[M] The Sword and the Fang [Namingtoohard & Ashen]

[Ashen]

Issa was so quiet. If he interrupted them during their ramblings, then that would have made their anxiety about this whole situation worse, yet his silence unnerved them. Their thoughts wandered to the park in Evimaire, to the tree they’d both sat under with a children’s book from the library spread between them. Issa had stared and squinted at the words as his lips sounding them out, but his body had been dissatisfied with the stationary task. Issa was a creature who yearned for constant movement. His stillness now as he listened to their vulnerability added a sense of importance to this conversation that Lec was still trying to convince themselves was nothing. He really did want to hear them, and help them, and Lec hated spurring so much worry. A lump welled in their throat, and in the moments that followed, as they waited for Issa to respond, they struggled to keep their breaths even.

They hadn’t been looking at Issa when they’d admitted to their fear of him, but their attention was drawn to him when they heard the pained way his breath hitched. Shock and regret and hurt swirled behind his bright eyes, and Lec immediately regretted saying anything at all. They couldn’t take their words back, but they wanted to tell Issa it would be fine, that they were being irrational, that he’d given them nothing to fear—but hadn’t he? A subconscious hand scratched at their scar as they turned away, their cheeks burning. They had long grown used to discomfort, but knowing they had put Issa in that same place made them want to bury this conversation and never return to it.

Luckily, Issa’s reaction was far tamer than Lec had been expecting. Maybe that wasn’t saying much, not when Lec had already thought and expected the worst, but they finally let out their shaky breath once he’d responded. Since Issa had nothing to add, Lec took a few moments to catch their breath. What had been said could not be taken back, so all that was left to do was move on and try to be better. They weren’t sure they’d ever not fear this man, this beast, but his willingness to hear them out, to offer a hand, even when their problems were beyond understanding; that had to mean something. If the prophecy had foretold of two wayward warriors from warring nations coming together, maybe bumps like this were according to plan. Lec took solace in that, however slight. Issa was right; maybe communication like this was a good start.

The conversation now dealt with, Lec waited for Issa to join them, and they all but bolted into the hallway. Their tiny room was starting to feel like a prison, and Lec was sure the air must have been draining from it somehow. They needed to get out of there, get some fresh sea breeze air, and relax. That seemed an impossible task at the moment, but they hoped the sight of the ocean and an endless sky shared with someone who would appreciate it even more than they could would help.

Issa’s next words startled them, and they hid their embarrassment by trailing behind him a couple steps. He was trying to move on, but he reconsidered what he’d been about to say. “Herblore,” Lec repeated softly. They struggled to imagine Issa in a room surrounded by plants, being instructed to pluck these delicate petals or squash those bright berries. He had come from a forest rich in resources; it only made sense for him to know how to utilize the nature around him. “That must be an incredibly useful skill,” Lec continued, hoping Issa would finish his thought. Lec preferred his voice to the one in their head overanalyzing every part of their last conversation, and besides, this was an opportunity to learn more about the person they had already spent so much time with. “I only know the basics, and only about the plants native to Evimaire. Maybe you’d be able to help us out there, when we dock.”

They rummaged through their pockets for a small pouch that they offered to Issa. When they tugged it open, a slight smell wafted between them. “This is what the apothecary gave me,” they explained. “They did tell me what it was called, but I was…distracted, so I don’t remember.” After Issa had taken the pouch, they watched the concentration spread across his face. “Maybe,” they said shyly, “you can teach me about plants too?”

[Namingtoohard]

Lec’s suggestion was a kind one, but it did little to soothe the doubts that were already budding in Issa’s mind. His mother had already proved just how useful herblore could be, but he simply wasn’t convinced that he remembered enough to be of use. If he had actually studied under her tutelage properly, then things might’ve been different, but no amount of wishful thinking would make it so. The Lucet found himself cursing his chronic inability to focus, and not for the first time. All that aside, there was still no promise that the plants would be the same on the other side of the ocean, either. Issa kept such thoughts to himself, though. He saw no need to put a damper on the mood again, and so soon.

When his companion withdrew a small pouch from one of their pockets, and opened it to reveal the herbs they’d mentioned, Issa couldn’t help but peer at it curiously. Despite his own misgivings, the Lucet was quick to accept it. He scrutinized the contents in silence for a long moment, trying to imagine what they might’ve looked like before they’d been dried. He sniffed at them idly, and found himself disappointed by the lack of any lingering smells that might’ve helped jog his memory. Even so, something about the shape of the leaves felt incredibly familiar. Issa knew this plant. The longer he spent looking them over, the more certain of that he became. Even so, the details continued to elude him. The answer was a dark silhouette in his mind, obscured by the fog of time.

“I think…Arrowroot, maybe?” As soon as the words came out of his mouth, Issa knew they were wrong. These were clearly leaves, not roots. He reached into the pouch and gently pinched one of the herbs between two fingers, trying to get a feel for the texture. The Lucet continued to wrack his brain, tried to drag the answer out into the light. Then, at long last, it came to him. “No, Arrowart. Probably a little bitter when you chew it, right? Not as bad as when it’s fresh, though.” Now that he had his answer, the ball of tension in Issa’s chest seemed to loosen a little. Indeed, the more he spoke, the easier the words seemed to flow.

“My mother always made it into tea. Not sure which way is better, but you could always give it a try. See for yourself.” Tea would probably be a little less practical once they were on the road, but Issa wasn’t going to let that little tidbit steal this victory away from him. With no more information forthcoming, Issa cinched the little pouch closed and handed it back to Lec. Now that he’d said his piece, the Lucet couldn’t help but wonder if he hadn’t set his human’s expectations a little too high. Still…if this was what they wanted, if there was even a slim chance that this knowledge could help with their journey, wasn’t he obligated to try? What did they really have to lose?

“I can’t promise anything. The plants I’m familiar with might not grow in the places we’re going. But…I’ll try. So long as you keep teaching me to read human letters in exchange.” Issa wasn’t sure where they were going to get the books from, but maybe they didn’t need them. Since they were going to be looking at plants, maybe they could just draw the shapes in the dirt while they were at it. The thought was enough to bring a small smile to his face, even as they resumed their stroll, and the dining hall finally came into view.

~~~~

“Land! Land ahoy!”

The call echoed across the deck from places unknown. With the sound of the waves its only competition, the shout cut through the early morning silence like claws through hide. There was only one voice at first, but it wasn’t long before several others had picked up the cry. A myriad of them joined together in one messy chorus, carrying the news from one end of the ship to the other in mere moments.

Issa was leaning over the starboard railing, staring at the endless ocean beyond, when the commotion reached his ears. The Lucet had been waiting for the morning chill to banish the last vestiges of sleepiness from his mind, and had even been considering a short flight, when the sudden eruption of noise make him perk up. Even then, it took his tired mind another few moments to process the full implications of that simple statement. Then he was off. The Lucet abandoned his perch immediately, and started running towards the front of the boat as fast as his human legs could carry him.

After just a few seconds, Issa practically crashed into the railing at the front of the boat. His hands collided with the railing just a few moments before the rest of him, and it was only his grip that kept him from stumbling. Even then, the Lucet was already casting his gaze beyond, into the distance. Issa couldn’t see anything at first, but after spending a few moments squinting through the mist, his attention snagged on something. A tiny black smudge on the horizon, little more than a speck, noticeable only because it broke up the endless blue that surrounded it. How the hell had the humans spotted it so soon? The Lucet watched on in silent awe as it grew, slowly spreading outwards as they drew closer.

Land. Distant, foreign land. Not for the first time, Issa found himself struck by the knowledge that he was further from home than he’d ever been before. This was uncharted territory for their little party of two, even if it was known to the rest of the world. The sight, unimpressive as it may have been, filled the Lucet with a mixture of excitement and trepidation. He’d known that they were supposed to arrive today, of course, but actually seeing their destination with his own eyes was another matter entirely. Even the knowledge that they were probably still hours away from arriving couldn’t dampen his excitement.

When Issa couldn’t contain himself any longer, he finally turned away from the sight, and rushed back across the deck. He hurried down the stairs and along the hallway beyond, before skidding to a halt in front of their room. Before he could think any better of it, the Lucet raised a hand and began to rap his knuckles against the door rapidly, the sound filled with urgency.

“Lec! Lec, wake up! The sailors said they could see land this morning, so I went to the front of the boat, and they were right! We’re actually here!” Issa practically shouted his news through the door, even as he continued to knock. If Lec wasn’t already awake, there was no doubt that the unholy racket would quickly change that. That knowledge wasn’t enough to stop Issa, though. If there was ever a time to disturb them, then this had to be it. He hadn’t stopped to spare a thought for the neighbors, of course, or the fact that they likely still had time before they needed to start packing up their belongings.

[Ashen]

At long last, today was the day they were set to dock on new shores. Their journey by ship had been simultaneously too long and too short; Lec was more than ready to escape these cramps halls and their tiny room, but they weren’t at all prepared for what awaited them on this new continent. The new cultures and people and places and things might have been fun if not for the murderous dragon beyond, and as much as Lec reminded themselves to relax and enjoy the sights they wouldn’t have gotten to experience otherwise, they couldn’t ignore the dread welling up in their throat and stealing their breaths.

The twin mugs trembled in their hands, so Lec set them onto their nightstand to keep themselves from spilling their contents. They sniffed at them, but the odorless water made them think they were doing something wrong. Tea was supposed to smell nice, right? Maybe they had to heat it up first.

Issa had mentioned that his mother had made arrowart tea, and Lec thought it might be nice, sharing a soothing drink together before they continued their journey. They hoped it would work, that their hands would stop trembling, but Lec had their doubts. These kinds of remedies were meant for people far more normal than they were, after all. And as they watched the fragmented leaves swirl in the water, they cursed. So nervous—about the tea, about their journey, about Issa thinking them frail—they had forgotten to heat the water before throwing the leaves in there.

They wrapped a hand around either mug and closed their eyes. They concentrated on the coolness of the ceramic under their fingers, the intricacies in the groves. Slowly, the magical heat in their hands warmed the mugs until the water in each started boiling. Droplets bubbled and splashed from one cup onto Lec’s arm, and they flinched, drawing their hands away. The water was probably too hot now, and the leaves were burnt, and they were making a mess of things. They swore, irritation crossing their eyes. They couldn’t afford to make mistakes like that, not out here, not when their failure would mean—no, they wouldn’t think of that.

Lec peered into the cups. When they realized they didn’t have anything to remove the leaves, they remembered that tea was often made with a kind of cloth between the leaves and the water, for better taste and easy removal. Pieces of leaves broke and sunk to the bottom, and Lec groaned. They had just wanted to do something nice, but not a single thing had gone right. They were about to dump both mugs down the bathroom sink when a knock on the door made them leap out of their skin.

They put the mugs back down and put a hand over their heart, trying to calm their drumming heartbeat. It was just Issa. His voice was confident, enthusiastic, and for a moment, Lec wondered why they were nervous at all. They made for the door, already preparing to scold Issa for probably waking a few of their neighbors.

But when they opened the door, they found their companion, his smile infectious and lovely. What they’d been about to say evaporated on their tongue, and they returned Issa’s smile with a small one of their own. “We’re that close already?” they asked. They walked to the window in their room and pulled open the blinds, but from this angle, they couldn’t see any land. Lec turned back to Issa. “Do you want to come with me to see?” But they followed his gaze to the mugs on the nightstand, and they approached those instead.

Despite how dreadful their concoction was, Lec picked up the mugs and handed one to Issa. “I…made tea,” they said, their cheeks growing warm. “I’m sorry if it doesn’t taste very good. We can stop by the mess hall for some spoons to scoop out the leaves, since I didn’t think to wrap them before I threw them in there. It also might be a little hot, so let me…” In their free hand, they formed a few shards of ice. They poured half into Issa’s mug, careful not to splash him, and then emptied the rest into their mug. The ice started melting immediately, and Lec hoped it would be enough to make the tea drinkable. “It’s still breakfast time, so we might be able to find some sugar or milk there too, if that’s how you like your tea.”

Lec looked into their own mug, a murky mix of burnt leaves and magic ice, and they felt silly. They didn’t even know if Issa liked tea, and they had just assumed he’d be nervous enough to want a share of their arrowart, not to mention all the ways they’d messed up the tea itself. Maybe this had been a dumb idea from the start. Lec shook their head, trying to quell their overactive thoughts. It wasn’t worth worrying so much about this, and besides, they knew this anxiety was only a reflection of how they felt about their destiny. Before they could second-guess themselves more, Lec took a long sip of their tea. It was bitter but not horrible, and they let out a sigh in relief. They almost expected the results to be instantaneous, and when they weren’t, they nibbled at their lip. “Let’s get some sugar,” they repeated, doubting anyone would like the tea unsweetened.

“After,” they continued, and they smiled. “Would you want to go to the deck to see what this new place looks like?”

[Namingtoohard]

Despite his giddiness, Issa tried to wait patiently as Lec opened the blinds, and peered out at the ocean beyond. There was no land visible through the tiny window, but that did little to dampen his enthusiasm. All he could think about was how much closer they’d be the next time he went up to the deck. All the new details he’d be able to see. Would the town be larger than Evimarie? Had they traveled far enough for this human settlement to be culturally different to the last one? These questions burned inside him, alongside countless others. So, when Lec asked if he wanted to go see, the Lucet wasted no time in nodding his agreement. The enthusiasm in that one gesture alone was enough to showcase how excited Issa was, if the way he’d knocked on the door earlier hadn’t been enough to get that point across.

Issa was ready to go right now, only to freeze as Lec…offered him tea? The sudden change in direction was so unexpected that it took the Lucet’s brain a few moments to switch gears. He reached out and accepted the mug automatically, but it took him a few seconds to connect the drink with the conversation they’d had the other day. Issa certainly hadn’t expected Lec to share their limited supply of herbs with him, but trying to refuse now seemed impossibly rude. Not when the leaves couldn’t be reused. No matter how…interesting the concoction in his hands looked.

The water was just threatening to burn his hands through the ceramic when Lec suddenly magicked up a couple of ice cubes, and slipped a couple into his mug. Issa watched the entire process, surprise written clean across his face. Lec’s power was common knowledge for him at this point, and he’d always thought that magic must’ve had a lot of useful day-to-day applications, but this was the first time he’d ever seen his human wield their power so casually. “Magic is really handy” he muttered softly, more to himself than to them. The way Lec doubled down on the need for sugar after taking a sip didn’t fill the Lucet with confidence, though, and made him quick to agree that a quick detour to the meal hall was in order.

“Absolutely. I can’t wait to see…everything, really.” With a smile, Issa followed his host out the door and down the hallway beyond. He stayed silent for the journey, but it wasn’t the sort of silence that had haunted them on their first day aboard the trip, when their disagreements had still lingered around them like a shroud. No. This time, it felt…easy. Comfortable, even. A reminder of what this trip could’ve been, if not for the danger that waited at the end of it.

As they walked, Issa glanced down at the mug cupped in his palms again. His curiosity got the better of him, and he lifted it to his lips for a small sip, despite the leaves that were still floating within. Bitterness assaulted his tongue immediately. The Lucet grimaced, and immediately found himself thankful that he was trailing half a step behind Lec. Yes, sugar and milk was definitely the right call. And if all else failed, maybe he could find an opportunity to tip the contents out into a plant or something. Hopefully when Lec wouldn’t notice.

When they arrived at the meal hall, Issa’s first impression was that it was quiet. The staff were still laying out food, suggesting that they were only just opening for breakfast, and there were only a few other passengers floating around. Thankfully, none of them seemed to notice his presence. The Lucet wasn’t entirely sure if they were just half asleep, or if they’d finally gotten used to his being here, but he was thankful for the lack of attention either way. Sparing the matter no further thought, he threw a glance towards Lec briefly, before immediately bee-lining towards the counter.

Over the past few days, Issa had attempted to try as many different types of human food as possible. Most of the results had been rather average, but Lec had assured him that was because of the quality of the chefs here, and didn’t represent human food as a whole. Today, however, he found himself with little appetite. He didn’t bother with any of the options laid out for them to choose from, and instead headed straight for the cutlery and condiments. It wasn’t long before he’d found himself a spoon, some milk, and a whole lot of sugar. Task complete, the Lucet seated himself at the first vacant table he found, and waited for Lec to come and join him. As soon as they were seated, he’d voice another of the questions that had been lingering in the back of his mind.

“When we finally get there, what are we going to do first? Should we start looking for a place to stay right away, or do you want to explore a little?” He asked the question in a casual tone, despite the real purpose of their visit. As if he’d already discounted the idea that they should set off after the dragon straight away, in hope of limiting the amount of destruction it spread. While Lec considered the question, he picked up the spoon he’d collected a few moments earlier, and began the surprisingly tricky task of fishing the used tea leaves out of his drink.

[Ashen]

Issa’s boundless enthusiasm was a welcome comfort when everything else added to the stress shaking their hands. It was difficult to be too upset about their failed attempt at tea, or the terrifying journey that lay ahead of them, when Issa was so happy about all the new things they would see. It made Lec smile. As they walked to the mess hall, Lec thought back to when they’d met Issa at the border of their lands for the first time, when they had given him his first tour of human civilization. He’d been so excited about all of the things Lec had long grown bored of: the marketplace, the library, the people, even the park. It had given them a new perspective of their city, a new appreciation for all the things they had around them. Issa’s love of exploration was infectious, even now, and maybe, just maybe, that would be enough to distract Lec from all the things they had come to fear since first learning of their mark’s real meaning.

In the meal hall, Lec cast a glance at the few people already gathered. It was mostly staff, with one or two passengers waiting for breakfast. They were glad for the quiet, and as they made their way to the table Issa had chosen, they let the ambient sounds of the kitchen soothe them. Once seated, they both tried scooping the leaves out of the bitter tea, though Lec quickly gave up on that task and drowned the tea in milk instead, hoping to overpower the bitterness.

They looked up at Issa at his questions, confusion spreading across their brow. He wanted to…explore? This wasn’t some vacation they were taking together; the fate of the world depended on their actions from here on out. Before responding, they took a few moments to think, lest they speak too boldly and offend Issa after they’d already talked through their other issues. “I don’t want to find a place to rest so soon,” they said after a moment. “Sitting around and resting when we’ve been on this boat so long might actually drive me insane.” They doubted their tea—or any more of their arrowroot, for that matter—would be able to calm their restlessness. They were eager to return to land, to stretch their legs and continue this journey they’d started.

Exploring this new continent might have been a good idea. The people on this side of the ocean probably knew a lot more about the dragon, and they could learn a lot about what they would be up against, but Lec wasn’t sure they were in the mood for all that mingling. They wanted to go, head for where they thought the dragon was, and feel like they were doing all they could for the world. They had already planned all this.

They sipped their tea, wishing they had their maps to look over. They were tucked away in their backpack back in their room, right where they’d left them after studying them for the umpteenth time last night. They had practically memorized them, and they pictured the lines they’d drawn in their mind. “We’ll be docking at a port that isn’t far from a city. I would be surprised if we couldn’t find some kind of transport into the city. There, we might be able to find transportation farther west, towards the dragon, so we should inquire about that. If they can get us closer to the dragon, we should do that before it gets dark, and then find an inn wherever they take us. If they don’t have transportation, then we should get walking.”

Lec drank more of their tea, but tension gripped at their shoulders, startling them and nearly causing them to choke. They were overcompensating again; it wasn’t their journey alone, and it was unfair to plan the whole thing without Issa. They thought of his expression, of the joy he’d had in thinking about their new adventure. A little exploration wouldn’t hurt. Maybe that was the thing they needed to calm themselves down.

They looked at Issa with an apologetic smile. “But if you’d prefer, we could spend some time in the city. The port might not be all that exciting, and if I’m being honest, I’d love to get away from the water for a while. The city might have some fun things, though. The shops could give us a better idea of what kinds of people live here, and we should stop by a restaurant too. More varied meals sounds…nice.” Lec glanced behind Issa, at the buffet that was still being set up. If they ate now, they’d certainly empty their stomach before they even reached the city; they were way too nervous. Once they’d had a chance to get off their boat, and calm down a bit, they hoped then they’d be able to hold some food down.

They could feel this control of this conversation slipping from them, and they had to bite their tongue to keep themselves from rambling on to try to cover how uncomfortable they were getting. They were trying, they really were, but it was hard for them to trust another person, and a Lucet for that matter, on something so important. Lec sighed, and before they could speak again, they gulped down some more of their milky tea. It wasn’t soothing their nerves, and they were irritated at that, even if they knew they weren’t giving it enough time. “I’d rather not spend too much time stalling, just in case…” In case that? They spent so long exploring this new city with the man who treated every new experience like a treasure that they failed to save the lives of the people along the dragon’s murderous path? Lec swallowed the thought. “What do you want to do?”

If it were up to them, Lec would cover as much ground as they possible could, forgoing rest to get to the dragon as quickly as possible. They knew that would never work, that they’d exhaust themselves to death before they even got there. They were thankful Issa was here to balance them, to slow them down. If not for him, Lec would never survive even half this trip on their own.

After another long swig of their tea, they set their empty mug down. It wasn’t good tea, and they would make Issa a much better cup when they got the chance. His mug wasn’t even close to empty, and Lec felt guilty that he probably felt obligated to drink it. “You don’t have to finish that,” they said with a nervous laugh. “Maybe when we get to the city, we can find a tea shop, and I can get you a proper drink. One that isn’t crunchy.” They sighed and hesitated in their seat. Once Issa finished or dumped the rest of his tea, they wanted to get to the deck, see the land they were finally approaching. They wondered if the fresh air would be good for them, or if they’d feel just as antsy up there as down here.

[Namingtoohard]

Lec’s decision to focus on exploring made perfect sense to Issa, who responded with a solemn nod of understanding. Whilst he’d wanted to give his companion the choice, there was no denying that the Lucet had secretly been hoping for this outcome. Even with so many new things to distract him, and the ability to transform and stretch his wings, the time they’d spent on the boat had begun to wear at Issa. He missed solid ground, and the freedom to go wherever he wanted. It was only natural that things would be even worse for the humans, who lacked both of those outlets. Yes, when he thought about it that way, it was no surprise that Lec chose as they had.

The Lucet continued to scoop the used leaves out of his tea while Lec spoke, talking through their next couple of steps. Since all of his experience came from Evimaire, he hadn’t even considered the possibility that the town and port might be separate places. Now he couldn’t help but wonder what other assumptions he’d made about humans and their homes that might be proven wrong during their travels. Another thing for him to look forward to, now that they were so close to arriving.

His movements slowed to a halt for a brief moment when Lec suggested that they head after the dragon straight away. Of course. That was the whole reason they were here, wasn’t it? Every detour they took, every moment he delayed them, could result in more people dying. All because he couldn’t reign in his curiosity. No. Issa wouldn’t hold them up like that. It would be irresponsible for them to focus on anything else, and he’d been foolish for even considering it. There was only one practical choice, no matter how much he resented that fact.

Once he’d finished straining his tea, Issa set his spoon down with a soft clatter. He busied himself with adding the milk and sugar, before cupping the mug in both hands. After enjoying its warmth for a brief moment, he finally lifted the concoction to his mouth. All of this was done to stall for time while he tried to reign in his disappointment. Even if this was a ‘business’ trip, he was bound to find something he could enjoy, right? They’d have to stop for lodgings and supplies, at the very least, which might provide him with the sorts of opportunities he longed for. The longer he mulled it over, the more convinced he became, despite his initial kneejerk reaction.

Unfortunately, there was one downside to using the tea as a windbreak. When Issa took a sip, he found that all his efforts had amounted to nothing. Despite his mental preparations, the Lucet couldn’t help but make a face at the wave of undiluted bitterness that washed over his tongue. He offered his human a wan, apologetic smile as he set the mug down again. Issa was quick to push ahead then, eager to move on before Lec could comment.

“It might help to spend a bit of time speaking with the locals. If so many refugees reached Evimaire, then this town has probably seen more of them, right? We might get some updated information on where the dragon has been, and what to expect when we find it. If we start marking all the places that have been attacked on your maps, we might be able to figure out which direction its going, too. Like giant footprints.” That was only scratching the surface of what they might learn, too. Even if you only focused on knowledge relevant to their journey, locals could teach them the best places to stay, the fastest ways to travel, the best shops to get their gear. It was hard for Issa to undervalue their input, given how much Lec had taught him during his first foray into Evimaire.

Issa tapped his fingers against his mug idly for a moment, nails clinking gently against the ceramic. His eyes roamed the room absentmindedly, and he chewed on his lower lip whilst he mulled the topic over, before he finally continued. “But…I agree. We should try and move on fairly quickly. The world’s too big for us to spend all our time in one place, right? And there’ll be plenty of time for sightseeing on our way home.” His words were accompanied by a small smile that made it clear he was trying to convince himself just as much as Lec.

When his human said that he didn’t have to finish his tea, Issa’s shoulders slumped in relief. He opened his mouth to apologize, only to perk up when they suggested a trip to a proper teahouse at some point. The mere idea was enough to bring his earlier enthusiasm back, and it returned in full force. “That would be great!” He had plenty of fond memories from his early years that involved drinking tea with his mother, before her memory issues had started, so the very idea was already somewhat charming. Beyond that, after all the other wonders he’d seen, he couldn’t wait to see what they’d done with tea.

Even more eager to be off now, Issa quickly rose from his seat. He took a brief moment to dump out the rest of his tea, now that he had Lec’s blessing, before he quickly made his way back over to their table. He didn’t bother sliding back into his seat, and instead just grinned at Lec. “Are you done, then? Shall we go?” He hovered over their shoulder until they rose, and then was quick to set off, heading back towards the same doors they’d entered through.
This time it was Issa’s turn to lead. The Lucet rushed down each hallway at speed, clearly unable to contain his excitement, which only seemed to grow the closer they got. He had the presence of mind to stop at each corner and wait for Lec, at least, but only until his human caught up. As soon as they got close, Issa would take off again, rushing ahead once more. He repeated this pattern over and over, until they inevitably reached the stairs that led up to the main deck. Issa hurried up them and burst out into the sunlight, and then there was no stopping him. He sprinted towards the front of the boat and practically crashed into the railing, just as he had that morning, before casting his gaze beyond.

The formless smudge on the horizon had grown larger during their time belowdecks, and the rising sun had burned away the last of the morning fog, offering Issa a much better view of their destination. Issa could see that the land was green now, for one. More importantly, he could tell that Lec was right – the docks and the town were separate from each other. The port sat right down on the water’s edge, cleaved in two by the mouth of a river. The town sat further inland, at the peak of a small rise, from the looks of the walls that blocked his view. Some sort of road connected the two, but that was about all Issa could make out. They were still too far for him to make out individual buildings, let alone people.

He spent a long moment taking it all in, before finally turning back towards Lec again, regardless of whether they were next to him, or still catching up. “There you have it. Our first glimpse of the greater world. It’s beautiful, right?” The Lucet would pause for a moment, before pursing his lips. “Well, not beautiful to look at, but…you know what I mean.”

[Ashen]

While Lec listened to Issa’s suggestions for when they docked, they tried to hide how their hands shook by sipping from their tea again. They had forgotten that they’d already finished it, though, so they awkwardly put it back down hoping Issa hadn’t noticed. He was right; there were tons to learn from the locals, so much so that Lec wondered how they would ever decide they’d learned enough. Would anyone know how to track a creature as rare and legendary as a dragon? They wanted to remain hopeful that, between the two of them, they’d figure it all out.

But something Issa said snagged on their thoughts, and they turned over his words in their head. Plenty of time for sightseeing on our way home. Maybe it was a lofty idea, blindly believing they would even make it to the journey home, but Issa’s brimming enthusiasm made them want to trust in him. Even beyond his faith in them, Issa wanted to take his time and experience the world beyond his forest much more fully—with Lec. This wasn’t like Evimaire, where Lec knew the places and people and history, or could find the answer to whatever questions Issa had. Out here was all new experiences, and Issa wanted to learn all about them with his human by his side. It was a heartwarming sentiment, and Lec blushed at the thought.

The talk of finding a tea house only further encouraged their daydreams. Lec loved the atmosphere of such places, even if they infrequently remembered to go to the one in Evimaire. Maybe that was what they needed to calm their nerves, more than the botched tea they’d just finished. A day spent planning the next steps of their adventure, followed by an evening spent sharing cups of tea… Issa seemed so excited by the prospect, and that calmed Lec’s quaking hands. This trip, they reminded themselves, would not be all anxiety, and they were happy to have something to look forward to.

After their conversation, Lec set their mug down again and got up to follow Issa. They quickly deposited their mug in a receptacle for dirty dishes before starting out of the mess hall and to the deck. The sunlight was strong on their back, and the sea breeze misplaced all of the hairs they had brushed back that morning. Their eyes had barely gotten used to the new light when Issa rushed off ahead. A few people shouted after him to stop running, and Lec shook their head, smiling. His energy for the unknown really was endearing, and Lec wished they could share some of his passion. They jogged after him.

The scene before them was unlike anything they had been expecting. This new continent was much more vast than Sthenorn, filled with so much more forestation and uninhabited mountains, and that was just from what they could see along the horizon. Lec squinted to make out every detail of this new place. They had known the small port town they would be docking in would be nothing like Evimaire, but they were still surprised by it. A small port separate from the city, with only a few buildings and ships… The Evimairian struggled to even call it a real port. The city beyond looked smaller than Evimaire too, and Lec wondered how it differed from what they were used to. Despite their preconceptions, though, Lec didn’t think the view any less beautiful. The way the port was situated in a river’s mouth, and how the buildings were built all facing the water, it seemed like the whole town was awaiting their ship.

Issa spoke, and Lec turned to him to respond, but their breath caught in their throat. The sun was peering down on him, highlighting his face. The wind caused several strands of his hair to flutter across his face, but the look only made him more charming. In fact, there was a charm to his whole demeanor, and Lec watched how he took in the sight of the horizon. Those eyes, those scarlet curses that Lec had grown up fearing… Had they never noticed how pretty they were? With the sun glinting off his irises, they appeared a radiant, burning brown, and Lec was caught off-guard by how their Lucet looked in the moment.

When Issa faced them, probably to see why they hadn’t responded yet, Lec startled and turned back to the oncoming port town. Issa was a pretty man, and this was no secret, but now wasn’t the time. They let out a breath and refocused on the conversation. “Beautiful to look at, too,” they insisted. It was hard to ignore all the things they would need to do now, all the information they’d have to gather, or all the skills they’d have to hone, but for now, they could afford to enjoy the view with their companion through this. With a quick glance towards Issa, they reached for his hand on the guardrail and squeezed it gently. “It’s odd,” they admitted. “I didn’t think I’d ever come out this way, and with a Lucet no less. But I’m glad to be here, and I’m glad I’m not alone.” They withdrew their hand to set it beside Issa’s. A small smile graced their lips. “Thank you, again, for dropping everything to come do this.” Lec looked back out at the horizon, and though they were blushing, they were comfortable, for once, to be speaking from the heart.

[Namingtoohard]

The silence that met Issa’s question didn’t bother him in the slightest. This first glimpse of the greater world made for a breathtaking sight, and it represented an important moment in both of their lives. He couldn’t blame Lec for being awestruck. Not when he’d experienced the exact same thing, felt the exact same way, earlier that same morning. Blissfully unaware of the scrutiny he was under, and the real reason that Lec had frozen, the Lucet found that he was content to wait. He’d just take in the view a little longer. Enjoy the sun’s warmth on his skin, and the refreshing spray of the ocean. They could speak whenever Lec was ready.

When the moment began to drag on, Issa finally relented. He threw a sideways glance towards his companion, an amused smile already tugging at the corners of his mouth. He was about to wave a hand in front of Lec’s face, a joke about whether they were still with him perched upon his lips, when his human preempted him by finally offering up their answer. The Lucet hummed his agreement softly, the sound rife with feline satisfaction.

Issa was just about to turn his attention landward again when Lec surprised him by reaching out to give his hand a gentle squeeze. The kind gesture brought a more genuine sort of smile to the Lucet’s face. Then his human began to speak, and Issa quickly froze, totally unprepared for the outpouring that followed. The kindness of their words was matched only by the tone of their voice, which was suffused with a gentle warmth that even the sun couldn’t hope to match. Caught entirely off-guard, Issa could do nothing but listen, eyes wide, as Lec offered up their heartfelt appreciation in totality.

Even after his human was finished with their speech, and had withdrawn their hand, Issa continued to dwell on their words. He could feel his heart fluttering in his chest as it swelled with unexpected emotion, raw and intense. The Lucet knew Lec was attractive. He knew it the same way he knew the sky was blue, and water was wet. He’d been struck by their beauty the first time he’d seen them perform, and had been shocked it had taken him so long to notice ever since. And yet, never before had he been so aware of their presence. The air of gentle understanding that surrounded them, the way their shoulders brushed as the ship rocked atop the waves. Issa’s cheeks warmed, and he was suddenly glad that Lec had let go of his hand, lest they suddenly find it sweaty.

Oh. Shit. Shit.

The Lucet watched his human in profile for another moment, before he finally turned his gaze out over the railing once more, just to avoid staring. His eyes seemed focused on their destination again, but his attention was turned inward as he wrestled with this new realisation.

A part of Issa wanted to embrace the sensation, but…was that really wise, considering what lay ahead? Could he really afford to be so distracted, when the fate of the world might be at stake? Even beyond that, there was still the issue of their differences. The sheer amount of pain and suffering their respective people had inflicted upon each other. All things considered, it felt like he was just asking to be hurt, one way or another. And yet here he stood, overcome with the urge to reach out and take Lec’s hand again. To lean against them, or pull them closer. To find out what their lips tasted like. Even if Issa did decide to focus on the task at hand, he wasn’t sure crushing his emotions would be quite so simple.

Say something. He needed to say something. Even if Issa couldn’t tell Lec what he was feeling right now, he needed to respond to such a kind gesture, at the very least. “I…” The Lucet opened his mouth to reply, only to find his throat dry, and his tongue leaden. It wasn’t often that he found himself at such a loss for words, but it seemed to happen much more frequently around Lec – a detail that made much more sense, after this latest revelation. Desperate, the Lucet forced himself onwards. “I never really believed that I’d actually see your city, let alone the world beyond it. But…I’m glad, too. Grateful for the opportunity to be here, with you. Even knowing what’s waiting for us at journey’s end.”

As soon as the words were out of Issa’s mouth, he regretted them. Why would he bring up the dragon now, of all times, and ruin the moment? Even beyond that, the Lucet couldn’t help but feel like his response was inadequate. Dishonest, somehow, even though he meant every word. He had to chew on the inside of his cheek to keep himself from rambling, and inevitably making the situation worse. He needed time to get his head on straight, to figure out what he was going to do. For now, he just went back to admiring the view. It was only when the Lucet’s pulse had begun to settle, that the heat in his cheeks had begun to fade, that he finally trusted himself to speak again.

“I could stand here and look at this view all day, but…should we go and make sure we’re packed or something? I want to be first off this boat when we arrive.” An exaggeration, perhaps, after the treatment he’d received while boarding. But not by much.

[Ashen]

Lec did notice the way Issa paused. They caught the difference in his tone when he spoke, the nerves that crawled into his voice, and they noticed how he no longer wanted to meet their eye. They thought nothing of it, though, because hadn’t they been trying to hide that same reaction all morning? They had barely managed to keep their anxiety under control when they’d made—or ruined, more like—the tea, which they realized still hadn’t taken effect. Despite their issues with anxiety, they knew that some worrying—a lot of worrying—was normal, which was why, when they saw Issa get nervous around them seemingly out of nowhere, they mistook it as a reaction to what lay ahead of the two of them.

Unaware of the real reason for the Lucet’s change in demeanor, Lec sighed softly and tried to enjoy the peace together, heavy as it was. Issa’s mention of the end of their journey caused a new discomfort in the pit of their stomach, but they tried to will it away. They focused instead on the other passengers all around them. So many of them were chittering about their destinations, and about the opportunities that awaited them on the horizon. The moment was only interrupted when Issa spoke again, suggesting they part from the picturesque view to finishing packing their things. As always, his enthusiasm brought a smile to their face, and they nodded in response. “Of course,” they responded, already moving away from the guardrail to head for the stairs down to the cabins. “Once we’ve finished packing, we can come back here and wait by the gate until they open it. That way, we can be the first ones off the ship, and we’ll still be able to enjoy the view.”

Together they returned to their room, where they busied themselves packing the things still left unpacked. Lec thought it rude to leave the borrowed room untidy, so they made their bed and only cast a sidelong glance at Issa’s messier bed. When they were done, they went into the bathroom, where they gathered their hairbrush and failed to avoid their own gaze in the mirror. Lec paused. A few days ago, when they’d first boarded this ship with Issa and promptly locked themselves in this bathroom, they had looked exhausted, terrified, and ready to implode. Admittedly, they didn’t look much different now. There was, however, a soft resignation that hadn’t been there before, and a lessening discomfort about their circumstances. It was hardly ideal, but it was an improvement, and they’d take what they could get.

Forcing a smile onto their face, they shied from the person in the mirror. Absently, they wondered what people would think of them. What Soren thought when he realized his sibling might never come home. What their father would say—or, more likely, what the bastard wouldn’t say but would make very clear. And, for a brief, vulnerable moment, they wondered what their mother would have thought of them now, in the midst of a quest bigger than themselves. Was this really the right choice? Lec shook their head, chiding their stupid thoughts. It was too late to turn back now, and besides, their mother had lost the right to think of them ten years ago. Fastening their backpack closed, they left the bathroom and met up with Issa again.

With everything packed and their room returned to how they’d first found it, Lec and Issa returned to the deck. It was an agonizing few minutes until they finally reached land, and then another several before they were able to walk down the long ramp and take their first steps on foreign land. There was too long a line of people behind them to really savor it, though, so they continued on, all but pushed along towards a group of uniformed people. Lec realized they were there to check the passengers for contraband, but they seemed to ignore Lec as Issa walked forward. They studied his eyes, then took in his outfit slowly, as if checking for hidden weapons. Lec shifted awkwardly, heat rising to their cheeks. They wondered how easy it would be to take Issa and run, to get him away from disapproving gazes and give him a proper welcome to this new place, but luckily, the guards were done with him before Lec could exercise the thought.

The sigh that fell from Lec’s lips shuddered. A few minutes in this new land, and Issa was already attracting unwanted attention. They reached for his hand, trying to offer him some comfort, a silent apology for what had happened. Hoping to move on with the excitement of the next step of their journey, Lec took in their surroundings. They found the stop for a shuttle to the city easily enough since there was no shortage of signs leading them to it. According to one such sign, the next shuttle wouldn’t be around for another half an hour, which gave them some time to walk around the port. After relaying that information to Issa, they looked around again. “Okay,” they mumbled to themselves, “let’s see what this place is like.”

Unfortunately, there was little to see. This port was just a much tinier and emptier version of Evimaire, and the docked fishing boats and seafood restaurants here weren’t that interesting to a person born and raised on the edge of the sea. Slightly disappointed, Lec and Issa returned to the shuttle stop, opting to wait the rest of the time instead of stare at the bored-looking fishermen. Once they’d taken a seat on a bench with several other passengers from the ship, Lec turned to Issa. He still seemed nervous, which made them wonder how all of this must have been like for him. For Lec, things weren’t much different from what they were used to, but for the Lucet, even this normalcy was still relatively new, and it would only get more foreign from here.

“Hey,” Lec said, nudging Issa softly in the side. “How are you doing?” The question felt weird, generic and forced, and they hesitated before correcting themselves. “I mean, are you okay?” That didn’t sound much better, though, and as they awkwardly fidgeted with the straps of their backpack, they wished they were better at comforting other people. Taking a breath, they looked at him again and tried on a smile. “The bus should be here soon. I hope the city is more interesting than this has been. We can find somewhere there to rest a bit if you’d like.”

[Namingtoohard]

Packing quickly proved to be a tedious and irritating task. The only thing that made it bearable was the knowledge that it was necessary, and the allure of what came after. Logic dictated that the boat would arrive at the same time, no matter what Issa did, but that did nothing to stop him from packing with haste. While Lec was busy fetching the rest of their things from the bathroom, Issa was busy stuffing his clothes into his bag as quickly as possible. Each article was shoved inside haphazardly, no thought given to placement or folding. Everything was made to fit through sheer brute force, and it was a minor miracle that he was able to close the bag at all.

Then it was out of their room, up the stairs, and back onto the deck above once more. It quickly became apparent that they weren’t the only ones who had decided to prepare in advance. There was a small crowd packed around the front of the boat now. They milled about in groups, everyone chatting amongst themselves, their luggage close by. Issa cast a glance around at them all, but everyone seemed too preoccupied to really take notice of him, thankfully. Another small blessing. The last thing he wanted was for more judgmental stares and snide whispers to ruin this for him, too.

When the big moment finally came, Issa watched eagerly as the ship’s crew pulled back the railing and set the boarding ramp in place. Unfortunately, he wasn’t really allowed any time to savor the moment. The staff hurried them down the gangway and onto the docks with an efficiency that could only be borne from impatience. Perhaps that wasn’t surprising. They’d probably been doing this for so long that they’d forgotten what a big moment this could be for someone like him. The Lucet wasn’t sure if he should hate them or pity them for it.

Issa mulled the thought over as they were ushered away from the boat, and into the waiting arms of more security. Serious-looking people who watched him with the same intense scrutiny as everyone else. It was a look that the Lucet was quickly starting to resent. Just how far would they need to travel to outrun his heritage? Issa didn’t know, but it was further than this, apparently. Despite his growing frustrations, he did his best to endure their inspections patiently. Something that was made marginally easier by the fact that he now knew what to expect.

Once he was finally cleared to proceed, Issa took his companion’s offered hand perhaps a little too eagerly, and allowed Lec to lead him away from the docks. The news that they had to wait half an hour for the shuttle left him feeling conflicted, but the Lucet quickly decided to embrace the opportunity to explore regardless.

Despite his initial enthusiasm, though, Issa quickly found himself disappointed by their new surroundings. The port was smaller and dingier than Evimarie’s own, and apparently he’d been mistaken in thinking they’d gone far enough for any significant cultural differences to manifest. Maybe his expectations had simply been a little too high for this part of their journey. The chance to walk around with Lec and stretch his legs on solid ground was a welcome one, at the very least. He found his attention wandering towards his companion more than once during their brief sojourn, and it lingered there for longer and longer stretches.

Back at the shuttle stop, Issa was quick to shrug off his pack and drop into the vacant seat directly next to Lec. The Lucet found himself staring down the road, a distant look in his eyes whilst his mind wandered. If not for the way Lec nudged him first, Issa might have missed his companion’s question altogether. Even so, it still took his brain a moment to switch gears and register the question that they’d asked.

“Hm?” The Lucet glanced across at his neighbor, blinking rapidly for a few seconds. “Oh. I’m okay, I think. After spending so long trapped on that ship, spending any more time sitting around would just feel like a waste.” His words were punctuated by a pointed glance at the sign that listed the shuttle’s arrival times. Even if he couldn’t read the words himself, Issa knew that was where Lec had gotten their information from. The prospect of exploring a new city still excited him, but after everything that had happened, and how disappointing this stop had been…well, he felt a little better about moving on quickly than he had earlier that morning.

Only after he had finished speaking did it occur to Issa that Lec might be asking for their own sake. Perhaps they were more tired than anticipated and were considering a break themselves. The idea of taking it slow for them was a little more bearable, and the last thing he wanted was to force Lec on before they were ready. With that in mind, he was quick to add an addendum to his previous statement. “If you need a break, though, I’m sure we can find something interesting to do. Maybe I’ll have to take you up on that tea d…day.”

The Lucet looked away then, cheeks warming a little. He’d almost called it a date and had only narrowly escaped disaster. He’d need to guard his tongue a little more closely in future, it seemed. Thankfully, he was saved from further embarrassment by the timely arrival of the shuttle bus. Issa rose from his seat to watch the strange contraption approach, his expression dubious. He’d seen a few of them trundling around Evimarie before, but always from a distance. The Lucet wasn’t sure how he felt about the idea of riding one, but…well, he’d wanted new experiences, right? Biting back a whole litany of new questions that would undoubtedly attract attention, Issa picked up his pack and joined Lec in lining up to board.

As he stepped onto the shuttle, Issa spent a moment looking around. His gaze darted from the seats to the driver to the handles to the windows in quick succession, the Lucet very clearly mystified by this strange mechanical beast. He only realized that he was holding up the line when the person behind him cursed him out for taking so long. Issa hurried to catch up with Lec then, before setting his pack down and dropping into the seat beside them again.

The vibrations that ran through the entire shuttle as it idled were already making him feel a little uneasy, even before the doors closed. Then, when the bus finally lurched into motion, Issa jolted a little at the unexpected movement. Had he been standing, he likely would have stumbled, despite his feline sense of balance. Several colorful comments sprang to mind, but Issa held his tongue again – both because of the other people around, and because he already wasn’t sure he’d be able to keep breakfast down while talking. He just settled for looking past Lec and out the window as the shuttle slowly wound its way up the hill, towards the city proper.

When they finally reached the city proper, and Issa had made it out of the bus and back onto solid ground, he let out a soft sigh of relief. He might not have thrown up, but it had been a close thing. The Lucet took a moment to himself, even as the rest of the crowd started moving towards the city gates, which were thrown open in anticipation of their arrival. Issa watched them for a moment, before throwing a glance back towards Lec when he trusted himself to speak again. “What a terrible thing. Probably my least-favorite human creation so far.” The Lucet sniffed once, sounding a little indignant. “If I’d known we were going to be stuck waiting so long for such a bad ride, I would’ve just carried you up here myself.”

The idea of being used as a beast of burden by a human was a little humiliating, but if he was willing to let any of them ride him, it would be Lec. Compared to what he’d just experienced, it felt like a preferable alternative. Maybe his attitude would change with experience, but for now, it seemed like the bus certainly deserved his scorn.