Here she is, Jirohs father said. His tone wasnt disapproving, nor was it enthusiastic. Rather, it was as if he was discussing a cat walking in through the window.
Dallion could feel a deep sense of apathy in the room. It was coming from everyone, even those who were glad that she had returned. This had to be what it was like living on the ground.
Why did you sacrifice your life in the awakened world for this? Dallion asked, incapable of understanding.
Yes, I am here, Jiroh replied, keeping her calm. These are the"
Before she could finish, one of the clouds lumps in the room leapt up and darted at Dallion. The speed was incrediblefaster than more enemies he had fought. Even with his layer vision, Dallion was only able to catch several fras of the thing. In those few monts he glimpsed a silhouette appear, as well as a large mouth full of alarmingly sharp and pointed teeth.
Instinct made him try to split into instances. Reality quickly let him know that was impossible. As Nil had warned him back in the awakened world, while any awakened power presented a considerable advantage, over-relying on it was a weakness.
Stop! Dallion ordered, combining his zoology and writing skills. His gamble was that the creature was similar to a dog, and would probably understand an order given to it in the language of a cutling.
He never got to learn if he was right, for Jiroh used her air currents to entangle the cloud mid-air, a step away from Dallion. The action was close to instantaneous, making several of the furies at the table look in her direction. Even the cloudwhich now had acquired a semi-feline formglanced at her with a sad expression and an innocent ow.
Cat, Dallion thought. Typical cat.
No, Jiroh said in a firm tone.
The cloud struggled a bit, then seeing that the fury ant business curled back up into a pure cloud form. That seed to be good enough, for it earned the creature its release.
What happened to no pets in the dining room? Jiroh looked at her father.
The old fury, like all the rest, presented a visual paradox that Dallion was still having trouble with. Like everyone round the table, he had the clear majestic appearance of an ageless elf. He had perfect facial features, perfect skin, long white hair, and unnaturally clear green eyes. At the sa ti, he was dressed in what could only be described as a pair of baggy jeans and a loose shirt, all made of cloud fabric. One didnt have to be a fury to tell that the material was old, cheap, and worn.
Skyes usually well behaved, Jirohs father said, barely given her a glance. Shes just forgotten you since you ran off for four years.
Three, Jiroh corrected, making her way to the table.
A noticeable frown appeared on her mothers face. From what Dallion could tell thanks to his music skill, everyone was surprised that she spoke back. That suggested that the thunder fury had been a lot eker in the past. To an extent, there was even pride and envy, mostly among the older mbers of the family. The young onessisters and brothers, from what Jiroh had told Dallionwere nearly awestruck even if they wouldnt be caught dead showing it.
As I was saying, these are so friends of mine.
So friends of mine, one of the young furies mimicked, trying to keep from chuckling. Funny accent, sis.
Reading the atmosphere in the room, Dallion decided that now was the right ti for him and Katka to take their seats. This was going to be one of the more challenging parts of the introduction. From what Jiroh had assured them, they would spend most of the ti in one of the rooms freed by Jirohs sisters. However, it was expected that during the first introduction that any potential guests joined the host family for dinner.
Slowly, Dallion approached the cloud furniture. If there was anything that could go wrong, it would be now.
Reciting the nas of the Moons out of habit, Dallion reached for the back of the cloud chair, all the ti making sure that the sleeve of the robe he was on covered his hand completely.
Stop! Jirohs father said before Dallion could touch it. Silence filled the room. All eyes were on Dallion or the head of the family.
Ati, the fury said. Bring the stone chairs.
Dallions pulse quickened. Were they uncovered? That wasnt good. In his mind, he started calculating the odds of him and Katka being sold off to a lab or local governnt. Given their level of poverty, one might suspect theyd do anything to get out of it.
I almost joined a moon cult when I was young, Jirohs father said as the chairs were brought it. They were massive enough that even an awakened would have a difficult ti carrying it. Thanks to air currents, though, it was done by a child of ten. Please, he invited them, moving the cloud chairs out of the way.
You honor us, Dallion said, the first thing that ca to mind.
Ji got your accent from you, her father noted. What was she doing in your order?
The funny thing was that it had happened the other way around. Dallion had copied Jirohs accent, which she had likely picked up on the cloud citadel.
I thought you werent interested in such things, Jiroh intervened.
The day you vanished, you stopped pulling your weight. The money that was supposed to co didnt, so we had to adjust.
Three marriages? Youre probably heartbroken.
Stupidity doesnt break the heart.
This was potentially the most passively-aggressive raw Dallion had seen in his life. Given that he knew what furies were capable of, a real fight could easily destroy the entire building and everything in it. Back in the awakened world, nearly all furies Dallion had co across had been highly subservient, due to unfortunate world circumstances. As rcenaries, though, he had heard they were highly sought after. Here, the society was a lot more civilized, so they had found new ways to express their temper.
Guess theyve taken from you.
A pity thats the only thing they took.
No need to look at the path twice treaded. Dallion pointed up at the ceiling in an attempt to put an end to the rather uncomfortable dinner conversation. The phrase in itself was the most stupid, jumbled combination of words he could find. However, he also used his music skills to add so calm in it.
The effect was marginal at best. At the sa ti, in his attempt to appear more mystical, Dallion had accidentally revealed part of his hand while pointing. In itself, that wasnt terribly significant: the hand of a human was essentially the sa as that of a fury; the iron tal gauntlet, on the other hand, wasnt.
tal? Jirohs father asked, astonished.
Im a forge apprentice. Dallion imdiately took advantage. Only a notice. That is why we keep ourselves hidden from the world.
Everyone stared at the tal fingertips visible beneath the sleeve. From their perspective, he had just transford from a weird peddler with weird views of the world, to a rich eccentric wishing for a simpler life. With the local industry only lately starting to focus on tal and glass, only certain people could have it in large quantities, let alone use it for luxuries such as gauntlets. Even the cloud-cat changed form, curious of the shining tal.
Lets finish our food. The moon followers would like to rest, Jirohs father said after a while. Ati, Siri, youll be sharing a room with your sister.
It was quite clear who he was referring to. To Dallions surprise, there were no argunts, even internal. Jirohs younger sisters accepted it as normal. If anything, they were even enthusiastic that their room had been chosen/
And Ji, just because youve beco a thunder doesnt an a thing, her father continued. While youre here youll pull your weight.
The rest of the an continued in silence. The only point of interest was the cat creature. Extrely hostile monts ago, it was now acting like a perfect pet.
You can sense emotions too, cant you? Dallion wondered, venturing to pet the creature on the head. As expected, it let him. There was a slight concern that it might attempt to rub itself into him, thus revealing that he wasnt a fury, but Jiroh used a few air threads to keep it away. For everyone else, it looked like she was doing her best to keep the creature from being annoying.
The mont dinner was over, half of the furies disappeared along with the dishes. Jiroh remained for long enough to get the nod from her father, then took Dallion and Katka to their room on the second floor. From this mont, their stay had officially begun.
Youll have to be very quiet, Jiroh whispered after she closed the door. Furies hearing is almost as good as yours.
For non-awakened, that was outright impressive.
Ignoring the cloud elents, the room resembled more the undersection of a bridge than an actual room. One door led in from the inside of the building, and at the sa ti, the exterior wall was missing altogether.
Ill make sure you arent cold, Jiroh said.
Breaking the fourth wall, Katka noted, staring at the open space. So, what now?
Now you two remain here while I try to figure this out.
How exactly? There was no indication the awakened world existed back in our world. Why should here be any different?
I dont know about your world, but there was an extensive mythology selection of literature. I used to read a lot at my previous job. Now Ill just have to read the slightly more specialized section.
Not a bad plan. Of course, everyone could see the obvious problem. While it would be impossible for Dallion or Katka to get a job in any capacity, the sa could almost be said for Jiroh herself. As far as the world was concerned, she wasnt particularly educated, didnt have any special skills or talents, and didnt co from an important family. If only this world knew how wrong it was.
Will you get your old job back? Dallion asked.
Theres no point. They dont like tiwasters. Not to ntion, they cant tolerate employees with an attitude. It was pretty bad before, and now I doubt Ill be able to take it for half a week.
I see your point. Dallion nodded.
With her current character, shed probably drive managent crazy.
What about a research lab? the mage asked. You have those, right? Theres a better chance they to find sothing we might use than books about ancient fairytales.
Theyll never let anyone like near.
None of them? Katka turned towards Jiroh, an annoying smirk on her face. Dont you have any confidential projects or secret societies you can impress with a piece of tal?
Several threads of air gently ford around the mages neck, reminding her that the fury was in control.
A piece of tal wont be enough, Jiroh replied. Anyone with enough power can get their hands on tal.
But how many can forge it? Dallion asked. You can. Eury must have taught you at so point. Even without awakened skills you have the know-how and well help you make the initial load of ingots to give about.
You will, Katka said. Both Dallion and Jiroh stared at her. I dont know forging. The woman shrugged. Learning it was a waste of ti. I focused on spellcraft, and if theres one thing thats ideal for is finding links and patterns. Get all the information this world has and if theres a way out, Ill find it without spending decades on it.
That sounded like a good idea. The only reason Dallion was hesitant was because of the person who had suggested it. As far as he could tell, she wasnt lying, but it was almost certain she had so other agenda in mind as well.
Then we find a way into a library.
Itll be a waste of ti. Katka looked out of the room at the clouds in the distance. Thats the thing about secret societies. They have many nas, do different things, but there are two constants: they always form in places where there are advanced societies, and theyre always the ones best inford.
Reviews
All reviews (0)