I shrugged off my coat, expecting it to be caught as always by the waiting pincers of a drone, yet instead it fell to the floor.

Curious, I looked around and found my caves suspiciously quiet, especially since the number of workers had boomed recently. These caves should be absolutely buzzing with activity.

“What the hell?” I moved further inside, trying to find any signs of where the hell they’d gone.

“I swear, if you little bastards have formed a union again, I’ll be very upset.” I threatened into the empty corridors until I finally reached my main workshop and found where they’d all gone.

Every piece of space on the floor, walls and even ceiling was occupied by the drones in their dormant state, slow pulses of light and energy moving like waves from the edges of the room before culminating at my hammock where a familiar Sentire primly sat, mildly amused by the surrounding light show.

“I brought you a plate, figured you’d be hungry.” Sophia said, offering the wrapped plate with all the ominous foreboding of the devil itself, making you a deal.

“Figured my food privileges were still revoked.” I said while approaching through the sea of spiderbots. As I came closer, I couldn’t help but look at the plate with suspicion.

“They are. Although I figured we might have a temporary truce, for the sake of the greater good.” She pulled off the wrapping and the pleasant smell flooded the room.

“So what made you want to call a truce?” I asked, taking the offered plate and filling my mouth while shooing a few drones off a nearby worktable and so I could sit down.

“Temporary truce.” Sophia corrected. “Nat has been running herself ragged with security for the Gala and the political side hasn’t been any easier. She comes home exhausted and the first thing I have to do is feed on her.” Sophia said. She allowed regret to color her voice, but I doubted the almost perfectly hidden quiver in her voice was on purpose.

“So? Go out and feed. It’s not like you can’t feed from anyone else.” I suggested in between bites of freshly baked cheddar biscuits.

“Me leaving this place would cause a fucking meltdown. Every Sentire in this valley would lose their collective shits.” Sophia stated with a snort of annoyance, “I’m trying to make her life easier, not harder.”

Sophia got up from the hammock and leaned forward to brush her dress off, the fabric hanging loosely from her skin leaving little to the imagination.

When she straightened, she sauntered towards me as I sat frozen on the edge of the table, stopping only to part my knees so that she could stand right up against me as I sat there.

“Aleks, that food wasn’t free. I’m gonna need something in return.” Sophia whispered into my ear, her sultry voice sending shivers down my spine.

***

“This is something I could get used to.” Natasha thought to herself, walking in the door, expecting to find her lovely wife cooking in the kitchen.

The image of Sophia humming softly, standing in front of a stove as moonlight washed across her half naked body was one of Natasha’s most treasured memories.

Sophia had ended their Doctor - patient relationship because of the feelings Natasha had developed for her while also confessing her own such budding infatuation.

They had agreed to part ways, to ignore what they’d felt, but both felt the longing and heartache of the other as they realized they’d never be together.

Natasha must have spent most of the following evening walking towards Sophia’s apartment building before talking herself out of it and turning around, it wasn’t until the moon touched the horizon that she finally summoned up the courage to knock on Sophia’s door... And that was it.

They spent the rest of the night and the following day together; it had been the first good night’s sleep Natasha had gotten in years, no ghosts of past wars coming to haunt her.

She had awoken alone in bed and immediately thought the worst, that is, until she heard that soft and beautiful melody and sought it out.

And when Natasha entered the kitchen this time... She found a brown-haired doe-eyed girl stuffing her mouth from a plate stacked high with food.

“Sup.” Tessa choked out between bites.

“Where’s Sophia?” Natasha asked with a sigh as she tried and failed to hide her disappointment.

“Dunno.” The girl replied simply.

“it’s like he’s infected her with his insane ideas of normal. She’s been spending way too much time with him!.” Sophia’s words echoed in Natasha’s mind.

“I get it now honey...” Natasha muttered, running a hand over her face in exasperation before deciding to fill herself a plate before Tessa to eats herself into a coma.

***

Sophia returned to the cabin early in the morning, the dew still on the ground all around them.

She considered for a moment whether to attempt to sneak in, but her decision was made for her when the front door opened and Nat stood disapprovingly with her arms crossed.

“You know that’s gonna fuck with his head even more.” Natasha said, none of her homely demeanor present, none of the little games of house they played were there.

“Trust me, once isn’t gonna cause some kind of breakdown.” Sophia argued dismissively.

“Oh, and it’s only gonna be once, is it? Besides, you don’t know that... You were the one who said we weren’t gonna send mixed signals, clear boundaries. That’s what you said.” Natasha said, stepping down the porch steps towards Sophia.

“I know what I said.” Sophia replied sluggishly.

“If you need to feed, I’ll go to him, but you can’t do this until you work this out.” Natasha reminded.

“I know.” Sophia sighed before letting out a short giggle.

“Goddamn it Soph, you over-fed, didn’t you?” Natasha moved to help guide Sophia inside.

“He makes it hard not to... Once he gets going.” Sophia snorted.

Natasha picked her up and carried her inside, a yawning Tessa walking down the stairs as she crossed through the living room.

“Wow, this brings me back,” Sophia said deliriously as they crossed the threshold.

“What’s up with her?” Tessa asked, rubbing the sleep out of her eyes.

“Nothing. Did we wake you?” Natasha asked as Sophia started purring in her arms, rubbing her face against Natasha’s collarbone.

“No, wanted water... Is she high? Can you even get high?” Tessa asked with a frown at the weird display of affection.

“She’s stubborn and doesn’t listen well to her own advice.” Natasha sighed as she continued towards their room.

***

I woke up sore... Yet oddly refreshed.

Ignorance was bliss as I started my morning routine of planning out my day, and then it hit me.

“Ah fuck, this is gonna be bad.” I said as I put my head in my hands.

“Oh, you’re awake, good.” Katya said from across the room, a tablet in her hand as she slowly swiped along whatever document she was reading.

“How do you people keep getting in unnoticed?!” I said as I hurried to pull on my clothes properly.

“Well, Aleks, I’ll tell you two secrets today. The first is the answer to the question you just asked, the second is the answer to the question you’re going to ask.” Katya said, putting her tablet down and pinning me with cool eyes.

“Okay?” I replied uncertainly as I hobbled over to the quenching tub to throw some water in my face, or maybe drown myself. It was fifty fifty at this point.

“Many of us have found it easier to simply bribe your wonderful little shadows with either trinkets or attention than try to get into contact with you through regular means.” Katya explained, pulling out a small silver bead and holding it out as if feeding a stray animal, one of the drones rushed over to grab it before running off in a hurry.

I glared after the quickly retreating traitor.

“Why are you here?” I asked, turning my attention back to Katya.

“That’s the second secret. Natasha asked me to check up on you. I understand you engaged in a bit of stress relief last night.” Katya said, raising an eyebrow.

“Oh god.” I said before dunking my entire head into the tub of icy mountain water and keeping it there.

***

“You’re all grownups and you don’t need a babysitter or a therapist... Actually you might need both, but the point of the matter is that if you need to deal with these urges...” Katya continued torturing me as she had for the past half hour while I got ready and made the mistake of getting into a moving vehicle with no options of escape.

“Please, no more...” I begged, groaning.

“Okay, I’ll stop.” Katya said, laughing lightly, obviously having taken great joy in my discomfort.

“So you gonna tell me where you’re taking me?” I asked, looking out the window. Roads had turned to streets and stores as we neared MainStreet in the central valley.

“We’re getting you a suit for the gala.” Katya replied matter-of-factly.

“I have a suit.” I said, trying to remember where I put it.

“No, you don’t. They’re either bloodied and torn or burned with pockmarks. Besides, those were off the rack. You need something custom made for the gala.” Katya explained.

“Silas, here will do.” Silas immediately pulled the car to a stop.

The streets were wide and cobbled, each side having a paved walkway, along with several extravagant storefronts, cafe’s and restaurants running the length of the street, taking advantage of the ample space in front of their respective establishments.

“Over here.” Katya directed, gesturing towards an older looking haberdashery.

As we crossed the street, I didn’t miss the glances and hushed whispers directed at us as people took notice of our presence.

***

“For formal use or social calls?” Almino asked, taking my measurements while standing on a small stool.

“Formal, although he’ll need several for regular use, and you might want to save the designs and measurements, as our dear Titan here has a habit of ruining his clothes with some frequency.” Katya answered from a plush chair behind me as a shop assistant handed her a drink while she looked through a catalogue.

“Numbers thirty-six through to forty-two. You’ll do best for darker colors, although he does have an affinity for crimson and scarlet.” Katya ordered, handing the catalogue to the waiting hands of the assistant.

“And no Aleks, they are not the same thing.” Katya snidely remarked.

“Didn’t say anything.” I retorted with a frown.

“You didn’t have to.” Katya laughed softly.

“Is there any alterations you would like made in the designs?” Almino asked, more so directed at Katya than me.

“The right sleeve will need a surgeon’s cuff with a high slit three quarters the length of my forearm. No synthetic materials unless they are extremely heat resistant. I’d also like these included in any formal wear designs openly displayed.” I stated, dark smoke manifesting in the shape of my sheathed Seax-style knife and bearded axe before evaporating, leaving the genuine articles in my hand.

The assistant hesitated for a moment before taking the items and placing them carefully on a nearby table, Almino’s eyes following her the whole way before looking back at me with an inquisitive look.

“Anything else?” He asked politely.

“Not at this time, no.” I replied with a smile.

“Understood. They will be ready before the Gala. I’ll make sure of it.” Almino said to Katya before immediately heading into the back of the shop.

“Well, it seems you’ve relit his artistic passion. At this rate, He might even contact the Custodes department to inquire about your combat files.” Katya said, finishing her drink as she stood up.

“How so? They were minor changes.” I asked, puzzled.

“Yes, but you’ve changed the tone with this. I had intended to smooth out some of your rough edges with this, but I’ve changed my mind. This will send exactly the message we need.” Katya explained. Her smile left no doubt in my mind she was planning for trouble.

“Anyway, put this on and we’ll get going.” Katya suddenly said, pushing a bundle of clothes into my arms.