"The Inquest and Modus Sceleris? Working together?!" the seraph exclaims.
"It's not that surprising," I reply, "After all I've seen them trying to make contracts with bandits and the nightmare court. Using a fighting guild to do their dirty work seems right up their alley."
Gixx and I are sitting next to each other, in the entranceway of the mansion. The Seraph and their medics are cleaning up the aftermath of the attack. A medic already treated me with whatever that necromancer inflicted upon me. Apparently it was some sort of fast acting poison, and all I needed was a potion a medic gave me on the spot. Other than feeling incredibly energetic, I'm not feeling any side effects to the treatment at all. Gixx and I simply waited for the Seraph captain to arrive so we could give our statements. Minister Crayblin hid in a closet during the attack, and I can here him arguing with a seraph about whether it's safe to come out or not. Other guests are giving their recollection of events while being attended.
"Tippa was the target," Gixx says, "You did help kill their leader recently didn't you?"
"And destroy half their base," I reply with a smile. Ah the Crucible of Eternity. Good times, good times.
Gixx sighs. "There you have it. The Inquest get to cause some mayhem and get revenge, while Modus Sceleris gets to prove they're a force to be reckoned with."
"Are you certain that they didn't just steal the technology? Or they bought it?" the seraph asks.
Gixx and I look at one another, then burst into laughter.
"You're laughing because . . .?" the seraph looks slightly peeved.
"Highly unlikely. Even if they did, a teleporter is a very finicky piece of equipment," I begin. "I can't imagine the Inquest willingly parting with such a powerful piece of equipment. Even if they did somehow manage to steal it, they wouldn't know how to use it."
"Modus Sceleris is known for their brute strength, not their intelligence," Gixx says in agreement.
"Also, as flattering as being on the Inquest's most wanted list is, I'm sure I'm not the only target," I turn to the Seraph. "Last I checked, there are those who would like Queen Jennah's rule smeared in an unflattering light. Having a major attack within the city against a newly appointed minister could do that."
The Seraph looks grim. "Do you have any proof of that?" he asks.
My mind flashed back to Caudecus' Manor, with the attempted kidnapping of the Queen. "No, its just a hypothesis," I reply. "I did notice that some of the attackers were wearing seraph gear."
He looks even more grim. "Is there anything else we should know?" he asks.
We both shake our heads.
"Thank you for your cooperation, and for protecting our citizens Commander," he ends with a salute. He turns to Gixx and gives him a small bow, then goes to talk to the other guests.
"Hmph I don't get a thanks?" Gixx huffs.
"Well, you're known as a scholar, not a fighter," I reply, "I'm actually surprised at how well you did in there." I stand up and dust myself off. The lower half of my dress isn't in ruins as much as it's simply gone. I ripped it off in the moment for mobility, but now I'll be walking home in a torn garment with no pants on. That should garner some interesting reactions. Looking at Gixx, he fared better than I had. His clothes looked a little worse for wear, but he'd managed to keep them intact.
"I happen to be a very skilled elementalist," he sniffs, standing up beside me. He looks at me with concern, but as he sees me able to walk off without falling over, he refrains from any questions on my state of being.
"I know that now, but its not something you really advertise. Maybe you should add it to your title," I tease. We begin to exit the mansion, walking side by side back to the asura gate to Lion's Arch.
"Master Elementalist Gixx, Steward of the Priory does have a nice ring to it," he muses.
I shake my head. "Too long! Enemies aren't just going to sit around and let you announce that!" I smile. I'm surprised that Gixx is in such a joking mood. We were in serious trouble back there.
"For someone who claimed things would be calm, you came prepared," I say while motioning at this staff. He's collapsed it back to being a cane.
Gixx gives a coy smile. "No harm in being ready for the worst. Same as you," he says while gesturing at my focus. I touch it absently.
"Where did you get that thing? I want to get a good look at it later," I reply. "I can't believe I'm saying this, but that was actually kind of fun."
Gixx gives a short bark of a laugh. "I did enjoy it, until the rats and the forced battling," a touch of good-natured sarcasm is in his voice, "I forgot how stressful it can be on the frontlines."
"I don't think dealing with that could be any more stressful than dealing with the other Pact leaders; Almorra especially."
His laugh this time is soft and easy. That's the first time I've ever seen him give an honest laugh. Warms my heart a little that I managed to get that out of him.
"True," he replies, "And it was easier having someone of your experience to provide assistance."
"'Provide assistance'?" I stop walking beside him for a moment. "If anyone was assisting anyone, it was you! I did most of the work!"
As I get lost in my conversation with Gixx, I forget my aches and pains. Gixx can be surprisingly charming. We joke back and forth all the way through the Gate to Lion's Arch. After exiting into the city, we pause for a moment. Batanga's words from yesterday echo in my head: "Doesn't hurt to keep your options open." The gate guards and parting couples do glance our way curiously at my lack of pants and our slightly torn clothes, but once its clear that the gates aren't the cause, they avert their gaze and continue their business. This is where we would part ways. He's staying in the city, and I have my room back in Rata Sum.
My mind analyzed our interactions over the past two days. How peaceful he looked at the lecture. The fun we had in Lion's Arch. The fight at the Durmand Hall. How he acted during the awkward social situation during the dinner and finally helping me in the battle with Modus Sceleris. He surprised me, confused me, irritated me and yet, I still enjoyed his company.
"You're a complicated asura, Gixx," I say with a shake of my head, "I wouldn't mind us going out again. For dinner, or drinks like the other day." Keep it collected and calm, I remind myself. "Only if you're buying of course." I fiddle with my ears a little for extra measure. This is some heavy-handed flirting, but I want to make my intentions clear.
"Tippa . . ."
"What? Don't tell me there's some rule in the Priory that says we can't fraternize?" I thought I read the signs right, but maybe I didn't. This could be a Gorr situation all over again . . .
"I'm not against the idea, I'm surprised. I also haven't - Well - No one's been - What I mean is-" Gixx stutters. He's having trouble gathering his thoughts! I guess having an asura of my calibre interested in him is a little too much.
I calmly reach out and hold one of his hands. He immediately stops talking and our eyes met.
"I'm not asking you to marry me," I joke.
"Then what are you asking?" His eyes focus on me intensely.
"That two asura of equal intelligence could converse and enjoy one another's company sometime." I continue to hold his gaze. "Maybe more, maybe less, depending on how things turn out."
I search his face for details. Gixx can be so hard to read sometimes. The silence stretches between us and he breaks my gaze. I loosen my grip. Well, I tried, and I didn't want him to feel forced, or worse, do it out of pity. How sad! But what did you expect! You're unloveable. Kicking me while I'm down, thanks a lot self-doubt. I'm sadly 0 for 2, and I can't say it doesn't sting a little . . .
As my hand begins to slip from his, his grip suddenly turns firm. He meets my gaze again and clears his throat.
"I . . . would like to be discreet," he starts, "I can imagine that some would frown upon the head of the Priory and the Pact Commander seeing one another." He gives his small, lopsided smile.
"That's why you hesitated? Psssh. We're in the same order, and there are already rumors," I say non-chalantly. I'm doing my best to hide my excitement. There's nothing like having a mutual attraction confirmed.
His ears fly up in surprise. "There are?"
"Well, if you can trust an Order of Whispers Agent. We weren't exactly discreet when you bought me dinner in Lion's Arch, remember?"
"That wasn't a date," he says flatly.
"Looked like one, and that's all it takes for rumors to start." I'm a little smug right now. I KNEW he liked me. "Besides, we've been holding hands for a while now in front of all these gate guards and teary-eyed couples," I point out.
He looks flustered, then lets my hand go and gestures toward the Rata Sum gate.
"I'm sure you have other things to attend to than standing out in the cold with me and discussing rumors," he sighs.
I smile. "I do! In fact, its something for the Priory."
His ears perk up. "Really? What kind of "something"?"
I begin to head toward the gate. "You'll have to come by tomorrow to see for yourself," I reply.
"Is this a ploy to get me to come over? For drinks?" he muses.
I pause. "Drinks? I'd prefer lunch actually," I turn toward him and smile.
"I do know of a good place in the lower levels of the city."
"Sounds perfectly acceptable," I pause again before I enter the gate, "It's a date."
THE END
Author's Note: I debated having Gixx offering his coat to Tippa but decided not to. That felt too much like a human chivalry thing rather than something an asura would do. If Tippa wanted it, she would just ask for it, and Gixx gladly would give it. Asura don't seem to care too much about clothing as long as you're not walking around completely nude. Stay tuned for the epilogue chapter!