Fyre Fly: Chapter 29 - Every Book Needs a Pool Day

At the very least, the guests and I are excited about the bath house. Mirzayael, Gardi, and Salvia are significantly less delighted.

“I’ve ensured all the water levels are low enough to be safe,” I tell her that morning. “No one is in any danger.”

“I’m not worried about drowning,” she says. “I’m worried about the Jorrian.”

I raise an eyebrow. “What exactly do you think they’ll do in a swimming pool?”

“They have ice abilities,” she says. “They could freeze us all in the water.”

I’m pretty sure they could already do that without being in the water, but I decide it won’t help my case to voice this. “And then what?” I ask.

“Then… they could attempt to escape.”

“Where to?” I ask.

“Or they would use the opportunity to try to hurt us,” she says, pivoting.

“Then I’ll use my fire to thaw the ice and stop them.” I take Mirzayael’s hands to stop her from worrying them. “Come on, Mir. You know that as long as anyone is within the Dungeon Core’s area of influence, they don’t really pose a threat to us.”

She sighs. “I just don’t know how I’m expected to relax with a Jorrian there.”

“Let Salvia worry about that,” I say.

As we make our way to the bath house, we pick up some silk towels and robes from Yequirael. They’re not towels like I’m used to, fluffy and thick: these are wide and thin, much more like tablecloths. I guess Fyrethians haven’t yet discovered whatever technique is needed to make fluffy thick cloth. I wonder if anywhere else in the world has it figured out. That’s certainly not something I would be able to help with.

We don’t have bathing suits, so it’s clear we’ll all be swimming in the nude. No one seems surprised or bothered by this, so I try to conceal my own discomfort. I’m used to naked bodies from men’s locker rooms, but I’ve never been in a co-ed type situation before. For a world with normalized gender and sex equality, where one can be in a relationship with any person (or persons) they like, this shouldn’t be surprising. I guess it’s time for me to catch up.

Even so, I self-consciously slip into a robe after I undress in the first chamber, and I continue wearing it as we head deeper into the bath house.

“Gorgeous!” Pip exclaims, turning in a circle as she takes in the mosaics that cover the walls and floor in the steamy room. At least she’s covered in cat-like hair, so there’s not much for me to see. I keep my eyes raised over the heads of all those in attendance.

“Can we use any of them?” Alec asks. The bathhouse is a network of rooms connected with open doorways, some larger or smaller, some featuring a collection of private baths, or giant communal pools.

“Go ahead,” I tell him, still watching the ceiling. Alec is your standard mostly-bald human, which leaves little up to imagination. “The room with the orange tiles has hotter pools, and the ones with blue tiles are for cooling off. Otherwise, please help yourself.”

The group of visitors happily chatter with one another as they spread out and explore.

“Are you alright?” Mirzayael privately wonders. “You feel bothered.”

“It’s nothing,” I insist.

Mirzayael feels deeply skeptical.

“It’s a ‘me’ problem,” I add. “I’ll be fine once we’re in the water. Come on!”

Gardi and Salvia stick close to us; I’m not really sure which one of them is even following the other at this point. But it’s probably for the best to keep them near anyway. The four of us pick out a steaming pool that’s about a meter deep—shallow enough that Mirzayael should be able to submerge up to her chest while seated. While the others hesitate at the edge, I quickly disrobe and step into the pool. Any lingering embarrassment is immediately washed away as the warmth embraces me. I let out a long, content sigh, sinking into the waters until it’s up to my neck.

Mirzayael chuckles. “You sound like you’ve needed this for quite some time.”

“I certainly have.”

I glance back in time to see her stepping down into the water. She doesn’t seem as hesitant this time, likely because it’s much shallower, and the way all her legs work in tandem to lower herself down is surprisingly graceful. I’m briefly struck by the intensity and sheen of her black carapace—she’s usually covered in practical garb or armor, and seeing so much of her midnight-dark shell now is mesmerizing. I quickly tear my eyes away and sink further into the water, blowing bubbles from my nose as heat rises up my face.

“Oh, so that’s what this is about,” Mirzayael says, settling into the pool next to me with a teasing smirk. She must have caught wind of my thoughts after all. “It’s not the first time I’ve seen you naked, you know.”

“What? When!” I drift back to give her more room as she settles all her legs about her. Gardi tentatively steps into the opposite end of the small pool, and Salvia dutifully follows them.

“When we first met,” she says, her eyes dancing with amusement. “When you showed up in the caves before me, you weren’t wearing any clothes.”

I laugh, partially from embarrassment. “I’d forgotten about that.” I try flexing my wings, and find the sensation of them pushing through the water very odd. They’ll help me float, I recall from when I had first gotten the Dungeon Core to absorb the spring water in Ollie’s cave, but I’m not sure how they will help or hinder me if I try to swim.

“It was surprising, largely due to how cold the caverns were,” Mirzayael continues. “But you know, you don’t have to feel so self-conscious about it.”

“I know,” I say. “It’s a bit of a hangover from my culture. I’ll grow used to it.”

“Oh.” Mirzayael is faintly surprised. “It’s nudity in general that bothers you?”

“Yes.” I frown. “If you weren’t assuming the same, then what did you mean?”

Her smirk fades to a kinder smile, and beneath the water she runs a hand through the feathers of my wing. “I thought it was less cultural and more personal. That you were ashamed of your body in some way. I know it is still new to you. But I wanted to assure you that you have nothing to doubt.” She bashfully switches to thoughts. “You’re beautiful.”

The words seize my heart and sting my eyes. I didn’t realize how much hearing that would affect me. Captain Marlowe had said the same the week prior, but that felt different—an attempt at flattery. This, though, this is genuine, and coming from Mirzayael, it means all the more.

“It is still new to me, in many ways,” I admit. I find her hand that’s playing with my feathers, and lace my fingers through hers. “But in a good way. I’m not ashamed of this body. It feels more me than the lifetime before. But to hear the words from you, it means…” I don’t need to explain what I’m feeling. She can feel it.

She gently pulls me in. Beneath the water, our bodies clumsily bump into one another, and I chuckle, laying a hand on her abdomen to steady myself. Her free hand goes back to playing with the feathers in my wing. It’s soothing, like having a hand run through your hair. I lean my head on her shoulder, close my eyes, and rest that way for a time. Warmth and peace rolls through me.

Eventually, some of my muscles start to cramp, so I stir, turning around so my back is to her stomach. I stretch my wings to either side, then experiment using them to tread water as I let my feet float up. Mirzayael’s hands are clasped loosely around my stomach, my head on her chest. She gently rests her chin on top of me.

Finally. It took this long to feel as if we’re able to exist as a couple, rather than close coworkers. I’m not sure where the relationship will lead from here, but in this moment, I’m more than content.

The next moment I realize Gardi and Salvia are staring at us. That’s saying something, considering Gardi typically attempts to avoid all eye contact, while Salvia doesn’t take their eyes off the Jorrian for more than a few seconds at a time.

“If we’re bothering you, you’re more than welcome to move to a different pool,” I tell them, amused. “You’re not required to stay with us.”

They both hurriedly glance away, and Mirzayael’s chest rumbles with a quiet laugh.

“Apologies, my lords,” Salvia says. “I didn’t mean to bother you.”

“You didn’t,” I assure them. I glance up at Mirzayael. “Perhaps we should practice showing more affection in public. So everyone can get used to the idea.”

Mirzayael shrugs. “Everyone already assumes we are courting.”

“They do?” I ask, surprised. I hadn’t told anyone about the conversation Mirzayael and I had, and her talking about it is even less likely.

“You can thank Dizzi and Nek for that,” she says.

I laugh. That does make sense.

Gardi has returned to watching us, though this time I can tell they’re trying to work themself up to say something. They haven’t said two words to me in the last several days that Salvia has been accompanying them around the palace with the other visitors. I’m curious to see what it is that they’re willing to say now.

They finally seem to summon the courage. “You arrived here naked?”

Mirzayael and I burst into laughs.

“I did,” I admit. Salvia is paying attention now, too; she wasn’t there when I first arrived, so she wouldn’t have known. Of course, everyone in the kingdom knows I came from the outside, but only a select few know about my reincarnation and prior life. Given the belief that phoenix harpies can reincarnate, and my similarities to Fyreneth, we decided that was one rumor we didn’t want to throw fuel on.

Instead of pressing me on why I wasn’t wearing any clothes, however, Gardi has a different question. “Then you’re not a Fyrethian?”

“Not originally,” I admit. “But being born here isn’t what makes someone Fyrethain.” I shift my gaze to Salvia. “The lost colony was separated from us for hundreds of years, and they’re still Fyrethian. It’s not about birth, it’s about…”

“A vision,” Mirzayael says.

“Values,” Salvia says.

“A home,” I agree with them. “They took me in with open arms. Well.” I side eye Mirzayael teasingly. “Most of them did.”

She blows air out her nose in protest, but she’s smiling.

Gardi falls silent again after that, but they also let themself relax, resting against the side of the pool. Even Salvia seems to be a bit more at ease.

After a while we switch rooms, finding the others in the large community pool. I can’t remember the last time I felt this carefree. We’ll certainly have obstacles to face when we reach the next city, but it’s nice, at the very least, to have this time to decompress.

The last few days of our trip pass without event. One of the scholars floated the idea of staying longer, as he was enjoying working with Dizzi on artificing theory, and Mirzayael actually seemed open to it. She seems more open to a lot of things these days.

#

As Captain Marlowe predicted, the next city, Hetopolis, doesn’t have any airships, so we put Dizzi’s floating cargo carriers to the test. We’re still too far out for me to land, but in the next two days we’ll be within range so I can visit with public officials.

Before I have a chance to go visit them, however, they’re more than happy to visit us.

Word of the Fortress is spreading. There’s a handful of individuals from nearby villages who came to Hetopolis to see us. I wonder if Captain Marlowe sent letters to more than just Hetopolis. Well, we always knew our presence wouldn’t be subtle. I guess we’ll have to start getting used to the fame. Better than notoriety.

On the third day, Hetopolis has grown from a distant smudge on a field of green, to a sprawling metropolis. Out on the docks, I’m preparing to accompany Ollie down the city. The previous day we used Dizzi’s shuttles to bring more visitors up to the Fortress, and now they’ll be returning down with us once more.

Mirzayael is fussing over me.

“I’ll be fine,” I promise her. “I’ve taken all the measurements. And Ollie will be there to protect me if anything happens. You know, we could always adapt Ollie’s harness to fit your physiology.”

“No,” she hurriedly objects. “That’s not necessary. Besides, one of us should remain in the Fortress at any given time.”

She’s probably right about that.

As we’re packing more supplies (and coins) onto the transports, a familiar voice catches my attention. I’m not sure where I recognize it from until I find its owner.

“...Now please do behave yourself. I can’t abide you causing any trouble in this magnificent city. Have you met her yet? Not to worry, I can introduce you!”

It’s Lisari, the scholar from Mount Haze. She’s talking to another woman, this one a felis with calico markings. I frown. How did she get here? Was she one of our guests? I don’t recall seeing her arrive. And why wouldn’t she have greeted me when she did?

I make my way over to Lisari and the stranger. I Check the second woman for clues, but don’t receive much.

[—]

[Blair: Level 20 Felis Paladin]

I frown. That was odd. It was like Echo glitched for a moment.

“Oh!” Lisari turns my way with a smile when she notices my approach. “Lord Fyre! It’s great to see you again. I’d like to introduce you to my friend, Blair.”

The felis regards me sternly, and doesn’t offer a hand to shake; I don’t either. Something about the two is setting me on edge.

“Welcome to our city,” I say to Blair. My gaze shifts back over to Lisari. “How did you get from Mount Haze to Hetopolis before us?”

“Oh, I took an airship,” Lisari says, smiling broadly. “Had to go pick up my friend first. I just couldn’t wait to show her what you all have accomplished. She was so excited to see it for herself!” She claps Blair across her shoulders, and the felis doesn’t react. She gives Blair a friendly shake. “She was so excited to see it for herself!”

“Indeed,” Blair belatedly agrees, without any hint of excitement.

“I don’t recall you two coming aboard,” I say.

Lisari waves her hand about as if the question is frivolous. “Oh, I didn’t want to bother you. But if you are offering another tour today, I’m sure Blair would just love to accompany you.”

“No,” I say slowly, “We’re about to head down. When did you say you arrived?”

“Oh, with the last group,” Lisari says.

I Check both of them again, just to be sure, but Echo doesn’t have anything more to say.

“Mirzayael,” I reach out to her. “Something’s wrong.”

“What is it?” she asks, immediately alert.

“Can you check the visitor logs?” I ask. “We have some unexpected passengers.”

“Stowaways?” she asks. Out of the corner of my vision, I can already see her talking to one of her guards.

“I’m not sure,” I admit.

“Well, we’ll get out of your hair,” Lisari says after my extended silence. “I’m sure you’ve much to take care of. It’s been a delight to speak with you again.”

I look at the Dungeon Core Map Interface as she talks.

I blink.

I zoom in further, double checking the dots on the map. I glance around my surroundings, then back at the map.

There aren’t any markers where Lisari and Blair are standing.

But human and felis are in the Map’s database. The only reason they wouldn’t populate, is if…

“What are you?” I ask as Lisari starts to pull away. My fingers tingle as I prepare to summon a flame. Is it an illusion? Shapeshifting? Something else?

“Pardon?” Lisair says, tipping her head.

“What are you really?” I repeat, lowering my voice. Mirzayael is headed back our way.

Lisari laughs, and the sound sends a shiver down my spine. “Oh, she’s good.”

She turns to Blair with a grin. Somehow I can tell this is a real smile, not something rehearsed. Even her tone of voice has shifted from something practiced to something more threatening and sharp.

“Didn’t I tell you this would be fun?”