Everybody Has A Price

It Could Feel Like Love

"Where the hell have you been?" Tucker shouted. I decided that Dianite would have most likely been at Martha's, so I went there and found everyone congregated in her living room. I looked around at the familiar faces of all of my friends.

"What are you guys all doing here?" I asked. We're they really planning something big without me?

"We were trying to find you, you butt!" Sonja yelled. Oh. Guilt throbbed in my chest.

"Where have you been all day?" Wag asked, calmer than the other two by far.

"Urulu." I shifted my weight from foot to foot uncomfortably. They all looked so disappointed in me. I looked over at Dianite, shame taking over me. He was so upset. I noticed he was using the replacement horn, bringing a slight smile to my face. He smiled sadly at me I'm response.

"If you two would stop eye fucking and actually listen, that would be really great," Tucker spat.

"Congrats, you're just as much of a soggy napkin as Jeriah," Mot said, clapping sarcastically. "Anyway," he began, shaking his head, "why were you in Urulu?" I sat down next to Mot at the end of the couch.

"I left for my spectre dimension in Urulu last night, then I fell asleep there. Then Mianite fucked me up. I left spectre I was still in Urulu. Tony found me tripping super hard, and I blacked out. And yeah." I tried to make it sound like it was nothing. I really did not want to face their pity. I rather face their rage than their pity.

"Don't you try to act like super Mr. Nonchalant, boyo." Disappointment was evident in his expression. That was what killed me. I could deal with sadness. I could deal with anger. I absolutely could not deal with disappointment. "What happened? You can't just say Mianite fucked you up."

"I woke up, and there was food in my spectre. I thought, surely, it was fine because very few people other than myself could get in there. I ate it, then later found out it was from Mianite when I was already feeling dizzy and sick. I had to leave spectre to find someone. When I ended up back in Urulu, I tried to go to Mot's house. I don't really remember it. Then Tony came. I really don't remember. I can't remember," I said, panicked. "The only thing I clearly remember was waking up in Tony's bed." I stared at the floor as I spoke. I wasn't brave enough to see their reactions. I was such an idiot! What kind of person trusts random food? When I braved looking back at Dia, he looked like he was about to cave in on himself. That was my fault, too.

"Who the fuck is Tony?" Tucker asked. "Also, I think you just admitted to cheating on a god."

"What? I didn't cheat... Oh. Oh my... That's not what I meant! He took me to his place because I blacked out, and he needed to get a doctor for me. I wouldn't... Goddammit, Tucker." I covered my face with my hands and let out a groan.

"Loyal or not, Twinkle Thighs, here, was the only one poisoned by my brother, and I want to know why." I could feel their stares bore into me, but I refused to remove my hands from my face. I regretted even coming back. Tony was nicer than this group.

I wasn't even one of the important heroes. It wouldn't cause a huge difference if I were to leave. They had people well experienced in combat, witchery, blood magic, thaumcraft, and wizardry, and they had two gods on their side. How much could an inexperienced energistics worker help? Tom's absence actually made an impact. Mine... Mine would not.

"What are you thinking, Jordan?" Ianite questioned, noticing my overall saddened expression. I shook my head.

"Nothing important." I paused for a moment, taking in a deep breath. "I should sleep. I'm tired." I quickly raised to my feet from the couch. "So, yeah. Goodnight." I left the house without looking back at them. I didn't want to be reminded of the disappointment I caused. I couldn't muster up enough energy to fly home, so I hung me head and proceeded to walk home.