Chapter Text

Chapter One

A New Start With A Humble Beginning…

I HAD NEVER BEEN ON A SHIP BEFORE. Now was the first of many new things, it would seem, as the little yacht made its way towards shore. A salty sea breeze swept up in the sails, sending a rush of cool spray in my direction as we soared over the waves. Ma had said it was similar to flying. Up on the bow, my arms clinging to the slick metal railings, my shirt billowing like the flags behind me. I imagine it’s one of the closest things, for those who couldn’t work their way around a good engine. 

Lucky for me, I knew plenty about mechanics. I was a Builder, after all, and not just the straightforward old world type. For me, anything was possible, if you could find the right parts and had no fear of getting them. Leaning far over the rail, I felt that same thrill, right as a wave caught the front and sent a cascade of ice cold water over me. My shriek matched the gulls flying overhead. They, along with the stout little captain, laughed as I shook the droplets from my hair. 

“You did that on purpose!” I shouted over the whispers of the ocean, wringing my ponytail out as I backed away from the edge. 

Behind the wheel, red faced and smiling beneath his blue bucket hat, Hulu Wuwa - a name that was a trick to say ten times fast - steered us towards the small port. “Nobody can control the sea. Not even me!” 

“No, but you can certainly control the ship.” 

Turning back towards the horizon, I felt the winds whip up again, hitting me with that new fragrance that was fast becoming one of my favourite things. A sweet springtime humidity that was refreshing and bright, vastly different to the dry sand blasted lands of Barnarock that I was used to. I had never been a huge fan of the heat back home. Here it was still warm, but it was a warmth that came with a promise; A new beginning. A fresh start. 

Cheesy as that sounds, I was still looking forward to it. 

“We’re coming up on Portia now. You should see it, right on the hill between the ruins and the beach.” Captain Wuwa called, moving the ship easily as we approached the shallows. 

Wincing against the sunlight, I spotted the tiny billows of chimney smoke nestled amidst the relics. It had always amazed me when pa sent back photos of the hulking great ruins, towering over the quaint little town, a goliath of swinging wires and jutting pillars of rusting metal. Thick cables the size of tree trunks hung between them, age old materials buried beneath centuries of heavy moss and vines, some now toppled and bent. Barnarock had its own kinds of ruins, but somehow, Portia’s still held an element of refinement that with enough imagination you could still see its former glory. Maybe it was nothing compared to Lucien, Tallsky, or Vega 5, but it was still breathtaking. 

Not buried below a billion tons of rock and sand. 

“So, what’s your plan? Here for the farmin’ or more for the divin’?”

I shrugged as I continued to watch the buildings come into view. “Something like that. Not so much the farming, but the ruins, definitely.” I was going to have to, if I wanted any useful resources. 

Wuwa gave a wry grin as he slowed the ship down for docking. “Yeah. We get a few people like you every once in a while. Always seeking that adventure. Good to be young!”

“You calling yourself old, there, Captain?” I smirked, picking up my bag and getting ready as we came into port. 

“Who says I don’t see my fair share of adventure?” Wuwa replied, and I couldn’t well argue there.

The sea was a whole new world of its own. I could only imagine the curiosities that lay hidden, but swimming had never been my strongest skill… actually it wasn’t a skill at all. 

The point is, I couldn’t swim. 

Jumping over the side I landed with a thud on the rickety weather worn boards of the dock. They creaked under my weight, but I optimistically blamed that on their age and not my interference, shouldering my bag as Wuwa set about tying the ship up properly. I’d have offered to help but the sprightly captain seemed more than content to do everything himself, no doubt wanting to ensure all the knots were done properly, though that did leave me standing awkwardly as I watched him rush about his work. 

“It’s alright, I got this.” Wuwa insisted, nodding towards shore where a thin figure in a blue suit was waiting patiently, “Looks like you got a visitor, anyway. Wouldn’t want to leave them waiting.”

That was his opinion. I actually had every intention to leave them waiting, not because it had taken me a full minute of squinting to work out exactly who it was standing there, but because since doing so had let them know that I had definitely spotted them I couldn’t worm my way out of greeting them. Them being one of my father’s oldest friends, and exactly one of the people I had hoped to avoid since moving here. Family friends meant holding up the pretence that we had actually been a family. While Ma and Aunt Kendra were more than true to that definition, it was awkward enough trying to understand a man you knew nearly nothing about, who left you when you were not even old enough to understand what was going on. Talking to people who that man befriended… You could understand my apprehension. 

Sure enough as I approached the shore a sort-of distantly familiar figure grinned back at me. Thinning brown hair and a perfectly trimmed moustache, waiting patiently as he straightened his navy blue suit, patting his brow with a neatly folded pocket square. He waved as I got within talking distance, and I gave a short awkward salute back, which made him chuckle. 

“Kaina, it is good to see you again. I don’t suppose you remember me?”

Fortunately in this case, one or two memories were coming back to me. Mostly letters with pictures in old black and white. A time when he had a full head of hair and could even have been considered handsome, standing next to the oil and grease covered mess of a man that was my father back in his prime, before he had hit the road and abandoned everyone and everything. 

I smiled slightly, “Presley. It’s good to see you.” 

His face practically lit up with the recognition. “I hope you had a pleasant journey. Coming all the way from… Barnarock, right? That must have been quite the trip.”

“It was… an experience.” I replied, glancing back at Wuwa who gave a short laugh as he set about unloading the ship. “First time on the ocean. Pretty sure we saw some interesting creatures. No mermaids, sadly, though I could have sworn I saw a seal with sunglasses at one point.”

“A seal with sunglasses?” Presley echoed, frowning a little behind his golden rimmed glasses. “Well, uh, that certainly is strange. I can’t say I’ve heard of anything like that, but, uh… well, nevermind all that.” He waved dismissively, folding his hands behind his back as he waited for Wuwa to unload the last of my luggage. “I’m actually here to show you to your new home. I don’t suppose you have everything?”

It was only a few things. Turns out I didn’t really have a lot that was mine besides a handful of trinkets, old photos, and clothes. I’d managed to stuff most of it into a suitcase and duffel bag. Taking both, I nodded confidently. “I do now. Lead the way!”

With a satisfied clap, Presley headed off towards the road, ever the image of professionalism as we started down the rough dirt track. The first few paces were in awkward silence. It was still all kind of strange to me, especially when Presley had said ‘ again’ as though we had somehow met before. I knew him from letters but I never recalled actually meeting him. Not in person. Then again, my memory was jumbled at best. Still, the silence was killing me. Even small talk was better than nothing. 

“So…” I started, Presley looking over the second I did, as if he too was waiting for the first chance to break the tension. “... How… Do you do?”

I mentally facepalmed as Presley gave a small chuckle, tucking his hands behind his back once again. “I do well, yes. Thank you. And yourself?”

“Still getting over the initial terror of moving so far from home, but… otherwise good. Yeah.”

I could feel the sympathy in Presley’s glance as his features softened a little. “It can be quite daunting, but I promise that we’re all very welcoming here.”

“I can see that.” I smiled teasingly, “Do all newbies get such a formal welcome, or is this just for me?”

“Well, as our town’s newest and brightest builder, I figured a proper welcome was required.” Presley looked more proud than I had ever been. “We do our best, for the telasis of our city.”

It struck me as a bit of a stretch calling Portia a City, but then again that’s what it was officially. Maybe that’s why it was so welcoming of new craftsmen. “Would I have gotten that welcome even if I wasn’t a potential new builder?”

That took him off his stride. Presley spluttered as he stopped to stare at me, giving me a look as though I was a fire that no longer wished to burn, or a pig that had decided it would suddenly start flying. It was the same look my old professor had given me, back when I’d told him I planned to move out of Barnarock and take up my own workshop in the Alliances. He’d settled after a moment, assuming I had meant somewhere like Tallsky or Atara; a place where I could both study and take an apprenticeship. That it wouldn’t really be my own workshop. 

He’d practically had a fit when I mentioned it was Portia. That was after I’d told him where Portia even was. 

In his defence, neither of us were that good at geography. The only reason I knew about Portia was because of my Pa’s connections here, and some old stories Aunt Kendra had told me. 

Presley quickly cleared his throat, composing himself as he put on a polite smile that did nothing to hide the new anxiousness in his voice, picking his words carefully. “Oh-of course not! I mean! Yes! You would have been welcomed regardless, Kaina. No matter what your plans are for moving here. I just thought it would be rude of me if I wasn’t the first to greet you properly. You know… since your old Pa couldn’t be here himself.” 

I had been initially teasing. I’d always meant to start up a workshop, after all, that was what I was good at. Still, hearing Presley mention Pa… though I had thought of him plenty since this whole trip began, it brought a new wave of doubts, tension, and nausea that I hadn’t anticipated. Hearing him be mentioned by someone other than myself, it sort of made him more real, like he wasn’t just a figment of my childish imaginations. A character made to comfort me, like Santa, or the tooth fairy.

“I should probably warn- or… inform you though. Your father’s workshop; Nobody has really set foot in the place since Maurice left all those years ago. It may be a little… um… weather worn? A bit dusty, but it’s a strong build, that I have no doubt. It’s been standing this whole time, after all, but that is to be expected since your father built it himself.” Presley gave what should have been a reassuring look, but his words weren’t exactly the most encouraging. 

I frowned at him, suspiciously. “Just how ‘weather worn’ are we talking?”

“Oh, nothing you couldn’t handle. With a little work, I’m sure you will have the place restored to something warm and cosy, perfect to your liking!” 

Why did it feel like he was dodging the question? “I don’t suppose you know that much about fixing buildings, then, do you? Because it isn’t exactly my specialty, I’ll tell you now.”

Presley patted me on the back, finding confidence from somewhere I only wish I knew where, “Don’t worry! Though I don’t do much building anymore since becoming commissioner, I can assure you that there are many talented people here who would be more than willing to help out. Paulie, for example, sells excellent furnishings. Then there is A&G who work right next to the guild! They’re our go-to for large scale constructions. Their work is second to none around here, ah… mainly because they are the only real constructions company. You’ll actually find yourself working with them! If you become a builder, that is.”

Okay, maybe his optimism was rubbing off on me, just a little. It wasn’t exactly the answer I was looking for, but it was something, and hey… what sort of builder would I be if I didn’t rise to the challenges put forward? Wasn’t the whole point of being a builder being able to fix things that were run down, turning them around and making them like new? I was sure I could touch up a few loose boards here and there, maybe even add a lick of paint if needs be. I’d be fine!

But then, that had all been before I’d actually seen the apparent ‘workshop’ Pa had left to me. 

Maybe they were right. Maybe Portia really was a city. Maybe size didn’t matter, and it was the potential that dictated what something could be. Maybe it was all just a matter of changing one’s perspective. 

But no matter which way you looked at this thing… This was not a working building.

This was barely even a shed.

Chapter Text

Chapter Two

…A VERY Humble Beginning.

I STARED AT THE SHACK WITH A DEAD EYED SMILE. So this was all my father had left to give me. A last thread of hope that maybe he’d cared, only to be crushed with the sudden realisation that I had come all the way out here for nothing more than a rotting pile of wood. Presley held his optimism nervously. 

“Well… here we are!” I could see the beads of sweat now forming on his head as he gestured wide and grandly, “Your very own workshop. A little rough around the edges, like I said, it’s seen some… wear and tear…”

“It’s well past wear. It looks like it's waiting for the tear to finally tear it down .” I muttered, low enough under my breath that Presley didn’t fully hear me, which was probably for the best considering it was not him who deserved my rage. 

“So… What do you think?” 

I had many thoughts. 

The first was of all the ways I would hunt Pa down and Kill him the moment I got the chance. Rotting boards, overgrown weeds, some left out wrappers mushed into the floor - no doubt the remains of some young kids’ adventures here or a teens secret snack corner. This place wasn’t ‘A little rough’, it was full blown decrepit. The very description of derelict. Worn to its last fibres. Ruins of an already lived-in shed. If you opened the dictionary and looked up the word ‘haunted’ you would see a picture of this very shack and beside it a footnote of how I had died. 

The second was just how screwed over I had been.

I had to wonder if this had just been some elaborate prank, set up to amuse him and his travelling buddies. Unfortunately, I knew just enough about the man to know he wouldn’t go that far. Still, he had some nerve doing something like this and treating it as a generosity. I’d had a home before. Aunt Kendra, who maybe could only afford a small apartment and sure, Barnarock wasn’t the best place to be these days, but still. It was something. It was familiar, and secure, and it didn’t come with the threat of being blown over in the next strong wind. I could see through the walls. I could hear it creak. Had Pa even stopped by to check this place out before just giving it to me? Was this the equivalent of gifting your daughter some old boots that you no longer needed. They had a few holes, but screw it, they were still intact. She was a builder. She could just fix it.

I was getting really tired of ‘just fixing’ that man’s shortcomings. 

With a heavy sigh, I gave Presley a tired laugh. “It’s homey!” 

The sarcasm did not register. 

Instead, he lit up, reassured once more and now quickly fished out a small envelope he’d had tucked away in his jacket. “Excellent! Well, now that we’re here, your father gave me this letter. He wanted me to present it to you as soon as you had seen the house. He wanted me to make sure you read it.”

Snorting at the concept of this place being a house, I took the letter and tore it open, still glancing at the building which was almost taunting me in the way it slanted slightly to one side. Glancing down at the rough scruffy handwriting, which I had now associated after all these years with a sense of ire and endless disappointment, I let out an even longer sigh and prepared myself for the worst. 

Kaina!

We were already off to a bad start. Why did it now feel like he was shouting at me? Even in excitement, it still felt so irritating in this moment. I wanted to punch him. Could he feel it, empathetically, if I punched the paper hard enough? Shaking my head I continued on, and it only got worse the further I went. 

When you read this letter, I will already be on the other side of the world. I’m sorry about that. I’m sorry that I am not the father you wanted me to be. This was all so sudden, so I didn’t have much time to tell you or figure out how to take care of you. Then I thought about this workshop! It might not look like much now, but it will brace you from the wind and cover you from the rain. I have left my Workshop Handbook that details how I created things. The rest is up to you. Do your best, and live a wonderful life! You will always be my pride and joy!

~Pa

“I left the handbook your father left you on the table by the workstation. There are also a few other matters I would like to run through with you, some last minute paperwork and some files we just need to get signed and sent off, but we can handle all of that later. You should stop by the commerce guild tomorrow; It’s right in the centre of town so you can’t miss it. Though I would just give you your licence to take commissions right away, we will need to go through the proper tests, but I trust you will ace them just like your father!” 

Presleys words began to fade into the background. None of it registered and none of it really mattered. It felt like someone had just stabbed a ten inch pike through my chest. My hand shook as it held onto the yellowed paper. How long had it been since he’d written this? How much did he think this would have an effect? Did he even stop to wonder if this would only make things worse. I swallowed back tears as I forced myself to smile, refusing to cry and instead putting up a wall of determination - or at least what I hoped it looked like. Presley seemed to regard it as exhaustion. Maybe even tears of joy at what my dear sweet papa had done to look out for me. How loved and grateful I was to be granted my own shack in the middle of a new land that I barely knew a thing about. How generous.

“Tomorrow it is! I’ll see you there.” I said, taking a deep breath and crumpling the letter in one hand as I picked up my things with the other. I had to get inside, even if it came crashing down on my head the moment I shut the door, I couldn’t be out here a moment longer. “Thanks for walking me here, Pres. I really appreciate it.”

“Try to get some rest.” Presley offered, leaving me with one last sympathetic look before heading back up to the town. 

Listening to his footsteps on the gravel and dirt, I faced the ‘workshop’ once more. It welcomed me the same way a strange elderly distant relative might, smothering me in a scent of dust and decay from years of age and abandonment as I took a cautious step inside, closing the door carefully behind me. It clacked with a lock that was nothing more than a hinge for a gate, rusted so it wouldn’t even move if I tried, and the door was so far off its hinges it would never have lined up even if I lifted it upright. The floors creaked with each pace as I analysed the space around me. This really was it. My father’s pride and joy. His last minute thought towards my wellbeing. I kicked a shard of glass from the fractured window. It skidded across a couple planks before hitting a jut and bouncing upwards, smacking into the wall and leaving another dent. The room was as empty as I felt. Even the cobwebs in the roof looked abandoned. There was nothing here. Well, nothing beyond a simple little bed. I tried to sit on it, wincing as I heard it groan beneath me, the mattress damp and the sheets stinking of mould. ‘It will brace you from the wind and cover you from the rain’. If he’d seen it now, would he really still think that? What had happened to everything he’d had, back when he had still worked here? still lived here. Or had he always lived his life like this. Treating everything like some sort of crazy wild camping trip. Never settling. Not really. 

I highly doubted it. Maybe he’d sold them, to pay for his travelling expenses - or maybe they’d just been stolen? The questions continued but I figured there was no use for them now. This was all we had. One bed and a shoddy little shanty. 

‘The rest is up to you.’ 

By the Sun, how I wanted to strangle him!

And yet… What had I really been expecting?

I’d been seven when Ma passed, and eight when he’d left, and now here I was eleven years later with little more than a single page letter and a piece of abandoned land - most of which had been reclaimed it would seem. It sometimes amazed me the level of dissociation my father could achieve. ‘Sorry I practically avoided you for most of your life. Here’s a shed. Don’t die!’ I felt a hysterical laugh escape me, followed by a cough as I almost choked on the tears I refused to spill for him. 

Pride and joy. I thought this had been his ‘pride and joy’. His building dream made reality, only to be equally left to rot the moment it no longer suited him. “It sucks, doesn’t it.” I murmured, stroking the rough blankets as the breeze whistled through the cracks of the shed. “First you think, you actually mean something. Maybe at first you take it all for granted. You think you deserve to be loved, and to have people who care for you, because god knows you can’t look after yourself. Not at first.” Pain hits the back of my neck as my nose starts to run. I refused to cry… I wanted this to be a good start. “But he always has to ruin it.” I whispered, feeling my head hurt as my vision went blurry. “He couldn’t just… stick around. He had to go off and ‘find himself’. And now here he is, hoping that some pathetic two line apology will make up for it.” 

Scrunching up the letter, I toss it across the room, clenching my teeth as I bury my face in my hands. 

“Well… looks like it’s just you and me.” I muttered to the cabin, if one could even call it that. 

It groaned in response, like a quiet wheeze as the wind rushed through its boundaries, sending a chill as I crossed my arms tightly around me. “I’m relying on you, you know. No falling down. No letting in rain. No letting in anything that isn’t me, okay?”

It was bad enough the place looked like a shed that not even the Llamas would take shelter in. If there were any panbats or mice, we were gonna have a whole other problem. There were so many holes that I still needed to fill in. one by the wall could let in a whole madcrab if it tried hard enough. I tried to make a mental note of all the repairs, but honestly there were so many, and with no real resources I was sort of stuck. 

“What are we gonna do…” 

Hugging my knees close to my chest, I tried making a plan. 

Or at least… some semblance of a plan. A very rough guideline, until I could work out the ins and outs of this place. How bad could it possibly be? We were just stuck in a town filled with strangers and barely a handful of Gols to our name. No biggie.

“Alright.” I said, to nobody in particular. “We’ve got this. We can do this. This is fine. Totally not a complete devastation to my original really good plan. I’m not freaking out, I’m just… hangry.” 

And yet when I thought of food I realised just how screwed I was. The shed had no kitchen. There was no bath and no shower, no cupboards or fridge. It didn’t even have a place to put my belongings. “Peach, Pa! Did you even try to live like a normal person? How did you even make friends? you must have stunk like a sewage dump!” Okay, first call of action. Set up the bare essentials. Once I’d had a chance to change and sleep, maybe I’d be more up to this challenge. 

Who knew, maybe then I’d even start to warm up to this place? 

Chapter Text

Chapter Three

Bright And Early

I REGRET SO MANY THINGS. 

From moving, to falling for my father’s stupid promises, and especially believing that in one afternoon I could fix a problem which would so clearly need multiple days and a ton of money. But most importantly, I regret not bringing any blankets. 

I’d been told that the workshop would be a new home for me. Nobody ever thought to let me know that it would be devoid of any and all common comforts. After several days of exhausting travel, I’d spent up until morning sweeping dirt and trash, pulling weeds and stuffing cracks with whatever I could find to temporarily keep out the cold. I’d tried to unpack but wherever I looked had the threat of damp or moths getting into my things. When I’d tried to wash up I’d nearly been pushed into the river by a sea urchin that was just casually floating by. 

Why those things were even attached to balloons in the first place was beyond me. They don’t have arms! How did they tie the knots? Who was out here catching urchins and tying balloons around them? What sort of psychopath did such things?!

It didn’t help that I’d been kept up all night despite my attempts to ‘fix’ my new home. With about as much rest as a vampire working a day job, I shoved my hands into my jacket pockets and groggily made my way up the dirt road. The cold of the morning only made me groan. If my life could get any worse… No. If I said anything, or dared to even think such thoughts, they would no doubt threaten to come true. Positivity is the best form of protection. I could practically hear my grandfather’s words echo as I remembered them, the way he would try to make a joke out of absolutely anything, to always find that silver lining. 

And optimism is the foolish man’s curse! My grandmother always had the weirdest comebacks, but nevertheless, she had a wisdom I favoured. A pessimistic outlook with the confidence of a woman who no longer gave a shit. I nestled into the warm sheepskin collar, like a turtle retracting into its shell, and breathed in the warm familiar scent of sunkissed sands and desert flowers. The smell of home. Of safety and protection.

I didn’t think I’d miss that hellscape so soon.

Reaching the pale stone archway that led into the town, I sleepily took in the quaint sights of the ‘city’ that had captured my father’s heart for so long. If I had to be honest, I was still struggling to understand what could possibly be so great about this place, or why my father had been so obsessed with it back when I was still young. It was small, quiet, and it wasn’t exactly the most new or exciting place I could think of when it came to The Free Cities. Maybe I had been bias, or maybe I just didn’t want to try and make excuses for his bullshit, but there was something I couldn’t deny as I stepped into that quaint city plaza; Portia was beautiful in the morning. 

A bubbling fountain of Peach welcomed me as I stepped onto the worn cobbles of the street, dawn casting sweeping  shadows as the sun crept over the ruined skyscrapers in the distance. The faint flapping of azure flags beat to the trickle of water and the light rustle of leaves. A smell of dew, wildflowers, woodsmoke, and bread mingled with the salt and seaweed, and an almost metallic tint of rust in the air. I swayed a little on my feet, eyes drifting close while I waited quietly for the town to awaken. It was so peaceful. The grass whispering in the fields… the waves of the ocean down by the coast. A bird twittered in a nearby tree, a tune more like chatter than song, and I could swear it sounded sort of on repeat. 

Reminded me of a relative I knew. 

Next thing, I felt my weight shift slightly forwards, my feet barely catching me in time as my eyes snapped open suddenly. 

I don’t know when a person had arrived, but right now they stared directly at me, narrowed eyes watching with an expression I couldn’t discern was confusion or disgust? Heat rushed to my cheeks as I tried to shake myself awake. Probably wasn’t the best impression for a builder, falling asleep while standing up, but that didn’t seem to be why they were glaring at me. I gave an awkward wave, but no sooner had I acknowledged their existence they immediately went to ignoring mine. I frowned, wondering if it was something on my face. Maybe I’d started drooling accidentally? I don’t know…

“Hey! Aren’t you that new person?”

The way my heart lurched into my head as I swore, turning to find a young woman standing behind me; I can only say that I’m glad my hands were still in my pockets otherwise I might have accidentally punched her in the face. 

“Sorry! I didn’t mean to scare you.” she started, hiding a giggle behind perfectly manicured hands, “ I was just waiting for my shift to start when I saw you over here. I figured I’d come and say hi!” 

I waited for my heart rate to calm down before speaking, seeing the corners of my jacket collar peek into view as I retreated further into it on instinct. “Right… Okay, yeah. Hi.”

She smiled with glossy pink lips, large turquoise hoop earrings perfectly complimenting her dark hair, and a voice that reminded me distinctively of the old ‘mean girl’ or ‘popular type’ tropes from the old movies I’d watched at the entertainment centre. Her tailored waitress dress had a name tag I didn’t think to read, too distracted by the mustard colour that didn’t really suit her as much as her other accessories. “Sorry, I was… I…. I’m very tired.”

“Oh, Gosh, I feel that. You know, if I could get just another few minutes of beauty sleep each morning I would feel so much better, honestly. But, wait, where are my manners?” Dropping into a mock curtsey, she flipped her bangs and offered a hand to shake, “I’m Sonia! Resident gossip queen and the absolute best drinks mixer in all of Portia, and the free cities.”

That was quite a bold statement, for someone who looked like they just ran a lemonade stand outside of a very small… ‘Bistro’. I gave a slightly disturbed look to the gaudy yellow sign practically speared onto the crooked looking building behind her. “Kaina.” I said, shaking her hand with what I hoped was a polite smile, “Resident ‘New Person’... Very tired”

Sonia chuckled again “Didn’t you inherit that creepy old workshop outside of town?”

I blinked. Were all Portian’s so direct in their questioning? “Maybe? Depends what you define as creepy and old.”

“Oh, sorry if that sounds bad, that’s just what we know it as. It’s been abandoned forever!” Sonia continued, half talking to her nails as she checked her cuticles at the same time, “You know, it was actually a really cool hang out spot for some of us. Kind of like the old haunted cave down on amber island. Well it was , until the bridge fell apart, after that storm that knocked down the old lift up by the waterfalls.”

I felt myself starting to zone out slightly. Again, I was way too tired for any of this, and in terms of meeting people I wasn’t exactly at my best right now. I just wanted to get my building register thingy, get some resources or tools, and go home. Once my shack was fixed I could finally get a proper night’s rest, and really that was all that mattered to me right now. First impressions be damned. I wanted to nap.

“So, what are you doing here?” Sonia asked, curiously taking in my appearance.

I frowned, zoning back into the conversation after getting distracted by a really large shocking pink cat that was wandering by, wondering if I’d started hallucinating or something. 

“Hmm? What, here here? Or… you mean In Portia here?” 

Sonia shrugged “Whichever? I mean, I take it you’re planning on rebuilding that shed-house-thing, so, like, are you on your way to A&G? Or are you just looking around? I can give you a tour if you like?” 

“Commerce Guild.” I said, remembering my tasks for the day and only now realising that I had nearly forgotten them, “I’m just waiting for it to open. Presley said it was in Peach Plaza, which I can only assume is here, but… You don’t happen to know where it is specifically, do you?”

Sonia laughed once in surprise, before grinning as she pointed to the large white stone building right in the centre of the plaza. I’d originally thought it was the official town hall, but under the grand rounded portico there was a sign that almost seemed like an afterthought. Blue and made of rusting metal, drilled onto the fine wooden frames of the glass door behind it. Portia Commerce Guild. “Ah. I’m an idiot.” 

“Don’t worry, there are actually a few places around here that blend in with their surroundings.” Sonia assured, right as a bell from a nearby clocktower rang eight o-clock. “Well, I need to go start my shift now, but you should definitely stop by later. We have really good food and Django would love to meet you, I’m sure. Oh! Django is the chef and owner of The Round Table. I’ll see you there?” 

Casting another questioning glance at the bistro, I nodded, “Sure. If I have time, I’ll try to stop by.”

“I’ll hold you to that. I still got to find out where you got that outfit. That jacket is super cool, really rustic, I love it!”

“Thanks!” I said, glad that of all the mishaps in my appearance, my jacket was what seemed to stand out. “I like your feathers.”

Sonia stroked them proudly as she headed to her drinks stand, “Tell Antoine I said hi!”

“I don’t know who that is, but okay!” I waved, heading up to the large glass doors of the Commerce Guild before anyone else could jump me with another questioning.  

I didn’t get very far, barely making it past the doors before I was being called over to the front desk, Presley looking more excited then a child on their birthday while a young man in a vibrant purple suit piece waited patiently next to him. 

“Kaina!” Presley started, struggling to hold all the files he had piled up, several spilling onto the desk. “Up bright and early, I see. Good, good!”

“Hope it’s not too early.” I replied, stifling a yawn as I glanced over the papers that were scattering everywhere, noticing a couple that were some kind of order form and a few formal complaints. “Everything alright? You need a hand there?” 

“No! No, that’s alright. I won’t take up too much of your time, I just… need…” Presley jumped as the stack sprang from his grip, showering all of us in a confetti of documents, which I had to admit was probably the best way to be introduced to a guild. Who didn’t love a confetti cannon at the most inconvenient of times. 

Biting my lips to hold in my laugh, I helped to collect the forms. “I see you guys have your work cut out for you, then.”

“You could say that again.” The boy muttered as he joined in collecting and sorting everything. 

“Yes, well, It has been a little chaotic the last few years.” Presley admitted, “ A lot of work and so few people to do it.”

“Tell that to Higgins.”

Presley shot the boy a warning look. “What I mean is, you couldn’t have joined at a better time. That is… you do still want to become a builder, yes?”

I couldn’t help the tiny smirk as I handed the forms I’d collected back to the commissioner, “Actually, I was thinking of starting a dog walking business. I don’t suppose you know anyone with a dog out here, would you?”

Once again, the look Presley gave as panic and questions filled his eyes was priceless, especially when his secretary decided to add, “There is a stray dog, but I doubt anyone would pay you to walk him. How about a guy who owns a pig?”

“Hmm. Depends, how big is the pig?”

“About average, for a pig, but very cute.”

I could almost see Presley’s eye twitching. I almost felt mean, but this was just too easy. “And the guy?”

The secretary, our infamous Antoine if his nametag was to be believed, made a face that could only be described as questionable mischief. “Depends who you ask, but from what I hear… Pretty big.”

If I had been drinking, that would have caused a spit take, but instead Presley was thankfully too busy dawning on the fact that we were messing with him to hear what Antoine had said. While he continued to compose himself and find the relevant documents he had wanted, I found myself exchanging glances with this scandalous secretary who could only shrug and share a smirk, like there was nothing more to be said. 

“Well, then. If you two are quite done making jokes, Kaina, I would like to go over some things before starting you on your official builders test. If you would like to follow me this way…”

Leading me over to the back of the room, I found myself frowning, as I had half expected Presley to bring me to an office or even a suite. Something befitting a person of prestige in the guild. Instead, he sat down at what was essentially a small desk with a few books and chairs shoved into the corner, offering me a seat next to him which suggested this wasn’t even his desk alone. That he shared it. With the way the stairs and everything were lined up, surely there was enough space to make an office. I could imagine it wouldn’t take much work to set up either. This all felt so… meagre. I felt sorry for him.

“So!” Presley clapped, snapping me out of it as he dived right in, “First of all, how are you settling in?”

The way he looked so caring and genuine made me hold in the hysterical laugh, just barely. For a moment there, I’d almost forgotten that this was nothing compared to the pathetic place where I now worked. Releasing my frustrations - and honesty - out in a long sigh, I reached over to a file and started looking over the forms. “You don’t want me to answer that.”

“Hang in there.” He murmured, that same pitying look making me glare at the papers. 

“So, what did you need?”

“Right!” Snapping back into business mode, he set about providing me with a pen and the relative information. How the guild worked, what it did, and what would be expected of me if I signed up with them. “It’s just a couple things to sign, and then your official test, but we’ll deal with that in just a sec. First of all, could you please list your last place of work?”

I gave a sheepish smirk, “Does Aunt Kendra’s basement count?”

Presley chuckled. “Well, we all start somewhere.”

Chapter Text

Chapter Four

When Put To The Test

ONE STONE AXE, AND ONE STONE PICK. That was all the test required. Of course, there was also the second part, which Presley mentioned could require some more work, but if it was anything like this then I doubted it would take much.

“Are you sure you don’t want me to make something… more interesting. You know this isn’t my first job right?” Not technically. I mean, officially , this was my first job. As far as any serious commissions or guild work went, I totally didn’t do a bunch of non-contract, kind of off-the-books work that may or may not have been slightly shady when I looked back at it. Maybe on my resume I was new to everything, but even for a first time builder this was pretty tame. I mean, I was starting my own workshop. Did they not think I’d have tools? 

I stopped. I had tools, back in Barnarock, but beyond my own general toolkit I didn’t actually have things like axes, knives, or picks. They wouldn’t let me take that sort of stuff through customs. Not that it mattered, anyway, as Presley shook his head and walked me to the door.

“While I would love to see you prove your worth to the best of your capabilities, I’m afraid I must avoid showing favouritism, and this is what is on the test.” He leafed through the papers on his clipboard, frowning himself as though even he was surprised by the simplicity of the request. “I understand you don’t have many resources right now. This will be good for you to start out. A bit mediaeval, but still, if you’d like to put your own twist on it, that is entirely up to you. Just make sure that it’s safe, and it works.”

“You want me to make an axe safe?” 

Presley sighed, a small smile showing as he seemed to be catching on to my humour. “Goodluck, Miss Kaina. Try not to push yourself too hard.”

“I make no promises.” 

Looking over the file Presley had given me, containing some deeds and contracts I needed to keep a copy of, I found the small mock commissions slip that was provided as part of my official test. It all felt so formal. The creamy white paper, the official stamp, even the little piece by piece report of what was expected and what would be paid in turn upon completion. That part was empty, as this was just a test and apparently my reward was of a job well done. Presley said I would be allowed to keep the items, so if anything, that inspired me to do a good job. 

Tucking the slip away in my back pocket, I caught the secretary giving me a look as he finished serving a customer, hiding a smirk behind a professional smile as he took their commission and sent them on their way. “So, ready for the first of many, many , assignments, Miss Builder?”

I scoffed, stepping out of the customer's way, holding the door open for them. “Gotta pay the bills somehow, right?”

“Ugh, ain’t that the truth. But why a builder? Why not… something interesting?”

“What, like a pig walker?” I saw him stifle a laugh as he glanced to where Presley had already busied himself with his work. Walking over to the desk, I noticed that he strangely didn’t have a chair. You’d think for someone greeting guests all day it was the least they could provide him. “What about your job, then? Seems pretty cosy. Fairly straightforward.”

“Trust me, hun, you don’t want my job. Even I question what I’m still doing standing around this stuffy place.” Tucking away some documents in a neat pile below the desk, he pulled out a new form and began working. 

I watched him curiously. “That bad, huh?”

“Not really. But I could tell when you walked in this wouldn’t be your thing. Standing around, looking pretty, taking orders and dealing with… Higgins. Lucky for you, looking pretty is what I do best, and I happen to be fairly good at the other stuff too.” The confidence he emitted, picking up his sparkly pink pen which perfectly matched his cropped hair, was almost enviable. No wonder a lady like Sonia was friends with him. The two looked like a match made in heaven; or hell, depending on how they were together.

“Sonia says hi, by the way.” 

Antoine grinned, almost cat-like, and reminded me again of the pink stray I still wasn’t sure I’d imagined earlier. “So you’ve met Sonia, then. She’s an absolute doll, right? I love her so much. Though it sucks that she met you first. She always meets the newbies before I do, it’s so unfair. But, if you need to know anything about anyone, you go to her. She also makes a really mean milkshake, I’m serious, the strawberry one is to die for. I swear it makes your hair silkier.” As he looked up at me, I leaned away on instinct, already bracing for what would no doubt come next. “Oh my god, Is that your natural colour?”

I raised a hand to my scruffy loose ponytail self consciously, “Why? Is that not yours?” 

I was being sarcastic, I could clearly see his was dyed; a bright fuschia pink that couldn’t have been cheap in this age. Still, I didn’t much like talking about my features. They were weird and unnatural, and I knew that from all the years of bullying I’d gotten growing up as the ‘evil age freak’ and ‘demon’ people called me. Dark wine red hair with a purple-blue tint and deep maroon eyes that looked blood red in the sunlight? I sighed, going into the same spiel that I could probably recall in my sleep if I tried. “Yeah, it’s real. Some kind of genetic mutation made during the age of corruption. It’s rare, but it’s natural… or as natural as it can be. No, it isn’t some kind of sickness. No, it doesn’t corrupt my brain or make me violent. And no, it’s not contagious.” 

I rubbed some lint off my jeans, now unable to look him in the eye, knowing that the red in them would be all he would see. Honestly, I was surprised it took this long before someone brought it up. Usually they were pointing fingers long before I got close enough for them to ask. Maybe I wasn’t the only ‘gene freak’ here? 

The thought wasn’t exactly comforting.

Fiddling with a rubber band I’d found on the desk, I waited in silence for Antoine to react. To ask questions or make assumptions or start avoiding me like some of the others back home did. Instead, I saw him shift back to his forms, returning to his work like nothing had happened. “I seriously love dark hair. I wish I could pull it off, but alas, it never really suited me.”

Keeping my head down, I felt a wry smile tug at my lips, “I don’t know about that. Have you tried?”

“Yes, Twelfth grade. The whole class laughed and I refused to talk to Sonia for a week after she teased me for it. Though I really did a terrible job. Looking back, I should have asked Sanwa to do it, instead of attempting myself.”

“Well, I think the pink suits you better, anyway. Compliments your eyes.”

Antoine batted his eyelashes. “I know, right? It does, doesn’t it.”

The doors opened again as another customer stepped in, Antoine returning to his practised professional stance as he stood up straight and fixed his tie. “Well, I won’t keep you. After all, as a new builder, I expect we will be seeing a lot of each other.” 

I gave a half salute, smiling at the customer and automatically feeling my gaze dip to the floor. “See you then.”

Heading out into the plaza, I saw Sonia over by her drinks stand give me a wave, which I returned as I quickly made my way home. I didn’t imagine some tools would take me long. But again… Oh how wrong I had been.

From spending my morning running around the Portian countryside, collecting sticks and testing their strength, then finding stones both large enough to suit the task and strong enough not to break, I then exerted all my energy in dragging them back, before spending another couple hours binding twine and fibres into a rough rope to tie it all together. It was beyond mediaeval. I felt like a Caveman brandishing a sharp rock for the first time. Gone were my access to bronze and steel. Right now I was Ugga! Wild inventor of a bajillion bc, scouring the ancient fields for curious new technologies. 

I got fully into the role, glad that my work yard was hidden by bushes as I lurched around making grunting noises, hammering sharp edges to my new stone age axe which I would then use to attack some suspicious bush with later. Once evening began to roll around, though, my madness began to wear off, and that was when the exhaustion settled in. 

I stopped my work, stomach growling like a thunderstorm in March, as I haunched over the creaky old workbench Pa had left behind. The stench of age old oils and paint nearly made me vomit, but the throbbing pain in my hands and feet was much worse than I’d thought. I’d gotten so focused on my work, collecting basic resources and setting up some kind of storage for it all, I’d completely forgotten about things like a kitchen or even just getting groceries and such. At least I’d drunk water. A lifetime in Barnarock hadn’t made me completely stupid to bodily functions. Cursing, I dug in my pockets for the depressingly thin wallet that practically spat moths at me as I checked inside. There was always that bistro with the gaudiest looking sign, though that would mean talking to Sonia again and also paying for something I really couldn’t afford. Right now, though, my stomach was threatening to eat itself if I didn’t move anytime soon. 

The bistro it was. 

Dusting my hands off on my tattered jeans, I headed up to the town for the second time today, trying to ignore the screaming in my legs as the hill seemed to be much steeper than I remembered this morning. Fixing my ponytail, I shrugged off my jacket and tied it around my waist, feeling hot and sweaty after a whole day running around. A bath. I seriously wanted a bath after this, but again, that was another thing that would just have to wait. 

Ugga didn’t have a bath. Ugga embraced the stench.

Yeah, but Ugga didn’t have a society that had unlocked the secrets of cleanliness and technology that helped them live past twenty. I did. However I was also long past caring, finding myself once more in that quiet little plaza, before a restaurant that refused to advertise its name. Just ‘ BISTRO’. Shoving the door open, I was glad to find the place practically empty, though I stood in the doorway for a few seconds as I frowned at the interior and exterior. 

It wasn’t my imagination, right? They did not match up. The layout was completely different…

Was I losing my mind? Who knows. Maybe...

“Can I help you there, Miss?” 

Though I heard the voice my brain was still breaking over the implausible way that this restaurant worked. “There are windows on the outside where there aren't on the inside…”

“What’s that?” the man said, closing the door behind me, "You're gonna have to speak up, friend, I can’t hear ya if you’re facing the other way.”

I turned to find myself staring at a man in the gaudiest knights outfit, a welcoming smile overshadowed by a very artistically cut beard, and a chin so strong it could crush bricks. I felt like I was having some kind of a drug trip. “Your bistro makes no sense.”

The knight-man laughed, loudly. “Is that so? Well, so long as it serves its customers well, and it does, that is all that matters. Now, how can I help you, traveller? Here for a drink?”

My stomach practically screamed as an answer, and I had to throw an arm over it for fear it might burst out and attack him. 

Laughing again, he gestured for me to take a seat, handing me a menu while I hid my face in my hands to hide the redness in my cheeks. “Don’t be embarrassed, Miss, hunger happens to the best of us! But you certainly came to the right place. Now, what can I getcha?”

I didn’t even glance at the menu, holding it back to him, “Whatever is cheapest, and quickest to make.” 

The man frowned, “You low on gols, friend?”

I was disinclined to answer that. Doing so would mean admitting my stupidity at having faith in my father’s ability to look after me, and also my own for not waiting to save up more before coming. “Did you know, the exchange rate between Barnarock and the free cities is quite something. We really do not hold nearly as much power as we used to… haha.” 

Even my sarcasm sounded empty, the weight and stress of everything sapping all of my remaining energy away. It made me miss the insanity. At least blissful ignorance was better than crippling regret and fear. “I’m just trying to save money.” I sighed, apologising as I sank deeper into the worn-in chair.  

He walked away for a moment, and maybe I passed out during that time, but when he came back I could smell something absolutely divine calling out to me. The delicious scent caressed my nose as he put down a large plate of food. I sat up, ready to devour it without a second’s thought, but I stopped as I suddenly realised what this was. 

“You said Barnarock, right?” The knight said, taking a seat opposite with another warm smile, “Can’t say I’m too experienced with their dishes, but I did have a recipe or two from my past travels, and if there’s one thing I know about travelling it’s that nothing beats the taste of home.”

I stared at the meal. 

Warm rice and sliced sandfish mixed with cactipeas and mushrooms, caramelised cantadurian melon drizzled over grilled firelizards, and a bowl of goldpepper soup sprinkled with yakmel cheese. Though it had been ages since I’d had a signature Barnarock meal, and some of the ingredients were more staples of the Eufaula desert than the ones I was used to, it still struck a chord in me that this man would go that far. I didn’t even know his name. 

“Well don’t just sit there, dig in! Let me know what you think.” The man laughed, and prompted by my stomach's next growl, I did just that. 

The food was rich, tangy, and sweet. Perfectly cooling and yet a dance of spices that I couldn’t help but be impressed by. This man was a genius with his dishes. Even some of the cooks back home had never prepared anything this nice, but then again, maybe that was because I so rarely ate out. I’d spent most of my nights hauled up in Kendra’s basement, or locked in my room like a madman, focused so much on designs that food became an afterthought. Still chewing on my current mouthful, I put a hand in front of my mouth and tried to speak politely, “Thanks… You didn’t have to.”

“Nonsense. A true knight would never let someone go hungry.” He chuckled as I gingerly took another huge bite of rice. “It’s just good to see people enjoying my cooking. How do you like it? Feeling a little better?”

“My stomach isn’t complaining.” I answered, stuffing another glazed lizard leg into my mouth and savouring the flavour. 

“Good! Good. Nothing like a good meal to help you get through the day.” His laugh was almost as rich as his food was, slightly contagious too, as I was surprised to find myself smiling. “You know, I’ve been waiting for you to appear all day, ever since Sonia told me she’d seen you earlier on in the Plaza. I’m sorry I didn’t introduce myself. I’m usually training hard in the morning, I must have been so focused I didn’t see you. But allow me to fix that now, and welcome you personally to Portia.” 

Right, Sonia had mentioned working for the Bistro owner. “So, you must be… Rango?”

He laughed again, giving a little bow of the head, “Django, owner of The Round Table, and former knight. At your service.”

I stuck my fork in my mouth and gave a little salute, “Kaina. New builder, currently being tested, and so far failing miserably.”

“Did Presley say that?”

I hesitated. “Not exactly.”

“Good. If he had, then I would have had to have a serious word. But I know Presley well enough to know that you would have to try really hard to fail in his eyes. Besides, it’s like they’d always say in knight training; you haven’t failed until you’ve given up. Have you given up, Miss Kaina?”

Licking my teeth, I seriously considered it, but ultimately shook my head. “Not yet… but that could always change.”

“Well then, you’re still on the road towards success!” He patted my shoulder, getting up as Sonia appeared with a take-away order. “I’ll leave you to your meal, but don’t forget; Keep trying your best. If you do, you can never fail.” 

I hated how sickly sweet his positivity was sounding, and yet, even I couldn’t help feeling a little better about it. Finishing my meal, I found myself too full to get up straight away, and I still needed to pay for everything even though Django never approached me with a bill. After barely ten minutes, I think I gow swallowed up by the warmth and softness of the cushions. The next time I opened my eyes, I was back home. 

And sitting on my half-finished storage box was a pot of sweet cantadurian soup. The note on top, signed with a little knight's shield, read;

If you ever get hungry, always feel free to stop by or just ask. 

After all, It is a knight’s duty.

~D

Chapter Text

Chapter Five

Makin’ Tools And Makin’ Enemies

“MY GOODNESS KAINA, THIS IS EXCELLENT! Superb quality, and with such simple effects, by far this is some of the best craftsmanship I have seen in a very long time! Simply remarkable…” Presley gushed, pushing up his spectacles to better inspect the simple tools laid out before him. The joinery of the neatly sanded wood to the subtle etchings on the design. He swung the axe once and marvelled at its balance. “And all just from sticks and stones… you really went above and beyond!”

On the other side of the room, sprawled out on one of the large leather sofas, I gave the commissioner a weak thumbs up and continued to sink lower and lower into my chair. A forgotten mug of tea lay on the coffee table as a gift from Antoine to celebrate my test’s completion. It smelled so good, but after two days of running around - logging trees and mining stones like a gods damned old western prospector - my arms ached and my legs were on strike as if I’d just run a marathon. I was so close to just passing out then and there. “Does that… mean I passed?”

Presley gave a rueful smile. “I’ll just go and check the small forge station you made, and then I’ll wrap up the paperwork, but I’d say it’s very likely.”

“If you still fail me, you know what sticks and stones do, right?”

“I will keep that in mind.” He said, nodding to Antoine who followed after him, no doubt curious to see my work as well. 

With the guild to myself, I embraced the silence and let my eyes rest. We had done it. At last… My thoughts drifted off as the clock ticked throughout the hall. Another night had passed where I’d barely gotten any sleep. I still had to thank Django for taking me home last night, though how he had gotten me into my home I wasn’t sure, not that I’d had very much faith in the lock to begin with. It was strange, though, now that I thought about it. Why go to the lengths to get me indoors but leave the cold soup for me in a sealed pot outside? Why not leave it inside? Which reminded me, I would need to return that pot when I was done with it. Just one more thing to add to the mountain of tasks that could wait until I could function again. 

 “What are you doing here?” 

Jerking awake in the chair, I blinked the sleep from my eyes and mumbled an apology, seeing the same man I had spotted my first morning here. He still had that look of confusion and disgust, which I now realised was both aimed at me, and he narrowed his eyes as he stepped further into the guild. “You know, this isn’t an inn, you can’t just sleep wherever you feel like it.”

I frowned as the man helped himself to some files at the desk, filling something out before stapling it to a commision slip he’d kept in his back pocket. “Aren’t you supposed to wait for Antoine to do that?”

“Aren’t you supposed to mind your own business?” He shot back, slamming the papers down on the desk. “Where even is Antoine? Or Presley? Or someone useful .”

“Okay, ouch. Nice to meet you too, I guess.” I couldn’t be bothered to deal with this right now, settling back into my chair and sipping some of my lukewarm tea. “Presley is out assessing my builder’s test. Antoine went with him, but give them a sec and I’m sure they’ll be-”

“So you’re the competition!” 

The fact that he almost sounded excited by that prospect. I frowned again, watching him carefully, “I am… another Builder? I take it you must be one too.”

He waved the completed commision slip in the air. “Obviously.”

“Look, mate, I don’t want to start anything. I’m not looking for a fight or-”

“It doesn’t matter why you’re here. You know what, the more the merrier! We could always use a newbie to fill in for the jobs I don’t want to handle. You stick to the easy tasks, and leave the real commissions to me. Okay?” He sneered, leaving the slip on the desk as he wandered over to Presley’s office corner. “Honestly, if you’re this tired after making something as pathetic as…” His words trailed off as he noticed my work. The axe and pickaxe were nothing to scoff at, I’d really put in the effort, which I only really did when I was emotionally invested or trying to show off. I’d considered making it a quick thing, but now I was glad I hadn’t. He cleared his throat as he shrugged. “You call that a pass? Clearly the guild’s standards have dropped since I joined. Nevertheless, I’ll always be number one, so you might as well just go home.” 

“Uh huh. You done?” I mumbled, half dozing off again. “Like I said, Presley will be back in a sec. So you could either wait here with my sleepy ass, or go see if you can stick your head even further up your own. Either way, don’t let me-” I didn’t even finish before the doors were slammed shut, my apparent new rival long gone. I snorted. My ‘rival’ was a middle-aged workaholic with a superiority complex?

This was like seventh grade history all over again. 

“Well, good news. Presley says you passed with flying colours.” Antoine announced, appearing a few moments later with the signed test sheet to prove so, “Though he would come and congratulate you himself, he has unfortunately been… unwillingly diverted … to another situation that needs his attention.”

I scoffed. “Was that situation by chance an accountant looking dude with a serious case of resting-bitch-face?”

“Oh, so you met Higgins!” 

Pulling myself up in the chair, I finished my tea and tried to genuinely process what the heck had just happened. “You know, I didn’t fully know what you meant when you said it, but now I do. We had a ‘Higgins’ back home. Absolute pain in the ass, refused to listen to anything you told her, and became a complete suck up whenever the head builder came around. We all called her Karen though.”

“Oh, no. Well… Okay, so, Higgins can be a handful, but he’s actually pretty harmless. It’s all talk, from what I know, and his bark is far worse than his bite.”

“Not a particularly menacing bark either, if you ask me. I’ve seen Jackrabbits more scary than him, and they’re harmless even in a bad mood.”

Antoine chuckled, noticing the commission slip and rolling his eyes as he set it aside. “I’m just letting you know, in case he said anything to offend you.”

 “Nah.” I said, pulling myself reluctantly out of the chair if only because my butt was starting to go numb. “I’ve dealt with worse insults before. Actually, he almost seemed happy to have a rival. Like he wants someone to challenge him.”

“More likely he wants another person to beat, but honestly, that wouldn’t surprise me.” Antoine shrugged, stamping my test certificate and handing it to me. “The man needs a hobby. As for you? You need to think up a new name for your workshop. Official Miss Builder of the Portia Commerce Guild.”

I preened as I took the certificate, “Oh, wow, Miss Builder. I don’t know what to say. Well, first, I’d just like to thank my mother. My father can go to hell. My aunt I’m still on the fence about, you know, because she was a huge support to me but also a raging bitch at times.”

Antoine held in a snicker, covering his mouth as he pretended to keep very serious. “You’ll have to hold your speech for later. Right now, The Mayor wants to see you, so he can do all the official registrations.”

That did catch me off guard. “Wait, what? The Mayor?” Why would a mayor want anything to do with me? I just got here? I’d made an axe, a pick, and a smelter. That wasn’t exactly Mayoral level quality. “Did I… do something wrong? Presley said I could cut down those trees. And even then, they were really just large bushes. I didn’t touch the ones in town, either!”

“Hun, calm down, he does this for every new builder. Any business, actually, it’s kind of his job.” Antoine turned me around by the shoulders, pointing me towards the doors, “All you have to do is go to the office, tell him your name and what you want to call your whole thing, then let him sign you to the town register and get the heck out of there! Drinks on me later. Kay?” 

“No. Not okay. Not okay at all!” I was terrible when it came to authority! Dealing with Presley was one thing, the man knew my family, he knew more about my parents then even I did. He’d probably seen baby photos of me, now that I thought about it, and you could never take someone seriously after knowing they had likely seen you before you knew what a knife and fork did. I’d already shown my worst colours to Presley, even before I knew him, but a mayor?  

“I haven’t even showered. I need a bath, and I should probably change, and I could use a haircut and-”

Antoine paused his pushing to look at me, using that same silent judgement that I’d come to learn he used on everyone. It wasn’t cruel or mean, it was more like a radar, finding faults or new accessories. Pursing his lips, he hurried over to his bag, and pulled something out before returning to me. 

I barely got a second to blink before he was spraying something cold and fragrant in my face. 

“Okay, now spin.”

I did as told only because the waft of mist had nearly blinded me. He stopped me after a couple spins, taking something from his pocket and nearly poking me in the eye. “Look up, dummy. And don’t blink. Or do, but at least give me a warning. Actually, blink once, on the count of three. Ready? One, two…”

“What the heck are you doing?” I asked, recalling this kind of procedure from the very rare occasions Aunt Kendra had tried to go somewhere fancy with me. 

“Mascara draws the attention away from your hair and the perfume has a drying effect to it. Not that you really need any of this, but if it’s a confidence boost you want…” 

I tried not to laugh, but a snort still escaped, and Antoine gave me a warning look as he finished applying the mascara. “Great. Will this also help me be less awkward and terrified of the man who could evict me at any moment?”

“Oh, that you do not need to worry about.” Antoine said, lips tugging upward before he set about fixing my hair into a messy bun. “Mayor Gale is probably the nicest person you can possibly find in Portia. Literally, you’d have to do something really serious to actually upset him enough for him to take action.”

Now my intrusive thoughts were breaking in. What about arson? Could that get us evicted? How many times have I seriously considered shoving someone down a flight of stairs? Would that count as planned murder, or still accidental, if nobody saw me push and there was obviously no evidence. Oh, Peach, was I a serial killer in the making?

“There.” Antoine said, snapping me out of my spiral only to push me towards the door yet again. “I’d show you a mirror, but there’s no time for that, you’re just going to have to trust me.”

“You are asking a lot considering we only met yesterday.” I muttered, barely catching myself before I could trip on the stairs out.

Antoine only waved, returning to his desk as the doors shut behind, leaving me with no other options. The Mayor was expecting me… The Mayor. The Mayor . I didn’t even know where to go. I just stood outside the office like a lost pathetic puppy, giving Antoine a sad face until he rolled his eyes and pointed next door. I looked to the right. Portia government! It was written on a tiny circular sign that looked more like some kind of newsagent or media office than anything. 

Seriously, why was everything in this town so… confusing?

Taking a deep breath, I hopped over the staircase, not bothering to go down them when it was easier to just walk over some bushes. Nobody was in the plaza right now to see me, anyway. I stopped in front of the doors. Did I need to knock? There was no buzzer or doorbell. Surely for a Mayor I would need to make an appointment? Maybe Antoine had tricked me, maybe I really did have enough time to change, and-

The door opened.

I felt my arm move with the handle, pulling me forwards while my feet stubbornly stayed rooted, and the only thing I could think of to keep me upright was to push off the nearest solid thing in front of me. The result was some poor random stranger getting shoved in the chest, a jumbled apology and curse shouted at them while I caught my balance, and the door immediately shut in their face. I paused for just a second while my brain caught up with my situation. Once it had, I did the only thing I could logically do, before they attempted to open the door again. 

I jumped into the nearest bush and pretended I didn’t exist. 

It was a good thing too, because barely a second later a very annoyed sounding man stepped out. I couldn’t see him, too busy keeping my head down and doing my very best to imitate the rock that was next to me. I could only hear him muttering, clearly frustrated, but with a voice that was almost gentle and breathy. I clenched my own hand over my mouth in case he could hear me, crouching lower as I knew he was looking for me, but after a moment someone seemed to call something and he moved away. I stayed in that bush for a full five minutes, listening to my heartbeat racing, feeling the warmth in my face like a sunburn. When I finally came out of hiding, it was to another empty plaza, or as empty as it could be save for a short man in a check blue suit standing next to me. 

I’d been so focused on hiding from one stranger, I had completely missed the door opening for another, but they certainly didn’t miss me. 

“Miss… Kaina?”

He looked up at me, confused and expectantly, and I blinked blankly back. I had no explanations. This was it. Like a robot on autopilot, I just stuck out my hand. “Pleasure to meet you, Sir.”

The man just laughed sheepishly, “Yes, Aha, you too! Um… would you like to come in?”

Chapter Text

Chapter Six

Licenced To Build

THE MAYOR LAUGHED AS HE TOOK A SEAT AT HIS LARGE WOODEN DESK. I had of course lied when I’d explained what I’d been doing in a hedge, but it hadn’t mattered, as the short and stoutly man had caught on almost instantly. As I entered the office I quickly found out why. There was no reception room or waiting hall. The door opened up immediately into his office, which meant not only had I slammed it in the face of a stranger, but I had done it in front of the mayor himself on a stranger who had turned out to be none other than his own son. 

“Oh, don’t worry. Though He did seem a little confused at first, I'm sure we’ll all be laughing once I tell him.”

I winced but kept my smile up. “Right. Or maybe we could leave it and pretend nothing happened? Make him think he just imagined it.” 

“A prank, eh?” The Mayor chuckled, “Well, much as I am always one for a bit of fun, I unfortunately can’t say it would be the best way to make a good first impression on the town.”

Oh, yeah, because I was doing just great with the first impressions. 

“Well, no minding that now. I am actually glad you’re here! You see, ever since your father left and Presley took up the position of commissioner, we have been think that-”

I watched as the man talked. I saw his lips move, and heard the words, but I was so focused on not making an even bigger fool of myself that everything just became garbled in my head. What if that boy returned? He could walk in at any minute. His son. The mayor’s son . I wanted to facepalm but knew that I couldn’t while The Mayor was still giddily talking. Ideas he had. A desk filled with Papers. Plans, sketches, finances scattered, just as messy as Presley’s. He handed me a blueprint for some kind of road and a bridge that would cross to the desert nearby. It all looked quite impressive. Was it just me, or was I standing weird? 

“- Not that any of this is quite relevant now, but I promise you it will all be quite exciting. I really do hope you will be planning to stay around. Uh… it was Kaina, wasn’t it?”

I scoffed incredulously, “You’ve been expecting me this whole time and you don’t even remember my name?” 

I stared at the desk as the words slipped out of me. Shit. SHIT! 

The Mayor looked just as stunned, a pinkness appearing on his rosy cheeks that matched his reddish-peach hair. “Oh, uh… well, It’s not that I didn’t know, I… uh…”

“Sorry.” I blurted, feeling myself jump into panic mode, “I didn’t mean to say it like that, I… I just-” hadn’t been thinking, or paying any attention, too busy judging and wondering if my smile looked wrong or if I was staring too much, or-

“No! No, that’s quite alright. I apologise if I appeared inconsiderate to you!” The Mayor offered, trying to brush things off with a chuckle as he combed a hand through his already thinning hair, “You are right. Of course. Maybe I’m… uh, being too hasty. It’s just been a while since we’ve had someone move here who has so much potential! I mean, in regards to new ideas. It’s just refreshing to meet young people who are interested in the telesis of our society.”

I didn’t even know what telasis meant. “I’m sorry, it’s just been a hectic couple of days. With the move, and the building licence, and now this…” I clenched my jaw. We were making excuses. I was supposed to be professional. At this rate I would ruin all the work Antoine had put in to make me look decent. Like I haven’t already? I was in a bush for fucks sake.

“I understand.”

I looked up to a warm smile as the mayor of Portia reached over and patted my hand.  It didn’t help that he really had to stretch to reach me, and I stifled a small laugh as he settled himself back properly in his chair, “It takes a lot to pack everything up, leave home, and move somewhere unfamiliar. When my son decided he wanted to study in Atara, I almost had a panic attack that first day. I was worried sick about every little way things could go wrong.” 

Though I tried to hide it, I couldn’t help feeling a pang of jealousy. For someone who dressed like a used car salesman, it was almost jarring how he could appear so comforting and trustworthy, even if he was only so invested in me because of my skills and potential here. It was still nice to think that someone cared about what I did. 

“Peach knows how your Pa does it. But one thing is certain, that bravery clearly runs in your family. Your father would be very proud.”

Aaand there it was again. My Pa. Always there to steal my moment. Like I gave a single shit what he’d think about me.

“I appreciate the gesture, Mr Mayor, sir, but my father’s pride is the last thing I need right now.” 

He breathed deeply, nodding a little, like he could see where I was coming from. “It is a complicated situation, and none of my business, surely. But I still think you should give yourself some credit. It takes an awful lot to do what you did. Besides, my point still stands, we are very glad to have you here, Miss Kaina .”

I nodded. “Thanks. Now if you don’t mind… can we start again from scratch so I don’t seem like a complete idiot?”

Laughing, The Mayor instead decided to move ahead with the registrations. A few signatures here and a couple forms there. I shifted uncomfortably on my feet as he talked through some of the processes and formalities. What was with this place and its strange lack for chairs? First Presley’s ‘office’ now this? Did the mayor never take visitors?

I glanced around at the curious little study, lost in thought once more as he explained some legalities; what to do in the case of an emergency, or something like that. I was curious; It wasn’t much like the town hall office I’d imagined. It looked like someone’s cosy spare room had been converted, the same way Aunt Kendra had no doubt monopolised mine. A woven check rug, some matching green couches, a couple bookcases… It smelled like stale pages and polished wood, with a hint of roses that I could just about trace back to the man himself. 

Then there were the pictures. Besides the map and the large portrait on the back wall, I found not one, not two, but three pictures of the mayor in his prime. It was true, he looked a lot better in them, but I was sort of questioning his vanity and fatherliness when I couldn’t see even one of his family. He had a son, right? Was his son not deserving of being framed in his office? How was I supposed to know who to avoid if I didn’t even know what he looked like? Is it possible to just hide in a hedge every time I hear that voice? What if he wasn’t much of a talker? 

“Aha, I know what it looks like. My wife really loved to paint and for some reason she always enjoyed making portraits above everything else.” 

I noticed how he spoke in past tense. “My condolences.”

“Thank you. And to you as well.” He fixed the portrait lovingly as he returned to his desk, having gotten up to fetch some file, grunting a little the way most middle aged men do when they settled, “You know, I did think it was a shame Maurice didn’t stay here. I like to think you and my daughter would have been very good friends.” 

So there was a daughter too? I tried to imagine how I would have been, growing up in a place like this then the deserts I was used to. Being friends with the mayor’s children. Sweet and smartly dressed, sharing tea on a picnic in the long grass, talking about the ‘telasis’ of society… 

Not learning how to shoot a dustviper at point blank or sneaking into the ruins when the civil corps weren’t looking… “Are they much like you? Your kids, I mean.” 

“Like me? Oh, no, not really. Well, My sweet Ginger has my hair and eyes, and my son has my good looks and talent!” He chortled, and I laughed politely at the notion, trying to picture a person to the voice I’d heard earlier. “But… no, not really. They’re both quite like their mother. Gust especially.”

“Gust? Is that short for Augustus? Or August?”

The Mayor cringed ever so slightly, like it was a cheesy inside joke he knew wasn’t funny, “Ah, no. Liza thought of it. She figured it suited him, as he was always very quiet and reserved, even as a child. She thought that if I was a gale, then surely, he was a gust. It, uh… We thought it made sense.”

I smirked when it clicked, if only because that kind of humour was one I greatly respected; the same type my mother had. “I’m not sure about your kids, but I think I would have gotten on really well with your wife.” 

“I’m sure you would have.” Mayor Gale chuckled, setting the documents down and passing them to me. “Now, speaking of names, I think it’s about time you gave me one for your workshop!”

Right. Yes. 

That.

“I will let you know now, the name needs to fit into the boxes, so it can only be twelve characters long, and it can’t contain anything… unsavoury. Though I doubt you would stoop to such low acts of contumacy, I have found from past events that it still requires saying. You would be surprised by the kind of suggestions we’ve had over the years.”

He passed me the last file, blissfully unaware of my struggle not to laugh. Well, there go my plans of calling it ‘Bitchin’ Builds’. Shaking my head, I looked down at the empty box. I don’t know why, but a small part of me wondered how long it had taken Pa to come up with something. I couldn’t even recall what he had called his workshop, or if he had just put it under his name, uninspired like everything else he did. I scowled, pushing the thought from my mind. This wasn’t about him. Filling the box in with the only name that truly fit the need, I pushed the form back to Mayor Gale and chewed my lip as he read it.

“Trixters?” 

“It’s… a long story.” It wasn’t. My cousin and I had both agreed that if we ever got to a point where we owned our own workshops, we would name it that and hire the other to come work as a partner or co-owner if possible. As we were often building pranks and traps that would terrorise the neighbours, we gained a reputation for somehow always having a trick up our sleeve to get us out of trouble, and always playing tricks on others if they wronged us in any way. Though I mellowed out after my cousin moved away, the name still sort of stuck, and a promise was a promise. 

But The Mayor didn’t need to know any of that. Certainly not the trouble we made…

“Trixters Workshop. I like it! And with that all sorted I can officially finish your registration.” He shook my hand, passing me my certificate and even offering to have it framed for my new home. I wanted to say I felt proud, but… Honestly I was just glad this was over. With enough work maybe I could have a workshop worth the mayor’s time. “Thank you, Sir.” 

“Please, just call me Gale.” The mayor waved, walking me back to the door, “Oh! And before I forget. As the newest member of our city, I was hoping I could give you a formal introduction. The next fireside meeting, at the end of the week, will be a perfect chance to present you to everyone, and a great opportunity for you to meet the other shop owners. ”

My feet froze as he said it. A formal introduction? To the entire town? “Oh, you don’t… It’s okay. I wouldn’t want to inconvenience anyone, and I’m sure I will meet them all eventually, right?” It was a small town, how many people could there possibly be?

“Nonsense!” The Mayor continued, still smiling and missing the point as he held the door open for me. “You’re a part of the big family that makes up this city. It’s my job as mayor to make sure you are welcomed properly, and I’m sure a lot of the townsfolk would love to get to know you better. If anything, I would have held it sooner, but we always hold our meetings on Sunday so it just works out better that way.”

I pictured myself paraded in front of a whole crowd of strangers, and immediately felt my gut twist, not in the good way either, like it did when I was preparing to show off a design or test a new invention. Competitions were one thing. Spotlighting myself was another. “I don’t-”

“Ah, yes, that was another thing I needed to mention. Though the meetings aren’t mandatory, I would like it if you could attend them.” Mayor Gale continued, without hesitation, “I know you will be busy, taking commissions and running your workshop and all that, but the meetings help keep everyone updated on news and current events. I’d rather not be left standing and talking to myself, aha.” 

The way he said it suggested that had happened once before. 

I shut my mouth, embracing the inevitable since there really seemed to be no way out of it. At least there would be food. That was something. Saying my goodbyes and stepping outside once more, I stopped by the fountain and took a deep breath in.

We had done it. We were an official Builder. 

I guess now we just had to start officially building. 

Heading back to the guild, I noticed Presley and Antoine talking, opening the door to hear it was something to do with a ‘small commission that would be best for those just starting’. 

“Is that code for you going easy on me?”

“Ah! Kaina!” Presley started, his frown replaced with an eager grin as soon as he saw me, “You’re back! So soon already. Your father would be-”

“What’s this about a commission?” 

Presley beamed, “Right, yes. Well, as a newly registered builder, I figured you would want to get started right away. I had Antoine hold a commission for you. Something easy to start you-” He had barely finished pulling out the form before it was being hastily snatched away. 

“Playing favourites are we?” I recognised the stuck up tone long before I saw him. 

“Higgins!” Presley snapped, a fury I had not been expecting as he confronted the stuck up man, “You’ve already completed your daily allowance! You can’t take any more!”

“There are never too many!” Higgins scoffed, giving me a smirk as he tucked the commision slip away, “Maybe if you weren’t so busy chatting, you would have taken it and gone home already.”

I could see a vein popping against Presley’s forehead, “Higgins, we’ve been over this already! If you keep taking too many commissions you’re going to hurt yourself, and put others out of business.”

“I’ll be fine. I’m the number one builder! Nothing can-”

So, I don’t know what it is about doors, but turns out I was not the only one who was having bad luck with them. 

Higgins had been so focused on basking in his self entitled bullshit, he didn’t see the front doors rattling as though someone was trying to get in. They must have gotten slightly stuck or something, because the rattling lasted for barely a second before they were being kicked open and smacked right into Higgin’s smug face. 

I didn’t even try to hold in my laugh.

Karma bitch.

Chapter Text

Chapter Seven

Well Hello Captain

THERE HAD BEEN SOME TALK ABOUT A CIVIL CORPS CAPTAIN, who had assumed the role at a fairly young age. Young for civil captains, at least, but I’d never paid much attention to all that. Back in Barnarock, our captain had been this gnarled old man by the name of Dingbert. He’d been cranky, judgmental, and almost always out to get me, with a tooth that would wobble and whistle anytime he tried speaking. I may have had an innate clumsiness around people of authority, but Dingbert had never been one of those people, and as such I had spent most of my time ignoring him. 

This captain… This man was hard to ignore. 

Higgins groaned as he held his head, “What the… What do you think you’re doing? You could have killed me!”

“With a door?” The captain said, running a hand through his mess of red hair while a sheepish smile played on his face, “Come on now, Higgins, even I don’t think I’m capable of doing that.”

“Well, that’s just it, isn’t it! You don’t think at all! Presley! I want to report this!”

I watched as Higgins continued to shout at the captain from the floor, making me wonder if he had the same issue as old Dingbert back home, where nobody took him seriously. Only that didn’t add up. If anything, it looked like the roles had been reversed, and Higgins was the one playing Dingleberries - the nickname we came up with for people who complained at the smallest things. 

“Honestly, and you call yourself a captain! You’re supposed to protect the people, not hit them!” 

I think everyone shared a unanimous eye roll at Higgins, not that he noticed, too busy making a meal out of the tiny bump on his head. The Captain did offer him a hand, but Higgins quickly slapped it away and got himself to his feet, dusting off when he realised his tantrum wouldn’t get him any sympathy. Presley still hurried over to try and placate the builder, muttering something to the captain. I felt my back tense as the tall, rugged young man nodded and came over to join me and Antoine, who were enjoying the drama from the safety of the desk. 

He looked up, an apologetic - yet shameless - look on his face as he regarded us both. “Sorry about that. The door’s always getting stuck, and I didn’t actually expect someone to be standing on the other side. ”

“That’s alright, you don’t have to explain to me, I’m the one who has to deal with that door every day. If I had a gol for every time someone got hit by it or stuck in here…” Antoine waved a hand like it was water under the bridge already. “Besides, you couldn’t have had better timing. Higgins was trying to run off with an extra commission again. Not that this will really stop him.” 

He was right. With the way Higgins was howling about it, I had no doubt that Presley would just give him the job to get him to leave. “It’s not even a big deal.” I muttered, “If he’d just asked, maybe he wouldn’t be in this situation.”

“You mean… you would have given him the commission?”

“No.” I smirked, “But I would have warned him about the door… maybe.” 

 I liked to think I looked cool. Confident and maybe a little cocky as I glanced to see the captain’s reaction, but when I saw the way his lips quirked in a half-smile that echoed my curiosity, I felt something weird in my chest that made my heart start racing. Something I didn’t even know I could feel, at least not this quickly. I swallowed and quickly returned my focus to the drama by the door. “Besides. Like he said. It’s your job, isn’t it? To stop people from causing trouble.”

“It is, but that’s not exactly how I’m supposed to go about it.” He leaned on the desk, subtly acknowledging me as if something had clicked into place, “It’s… not exactly the best way to make a good first impression either.”

I snorted, covering my mouth as it practically jumped out of me, clearing my throat to try and compose myself as quickly as possible. “Yeah, no, you don’t have to worry about that. Not around me.”

“Really? You don’t think that was too much?”

“Are you kidding? That was probably the best way to make an entrance. Higgins take down and all.”

“I was not ‘Taken down’!” Higgins yelled, finally taking his leave as Presley ushered him through the doors, taking extra care to hold it open for him. “The only one who is getting taken down right now is you! So you better be ready!”

I turned to Antoine, “Was that just me, or did that sound almost flirty to you?”

He caught his laugh far better than I did, shaking his head with a huge grin, “Don’t say that to him. He will fight you.”

“He would? I thought his bark was far worse than his bite?”

“That doesn’t mean he won’t bite, especially if you mock him like that.” But even as he said it, the look in Antoine's eye said it was a fight he would probably pay to see. 

I scoffed, crossing my arms. “Well, maybe he shouldn’t give what he can’t take. It’s like my grandma would always say; ‘Shake a fist at a snake, and prepare to get bit.’”

“You face a lot of snakes back home, Builder?” The captain asked, reminding me that he was there and still very much the law enforcement in this town. It probably wasn’t wise talking about fighting someone in front of him. 

“In Barnarock? Sure. Plenty. A lot of Dustvipers and Tripions too.”

He nodded, and part of me wondered if he even knew what those were, “I take it you know not to anger them, then?”

“Yes. Why?”

“Because I wouldn’t want to have to take you down for causing trouble in your first week.” He winked, pushing himself off the desk to help Presley, the door having gotten jammed open this time. 

I stared at his back, mouth hung open slightly. “Says the guy who shoved a door in someone’s face!” 

Antoine hid another giggle behind his hand, and I shot a glare at him. “It’s not funny. He doesn’t even know me.”

“No, but I think he wants to. He’s not the only one, you’re honestly the most interesting thing that’s happened here in a long while.”

I wasn’t sure what he meant by that, but it was weird since Sonia had said something very similar. “I’m just another person, trying to get by. What’s so interesting about that?”

Antoine shrugged. “I’m not sure yet, but one thing’s for certain; I can’t wait to find out.”

I narrowed my eyes a little, not feeling that fact was mutual, but knowing my track record… Maybe I was in for some rough times. I certainly hope not. I still didn’t have a working bath going, and until I had some way to heat my own house I did not want to be dealing with anything out of the ordinary. I just wanted peace. Was that really so much to ask?

“Antoine! Would you mind going and checking in on Higgins for me. Just make sure he’s okay, maybe get Doctor Xu if you need to. I’m just worried he’ll make a bigger deal out of this if we don’t say anything.”

Antoine rolled his eyes at Presley, clearly not wanting to leave the place where all the ‘interesting’ excitement was happening, but he didn’t complain either as he headed out to do as told. Presley took a deep breath, pinching the bridge of his nose and rubbing his forehead before returning to a professional smile. “Right! Well then, now that that’s all taken care of. Arlo! How can we help you today?”

So Arlo was his name. I started stealthily making my way towards the door, figuring that I might as well go now that the last commission had been taken, but questioning it as my curiosity urged me to slow down.

“Oh yeah. I have a job for you! Or, well, the guild. ”

I stopped, feeling Presley’s excitement already sparking like wildfire. 

“Excellent! This is perfect! Oh, uh, let me just get the, uh… the papers. Sorry, the place is a mess.”

“Shouldn’t I be the one apologising?” Arlo chuckled, rueful as he rubbed his neck.

Presley waved a hand dismissively, “Higgins was already causing trouble, long before you arrived. I was just trying to give Builder Kaina here a commission, but he just strode right in and took it from me! Honestly, while I have to admire his work I can’t say I support his methods. Ah, sorry to you as well, Kaina.”

I gave a reassuring nod, wandering back over casually as Presley fetched the appropriate forms. It was nice they weren’t for me this time. I was fairly sure I’d sold my soul with all the documents I’d signed. “That’s alright. I didn’t have much energy to do anything big today anyway. I was probably just going to head back and take a nap…”

Arlo tucked one hand in his pocket, “So, you don’t want the commission, then?”

“I didn’t say that.”

“Good, because The Mayor was looking forward to you taking this one for yourself.” 

I frowned. The mayor hadn’t mentioned anything about- 

Mentally slapping myself, I realised that must have been what was talked about at the start of our conversation. I tried to hide my stupidity with an air of nonchalance, peering over the captain’s shoulder to better see the commission slip he was filling out. It looked much fancier than the others. “What’s it for?” 

“A bridge.” 

“A bridge to where?”

“Amber Island.” Presley answered for him, looking very proud as he settled some paperwork behind the desk, “It’s a small spot down by the river. Very lovely. A lot of the residents like to go there for picnics and fishing. There’s a good spot to watch fireworks too. We’ve been waiting for the funding for a while now. It will be good to have it back up and running again.”

“Yeah, Gale thinks it will be a really good spot for tourism too, what with the haunted cave and all.” Arlo added

I flinched “Hold up. You have a haunted cave?”

“That we do.” Arlo said, signing the commission and handing it to me, “Don’t worry, though, it’s just some old stories. We’ve already scoped out the island roughly. At least, as well as we can without the bridge there. I’m pretty sure it’s fine since it was abandoned years ago and I doubt there would be much hiding in there beside a few Snaillobs or urchins maybe.”

I glanced over the details on the page. “And you’re certain it’s not actually haunted?”

“I am, but if you’re scared, I’d be happy to stop by and make sure nothing gets you.” There was a gleam of playfulness in his eye as he said it. A sort of hopefulness, too, like he was more than ready to stand up to the role of my knight in recycled armour if needs be. The fact that a part of me kind of wanted to see that only made me feel more stupid. Where was that inner feminist when you needed her? 

I pulled my jacket further around my shoulders, to hide the heat that was creeping up my neck to my ears, “And, what makes you think I couldn’t protect myself?”

He shrugged, “Nothing. But I’d hate for you to feel unsafe around here. After all, it is my job.”

“Sure.” I said, hiding my smile behind the commision form, “And who better to sacrifice to a ghost than the captain of the civil corps! After all, everyone knows it’s the hot ones that go first.”

His brows raised, pleasantly surprised, “Does that mean you think I’m-”

“Well, Presley!” I cut him off, tucking the commission slip into my back pocket, and grabbing the commissioner's attention before he could get distracted, “You’re the major know-all of building around here. Bridges. What’s your advice?”

I didn’t really need it, I could put two and two together and work something out if I really tried, but as Arlo continued to stand around with that slightly cocky grin I knew I had to busy myself somehow to avoid any more stupid mistakes. 

Was it a mistake though? He is attractive. He probably knows it.  

No. Someone who knew that didn’t look that pleased with themselves when another person brought it up. I felt the warmth reach my cheeks. Nodding along to whatever Presley was saying and forcing myself to zone back into the conversation. 

 “Of course, you’ll need permission to enter the abandoned ruins here. They have an entry cost too, but you’ll want access if you plan to get the resources for the bridge supports.”

“Permission? From who? I thought I signed those forms already?” 

“Oh, well, uh… actually…” Presley glanced behind me, and I felt my soul leave my body for the briefest respite, no doubt to scream somewhere into the void. 

Sucking it back in, I turned around and gave a plastic smile to the civil corps captain. He tilted his head, that blasted knowing look making me want to slam the door on myself next. If I knocked myself out I wouldn’t have to deal with the schoolgirl skipping my heart was embarrassing me with. “Captain.”

“Just Arlo is fine.” 

I shrugged. “I like Captain. It suits you.” I mentally slapped myself again as I collected my thoughts. “Am I to understand that… it is you who gives permission for one, such as me, to enter a place, such as the ruins?” 

He didn’t even try to hide his amusement. “If you’re asking for a weekly pass to one, then yes, I can get one set up for you. It will cost 200 gols though.”

Nope, my soul left me again. 200 gols was practically double my savings. I didn’t even need to check my wallet to know I didn’t have enough there. “I don’t suppose you take other forms of payment?” 

“We do offer a discount for first timers. 60% off will cost you only 80 for a week.”

Dang, that was actually a really good deal, though even that would still leave me on scraps until my next pay. I made a show of pulling out my wallet, trying what I could only hope was a cute and persuasive puppy dog face, but knowing my luck probably wasn’t. “Do you happen to offer extra discounts on poor innocent builders who live in sheds?

He laughed, then mimicked my acting, only it was such a fake act, tapping his chin and humming loudly, I ought to have been offended. “I believe llamas get to go in for free? But, you’re not a llama.”

“You don’t know that.” I said, snapping my wallet shut as it was clear the act wasn’t working, “What if I'm some sort of werellama? Does that still count?”

“Only on a full moon.” he held his hand out and I rolled my eyes as I handed over the money. 

Looks like we were just going hungry from here out. So much for this guy being my knight in shining armour. He was more like the bandit that had mugged me, which would be a fun way to share the tale when I inevitably found myself slinking into Django’s bistro later. At least that knight had pity. Not that I really liked being pitied. 

It was a double edged sword at the end of the day. 

“Meet me by the old ruins under the church tomorrow, I can give you the full tour and run down for everything.” Arlo said, nodding to Presley as he started to make his leave. 

“What, too eager to count your gols, you can’t just show me around now?” 

The captain turned around, walking backwards with that same cocksure smile I was learning to both love and hate all at the same time. Damn hot people in positions of power. Why was that, of all things, what got to me? “I figured you would want to go back. Didn’t you say you had a nap you were looking forward to?”

“I said I was going to. I didn’t say I was looking forward to it.” That was probably my worst comeback yet, especially since he wasn’t wrong, I did want that nap. Only now I had to prove a point. “I can go through everything now. I have time. And energy. Plenty. Unless it’s you who is actually tired, Captain.”

He fixed me with a daring look. “Much as I appreciate the challenge, Builder, I do still take my job seriously. Especially when it comes to those ruins. I won’t have you risk hurting yourself, or others, just because you have something to prove.”

I hesitated. Not because of the lecture, but because of the warning in his voice, and that silent dare for me to cross him. 

I hadn’t exactly been a stickler for the rules back home. I had no reason to be, almost nobody followed them, and those that did were too weak and quiet to actually stop anybody. I’d sneak into the ruins countless times. Change the locks, break the gates, or simply walk in and laugh as the new recruits would sit and short circuit at the concept of a person who wouldn’t listen to them. I’d had no intention of carrying on that tradition here, but the thing is… this man made me consider it. It was counter intuitive. Like telling someone not to press the big red button. But at the same time if I pressed it, I knew he would do something, and I was really curious to see what that something would be. 

It was a bad curiosity, but fuck it. He thought that he’d made a bad impression by kicking that door in. 

He’d made a brilliant impression. 

“So, what you’re saying is… I can risk as much as I like just so long as it’s not in those ruins?”

I was toeing such a dangerous line. The feeling in the air was like static charge, it was exhilarating. This man could so easily arrest me the second I stepped out of it, but as he licked his lips and smiled, something told me he was just as much aware of what I was doing. 

“Do I really need to give you the same talk we give the kids at the schoolhouse? About not running around or causing mischief?” 

“Maybe. Do I get a gold star at the end?”

He chuckled, shaking his head as I think it finally set in just the kind of gremlin that had appeared in his town. “No funny business, Builder. I mean it.”

I gave him a toothy grin. “No promises. Captain. ”

Chapter Text

Chapter Eight

Mixed Messages

I WAS STARTING TO SENSE A PATTERN. A morning routine that had been practically non-existent back home but was strangely comforting out here. Wake up, after a very bad sleep in my still freezing cold hovel of a house, get dressed, in clothes that were starting to smell of damp and dew from several days being shoved in a tiny ramshackle chest, and make my way into town, on an empty stomach and very little energy. Sonia would be waiting in the plaza, getting some sun before her shift, and Higgins would be glaring at me while he paced in front of the guild. It had been only a few days since I’d arrived, but it was a familiarity that I didn’t know I needed. I appreciated it. Though it could obviously have used some improvements. 

“So, you’re telling me that you still don’t have a shower, or a kitchen, or even a decent wardrobe space? How are you even surviving in there?” Sonia asked, pulling me over to the little table outside the bistro where some pastries had been left out conveniently for me to ‘taste test’. 

On my empty stomach, they tasted like heaven, and it didn’t take much to know who had left them for us. I gave Django an awkward wave as he came out to start his morning practice. 

“I’m working on it, though it’s mostly the shower that is bugging me. Honestly, even if I did have a kitchen, I wouldn’t have anything to put in it. I don’t have the money yet, and as far as ingredients go, I wouldn’t even know where to get them.”

“Oh, well that one’s easy. Just ask Emily, or her granny, down at the ranch.” 

I groaned. Those were two names I didn’t know, and that meant more strangers I would need to get introduced to. Sonia gave me a shove with a teasing look, “Don’t be like that. Emily is super nice, she’s like my bestest friend, and her granny is super sweet too.”

“I thought Antoine was your ‘bestest’ friend.”

“Antoine is my other bestie. And you will be too, when you finally tell me where you get your outfits!”

I frowned, looking down at the wrinkled old shirt I had just thrown on along with some rough worn trousers I’d either stolen from Aunt Kendra or gotten on sale at a travelling traders. While I suppose I did have a slight self-conscious attitude towards my appearance, I hadn’t exactly tried to dress up for the trip down into the depths of a ruin, and even then my wardrobe was fairly limited. “I didn’t think the ‘tattered cave troll’ look was really your style.”

She shrugged, “Anything can look good with the right make-up and accessories.”

So, we weren’t going to deny that I looked like a cave troll, then? Okay. I scoffed, reaching for a pastry. 

“What’s this I hear about looking good?” 

I noticed Sonia visibly deflate as a man in a grey waistcoat with slicked black hair strode over, a confident look about him, and he didn’t waste a second to seize her hand to plant a kiss on it. “My dear sweet Sonia, you should know that you look beautiful even without the fancy make-up and baubles! You look stunning every day.”

I slowly leaned back in my chair, feeling like a fly on the wall as I ate another pastry, very aware of the flaky crunch and powdered sugar while Sonia smiled politely. “Albert. What have I said about a girl’s things?”

“That a pretty girl should be allowed to wear pretty things?”

“Exactly.” She snipped, pulling her hand out of his grip, the tension between them making me want to disappear. 

Instead, the man turned all his focus to me. “Oh, good morning! I’m sorry, I should have introduced myself sooner, I just… got so caught up in the moment. Are you one of Sonia’s friends?”

I quickly swallowed the bite I was eating, “I’m-”

“She is.” Sonia jumped in, answering before I could get the chance, “Albert, this is Kaina. She just moved here and she’s really talented. She moved into the old workshop outside town! You know… the abandoned place… with no amenities .”

Wow, apparently Sonia really did like to spill gossip. I made a mental note not to tell her any secrets, ever, giving Albert a tense smile. “It’s fine. I’m working on getting things set up, I just need to grab some more materials.”

It was like someone flicked a switch in Albert’s brain as his entire demeanour changed. “Oh! So, you must be the new builder Presley mentioned!” All of a sudden he was offering a hand, warm and polite, entirely professional as he visibly relaxed. “I’m so sorry, I had no idea you had arrived already. I thought it was next week! Gosh, for a man who runs a business all about deadlines you’d think I’d be able to keep on top of this stuff, but It must have slipped past me. Oh, I’m Albert, by the way, I run the local construction company. The ‘A’ in ‘A&G’.”

I blinked at his extended hand, my own currently covered in powdered sugar from the pastries I’d been scoffing, quickly licking it off and wiping them on my pants. 

“You know, when Gale mentioned that the new builder would be from Barnarock, you were nothing like what I imagined. I’d always figured the builders over there were like those dusty old cowboy types. Like Pauly! But with ten gallon hats, and super tan from days spent in the sun. I didn’t imagine it would be someone so small and fair!”

I stared at Albert, thoroughly confused and at the same time hysterically offended. On one hand, his image of the builders back home was hilariously comical, and I couldn’t help wondering how they would have reacted to it, whether they would laugh at him or beat him to a pulp. On the other, “If it helps you to imagine it, I can put on the hat and drop a bunch of bricks on your legs. I’ll even be nice and throw in a cast.”

He cleared his throat, a new kind of tension back, “No, that’s all right. It’s not that I… I mean, I have full faith that you are an excellent builder. Being fair or pretty doesn’t make you any less capable. Diamonds are both the strongest and most beautiful stones, after all.”

Sonia pursed her lips, and that tension was back, making me wonder if something had happened between them that had now caused Albert to have to navigate a minefield around her. Honestly, I was kind of impressed with that recovery. Even if it was a long shot to call someone like me a diamond, it was still charming, so I had to give him credit. Shaking his hand, I eased off on the murderous intent, “That they are. Just as gold is both valuable and yet so easily bent. I guess we will be seeing a lot more of each other.”

He swallowed, but laughed all the same, “I’m sure we will. For both commissions and work if you ever fancy upgrading that workshop of yours.”

“That’s what I was gonna say!” Sonia said, rather loudly, “Albert, Kaina really needs to get her home set up with the basics. You know, like, a super nice bathroom and a walk in closet.” 

Did the world really need to know that? I shrank into the chair as she continued to explain in a volume that could outdo the town bell. Albert looked to me, a little confused at first, but a wash of sympathy overtook him as he nodded, “Sure. I think we can help with that. I’m impressed you’ve survived this long without-”

“Right? That’s what I said.” Sonia cut him off, looking super pleased with herself, despite my subtle scowl. 

“Yes, we heard.”

“Well, I should really head to work now, before my partner starts looking for me.” Albert said, some kind of inside joke that I had yet to be caught up on, but he handed me a business card, “Feel free to stop by later today, or when you have time, and I’ll see if we can’t set you up with something.”

“Oh, that’s alright, you really don’t have to.” 

“Nonsense! The more work, the better, as Higgins always likes to say.” 

That joke I did get, showing a half-smile and accepting the offer with a nod, if only because I wasn’t Higgins. I had enough on my plate as it was. Albert waved, heading over to the small attached office next to the guild. As soon as he was out of earshot, I pocketed the card, “So, care to tell me what’s going on with you two?”

“Hmm?” Sonia looked up from her cuticles again, “Oh, him? Ugh, it’s nothing. He’s just a player who always likes to flirt with the girls but then acts surprised when none of us want to go out with him.”

I almost choked on my pastry - yes I’d gone back to eating, eating was my comfort space. “Wait, really? Him? He’s the player around here?”

“Mhmm. He’s so obvious with it too. Like, don’t get me wrong, sometimes he can be really sweet, but… like… it’s just repeated. It’s like second-hand from someone else, or at least you can’t tell if it is, or just something he read in a magazine. Like… okay, so, you know that line he fed you? The one about diamonds, yeah? Well first he used it on me, and a couple days ago I found out that he used a similar line on Phyllis, only he did it in a way to call her smart, too. Like, doesn’t he think I’m smart? And also, we can’t all be diamonds! The reason they’re so special is because they’re rare, right?”

So it hadn’t been a landmine of accidental offence at all. If anything, he had laid his own mines, and as far as I was concerned a man like that could make his bed and lie in it. I stifled a chuckle as I glanced back at the small office. Sure, the guy was clearly a dandy. Maybe not as much as someone like Antoine, but a player? I couldn’t really see it. 

“And here I thought the captain was the local heartthrob.” I murmured, grabbing one last pastry for the road. 

“You mean Arlo?” Sonia asked, catching me off guard as I’d been actively trying not to let anyone hear. A wide grin spread across her face. “Oh, sure, he’s definitely one of the hot ones around here. But he’s also kind of scruffy, and he doesn’t even have his own place, since he’s in the civil corps.”

Please stop talking. I’d been embarrassed enough since coming here, and I knew that, with my luck, said Captain would appear at any moment. “I don’t think-”

“No, if you’re looking for a real hottie, you want someone like Gust. Or Dr Xu, but Antoine has dibs on him, so just be warned. Oh, there’s also Django, but don’t tell him I said that.”

I wasn’t even paying attention to that, and neither was the knight apparently, too engrossed in his combat training and teaching a kid the basics of stance. I was trying to hold back my laugh as I recalled the mayor’s son. Though I had yet to actually meet him properly, I had heard his quiet frustration and I knew he apparently looked like his father, which suggested he was just as short and potentially vibrantly dressed. I don’t know why, but I imagined him scowling a lot too, maybe because he sounded like the type to be so easily annoyed by something. Mayor Gale had said they were nothing alike in personality. 

Sonia frowned, “What’s so funny? It’s not wrong to have a crush on your boss. I mean, he’s super loyal, and kinda buff, like. I mean, you can’t see it right now because he’s wearing his overcoat thingy, but wait until summer. Plus he’s so noble, and-”

“No, I’m not… I wasn’t laughing at that.” I said, getting up as I spotted Higgins running into the guild, my notifier that the guild was finally open. “I just didn't know the mayor’s son was your type.”

“Are you kidding?” Sonia fanned herself theatrically, “Girl, he’s everyone’s type. Well, he would be, if he weren’t such a stick in the mud all the time. But then, it does give him an edge. Mysterious, like. You’ll know what I mean when you meet him.”

I snorted. “I’ll make sure to give him your regards.”

“Please do! I’ll make him a drink anytime.” She giggled to herself, getting up then remembering something, “Oh! And-”

“Tell Antoine you said hi?”

She made a face, “I was gonna say enjoy your date.”

Date? Had I agreed to-

“With the captain. Antoine told me you were getting a tour… and that you two had major chemistry.” She looked at me, smugly, watching for my reaction which I swear to peach I would die before giving her. Not that it stopped the heat reaching my cheeks. 

“Not sure what you mean, Bestie.”

“Oh? So, does that mean you’ll tell me your shopping secrets?” 

I smiled viciously. “That depends. How does the knight feel about someone having a crush on him?”

Django turned around, hearing his aesthetic be called out, and the look on Sonia’s face told me I was very close to making a new nemesis if I dared. Two can play at this game, Love, and I warn you. I play it hard.  

“Nothing, Django. Thanks for the pastries.” I gave him an ‘ok’ sign, turning on my heels and making my way to the guild. 

Antoine looked up, a similar sly look on his face, but I held a hand up. “You say a word to anyone and I tell the good doctor. Eye for an eye.”

The blood practically vanished from his face. His smile completely dropped. “I didn’t even say anything.”

“Good.” I smiled, taking a smaller commision from the board and sliding it across the desk. “Keep it that way.”

“Someone’s in a bad mood today.” He mumbled, filing in the appropriate paperwork. It was always with the paperwork in this place. “Seriously, what happened? You were way more fun yesterday when-”

“Not in a bad mood. Just don’t want people getting the wrong ideas.” I’d had enough problems back home with that, I really didn’t need anymore of it here. 

Antoine clicked his pen, “Nervous?”

“No? Why would I be?”

He shrugged, watching me in that catlike way, “Because… It's a dangerous place. A lot can happen. And you know what they say. What happens in the ruins…”

“What happened to Higgins?” I asked, slamming my own pen down after signing the form to accept the commission. “Pretty sure he’s dead set on that rivalry we have going. Where’s his dose of mockery?”

“Oh, that? I’m saving that for the perfect moment. Don’t worry, everyone gets their daily dose around here.” Antoine laced his fingers on the desk, resting his chin. “I don’t know why you’re so defensive about it. It’s cute, you know. Like a love story.”

“How dare you say that word near me.” I said sarcastically, taking the slip and heading out. “Seriously, nothing even happened. I’m not sure where you’re getting this idea from.”

“I’m manifesting the drama. It amuses me.”

“I can see that.” 

“Stay safe!” Antoine called after me, getting promptly ignored as I internally eye rolled. “And tell me everything!”

“I won’t.” I replied, as the door slammed shut behind me.

Chapter Text

Chapter Nine

Stars Amidst The Ruins

I FINISHED MY COMMISSION FIRST. Not the bridge one, that would take me a while, and since they hadn’t given me a deadline for it I figured there was no rush to get it done right away. The commission I’d taken alongside that one was fairly small. Burn some charcoal and deliver it to the baker in town, a task which had only taken longer since said baker had insisted on sitting me down and treating me to some fresh pancakes, as a welcome and a thanks. I wasn’t complaining, but it did mean that by the time I finally made my way up to the ruins it was almost an hour past midday and the sun was already beginning its descent. I chewed my lip, wondering if this meant I had left the Captain waiting, trying to calm my nerves with the excuse that he hadn’t actually given me a time and Presley had told me that all Civil Corps members didn’t usually finish patrol until mid-to-late noon. Maybe I had been stalling? I’d had several days on the delivery, I didn’t need to get it done right away, but… I don’t know. I didn’t like that the thought of facing him again made my chest feel funny. 

I took a deep breath. We were being stupid. I was just desperate to make a good impression, that’s all it was, and there was still the fact that if we gave him any reason to look into our past he’d find plenty of reasons to kick us out. It wasn’t a crush, it was more likely fear and anxiety. Not the most romantic mix. 

Besides, if I’d just sat around waiting it would have looked impatient and desperate, which in my opinion was way worse than just slightly tardy. I was a busy woman. Being late made sense. Still, as I wound my way up the steep sloping road, which Sonia had pointed out led to both the church ruins and the hilltop one, I was surprised to find not the rugged young captain but a tall vibrant green haired man next to a proud chestnut mare. 

I felt the guilt hit me as I could see he’d been waiting. “I don’t suppose… you’re here to give me the tour?”

The man turned around, not even startled, “Oh, hey! Yeah, sorry, I didn’t see you there. I just noticed a branch had gotten tangled in Arrow’s mane.” He patted the horse, “Arlo said he’d be late. Some issues with the Madcrabs down by the river. He asked if I could step in. Hope that’s alright?”

“Oh, yeah, that’s fine!” I said, sounding maybe a little too relieved, “I think I just needed the classic tutorial of the place, anyway. I’m sorry if I kept you waiting.”

“No, not at all.” He chuckled, tying his horse’s reins around a nearby tree. “I’m glad for the short break. I guessed you would have been held up somewhere by a commission. I’m Remington.”

“Kaina.” I greeted, looking over to the tall hill that served as the entryway to both the church of light and the dark abandoned ruins. It was a strange irony, really. “So, I take it you’re part of the Civil Corps too?”

“Yup. Have been for almost ten years now. I served in Lucian for most of that time though.” Remington explained, making sure his horse was perfectly okay before leaving them. “And you’re from Barnarock, right?”

I nodded, “Born and raised.”

“Are you settling in okay? I take it, it’s pretty different from what you know, but if there’s anything I can help you with-”

“I’m fine, but, thanks for offering.” I said, feeling like I’d complained enough about my situation these days. Besides, when people said stuff like that they never actually meant it. 

Remington nodded, finally motioning over to the ruin entrance, “Ever been ruin diving before?” 

“Not really. Not in a ruin like this.” I said, following him over to the large corroded archway and watching as he swiped a small card across a panel set up on the side. Taking the rented card - that I’d bought for half my savings - I tried to hide my nerdy glee as the little screen lit up with green in response. 

“Barnarock has its own kind of ruins, right? I can’t say I know how different they are. Did you ever go in one before?”

Not officially , I thought to myself, following inside and down an old decrepit corridor. Truth is, with our civil corps ‘maintenance fee’ being quite a steep price by most builder’s standards, nobody ever actually bought passes or claimed to use the ruins out of spite. We still did. We just didn’t tell anybody. 

“I went on a few educational trips. Nothing too crazy. Never alone.” I lied. “The builders I apprenticed for were fairly easy going on health and safety. So long as you knew what you were doing, you could do whenever you liked.”

Remington raised a brow. “Your civil corps didn’t keep a watch over them? That’s how we have it here in the free cities.”

“They did, but they were also kind of… lax.” Not expressly false. Though there were one or two guards that, if you were stupid enough to try and get past, would put you in a jail or a clinic without much issue, the builders tended to let others know if they were around. And with old Dingbert more scared of desert creatures and bandits, they were rarely on Ruin duty anyways. We had a system. An illegal one, but it served us just fine.

Remington just nodded, “Well, I’d like to say we’re fairly relaxed around here too, but that’s only because we have a lot of trust in our divers. So long as you buy your pass, return the equipment, and make sure to stay safe, you should be fine.”

I gave a small salute. “You’ll have no problems from me, Sir.”

He gave an awkward laugh, “You know, we tend to keep things fairly informal around here too. You don’t have to worry about calling us sir or officer or anything like that.”

“I know. Old habits I guess. I’m not really used to calling people by name. Not if they have a title or something I can call them by instead.” It was a Barnarock thing I guess. 

“Do you prefer to call people by titles? Because I like my name. Even just Rem.”

I never really thought of it that way. “I can call you Rem, if you like?”

He shrugged. “Up to you. I don’t really mind.”

I deadpanned. Then why bring it up?

Reaching the end of the corridor, or at least the dead end as the rest had collapsed in on itself, Remington turned around and gestured to one of the doors on the side. One, a permanently opened metal door that had rusted open after years of its mechanics being unused, led into a cosy little locker room. A couple cabinets lined the back, some with water bottles and emergency snacks, others filled with curious scraps of relics and one stacked with a box of power stones and peculiar silver disks. In another corner was a small electric heater and some chairs, a couple lockers, and a first aid station. It was very snug. 

“Feel free to leave your bag and stuff here. There is a radio port on the side, so you can contact us should anything happen or you find yourself trapped inside. It’s rare, but it can happen, so it’s better to stay prepared.”

I nodded, leaving my usual tools up here and deciding to just keep my pickaxe on me for now. Remington collected a large tool box from the side and scribbled something down on a nearby clipboard. “Whenever you take the jetpack and scanner, make sure you sign it in and out here, just helps us to keep a tabs on things. If you notice any faults with it as well, make sure to leave a note, even if it was you who damaged it we can’t get it fixed unless we know what went wrong.”

I raised a brow as I clipped my pick to my toolbelt and pulled on some gloves, “You get a lot of people doing that? Breaking priceless equipment and pretending it wasn’t them?”

“No, but we have had it once.” I waited for the story behind it, but Remington seemed to leave it there, walking over to the second door that looked more like a corrupt age wartime torture cell then anything I’d ever seen. 

He had to give the large metal door a serious yank just to get it open, and the resounding CLUNK! Echoed for a good ways town as I realised it was some kind of elevator. He stepped in without a second thought, setting the large equipment box to the side and making as much space as possible for me, but it was kinda hard since the box was clearly not designed for many people to begin with. 

Naturally, I hesitated. “Is this the only way in?”

Remington seemed to have only just noticed how crude the device looked. He tried to seem reassuring, “Don’t worry, it’s never failed on us, and it may look old but it gets checked frequently.”

“By who?” I muttered, cautiously stepping in and feeling it shift under me like a godforsaken death trap - which is probably what it was. The walls were so tarnished I could easily scratch my last will and testament into it if I wanted. 

“So, I take it Arlo already told you how we do things around here. The weekly pass, the first time discount, using the equipment and everything?”

“The weekly pass, yes.” I answered, holding on for dear life as the metal coffin descended, “The other stuff… I think he noticed I’m way more of an experience based learner. I prefer to do stuff myself then get told about it. Lectures make me sleepy.”

“Got it.” Remington chuckled, completely unphased as the elevator thunked to a stop then restarted, the light above flickering as it buzzed, while my heart literally had to remind itself what its job was. “I’ll try to keep things short, then”

During our perilous descent probably wasn’t the best place to give me the basics. I was too busy trying not to pass out or think about dying. I still managed to get the jist of it; Don’t take the equipment home, you can’t get in without a pass, and whatever you find in the ruins - provided it wasn’t a weapon of some kind - was free for you to take home. I decided to stop myself from pointing out that anything could be considered a weapon if you tried hard enough. When the elevator finally came to a stop, I found myself stepping out into an enormous cavern, a smell of age old dirt and rust hitting me along with a noticeable mugginess. Centuries of slowly crushed scrap and rubble lay in piles all around. Some towering like stalagmites and others rolling giant hills in the distance. 

“This can’t be stable…” I mused to myself, just glad to be out of the elevator and onto solid ground, but when I thought of the relatively heavy town sat several feet on top of me…

“I thought the same when I first got here.” Remington said, setting the large equipment case down before joining me by the edge of the platform where the elevator was based, “It’s normally a terrible idea to build on top of an ancient ruin, but Portia is different in that case, since the ruins around here are either old bunkers or systems that were designed to work below city structures. At least, that’s what Petra told me, when they were last doing a dig around here.” 

Well, that would explain where all the support came from. Old world structures were something else. Even years later, many were still as strong as they were in their first construction. I remembered doing my first year of study on the theories behind their foundations alone. It was fascinating. “So, speaking of digging…”

“Right. Let’s get you set up.” 

I wasn’t gonna lie, The Jetpack looked questionable. Though I had heard of plenty devices from the corrupt age that were supposed to aid in solo flight, the Jetpack had notoriously been a bad run for many centuries - at least that was if the books were to be believed. So much information behind them had been lost it was hard to tell what was real and what was fake. But when Remington opened the chest to reveal a small oblong box, barely the size of an average backpack, I had to admit I was kinda sceptical. It didn’t have any straps. Instead it fixed like a magnet to a vest I was supposed to wear under my shirt, the idea being that if the engine exploded it would detach faster and allow me to get away before it could cause serious damage. The vest was required to be under my shirt since it was fire resistant, and in the worst case scenario if an explosion did cause my shirt to catch fire, the burning material wouldn’t reach me, though I did question why I wouldn’t just wear it over my shirt to protect that as well, Remington pointed out that the sleeves were still a risk and would act as a kind of fuse under the vest. 

In short, it was a really cool design, but a seriously sketchy piece of tech. 

The scanner wasn’t nearly so bad. Just a pair of goggles that actually looked really cool to put on and really cool to look through as well. Though when I did switch it on, I noticed the cavern looked strangely empty. 

“What exactly are we scanning for, again?” Had Portia’s ruins been just as cleaned out as Barnarock’s in the end?

“The scanner will pick up any interesting items it finds within the debris.” Remington explained, making sure that both the jetpack and scanner were properly attached.

“What sort of things does it deem interesting?”

“Relic pieces, mostly. But also some caches and the occasional loose parts.”

I looked again but still nothing was picking up. “Don’t suppose it’s broken without being reported, is it?”

Remington frowned, checking something on the headband before shaking his head. “Nope. Looks all good.”

“Then why aren’t I seeing anything? What am I looking for exactly?”

Remington chuckled as I wobbled my head around like a blind toddler, realising what the problem was and gesturing to a space in the cavern. “Most things don’t show up until you’re closer to them. You’ll need to be in range, so maybe try digging a bit first and then looking around.”

I switched the scanner off so I could see him without the bleeping. “Does that mean I’m good to go?”

“I’ll be here for a bit, just to make sure you’re alright, but yeah. If you need anything, just yell. Pretty much everything echoes in here so I’ll be sure to hear you eventually.” he laughed at his own joke, setting the equipment case aside and doing his own thing, which I took as my sign to leave. 

No longer trying to hide my eager smile, I stepped up to the precipice of the enormous cavern, glancing back only once to make sure everything was okay and seeing Remington give me a reassuring thumbs up. Testing out the jetpack was my first task. It was all down to timing, as well as positioning my body so I didn’t accidentally burn myself, and a number of other factors. But the more I thought about it, the less I wanted to do it, so I just closed my eyes and  threw caution to the wind as the adrenalin kicked in. Leaning forward, I felt a rush of hot air breeze past my back, the sound almost akin to an air canister as I shot forwards and up into the darkness. When my feet hit the stones again, I found myself laughing. 

It was like someone had just electrocuted me. My entire body was alive and rushing with the thrill of it all.

 “By Peach…” I breathed, barely able to catch my breath as I shook with all the blood rushing through me, “...That was scary as hell.”

“It gets easier the more you do it.” Remington called, still watching from the platform where the elevator was set, “Just be careful where you land. Not all of this is as stable as it looks.”

I jumped again, using the jetpack to propel me several feet further, landing a little harder this time and feeling it through my knees. But my grin only grew wider. “This is amazing!”

“Just be careful now!” 

“I am unstoppable!”

“Don’t get carried away!”

“I can do anything!”

I laughed maniacally, flicking on the scanner’s headlights and looking around, but once again I was met with silence. For the most part, the walls and floors of the ruin was just packed mud and debris, some broken stones and some crushed concrete that had been weathered down into fine sand over the centuries. Moving further in I could see those peculiar disks scattered and buried. Every now and then I would use my pick to dig up a large red plastic chest, the inside containing all manner of curious corrupt age treasures, but the only really useful pieces being old parts and unused power stones. The rule was finders keepers, so I packed as much of it as I could, digging my own way until I had created a variable trench for myself. I couldn’t help getting lost in the rhythm of it all. With some music or something on in the background, I could easily see this being a really calming pastime, if an incredibly taxing one as I could already feel my arms burning from exertion and my clothes were covered in dirt. But I couldn’t help loving every second of it. Centuries of technology had been lost down here. Books highlighting all kinds of old theories. Posters of bands and broken tapes. A lost teddy, some broken tennis rackets and a number of other things. Just running my hands through the gravel showed a collection of tiny copper wires amidst the roots and rubble. 

While the Barnarock Ruins had certainly been a lot less muddy then these, they had certainly never been as interesting, but then again that was likely because they had been picked clean of all the good stuff long before I’d been born. I only stopped when my stomach growled at me again, reminding me that time was a thing and I’d already spent much of it down here, exploring. I needed to head back up. 

But out of curiosity, I decided to try the scanner once more. 

The sight that hit me was unlike anything I had ever seen before. 

Orbs. Hundreds of them, glowing amidst the dark and the dank muddy walls of the tunnel, glittering like a tiny cosmos. Each one glowed like stars, or fireflies, and each one carried its own sense of growing possibility. I wanted to search them all. To dig them all. To discover what lay beyond their curious shining light. Maybe a piece of relic? Maybe a chest of veritable treasures? It only made the ache in my body more frustrating, because I knew if I tried I wouldn’t be able to reach any of them before passing out, but by the light did I want to try. 

I settled with the promise to return later tomorrow. When I had enough energy to go star catching as much as I liked. Retracing my steps, I wound my way back through my tunnels, and back to the top where Remington was waiting.

“Got the hang of things yet?” He asked, watching as I hopped over using the jetpack and almost collapsed upon landing.

“I can come back here, at any time, right?” I asked, “There’s no time limit or curfew or anything? Just the weekly pass.”

Remington helped to remove the scanner and jetpack. “That’s it, though we don’t really recommend staying in here so late at night. It’s dark as it is, but it also gets cold during that time, and if you pass out… Well, chances are we won’t find you till morning. Better not to risk getting sick or injured when nobody is around.”

As much as that was smart, knowing me, that wouldn’t actually deter anything. I still couldn’t get those little twinkling lights out of my head. The sea of potential treasures to be found. “Well, thank you for showing me everything. I should be good from here.”

“No worries. I’m glad I could help. And you know, if you ever need help with anything, really, just let me know. I’ll do my best to make any problems go away.” He spoke genuinely, setting the equipment back inside its case, every action careful and precise. 

I blew a half laugh under my breath, walking behind the elevator shaft to remove the vest, “You guys really take your work here seriously, huh.”

“Why wouldn’t we?” Remington asked, respectfully keeping all of his attention on the equipment at hand. 

“It’s a small town. Not the most threatening place. I don’t think anyone would blame you if you cut corners here and there.”

Even though I couldn’t see his face, I could almost hear the question in his pause, as Remington snapped the case shut and moved onto checking the reserve basket that was used like a temporary random shop. “We’re still sort of a frontier town. If you head too far out, you’re bound to walk into trouble somewhere, and just because something bad isn’t likely to happen, doesn’t mean it won’t. Besides, our work is to make sure the people are protected. If we don’t take that seriously, people will get hurt, and that would be our fault since we let it happen.”

“You sure it wouldn’t be the fault of the person who got hurt? Or the thing that did the hurting?” I asked, fixing my shirt as I checked the label of the vest, wondering how I was supposed to wash it for the next person but instead finding several symbols that were nonsense to me. “What do I do with this?”

“There’s a washing machine up top, it’ll take care of everything, including drying it.” Remington explained, joining me back in the Elevator for our horrifying ascent back up in the death cabinets. “And as for the fault, if a fire goes off and the alarm never sounds, the risk is higher and the damage is worse. You blame the alarm, because it didn’t do its job.”

I rose a brow. “And if it does go off, but the person sleeps through it? Or it gets ignored, and the fire spreads anyway?”

“Then we adjust the alarm accordingly, to make sure it doesn’t happen again.”

I tried not to scoff at the idea. It was very noble. I wasn’t used to a civil corps that took itself so seriously, and maybe that was why I thought it was a little naive that they thought that way. That everyone could be protected, provided they worked hard enough, maybe that was possible in a place like this. 

As I gripped the handrail of the shaky lift, Remington gave me a look, “I know we must seem like we’re overreacting for nothing, but that’s not what matters. We only want to ensure that everyone feels safe. That includes you, you know.”

“Well, then… Good luck with that.” I said, shouldering my bag that now weighed a ton and swelled against my back like a giant rock turtle shell. “You might just have your work cut out for you.”

“Perhaps.” Remington grinned, “But who said we didn’t love a good challenge?”