For a ‘simple date,’ Seth sure did order a lot of food. Gabriel just stared at the spread with crossed arms and a disbelieving look on his face, and watched as the teen sampled every little thing with zeal. His own simple cup of coffee and a lunch croissant looked pitiful by comparison.

“You’re really missing out, Mr. Gabriel,” Seth commented, inspecting a pecan tart before taking a bite, “This place is famous for a reason. Why paint yourself into a corner with just that?” He gestured at the solitary drink and morsel, “Try some of this stuff!”

“…Guess my mind is somewhat elsewhere.” He answered, “You go ahead and enjoy yourself.”

“What’s the matter? You’re not still upset that Miss Ren isn’t with us, are you?”

“…And if I am?”

“Cut her some slack. She’s a week out from the worst injury she’s ever gotten, and is back aboard the Aegis after being estranged from everyone she’s known for just-about the last ten years.” Seth puffed, and wiped his mouth off with a cloth napkin before he reached for a glass of apple juice, “For as long as she’s allowed to be on recovery, I’d say to let her do whatever she wants.”

“It’s not like I’m saying she can’t or shouldn’t,” Gabriel retorted, “Maybe I’m being selfish.”

Seth gave him a dry, sarcastic look, “You’ve had her all to yourself since the transfer. No one could talk to her while she was gone.”

“I didn’t even know she had people who missed her,” The mediator replied, and sat back against the booth to slouch a little, arm extended against the edge of the table to keep one finger around the loop of the cup, “She never said a word about having been from somewhere else. As far as I knew, she really was just a new recruit, and it was just my turn again to take on a trainee.”

“Every trainee has a dossier. You could’ve just read it.”

“That’s just the thing… I normally didn’t. I was never that curious about the people who’d had the misfortune of being assigned to me. It obviously didn’t take long for me to realize she knew more and had experience that fresh faces normally wouldn’t, but when I went to check on how that might be, her file was actually locked-up. Even to me. Only the Eidolon could’ve had the authority to restrict files like that.”

Seth nibbled on pumpkin pie next, “…And you didn’t ask them? Not even Lord Xanarken?”

“No…” Gabriel shook his head shamefully, “He just told me to focus on her as a person, not as a profile. I thought nothing of it, and carried on without the extra info like it no longer mattered. By the time it was unsealed, I lacked the interest to follow-up on it. I only learned the truth a few minutes after we met you.”

“…Yikes.” The teen visibly winced, “Spend your formative years and whole adult life having a thing against the Fafnir and then suddenly you’re swimming in them.”

“Yeah, to say the least.” He grumbled slightly, “The trouble was realizing that it didn’t even bother me that much when I found out. It was one thing to have the Fafnir right in front of me all of a sudden…but it was Ren. She went from being a mediator trainee – the lowest rank for new people - to suddenly being a Sixth Wing veteran, and a Fafnir Knight, and a Wing Commander…? By all accounts, the only thing separating us now is the Captain’s rank. I had to rethink the way I viewed her in a big hurry. There was suddenly this vast reservoir of experience and history hiding behind what I thought was a puddle-deep exterior. Part of me still has trouble adjusting…but another part of me…”

“…Yeah…?”

Gabriel hesitated to continue, staring at those Rydell-green eyes, “…What’s the relationship between her and your brother, exactly?”

Seth snorted in surprise, “What kind of question is that? He’s her Captain. She’s his Lieutenant. They’re colleagues.”

“No, I mean…well, obviously, yes, but…they’re on a first-name basis. None of the other Fafnir would dare to refer to him as Furion so casually.”

“Maybe you’re right, but…Miss Ren is a bit special.”

Gabriel quirked a brow, “That’s what I’m trying to get to the bottom of. Special how?”

Seth took another sip of his drink, “In the Sixth, Miss Ren is practically a legend.” He started, thinking on how best to describe the woman, “Just looking at her, you’d never think she was a threat. She’s barely taller than I am, and doesn’t even weigh as much. She’s…unassuming.”

“Uhuh?”

“But if you ever watched her fly – watched her fight – you’d suddenly view her rather differently. When I think of Miss Ren’s abilities…it’s like thinking of the difference between a Fafnir trainee and a full Knight. If not for my brother, she would be Captain. I hate to say it, but…she’s even more skilled than he is. It’s practically supernatural.”

“So, you’ve seen her move.” Gabriel surmised.

Seth nodded, “Every now and then, the Fafnir Knights put on promotional displays to curry interest and awe in our allies, and inspire the next generation of recruits. For just such purposes, the Fafnir have these special nanotech weapons that they use to spar against each other. The blades will bounce off one another, but will pass through their armor like a wave of ash.” He set his elbows onto the table, and his chin into the palms of his hands, “…Watching Miss Ren and Furion go at one another was just…surreal. He may have power behind his swings, but she’s so fast and tactical…”

Gabriel watched that awe-struck description with quiet consideration.

The teen went on, “She was nicknamed The Oncoming Storm – in the same way thunder precedes lightning, Miss Ren’s sonic-booms would be the only precursor someone got to the blitz they were about to experience. They’ve had a few really close matches… I think my brother’s only beaten her one time though, and that was probably a fluke. She just overwhelms him. And that’s not even to say she’s just faster than him and wears him down little by little – she’s really strong, too. She utterly obliterates anyone who stands in front of her.”

“How come she isn’t Captain, then?”

Seth shrugged, “My brother earned the spot fair and square. He hasn’t done anything to deserve being removed from the position. He’s ten years older than she is though, so I guess we all just thought it was a matter of time before he eventually left and she took over from him. She’s always had an eye to be the first non-Rydell in a while to hold that position. What you saw her do against the Magistrate on our way out of Kitez was just… Ah, if she had her actual armor and her weapons…he would’ve been dust. With just the training-suit she was at a real disadvantage.”

“Still doesn’t explain why they’re so comfortable with one another. …You sure there isn’t something more?”

To say the teen guffawed would be an understatement, “That’s crazy, Mr. Gabriel. My brother’s too serious for anything like that. He wouldn’t risk his position for something personal, and I think Miss Ren probably feels the same. They just have a really good working relationship, and my brother respects her a lot.”

.

Ren had a bare leg straight in the air, propped up against one broad pale shoulder. She panted to catch her breath as she looked on with an amused grin, and tilted that leg against one certain blonde-haired head, “That was fun…”

Furion slid a hand from thigh to knee, and turned towards the limb to kiss a few times at that olive skin, “Aren’t you expected somewhere?” He wondered, and as he reached that bend, he pulled the leg off his shoulder to pull it back around his waist, and leaned in overtop of his partner, hands buried in the sheets, “You’re going to be late.”

With considerable effort, Ren made a point to raise her left arm – unaided – to match the right where she’d reached up to clasp her fingers around the nape of his neck, “I’m not expected for another half hour.”

Gently, Furion pulled his right hand back, and slid his fingers deftly up the length of that unhoned flesh. When he could pull those fingers free, he turned towards and kissed them, then her palm, wrist, and every few inches down into her shoulder, neck, and under her jaw. She just laughed quietly against the tickle, and he wedged both arms under her back, lifting her up slightly towards himself. With an awed look in his eyes, he just beheld her for a moment, then leaned down to touch the tip of his nose to hers, “How long do you want me to wait before I send out your rescue call?”

“You don’t have to do that. I’m sure I’ll survive.” She mused, playing with his ponytail between her fingers behind his head, “When will you be released from this terrible responsibility though?”

“Once the hand-off crew has arrived and they’ve all signed-on,” He answered simply, and got a ‘that’s not what I asked’ look in return. He puffed a quiet laugh and rephrased, “Roughly around 21:00.”

Stolen from Royal Road, this story should be reported if encountered on Amazon.

“Then I’ll be sure to have escaped by then.”

Giving plenty of time between their two departures, Ren left first, clad once more in her reds as she made her way down to her own room on the floor below. With the progress she’d made, it was far easier to get herself redressed than it had been on that first night. It still wasn’t a perfect process, but she was feeling a lot better about it. Jeans were pulled on, a loose black T-shirt slipped overhead, and a cute little black leather jacket threaded over both arms. She hesitated to leave immediately after though, looking at herself in the mirror as she reconsidered doing something fun with her hair. In the end, BajaBlue and RoseFire were admittedly too much, but ElecTrix was rather subdued – giving a yellow streak to just the tips – and with that done, she finally reached for a black cap to top the whole aesthetic.

As she got into the elevator to head to the departure deck, she got a message on her HUD that the other three were waiting on the southern dock, and she quickly veered to the left to head that way as she got out. She found them exactly where she expected them to be; even after knowing the group for a number of years, it was always strange to see them out of uniform and in – what might as well have been – costume, by comparison.

So many thoughts could’ve been voiced, but the trio had conspired, and the first thing out of Ravan’s mouth was representative of them all, “…So, Commander, are you ready?”

Ren balked, and shook her head, “No, no-no, don’t start with that. It was a joyride. It’s not my fault that the Captain never delisted me.”

The trio looked at one another with skeptical grins, and Corbin reached a well-dressed arm across the much-shorter woman’s shoulders, “It’s okay, Commander, you can sit back on your laurels. It was just an extended leave. Everyone deserves a few months off after nine years of dedicated service.”

All Ren could do was pull the lip of her cap down as her face went red, and the group led her over to where their ride was waiting.

.

“To Ianori…” They all said, and raised their glasses above the center of their table.

Ren took her sip and set the wine down, though she kept her fingertips on the flute’s stem as she thought back on it all. Those last few moments she’d had her eyes on the man in that escape vehicle, and those last words he’d spoken, “…He asked me to help him, before we were stopped. I hope there’s still time for me to do something.”

“Do you really think the Kitezans have him somewhere?” Jense wondered, reaching for a chunk of hot bread in the communal basket, and broke it in half, “The Captain’s been sitting on the death notice for a week. The only reason it hasn’t been sent out is because Lord Rylen is stalling.”

“…He must believe that Ianori’s still out there, too.” Ren surmised, “Or at least doubts the idea of his death enough to want to wait. No body, no confirmation.”

“Do you think he’s working on a rescue mission?” Ravan wondered, taking the other half of the small steaming loaf, and grabbed for a knife to slather it with foamed butter, “Maybe he knows where Ianori’s being held. It’s just such a shitty situation that he can’t even tell us yet.”

“I don’t think anyone knows.” Ren shook her head, and reached for one of the other little loaves. She pulled it back to grasp in her new hand, and grit her teeth as she used all her strength to clasp her fingers enough to twist the bread apart. Corbin reached over to pet her forearm reassuringly in affirmation, and she offered him the other half, “The Captain told me what he saw when you two and Commander Parker came after us.” She looked to both sides, where Ravan and Corbin sat on their own parts of their square table, “How the whole ship was just… How the entire crew had been torn apart. He’s glad that none of you ever came up the way he went down, so you didn’t have to see what he did.”

“The debriefing was plenty,” Corbin agreed, “We’ve all been on plenty of gruesome calls, but I’ve never seen anything like that. I’ll bet the Captain set his docking-pod’s cleaning cycle two or three times before he let it sit.”

“I wouldn’t blame him…” Ren nodded, but then looked around the table again, “Look, I…I know it’s weird that I left. And Seth told me that no one would explain to him why I left. Ianori made it sound like there was only a hint of an explanation given to the rest of you. Ravan knows I refused orders, but…is that really all?”

The trio considered their words, and Corbin spoke first, “The only one who knows for sure what happened – other than the Captain, that is – is Commander Parker himself. Cap wouldn’t let anyone else run interference, and the mission was completed with just them.”

“So both times…he had to…”

“Both times?” Ravan echoed curiously, “What happened? Are you allowed to tell us?”

“I’ve never been told I can’t, so…technically?” She answered, and drew in a breath, “I walked into a Limitless trap that made me believe something else was going on. I fought against Captain Rydell’s orders because I thought he was asking me to do something that he knew I wouldn’t. Then he took over my movements…he piloted my armor remotely, making me a puppet to what I thought was a terrible crime. I think I clobbered him when I got back? I’m not even sure what’s real about the aftermath now.”

“No, you definitely clobbered him,” Jense confirmed, “He had a shiner for a while.”

“Aw man…”

“Don’t worry about it. What else?”

Ren sighed, and nibbled on a bit of that warm bread, “From what I’ve learned since, the Captain sent two more missions to find the guy who was responsible for the Limitless trap. I’m not sure how he was found, or…what the Commander saw when he went, but…it was the third mission where they decided to send him in blind, and the Captain would fight on his behalf. The illusions only worked on whoever was there in-person.”

“That explains so much,” Corbin cupped a hand over his mouth, eyes looking back and forth in recollection, “…Why Commander Parker was so banged-up after that one mission. It must’ve been that third one.”

“Banged-up?” Ren echoed.

“If Cap was playing at puppet-master, Commander Parker was nothing but cream-filling. He was absolutely torn-up by whatever the Captain used his armor to do; combat movements on a body that isn’t expecting it and can’t roll with the punches. It’s a damn shame our armor doesn’t come on unless we’re in it. I’m sure they both would’ve been happier if the Captain could’ve sent his own armor on that last foray.”

Ren could only nod, “…Yeah, I’m sure you’re right on that.”

“In any case, Commander, we’re glad you’re back in the saddle.” Corbin added, and reached again for his wine; Ravan and Jense both followed suit, “Here’s to your recovery and the restoration of the team.”

“Wait, no, that’s not what’s happening right now-“

-Clink-

“Ah jeeze…”

.

“Wow, I get a whole room to myself?” Seth was amazed as Gabriel pushed the door in on the hotel room, “And Lord Xanarken was the one who arranged it? Personally!?”

The mediator laughed, “No, no, not personally, but he did give the directive for someone in the Fourth to do so on his behalf. If you’re going to be moonlighting with us to befriend the Princeling, we’re going to take care of you.”

“This is way nicer than a cabin on the Aegis…” The teen stepped in and looked around happily, “Thanks so much, Mr. Gabriel!”

“I’ll leave you to it, then. I’m two doors down. Ren’s is the one between us.” He pointed to his left, “I’ll call her and let her know where we are. If nothing else comes up tonight, then tomorrow morning we’ll head up to the palace and you can meet your mission objective.”

“Whew, okay…right, okay, night!”

“Night.” Gabriel waved and pulled the door closed, then made his way down the hall. As he clicked through his own door, he already had an outgoing call request to his trainee. It went unanswered until he was all the way in, and as far as sitting back on the bed.

“Oh, hey!” She said, apparently out of breath for some reason, “What’s up, Gabe?”

“I was just calling to tell you where Xanarken has us boarding, and see how your night-out went.”

“Hang on, I’ll switch over to video.” She puffed, and soon enough, her image was up on Gabriel’s overlay. She turned around so the cliffside was visible over the lake, and the bright glinting lights of the palace at the apex – not to mention, the Aegis parked right beside it, “Incredible view, right!?”

“Yep, that sure is a SkyFortress,” He answered, “How come you’re out of breath? I thought you went to dinner.”

“Oh, yeah, I also did that, and it was good!” She laughed, “After that, I left. Now I’m, well, running around town! This place is pretty neat when you can just kick back and explore it a little.”

“On your own?”

Ren gave a coy look, “Are you worried about me, Gabriel Lugios?”

He turned his head up and away, cheeks pink, “…I’m just saying… You may be formidable, but people might still bother you. You are, how do they describe it…” He lifted his hand and held his palms a few inches apart, and looked at them from a few different angles, “…small.”

That just made her laugh, “I appreciate the apt description, but…I’m fine. I’ll see you tomorrow.”

He quirked a brow, “I haven’t even told you where we’re staying yet.”

“That’s cuz it’s where you’re staying. I’m staying somewhere else.”

“Oh.”

“Oof, that’s a face.” She commented, seeing the man’s reaction in 4k on her overlay, “I’ll tell you what. Once you guys are done at the palace tomorrow, I’ll make a point to come by. After all, you did say there wasn’t much point jumping into all that Imperial Sargonian stuff since I wasn’t there two years ago when it started.”

“…I did say that… But, that was before Seth joined the mission.”

She turned her head quizzically, “Why is Seth on the mission?” She asked, only to give a strange gesture, like someone nearby was trying to get her attention and she’d dismissed their efforts.

“He is a conveniently teenager-shaped creature of the Luminary Council that also happens to be going to the College at Agartha.” Gabriel started, only to cross his arms as the disappointment sank in, “I thought I’d acquaint the two and see if Seth can’t help be a bridge between the Council and the Imperials. Someone the Prince’s age who he could relate to.”

Ren looked off-screen briefly, but then glanced back awkwardly, “…I’m…curious…why you’re conscripting the Captain’s younger brother for a Fourth Wing mission?”

“It’s just a favor. I don’t know any other teenagers. I mean, he’s fine with it. It gives him access to another Limitless user when I’m not around.”

“So…he can study the Prince’s affliction from a…First Wing perspective?”

“Something like that, I guess. Yeah.” The mediator nodded, catching-on to the woman’s odd behavior, “Are you okay? You seem distracted.”

“Oh, nope, everything’s fine! This was just a lot to learn all of a sudden. Anyway, see you tomorrow afternoon! Night!”

“Cya.” He answered; the overlay image closed. With nothing but his thoughts to bother him then, he fell back against the bed and stared at the ceiling, “…Yeah…”

Ren quickly rushed forward the few steps she’d taken back, and threaded her fingers through her partner’s, “You gonna be okay?”

Furion grumbled, “I don’t appreciate him taking liberties with my brother. Seth is not a Fourth Wing cadet for him to do with what he wants.”

“I know, I know…but Gabe’s not entirely wrong in his thought process. He’s not going to be around all the time, once Seth goes back to school. It makes perfect sense to swap-out with another Limitless user, and this one was just…really convenient.” She reassured, and rubbed her thumb back and forth on those tense digits.

“…Still. If he was anyone else…”

“Don’t let it ruin your night. This is far less dangerous than the mission you were thinking of giving to Seth yourself.”

“…Maybe.” Furion shook his head, “But at least we would’ve all been there with him to keep him safe.”

“You don’t need to keep Seth safe from Prince Iresha,” Ren teased, “As long as he doesn’t tie the guy up, suspend him from a ceiling, and put a weird helmet on him, anyway. But, what are the odds of that happening twice, right?”

“You have a way with words.”