“Well then.”

As the first droplets of water fell, Ivory turned to Nozumu with an… expression.

“Oh to have a certain Skill~”

“Stop,” Nozumu replied, giving Ivory a nudge with his arm. “I forgot. Don’t you have a spell for this?”

He shrugged in reply, summoning his wand.

“Yes, but that’s not the point. I’d be about 20 drops of water less wet. [Wind Umbrella].”

A barrier of wind grew upwards from his Wand of Zont, before fanning out to resemble its namesake. It could only fit one person—well, Humanoid?—underneath it, though…

The rain was beginning to pick up, and Nozumu gave him an expectant look.

“Yes, okay, settle down. I’d have done this earlier mind you, but the only time it’s rained when I’ve had this spell was on that boat. [Cosmetic Spell]—nice. Just like home!”

Nozumu stepped under the dark green canopy of the umbrella, confused but grateful.

“It is difficult not to be impressed. Coloured wind is… odd. Novel.”

Ivory preened at the rarely awarded magic-based complement. He thought he’d overdone it; Nozumu wasn’t huddled in with Ivory and was still a few inches out from getting wet. The water wasn’t hitting the wind like a physical force; it was getting actively repelled. He’d need to iterate on this if he ever needed to use the spell in a populated area.

“Just mimicking something back home. Useful though, huh? I absolutely hate hate hate carrying around an umbrella. Such a pain in the ass. This is the way.”

The rain was beginning to really come down now. Ivory cast [Gait of the Camel] on the both of them to avoid slipping or tripping on the wet ground.

“That wind is too loud. Can you make it not?”

Ivory squinted his eyes and looked up.

“I’m not making it make any noise. It could just be, you know, the wind.”

They both knew it, but this small talk/bickering combination was in response to their great task ahead. Talking to random strangers—[Fishers], at that—hoping for incredibly rare materials was a harrowingly difficult task to succeed with.

“So, why don’t—”

“There it is again!”

“C’mon, dude. Look around—”

Ivory spun around with his free arm outstretched to showcase their surroundings when he saw a figure in the distance behind them. Nozumu turned around and pointed.

“Oh, that’s Corina.”

“For real?”

Ivory squinted his eyes, unable to make out more than a running humanoid figure coming towards them due to the rain.

“Wait up!”

Corina caught up to them, stopping under the aegis of the [Wind Umbrella] and squatting down.

“Dead gods… running in these shoes… aahhh… Hello!”

The boys exchanged a glance of mutual understanding. Corina looked up and noticed this tension and kept quiet, putting her energy into regaining her composure.

The clarity after the fact hit them both—Nozumu could her Corina, owing to his seemingly superior senses? Ivory didn’t doubt it due to his ‘Drathian’ race. The question was—why would this even spawn such a bickering to begin with? It’s not as if they were in disagreement. Odd.

“What are you doing out here?”

Corina looked up.

“I could ask you the same question! What a spell, too! What are you troublemakers up to? That Fabian was having a meltdown after you left. It was funny at the start, but became more petulant as I kept watching. I looked for you both, but imagine my surprise when I see you still here!”

Nozumu bent down to help her back on her feet; she began to wave a hand, but took hold of his arm and got to her feet. Ivory cast his enchantment on her as she did; how she could run in the rain with high heels was beyond understanding. Ivory hoped the it would work.

“We’re on a fish market mission. Gotta find some rare, err, species? Ingredients?”

Ivory looked to Nozumu to elaborate, but he was in the same boat of comprehension.

“What Ivory said. You are welcome to join us, if you’d like?”

The invitation surprised Ivory—he assumed this was a kind of clandestine operation, but shrugged it off.

“Oooh, I love a walk! And under this umbrella, no less!”

She did a little jump, clapping her hands.

“Here’s me thinking I needed to go get my flats back from the arena! Lead the way, boys.”

With pursed lips, Ivory debated telling her he’d cast a spell on her. It told him one of two things: [Mages] sometimes did not know whether they’d have magic cast on them, or Corina was lacklustre in that regard. Or, a third, that it was different with beneficial spells. He had nothing to compare it to; he’d audibly cast it on Nozumu on another occasion, but he didn’t say whether he felt it cast on him. Oh well, another thing to test!

_____________________

It turned out that bringing Corina along was a great boon. Apart from her relative nonchalance of their objective for the day, her geographical acumen was key. As a native of the city, she knew the most efficient route to the fish markets—specifically, to a midpoint. She had made the suggestion that they split up and go down each end separately to speed things up. ‘The faster this is done the better’, she said. They agreed.

“Okay, we’re here. Nozumu and I will go up since it’s under cover; Ivory will go down—and Misoe!—with the umbrella. You two meet back at yours, and I’ll head when it’s all done. Sound good?”

Ivory nodded, but Nozumu was unsure. He straightened himself.

“I will go on my own and see you back home. You go with Ivory.”

Corina blinked a few times then shrugged.

“Your quest, your call. Good luck!”

Nozumu gave them a quick wave and powerwalked off, passing many [Dockworkers], [Haulers] and [Fishers] by.

“Has he misunderstood the assignment?” Ivory asked, perplexed.

“I mean, no? Your average grunts aren’t going to be the ones that have that kind of gear on hand. I would eat my scarf if that were so. That said, I’m surprised neither of you two brought it up. I’d have thought it would be obvious.”

Ivory frowned, annoyed at his lack of foresight. Nay, not even: sense.

“Well, better to be an idiot for a little bit than one forever. Let’s walk down.”

And walk down they did. For quite a while, in fact—for twenty minutes they walked, making observatory comments as to who may be able to help them.

None, it turns out, thus far. And it was getting old.

“Where are the god damned offices, or something?”

Corina’s eyes glazed over momentarily.

“Say again?”

“Offices. You know, where some [Fish Manager] or bloody whatever might be. The kind of person we’re looking for. Surely we just ask someone—I’m going to.”

Ivory pivoted diagonally towards two women gutting some giant tuna-like fish.

“Excuse me, I was wondering if you knew where we could find any [Managers] or [Merchants] in charge?”

The shorter [Fish Gutter] raised an eye at Ivory’s random stressed inflection, then stood up and smiled knowingly, placing her knife in the fish’s guts.

“Sure do. What’s it to ya?”

Ivory gulped. He should have been practising the followup as well!

“I’m looking for some, ah, specialist items. Am on an errand from Jennifer Wright.”

The other [Fish Gutter], who had not stopped her work, looked up and replied.

“Dunno ‘oo that is, and you sound awful-like some weirdo. Go away.”

“But—”

“Now! Before I call a [Guard] over. Creepo.”

“Oksorrythanksbye!”

Corina had already made a speedy retreat when the [Fish Gutter] began to speak; Ivory saw her a few metres away behind a pole and rushed over to her.

“The fuck! Why’d you bail?!”

She looked at him incredulously.

“Were you at the same scene I was? She was basically the same height as the shorter one standing down! She’d have knocked us flat.”

“I—hmm.”

He glanced back to see if they were looking. They were not.

“That went very poorly.”

“Chin up,” she said, stifling a laugh, “we just have to look for the not-[Workers]. Which is what we were doing.

They both sighed at that.

“It’d be funny if this was a bum steer to begin with. What rich bitch is going to be skulking around and getting themselves all gross with fish guts? They’re gonna be having a great time in some air conditioned—err, that is to say, a comfortable heated room, free from fish.”

“Well, I guess,” she replied, “but it’s the really successful ones that’re going to be out and about with their workers. We find some of them, we’re golden. Also, really old workers.”

“Good point, but why the old ones?”

“Think about it. If you’re doing it that long, you’re bound to be pretty important and know how to squirrel away any goodies you find. Or, they’re a boss and are doing the work along with their employees.”

The logic was sound, but there were… problems. Where would you hide a walrus head, let alone keep a whole walrus secretly?!

“Fair. Let’s keep looking then.”

The truth was, they were all bored. Walking for so long without idle banter—they’d not want to miss something, perish the thought—was soul draining. The smell, the rain… Not to mention the looks they were getting for any number of reasons.

Ivory swore as he stepped in a particularly deep puddle, which had obscured a long divot. He tumbled forward, regaining his footing; while he didn’t drop his wand, his arm thrust forward causing Corina to lose her protection from the rain.

“Dead gods!” she cried, hopping over the puddle with grace, even now. “Are you okay?”

“Ye,” he managed, thankful for the ankle-rolling near miss. “Misoe flew off, bless her—oi!”

Thankfully, she wasn’t rolling around in the puddle, but floating just outside the radius of the [Wind Umbrella].

“Aww, isn’t she just so cute!” she gushed, holding her hands on her heart with glee.

Ivory rolled his eyes, unable to not smile.

“She absolutely is, but she’s also now wet. You’re on your own now, bud.”

Misoe flew back in and, while keeping eye contact with Ivory, shook herself like an excited dog. Corina scooted out of her line of sight, but Ivory was afforded no such option.

He stood there a moment, before laughing dejectedly.

“I’m gonna get you back. Okay, onwards.”

_________________

It didn’t take long for Ivory and Corina to start asking at random, every 20 or so metres. All of the interactions went something like this.

Ivory:

Do you have ? Our mate’s sent us on an errand

[Fisher]-class:

What the hell are you talking about? Go away If I did, it would have been sold already/thrown back into the ocean Nice catch. No Piss off.

So, not successful. None even entertained the idea of asking their employers, some of which—through the close strategy of reading between the lines—were onsite, or close enough by that they could be consulted.

As far as silver linings went, it was pretty grim… but it was something.

“I was expecting more quips about Misoe, to be honest. When I first got here, there were some right pricks having a go at me.”

He gave her a thwack, making a sound only comparable to throwing a brick of rubber into a pool. She giggled in delight.

“It’s raining, so maybe they’re just not bothered? I’ve not had much to do with this side of the city, but I doubt they’re this miserable all of the time.”

“Give me strength,” he sighed, “it’s a bit of water. Never hurt anyone. They deal with fish guts all day, the absolute sooks. No, don’t give me that look, stuff ‘em. They’ve been pretty rude to us; I’m just telling the truth.”

Corina side-stepped behind Ivory, dodging most of a nasty gust of wet, salty wind. It was timed well—she wasn’t happy with him shit talking the workers, if only because there was a chance they heard him even through the rain.

“Ack. Stings. Okay, this break’s up. Excuse me!”

Ivory spun 90 degrees, bee lining towards a man sitting on a crate in the rain. He was sitting nonchalantly—almost boredly—on a milk crate, holding his head with his right hand, his lips and cheek pushed upwards. He moved it to his left so he could better address his audience.

“Good afternoon,” he replied a little bit too loudly, misjudging the volume he’d need.

“We’re looking for a number of rare sea creatures that you might’ve caught; we’re on an errand for Jennifer Wright.”

He replied evenly and tonelessly, though he glanced at Misoe floating beside Ivory.

“Not sure who that is, nor if we have. My brother might know, though, he’s the boss. I just do the books. Back there past the flaps.”

He hoisted his other arm up, pointing behind him with a thumb.

“Oh. Excellent! Thank you.”

Before the man decided to change his mind, Ivory powerwalked to, and through, the grey, lacquered fabric flap-curtains, undoing his spell and pocketing his now acorn. Corina and Misoe were right behind him, of equal mind.

It smelt of fish—obviously—but it was no processing room. It looked like Ivory what imagined a hospital may have, where you’re stripping down and getting into clean scrubs, to go into the subsequent room with a sickly patient. Except in this case it was to de-fish and change any grubby clothes. There were a few chairs and a rack containing footwear—sandals and slippers—with subsequent higher rows having some basic pants and shirts. Each rack was covered with a thin, see through film. This room was meant for that guy and his brother, not any [Manual Labourers].

Ahead, though, there was a door, which Ivory knocked on.

Rap rap rap.

The storm outside was at its zenith, now. The wind had picked up considerably, blasting the flap-curtains with its disinterested fury. It perturbed Ivory slightly, like he was in some Gothic story.

“—coming,” they heard through the door.

Each of the three shared a look of anticipation. This was it! Our first bite!

The door swung open, and a man in a t-shirt and short pants recoiled.

“... Can I help you?”

“Hello, we just spoke to uh, your brother outside, and he said you could help us with a request?”

The man’s demeanour changed immediately.

This narrative has been purloined without the author's approval. Report any appearances on Amazon.

“Oh my, did he now? Well, you better come in then.

He beckoned the trio into, and as soon as they crossed the threshold they were assailed by heat. Corina audibly panted as she removed her jacket.

“Shut the door, if you wouldn’t mind. Interferes with the heating. Please, take a seat.”

Ivory sat at one of the three chairs at the desk the man was now sitting behind. There was scarcely any room in here—it was the size of a small bathroom, with just the desk and chairs and enough room to walk past. There was another door on Ivory’s left that was cracked open.

“Wally,” he said, reaching over the desk to shake hands.

“Corina. Hi.”

“Ivory.”

“A pleasure. Now, how can I help you both?”

Ivory cleared his throat.

“We were wondering whether you had come by any rare sea creatures? We are on an errand from Jennifer Wright.”

“A—”

Wally, slightly incredulous, exhaled. Ivory gulped.

“You look too young and not generic enough to be [Peddlers] or [Squires]. How do you know my brother?”

“We—we saw him outside and asked what we just asked.”

He scrunched his face, protruding his lower lip.

“I am a very busy man, you know this? That Seth’s let you in is what’s keeping you seated and not out in the rain. Recite your mistress’ piece and be done with it.”

Holy fuck, Ivory and Corina thought in tandem. The former gulped, waving a hand.

“[Itemised List]. We are looking for any of the following.”

Six lines appeared against the wall to Ivory’s right. Wally cooled off slightly at the spell. [Mages]?

As he read, his face was a rolodex of emotions.

“Walrus head? Dolphin—a Desolate Stinger?”

He turned back to face them.

“Just who wants these things? Anyone that wants a Desolate Stinger isn’t looking for an addition to their aquarium. One of them could kill you five times over.”

It was eminently clear that he had no idea who Jennifer Wright was. That complicated things considerably, and put them in a difficult situation.

“She’s a—[Supplier]. I’m going to be honest: we name dropped her hoping it would get our feet through the door. A friend of mine needs anything from that list for a spell.”

Wally looked at them both and groaned, dropping his head into his hands.

“You kids. [Mages]. You’ve got some nerve, I’ll tell you that much. Not so much a thought of anything wholesale, save the jellyfish.”

Corina and Ivory shared a quick glance.

“Are you able to help? We’ve laid all our cards on the table, to our disfavour. Do you have, or know anything that has any of these things?”

Corina was steeling herself as she said it.

Another sigh.

“Let’s pretend I did. What then? Are you going to buy them from me? Ask for charity? Perhaps butcher the beast myself? Would you be able to find me a buyer for a headless Walrus? Don't find many Dullahans 'round here.”

He exhaled mirthfully, enjoying the gag. Corina’s leg began to rock, as she realised the fatal flaw in this operation.

“We can buy it.”

Corina choked on some saliva.

“Okay,” he said, nodding, protruding his lower lip again. “Then what? How are you putting a price on any of these things? They are items not oft—ever?—routinely traded enough for them to have an ascribable price. How do I know I’m not going to be ripped off? These creatures you are after are either not native to these waters, or rarely caught up in our nets, after all—that jacks up the theoretical price even more. Not to mention of course the specific parts you want. This is also assuming you’re not just out for some new pet. I’m not even going to begin to entertain that notion."

He exhaled through his mouth, raising both arms in a stopping motion.

“Do you both understand this?”

Nods.

“Good, good.”

Wally stood up, a curious yet devious grin on his face, and opened the side door.

“This way.”

Ivory’s stomach dropped. Misoe rotated in his embrace and looked up at Ivory. He opened his eyes wide at her momentarily.

Corina was first through, and sidled to the right against the wall; Ivory followed close after. Wally came in last, and closed the door.

“Dead gods!”

“Christ above.”

Behind the door was a tank of water, almost as wide as the door.

“This,” he walked over and placed a hand on the top of the tank, “is a Cenidau Ray. Just a pup, according to a… specialist. It’s a long way from here to Cenidau, especially so from the hundred or so miles off their coast they inhabit. Oh, and there’s a cooling rune in there, so you needn’t fret for its wellbeing.”

He laughed.

“Well, for now. So—what’s your offer?”

They’d all migrated to face the front of the tank now, and were looking at it face on.

Immediately, Ivory knew that it was a manta ray, just like he had seen in nature programmes. There were no otherworldly or fantasy features about it like some of the creatures and races he had encountered had had, save for one comparatively minor thing: it was completely onyx-black as far as he could tell, including its mouth fins and underside, and was about as wide as a fully grown labrador was long. Its wing-fins were mostly motionless; the only indication that it was even alive was the [Detect Life] spell he cast to check. He was at least thankful for that.

Corina's hand was under her chin, her index finger up beside her nose, wondering what the hell Ivory was going to do. He,

Misoe, on the other hand, became distressed as Ivory's spell was cast. Ivory felt her desire to pry open the tank and cuddle up with it.

It was a curious thing to feel on behalf of another being, especially an animal, intelligent she may be. He felt nothing of the sort from her as they passed by tonnes of dead fish, and god knows what else.

It was a funny double standard, which was categorically not lost on Wally. He was content to stand beside the tank and to simply wait and see what happened.

“What will you do with it? Have you had any other offers for it?” Ivory asked, his tone measured.

Wally went back through the door and sat at his desk, the others followed.

“A surprisingly shrewd businessman. No, I have not, as you have it the wrong way—I will be contact a prospective buyer.”

“C—may I ask what the buyer would do with it?”

“You may. We sometimes get exotic animals caught in our nets, or as a byproduct of some of my higher levelled [Fishers]’ Skills—most make their way out, mind you—and if there is no immediate interest from me or my peers, I contact some associates abroad.”

Wally opened a drawer, pulling out two blank little rectangles of parchment and activated a Skill.

“Here,” he said, pushing one towards each Human. “I’ve been putting it off, but I’ll be contacting a [Gladiatorial Overseer] in Nerrhavia’s Fallen who runs the Ecotheatre of Plex. I doubt you’ve heard of it. Note the stylised elephant and sword crab? [Gladiators] fight animals in this coliseum. A Cenidau Ray would be most welcome there, I imagine; they pride themselves on the exotic and the foreign.”

Corina made a meek eep, and began rocking her leg again.

“But—it’s a fish. That place is in the desert?”

Wally rolled his eyes to the point of pain.

“Here I thought you were passingly intelligent. They fill the damn thing with water. Their [Beast Masters] would rear this one for battle and, once it’s fully grown, let it loose.”

He had to laugh, again, at their reactions.

“Bleeding hearts. So, time’s up—what’ll it be? Will you butcher it, or leave it to live as a man-killer?”

“You’re sick.”

Wally put a finger on his temple, simulating the generation of a great revelation

“[Thought Healers] worldwide will be shaking in their clinics from the myriad [Fisherfolk] seeking penance for their crimes. 500 gold for the beast.”

“Five—”

Corina’s eyes bulged, her neck almost snapping with the speed which she turned to look at Ivory, who was rooting around in his bag of holding.

“You could buy a house, with [Servants]! Bring 25 people to Wistram!”

Corina heard a light ripping, then a smack of his hand on the table.

“Five… hundred… gold pieces… Ivory… Henderson.”

He scribbled his signature, then pressed a thumb down imparting a speck of mana.

“There.”

Wally smiled, not triumphantly, nor mockingly.

“The deal is sealed. Shall I call for a [Labourer]? A [Gutter] or [Butcher], too?”

“No. We’ll take it.”

“Ah, indeed, indeed. You [Mages] and your queer ways. No doubt the beast must be living for whatever you intend. Cheerio, then! You know where your prize is.”

Ivory almost jumped out of his chair, sending it screeching backwards. Corina flinched, but followed him in.

She looked to the side and saw Ivory probing the tank with his hands. The words of… everything she felt at his beyond ridiculous course of action almost spewed from her mouth, but she forced them back.

“Here,” she said, flipping a small compartment on the table, “you can [Levitate] it now. I shouldn’t be sur—wait, what are you doing?!”

Ivory put a hand underneath the tank and heaved. Water sloshed around the tank as it collided against the wall behind it. He slipped his other hand underneath and almost screamed at the weight he was now bearing.

“Stop!” she screamed, seeing how red Ivory’s face was beginning to turn. She could do nothing but watch in horror as he shuffled the great tank to the base of his forearms and begin walking out.

Misoe, bless her, was pushing with all her might at the base of the tank, attempting to lighten Ivory’s great load.

“Oh my,” Wally exclaimed as Ivory clomped past. He said nothing more, nor attempted to help.

____________________

Ivory’s thoughts were silent. Every ounce of his being was dedicated to carrying this thing, and ensuring neither his arms broke nor his knees shatter.

Corina sprinted in front of him, holding open the door and then the flap-curtains. Light rain fell on the both of them as they emerged back outside; the first brother was no longer on his milk crate.

He was, obviously, completely out of his strength league, even with his Skill. If he put the tank down there was no way he was picking it back up; attempting to safely place it down would snap his spine, and dropping it could endanger the Cenidau Ray, or worse. The closest level ‘structure’ was a table of delicate stone built up from the ground just ahead, just before the wooden boardwalk.

Corina support Ivory as best she could physically; she was as strong as someone her age and stature could be, but had no Skills or spells that could help.

Ivory didn’t know when, but the Cenidau Ray was now looking at him. The almost soulless look it had in its eyes, and its immobility, were no more. Its mouth-fins, its horns, the organs he was after, were swaying as the water sloshed, mimicking it almost rhythmically. It almost made him lose his nerve, but he held on tightly.

One step at a time, she thought; she’d have prayed if she knew how. The noises Ivory was making were starting to scare her. He sounded he was about to drop dead from from exhaustion—that, or his body would simply stop working.

The clink of glass touching stone invigorated Ivory, and he gave one final heave—

“Stay there. I’m getting Wally. Don’t you even think of moving!”

She sprinted back towards the structure and into Wally’s office. He looked up at her, waiting to see what she wanted.

“Call this [Labourers]. Ivory’s about to die from carrying that. That would’ve been on your hands!”

He once again rolled his eyes and said nothing. He got up and made his way outside, picking up an umbrella from the corner of his office as he left.

“Oh,” he said as he exited his building, “Seth’s not here.”

Wally gave the milk crate a tap with his foot, making sure not to get the slightest bit wet. Corina huffed at his boredom and lack of care, jogging back to Ivory.

He’d managed to get the whole thing squarely on the stone table, thankfully, and was looking in through the top of the tank.

“He’s gonna get some [Labourers] to help carry it, I think. Just—wait, whatwhatwhat!”

She spluttered some more half-words as Ivory reached into the tank, and picked the Cenidau Ray up! After all that, he was going to butcher it!

… But then she heard Wally shout.

“Put that back! [Renege Deal]!”

The low level Skill that, if used amongst peers, would get him blacklisted forever bounced off Ivory. It would be similar to if a chef used the equivalent skill on someone who had taken a bite of a burger, who wanted the raw ingredients back.

He cursed a foul streak, continuing his sprint, until Misoe bulleted through the air towards him.

A deep, gurgling roar-growl stopped him in his tracks. He held both hands up in peace, not wanting to offend this lion in a seal’s clothing. He didn’t know an animal could look so deeply angry, so pissed off.

He didn’t think that the boy was crazy enough to do it. Right there, in front of him!

The ray’s head was up on Ivory’s shoulder; he was holding it from under its wings. It didn’t show any signs of distress given its immediate circumstances; even Ivory was surprised.

Now that he had it firmly in his grasp, it was time. It was almost comfortable compared to holding that tank, like a coming off of a hellish treadmill and onto a stationary ground.

Then, he booked it, before he lost his nerve.

Ivory ran to the edge of the pier and hurled the Cenidau Ray into the ocean.

Wally and Corina both looked on in shock—the former with indignance and the latter with awe—as the ray was tossed several metres in the air… spun around, and glid into the ocean. Ivory collapsed backwards with a thunk on the wooden boardwalk.

“Ow.”

Lighter rain pattered down on him as collapsed backwards, his head colliding carefully on to the puddled gravel.

He opened his eyes and saw Corina’s upside down head.

“Think so.”

Corina scoffed, loudly. She sat down next to him.

“I—hmm. Any regrets?”

He opened his eyes briefly, until he assaulted by rain.

“I don't know. I dunno, man, it just felt like the right thing to do. Y’know?”

What she wanted to say was not necessarily what she was going to say.

“You're better than most. Richer, too! Bastard. Okay, up you get. C’mon. We’ve got some ripe news to tell Nozumu.”

He took both her hands and slowly hobbled up. He felt like he’d just been brutalised at the gym; his entire body was impossibly sore.

“Wait, we?”

“Yes, dummy. You think you can walk all the way back? Misoe can't help you this time.”

With effort, he craned his head up to see Misoe flitting around the air, enjoying herself in the rain. She sensed him looking at her and drifted down, nuzzling his cheek before carefully plopping herself on his head.

“You'll need this too. It's weak, but it should help.”

Ivory took the small, uncorked healing potion, and lifted it up to his mouth. It was a disconcerting shade of yellow, like old custard or god knows what else. He’d not drank a healing potion before, so he was braced for a weird experience.

It was only about 20mL of liquid, and he downed it instantly. It tasted like stale water, the kind that was left on the counter top for weeks. Gross.

… But he’d do it again. He instantly felt relief—his muscles weren't on fire, now just singed. He lifted up his free arm and swung it around the air, mindful of not hitting either of his companions. It still hurt, but it was tolerable.

“That feels like cheating,” he said, doing the same with his other arm now that Corina had let go.

“Really? You've never drank a healing potion before? Wow. Talk about sheltered!”

“And this one was weak? Wow.”

He barely heard what she was saying; he was in absolute shock. Easily, this was top 3 best moments so far. His exhaustion lessened the exhilaration he’d otherwise be feeling.

“Lets go. Actually, I don't know where you live, so you lead the way.

His groan was so extra that she knows he was alright.

“One question, though: why not keep it? [Beast Tamer] and everything.”

“Couldn't be able to keep it, hey. Maybe in 20 levels when I could keep water with me at all times. Even then, who knows. Plus, I don’t want a pet.”

Corina knew what he meant. She nodded sagely, then turned to face him.

“Bleeding heart.”

_____________

The walk back to Ivory’s place was uneventful. The rain had thankfully stopped, so they could walk leisurely along the pier until Ivory recognised one of the many landmarks he had bookmarked. It was smooth sailing from there.

“Huh,” Corina said as they exited the gate’s checkpoint, “never come this way. Ya girl’s a city bitch through and through.”

“No, I get it. But you can just make out the house over there.

She ah ha’d, walking on with him.

“Feels kind of like the walk of shame. Such a long way, but you can see exactly where to go. When you see me off, go back inside immediately.”

Ivory laughed at that, if only because the knew what she meant in theory.

“Yeah, would be weird. ‘Bye!’ and then after ten minutes you can see them.”

“It really is big, though, dead gods!” She exclaimed, beginning to need to look upwards to take in the majesty of the structure as they got closer. “Talk about rich. How’d you know this lady, anyway? She your lover?”

“No,” he replied quite quickly. “Just a friend. Watch the plants—with any luck, the door will be open.”

He rattled the doorknob.

“Balls.”

Rap, rap rap rap rap, rap rap.

Nothing.

Nothing…

Clink.

A beak came through the ajar door, followed by the rest of his head, funnily enough.

“Any luck? Oh, hello Corina,” he said, ushering them in. His face started to drop fast upon seeing the Humans’ reactions.

Corina’s face was a full cringe moment; her face was almost collapsing in on itself. Ivory’s on the other hand, was… sheepishly dispirited.

“... More than a ‘no’?”

“Aha, well, you see—let’s sit down actually, ‘ma bit sore.”

_______________

“That’s… worse, Ivory. What is wrong with you.”

He said that matter-of-factly; it was a succinct reaction to their afternoon.

“Yeah, well, shh. How did you go?

“Oh, nothing.”

Corina was taken aback by his brief and, again, matter-of-fact tone. Ivory, however, briefly narrowed his eyes as he clocked some ever so slight facial expressions that he had not yet seen from Nozumu before. His beak, usually shut ‘normally’ was instead… sealed tight, as if he was clenching his jaw, if he even had such a thing. Such micro-expressions were sometimes hard to pick up on a race you were already acquainted with—on a bird person? Difficult, unless you’re accustomed to them. He quickly responded.

“Ah well. There’ll be more opportunities. Now! We have heaps of rice, so let’s have an early dinner. No fishy business—literally!”

Ivory guffawed performatively, relieving the tension… at least for Corina. Misoe floated over and sat herself on her head.

“Eee. Cute!”

“Isn’t she just? Now, I can’t cook for shit, so Nozumu’s gonna do all the hard work. C’mon!”

And so the afternoon ended, bringing about the start of a jolly, high-spirits dinner party. They all ended up helping, even Misoe—they ended up making a huge stir-fry using the advanced, Earth-like kitchen Clarissa had fashioned. They traded stories of their favourite Skills, favourite colours, favourite food—lots of favourites—and other whimsical facts about themselves. In a time of danger and uncertainty, they all appreciated a few hours of fun, without worry. Corina almost ruined the mood by bringing up the arena incident, but she caught herself, instead showing them a catwalk routine she was working on.

But, all things come to an end. It was half-past seven when Corina saw the time and bid them farewell. Nozumu said his goodnight and hurried off to bed before Ivory could ask him what had happened during the day. It could wait until tomorrow.

Ivory’s sore and battered body fell into a deep sleep the moment it touched the mattress. Nozumu drifted into sleep shortly over the next hour, opening his eyes moments later.

As Phel’s Light slept, a [Serial Killer] skulked through its shadows.