I followed Krahinn to some castle that was made of black bricks, reaching high into the sky. There was this earthy scent mixed with a wonderful aroma in the air as I turned around in awe, admiring the scenery. Where were we? What was this place? From what I recalled, a few years ago he started leaving Ygdazi and going on trips, but no one overly probed into what he was doing. Ygdazi tended to be quite a bore, which was not surprising, but to think that Krahinn chose to come here. How did he find such a nice place?

  “Okay, I can think here for now.” Krahinn quipped to himself. He let out a deep, long breath.

  “Or we could talk.” I offered him, shuffling closer to him. Krahinn jumped a little in surprise, snapping to face me.

  “You followed me here?” Krahinn hissed, getting close so it wasn’t too loud.

  “It was~n’t hard.” I teased him with a smile.

  “This is no place for you. Leave.” Krahinn ordered, manifesting another

  .

  “But I want to talk to you.” I pleaded with Krahinn.

  “Do you not understand the word, no? I am not interested; I will never be interested.” Krahinn attempted.

  “I hear what you are saying, but I do not like it what it implies for our future conversations. I feel you are being rash.” I informed Krahinn. His eyes were twitching at me.

  “There are no future conversations!” Krahinn roared at me.

  “And that’s where we differ. I feel we need to resolve this impasse.” I told him in a tone similar to what Ipnerslei tried.

  “Did.. did you just…

  “You seem to respond well to it.” I pointed out, keeping my tone the same. Krahinn looked like he was processing what I was saying.

  “Are you trying to get into a serious fight with me?” Krahinn probed in a tone like he couldn’t believe what I was saying.

  “No. I am trying to convince you to agree to a date and you are being immensely closed minded.” I retorted, pouting a bit that Krahinn was so vehemently against the idea.

  Krahinn closed the

  as he clearly was trying to find the words to articulate his frustration with me. Before Krahinn kept going, some lady with copper skin and platinum hair had walked up, seeming interested in the commotion. Krahinn’s eyes shot to her with his screaming for her to get away from the courtyard. She looked between us, smiled, and then walked closer. Krahinn seemed even more irritated that this lady got closer rather than left the two of us alone.

  “Now who is dis?” the woman asked in a teasing tone.

  “Forl off Nautilus.” Krahinn snapped at her which only amused her more.

  “Ya bring some random twink t’ the cas’le and ya wan’ me t’ leave?” Nautilus taunted with a truly massive smile.

  “I did not! I am trying to get them to leave!” Krahinn snapped back. Nautilus’ s face only looked happier as she nodded like she absolutely did not believe it.

  “I ain’ judgin’. I see ya type.” Nautilus continued. Yes, she was Team Fresri.

  “I don’t even know their name! They refuse to take no for an answer!” Krahinn defended himself. Nautilus’s eyes narrowed, looking between us.

  “I am Fresri, and yes, I am being persistent. I did follow Krahinn here trying to arrange for a date.” I confessed. Nautilus sighed, looking less amused.

  “Hol’ on Krahinn, I’ll have a wee chat for ya.” Nautilus groaned looking less amused.

  Before I asked for clarification, Nautilus calmly walked up to me, tossed me over her shoulder, and sprinted off towards the lake. Nautilus could run surprisingly smoothly as she carried me, and she seemed to be on my side partially. She sprinted until we reached a large lake, setting me down by a nice tree as she let out an annoyed huff. Hopefully this conversation would be productive to my future goals, but the general look on her face made me think her amusement was slipping by.

  “I was thinkin’ I coul’ taun’ the c’anky bird ‘bout bringin’ a fling ‘ere but now I can’t.” Nautilus lamented.

  “So, can you help me get Krahinn on a date?” I requested Nautilus. Nautilus looked at me with a skeptical stare.

  “Why ya pesterin’ him? He tol’ ya no.” Nautilus asked me.

  “Look at him!” I defended myself. Her face in response was like she didn't grasp what her ears were hearing.

  “Krahinn?” Nautilus inquired in a tone like she didn’t believe it.

  “There I was, down on my luck, and I bump into the handsome, experienced King Krahinn. Would you let such a sexy man walk away without trying hard for the date?” I challenged her. Nautilus looked at me, holding a finger up while trying to think of her next words.

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  “Now migh’ not be th’ bes’ time.” Nautilus replied. I sighed, knowing I would likely have to give up on this endeavor for now.

  “Mourning period?” I probed, which her surprise let me know it must have been fresh.

  “Nautilus!” some small demon called out as she moved towards us.

  “Not th’ time, Luna!” Nautilus yelled back.

  “Why not?” Luna checked as she got closer to us.

  Luna was odd, her seemed to be quite developed for her age. It felt like with this oddly calming presence to it; Luna had this peculiar presence to her which was kind of vexing. Even as young as she was I could feel the for her , , and that seemed to augment her presence. Was this what drew Krahinn here?

  “I am trying to get Krahinn to agree to a date.” I informed this Luna.

  “Krahinn? You want to date, Krahinn?” Luna probed, seeming baffled by the request. That seemed to be everyone's reaction so far.

  “Why does everyone keep acting like I’m crazy for wanting that?” I probed. He seemed nice, just cranky, which made it better.

  “I’ll be right back; I need to carry Nil here for him to hear this.” Luna stated as she ran off. Nautilus lifted a hand, clenched it in a fist, before sighing and shaking her head as she just put her hand down.

  “Fresri, ya seem, persis’ent, but ya should leave.” Nautilus told me. I let out a defeated sigh.

  “You might be right.” I grumbled, conceding I might need to accept defeat.

  “I been where ya are, jus’ now’s not th’ time.” Nautilus comforted me, looking a bit pitying at me.

  “Any chance of warming up that frigid exterior?” I tried while knowing it was all in vain.

  “No.” Nautilus stated after thinking for a few moments.

  “I kind of came here impulsively, I will need some help getting back to Ygdazi.” I admitted. It was a bit embarrassing to admit I chased after Krahinn without overly thinking it through.

  “Luna wen’ t’ grab th’ lad, but ‘e may not be able to cas’

  for ya. We may need th’ bird.” Nautilus explained to me.

  We waited awkwardly for a bit, seeing if whoever the lad was capable of casting

  . While we stood by the lake, another demon came up, eyeing me suspiciously as she walked next to Nautilus and leaned into her with a hug. The two of them were having some mental conversation with the occasional side glance towards me. How long did it take to fetch one lad? I was going to assume he was a demon, but the present made it possible that they weren’t a demon. I looked around a bit more, seeing the city surrounding the castle looked torched. My luck turned out to be awful after all with me having to return broke and empty-handed; that was depressing to think about. What in all likeliness was fifteen minutes, I saw Luna carrying a male demon on her back towards us.

  Something about him sent shivers down my spine. I could see his amber eyes from a distance, almost projecting like Krahinn’s behind him like a halo. The around us seemed to bend to his as his presence was terrifying; what kind of did this kid possess? He physically looked like a child, but every other sense told me to be wary. Luna’s was much more pleasant and soothing compared to the tyrannical presence the lad possessed. He had an expression like a storm while looking exhausted; Luna no longer looked so amused, glaring at me now for some reason. Now that he was closer, I could feel like everything about me was being examined by his endless glare.

  “Why are you glaring at me?” I asked her, not understanding her shift in attitude.

  “Luna told me I had to absolutely hear what you had to say.” The lad informed me with an unblinking gaze.

  “Not you, Luna.” I clarified while how embarrassing the events that led me to here began fully registering.

  “Please tell me so I can go sleep.” The boy requested. His entire demeanor seemed exhausted which made the extreme presence he possessed peculiar.

  “I want a date with Krahinn.” I admitted.

  “Told you, Nil.” Luna added on while Nil just looked at me, clearly thinking it over. The silence hung in the air for several moments until something on Nil’s hand lit up. In half a blink, Krahinn was standing next to him, looking wildly unenthused at me. The two were oddly fitting together.

  “I should go.” I sighed, knowing now was the time to admit defeat.

  “Yes, you should.” Krahinn agreed, opening the

  back to Ygdazi for me.

  “Hold on a second.” Luna interjected. Krahinn’s neck made a light popping sound he turned his head so swiftly to face her. Nautilus and the other demon looked surprised, whereas Nil looked like he wanted to nap.

  “What?

  “Fresri could stay.” Luna answered in a tone like it was a great idea. The situation was evolving, and maybe I was not out just yet.

  “I pardon your finest forl. What words are leaving your mouth?” Krahinn interrogated in a voice that was equal parts baffled and livid.

  “Krahinn, you said finding a compatible is quite difficult. Does Fresri possess a compatible ?” Luna suggested. What? What was happening? Nautilus and the other demon looked at her, with narrowing eyes.

  “Pest, what is your ?” Krahinn snarled at me. His red eyes were furious as I think he was attempting to dissolve me with his wrath.

  “.” I squeaked. Krahinn’s rage was oozing off of him in waves, with four eye boring holes into Luna and the other five looking at me like an insect ruining his picnic.

  “What did you say to Luna?” Krahinn pressed as the sky began turning red from his anger.

  “Nothing. She came up, asked why I was here, went to grab Nil because she thought it was funny, and came back.” I explained, putting my hands up trying to diffuse his anger or calm him down somewhat.

  Krahinn looked between her and me, clearly torn on who he wanted to yell at more; his gaze was so nice. Nautilus and the other demon were giving Luna a highly disapproving stare as I think they agreed with Krahinn. Nil looked at her, nowhere near as invested in the unfolding situation as the rest of them. What possibly possessed Luna to take that stance? It gave me an in though, but I imagine Krahinn could ask much more practiced in being one than me. Still, I wasn’t sure I would want to do that.