“We’re going on foot?” Arachne groans with her posture slouched.
“Got a better idea princess?” Kenai responds. His voice heavy with sass as it usually was.
“Can’t you fit us all on your broom?” Ozzy teases as he nudges me in the shoulder. I roll my eyes in response and look at the endless desert ahead of us.
“How far away is it Kenai?” I turn to his tiny hovering body and his face looked as if he’d rather not answer.
Approximately three days Pilot. This time frame includes nine hours of rest in each twenty-four hour span.
Omni, could you send me in the direction of a rest stop or some sort motel?
One moment please.... destination calculated. Continue east for four hours.
“Well I didn’t exactly walk to slums,” he says as he plays with his hair nervously.
This brings a question to my attention, “What were you doing in the slums anyways?”
His flat tone attempts to hide his emotions, “I was looking for somebody like you. Anywhere is safer than Nescius.” I could see the familiar flicker of sadness in his mesmerizing eyes, and it made my heartache just like it had the first time.
I give him a sympathetic half smile before speaking again, “There’s a rest stop about four hours that way.”
“Four hours?” Arachne complains. Her posture was still slouched as she let out an irritating whine. I can see the tantrum building within her ready to boil over at the next minor inconvenience.
“For fuck sake are you going to bitch the whole way? I’ll turn around right now,” Ozzy interjects. “As if walking four hours is the worst thing you’ve done in Novus Arachne.” He brushes past her with force, nearly shoving her to the ground.
Arachne opens her mouth, but pauses, his words almost visibly punching her in the stomach.
Pilot. I advise you to keep Arachne at a distance.
I know Omni.
I look at her like a disapproving parent, analyzing her every mannerism. I watch her squirm internally as she avoids eye contact at any cost. I stop my silent interrogation and break the silence, “Shall we?”
Kenai flies closely to my shoulder, and I look at him sideways asking a silent question. “What? Tiny little fairy man can’t hang out near the big bad witch?”
I laugh and shake my head, “Alright I guess I can understand.”
“Thought your luck would keep you safe?” Ozzy taunts. He’s walking smugly behind us, both of his hands resting on his head, with an irritating smile on his face. He’s dressed in all black, which seems to be the norm for bounty hunters. His leather jacket is worn, and missing a few of its studs, but he isn’t carrying a weapon. Which leads me to believe the shadows I got a glimpse of earlier ARE his weapon.
That’s pretty badass.
Indeed Pilot. A unique ability.
I was becoming accustomed to Omni’s commentary and was almost comforted by it at this point. Something about her reminded me of home, which was odd, considering I didn’t have one.
I could sense Kenai roll his eyes before he responded, “I’m still alive, aren’t I?”
“For now,” Ozzy chuckles.
I hadn’t heard a word from Arachne, her whole attitude seemed to have changed since Ozzy decided to tag along. A part of me was burning with curiosity as to what led to the current state of their relationship. But perhaps that was for another time.
The road seemed endless, with little landmark, or sign of life to keep us motivated. After about an hour I watched Kenai flying lower and lower, gravitating towards my shoulder, as if he wanted to sit and rest his wings. I wondered if they got tired the same way that legs did, but I didn’t ask. Every so often, a noise that sounded an awful lot like a complaint would come from Arachne. And luckily Ozzy had given up on talking shit to everyone and opted for the silence and scenery. After about two hours, I could feel everyones spirit draining so I stopped in my tracks.
“What?” Ozzy asked.
I put my hand out in front of me, and an Oasis began to form in the boundless desert. A puddle grew into a small lake with clear blue water, decorated with an array of different plant life that I didn't know existed. Planks began to materialize one by one, and put themselves together, as the formed into a small cabin with a lovely little porch. On the interior was a bathroom, couch, and a table and some chairs for travelers like ourselves to stop and take a rest. I also added two rocking chairs on the front porch to make it feel a little more like a home (and who didn’t appreciate a good rocking chair). The last thing to appear, were stones rising from the beneath the dirt, forming a walkway to the front steps. It was a site for sore eyes, a little place to gather yourself and renew your motivation to carry on.
Checkpoint reached. Progress saved.
A checkpoint. If you have a spare life, you will respawn at this location.
A spare life?
Yes. They are rare, as a system to respawn them was never created.
So... there aren’t many left?
Correct Pilot. Unfortunately, they often fall into the wrong hands.
Thank you, Omni.
Yes, Pilot.
“What?” Arachne looked around for the source of the voice. Her facial expression was screaming sensory overload. Ozzy watched in amazement, his eyes full of a childlike wonder that I hadn’t seen before. In the early days of Novus, you probably would have heard this voice nearly every day. But it seemed it was now obsolete, just like so many other things from the beginning.
“Holy shit!” Kenai said from beside me. “You can do that?”
“Raven?” Ozzy asked grabbing my shoulers and shaking me
I gave him a look as if he had lost his mind, "Excuse me?"
“I thought... I thought you were gone...” there was a sadness in his voice that was surprising. Omni had said we had met before, and now I was beginning to wonder how. "All of us... we thought we lost our founder..."
I could feel them all looking at me, frozen in amazement, their gazes were making me uncomfortable. So, I ignored them and headed inside to relieve my bladder. When I left the bathroom, they were all scattered around, lost in their own thoughts, and unaware of my presence. Before long, Arachne jumped up from the couch and headed into the bathroom. I plopped down on the couch and Ozzy’s head immediately turned in my direction.
“I knew you looked familiar... I just didn’t believe it I... for so long I used to see your face... everywhere...” he trailed off and thought about what to say next. “I never got to say how sorry I was about what happened with your-”
I put my hand up, terrified of what he might say next. Omni said, getting all my memories back too quickly might be dangerous, and I was worried about what he might be able to tell me. One sentence could trigger the PTSD I had tried to avoid by wiping my memory. “Another time,” I say quietly as I look at him. My eyes pleading him not to say another word.
Something in him understood and his posture relaxed, “Of course.”
I couldn’t lie to myself, I wanted to know what he was going to say, but now wasn’t the time. Something told me, that there was never a good time for whatever was seconds away from escaping his lips.
Pilot.
Yes Omni?
There will come a time, where you may want to let Ozzy tell you what happened. Your own memory is far more graphic than his memory of the encounter. It may be easier on you.
Not now Omni.
Yes, Pilot.
Arachne emerged from the bathroom letting out a relieved sigh, “I feel like a new woman!” She walked over to me, taking a seat on the couch and letting herself melt into the cushions. “So where has the founder been while Novus goes to shit?” she teases. But there was truth in her words, I could see it in her eyes.
“Retirement,” I attempt to ease the tension with a smile and a light-hearted tone. This is the first time I’ve noticed Kenai hasn’t said word since we’ve arrived, which is a bit out of character for him. I finally spotted him sitting on the mantle of the fireplace, his tiny legs swinging back and forth. His wings were in a resting position, and his expression looked heartbroken. “Kenai?” I ask.
He doesn’t look over at me but he speaks, “How could you leave us?”. He stands, but his wings stay in their downward position, absent of their usual cascading glitter. “Do you know what’s been happening here? Do you know what’s happened to Novus?” his tiny voice is filled with anger. But the anger is just covering up the sadness underneath that is fighting to turn into tears. “These monsters! These hateful beings are running rampant! Destroying the world we love! The world you created!” he’s exasperated from his own emotions and he huffs as he speaks.
I open my mouth but I have nothing to say, I never stopped to think how selfish my own actions were. That I had left my own creation to fall in to anarchy.
“Enough Kenai, you don’t know what she’s been through,” Ozzy’s tone is intimidating but Kenai doesn’t budge.
“Does she know what we’ve been through!” he snaps back. And for a moment, I swear he was the size of normal man, bigger even. The passion inside of him was bigger than all of us, and it was admirable. He was right, I had been selfish, and now I had a mess to clean up. There was a silence for what seemed like an eternity, and I finally inhaled deeply.
“I’m sorry. But I’m here now. And I am going to fix it,” I say as I look at all of them. They all exchange a glance, and I can feel the atmosphere of the room relax just a little. “Now, could somebody explain to me what exactly has happened to my creation?” I look to all of them again.
Ozzy scoffs, “I’m gonna need some food first. Couldn’t of materialized some of that in this place?” I was beginning to see how Kenai and Ozzy became friends, their attitude was almost identical.
“Two more hours,” I respond.
Arachne whines beside me, “Can’t you just materialize something here!”
“That would be cheating," I look to her and say. I see her fight the urge to protest, before giving me a look of understanding. “Founders don’t cheat.”
Ozzy smiled at me, “Well... they didn’t use to.”
“I’m sorry?”
“You have missed so so much,” he shakes his head as he straightens himself out. “Shall we?” he grins as he heads toward the door.
After what seemed like ages, we arrive at a lovely little gated resort. There are several adobe buildings. and an exquisite fountain with a cat at the center as soon as you open the gate. There are vines creeping up each one of the builings, it’s as if you stepped into and entirely different world. The outside was dry and lifeless, but inside this paradise plant life was flourishes. The front desk was directly in front of us, hidden in a small building with glass doors and big extravagant windows. There’s a bored woman sitting behind the counter, she has the face of a cat, is completely covered in fur, and her long tail is moving lazily from side to side behind her. She is lost in thought, her head resting on her hand, and she leans against the marble counter. Her body is spotted like a cheetah, and although most of her features are that of a cat, she walks on two legs and has hands with fingers like a human. As we approach, she sits up quickly, clearing her throat before she speaks. “Welcome to Casa Mirage!” she says with a fake enthusiasm.
Kenai flutters over to the counter, “This is soooo cute!” He darts around the room leaving glitter in his wake, examing every lovely detail. A little slice of heaven on your journey through the empy dessert, it was a lovely idea, but I couldn't imagine they had many visitors.
I look around at everyone, “How many rooms do we need?”
“Oh honey just give me a nice pillow,” Kenai says resting on the counter. The women behind the counter is smiling down at him, enchanted by the tiny fairy man.
“I am NOT sleeping with him,” Arachne snarls as she looks Ozzy.
“As if,” Ozzy mimes a hair flip as he brushes off Arachne.
“Bella! Bella! Are there customers?” a woman who looked like a slightly aged version of the girl at the counter appeared from the curtain behind her. Her expression is ecstatic, she scans us all on by one and stops on Ozzy. Her eyes widen, and she runs her hand down her shirt, removing any wrinkles. She clears her throat before she speaks, “Welcome to Casa Mirage!” Her enthusiasm was sincerer, or more practiced than the younger girl. “Bella,” she speaks through her teeth. “Why are these handsome people just standing here.”
Handsome? Oh god.
I turned to give him another look, and I suppose he wasn’t the worst looking man I had ever seen. But the horns, I was not into the horns. “No worries Ma'am we just arrived,” I reassure her.
She immediately seems insulted, “Ma’am... most say I don’t look a day older than my daughter.” She pats Bella on the head in a slightly aggressive manner, and I watch as her ears flatten more with every pat. “I’m Antonia. This was me and my husband's hotel. But unfortunately, he was crushed by a giant. So now, it’s just me and my two children.” Antonia grabs Bella by the chin, Bella fake smiles, baring her sharp teeth in the least threatening way possible. “We don’t get many visitors,” Antonia puffs out her chest and looks at Ozzy suggestively.
I watch in my peripherals as his expressions goes from relaxed to alarmed. He breaks their eye contact and looks around the room nervously, beginning to whistle. Well, that explains it, he’s the first thing she’s seen with a penis in a while. It was amusing to see even a demon retreat from the affections of an over aggressive woman. “Sorry to hear about your husband,” I respond.
“Oh honey,” she laughs. “He was just holding me back,” she leans forwards and stares at Ozzy. Her tail flicking back and forth provocatively, and her green eyes filled with a hunger only Ozzy could fulfil.
“Gross Mom,” Bella groans. “Can I leave now?” she whines.
Antonia rolls her eyes, “You’ll never make it in this business with that attitude Bella.” She waves her away and opens the book on the desk.
“I don’t want to work here Mom. I want to be a bounty hunter,” Bella responds.
“Oh really?” Arachne speaks for the first time.
Bella smiles at her shyly, “Yeah I’ve always wanted-”
“Enough with the fantasies Bella,” her mother cuts her off. Antonia makes a motion to shoo Bella from the room.
Bella begins to leave the room but I hear her say, “That’s what Novus is for.” I can’t help but smile, and feel hopeful that Novus isn’t as bad as they make i seem.
“So how many rooms? One?” she looks at Ozzy again. “Two?”
“Just the one, with two beds,” I respond. Retrieving the device from the jacket again, realizing I don’t even know what it’s called.
Dextra. Meaning right hand in Latin. The expression, right hand, meaning ones primary or most trusted assistant.
Thanks, Omni.
Yes, Pilot.
“What’s the name?” she asks.
“Eileithyia Moon... do you need me to spell it?”
“No. I’ll just take a guess,” she says rudely. “All of you... in one room?” she double checks. Obviously fishing for information on Ozzy’s marital status.
“Yes,” I respond in a short tone. Getting slightly annoyed with her sexually aggressive behavior.
She can sense my annoyance and she begins writing in the book in front of her, “Aright.” After a minute or so of watching her pen scribble on the paper she looks back up at me. ”Dinner will be in about two hours. It will give you some time to freshen up.” She finishes up and then shuts the book roughly, “That’ll be one hundred and fifty lucre.”
I click the correct buttons on my dextra, and listen for the ding of the small device sitting on the counter in front of me. “All set?” I ask.
“It looks like we are,” she smiles are me but there’s an aggressive undertone. Turning to the wall behind her, she grabs one of the keys, and turns around to hand it to me. “Now I advise you don’t wander too far from the resort. The desert is dangerous at night,” she smiles.
I take the key, and nod at her stiffly, not saying another word. I realize as I turn to leave, that she hasn’t given me direction to my room, obviously sensing my attitude. I look around at all of the building scanning them and looking for the corresponding ‘five’ that is on my key. I eventually spot it, and take off in the direction quickly, anxious to plop down on a comfy bed. I unlock the door and send it flying open as I sprint towards the bed and collapse on it.
Did you know this text is from a different site? Read the official version to support the creator.
“Mmm,” I moan as I am swallowed by the fluffy comforter. Burrying my face inside of the pillows, and soon I hear a small thud next to me as Kenai collapses on the other pillow.
“I could get used to this,” he says as goes limp.
I hear a symphony of slapping and grunts before Ozzy shoves Arachne out of the way and sprints towards the other bed. “No fair!” Arachne pouts and stomps her foot.
There is a tiny knock on the door and Bella appears, “You’re all staying in one room?” I roll over and look at her amused expression. She points to the couch, “It’s a pull out.”
Arachne sighs, “The last experience I had with one of those. Did not go well.” I recall last night and laugh to myself a little, remembering that she spent it on the floor of her apartment.
Bella smiles, “Do you want some help?” She was such a gentle little creature, at least it seemed that way, I couldn’t understand why she wanted to be a bounty hunter.
Arachne shakes her head, “No no. I’m sober now I should be okay.”
“Alright,” she clasps her hands together and sways nervously. “I’ll go get you some pillows and blankets.” She takes off, swiftly, and quietly, just like a cat.
Arachne puts her hands on her hips and sighs as she looks at the couch. Reluctantly she starts pulling the cushions off, taking her time or lacking the energy to move quickly. I notice the tiny snores next to me, and look over to see Kenai passed out. His mouth is hanging open and his limbs are sprawled out like a start fish. “Somebody was tired,” I nod my head in his direction. I carefully pull the pillowcase down from under him, and pull it over his tiny body, and luckily, he does not stir. Much louder snoring, is now coming from the bed next to me, where Ozzy has fallen into a coma. I smile to myself, relaxing before I have to wake them all for dinner.
Arachne finally pulls out the mattress and slumps down on it as she huffs heavily. “Hey Thyia can I ask you something?”
“Sure.”
“Why the fuck didn’t you add a more efficient version of these shitty pull out sofas?” her tone is annoyed but I can tell she’s kidding.
I laugh in response, “Maybe that’ll be one of the things I fix.”
Pilot.
Yes Omni?
At this rate, it will take you and your travel companions, several days to reach the destination.
I know, Omni.
I must have fallen asleep because I was woken up by a knocking on the door. “Hello lovelies, it’s time for dinner,” Antonia’s voice comes from behind the door. I reluctantly get up from the bed and open it, she is smiling enthusiastically on the other side. Bella is next to her, with a stack of blankets and pillows for Arachne.
I take them carefully, “Thank you. Give me a minute while I get everyone up.”
She smiles, but it is a fake smile, a customer service smile. “I'll see you soon.” She turns to head towards the restaurant across the way, Bella following behind her like a well-trained puppy.
I shut the door and turn around to see them all sprawled out and snoring. “Hey!” I shout.
Ozzy shoots up from the bed, “I’ll kill them all!”
I raise a suspicious eyebrow at him, “Seems a little unnecessary.”
He takes in his surrounding and laughs nervously, “My bad.” I hadn’t noticed at first, but, the dark veins on his skin resurfaced when he was startled; they faded away into nothing and his porcelain complexion retured. What I also hadn’t noticed was how muscular he was, under the heavy leather jacket he was wearing earlier. I felt myself staring too long and then I look over to see all of Arachne eyes begin to open, her butt is in the air, and I was beggining to adjust to the fact that she had a strange way of sleeping.
Arachne groans as she rolls around a few times, and I hear the first sounds from Kenai since he landed on the pillow beside me. He stretches and lets out a feminine yawn as he rubs his sleepy eyes. “Did I miss anything?”
“No. But it’s time for dinner-”
Arachne gets to her feet so quickly, I’m sure she gave herself a headrush. “Let’s goooooo!” she says impatiently. Her face contorted in discomfort as the suspected, headrush, hit her like a title wave. She slowly lowered herself back onto the bed and inhaled deeply.
Ozzy throws his blankets to the side aggressively and lazily tosses his legs over the edge of the bed. “Just give me a minute,” he says through a yawn. Stretching his arms out in either direction and then twisting his torso back and forth.
Kenai flutters up from the bed gradually, his wings moving slowly at first and then picking up their pace to achieve their normal speed. I smile and watch as the glitter falls from them like the first flakes of snow and lands on the pillow. “I’m starved!” he yawns stretching in a similar fashion to Ozzy.
I tap my foot impatiently as I watch Ozzy leisurely get to his feet. My stomach growls and I decide that he’s an adult and can make his way over there on his own. I move toward the door, opening it and leaving it ajar behind me. The sound of crickets fills the air and the beautiful garden is illuminated with twinkle lights strung overhead. This atmosphere was something I could get used to. Arachne is closely behind me and Kenai is in his new usual spot, poised above my shoulder. I can hear Ozzy jogging to catch up, “What did I get myself into? Going on a trip with three sassy women. No offense Kenai.”
Kenai smiles at him and poses as he flutters through the air, “None taken.”
As we head towards the restaurant and intoxicating aroma creeps its way into my nostrils, causing my stomach to growl again. I didn’t care what it was, I was going to devour it. Four hours of walking can really build up and appetite, and make you realize that there has got to be a quicker way to get to Nescius.
Pilot.
Yes?
If my information is correct, there is a teleporter approximately, one hour from this location.
A teleporter?
Yes, you designed them yourself. But without maintenance they have become, dormant. I believe in your form, you may be able to reboot the system.
I’m beginning to think there’s a reason you led me to be a witch.
It was always your first choice, Pilot.
I listened to Omni’s words and felt myself yearning for my memories, I felt the regret of my decision grow deeper and deeper each day. Maybe the pain was unbearable at first, but wouldn’t it be worse to have to see it again for the first time?
I open the door and Antonia is dressed inappropriately, standing behind the booth. She puffs up her chest and smiles, “So lovely of you to finally join us.” She grabs a stack of menus, and turns on her heel, pocking her ass out like something is stuck in there.
She was excruciating.
Pilot, be reminded, the more primal life forms have more primal instincts. For example, the instinct to mate.
Right, thanks Omni.
I couldn’t help but feel like she was keeping me in check for being judgmental, I can’t say I didn’t appreciate it. Antonia leads us through two opened glass doors, there is a lovely table with four chairs sitting outside in a garden. Antonia pulls out the chairs on by one, placing a small menu neatly at each seat.. The ambience is absolutely enchanting, there is something truly magical about it. A part of me wanted to applaud her for her creation, but, I didn’t.
“Thank you,” I smile as I take a seat. The sincerity in it catches her off guard but she smiles back, for real, for the first time.
“The waiter will be right with you,” she glides her hand across the chair Ozzy is sitting down in. I watch him roll his eyes as she saunters out of room behind him.
“I’m not biased,” he begins defensively. “I gave it a shot and it’s just WEIRD,” he grabs one of the breadsticks from the table and takes a bite. He eats it like a scared rabbit, looking around the room nervously to make sure Antonia wasn’t in earshot.
I laugh as I fan out my napkin and place it on my thighs, “You tried it?”
“Hey,” he puts his hands on the table in surrender. “It was in the early days. Everyone was experimenting,” he has a look in his eye that is dark and seductive. He winks at me, and leans back, taking another bite of the breadstick.
What the fuck did that mean...
It stirs something in me that I feel I should suppress, so I clear my throat, my eyes falling to my menu. It’s just list of the choices, it’s short, but everything sounded amazing.
Pilot it would appear Ozzy has made a sexual advance-
I KNOW Omni
I see Arachne look between the both of us and smirk, “So what’s the story here?”
“Oh-” we both spoke at the same time and then stopped to look at one another.
“I don’t know,” I say lowly.
They both look at me, expressions twisted in confusion as they await my response.
“Something happened and I uh... wiped the hard drive,” I point to my temple. “I’m getting it all back though... slowly.”
“You don’t remember anything?” Ozzy’s voice cracked slightly. There was something in his eyes that caused a twinge in my heart I wasn’t familiar with.
“Not yet... but I will,” our eyes linger and then I reluctantly look away. His gaze burning holes in my skin, his intensity is nearly overbearing but magnetic at the same time.
“What happened?” Arachne asked. Kenai was sitting on the table between us, looking up at me attentively.
“I don’t know,” I say to them both. “Part of me doesn’t really want to know. But I know, it’s for the best to remember. Everything.”
There’s a hint of sadness in both of them before Kenai speaks, “Well it sounds like it was bad. So, I’m sorry. For whatever.” He walks over and pats my hand with his tiny one, gripping it tightly for a moment.
“Me too,” Ozzy says. His eyes are glassy, like he isn’t in the room with us, he’s somewhere else.
A slender black cat... human thing walked through the doors toward our table, he's slouched, his posture lacking confidence.
This species of, human-animal hybrid, is simply named Animalia.
Thanks Omni.
What would I do without her? Honestly.
He clears his throat awkwardly before he speaks, “Good evening.” I can feel him barely holding onto his nerve, “I am Vinny and I will be your waiter.”
“Hello Vinny,” I smile at him warmly.
His facial expression gives way to the fact that he was blushing underneath his black fur. “Good evening Ma’am. I mean Miss,” he attempts to hold eye contact but breaks away . “Your appetizer tonight will be bacon wrapped asparagus, and stuffed mushrooms,” his voice cracks. “Follow by an entrée of shrimp scampi, spaghetti and meatballs, or our vegan eggplant parmesan.” He makes eye contact with me for a fraction of a second and then looks away again. His voice is higher than normal as he continues, “And a choice of dessert of raspberry chocolate lava cake, pecan truffle cheesecake, or our vegan brownie fudge sundae”
“Wow,” Arachne daydreamed as she stared at the waiter. “I want it all.”
“Two of everything,” I look to the both of them.
They both look at me, obviously insulted by my presumptuous response. “Three,” the say in unison.
“Except ixnay on the eggplant and double up on the scampi for me,” Ozzy's eyes are burning with hunger as he licks his lips.
“Yes sir,” he bows awkwardly. Halfway down, he realizes what he is doing, and he stiffens; moving back to his upright position like a malfunctioning robot. I watch as he cringes and then leaves the room, shaking his head as he disapproves of his own behavoir.
“How unfortunate it is to be so painfully awkward,” I say as I watch him walk away.
“What?” Ozzy laughs. “The way you were staring at him,” he shakes his head and grabs another breadstick.
“What? I was listening,” I look at all of them defensively.
“Please, the beautiful witch staring him down. With her pretty green eyes as she flutters her fluffy eyelashes” Arachne scoffs. She pretends to flip around long flowing locks, as she makes an obliviously blissful face. “You're just very... intense,” she adds.
“She’s always been that way,” Ozzy laughs. “Scares away the weak ones.”
I narrow my eyes at Arachne, unimpressed with her overexaggerated opinion of me. Only half listening to what Ozzy had to say in response. My ego taking a small blow to her mockery, but alas, my pride would survive.
Bitch.
Kenai chimes in, “You might even be prettier than me.” I watch him struggle with a bread stick, so I hold it still so he can more easily tear off a piece for himself. He gives it a yank and flies back, nearly losing his balance, but doesn’t fall. He turns and smiles up at me thankfully before taking a bite of the hunk of bread in his hands.
Ozzy gives her a smarmy look, “Beautiful?”. He looks over at me meeting my eyes, then scanning down my body, and back up again to my gaze. “Yeah. I could see it,” he blushes a little. “You always choose to look well... like you,” he says as he leans back in the chair. “But you know... prettier,” he smirks at me as he taunts me.
I take a bite of the breadstick Kenai had just ripped a piece off of, “Shut up or I’ll rip off one of your horns.”
“Feisty,” he smiles before popping the rest of the bread in his mouth.
“Please,” Arachne adds. “I’m going to lose my appetite.”
“I think it’s cute,” Kenai says from the table. A now, much smaller, hunk of bread in his hands as chews. “I’ve never seen Oz act this way.”
“Long story,” he replies as the waiter reappears with our appetizers. He has a glass pitcher full of water in his other hand, and he carefully places down each plate with ease. Despite his nervousness he does his job quite well, he pours us all a glass of water and takes out a pen and pad.
“Can I get you anything to drink?” he avoids looking at me.
“Something strong,” Ozzy responds.
“Uh...” the boy looked and sounderd lost.
“Tell your mother to pick something... she is your mother... right?” I say to him.
He nods in response, offering me a smile that lacks confidence, which makes it endearing in its own way.
“So... what’s happened to the city,” I ask after we inhale breadsticks for a few minutes.
“Well,” Kenai finishes his bread and wipes his hands on a napkin that he could use as a blanket. “There’s the Royals. And there’s the Outlanders. And then there’s the city itself... the outlanders want the city. The Royals won’t give it up.” He pauses before he says his next sentence, “The city is caught in the crossfire. Both sides have an overpowered arsenal and I'm beginning to worry they may take Novus down with them.”
“It’s like they’ve learned nothing from the war,” I shake my head.
This was the problem with humans. THIS. Is what destroyed the Earth. And I wasn’t going to let them destroy another home.
It’s good to have you back. Pilot.
Omni’s voice chimed into my head and it brought a smile to my face.
Ozzy beamed, his eyes looking almost hopeful, for the first time. I turned to look at Arachne, her face mirroring Ozzy’s expression.
Feeling a little uncomfortable with all the attention I speak, “This looks great.” I cringe at my own awkwardness.
How unfortunate it is to be so painfully awkward.
Indeed.
I don’t know how I did it, but I created a smartass AI, and I was damn proud.
Arachne popped a mushroom in her mouth and regretted it immediately. She breathed heavily with her mouth handing open as she desperately fanned it with her hands. Not wanting to meet the same fate, I opted for the bacon wrapped asparagus. My eyes rolled back as I bit into it with a crunch and its flavor coated my every taste bud. Kenai walks towards the food, investigating, trying to figure out how he should approach eating it.
The fairy struggle.
We sat in silence as we devoured both trays of food, well, not silence; the sounds that could be heard weren’t exactly pleasant. I leaned back in my chair, slouching and preparing for the next course. “I don’t know what those mushrooms were stuffed with, and I don’t care.” Ozzy licked his fingertips as he rubbed his fully belly.
“I think I climaxed,” Arachne said.
I let out a loud laugh, more like a cackle.
“You can do that?” Ozzy looks at Arachne curiously.
“Multiple times,” she winks at him.
He looks intrigued, and then disgusted, unable to hide his distaste for her to that extent.
“So,” I smirk. “What’s the story?”
Ozzy’s nostrils flair and his eyes burns a hot white. “She’s a fucking backstabber.”
Arachne’s eyes dropped to the empty plate in front of her, she toyed with her fork, pushing around a mushroom scrap on the plate.
“Elaborate,” I say calmly.
“Arachne slayer of giants. More like Arachne left me to die and I barely escaped with my life,” he nearly spat at her. “We went on that hunt together, and she returned alone. Marking it a failed mission for me, the only failure on my track record!” He slams his fist down on the table causing the plates and silverware to rattle. He takes a deep breath, the black veins coursing through his skin, fading and reappearing. “And I killed them all. Alone,” he spoke through his teeth.
I look to Arachne waiting for her to defend herself, or at the least apologize. But she doesn’t say a word, her eyes are filled with guilt, but she remains silent.
Don’t worry Omni, I’m paying attention.
Good to know, Pilot.
“Won’t even defend herself. Fucking coward,” he sneers. The shadows around him begin to show themselves as his anger takes hold. He looks up at me, his eyes are intense, almost hypnotizing. “I couldn’t leave you with her to watch your back. She’d let you die in a heartbeat.”
“Fuck you!” Arachne chucks her fork at Ozzy. There are only a few other guests, and they’ve all turned to look in our direction due to her outburst. “There was a fucking bounty on your head!”
Ozzy visibly shrinks in size, “What?”
“You’re fucking Boss wanted you dead. I did you a favor,” she snaps.
The information hits Ozzy like a slap in the face, he stares at her and then looks away, his eyes lost in his own head.
Arachne calmed herself and then continued, “I knew you wouldn't lose. So, I told everyone I saw you die or no one would have believed me.”
“Why didn’t you just tell me?” Ozzy looked as if he didn’t want to believe her.
“You wouldn’t have listened. You believed him over anyone else, but he found out who you were and he was scared of you. So, he told me to kill you or.... he would kill me.” I could hear the fear in her voice, as if she was still scared.
Ozzy looked at her for a long time, fighting an internal battle about whether or not he should believe her. “If you really did save my life,“ he says reluctantly. “Thank you.” His words lack the confidence that’s usually thick in his voice, but they weren’t lacking in sincerity.
Arachne doesn‘t say anything, she just watches as the waiter appears carrying several plates.
“Well... sorry I asked,” I attempt to ease the tension. Ozzy laughs a little, but Arachne stays quiet, playing with her long black ponytail.
Kenai rolls his eyes, “bounty hunters and their drama.” On the waiters second trip to the table, he hands Kenai a tiny folded up napkin. Kenai looks at it suspiciously before accepting it. He unfolds it, and his face lights up in delight; within the napkin is a tiny fork and knife, made perfectly for a fairy.
“We don’t get many of your kind around here,” the waiter looks embarrassed. “I don’t mean that in a bad way. But... uh my father... before he died. He insisted we keep some around, you know, just in case.” He smiles down at Kenai, as he claps his hands together and heads out of the doorway.
Kenai beams at the tiny fork and then looks at me, “Would you mind sharing your scraps with little ol me?”
“Of course,” I smile. I put a small portion of each on the plate meant for the breadsticks, cutting them up a bit so it’s a little easier on him.
“You’re surprisingly nice to me,” he says shyly.
“What do you mean?” I ask.
“Most people look at us as pests... you know,” he looks over at Arachne. Placing a hand on the side of his face to shield his words as he continues, “Bugs.”
“Most people suck,” I say as I slide the small plate towards him.
“Yeah. But not you,” he nudges me with his elbow. It warmed my heart too see there was still some good in Novus, even in this tiny little package.
Didn’t someone say something like that?
A person’s a person, no matter how small.
We stumbled our way across the courtyard after indulging in a few pitchers of Antonia’s signature rum punch. Spending my second night in Novus intoxicated, again, my concern that I may be alcoholic began to grow. I watched as Kenai nearly flew into a pole, but played it off with a graceful little twirl. I dug through my pocket for the keys, and too my surprise, opened the door rather quickly. Before walking into the room, I spot a machine for drinks not far from our room. Attempting to think ahead for the morning, I head toward its location.
“Be right there,” I stumble a little as I turn. Catching myself on the wall, I laugh it off and continue struggling to my destination. I feel panic wash over me as I lose my balance and begin falling backward, but an arm grabs my waist.
“Be careful,” Ozzy whispers. His skin was so warm, burning almost, and his breath is coated heavily with the smell of liquor.
I let myself fall into him slightly, “Thanks.” I don’t know if it’s the liquor, or the dark and brooding thing he has going for him, but his touch is sending tingles throughout my entire body.
He pushes me forward with his chest and slowly removes his arm, pulling away from me hesitantly. “There,” he says in my ear. I walk over to the machine, feeling around on myself for my dextra. To my disappointment, it seems I had lost it between here and the restaurant. I feel a hand grab something from my back pocket, and my dextra appears floating next to my shoulder. “There,” he says again in my ear.
I grab it and lose my focus as soon as I turn the screen on, distracted by the feeling of his eyes on me. I turn to look at him, “You ever just forget what you're doing... while you’re doing it?”
He doesn‘t say a word, but his eyes burn hot white again and he grabs my shoulders, pushing me against the wall beside me. He lets out a primal growl as he looks me up and down, his hungry eyes mentally stripping me of the clothing. “I‘ve missed you,” he whispers. “You always chose to look the same,” he moves his lips up towards my ear. “You’re so fucking beautiful,” he brushes his lips across my cheek as he stares into my eyes. He’s breathing heavily, like some sort of beast, his veins pulsating across his neck as his chest rises and falls rapidly. My heart is fluttering wildly, like a baby bird, desperately trying to escape its enclosure. He grabs my legs and props me up against the wall, letting out a grunt as he spreads them with his hips, and places himself between my thighs. “I’m sorry,” his voice is low and husky “Sometimes I can’t control myself.” Without another thought, he pushes his lips into mine, his tongue intruding my mouth and exploring the inside. I don’t resist, I wrap my arms around his neck and let my lips move with his. We are perfectly in sync without even thinking about it, and then something inside me shifts.
It all comes back.
Past life link established
Before I have time to realize what’s happening, my mind is flooded with images of everything before now. Our bodies pressed together, the scratches on his back as my nails run down his soft skin. Gripping the bed beneath me as he sends me into ecstasy. All the nights I fell asleep in his arms, his embrace making me feel safe; making me feel at home. Every time he whispered “I love you” in my ear, and the goofy smile on his face afterward. Every time that he made me laugh. Every time that I cried on his chest, and the feeling of him making it all better with just a few words. Every single kiss. Every single time his fingers traced across my skin or running them through my hair as we lay in bed. All the little moments, all of the tiny details that I erased impulsively. I could feel my heart break a hundred times, remembering every single time that I watched him die. And finding him again, and again, and again.
A thousand years of loving him and losing him.
And then there was the look on his face when he watched die, the last time he watched me die. His heart shredding to bits, and the soul shattering scream that escaped his lips.
His face looked the same too. Just like mine did, every time. It was the only way we could keep find each other.
I pull away from him, “I’m sor-”
He grunted and then pushed his lips back into mine, his hand gripping my thighs tightly. He stops to move his lips back up to my ear, “I don’t care. I’m just happy you’re here.” He begins to lower me down to the floor and then puts me down, pushing a stray piece of hair behind ear. "I don't want to complicate things for your Raven... I'm sorry." He smiles at me and brushes my cheek with his hand, “Have a good night.”
Raven?
I go to say something, but he turns away and keeps walking towards our room. I hear him laughing softly to himself as he enters the doorway.
WHAT!
NOT COOL!
For fuck sake I was going to need a cold shower to relax after that.
You can’t just do that to people!
l slouched against the wall and let out a deep breath. “Fuck,” I say to myself.
Pilot. I would advise you to avoid distractions for the time being.
I drowned her out, taking a moment to swim in my own thoughts. Unfortunately, I’m pulled out of my perverted fantasies when I notice something flying towards my head.
PILOT!
Omni’s voice is urgent and it pulls me into focus quickly. I stop the knife midair, examining it for a moment as I look around for the being who threw it. In the far edge of the garden, there is a faint rustling in the bushes. In an instant I teleport over and scan the environment, hoping they might slip up and make some noise.
Nothing.
I put my hand out, willing the blade toward it so I can look at it more closely. The blade is sharp, it probably would have killed me if I hadn’t stopped it. The end is circular with cross in the center, and an extra line crossing towards the bottom. There were words engraved in the circular rim:
Cazador de brujas
Witch hunters.
Omni begins to speak, answering my unasked question as usual.
Pilot it appears there is a bounty on your head.
Lovely.