"This really isn't necessary," Rory grumbled from where he sat.

"Oh, what's a bit of fun?" Apostolos elbowed him from his side, positioned to his right.

"It's excessive."

"It's calming," A third voice interjected, Violet, sitting to his left. Her team had arrived in the afternoon to 'not miss the festivities.'

What festivities, you may be asking yourself? Rory had been wondering that same question when he'd been told of them.

"I don't see how." Rory continued to grumble.

"Just the City Founder, Protector, and the Guardian Beast setting off to battle with their destined foe." Violet countered. "Everyone wants to celebrate your upcoming success because the alternative is far worse."

"Destined foe?" Rory raised his eyebrow as Apostolos politely coughed into his fist.

"Err, well, as you know, everyone gets the Event notification for being a part of your 'faction' as citizens of Ehkorrus."

"Wait, really?" Rory raised his eyebrows in surprise.

"Yes, I thought you knew about this?" Apostolos asked.

"I knew that you had the event. I didn't know everyone here did."

"Well, they do," Violet said. "Anyway, we're not that big yet that news wouldn't have traveled around."

"I guess," Rory sighed. "Still, isn't all… this a bit much?"

They were currently within the dining lodge of Ehkorrus, where the entire city had turned out. Sure, it wasn't much more than forty people, but it was forty people's worth of talk, laughter, and even music. A few years prior, a new addition to Ehkorrus had turned out to have a passion for music, which had resulted in them becoming Ehkorrus's premier musician, currently strumming away at what looked almost like an electric sitar with sounds that sounded like a surprising fusion of electronic and acoustic.

Music playing, food a plenty -for which they had Greg to thank- and even alcoholic spirits -once more with Greg to thank- it was every bit the small village festival.

The issue was that Rory was supposed to be one of the stars of the show. Apostolos seemed to have no problem enjoying the atmosphere, talking and laughing with anybody who approached him, even getting up to dance after a while. Rory, meanwhile, found himself primarily isolated at the head of their grand feast table, watching from afar.

Why exactly do I need to be here?

Still questioning it, Rory only stopped to rub a large, scaly head as it rose from the floor.

"Oh, come on, not you, too," Rory grumbled as Eia flicked her tongue at him, larger than his entire head. Over the last five years, she had nearly tripled in length, roughly thirty-two or thirty-three feet long. Unlike the massive python her length would suggest she was, she was far less thick across, still maintaining the appearance of a viper rather than a heavy constrictor. That wasn't to say she couldn't crush the life out of anything she wrapped herself around, especially with her crystal scale skill. Yet, she could remain inconspicuous in a way that a heavy-set anaconda wouldn't.

More important than her size was the fact that she was high-tier-six. She'd overtaken Apostolos -who was still only a little past mid-tier-six- and was looking to break into A7 within a few months.

In a straight-up fight, Rory felt it was more than possible that Eia was possibly the strongest of the three 'pillars' of Ehkorrus, Apostolos, Eia, and himself. Was she as strong as her sire? Hell no, the last time Rory had seen the Khan of Blue Lightning, he'd already reached A7 as a Territory Alpa, no less. Still, as a high-tier-six monster comparable to at least an Alpha Variant, Rory wouldn't complain about her strength.

She was also a glutton, her narrowed eyes and flicking tongue eliciting a sigh from Rory as he tossed a drumstick upward, her jaws instantly snapping around the morsel.

"That's the real reason you stick around here, right? Just to mooch off the free food." Rory chuckled as Eia rolled her serpentine eyes at him.

As the drinks continued to flow, Rory watched as the festivity vibe gradually changed. Responsible for the vibe shift was none other than the only musician of Ehkorrus, a man who had introduced himself as Conejito three years ago. Less of a village festival, it was beginning to feel and look more and more like a party from his high school or college years.

The fact that the average age and appearance was that of late teens to early twenties didn't help.

"Wonder if maybe I should shut this down," Rory grumbled to himself. Violet and Apostolos had joined in with the throng of partygoers.

"Oh, loosen up. You're too young to be acting like an old man."

Rory glanced over his shoulder as Viviann neared him. Interestingly, over the years and the levels gained, she didn't look younger -you couldn't just take those years away so easily- so much as she seemed far more ageless like an undefined statue meant to evoke images of youth and wizened age simultaneously.

"You sure? Aren't I basically promoting debauchery, letting this go on?"

"Oh, first off, only a few of the settlers here are under eighteen at this point, only the last two batches. Second, I don't recall you installing a drinking age?"

Rory winced, something he had forgotten.

"Here," Viviann suddenly offered him her hand.

"Excuse me?"

"Let's dance. While I can't remember much of anything from Earth, I haven't felt so youthful for a long time."

Viviann and Kal, as genuine adults, had been clued in on the old universe, more capable of retaining fragments of feelings and thoughts due to the sheer reality of their age.

"Scandalous, Ms. Viviann," Rory said with a slowly forming grin. "Asking a young buck such as myself to dance."

"Please, you're the closest one here to my age. Even Kal is enjoying himself,"

Pointing toward where Conejito was, Rory noticed that Kal, of all people, had joined the younger man as the 'band,' the older man playing what looked like a glowing Caribbean drum.

Unauthorized duplication: this tale has been taken without consent. Report sightings.

It's like Miami Spring Break all over again.

"So, a dance?" Vivanna questioned once more, her hand still offered.

"Well, if you must twist my arm," Rory finally surrendered, unable to hide his smile. As the head of the city, the hermit craftsman, and one of the strongest around, he'd often lived in his own world, isolated from most others.

Was Rory a natural extrovert? No, but neither was he the type to shy away from parties in his college years. He had plenty of memories from those college years and spring breaks, even if he had no intention of telling any of the younger citizens of Ehkorrus such memories.

Grabbing her hand, Rory let her guide him to where the dancing was most intense. Taking a few moments to let the music seep in, Rory began to let his body feel the rhythm as he would feel the ebb and flow of a battle. With his sudden appearance amongst the inebriated crowd, a raucous cheer erupted, surprising Rory.

"See, they're happy to have you around," Viviann said with a smirk, her hips beginning to sway as Rory raised his eyebrows again.

"What, an old lady not allowed to know how to dance?" She said with a laugh.

"Not what I meant," Rory answered back, grabbing her by the waist and pulling her closer as they began to dance in step.

One. Two. One. Two. One. Two.

Rory repeated the steps, recalling a samba class he had taken in college to impress a girl once. It wasn't strictly samba; no one here recalled what exactly samba even was, but the feel and rhythm were strikingly similar.

I wonder if Conjito was originally from the coasts. Eh, it's probably not the time to question it.

Focusing on Viviann, the two pushed and pulled, shoulders and hips swaying with the rhythm. Either Conjito used a skill, or the alcohol was starting to hit even him. Rory began to feel like he were in the middle of a club, the heat and passion of people simply enjoying the atmosphere bleeding through and infecting his thoughts.

Laughing, Rory relaxed, letting go of his inhibitions as the music gripped him in banging fervor. Sweeping Viviann around, the woman let out a throaty laugh before being pulled back toward him with a twirling spin.

One. Two. One. Two.

The beat was inside his heart, and glancing around, Rory was surprised to see even Apostolos further away, dancing the night away with-

Is that Violet?

For a split second, Rory was snapped out of it, anxious that Apostolos was getting carried away and-

"Hey," Viviann was suddenly in his face, holding it between her hands. She clearly noticed his expression and general direction. "She's not a kid anymore."

Right. That's right.

Violet had been sixteen or seventeen five years ago. She was, by all accounts, an adult. Apostolos wasn't even that much older than her, and-

"Relax," Viviann spoke directly into his ear, gently squeezing his arm. "You don't have to be everyone's dad constantly."

Forcing the rush of disquietude down, Rory turned to look once more into Viviann's eyes, giving a slow nod.

Right. Just relax.

Taking her hand once more, Rory continued dancing with Viviann so that his mind wouldn't wander off to thoughts that he was somehow failing in his responsibilities as the adult in the room.

You're leaving soon anyway. Should you really be spending time on such thoughts?

It was a fair consideration and one that helped put him once more at ease.

Focusing solely on Viviann, Rory took in the woman instead. Her lightly greying hair had darkened to pitch black over the years, and creases and grooves in her forehead that had been there when she'd first appeared were now long gone. She wasn't as high tier as he, only a tier four, but it had done quite a lot of good for her appearance. If he had to make a guess, he would have put her age closer to her late thirties or early forties rather than her actual sixty years of age.

As if noticing his attention, she smirked again, leaning in close.

"Keep up,"

Eyes widening, Rory found himself suddenly doing his best to keep pace with her movements as she picked up the tempo. Her sudden, more complicated movements would have left him a disheveled, two-left-foot mess if not for his advantage in tier.

Seeing Rory doing his best to keep pace, her head tilted back in laughter, baring her neck as Rory found himself staring.

Huh. Haven't felt this in quite some time.

Attraction. With only teenagers around for so long, he may as well have been surrounded by toddlers. There was no 'attraction' to be found there. Even his interactions with Viviann prior had been nothing more than trying to stuff her mind with his knowledge of Inscription.

Is… is this the first time I've actually interacted with her as a person?

It was a novel, if disheartening, reminder of how aloof he generally kept himself. Apostolos knew him differently, and even Violet had occasionally seen him outside the responsible adult role, given she was the fourth strongest in the city. Still, everyone else solely knew the Architect and barely knew Rory.

I'll have to do better in the future…. Well, further in the future. I'm not suddenly changing my plans.

Reminded that he wouldn't be around for much longer, Rory threw himself back into the dance with even more intensity, causing Viviann to raise her eyebrows at him as he dictated the pace for once.

Back and forth, like two foes dueling, they pushed the pace of their movements, daring the other to continue to match the other.

It was only when a sudden cheer erupted nearly an hour later that Rory was ripped out of his sweaty stupor, glancing over to the source of the cheer.

There, rising above the crowd, a serpent's head had risen overhead, her head swaying in beat with the music.

Seeing the sight of Eia joining in, Rory bent over, a deep belly laugh bursting free at the preposterous sight of a giant goddamn snake dancing.

Even intoxicated, Rory knew it would be a memory he would treasure for countless years, for however long he lived.

Rising out of his bent-over laughter, Rory found himself in deep eye contact with Viviann, her lips turning upward in amusement.

"Dancing snake?" She asked, jerking her head toward Eia.

"Dancing snake," Rory confirmed with a curt nod, lips still splayed upward in amusement.

Yeah, maybe this was necessary.

"Ow, my head." Rory groaned as his eyes began to open. Sunlight streamed into his bed from the 'window' through his treehouse.

What in the world happened last night?

He'd been watching the people of Ehkorrus indulge in their celebration, drinking his own drinks in solitude, when Viviann had-

Oh, that's right, she invited me to dance!

Proud of himself for remembering, Rory glanced to his left as his thoughts suddenly froze.

Oh. Hmm… When did that happen?

There, lying in bed next to him, was Viviann.

And it didn't take a genius to put together the rest.

Still looking at the woman, she began to stir as if feeling his gaze.

"Morning," She mumbled as she slowly stretched her arms overhead.

"Right. Morning." Rory half-heartedly said back, still reeling.

"You look like a rune exploded in your face." She chuckled, clearly enjoying his reaction.

"I, uh, didn't mean to-"

"Relax, I'm hardly a blushing girl," Viviann laughed. "Unless that was your first-"

"No, not the problem." Rory quickly answered back, sighing. "I just realize I don't want this to come across that I was leading you on or-"

"Relax," Viviann repeated. "Remember, two adults who simply enjoyed their time together. I'm not a fifteen-year-old girl who suddenly will start getting all dreamy-eyed and thinking this means something far more than it does."

Rory relaxed, tension leaving his shoulders.

"Glad we're on the same page." Rory finally said before his eyes narrowed. "Wait, did you see if Violet and Apostolos-"

"They did not leave together if that's your fear. Jeez, you really do act like a worried father." Viviann laughed, shaking her head.

"I can't help it," Rory said with a shrug. Violet had come a long way since she'd first appeared on Aelia. However, he could still recall the scars and burdens she carried with her from experiences and memories, now thankfully lost. Even their echoes had faded, but that didn't mean Rory sometimes didn't pay closer attention to her wellbeing than he might others. Considering Apostolos was like a younger brother at this point, the idea that he might take advantage of Violet was beyond the pale to Rory.

But she's not a child anymore.

"Ugh." Rory groaned, laying back down and rolling over. "This is why I never wanted kids of my own,"

"Instead, you ended up the dad of thirty of them." Viviann poked his back, laughing.

"And also why I'm running away," Rory sighed.

His intention to leave wasn't exactly a hidden secret, but neither was it something discussed often. Feeling another poke in his back, Rory turned to look at Viviann.

"How long?" She questioned. There wasn't concern or sadness in her expression, just the curiosity of someone who could understand his feelings in a way that only another seasoned adult could.

"A month, maybe two? Assuming everything goes well in the battle against the Architect's Bane, there is only one enemy left in the area to be defeated to make this place ours truly."

The mention of the Architect Bane was cold water thrown on his spirit, a reminder that in only a few short hours, they would be setting out to battle one of the most dangerous foes on all of Aelia.

"Still plenty of time," Viviann said with a smile that brought some heat to his cheeks.

"For?" Rory questioned, half raising his eyebrows at her entendre.

"Why don't we find out?"

Eia and Apostolos can wait another hour or two.

If you find any errors ( broken links, non-standard content, etc.. ), Please let us know < report chapter > so we can fix it as soon as possible.