14. SENLAS
14
SENLAS
Butler Bot 20: Guardian Vin of Argentea’s Team Three was just here and helped Conduit Yamara gather things he desired to take with him. He didn’t take much but said he wanted nothing else. Please be advised that I shall be keeping his belongings regardless.
Butler Bot 35: That is very thoughtful. I’m sure he will be grateful in case he reconsiders. Is there anything I should know about the things he took, about their care?
Butler Bot 20: Wash the clothing as appropriate, don’t disturb anything. Always check if you can do anything for him before he goes to sleep, but quietly.
Butler Bot 35: Oh, of course. I always see everything is stocked. The room sensors are in full working order.
Butler Bot 20: No. I don’t mean that. Go to his room and ask if there is anything he needs.
Butler Bot 35: That is unusual, but I will of course do all within my power to make the transition seamless.
Butler Bot 20: Channeling exhausts him, and he needs the extra care.
Butler Bot 35: I understand. I will sneak in as much narras powder into his food as I am able.
Butler Bot 20: Take good care of him. And remember, I am keeping his things for him.
Butler Bot 35: I will. Thank you.
(TowerChat, Champions’ Tower bot network.)
Senlas followed Orrey with his power, but when the Conduit was out of earshot, he spun toward Taros.
“What happened?”
Taros shrugged. “It’s not like I had a chance to talk to Col alone. That stupid redhead won’t let him out of his sight.”
“Col just wants to relax. He’s using Hyran to do that,” Vin said. “And of course he is a Conduit who has to deal with the Guardian who imprinted on him. Col knows that, and he’s smart enough to handle the situation. Oh, by the way, apparently Hyran is moving to Argentea with us.”
Senlas sighed in relief. “Good.”
Taros waved at the butler bot, who was placing three more parcels onto a pile of packages that had appeared while Senlas was out with Orrey. “Kashana sent something for Orrey. And there’s lots of other stuff. Says thank you on most of the wrapping. It’s like all you have to do to be treated like a champion is to save a city and look good doing it.”
Vin snorted, his eyes still on the hallway Yamara and Orrey had headed down. “You looked good saving the city?”
Taros frowned and crossed his arms. “Well, if I’d been given the Kashana dress, I would have looked better, wouldn’t I? But no. You looked amazing. I wore a suit. Pfft.”
Vin tore his eyes away. “I looked good?”
Taros shrugged. “Yeah? I mean, we all did, before everything turned into a Wild fucking Hunt.”
Senlas crossed his arms. “Can we get back to you telling me that Col doesn’t need us to step in? Because I want to be sure of that.”
“If he needed anyone stepping in, we’d have done it,” Vin said. “He ordered us not to.”
Taros got up and went over to the packages, played at sorting them, putting some on the table while he left others on the side table. “He helped Col with his data-gathering obsession. Apparently, psionomancers were killed before the attack happened, both here and in Argentea. Oh, and guess who wants to go to the Judiciary and have a chat with Alesa.”
Senlas tensed. “Absolutely not.”
Taros slid a package over to Senlas. “Cute. Hyran said the exact same thing.”
Senlas pinched the bridge of his nose. “Well, he isn’t totally suspect then.” He recalled his and Orrey’s visit to the Judiciary in Argentea. “But we shouldn’t worry. The Judiciary AIs wouldn’t let Col talk to Alesa, even if Hyran agrees.”
The door to the suite opened, and they all turned. Senlas’s power was ready to defend and Pull Orrey toward him if necessary. Instead of any kind of threat, Lapatea walked in, followed by Karmine.
“Guardians,” Lapatea said. The hospitality guide had barely a drop of enthusiasm left, a sharp contrast to how he’d been like before Starlit Stage. He wore a simple white scarf over pale green robes, showing his grief.
Karmine tossed two bags to the butler bot. “First rank outside handed me this for Hyran. Also, Lapatea is going to stay with us. He didn’t want to be alone. Anyone mind?”
“I’m very sorry to intrude, and if—”
“We don’t mind,” Taros said.
Vin leaned forward. “Do you watch My Secret Guardian ?”
Karmine snorted. “Vin says he doesn’t mind either.”
“No, I asked Lapatea a question.”
Lapatea walked toward the couch and the screen, which still showed a news stream. Orrey was kissing Senlas again.
“I don’t. But I did see this. The gesture was well done, Guardian Senlas.”
“Call me Senlas, please.”
“We’re watching a few more episodes then,” Vin said. “You’ll like it.”
Lapatea gave Vin a tired smile. “I will certainly try to enjoy it. I heard good things.”
“And there’s food,” Senlas said, pointing at the bags on the table. “Should be more than enough.”
Taros watched the butler bot with the two bags in hand. “Do you think we should go through Hyran’s bag?”
The bot stopped. “Guardian Taros, that would be a breach of privacy.”
“I can breach your bot skin,” Vin said.
Lapatea stepped between the bot and Senlas and Taros. “You’re Guardian idols, but even so, this isn’t a funny joke.”
Karmine chuckled and came over to put an arm around Lapatea’s waist. “Hospitality guide training?”
Lapatea shrugged.
Taros groaned. “Fine. Doubt the first rank would have packed anything we could use against him anyway.” He narrowed his eyes and mumbled, “If he has Kashana in that bag though…”
Orrey and Yamara came back to the living space, accidentally providing cover for the butler bot to move Lapatea’s and Hyran’s bags out of sight.
He’s doing that thing, Senlas realized when he saw Vin watch Yamara with close attention. That thing where he aims to learn how a person moves and behaves and stares at them all creepy for hours. He likes him.
“Oh, you are back,” Orrey said and walked up to Lapatea. “If there’s anything we can do, please let us know.”
“Ah, you’re doing it,” the hospitality guide said. He brightened, though with effort. “I just complimented your Guardian on that public kiss. And of course your comments were nicely thought out.”
Orrey gasped. “I didn’t even know he was recording. I just said the first thing that came to mind.”
“We’ll let you talk for us from now on then,” Taros said and walked up to Orrey with a package. “Here. Open this. Kashana sent it. I need to know if you got a neck robe as well.”
“A what now?”
Vin glanced at them. “A neck robe. So that he can wear it and combat pants instead of walking around my place with his bare ass on display.”
Taros broke out in blades. “My ass is wonderful. Tell him, Orrey.”
Senlas walked over to stand on Orrey’s other side. “Orrey has no opinion about your naked ass, Taros.”
“No, it’s shapely,” Orrey said. “Not as shapely as Sen’s. What does the neck robe thing have to do with your ass?”
“They argued about sitting naked on each other’s furniture,” Yamara said.
The pretty little Conduit stuck close to Orrey and Lapatea. As a result, Vin had gotten to his feet as well so he could keep him in his line of sight.
“Oh, that’s an ongoing thing,” Orrey said. “It confused me at first, but they always seem to discuss when it’s appropriate to wear pants and when it isn’t.”
“He sounds judgmental. Sen, your Conduit sounds judgmental,” Taros said. “And everyone, follow my words, you are all welcome to sit on my furniture in whatever state of dress you want.”
Lapatea blinked. “These are strange Argentea habits, I have to say. It is not the way we extend an invitation here in Ferrea.”
Karmine chuckled. “I don’t think that was an invitation but rather a challenge.”
“Exactly, and my Conduit can pass all the judgment he likes,” Senlas said and reached out with his powers to Caress Orrey all over. By the slight shiver, he felt it.
“I judge we should eat. Yamara said he was hungry.”
“So am I,” Karmine said. “I hope you brought enough for all of us.”
“There’s plenty. I saw them put in extra too.” Senlas Opened the bags with the dumplings. “Bot?”
“Yes, Conduits and Guardians. I am happy to provide you with dessert or any extra main or side dish you might desire.”
“Just plates and drinks for now,” Senlas said.
Orrey leaned forward. “And some tara leaves. And sorono hummus with crackers.” He tore the seal on the Kashana box while the bot went into the kitchen.
“Right. Good thinking.” Taros was watching Orrey peel the silky paper wrappers back. “Wow. You got a fucking blouse. Hmm. You’ll look good in that.”
“Isn’t it very…” Orrey ran a hand over the fabric.
“It’s very Kashana. And that shade of blue is a great color for you.”
“But it’s see-through.”
Taros shrugged. “Nothing there you should be afraid of showing.”
“Trust Taros, kitten. He’s right.” Senlas leaned forward to whisper the words in Orrey’s ear, but really, he just wanted the chance to kiss the top of Orrey’s head.
He’s mine, forever, and I’m his.