At the Altar of Dragons

Session 31 | Chapter 6

The noises and smells of this city are nothing like the forest. They’re crude, man-made and grate against my ears as each building, person, or vehicle we pass seems to make a whirring or beeping sound. I have never craved the quiet balance of a natural forest more in my life.

So the moment Lendys took off into the strange city, any desire I had to wait in this mayhem and see what the rest of the group was going to do with their time here evaporated. I pick up the pace, jogging lightly as I try to catch up to him in his drake form.

Hey! Whoa–wait up! I call after him.

When he replies, his tone is distracted and vacant. Something is calling me. He feels far away, like he’s being pulled and concern piques in my senses.

Something that we should be concerned about or?

No, he replies, his voice feeling a little more normal now, It’s familiar.

I cock an eyebrow, not sure that this thing pulling Lendys being familiar is much better. Okay well if it becomes not familiar, let me know. After a brief pause, I add, I can’t even think about anything happening to you.

Nothing will happen, but if you’re scared, you might as well say something before you regret not. A playful tone dances along his words but they still send a chill down my spine.

Lendys! This isn’t something to joke about! I retort.

Well I can’t have you worrying about me.

In my head, I groan, I’ve always worried about you.

Even when I thought he was a spirit and something happened to him, there was a gut wrenching moment as I went to resummon him that I feared he wouldn’t reappear. That fear became reality less than a week ago, and now knowing that he can truly die, that his life is tied to mine — even more so knowing the feelings that have come to light between us today–the thought of anything happening to him makes my stomach twist.

Layna and Raesh have caught up to Lendys and I as we weave along the streets of the city, and I welcome the distraction of my companions. Layna holds up the map to the dojo and informs me that Lendys is heading in the general direction the map is directing us. Our pace slows slightly as the other two join us, but Lendys is still pressing forward without looking back or pausing.

We fall into a comfortable silence as we traverse the city streets, and at this time, Layna’s voice enters my mind. How are you holding up? Quickly, I glance in her direction and see her oversized hood is up to hide her face.

I turn my head away from Raesh, hiding the movement under the guise of taking in the strange city around us, and reply, I’ve been better. Just feeling very judged and dismissed by everyone.

That seems fair. I understand the feeling. A moment later, she continues, I was more referring to your feelings on the zombie drake walking in front of us. I’m sure that’s a little disconcerting, but feel free to rant on that awful breakfast if you need to.

Oh–right, I smile, quickly hiding the expression, as my eyes flick to Lendys ahead of us. I continue, You were at breakfast. You saw the shit show. To be honest, you and Lendys…and oddly, Raesh, are the only ones keeping me afloat in the group right now.

I did. I would say I wasn’t expecting them to take sides, but… Her voice trails off as I catch her gait shift slightly as she walks. When she’s balanced again, she adds, They tend to do that. Everyone took Perona’s side at the observatory too. I’m fond of Raesh too, though his sex jokes can be a li’l much. I’m glad you and him, at least, aren’t calling me a whore or wondering why I’m not comforting the girl who thinks I’m one. And I’m glad we can both be in your corner. A more deliberate movement catches in the periphery of my vision, and I turn my gaze to see Layna smiling at me from behind her hood.

I’m sorry about my part in that by the way. It wasn’t fair to you–I don’t really have an excuse for my behavior other than possibly a stupid crush. I suck in a breath as a person flies close to our group on a hover board. Honestly, I’ve been holding back too many times when I wanted to laugh at Raesh’s jokes because I was afraid Perona would judge me. I don’t fault you for not wanting to comfort her right now. And selfishly, I appreciate you’re with me.

I don’t blame you really. There’s been a lot I’ve had to work out about myself since then. Of course, I wasn't about to leave you alone with your zombie lover and Winter Wand over here. Aside from him being funny when he isn’t insulting me, what is it like?

I smirk and reply, Well, he is funny, but I was actually talking about Raesh’s jokes. I laugh in my head, unable to contain myself as my mind flicks back to all the pranks Raesh and I pulled while we were traveling with the caravan.

A loud whine catches my attention and I turn my gaze to the city around us. The hairs on the back of my neck stand on end at the foreign, mechanical creek. Towering easily a hundred feet above our heads are buildings lining both sides of the walkway.

One building is made up of a patchwork of metals, haphazardly fused together, bolts and wires in odd places and sticking out at strange angles. A constant, low-frequency hum emanates from the building, filling my head in the absence of Layna’s voice. Laundry hangs from wires between closely adjacent buildings, and small, makeshift gardens are protruding from windows here and there. The sight of anything green and natural brings me a modicum of peace.

I take this break in my conversation with Layna to mentally check in with Lendys. He doesn’t reply immediately and a wave of anxiety crashes over my mind, so I try again.

Is this another joke, Lendys?

This time, his voice comes through in my mind, Huh? Did you say something? Keep up, Ranger.

I groan internally, You’re lucky I think you’re funny.

And you’re lucky I think you’re cute when you’re angry.

Is that why you kept using that damn kid form so much? I gasp.

We turn down another street and the mechanical world around us continues to disturb me more and more. The acrid smell of ozone fills the air and singes the insides of my nostrils.

A moment later, Lendys’ voice enters my thoughts again, taking on a more somber tone. No, I just thought my older form would’ve caused more problems since I used it to impersonate Bahamut in your visions.

My steps falter slightly, and I try to steady myself without causing any alarm from Layna or Raesh.

Even after the nav tower? Wait, how many times did you come to me in a vision?

Every time except in Elturel.

That vision felt so different than all the others. Bahamut felt foreign and disconnected as he spoke to me. I couldn’t shake the strange feeling for days after the meditation; now, I know why.

Even though he can’t see my gaze, I look towards Lendys, my features softening as I reply, Wow, so it’s really been you all along–He’s been the one that’s believed in me, believed I was capable of making change in this world, of being more than just a trainee all my life.

Sorry, His one word reply comes through, rocking me like a punch to the gut.

Quickly, I reach back out, No, that’s not what I meant–why are you sorry? My thoughts are met with silence, reaching out and hitting nothing, like a boat adrift on a sea with no dock.

Lendys? I try again with no luck, Gods I hate this place! Fucking Omni-asshat doing weird shit!

Biting the inside of my cheek, I fall in step beside Raesh and say, “Thanks by the way…for that back at breakfast.”

Looking oddly unbothered by our surroundings, he takes a bite of a piece of bacon and after chewing a little, turns to look up at me. “Thanks for what?” he asks, holding out another piece of bacon for me.

I furrow my brow briefly in confusion at the offering as much as his question, but take the breakfast meat and start eating alongside him. A moment later, I elaborate, “For saying I didn’t have to give everyone an explanation.”

He looks at me surprised, “Oh that? I thought that was self explanatory. The subject obviously made you feel uncomfortable and to press for an explanation would only make it awkward for everyone.” He takes another bite, and adds, “You’ve made your decision and no matter the reason, that should be respected.” He tears off another bite, looking around while chewing, a little distracted by our surroundings.

Quietly I mumble to myself, “I wish everyone felt that way.”

After the extended silence in our conversation, I scan our surroundings and comment to Raesh, “ Strange place huh? I’ve never seen so many mechanized things in one place.”

“You got that right,” Raesh replies, “Everyone has their own path to take, but that doesn’t mean the way forward is clear. We’re all stumbling around in the dark trying to find a light to follow. Some find it in the company of people, emotionally or physically, I guess the people here find it in machines.” He shrugs noncommittally. “Maybe you’ll find your light while you’re here.”

Somehow I doubt I’ll find my light in a place like this, I think to myself before saying out loud, “Yeah that would be nice after the run I’ve had.”

Following Lendys as he continues in this trance-like state, we come up on a series of shop storefronts. As we approach, a window scrapes open beside us as an elven man pops out from the shop within. It takes all my effort not to visibly react to the fact that half of his skull is missing and replaced with a gold mesh and iridescent glass filling the spaces between the metal. One of his eyes is mechanical and whirs as he observes our small group passing. His expression is skeptical–either determining we don’t belong or that we likely aren’t his ideal clientele, I’m not sure the answer—but his gaze on us, how his eyes rake our forms, is unsettling.

He turns his head briefly, glancing down the walkway behind us, and I catch a glimpse of the space behind the glass shell of his skull. Where his brain should be instead is a series of cogs, spinning and pumping within the space. Unable to look at the inside of his head any longer, my attention slips to the shop behind him. The space is only a few feet deep and is dimly lit by glowing blue and purple lights contained to cylindrical tubes on either side of the window. Small, clear pouches are neatly arranged on the shelves behind him. Inside each pouch is a small metal shard and a label in black ink that reads various things like ‘Beach Vacation’, ‘Mountain Forest’, and ‘Harvest Festival’.

A small mechanical fan clicks in the upper corner of the small shop space, moving air through the space that wafts the scent of static and plastic into the street. The elf turns his attention back to us and locks eyes with me. A grin spreads across his face and as he begins to speak, I pick up my pace, rushing forward to avoid whatever solicitation he is about to propose.

Quickly to distract myself from the eerie feeling the shopkeeper left me with, I comment to Raesh, forcing a cheery tone to my words, “And you have the booby card! Maybe you can find some light at the madam’s.” I bend over a little to nudge him with my elbow in his shoulder.

Raesh flashes a devious smile and replies, “I did say some find it physically!” He nudges me back with his elbow, catching me in the upper leg because of our height difference.

I suck in a breath to laugh, but the pungent smell of burnt almonds hits the back of my throat and causes me to cough instead.

I take this opportunity to reach out to Lendys. When I’m met with silence once again, my brain spirals, Cool cool cool–I just learned this new thing and now I can’t use it.

At this, his voice enters my thoughts once more, smoothing out the frayed edges of my psyche. I've only used it to tease you since this morning–do you think it will have other uses?

Covering my mouth with the crook of my elbow, I try to laugh through the scratching feeling in my throat as I step over a puddle of thick amber looking liquid leaking out of an adjacent alley. “And she’s going to give you her best girl,” I croak.

“I will be the judge of that!” Raesh says with pomp and a spring in his step.

Layna laughs outwardly at Raesh’s comment, then takes advantage of the moment of silence to reply to my earlier comment, Okay that makes sense–there’s so many times I am trying to focus and instead have to focus on not cackling at Raesh’s jokes.

Ah! You’re back! I pause briefly, not wanting to lose the connection, I don’t see why not? I guess it could be practical and not just for saying dirty things across a table.

I guess. Haven’t you been talking to Layna? His tone is light and it sends warmth

through my whole body.

Can you hear that too?

I’ve noticed you trying to hide your mouth movements from me and Raesh. Is she casting Message?

Maybe, I tease, extending the last syllable of my reply.

I guess you’re telling her then?

Telling what? About us? No, actually we’re talking about how funny Raesh is.

Good, because I thought the phrase was ‘don’t kiss and tell’.

And also, she pauses, looking around sneakily before continuing. If I hold out my hands and slowly bring them closer, can you just tap me when I hit the right length? Her grin is wildly mischievous and her eyes dart to Raesh, who is thoroughly distracted looking at a shopfront we’re passing. Layna slowly starts to bring her hands together and I fight to hold back my laughter.

Oh wait–she just asked how big you are. Heat rises to my cheeks as I tease him,thinking about this morning’s events, Biiiiiiig dragon man.

Are you going to make her jealous then?

My eyes widen seeing her hands move and I nearly forget to reply in my head as I blurt, Layna! Layna! Oh my gods! Seeing her hands, I stop myself and state, Well, wait actually you need to start over.

Layna’s eyes now widen in surprise and she recasts the spell, messaging me once more, No way! That was–this was in the human form right? Because that’s dragon dick sizes. She raises a brow at me and I beam a bright smile at her.

Do you want me to make her think it’s not good? I groan, Lendys, I’m happy. And other than you, she’s the only one that knows and that I trust not to judge my happiness. I can be vague, I pause, unsure how to proceed.

Uncomfortable and wanting to break the silence, I add awkwardly, I can say something like, ‘oh yeah you see that giant monolith statue over there? It’s bigger than that.’

Be honest. I only care what you think anyway. His tone is neutral and both comforts and irritates me at the same time. I know he doesn’t like lying, but the weight of his words feel like a test.

I smirk discreetly, and project to him, You know what I’m thinking right now?

Wait–I’ll give you a second before I think about it.

He turns his head, flashing a slight grin as he replies, Almost too much to handle?

I chuckle internally, No, I was going to say your ass looks good from this angle.

The story has been illicitly taken; should you find it on Amazon, report the infringement.

Just keep staring then, he quips and flicks his tail.

Even before we had sex this morning, I felt off balance with where our relationship stands. Now with even more heightened emotions involved, I feel like I’m standing on the edge of Perona’s family plate, tiptoeing along the edge of the world. There’s so much I want to say to him after this morning, but finding the words and the time while we’re here in this mechanized shit-hole feels unlikely. Even now, communicating mentally, it isn’t enough. I want to be looking at him–the real him– as we speak. I wish I could touch his arm, smell the scent of soot and juniper that just consumes my every thought.

I mean he is a dragon god, but yes that was his human form. True form actually is what he calls it, which apparently you saw last night.

Abruptly though a look of horror crosses Raesh’s face, a thought clearly crosses his mind in our silence, and he gasps, “What if the girls are mechanical too?”

I laugh wholeheartedly as I reply to Raesh, happy for the chance to outwardly show the joy I’m feeling. “Oh I bet some of them are!” I jeer.

His face screws up in intense concentration–either that or he just became extremely constipated, but with Raesh and how much he ate for breakfast you can never be too sure–then he shrugs a moment later. “If they really are the best, who am I to judge?” he observes, “I’ll let you know if it’s worth it.”

For a faint moment before his voice enters my mind, his presence is a soft caress on the inside of my consciousness. His voice whispers right behind my ear, Do you think the mansion staff will replace the linens?

I have to stop myself from laughing and then gasping outwardly at the realization, Gods! I totally forgot there are maids here! I groan, Probably?

No kidding, Layna recasts Arcane Whispers, a shocked tone in her voice. She shakes her head and asks, How are you walking right now? But yeah, I was nearly blackout drunk when I made my way back, but I do remember seeing him and… I glance over at her as her face turns reddish-purple with embarrassment. I think I kept slurring ‘gods are pretty’. Maybe it was the shimmering scales? She wrinkles her nose in horror. He’s going to throw that back in my face someday isn’t he?

Yeah he probably will, I laugh internally. Honestly I don’t know how I’m fine–it’s been so long since I’ve slept with anyone, I thought for sure I’d get to play hooky today and just hide out. I shake my head a little. So did you find any company last night or were you braving Alba’s book attack solo?

Let’s hope they don’t say anything to the owners. Even squeezing my eyes shut, I can sense the smile on his draconic features, the gleam in his eyes.

Lendys! I shriek, Thankfully it sounds like a lot of people fucked last night and this morning, so the chance of anything getting back about specific rooms feels slim right?

Aren’t we Perona’s special guest? he quips in response.

Fuck.

I pause, my brain spinning through all the possibilities, all the ways this conversation will go from staff to butler to Perona. There’s no way we come out of this unscathed. But if she wasn’t right for me, the only logical answer is I wasn’t right for her. I couldn’t be. I will hang on to that shred of hope like a life raft until there’s proof it’s true, because I’m happy and she deserves the same.

You know what, I begin, It is what it is. I’m happy, and if the maids rat us out, so be it.

Good, he replies in a satisfied tone, I just saw Layna turn red, I guess she knows?

Layna’s been quiet outwardly, listening to our conversation as we travel through the city. At Raesh’s comment though, she muses, “Well, let’s hope if they’re mechanical they at least lube them up properly.”

My eyes widen, and I grimace, “Ouch…what if it pinches?”

I shake my head at the subject change and reply, Yes, but actually that was from what she apparently kept mumbling last night. Something about ‘gods being pretty’? I add lightheartedly, But don’t let that go to your head.

Which one?

Either! Gods! Do you want me training or laid up in bed from being impaled??

Lendys turns his head slightly, smirking at me, You didn’t have a problem with the latter this morning.

Layna’s expression turns pained as she adds, “The clerics have more than one use in these sorts of places. Every kind of sex can pinch if you do it wrong.” Until Layna makes comments like this, it’s easy to forget the Astral Elf was once employed by a brothel, likely very similar to the one Raesh is going to be a patron of today. Granted, hers was controlled by the Cult of Tiamat, so I’m hoping that this establishment is more considerate of its employees’ rights.

Yes, I groan, But I am in fact, not laid up in bed. I smirk and add casually, So it could be reasoned that I just wasn’t impaled enough.

We can rectify that tonight, his voice is menacingly low and serious, I’ll make your body remember my shape.

Hmm, we’ll see, I reply nonchalantly, but admittedly, I’m momentarily rattled.

Raesh looks up to Layna and points his last breakfast sausage at her, “Never have I ever worried about a woman pinching off my meat stick more than after you just said that.”

The deadpan expression on his face and the sausage hanging limply between him and Layna causes me to double over in laughter, drawing the attention of many of the city’s denizens. Despite the attention, I cackle at this scene and the thought of Raesh being presented with an automaton companion at the brothel.

“It’s not likely, but never impossible,” Layna snickers and swipes the sausage from Raesh’s grip. She takes an animated bite off before smiling deviously.

Raesh stares at his empty hand then back up to Layna, dumbstruck for a moment, before he shrugs and reaches into his pants. For the briefest of moments, horror overcomes me at what Raesh might be about to take out of his pants, and my laughter comes to an abrupt halt. He pulls out a wine bottle that I quickly recognize as Dwarven Fire Wine, the same spirit the server brought Layna and I last night after we left the gala. “Speaking of finding things,” Raesh cheers, “Who wants to get lit later?!”

“Where did you get that?” I brighten, reminded of the elation I felt last night after confiding in Layna and drinking some of the spirit. The memory of spinning and dancing under the stars loosens the tightness in my chest from being in this acrid, mechanical place. “Layna, is this what we drank last night?” I ask with my eyes wide.

“My pants could be a bag of holding–it’s bigger on the inside,” Raesh quips, winking exaggeratedly at me.

Layna snorts at his joke before laughing as she replies to me, “I believe it was Dwarven Fire Brandy, but close enough. It certainly made the night interesting.”

“I just took it from the breakfast bar,” Raesh shrugs, then comments to Layna, “You of all people should know your way around this place.” He tucks the bottle of wine into his backpack for safe keeping before cocking an eyebrow at me and asking, “Interesting how?”

“I danced!” I say excitedly. “Layna talked a lot about her sexual exploits, but that’s not unusual.” I pause briefly thinking of other unusual things from last night before adding, “Lendys knocked me out of a tree!”

“And Maire somehow drank the entire bottle, after an entire bottle of tequila, and is still standing,” Layna adds, grinning.

Laughing, I blurt, “You know I can take a lot and still be standing!”

Layna laughs at my comment, placing a hand lightly on my shoulder as she holds her side with the other.

Raesh grins and responds, “Well…interesting indeed! If you haven’t had your fill, my offer still stands.” Heat rises to my cheeks at his offer and my hand instinctually goes to the back of my neck. Before I can respond, Raesh asks, “Does Lendys drink or is he the DPP?”

My eyes flick forward to where Lendys is trotting ahead of us. I’m overcome with the urge to defend him, to tell Layna and Raesh of his jokes, the way he is playful with me when it’s just the two of us. But all the words and stories get stuck in my throat, nearly choking me with how badly I want to share them all while knowing I can’t–or shouldn’t. Raesh might be understanding of my breakup with Perona, but to turn around so quickly with another person…I don’t know what his opinion would be of that, even if the initial decision had nothing to do with Lendys.

Mercifully, Layna states mockingly, “He said something along the lines of ‘gods have outlived fun’.”

“So he most definitely is the Designated Party Pooper,” Raesh determines. “At least the real Bahamut fucks. I heard it from the god himself!”

I start to open my mouth, but Layna shoots me a look that forces all of my comments back into my stomach. Gaping still, I turn the expression into more of a jaw drop look and mutter, “Hey! Well…he did take the cigarettes from me earlier yesterday, and then he knocked me out of the tree.” My voice trails off, getting lost in all of the things I want to say about what has happened in between those moments with Lendys.

Raesh jokingly pats my arm and states, “It’s okay. We’ll take you to religion conversion therapy. We’ll fix you I promise.” He smiles wryly before raising his other arm and declaring proudly, “All hail Bahamut!”

The sound of a match striking and the smell of cigarette smoke wafts from Layna’s direction as I close my eyes and shake my head. “All hail Bahamut,” I mumble, turning my attention to our surroundings once again.

Raesh drops his earthboard in front of him and steps onto the surface with practiced grace before asking, “Are we getting close yet? You long-legged, good looking people are hard to keep up with on foot.”

“Shouldn’t be far,” Layna muses, looking down at the map. She takes a drag of her cigarette and nods, “Probably about five minutes out?”

Once again, our group falls into a comfortable silence as we proceed through the city, turning periodically as Lendys leads us through the streets. In the quiet of our group, Layna’s voice enters my mind again. About last night–how insane would you think I am if I told you, hypothetically speaking, that my husband and I do it in my astral trances? The one who… Her voice trails off and I glance over to see her staring at the ground, chewing her lip.

The buildings around us start to resemble Kozakura, different from the mechanized hell they had resembled before. My mind flips back to a book about the eastern nations and the chapter on the archipelago nation. More wood is used in the construction of these buildings, and pockets of natural gardens can be glimpsed behind buildings as we pass. The introduction of nature into our surroundings helps to offset the glare from the eerie, harsh blue glow from the street lamps lining the walking paths of the city. Shops are still lit by the glowing cylinders, and signs seem to be lit by various colors of glowing tubes, but this portion of the city feels less starkly different from what I’m used to.

Aelric? The one who we saw in the castle? Or at least a weird puppet version of him? I pause, regretting the way I phrased that instantly. I don’t think that’s insane. I think it’s admirable you would seek him out across dimensions and planes, even in the afterlife. He must’ve been–must be, I correct, really special to you. My eyes instinctually drift to Lendys ahead of us, my heart aching at the thought of ever having to go to those lengths to find him again.

Hey, the popsicle looks tense. What gives?

Be nice, okay? She’s talking about her dead husband.

Aelric–I thought, thought a piece of him was trapped in– She swallows, losing the words, but continues. So I fought my fear of trancing to seek him out, and he was there. He’s whole, and in Paradise. He was never in–in that thing. A hand drifts up into her hood, and if I’m not mistaken, she wipes a tear away. He is special, he really is. It sucks that I can only see him in a dreamland, but at least I have him. She glances over at me, eyes a little puffy, but manages a slight smile. Thank you for not judging me. That’s a weight off my chest.

Oh, his tone is skeptical, I hope the walking tree doesn’t get jealous.

The what? I retort.

The walking tree–my nickname for Silvyr–her current lover? Come on? He was with us last night.

My expression softens seeing her emotion as I reply, You love him still–why would I judge that?

Layna’s expression looks puzzled. I’ve always liked your view of the world. Never change that.

I scrunch my nose endearingly at her and quirk an eyebrow, My view? The ex-cultist, sleeper agent, who’s never left the Cloud Peak Mountains until last year? Me? That view?

Yes, well…no, Layna pauses, gathering her thoughts before recasting Message. You just–you don’t judge people for the odd things that most people would judge over. You’re accepting, and it’s unexpected. It’s a good thing.

I shrug my shoulders a little and give Layna a half smile. I just know that I have enough odd things going on with me that I’m trying to understand. Chances are others have reasons behind their odd things too. But thank you. Without thinking, I reach over and hold my left arm close to my body, keeping the scars as close to me as possible without drawing attention from Raesh.

We pass by a row of sleek pods that are lined with a soft tatami textured padding inside. A sign in front of them reads, “The Chamber of Seven Breaths”. A soft, rhythmic thrumming comes from the machines as we pass. Tubes and hoses feed into the back of the pods, and there is a clear glasslike material wrapped around their fronts so patrons can see if they’re occupied before entering. A halfling man is kicked back in a chair leaning against the adjacent building while he flips through a newspaper, but pauses briefly, making eye contact with our group. The look is subtle, but inquiring about our interest in his service. My gaze flits to one of the pods, and I notice that a fine mist curls around the elven man inside of it. He’s sleeping, or in some form of a trance inside the pod. Despite our more comforting surroundings, the stall sends a chill down my spine and I quickly turn back to the walkway ahead.

No one was with us last night…what are you talking about?

Of course he was, Lendys’ tone is firm and unyielding, He brought you both the Dwarven brandy.

No, I insist, that was a waiter. My chest tightens and a knot forms in my throat. Lendys, this is feeling really similar to when you told me the conclave worships Tiamat. I don’t like this.

We will talk about this tonight–something funny is going on.

Ash fills my throat and screaming begins to creep into the edges of my consciousness.

I shake my head and ask, Don’t do anything extreme, okay? At least not without me. I– Fear chokes the rest of my words and my voice fades away.

I won’t do this without you, but you might have to do something extreme.

I will? Like what?

Are you fine with borrowing her lingerie as a conversation starter?

I cock an eyebrow and laugh to myself. That’s the extreme thing? Yeah of course.

She might make you wear it, and I didn’t think that would be your thing. She doesn’t exactly leave much to the imagination with her outfits.

I roll my eyes. Ah, so there are things you still don't know about me. Why does it sound like you’d prefer me in full plate over lingerie? I tease, but deep down

I’m confused, searching for a real answer from him.

I call it being respectful, but if you want everything on display, then be my guest. I won’t complain.

Lendys–I scowl at him, trying my best to not get frustrated by this conversation. Okay, where does the lingerie come into play then if it’s not for us?

It is for us, but it’s also for getting into her room to confront her.

About what?? I gasp, and quickly lower my internal tone as I continue, Having sex with her dead husband?

He sighs and asks, What do you remember from last night?

With the anticipated arrival at the dojo any moment, the importance of this training with Markus hits me like a wall. Bahamut sent me here and Lendys is being guided here by some unseen force–there is no way this isn’t a critical place for me. Whether it brings me some light as Raesh suggested or not, I can’t help but feel the overwhelming certainty that I won’t be leaving this place the same person.

Nervously, I turn to Layna and ask, “What’s Markus like to train under?”

“It’s–” she pauses, searching for the words, “It’s not like how we were trained before. He breaks you, puts you back together stronger, but not in a violent way. He’s serious about his job, but he’s a good man. Annoyingly polite.” Layna rolls her eyes, but I catch an air of fondness in her last comment about the man.

“Oh this is going to be great,” I sarcastically state. Rubbing my face, I mutter to myself, “Well I’m starting fresh today.”

Are we really doing this? I sigh, annoyed at the accusation. I remember looking like a fool in front of everyone in the garden. I remember wanting to meditate

and doing that– I saw you and spoke with Bahamut. We argued, and then you bit me. I broke up with Perona, then went to the edge of the plate. My thoughts start to dance at the memory of the remainder of the night, and my tone gets lighter and less annoyed as I recount the events. Layna came over and we drank, exchanged stories. More liquor was brought by one of the staff–I guess?--You showed up around then… My mind trails as I lean into more of the emotions of the evening, Dancing… gods I haven’t danced like that in ages… then, I pause, concern flooding my senses as I push forward. It gets a little fuzzy…I-I have glimpses of you carrying me I think. I thought it was a dream at the time, but I guess not…

Damn him, Lendys growls, It wasn’t a dream. I did carry you in my true form, but we need to talk about this later. We’re just around the corner from the dojo.

Lendys turns off of the walking path and up the short flight of steps to the front doors of a wood framed building. The multi-layered structure is tucked beneath a plate, causing the entire area to be shrouded in darkness. The glowing lamp lights are the only source of light illuminating the street around us.

I turn to the left and nod at the Pleasure Palace across the street. Casually, I ask Raesh, “Is this where you split?”

He smirks at the brothel and turns back to Layna and I before stating, “We’ll get there eventually. I think–”

I cut him off, “We’ll??”

“Me and anybody who wants to go!” He smiles jovially, “It doesn’t have to be you!”

I shake my head and proceed up the stairs after Lendys. He’s stopped in front of the main door and is sitting, seemingly waiting for something. I stand beside him and ask, “So this is where we’re going?” The weight of what’s to come on the other side of these doors looms like the plate above us. Lendys doesn’t reply and I turn my gaze to him. Outwardly, he is still clearly in the trance-like state he’s been in this entire journey through the Southern Forest. I shake my head and sigh, resigning myself that he likely isn’t going to respond at this point.

“This is it,” Layna declares.

I poke Lendys slightly, curious if the physical contact would break him out of the trance. When it doesn’t, I mutter, “Creepy.”

“If we walk inside, do you think he’ll follow?” Layna asks.

“Only one way to find out,” I state, pushing him slightly from behind. Once again, he doesn’t move. I walk around him and pull the door open. I’m ready to immediately walk through myself, but Lendys stands and proceeds ahead of me without issue. I shrug and follow behind him with Layna and Raesh on my heels.