'm not too sure".
Guillaume stared at Renee with a look of shock. "W-what?"
Renee slowly began to creep closer. "Do you know what I hate more than anything in the world, Guillaume?"
"N-no?" he said nervously, avoiding eye contact with the seething coati.
"Liars. I really hate liars. Do you consider yourself to be a liar, Guillaume?"
"N-no?"
"You don't sound too sure to me. So I'm going to ask you again. Do you consider yourself to be a liar?"
"No," he replied with more confidence.
"So why are you lying to me? As a matter of fact, I am the last person you should be lying to, so you better have a good reason".
"I don't".
"I'll be the judge of that. Now spill it".
"I just—I just have a lot on my mind, Renee," Guillaume admitted.
"Like what?"
"I—I think I hurt someone. And I'm not too sure how to apologize to them and make things right between us".
"You either hurt them or you didn't. Tell me exactly what happened".
"I watched them get hurt. And instead of doing something about it, I just froze up and watched it happen," he said with remorse.
"Well, it sounds like you did if you ask me," Renee stated bluntly as she lit a cigarette. "And for someone whose main job is to protect property and people, that is a bit concerning. Especially since I'm your boss".
"I know".
"I can't say I'm surprised, but I am disappointed. Though probably not for the reason you think." She took a long, slow drag, letting the smoke curl between them.
"What—what do you mean?"
"You were busy chasing tail instead of chasing cash. And Reni paid the price. I'm just surprised it took this long for you to get to this point, in all honesty".
Guillaume was stunned. "How did you know about that?"
"The La Croixs may own this estate, but I run it. I usually have a good idea of what goes on around here," Renee said, snubbing out her cigarette. "But that entire situation between the two of them was suspicious from the get-go. And now that I have the final pieces of information from you, a lot of things that have been going on this past year are starting to make sense".
"So, what do you think I should do?"
"Not a Goddamn thing," she said as her eyes locked onto him.
"But—"
"Look. I know your heart is in the right place and everything. But at this rate, you are going to end up getting yourself in more trouble than it's worth," Renee warned.
"I know but—"
"I'm not asking you, I'm telling you. Drop it or you're fired. Understand?"
"Yeah. I understand".
"Good. You're a good man, Guillaume. You really are. But you're in way over your head on this one," Renee said as she headed back toward the estate.
"Yeah..." he said, staring at the ground.
"Oh, and before I forget," Renee added, "The two of us have a meeting at noon with Odette. Don't be late".
"Yeah. I'll be there".