The Shadress (MCD x Reader)

Ch. 15- Home

We found ourselves at the gates of Scaleswind in no time. The oak and mahogany walls display the impressive size and wealth of the city-state without someone having to step inside. It's all familiar, a wave of nostalgia rushing over me with the sight. We take the worn stone brick steps down until our group is face to face with the wide-open gate.

The others, unaware of my familiarity with the village, step inside with ease, and almost reckless abandon. I suppose, for them, this trip has been more harrowing than mine, and familiar territory is a welcomed one.

I've stopped, however, outside the gates with clear hesitance. I wonder...

With a sigh, I breach the threshold of the gate, magic coursing my veins and making me shiver just a bit. Just as the others turn around, the magic releases its hold on me, just the effects of the curse left over. I now wear clothes better suited for combat, a tight-fitting, sleeveless shirt and tighter pants. My hair is pulled up into a bun and the shadows are back over my face. No longer on my hip, my sword is now tightly secured to my back, between the base of my wings, with clear vials of potions and daggers lining my belt.

I flutter my wings at the unwanted attention on me before folding them inwards.

To keep appearances, I start walking with a clear confidence that the others are now lacking. Just as I pass the group, I motion for them to continue their movements. "Are you gonna keep walking, or are you just going to stare at me all day?"

The lord's house was not far from the gates, almost at the center of town. As soon as we get there, a few guards leave the premises, paying not a drop of attention to our group.

Aphmau steps forward to knock on the door. A woman dressed in modest clothes opens it, and Aphmau explains our situation and who we are. She lets our group in and leads us to, what appears to be, a large dining room, lit only by candles, a fireplace, and the large window wall on one side of the space.

The lord, with her head of bright red hair, is leaning over the table in front of the fireplace, several documents and a map spread across the surface. The others move closer, but I stay behind at the room's entrance, leaning against the door frame. I spread my right wing behind the archway to keep from putting pressure on it.

"Nicole?" Aphmau asked with excited hesitance.

Nicole looks up at the sound and almost trips from her excitement. She rushes to Aph's side and hesitates before grabbing onto her shoulders. "Aphmau? Are you really here?"

She nods, a smile crawling its way across her face. "Are you the lord of Scaleswind? What about your father?"

"Never mind that!" Nicole dismisses Aphmau's questions with a bigger smile. They give each other a quick tight hug before Nicole pulls back, giving the other a little space. Aph's purple tail wiggles, a passive way to show excitement. "When did you get back? What happened to you?"

"We can answer your questions in a moment. Do you have any spare clothes that we could change into?" Aphmau gives a smile which suggests that nothing has happened.

The lord looks briefly perplexed before she notes all of their outfits – pausing when her sight lands on the extra appendages – then nods. "Of course, follow me."

– – – – –

It doesn't take long before they're back, clearly more comfortable than they were before. Garroth and Laurence both have something more suited to guards on, and I note their missing swords now that I have time to properly look at them. I'll need to get those.

Katelyn is no longer just in her undergarments and my coat. Her outfit is very similar to the boys', except for the fact that she still has my coat on. It's no longer wrapped so tightly around her, worn in a more loose stylish fashion. Her hair is braided behind her.