The Midnight Sun

Orani facepalmed but stifled a laugh.

"Well, thankfully I've made her a multitude of accessories. Ironically a few of them are made of wood. You would think dryads mind that but as it turns out them feeling bad for trees they've never known is like us feeling bad for a human dying in another town we've never met. Anyway, how long do you think the process will take and when do you think you can give it a try?"

"We built our cabin around her tree, but because it's far into the woods it's a bit of a walk. Since it's late now, perhaps we could meet up tomorrow and I escort you back?"

"Wait, but-" She attempted to say before Ambicat walked out. She sighed and sat back down.

"They serve food here...."

The following morning Orani waited outside the Midnight Sun, wearing her normal work clothes. A large chopping axe was strapped to her back. To a normal person it was a simple hatchet, but to someone her size it was a two-handed weapon.

She shook her head.

"Arrived about ten minutes ago. I took the day off so we have all day if needed. My home is a bit into the nearby forest if you're ready."

After seeing Ms. Moonflower off with polite goodbyes and a pinched-shut nose, Naoki slides back into her seat, up on the balcony overlooking the bar. Hunching forward, she places an elbow on the table, her chin in her palm, and looks out across the mass of bar goers.

It’s strange, she reflects, how so much has changed, but The Midnight Sun remains almost exactly as it was. Same staff, same tables, same patrons, same drinks. Still turning incredible profits. There’s one school of thought, she thinks, that says that this sameness is inherently bad; Calico ought to be attempting to further refine and perfect the system. But then, if it works, why fool with it. She supposes that she has little inclination to take any action regarding the matter, though, there are more pressing matters.

On that note, Naoki turns a bit to shift her gaze onto the empty box sitting on the table. The box had contained the potion she had given Ms. Moonflower, the one Naoki has informally dubbed ‘unicorn tears’. It has properties that work against the natural progression of aging.

Considering her previous thoughts on the concept of immortality, Naoki supposes that they’ve changed quite drastically. It would certainly be awful to age at a drastically different scale compared to one who is important to you, or simply not age at all while others do. But then, there isn’t much harm in it if whoever is important to one ages at the same rate, be it accelerated or decelerated... or perhaps even not at all.

Considering the matter further, Naoki notes that of the individuals she knows well, there aren’t too many similarities. Various types of humans and elves, demons, vampires, other assorted non-humans, including herself. All with their own speeds. Alden’s children are far more developed than human children their age would be.

And there is the line of thinking that says that fooling with the concept of aging would go against the natural order of things. Some just don’t live as long as others, and that is the way of the world. It would be working against nature itself to change such things.

Naoki is forced to admit that that line of thinking is entirely correct. But then, the ways of the world have not yet been able to prevent Naoki from accomplishing her goals in spite of them.

Silas entered the Midnight Sun. He wore new cloths, but still needed a shave and a haircut. The newly acquired spear was sheathed and slung over his shoulder. Spotting @scarlet, Silas crossed the room and handed her a yellow flower he had found in the plains. "Sorry, I took so long. The quest took longer then expected. But we can talk about that latter. How about that dinner?"

The hungry mercenary couldn't help but order The King's Ransom, rare, along with a glass of the house red. He felt bad about splurging, but would offer to pay the tip at the end of the meal. Silas avoided the peas (not that he was afraid of demons).

When asked the question a sad look came over Silas's face. However, since it had been such a long time, he found it was not so painful to think of his family. "It seems like a different life now. I was born into a noble family, believe it or not." Silas leaned his chair to balance on two legs as he spoke, "Our nation, just a city state, was being pressured by a neighboring nation to give them our allegiance. Father refused and was killed. As was my older brother. I ran. Don't know what happened to the rest of 'em." Silas went silent, not knowing what else to say.

Kidnapped? That seemed worse then Silas's background. "You are doing well for yourself after going through so much. Why didn't you tell your father who you were? If you don't mind my asking. Don't you think they would like to know that you are ok?" Silas continued to savor the steak, finishing it first, while the red meat was still hot.

Since Skarlet had opened up to him, Silas found it easier to talk of his past, "I suspect my mother and sisters are still alive. Married off no doubt. Once, I wanted to form a band of mercenaries, maybe even an army, in order to retake my home. I just never seemed to get my act together."

"That makes sense. At least your brother knows." Silas finished his steak and moved on to the fried potato skins. They were crunchy and delicious. The wine was beginning to give him a slight buzz. It had been a while since he had drunken alcohol. He wanted more but didn't want to get drunk while on his first date Skarlet.

"That is good that you found a new family. So your mother is in politics? What does she do?"