by Tao Wong
Once again making a promise to myself to get laundry done, I get into the shower, turning it all the way to freezing as images of Lana / Karen on those sheets cross my mind again.
Once I’m done, I head to the kitchen and realise the rest of the party has finally made their way out of their respective engagements. I plop down in a seat but shake my head as Lana begins to stand up, “Got a dinner with Roxley later.”
Lana just nods, sitting back down before pointing to Richard, “Carcross?”
“Right, so the City Council is perfectly happy for us to deal with the issue at Carcross. No arguments there at all, though…”
“I’ve got a plan, I think,” I flash him another reassuring smile and Richard rolls his eyes. “Though, we need to be smarter. I know we’ve all got the first aid bandages already, but if things go bad again, we might need something more immediate. So, two things. We hit up Sally’s and get some of her best potions for emergency use for everybody. In addition, we should just get the rest of you guys healing spells. Rachel – maybe a more powerful one for you?”
Rachel nods, eyebrows furrowing in thought. Her buff was powerful and it tapped into her specialisation, but it wasn’t instantaneous or anything close to it. Richard scratches at his beard, still unused to having it and adds, “I’d like to look into some spells for myself too. Perhaps something that benefits everyone.”
“Okay, well, no real rush. I’ve got an idea about how we’re going to deal with the dungeon anyway,” I continue before gesturing back to Richard. “What’s the feeling about the Yerick?”
“The minotaurs?” Richard replies
“Don’t,” I shake my head and as he begins to bristle, I point to the hovering Ali. “He told me Orcs were waiting for me and then I got shot at by beam rifles and grenades. Nearly cost me my life. These aren’t Greek legends or mindless beasts. The Yerick are a sentient race – aliens if you will. Better to name properly and think about them right.”
Rachel looks startled by my words and Richard nods slightly, eyebrows crinkling as he digests that piece of information. Lana just smiles and Mikito… Mikito just keeps eating, every movement precise and contained as always.
“As I was saying, the Yerick aren’t a welcome addition. But the Council won’t take any official action and are spreading the word to keep out of their way, but this entire thing is rubbing them the wrong way. Especially this declaration of the mino – the Yerick – being guests,” Richard continues.
“Three days. That’s how long it lasts,” I point out and then look over to Ali for further clarification.
“Like I told the Council, the Yerick have three days to come to an agreement with Roxley. At the end of the time, they either leave or they become residents like you guys,” Ali clarifies and I nod, filing that information away.
“Three days or not, people aren’t happy with a whole community of aliens just appearing,” Richard stresses.
“Happy or not, I don’t think they are leaving if they are bringing children,” Lana says and at Rachel’s look smiles. “Everyone is talking about it. I understand the kids are actually quite cute.”
Mikito nods firmly at that and even Richard has to shrug his shoulders. Okay, maybe sending cute Yerick kids out as ambassadors might work. Maybe something for later, I shudder to think what they’d do if one of their kids got hurt. Or ours. “Rachel?”
The young lady just shrugs, looking at me and I have to repeat my question.
“What? Mikito and I rode the guys we had till they were falling over from exhaustion, then we got them up and ran them more into whatever monsters we could find. They won’t be up for doing anything tonight, but…” she shrugs her shoulders again. “They didn’t like Roxley and they especially didn’t like that thing he did or the fact that the ‘cattle’ are coming to take their land.”
“How bad is it?” I push her, watching her and Mikito’s reactions.
“Bad. Stupid is as stupid does you know. I even heard one say Canada was for real Canadians,” she almost snarls at that one, continuing. “Made sure Mikito was in range to hear that. He ended up eating dirt. A lot.”
I nod and rub at my temples, thinking. Richard interrupts me before I can put together anything useful.
“You sure we are on the right side of this John? It doesn’t sit right with me, letting them just come in. We’ve fought and bled to keep the monsters out and now, we’re what, asking them to be our neighbors?” Richard says.
“What would you suggest?” I turn to the man, making sure there is no challenge in my tone.
“Well…,” Richard opens his mouth and then shuts it. He’s smart enough to work through the options if he thinks about it. We can’t make Roxley rescind his offer, we can’t fight them and even if we did, so what? The next bunch is just around the corner. As his brows furrow further, Lana reaches over and squeezes his hand and Richard huffs out. “I hate this. It feels like we’re just giving up, giving up Earth and Whitehorse and just saying, it’s over.”
Mikito looks up, finishing chewing before she adds, “We aren’t giving up. But we already failed. World has changed.”
“It might not be all bad,” I point out and Richard raises an eyebrow. “We know things are going to get worst. Their leader was a Level 7 Advanced Class if I’m not mistaken,” Ali nods and I continue “so they’re going to be one heck of a helping hand. Paw. Whatever.”
That pronouncement just leaves the group in stunned silence for a time. A Level 7 Advanced Class puts him at around level 57 - except it doesn’t work in a linear fashion that way. Each level is harder and harder to get and Advanced Class levels are even harder. I let them stew on it a bit before I turn to Lana.
“I know, John. I’ll do what I can, talk to the people I know but…” Lana shrugs and I nod my head again. Don’t expect miracles. Got it. Richard who seemed to have rolled with the punches of this world has gotten his pants in a twist over the Yerick. How much work is it going to be with the rest of the population?
Skill Acquired
Manipulation (Level 1)
Everyone wants their own way. You’re just better at getting it than some others.
I flick a look over to Ali when the screen pops up and he shrugs his shoulders. I rub my head, hating this. I’d worked so hard to stay out of this, to keep things casual and friendly in the group, a modicum of respect between all of us. I didn’t want to be a leader, not really, but the world never asks what we want, it just is. I hated the pressure, the fact that I was the one who always had to be thinking, considering, planning. I just wanted to go back to my room, to hide in it but instead I’ve got to fight, kill, loot.
I sigh and push away from the table, standing up. “I got to go. We’ll need to get the spells and gear from the Shop tomorrow. Xev will have Sabre fixed by tomorrow morning and has promised to drop it off here when it’s done. Theoretically, we could try again tomorrow. Though I’m not sure leaving is the best idea.”
There are nods from all around. We could leave Whitehorse and the shit storm that’s coming and go kill things, but it might blow up in our face by the time we get back. On the other hand, leaving the monster lair alone isn’t a great option either.
“Off to see your boyfriend then?” Lana suddenly asks me, her voice too light and relaxed.
“Roxley isn’t my boyfriend Lana,” I reply immediately, frowning at the rather weird direction this conversation has taken.
“Uh huh. Late night dinners, long talks and ‘private training sessions’ all sound like dates to me,” she teases and I roll my eyes. Richard’s lips twitch slightly and Rachel looks between the two of us, rolling her eyes.
Oh, I think I see. Still, a little devil in me pop’s up and before I can think better of it, I reply, “Why, jealous?”
“Mmm…” she puts a finger to her lips before she continues, her voice suddenly turning serious. “Maybe?”
I pause, brain coming to a stuttering stop as she says that, lost in the implications. We’ve been
flirting for a month now, kind of dancing around the entire issue and this is the first time anything has ever been said out loud. My brain restarts when peals of bright, bubbly laughter rise up from her chest. I shake my head, feeling somewhat put-off as she continues, “Oh god, your face…”
Damn it. I fell for it, hook line and sinker. I can’t help but acknowledge she’s won this round. As I turn away again, she crosses the distance to place a hand on my arm to stop me. Her hands are soft and warm and this close, I can smell the soap she wears and just the hint of her beneath it. “John, I’m sorry. You deserve your happiness, we all do.”
“I’m not dating Roxley!” I say again.
“And that’s a good thing. You’d make a horrible boyfriend right now,” Lana points out, that soft smile back on her lips.
“Worst husband,” Mikito adds from her corner of the dining table, not even pausing as she cuts up her steak.
Lana nods in confirmation to Mikito’s addition, eyes crinkling in amusement. “Definitely that too. So, go play with your boy for now, we’ll be here.”
I growl, glaring at the two women. Richard just keeps his head buried, slicing a piece off his steak with great care, though at least Rachel has the grace to look as confused as I am. What the hell makes me a bad boyfriend? I stomp off with my rifle and it’s only my increased Perception that lets me hear Richard - that traitor – finally speak before everyone breaks out into laughter. “His face!”
Dinner at Roxley’s is always a formal affair. A small, ball-like creature serves us our dishes and rolls away with speed, cooking with gusto and experience. The dishes are amazing - each time I eat here, the dishes are new and exciting, an artistic masterpiece that comes with its own history lesson. Most important is the dessert, this time from the Orion region of space – a sweet bread-like recipe that we dip in a red sauce.
Talk at the table is always limited to general topics, Earth or Galactic Council history, the state of the world, even how the System works. We never speak of the personal or about business itself – topics such as those considered crass at a Dark Elf’s dinner table. Or more correctly, a Truinnar’s dinner table. Fascinating group, from what Roxley has told me. Unbridled ambition combined with ruthless morality and a dedication to the deal.
When dinner is done, I push away from the table and follow Roxley as we retire to his study. It’s where we go to rest and digest and where the ‘work’ of these meetings get done. Once we leave the dining hall, Ali pops back into existence next to me, coming back from having his own conversation with Roxley’s companion.
“The Yerick,” Roxley begins, glass of blue liquid held in his hand. I have a cup of coffee in mine. “Will be staying. There are still some minor matters to be settled, but the First Fist Ulrick and I have come to an agreement on all substantial matters.”
I grunt, leaning forwards and wait for him to elaborate on that if he will. I doubt it though.
“The Yerick will be purchasing a series of buildings in the East along Fourth Street. They will be opening a number of shops when they do so, including another Armourer and a Weaponsmith along with some sundry goods production,” Roxley says. “Mostly though, they will be doing what the Yerick do best – Adventuring.
“How much trouble will your Council give me?”
“One. Not my Council. I’m just one member and really, we’re there as a single vote,” I repeat for the hundredth time. “Two, officially none. Three, stupid people are stupid.”
Richard nods slowly, tilting his head to the side. “You expect some will act against the Yerick?”
“Didn’t some try with Xev?”
“Yes. I decided not to look into it at that time.”
“Best to do that again,” I reply and wave downwards to where the Yerick are. “If you can keep them here till guest rights are removed, the Yerick probably can deal with the problem makers themselves.”
“And you want me to stay out of it,” Roxley raises an eyebrow and I open my hands.
“Getting you involved just complicates matters. When you side with the Yerick, they’ll resent you which means the Council gets more flack for working with you. If you stay out of it, it’s just a bunch of idiots being idiots. That, the Council can handle,” I reply and don’t add the ‘I hope’ I tack on to the sentence in my head.
“Very well,” Roxley nods and I relax slightly. Working with Roxley is somewhat easier than the Council since his motives are relatively clear, at least in the short-term. Grow Whitehorse and make it a powerful base to work from. Everything else from flows that single objective.
“Now, you had something to report?” Roxley just continues to smile, looking at me over the rim of his glass and I feel a wash of emotion once again staring at him. Damn but he’s hot.
I deal with the new visitors first, listing their names and numbers and watch the Quest completion notifications pop-up. Fewer than I expected actually, significantly fewer.
“Ali?”
“About two-thirds of those you brought back came from Whitehorse initially. Looks like the Quest isn’t updating for those,” Ali replies in my mind.
That dealt with, I explain the reason for their return – the monster lair. I keep the description of the events brief and to the point, flicking a map over at Roxley’s request.
“And you went in,” Roxley states.
“Yes,” I nod and Roxley rubs his head, looking at Ali.
“Your companion did not advise against it?”
“No,” I shake my head and he nods again.
“You play a dangerous game spirit,” he locks eyes with Ali, voice cold. “The rules may be loose, but they are not that loose.”
Ali smirks and just floats in the air and I watch the by-play for a moment before I just ask, “Explanation. One of you two.”
“I will leave the spirit to it,” Roxley waves his hand, dismissing the topic. Past experience has shown that he won’t budge on that, so I just make a note to follow up with Ali. Realising I have no more business to discuss, Roxley smiles and waves to a door.
I narrow my eyes, knowing that’s the wrong door. You have to admit, the man is persistent and direct.
“No, not tonight,” I stand, shaking my head and head to the foyer exit. Roxley’s eyebrow rises and I jerk a thumb at Ali. “I got a conversation to finish.”
Roxley nods slightly, for a moment a look of fleeting sadness crosses his face and I just want to kiss it away. I push it aside with a thought and keep walking. I told Lana the truth – Roxley and I aren’t like that. As much as I want to, as much fun as it could be, I can’t trust anything to do with him. Not the feelings I have, not his motivations, not even my own.
“So, Ali, talk,” we’re by the river, the sun finally dipping below the horizon. Still enough sunlight to see by so I’m not surprised that there are a few Farmers still working in the park-farm on my way over. I watch the water lap at the riverbanks and wait.
“How come they cancelled Baywatch but kept Law & Order? I mean, it’s the same thing – the same stories told over and over again but one has women in swimsuits and the other, well, lawyers,” Ali says. I don’t answer directly, instead pulling up the Companion menu and hovering a finger over the ‘Dismiss’ button.
“Alright, alright. Goblins-arse, I really wish you hadn’t found that,” Ali mutters and then shrugs. “Roxley’s just concerned that I’m pushing you too hard.”
I look to the Spirit for a moment, putting things together in my mind before speaking, “The lair. You weren’t supposed to let us go at all right.”
“Yup. Monster lairs are dangerous. Monsters often fight harder than they would because that’s their home you know. Generally, you really shouldn’t be entering dungeons or lairs of your level, especially without your class skills,” Ali says.
“So, stay away from Level 14 creatures?” I ask incredulously.
“28. Or close to it at least – the maths gets fuzzy with your perk,” Ali waggles his hand in the air, making shadow pup
pets in the water as he floats. “Sabre makes a difference and your pals do too.”
“And you didn’t say anything,” I point out, watching the spirit contemplatively. I should feel something – anger, betrayal, annoyance, but all I have is a comforting numbness. Too soon maybe to react, or just another pile of shit to watch out for.
“I don’t like wasting my breath,” Ali replies and floats over to me. “You annoyed a Salamander when you were Level 4. Fought a Boss more than double your level – your real level. You’re practising the Honor Guards techniques by yourself, without instruction. And those are just the highlights of the stupid reel.”
“So, what? Let me do stupid things anyway? Let me drag my friends to their death because I don’t know when I’m out-classed?” Oh. I’m not numb -I’m just so angry I’ve come out the other side.
“I’ve tried, you’ve refused. You fight when you should run, run when you should fight. You’re unpredictable because you don’t even know what you want. One day, you’re hiding from the world, the next you’re on Sabre riding out to meet monsters. You get your ass kicked, you get back up and fight. People ask you to lead, you run away. You say you want to hide but every chance, you’re out there fighting,” Ali states quickly, rapid fire.
“I…”
“No, let me finish. Our first conversation, you asked me to find a way for you to survive, to get out of the Park. Right after that, you also asked me for something that would let you stand up to anything, to kick its ass in the future. You didn’t ask me for a transportation method out, you didn’t ask for a spaceship, you didn’t even ask for Credits. You asked for the power to kick ass,” Ali points a finger at me. “You keep going spinning around and around and you expect me to know what the hell you want? Fuck that.”
Shit.
I pause and just look at my actions for once, everything that I’ve done, all the small choices I’ve made. “Shit…”
“Exactly. Get your damn head out of your ass and tell me what you want to do and I’ll help. That’s my job. Till then, I’ll provide you the best advice I can, but don’t fucking ask me to read your mind.”