Oh No, Not The Shortcut!

"This is amazing." They stepped forward past the turnstile and stepped into a world of wonder. Beyond the turnstile, it had seemed, was darkness. A magical shroud, that the splendour of the city would not be spoiled by a preview. As they stepped past the illusion, the first thing they noticed was the sky. Where on the outside the sky had been slightly overcast with a hint of lightning, this sky on the inside was bright and sunny, though not in an oppressive manner as the "Sun" was mostly blocked by the presence of several clouds, the only white spots in an otherwise bright blue sky. The second thing they noticed were the buildings. They were architecturally diverse, the buildings being from separate times, separate cultures, some common, some recognised from documentaries, some ruins seen from the news and others completely alien to them but all blending together to form an odd harmony of form and shape. The third thing they noticed was that a small reptilian creature had flown in front of them and was bobbing up and down in an effort to attract their attention.
"Hello there. What are you?" Lunare asked it.
The creature tried to croak out something and the only words that they managed to hear properly were "Hello" and "I".
It's tail, twice the length of its body, swept up and seemed to indicate frustration. It gave up on its attempt on Common and started to speak in Draconic. Acherus being the only one fluent in the language, he responded in kind.
"Hello? Do you understand me? Can any of you speak Draconic?"
"I do."
"Ah. Cain, right? Okay, would you help me tell the rest of your friends that the simplest way for me to communicate would be to have physical contact. I can transmit my thoughts forward that way. My vocal chords can't handle Common."
"Oh." He switched back to Common. "Guys, this thing says it can talk by touching us and transmitting its thoughts forward. Or we could just use Draconic."
The creature added, "I can understand Common by the way."
"And it understands Common."
"I'm not too comfortable with it touching us. You know why. Couldn't we just use Draconic? I understood a little of what she said. You could just explain to us the words we don't know." Lethe said.
Acherus shrugged and turned back.
"You heard what she said. I suppose we could just use Draconic."
"All of you can understand Draconic?"
"Yes, but I'm the most fluent."
"Then how about this, you guys use Common, I'll just use Draconic, you help translate whatever they don't know."
"Alright." Acherus turned to the group. "I'm sure you guys heard that."
"Mostly."
The creature asked Acherus, "Do you mind if I use your shoulder for a moment?"
"Go ahead."
It landed on his left shoulder, the right already used as a perch by Acheros. It addressed the group.
"Hello everyone, my name is Grei and I'm your guide for your entire stay."
"What are you?"
"I'm a..." She lifted a talon and lightly touched Acherus' neck, taking care not to touch the vocal vents.
"Roughly translated, it's a pseudodragon I think. That's what I'm getting from her." Acherus said, after a moment's pause.
"It's a telepath?" Styx said, eyes wide.
"No, no, no, I can only transmit thoughts one way. I can't read minds. All pseudodragons can. And I would like to point out that I'm not an it, I'm a she."
"Oh. I didn't know there were such things as pseudodragons." Kestrel said.
"Don't they teach you kids anything in school? What happened, didn't pay attention to Bestiary lessons?"
"They don't even teach Bestiary anymore, they say it's not an important subject."
"Anyway, welcome to the Darksun Carnival! I'm one of the newer guides, so no worries about me being too serious or anything. It will be night soon and anyway I'm sure you guys don't want to lug all that baggage around. Did you guys have a hotel in mind?"
"Not really. We were thinking that maybe we could look around."
Grei glanced from side to side and purred. "There's a lot of people. We'd better get moving if you want one of the better hotels. What's your budget?"
"Big."
"Okay. Does that mean you all have enough for the best of the best?"
"Sure."
Grei flapped her wings several times and flew ahead of them. "Follow me."
"Hey! We can't see you through the crowd!" Cocytus shouted.
Grei promptly flew back and landed on Phlegyas' head and curled her long tail around Phlegyas' body all the way down even until his left ankle. He gave a start, then gestured towards the group.
"I know where to go." He said, somewhat calmly for someone who just had information inserted into his mind.
Grei asked, "Do you guys want to take the shortcut? It's through an alley and there may be gangs still around that area. We could go the longer and safer way."
"Shortcut please, my legs are killing me." Styx groaned.
"We just started, how can your feet be hurting already?"
"I'm lazy, okay?"

Plans

"A trip, you say?"
"Sure, why not?"
"Like I said, I'm poor."
"Your boyfriend isn't."
"The boyfriend has a name." Solciro remarked drily.
"But yes, whoever doesn't have enough, we could pool money."
"I'm sure our parents wouldn't mind paying for all of us." Lunare said. "So long as we can assure them that nothing will happen that shouldn't happen."
"Lil' sister, you know very well that I can't assure that, not with Lethe." He grinned.
"I'm not your little sister! I'm as old as you are!"
"Ten seconds or so younger than me still makes you younger than me."
Cocytus cut in. "The sibling squabbling not withstanding, it appears that the budget is in perfect hands. So, the question is where."
"I guess we could go visit a major city. The undead recently founded their own city, I think."
"Nah, I don't feel comfortable in the presence of the undead. Elluneril?" Lethe suggested.
"What's with you and elves these days? Just because you're in love with him, doesn't mean you have to be in love with all things elven."
"Fine. What do you suggest?"
"Acheron, what about your race's city? Pardon me, I don't know it's name." Solciro fidgeted slightly. They had taken care to refer to Acherus and his brother by their collective name, Solciro not knowing the precise nature of his identity.
"That's because it doesn't exist. Cains are traditionally nomads." He didn't add in that they were more of travelling brigands than peaceful wanderers. "My parents are one of the few who have moved out of the plains of Cania and into the cities. That's how I even have an education."
"Oh." Cocytus' monosyllabic answer conveyed all of their ignorance with regards to other races.
"Where to, then?"
"Could we go somewhere colder?" Lunare piped up.
"You know I don't really like the cold..." Solciro trailed off.
"What, Kylmir? Don't you ever watch the news?"
"Nope. What's going on there?" Kestrel asked.
"Plague. The Kylmiris have some kind of epidemic going on. Not too sure what disease though. Wasn't really paying attention."
"Not that many major cities around. Port Kraken?"
"Port Kraken? That's the place where the inhabitants somehow have a pact with the local kraken to not screw up their trade routes in exchange for something or the other, no?"
"Yes. But there's not much to do there, it's just a trading port. Albeit a very important one. Anyway I get seasick." Phlegyas put in.
"Seriously. There aren't that many places to go. I doubt that you people would want to go to Haven."
"No. It's just a safe place for people who need it. Obviously, we don't. We're not homeless. This is frustrating."
"Let's just attend the Darksun Carnival. I haven't gone before."
"It's coming to Pero Diaz this year?"
"Yeah. Just in time for our holidays. How big is it anyway? I've heard people talk about it."
"We've been there before." Solciro said, indicating Lunare and himself. "They change attractions every year so I'm not sure about that. It's very big. It's sort of like a travelling city."
"Then how would it fit into Pero Diaz?"
"It doesn't. It should be just outside city limits if I'm not wrong."
"If it's so big, we stay in it overnight, yes?"
"Indeed. There are hotels there. It's like a city made for fun. Oh, and there are guides. They stay with us and tell us anything we need to know."
"Sounds awkward. A complete stranger with us?"
"They can be quite fun to be with. Last time, it was this other elf guy."
"So it's settled? Darksun Carnival?" Lethe looked around and all gave signs of affirmation. Uo was not present.

Darksun Carnival? Why?
"I guess I just want some time off. It ought to be fun."
You're brooding. Snap out of it. Chill out a little.
"That's my plan."
I mean now.
"Right."
Seriously. Hey, stop that. Don't drink anymore.
"It pleases me. The flavour is certainly intoxicating."
That would be because you are, in fact, intoxicated. Stop drinking.
Raewyn ignored him and poured more of the oru wine into her glass.
I'm serious, Raewyn, stop drinking.
Libys' words had no effect as Raewyn took another long drought of the extremely alcoholic wine.
Fine. If you won't stop drinking, I'll make your body metabolize it faster and you will have a hangover. This won't be pleasant.
He was true to his word. It wasn't pleasant.
"Oh, Archon save me, the headache, the headache." She clutched her temples and slumped onto the tabletop.
I did warn you.
"Talk softer..." She whispered.
I do this for your own good.
"I thought demons encouraged overindulgence." Raewyn moaned.
In general, sweetheart. In this case, I strongly disagree.
"Ugh..."
Now tell me, why the Darksun Carnival?
"I've never gone before... Perhaps its best for me to unwind a little. I hate you so much right now."
What, never dealt with a hangover?
"Not of this magnitude... I'm gonna sleep..." She slowly got up and attempted to make for her bedroom. Immediately, she thought the better of it and decided to sleep against the table.
You will have to go back to Kara first. It still puzzles me, why you decided to leave while just at her doorstep. In the end, you'll still have to see her.
Shut up! My reasons are my own and I have no obligation to explain myself to you, demon! Raewyn thought back angrily. I will go where I will as and when I see fit!
Libys mentally backed off, aware that she was close to losing her patience.

An Apple A Day...

Raewyn passed the vial to Nova.
"That's your phlegm? Looks very bad to me."
"You think?" Raewyn leaned against a wall, face pale and sickly.
"You look just as bad as what the goat dragged out from the sewers, girl." Nova said, as she poured out a little of the phlegm onto a little slide and placed it under a microscope.
"Don't bother, Nova."
She looked up. "Why?"
"I know what's causing it. I only gave you the phlegm so you could synthesize something to stop it."
"What's causing it?"
"Can we go someplace private? I'd have to undress to show you."
"Ah. The private room then. It's got a mirror if you want to admire yourself."
They headed in and Raewyn slowly pull off her top garments.
"Why would you even need a mirror? Your body is the same as it ever was."
"I enjoy the effect of baring my fangs in front of it while my client sits behind." Nova whistled. "That's one badass growth you've got there, girl. And nice breasts by the way." The taint had spread down pass her shoulder blade was beginning to reach across her spine. On her front, the taint had spread down, covering most of her right breast and was reaching across her chest into the cleft behind them as if in tandem with the spread on her back. The taint was also reaching upwards, albeit more slowly and had not quite got past her collarbone.
"Uh huh. Seen enough?"
"Yes. What's causing that?" Raewyn began to dress.
"Demon."
"You take bounties even regarding demons?"
"I wasn't referring to that, but yes, I do. This growth is due to the fact that my skin is a demon."
"Woah."
"Yeah. He's been preventing the taint from spreading but recently, due to certain circumstances, has lost all control over this aspect."
"Since when?"
"A few days."
"No, I meant, how long has your skin been a demon?"
"Long enough. Say, the day my dad died."
"The demon kil-"
"The question here is not what the demon did. The question here is what you can do to slow or stop what the demon managed to for so long."
"I'll be needing a sample of it."
Raewyn reached up and plucked off one of the fiery scales, wincing in pain as the raw wound bled sluggishly.
"Here. You need any blood?"
"No thanks, I fed already today."
"I meant for your samples."
"Oh. Right. No, I've got your phlegm already. I should be able to figure something out. No promises, but I'll do whatever I can, as fast as I can."
"The best anyone can promise, I suppose." Raewyn sighed. "This might be fatal, might not be. Either way, it's screwing with my health." As if to emphasize her point, she coughed painfully and spat out more blood-laced phlegm. "Ugh. Sorry."
"No worries, I'll clean that up. Go get some rest. Don't you go out and work either, you hear?"
"I'm not deaf." She muttered. In a louder voice, she said, "Got you. I do hope you can fix up something that can help."
"Right. Hey, the store's gonna be closed tomorrow. Decem finally went through with the engagement and they're having the wedding tomorrow. Gotta attend."
"Ok. But contact me as soon as you can. This is, as you can see, urgent."
"Right. I suggest you stay in bed in the meantime, you look as if you might fall over at any moment."
"Whatever you say, doctor."
"I'm not a doctor, I'm an alchemist."
"You act like one."

I thought she told you to stay in bed.
"And since when were you such a big fan of obeying orders?"
She is a bloodsucker after all.
"And that is supposed to make a difference."
Yes.
"Never mind what she said."
Where are we going anyway?
"To my ex-mentor's home. She might know something about this."
What's so special about her?
"She's the only known draenix in existence. Surely that's got to count for something."
Ah.
"Yes." As Raewyn stood in the train, awaiting her stop, several people looked at her oddly, hearing her whisper to herself. She had hidden the taint through the use of her illusions, rather appropriate, considering that she would be meeting the one who had taught her most of it. While she could communicate with the two minds in her through thoughts alone, it was always more fun to unnerve people by supposedly talking to yourself.
She felt someone tapping her back and she turned.
"Hello, Raewyn."
"Jack! What're you doing here?"
"She told me to pass this to you."
That bitch? Libys asked.
Raewyn ignored him."Pass what?"
"This." He fumbled a little and took out a slip of parchment from his pocket.
"Huh." Raewyn unfolded it.

Raewyn. I know that the sword has given you certain complications. I apologise if this has brought you trouble. However, I did it to help you. I do hope that the rash I saw the other day has been resolved. Come and see me, we have to talk.
-A

"Resolved it hasn't, bitch." She muttered.
"I'm sure she had her reasons."
"Doesn't change the fact that she is a bitch."
The train stopped and a metallic voice announced the station.
"I'll be getting off here, Raewyn."
"Alright. I'll see you soon."
As he stepped out of the doors, Raewyn could hear him talking to the air. She wasn't the only one who heard voices apparently.
But you are the only one who hears the voices of a demon and a demonsbane.
"Not really."
At the same time.
"Of course. That is a completely different matter."
When are we getting off anyway?
"Next stop."
This is taking forever.
Quiet. You're annoying me.
"And me. Go and sleep or something."

They're All Sick

Lethe leaned against Solciro, her long, dark hair falling over his shoulder.
"Something troubling you?"
"Nothing. You know, people have been talking."
"Let them. They act as if its some heinous crime against nature for us to be together. Some of them came and congratulated me. Funny, the way they act."
"Mmm." She made a non-commital shrug and snuggled closer to him, warm and content. They were happy together and that was all that mattered to them, regardless of what others thought.
Abruptly, she placed a hand on his groin.
Frowning, he lifted it away and said, "No, Lethe."
"Why not?" She grinned like a Chesire cat.
"It's not right. Don't."
"I felt it and it was hard. I know you want to."
"No, I don't."
"That's not the message I was getting from your body."
"Just don't, Lethe. Don't."
"Aw, you're no fun." She pouted.
He softened. "I'm sorry, but you know, I-"
"I know. I was just fooling around." She turned to him and kissed him. After awhile, he pulled her off, shaking his head.
"You and your insatiability."

"How scandalous. Anyway, did all of us get our first choices?"
They all nodded and gave signs of affirmation. All of them except Uo. By an ironic twist of fate, he had chosen the same tertiary subjects as Styx for his second choice. The class next year would be the same and only split up to their various classes during tertiary periods. The two of them had gotten off the wrong foot and never bothered to find the right one. Neither of them were too happy about it.
"No, I got Higher Engineering and Higher Languages." He said sullenly and walked away. "I'll be on my way first, got things to do."
"Hey Styx, how's your Aspecting?"
"Fine." She shrugged. "It's the same as ever. I still find the Feral part of me freaky."
"I guess so."
"How's your blood thingy going then?"
"Um. I haven't been practising." To handle his veins which were continually getting in the way of anything he did, Cocytus had tied them up in the same way girls braided their hair and now the veins were tied somewhat tightly against his arm.
"Meh. Lazy bum."
"You're no better."
Phlegyas stood. "I'll go exercise a little."
"Exercise? Big guy, you're as fit as they come."
"Nevertheless. I am bored and I have nothing to do." With which words, he left.
Acherus.
Hmm? He looked at them, his hawk head looking around in that jerky manner of birds.
Where's Acheros?
He scratched his wings with his beak uncomfortably.
He's... got stuff to do.
What stuff?
It's strictly confidential.
It's got nothing to do with sadism, does it?
Not at all.
Oh.
"Hey, any of you want to go on a trip or something for the holidays?" Cocytus suggested.
"I'm an orphan, no money, dude. The most I could do would be a sleepover." Lethe pointed out.
"Better not, otherwise Cocytus and Kestrel, you and Solciro would have to get separate rooms."
"Actually," Lethe said with a grin, "I think that would be very true."
"Archon save me, this girl is insatiable!" Solciro exclaimed. "There wouldn't be a sleepover, I'd have to spend the whole night trying to stop her!"

The taint was still spreading. Her right shoulder was covered in the sickly scales, as was the top half of her right breast. It seemed obscene for her to derive pleasure from rubbing that area, disfigured as it was.
I think you ought to see a doctor.
No.
Why not? A doctor might be able to find something to stop it.
It's demonic in nature. Anyone with an ounce of sense would feel it in me.
Then maybe an alchemist would be able to brew something up for you?
Perhaps we should see November about this.
I'm not that sure.
She's a bloodsucker, they're just as mistaken as anyone else and would sympathise with you.
What about Alice?
What? Why would you want to ask for help from that bitch? All she knows is to hurt people. Not that I disapprove, of course.
Alice would know little about these matters.
Yeah. Best go back to Nova then. I'm so tired. Raewyn lay down on her bed, feeling the soft linen rub against her bare body. There was little she enjoyed these days and she tried to enjoy whatever she had left.
Wake me up somewhere after Halflight, will you? I'm gonna go and have some fun.
What, a strip club?
Don't be silly. The getting naked bit comes after the dancing, not during.
Oh. Right.
And I thought demons knew all these sort of things.
You weren't being specific!
I'm just kidding.
I've got my honour to protect! As well as that of all demons!
Oh, shut up, you babbling fool.
Raewyn coughed violently and spat out a globule of red phlegm. She stared at it.
"Tell me, Libys. When have I ever spat out red phlegm?"
Libys kept quiet.
"You've shut up. That's a first. Maybe this illness or whatever it is was worth it." She coughed again, harder than the first and this time, blood was mixed with the phlegm, though it was hard to tell. "Or maybe it wasn't. What is this, some terminal disease with splices of magic in it?"
No, just the by-product of a forced merging between a human and a demon. Also the effects are magnified, I believe, due to the fact that it has long been suppressed.
"Oh Archon, can't I just get some damned peace? Both of you, shut up!" Raewyn growled angrily. She pulled the blanket over her and dreamt troubled dreams.

Prologue

[eyes open, hazy vision]
See the word WARNING on every screen. Hear nothing but a klaxon barreling. Feel bone-jarring vibrations rock the Fury apart.
[eyes close]

A streak of red burned a black trail through the sky. Startled by the sudden rain of black ash and burning metal, a group of indigenous Avians took to the sky.

[eyes open]
Metal popped. The klaxon still was blaring. But now all was Red, all was Fire. Unbearable heat. The Fury was in a cradle of fire, boiling clouds and atmosphere as it descended into the planet beneath.
[eyes close] 

Anti-fire systems tried and failed to put out blaze that was the Fury. Trees cracked as the small freighter thundered over them. 

...

A colossal explosion rocked the jungle.

...

Chapter 1: Ouch. My bad.

Evoric awoke to the sight of a large Raven bending over him.

Woa!

Finally you awake.

Ouch.

Yea?! Tell me about it! You lucky idiot, at least you had your evac suit on when you jumped
out of a burning wreck falling out of the sky. You are lucky that I could slow your fall enough to let you survive the fall. But no, no. You wake up a day later and tell me ouch, of all things ouch. Seriously?! A THANK YOU VERY MUCH FOR SAVING MY LIFE would have been fine. In fact ,it would have been much better. But no, not even a thank you.

Evoric stood speechless.

Eh?

Don't just stand there drooling! Help me light a fire, I have already gathered the firewood, but I can't do everything you know, I am still an Avian, I have no hands.

Can't you magic out the fire.

Did you not listen to what I was screaming you when we were still in orbit?!  The is a very strong and not to mention HUGE , HUGE  Anti-Magic in this place, if my calculations are correct the field should cover the whole planet. And I susp-

Okay nevermind.

Looking around, evoric could tell that he was in the wreckage of the downed Fury. It's  charred and blackened hull making the whole thing seem like a burnt... burnt ... burnt something. Avarice had made a small shelter out of some hull plates and stacked a stack of dry wood and sticks in the middle of the wreck. There were some crates of food and supplies in the shelter, a good few weeks worth of them. Evoric reached into one of the supply crates and found a survival kit, but the kit was old, very old. Neither evoric nor avarice had ever bothered to replace it. Opening the kit, evoric found a FusionCutter, some knives, a medkit, a canister of compressed water, and a few energy bars, a folded piece of paper containing basic spells and, sealed in a metal airtight casing, a cookie.

"Aww, crap. The FusionCutter ain't working!" Evoric said, "and there are no freaking matches, or lighters, or some fire making tools at all! What kind of survival kit is this!"

Well, maybe it's to teach people to survive without a match?

Avarice.

Yes?

Shut up.

Merry Riskmas!

Karasondrias tossed a couple of coins to Alice along with a knife. She caught them deftly and placed the coins on the plate with the knife by the side on the table.
"Where's the offering?"
"I thought that Lethe and the others were bringing it!"
"Well, I thought you had it! If we miss the time, that's it for us."
The door swung open and Phlegyas came through first followed by the others.
"You guys! Where's the offering?"
"Offering? I thought we were going to the bakery."
"Great. So just who exactly has it?"
"Has what? We've got the scones." Cocytus said blankly.
"Not scones! The offering!"
"Oh. That. November's bringing it." Solciro said.
"No, she isn't. She's bringing the candles. I hope she remembered that its specifically gold candles. So who's got the offering?"
"Maybe Mr Ary?" Lethe suggested.
"Oh for the love of the Archon, I'd never trust that bumbling fool to- Why are all of you staring at me like that?" They kept quiet. Karasondrias sighed and continued. "He's behind me, isn't he."
"Merry Riskmas to you too, woman. It's fine, keep criticising me. Why've you stopped?"
"Anyway. Did you bring the offering?"
"No."
"Who else isn't here yet?"
"Delirious. No point counting on him. Uo can't make it. Raewyn!" Kara exclaimed just as the door opened to reveal the three missing parties.
"Merry Riskmas, people."
"Where's the offering? Oh, and Nova, where's the gold candles?"
"No offering, but here's the candles."
Karasondrias uttered an oath. Just as they made to shut the door, a murder of crows flocked in and formed into Lacier.
"Hiyo. Merry Riskmas. I'm not late, am I?"
Mr Ary turned to Lethe.
"Hey, guess what."
"Hmm?"
"I am your father." And he stabbed Morinth in the chest and left the kitchen knife there. It didn't matter. He was dead after all.
"Wait, what? I thought you were my brother!"
"Did someone declare himself as being gay?"
Acheros suddenly flew through a window with a large turkey tied to a string behind him and he haphazardly flew into the room. The turkey landed on the plate in between the two coins and Karasondrias quickly lifted up the knife and sliced into the turkey.
"Merry Riskmas! To Miss Fortune!"
At that point, CerebrateBen burst in with a bunch of bananas in hand, shouting "The cake! The cake! I bring the cake in banana form! Merry Christmas to all!"
And we all sing.

We wish you a Merry Riskmas,
We wish you a Merry Riskmas.
We wish you a Merry Riskmas,
Please don't flame me!

The End.

Note: This was written under the influence of minute amounts of alcohol :D It was vodka and Ribena (sp?) if I'm not wrong. Also, because I wasn't really paying attention to what I wrote. Also because I was rushing this. Anyway. NON-CANON, people! Merry Christmas!

Sub-Note: Please don't let this be any indication of what I write. This is kinda embarrassing. This is VERY lousy writing.

Sub-Sub-Note: To anyone who can write, do send me a message at iamben1@hotmail.com . Send me short stories or some such and I'll post it up here under a name of your choice. This blag requires moar writers!

Sub-Sub-Sub-Note: Once again, I apologise for the horrible lack of quality. Lousy punchline, I know, wasn't feeling punny enough.

Sub-Sub-Subbity Sub Note: Once January starts, I will have way less time to write. So don't expect the updates to be as frequent as now! That's all and Merry Christmas to all and also an early Happy New Year!

PS: And many thanks to all ye faithful readers! Now it's truly the end! Good luck and have fun!

My Heart Thumps, Only For You

Note: This short story was written by Kyee as my b'day present. She has given me permission to post it up here.

It must have been the happiest day of Victoria’s life. She had just turned sixteen, and the man of her dreams had voiced out his desire to elope with her. Life surely looks good for a young girl like her at the present time. Her love, Mathias, aye that’s his name, had gotten everything planned out.

Mathias was in fact five years older than she was. However, she believed that age does not stop the power of true love. Their relationship had actually been an underground affair. She was a baron’s daughter while Mathias was merely a blacksmith’s apprentice, therefore chaos would certainly ensue if daddy dearest was to find out this secret. However, everything would be fine after tomorrow. She was sure of that. Mathias had told her of his plan, and they would be out of this town tomorrow before dusk. Unable to contain her excitement, Victoria gathered her many-layered skirt and hurried back home.

“Suzette! Suzette! You wouldn’t believe what I’m going to tell you!” Victoria cried across the mansion as she skipped happily in the hallway back to her room.

Though Suzette was a servant at the mansion, she was her best and only friend. They had spent time giggling together at each other’s secret and shared gossips, and Victoria was certain that Suzette wouldn’t want to miss this big, juicy piece of good news she had brought. Suzette was the only one who knew about her relationship with Mathias, and though Victoria knew that she disapproved of this relationship, she knew she’d still wish her all the best.

Finding her best friend in her room, dusting her table, Victoria threw herself on Suzette and grabbed her for a bear hug. Surprised, Suzette dropped her duster, but returned the hug.

“Happy birthday my lady!” she said as she released Victoria, beaming.

“You wouldn’t believe what I’m about to tell you, Suzette! You wouldn’t!” Victoria repeated again, her face flushed with excitement as she grabbed Suzette’s hands.

“Calm down, my lady. What had you got to tell me?” Suzette queried as she pulled Victoria to the couch and settled both of them down, before staring at her, encouraging her to continue what she wanted to say.

“We’re going to run away. We’re going to run away! He told me to gather some clothes and take as much money as I could and wait for him under the tree at the east gate of the town. I can’t believe it! I’m really going to be with him after all!” Victoria said dreamily as she gazed out of the window, gazing at something that Suzette cannot see.

“Whu-what had you just said?” Suzette quivered as she tried to process the words that had just entered her ears. Had she heard it wrongly? Victoria, running away with-

“I’m eloping with Mathias, Suzette! We’re finally going to be together without- Suzette, are you alright?”

“Huh? Oh…oh, I-I’m alright! Of course I’m alright,” Suzette replied, not liking the news she had just heard. How could he do this to her?!

“Are you really alright? You don’t look that goo-”

“I said I’m alright!” Suzette snapped, and then apologized immediately when she realized what she had done. “Oh dear. I’m so sorry, my lady. I shouldn’t have shouted at you. I’m just not feeling well all of a sudden…”

“It’s alright,” Victoria replied, but Suzette heard a sniff. Victoria wasn’t exactly a strong girl she had portrayed herself to be like. In actual fact, she was sensitive and vulnerable in the inside, and the slightest jokes or comments could have her bursting to tears.

Though wanting to comfort her friend, she found that this wasn’t the right time to do so. She had much more important stuff to deal with, and that was to confront Mathias.

Victoria was quite hurt when Suzette snapped at her. It wasn’t the first time her dear friend had showed sudden displeasure at her, but this was the very first time she heard her talking to her in such a sharp tone. Lying on her four-poster bed, she glanced at the ceiling, thoughts racing through her mind. She and Suzette had used to be the best of friends in the past, before the entry of Mathias into her life. It seemed as if Suzette was angry at her relationship with Mathias…

Hearing light hurried footsteps passing the hallway, Victoria sat up and frowned. She recognized those footsteps as her friend’s. Creeping towards the door, she opened it silently and peered out. Suzette had on her coat, and seemed to be in a hurry. She turned to the stairs and descended down to the main entry of the mansion. After a few moments, she heard the familiar bang of the door.

What was Suzette up to? Thinking to herself, Victoria sprang to the balcony and hid behind the curtains as she watched Suzette watching furtively around, as if afraid to be discovered. Something must have been troubling Suzette… determined to find out what secret Suzette had been hiding, she got dressed and took her coat before creeping out into the dark.

Trailing Suzette, Victoria had been careful not to be seen. Glancing around the street, she was rather surprised when she found Suzette making a turn towards a broken down blacksmith shop—the place where Mathias lived. Brows knitting together, Victoria watched in confusion as Suzette slipped inside the shop with familiarity. It seemed as if she had been here a number of times.

Tiptoeing stealthily towards the wooden window, Victoria could hear a heated argument that was going on inside.

“That was what you told her?! You told her you’re going to elope with her?! How could you do this to me?! Especially when I’m carrying your child!” came Suzette voice as she yelled.

Shocked, Victoria couldn’t help but stagger backwards. What had Suzette said? She…she was carrying Mathias’s child? How could this be?

“Honey, listen well. I did this for both of us. I didn’t really mean what I’d said to her. When I got the money from her, we’ll be the ones running away together okay? Don’t be so agitated. It’s bad for the baby,” cooed Mathias as he tried to calm Suzette down.

“Hands off! I don’t believe you. You’ve told too many lies, to me and to Victoria.”

“Just trust me this once, honey. I swear we’ll live happily after we got the money. I promise.”

Hands covering her mouth as she tried not to scream in frustration, Victoria wanted to barge into the shop and kill this adulterous pair. How could Suzette, her best friend do such things to her? She had been kind to her, and had told her all her innermost secrets! Hell, she treated her as a sister! Now what had she done? She had been sleeping with her man, and they even got a child! Angry tears blurred her vision as she kicked at the ground, only to find her foot connect with a loose brick on the ground. It made a rather loud crash as it hit against the concrete walls, and had alarmed the couple inside.

“Had anybody followed you here?” came Mathias’s anxious voice.

Hearing scurrying footsteps approaching the door, Victoria hurriedly hid behind a large wooden barrel that was found in front of an ale pub nearby. The door of the blacksmith’s shop opened and Victoria saw Mathias poking his head out, surveying the surroundings. He stayed out for a while before retreating back into the shop, pulling Suzette out and whispered into her ear before she left. From Victoria’s location, she couldn’t hear what Mathias had told Suzette, and it made her rather frustrated.

Should she confront Mathias? She had absolute rights to know what the hell was going on with him and Suzette! Breathing in hardly as she blinked away the tears in her eyes, she stood up from her squatting position and brushed the dirt on her skirt and coat before making her way cautiously to the shop. She would play ignorant, she decided. Let’s see what that bastard had to say.

She waited for a while before knocking on the door with her knuckles, putting on a smile on her face, trying to act as natural as possible. The door opened almost immediately as she came face to face with Mathias, who had his usual ruffled look that somehow made him look cute instead.

“Sweetheart, why are you here? It’s rather late in the night. Aren’t you preparing for our grand escape at home?” Mathias exclaimed as he invited her in.

“I couldn’t sleep without seeing you,” Victoria shushed as she regarded Mathias expression carefully as she continued smiling. “Anyway, I saw Suzette leaving earlier on. Why was she here?”

The air around seemed to be colder by a few degree Celsius as Mathias grin slipped from his face.

“Um…oh…she came to…uh…”

“She didn’t by any chance just come visiting you all of a sudden could she?” Victoria smiled sweetly as she glared at Mathias, whose eyes shifted uneasily.

“She uh-came to forge some-”

“Liar! I’ve heard everything outside just now! Tell me, was it true? Did you really sleep with her? Tell me you cheating bastard!” Victoria shrieked as her smile vanished from her face as she slapped him hard across the face. Mathias had indeed planned to lead her along by the nose, trying to fool her! Damn him!

“Sweetheart, listen to me. What I had done was a mistake. It-” he placed a finger on her lips, “was all a mistake.”

“What about what you’ve told Suzette? You friggin’ lied to me about wanting to elope with me! You-”

Grabbing Victoria hard by the hair, Mathias forced her down onto one of the tables as he hovered on top of her, his lips pressed tightly onto hers as she shrieked with pain and he forced his tongue in her barricade of teeth and fought for dominance. Shoving him away angrily, Victoria tried to escape from his iron grip, but to no avail as he pressed onto her.

“Victoria, it was all a ploy. Really, believe me. It was a misfortune that I got her pregnant, but I couldn’t have the child! Not when I have such a sweet lady like you! I only want to spend my life with you. Only you. However, I had to ditch Suzette off me first; therefore there had been a change of plans. We will leave at first light tomorrow,” Mathias cooed into her right ear as he nibbled it slightly, liking the way how Victoria had trembled beneath him.

“But she had your child! You’d done it with her! Although I’m angry, that’s still your own blood and flesh! You should take up the responsibility,” Victoria moaned back as Mathias’s lips moved over to her neck, slowly massaging their way to her chest.

“Ah…I hear jealousy in your tone. You want that too? I can give it to you, my dear. I can give it all to you,” Mathias whispered as his hands moved over to unzip the dress that Victoria had been wearing, exposing her perfectly fair shoulders.

“Stu-stop!”

“You wanted it, Victoria. I know you wanted it. Don’t resist,” Mathias smiled as his head dipped forward into the clef of Victoria’s breast, his hands clasping her thigh, pushing the many layered skirts away and touched her in between the legs. “Ah... I knew it. You’re all wet and ready.”

“No! Don’t do it…ngh… I don’t want it…Suzet-”

“Suzette may have my blood and flesh, but you, Victoria, only you, will have my heart,” Mathias gripped onto Victoria’s hand as he forced it onto his chest. “See, my heart thumps, only for you.”

Without another word, he led Victoria to his room, and that very evening, she lost her virginity to the guy that had loved her, or so she thought.

Rubbing her arms, Victoria sneezed a few times as she crept towards their meeting place. The sky was still dark, and everyone in town seemed to be still sleeping. Drawing her cloak closer to her, she reached the tree and stood underneath it, waiting quietly and patiently.

Her union with Mathias last night had left her body sore and painful, but the experience was wonderful. Had every woman endured such pain in exchange for this? She had felt so sated and whole for the first time that she reckons that it is worth the pain. Looking at the baggage she had with her, Victoria couldn’t help but feel guilty that she had stolen the money from her father’s drawer in the study room. She had also left a note telling her father not to track her down, and that she’ll live happily. She could only hope that her father won’t have a seizure after learning that she had eloped.

Glancing up at the sky, she couldn’t help but be excited about going out of town. She wished Mathias could be here soon. Due to her stuck in her own fantasy land whereby Prince Mathias would come and sweep her off her feet in full bridal style, she failed to notice the soft footsteps from behind. She failed to notice the dark shadow that loomed over her from behind, and she failed to even make a sound when the shovel came smashing down right onto her skull.

Like a puppet with its strings cut off, she fell limply to the ground, unable to move. She could only watch with her eyes filled with terror as Mathias, her supposedly lover, dug the soil and made a shallow grave. She could only watch him with eyes filled with hatred and disbelief as he threw her down the grave and started shoving the mud onto her, burying her.

They say when you die, the last senses to go was your sense of hearing. Victoria guessed it was right after all. Her eyes were lolled back into her skull as she felt warm sticky liquid pouring out, then suddenly she was numb. She couldn’t feel a thing. She could only hear Mathias chuckling in a low voice, telling her how stupid she was, and how thankful he is to have the money that was meant for their escape.

The mud was covering her mouth, then her nose, and she felt suffocated. She could breathe no more. But she still heard the shovel making contact with the earth as more soil covered her body. She was going to be buried alive, with no one looking for her. She’ll soon be devoured by maggots, and nothing would be left of her, except her bones. She had never believed that she’d die right after her sixteenth birthday. Her whole life started flashing before her eyes as she tried anxiously to move, but she could find no strength. She wanted to scream bloody murder at Mathias, that son of a bitch. She wanted to live! For goddamn sake, she wanted to live! She had such a bright future ahead, and now she could only consign to fate as her eyes made contact for the last time with the Mathias’s dark eyes before everything turned dark.

It was unfair.

Money, money, and more money! This was the first time he had seen and touched so much money in his whole twenty-one summers! The very first time!

“Thank you, Victoria dear. Even in death, you brought me so much happiness,” he chuckled to himself as counted the money in the baggage of Victoria’s. She had also brought a few pieces of jewellery, and Mathias was sure, he would be rich after selling them. Laughing, he grabbed the baggage and headed back to the shop. Victoria was nothing but naïve in believing that he’d actually want to run away with her!

Reaching the shop, he threw the shovel aside and hid the baggage under his small make-shift bed. After tonight, he’d be rich! Heh. In actual fact, he hadn’t been lying about running away from this accursed town. However, the plan just didn’t involve Victoria in it. It had only been him that’s going to run away. Stripping off his blood-stained garments, he went for a short bath to wash off the sweat.

After tonight, he’ll be skipping away, out of this town. Tonight.

A sudden thunder storm broke out near the evening. Dark clouds filled the sky, as the wind started howling. Still packing his clothes and other valuables, Mathias was quite annoyed by the storm, as it made his shop dark, and the occasional lightning made his head painful. Lighting up a candle, he resumed to his packing. He had taken out the small baggage and had carefully put it in between his bundle of clothes. A sudden gust of cold wind slashed into the room mercilessly, and blew out the candle, making the whole room dark.

The door to his room started banging against the hinge, due to the strong wind.

“What the hell?” Mathias cursed as he groped his way in the dark to find the matches to relight the blown-out candle, only to knock himself against the leg of the table, causing him to yelp in pain.

The lightning strike again, lighting the room up momentarily, and something made Mathias froze. There, right at his doorway, was a familiar figure, soiled and wet, long dark hair hanging down her face. Giving an unarticulated yell, Mathias staggered back and landed on the floor, pushing himself against the wall.

“Wh-who are you?! Get out immediately!” he screeched as his eyes searched frantically for a weapon that could be used.

A faint gurgling was heard as the figure crawled to him on all fours, movements slow and clumsily. A sudden flash of lightning allowed him to see his shovel which was near his bedside. Shifting towards it, he kept his eyes on the silhouette on the ground as his hands groped for the shovel. This seemed to have agitated whatever that thing was as it pounced on him suddenly, hissing.

From the parted hair of that thing, Mathias couldn’t help but felt a scream that was slowly rising from his lungs, but died in his throat. Though her face was caked with dried blood and mud, Mathias recognized it to be Victoria’s face. Eyes shining a bright crimson, Victoria’s normally wide and warm eyes were replaced with eyes that were burning with hell’s fire inside them. Her mouth was split into a hideous, leering grin and her breath stank with death.

“Mathias dear, we’re reunited again,” she grinned as her long nails raked Mathias’s face, causing blood to ooze out from the wounds.

“G-get away from me!” Mathias screamed as he thrashed violently to throw Victoria off him.

“I had expected a much warmer welcoming, dearest.”

Alarm bells rang in Mathias’s head as his hands made contact with the shovel finally. Seeing as his only chance to escape, he grabbed it and thrust it hard to the side of Victoria’s head, and to his utmost horror, a loud crunching sound was heard as her head flew to the other side of the room, leaving her body still beside him.

“You’re already dead! Stay dead!” he yelled incoherently as he watched the body rose and crept towards the head.

Hands reaching out for her head, she held it tight and placed it on her bloody neck as she turned a complete round before another crunch was heard when her head was intact. Eyes dilated with fear, Mathias felt his stomach gave a lurch as bile reached his throat.

“I’ve come to fetch you, my dear. It’s so cold alone.” Victoria’s voice vibrated through the whole room, and it made him chilled to the bones. He felt himself unable to move suddenly, stoned to the ground as Victoria advanced towards him once again.

“I’ve loved you so dearly. I gave you my heart, my body and my everything! This was how you repaid me? By killing me off?” Victoria chided as her hands moved towards his chest. “But all will end soon, and you shall be with me for eternity my dear. Just a little more and you’ll be mine,” she said sinisterly as she tore the fabric away, revealing his smooth chest.

“Wha-what do you want?” was all he could managed as he felt his pants turning wet.

“You said so yourself. Your heart thumps, only for me.”

“No! Don-” was the last thing he managed to say before he saw with his very own eyes how Victoria tore his heart out from his chest before he was drowned with his own screaming. He could only watch as Victoria squeezed the still-beating heart and watched as the blood erupts from it, a pleased expression plastered on her face.

“We shall be happy for an eternity, dearest.” was the last thing he heard.

Sadistic Influence Much?

Flushed and breathing heavily, they panted as the pair ran into took their seats in class. Lethe sat beside Solciro, Lunare having gone to sit with Acherus.
"Can you tell me now?"
"Every relationship has its skeletons, don't they?"
"But neither of us are necromancers."
"Very funny."
"I know I am. But seriously though, any secret that prevents you from having physical contact with anyone and everyone is a secret that you ought to share with me."
"Yeah.." She took a deep breath. "I suppose so. But you won't believe me. I don't want it to alienate us."
"I will believe you, I promise. I wouldn't doubt your word."
"But.... ok. I will. When I come into contact with anyone, I get that person's memories. All of it."
Solciro didn't say anything.
"You don't believe me, do you?"
"It's not that. I just... It's hard to grasp. You get all of the person's memories?"
"From birth to present, yes."
"Woah. How did you get this ability?"
"I don't know. I only got it recently. On my seventeenth. I accidentally brushed against someone and bam. I don't want to know all of anyone's memories because its so... so very hard to process it all. It's painful. And the dreams are the worst."
"How many times has this happened?"
"Once. This ability I have is so very intrusive. Who would want to have their entire past laid bare for me to see? All their thoughts and worries and emotions and actions."
"I wouldn't mind sharing with you."
"You wouldn't? I'm touched."
"Of course I wouldn't, I love you. There is nothing to hide. But if it is really such a bad experience for you, I would abstain from physical contact with you, regardless of how tempting it is to kiss you."
"I... I miss physical contact. I never thought I would. You remember when I first came over to this class?"
"Yeah. That was months ago. You were dressed more revealingly."
"But then I started wearing clothes that obscured my skin." Lethe sighed. "I wish I could just... I wish I could just hug you. I feel so lost. I want to just give in. I want to ignore the consequences and just kiss you. My own memories of the pain have long been dulled so what's stopping me? What is wrong with me?"
"Nothing. If you really want to, I don't mind. Just be sure that you want to."
"Damn the consequences." And she embraced Solciro, their lips finding one another's, giving in to the heat of the moment and Lethe shuddered with the impact of his memories. The first thing she felt was his love for her, his intense and incredible love for her. Not just mere desire, but a possesiveness if it could be called such, a caring, a need for her to be safe and happy that was as tender as it was strong. Exactly what she felt for him as well. This was not the painful, jarring experience she had had before and she felt joy and mirth bubbling from deep within her.

"You what?" Styx nearly shrieked.
"Calm down, Stygian. If anything, I should be the one screaming."
"You and Solciro together? That was totally unexpected."
"I guess we really should have seen it from miles away, Lady Kestrel."
"Yeah sure, I wonder what made it so obvious. Was it the fact that we almost never spent time together until now? That we were total strangers until two weeks back? I know, it must have been the fact that we said hello."
"No, m'dear, it was more likely that you two kept sitting together in the presence of hard wood. Must have gotten both of your hormones up and running."
"Touché, Iceman. So then we kissed."
The response from the group was so loud that they were promptly scolded for being too noisy.
"Already?" Acherus whispered.
"You're missing the point, aren't you." Styx said, frowning. "Lethe, did you... absorb his memories?"
"Yeah."
"But..."
"It was.. I don't know how to describe it. It was enjoyable, definitely."
"Does he know?"
"I told him first. He said that he wouldn't mind, so long as I was sure. I wasn't but it was so... euphoric!"
"It wasn't like the other time?"
"Not at all!" Her voice was full of happiness and energy. "The previous time, it was so shocking and screwed my whole sense of self. But this time, it was more compact, it was gentle, it merged with me, not just crashing into me! And now, when I have further contact with Solciro, I'm pretty sure I'l only get the memories that I don't have yet!"
"Hey, calm down, what are you, high on memory?"
"I think she's high on love."
"Heck yes! I feel as if nothing could ruin my life right now! Except, maybe her."
"What's she doing here again?" The last comment was directed at one of their classmates, the one whom Lethe had first touched by accident. She had been accosting Lethe recently, though 'accost' was not really the right word. A better word would have been 'begging'. Lethe moved towards her before she got within earshot of the rest of the group.
"Begone."
"Please, stop doing this to me!" The girl's words were clearly desperate and full of pleading. Lethe looked away.
"I have no idea what you are talking about."
"You're tormenting me! In my dreams, every night, you torture me! Stop it, I beg you!"
"Go away."
"Please stop it! I can hardly take it anymore, I feel as if I am going mad!"
"Maybe you are. Don't bother me."
"I'll do anything! Just stop doing this to me! I don't even dare to sleep anymore, you bitch! Why are you even doing this to me?"
"Go. Away." Lethe coldly brushed her aside and walked back to the group.
"She looked rather desperate. What did she want?" Cocytus asked.
"She wants me to stop torturing her dreams."
They stared at her in disbelief.
"Why? Why do you do it to her?"
"You tortured her?"
"How in the Archon's name did you even do that?"
"Oh shut up! My life isn't on trial here! I thought you guys of all people wouldn't judge!" She stomped off angrily.
"Oh dear." Kestrel muttered. "I'll go calm her down."

"Greetings, my dear."
"My dear? Since when did you call me 'my dear'?"
The figure shrugged.
"We're pretty much the same. I figured it'd be like talking to myself."
"You call yourself 'my dear'?"
"Only when that 'myself' is a separate entity. Also known as you. Oh and congratulations, by the way."
"What?"
"Congratulations on getting a boyfriend who isn't yourself."
"You mean we've been together before?"
"In past times, yes, where you were so very lonely and I was the only one who understood you. Also when the positions were swapped and you were nothing but a voice in my head."
Lethe was disconcerted by the idea that she had existed in various forms before along with this mysterious person who seemed a part of herself.
"Yeah, it's kinda hard to absorb. Just relax, no need to bother about it for now."
"But, what causes all this?"
"Sorry, but I cannot tell you. Changing topic. Let's go torture her again."
"I don't know, its starting to be boring. And..."
"Is your conscience bothering you?"
"Since you put it so bluntly, yes. My conscience is, in fact, having a great deal of a struggle coping with the fact that I have willfully and willingly tortured another person in her sleep over the past few weeks. What do you think?" Lethe spat out the last word with barely controlled venom and rage.
He remained impassive, unimpressed by her anger. "You enjoyed it."
"I may enjoy a lot of things, but the consequences are not usually so enjoyable. Why did you even show me how to do that?" Lethe shouted at him. "Why? Answer me, damn you!"
"You had to learn." He looked around the dark void of her dream suddenly and gave a sigh. "Time's up, sadly. I wish I could explain. We've had only a little time tonight. Well, got to end this the same way. Once again, sorry about this. See-" The edges of his lips quirked up with the pun. "-you tomorrow night. He took off his sunglasses and lunged at Lethe.
She woke up in a cold sweat. It never got easier. Knowing what to expect just made it worse. As before, she had screamed, though the lack of people waking up indicated to her that the scream was in her dream. She turned over and tried to sleep. But as she turned, she caught a glimpse of herself in her bedside mirror. Her eyes were rimmed with teeth. This time, she screamed and truly woke up.

No One Say The V Word

"I don't want to interrupt you, Nova, but first of all, I shall state the obvious. You are sucking that guy's blood. Secondly, the last time I heard, you were dead. Thirdly, hello, haven't seen you for a long time."
The person on the floor let go of her victim and lifted her head from the unfortunate soul's neck, inadvertently baring her fangs. She licked her lips and stood up, a pale, dignified figure with blood splattered over her clothes in a dimly lighted shop.
"Hello to you too, Raewyn. I see you got my employment letter."
"Very funny. So, I can only assume that you did get killed and now, you're back. How's a life of blood-sucking?"
"Fun. And tasy." She licked her lips once more, as if to emphasise her words. She blinked.
"I'm still somewhat hungry. Give me a moment, will you?"
"Sure. Go out and feed from some hapless fool. I find the thought amusing."
"I will make haste. Pardon me."
"Take your time. I'll just sit right here."
"Alright. Feel free to peruse my wares."
"Got it."
Awhile later, Nova returned, muttering a spell to clean her clothes as she walked through the door.
"So. November Upyr. What can I do for you?"
"I have... heard of the sort of thing you do. I have just started this business and I was wondernig if someone such as you would need such items as those I sell."
"Oh, I get it. You see the criminal world as another market to exploit, don't you? I like that sort of profit-centred merchant's outlook."
"Yes, you have accurately vivisected my meaning. I wish to mine the not-so-legal side of the city for as much business as I can. I, as a noble, would have much lesser difficulty getting more esoteric items which would be otherwise at ridiculously high prices. Less risk, lower prices. Lower prices, more customers. More customers, more profit."
"Well, I'm happy for you as a friend and happy that I'll have to pay less next time but I'm sure you didn't take all this trouble to contact me just to share the good news. Spit it out, what do you want from me?"
"You were always so direct, even as kids."
"Yeah, must have been that demonic influence."
"Excuse me?"
"Nothing. Inside joke. So what do you want?"
"Before I can actually start having lower prices, I needed some information as to the prices, the competition and most importantly, what reagents and items are most highly sought."
"I can't help but notice the past tense 'needed'. If you already have the information, what do you need me for?"
"Well, considering your reputation, I wanted to know if my informant was lying. For some reason, the type of people I have been able to get in contact with do not regard my kind with any respect."
"These people don't treat anyone with any respect. Or maybe its because they have to deal with the proverbial blood-suckers so often that a literal one fails to instill a measure of awe or fear in them. But yes, smart move, they would answer truthfully if I am by your side. Plus, I may not have detailed knowledge of the merchants' workings, but I have some knowledge and if they lie, I will be able to tell regardless of what I know."
"Excellent. I assume that you are going to help me?"
Raewyn shrugged. "It's in my best interests to help you. So, yes. When are we meeting this informant of yours?"
November fidgeted, somewhat embarrassed. "Ah, yes, you have already met him."
"What? Who?"
November gently kicked the body on the floor. The man groaned and moved a little. "Him. I left enough blood in him to ensure that he would live. I figured, what better way to ensure that he would tell the truth? He should be waking up in, say, fifteen minutes approximately."
"What's his name?"
"He wouldn't tell me, he said he didn't want retribution from the other undertraders for divulging their prices and what not. He's not too smart. Hopefully the lack of blood didn't cause any brain damage. Archon knows, he's dumb enough."
"We might as well chat a little while waiting for him to wake up. How've you been doing all these years, Nova?"
"I've been fine. I had a boyfriend and we were fine until he tried to kill me. Actually, he did manage to kill me. But, you know, my family."
"Blood-suckers, all of you."
"My parents are somewhat disappointed that I didn't manage to conceive a child before I became a... before I got to this state."
"Sounds like an understatement. I remember your parents. Wouldn't they have flown into a rage when they heard the news?"
"...Yes. They did actually. They're depending on my sister to continue our fine family traditions. Or maybe my brother."
"I thought Decem was already married. And Juno is quite the wildcard, isn't she? Your parents would have better luck relying on Decem." Raewyn pronounced December's short form with a hard 'k' as Dekem.
"Yeah. They would. Anyway then I had to go into some business and heck, I've already got alchemical training. My parents already have an interest in the criminal side of the market. I could probably run an undertrader's store and so here I am." Nova said, all her manners and cultured affectations of a noble going out the window. "Here, drink up." She handed Raewyn a glass of wine.
"Cheers. I hope you didn't poison it."
"I wouldn't. Anyway you'd know if I did."
Nothing in the wine that shouldn't be there. Libys assured Raewyn.
They drank and November continued.
"So Raewyn. What happened to you? I know your parents died and that their will specifically stated that there were to be no Resurrections for them. Most of the nobility would choose to live as long as possible so it came as quite a shocker to quite a few people. But apart from that, I don't know much."
"Not much. I apprenticed under Karasondrias."
November whistled appreciatively. "The draenix? I heard she's helped open a school recently."
"Yeah. After I left her, I had no idea what to do. Adventuring seemed abit too much like hard work so I decided to take bounties within the city."
"Really? The bounty I set for you involved the Wild Region outside city limits."
"I mean, I take bounties from within the city. I don't take those from other places."
"It's not as if you need the money."
"Yeah, but I'm not gonna start indulging my hedonistic epicurean side. And I get bored easily."
The man groaned and raised a hand.
"Ugh, why's it so dark in here? I feel dizzy.."
They both looked down at him.

"Shall I?"
"Go ahead, guest's honour."
Raewyn grabbed him by the front of his shirt and roughly dragged him to the wall. She put Aida's edge against his throat as November stepped forward. She knelt down in front of him and lifted his head, an immaculate fingernail pressed against his chin.
"I called upon your services. Now, serve. First. The names and locations of the other undertraders."
The man was terrified and sputtered. "I.. I told you I would tell you, you didn't hav-"
Raewyn pulled out a knife from a sheath strapped onto her leg and stabbed it into his thigh and he screamed, far higher than what one would expect from him.
"The next one goes onto your left hand."
"The names and locations of the other undertraders. I will not repeat again."
Weeping with the pain, he reached into his pocket. "Here... It's everything you.. wanted to know." He managed to say amidst the sobs of pain.
He's lying.
"Liar." Raewyn took a second dagger and stabbed it into his left hand, effectively nailing him to the floor. He screamed even louder, though his voice seemed somewhat ragged, worn from the pain. "The next one goes into your right shoulder and permanently prevent you from using your right arm. You left out some extra important bits of information. Write it on the paper with your blood."
Cursing and crying, he lifted his right hand to do as Raewyn said. After a few agonising (for him) minutes, he stopped.
"Very good. As a reward, I'll actually let you leave alive." Raewyn forcefully pulled out her daggers, making sure to cause a little more pain. Inside her, Libys all but sang.
Now this is the sort of thing you should do! I vote we work for the blood-sucker!
Raewyn ignored him and picked up the paper containing the information Nova needed.
"Leave now before I change my mind." As he scrambled out, leaving a gruesome trail of blood behind him, she passed the paper to November.
"There you go, girlfriend. Everything you needed."
"How did you know he was lying?"
"Truth and lies both have a certain smell. Its all in the pheromones."
November raised an eyebrow. "And you have an incredible sense of smell."
"Yes."
"Doesn't matter anyway. What does matter is that I have what I need. Now, your payment. You do want your payment, don't you?"
"Of course! What makes you think I don't want my payment?" Raewyn was indignant as she wiped her daggers on her armour.
"I don't know, maybe the fact that you were already filthy rich to begin with and that you don't need the money?"
"Hey, money is money. What's it matter to you if I'm greedy?"
"Nothing. Hells, I'm greedy too. If I weren't, I wouldn't be here as an undertrader. I'd be a merchant." November handed a small wad of money to her.
"I had fun doing this. If you've got any other job you need done next time, feel free to send me a message. By phone, if you please, pieces of paper can get lost too easily. Here, have my number."
"Got it. Good luck and have fun, Raewyn."
"And you too Nova. It's good to see you. The thought of you randomly going out and killing someone for blood will keep me amused for a week. Have fun."