Easier Days

My trip from the shipyard had ben overrun with unfortunate encounters. It seemed like the Horror were growing in number again. I didn't like the sounds of that. Checking in at the front desk to what could've easily been my own extravagant home complete with room service and the smiles of beautiful women, I smirked at the mousy brunette behind the counter and made a point of wishing her a good day before accepting my card key and moving away. Outside the rain had already started up. It rained less since the barrier had been generated. Some took that as a sign of God's reprieve. Really it was a blessing in disguise. The streets in the lower city and Midtown normally flodded with even light rains. Because of the damage sustained by water rot and fungus few places were acceptible homes now. I slicked a hand back through my hair and touched the spiraled blade of my lance where it jutted over my shoulder; the ever-helpful companion who never complained. The days may have seemed easier now, but I knew what lay ahead and made a point to rest here as often as I could while I could.

I laughed and hooked a fond arm about the exposed waist of the Euphoric I had in my care. She was something else. Not once had I known her to slack behind though I admit I hadn't been aware that she'd come to the hotel ahead of me...again. Somehow despite my best efforts it seemed as though I would never be able to catch up to Felimay's plans.
"We're going to rest here for the night," I told her patiently. Had she sniffed me again just then? I pushed the streak of surprised curiosity away for a moment and looked down at her. Blinking I reached out to catch a tendril of her now pink hair in the trap of my fingers, smoothing my thumb over the silken strand with the lightest frown etching a thin line between my brows. "Did you...dye this again?"

I blinked at her. What was I supposed to say to that? Sighing I released her and began stripping my armor and weapons from my person. The weight that such equipment placed on my back and hips was impressive even after my conditioning. "It does help," I agreed mildly unsure if Euphoric hair was like human hair and would fall out after so many chemicals. This was the fourth color I'd seen on her head in the past month. Black, brown, blonde, now this? My chuckle was a verbal testament to my amusement at least. I rushed my fingers back through my own hair and plucked at the buckles that held my lance at my back. the leather was wearing fast with so much use. Stepping back I swung the massive weapon over my head and set it on its base before me to get a look at the head long enough to evaluate its condition and plot another visit to a smith. "You still haven't told me why you want to reach the Auralie so quickly" I reminded her while caressing a particularly deep etch in the metal.

Bewildered I stated and spun around to look at her. "Felic?" Dropping my lance in utter disregard I rushed to her and knelt before her--a knight showing concern for his master. Searching her expression I touched her cheek using the most gentle of my caresses and attempted to capture her attention. "Felic...Felimay. Look at me." I waited until the hazel sear of her gaze locked with my cerulean. "What's wrong? What are you talking about?"