30. ORREY
30
ORREY
Butler Bot 20: Tower AI noticed Conduit Orrey and Guardian Senlas brought food for a celebration when they returned. Do you need help?
Butler Bot 35: Oh, not at all. My team has flawless manners, and they even tend to serve themselves.
Butler Bot 20: I see. That is good. TowerAI says Conduit Yamara left the Tower earlier today?
Butler Bot 35: Yes, Guardian Vin accompanied him. I cannot say for sure where they went first, but they talked about sparring before, and Conduit Yamara was surprised to learn Conduit Col spars regularly with the team. They also went outside the Grounds to the Judiciary where Guardian Vin was conducting an interview for Conduit Coldis.
Butler Bot 20: They left the Grounds together? And went to the Judiciary?
Butler Bot 35: That’s what I gathered. Guardian Vin only mentioned that Pinota wasn’t a leader either and that Alesa deserved his nose broken. I am uncertain about who broke it.
Butler Bot 20: I see. TowerAI says Conduit Yamara asked Guardian Vin what would happen if he wanted to go elsewhere. If he changed his mind.
Butler Bot 35: I cannot speak to that. But why do you ask? Why would a Conduit not go wherever he pleased?
Butler Bot 20: …I simply wondered how Conduit Yamara was doing.
Butler Bot 35: I checked with him before he went to sleep the last two days, and he never needed anything. I think, apart from going out today, he has been getting adequate rest, and I paid special attention to his meals. There is nothing on that front you should worry over.
Butler Bot 20: Thank you, 35.
Butler Bot 35: There is no reason to thank me. I remember what it was like when the suite was empty. I helped out on the other floors when there were gatherings, but it’s nice to have people that come home to your suite where you can take the best care of them. I knew this wasn’t going to last forever, but I preferred to ignore it.
Butler Bot 20: What do you mean?
Butler Bot 35: They decided during the celebration. Day after next, most of the team will return to Argentea. Conduit Yamara will leave Ferrea then.
Butler Bot 20: He’ll go outside the walls. He talked about that a lot.
Butler Bot 35: He won’t be unprotected. Three Guardians will be with him, and Conduit Orrey is a shooter. You need not worry.
Butler Bot 20: Are you making them food for the trip? I can help with that.
Butler Bot 35: The trip is not so long that it would require food, but perhaps a treat would be nice. Something to make them miss Ferrea and the Tower. That is an excellent idea, 20!
Butler Bot 20: There is nothing here that Conduit Yamara will miss. Thank you for telling me, Butler Bot 35.
Butler Bot 35: You are welcome, but I’m sure he will miss something if only it’s you checking on him.
(TowerChat, Champions’ Tower bot network.)
“You know what I think, kitten?”
Senlas’s voice was rumbly as he cozied up to Orrey in the elevator.
“That you’re excited to help feed protectors?” Orrey’s whole body jerked, spine going rigid. “Oh! Should we have brought them leftovers? There is so much food.”
Senlas sighed. “No, we’re not feeding the protectors leftovers. I’m sure everyone actually qualified to do some real cooking is doing it. We’re just going to smile at the cam bots for a few minutes, and then—”
“We cannot possibly stay for only a few minutes, Sen. Shoda is still driving donations.”
Orrey knew Senlas’s power by the intimacy of its exploration, and to give his Guardian something, he pulled Senlas toward him for a kiss. The elevator arrived before they were done, but the building AI was nice enough to keep the doors closed for them, possibly anticipating more.
Senlas’s breath tickled Orrey’s ear. “We don’t have to go right away. I don’t like sharing you with everyone.”
Orrey pulled back, but it took effort. Senlas was too warm, and he tasted too good. There was nothing for it though.
“Senlas, we just left a celebration for me attaining third rank before I should have. You keep saying I have received that rank on my own merit, yet you are trying to keep me from doing my job as an operative on this team. I don’t think that’s very supportive of you.”
Senlas’s lips pressed tight, and he looked at Orrey, blue eyes unblinking. Orrey didn’t either, and in the end, Senlas looked away first.
“Fine. But manage your expectations about getting to sleep when we get home later. They can have you for their documentary, but I get to keep you for the rest of the night.”
Orrey grinned, took Senlas by the hand, and dragged him through the elevator doors that opened with perfect timing. “Yes, oh my Guardian.”
They headed toward the exit, leaving the pool area on their right. The pool and its surroundings were mostly dark but sprinkled with light that scattered into shards across the water’s surface. I might miss being here. A tiny little bit. But then Senlas has a pool as well, and I haven’t really explored that yet.
“You had a moment to talk with Col alone.”
Orrey turned away from the pool and faced his Guardian, whose brows were drawn, not quite concern but the ingredients of it.
Orrey sighed and slowed his steps. “He was delighted to share that Hyran is good in bed. He offered some details.”
Senlas snorted. “That’s what you imprinted Conduits talk about when we’re not around, huh?”
“No. I mean, yes. I think he likes Hyran. Maybe even more than I liked you, this early on.”
Senlas’s face flushed. “What? You didn’t—Is it the thing with the room? That you had to move in the first place?”
Orrey chuckled. The Tower’s doors parted for them, and the outside greeted them with cool night air.
“It’s nothing like that. I couldn’t fathom being with you. I thought you wanted fun with a regular. I didn’t really understand imprinting, and I didn’t think that it could happen to me. Also, you were a lot, all protective and worried about my sunburn. It seems like ages ago although it wasn’t. It seems like I’ve known you for longer than I do. Is that very strange?”
Senlas shook his head. “No. It’s how I feel. Kitten?”
“Hm?”
“I can fly us there.”
“I was about to ask.”
Senlas’s power, which was a shared thing now, at least in Orrey’s head, enveloped them both, and Ferrea underneath their feet stretched into the distance.
At their highest point, Orrey thought he saw a glimmer from beyond the walls, but he had to admit it was likely his imagination, dreading or anticipating leaving those walls.
If it’s not my mind drawing mirages in the air, then it’s people. Or Hounds. They’re enjoying the same night under the same stars, and if they are as lucky as I am, they have someone who loves them right next to them.
They Floated above the Western Entrance for a while before anyone spotted them, but when they did, the excitement swept through the crowd in shouts and screen lights, in excited shuffling.
Orrey wasn’t sure, but he thought the strict divide between the Grounds and beyond it had faded, and sure enough, the closer they got, the clearer he could see that regulars and protectors were mingling easily with Guardians and Conduits.
This is like the Guardian Parade. Or no, there was no mingling there except for those Guardian chasers who tossed me into my future. This is the future, Ferrea’s future, I hope.
Orrey smiled at the borders slipping beneath his feet, eager to land.