Bella looked shocked to see Wren at first but quickly recovered. She turned around and whispered something to the girl she had been talking with, before grabbing Wren by the wrist and beginning to drag him out. “I promise I can explain. I, I wasn't doing anything bad I promise.”

She dragged him out of the bar and onto the street before finally turning to look at him, “You idiot! Do you have any idea what that place is? How did you even get in there? Ugh, this better not have ruined my night.” She paused and her face softened as she looked at him, “Sorry, are you alright? Vlad didn’t do too much of a number on you did he?”

“Wh-what? What are you talking about?”

“Well, first of all The Perching Snakebiter is an exclusive sex bar. People go there to have a good time, if you catch my drift. But it is also invite only, you won’t notice that it is here unless somebody shows it to you. They’ve got some Aether enchantments running to keep it that way. So how did you get in there?”

Oh. “Well I, uh, I followed you.” Wren could feel himself cringing as he said it.

Bella looked less upset about that than he thought she would be. Still didn’t look like she liked that statement though.

“I’ll ignore why for now. That would explain how you got in. You shouldn’t have done that, but for now I just want to make sure you are okay. Vlad tends not to mean harm to people like you, but he is a dangerous guy.”

“Wh-what do you mean? He was nice. He was asking questions and making conversation.”

Suddenly, a slap stuck across Wren’s face. “Ow! What the-” Another slap. And another. And another.

“Ouch! What was that for?”

“You have to snap out of it. You’re being affected by Vlad’s ability. You look into his eyes for too long and you start falling under his control. You looked hella out of it in there. For a low level like you, it probably only took a few looks to fall.”

Thinking back, I could feel how he had been so in control. I had trusted him and then I fell into him. Was that me losing control?

“I, I see. Thank you. That seems like a powerful ability.”

“It is. Luckily, he normally only uses it on people who consent to it. You were the exception because you snuck in. Entering that place means you consent to any kind of sexual stuff that may happen there. It is the agreement that is understood by everyone who gets led here. It’s one of the only rules. So do you understand how badly you fucked up?”

Wren bowed his head down. He felt ashamed at this point, “Yes. I’m sorry for causing you trouble.”

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She sighed and stood up, then offered her hand to help Wren up, “Hey, it could’ve been worse. I get the feeling you don’t swing that way, so you would’ve had a really bad time if I hadn’t saved you.”

“Y-yeah. So since I’ve been here, does that mean I can come now or am I banned?”

“Well, guess you’re allowed to come now. I don’t imagine it’s really your scene though. Next time, just make sure to wear the right band. Wearing no band indicates you’re open to everyone. Black means you’re not interested in anyone. Blue means you’re only open to boys. And pink,” She held up her own wrist that had a pink wristband on it, “Means you’re only open to girls. Pretty simple. That’s all you really need to know. Now, if you’ll excuse me, I have a date to get back to.”

She strode her way towards the building. “Oh, and if this messed it up for me tonight, you owe me a beer!”

Wren stood there for a few minutes longer dumbfounded. This was not the experience he had expected. And while he had followed Bella to protect her, he had only gotten in her way and been in need of protection. Eventually, he turned himself away from the building and started stumbling his way back to a main street. It was time to go home.

Walking into the bakery, he could hear some activity in the back. Never one to be shy, as he just proved earlier, he headed back to see what was happening. He found Alicia sitting with Daniel at the table, chatting and eating. It looked like she had just gotten back from her job, exploring the Dragon’s Highway.

“Hey. I’m home.”

“Welcome back! Come on over. Alicia just got back too. I have some sandwiches I made and I bet one has your name on it.” Daniel was as jolly as ever. He remained the ever positive influence. Wren strode over to the table and pulled back a chair to take a seat. Man, those sandwiches do look good. He made sure to grab one.

Alicia prodded him with her elbow, “So how’s your training going? Bella drives a tough ship, I know that. She has always taken things seriously, ever since she was a kid.” Since she was a kid…

“Alicia, have you known her since she was a kid? Before the kingdom, well you know what happened to it.” She was a part of that country as well after all.

A sad expression crossed her face, “Yeah, I knew her. She was one of the kids in the city I was in charge of the army for. She loved watching the soldiers. Said she dreamed of being a hero like us one day. She always tried to follow along with our training. Us army folk practically raised her.” I could see the smile slowly growing on Alicia’s face as she recalled those times.

However, the smile quickly faded again, “Then when everything came crumbling down, she was one of the only ones to make it. I still remember when I found her. I had charged back through the Highway as fast as I could but the kingdom was already in ruins. I searched the city I knew and loved for any survivors. I found her in the barrack, clutching onto one of her friends. He was not as lucky as her. Ever since then she never talked about heroes. She’s become big and strong, but she never lets herself stray back to thoughts of back then. I bet that’s why she’s so out of sorts lately. This Dragon’s Highway business is reminding her of old times. I just wish she wouldn’t run from her concerns.”

Alicia spoke much more than I expected. This was stuff that Bella hadn’t told us about. And it would explain why she was so off, and why she was so eager to do something that would keep her mind off of it. Though with how she saved me at the bar, I don’t think she’s given up completely on being a hero.

“Thanks Alicia. That gives me something to think about. And thank you Daniel, the sandwich is delicious.” Wren headed upstairs. He hurried over to his bed and climbed in. He had an idea. And it was going to take a lot more effort from him to do it.