Scourge Fifty-Three - Useless

Scourge Fifty-Three - Useless

Scourge Fifty-Three - Useless

It takes a few hours, but by the end I have about twenty mantises and half as many elemental wolves.

Its not exactly an army. In fact, Im a bit worried that Im just not going to have enough monsters by my side to impress the Templars and plough through the undead. At the speed the Templars are going, itll take another day to reach the edge of Algecante. Then theyll probably want to rest the night. I basically have a full day tomorrow to make as many monsters as I can. At my current rate of about five an hour... given half a day to work and taking into account that Ill have to move between dark pools as I deplete them....

Are you alright? Felix asks.

I smile. Yeah, Im fine, I say. Its just a lot to handle.

Felix smiles, then raises her arms a bit. I gladly walk into the hug, because hugs are nice.

I glance over Felixs shoulder and see Esme watching us. Her cheeks go rosy and she snaps her books shut and climbs to her feet. Why are we hugging Felix? she asks.

Well, shes hugging me, I think?

Felix shakes her head. No, this is a mutual hug. You can join in too, if you want Esme.

Esme sniffs and crosses her arms. And what makes you think I want to join in?

Because hugs are nice, and when Valeria or I hug you you smile a lot more after? Felix asks.

Esmes cheeks regain the rosiness they were losing. Okay, fine, she says before Felix grabs her by the wrist and yoinks her into our embrace. She squeaks, which only sets Felix and I to giggling. Its nice. Felix and Esme can always get me out of my funks when I start thinking too hard. Esme by making me think about other stuff, and Felix by making me think of nothing at all.

Um, Bianca says.

Felix turns her way, and... well, maybe its because my face is so close to hers, but I really notice the way Felix looks at Bianca. Its not just her eyes but something about her magic too. Maybe Felix has a bit of Vigilance in her. She inspects Bianca up and down then locks eyes with our noble lady friend. Did you want to join in too? Felix asks.

I think Im fine, thank you, Bianca says.

Felix nods, and thats that... somehow. I have the impression somethings gone over my head, but I cant tell what. And honestly, I dont know if I have the time to figure it out.

Thanks, I say as the hug naturally ends. I glance up at the sky, which is fading into the orange-y purple of early evening. We should move out soon.

Were going to have to fly, Esme says. Were not going to catch up to the Templars on foot, even if theyre moving a little slow.

Yeah, lets prepare the birds and head out. We can find a place to camp past where the Templars are while these guys run to catch up. I gesture to my new mantis monsters who are milling around. Well, no, actually, they tend to stand completely still when not ordered to do anything. Most monsters sniff around or do... stuff, but these seem to like standing there in the shadows and just looming. I bet theyd make great ambush predators.

Will they be able to catch up? Esme asks.

I giggle. That sounds right.

And Esmes reading, though I think shes mostly fighting off sleep. She looks tired.

Oh. Maybe we can skip her turn on watch, I say. I think Ill take the first one since Im feeling pretty awake right now. The monster-making is draining but... not that bad. Its not physically tiring.

Bianca nods. Thats alright. She deserves a bit of sleep.

I nod along, then refocus on continuing my monster-making process. Its another mantis. At this point Ive made so many that I barely need to think.

Can I ask a question? Bianca asks.

Sure, I say. Im tempted to tell her she just did, but thats droll. Im not some middle-aged dad. Whats on your mind?

Felix and Esme, theyre your... friends, right?

Yeah?

And are they perhaps... more than just friends to you?

Something goes terribly wrong with my monster and the dark pool gurgles and splutters. I snap my attention back to it and work quick to stabilise everything. I-I dont know what you mean, I say.

Oh, I see, Bianca says.

You do?

She nods. Its that way.

What way? What way is it? I want to ask, but I also dont want to mess up any more than I have with my monster. And... maybe I dont want to ask.

In either case, Im happy you have so many good friends, Valeria. And, while I perhaps dont feel the same way about you as Felix and Esme obviously do-- She pauses as the dark pool gurgles some more. Im still happy that weve become friends.

Yeah, yeah, I say.

I am curious though. Was that Initiate, Lily, part of your harem, because there seemed to be a lot of repressed emotions going on there.

What?!

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