Chapter 5 - Embarrassment

Blythe POV

The Sound of Silence really was a beautiful song when covered on the harp. Padding over to the stone, I carefully set down the harp as I comfortably arranged myself on the flat surface. My hands paused for a moment, then began to weave wind magic into the catgut strings. I allowed myself to fully immerse my consciousness into the music, relaxing and swaying to the euphonious melody.

Until I was interrupted by a strange, dull thump. I sensed the minuscule vibrations of sound waves through the air directly to my left.

Straightening and stowing away my harp once more, I didn't bother to send the treacherous tendrils of a gentle breeze that way. It was Heron. He had been thrown out of Mistress' tent. Regally gliding over to his location, I immediately blushed crimson and regretted scrutinizing Heron's body. Only dressed in a strange loincloth of sorts, his lean muscles, smooth skin, and angular torso were exposed. On closer inspection, so were a few scrapes from the fall and... whip marks? I, personally, was glad I held the position of entertainer in a musical sense, unlike Heron's more ambiguous responsibilities...

Well, who was I to question Mistress' tastes? Using my power once more, I coaxed it into lifting Heron and carrying him over to my tent. Warm, twinkling lights and comforting, plain fabric greeted me as I entered.

Now came the hard part.

I retrieved a parcel of medicinal ointment from a mahogany drawer, and gently began applying it to Heron's back. Suddenly, he began shifting and I subconsciously drew back. However, his hands extended out and started gripping my legs. I hesitantly tugged at my legs - I didn't want to maintain such close physical contact with Heron, but he looked so weak at the moment I wasn't sure what to do.

"Don't... don't leave..."

At this opportune moment, I abruptly noticed his loincloth was slipping up due to his awkward posture... With one thought in mind, I leapt forward and pinned it in place with my hand. No. No way. Once again, I was suddenly very aware of awkward position we were in... Heron was still tugging at my feet curled with his head between my legs in a state of half-consciousness, and the only thing supporting me from falling headfirst into a rather private area was one flimsy, pale arm.

While I was contemplating how to extricate myself from such an embarrassing position, Heron chose this particular time to wake up.

I don't want to think back to what happened after that...

It was simply too mortifying for me to even recall.

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"Blythe."

I was startled from my state of contemplation.

"Hmm?"

"Are you alright?"

"???"

"... Your face is red and you're burning up."

"!!!"