A Day Off for a Date

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Brother, Ariin’s use of the term made Ahsch immediately pay attention, given how rarely she used it, when were you planning to do… well, anything regarding Naemui?

Ahsch blinked, confused by the question. Meaning?

A long sigh answered him first. You were intending to offer a relationship - and your domination - to her, weren’t you? Yet you hardly ever see her, and when you do, it’s always official business. Which, by the way, you should take some time off - more than just enough to sleep.

He frowned. Given how much I fuck you an-

_That hardly counts, brother_, Ariin interrupted. When was the last time you just had fun? Of the non-sexual type? Do I need to preach to you about moderation?

Ahsch fell quiet, arguing in his own head both for and against his sister’s point. And he had to admit, when it came down to it, he didn’t really ever relax and have fun, outside of some casual conversations with his girls or wife between tasks, or sex. Which was… certainly not healthy, he knew. _There’s too much to do_, he justified himself. When I figure out some sort of time-dilation method or a second body, then I can, but for right now…

Listen to your sister, Ahsch, Avery interjected. I know it feels like a lot - and believe me, it is - but keep in mind that, first of all, you’re not alone; and secondly, at the very least, you have the time. Nobody will blame you if something falls behind or isn’t quite perfect because you took a day off, and it’s not like you’re pressed for time on any of your immediate projects. Even the ones that involve us have at least decades before you really need to worry about the timeframe. And all your personal power stuff has literally forever. So take a damn day off and go woo the damn harpy. A very suggestive air came from Avery. _Then you could take her back to the Temple and have a _religious experience with her.

Ahsch wanted to protest - and did at length for his wife’s latter suggestion - but deep down, he knew they were right. After a few moments of mentally warring with himself, he let out a long sigh. Tomorrow, he promised.

For the dozenth time in a minute, Ahsch straightened the hem of his shirt, shifting his weight back and forth as he loitered just within the gate of the Temple of Enochiel. Feels like I’m in highschool all over again, he griped to himself as he cast his gaze around the courtyard, looking to see if Naemui…

He froze, eyes widening slightly as the harpy walked with brisk eagerness from the Temple doors, a nervous smile on her face. Contrary to what had become her norm of skimpy, revealing clothing, she wore a bright, white-and-yellow sundress, which at first made Ahsch question if she’d be too cold, but Mage Sight quickly reminded him of warming enchantments, so the concern was dropped. In the cool autumnal breeze, the dress and Naemui’s braided hair merrily waved back and forth, and she twisted her head around several times to keep stray silvery locks out of her face.

The harpy stopped a few feet from Ahsch, smiling nervously. “H-Hello, Prophet…” she quietly murmured, flushed.

He smiled back, adrenalin making his muscles jitter in spite of himself. “Ahsch is fine,” he said, maybe a little too quickly. “I’m not acting in my capacity as the Prophet… nor even as a royal. I’m just me today.”

Naemui’s nervous smile grew. “Okay… Ahsch.”

Then they stood there for several seconds.

The hrafthi finally coughed. “You uh… you look great!” he said, then flushed and looked away as he cursed himself for the lame compliment.

The harpy bit her lip and shifted her weight, hands clasped behind her back as she turned side to side. “Thanks… you do too,” she replied, also flushed.

Again, they stood for several seconds.

“...I was thinking,” Ahsch blurted, “we could visit the main promenade. Do some window shopping? Or some, ah, actual… shopping…”

Naemui’s smile was richer this time, the nervous energy diminished, though whether due to Ahsch’s own emotional turbulence, or the agreeable suggestion, or some other reason, he didn’t know. “I’d like that.”

With a nod and a moment’s hesitation, Ahsch offered his arm to Naemui. After a similar moment of hesitation, she looped her arm through his, and they walked out, away from the Temple, ready to enjoy the trip to the Capital, a trip they had both made many times before, a trip that promised to be quite different than it had ever been.

“Oh, they’re so cute!” Naemui exclaimed with glee, picking up one of the tiny ceramic figurines to show to Ahsch.

He smiled, taking it when she held it out to him. One fox, this one mid-lope, among a dozen. A set, formed and glazed and painted as good as anything he could recall seeing back on Earth. “I wonder if Mahat would like them… or find them… offensive?” Naemui wondered quietly. She blushed bright when Ahsch relayed his familiar’s delight at the figurines.

Frowning deeply with thought, Ahsch’s eyes tracked to the left, held for a moment, then back to the right, held, and then back to the left…

“I… think the blue,” he finally decided. “It seems to go better with your hair.” He let out a small huffed laugh. “Though I’m hardly any good when it comes to fashion and clothing,” he admitted.

Naemui grinned, turning to replace the soft lavender scarf back on the hanger. “I was thinking the blue too,” she said, “so I’m glad to hear you agree!” Lying it neatly over he shoulder, she turned towards Ahsch, a mischief on her face. “Now, we should get something for you…” she said, smiling.

The harpy worried her lower lip between her teeth, wide eyes slowly pacing between the two options. Ahsch could almost hear the debate going on inside her head. ‘Duck? Or hare? Duck? Or hare?’

“We can get both if you want…” Ahsch offered again.

“I’m not that hungry,” Naemui protested, still looking between the meat skewers, round enough that he wondered if the bird part of her was an owl. “I just… can’t… decide…”

Sighing a laugh, Ahsch gestured for the cart vendor. “Could you make a mixed skewer?” he asked, ignoring the small noise of protest from his companion.

The burly lion-woman glanced at Naemui and chuckled. “Sure thing, My Lord. How many?”

Ahsch looked down at his blushing date, then back up at the vendor. “Two mixed, please.” The grumbled ‘thanks’ from Naemui made him smile wide, a warm feeling in his chest.