Accidental Reaver

Beside the black gates, she stood.

Long cascading black hair lay against her white blouse and tighter clothes. She seemed slightly anxious, glancing around while keeping to herself. Luke hadn't noticed before, but she hid an enticing figure. Bits of silver light illuminated the night surrounding them.

Foot traffic through the gate consisted mostly of hunters. One or two made a pass at the stunning lady, to which she refused. Luke casually approached, greeting her from behind since Lilly failed to notice him.

"Hey there, my bird-loving Priest lady, looking for a mysterious Spell Sword companion for the evening?"

Whipping around, Lilly started, "No thank you, I'm waiting for some-" she interrupted herself, "It's you, Luke, where have you been? You're not answering the sigil stone link."

"I've been washing up, trying to appear a little more presentable compared to last time. Before that, I…well, I ended up in a boss loot dispute with another hunter party by myself. Haven't had the wherewithal to check my sigil since presenting it to the gate guards."

She came up beside him, hand behind her back, leaning forward, "All that matters is you didn't ghost me. So? To the food bar again?"

"Can start off that way, any other ideas? I've been in this city for too short a time to know what people do more for recreation. Hard to focus on it with everything going on."

Lilly slipped a hand over Luke's, "Then allow me, 'mysterious Spell Sword.' I may not look like much, but this Priest has been around the city for over a year now."

Walking forward, the two entered a portal building, Luke paid the fare, the price unimportant at the level he earned gold from dungeon delving and arena challenges. They reappeared in union near the north gate, following the same path as before to the food bar Lilly's adoptive mother ran.

Luke wanted to ask about her family, but she never seemed to hint at it or bring it up. Considering the implications of the vanishing, it likely meant one thing.

They were gone.

Twirling her hair with one finger, Lilly seemed to be in a good mood, so he judged not to bring up any such sensitive topics. Tonight was one to enjoy, not bear a burden. Despite being packed, they came within the food bar, knowing the owner had its perks. They were seated at a back end small table for two immediately. Crystals in the ceiling shone gentle light, adjusted to the nightscape outside. The hardwood amplified waitresses and patrons moving across the food bar.

Their waitress happened to be another of Lilly's 'sisters,' a brown haired human woman, also originally from Earth, named Mary.

"Is this the one I keep hearing about? Happy to see you back so soon, Lilly, and," she turned her head to Luke, "you're Luke. The hunter regulars talk about you a lot. What can I get the both of y'all?"

Scanning over the simple parchment menu, Luke pontificated a finger over a well-drawn image of what appeared to be steak and potatoes with vegetables. It wasn't called that, but it sure looked like it. On the side, he took regular water and a light beer.

Lilly ordered some sort of ribs and salad, also going for alcohol stronger than what Luke called for. He wasn't one to judge. All hunters would be called to a ravenous Tide soon. If they didn't let loose a little now, when would they? More of the burden was shoved off to the Defiers and multi-ascended hunters, but none who were combat capable would be allowed leave. Officially, at least, Luke had a sneaking suspicion a handful would have channels enabling them to skirt their duty.

You were to stay behind and defend. And if it meant your death, so be it.

The waitress went off in a hurry, unable to try and make any additional chit-chat with the already packed establishment. The occasional whisper from a hunter floated over, pointing out Luke. By now, the Reaver had established a reputation. He met Lilly's blue eyes, "Anything going on with you since we last met up? This'll probably be the last time for a while. Sorry, a lot is going to be required of me soon," he put up both his hands, "although, its probably similar for you too? How do you feel about it?"

"Could we not talk about the Tide? If that's okay with you? I don't even want to think about it." She flashed a stressed smile, "We can catch up on the past few days. You've been busy, haven't you?"

Luke slowly nodded, "That's fair. Other subjects would be a better time, anyway." The Reaver filtered through events he'd undergone since their last meeting. Normally, it wouldn't take much thought, but plenty had to be concealed or whitewashed. Others were fair game; he'd start with those. It was staggering to him how much he'd have to leave out from recent accomplishments.

All his actions as Rune? Impossible to reveal. Him crafting Whispering Tome, which floated behind him even now? The same. Hell, hinting at any competency in Runic Enchanting would be better left out, in case his mantle of Rune would take that position soon or not. He'd know for sure after the Tide. Come to think of it, he wasn't sure revealing anything about the special event in the Spectral Wing was a good idea either.

Being the Reaver sure came with some social issues. Sheesh. So, Luke started as plain Jane as possible. He said, "You know how it is. Go clear a dungeon there, try to not get in the way of another party over there. A lot of pushing myself in both wings within the Ruined Realm lately. Hoping I can get a slot in Crystal Demon Point before it's too late."

Their orders settled on the table, and Lilly began picking at her food, speaking with Luke between bites. She said, "I overheard hunter parties on the roads threatening to file formal complaints since you overtook the Blood Forge for hours. Can't help but make a splash whenever you go, Luke?" The girl chuckled at the end.

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Scratching a cheekbone, Luke said, "It's free game. No rules against what I did, and I don't have the luxury to step off the gas. Grinding there felt like the best use of my time, ended up at level fifty after it all. I say it was well worth it."

The Priest put a hand under her cheek, looking at him, "I'm not judging you for it. It was silly to see." Lilly rebooted her facial features like processing had finished, "Did you say you hit level fifty? Already? What did you do, slaughter a dungeon ten times over? I'm not even level twenty yet. Slow down." She tried to reach out to Luke for a second but took back her hand.

"Slowing down isn't an option. In fact, I feel like I'm not going fast enough. A lot of my delves are alone or with Sooty. She doesn't cut into my experience gain, so I'm growing like a weed after rain."

"Where is that lovable black feather ball?" Lilly peered over Luke's shoulders to be sure. Her eyes kept on Whispering Tome for a moment before going back to Luke's eyes, "A floating tome too? First one I've seen like that, must've cost you a fortune."

"Sooty's off for some special training. The more experienced Defier with a companion, Iona, is helping out." Luke thumbed back to Whispering Tome, "This guy here has his own story, but let's say you're not far off the mark. So? What about you? Anything on your end?"

"Cassandra's hit level twenty-four. She's ahead of the rest of us but is in no rush. She said when we're all capped out, the team is going to try and join a raid boss attempt to sneak in a feat." Lilly lowered her voice, nervously rubbing her blouse cuff, "I'm scared for when it's time. I read the casualty rate of even the successful raids are over fifty percent."

Luke found himself flummoxed. Should he reveal the cruelty about how difficult it could be to get a combat feat? There seemed to be variance, but the overarching rule was that it would never be easy. It would never come without risk. On the other hand, proper encouragement could be all Lilly needed to overcome the odds with her team in the near future.

He asked, "Do you think you'll be ready for that before the next five days?"

Lilly ran a hand through her hair, "I don't know, but it doesn't seem like it. We're constantly pushing, trying to get a final growth before we're all sent out to die against…" she stopped herself.

The two finished their food in silence for a while. When done, Luke left more than enough to cover the tab and give a suitable tip. He put a hand into Lilly's and took her out of the food bar. The girl blushed but accepted the gesture, following along.

"Would you like to walk around the nicer part of town? I think I'd be as good for you as it would be for me," he said with a wink.

"I'd like that. There's a park in this direction; let me take you there." Now it was Lilly tugging Luke along. Later in the night, the cobblestone streets had cleared more, and night chatter buzzed along, with people ducking into the open stores and establishments nearby.

The pair had a wide ranging conversation, talking about their lives back on Earth. Lilly turned out to be studying as a nurse in one of the few functioning colleges before total collapse. Luke, of course, spoke on his time as a soldier, trying to leave out the gruesome details.

She wouldn't understand anyway. Sometimes, not even he understood. Being a hunter withstood similar circumstances, Luke oddly found it far easier to endure and enjoyable at times.

They moved on to everyday interests, how they first adjusted when transferring here, and so on. Amid conversation, Lilly stopped, gesturing to the scene before them, a small park with red leaf, black trunk trees, green grass, and shining moonlight. Others enjoyed the slice of nature, some as couples, others walking pets, even companions. Benches dotted the square-like land plot, enough to hold a few hundred people. Luke saw signs of refugees trying to tent in, but from the constant guard patrols, he could guess they'd be unsuccessful.

Lilly said, "We're here, this is one of the places I come to when it's been a rough dungeon day. I love to look at the leaves, people watch, think over things while walking."

"A nice park. Thanks for showing me this, still know too little about Sylen."

She leaned a head on Luke's shoulder, "It'll come. I remember being lost my first months in this city. Without Lisandra, whose practically my godmother, things would've been rough."

"She's got a good heart, willing to help someone out that way. How'd you meet?"

Lilly walked along with Luke on the soft pavement lining the park, keeping to the right side. She said, "I kind of went into her store begging for food," she checked on Luke, beating on his chest lightly with a hand when she saw him look at her quizzically, "This city is too expensive, alright? I don't know how most of the people here make it. Lisandra took pity on me, and things went from there."

Laughing at her obvious embarrassment, Luke said, "Alright, and I totally agree, this place is hard to start off in." Luke noticed her face inches from his, and damn, was she beautiful to him. He normally would try to take a slower approach, but an invading thought stopped his actions.

There's no guarantee of anything in a couple of days from now.

Thus, the Reaver slipped a hand behind Lilly's back, leaned in further, and in one smooth motion, kissed her. He started slowly, deepening it as she seemed to welcome it once the Priest overcame the initial shock. Eventually, the two separated, and Luke ended the action.

Lilly looked at him with flushed skin and half-lidded eyes, breathing heavier and trying to say something but failing to. Luke put a hand on her soft cheek, "The first time we went out, I asked if you liked me. Well, I like you, Lilly. I'll be rooting for your team and there to help if you need it, okay? You're not alone."

All Lilly seemed to manage was an "Okay…" her body leaning in, telling Luke she wanted more of what he so ruthlessly cut away early. Voices of doubt crept in, and Luke felt he'd already taken enough liberties, on the off chance Lilly was feeling pressured, he separated from her, keeping a hand over hers.

The rest of the evening went rather uneventfully, something Luke relished. The two continued to talk about their recent experiences and became more comfortable with one another. When the park became nearly deserted in the dead of night, Luke walked Lilly back to her place. Cassandra shared an apartment with Lilly, and their Rogue team member, a human woman named Ludmila. When the blond Archer opened the door, and saw Lilly standing there with Luke, obvious questions seemed to bloom off her expression.

Cassandra held back well enough in the moment, "Luke! Glad to see you and Lilly are getting along. You're here to drop her off?"

"Yeah, seemed like the right thing to do."

"A gentleman in this day and age? Have another one of you running around? The hunter slobs I get to be around are all rush and no romance."

Luke really couldn't agree with Casandra's assessment, so he turned to Lilly, kissing her on the cheek in front of Cassandra, "I won't be available until after….well, you know. But I'd like to keep seeing you, Lilly."

A gasp came from Casandra, and deeper in the apartment. Lilly flushed so deeply she appeared like an apple, she said, "You promise? You'll see me again?"

Hugging her, Luke whispered in her ear, "I promise."

Releasing Lilly, Luke waved goodbye, and Xera decided to join in, with a short 'see ya!' eliciting a confused expression from everyone not Lilly and Luke. While going down the wooden steps, Luke overheard Cassandra and the voice of another woman he didn't recognize asking about every little detail of his and Lilly's evening.

Luke moved to the Defier's branch, his mind already beginning to veer toward work again. The golden moon had finally joined its silver counterpart this late in the night. The twin beams glided down to him. Going along a main street sidewalk dipping into Sylen's Eastern Quadrant, Luke reviewed the night, perhaps he'd gone too fast. Or not. Time would tell.

At least it's all out in the open now. He thought.