The waves of the sea are strangely soothing.
"Pray forgive me, my friend, but, and I am not trying to…'lick up to you'?"
"Suck up to me."
"Verily, such is not my intention, but…"
"Get on with it brother!"
"Apologies, but while they are fascinating, I nonetheless, fail to see what you of all beings have need of 'healing incantations' for. What with your body being so, well…"
"Resilient?"
"That's a word for it I suppose, yes."
I smile at Fort who, standing at the edge of the pier, is once again, as more often than not these days, in his fully 'human' form, so akin to an older version of Lansseax's own. If with darker hair and, with Fort choosing to display his nature, by way of small horns jutting, unlike his sister who, seems to choose to sport the same 'accessories' far less often.
"A fair point," I say and nod. And do my best to ignore the pull of the sea…or marvel at the fact my mother somehow shifted an entire chunk of a continent away, not merely veiling it and leaving behind 'true' sea to take its place.
My friend seems to perk up, fighting the urge to smile.
Oh Fort, it won't work.
"But, you'd be surprised. After all, I wasn't always as…resilient as I am now. There was a time when more things could survive my blows and thus…manage to repay the favor in between the next, often but not always, final blow. And thus. Miracles to patch up my body. Mother, after all, would often be," I repress a shudder. "Distressed at the sight of my being hurt."
Lansseax lets out a snort. "Yeah I bet." Followed by a terrified shudder.
Mother isn't that bad!
"So I learned miracles to avoid such, repeats." My piece said, I cross my arms. "Oh, and Fort?"
"Yes, my friend?"
"Don't think I don't realize what you are doing."
The dragon slumps his naked shoulders. And the sight pleases me, for I no longer have any doubt that I managed to enlighten my friend as to the evil of robes and other annoying pieces of clothing.
"Ah…"
"Come on, it can't be that bad, can it? It's just a step or three. And even if you do fall, it's just a bit of water. How else do you expect to learn to weave the power of Gold as we do? Understanding the theory behind it is one thing… And besides. This is how many of our young ones start their journey! I certainly was no exception."
For even with my semi-divine blood and a goddess as my mother, I still had to put in the work. Admittedly far less than others and with me grasping the concepts far, far quicker.
Quicker ever than many of my siblings.
That was when Mother had come to realize my affinity, or, my 'divine portfolio' I suppose. Light and Gold.
"Fufufu..."
Weaving faith. Faith in the Golden Order, our people, my Mother, and even my very self into tangible form, tangible shapes capable of affecting and altering reality itself. Imposing my will cause it was only just I do so for I spread Order but, as Mother would often remind me, Order without kindness is a cruel shackle, so, I should never forget to channel the energies of faith through a mental construct also containing Kindness.
"Is itsy bitty Fortie afraid of a little water~?" standing by my side, Lansseax mocks Fort and I dare not turn to look at her. For standing so close to the beauty is already taxing, and the little minx hasn't been making things easy for me with her non-stop teasing and flirting the last few days.
As that part of me would put it, said few days have been a special kind of delicious 'hell'.
"Give in~! Give in~!"
But no, I am better than this. Should be better than this.
And even if I have little doubt, that if Father and I somehow had a frank discussion and he understood my current plight, Godfrey would merely slap me on the back of the head and tell me to 'claim the wench until she walks bow-legged'…
Well. Father is worthy of admiration and I can certainly still learn a lot from how he conducted himself, what I know and can infer of it at any rate.
But there's a time for unbridled barbarism as there's a time for the extreme nobility of 'Godfrey', the public visage my father often wore.
And I suspect something somewhat closer to the middle will better serve me.
Lansseax, even if she is a very alluring pain in my arse, deserves better than the treatment I reserve for the Knives.
Tempting as she makes it at times to pick her up…
But no.
"Mouuu!"
I resist the urge to twitch or give any sign, lest the gremlin clings to it like a drowning man does a raft.
But, one day I will ask her…it what in Marika's name is up with…that.
Before I might not have known any better, but now, with my being whole. Well, I'm pretty sure, even if no doubt similar in some respects, the Land of Reeds has little to do with this 'Japan' a few universes over or, given that I doubt the people of Reeds have invented the magitech of 'Tv' and 'Computers' I somehow don't think there are any 'anime' for the gremlin to behave so.
"Mhh?"
Despite my best efforts it seems something did leak through. Time for ol' reliable then.
Go away pest.
"Very well, but know that… 'I'll… be back!'. Ehehehe~"
Yes, something is definitely up with that one.
Shoulders slumping and no longer able to delay, Fort nods.
"Oh very well. I suppose there's no helping it—"
"You are no longer a hatchling, Fortie, get over it," Lansseax says by my side and, as I turn slightly I catch an eyeroll…just as I notice Fort stiffening for a moment before with a sigh he stretches a foot past the pier, the waves below dancing and, with his limb trembling and a deep breath, steps off.
Only to land safely on flickering platforms of Gold.
And I smile.
"Way to go, Fort!"
My words seem to help some, and he takes a couple more steps before a slightly bigger wave rises and smacks gently against his knee. Doing little more than making his kilt wet but…
Clearly visible to my superhuman eyes, Fort trembles and his concentration breaks.
The dragon plummeting into the waters—
"Ahahaha!"
And besides me, Lansseax bends over, clutching her belly as tears form around her eyes.
This brat…
"Punish her! Punish her~!"
Lansseax doesn't stop, even if her laughters slow down to giggles by the time a trembling Fort has managed to pull himself half-way up the wooden beams of the pier.
I believe, I believe you might be right, for once.
"Ye— Wait what?"
"Lansseax?" the growl in my voice causes both the siblings to blink and the girl to turn towards me with wide-eyes.
"Y-yes?"
Before she can react, my hand darts out, fingers cupping her chin and, letting pent up frustration lose, I close the distance, smacking my lips against her soft own, earning a surprised squeak out of the girl who…promptly seemingly melts, her lips surrendering to my invading tongue as she mewls into my mouth as I plunder it for all its worth.
I promptly break the kiss, strands of saliva connecting us still as Lansseax looks up to me with half-lidded eyes. Panting.
"I…you…"
My hand lets go of her chin and travels lower.
Joined by its twin.
"Eh? Eh?!"
As I promptly lift Lansseax up…and throw her into the waters.
The soaked girl resurfacing but a few moments later amidst Fort's own chuckles.
"Godwyn you bastard!"
"Serves you right, oh sister!"
"Shut up, Fortie…"
"Eh? Eh?! I…you…actually listened for once?! EH?!"
Don't get used to it. I send as I approach Fort and with the help of a few weavings help get him dry, a few moments later doing the same to a glaring, if very much, blushing Lansseax.
Tiche's first instinct, even after all this time, is to tense.
But she doesn't do so.
Her mother would be…displeased were she to notice it after all.
And yet.
The sight of Alecto strutting up to her with a wicked grin that before always presaged terrible pain…
It's hard not to do so.
Giving one last scan of her surroundings, both to ensure her safety and to check for non-existent intruders, as if any would dare assault the goddess adobe in broad delight, only then does she speak. "Mother?" Earning a tiny, imperceptible nod from Alecto. A rare sign of approval. "Is something the matter?"
And the horrible grin stretches further as her mother cackles.
"Well no, or rather, yes. But not for me~"
"Mother?"
"The Golden Lord has summoned you, girl."
At that, what feels like a cold hand squeezes around her heart while her stomach is doing back-flips. The two feelings vying for supremacy. The beaten down realist against the remains of the dreamer.
On the one hand Tiche, in the minutes before sleep, dares hope. Dares dream. That perhaps the Lord's kindness will continue forever and perhaps he might even…
Only a fools hope. And you know better than to risk day-dreaming before Alecto.
So, the fact the Golden One has summoned her? Alone?
It fills her head with foolish dreams.
Dreams…
For her mother's wicked gleam all but ensures she is missing something. Alecto is never that happy unless something horrible is about to happen to someone else after all.
And in this case?
That someone else happens to be Tiche.
Of that she has a little doubt.
But then again, her mother always had a weird way of showing her love. And despite it all, Tiche doesn't doubt Alecto does love her, in her own weird way. But…perhaps, it would have been better if the older woman whom looks almost identical to her, except, for the visible signs of age, of course, and even that by choice. Another weapon no doubt. Perhaps it would have been better had Alecto hated her instead.
Still, this is her lot. And she can't change it.
No matter how the remnants of a foolish young girl might wish for it be otherwise.
"Truly?"
Alecto scoffs. "You think me to be a liar, girl?"
Yes. When it suits you. No, when it doesn't.
"No, mother," she says instead, bowing her head some. And a rare hint, the tiniest of glimmers of pride, or perhaps a twisted form of affection once again shine in Alecto's eyes. Her mother knowing Tiche knows better and yet, not being fool enough to give voice to such words.
But this only makes her want to tense and tremble all the more.
For her mother to be in such a good mood?
Then some plan of hers must be going extremely well.
And given the subject matter…
Has she…has she poisoned the Lord against me?
It wouldn't be anything out of the ordinary for Alecto to do, after all. Crushing any form and tiny morsel of happiness Tiche manages to find for herself all in the name of nebulous 'lessons' and 'preparations'.
For an instant, a spark of hate bursts inside Tiche's heart. Luckily, this time, her mother fails to notice. Or, is expectant and proud of it perhaps. One could never quite tell with Alecto.
"I'm in a fine mood today so, let me repeat myself, yes. Godwyn has summoned you as he had said he would after my last…visit. And he seemed cross at the end. So, best prepare girl. I think he might be in the mood for your arse at last."
Her mother walks past her, patting Tiche on the shoulder even as her worst fears are all but confirmed, but unlike a much younger Tiche she doesn't sob or tremble. Merely nods.
And she can't hate Godwyn for falling for her mother's lies. He'd truly been as kind as the rumors said. As much as he'd been able. But, the fact that he believed whatever lies Alecto spoke to him over their various rendezvous…
It saddened her.
"Yes, mother," she says and, with the implicit release from her duties, walks away and to her order's shared chambers. For if mother speaks the truth she has…has to prepare. As much as she can at any rate.
Godwyn's member is an impressive specimen after all, and while she might have grown accustomed to its presence from the front.
Time, and the Lord's patience had played a role in that.
But if he'd truly fallen for her mother's lies…
Her lips tremble. Thankfully none of her sisters nor her mother are around.
Things would be different this time…
"—and with this we at last come to…"
A sigh reaches her ears, she ignores it, as she does most of the world around it.
"Lansseax?"
Wait, the voice is familiar. And isn't she supposed to be doing something?
Ah, right!
"Nago?" she asks with a blink, coming back to her senses and trying to ignore how her lips still tingle, even though she knows it, in truth, is merely in her mind.
"Pray forgive me, but this isn't working, you are distracted," The woman says.
"No I am not!"
That mean barbarian how dare he manhandle her so? A Dragon Princess? Her?!
Unacceptable!
And yet…
Her lips quirk into a smile.
The feeling of his rough arms around her, his mouth invading hers with a hungry growl, seeking to plunder it like it was, like she was booty, if her understanding of her mother's tales of pirates is correct at least.
Yes, that hadn't been bad at all.
And so, in her magnanimity she shall forgive the brute.
Only if he deigns to repeat his performance but this time…
She shudders but a bit of worry is there to douse her flame.
After all, its a bit soon and she'd been hoping it would be through the traditional method.
"Is that so?" Nago asks with a raised eyebrow from her side of the table. "Then please, what have I been talking about these last few minutes?"
"Ah." Lansseax licks her lips and looks side to side, hoping beyond hope that the faintly remembered Dragon God will deign to split the heavens and impart her with the needed knowledge. "The tax policy of Leyndell and the Golden Order in general?"
"Wha—" Nago blinks and vigorously shakes her head. "No! Why would I do that? Where did that foolishness come from?!" ah, right, that would more interesting to her brother and she'd been simply hanging around with Nago, and sharing stories of their people with each other. Nago, who is busy burying her head in her palms. "Oh my Lord, grant me strength…"
"Ehehe…"
"Lansseax," the woman asks with a sigh, raising her head as she does. "Please, what ails you?"
She feels her cheeks grow hot.
"Promise not to share?"
"On my honor as my lord's aide."
"Godwyn."
"What about the ba—Golden Lord?"
"He…he kissed me."
"Did he now?" Nago asks with a hiss, snapping the quill in her palm as she does, and making Lansseax blink in confusion as the rage vanishes as quickly as it comes. "Well, I suppose that explains your—"
"Nago, do you think…do you think he'll take responsibility?"
Her friend stops, and stares.
"Did you lay with one another?"
Now its her turn to shake her head with a scoff. "No! Where did you get that idea from?!"
"But you just said you—"
"Kissed, yes."
Nago stares at her.
She stares back.
The silence is starting to get uncomfortable.
"…isn't that how mortals make babies? Unlike Dragons when its only when two of them join with one another?"
The frankly, worrying, intensity, vanishes from Nago's eyes, and the black-haired woman lets out a tired sigh and…
Lansseax doesn't like this.
Her friend's expression after all…
"Nago? Nago why are you looking at me like that?"
Please stop looking at her like that!
"No, Lansseax, humans also need to…join with one another to create life. Kissing, while pleasant, is not enough, I am afraid."
Ah, then, there should be little risk in holding hands as well.
Still.
Please stop looking at her like that!
It's bad enough when Fortie does it!