They Live In You – Lucky – 13/03/2022
Mar 15, 2022 11:02:47 GMT
Jaezred Vandree, Celina Zabinski, and 1 more like this
Post by Velania Kalugina on Mar 15, 2022 11:02:47 GMT
Written for Lucky before I created a separate profile for him
[Content Note: references to sex/smut]
THE MORNING AFTER
The sharp sigh of the dawn’s light flooding into my chambers woke me up. Outside, I heard the clatter of hooves on the streets of Port Ffirst.
I groaned and rolled over to see Calculus standing by the open window, pouring me a fresh coffee. The tall, willowy Half-Orc looked as impeccable as always, in his dark blue velvet suit, powdered hair combed back perfectly. Impossibly solemn, impossibly correct. He had already pressed and scented my clothes for the day and set them out across the back of my chair. As always, I had not heard him coming or going.
My head was pounding. I fluffed up the fur on my belly, easing life back into my aching limbs. I extended my claws fully with a deep yawn, then sat up.
“Good morning, sir,” said Calculus.
“Maybe. We’ll see…” I rasped. I pulled myself out of bed and staggered across the room to the water basin and towels he had prepared. Man, did I feel old this morning. I was aching all over and my fur was knotted. I patted my face down and adjusted my whiskers, then picked up a hairbrush.
“I can do that for you, sir.”
“No, it’s fine. I promised Tamarkh I’d take them through some drills this morning. Better not linger.” I started dragging the brush through my fur.
“Very good, sir.” Calculus set down a pair of freshly oiled boots for me, then crossed the room to my bed. Half of the sheets were strewn across the floor amidst flagons and empty bottles of wine. He leaned over carefully and extracted an overturned candle from a very ruined oversheet. Another sheet looked like it had been twisted into an improvised rope. I tried to piece together my memories of last night, but the details evaded me.
Calculus surveyed the damage without expression. “I’ll send for Rowena, sir.”
“Good man.”
The coffee infusion was already bringing me to life. I smelled catmint and citrus, and I sighed dreamily. I had long ago given up trying to find out what his secret recipe was. Calculus would never tell.
He held aloft a slim pair of jodhpurs, pinched between thumb and forefinger. “Your guest’s, I presume, sir?”
“Oh yes, the chap I brought back last night, I expect? The Tiefling? Is he still here?”
“The gentleman left an hour ago, sir. I saw to it that he received breakfast.”
I ran a claw through the last of my hair tangles, then stood up to get dressed. “I’m sorry, I don’t remember his name, or I would have you take those back…”
“I took the liberty of enquiring, sir. The gentleman’s name is Ezandrius, and he is an arcane scholar at the Daring Academy. I shall ensure that these are returned to him.” He spirited the jodhpurs into his waistcoat with one deft movement.
As always, Calculus was several steps ahead of absolutely anything.
THE DAY BEFORE THE NIGHT BEFORE
Ezandrius. The name triggered some images of last night’s magic-infused debauchery. A strikingly handsome beefcake of a fiend, with a jawline of granite, soft coppery skin and large arms worth slaying for. I grinned to myself and sighed heavily. The movement awakened a dull pain in my shoulder, and then the day’s events came flooding back.
“Got into a strange fight yesterday, Calculus. Got stabbed by a Quickling, of all things.”
“I trust you are all in one piece, sir.” Calculus helped me into a fresh silk shirt and started fastening buttons.
“It’s fine. There were a couple of druids in our group. One was able to patch us all up.”
“In your group, sir?”
“Yes, I found my way into an escort job. Some merchant hired a bunch of us to walk their cargo from Port Ffirst. The druids were an Elf called Ilthuryn – some kind of stargazer, I believe. Then there was Glade, an Earth Genasi with an affinity to the land. With the druids there was Marto, a blue-eyed, flaxen-haired Halfling warrior, and an adorable Lizardfolk inventor named Pipper. She had a metal arm.”
“I’ve made a note of their names, sir.”
“Impressive bunch, I can tell you. I liked the way they worked together. Even though we nearly slipped up.”
“Nothing serious, I hope, sir.” Calculus pulled my collar and cuffs straight.
“Not in the end. We got to Port Ffirst – only to discover we’d allowed the merchant’s cat to stray from the caravan. Hadn’t thought to tell anyone. Just wandered off. Typical cat, right? He had a beautiful long Draconic name, even though Pierre was the Common version.”
“That must have evoked mixed feelings for you, sir.”
“I quite liked it, come to think of it. Well, simpler to use Pierre for the benefit of all. We went back to search for him. Glade turned herself into a mastiff. I thought she’d scare the dear boy, but her nose was actually key in hunting little Pierre down. She tracked him to the edge of that forest south of here.”
“The Feythorn, I believe, sir.”
“That’s it. Strange ancient place. Tricksy. It wasn’t so much that we entered the forest, as it received us, so to speak. Fortuitously, we found Pierre soon enough. But then odd things started to happen. We came across a Human about my age in plate mail, and a Half-Elf disguised as a little girl whose sister was trapped in a well. They both claimed to need help and bade each of us choose between them. When we ran after them, we each found ourselves alone, lost in the mists. Eventually, I came across the Human again. Fierce, handsome fellow, he was. He offered me the choice of a mouse or a butterfly, but when I grabbed the mouse, it disappeared, and I found myself running through the mist again.”
“It sounds rather like some of your early missions in the Feywild, sir.” Calculus took the brush to my shoulders.
“You’re not wrong. There were whispers in my head, seeking all kinds of secrets. And the girl appeared, offering me a choice between a dove or a dragon.”
Calculus raised an eyebrow as he brushed. “I trust you were not discomfited, sir?”
I flicked my hand dismissively. “Bah. What’s the Fey without a little head-trickery? Our paths eventually converged and the Human claimed it wasn’t him who swept us into the mist, but then he hadn’t been all he seemed either. So I have no idea what to make of any of it. Portents and warnings, no doubt. Just like the Fey to speak in riddles, eh? Straightforward’s not exactly their thing, now, is it?”
“Indeed, sir.”
“Then, as they faded, the Quicklings darted at us. I was a bit slow off the mark, but with Glade’s blessing, and Marto, Pipper and Ilthuryn all opening up with a magical barrage of missiles, they made short work of them. Ilthuryn even turned into some sort of a star creature… It was a sight to behold!”
“They sound like a notable group of individuals, sir.” Calculus took a pair of clippers and made a couple of skilfully chosen snips to my mane, glancing with great scrutiny over the rest of it.
“A very dear bunch. I was quite taken with each of them, I can tell you. So we collected our take, and all returned to the Flourished Hook for cakes and ale and to swap stories.”
“I dare say you had them captivated, sir.”
I tutted. “I meant them, Calculus. Nobody wants to hear this old cat’s tales. It was just a pleasure to hear them all opening up a little. Sadly, it seemed Ilthuryn was particularly shaken up by whatever the forest served up to him. It all seemed to hit him personally. I felt quite heartbroken, seeing the lad’s bewilderment. Fortunately, Marto was looking out for him. They peeled off to chat.”
I sighed, breathing in the subtle perfume Calculus had chosen for me today. “We all take so long to heal, Calculus. Sometimes forever and a day.”
“So the poets say, sir.” He fastened the clasp of my necklace.
I gazed out into space. All that magic had gotten me stoked up, and the rest of the night had become something of a blur. After fond farewells to the rest of the party, I had found my way over to another group… and then another… and somewhere on the way, I had stumbled upon that incredible hunk of a Tiefling…
THE DAY AHEAD
I ran my paw over my healed wound. “Speaking of poetry, I thought yesterday might be the inspiration I need for a poem. A chanson romantique, or a ghostly tale, or a comedia. I haven’t decided yet.”
“I’m sure it will prove a most stimulating experience, sir.”
I turned to him hopefully. “You haven’t seen a mouse in here by any chance, Calculus?”
“Certainly not, sir. But I shall inform you immediately should one appear.”
“Good man. And my sword?”
“It appeared to have been used, sir. Which now I gather will have been Quickling blood. I took it down for Tamarkh to clean.”
I nodded, glad once more for his foresight. “I had better go find the kid and put them through their paces.”
“Very good, sir.”
“In the meantime, I made some money yesterday. My share of the takings from the escorting job.” I tossed the pouch of coins to him, and I couldn’t resist a grin of pride as I did so. “Looks like we can rest easy on the money front for a while.”
Calculus caught the pouch in one hand, judiciously bounced it once, then spirited it away within his clothing. His eyebrows drew closer together by just a fraction. “Sir…”
“What is it, Calculus?”
“This is 20 gold pieces. It will just about cover your various bar tabs from last night. I have already spoken to the barkeeps, who kindly agreed to hold them over when you… hm… left without warning. Naturally, I shall make further enquiries, but I fear your family’s line of credit will not extend to businesses in Kantas just yet. Of course, while your house has generously agreed to cover the salaries and other expenses for Rowena, Tamarkh, and myself… in order to fund your own costs of living, I fear we must adjust to substantially fewer outgoings. And it may be prudent to conserve funds until we–”
“Impossible. How am I to finish my poetry collection if I sit indoors every night? Working at my desk, on my own, shutting myself off from people, from music, from wine and song, from all the life experiences that Kantas has to offer? These are necessary expenses for me to keep my creative flow.”
“Indeed, sir. Then if I may be so bold as to suggest something else?”
“By all means.”
Calculus cleared his throat. For a man of such extraordinary composure, it was rare to see him hesitate. “I could seek additional employment myself. I have some free hours–”
“Preposterous, Calculus. I shall not hear of it. You already have plenty on your plate. No, I’ll be paying my own way here, come what may. I shall seek further work as soon as possible. After all, Kantas is a land of opportunity, is it not? Where one adventure ends, another surely begins.” My mind drifted wistfully back to where I had met the Tiefling stud Ezandrius last night, sitting at a lively table of brilliant, pretty, enthusiastic fellow scholars. Ah, such opportunity. This city is going to be good for me.
Calculus nodded solemnly. “Very good, sir.” I swear I could almost hear the relief in his voice. Then, as he set down the clothes brush, he cleared his throat. “Sir. Port Ffirst is a relatively new settlement. I fear there are some… lawless and nefarious elements afoot in these lands. You will be careful, won’t you?”
I frowned and flattened my ears. “Yes, yes, of course. I know you’ve promised my daughter you’ll keep an eye on me. You needn’t concern yourself.” I felt a surge of irritation at the thought of her worrying about me needlessly. Then guilt.
“It’s not just about my Lady, sir. It’s just that I’ve seen the risks you’ve taken before, decades ago, but these days–”
“I’ll be fine!” I protested, a little too loud. I turned my head and stared at him in surprise. The impertinence of the man!
“Of course, sir,” Calculus replied. As ever, the Half-Orc was unflappable.
In the face of his eternal calm, I was suddenly struck by how foolish it was to object. I exhaled with a rueful chuckle. “I promise I’ll be careful, Calculus. And you can inform the Lady I said so… if you so please.”
“As you say, sir,” he replied coolly and calmly. He stepped back elegantly and tilted the mirror for me. I turned to each side and gave myself a once-over. Yes, I was nearing 60, and more pale grey fur was creeping into my beautiful blue-grey coat. Not as fast or as fit as I once was. But by the gods, a handsome devil of a Tabaxi stared back. I was dressed immaculately, not a hair out of place, there was a sparkle in my eye, a swell of pride in my chest. I flashed a grin, and the majestic cat in the mirror grinned back.
Calculus, the clever fellow. He always knew how to cheer me up.
“Right. Training time. I’m going to find Tamarkh,” I told him. Calculus bowed. I turned and marched out of the room, down the stairs of the Flourished Hook, and outside to meet my squire. The sun was shining, the birds were singing, the city was coming to life, and Kantas was ready for the taking.
Today was going to be a wonderful day.
Continues in Stop! Thief!
[Content Note: references to sex/smut]
THE MORNING AFTER
The sharp sigh of the dawn’s light flooding into my chambers woke me up. Outside, I heard the clatter of hooves on the streets of Port Ffirst.
I groaned and rolled over to see Calculus standing by the open window, pouring me a fresh coffee. The tall, willowy Half-Orc looked as impeccable as always, in his dark blue velvet suit, powdered hair combed back perfectly. Impossibly solemn, impossibly correct. He had already pressed and scented my clothes for the day and set them out across the back of my chair. As always, I had not heard him coming or going.
My head was pounding. I fluffed up the fur on my belly, easing life back into my aching limbs. I extended my claws fully with a deep yawn, then sat up.
“Good morning, sir,” said Calculus.
“Maybe. We’ll see…” I rasped. I pulled myself out of bed and staggered across the room to the water basin and towels he had prepared. Man, did I feel old this morning. I was aching all over and my fur was knotted. I patted my face down and adjusted my whiskers, then picked up a hairbrush.
“I can do that for you, sir.”
“No, it’s fine. I promised Tamarkh I’d take them through some drills this morning. Better not linger.” I started dragging the brush through my fur.
“Very good, sir.” Calculus set down a pair of freshly oiled boots for me, then crossed the room to my bed. Half of the sheets were strewn across the floor amidst flagons and empty bottles of wine. He leaned over carefully and extracted an overturned candle from a very ruined oversheet. Another sheet looked like it had been twisted into an improvised rope. I tried to piece together my memories of last night, but the details evaded me.
Calculus surveyed the damage without expression. “I’ll send for Rowena, sir.”
“Good man.”
The coffee infusion was already bringing me to life. I smelled catmint and citrus, and I sighed dreamily. I had long ago given up trying to find out what his secret recipe was. Calculus would never tell.
He held aloft a slim pair of jodhpurs, pinched between thumb and forefinger. “Your guest’s, I presume, sir?”
“Oh yes, the chap I brought back last night, I expect? The Tiefling? Is he still here?”
“The gentleman left an hour ago, sir. I saw to it that he received breakfast.”
I ran a claw through the last of my hair tangles, then stood up to get dressed. “I’m sorry, I don’t remember his name, or I would have you take those back…”
“I took the liberty of enquiring, sir. The gentleman’s name is Ezandrius, and he is an arcane scholar at the Daring Academy. I shall ensure that these are returned to him.” He spirited the jodhpurs into his waistcoat with one deft movement.
As always, Calculus was several steps ahead of absolutely anything.
THE DAY BEFORE THE NIGHT BEFORE
Ezandrius. The name triggered some images of last night’s magic-infused debauchery. A strikingly handsome beefcake of a fiend, with a jawline of granite, soft coppery skin and large arms worth slaying for. I grinned to myself and sighed heavily. The movement awakened a dull pain in my shoulder, and then the day’s events came flooding back.
“Got into a strange fight yesterday, Calculus. Got stabbed by a Quickling, of all things.”
“I trust you are all in one piece, sir.” Calculus helped me into a fresh silk shirt and started fastening buttons.
“It’s fine. There were a couple of druids in our group. One was able to patch us all up.”
“In your group, sir?”
“Yes, I found my way into an escort job. Some merchant hired a bunch of us to walk their cargo from Port Ffirst. The druids were an Elf called Ilthuryn – some kind of stargazer, I believe. Then there was Glade, an Earth Genasi with an affinity to the land. With the druids there was Marto, a blue-eyed, flaxen-haired Halfling warrior, and an adorable Lizardfolk inventor named Pipper. She had a metal arm.”
“I’ve made a note of their names, sir.”
“Impressive bunch, I can tell you. I liked the way they worked together. Even though we nearly slipped up.”
“Nothing serious, I hope, sir.” Calculus pulled my collar and cuffs straight.
“Not in the end. We got to Port Ffirst – only to discover we’d allowed the merchant’s cat to stray from the caravan. Hadn’t thought to tell anyone. Just wandered off. Typical cat, right? He had a beautiful long Draconic name, even though Pierre was the Common version.”
“That must have evoked mixed feelings for you, sir.”
“I quite liked it, come to think of it. Well, simpler to use Pierre for the benefit of all. We went back to search for him. Glade turned herself into a mastiff. I thought she’d scare the dear boy, but her nose was actually key in hunting little Pierre down. She tracked him to the edge of that forest south of here.”
“The Feythorn, I believe, sir.”
“That’s it. Strange ancient place. Tricksy. It wasn’t so much that we entered the forest, as it received us, so to speak. Fortuitously, we found Pierre soon enough. But then odd things started to happen. We came across a Human about my age in plate mail, and a Half-Elf disguised as a little girl whose sister was trapped in a well. They both claimed to need help and bade each of us choose between them. When we ran after them, we each found ourselves alone, lost in the mists. Eventually, I came across the Human again. Fierce, handsome fellow, he was. He offered me the choice of a mouse or a butterfly, but when I grabbed the mouse, it disappeared, and I found myself running through the mist again.”
“It sounds rather like some of your early missions in the Feywild, sir.” Calculus took the brush to my shoulders.
“You’re not wrong. There were whispers in my head, seeking all kinds of secrets. And the girl appeared, offering me a choice between a dove or a dragon.”
Calculus raised an eyebrow as he brushed. “I trust you were not discomfited, sir?”
I flicked my hand dismissively. “Bah. What’s the Fey without a little head-trickery? Our paths eventually converged and the Human claimed it wasn’t him who swept us into the mist, but then he hadn’t been all he seemed either. So I have no idea what to make of any of it. Portents and warnings, no doubt. Just like the Fey to speak in riddles, eh? Straightforward’s not exactly their thing, now, is it?”
“Indeed, sir.”
“Then, as they faded, the Quicklings darted at us. I was a bit slow off the mark, but with Glade’s blessing, and Marto, Pipper and Ilthuryn all opening up with a magical barrage of missiles, they made short work of them. Ilthuryn even turned into some sort of a star creature… It was a sight to behold!”
“They sound like a notable group of individuals, sir.” Calculus took a pair of clippers and made a couple of skilfully chosen snips to my mane, glancing with great scrutiny over the rest of it.
“A very dear bunch. I was quite taken with each of them, I can tell you. So we collected our take, and all returned to the Flourished Hook for cakes and ale and to swap stories.”
“I dare say you had them captivated, sir.”
I tutted. “I meant them, Calculus. Nobody wants to hear this old cat’s tales. It was just a pleasure to hear them all opening up a little. Sadly, it seemed Ilthuryn was particularly shaken up by whatever the forest served up to him. It all seemed to hit him personally. I felt quite heartbroken, seeing the lad’s bewilderment. Fortunately, Marto was looking out for him. They peeled off to chat.”
I sighed, breathing in the subtle perfume Calculus had chosen for me today. “We all take so long to heal, Calculus. Sometimes forever and a day.”
“So the poets say, sir.” He fastened the clasp of my necklace.
I gazed out into space. All that magic had gotten me stoked up, and the rest of the night had become something of a blur. After fond farewells to the rest of the party, I had found my way over to another group… and then another… and somewhere on the way, I had stumbled upon that incredible hunk of a Tiefling…
THE DAY AHEAD
I ran my paw over my healed wound. “Speaking of poetry, I thought yesterday might be the inspiration I need for a poem. A chanson romantique, or a ghostly tale, or a comedia. I haven’t decided yet.”
“I’m sure it will prove a most stimulating experience, sir.”
I turned to him hopefully. “You haven’t seen a mouse in here by any chance, Calculus?”
“Certainly not, sir. But I shall inform you immediately should one appear.”
“Good man. And my sword?”
“It appeared to have been used, sir. Which now I gather will have been Quickling blood. I took it down for Tamarkh to clean.”
I nodded, glad once more for his foresight. “I had better go find the kid and put them through their paces.”
“Very good, sir.”
“In the meantime, I made some money yesterday. My share of the takings from the escorting job.” I tossed the pouch of coins to him, and I couldn’t resist a grin of pride as I did so. “Looks like we can rest easy on the money front for a while.”
Calculus caught the pouch in one hand, judiciously bounced it once, then spirited it away within his clothing. His eyebrows drew closer together by just a fraction. “Sir…”
“What is it, Calculus?”
“This is 20 gold pieces. It will just about cover your various bar tabs from last night. I have already spoken to the barkeeps, who kindly agreed to hold them over when you… hm… left without warning. Naturally, I shall make further enquiries, but I fear your family’s line of credit will not extend to businesses in Kantas just yet. Of course, while your house has generously agreed to cover the salaries and other expenses for Rowena, Tamarkh, and myself… in order to fund your own costs of living, I fear we must adjust to substantially fewer outgoings. And it may be prudent to conserve funds until we–”
“Impossible. How am I to finish my poetry collection if I sit indoors every night? Working at my desk, on my own, shutting myself off from people, from music, from wine and song, from all the life experiences that Kantas has to offer? These are necessary expenses for me to keep my creative flow.”
“Indeed, sir. Then if I may be so bold as to suggest something else?”
“By all means.”
Calculus cleared his throat. For a man of such extraordinary composure, it was rare to see him hesitate. “I could seek additional employment myself. I have some free hours–”
“Preposterous, Calculus. I shall not hear of it. You already have plenty on your plate. No, I’ll be paying my own way here, come what may. I shall seek further work as soon as possible. After all, Kantas is a land of opportunity, is it not? Where one adventure ends, another surely begins.” My mind drifted wistfully back to where I had met the Tiefling stud Ezandrius last night, sitting at a lively table of brilliant, pretty, enthusiastic fellow scholars. Ah, such opportunity. This city is going to be good for me.
Calculus nodded solemnly. “Very good, sir.” I swear I could almost hear the relief in his voice. Then, as he set down the clothes brush, he cleared his throat. “Sir. Port Ffirst is a relatively new settlement. I fear there are some… lawless and nefarious elements afoot in these lands. You will be careful, won’t you?”
I frowned and flattened my ears. “Yes, yes, of course. I know you’ve promised my daughter you’ll keep an eye on me. You needn’t concern yourself.” I felt a surge of irritation at the thought of her worrying about me needlessly. Then guilt.
“It’s not just about my Lady, sir. It’s just that I’ve seen the risks you’ve taken before, decades ago, but these days–”
“I’ll be fine!” I protested, a little too loud. I turned my head and stared at him in surprise. The impertinence of the man!
“Of course, sir,” Calculus replied. As ever, the Half-Orc was unflappable.
In the face of his eternal calm, I was suddenly struck by how foolish it was to object. I exhaled with a rueful chuckle. “I promise I’ll be careful, Calculus. And you can inform the Lady I said so… if you so please.”
“As you say, sir,” he replied coolly and calmly. He stepped back elegantly and tilted the mirror for me. I turned to each side and gave myself a once-over. Yes, I was nearing 60, and more pale grey fur was creeping into my beautiful blue-grey coat. Not as fast or as fit as I once was. But by the gods, a handsome devil of a Tabaxi stared back. I was dressed immaculately, not a hair out of place, there was a sparkle in my eye, a swell of pride in my chest. I flashed a grin, and the majestic cat in the mirror grinned back.
Calculus, the clever fellow. He always knew how to cheer me up.
“Right. Training time. I’m going to find Tamarkh,” I told him. Calculus bowed. I turned and marched out of the room, down the stairs of the Flourished Hook, and outside to meet my squire. The sun was shining, the birds were singing, the city was coming to life, and Kantas was ready for the taking.
Today was going to be a wonderful day.
Continues in Stop! Thief!
