Chapter 31: CHAPTER XIX – When Life Gives You Lemons…

Stepping through the void, Verakry appeared behind Tellamar, who was busy clacking away at a keyboard. Trying his best to ignore the dark figure, the weary man focused on what he was doing until reaching a sufficient stopping point. After removing his glasses to massage his tired eyes, he only partially turned to side eye Verakry and with a disgruntled voice asked, “What is it?”

“I was curious about the subjects to be used in the next test.” Verakry answered honestly.

“Still not ready. I don’t supposed you’ve heard the phrase: ‘a watched pot never boils,’ have you? Patience is a virtue, although clearly not one of yours.” Tellamar barked back at him.

There was a long pause where the two simply stared at each other before Verakry calmly clarified, “I’m more interested in ascertaining the quality of the subjects and their viability to pressure a warborn. Simple numbers will not suffice, and hasty or not, a poor test is far from ideal.”

“Ahh.” Tellamar turned and gave Verakry his full attention. “Well I can’t say how they will compare to your monsters, but they are a far cry greater than what we had previously been using. I’ve actually been looking into their genetic makeup for… my own reasons.” Tellamar stopped and sighed, clearly concerned, yet backed into a corner by desperation.

“That is excellent to hear. My monsters are growing at an incredible rate, and if you can’t provide me with adequate material…” Verakry started, but was cut off.

“Yes, yes, you might accidentally destroy the world when you take things too far. I can only imagine.” Tellamar scoffed. “Fear not, for I have been interested in their regenerative abilities, and in studying the responsible genes for such a prolific capability I have been testing how they react with other genes; and in doing so, I took the liberty of overhauling them. Afterall, if I am to continue with my… project, then I will require a means to keep Kade and his goons from interfering. Our interests align, and I think you will be pleased with the results.”

A grin spread across Verakry’s face, and after a short pause, the shadowy figure insisted, “Please, do go on.”

“Well, for starters, if we’re interested in long term subjects, I needed to do something about feeding them or they will burn through this place like a horde of hungry locusts, which is not in anyone’s benefit. I’ve made it so they can photosynthesize, and reworked their digestive tract so they can absorb at least some nutrients from dirt or rocks. They will be able to tolerate frigid temperatures, and are capable of surviving off of little more than water, even if it were frozen. To minimize energy consumption, they can enter a hibernative state at will.” Tellamar explained.

A brief moment passed by before Tellamar sighed, “That’s actually the exciting part, but I suppose the art of manipulating such genetics is lost on you. There’s more, of course, but the rest was the easy part. Splicing in greater lengths of genetic code from existing fauna is much, much simple and still effective, they are far stronger and of course far more lethal. Their exoskeletons will be able to hold up in a vacuum, and I’ve created several different types of soldier arachnophage. Heavy type will be armored like a crab, greatly increasing their defensive capabilities. I’ve also exchanged a single scythe claw for a set of pincers, so now they can grab hold of and even crush their target. I also added a scorpion tail which can secret a highly corrosive substance, even projecting it a short distance.”

Tellamar paused when his terminal started beeping at him and quickly turned to pound on his keyboard and input something before returning to his explanation. “For the medium type, there is less armor for increased mobility, and being as they are more intended to be ranged, I swapped both claws for pincers, as well as swapped their tail from acid to a webbing that will pin or slow down their target and can be launched from a greater distance, which can then be pulled on with the pincers. They’re not very defensive, but they don’t need to be if they work with the heavy type. Medium will benefit more from added mobility.”

Tellamar cleared his throat before following up with, “And lastly there is the light type. No armor at all, but highly mobile, I’ve given them the back legs of a grasshopper and increased the size of their claws so that when the target is pinned or tied down by the heavy and medium types, the light types can jump in for hit and run tactics. They have no tail, but they do have wings’ and while they cannot fly, they are highly maneuverable in the air, and extremely agile.”

Stopping once again to turn and input more data into his terminal, after which Tellamar finished his explanation with, “And finally, I have upgraded the queen type to be able to control them, organizing tactics for ambushes or sieges by coordinating the other three types. I’ve also created eye types – small dragonfly like creatures that permit the queen view the situation from a distance and at multiple angles.

Tellamar was surprised when Verakry applauded his efforts, admitting that, “Maybe the finer points of genetic modification do in fact elude me, but I am nevertheless impressed! No more simple and mindless drones, but several variations that are capable of working together intelligently. Even just a few of these would suffice for now, but the potential for large orchestrated assaults will be necessary in the future. Truly, Tellamar, you have outdone yourself. Tell me, is there anything I can do to reward your labors?”

Tellamar was aghast, not sure about what to make of Verakry showing appreciation. After a moment of contemplation, he requested, “I don’t suppose you could spare a bit of mana?”

 

Sphaere and Rhystea had made themselves comfortable, or at least as much as possible, leaning against the Lion’s Court rock while the other series prepared for the festivities by setting up to cook a veritable feast. A large spit had been erected over the fire and the Reptilia series were currently arguing about which cuts of meat to load it with, even chattering about requesting Cekell to use a barrier to grill up a whole side of bison. Rhystea was quick to let them know that Cekell’s barrier would not permit passage of the heat necessary to cook the meat, so they quickly returned to their bickering.

Sphaere was focused on watching the storm above them, which still had not let up even though the thunder and lightening had seemingly ceased. She was debating on whether or not she would be ok eating meat. She still wasn’t over the sight of what the larval arachnophages had done to an iron hoof, but was getting hungry and had eaten nothing but fruit since the incident. Sphaere loved fruit, but wanted more, and yet not encountered anything resembling bread. Options were scarce.

Wasp eggs and larva were not to be considered, but fresh and unprocessed meat was a rarity for her, or at least it had been since she had left her parent’s farm along with her brother several years prior. Any meat was expensive but the processed stuff lasted longer, while fresh meat seldom made its way out of the heart of the city being as only the wealthy could afford such.

Sphaere decided to wait and see how the smell of roasting meat would hit her, and couldn’t help but recall her Papa preparing such succulent delicacies as grilled or smoked meats, her absolute favorite being a smoked pork shoulder. Her father explained such as being one of the cheaper cuts of meat, but when cooked properly, the fat and connective tissue would be rendered to provide additional flavor, with more being drawn from the bone, leaving only juicy and tender meat that a truly skilled pit master would be able to serve with nothing more than a spoon.

Just thinking about it was making her hungrier and she doubted that fruit would satisfy her current craving. Still peering up at the sky she let out a melodramatic sigh to which Rhystea inquired, “What are you thinking about?”

“…Home.” Sphaere hesitated before answering. “Mama’s homemade bread. Papa’s pecan wood smoked pig’s ass. Me an’ Kai pickin’ veggies outta our greenhouses. Shuckin’ corn, pealin’ taters, choppin’ okra. Feedin’ the animals, milkin’ the cow, collectin’ eggs. All the little things that seemed like such a chore that I’ll probably never get to do again.”

“You can’t think like that! We’ll pull through this yet, wait and see! You’ll be back home before you know it, back to pestering your little brother and taking care of your farm, and all this will be an exciting story we can tell our families!” Rhystea insisted optimistically. “Sounds like you’re hungry, or at least you’re making me hungry! A healthy appetite is a good sign!”

Sphaere didn’t say anything, and being as both girls were looking up at the sky, Rhystea did not see her friend grimace in anguish. Devose wasn’t the only one that noticed the girl’s (who’s arms he was comfortably wrapped up in) heart tremble, but it was Cekell that raised his tendril to her cheek and chirped almost apologetically.

Rhystea pressed down on the warborn tied up in her embrace and was surprised when she didn’t squeeze a happy chirp out of him, but ignored such and remarked, “That’s right Cekell! We’ll get her back home and we’re taking you with us! We’re taking your brother too, though, so get used to having him around!”

“Ha.” Devose scoffed. “Don’t count on it. There’s nowhere better suited to sharpening my edge than right here.”

“And how do you know that?!” Rhystea argued.

“It was often a topic of discussion between Verakry, father and his researchers, who were concerned about what we would do to their garden. Unfortunately for them, Verakry does what Verakry wants, and there isn’t anything they can do to stop him.” Devose explained. “Merely mitigating the damages is the most they can hope for, especially in light of the fact that this place is only even possible thanks for Verakry’s cooperation.”

It was Rhystea’s turn to sigh, “You know, just because he’s strong, that doesn’t excuse him doing whatever he wants.”

“Ha!” Devose laughed sarcastically, “Verakry’s strength is all the justification he will ever need.”

“Don’ that line o’ thinkin’ pardon Cekell from… doin’ what ‘e did?” Sphaere suggested with a solemn voice.

Devose clenched up in her arms before bitterly spitting out, “Only until I can do something about it!”

“But so long as Cekell is stronger, it’s ok for him to do whatever he wants?” Rhystea retorted, “I don’t think so. I want him to be… He WILL be better than that. He just needs someone to teach him how to be.”

“What’s better than being all powerful?” Devose asked, his amusement painted across his face.

“Bein’ appreciated an’ loved by everyone.” Sphaere shot back. Devose growled but had nothing else to say. Slowly, he released the tension in his body as he snuggled back up to Sphaere, who squeezed down on him affectionately. “I know. It ain’t easy, but it is what it is, an’ the most ya can do is ta make the best outta any situation. Some thangs, it jus’ don’ matter how strong ya are, ya cain’t change what ya cain’t change.”

“Do you want to be bitter and vengeful? Is that what you think your mother would want from you?” Rhystea added.

“It’s what my father wants from me.” Devose asserted.

Rhystea and Sphaere both sighed simultaneously. “You’re father seems like a harsh and angry person.” Rhystea noted.

“That how ya wanna be? Draggin’ a grudge around with ya ever’where ya go? Getting’ yer vengeance ain’t gonna change anythang. Ya’ll still be mad at the world, but ya’ll be even more alone without a brother.” Sphaere insisted.

“Hatred sure isn’t something I’d ever want to carry around. I don’t think my parents would ever want that for me either, no matter what happens. It’s not that I can’t understand your discontent, if I lost my parents, I’d…” Rhystea trailed off.

“Ya’d move on an’ live a life that’d make ‘em proud.” Sphaere finished for her.

“Killing my brother would make my father proud.” Devose defiantly insisted.

“Yea, but Ritsy’s got the type o’ parents ya wanna make proud bein’ as they make the world a better place, an’ they do it without killin’ anybody.” Sphaere riposted. Devose growled and opened his mouth to reply, but Sphaere quickly covered it with her hand, preventing him from getting out more than a groan. A discontented Devose resisted no further, lest he risk her ire and possibly being set down. At least he could pester his brother by remaining in her embrace.

A long silence passed them by and wasn’t interrupted until several Feline series members brought out veggies to make skewers that were cut into pieces to be placed over the fire. Noticing them, Sphaere turned her gaze back to F120 who was still posted up on the pen containing the iron hoof and her calves, all of which had huddled up around the young girl as she still had fruit to give them.

Without a word, Sphaere started off in F120’s direction, prompting Rhystea to hurry after her, asking, “Where are you going?” With Cekell’s newly acquired floating black orb trailing behind her.

“The cat people showed up, so I figured it was a good time ta have F120 share the fruits o’ ‘er labor.” Sphaere answered.

“Don’t call them cat people!” Rhystea insisted.

“Kitty people.” Sphaere corrected herself.

“Ugh! Rude!” Rhystea reiterated.

Sphaere turned and shot Rhystea a look, but didn’t say a word as she continued on her way. Getting close to her destination, Sphaere called out softly so as not to disturb the sizeable beast or her young, “Yer family’s grouped up by the fire, why don’tcha take yer milk over an’ share it with ‘em?”

“Okay!” F120 responded, “Let me give the last few pieces of fruit I have here, then I’ll run and get something to drink it out of!”

“Perfect! Oh an’ please grab a persimmato fer Ritsy here, she said she was getting’ hungry, but hadn’ seen any bein’ brought out!” Sphaere stated with a widening smile.

It was Rhystea’s turn to shoot a silent glare at Sphaere. “That’s because nobody eats them by choice!” F120 clarified as she hopped down from the fence with an empty sack. “But we always keep some on hand in case we get a visit from Proto3, so we can certainly spare some… if you want them.” The young cat girl eyed Rhystea peculiarly before darting off into the cave along with her trusty pup Lucky.

“Do you enjoy tormenting people?” Rhystea asked sarcastically.

“No more then ya enjoy correctin’ ‘em.” Sphaere answered with a growing grin.

Rhystea sighed and shook her head, but didn’t say anything. Sphaere wasn’t the first to get annoyed at being corrected by Rhystea, but it was how she herself was raised. She never meant to flaunt her intelligence or to make people feel inferior, she just assumed they would want to know if there was a more proper way. Rhystea appreciated being corrected when she was wrong, but that was a rare occurrence and always administered by a respected professor, never someone her own age.

Sphaere slowly reached a hand out towards the iron hoof, who cautiously stepped forward but relaxed when Sphaere gently rubbed her coarse fur. “Atta girl!” Sphaere cooed softly as she massaged the great beast. “I think yer gonna like it here! No giant spider monsters ta worry about, an’ all the food ya can choke down, those kitty people are gonna love ya!”

“You sound like a hairhead.” Rhystea giggled as she recalled the description R208 had used for them.

“That’s derogatory!” Sphaere shot back with an almost wounded look. “’Sides, it’s better than bein’ an airhead.”

“Are you calling me dumb?” Rhystea asked curtly.

“No, I’m callin’ ya an airhead.” Sphaere chuckled. “It ain’t that got no thoughts, it’s that they only consist o’ what amounts ta no more than hot air.”

Rhystea scoffed but decided it was better not to engage further and instead watched as Sphaere tended to the iron hoof, who was enamored with getting scratched behind her ears. “You’re really a natural with animals.” Rhystea noted.

“Well I’s raised ‘round ‘em. Ya learn a thing ‘r two when ya gotta deal with ‘em day in an’ day out, an’ don’ wanna get stepped on. Treat ‘em with love, an’ they’ll love ya right back. Ya shore don’ wanna be disrespected by somethin’ several times yer size, I can promise ya that!” Sphaere explained.

“Hard to picture you disrespecting… an innocent animal.” Rhystea carefully chose her words.

“No, not me, but my little bro got rough with our milk cow, an’ she laid ‘im out flat, I tell ya what, ‘e never made that mistake again!” Sphaere laughed.

“Oh, wow, sounds like he’s lucky he didn’t get seriously injured.” Rhystea pointed out.

“No doubt! Fortunately fer that li’l turd, our animals weren’ aggressive. It took a lot ta make ‘em violent, but she wanted ta let ‘im know that enough was enough an’ ‘e better cut it out. Kai ain’t the fastest learner, not unless ‘e had a really good teacher. Papa always said ‘e learned best by getting’ smacked ‘round!” Sphaere informed.

“I bet you taught him a lot then!” Rhystea giggled.

“Heck yea I did! An’ ya can bet ‘e learned well when ‘e got ‘is lessons from me!” Sphaere declared.

“You two sound so close. I always wanted a little brother or sister, I would have been a great big sister!” Rhystea insisted. Sphaere shook her head but didn’t say anything. “What?” Rhystea demanded an answer.

“I bet yer lessons would o’ been dryer than a dusty book! I can jus’ picture ya hoverin’ an’ correctin’ every other word that comes outta that poor kid’s mouth!” Sphaere tried to hold back her laughter and only partially succeeded.

“I resent that! I would make for a great big sister, wouldn’t I Cekell?” Rhystea insisted as she forcefully wrenched a chirp of approval out of the warborn, who more than happily obliged.

“An’ what exactly have ya taught Ceke? How ta jump outta the fryin’ pan an’, lit’rally, inta the fire? Yer recipe fer fried chicken, extra crispy?” Sphaere answered no longer trying to hold back her laughter.

An agitated Rhystea stamped her foot before inquiring, “And what have you taught him, hmmm?”

“’Member when I had ya use the incarnation ‘up?’ Yea, I taught ‘im that!” Sphaere was now in a fit of laughter.

“Ugh! I DO remember that, I also remember telling you that it’s ‘incantation’ and that I’m not a witch casting spells!” Rhystea spat out, trying not to blow a gasket.

“Yea, I guess it weren’ no broom ya was flying on!” Sphaere rasped out between breaths as she doubled over in laughter.

Rhystea puffed up in a huff as she started turning red and stuffed Cekell under her arm to clean her glasses so there would be no smudges blocking the evil eye she cast at Sphaere. Taking a deep breath and finding her center, Sphaere was again knocked off balance when she saw the look Rhystea was giving her, and once again burst into laughter.

F120 came charging out of the cave, but slowed her pace as she neared the iron hoof with Lucky close at heel, apparently now more comfortable around the large beasts, who was puzzled by the spectacle Rhystea and Sphaere had put on display. Tying a happy Cekell back up in a tight embrace, Rhystea snobbishly stated, “You’re not a very nice person.”

Before Sphaere could respond, F120 came to her defense with a gasp, “How can you say that? Sphaere is one of the kindest, most generous people I have ever met!”

Rhystea turned to the young girl with feline features and frowned in utter defeat. Sphaere’s legs gave out as she collapsed from laughter. It took her more than a brief moment to calm and collect herself before climbing back to her feet and announced, “Yer a sweetheart, but I cain’t let that stand. I’ve been pickin’ on poor Ritsy since ya left. I may be nice, but I ain’t very nice like she is.” Sphaere then turned to Rhystea to finish, “Don’ take it personal, I’s jus’ pokin’ fun!”

“Hmph!” Rhystea responded as she sharply turned her gaze upwards and away from Sphaere, who released an arm from around Devose to clutch her side and attempt to hold back her laughter, but the dam would not hold.

“Here’s your nasty fruit.” F120 stated with a grimace as she offered out a persimmato to Rhystea, causing Sphaere to again erupt into laughter.

“I caint… it hurts… make it stop!” Sphaere pleaded between gasps.

Doing her best to ignore Sphaere, Rhystea forced a smile as she accepted the fruit. “Thank you.” She said politely.

Supporting herself with the fencing, Sphaere instructed, “Set yer cups down an’, carefully, take yer milk ta the others. We’ll be along shortly, an’ can at least carry those fer ya.”

“Okay! Watch out Lucky, I don’t want to accidentally step on you!” F120 declared before doing as she was told, slowly, as the filled pail was heavy and she was no more than a slip of a girl. Still, she didn’t want any of her effort to go to waste, so she cautiously made her way to her fellow F series, Lucky trotting along at her heels.

“See if this here iron hoof will eat that nastry fruit fer ya, an’ let’s go see what the kitty people think o’ their first taste o’ milk!” Sphaere suggested with a wavering smile as she somehow refrained from more laughter.

Rhystea glared at her sharply before slowly offering the persimmato out to the iron hoof, who happily accepted and quickly devoured the nasty fruit. Rhystea took the opportunity to caress the beast’s fur for a few moments before casually taking her leave, snatching up the stack of cups F120 had left them and following after the milk bearer.

Thinking on it for a moment, Rhystea offered, “I can hold you with both arms if you’ll carry these along with your dark orb.” Cekell happily took the cups out of her hand with his gravity field and was rewarded with a hug, to which he gave his chirp of approval. “Thank you! Such a handy little guy!”

“I could have carried them.” Devose piped up.

“Oh? I would o’ figured ya needed both hands ta carry that great big grudge ya insist on luggin’ ‘round ever’where.” Sphaere eyed him suspiciously. “Ya shore ya can help the caretakers o’ yer sworn enemy?” Devose opened his mouth to reply, but sheepishly closed it and looked away almost shamefully. “No wisecrack, eh? Maybe ya can rise above yer spiteful side. Guess we’ll jus’ hafta wait an’ see.” Devose didn’t say anything, but crawled up and wrapped his arms and tendril around Sphaere’s neck, prompting her to let out an, “Aww!”

Cekell didn’t much like this and chirped sharply in objection. “Hey, he isn’t bothering you, so you leave him alone!” Rhystea insisted. Cekell let out a discontent chirp, to which Rhystea replied, “Don’t you argue with me, or I’ll put you down!” Cekell chirped dejectedly and wrapped his tendril around her. Few things intimidated him the way that the cold hard ground did, and he wasn’t about to readily relinquish Rhystea’s warmth.

The group made it’s way over to the fire, where the Reptilia had recently loaded the spit with as much meat as they could possibly fit on the thing. Numerous skewers had been placed alongside it, and some had already finished cooking and were being passed out. The sound and smell of sizzling meat had hit Sphaere particularly hard, and she aptly forgot about the scene that had kept her away from meat for a time, and started looking forward to a real meal.

They followed F120 who awkwardly approached her fellow felines with pail laden with the results of her efforts, but wasn’t sure what to do with it. She paused, but before she could turn and ask, Sphaere requested, “Oi, Ceke, could we getcha ta set us up with a flat barrier ta use as a small table?”

Cekell chirped in affirmation before happily abiding, and a glowing cube was erected before the young F series, who smiled and said, “Thank you!” Before placing her pail atop the aethric construct. Turning back to those gathered around the fire, she called out a few F numbers, and several of her series that weren’t busy curiously made their way to her, including an apparent hunter model that Sphaere and Rhystea recognized as having accompanied A212 in a previous incident.

F120 turned back to Rhystea, but Cekell had realized what she was needing and already sent the stack of drinking utensils drifting slowly through the air towards her, prompting another “Thank you!” From the girl, who grabbed them and started filling them one at a time and passing them to her series, keeping one for herself.

The F series, including F120, eyed the white liquid suspiciously, but Sphaere attempted to allay their concerns, “Either yer scared, ‘r ya ain’t! Have we given ya any reasons ta doubt us?”

Feeling ashamed at her hesitation, F120 took a sip, gasped in astonishment, and proceeded to empty her cup as though she were dying of thirst. Noticing the puzzled looks she was receiving, she quickly demanded, “If you don’t want it, then give it back!” Her brethren warily eyed each other before cautiously taking a sip and exhibiting similar reactions before calling over more of their series to share in their discovery.

With a piqued curiosity, A212 followed a few of the gatherers that claimed him as Eminent, and witnessed their awestruck surprise as the milk pail rapidly started to empty. As they began scraping the bottom, he dared to ask, “May I try some?”

Appalled at the egregious request, aggravation born from an innate and gluttonous desire to selfishly consume as much of the substance as they could procure, the whole of the Feline series turned on A212 and hissed through bared fangs. Even little F120 had her tail raised with each hair sticking up as if trying to puff up and make herself intimidating, lashed out with the threatening sound.

A deep, instinctual fear overtook the featherfolk, who quickly retreated a step back in panicked surprise. The tension was shattered when both Rhystea and Sphaere burst into laughter.

“Toldja ya’d like it!” Sphaere sputtered.

“Wow, even sweet and innocent F120 can become ferocious!” Rhystea added. “A212 nearly had a heart attack!”

“Sorry beak face, ya’ll hafta wait until they can get a consistent supply. Ya gottcher larva though, so let them have this.” Sphaere suggested.

“Bug eater!” R208 barked out, prompting the rest of his series to clamor with laughter.

As he was the Eminent for the Feline series, A212 was a little upset, but after the display he had just witnessed, decided he was better off letting it slide. F120 was quickly surrounded by appreciative members of her series who were bombarding her with questions as they raised her into the air, lifting her high and lavished her with praise. The milk pail was emptied as the Feline hunter model - who had been called F018, had inverted it to drain the remaining vestiges into his waiting maw below, where not one drop went to waste.

The barrier that had been serving as a table, but now had nothing upon it, disappeared as Cekell released it. Still chuckling from the amusing scene, Sphaere grabbed onto Rhystea and directed her to the fire where food was waiting. Before they could get their hands on any, they were caught by R010, who called on everyone’s attention, as he was known to have a penchant for.

“Ahh! Here are our special guests who have made this possible! It is in their honor we hold this feast! May our friendship never dull!” R010 bellowed, followed by his fellow scalekin chanting “Friends!” on repeat, several of which were in mid bite and shot bits of meat out of their mouths along with their blasting voice. Everyone around, even those they had not been acquainted with, shouted their appreciation.

Sphaere froze up upon receiving everyone’s attention, but Rhystea curtsied and waved back, returning the adoration to the crowd and further riling them up, not that anyone would be heard above the Reptilia series.

Rhystea turned to Sphaere and insisted, “Well don’t just stand there! We owe them a lot, too!”

Prodded by both panic and her friend, Sphaere’s hunger gave her the answer as she quoted the scale train and redirected the chant, “Meat! Meat! Meat!” As she pumped a fist into he air.

The crowd parted for them to make way to the fire and retrieve their stomach’s desire, where they selected a rather large skewer each before departing and making their way over to the Lion’s Court rock to lean on as they sat and dined.

Sphaere was famished and the smell of searing meat in the open air had only made her hungrier, and likely would have dropped Devose when she attacked her skewer had he not been wrapped around her. Rhystea watched a moment before pointing out, “Looks like you got your appetite back!”

“It’s been a busy… hectic… an’ stressful day.” Sphaere conceded between bites. “A li’l salt’d go a long way… butcha jus’ cain’t go wrong with grilled meat an’ veggies!”

“It certainly has.” Rhystea agreed. “Fortunately, I think the worst of it is behind us. We have a clear path for where to go next, and appreciative friends to keep us until we set out. Our biggest concern amounts to keeping Cekell warm. He’ll be even easier to keep in line if Devose sticks around!”

“With a li’l luck, we’ll be able ta take it easy fer the rest o’ the day. ‘Til now, it’s jus’ been one thang after another; we’re due fer a break!” Sphaere insisted.

“Speaking of which,” Rhystea turned her full focus to Sphaere, “I’m still curious about this nectar everyone is so excited about.”

“We’re getting’ there, don’ rush! An’ make sure ya eat a hearty meal, ya shore don’ want it on an empty stomach!” Sphaere urged.

“You seem rather confident as to what it is, what makes you such an expert all of a sudden?” Rhystea pondered out loud.

“I had a whiff o’ the stuff, an’ that was all it took. Trust me when I say it’s potent, we’ll hafta get some tea fer ya ta mix it in, letcha acclimate slowly.” Sphaere explained.

“Acclimate…” Rhystea repeated with a sly smile.

“Shut it, you!” Sphaere laughed with a feigned aggravation.

“Well it’s something to look forward to. You’re right, we’re due for a break.” Rhystea stated, drawing in a deep breath and exhaling slowly.

“Jus’ don’ go overboard.” Sphaere insisted, carefully eying her friend.

“That’s rich, not words I would expect to hear, leastwise from you!” Rhystea laughed.

“I mean it!” Sphaere’s voice raised an octave. “Go easy on the stuff, ‘r we’re all liable ta regret it!”

“Okay, okay!” Rhystea held her hands up in surrender, one still clinging to the remainder of her skewer. “Don’t do anything stupid just so happens to be my number one rule.”

“This is either gonna be great, ‘r a disaster. I’m excited an’ terrified ta find out which!” Sphaere announced before voraciously tearing another bite of meat from her skewer.

The pair finish their meal and deposited the metal skewer on the pile that the others had started before making their way over to R208, where Sphaere requested some boiling water as well as some sugar tea shrub leaves to enhance it with.

“If that’s what you want, I am happy to provide; but surely I don’t need to remind you that we procured a sizeable quantity of nectar, are you sure you would not be more interested in that instead?” R208 asked in blatant bewilderment.

“Oh we are, but I was gonna mix it in with the tea.” Sphaere disclosed.

“You’re going to water it down?” R208 inquired in further confusion.

“Yea, I’m gonna water it down.” Sphaere insisted as she turned to face Rhystea before continuing, “Some o’ us ain’t never had no nectar before, an’ we shore don’ wanna get… carried away.”

Sphaere’s words had a sobering effect on R208, who quickly agreed and sent some of his fellow scalekin to fetch nectar as well as what Sphaere had requested, lest her fears be realized. It was Rhystea’s turn to be baffled, but as it was clear to her that she was the only one who didn’t know what they were getting at, so she decided to stay silent on the matter. She was confident that she would figure everything out before long.

The Reptilia with the makings for tea returned first and quickly set the water up next to the spit to boil. It wasn’t much longer before the rest of the scale heads returned, who could be heard shouting, “Nectar! Nectar!” Before they were seen exiting the cavern loaded down with the stuff, driving everyone into cheering along, though none were heard over the sheer volume of the R series.

Spherical vessels containing the mythical relaxation potion had holes gouged into them before being passed out to renewed cheers had only fueled Rhystea’s curiosity, which was sure to be sated ere long. Rhystea impatiently fidgeted with her glasses as she waited, while Sphaere retrieved and put the tea leaves into the kettle like construct when she noticed steam emerging from it’s openings.

The Reptilia series had been generous enough to provide a pair of cups when they brought back the rest of her requisitioned components for brewing tea. Rhystea waited with bated breath as Sphaere prepared the pair of cups and retrieved an opened container of nectar that she first handed to Rhystea and instructed, “Take a whiff!”

“Mmmm! Smells like honey, but there’s definitely more to it!” Rhystea noted after following instructions.

“Hell yea there is! Ya ready ta find out fer yerself jus’ what?!” Sphaere asked with excitement.

“I must admit, the anticipation is killing me!” Rhystea admitted with a smile.

Sphaere handed her a cup, then raised her own next to it along with the nectar, and poured a little in her cup, then a little in Rhystea’s, who quickly lifted it to her nose but gave Sphaere a sharp glare when she poured more nectar into her own. “Hey!” Rhystea cried disparagingly.

“Yer the one that yanked it away! Ya jus’ drink that, then ya can have more, we got plenty, ain’t that right, friends?!” Sphaere declared, prompting renewed cheers. Sphaere swirled her drink around a bit before taking a swig and adding her voice to the cheering.

Rhystea took a cautious sip, but didn’t notice much more than honeyed tea, which all by itself would have made her more than happy, but did nothing to sate her growing curiosity. Her drink was sweet and not at all bitter being as she didn’t get more than a shot of nectar, so she sipped quickly and it wasn’t long before her cup was empty, but she was surprised to find that Sphaere was already preparing her next drink when Rhystea requested a refill.

Sphaere grinned and happily obliged, this time giving her a double dose of nectar, just as she did for herself, and bid Rhystea to, “Take this one slowly, it’ll take a bit ‘fore yer first one sets in, but if ya guzzle it down, it’ll be too late ta go back! I’m shore that don’ make much sense, but please, jus’ trust me!”

“Okay, okay!” Rhystea insisted, but hastily took a big drink as soon as she received the cup. The excitement was palpable and her curiosity would not be denied. A twinge of worry set in when Sphaere shook her head and took a a large draw from her own drink, not because of her words, but rather the way she was smiling deviously.

“Cekell.” Sphaere called his name loudly to make sure she had his full attention. When he turned his head to face her and chirped quizzically, she continued, “I’m countin’ on ya ta look after Ritsy, m’kay? She’s divin’ face first inta somethin’ she ain’t fully prepared fer. That’s a big step fer someone who trips over their own two feet, so ya need ta be ready ta catch ‘er when she falls. Thank ya can handle that?”

Cekell chirped back in affirmation and Devose inquired, “She trips over her own feet?”

“Yea. She gets lost in ‘er big words, an’ when she needs ta put one foot in front of the other, she forgets which foot’s turn it is, so they end up fightin’ over it an’ she falls on ‘er face.” Sphaere informed. Rhystea coughed as she was mid-drink when Sphaere gave her explanation. “Don’ drown in yer drink, now. I mean that quite lit’rally.”

Composing herself, Rhystea insisted, “I just occasionally lose my balance, that’s all!”

“It’s that big, thick head o’ yers!” Sphaere countered with a laugh.

Rhystea scoffed before taking another drink. “This is quite good. I’ve always been fond of honey in my tea. It tastes like spring, but it’s warm like summer.”

“That warmin’ sensation yer feelin’ means that there nectar is doin’ it’s job. The trick is ta ease inta it, an’ not hammer yerself loopy. We ain’t in a race, there’s no rush; so please, take it slow.” Sphaere instructed.

Those words were lost on Rhystea, who took another big drink before exclaiming, “Well it’s yummy, and I like it. I thought I was the one that hovered, and here you are treating me like a small child with their first experience with glue.” Rhystea cleared her throat before continuing on in a parental voice, “It only takes a little bit, and then you have to wait for it to dry. Be careful not to get it everywhere!” Amused with herself, Rhystea laughed heartily before drinking deeply.

“That’s not a bad comparison!” Sphaere laughed with her before finishing, “I jus’ don’ wantcha ta misconstrue my intentions, I’m not tryin’ ta rain on yer parade, I’m tryin’ ta getcha ta rein yerself in, there really is no hurry, an’ haste makes waste. Especially in this sitchy-ation! Too much can even make ya sick.”

Rhystea laughed boisterously, “Did you just say ‘misconstrue?’” Completely missing everything else Sphaere had uttered.

“Impressed by my expensive vocabulary?” Sphaere asked as she flashed her eyes at her friend.

Rhystea laughed again, “Just surprised you didn’t know that Mrs. Construe was married to Mr. Construe, or that she had completed her PhD and prefers to be addressed by her title, Dr. Construe.” The volume of her laughter increased as she was again very much amused with herself.

You are reading story Candle in the Rain, Inferno in the Wind at novel35.com

“Oh-ho! Ya made a funny!” Sphaere noted before finishing her drink in one long pull. “Wow, that is good stuff, though, ain’t it?”

Not to be outdone, Rhystea quickly drank the rest of hers, but she had to pause and take a breath partway though. Sphaere chortled and shook her head as she watched her friend play catch-up. Pulling away from her cup, Rhystea licked her lips before agreeing, “It is very good stuff!” And proceeded to hold her empty cup out to Sphaere expectantly.

“Hold yer horses, we’re ‘bout outta tea. Ya let that one settle while I see ‘bout getting’ us a refill, but first I’m gonna pay a visit ta the lady’s room. I’m not gonna be able ta letcha outta my sight later, so I better go now while the gettin’s still good.” Sphaere explained before proceeding to untether herself from Devose, who gasped when she set him down, prompting Cekell to laugh-chirp at him.

“I can’t come with you?!” Devose desperately pleaded before shooting a glare at his amused brother.

“Is you a lady?” Sphaere asked rhetorically.

“No…” Devose admitted almost mournfully as his gaze drooped to the ground.

“Then ya cain’t come with me ta the lady’s room. But don’tchu worry, I’ll be right back, an’ I promise I’ll holdja when I get back, deal?” Sphaere bargained. Devose nodded in acceptance before Sphaere turned and hurried to the cave, noting, “Wow, that’s some fast actin’ stuff!” She was completely oblivious to the grave mistake she was committing.

Left to her own devices, Rhystea scooted over to next to Devose, lifted him up and sat him down in her lap, carefully placing him on the side opposite of his brother and clamping her arm down on Cekell’s feet so that he would not be able to kick at Devose. The look on his face made it clear that violence was a likely outcome, and she opted to pre-empt his unbridled discontent, only to be chided with a less than pleased squawk for her efforts.

Rhystea looked around at the celebrating demis in front of her and quickly noticed that most of them were pouring nectar directly into their gullets, straight from the container. She looked down at her empty cup, which had been set next to Sphaere’s empty cup before Rhystea picked up Devose, which who had been standing next to an almost full container of nectar. Rhystea smiled as the gears in her head spun out of control.

 

Sphaere hurried to the Reptilia’s section of the cavern. She didn’t want to be gone long, as she was already feeling the effects of the nectar, but knew she wouldn’t want to leave Rhystea alone if she drank anymore, which was highly likely. Fortunately, they hadn’t imbibed much, so while the effects were noticeable, they weren’t particularly strong. Sphaere had the foresight to pace herself, and had given Rhystea even less than she gave herself.

She would not learn of her folly until she returned, and in her haste through the Reptilia basking chamber, she did not noticed anything pertinent as she made her way to the nook cordoned off for privacy in order to relieve one’s self. It could hardly be described as a bathroom, but they shared the same modest purpose. Sphaere truly wished it was better ventilated, but this only served to help expedite her expedition.

It was in the midst of communing with nature that she noticed a strange droning noise that immediately caught her attention. It was a familiar sound that she quickly recognized to be that of the gravity wasps, and lightning raced down her spine at the concern that it could potentially belong to a variety that wasn’t a worker. She hurried with her business and slowly crept out of the corner crevice to try and discern if there was a threat.

Thanks to the storm, only low light was filtering into the chamber through the hole in the ceiling, and she couldn’t make out more than a couple figures hovering around the remnants of the hive that had been brought back to demihome. Sphaere was excited at the prospect of worker wasps finding their way to it and rebuilding, but could not rule out the possibility that it was soldier wasps she was looking at.

Maybe they had been out when the hive was raided. Sphaere didn’t know if these man made bugs subsisted only off pollen, and couldn’t help worrying that maybe some soldiers had been out hunting. They were social creatures, it wasn’t impossible for that to extend beyond the confines of a single hive, and maybe their neighbors were out investigating. If they communicated with pheromones, as she suspected, then she couldn’t discount the potential that another hive they crossed paths with could have found them and came to investigate.

Sphaere was addled by all the possibilities that might result in a worst case scenario, and was thus unable to bring herself to act. Her thoughts were subdued by wistful what-ifs, which were only magnified by her inability to investigate further. Even if she could get a good look at them, she didn’t feel confident in her ability to differentiate between workers and soldiers; at least not at a distance, not in this light. She wanted to get back to Rhystea, she hadn’t been gone very long, but had taken longer than she meant too.

It was the oppressive odor stemming from her location that finally propelled her into taking flight and making a mad dash through the chamber. Passing close by the remnants of the hive, she was spotted by the wasps, who reacted by darting out the hole in the ceiling. Sphaere decided they were likely workers, but did not look back as she sprinted full speed out of the chamber. She couldn’t tell that there were not any more of them, and did not intend on finding out, at least not by herself.

When she exited the cavern, no longer concerned with her wellbeing, she kicked it into low gear and jogged back to the fire and making her way to R010. Getting his attention, she motioned for him to follow her. She wanted to speak, but the cacophony kicked up by the festivities made that difficult, mostly due to the Reptilia series. Leading him a short distance away where they’d be able to comfortably communicate, she explained the situation with the hive.

“Hey, I jus’ wanted ta letcha know that some wasps had found their way inta yer baskin’ chamber an’ over ta what was left o’ the hive.” Sphaere conveyed calmly, but seeing the look in his eyes as they sharpened, she quickly added, “I have every reason ta believe they was only workers, they fled soon as they saw me, so don’ go takin’ any rash actions. It ain’t a bad idea ta have ‘em ‘round ta manage the hive fer ya. If we go an’ scare ‘em off, they may think twice ‘fore stickin’ ‘round. It’s not my decision ta make though. Maybe ya could put eyes on ‘em ta monitor the sitchy-ation before goin’ in guns blazin’, but it’s yer call.”

R010’s eyes widened at her forethought and expressed, “Impressive. Many series were interested in the prospect of raising our own hive, especially the Aves who look forward to getting the eggs and larva deemed to be soldiers. Their scouts are subtle, and requesting their aid in the matter would help foster goodwill and bolster our relationship. Thank you for bringing this to my attention. You can be sure that we will take every precaution to see that your efforts were not in vain. You go back and enjoy yourself and let me handle this, you’ve already done more than enough!”

“Sounds like a plan! But please, if there is anythang we can do ta help, jus’ give us the word. We ain’t known each other fer very long, but I like ta think o’ us as friends, an’ friends watch out fer each other. Give us a holler an’ we’ll come a runnin’.” Sphaere stated with a soft smile.

R010 gave a light bow in gratitude before hurrying back to the fire and pulling R208 as well as A212 aside. Sphaere’s mind was put to ease so she turned to head back to Rhystea, but almost fell over in laughter when she saw the poor girl squeezing together a pair of uncomfortable warborn in a tight hug. Shaking her head, Sphaere made her way over to the group, and as she got closer, she noticed Rhystea was sobbing.

“I don’t like seeing you fight! You’re brothers, and you should get along! Don’t you think that is what your mother would want?!” Rhystea cried out, her blubbering starting to catch the attention of those around her.

Sphaere hurried over and caught defeated looks from both of the warborn, who were pressed together uncomfortably in her embrace, and they just begged her for assistance with their eyes.

“You’re family and you should treasure each other! It hurts my heart when I see you fighting!” Rhystea bawled as she clutched them tightly.

The pair of warborn just stared yearningly up at Sphaere, who chuckled at their admonishment and insisted, “Don’ look at me, I’m on ‘er side!”

Rhystea spun around to face her friend and exclaimed, “Ray-Ray! Tell them! Tell them how precious family is, and how they should get along!”

Sphaere had trouble holding back a chuckle at the sight. The two quicksilver tots that had been dubbed warborn, with all the authority one would expect to come with such a title, were utterly crushed and conquered by a squalling girl, who was – rather successfully – attempting to subjugate them, even as great big tears rolled down her cheeks.

“Ya li’l turds had better listen up!” Sphaere advocated, “She’s right ‘bout family, ya know, there’s nothin’ more important. Now I dunno which o’ ya started it, but I cain’t believe ya pushed poor Ritsy ta tears!”

“It wasn’t us!” Devose insisted, and Sphaere was nearly blown away when Cekell seemed to chirp in avid agreement. “We didn’t do anything!” Devose continued, Cekell chirping again for emphasis.

“Well what happened?” Sphaere inquired with a puzzled yet amused look plastered across her face.

“I didn’t ask her to, but she picked me up, which I found quite agreeable, if for no other reason than because I knew it would bother him! But I didn’t say anything, and obviously he didn’t have much to say!” Devose explained, prompting an aggravated chirp from Cekell who seemed to have plenty to say now, even if he couldn’t form the words.

“But really, I didn’t even look at him, although I don’t doubt for a second he was scowling at me the entire time! Neither of us made a peep! In fact there was an awkward silence that persisted until she poured liquid from that pod into her cup. She started consuming that, then after a bit, she started laughing, and in the middle of that, she stopped, looked down at us and everything just fell to pieces!” Devose continued, Cekell chirping in concurrence.

“Wait, she what?” Sphaere looked down and realized the contents of the spherical vessel were noticeably diminished. “Aww crap, and she’s on an emotional rollercoaster now, ain’t she?”

“She laughed and cried in the same breath, I don’t know what’s going on! You promised you would pick me up when you got back!” Devose recalled.

There was a short pause before Sphaere conceded, “I did give ‘im my word…”

With an elevated voice, Rhystea melodramatically resumed her sobbing, “I just don’t want them to fight anymore!”

Sphaere knelt down next to her friend and placed a hand on her shoulder, which Devose quickly latched onto with both his hands as well as his tendril, practically begging her to rescue him. Sphaere had to grit her teeth to hold back laughter as she attempted to console her friend, “An’ they ain’t fightin’! In fact, this is the first time I’ve seen ‘em agree on somethin’! Ya done good!”

“I did?” Rhystea sniffled. “Can I have some more tea?” Her tears quickly dried up.

“Gimme Devose an’ I’ll see ‘bout gettin’ us a refill, deal?” Sphaere offered.

“Ok…” Rhystea said softly as she released him from her death grip and allowed Sphaere to receive him. Devose all but tackled her.

“All right, all right! It weren’ that bad, an’ she’s right ya know. As brothers, ya should at least try ta get along.” Sphaere stated matter-of-factly as she wrapped her arms around the relieved warborn. “Ok, let’s see ‘bout that tea!” Sphaere turned to see R208 was conveniently returning to the fire and quickly flagged him down, requesting more tea leaves.

“Everything alright?” R208 inquired with a puzzled look.

“Yea, I made the mistake o’ leavin’ ‘er alone fer a minute an’ she guzzled down some nectar. Tea will help calm her down an’ I’ll keep ‘er mood from bottomin’ out. She’s been super stressed out, I probably should o’ seen this comin’.” Sphaere sighed.

“I’ll see to it that you have all the tea you need!” R208 insisted with a laugh as he shook his head.

“Thanks!” Sphaere conveyed her gratitude before returning to Rhystea as her scaly friend grabbed another scalekin, and the pair headed off to the cavern.

“Okay, they’ll be back shortly an’ we’ll have us some more tea, sound good?” Sphaere asked.

Rhystea’s eyes lit up, “That’s a great idea! Tea sounds excellent!”

“Don’ it, though?” Sphaere laughed. She was perhaps overly concerned as it wasn’t hard to keep her friend level and grounded, which was easily accomplished by reminding her of some of the exciting things they had been through, such as the hot springs. Rhystea demanded that they go back later and Sphaere wasn’t about to pass up on the chance for a hot bath.

It wasn’t long before their scaly friends had returned with a large container of water and a pouch of tea leaves that Sphaere quickly began to prepare, refilling and resetting the kettle over the fire. While she was arranging this, she spied the stock of vegetables that had been brought out for the skewers and noticed some fruit as well, and quickly retrieved a few peaches, one for both Rhystea and herself as well as another to put in the tea. There was a knife handy which she snatched up and stuck the blade into the flames to sterilize it before quartering a peach and placing it into the kettle with the water.

Making her way back to her friend, Sphaere shoved a peach into Rhystea’s hands and excitedly announced that they would have peach tea. Rhystea liked the idea and excitedly bit into her peach. Sphaere felt relieved, eating something would help offset the nectar, and if she played her cards right, could keep Rhystea from drinking anymore. Eying their cups, she quickly ascertained that her friend’s still contained a sizeable quantity of nectar, so Sphaere would have to casually swap them without being noticed. This made it possible for her to get a little more nectar without opening Rhystea up to the idea.

“How do you do it Ray-Ray?” Rhystea asked earnestly between mouthfuls of peach.

“Do what?” Sphaere asked, bewildered by the vague question.

“Take everything in stride. You keep your composure so well. I know I can’t be the easiest to deal with, but you never let anything get you down or hold you back. How do you do it?” Rhystea rephrased.

“Well, when life gives ya lemons, ya make lemonade.” Sphaere answered nonchalantly.

“What does that mean?” Rhystea pressed her with a puzzled look.

“Ya gotta make the best outta a bad sitchy-ation. Lemons are sour, so when life gives ya somethin’ sour, ya gotta turn it into somethin’ sweet. When life gives ya lemons, ya mix in a bunch o’ sugar an’ make lemonade!” Sphaere explained. “But it ain’t jus’ bad sitchy-ations, ya try an’ make the best outta whatever ya get. When life gives ya giant angry bees that make booze, ya throw a damn party!”

“Booze?!” Rhystea gasped, “Is that what nectar is?!”

Sphaere laughed heartily, “Ya know what booze is, do ya?”

“Not exactly, just that the production of booze was banned the same time as the manufacturing of gunpowder, with the booze and bullets prohibition act. Such laws were meant to stave off violence and crime. I know gunpowder is used to make bullets, but I’ve always wondered what booze was!” Rhystea exclaimed in wonder.

“Well we ain’t the ones brewin’ it up, that’s on the bees.” Sphaere insisted.

“Brewing?” Rhystea questioned.

“The production method fer makin’ things like potions!” Sphaere exaggerated. “Ya really ain’t a witch, are ya?”

“Hmmm…” Rhystea pondered. “I can understand why bullets were banned, but I can’t imagine how nectar could cause problems for anyone! How do you know so much about booze?”

“Well, laws don’ stretch out past the city limits, an’ illegal stuff is often pricy. O’ course they ain’t gonna teach ya how to make it at yer fancy schmancy university, but it’s actually rather simple. Though, fer the really good stuff, ya need a still. ‘R, ‘pparently, magic wasps.” Sphaere explained.

“So you know how to make booze?!” Rhystea gasped in sheer surprise, inadvertently squeezing down on a much more comfortable Cekell who squeaked happily.

“Well, it’s been awhile, but I’ve helped Papa tend ta our still. Most o’ what ‘e made was sold fer extra income, but ‘e did occasionally surprise Mama with a bottle. Actually, Mama taught Papa how ta make it, but it was Papa’s idea ta sell it. Fruit juice, yeast an’ sugar is all yea really need, fer somethin’ like wine anyway. It does take a little while though. Ya can run wine through a still ta separate the alcohol from the rest an’ make brandy, that was the expensive stuff.” Sphaere detailed.

“Wow! Sounds like some highly technical stuff! I never took you for the sort!” Rhystea praised her friend’s capability.

“Yea, it was relatively easy, butcha gotta be careful an’ pay extra ‘ttention ta details ‘r…” Sphaere trailed off.

Rhystea peered at her curiously, “’R what?” She asked mockingly. “Don’t you leave me hanging like that!”

Sphaere broke eye contact and sheepishly looked down, softly admitting, “’R all ya’ll make is poison.” The confliction in her heart caused it to stumble, and both Devose and Cekell took notice. Devose wrapped his tendril around her neck and Cekell chirped his concern at her.

Standing up, Sphaere announced, “How ‘bout that tea! Peach tea is the best, I wantcha ta try it without addin’ anythang, see if ya still think it needs milk an’ sugar!” Though she was really just trying to deter Rhystea away from adding nectar.

Sphaere filled her own cup up and casually handed it to Rhystea, before filling Rhystea’s cup that still had a good amount of nectar in it, which was something else she was after. The thought of making poison was something Sphaere desperately wanted to forget, and she was willing to hammer herself loopy to do it. The liquid was hot and it burned her mouth and throat, but Sphaere didn’t care, she could only wish it would burn out the memory too, for however fleeting a moment she would be allowed, and downed her cup in one pull before hading back to the fire to return the kettle to the flames.

“Wow!” Rhystea declared upon Sphaere’s return, “You must really like peach tea! Now I am excited! That was boiling hot, how can you stand that?!”

Sphaere didn’t say anything as she peered into the empty cup that was now hers. In truth, she didn’t fill her cup up entirely, and the amount of nectar that was in it served to help cool the liquid, but it was still hot enough to scorch her tastebuds, but rather than considering the price she paid, she was worried as to whether she consumed enough nectar to get the job done. She really didn’t want to get more in front of Rhystea; but if it would work, she would resort to using a red hot poker to gouge out the memories now swirling in her head, memories that had been dredged up from the dark depths of her mind.

Her heart had started racing and Cekell chirped at her with urgency which snapped her back to reality. Sphaere set her cup down and wrapped her arms tightly around Devose, sofly insisting, “Revenge is not somethin’ ya should want, it will only leave ya even more empty.”

Struck by the gravity of her words, Devose had nothing to say. He wanted to ask why his father would push him so far in seeking it, but of all the things his father had told him, it was all bereft of the sheer weight behind the words Sphaere had just uttered in a single sentence.

Cutting through the tension as though it were her own personal duty, Rhystea declared, “Wow! You’re right, this is absolutely amazing! I don’t think there’s anything anyone could add to make this any better! Did your mother teach you to make this?”

Sphaere’s heart eased as it was pulled into the light of pleasant memories, “Yea, peaches are soft an’ juicy, so they work well. They were Mama’s favorite, peach tea, peach cobbler; peaches ripe off the tree or canned peaches, we always had some somewhere. Papa even called Mama by the name o’ ‘Peaches.’”

Even inebriated, Sphaere’s choice of the word ‘were’ when describing her mama’s favorite struck Rhystea like a brick. “She sounds like quite the woman. Tamed your adrenalin junkie father and even taught him how to run a farm. I bet she’s why you’re such a capable person!”

“Sounds like a joke when you say it! Yer Mama taughtcha ta turn rocks inta grenades! Peach tea an’ milkin’ cows ain’t got nothin’ on that!” Sphaere laughed, not at all forced and even with an earnest smile.

“I guess both our mothers are pretty amazing. I did hear mine couldn’t even make proper toast before she met my father, he said she treated cooking like chemistry, and insisted on trying to carefully measure everything out perfectly but somehow always managing to burn it.” Rhystea explained.

“Cookin’ is less science an’ more art. Mama was the artsy type, she loved cookin’, playin’ piano, an’ whatever she was doin’, she was always singin’.” Sphaere had more to say on the matter, but Rhystea wouldn’t give her the chance.

She noticed Sphaere use the term ‘was’ again, and felt guilty bringing up her parents; but when Sphaere mentioned singing, Rhystea’s eyes went wide, “I want to sing!” She exclaimed.

“Well don’ let me stop ya!” Sphaere laughed, but not for long.

“I won’t! And you’re going to sing with me!” Rhystea demanded as she shifted Cekell so she could hold him with one arm.

“What? No I ain’t!” Sphaere retorted.

“Oh yes you are!” Rhystea demanded, latching onto her friend with her free hand. “Otherwise I will turn Cekell loose on you!”

“What’s ‘e gonna do? Snuggle me inta submission?!” Sphaere asked with a puzzled smile.

“I’ll have him tickle you! He would love that, wouldn’t you Cekell?” Rhystea insisted as she squeezed agreement out of the compliant warborn.

“Ya really think that’s a good idea? ‘E ain’t gonna stop with me, ya’ll be next in line!” Sphaere suggested.

“Not before I get what I want, he won’t! To be honest, I had not really thought that far ahead…” Rhystea admitted, wondering who was more susceptible to being tickled between herself and Sphaere. She was banking on Sphaere due to her bashful natior.

“Well when will ya? Are ya shore ya ain’t gettin’ ahead o’ yerself?” Sphaere countered.

“After I get you to sing with me! When the repercussions aren’t so far out!” Rhystea announced.

“That don’ even make sense!” Sphaere stated.

“It makes so much cents, it’s practically printing dollars! I’ll get my way, one way or another!” Rhystea riposted.

“I ain’t singin’!” Sphaere stomped as she literally put her foot down.

Rhystea looked down at the warborn curled up contently in her arm and requested, “Cekell! Tell Ray-Ray to sing!”

Cekell looked up at her curiously, then across to Sphaere, and surprised them both when he cried out, “Ray-Ray sing!” They both fell silent as Cekell used his words. Happy with the attention, he repeated himself again and again, “Ray-Ray sing! Ray-Ray sing! Ray-Ray sing!” Getting louder and louder with each subsequent iteration until some of the Reptilia series took notice and lent their voice to the cause, which in turn caught the attention of more scalekin who also joined in, until every scalekin within earshot (which was all of them) were chanting with him, “Ray-Ray sing! Ray-Ray sing!”

Now that Sphaere was already in the limelight whether she liked it or not, she was more amicable to the idea. “Okay, okay, but jus’ once! An’ first-“ Sphaere informed them before bending over and retrieving their container of nectar and taking a big pull off of it. Rhystea held her hand out expectantly, but Sphaere quickly shot her down, “Oh no, ya had plenty when I left ya on yer own fer a whole minute. Now it’s my turn ta play catch-up, ya can have more later so long as ya quit it with the waterworks!”

“Okay, okay!” Rhystea accepted her terms before lifting a finger to her lips and dramatically shushing the crowd that was still chanting to get Sphaere to sing.

Rhystea took a deep breath. Sphaere took another drink. Cekell reached out with his tendril and poked Devose, who shot a glare back at his brother. That glare faded when he noticed Cekell’s excitement. Sphaere laughed, closed her eyes, drew in a deep breath and exhaled slowly. Taking in one more deep breath, her voice rang out The Caged Bird, and Rhystea quickly joined in.

Even the demis that hadn’t been chanting stopped what they were doing when they heard the song. Rhystea and Sphaere’s enchanting voices enthralled the crowed. Even Devose’s mouth fell agape when he got to hear them singing.

But it wasn’t long and their song was over. Sphaere peered at the crowed and was impressed that even the R series didn’t make a peep. Rhystea broke the silence saying, “Let’s do it again!”

“No! I said jus’ once, an’ I meant it!” Sphaere insisted.

“But they want to hear it again!” Rhystea insisted right back before starting a chant of, “Encore! Encore! Encore!” Cekell was the first to join in, but the demis, to a man, each joined in as well. Even Devose chanted with them.

“Bah!” Sphaere declared before raising the nectar to her lips, throwing her head back and drinking deeply, then surrendered saying, “Fine, once more from the top!” She cleared her throat and took a deep breath before restarting the song, again joined by Rhystea.

As they finished this time, Rhystea quickly tucked Cekell under her arm, who offered no resistance. She then stared clapping, raising her hands high so the crowd could see and emulate her, and offered Sphaere a standing ovation to show their appreciation.

“Thank ya! Thank ya very much!” Sphaere waved back at them before blushing beet red and turning away in embarrassment.

F120 came running to her side with Lucky wrapped up in her arms, but before she could say anything, the crowd flooded in around them, cheering and telling them how amazing they were. Little F120 was nearly squashed as Sphaere and Rhystea were pushed together by the advancing mob. Just before they were overtaken by the horde, Cekell squeaked out, “No!” And a barrier engulfed them along with F120. “My Ritsy, my Ray-Ray!”

They were given a modicum of space after that, but the barrier did nothing to halt the bombarding questions and excessive acclaim. “That was beautiful!” “How, where did you learn that?!” “Can you teach us to do that?” “You’re voice was incredible, and the words were so meaningful!” “Would you do that again?!”

Cekell screeched out almost angrily, but Rhystea was quick latch on to him, wind his tendril around her arm, and place him in less of a hug and more of a headlock. This broke his tension, and he may even have chirped out gleefully, but no sound escaped as his face was muffled by her chest. Cekell offered no further opposition, but the crowd fell silent and afforded them a wider berth as they stepped back.

Finally having space, F120 started hopping up and down as she begged and pleaded, “Can you teach me to do that? Please, please, please!! That was so amazing, I want to be able to do that too!” Poor Lucky was bouncing with her and nearly thrown to the ground from her lax grip and rambunctious behavior.

“Certainly!” Rhystea relented without resistance. “But you will have to assist me in convincing Ray-Ray to help!”

Sphaere shot Rhystea a glare but couldn’t get a word out edgewise as the young girl with the feline features threw herself at Sphaere’s feet and beseeched, “Please, please, please, please, please, please, please! I’ll do anything!”

Sphaere sighed and agreed, “Okay, fine, but not right now, understand?”

“Yay! Thank you!” F120 showed her excitement and appreciation by jumping up to her feet and resumed her hopping, much to the detriment of her poor pup.

By now, the gathered crowed had fanned out and resumed whatever they were doing before, many of which were discussing the song, from their words and voices to the girls that sang with them. Rhystea and Sphaere sat back down and F120 danced around them, holding Lucky out at arms length. Rhystea lifted her cup animatedly, holding it upside down and peering at it questioningly before turning her gaze on Sphaere and smiled wantingly.

Sphaere sighed again before asking F120 if she could retrieve the tea kettle from the fire without burning herself, who confidently stated that she could, and set Lucky down to do just that. As soon as lucky was safely on the ground, he darted over to Rhystea’s side and turned to watch the young F series rush to the side of the fire.

The poor pup was just trying to find a comfortable place where he wasn’t at risk of being stepped on or bounced around, but as soon as he turned his back to Rhystea, Cekell lashed him with his tendril, declaring, “No! My Ritsy!” It wasn’t a violent blow, he was really just trying to make a more poignant statement.

Rhystea gasped and snatched Cekell up, latching on to his tendril with both hands and lifting him up until he was eye level with her, as she too was wanting to ensure her point was getting across, “Cekell! There was no call for that!”

Cekell crossed his arms as he dangled from her grasp, insisting, “My Ritsy!” In as gruff of a voice as he could manage.

“You don’t have to be mean about it!” Rhystea insisted right back, “Now, apologize.”

Cekell curled his lip up at her and all but growled, “My Ritsy!”

“You tell him that you are sorry right this instant, or so help me, I will put you down on the cold ground!”

Cekell’s curled lip melted into a frightened frown as he contemplated on the matter. Rhystea got no further reaction from him until she started to slowly lower him towards the ground. Cekell squeaked in panic before wrapped his arms and legs around her arm and struggled to free his tendril so he could wrap that around her as well.

“I mean it! You tell him you’re sorry!” Rhystea demanded.

F120 had returned, but stopped to watch spectacle play out. Lucky wasn’t sure what to do, he didn’t want to get hit by Cekell again and had taken a step back, but wasn’t sure he wanted to return to F120 and get bounced around again being as he couldn’t exactly hold on to her. Sphaere motioned for the girl to bring the kettle to her as she smiled and shook her head. Devose noted, “He really doesn’t like anyone or anything else getting close to either of you, does he?”

“Nope, ‘e’s a stingy li’l turd when it comes ta us. It’s kinda cute, but ‘e’s jus’ a li’l bit too clingy.” Sphaere explained as she received the kettle and proceeded to refill the cups, adding a small quantity of nectar to each.

Rhystea released Cekell’s tendril, who used it to secure himself to her arm. Not about to give in, Rhystea laid her arm down on the ground along with the warborn, who let out a barrage of banter to vent his discontent. “I told you to apologize or I was going to put you on the cold ground!” Rhystea pressed him in both word and deed.

Lucky watched intently, as if amused. Sphaere took a sip of her drink. Cekell and Rhystea glared at each other. After a few moments, Rhystea attempted to pry him off of her arm. Taking a look around him, Cekell ceased his struggle and released her. Rhystea left him on the ground and folded her arms. Cekell hopped up in her lap and chirped as if to declare victory.

Rhystea glared at him, but didn’t fight with him, and instead opted to stand up. Cekell slid down her leg, but quickly latched on and leered up at her with a mischievous smile. Rhystea bent over and scooped up Lucky.

Cekell’s smile evaporated, and turned to a scowl when Rhystea began fawning over the pup, “Aww, you’re such a sweetheart! And you’re warm, nothing like that cold, mean Cekell!”

Sphaere nearly spat out her tea when Cekell shrieked as though he had been stabbed, even Devose started laughing, which only served to egg him on. Rhystea repeated, “Tell him you’re sorry!”

Cekell pouted out his lower lip and begrudgingly conceded, “You’re sorry!” Which caused Sphaere to erupt into laughter.

“No!” Rhystea was getting aggravated, “You don’t tell him that he’s sorry, you say I’m sorry!”

Cekell indignantly growled out, “I’m sorry.”

“No!” Rhystea was not pleased with his tone. “You say it nicely!”

“It nicely!” Cekell bitterly spat out in exacerbation.

“Ya really got ‘im hangin’ on every word!” Sphaere blurted out before repeatedly pounding her fist on the ground as the volume of her laughter sharply increased.

“Cekell!” Rhystea all but shouted his name before adjusting her glasses and explaining, “I want you to nicely tell Lucky that you are sorry!”

Cekell expressed his remorse by encapsulating Lucky in a small barrier, which pulled away from Rhystea’s grasp and gently setting the garm put on the ground, followed by Cekell erasing the barrier and yelling, “It nicely I’m sorry!” Then turning his focus on Rhystea, groaning in irritation, and released one hand from holding on to held it up to Rhystea expectantly.

As soon as Lucky’s feet hit the ground, he scurried off in the direction of the iron hoof, where everyone remained calm, and F120 darted off after him.

“That’s why ya should speak plain an’ not use all them big words!” Sphaere insisted as her laughter escalated further.

Rhystea fidgeted with her glasses before admitting, “I should probably be grateful that you didn’t Lucky after that booger monster.” Then reluctantly reached down and lifted Cekell up who chirped enthusiastically before hugging her and wrapping his tendril around her neck so he’d be difficult to remove. “Consider this a compromise which you won’t be getting if you hit anyone without provocation.”

“One’s vengeful an’ the other’s possessive, but they’re definitely brothers!” Sphaere howled with laughter, and upon noticing a baleful gaze from Devose, intensified her laughter.

Rhystea sat back down and finished her drink. “It could be worse, at least with some work they’ll be salvageable.” She sighed.

“Phew!” Sphaere exclaimed, “I don’ even ‘member the last time I laughed like this! Had a huntin’ party, then a raidin’ party, an’ now we havin’ a bonfire! Almost hard ta believe we was jus’ runnin’ fer our lives the other day!” The sound of distant thunder marked her words.

R208 lumbered over to them and inquired, “If you don’t regularly spend your time hunting or otherwise gathering life’s little treasures… What do you do?”

“We sing.” Sphaere suggested.

“And study new things that we want to learn!” Rhystea insisted, “I think I’m going to study how to make booze!”

“Ya start brewin’ potions an’ I jus’ might accuse ya o’ bein’ a witch again!” Sphaere laughed. “I can see it now, ya’d make fer an excellent crime boss! I can jus’ picture ya runnin’ a mafia ta fight the prohibition! Ya’ve even got a li’l friend that’ll pop in ta say hello if ever someone tries ta shutcha down!”

“Well I’d have to be, I certainly couldn’t leave you in charge.” Rhystea insisted as she repositioned her glasses.

“We do make fer quite the team though, don’ we?” Sphaere laughed.

“We haven’t let anything stop us yet!” Rhystea agreed.

As if in response to her words, everyone’s attention was grabbed by the urgent baying of a small hound with large concerns. Everyone turned to see to see what was the matter only to find that Lucky was alerting everyone to something that must have lied beyond the gate at which he was facing as he howled for all he was worth.

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