After parting with the woman, Lorne deliberately made several more wide detours. Only after making sure no one was following him did he cautiously
return to the building that housed the Cheap Hotel.
He tapped lightly on the door, using the rhythmic code he and Danitz had agreed on earlier.
Soon, the door opened from inside.
"Brando! You're finally back!" Danitz complained, relieved to see the familiar figure in a top hat and trench coat at the door.
Before he had even finished speaking, however, he froze.
He took a closer look at the face outside and realized-that wasn't Brando at all!
"Shit! Who are you?!"
Danitz instantly tensed. With lightning-fast reflexes, he jumped backward to put some distance between them, conjuring a small orange-red fireball that radiated scorching heat in his palm.
"It's me," Lorne said helplessly in his original voice.
At that, Danitz hesitated, his hand still holding the fireball.
Lorne glanced around, confirmed it was safe, and immediately slipped into the room, closing the door behind him.
"Meow?!"
Lucky, who had been sleeping on the bed, was also startled awake by the commotion. She jumped down, but the moment she saw Lorne, she looked visibly confused and even arched her back warily.
Before both of them, Lorne raised his hand and removed the Disguise Cufflink from his sleeve.
As he withdrew his spirituality, he felt a slight twisting sensation in the subtly altered muscles and bones of his face. Soon, his original appearance returned.
"Brando?! It really is you..." Only then did Danitz recognize him. He breathed a sigh of relief and extinguished the fireball in his hand.
"Meow." Lucky also recognized her owner's presence. She walked over and rubbed her head against his trouser leg.
Lorne briefly explained to Danitz that he had bought and used