“I guess we should,” she sighed, bending over to pick Nurghle up.
The cat crouched low to the ground to lazily avoid his fate but quickly became a noodle in Vivian’s hands. She lifted, and his legs dangled limply under him.
I held his cushioned, ventilated box. She put him inside and carefully lowered the lid, buckling it closed. The last thing we needed was to show off our exotic pet while walking through town.
“Well, that should help our speed,” she laughed, picking up the pace of her strides. “Can we drop him off before we go shopping? I hate to have him in that thing too long.”
“I’ll handle the shopping today. You guys can settle.” I knew she enjoyed exploring town, but I was still on high alert. Admittedly, I always hoped she’d be happy to stay inside.
“Ugh that would besonice,” she exhaled. “I feel like I’ve been walking forever.”
“Do you want to hitch a ride?” I offered. Sometimes she liked to mount my feral form’s back when we traveled. It halved the duration of the trip.
She laughed. “And have you approach the gates half-naked and in murder-mode? No thank you, baby. I’ll walk. Don’t want to scare the poor guards.”
I’d nearly forgotten it was taboo to fully shift into my feral Quadmos form. Vivian didn’t treat me differently when I assumed that shape. If anything, she became gentler. Treated me like a small, precious thing. Or she gotveryhorny. Nothing in between.
Bright spots of light began to flicker through the trees. We’d arrived. The crystals embedded in the wall surrounding town were blinding on sunny days.
Two guards were stationed at the gate. One of them was a plant from G.P.O., who had taken the news of Gable’s raidveryseriously. Arne must’ve stationed at least ten hitmen here over the winter, plus a couple of administrative staff. What had started as a pair of Arielnas ensuring no one fucked with Ida, had turned into a full team watching over the entire region. Monitoring all who came in and out of Drifael. Patrolling the woods. Checking in on us in our field periodically.
It was likely a strategic move. Or, it had something to do with the fact that Arne was “livid and gutted” in response to the news that we’d been raided, according to Mykie. Either way, if he ever paid us a visit, I’d be thanking him wholeheartedly. Something I never thought I’d do after our falling out.
“Welcome back,” the covert G.P.O. guard greeted, opening the gates for us before the other could initiate small talk. Anonymity was still our friend. Although the town was feelingsuspiciouslycomfortable these days.
We made our way through the straw-covered streets towards the neighborhoods in the back of town, passing shops we now enjoyed being regulars at.
Winter was coming, which always made the town bustle. I held Nurghle’s box close to my stomach as we weaved between the small crowd. Nobody looked at us, which was a relief. Any stranger who stared at Vivian for a second too long was reported and investigated as a possible threat. Someone was stationed herejustto identify potential members of E.A.R.T.H. I was glad to have them as a non-violent first line of defense. Violence could come later, if needed.
“Wait, Theo,” Vivian grabbed my arm to stop my stride. I turned my head to follow her gaze, seeing the small traveling stand selling paintings. “Can we look really quick?”
“Of course,” I agreed with reservation. A traveling stand meant a stranger, and I didn’t like strangers much these days.
“It’s fine,” I reassured myself. This town attracted artists because of its rare dyes. Vivian needed new décor for our expanding cabin.
Our home had become quite special. I’d been working on expansions and renovations, slowly but surely. We still needed a bigger bathroom and social area for our friends—Vivian was determined to host everyone again next summer. She’d sent a note that said “be there or be square” to Mykie and Ragen. I didn’t know what the shape had to do with their arrival.
“What about this one?” she asked, pointing to a painting of green trees with white florals. The flora was blurred, giving me the impression of looking through water droplets on glass.
“It matches those pots you painted.” I didn’t have an eye for art, but they were both… green.
“How much?” she asked the Pyran.
“Thirty silver and twelve bronze.”
“No change needed,” I said as I handed over thirty-five silver.
“I wonder if Ida can make me a dress this color,” Vivian mused, staring dreamily at her new painting as we walked. “Or do you think the olive would clash with my hair?”
I made a show of craning my neck to look between her and the painting. “I think it works.” Any color would work. She was always stunning.
“I’ll ask then,” she smiled. “Oh! That reminds me! Theo, we need to start paying Ida for my clothes now that she has a business. I don’t want to keep taking advantage of her kindness when she’s so busy with orders all the time.”
“Good luck with that, darling,” I snorted. Ida wouldneverlet Vivian pay for her services. They were too much like family, and the gifts were—as it was explained to me—her love language.
We approached the familiar duplex and veered right for Erith and Mitus’s door. Ida’s half was more shop than home these days. She preferred to make use of their space for friends.
I did the secret knock Vivian had taught everyone to signal it was just us, staring at the leafy wreath they’d hung around the peephole.
