When Gael finally opens the door I’m very surprised when Shay steps straight through it. I knew she was improving, but still it’s wonderful to see her suddenly up and moving around again. Granted, she doesn’t look quite out of the woods yet, when she first come out I notice the dark circles around her eyes immediately, and a slight pallor’s still clinging to her skin, but she moves with a startling ease as she pushes past me with a gentle apology. She stops just outside the door though, frowning now. “Oh … wait … yeah.”
“What’s up?” I try not to sound too surprised, but I’m just so glad to see her so well.
“Where’s the toilet?” She’s dancing a little on the balls of her surprisingly large bare feet now, I notice, and I’m quick enough recognising this somewhat uncomfortable jig for what it is.
“Oh!” I point down the corridor. “End of the hall. They’re marked, you can’t miss ‘em.”
“Thank you!” She turns and sets off at a near sprint, largely silent save for the gentle slapping click of her soles on the cool marble of the floor.
Gael’s stepped through as well now, and as I turn back I find ‘em closing the door behind while they look me over. There’s a little playfulness in their expression now, not quite a smile but certainly amusement. “Still dressing down, are we?”
I look down, I can’t help it. They got me there. Instead of my usual, somewhat ubiquitous leathers, since I been recovering here I’ve mostly just worn a pair of loose buckskin britches and a quilted wool tunic, leaving my feet and arms bare. They’re clothes I almost never wear, since we’re pretty much always on the job, or at least work peripheral, so I’ve had no real cause to dig ‘em out of my pack in Yeslee’s bag for a good while now. But since I been laid up … I dunno, guess I just been a lazy bugger lately.
Yesterday when they first saw me like this, Gael was mostly surprised, since they never actually see me out of “uniform”. For a start, she can see my arms, which is a proper novelty, but I doubt they look so surprisingly different to how they must’ve imagined since the fur’s the same as it is on my head and neck. It’s not like I have any serious, overt muscles like Kesla or even Shay, I’m too lean, naturally built for agility, not strength. They ribbed me a little about it more than once over the course of the day, but it was just in jest, I could tell.
“You can hardly talk, little miss fancy-dress. That there is some serious howdy-doo fashion.” I quirk my brow as I look ‘em over. That robe is … interesting. It’s the first time I seen it, yesterday they were just making do with a stripped down version of their usual clothing choices, I seen that before so it’s no novelty. This is something new, and I’m finding it … really rather fetching, actually.
Gael is, like me, lean and lithe, albeit with longer limbs and a whole lot more statuesque poise and grace, so their form is similarly slender, but … somehow this garment does slightly accentuate what very modest natural assets they have, mostly down to the way the sash is tied. It’s still very formal and very modest, the length and cut leaving a lot up to imagination, but I’ve always had a real good one of those, and I can do a lot with what little information I’m able to glean here. To be honest, just getting a glimpse of their bare feet and ankles and a little bit of leg above that, under the hem of the robe, is distracting all on its own …
They fix me with a very flat stare indeed, clearly non-plussed. “That’s little master, thank you. And it’s just a bloody bathrobe, Art. You got one in your room, I’m sure.”
“Yeah, but you know me, ain’t no way you’re getting me in weird shit like that.” I flat refuse to rise to their bait, especially on the subject of their gender, which I never pry into anyway. “I got my own preferred sense o’ style, and you well know it. Besides, white is definitely not my colour, nor am I a fan of stripes.” I take a few steps to the side and lean back against the wall, crossing my arms as I get comfortable, content to just enjoy our conversation, even if we’re currently in the sniping stage. “You don’t need to go yourself, then?”
For a moment they just frown, clearly not quite getting what I mean, then they give me an even more scathing look. “No, I’m fine. Some of us are perfectly capable of holding it.”
“So I shouldn’t start talking about babbling brooks or raging waterfalls then?” I give ‘em what feels like a nice evil little grin.
“Oh, please don’t.” They blanche somewhat as they let themselves slump into the wall next to me, angled a little towards me now but still keeping a little distance all the same. “That would be too cruel, even for you.”
I soften my smile at that. “Yeah, you got me there. I’m sorry, y’know I really don’t mean it.”
“Most of the time, yes.” They cock a brow, letting me know they haven’t quite let me off about it yet. I have to stifle a chuckle.
For a few moments we just stay here like this, enjoying each other’s company now. I look up into their eyes, and they don’t look away, which makes me smile a little more. Finally I let a little sigh go and look away, back down the corridor to where Shay vanished to. “How is she?”
“Shay?” Gael laces their hands together across their belly, thoughtful for a moment. “Still a little beaten up, I think. They’re steady enough now, but they’re definitely not all the way mended yet. Go easy on her, please.”
I give her a look, feeling genuinely affronted that she’d even suggest I’d give Shay any kind of hard time after what she’s just been through. “You know I will.”
Now they shy, just a little, looking down for a moment, a little chastised, which wasn’t actually my intent. “I’m sorry. I just … it’s been a tough few days, I’ve been awfully worried about her. Having her up like this so quickly … I don’t know. I can’t decide if it feels premature.”
“You reckon it’s a little soon for her to be moving round, maybe?” I gotta frown, ‘specially when I look down there again and see her finally emerging through the women’s bathroom door. “I dunno, she looks fine enough to me.”
“I’m learning she’s something of a master of putting a brave face on things, almost as much as Kesla.” They keep their voice low, likely as mindful as me she’s got excellent hearing as she comes our way, and put on an easy smile now as they lean close to me. “Please just … don’t be too much like yourself for once, perhaps?”
My eyebrows shooting right up but my eyes staying heavy lidded, I give ‘em a particularly tired look to suggest I reckon they’re being ridiculous … but as Shay draws close I don’t say anything. Instead I roll my eyes a little as I turn to her, smiling now as we wait for her to arrive. “All nice an’ empty now, are we?”
As she draws near, I realise she’s just holding her robe closed this time, the sash wound at her waist but this time still untied as she holds her folded hands over it, casting a withering look my way. “Charming, Art. Thoroughly.” Now she turns to Gael, her expression becoming a touch more sheepish. “All right, I admit it, I don’t understand this. How the hell do you tie that fancy knot of yours? Obviously that’s how it’s actually done, so …”
“Well, no, it’s not really necessary, but there is a certain formality if you want to be traditional about it, so …” Their little lesson falters as they realise Shay’s just looking at ‘em with a mixture of indulgence and the slightest dismay, and I really have to fight the urge to burst out laughing, I know that’ll just get me thumped. Taking a deep breath as their cheeks instantly start to go red in that way I find completely adorable, they simply step forward and reach out. “Just come here.”
Shay takes a final step so she can move within Gael’s reach, and stands there as the young half-elf reaches under her hands and starts winding and cinching the knot to match her own. I simply stay where I am, taking the opportunity to just watch the two of ‘em interact, and I have to admit I’m enjoying myself. Not least the opportunity to check out Shay’s form too.
Like with Gael, the way the robe ties up makes it just complimentary enough to her figure that I can get a good idea of how she’s built … although given that Shay tends to favour her leathers pretty fitted anyway I’ve not had too much trouble checking her out before. Gods know I can’t help it, she’s hot. I mean, like Gael she’s lean and lithe, but her own curves ain’t quite so modest, clearly a much more womanly figure, but tight and supple as I would’ve expected given the rest of her.
Then Gael’s done with the tying and they step away and I’m a split too late realising Shay’s looking my way after saying thank you, and when our eyes meet I know she’s read exactly what I’m thinking. I can feel my skin flushing under the fur, while a chill runs right through me at the subtle flare of indignation I see in those dark brown irises. I know she don’t catch the blush, but she probably picks up on the prickling in my fur even as I at least manage to cover my expression. So when she moves my way I straighten up a little, pressing a little tighter back into the wall as though I’ve got a lethal mountain predator approaching me. Which I realise ain’t too far from true right now.
Instead she simply leans in as she reaches me and bends down enough so she can kiss me on the cheek, which takes me as much by surprise as if she’d just thrown me onto the floor and straddled me before shoving her tongue right in my gob. Then she breathes into my ear for a beat before whispering: “One pass, little man. That’s all you get.”
When she steps back it’s as if she never made the threat, she’s all smiles again, although there’s a certain subtle craftiness in it I still find unsettling. Then it smooths out as she turns to Gael again. “Didn’t you have to go too?”
Gael looks at her for a moment, like she don’t get it … then her brows arch as she skips a little. “Oh! Shit … yes, of course. Sorry. Um …” She dances on the spot again for another moment, seeming a little lost now, then gives us both a very sheepish smile. “Yes. A minute, please …”
As they scamper off with a little more urgency than usual, I still can’t help marvelling at how, despite everything, they still manage to make it look somewhat majestic. Elves, man … they’re uncanny. My eyes are drawn to their bottom as they go, feeling myself flushing a touch again as I realise I never had any real opportunity to check it out before. It’s subtle, like before the robe still leaves plenty to the imagination … but I get the distinct impression it’s cute.
“Freya … Art, you are incorrigible.” Shay’s voice snaps me out of my reverie just as Gael vanishes through the door, and I turn back to find she’s watching me with something closer to indulgence now. “Is that really all you think about?”
“What?”
She cocks her head, giving me a piercing look. “Sex, to pay you the courtesy of being direct. Like when we were in the hotel, the night we arrived, you just beelined at that waitress. Not to mention I’ve seen the way you are around Tulen, even after I know Gael warned you off. And I’m sure a minute ago wasn’t the first time you’ve checked me out.”
Folding my arms again, a little tighter this time since I’m feeling distinctly on the defensive now, I give her a look right back. “I’m a man, all right? I have eyes. You are a very attractive young woman, I can’t help noticing, especially in that …” I shrug. “Y’know, outfit.”
Looking down at herself now, I wonder if Shay only just realises quite how different she looks right now. The robe’s style is simple enough but still a good deal fancier than anything else I seen her wear, and I get the impression that, like Kesla, she really ain’t one for dressing feminine, and definitely not sophisticated. But now, even more so now Gael’s done her the proper knot to make the robe look official, she actually looks genuinely elven. Like a proper highborn lady, even, ‘specially with her hair all down and framing her face the way it does. Don’t reckon I ever seen her looking better.
Deep down, that other part o’ me starts wondering what Kesla might make o’ this, if she saw it. Now I’m deeply curious, I can’t help it.
Taking a little step to the side, Shay lifts the other foot for a moment, and as she leans she effects a particularly striking pose without even meaning to, and it reinforces the effect even more. Then she looks up to find me observing her, and my expression must be particularly critical because she straightens right back up, clearly becoming very self-conscious indeed. “Um … look, I am not used to this stuff, all right? I know, I’m half-elf, this is all … it’s in my blood and all that, but …” She throws her hands a little. “Oof … please just leave me alone about this, will you? It’s really not my thing.”
“No, no, I get it. I got a bunch o’ these things in my room too, no way you’d ever get me wearing any of ‘em.”
She looks at me for a long moment, then gives me a little scan, down and up, starts to smile. Nothing like I might’ve implied before in her look, mind, and her smile’s just warm. “Honestly? I like you in that. You wear the black stuff well, it’s very you, but this is … honestly, it suits you surprisingly well too. I think if you dressed like this in the taverns, you’d have to fight them off with a stick.”
Cocking my brow, I give her another look. “Funny.”
“You’re making fun of me in-between bouts of objectifying me, it’s only fair I return the favour.” She’s grinning wide now as she lets her body slump back against the wall beside me now, and gives me a companionable little nudge with her shoulder after a beat. “I’m sure they like it as much as I do. More so, actually. Your new look, I mean.”
“Who?”
Genuinely craning a little to look down on me now, Shay seems a little surprised, and more than a little non-plussed. “Oh for Freya’s sake … not you too.” She lets her head drop back as she rolls her eyes. “You two really are like the clueless country kids in one of those travelling actors’ comedies, aren’t you?”
Frowning, I cock my own head. “I really dunno what you’re on about.”
Looking at me for a few more beats, Shay finally just rolls her eyes again. “Right. Of course. Never mind.” She reaches up and tentatively starts fiddling with the knot tied at her waist, being very careful with how she’s touching it given Gael’s efforts with it. I’ll admit it does look awful fancy, the way it seems quite simple but clearly actually very much ain’t. That’s highborn all right. There’s something a little wistful in her expression now, and I find myself wondering what that’s about. I find myself thinking back to when we first set off with her, and wonder if that’s where her mind’s gone, given where our conversation seemed to be heading, ‘least before she got all cryptic and she lost me.
“What’s his name?” The question pops out before I can stop myself.
Blinking, Shay looks down at me again, actually a little startled now. “Who?”
“That young lad from Heldereth. The day we left. It was quite the kiss, I noticed.”
Her cheeks darken immediately as she makes the connection, and it’s quite endearing. “Um … Terue.” She licks her very pretty lips as she reaches up now and brushes her hair gently out of her eyes. “Terue Willowsong. I don’t think I’d call him young, though …” She fusses with her hair a little more now, and I see her cheeks flushing a little more, but there’s a smile touching her lips now. “He’s twenty years my senior, actually.”
“Still makes him real young for an elf. Or even half o’ one. I mean, comparatively, you’re both practically of an age with each other.” I muse on it for a moment, thinking about him. He was really good looking, I remember well, he certainly caught my eye. Pretty like all elves, but strong too, pretty strapping in a lean sort of way. Dark chestnut brown hair, the kind that just tousles naturally without needing to do anything with it first, and really striking bright green eyes. And a very pretty mouth to complete the picture. “Damn cute, too, I don’t mind admitting. You’re a lucky girl.”
As she finally catches my main drift, Shay just looks at me, a little like she wants to hit me again, actually. Then that smile starts to return, and she settles back as her look grows fond again. “He actually took me a little by surprise with that kiss. I mean sure, I’d thought about it more than once, but … I don’t know. I always thought we were just really good friends. He never made any indication that he actually felt that way about me before then. And to do it then? I was leaving.”
“Sometimes it takes us a while to admit to ourselves how we feel. Reckon it was just … I dunno, he might never see you again, so he was thinking he might never have another chance to tell you. So …” I shrug. “Quite sweet really, even if his timing did suck arse.”
“Shit …” She sniffs after a moment, and I realise her eyes are a little moist now. She’s still smiling, but … yeah, that wistfulness is definitely back. “That’s just it, though. I might never see him again. I mean, if that blade had been a bit higher, or if Gael’s fancy Order friends hadn’t been able to fix me … Minerva, that’s just it. I might never get to see if that actually could have led to something real. I hate that.”
“Yeah …” I let my head fall back now, starting to feel regretful myself. “Love can be a proper bastard sometimes.”
“Like you and Darwyn, you mean?”
I look up sharply, finding she’s watching me close now, but with a certain guarded warmth as she gives her eyes a little wipe with her fingertips. I can’t snap at her like I want to when she looks like that, it’s just not in me. “Fuck’s sake, Shay … yeah, I reckon you’re right.”
“You really loved her, didn’t you?”
I’m a long time answering that one, I can’t help it. She’s definitely got my number, but it’s a proper sore subject for me. “I still do. Can’t help it. Don’t reckon you ever stop with that kinda thing, not when you got a connection that deep.”
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“Was she your first love, then?” She cocks her head, seeming more curious now. “I mean, I know you’re the way you are, and I’ve heard about bakaneko. You’re pretty liberal with your affections, but … the way you are around her, that kind of hurt can only come from a place of real, powerful love.” The way she says it tells me she’s talking from a place of real strong personal knowledge. Now I remember, she told us a bit about her parents on the road. They were very much in love, he said. And then her father left, after one hell of a disagreement between them, and her mother was never the same after. Harder, a little colder, ‘least with everybody else besides Shay, that is.
“Yeah. That was it.” I shrug. “I mean, sure, there were other girls before her, I was young and I was me, and there were other girls among the orphans who definitely liked me much as I liked them. But Darwyn … she was more like my sister, for a long time. Right up until the day when she wasn’t anymore.”
“When you actually noticed her, you mean. In that way.”
That makes me laugh out loud, mostly by accident but I let it go. “Oh no, believe me, she made the first move. She never let me do anything first, she always took the lead. It could be bloody frustrating sometimes, but … I really loved that about her too, y’know? It was one o’ my favourite things about her too. I mean she’s tiny, but she never felt small with me, cuz she always made up for it with that personality. She’s a force o’ nature.”
“You miss it, don’t you?” Gael surprises me when they speak, and when I look up to find ‘em stood a few feet short of us, looking a little uncertain but clearly prepared to plough on all the same, I wonder how long she’s actually been back and just listening to us.
“Honestly … yeah, I do. I always did, the whole time I was on the road on my own, and then after I found Kesla, then the rest o’ you. I still miss it. But I also remember what a total pain in my arse she could be sometimes too, and even more how much worse she is now, and I’m really not sure it’s worth my time anymore.” I let a heavy sigh go, just fuming a little for a few moments as I look round at ‘em both, watching me with slight concern now.
“Sides, she hurt me somethin’ awful when I asked her to come with me, and all she cared about was just … all she could think about was her future in the Guild. She put her career ahead of our love, and I can’t forgive her for that.” I tighten up on myself now, drawing my shoulders up as I hug myself a little closer with my arms and tuck my chin, looking at the floor now. “What d’you want me to say? Yeah, I miss her. But there’s things can’t be fixed.”
After a long, drawn out and decidedly uncomfortable silence, Gael finally steps up to me and puts their arms around me, folding me into a hug, and I just go along with it. After another beat or two I feel them let go with one arm and reach out, and I start to wonder what that’s about before I feel ‘em drag Shay into the hug too. She’s less receptive to begin with, but within a few moments she melts, hugging Gael and me both back.
“Mmmm … this is nice.” I manage to purr.
“Don’t get any ideas, Libido Boy.” I hear Shay mutter from somewhere over my head, and I can hear the smile in her voice. Slipping my closer arm from where it’s crushed between us, I manage to snake it out and wrap it around her waist, giving her an extra little crush in response. Thankfully she doesn’t resist, but I wonder if maybe I can still feel a little feigned resentment seething through her all the same …
Finally Shay pushes us both away, but she’s gentle about it. “C’mon, I’m starving.”
“Yes.” I step away from Gael now, and under my fur I’m blushing up a storm again. “Me too.”
“All right then, this way.” Gael gestures down the corridor in the opposite direction to the bathrooms, and gives me a pointed look. It’s fine, I already know the way, but I still have to return that look, chafing a little at the presumption. So I give a little glare and then turn to Shay as I pass her, tipping a wink as I start to smile again, and I see her return it as she falls into step beside me.
Shay pauses, seeming a little lost for a moment, when I detour the other way through the lounge where we spent our first night in the temple, which has all been put back how we originally found it now anyway. Instead I lead them both down another corridor and now she really has lost all her bearings as we move deeper into the somewhat clustered maze of this far-too-oversized building. It’s a big place, granted, but even so there’s far more here than there has any right to be given the size of the structure itself, and I know Shay’s getting increasingly baffled with every subsequent discovery, because I still feel that way myself.
But I’ve been moving around here for a couple days now, and I’m starting to get the hang of this place now. So after a few more turns I finally bring us out into another wide open space, with a high, arching ribbed white ceiling once again decorated with that same beautiful silvered inlay patterning, lit from one wall through a set of tall stained glass windows. They’re very beautiful to look at, especially now with the sunlight streaming through ‘em, albeit from a proper high angle given it’s now round noon, although I got no clue what they’re trying to portray. Much like in the shrine itself, the stained-glass designs portray something to do with Minerva and her miracles, or something along those lines, and I know bugger all about this particular goddess so I’m lost trying to interpret ‘em. Mainly I just think they make everything stand out in real pretty colours.
This is the mess hall, basically, where the staff and guests come to fill their bellies, but I’m told that the kitchens are open all day, and if a beggar comes to the door they’re always given a bowl of soup and a fresh baked, warm loaf regardless of what time it is. Right now at least half the staff are here, and there are far more than I would’ve expected actually, but they’re all dressed in the same white and silver livery, regardless of whether they’re wizards or clerics or simple attendants. Some are bringing food to tables or taking empty trays or jugs from ‘em again, but most are just sitting down, eating, drinking and chatting amiably, lending the place a somewhat crowded but nonetheless pleasant air.
That being said, the first thing to come to my attention is, of course, the smell of food. Fresh, hot, good smelling food, a lot of it and a surprising variety too. I turn to Shay as we walk in and see her eyes widen considerably as she takes it all in, but I see her nostrils flaring too as she sniffs just like I’m doing, and I know her mouth’s started watering immediately.
“C’mon, this way.” I step up beside her and slip my arm through hers, and thankfully she doesn’t shy away from me as I guide her to the wall, where the trays are stacked out with cutlery and clean mugs. I immediately select two of each relevant item, passing half to Shay so she can start making her own arrangements while I guide her along the wall to the counters.
Apparently there’s no need to pay here, even if we weren’t welcome to eat at the Order’s expense anyway, all of this is free to whoever wants it, so long as we don’t go crazy. So as I lead her past a buffet line of piping hot, freshly made food of all kinds set into the recess in the wall, I watch sidelong as her eyes grow bigger still as she takes it all in, pausing for a moment before she turns to me again. “All this is just … fair game?”
“Oh yeah.” I’m already going in for my selection, picking up a bowl from one of the stacks before going to the soups. I think today … hmm, yeah, that one looks good. I reach out and pick out the ladle, raising it close to my nose so I can take a good whiff. Chicken and mushroom with some other kinds of vegetables and spices I can’t quite identify, but it all smells wonderful. Yes please. I slop it right into the bowl, then after a thought go back for a second spoonful. Then I select a big hunk of fresh, crusty tiger-bread, before moving onto the sandwiches. Bacon, yes, that’s the ticket. I take a big bacon roll, then think why not as I go for an egg and sausage one too.
Shay’s leaning close to something and giving it a good sniff, and her expression definitely betrays her intrigued approval. “These waffles … they smell interesting.”
“They’re made with Tektehran maple syrup. Best in the world.” Gael’s at her side now with her own tray, reaching round at an angle so she can pick up a trio for herself. “They have some of the same syrup here to put on it, but honestly I don’t think these actually need it, they’re so tasty already.”
“Maybe so,” I interject as I slip in-between them so I can grab a four-tall stack for myself. “And yet …” I reach down and pick up one of the little jugs set along the shelf below, which has a helping of said syrup in it, to set down with the rest of my meal. “It’s too good not to, y’ask me.” I give Gael a big grin as I back out again.
Quirking her brow, Shay looks to Gael for a moment, then picks up one of the little jugs for herself and has a sniff. “Gods, that smells divine.” She sets it down on the tray before grabbing four waffles for herself. Gael, on the other hand, just cuts off a big piece of fresh-churned butter and lets it settle on top of her own stack to start melting.
I grab an apple from one of the bowls and call that it, before picking out one of the pitchers of fruit juice without bothering to check what kind it is. I’m sure whatever it is will be delicious, just like the rest of this incredible spread. Finally I turn back to wait for the others to finish up, but I end up waiting a little because Shay’s clearly getting a little awed by the selection so Gael’s just doing her best to guide her through.
In the end I just lean against the wall while I let them get on with it, smiling indulgently while I listen in. But after a minute or two I find my attention wandering, and after a little searching I spot Yeslee sat at one of the tables at the back of the room, just under the windows, with only one other person with her. I’m a moment working out that it’s Dumoli with her, finding him a little hard to recognise given he’s wearing another one of those fancy robes. What really surprises me is when I realise the two of them appear to be deep in conversation …
“Bloody hell …” I can’t help breathing.
“What?” Gael almost makes me jump as I realise they’re at my side, holding their fully-laden tray now. She peers out in the direction I am. “What is it?”
“Is that …” Shay seems to have spotted what I have as she hefts her own generously heaped selection. “Is Yeslee happy?”
“That is an actual smile.” I manage to get out. “Am I dreaming? Somebody pinch me.”
Gael juggles their tray for a moment, and I’m too slow realising they actually really are going in for a pinch. It’s a sharp one, right in my side, and since I’m not armoured right now it hurts surprisingly substantially, it’s a miracle I don’t drop everything.
“Ow! Gods … I didn’t mean really do it!”
“Oh, I’m so terribly sorry.” Gael can’t stop themselves smiling playfully as they try not to laugh. “Come on, let’s see what they’re both so chatty about.”
As they head over to join our friends, I turn to Shay, who’s frowning at the table now. “I mean … that is just weird, right?”
“You’ve never seen Yeslee smile like that before?”
“Gods no … that is completely new and alien to me.” I look back, a little creeped out actually to see Yeslee actually grinning as she talks at a genuinely animated clip to Dumoli. I can’t see his face from this angle but he’s nodding along with her, and as he responds in kind he’s moving his hands about as he seems to describe something which genuinely looks to have her actually enraptured with curiosity. “Shay … I’m scared. This ain’t normal.”
“Oh just come on already.” She gives me a notably gentle nudge. “Our food will get cold, and I want to eat it.” She starts after Gael, not bothering to wait for me any longer. Left with no alternative, I follow.
Yeslee’s expression changes a little as Gael arrives, but only a little, her smile narrowing but not going away while she starts to sit up a little straighter in her chair. Then she turns as Shay strolls up behind her and her brows raise a touch, and I’m more than a little surprised to see her smile grow again seeing her. I’m just close enough when she starts speaking to hear her say: “Gods … it’s good to see you up and about again.”
This seems to throw Shay somewhat for a loop, she just stops as she’s about to set her tray down on the table and she just looks at the Fir Bolg with unfiltered surprise. “Really?”
“Of course it is.” She reaches out and grabs Shay’s free hand now, pulling her down into the chair beside her before she can actually even think of resisting. “After what you did for Kesla … well, you know …” She shrugs, and I start to relax again, seeing a little bit of the old Yeslee guard going up again. It almost seems to take her a genuine effort to get the next words out: “Thank you.”
“What for?” Shay’s still not looking convinced by this turn of events. “All I did was get stabbed.”
“Aye, but you jumped to Kesla’s aid, I heard.” Dumoli’s got a now empty tray in front of him just like Yeslee, instead simply nursing a large mug. There’s another jug on the table between them, and I can already smell the cider inside it before I actually sit down. “Didn’t even think about it first, in fact. That took guts. I saw how hard that strange woman fought, she was nothing to be trifled with.”
“Just take the compliment, Shay.” I sit down beside Gael, who’s already planted herself in the empty chair next to Dumoli. “Pigs have a tendency to fly before Yes offers up any kinda praise, I found.”
Yeslee gives me a particularly cool stare that feels very much in character, and I admit I really have to work to appear as indifferent to its effects as I just grin back while I pick up my mug and the pitcher I brough to fill it. Shay, on the other hand, is just looking at her with completely open amazement, seeming as thoroughly taken as I am that she’s finally been accepted into the fold by our hardest-to-win-over member. Finally she just manages a rather sheepish smile as she nods respectfully. “Thank you.”
Dumoli takes a sip from his mug, then gives it a little swill before swallowing, smacking his lips. “Mmmm … Yeslee tells me you were trying to kill these folk less than a month back, is that right?”
I almost choke on my own mouthful of what I discover is some kind of mixed fruit punch, reckon it might be orange and grapefruit and some other things I can’t identify, doubtless come from down South. Thankfully I manage to swallow. “Well that’s not exactly –”
“Yes.” Shay sighs, looking a touch crestfallen now but standing up to it all the same. “After a fashion. It was … a complicated situation.”
“She came around.” Yeslee gives Dumoli a somewhat warning look, but I notice there’s nothing like the amount of admonishment I suspect she’d turn on me for making the same kind of conversational faux pas. “When it counted she helped, and that earned her a place. I’d say she’s secured it since.”
“She certainly has.” Gael pitches in, chancing a little glimpse around the table before she picks up her knife and fork and starts on her scrambled eggs.
“Oh yeah.” I nod along, picking up my own cutlery too. “Definitely.”
Shay fixes me with a look that shows she’s trying to gauge if I’m being sarcastic or not, but I’m being honest so I guess it passes muster. So she smiles, nodding her own thanks, then picks one of the bacon sandwiches up from her tray. “You two seem to be getting on well.”
Yeslee and Dumoli share a look, very tight and subtle, which seems to say a lot I couldn’t even begin to translate for myself. Yes simply picks up her own mug again and takes a big pull from it, while her new friend mulls it over for a moment. “We were just sharing stories about …” He shrugs. “Past times. She’s led a very interesting life, even before she met you all.”
That actually has me sitting up a little, Yes almost never talks about her past, so I’m deeply curious now. So much so that I completely forget I got a mouthful of soupy bread as I say: “Oh please, do tell.”
Dumoli gives her another little glance, but I realise that our Fir Bolg’s eyes are now locked on me, genuinely glaring daggers into me now. “I wouldn’t know where to begin, even if I were inclined to spill said beans.” Dumoli picks up his own mug. “A gentleman never tells on a lady who’s taken him into her confidence.”
Once again, Yeslee actually smiles, and I’m similarly taken aback seeing it. She doesn’t show any teeth this time, but it’s wide and warm all the same, and there’s something in her eyes that I’m a long time recognising since I never seen it in her before. Freya … if I didn’t know any better, I might actually suspect that she actually likes him. I mean … more than just in a social way … when I look at Gael I find her watching the two of ‘em with fresh intrigue too, and I suspect they’re thinking along similar lines.
When I turn back to Shay, I realise she hasn’t picked up on this latest stunning revelation, because instead she’s watching the main spread of the mess hall while she’s munching away on another bite of sandwich. Looking out too, I’m a beat realising why she’s suddenly so intrigued, but then it hits me – the place has suddenly grown very quiet, as if news is spreading fast while everybody’s starting to look towards the entrance. A moment later I realise why.
Of course … here comes Big Man. The golem is striding slow but steady through the room now, and while he can’t really turn his head I know his main focus is entirely on us now as he approaches. Then I realise he’s not alone, there’s a straggle o’ folk following him. Ah, yeah … they’re back. “Heads up. Here we go.”
Kesla’s right behind him, and while she seems amiable enough I can tell she’s feeling a little conflicted right now, I’ve grown accustomed enough to her moods to pick up on it. Guess that didn’t go all that well, then. Or maybe it’s something else …
“Something’s up.” Yeslee mutters as she puts down her mug with particular finality. Of course she’s picked up on it too, she’s the one who’s known our nominal leader longest.
“What’s wrong?” Gael’s frowning as they look out at our approaching friends, the whole bunch it looks like. “Did I miss something?”
“Yeah, well you were asleep.” I remind her, turning back to my food so I can tear off and scoop another bite or two of soup before our table becomes a conference centre. “I already told you, you snooze you lose.”
Gael gives me a sharp look at that, but I just smile back, impervious, as I start chewing on my next mouthful of flavoursome bread. Then Shay gets up, somewhat grabbing my attention now as they step out from the table, but then I realise why as I see Tulen break free from the group and move forward at a slow trot.
“You’re up!” she exclaims with clear joy as she arrives, throwing her arms open, and Shay barely has time to prepare herself as she essentially grabs her and pulls her right off her feet as she gives her a tight squeeze. “We were so worried!”
“I’m good, I’m good, but I’m still not all the way there yet, please!” Shay protests somewhat, and I can imagine what frailty’s still left in her has definitely been brought right back to her mind by the power of that hug. Tulen, to her credit, seems to make the connection, setting her down quickly and stepping back, but keeping her hands on her as she holds the young half-orc at arms’ length so she can look her over.
“Sorry, sorry …” She takes a deep breath and cocks her head as she meets her eye again. “You look good though. Mostly. Still a bit pale, but …” She looks past her to the table, and must realise she’s drawn her up from feeding. “Oh! Yes, that’s just the ticket. Eat up, you need your strength to get well.”
“Yeah, I will. I promise. Just …” Shay sighs, clearly collecting her thoughts now, then reaches up to lay her hand against Tulen’s cheek. “I’m great, considering. Really.”
“Good.” Tulen’s smiling, but somehow she still almost looks like she’s on the verge of tears, and I recognise well enough she’s still not all the way recovered from the other day herself. She didn’t take any harder a hit than Gael, far as I can tell, but when happened to me, and Dumoli, and Kesla, and definitely Shay, definitely rattled her something awful. I did ask Kesla if she really thought taking her out with ‘em for this little reconnoitre was actually smart because of it, but she figured since Gael was clearly still occupied they needed a mage for just in case, so Tulen was all we had. “Good. That’s … that’s really good.”
“Hey, it’s all right.” Shay pulls her into a hug before the waterworks can start, and she just holds her while it runs its course. The whole time Kesla stands by, looking surprisingly sheepish now, but then I reckon she’s remembering what I said earlier before they left. Krakka’s standing by, mostly just looking relieved now, but I notice Darwyn, Zuldrad and Thel have now broken off. It takes a moment of searching before I realise they’re now raiding the buffet.
Setting down my cutlery, I pick up the bacon roll and take a big bite, mostly just grateful for this little distraction so I have a little more time to eat in peace. Except that I can feel Gael’s stare now, so I have to turn to give ‘em a look as I chew. It’s as intense as I would’ve expected, really. “What?” I respond, not even bothering to swallow first.
“Seriously, what happened?”
Letting a sigh go mostly through my nose, I swallow the bite after one last munch, but don’t put the sandwich down. “Kesla decided she couldn’t wait any longer. She went to check out that tavern, y’know, the one that tattoo guy told us about. The one by the docks.”
Their eyes go wide again as the implication sinks in quick. “That’s … but that was just … and you didn’t go with –”
“She told me to stay. Still not all the way recovered yet, she says, didn’t want me pushing my luck, just in case something kicked off. She took Tulen along cuz you’ve been watching over Shay, she didn’t wanna disturb you.” I start feeling bad soon as I’ve said that, the way their face falls at the realisation hurts my heart. Finally putting down the sandwich, I give ‘em a gentle nudge with my shoulder. “Hey! Knock that off. Ain’t your fault, Kesla knew you had your hands full. She’s been worried ‘bout Shay much as you have, ‘least with you still here she knew she’d be all right. You know her, less she has to worry ‘bout better she feels when she needs to keep her mind on the job.”
“Okay …” Gael lets their own sigh go as they manage a rather shaky smile. “Thanks.”
Wrapping my arm round their shoulders, I give ‘em a little squeeze. “Don’t sweat it. Always look out for you, y’know that.”
Their smile widens, growing warmer and more steady now, and they lean into me a little. I give ‘em one last little squeeze, then let go so I can return to my meal, and they seem to be following my lead now.
Shay finally lets Tulen go, but stays close as she reaches up to gently wipe her eyes for her. Tulen’s smiling now, a bit shaky but something Shay whispers to her must break the last of her sadness spell cuz she cracks up laughing. Then Kesla takes a step forward again, clearly looking to offer up her own relief seeing our friend’s finally up and about again.
Then she finally gets a look at what Shay’s actually wearing and she stops on the spot, her eyes widening a touch as she gives her a look over. She covers for it quickly as she pastes a smile on her face and pulls Shay into a hug too, saying: “I’m glad you’re all right too. Been a fretful few days with you laid up like that.”
I saw it though, that look. Kesla was checking her out, totally. She’s clearly as taken aback at Shay in fancy high class duds as me, and her mind’s clearly gone to the same place mine did. I can’t wait to start ribbing her about it …