Teasing

“So what’s our next move?” She asks, looking to me. “You mean for our guild?” She nods in response. “We’ve shut down a mana factory here in the west of the area. It’s a good start but we have a long way to go, especially if what Sarah said was any indication.” I nod thoughtfully, mulling over our options.

“I think the best thing we can do at the moment is wait until we’re a tad more powerful. Not too long, only a couple levels, but if Ivy can get to 100 wisdom and I can get to 50 agility before we fight any more gangs, then that’ll give us another decent advantage.” “How long will that take?” “We need to get to level 46 for that, and I’m currently level 43, so maybe two more days after this.”

“What are you thinking after that?” Skylar presses, ignoring the amused stare of the still giggling air mage. “Well based on what Sarah said, I think we should take a look around the city. We don’t exactly have any more leads to go on than that, but checking out particular points of interest and seeing if there are any illusion barriers around the area is a decent start. It comes with a fair amount of risk, but we need to start somewhere.”

“So effectively, we’re gathering intel?” I nod. “I think that’s the best course of action. We don’t know exactly what we’re dealing with, how many slaver guilds, mana factories or gangs are in the area. This is, to put it lightly, an extremely dumb idea. We don’t really have any other way of knowing though, short of taking months to track things down. It’s time I’d rather not take, not when there are lives on the line.” I finish.

She nods, giving me a small smile of approval. “I agree. The more people we can save, the better. The longer we wait, the more people suffer.” I look at Ivy and Mia. “What do you think? Is this a good plan?” “It’s one that puts us in a lot of danger. I do agree that the danger is worth the sacrifice, but I’m still worried.” Ivy weighs in.

“We’re taking risks either way. Changing the power balance of an area and messing up the people in power is always a risk. That’s why my family is so intent on staying neutral. I don’t like people suffering and I think the less that happens, the better.” Mia says her piece. I nod, looking around for a few moments more for any objections. None come.

“Level 46 then.” I do the math in my head, something much more possible thanks to my raised mental stats. “After today, we should need about seven more dungeons to get to that goal. We can do that by midday on Friday. We’ll spend the rest of the day relaxing, then head out to the city on Saturday. Sound good?” I ask, looking around the table. Three heads nod their agreement.

“Good morning!” Georgia cheerily says as she walks into the room. “Good afternoon, sleepy head.” Mia replies. Georgia grins with the familiar amusement of an old joke. “You’re too serious.” “Serious is not the word I would use to describe Mia.” Skylar says, and the older aeromancer shifts her attention to the newcomer.

“You’re Skylar, right?” Georgia asks. A hint of a smile makes its way onto the shadow mage’s face. “The one and only.” “Pretty sure there are a lot more people with the name Skylar.” Mia’s sister jokes, as Skylar stands up and shakes her hand. “We saved ya a plate. It’s in the fridge.” Mia remarks. “Thank you! Gotta say, it’s nice to not have to make my own food.”

“Don’t expect it to last. You’ll annoy them so much that Ivy won’t make you anything anymore.” Mia jabs at her sisters retreating form. A cackle is her only answer, and a few moments later, Georgia returns from the kitchen, holding a plate of the leftovers Ivy saved. “Thanks for the meal though, it is nice of you.” Georgia thanks Ivy sincerely, and she smiles radiantly.

“So when are you sleeping with this lot?” Georgia asks casually, throwing the question in Skylar’s direction and taking a bite. Skylar chokes again, this time a little more severely, as the small coughing fit can attest to. Mia snorts and struggles not to spray water all over the table, as she’d just taken a sip from her glass. I pat Skylar on the back as the coughing recedes. Her face is bright red by this point, and she wipes her mouth with a napkin.

“Well?” Georgia presses on, seeming to understand that she’s onto something. “I am not answering that question.” “Oh? So you will sleep with them at some point?” Georgia teases. Mia gives her sister a flick to the ear. “Oi! Be nice.” She admonishes. “Fiiiine. Sorry hun, you don’t have to answer.” Georgia apologises, looking down at her plate with a knowing smile. I exchange a glance with Mia and she winks at me.

Lunch goes smoothly after that little hiccup, with Skylar being cautious towards Georgia. It’s in her nature to be careful around new people, but with the three of us being fairly trusting of Mia’s sister, Skylar lets her guard down a little. After we finish lunch and go back into a dungeon to train, Skylar asks us a question that I hadn’t considered.

“You’ve said before that we need more people in our guild to have a better chance at taking over Sydney and defeating Mathias. Could we recruit Georgia?” The question floors me for a few moments. By the time I’ve mentally constructed a half coherent answer, Mia is already responding. “We could try, but I doubt it would go well.”

“She wouldn’t be anywhere near as committed as the four of us are. She also doesn’t really care about the whole thing. It’s not like she doesn’t empathise with the struggle of others, it’s just that she feels like her energy should be used on enjoying herself than fighting to change something that seems like it can’t be changed at all.”

“Ah okay, that makes sense.” Skylar nods. I shut my mouth, having opened it to respond, and instead just nod in agreement. We need people who are willing to train quite a bit, to increase their strength and experience in combat. It definitely doesn’t sound like Georgia would be that kind of person. I wouldn’t hold it against her either, this is quite possibly an impossible mission.

I can’t help but grin slightly as the Mission Impossible theme starts playing through my head. Impossible mission or not, we’re going to try our hardest to make Sydney a better place. “Whatcha smiling about love?” Mia asks, noticing my expression. “The Mission Impossible theme ran through my head.” “Oh screw you, now it’s stuck in my head too!” Mia replies, and I giggle happily.

The two dungeons we run through that afternoon go by fairly quickly. They still take us until about 3:30 to finish, but the time passes rapidly. Grinding has become routine at this point. An exciting routine and quite fun at times, but routine nonetheless. After Ivy and I level up, I spend the acquired statpoints and we retire back to Mia’s place for the afternoon. I’m delighting more and more in my increased agility. My newfound speed is both exhilarating and hugely advantageous in combat.

As we open the door and step inside, Mia calls out to her sister. “Oi Georgia, we’re home! I better not find you using your vibrator on the couch!” Ivy and I snicker while Skylar asks the obvious question. “Why did you say that?” Mia gives the shadow mage a tired look. “Cause it happened once. Was awkward as heck for me and super embarrassing for her. I’m never letting her live it down.”