Heart of Dorkness

Bane Sixteen - Predate

Bane Sixteen - Predate

Bane Sixteen - Predate

Esme fidgeted with her dress. It was a dress shed worn before, just a few months ago at that, but today it felt as if it was a little bit tighter around the hips than it had been before. She was pretty sure she hadnt put on any weight.

Not that that would matter, of course. She kept fighting-fit, as a proud Archivist should if they were determined to do field work properly.

She shook her head. There were more important things going on. Notably, everyone who was going on the date was preparing to board Sempers carriage. It was the gilded one, pulled by a team of pegasi stallions who were being looked after by some of the castles monsters.

Are you okay?

Esme turned to find that Valeria had snuck up on her. Her friend... maybe even her best friend, was in a light purple dress, with a shawl on her shoulders and a wide-brimmed summer hat perched on her head to cast some shade. It was going to be a rather sunny day, after all.

Im fine, Esme said. She wasnt sure if it was true or not. Her stomach kept doing little flips. Are we ready for this?

Valerias eyes hardened like pudding being smacked by the back of a spoon. Yes, she said with her usual levels of certainty. Mom and Semper are coming down in a bit.This chapter is updated by e nodded along. So, whats the plan?

I think well be doing what Felix and I did the other day. I dont know if well be going to Santafaria again, though, Velaria said.

How can we go to a city like that?

Valeria pointed to the carriage and pegasi. Well fly over?

No, I mean... your mom cant be seen in public. People will riot! Esme said. Shes the goddess of Darkness, everyones afraid of her.

Then theyll be too afraid to riot. Besides, if they do decide to be stupid, how well do you think its going to work out for them? Mom and Semper will be there. Valeria shook her head. It wouldnt work out at all.

Emse considered it for a moment before she shrugged. Valeria wasnt wrong. Semper alone could probably handle a city; having Luciana there was just overkill.

Speaking of the two goddesses, Esme turned as the doors at the front of the castle were opened by the two monsters standing guard on either side of them. Out came Semper and Luciana, both of them dressed up for their date. Semper usually wore nice dresses, but she tended to prefer comfortable clothes as well. It was a well-known fact that the goddess appreciated hand-knit sweaters as offerings.

Today she was in a pure white dress, with a shawl over her shoulders and a slit along the side which had Esmes nose and ears warming up as the goddess displayed an amount of leg that might have been inappropriate if propriety applied to goddesses at all.

Luciana was in another black dress, though it was very gauzy and covered in fine lace. The dark Goddess looked like one of the pretty ladies of the court in Montele. She stood tall, taller than Semper by half a head, and she walked as if the world itself would twist to accommodate her graceful demands.

Esme, Valeria, Luciana said. Are you both ready for this... outing?

Yes mom! Valeria said. She reached down and grabbed Esmes hand. Esme had to work hard not to shock her friend at the sudden contact. For that matter, she didnt need her hair going all fritzy again, it had been a nightmare trying to comb it down to be less poofy that morning.

What kinds of levels? Valeria asked.

Esme was pretty sure that this wasnt how dates were supposed to go, normally, but she was too intrigued to interrupt.

A players level would depend on how well they play the game, how much they know, how much they can manipulate, and of course, on how well they can obfuscate their own plays. The greater the level, the more false leads youll find, Luciana said.

Semper chuckled. Your mother is quite adept at this game of hers, when she chooses to play.

What level are you at then, mom? Valeria asked.

Lucianas expression didnt change, but Esme felt the barest hint of amusement from the goddess. Why, Valeria, Im always one level above my opponent of course. Never underestimate the power of being able to flip the table.

Speaking of tables, Valeria said smoothly. Are we going to be eating somewhere? Do we have an itinerary?

Yes, that was an excellent question, Esme thought. Having a plan would help a lot.

Perhaps you should decide that, Semper said. After all, this is your date, she said.

Valeria froze. Uh. I mean... yes, of course it is. She looked to Esme, pleading with her eyes.

I think that maybe we can take it easy? Esme said. After all, this is a practice date, right? Maybe... maybe Semper and Luciana can show us how its done, and well just follow their example?

Luciana looked at Semper, and Semper smiled right back.

More wordless communication! The more Esme saw the two together, the more she had the impression that she was entirely out of her depth. Still, she had a mission of sorts.

The carriage rattled and shook as they took off, and Esme and Valeria bumped against each other.

She tried to remember what the plan was, but her mind was pulling a blank, there were too many ideas going on all at once, and she was afraid that steam might start pouring out of her ears.

And then Valeria touched her leg.

She gasped and looked at her friend. Itll be okay, Valeria said. No need to be so nervous.

Valeria smiled, big and bright and very Valeria-like. Esmes stomach flipped a little more, but she still felt a bit calmer.

Things would work out. She knew it, and she had Valeria there to help her besides!

***