Alora was shaking as she sipped her wine, trying not to draw any attention to herself as she kept her movements casual, leaning back against the smooth rock of the cavern wall. The sounds of the party had quickly given way to a ringing in her ears which she couldn’t shake as she covered her ears in a vain attempt to drown it out. But even then she felt it through her fingers as a numb tingling that she fought to top and calm down.
But try as she might, the feeling of dread wouldn’t leave her.
Suddenly, she felt a furry muzzle nudge her hand away from her ears as Dante licked her cheek. The ‘dog’ wouldn’t let up as Alora found herself patting and stroking his fur on reflex, her mind still distracted by what had just happened.
She thought she was past the influence of her family and that she would be able to live her life in peace, but the empathic link bound to her by her older relatives had reacted strongly to the moment she had shared with Jack.
They had to know what she had wanted, and what she gave in to, and they were not pleased in the slightest.
What would they do? Why couldn't they just leave her alone? They had wanted her out of the way by sending her to school at Hive Station Bastilla with a pretext to restore and maintain a long-forgotten and decrepit holding that was mostly ruins, which she had done to great effect. Now she was happy here and had done what had been asked of her, so why couldn't they just leave her be?
Well. The enchantment did not physically control her. She could still do what she wanted, though it would not be a pleasant sensation as her aunts and uncles made their displeasure known. What if she broke the enchantment? It could be done, but what would the response be when she did so? Could she stand up to whatever her family would send her way?
Possibly. With her friends by her side. Now she knew how Jack had felt when they backed him up to see the Oracle and assault the Pallid Pit.
“Alora? Are you okay?”
She looked up to see Crill and Arlox peering down at her with concern as Dante kept trying to distract Alora and calm her down, poking her with one of his paws.
“I’m fine,” Alora managed to get out after a few moments, before going back to stare at the ground.
Crill looked at Arlox with a knowing look before putting his arm around him and whispering in his ear. Arlox quickly nodded in understanding before slinking off. Crill hesitantly placed a reassuring hand on the Eladrie’s shoulder as she fought to keep her hyperventilating under control. She felt a shortness of breath and pushed back the sensation to retch as Crill quickly placed a pot at her feet just in case.
“Where is she?” she heard a familiar voice call out as Luvia quickly made her way through the crowd, Arlox hot on her heels before Crill stopped him, shaking his head before leading him away. “Alora?”
“Hey Luvia,” Alora groaned as her friend sat next to her on the other side of Dante. “I’m fine.”
“Clearly,” the dragon sarcastically replied. “What happened?”
“Just something that happened with me and Jack, honestly it’s not-”
“What did he do?” Luvia interrupted, face turning serious as Alora saw her form begin to enlarge, horns and claws elongating in her smouldering rage. “If he’s done something to you, I’ll…”
“NO!” Alora almost shouted at the dragon, who quickly calmed down as she cocked her head, expecting an explanation.
“It was nothing like that!” Alora sighed. “Just my family showing their disapproval over something we did.”
“Oh. If you say so...” Luvia calmed down, reverting her form to her usual less-menacing self. “What actually happened then?”
*****
Chiyo was perched high up on a ledge atop one of the large statues in the main entrance hall, idly observing the mingling masses below while she waited for the next activities to start. She had lost the others a while ago, and was content to just chill out, using her power to lift herself high up until any activity that took her fancy began. Crowds weren’t really her thing. Too much emotion from too many people in an enclosed area would start to take a toll on her mind sooner or later, so she preferred to be alone at times to centre herself.
It was then that a lump leapt high in the air and grabbed on the ledge she was sat on.
“Hey Chiyo!” Jack called, as the Ilithii almost fell off in shock.
Jack?! You scared me! What's wrong?
"It's Alora!" Jack panickingly told her. "I think I fucked up. We were dancing, and…"
She had a panic attack? Chiyo quickly interrupted, having realised what had happened.
"Um…" Jack began "I…maybe?"
Can I see your recent memory of what happened? Chiyo asked, and Jack quickly nodded.
Jack felt a brief sensation press into his mind, before the effect quickly subsided and Chiyo sighed.
She should be alright once she calms down. It's not your fault. The Ilithii replied, taking another sip of her wine.
"It was sure as hell something I did though!" Jack sighed.
I'm sure Alora will tell you more herself, but Eladrie society is a bit…strict, and has a lot of expectations. Chiyo tried to gently explain. I think the pressure just got to be a bit too much for her, but I think she'll be fine. I'll let everyone else know so they can check on her if they find her.
"Thanks, Chiyo." Jack gave a worried sigh.
Don't worry so much! Chiyo rolled her eyes as she nuzzled up to him. This is pretty much the standard for a party full of teenagers. She'll probably just laugh it off the next time you see her!
"Alright." Jack nodded his understanding. "I'll talk to her once we’ve cooled down."
It'll be fine. Chiyo shrugged. Besides, the night is still young.
"What were you even doing up here anyway?" Jack asked, now allowing a hint of a grin to return. “Needed a place to brood?”
Chiyo rolled her eyes. I don’t brood!
“You sure?” Jack teased.
I could fling you off, you know! Chiyo giggled as a small gaggle of musicians made their way onto the stage. Using her power, she lifted two glasses of wine from a thoroughly shocked waiter who hadn't seen them, replacing them with her empty one. Clinking them together they took a sip of the sugary wine as the band began to play a jazz-like tune.
"If it's all the same to you, I think I'll enjoy the good seats for now." Jack grinned.
*****
“CHUG! CHUG! CHUG! CHUG! CHUG!”
Nika grinned widely as she downed the tankard of Hoduth ale she had been dared to finish in one go, riding the high of the crowd as she kicked it back, before turning the tankard upside down and slamming it on the table.
"Hah! Told you I could do it!” She grinned, basking in the applause.
“It’s a good thing we overstocked!” Sveta smiled, having taken a place of honour at the large table they were all sat at, playing the gracious host for her classmates who didn’t want to mingle and mosh in the centre of the great chamber. It hadn’t gone unnoticed by Nika that there was a tight space reserved next to Sveta, and she had her suspicions on who it was reserved for should he make his way to them…
"I bet not even your top-line stuff can bring me down, Sveta!" Nika boasted with a grin as several of the students around them nodded enthusiastically.
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"Nice try, Nika!" Their Hoduth host laughed. "We're not rolling those barrels out just yet! Maybe later, if you’re still conscious by then!"
Several Hoduth officials went running past them, and for a moment Nika thought they were going to bring the banhammer down on her for her excessive drinking. Instead they rushed past them towards one of the alcoves where the toilets were.
"What happened?" Nika asked as Rayle scurried back from the opposite direction along with a small crowd.
"No idea." Rayle shrugged. "I was at the back, but something must have happened in the bathroom."
"Maybe someone cut a glory hole?" Nika snorted, prompting snickers from around the table, with Sveta looking quite abashed at the suggestion.
"I had heard that Sah'shil from Mr Gort's form class wanted to try and get a rainbow party going, maybe she cut one as a warmup?” Zayle added, slinking up next to their sibling.
"Not through solid rock they wouldn’t!" Sveta pointed out. "Someone probably passed out. It happens, especially when species with low tolerance think they can handle Hoduth ale!"
"Speaking of." Nika grinned. "I'm going to get some fresh air now that the main gates are closed, the music isn't my thing anyway."
"Has Jack tried any of this ale yet?" Sveta asked. "Never let it be said that Clan Bharzum doesn't know how to host a proper Hoduth welcome!"
"I'll send him your way if I spot him." Nika grinned. "Challenge him to down the ale, it'll do him some good!"
"That was the plan!" Sveta called back in a farewell.
Nika sauntered out past the large crowd of still-dancing partygoers, not seeing any of her companions, but smelling something cooking past the gate. Grabbing a cup of water from a waiter on the side, her eyes widened with glee as she spotted a flat-topped grill with several different types of meat sizzling on top. Next to it was a set of hard, bread-like shells to stuff the meat in.
"Hey there!" a voice called out. It was one of the Clan Bharzum nobles, the woman who had stood just behind the speaker that had started the party.
"You hungry?"
“Damn right I am!” Nika grinned as she grabbed one of the shells.
*****
"Pay up people!" Sephy grinned as she won yet another round of the game they were playing. Raking in the pot, she turned around. "Sure you don't want to play, Kritch?"
"I'm good, thanks!" Kritch snorted. "I know better than to play you!"
"Yeah I'm out." One of the players grumped as the rest ragequit in a similar fashion, leaving the room, which left the two of them alone. Sephy shrugged and took a sip of her wine, waiting for a decent period of time before allocating the piles of money into roughly similar piles and sliding one of them over to the Lizta.
"Too easy!" Kritch grinned as he pocketed his share.
"Ashol really tried to bluff hard there." Sephy grinned. "Any other time they might have won."
"Playing fair is for suckers." Kritch snorted back. "Can't believe nobody's caught on yet."
"They only have to catch on once," Sephy countered. "So that's it for tonight."
"Damn." Kritch sighed. "Well, let’s hope Vaal can get our group a job soon, I could do with a big payday."
"Not me, my group has been through enough for now," Sephy told him. "Bills paid, enough food to last a few months and we don't have any active bounties to worry about. Maybe a few trivial jobs to keep us on form and not bored, but that's it."
"I would say that's lucky, but from what I know, it probably wasn't," Kritch reasoned.
"Yeah the less you know the better," Sephy agreed. "Not even proper jobs to be honest, but the payoff worked out."
"My grandfather sometimes has us do stuff," Kritch said with a shrug. "Maybe he'll have something for you in a few months. You got his attention when The Redeemer showed up!"
"I'll keep that in mind, but only if it comes with free drinks!" Sephy grinned. "Anyway, I'm gonna see if I can find out where they bring the food in from, winning money is hungry work!"
"I don't suppose you know where Zayle is, do you?" Kritch asked before Sephy had a chance to exit.
Sephy raised her eyebrows.
"Don't look at me like that! Vaal and the guys have been giving me shit for it, so the least I can do is speak to them about it before she joins Jack's h-"
"Oh no!" Sephy interrupted, trying and failing to put on a serious expression as Kritch tried not to burst out laughing. "Let me stop you right there! We are not calling it a fucking harem! It's just a casual thing between friends! That's all!”
Now it was Kritch's turn to raise his eyebrows, only for Sephy to throw a cushion at him.
"I don't see it happening with the twins," she relented. "So go for it! Haven't seen either of them tonight though, maybe they're in one of the side rooms?"
"Thanks!" Kritch replied, hyping himself up after downing a hearty swig of ale that would have put Nika to shame, before lightly jogging out of the room.
Sephy sighed before coming to a realisation.
"Motherfucker took my drink!"
She went to find another.
*****
“Pretty good act,” Jack admitted as the musicians finished their last song and exited the stage as some ‘background music’ came on to replace them. “These guys had a lot of variety too, I have no idea what any of their instruments are or how they work, but they can certainly do a lot with them.”
Clan Bharzum certainly haven’t skimped on the entertainment. Chiyo nodded in agreement. Have you calmed down enough yet?
“I guess I have a bit.” Jack sighed.
In that case you should probably go and mingle. Chiyo pointed out as she floated the pair of them to the ground with little warning. There are a lot of people who are curious about you, and we did promise to enjoy ourselves tonight. Go have some fun!
“What about Alora?” Jack asked.
She’ll be fine, but I’d still give it a little bit of time before actively seeking her out. Chiyo smiled. I’ve known her longer than you have, so trust me when I say she’ll probably benefit from a bit of space, at least for now.
“Alright, if you say so. Though you told me it wasn’t my fault earlier, so I’m guessing that wasn’t completely true?” Jack asked.
You are not at fault, but you may have been the catalyst. Chiyo clarified. I’ve already comm’d the others to let them know what’s happened so they know to keep an eye out.
“Alright…” Jack slowly replied, still a little confused. “If you say so, I’ll probably go explore the complex for a bit and see what’s going on, this place is pretty massive. What about you?”
I think I’ll partake of some of the food here. Apparently Nika says there’s some nice meat around but I’m craving some more cheese appetisers. I’ll catch up to you later!
“Not brooding, I hope?” Jack teased, only for Chiyo to playfully slap his arm.
No promises. The Ilithii retorted, holding Jack’s arm for slightly longer than necessary before the two parted ways.
*****
“So like that huh?” Luvia sighed. “And I thought my family was bad.”
“I’m afraid so.” Alora nodded, having calmed down in no small part because Dante wouldn’t stop demanding her attention, distracting her from her negative thoughts. “Honestly, when I left for Hive Station Bastilla I didn’t think I’d ever be bothered by them again if I just stayed here and lived my own life. I’m more of a convenience out of the way of the politicking back home so I would have thought they would be satisfied enough with my exile. I guess not.”
“They obviously have something in mind for you.” Luvia pointed out. “A betrothal or some other arrangement that they’ve organised based on what triggered the response?”
“That’s what I’ve always been afraid of,” Alora admitted. “I would sooner die than continue to be a pawn to their schemes, especially like that.”
“Whatever you do, you need to be ready to deal with the consequences.” Luvia placed a reassuring hand on her friend's shoulder. “The Eladrie Nations are on par with the Red Legion, as you well know. Your physical distance helps you here, but they will have means to get to you.”
“Whatever I decide, I will need to talk to my group about it first and make sure they’re on board, and knowing them, they’ll support me whatever happens.” Alora sighed.
“Woof!” Dante barked, causing Luvia to suddenly and very uncharacteristically jump back in shock, not having even met the ‘dog’ before tonight.
“Thanks for the vote of confidence.” Alora finally smiled, scratching the dog behind the ears.
“You might want to consider a change of residence or identity…” Luvia began.
“No.” Alora shook her head. “I am not the little girl that travelled here those years ago. Whatever happens, I will not run or hide. If my aunts and uncles want to do something about it, I will stand and fight. They don’t know how much I’ve grown or what I’ve accomplished.”
“And so they will likely underestimate you,” Luvia reasoned, nodding her head and beaming with approval, her jagged fangs glistening in the low light twinkling around them. “Giving you ample opportunity to turn the tables if they try something.”
“Yes.” Alora nodded with resolve. “I don’t know what I’m even so afraid of any more. We’ve faced horrors like we’ve never faced before ever since Jack joined us, and we’ve been the best version of ourselves. I can’t do this alone, but I can do it with them!”
She stood up, having found her courage. “But first I have a party to enjoy. I’d be damned if I’m going to let my shit-pile family continue to get in the way of that! Thanks for listening, Luvia!”
“Any time!” The dragon grinned back.
“Woof!” Dante barked in encouragement.
“And thank you too Dante.” Alora scratched him behind the ears and threw him a sausage she took from one of the nearby tables. “I think Jack will need you more than I do at this point, poor guy must be hating himself right now, so you need to find him and help him feel better.”
“Funny,” Luvia quipped. “Finding Jack and making him feel better was my plan as well! I can’t believe I actually thought he might have done something untoward…”
“Well it looks like Dante has a head start!” Alora chuckled as the ‘dog’ quickly skittered off around the corner and sped off into the distance.
“I can’t believe I’m competing with a beast you’ve picked up of all things!” Luvia pouted. “Will you be alright on your own now?” She asked Alora.
“All good now!” Alora smiled. “Go have fun, and good luck!”