There For You
There was something eerie about an empty school. The vacant desks, dimly lit classrooms, unattended lockers lining barren halls; everything felt strangely lifeless. You always expected to turn a corner to find students huddled together, discussing daily gossip, or dull echoes from beyond each door; teachers hastily covering material for exams. Maybe even the subtle din from your mother's meetings with parents as you awkwardly found ways to occupy yourself.
You stare up at the pockmarked ceiling, the tiles fading into a glaring yellow as twilight rays of sunlight peek through the windows. You tilt your head upwards, various bits of dust and gravel carrying through your hair. Mouthing each digit, you count the number of holes above your desk.
…at least eight, maybe more.
Barely visible scars from your attempts at rocketing pencils up from your desk. Mostly successful, though at least three or four practice runs bounced off of Berdly's head before getting it right.
You smile, eyes half-lidded. Successful either way.
You inhale deeply, clasping your hands on your chest and away from the frigid floor, burying your face deeper into the striped scarf nestled close to your chin. You thought visiting the vacant school so often would make the experience a bit less unsettling. But peering through the classroom's window and entering into silence still didn't sit right. You knew you weren't supposed to be here after everyone was gone, but the haunting quiet seemed to echo the sentiment. You sigh, warmth from the sun's fading light cascading across your face. You close your eyes, taking in the moment.
"You breathe a lot for a dead person."
You flinch, dark hair tickling your nose.
"Pretty lame it ended this way. Like, I could see one of those werewire freaks getting you. Maybe even a pack of those mouse things…"
You grumble, eyes still shut tight, "…they're hard to dodge." You absentmindedly blow away a strand of hair, "I didn't even get that hurt, Ralsei got me back up before anything happened."
"Uh-huh. Sure." A rumbling laughter flows through the room, "Still, didn't expect you to break your neck diving through the window. What a way to go."
Another bit of mane caresses your face as you recoil, eyes fluttering open to the purple maw looming above. Scales reflected in the fading light; shimmering rays thrown across your own features from above.
"Even made, like, a cracking sound. Was that the chips or your spine by the way?" Susie's teeth shine mockingly, inches from your face.
You groan loudly, "…probably the chips."
Susie tilts her head, darkened locks cascading across your cheek. She hovers closer, her breath fluttering strands of your own hair away from your eyes, "It's cool. More for me. You and fuzzball are all like, 'Ugh, I don't wanna eat crumbs!'"
"You say that like you weren't planning to down the whole bag anyway." You roll your shoulder, wincing as a muted cracking sound emanates from your backpack, "Honestly surprised you didn't tackle me on the way here."
"Tch, could still tackle you, ya know." The dragoness sneers, fangs on full display, "…bet you wouldn't even mind."
You stare back at the drake, eyebrows raised. The silence rings in your ears as you watch the grin drop from Susie's maw, scales flushing gradually from under her mane. Heat blooms throughout the girl's features, the now darker hide radiating a warmth so close to your face.
"I-I, uh…" You hear Susie swallow loudly, her lips struggling to form words, "…let me…help you up."
Your eyes go wide as you feel bulky arms sweep underneath you. You're hastily brought back up to your feet, your hand clamoring for the support of a nearby desk's edge.
"Come on, Ralsei's probably wondering where the hell we are. Pick up the pace!" The dragoness roughly slaps you on the back, another snapping sound screaming out from behind you. You wince. That was probably still the chips. Hopefully.
You shake your head, hand's vice-like grip on Catti's desk loosening, the well-worn table creaking in response. Reaching down, you swiftly brush away bits of dust and pencil shavings from your pants. You sniffle, blowing a bit of fuzz out from under your nose, throwing the green and yellow scarf back over your shoulder, stifling its attempts in suffocating you. No serious injuries at least. You adjust the straps of your backpack, a pathetic sigh escaping your lips.
Except for your pride.
You glance up, noting the dragoness nervously casting glances out through the classroom's door, her scales continuing to flare. A cruel grin erupts on your face.
"Yeah yeah, I'm coming. Sorry, I'm still a little dizzy." You slowly begin weaving through each desk, sidling close to the blushing drake, "I think I can make it though; I should be-"
You begin to teeter back and forth, arms going limp, legs wavering from underneath. You allow your head to drift in a circle, eyes fluttering under your bangs just for good measure. Your breath is stolen for a split moment, a tight embrace thrown around your dizzying performance. You stifle a growing smile, Susie's plush black jacket crinkling against you, the dragoness' claws sinking deep into the fibers of your sweater. You're drawn closer still, dull purple fuzz from the girl's tee brushing against your nose, your hair fluttering under her breaths.
"Sh-Shit! Hey, come on, are you-" Susie's amber eyes light up in panic, narrowing upon discovering the broad grin plastered across your lips, "…seriously?"
"What? I almost died from that fall."
"Ugh, you're such a…" The dragoness' words fall to a whisper, her arms clutching you tighter. The sun warms your neck as you hold tight against the scaled girl, her mane casting a shadow over your side. You let your eyes follow upwards, watching as Susie quietly nestles her maw against you, rumbling breaths tickling the top of your head. Forcing a down the laughter building in your chest, you note the hundreds of scales flooding your vision turning a deeper purple. Your eyes dance across the intricate patterns woven upon her neck, a timid smile pulling at your lips.
"…your scales are cool." You mutter.
You feel Susie's maw jerk back ever so slightly, a gust of air blowing out from above, "S-Seriously?! That's what you've got to say right now?"
"I don't know. They're just really pretty." You bury your head into the dragoness' collar, eyes following the pattern across her cheek, "…'s cool how they shine, and change colors a little."
A deep purr radiates from the girl's chest, vanishing within a moment as she clears her throat, "Th-They only do that because of the stupid stuff you do!"
A chuckle bubbles up from within you, the noise swallowed up by the growl at your side.
"Ugh…weirdo." Susie mumbles, color continuing to burn across her scales. The dragoness sighs loudly, tilting her head, still consciously retaining her maw's presence atop your mop of hair, "…prolly should get going."
You purse your lips, hesitation resting across your features, "Yeah." You tear your eyes away, "…sorry, yeah. Ralsei is going to start worrying here in a bit."
You feel the dragoness' hold on you loosen as you begin breaking away, the comforting warmth leaving your senses. You gently bite the side of your mouth, silently cursing yourself for making plans in advance. Maybe time was different in the Dark World? Maybe you could spend a bit longer here. You shake your head, strands of hair dancing in your vision. Ralsei would already be panicked as is, any longer and he'd be digging through ancient tomes for dark rituals capable of carrying him into your world.
You squint. Maybe that wouldn't be so bad if the reason for your absence wasn't cuddling in an empty classroom.
"Comin'?
You blink, finding yourself staring up at a confused dragoness, door held open to the school's halls.
"H-Huh? Yeah, yep." You stammer.
You dart past the girl, attempting to hide the rosy color on your face. Your footsteps echo sharply upon the tiled floors, worn tan and yellow colors streaking through each dimly lit corridor. You peer down the way, leaning off to the side in an effort to spot any lingering school staff. Everyone had gone home, you knew that.
But if there was someone still here, lurking behind the corner, ready to jump out…
The door behind you slams shut as you freeze, back going rigid, "Stupid door sticks every time. You'd think some janitor or someone would fix it by now."
You exhale sharply, cheeks puffing out, "Y-Yeah," You grunt quietly, "Uh…pretty sure the janitor is too busy cleaning the place though. Think they're the only one, and they kind of drip all over when they're walking around…"
The dragoness brushes past you, hands buried in her jacket pockets, "Wait, you seen them before? I know there's the closet with all the cleaning junk, but I've never spotted anyone using it."
You shrug, following close at her side, shuffling down past the lockers and towards the main hall, "I think they only work in the morning. I've seen them a few times before classes start." You click your tongue, tracing a hand across the cold steel of a nearby locker, "My mom drags me here sometimes to help set up her classroom for projects and everything; seen them mopping the halls when it's still dark out." You grumble, "Might've just been a hallucination from waking up that early, though…"
You roll your shoulder, adjusting the thin straps of your backpack. A soft rustling continues to emanate from the bag, pulverized chips likely mixing with the spare clothes you packed away. You wince, thoughts of your gym shorts and tank-top mixing with sea-salt coated crumbs. You focus your gaze back down the hallway, eager to distract yourself from the inevitable clean-up.
Light flooded down and through the corridor, the Dark World's innocuous entry point softly reflecting the dwindling rays. You turn back towards the front entrance, carefully dancing backwards in your attempt to peer out through the school's translucent doors. The forest fluttered in the distance, dying light sparkling across patches of pristine snow. Delicate flakes fell from the sky, the mercifully gentle snowfall accompanying your walk over to the school. You soon swivel back around, the dragoness still at your side, confident that no mystery janitor would be barreling through the doors this late into the evening.
"You know…" You're nearly thrown into a nearby locker, Susie's shoulder casually slamming against you, "We could just…like, take the snacks and go to the lake. Or something." The mauve drake sighs, "I know we promised and all, but…"
You balance yourself, soon meeting the dragoness' gaze with a soft smile, "It's…still kind of snowing right now. I think it might be a bit too cold to have a picnic…and we did sorta promise…"
Susie stares back, her wry look melting into a pensive stare, "I know, I know." The dragoness throws her arms back behind her head, fingers steepled at her collar, "Not looking to make Ralsei cry or anything." Susie chuckles weakly, "It's just…lot of people down there. I don't know…like it more when it's just the two of us."
You follow close to the dragoness' side, watching her muted expression from the corner of your eye. You search her gaze, unable to catch the scaled girl's normally piercing stare, "Well, we don't have to stay all night if you don't want to. I know it's kind of weird to stay in another…world." You gently bite the bottom of your lip, "But I can easily just say I had trouble sleeping at my dad's place. I don't think my mom would question it much." You bury your hands into your pockets, eyes narrowing.
Mom probably wouldn't question it at all, you imagine.
"That, or you could leave when…"
The words die in your mouth. No, if Susie left, you would too. No reason to even suggest that.
"N-No, that's not…" An annoyed groan rings out as the dragoness' arms slump back to her sides, "It's cool. Ralsei made the rooms and everything, seems lame to never use them, right?" An exhaustion sinks into her features, vanishing within seconds as she shakes her head, "Besides, you suck at lying. Prolly shouldn't try twice in one day."
You instinctively roll your eyes, vision locking onto the doorframe, now within arm's reach, "Sure."
You lift your hand, pausing for a moment, fingers curling away from the entrance into another world. A knot builds in your chest.
"Hey…it's okay if you don't want to go. If you want, we could just…go back?" Your hand retreats from the polished silver handle, "I think Ralsei just wanted us there as an excuse to hang out, I don't think we actually need to be involved with any of the celebrations." Your mouth twists into a weak smile, "It's not a big deal, I don't think-"
"It's fine, already told ya."
You quietly huff, "Seriously, I don't think anyone would have a problem with us-
You recoil, the doors flying open, scaled palms gripping the handles tightly. Your eyes snap back to Susie, a growl flowing out into the pitch ahead.
"Come on already, let's just go."
Waves of darkness curl around you as you're frozen in place, eyes locked onto your companion. Wind quietly howls in the distance, the passage beckoning you into the land below. You remain at the precipice, now disinterested in the otherworldly descent.
This was…different. You squint up at the dragoness, her arms crossed, barring much of your investigation. You knew her anger, her excitement, even the moments of genuine concern that would twist her features. You still had difficulty at times, recognizing it all. But if there was anyone you had plenty of practice with, it was the fiery drake at your side. You knew the clenched fists and grit fangs that preempted her wrath. You knew when she was worried about you, how low her voice would become, how her gaze never seemed to leave your own. Maybe you didn't understand most people, maybe you never would. But you knew Susie; you knew who she really was underneath the outbursts and ear-deafening roars.
You lean your shoulder against the door frame, darkness continuing to swirl around the hall. You risk another glance back at the silent girl. You didn't know…this. This quiet. How her maw hid from your sight, how tightly her arms circled clung to her sides, how closed off she felt. Your eyes dart away, back down into the abyss at your feet. Did something happen? Maybe her dad, or something else? Did you upset her? She would tell you if you screwed up or went too far, wouldn't she?
You bite the bottom of your lip. Or maybe that was the point? Maybe she was upset, and you were supposed to realize that. A pained sigh escapes your lips. You really weren't the best at this. Knowing what to say, knowing what people you cared about needed. Silence floats out from the passageway, adding to the knot in your chest.
"…Susie?" You whisper. The distant winds howl once more, closing in around your voice.
"Huh? Yeah?" The dragoness shakes from her stupor, buried eyes peeking out from underneath her mane, "Oh, right, sorry." Susie throws an arm over your shoulder, her jacket crinkling against you, "Got distracted. Ready?"
She flashes a toothy grin back, subtly pulling you forward towards the passage below. You hold firm, mouth trying and failing to form words.
"U-Uh…yeah, I'm ready, but-"
Another arm falls in front of you, dragging you down and through the Dark World's entrance. Your yelp of surprise is devoured by the wind as you're brought weightlessly into the passageway ahead. You're soon floating, sailing downwards into the inky blackness below, grumbling as you catch a glimpse of the snickering dragoness in the distance. You roll your eyes, the sleeves of your sweater slowly gaining motes of light as plated steel forms upon your body. Shining metal manifests across your limbs as thin blue under armor replaces your well-worn slacks. You sigh, staring back at Susie, her own spiked bangles and tattered leather jacket building into her brutish ensemble. The transition swept across the two of you, sparks of magic glittering in the abyssal fall.
You cross your arms, the metal of your gauntlets chilling your now sweater-less skin. Maybe you were just imagining things? Maybe it was all just a set up to throw you into the portal? This wasn't the first time she found an excuse to send you careening through the air, battle or otherwise. Rarely did she need an excuse, even.
But the look on her face…
You silently click your tongue, watching as the dragoness flips in your vision, your drifting movements having placed you into a headfirst dive towards the ground. You weren't sure if gravity worked the same in an arcane passageway such as this, though you weren't keen on eating dirt today. You gently shift your weight to the side, legs sprawling outwards. Righting yourself through the weightless air took a moment, though the heft from your greaves soon brings your feet back to an appropriate angle. You continue drifting, your descent beginning to slow as the ashy gray earth comes into view. Your eyes narrow across the chasm, watching as Susie stretches her arms up and over her head, yawning loud enough for you to hear through the wind screaming in your ears. Bringing her razor-sharp claws upwards, she limply scratches at the scales on her neck. You continue watching as her hide gradually flushes into a rosier pigment, the deeper royal purple brightening as you plunge further into the realm below. You catch her gaze for a moment, her burning yellow eyes glimmering in the darkness as she smiles gently.
You swallow sharply, a single shuddered breath breaking from your lips. Ground would be here any moment…
Your sense of gravity shifts, an invisible pull deliberately slowing your arrival down to the floor below. You feel your knees buckle, the collision sending a shockwave through your lower half. Placing a single armored palm upon the dusty ground, you bring yourself back up to full, instinctively shaking the mess of hair from your vision.
"The snacks make it?"
You snap away from your recovery, Susie's rumbling voice close at your side.
"Uh…" You begin digging through the seemingly bottomless satchel at your side. Your face immediately sours as you remove your hand from the pit of items, finding the divots of your gauntlet covered in oily crumbs.
"…yep. Just as crushed as before."
"Nice. Save some for me, alright?"
Your eyes narrow back at the girl, unsure as to what to say. You shake your head, dragging your plated hand against your under armor, crumbs falling to the floor below, "Sure, all yours."
You flick away the leftovers as you begin to move down the Dark World's hall, light and sound pouring into the outskirts. Rounding the corner with Susie in tow, your steps falter as you take in the sights ahead.
A din of noise and life radiates forth from the castle town, residents running about under a dazzling spectacle of light. Each shop along the thoroughfare painted the road ahead with a multi-colored display, casting a gleaming collage out into the streets. Patches of color ranging from deep crimsons to vibrant emeralds danced across the windows, light from within streaming through swatches of parchment. Dozens of colorful bits of paper clung to the establishments, a flurry of confetti having been thrown across the windows and rooftops. Your eyes continue to sweep across the display, a rustling sound bringing your gaze upwards. Connecting each building was a thin wire, streamers flowing across each line, fluttering in the breeze. Scraps of myriad colors were strewn across the ground, bits of paper spinning in the air from their rooftop descent. Peering down the main street was as if staring into a kaleidoscope, the pigments standing in stark contrast to the muted sapphire world surrounding you.
You blink, frozen in place, only coming back to your senses as a plug-faced Darkner streaks by, narrowly avoiding a collision on their way down the path you stood. You shake away from the sight, music and chatter invading your senses. A distant, dull thump could be heard, rhythmic beats echoing throughout the town as you vaguely register the excited discourse swirling around the area. An energy thrummed across the scene as you observe a group of werewires buzzing back to one another, a single hathy holding a sheepish virovirokun close to their…heart, and a number of addisons calling out for special celebratory deals. On loafers.
You squint at the clumsily made sign near their feet. Fifty percent off. The deal wasn't that bad…
"KRIS! SUSIE!"
You blink once more, having drifted back into dazzling rainbow floating across the town.
"Oh thank goodness you're both here! I wasn't sure if you two would be able to make it, and then everything began so much sooner than I had anticipated, and…!" He pauses, "B-But that wasn't by my choice! I think Mr. Swatch started the festivities early…" The robed caprine sighs, "Although the musical trio certainly set the tone…then a number of the addisons began a 'buy-two-pay-for-two sale', and I tried to make everyone wait, but then-"
You blankly reach out, patting the frenzied prince on the forehead, still staring out at the streamers above, "Hi Ralsei."
The mage babbles for a moment, soon shaking away from your hand in a bashful display, "…hi."
You force your gaze away from the festivities, "This…uh, well…" You flash Ralsei a bemused grin, "I know you said there was going to be a celebration, but I didn't realize you meant an entire festival."
The robed prince buries his chin deep into his scarf, mumbling through the material, "I didn't mean to catch you two off guard, but everything escalated so quickly and then…" He pauses, "…s-sorry."
"N-No! No, it's…it's fine. I just didn't expect…this." You wave your hand towards the road ahead, a group of jigsawrys waddling off to their next destination, your hand curling back upon watching a member of the group fall face first to the ground below.
Ralsei clears his throat, "Y-Yes, well, things were going to be quite simple…at first." The demure mage turns back to the town, "I thought a celebration would be appropriate now that everyone is settled in from the recent exodus. I know many of the Darkners, especially from the previous world we ventured through, have been under significant stress." Ralsei purses his lips, fur wrinkling across his features, "I simply thought…w-well, I just…I wanted to make them feel welcome. That this is their home, just as it is everyone else's."
You smile, watching the prince swell with barely constrained pride, his hands clasped behind his back as he gazes across the town's bustling streets.
"Everyone I spoke with seemed to welcome the chance to…er, welcome, new and old residents. Though…some were a bit more excited than I expected." Ralsei tilts his head to the side, a soft sigh ringing out, "Mr. Swatch thought to hold a town potluck, to which then the owner of the dojo suggested decorating the area, the musicians from the cyber world insisted upon live music, and…" He chuckles, "And now we have madness in the streets."
You snort, quickly stifling the reaction, "Y-Yeah, it's uh…a little chaotic." You rub the side of your neck, a grin building across your face, "Guess we didn't need to bring snacks, huh?"
"Oh! Oh dear, I'm so sorry!" The prince's hands begin twisting the edges of his emerald robe, "I-I suppose we won't need the treats you brought. Though I'm sure they would have been delicious! But…I believe Mr. Swatch said he would have a table ready for all of us. He said there would always be a place for…um, 'the esteemed heroes,' is how he put it, I believe." A weak smile pulls at Ralsei's lips, "If that would be of interest…?"
You shift in place, the remnants of off-brand crisps continuing to break apart in your pouch, "Sounds good to me." You flash a beaming grin at the Darkner prince, turning back to the dragoness at your side, "You down for free food and-"
The words hang on your tongue as you search for the mauve drake. She was away from you. Away from everything. Huddled in the corner of the town's entrance, just close enough to listen in on the conversation, but far enough to say otherwise. You swallow down the previous thought, searching for her expression and thoughts under the shadow of her mane. Susie stood, arms crossed, a foot casually lifted up against the wall's surface, unreadable in the moment. You felt a knot return to your chest, worry cycling back into your mind.
"S-Susie?" Ralsei's stammers, breaking you from your thoughts.
"…yeah, that sounds cool." A half-hearted sigh blows a strand of hair from the dragoness' face, "Sorry, just tired is all. We heading over now or you got prince stuff to do?"
You continue searching for answers in Susie's expression, her tone, struggling to find what you seek.
"N-No, I am quite free at this point. To which I am thankful for!" Ralsei gently pushes up on the bridge of his glasses, "But if you're busy, that's okay! I know your time is short with how important school work is for you, so if that takes precedence, I understand…"
You instinctively lean away from the now quietly giggling princeling, eyes still trained on the dragoness.
"…nerd." Susie chuckles, her laughter soon becoming a roar amidst the din radiating out from the town. The mauve drake kicks off the wall, meandering over to deliver a swift jab at Ralsei's arm, "Fine, but if the food ain't good, you owe me cauldron cake."
You remain locked in place, the robed prince gently caressing his bludgeoned arm in your periphery. You stare down at the floor, blinking away confusion. That goat really could get away with anything.
"You comin' freak? I'm over here if that's what you're trying to gawk at." A sharp claw pushes into your shoulder, rousing you from your stupor. You shoot a glare back at the grinning dragoness, hoping the heat on your face isn't as noticeable for others as it was for you.
You grumble, following the duo close behind. You watch as Ralsei begins happily skipping ahead, babbling on to the dragoness regarding the process of tearing hundreds of sheets of paper for the town's decorations.
Your mind wanders once more, staring up at the streamers drifting in the wind's soft caress. Dark World festivals didn't seem much different from those above. There was certainly a higher chance of inhaling a stray bit of confetti, though the homemade decorations and lively chatter across town differed little from what you and your family were used to.
The sight brought a pained smile to your face. You wish he was here. He would love the Dark World. The adventure across realms, the often-times crazed residents, the energy of it all. Your eyes soften, continuing to gaze at the vibrant display around you. Maybe you could show him the Dark World one day, maybe when he came back from college. Maybe he would even get some ideas for that computer game he was working on years back. You breathe in deeply, glancing at the dragoness ahead, a distant look in her eyes as she nodded along. You stare back above, watching a stray bit of crimson parchment flutter down. Maybe he would know what to do. He always was better about being around other people, knowing what was wrong, and what to say.
He was always better about being there for people.
"…would you have chosen, Kris?"
"H-Huh? Yeah?" You sputter, dispelling the thoughts,
Ralsei tilts his head, his rose-tinted horns reflecting in the light, "…the color?" The prince's eyes go wide as he smiles gently, "I-I apologize Kris. I was merely asking what color of parchment you would have chosen to…erm, tear up." He clears his throat quietly, "I wasn't entirely sure which you would have liked for the welcoming celebration. I had suggested blue when speaking with Mr. Swatch and his associates, though that began a rather intensive discussion of whether seafoam was possibly a shade of blue or green or-"
Your mind goes blank as you scramble for an answer, "O-Oh, uh, no, I…I mean…purple, I guess?"
Susie rolls her eyes, "Psh, says the weirdo wearing the same green and yellow sweater every day."
Ralsei snickers, eyes dancing between you and the dragoness, "Come now Susie," The robed prince happily bounces on the tips of his toes, "I believe Kris is quite fond of the color purple."
You feel your chest seize as a sudden choking cough strains in your throat. You glare at the innocent caprine, a beaming smile plastered across his face.
"Now, shall we see if there's a seat available? It is quite busy, hopefully there's room to squeeze in."
Ralsei swiftly steps off the main thoroughfare, darting towards the café's entrance and opening the door for the dragoness following close behind. You stare on, Susie's snorting laughter dying down as she passes into the establishment's warm light. You take one more shuddering breath, forcing your legs onwards. Standing at the café's threshold, you stare down at the goat, mentally cataloguing the plan to hide in his cauldron once more.
You stumble inside, eyes lighting up upon breathing in the scent of bitter chocolate, punctuated by the intoxicating aroma of freshly baked pastry. You shuffle close to Susie, retreating away from the entrance. Peering out over the café's floor brought about memories of QC's diner; vibrant residents avidly enjoying the calm atmosphere, with dimly lit tables covered in a myriad of decadent treats. Although limited in space, the tables were surrounded by an assortment of Darkners, all of which nursed their beverages in between excitable discussions. The nearest table hosted four of the plug-faced Darkners, a single werewire huddled close to themselves in an effort to squeeze between friends. Further in the café's corner were a trio of swatchlings of varying colors. You lean out, watching as an emerald-suited swatchling quickly downs a vanilla shake topped with dozens of berries in a single gulp, the other red and blue avian beings squealing in amusement.
"Ah, the Delta Warriors I presume? Welcome to our establishment. Please, allow me to provide a wonderful experience in your time here."
You reel back, a notably dapper swatchling bowing before you. He raises just as quickly, adjusting his neon pink and yellow spectacles between downy fingers, "If you wish to follow me, I can show you and the lady to your reserved table."
You hear a grunt at your side, the dragoness snorting audibly, "Yeah, sure. Lead on."
You feel soft fur brush against your arm, peering down to find Ralsei close at hand, "Is the table still free? I-I, erm…we, wouldn't want to be a burden on such a busy evening."
The regal swatchling bows his head ever so slightly, simply flaring his feathery palm off to an empty table in the corner. Gracefully stepping around the plug-faced Darkners, the café's newfound owner leads on, Ralsei cautiously following behind. You watch as the two delicately weave between patrons, taking a mental note of the safest path forward. You begin to follow along only to stop a few steps in, peering back towards the entrance.
"…Susie?" You mutter.
"Huh?" The dragoness shakes back to the moment, seemingly lost in thought.
You swallow sharply, a frown pulling at your lips, "…are you okay?"
Susie squints at the floor, gaze avoiding your own, "Sorry…yeah, I'm fine. Just…lot of people. Eyes on us. It's whatever." The somber drake pushes off from the dimly lit wall, dragging a clawed hand through her mane with a huff, "I don't know, it's nothing. I'm just being…it's nothing. Come on, let's get you some dumb chocolate garbage before you go into withdrawal or whatever."
The dragoness throws an arm over your shoulder, a weak smile pulling at her lips. You struggle for words, eventually retreating in your efforts as her eyes meet yours. You turn, dragging your feet onwards, Susie close at your side, moving past the single werewire and back towards the empty table.
"…is the special today. Though we have a fresh assortment of local delicacies I would happily recommend. Our vanilla latte with dark candy shavings is, from what I have been told, 'teeth meltingly good'."
You reach out, pulling a chair from underneath the table, silently observing the crisp white pamphlet in front of you.
"T-That sounds like quite the experience! Though I think we will need a moment to decide, if that's okay?" Ralsei stammers, sifting through his own menu's selections.
"Absolutely. Please call for service whenever you are ready. Orders may also be provided at the front desk should our waiting staff be…unavailable." The regal avian places a wing to his chest, hastily turning back towards the counter nestled far into the corner.
You sense a hand grasp the back of your seat, the presence shuffling past without a word. You wince as the chair to your side drags along the floor, screeching as Susie pulls the seating out from the table and closer to you. Having now positioned herself mere inches away, she lets out a satisfied grunt, leaning back as the wooden frame cries out under the abuse.
"So, what kind of junk do these guys have?" The scaled girl swipes across the table, snatching a stray menu between two claws.
"They mostly focus on artisanal beverages from what I understand, though they have a number of pastries and brunch items on the menu as well." Ralsei dreamily gazes out across the café, "They have some of the loveliest tea biscuits, dusted with a touch of powdered sugar and cinnamon…and then the tea itself is-"
"Uh-huh. So…no burgers?"
A look of disdain mars the prince's face, "…they likely have dark burgers for sale."
"Hell yeah, Kris, you in on this?" Susie's elbow jams into your shoulder.
You massage your arm, "Ugh…don't those things taste burnt? Like, by default?"
"Yeah?" The dragoness leans forward in her seat as the wooden frame cries out, "It comes pre-well-done, it's super convenient."
"You promised me chocolate." You state plainly.
Susie rolls her eyes, "Try to fix someone's taste in stuff but nooo…" She scoffs, "Fine, we'll get you some stupid chocolate cake, split it all up. You'll have some of mine, I'll have some of yours."
Your eyes snap back to hers, eyebrow raised.
"…you're not eating an entire cake by yourself."
You grumble, sinking back into your chair.
Ralsei clears his throat, collecting the menus across the table, "Well, I suppose that's what you two will be having then?"
"Yup. But we should see if they do, like, double patties. Or triple." Susie lazily rolls her neck from side to side, a sharp pop echoing out.
"Um…I'm not sure if they have a…limit. But I can check!" Ralsei eyes light up, "I believe I will be ordering their tea biscuits this evening. Or perhaps I'll treat myself to the red velvet cake, that does sound delightful."
"…that's just chocolate cake but red." You grumpily mutter.
The prince purses his lips, narrowing his gaze, "It's the experience that matters." Ralsei's lips melt into a reserved smile, "But yes, even I enjoy chocolate cake at times." The mage's chair squeaks out from underneath him, "I can go provide the order at the front desk. I would imagine that's easier for their staff. Be back in a jiffy!"
The robed prince dashes off, leaving the two of you staring off in silence. You breathe in deeply, the darker atmosphere of the room bringing comfort to your senses. Your eyes drift off towards the wall ahead, the jukebox sitting quietly in the corner with a single purple jigsawry sipping from a steaming cup. You continue scanning the room, eventually coming back to the wall, catching the jigsawry's gaze burning into you. You quickly avert your eyes, pretending instead to be examining the jukebox in detail. You awkwardly shift in your seat, unsure as to where to rest your gaze now that you were faced with an empty chair across the table.
"Yo. Sorry about before…and everything."
You turn back to your side, catching a muted expression on the dragoness' features.
"It's just," She grumbles, carrying a hand up and across the top of her head, "It's a lot, you know? All of…this? I'm still getting used to it. People thinking we're some kind of…I don't know. Delta whatevers? Heroes, or some stupid crap? I'm still figuring it all-"
"Ah! Verily. I was told I would find thoust in attendance of today's shindig!"
Susie's maw strains as she grits her teeth, the sides of her jaw tensing.
"It is wonderous and serendipitous that we shall meet again! I wished to provideth my warmest regards in your endeavors as loyal serfs to thy kingdom's needs. Trueth heroes the realm has not seen in some time!"
You pinch the bridge of your nose, squeezing in an attempt to stop the oncoming migraine, "…thanks Rouxls."
The two-toned Darkner quickly weaves through the café's floor, bumping into a number of patrons and sending one nearly face first into their meal, "Thinketh nothing of thee. It hath been an honor to raise you glorious little…children, to such a status."
You sense the migraine coming to fruition as Rouxls slinks into the chair across from you, steepling his fingers atop the table in anticipation.
"I knowest we have had disputations, though thine and I have certainly moved past such pettiness. So, truly, thanks to thee for bringing such a varied kingdom to fruition! You art heroes, to thineself and all. Be proudeth!" The azure Darkner flares a hand off to the side, throwing his voluminous white hair across his shoulder with a flourish.
"…thanks. It was just nice to help when we-"
A clicking sound cuts off the words in your mind. You peer down, finding the dragoness brushing claws together, her own face hung low under her mane. Her hands squeeze one another, pressing tightly enough to turn her scales a sickly pale hue.
"Yes yes, I'm sureth thee felt so inclined as to assist. It has been, of course, an honorable duty of mine ensuring thoust success." Rouxl's sighs, the gap in his broad smile whistling with each breath, "There was certainly most determinate troubles in ensuring those that were victims of…aggression, during your initial bouts, forgave and forgot."
You glare at the self-proclaimed duke, finding your annoyance more and more difficult to hide away. The tapping sound at your side increases, painfully so, as strained breaths echo out from the dragoness. You bite the bottom of your lip, composing yourself. Just tell him to go away. Tell him you'll talk to him later, or that Queen needs him. Your eyes narrow as you gaze at the walking frustration across the way.
"R-Right, well, it's great that you came by actually. I…uh, heard Queen was-"
You stare beyond Rouxl's beaming face, back towards the jukebox, back towards the wall ahead. You glance over, the jigsawry from before staring straight into you. You feel a knot in your throat. Was he annoyed with all the noise? You weren't trying to make a scene. You watch as the puzzle-shaped Darkner stares on, past you, over to your side. He looked…familiar. Not one of the guides or part of the dojo. Was it the hat? You remember seeing some of their kind with that hat early on when you first arrived in the field with…
"Ah, of courseth, I won't trouble thee much longer. I simply wished to thank thy compatriots for such a service. And," Rouxls leans forward, voice coming to a whisper, "I talkedeth to those attacked by your friend so long ago. Most have forgiven, so do not worry. All hath been sorted!"
The knot in your throat builds, now attacking deep within your chest.
A screech echoes out from your side as the dragoness' chair is dragged painfully across the floor. Rising from her seat, she clasps the back of your own chair, pushing past and weaving once more through the café's patrons. The entrance is thrown open before you can react, slamming against the wall, as Susie storms out.
"…oh." The two-toned duke sinks back into his chair.
You sit, frozen in place, struggling to comprehend what just happened.
"I-I, er…" Rouxls stammers, clearing his throat, "Thine, uh, thou…er, I mean, I didn'tst mean to offend. I-I simply wished to impart my appreciativeness, and that many are no longer…angry."
"Kris? Mr. Kaard? What…was that Susie that left?"
You drag your eyes back up to the side of the table, Ralsei's face painted with concern.
"I-I saw Mr. Kaard come in and everyone talking, but-"
You shoot up, pushing past the table in a haphazard effort, "Y-Yeah, uh, sorry, I'll be back! Eat without me, or…s-sorry!"
You sprint past the numerous eyes locked on you, patrons throughout the café staring on in confusion and frustration. You tear past the front door, wandering back outside, back onto the parchment-littered thoroughfare. Bits of paper continue to flutter in the breeze as you sprint across the way, colorful swatches brought up from the ground in your panicked footsteps. Your eyes dance over the decorated town, many of the residents having gone back home, emptying the surrounding streets. Lights were dimming in most of the establishments, the illuminated pigments no longer shining through the windows.
"Damn it, where…?" You mutter under your breath.
You instinctively turn down the gravel path, facing the grand castle ahead, the surging dark fountain flooding the horizon. You scramble past the registry's podium, your breaths becoming ragged as you sprint down the grand staircase, ramparts coming into view. Taking two steps at a time, you stumble down the final bit, catching yourself at the last moment within the fortress' courtyard. The air burns in your chest, the cool temperature chilling you to your core.
"Come on, where-" Your eyes narrow, "Oh."
"You good?"
Your face twists into a look of confusion as you attempt to catch your breath, "Y-Yes I'm good, what do you…are you good?!"
Susie lifts her head, her amber eyes peeking out from beneath her mane, "I mean, left before I could eat, but…"
You squint down at the resting dragoness, her knees pulled close to her chest as she sinks further into the side of the castle's wall.
Susie sighs, "…yeah, I'm good." Her spiked wristbands fall loosely across her wrists as she pinches the bridge of her maw, "Like I said, it's just a lot. And…I'm tired. I'm just tired, that's all. I just need to sleep."
You exhale loudly, trying to break the knot in your chest, "Susie, come on. What's going on? Is it," You strain for air, "Is it what Rouxl's said? Was it me dragging you here, or something I said? Or didn't say?" The words burn in your throat, "If I screwed up, let me know and-"
"No!"
The roar breaks you from the train of thought as you're left staring at the dragoness, her arms pushing up off the ground.
"Damn it, no. It's not…you didn't screw up or anything. None of that, don't think that." Susie shakes her head, slowly wandering over to the castle's archway, pulling open the massive doors, "We're good, I just…ugh, sorry. I need to sleep and I'll be fine, alright? Promise."
"Wait, Susie…!"
The ancient gateway opens and closes before the thought finishes, the dragoness slipping inside. You're left alone, the life and energy of the town long gone, silence resting across the courtyard. You mouth the words silently, ideas and thoughts attempting to manifest to an invisible audience.
You slump down atop the frigid steps.
"…please don't leave."
You'd been here before. Somewhere dark, somewhere forgotten. Forgotten for a reason, but still clear in your mind. Your eyes trace across the metal bars lining each track, as they always do, following the endless path into the cavernous maw. The rumbling would begin, the sound of a completed download, of a new body being claimed. Gears would snap back into place, flickering lights flashing in eyes, dancing across the darkness ahead. There was hope in it all. A chance at freedom. A chance for an escape from obscurity and control. That's what he wanted, that's what anyone would want.
But it never worked. It was pointless. He knew it, knew the endless deals and maddening bargains wouldn't break away from the tethers above. But he would try. He would come down from the tracks, frenzied neon eyes piercing through the abyss, staring at you, into you, at your soul. That was freedom after all. He just had to take it. To make one final deal.
You would ready your blade, the motes of light shimmering in your hands as the only defense left. He would raise his arm, dancing on a puppeteer's strings, ready to end what little resistance you offered. And you would be tossed to the side, weak, unable to make the choice to even save yourself. The sound of the end would come. But there would be no saviors, no arcing light slamming into the automaton, no one to stop what was inevitable.
And you would wake up.
Your breathing shuddered painfully in the cold night air. Sweat rolls down your forehead and back, frozen to your skin.
Just breathe, just breathe, that's all you had to do. Repeated words in your mind, the same mantra for the same cruel feeling.
Your vision adjusts, barely noticeable light filtering through the window at your side. You swallow deeply, closing your eyes tightly, then allowing them to open once more. You were okay. You were inside, in your bedroom. Not out there. You were safe.
…you were standing in the middle of your room.
You sigh, slumping down against the edge of your bed. The pink and sapphire cover falls across your shoulders, burying you against the plush material. You bring your legs close to your chest, wrapping your arms around them for comfort. You prop your head gently atop your knees, watching the dim cyan light stream through the darkened window above. Was it morning? Night?
You shake your head. Doesn't matter much in the Dark World.
Your breathing steadies, heart rate returning to normal. You glance above, reaching up to the bedside table, tapping the surface until you grasp your precariously placed cell phone. Pushing the button on its side, you wince, the blisteringly white background searing into your vision. You grumble. Making your phone's background a photo of a white dog you saw around town wasn't the smartest move.
You squint down at the device, eyes painfully adjusting to the blinding light.
2 AM.
You tap the side of your phone, tossing it backwards atop your bed. Too early for anyone to be up, too late to wander around town without looking like some creep. You throw your head back against the bed, another mound of blankets falling across your shoulder. You grumble, throwing the bed spread up and away from your overexerted body. You were already sweating enough. You pull on your grey tank-top, trying to prevent the material from sticking.
"Ugh…"
You give up on your efforts, turning your vision upwards. Your eyes dance across the ceiling and walls, the dimly glowing stars strewn across the room bringing small comfort. You feel a smile bloom on your face, memories of the plastic glow-in-the-dark stars you and your brother stuck to nearly every surface of your shared space floating back into your mind. A weak grin pulls at your lips.
They sucked. You could barely see them in the darkness of the room, they left stains across your wall, and…
You chuckle, a soreness in your chest stifling much of the experience. You still loved them. Late nights spent staring up at the softly glowing constellations, picking at the single star you secretly placed at your bedside, it was all a distraction from the dreams you didn't need. You close your eyes, your entire body still aching. Did Ralsei know? Or did he just think you needed something for the rougher nights? You exhale, exhaustion sinking into you. The stars probably wouldn't make everything better, but having people who care about you made the darkness a bit more bearable.
You shake your head. You didn't even know what these nights were sometimes. You stare into the featureless side of the room, blankly searching for an answer. Maybe it was an…episode. Maybe it was another moment you should be panicked about, wishing to hide away in your room for days on end. You bite the side of your cheek. Or maybe it was just stress. And worry. Wondering what you should have done. Knock on her door until she answers and talks to you? Give her space and assume everything will be fine in the morning? You pinch the bridge of your nose, fighting off another bout of painful exhaustion. You weren't good at this. You wanted to be good at this, but you weren't.
You stretch your legs out, gym shorts sticking uncomfortably as you do. You groan, pushing up from the fuzzy blue carpet below, stumbling back to your feet. Shaking the sleep from your mind, you wander over to the window, hopeful for the Dark World's version of a cold winter breeze. You lean over the shelf below, pulling up on the window's thin metal frame, fighting past the resistance. You jerk upwards, a squeaking sound painfully ringing out, a gust of air slamming into your form. An immediate chill shoots through you, the sweat running down your back freezing once more.
You bask in the cool air, making an effort to lean out through the window, shaking sticky hair from your forehead. Whether or not the Dark World followed your world's seasonal patterns was still up for debate, but you certainly weren't going to argue with the wind blowing past. You move further out, peering above for twinkling cyan lights in the darkness.
"Pfft, that's a good look…"
Your eyes go wide as you recoil, slamming the back of your head against the window's frame.
"Agh!" You wince, blinking away the blinding pain as waves of agony crash into you.
"Holy shit dude, don't die over there."
You grit your teeth, leaning back out through the window, "The hell…?" You mutter, flickering lights dancing in your vision, "…Susie?!"
"Yo."
You stare back, struggling for words as you note the dragoness wrapped in a thick black blanket, curled into herself atop the roof's tiles.
"Wha-" The words fail you, "Just…how-" You freeze, taking a deep breath, "…why?!"
"Felt like it. Prolly the same reason you're shaking your head out the window like a dog." Susie chuckles.
You feel your eye twitch, mouth continuing to hang open in disbelief.
"…wanna join me? Probably won't fall off."
Your vision narrows, mind continuing to fail you in your pursuit of a response.
You peer down at the rocky tiles layering the underside of your window, images of slipping off and into the courtyard flashing in your mind.
"…yeah, screw it." You begin clambering atop the shelf, pulling yourself past the frame and out onto the roof. The tiles stick roughly to your feet, the sandpaper-like material providing a reassuring amount of resistance in your steps. You carefully wander close to the dragoness, testing each footfall as you go. With one final hop, you drop down, resting next to the bundled drake.
You take a deep breath, dragging your knees close to your chest once more as you stare up into the darkness. Glowing cyan flickers in the distance, countless formations streaking across the pitch. You squint up at the lights, spotting further constellations strewn about, many drifting down past the horizon. Were they stars? Crystals? Some magical after effect of this world? You sigh, struggling to find what to say or how to act. It was easier focusing on mysteries out of reach.
"…think they're stars?" You mumble.
"Hm?" You hear shuffling at your side, "What, the lights? I dunno." Susie clicks her tongue softly, "Ralsei doesn't know either, right?"
"Nah."
"Huh." You feel a warmth fall over you, a thick cover wrapping around your shoulders, "…prolly stars. They twinkle or whatever. Don't know anything else that does that."
You shift in place, dragging the blanket over your knees as you shuffle closer to the dragoness, "Maybe it's some kind of crystal. Like, maybe this is one giant cave. That would explain why it's so dark, and why we have to drop into a pit to get here."
You feel claws circle around your waist, scales brushing against your arm, "…be a big freakin' cave." Susie grunts quietly, the sudden gust of air blowing against the top of your head, "Think Ralsei is some kind of bat-monster then? Maybe he sucks blood or something when we're not looking." The dragoness suddenly gasps, her hold on you tightening, "That's why he wants us to be all nice and crap! He's recruiting Darkners so he has an endless supply of blood!"
You stifle a laugh, choking slightly in the effort, "I-I uh…" You clear your throat, "I don't think goat-monsters typically drink blood." You lean back against the dragoness, burying yourself against her dense frame, "Could be using blood magic though. That might be what powers his cauldron."
"Urgh, never mind. Now I'm just imagining blood cake." An exaggerated gagging sound slips from her maw.
You bring your hands up from your legs, resting them against the scaled arm around your waist. You close your eyes, listening to her breaths, a dull rumbling echoing out in the silence.
"…woke up out of bed again." You mutter quietly.
You feel her shift behind you, closing in tightly.
"It was just…" You open your eyes, gazing out onto the inky horizon, "Nightmares, I guess? I don't know, I hope it was just that."
You absentmindedly count the cyan lights, silently noting each constellation as you settle the pain in your chest.
"Stuff from that basement, with the guy you and Ralsei saved me from." You hold tight to Susie's arm, slowly circling a finger across the patterns on her scales, "Still freaks me out a little. If you two weren't there, if…"
The dragoness' maw nestles atop your head as you settle your shuddered breathing once more, "But you were. You were, and you were there even after it all, when I wasn't okay." You lean back into Susie, "You were there when I needed someone, even when I wasn't really good at saying it." You chuckle, the sound coming out as little more than a weak gasp. You clear your throat, steeling yourself, "I know I'm not good at saying a lot of things. But I want to be. I want to get better so I can be there for you too. Even if…if you don't say you need someone."
You feel her claws dig into your side, almost painfully. You instinctively wince, stifling the reaction, instead focusing on the silence. Your gaze is drawn downwards, to the arm circling your waist, to the scales glimmering in the dull light. She held tightly to you, completely wrapped around in an inescapable hold, shaking. The trembling worsened with each second, struggled breaths shuddering against your back. You nestle into her, continuing to trace your finger across her arm.
"…sorry."
"Stop saying sorry." You murmur.
"But I am! I screwed up, and…and you're the only one I can even say sorry to!" The girl roars.
You wince, "What do you-"
"I'm not a hero. I'm not a delta whatever-the-hell!" Her words begin to tremble in her throat, "Half the people down there I beat to shit before you guys stopped me. Hell, even then, I almost cut you in half when you tried!"
Scales bury further into your waist as the dragoness' hold continues to circle inwards, the rougher hide marking your stomach through your shirt.
"Some of them look at me like I'm going to tear into them in the middle of town, some of them act like I'm some dumbass hero there to save the day, and-" She pauses, struggling for air, "And I don't know what I'm supposed to do. Should I just pretend like I didn't almost kill a bunch of them? Or maybe I should just keep my mouth shut; I never know what to say anyway." The dragoness' voice quiets to a whisper, "It's the same back home. I don't know what to do or say, or anything. So I just act like an asshole to everyone until they leave me alone. But that isn't even what I want or…I don't know! I don't even know anymore. And then people want me to be all these things. Ralsei wants me to be a hero, Noelle wants a friend, my dad just wants me to be 'better', and you-"
Your chest tightens, anticipating whatever words may follow. A gentle breeze scatters the hair across your eyes, revealing the strained red reflecting in your gaze. The night air howls, the silence tearing into your chest and mind.
"…you don't want me to be anything else."
You open your mouth, words failing to appear.
"But I wanna be something for you. I didn't care before. None of it really mattered when I could just go home and pretend it was all stupid shit." The dragoness sighs, her claws loosening from your side, "I can't do that anymore. In school or with this Dark World stuff. Not when I've got you." Shuddering breaths dance atop your head, "I don't want to be some bully or screwed up, bloodthirsty freak. That's not what I want to be when you're around. I don't know what I wanna be, but I don't want people staring at us like they are. You don't deserve that. I…I want to be better for you."
Her breathing becomes ragged, every ounce of her energy spent fighting down the flood of emotions. A weak growl reverberates in her chest, rumbling against your back, soon pushed down as she squeezes you tighter.
"…used to it."
"What?" You feel the girl's maw fall from your scalp, resting near your shoulder.
"…guess I'm just used to it." You pull the blanket closer to your chin, "People staring. Wondering why I was always so quiet, or missed class." You click your tongue quietly, "Wondering why the only human in town is locked in their room most days."
"Kris, that's not really what I-"
"N-No, I know…but it doesn't bother me. Not when I'm with you." You turn, meeting the softened amber eyes at your side, "It bothered me before. When I…didn't have you. But now it just doesn't. I just feel like, when you're here, and we're together…I'm happy. Everything else just doesn't matter much when I know you're there, at school, in the Dark World with me…when you're sending blurry images of swords you found on the internet to my phone at 3 AM…"
The dragoness lets out a pathetic snort as a fang-laden grin pulls at her lips, her breaths continuing to tremble behind you.
You swallow painfully, "I-I…I can't take away that feeling. That frustration and…all of it. I can't tell you what you should be…I don't think I should." A pit builds in your chest, "…I can't make the stares go away, or scream at them until they stop." You bite your lip, "I could try but…it doesn't help."
You clench your fists, fighting the welling in your eyes.
"But I'll be here for whatever you want to be. If you want to act like the hero everyone wants and go apologize to the people you fought, I'll be by your side. If you want to go sit in your apartment and watch awful movies for twelve hours straight, I'll bring chips." A weak smile paints your features, "I'll be here for when the stares are too much. I'll hide with you, or scream with you…no matter how long it takes." You whisper, "But I don't want you to be anything for me. Just be you. That's who I want to be with and see every day. That's all I want, no one else, just…you."
"Tch…" Susie rolls her eyes, the amber in her vision glistening.
"What? Come on, you know that's how I feel." You chuckle, smiling wider by the moment.
The dragoness groans loudly, "Ugh…" Susie clears her throat, struggling to form the words, "I know, and I hate that…t-that I feel the same…" She snorts, "…I'm glad you're just as much of a dweeb as I am."
You snicker, the drake's own building laughter straining your ears. You lean into her, forehead bumping against her own.
"…ugh. The hell is wrong with us? Why are we so screwed up?"
One final chuckle leaves a goofy smile on your face, your half-lidded eyes meeting hers, "I don't know, but we're probably making it worse by being together."
"Psh, like anyone could make you any more of a freak."
"…moss-eater."
"The hell?! You ate it too!"
You shrug, "Peer pressure."
"Yeah? Was it peer pressure when you spent like, half our cash on that tea? I forget, what did that weird sales guy call it…"
"T-That's not…!"
Fangs light up only inches away, "Yeah?"
You grumble, eyes narrowing at the dragoness, "You're lucky I lo-"
…
Like.
You swallow. Like was the word you wanted. Like. That's all you had to say, that's what you meant to say.
Right?
"…Kris?"
Why was it so complicated to just say words? You knew what you wanted to say, but that certainly wasn't what came out!
"Kris? Lucky you…what?"
You blink, suddenly aware of the burning heat rising up from your neck, flooding across your cheeks. You had to say something, anything at this point.
"Hey, seriously, talk to me dude."
Or maybe you could run? You wince. That would likely lead to falling off the roof. But Ralsei could heal you pretty easily…if you survived. You bite the bottom of your lip. No, Susie would probably catch you before you made it halfway back to your window. She was pretty good about catching you when you fell, even more so when there was actual danger involved.
"KRIS!"
"H-Huh?"
She was close. Too close. Her eyes drilled into you, face inches from your own. You felt her breath on your neck, warmth pouring across as she forces your attention towards her. You feel your chest tighten, counting the scales shining in the dim light, barely a hair away. Your heartbeat thrummed in your ears, drowning out the silent darkness surrounding you two. You take a breath, shaking, fighting back the fear and worry in your mind.
You knew how you felt.
You weren't very good at putting it all into words, but…
You knew.
…
Her scales felt…rough. They tickled your lips as you met hers, struggling to find a connection. They brushed against the side of your face and the tip of your nose, awkwardly bending in your attempts. Her fangs didn't help much either. You immediately felt their danger, sharp points threatening to spread forth, past her lips and towards your own. You didn't quite know what you were doing. If you needed to angle to the side to meet her maw, if you had to be eye to eye, if you were even doing anything correctly. But her lips were soft. They met yours, warmth radiating throughout, your burning face and chest melting thoughts away. Your mind struggled to even comprehend what was happening, but…
It was…nice.
Your eyes flutter open, reality beginning to draw back into your consciousness. You silently break away, struggling to control the panic screaming in your mind.
"…huh." A single grunt echoes from the dragoness.
A weak breath escapes your lips as you hide underneath the curtain of hair in your vision. You stare down, unsure about moving, even thinking. You weren't sure what would happen. You weren't sure you wanted to know.
"I-I…" Your chest seizes, words choking in your throat, "…s-sorry, I-I-"
"Hold up."
She moves away, your heart jumping into your throat. You feel her arms untangle from your waist, watching as the dragoness brings herself around, now hovering inches from your face. You bring your gaze to hers, watching as Susie throws the dark blanket behind her, the loose cloth floating down across the tiles. The drake's eyes dart away as heat burns across her scales.
"…d-damn it." She grumbles, shakily dragging her palms down across her face, "Just…like…h-hold still, okay?!"
You freeze. The dragoness leans forward, closing the distance, her shuddering breath flowing across your neck.
She lunges.
Her lips slam against yours almost painfully as her claws desperately lock onto your shoulders. You wince, eyes going wide in the sudden assault.
"MMPH!"
You struggle to breath, to remain under her weight, to even process what was happening. You begin to sense the marks being driven into your shoulders, her grip closing tightly around you as you melted into the embrace. You weren't sure if you would survive the attack, if there would be anything left of you once everything was said and done.
You weren't sure you cared.
Her lips parted from yours as you struggled for air once more, the dragoness continuing to hover above you. Her mane fell over your shoulder, blocking much of the world away from the moment. The darkness hid little though. A mindless smile painted your face, hair thrown across your vision as your body began to ache from quickly forming bruises. You peer up, noting the dragoness in much the same condition. Her hair was a disaster, curling and sticking across her shoulders, her scales flaring into a deeper royal purple. The t-shirt she wore bunched and twisted into a heap across her form, whatever fiery text depicting death and doom long since hidden from sight.
But…
She was smiling, a dopey grin filled with razor sharp fangs and softened amber eyes.
"…pfft-"
You couldn't help it.
"Wha-" The dragoness mutters, "The hell you laughing for?! You're the one who kissed the side of my mouth!"
"N-No, I-" Your chest tightens as further laughter wracks your body, "S-Sorry! Just, your face, it's-"
"Pick your words carefully, freak."
"…it's really cute."
Susie grumbles, laying her full weight upon your chest as she limply flops upon you, "…pain in the ass."
You reel backwards, the dragoness' sudden embrace catching you off guard, sending you flat against the roof's tiles.
"Agh!" You yelp, struggling under the suffocating mass of scales and muscle.
You feel the drake stretch out against you, nestling into the crook of your neck.
"Shut-it." Her mane dances across your arm, "…better as a pillow anyway."
You stare down at the dragoness, her mess of hair hiding the girl from sight. You take a deep breath, wrapping your arms around her back. You mindlessly loop your fingers through the ruffled cloth of her t-shirt, dancing across the patterns of her scales through the material. You trace lines across her back, her own breaths slowing against you.
"…Susie?"
"…mmph?"
You squeeze your eyes tight, careful of your next words, "The...roof kinda hurts."
The mop of hair upon your chest lifts, tangled weaves drifting across her narrowed eyes, "…what?"
"The…tiles? They sorta hurt to lay on. I-I mean, I guess it's okay? Just, uh, yeah…" You stammer.
"Ugh…fine, you crybaby."
You feel a weight lifted, relief soon soured by the realization of just how cold you were without a blanket or entire dragon curled upon you. You shake away from the thought, watching as Susie effortlessly springs to life, hastily throwing her hands down across her wrinkled t-shirt and patchwork pajama bottoms. She pauses, staring at you for a moment, eventually reaching down with a huff and yanking you back up to your feet. You're nearly thrown back against her, stumbling to catch yourself from falling to the ground.
"Alright, alright, I'm up! Jeez…" You shake your head, hair dancing away from sight, "Could've just sat like we we're…"
"Nah. Now come on already."
The mauve dragoness turns away, stomping back towards her open window.
Your eyes follow along as you wrap your arms around your sides, the chill of the night air making itself known.
"Uh…"
"Would you come on already!" Susie's eyes snap to you, the roar echoing into the distance.
"A-Alright, okay!" You scramble across the rooftop, ensuring each step meets a stable bit of tile, "Probably shouldn't be yelling when we're up here…"
"Wouldn't have to if you'd just hurry up." The dragoness grumbles.
"Okay, but hurry up and wha-" You freeze, "W-Wait, n-no, I mean…uh, are you sure? N-Not that I don't want to! Wait, no! I-I mean, not that that's what you mean but…I-I can just go back to my room a-and-"
Susie sighs, "Dude."
"…sorry."
The dragoness groans, gently pulling you into an embrace. Your mind goes blank as you stare off into the distance, cyan lights flickering amidst the darkness.
"…you had a shit night. Then I dumped on you and…" She chuckles, "You were there for me. And then we…y-yeah." Susie sighs, "But I don't like you feeling like you did and not being there. I don't want you to have screwed up dreams like that and not have someone there." She tilts her head, nestling into you further, "So come on. Let me be there. Can't do much, but at least I can throw you back in bed if you suddenly decide to go wandering around."
You let out a shuddered breath, an inferno beginning to rise across your features, "…o-okay."
"Cool. Now hurry up before you freeze to death."
You roll your eyes as she untangles from you, turning back towards the open window. Wordlessly, you grip the bottom of the frame, clumsily hopping through, narrowly avoiding the dusty manual atop the shelf as you land on the plush carpet below. A yawn flows from your lips, the flood of thoughts and worries dwindling with each passing moment.
You lazily shuffle from the window, taking in your surroundings. The area was mostly untouched from your last visit, furniture and walls still surprisingly intact. You lean against the bed's frame, careful to avoid the spikes at your feet. You peer over through half-lidded eyes. The icebox at your side had been clearly utilized to its fullest, claw marks torn across the handle in a desperate entrance. You gaze off into the darkened corner of the room, the near life-sized statue of the dragoness continuing to stand guard. You squint, noting the marbled figure's axe having been turned into a makeshift clothes line, many of the drake's spare outerwear thrown haphazardly across. You continue searching, barely registering the window slamming shut.
"Damn it's cold out there." The mauve drake strolls past, tossing her blanket back across the bed.
"Yeah…" The word is stretched, caught in another yawn, "Guess it gets cold during the winter here too."
"Uh-huh. Makes sense." Susie scratches the back of her head, "So…uh, guess we should…"
You raise an eyebrow, languidly staring back.
"C-Come on, one of us has to actually get in…" Her eyes dart away, avoiding your gaze.
"…alright." You meander off to the side of the bed, flopping down atop the tangled sheets.
"H-Hey!"
You bring your legs up atop the plush mattress, rolling over to the side with a satisfied grumble.
"Where's all that stupid worrying stuff from before?!" The dragoness snorts.
"…too tired."
The bed squeaks from underneath as you're pulled off to the side, Susie's weight sinking into the creaking mattress. A sweeping darkness falls across you as the still frigid blanket from before cascades down, thrown over the two of you. You flip off to the side, coming face to face with the dragoness, nestling further into the rapidly dwindling space atop the pillow. A dazed smile paints your features. You begin to drift, only for your eyes to shoot back open as you feel sharp points dance across your side.
"Agh, careful!" You yelp.
"S-Sorry, damn claws…"
You sigh, a dopey smile returning to your lips as you bring the pillow closer to your half of the bed. You dig your face into the plush material, eyelids fluttering, only to go wide once more as you feel Susie wrap around you tightly.
"Stop fidgeting, would you?"
"…your shirt is fuzzy."
"And your hair is itchy." Susie mutters halfheartedly.
You smile, consciousness fading, "…thanks Susie."
"Yeah, yeah." The drake nestles her maw closer, "…hey."
"Mmph? Yeah?"
"That thing you were gonna say…before you…k-kissed me?"
You stare into her amber eyes, a tired smile reflecting back.
"You were going to say…I-I mean…"
You sweep the blanket over, curling an arm at her side, closing the distance between.
"…love ya too, freak."
"So…you have the plushie on your bed?"
"Sh-Shut-up!"
You flip the doll in your hands, examining the intricate craftsmanship across each thread and accessory. You chuckle. They even managed the way her eyebrows furrow when she's angry.
Adorable.
"I was just wondering." You stretch your neck from side to side, a small popping sound echoing out, "Hard to not notice when you roll over and it nearly suffocates you in your sleep." You sniff, "True to life I guess…"
You gently plop the offending plush back onto the bed's corner, dragging yourself up and onto the vibrant pink floor. An icy chill shoots through your body, the cold hitting you as you leave the blanket's embrace.
"I-I should probably go get my armor and everything. I don't think this is gonna cut it…" You pick at your tank-top's strap, sighing.
"You really should get warmer clothes dude. I get you like your sweaters and everything, but seriously, it's like a blizzard out there in the morning." Susie drags a claw through her mane, straightening the crazed mass.
Air shoots from your lips, a soft popping sound flowing out, "I know…they're just comfortable I guess." You mindlessly shuffle over to the door, gripping the frigid handle, "Meet you out there?"
"Yeah, just gotta find my jacket…"
"Check the axe."
"Huh? Oh shit, right!" Susie locks onto the statue's form, swiping the sleeveless leather tunic.
You roll your eyes, throwing open the door out into the castle's hall. You manage a single step into the medieval corridor before rearing back, a blast of glacial air flowing out through the ancient structure.
"Gah!"
You brace yourself, shakily pushing into the elements, your feet sticking as you walk upon the icy flooring. You grimace, teeth chattering. Just have to make it back to your room which…would likely be just as cold since you left your window open.
Wonderful.
"I-I understand the desire for such a fixture within the castle's walls, though I am not sure as to whether most of the residents would benefit from…"
"An Acid Bath For Recreational Enjoyment And Because It's Dope?"
"Y-Yes…that."
No.
Please no.
"I'm just not entirely sure if we have the resources and…Kris?"
Your mind recedes.
"Wow Hey Kris Nice Look Very Casual And Human."
Think.
THINK.
You were…just strolling through the hall for a few minutes. For fresh air! You were going to see if Susie was awake yet, and as it turns out, she is! So, you were going back to your room and-
"Hey, freak."
The door creaks open as your blood runs cold.
"You see my pants anywhere? Can't find them…" Susie grumbles loudly, her maw peeking through the crack.
"Oh My." A digitized gasp rings out.
"…shit." You hear the door's handle creak as the metal bar is nearly torn from its socket.
You force your gaze back down the hall, finding a mortified Ralsei staring back, the tufts across his cheeks flaring wildly from the inferno underneath.
"I-I was just, uh…just checking if..." You clear your throat, synapses within your mind firing blindly, "W-What I mean is-"
"Why Didn't Anyone Tell Me!" Queen chortles to herself, the high-pitched sound looping, "I Can Totes Keep A Secret!"
"Sh-Shut-it! You-" The dragoness throws open the door, almost immediately retreating in on herself upon spotting Ralsei's thousand-yard stare.
"No It's Great I Love It Really." The automaton's facial display flares to life as 'Nice' is mockingly burned into the screen, "10/10 Very Cute Didn't Know You Two Were Into That." You watch as Queen leans upon the rapidly disassociating prince at her side, using his head as an arm rest, "I Can Even Suggest Some Interesting Articles With Pictures On These Kinds Of Relationships: Incognito Mode Recommended."
"N-No! I-I mean, like, I l-like her, of course, but, well…" Your eye begins to twitch.
A growl emanates from your side, "It's not like that! We just slept toge-"
…
Silence echoes through the hall.
You breathe. In, then out. Slowly. At least you think you do. You really couldn't tell what your body was doing at this point. You were…somewhere else.
"…buh-" A single, delicate whimper catches your attention.
Then, a crash.
"Oh Damn Goat Down LMAO."
[Author's Note]
Whoops, I accidentally an entire chapter.
Anyways. Think I kinda, sorta overdid it like usual. Becoming a bad habit; these chapters keep getting longer in tooth every time. Ah well, was fun to write. Not fun to edit, at least after the sixth or seventh run through of it all. Hope it's something you guys enjoy, genuinely. Very, very nervous about this one. To the point I'm sure I'll run through it two more times once I post this to check for mistakes and awkward scenes, in which I'll be screaming into the void when I inevitably find them!
But I digress, shout-outs!
Go check out Patchwork Crow's How to Be a Friend. You can see me gushing about it in their comments, but yeah. It's just an absolutely fantastic take on Ralsei as a character with such an intricate understanding of how relationships may not always be perfectly healthy from the start, even if they could bloom into something meaningful down the line. Also, they're a good friend that constantly helps me sort through my nervousness/uncertainty with writing. Check out their work if you want fantastic characterizations and dynamics, or just want to support someone who truly adds to this community as a whole.
Additionally, go look into Just for Fun by whattheycallyou if you're a sucker for cute fics like me. It's genuinely an adorable piece that nails the kind of quality in writing moments of closeness that I hope to achieve at some point. It's fluffy, awkward, cute, everything that makes my brain melt into a puddle. Good stuff.
And of course, thanks for making it through all my nonsense, as usual. It means the world to me that people follow whatever haphazard fever dreams I put to paper. So thank you for being here, seriously.
Onto the next one...