Stupid, stupid. Riary had been panicking, freaking out, letting guilt eat at her. The Gem was missing and the most likely suspect was Derek. Her anger had practically slipped off him when she’d seen him just standing there. All the nastiest parts of her that had been screaming their rage at him, at her, came to the front and she just couldn’t help it. She wanted to confront him then and there, demand he tell her about the Gem, demand he give it back or else.
Randomly yelling his name and getting angry at him wouldn’t accomplish any of that and what was she going to do, burn him to the ground? A lot, a lot of her still wanted that and it felt like her mind was going to be torn apart. She wanted to talk about it, to talk to Konohora about it. But she couldn’t, she couldn’t really without bringing up one of the major new sources of turmoil she was feeling. She hadn’t told anyone about the Gem and now it was missing. Derek most likely had it and if he didn’t…
He had to. He had to. He was the only one that might have known, the only one that would sneak into her room and take it.
Her emotions felt like a lit exploding bomb. She, Derek, they, Tyler, she wanted to do nothing more than bang her head against the wall. Certain things were becoming clear at least. She had fucked up. If she had just told them from the beginning-! But no, she had… horrible reasons but at least reasons for not telling them. It’s because she was scared.
Scared and now she might lose the only way to help Tyler.
A part of her loved that, Tyler never leaving her, never being able to go back home. Another part of her practically recoiled at that. She was a bitch and an angry one too, but she wasn’t that much of an asshole or that weak willed. She would have told him, but now it felt like the worst fate imaginable had come to pass. She wouldn’t let it end like this.
She would get that gem back. And being stupid wasn’t going to help.
She had to think this through and try and do it without any hate. Which was… hard. Nearly impossible really. But hate wasn’t who she was, that was anger. She went to her room, Konohora and Tyler still not back from the library for some reason. She’d focus, Derek probably had the Gem. He hadn’t acted like he had the gem. That sent a shard of panic and anxiety shooting through her. She… if Derek didn’t have it… she was not weak enough to ignore the possibility. If he didn’t have it, if someone else took it… then she didn’t know what she was going to do. Anyone in the city could have it! It was a popular enough inn and she didn’t have any leads deeper than Derek. Was it the manager, the elf Derek got fucked by, a different worker, a random adventurer? Riary felt like she was going crazy.
She took a deep, shaky breath. Her mind had stewed all day, partially worried, worried that Derek wouldn’t come back. That he would already be running away with the Gem and that she was screwed. But he was here, at the inn, still here.
So… maybe it wasn’t him?
It has to be!
Another deep breath. It could be. It didn’t make sense. He hadn’t reacted like he had it. He hadn’t fled. Was he a great actor or innocent? How much did he know? What could she do?
That last part she focused on. Now that her mind had the slightest semblance of not being in full-blown anger, guilt, and panic, she could think a little more. What could she do? If Derek stole it, would he admit it if she confronted him? No. He wouldn’t. What thief would? The answer would be the same if he didn’t steal it. There was only one solution. One, horrible, painful solution.
She had to tell Konohora and Tyler what she’d done. Then have Konohora question him. She’d do it later. After, after they came back.
There was a knock on her door… and her heart froze. It opened, revealing Konohora. Riary felt like she was a piece of glass than had been seen through.
“Hello. Tyler and I are back. We’re having dinner downstairs with Derek. How was your meditation?”
“F-Fine. Let’s go.”
Konohora blinked and her eyes followed Riary, worry on her face.
****
Tyler was having a good day. Even if it sucked. Nothing was trying to kill him, nothing was trying to hurt his friends, and they had a place to rest. But… he had spent most of it studying in a library which had been terribly boring.
“It’s so good to be free from there!” Tyler said.
Derek chuckled next to him. Currently, they were both waiting for Konohora and Riary. It was rare the two of them were alone even for a moment. The closest they got was during their sparring sessions but they still had Riary and Konohora watching.
Derek… Derek was a great man. He had saved Riary, saved them all, all without any hate in his heart. All he wanted was to reach here, to be free as he called it, and he was! Tyler thought of their journeys and it made him feel warm inside, to think they could make such bonds like this! He was a demon and Tyler was a human and yet even so, they had become friends along the way.
Derek still… made him slightly uncomfortable though. Everyone thought he was, kinda stupid. Maybe he was, a bit. But he had eyes and ears and a working brain. Especially after a few more of Konohora’s lectures, he knew he was just being stupid. So what if Derek… liked… men? Futa’s? It didn’t matter. It shouldn’t have mattered. He still, didn’t want to be too physically close to Derek and he didn’t like that part of himself. He had reacted the same way to a few other culture shocks when he got here, like the first time he saw someone cut apart a monster. He hadn’t wanted to touch his blade. He had gotten over that and he would get over this.
As Riary and Konohora came down, he smiled wide, waving them over. They both sat down and soon food arrived. They all began to eat, with Riary and Derek glancing at each other. Tyler was glad they were getting along. Considering where they started, woo. It was a small miracle they were on such good terms now! But fighting for your life with comrades will do that. Speaking of…. It was finally time to bring something up.
“Everyone,” He started, causing everyone to look at him. “I want to talk about something.”
They all looked at him in surprise, especially Konohora. He was the party leader on paper but Konohora usually helped extensively in making decisions. He knew he wasn’t truly ready to be a leader, not yet, but he would get there in time. Well, he hoped he’d find a way home first, but he knew it could take a while. But there were plenty of things he could still do.
Like suggest an addition to the party.
“Derek. You’ve been a wonderful friend from start to finish, helping us along the way. If it wasn’t for you, we’d probably all be dead right now. I know we started a little rocky, but I’ve been more than happy to spar with you and talk to you during our journey. I would like to suggest you joining our party, officially.”
Everyone looked on in surprise. Derek, Konohora, Riary, all of them. Konohora didn’t say anything though, just looking between everyone.
“That-” Derek started only to be interrupted by Riary.
“We can’t! How on earth are we going to bring him into human territory?!”
Tyler had expected this one.
“I don’t think we should go back any time soon. We’ve searched all throughout, our search has led us here. The libraries of the elves already have different information and leads we’ve partially found just today. Nothing concrete but as long as we’re searching, we shouldn’t run into any trouble.”
“I-” Derek began again.
Now Konohora spoke up.
“But there are still many issues with that plan. We can’t remain in the Elven territories forever. Eventually, we will need to return. And there may be consequences if people learn a hero team is officially welcoming a demon as a party member. Hero teams are politically minded and this could cause political issues. The Mauv king will not be happy if he learns of this.”
“I don’t think we should base party decisions on politics of all things. By that time, I might have already found a way home. And if problems do appear, we can deal with it when they pop up.”
“Yes but-” Konohora began only to be cut off by Derek.
“Nope. Let me speak a word in edgewise.” Derek said.
Everyone turned to him. He huffed.
“I appreciate the offer Tyler… but no.”
Tyler blinked, confusion filling him. Then shock.
“What?” he asked, voice a confused, sad whisper.
Derek winced.
“Sorry Tyler. You all have been… okay. But I’ll put it directly. I don’t want to travel with you. Riary still hates me because she can’t help hating me, Konohora can’t be talked to about anything serious because she can’t hold the information, and you…”
Tyler blinked. Him?
“Tyler, you barely think of me as a person.”
“What?! That’s not true!”
“You never talk to me. One of our longest conversations was you beginning to train with me. In half our conversations, you’ve mentioned how great it is that a demon wasn’t an evil bastard. You have never, once, sat down and really talked with me. Konohora has, Riary gets a pass because of reasons I know because of Konohora.”
Riary looked over in shock and hurt on her face, Konohora grimaced.
“Sorry Riary, I needed to know why you wanted and tried to kill me. I forgive you, if it means anything. I don’t hate you. I don’t hate any of you. But you people, alright, more honesty. You people are okay. But you suck. You aren’t fun to be around and I can trust you to save my life when it comes down to it, sure, but every other moment would be annoying or awful. You went from my would-be murderers, to my prison wardens, to my what, forced traveling companions? I’m going to stay here, then I’m going to head out on my own. I might find a few other people at some point, safety in numbers… but it won’t be with the people that don’t care about me.”
Saying that Derek got up, but before he walked away he turned to each of them. He seemed to be mulling something over before eventually speaking.
“In a way, thank you. It all turned out for the best. Even if I do, fully, blame you for putting me in front of that vampire, if I had traveled towards here on my own, I might have gone near that village. I might have wound up dead in some way. You were genuinely awful to be around for the first half of the trip and tolerable for the second. We may not be friends or companions, but we saved each other's lives and I will never forget that. If, if you need me, I will help you. I won’t sever ties with you. But I don’t want to be around any of you any longer. I’ll get a different room tomorrow and try to stay with Silinthia tonight.”
Leaving all three of them shocked, Derek walked away.
****
Well that had been… exhausting. But I said what had needed to be said. I waved to Silinthia and judging by the smile on her face, I wouldn’t have any trouble finding a new place to sleep tonight. I returned my own smile.
Sex really was one of life’s best medicines.
Warix_Viviana
Please rate the story if you like it! (Cough 5 stars cough) Ah, something in my throat.
Stupid, stupid. Riary had been panicking, freaking out, letting guilt eat at her. The Gem was missing and the most likely suspect was Derek. Her anger had practically slipped off him when she’d seen him just standing there. All the nastiest parts of her that had been screaming their rage at him, at her, came to the front and she just couldn’t help it. She wanted to confront him then and there, demand he tell her about the Gem, demand he give it back or else.
Randomly yelling his name and getting angry at him wouldn’t accomplish any of that and what was she going to do, burn him to the ground? A lot, a lot of her still wanted that and it felt like her mind was going to be torn apart. She wanted to talk about it, to talk to Konohora about it. But she couldn’t, she couldn’t really without bringing up one of the major new sources of turmoil she was feeling. She hadn’t told anyone about the Gem and now it was missing. Derek most likely had it and if he didn’t…
He had to. He had to. He was the only one that might have known, the only one that would sneak into her room and take it.
Her emotions felt like a lit exploding bomb. She, Derek, they, Tyler, she wanted to do nothing more than bang her head against the wall. Certain things were becoming clear at least. She had fucked up. If she had just told them from the beginning-! But no, she had… horrible reasons but at least reasons for not telling them. It’s because she was scared.
Scared and now she might lose the only way to help Tyler.
A part of her loved that, Tyler never leaving her, never being able to go back home. Another part of her practically recoiled at that. She was a bitch and an angry one too, but she wasn’t that much of an asshole or that weak willed. She would have told him, but now it felt like the worst fate imaginable had come to pass. She wouldn’t let it end like this.
She would get that gem back. And being stupid wasn’t going to help.
She had to think this through and try and do it without any hate. Which was… hard. Nearly impossible really. But hate wasn’t who she was, that was anger. She went to her room, Konohora and Tyler still not back from the library for some reason. She’d focus, Derek probably had the Gem. He hadn’t acted like he had the gem. That sent a shard of panic and anxiety shooting through her. She… if Derek didn’t have it… she was not weak enough to ignore the possibility. If he didn’t have it, if someone else took it… then she didn’t know what she was going to do. Anyone in the city could have it! It was a popular enough inn and she didn’t have any leads deeper than Derek. Was it the manager, the elf Derek got fucked by, a different worker, a random adventurer? Riary felt like she was going crazy.
She took a deep, shaky breath. Her mind had stewed all day, partially worried, worried that Derek wouldn’t come back. That he would already be running away with the Gem and that she was screwed. But he was here, at the inn, still here.
So… maybe it wasn’t him?
It has to be!
Another deep breath. It could be. It didn’t make sense. He hadn’t reacted like he had it. He hadn’t fled. Was he a great actor or innocent? How much did he know? What could she do?
That last part she focused on. Now that her mind had the slightest semblance of not being in full-blown anger, guilt, and panic, she could think a little more. What could she do? If Derek stole it, would he admit it if she confronted him? No. He wouldn’t. What thief would? The answer would be the same if he didn’t steal it. There was only one solution. One, horrible, painful solution.
She had to tell Konohora and Tyler what she’d done. Then have Konohora question him. She’d do it later. After, after they came back.
There was a knock on her door… and her heart froze. It opened, revealing Konohora. Riary felt like she was a piece of glass than had been seen through.
“Hello. Tyler and I are back. We’re having dinner downstairs with Derek. How was your meditation?”
“F-Fine. Let’s go.”
Konohora blinked and her eyes followed Riary, worry on her face.
****
Tyler was having a good day. Even if it sucked. Nothing was trying to kill him, nothing was trying to hurt his friends, and they had a place to rest. But… he had spent most of it studying in a library which had been terribly boring.
“It’s so good to be free from there!” Tyler said.
Derek chuckled next to him. Currently, they were both waiting for Konohora and Riary. It was rare the two of them were alone even for a moment. The closest they got was during their sparring sessions but they still had Riary and Konohora watching.
Derek… Derek was a great man. He had saved Riary, saved them all, all without any hate in his heart. All he wanted was to reach here, to be free as he called it, and he was! Tyler thought of their journeys and it made him feel warm inside, to think they could make such bonds like this! He was a demon and Tyler was a human and yet even so, they had become friends along the way.
Derek still… made him slightly uncomfortable though. Everyone thought he was, kinda stupid. Maybe he was, a bit. But he had eyes and ears and a working brain. Especially after a few more of Konohora’s lectures, he knew he was just being stupid. So what if Derek… liked… men? Futa’s? It didn’t matter. It shouldn’t have mattered. He still, didn’t want to be too physically close to Derek and he didn’t like that part of himself. He had reacted the same way to a few other culture shocks when he got here, like the first time he saw someone cut apart a monster. He hadn’t wanted to touch his blade. He had gotten over that and he would get over this.
As Riary and Konohora came down, he smiled wide, waving them over. They both sat down and soon food arrived. They all began to eat, with Riary and Derek glancing at each other. Tyler was glad they were getting along. Considering where they started, woo. It was a small miracle they were on such good terms now! But fighting for your life with comrades will do that. Speaking of…. It was finally time to bring something up.
“Everyone,” He started, causing everyone to look at him. “I want to talk about something.”
They all looked at him in surprise, especially Konohora. He was the party leader on paper but Konohora usually helped extensively in making decisions. He knew he wasn’t truly ready to be a leader, not yet, but he would get there in time. Well, he hoped he’d find a way home first, but he knew it could take a while. But there were plenty of things he could still do.
Like suggest an addition to the party.
“Derek. You’ve been a wonderful friend from start to finish, helping us along the way. If it wasn’t for you, we’d probably all be dead right now. I know we started a little rocky, but I’ve been more than happy to spar with you and talk to you during our journey. I would like to suggest you joining our party, officially.”
Everyone looked on in surprise. Derek, Konohora, Riary, all of them. Konohora didn’t say anything though, just looking between everyone.
“That-” Derek started only to be interrupted by Riary.
“We can’t! How on earth are we going to bring him into human territory?!”
Tyler had expected this one.
“I don’t think we should go back any time soon. We’ve searched all throughout, our search has led us here. The libraries of the elves already have different information and leads we’ve partially found just today. Nothing concrete but as long as we’re searching, we shouldn’t run into any trouble.”
“I-” Derek began again.
Now Konohora spoke up.
“But there are still many issues with that plan. We can’t remain in the Elven territories forever. Eventually, we will need to return. And there may be consequences if people learn a hero team is officially welcoming a demon as a party member. Hero teams are politically minded and this could cause political issues. The Mauv king will not be happy if he learns of this.”
“I don’t think we should base party decisions on politics of all things. By that time, I might have already found a way home. And if problems do appear, we can deal with it when they pop up.”
“Yes but-” Konohora began only to be cut off by Derek.
“Nope. Let me speak a word in edgewise.” Derek said.
Everyone turned to him. He huffed.
“I appreciate the offer Tyler… but no.”
Tyler blinked, confusion filling him. Then shock.
“What?” he asked, voice a confused, sad whisper.
Derek winced.
“Sorry Tyler. You all have been… okay. But I’ll put it directly. I don’t want to travel with you. Riary still hates me because she can’t help hating me, Konohora can’t be talked to about anything serious because she can’t hold the information, and you…”
Tyler blinked. Him?
“Tyler, you barely think of me as a person.”
“What?! That’s not true!”
“You never talk to me. One of our longest conversations was you beginning to train with me. In half our conversations, you’ve mentioned how great it is that a demon wasn’t an evil bastard. You have never, once, sat down and really talked with me. Konohora has, Riary gets a pass because of reasons I know because of Konohora.”
Riary looked over in shock and hurt on her face, Konohora grimaced.
“Sorry Riary, I needed to know why you wanted and tried to kill me. I forgive you, if it means anything. I don’t hate you. I don’t hate any of you. But you people, alright, more honesty. You people are okay. But you suck. You aren’t fun to be around and I can trust you to save my life when it comes down to it, sure, but every other moment would be annoying or awful. You went from my would-be murderers, to my prison wardens, to my what, forced traveling companions? I’m going to stay here, then I’m going to head out on my own. I might find a few other people at some point, safety in numbers… but it won’t be with the people that don’t care about me.”
Saying that Derek got up, but before he walked away he turned to each of them. He seemed to be mulling something over before eventually speaking.
“In a way, thank you. It all turned out for the best. Even if I do, fully, blame you for putting me in front of that vampire, if I had traveled towards here on my own, I might have gone near that village. I might have wound up dead in some way. You were genuinely awful to be around for the first half of the trip and tolerable for the second. We may not be friends or companions, but we saved each other's lives and I will never forget that. If, if you need me, I will help you. I won’t sever ties with you. But I don’t want to be around any of you any longer. I’ll get a different room tomorrow and try to stay with Silinthia tonight.”
Leaving all three of them shocked, Derek walked away.
****
Well that had been… exhausting. But I said what had needed to be said. I waved to Silinthia and judging by the smile on her face, I wouldn’t have any trouble finding a new place to sleep tonight. I returned my own smile.
Sex really was one of life’s best medicines.
Warix_Viviana
Please rate the story if you like it! (Cough 5 stars cough) Ah, something in my throat.
