Book Four – Chapter Five – Part Eleven – Surrounded by Love

“It’s hard to believe it’s already the 23rd,” Momo said. She walked out of the theatre and into a long hallway that led to the wonderfully exquisite and luxurious lobby. It was full of pampered nobles and the rich and snotty. Like always, they turned their noses away and returned to their conversation, refusing to give the commoners a moment of their time.  “It’s so weird how you have people like Becha, who started off rude and became friendly after a few days talking… To people who just completely disregard you at first glance. I just don’t understand why people have to be hostile… Do you?” asked the Singi.

Servi kept quiet about that as she had a dozen other questions Momo had asked over the past month.

Hand in hand, they emerged out of the theatre hall and onto Bridgestone Avenue. Like everywhere else, this little stripe of land was packed to the brim of festival-loving folk. Music and alcohol flowed as freely as the fall of snow in a wintery wonderland. Food was plentiful as the babbling sucks enjoying a spot of fun in a beautiful lake. It almost tempted the Singi, who listlessly sighed. She was still quite exhausted and not so much in the mood to do much of anything.

Her tail even drooped behind her, and it would still be about an hour before her pretty head laid down on her favorite pillow. The best thing was to get to it, and get to it, she did. She pulled on Servi’s arm gently to get her wayward attention. Then they started to move their feet.

They swarmed through the packed streets, and Itarr did her best to keep away any foolish drunkards who saw an easy target. Just because someone was a noble did not mean they had noble intentions. Creeps and crooks existed across all paths of life. And by now, the Goddess’s Mortal Puppetry had advanced so far she could accurately control them to the point of writing. In a sense, it was like she ‘sent’ over her essence and manipulated them like the operator of a giant robot. She never did leave the confines of Servi’s soul, though, since it was impossible. But Itarr had the task cut out for her, and it required her to keep an ever-vigilant eye out for any ne’er-do-wells.

With her gaze, the two girls managed to make it to their room at the guild with just a little bit of trouble. Two encounters waited for them. Momo had the bright idea to take the long way in order to walk past Madam Canary’s Sweetie Tweety. As she hoped, the mighty Feral was standing out in front. The painted stalls were covered with plates of delicious goodies. The large Kobold rushed between the four since they all had lengthy lines. Right when it seemed he was on the cusp of being overwhelmed, his aunt emerged from the shop and took over three stalls. Feral was a kind man—really, he was kind to a fault even if he started off Servi’s friendship by being standoffish. But he wasn’t the smartest or brightest. Handling multiple transactions in a short amount of time was over his limit if it was just restricted to a single stall. Add in three more, and the slow Kobold became slower.

But his heart of gold made up for it, and there was a real reason why Momo regarded the big lug as a close friend. The Singi and her loving friend slipped in line and waited. She went to dig for a couple of dupla, but Itarr already had a hundred at the ready. “Thanks, Itarr. I’ll add this to what I need to pay Servy back. If you think about it, enjoying his aunt’s sweets is the perfect way to end the day. We had that big dinner that Bartholomew arranged for us, so I’m pretty much stuffed. Never had ribs that savory before, and I think I’m turning into a beef kind of gal… Going off on that, I don’t think there’s a type of food I outright dislike. Maybe something super spicy, but that’s no fault of my own. Us Singi are just born with a sensitive tongue,” Momo said.

The stubby Dwarf with hair blacker and dirtier than coal turned around, and Momo just nodded and smiled at him. He didn’t know who the heck she was talking to, and for a moment, thought it was him because he hadn’t heard anyone reply in half a minute. The line gradually moved at a speed half of that of the three other stalls.

“Good evening… I apologize for the wait… What will—Momo? Servi? Raaahhh!!! It is good to see you, friends!!!” Feral’s tone was apathetic at first, probably because he was mentally worn out from the long, hard days of selling. The festival was when Aunt Canary made most of her money, so he knew it was vital for him to be on top of his game. But when he saw his companions, a burst of energy flowed through that thick tail. It slammed into the ground behind him as he adjusted his button-up shirt. He looked as sharp as a knife in those black pants. All he needed was a sporty tie, and he’d be one handsome Kobold.

“Hi, Feral!” chirped Momo. She smiled at him. “It’s been a while, huh?”

“Oh, it has… How is Servi? Is she well?”

Momo nodded. “She’s doing as well as ever. I feel like it won’t be that much longer before she’s back with us.”

“I am glad… I miss talking to her… Ah, but what would you like to get? We do not have much left, but we have a few slices of chocolate bark, a couple of handfuls of fruit-flavored gummies, and three pieces of chocolate cake. Oh, and we have some hard candy available inside. It is mint flavor, and it makes an enjoyable noise when you bite into it.” Feral raised a finger and pointed it to the plates as he described what they had remaining.

“We’re a big fan of the gummies, so can I get a double order of that? Any flavor is fine with Servy and me. Oh, there’s something I want to ask you.”

“What is it?” growled Feral. He took two brown bags and scooped up the squishy, colorful delights with a large serving spoon. He felt generous and gave her three helpings in total divided two ways.

“It’s a long story, but Servy managed to snag a spot in the play that’s happening tomorrow night. Her role is…odd…but we were wondering if you could attend.”

“I will be glad too!!! Rraahhhh!!! Good for her!!!” A tail slam later, an embarrassed Feral meekly apologized to his aunt for causing a ruckus. “How do I attend? What will I have to do? I’ve never been to a play before…”

“Oh, it’s easy. The director said that every cast and crew member would get six tickets for friends and family. They’re going to be held at the Hurrah Theatre Hall on Bridgestone Avenue. Just go and say you know Servy. There should be people inside guiding everyone to their seats.” Momo grabbed the brown bags Feral held out and paid him double. “Consider it a tip. Besides, Servy is getting paid a lot for her role.”

“Hmm… Thank you, friend! I will wear my fanciest clothes and show up ready to support her. What time is it?” Hmm...but I do not have any... I wonder if Aunt Canary can help me with that...? She should know more about these 'plays.'

Momo relayed all of the appropriate information to her hulking friend and chatted with him for a couple more seconds. They were at the end of the line, and no one was behind them, but it didn’t take long for someone else to slip right in behind. The two girls waved goodbye to Feral and his aunt, and off they went to the guild.

Fate would send another encounter their way after only a few minutes of walking. It was right when they turned a corner. The restaurant situated nearby was having an absolute blowout. There were so many people that many had to sit outside and drink because there wasn’t any more room inside. Momo was so distracted by that scene that she didn’t see the cloaked man walk her way.

She bumped into him, but Itarr assisted in keeping her standing. She did the same for the man, but the unnatural feeling of being assisted by an unseen force wasn't something this man was familiar with. Still, he landed against the hard ground like a feather, so no injuries were in his future.

“I’m sorry about that. Are you okay?” Momo asked. She held out a hand to the cloaked stranger. The voice she heard sent daggers down her veins.

“Oh… It’s just the murderer and her pet cat…” The man cursed Momo’s name and ignored her assistance. He spoke like a bonafide drunkard, and he acted like one as well since he struggled to stand up. The hood of his cloak fell back when he doubled over to remove the booze from his stomach. A nasty scent wafted up.

His hair was caked completely black with muck and something awfully smelly. His face bore a freshly inflicted scar across his dirty lips. His spear was missing, but this downtrodden man was Arty.

“I’m just going to ignore that,” Momo said. She just wanted to walk away, but Servi was rooted in her steps as if her legs were a solid chunk of iron.

“I’m…so…rr…y,” whispered the girl with red eyes. Her free hand raised up. Inside it was a clenched coin—the very same one Momo had given her before they entered Canary.

“Says the murderer… You usually have something to gloat about… I’ve done lost everything… have no friends, and I still somehow lose one… You killed…in the sewers, so why not finish me off… I don’t want to live anymore…”

Damnit it, Arty!” Momo exclaimed. She grabbed him by the collar and almost dragged him over to a dark alley. She stepped over soiled trash and nearly tripped over a stray dog, but she, with some divine assistance, pressed the depressed Arty against the side of a building. “Listen to me! That man was going to hurt me to get my bag! This bag and my sword are my grampy’s greatest treasures! Do you think I should have just given it up?!” she shouted, doing something she should have done months earlier. She didn't have the courage then, but it was better late than never.

Arty kept an enigmatic expression on his filthy face. The desire to love at all had left when his last companions abandoned him for his bitterness.

“Listen to me! Servy did not kill him! Maybe she had all the right to do that because my life was in danger, but she did not do it! She just protected me! Now do you want to know something?! Servy did have to kill when we went to Arcton! And now she’s like this! She took a life to save mine. You see how she’s acting? If she really did like your friend, then she would have acted like this!!!” shouted Momo. She was getting far too emotional to the point where she was almost talking in circles. Her face became flushed with passion, and a nervous sweat drizzled down her pretty cheeks. Her lips tasted the flavor of salt.

But what she said… Was it true? Was it possible Momo was telling a lie? Servi arguably did not kill Arty’s companion, but she didn’t do anything to save him.

“I’m sorry… I’m sorry… I’m sorry… I’m sorry…” chanted Servi. She let go of Momo’s hand and placed both on Arty’s shoulders. Momo moved back, taking just a step or two while keeping her fingers attached to Servi’s arm.

Arty scoffed and looked up. “Just slit my throat and get it over with…. You’ve killed once—twice even… So what’s another body to add to your sins…? You’ll be doing me a favor…”

“I’m sorry… I’m sorry… I’M SORRY!!! I’m sorry!!!! I’m sorry!!!! I’m sorry!!!!! I’m sorry!!!!! I’M SORRY I’M SORRY!!! I’MSORRYI’MSORRY!!!!” Tears began to fall from her red eyes. Her arms slightly shook. The panic surging through her apologies sent Momo a step further back.

“JUST GET ON WITH IT!!!” shouted Arty. “FUCKING KILL ME BECAUSE I DON’T HAVE ANYTHING LEFT!!!”

“I’M SORRY!!! I’m sorry!!!! I’M SORRY!!!!” Like a broken record, Servi only said the same two words over and over again. The grip in her fingers increased, causing Arty to yell out in pain. Momo wrangled her arms around Servi’s waist and pulled her back.

“Arty,” Momo said while turning Servi around. The tearful girl cried her worries in the arm of her protector. “I used to be like you… I did something so stupid that I thought death was the only outcome for a girl like me… But Servy… She saved me in more ways than one. Even though your words… Your constant clamoring that we killed your friend… I lost a lot of sleep those nights because I kept having small nightmares. Never did tell Servy, though. Now I wish I had because I know what a kind girl she is… And look… I’m tired of being antagonistic towards each other. I really am… This life we all have eventually runs out… It isn’t long enough to constantly make enemies… So here it is… Servy and I are sorry your friend passed away… You seem like you need some help… So here… I have 300 dupla… Go get a room at an inn, take a long bath, clean up, get that scar checked out, eat a meal, and just try to get a good night’s sleep. I’m sorry I can’t do more… I don’t know if this will help, but… Go to the Hurrah Theatre Hall on Bridgestone Avenue at 7 PM… Something there might help… Maybe it will… And maybe it won’t…”

The dupla really came from Servi and Itarr, and Momo marked another mental note that she had to pay this back as well. She tossed the coins on the dirty ground, and Arty collapsed to his knees simultaneously. The sound they made was the trigger to unleash the tears behind Arty’s eyes. He loudly wailed and punched the ground. Servi took one more look at him, and she looked inside her clenched fist. It held a dupla-- the very same one Momo had given her an hour or so before they encountered Sea and Jeri. She dropped that little coin...but why?

Momo stared as it crashed into the ground, clinging and bouncing away before doubling back and stopping right by Arty's knee. Itarr had done that, so maybe the Goddess also wanted to end this feud between them. Regardless of if she did or didn't, it was time for them to leave. Momo and Servi left him alone to wallow in his sadness.

Once they were sufficiently far away, Momo whispered while holding back her own emotions. “I’m tired of being enemies with him… Even if his friend was going to hurt me, Arty was his companion… It’s almost sad that I don’t remember his name at all... Or the name of that other guy who acted as a referee when you and Arty had that little duel… I’m not saying we have to be the best of friends…but if we walk by him just once and not have them declare us as murderers…”

Servi stopped in the middle of a busy street just ten minutes away from the guild. Her face was red like a tomato, but her tears were undeniably crystal clear. The crimson was visible through them. Unable to remain standing for much longer, she fell to her knees and shouted at the road. Momo had heard these harrowing wails once before, and that was right when Servi was crying six to seven times a day during the return to Canary. She did what she did best and embraced her friend, but it wasn’t enough for her lamenting to cease. Luckily, the band playing nearby and the crowd cheering for them drowned out her voice. And anyone who saw her imagined Servi was just a drunk who had a little bit too much fun.

Itarr stopped the girl from slamming her face into the ground, and Momo swept her up and into her arms. The walk to Warden wasn’t that far, but it felt like it took hours because Momo’s eyes were foggy with thick tears. Itarr constantly moved objects and people out of the way, and her guard never dropped down for a moment. The hardest part was probably the five flights of steps to reach the fifth floor, but the unfaltering Singi marched right up them without stopping for a break. A nearby Goddess handled the door, and it didn’t take but a few seconds for Momo to gently lay Servi down on the bed. She snagged the pillow and fluffed it up the way her grandfather used to do for her, then readjusted Servi’s position for maximum comfiness.

Now that Momo had a moment alone in her room, she realized it was awfully dark. Itarr fixed that, and Momo reached into her bag and grabbed the gummies.

“Servy… I’m worried about you…” Momo whispered. Her breathe was tender, full of fear similar to the fright a child might have when their parents argued day and night. Her hand seemed so weak, but a surprising stubbornness filled her spirit. She had to be strong and resilient, and the time for crying had to be gone yesterday. Instead of snacking down alone, Momo changed into the clothes she had dubbed her training gear, which was just a shirt and a pair of shorts.

She crunched her abs, pushed off the ground, squatted down and back up. Itarr even brought forth a staff from her ring and positioned it like a pull-up bar for the Singi to use. A layer of moist sweat started to cost her body. Her muscles screamed out in acceptance and not pain, for they had become used to the effort their owner was putting in. All in all, it was five sets of twenty reps each with only a two or three minute break in between. When Momo began to do these exercises three days after the extreme conditioning, she was almost begging for death by the second set. Now she could hold on to the end of the fourth with minimal complaints. The fifth, though… That was a different story.

I know I still have a way to go… I bet Dineria could do a hundred of these without batting an eye… I have to work my body… I have to get stronger…and stronger…and stronger some more if I want to protect my Servy!!!

Her arms were shaky, like a building erected on soft marshlands. At any moment, they could fold right up. She pressed down, lifting up, then slowly returned to the ground as her 20th pushup was complete. All that was left was the squats. That was perhaps the most comfortable set to complete because Singi were naturally gifted in the legs. Their muscles were built for speed and agility. That didn’t stop Momo from collapsing onto the floor in a sweaty mess like a falling building. A floating canteen appeared right nearby, and she downed over half of it at once.

“Thank you, Itarr… I was so thirsty. If it isn’t too much trouble, could you set up the bath again?” As requested by her inhabitant’s protector, the bath was set up in a flash. And the giant basin was already filled with water at just the right temperature.

Momo’s relaxation lasted almost twenty minutes, which Dineria had said was the perfect amount of time to relax their muscles after a hard workout. As always, she sprawled out in the tub and just floated wherever it took her. Sometimes she’d push off with her tail and gently coasted along until she had her fill of the bath. The first thing she always did was clean her sweaty body. And her hair required loving care to keep it as soft as it was. Her tail was no easy clean, either, but it wasn’t as bad as the proper care for a Koena. Especially if one wanted their scales to remain at the pinnacle of shininess.

Before long, the water began to lose its breathtakingly desirable warmth, meaning the twenty minutes were about up. How fortunate Dineria's guidelines and the water’s heat were about the same time. Or maybe Itarr took that into account when filling up the basin. She had been doing a lot of that lately, and she was learning something new every day.

“Eh? Servy, you’re already chowing down? Make sure to leave some for me.” Momo heard the ruffling of a bag as she dressed in her pajamas. Since they weren’t going to bed, she wanted to wear something other than her underwear. After fishing her tail through the hole in the yellow, comfy bottoms, she skipped out from beyond the privacy curtain and saw the apple of her eye. Servi had a questioning look on her face. Momo skipped over and sat right down.

“Hey, you’ve got to try these. They’re incredible… Even better than the last time we had them,” said Servi. She sat crossed-legged on the bed. Two bags sat within in her lap, and one was open. Her left hand held six colorful, fruitful goodies, and she was ferrying them to her mouth. The flavor of apple and grape exploded on her tongue as her teeth viciously chopped them into smaller chunks. They left behind a red and blue present right before flowing down her esophagus.

“Really? That’s good. I’ve been craving something sweet for a while. Wait…” Momo felt something was wrong and odd… Her face twisted and scrunched in confusion, her mind running faster than the speed of light. Like a confused puppy, her head tilted slightly to the side as she stared at Servi’s smiling face.

When was the last time she initiated any conversation…? Eh? EH?!?!?!? SERVY?!?!