Chapter 45: 1-43: Fiddler

"Well, looks like you weren't lying about the village, Terra." Hayli remarked looking down at the quaint little scene below. It was a few houses and a very cozy looking inn. It was probably just locals and a place for the rare mountain climber or hiker or other such thrill seeker to rest up out of the cold,

"Why would I lie about that?"

"Trying to kill me."

"And here I thought you had her memories."

"I have my memories; plus, that thing you have... it could bring me back to life for all I know."

"It can't. Don't worry. And even if it could, why would I if it wouldn't bring Hayli back."

"Oh, you're still on the idea I am not Hayli. Well, then I suppose that our cover story is we're just two friends on holiday, deciding to go exploring before going to university and what not."

"Or we just don't say anything." I said beginning to walk down the slope. Hayli rushed to my side as we made our way into the village. Hayli waltzed her way to the inn, slamming open the door and making her way to the front desk.

A tired looking cat humon perked up at our arrival running to greet us, "Oh my. Visitors at this time of year again? How fortuitous. And such youthful ones as well."

"Yes, yes. I am..." Hayli trailed off and looked at me, the same thought having crossed mine. We couldn't give them our actual names, that would be stupid. So, I had to hope that she would come up with something that wasn't just as stupid as that. "Sorry, a bit tired. I am Faiche Faioria. This is my friend, Leabaidha Blaith. I would like a room."

"Yes, yes. Of course. Where are your bags?" He asked looking at us.

Hayli made a motion like it was my turn to act. Fine, I wanted a bed. "Faiche decided to book our travel with a... less than reputable Spatial Magic user. They said they needed to send us and our bags separately. We ended up the mountain a bit, and our bags... well you can guess on them."

"How unfortunate. Well, you ladies can just go to the bar and enjoy a drink to warm up while we prep a room for you. How many rooms?"

"One. Leabaidha hates sleeping alone, poor girl."

"Beds?"

"Two."

"Of course. Such good friends." He went to go get some staff to do the job for him while we made our way to the bar. A few random other guests were in there enjoying a drink. We ignored them and bellied up to the bar. Hayli moved away from me and ordered a drink for herself.

"What tickles the fancy doll?" The bartender asked.

"What's warm?"

"Got some cider."

"Yeah, that would be nice." I said letting me body relax. I was just beginning to feel just how cold I was outside, and I could tell I wouldn't be standing up for a bit.

A few men, dressed in what looked like some kind of climbing gear, were chatting with Hayli. She was apparently engaging them well, laughing and smiling along with them. I felt jealous. I turned away, not wanting to watch anymore, only the murmur beside me reminding me they were there.

"Here you go." The bartender said placing a mug in front of me.

"Thanks." I said sipping on it carefully to not burn my tongue. It didn't work. "Hey, exactly what is this place?"

"Ah, yeah pretty weird set up. We are but a lodge for climbers and what not- the village is just that."

"How do the villagers get on?"

"Pelts and meat. Those that aren't willing to work here of course. Not like we have much work. It's usually a few random climbers like the blockheads over with your friend."

"Usually?"

"Well, last week we had a big group come in. Most of them looked like they didn't want to be here, but there was this guy with long hair who insisted they go skiing to calm down."

"Was this group mixed?"

"Yeah. Demons, Humans, Humons. All together. Boss was really insistent we make their stay special for some reason as well. Only stayed two days before fucking off."

"Must be glad things are calm now."

"Yes. Usually, I can catch a nap under the counter here."

"Good for you." I said glancing over at Hayli again and sighing.

"So... you and your friend. What's the situation there?"

"Excuse me?"

"You were staring daggers at those men, and not subtle ones.  You fancy her?"

"I, yeah. I do."

"What's the issue then? She not into girls, she a jerk or?"

"No, no. She's been a bit distant ever since there was an... accident with some magic. I think it might be effecting her."

"Poor dear. Actually, I think I could help with that. A few days north, there's supposed to be some man who's studying the runes here and he's supposedly very versed in magic. Of course, I do expect a bigger tip for this information."

"You will get whatever the spatial mage who dropped us here left us in our pockets."

"But you're wearing dresses." The bartender said as I stood up and walked over to Hayli.

"Faiche. I am going to lay down. Don't get drunk, please."

"Leabaidha, I can handle myself. Now, go on. These gentlemen are telling me stories about themselves."

"Yeah, up you go, bitch." One of them said to me.

"Ex-fucking-scuse me?"

"You heard me. This lovely lass has told us how horrid you are. I mean you're lucky she forgave you for what you tried to do to her?"

"Oh? What exactly did I do to her?"

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"Tried to take advantage of her, despite knowing she had no interest in girls- and especially like you. As you know."

"And what are you hoping to get out of this?"

"Nothing. But if this lovely little lady would be inclined to join us later, well, I wouldn't decline- and neither would my boys."

I turned back to Hayli and shook my head. "Faiche, what are you doing?"

"I am doing nothing wrong, Leabaiba- Leabaidha. I am not me after all, right? Now, what are you doing to do, is the question."

"What am I going to do? What am I- I see what you're doing. Fine. Faiche, I am sorry for acting like you weren't yourself. You are you. Now, stop leading these men on. Ignoring the fact, you don't like men, I think it might end badly when all of them combined can't measure to yours."

Hayli grinned, "Good girl. Let's go to bed then." She then stood up and pulled my hand to the front desk past the very confused mountain climbers, grabbing our keys and dragging me to our room, pushing me onto the bed immediately and lying beside me.

"What was that?"

"I was hurt by you refusing to accept me as your Hayli. So, I forced your jealousy and used those drunks. Simple. And now that you said it, you can't take it back."

"Yes, I can?"

"Guess I'll go and see if those men want to enjoy a night together?"

"I- ugh. Fine. Was being awful all you were doing?"

"No, I was trying to figure out the fastest way out of here and back to my mistress, and your future mistress."

"And?"

"Sadly, nothing."

"Well, while you were busy trying to get killed, I was chatting with the bartender. Said there was a man a few days north who could help us."

"Help us how?"

"Well, she said he knows the area and might know a Corridor that would take us back closer to where you wish to go." I lied.

"Good job, Terra." She pulled me closer to her. "I know I said two beds, but... well."

"Let me go."

"Don't worry. I only want to use you for warmth. I am not that type of person to force you into that, no matter what you think."

"Fine. It is drafty in here."

Hayli smiled and scooted up to the pillow. "Terra tell me, what do you think of me?"

"Why?"

"You claim I'm not myself."

"You aren't."

"Why?"

"You don't act like her; you don't talk like her. The only thing you have is her form and voice."

"How do you know that the way I acted before the mistress wasn't an act?"

"Because."

"Because?"

"Because that would mean you could have been faking your feelings for me. Faking everything."

"Well, obviously I wasn't faking the feelings. But who is to say that is my real personality and not one I put on? Was I not a shy and ladylike person when first we met?"

"I suppose you were?"

"So, this me is me then? If all the ways that my personality has shifted before have still been me, why not this me?"

"Because you're under some hypnosis, Hayli." I said giving her a baffled look that I was pretty sure she couldn't see, face way too close to mine.

"Am I? Did you see me be controlled? The mistress merely enlightened me, nothing more."

"And Nox? During the battle?"

"I only heard her surrender. Nothing more."

"And Caela?"

"Did you make sure she was on your side before coming? Well, not like you would have a way to find that out."

"Okay, but why would Quaza join her?"

"Simple. Guilt. Azrael was from your hometown. A way to repent."

"If that's what you want to believe."

Hayli stroked my hair, "It is the truth. Worry not, my Terra. You'll understand when we get back to her."

"Hopefully not." I replied closing my eyes.

"Hopefully so."

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