Several lines of arrivals patiently waited to be checked by security on their way to the Clan Bharzum fortress the party would be hosted at. A large complex owned by the clan, the fortress itself had a set of thick, iron doors that were slightly ajar to allow people in once they had been registered, and opened to a massive array of tunnels, chambers and alcoves that descended deep underground, having been mined and governed by Clan Bharzum for centuries.
“Um…Greetings! You must be Jack!” the Hoduth guard exclaimed as the group got to the front of the queue. “And you ladies must be his harem!”
“I beg your pardon?” Alora asked with an unamused expression, drawing herself to her full height in her flowing white gown. She had added a matching pair of pristine white shoes she bought at one of the stores and a very fancy-looking tiara on top of her curly grey hair, which she already had among her possessions, to complete her very regal look.
Jack had no idea how he had survived the shopping trip, but he couldn’t deny that the girls all looked great by the end of it; even the tomboyish Nika had dolled herself up like the other girls with a bit of help from Alora, though she had shot down wearing anything too fancy, opting for a black croptop, leather-like jacket, shorts and stockings that gave a punkish look to her.
“I’m sorry, my lady!” The guard recoiled in shock and gave Alora a second quick glance. “That was just how the Ladies Sveta, Greta and Loreta noted you on the guest list!”
I guess we shouldn’t be too surprised. Chiyo replied, floating idly at the back in her short, pink dress. They’ll be working on Jack all night.
“Hah! No way are they gonna outdo us, right Jack?” Sephy asked him, wearing a very scandalous-looking red dress that resembled ribbons wrapping around her body, showing quite a lot of the Skritta’s dark, purple skin. Jack had to admit that out of all of them, Sephy had really gone all out for tonight…
“Right?” Sephy continued, looking worried as she looked at the human who hadn’t answered.
“I’m sure we’ll have a good time!” Jack smiled as he gave a noncommittal shrug. He and Alora almost had a full-on argument in the shopping centre earlier when she insisted that he couldn’t just wear his combat gear to the party. In the end, Jack begrudgingly agreed, buying the first set of a nice pair of shoes, socks and trousers he could find that met Alora’s approval criteria, in a process that only took about five minutes. Though Jack didn’t end up buying a nice top, he remembered the Hawaiian-like shirt he and Sephy had ‘liberated’ from the Prefect’s Lockup, and how the Skritta had passionately argued that he should wear it. Not having been willing to spend any more time shopping than absolutely necessary, Jack agreed.
“And…um….is this beast part of your harem as well?” The Hoduth guard pointed at Dante, who had been washed and groomed before they left.
“Um…sure why not?!” Jack replied jokingly with a chuckle, not even bothering to correct them. The group had been queuing to get in for a few minutes and he was happy to move things along so they could wind down and try and have some fun. They had earned it!
They strolled through the gap of the massive gates and emerged into a large, cavernous chamber where other groups were milling about, waiting for more people to show up and help populate the party a bit more before exploring the rest of the venue. It was clear from the large space, the strips of brightly coloured lights and the many members of staff walking around with trays of food and drink that this party was expected to host a rather large number of people.
“There he is!” they heard a shrill voice call out as one of the Hoduth triplets, who Jack thought was Greta by her chubbier stature, eagerly dashed over to him. If Jack had to describe what the brown-skinned, blonde-haired girl was wearing, it would be like some kind of skimpy swimsuit except made entirely of precious metals, gems and jewellery that wrapped around and sagged around her curves. “Hi Jack!”
“Greta!” Alora greeted warmly, and Jack internally thanked the Eladrie for confirming his guess on the name.
“This is a really good looking place you’ve got here!” Jack smiled politely as he couldn’t help but look at the jewellery, much of it being bizarrely braided wherever the girl had hair, with the hair on her head being so completely adorned he was surprised it hadn’t fallen off. Greta even had fine rings seemingly tied around her armpits, and looking down, Jack realised the implication of the vast length of gold dangling down the girl’s crotch…
“You are always welcome here, Jack!” Greta seductively replied, licking her lips and looking pleased at his reaction before beckoning the group to one of the walls, pointing at a statue of a Hoduth chiselled into the rock. “Our ancestors have maintained this outpost for many years, you can see the masonry detail is several millennia old.”
“That’s pretty amazing!” Jack considered, highly impressed as he tried to work out the numbers in his mind. “What did you use this place for? I can’t imagine anyone could mine it for that long without exhausting all the veins.”
“Sometimes my clan left it fallow for a while and allowed the veins to grow back.” Greta shrugged. “It’s what we’re doing now, but in the meantime we can use this place to PARTY!”
She shouted out the last word to everyone that could hear, and partygoers all around whooped and cheered all around them.
“We’ve still got some time before the first wave of guests are all in…” Greta continued with a saucy smile as she seductively took Jack’s hand and placed it on her hip. Her flesh was soft and warm, and Jack’s lower brain jumped to attention. “Perhaps my sisters and I can show you some hospitality before the music starts…”
“That’s a good idea, we’re pretty hungry!” Alora spoke up, perhaps a little too quickly. “I believe I just saw a waiter with those Hoduth cheese and fungus crackers we like so much! I’d definitely like some before you run out!”
“Yeah Jack! Come and try them!” Sephy took Jack’s arm and pulled him away a little too forcefully.
“There’s no limit to the food and drink we have available!” Greta pouted. “Perhaps once you’re more loosened up and merry?” She licked her lips at Jack.
“I’m sure we’ll find each other later once we’ve had a few drinks and appetisers!” Jack smiled politely as several more groups were let in. “We’d better not distract you from greeting the other guests!”
Greta waved, and quickly turned away to do just that, approaching another group of guests and chatting to them as if she hadn’t just invited Jack to a foursome.
“I wasn’t kidding about the food,” Alora whispered in Jack’s ear. “Besides, the night is still young.”
“The food?” Nika questioned with raised eyebrows. “It’s the ale you really need to try!”
*****
“Wow! Look at how many people there are!” Svaarti gasped in shock as she and Svaartal joined the end of one of the shorter queues. They had both tried to get to the party at the sweet spot between early and not-too-early, but it had turned out they weren’t the only ones with that idea.
“I hope we’re not turned away! Do you really think it doesn’t matter what I wear?” Svaarti asked her brother, who was as patient with her now as he was the last time she asked that question.
“We will be fine. Relax! That’s what we’re here for!” Svaartal chided his sister. She was wearing a simple outfit of a white blouse, black pencil skirt and spectacles which she kept taking on and off, self-conscious of how people would perceive her. He, on the other hand, had taken advantage of a magical belt he had, which allowed him to store and change sets of clothes as he saw fit. He usually used it to disguise or camouflage himself in the field or simply storing outfits that he liked and his father didn’t, but right now he decided a flair for the dramatic was needed. An intimidating set of crimson mage battlerobes cut a striking figure, and Svaartal knew that many eyes were upon him.
As they should be.
“S-Svaartal!” one of the Bharzum triplets greeted him in shock once they realised who it was. “And Svaarti! Welcome! We didn’t expect you to come!”
“Oh?” Svaartal asked lazily, looking at the Hoduth with a neutral expression. “Would you rather we didn’t, Lady Bharzum?”
“N-no that isn’t it!” The girl smiled. “We’re glad! We’ve invited both of you many times in the past, but you never accept.”
“Regrettable circumstances,” Svaartal acknowledged with a rare, thin smile. “But we are honoured to be your guests tonight.”
“Excellent!” The girl nodded enthusiastically as she not-so-subtly looked the Nirah up and down, sizing him up as she licked her lips. “Please enjoy the appetisers, we will be opening the ale soon with live music. Oh! And since neither of you have ever attended one of these gatherings before, please do not start any fights - this is accorded neutral territory.”
“Of course!” Svaarti beamed, relieved at there being no problems. “We’re just here to have fun after all!”
“Indeed.” Svaartal nodded politely. “Thank you for your hospitality, Lady Bharzum.”
They both walked towards a table of food on the other end of the chamber before Svaarti queried her brother. “That was rather formal of you.”
“It was a better option than trying to guess her name, and I’ve never bothered interacting with her beyond what is necessary.” Svaartal shrugged. “Speaking of which, is what’s-her-face meeting up with you?”
“Vanya.” Svaarti sighed. “As if you don’t know her name, she’s spoken to you before, and yes, she mentioned she would come here. I thought I would surprise her.”
“I have no need to remember it,” Svaartal dismissed. “And don’t let me keep you, I think they’re starting the warmup music soon, and I’ve seen you practice your dance.”
“You should dance too!” Svaarti grinned, though Svaartal rolled his eyes. “What? Lady Bharzum seemed to be interested in you? I think she would go for it if you asked her.”
“I think not. I will observe the foolishness from the sidelines,” Svaartal dismissed the suggestion. “Though perhaps I will partake of the other activities after a few drinks.”
“You should! You said we should have fun and relax!” Svaarti smiled as a deep, bass rumbled along the floor. “Are you sure you don’t want to find a partner and dance?”
Svaartal barely considered the prospect for a second, then shook his head. “Perhaps later, sister. I’ll catch up with you later.”
Svaarti nodded as they slithered off, a little disappointed her brother wouldn’t relax, but she had faith he would enjoy the party in his own way.
Svaartal sighed. He had resolved to put on a brave face for his sister, but now that she was no longer with him, he allowed himself a subtle moment of weakness, placing a slightly quivering hand on the wall to support himself as he centred his mind, breathing deeply as he willed his negative thoughts away.
Loud shouting, like the occasional noise coming from the ever-enlarging crowd, always put Svaartal on edge, though he would never admit it did. Showing weakness was not something he could ever allow himself to do.
‘What the hell am I even going to do here?’ the Nirah thought to himself.
*****
You might be reading a stolen copy. Visit Royal Road for the authentic version.
“Hey! There’s our man of the match!” a voice called out amidst the crowd. The party had gone strong for about half an hour, as many, many people had been invited, and the music was blaring loud and proud as groups flocked to the main chamber to mingle with each other. Naturally, Jack had managed to lose his friends in the chaos after going to grab a drink, with only Dante keeping him company, ducking and weaving in between whoever he could to catch up to escape the chaos of the rapidly filling chamber.
Jack turned to focus on the voice, quickly spotting Vaal, who was waving at him to come join him. The Eladra was surrounded by a small group of people Jack recognised, so he quickly picked up a glass of wine from a passing Hoduth waiter and joined the group, mostly composed of the deathball teams from the game he had played the previous day.
“None of that ‘man of the match’ stuff, Vaal, we all played well!” Jack smiled diplomatically as he spotted several of the opposing team looking at him attentively.
“That’s the biggest load of crap I’ve ever heard!” the girl with Vaal’s arm around her spoke up, and Jack recognised the bat-like code-slicer that trapped him in one of the rooms. “You literally ran through a bloody wall to get out of my trap! Had I pulled that on literally anyone else it would have worked!”
“It was a good plan, Zook!” Vaal smoothly calmed his date down, which looked very easily done. “You couldn’t have seen Jack coming, though!”
“I certainly did, and he terrified the shit out of me!” another familiar voice hissed, and Jack recognised the opposing keeper, now much more steady on her feet, and not just because she was leaning against Plooderoo, who seemed to be her date for the evening. “Though speaking of what’s coming, I think Luviannestixxx is looking for you, I’d better brace myself if I were you!”
The group chuckled at Jack’s obvious embarrassment at that statement, and the human quickly latched on to courtesy to move the conversation elsewhere.
“I didn’t stick around too long after the game, I don’t think we were properly introduced?” he spoke to the two opposing players.
“I’m Zook, and I’m a Strallea!” the bat-like creature immediately spoke up. “And that’s Klikko, and she’s a Kunee. We know you’re an Outsider so that’ll save you the awkward conversation about asking us what species we are. I can imagine it’s probably a little weird being around so many different peoples if you’ve not been living here for long?
“Not gonna lie, you’ve pretty much hit it on the head.” Jack shrugged. “I was at the Temple Of Hope for a while and it was a massive shock for me, and I had to adjust quickly.”
“That’s rough, but hopefully you don’t find it too bad here.” another voice perked up as Kizzarith squeezed into the circle next to him with a drink.
“Haven’t found her yet?” Vaal grinned at his friend.
“I haven’t! Maybe she’s running late!” the Anacite grumbled. “The mud-mage from yesterday!” Kizzarith told Jack on seeing the human’s confused expression.
“Pridra?” Zook asked, surprised. “I don’t think she’s coming tonight, her family are quite strict and religious and she’s not mentioned anything about looking for something...”
“Aww come on!” Kizzarith groaned.
“Unlucky, mate!” Jack awkwardly but gently patted his insectoid friend on the back. “Maybe she’ll come around if you just talk to her next time you see her, if not you can just move on.”
“Yeah, you’re right.” The Anacite sighed, before perking up at hearing something in the distance, a sentiment shared by the others in the group.
“Have you seen Jack anywhere?” they heard the voice of Luvia ask from nearby, and Vaal quickly put a hand on Plooderoo’s shoulder to stop him from drawing her attention.
“Shall we give him the chance to escape first?” he asked playfully, seeing Jack’s hesitation.
“I’d appreciate that.” Jack grinned. “Too early in the night and not enough alcohol. I’ll go for it a bit later though, if she hasn’t gotten bored of me by then, just not right now!”
“Heh, we’ll see you later!” Vaal grinned back, with Jack giving a quick wave of goodbye to the others before disappearing into the mass of people, Dante somehow effortlessly keeping pace. He eventually managed to get to the edge of the rocky chamber next to one of the manned bars.
“Well speak of the devil!” Jack heard a voice call out over the din of the party. “Hey Jack!”
“Hey Vanya, hey Svaarti!” Jack smiled as the crowd around him parted to allow his two friends to move up to him.
“How are you finding the party?” Vanya asked with a smile, swaying slightly as Svaarti supported her until she leaned on Jack, taking many liberties with finding and keeping her balance. “I would imagine you would be fully swarmed by the rest of your group by now.”
“I’ve lost them among the crowd, they’re probably having fun doing their own thing.” Jack grinned. “How have you two been?”
“Been uneventful so far, which is why I want to interview you about your very eventful first week at school and everything in between before someone else does!”
“We can still do that, but we should probably get the others together since they’re just as much a part of it as I am!” Jack smiled. “What about you, Svaarti?” he asked cautiously, knowing she was now technically affiliated with the drow.
“Good, very good!” The Nirah nervously smiled. “This is the first time I’ve been able to come to a party like this, it’s far bigger than I was expecting! There’s a lot of people!”
“Perhaps we can take a little break from the chaos? I’d be happy to answer a few preliminary questions before we sit down with the others for a proper interview?” Jack proposed.
“Sounds good to me!” Vanya grinned, practically dragging the both of them to one of the side tables.
*****
“Looks like this party is getting lively!” Alora pointed out to Chiyo, taking in the sheer number of new arrivals that were only just arriving. Though the queues outside were getting shorter, there were still scores of teenagers eager to get in.
Indeed! I wouldn’t be surprised if it wasn’t the whole of our year here! The Ilithii replied, clearly quite impressed. What is this party even meant to celebrate? Do the Bharzum triplets have a birthday or is it a Hoduth festival of some kind?
“No on both accounts!” Alora snorted in amusement. “And it’s not just people in our year! This is just a powerful Hoduth family wanting to flex their wealth and influence on behalf of their younger members for the sake of it. That’s mostly all to it.”
Like you had to put up with back home?
“This is nothing like back home with my people, and the gods know I don’t miss that.” Alora sighed. “Far more cutthroat and political, where any wrong word or move can earn you enemies. Not a party you can actually enjoy like this one, and honestly, I’m not complaining about whatever Clan Bharzum’s motivations might be - they know how to throw a good one!”
Chiyo looked at Alora, sensing a little pain in her aura from her sharing her experiences of Eladrie party life and said nothing, allowing her friend to continue.
“This will do us all some good,” Alora concluded. “Especially Jack, because goodness knows he needs something like this to distract him.”
I agree. The two runs we’ve been on since Jack arrived were far more dangerous than we’ve taken up before, but at least the payoffs are good. Chiyo reasoned. We can afford to relax and not have to worry about bills or lack of groceries, at least for a while.
“Plus I’ve put the order in for the hot tub.” Alora tittered as she and Chiyo gratefully accepted some finger food from a Hoduth waitress that passed them by. It was a hollowed-out bulb with a rich and salty creamy sauce in the centre that tasted divine to the two girls. For a cuisine that had to cater to the dietary requirements of many different species, Clan Bharzum had certainly done an excellent job.
You actually ordered the hot tub? Chiyo giggled, raising her eyebrows at the unusual purchase. I know Sephy had it in her head for a while, but there are far more practical purchases you could have made!
“Oh, live a little!” Alora laughed along as a familiar figure came over to join them.
“Alora!” Luvia beamed as the dragon-girl cleared a path to them with fresh drinks.
“Luvia! Wow, you’re going all out tonight!” Alora smiled as she brought Luvia in for a quick side-hug of greeting, before the dragon brought the reluctant Chiyo in for one as well.
“Is Jack not with you? Dammit! The Welcoming Dance is going to start soon and it’s a tradition for members of opposing Deathball teams to dance together post-game!” She pouted.
“Is it really?” Alora asked with a smile, allowing a not-so-subtle hint of doubt into her words. “I think you might be overreaching there!”
“Well Jack doesn’t know that!” She rolled her eyes. “And he has a bunch of people looking for him already based on his reputation alone!”
“Well that doesn’t sound good!” Alora chuckled again, sensing what little alcohol she’d already had start to get to her.
“Shall we rescue him?”
*****
“So yeah, I was living at the Temple of Hope for a while, but I didn’t go outside after my arrival until I met my Form Class for the first time at school.” Jack shrugged, taking another swig of the Hoduth ale while Svaarti and Vanya listened and took notes.
He had agreed to answer a few basic questions about his time on Hive Station Bastilla until he had met the rest of the group, but had insisted on the rest of the group sitting down for a proper interview about the rest of their antics. That way, Vanya and Svaarti would have a little bit of material to work with until that time came.
He had surprisingly not had that much to contribute to the two budding journalists who were trying to claw every little bit of information out of him, but aside from his arrival in the Pallid Pit, there wasn’t much to tell. After he arrived and was taken to safety at the Temple of Hope he hadn’t left, only leaving his room to earn his keep with various chores, meeting Alora in the process.
“How would you say your mood has been since attending school?” Svaarti asked, deciding to change tactics.
Huh. Good question.
“Honestly, it’s been better,” Jack admitted. “Meeting and befriending people of other species is a dream for many guys on Earth, so things are looking up. I really miss my home and my family, and I really thought I’d hit rock bottom when the Temple of Hope couldn’t send me back, but the people I’ve met have helped me adjust. I don’t know what would have happened if I had arrived under different circumstances…
“So how would…” Vanya began, before a chime echoed around the chamber.
“It’s starting!” Svaarti squealed with delight, and quickly dashed off into the crowd.
“Wait! Svaarti!” Vanya called after her, and while she was distracted Jack took the opportunity to leave. The questions had sobered him up quite a bit and he was happy to throw himself into whatever was going on to distract him from the painful memories.
A spotlight focused on an older Hoduth man who was adorned in fine clothes, with a prominent dark cloak that had a strange symbol on it, which was mirrored by the younger Hoduth woman at his side. A quick look at the nearby members of staff led Jack to realise that this was probably Clan Bharzum’s family sigil. Other Hoduth stood in the background behind the speaker, including the three sisters who had invited him.
“Welcome everybody! I hope you all find our hospitality to your satisfaction!” the man warmly bellowed to the crowd, who all cheered, with some raising their glasses.
“We have a lot of entertainment lined up tonight, and the barrels are rolling in!” He ended the sentence with practised showmanship, receiving the second cheer of the night.
“Get ready for the Welcoming Dance! Find your partners and let us get started!”
Jack immediately panicked as the crowd flooded around him as people desperately tried to find who they were looking for.
“There he is! The Outsider!” someone nearby shouted, and Jack was jostled around as people tried to find him. He looked to the side at the bar and saw Dante sitting on the table, looking at him in amusement.
“Uh…sorry guys, dancing isn’t really my thing!” Jack politely called out as the crowd tried to surround him as he struggled to get away…
“I think I’ll have this dance,” he heard a familiar voice speak up from next to him, and the crowd quickly lost interest in him and moved on.
“Thanks!” Jack grinned as the music began, and his partner gently grabbed his arms as their bodies naturally swayed to the slow, melodic tune.
“Don’t mention it!” Alora replied with a soft smile. “We didn’t spend ten hours shopping to get ready to miss out on this kind of stuff!”
“Only ten hours?” Jack joked, earning a playful slap on the arm before he held her closer, trying to avoid stepping or bumping into anyone else as the atmosphere quickly calmed.
They stayed like that, holding one another as the music began. The tune had no words, but the beauty of the melody touched Jack’s soul, bringing his emotions to the forefront of his mind. The sadness was there, and grief for what he had lost, but also there was happiness and all the good times he had shared with his new friends.
“Thank you, Alora,” Jack whispered to her. “If not for you, I…”
“I know,” Alora whispered back. “And I’m thankful for you too. With you I feel…”
She trailed off, not finishing her sentence, staring into Jack’s eyes as they moved as one to the song that was coming to an end. Jack stared back into the Eladrie’s eyes as her freckles twinkled with the lights above.
As the song ended he slowly tilted his head forward, and Alora did the same as their lips briefly kissed. It felt perfectly natural for the both of them, a moment of serenity amidst a torrent of chaos.
But a moment was all it lasted.
Alora gently pulled away, and began hyperventilating with a strange expression.
Jack backed away slightly in panic. “I..I didn’t mean to…”
“I’m sorry!” Alora whispered as she quickly turned and disappeared into the crowd.
“Wait!” Jack called as he tried to follow, but it was no use. He had lost her.
“Fuck!”