Dwarf shit!

Melsuria was furious. Eubexa had acted on instinct to catch the girl, and now the demon had a situation to deal with. She needed to worry about the children, Arven—even her host was having issues. Somehow, she had to juggle these concerns, and quickly.

Of course, not getting her host's neck snapped needed dealing with first.

"Arven! Help me!" She could feel Eubexa's body sliding out the window. The child could probably land without harm at this point—but not if an adult elf landed on her head-first immediately afterward.

Fortunately, the man behind her got a firm grip on one leg. "Got you!" Arven grunted. He stopped her from slipping farther, then grasped both legs firmly and started pulling her back up. Eubexa couldn't help a hiss of pain as his grip crushed against the never-healing bruises, and used her free hand to push against the outside wall. Melsuria could sense the damage being done to her host's body.

Let the child drop; she'll likely be fine.

< I am all right, Mistress. It is only pain. >

Her host had impressive willpower. Melsuria sighed inwardly and allowed her to pull the girl up.

For one thing, the demon didn't actually want the girl to be injured, especially after she was already inconvenienced in that regard. For another, Arven seemed plenty strong enough to lift them both up—Eubexa barely weighed more than the child, after all. Third, she didn't want that girl running off and telling anyone about her host's appearance. Finally, the other child might also stick around and come inside willingly, if she had the girl.

She wondered whether she was strong enough yet to alter the children's memories. She hoped that she would not have to find out. Eubexa kept her face turned away from the girl as much as possible without showing it to Arven. As she was pulled back inside, she called, "come take the child."

"The child? Saa." Arven apparently hadn't had a good view of the situation. They had both been listening to the children arguing with growing amusement and some confusion, before Eubexa had accidentally startled the human child into losing her grip on the wall. Regardless, he came forward quickly, took the child by the arms and hauled her inside in one swift motion.

"There we go. Saa! It's you again! Hello," Arven said in Elvish.

Eubexa crawled into a corner of the room and curled up, hiding her face. "Arven, please bring me another veil, quickly," she begged. "I'll talk to the child."

"All right." She could hear Arven moving swiftly out of the room. The conversation switched to Western.

"Wow, two elves!"

Eubexa didn't look; she was hiding her face, but her ears had to be visible. Still pressing herself into the corner, she asked, "Little girl, are you all right? Not hurt, I hope?"

"My arm hurts. Are you all right?"

"I'll be fine," Eubexa told her through gritted teeth. "Tell your little friend he can come inside in a minute." She heard the girl move back to the window.

"She says you can come in, demon poop," the girl called down.

"Are you all right?" the boy called up.

"Yeah. Gimme a minute."

Arven came back into the room and approached Eubexa closely. "Here," he said in Elvish. She reached back blindly and he placed a crumpled bit of fabric into her hand. Quickly, Mesuria's host straightened the veil and put it on. Once it was properly in place, the sickly elf started to get up, but paused at a wave of pain. Riding it out, Eubexa took a deep breath, and carefully got to her feet.

"What did you see?" she asked quietly in Elvish.

Arven shook his head. "I didn't see your face at all." Melsuria's ability to detect lies told her that what he had said was essentially true; he had perhaps seen a little, but nothing that registered as significant to him. Unlike Diavla, Kervan, Orvan and Varga, Arven had never seen what her face looked like right after she was rescued from Madam Louisa's.

Now if I can just keep him from discussing her face with the others, they won't realize the changes in progress.

"Hi, Mister Rillik!" the girl called. "Are you all right?" Both elves turned to her. She was staring at Arven's face. "Were you hurt bad?"

"He's not Rillik. His name is Arven. I'm Eubexa." She translated the ongoing conversation rapidly, the habit becoming second nature to her.

"I'll live," Arven told the girl. "What's your name?"

"Piper," the girl said quietly, suddenly shy.

"Hi, Piper. I'm Arven. Thanks for teaching me numbers."

"Thank you for the silver, Mister Arven. I'm sorry I couldn't keep the guard away from you."

"It sounded like you gave it a good try. But, Piper? Where did you hear the name 'Rillik'? It's important."

"Oh, Demon Dung outside said it was your name."

"There's a boy in the alley," Eubexa explained. "Can you see if you can get him to come in? I'll try to send the girl with you." She switched to Western. "Piper, dear, would you please go with Arven to the back door and tell the boy outside to come in? We'd really like to ask him a couple of questions about Rillik."

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"Yes, Miss...Eu...um..."

"Eubexa."

"Eubexa?"

"That's right. I'll be right there."

"Come on," Arven said in Elvish. Piper understood the gesture and followed. For a moment, Eubexa and Melsuria had the room to themselves.

Melsuria 'heard' Eubexa speaking to her silently. < Mistress, I hope you are not angry with me for saving the girl. >

Melsuria heaved a mental sigh. No, she responded. So long as the children don't make trouble, I'm happy you caught her. We'll have to see how it goes. Eubexa started moving painfully towards the door. Ugh, I just fixed that, the demon grumbled, noticing a particular injury. This is taking forever. I need an orgy or two.

< I'll...do my best...to assist, Mistress. > Slowly, they made their way downstairs.

Arven had let in the human boy and was sitting on a chair across from the children in the living room. "Did you offer them some food?" she asked in Elvish.

"Yes, with gestures, but they turned it down. Maybe they're nervous."

"Let's find out." Eubexa switched languages again. "Hello, young man. My name is Eubexa, and this is Arven. May we know your name?"

"Charlie." The boy looked about to give his family name but thought better of it. Melsuria caught some subtle reactions, emotions flitting across the boy's face. He's holding back his family name, and he's not used to doing so. He's newly scared of something...his family, perhaps? It's not just the thought of getting in trouble here; he's less scared of us than whatever is bothering him.

< You can tell all that...? > Eubexa stopped her question because she needed to keep the conversation going with the little humans.

"Charlie, and Piper. It's very nice to meet some friendly humans. Did you want something to eat or drink?"

"No, thank you," both of the children said at once, then glared at each other for a moment.

"We ate at the Temple."

"At the Temple?"

The boy, Charlie, nodded. "They're giving out free food all day today! But, it's crowded because they're serving the food inside the Temple."

Ha! That's clever. Get as many people as possible through the demon wards, purge the newly infected, slow the spread, Melsuria thought, feeling some respect for whoever decided that, and so quickly.

"That's interesting, Charlie. Now, Rillik is a friend of ours, and we were wondering how you know his name."

"Oh! Sure." Charlie launched into an enthusiastic and overly-detailed description of his encounters with the elven boy. Piper looked fascinated by the tale.

Apparently, Rillik had slept in Charlie's barn, almost got caught, and Charlie helped him escape back into the woods. Rillik learned a few words of Western, and asked Charlie to buy food for him. He'd taken the elf's money, bought all the food he could carry, and left it at the spot in the woods where they were supposed to meet. When he went back the next day, Oneday, the food was gone.

Arven arrived in town and got captured on Twoday, Melsuria knew. But, Charlie didn't hear about it until this morning. And Arven wasn't released until last night when we arrived in town. Both of the children were interested in checking on the elves they had met—it was simply coincidence that they arrived at the same time.

Arven was impressed. "The little brat actually made it here, didn't get captured, made a friend, bought food supplies, and got out with his skin intact. He probably got back to camp the day before yesterday, and that means that the others might get here tomorrow night."

That is good news.

< Yes, it is, Mistress. >

Charlie cleared is throat. "Do you know where Rillik is, and if he is all right?"

Arven glanced at Eubexa when she finished translating, but she didn't give him any cues or prods, so he answered, "As far as I know, Rillik is fine, and will be back in town in...a few days or so. I'm sure you'll be able to talk with him after he returns."

"Where did he go?" the boy asked.

"That's private."

"Oh."

"Mister Arven?" Piper called.

"Yes, Piper?"

"Are you...going to be all right?"

Arven smiled with eyes closed a moment and nodded reassuringly. "I will. Thank you for asking, Piper."

"Where did you come from?" Charlie asked.

"Well, I come from a place called the West Wilds and the others came from a fishing village named Kilder Vald. I've been here a long time, but the others only got kidnapped a season ago. We met in Rivermarch a couple of weeks back, and their Master bought me because I can speak both Elvish and Western. So, that's why I'm translating for Arven right now."

Eubexa cleared her throat. "So, Charlie, do you live in town?"

"No, ma'am. I live on the north side on a farm with my Ma and Pa."

"And you, Piper?"

"I live in town."

She's lying about something. Melsuria could see it in her tone and posture.

< I know. > "Where are your parents?"

"My Pa is dead."

"Oh, I'm sorry to hear that. What about your mother?"

"She's...around."

Lie.

"You're on your own?"

The blond girl fidgeted. "Just until she gets back."

No one to check up on her. And no one to listen to her if she says anything about your appearance. Melsuria was about to ready to dismiss the children as a threat.

"Miss Eubexa?"

"Yes, Charlie?"

"Why do you wear that?" The boy pointed at her veil.

Eubexa considered and discarded a few responses before simply saying, "I was hurt, and I don't like people seeing my face. Also, I'm sick, and I don't want to get anyone else sick."

"Oh."

"Well, if your curiosity is satisfied, I think it's time for you to be about your business."

"Yes, ma'am." "Yes, miss." The children obviously had more questions but knew enough not to argue with being dismissed.

"Thank you, Mister Arven," Piper said quietly as they stood up.

"You're a clever girl, Piper," Arven told her. "Keep being clever, make friends, and take care of yourself. Charlie, I'll tell Rillik you stopped by. And thank you for helping him." Eubexa translated that and the children looked thoughtful.

A minute later, the front door closed behind the departing little humans. "Well, that was interesting," Arven muttered with some amusement. "Are you all right? I had to be kind of rough with you when you fell out the window."

"I'll recover."

"Well, we'll make sure to have Sheema look you over when she gets here. She's a very skilled Healer, one of the best."

Eubexa stiffened. "Is she, now? Good to know. Thank you." Her host excused herself and moved off slowly towards the privy.

Well, now, this might be a problem, Melsuria mused. I need a plan for when that woman arrives.

< Is there a way to hide your presence, Mistress? >

There are items, but they are hard to obtain, and it would still be obvious that you are hiding something. If this Sheema gives you a thorough inspection...hm. Melsuria kept further thoughts on that to herself.

< Thank you for letting me save Piper, > Eubexa said.

It turned out all right. No one saw your face. And, children are interesting.

< Interesting how, Mistress? > Eubexa was curious.

Young mortals are not ready for lust, so I always leave them alone until they grow up fully. Often, they are the only minds around not under my control. It is good to be reminded of what those are like. I enjoy their company sometimes. Melsuria could feel Eubexa's surprise at that.

Is it so shocking that I can like something when lust is not involved?

< It's...just that I didn't expect a demon to have so much depth to her. It's not exactly something they teach in Temple. >

I'm thousands of years old, Eubexa. Of course I have depth. My Concept links to all the other Concepts in the world, one way or another. The more I embody Lust, the more I can appreciate other things as well. Even beings as old as I am enjoy novelty, and it gets harder and harder to find without possessing richness of nature.

Eubexa had some reactions to that, Melsuria could tell, but kept them to herself. Melsuria didn't mind. They had all the time in the world to learn each other's souls.

They would be together for centuries, after all.

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