"Vadei! Come on! I said I was sorry!" Einervaene said to the aggravated woman ahead of us. A woman whose head was going down while her shoulders were squared up. She was very clearly annoyed and I found it amusing. But, one thing would be preferable...

"Can you not try and make up with her while I am carrying you? I don't want to be caught in the middle!" I told my saviour as I adjusted my grip on her. Slightly wondering if I still needed to carry her at all as it had already been quite a while. And, thankfully, we were both letting our magic intermingle so we could heal up. Now if only it worked a little better.

"Both of you, be quiet!" Vadei then barked out as she suddenly turned around. Her intense glare mainly being focused on Einervaene, but still going to me on occasion. And the roll of my eyes only made her focus on me more.

"She's the one who forgot about you, don't start getting angry at me." I told her with a slight curve to the edge of my mouth.

"I didn't forget about her!" Einervaene clarified with a huff from above. My chest briefly rose as I let out some air with a smile becoming more prominent.

"Then why did I have to find you!?" Vadei accused her as she also pointed a sharp nail just before her face. Or, well, as close to her face as she could get. It felt nice to be the tall one again. It was very nice indeed.

"You didn't have to! We were going to go look for you!" Einervaene claimed.

"No, you woke up, woke me up and then eagerly tried to take me back to the airship." I lied. Mixing my chitters with gentle laughter as I was then attacked by my passenger.

"No, I didn't!" Einervaene nearly shouted in my ear just before she stopped herself. She even stopped herself from using her magic which left me sightly annoyed.

"We need to talk about your anger issues when we get back." I tutted out before both of the women I was with stared at me.

"My anger issues!?"

"Her anger issues!?"

I snickered some more after that and watched as they both stropped off. Well, Vadei did, Einervaene just refused to look at me for a little bit. But, then, once she calmed down, she went back to what she had been doing prior. That being using my head as a cushion of some kind, couldn't imagine it was particularly comfortable.

"So how much longer anyway?" I then asked Vadei once she too had calmed down a little. And I really meant a little as she was still holding on to what had happened. Her supposed abandonment at the hands of Einervaene. But, I could not say I held her to a strict standard.

She had just saved my life and been badly hurt in the process. So, wasn't it only natural a few things escaped her thoughts as a result? Now if only that wasn't the only thing to escape her thoughts. If only one other thing did too...

"I don't know." Vadei eventually mumbled out with a quick shrug.

"Fair..." I let out slowly before I looked down at her hand, "Need some help with that?" I then asked while I pointed at her hand. A hand she tried to hide before she shook her head.

"Just let your magic flow out some more, it's not like she can stop you." Einervaene then mumbled out near my ear. A slight shrug came from me before I began to do just that. Only to then watch with some bemusement as Vadei got annoyed by this. She was annoyed I was healing her hand and getting rid of her stinging scratches.

"I just told you I did not want your help!"

"I wasn't told anything." I corrected her with before she then jabbed my snout. A slight glow on her nails when she did that. I suppose this was going to be her way of hurting me when I annoyed her? She would need to do better than that!

"Besides... How are your injuries anyway? You'd think we would not have someone putting strain on them!" Vadei began to ask me before her tone rose as she faced upwards.

"They're getting better, slowly, it will probably take a few days to be fully healed, though. Thankfully, after I went to sleep, most of the pain became more of a dull throb." I explained to Vadei, and, by circumstance, Einervaene too. And when I said sleep, I meant when I actually went to sleep, not my fake snoring...

"If you say so..." she began to slowly say as her eyes focused on my burns. A shiver noticeably going across her as her furry parts suddenly stuck up.

"I know it looks bad, but it is not that bad." I told her with what I could muster up for a shrug.

"I just watched puss or blood come out of a burn on your leg, so forgive me if I doubt it a little!" she responded back with while gagging.

"Be glad you only saw it and you aren't the one bleeding and pussing." I said to her while I looked down at my legs. Feeling slightly disturbed by the injuries as I looked at them. But, I calmed down as well. Because, if you focused, you could just barely see my body healing up.

"Indeed I am, but, I am more glad you are back."

"So I have gathered."

"I am being serious, you know? Nin. Now that you are back my chances to save my family are up once again."

"You only saved me because of that? Harsh."

"I didn't...!" Vadei began to say before she went quiet. A slight redness going to her face as she got frustrated.

"Oh, jolly, another one." I said in response to seeing that, moving Einervaene about slightly as I did so. A light tap hitting my head just after once she caught on to its meaning.

"It might have to be delayed, though." Einervaene began to say as her head rose off of mine.

"Why?" I asked.

"Airship was damaged," Einervaene then clarified, "so unless we can repair it on the move."

"I am fine with waiting, I'm sure Nin is too."

"No, I am so impatient I will rather see the airship break down on the way." I joked with a flat tone and expression.

"But, yes, when the wyverns attacked. At least until we got that magic barrier up, the airship did receive quite a beating." the woman on me explained.

"How badly?"

"Most of it just seems to be fine slices in the plating and decking, but, the side in which you were taken down from. That will take some time, and, possibly, it will have to be ignored."

"Ignored? We don't even have an idea how the airship works! We can't just leave it unattended, it might have been gutted for all we know!" I began to say as my instincts flared up at the mere mention of ignoring the damage. I did not like how that sounded at all.

"No, we do have an idea, actually." Vadei then said with a prideful smile as she stood up straighter.

"Why...?" I let out with some disbelief, slightly discouraged by Vadei's confidence. She was not an engineer, mechanic or anything even tangentially related to machine knowledge... Let alone magical machine knowledge!

She then waved her much less injured hand in front of us, "Back during the attack, some things happened and now I have access to information about the airship!" she explained.

I slowly nodded as I took it in, "I guess that explains why I felt iffy about seeing that machine..." I began to say as I thought on my first time in the captain's chair. When that strange device came out of the ground in front of it. That little open space inside of it so openly displayed...

"So, yeah, I am now the expert on our transportation so leave it to me!" Vadei declared before puffing out her chest. That grin of hers baring out all of her teeth while her knuckles went on to her hips. Fingers, palms and elbows going outwards.

"Alright then, Expert, I will leave it in your hands once we get back there. Assuming we get back there in any reasonable time frame." I say somewhat sarcastically at first before I looked up at the sky. Paying careful attention to how the orbital-halo had already gone past the centre of the sky. It was already noon and we did not seem like we would get any closer...

"Don't worry about time to travel, Nin. Give me some time to rest and I can use my magic to get us the rest of the way." Einervaene said to me as she rubbed my scalp. Her attempt to reassure me fell flat, however.

"Would it not be ideal for you to not be using your magic to heal me, then?" I asked her as I looked up at her. A nod of acknowledgement coming from Vadei before she began to take weight off of her feet.

"I just want to enjoy at least one day of travelling." she beamed out with a smile before she tightened her hug. Her breasts enveloping the back of my head and neck as she did so. At least, until I came into contact with the copper frame in and on her clothes.

"I want to get back to a bed..." Vadei then mumbles bitterly as she realises she was at Einervaene's mercy. Her desire to spend time with me would ultimately dictate our travel time it would seem.

"I think it can be said we both agree on that." I also mumbled while Einervaene happily hummed away. My eyes once again focusing on Vadei as she took weight off of her feet. And then, I just decided to hoist her up as maybe it could entertain us a little.

"Hey!" she exclaimed as I did so, but she did nothing else beyond that. Einervaene, however, did make her grip firmer and I guess protective?

"Put her down, she can walk fine!" Einervaene said as she tried to force Vadei out of my grip.

"I'd say you can walk fine now." I told her as I suddenly let go of her leg. Letting her slip down slightly as a result.

"No! Fine!" she let out as she squirmed. My grip apparently being that important to her maintaining a lazy lifestyle on my back.

"So do you want to be put down?" I then asked the oxfuine in my other arm. Already guessing her answer when she curled her tail up and hugged it.

"No." she said just before leaning against my chest like a baby. Her body all curled up and compact as she rode the Nin Express.

"That settles that, then." I said to Einervaene who just moaned out her displeasure. A small smirk on my face as she did that.

"It scares me a little how large you are, Nin." Vadei then commented from behind her tail as she stared up at my chin. And I guess she was right to some degree. She had pretty much compacted herself so that she could fit into a single arm.

"And I quite enjoy the size difference, that Salahma was weird to stand near." I said back to her.

"Salahma? That wyvern had a name?" Einervaene then questioned.

"She did, and that was it. She also had a child but they did not have a name. But, hopefully, they find Undwote soon." I began to say before I slowed down while thinking of the child. That poor thing was torn apart by feral beasts just because I was near it...

"The child, I hope?" Einervaene asked as her head moved down near my left eye.

"Yeah, I'm on about the child. Poor thing was killed by her because apparently, I would have given her better children." I explained with the two women I was carrying gasping quietly.

"I like how it was an unequivocal good that I killed her then..." Einervaene commented as she rested her head once again. A slight nod came from me before I began to mentally ask Undwote for a favour. Assuming he could hear me, and that favour was a very simple one...

Just let that child enjoy itself, just for a bit...

.

.

.

"Well, alright then." I found myself saying as I walked away from Einervaene and Vadei. The former of which had just struck us down from the sky once again. Thankfully, the issues it caused your stomach really went down after a while. Or, rather, after you did it a lot as we had just been doing.

"You left quite the mess before your kidnapping." Vadei then commented as she briefly sped up to get next to me. A slow nod came from me as my gaze panned the area. She was indeed right about that. Ash of the white, grey and black variety covered the entire valley near the airship.

"How common are wyverns exactly?" I then asked Vadei cautiously. This recent experience with one has left me particularly paranoid of more.

"More common than dragons by an order of magnitude. But, not that many when you compare it to even aelenvari who are considered a dying species." she told me which left me in a state of pondering. The Rose's flower wasn't exactly quiet or lacking in people to fill it out... So what did she mean by they were a dying species? Had it something to do with the overwhelmingly female population?

Probably, wouldn't be surprised if I was forgetting something Rose had already explained.

"Do they tend to congregate?"

"No, they're very territorial. The one Einervaene killed was probably even encroaching on another's territory."

"Interesting. No, wait, if they don't congregate then why was there so many in the lair? There was easily several dozen."

"They come together under two conditions. Males trying to get with a female, or, a male taking over the territory of a lesser female or male. Sometimes both."

"Very knowledgeable about them, aren't you?" I then commented as I shook my head a little. Finding it slightly bemusing how a slave, something you'd expect to be lightly educated if at all. For her to be the one to have all this knowledge, I found that amusing.

"I did a lot of reading before we went to save you." she told me with a shrug and a smirk on her lips.

"So I guess you also played a big part?"

"I did indeed!"

"Well, looks like your debt to me is settled then."

"Debt...?" she repeated in confusion.

"You know, when we did that race in the aelenvari flower, I saved your life."

"That doesn't count." she then mumbled as she crossed her arms and looked away.

"Oh, no, how unlucky of me. I get to call in a big favour at some other point." I began to say with a laugh before her ears went up.

"Fine, it counts! It counts! I owe you nothing!"

"Rude." I quickly put out before I turned towards Einervaene. She seemed out of it all of the sudden. Had she used too much magic in recent times? She did beat Salahma, heal me and travel about and all that.

"Einervaene, do you need to rest for a little bit?" Vadei then asked her once she had copied my actions. Her own eyes looking out at the lightning-magic user.

"No... I'm fine, I'm fine." she replied with as she suddenly shook about. Then, she hastily came over to us and just as hastily grabbed our hand and claw. And, once again, in what seemed like a near-instant moment. We were somewhere else, this time the airship.

"Finally..." I then let out with a sigh before I began to walk off. Hoping to find Lari to see how she was doing. She had not come with those two so maybe she was asked to look after the airship? I'm surprised I never asked about her while we travelled, actually.

"Wait!" Einervaene then said to me as she reached out and grabbed me.

"What is it?" I asked her in concern as I turned to face her. She seemed out of it all of a sudden, had something happened while I was gone? Something other than the attack that is.

"We just need to get ourselves cleaned up and that, these bandages are getting dirty and we need to stay clean!" she let out in one go, something that left her short of breath. It was almost like she was panicking slightly.

"Uh, alright, Vadei, let Lari know we're back, would you? I'll do as me mother says." I began uncertainly at first before I finished up with a little joke. Going on with Einervaene once that was said. Frowning as neither of them reacted to my attempt to lighten the mood.

"Where is it... Where is it..." Einervaene began to say over and over before she then dashed into the washroom with me. Myself going in with a slight stumble as I was not expecting this sudden rush from her. I was also not really expecting her to suddenly strip naked and let out a frustrated sigh.

"Are you alright, Einervaene?" I began to ask her while I slowly undressed myself. Letting her help once she came over with a forced smile. And the fact she took her time with me left me with greater concerns.

"I'm fine." she said with no hesitation at all with a distinct firmness.

"No, no you are not." I corrected her as I moved forward and away. Turning around so I could look her in the eyes to see what this was about. And it must have been something serious because she was not even moving to cover her fully naked body.

"I said I am fine, now, let's start getting you cleaned up!" she repeated with an added on expansion. But, despite her sudden barrage of little shoves and guiding hands. I stayed still and stationary. Gripping her uninjured arm and getting her to stay still.

"Einervaene, please, tell me what is wrong." I said to her as I made sure my grip stayed firm. The frown I had only getting worse as she struggled in my grip. This wasn't like her at all...

"Fine! You want to know what is wrong? I don't want you going anywhere near that cowardly water-girl!" she then said to me with a sudden flare of anger. Her magic arcing out around her in a particularly dangerous manner given our current locale. It was even potent enough to make me let go of her so I could wave the pain out.

"Don't worry, it's fine." I had to tell her as she suddenly became aware of what she had done. But, while she fiddled over me and said apology after apology. I thought about what she had said. Had Lari been against saving me or something, was she worried for those two?

I would need her side first before I could really say...

Einervaene then just came to a stop and leaned on me and it was clear she was crying, "Can we just focus on cleaning ourselves, please?" she pleaded as the top of her head pushed against me.

"Alright, for now, no more talking about anyone else." I gently uttered to her as I rubbed a claw on the back of her head. Keeping it up until she calmed down and moved off of me. A small blush and smile on her face once she moved off.

"Great! I'll prepare a stall for you!" she expressed happily with closed eyes and hands put together.

"Alright, let's get on with it, then." I said to her with a nod as I turned my gaze away from her naked form.

"It's alright, you know. I am not bothered by you watching." she commented with a pout while her rear was stuck up in the air.

"I'm good." I quipped out quickly while balancing on my heels. Intentionally keeping my gaze away from her as I tried to keep it appropriate. We were just here to sort out our injuries after all. And, well, I did not want to be aroused and feed into her feelings for me...

I wanted to sort it out and clarify it all but it would seem I would need to deal with another issue first. But, I suppose, dealing with this Lari issue would be the only thing I would have to do. Because depending on how you looked at it... Me getting home was the most important thing.

If Einervaene woke up one day and could not find me then I suppose that could be the solution...

"Do you not like what is in front of you then? I've been told many great things about my body. Lots of the other students like to watch me, you know." she began to say to me suggestively as she came up to me. Her body having pressed up against me delicately just as she finished up.

"I can't say I have anything bad to say, no, I just want to focus on dealing with my burns and that." I explained which left her bitter.

"Fine, I suppose that is fair." she said with an aggravated mutter before she took my claw into her hand. Guiding me to a stall just afterwards and sitting me down. A clear sign of her annoyance being displayed as she just tore off the remaining bandages.

"Don't destroy my clothes...!" I jokingly let out in an effort to at least lighten the mood. Keeping a loose to stiff form just in the event this does suddenly go sour.

"We got more in the doctor's room or whatever it is." she told me with a huff before she began to intimately wash me. Gently going over my injuries and letting her magic flow so she could negate any potential pain.

"Are you sure that is a good idea?" I questioned as I paid attention to how her aura behaved. It did have some electrical aspects to it but it was not very explicit with what it did have.

"It's fine, the water isn't even in a great enough quantity." she said to me just before she poured a bucket over my head.

"And what about now?" I then asked as I kept my eyes on the steamy mirror in front.

"Want to find out?" she threatened with a smile before her arms wrapped around me. Was this part of the hopingly hollow joke threat or was it not? I hoped not.

"I'd rather see if you can take a bath without electrocuting yourself." I said with a humoured huff as I remembered our first night together. How I had to take her out of the room she turned into a sauna because she used magic in a tub.

"Oh, sorry, am I interrupting something?" a familiar voice then asked as she came in. It was Vadei and she had already prepared her dress for the event. A simple, plain, white towel that she had wrapped around her torso. However, she was not expecting Einervaene's bold outfit.

"Yes, yes you are." Einervaene said with a slight growl as she got off of me. But, she did not go farther than that and she just smiled.

If you stumble upon this narrative on Amazon, be aware that it has been stolen from Royal Road. Please report it.

"Can you two please focus on cleaning?" I then asked as I myself rose up. Instantly towering over the pair of them with not a piece of clothing on either. Einervaene gained some redness to her cheeks but Vadei did not.

"Oddly enough, I can't say it is weird seeing you like this. But, it is uncomfortable." she commented just before she sat down on the stall next to mine.

"Yeah, yeah, I'm a big scary osibindah! Going to kidnap you and everything and keep you in my dank earthen lair!" I sarcastically replied with before I went back down onto my stall. Shaking my head the entire time.

"I can think of worse places for a first date."

"I didn't mention-" I began to say before I got interrupted.

"I know you didn't, lead-head." Vadei let out with a roll of her eyes.

"It's a good thing too, no dates with anyone." Einervaene said loud and clearly as if she was a strict mother.

"Aw, really? I was hoping I could ask a certain lightning-magic user out on one." I sniggered out, something that caused me to get a hard smack from Einervaene. Not one with magic, though, but, I suppose she was somewhat aware of my soaked state.

"Sorry..." she then meekly muttered as she went back to scrubbing me down.

"So, Nin." Vadei then began to say as she turned to face me from her stall. Her hands seemingly leaving her towel to fall intentionally.

"Yes?"

"What would you rather touch?"

"Eh?" I let out just before she began to list off what would be included in this.

"My tail, or, Einervaene's saggy breasts?" a smirk forming on her face as her eyes went to the woman behind me.

"They aren't saggy!" Einervaene let out as she suddenly stood up.

"I dunno, they're dropping down quite far..." Vadei further commented as she let her eyes go down Einervaene's front. All the while, I just listened to the whole affair while taking brief glances.

"That's because they're big and voluptuous! Aren't they, Nin!?"

I nearly choked on my spit, "Don't start dragging me into this!" I said back to my copper-haired saviour.

"But you have felt them! You can offer an outsiders opinion on it and get her to stop slandering me!"

I stared at the pair quietly, watching as Vadei giggled while Einervaene seethed in annoyance, "They are big... Yes... So they naturally go down, sag if you will... But not in the bad way..." I slowly told her as I leaned back.

"See! He doesn't think so!"

"He literally used the word 'sag' to describe them!" Vadei said back to her as she got up. Her towel falling down as she did so. And then, the pair clashed against each other, like how a thug might get up close.

"You are very lucky you helped me find Nin!"

"And I am very lucky you saved him and gave me a chance to see my family again!"

"You're welcome!"

"And so are you!"

The pair both began to say to each other in what have must been the most aggressive thank yous I have heard.

"Can we get back to the point of us being in here?" I asked them, more specifically Einervaene. But, we seemed to be doing a good job in keeping Einervaene's mind off of... Whatever happened between her and Lari.

"You still haven't answered the question." Vadei then said with a sly smirk as she broke off from Einervaene. Her tail, covered in little specks of water, being brushed towards her front. Her hands soon coddling it while Einervaene caught up.

"Yes! Nin, give us an answer!" she demanded of me as she came up to me. Her chest aggressively shaking about before she stopped before my turned head. And while I wanted my eyes to stay focused on her eyes, what was down below kept catching them. So I gulped with uncertainty before saying anything.

"I don't think I'll be able to give a good answer, you know. Burnt carapace and all that." I told them as I showed them my palms. Only for that to come undone as there were no bad burns there. They were all mostly on my body and limbs.

"Then how about I let you feel it again, just to let you know?" Vadei suggested as she walked in front of me. Her tail swaying straight into my face before she held it before me. A knowing grin on her face as her eyes tracked Einervaene. Meanwhile, on my face, my eyes just glared at the tailed woman.

"If you're letting him feel yours, then he has to feel my chest!" Einervaene declared loudly and openly before she knelt beside me. Both of my locked in place arms being tugged at so their hands could grab their offerings.

"Not doing it, nope. Won't do it, na-ah." I began to repeat over and over as my body rocked side-to-side. The pair of women failing to make my arms move at all despite my injuries making it harder. But, they did not give up and instead found new ways.

"Does this work?" Einervaene asked as she just chose to wrap my arm up with her chest.

"Go on, admit my tail is better." Vadei suggested while she also carefully put her tail tip into the gaps of my carapace.

I then stood up, knocking the two away easily before I just walked away, "Argue it between yourselves." I told them while shaking my head with a slight smile. Had I really just walked away from that? Two beautiful women seeking my approval on something so inane? I really did, hadn't I?

"Ninno!" someone then quietly cheered out as I closed the door behind me. A slow body wrapping itself around me to hug me as I turned to face it. And when I heard that, my smile grew a little more and I returned the hug.

"Hi, Lari, I'm back." I told her happily while paying careful attention to how slow she was moving. It felt like she was reluctant in this whole affair like she had something on her mind. Luckily, I had an idea about what it might be.

"Yeah... She brought you back..." Lari said with a tearful shudder before she tried to pull out of the hug. But, I would not let her and I kept her in a tight grip. Securely pressed up against my body with a concerned gaze just above.

"Do you want to go somewhere else so we can talk about it?"

"No..." she said through what have must been a bitten lip as her crying became louder.

"Don't be silly, come on. Let's go somewhere quiet and talk about it." I said to her as I began to rock her back and forth. Only to slightly jump myself when something suddenly slammed. It was the washroom door, had the other two been watching?

"No!" Lari repeated again. But, with a sigh, I picked her up and moved her to another room. Intentionally choosing the medical room as it had lots of bandages within its holdings. And I set Lari down on the bed before moving on. Quickly coming back with whatever I was able to plunder from the cupboards.

"Do you want to do something or are you fine there?" I asked her just before she grabbed up what I had. Gently settling me down on the bed where she had been before she got to work. A quick laugh leaving me once I saw myself in the mirror.

"What?" Lari asked me with uncharacteristic shyness as she held her hands close together.

"Look, I am actually wearing these properly now!" I said with further gentle chuckling. My claw stretched out as it pointed at the mirror I was clearly displayed in. And, she too smiled, clearly understanding my joy.

"Let's not make it a habit, okay?" she then asked as she applied some more bandages and plasters. A lot of them taking on darker colours as her magic lightly soaked my body. But, unlike a normal wetness, this probably helped as it was like a painkiller. A subtle sign at how much better she was at this magic thing when compared to me...

"So, Lari, to keep it serious. Can you tell me your side of what happened earlier? While I was gone?" I then asked her. Making sure my claws were firmly set on her arms to make sure she did not run away.

Her tears started to come back and she tried to get out of my grip, "I..."

"Lari, it's alright. I promise I won't get angry at you." I had to tell her in order to reassure her.

"You promise...?" she meekly asked with a slight flinch. And in answer, I slowly nodded. Yet, it did not seem to be enough.

So I spoke it too, "I swear on my right to go home, I will not get angry with you." swearing on what have must been the most important thing for me right now.

"Okay... Back when it all happened... I told and encouraged Einervaene not to go down after you as I thought you were dead... I refused to help you and told others to do the same..."

I frowned but kept any anger away, "How come?" I asked her while keeping my grip light.

"You know how you can sense magic?"

"Yes, this was something you taught me to do better, Lari." I said while trying to cheer her up.

"Well... When I sensed the magic of your attacker... I thought it would have been pointless to try and help you because I thought it would have killed you... So I wanted to focus on keeping the other four safe. Mostly Vadei and..." she explained before she tried to lighten her mood with a joke. But, she went quiet just before saying the name of my saviour.

"I see..." I said to her quietly as I considered it all. Watching with subtle despair as Lari seemed to become scared of me slightly. Was she assuming the worst right now!? I did not want her to think that!

So I hugged her tight and I hugged her close, "B-But... I nearly got you killed..." she choked out before crying like a baby. A little baby I was quite happy to hold and nurture into a state of quiet.

"You were focused on the other four, besides, I am alive. Whatever happened then can be ignored and set aside. It's alright, Lari, I am not angry." Told her while gently shaking her about. Patting her back with as caring a touch as I could muster while she just cried away.

"B-But she is! Einervaene hates me!" she wailed out as her face buried itself between my neck and shoulder.

"She's just a little high on all these different emotions. Give it time, Lari, give it time."

"H-How can I give it time when there are so few people here...? I can't give her space on this tiny airship..." she mumbled out once she finished most of her crying most. Every few words being accented by a sniffle or stumble as she caught her breath.

I sighed before I replied, she had a point there, "Then I guess we will have to be a bit rough. Sometimes the best way to fix an injury is to just snap it back together." I said to her while mainly thinking of dislocated limbs. But, Einervaene's broken arm did also come to mind.

"She'll just keep walking away from me or ignoring me..." Lari warned with a moan while looking at the door to this room.

"Then I'll anchor her somehow, was there anything you two were doing together before this all happened?"

Lari looked at me cautiously before she looked down, "There was a few things... I was going to teach her to dance and we were going to make outfits and all that..."

"You wanted to put on a little show? Just you and Einervaene?"

"I think Vadei might want to join too..." she then said, but I was a little iffy with that suggestion.

"Are you sure that is not you trying to distance yourself from Einervaene?"

"No! I mean it! Maybe she does want to join in!"

"Alright, fair, fair. How about this, then, you go talk to Vadei about it and I'll talk to Einervaene. If Vadei doesn't want in, then fine. But, I'll force Einervaene if I have to. But here's to hoping I won't. Let's see that show you wanted to put on."

She smiled, "Okay!" that usual behaviour for her returning in that brief moment. That face I loved so dearly.

"But first, let's finish with this." I then told her as I sat back down. Gesturing to my remaining injuries that were still exposed. A happy nod coming from Lari with her then wrapping me up. Little jokes and prods coming from her throughout the process.

She was steadily coming back to her usual cheerful self.

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"Einervaene, a word?" I said as I approached my saviour who was currently fixing the ship. But, she was also doing it in such a way that it made it clear why she was doing it. She was trying and failing to keep her mind off of something. And it seemed that me coming along basically set her off.

"What!?" she snapped up at me with a mixture of anger and sadness. Was this perhaps related to the washroom door slamming earlier?

"I would like to talk to you about La-"

"Oh, so you want to talk about nothing then? Quit wasting my time." she said with a snort before she dragged her finger across the metal. Filling up the hole a wyvern attack had left but also distorting it unnecessarily.

"You're wasting your own time by acting this way, Einervaene. Now, please, will you hear me out?"

"Why should I hear you out then, hm? Why!? You never heard me out when I had done something to you! SO WHY SHOULD I HEAR YOU OUT!" she ranted out to me before she then shot up to her feet to shout. Lightning crackling off of her in an oddly calm manner before she settled down. Well, settled down was not the right description. The fire was just not bursting out into an inferno for now...

At first, I was a little confused by what she said, but then I remembered what I did to her. Back at the Academy not long after she met Lari for the first time. My brow steadily lowered itself while my body straightened out. Even if I could not word it right, I know for a fact these two situations are not comparable.

"If you just went through all that effort," I began to say, pointing at the arm I bandaged up, "to save me, then why would you not listen to me? It is clear I mean something to you. And you mean something to me. So, again, please, listen." I said to her while trying to keep myself calm.

"Alright then! Why should I just let you prattle on about that coward to me then!? I saved you! I SAVED YOUR LIFE! SHE WAS WILLING TO ABANDON YOU TO DIE!"

"I know you saved me, and I cannot even begin to express how grateful I am, Einervaene." I said to her as I put my claw on her shoulder. My eyes moving about as I felt the lightning surge into me. But, I ignored the pain and kept my hand there with a steady grip on her shoulder. Watching as she brought her head down until her face was hidden. And then, I felt her body jump lightly before water fell.

"T-Then why are you so kind to her even when she was willing to let you die...?" she asked me once her red face came back into view. This time, tears were flowing again and they were taking little zaps with them.

"Because, at one point, she saved my life too. It may have not been with bravery and might like what you did so recently. But, she did save my life. The least I can do is stay calm and hear her out."

"I saved your life too, though... I stopped that man from shooting you..."

"I know you did, Einervaene. But I was alone for a long time at the Academy before Lari came along. I will not abandon you, Einervaene, so please, hear me out." I said to her, blatantly lying at the end given my future plans.

"Fine... What do you want to talk about?" she said with a relenting sigh as she looked away with a sneer. Some tears still present as she did it.

"I am of the impression you and Lari had something planned for me? A dance? And that you were going to make some special outfits for the occasion?" I said to her, adding on detail after detail. And I was happy to see her face light up. And I was also saddened by how quickly it dimmed out again.

"We did and we were..." she tried to correct me with a set of bitter words.

"I would very much like to see it then. I would like to see you two dance for me." I said to her with a smile and slight nudge. Gently rocking her body to the side with that little gesture.

"Okay..." she muttered before she then slowly came closer and stood there. My smile grew to be much wider before I then gave her a hug. Holding her head with one claw while the other rubbed her back and patted it.

"Do you want to wait a bit before you start getting this dance sorted out then?" I asked her just in case. I was already doing a lot of this on the fly after failing to plan for it. Now I felt like easing her into it would be better. Forcing the pair might cause more issues...

"I don't know." she mumbled with a clear sense of no-direction before she went back to her repairing. A smile still on my face before I pointed at her prior job.

"Need some help?" I asked her just before she went to sort out another hole. Waiting for an answer and kneeling down when I got a slow nod. And then, I took her hand into my claw and let her put a finger out. Performing a few motions in the air before we moved on.

"How is this helping?" she asked me as her head turned away towards me. Something I fixed by turning it back with my free claw.

"Keep your magic focused and move steadily. Don't dig your fingers in, just let it slide." I explained to her as I brought her finger closer. Letting her magic build up before I then felt her jump. It seemed like the sparks had given her a fright of some description. But it was alright, I was here to comfort her through the process.

And clearly, she liked it, "How'd I do?" I was then asked by her as I let go of her hand. Her head having turned to me again while I focused on the signs of her weld. It was a little dark at points, but, it was cleaner. So, as such, it was vastly better.

"Much, much better. Now try not to let the temperature spike if possible, burned metal is weaker than that which is not. Don't worry either, there are plenty of holes to patch up. Plenty of time to try." I explained to her while giving her shoulder a gentle squeeze.

"How long did it take you to get used to this, back at your home?" I was then asked by her. I wanted to be smug and say not long at all. Instead, though, I blew my mouth up and chuckled.

"I never welded back home, I just listened to others." I answered, taking much joy in how her eyes widened. And I took even more joy from how she smiled and rubbed her fingers together.

"So we can both learn together?" she asked me while her eyes went between her fingers and me.

"Indeed we can, so how about we get to it?" I offered to which she nodded with an embarrassed smile. And that is what we did, we kept going at it. I myself guided her on some while she did other holes on her own. We got a lot done, however, there were also a lot more.

But, they could wait as it was not getting dark, something she too was aware of. So we moved indoors and headed on down to the cafeteria. Settling down near where the food would be served by a chef if this airship was properly crewed. Watching the two slavers cook all the while.

Vadei must have sent them down here, which I guess made sense. Since the attack she seems to have grown a lot more knowledgeable of this machine. She even came out while we were practising Einervaene's welding skills. Mostly to show off but it was what it was.

"Can you guess what it is they are cooking?" Einervaene asked me as she leaned on my slumped down shoulder. Staring intently at the much more relaxed slavers as they actually seemed to be enjoying themselves. Then again, I can't say I am surprised. They have been working under the threat of death for the most part.

"Human." I then joked, ultimately to myself as only I would get it. But, apparently, Heiya heard it and she grinned as she turned over some kind of meat.

Einervaene went pale, however, "H-How would you know that, you're joking, right...?" she asked me. To which I turned to her with slobbering jaws and an active tongue.

"No... I haven't had human for so long... It tastes so sweet and juicy, you know." I told her as my head went closer to her arm. Pulling back shortly after and breaking into hearty laughter while she got confused. At least, until she figured it out and got annoyed.

A slap coming from her as punishment, "Don't scare me like that!" she told me off with. But the laughs kept coming from me as I was enjoying it far too much.

"But, no, I don't know what they are cooking. I have no idea what anyone is really cooking nowadays." I then said to her with a shrug and slightly trembles of laughter. Calming down shortly after.

"If we got Vadei to lend us some information, I might be able to cook something from my home." Einervaene told me as she stared at the empty serving trays.

"She has that kind of information?"

"I assume so, the way we found you was through a library of some kind that detailed potential threats to the airship."

"So you are hoping it also has information on potential food sources?"

"It's a good thing she mentions that, actually." a voice then said from a speaker or something. That voice clearly being Vadei's.

"Go on, explain then." I asked as I spun around to face the roof. Not really having an idea of where the speaker itself was. Assuming there was one and it wasn't some hidden magical contraption.

"I was having a look about and there are several listed supply depots we could go to. Towns and cities with the capacity to handle airships coming into them."

"Ah, alright, you want to grab something to make sure we have enough for the journey?"

"Bit of that and just general sightseeing."

"We're on an airship, Vadei..." I droned out with a roll of my eyes.

"I know! Doesn't mean I don't want to just wander a market or something..." she mumbled into whatever she was using for a mic.

"Anything else?"

"That and it might help us find a route around the no-fly zones."

"No-fly zones?" I asked as I got up.

"Doesn't say why, just that the Royal Jhermonikra Air-Navy won't let anyone into these areas. But, it is apparently getting smaller day-by-day."

"Oh, in which case, see if you can get us a route that goes by it." I then said with a shrug.

"Why...?"

"Want to see some military airships I guess. Nice little sight before we go somewhere rather barren, you know?"

"I command this airship, I say where we go." I was then told before the room went silent. And then, I went back around to look at Einervaene.

"Any place you likely to want to go before we leave this continent? We probably have more than enough time for it." I said to her as I thought on Vadei's words. Maybe it would be nice to just go visit a town? No masks-off, though... Wasn't being chased out again, no I was not.

"A trip to a market is fine with me."

"YES! TWO TO ONE!" Vadei then cheered through the speaker system. Something that led to both me and Einervaene breathing out a smile.

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.

.

"So what kind of room is best for you, then?" I asked Lari as she quietly stood about near me.

"Ideally we would want some room, but you having a nice spot to sit in too would be nice." she clarified to me softly as her hand drummed a table.

"So you are sure you and Einervaene are ready?" I then chose to ask her as I noted her reserved behaviour. I was successful in getting the two to get back together to do this but it was a sloppy job. Both often mentioned how something was off and how Einervaene lacked patience. And, perhaps, it was a good thing Vadei got involved with it, a more neutral third party.

At least, I hoped she kept herself neutral as I did not want her stoking the fires of either side. But, I would trust her for now, I needed to learn to trust them all. So this would have to be my starting point regarding it. So now all I had to do was see it through.

"We are ready, yes. I have taught the other two the moves and they are confident they can perform them well. I just hope they don't have an issue with me taking the lead..." she said to me as her face went down. My claw having to halt the process and bring it back up.

"If you need to lead them, then lead them. Just see if you can let them have a moment where they are the centre of attention."

She smiled, "I will have to see, losing myself in the dance is my favourite part."

I tapped her side and rubbed it, "Go on then, get them ready, I'll be in the captain's chair for the dance. I'll make sure it is all tidy and that as well, should offer you plenty of room." I told her before I watched her nearly run off. A small smile on her face as she moved along to get her part done. And my digits were soon tapping my upper leg as I headed off too.

Nervous chittering filling my ears before I finally got to the command area of the ship. Loud clicks then came out of my mouth as I looked about. It felt a lot smaller than I thought it was going to be so that worried me. If they were on rocky talking terms then even a slight nudge would set them off.

"I'll just chuck these all over here, I suppose." I said to myself as I began to move chairs and other items out of the way. Yet, as I stood there with the final two chairs, I got the urge to put them back. It was odd to see this place like this. All these machines for the airship were intended to have legs or chairs under them...

But, I put aside the petty need for things to be a certain way and sat down. Waiting for anything to happen in regards to who was in here. Looking up shortly after as the lights were suddenly dimmed with the exception of a select few. And, admittedly, I could not tell if those few were made brighter.

I felt like they were...

And then they all came in dressed in new outfits with only Einervaene having anything on her feet. Vadei and Lari were both barefoot but they also had something different too. They both had flowing and loose pieces of cloth attached to their arms and legs. Einervaene, however, had what looked more like chainmail instead.

I could only guess for her and Lari at the very least, their outfits were made to incorporate their magic. But, while I quite appreciated the effort that went into these outfits, how each one was unique. Einervaene's being more reserved and tight while Lari's was loose. And Vadei's was a lot more revealing but her tail had also been decorated.

Something did bother me with it, Vadei and Einervaene... They both had clear injuries still present on their bodies. And, unfortunately, Einervaene's outfit was ruined by her arm bandages. But, still, they were standing before me with eager and nervous smiles.

So I gave my approval to them through word and gesture, "I am already wowed, care to make me even more so?" I asked the trio. Something that got a smile from each of them. Vadei, however, seemed to have got her smile by seeing the other two smile.

"So, as I am sure you are already aware..." Lari began to say.

"But, today, we have been preparing to show you..." Vadei added on.

"A dance done in an Ibenorrocon fashion!" Einervaene finished off with before some kind of fans appeared. Her magic crackling across their feathery bodies as her legs bent and hips moved forward. Music soon coming from somewhere after Vadei rather clumsily put some on. Unfortunately, I had no idea what kind of music this was, but it had clear beats to it.

So I guess it was made to serve as a guide for their hips as they were all bouncing in synch. Their sides jabbed out and their legs moved about along with other parts. Vadei and Einervaene hid and revealed themselves with their limbs moving wildly. Meanwhile, Lari would weave around them and skillfully adapt her movements to theirs.

Each one of them even took on a different kind of eroticism with the help of Lari. Who served somewhat as a guide for my eyes. With her lingering on the edge of the light gesturing to either Vadei or Einervaene. The pair of them having seemingly gone dead in the eyes as they focused.

Vadei had her tail dance about behind her while her front faced me and she turned to do the other side. She held it delicately and moved about it as her chest and legs were thrust about. And then, once Einervaene's turn came, I became enamoured by how her magic was worked into it. Little sparks danced about with her and traced her movements.

Her narrow tipped heels serving as anchors while her hips went out and about in wide arcs. Those feather fans in her hands opening and closing so she could add something extra. And she even fluttered them as they went down in time with the slow conversion of her body. A woman made of lightning standing before me until she then went back to normal.

And then, finally, Lari came out to take the centre stage and small wisps of water appeared. Gently being kicked up by her as she swerved her foot and slammed it down. The other two even got involved and caught the moisture on fan or tail. The pair of them moving away slowly as Lari's dance became more intense.

Then, suddenly, Lari dropped to the ground and sprawled out. Something that initially made me get up in worry before I saw her movements. This was all part of the act so I settled down. Even if I did not sit back down.

Instead, I focused on the woman I loved in a way I never did to the other two. I pedantically observed her as she began to bring herself up. It was like watching a fish out of water, at least, until she got firm footing. And when that happened, I was entranced as the water hid her as she steadily came back up.

Then, it all ended with all three of them sending water out with their own twists. Lari just went all out while Vadei spun her tail around. And Einervaene, well, she apparently decided to shoot a lightning bolt at the wall. Something that had humorous consequences.

"AH!" she yelped out in shock as she seemingly overdid it. The smell of burnt metal in my nose as all of us stared at the big black mark on the wall. That music Vadei put on still playing until she turned it off.

But, to break the ice, I started laughing loudly until those three got involved. And with that, I successfully saved Einervaene from dying of embarrassment. Then with that done, Vadei began to put everything back to normal and I was suddenly swarmed. It got to the point I felt the need to retreat back to the captain's chair.

"Well!?" they all pretty much asked at once as they crowded me.

"Well..." I breathed out while trying to avoid their gazes, "Where do I even begin? Where do I begin?" I said while tapping my chest with a nervous fist.

"How about starting on the part where you just couldn't keep your eyes off of these?" Vadei cheekily suggested as she grabbed Einervaene and squashed Lari between them. The face of the best dancer being mostly hidden behind barely covered breasts.

"What about your legs?" Lari then pointed out as she made some room for her mouth between the milk-holders. A small smile coming to my face before I then had legs struck up in front of me. One mostly bare while the other had a tight boot on them. And they only showed off how tight they were as I moved my eyes along.

"I enjoyed your dance very much, you all had something to add to it."

"Yes, yes," Vadei then drolled out with a mimicking hand, "but which one of us was the sexiest?"

"Uh... The best was probably Lari-" I said in an effort to change the topic back to dancing.

"Larishazza? Have you seen her?" Vadei then asked in disbelief as she began to bully Lari. Her hands aggressively patting her body and pointing out how petite she was in comparison. Yet, for some reason, my thoughts were more focused on how Vadei was the way she was. She was a former slave, wasn't she?

Felt like that should have come with certain connotations...

"Fine, you want an answer on which one I found sexiest? It was probably you then, Vadei, or do you need reminding on how skimpy your outfit is in comparison to the other two?" I then answered with a frustrated sigh. Something that left her quiet and blushing heavily, a small, smug smile on her face. Even if that smugness was often hidden behind the more open embarrassment.

"Aw..." Einervaene then let out in disappointment.

And I knew full well why, "Don't worry," I started to whisper to her, "your outfit is the best." and that at least did something. As now she was smiling herself and standing a little prouder.

"LAST ONE BACK INTO THEIR NORMAL CLOTHES HAS TO CLEAN UP!" Lari then shouted out which saw the other two dash off. A wide grin on her face before she took off her wavy parts.

"I was beginning to wonder why your's didn't look too different." I commented as I realised that she was just in her usual attire the entire time.

"We wanted to get it done soon and we also did not have the resources for more... So Vadei ended up wearing what I would have."

"That's good, fits her better." I said with a shrug. Smirking at the pout I got as a response before I then started putting chairs and such back.

She then sighed as she looked at the exit, "I still have a while to go before she starts trusting me again."

I stopped what I was doing and nudged her, "Don't worry about it too much, to use myself as an example. I managed to start being happier around her again. It will come soon, and then, you will have a moment that makes you forget all your issues with her." I told her in reference to how she fought to save my life.

"Did Einervaene happen... Did she happen to tell you something important recently, by the way?" Lari then asked me. Something I felt was a little out of nowhere, well, at least until I thought on it. Was Lari aware of Einervaene's feelings for me? Was that why she kept trying to get us two near each other before Salahma attacked?

"She did." I said as my face hardened.

"And...?" Lari asked with an elongated voice as a smile came.

"She still waits for an answer." I said to her as my mood soured.

"Just say the Y-word to her, Ninno! It can't hurt to give it a go."

I then moved my left arm up and took something off it, "Do you happen to feel any different?"

Lari became confused, "Am I supposed to? Why did you take your bracelet off? Oh! Can I wear it for a bit?" she asked as she reached for it.

"No, it's mine." I said to her with a forced laugh before I put it back on. A very subtle expression of my frustration going into the first chair I moved. A clear mark of anger having been pressed into the steel frame.