As Q led Mikiyu down The Fool’s Errand stairwell their voices were drowned out by shouts, and sounds of laughter. As more of the floor came into view they saw the usually relaxed pub home to a handful of regulars flooded by new faces. Q understandably confused tried to flag down Eulissa, but she was so overwhelmed she didn’t notice.
“Well okay then. What the hell did I miss?”
Mikiyu tilted her head, and looked at Q. Her lips moved, but he couldn’t hear a thing she was saying. He pointed to his ears, and made a “X” with his arms. She giggled, and nodded back at him. Sighing Q knew he looked dumb, but he didn’t want her to think he was ignoring her. Especially after the events that had just unfolded upstairs.
I know it seems strange but Emma is the only one who would be able to hear whatever she wanted right now.
He grabbed Miki’s wrist, and started to pull her towards the bar.
Tch. Blocked. I couldn’t get through this mess unless I hurt someone.
Almost as though Miki knew his thoughts she pulled him towards the exit. Trying to get outside she bumped into Ganon. He turned around upon seeing his best friend, and new party member he donned a massive shit eating grin. Noticing Miki’s line of sight on the door he scooped each of them up into his arms, and effortlessly pushed through the crowd.
Is this how a kitten would feel in my arms?
Miki mused to herself. She was enjoying the ride much more in contrast to Q.
What the fuck am I? Airline luggage? Seriously though Ganon how ripped can you be ya damn meathead?
Q angrily thought. Finally outside Ganon let out a hearty laugh.
“Well that was exciting! Ya both need to eat a bit more though! While I was waiting for you two I ate some more Mabear steak! Eulissa said don’t worry about saying goodbye she’s too busy right now.”
“I told you he’d get hungry! I’m so sorry Ganon it’s all my fault. We are supposed to be partying up together, and I haven’t been very considerate of your time.”
Miki shifted back, and forth nervously. She felt bad for making Ganon wait for her own selfish reasons. Her interactions with Q already delayed their travels one day, and now she made him wait even longer. Expecting him to be mad she lowered her head.
“I don’t really get what you're apologizing for. Did you do something to my Mabear steak?”
Mikyu shook her head fervently.
“O-of course not!”
“Well I don’t see any problem then. Any excuse to chow on Euron’s cooking I’ll take. Extra points if I get to spend time with Eulissa while eating! We cool bug?”
She raised her head smiling.
Now that I really look at him he isn’t intimidating at all. His smile is so warm.
Thinking that she reached out her fist.
“Yes we are cool! But bug?”
Ganon bumped her fist gently, and bent down a little bit.
“Hey Q I like this one. She’s small, and sweet. Can we keep her around a bit longer?”
Grinning Q looked at them, and shrugged his shoulders.
“Oh I don’t know Ganon. I think having both of you around might make me into a deviant.”
Ganon flexed showing his bulging muscles. Posing 10 times every second. His vest exposing his burly arms, and rippling abs.
“Would it be easier for
you
if I hid these monsters?”
Q shifted his eyes over to Miki, his eyes gleaming as his smile turned dastardly.
I know this is mean, but it’s too easy.
Pointing at Miki he jokingly said.
“I mean she might get
jealous.”
Miki was already accustomed to Q’s sarcastic side. Without hesitation she matched his energy. Spinning away from the pair of goofballs her voice dropped into a deadpan.
“Q you would do well to remember I spent the last nine months totally alone. When I finally found you I showed you some memories, and we shared an intimate moment. If you continue to push your luck you’ll be spending your next intimate moment alone.”
Throwing himself to the ground leaving a trail of smoke behind him Q begged for forgiveness. Ganon, and Miki both burst out laughing at his pathetic display.
“Miki you’re amazin’! The only other person that can truly keep Q on his leash is Emma.”
“Aww you think so? Speaking of Emma like to finally meet her
—”
“Well then look nya
— no
further!”
A distinct set of platinum armor loomed behind Ganon, and Q. The woman inside it held the feeling of quaking mana. She stared at Mikiyu as her shining black hair flowed freely in the breeze and was only overshadowed by her presence. A greatsword was fastened to her back made from pure platinum refined with several lumenshards. Her eyes like oceans; they told tales of countless battles, and those who were all but forgotten. Ganon smiled at the woman who had appeared behind them raising his hand to wave.
“Would ya look at that? Perfect timing again Emma!”
“It would seem so. I believe introductions are in order. My name is Emma Silverhand. Who might you be?”
Emma motioned towards Miki. Scanning Emma up, and down Miki thought to herself.
Oh so she is a town guard. I can hardly believe she’s just an ordinary guard with this kind of presence. She surely has some very ferocious mana.
Clapping her hands together she tilted her head at Emma.
This is who Q has been partying with? Ganon I get, but even without his memories Q is bad with women. How does she do it?
Bowing towards Emma in respect she responded.
“—My name is Mikiyu-Mi. but my friends call me Miki. So please call me Miki. I was Q’s fiance, but that was before he lost his memories. I guess I’m his g-girlfriend again.”
Relaxing her stance a bit Emma raised an eyebrow at Q.
“
Oh my
. I would sure love to hear what I’ve myss
—missed
Miki.”
“Well you see
—”
—Miki, and Q spent the next several minutes explaining to Emma the events that had transpired in her absence. Occasionally Ganon would interject to ask about some things but he tried his best to stay quiet. The whole time Emma remained silent listening intently. Only speaking after being interrupted by a child in a red hat that needed directions to the nearby market. Finally they finished getting Emma caught up. She stared off into space void of all expression. Finally after what felt like forever she spoke.
“Someone actually kissed this degenerate?”
Q nodded proudly, but then realized what she said. He started shouting at Emma. His eyes bulging as he started waving his fists in the air.
“How is that your only question? This is why you still aren’t married, you filthy pervert!”
Miki covered her smile with her hand.
That’s awfully pot calling the kettle black of you. Unfortunately you wouldn’t remember that right now.
She mused.
Maybe I’ll take his virginity again later.
Miki was now quietly laughing to herself Q didn’t know why, but it sent shivers down his spine. He turned his attention back to Emma. Her face was no longer stoic instead it was replaced by a pained expression.
“That was low even for
you
. You know how people act towards me.”
Immediately regretting his comment Q put his hand on Emma’s back.
“You’re right. That was fucked up, and I apologize. Still though don’t let small minded people who can’t handle a woman with power get you down.”
Confused at the situation unfolding before her Miki tugged at Q’s shirt to signal him to fill her in. Ganon, noticing this got Q’s attention and pointed at Miki.
Ah that’s right she has no idea Emma is Deaf, and the headguard of Newhaven.
Q realized. Before Q had time to explain Emma began talking again this time addressing Miki.
“I’m sure you are probably curious, but I don’t have much more time to spare. So I’ll be keeping the explanation brief as I can. I was born with a
terrible
power that made me lose my hearing at an early age. I don’t want to get into how it works, but it can be very dangerous. I am required to make use of lumenshards to help me channel this power safely. For example my blade, and armour are custom-made gifts Lord Ignis gave me when he bestowed a title upon me. Both are imbued with special grade lumenshards that keep me from being a hazard to others, and
myself
. Even though I am greatly respected, many fear me for both my position, and my power. Even the men who can accept that don’t want a
broken
woman.”
Q’s face fell into a frown.
I hate it when she talks about herself like that. Honestly the worst part about her is how much of a pervert she is. Other than that she’s damn near perfect.
Shit I almost completely forgot about my dream with everything that’s been happening. I need to ask her about Lord Ignis.
He thought to himself, but he knew now wasn’t an appropriate time. Miki smiled at Emma as she spoke.
“I’m sorry there are those who choose to treat you differently. It’s truly a shame any woman as strong , and beautiful of you should be able to pick any suitor they want.”
Emma shook her head laughing a bit.
“It’s not a problem as long as Lord Ignis continues to support me I don’t need anything else—”
Her eyes got wide, and she began to hyperventilate. The group collectively started asking if she was ok, or if she needed anything. Bent over Emma began to tremble.
“Q..”
Q’s face started to get even paler than his already ash white skin.
“Yes?”
“You owe me.”
Q now confused was trying to remember if he made any bets with Emma recently.
Oh no fucking way.
Emma shot up, and smugly held a piece of parchment in front of his face. On it written in a fancy calligraphy were the words to shatter Q's soul.
“For her continuous efforts in protecting Newhaven, and her unyielding might Emma Silverhand has been granted a title. Henceforth Emma Silverhand will be known throughout The Cradle as ‘Emma the Platinum Banshee’!”
After Q finished reading it she presented it to both Ganon and Miki. Ganon looked up at Q from behind the parchment to see Q had cracked.
“Q you gotta stop makin’ bets with girls bro. You always lose. Stick to betting dudes I’ve never seen you lose a bet against Euron. Do I even want to know how much it was this time?”
With tears rolling down his face Q looked at Ganon.
“T-ten—”
“Oh, what are you tweaking for that’s not so bad man.”
Shaking his head Q drew circles in the air with his pointer finger.
“Ten thousand Posch.”
“TEN THOUSAND?!”
Ganon, and Miki exasperated shouted at Q. Ganon started doing quick math to figure out how much ten thousand Posch was actually worth. While he was doing that Miki suplexed Q, and proceeded to curb stomp him for a comical amount of time. She kept shouting at Q the entire time.
“You stupid dummy! Who even has that much to bet with?!”
Ganon, now finished with his calculations, started to get in on scolding Q.
“Bro that’s like 833 Mabear steaks. What were
you
thinking?”
Emma felt kind of bad so she chimed in to try, and save him.
“He may have been inebriated when we made the bet.”
After going back, and forth for a while the group finally settled down. Emma, short on time she got a serious look on her face.
“You guys need to be careful out there. Apparently a new Ennobled has been sighted between here and Terminus. From what I gathered it was first spotted in Freeland, and reports of its attacks have been getting more frequent as of late.”
Miki grabbed Q’s arm. She wanted to protest the idea of an Ennobled attacking people unprovoked, but she kept quiet. Instead Q had questions of his own.
“I actually heard about that from The Fool’s Errand. Is that why there are so many adventurers hanging out there today?”
Emma nodded.
“Yes, and I know you aren’t going to want to hear this. From what I’ve been told there is a huge bounty on this creature. Apparently even
her
group is tracking this thing.”
Frowning Q knew these kinds of bounties too well.
They haphazardly post these things for any adventurer out there. Half the time noobs wind up being canon fodder for these creatures. Stronger more heartless people take advantage of this fact to wear down high threat foes before making a move of their own. I’ve recommended a rating system multiple times to avoid this, but no one listens. Maybe when I get to Terminus The Baron will.
Honestly though what concerns me more is the possibility of bumping into her.
Lost in thought Q remembered he still hadn’t asked Emma more about Lord Ignis.
“Emma one last thing before we take off. Would Lord Ignis ever prosecute someone without a fair trial?”
Shaking her head Emma’s voice became hostile.
“
Why
would you even ask something like that
?
”
“I’m sorry I know how you feel about him, and I don’t mean to upset you. I just need to know what you think.”
Q’s sincerity put Emma off.
His mana is telling me he’s scared. He must have been nervous to ask me about this considering the nature of my power. He never ceases to surprise me that one. First the girl and now this nyan.
“My immediate answer would be no. However I cannot pretend that if he witnessed something truly vile that he wouldn’t act in the moment.”
Q’s heart sank. His fears were confirmed if his dream was to be believed. Something really bad was going to happen, and he was going to be in the middle of all of it.
“Thanks Emma. I’ll be sure to get your money from the vault when we return. Then we all can pick our next contract together over a nice meal at The Fool’s Errand.”
Emma nodded, and said her goodbyes. The party of three headed over to the stables. They needed to get Ganon’s Groundragon Gambit to pull the carriage for them. After getting everything all set up Miki asked Ganon.
“Why do you guys still use monsters for transport instead of lumenshards? It would be cheaper, and less maintenance with lumenshard powered transport right?”
Ganon gave a thumbs up in agreement.
“Well of course. Thing is I raised lil’ ole Gambit here since before she hatched. Not only that, but he can pull faster than any silly shard could ever hope too.”
Visibly excited Miki began petting Gambit’s horns. She liked the idea of going fast feeling the wind blow through her hair. As Gambit began to chirp happily the crew headed out of town through the south east gates towards Terminus. They began singing popular songs by Lyra the Lemming, and Yima Yii to pass the time. Ganon, and Miki had kept singing together well after Q stopped. To his delight Miki’s smile was the brightest it had been yet. Her soothing voice carried through the air calming him. He still had so many questions, but in that moment none of that mattered. Ganon apparently was enjoying the new duet partner quite a bit. Usually he was left to hum alone after two or three songs, but Miki had been keeping the same energy the entire time. Little did the boys know that Miki was the truly grateful one.
I can’t remember the last time I felt so much joy. I haven’t traveled with someone in so long I forgot what this was like. I swear I’ll never forget this moment of bliss.
Miki was further determined to enjoy every moment with her new party that recently adopted her.
The nice thing about this trip is that the Baron in Terminus can give us the clearance to free Koko. That will make everything so much easier on Quincy.
Soon after the group finished singing they saw smoke in the distance warning them of danger. Completely unphased Q thought to himself
. Ah of course. Trouble.