“A lot of space.” Yuzuki took long strides through the Living Room, eyebrows raised at the lack of furniture. “A lot of… unused space. Do not misunderstand, your choice of travelling ho is appropriate for adventurers of your status, but your décor is lacking.”
“Oh, we are expected to have a place like this now?” Reysha joked. “’Cause we got it from soone north of the Common Art line.”
“Admittedly, you are beyond my scope of reference. It is difficult to estimate the size of a mountain when standing at its base, you know?” The Yuki-Onna’s hand glided over the backrest of the couch. “May I assu that you had sex on every single surface of this place?”
“Yup.”
“Splendid.” Without a mont’s hesitation, the snow woman plopped down on the couch. It was ant as a playful gesture, but the compression of the seating caused a scattering of the scent that had seeped deep into it. Lingering pheromones caressed her nostrils, sending a dusting of red upon her blue-tinted cheeks. “What’s the nature of these chemicals?” she asked. “Alchemical aphrodisiacs?”
“You are keen on your scents,” Aclysia remarked. “You are capable of a remarkable degree of Stealth as well. You do not stand upon the mountain’s base at all.”
Yuzuki flashed a short-lived grin. It collapsed into a simple, elegant smile on her black lips. “I am a trained Scout,” she revealed. “Though I only reached Level 20. A far shot from your magnificence.”
Scouts were one of the two primary support Classes utilized by Parties, the other being Scribes. While a Scribe’s utility lay in dealing with civilisation, making maps, and generally making use of ink to keep a party well organised, Scouts had the task of exploring the areas ahead.
In the Inevitable Party, Reysha had been doing that job, but there was a very important difference between Rogues and Scouts. Rogues were fighters, capable of assassination and such. They paid for this capability with a lack of specialisation.
Rogues were the renowned Stealth class because they could leverage that Stealth. Yet, the Scout was technically their superior in moving unseen. Almost more importantly, the Scout made up for their lack of combat ability with a variety of tools to shake off enemies. When a Rogue was discovered during exploration, they would find themselves chased all the way to the exit of the dungeon. When a Scout suffered the sa fate, they had their ways of disrupting monster attention.
There was overlap, of course, just like there was overlap between Warriors and Paladins or Mages and Priests. Still, they were distinct in both abilities and specialisation.
One such specialisation, in Yuzuki’s case, was her acute ability to filter through her senses. “It doesn’t sll like an alchemical compound…” she muttered. “A creation of your unique biology, perhaps?”
“Yes,” Apexus answered. “I hope it does not bother you.”
“Bother? Only in the sense that it is a synonym for aroused.”
“Can we just keep her?” Reysha asked. “I love her.”
“Quite forward of you to want to possess a noble lady.”
“Ignore Reysha, she is a flirt.”
“So am I,” Yuzuki responded with aristocratic grace and a suggestive half-smile. “We had an animated talk about sex toys.”
“I wasn’t aware they made vibrating throat collars, were you aware?” Reysha asked.
“T-they do?!” Korith asked, very interested. “And you discuss that with just… strangers?”
“We don’t have to be strangers,” Yuzuki cooed.
“Perhaps not,” Apexus said.
He was an enigma to Yuzuki, but an open book to the others, especially Aclysia. His tone was even and his posture relaxed. Apexus was only this relaxed when he forced himself not to be tense. It was a dead giveaway to those that knew him intimately.
“Before we continue with the interpersonal, we should discuss the matter at hand,” the Monk continued, denying his desires to do the exact opposite and learn more about the dark-haired beauty. “You advocate for the assassination?”
“I do,” Yuzuki stated.
Korith jumped onto the couch a couple steps away from the Yuki-Onna. “First question: why not do it yourself? You’re clearly stealthy enough.”
It wasn’t Yuzuki that responded, but Aclysia. “We already have the response to that. Our would-be target is of an elevated Level. Yuzuki lacks the combat prowess to eliminate them.”
“I could probably do it with a poisoned knife,” the snow lady added with a shrug. “Beyond the risk I would incur, it would also be improper. I have already been nad Lady of the Cracked Lake.” The index finger of her left hand traced the dark line of the scar over her eye. “A title that implies damaged goods among my culture, I should ntion.”
“Your people react this harshly to a scar?”
“A scar, an attitude, accusations of deviancy – accusations that are true in part, as Reysha can attest.”
“What accusations aren’t true?” the redhead asked with a broad grin.
“I have been accused of being the ‘exotically cold relief toy of the Waking Guardians’.” The blue of her eyes darkened. “Though I find myself in disagreent of the extent of the purity policing of my kin, the suggestion that I would stoop to such a level disgusts .” She shook her head. “Be that as it may, the Yuki-Onna do not partake in internal politics unless invited. Further, if I were to set myself up as an assassin, that would cause issues. Better to export such dirty deeds to adventurers proper.”
“And your argunt for us taking this mission?” Apexus asked, still standing while Aclysia and Reysha sat down to either side of Korith. “We have already heard the argunts of Maroaris.”
“I would guide you to the rebel’s places of operation,” Yuzuki answered. “Consider your guide on this Leaf, if you may.” She put one leg over the other, the shortness of her yukata’s skirt giving Apexus a peek at a cheek of her nicely proportioned behind. “It will be to your benefit,” she cooed, then suddenly blushed. ‘Do not be flirtatious with strangers, that is exactly why you get your reputation.’
Apexus considered the offer. Once again, he found himself wrestling with his desire and his control. It was in the harmony of both that true wisdom was found. True wisdom was, as it would ever be, difficult to attain.
“I don’t see the harm in it,” Reysha purred.
“You are enticed by her knowledge of sex toys,” Aclysia drily stated. “Though your bias aside, I cannot see a reason to deny her either.” The tal fairy looked to her conflicted darling, then to Korith. “You agree with us, correct?”
“Huh?” The forceful formulation of the question confounded Korith for a mont. Aclysia was not beyond making her opinion known before a vote, but she rarely, if ever, was this blatant in demanding a consensus. One look at Apexus of her own later, Korith understood. “S-sure!”
“Then, darling, unless you wish to overrule us…?” Aclysia asked, honouring his position as the leader. Though she knew that he would likewise honour the group decision.
Glad that the inner turmoil was resolved by outside factors, the Monk gave a curt nod. “Lady Yuzuki will accompany us, as she suggests.”
“”To lead with…”” Aclysia and Yuzuki spoke at the sa ti. The pale won looked at each other for a long mont. They even gestured at one another at the sa ti to give the other the chance to speak first. Then they both laughed, graceful and ladylike.
“I will take the lead as hostess,” Aclysia finally resolved their courtly stand-off. “As our guide, I wish to request you show us to the finest craftsn of the city. As you have correctly assessed…” Aclysia gestured around “…we are in need of new furniture.”
“How fortuitous.” Yuzuki twirled a strand of black-blue hair around her fingers. “That was my suggestion as well.”
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