Benjamin enjoyed immensely the conversation he had with Layla. There were so many different and very interesting topics they talked about. He talked about the reason for the Great Race. Apparently the first Emperor, having consolidated a fair amount of power and building the first walled cities, after the world without walls had fallen, decided that primogeniture was not a good enough metric to define one's worth as an Emperor, thus he declared that once he was gone, his children would have to fight. And fight they did. Almost entire generations of the Imperial family, as well as thousands upon thousands of people died in the ensuing wars. That was the norm for successions until the abdication of William II, who victorious, but full of grief over having killed many of his brothers, some which he dearly loved, built the Golden Cage. He wished to spare his children such horrors, thus he declared that any of his children who remained in the Golden Cage would not participate in, but would also be protected from the death and destruction caused by the fight for the Throne. As the generations passed, many different customs were added, including a limitation on the number of participants, until it took the modern form of the Great Race.

Happy with this new knowledge, Layla answered a question about her home-country, Entome, and its leader. Located to the east, then south. It was mostly forests and jungles. A good part of its population were Mutants ascended from insects, although curiously its ruler was ascended from a human who acquired many spider-like characteristics after ascension. Having gained immortality when she became a Mutant, she was the longest ruling Great Noble of the Wildlands, In fact, many rumors put her as the second longest-living being in the Wildlands, only behind the Goddess of the Tal. Her name was of particular interest to Benjamin: Countess Isabel de Trestia. He wondered if she had some sort of relation with the city in the Empire. She could be a historical treasure trove! Layla also talked some about her life there: Being able to glow in the dark, she was frequently asked to help in hunts in the dark, after all, not everything that entered the Pools of Reorigination came out with intelligence. As the Pool of Abel was located in Entoma, they had a real problem with rampaging non-intelligent Mutants.

Benjamin talked about the great libraries that could be found in the city of Came, so full of books on many different topics. Even more knowledge could be found inside the computers that were accessible to all students. It wasn't that he had been unhappy with his life as a university student, he was just not satisfied enough by it. As much knowledge as he knew could be acquired in those halls, he told Layla, there were rumors, legends, that so much more could be found underground. Apparently, as high as the ancient people of the world before the Fall had built their buildings, and they built really high, they built underground to store, develop and protect their knowledge. He would also love to one day explore some underground ruins and uncover their secrets.

Was it true that the Wildlands had a single religion? That was still a question that Benjamin wanted answers for. Layla explained to him that it wasn't like that. Although almost every Mutant considered the Pools of Reorigination sacred in one way or another, pretty much every different community had their own way of seeing things. Some praised them as forces of uncontrollable chaos with no particular direction or will. Others felt they saw an intricate plan for every Mutant that would lead to an ultimate great destiny. Another way of looking at it was that they were great presents from the gods or the God. Layla particularly, was among the first group. She believed that the ancient people, from before the fall, had played with a force of chaos that they could not understand, much less contain and as a result of their folly, the Pools were created, taking away from humanity exclusivity in self-conscience.

On the topic of religion, Layla wanted very much to hear ore about the Flame. That weird religion of the Empire. Was it true that it called for things like human sacrifices? Benjamin was not a particularly religious person, but he had a pretty reasonable amount of knowledge about it. While some people went so far as to cut part of their own bodies as an offering, he was of of the opinion that most calls to sacrifice were meant in a metaphorical manner. He suspected that the willingness of people to part with parts of their own body had more to do with the possibility of replacing them with better mechanized parts than with any real deep zeal. Although, some of the more fundamentalist followers of the religion refused to substitute sacrificed parts with augments, as that would not be a real sacrifice. To them the sacrifice wasn't about the physical body, but the spiritual function that their sacrifice entailed: It wasn't about simply sacrificing an arm, but sacrificing the capability of grabbing and manipulating things with that arm. In fact, most of the philosophy surrounding the Holy Flame centered around the spirit that supposedly it had infused humanity with. Free will, emotions, rationality, curiosity. These and much more were presents of the small part of the flame imparted in every human being. Did intelligent Mutants carry it as well? Layla asked. Benjamin did not know, he didn't think any sermons he had heard or read talked about that and it never occurred him to ask any priest about it.

Benjamin wanted to know more about who the Great Nobles were. Layla didn't know the names of all of them. Five Mutants controlled almost the entirety the Wildlands, even the places that weren't directly controlled by one of them were usually influenced by one or more of them. First: Duke Deadalus Prelestia. Not only did he de facto control Destroia, he also ruled Lionia, the biggest country in the Wildlands. He was a bird before his ascension and was a fearsome warrior. A couple of decades ago he wrested control of this country from a quite old family of Mutant who had been ascended from lions. He is in quite friendly terms with the ruler of Entoma, who they had talked about previously. There was also Ookami al Abn Awaa, the Mercenary Prince. He didn't exactly control a loose confederation of city states to the south, all of them either in the desert or in the south coast of the continent. Mostly neutral, he can be persuaded to fight for and against anyone with the correct offer or incentive, so unlike most of the other Great Nobles, he wass more in the position of chief kingmaker, rather than a sort of king himself. To the north, among forests and the start of a great mountain range, ruled the Baron Vladimir Basbuzuc, who Layla didn't know much about, except that he was very hostile to both Duke Prelestia and Countess de Trestia. She knew that the noble who ruled to the east of Entome was known as the Marquis, but did not even know his name.

Time passed as they enjoyed talking with each other.

Layla was taken by surprise as she looked up and saw the time on the clock that rested on the wall.

“Oh, wow. Look at the time! I didn't feel the time go by.”

Benjamin looked slightly confused until he did the same.

“Oh. You're right, it really is quite late. What now?”

He looked at her, like he was unsure of what would happen next. Layla thought he looked kind of cute like that. He was almost like a puppy.

“Well, you could just go look for some place to spend the rest of the night in town, or something. I'm not going anywhere you know?”

He looked slightly disappointed. No, scratch that, now he completely looked like a puppy, one about to be abandoned. She had a slight urge to hug him and pet his head.

“Uh, you know. I was wondering... I don't really know much of anything about the Wildlands, even though I want to go exploring. I was thinking if, perhaps you could accompany me, as a guide of course!”

Hearing that made Layla very happy. For some time now, as they talked she kind of hoped for some kind of invitation, and when it never came, she felt slightly disappointed. In the end it came. She would probably have to take care of one small problem, but she thought it wouldn't pose much of an obstacle. Still, she felt like teasing him a bit.

“Hmm, I don't know... The pay here is not too shabby, and I have a contract I'd like to honor with this place.”

She barely stopped talking when Benjamin nervously offered a refutation.

“Please! I do have a lot of money and-”

But she didn't let him end his phrase. She put a finger on his lips and smiled.

“I was just kidding, silly. I have a feeling your company is worth more than the current life I lead here. You really should try not being so easy to tease.” He blushed so much his cheeks almost started looking like tomatoes. “You know what. Keep being easy to tease, that's adorable.”

He looked like he wanted to protest, but ended up not saying anything.

A few minutes later they left the room. Him in the new clothes he had bought, her in the “traditional” attire of Mutants, covered from head to toe. She whispered something to the receptionist before they left. Benjamin hoped it wasn't something embarrassing.

As they walked through the much more empty streets at that time, Benjamin realized something.

“Hey. Now that I think about it. Why exactly do Mutants wear clothes that almost completely cover them up? Like you're doing now. It can't just be pandering to human sensibilities, can it?”

“Hmm, I don't think so? I mean, it depends, I guess. In most cases, it is to hide exactly what kind of Mutant we are.”

“Huh, really? Like, hiding your strength or something?”

“Not exactly, not for me at least. Nobody wants to mug a wasp by incident, you know? Something like that.”

So it was a kind of protection through the herd, so to speak. A state of uncertainty in relation the power of one's opponent was a good way of avoiding a fight in the first place.

“Which means that Mutants that flaunt their appearance must be very strong.”

Layla shrugged.

“Or very idiotic. You'd be surprised at how often these show up.”

It didn't take very long for them to arrive at the hotel. They were standing in front of a hotel, where they would be spending the night. Benjamin was quite impressed. It wasn't actually a big building or anything, but then again it not being huge was part of the reason why it was all so new and exciting. Buildings in the Empire were usually drab and gray, including peoples houses and even interior. Decoration was not exactly a booming industry. The simple but elegant repeating pattern on the floor, a few pots of plant here and there, pictures on the walls, walls painted something other than white or gray, sofas facing low tables with magazines strewn on them. Benjamin wondered if such a thing was common for the Ancient People?

While he was lost looking at the simple elegance of the hotel's lobby, Layla went to talk with the receptionist to get a room. She almost surprised him jiggling the key in front of him. He absentmindedly grabbed it.

“Oh, the key to my room? Nice. Where's yours?”

She tilted her head to the side as if slightly confused.

“Mine? What are you talking about? We are going to share a room.”

Okay. Calm down. He shouldn't give her the answer she wants. If he objects to it in any way, shape or form, then he loses. Or so Benjamin felt. He should answer normally, as normally as he could think of.

“Oh, Okay.”

Nailed it! He totally didn't embarrass himself in any way. He most definitely did not blush. It did not count. She didn't realize he had been affected in any way, right? Damn, she was cheating, he couldn't see her face in any way. So unfair, he couldn't know if she thought she had got him.

“Well then, let's go. It's this way, on the second floor.”

The room had the same kind of simple elegance as the lobby. The lighting, the apportion of space, the charming but not perfect tidiness. He couldn't explain exactly how, but it was so much different from any other place he had slept in before.

“Oh wow, this is great!”

A he sat on it and tested its comfort level, Benjamin decided on a very important thing: There was no way he was going to comment or react in any way to the single, obviously for a couple, bed. Nope. He wasn't going to fall for that. Nor would he comment on her pretty much throwing most of her clothes here and there in the room.

“You know, sometimes you kind of sound like a child or something.”

What? How was he supposed to react to such a statement? Benjamin wasn't even completely sure of what she meant by that.

“Huh? What do you mean?”

Surprisingly, Layla just explained herself instead of poking some fun at him.

“It's just that you seem to be in constant wonder of everything, I guess? I know I've made some fun of you, but this is serious. You're... Strangely naive. Which is not all that bad a thing, but could get you in some serious trouble. The Wildlands are a colorful, free and fun place. It's also very dangerous and could kill you at any second if you don't pay attention. It's okay to be fascinated by things, but if I were you, I would try to not show it that much.”

He... Could not really refute what she was saying. Even by a imperial subject's standards, he had been raised in a relatively sheltered environment. Even at university, being away from his parents, he could still feel their influence and restrictions. Even just in Destroia, still within the Empire's borders, he may have been in luck to not have run into any trouble yet. He wasn't in a protected environment any more.

“I understand. Anyway. I know I asked you to be my guide and all. So, what are our plans now?”

What preparations would they have to make for traveling through the Wildlands? Thinking about it now, he had no idea what would be needed, what kind of dangers they might or might not face. He was glad to have met someone who seemed so trustworthy.

“Well, to be honest. For now, I think I'm going to take a shower before sleeping. As for tomorrow, well, I guess I can leave that as a surprise for now, don't worry. We don't have to wake up too early. Oh, would you like to take a shower first?”

Why the hell did things have to be so difficult? No, no. Think about it. The correct answer would be to say yes. He could be done with the shower really fast, and get to bed, being asleep even before she stepped outside of the bathroom once she was done with her shower. Problem was: He had been raised to always be especially mindful and not rude to women. She obviously wanted a shower. How rude would it be for him to take one ahead of her? Very rude. Too rude. Damn, the correct answer wasn't an option at all, was it? Could he say that he was the type that prefers to shower in the morning? No, that wouldn't work, not for the long haul at least. He really disliked sleeping without having showered. There was no way he would sleep without a shower, and there was also no way he would ask to go first, therefore...

“Naw, I'm good, you go first.”

First of all, why did he even have to be nervous in any way around her? How absurd! She wasn't even human after all. No, even if she was! It wasn't like he was completely inexperienced. Stop embarrassing yourself Benjamin, by the Flame! Getting back to the whole not-human thing, he wasn't even sure if they could have sex or something, not that he wanted to. Wait, wasn't that an argument for not minding her? Argh! The damnable shower's sounds, she was naked right now. Well, she did look quite close to the figure of a human woman. She was still not a freaking woman, no wait, she is, but still not a human. Did it even matter? Of course it does! But does it really? No doubt about it. You sure? In what way? Shut up! She was once a freaking firefly, a small fucking firefly! Even if she looked quite human right now. It was just weird to be attracted to her in any way shape or form. Or was it?

As Benjamin struggled with himself, Layla finished her shower and shortly appeared wrapped in a towel. Fuck, she smelled good. Of course idiot, it's the soap, don't get distracted.

“Ah, that's why I love this place, always good water pressure and heating. You can use the shower now.” He shortly nodded at her. “Oh, by the way, I like sleeping naked, if you don't mind.”

Fuck. Of course he minded, why wouldn't he mind? He would like to know what man did not mind a woman sleeping naked in the same bed. But he shouldn't respond. If he does he loses. Wait, why does he lose because of that again? Ugh. He should just go take his damn shower. He just grunted a positive answer.

He brought boxers and a light shirt with him to the bathroom, there was no way he was going to put those on in the same room as her. He managed to somewhat relax himself in the shower. Just as she had said, it was really good. But then, right as he turned off the water, he realized his torment would continue. Where was his towel? Damn her!

“Uh, Layla? Where is my towel? There are two towels right? One for me, one for you?”

Her reply sounded quite unconcerned.

“I thought just one would be good enough. Oh! I'm sorry, I forgot to hand it to you. So sorry! The bathroom is unlocked right?”

So there was only one towel... Of course. Benjamin took a deep breath and calmed himself. He heard soft steps coming towards the bathroom door. Wait! He shouldn't let her! He forgot to lock the bathroom door. At the last second he managed to grab the door's knob, making sure it only opened a little. Of course, Layla was trying to open the whole damn thing. He just put his hand through the small opening.

“If you would please, just put the towel in my hand, okay?” She did it. He sighed in relief. But as he looked at the slightly damp towel that Layla had used to dry her body... “As if I can dry myself with that damn it!” But after a few moments of shivering and trying to make do with the hand towel, he gave up. “Fine, I'll do it. Don't mind it, don't mind it.” Who cares if she just used it to dry herself, right?

Thus finally done, dry and out of the bathroom, he was slightly relieved to see that Layla looked asleep under the sheets. After two deep breaths and effectively calming himself, he laid down beside her with his back turned to her. Perhaps he might be able to sleep soundly after all. The sound of someone shifting beside him shattered his delusions.

“You know, you did spend a hefty amount of money in that brothel for almost nothing. You sure you don't want to do anything? I really don't mind? There's a first time for everything.”

Fuck, fuck, fuck. Benjamin pretended to be asleep while mentally reciting something to give him control over himself. I am the master of the Flame inside of me. I am the master of the Flame inside of me. I am the master of the Flame inside of me. He could do it! He would do it! Not do it, he meant, well not do her, of course, he would, not, do her. It was easy. So easy.