Aj watched silently as Mig closed the door behind him, leaving him alone in the hallway. Well, not completely alone.

“That went well,” Kit said mentally.

“Did it?” Aj asked, switching his weight between his heels as a nervous reflex.

“Yeah, for sure. We just blasted him with information and he didn’t freak out or anything. He just told us that it was a lot to process and asked for us to give him some time. That’s a good sign!”

“It is? What if he was just getting some distance so that he can tell Trace and Kairi? Then they all gang up on us and kill us or turn us in or something.”

“Do you think Mig would do that?” Kit asked. Aj paused and considered before responding.

“I don’t think so, but I’m not sure. We’ve only been together a few days.”

“Been through a lot together in that time though, and he always had your back. Even when I passed out.”

“Yeah, maybe you’re right,” Aj said, semi-agreeing before cocking his head. “Why did you pass in that first fight anyway? You didn’t when you chomped on that centipede.”

“I think it was because I was forcing it too much. I was trying to move your cor for you, for an instant fire blast.” Kit replied contemplatively, giving the mental image of him resting his hand on his chin like a great thinker. He held that pose for a few seconds twisting the hairs of a non-existent goatee. His face turned into a savage smile as he spoke again.

“I just let it all loose and separated from you against that centipede. Full frontal Kit!” Kit exclaimed like a victorious gladiator.

“Yeah, sure did,” Aj responded, a faint smile appearing on the edges of his lips as he enjoyed the moment for a few seconds. His thoughts, though, came back to the topic at hand.

“You’re right Kit. Our only good option is to stay with the group and trust that Mig will keep our secret.” Aj said changing the subject. Kit gave a deep nod in response.

With a little more coaxing from Kit, Aj opened the door and walked back into the temporary sanctuary the group had found. Inside he saw Kairi was still on watch, sitting in a metallic rocking chair and overlooking the room. Shinju was in her lap, the watery prairie dog giving a small “Eeep” as Aj entered the room. Trace was seated against the back wall of the room, seemingly meditating. Mig however, seemed to have quickly found a place and gotten to sleep in the little time since he and Aj spoke. Aj found himself a portion of the wall and took a seat with his back against it.

As Aj sat down Kairi left her chair and made her way over to him, sitting down against the wall beside him. Shinju lept to Aj’s lap and began nuzzling into him, before rooting around the pockets of his sweatpants. Aj started quietly laughing as he fished the extra squirmy prairie dog out of his pockets.

“He’s looking for treats,” Kairi said, pulling a small pellet from the pocket of her dress and handing it to Aj. It felt a little wet and squishy for a food pellet to Aj, but he didn’t think much of it as he took it and fed it to Shinju. Shinju let out a happy “Eeiik” as he quickly snatched the treat out of Aj’s hands and began nibbling on it.

“I can see that you and Mig are having some difficulties, Aj. Is there anything I can do to provide assistance?” Kairi asked, her thin eyes peering straight into Aj’s as Shinju munched on the treat in Aj’s lap.

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“Thanks,” Aj said nervously, “We’re actually ok. We had a small disagreement, but we resolved it.”

“Now’s your chance, ask her a question,” Kit said mentally, suddenly trying to play wingman.

“I’m not trying to hit on her!” Aj said back to Kit

“Why not dude, no time like the present” Kit responded back.

“I must admit that I was very impressed with you today,” Kairi said, interjecting into Aj and Kit’s mental discussion. “Not only did you notice the creature stalking us when we all failed to, but from what I could tell you were also very effective in slaying it.”

“Seeeeee” Kit said, giving Aj a mental tap on the chest. “She’s impresssssed by us”

“Wellll” Aj said verbally, putting his hand behind his head trying to seem modest.

“Bro I know you’re into Asian chicks, you are only lying to yourself,” Kit said mentally, causing Aj’s face to become extremely red from embarrassment.

“Are you well?” Kairi asked as Aj’s face began to resemble a red balloon.

“Ohhh, I’m…. I’m, fine” Aj stammered out.

“Eeeap, Eick” Shinju squeaked up towards Aj’s face, seemingly in response to his distress.

“It’s been a long day my little Shinju. Perhaps it's best if we give Aj here some time to rest” Kairi said, picking Shinju up from Aj’s chest, giving Aj a sympathetic smile and nod. In response, Aj gave a thankful nod as Kairi walked away. He was too flustered to form a more structured response.

“It was a good try,” Kit said, pausing before continuing. “Definitely a good learning experience.”

“Oh shut up” Aj replied as he rolled onto the ground and began to try to sleep.

-----------------------------------

Mig wasn’t sure what to think of all that Aj had said to him. At first he didn’t believe him, the story was just outlandish, but the more he thought about it the more it made sense. Aj would’ve had to have been an incredible actor to appear so inept during their time together, barely surviving every encounter. It would be hard to explain the overwhelming power that came out of him against the centipede as well. Not to mention that the apparent sovereign that came out of Aj’s chest gave him a thumbs up as well. That was all hard to explain, but the idea that Aj lived in peace with his Sovereign. That shouldn’t even be possible. Mig was still deciding what to do about it as Trace called him over from across the room.

“You want any jerky for breakfast before we head out? I noticed you didn’t stock enough” Trace said, both as a genuine offer and a critique of Mig’s poor planning. Mig reluctantly reached his arm out and took a dark stick of jerky from Trace.

“What’s going on with you and Aj?” Trace asked.

“What?” Mig asked, surprised at Trace’s sudden topic shift. Trace rolled his eyes before responding.

“When I first saw you together I thought you’d made a mistake joining up with him, but he seems more capable than I first thought. The question is, what are your plans? Are you looking to get bonded?”

“I don’t think so, I don’t know,” Mig said, hesitating before giving an unconvincing answer.

“Why not? You won’t get a better opportunity than this Miggy”

“Why are you pushing for this so much?”

“I think this is an opportunity you won’t get anywhere else as a commoner”

“When I said I wanted to stay unbonded before, you thought it was a good idea”

“I said that because I didn’t want to get your hopes up about a bond with Julian,” Trace said, shaking his head. “If you didn’t think it was an option, you wouldn't make it obvious that you were wanting it. Would have made it easier to convince them that you’re something special, something worth bonding.” Trace finished. Mig scrunched his face giving Trace an incredulous look.

“You said you respected my journey to become the first non-sovereign, unbonded to make it through every floor of the underworlds!” Mig exclaimed.

“I lied,” Trace said simply as if he was explaining something as simple as what fruit is in an apple pie. When he saw that Mig was about to come unglued he spoke up again, this time softer.

“It's my fault Miggy, I should’ve known better. I should’ve listened to the rumors about that pureblood brat.” Trace said, biting his lip before looking away and continuing “You two never would have worked together”

“I had more problems with Lucian”

“You had problems with Lucian, only because you had problems with Julian. You remember how well you and Lucian got along that first day you met a month ago. That was genuine, if he turned on you it was because Julain told him to.” Trace said. Mig became very quiet in response, taking a heavy pause before responding.

“That’s why you left me behind then? That’s why you didn’t push? You knew after that fight that I’d never mesh with them?” Mig asked

“I’d hoped that they’d see in you what I do, that Julian would take you into the Tiermon family fold, but yes. After that fight in the yard, I knew that you’d never mesh.” Trace said, putting his arm out onto Mig’s shoulder. “And I couldn't take you out into the field with them, one dirty jab from Lucian and you’d be monster food”.

Mig looked into Trace’s eyes for a contemplative moment, he still felt angry about it all, but he felt like he had a little closure. As he walked over was about to wake the others so they could start the day. He stopped and looked back at Trace.

“We couldn’t mesh, because I come from nothing right? Because I’m a commoner?” Mig asked, his face serious. Trace gave a solemn smile and shook his head.

“You couldn’t mesh, because despite my best efforts, you threatened Julian. As a pureblood, he has to shine the brightest and you were stealing his spotlight, even as an unbonded! You couldn’t be with the group for a simple reason Miggy, you excel. You’re an excellent swordsman.”

“I don’t know what to say,” Mig said, taken aback. Trace had taught him everything he knew and during that time he had seldom given him a compliment.

“Don’t say anything. Just think about what I said. That boy is your best bet at making a dent in the underworlds as a commoner. Don’t miss it Mig.” Trace said. He moved on and woke up the others, not waiting for Mig’s response. They’d rested too long here already. It was time to get back out there and find his lost group. Whatever that may bring