City Stress

A faint frown flits across the Wood Elf’s face.

“What’s the problem? Is it not what you expected~?”

Beryl idly shrugs her shoulders, hardly reacting to the barbarian’s light teasing. Her gaze slowly sweeps across the horizon, looking over fields and pastures and simple houses, before finally settling on the city walls far up ahead. “Ah’m just realizin’ tha’... it ‘as been a while since Ah left the wilderness.”

Krvavy wraps an arm around her Elf’s bare shoulders, pulling Beryl so close that the tanned tomboy’s caramel coloured cheek squishes into the fur pelt covering her pale tits. “I’d say that we left the ‘wilderness’ days ago.”

“Aye, true. Ever since we stepped foot on the road...”

“Is it bringing back bad memories?” The Drakling asks with concern in her voice, giving her sweet berry a gentle squeeze.

“Ach, no no, don’t ya worry about me, my dearest love.” Beryl’s soft voice has a firm, almost scolding, undercurrent.

“You do know that telling me not to worry doesn’t suddenly make me stop worrying,” Krvavy lets her lips curl up into a wry smile, “right~?”

“Does it not?” The Wood Elf returns in an almost serious tone. “Why, tha’ doesn’t sound right at all. A few simple words should solve everythin’.”

“Ha. Ha.” Krvavy rolls her eyes. “If only...”

Raseyne’s partially constructed wall looms in the distance, growing larger with each step they take towards it. Similarly, the road is gradually being filled by an increasing amount of people, a far cry to the previous few days of relative isolation.

“Ach,” Beryl makes an unhappy noise after nearly a minute of silence. “Are ya doin’ alright?”

“Yeah...? Why would I not be?” Krvavy tilts her head and raises an eyebrow, genuinely a little confused by why her Elf is suddenly asking that.

“My dearest love, yer arm is wrapped around me. Ah can feel ‘ow tense ya are.”

“Tense?” A scowl worms its way onto the Drakling’s face as she realizes that her Elf is right.

“Aye.” Beryl’s arm slips beneath the barbarian’s mostly-empty backpack, wrapping around Krvavy’s waist to return the casual embrace. “Are all these people makin’ ya anxious? Or are ya just worried because Ah’m ‘ere?”

“I was fine last time, so... I’m going to blame you.” Krvavy tries to keep her tone lighthearted in an attempt to ease the tanned tomboy’s concerns.

As she should have expected, Beryl immediately sees through that.

“My dearest love...” The Wood Elf woman pauses briefly, slowly breathing out and then back in again. “We both know tha’ yer worries are bein’ made worse by me bein’ ‘ere wit’ ya.”

The barbarian bites the inside of her cheek, holding back her words. There is no point in her saying something that would just end up amounting to ‘I told you so’.

“But we both also know tha’ ya shouldn’t be worryin’ so much.” Beryl’s voice grows firm, gaining a note of exasperation. “Ah can take care o’ myself.” Her fingers press into the barbarian’s belly, touching the thin scar marring those well-defined abs. “Arguably better than ya can take care o’ yerself.”

Krvavy simply scowls at that.

“Ya may be much tougher than Ah am, but tha’ doesn’t mean Ah’m just a delicate flower.” The Wood Elf’s blue-green eyes meet the Drakling’s emerald pair in an unwavering gaze. “Ah ‘ave lived fer over a century and an ‘alf. A great deal o’ tha’ time ‘as ‘ad me livin’ in the wilderness, relyin’ on the land and my own skills ta survive. So, Ah ask ya, just ‘ow many scars do Ah ‘ave, Krvavy?”

“We aren’t in the wilderness anymore. You said that much yourself.”

“Ach!” Beryl abruptly pushes herself away from Krvavy, completely severing their hugged embrace. “Kr.va.vy.” She tersely repeats her Draconic lovers name, those long and pointed ears of hers quivering as genuine anger fills her face. “Ah know tha’ just talkin’ isn’t goin’ ta ease yer worries. So let us cut ta the chase already: ya are afraid o’ ‘avin’ me near yer ‘ooded associate.”

“Of course I–!”

“Shut. Yer. Mouth.” The Elf steps in front of Krvavy, stopping in the middle of the road to press a single finger against the Drakling’s collarbone. “Ya are bein’ unreasonable. And Ah’m not sayin’ tha’ just because Ah am more than capable o’ takin’ care o’ myself. No, Ah’m sayin’ tha’ because this ‘Shadow’ isn’t a complete and utter idiot. It is obvious ta even the most mentally deficient child tha’ even thinkin’ about ‘urtin’ me would put ya on the war path. So do you really think tha’ an obviously cautious schemer like tha’ is goin’ ta do somethin’ so monumentally stupid as puttin’ me in danger?”

The corner of Krvavy’s eye twitches as she stares down at Beryl. Her tail remains unnaturally still, hanging in the air behind her.

Beryl’s shoulders slowly begin to slump, the frustration and anger fading from her eyes. “Ach...” Exhaustion eats away at her will, causing her finger to slip away from the Drakling’s chest as that hand falls down and dangles limply by her side. “My dearest love... Ah’m just as worried about ya as ya are worried fer me. So please, Ah beg ya, at least try ta loosen yer nerves. Ah don’t want ya ta feel on edge the entire time we are in Raseyne. Ah don’t want ya jumpin’ at every shadow ya see. Tha’ kind o’ stress isn’t good fer ya.”

Krvavy slowly breathes in and out. In and out. “I... I’ll try, but...”

“My dearest love, tha’ is all Ah can ask fer. Just try ta relax a little. Ya don’t need ta lower yer guard completely, ya don’t need ta lose all yer worries. Just try ta loosen up and try ta stop bein’ so tense.” The tanned tomboy’s lips curl up into a smile, one that starts off rather **** but quickly gains an ever so slight bit of playfulness to it. “If it makes ya feel better, then why don’t we ‘old each others’ ‘ands? Tha’ way ya will know tha’ Ah’m by yer side, even if Ah’m not directly in yer line o’ sight.”

The barbarian bites her bottom lip. “No.” She shakes her head, wrapping her arm back around Beryl’s shoulder and pulling her sweet berry up against her side once more. “This is better.”

“Ach, we can’t exactly walk around the whole city like this, now can we?” More and more energy returns to the Elf’s voice with every word she says.

“Sure we can.” The Drakling disagrees, letting her dour mood get washed away by the warmth of the woman pressing against her body. “Why wouldn’t we be able to? It isn’t like anyone will come up and tell us off for holding onto each other like this. And we won’t have problems walking through crowds either. All of these cowardly city people will make sure to give us plenty of personal space.”

“So, wha’ Ah’m ‘earin’ is tha’ ya don’t want ta ‘old ‘ands wit’ me?” Beryl exaggeratedly sighs out, leaning her head against her Draconic lover as she acts disappointed. Her arm slips back beneath the barbarian’s backpack, returning to its place around Krvavy’s waist. “If tha’ is wha’ ya wish...”

Krvavy sighs and shakes her head, resisting the Wood Elf’s wiles. “You know... for someone who likes it when I take charge, you sure do try to manipulate me a lot.”

“Do Ah?” Beryl innocently bats her eyelashes, though that display is entirely spoiled by her teasing smile. “Maybe tha’ is just my nature rearin’ its ‘ead~? Ah am one o’ the capricious and untamable forest folk, after all~!”

“Untamable?” The barbarian raises an eyebrow, trying and failing to keep a serious face. “That’s not a word I’d use to describe you.”

“Wha’, do ya think tha ya’ve got me tamed~?” Beryl playfully returns, idly trailing her dexterous fingers over the scar at the edge of Krvavy’s abs. “Would Ah be pullin’ yer strings so much if Ah were~?”

“So you’re admitting it now?”

“Admittin’ wha’~?”

Krvavy simply rolls her eyes as she tries to hide her smile. “Don’t make me regret bringing you along.” She sighs out, unable to fully keep her worries contained.

“Oh~?” The teasing tomboy meets her lover’s gaze. “Ya still think tha’ was yer choice~?”

“Hah... come on.” The Drakling slowly shakes her head. “You don’t need to keep trying to make me feel better.”

“No, Ah don’t.” Beryl agrees, though her widening grin makes that less than convincing. “But Ah’m ‘avin’ fun ‘ere, and ya won’t stop me from ‘avin’ fun, would ya~?”

“Depends on just what kind of fun you’re talking about. For instance, this,” she taps a finger onto Beryl’s hand, which is threatening to slip beneath her loincloth. “This is the kind of ‘fun’ I’ll stop you from having.”

“Aww, why~?”

Rather than respond with words, Krvavy simply trails her gaze over the steadily increasing amount of people on the road with them, looking towards the city walls in the distance.

“Hmm~... So ya’re sayin’ Ah just need ta wait until we’re in the city proper~?”

The Drakling masks her amusement with an exasperated sigh.

A jolt runs down Krvavy’s spine, causing her to jump in place. “Can you not do that?!” She hisses down at the Elf clinging to her side.

“Do wha’~?” Beryl not-so-innocently asks, the tips of her nimble fingers idly trailing down the crease between her Draconic lover’s toned leg and pelvis.

Her patience at its limit, Krvavy grabs at the tanned Elf’s hand and pulls it out from beneath her loincloth. “That’s it...!” She tries to keep her voice down to avoid making a scene in this busy city street. Well, more of a scene than her mere presence is already causing... “You have lost ‘arm around shoulder’ and ‘arm around waist’ privileges...!”

Beryl simply smirks up at the blushing barbarian, even as she is forcibly pushed aside. “Do Ah at least get ta ‘old yer ‘and?” The Wood Elf woman curiously questions, staring up at Krvavy with exaggeratedly begging eyes.

“Are... Are you going to behave yourself?”

“Nope~!” The tanned tomboy cheerfully replies, letting the p sound loudly pop. “But isn’t tha’ all the more reason ta ‘old my ‘and~? Wha’ better way is there ta keep me close and under control~?”

“I could carry you...?” Krvavy hesitantly suggests, trying to find a way to avoid giving the Elf what she wants. “No... You’d enjoy that even more... Haah... Fine...”

“Aww, Ah love ya too, my dearest love~!” Beryl’s grin reaches from ear to pointed ear as the Drakling’s hand firmly grabs onto her own.

Krvavy simply sighs and shakes her head.

“Oh~? Nothin’ ta say, my dearest love~?” The tomboyish Elf’s nimble fingers drum over Krvavy’s knuckles, dancing within their locked grip. “No grumblin’ about lettin’ me get my way~? No reprimandin’ words fer me bein’ so naughty~? Not even goin’ ta say ‘Ah love ya’ back~?”

The Drakling narrows her eyes and glares down at the Elf holding onto her hand, only to be met with a pair of shining blue-green eyes.

“Well~?”

“I love you too, Beryl.” The barbarian’s faintly flushed cheeks grow a little redder as she utters those truthful words.

“Ah knew ya’d give in~.” That smug comment is hardly audible over the various noises coming from the people all around them. A mischievous gleam fills the Wood Elf’s face as she raises her voice to a much more audible volume. “Ya say tha’ ya love me, huh~? Then ‘ow come ya ‘aven’t proposed ta me yet~?” Her tone isn’t entirely playful, making it hard to tell just how serious she is being right now... “And speakin’ o’ tha’~...?”

The Drakling’s lips involuntarily curl up into a slight smile. “Oh, riiiiight... No.”

“Why not, my dearest love,” Beryl’s tone grows even more teasing as she leans up against Krvavy, “is this random street not a good enough place fer such an important question~?”

“Hmm...” Krvavy brings her free hand up, thoughtfully tapping a finger onto her chin as she decides to play along. “Let me see...” She lifts her head up, slowly sweeping her gaze over the buildings that line the road, before abruptly freezing in place.

“My dearest love...?” A tinge of worry fills Beryl’s voice as she turns to look at whatever it is that has caused Krvavy’s fading tension to suddenly surge back in an instant. Her good mood goes forgotten as her lips twist into a frown.

Standing in the mouth of a narrow alleyway just five buildings down from them is a single person, face obscured by the deep shadows cast by an unremarkable hood.

Krvavy bristles with growing rage, her expression hardening even more as the cloaked figure raises a gloved hand in greeting.

“Ah... Ah take it tha’ tha’ is the ‘Shadow’ ya spoke o’ before?” Beryl gently asks, grabbing onto Krvavy’s hand with both of her own and giving it a reassuring squeeze. “Should we just ignore tha’ pest?”

The barbarian takes a very deep breath, keeping her eyes locked onto Shadow, and slowly exhales. “I would love to, but...”

“Tha’ bastard’d just send some orphan ta get yer attention?”

“Probably.” Krvavy grunts back, narrowing her eyes as Shadow’s raised hand beckons for her to come closer.

“Ach.” The tomboyish Elf doesn’t bother to hide her annoyance, her voice dripping with malice. “Ah should really give tha’ damn pest a piece o’ my mind...”

“Don’t waste your breath. It’s not worth the effort.”

Beryl doesn’t seem particularly convinced by that, but she is still willing to go along with her dearest love’s wishes.

Krvavy’s arm once again wraps around her Elf’s shoulder, holding on tight as she bitterly makes her way down the road. Her face scrunches, lips twisting into a scowl as she watches Shadow step back into the alleyway.

The random people out and about give the irate Drakling and the irritated Elf even more space than before. Those strangers look rather relieved once the unhappy pair have stepped out of sight.

“What do you want?” Krvavy tersely snaps out, her tail whipping against a plastered wall hard enough to dislodge some flakes and dust.

Shadow holds their gloved hands out, both of which are completely empty of anything. “To be on good terms with you, as I had said before.”

“Ach, ya’re doin’ a poor job o’ tha’.”

The cloaked figure’s hooded head turns towards Beryl. “I – don’t.” A chill echoes throughout the alley as darkness oozes from the cracks and crevices scattered across the ground, snuffing out a few growing buds before they can properly sprout.

Krvavy’s eye twitches as she pulls her Elf close, protectively squishing Beryl against her body.

Having accomplished its goal, the carpet of darkness quickly recedes. The cobbled ground is barren once more.

“I do not wish to be enemies.” Shadow plainly states, perhaps attempting to reassure the barbarian’s worries. Not that that helps much. “And, in the spirit of that, I have something for you.” Moving slowly and very carefully, Shadow reaches into their cloak, pulling out a filled pouch. “Payment.”

“For what?” The barbarian growls back, making no move to grab the small pouch. Not even as it is held out to her.

“The ‘job’ I gave you.” If it weren’t for the impenetrable shadows obscuring this figure’s face, then it is likely that Shadow would have just glanced at Beryl. Or at least that is the feeling Krvavy gets from that brief moment of cautious hesitance.

Krvavy narrows her eyes, glaring down at the cloaked figure. “I didn’t kill the Patriarch for you.”

“No, you didn’t.” Shadow calmly agrees, still holding out the stuffed coin purse. “But our goals aligned in that matter. I stood to benefit from his ****. So I believe it is only fair to give you what I would have paid, or expected to have been paid, for such a job.”

Krvavy’s lips press together into a thin line. It might be a bit petty, but she kind of wants to see just how long Shadow is willing to hold that money out for her... That said, she doesn’t really want to spend any more time around Shadow than she has to...

“Consider it a sign of goodwill. Proof that I am not trying to take advantage of you, instead ensuring that our potential partnership is fair and transactional.” The little pouch jingles faintly as Shadow gives it a light shake. “And if you do not trust these coins, then spend them. I presume that is what you are here in Raseyne for?”

With a **** sigh, the barbarian finally reaches out and takes the offered payment. “Are you going to do this every single time I visit?” Krvavy grumbles out, opening the small purse. All of the coins inside appear to be silver, most of which have an image of a hawk, though a not insignificant amount depict a wolf head instead.

Shadow’s hood tilts slightly, clearly attempting to show some emotion despite their utter anonymity. “We have no other way to communicate. If there is something for us to discuss, we will have to meet face-to-face.”

“Ach, ‘ow convenient.” Beryl sarcastically states, unable to glare directly at the source of her annoyance as she gets dragged backwards a bit. But having the barbarian’s body blocking her sight doesn’t stop the tanned tomboy from spitting out another barb. “Ya can pester my dearest love as much as ya want, but she ‘as no way ta reach ya if she ever wanted ta.”

Shadow doesn’t visibly react to the Elf’s interruption, keeping their obscured face pointed directly towards Krvavy. “If you need to speak with me, simply head to one of the poorer parts of the city located near the outermost walls. Your presence will be noted and I will appear as soon as I can.”

That response only seems to upset Beryl, causing her expression to darken and turn rather murderous. But before she can say another word, Krvavy gives her shoulders a firm squeeze and speaks up instead.

“Are we done here?”

“Unless you have any further business, yes.” The cloaked figure calmly nods their hooded head. “I have nothing more to discuss. So, as it currently stands, I will not intrude any further on your time in Raseyne. Have a good day.”

With that Shadow steps back, heading deeper into the alleyway before walking completely out of sight.

“Ah do not like tha’ bastard.” Beryl sharply exhales, air hissing through her clenched teeth. “Arrogant. Presumptuous! Ta ‘ave the gall ta even suggest tha’ ya wait around if ya want ta speak after ‘avin’ demanded yer attention!”

The Drakling slowly breathes out, still feeling rather tense as her gaze lingers on the corner that Shadow disappeared behind. After few long seconds, she glances back at her Elf. “What were you doing with those plants?” Krvavy’s curt tone is tinged with the faintest bit of exasperated worry.

The tomboyish Elf scowls. “Ah was goin’ ta threaten tha’ bastard, just as they did ta ya in yer first meetin’. A few toxic thorns would’ve kept tha’ disrespect in line...!”

“That was reckless.”

“Aye,” Beryl admits, having the decency to look a little guilty. “But Ah couldn’t ‘elp myself. Everythin’ about tha’ ‘Shadow’ rubbed me the wrong way. Tha’ bastard just felt so... so unnatural...! Ah couldn’t feel anythin’ beneath tha’ cloak...! No ‘eart beatin’ wit’ life, just nothin’...!”

“Nnh.” Krvavy grunts and shakes her head. “That’s just Shadow hiding whoever they actually are beneath magic.”

“Ach, wha’ a trustworthy thing ta do...”

Krvavy takes another deep breath, gradually calming herself down. “Come on, there’s no point lingering around here.” The barbarian keeps her arm wrapped around the Wood Elf’s shoulders as she turns and begins to head out of the alley. “I don’t want our whole day to get ruined because of this... meeting.”

“Ach,” Beryl voices her annoyance as they step out onto the street. “Ah’m not in the mood fer shoppin’ right now. Can we go to those baths ya mentioned? It’d be nice ta get ta relax fer a while...”

“Good idea.” Krvavy sweeps her gaze across the road, getting her bearings. “It’s a bit of a walk from here though.”