Private - For The Good Of The Gang | Page 2

Ezra couldn’t help but arch an eyebrow and smirk at Maddison’s words. She hadn’t known what had gone on with the whole Bandit King situation. She only knew that she was there with Luna and the Lion’s Pride to help Zeus and in the end, it seemed as if that’s what they had done. Lucia hadn’t spoken about it after the event concluded so, likewise, Ezra had pushed it out of her mind. It was interesting to hear about these events now, months and months later.

I think you had it right the first time, she said, amusement lacing her lyrics. Betrayal sounds right up Vivian’s alley. She’s…willy. She doesn’t mind stepping on people to get what she wants. But…I dunno. Luna has always said there’s a softer side to her, something about her being vulnerable in certain circumstances. She shrugged her shoulders and took a refreshing sip of wine. I wouldn’t really know. She only ever tried to either come onto me or talk shit to me.

Erza was, in the heat of the moment, forgetting their foray into Naryu Canyon and the hurt look that crossed the Dark Witch’s face the moment she was called a hussy. At the time, Ezra had agreed with…Nani? Whatever that NPC—er, PC—was named, but hadn’t pushed on the matter. Vivian wouldn’t have understood if she had anyway.

No, Ezra said with a sigh, placing her wineglass down and arching her arms over her head. She popped her shoulders and twisted her head from side to side, working out the soreness in her muscles with a simple stretch. I agree with you. Lucia will never be satisfied with herself, as sad as it is to say. She will achieve her dreams, allow the undead to be full-functioning members of this society, and still stand back and say she’s done nothing of note, nothing worth.

The Death Knight snorted in agitation as her arms fell to her sides. I don’t mean to harp. I love Lucia, I just wish she believed in herself more. This time, the lift and drop of her shoulders was one of dejection. She was tired of the subject, but, at the same time, she had never had a chance to get these thoughts and feelings off her chest before. Perhaps she was enjoying this release a bit too much.

Another chuckle winded from her lips as she gave Madison another sideways glance. You’re an eight at the very least. Probably a ten or an eleven when you go full wrath of…acid spitting plant summoning demon mode if you have one. Her words were light with jest, her eyes mimicking this sudden jovial attitude that had sprung up between them. Interesting how, when she had sat down this evening, she didn’t want to speak to Madison nevertheless share a bottle of wine with her.

The Tal’Darmin, Ezra corrected. They’re kinda the undead warriors. Sylvanas can get on the field and kinda raise them with Lucia’s help. It’s pretty cool. She paused, thinking, before continuing. The…uh, Winter’s Claw? I think that’s the assassins. Mortimer is over those guys. They’re fucking deadly…no pun intended. Haven’t seen or trained with them, but I don’t think they need it, ya know. And those mages, well, they’re new. I think they came along with Lina so I don’t know much about them.

She drained her glass, glanced at the wine bottle and couldn’t help the pout that suddenly pulled at her lips. Shit, we drank it all? A hopeful look stole across her features as she looked Madison square in the eye. Tell me you got another bottle or two in your inventory? I’ll trade you something for them. Whatever you want…granted, I don’t really have much…

 

A sly grin stretched across the witch's face. Did she bring more? Of course she brought more! She stashed a second bottle in her inventory just in case they ended up emptying the first. Or if Ezra needed another one to help convince her not to kill Maddy.

"Glad to hear you like it," Madison laughed as she flicked open her palm menu. Browsing through her inventory, she switched tabs and scrolled through boxes until she found the Consumables folder. Pressing her fingers against the screen, a bottle similar to the first appeared in her hand.

She offered it to the death knight. "Here, it's yours. Just try not to drink the whole thing in one go; the fruit I use to make this stuff takes forever to grow properly, even for a Nature Magus like myself."

As Ezra reached for it, Madison kept her grip on the neck tight. She looked the knight in the eyes while she spoke, a calm but serious look on her face while she spoke. "All I want in return is for us to be cool, alright? I want us to be friends; not for Lucia's sake, but because I think you're pretty alright. Maybe we can get together once in a while, have a bit of a spar, share some stories over drinks... You know, stuff like that. Do we have a deal?"

 

Try not to drink the whole thing? That was a tall request for Madison to be handing out. A small smile spread across Ezra’s features, her eyes light with mirth as a tiny chuckle escaped her. The sound of merriment alone would probably tell Maddison that Ezra was feeling pretty good at this point and giving her a full bottle of what was probably going to be her favorite drink was a bad idea. On the other hand, she was a grown woman who could make her own decisions.

Her hand extended around the body of the bottle, fingers curling around the smooth glass. She’d probably have another glass…or two, before turning in for the night. She’d have to call Dispater back from…where ever he had gone, but that wouldn’t be too hard. He usually knew when she was going to turn in any way and promptly returned home at around that time. Maybe he had his own internal clock? Or maybe he just knew when bedtime was.

The Knight blinked as she heard Madison’s conditions. A small frown pulled at her lower lip as her brows knit in mild annoyance. It wasn’t that she didn’t want to be friends with the Plague Witch, it was more in line that she didn’t really know how to have friends. The ones she had had before TerraSphere she didn’t talk to anymore and the girls she was currently living with weren’t really friends, just roommates. And she and Madison had gotten off to such a rotten start…

Still, she nodded her head. Yeah, we’re cool, she said, her words rolling off her tongue slowly as if she chewed on each word before she allowed it free. I, ah, I’m sorry about the other day. The fight and involving Luna and everything. Sometimes…I just…get blood crazy I guess. She cleared her throat and glanced away from the other woman, shame marking her cheeks and throats with a healthy blush. Not that I could’ve beat you, obviously—but, yea, we’re cool.

A coy smirk flitted across her mouth as she lifted her gaze to the woman and suddenly stood a little taller, the shame having disappeared as quickly as it had come. Gimme all the wine and we’ll be best friends for life. I’ll even pinky promise.

Yup, Ezra was tipsy.​

 

The witch breathed an internal sigh of relief. And that makes everyone, she noted. Now they could all be one big happy family of women with their own crippling insecurities and baggage!

"Don't sell yourself short," Madison said as she let the other woman take the bottle. "One swing of that axe of yours, and my ass is going to the respawn temple."

She had to admit, she was having a far better time that she originally figured. While Madison didn't exactly know what to expect, she was certainly surprised that it only took a bottle and a half of wine and an apology to smooth things over with the Death Knight.

For once, she felt truly relaxed. Maybe it was the wine. ...No, it was definitely the wine.

Madison flicked open her UI and checked the time. Have I really been here this long? Stretching her arms into the air, the bones in her neck popping softly as she rolled her head around, the witch did a bit of mental math.

"Hey, would you mind if I crashed here for the night? It's a long flight back to Dunnstads or even Stokbon, and I haven't quite mastered the whole Druid Form thing. My arms are still killing me from the flight in." She massaged her right shoulder a bit for emphasis.

"I won't take up much room. I'll just transform into a cat or something and curl up in the corner. So long as Dispater doesn't try to eat me, anyway."

 

I don’t think he even know what a cat is, Ezra said by way of a joke, though her face was completely deadpan and her voice thoughtful. And, as if summoned, the blue and silver raptor faded in from the darkness outside of the campfire, his intelligent yellow eyes glancing from Ezra to Madison and back again. Cautiously, he walked up beside his master, his tail giving an agitated flicked as he trilled a question.

Ezra shook her head. No, no danger. Everything is fine. That’s Madison. She’s a friend.

The bony ridges alongside Dispater’s eyes slightly lifted. He looked back toward the other Witch and then around her, as if looking for someone else to suddenly appear. Ezra, realizing that he was looking for Maddy’s summon,—which she never got around to asking about, d’oh—she quietly chuckled and rubbed her palm against the length of his neck.

She’s alone and she’s gonna be spending the night. She’s gonna turn into a small animal that is too little for you to play with, alright? The Raptor grumbled but nodded, his lithe frame walking toward the tent and entering after moment.

Yup, he’s fine with it, Ezra announced before resuming her position by the fire, one of her hand going to the cork of the wine bottle and popping it open. You can go ahead and bed down. I’ll probably have another glass or two and then sleep. I’ll try not to wake you.​