It really looks great.
The ordinarily straight hair coming down my back had become all wavy and full. Flipping the surprised and grateful girl a gold coin as a tip and leaving the salon. Wolfe standing outside, waiting for me.
“Was that necessary?” she says.
“Absolutely. Look how well it turned out. And I really like what they did to yours.”
“But was that really necessary?” she presses.
“Are you upset about the girl, or are you upset that I caused a scene?”
“The girl, of course.”
“Good, I thought so. Because, let me tell you, I don't give a rat's ass about your classmates or what they think. I don't know them. Maybe I'll get to know them one day and that will change, but, for the moment, I couldn't care less. And if what I did causes them to avoid me, all the better.”
Wolfe considering me through narrowed eyes.
“The girl, on the other hand. What's your general opinion. Of them.”
“Them,” she says, getting a full taste of the word. “They seem very helpful. Those two women at the dorm certainly are. From what I saw you got on pretty well with them, with all of them that I've seen, now that I'm thinking about it.”
“And I'd guess the same goes for you, with all of them at the temple and the various shops. They're very helpful; they can be, at least. What would you say the difference is between them and one of the monsters?”
“You're not saying they're the same, are you?”
“No, I'm definitely not saying that. The monsters, the ones that don't talk, generally seem more simple. If I had to articulate the difference between the two, I'd say it's the same as the difference between animals and us.”
“Hmm. So you do put them on the same level as us.”
“No, never, but some of them can be very smart. I'd be a fool to suggest not respecting them and what they can do. Or, on the other side of that, not pushing back when they push. As for the girl, she stepped a little out of line and needed to be corrected. The owner even agreed with me and it all worked out.”
“And that made it necessary?” she says, still very skeptical.
“Ye-” The word dying in my throat. “No. No, it wasn't. But it did allow me to get what I wanted.”
“Uh huh. Glad you finally admit it. So was that other stuff you were saying about them only misdirection?”
“No, it's the truth. You're thoughtful and kind, I like about you. But you shouldn't sympathize with things - and I emphasize the word: things - that may not deserve it. Although, thinking about it now, maybe you're better off doing that than healing people that try to rob us. Your sympathy is less wasted on the girl.”
“Now you're trying to change the subject.”
“That's something else I like about you, you're tough to bullshit.”
“More flattery?” Her lip curling with contempt. “You really are desperate.”
“I, um, I do actually like what they did to your hair.”
Trying to hold her expression and then losing it. Attempting to compose herself, waving a hand trying to ward it off, but then only laughing harder.
“Alright, Kate, you win for now. Hey, on the way back while we're passing through the square I've got to make a stop.”
In the weapon shop, lifting up my pant leg to get fit for a knife sheath for my calf, and a new knife, smaller than my usual one.
“Is this really what you were arguing with the stylist about?” says Wolfe.
“Yeah, I wanted to hide a knife in my hair but she wouldn't do it. This is a good compromise. On the calf so it's not too obvious, but if someone's looking for it they'll notice and think twice.”
“You're hopeless, you know that?”
“This could be used for lots of stuff. What happens if they have a big ol' sheet cake and they need someone to help cut it? Or any number of a thousand and one things that could possibly happen.”
“Hopeless,” she confirms.
***
“You sure clean up nice,” says Riley.
A backhanded compliment, but a compliment nonetheless, especially coming from the statuesque Riley in her white dress, golden blonde hair up. More importantly, it was true. Ordinarily, looking in the mirror, as an objective assessment, cute, at best. Certainly not more than that. Symmetrical face, at least. Mostly. But with the hair and the long black dress, up to my neck, with a loop around, sleeveless, backless, hip hugging – showing off my best asset – and then slightly wider at the ankle, adequate enough for concealing the knife strapped to my calf.
“Thanks, whoever you are. I don't know what you did with Evie, but you seem a lot nicer. Not to mention way prettier.”
“Thank you,” she says. “Now that you mention it, there's this vicious little munchkin I've been hanging around, do you know where she may have gone?”
“Could be anywhere. Maybe when we get to the gala I'll find mine and you'll find yours.”
“I don't know if I want to. You seem much better.”
Both of us holding the pose for a moment, and then our faces cracking.
“Hey Kate,” says Riley, after she recovered, “you almost ready?”
“Be right there.” Her voice coming from the bathroom. Twenty seconds later emerging, and her yellow dress also showcasing her best assets. Giving her my best wolf whistle and getting a big grin in reply.
“Alright, we've got to go,” Riley proclaims, following Wolfe out the door.
“Oh, hold on, five minutes, I forgot something.”
“Five minutes and then we're leaving without you,” comes the reply from the closing door.
Heading into the bathroom and activating Tracing. Drawing Rune of Deflection on the dress, just below the neck. Very visible. Three lines, removing pieces to get all the distinctive cracks and turns. Bright orange, yellow, red. Don't fuck with me.
Reaching into the slit on the dress and pulling out the knife. Rune of Accuracy on the blade. Replacing it in the sheath. Runic Shield on the back of my hand. Activating all three runes. Four hours on Runic Shield, a bit over two and a half for the others. Tick in about a half hour, and then almost back to full mana. Removing the Runic Shield design and the one on the knife. Keeping the visible one on the dress under my neck.
Starting to walk out the door, but the scowl in the mirror catching my attention. Trying to force it away, but no such luck. Giving myself some gentle, and then not so gentle, slaps. Relaxing, then using my finger to draw white all over my face. Black for the lips, and then black diamonds around the eyes. Filling them in. Posing, hand on hip, jolly wave with the other. Pointing with my finger and shooting myself a wink. Laughing, and then trying to hold it in. Can't make any noise, it'll ruin the aesthetic.
Walking out of the room, taking big, overly large steps and swinging my arms. Someone walking by in the hall, looking at me, pointing at them with both hands. His laughter following me. Prancing down the steps into the common area and catching sight of the group. Pointing my finger at an imaginary wristwatch, looking from them to the door and back.
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“Oh, good lord,” Riley says. “I don't know this girl. Let's go.”
“Tim,” says Everton,” she's all yours tonight. Good luck.”
Putting on a cross expression and wagging my finger at him.
“I think it'll end up working out.” The two guys giving me a once over, sharing another knowing glance, and then my date walking over to me. “Your dress looks great, but I'm not so sure about your makeup.” Pouting, putting my drawing finger under my eye and bringing it down my face, guesstimating, changing the newly drawn tear from white to black as it left the diamond. Earning his hand on my cheek for my effort. “Never mind, I see you put a lot of time into it. You look plenty good like that.” Giving him an exaggerated hug while glaring at the rest of them.
Heading out as a group, Riley and Everton, Wolfe and Walker and me and Morgan. Waving at people on the street, some heading to the gala, but the vast majority not. Running into an imaginary wall, painting a child's nose, giving him whiskers, and then, after his mother ran over with a look of alarm, making the writing disappear. Ahead of the group, behind the group, hanging on Morgan's arm, wherever the best amount of trouble could be caused.
Heading northeast toward an entrance to the previously unexplored noble district, located inside the inner wall. Usually very off limits for me. Kill on sight, that sort of thing. Had been for awhile. Two guards by this entrance, mean looking, and looking at me. How many guards killed over the years? Lost count. But new ones always seem to keep popping up.
The guards halting the group.
“Lessee here,” says one, “you're on the list, the same with you, you, you, and you. But this one over here, I don't think so. Is she with you?”
“Yes,” says Riley, “she is. I'm terribly sorry but she's afflicted, so we'll make sure to keep an eye on her.” Bonking myself on the head with my fist, making my face assume the expression of a dying guard. Both of them staring at me.
“Alright,” he says to Riley, “if she's your guest, she's also your responsibility.” Looking back to me. “We're also going to be keeping an eye on you.”
Passing by the two guards, through the archway, and into the noble district. Checkpoint cleared. Didn't even get searched and lose my knife. Too busy being distracted. Keeping their attention up at my face, and not at my feet, and Riley getting me through. Holding back my laughter is really starting to get tough.
The scenery changing on the other side of the interior wall, the streets wide and the ordinary cobblestones replaced by a cleaner, more orderly and smoother kind. The brownstones and multi tenement dwellings on the outside replaced by individual manors with ornate fences and well kept gardens. Heading toward our destination at the center of the district, the castle, in gothic styling, made of a light grey stone. The home of Earl, well, after his recent promotion, Marquis Vanaan and his entourage.
Willing the writing on my face to be removed.
“Evie, that was great, you're a natural.”
“Oh, hey everybody,” says Riley, glancing over at me, “Lucy's back. The only natural around here is you. You're a natural idiot.”
“I'll take that as a compliment. But, seriously, good job.”
“You looked like you were having a good time,” says my date, pulling me back against him and giving my hip another squeeze. He'd been getting more handsy on the way over, getting increasingly bold while trying to make me break character. And my messing with him back certainly didn't discourage him.
“You bet, but enough's enough. Now we need to behave like civilized people,” shooing away his freely wandering hand, “and get our hands on some free food and booze.”
“Amen,” says Everton, followed by a cheer from the rest.
“Don't encourage her,” says Riley, but with a a hand covering her mouth.
The sun almost down, shooting its dying rays over the field and gardens in front of the castle. On a rainy day we'd be inside, but today the grassy area in front of the castle garden had been dotted with cloth covered tables and was gradually being filled with an assemblage of this year's incoming class. Judging from the number, at least several hundred, a bit less than half were already in attendance. Over to one side, my destination. Hors d'oeuvres and glasses filled with a light colored bubbly liquid, something very close to champagne by the color and taste. Getting close enough to the castle on the walk over to get that last undiscovered chunk of exploration experience.
My date handing me a glass before getting pulled away by a group of people. “I'll be right back.” Watching him go with them and then looking back and forth, sampling various finger foods, taking sips between each flavor. Seeing movement on the table, little pawprints appearing. Getting a little closer, there, something being grabbed and eaten. Ensnaring whatever did it with my shield.
The demon, light green in color, with a horrible face and scrabbling claws, hissing, making other noises, trying to escape but unable to break free. A shiver running down my spine. Sounds like a scarab, should crush this thing into paste.
“Wait, stop, no!” A girl, light red hair, freckles, running over from the group Morgan is talking with. “Let Sassafras go, he's not hurting anyone.”
Turning to consider her and noticing a number of stares from other people. Oh sure, blame me, she's the one letting this thing run around unattended.
“Lucy,” Wolfe coming over, decidedly fed up by this point, “you've really got to take it easy.”
“You see what I've caught, right?”
Briefly squinting at the crackling shield. “All I see is you making yourself the center of attention.”
Should drop this wretched thing directly into her arms, or throw it at her.
“Please,” says the girl, causing Wolfe to glance at her, “let Sassafras go.”
Wolfe's eyes back on me, then concentrating on the space in the middle of the shield. “What the hell is that?” In a rush. Disgust crawling in her voice and covering her face.
“You think I should let it go?”
Wolfe looking away from horrid thing and at the pleading girl. Swallowing. “Yes.”
She actually said yes.
“You're a gem.” Releasing the demon, promptly being scooped up by the girl like a domestic cat. “Control your thing.” Wolfe staring in disbelief at the demon in the girl's arms. “Kate, be honest, how crazy do you think I am?”
“Less.” Catching herself. “Uh, I mean-”
“Really? Even after the whole-” Gesturing to my face in a circle.
Her posture relaxing, and the girl turning to face me straight on. “That? Yeah, even after that. I mean, that not really your issue. I'm more concerned you think you're going to need what's on your leg than what you did to your face.”
“Better to have it and never use it than the other way around.” Sharing a silence at that. “I do want you to think about what I said earlier. I'm sincerely trying to help you.”
“I will." Wolfe looking again at the thing that had just scampered onto the still very upset red haired girl's shoulder. "I'll think about it, at least. I'm sorry I accused you of doing this for attention.”
“Don't worry. And thank you. You should try one of these, they're really good, there's spinach and cheese inside.”
“Yeah?” Her pensive expression now also relaxing at my change of subject.
“Care for a refill?” My date walking over with a fresh glass of champagne.
Glancing at the empty one in my hand. Someone had obviously come along and drank the rest out of mine while my attention had been otherwise preoccupied.
“Are you trying to get me drunk?”
“Trying to get both of us drunk,” he says.
“Oh yeah, what are you hoping to get out of that?”
“Well, I was thinking you need to loosen up a bit, and then we'll go sightseeing around the gardens.”
Loosen me up and find some out of the way spot, huh? Heh. Why not, sounds fun. Only live once and tonight's the last night.
The last night? echoed the mocking voice, my paranoid intuition. You don't actually believe tonight's really the last night, do you? Kicking that voice repeatedly and locking it in the cellar. Don't want to hear it right now. Don't come around and spoil my good mood.
“Good effort,” nodding sagely at my date, “but it's still pretty early. I don't want to get too sloppy. Yet. It won't end well for anyone. But, later.”
“Later?”
“I guess, later, we'll see where the night takes us.” Taking his refill, determined not to gulp this one down as well.
Taking a sip, just a sip, a little sip, and then picking up another one of the snacks on the table. Doing another quick check for anything else suspicious creeping around. Satisfied nothing else is there, and then turning around and considering the scene. The sun fully down but lights assembled around the field, shining bright. Groups here and there in their gala best, milling, talking, eating, drinking. Riley over there with Everton. Wolfe, a bit of a ways away, joining back up with her date. My date walking back in my direction, again with both hands full.
It really had been a great experience. As a vacation it had surpassed my utmost expectations.
Walking over to grab Riley.
“Hey Evie, I've got to talk to you for a second.”
Walking with her to grab Wolfe.
“Hey Kate, just a moment, real quick.”
Both with questioning looks.
“I was doing some thinking on the way over here.” Riley opening her mouth, undoubtedly with a smart reply, but stopping at my serious expression. “You guys are going to find out your schedules tomorrow and I really want to be able to see you again. I'm really glad I met you and I want to make sure it's not going to all come to an end. So promise me, for the next few days, at least, promise me that when each of you gets back in, you'll wait at the West Gate at nine in the morning. Only for a few minutes. Just to see if we can meet back up.”
“Lucy, what are you talking about? Why are you so upset?” says Riley. “It's not like we're never going to see each other again.”
“Promise me.”
“Okay, I promise,” says Riley. “I promise,” Wolfe adds, after a moment.
“Thank you.” Throwing my arms around them, overcome with emotion.
Better to know where they're going to be. Will they believe me? Don't know. Better to try and explain. Better to fail, than to do nothing. Than to disappear. Than to have them not know and, instead, believe their friend had been erased.