Archive of Our Own ^beta

After what his parents referred to as The Kerfuffle, Gorgug was given a choice.

“Now, you can go to the Adventuring Academy like we talked about,” said Digby, “Or you can stay home with us, and we’ll teach you.”

Gorgug looked down at his hands. His knuckles were still a little scraped up from where he’d punched a wall after he threw the kid who'd been picking on him through the window. It had been scary, but most of why it had been scary was how easy it was, how his anger had taken him over. He could have hurt somebody, if they hadn’t been on the first floor. That's what the teacher kept saying. He could have really hurt somebody.

“What do you guys think I should do?” asked Gorgug.

Wilma and Digby exchanged a look over his head. It was something they did sometimes, usually after he accidentally broke something. Gorgug hunched up a little more in the chair. Even though his parents were really good at fixing things, he still felt bad every time it happened, and lurking under that bad feeling was the kind of anger that had made it so easy to throw someone through a window.

“We want you to do what makes you happy, bud,” said Digby. “No wrong answers here.”

Wilma smiled, nodding in agreement and reaching up to put a hand on his shoulder. Even though he was probably getting too old for that kind of thing, it did help him feel calmer, the anger fading away into wherever it lived when it wasn't making his blood boil. His mom probably wouldn’t be able to come with him if he went to the Adventuring Academy.

“I, uh- Could I maybe stay here with you guys?”

“Of course bud,” said Digby. “Me and your mom will dig out our old schoolbooks, get started right away!” He and Wilma exchanged another look. “And maybe, on the side, we can get you a couple of external lessons about managing your emotions.”

“That’s right,” said Wilma. “A song’s good for sometimes, but a little structure can help too.”

Gorgug didn't really know what she meant, but he nodded, and both of his parents looked happy and a little bit relieved that he'd nodded, so he figured it was probably good whatever it was. 

They spent most of his first term building a little schoolhouse. It did, in fairness, teach him a lot about all the different kinds of math that went into building a house. It was tiring work, too, too tiring for him to be angry.

When they finished, the little schoolroom was a perfect fit for him and his parents - a big reinforced chair for him, and a little high stool for his parents to sit in while they taught him, the room painted in bright colours and a big window that looked out on the garage.

Without the physical task of building to distract himself, the anger started to simmer again. He wasn't even mad at his parents, which made him confused, which made him ever more angry that he was confused. He snuck out into the woods behind their house after school to try and run until he was too tired out but it didn’t seem to work, and eventually his parents caught on. Wilma made a concerned sound over the state of his hands, which, admittedly they did look pretty rough because he’d spent the past half hour raging out on some trees.

“You shouldn’t punch trees,” said Wilma. “You could really hurt yourself bud.”

“I didn’t know what else to do,” mumbled Gorgug. “I tried singing about it but it didn’t seem to work. Maybe I didn’t do it right.”

His parents exchanged a look.

“Well,” said Digby after a moment, “maybe this is one of those times that- Well. How would you feel about taking that external class we talked about?”

“I guess,” said Gorgug.

The next week he started anger management classes. The counsellor, Jawbone, was a nice guy and was also a big enough guy that Gorgug felt like even if he went into a full rage, this dude could probably take him. It was weirdly reassuring.

“Oh yeah,” laughed Jawbone, “do not even worry about it. Like, I remember this one time, I was working in this biker bar-”

Gorgug nodded through the story. Jawbone has an infinite supply of them and even though Gorgug felt like he only understood about a quarter of every story, they were fun to hear. Sometimes, when he could feel himself getting mad, he thought about Jawbones’ stories to calm himself down, which worked mainly because he had to really concentrate to be able to remember all the details.

He got to take the bus there all by himself too, which felt like a very grown up thing to do. He put his headphones on and stared out the window and felt like a cool and mysterious protagonist in a teen drama for the twenty six minutes it took for the bus to get across town. That part was pretty fun too.

His parents seemed really happy about it, even happier than they normally were, and so he decided to make Jawbone a gift. It was like his sixth month anniversary of going to anger management classes, which felt pretty significant. It was a whole half of a year.

Digby beamed at him. “Well that sounds like a great idea bud! What kind of thing did you want to make?”

“Uh, I dunno, like… something made of metal?” said Gorgug. “Not silver though.”

Digby laughed. “Right you are son!”

Gorgug did the sketch of it and Wilma and Digby both helped him craft the flower out of metal. It was a really soothing process to do, which felt right for something for Jawbone. Gorgug tried to get to his next session early, so that the process of giving Jawbone the flower and listening to whatever story it reminded Jawbone of didn’t eat into too much of their actual session time, but the bus times were pretty sporadic out by Little Branch so he had to get a way earlier one than he usually did. Jawbone was pretty chill though, so Gorgug headed to his office anyway. He could just hang out in the waiting room and get bonus music-and-daydreaming time.

He stopped short when he opened the door. There was another half-orc in the waiting room, only a little older than him but way beefier and wearing an Aguefort Owlbears letterman jacket. The other half-orc paled at the sight of him and then glared. Gorgug immediately dropped his gaze, choosing a seat as far away from the other teen as possible.

The silence stretched out, making Gorgug's stomach churn. He fiddled with the metal flower in his hands and tried to look anywhere except at the other orc.

“Who’s the flower for?” said the other half-orc.

“Jawbone,” said Gorgug.

“That’s gay dude,” said the other half-orc.

There was a weird edge to his tone that Gorgug couldn’t figure out, the other teen's voice shaking like he was trying to be mad but he couldn’t quite get there which, if that was his issue then he must have had the opposite of Gorgug’s problem.

Gorgug shrugged. “It’s just a flower.”

“It’s- that’s- You -”

“It’s just a flower,” said Gorgug again.

The other half-orc stood up, stepping closer to him. “What the fuck does that mean, dude?”

“It doesn’t mean anything,” said Gorgug. “I mean, it’s just a flower, it’s- do you want it? I mean, I made it for Jawbone but I guess you can have it.”

He held it up and the other half-orc swatted it out of his hand where it thunked heavily against the wall. Gorgug’s hand stung, the familiar anger starting to itch under his skin.

“That wasn’t nice,” said Gorgug.

“Why the fuck would I be nice to you? I don't even know you!"

“Oh, well, I’m Gorgug-”

“Who cares?”

Gorgug’s hands curled into fists, his nails digging into his palms. “You asked .” He took a deep breath in and let it out slowly, like he and Jawbone had been practising. “What’s your name?”

The other half-orc’s eyes narrowed. “Why do you want to know?”

“I dunno,” said Gorgug. “I told you mine though, so. Y’know. It’s only fair?”

The other half-orc hesitated for a long moment. “Ragh.”

“Cool,” said Gorgug.

“Whatever,” huffed Ragh, but he did stomp over to the seat across the room instead of punching Gorgug, so Gorgug counted it as a win. 

Gorgug got up, keeping his movements slow and deliberate as he picked up the metal flower, looking it over. It was undamaged, but the wall is a little scraped up where the flower had hit it. Gorgug bit his lip, looking around for a moment before he decided to pull one of the potted plants over, putting it in front of the mark. He could feel Ragh watching him.

“I haven’t seen you here before,” said Ragh, after a long moment.

“Oh, I uh. I’m- my session’s not until way later,” said Gorgug. “I- the bus schedule is weird.”

It was barely a coherent sentence but Ragh nodded, his shoulders relaxing a little. “Yeah, buses suck.”

“Yeah,” said Gorgug, glad they were getting along now. “My parents said I can have their old van, but not until I can like, legally drive it.”

“Cool,” said Ragh. “I’m- usually just get a ride with- I mean, having your own set of wheels, pretty sweet.”

Gorgug smiled, ducking his head. “I mean, I guess. It’ll probably need, like, heaps of fixing up but I guess I’ll… learn to do that?”

Ragh narrowed his eyes at Gorgug again, but this time it was more like he was trying to roll insight instead of intimidation. “You takin’ artificer classes?”

“I’m- kind of? I mean, I’m homeschooled,” said Gorgug. “I mean, my parents teach me, at home.”

Ragh sat back, looking a little more relaxed. “That explains why I haven’t ever seen you around.”

Gorgug shrugged. “I guess.” He paused. “You go to Aguefort?”

Ragh shrugged. “Yeah. I’m on the Bloodrush team, so it’s- chill. Most of the time it’s chill. The other times it’s like-” He waved both hands at the side of his head. “ Ugh , you know?”

“Yeah,” said Gorgug, mimicking Ragh’s movement. “Totally.”

Ragh sat up straight. “You makin’ fun of me dude?”

“No,” said Gorgug, frowning. “I mean I- I get it. I mean, I’m here too, right, so like- I get it.”

“I guess- I guess maybe you do,” said Ragh. He gave Gorgug a considering look before he stood up, crossing the room to sit next to him. “Did you really make a flower to give to Jawbone?”

“Yeah,” said Gorgug, feeling his cheeks flush a little. “It’s- he’s just been super helpful and, like- I dunno, it’s probably lame.”

Gorgug looked down at the flower in his hands. Maybe he could shove it behind the potted plant and just tell his parents he gave it to Jawbone. It wasn't like they would ever know.

“It is lame,” said Ragh, “but Jawbone’ll probably like it. You should- you should give it to him, dude.”

Gorgug tucked his hair behind his ear, smiling at Ragh. “I- cool. I mean, I will.”

Rargh’s cheeks looked a little flushed. He opened his mouth to say something, but they were interrupted by Jawbone’s door opening, an elven ranger-looking woman coming out. She blinked at the both of them, surprise clear on her features.

She turned back towards the office. “If you’d told me you had people waiting I wouldn’t have kept you so long.”

“I don’t have-” Jawbone poked his head out. “Ah, Ragh, you’re here early, and Gorgug, hey man, you’re here very early. Everything alright?”

“Yeah,” said Gorgug. “Just- didn’t want to be late. I uh, I made you this.”

He held out the flower, feeling kind of stupid, but Ragh already said he should do it and it was too late to back out now. 

Jawbone took it. “Wow, this is great craftsmanship, your folks help you make this?”

Gorgug nodded.

“Wow, hey, that’s great- Sandra Lynn, check this out.”

“Very nice work,” said the elven woman. She kissed Jawbone on the cheek. “See you later?”

“Sure thing babe,” said Jawbone.

After the elven woman left, Ragh let out a low whistle. Jawbone chuckled, rubbing the back of his neck.

“Sorry to keep you boys waiting, lunch date ran a little long I guess,” said Jawbone.

“No explanation needed dude,” said Ragh. He bumped his elbow into Gorgug’s side. “We get it, right?”

“Yeah, totally,” said Gorgug.

Jawbone shook his head good-naturedly. “Alright, alright- Ragh, give me five to get set up. Gorgug, you okay to keep waiting?”

“Sure,” said Gorgug. “I’ll just, uh. I’ll chill out here.It’s- I’m cool.”

He waited until Ragh went inside with Jawbone before he put his headphones on, slipping into thrash-metal daydreams.

When Ragh’s session was over he high-fived Gorgug on the way past. “See you later dude.”

“Sure,” said Gorgug. “I mean, maybe? I mean, I could come early again next time?”

“Do whatever you want dude,” said Ragh.

“Okay,” said Gorgug, resolving in that moment to come early next time. “See you later then.”

Ragh paused in the doorway, looking back at Gorgug. “I- okay dude. Later.”

“Gorgug?” said Jawbone, leaning on the doorway to his office as he waited for Gorgug to pick up his bag to come in. “How you doin’ today buddy?”

“Pretty good,” said Gorgug. He paused. “I think I just made a new friend?”

“Ragh?” Jawbone thought for a moment, before nodding. “Yeah, alright. I mean, you guys could use a good friend- I mean, who couldn’t, am I right?”

“Yeah, I guess,” said Gorgug. “Hey, can I have my session earlier so I don’t have to wait so long next time? Not that it’s- it’s cool if you can’t.”

“I’ll have to check with your folks first, but sure,” said Jawbone. “Hey, maybe you and Ragh can have your own post-session session.”

“Maybe,” said Gorgug.

Maybe he’d make another flower next time, for Ragh.

---

Across town, Riz’s interactions with Ragh were not so peaceful. Mostly, they involved getting hurled into a locker, or the garbage can, or a storage closet, or- anywhere really. Riz tried to stay positive about it. It was helping him with his rogue skills, probably, having to dodge all the time, having to hide. Ms Shadow, the rogue teacher, said he was really improving. 

It was really the only area of his life he could say that about.

It was fine. Mostly, it was fine. He studied and worked on his conspiracy boards and negotiated with his mom over how many hours he actually had to go to sleep and, sometimes, he got to hang out with Penny when she babysat him.

The thing was though, that starting at Aguefort was supposed to be better than fine. He was supposed to be better than fine. It had really felt like, maybe, this was his chance to be more than just Briefcase Kid .

Instead he was The Ball, which was, in Riz’s opinion, worse. At least when he was Briefcase Kid he wasn’t getting tossed bodily into so many garbage cans.

It didn't help that he didn't have an actual adventuring party. The closest he got to it was helping Zelda out with her classes, and he was pretty sure that only happened because Penny asked Zelda to let him, which was nice of her but also so embarrassing that he almost didn't want to help. If he didn't need the adventuring credits he would probably have skipped helping Zelda research her family ritual stuff and focused on trying to level up faster to graduate early.

"Hey," said Riz, sliding into the seat opposite Zelda.

She flinched, because even if his stealth wasn't pretty high for their grade level she'd probably have a hard time hearing him approaching over the music blasting from her headphones. When she pulled them down around her neck Riz could just make out the screech of guitars and tinny drums.

"Hey," said Zelda. "Do you, uh, have you, like-"

"Oh, yeah," said Riz. 

He pulled the photocopies he'd made at the Elmville public library out of his bag. He'd had to special order the ritual book and got a lot of weird looks in the process but he was pretty used to that part of it by now. Probably it was kind of out of the ordinary for a goblin rogue to do so much research into ecstatic rituals but, hey. He needed the credits. 

"Oh, cool, uh, thanks, but I meant, uh, have you seen Penny today?" asked Zelda. "We have history together and she's- I mean normally she messages me if she's sick or something."

"I haven't, but we don't- I mean, we don't have any classes together, so, uh…" 

Riz frowned. He did normally see Penny between classes though, his lockpicking basics class was next to her math class. Unless he was trying to hide she always found him in the crowd, waving at him before she headed towards her athletics class.

"I could text her?" said Riz.

Zelda tucked her hair behind her ears. "No it's- don't worry about it, I mean, she's allowed to not tell me if she's not coming in, it's only been a day so I'm not, y'know- It'd be stupid to be worried, right?"

"Right," said Riz, immediately beginning to worry.

Zelda might not  be up on the local crime news but he had a cop for a mom, which meant he knew about the uptick in missing persons. Specifically missing teen girl type of persons.

He was right to be worried. Sklonda was waiting for him when he got home which wasn't totally out of the ordinary. The grim look on her face was, though. Riz braced himself for the worst.

"Riz, honey, you might want to sit down," said Sklonda. "It's-"

"What happened to Penny?"

Sklonda blinked. "How did you- never mind. It's- She's missing. Now, you know I can't tell you anything about the case-"

"But she's my friend!" said Riz. "I could help!"

"I know you could, but it's too dangerous," said Sklonda. "You don't- You need backup for something like this, okay kiddo? There's already a couple of adventuring parties out looking for clues."

Something twisted in the pit of his stomach. "But I could- I could still help couldn't I?"

"Riz…" Sklonda rubbed her forehead. "It's- it's too big of a case to work on your own, okay? You know I don't like to do this, but I'm going to have to put my foot down about this one kiddo."

"Okay," said Riz.

"Riz," said Sklonda.

"I won't- I'll be careful," said Riz.

"You won't be anything, because you're going to leave this one to the proper authorities," said Sklonda. "Riz, honey… The police are on it, okay, I'm on it. We'll find her."

"Okay mom," said Riz, crossing his finger behind his back.

Sklonda headed back out to work. Riz waited ten minutes, pacing his room as he watched the clock, before he left.

The first night was kind of a bust. The only thing he managed to find in Penny’s room was her diary. He leafed through it, making scribbled notes of her appointments. Most he knew about, except for a party at Penelope Everpetal's house. He hadn't been invited, obviously, but it was weird that Penny hadn't mentioned it. She normally at least told him about it, asked his opinion on her outfit. She usually even tried to convince him to come with her, even though Riz never went.

"A party at Penelope's?" said Zelda, when he saw her at school the next day. Her ears twitched. "I mean, I didn't hear about it. Are you sure it said party?"

"I mean, it'd have to be, right?" said Riz. "I mean, they weren't friends."

"I guess," said Zelda. "I mean, maybe they were, Penelope's not so bad."

That morning Penelope's boyfriend's good friend Ragh had picked Riz up and chucked him into one of the big dumpsters at the back of the school gym and Penelope had laughed , so Riz wasn't totally inclined to believe that. It did set off something in the back of his mind though.

"Hey, Zelda," said Riz, trying to keep his voice casual, "uh, are you friends with Penelope?"

"No," said Zelda. Her ears twitched again. "I mean, not really. We might be hanging out on the weekend but it's like, it's whatever."

"Okay," said Riz, "uh, maybe you should… not go?"

Zelda gave him a look. "Why?"

"Because she, uh… she's just super weird that's all." He tried to think of something convincing. "She has… a weird… vibe?"

"I guess," said Zelda. "I don't know, I mean, we don't have, like, a plan or anything lame like that."

"Good," said Riz, "that's good. Maybe, uh, don't?"

"Okay," said Zelda slowly.

He followed Penelope after school. She didn't do much while they were at Aeugfort, making out with Dayne on the bleachers for an excruciating long amount of time before they headed off. Riz did his best to tail them on foot, losing them as they reached downtown.

He braced a hand on the wall in the alley he was hiding in, panting. His speed was okay, but cars were still, unfortunately, faster.

Someone came out of the side door of the building into the alleyway and Riz pressed himself back behind the dumpster. He peeked out as far as he dared. It was a boring looking human man, dressed in a nice but average suit. He looked kind of exactly like the kind of person who should come out of a bank, which he had, but it was pretty weird that he was in the alleyway.

The man had his crystal to his ear. "That's good to hear." He paused. "Of course, we can have a new palimpsest distributed to your house tonight, so long as you can provide us with the product after the fact." He paused again. "Yes, that time is suitable. Someone from my team will meet with you then Miss Everpetal."

Riz froze. Oh my god, he was right. He didn't know what he was right about just yet, but he was right, he was on the edge of solving the case.

If he hurried, he could get to Penelope's house in time to get proof of delivery and then… and then he'd… take it to his mom maybe? Or, no, she told him not to investigate it, she'd probably be mad. Zelda, maybe. She and Penny had been kind of friends, maybe she'd help, even if he wasn’t officially in the same adventuring party as she was.

Riz set off running in the direction Penelope and Dayne had driven off in. There was no time to tell Zelda about it right now though. He'd be fine checking this out by himself. Just because he wasn't in an adventuring party, that didn't mean he couldn't have a little bit of adventuring for himself.

-----

Fabian Aramaris Seacaster's life, on the other hand, was full of adventure. Anyone's would be, of course, raised on the high seas by two of the world's most famous and deadly pirates, even if they perhaps preferred for him to wait in his room until the heat of the battle had somewhat lessened. They travelled the world over, and there was barely a port city that Fabian didn't know.

The world outside of a port city was, perhaps, slightly less familiar but that was of little consequence. After all, he was set to continue the Seacaster legacy on the water, not the land. He didn't need to know about anywhere inland. He was even about to get a boat of his very own, something perhaps a little smaller than his father's Hangman but nevertheless befitting of the Seacaster name.

Well, if they could ever find one that was befitting the Seacaster name. The boats on offer at Basiton City were, in Fabian's opinion, much too small, the kind made more for short pleasure jaunts than the high seas.

"There’s not even room for a crew in this one," said Fabian.

"Right ye are," said Bill, "but maybe that'd do you good. A man should be as familiar with the quiet of the open ocean as he is of her storms and rages."

"Right, yes," said Fabian.

Fabian turned away to examine the layers of polish on the wheel, trying not to think about being alone on this tiny boat, thousands of leagues of black water under him.

Bill clapped a hand on his shoulder. "But ye won't be doin' in this hunk of driftwood. One good blow and this boat'd be no more than splinters!"

Fabian laughed, trying not to sound too relieved. "Yes, of course. A shame that our search finds us empty-handed once again."

"Ah don't be discouraged me boy!" said Bill. "We'll keep searching till we find one that strikes your fancy! Ye'll be out there before the year is out!"

"Great," said Fabian, smiling and trying his best to ignore the cold, sinking feeling in the pit of his stomach. “I can hardly wait until I am out there alone on the high seas, getting up to all manner of adventure to make you and mama proud!”

“And I’ve no doubt you will!” said Bill. “At any rate, the day’s not over yet!”

“But papa!” said Fabian. “We must have looked at every boat in the marina!”

“That we have boy,” said Bill, “but it’s not just work that we be here for, it’s pleasure too. Got to give the crew some time to themselves while we’re at port.”

“Right, right,” said Fabian.

“You should find your own fun,” said Bill. “See what delights the city has for you. She’s no Leviathan, but there’s still plenty of fun to be had in Bastion City if you know where to go.”

“Yes, I- perhaps I’ll start the night with you and the crew and then make my way out,” said Fabian. “Just to... Just to get a feel for things.”

“Right you are!” said Bill.

The crew of the Hangman was waiting at the edge of the marina, full of the antsy energy of a group who’d been at sea too long. Fabian kept his shoulders straight, standing as tall as possible as his father pushed through the group, leading them towards what was sure to be some shady bar.

Not that Fabian had anything against shady bars. He’d had plenty of enjoyable times in shady establishments but just… never in a large group. If he went out with only his father then that was enjoyable, most of the time, his father telling tales of his exploits as they took in the atmosphere. When they went out with the crew Fabian couldn’t help but feel as though he faded into the background somewhat, especially as the crew grew drunker and the night more chaotic.

The bar they’d chosen for the night had live music, some tiefling girl screaming over the top of her bass guitar. Several crew members cheered, calling out song suggestions and cheering loudly whenever she agreed to sing one. The night stretched on and Fabian leant against the bar, trying to affect a casual air while taking some of the pressure off his aching feet. He longed to sit down, but he’d learnt from experience that doing so would result in him falling asleep, something his father quite frowned upon during nights of revelry.

Fabian nodded along to the music, his eyes drifting to the old clock above the bar. It was just before midnight, but nights out with the crew didn’t end until the sun rose or everyone had passed out where they stood. Fabian thought longingly of his bed, the simple comfort of lying down after a long day of traipsing up and down the docks.

He edged towards the door, almost reaching it before his father caught his arm.

“Just where are you sneaking off to boy?” said Bill.

“I- I thought I’d do a little exploring of my own, papa,” said Fabian. “Get a feel for the city, while we’re here.”

His father’s face split into a grin. “That’s me boy! Go on, have fun and be back on the ship before dawn! We wouldn’t want to have to set sail without you.”

“Of course,” said Fabian.

That was an easy enough promise to make, since he intended to head back to the ship as soon as possible.

He always felt as though he should try to follow his father’s wishes, circling a few blocks, looking up at the neon lit signs and dingy club doorways. His father had a great deal of fun in places like this. Even his mother had in her day, though now she much preferred to stay on the ship. He could just never summon the level of enthusiasm that such places seemed to require. Perhaps they were just less enjoyable when one was on one’s own, and when one was not Captain William Seacaster.

It had been less than an hour before he made his way back towards the ship, keeping to the shadows and sneaking on board, lest one of the crew that had remained on board tell his father that he was back so early. His bed awaited him and Fabian let out a sigh of relief as he sat down, pulling off his boots.

There was a soft knock at the door. Fabian quickly extinguished his lamp, holding his breath.

“Master Fabian?” whispered Cathilda.

Fabian let out a breath of relief. Though Cathilda was one of his father’s oldest and most loyal crew members, she wouldn’t speak out of turn about his early arrival home. He opened the door as quietly as possible. Cathilda held out a tray of kippers and a mug of hot cocoa.

“I thought you might be wanting a snack before bed,” said Cathilda softly. “You’ve had quite the day I’m sure.”

“Oh, Cathilda,” said Fabian. “Thank you, it’s been- well. No luck yet with the boat I’m afraid.”

“Ah well, I can’t say I’m too disappointed Master Fabian,” said Cathilda. “You know this ship won’t be the same without you.”

“I’m sure you’ll manage,” said Fabian.

“I’m sure I will,” said Cathilda, “but that doesn’t mean I won’t miss you.”

Fabian looked down, taking a sip of his cocoa to avoid having to speak around the sudden tightness in his throat. Cathilda patted his hand, stepping back out of the room.

“Get some rest while you can. Another big day tomorrow, back out towards Leviathan.”

“Yes,” said Fabian. “At least mama will be happier once we return to the open water.”

Cathilda nodded, patting his hand again. “Goodnight Master Fabian.”

“Goodnight Cathilda,” said Fabian.

He drew his feet up on the bed, curling up as he drank the last of his cocoa and looked out the window. From this angle, he could just make out the reflection of the city lights in the water, the distant sound of music echoing on the waves. At least the crew was in high spirits. Perhaps some day he’d have a crew of his own, and then night time revelry would seem a little more enjoyable to him than it did currently. For now though, he’d just go to sleep, and hope the rest of them weren’t too hungover in the morning.

----

Fig wrapped up another night’s work, grinning as she headed to the bar to get her cut. Tracker was taking care of it, as per the contract Fig had hastily scrawled in the van on their way there. Tracker, by virtue of the fact that she had taken one pre-law class before dropping out of college and therefore being the person Fig knew with the most legal experience, had worked out most of the loopholes and done the negotiations with the bar owner. The fact that she was a werewolf probably also helped, even though between the two of them, Fig knew she was the more volatile one. It probably had something to do with being an artist and only being able to truly express her emotions on stage, keeping them bottled up all the time.

Even though being so hard to read had its downsides, it definitely helped with the music. The bar had been more populated than she'd expected for a weeknight, the crowd of people in pirate costumes bringing a much more rowdy atmosphere than the dingy metal exterior of the bar would have suggested.

It was always fun when the audience got involved, made her feel like she was really getting somewhere with the whole runaway-turned-rockstar thing she was working on. The venues might not be stadiums yet, but even shitty dockside bars paid better than busking on street corners most of the time.

"The crowd's more consistent too," said Fig, as they headed out to the van. "It's all about the vibe, y'know?"

Tracker shrugged. "I guess. I mean, they were definitely into it."

"Yeah!" said Fig, grinning. "Tracker my man, we are on the upswing, stardom here we come!"

Tracker gave a little laugh. "I mean, we're probably a few more stops away but- yeah, here we come!"

Fig swung herself into the passenger seat. She felt bad about making Tracker do most of the driving but Tracker was a real stickler for things like traffic safety, so she really only let Fig drive on the highways or if it was an emergency full moon situation. She always got weirdly embarrassed about it, even though a) obviously Fig thought it was sick as shit that her best friend-slash-tour-manager was a werewolf, and b) if she hadn't been a werewolf, she wouldn't have had to emergency pull over the night she picked up Fig hitchhiking, and then they might never have become friends. Without Tracker picking her up that night, she might never have made it out of Elmville at all, and then she would have had to stay home with her liar mom and her fake dad and go to the stupid school they’d wanted her to go to, instead of becoming a travelling rock star, which was obviously a million times better and cooler.

"So," said Tracker, as they pulled out of the parking lot. "Elmville."

Fig gripped her guitar a little tighter. "Yeah, Elmville. Lot of cool venues."

Tracker's eyes flicked to her before she focussed back on the road. "You gonna be okay with being back in town?"

"Yeah, obviously, I mean it's not like- I mean, it's just another city to me," said Fig, extremely casually.

"Okay," said Tracker slowly. "I mean, it is your hometown, so."

Fig slouched down in her seat. It had been almost a year since she'd left, sneaking out after her parents had both yelled themselves hoarse because her stupid horns had grown in.

"I don't have a home town. I was born for the travelling life from the spirit of rock and roll."

Tracker shrugged. "Look, you don't want to talk about it, we don't have to talk about it."

"There's nothing to talk about," said Fig.

"I just want to make sure it's not going to, like, affect your performance," said Tracker. "The Black Pit is like… it's a pretty big venue for us." Her eyes flicked to Fig again. "And we have to audition drummers. Again."

Fig groaned, letting her head drop backwards dramatically.

"I know, I know, but I really think it'll improve your sound," said Tracker.

"They're always so flakey though," said Fig, "and they never get what I'm about ."

Tracker hummed, obviously holding herself back from saying something. Her hands flexed on the wheel.

"What?" said Fig.

"Nothing," said Tracker. "Just… maybe you could try not being so… full on with them right out of the gate, y'know, give them a little time to, like, acclimatise-"

"I don't want to have to baby someone," said Fig. “ Especially if they're not even willing to leave town for a tour!"

"That was one guy!" said Tracker.

"Well all the others were stupid for different reasons," said Fig.

"I'm just saying," said Tracker. "It's- Just try to evaluate the ones we get through based on merit and not on like… some anti-Elmville thing."

Fig raised a hand. "I swear to be completely and totally impartial when I assess how much they suck."

Tracker huffed a laugh. "I guess that's probably as good as I'm gonna get, huh?"

"Yep!" said Fig cheerfully.

She strummed her guitar as they drove, her magic keeping the tank half-full. It had been a real money-saver since she'd worked out that particular charm. It'd helped them even be able to stay at motels most of the time, instead of sleeping in the van every night. One day, she and Tracker were going to be able to afford a huge luxury tour bus, with two levels and all the amenities, and this part of her life was just going to be like, the first part of the documentary that they'd make about her life, the part she and Tracker would talk about with a kind of rueful nostalgia, the kind that'd inspire other kids to run away from home towards the lights of the stage.

They passed the sign for Elmville, just outside a little church and a cornfield. Fig wanted to barf from how picturesque it was. Tracker grimaced, her hands flexing on the wheel.

"Hey," said Fig, "are you… are you also going to be okay, being back here?"

"Yes," said Tracker, a little too quickly. "It's fine."

"Okay," said Fig. She paused. "You know, if any of those Helio freaks tries anything, I got your back."

Tracker's lips twitched upwards. "I know you do."

Fig's throat felt tight. "Cool. Just wanted to. Y'know. Be totally clear."

Tracker reached out with one hand, finding Fig's hand and squeezing it as the lights of Elmville came into view. 

"You've got my back and I've got yours," said Tracker.

"Yeah," Fig managed. She swallowed, squeezing Tracker's hand back. "Let's run this town!"

She let go of Tracker's hand to strike a chord, the music reverberating loudly in the small space. Tracker laughed and leant out the window to howl along with the song. Fig laughed too, winding down her own window and feeling the wind on her face as she played.

"We run this town!" yelled Fig. "I'm back, Elmville, so you'd better watch out!"

----

The church bus rumbled along the highway. Kristen let out a sigh, shifting in her seat. After a year in the wilderness driving on a paved road almost felt unfamiliar, the occasional jolt of a pothole nothing like the constant bumping of the rocky terrain they'd driven over previously. Not that they'd spent that much time using the bus, it was pretty impractical once the road became less of a path and more like a concept.

That had been one of the early sermons, that the path of Helio could sometimes be hidden from them, or difficult to find, but travel it they would, and at the end they would find their lord. Or whatever. Honestly it had been kind of hard to pay attention, because she'd been pretty hungry and tired at the time, and thinking about their corn-based god did not really help with that like it was supposed to.

At least once they'd gotten out there and started actually helping people it had been easier to handle. The world was a wild and dangerous place, and so there was always a lot of need for people to come along after adventuring parties had gone through and done whatever great deed they needed to be done, to rebuild houses, or heal people, or even just to help bring in crops that places didn't have the manpower to do. They'd done a lot of that. It was probably the corn thing.

People could be kind of weird about it sometimes. Which, Kristen got that, people always feared the unfamiliar and also, honestly - she glanced around the bus, reassuring herself that everyone apart from the driver was asleep - Helio could be kind of a jerk sometimes. He had weird frat bro vibes, and she was not about that at all .

Kristen swallowed, looking around again. Everyone was still asleep, and even if they were awake they were all other humans who didn't have any kind of detect thoughts spell. She was safe.

The others knew she'd seen Helio, obviously. That was why she'd been allowed to go on the church mission in the first place. What better way to spread the good word of Helio than with a bonafide cleric of the god himself? She could show to the world the power and glory of their god right in front of their eyes, and she had, just like she was supposed to.

She just didn't feel as good about it as she was supposed to.

At first she'd thought it was from being on the road for so long, after all, it had been her first trip away from home. She'd tried to broach it, real casual, with some of the others but they'd been just as enthusiastic at the end as they had been at the start, their eyes wide and confused whenever she brought up the concept of doubt. She stopped talking to the others a lot after that.

Not that she'd been lonely. Being a cleric meant she was out the front at every new place, meeting all kinds of people. She was good with most of them too, sort of. Talking to girls her own age was weirdly difficult, because her eyes would catch on the curve of their lips or they'd laugh and she'd just totally lose her train of thought. Just one of those weird things, the kind that happened to everyone, probably.

It wouldn't be so much of a problem now that she was back. She'd go back to her parent's place, and then start back at the church school for the new semester. Her parents were pretty keen for her to finish school, so they probably wouldn't let her go back out on another mission, even for the glory of Helio.

Kristen sighed. It was like… if only there was some middle ground she could pitch them, some kind of mission she could go on in town where she could still help people, see new faces…

A van screamed past the bus, the heavy electric guitar sound jolting a few of the other passengers away. A woman a little older than her was driving, her face alight in joy. Kristen's breath caught in her throat.

"Damn rockers," muttered someone behind her.

Kristen immediately closed her eyes, pretending to be asleep. She turned her face more towards the window, catching a glimpse of the van as it drove into the distance. The words Fig Faeth Tour were scrawled in bright red spray paint on the back of the van.

She narrowed her eyes, squinting at the words. Rockers. Huh.

It was a section of the population that wasn't super connected to Helio. There had to be clubs or centres or something that she could go out to, do some outreach. Her parents were always saying that charity began at home, so it just made sense to do outreach in her own hometown. She could study at the same time, sort of like having an after school job, but for the glory of Helio. Her parent's couldn't argue with that, surely. Not against Helio.

Just because she'd never been to any of those places, well, she'd never been into the wilderness either. It wasn't as though she was a stranger to feeling out of place.

Maybe after that she'd go really wild and go check out some of the non-church schools, too. Aguefort students were always up to something, and even she'd heard about how wild some Hudol parties could get. 

"For the glory of Helio," mumbled Kristen, letting her eyes fall closed, the rumble of the bus underneath her fading into something more soothing.

Under her eyelids, the memory of the van driver's face flickered, her smile making Kristen's chest feel tight. When she pitched the plan to her parents, she'd keep that part to herself.

----

Every day before school, Adaine Abernant got up half an hour earlier than her sister and crept into the bathroom. She locked the door, set a timer on her crystal for twenty minutes, and had a very small and totally fine and manageable panic attack. 

Her theory was that by doing this, she was less likely to have a real panic attack later at school where other people could see her. So far this hypothesis had been less than successful, but it'd worked well enough that the teachers at Hudol remained mostly unaware. If it'd been reported to her parents they hadn't said anything, although it was entirely possible that they considered her to be such a lost cause as to not even bother about it. Her sister's teasing about her anxious demeanour hadn't gotten any more pointed, so Adaine was pretty sure Aelwyn hadn't noticed either.

That being said, Aelwyn had been remarkably distracted for the past few months. Yesterday Adaine had tripped on the rug as they'd come home and Aelwyn hadn't even made a snide remark about it, a suspiciously out of character act of kindness by omission on her part.

Aelwyn had left the house soon after, claiming to be part of a study group and then rather pointedly leaving her schoolbooks at home.

"Don't go into your sister's room without her permission," said Angwyn. "Terrible breach of privacy, I thought we raised you better than this."

"Clearly not," said Adaine.

Her father raised an eyebrow. "Clearly. In any case, Aelwyn is advanced enough in her studies that I'm sure she can study without whatever books she has here."

"That doesn't even make sense!"

"Adaine, really," said Angwyn. "It is baffling to me that you continue to behave in such a childish manner. I had truly hoped that once you were accepted in Hudol such acts of pettiness would cease."

"What about her acts of pettiness?" said Adaine.

"I wish that you would focus as much on your own studies as you do on your sister's." Angwyn sighed, his attention already turning back to the scrolls on his desk. "It is entirely unbecoming."

Adaine fought back against the urge to scream, the sound of it bubbling away in her chest. By the time she'd stomped upstairs, the feeling had trickled down into her stomach, the familiar churn of anxiety settling in.

She closed her door, going to her closet to bring out the shoebox where she'd stowed her evidence. A broken model ship, a memory spell, a sigil she didn't recognise. It meant something, she just didn't know what, and even if she did…

Even if she did, there wasn't anyone that she could bring it to. Her parents had made it abundantly clear that they wouldn't listen. Her family were diplomats. Aelwyn was always with a large group of other upperclassmen at school, shooting Adaine cutting looks while Adaire ate her lunch alone. There was no one else.

Her breath started coming in gasps. Adaine gripped the edge of her desk. She hated this. She hated this and she hated them , but most of all she hated feeling so trapped .

It didn't matter how good her proof was, no one would ever, ever believe her. There wasn't a single person in the world she had ever met who would trust her over her sister, or over her parents. It was pointless.

When she finally got her breath back she gathered up the fragments of evidence and put them back in the shoebox, and hid it back in her closet. If she couldn't figure it out, she could at least annoy Aelwyn by hiding whatever it was somewhere she'd have difficulty finding it. That would just have to be enough for her to hold onto, for now.

----

Kristen's parents took a lot of convincing. It made sense, they barely wanted her to go preach at a school, let alone at a club at night.

So what Kristen did was… she just didn't tell them about that part. The church was pretty against, like, deception, but Kristen had met the guy their religion was based around and she was pretty sure he'd be cool with it, or he just flat out wouldn't care. Which was good. It was good that her god would have no opinion about this. She didn't feel any particular way about that.

She also didn't feel any particular way when she saw the van in the parking lot, the same one that had passed the church’s bus on the highway. There were a bunch of photocopied flyers at the door, one of which said that Fig Faeth would be playing on stage two later that night. It was a good enough place to start, for no specific reason. She definitely wasn’t still thinking about the driver of the van and how her smile had seemed to glow with a kind of rare and genuine warmth. Absolutely not.

The club wasn't technically open yet, which actually helped Kristen get in. She walked around the back of the venue until she found the loading bay, picked up a random box, and blended in well enough with the other roadies moving stuff in for the various bands that no one even questioned her.

She was looking around for somewhere to put the box down when she spotted the woman who'd been driving the van. Their eyes met. Kristen forgot how to breathe entirely.

The box fell from her hands and the woman grinned. Kristen felt herself flush, pinned to the ground under her. This was such a total mistake, she couldn't preach to these people. They obviously already had a goddess and it was whoever the driver of Fig Faeth's van was and- The woman started to walk towards her.

The jittery energy in her body forced her legs to move, hurrying towards the closed door.

"Hey," said someone behind her, "you can't be back there."

"Sorry, it's an emergency," said Kristen.

It was not, as she expected, a bathroom. It was a little weird cubicle of a room, a few suitcases open and clothes tossed over an old computer. There was a tiefling girl there about her age, sprawled over the small couch in the corner of the room, a guitar in her lap.

"Uh," said Kristen.

"Is it-" The tiefling girl checked her crystal. "Did my soundcheck time get moved up?"

"No," said Kristen. "Or, I don't know, uh- I was looking for the bathroom?"

There was a knock at the door and Kristen made a high-pitched sound, slapping a hand over her mouth.

The tiefling girl frowned. "Hey, are you okay? Like, are you in trouble?"

Kristen nodded. She definitely felt like she was in trouble, something hot and squirming in the pit of her stomach at the thought of the van driver woman finding her.

"I got you," said the tiefling girl, swinging herself up out of the couch. "You uh-"

Kristen ducked behind the table.

"Oh, yeah, good idea." The tiefling girl cracked open the door, her shoulders relaxing. "Oh, hey Tracker. What's up?"

Kristen peeked around the edge of the table. It was the van driver woman. Up close, she could see the rich brown of Tracker's eyes, her mind going to half remembered poetry about the fresh earth after the summer rain.

"Did you see- Did anyone come in here?" asked Tracker.

"No," said the tiefling, "just me in here."

Tracker's eyes narrowed. "Fig…"

"Just me in here, practising, you know, keeping my fingers warm for soundcheck," said Fig. "Hey, speaking of soundcheck, did you manage to get me an earlier slot?"

"No," said Tracker, "they have some big deal DJ coming in and they won't move anyone's time until he's gone first."

"Ugh," said Fig. "Well, y'know, I super appreciate you trying."

"Fig-"

"But, hey, since we're waiting, maybe we should eat," said Fig. "I mean, you know I don't like to eat so close to going up on stage so this is probably the time to do it, right?"

Fig shot Tracker a blinding grin. Tracker folded her arms.

"If someone had come in here I would have told you dude," said Fig. "Come on!"

Tracker huffed a breath. "Fine. I think there's a deli that's still open, the usual?"

"Yeah, the usual," said Fig. "Thanks Tracker."

She closed the door, her hand flexing on her guitar. Kristen slowly stood up.

"Okay stranger," said Fig. "I hope you have a good reason for hiding from Tracker."

"I- She's really pretty-" Kristen covered her face with her hands. "I mean, nothing. I don't have a good reason. She was just walking towards me and I panicked."

Fig laughed. "I mean, I get it, but I think she'd be flattered."

Kristen peeked through her fingers. "I- really? She wouldn't like… she wouldn't think I was weird?"

"No way, she-" Fig frowned. "Are you okay?"

"Yes," said Kristen, sitting down as her head began to spin.

Fig stepped closer, holding her hands up like Kristen was a wild animal she was afraid of scaring away. She slowly, carefully, put her hands on Kristen's shoulders.

"She wouldn't think you were weird," said Fig again, "and I don't either."

Kristen took a shaky breath in. "I- really?"

"We've both done weirder stuff over seeing hot people," said Fig.

"Tracker is hot," said Kristen, because her head was spinning too much to fully filter her thoughts.

"Yeah," said Fig. "And she's nice too. When she gets back, you should hang out with us."

"Oh, I couldn't impose, I, uh-"

"Totally not an imposition," said Fig. "I'm like, ninety percent sure she knew I was lying earlier about you being in here, so she's probably already bought you a sandwich."

Kristen felt the flush in her cheeks deepen. "I, uh, I mean, I don't want to get you in trouble. I mean, I don't even work here."

"Wait, so you snuck in?" Fig nodded to herself, looking impressed. "That's cool, dude. I used to do that before places started hiring me. What do you play?"

"I, uh, nothing, I kind of came to- I mean, it's sort of complicated?" said Kristen. "It involves Helio, sort of?"

Fig's expression flickered. "Oh yeah, that guy."

Kristen's stomach squirmed. "What about him?"

"I mean, he's never been my dude, obviously, but Tracker used to-" Fig wrinkled her nose. "I dunno man."

Kristen wet her lips, bracing herself for a moment. "I, uh. I met him."

Fig's eyes went wide. "Whoa, wait, for real?"

Kristen nodded.

"What's he like?"

She'd had that question a million times over by now. She knew what she was supposed to say. Instead, what came out was-

"Honestly? Rancid frat boy vibes."

Fig blinked, and then burst into laughter. She clutched at Kristen's shoulder. "Oh man, no, I'm sorry, but that's just- You have to stick around to meet Tracker now, she's going to fucking love you."

The squirming feeling returned to Kristen's stomach. "I, uh, I dunno, I mean, do you really think so?"

"Hell yeah," said Fig. "In fact, I'm going to text her right now to make sure she gets you something. You're gonna have dinner with us, Helio girl."

"Kristen. Is my name."

Fig shot her a bright grin. "Cool. I'm Fig Faeth, obviously."

"Yeah," said Kristen. "I saw the van."

Fig laughed, tapping out a message on her crystal. "You should stick around for the show, too. Give Tracker some company while I’m on stage."

Kristen's cheeks flushed again. "I dunno…"

"Hey, she's buying you dinner, the least you can do is the date." Fig's eyes flicked to her. "Unless you don't want to."

Kristen swallowed. "I uh. No, that'd be cool. I'm cool with doing that."

"Cool," said Fig. She paused. "We've got a couple other shows going on while we're in town. You should come check them out."

"I- yeah, maybe." Kristen tucked her hair behind her ear. "I don't want to like, overstep or whatever, you know?"

She ended up absolutely overstepping, but to be fair they did have to fight a bunch of zombified nightclub patrons together. It was the kind of thing that could really help you bond with a person.

Tracker broke off the kiss, leaning back to look at her. Kristen felt just as stunned as the first time they'd locked eyes.

"What?" managed Kristen.

"I… We're playing some girl's house party at the end of the month," said Tracker. "You should come."

"I think Fig already invited me."

Tracker huffed a breath, rolling her eyes. "Romantic meddler."

"What?" said Kristen.

"Nothing, it's- Hey, it's pretty late," said Tracker. "You can- I mean, we're probably just gonna sleep in the van, uh, it's not exactly fancy, but, uh-"

"No, yeah, I'd love that," said Kristen. "I mean, uh, yeah. It's pretty far to go back to my house, so. Yeah. It's probably like. Sensible. To sleep with- to sleep here. For like, safety?"

Tracker's smile was bright under the streetlights. "Yeah. Totally."

She crept home two days later to grab a bag of stuff and leave a note. Helio could work anywhere, after all, he didn't need her to go to church school.

----

Riz was on the case. Unofficially, but still. He was on it, even if he had to hide himself in the back of his mom's squad car to do it.

He was pretty sure he knew where she was going, there was a connection one of the adventuring parties had made between the palimpsest distribution and the daughter of some high elf diplomat, his mom was headed out to an extremely fancy area of town, so, yeah, Riz had put the pieces together. He'd connected the dots. He'd…

Riz shook himself, trying to wake himself up. He should have brought coffee for the road.

The car pulled to a stop. Riz waited, his ears twitching as he listened for the doors to open and close, his mom prepping the wood elf guy she'd brought with her to let her do as much of the talking as they could manage. There was something about her bringing an elf in with her, even though it was Gilear the IT guy and not another officer, because they needed an elf to get in the door. Riz flexed his hands, scowling at the latch of the car boot.

He heard them be invited inside and then carefully picked the interior lock, peering around before he got out. He looked up at the house, which seemedway too big for just one family to live there. He had to figure out which one was the daughter's room.

Riz slowly moved towards the house, circling the perimeter. He crouched under the windows, listening for a moment to his mom's tense line of questioning long enough to discern that the high elf she was speaking to was kind of an asshole and obviously just going to stonewall her the whole time.

"I got your back mom," whispered Riz.

He'd get her the evidence, she'd knock 'em down. 

There was a light on in one of the upstairs rooms, a flash of movement in the window. Riz pressed himself against the wall. The light above him went out, maybe a sign that the person who'd been there had left the room, maybe a sign they were hiding evidence right now. 

He bit the inside of his cheek, looking up. There was a lattice running up the side of the house for a climbing rose to tastefully grow across. Riz hooked his foot into it, testing it. It shook slightly, but otherwise held firm.

"Okay," said Riz, letting out a breath. "Okay, here we go."

The lattice holding his weight didn't end up being as much of a problem as the amount of thorns he encountered. Riz winced, wiping the blood off his hands on his jacket before he reached for the window. It was unlocked, and he wriggled inside, dropping to the floor pretty quietly and considering the space around him and making a face. 

"Wrong room," said Riz quietly to himself.

"I'm sorry ?" said a voice.

There was a click as a lamp camp on, revealing an elven teen close to his age, too young to be the diplomat's daughter he was looking for.

"Uh," said Riz.

"Who the fuck are you?" said the girl, fumbling to put her glasses on. "What the fuck are you doing in my room? I- I have spells, okay, I- if you don't answer me, I'll-"

"Whoa, hey, I- uh, I just, I'm here as part of an investigation, okay?" said Riz raising his hands. "There's been a run of missing girls, and, uh-"

"Well no one's missing here," said the girl. " Unfortunately ."

"No, that's not what I-" he let out a breath. "Look, I know this might be hard to hear, but I think… I think your sister might be involved in the disappearances somehow, and-"

"What?" said the girl faintly.

"I know it probably sounds crazy, but you have to believe me," said Riz. He paused, looking at her for a moment. She didn't look angry at him, and he'd come this far. He could always jump out the window and hide back in the squad car if this didn't work. "My mom's a cop and she's downstairs right now questioning your dad-"

The girl snorted. "Good luck."

"I've been working this case for weeks, and it all leads back to Aelwyn," said Riz. "I- I'm just here to see if I can find any evidence before she has a chance to get rid of it."

The girl paused, biting her lip for a moment. "You really think you can actually prove whatever it is she's done?"

"Yeah," said Riz, "I mean, I have to at least try , right?"

"I-" She swallowed. "Stay there. Don't move."

Riz watched as she got out of bed, padding towards her closet. She opened it, getting out a little stepstool to reach the back of the top shelf, pulling out a shoebox. She held it out to him. Riz carefully opened it - a broken ship's model, a torn page of a spell book, some kind of sigil. He looked up at her.

"It's all the evidence I could find," said the girl. "I don't- they never believe me, when I tell them she's up to something-"

"I believe you," said Riz, quickly.

Her eyes went wide. “You- are you sure?”

“Absolutely,” said Riz. “Absolutely, one hundred percent sure.”

On impulse, he reached forward to squeeze her hand. She squeezed back, her eyes going wide as she looked down.

"Your hands-!"

"What? Oh, yeah, from the roses, it's not a big deal," said Riz.

"I think I have a minor healing spell prepared," said the girl.

"You don't have to-"

"You are the first person who has ever listened to me about Aelwyn," said the girl fiercely. “I’m healing you.”

Her hands glowed, the light making the small cuts on his hands fade away, the sting of pain disappearing with it. Riz flexed his hands.

"That's- thanks," said Riz. "Uh, what's your name?"

"Adaine. What's your's?"

"It's Riz, I- hey, listen, I know you got this stuff out but do you think I could look in your sister's room before she-"

There was the creak of the door opening and Riz dived under the bed, putting a hand over his mouth to quiet his breathing. He could see two sets of feet - Adaine's bare feet, her toes curled in the thick carpet, and a pair of leather dress shoes, the polish gleaming in the light of the lamp.

"Adaine," said a man's voice. Cold, with an edge of irritation. Riz matched it with the elf his mom had been questioning downstairs. "I'm surprised to see you up so late on a school night."

"I thought I heard- voices. Or something," said Adaine.

"Yes, some of the local police are here attempting to cause some a fuss, dreadfully annoying, and unfortunately they wish to speak to you."

"Me?"

"Yes. Please put on something appropriate and come downstairs."

The leather shoes turned and walked away. Adaine closed the door.

"Riz?" whispered Adaine.

Riz wriggled out from under the bed. Adaine let out a breath.

"Your mom wants to talk to me," said Adaine, her eyes wide.

"That's great," said Riz.

"Is it?"

"Yeah, she- I mean, if she's here it means she has the same suspicions I do, which makes sense because she has almost the same evidence." Because Adaine seemed to need it, he added, "She'll believe you Adaine."

Adaine pressed her lips together, nodding. "Okay, I'll- I'm going to go downstairs. You should probably, uh, go out the way you came while my parents are distracted."

Riz scurried out the window, keeping the shoebox tucked under his arm as he carefully made his way down the lattice. Adaine was already in the front room by the time he reached the ground, a quilted dressing gown wrapped tightly around her, her shoulders bowed as she looked at her feet. Sklonda was nodding while Adaine's father scowled behind her.

He waved, lifting the shoebox over his head. He'd only meant for Adaine to notice, but unfortunately his mom was pretty observant. Sklonda’s expression went from startled and to resigned.

Sorry, mouthed Riz.

Sklonda sighed, turning back towards Adaine. Gilear, his expression serious, said something that made Adaine's father scowl. Adaine had straightened her shoulders, still not looking at her father but seeming steadier now. She said something to Sklonda that made her father jolt, the scowl momentarily replaced by surprise. Sklonda smiled, gesturing to Gilear to step forward. He put a hand on Adaine's shoulder, and the two of them went upstairs. Adaine's father tried to follow, and Sklonda stepped into his path, folding her arms. She looked extremely serious and extremely cool. Riz grinned.

Riz bounced on the balls of his feet, trying to pick up what was happening. It seemed good, maybe. His mom seemed pleased and Adaine's dad seemed annoyed, so, probably good.

After a few minutes Adaine, still wearing her dressing gown, came downstairs, Gilear carrying a few bags. Sklonda said a parting word to Adaine's father and his expression soured further.

Adaine shot Riz a grin as she emerged from the house.

"What happened?" said Riz. "Mom, what-"

"Everyone get in the car," said Sklonda, her tone brisk. "Gilear, can you put Adaine's things in the trunk for her?"

Gilear nodded, struggling with the bags.

"Seriously, what?" said Riz, as he got in the car.

Adaine was still grinning as she climbed in after him. Her hands shook slightly as she fastened her seatbelt. "Sanctuary. I'm claiming sanctuary from Falleinel under the grounds of personal safety. It's in some treaty, or code, or agreement, or something."

"The Solisian Accord," said Gilear as he got in the front seat. "Section 27, paragraph 84, subsection B. It's really more of a footnote, but I believe it does still technically cover such things." Off Riz's look of surprise he added, "I had another life before the world of information technology."

"Good thing I brought you and not Evethrial," said Sklonda. "The only recall he has for stuff like that is for Bloodrush scores."

"After the many favours you have done for me, I am happy to be of assistance," said Gilear, "and to you, too, Miss Abernant should you need it."

"Thank you," said Adaine. "I- thank you both." She let out a breath, her hands flexing in her lap. "I don't… I don't know what I'm going to do now. I mean, apart from trying to get emancipated as soon as possible, but I- I mean I should probably change schools, and I'll have to get a job, and find a place to live-"

Adaine's breath had started to wheeze in his throat. Riz reached over to squeeze her hand. Adaine gave him a watery smile.

"We can help you," said Riz. He looked over at Sklonda. "Right mom?"

"We're going to do what we can," said Sklonda. "Getting you to a different school shouldn't be too hard given… everything. How would you feel about going to Aguefort?"

"Hey, yeah!" said Riz. "That's- I go there and it's, uh. It's fine. The learning part of it is fine."

"I… I suppose so," said Adaine. "I don't… I think my parents set up a trust fund for us, but I don't think I have any way of accessing it. They'll probably just close mine and transfer the money to Aelwyn."

"Don't worry about that part of it," said Sklonda. "I'll go talk to Goldenhoard. I'm sure Aguefort has a scholarship program or something they can do." She paused, looking at Riz. Riz nodded. He wasn't totally sure what she was about to say, but if it helped Adaine he was all for it. "And you're welcome to stay with me and Riz for as long as you need."

Adaine blinked, turning away to wipe at her eyes. "That's… that's very kind of you, I… thank you Detective Gukgak."

"You can call me Sklonda, sweetie. Now, let's get you kids home, huh? It's a school night."

Adaine and Riz shared a bed that night, curled towards each other with the shoebox of evidence safe between them. Riz slept for more than four hours for the first time in a very long time.

They turned in the evidence Adaine had collected to be used by the adventuring parties at Aguefort, for which they received partial credit.

" Partial credit?" said Adaine, wrinkling her nose.

"They won't give you full credit unless you're in an adventuring party," said Riz.

"That is such bullshit," said Adaine.

"Yeah!" said Riz, a shade too loud in his enthusiasm but, hey, this was the first time he'd actually had someone to commiserate with about that particular school rule.

"We're two people, why can't we be an adventuring party?" said Adaine.

"I think you need at least four to qualify," said Riz. "Wait, would you- You would want to be in an adventuring party with me?"

"Of course," said Adaine.

People didn't even want to pair up with him for a single class chemistry assignment, but she didn't even sound surprised by the idea, as though this wasn't some terrible back-up situation and instead her first choice. Riz's vision blurred and he quickly wiped his eyes. 

"That's cool, uh. I mean, we can't officially, but that's- we could be an unofficial one, if you want?"

"Cool," said Adaine. "I mean, yes. Until they change their shitty rules, I suppose we have to be unofficial. At least until we're older, I mean, I bet adult adventurers don't have to put up with such arbitrary rules."

"Yeah," said Riz. It was hard to keep his earlier anger, harder still to stop himself from smiling.

"What?" said Adaine.

"Nothing," said Riz. "I just… I've never had an adventuring partner before."

"Oh," said Adaine. She paused. “I haven’t either." 

"Okay, well, uh- partners?" said Riz, holding out his hand.

Adaine shook it. "Partners."

----

Fig, Tracker, and Kristen looked out over the city of Elmville quarry, the red brick towers of the Mithral Factory stark against the night sky.

“Wow,” said Kristen.

“Told you it was a cool spot,” said Fig. “When I used to live here, kids would come up here all the time, so.”

“I didn’t know you were from here,” said Kristen.

“Only in the physical sense,” said Fig. “Cosmically I was, y’know, born from song and stuff.”

“Right, no, totally,” said Kristen, nodding.

Fig grinned. Bringing Kristen on board her band had been such a good idea. Helio stuff aside, she totally got the vibe Fig was trying to create even if she didn’t actually play an instrument. That part was kind of a shame. It was too bad that Helio wasn’t the god of drumming, then Tracker would stop forcing her to audition a bunch of nerd squares who didn’t get her art .

“So,” said Kristen. “What do we do now?”

“Just vibe out and hang out,” said Fig.

“Right,” said Kristen. “Uh-”

Tracker took Kristen’s hand. Kristen immediately flushed pink, giving Fig a quick look. Fig winked at her, giving her a thumbs up for good measure.

“Come on,” said Tracker, “let’s go look around.”

Fig walked a little behind the other two to give them space, strumming her guitar as she went. She’d only actually been to this place once, during some sleepover camp with the cheer squad where they’d been trying to think up the most outrageous dares. They hadn’t exactly stuck around for long, convinced it was haunted after Fig had sworn she'd heard a voice and that ghosts were after them, sending them running back to their campsite. 

Fig snorted, rolling her eyes at her old, lame self. Obviously if she saw a ghost now that would rule. There was probably even a cool song to be made about it, something about ghosts of your past chasing you or haunting you or whatever.

It would probably need a good beat though. Fig sighed. Every drummer they’d auditioned so far was nowhere near good enough to pull off the cool drama of being chased by ghosts.

The ground fell away a little as she took a step and Fig jumped back. She frowned, peering down into the hole. There was a little room down there or something like it, lit by a glowing red light.

“Hey guys?” said Fig. “I think I’ve found something cool.”

She kicked at the hole with her boot, jumping further back as the hold widened. Now she could make out the little cave below them, a drum kit illuminated in the light of a glowing red gemstone.

“Fig!” said Tracker, “What are you doing ?”

“Finding cool shit,” said Fig, and jumped in the hole.

It was quiet inside the little cave, except- Fig paused. There was a faint voice, and an even fainter drum beat. Not like it was coming from somewhere far away, but like it was echoing out from the gemstone. Fig stepped closer.

“Hello? Is someone in there?”

“Fig!” said Tracker.

Fig looked up. Tracker and Kristen were looking down from above, their faces lit by the red glow.

“I’m okay,” said Fig, stepping towards the drumkit and the beat played in her head. “I think- I think there’s someone down here.”

“Someone dangerous?” said Tracker.

Kristen paused, her head tilted to the side. “Someone demonic, that’s for sure.”

“Fig-”

“No, yeah, totally,” said Fig. The jet black drumsticks were just sitting there on top of the drum kit, just waiting for her. “Just give me a minute.”

Kristen clutched at Tracker’s shoulder, whispering something Fig couldn’t hear over the drum beat in her mind. She picked up the drum sticks, twirling them between her fingers.

“Alright,” said Fig. “Let’s see how this baby sounds! One, two, three-”

“Fig, wait-!” said Tracker.

Fig wasn’t much of a drummer. She was better than anybody they auditioned, obviously, but the guitar was more her area. Still, the beat in her head was easy to follow, a thunderous noise vibrating out of the back, a crack forming in the floor and up the wall of the cave, splitting the gemstone in two.

The light in the cave went out, replaced by two glowing red eyes.

“Fig?” called Tracker from above.

“Uh,” said Fig. “I might… need help?”

There was a snap and flames burst along the walls, illuminating the huge demonic figure in front of her. Fig stood up from the drum kit, putting a hand on her guitar.

“Oh- oh my god,” said the demon. He didn’t sound like he was about to kill her. “Hey, kiddo, I- t’sI me!”

“Okay,” said Fig. “Cool. I am also… me.”

The demon laughed. “Yeah, I can see that. Wow, look at you, all grown up, god, your mom must be so proud-”

“You know Sandra Lynn?” said Fig.

“Who’s Sandra Lynn?” she heard Kristen whisper above her.

“Tell you later,” Tracker whispered back.

“Sure I know Sandra Lynn!” said the demon. “I- did she not...?” He huffed a breath. Fig wasn’t super great at reading his expression, but the slump of his shoulders looked kind of sad. “No, I guess she wouldn’t have, I mean, I haven’t exactly been the easiest to get in contact with, not great role model type behaviour.”

“Oh my god,” said Fig as an idea began to form in her mind. “Oh my god, are you my dad?”

He nodded. “Sure am kiddo! God it’s great to meet you.”

“Where have you been?”

“I was trapped in that gem!” said the demon. “Until- was that you playing before?”

“Yeah!” said Fig.

“Oh my god, you’ve got a real talent!” said the demon.

Fig grinned. “Thanks! I mean, I’m even better at guitar.”

“Hey, Fig?” Tracker called down. “Are you, like… okay?”

“Yeah, I’m fine!” Fig called back. “This guy’s my dad! Dad, this is Tracker and Kristen.”

“Howdy,” said the demon. “Well I’m Gorthalax the Insatiable, pleased to meet you both!” He stretched his arms over his head. “Man it’s good to be outta that thing.”

“How long were you in there?” said Fig.

“Almost from right after your mom and I hooked up,” said Gorthalax. “Otherwise you know I would have been there for you kiddo.”

Fig nodded, her throat too tight to speak.

“But, hey, I’m here now!” Gorthalax put a hand on her shoulder. “What d’you say we go out for ice cream and you can catch me up?”

Fig nodded again. Gorthalax lifted her out of the hole, easily climbing out after her. Tracker raised her eyebrows at Fig.

“So, where to?” asked Gorthalax. “Is Basrar’s still around?”

“Yep!” said Kristen.

Gorthalax put a hand on Fig’s shoulder. She turned, wrapping her arms around him. Wrapping her arms around her dad .

“Hey now,” said Gorthalax. He put his other hand on her shoulder. “It’s okay, I’m here.”

“I didn’t think I’d ever find out who you were,” said Fig. “Sandra Lynn wouldn’t tell me.”

“I’m sure your mom had her reasons,” said Gorthalax.

“ Stupid reasons,” muttered Fig.

“Well she couldn’t exactly get in contact with me to talk it out,” said Gorthalax. “Now we can though. It’s all gonna be okay.”

Fig sniffed. “Okay.”

“Okay,” said Gorthalax, squeezing her shoulders. “Now, let’s go get that ice cream.”

----

Not being in an adventuring party meant that you got all the weird scraps of missions, the kind that were too small or too boring to send a real group. It was less dangerous, sure, but it was also less exciting. Mostly, it involved going to different libraries and making copies of maps to places you’d never visit, or the ingredients for potions you wouldn’t be allowed to make.

The Compass Point Library on Leviathan was quite rowdy, for a library. At least the librarian liked them this time.

“The Elmville librarian doesn’t like us at all,” said Adaine.

Ayda’s gaze was unwavering, something Riz was trying very hard to think was cool rather than extremely unnerving.

“Why?” said Ayda.

“We keep special-requesting rare books,” said Adaine. “She claims that it’s affecting her insurance.”

“But why would that be an issue?” said Ayda. “Are you not returning the books?”

“We are,” said Riz. “Totally undamaged too! We don’t even take them out of the library, we just photocopy the pages there and then give them back!”

“Then what is the issue with making the special requests?” said Ayda.

“Exactly!” said Adaine. “God, it is so good to talk to someone who understands how frustrating it is!”

Ayda blinked, small molten tears forming in the corners of her eyes. Adaine reached into the pocket of her denim jacket and pulled out some kind of fire-resistant handkerchief to give to Ayda.

“Thank you,” said Ayda.

She wiped her eyes and tried to hand it back to Adaine.

“No, you can keep it,” said Adaine.

“What do you want for it?” said Ayda.

“It’s- Nothing,” said Adaine.

“Is this something that friends do?” said Ayda. “Give each other cloth without asking for things in return?”

“Sure,” said Adaine. “Riz gave me this jacket, and we’re friends.”

“Well, me and my mom gave it to you,” said Riz.

He’d only been able to pull together half the money for it before Adaine’s birthday, so his mom had kicked in the rest. The look on Adaine’s face had totally been worth not being able to replace his briefcase.

“Well, your mum and I are kind of friends too, I suppose,” said Adaine.

Ayda took off the sash she was wearing, tearing it in half. “Here. For you both, as we are friends.”

“Thank you,” said Adaine.

She paused and then wrapped it around her wrist. Riz did the same. 

Adaine reached forward, taking the handkerchief from Ayda’s hand and tying it around the other woman’s wrist.

“There,” said Adaine. “Now we all match.”

Ayda stared at them, her eyes filling with tears again. “This is extremely overwhelming. I have to go.”

She jumped, flying away from them and into the rafters. Riz shot Adaine a look. Adaine shrugged, the two of them going back to the task of copying out the old lore pirates had gathered by hand into their notebooks.

“You can’t pull a scanner or something out of your jacket, can you?” said Riz.

“If I could, I don’t think it would be a very good one,” said Adaine, “and I don’t think it would be big enough to get the maps through.”

Riz sighed, putting his pencil down to flex his cramping hand a few times before he went back to tracing the map.

Ayda flew down to meet them before they left. Her eyes flicked to the slash wrapped around both their wrists.

“You are leaving,” said Ayda.

“Yes,” said Adaine, “We- have to get back. This was only a weekend research assignment.”

Ayda nodded. “I will help you return. Seacaster and his fleet have arrived and the city will soon be more chaotic than usual. I must close the library to prepare.”

“Oh, uh, we don’t have-” Riz made a face. “I think I have like, three silver in my locker if you drop us back at school?”

“There is no need for monetary payment,” said Ayda, holding up her wrist with the handkerchief on it. “Some day I will require transport from you, and you will pay me back in kind.”

Adaine nodded. “Of course. I- I agree to these terms.”

Ayda nodded, putting a hand on Riz and Adaine’s shoulder as a fiery portal appeared before them. On the other side, through the haze of heat, was Elmville.

“Go now,” said Ayda, “and some day our paths will cross again.”

“I hope so,” said Adaine.

Ayda’s eyes filled with tears again, and she wiped at them with her handkerchief-covered wrist.

And then they were back in Elmville again, standing in front of the Aguefort Academy at approximately two in the morning.

“Oh,” said Adaine, “I forgot about the time difference.”

“Come on,” said Riz, “Let’s see if the bus is still running.”

They lugged their backpacks to the bus stop, struggling to stay awake long enough to make it back to Strongtower. Sklonda was just getting home, waving goodbye to Gilear as he shuffled towards his own apartment. Riz leaned against Adaine’s side, his bag slipping off his shoulder to the ground.

“You kids just getting in?” said Sklonda, picking up Riz’s backpack as she opened the door.

“Yeah,” said Adaine “Long study session today.”

“You want something to eat?”

Riz mumbled, burying his face into Adaine’s shoulder, too tired to feel embarrassed.

“No, we’re both- We’ll eat in the morning,” said Adaine.

Sklonda smiled, ruffling Riz’s hair and putting her other hand on Adaine’s shoulder. “Okay, just- eat before school okay?” She sighed. “They work you kids too hard.”

“It’s for extra credit,” said Adaine. “We’re helping the adventuring parties with stuff next week.”

“Well, you kids take care of yourselves,” said Sklonda. “And call me if you get in trouble. There’s no shame in teaming up when you’re faced with a big problem, okay?”

Riz mumbled his agreement.

They did end up teaming up with a big group at prom. He and Adaine helped solve the mystery of the missing teen girls, and helped Zelda break Penny and the other maidens out, warped back into existence by the handy curse loophole of Zelda never technically being held inside the palimpsest for long enough for Biz to do whatever he was trying to do, and then they helped them take revenge. It was still technically more of a support role, so: partial credit again, as usual. At least he and Sklonda got dinner out of it.

The reality of the world after prom was different. Ragh stopped bodily throwing Riz into stuff, which, even though he wouldn’t stop calling Riz The Ball was still a significant improvement. Zelda teamed up with the other maidens to form an adventuring party. Penny was back, and even though his mom agreed that he didn't need a babysitter anymore, she still wanted to hang out with him. The whole group of them went to Basrar's after prom, spilling into two booths, getting blood on the leather seats and talking over the top of each other. Ragh perked up enough after ice cream that he started doing a dramatic reenactment of the night, using the napkin holding on the table as a prop replacement for Riz's gun.

"I know," said Riz. "I was literally just there."

Ragh was undeterred, clapping a hand on Riz's shoulder. "I know you were dude! And it fucking ruled !"

Adaine nudged Riz with her elbow, grinning at him. Riz grinned back.

Unfortunately, their assistance during prom wasn't enough to change the school rules, so he and Adaine's party of two was still an unofficial one. Their partnership was quieter than the adventuring parties at school made it seem. With two people they were enough to take on some of the research and recon assignments when the winter break rolled around. Adventuring parties needed information to be able to go on quests during spring break, and so Riz and Adaine headed out into the world to find what was needed.

It was funny, but Riz had never really considered how much of an advantage having a partner would be. Obviously he knew in an abstract sense that there was a reason for it, someone to watch your back or give a second set of eyes to a problem. If you were going into dangerous situations for school assignments, like Penny and Zelda did, it made sense to have an adventuring party. Even his mom, with all her bad-assery, had a partner at work.

They didn't actually go any further in the world than the Bastian University library, but still. The credits they got from this still went towards graduation. It was nice to have company on the bus ride there. He felt a little braver when they went into the unfamiliar library hall. Even though Adaine was just as nervous as he was, having someone there who felt the same made him feel weirdly steadier on his feet.

They'd made a good team right away, whether they were clue-hunting or attempting to bake a surprise cake for his mom's birthday. He could spiral out and Adaine would nod along, prompting him back onto the more direct path of questions but still letting him tuck his stray thoughts onto a separate conspiracy board for another day, filtering in her own theories in between his.

They were a good research team for the Augefort adventuring parties. It wasn’t glamorous work but Penny's group, at least, would say thank you, and it was good practice for when he was a licenced detective. And for Adaine, if she wanted to be one too. She kept her future goals close to her chest, even more so since she’d found out she was the Elven Oracle. Maybe she'd just be that. It seemed like it was already kind of a job.

Fallinel had been trying to get Adaine to come visit ever since Aelwyn's memory spell was reversed. Their starting offer was more than Sklonda made in a month and it had only gotten higher from there, perks and luxuries (and a few minor threats, but Riz was pretty sure they weren’t going to actually follow through on those). It was, objectively, a way better deal than catching the bus to Bastion University to look through their maps section so they could make copies for other people to use.

Adaine didn't say anything about it though, just worked alongside him as they picked their way through the various ancient tomes to bring back the required information, plus a little extra for what they'd been referring to as their side project. It wasn’t enough for a whole adventuring party to use, just small little news items and inconsistencies that someone would need to check first hand.

"Or, perhaps," said Adaine, "two someones. We are supposed to be a research team, after all, and this would technically be research."

She was leaving it open, watching for his reaction. He nodded, and Adaine's shoulders relaxed slightly.

"I don't know that buses go all the way out there though," said Adaine. “Do you think your mum would let us borrow her car?"

"Not until I get my licence," said Riz. "Could you misty step us?"

"Oh," said Adaine, "maybe, I'd have to- hmm. I haven't been there before, but maybe there's a way around it. Maybe Augefort could send us?"

"As an Oracle thing, maybe?" said Riz.

Adaine made a face.

"Sorry," said Riz.

"No, it's fine, it's just- weird. On top of… everything else," said Adaine. "I mean, it was kind of nice not being such a known person after being in a diplomat's family and now I…" She sighed. "That druid elf called me again today."

"Oh," said Riz.

Riz forced his fingers to relax around the book he was holding. "Are you… I mean, it sounds like they're pretty interested in getting you back there."

"Well I'm not interested in going," said Adaine.

"It's just- it's be… I mean, you'd definitely get full credit for the stuff you'd do there," said Riz.

"I know, but I-" Adaine pressed her lips together. "I'd much prefer working with you, if that's… if that's still okay?"

"Of course," said Riz.

"I know I've put you and Sklonda out quite a bit," said Adaine. "If you'd rather I- I mean, I'm sure I could work something out, find my own place-"

"No, it's okay, we, uh- it's kind of been fun, like having a sister," said Riz.

Adaine's expression flickered. Aelwyn was still a pretty big sore spot, despite her absence. Riz had never met her and he honestly hoped he never did.

"I mean in a good way," said Riz, "not like- you're a good sister?"

To his relief, Adaine huffed a laugh, relaxing a little. "Well, I don't know that I can speak to what that's like but… you're a good brother." She cleared her throat. "So. This extra research. I think if we can convince your mum to let us go, Augefort will be a breeze."

"Yeah," said Riz, "yeah, totally. We could pitch it as an extra credit assignment?"

Adaine nodded. "I mean, it kind of is, even if we're assigning it to ourselves." She made a face. "Is that weird, that we assigned ourselves homework?"

"No," said Riz. "Well, maybe, but I- it'd be cool to actually go on an adventure together. I mean, we've already beaten a dragon, so walking through a forest should be easy."

----

"Dude," said Ragh, "it. Was. Wild. I wish you would've been there, like, it totally ruled."

"I don't know if they let you go to prom for a school you didn't go to," said Gorgug.

He scuffed his shoes along the carpet of Jawbone's waiting room. It was cool that Ragh always wanted to tell him about high school stuff, the Bloodrush team, or dumb stuff people do in class, or whatever, but it did make him feel like he was missing stuff. His parents were good teachers but they were definitely not likely to turn into a huge apocalypse-causing dragon.

"Dude, Aguefort totally would not have cared, he was way more focused on like, the wicked cool battle," said Ragh. "We like, stopped time, and Zelda's adventuring party kicked Kalvaxus' ass, and The Ball, this little goblin dweeb, he and his mom ate Kalvaxus' face dude !"

"Gross," said Gorgug.

"Yeah, totally, but it was kinda cool, he's like," Ragh shrugged, which he only did when stuff is a big deal, so Gorgug sat up to pay attention. "He's cooler than I thought, I guess. He, uh. He was really chill when I told everyone I was gay during the battle, so. We're cool now."

Ragh's eyes flicked to Gorgug's face and then quickly focused on his feet. Gorgug rolled the strings of his hoodie between his fingers. Gorgug wasn't great at insight, but he'd hung out with Ragh after therapy twice a week for almost a year, so he kind of had advantage on it now. It wasn’t like this was totally new information to Gorgug, after all, he'd heard a lot about how cool Ragh's friend Dayne was even though Dayne wasn't ever cool enough to hang out with Ragh after therapy. The fact that he'd chosen to let Ragh be attacked just so that he could be prom king wasn't really cool either, and he knew Ragh well enough to read between the lines about it.

Ragh had never said it out loud before though. That felt important. Gorgug hesitated, trying to come up with the right thing to say.

"Cool," said Gorgug.

Ragh looked back up to him. He cleared his throat a couple times. "Yeah. It's- anyway, prom was wild. Next time there's a thing, you should come. There's supposed to be a rager at Zelda's during the break, so."

"Maybe," said Gorgug. "I've never, uh- I mean, would she be cool with it if I came?"

"Yeah, dude, of course!" said Ragh. "I bet the two of you would totally vibe out after her ritual thing."

"Cool," said Gorgug. "Wait, what ritual thing?"

Ragh laughed. "Oh, man, you're gonna love it-"

He launched into the explanation and Gorgug nodded along. It was some kind of party, for her birthday. That was cool. He hadn't been to another kid's birthday party in ages, because he got too mad at someone's once and ruined it. He had grown up a lot since he was six, so he wouldn't ruin this one. Probably.

"Should I like… should I bring something?" said Gorgug.

"I guess, if you want?" said Ragh.

Gorgug nodded. When Ragh went in for his session with Jawbone, Gorgug looked up recipes for cookie cakes. If he was going to a birthday party, he wanted to make a good impression.

It turned out to not really be that kind of party, though what was considered cool for birthday parties had probably changed a lot since he was six. There were a lot of people there, and the band was super loud. He followed Ragh through the party where Zelda was setting up for the ritual. Gorgug stopped walking, almost dropping the cookie cake. Zelda looked up, her hair falling perfectly over one eye. Her cheeks flushed and she quickly looked back down. Gorgug also quickly looked away, his heart pounding. He could feel the other girls in her adventuring party immediately turn to look at him and then whisper to each other.

Ragh looked back at him. “What’s up?”

“I, uh,” said Gorgug. “She- Maybe you can give this to her, I mean, I should probably go-”

“But we just got here,” said Ragh.

“I know, but I- I didn’t know she’d be- I mean, she seems cool and this is, uh, I mean, I probably should have bought a cooler present,” said Gorgug.

“Nah, man, she’ll love it,” said Ragh. “Come on, I’ll introduce you.”

“Hi Ragh,” said a halfling girl in a flower-print dress. “Who’s your friend?”

“Hey Penny,” said Ragh. “This is Gorgug.”

Ragh clapped a hand on Gorgug’s shoulder. Zelda opened her mouth and then closed it again.

“Hi,” Gorgug managed. “I’m. Gorgug. Is what my name is. I like your, um. I like your horns.”

Zelda reached up and touched her horns. He hadn’t actually meant to say that but it was true, they were pretty cool. Oh no, her friends were staring at him, that was probably weird to say. Gorgug felt his panic rising, and he thrust the cookie cake out in front of him.

“I brought this for you. For your birthday? It’s a cookie cake.”

“Thanks,” said Zelda. “I- that’s cool.”

“Cool,” said Gorgug.

“Uh, maybe- I mean, I have to do this ritual in like a minute, so lame, but, uh, maybe after we could- I mean, if there’s some leftover, maybe we could-" The blush on her cheeks deepened. “I’ll see you after the ritual, maybe?”

“Yeah, for sure,” said Gorgug. “I’ll save you some.”

“Cool,” said Zelda.

The ritual was pretty intense. One of the party spirits that got summoned took out the drummer of the cool band that Zelda’s dad had booked. Once the battle was over and Zelda’s recovered enough to notice, she seemed kind of bummed about it.

“Gorgug can play the drums,” said Ragh.

Zelda flicked her hair out of her eyes. Gorgug felt totally mesmerised by it.

“You can?”

“Yeah,” said Gorgug. He shook himself, trying to focus. “I mean- Yeah, sort of?”

“This guy!” said Ragh, ruffling Gorgug’s hair. “Don’t be so modest dude, you rock on the drums! Let’s get this party started back up, dude!”

“I- maybe after we could have cookie cake?” said Gorgug. “If, y’know. If you want. If there’s some left, or whatever.”

Zelda tucked her hair behind her ears. “I’ll- uh. Cool. I’ll save you some?”

“Cool,” said Gorgug.

Ragh came with him to meet the cool tiefling singer, Fig, and her cool manager and her equally cool… Gorgug frowned, taking in the girl with the tye-dye t-shirt. Her cool bodyguard, maybe? He didn’t know a lot about bands.

“Sup,” said Ragh. “Saw you were down a drummer. My guy Gorgug can play.”

Fig crossed her arms, giving Gorgug a look up and down. “Can you?”

“Yeah,” said Gorgug. “I mean, I learnt as part of therapy, and Jawbone said I’m pretty good, so.”

Fig’s manager blinked. “Jawbone O’Shaughnessey?”

“Yeah?” said Gorgug.

“That’s my uncle,” said Fig’s manager. She looked him up and down. “I’m Tracker, this is Fig, and this is my girlfriend Kristen.”

“Cool,” said Gorgug. “So do you need a drummer?”

“No,” said Fig.

“ Fig ,” said Tracker. She turned back to Gorgug. “If you can’t actually play we’ll pull you off, okay?”

“That seems fair,” said Gorgug.

He was pretty nervous when they got up on stage, especially when he spotted Zelda in the audience. She waved at him. Gorgug waved back, his heart pounding.

“You okay?” said Fig. She looked out into the crowd, her eyes narrowing as she spotted Zelda. “That your girlfriend?”

“No,” said Gorgug, feeling himself flush. “I- we just met, so, I mean. She’s cool.”

“Well, let’s see if we can’t fix that,” said Fig.

Fig winked at him and Gorgug felt his chest alight with magic. It also helped that Tracker taped the sheet music for the songs on top of the bass drum. It actually went pretty well. Zelda danced to most of the songs. He wasn’t sure if everyone else had a good time. He wasn’t really paying attention to anyone else.

Fig laughed as they came off stage, punching Gorgug in the shoulder. “You were pretty good!” She paused. “Hey, you guys are on school break now, right?”

“I guess?” said Gorgug.

“How’d you like to go on tour with us?” said Fig. “We split it evenly each way, so you’d get a quarter of the money and do a quarter of the driving.”

“Sure,” said Gorgug. “I mean- I have to ask my folks first-”

Fig huffed a breath. “Lame.”

“Hey the kid's alright,” said Tracker. “And you wouldn’t have to keep auditioning drummers.”

“It would be good to have a full band that actually vibes with the music,” said Fig.

“Oh,” said Gorgug. “Do I… was I vibing?”

“You were totally vibing,” said Fig.

Gorgug grinned. "Cool."

“Can you have a band with two people?” said Kristen. “Like, isn’t a full band more than that?”

Fig waved a hand. “A band can be whoever, there’s no rules. I mean, it’s not like we’re an adventuring party.”

----

Riz died, once.

It was kind of their own fault, because the call for an adventuring party had said that this particular mission required at least four people, and even though they’d put down Boggy and made up a transfer student from the Baronies, they were still only actually two people.

They also didn’t tell anyone that they were doing that, mostly so that Sklonda didn’t find out.

"I just worry about you both," said Sklonda. "Two people is pretty small for an adventuring party."

"We're okay," said Rizt “We don't need anyone else.”

“Besides,” said Adaine, crossing her fingers under the table, “The assignment said two people was fine. They have danger rating metrics to figure out this stuff, right Riz?”

“Right,” said Riz, a little twitchy but in a way that was easy enough for them both to pass off as being caffeine related instead of the fact that he was so bad at lying to Sklonda.

At first it was mostly just a lot of walking. It was supposed to be a simple mission anyway - go into the forest, check the ancient statue was still there in the crumbling underground tomb where it was supposed to be, come back, write up a detailed description for the actual adventuring parties to use during their assignment.

“Basically just research,” said Riz. “I mean, it’s not really that different to when we go to the library, right? No reason we can’t pull this off.”

“Right,” said Adaine. “It’s just another research assignment.”

It was harder to keep that in mind when the stone statues of the tomb came to life. One of the statues set off a booby trap, sending huge axes swinging through the air. That part of it actually helped them, since the statues didn’t seem to have enough awareness to get out of the way. There was even a moment, towards the end of the fight, where Adaine thought they might actually do it, the statues down to a handful and she still had some spell slots left, Riz still had some bullets.

It just happened so fast.

One moment Riz was at Adaine's back, firing off a shot to explode one of the statues and the next he was bleeding out on the ground. Lightning crackled out of Adaine, striking the last three statues and sending them crumbling into dust.

She turned to Riz, trying to assess the damage, what happened, there was so much blood she couldn’t think. Riz couldn’t seem to talk, just enough strength to meet her eyes as the light behind them began to fade. His grip on her hand went lax.

With her second-to-last spell slot, Adaine reached out and grabbed hold of him, tying his spirit to his body. It wasn’t a permanent solution. It was barely a solution at all, keeping him in purgatory while his body was in a coma, bleeding out.

"I'll find you," said Adaine. "I'll come get you, I'll find you."

It was strange to see him so still. So pale. Adaine felt sick.

She ran her hands through her hair. She had to think. There had to be somewhere that she knew, some piece of research they’d uncovered that could help her. Riz’s breath gurgled in his chest. Even held in the coma state, he was still losing blood. She didn’t have a healing spell powerful enough for this. Pulling people back from death was tricky, and most of the magic she knew was entirely too straight-forward. The only tricky magic she knew was the messaging spell variant she learnt on Leviathan.

Adaine inhaled sharply. Leviathan. The Compass Points Library. Ayda .

Adaine closed her eyes, letting out a long breath and summoning her last spell slot to pull them through to the main floor of the Compass Points Library.

“Ayda! Help!”

There was a pause, a silence where Adaine’s stomach swooped low in fear, and then there was a flutter of wings above her.

“Adaine, my friend-” She blinked down at Riz’s body. “What has happened?”

“We took an assignment and it was- we were-” Adaine swallowed, wiping at her eyes. She hadn’t even realised that she’d started to cry. “Can you help him?”

Ayda couched down, touching her fingers to Riz’s forehead. “You have tied him to his body. Why?”

“Because I don’t- I don’t want him to go,” said Adaine. She reached out and touched the handkerchief tied around Ayda’s wrist. “ Please Ayda.”

“I do not know of anything that will be able to help,” said Ayda. “But I do know of another who might. Can he be carried?”

“Yes-”

Ayda picked them both up and leapt into the air, her powerful wings carrying them through the sky above Leviathan.

“Where are we going?” yelled Adaine, trying to be heard over the wind.

“The Gold Gardens,” said Ayda. “Garthy may know of a way to help.”

“I might do,” said Garthy, once they arrived. “It’s a strange favour you ask of me, lovey.”

“They are my friends,” said Ayda. “Adaine is my best friend and by the transitive property of friendship Riz is also my best friend.”

Garthy’s eyes flicked to Adaine, where she was gripping Riz’s hand.

“It’s not normally magic I like to mess around with,” said Garthy.

“Please,” said Adaine. “I’ll- whatever you want, I’ll find a way to pay it, just please -”

Her voice was little more than a rasp. The spell keeping Riz there was still going but she could feel it pulling on her now, draining her energy to keep the spell going.

Garthy hummed. “If you didn’t have the tie to him it’d be downright impossible, but…”

Adaine leant on the table. “But?”

“I can give you a way to follow the thread to him,” said Garthy. “What I can’t guarantee is that he’ll want to come back. Some don’t, when it’s their time.”

“He’ll want to come back,” said Adaine, as firmly as she could manage. “We’re partners.”

“Alright,” said Garthy, turning to start drawing the sigils around them.

And so, Adaine did what her older sister always told her to do when they were arguing, and went to hell.

She didn’t see anything with definite focus, holding onto the green-blue thread of Riz, the world around her nothing more than a burning red haze. The blue-green got stronger as she got closer, and then there was Riz, right in front of her.

“Adaine, what-”

Adaine threw her arms around him.

“Hey, it’s okay,” said Riz.

“It is not ,” said Adaine. “You died .”

“She’s got a point.”

Adaine looked up. There was another goblin sitting across from them. He looked a little worse for wear, but they were in hell. She expected most people there looked a little rough.

“Adaine, this is my dad,” said Riz.

Adaine paused, swallowing. Pok gave her a half-smile. He seemed to know why she was there even if Riz hadn’t figured it out yet.

“Nice to meet you Mr Gukgak,” said Adaine.

The thread pulsed in her hand. Adaine felt dimly aware of Garthy’s voice in the back of her mind.

“Ah,” said Pok. “You have to be going.”

“Yes,” said Adaine. “Sorry.”

Riz wet his lips. “I could- I mean, I did die. My dad- There’s stuff I could do here.”

“I can handle it,” said Pok. He nodded to Adaine. “Doesn’t seem like it’s quite your time yet.”

“Riz-,” said Adaine.

“I- Adaine, you don’t need me,” said Riz. “You’d be fine on your own.”

“Maybe,” said Adaine, “but I don’t want to have to be. We’re partners, remember?”

“Dad?” said Riz.

Pok crawled forward, pulling Riz into a hug. “Go on. I’ll see you when it’s time.” He cleared his throat. “Give- give your mom my best, alright?”

“Okay dad,” said Riz.

“Thank you Mr Gukgak,” said Adaine quietly.

She wrapped a hand around Riz’s arm and closed her eyes, picturing the room at the Gold Gardens. There was a rushing sensation, like falling and flying at once and then- Her head hurt terribly . So did her hands, which had raw-looking black-green scars where she’d gripped the thread.

She blinked, looking up at Riz. Riz blinked back at her.

“Hi,” rasped Riz.

Adaine didn’t say anything, just launched herself at him. Riz hugged back just as tightly. She could feel him shaking.

“Can’t believe you did that,” said Riz.

“Don’t be an idiot,” said Adaine. “Of course I did.”

Riz pressed his face into her shoulder. Adaine took a deep breath in and out in time with Riz’s steady heartbeat.

“Hey, uh.” Riz leant back slightly. “Maybe let’s- not tell my mom about this part.”

“Oh, no, absolutely,” said Adaine. “Also: smaller research mission next time.”

“I can agree to that,” said Riz.

----

“What I want,” said Fig, holding her hands up to frame the stage between them, “is something that can really boost the sound, combine it with the light somehow, so they’re in sync but also like- I want people to feel it, y’know?”

Gorgug made a face. “I think my parents could get the lights to go in sync but I don’t know if they can get it to make people feel stuff, unless we really boost the base in the speakers.”

“Not like that,” said Fig. “Like… in their hearts.”

The others turned towards the stage, considering the half-constructed lighting rig. Once it was done, it would look pretty cool.

“Like a spell?” said Kristen.

“Yeah,” said Fig. “Is there… Does anyone know where I can get one like that?”

Ragh looked thoughtful. “Maybe. I mean, the Oracle might know.”

“The- wait,” said Tracker. “You know the Elven Oracle ?”

“I mean, she prefers to be called, like, Adaine, but yeah,” said Ragh. “She knows all kinds of spells and shit.”

"Would an Elven Oracle really take a job like that?" asked Tracker sceptically. "It feels kind of small time. No offence Fig."

"I mean, some taken, yeah," said Fig, "but I get it."

"They would for sure take the job," said Ragh. "I mean, she and The Ball are looking for extra credit stuff to take on over the break to boost their GPAs."

"The Ball?" said Fig.

"Yeah, I'll text him," said Ragh, and didn’t elaborate.

Fig pictured the Elven Oracle as a tall, willowy robed figure and The Ball as... some kind of magic orb, maybe. It was kind of weird that Ragh would know someone like that, but he’d already hooked her up with a pretty great drummer, so she was willing to go with it.

The Elven Oracle didn’t really look like she’d imagined. Instead of ethereal magic and robes, what she got is an anxious looking teen elf in a denim jacket and odd leather gloves, and a goblin in a cheap suit. Ragh rushed up to them both, knocking off the goblin’s newsboy cap to ruffle his hair, which oddly seems to calm both of them down a little. Gorgug drifted over, following Ragh as always, taking the business card the goblin offered.

Fig figured it was time for her to make her entrance. “Hi, Fig Faeth.”

“Hi,” said the Oracle. “Ragh said you might have a job for us?”

“Maybe,” said Fig. “What’s your spellcasting like?”

The Oracle and The Ball exchanged a look.

“Pretty good,” said the Oracle. “It depends what you need. I might have to study it if I don’t already have it.”

“If you’re the Oracle, shouldn’t you know if you’re going to need it?” said Fig.

“Unfortunately not,” said the Oracle. “Prophecies are rarely as useful as you would think.”

“ Interesting ,” said Kristen.

The Oracle’s eyes flicked to Kristen. “Sometimes. Mostly it’s just very annoying." She paused. "Look, do you have a job for us or not?"

“Wow, okay,” said Fig. “What’s with the attitude?”

The Oracle let out a breath. “Sorry, can we- Let’s start over. I’m Adaine, and this is Riz. We are extremely good at research. If you need a spell researched and you’re willing to sign something saying we performed a quest for you, we’ll help you.”

“Why do I need to sign something?” said Fig.

“So it goes towards our grade,” said Riz. “I’d like to actually graduate on time.”

“I guess I can do that,” said Fig.

“Great,” said Adaine. “So, what do you need?”

Fig explained it, the way she wanted the lights to sync with the sound but also give that rush of emotion. She wanted the audience to feel what she felt during shows, safe and riding high on the music, untouchable and free.

Riz scribbled something down in a little notebook, and Adaine nodded thoughtfully.

“So you can do it?” said Fig.

“I… yes, probably,” said Adaine. "I don’t know the spell but I have a pretty good idea of where to get it. We could probably get to the Compass Points Library and back in, say, a week? Maybe a week and a half?”

Riz nodded. “I’m going to go check out the stage, in case the type of metal is a factor.”

Adaine nodded. “Good thinking. See if they’re using any spells in construction as well, we don't want to cause any structural damage.”

Riz nodded, scampering off.

“Great,” said Fig. “So… what do you guys want for it?”

“We… already told you?” said Adaine.

“Just the signature?” said Fig.

Adaine shrugged. “I mean, perhaps, if it would make you feel better, you can just owe us one.”

“You’d really trust me like that?” said Fig. “I mean, you just met me.”

“Why wouldn’t I trust you?” said Adaine.

Fig’s vision blurred. “It’s- no reason.”

“Are you… okay?” said Adaine.

Fig sniffed. “I know I’m kind of hard to read but it means a lot that you think I seem like a trustworthy person, y’know?”

Adaine patted Fig on the arm. “You seem very… I mean, Ragh already vouched for you, and I already trust Ragh.”

Fig looked over. Ragh was currently deadlifting one of the support beams for the stage so that Riz could examine the underside of it.

“Yeah he said you guys go to school together?” said Fig. “Which, honestly, it seems kind of wild that the Oracle just like, goes to regular school.”

“I suppose,” said Adaine. “I started there before I became the Oracle. It’s… complicated.”

“Yeah, I mean, I’ll bet,” said Fig.

Ragh was now lifting the support beam over his head. It was hard to tell if he was showing off, or if Riz was asking him to do it. Riz looked over in their direction and Adaine gave him a thumbs up. Riz gave one back, grinning.

“And so he’s, what, your assistant?” said Fig

Adaine paused. “Actually, he’s… he's kind of my brother.”

Fig blinked looking between Adaine and Riz. “Are you for real?”

Adaine’s still expression cracked into a smile. “No, not really, I wish. We’re adventuring research partners. Also, his mum rescued me from an extremely terrible situation.” 

“Yeah?” said Fig.

“Yeah,” said Adaine. “If you ever get in trouble in this town, you want to ask for Detective Gukgak. She’ll actually believe what you have to say and she’ll probably even be able to help you.”

“Good to know,” said Fig.

----

Fabian sat in the crow’s nest of the Hangman, looking out over the city of Leviathan. They’d arrived a week ago but he had, as usual, not yet left the ship. His father preferred to get the lay of the land first, lest some new danger have come to Leviathan in his absence. Surely, after an entire week, such situations would have been assessed, and tonight was sure to be full of revelry as he and his father visited their usual haunts. Perhaps he might even be permitted to roam the city alone, without Cathilda to accompany him. Fabian smiled. She did worry so, as though the son of a pirate as fearsome as his papa would ever come into any danger.

“I’ve got a job for you, me boy!” called Bill from the deck below.

Fabian grabbed a rope, swinging gracefully down to the deck. His father ruffled his hair.

“For you papa, anything!”

“That’s what I like to hear!” said Bill. “Now, ye’ll remember when you and I went down to look at those smaller ships together.”

“Of course,” said Fabian. “But I thought we agreed that none of them were befitting someone of my stature?”

“Right ye are! None of those ships would have lasted a minute on the open seas. The ships here are much more seaworthy. Your mother and I took a look around and she picked one out,” said Bill. “Even if it ain’t the right fit for you, it’ll do you good to get a feel for the waves.”

“Of course,” said Fabian. “I’m sure I’ll pick it right up, but I- So should I follow after you, or-”

Bill laughed. “No, me lad! Cathilda’s found you a route apart from me, and not a moment too soon.”

“Right,” said Fabian. “Good, I… so I, uh- how long do I have to prepare a crew?”

Bill laughed again. “Ship the size we got you I have no doubt you can handle it on your own lad! Now, gather your things and go see Cathilda, she’s got the meeting spot for the start of your voyage.” He paused. “And mind you say goodbye to your mother before you leave.”

“Of course,” said Fabian.

He moved on autopilot, careful to keep a grin on his face and a swagger in his step until he got to his own cabin. He closed the door, running a hand through his hair. His own small ship. It wasn’t a surprise, they’d been talking about it for almost a year but… he’d always thought he would have a little more time. He wanted it to be perfect, before he left the Hangman for good.

There was a tentative knock at the door. “Master Fabian?”

Fabian let out a breath. “Come in Cathilda.”

Cathilda pushed the door open, a pack bursting with rations in her hands. “Your father told me you were about to head out.”

“Yes, he just informed me of that as well,” said Fabian. “He said you have found me a place to begin my own journey?”

“Oh Master Fabian, you know I’d keep you here forever if I could, but I don’t think you’d be happy if I did,” said Cathilda. “Besides, it shouldn’t take you too long, just a couple of landlubbers needing to be taken back to the mainland.”

“The mainland ?” said Fabian. “But that’s- that’s ages away.”

“Only a week or so from where we are now. And by the time you come back you’ll know if you have a taste for it, or if you- well. If you’re more suited to helping out the crew here, shall we say,” said Cathilda. “Now! Shall I help you pack?”

Cathilda, in that magic way of hers, helped Fabian pack a substantial amount of items into three bags. At least he wouldn’t have to go without clean underwear while he played taxi for some people from the mainland.

“You’re to meet them at the Compass Points Library,” said Cathilda. “You’ll no doubt know them when you see them, they aren’t dressed at all like pirates and they’ll most likely look a bit like lost tourists.”

"I didn't even know this city had a library," said Fabian.

Cathilda laughed, pinching Fabian’s cheek. “Leviathan is a place that has everything a person could ever need, save perhaps a little more adventure.” She took a breath in, her cheerful expression faltering a little. “Now, off you go Master Fabian.”

“I- I’ll see you soon Cathilda,” said Fabian.

“Of course you will.” Cathilda reached up, cupping his cheek in her calloused palm. “You’ll be righter than rain out there. Do us all proud I’m sure.”

Fabian swallowed. “I- of course I will.” He cleared his throat, quickly turning to swing his bags onto his shoulders. “Well. I- I shall say my goodbyes to mama and then take my leave.”

“Right you are Master Fabian,” said Cathilda. “I’ll just- I’ll tidy up here a moment. Meet you on the deck to see you off.”

“Right,” said Fabian, his throat tight.

His mother was in the captain’s quarters, her hands locked behind her as she stared out the window. Unlike his father, his mother preferred the open sea to the ruckus of Leviathan, and her mood would be bleak for as long as they were docked.

Fabian knocked on the door. “Mama, I-” He straightened his shoulders. “I’m heading out. I will- I hope our paths cross again soon, so that I may tell you and my father of my exploits.”

Hallariel didn’t turn around, but her eyes met his in the reflection of the glass. She nodded.

“Safe travels,” said Hallariel. “And remember to practise your footwork.”

“Of course mama,” said Fabian.

Cathilda was waiting for him by the time he got back up onto the deck, her eyes still a little watery as she looked up at him. She gestured to the boat docked next to theirs.

“She’s all ready for you, Master Fabian,” said Cathilda. “Checked her over myself, I did.”

“Then I am sure she’s ready for anything,” said Fabian.

“You have everything?” said Cathilda. “Jacket, compass, rations-”

“Yes, yes,” said Fabian, “I’ll be fine Cathilda. I’ll-” He lowered his voice. “I’ll send you a letter, if it is that I am away for too long. Just so you know that I’m- So you can be assured that I am alright.”

Cathilda smiled. “That would be such a kindness. Off you go now, watch your back on the way. Safe travels until we meet again.”

“Until we meet again,” said Fabian.

He knew the streets of Leviathan well enough to find his way to Crows Keep, and from there it was simple enough to find the Compass Points Library, the domed top of it visible over the other more ramshackle structures.

Out the front, just as Cathilda had said, were two oddly-dressed figures of around his own age, a goblin in a suit, and an elf in a denim jacket and leather gloves. Both were carrying extremely travel-worn bags, and both did, in fact, look remarkably touristy. Fabian set his shoulders. If all he had to do to prove his worth as a pirate was to guide these two onto a boat, it would be an easier task than he ever would have thought.

“Ahoy,” said Fabian, as he approached.

The elven woman nudged the goblin with her elbow. He immediately straightened, his hand going to the holster of a gun. Fabian raised his hands.

“Fabian Aramaris Seacaster, son of Captain William Seacaster. I believe you were expecting me?”

“Oh, right, yes. Ah, ahoy,” said the elf. “The pirate, uh, Cathilda told us to expect you.” She held her hand out for Fabian to shake, which he did almost on autopilot. "Adaine Abernat, Elven Oracle."

“I’m uh, Riz Gukgak, ah, friend of the Oracle, I guess,” said the goblin, his hands tucked into his pockets. “I don’t really… have a title.”

“Friend and head of Oracle security,” said Adaine.

“As if you need it,” said Riz, grinning at her.

Adaine laughed, the comradery between them easy and comfortable on their shoulders. Fabian felt a pang in his chest. He had friends on his father’s crew, of course, but they- They preferred to keep their own company, and it wouldn’t do for him to show any favour towards one crewman over the other. It wouldn’t have been fair.

“So,” said Fabian. “Shall we away to my ship?”

“I need to look up a spell first,” said Adaine.

“A spell?” said Fabian.

“Yes, I mean, that’s the reason we came all the way out here,” said Adaine.

“You came all the way out to Leviathan to find a book ?” said Fabian.

Adaine crossed her arms. “The Compass Points Library is a one of a kind institution. Look, are you going to help us find this spellbook or not?”

“I don't work here,” said Fabian.

Adaine sighed. "Fine. Come on Detective Gukgak, let's get this and get out before we cause another diplomatic incident where one of us dies."

"Last time was not my fault," said Riz, following her in.

"Sorry, one of you died ?" said Fabian.

Adaine waved a hand. "For a short time."

"For like a few hours," said Riz, at the same time. "It wasn't as bad as you think. And I got to see my dad."

"Even so," said Adaine, "no offence to your dad, but I'd rather not go all the way down to the nine hells again."

Riz tilted his head. "I mean, if I'm ever that dead again you could always-"

"Not a chance," said Adaine.

Riz smiled. There was something about it, something that caught in Fabian’s chest. He'd never seen anything so enchanting in his life, not a sunrise, not a pile of gold. He cleared his throat.

“Are all people from the mainland as careless as you are with your lives?” asked Fabian.

“I guess, if they’re adventurers,” said Riz.

“And what a terrible indictment of our education that is,” said Adaine. “Now, look out for the Intuition E-G section, that’s where Ayda said it’s supposed to be.” Her eyes flicked to Fabian. “Can you… read?”

“I- yes of course I can read ,” said Fabian. “What kind of question is that ? Can you read?”

“Just asking,” said Adaine, calmly. “If you can't, it's not really a problem.”

“I can read,” said Fabian, crossing his arms over his chest.

“Right, well, keep an eye out for the Intuition section,” said Adaine.

“Found it!” said Riz, leaping down from one of the bookshelves in front of them. Fabian jumped. He hadn’t even noticed the man leave their side.

Adaine smiled, flipping through the book. The book itself was enormous, its pages gilded in glittering silver. It looked heavy, or at least, it looked heavy enough for Adaine to struggle to hold it up. She huffed a breath, closing the book and using her finger to mark the page as she began looking around for a table.

“I’m going to need to study this for a while before I have it. Can you…?”

“Sure,” said Riz. “I mean, that’s why I’m here, right?” His eyes flicked to Fabian. “I’m the muscle.”

“ You’re the muscle?” said Fabian.

“Well Ragh’s back on the mainland with Gorgug,” said Riz.

“Okay,” said Fabian slowly. “I don’t know… who that is.”

“He’s- in a band? Fig and the Cig Figs?”

“A band?” said Fabian. “A band of what?”

Riz rubbed the back of his neck. “Right, yeah, I forgot that’s not really a thing for you guys out here yet. It’s- they play music?”

“And so because this Ragh is playing music, Oracle Abernant-”

“Just Adaine, please.”

“Adaine, then. Adaine has received your services for protection?” finished Fabian.

“Well, yeah,” said Riz. “I mean, I guess we’ve kind of been taking it in turns to watch each other’s backs.”

Fabian made a face. “In… turns? And your captain is alright with this?”

Adaine and Riz traded a look. Adaine set the book down on a nearby desk with heavy thud.

“We, uh, don’t really have one?” said Riz. He cleared his throat. “Hey, Adaine, how long do you think you’ll need on that spell memorisation?”

“Like two hours, probaby, sorry,” said Adaine.

“It’s fine,” said Riz. “I’ll just- We’ll sit at the other end of the table so you can keep focused.”

Adaine smiled at him before she turned her attention back to the book. “Thank you Riz.”

Fabian, for lack of really anything better to do and for no other reason, followed Riz to the other end of the long table. Riz unholstered his gun, holding it in his hand as his eyes scanned the towering stacks of books around them.

“Do you really expect an attack?” said Fabian. “ Here ?”

“I mean, not really but I- It never hurts to be prepared with this stuff,” said Riz.

“Really,” huffed Fabian. “Pirates aren’t going to attack you in a library .”

Riz blinked up at him. “I, uh. I mean, I’d do this anywhere, it’s not really- I mean, I guess my experience is that anyone can attack you anywhere at any time, library or not.”

“You are… quite the paranoid young man.”

Riz laughed, his tail flicking back and forth. “It’s been said, yeah. But it’s not really paranoia if you’re right, like, three quarters of the time.”

“And are all adventurers of your ilk always prepared for such sudden combat?” said Fabian.

Riz blinked. “I- maybe? I take a lot of rogue classes.”

“Right,” said Fabian, attempting to sound as though he had any kind of idea what that might mean. He glanced down at Riz’s gun. Weaponry! That was something the crew talked to each other about. “That is an… interesting looking gun.”

“Thanks,” said Riz. “It was my dad’s.”

“How wonderful,” said Fabian. He drew his sword in an appropriately dramatic fashion. “My own father gave me this blade when I was but a boy, after I had first proved myself in fierce battle. How did you come by yours?”

“I… found it in the secret room in our apartment where my mom kept all my dad’s stuff,” said Riz. He swallowed, looking down, tracing the metal design on the gun with his claw. “I- he said was okay with me having it, y’know, after I- when I saw him.”

“Ah,” said Fabian.

“Sorry,” said Riz. “I know it’s kind of- people think it’s kind of a bummer when you bring up your dead dad, so.”

“It’s fine,” said Fabian. “We can- if you’d rather talk about something else if you’d rather…”

Riz cleared his throat. “Yeah, no, uh-” He cleared his throat again. “So, you’re a pirate?”

“Yes,” said Fabian slowly.

“Do you like, live here?”

“No, I live on my father’s ship. Well, I did, no I suppose I will live on my own ship,” said Fabian. “I’m striking out on my own, as it were.”

“Cool,” said Riz, his voice sounding less shaky. “I, uh, that’s what me and Adaine are going to do after we graduate, I think. I mean, we haven’t totally nailed it down yet, but if we can get enough extra credit stuff this year, we’ll qualify to take on paid research stuff next year, and then we can start putting together a downpayment on office space.”

Even that bare sketch of an idea was more than Fabian had right now. He’d take the two of them to the mainland and then he’d be adrift. Riz was looking up at him, waiting for him to say something.

“I- So this is for extra credit?”

“Yeah, for Fig,” said Riz.

“Ah, yes,” said Fabian, nodding in what he hoped was a knowing way, “from Fig and Cig Figs.”

“Yeah,” said Riz.

“It seems rather a long way to go for credit,” said Fabian.

“Well, we really need the credits,” said Riz, a rueful tilt to his lips, “and we can’t exactly get it any other way. Can’t have an adventuring party with two people. Way too dangerous.”

“Right,” said Fabian, trying desperately not to think about how in two week’s time he’d be alone at sea.

“I mean, it’s different for guys like you probably,” Riz continued.

“Guys… like me?”

“You know,” said Riz, waving a hand at him. “Big buff pirate guys. Me and Adaine are good at what we do, but we’re just a research squad.”

“Don’t be so hard on yourself,” said Fabian. “The world needs research.”

He had no idea if that was remotely true, but it did seem to make Riz perk up a little.

“I’m going to check the perimeter,” said Riz. “Can you keep an eye on stuff here?”

“Of course,” said Fabian.

Despite Riz’s paranoia, nothing of note happened while Adaine finished her spell memorisation. It was late in the afternoon by that time, too late for Fabian to want to take his first voyage in a new ship, so instead he convinced the others to spend the night at the Gold Gardens.

“After all, what trip to Leviathan is complete without it?” said Fabian. “Surely you want to sample the delights Leviathan has to offer!”

“I’m on a new anxiety medication, so I can’t really… do that,” said Adaine. 

“We could still go though,” said Riz. “Say hi to Garthy.”

“Oh, you both… You’re familiar with Garthy O’Brien?” said Fabian.

“Yeah, we met them last time we were here,” said Riz.

“Cool, right,” said Fabian, trying to create the air of someone who also hung out with the powerful and well-known figures of Leviathan. “I- I’m kind of surprised that I haven’t heard of you guys, since you both- Well, if you know Garthy…”

“You’re not supposed to have heard of us,” said Riz. “We’re just a research team.”

"Besides," said Adaine, "it's a big city, and an even bigger world. Easy for stories to be lost here. It's kind of nice to not be known for a while."

Fabian couldn't imagine it. People always knew who he was, and if they didn't they certainly knew who his papa was. Even taking that into consideration, he didn’t think Garthy O’Brien would refer to him as a friend . Certainly not the kind he or his father would stop past just to catch up with.

Garthy greeted Riz and Adaine like extremely old and well-loved friends as they entered.

“Just what are you two doing here?” Garthy’s eyes drifted to Fabian. They raised their eyebrows. “And with Bill Seacaster’s boy no less.”

“ Captain Bill Seacaster,” muttered Fabian.

“Captain Bill Seacaster’s boy, then,” said Garthy easily. “I meant no disrespect.”

“He’s our ride,” said Riz.

“Ah,” said Garthy. They gave Fabian a curious look. “Going out on your own is it?”

“Yes, I- My father and I decided it was time that I set out, make a name for myself,” said Fabian.

“A well-worn tale and one I have seen many times. I wish you luck with it, though I’m sure you won’t need it.” They turned to Adaine and Riz. “Speaking of, how have the two of you been since I last saw you? No further trips to the underworld I hope?”

“Just school stuff,” said Riz. “I think we’re probably, uh, going to avoid anything too actiony for a while.”

“And no one could blame you for that,” said Garthy. They clapped their hands together. “Well! Rest yourselves here, relax a little before your journey, and come see me before you leave, yeah?”

“Of course,” said Adaine.

Fabian ordered himself a drink, glancing back at his companions.

Riz squinted at the board. “I think I have enough for like… a beer? You want a juice or something?”

“I’ll just have water,” said Adaine. “I’d rather save our money in case we need to get the bus back from Bastion City.”

Riz stepped forward and Fabian cut him off. “He’ll have a beer, and a…” He scanned his eyes over the board. “A sparkling pomegranate juice, for the Oracle.” He glanced at Riz, waving a hand. “Please, Riz, I’ve got this. You are my passengers.”

“We- are you sure?” said Riz.

“Of course,” said Fabian. “As your captain, I will take the utmost care of you-”

The door to the bar swung open as Captain Whitclaw entered. Fabian froze. Maybe if he stayed very still, the other man wouldn’t notice him, and why would he, Fabian was a single man in a crowded room, there was no reason for-

Captain Whitclaw’s eyes met his, and he began to walk towards Fabian.

“You know, on the other hand, perhaps we should just avail ourselves to my ship, get an early start tomorrow,” said Fabian.

“What?” said Riz. “But we haven’t even got our drinks yet.”

“Who cares, I have plenty to drink on the-”

A gnarled hand came down on his shoulder. Fabian could feel the small gusts of air as Whitclaw's tentacles swirled close to the back of his head.

“Hello there, young Seacaster,” said Whitclaw. The click of his beaked mouth made the hair on the back of Fabian's neck stand on end. “Where might your father be tonight?”

Fabian swallowed. “I- he-hello James, Captain Whitclaw, I- well, you know my father he- he- he could be anyway, he’s his own man after all-”

“Not like him to let you come out all alone, now is it?” said Whitclaw.

“He’s not alone,” said Riz's firm voice at his elbow. “He’s with us.”

“Stay out of this, Riz,” hissed Fabian.

Whitclaw, to Fabian’s relief, leant back to take a better look at Riz and Adaine. “And who might you be?”

Riz tilted his head up to look Whitclaw in the eye. “Riz Gukgak, private investigator.”

“Adaine, Elven Oracle,” said Adaine, her voice cold. “I don’t believe we’ve been formally introduced.”

Adaine put a hand on Riz’s shoulder. The movement put both of them in front of Fabian, though as they were both shorter than him the effect was closer to a half-height wall than full protection. He could see Riz’s hand go to the holster of his gun, Adaine’s gloved hand faintly glowing where she was hiding it behind her back.

“No, I don’t suppose we have,” said Whitclaw. “I have business, shall we say, of a personal nature with this young man’s father-”

“Like a date?” said Riz.

“What?” said Whitclaw.

“Well, you said personal business,” said Riz.

Fabian resisted the urge to cover his face with his hands.

“No,” growled Whitclaw. “I would never dally with such a scur-”

Fabian gasped, momentarily forgetting his fear. “My father is not a scur ! How dare you!”

Whitclaw drew his blade. “How dare I ?”

Riz drew his gun, stepping directly in front of Fabian. Adaine put a hand on Fabian’s arm, and he felt the rush of some kind of warding flood over him and, with it, a hot rush of shame. The few encounters he’d had with Whitclaw had been at a distance, with the force of the Hangman’s crew between them, and here were Riz and Adaine, unafraid and ready to lay down their lives when he himself would surely never have done so, when his own first thought had been to run.

“Hey now,” said Garthy. “You all know the rules. There’ll be no fighting here.”

Riz, his eyes still fixed on Whitclaw, slowly lowered his weapon.

“He started it,” said Adaine. “I feel as though we can hardly be blamed if this grown man is so intimidated by three teenagers that he felt the need to physically threaten us-”

Whitclaw lunged at her, and Adaine immediately threw up a shield, Whitclaw’s blade bouncing harmlessly off the magical surface.

“That’s it,” said Garthy, their voice clipped. “You, and your men, out.”

Whitclaw opened his mouth.

“You’re looking for a fight, Whitclaw, but you won’t get one from me, nor will you get one from anyone here,” said Garthy. “You can come back when you’ve cooled off some.”

Garthy stood by them until Whitclaw and his men had trailed out of the bar. Adaine lowered the shield spell, and Riz holstered his weapon, letting out a breath.

“Thanks Garthy,” said Riz.

“Think nothing of it lovey,” said Garthy. “He should know the rules by now, for all he can be a hothead.” They paused, their eyes going to Fabian. “You alright there?”

“Yes, I’m- I’m perfectly fine,” Fabian managed.

“Do you need to call your dad?” said Adaine. “I have the message cantrip, as long as he’s close by.”

“No, he- I’m not entirely sure where he is,” said Fabian, his stomach twisting. “They might have already set sail by now, I don’t know. I think they wanted to leave before I did.”

Garthy patted his arm. “I’m sure your father, great man that he is, will be able to keep himself out of trouble.”

“Yes,” said Fabian. “Yes, he’s- he’s a great- He’ll be fine.”

Garthy gave him an oddly sympathetic look, signalling to the bartender. “A round on the house for my friends here, to repay them for such an unfortunate altercation.”

“Oh, you don’t have to-” Fabian began.

“But I shall,” said Garthy. “Besides, it’ll give me a little time to catch up with your companions. You must be nearly at the end of your schooling by now.”

“Close,” said Riz. “Two more years." He let out a long breath. "Just gotta make it two more years.”

“Yes,” said Adaine. “Provided we can keep to this rate of extra credit.”

“Still no official adventuring party then?” said Garthy sympathetically.

“No, but- it’s fine,” said Riz. “We’re- managing. We’re getting pretty good at research missions.”

“Yes, I imagine you are,” said Garthy. “Still planning on that detective agency, after?”

“Maybe, if we- it depends if we can pay for all the stuff we need for it,” said Riz. “It’s like, surprisingly expensive to do stuff officially.”

“We might take on other adventuring jobs in the interim, once we're allowed to” said Adaine. “We met a girl, Kristen, who mentioned she was thinking of searching for a new god, and, being the Oracle, maybe I can help her find it.”

“A very honourable ambition,” said Garthy. “And you?”

Riz shrugged. “Help out, I guess. It is kind of a weird mystery.”

“I’m sure you’ll both do just fine whatever choice you make.” Someone signalled to Garthy at the end of the bar. “Ah, you’ll have to excuse me. I believe some business of my own has just come in.”

Fabian let out a breath after Garthy had left, taking a steadying gulp of his whiskey. It burnt going down, giving him something else to focus on for a moment. Adaine and Riz sat either side of him.

“You don’t have to hover,” said Fabian. “I’m fine.”

“It’s okay if you’re not,” said Adaine. “That guy definitely would have tried to kill all three of us if Garthy hadn’t stepped in.”

Riz nodded, touching his fingertips to his holster. “He was like, kind of terrifying.”

“I… were you… I mean, you guys didn’t seem at all scared,” said Fabian.

“Thanks,” said Riz. “I’m getting pretty good at that, I think.”

“Part of your rogue classes?” said Fabian

“Part of my ‘getting my ass kicked every day at school’ classes,” said Riz.

“It’s not so bad now,” said Adaine. "It's not every day."

“Yeah, I guess,” said Riz, letting out a breath. “I mean, most of the people who used to do that are either dead or have like, become better people.”

Fabian paused. “I have to say… your school sounds extremely fucking weird.”

Riz and Adaine both laughed, and Fabian smiled, feeling some of his earlier fear leave his body.

“Why, what’s pirate school like?” said Adaine.

Fabian drew himself up, ready to be offended, but Riz and Adaine were looking at him with honest interest. He’d never been in the position of sole storyteller before. 

Fabian set down his drink, signalling for another. “Well. Settle in for a tale of high seas adventure...”

----

“I can’t believe you’re making me get a permit ,” said Fig. “This is so lame.”

“It’s just a precaution,” said Tracker. “This is your first big official gig, I don’t want us to get banned from playing in Elmville because we went against some dumb noise ordinance law.”

“ Fine ,” said Fig. “I just think it’s not very punk rock of us to have to get a noise exemption licence or whatever the fuck.”

“Well it’s not very punk rock to get blacklisted from all the venues in town,” said Tracker.

“Disagree,” said Fig. “I think that would be very punk rock actually.”

“I think it’s even more punk rock if you’re actually able to play more than one song without getting arrested,” said Tracker.

“Again, disagree, but I get your point,” said Fig.

She pushed through the doors of the Elmville police station. Barely anyone noticed her dramatic entrance, the gnome behind the counter glancing up at them before his phone rang, distracting him.

Fig tapped her nails on the counter, shooting Tracker a look as they waited. Tracker cleared her throat.

“Hey kids,” said the gnome. “What can I do for ya?”

“We’re here to- Wait-” Tracker turned to Fig. “What was the name of the cop Adaine told us to ask for?”

“Oh! Right” said Fig. “Uh, we’re here to see Detective Gukgak.”

“Detective Gukgak?” said the gnome, giving them a look up and down. “Huh. Alright, you got an appointment?”

“Nah, but I’m sure she’ll have time for us, we know her son,” said Fig.

“Hey, you guys know Riz? Well, I’m sure she’d love to see ya, go on through!” said the gnome, buzzing them in.

“Wow, that was easy,” whispered Fig.

“Should… we be seeing a detective for this?” said Tracker. “I think we just need to like, fill out a form or something.”

“No, this is going to be way easier,” said Fig, grinning as she spotted a brass nameplate attached to one of the far doors. “We just find her and lay it all out, and then she’ll like, call off the cops if we get in trouble.”

She headed towards it, Tracker following after her, and knocked on the frame of the half-open door before pushing it open. A tired goblin woman looked up, frowning as she looked them over.

“Can I help you?”

“Detective Gukgak?” said Fig. “Can we come in?”

“I… sure? I mean, it doesn't look like I can stop you," aid Detective Gukgak, closing the file she'd been reading.

“Great,” said Fig, “listen, I don’t want to take up too much of your valuable time so I’ll cut right to it: I’ve got a little concert coming up and I know there’s this bull- There’s these rules about loud noise so I was wondering if there was some kind of deal you and I could come to.”

“Sure,” said Detective Gukgak. “The deal is you fill out the noise ordinance waiver, wait for it to be approved, organise a letter drop to the surrounding area to pre-warn them about the noise, and in exchange, you get to have your concert past eleven.”

Fig groaned. “But that’s so boring , come on Detective Gukgak, Adaine said you were cool.”

Detective Gukgak blinked. “The two of you know Adaine?”

“Oh, yeah, I guess I should have led with that,” said Fig. “We’re kind of friends.”

“She and your son Riz are helping out with some tech stuff for the concert,” said Tracker. “Listen, I know it’s kind of late notice, but we only just found out about the noise ordinance thing today, so if there’s any way you could help us out, we’d really appreciate it.”

Detective Gukgak sat back slightly, looking them over again. Something in her eyes reminded Fig of how Riz had scurried all over the stage before he’d left, scribbling down notes in case they needed the information in their spell research. 

“Well, you guys still have to fill out the form but- I’ll do what I can to help speed through the process, get it all approved in time,” said Detective Gukgak. “You might have to hang out here for a minute though, I’ve been waiting for IT all morning to-”

“Sklonda,” wheezed a voice from the doorway. “Excellent news, I believe with this new screen that I have found in the Elmville Police Department’s storage locker I will be able to fix your computer issue.”

Fig froze, turning slowly to look at the elf in the doorway. His head was hidden by a dusty CRT monitor, but the voice was kind of unmistakable. She’d grown up hearing it every day, after all.

“Great,” said Sklonda. “I’ll clear you some desk space. You’re just in time to help me with these young ladies.”

“Oh?” said Gilear.

Gilear lowered the monitor slightly, his eyes widening as he caught sight of Fig, and then dropped the monitor entirely. The screen smashed as it hit the ground, narrowly missing his feet.

“Gilear?” said Sklonda. “Oh my god, it’s- Are you okay?”

“Figueroth?” said Gilear faintly.

“Hey Gilear,” said Fig, trying to affect a casual air.

“Oh shit,” said Tracker quietly. “That’s your dad?”

“ No ,” said Fig. “My dad is Gorthalax. Gilear is just some dude that lied to me for like thirteen years.”

“I, it- I am glad to see you are well,” said Gilear. “Your mother and I were very concerned when we were unable to find you.”

Sklonda paused, one hand on Gilear's arm, her eyes flicking to Fig and then back to him.

“You didn’t try that hard though, I guess,” said Fig. “I mean, I wasn’t exactly hiding.”

“Yes, I saw your posters,” said Gilear. “I… Sandra Lynn agreed it would be best for me not to attend, if you had not already reached out. I believe she has been trying to make contact with you through online mail.”

“He means e-mail,” said Sklonda. She stepped away to dig a dustpan and broom out of her file drawer. “Give me a hand with this?”

Fig wasn’t sure who Sklonda was directing her question at but she really wanted an excuse to not look at Gilear’s face right now, his expression not the anger it had been the night she’d left but a kind of hopeless despair. She ducked down, helping Sklonda push the monitor upright and sending pieces of glass and little wires onto the floor.

“Uh, sorry about your screen,” said Fig.

“It’s fine,” said Sklonda. “This thing looked pretty old anyway.”

“My apologies,” said Gilear. “I… it was the newest model I was able to find.”

“Don’t worry about it honey,” said Sklonda. “I think a couple of the guys down in spellcasting have two monitors, I’ll just go convince them to loan me one of their’s. You kids stay here, I’ll be back in a minute.”

She pushed the little dust pan into Gilear’s hands and patted him on the arm before she ducked out of the office. Gilear's cheeks flushed faintly.

“... Honey ?” managed Fig.

Gilear’s cheeks flushed. “I, uh. Your mother and I have been separated for some time and I- Sklonda- Detective Gukgak resides in the same apartment building as my current accommodation, and we have become… close, since she enabled me to find employment here-”

“Fine, whatever,” said Fig. “I mean, it’s not like I care what some stranger does.”

Gilear’s shoulder slumped. “Figueroth, I-” He sighed. “I suppose I can understand, and I- It is good to know that you are well.” He paused. “You said you had made contact with Gorthalax?”

“Yeah,” said Fig. Because she can’t stop herself, she asked, “Did you know about him?”

“Only what your mother has told me since your- Since everything has come to light,” said Gilear. “We… Sandra Lyn and I do not have a great deal of contact since you… left.”

“Oh,” said Fig. She swallowed. “I guess I… I guess I kind of thought that you guys would still… Y’know. Without me there you’d just work it out.”

“We did, in a manner of speaking,” said Gilear. “We don’t- Not to oversimplify the situation, but it would seem the largest thing we had in common was you. There was little reason for us to share our lives with one another, save for the moments in which we shared information on your possible location.” He paused. “I believe she has kept the house, if you would like to visit. I’m sure she would love to see you.”

Fig shrugged. “Maybe, I dunno if I’ll have time after the show.”

“The- Oh, you are in town for a concert?” said Gilear.

“Yeah, a couple solo gigs,” said Fig, “and we’re playing a couple of shows at the Black Pit. Sold out.”

“That’s wonderful,” said Gilear.

The tone of his voice lifted up slightly, like it would when she’d come home from school with some cheerleading award or crummy art project for him to put on the fridge. Fig swallowed around the sudden tightness in her throat.

"I wish I had known sooner," said Gilear. "I would- It would have been nice to attend, if that would… If such a thing would have been acceptable to you, of course."

“I, uh. I guess I could maybe get you a ticket if you wanted to come check it out, or whatever,” said Fig.

Gilear’s hands trembled where he was holding the dustpan. “I- I would love to, thank you.”

----

It was Sunday morning and Kristen was awake and not at church. Which was cool. Which was fine and cool and totally a normal thing. It was the third weekend service she’d missed. Her mom had started texting her about it midweek this time. Apparently people were starting to ask where she was, what had happened to her. Her mother said she didn’t know what to tell them. Kristen didn’t either.

Tracker was still asleep. Everyone was still asleep, passed out in the Thistlespring’s lounge room after a full day of helping to set up Fig’s stage and put up posters and try to stop Fig from freaking out that Adaine hadn’t got back with the spell yet. Being busy made it easier not to think about the Sunday morning of it all, but now Sunday morning was here again and she had nothing to do but think about it.

This would be a lot easier if she could just make herself sleep in. Then she’d just be tucked in beside Tracker under the quilt they’d pulled out of the van, warm and safe and probably not even dreaming about Helio at all.

She still did, sometimes. They were definitely just dreams though. Helio himself hadn’t seemed like he was the kind of dude who’s spring into action over a single cleric. Dude was terminally chill.

Which, that should have been reassuring, because that was definitely better than, like, suffering the wrath of a god but also… it did kind of make it feel like he didn’t care. Like he was too removed up there, too cool, to ever want to get into it with her and her messy, confusing passions.

“Hey,” said Gorgug from behind her.

Kristen flinched, coffee spilling over the table. “Oh jeez, sorry.”

“It’s okay,” said Gorgug. “That’s an easy fix, I mean, I break stuff way worse all the time.”

He carefully opened the cupboard under the sink, pulling out a roll of paper towels.

“Thanks,” said Kristen. “I guess I’m just- too much coffee too early in the morning, you know?”

“Isn’t that… when people normally drink coffee?” said Gorgug.

“I guess it’s just not for me,” said Kristen. “I mean, normally I’m more of a cortado girl anyway. My family usually gets them on the way home from-”

She stopped, pressing her lips together. Gorgug looked at her.

“From church,” finished Kristen. “Just- haven’t had one in a couple weeks, I guess.”

“Okay,” said Gorgug slowly. “I mean, We could maybe try and make one?”

“You can’t just make a cortado Gorgug,” said Kristen. “It has to be- there’s like a ritual to it, you know? You get up, and you go to church, and you talk about how good Helio is, and then one the way home you get a cortado.”

“Sorry,” said Gorgug. “I mean, I don’t think we have any lemon or ice tea anyway.”

Kristen let out a breath. “No, it’s- I’m sorry. I guess I just feel weird being out of my usual routine, even though Helio is everywhere-”

Gorgug looked around him, startled.

“Not like, literally,” said Kristen. “Although, yeah, I guess also kind of literally. Or, he’s around me anyway.”

“Cool,” said Gorgug. He paused. “So he’s like… into cortados?”

“No, that’s just something my family did.” She paused. “They probably still do, I mean, just because I’m not- not going to church right now.”

“I mean, if you wanted to go I could ask my parents to drop you there?” said Gorgug. “They’re not like, church people, but they like to help.”

“No, I don’t- I’m not going,” said Kristen. “I’m gonna… I’m maybe-” She lowered her voice. “I think maybe I’m looking for a new guy.”

“Did you and Tracker break up?”

“No, not- A new god-guy! Or girl, or whatever,” said Kristen. “I just- I don’t know if I can stick with Helio, right now. I need to get out there, see who else is maybe doing it closer to how I want to be doing it.”

Gorgug nodded thoughtfully. “That sounds like a good idea.”

Kristen blinked. “It- really?”

“Yeah,” said Gorgug, pouring himself a bowl of cereal. “I mean, my parents always say when something’s not working right or it’s not doing what you need it to do, sometimes you have to take it apart to start over. Makes sense that that kind of thing applies to like, stuff that isn’t just machines.”

“Wow,” said Kristen. “Hey, Gorgug?”

“Yeah?”

“You’re a really smart dude,” said Kristen.

Gorgug smiled at her, a bright grin of surprise and delight. “Hey, thanks! You’re pretty smart too. I mean, you were already thinking about it.” He went to put the milk back in the fridge. “Oh, hey, we do have ice tea in here! Did you want a cortado?”

Kristen considered it for a moment. “You know what? Sure.”

“Cool,” said Gorgug. He paused. “Hey, do you, uh…. Do you know how to make one?”

“No,” said Kristen, “but I bet between the two of us, we can figure it out.”

----

Fabian surveyed the deck of his ship, keeping his hand steady at the wheel. Though it perhaps wasn’t as large as the Hangman it was a fine vessel, moving speedily through the water. They had a good breeze, the sun shining down above them to warm the air. The perfect weather to be out on the open ocean.

“Lower the sails!” called Fabian.

He’d have to run things by himself after he dropped Riz and Adaine off, but for now he was enjoying having the extra pair of hands, not that Riz was being particularly helpful.

“Dibs on not doing that,” said Riz.

“Come on, you have to learn sometime,” said Fabian.

“I really don’t,” said Riz. “I’m not a boat guy. We should all count ourselves lucky that I’m not mega seasick right now, that’s how not a boat guy I am.”

“I’ll do it,” said Adaine.

“It’s the- yes, that’s the one,” added Fabian, as Adaine easily released the ropes to let the sails out. “You have sailing experience?”

Adaine shrugged. “I don’t know that I’m a boat guy , but my parents did favour holidaying by a lake. We had a little, one-person sailboat that I used to take out because Aelwyn’s spells couldn’t get that far over the water. It was very peaceful.”

Riz put a hand on Adaine’s arm and Adaine shook herself.

“Anyway,” said Adaine, “I think I remember enough to help out, but I can’t promise any kind of expertise with something this size.”

“No need to worry about that,” said Fabian. “I have all the expertise we need.”

“Great,” said Riz. “I’m going to see if we’re close enough to get crystal reception.”

He scrambled up the rigging to the crow’s nest. That, at least, he did seem to be quite proficient in. Adaine leant back, watching Riz until he reached the top before she moved to stand beside Fabian, leaning on the railing next to him and looking out over the water.

Fabian cleared his throat. “I, uh. I am glad to hear that you enjoy sailing.”

“I don’t know that I enjoy it as much as you,” said Adaine, a faint smile on her face. “But I certainly have pleasant memories of it.”

“I take it that Riz never went out with you on the lake,” said Fabian.

“It was before we met,” said Adaine. “I... don’t live with my family any more. No more sailing but that’s a small price to pay, I suppose.”

“I… I apologise,” said Fabian. “I didn’t mean to bring up such unpleasant memories.”

“It’s fine,” said Adaine. “I- honestly, I don’t think of them as often as I thought I would. I honestly thought they’d cause more trouble after I got out of there, but I suppose they’d rather keep things quiet than have it be known that their Oracle daughter ran away to live with goblins. Or was rescued by them, I suppose.” She huffed a laugh. “Riz climbed in through my bedroom window, you know?”

“Like a princess in a tower,” said Fabian.

“Yes,” said Adaine. “It’s almost a shame neither of us are romantically inclined towards each other, although that would perhaps be a little too storybook for my tastes.” She paused, looking at him out of the corner of her eye, considering him. “He does that, you know. Takes you out of your tower and brings you into the horrible and beautiful world.”

“I wasn't in a tower,” said Fabian.

“I was being metaphorical,” said Adaire. “He has a way of pulling you out of the part of your life that you would perhaps rather not be in.”

Fabian thought, again, of how the ship would be after they were both returned to shore. He could run it by himself, it wasn’t so big that that was a concern, but it would be… lonely. He was used to being alone on a ship, of course, he’d spent plenty of nights in his cabin while the crew celebrated on deck or in some port that his mother had forbidden him from entering. But an entirely empty ship would feel different, especially now that he knew what it could sound like with other people on it, working on it beside him instead of apart.

“Do you ever miss it?” said Fabian.

“Sailing?” said Adaine. “Or my horrible family?”

“Still no service!” Riz called down. “I can’t see anything either, it’s just- water and clouds.”

“Yes, well, we’re not near anything, so it should just be the ocean,” said Fabian. “If there was anything else we’d be in trouble.”

“Come down!” said Adaine.

“I’m good up here!” called Riz. “I’ll be lookout!”

“Lookout for what , you just said you only see the ocean!” said Adaine.

“Everything’s fine!” said Fabian. “You don’t need to be so on guard up there!”

“Fine!” said Riz.

He landed on the deck with a thud, coming up to stand next to Adaine.

“I was just telling Fabian how we met,” said Adaine.

“Oh, yeah,” said Riz. “Never could have solved the case without you.”

“What case?” said Fabian.

“I didn’t get to that part yet,” said Adaine.

“But that’s the best part! You had the evidence we needed, me and my mom, and just bam there it was!”

“I don’t know that it was that helpful,” said Adaine.

“Sure it was,” said Riz. “My mom said that sigil is part of an ongoing case too. Or, I mean, she didn’t say it to me , but she mentioned it on the phone and I, uh, happened to overhear it.”

“It did seem like it might be a little… demonic,” said Adaine.

“Sure, but that’s- I mean, better to have the information than to not have it, right?”

“I think Sklonda would rather us not get involved with the Nightmare King assignments over the break,” said Adaine.

Riz wrinkled his nose. “I know, but… Hey, I mean, if I listened to her one hundred percent of the time I never would have met you, and that would have sucked. I mean, on top of everything else, school would have sucked for the entire time instead of just like, ninety percent of the time.”

“I’m sure she’s just worried about you,” said Fabian. “I- sometimes my parents have attempted to do something similar.”

Riz nodded. “Yeah, so annoying right? I mean, you get that it’s dangerous but you just want to get in there and crack that case open and solve it.”

“I- pirate life is perhaps a little different,” said Fabian. “Less… chance of death in a dramatic battle.”

Adaine snorted. “Not in my experience.”

Riz shrugged, his fingertips brushing the holster of his gun. A nervous habit, Fabian was coming to learn, when Riz was in danger, or reminded of danger.

"You've killed people? As in, killed people in battle?" said Fabian.

“Yeah,” said Riz.

“But you're just- you’re such a little guy!"

“Believe it or not, that helps,” said Riz. “It means you can get in really close, like this-”

In a flash he was in front of Fabian, pressed between Fabian and the wheel, two fingers to Fabian’s throat. His claws scratched a little at Fabian’s skin, and Fabian’s breath hitched. He swallowed, trying to steady himself. Riz's eyes tracked the movement, his cheeks flushing.

“Like, uh, like that,” said Riz, ducking under Fabian’s arm. “I’m, uh. I’m gonna go check on the cabins.”

“Check on them for what?” managed Fabian.

Riz had already ducked down the stairs. Adaine gave Fabian a look. 

“What?” said Fabian.

“Nothing, nothing,” said Adaine. “Just- I can steer if you also need to check on the cabins.”

“I don’t need to check on anything,” said Fabian.

Adaine sighed, giving him another unfathomable look. “I suppose I’ll go check on them then.”

The sun slowly made its way across the sky. This far out to sea there wasn’t even the call of gulls to break up the sound of the water. There was a scattering of clouds in the distance, a chance of rain far away but not anywhere close to them yet. After he dropped Adaine and Riz off this kind of silence would be his new life, out alone, nothing but him and the open ocean.

“Maybe I’ll… also check,” said Fabian to himself.

He secured the wheel and followed Adaine’s path down into the cabins. They were easy enough to find in the small space. Adaine and Riz were in Riz’s cabin, Riz flicking through a notebook too fast to possibly be reading what was on the pages. Adaine looked up.

“Do you- I’ll steer,” said Adaine.

“Wait, there’s no one steering right now?” said Riz, an edge of panic to his voice.

“It’s fine, it’s not as though there’s anything for us to crash into,” said Fabian.

Adaine patted Fabian’s arm on the way past. “I’ll watch the wheel then, just in case.”

“I suppose,” said Fabian.

His father always said that only those who were the most trusted by the captain should ever take the wheel. Adaine was the Oracle, so Fabian assumed that meant she was qualified for such trust.

“How’s the checking going?” said Fabian.

Riz knocked on the wall. “Good, everything here seems good.” He pressed his lips together, practically vibrating with nervous energy.

“Riz,” said Fabian slowly, “are you… okay?”

“I’m fine,” said Riz quickly. “I just- Sorry for scratching you, before.”

“Ah.” Fabian felt the heat return to his cheeks. “That’s- don’t mention it, really. It’s hardly the kind of thing that would take me down.”

Riz swallowed. “Cool. Just- y’know. Just checking. I don’t- I mean, we’re going to be stuck together for a couple days and I wouldn’t want to make things weird.”

“You’re already weird,” said Fabian.

“Wow, thanks,” said Riz, his tail twitching.

“No, I- it’s a good thing.” His face felt like it was on fire , maybe there was something he needed to check in this cabin. Riz looked like he was having the same reaction, his cheeks flushed a deep green. “I- I like that you’re weird. I don't know that I've ever met anyone quite like you.”

Riz blinked up at him, his mouth opening and closing a couple times. “I- Thanks?”

Fabian smiled. “You’re welcome. I-”

“Fabian?” called Adaine from the deck. “I might- this might be the kind of thing that’s your area!”

Fabiand and Riz hurried up the stairs.

“Adaine, what’s- whoa,” said Riz. “Those clouds weren’t so ominous before. Or that close.”

“No,” said Fabian faintly. “No they were not.”

“Fabian?” said Adaine.

Fabian shook himself. He might not have been a handsome adventurer or an Elven Oracle but this, he was qualified for, this he could do.

“Okay, Riz, I need you to go downstairs and get everything secured,” said Fabian. “Just tie down everything you can, got it?”

Riz nodded, scurrying away.

“Adaine, raise the sails,” said Fabian. “We’re going to have more than enough wind to deal without them.”

Adaine nodded. Fabian took the wheel from her, letting out a long slow breath. He looked into the dark heart of the approaching storm, narrowing his eyes. This storm was a foe to be defeated, and defeat it he would.

“Oh my god,” said Adaine, stopping suddenly. “I didn’t prepare water breathing.”

“You’re not going to need it,” said Fabian. “We’re going to be fine.”

Adaine’s breath was coming in short bursts. “Oh my god, I’m going to- go out the same way- as the other stupid- Oracle, this is so- embarrassing-”

Fabian locked the wheel and stepped towards Adaine, putting his hands on her shoulders. He could feel her trembling.

“Adaine, listen to me,” said Fabian. “I am Fabian Aramaris Seacaster. I told you that I’d provide you safe passage, and that’s just what I’m going to do. You’re going to be fine.”

Adaine took one shaky breath in and out and then another, calming enough that some colour came back to her cheeks. She shook herself slightly.

“Sorry,” said Adaine.

Fabian squeezed her shoulders. “Don’t worry about it, okay? I’ll keep you and Riz both safe.”

He managed, by some miracle, to keep his word, though the boat almost tipped over three times. He suspected Adaine’s magic had a hand in it, especially given how exhausted she seemed by the time the storm began to clear. It might have just been that she was unused to a life at sea - Riz was similarly exhausted from helping Fabian fight the wheel and bailing out the ship to keep them afloat. Even Fabian himself was feeling the effects of the storm by the time they reached the other side of it, the grey drizzle slowly beginning to clear.

Fabian resisted the urge to slump over the wheel. A captain had to maintain his stallworth image, after all.

Riz had no such concerns, flopping down next to Fabian’s feet and letting out a groan. He’d lost his jacket and waistcoat somewhere during the storm when it had gotten caught in the rigging. Fabian could see the jacket, dripping onto the deck. Adaine dragged herself over on Fabian’s other side, her eyes closed. Since they were both making such a show of their exhaustion, he didn't feel too badly for allowing himself to sit down between them, one hand on the wheel to keep them from drifting too much further off course.

"Riz?" rasped Adaine.

"Here," said Riz, clumsily reaching over Fabian's lap to clasp her outstretched hand.

"Fabian?"

Fabian blinked. He hadn't expected to be included in whatever this little ritual of theirs was. Adaine lifted her head slightly to look at him.

"Uh. Present?" said Fabian.

Adaine smiled, letting her head fall back onto the deck. "I should think so, since you just saved our lives."

Riz made a sound of agreement. Fabian didn't feel particularly heroic. He felt waterlogged and exhausted, with not a small amount of relief that they made it through unharmed and the ship still afloat. It was nothing like his father's tales of adventure or Cathilda's bedtime stories of the heroes of long ago. 

"I- well, I suppose from your perspective, but I- things did get a little rough for a moment there, but it was just sailing," said Fabian. "I would hardly call it life saving just because I knew more than you."

"If you hadn't been with us we absolutely would have died," said Riz. "I would call that pretty life saving."

"Really," said Fabian, his voice perhaps a shade too unsteady for the breezy tone he was aiming for. "Honestly, it was just- it was nothing, just a little more knowledge than you of the seas."

“Sometimes that's all you need," said Adaine. "Not all lives are saved by the blade after all."

Riz hummed in agreement, giving a grunt of effort as he sat up. "Do you think we have any dry clothes?"

"Maybe," said Adaine. She pushed herself up to sit next to Fabian, making a face at her wet gloves. "Ugh, these feel terrible, I think they're full of seawater."

Riz laughed, slumping a little against Fabian's shoulder. "They probably are."

Adaine peeled off her gloves, shaking them out, and Fabian got a flash of something on her palms, so dark it could almost be tattoos if it weren’t for the way they blurred at the edges, the skin cracked as though it was still burning.

“Oh, your-” He tried to sit up a little straighter. “Are you hurt?”

Adaine held her hands to her chest. “No, it’s- They’re old scars. I’m fine.”

“From where she pulled me out of hell,” mumbled Riz. “I got a matching one.”

Riz waved his arm clumsily. Fabian could see five dark lines on Riz’s skin through his soaked dress shirt, almost like a- He blinked. Like a handprint. Fabian felt a chill go through him, remembering Adaine’s tale of bringing Riz back from the dead. It was one thing to hear a tall tale on Leviathan and another thing entirely to see proof of it in front of you.

“I did tell you,” said Adaine.

“I thought you were being more metaphorical,” said Fabian.

“Not that time,” said Adaine. She flexed her hands, glancing up at Fabian. “Sorry, I- I’m going to have to let the gloves dry out before I wear them.”

“That’s fine,” said Fabian.

“I just- I know most people don’t like to- They find it upsetting.”

“Fabian won’t though, right?” said Riz. “Fabian’s cool.”

“Yes, I’m cool,” said Fabian.

Adaine gave him a small smile, relaxing against his side.

“We really should find dry clothes,” said Fabian.

Riz burrowed his face into Fabian’s side and Fabian lifted his arm, putting it around Riz’s shoulders instead. Riz made a pleased noise.

“Five more minutes,” mumbled Riz.

Adaine laughed, her own eyes slipping closed.

“Alright, five minutes,” said Fabian, “Then we’re back to it.”

The waves were quiet, but he was not alone on them.

----

Adaine finally called after the fourth day, which was good, because if it had taken any longer Gorgug was pretty sure that Fig would have actually cancelled the show like she kept threatening to. Adaine’s hair was looking a little wild with the wind, but she grinned widely at them. Riz’s head poked into frame, his hair equally wild and looking more than a little sunburnt.

“Adaine! Riz!” said Ragh. “Dude, how’s it going?”

“Good,” said Adaine. “We’re on our way back now. We should be- What did you say Fabian?”

The camera shifted so that they could see the guy at the wheel - A half-elf teen about their age, his long pirate coat flapping dramatically in the sea breeze.

“Another day and a half, I’d say,” said Fabian.

“Great! Finally!” said Fig.

“I did say it might take me longer than a week so we’re actually making great time,” said Adaine. “It turns out going through a storm sometimes can help.”

“I don’t recommend it,” said Fabian.

“Me either,” said Riz.

Fabian laughed and Riz turned towards the sound, grinning.

“But you got the spell though, right?” said Fig.

“Oh, yes,” said Adaine. “It should do exactly what you need it to do. I’ll be able to apply it when we get back, and I can teach you or someone on your tech crew how to do it if you like.”

“Uh,” said Kristen. She looked at Gorgug.

“Or maybe I can work on finding a way to make the effects permanent somehow, or a repeating charm?” said Adaine. She paused. “Actually- that would be quite an interesting project-”

“Yeah, sure,” said Fig. “Just- as long as you’re back here in time for the final sound check.”

“Not a problem,” said Riz. He glanced at Adaine. “Although- we could be there faster if you had someone come pick us up?”

“You’re not going to misty step back?” said Fig.

“If I did I wouldn’t have the spell slots left for your concert,” said Adaine. “It’s- I know the spell but it has a lot of- It’s really more like four spells that you do at once.”

“I can pick you up,” said Gorgug. “I need more hours for my driving permit anyway.”

Ragh nudged him with his elbow. “So does Zelda.”

Gorgug felt his cheeks flush. “Uh.”

“Yeah,” said Kristen. “It’s a long drive, good to have someone to switch off with, right?”

“ Uh ,” said Gorgug. “Hey, uh, pirate guy, that’s a cool sword.”

“Thank you,” said Fabian. “It was my father's-”

Fabian launched into a long story about some kind of heroic deed his father had done with the sword. There was a lot of names of places and people, which, Gorgug had never been particularly good at history or geography, but he nodded along. Next to him, he could see Ragh texting Zelda about whether she was free to drive down, which was such a relief. The seeing Zelda part was great, but the making plans part made his palms sweat. He was so lucky that Ragh helped him out, and that Zelda was cool with him coming along on so many of their dates.

“Okay,” said Fig, as Fabian wrapped up his story, “and I'm sure the story where you did something with it is just as cool.”

Fabian, who had been waving the sword around doing dramatic reenactments, immediately fumbled the sword. “Well, I- yes, but I don’t want to brag.”

“You just said that your father was the greatest swordsman to ever live,” said Fig.

“That’s not bragging, that’s a fact ,” said Fabian.

“So we’ll have me, Gorgug, Zelda, Riz, and Adaine in the van on the way back,” said Ragh. “We should all fit right?”

“Yeah, all the equipment’s out of it for the show,” said Tracker. “Plenty of room.”

“Yeah,” said Gorgug. “Oh, wait- pirate guy-”

“ Fabian . Fabian Aramaris Seacaster.”

“Yeah, Fabian, right," said Gorgug. “Are you coming too?”

“To where?” said Fabian.

“In the van,” said Gorgug. “We’ll have room, I think.”

He squinted out the window at the van, trying to mentally count the seats. They should all fit.

“Oh, I…. I hadn’t really thought about it,” said Fabian.

“If you have plans that’s cool,” said Gorgug.

“No, I…” Fabian looked towards Adaine and then Riz, his gaze lingering.

“You should come with us,” said Riz, his voice almost hidden from the call by the wind. “We- I mean, you got to show us around Leviathan, so it’s only fair we show you around Elmville, right?”

“I suppose the boat will be safe enough at the docks until I return,” said Fabian.

“Cool,” said Riz, bouncing on the balls of his feet. “Great!”

“I expect the full tour,” said Fabian. “Don’t cut any corners.”

“We only went to like, one place on Leviathan with you,” said Riz.

“Yes, but you’d already been to Leviathan,” said Fabian. “I’ve never been to Elmville.”

“It’s lame,” said Fig.

“It’s fine,” said Tracker. “You’ll probably have fun at the concert at least.”

“Hell yeah you will,” said Fig. “I’m going to have a kick ass spell to start this tour off right !”

“Hell yeah!” said Ragh, hi-fiving her. “Adaine, dude, we will meet you are the docks!”

“We’ll message you when we get close,” said Adaine. “See you then!”

----

The spell was even better than she’d hoped for. Her notes resonated over the open field they’d set up in, the lights flashing to the drum beat. She could feel the emotions come out of her like a physical wave, vibrating in the air.

“ Sick ,” said Fig.

Adaine grinned, waving her hands to dispel it. “Glad I could be of service.”

“Well, here’s your signed thing, enjoy your school credits or whatever.”

“Thank you,” said Adaine. She handed the paper to Riz, who tucked it inside his vest.

“Is that seriously all you guys want for it?” said Fig.

Adaine blinked. “I mean-” 

She glanced towards Riz, where he was trying to show a bored-looking Fabian something about the control panel. Whatever he was trying to do Fig wished him luck with it, sending a wink his way.

“I suppose if you were compelled by some kind of generosity, we could say, expenses covered?” said Adaine. “We’re not really supposed to take money for this yet.”

“What about half the expenses and I get you VIP tickets,” said Fig.

“I… don’t really like loud music,” said Adaine. “No offence.”

“None taken,” said Fig. “But you should know I take this as a personal challenge to get you to listen to mine. Now you have to take the tickets.”

“I- Sure, fine,” said Adaine.

“You have to come,” said Fig. “Don’t like, give them away, that’s cheating.”

“Okay, okay,” said Adaine.

“So, expenses covered and three VIP tickets.”

Adaine opened her mouth and then closed it again.

“What?” said Fig.

“Could we have four VIP tickets?” asked Adaine.

“Why? Is Riz’s mom gonna come?”

“No, I… I kind of owe the Compass Points Librarian for the spell,” said Adaine.

Fig shrugged. “Sure, I guess.”

“Great,” said Adaine. “I’m going to message her now, so no take backs.”

Adaine closed her eyes. The air crackled with magic as the message sent.

“Powerful message,” said Fig.

“Well it’s going a long way,” said Adaine.

There was a flash of red-orange light as a portal opened.

“Whoa, what the fuck?” said Fig.

“Don’t worry, that’s the librarian,” said Adaine.

A tall woman with fiery wings steps out. She had the most intense eyes Fig had ever seen. She wanted to write at least, like, five songs about them. Probably more.

“Adaine, hello,” said the woman.

“Ayda, good to see you,” said Adaine.

Fig had no idea how Adaine was maintaining the ability to talk right now. It felt like speech was totally impossible.

“Fig, this is Ayda, the Compass Points Librarian,” said Adaine. “Ayda, this is Fig Faeth, professional musician.”

“Hello,” said Ayda. “I appreciate that you are giving Adaine a ticket which she can use to pay back her debt to me. It is important that friendships be kept even in this way.”

“Yeah,” said Fig, “yeah, totally, I uh…”

Adaien frowned. “Fig?”

“Practice,” said Fig. “I have to go practice. For the show.”

“Of course,” said Ayda, nodding. “One must practise anything in order to improve.”

“Yeah, that’s- that’s totally it.” She backed away, giving Ayda finger guns. “So I’ll see you later.”

Once she got around behind the stage she put her face in her hands. Finger guns , oh my god.

“You okay?” said Tracker.

“Yes, leave me alone,” said Fig.

“Who’s the hot firebird lady?” said Kristen.

“Ayda,” said Fig. “She’s, uh. She’s coming to the concert.”

Tracker blinked, giving her a look that was way too perceptive for Fig to want to deal with right now.

“Shut up,” said Fig.

Tracker held up her hands. “Hey, when you want to talk, you know I’m here.”

“I don’t have anything to talk about,” said Fig. “Just because Adaine’s super hot intense friend is going to be at the concert where I use this cool new magic for the first time, that’s fine. I am totally fine and chill.”

“What a relief,” said Tracker, “Because for a second I thought you were freaking out.” She paused, putting a hand on Fig’s arm. “If it helps, she’s about to see you do the thing that you’re the best at. That’s a pretty good first impression.”

Fig let out a long breath. “I guess. Unless I fuck it up.”

“There’s no way,” said Kristen. “You’re the best rock star I’ve ever seen.”

“I’m the only rock star you’ve ever seen,” said Fig, but she did kind of feel a little bit better.

----

Fig had the crowd amped by the second verse of the first song in her set, Gorgug smashing out a beat behind her. Riz poked his head out as far as he dared from backstage. It was cool to see it from this angle, like he was seeing a secret version of it. He looked up at Fabian. He was pretty sure Fabian was having a good time, but he was trying to be chill about this so he couldn’t exactly ask.

“You should put your VIP lanyard back on,” whispered Riz.

Fabian wrinkled his nose. “It doesn’t go with my look. Besides, I’m holding it, isn’t that enough?”

“I guess,” said Riz. “I mean, you’re a half-elf so I guess you don’t have the same security issues.”

Fabian leaned back from the curtains, his attention turned away from the music and onto Riz. “What do you mean?”

“Nothing,” said Riz. “Just- some people don’t like goblins being places. It helps to have the ID front and centre before they ask.”

His mom was always saying that. It was part of why she worried so much about the tiny “un” in front of the regular sized “licenced private investigator” on all his business cards.

“That is- Riz, if anyone hassles you, simply tell me and I will set them to rights,” said Fabian.

“It’s fine,” said Riz. “Well. It’s mostly like, not that bad. And having Adaine with me helps.”

“Well, I’ll help too,” said Fabian.

“I guess you can if you want?” said Riz. “I- the VIP pass thing will probably be enough for it not to be an issue tonight. It helps that most people saw Tracker let me through personally, so. It’s whatever.”

He looked back out to the stage, to where Ayda and Adaine were hidden from the audience. Adaine gave him a thumbs up. Ayda was staring at Fig too intensely to notice him, or anything else.

“Hey,” said Fabian. “Did you want to take a break? It’s quite stuffy in here.”

Riz blinked, looking back up at Fabian. It was an outdoor venue but being raised on the open ocean probably gave you a different definition of what stuffy was, so Riz nodded, following him back behind the stage. The grass was damp underfoot, the temperature difference between the heat of the stage and the cool night air forming dew on the blades. Fabian sat down on the steps, looking out into the trees in front of them and Riz copied him, sitting one step above Fabian so that their faces were level for once.

“So,” said RIz.

Fabian opened his mouth, then closed it again. “I- I wanted to thank you. For inviting me.”

“That’s okay,” said Riz. “I mean, I think Gorgug actually was the one to invite you.”

“Yes, but you were the one who actually wanted me to come,” said Fabian.

Riz felt his cheeks flush. He’d been hoping his enthusiasm was a little more subtle than that.

“Yeah, I mean, of course,” sas Riz. “It felt like it was only fair that you get to come, I mean, you helped us get back here in time, you saved our lives in that storm…”

“Yes, well,” said Fabian. “That was me returning the favour for the two of you for standing up to Captain Whitclaw, if anything.”

“He was being an asshole,” said Riz. “If Garthy hadn’t been there Adaine and I would have kicked his ass.”

Fabian laughed, putting a hand over his mouth as though they could be heard over the music. “Well. Now I’m almost sad I didn’t get the chance to see it, even though you and Adaine would almost certainly have been killed.”

“We could have beaten him!” said Riz,.“I mean, we would have had you too, that’s three on one!”

“Plus Whitclaw’s men,” said Fabian. “So more like three on twenty.”

Riz folded his arms across his chest. “We still would have kicked his ass.”

Fabina bumped their shoulders together. “I do, somewhat, appreciate the faith you have in your abilities.” He paused. “And in mine.”

Riz looked at him. “I mean, that part’s easy.”

Fabian’s cheeks flushed and he looked away. “Not for everyone.” He was silent for a moment. “I think… My father is a great man, a very great man, but I… I don’t quite know what he expects me to do out here, on my own. I don’t even know if he knows.”

“You don’t have to be alone,” said Riz. “You can come with me and Adaine.”

Fabian gave him a thin smile. “On your school projects?”

“Sure,” said Riz, “or- wherever we go, after.”

“I don’t know if I…” Fabian pressed his lips together, lowering his voice so that Riz had to lean close to hear him over the music. “I’m not really an adventurer. I haven’t- I’ve barely even done any piracy.”

“Me either,” said Riz. “So you’ll fit right in with us.”

Fabian let out a long breath and Riz could feel it on his lips. He felt himself flush but he couldn’t make himself lean back. Fabian wet his lips, the sight of it making Riz’s mind turn to unfamiliar static. Fabian inched forward, a little close, bit by bit, and Riz held his breath, not daring to move away, and then-

“Hey,” said a security guard, shining a torch at them. “What’re you kids doing back here?”

“Nothing!” said Riz. “We’re just- We have VIP passes!”

He held up his lanyard and the security guard checked it over sceptically. “Alright. You’re not really supposed to be all the way here though. Kind of defeats the purpose of having tickets to a show if you don’t watch it.”

“Right, of course,” said Fabian. “We’ll head right back, just as soon as we finish taking some air. It’s just such a beautiful night, wouldn't you agree?”

The security guard grunted in either agreement or dismissal, Riz’s heart was beating too fast for him to focus enough to know. He managed to hold it together until the security guard had rounded the corner and then he let his forehead drop to Fabian’s shoulder. He could feel Fabian shake with laughter.

“Oh my god,” said Riz.

“Riz,” said Fabian, the laughter still caught in his voice. He put a hand on Riz’s shoulder. “Hey, Riz.”

Riz looked up just as Fabian closed the gap between them at last. They might be missing the show but Riz felt like he was getting something way better even than seeing Adaine and Fig’s new magic.

----

Fabian was well used to sleeping in small cabins. He had been raised on a ship, after all. Still, five people piled into a single small room might have been pushing it even for him. He sighed, looking over at the door to Adaine and Riz’s room. Riz had offered for him to sleep on a mattress in their room but that felt… It was too close quarters, for right now.

So, instead, he was crammed onto an air mattress with Gorgug, listening to Fig whisper about how she was trying to be open with Ayda. Presumably Fig would stop once Ayda returned, since during the day she could barely get more than a handful of words out in front of the woman at a time, but it didn’t exactly help him get to sleep now .

At least he wasn’t that bad. He could talk to Riz perfectly well.

“It’s just like,” Fig was saying, “you just have to decide to take control of yourself and your emotions, you know? Like, you’re in charge, you’re the captain of your fate.”

“It’s not very captainy though,” said Fabian. “It’s not what my father would do at all.”

Fig, who had somehow managed to secure sleeping on the couch, flipped onto her stomach so that she could glare down at him. “Who gives a shit what your dad would do?” 

Fabian sat up. “Excuse me, Captain William Seacaster is a great man-” 

“Yeah sure maybe,” said Fig. “I mean, my dads are great too, but that doesn’t mean I want to be like, a demon or a guy from IT, or even a ranger like my mom, y’know? I’m going to be a rock star who’s super open and honest with her girl- with people that I like romantically. That’s what I want.”

“Well I want to be a famous pirate captain,” said Fabian.

Fig made a face. “Okay dude, if you say so.”

“I do!” said Fabian.

Gorgug cracked an eye open. “Why are you guys yelling? It’s like three in the morning.”

“Pirate guy’s having a crisis,” mumbled Kristen from Gorgug’s other side.

Tracker hummed in agreement, shifting closer to Kristen.

“I am not having a crisis!” snaps Fabian.

The door to Adaine and Riz’s room creaked open. Riz’s hair was wild, the Elmville PD shirt he slept in falling off one shoulder. Fabian was immediately glad that the darkness hid his blush.

“What’s happening?” said Riz. “Why are we yelling?”

“Nothing is happening!” said Fabian. “Everything is fine, go back to sleep.”

Adaine and Riz exchanged a look, disappearing back into the room for a moment. There was a shuffling sound, and then they pushed a mattress through the door, letting it fall beside Fabian.

“What are you doing?” said Fabian.

“Getting some sleep,” said Riz, still sounding half-asleep himself. “Mom said we have to get at least four hours, remember?”

Adaine hummed, pulling the covers over them both.

“Your mother has never given me any such rule,” said Fabian, but he did lie back down. “I’ve never even met her.”

“S’a universal rule,” mumbled Riz, patting Fabian’s chest. “Or household rule, or whatever.”

Riz’s hand stayed where it was, his claws catching slightly in the fabric of Fabian’s shirt, reminding him of Riz’s presence. It was easy, then, to let himself relax back against the mattress, fading, at last, into sleep.

----

Adaine woke before the others. It took her a moment to orient herself - not in her room at the Abernant home, or in the cabin of a pirate’s boat, or even in the room she and Riz shared. Ah, yes. They’d dragged a mattress into the lounge room. She looked over. Riz and Fabian had curled close together in the night, Riz’s face pressed against Fabian’s shoulder. She smiled. Good.

She stretched out, enjoying the luxury of it still being a weekend, with a return to classes still a full three weeks away, before she got up, padding to the kitchen. She poked through the cupboards. Sklonda was a lot like Riz in that if there wasn’t someone else’s needs to focus on, things like food tended to get pushed to the back of her mind, so there wasn’t a lot there. People would probably want something when they woke up. They had flour and sugar. She checked the fridge - they had eggs, they had milk. So. Pancakes.

She still wasn’t the best cook, but pancakes were easy enough to do. She tried to work as quietly as possible, setting the warming charm plate Sklonda had to the lowest setting to keep the finished pancakes warm enough to be edible for when the others woke up.

Adaine bit her lip, concentrating. She’d made a couple pancakes, so the pan was in the perfect state to try flipping one. She couldn’t always get it, or, if she did, it usually fell on the floor, but it was always fun to try. Sklonda and Riz never got mad about her making a mess.

“One… two… three,” said Adaine quietly, moving the pan back and forth on her count before she tossed it, the pancake flipping over and landing perfectly.

Adaine laughed, wriggling a little from the small victory. There was another laugh behind her and she looked back. Fig was sitting at the counter, her chin in her hand as she looked at Adaine.

Adaine felt her cheeks heat. “I, Uh…”

“No, don’t apologise,” said Fig. “It’s cool that you’re not like, the Oracle all the time.” 

“Of course not,” said Adaine. “I’m just… I’m just a regular person.”

“A regular person with Oracle powers,” said Fig. She paused. “Did you really go all the way out to Leviathan just to get that spell for me?”

“Yes,” said Adaine.

“That is,” said Fig, “ so fucking cool.”

Adaine shrugged, adjusting her glasses. “Adventuring is just a job, you know, it’s- I sort of fell into it.”

“It is cool though,” said Fig.

“You are literally a rock star,” said Adaine.

Fig shrugged. “Oh, well, you know. I just fell into it.”

Adaine laughed. The sound of it must have been enough to wake Kristen, who sat up. Tracker mumbled, her arms still curled around Kristen’s waist.

Coffee ? mouthed Kristen.

Adaine held up the jar of instant coffee and Kristen nodded. Adaine filled the kettle. She’d probably have to fill it again, to have enough for everyone. There were a lot more people in the Gukgak apartment this morning than normal.

“Me too, I want coffee too,” said Fig.

Kristen hummed, untangling herself from Tracker to sit next to Fig. “I’m working on finding new gods, maybe coffee will be my new god.”

Fig laughed, bumping her shoulder against Kristen's. Across the room, there was a shuffling noise as Riz and Fabian woke up. Adaine could see their blushes from the kitchen as they half-heartedly tried to untangle themselves, still partially asleep.

“Who’s making pancakes?” mumbled Gorgug.

“I am,” said Adaine.

“Yeah, she did this cool pancake flipping thing,” said Fig.

“Cool,” said Kristen. She scrubbed a hand over her face. “Do you want a hand with plates and stuff?”

“Sure,” said Adaine, “they’re all down there- no to your left, yeah. Thanks.”

Tracker got up after that, Ayda arriving via the mundane path of knocking at the door instead of misty-stepping into the room. Tracker draped herself sleepily over Kristen’s shoulders and Ayda quickly took the other empty seat next to Fig. Adaine could tell, without looking, that she and Fig were holding hands under the counter.

“So,” said Kristen, “What are we doing today?”

“Dunno,” said Fig. “We don’t have another show until tomorrow night. What about you guys?”

Adaine looked over at Riz. He shrugged, reaching for his crystal.

“We’ll probably check out local research jobs, see what’s out there,” said Riz.

“Work, work, work,” said Fabian.

“Not all of us can be famous pirates,” grumbled Riz, “some of us need to graduate.” He hummed, scrolling through. “There’s a couple of map making things in Harroway Bay. If we could get out there we’d get added credit for distance travelled.”

“We’re heading out that way after this concert run,” said Fig. “If you guys want a ride.”

“What’s the map thing?” said Fabian, trying to read over Riz’s shoulder.

“A couple groups need a map of some sea goddess temple there and it’s not online yet,” said Riz.

“A sea goddess?” said Kristen. “Oh, man, I wish I could check that out.”

“You could come with us,” said Gorgug. “I mean, we’re going there anyway for the tour.”

“Always good to have you along for the ride, Applebees,” said Tracker, her tone teasing.

Kristen blushed, stealing some of Tracker’s pancakes.

Riz cleared his throat. “I, uh. I guess you have to head back to Leviathan. I mean you dropped us off, so. You’ve fully held up your end of the deal.”

“Well I- Yes, but if there was something- If you, perhaps, needed assistance on your adventuring quest-”

“Uh,” said Riz.

“Fabian,” said Adaine, “would you like to come with us? It is a sea goddess after all, I’m sure we could use your expertise.”

“The listing is for a larger party,” said Riz. “I mean, Adaine and I normally just fudge the numbers but, uh.”

“How many do you need?” said Fabian.

“It said six and up,” said Riz.

“Well,” said Fabian slowly, “I suppose I could help you be a little more truthful in your studies-”

“I mean, we’re going there anyway,” said Fig. “Might be a fun side activity to doing shows.”

“Yeah,” said Gorgug, “I don’t think I’ve ever been to a sea goddess temple before.”

“Me either,” said Kristen. “It sounds like fun though, what d’you think babe?”

“Honestly? It sounds perfect,” said Tracker.

Adaine caught Riz’s gaze from across the room. He grinned back at her. Their very first real adventuring party. She just knew it was going to be great .