Odd times befell Hyaci Maltran; the brewing war she had expected, seeing how her careful machinations escalated hostilities. The lack of orders from her lord in this crucial time, she had not. Heldalf was usually quite punctual in his response, which worried her. The letter she penned should have been answered by now, but he kept his silence to all of his agents in Ladylake. Moreover, the local seraphim were up to something she had yet to discover the purpose of.

Hyaci sat in a complicated position; trusted beyond any doubt at court, but in need to carefully remain distant of conflicting situations. Yet she had to investigate the lack of orders and the seraphims' actions, all while having but a handful of people trustworthy and capable of doing so discreetly. Calloused fingers tapped a slow rhythm on her desk as she pondered the conundrum, which was when the soft flap of wingbeats caught her attention. An oversized eagle landed moments later, clouded in a thin layer of inky Malevolence.

"About time," Hyaci murmured as she turned to the messenger; her worry hardly had time to dissipate before it returned with a vengeance, though: the bird shook its head when she reached for its leg, but presented it anyway. With her own letter still attached. The messengers were intelligent and faithful, but this particular event meant... "You can not find him?"

The bird nodded slowly and hung its head, cooing softly when Hyaci administered gentle scritches. "Do not falter, you did well," she soothed even as her mind raced. He might be overseeing something vital in person; she knew the messengers could not reach Camlann or Artorius' Throne near it, which was where she suspected her lord. Yet at the same time, Symonne had not reported in for months; her own agents reported the seraph girl traveling with other people recently.

Hyaci had been a slight bit suspicious of Symonne and her goals for quite some time, but especially so for the past year; something changed with that one. This, she needed to investigate as well. "I need your services in an hour or two," she told the messenger, who fluttered its wings in agreement. Perhaps even in determination to make up for the previous failure. Hyaci immediately began to pen letters to the other agents she knew of. Until Heldalf returned, Hyaci simply had to work harder; her faith in the fact he would return was unwavering. And once the new world order was established, she would be crowned queen.

. .

. .

"I see. Times sure are interesting."

Eizen regarded the people around him with a half-grin, though Velvet clearly noticed how it faded when he came to Laphi. It would get better over time, or at least she hoped it would. "Anything else I need to know?"

"Not right now," Velvet answered nonchalantly, though she knew a few things they had to cover soon. "Let's get back home for now." Then she hesitated at the reminder that the mountain was gone. "Laphi, where is the gate?"

"That way," he pointed helpfully, although with a hint of trepidation. "But it's a delicate arte, so I don't know if it survived the sudden shift in position." He led the way without hesitation and everyone filed in behind him; Laphi had been mostly quiet until this point, clearly uncomfortable around Eizen. Velvet could not tell if it was because of Edna or Eizen's own dislike of him, but he apparently got over it and chattered along: "Oh, and do tell me what kind of catalyst you want."

Margaret threw him an incredulous look for that. "We just bonded," she reminded Laphi. "Armatisation is a long way off."

"Aye, the trust it takes to do so takes a long while to build."

"It's good to see you both in agreement, but I disagree that you shouldn't have a catalyst now." Laphi turned to floating backward so he could face human and seraph. "Even if you can't use it yet, it's better to have one ready than to lack it when you need it. Not to mention, Margaret, you and Symonne pulled it off within a month of knowing each other."

"A fluke, nothing more," the girl muttered abashed. Eizen gave a thoughtful noise, but did not comment further. Margaret's eyes narrowed and she threw her friend an accusing look. "You just want to build more catalysts, don't you?"

Laphi smiled at her cheerfully. "Guilty as charged," he admitted without remorse. "It's just so much fun to lay intricate spellwork like this in various objects. So, any particular things you'd like? I heard Sorey's earth-catalyst is a gauntlet and I remember that you're focussed on martial arts or something, right?"

"Aye." Eizen raised one hand for emphasis. "My body is the only weapon I can use safely. My curse has a habit of breaking anything else at the worst time." He studied Margaret by his side for a moment, then reached out to take her hand and look it over; Velvet noticed him pause over the clear callouses that spoke of dedicated practice. "How about a pair of gloves?" he then suggested. "Fingerless, probably. If you can make them sturdy, they'd add some additional protection for Margaret's hands as well."

The young woman had been squirming a little, but allowed her hand to be scrutinised that closely; she quickly agreed with the proposal once he let go, though. Laphi then took her and Magilou ahead through the gate, leaving behind the older Crowe and the reaper. Velvet stopped her old friend from following the others. "One more thing," she began, then paused. "Actually, several."

"Oh?" He stopped and turned to face her, waiting expectantly. Considering how to start for a moment, Velvet began to grin.

"You remember what Margaret told you earlier?" she then queried, only to receive a nod. "Well, she isn't the only one who came back. I found an old friend of yours some time ago. He was just like people described him whenever we asked." Her grin widened when Eizen's eyebrow rose almost imperceptibly. "Van Aifread is back."

The reaction was immediate; at first Eizen went slack, but then his resting grim expression was replaced by an almost beaming smile. "He is?" The seraph grabbed her shoulders in exuberance, surprising Velvet a little. "Then I need to go there soon!"

"Say no more, of course you will." She could not help but chuckle. "You and Zaveid are similar in some things, you know?" He joined in with a snort, but left it at that; Velvet sighed at the silent motion to continue, knowing that this was the easiest part. "Next is Edna." At once, the mirth faded and Eizen's grasp grew far more tight. "She's fine," Velvet added before he could start to panic, "but you will see her, even if I have to drag you there kicking and screaming. Don't give me that look, she's a sweet girl and deserves the chance."

Any lesser person would have tried to take distance from the mighty scowl Eizen now leveled at her. Velvet merely stared back, just as resolute. "For two," she continued, "she is seeing someone."

"What?!"

While Velvet had expected a violent reaction, she was not prepared to be let go, only for a gloved hand to grab her by the collar. She stared askance as the reaper glared at her from up-close. "Who is it?" he growled. "Tell me right this instant! I'll kill him and spread the pieces all over the continent!" Velvet's unamused look yielded no reaction, he simply waited for her to reveal the culprit.

"Eizen?"

"Nothing, Velvet. Who. Is. It?"

"You're trying to threaten a goddess."

"Your point?"

Velvet sighed, realising she should have seen that coming. "Why am I even surprised," she muttered, "I'd probably act similar in your place." Then however, she grabbed his hand and dislodged it forcefully, tearing off her tunic's collar. "Anyway, there will be no killing and no spreading pieces like some kind of barbarian. The only who'd get killed is you either way; you can't beat Laphi, no matter how hard you try."

Eizen stood stock still for a moment before his incredulous expression became furious instead. He made to go for the portal, but Velvet kept him in place by his hand. "Let go," he ordered, but she did not heed him. "I don't care who he is, he lays a hand on my sister, he dies. And Innominat at that, he probably-" "Don't."

The sudden edge in Velvet's voice shut him up, instinct overriding even Eizen's anger. She slowly leaned closer, holding his burning gaze with her own. "Do not, ever, talk about my brother as if he'd take advantage of a girl. Do not, ever, talk about him as if he'd suppress her to become his toy." She left a pregnant pause, squeezing Eizen's hand hard for emphasis. Then she hissed at him: "And for that matter, stop with the hypocrisy. Edna is all grown-up, strong, and smart. She chose Laphi and that makes whatever they get up to none of your business."

"That's not the point," Eizen growled back, agitated once more. Velvet raised an eyebrow at him.

"Oh, it isn't? Remind me who just wanted to kill a young man for daring to return his sister's feelings?" She received another, wordless growl in response, but the tension slowly drained from her old friend. Knowing that she would not get any further by pushing, Velvet relented as well. "I know you adore her, I love Laphi more than anything too. I'm not going to tell you not to worry, I do too. But I won't just let you interfere in this like you would have otherwise. They are old enough to make their own choices, wherever they may lead."

Her tone had grown softer with every sentence, but when she ultimately let go of his hand, Eizen stayed. He placed a hand on his face and sighed, the other clenched into a fist. "I'm going to have a stern talk with him anyway," he ground out. "But you made your point." For one insane moment, Velvet considered bringing up how Edna apparently offered her own body to repay them for the chance to get her brother back. She discarded the thought immediately, both for the guilt and the boundless wrath she knew that anecdote would earn from him.

To fill the ensuing silence, Velvet rather decided to continue with actually relevant information: "And for that matter, she has a girlfriend, too." Eizen tensed, but wisely kept his mouth shut and let her continue: "Her name is Symonne and she is Margaret's other partner. Don't be too hard on her, she had a lot happening in her life lately."

"We'll see."

Knowing that this was the best she would likely get, Velvet nodded. "There's one other thing, before we go. About two months ago, the Lord of Calamity cornered Shepherd Sorey and turned his firekeeper into a dragon." Eizen's eyes flashed in anger, clearly aware that it could as well have been Edna who was turned.

"But the Lord of Calamity is already dead," he felt out her reason to bring it up. "Losing a shepherd is a problem, but I don't see what's important about this. You don't need me to retrieve the firekeeper."

"I don't," Velvet agreed. "But she became the only white-horned dragon Laphi and I saw all around the continent. Her heart can remove your curse. I know you wouldn't want to have it," she silenced his immediate protest, "but this one is out of your hand. A firekeeper is worth purifying, but your continued presence stands on the other end of the scale. This is a choice Edna must make. I know very well you won't stay around her, so if she wants you more than her friend..." She left the words hanging in favour of holding Eizen's gaze. "And if need be, if she makes that choice, I will force that heart down your throat. She loves you." She could tell he was irate about having his freedom to choose taken away; regardless, the warning growl he let out did not faze her. "You're a dear friend," Velvet continued gently, "but so is Edna. I have a hand with stubborn boys and sometimes you need to be forced to do something for your own good."

The tension ran high for a long moment, both of them ready to throw punches. Velvet did not know what ultimately made Eizen relent; he sighed heavily, shelving the subject: "We will see what happens when we get to it. For now, show me your body." When Velvet hesitated in confusion and a bit of sheepishness, he rolled his eyes at her. "The dragon, Minkkubi. I want to see for myself, my memories from before are hazy at best."

"Ah. That makes more sense."

Concentrating, Velvet tore at the earthpulse running beneath to open it up; Minkkubi had lain in wait right beneath Rayfalke, just in case. Now she rose up to tower above Eizen, obsidian scales glinting in the afternoon sun. She still held a slumbering, crimson dragon in her arms, however; Eizen tensed at seeing Lailah's curved horns, glancing toward his friend for an explanation. "It's kinder to keep her like this," Velvet provided. "She can still think."

Her words woke the harbinger of flames, whose eyes slid open to take in their surroundings. They focussed on Eizen and Velvet, studying them with curiousity as well as remembrance. "Vel-vet," she growled, making to reach out but aborting the motion as she remembered her own claws. Both sides studied the other for a long moment.

"Tell me," Eizen then addressed Lailah, whose gaze focussed on him. "What is it that you want? To be returned to normal, or to become a sacrifice?" He left out a great many things there and Velvet's frown made clear she knew it was on purpose, but he did not amend those parts. Lailah contemplated first the question and then him.

"You. You are... Eizen." His surprise was obvious. "The. Cursed. One." Then it turned into irritation while Velvet huffed quietly. The dragon remained silent for several minutes this time, an uncomfortable silence that kept stretching on. Clouds of darkness emanated from Lailah with every breath she took, though Minkkubi's larger frame absorbed most before it could even reach Eizen. When she spoke, her grunts had a contemplative edge to them: "Either, fine. I want, to live, yes. But if it, it is, ei-ther that, or, or, Edna, Edna, being happy? She smiles so, so rarely. Make her, smile."

"Don't worry," Velvet soothed the forlorn dragon gently. "We will. All of them will smile, but it's still not a choice I'm going to take from them. Now sleep some more." Her draconic form began to sink back into the earthpulse, never relinquishing her hold on Lailah. The smaller dragon lowered her head as she vanished from sight, leaving only Velvet and a somber Eizen.

"She's willing to sacrifice herself," he muttered after a long pause, eyes seeking Velvet's. "You could just do it right now, get it over with." He was still unhappy, but no longer actively opposed to the plan.

Velvet let out a soft sigh, squashing the urge to hug herself for comfort. "I could and I considered it. But this is really not my choice to make, Eizen. Even if Lailah agrees with it, I can't keep making decisions for humans and seraphim; I am a most cruel goddess, after all." The joke drew a grin from her friend, which Velvet matched. "So my puny lessers will have to make the hard decisions on their own."

"You're not wrong. But this is Lailah's choice first and foremost, isn't it? It's her life and her heart."

"Agreed." Velvet watched the contemplative dragon with her true body, wondering if perhaps it would be kinder do grant her wish after all. "I'll consider it. Maybe we'll go ahead after your curse almost kills the girls a few times."

They shared a laugh over that and once her mirth faded, Velvet made to activate the teleportation gate. Her hand paused right above the arte however; something made her hesitant, be it instinct or caution. She threw a glance to Eizen and examined the arte, then dispelled it with a huff. "Your curse is already active," Velvet informed her friend as she weaved the arte anew. "The gate's formula got corrupted while we spoke, probably from Lailah's Malevolence. Going through like that probably would have destroyed us. Or thrown us into the void, I don't know." She would have to ask her brother for a better idea what might have happened. Eizen did not respond either way, though he reached into his pocket for something that was not there, then frowned.

"You know what you signed up for," he reminded her, to which Velvet nodded. "By the way, do you know what happened to my coin?"

"Zaveid has it. Said he picked it up after you turned and kept it since." They spoke about that some time ago, she remembered; the exact conversation coaxed another smile out of Velvet. "He said he wanted to give it to Edna at some point, but only after you died. So she can remember you by it."

"I see. And where is Zaveid now?"

"Working with the shepherd, same as Edna. I'll see about getting him alone to get your coin, but I doubt we'll have that chance." Just as the arte completed, Velvet threw Eizen a saccharine smile. "Looks like you have to go there instead." The glare he returned only made her huff, though she slowly began to understand what Magilou found so funny about taunting people.

She took the gate first and Eizen followed right behind; he appraised their new surroundings cautiously while trailing after Velvet, being led from the basement to the upper floors. Margaret was already expecting them, as was Alisha. Symonne apparently preferred to cuddle with Laphi, the two of them immediately drawing Eizen's attention in the back. He made to stalk over to them, but Margaret intercepted him with a smile. "Now that we have everyone here, meet Alisha. She is our resident therion."

"A pleasure," the older blonde murmured, unaware of being studied because her gaze was directed to the ground. Velvet glanced from her to Eizen and back, then made an understanding noise; he was handsome after all.

For his part, the earth seraph offered her a nod. "Likewise. I'm Eizen." He then stepped past the befuddled woman on his original path, looming over Symonne and Laphi.

"You two," Eizen growled, "a word."

The three women at the room's other side watched how both seraphim glanced up at him, then at each other. He frowned when neither of them rose, though Symonne pre-empted any demands: "Let me guess: 'if you touch my sister, I'll kill you'?" Either the prediction or her attempted baritone made Eizen blink down at her in surprise, prompting a giggle.

"No, no," Laphi corrected his girlfriend cheerfully. "I'm sure it's more like 'you better stay away from Edna, or I tear you apart'!" He, too, attempted a deep voice that only sounded hilarious. Velvet huffed, offering a shrug to the befuddled Alisha.

"Is that funny to you?" Eizen's growl curiously did nothing to intimidate the two; Symonne continued grinning and Laphi rolled his eyes.

"Of course it is," he lectured the older seraph with incredulity, "because you don't get to decide about Edna's life, just like Velvet doesn't get to decide about mine. If you think you can intimidate me into behaving, you probably forgot which of us is god here."

"And if you think you need to threaten us in the first place," Symonne chimed in while poking her foot into Eizen's stomach, "then that says more than enough about your opinions, which we will disregard on principle. So spare us all the trouble, yes? We're not doing anything she doesn't want, just like she won't do anything we don't want."

They held his glare nonchalantly, completely relaxed. Velvet tensed up however, expecting a brawl. To her surprise, Eizen backed off with a nod. "Good," he acquiesced. "At least you have a spine about yourself. We will see about the rest. I don't have to say what happens if you hurt her."

"Probably about the same that would happen if Edna hurt Laphi," Symonne chirped idly with a glance to Velvet. "Would be a shame, wouldn't it?"

"Don't pull me into this," she deflected the implications. "I know my Laphi is old enough not to need coddling."

"You still coddle him", Margaret immediately backstabbed her with a grin. "But it's more cute with a big sister and little brother." Alisha nodded along sagely while Laphi made a face. Eizen barked out a laugh, shaking his head at the situation.

"Alright. I'll leave it be for now." His gaze went to his vessel right after. "But there is someone I want to visit. It's your choice if you want to tag along, but if he's at all like I remember him, he will be intense."

"I'll say," Velvet muttered in agreement. Seeing the curious expressions all around, she provided some information for the others: "He's based in Horsa village at the moment." Laphi understood at once while the other women did not; Margaret pulled out a list Symonne made, nodding a few times as she skimmed it.

"We have some, er, targets near Horsa. I recall that there are bandits in the area as well, so we need to go there anyway. Wait a second." Laphi's laugh coincided with her remembering the elusive group's name; Margaret pocketed the list with a sigh. "It's van Aifread, isn't it?"

"Aye."

"I am not sure I understand the significance there," Alisha admitted as she glanced between everyone, "but I have been curious about the bandit king for a while. If you would not mind our company, Eizen?" He nodded to her and the therion's expression brightened. "Then I would like to meet him as well."

"I'm half-tempted to stay here," Symonne added with a glance to Laphi, who unceremoniously pushed her off the couch. "But it seems I'm not wanted right now."

"Stop being so dramatic," Margaret chided her first partner as she sauntered up to them, dress swishing around her calves. "We're all going, you can make out with Laphi some other time."

"Spoilsport."

The group trooped off, leaving only Velvet and Laphicet. He rose with a dramatic sigh and filed in behind her as well. "Back to work, I guess."

"Yes. And while we're at it, keep anything sensitive or vital under observation. We can't afford Eizen's curse messing things up now."

"Can do. At least Heldalf is already dead. No curse in the world can raise the dead. Except Malevolence, but... yeah, I'm going to shut up now."

. .

. .

Alisha's first reaction to the bandit's main base was... surprise. They arrived not in a roughshod camp or cave, but rather a small chapel; she halted for a moment to study her surroundings and found the place well cared-for. Eizen did similarly, one hand on his chin. "The architecture is odd," he mused. "Those surfaces are too smooth and the edges too sharp to be made by human hands. I'd say this is a seraph-built room."

"I can see what you mean," Margaret agreed after scrutinising their surroundings again; Alisha felt lost, unable to see what they saw. "Likely the furniture was pilfered from elsewhere, but the room itself and the altar there appear like they were shaped of the very earth and not put together from stone." That was clearer for Alisha to follow, though she still exchanged a helpless shrug with Symonne.

Margaret, thankfully seeing their casual disinterest, pointed toward the door. "Perhaps we should keep moving," she suggested. Eizen nodded, but fell into step with her instead of charging ahead. Alisha followed as they left, entering a corridor that appeared just slightly off like the chapel. There were distant voices audible, but no one in sight at first; they needed to turn a corner and enter another room to meet people. A tall blunette was busy sharpening her spear on a grindstone when they entered the small forge. She perked up at their sight, first confused and then cheerful.

"New recruits, eh? Did Alvin just send you in again?" No one knew what to respond to that and she filled the pause herself. "Ah well, give me a moment and I'll take you to the boss. I'm Judith."

Stumped by the warm welcome, Alisha gave her own name before Margaret did the same; Judith did not react to Eizen and Symonne keeping their silence, continuing to chatter at them: "Pretty sure I know what you're thinking, place is way too neat and tidy to be a bandit camp, no? We've got some friends who built it for us, and we've got enough money to afford proper clothes and food, so don't worry too much, girls. We look out for each other here, no matter where you're from or who you are. Doesn't matter if you're hellions either, not that I could tell." Alisha fidgeted self-conciously at that last part, which the lady noticed with a chuckle. "Right on the money, I guess. Now come, come!"

She ushered them out of the forge and further down the corridor until they all entered a bigger room taken up by a large table, one man, and two lamias. The table held a map, which in turn held the attention of all three occupants; the crimson-scaled lamia slithered around restlessly while the blue one remained in place.

"New recruits, boss!"

With those words, all three turned to them; the lamias immediately focussed on Alisha as a fellow hellion, whose tail swished weakly. She in turn studied the bandit king, van Aifread; he was tall like Eizen and just as handsome, his long, black hair disheveled. The only orderly thing in his face was a neatly trimmed, pointy beard; every other symmetry was destroyed by a vertical scar running over his left eye, though the eye itself appeared fine. His gaze lay on Eizen, the two men sizing each other up. An odd tension gripped the room and the men, clearly noticed by everyone else; Judith faltered a little, looking between them while Eizen stepped forward. Aifread did the same and then punches started flying.

Alisha and her friends quickly stepped back to the wall, soon joined by the other three women. They watched the brawl in a momentary silence, broken by a resigned Judith: "Is this Zaveid fellow visiting again?" She received a headshake from the crimson lamia.

"This one is different," the woman muttered, then peered at Symonne. "How many people did you bring here?"

"Two, why?"

"Count again," the water seraph chimed in cheerfully, evoking clear shock in Judith. "And don't get used to it; I'm pretty sure it looks a lot less stupid when you can see them both." The blunette's attention went back to the brawl, where she could now actually see Eizen. Her jaw fell slack while the lamias focussed on Symonne now.

"That is a curious power you have," the blue lamia commented. "But regardless, welcome. I am Enid, this is my sister Rodeen." Her crimson sister nodded, neither of them fazed by the ongoing fistfight no ten metres from them. Eizen and Aifread were unrelenting, like forces of nature colliding.

While Margaret introduced everyone in their little group, Alisha pondered the goings-on and found herself curious. "Is he, um, always like this?"

She motioned for the men, her question clear to everyone. Judith quickly shook her head. "Not always, but he often goes on about how men speak with their fists." The women rolled their eyes at each other as they watched on.

Into the sounds of fists colliding, Margaret began to muse: "I would say it depends on the kind of man. Although, admittedly, throwing punches is refreshingly straightforward if you are used to careful social manipulation and intrigue."

"Aye."

Alisha needed a moment to realise it was her who agreed with the comment in such a casual manner. No one so much as batted an eye, but the realisation highlighted just how much she changed since leaving home. Thankfully, her mild embarassment remained unnoticed; Enid had been studying Margaret from the corner of her eyes, speaking up as the brawl came to a close: "You are no new recruits, are you?"

"I am afraid not," the girl admitted with a nod to Eizen gasping on the floor. "But he wanted to visit his friend, so we were curious how, er, people such as you live." Alisha winced over the less diplomatical phrasing, but none of the bandits took offense. "Word of your exploits is starting to pass through every corner of the empire," she added. There were a few understanding noises, though any further conversation was disrupted by raised male voices.

"About time you showed your ruddy face around here! It was getting boring without you to spice things up!" Though bruised and sporting a black eye, van Aifread clasped his old friend's hand in a firm shake.

Eizen chuckled darkly in response, crossing his arms when they let go of each other. "I doubt the rest of your new crew would be that happy with me. Besides, I can't stay, at least not yet."

"Oh? Prefer the ladies this time, eh?" The bandit king ran an appreciative gaze over them all, which had the lamias bristling and made Alisha feel somewhere between affronted and flattered. Her tail swished once before she shook off the sensation; she ought to be used to being complimented, though not in such straightforward a manner. Eizen just rolled his eyes.

"No," he deflected. "There are things that need to be done and that they will need all the help they can get to achieve. But I'll be around." Aifread laughed heartily and slapped his shoulder before fully rounding on Alisha's group.

"And you, what brings you into our humble abode?"

Margaret repeated their reasoning for him, then she and Alisha introduced themselves with polite smiles. Symonne merely shrugged, peering up at the bandit. "I don't know about them," she teased with a grin, "but I heard there's drink and booty to be had!" She offered her hand, which the chuckling Aifread shook vigorously. "But for real now, we have some work in the area, so we figured we might as well drop in here so Eizen can say hi."

"Aye, I like this one. Should consider her, old friend." He threw a wink to Eizen, whose frown darkened further. Symonne giggled.

"Nope, not happening. Already seeing his baby sister."

"And suicidal, too! Now, I'd say you make for perfect companions!" Aifread laughed again. Meanwhile, Alisha wondered if she could inch away from Eizen; if she had thought his scowl was severe before, he appeared positively murderous right now.

All of a sudden, one leg of the table next to them collapsed and brought down the whole thing; Alisha flinched into a ready stance, but relaxed once it registered properly. Aifread just shrugged. "Ah, there we go. I was wondering how long it takes. Now, Enid? Call everyone together, we're having a feast to celebrate Eizen's return!"

"I, why? ...yes, of course." The lamia had made to argue, but decided against it. She slithered away with her sister close behind, shoulders slumped despondently.

Everything moved at an incredible pace from there on; within the hour, dozens of men and women were gathered under the open sky in a derelict village. No less than seven cooks tended the fireplaces, barrels of ale and bottles of finer spirits filled first wooden mugs, then their stomachs. Well-cooked meat and roasted vegetables went onto her own plate as well, a meal worthy of being called feast. Some people were singing, others danced to the tune of strings.

Alisha could not help but stare at the goings-on. She had been swept up by the cheer and was even convinced to partake in drinks with the bandits. All around her sat rugged yet clean people enjoying themselves; much to her embarassment and secret pleasure, she had to turn down approaches from three men and even one woman so far. Currently, she watched Aifread convince Margaret into accepting a mug of ale.

"Your age doesn't matter, lass! You're old enough to fight, so you're old enough to drink!" He motioned for a couple of young adults sipping from their own mugs; the boy smiled timidly while the girl toasted with cheer. "See? One mug won't kill you."

"My mother just might," Margaret quipped back, drawing laughter from the bandits.

"What kinda pussy talk is that?" someone threw in together with a cleaned bone. "Just try it!" Others joined in and agreed. Alisha sighed softly as she tipped back her own mug, only for another voice to sound over the others: "See, your friend's doing alright!"

"Only a bit too uptight to fit in," another voice joked; Alisha almost choked on her drink upon being singled out, but managed to catch herself and finish the rest in slow gulps. Once she was finished however, she deliberately set down the mug before wiping her mouth with a napkin. A part of her remained flattered about being so desired, but yet another was appalled by the assumption she would be up for such casual intimacy. Then again, she wondered, perhaps an erotic adventure might not be so bad. No one would ever know, anyway.

Her sight was blurry at this point, but she grabbed a full mug nonetheless. The banter faded in and out, only becoming more focussed when someone pulled the ale out of her hand. Blinking, Alisha found Margaret's unamused gaze directed at herself. She tilted her head. "Is something the matter, Margaret?" she wanted to inquire, but it came out rather blurred. Companionable laughter sounded all around, which in turn made Alisha giggle along.

"I believe you had enough," Margaret commented. Alisha pouted, her tail sliding open to snap at her friend, who stepped away effortlessly. Then she sipped from Alisha's mug, grimacing a moment later. "And I have to decline again," she told Aifread. "It seems I am the only responsible person around... and I won't let anyone take advantage of Alisha here."

"You shound like I -hic- I can't look after me!" Alisha slurred, all eloquence lost by this point. The more she thought about it, the more interest she found in all those things she had been taught not to do. Traveling with friends was so much fun, having friends was so much fun! Even with potentially literal pits of despair in her belly, Alisha had never been happier before. She sniffled at the reminder, tears rolling down her cheeks within seconds. "Ah, p-pardon, I..." Bashful, Alisha lowered her head and dabbed at her eyes, but it would not stop. She barely managed to stop herself from wailing like a child.

"Hey now, it's alright." She felt herself pulled up, stumbling forward momentarily; a firm shoulder steadied Alisha at once. As she wrapped her arms around Margaret on impulse, her friend sighed. "Definitely had enough," she murmured, leading the therion away. Alisha was tucked in not much later, slurring something about happiness and friendship to Margaret.

She would wake hours later, head mushy instead of in pain as others told her it would be. Yet despite the odd state she hid from her companions as they left Horsa, she wondered; seeing the bandits wave them off cheerfully conjured up memories. She had more fun this one afternoon than at any function she ever attended as princess. In the privacy of her own head, Alisha mused how things would be if perhaps she had accepted someone's advances. While her drunk thoughts remained those of a drunk, they retained their allure even once she sobered up. However, those thoughts and her actions also embarassed Alisha, who felt she would need to think about it all for a while before coming to a decision. But she had her friends by her side and much to do, so that was just fine with her.