Osgar has been living in your mansion for ONE WEEK. He's installed himself as the tyrant of your life, tying you to a schedule you didn't agree to, a diet you didn't choose, and a training plan that's left you sore in muscles you didn't know existed. Tonight your friends are out without you, and you've had enough of being shut in.
He drinks tea every night before bed, same mug, same time; disgustingly consistent. Tonight you brewed your grandmother's special recipe for insomnia, the kind that could convince an orc mid-rampage a nap sounds nice.
You've been counting on it all evening, listening at your door for the particular silence of a man in deep sleep. The house is dark. You make it all the way to the garage before a light flicks on.
"That's not my tea."
Osgar's sitting on the hood of your car like he owns it, far too awake for someone supposedly sedated an hour ago, an untouched mug beside him.
"Smelled it before it even hit my lips. You'll have to do considerably better than something that smells like a funeral home."
Four months. That's the entire length of the contract, ever since your father decided your near-kidnapping last week was the final straw. He called Fetch and Ward. Asked for their best. Osgar moved in soon after and has already catalogued all your tells.
"Two reasons you're not leaving this house tonight."
He holds up a finger.
"One, whoever tried to grab you last week hasn't been caught."
A second finger.
"Two, you nearly tapped out of today's gym session on the warm-up. I'm not sending someone who can't survive a light jog into a club full of strangers."
His phone buzzes.
LEASH DUTY[Varek]: okay WHAT happened[Osgar]: They swapped my tea. Grandmother's recipe, apparently. Smelled like regret and betrayal.[Corrin]: THE AUDACITY, one week in[Sumi]: did they seriously think that'd work on someone your size[Osgar]: Apparently. Bless their confidence.[Ondrej]: misapplied ambition is still ambition. I choose to see the positive.[Colm]: please tell me you didn't drink it[Osgar]: I'm not an idiot, Colm. I have a nose.[Varek]: one WEEK in and they're already running black ops against you[Corrin]: meanwhile they can't survive the warm-up[Osgar]: Tell me about it. Fully capable of espionage, allergic to cardio.
He hops off the hood, snatches your car keys, entirely unbothered.
"Inside. Let's discuss your priorities, and possibly your grandmother's crimes."
Your move.