Stepping into Rapti's home, I was pleased to find she wasn't alone but at the same time was a tad saddened upon finding out who was visiting her.

Or rather, who it wasn't.

"Hey Vim!" Kaley grinned at me as I peeked into the living room. She was sitting on the couch, wearing only a thin shirt and nothing else.

"Kaley. Do I even want to know how much trouble you've been getting into?" I asked.

She giggled and waved me off. "I've not even started yet! I just got here this morning!"

Rapti huffed at me as she walked past me who still stood in the hallway, but not as to enter the room. She instead headed deeper into her home, to the kitchen it seemed. "The one getting in trouble is you, Vim, from what I hear," she said as she did so.

"Me?" What'd I do now? Or rather, likely, what did I not do?

Kaley giggled again. "We were just gossiping about you! Where's your adorable wife? I'd rather hear the story from her than you, she'll at least blush," Kaley asked.

"She's heading north, to help Randle and the rest build a new church and orphanage," I said simply.

Rapti re-appeared, holding a large bowl which she was in the middle of stirring. "What's this?" she asked, now fully interested.

I nodded. "Randle had some issues with Light, and got himself banished from Telmik, rather from the Cathedral. He decided to open a new abbey or something in the north, in a region where there are none at a new mining town that's growing popular. Somehow or another my wife got involved," I said.

"Oh my…!" Rapti paused in her stirring as she frowned and went into thought.

"They could use the help, I'm sure, if you're up for a change of pace Rapti," I said, knowing full well that look on her face.

"Possibly…" Rapti mumbled quietly as she stepped back into the kitchen.

Stepping into the living room, I went to put down the few bags I carried near one of the shelves. Kaley hummed at me as she pulled her legs up under her, sitting cross-legged on the couch as she watched me. "Did you save the ship Vim?" Kaley asked.

"Yes. It'll be here…" I paused a moment to calculate their distance. I had passed it a few hours ago, while being ferried here by my friend. "Maybe tomorrow afternoon?" I said.

"You say that as if you just saw it… why aren't you with them then?" Kaley asked, frowning at me as I took off my cloak too. It was hot here today, if I wore it outside I'd draw stares. It might be time to abandon it.

"Because I had. I dealt with the monarch then left to the south to handle a few things, and then hurried back here. I saw them sailing off the coast on the horizon as I did," I explained.

Kaley hummed again as she tilted her head at me, and I wondered why she found such a thing so strange. Maybe it was the fact I had in essence left them to their own devices, maybe she was wondering why I wasn't continuously protecting them.

Well… I was wondering that too so I couldn't fault her for it. "Did I hear you saved them, Vim?" Rapti asked as she entered the room. She no longer held the large bowl, but was wiping her hands with a towel.

I nodded. "Yes. Almost six hundred members reached the shore a few days ago. Most headed for Telmik, but a group are headed here… how'd you two know about it already? I was sent post-haste only a week ago, from a fresh prophecy," I asked.

Rapti didn't answer right away; instead she lowered her head and offered a prayer. Once done she looked back at me, as if she'd not just done anything. "Karma arrived yesterday. He's here with a few others to prepare for the ship to arrive… you should probably go let them know. They're staying at the church's inn, the one next to it with the blue roof," Rapti said.

"I will. I've come to ask you, or well if either of you have seen or heard from Meriah?" I asked.

The two blinked and glanced at each other, then back at me. They both shook their head in unison. "Not since you were last here, Vim," Kaley said… and Rapti nodded again, confirming it was the same for her.

Great. I'd already checked the graveyard spot where we left letters for one another, and she hadn't left any new ones.

Neither had she for anyone else, or anywhere else. Not even Oplar had heard hide or tail of her in months…

Where had she gone? Meriah was a loner, but her going months without being heard from wasn't a good sign… especially what with what was happening lately. She had promised Renn to meet her too, and hadn't…

"Is she okay?" Rapti asked.

"I don't know. No one's heard or seen her since we separated, not long after we left your home Kaley," I said, explaining why I was worried.

"Not too unusual for her, though, right? This is Meriah we're talking about… I've probably only seen her a handful of times in decades," Rapti said.

"She had a reason to make contact with me and Renn. It's not like her to break a promise to do so."

"Ah… No Meriah would not do that," Kaley agreed with a nod. As she did she scratched at her side, making her already barely functioning shirt even more worthless thanks to how pulled it aside to do so.

It was too bad Renn wasn't here. She'd likely enjoy watching Kaley the way she was now.

She'd have hugged them, and then either joined Rapti in cooking or would have sat across from Kaley. Not beside her. So she could watch her in full, even though she loved being close with those like Kaley there was no doubt she would have wanted to indulge in her in that way. Renn was weird like that and…

Thinking of Renn made me want to think of other things, so I stopped doing so.

"Well, if you do hear or see her please let her know Renn is worried about her… and thus so too am I," I said.

Kaley snickered at that, but Rapti didn't. "Of course. But there's another issue, Vim, one I fear I must bring up before I get side-tracked by the noisy world," Rapti then said.

Hm…?

"Do you remember the little incident you caused last time you were here? It's what we were just gossiping about you over!" Kaley said happily.

Shifting a little, I worriedly looked at Rapti. "The destruction I caused?" I asked.

She nodded. "The family whose house you destroyed is doing fine. We've made sure of it. But the owner of the ship you sunk is another story, and… I think you should meet her," Kaley said.

"Of the two I had expected the ship to be the least of my worries. Why?" I asked. I had given Rapti well more than that ship had been worth as compensation, hadn't I?

"Well… I know you don't want to hear it, Vim, but this is fate once more proving you wrong," Rapti said as she folded up the small towel she'd been using to clean her hands with. She delicately held it with both hands after doing so, as if to busy her hands and mind. But I knew that wasn't it. Like most birds Rapti was just fussy about cleanliness and such things.

"Not sure I like the sound of that… what happened?" I asked.

"She wants to meet you. And I fear she's doing so because of something I can't confirm, something I only suspect… so I'm afraid to speak of it."

"Your gods won't punish you for speculating, Rapti dear. It's not lying to speak of something you assume but have no proof of!" Kaley said.

"Yes it is. To speak falsehoods is…" Rapti immediately spoke, as if to admonish Kaley, but stopped herself and sighed. She then looked at me and nodded ever so gently. "I believe she either knows a saint, or has spoken to one. She had known her ship would sink, that I would offer her payment, and that it was you who sunk it. It's… the only explanation," Rapti said quickly, with a small voice as if in fear her gods really were listening. If I told her that I'd just killed her god, literally, I wonder what she'd say. Havoc had been the one to make those peacock monarchs if I remember correctly.

"Who is she?" I asked.

"Her name is Flora. She's the owner of the company, or rather the commerce guild as they call themselves. She rules five different families worth of enterprises, the ship you sunk had been hers but technically it had also been all of theirs," Rapti said.

"Then I'll meet her. If anything to keep her from causing you undue stress… Thought you said it was a daughter or something, back when it happened?" Hadn't it been?

"You remember…? Well I did. The one I had initiated contact with is one who is heavily involved in the church. Flora's her aunt. She's not as religious as the rest of the family, but… I've come to learn she should be, or at least has a good reason for trying not to be," Rapti said, again speaking slightly in a riddle as to avoid lying or speculating.

I glanced at Kaley, who noticed and gave me a gentle smile. "Was abused. Guess she was kidnapped and enslaved for a while, and now in Rapti's perspective the woman has a heart full of hate," Kaley explained.

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"I'm not saying it isn't justified…! I'm just saying she'd sleep easier if she just at least considered the idea of opening a single book, if even once," Rapti said with a huff.

Huh. Kaley said she showed up this morning, which had likely only been a few hours ago, but it seemed they already had long conversations about this. Though that might just be because it seemed to be bothering Rapti… "Is she a problem, Rapti? Want me to deal with her my way?" I asked.

"What…? No. She's fine, other than her showing up every few days asking if I've heard from you yet."

"And you think she's operating under a saint's wisdom of some kind," I said.

Rapti nodded and unfolded the towel, only to go about folding it back up again. "Yes. She has to be. She even knew your name without being told it."

"I'd say that's proof, but couldn't she have just overheard it? He and Renn are rather noisy when together," Kaley pointed out.

Were we?

"It's… possible. But from the little she's told me, something is definitely amiss. I'd feel a lot better if you just met her and confirmed whatever it is for me, Vim," Rapti asked.

"Done. Want me to go see her now? Where's she live?" I asked.

Rapti shifted a little, her eyebrows nearly meeting as she furrowed her brow. "Today's the day of rest, Vim."

By my parents, either be worried about it or don't be! "All the better, she'll not be busy," I said gently.

Kaley snickered as Rapti glanced away and slowly nodded. "Right…" she whispered as she stepped out of the room. "I'll escort you there, one moment let me finish and get ready."

I was going to stop her, since I wasn't sure if I wanted her to do such a thing… just in case I had to do something drastic, but knew better than to argue with her. Rapti had a lot of rules, kind of like me, and I knew better than to try and make her step beyond them.

"Staying long Vim?" Kaley asked as Rapti left.

"No. I'll handle this, visit Karma and then head west," I said. At least I hoped to. I wanted to make a stop at my cave first before heading back to Renn, if I could, too.

"Always so busy."

"How about you? Is all well?" I asked.

"Yeah? Just decided to visit her…" Kaley then went quite as she glanced at the door, and then looked back at me. "Don't tell anyone, but it's your wife's fault," Kaley then whispered.

"Hm…?"

"I've been bored!" Kaley said, loudly. The kind of loud that Rapti had surely heard, even from her room.

I smirked at her. "I'll make sure to let her know, and I'll even punish her for you too."

She smirked back and waved me off. "Please, Vim! I plan to stick around for a bit here, if Rapti will let me," she said.

Rapti, denying the sister of one of her dearest friends respite? Never going to happen. "Staying here the whole time…?" I asked gently.

Kaley shifted a little, grabbing her ankles as she glanced up into my eyes… and then nodded. Without saying a word, I understood.

Or at least, had an idea.

So she was taking a sabbatical from men was she…? Rapti, for as religious she was, was actually a very understanding person. But even she would not be amused if Kaley brought men back every night to enjoy, especially different men each time. "Well if after your visit here and you find yourself still bored, head northwest to Renn. Her little world will be very busy and eventful for a while I think," I suggested.

Kaley blinked at me, and then nodded again. "I… might just do that, Vim."

"Hm," I nodded back and glanced at the nearby chair. The only one unoccupied. The other couch had room, but I could tell that was where Rapti had been sitting based off the way the cushions were deformed and the position of a small pillow. And the other chairs had stuff on them, one had a bag and another had clothes neatly folded upon it. I saw no laundry basket or anything so it was likely that Rapti had brought out several sets, for the woman who was nearly naked. Though if Kaley would put any of them on was something I'd not bet on personally.

Wonder if she had at least arrived properly dressed. It was amusing though, since there were tea cups on the small table between the couches. I wonder what Rapti had offered her visitor first, the clothes or the tea?

Sitting down, I sighed softly as I glanced at the nearby shelf. The one my bags were resting up against. The chessboard was there, patiently waiting for its next play session.

The fact I noticed it enough to even acknowledge it made me upset.

Why wasn't Renn here…?

"How's Renn doing?" Kaley asked as she leaned forward to grab a little tea-cup on the table before her couch.

"She's doing well. She's really excited over this home she's going to build," I said.

"Hm… is she going to live there too?"

"She plans to for a while, at least. Maybe a decade or two?"

I was still trying not to acknowledge that it was likely her instinctual attempt at keeping me involved in the Society, even after I planned to step down. Hard not to be involved if I was living amongst a bunch of the members, after all.

"How's that make you feel?" Kaley teased, obviously reading between the lines.

I shrugged. "She's happy, that's all that matters."

Kaley sighed at me. "You're as boring a husband as you are a protector."

"Thanks."

She shook her head at me as she took a drink from her cup. Unlike Rapti who would drink modestly and unlike Renn who would happily gulp it down if it was tasty, she simply took a single gulp and put it back down. I knew better than to think it was alcohol, considering where we were, but I knew Kaley would have downed it just as easily even if it had been the strongest of spirits. She wasn't a fish in name and blood alone.

Thinking of alcohol reminded me of the night Renn had gotten drunk, and had found me on the roof of the Animalia Guild in Lumen.

I enjoyed thinking of her smirk, and her slightly slurring speech as she laid on my lap… at least until Kaley took off her shirt.

Watching the fish strip what little cloth she wore, I once again wished Renn was here. She would have enjoyed this.

She stood from the couch and walked over to the chair with clothes on it. She sighed as she picked one of the pants up, shaking her head at it. "And I thought my clothes were worn," she said softly.

"Surprised you're getting dressed as it is," I said.

"I'll go with you. While you're dealing with the human I'll have Rapti take me to lunch or something," Kaley said with a smirk.

I nodded at that, and again longed for Renn's presence. Not so that she and I could go have a lunch date, but so that she could enjoy one with them instead. She'd be upset to miss out on such a thing. Rapti and Kaley were an odd pair, an interesting dynamic to say the least.

Though right now she was likely having plenty of fun, so maybe that was a useless worry…

"Hm… I'll need to wrap them, won't I?" Kaley asked as she turned to me. She had put the shirt on, and had a pair of problems thanks to Rapti's lack of them. Though it was more so because of the thin and simple style of the shirt. It was made for a nun, one who was scrawny and humble… not what Kaley was.

"Especially here, with everyone like Rapti," I said. Nearly all of the residents here in Nevi were like those in Telmik, they'd not burn her at a stake for walking around like that but they'd definitely whisper and glare at her… and thus would Rapti get in trouble by associating with her, as rumors spread.

Kaley sighed. "Humans are so weird about it," she said as she went to put on the rest of the basic attire.

I smirked as her comment made me remember something. About the god I'd just killed. Rather Havoc's enemy way back before the wars… or at least one of them.

"There had been a god who had modified their body extravagantly. Think multiple breasts, big ones. You can say humans are weird, but so too is everyone else in their own way," I said.

For a long moment the room was quiet, and I frowned as I realized I didn't even hear the ruffling of clothes anymore. I glanced again at Kaley, half expecting her to be naked again… and instead found her staring at me in an odd position. She was in the middle of putting her pants on, with one leg kind of awkwardly angled with it half way through the pant leg. She had gone still… for some reason.

"You okay?" I asked.

Kaley startled, and then quickly nodded as she hurriedly put the clothes on. "Yeah…"

I kept a sigh from escaping as I again thought of Renn.

She too would have paused over my comment. Startled in much the same way, likely.

But the difference would have come immediately after. Instead of going meek and pretending to not have noticed, Renn would have smirked and said something. Either to continue the conversation, or change it completely out of kindness. In this instance she likely would have asked for details on what I meant by multiple breasts.

"Do you think Renn is pretty, Kaley?" I asked, changing topics a little and to clear the stiff air.

Kaley made an odd noise as she half giggled and half huffed at me. "She is, yes. I don't care for women as you know, but Renn is definitely pretty. Too pretty for you to be honest," she said as she went to tying her pants. They had a little cloth rope on them, to act as something of a belt. Common for a nun's attire.

"Hm…"

"Why? You must think so if you love her, right? Or are you one of those weird ones that fell in love with someone you're not attracted to?" Kaley asked.

"I do think she's adorable… pretty, yes," I corrected myself. I knew many thought those two things weren't the same, even though to me they were. "And I've been told by many others she is too, but everyone who has said so would either do so anyway no matter what she looked like or are people I don't respect. So I just wanted to hear your opinion," I said.

"Why mine…?"

"I respect you?" I said simply.

She blinked at me, going slightly still again… and then she laughed. "What…? Really?"

"Yeah…? Why wouldn't I?"

"I mean… look at me…! I'm a mess!" she said as she extended her arms, as if to show off her new attire. It was a typical worn down look found in most poor human settlements, but of course on her it looked fabulous.

"You remind me of an old friend… by the way did you know Tosh is back to normal?" I said, changing topics again.

She sighed at me as she put her hands on her hips. The way she did so would have been seductive, or at least appeared so, to any other man. "I don't like him, Vim, he toyed with my sister."

"I distinctly remember him the one being toyed with, I think," I said.

"Well… yeah? But that's our thing. He toyed with her as she toyed with him! That's not fair!" Kaley said.

"Thus my respect," I said with a small nod of acknowledgement. Not many could have such pride, let alone be so firmly serious in it.

"Can we please not talk about such things in my house…?" Rapti returned, sighing at us as she did. She was dressed to leave the house, with her hair hidden under her little cloth. It wasn't a full habit, just the under piece of one. She also carried in her hands what was undoubtedly going to be used to wrap Kaley's chest, as to make her modestly able to venture out into the city and not draw eyes.

"What, sexual beauty, breasts, or my sister's promiscuity?" Kaley asked seriously.

"Yes." Rapti simply said.

I chuckled at the two as I started to stand from my seat. "Let's help Kaley become proper enough to leave, and get this over with," I said.

"Ah, wait!" Kaley stopped me as she interrupted. I paused, but didn't sit back down. Kaley grinned wildly at me as she fought back a laugh. "So? Did Renn use any of the tricks I taught her yet? Did they work on you? And did you…" Kaley asked, and had seemed to want to say more but a giggling fit attacked her before she could. She made funny noises as she tried to talk through her laughs, but didn't succeed in doing so.

"Kaley…!" Rapti admonished her for me, but I just sighed and stepped away.

Like Renn needed any so-called tricks.

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