Chapter 9: 9. Savagesplice

Savagesplice is the common name used for human-animal hybrids. I was always convinced it was an ill-fitting term, but now I'm certain. If you ask me, there's nothing savage about the one I currently see.

The boy with cat ears, holding a spear and table, of course. 

The one being composed, smiling and offering wit even in the face of combat. Statistically speaking, such reactions are quite rare, and for that, I have to commemorate him.

When I think of savage, I picture a wild and rabid badger, not a suave and objectively quite good-looking catboy! 

"Ode'go!" 

Vocally, Ceylica’s changed. Her speech is pitched slightly differently as if speaking a different language. Her hands are still shaking, and her eyes flicker in between Jaiga and Ode’go as if unsure of what to do.

“Why’d ye interfere?” In her anger, Ceylica reverts back to her native language.

Ode’go moves quickly, proceeding to shrug his shoulders and offer a sorrowful look.

“Apologies, dear, I just thought it a shame if your beautiful face were to be scratched.”

Meanwhile, Ode’go answers in Modern Aoelian, allowing everyone at hand to understand his meaning.

It seems to have worked, actually, so congratulations on his quick defusion of the situation!

The expression on Ceylica’s body and face is quite telling of much. Gripped hands, wild smile, and the forward lean of one wanting to close in. She seems happy now. I assume Ceylica’s as quick to anger as she is to just any other emotion, then?

“Yer right Ode’go.” she relents with an expressive nod. “It would be a shame if my beautiful face got scratched!”

Ceylica sounds really convinced for someone who entertained a single line, but I guess Ode’go’s words have a way of warming her heart.

That being said. 

Jaiga still seems relatively unsatisfied. She’s obviously not that amused by all this. You know, given that she missed her opportunity to poke a hole through her archnemesis and all.

“So, you’re Ode’go?”

"Yes, the one and only, acting in service of two lovely maidens."

The catboy winks and brushes back his hair with a smile. 

Amused at his compliment, the young paladin rests her hands on her hips.

Amused but still angered, mind you. It's anger of a more subtle type now. The variety that corresponds to when someone is deprived of what they perceive to be theirs. In this case, her breathing is still more noticeable than when we first met, and her left brow is fidgeting ever so slightly.

She’s trying to hold herself back, that much Mr Azama can figure.

"I pray you've suffered no harm?" Jaiga questions. "You've done well to halt her, and for that, you have my thanks.”

Precisely then, the paladin lifts her left hand, showing with it a thrust of an index finger. 

The way she does it is almost aggressive, being both quicker and bolder than a polite query. The expression on her face too, betrays an innate want, and it need not be said what it is.

“However, may I be given back my spear?"

"Of course, milady, such a magnificent weapon belongs in yours and your superior hands alone, but if I may." 

Ode'go, who now settles his captive table with one hand, begins to feel the spear with both. Then, without incentive, suddenly begins to twirl it. Performing an act that can only be described as ‘stylish’, the young man, within a second alone, rotates the weapon several times in all directions, not dissimilar to how a performer might.

"Impressive craftsmanship, Jangsrudian Alloy, isn't it?” Expressing himself with appreciation and slight questioning, Ode’go continues to say “The ideal weapon for any demon and monster slaying paladin, whether metaphorical or literal."

"Well spotted."

"But if that's so, then why attack our dear Ceylica with it? Alas!" He exclaims, a hand now pointed at the target of his praise. “How could a woman of such beauty and virtue be anything but a goddess upon this planet?"

Goddess, as in the metaphorical complimentary adjective, of course, we killed all the literal ones a long time ago! Although, I do think that everyone here more than understands.

Even more so, Jaiga, whose face exhibits a certain want of telling.

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Unmoved, the young paladin gives voice to a simple truth. “Even gods can be slain, and moreso gods who have become monsters themselves.”

“Gods that I doubt one such as you can slay.”

Can’t say that I expected a different response from Ode’go. Thinking from his perspective, it would be like wanting to be called princess, only to have your parents sit you down and tell you that it would entail being traded to an ugly old prince in a foreign nation for political gain. Not exactly the best answer to give him. 

Then again, Jaiga does receive that statement with dignity. All things considered, she’s unfazed by his response. There was no shame to be had, really. Few can kill a god. Statistically speaking, 99.9999% of people probably can’t.

I mean, I’ve defeated demons, mages and even a mech once, but a god?

Let’s just say I’d have to try it sometime!

“Perhaps not now, but in due time, mayhaps, a paladin’s quest for strength, knowledge, and Resolve never ends.”

Ode’go, whose lips ever slightly curve inwards, sputters out, “Then let me enlighten you, oh virtuous paladin, in regards to the acquisition of knowledge.” Shaken in the extravagance of voice alone, he points the spear at its rightful wielder and, with it, a threat. “Refrain from such altercations against Ceylica in the future, won’t you?”

Resolute, Jaiga only stares back, her hazel eyes unflinching all the while. Deep into a few seconds, the paladin, with a slight intrigue, finally puts forward a question.

“Lest what befall me?”

Hearing this, the boy responds in due kind. “Lest I ruin your pretty features and render you incapable of much besides reciting flowery poetry and drinking tea from a windowsill bed.”

My instincts as a soon-to-be teacher awaken, and in haste, I yell, “False! I doubt that our supreme selection of modern medicine and healing magic at this institution would allow such a thing!”

I felt the need to correct his statement and did so accordingly. As a bastion of knowledge, it is only appropriate that I stop the spread of such false information!

“Of course, while you neglected to mention the duration of said hospitalisation, you seemed to insinuate it being a permanent situation, to which I would have to joyously disagree with.”

At best, a week or so, really! Less if we had an infirmary or healer, which I assumed we did on deck!

“And plus, for a man who speaks of love, you sure allude to the prospect of war a lot, Mr . Od-e-go.”

I separate his name into three distinct parts, each one coinciding with another step I take. Going on, I stop by his side and pat the boy on his shoulder.

“Picture poor Jaiga, sprawled over a bed, unable to do much but relish in deluded dreams of knighthood and pride, oh what a sorry sight that would be. Would a romantic such as you truly wish for such a thing?”

Ode’go, who seems initially perplexed, quickly adapts. Chuckling, he then proceeds to let out a casual and resigned sigh. 

“Of course not; what an ill fate for such a budding young woman with much to accomplish. Alas, it seems in my frustration that I let loose but empty threats and gained nothing short of disgust in turn.”

“Please”. He offers, with a token of apology. “Let me give to you what is rightfully yours.”

What he does next is politely stride to Jaiga, flourish the spear once more, kneel, and present it to her as a squire would. In a position of submission on one knee and a spear resting on two open palms.

I have to say.

Ode’go really does set up the scene well.

He’s practically inviting her to peace while coinciding with Jaiga’s own principles and virtue.

And given her maturity, the paladin accepts it, responding with a tap of his shoulder in turn.

When it came down to it, both the knight and squire concluded this situation with flying colours. While some input on my behalf was necessary to mitigate any grudges, they accomplished what they did largely by their own merit.

Superb! What potential for even more cool things and scenarios there must be.

It is at this moment that I resolve to do what is needed with increased intensity and jump outside the window. Staying, as fun as it might be, does seem a tad cruel to Rainee, who, standing outside as he is, confused and all, continues to wait.

After which we discuss, and I relay said events, do we head to his office, in the privacy of magical barriers and the comfort of warm tea. Although my spirit of inquiry never did dull, at the time, it seemed objectively necessary to lay out a few things before further progression.

A sort of world-building exercise, if you will.

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