Rouge XXVI (Patreon)

The next few days were peaceful. Her cousin seemed remarkably better, both in game and out, and Zoey had a feeling that he and Nana had had a Talk while they were cleaning up the kitchen. Nana taught them Gin Rummy, and she even found a stack of pennies somewhere for them to bet with. Needless to say, at the end of the night, Nana had all the pennies, but Zoey was pretty sure they had all had fun, though it could be hard to tell with Ajax.

In game, things went almost suspiciously smoothly. The Star made it back to Port Carnival, and to her surprise, the “Miasma of Carnival” quest didn’t finish when they pulled up to the dock. The smell was still there, though she thought it was better than it had been before, so while Shale might have been part of the problem, he wasn’t at the root of it.

Now that Jean looked like any old human, she was able to go into port herself, which seemed to convince people that she wasn’t actually one of the terrible Selkie. As a result, the Star quickly got a fresh cargo to replace the one they’d delivered, and they set off upriver, back toward Bright. It was significantly slower going against the current than it was going with it, and when the wind stopped blowing, the ship stopped moving. Vexxx offered to summon another [Tempest] to get them moving again, but he was firmly and hastily turned down.

By the time they reached Bright, there were only three days left on the countdown for the “Shellfish” quest, and Rouge would have been worried, but with the tunnel through the Whispering Mountains open, they made it with time to spare. Rouge was even able to get them in with one of Restur’s caravans, so they weren’t delayed at the checkpoints, and she didn’t have to reveal her identity to anyone except the leader of the caravan.

Vexxx and Rouge logged in just as the gates of Refuge came into view, and Wally chirped happily as he realized that Rouge was awake now. Turning his head, he opened his beak expectantly, and Rouge laughed as she fed him the last cinnamon roll. Patting his neck, she said, “It’s a good thing we’re almost home, buddy. You might go on strike if you thought you’d earn a bun, and I was out.”

Vexxx snorted. “I can’t believe you wouldn’t give me even one.”

She shook her head. “They were for Wally. There was a whole plate, and if you hadn’t been so busy storming out, you could have grabbed some, too.”

Instead of glaring, he just sighed in reluctant agreement, and she smiled. He was definitely better company these days, and she was there for it. She just hoped he stayed this way when Aunt Danika got back tomorrow, and they managed to talk through some of the things that were bothering him without one or both of them getting defensive and angry.

Speaking of which, her dad and Bree would be home tomorrow evening, and Rouge needed to have a conversation of her own with them. There were a lot of Conversations happening lately, and while she knew they needed to happen, they weren’t exactly fun.

Which was why she was just going to have a blast today. Starting right now.

Leaning forward, Rouge whispered in Codswallop’s ear. “You ready for our big entrance?”

Silus, who had been snoozing in Rouge’s collar, woke up at that. Sleepily, she said, ::Is it time already?::

Rouge glanced at Vexxx, who was looking at them suspiciously. Rouge and Silus had planned this out while Vexxx was logged out, so he had no idea what they were up to.

“Oh yeah,” Rouge grinned, “It’s time.”

Silus giggled and dropped off of Rouge’s shoulder. Her first few wingbeats were a little slow, but then she seemed to wake up properly, and circled, flying high into the sky above the caravan. Rouge pulled something from her inventory, and tossed it to Vexxx.

Safety Harness - A rope and leather harness crafted by Rouge the Rogue. It’s not fancy, but it seems sturdy. Two iron rings are sewn into the sides. Rarity - Unique. Weight - 8 lbs. Value - 5 G

“Put that on,” she told him.

His eyes narrowed, and she could practically see his hackles lift before he forced himself to relax. The harness vanished from his hands, and reappeared on his body. His robe bunched up awkwardly beneath it, and he plucked at the fabric.

Rouge was grinning so wide her cheeks were starting to hurt. “You ready?”

He looked up at her. “Ready for wha-?”

The word was cut off as she nudged Wally with her heel. The ostrich darted forward, and Rouge snapped hooks onto each of the iron rings that sat at Vexxx’s hips. Before her cousin could do more than yelp in surprise, Wally leaped straight up into the air, and they triggered [Avian Flight]. Wally’s stubby wings flapped, and with a whistle of wind, they were airborne, and so was Vexxx.

Rouge had checked with Bridget, and a player couldn’t be attached to another player’s mount in any way. This was, yet again, a result of shenanigans by the beta testers, though Rouge couldn’t get Bridget to tell her the full story. Apparently, her step-sister thought Rouge might somehow ‘get ideas’, which was probably true.

So, Rouge just held the ropes. One rope dangled from each hand until the lines snapped taut, lifting Vexxx from the ground. He dangled in the air beneath Rouge and Wally, at first screaming, and then whooping. When she looked down, she saw that he had his arms out and a huge grin on his face as he flew through the air like some kind of comic book superhero. Rouge kept an eye on her Stamina, since she had to hold her arms out wide enough to keep the ropes from touching Wally’s body or saddle, but Vexxx didn’t really weigh that much, and Rouge’s Strength and Endurance were more than sufficient unto the task. As quickly as her Stamina ticked down, it recovered again, and Rouge knew they were good to go.

“Stage two, Wall!” she shouted, and the ostrich squawked, rising even higher into the air. High above them, there was a single cloud which had remained directly over the caravan since they emerged from the tunnel. That cloud now vanished, revealing the dragon hiding above it.

Two years ago, Malachite was small enough that Aspen was able to carry the baby dragon in his arms. Now, his wings spanned nearly thirty feet, and if he’d been any larger, Rouge’s [Sky Writing] wouldn’t have been able to control a cloud large enough to hide him. He and his mother, Beryl, were an uncommon but not unfamiliar sight for the people of Refuge, but Vexxx hadn’t ever seen them before.

Malachite roared, a basso rumble that filled the sky, and dove toward Rouge, Silus, Wally, and Vexxx. Vexxx looked up toward the sound, spotted the dragon rapidly descending toward them, and shrieked, thrashing in his harness. She saw him start fumbling at the hooks that linked the ropes to his harness, and said, ::Trust me. You’re gonna love this.::

If looks could kill, Rouge would have been sent to respawn, but Vexxx stopped trying to free himself. Wally and Rouge rose, lifting Vexxx higher as Malachite flew beneath them, steadying into a level glide so Vexxx’s feet just brushed his back.

::Hang on!:: Rouge told her cousin, and let go of the ropes.

The hooks came free as tension was released, and the ropes fell away toward the earth, which was now far, far below them. Vexxx suddenly found himself flat on a dragon’s back, and she could see him clutch at Malachite desperately. They circled over Refuge for a minute, then two, as her cousin got used to his situation, and then he finally managed to sit up straight, his legs clamped tight on either side of Malachite’s ribs, and Vexxx stared across space at Rouge.

::Am I… riding a dragon right now?:: he asked.

::Oh yeah,:: she said, flicking him a little salute.

Vexxx drew in a breath so large that she could see his chest rise from fifty feet away. Then he pumped his fists and screamed, “YAAAAAASSSSSSSS!”

Malachite and Wally joined in the sound of pure exhilaration, and Rouge moved to Stage Three. She had quietly been moving puffy little clouds into place as Vexxx adjusted to being dragonback, and now she formed one into a ring. Silus flew through it, followed by Rouge and Wally, and Malachite’s wings blew it into cottony puffs as he winged his way through. That was okay, though, because they had more.

The strange little flock flew through rings, over and under fluffy bars, and vanished in and out of colored clouds, vanishing and reappearing like a magic trick.

When the timer for [Sky Writing] was flashing red, Rouge reluctantly clucked at Wally, letting him know it was time to head down. ::Time’s up,:: she told Silus and Vexxx, and they both groaned in disappointment.

::I know,:: she said, ::but Malachite needs to get back to his mom. He and Silus play together all the time, but Beryl doesn’t like it when he misses lunch.::
Vexxx sent, ::Oh. So… Silus arranged this?::

She shrugged as Wally’s feet settled into the dust of the road. Everyone on the ground had stopped to watch the aerial show, so they could land on the road without worrying about anyone moving into their path. People broke out into spontaneous applause, and she felt her cheeks heat as she waved to them. ::Mostly. We figured it out yesterday, and then last night she flew ahead to Beryl’s lair and told the dragons what we wanted. Malachite can’t actually understand her, yet, but Beryl can, and she translated for them.::

Malachite landed beside Wally, and Vexxx slid down. Reaching up to the Clydesdale-sized dragon, he patted him on the neck. “Thank you,” he murmured. ::And thank you, Silus,:: he sent over party chat.

Malachite nodded his big head, and his wings opened. They flapped, and the dragon lifted from the ground. Magic was clearly involved, because even with wings the length of a school bus, he shouldn’t have been able to lift off without even a running start. Honestly, he probably shouldn’t have been able to fly at all, but yay, magic!

As Malachite circled overhead, Silus darted toward him, somehow managing to always be in the place the dragon’s wings weren’t. Languidly, Malachite snapped at the little bat. Teeth larger than she was flashed in the sun, and people around them gasped as Silus giggled, dodging easily. Rouge knew the dragon would never hurt his tiny friend, but it still made her heart stutter every time she saw them play. Finally, Malachite waggled in a draconic farewell and flew back toward the mountains. Silus swooped down and landed on Rouge’s shoulder, her chest heaving from the exertion. Rouge tilted her head, tapping the bat’s big ears with her cheek. “Did you have fun?”

Silus nodded and wiggled into the dense curls of hair beside her. ::Yep,:: she yawned, ::but I’m going back to sleep now. Wake me when we get to Aspen.::

::Okay,:: Rouge said, and looked toward the city gates. The caravan had started forward again once they saw the show was over, and as it drew up to them, Matt and Jean hopped down from one of the wagons and hurried over to Rouge.

“Where is she?” Matt asked, urgently. “You said she lives in the orphanage. Is it close by?”

Rouge smiled, turning to look at the city gates. Sure enough, a lot of people had noticed their little display, and had come to see what was going on. Most of them were filtering away now, but one curly-haired moppet still stood just inside the gates, brown eyes fixed on the man standing next to Rouge.

Matilda was taller than she had been when Rouge first met her, and most of the baby fat had melted from her face and body, but she was recognizably herself. As Rouge looked back and forth between father and daughter, she wondered how she had ever missed the family resemblance.

It was clear that Matt recognized her, too, and tears began to stream from his eyes as he knelt in the dirt of the road, arms opening wide. That was all the invitation the little girl needed, and she raced out of the city, dirty, bare feet carrying her into her father’s embrace. The two of them clutched each other, sobs shaking their bodies, as Matilda chanted, “Daddy. Daddy. Daddy,” over and over.

Quest: “Don’t Be So Shellfish” complete.

Matilda and her father are together again. Good job. ♥

Success: Reunite father and child. +10000 XP. +100 Gold. Optional item.

(Note: Thanks to Blessing of Gina, you gain an additional 1000 XP.)

Congratulations! You are now level 118! You have 10 stat points to distribute.

Rouge swept her thumb over her eyes, swiping away nonexistent tears. This was always her favorite part.

At last, Matt stood, Matilda clinging to his hand as though she’d never let it go again. Both their faces were streaked with tears and dust, and there was even a suspiciously muddy streak beneath Jean’s dark eyes.

“Thank you,” Matt said, voice hoarse and choked. “I don’t even… I can never-” His voice cracked, and he just shook his head helplessly.

Matilda stepped forward. In the hand that wasn’t holding onto her father, she held the little doll Rouge had made for her when the original missing doll quest had expired. It wasn’t particularly sturdy, and Rouge definitely wasn’t a crafter, but it still had all its limbs and most of its hair, and the dress Tia had made for it was still pretty, if slightly stained.

Matilda held the doll out toward Rouge. “Thank you,” the little girl said, then sniffled. Her eyes lingered on the doll. “I don’t need this any more. I should give it back.”

Reaching down, Rouge closed the child’s fingers around the worn cloth arm. “She’s yours forever and ever. I promised she’d keep you company until I brought your dad back, but she loves you, now, so she’d be really sad if she had to leave you.”

A broad smile stretched across Matilda’s face, and she nodded as she hugged her doll. “That’s true, she would.”

Rougue grinned, and Matt laughed. Then Matt turned toward Jean and said, “Tilda, I have someone I’d really like you to meet. I love her lots, and I hope you will, too.”

Matilda looked a little dubious, and Rouge leaned down, whispering in Matilda’s ear, “That’s Jean. She used to be a real, live, pirate, and now she’s trying to learn how to be a good guy. Do you think you can help her?”

The children in the orphanage loved stories about swashbuckling pirates and valiant knights, but most of all they loved stories about bad guys who learned to be good, and went on to help the heroes with their suitably heroic adventures. Matilda’s eyes grew huge, and she nodded, looking from Rouge to Jean, then back to Matt.

“Kay,” she said, shyly. “D’you wanna hold my doll, Jean?” She held out the doll toward Captain Jean, and the woman accepted it with all the care due such a precious item.

Rouge smiled and looked over at her cousin. For a second, she almost thought she’d seen him rubbing at his own eyes, but then he looked toward Refuge and said, “I’m going to get some of those cinnamon rolls. You coming?”

“Yep,” Rouge said. “Cinnamon rolls sound perfect.”