Chapter 27 : Life, love and family

I was confused. Why should I follow her?

"What? Why?" I asked Venus.

"You're really dense in the head. This is your chance to leave an impression. Strike the iron while its hot, right?"

"You're right. For once you're useful."

I didn't mean it. Why did I say it? Just because I could.

I got up without warning, a sudden surge of determination propelling me forward as I made my way to where she had gone. The air felt thick with unspoken emotions, and I instinctively spread my QI, around the area, searching for her presence. It was a familiar sensation, almost like reaching out with invisible tendrils to connect with her.

Once I sensed her, I approached slowly, my heart heavy with anticipation. As I drew closer, I could see the tears glistening in her eyes, a cascade of emotions swirling within them like a storm ready to break. The sight struck me deeply; I could feel her turmoil radiating outward, a palpable weight that pulled at my own heart.

"What happened?" I asked softly, hoping to break through the barrier of her pain.

She looked up at me, her expression a mix of confusion and frustration. "You knew all my moves. It's just like that exam. Why did you let me win? Why did you let me hit you again?" Her voice trembled, each word carrying the weight of her frustration and hurt.

I chose to remain silent, allowing her to empty out her feelings, to voice the turmoil that had been building inside her. I stepped closer, encouraging her to express herself, to confront the emotions that were clearly overwhelming her. Suddenly, in that moment of raw vulnerability, she struck me—her fist connecting with my shoulder, a release of pent-up frustration. I didn't flinch; I stood my ground.

Then, she hit me again, her blows fueled by emotion rather than anger. I could see the conflict in her eyes, the battle between wanting to lash out and needing comfort. Without hesitation, I wrapped my arms around her, pulling her into a tight embrace. In that moment, the world around us faded away.

She cried into my shoulder, her tears soaking through my shirt, each sob a testament to the pain she had been holding back. I held her close, feeling her heart beat against mine, a rhythm of grief and healing intertwined. Her life had been hard, and I know what a hard life is. She went from a princess, to a leader of a ragtag band, raiding villages for food and drink. I was born in a war, and spent my life as a slave, constantly surrounded by people who cared more about the dirt beneath their boots. Pain is not a new thing to us. We stand our ground, hold our heads high and spend our days bold, with purpose. As hurtful as it is, we bottle it up, and tread carefully, to not drown in this lost world. But somedays, this bottle cracks, feelings leak out, from little pulses to a great current. I understand her, perfectly. 

That's why I couldn't restrain myself. In a bold move, I raised her her chin, wiped her tears, and kissed her.

"What am I doing? Why isn't she doing anything?"

"Maybe, because its a mutual feeling? All those romance books you read, and you're as innocent as a baby out the womb. Just watching you is giving me a headache.

"I'd love to see you do any better. All you can do is sit around like a couch potato and watch what I'm doing all day. You dont have matters to take care of? You're not even dating anyone are ya?! Waiting billions of years for 'the' guy, isn't that right potato?"

"I think that's enough, wiseguy. So invested in an argument that you forget the life around you. You're scaring the poor girl"

She was right in a way. I had completely forgotten I was still in an embrace, though I'm not completely sure how that's possible. 

Adriana gently pushed off my shoulders, her lips coming off mine. She was obviously surprised at the sudden affection displayed. It was normal she would ask.

"Y-You wont even a-apologize f-first. You are truly shameless."

"You know that I didn't mean that. It was the only way to get some time to myself. I love your ears, I think they're, uh, fitting to your figure." 

"I-I need time to think about this."

"You can take as much time as you want. I'll wait for you."

I walked her to her dorm without saying a word. The once in control Adriana, had folded in my arms, poisoned with my love.

I made my way back to the fire, where our get-together had begun. Most were asleep, some had retired back to their dorm, and some still lively, in the center of it-Kainan. 

We had a good time, laughing, drinking and telling stories about our new life in Yulo. We were not just a ragtag band, we were more than friends. We were family now.

After a hell of a night, we limped back, our eyes dizzy, our heads spinning.

"That was a crazy night yo! We should do this more often."

"Yes Kainan. Then we'll finally get rid of you when you get expelled. Just imagine the sight of all your stuff getting thrown out on a Monday morning. It would a great way to start my day." Kyle responded.

"Ha! Good one. But we can always use QI to divert the effects of alcohol, that way we wont get caught."

"So that we dont meet the requirements of the daily QI tests? Genius. That's a nice way to go out for a count of 'misdemeanor sheltering". Its like you're actively trying to really burden your sentencing. All that smuggled booze could actually get us thrown in jail, if we're not careful."

I had to step in. I had enough booze to hear anymore nonsense.

"Guys, the QI testing is once a week now that we're past our first month. Still doesn't mean its a good idea to rely on using QI to divert the booze. When you expel any substance with QI, it comes out with impurities from the paths, which stink. The school is short on janitors right now, so the professors will know something is up."

Anytime we had a discussion like this, apparently it was my job the mediator in their stupid banter. 

We walked not-so-quietly to our dorms, where we spent the night. I had spent the night doing everything a normal person would do. Extracting the booze, condensing it, just enough that it could be brought out 'naturally' the next day. I had Venus, so there was no need to worry about my QI. I had something else to worry about. My hearing the next day.