RFC-Mini Arc 4: Night Life-03 (Patreon)

While she’s stuffing her face, Earl disappears and comes back with Maxine. She’s also wearing a dress but it’s of a much higher quality. Done in gold and white with flowery embroidery along the arms, the garment hugs her form in a way only dress tailored for a specific person can. Her dark hair is brushed out, her bangs pulled back and held in place by a clip featuring the white dove of her house.

I do my duty as the host and walk over to greet her. “Hey, Max, you made it.”

“I can only work so hard.” She hands over a nicely wrapped box with a nervous smile. “A small gift.”

“You didn’t have to.” I waste no time, unwrapping her present and opening it up. My brows raise as I take in the sheaf of papers inside. I scan the first page and smile. “A summoning record of the Queen’s Nest realm?” Queen’s Nest is a strange one, an entire realm dominated by a single sentient race. Not unusual in of itself, but it is unusual that said race are bugs. Some kind of arachnids.

Their queen, who is rumored to be over a thousand years old, has complete control over the realm. I wouldn’t believe it if it wasn’t confirmed by elementals from other planes. The Queen, as she’s referred to, is also incredibly knowledgeable. More importantly, she can speak through other members of her hive, meaning even weak summoners can engage her. A veritable font of information if one can get past the strange culture of the hive. “This is amazing, thank you.”

“A trader happened by the store, wanting to unload curiosities. I have no idea what it means but I figured if it was worth something, you’d know.”

“It’s great. Tell you about it another time. Earl.” I hand the box over to my servant before guiding Max to the table. “Alana, I want you to meet someone. This is Maxine Guiness, merchant princess. Max, this is Alana James, fellow initiate.”

Alana pauses from relishing a cheese-slathered cracker, quickly grabbing a napkin to wipe off the crumbs. Then she does an impressive curtsy. “Lady Guiness, a pleasure to meet you.”

Max returns the gesture. “Please, Maxine is fine. No need to be too formal. We are guests of Lou.”

“Ah, I see you what you mean.”

“…I think I’m being insulted.”

Maxine chuckles. “Not at all. Though, James? Forgive my ignorance, but I don’t recall a James daughter attending the Hall.”

My friend winces. “I bet. I’ve only recently been granted the privilege to use my father’s name. Before then, I was just another bastard. You wouldn’t have heard of me.”

“Ah. Then you must have remarkable talent to make him recognize you.”

Alana smirks. “I was expecting the usual pity.”

“I am no stranger to a daughter fighting for her place among her family.”

The two share an understanding, exchanging smiles. Which makes me smile, as this is exactly what I want to see. “Don’t just stand around. It’d be a waste if all of this food goes uneaten.”

“Yeah, that succubus’ cooking is Lou’s only redeeming feature as a friend.”

“Hey!”

“So, Maxine, do you know what she’s got planned for us? She wouldn’t tell me no matter how I tried to wheedle it out of her.”

“Well, I don’t know about the rest of the night but I know I first planned to introduce her to a dance hall.”

“A what?”

“I doubt you’ve heard of them as they’re relatively new.” Maxine picks up a slice of melon from one of the fruit trays, letting out a hum of satisfaction. “This is amazing quality! Where did you purchase this?”

I open my mouth to explain but Alana beats me to it. “They grow them out back.” Huh. So, she does listen to me when I brag about my household. “You didn’t answer.”

“Ah, yes. Commoners don’t have balls. They’ve no need for them. Balls are about forming connections and, perhaps more importantly, no family of simple means could shoulder the expense. Someone had the bright idea to host balls for them, charging an entrance fee to shoulder the costs and make quite a profit. They can also buy food and drink. Rather than a ball, it might be better to think of it as a miniature festival held at the end of the week for the masses.”

“A festival?” I ask, perking up. There’re two annual celebrations in the capital. There’s the Light Festival in the summer to celebrate the saints and Dunn Day in the fall, where a tournament is held in honor of Dunwayne slaying the evil dragon, Tivorex.

I prefer the Light Festival since it draws merchants and artisans of all types to the capital, creating a variety of foods and odd knickknacks to browse. Dunn Day is just a bunch of sweaty men beating on each other, ugh.

“Best you see it for yourself. I’m sure you’ll have a good time. So, Alana. What brings you to the Grand Hall?”

We enjoy ourselves with idle chatter, Kierra coming over to join us, until Earl enters with the next guest. I grin as I excitedly waving over Cloud. She’s done away with the skirt, exchanging it for dark pants tucked into a pair of polished boots. She wears a sleeveless white shirt with a low neckline that contrasts sharply against her dusky skin, showing off her toned arms and tattoos.

“Thanks for coming. Everyone, this is Cloudy Blood Moon, Cloud for short. Cloud, this is Alana James, Maxine Guiness, and that’s my wife, Kierra D’Atainna.”

Her eyes immediately snap to Kierra, practically shining. “You’re the one responsible for honored sister’s blessing?”

““Honored sister?”” my friends ask at the same time. I dodge their judgmental gazes.

Kierra chuckles. “Come here, then.” Cloud strolls over, obediently leaning into Kierra’s hands. A green glow coats the elf’s fingers. “Oh, I see. Not bad work.” She let go of Cloud, smiling at her. “Though do you realize what is happening to you, little puppy?”

“How weak is our pink skin, how dull our blunt nails. Then we will don their fur and wield their claws. We will sharpen our flat teeth until they are fangs and howl to the moon, our goddess. So shall it be.”

“Wonderful. If only everyone could have the same respect for the art. Now, what’s this about a sister?” Kierra looks past her to me. “Lou, I didn’t know you had such interests.”

What exactly are you imagining?

Cloud comes to the rescue before I have to figure out how to respond to the bait. “Lou helped against an enemy of the Temple and broke bread with us. That is enough to be family…and she insists she is the elder.”

“Damn right I am.”

“Are these all your mates?”

The way she says that there’s no mistaking her meaning. Kierra chuckles while Maxine gapes, face flushing with embarrassment. “Huh?” Alana shouts, jumping to her feet as she glares at Cloud. “What in the saints’ names gave you that impression?” she barks.

“Am I wrong?” she asks with a mocking smile.

“You little—”

“Eh-hmm. No, they aren’t my ‘mates’.” She gives me a disbelieving look. What the hell? I throw an arm around her shoulder and ease her away from the others, extremely conscious of the glare on my back. “What makes you so sure?” I ask.

“As I said, you have an honest body.”

“The hell does—ah, forget it. If you must know, I’ve got intentions toward Alana and Maxine is up in the air, but they aren’t my mates. That’s Kierra alone. Oh, and the succubi but that’s kind of different. They’re getting drinks from the kitchen right now.”

“Then this is an opportunity to woo the potential mates.”

“What? Again, no—”

“Not to worry, honored sister. I will cooperate to show them your best side.” Her arms suddenly wrap around my waist. With my improved reflexes, I saw the action coming a mile away but don’t bother resisting. It’s a rather nice position to be in.

“What are you doing?” I ask, as she slowly leans toward me.

“Simple skinship is common among family, isn’t it?” She leans in, putting her nose against my neck and breathing in deeply. “You are different, Lou.”

“Yeah. I, ah, received a stronger blessing.”

“Mm. One of these days, you must share a hunt with me. Once we share the blood of prey between us, our bond will be as stone.” She doesn’t wait for me to respond before she steps away, moving towards the others. Alana scowls while Maxine wears a polite smile, having quickly composed herself. She levels a finger at the blonde. “You smell like a hunting dog. Fighter?”

“I’m nobody’s dog,” Alana snaps, turning to me. “If you must have a mistress, you could at least get one that’s civilized.”

I wince but Cloud thankfully laughs it off. “Are you sure? You bark like a bitch.”

I know Cloud doesn’t mean anything insulting with her words, but Alana’s hand moves to her hip, where her sword usually hangs. She scowls realizing she doesn’t have her weapon, her eyes moving over Cloud consideringly. I imagine gauging her chances of taking her unarmed. Ah ah, can’t have the guests fighting. Rescue?

Geneva comes in a timely manner, quickly enlisting the help of the servants to refresh the platters. Bell runs toward me, launching herself into my arms with an excited “Coo!”

The sound draws Cloud’s attention. She swiftly plucks the imp from my arms, getting a hiss for her trouble. Her eyes are nothing but delighted. “This is the creature from another realm? It smells of ashes.”

“Coo!” [Master Lou, allow me to teach this mutt a lesson in manners.]

“Bell, be nice.” She gives me an aggrieved look to which I raise a brow. She shuts all four of her eyes, making sure I understand her reluctance. Then her aggressive demeanor drops, and she allows Cloud to investigate her with minimum protest. “Cloud, that’s Bell, my incompetent imp. The lovely lady with the tail is Geo, a thrall.”

“Hello, Cloud,” Geneva says with the shy smile she reserves for company.

To my surprise, Cloud backpedals, looking uneasy. Those are some good instincts you have there.

“Don’t worry. Geo’s perfectly harmless and entirely under my control. Isn’t that right…pet?” Oh saints, calling her like that still seems inappropriate.

Luckily, she’s bound by our contract and her selfish interests to like me. She gives me an indulgent smile and says “Woof,” before disappearing back into the kitchen.

“Damn degenerate,” Alana mutters, shaking her head. I wiggle my brows at her, enjoying how her scowl deepens and Maxine chuckles at our antics.