Chapter 7: Floor 1: Chapter Seven - The Sea Elf

Morning stillness lingered, but the world was starting to move again. It was a new day.

We saw Val off at first light.

He didn’t make a big show of it, just slung his bag over one shoulder, gave a light goodbye to everyone, and went on his way.

“Try not to get yourself killed while I’m gone,” he muttered.

I smirked. “Try not to fall into the river.”

And just like that, he was gone, vanishing between the trees like a shadow.

We all agreed to meet back up here in a week. Dent promised it’d look better by then, but I’m not convinced.

The morning air was cool and fresh with dew. The familiar birdsong around Dent's camp started to make it feel like home. He sat nearby, slumped against the trunk of a half-slanted fruit tree, chewing what looked like an uncooked root.

Eshlyn was already busy setting out her things a few paces off, her satchel half-unpacked, notes and components organized in neat little clusters on a flat stone. I didn’t know whether to be impressed or concerned.

Dent caught me eyeing the garden beds behind him and raised a brow. “If you're looking for breakfast, you won't find much. My crops are in emotional recovery.”

I gave him a flat look. “That’s one way to put it.”

“Fine, they’re mostly dead,” he corrected himself.

“It’s like you’re twins,” I joked.

He grinned at my comment, then nodded toward Eshlyn. “You two training today?”

“Yeah. Figured we’d get through a lesson before heading back to the city.”

Dent raised his voice a bit so Eshlyn could hear him. “Wipe the floor with them, Eshlyn!”

“We’re not fighting each other,” I said as I turned to join Eshlyn. “We are not going to fight each other… are we?”

She didn’t respond, just gave me a look that I couldn’t read.

We picked a clearing near the river that looked open enough not to kill each other in, so we claimed it as our training area. I took a good look at Eshlyn in preparation. A light breeze was tugging her hair back, she was still in those elegant robes, which she now rolled to the elbow. The morning light caught in the silver bracelet she gave me, still snug around my wrist.

“You ready?” she asked, hardly looking up.

I thought about telling her that I was a little nervous. “Only if you go easy on me.”

Her lips twitched. “Well, that depends… How dramatic are you planning to be when you fail miserably?”

I rolled my eyes, stepping up beside her. “Hmmm, I’m thinking full meltdown. Crying, screaming, maybe a touch of theatrical fainting.”

“Perfect,” she said as if believing me. “We’ll start with the fundamentals, then.”

We stepped into the clearing, river sounds trickling in behind us as the early sun lit the dew-streaked grass. Eshlyn stood like a scholar giving a lecture, posture straight, staff lightly resting against her shoulder. I, on the other hand, felt like I’d just shown up late to an exam I didn’t study for.

She gestured toward the air around us. “First lesson, control starts with visualization. I want you to imagine water, clear, calm, and steady. Once you have the image, push your intent into the aether to draw it toward you.”

I stared at her. “You want me to think water into existence?”

“Not quite,” she said, already smiling. “The water's already there. The aether is all around us, just in different forms. It responds to our intent and changes form based on what we attempt to manifest. Aether-control is the trained ability to imprint our intent through focus. Given enough training, you could perform that invisible hand trick almost passively. With a little more focus, I’m sure you could even control multiples.

I raised a brow. “Wow, well, the result sounds great, but getting there… ”

She continued as if she didn’t hear me. “Close your eyes. Reach inward. The bracelet will help stabilize your intent if you let it. If it helps, you can focus your mind on the bracelet first, and then on what you want to manifest.”

I glanced down at the silver cuff around my wrist. It was cool against my skin, the runes barely glimmering in the light. I took a breath, then closed my eyes.

Water. Clear. Clean. Calm. Water.

Nothing happened, so I tried again, speaking out loud this time.

Water… Clear…. Clean…. Calm… Water.

Still nothing. “UGH! It's not working.”

Eshlyn shifted slightly. “It’s okay, don’t force it. Just try to picture it flowing to you.”

“Like… emotionally?”

She didn’t answer at first, but I caught the subtle lift of her brow. “Yes, emotionally.”

I sighed and tried again, imagining cool river water gliding over my hand, the pull of current, the quiet of being submerged. The bracelet vibrated faintly. I felt a shimmer pass through it, but whatever I summoned fizzled out before it took shape.

I groaned. “Damn. Is it usually this difficult? Maybe I’m not meant for this.”

“No, that's certainly not it. You have already performed great feats of manifestation,” she said in curiosity, and with a smile tugging at her lips. “Perhaps you’re overthinking it.”

“That’s rich coming from you.”

She gasped while placing a dramatic hand on her chest. “I’ll have you know I always think the exact amount needed for every thought.”

“Eshlyn, your notes have notes… and those notes have notes.”

“Yes, yes, I get your point.”

She took a few steps forward and tapped the bracelet around my wrist. “Hmm… Shall we change tactics then? It's highly unorthodox to skip ahead like this, but perhaps it's best if we get practical.”

I perked up slightly. “Ok, sure, I like practical.”

“Good. Then let's try this…” She held her hand out, and a quick stream of water lifted from the river and curled midair like a ribbon before splashing gently back down. “Don’t think about harmony or emotion or any of that. Just grab the water and pull it.”

“Now that sounds reasonable.”

I extended my hand and imagined gripping the edge of the water like a rope.

To my surprise, the river responded. A tendril lifted from the river, and I continued pulling it upward, toward me. It wasn’t elegant, but it moved. I felt the bracelet latch onto the flow between us, stabilizing it with a feeling like I didn’t have to focus so hard to keep the tendril alive.

“Are you seeing this!” I said, excitement rising. “I’m doing it!”

“Wow, that was very quick!” she shouted, stepping back as the eel-shaped tendril wobbled in her direction.

“Do you think I could throw it?” I asked before motioning to the tree behind us. A weak bolt of water slapped into it, following my movement.

We both stood wide-eyed, then I turned to her with a smile. “What do you think of that?”

She laughed, real, unguarded laughter. “Alright, practical it is.”

How have I gone my whole life without trying that!?

We kept going. I wasn’t graceful, and Eshlyn wasn’t patient with mistakes, but we found rhythm anyway. Water bent, surged, misfired, and splashed. I even soaked Eshlyn from the knees down when attempting to float a liquid orb.

Before I knew it, we were laughing. It didn’t feel like a lesson anymore. It felt like we were two kids, just playing in the river.

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After a while, she pointed toward the deeper part of the river. “Want to try something a bit more difficult?”

I squinted suspiciously. “Like what?”

Her grin was far too pleased. “I’ll carry us while you push the water.”

“Wait… You want to swim?”

She was already tugging off her boots. “You said you liked practical, and this will be fun.”

I haven't had to swim in years. I’m sure I can still do it, but… not very well.

“Eshlyn, you’re at least half sea-elf, there is no way I can keep up with you.”

She shot me a look. “You won’t have to. Just trust me.”

I hesitated, watching as she casually peeled away the outer layers of her robes until only a form-fitting set of underlayers remained. Typical small clothes, but much fancier than mine would be. They were made with dark silk, cut to the stomach in a way that fit snug across her figure.

I looked away instinctively, only to glance back a second later.

She folded her robes neatly and set them on a flat stone, then turned to face me with a raised brow. “What are you waiting for?”

Right. My turn…

“…Fine,” I muttered. “But you better save me if I start drowning.”

I peeled off my boots and shrugged out of my shirt, suddenly very aware of how clingy and revealing my own small clothes felt. They weren’t fancy, to say the least, just tight, dark layers, but they showed more than I was used to sharing.

I placed my outerwear next to hers before she gave me a sly smile and stepped into the river. She quickly leaped under, vanishing beneath the reflective water with all the grace of someone born to it.

I took a breath, then followed with much less grace.

The water was colder than I expected.

It hit me in a rush, pulling a sharp gasp from my throat before I could stop it. I plunged downward, pushing through the chill, and broke the surface again just in time to see Eshlyn circling back toward me like a glimmer of silver beneath the water. We were deep enough now that I had to kick.

She’s so fast.

She popped up with a wide smile, hair slicked against her head, droplets glinting on her tinted cheeks. “You didn’t drown,” she said.

“Not yet,” I muttered, gritting my teeth against the temperature. My limbs already felt heavy, like it’d take all my energy just to stay aloft.

“Alright, come here.” She drifted closer, hands gentle as they found my sides. I tensed on instinct.

“What are you… ”

“I said I’d carry us and you’d push, remember?”

“Right. Ok. Yeah.” I flushed, trying not to overthink the closeness. Her arms wrapped around behind my back just beneath the waterline, guiding me until we were both upright and floating in place, chest to chest, her legs kicking lightly to keep us buoyant.

“Wow, you're really able to keep us both afloat with just your legs?” I exclaimed.

“Is it that impressive?” She asked.

“If I tried that, we would sink in two seconds,” I admitted.

“The water is my home,” she said with enough serenity in her voice to make me smile.

“Alright then, now what?” I asked, my breath a little shaky.

She leaned in just enough for her forehead to bump mine. “Now…you try to push us out of the water.”

I nodded and closed my eyes, trying to focus. Bracelet. Intent. Push.

I reached out with both my palm and my focus, not to the water, but into it. I felt the way it curled around my limbs, the weight of it against my skin. I thought of movement, speed, and power.

It’ll probably take a huge surge to get us out of the water. I thought before shifting my focus. Grandiose power. Explosive and forceful.

Then I opened my eyes and with a concentrated shove of will, I pushed.

The river surged beneath us in response. It wasn’t graceful. It was a raw explosion of current, unrefined and powerful.

We jolted high into the air. The water disappeared from below us like we’d been launched out of a catapult. The motion yanked a yelp from my throat as my stomach dropped in sudden ascent.

Then, with no warning, Eshlyn twisted to pull us into a downward position. I barely had time to gasp. My vision tilted as the sky spun into the river, and in the span of a breath, my world flipped upside down.

I saw the water before we hit it, vast and glinting, waiting below like polished glass. We hovered in freefall for a moment of breathless silence. Eshlyn looked back at me mid-fall, hair trailing like violet strokes from a pen.

Then we plunged, headfirst, into the deepest parts of the river’s tide. I closed my eyes in the impact, only opening as we began to surface. Eshlyn’s grin from under the waves was like nothing I’d ever seen before.

I felt her feet kick before we crashed through the surface in a burst of bubbles and spray.

“That was incredible!” I gasped, brushing wet hair from my face.

Eshlyn was laughing too hard to answer right away, wiping at her eyes. “You nearly launched us into the trees!”

I couldn’t help it. I started laughing too. The sound that came out was ugly, breathless, and full of exhilaration.

We eventually steadied ourselves, drifting in the current.

“I told you it’d be fun!” she exclaimed between chuckles.

“I think that was the coolest thing I’ve ever done,” I replied, sharing the enthusiasm.

She stared at me, still grinning. “That’s the core of aether control. You did it. You felt the flow and let your intent manifest into something powerful.”

I didn’t have words, so I just said, “Let’s do it again”.

“Alright, this time try to focus on rhythm, rather than power, let your intent flow in continuous pulses as if you were rowing.“ I nodded in confirmation as Eshlyn held me steady, guiding with slight shifts of her weight and body position.

I closed my eyes again. Flow… Pulse… I felt the aether hum around me, pushing my intent into it to channel soft waves. Not a surge this time, just a steady, rising rhythm that danced along the water’s edge.

The river answered.

We moved. Just as we would descend slightly, I let out another pulse of water, a rhythm that sent us gliding across the surface like a skipping stone.

The current pulled beneath us like silk drawn over skin. It felt like we were flying on a river made sky, peaceful and impossibly light. For a moment, we were the only two people in the tower, gliding through a space no one else could reach.

I hoped it would go on forever, so I didn’t speak. I didn’t want to break whatever dream or spell we’d fallen into, but then, the moment felt right, so I glided us to a stop just as we began floating into the shaded edge of the river. A space where the current slowed and the water was quiet.

We didn’t move.

We just floated.

Our fingers brushed underwater. I didn’t know if it was an accident, but I didn’t pull away.

The silence between us wasn’t awkward. It was warm. Comfortable. And in it, I found a small moment of peace.

“Remy,” Eshlyn said, soft as the water lapping at our shoulders.

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I looked at her.

She didn’t say anything more. Just smiled.

I smiled back.

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Just as we were about to head back to shore, a splash broke the stillness.

I turned my head just in time to see a silver blur leap from the river with way too much enthusiasm. It spun once in the air and smacked the surface belly-first, spraying water like a tiny cannonball.

Eshlyn covered her mouth with both hands. “Was that… ”

“Yup… ”

We both lost it.

The moment was gone, but honestly, it was perfect.

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Eshlyn kicked us within range before we drifted back to the shore. The river slowed around our legs as we stepped out. My clothes clung to me with every movement, heavy with water, but I barely noticed.

Eshlyn reached the flat stone before lifting a hand and murmuring something under her breath.

All of a sudden, the water clinging to my clothes drew itself away in rippling threads, hovering briefly in the air before floating back into the river.

My clothes were dry in an instant, still wrinkled, and maybe still donning a drop of moisture, but they were wearable.

“Remind me to learn that one,” I said, blinking down at myself.

Eshlyn smirked faintly. “No way I was going to put my robes over those damp things.”

“It’ll definitely make our trip more comfortable,” I added before beginning to dress myself.

“I’d say that went well,” she said softly, glancing at me with a small smile. “More than well, actually. You picked up aether-control much faster than I expected.”

I shrugged one shoulder, trying not to let my grin show too much. “Guess I had a good teacher.”

She gave a faint chuckle, brushing a few damp strands of hair from her face. “I don’t know about you, but I’m starving.”

“Same,” I replied, still putting on my outerwear. “Which means we should probably start heading back to the city… unless you want to try eating tree bark and regret.”

A familiar presence moved through the brush ahead of us. Dent stepped into view, a towel around his waist, drying his hair as he approached. His chest was still damp, and a few water trails streaked down his arms, proof of his earlier fish-form antics.

“Sounds like I’m being slandered,” he said from a distance. “But you’re not wrong.”

Eshlyn turned toward him. “The training went really well.”

“I figured,” Dent replied, nodding. “I couldn’t help but notice, you two were moving like river spirits out there.”

I caught his eye for a second and gave a grateful smile.

“We’ll meet back here in a week?” Eshlyn asked.

Dent nodded. “I’ll be here… and hopefully my place will be a bit more… alive by then.”

We finished gathering our things in quiet as the light through the trees shifted into the afternoon's shadow. We said our goodbyes for now.

“Take care of yourself.”

“You too,” he said, turning his head. “Both of you.”

“Likewise,” Eshlyn added before digging at him one last time. “I recommend avoiding any and all monstrous parasites for a while.”

“I’ll try to resist.” He said with a grin.

I gave Dent a parting hug as we started for the river’s path. I could use a good meal. I thought to myself.

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By the time the city gates came into view, the sun had dipped low enough to bathe the rooftops in molten gold. The road beneath us curved upward, leading into the western district. I couldn’t help but feel a little nervous as I realized we would be heading into the nicest part of the city. There was never a reason for me to explore these parts. I left like I'd get in trouble for just being here, but I couldn’t stop gawking as we moved through it. The buildings were clean, the trees were trimmed, and the spirits floated through wearing elegant gowns.

Eshlyn led the way, unbothered by the stares I got as we moved deeper into the district. It’s like they could tell I’d never been, like I’d come to snatch their purse. I followed, pretending not to notice the difference in how the city carried itself here, how the streets smell less like old furniture and more like perfume, how the stone beneath our boots was polished to a shine.

She turned a corner, then another, until we reached a tall, well-maintained inn draped in ivy and pale lantern light. It had double balconies, glass-paneled doors, and staff that probably used the word “madam” unironically.

“This is where I’m staying,” Eshlyn said, pausing a few steps from the door.

Of course it is.

“Have you been?” she asked, glancing back at me. “It’s quiet, and the terrace serves decent food. Simple, but well made.”

“No, I haven't, but it looks lovely… I’ll have to come back when my… other booking expires. I already have a place across town,” I lied with a smile so tight it hurt.

Did she forget how judgmental she was of my outfit the first time she saw me? We’ve even joked about me being poor. I began to wonder if she really knew what that meant.

She lifted an amused brow. “Well, if you’re up for it, why don’t you come back for dinner after you’ve washed up? I’d like to treat you.”

I hesitated. Not because I didn’t want to, but because I wasn’t sure I could show up in what passed for clean clothes in my bag. The armor Val gave me was the nicest thing I owned, and I doubted that would be appropriate.

Still, I nodded. “Sure. Yeah, that sounds… great. I’d love to.”

She turned to head inside, but I stopped her.

“Wait… ugh… what should I wear?”

Eshlyn tilted her head thoughtfully. “It’s not overly formal. Perhaps a light dress, nothing too fancy.”

A light dress… Right.

“Perfect!” I said, like I had one of those lying around.

She smiled, clearly not suspecting a thing. “See you soon?”

I nodded again, trying not to panic, “Yep! See you then.”

She vanished inside a moment later, leaving me in the shadow of the nicest inn I’d ever stood in front of, surrounded by people who probably thought I was planning a heist.

I tried to push down the panic setting in. I can do this. I can wear a dress. Not a big deal. I just need to… go get one.

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The room I found was on the edge of the merchant quarter, owned by a spirited couple and tucked above a bakery that smelled like burnt flour and old yeast. The ceiling was low, the bed was uneven. It had its own washroom at least, but I didn’t have plumbing or rune sigils like when I stayed with Val. I was just a tin bucket and a barrel of stagnant water over a drain.

I let out a sigh. It's got everything I need, and honestly, it's not bad. I should see if I can book some more days.

I quickly undressed and began dumping the tepid water from the barrel over my head. It was a neutral temperature at least, so that was a plus.

Maybe the river water would be more refreshing, but this is still nice.

The grime of the road slid off in streaks. I scrubbed until my skin was raw, like I could wash off more than just dirt.

The problem and rising panic came after.

I stared at my clothes, then at the small pack that held everything I owned. There was not a single dress in sight. Not even close. Armor, trousers, tunic. Secondary tunic. More underwear. Socks. UGH, I should have just been honest.

I’d never worn a dress. Not once, and now I needed one… apparently a light one. I recalled what Eshlyn had said when we parted, “nothing too fancy”. What does that mean…

I quickly checked the small coin pouch I kept knotted in my satchel. A little more than fifteen gold left from what Durnan had given as an advance.

Dresses are what? A few silver? I can do that.

I wrapped a towel around myself and sat on the bed, staring at the small, cracked window.

I let out another long sigh. What am I doing?

… Trying to impress her, obviously… I couldn’t help feeling like I was trying to pass into a world that would never have me.

I sighed again, then stood up, the towel slipping a bit as I moved toward my clothes. “Alright,” I muttered to myself. “Let’s go find a dress.”

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It was only a couple of hours before I found my way back to the inn we agreed to meet at. Taking a deep breath, I made my way to the door, finally getting a look inside.

The inn was... excessive.

Carved marble columns flanked the walkway, polished so well I could see myself in them, boots, dress, and all. I felt pretty, almost staring for a moment. The dress I found felt perfect for an occasion with Eshlyn. It hugged my waist with a soft, fitted belt and flared gently around my thighs, just long enough to look elegant, just short enough to feel light on my legs. Navy blue. The color had reminded me of her. The embroidery across the chest and forearm-length sleeves curled like waves on the sea.

A doorman opened the entrance for me without saying a word, just a nod and a glance that felt like it passed judgment before I even stepped inside.

“Enjoy your stay, madam.” He said to me in a tone that tinged with not enough sarcasm to get him in trouble.

The word madam sent a shiver down my spine. I'd never been referred to like that and hoped I never would be again.

The lobby smelled like incense and citrus. Music drifted from somewhere I couldn’t see, and the floors were tiled in a pristine yet abstract pattern that made me hesitate before stepping on them. I tried not to look like I’d never been in a place like this before. Tried not to fidget. Tried not to let the heavy silence or soft rustle of silk from passing guests bother me.

I tried to hype myself up under the pressure. Breath Remy... You look great. You feel great. You got this.

I waited by the front desk, eyes pretending to scan a floral arrangement in a glass vase that probably cost more than the armor I stole on my way out of five.

I found someone who could polish up the boots Val had given me when I went to look for the dress. They were nice. Nicest boots I’d ever had, though I couldn’t help the feeling like I’d caught a few glances at them. The kind of glances that people pretend aren’t judgmental but absolutely are.

And then I saw her.

Eshlyn descended the staircase like she was gliding, white dress trailing around her legs like rippling silk, one leg drifting out from under her in the most elegant way possible. It clung to her in all the right places and fell like water from her shoulders, catching the lowlight in a way that made her glow. Her blue-tinted skin shimmered subtly against the light, and her bright, beautiful green eyes locked onto mine with a spark that nearly buckled my knees.

Jewelry glittered at her ears, her wrist, and along her collar. Silver and gemstones, like the bracelet she’d given me, but with emeralds instead of sigils. Coordinated. Effortless. Perfect.

“Wow,” I whispered before I could stop myself.

Eshlyn smiled, and it wasn’t just kind, it was warm, delighted. “You clean up well,” she said, eyes skimming from my boots to my dress and back again. It took all my effort not to stare blankly at her as she spoke.

“You too,” I managed, completely breathless. “Though, I think you might’ve outdone me.”

“Well, I had a head start.” She offered her arm. “Shall we?”

I hesitated a second, then took it, letting her lead me into the dining hall.

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It was the fanciest place I’d ever seen, let alone eaten, but fancy didn’t even begin to cover it.

…Didn’t she say this place was simple…

Everything had a gleam. The cutlery, the plates, even the chairs had been varnished to a shine. White linens covered every table, and each place setting had not one, not two, but three forks. I couldn’t help but count the cutlery multiple times to make sure I wasn't imagining things. Three forks, two spoons, a butter knife, a serrated knife, and some strange claw-shaped utensil. I sat down like I was afraid I might set off an alarm.

Eshlyn didn’t say anything about it. She just smiled as the waiter came by and poured something into our narrow glasses. It was something that I would have mistook for water if it hadn't been fizzing. I didn’t know what it was, so I just waited for a bit.

“You’ve been here before,” I guessed, watching her with admiration. I tried not to let show.

“A few times,” she replied softly, unfolding her napkin with precise fingers.

I nodded, unsure what to say. I was still busy trying to figure out if I was supposed to use the tiny fork or the medium one for the salad they gave me without even asking.

“Relax,” she said gently. “You’re doing great.”

“I don’t even know where to start,” I whispered.

“With the conversation,” she said, her eyes twinkling just a bit. “Or the salad?”

That earned a real laugh out of me. I sank a little deeper into the chair, a little more comfortable than before.

The room was full of wealth and elegance, but the way she looked at me made it feel like it could just be the two of us. Me in my navy dress and polished black boots, her in that breathtaking white gown, and fine jewelry.

I glanced toward the terrace railing, taking in the view of the streets below. “The view is spectacular”.

“I suppose it is, isn't it?” She responded, following my gaze.

That’s when I noticed a pair of guards walking by. There were already two stationed at the corner across the square, so it stood out to me.

“Do these places always have so much… security… hanging around?” I asked, my tone casual, but my eyes still tracking the uniforms.

Eshlyn blinked. “Hmm? Oh. I don't know. I can say I've ever really noticed.”

Of course. I thought.

“Well, anyway…” I turned back just as the waiter returned to set down two small plates. They filled it with something delicate and green beside a thin drizzle of sauce. I wasn’t sure if it was meant to be a garnish or the meal.

I stared down at it like it might blink at me.

Eshlyn picked up the smallest fork with practiced ease and tilted her head. “That’s the appetizer.”

I picked up the middle fork, paused, then put it down and picked up the small one. “Right. Totally. Appetizer. Obviously.”

I looked at Eshlyn with added curiosity, “So… question… If I may…”

If I may. Posh. Posh. I couldn’t help but think to myself before continuing.

“… When did we order?”

She smirked and took a bite like she was trying not to laugh at me. She continued as if ignoring my question. “You’d be surprised how much of this is just for show. There’s a whole etiquette book on how to sit, how to chew, when to sip wine, what to do with your hands… It's exhausting.”

“You mean you didn’t come out of the womb with a golden napkin in your lap… ” I teased and decided to lay it on even thicker, “Or with a silver spoon already fused to your throat?”

She snorted with a laugh. “No. I came out screaming, same as everyone else, but they made sure it was thoroughly lodged by the time I turned six.”

I poked at the salad. “I can’t even imagine growing up in a place like this. It’s beyond different, it's… ” I couldn't find the right word, so I just shook my head.

“I’ve thought about what it’d be like to grow up outside of it.” She paused before continuing, “Perhaps it would be similar to that night I just about froze before jumping in your bedroll,” she said in a jokingly honest manner, then paused again. “That’s the problem, isn’t it? Everyone thinks I belong here. Truth is, I feel like I don’t belong anywhere.”

I glanced at her, taken slightly aback by the vulnerability in her voice, before trying to lighten the mood with sarcasm. “You seem like you fit in just fine.”

“Yes. Yes. I have been trained well.” She set down her fork, her fingers reaching across to brush against the lone silver bracelet on my wrist. “There’s this idea that if you act right, dress right, and speak with the right tone, people will respect you, and if you keep it up for long enough, they won’t see that it's all just an act.”

I didn’t know what to say at first, so I went with something real. Something about me. “I was less than ten the first time I stole a meal. I still remember the baker’s cart. I was able to run off with two rolls, still warm.”

Her eyes softened, turning away from my wrist to look at me.

“I remember eating them behind a crate in the alley. Just me, the rolls, and the quiet. It wasn’t a comforting quiet at first. It was the quiet that crept up on you from behind and left you anxious. I chewed through the first roll before finally relaxing, and so I sat back and relished the bread's warmth for a while.”

Eshlyn leaned forward slightly, chin in her palm. “That sounds kind of beautiful, in an odd and tragic way, of course.”

“I guess it was, in its own way,” I said with a smile that didn’t quite reach my eyes. “Or it would have been if I didn’t have to do it again the next day.”

A brief silence followed, but it wasn’t uncomfortable. The kind that makes you feel like you’re walking through memories together.

Then the waiter returned with glasses of white wine, balancing them like he was handling something fragile.

Eshlyn raised hers with the light tone of a question. “To survival.”

I raised mine too, cautiously. “Maybe mine should be… to not drowning in the river.”

A chuckle escaped her. “How about to questionable aether training methods and a shared lack of good judgment.”

Our glasses clinked gently, and we both sipped.

The flavor wrinkled my nose. An expression Eshlyn recognized with a laugh.

“I like the fizzing stuff better,” I said, looking back toward the water glasses.

We shared another small laugh, the edge of tension finally starting to fall away like loose thread unraveling from a seam.

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We stepped back through the terrace doors and began heading down towards the lobby. The meal was great despite everything, like Eshlyn was on my team, even if I clashed with the backdrop around us.

My boots echoed against the marble tile as we neared the lobby, glowing with polished chandeliers and warm tones. Guests milled quietly in the lounge, sipping liqueur or speaking in hushed tones, too dignified for laughter, too relaxed for suspicion.

I was still reeling a little from the dinner. My first real one. Not just a meal, an experience. Eshlyn walked beside me, leading with her arm. I couldn’t help but admire how she glowed under the low light, her white dress catching soft reflections from the glass lamps overhead.

That’s when I noticed them.

Two men in dark formal clothing stepped in through the revolving door. One wore the navy blue coat of The Watch, silver pin glinting against his lapel. The other looked younger, in plain leather, but his stance radiated authority like he might as well be wearing a uniform.

They met my gaze almost immediately. My instinct to run almost kicked in, but I held it back for Eshlyn’s sake.

They walked straight toward the front desk, where a petite elfin spirit in uniform greeted them with a polished smile. The older Watchman leaned in close, speaking just low enough that I couldn’t hear.

Then the spirit turned and pointed.

At us.

Panic struck my insides.

Damn, they couldn’t have picked a worse time. Relax. I told myself. I’ve had run-ins with The Watch before. Just don't panic.

Eshlyn noticed a second later. Her head tilted slightly. “Remy… did that spirit just point at us?”

I didn’t answer.

The two Watchmen crossed the distance with quiet authority. The older one, calm and clean-shaven, pulled something from his coat pocket.

A small photo. Grainy. Printed on a thick, rune-etched strip of parchment.

The figure in it was hooded with a torn cloak, barely lit, but I knew exactly who it was.

He held it up between us without so much as a greeting.

“Do you recognize the individual in this photograph?”

A moment passed before he held the photo a little higher. It was blurry, but unmistakable. If I’d been in the same or maybe even similar leathers as that day, they probably would have cuffed me on the spot.

My stomach sank. Damn it.

Eshlyn turned to me, her expression searching.

I could feel her trying to understand, trying to place what she didn’t yet know. But I knew. The image. The shop. The fight. Val. All of it.

At least it seems like they don't have much to go on.

My throat tightened. I didn’t answer.

The younger one spoke next, trying to sound casual, but his fingers twitched toward his belt. “We’re following up on an incident that happened not too long ago, near the square. How familiar are you with the store owner Xolob?”

Eshlyn looked at me and then them, but again, I didn't answer.

After a moment of pause, the two Watchmen exchanged a look as if sharing a silent signal between them.

“I think we’ve said enough,” the older one murmured. “If you’d please come with us, we’d like to ask you a few questions about the incident.”

Eshlyn stepped forward slightly, voice measured but sharp. “Please just hold on for a second. You’re approaching patrons inside a private establishment. This is highly irregular, especially without proper cause.”

The statement gathered a small audience.

“I understand, ma’am,” the older Watchman replied quickly, polite but firm. “We’re only here to make an inquiry. It won’t take long.”

Damn it, this isn't a great place to make an escape and Eshlyn would get in so much trouble if I did.

I crossed my arms. “You have a picture of someone in a hood. Why are you bothering me?”

The younger Watchman stepped forward, voice more clipped. “We didn’t say you were in trouble. Just that you might match a witness description, and so we’d like to speak to you in private.”

Hell no! I thought to myself.

“In private?” I repeated. “And if I say no?”

A pause. “Then we’ll insist,” he said. “Respectfully.”

Eshlyn looked between us, thrown completely off balance. She opened her mouth, but no words came at first. Then, quietly whispered, “Do you know what they are talking about?”

I gave Eshlyn a look but didn't answer.

I shouldn’t have come here. Old rich geezers call The Watch over anything. It doesn’t matter now, though. I knew I wouldn’t be able to get away. If it comes to it, I'll just have to try something later.

I didn’t take my eyes off the Watchman. “Where will you be taking me?”

“Local precinct,” the older one said. “Just around the corner. You’ll be back before dessert.”

I couldn’t tell if that was a joke, but I knew it wasn’t true.

Eshlyn’s fingers brushed against mine. There was tension in her touch, like it told me exactly how she felt. Protectiveness mixed with fear and uncertainty.

The memory I shared with her at lunch probably wasn’t helping my case.

I swallowed, forcing the heat in my chest down. No good options.

My voice was quiet but firm. “Fine… I’ll go.” The younger Watchman nodded once, stepping aside. “Right this way.”

I lifted Eshlyn’s hand in mine, and I stared for a moment, wanting to look at her one final time.

I whispered to her, “I’ll be ok,” and followed them toward the entrance. I felt her worry as she watched me leave.

We passed through the gleaming lobby, out of the warm lights and polished marble, and into the quiet dark of the street beyond. Behind us, I could almost hear the soft clinking of silverware from the dining room.

I need to be very careful with how I handle this.