"Well, alright then." I found myself saying as I walked away from Einervaene and Vadei. The former of which had just struck us down from the sky once again. Thankfully, the issues it caused your stomach really went down after a while. Or, rather, after you did it a lot as we had just been doing.
"You left quite the mess before your kidnapping." Vadei then commented as she briefly sped up to get next to me. A slow nod came from me as my gaze panned the area. She was indeed right about that. Ash of the white, grey and black variety covered the entire valley near the airship.
"How common are wyverns exactly?" I then asked Vadei cautiously. This recent experience with one has left me particularly paranoid of more.
"More common than dragons by an order of magnitude. But, not that many when you compare it to even aelenvari who are considered a dying species." she told me which left me in a state of pondering. The Rose's flower wasn't exactly quiet or lacking in people to fill it out... So what did she mean by they were a dying species? Had it something to do with the overwhelmingly female population?
Probably, wouldn't be surprised if I was forgetting something Rose had already explained.
"Do they tend to congregate?"
"No, they're very territorial. The one Einervaene killed was probably even encroaching on another's territory."
"Interesting. No, wait, if they don't congregate then why was there so many in the lair? There was easily several dozen."
"They come together under two conditions. Males trying to get with a female, or, a male taking over the territory of a lesser female or male. Sometimes both."
"Very knowledgeable about them, aren't you?" I then commented as I shook my head a little. Finding it slightly bemusing how a slave, something you'd expect to be lightly educated if at all. For her to be the one to have all this knowledge, I found that amusing.
"I did a lot of reading before we went to save you." she told me with a shrug and a smirk on her lips.
"So I guess you also played a big part?"
"I did indeed!"
"Well, looks like your debt to me is settled then."
"Debt...?" she repeated in confusion.
"You know, when we did that race in the aelenvari flower, I saved your life."
"That doesn't count." she then mumbled as she crossed her arms and looked away.
"Oh, no, how unlucky of me. I get to call in a big favour at some other point." I began to say with a laugh before her ears went up.
"Fine, it counts! It counts! I owe you nothing!"
"Rude." I quickly put out before I turned towards Einervaene. She seemed out of it all of the sudden. Had she used too much magic in recent times? She did beat Salahma, heal me and travel about and all that.
"Einervaene, do you need to rest for a little bit?" Vadei then asked her once she had copied my actions. Her own eyes looking out at the lightning-magic user.
"No... I'm fine, I'm fine." she replied with as she suddenly shook about. Then, she hastily came over to us and just as hastily grabbed our hand and claw. And, once again, in what seemed like a near-instant moment. We were somewhere else, this time the airship.
"Finally..." I then let out with a sigh before I began to walk off. Hoping to find Lari to see how she was doing. She had not come with those two so maybe she was asked to look after the airship? I'm surprised I never asked about her while we travelled, actually.
"Wait!" Einervaene then said to me as she reached out and grabbed me.
"What is it?" I asked her in concern as I turned to face her. She seemed out of it all of a sudden, had something happened while I was gone? Something other than the attack that is.
"We just need to get ourselves cleaned up and that, these bandages are getting dirty and we need to stay clean!" she let out in one go, something that left her short of breath. It was almost like she was panicking slightly.
"Uh, alright, Vadei, let Lari know we're back, would you? I'll do as me mother says." I began uncertainly at first before I finished up with a little joke. Going on with Einervaene once that was said. Frowning as neither of them reacted to my attempt to lighten the mood.
"Where is it... Where is it..." Einervaene began to say over and over before she then dashed into the washroom with me. Myself going in with a slight stumble as I was not expecting this sudden rush from her. I was also not really expecting her to suddenly strip naked and let out a frustrated sigh.
"Are you alright, Einervaene?" I began to ask her while I slowly undressed myself. Letting her help once she came over with a forced smile. And the fact she took her time with me left me with greater concerns.
"I'm fine." she said with no hesitation at all with a distinct firmness.
"No, no you are not." I corrected her as I moved forward and away. Turning around so I could look her in the eyes to see what this was about. And it must have been something serious because she was not even moving to cover her fully naked body.
"I said I am fine, now, let's start getting you cleaned up!" she repeated with an added on expansion. But, despite her sudden barrage of little shoves and guiding hands. I stayed still and stationary. Gripping her uninjured arm and getting her to stay still.
"Einervaene, please, tell me what is wrong." I said to her as I made sure my grip stayed firm. The frown I had only getting worse as she struggled in my grip. This wasn't like her at all...
"Fine! You want to know what is wrong? I don't want you going anywhere near that cowardly water-girl!" she then said to me with a sudden flare of anger. Her magic arcing out around her in a particularly dangerous manner given our current locale. It was even potent enough to make me let go of her so I could wave the pain out.
"Don't worry, it's fine." I had to tell her as she suddenly became aware of what she had done. But, while she fiddled over me and said apology after apology. I thought about what she had said. Had Lari been against saving me or something, was she worried for those two?
I would need her side first before I could really say...
Einervaene then just came to a stop and leaned on me and it was clear she was crying, "Can we just focus on cleaning ourselves, please?" she pleaded as the top of her head pushed against me.
"Alright, for now, no more talking about anyone else." I gently uttered to her as I rubbed a claw on the back of her head. Keeping it up until she calmed down and moved off of me. A small blush and smile on her face once she moved off.
"Great! I'll prepare a stall for you!" she expressed happily with closed eyes and hands put together.
"Alright, let's get on with it, then." I said to her with a nod as I turned my gaze away from her naked form.
"It's alright, you know. I am not bothered by you watching." she commented with a pout while her rear was stuck up in the air.
"I'm good." I quipped out quickly while balancing on my heels. Intentionally keeping my gaze away from her as I tried to keep it appropriate. We were just here to sort out our injuries after all. And, well, I did not want to be aroused and feed into her feelings for me...
I wanted to sort it out and clarify it all but it would seem I would need to deal with another issue first. But, I suppose, dealing with this Lari issue would be the only thing I would have to do. Because depending on how you looked at it... Me getting home was the most important thing.
If Einervaene woke up one day and could not find me then I suppose that could be the solution...
"Do you not like what is in front of you then? I've been told many great things about my body. Lots of the other students like to watch me, you know." she began to say to me suggestively as she came up to me. Her body having pressed up against me delicately just as she finished up.
"I can't say I have anything bad to say, no, I just want to focus on dealing with my burns and that." I explained which left her bitter.
"Fine, I suppose that is fair." she said with an aggravated mutter before she took my claw into her hand. Guiding me to a stall just afterwards and sitting me down. A clear sign of her annoyance being displayed as she just tore off the remaining bandages.
"Don't destroy my clothes...!" I jokingly let out in an effort to at least lighten the mood. Keeping a loose to stiff form just in the event this does suddenly go sour.
"We got more in the doctor's room or whatever it is." she told me with a huff before she began to intimately wash me. Gently going over my injuries and letting her magic flow so she could negate any potential pain.
"Are you sure that is a good idea?" I questioned as I paid attention to how her aura behaved. It did have some electrical aspects to it but it was not very explicit with what it did have.
"It's fine, the water isn't even in a great enough quantity." she said to me just before she poured a bucket over my head.
"And what about now?" I then asked as I kept my eyes on the steamy mirror in front.
"Want to find out?" she threatened with a smile before her arms wrapped around me. Was this part of the hopingly hollow joke threat or was it not? I hoped not.
"I'd rather see if you can take a bath without electrocuting yourself." I said with a humoured huff as I remembered our first night together. How I had to take her out of the room she turned into a sauna because she used magic in a tub.
"Oh, sorry, am I interrupting something?" a familiar voice then asked as she came in. It was Vadei and she had already prepared her dress for the event. A simple, plain, white towel that she had wrapped around her torso. However, she was not expecting Einervaene's bold outfit.
"Yes, yes you are." Einervaene said with a slight growl as she got off of me. But, she did not go farther than that and she just smiled.
"Can you two please focus on cleaning?" I then asked as I myself rose up. Instantly towering over the pair of them with not a piece of clothing on either. Einervaene gained some redness to her cheeks but Vadei did not.
"Oddly enough, I can't say it is weird seeing you like this. But, it is uncomfortable." she commented just before she sat down on the stall next to mine.
"Yeah, yeah, I'm a big scary osibindah! Going to kidnap you and everything and keep you in my dank earthen lair!" I sarcastically replied with before I went back down onto my stall. Shaking my head the entire time.
"I can think of worse places for a first date."
"I didn't mention-" I began to say before I got interrupted.
"I know you didn't, lead-head." Vadei let out with a roll of her eyes.
"It's a good thing too, no dates with anyone." Einervaene said loud and clearly as if she was a strict mother.
"Aw, really? I was hoping I could ask a certain lightning-magic user out on one." I sniggered out, something that caused me to get a hard smack from Einervaene. Not one with magic, though, but, I suppose she was somewhat aware of my soaked state.
"Sorry..." she then meekly muttered as she went back to scrubbing me down.
"So, Nin." Vadei then began to say as she turned to face me from her stall. Her hands seemingly leaving her towel to fall intentionally.
"Yes?"
"What would you rather touch?"
"Eh?" I let out just before she began to list off what would be included in this.
"My tail, or, Einervaene's saggy breasts?" a smirk forming on her face as her eyes went to the woman behind me.
"They aren't saggy!" Einervaene let out as she suddenly stood up.
"I dunno, they're dropping down quite far..." Vadei further commented as she let her eyes go down Einervaene's front. All the while, I just listened to the whole affair while taking brief glances.
"That's because they're big and voluptuous! Aren't they, Nin!?"
I nearly choked on my spit, "Don't start dragging me into this!" I said back to my copper-haired saviour.
"But you have felt them! You can offer an outsiders opinion on it and get her to stop slandering me!"
I stared at the pair quietly, watching as Vadei giggled while Einervaene seethed in annoyance, "They are big... Yes... So they naturally go down, sag if you will... But not in the bad way..." I slowly told her as I leaned back.
"See! He doesn't think so!"
"He literally used the word 'sag' to describe them!" Vadei said back to her as she got up. Her towel falling down as she did so. And then, the pair clashed against each other, like how a thug might get up close.
"You are very lucky you helped me find Nin!"
"And I am very lucky you saved him and gave me a chance to see my family again!"
"You're welcome!"
"And so are you!"
The pair both began to say to each other in what have must been the most aggressive thank yous I have heard.
"Can we get back to the point of us being in here?" I asked them, more specifically Einervaene. But, we seemed to be doing a good job in keeping Einervaene's mind off of... Whatever happened between her and Lari.
"You still haven't answered the question." Vadei then said with a sly smirk as she broke off from Einervaene. Her tail, covered in little specks of water, being brushed towards her front. Her hands soon coddling it while Einervaene caught up.
"Yes! Nin, give us an answer!" she demanded of me as she came up to me. Her chest aggressively shaking about before she stopped before my turned head. And while I wanted my eyes to stay focused on her eyes, what was down below kept catching them. So I gulped with uncertainty before saying anything.
"I don't think I'll be able to give a good answer, you know. Burnt carapace and all that." I told them as I showed them my palms. Only for that to come undone as there were no bad burns there. They were all mostly on my body and limbs.
"Then how about I let you feel it again, just to let you know?" Vadei suggested as she walked in front of me. Her tail swaying straight into my face before she held it before me. A knowing grin on her face as her eyes tracked Einervaene. Meanwhile, on my face, my eyes just glared at the tailed woman.
"If you're letting him feel yours, then he has to feel my chest!" Einervaene declared loudly and openly before she knelt beside me. Both of my locked in place arms being tugged at so their hands could grab their offerings.
"Not doing it, nope. Won't do it, na-ah." I began to repeat over and over as my body rocked side-to-side. The pair of women failing to make my arms move at all despite my injuries making it harder. But, they did not give up and instead found new ways.
"Does this work?" Einervaene asked as she just chose to wrap my arm up with her chest.
"Go on, admit my tail is better." Vadei suggested while she also carefully put her tail tip into the gaps of my carapace.
I then stood up, knocking the two away easily before I just walked away, "Argue it between yourselves." I told them while shaking my head with a slight smile. Had I really just walked away from that? Two beautiful women seeking my approval on something so inane? I really did, hadn't I?
"Ninno!" someone then quietly cheered out as I closed the door behind me. A slow body wrapping itself around me to hug me as I turned to face it. And when I heard that, my smile grew a little more and I returned the hug.
"Hi, Lari, I'm back." I told her happily while paying careful attention to how slow she was moving. It felt like she was reluctant in this whole affair like she had something on her mind. Luckily, I had an idea about what it might be.
"Yeah... She brought you back..." Lari said with a tearful shudder before she tried to pull out of the hug. But, I would not let her and I kept her in a tight grip. Securely pressed up against my body with a concerned gaze just above.
"Do you want to go somewhere else so we can talk about it?"
"No..." she said through what have must been a bitten lip as her crying became louder.
"Don't be silly, come on. Let's go somewhere quiet and talk about it." I said to her as I began to rock her back and forth. Only to slightly jump myself when something suddenly slammed. It was the washroom door, had the other two been watching?
"No!" Lari repeated again. But, with a sigh, I picked her up and moved her to another room. Intentionally choosing the medical room as it had lots of bandages within its holdings. And I set Lari down on the bed before moving on. Quickly coming back with whatever I was able to plunder from the cupboards.
"Do you want to do something or are you fine there?" I asked her just before she grabbed up what I had. Gently settling me down on the bed where she had been before she got to work. A quick laugh leaving me once I saw myself in the mirror.
"What?" Lari asked me with uncharacteristic shyness as she held her hands close together.
"Look, I am actually wearing these properly now!" I said with further gentle chuckling. My claw stretched out as it pointed at the mirror I was clearly displayed in. And, she too smiled, clearly understanding my joy.
"Let's not make it a habit, okay?" she then asked as she applied some more bandages and plasters. A lot of them taking on darker colours as her magic lightly soaked my body. But, unlike a normal wetness, this probably helped as it was like a painkiller. A subtle sign at how much better she was at this magic thing when compared to me...
"So, Lari, to keep it serious. Can you tell me your side of what happened earlier? While I was gone?" I then asked her. Making sure my claws were firmly set on her arms to make sure she did not run away.
Her tears started to come back and she tried to get out of my grip, "I..."
"Lari, it's alright. I promise I won't get angry at you." I had to tell her in order to reassure her.
"You promise...?" she meekly asked with a slight flinch. And in answer, I slowly nodded. Yet, it did not seem to be enough.
So I spoke it too, "I swear on my right to go home, I will not get angry with you." swearing on what have must been the most important thing for me right now.
"Okay... Back when it all happened... I told and encouraged Einervaene not to go down after you as I thought you were dead... I refused to help you and told others to do the same..."
I frowned but kept any anger away, "How come?" I asked her while keeping my grip light.
"You know how you can sense magic?"
"Yes, this was something you taught me to do better, Lari." I said while trying to cheer her up.
"Well... When I sensed the magic of your attacker... I thought it would have been pointless to try and help you because I thought it would have killed you... So I wanted to focus on keeping the other four safe. Mostly Vadei and..." she explained before she tried to lighten her mood with a joke. But, she went quiet just before saying the name of my saviour.
"I see..." I said to her quietly as I considered it all. Watching with subtle despair as Lari seemed to become scared of me slightly. Was she assuming the worst right now!? I did not want her to think that!
So I hugged her tight and I hugged her close, "B-But... I nearly got you killed..." she choked out before crying like a baby. A little baby I was quite happy to hold and nurture into a state of quiet.
"You were focused on the other four, besides, I am alive. Whatever happened then can be ignored and set aside. It's alright, Lari, I am not angry." Told her while gently shaking her about. Patting her back with as caring a touch as I could muster while she just cried away.
"B-But she is! Einervaene hates me!" she wailed out as her face buried itself between my neck and shoulder.
"She's just a little high on all these different emotions. Give it time, Lari, give it time."
"H-How can I give it time when there are so few people here...? I can't give her space on this tiny airship..." she mumbled out once she finished most of her crying most. Every few words being accented by a sniffle or stumble as she caught her breath.
I sighed before I replied, she had a point there, "Then I guess we will have to be a bit rough. Sometimes the best way to fix an injury is to just snap it back together." I said to her while mainly thinking of dislocated limbs. But, Einervaene's broken arm did also come to mind.
"She'll just keep walking away from me or ignoring me..." Lari warned with a moan while looking at the door to this room.
"Then I'll anchor her somehow, was there anything you two were doing together before this all happened?"
Lari looked at me cautiously before she looked down, "There was a few things... I was going to teach her to dance and we were going to make outfits and all that..."
"You wanted to put on a little show? Just you and Einervaene?"
"I think Vadei might want to join too..." she then said, but I was a little iffy with that suggestion.
"Are you sure that is not you trying to distance yourself from Einervaene?"
"No! I mean it! Maybe she does want to join in!"
"Alright, fair, fair. How about this, then, you go talk to Vadei about it and I'll talk to Einervaene. If Vadei doesn't want in, then fine. But, I'll force Einervaene if I have to. But here's to hoping I won't. Let's see that show you wanted to put on."
She smiled, "Okay!" that usual behaviour for her returning in that brief moment. That face I loved so dearly.
"But first, let's finish with this." I then told her as I sat back down. Gesturing to my remaining injuries that were still exposed. A happy nod coming from Lari with her then wrapping me up. Little jokes and prods coming from her throughout the process.
She was steadily coming back to her usual cheerful self.