Trans-Migration

There was something different about the way Mister Ruiz moved that Bria couldn’t put her finger on. It might have been the exhaustion, but his casual swagger kept nagging at her. Was it the lack of wariness? She’d noticed it back in Cliffside; how people would be cautious around Class Bearers. Yet, there was an edge to the man that hadn’t been present before, or, Bria just hadn’t noticed. She was stronger now, her eyes sharper, and she had experience dealing with dangerous men.

Whatever it was, it put Bria on edge, especially with how she was unarmed and unable to regenerate magic. The saving grace was that Neth was right there beside her, ready to offer support at a moment’s notice. Yet, even Neth seemed a bit tense as Bria took her hand and followed the man back to the family bed and breakfast.

A quiet casting of [Bulwark] under the moonlight was only prudent, and she’d managed it without drawing the man’s attention. Neth had her own protective spells, and was faster to cast offensive magic than Bria. She trusted her friend to be capable of watching out for herself. Somewhere along the way back, Bumble rejoined them, quickly hiding under Neth’s hair.

Back at the bed and breakfast, the party had broken up, leaving only Boris and Nikolai looming over the garden space as they approached. Mister Ruiz greeted the pair as he moved to talk, his voice too low to be heard. After quick nods, the pair remained standing as Mister Ruiz took his place between them.

Yet, Bria couldn’t help but notice that both of the men had dropped their stoic facade, openly regarding her with surprise. Bria chuckled, then winked at the men before stopping a safe distance from them.

“Hey guys, been a minute,” Bria said with a smile and wave. “Gotta say, that other side changes a guy…”

Nikolai twitched, but Boris turned a laugh into a cough, earning himself a glare from their employer. Bria counted that as a win, smirking in satisfaction at her little victory. Mister Ruiz sighed and turned back to face the pair, resting a hand on his hip as he shook his head.

“I must say, I never expected that this other world might change you so deeply.” He paused, his eyes trailing over her in a way that made the hairs on her neck stand on end. “I’m hesitant to say the change is for the better, but you look more comfortable with yourself like that, so I’ll leave it be.”

Bria scoffed. “Just get to the point. I’m tired and don’t have the patience for word games tonight.”

“Confident too,” Mister Ruiz said with a smirk. “That’s good. Now, what do you have to show for your excursion?” His eyes flicked to Neth. “Aside from a new girlfriend apparently. I distinctly recall asking you to bring a means of travel back, not give it to the first piece of ass to smile at you.”

Indignation flared.

“It wasn’t mine to give,” Bria said tersely. “It was gifted to Neth and I wasn’t about to take it from her.”

What Bria wasn’t about to say is that Neth stole it from the Brookvale archives. He would demand it be turned over, blood-bound artifact or not. So, she just stood there defiantly.

“Of course you weren’t,” Mister Ruiz said, rolling his eyes. “Did you even attempt to find out if there were more? Was there any effort expended upon my request?”

Not an ounce. But that was because Bria didn’t quite trust the man anymore. That conversation in the garden had put her on edge, leaving her wondering just what his endgame might be. Not to mention what else he might have uncovered in the ruin. Had he managed to find someone capable of translating the works? Was he withholding that information until it was clear that she had something to offer the man? Should she let him know that she had found someone capable of translating the ancient language on the other side?

Neth snorted, reminding everyone of her presence. “You act as if she is attempting to rob you. I can assure you that isn’t the case.”

“On whose word? That of an outsider?” Mister Ruiz asked, making no attempt to hide his sneer. “This child already stole the first steps into that world from me. Is it wrong for me to expect some manner of return for that slight?”

“I brought artifacts and pictures back with me,” Bria said, trying to mask her irritation. It was late and she knew that her day would start bright and early. “I can show you everything tomorrow morning after breakfast.”

It really wasn’t a request. Bria was tired and entirely too cranky over how he had broken the moment between her and Neth. Seriously, Bria was all but certain that Neth was going to kiss her, and he had ruined it. A bit of pettiness was well deserved for his lack of patience or tact. Plus, she was fairly certain that she had the power now to just tell him to get lost and there wasn’t much he could do to stop her. [Bulwark] was still active, not that it produced a visible effect.

Not that she would, but the thought helped keep her calm.

[Human]

That was all that he registered as, just as always. No level, no class, just a human.

[Shrine Priestess Lv. 16]

Neth on the other hand had grown quite fearsome since they met. Sure, it was only two levels for the same fighting that got Bria up to level nine, but the slimes and such did almost nothing for the Shrine Priestess. The Shadow Demon had tipped her over a threshold and the Basilisk was worth a level for everyone. Unless Bria went on more solo excursions, she would be trailing behind by only a level or three before long, always chasing the higher threshold but close enough that they wouldn’t be needing to support the weaker party member.

Mister Ruiz was smirking now, as if he had just won something, which in a way, he had. He was getting the artifacts that he wanted, and pictures to show the different world. She already had the ones she felt safe showing him set aside, like the planet above and the sweeping vistas overlooking Brookvale.

“I suppose that will be a fine start,” Mister Ruiz said. “We can search the remaining ruins again and see if any respond to you or your friend. Perhaps we will learn more when we do.”

“Sure,” Bria said with a sigh. “I’m okay with that. Would ten work? I have practice with my father in the morning.”

The man’s smug visage transitioned into one of confusion. “Practice?”

“Father wants to make sure I know how to swing a sword,” Bria said with a shrug. “You know, since I’m now using one to fight for my life?”

That got a bark of laughter from the man, confounding her further. “Finally, some forward thinking! I’d almost considered calling in a tutor for you in that regard. Now I’m glad I didn’t.”

Yeah, sure he had. He’d made a big deal out of bags of sugar as though they were the greatest chore anyone could have ever requested. Granted, he’d made sure the local artisans made enough armor to get her through those early days, but Bria had replaced almost everything since she met Kro-ahnk.

“Then feel free to watch,” Bria said, moving to leave. Thankfully nothing was attempted to stop her, and only once she was inside and the door shut did she sag in relief.

“What a rude man,” Neth said with a huff. “He reminds me all too much of Ri-durak. Too sure of himself and expecting people to defer to his might and influence.”

“Welcome to the lifestyles of the rich and famous,” Bria muttered, recalling Mister Ruiz’s own episode of the show which featured their island. Bria had been a small child back then, but she got a moment of screen time as part of the portion covering the ruins. “We get a few of them each year, and they’re all full of themselves.”

At that, Neth pulled her into a hug. “That’s why I avoid Brookvale. There’s the occasional pilgrim that comes to the Shrine, but they’re always wealthy and think they deserve to see everything.”

“Well, at least we can commiserate over common ground,” Bria said, squeezing a bit harder before she released the hug. “Now, I’d like to get to sleep before I’ve stayed up the entire night. Again.”

Neth snorted, giggling to herself as they made it to Bria’s room. She briefly considered a shower before bed, but she just didn’t have the energy for it. She could wash up in the morning after training. Bria dug around for some of her oversized shirts she liked to sleep in and passed one to Neth, who didn’t bother heading to the restroom to change. Bria looked away quickly, her cheeks flushing with heat. It didn’t stop her from doing the same, quickly shucking off the dress and pulling the shirt over her head. Time on the road had softened some of the embarrassment, but hadn’t completely eliminated it.

Then came the next problem.

Where was Neth going to sleep? All the rooms were rented out, and the couch was not comfortable to lay out on. Glancing at her bed, Bria knew that it was technically big enough for both of them. Her parents had upgraded her bed once her feet started hanging off the old twin.

Did she dare? Was it a bit presumptuous to offer to share a bed so quickly?

“This is awkward,” Bria said, rubbing the back of her head.

Neth paused, her hands on the hem of the shirt as she looked it over. “What about this is awkward? I will simply get my bedroll out and that will be it, just as when you shared my room.”

Oh, well, that should have been expected. It really wasn’t all that different, though a part of her had hoped it would be. Bria stepped over to her bed and sat down, only to jerk back at how close Neth had gotten while she had her back turned. She yelped, starting to fall back, only for the Shrine Priestess to catch her by the wrist. Her violet irises sparkled with mischief as she leaned so close that they were nose to nose and Bria didn’t know what to do.

When Neth spoke, her words ghosted over Bria’s lips. “Were you perhaps hoping for something more?”

Every muscle in Bria’s body locked up, her breath turning shallow as she tried to figure out what to do. There was one thing that crossed her mind, but it was so bold, and yet…

Before she could talk herself out of it, Bria leaned forward, closing the distance, and kissed Neth. Their lips brushed softly, and those purple eyes widened before falling shut as she relaxed into their embrace. Butterflies performed loops in her stomach even as her chest thundered. Despite all the interference and distractions, she had done it!

Neth pulled back, and Bria chased those retreating lips. A whispered laugh bubbled forth from Neth, and Bria was about to ask what was so amusing when a firm hand pushed her back. Before she realized it, Neth had climbed atop her, straddling her hips as she simply sat there wearing the smuggest grin that Bria had ever seen.

“You have no idea how long I’ve been wanting to do that.”

Words failed Bria as she laid there, pinned by the Shrine Priestess sitting atop her. Just what was she supposed to— Neth leaned down, feathering a kiss on her nose before rolling off, coming to sit beside her on the bed with legs crossed. Bria sat up, giving her friend a bit of room as they let what happened just simmer.

“What now?” Bria asked, breathless.

“Now?” Neth asked, a flirty smile tugging at her lips. “We get some sleep.” With that said, Neth pulled the covers back and crawled under them, then left them raised. “There will be plenty of time in the days to come to figure out where this may lead us, but for now? Rest.”

Well, she couldn’t exactly argue with that. Hesitantly, Bria crawled across the bed and into the covers beside Neth, the warmth coming off her a soothing comfort despite the sweltering heat of summer that permeated the air. Bria made sure to keep some distance between them, just in case Neth didn’t care for the abundant warmth.

Her friend seemed to have other ideas as she curled up against her and let out a pleased hum. “This is quite pleasant.”

“It is,” Bria agreed, stammering a bit over her words.

“Sleep well,” Neth said. “I look forward to the coming days with you.”

A yawn tore free, and Bria settled, relaxing into the embrace. “Me too.”

Not that Bria expected to spend much time together given everything they wanted to do, but she could still hope. Despite the sheer exhilaration she felt, exhaustion won out. Bria feathered a kiss on Neth’s nose, then let herself drift off, falling asleep in moments with contentment in her heart.