Chapter 99: Fun for the Fallen
Mika hovers above the tiled rooftops of Nettlehusk, wrapped in a dim halo of golden light, her glowing wings twitching irritably.
"Five days of babysitting a band of oversexed weirdos," she mutters, drifting above the merchant district. "This is not what I defected from heaven for."
Below, the Blackthorn crew meanders through the bustling streets of Nettlehusk, cheerful and bright-eyed despite their recent non-stop pleasure house marathon. Pip carries half a dozen crates of supplies stacked perfectly on one arm, while Lula rides on top, lazily popping dried fruits into her mouth. Penelo skipped alongside them, swinging a bag of oils, ropes, and books.
Sera and Veena were up front, haggling with a perfume vendor, while Zora floated upside down behind them, shouting incorrect conversion rates. Vuvi trailed at the rear, sipping from her flask and pretending she wasn’t shopping while sternly "supervising" the team.
Mika grimaced.
"I should be wreaking havoc in the Ash Lands. Not watching a sexbot buy bath bombs."
She descends onto a nearby chimney stack, perching like an oversized, sulking pigeon. Her halo flickers above her head, a permanent reminder of her divine birthright... and her ongoing punishment.
She sighs heavily and leans forward.
Down below, the team giggles at something Pip had said through a thoughtwave. Veena rolls her eyes and nudges him in the ribs, Vuvi accidentally laughs and then scowls when she realizes, and Penelo chases Lula into a bakery, shrieking about her stealing all the cream puffs.
Despite herself... Mika smiles.
They were so stupid. And loud. And chaotic. But...
...they looked happy.