RFC-Mini Arc 4: Night Life-09 (Patreon)

“Ow.”

“Ah! Sorry…”

“It’s fine. I just said that so you’d know you’re crushing my toes.”

Alana sighs. “Trust me, I know. Saints, this is such a bad idea. I should just—”

“Hey, now.” I stop her from pulling away, interlocking our fingers. “I said I’d teach you. Now, what you need to do is relax. It’s not that difficult. Here, look. One, two, three. Alright, again.”

I suppress a grin. My friend is very fond of frowning, but her frowns have nuances. There’s her everyday stern frown, the slightest downturn of her lips that shows how seriously she takes everything. Then there’s her confused frown, her stern frown combined with the slightest furrow of her brows and the slightest tilt of her head. Her angry frown, which is more of a scowl, flashing a bit of teeth as her brows come down heavily.

This frown is new. Her lips are pressed together tightly in concentration, her eyes slightly lidded and downcast. Her cheeks have a hint of color that speak to her embarrassment. Mm, going to remember this one as the ‘saints save me, I’m completely embarrassing myself’ frown.

“You’re not doing bad. Relax. And stop staring at our feet.”

“Hmph.” She raises her head, meeting my gaze head on. “Shouldn’t you be dancing with your wife instead of me?”

“Devious, Alana. Very devious. Unfortunately for you, not a good enough excuse to slip away from me.”

“You sound like a villain.”

“Thank you.”

“I’m starting to think you have your own condition.”

“Hm? What do you mean?”

“I’m talking about how you can’t understand Common.”

“I understand the language just fine. That was definitely a compliment. Villains are cool. They’re dark, mysterious, and above all, powerful. People only care about the heroes if they face an appropriate villain. Dunwayne is great but the country loves him because he slew an evil dragon. Otherwise, he’d be a strong, friendly grandpa.” She curses as I spin her, nearly losing her footing. I don’t know why she’s worried with her reflexes. She even manages not to stomp on me. “One could say that the villain is the most important part of the story.”

“That was an impressive load of bull manure.”

“I’m serious though? Gah!” That time she definitely crushed my toes on purpose! “If you’re worried about an elf ambushing you, don’t. She’s fine with it.”

She sighs. “I don’t understand you two. Every time I think I do…I don’t.”

“Don’t worry. It’s not just you. Hm, how to describe it? It’s a delicate push and pull. Or rather, one of us pushes, while the other endures the onslaught. Then the other pushes. Though this is the first time I’ve really put on the pressure.”

“What…”

“Some things are hers, some things are mine, and some things are ours. Let’s see…her class and my training are hers. Things I don’t get in the way of. The house and the servants are ours, we both have a say in things. My elementals are mine. I have the final say on them and all things summoning. Kierra has recently taken a few liberties.” That damn fighting club and Mr. Self-Made. “Tonight is payback. It’s mine. I’m the one doing the pushing and she’s the one enduring.”

“That sounds…I don’t know how that sounds. Dangerous?”

“It’s the way things are between us.” Truthfully, I don’t know if it could be any other way. Kierra has depths that I haven’t plunged yet but something tells me she’s not hiding a sensitive side. “May I ask you something?”

“If I said no, would that stop you?”

“Of course.”

She seems taken aback by my sincerity. “Um, sure.”

“Why did you come along today? Don’t get me wrong!” I hurriedly say when I see her frown start to shift from ‘embarrassed’ to ‘angry’. “I’m glad you’re here. Ecstatic. However, you were so adamant in your refusals that I can’t help but be curious.”

“It’s not a mystery, Lou. I was getting to know you. If you didn’t know, you don’t make a great first impression.”

What does that mean?

“Not to mention I was concerned about doing well in my initiate year. You may not know this but we have one chance to make an impression during our end-of-year qualifications.”

“Ah. Miss Alyssa told me about—” Alana steps on my toes again, swearing as she almost trips. I help her keep her balance, grinning as she tries to pretend it didn’t happen. “Told me about it. Instructors select their students, not the other way around. Though, I didn’t think you had that problem, having the coveted affinity of the saints.”

“My affinity will be trained, of that I have no doubt. My father has an arrangement with one of the instructors. The agreement says I dedicate three years to training under the instructor before returning home to join one of the knightly orders of Fort Victory. I had to agree to reach the Hall.”

“I take it from your tone that you have other plans.”

“Not if I don’t impress someone. But I’m not worried. I’ve got plans.”

“Oh? Care to share?”

She stares at me and her frown turns into a small smile. “I’ll let you know when you need to know.”

“Oh, yeah? Do I play some part in these plans?”

“A small part, maybe.”

“You can’t say something like that and not share.”

She clears her throat. “Well, I was thinking I could throw myself at your wife’s mercy. She’s rich enough to sponsor me and could care less about my father’s influence.”

“Mm. Not a bad idea. She’d certainly welcome you but, ah, you sure you want to subject yourself to that? That would make you her student, at the very least. Not a student of the Hall.” That means the few rules she’s been sticking to out of courtesy to Dunwayne go out the window. “There’s a lot of pain and suffering down that road.”

“It’s not my favorite choice.”

“Let’s hear plan number two.”

“Plan number two is to split my time between the Hall and work.”

“Ambitious.” Not to mention dangerous, but I leave that out. Don’t think she’d take kindly to any insinuations that she can’t take care of herself. “Don’t know where you’d find the time.”

“Ah. Which brings me plan number three…you.”

“Go on~”

“Do you have to wear such a creepy smile? Ugh.”

“Is that the attitude to take when you’re asking me for a favor?”

“It’s a future favor that I might ask. You’re my last option.”

“A wandering performer once told me three’s a lucky number. Come on, tell me the details of this plan that involves me.”

She sighs. “It occurs to me that, like teacher, you are in possession of a reasonable wealth or could come into more money fairly easily.” Her eyes move across the room to Maxine…who’s dancing with Aidan. I hope he hasn’t gotten his hopes up. I think she’s simply enjoying the rampant flattery spilling from his mouth. Nothing about him suggests he has the financial assets she’s looking for and princesses, even merchant princesses, don’t have one-night romances.

“So, you’re only interested in me for my coin purse.”

She scoffs. “I’m sure my father can’t intimidate you given your general disregard for status…except for your thing with royalty.”

It’s my turn to sigh. “I’m working on it.”

“And I think you might be able to handle my tutor problem. As a summoner, you could find an elemental to teach me how to wield my affinity.”

I make my first mistake of the night, bringing us to a halt as I catch myself. Alana flashes me a smug grin. This girl is much too happy watching me fail. I clear my throat and get us moving again. “I was simply astounded by your confidence in me.”

“Well, Geo and Bell speak to your ability.”

“I don’t have the light affinity, you know.” And you don’t know different, do you? Cause if so, you’re going to have to answer some questions, my friend.

“You’ll find a way.”

I blink at her, noting her steadily reddening face. “…are you trying to make me kiss you?”

“Damn pervert!” She tries to pull away but I don’t let go of her hands, following her as she backpedals and twirling us so we move in a haphazard circle. I smile at the other dancers giving us strange looks.

She calms down once she realizes she not getting away and settles for glaring at me. “Do you have to ruin every moment?” she gripes.

“Thank the saints. You do know that was a moment.” Really, it would be too depressing if she keeps making my heart flutter without being aware of it. “By the way, you’re right. If you needed it, I would find a way.” Wouldn’t even be going out of my way as I’ll have to arrange a tutor for myself soon. “But—”

She yelps as I pull her against me, bringing us close enough that a piece of parchment couldn’t be slipped between us. “That’s going to cost you another promise.”

She meets my eyes with an unreadable gaze. Oh, I desperately want to cheat, to have Geneva tell me exactly what to say in this moment, but that wouldn’t be real. It wouldn’t be me she falls for.

Ah, but I’m starting to think I don’t need the assist.

Before I can make my next move, a commotion draws both our gazes across the room, along with most of the other dancers.

Maxine is standing to the side, eyes narrowed and lips pressed together firmly. Beside her, her dance partner is laid out on his back, features a mask of offence. Standing over him, is a golden-haired man wearing an expensive vest, far too much cologne, and an impressive sneer. I can almost feel the disdain radiating off him.

“Know your place, peasant,” the man growls.

Oh, good. Trouble.