Ch226: Goodbyes & Greetings
Krvavy lightly bites her bottom lip, struggling with all her might and all her will to not look back over her shoulder, to not look back towards the place where her girls –
“WAAIT!”
The Drakling stops mid-step, immediately glancing back over her shoulder. A wide grin quickly finds its way onto her face, the corners of her pale lips curling upwards, revealing her sharp and carnivorous teeth. “Oh~? Miss me already~? Or do you just want another kiss goodb–~?”
“Sh-shut up!” Thea calls back, slowing from a jog to a more casual walk. Which is almost a crime, her modest mounds not jiggling nearly as much... But at least those lovely hips of hers are still swinging with each step that she takes~. “Ugh...!”
The Drakling’s emerald eyes glimmer and gleam like bright gems. “What happened with trying to hurry me up and get me to actually leave~? Don’t you want to be rid of me already~?”
“Shut up...” The bratty girl grumpily grumbles, unable to keep a rosy, pinkish-red hue from creeping onto her cheeks. “That stupid Elf...” she quietly complains, huffing with more than just exasperation. “Here. Beryl wanted you to have this...” The beautiful blonde rolls her soft-blue eyes, holding out a large pear-shaped gourd, a vine conveniently wrapped around its neck.
Said gourd audibly sloshes as the Drakling grabs hold of it. “Did she tell you what is in this?” Krvavy curiously questions, hefting the thing up and giving it a good look over. The stem feels a lot more like a bottle cap or a cork than anything naturally grown...
“That hag said something about it being nectar, or whatever,” Thea dismissively shrugs. “Hmph. She is just making me run around for nothing... I should have made the dog deliver it...”
Krvavy smiles and ties the – no doubt freshly ‘harvested’ – bottle of nectar to her loincloth belt. “Well, thanks for being her errand girl. I’m sure you’ll be doing this sort of thing quite a bit over the next week or so~.”
“She wishes.” Thea derisively responds, crossing her arms and lifting her chin high. “I am going to avoid her ‘grove’ as best I can. That Elf can have the mouse or dog do her bidding for all I care.”
“If Beryl gets on your nerves, then just ask her where this nectar came from~.” Krvavy playfully suggests, taking a step towards this fiancée of hers. “She’ll either get flustered or offer to show you. Either way, I’m sure you’ll enjoy it~.”
The noble girl rather suspiciously narrows her eyes, not quite trusting her Draconic lover’s worryingly teasing advice. “Okay, now–wmphh...”
The barbarian’s pale lips press against those of her beautiful brat, gently and lovingly kissing the girl goodbye. Again~. Her touch trails up Thea’s neck, climbing from collarbone to chin, lingering for a few long seconds past the end of this quick kiss.
Thea’s face flushes even further, the bratty blonde unable to do much more than glare up at this much bigger barbarian. “W-what was that for?!” She shakily demands to know, so adorably trying to look angry, nose all crinkled and scowly.
Krvavy can’t help but grin, gazing deep into those beautiful soft-blue eyes. “If Beryl is going to make you run errands for her, then I might as well reward you~.”
Those words only see the brat’s blush burn even brighter. “Hmph!”
“You are so cute~.” Krvavy coos, leaning in for another kiss.
“No! Stop that!” Thea hastily presses a finger against her Draconic lover’s lips. “We are not doing this again! Leave already! Go! Get out of here!”
Krvavy holds a hand over her heart, dramatically playing up her disappointment. “Aww, you don’t want another goodbye kiss~? Just a quick little peck~? A soft smooch~?”
The bratty girl clenches her hands into fists. “Hhahhhh!” She sharply sighs, forcing a lungful of air past grit teeth. “You are incorrigible! A damned degenerate Dragon!” Without wasting another moment... the noble girl roughly grabs onto Krvavy’s lower horns, dragging that Drakling’s head down to her level. The already intense blush colouring her cheeks comes to rival Krvavy’s hair in its crimson hue as she gives this Dragon of hers a predictably passionate kiss, that sweet shade of red spreading to her ears and to her shoulders. “There! Now get going!”
The Drakling lets herself get ‘pushed’ back half a step, her heart fluttering with warmth all the while. “I love you, my fiancée~.”
“Stop acting like this is the last time we will get to speak for the next few weeks!” The flustered brat hisses back, avoiding eye contact as she does her best to act annoyed, rather than bashful. “We both know that you will not give me even a day of peace!” She idly touches the Far-Speaking ring nestled firmly on her left hand, where a different kind of ring should be...
“Alright, alright. I’ll get going.” Krvavy dramatically sighs, smiling as she shakes her head. “Give the others a kiss for me. You did just get two more than the rest of them~.”
“Hmph, I am not your errand girl!” Thea exasperatedly groans, turning her flushed face to the side.
“Of course not~.” The Drakling smiles and begins to walk away. “You wouldn’t complain as much if you were~.”
“Ugh! I... I love you!” The silver-blonde brat shouts back, before abruptly spinning around on the spot and storming off.
“Love you too!” Krvavy spares a glance towards that gorgeous girl, stifling a laugh at the beautifully bratty sight she sees, emerald eyes lingering on the single – middle – finger raised and pointing to the rocky ceiling above.
Discomfort pulses through the Drakling’s legs, sluggish and sore muscles straining ever so slightly with every step she takes. Her whole body feels... heavy.
Padded leather straps press into black-scaled shoulders with a bit more force than is pleasant. That backpack barely even has anything inside of it, but the thing still has a fair bit of weight to it. Though that is mostly due to the admittedly oversized weapon that is quite securely strapped onto it, that aggressively large axe all wrapped up in layers of waxy tarp, as to keep the authorities off her ass. It would be much easier to let that wonderful weapon linger in her soul, as it usually does, but the fact that it is Soulbound is something Krvavy would like to keep under wrap.
“Hahhh...” The barbarian heavily sighs, clawed toes rather clumsily clicking across cobbled stone. The annoying ache that is bothering her is... it really isn’t too bad. She can endure it for quite a while longer. Long enough for the sun to slip down from its spot so high in the sky. Though, that said... it would be nice if Krvavy could just lie down and take a bit of a break...
But, unfortunately, she doesn’t have the luxury to do that right now. Not with all of these people milling about. Krvavy may be in Raseyne, but she still has another half hour or so until she reaches Rina’s estate...
The Drakling adjusts her pelt top, glaring at the random obstacles all around her. That, and the clearly unhappy flicking of her thick tail, is enough to give her a bit of space. But not quite as much as she’d like... This market square is just too crowded. Jammed full of busy, moving bodies. She should have taken the extra time to go around it...
Dozens upon dozens upon dozens of voices overlap and mingle together, casual conversations bleeding into a background buzz that is all but buried beneath both the loud shouts of merchants trying to sell their wares and the raised voices of customers trying to buy said wares...
Patience growing thin, the Drakling is left with no choice but to stretch her spine and crane her neck, rising to her full toweringly tall height. Emerald eyes sweep across this mostly Human crowd, ignoring the countless heads of brunette and blonde hair, ignoring the occasional drop of green in the sea of lighter skin, ignoring the few but not infrequent pointy ears, looking for...
There.
Krvavy purposefully strides towards her target: a large and empty space that stands off to the side of this square. An empty stretch with no market stalls. And, more importantly, with next to no people. She can just walk past this unpleasantly packed crowd without having to barrel on through it.
“Hhhh...” A soft, hissing sigh escapes past Krvavy’s pale lips, the tip of her thick and meaty tail slipping free from that swarming mass of mercantilism. It is almost as if a weight has been lifted from her shoulders, no longer surrounded and no longer suffocated... The lively and annoying noises of the market even sound a bit quieter over here, though that is obviously just in her head. She is just a couple steps away from the crowd, after all.
Soon... Soon she’ll reach Rina’s estate... Soon she’ll be able to sit back and relax...
Thinking about it... Maybe Krvavy should call her girls to tell them that she is in Raseyne now? Though... not Thea. The brat would just get annoyed at her. Especially since Krvavy already called them earlier, when she saw the city in the distance... Mayb–?
“Hello,” a soft and plain voice dances through the air, weaving around like a whispering tune, “O Dragon of Black and Gold”
Krvavy blinks. Standing in front of her is a woman, slim and oddly beautiful. Unnervingly so. The back of her mind buzzes as she meets this woman’s vacant yet focused gaze. “Oh. H...hello...?”
“It is good to see thy self again.” An empty yet joyous smile fills that woman’s flawless face. She slowly sways back and forth, guided by a song only she can hear. “Is this but the second time thou have met mineself? Third, mayhap? Not first, perish the thought.”
A shiver runs down the Drakling’s spine as she realizes that this strange woman’s scarred and bandaged fingers are clasping onto her own. When did...?
“Fate may be a cruel mistress, but she hath surely blessed me in recent time. To give a lowly wretch such as mineself the chance to lay gaze and touch upon one so venerable and beautiful as thou...” The swaying woman closes her eyes and slowly sighs. Sorrow fills her ethereal face. “O Dragon of Black and Gold,” her soft voice echoes through the silent air. Her piercing, dull eyes flutter open. “May our day be made brighter still? May thee grace one such as mineself with a dance?”
Confusion and discomfort swirl through the barbarian’s body and mind. “Okay...?” She hesitantly mutters, already being pulled closer to the odd woman before that single word has even made it past her pale and parched lips.
“Worry not for thy skill, O Dragon of Black and Gold.” Delicate, bandaged fingers brush over Krvavy’s scales, slipping between that Drakling’s much larger digits. “For thou will learn in time.” A second black-scaled hand is directed down towards a frail and slim hip, hardly feeling the thin and flimsy fabric that separates it from this woman’s scarred and spotless skin. “We shall dance and dance and dance... forevermore...”
Krvavy’s throat feels tight, inhuman tongue all but stuck to the roof of her mouth. The silence around her is stifling. Her clawed feet shuffle across a finely woven mat, clumsy and always a step behind.
But this strange woman does not mind, a warm smile overlaid atop her cold face.
The still, stale, stagnant breeze blows around this woman’s wispy, unwoven hair. The remains of her cut and scarred ears, which must have once looked like those of an Elf, are briefly revealed here and there. Never for longer than a second at a time. If even that.
A peaceful and wistful expression fills this dancing woman’s face. She stare up at Krvavy with empty eyes, her gaze unwavering and uninterrupted. Kind. Indifferent. Aloof. Pleading.
Without warning, the odd woman pulls back, loosely holding onto the Drakling’s hand as she... spins in place. Pirouetting around and around and around some more. Her knee-length dress swirls around her, its near-sheer fabric reminiscent of mists and clouds and foggy rain. “Ha~! Ha~! Ha~!” Stilted, earnest laughter softly breaks the silence. Joyous. Happy. Yearning.
Krvavy’s heart pangs as she sees this woman’s gaunt, emaciated back. Scars upon scars upon scars mar delicate and fragile skin. Spine, shoulder blades, ribs... All are hidden away behind overlapping wounds, those thick layers of flesh long since healed. Four lines stand out amongst the rest, symmetrical top to bottom and left to right. Deliberate and orderly, a disjointed ‘x’ intentionally drawn atop a bed of pained chaos.
The woman abruptly stops spinning, her weightless body forcing the woven mat to twist around bare, bandaged feet. Tears freely flow from the shimmering springs of her eyes, dropping to the ground like heavy hailstones. “On scarr-ed wings sorrow takes flight, soaring through the starless night. Uncaring of the broken one’s plight, the Sister Moons turn away their sight. Beware the black kiss which carries blight, for in its embrace even hope can do naught but be snuff-ed like a light.”
Try as she might, Krvavy can’t find a single word, her mouth opening and closing without so much as a sound.
“Begone now, O Dragon of Black and Gold.” A soft smile finds its way onto this strange woman’s face, her voice untainted by the melancholic misery trailing down her cheeks. With blind purpose, she brings the barbarian’s hand up to her lips... planting a firm, weak kiss atop those big, black-scaled knuckles. “Thank thee for this dance, but thou should now be on thy way. Enough of thy time hath been taken up by mineself. Hurry on, O Dragon of Black and Gold, hurry on lest thee be late. Til next we meet.”
Those fragile, bandaged hands gently push Krvavy back. Her emerald eyes glance up at the dimming sky. “Shit!” She hisses, feeling a jolt of panic grip at her heart. The summer sun is setting. The late evening air is cool, losing the heat of the day. “Uh, yeah, see you some other time.” Krvavy hastily waves away this odd swaying woman, not even sparing a glance back as she hurries past the diminished crowd.
Unblinking eyes watch the Drakling leave, smile fading with the sun.
A pair of elegant halberds move from their previously perfectly upright position, lowering into a wide ‘X’ that blocks off the entrance to this opened gatehouse. “State your business.” One of those two knights calls out, the setting sunlight gleaming off his pristine and polished armour, those sculpted metal plates akin to mirrors.
“I’m... here to visit the Countess... before she leaves for... for Vratsa.” Krvavy quickly responds, trying to not sound too breathless.
The plumes of long, black feathers atop both knight’s helms bob as they subtly glance towards each other.
“State your name, Drakling.” The other knight asks in a tone that implies he already knows the answer. There aren’t many people like her around here. None, in fact.
The barbarian clad in scant pelts takes a deep breath. “Krvavy...” She heavily exhales.
Those crossed halberds rise in unison. Practiced and routine, much like the words that follow. “You may enter. Head straight to the main hall.”
Krvavy bobs her head in a respectful nod, quickly stepping into the shaded passageway beyond, her weighty footfalls echoing off and around its well-bricked walls. The fading sunlight on the other side is almost blindingly bright, emerald eyes squinting as the Countess’ estate comes into view.
Only for a loud, dull clunk to ring out from a fair bit behind her, followed by the rattling of chains and creaking of winches. The gates are closing. Were they kept open this long for Krvavy’s sake, or is this just convenient timing?
The Drakling shrugs and pushes those thoughts aside. She honestly doesn’t care. Maybe if she weren’t quite as exhausted...
Likewise, Krvavy ignores the nice landscaping and elegant gardens as she walks along the lantern lined pathway. Rina’s home really is beautiful. Especially at this time of day, when the last rays of light from the setting sun just barely paint the sky.
Krvavy pauses halfway across the decorative moat, her hands coming to rest on the railing of the short and arched bridge that spans it. She takes a few slow, deep breaths. Long shadows stretch across the trimmed lawn, surrounding those various separate and connected gardens. Trees bearing fruits and flowering buds stand amongst bushes and expanses of open grass, some silhouetted by the setting sun and others lit up with golden hues.
After nearly a minute of simply enjoying the view, the Drakling turns and takes the last few steps toward the large, ornate doors looming ahead. Her black-scaled fingers hook onto a fancy metal knocker, lifting it up and bringing it back down, using it as intended.
Boom. Boom. Boom.
One of those large doors opens just a second after the last echoing knock.
“Ahh... Krvavy.” A warm smile spreads across the faintly wrinkled face of the Countess’ grey-haired butler, that servant stepping back and gesturing for this Drakling to come inside. “You are becoming a regular, if infrequent, guest here.”
“I guess I am...” Krvavy idly shrugs, her pale lips slowly spreading into a smile. “I really don’t look the part though, do I?” She jokes, vaguely gesturing at her rough pelt top and plain loincloth.
The triangular ‘tails’ of that butler’s incredibly stereotypical jacket sway as he pushes the heavy door shut with a resounding thud. “Looks can be deceiving.” He simply states, taking a moment to adjust the silvery buttons of his vest. “Now, I am sure you are tired after your journey, so head over to your room and have a well-earned rest.”
Krvavy nods, ready to finally rest and relax after these past few days of travel. But first... “I didn’t miss R– the Countess, did I?”
The butler simply shakes his head. “No, no. Do not worry, the Lady will be departing in the morn.”
“Right, thanks...” The Drakling slowly sighs in relief. She really did cut it close... “Uh, goodnight.” With a degree of awkwardness, she departs from that luxurious lobby and heads into the adjoining hallway, following an increasingly familiar route towards salvation. Towards a hot shower and a warm bed...
“Mnhhh...” Krvavy tiredly hums, inhuman feet stepping out onto the beautifully tiled bathroom floor.
She still finds it a little odd that the fixtures in here look and feel so... modern. Though, really, that shouldn’t be so surprising. This world might not be the most technologically advanced, but it isn’t primitive either. Inanna knew how to design and build a proper bathroom. So it only makes sense that Rina, with her wealth and resources, could find someone to make all of this work.
Krvavy rather roughly rubs a towel across her head, hands bumping into her horns as she makes a bit of a mess of her crimson hair, those shoulder-length strands going from soaked to merely damp. Mana begins to flow through her worn and weary body, channels thrumming with magical might as that now-wet towel is tossed onto a nearby hook. Small wisps of steam rise from this Drakling’s pale skin and black scales, leaving her relatively dry after only a few pleasant seconds.
Finally... After a long and exhausting day, Krvavy can finally lie down and rest. Smiling softly in anticipation of that, she grabs the handle of the door that separates this en suite bathroom from ‘her’ bedroom and opens it.
Funnily enough, despite this room seemingly being reserved for her, the barbarian has never actually slept in here... Guess this will be the first time. Or... will it...?
Krvavy quirks her brow as she sees a certain albino maid standing by the bed, pale pink eyes glaring through the lenses of a pair of rather thick glasses. “Hi?”
Vera’s lips press into a thin line, silence hanging in the air for a few long seconds. If it wasn’t for the near murderous look in her eyes, this maid would be a good mirror to Thea. She has a pretty similar bratty attitude. “The Countess is otherwise occupied tonight, and will not be able to greet you in person. Is your presence here indicative of your intent to accept her... offer?”
“The ‘bodyguard’ position? Yep.” Krvavy answers, completely unbothered by that albino’s cold and icy hostility.
Against all odds... Vera scowls even further, her eyes narrowing into unhappy slits. “You will be called upon in the morn.” The faintest hint of colour tints this maid’s snowy cheeks as she briefly glances downwards. “Ensure that you are decent at that time.”
Krvavy blinks and looks down at herself. As expected of someone who just got out of the shower... She is completely and utterly naked, with her soft but still quite large cock dangling between her legs. Huh. Krvavy didn’t even think twice about essentially exposing herself in front of this maid. She really is becoming a nudist...
Click.
In the few seconds that the Drakling was distracted, Vera turned around and left the room without a word.
Krvavy stares at that securely shut door for hardly a single second before simply shrugging and dropping her ass down onto the soft and cushioned bed. The thought of just toppling over and falling asleep, not even bothering to turn off the lights or slip beneath the covers, is so very tempting... But there is one thing that Krvavy really should do before any of that.
The black and silver ring nestled on her lower right horn pulses in a mirage-like pattern.
⟨My dearest love~!⟩ Beryl’s loving voice echoes through Krvavy’s head. ⟨Ah take it tha’ ya’ve finally arrived?⟩
⟨Yeah, just about to fall asleep too.⟩ The barbarian yawns, that sound... or at least an impression of it... carrying on through this connection.
⟨And ya wanted ta ‘ear my voice before ya did tha’~?⟩ A playfully smug arrogance oozes from those mentally projected words. ⟨Ah’m flattered, my dearest love~. Truly flattered~.⟩
⟨Careful.⟩ Krvavy cautions, a grin finding its way onto her face. ⟨If you start acting a bit too prideful then I might have to tell Khalia to give your ass a good spank for me~.⟩
If that Dryad were here, her long and pointed ears would no doubt be wiggling around in that wonderful way that they so often do, all but begging to be nibbled and massaged... ⟨Mhh~... Who says Ah wouldn’t want tha’~?⟩
Krvavy playfully rolls her eyes, even if no one is here to witness that. ⟨I see that you’re doing alright.⟩
⟨Aye, o’ course Ah am. We only just spoke a while ago. Did ya expect somethin’ bad ta ‘appen in tha’ short time?⟩ Beryl pauses, her projected voice trailing off into the ghost of a sigh. ⟨Ach, don’t answer tha’, ya worrywart. Ah’m doin’ great.⟩
⟨Not feeling lonely?⟩ The Drakling asks, stifling a sigh as she looks at the empty bed that she is now lying on.
⟨Wit’ ya talkin’ ta me like this all the time~? Nah~.⟩ The Dryad’s soft, playful laughter crosses through the connection, that ‘sound’ causing Krvavy’s heart to flutter. ⟨Ah do miss cuddlin’ in bed wit’ ya and the others, but... Ah’ll be able ta safely go tha’ far from my tree by the time tha’ ya’re back. So Ah’ll get ta enjoy tha’ bliss along wit’ ya, my dearest love~.⟩
Krvavy closes her eyes and slowly breathes in. ⟨I can hardly wait~.⟩
⟨Ach, now.⟩ A faint, tuttering tsk underlines those exaggeratedly scolding words. ⟨Don’t get all ‘ung up on me~. Ya’ll ‘ave Rina all fer yerself these next couple weeks~. Well, fer the most part. Ya might ‘ave ta share ‘er wit’ tha’ adorable maid o’ ‘ers~. Ah’m sure tha’ brat’ll be real ‘appy about tha’~.⟩
⟨Hah, yeah.⟩ Krvavy lightly laughs at her sweet berry’s teasing, sarcastic tone. ⟨I’ll be lucky if that girl doesn’t bury a knife between my ribs while I’m sleeping...⟩
⟨Ah’m sure ya’ll be fine~. And speakin’ o’ sleepin’...⟩ Beryl abruptly changes the topic, a smile ‘audible’ in her projected voice. ⟨Ya should go and rest. Ah’m sure ya’re tired after yer long journey. So no matter ‘ow much ya may want ta keep talkin’, Ah’m goin’ ta put my foot down and say goodnight, my dearest love. Sleep well.⟩
The Drakling lets out a long and deep sigh. ⟨Goodnight...⟩
The connection ends, leaving Krvavy alone in this guest bedroom.