by Eden Redd
Jon glanced up to the elf and couldn’t hold back his smile as he stepped past her and down to the lower deck.
A long hour passed as Lilly stood and Jon inspected each crate with meticulous skill. Fingers ran along the edges of crates on some. He opened others to ensure nothing else was with the cargo. He wasn’t searching for anything like contraband or the like. Instead, he searched for small creatures and insects from the Aquris realm. They liked to stow away on food shipments and the fauna was particularly fond of the Urth Realm. There had been at least a dozen times over the last twelve years where strange insects, bats, and rather large rats infested Southvale for short periods before they were burned away with flame throwers.
When Jon was done, he looked to the patient elf and smiled. “The cargo is clean. When will it be offloaded?”
“Tomorrow morning,” Lilly smiled.
Jon nodded and moved to the steps. He began to climb them, the Captain right behind him. It didn’t take long before they were on deck again. The breezy air filled lungs and Jon found himself feeling fantastic. He didn’t allow it to show before putting his tablet to his side and looking to the beautiful elf Captain.
“Thank you for your time. I hope your visit is a pleasant one,” Jon smiled.
Lilly stepped a little closer, her gaze firmly on the inspector. “I’m free this evening, if you wish to show me around your beautiful city?”
Jon kept his smile as shadows touched the edge of his eyes. “I’m afraid I have two more ships to inspect and I don’t believe it would be proper for us to meet. My supervisors would lose confidence in my work if they found out.”
Lilly gave a wicked smirk. “I won’t tell if you won’t.”
Jon was stunned for a moment from the elf’s forwardness. He was about to come up with an excuse when the sound of boots floated up from the dock. Lilly’s bright smile faded as she rushed to the railing and looked down. Jon joined her side, looking down with curious eyes.
Four men in uniform approached, three behind the leader. The leader had a stern expression like his face was carved from stone. Jon noted the body language and he immediately moved to the gangplank and descended. When he reached the dock, he turned and walked toward the marching harbor police as they approached. Jon pulled out his tablet and tapped at the screen until he and the harbor police met in the middle, both sides stopping.
“Greetings Commander Locke. What brings you by?” Jon asked without looking up from his tablet.
“Greetings Inspector Song. Please stand aside,” Commander Locke ordered.
Jon nodded. “I surely will, once you present a warrant or documentation for police inspection.”
Commander Locke’s eyes narrowed. “This is an investigation. Please stand aside.”
Jon continued to tap at his tablet as he spoke, “I will be more than happy to stand aside, once the proper documents have been scanned. You understand that I am here for the harbor and shipment protection. I wouldn’t be doing my job if I just allowed anyone to walk on ships, accusing anyone of breaking any laws without the proper documents filed. I simply need form 872 and I will step aside for your investigation.”
Commander Locke’s entire face fumed. Fists at his sides trembled. The three men in uniform behind him gave each other sideways glances.
Jon looked up, his gaze meeting the Commander’s gaze, “Do you have form 872?”
Commander Locke stepped closer, barely a foot of space between them.
“I don’t care who your parents are, if you stand in my way again, I will find a reason to ship you back to Spiral City,” Locke said with a menacing tone.
“When you do, please make sure you have form 872 with you,” Jon said with a tone bordering sarcastic.
The Commander’s eyes flashed with rage before he turned around and pointed. The three men turned and began walking, Locke behind them.
Lilly leaned on the railing, her chin in her hand and her gaze lingering on the inspector.
Jon turned, walked back up the gangplank and onto the deck. Lilly was up and stepping closer with a warm smile.
“That was impressive,” Lilly said with a warm edge.
Jon nodded. “I would never impede an investigation but Commander Locke has his dark past of corruption. If he didn’t have powerful friends, he would have been thrown out of the SHPD a long time ago. He’s been known to smudge records for his benefit and his pocket.”
“Sounds like most of the people I know back home,” Lilly grinned.
Jon looked to the beautiful elf and sighed. “I have some time before my next inspection. I should stay here for a little while just in case the Commander decides to come back.”
“Very generous of you. Would you like a drink while we wait?”
Jon shook his head. “It would be improper to drink on the…” the inspector was cut off.
“I was thinking of water or juice. I would never wish to impede your work with improper suggestions,” Lilly winked.
Jon found himself smiling slightly. “Yes, I would love a drink.”
The Captain turned and sauntered off to the door. When it closed behind her, Jon found himself leaning against the railing edge and staring up at the blue sky. A peace floated over his spirit as he waited, soaking in the rays.
It didn’t take long for Lilly to return with two wooden cups, one in each hand. The Captain handed one off and the pair lifted them up to each other before drinking deeply. The juice tasted magical as Jon gulped down some more.
Lilly eyed the inspector, “Your work must be interesting.”
Jon nodded. “It can be. You meet all types. I wish I could say it was easy, but with the growing population of Southvale and people coming through the portal daily, it can be challenging.”
Lilly leaned on the edge of the railing, next to Jon. “Have you lived here all your life?”
Jon shook his head. “No. I’m originally from Spiral City. My family had a home here, right there on the hill,” Jon said as he pointed a finger at the house on the hill. “I came to live here when Spiral City was getting too dangerous. Southvale is pleasant, despite the extra traffic.”
Lilly nodded and sipped her drink. “A house not far from your work, sounds like a dream come true. On Aquris, you need a ship to visit anyone. Some of the larger land masses are only reserved for wealthy kingdoms. I’m not sure what traffic is, but if it’s anything like many ships in a small area, we have that too.”
Jon raised an eyebrow to himself.
I keep forgetting that she is from another dimension! She probably doesn’t understand everything I’m saying.
“How long have you lived here?” Lilly asked.
“About five years. I was here long after the portal arrived, but it’s one of my favorite sights when I wake up in the morning. I look at it every day with a cup of coffee.”
“Is it fascinating?” Lilly asked with curious eyes.
Jon nodded. “I hope one day I can work up the courage to see your world for a few days.”
The elf eyed him, “Courage? Does my world frighten you? You seem very capable considering how you handled Mr. Locke.”
Jon’s gaze shifted down, “It’s not… I mean… well, there are a lot of monsters to worry about, from what I have heard about your world.”
Lilly smiled. “We do have sea serpents and giant squid, but every place has their own monsters. If not, you would not have left your Spiral City.”
Jon looked to the beautiful elf and smirked. “You do have a point.”
The Captain swirled her drink, “My world is beautiful, but it has its problems too. This is my first visit to your world and it is terribly intoxicating. I have never seen such towers like the ones in your city. I have heard the stories, but it's something else to actually see them.”
Lilly turned and leaned on the edge of the railing, looking out. “I wish I had more than a few days.”
Jon’s gaze lingered on her plump behind before a shadow covered it. The inspector glanced up to see
a gull hovering on a thermal overhead. The sea bird cawed before something white fell off it, streaking down towards Lilly’s rump.
There was no thought, only action as Jon reached over, took Lilly’s arm and gently pulled her to him. Lilly’s eyes widened as Jon looked past her, watching the white bird poop miss her by an inch and splatter against the wood floor.
“There was…” Jon managed to say before Lilly pressed her lips to his.
The pair stood on the deck, lips touching and tips of tongues sliding between them. The moment struck like lightning, Jon unable to control himself as the sensual elf closed her eyes and enjoyed his taste. Jon found his own eyes half closing, Lilly’s taste like berries in the sunlight. Tongues swirled for a long moment, but it seemed the outside world stood still to their embrace.
When the moment passed, the pair broke away, Lilly looking to Jon with shy eyes and Jon caught in her radiant gaze.
“I’m sorry,” they both said at the same time.
The two laughed for a moment.
“The moment hooked me,” Lilly said in a small voice.
Jon wanted to tell her that the only reason he pulled her close was because of the falling bird poop. He almost wanted to let it go, but his honor demanded he tell the truth.
Jon looked and pointed down to the deck. Lilly followed his gaze, seeing the splatter of gull poop.
“I didn’t want it to land on you,” Jon stated simply.
Lilly turned her gaze to the handsome man and gave him a wicked leer. “It seems luck has brought us together.”
Jon’s face turned red, the young man at a loss for words.
Lilly eyed him up and down as she leaned on him, pressing her chest against his. “I know you have other ships to inspect, but maybe we could meet later?”
Jon’s body turned rigid before he stepped back, away from Lilly’s touch. “I’m sorry. It would be improper for us to meet. You are beautiful, but I could lose my job.”
“Greater the risk, greater the reward,” Lilly said as she stepped closer to him.
Jon’s normally calm demeanor went sideways. Stepping back again, his eyes began to dart in his head. He glanced at the ship, the gangplank, the beautiful elf, the gangplank, the ship, the sky, the beautiful elf. When the anxiety reached its crescendo, he stepped backwards down the gangplank while talking really fast.
“I’m sorry. I have to go. Enjoy your visit!” the inspector said at a rapid pace as he backpedaled down the ramp, along the dock and around the corner, disappearing from view.
Lilly watched with a warm smile as Jon disappeared from view. “I do believe our discussions have just started, Inspector Song,” the elf whispered with a sly grin.
Two
Jon ran through his inspections at the slowest possible speed. The last Captain watched him with throbbing veins along their temples, seeing the inspector move like a snail in a snowstorm. He remarked on why Jon was staring at nothing when he could be giving the all clear. Jon woke up a few times, his thoughts lost to the beautiful elf and wanting to avoid her at all costs.
The inspector could not deny her allure and the memory of their kiss stayed with him throughout the rest of the day. It made his concentration limp like a wet noodle, his thoughts spiraling to what happened.
If she reports me, it will be a mark on my record. I’ve never had a mark on my record. How will I live knowing that I have done something improper on the job? They will send me out in a small boat with kindling, fire a flaming arrow at the boat and laugh as I burn to death in shame.
“Are you feeling alright?” the Captain asked. “You look very pale.”
Jon’s head snapped up and looked to the concerned Captain. “I’m fine! I just need some air.”
Jon was moving toward the stairs when the Captain held out his arm, halting his advance, “And my cargo?”
Jon picked up his tablet and tapped away. He hadn’t been as thorough as he normally was, but considering how he felt, he might lose his job anyway.
“You passed inspection. Have a nice day,” Jon said and rushed up the stairs.
A minute later, Jon was on the docks and looking around like he just finished murdering someone.
She’s only here for a few days. I just have to avoid her ship during that time. It should be easy since I’ve already inspected her ship. I just have to wait it out and when she is gone, see if there is a formal complaint. If there isn’t, I’ll get away with it.
Jon’s eyes widened in his head as he slowed his pace.
Until she comes back with another shipment! What have I done?
Jon’s brain stabbed at itself with uncertainty. His entire career hung by a thread and he saw no way out. He would be thrown in prison for kissing a stranger on the job.
Jon, calm down. Nothing will happen. They will not throw you in prison. You’re an upstanding citizen. Surely that would come into play. I have impeccable character. The city would lose an important citizen if they locked me away and threw away the key. Wouldn’t they?
The storm of thoughts bashed against his sensibilities, tearing down the fabric of his reality. Glancing to the side, he spotted the Dark Heart. Walking slowly, he didn’t see Lilly or anyone else on the main deck. The sun sank down in the sky, bleeding into late afternoon.
Your day is finished. Go home and don’t say anything to anyone. If you inquire, it will only make you guilty in their eyes. Play it cool, have a sensible meal and sleep well. It will give you plenty of time to think of something.
Jon sighed to himself.
I’m overreacting. Walk normal and pretend the ship with the beautiful elf is just another day on the job.
Instead of walking normal, Jon nearly sprinted across the dock and onto the street. If he moved any faster, smoke would have risen up from his blurry legs as he ran up the sloping street. He passed by Mario’s grocery store. He darted past the construction site and nearly vaulted into his front yard. The front door slammed open and slammed shut before Jon skidded to a halt in his living room and let out a long exhale.
“It wasn’t my fault. I pulled her away so she wouldn’t get pooped on. How could I know she thought it was for a kiss? It was a misunderstanding, that’s all. Yea, that sounds right,” Jon said out loud to himself.
The young man moved to the kitchen. Hands worked in a blur, taking out a microwave meal from the refrigerator. With two more steps, he placed it within the microwave, closed the door and punched in the time. Turning, he leaned against the counter edge as his mind worked.
Your Honor, this was all a silly misunderstanding. The court could never convict me of such a lewd act. I am an upstanding member of the community and my job. No jury would ever convict me. That sounds right. Yea, I’ll stick to that.
Jon nodded to himself, mentally patting himself on the back. The whole situation was absurd and if he was judged, no one would dare say he did anything improper. Mental images of walking out of the courthouse with his head held high danced. Jon spoke with confidence to reporters in his daydream, telling them that mistakes happen and there should be no ill will to the beautiful elf that tried to paint him as a pervert.
The anxiety bled away and Jon started to feel better. The microwave dinged. Jon turned, grabbed his tray of food and a fork from the drawer. Moving to his living room, he sat on the couch. Tapping the remote, the flatscreen flashed on and he put it on the news.
“Better check the news, just in case,” Jon said to no one as he began to eat Raman noodles and pieces of chicken on the side.
The young man watched with wide eyes, taking in every news story as the sun sank lower in the sky. When the sun disappeared behind the horizon, Jon finished his meal and placed the plate on the coffee table. The news had stories about robberies, a new supermarket opening and the weather, but nothing about a dock inspector kissing an elf on a ship.
Fatigue washed over Jon as he sat back. The anxiety of the day seemed to wear him down and his eyelids grew heavy. With a yawn, he reached for the remote and turne
d off the flatscreen.
“Everything will be better in the morning,” Jon yawned again before he stood up.
Like a zombie, he made his way into his bedroom by the living room. Flopping on the bed as blissful sleep whispered to his body. Once the pants were off, he fell asleep in his shirt, socks, and underwear, dreaming of a certain beautiful elf and wishing he had a second kiss.
***
Dreams parted as a loud bell tolled in the distance. Jon slowly opened his eyes, daylight streaming into his bedroom. The bell went off again, followed by a rapid ringing.
“I’m up,” Jon groaned as he stood up.
Seeing that he was still mostly dressed from yesterday, the young man picked up his pants and put them on. Ignoring his wrinkled shirt and messy hair, he lurched into the living room and stepped toward the front door. Eyes bleary from just waking up, he didn’t think twice as one hand rubbed his eye and the other took hold of the door knob. With a turn, he opened the front door to several figures standing.
“Yes?” Jon yawned before his gaze fell into focus. And when it did, his heart nearly stopped in his chest.
A short woman stood in a pants suit. Her hair was tied back into a bun and a tablet in her hand. Glasses sat on the bridge of her nose as she pushed them back up into place. Next to her was Lilly, a bright smile glowing from the elf’s lips and showing her perfect, white teeth.
Three other figures stood behind Lilly and the woman in the suit. One was tall, nearly seven feet tall with a fit figure and wearing skintight leather. Her skin was a light shade of blue and her ears were even longer than Lilly’s ears. The tall woman gave a small, razor smile, Jon immediately noticing that all her teeth were wide and sharp, like a jack-o-lantern during Spirit Night.
Next to the tall, blue elf was a much shorter, dark skinned elf. Jon noticed she wasn’t that short, only short compared to her taller friend. Jon stood at five foot ten and the dark-skinned elf was about his height. She wore an open robe with what looked like a one-piece leather bathing suit. White hair covered her head, falling to the sides and framing her violet skinned face. Her red eyes blinked as her brow gave her a hawkish expression. The dark elf held a staff with seashells along the top. They matched the strings of seashells and pouches hanging from her shoulder and along her body. She eyed Jon like he had committed a crime and she was going to collect.
