Mother of Midnight

Chapter 80 – Kindred

Vivienne stopped mid-stride and spun on her heel with exaggerated flair. “Yeeeeesss, High Fang?” she drawled, her voice dripping with mock deference, though the glint in her eyes betrayed a deeper curiosity.

Korriva folded her arms, her commanding presence undiminished by Vivienne’s irreverence. “Have you heard from your patron goddess?” she asked, her tone clipped and precise. “Any messages, signs, revelations?”

Vivienne gave a half-shrug, her hands casually falling to her sides. “Not a one,” she replied breezily. “She kind of just dumped me in the middle of nowhere and hasn’t so much as whispered sweet nothings in my ear since. Honestly, I wouldn't be surprised if she’s forgotten about me entirely or just decided I’m not worth the effort.”

Korriva’s eyes narrowed, but not in malice—more like the way one examines a puzzle. “No,” she said evenly, her voice thoughtful. “That is unlikely. The gods are rarely so careless and wouldn’t abandon their chosen, it would be a waste on their part if they did. They are not kind, nor cruel, but purposeful. Every act, every silence, serves a design we cannot always see. If she is distant, it is likely to shape you, not abandon you.”

Vivienne raised an eyebrow, her grin softening into something more contemplative. “I don’t know,” she admitted. “I’m not exactly an expert in divine motives. Maybe I just haven’t been paying attention, but if she’s trying to shape me, she’s doing it with a chisel and no blueprint.”

Korriva studied her for a long moment, her piercing gaze searching. “You underestimate the gods,” she said finally. “They do not leave things to chance. Their designs are rarely for us to fully comprehend, but that does not make them arbitrary. Whether you feel her presence or not, your role here is not without meaning.”

Vivienne tilted her head, her tone softening. “Maybe you’re right,” she admitted. “I’m still figuring it all out, honestly. This world—everything about it—it’s so vibrant and strange. I feel like I’ve been dropped into a story half-written, and I don’t know what part I’m supposed to play.”

Korriva’s brow arched slightly, her tone calm but laced with sharp curiosity. “You speak as if you are not of this world,” she said, her gaze narrowing subtly, as if trying to pierce through Vivienne’s layers.

Vivienne’s lips curled into a sly smile, her dark eyes glinting mischievously. “Maybe I’m not,” she replied, her tone teasing yet deliberate, the words carrying just enough mystery to linger in the charged silence.

For a moment, the High Fang studied her intently, the flicker of something thoughtful passing behind her cool, measured expression. Then, in a tone both careful and probing, she asked, “Does the word Corinth mean anything to you?”

Vivienne blinked, the playful demeanor faltering ever so slightly as she tapped her chin in thought. The name stirred something in her memory, something distant and academic. “It would,” she admitted finally, her grin fading into something more genuine. “It was a Greek city-state.”

Korriva’s usually composed facade cracked for the first time, her expression betraying a flicker of surprise—genuine and unguarded. “You are from Gaia?” she asked, her voice tinged with disbelief.

“We call it something different now, but yes,” Vivienne replied, crossing her arms. “My knowledge of ancient Greek history isn’t exactly top-notch, though. I wasn’t exactly a historian.”

“Ancient?” Korriva repeated, the word heavy with skepticism. “Do people still fear the gods?”

Vivienne tilted her head slightly, a curious smile playing on her lips. “Which gods?”

Korriva’s expression shifted to something between disbelief and curiosity. “Zeus, Poseidon, Hades, of course.”

At that, Vivienne let out a soft, ironic laugh, shaking her head. “Ah, those gods,” she said. “No. I don’t think anyone’s believed in them—or feared them—for well over eleven hundred years.”

Korriva stared at her, the weight of Vivienne’s words sinking in. The High Fang’s usual commanding presence seemed to falter, if only slightly, as she processed the revelation. “Eleven centuries,” she murmured, as if the concept of gods fading from relevance was a foreign one.

Vivienne shrugged lightly, her tone casual yet laced with an undercurrent of thoughtfulness. “Times change, High Fang. Beliefs shift. Gods fade into myths, their stories dissected rather than revered. And sometimes... they’re forgotten altogether.”

Korriva’s gaze grew distant, her features softening in a rare moment of vulnerability. “To me, I have walked this world for nearly four centuries, yet it seems I have been absent from Gaia for far longer,” she said, her voice tinged with a wistful note that seemed at odds with her usual commanding demeanor.

Vivienne’s expression softened, a quiet understanding passing between them. Her lips curled into a faint, almost melancholic smile. “Perhaps we share a world, but even so, we’re from two entirely different ones. I doubt you’d recognize what it has become.”

Korriva inclined her head slightly, her piercing gaze thoughtful but not unkind. “As you said, times change,” she murmured, her voice carrying both a sense of acceptance and regret. “This conversation is far from over, but for now, you shouldn’t keep my daughter waiting.”

Vivienne nodded, her grin returning, though it was gentler now. “Wouldn’t dream of it.” With that, she turned and strode toward the door, leaving the High Fang sitting amidst her trophies, the weight of centuries hanging silently between them.

The corridor stretched ahead, dimly lit by flickering sconces that cast shifting shadows along the stone walls. Kivvy’s stubby legs worked double-time to keep up with Rava’s long, purposeful strides, her expression a mix of curiosity and mild exasperation. “So,” Kivvy began, her voice slightly breathless as she jogged to keep pace, “why am I being kept around?”

Rava didn’t immediately respond, her sharp gaze focused forward as they moved through the labyrinthine clanhall. The faint echo of their footsteps filled the air, and Kivvy began to wonder if she’d be ignored altogether. Then, finally, Rava spoke, her tone measured and deliberate. “A few reasons,” she began, her eyes briefly flicking down toward the goblin before returning ahead. “Your skill set has potential. I believe it could prove useful, particularly in the challenges we’re about to face.”

Kivvy tilted her head, clearly unconvinced. “Uh-huh. And?”

Rava’s lips quirked slightly, though whether it was a smirk or merely a flicker of amusement was hard to tell. “Secondly,” she continued, “Vivienne seems to have taken a liking to you. And as of yet, I see no reason to argue with her judgment on that.”

Kivvy’s ears twitched at the mention of Vivienne, her expression brightening ever so slightly. “Hah, well, I am quite likable, aren’t I?”

Rava gave a soft huff that might have been a laugh before her tone lowered, growing quieter and more serious. “Thirdly,” she said, her voice almost conspiratorial now, “it would be good to have more people around her who can keep her grounded.”

Kivvy’s steps faltered for a moment as she processed the words, her brows knitting together. “Grounded, huh?” she echoed, her usual chipper tone replaced with something more thoughtful.

Rava’s golden eyes flicked down toward Kivvy, her expression calm but guarded. “She’s... unusual,” the lekine began, her voice quiet yet firm, as if treading carefully with each word. “And dangerous. Not in a way you should worry about—at least, not directly. But her connection to this world…” Rava hesitated, her gaze momentarily distant. “It’s tenuous at best. She’s walking a fine line between the present and something far removed from it.”

Kivvy furrowed her brow, her steps slowing slightly as she absorbed Rava’s words. The lekine pressed on, her tone softening just enough to feel personal. “People like you, who can keep her anchored in the moment, who can remind her of what’s real and tangible… you’re more important than you might realize.”

The goblin blinked, her usually sharp wit faltering under the unexpected weight of the statement. “I… see,” she managed, her voice quieter than usual.

And then, without missing a beat, Rava deadpanned, “Honestly, though, it’s just so she has someone else to tease.”

Kivvy’s mouth fell open in mock outrage. “Seriously?”

“Perhaps.” Rava shrugged, her composure unbroken, though there was a faint glint of humor in her eyes. “But I’m also interested in learning more about you—and any insights you might have on the Sovereignty.”

Kivvy snorted, rolling her eyes. “There it is. You lot always want information.” Her voice turned dry as she gestured dramatically. “Listen, I don’t have much to spill, all right? You realize how little freedom me and my sisters have back there, don’t you? It’s not exactly a ‘travel the country’ kind of place for my kind. More the ‘Build what they tell you and when’ place.”

Rava tilted her head, her tone shifting ever so slightly to something more thoughtful. “I assumed as much. But even from the margins, you might have seen things others overlook. Perspectives like yours can be valuable.”

“Uh-huh,” Kivvy muttered, crossing her arms. “Valuable enough to drag me out of a place I couldn’t wait to escape from in the first place. Guess that’s something.”

Rava cast a sidelong glance at Kivvy, her expression thoughtful yet tinged with a rare softness. “If nothing else, consider this your chance to redefine what freedom means for you,” she said, her voice carrying a sincerity that was hard to ignore.

Kivvy’s sharp tongue faltered, her usual quips momentarily stilled as she processed the words. The lekine’s calm conviction was disarming in its simplicity, and though Kivvy wasn’t one to dwell on sentiment, the idea stuck with her. She walked in silence for a moment, her small fingers fidgeting with the edge of her sleeve.

“Fine,” she said finally, her tone a mix of grudging acceptance and her trademark sass. “But don’t expect me to be all grateful about it or anything. I’m still keeping track of who owes who in this arrangement.”

“Noted,” Rava replied evenly, though the faint curve of a smile on her lips betrayed her amusement. Her steps didn’t falter, her calm presence as steady as ever. “For what it’s worth,” she added after a pause, her voice dropping slightly, “I am sorry you had to go through it.”

Kivvy waved a hand dismissively, though her movements were less flippant than usual. “Yeah, sure,” she muttered, but there was no real bite in her tone. “Though now that I’m on this side of things, I gotta admit I’m a little more enthusiastic about the idea of tearing those bastards down. Maybe even freeing some of my sisters while I’m at it.”

Rava’s smile grew, her golden eyes gleaming faintly in the corridor’s dim light. “That can be arranged,” she said, her voice calm but carrying an edge of promise.

Kivvy snorted softly. “Careful, lady. You keep making promises like that, and I might start liking you.”

“That doesn’t sound so bad,” Rava replied dryly as they rounded the corner to Narek’s office.

The High Fang’s son greeted them with his usual crisp professionalism. Though the interaction was brief and businesslike, it was clear he had already anticipated their needs. With practiced efficiency, he handed Rava the allocated funds and a requisition form for supplies. There was no unnecessary conversation—Narek was never one to waste time—but his nod of approval as they departed was subtle yet meaningful.

As they exited the office, Kivvy clutched the requisition form in her hands, her green eyes glinting with a mixture of curiosity and excitement. “All right, what next? Shopping spree?” she quipped, falling into step beside Rava with an energy that hadn’t been there before.

Rava glanced at her with a raised brow, her lips quirking into another faint smile. “Most of it will be for our travels, we’ll be collecting most of what we need from clanhall or nearby artisans.”

“Fine, fine,” Kivvy replied, waving her hand dismissively but with a grin tugging at her lips. “But if there’s any leftover coin, I’m claiming dibs on snacks.”

Rava chuckled quietly as they walked on, the unlikely duo slipping into an unspoken rhythm as they made their way toward their next destination.

The group reconvened in the bustling courtyard, a stone's throw from the gates leading to the supply depot. Rava had the requisition slips and funds in hand, her demeanor still cool and calculated. Kivvy walked by her side, her eyes darting around, taking in the activity with the sharpness of someone who had been forced to adapt quickly. Vivienne and Renzia were already waiting by a stone fountain, with Vivienne looking casually intrigued by the passing crowd while Renzia observed the nearby objects with a distant, curious gaze.

Kivvy snorted when she saw them. "If I didn’t know better, I’d say the two of you have been out here just to stare at people."

Vivienne glanced over with a grin. "Well, there’s a certain charm to people-watching, don’t you think?" she teased, her eyes glinting with mischievous delight.

Renzia tilted her head, her movements slow and precise as always. She looked at Vivienne, then at Kivvy, as if processing the banter but unable to fully grasp its meaning.

Rava stepped forward, holding up the requisition forms and funds. "We've got the funds. Time to get the supplies for the journey."

Vivienne straightened at that, her interest piqued. "Anything interesting on the list?" she asked, her eyes flicking between Rava and the forms.

Rava scanned the documents briefly before folding them in half. "We need weapons, rations, tents, and a few specialty items for the journey. The usual. Though I doubt you and Renzia need much in the way of rations."

"Fair enough," Vivienne said lightly, “Whatever we need.”

Kivvy smirked at that. "So are we getting a carriage or something? I’m not exactly the beast of burden type, y’know, being so short."

Vivienne turned her head toward the woman, her lips curling into a sly grin. "Actually, I was thinking about that. You know, if you don’t want to deal with a bunch of heavy wagons or extra animals, I could pull the carriage for you." She gave a casual shrug, as though it were no big deal. "Or, if you prefer, I could transform into something that can carry everything—might be quicker than waiting around."

Rava stopped in her tracks, eyeing Vivienne with an unblinking stare. "You’re serious?"

"Of course." Vivienne gave an exaggerated wink, her voice dripping with playful confidence. "I’ve got the hydra form for heavy lifting, or I could use my wolf form for speed. Take your pick."

Kivvy let out a laugh. "You’ve got to be kidding. You really think you can just... pull a wagon?"

Vivienne smirked, unfazed by Kivvy’s skepticism. "Why not? We’re going into dangerous territory anyway, and you’ll have more pressing concerns than worrying about beasts of burden." She tilted her head, amused. "I’ll even make sure not to get in the way. But hey, if you’d rather cart animals around, feel free."

"Wouldn’t hurt to have a backup plan," Rava mused, though she didn’t seem entirely convinced. "But it’s not a bad idea. If you’re serious about it, it could save us some trouble."

Kivvy raised an eyebrow, glancing at Vivienne with a mixture of skepticism and reluctant curiosity. "Alright, alright. But if you turn into a hydra and start scaring the crap out of everyone, don’t expect me to cover for you."

Vivienne chuckled softly, her dark eyes glinting with mischief. "No promises," she said, her voice lowering slightly, drawing out the words with a teasing smile. She took a step closer to Rava, her lips curling into a playful smirk. "But hey, Rava, what do you think? Want to see me pull a wagon for you?"

Rava’s lips curved into a knowing smile, the glint in her eyes sharper now, her gaze traveling over Vivienne with an almost predatory interest. She leaned in just a little closer, her tone smooth and sultry as she answered, "Oh, I’m sure you'd look very good doing that. Strong, powerful... and obedient," she said, the words lingering a little too long, a suggestive edge to her voice. "In fact, I think I'd love to see just how much you can carry for me."

Vivienne froze for a moment, caught off guard by the directness of the words. Her heart skipped a beat, and a wave of heat spread across her chest, her usual smirk faltering slightly. She wasn’t used to this kind of attention—not so... bold, not so obvious. "I—uh... I—" she stammered, trying to regain her usual confidence. Her cheeks flushed, and she quickly cleared her throat, attempting to hide her discomfort behind a feigned casualness. "Well, I suppose I could impress you, if you want," she said, her voice faltering slightly as she tried to recover.

Rava’s smile only deepened, her eyes never leaving Vivienne’s face as she handed over the requisition slips, brushing Vivienne’s hand with a touch so light it might have been accidental—except the lingering spark between them suggested otherwise. "All strapped up to the wagon," Rava said, her voice lower now, each word deliberate. "Bound and wrapped in a harness, with only my orders to follow."

Vivienne blinked, her breath hitching for a moment, the words settling in her mind like an unexpected weight. She quickly pulled her hand back, though the flush on her face remained, and she could feel her pulse racing beneath her skin. She tried to ignore the way her heart seemed to flutter in her chest, how her thoughts became a little jumbled at the intensity of Rava’s gaze. "I... What?" She bit her lip, looking anywhere but at Rava.

Rava chuckled softly, her expression a mix of amusement and an air of authority. "Well we should get those supplies. I have a list of things I’d like to get before we leave.”

Vivienne swallowed, still trying to find her footing. She wasn’t used to feeling this flustered. "I—yeah. Right. I’ll—" she stammered, and then, finally, with a little more confidence, added, "I’ll show you exactly what I can do."

Rava gave a low laugh, clearly enjoying the reaction she had drawn. "I’ll be looking forward to it," she said, her voice filled with quiet promise.