I woke to a faint hiss as the room slowly brightened the gentle warmth forcing me to wake.
I opened my eyes to the ceiling partially opening, revealing that most of it was actually a glass like surface that changed colors to block or allow light to pass through.
I turned feeling for the pillow to block the silent assault of light when my hand grasped something with substantially more peak than the pillow had yet softer and a lot smaller...
This...
I turned to Aurelia glaring at me.
"Small boob!" I noted returning my attention to the strange ceiling.
We, Aurelia and I had slept together. I had fun to say the least. But still saying we 'slept' wouldn't be as accurate as she didn't get much sleep, I guaranteed it.
"When are you planning on letting go?" she seemed upset but knowing her this probably wasn't how she felt "hey! I'm talking to you."
Curiosity suddenly piqued my interest. What would happen if I did this?
Concentrating I directed a small amount of hou along my arm and around my fingers.
***
We were eating now, we had changed beforehand leaving the room before coming to the only place where Aurelia said she felt comfortable eating. We were at her friend's pill shop, the part of it that extended into his home. Accompanied by two of her general ranked soldiers who seemed pretty close with her. The five of us including Marko ate while talking about what she had planned for the day.
Our rescue mission which included getting Moira back.
Firstly.
I placed my hand on my cheek which was still slightly red from Aurelia's reaction to my earlier curiosity.
She'd slapped me, of course, but calling me a heat crazed pervert was a bit over the line wasn't it?
Noticing, she smiled before taunting, "How about a 'good morning babe' before trying to feel me up next time?" Marko laughed loudly at this and the soldiers nervously shifted their gaze to avoid meeting mine.
Ahh.. they think I'm a weird heat crazed pervert now too!
"babe~" I complained.
She laughed too when I caught myself blushing.
**********
"I'm sorry I cant go with you guys." Marko explained after handing a vial with tiny pink beads. "I wish I could do more than this for you but as you know I'd just be holding you back. Plus It'd be a damn shame if the top alchemist shop closed now when it's needed the most you know?" He grinned.
Aurelia bear-hugged him goodbye after saying that it was fine and that he didn't have to worry about it.
That hug made me slightly jealous. Especially when you count the fact that I know nothing about him apart from the fact that she trusts him deeply.
But even so, it's always possible that he was the one that helped her out when she needed someone? Or Maybe he saved her life? Whatever it was I needed to know.
"Careful there." Zach exclaimed in a more than friendly tone and a smile as friendly as could be with Tiffani his polar opposite in tow. Fiercely trying to keep her distance from me, going so far as to hide behind Zach. The reason very apparent. "With a glare like that some people would be inclined to think that you're jealous."
"And what if I am?" I replied curtly.
Zach was... well, he's what you'd probably call a womanizer.
I however call him an idiot. Just to piss him off though but this has never worked.
He has nerves of steel but I haven't given up on him yet. One day I'll break him.
Or, maybe I can make Aurelia jealous by pretending to fall for him.
"Zach," I whispered pointing past him "look! An idiot!"
"Very funny lily." He snorted.
"What was that?" I asked raising my brows.
"Uh, most humorous, vice commander!"
"That's more like it idiot Zach." I smiled turning my attention to Tiffani. "what's her problem?"
He shrugged after glancing at her.
I noticed she had a hand resting on her sheathed dagger.
The fact that they were wearing combat gear designed for infiltration, all black, utility belts, thigh straps with daggers and vambraces etc. made them that much more terrifying. Not that I would say it out loud but the fact in addition to that her current demeaner and the fact that she and Zach were both dragonborn only made it that much harder to hold my ground against her glare.
Her piercing silver eyes against her short black hair.
"Wow are you for real?" I stated to her loudly enough so Aurelia speaking with Marko could hear.
"If you have a problem with me I suggest you let it out!"
"Woah! woah what's going on here?" Aurelia had stepped between us. Noticing Tiffani's hand loosely over her blade Aurelia steps toward her and stretches' out her hand. "Ill be taking that for now."
"Babe forget it, I don't see how taking one of her weapons will help, not to mention she wont be able to do anything if we leave her defenseless-" Aurelia raised her hand to silence me.
"tch!" Tiffani pulled out the blade and reluctantly handed it to Aurelia.
It had a large gem fitted into the handle.
I noticed Zach had one too.
Aurelia looked at me expectantly when I noticed she had her other hand out beckoning for my blade, the same one Jiya had stabbed me with. The same one I kept with me at all times.
"You can't be serious!"
"Give it!"
I could feel that this wasn't something she was gonna let go, so I too however reluctantly handed it to her.
Zach snickered.
"Now!" Aurelia stated firmly "We are going to be travelling for a while by horse and carriage so I suggest you two hug and make up because if you two aren't bffs by the time we get there..." she let the threat linger on the air before walking away to prepare our ride no doubt.
Aurelia seemed slightly upset and I realized that I could have avoided the whole thing if I hadn't lashed out.
I sighed before walking towards Tiffani, we were off to a rough start but hopefully I could make it better I am vice commander after all.
Extending my hand to her, "Hey, I'm sorry I shouldn't have spoke to you the way I did."
She looked down at my hand before. "Disgusting." then walking away.
"Wha... what?!" I started after her only to be blocked by Zach. "What the hell are you doing?! get out of my way so I can teach that bitch some manners!"
"Vise-commander, she gets like that sometimes, could you please just let her be for a while? I'm sure she'll warm up to you after cooling down."
Zach was a taller than me and although he had black hair like Tiffani he bore none of her ill-will towards me. "Ugh!" I growled. "Why is she like that?"
"Well." Zach started "are you asking or ordering me to tell you?"
I glared at him, "Ok ok, it might have something to do with what you said... last night."
I motioned for him to go on showing that my patience was at its thinnest.
He cleared his throat before "Each and every one of you dragonborn scum are so hateful!"
She heard that?
"that was..." I tried the words slipping from my grasp.
"No need to explain."
"WE dragon-born are hostile towards humans. I'm assuming that got to you and you finally snapped. I don't blame you though most dragon born here are free to express their hate towards you so long as it doesn't turn into violence so why should the reverse not also be true?"
I let his words play in my mind over and over again.
That's right.
Why didn't I think of that?
There are always two sides to a coin.
Two stories, one for each side.
"Then why don't YOU hate me?"
He grinned, "well you're hot."
I smirked in response and punched him in the shoulder hard, "Thanks for not hating me idiot Zach." before "I really mean it. I've only known you for a couple hours and you're already like my best friend and someone I can count on."
"Come on now. wont you make the commander upset if you say things like that?"
I shook my head, nope she'll be fine!" I cast a glance over at Tiffani who stood at the corner of the street a little distance away, reading a book under the shade of a tree.
I sighed Before returning my gaze to Zach. "Check your gear. Make sure you're ready and … while you're at it can you let her know that we'll be ready soon? Also if its possible could you let her know I'm sorry for what I've said?" I motioned at Tiffani.
"Hmm, I don't mind but, from my experience apologies are usually better when done in person."
he turned to go to Tiffani when he paused as if remembering something he'd have liked to say "You know, I don't think she hates you. You're the hero who defeated the soul fragment of a monarch and saved her family after-all."
What? When did I?
"Yeah this is her home town. So I'm sure she's really grateful." with this he left.
I.... did what?
That's ridiculous.
I really would've remembered if I did something like that.
wouldn't I?