Day 32-1 Double-Up
DAY 32-1: DOUBLE-UP
"Men, we have a problem."
Even as three figures hover above him, the purple-haired prince remains flat on his back, beneath the shade of a nearby boulder.
Tongue dangling from his mouth, eyes shut tight, face sheen with undoubted sweat.
Despite having stripped from his coat to a white button down dress shirt, he remains the embodiment of exhaustion.
"I said I was sorry," he rasps.
Wind stirs up the wispy sand, the sun's boiling rays beating down as an unforgiving torture.
"Sorry won't bring back our only source of water you stupid Heart."
"I was thirsty! And the water wasn't even cold or refreshing!" He struggles to rise from the minuscule shade only to collapse onto his back again. "Leda, it's way too humid out here! I'm sweaty! I'm tired! Carry me in your arms!"
Leda wants to sigh, but even breathing in this stifling heat proves to be a difficult task.
Over the course of her time in Annadia, it's become obvious temperature is especially fickle.
They departed from Straeh a little over a day ago—shortly after dropping off Grimm and the land documents to Avel's sister—and they'd already found themselves in the thick of this barren desert.
She runs her tongue along her dried lips. "Avel—"
"Leda, do not listen to this blubbering fool.
" While she herself had changed into the loosest and lightest clothes she'd scrabbled from Edaps, Ro is fitted in a blue turtleneck and robe.
Not a single gleam of sweat appears on his skin but it's apparent he's uncomfortable.
A feat she should've expected from a superhuman Spade.
"Although his magic isn't useful enough to summon food and water, levitation is well within his range. "
"I'm too exhausted to levitate!" Whining, Avel flails his arms and legs. "It's hot! I can't breathe! I'm gonna die!"
"Then die."
He emits a grunt. "I'd seriously rip out your tongue if I weren't suffering from this heat you damn Spade."
"It's understandable you aren't accustomed to this sudden change of climate.
" Orian crouches at his side and gently aids him up.
Casting him a soft smile, he goes on, "You've been inside Straeh your entire life, haven't you?
Tell us if you ever get too overwhelmed.
We can stop to rest. Though, at least for now, we should push ourselves until we arrive somewhere with civilization so we can restock.
Without basic necessities, we'll be goners. "
"Orian...! This is why I like you a whole lot more than that ignoramus over there!"
Ro pops a nerve. "Who are you calling a—"
"How about you, Ro? Orian?" Leda asks before they can dare break out into another duel. She dealt with enough of that madness. She fans herself with her hand. "I'm overheating as we think but I think I can live through this a tad longer."
"This humidity isn't much," Ro replies, left eyebrow still twitching as he shifts his gaze to her. "I've encountered worse when I went on expeditions with my brothers in the past. More so, when I had to bundle up for months to conceal my illness from my people."
Orian nods as well, once back on his feet. "I'm fine as well. Do not worry about me, Master."
Of them all, Orian definitely is the least affected, that much is obvious. Leda can't help but ask, "Is Dia a warm kingdom as well?"
The question is evidently one he doesn't expect. His hesitation lasts a moment, but he rids all traces of it with a meek smile. "Dia... is more of a jungle, so there are times the temperature raises beyond the expected. However, I wouldn't be too sure."
"'Wouldn't be?' Why not?"
His smile wavers. "I've already told you, Master.
I spent the majority of my life growing up in Meisyr.
As such, asking me for personal information about the Dia Kingdom is not advisable.
Majority of the information I am aware of concerning the four suits are things I've read in Master Rhett's study at the Deck Tower. "
The silence that ensues is as stiff as the humidity itself.
He avoids their eyes but it's obvious he knows they've noticed.
She's never considered it much, but whenever Dia was mentioned, Orian never seemed too comfortable.
And when it came to the Dia royalty especially.
.. A frown tugs on Leda's lips at the recollection of what happened in Straeh.
On the maps she'd seen, anyway, Dia and Meisyr are basically on opposite ends of Annadia. Orian once implied he came to take refuge in Meisyr before living at the Deck Tower. But from what exactly? And why travel so far?
"You were brought up in Meisyr?" Avel's inquiry originates from above.
He floats face-down on his thin broom, balancing with ease.
His mint eyes don't leave him. "Isn't that a place for lesser suits to live under that fake umbrella of 'peace'?
You're a full-blooded Mond, aren't you? Why not live in Dia? "
Orian's smile weakens with the pointed statement. "Oh... that is because..."
"Learn to be considerate," Ro says. "Everyone has one or two questions they don't want to answer."
All tension veers from Orian, and in that split second, Leda catches his shoulders slump from relief.
Scowling at Ro, Avel childishly puffs his cheeks. "I was just curious. If Orian didn't want to answer she should've just said no."
"She...?" Ronan echoes.
"She?" Leda asks.
It's quiet for a good period of time as everyone merely stares at one another.
Avel elevates his head. "Wait, am I wrong? When I changed her bandages I'm certain I saw feminine body parts."
Orian meets a baffled Ro and Leda's gaze with blank expression. "You must have not been paying attention, then. I am a man."
Avel raises his cheek from his broom, slowly blinking. "Er... As a quack, I can definitely tell the difference between man and woman. And, I can say with utmost certainty, you are in fact—"
"—A man," Orian finishes, matter-of-factly.
A deafening silence passes through. Sand kicks up, whirling in the wind around them.
"What?" Ro demands.
"Orian," Leda agrees, her eyes the size of plates. "Hold your fucking horses and bring the conversation right back here for me to catch up."
"'Fucking horses'?" All of them repeat in simultaneous puzzlement but Leda has already gripped him—or rather, her—by the shoulders.
"You're a girl?"
Possibly because the question comes from none other than Leda, this time around, Orian jumps, and shrinks in submission. "Um... Um..."
"You've been a girl this entire time?"
"I-I suppose if you would like to go that far back... then, I was born a girl." Orian hesitates, grimacing at Leda's vice-grip. "I-Is that a problem, Master?"
Leda's mouth plummets once again. Orian's ears twitch.
"How am I supposed to know that!" Leda exclaims, teetering backwards.
"There's no way! Your hottie looks. Your low voice.
Even, your flatter-than-a-board chest. Anyone would automatically assume you're a guy!
" She crouches over, clasping her head. "Why would you keep such important information away from me? A girl... Orian is a girl."
"I... I apologize, Master!" Orian quickly says, countenance contorting with panic. "I didn't think it was important to mention."
Ro lets out a breath. "I treated you rather roughly."
"I-It's fine, Master Ro!" Orian insists, undeniably flustered. "Um, listen! I would prefer you all still think of me the same way. If that means continuing to treat me as a guy, then, please do so. I'd rather that, actually."
Leda carefully peeks over her shoulder, once again raking his body over.
Sure she's noticed Orian's androgynous features—lengthy eyelashes framing big eyes; rounder face, thin hips, and fiery red hair on the longer side as well—but he's hella nimble and strong!
Somebody who's saved her life time and time again since they met.
His ambiguous garbs accentuated the misconception.
If Leda has learned anything from her time in Annadia it's that nothing is ever as it seems. Monds in particular are a mystery. Nevertheless, a girl? Like her? She swallows a good amount of saliva before picking herself back up.
"Is there anything else you're keeping from us?"
Orian shakes his head. "I— Not intentionally, no." At Leda's following silence, tears swell in his eyes. "Master, I'm sorry."
"For what?"
Stunned, Orian's eyelashes flutter, mouth flapping wordlessly. Leda secures an arm around his shoulders, and produces a hearty grin.
"Sure, I'm surprised, but you're the same ol' Orian I've always known. My dearest friend who's had my back since the day we met. What's there to be apologetic about?"
"Aww, no fair—clinging to Orian so intimately," Avel complains. "What about me? I'm always prepared to accept you in my arms, Leda!"
With a swift kick, Ro knocks Avel off his broom. He spirals face-first into the sand.
"Friend..." Orian's cheeks gain a rosy tinge, but regardless of Avel and Ro's bickering that grows imminent is the background, there's no ridding the warm smile that has wormed its way onto his face.
His tail giddily whips back and forth. "If I can fulfill such a role that will please you, I would be honoured, Master. "
Giggling at his bashfulness, Leda tightens her grip on his arm. "Avel, let Orian sit on your broom with you. He shouldn't be walking too much, right?"
"Not yet," Avel confirms, dusting the sand from his hair.
"I'm fine," Orian attempts to refute. "Really—"
Avel offers a gentle smile. "You sustained the worst amount of injuries, on my accord to boot. I'll be sure to look after you until you're back to full health. Oh! And there's always an open space for you on my lap, Leda!"
"So now he's back to full health?" Ro scoffs.
Leda laughs. After Orian seats himself on the broom behind Avel and drapes his legs over on one side, they float at a pace that Ro and her can keep up with. It isn't long before conversations start back up and their incessant arguments take flight.
As Leda moves her legs, a curling sensation in her bladder makes her stiffen. She comes to an abrupt halt. She shuts her eyes praying it's her imagination. Sadly, she's assured she isn't.
"Shit."
Avel and Ro pause to look over. Orian promptly translates to them.
"Leda, you really should tone down your vulgar tongue," Ro advises.
Avel's heart-eyes, on the other hand, have grown dilated. "I love a woman who isn't afraid to cuss."
"You love a lot of women you vile criminal."
"May I remind you that it was your women came onto me? I was happy to oblige to their selfish wishes but my heart will forever remain with Leda."
"You... Speaking of my fellow brethren like they're some kind of scum!"
"And what are you going to do about fact, you—you halfwit Spade—" Avel sighs, losing traces of his bloodlust via grunt. "Ugh, it's still so hot... I'll kill you for that comment later so let's keep moving..."
But Leda has crouched over for the second time, grasping her stomach and groaning, "I can't believe it. How did I forget? This heinous cycle. No wonder I've been in pain all morning... but I'm supposed to be a zombie so how does this still work?"
"Um, Master Leda?" Orian calls over. "Is there a problem?"
Gritting her teeth, Leda wobbles her way over as fast as her legs can take her. "Orian, gotta question, now!"
Before he can process her words, she snatches his wrist and drags him off as far as she can from the other two.
Once a good distance, Leda whispers, "Where's the nearest town?"
Ignoring Avel and Ro's boring stares, Orian lowers his voice to Leda's level. "Well, considering our current pace I'd say we should arrive in Lutan by morning tomorrow."
"Tomorrow?" Leda shakes her head. "No. No. No. Orian, we need to get there now. And I need you to reassure me that you people have pads or tampons here."
"Um?" He tilts his head. "What is that?"
"Ya'know! When you're on your monthly cycle, and..."
The more she puts out there, the more bewildered Orian becomes.
"Oh my gosh." She collapses to her knees. "I'm screwed. There isn't anything in this barren land besides maybe clothes I can use as a substitution. How are babies conceived here if they don't... But I mean, they do have washrooms. And they reproduce... Orian, is there a stain on my butt?"
"Master Leda, are you all right?"
"Swell. Now tell me if there's a stain on my butt."
There's a prolonged hesitation on Orian's part. Sheepishly, he darts his eyes to the position of Leda's request. "There is no stain on your... behind."
She emits a breath of relief. "I'm still good for time then."
"Time...?" Orian shoots his gaze over his shoulder. "M-Master Avel! Master Leda must have caught something! She's behaving strangely!"
"This is nothing new," Ro replies.
Avel bobs his head. "My dear Orian, clearly this is the illness called love! For your one and only charming prince, Avelious Uestaga Hestia—"
"Men!"
Leda snatches their attention in a heartbeat. Brows creased, fingers clenched, she zooms past them at a rapid pace. She's ahead by an earshot by the time she beckons for them to pick up the pace.
"We need to get to a town before it's too late. And that means moving as quickly as we possibly can."
Leda breezes through this foreign land with little to no mind of the brutal heat. She has a dire dilemma to worry about. Orian climbs back onto Avel's tiny broom and after a short period of gawking, they move forward, slowly but surely.
Ro sighs, "Are all humans this confusing?"
"I'll follow you even if it's to the depths of the darkest Rehte my dear!" Avel shouts dreamily.
"Master..." Orian murmurs in concern.