"So, what's the plan?" Nyx asked, climbing off her pegasus.
"I don't know; Sara mostly organizes the outings by herself," I said with a shrug.
"I always ask you guys' opinion, though," Sara protested, as if I'd said something offensive.
"Yes, but you ignore it afterwards," I replied, staring at her.
"'Let's go back and build my house' isn't a proper opinion," Sara said, her expression annoyed.
"It is, though," I insisted, shrugging again, which only irritated her more.
"Well, General Nyx, have you eaten already today?" Sara asked, giving up on arguing with me.
"I have not eaten yet today. And please, just call me Nyx—if you call me 'General' here, it will get quite annoying." Nyx looked around at the demons going about their business.
"Breakfast, it is. Selena, where do you want to eat?" Sara turned to her this time.
"Ah, that small café in the square," Selena said thoughtfully.
"...Why that place?" I whined, remembering how tiny the portions were.
"It has good food," Selena remarked, casting me a peculiar glance.
"Sigh. Very well, we shall dine there today," Sara relented, sounding completely unenthusiastic.
"You only heed her opinion because I challenged you," I said, glaring. "Proving my point again, are you?"
"I believe we should embark on a shopping spree with Nyx after breakfast," Sara suggested, ignoring me completely.
"No," Selena said flatly.
"No, please, no," I groaned, recalling the last time we went shopping.
"Hmm... I do need new casual clothes," Nyx admitted, sounding thoughtful.
"Heh." Hearing that, Sara grinned, eyeing Selena and me with triumph.
"Can't we ignore it this time?" I asked hopefully.
"No, she said it herself. She needs new clothes," Sara said brightly, only for Selena to shut her down again.
"No," Selena said firmly.
"We don't have to—"
"No, no, we have the time," Sara insisted.
"Tsk. Whatever. Let's just get some food. I'm going to pass out if we take any longer," I said, annoyed, and started walking toward the café.
"Right, let the glutton lead," Sara teased, making me glare at her.
"I am not a glutton."
"You eat as much as a beast."
"I'm growing! Don't call me fat," I snapped.
"That's the weird part. How aren't you fat when you eat so much?" Sara said, eyeing me up and down.
"I'm growing," I muttered again, sighing.
"Don't spout lies. You know something, don't you?" She leaned closer, as if expecting me to whisper a secret.
"...Ask Leah. She'll give you an answer," I huffed, looking away.
"Are they always like this?" Nyx asked, turning to Selena.
"Yes. Don't worry—they're just playing around," Selena replied, her expression indifferent.
"I see."
[40 minutes later]
"What do you mean we should both get the dress?" Selena asked, her brows furrowed as she looked at me. I was sitting on the couch while Sara lay across my lap like she owned the place.
"So that the two of you match, of course," I said with a grin, then gestured toward the curtain Nyx was changing behind.
"I don't agree with the matching thing," Selena replied, unimpressed, "but that dress would look good on you."
Sara mumbled her agreement, her head still in my lap. "Totally. You'd pull it off without even trying."
"You think that?" Selena asked, her voice softer now. She ignored me completely. Typical.
"Ah—how do I look?" Nyx stepped out of the changing room, wearing a sleek, sleeveless black dress that shimmered faintly in the shop lights, her white-scaled arms exposed.
"...That looks better than I expected. You look sexy, Nyx," Sara said with a nod of approval.
Nyx blinked. "Sexy? Is that a compliment or a warning?"
Sara laughed but didn't answer. I, meanwhile, wasn't looking at the dress. I frowned at the scales on Nyx's arms, a flicker of discomfort tightening my expression.
"Is something wrong, Ren?" Nyx asked, catching my gaze.
"Those scales, do you think I'll get them too?"
"What?" she blinked.
"You know I'm a half-dragon. I already have a few patches... I just don't want them to spread up my arms."
"But they're useful," Sara chimed in, finally sitting up. "They're good for defense. You could block a sword swing with them."
"I'd rather dodge than look like I'm shedding every time I stretch," I muttered.
"I think they look elegant," Selena said. "Distinct. Powerful."
"Easy for you to say. You don't have dragon skin creeping up your elbows."
"But you do have claws," Sara said cheerfully, poking my hand.
"That's different."
"Anyway," Nyx interrupted gently, smoothing the fabric of her dress. "I like the dress. I'll take it. I might wear it for the banquet."
"Banquet?" Sara perked up.
"You didn't know there's a banquet in a few days to introduce Ren?" Nyx tilted her head, confused.
"Wait, that's this week?" I asked, suddenly dreading it all over again. "I thought that was... later."
"Nope. Soon," Nyx confirmed.
Sara was already standing, the spark of scheming in her eyes. "That means... we need formalwear!"
"Hooray," I said flatly.
Sara turned to me with a devilish smile. "And you, Ren, are getting a dress."
"No, I'm not."
"You don't even know what kind yet."
"I don't need to know. It's a dress. That's all I need to reject it."
"But think of how pretty you'd look—"
"No."
"—with a little lace—"
"No."
"—and heels—"
"Harder, no."
"Maybe a slit in the leg, just to add a touch of danger."
"Touch me with that thing, and I will teleport you into the ocean."
Sara pouted. "You're no fun."
Selena crossed her arms. "She's made it clear, Sara."
"I can look elegant in a suit," I added, smug now. "Just not one that sparkles. Or has... tassels. Or, gods forbid, feathers."
"I'll find something elegant and dangerous-looking," Sara said, sighing in defeat but already making mental notes. "Like... royalty but with a blade."
"Now you're speaking my language," I said, nodding.
Nyx tilted her head. "But isn't formalwear usually designed to impress others?"
"That's exactly why I don't want to wear what they want me to wear," I muttered.
Sara leaned against the mirror dramatically. "You're impossible, you know that?"
"That's the point," I said. "If I'm being forced to mingle with nobles, I might as well scare a few off."
"You'll need help doing that," Selena said quietly. "They're very good at pretending not to be scared."
Sara clapped her hands suddenly. "Alright, new mission. One badass suit for Ren. One banquet dress for Nyx. And one surprise item for Selena that she won't be able to resist."
"I will resist," Selena said.
"You say that now," Sara winked. "But wait till I find something sleek and dangerous."
Nyx glanced around the store. "Why are there so many mirrors here?"
"To force you to look at yourself from every angle while you question every life choice," I answered.
"It's working," Nyx said dryly, pulling at the hem of the dress.
"That means it's the right one," Sara grinned.
[2 hours later]
Again, Sara had somehow gotten the perfect suit and dresses for us. Sigh. We even matched. Not that I'd admit I was excited... but I kind of was.
"Alright, now that everything is settled, Ren, could you please take the items back home?"
"...I am not a butler," I grumbled, gathering all the packages to teleport them to the house.
"So—what now?" I asked. "We've eaten breakfast and done our shopping."
With the bags finally tucked away, Sara's eyes lit up. She clapped her hands with a conspiratorial grin.
"It's playtime."
"Playtime?" Nyx tilted her head.
"Are we following the same rules as last time?"
"Yes. I can't use teleportation, weapons, or abilities. Selena only has her abilities—no weapons. And you, Nyx...what sort of weapon do you use?"
"Ice manipulation. And it's a hammer."
"Alright—just like Selena, you can only use your abilities."
"...What are you talking about?"
"I'll explain. Sara, you're it, so good luck." I grabbed Nyx's arm and teleported us onto the nearest roof, where Sara could still see us.
"Dammit, Ren, why is it always me?" Sara shouted.
"Alright—so the rules are simple," I told Nyx. "You can use your ability, but not your weapon. We're playing tag. I'm sure you know how that works."
"Tag? Alright..." Nyx looked slightly bewildered.
"And don't destroy anything. Seriously—don't break stuff."
"Understood. What's the range?"
"The city."
"Isn't that too big?"
"Huh? Oh, right. You also can't go inside any buildings."
"Ah. That makes more sense."
"Alright, guys—are you ready?" Sara yelled, still staring straight at us, even though she was supposed to close her eyes.
"Well, good luck, Nyx. I hope you survive," I said, then vaulted to the next rooftop.
Dragon blood enhanced my body, making it effortless to leap five stories—but every building in the capital was taller than that.
"What—!"
"Peekaboo!" Sara yelled, springing out of Nyx's shadow. Though startled, Nyx dodged easily, landing beside me and gripping a windowsill for balance.
"I wouldn't stay here if I were you," I said, jumping side to side until I reached the top of another building.
"Hey—I have a question."
"What is it?"
"Why can't you use any abilities?"
"Because it'd be unfair."
"I understand. Then I also won't use any abilities."
"...Do as you please," I sighed, leaping off the building just in time to avoid Sara's hands reaching out of my shadow.
"Damn it!" Sara ignored Nyx and launched herself after me, swift as a viper.
"Hahaha! You'll have to be faster than that!" I called back, grinning.
Sara smirked—and suddenly shot back toward Nyx, who was distracted.
"Well, this might be quite fun," I said, admiring the move.
"What!" Nyx yelped as Sara touched her and vanished into her shadow.
"So, am I it now?" Nyx asked, confused.
"Yes," I said, already scaling the next wall.