This is just so humiliating. After we set off, Nomius picked me up and placed me on his shoulders like he does with Tadwick. I’m being carried around like a child. I know it makes it easier for us to manoeuvre through crowds as we pass through the streets… but still. I know he doesn’t mean anything by it… he’s just being practical… but I can’t help but feel like I’m being babied because I’m short.

  At least Kiyui seems calmer now. He’s been talking to Shu and telling him all about the crazy shit that has happened since he left this place. He seems absolutely fascinated. He said he wasn’t even remotely surprised by the prostitute thing… in fact he seemed quite impressed by it. Clearly Kiyui wasn’t kidding when he said this place was very open about sex.

  I have noticed the other people in the town giving Kiyui funny looks… I guess Kiyui wasn’t exaggerating when he said that they aren’t keen on half-breeds here. Good thing that there aren’t many people out at this time of night.

  Shu: “I like your little fox by the way. I’ve never seen one glow like that before. Where did you get him?”

  Kiyui: “Oh, Feifer… found him the day I ran away. He’s been by my side ever since.”

  Shu: “Aww… that’s so sweet. It’s cute the way animals imprint on people like that when they are young.”

  Fortunately, it seems that Shu trusts Kiyui enough to not question the Feiffer situation any further. Then again… neither did any of us… now that I think about it.

  Maybe if we had then I would have been a bit more prepared for the whole… incident… that happened back at the farm.

  Kiyui: “Yeah… anyway. I’ve been talking about myself this whole time. What about you? I notice you became a healer.”

  Shu: “Oh, yeah. Spent time in the temple learning from the priestess.”

  Kiyui: “You always were so gentle. I’m not surprised. I notice Shai went for a more aggressive class. Haha.”

  Shu: “Oh, that he certainly did. To be honest, it’s been good for him. It helps him get his energy out. He always struggled to sleep when we were younger, which I’m sure you remember. Being an aggressive frontliner certainly helps to drain him. You know he’s got a fiancé.”

  Kiyui: “No way… who?”

  Shu: “Saki.”

  Kiyui: “Seriously? Wow, no, seriously. Quite impressed with that. She was always so… extreme.”

  Shu: “Oh, she still is. I think that was what appealed to him initially. She’s an adventurer herself. We are hoping to merge parties with her after the marriage. She is way more skilled than Shai and I. She’s a rogue and she just murders creatures in a matter of seconds.”

  Kiyui: “She hasn’t changed much.”

  I have to admit… it is nice to see him relax after being so terrified to come here. He really did have this whole life here before he even got anywhere near Kataravonia. It’s nice to find out snippets of who he used to be.

  I mean… I’ve heard bits and bobs before now… but mostly just about the crazy sexual stuff. Anything even remotely related to prostitution or sex and he is a complete open book. But everything else requires a level of enquiry.

  Kiyui: “How is Reisuke?”

  Shu: “Oh, he’s great. He’s a professional trumpeter. He’s married too.”

  Kiyui: “Wow. Cue the obvious joke about blowing…”

  Shu: “Haha.”

  Really?

  Kiyui: “Who’d he marry?”

  This story originates from Royal Road. Ensure the author gets the support they deserve by reading it there.

  Shu: “Sven.”

  Kiyui: “Oh Gaia, seriously? Sven?”

  Shu: “Hey, Sven is nothing like he was when we were kids.”

  Kiyui: “I should hope not. The guy was a total prick to us.”

  Shu: “He’s completely different. He went to therapy, learned how to play the fiddle, it’s like all his anger’s just gone.”

  Kiyui: “He plays the fiddle? As I recall, he couldn’t work out how to use a shovel. How’d he learn the fiddle?”

  Shu: “People change, Kiyui.”

  Kiyui: “You haven’t.”

  Shu: “You have. You used to be so quiet and timid. I can see how much your confidence has grown.”

  Fucking hell. Quiet and timid is exactly how I would describe him… not when it comes to sex, obviously. But when it comes to everything else. He’s always so polite and formal. He still bows to people when he thanks them for things. That’s something people normally only do to nobility. I dread to think how quiet and timid he used to be.

  Kiyui: “Prostitution really forces you to take control a bit more. If you can only do the sweet, innocent, nervous routine then you really limit your client base.”

  Shu: “I wouldn’t know. Don’t get much call for prostitutes round here. Or maybe you could class everyone as a prostitute to some extent. If you are short on change for your groceries, a hand job often makes up the difference. Even at the temple a large amount of worship is done through tantric activities.”

  What the absolute fuck are tantric activities?

  Kiyui: “How long have you been at the temple?”

  Shu: “Since I was 15.”

  Kiyui: “And is the tantric stuff all you have done since?”

  Shu: “Oh, the tantric stuff is just a form of worship. It’s nice n’ all, but it isn’t exactly like having a proper relationship. I have tried to find someone. I’ve only had a few dates here and there; nothing ever really took flight for me though. I struggle with girls if I’m honest. And the guys that are interested in me always want to dominate me. which is just not my thing.”

  Kiyui: “Oh, honey. I always thought you’d be a hit with women.”

  Shu: “I’m very popular with them, they just never want to sleep with me as anything more than a friend.”

  Sleep with him… as a friend? What? You don’t sleep with your friends… that’s not how friendship works. This place is insane.

  Kiyui: “I’m sure once you develop a big name as an adventurer, they’ll see you in a different light.”

  Shu: “I certainly hope so.”

  Kiyui: “If not, you could always come to the human towns with me. Humans seem very keen on us. Something to do with the fur, I think. I’m sure you’d get plenty of dates in a heartbeat.”

  Shu: “As tempting as that is, I don’t think I’d ever have the confidence to move anywhere else. This place is my home. I don’t know how you did it, Kiyui.”

  Kiyui: “I did it because I needed to. You’d be surprised what you can do when you are left with no other option.”

  Shu: “But you did have other options. You could have come to us. I know it must have been horrible after what happened to your mum, but we would have been there for you. I still am here for you.”

  Kiyui: “There are a few things you don’t know about that situation.”

  Well, that’s an understatement.

  Shu: “Then tell me.”

  Kiyui: “I can’t. At least not right now. Maybe sometime down the line… when I’ve made peace with it myself. Until then, I think I need to speak to my father.”

  Shu: “I understand. But just know, if you ever do want to talk… I’m here for you.”

  Kiyui: “I know, Shu. I know. Listen, when we get to my father’s. Would you mind waiting at the bottom of the garden?”

  Shu: “Ok.”

  Kiyui: “You too, Nomius.”

  Nomius tapped Kiyui on the back twice with the handle of his axe. We worked this system out a while ago. He taps twice for yes and once for no.

  Shu: “And the goblin?”

  Kiyui: “Dwynfel comes with me. I need him there.”