(124): Endings and Beginnings. |
Nestra checked the cathedral’s nave one last time. The left side was currently occupied by a gathering of grim-faced law enforcement and law-enforcement related people, and their more upbeat spouses. Raiders and augs mixed with emotions ranging from curiosity to wariness. These were cops, close-knit and slow to trust newcomers, especially when said newcomers were literally aliens from another universe. Nevertheless, there was no hostility, and even a bit of interplay with the right side where Nestra’s family and some members of Century had come to offer Sereth their support.
To the side, the coven was busy ‘training’ Helena in void magic. Karamahel had taken the guise of a tall and dignified Asian of indeterminate descent. Blinky was still a softly round-faced anglo with big eyes and carefully braided thick hair who always looked like she was a little lost, or confused on where she should put her arms. Grook was tall and dark-skinned with a physique that matched her potential MMA career. Moon Dancer had kept her elfin features and thin build, seemingly drifting rather than walking. Sorai was the strangest of the bunch with big spiky hair and a narrow, not particularly attractive face that made her look like a professional gossip. What fascinated Nestra the most was that they all looked foreign and exotic, and would be so no matter where they went. At first, Nestra thought it would prevent them from blending in, but then she realized it actually served a purpose to protect the female Aszhii: any quirk would be attributed to them being from a different culture or, indeed, no culture at all. They were elegant drifters with colorful personalities, memorable in a good way. As she watched, Helena managed another complex construct and was rewarded with a kero nut. All good.
Besides them, there were a few cameras and inconspicuous drones, a concession made to the curious so they could see the first human-alien marriage in history.
Nestra was still surprised Seth had agreed to a religious wedding, but it made sense. He was big on tradition, so Stibs’ parents’ request had been easily honored. He had added his own personal touch to the ceremony: a magically woven arch of branches and boughs grown by Karamahel over and around the altar, apparently a meaningful part of Heavenly matrimony. The beautiful construct was in full bloom. A floral scent spread over the nave, overcoming the scent of human perfumes. Riel and Shinran were out of sight, for now. Ragnarok couldn’t come for safety reasons — couldn’t have all your A-class in the same basket. It was merely a formality. After all, Moon Dancer was here.
Nestra readjusted her dress then she quickly moved to a side room where Stibs waited in her white dress. Karamahel had done her short hair with carefully enchanted ornaments, giving the short woman a supernatural aura that would compliment the groom well. She was a ball of nervousness.
“Report!” Stibs ordered.
“Nothing’s on fire and no one has died yet. Situation normal and unfucked. Over.”
“Riel…. Sorry, I guess I should stop as well. Err. Cor, I still can’t believe everything is happening. Suddenly, I’m getting married.”
“Don’t worry, I know the groom and he’s ok.”
Nestra crossed her arms.
“Oh no. And rich too. And connected. The shame. Your lobster is too buttery! Your mana fruits too sweet!”
“Are you on my side?” Stubs spat.
“I am here to ground you, and I’m not just saying this because I’m an electric gleam,” Nestra wisely commented.
Stibs pressed her head on a nearby chair and groaned.
“You’ll ruin your makeup,” Nestra remarked.
“You’re right. Everything will be well. Oh! One of the little beans kicked me. The nerve.”
“He’s offering his support,” Nestra said. “We’re on time. Ready?”
“Can I delay to next week?”
“Yeah nah, unless you want the beans in attendance. Can’t risk it.”
“Darn.”
***
Against all odds, at least in Nestra’s mind, the ceremony went off without a hitch. Sereth obliged by following the script to the letter, and when it was time to put on the rings he also placed a woven flower crown on top of Stibs’ head as part of the heavenly tradition, to Karamahel’s obvious delight. A convoy of hovercars flew the guests to a fancy hall reserved for the occasion — not even the best one in Threshold because the couple still wanted to play by the rules, so the money came out of the bakery’s profits. Shinran expedited the administrative part of the process, and then it was done except for the partying. Nestra did her job as maid of honor by moving from group to group, making sure everyone was having fun.
Now that things had gone to script, the cop half finally relaxed with Nestra soon greeted by a few of the Blue River guilders.
“We had your file on top of the list,” a tall raider with a strong water affinity told her. “When Stibs recommended you shortly before your MaxSec unit got disbanded. She said you would have done great as support staff.”
“She’s a dear,” Nestra confirmed. “I awakened shortly after the District 15 debacle or I would have taken the offer. Thank you again.”
“Speaking of, do you have openings in your raiding schedule? We could use you in human form for some of our C-class portals.”
“Sure!”
They exchanged contact information. Nestra didn’t want her human form to fall too far behind, and she should also train Mlemra for diplomacy. Also, House Palladian could always use more allies.
Getting back to helping her family was still a little weird.
After convincing Stibs’ parents that yes, it was reality and they were not dreaming, Nestra went to the Aszhii side of the group. Grook had gone outside with one of the Blue River earth specialists for a bit of friendly wrestling and was happily pile-driving him into a bed of petunias. It was nice to watch her make friends. Her next visit was to a recently recovered Dawn Spear.
“My young friend, I am sorry I made you worry,” the good doctor said by way of greeting.
Karamahel went to stand at his side, linking hands in an unusual display of physicality.
“Thanks for saving me. Uh, how are you now?” Nestra asked.
“Fully recovered, of course. And we have plans.”
The two annoyingly tall people exchanged a glance.
Enjoying this book? Seek out the original to ensure the author gets credit.
“Karamahel and I are going on a tour. She has a theory…”
“A man of his talents should be ascending very soon!” the Aszhii complained. “His might is tied to your local star. I suspect that he needs perspective to grow into a better understanding. We are going to experience many stars so he can find what makes his star so special. And no, portal worlds do not count. The light there is different on a conceptual level.”
“I will trust her expertise, young Palladian. She also mentioned helping the underdogs in unfair conflicts. This, too, ties into my power nicely.”
“We will obtain such trophies.”
Karamahel smiled and the slant of it reminded her of Sashimi somehow. The spa days and diplomatic meetings made it easy for her to forget that her coven was made of slightly unhinged huntresses and that all in all, they’d been surprisingly sedate for a long time. Her steps led her to Moon Dancer before she could even realize it, making her wonder if the ancient fae wasn’t subtly influencing things. The cops were unusually relaxed…
The elfin woman stood by a window, nursing a glass of something fizzy. Nestra felt the brush of something intangible against her cheek as she approached.
“Nezhra,” the coven leader greeted.
“Sister.”
“We have done what we agreed to do. With the end of the harvest soon upon us, it is time for the coven to split up that we may taste the many worlds. I will personally report our positive results to the rest of the covens. Your humans should expect the first visitors a couple of Earth years in the future.”
“Oh, that reminds me!” Nestra said.
She materialized a big box from her personal space. It was a nice mahogany thing with plush lining, looking a little too much like a coffin if the dead person was the size of a large horse.
“Tigress’, hmm, niece? She asked me to get her one. If you see her…”
“The one you nicknamed ‘kitten’?” Moon Dancer asked, expression unreadable.
“... yes.”
“You promised ‘kitten’ a box?”
“I mean, she asked.”
The gift disappeared.
“You are getting away with a great many things you reasonably shouldn’t be expected to get away with, young Nezhra. I hope you realize that.”
“I’ll slow down. Promise.”
“And one more thing. Sorai decided to stay for a while.”
Nestra gave a look to the spindly Aszhii, her human form moving with a tale of, apparently, how she’d usurped her first rival queen. The group of humans surrounding her were enraptured.
“Grook is developing on a social level. This is what she needed, so Sorai will stay a while for her daughter’s happiness.”
Moon Dancer smiled with a kindness tinged with regrets.
“When you came to us, I tasked you with helping Grook find balance. You have done so. I am pleased that you joined us, Nezhra. You know what we old Aszhii fear most of all.”
“The hubris?”
“Boredom, which leads to most of our woes. You have opened the door to a great many worthy pursuits. For this, I am grateful, sister. Now go. Enjoy this event. It is, after all, also your doing, no?”
“I did bring Sereth back,” Nestra rightfully gloated.
***
The next person on Nestra’s list was Shinran. With the agreement of the married, he had brought the Star-people made Kiyomi on her first outing with the hope that the news of her appearance might be diluted by the more important event. It seemed to have worked so far. She finished her tour with members of her family.
“I hope you show the same level of commitment for my upcoming marriage,” her brother demanded.
“Sure, as long as it gets you out of my house.”
“Nestra, be nice,” her mother chided. “Be more like Helena. See how she makes friends.”
Helena was currently scarfing down a lemon tart like her life depended on it. The supply of kero nuts was really doing her good.
“Yes, very social,” Nestra commented.
“Speaking of social, isn’t it your turn for a speech?” Ulysses said with a winning smile.
“Dammit.”
***
Nestra stepped out of the fancy reception room for some fresh air. Her speech had gone reasonably well. She’d started with ‘Today, we cross the historical barrier of height difference’, and people liked it. But now she’d been in public for too long and she needed a moment. Even the other coven members were currently evading the crowd in various crannies with copious amounts of pilfered pastries.
“Some company?” Camille offered as they exited the fancy venue as well.
“Let’s take a walk to the park nearby.”
“Sure.”
Security was light tonight with the presence of so many strong raiders. The two friends moved at gleam speed, soon finding the park open though deserted. The last of the summer’s heat still clung to the wet soil.
“I’ll be joining your house full time next semester. I’m fully rehabilitated,” Camille said out of the blue.
“Ok good. Now we can raid together without a parole officer.”
“You don’t mind, right?”
Nestra gave Camille a glance. They looked a bit uncertain.
“You’re my friend and rival. I can’t have you lag behind all the time. We’ll get you to B-class in no time so you can at least entertain me.”
“Do not be so sure of yourself. And I appreciate it. I feel like we’ve come so far since… wait, do you hear that?”
Nestra could hear and feel mana. A D-class person was currently rushing towards them, aura flickering. This was highly unusual but she didn’t feel endangered. If the person was here then it meant Moon Dancer didn’t see them as a threat.
The person erupting from low growths was eerily familiar. Nestra frowned, then exclaimed.
“Jason Wong?” she said, finally recognizing the thief.
“Mr Wong?” Camille said at the same time.
Nestra felt a weird sense of embarrassment. Wong had been the petty thief who had tried to escape into a portal the first time Nestra had met Camille — the Fox Mask. Nestra had still been MaxSec and unawakened then. She’d still been a match for Wong although Fox Mask had beat her ass afterward. As for Camille, they recognized a past associate.
The thief looked bedraggled, thinner and obviously still on the run. He frowned in an expression of utter confusion.
“Do I know you?” he asked, blinking.
Nestra realized he’d never seen Nestra or Camille’s actual faces before.
“Nevermind that. Get out of my way!”
“Who are you running from?” Nestra asked, standing up.
“Stay away!”
He panic-cast an electric spell, barely a buzz that slid harmlessly over Nestra’s natural resistance.
“Wow. Rude.”
Wong made a run for it but Nestra heard a whistle and a projectile impacted his leg. He stumbled. A second person rushed out of the growth to tackle him.
Nestra watched a short earth gleam with wild curly hair hoist the thief to his feet.
“Sorry about this, citizens! Oh, hey boss!”
Nestra realized she was indeed familiar, though the aug following her with a weird rifle wasn’t. He was tall and muscular with the eye implant she associated with snipers.
“You’re with the Little People League. Ren’s squad?” Nestra finally asked.
“Yes! Working full time with the police now! Mr Wong here missed his probation check up, so we’re going to have a little chat. Hey, weren’t you attending the wedding?”
“I needed a breather,” Nestra explained.
“Fair enough! Sorry again for not catching him sooner! You know how it is!”
They left with the stoic sniper giving Nestra and Camille a manly nod. Nestra watched them go, feeling strangely nostalgic. Those were the new generation she’d contributed to training, augs and gleams working together. It made her think of the beginning and of everything she’d done, and the people who hadn’t made it.
Camille gently slapped the top of her head.
“You’re not old enough to ruminate.”
“Hey!”
Camille still gave her a moment. Nestra finally came to a conclusion.
“The future is in good hands.”
She nodded wisely.
“Nestra you’re 26.”
“And our good hands, of course.”
“So, how wise one. What happens now?”
Nestra didn’t get it.
“What do you mean? We raid, of course. Monday 8AM, I’ll open a portal. We’re going to rebuild my pantry.”
The end, for now.