by Hickory Mack
“We’d already worked another two hours before you’d arrived,” the fox replied, eying Gideon. “I am Lord Makkai of Osaka, and this is Lady Chiori, your student.”
Chiori averted her gaze, she hadn’t thought her instructor would be a man, let alone a vampire, or anyone half as beautiful as he was.
“This is my student?” Gideon said in a pleasant voice, turning his eyes on Chiori, sizing her up. She felt like he was looking inside of her. “Wonderful to meet you, Lady Chiori. Thanks to this little session, I get to go into this knowing your work ethic. I’ll be expecting a lot out of you.”
“Thank you for assisting us today, you’ve saved me a lot of time.” Lord Makkai stood, followed by Gideon. He shouldered his bag. “We will escort you to the house, the protections will not allow you to pass through the first few times without me.”
“Very well,” Gideon said with a smile. Chiori moved to get up and he offered her his hand. Her face reddened and she refused, taking Makkai’s arm as soon as she was standing, pointedly not looking at the witch.
“Fen,” Lord Makkai said and the demon appeared immediately, dipping into his deep bow.
“Yes, my Lord?”
“Have a shower and bath prepared for my Lady, and make sure the rooms for her instructor are up to my standards,” Lord Makkai instructed, then turned to Gideon. “You’ll have a pair of rooms, your personal room, and a space for her tutelage.” Fen peered at Chiori from the corner of his eye, assessing her mental state.
“As you say, my Lord,” Fen popped back out of view.
“After you have seen your rooms and have been made comfortable we will sup together and work out the details of your contract. If that’s agreeable?” he asked and Gideon smiled his acceptance. The Fox pulled Chiori close and shielded her, then clapped his hand on Gideon’s shoulder, carrying all three of them through the jump.
They landed in front of the house and Chiori took a moment to regain her balance, hanging onto Makkai.
“Welcome to our home,” the fox said.
“Thank you for inviting me, this is a nice place. May I ask, does the Lady often have trouble with spatial travel?” Gideon asked, looking at Chiori, already assessing her weakness. She raised her chin to little affect.
“Yes. It goes easier if I shield her, but her tolerance levels vary greatly. Do remedy that,” her Lord said, as though she were something to be fixed. She wanted to make a face but kept passive, she’d embarrass herself acting a child.
“We can definitely work on it, we’ll talk more later,” Gideon fixed a smile on Chiori. She pretended not to see, fixing her gaze on the front doors, instead.
Fen came out then with a large retinue in tow. Most she did not recognize, but Asuka was among them. Chiori breathed a wary sigh, unsure if she was mentally prepared to deal with the fae woman. The entire group bowed. Chiori bowed back, taking her cue from Lord Makkai, keeping it short and shallow.
“My Lady, Asuka has once again volunteered to assist you,” Fen said, then turned to Gideon. Chiori did not miss the disdainful look on his face. “I have personally checked your rooms, and they should be satisfactory. If not, notify any member of the staff immediately and the problem will be rectified.”
“I’m easy to please, I’m sure it will be perfect,” Gideon answered.
“Mori,” Fen called and a boy stepped forward. His brown hair was almost as unruly as Gideon’s and he swiped his bangs out of his lively brown eyes as he stepped forward eagerly. He bestowed a broad grin on Chiori before turning to Fen.
“This is Mori, he will show you to your room and assist you with anything you may require. He will be yours for the duration of your stay,” Fen said, giving the boy a warning look. Chiori hid a smile behind her hand. Mori reminded her of some of the boys in her classes in Balance. All energy and mischief, he looked her age, he would have fit right in.
“Carry on with your day,” Lord Makkai said to the group in front of them. Chiori picked out Nori and Sora among them, then she spotted Airi, up near the door, watching everything. Lord Makkai took Chiori’s hand and captured her eyes.
“Enjoy your bath, but don’t be too long, okay?” he said. “Rejoin me before dinner.”
“I will, my Lord.”
Asuka came forward and bowed, her smile as friendly as ever, but Chiori couldn’t forget the jealousy in the woman’s eyes the last time they met, or her misleading words. She knew now that Asuka wasn’t as genuine as she seemed. Regardless, she gave a small bow back and allowed Asuka to lead the way, glancing back at Lord Makkai. His gaze lingered on hers wistfully, until his attention was called away by something Fen was saying.
“It feels like it’s been so long since the last time I was here. I’ve never had so much happen in a single week before,” Chiori said to break the ice. “How have things been here?”
“Life has been full of interesting activities since your arrival. Preparations for the day that you come here permanently. We have you to thank for bringing Moscow back,” Asuka gave her a wicked grin. “Some are afraid of him, but the majority of the women, myself included, just like looking at him. He has this confident, bad boy swagger about him. Mmm!”
Chiori gave a forced laugh.
“Now your magic instructor, too? What was his name?” Asuka asked.
“Um… Gideon.” Chiori answered.
“Gideon. It’ll change once he’s contracted, but it’s still good to know. Gods child, you are going to be surrounded by the most gorgeous men, and you’re too young to appreciate it!” Asuka laughed, then turned serious. “Rumor is that Ichio himself has taken an interest in your education. How did you pull that one off?”
“I’ve heard his name, but I don’t know who that is,” Chiori said, taking off her shoes and entering the stone onsen. “I think Fen brought him some gnomes a couple of days ago.”
Asuka paused then burst out laughing.
“You have a lot to learn, my Dear,” the fae woman said and Chiori shrugged.
“That’s why I’m here, I guess,” she said, looking around. There were already towels and cloths made available, as well as a pair of fluffy white robes. Chiori set her shoes under a bench and began undressing, her eyes averted as Asuka did the same. She made it to the shower first, closing her eyes and letting the water wash over her, clearing the salt of sweat from her skin.
She plucked up the rose scented soap she’d used once before, only noticing now that the soaps she’d used in the shower at the Matriarch tree had been scentless. Chiori lifted the bar to her nose and breathed it in, bringing a smile to her face, wondering what the flower looked like. She finished quickly and wrapped the towel around herself, waiting with forced patience for Asuka to finish her shower, goosebumps on her arms and legs.
“Oh, you didn’t have to wait for me, youngling,” Asuka said when she finally exited, wrapping herself up.
“It’s nothing,” Chiori lied, going ahead to the hot spring. She took a few seconds to appreciate the beauty of the place. The steam rising through the shafts of sunlight piercing the canopy of trees was enchanting. She undid her towel and eased her way into the hot water, her skin prickling at the temperature change.
Settling herself against an edge of the pool, Chiori closed her eyes, letting her arms float beside her. Asuka joined her, moaning her pleasure.
“This past week has been kind to you,” Asuka said after a minute.
“How do you mean?” Chiori asked, studying her face.
“The circles that looked like permanent bruises under your eyes are only a hint of a shadow now. With the exception of that little cut healing on your finger, I saw no bruises or injuries. Your ribs are filling in nicely, your cheeks are less hollow. Last we met you looked starved, and so fragile and frail, as if the wind could break you in two. Now you look stronger, healthier,” Asuka appraised.
“That big of a change in just a week? That’s good to know, I appreciate you pointing it out,” Chiori said, wondering if Makkai had noticed those thi
ngs, too.
“Tell me a story of your week,” Asuka said suddenly. “Tell me how Fen came across gnomes to gift to Ichio.”
Chiori smiled and was soon reliving the story of Creek and Chasm and Fog, leaving out her drive to kill everything in her path that day. Asuka laughed and gasped in all the right places, an attentive audience, but her eyes were calculating, and Chiori felt like she was being used for information. Though nothing she’d said was particularly important.
“Lady Airi was there, too,” Asuka said when Chiori finished. “Three of the five most powerful creatures in House Makkai all assembled in one place, for you.”
Chiori glanced up in time to see something dark in Asuka’s eyes.
“You’ve mistaken their reason for being there. They were worried about Lord Makkai, not me,” Chiori corrected. “Fen and Airi, they’re his friends, not mine.”
That seemed to placate Asuka a bit, her face relaxed. Chiori was quiet for a while, but she had to know a few things, and she didn’t have anyone else to ask. Time was running out, in spite of Airi’s demand that she be told what was to happen.
“Tomorrow is my formal introduction. Airi said to expect the worst, but I don’t know what’s going to be expected of me, or what it entails. Will I have to speak to anybody? Will we go from place to place meeting people, or will everyone be assembled? I’m worried,” she confessed.
“I’m surprised you haven’t been schooled in proper behavior already. Everyone will be assembled and the more important people will be brought forward for a personal introduction, some you’ve already gotten to know, but it would be a slight not to include them. People like Fen, and Milly, Haruka, he’s the Magisterium, and probably Ichio if he bothers to show, he’s the groundskeeper but he's incredibly powerful.”
“Maybe your Instructors will be introduced, too. Those who will teach you your history, the arts, the witch, all those important things. I hear you’ll even learn to fight and defend yourself, if you so choose.”
“They’ll reveal your name, title and position in the house to the rest of us, making you a permanent addition to the household and making clear the reason for your presence. We still have no concrete answer as to why you’re even here.” Asuka inserted a little laugh.
“Silk says your personal attendants have already been sorted out and at some point they will be assigned to you and put on a schedule of rotation. When you get to know them better you will choose the ones you favor to be permanent. The rumor is you’ll have four or five.”
“And so you know, yes. That is a lot of people to attend one little girl. Even Lady Airi only has two,” Asuka finished, her mouth pursed.
“I’m not all that interesting, and I’m not a dirty person, they’ll probably cut that number soon enough. Will I be able to choose anyone as a companion? You, for example?” Chiori asked, curious to see her reaction. Asuka’s yellow eyes flashed toward her quickly then looked away as though surprised.
“I think I would prefer to be your friend, instead,” Asuka said. “I’m not interested in keeping to a schedule.”
“I’d like that, to have you as my first friend here,” Chiori said, but her feelings didn’t match her words. She leaned her head against the stone, her heart hurt. She’d been away from Lord Makkai too long.
“The speculation about you has only grown in the past week. I’ve never seen Fen so busy. The preparations to ready the house for you have been crazy. When we leave here, I’m to take you to a separate room and help you dress. Lord Makkai wants to show you the changes to your rooms himself,” Asuka said.
“He’s been with me this whole time, how was he able to do anything here?” Chiori asked.
“Through Fen,” Asuka said.
“He was there almost every day,” Chiori said, keeping her negative thoughts on the boar to herself. She stood and made her way out of the water. “I’m going back to Lord Makkai now.”
The look on Asuka’s face was guarded. She wasn’t ready to get out, but she wasn’t sure which boundaries she could push with the girl yet.
“If that’s what you want,” she said, following Chiori out. They dried off and Asuka took her time dressing while Chiori waited impatiently in her fluffy robe, fidgeting with her fingers. When Asuka was finally ready Chiori was standing just outside the door, shoes already on her feet.
“You’re certainly in a hurry,” Asuka commented.
“Lord Makkai told me not to be too long,” Chiori said. The truth was she was growing more uncomfortable without him by the minute.
“Oh, I see. I thought maybe you were excited to spend some time with your handsome new teacher,” Asuka teased and Chiori made a face.
“Nope.”
Chapter 19
The room set up for dressing was within the onsen, installed by someone who’d thought ahead for similar situations. Chiori was grateful she didn’t have to walk through the house in her bathrobe, because when they’d emerged, her clothes were gone. She really wanted to figure out who kept creeping in and out so she could stop them from doing that. Asuka had been amused when she’d said as much, saying only that Chiori would get used to it.
Once again she was quickly dressed in a three layered kimono with no explanation. This one was white and pink, with a scene of a stork next to a bridge, a flowering tree in the background. She reminded herself that Lord Makkai had said it could be cleaned. She’d still be extra careful.
Asuka did her hair simply, a tight bun at the top of her head, a comb with a pink flower to match the kimono, little leaves and bells dangling down from there. Chiori slipped on the shoes, elevating her height a full five inches. She wobbled plenty but refused to allow it to break her confidence. She’d done this once before. She could do it again.
This time Asuka didn’t dip out and hand her off to Nori. Chiori wanted to think more charitably, but she couldn’t help thinking it was more out of curiosity than helpfulness. She’d rung a bell that had been left. Another person Chiori hadn’t met yet appeared and told them they’d find Lord Makkai in his study. She was up and ready to go, inspecting her kimono one last time she was teetering her way across the lawn before Asuka even had her sandals on.
“What’s the hurry?” Asuka asked, catching up to her before they entered the house.
“I miss him,” Chiori said simply, removing her shoes and skipping through the house on stocking feet.
“Halfling, show some decorum, please. It isn’t proper to be seen running through the house like a child,” Asuka called, but when they rounded a corner another voice called out. Chiori whirled around and Asuka sank into a bow.
“She is a child,” Airi said with a laugh. “You seem to be feeling much better today. Where are you off to in such a hurry?” Airi’s blonde hair was long and loose, nearly touching the ground, a basket of cakes and fruits hung around one arm.
“To see my Lord, he’s in his study,” Chiori said, glancing at Asuka. “I’m afraid I haven’t been behaving properly.”
“Nonsense!” Airi said, laughing. “We should all have as much enthusiasm. I’ll take you there, I know a short-cut and you can run if you want to. Your services are no longer needed, Miss Asuka.”
The faerie woman bowed again, but when she looked up Chiori could see the anger in her eyes. It gave her chills. Airi moved quickly, not quite running, but hurried enough to satisfy Chiori’s impatience. They turned several corners, passing many people going about their business, some carrying linens to be cleaned, one had a bottle of sake and seemed to be drunkenly lolling around.
The last corridor was quiet, but bright, and soft music was playing. Airi stopped in front of the room the music was coming from.
“Makkai, I’ve brought you a little Earth Urchin, if you don’t want her I’ll keep her to myself and we’ll eat all these sweets without you,” Airi called with a wicked grin and a wink to Chiori.
The music stopped and the door slid open. Makkai was in a long kimono, a white robe over it was long enough to drag on the grou
nd. His hair was done up in a top knot, the remainder falling down his back. He gave Airi a dirty look, reached out and pulled Chiori into the room with him, tucking her under his arm.
“Thank you for delivering her,” he said. “I’ll see you tomorrow.”
“Tomorrow?” Airi pouted. “I can’t come to dinner?”
“Eat your sweets. Perhaps as thanks we’ll send you our scraps,” Makkai replied and Airi laughed, handing Chiori a small, dense cake wrapped in a cloth napkin.
“You’re too mean my Lord, no cakes for you. Don’t let him give you any trouble little Witch,” she said, gave an ironic bow and waved over her shoulder on the way out.
“My best friend,” Makkai said, rolling his eyes and Chiori giggled. “Come, I want to play for you.”
Chiori listened and he played many songs on a mandolin, before playing one she recognized. The song he’d been playing on his flute. He started singing the words and she sat forward, a big grin spreading across her face.
“I like that one a lot,” she said when he finished. His answering smile flashed his fangs.
“It’s old, even before the wars it was old. It’s called Wonderful World, by a man named Louis Armstrong,” Lord Makkai said.
“Armstrong? Was he from a warrior tribe? A hunter?” Chiori asked and Makkai shook his head.
“No, he wasn’t a warrior or a hunter. Hunters as you know them did not exist until after the war to end human civilization. Fae and witches were not historically friendly, they do not mix voluntarily,” Makkai said. “Armstrong had only one career, as far as I am aware. He was a musician.”
“Can you imagine a world like that?” Chiori said wistfully. “A place so safe, someone could live their life doing nothing more important than sing?”
“I lived in a world like that, long ago. It was a life that allowed people to follow their passions. Art and music, some of the most beautiful and moving things come from humanity in the era before the wars,” Makkai said. “Often I think back on their music and wonder, why didn’t they pay attention to their artisans? So much of their music was filled with warnings and seeking peace, but those with the power to make change didn’t listen.”
