Nyxara
When I got the message from Rakesh that he and Mrs. June were ready to take me on a tour of the palace complex, the afternoon sun had begun to soften.
As Zen and I walked out of the side entrance to walk around to the front of the residence, the pathway stones were warm beneath our shoes and the air smelled faintly of spicy meat and electricity. "Why does the air smell like spicy meat and taste like electricity?" I asked aloud, confused. Lima smiled; Zen giggled.
"Well, I suspect what your senses are picking up is the scent of meats being cooked in the kitchens. On top of what you smell, you are picking up the signatures of the essence wards around us, so the end result is your brain telling you that you smell spicy meat and you are tasting the wards as electricity. Which is not common, by the way. Being able to taste essence." Zen explained, clearly amused by my struggle to interpret my senses.
Lima chimed in for further clarification. "Since your accident has sort of reset your body, it will take time for you to re-learn how to interpret what your senses are telling you. Your sensory training with the Scion is for this purpose. So don't stress if you don't understand now. You will learn, as you are 're-forged' into a vessel you can ascend the tiers with."
They both have certainly given me food for thought. My senses aren't scrambled; I'm just interpreting the messages without knowing the language yet. I link arms with Lima and Zen, feeling suddenly grateful for this transmigration opportunity to not only be with my family again but to live a life I could only read about in my Earth life. I can't wait until I can actually craft with essence. I was told I'm a witch, but no one has told me what Grey's specialty was.
From what I've read while in the clinic, a witch should feel pulled in a particular direction to indicate their natural affinity. This body hasn't seemed particularly pulled in any one direction. In fact, I feel pulled and excited about everything. I guess in a month, the newness of everything will fade a bit, and I'll be able to better assess what my speciality is and can begin essencecraft lessons for it.
I put a pin in my thoughts as Rakesh and Mrs. June came into view. They were waiting at the base of the residence steps. Rakesh, a portrait of quiet precision—uniform pressed, the silver-threaded Ajei emblem glinting like captured starlight on his back. Beside him, Mrs. June radiated warmth and ease; the faint aroma of baked bread and gunpowder trailed around her like an aura that both invited and warned in the same breath.
"I hope my request hasn't interrupted any plans you previously had for the day," I greeted as we approached them. "I didn't know who else at the time I could ask that would be knowledgeable enough to give me a tour that would be adequate for my need to become familiar with my home. Not once during my days in the clinic did any of my family tell me we lived on a palace complex." My amused frustration again made those around me smile.
Rakesh inclined his head with a hint of a smile shadowing his lips. "It is our honor, Lady Nyxara. A little rearrangement of personnel and an opportunity for our seconds to be in charge for an afternoon was actually well received by us all. Mrs. June and I have been planning to see how certain people will handle being given more responsibility. If we can delegate more, we can turn our focus to other matters."
Mrs. June smirked. "Translation: it was time to do a bit of weeding, pruning, and replanting among the staff ranks. Your accident made it clear that we have been lacking in our vigilance against certain types of outside influence."
The smirk shifted into a pleased smile. "The Patriarch and Matriarch were pleased you're taking an interest in the compound's workings. You are showing wonderful signs of being an heir they can take pride in." The squeeze she gave my shoulder felt like it had been passed on from my parents through her. My efforts are becoming seeded. I let my own pleased smile grow.
"If you are ready, I have procured one of our small hover carts so that you can enjoy the tour and not be exhausted by it. You are healed but still rebuilding your strength, plus this part of the day was meant to be your rest time. You will be able to more easily ask any questions our tour brings to mind this way as well." Rakesh led our group over to a hovering golf cart that was big enough to carry us all comfortably.
"Second translation: he is really excited to tell someone who actually wants to know all the details about this place that he loves to drone on about." Mrs. June chimed in as she settled into the front passenger seat. "I do not drone," Rakesh replied, though the corner of his mouth curved upward. "Like a buzzing wasp, you do. You do it whenever you are excited about something. However strangely enough the three topics you are most excited about you don't drone about: me, unique artifacts, and weapons."
"Well, I do believe beauty is something to be appreciated slowly, thoroughly and poetically." The sexual tension between the two sitting in the front was a bit intense and answered a question I hadn't fully formed yet. I made eye contact with Zen, and she nodded her head in confirmation of my silent question.
Ah, they are together. I don't know why I feel surprised that the enclave allows its two highest-ranking vassals to be in a relationship. Sitting directly behind Mrs. June on the second bench seat with Zen beside me and Lima seated behind us, my thoughtful gaze took in the two as my thoughts deepened.
My daze was broken by Zen pinching me. I hadn't even realized I had fallen into a daze of thoughts influenced by what I now recognize as alpha aura and scents. They are both alphas. I let my guard down by not keeping my barrier up. I cast my two barriers and suddenly I was more clear-headed. "Alpha aura and scents are no joke." I muttered quietly.
Not quiet enough apparently since the two alphas up front chuckled. "Apologies for affecting you as we are, but the Crown Consort said you needed the training to help you build up your tolerance sooner rather than later.
The majority of the people who live and work in here are alphas. Betas are close second with omegas not far behind but definitely the minority. This demonstration also is to remind you that a person can choose to display their scent or aura separately. Most of the time dominance is displayed through aura or scent and aura combined but there are those who are able to display dominance through scent. They typically are of the spirit path, betas or omegas. Power is versatile and does not come in only the obvious forms."
Now that I was able to think again, I filed away this insight as a reminded to always be on guard when outside my suite. Tracking back to when I started to feel hazy, I discern they must have covertly started releasing their auras and scents when they started flirting. Zen watched me openly, her hazel eyes cataloging my reaction. I stuck my tongue out at her then remembered I hadn't mentioned this tour would be plus two.
"I'm sure you have noticed them by now, but I just want to check that it is okay that Lima and Zen join us for the tour." In sync, they acknowledged the presence of the two tour crashers. When their combined gazes landed on Zen, she gave a shy wave and smile.
Their eyes brightened with pleasure. "Miss Salgrave, it is good to have you on the premises again. We have seen you at official gatherings, but it is well to see close up that you have done well in your time away. Reaching Ember 5 is a wonderful accomplishment. You appear on the cusp of ascending to Veil 1. Your family must be proud of you." Rakesh greeted and praised her with genuine pride. The tidbits of information he is giving are well received. Using Zen as someone to measure myself against is more realistic than my tharym or the palace personnel.
"Well well, aren't we blessed today! Zenaida Salgrave back from her extended leave. It truly is a blessing to have you around again. I'll make sure to have your favorite lemon tarts made for dessert so you and the lady don't have to sneak into the kitchens. You are staying for dinner, correct?" Rakesh had us hovering along the paths in the direction of the training facility I did my session with Keir in yesterday. It was nice to get to experience the gardens and paths this way.
"Ummm…" She glanced at me, and I raised an eyebrow back in question. While twisting her rings, she gave us a nod and a soft yes. I grasped her hand, which seemed to surprise her into freezing for a moment before she gave my hand a squeeze and a smile.
"Wonderful. It will be simply wonderful for you to dine with us tonight. I think it will be just you, Lady Nyxara, Master Keir, and Ms. Venus dining tonight. The others have a function to host in the pavilion this evening." Mrs. June was typing things in what looked like from my angle a version of the Ajei household app that was created just for her.
"Sent a message to 2nd Master to confirm they still wish to have a joint dinner. We should hear back during the tour. Knowing that Ms. Venus is in residence, they are probably fucking like rabbits again." Mrs. June said dryly, making me wonder why she is so sure about what Keir is up to.
Rakesh was shaking his head in agreement, while Zen's olive-brown skin had a warm flush blooming across it. Before I could tease her about blushing, the scent and taste of what I now recognize as lemons and osmanthus flowers invaded my senses. I could only blink at Zen when Rakesh pulled the cart to the side of the path and stepped out of the vehicle with Mrs. June. Mrs. June winked at us, before joining Rakesh a few steps away on a bench.