Nyxara
The scent hit first: iron, ozone, sweat, and burned essence. The rhythmic sounds of sparring echoed across the nearby training fields—grunts, blade clashes, the sharp crack of essencecrafting at work.
"This," Rakesh said, a sense of honor in his tone, "is the Ajei Paramilitary Headquarters. It houses six divisions, each led by someone of the enclave family. Where we are now is the central tower of the paramilitary grounds. High command, administration, and basic training are located here. In the fields on the right are the general training fields. I believe you trained in one of those fields with Scion Lux and Master Keir."
The horizon shimmered with fading sunlight, making the barriers of the training fields on the left glow faintly blue. "Then those on the left are specialized training fields?" I asked quietly, seeing even from this distance that fights appeared to be happening over there.
"Yes, we have both outdoor and indoor specialized training fields. On the other side of those fields are the barracks and the kitchens. Everyone lives on site, so we try to also accommodate them as much as possible. There is a general store and a recreation building to the north of this central tower. To the east of those buildings is the healing courtyard you had your appointment with Master Aspen at yesterday." Rakesh pointed out the window to the various locations he mentioned.
We were walking around the observation room when Keir joined us with five aides following him. Getting to see him in his role as the Ajei Paramilitary Director is enlightening. So that hard-ass persona is his director mode. I watched him delegate to his subordinates before dismissing them. The moment he turned to me, he was my sunshine brother again.
"Your transition speed is almost as good as Azrail's. Which is the mask and which is the true face?" I ask sweetly as I hooked arms with him. He pats my head, continuing our walk towards the other side of the deck. "I accept your compliment, Dragonfly. And the answer to your question is they are both true. Azrail taught us every persona we have should carry a truth so that they are all real in a sense. You are being trained in the art, and if you keep up at the rate you are progressing, you will be up to speed by the time you return to the academy."
Keir showed me around the rest of the HQ and to some of the locations Rakesh mentioned, with the others following behind. Rakesh and Mrs. June kept our tour lively with funny stories of incidents that have occurred before and during Keir's reign as director. We were making our way back to the main branch residence when Keir brought up the fact that Korran had to negotiate for the right to keep the personal army he built during the rebellion war. "What did he use to negotiate for this right?"
"He negotiated that we would do an annual exchange of academy instructors, everyone gets to have a private army, and other small favors. It was win-win for everyone in some way."
By the time we returned, the path shimmered gold beneath the low sun, and the trees whispered with night birds waking. The scent of jasmine and warm stone drifted through the garden air, calming the last of the static in my nerves. I clutched Zen's hand as we arrived at the front of the residence. "Thank you—both of you, Rakesh and Mrs. June. And thank you, Zen, for coming with and being willing to try being friends again."
Zen smiled softly. "I wouldn't have missed getting the chance to spend time with you now that I can." Rakesh inclined his head, voice formal but gentle. "Welcome home, Lady Nyxara. The tour has ended, but we only really touched the surface of all our enclave has to offer. Call upon us whenever you want to explore deeper."
Rakesh gave me a final wink and smile before he walked off whistling. Mrs. June fanned herself before shaking herself out of the daze Rakesh left us in. Mrs. June helped me shake off my own daze when she patted my shoulder with a conspiratorial grin. "That man is going to be peacocking and enjoying enchanting you until you stop reacting to him. I understand, my dear. I'll take one for the enclave and keep him occupied so his charms don't have the whole staff swooning."
She then pulled me into an unexpected hug. "Now that you've seen your home, dear, you'll never truly be lost again. Dinner should be arriving in your suite in 45 minutes. Enough time for my precious heirs and Ms. Zenaida to go freshen up before dinner." She shooed us all into the main residence before she ran off and jumped on Rakesh's back, almost knocking him over.
Keir closed the door on mine and Zen's gawking. "Since Azrail helped you remodel your suite, Venus and I will take this dinner opportunity to come check out the changes. I've kept pictures of the transformation so she is prepared to appreciate the difference. See you in 40 minutes?" He asked as he escorted us.
"Sounds good, Keir." We split up when we came to his hallway. Zen and I hooked arms, walking in companionable quiet until we got to my suite. From there, Líma took over getting us ready for dinner. We hustled through showers; Zen in the guest bathroom while I was in mine.
Since Zen and I are roughly the same size in clothes, I lent Zen a golden high-low long sleeve dress that was cinched at the waist with a brown belt. She changed into a pair of house slippers that matched the dress. I wore a pair of wide-legged black pants with a sparkly black off-the-shoulder sweater. My slippers were thick and white with antlers on them.
Finally dressed and ready for dinner, I took this opportunity before Keir and Venus arrived to look around at the changes, and I have to admit I love it. My closet space was a little smaller, but I still hadn't filled it to capacity, so I wasn't worried. The vault was perfect, with a wall of weapons and an instant teleport pad that could take me either to the paramilitary HQ or to the Pavilion. The only thing left to do to complete the setup would be to decide on the code and security measures.
We went across the suite to check out my new training room. It was just like a smaller version of the training room I do my sessions with Keir in. Walking back through the library, I noticed a few more books had been added to the shelves that I will check out later.
Líma guided us to my veranda, where Keir and Venus were already snuggled up and waiting for us. Zen and I were seated across from them at a beautiful, intricately carved glass table. The matching seats were comfortable two-seater style backed benches. Once we were settled, Líma began placing plates in front of us. When I thought she would step away, she instead gave me a message that changed the context of this dinner.
"A message from your parents was sent to you that for small meals with trusted, seasoned individuals it would be to your benefit to observe proper dining etiquette. So I recommend for this dinner, since you have three such individuals, to use this opportunity to do so. It will be left up to your seasoned peers what etiquette you will be observing. Is this acceptable to all present?"
Venus and Keir stopped snuggling to sit up properly. They whispered to each other, then nodded their consent. Zen looked nervous, but seeing the couple consenting, she gave hers as well. Since this is for my benefit and they are willing, who am I to decline? I gave my consent too.
Líma, beaming with a smile that looked a little psychotic made my three table companions appear a little disturbed until her expression returned to her usual bland smile. "We will be doing a simplified dining course of salad and main entrée, then dessert to help facilitate this etiquette lesson. What is the protocol for the evening?" Líma asked, turning her focus to Keir and Venus.
"Courting dinner protocol. It is nuanced, so going over it here in a small setting will allow us to more easily correct and guide." Venus responded, raising her glass in sync with Keir. Zen and I glanced at each other before following their example. We clinked glasses, took a sip, then proceeded with having a wonderful evening together. Throughout the meal, the three of them softly guided me and taught me how to handle myself.
When I asked what exactly a courting dinner was for, it was Zen who answered. "A courting dinner is when you and your potential mate or mates introduce your family to each other formally." Zen commented in her teaching voice.
Her smile was confident and bright now. I could tell she was enjoying her tutor role. "Not sure how much you remember, so I will explain. Courting dinners are something that all crest houses, enclaves, and clans do, so you will end up participating in dinners for your brothers." She nodded towards Keir and Venus, then her hazel eyes turned to me; "and for yourself, so knowing courting dinner etiquette will be truly beneficial to you."
I nodded in understanding just as the wind stirred faintly, carrying the scent of family to me—like a whisper softly telling me I'm finally home.