Chapter 8

Well, I have lore. It's cryptic and might mean I'm more in the red zone than I'm comfortable with, but outcasts and vagabonds is a start.

Besides, it's not every day that the people holding you hostage would be treating you for a job well done without watering down- pun not intended- the rewards. That and the nurse taking a trip to take care of my nose even if the balm leaves my eyes a bit watery. Though sometimes, I wish people can dial down on doing nice things for me. Leaves me with this weird feeling and I might have the wrong idea if this keeps up.

But hey, at least I can distract myself on what I've learned so far: A rough idea of where I am at.

"So you're an exile." Close of summary if I do say so myself. "You and your... host."

I like it. Sounds refreshing. 

"Exile means we are without a home." Man the pride in Athairnor's voice sure knows how to convince me otherwise. "As I recall, this vessel has proven itself our harbor, even throughout the Vein."

'The Vein?' is what I really want to say. But not wanting to sounding like an idiot, and likely be getting more smoke and mirror riddles, I decide to let it slide 

Just nail down that The Vein is a river, or a waterway. Man... The Vein... sounds so cool. Kinda makes this... contintent? Feel alive. Holy... if dry land is some gigantic mossy kaiju- No, don't think about it. I've hit my mind fuck quotas for my lifetime. 

Athainor's curious hum serves as the perfect remedy to resume my focus, and I can see her casting an odd look on me.

Does she...? No... she has to know that I'm not whoever... this person is.

 I choose to be direct with my question. "Please entertain this question, but, Have we met before?"

Her thoughtful gaze grows sterner, but my limited knowledge on body language assures me that Athairnor is not giving me vibes that see me as a weirdo.

"I never had to." She grimly states. "And, to be frank, if we did, 'twould likely have been a very unpleasant introduction."

If that doesn't bring beads of sweat rolling down my temples, I don't know what will! Even though she wasn't concrete in her answer, I could only imagine that it would mostly involve around me pushing up daisies. And I can even go as far to guess that it wouldn't be painless, let alone a dignified one.

"But... here I am." The illusion of appearing calm and collected cracks as my voice stumbles from the realization that I'm far luckier than I'm comfortable with. Still, despite having it killing every nine-live feline, curiosity digs away into my bones, demanding me to spill my next query. "So... is this a more pleasant introduction?"

"So... what do you want from your guest?"

A snort and chuckle serve as Athairnor's initial response. "Like I said much much earlier; my host appeared convinced that you're better off to us with all your limbs intact." The muscles on her mouth curve into an amused smile. "And from what I have witnessed, it turns out that our faith in you is well-placed."

"Are you implying that I'm a totally different person?" This little game is trying my patience. Can't I have the honor of just engaging in an honest and somewhat decent conversation with my captor?

"I imply nothing, Ken." Athainor's voice sharpens at my alias. "Maybe you've been reborn anew, maybe you hit yourself on something fierce, oooorrrrr…. Maybe you're a far better patron of the theatrical arts that I assume."

The muscles in my face begin contorting and locking in place, all in a desperate feat to shield the fear swirling within me. Though I guess whatever cringe expression I must have plastered onto my face reveals how far I'm keeping my cards close to my chest.

Interrogations have never been my strong suit, and throughout my life whenever I was scolded, all I wanted to do was curl up into an impenetrable turtle shell and be protected from the cold harsh wasteland known as the world.

Much like right now! Only I wish I'm so freaking deluded that I'm eternally locked away in my happy place of my apartment and binge watching all of Guardian Girlfriend with vanilla tea and all the best girl RomCom manga by my side.

In times like this, I would take up all of Cyan-kun's bad luck if I had a girlfriend like Otome-chan. Hell, I feel every fiber of misfortune seeping into my soul right now! If there was a moment for my girlfriend knight to come to my rescue, can this be the time, please?!

"Yep, it's official" My mutter is littered with hopeless dejection. "This is a dark fantasy isekai, not a slice of life RomCom."

"Beg pardon?" Why am I not surprise? Of course Athairnor's clueless. "Do you hope your mighty host will come to your aid?"

Nothing like venting with a small bitter chuckle. It certainly knows how to make me feel in control.

For five milliseconds. 

Least Athairnor hasn't slice me in eights.

"Something like that." I shamelessly confess. "Though knowing my fortune and my karma, I might as well not hold my breath."

"So you resign yourself to fates unknown."

Athairnor's thoughtful gaze eases the tension in my chest.

I shake my head. "More like I don't have a choice."

The heavy silence that follows threatens to strangle me from within with only the sound of the muffling hissing and howling creaks of the vessel callously toy with my mind with no resistance.

All that's left for me to do now is to wait for Aithainor, the Boss Lady of the ship that is my prison, and my likely my tomb, to throw me back in my cozy little suite.

After Eulynde applies the finishing touches to my nose. Aside from the chilling sensation and this fragrance that leaves my eyes watering, everything feels much better. Which means, she her work here is done. 

Which means I'm alone with Athairnor. As to whether that's a good thing or not. I'm still figuring that out.

"Are Eeesakys and Raum…caums forbidden curses you picked up from marauders?"

It's likely she's just messing with me at this point, but I decide to be truly candid. "To some they might as well be considered a curse. Though for me, they're more like guilty pleasures."

Her brow raises. "Oh? Care to indulge me in your scandalous tastes?""

Athairnor's genuine curiosity weathers down my walls as I'm somewhat willing to entertain her.

"S'not like I have a choice do I?" 

"'Tis no threat. Though discussing courtly intrigues long gone does not seem to be pleasant company. I believe your interest in this 'isekai' is far more pleasant talk."

That's one way to take me off guard! It's not every day when an Amazonian bombshell is asking about your favorite genre of anime! Still, might as well play it cool and close to the chest, unless I risk my nerdy idiocy killing the conversation. At that point I deserve to be thrown overboard.

"Fair enough. Well... where to begin?"

If this conversation lasts the next five minutes, I'll be fucking amazed!

*

If someone told me that I would make an interrogator laugh to their hearts content over a classic anime plot, I would straight up assure them that there's no need to butter up my overflowing ego.

And yet, despite all odds, here sits Athairnor, giggling away as I recite the grand tale of PartyTime: Saving The Other World Against All the Odds, and the unforgettable misadventures of the most precious jerks and losers that hold a special place in my heart.

"Please tell me you jest!"

I assure her with a resounding head shake. "Nope, they actually went through with it. And it worked! Although their methods were… let's just say 'leaves a lot to be desired' would be putting it very mildly."

"No, truly?" She snorts through her laughing. "Honestly, I can't decide if they're geniuses or complete imbeciles!"

"That's kinda the point."

And also, why the show is an absolute gem!

"In fact, the show itself sparked an intense debate among their fans- uh, followers just on whether their crazy good or just lucky idiots." My smile falters at those memories. "That also led to some serious screaming matches and friendships ruined just over the main characters, their deeds, their methods ect ect." 

My little error of wording causes panic to fume, but quickly subsides when Athairnor didn't seem to notice or care.

Athairnor's thoughtful gaze makes my heart sink. "It's hard to imagine such devotion to such an epic tale can cause a rift among it's followers." 

"Sometimes it be like that..." I gloomily admit. "I think that's the funny thing when it comes to stuff like that, they'll always be that fanatical group of believers who will say 'its this way or the high way' and if you think otherwise, then you're not a true believer."

"That's a very astute observation." She praises before bowing her head, like she's deep in thought about something.

I feel obligated to say something, but that's the worst part about finding the right thing to say: you end up don't saying anything at all!

She lets out a low chuckle and murmurs. "You are a strange one, Ken." 

"I'll... take that as a compliment." 

"And a sharp one, too. It's official: You're not who I thought you would be." 

"And that means...?"

"Exactly how it sounds." 

Translation: Not spilling the beans so shut up and deal with it!

"But... I'm still a prisoner, right?" 

"Fate may deem you to be my guest." She says smoothly. "And given the circumstances, you are aboard one of the few safe sanctuaries in a realm rife of uncertainty." 

"One of the few?" I repeat.

"Indeed. And we are inbound to another said sanctuary. Once we are there, more will be revealed to you. In the mean time, I must ask for your continued aid."

"Would my continued aid include helping you guys wrecking havoc across any ship you come across?" I was wondering when I would squeeze that question in without sounding contrived. "And, I swear, I mean no ill will, but if you can ease me with an... answer that is not very cryptic, I would greatly appreciate it."

What better way to finish that smart mouth conversation than a mumble and darting down to the floor? I swear I might as well be a ten year old in the principal's office! 

"Hmm, I suppose you deserve to be entertained with an answer." Nothing like a boss lady's collected voice to remake eye contact. In fact, Athairnor looks encouraged to tell me. 

Makes me wonder if she prefers company with a bit more backbone. But then again, I keep it up and my hide will be added to her armor. 

"You might have been victim to gossip on this vessel. But those ships we pounced upon are bound to a much grander one under one known as the Maelstrom." A humorless chuckle follows. "A dramatic title for an ruthless Admiral." 

"And I take it he's been hunting you for awhile now?" If I am going to prod, I might as well be nice about it. 

"Throughout the Vein and beyond." She sighs. "He'll see that half of his fleet purged to snuff me and my host out." 

"So... you're pirates then?"

"Given how we commandeered this vessel under their watchful gaze, I can understand why one would think so." She muses. "But preservation and restoration is my purpose. Our purpose." 

Again riddles, smoke and mirrors. At this point, I doubt she's gonna let me take a peek at her cards no matter how nicely I ask her. 

"Is... what you are trying to restore, something noble?" 

A blink and a cock of her head. That's all it takes for me to have my heart up in my throat. Usually when women like Athairnor break character and look rather stunned, it's equivalent to stone cold expressionless villains curve a smile: It's fucking terrifying and it might as well be next in line for death row. 

You know, one of these days, and it'll probably never come at this point, I'm just going to learn to shut my mouth. 

But watching Athairnor sprouting from her chair, sauntering towards me like every femme fatale sadist in every franchise ever, she might be doing me that favor. 

Permanently. It's literally giving me shivers just looking at motions.

I never was a fan of seeing it coming. Nothing else to do but look down and hope that I won't ever feel whatever she unleashes on me. 

"Well, come now. You can atone with more meaningful deeds." 

Madam just say 'Pay me back.' Atone just sounds a little out of it.

I hope she didn't notice the flinching. Still, given how my organs are not experiencing fresh air and I'm not living out every otaku's wet domineering dream through brutal force, I'll take it as a sign that Athairnor is not planning on putting me six feet under. 

Yet. 

Still... whatever she meant by preserve and restore. That can mean anything, including anything related to some ancient evil empire built upon human sacrifice in the most nightmarish NSFW way possible. 

Well, might as well prepare for whatever aid she needs. Even if it means being a demon's main course. 

"Stay close Ken."