"So this is Mir?" Haru asked, raising an eyebrow as the escapees crossed the border. There were massive guns mounted along the walls at the border itself, but they didn't seem to stir- apparently Starria had learned its lesson about trying to impede this mission. The changes were obvious and immediate: uniform rocky ground and crops gave way to dense forest, denser even than the one around the ranger's station they'd left behind. There were villages that looked like they came from another time entirely, with thin trails of smoke climbing into the sky. Before long, the air itself tasted and smelled different. Salt, earth, smoke, and life, in a sense, all mixed together- Haru didn't know how else to put it.
"No, it's a gas station," Aerendyl replied flatly. Sitting across from Haru, hands folded between spread legs, he looked so relaxed that it almost felt unnerving. "We're taking you to the capitol. You'll meet the queen, since she's personally invested in making sure you arrive there safely. Then, from what I hear, you'll be free to go. I'll need to get going, I've got a dinner date to get to."
"Mn… thank you for all your help," Haru spoke quietly, closing her eyes for a moment and shifting in her seat, looking out the open side of the helicopter at the landscape passing by below. Fox was on her arm, as usual, smelling of smoke and hickory, sweat, and the iron of blood. She was, again, pretending to sleep- her eyelids twitching gave it away.
"So after this, will we see you again?" Alexander asked quizzically, crossing one leg over the other and raising an eyebrow. "We're just a favor to a friend, after all."
"Well, who knows what life has in store." Aerendyl answered in the same relaxed, lazy tone. "Who knows which of you will become heroes and which will fade into obscurity. Maybe you'll open a café, and then be roommates," he added with a gentle smile. "What mattered to me was helping a friend, sure, but that doesn't mean I have any doubt of your capabilities to make something of yourselves. So, try to relax if you can, alright? You're not prisoners, since I assume the Queen wants to see you for your own sakes as much as her own."
"What do you mean by that?" Alexander was the one to ask, again, and Haru kept quiet, content to let somebody else do the talking.
"Well, she probably wants to lay out your options clearly and answer any questions that you might have."
"I see, I see." Alexander replied. The two men seemed to be only addressing each other, now, while the others with them rested comfortably throughout the flying vehicle. Haru refused to fall asleep with that hole yawning beside her, but she did zone out, letting her eyes glass over as she admired the trees, rivers, and lakes that passed by outside the window.
"This nation, Mir, seems like it's not very developed," she spoke after a while of silence, clearing her throat.
"That's not quite the case," Aerendyl responded, chuckling. "However, Mir is the biggest nation in the world, and it believes in respecting nature, respecting where we came from. Much of their architecture and technology is built into the land, rather than taken from it- Would you believe that the royal castle is actually carved out of the largest mountain in the world? Coincidentally, Mir is considered the most impossible nation to siege or attack. Planning for logistics becomes impossible through their dense trees and unpredictable terrain."
"Why are you worried about attacking it?" Haru's question was posed with a playful smirk tugging at her lips.
"Defending. What would be in those trees if not the queen's best friend?" Aerendyl answered- and he sounded genuine.
"Are you the Queen's secret lover? You mentioned you're happily taken, if I recall," Haru queried, thoughtful.
"Nope. I'm dating Lottie's sister," Aerendyl snorted, shooting a wink at the Cheshire cat-girl, and she looked back with narrowed eyes. At first, Haru thought she was angry, but no, she seemed confused.
"Aerendyl, I know you're not going to hurt her. Hurting people is my forte, after all. Don't try and get a rise out of me. I'd rather she be with you than anybody else."
"Ahhh, Lottie, I'm glad I'm still invited to the cookout," Aerendyl chuckled again, but there was something in his eyes that Haru didn't recognize; something… something empty.
Thinking she'd better not question it, Haru cleared her throat. "How much further?"
"How much further?!" Aerendyl repeated, tapping an earpiece as he spoke. A moment later, he replied to Haru. "About fifteen minutes. We're almost there."
"Right." Haru drew a slow breath, tail flicking anxiously. Confused, she sat forward a bit. "Can I control this thing?"
It felt a bit odd, but with some focus she was able to move her tail to the left, and then the right. Eventually, she got it to flick it around into her lap from the right. "Hm…"
"You'll want to practice that," Aerendyl spoke quietly, pointing at her tail. "You'll need to. It's important for balance and controlling your center of gravity."
"I figured. So, is this world very violent, or are we just having a very bad first impression?" Haru asked, laughing weakly. Aerendyl didn't share her mirth.
"This event, Haru. It's going to start a war, one that you can choose to leave. Hell, maybe you'll want to come to Ravenwood with me and get out of here for good, but you're not going to be forced into the fray- and besides, it's not your fault by any means. At its heart, this isn't anything to do with you."
"Then what is it?" Haru angled her head, leaning forward.
"Take your pick. Racism, and the way that species other than humans are slaughtered or expelled en masse? Slavery, the way that weaker demons are utilized for deforesting the land, mining and farming, forced to sleep in borderline unlivable conditions… The fact that they've refused to join any international alliances because we all accept the other races?" Aerendyl laughed, stretching. "War crimes, invasions into Mir border towns for violence and slave taking. Their diplomats are jerks, too- this is a long time coming. Mir wanted a reason to start a war; you were just the lowest hanging fruit. Now Starria will have no choice but to fight- at least, that's how the hot-headed monarch will see it."
"Mir was just saving people," Haru whispered, "rescuing would-be brainwashed slaves… and Starria retaliated with violence…"
"There you go. It suits the world's view of Starria, and Mir doesn't look bad- because really, what bad did they do? They did save would-be brainwashed slaves. Your rescue is all we wanted from you, that's why you'll be free to go. Now that you've seen how strong I am, hopefully you'll see that we don't need you."
"Shouldn't my memory have come back by now?" Haru asked, but before an answer came, the helicopter dipped, starting to descend, fast, and she had to grab her harness for balance. "Woah!!"
"You get used to it," Charlotte laughed, undoing her harness, waving with a smile and hurling herself sideways into the open air. Haru balked, her eyes wide, but nobody else really seemed phased. The only change was Fox sitting up, no longer feigning sleep.
"She's landing, relax!" Aerendyl laughed, and Haru looked out the side of the vehicle again. Things still looked the same from here.
"But there's no city?!"
"The castle is at the back of the city, structure-wise, and that's where we're landing! You'll see it soon!!" Aerendyl answered cordially, screaming to be heard over the wind. The helicopter was leveling out now, and then they were touching down, the noise finally beginning to slow down and die. Before Haru could reach her own chest, Fox's hands were there, undoing her harness. Confused, Haru opened her mouth to comment, but the girl had already undone her own harness and bounded out of the helicopter without a word.
Is she still mad at me? Haru wondered to herself as she slowly shifted and climbed out on shaky legs. If she was, though, then why would she have been leaning on me the whole ride?
"Take a moment to stretch your legs." Aerendyl's voice called out behind her as he placed his hand on her shoulder. "I'll wait by the door."
Haru walked forward across the landing pad, trying to get her bearings. She was high up, for sure, and before her was situated nothing but beautiful forestry as far as the eye could see: rolling hills, mountains capped in snow- it was like something off a postcard.
This must be at the back of the castle…
Behind her was what seemed to be a cliff face, as if a mountain had been shorn in two with a set of heavy-looking metal doors laid in the side. The others were headed inside, and Haru watched as Fox shot her a look she couldn't decipher before passing through the doors. Aerendyl, though, crossed his arms, leaning into the wall and waiting patiently. Taking comfort from the lack of being rushed, Haru turned back to the view and inhaled slowly and deeply, closing her eyes for a moment. A headache was brewing behind her right eye, but here, there were only the scents of oil and mountain air caught on the breeze as it lifted and ruffled her hair… For just a moment, her thoughts were well and truly quiet.
After what might have been thirty seconds or ten minutes, Aerendyl cleared his throat lightly behind her, and Haru opened her eyes, turning toward him.
"Something bothering you, Haru? Throughout this, Alexander has looked scared. Aurelia and Cecil have been stressed, and Fox seems angry and confused. You, though- You just seem so neutral, calm. If you wouldn't mind, I'm kind of itching to know… What's on your mind?"
"Nothing," Haru admitted blankly, looking up at him. "I should have my memories back by now, shouldn't I?"
"You should. I'll mention it to the Queen, see if she can have a mage check you out and see what's up. The others all have bits and pieces back by now if I heard correctly. Still, though, are you scared?"
"Hm…" Am I scared? I have a bit of a headache, but aside from that…
"No, there's no emotion, I guess. I'm not scared or excited; just… nothing." Haru shrugged. "Time to go inside?"
"Huh? Yeah, let's get you inside," Aerendyl agreed, turning around and starting to walk while ruffling his wings slowly. Haru admired the appendages as they made their way for the metal doors; all beautiful, white, unmarred feathers, but with too many joints for a normal wing. There must have been seven or ten joints alone along the top edge, Haru noted, and she wondered what caused them to need to be so flexible.
Rather than ask, though, she quietly followed him inside, looking around. The hallway she was led into was stone, and the floor, while likely worn smooth by footsteps, felt uneven. At the end of the hall, she was led through a door and into an elevator that almost immediately snapped shut and began to descend. As it did, the walls changed from worn stone to a pleasant marble sort of look, white and ridged. When the elevator opened, Haru found herself in a grand hallway with an arched ceiling, grand white walls in the same ridged, veined marble look. The floors were tiled black and white, but most impressive was the hallway itself. She'd have needed five more of herself to stand atop her head, one after the next, if she hoped to reach the ceiling.
"This way," Aerendyl spoke casually, and beckoned for Haru to come toward him. He was holding a door open, and when Haru wandered inside, looking around, she found a comfortable-looking lounge. The room was adorned with grand throw rugs and polished tables, while leather couches scattered about with no rhyme or reason. Haru narrowed her eyes; she liked the chaos of it. Fox and Alexander were sitting on a couch together, and when Haru entered, Fox looked away.
"Where's Cecil, Aurelia? The others?" Haru asked quietly, walking forward.
"They're filing their reports on the mission," Aerendyl answered patiently while yawning. "The queen was waiting until you got here to come visit, but she'll be arriving shortly. You guys wait here, and if I don't see you again, then… remember me fondly." He finished his statement with a lazy, lopsided grin, and turned on a dime, walking out into the hallway and closing the door behind him.
"Well, we survived," Alexander spoke in the silence after, smiling. "Haru, Fox, you two seem to have something to hash out. Were you enemies in your last life, or something?"
"I don't want to talk about what's on my mind," Fox spoke coldly, and Haru walked forward, taking a seat on the couch loosely across from them, even if it wasn't quite parallel.
"Did I upset you?" she asked gently, raising her eyebrows. "If it's something I said-"
"No, please… Don't want to talk about it," Fox mumbled again, refusing to look in Haru's direction at all. The white-haired girl just nodded, falling into a quiet silence before closing her eyes and curling up against the arm of the couch.
"I would try to make a joke, but I'm bad at those," Alexander chuckled. "Where I'm from, there are these stories of heroes who are summoned to another world, and they're surrounded by hot women and have cool powers. This is real life, but still, it's kind of funny to see a cliché from my world turned on its head."
"I get that," Haru answered, not opening her eyes. "Not that I remember anything myself, yet. I'm sorry if I won't start slobbering over your abs or something, though- I'm either not into men, or you're not my type. I don't know."
"Don't need to know, don't care. I'm only making conversation," Alexander continued with a lazy chuckle, "I wonder when our- Oh, speak of the devil!"
Everyone sat up and looked toward the door, where indeed somebody had arrived- but, if this was indeed the queen, then she looked so very… normal. Dog ears sat atop her head, as did a honey-colored tail behind her, but after that she seemed to be anything but royalty, clothed in plain dark pants and a russet-colored turtleneck sweater.
Is she… not some pompous bitch of a queen?I was expecting, I dunno, tailcoats and a guard and a bad attitude…
"Hello," The woman spoke, and her voice was like honey washing over Haru like rain after a drought.
Oh, I'm so very, very gay, aren't I?
"My name is Aurum, and I am the queen of Mir, as you have likely been informed." She purred in that same honeyed tone, throwing herself on the other end of Haru's couch. "Any questions for me? I'm here to help in any way I can."
"Mn…" Haru groaned, and seeing only a silent shrug from Alexander, she asked. "Yeah, uh… What's the plan for us?"
"To turn you free," Aurum answered sweetly, stretching.
"Yes, but realistically, what are our options?" Haru tried this time to make her question clearer. "Homelessness or war. Is that all?"
"Heavens, no!" Aurum answered with a laugh. "We can get you situated in an apartment, have the castle cover the first month's rent, give you time to find a job. Or we can get you situated in our military boot camp- which includes housing and food, by the way. We won't simply dump you on the street."
"Do we have time to decide?" Alexander was the one to ask now, raising an eyebrow.
"You do! I'd love to have Aurelia give you all a tour of Mir as well tomorrow morning. She could use the time off. She's a personal friend of mine," the queen added with a small smirk, and Haru raised an eyebrow, though she figured she'd better not comment.
"We…" Haru spoke quietly, then trailed off. When nobody else jumped in to speak, though, she continued. "We appreciate your hospitality. Where do you plan for us to stay tonight? I don't assume we're welcome here for free, but-"
"Au contraire, pretty girl, we have prepared guest bedrooms for you tonight. After your tour tomorrow, you will be welcome in them again- day after that, you'll have your choice on what you want to do."
Call me pretty girl again while you grab my hair, and- Ahem…
"Thanks," Haru muttered, throat suddenly dry for no reason at all.
"Of course," Aurum answered delicately, seeming all-too-relaxed. "I'll have a maid come along soon and take you to your quarters, yes? By the way," she added, "If you want a view of the city, there's a balcony over there." The queen stood up and waved to one of the tall bay windows currently covered by curtains. "I'll be taking my leave, but I will be seeing you again, rest assured."
Without another word, Aurum left, faster than any of the three summonses could process what all had happened, and the door swung shut behind her. For a moment, Haru just relaxed, contemplating going back to sleep.
But sleep is for the weak or something…
Alexander was already standing, headed for the window, and Haru slowly stood up, following as he swung the curtains back, unlatching a small lock on the gilded doors beyond, before swinging them open and stepping through. Haru followed, walking onto a marbled balcony, hands sinking into the railing- her eyes widened and lips forming a small 'o' as the city proper came into view.
It was… something. Far in the distance, a grand tree that might have been thousands of feet tall rose into the air, and Haru could see lights coming from it, as if a city had been carved out of the tree itself. Sweeping outward from it, there were buildings of varying height, shape, size, and color. This place made no sense at all!
At least from here, Haru couldn't make any sense of it. No obvious districts or borders, just… chaos. It was… invigorating.
"You know what you want to do?" Alexander asked quietly, looking down at her as they both took in the view. "Between civilian and military, I mean."
"No, I don't. Not yet," Haru admitted, leaning harder on the balcony and looking out over the city, lifting her breasts up onto the balcony railing so that she didn't have to support their weight. "I'm worried about Fox, though."
"As dumb as it sounds," Alexander whispered conspiratorially, "I think she imprinted on you. She was obsessive for five seconds and now she's holding herself back. I think she realized what a creep she was being. That could get messy, but I hope there won't be any conflict."
"Mmm… imprinting on a person… I don't think that's a thing where I come from…"
"It's a thing where I come from," Alexander chuckled dryly. "Maybe it's not here, though, and perhaps I'm wrong. One thing at a time, eh?"
"Alexander, Fox, Haru?" A feminine voice called out, and Haru blinked rapidly, turning to the unfamiliar speaker. There was a maid in the lounge, now, all frills and white apron, about as stereotypical as they come. "I'm here to take you to your rooms."