Chapter 113: Happy Birthday!

Chapter 113: Happy Birthday!

Stryg got on all fours on top of the chair and hissed at the hair stylist. The human backed away in fear.

Calm down, honey! Hes just trying to make your hair look nice, Feli opened her arms wide and stepped in between them.

With those weird looking blades?! They didnt cut Rhians hair to make her hair look nice, Stryg glanced at the centaur.

True, but youre different. Feli trailed off.

Why, because Im a goblin? A hybrid? Stryg glared at her.

Feli crossed her arms and raised an eyebrow, I was going to say because youre a guy. Most men like their hair at shoulder length at most. But, I just realized Im not quite sure how long you like yours.

Stryg sat back on his haunches, Oh.

Can you just trust me for a bit? Well make it easy. How about we just do a bit of a trim, Feli grabbed his hand.

...I do trust you, Stryg nodded. I just dont trust this other human. He pulled a dagger from under his sleeve and tossed it to Rhian, If the hair stylist looks like he is going to maim me even a slightest bit, I want you to slit his throat.

Rhian fumbled with the dagger and tried catching it.

This is an official order from your chief, there can be no hesitance, Stryg said sternly.

I shall not fail you! Rhian stood at attention and saluted. Her eyes darkened as she stared at the hair stylist with killer intent.

The man swallowed in fear.

Sorry about this, Feli bit her lip and looked away.

I-its fine. I always assumed magi lived differently to us. I guess I wasnt wrong, the hair stylist tried forcing a smile.

Okay, lets get this over with, Stryg sat back on the chair.

The hair stylist walked back to Stryg, scissors in hand. Rhian stepped up right behind him, dagger pointed right at the stylists neck.

Just a trim then? The stylists voice cracked.

Yes, I think thatd be fine, Feli sighed.

~~~

Stryg took a deep breath of relief as he stepped out of the salon. The whole experience had been stressful. Having a complete stranger hold a sharp blade near his head and facing his back no less. There was literally no better way to backstab someone.

Back in the Blood Fang village the Mothers would cut the hair of the tribe members, with a thin sharp blade. First Mother always insisted on cutting his hair, which would have been nice, since she had the steadiest hand of all. However, it simply turned out she just didnt want the other Mothers to be infected with his misfortune and bad omen-hood.

During each haircut First Mother would question him about his daily life, as if hoping he would incriminate himself from some blunder he had done. Which, to be fair, he had, the first few times. That woman had been merciless in her beatings. Stryg learned very quickly to be very careful with his words around the Mothers, especially the First.The source of this content nov(el)bi((n))

Stryg sighed, not that it did him any good in the long run. He was still exiled and First Mother wanted his head.

Cheer up, Master. I think your hair looks nice, Rhian bumped his shoulder with one of her legs.

Hm? Oh, thanks, Stryg smiled weakly.

His grey hair had been trimmed to a little below his ear. It shined a soft silver in the sunlight. The back of the hair had been tied in a small ponytail with a bright blue ribbon.

Feli hugged from behind, Oh, hes just too cute!

How many times do I have to tell you, Im not cute, Stryg grumbled.

Itll never be enough, Feli nudged his ear.

Where to next? Rhian asked.

Shopping of course! We need to get Stryg something nice to wear and you need an entire new wardrobe, Feli said.

Me!? Rhian pointed at herself in shock.

Duh. Stryg may be a bit of a bumpkin when it comes to fashion and so many other things, but Im not. I refuse to let you keep walking around with only a simple grey jacket.

...Thank you, Rhian blinked.

Whats a bumpkin? Stryg asked suspiciously.

Its like a pumpkin, Feli skipped down the street.

Hey! Get back here! He chased after her.

~~~

They spent the rest of the afternoon visiting different shops in the trade district. Feli took Rhian to several stores that specialized in centaur clothes. They bought Rhian various sets of clothing, ranging from travel wear, to long fancy dresses that fell to her ankles. When Rhian spotted the maid accessory store she insisted on getting her own maid set. Feli wasnt very keen on the idea, but Stryg bought three sets without any hesitance.

Rhian put on one pair as soon as Stryg paid. The black dress and white apron with endless frills was completely impractical. He could see no way that the dress would serve well in battle. Still, the way the dress pushed up and cupped Rhians bust was a sight he could get used to.

His next decision was born out of pure curiosity, or so he said. He bought Feli her own set of maid attire. She didnt wish to put it on at the time, but she promised she would wear it when they were alone at home. It was enough for him.

As for Stryg, Feli picked out a long white jacket with silver finishings. She also bought him a silk blue shirt and a tight fitting pair of grey pants, tied with a wide black belt and a silver buckle. She finished the ensemble off with a pair of tall black boots. She insisted Stryg wear his new clothes right away, to which he reluctantly agreed after she kissed him repeatedly.

The sun was beginning to set by the time they finished shopping.

The most wonderful of centaurs told us about your birthday party, Nora smiled brightly.

Rhiannon invited us, Clypeus said.

Stryg glanced at Rhian dancing around the tavern with two mugs in hand. She laughed brightly as people watched in delight. Maybe Stryg wouldnt bite her tonight, after all. Her chest bounced up and down as she danced. Then again...

Can we get back to the part about killing an extremely dangerous predator with your bare hands? Callum asked.

I mean, its Stryg were talking about. I wouldnt be surprised if he just bit the thing to death, Kithina shook her head.

Yes, Id like to know what happened, too, Feli said in a cold tone.

Um you see How about a toast, yeah? Stryg raised his mug.

How about no? Feli frowned.

Three cheers for the Merry Crescents premier mage! Rorik strolled over and clinked mugs with Stryg.

The whole tavern shouted in unison, mugs held high. Feli grumbled under her breath.

Stryg grabbed her hand, So, you set this all up for me?

Maybe, she mumbled.

Why?

Feli looked into his eyes, Why wouldnt I?

Stryg didnt know how to respond. He had always felt inadequate, never enough for those around. Even with his magic, he was never enough, he felt like he was always failing Loh.

Stryg would never have thought someone would go out of their way like this for him. Never would he have believed he was enough. Yet, the way Feli stared at him made him feel, that perhaps, just maybe, he was.

When is your birthday, anyway? Stryg asked.

Oh, dont worry about that. It already past this year, Feli waved her hand, as if to dispel the entire conversation.

What? When? Tell me.

Feli played with her purple hair, Well, it was the day of the Festival of the Gods. You were still recovering from your injuries from the fall and you were dealing with a lot. I didnt want to complicate things. Since you were already going to the festival, I thought I might as well tag along, keep things on the simple side.

Thats why you two were alone that day, Kithina said in realization.

And thats why you wanted to go out so badly, Stryg muttered. You just wanted to spend some time with me on your birthday.

It doesnt really matter like that, Feli shrugged.

Stryg looked at Feli, truly looked at her. Not the curves and face that people fell for, but the woman sitting next to him. Of what she must have lost these past years living in this city that was cruel to the small and weak. Of all the things she must have compromised, she had chosen Stryg, a complete stranger as her fianc, after all.

Feli had given up her body and time to him in exchange for survival in a city that would have eventually swallowed her whole, not a trace of her existence left behind. She should have hated him or at best be apathetic towards his struggles. They were essentially just in an arranged marriage.

And yet, she went out of her way to spend time with him, cared for him when he was at his lowest. She had always been a loyal friend and caring partner no matter his antics or confusions. Before he had left, she even opened herself up and told him she loved him.

Stryg realized three things at the moment. The first was that he was incredibly lucky to have found Feli in this city of hundreds of thousands. Two broken people who somehow managed to find one another and find that their cracks somehow fit.

The second realization was that he didnt deserve Feli. Many others would have found Strygs behavior not simply unusual, but repulsive. Feli had embraced him and learned to accept each aspect she discovered. It was strange, but Feli did not turn away from him. Plum had, but Stryg had this strange certainty in his gut that Feli would stand by him to the end.

The last realization was the most profound yet simplest of all. He didnt quite understand it, but he knew it to be true. How had he not seen it before?

Stryg clasped Felis hands, I love you.

Callum whistled. Karen smiled. Clypeus grinned. Nora screamed in a high-pitch voice and clapped her hands. Kithina was still busy cleaning frosting off her face.

Felis face reddened, Youre not supposed to confess in front of everyone like this.

Marry me, Stryg said.

...You really mean it this time dont you?

I do.

Feli leaned in and kissed him.

The table erupted in shouts of congratulations.

As a priestess of the four ebon gods, I give you my blessing, Karen patted both their shoulders.

We cant get married in a tavern, though, Feli giggled.

Ill arrange a date that works for both of you. Although, technically Im still an acolyte so I cant actually officiate the wedding, Karen smiled wryly.

Rorik wiped a tear.

Are you crying, Rorik?! Carla asked.

Shuddap! The captain sniffed. Three cheers for Stryg and our beloved Feli!

The taverns voices rang out in cheers.