Unspoken

Chapter Twelve

And just like that, the day that I’d been both anticipating and dreading had finally arrived. My birthday, it was my birthday. Yes, I was sure to most people this day would have been perfectly normal. Just a yearly date, and often a day for celebration, but for me today symbolized my first day of freedom within Anzuru, Cogitare’s capital. Well, we’d docked sometime yesterday afternoon, but most of our time had been spent completing all the paperwork and formalities required for our official visit to Cogitare. Last night we’d been registered for an indefinite stay at the inn River had chosen for us, which had certainly been a spectacular experience for everyone, especially me.
Oh, the difference between my cot back in Extorris and that plush mattress...
The feathered pillows, the silk sheets… If that was any indication of how this trip would be, I really was in for a treat. But luxuries aside, I was nervous about how this day would go. Why? Because I had no idea what the others might be planning for me. Back when we were children, Adara and our parents used to plan such extravagant and over-the-top surprises for my birthday. I’d always appreciated them, of course, it was simply that I disliked all the attention. At least for the moment, though, I was alone. The others had run off somewhere to explore the capital and all it had to offer.
I would say the time to myself should be nice… But just what am I meant to do in this massive place?
Whether I looked left or right I would find vendors selling their goods, or harvest wagons filled to the brim with a variety of produce. There were so many shiny, eye-catching objects grabbing my attention, but for some reason I’d yet to purchase a single thing. For the first time in years, I had freedom to roam and do whatever I wanted, and even had the extra coin to buy something for my birthday as well. I was walking through an alluring city incomparable to any other, and during the festival no less—or rather, ‘Shūkakusai’.
And yet, why do I feel so lost… So perplexed? It’s all so overwhelming. Adara was excited, she didn’t have any trouble adapting to this atmosphere, so why am I?
I exhaled a short sigh, then slowed my footsteps so I could savor the cool autumn breeze. It was nice, the scent of warm spices, the freshly baked breads... Ah, so many different foods!
Wait, what was that?
Unsurprisingly, that moment of peace only lasted for a few seconds, because something far more interesting caught my attention... Or rather, it had been someone my peripheral vision had just barely glimpsed. Quickly I turned my head to gain a better look, but knowing my luck they’d already turned away from my direction. But I knew what I’d seen hadn’t been my imagination, and I refused to give up so easily. I made a move to approach the person, but they—no he, since the person’s build was clearly male—somehow noticed me even from this far.
So, you’re running? You’re just confirming my suspicion…
I pursued him, and as I did so I tried to think of where I remembered those eyes of his from, since they’d been what alerted me to begin with. I was certain they’d been hazel, but now he’d put a hood up to cast a shadow over his features. Even if I managed to get a good look from this distance again, I wouldn’t see much.
Where? Where have I seen you before?
I wasn’t sure why, but I felt compelled to track this man down, and it wasn’t just because he’d seemed so familiar. It was also from the aura—the ‘vibe’, so-to-speak—his presence had given, and how foreign it felt, nothing like anything from our clans. So, I gave myself a burst of speed, the distance between us closing with each passing moment.
“Hey!” I called out as I ran, hoping to get his attention.
Not even a glance? Damn…
“Miss!”
All focus on tracking the man was stolen by a sudden cry, which came from a woman just behind me. Instinctively I slowed to a halt so I could look back, but that meant I’d completely lost sight of him.
Sigh, oh well...
I went to check on the woman I’d accidentally almost knocked over and made sure she was unharmed. She gave me a hasty nod, apologizing even though the incident had been my fault, which made me feel bad. Back on track, I quickly scanned the crowded street for any sign of him. After a good minute or so with absolutely no luck I huffed a breathy growl in defeat. It was no use, he was gone, so I headed back in the general direction I’d come from. I realized I probably should never have given chase at all. It had been for nothing, and I’d surely looked like a fool.
But those eyes…
“Phoenix! There you are.”
Yet again before I could fully finish my thought, Adara’s cheerful voice broke through my brooding. I couldn’t help but give my full attention when I saw what she was wearing, though... A gorgeous long sleeved white dress with a flowing skirt—rather extravagant, if I might add. The sleeves themselves were made of lace, and the collar as well. The most noticeable of the accents were the iridescent beads scattered across the bodice and skirt. They sparkled in the sun, though they looked lifeless compared to Adara’s prism-like eyes.
“That’s quite the dress, I take it it’s new?” I asked, the question intentionally obvious.
“I… Bought it for her.” Fray, who was standing at Adara's left, said.
“Well, you look ready for the wedding.... All we need to do is get you a nice suit, Fray.” I replied.
“Pardon?” Adara murmured, her cheeks flushing light peach.
As usual, she was trying to keep a calm front and not give me a reaction, but I could tell she boiled with murderous intent on the inside from embarrassment. Oh, and then there was Fray... Sometimes I felt bad for messing with him like this, and sometimes I just couldn’t help myself.
“C-c-come on, Phoenix—!” He yelped, his face burning red.
“Well, you do plan to marry her, don’t you?” I asked. “You two are courting after all... Besides, don’t you think your father expects you to have a wife at your side?”
Ha. Where’s your rebellious spirit now, Snowflake?
“W-w-well…” He mumbled, as if struggling with the idea. “Y… Yes, but c-come on… You know you can’t s-say it like that, you are just…  Just trying to get a reaction out of me.”
I sighed lightly as I crossed my arms, looking at them both. Adara really did look like a bride in that dress, I realized. I had to remind myself not to get caught up in all of that, though. This was meant to be a good day… Dwelling on something like that was foolish.
Even still, I can feel her slipping further away from me. One day, so long as things go smoothly between them, she will be Fray’s wife. That is something I must come to terms with.
“I know,” I said, offering a small smile. “I’m sorry, I shouldn’t tease you so much.”
Fray huffed. “Well, I’ll just get you back ten times more!”
I let out a short chuckle. “We’ll see about that, Snowflake.”
Adara stubbornly scoffed. “Yes, well if you’re through teasing us, Kaine and River have called a meeting. They wanted us to all meet at some sort of tavern for lunch, so we were given instructions to retrieve you.”
“Alright. Lead the way, then, Mrs. Snowflake.”
She glared at me fiercely, but they began leading me through the giant crowd, nonetheless. Anzuru was a giant city, and it had hundreds of streets. I could only follow as they navigated smaller side streets that branched from the main road. They led me down one street and then turned onto another, then crossed over two more of them... It was so confusing; it made my head spin. How they had memorized the directions Kaine’d given them, I had absolutely no idea. I didn’t know how they could even remember the general direction we’d come from, much less figure out where to go!
Dear Aeon, this place is maddening…
At a loss for words, I studied the different types of buildings as we passed them by. Many were large and short, but then some were incredibly small. They all had similar shapes, though, and foreign constructs to my knowledge. The roofs were sloped and curved, the walls were made from wooden frames and paper panels, lanterns strung everywhere… Cogitarian architecture was indeed curious.
“We’re here,” Adara said, nodding towards the building just across the street from us. “And it actually looks pretty nice, doesn’t it?”
Yes, indeed it does.
I took in the view of the standard sized building before us, though it didn’t look like any tavern I’d ever seen. Traditionally, they’d be far less welcoming, and likely reek of liquor, not the pleasant scent of food wafting in our direction. Also, I could hear various voices—all sounding cheerful—from inside the building.
No, certainly not what I would have expected.
Adara and Fray walked in ahead of me, but my attention was caught by the display board posted directly beside the entrance. It featured all sorts of different posters and papers, such as fliers requesting farmhands or freelance workers looking to be hired. But what stood out to me the most was the wanted poster. The dark-haired man in the rough sketch they used for a description didn’t seem familiar to me or anything, I was just curious. The ink was slightly smudged, though, so it was hard to make out anything that was written about him.
Wanted for his gambling debts it seems… Apparently, he’s Cogitarian, but has a ‘dark sorcery’ ability that presumably originates from his weapon, which is a… Er, I don’t recognize that word at all. Katana?
I paused for a moment, squinting to try and read the rest of the words.
Hmm, they consider this man to be ‘extremely dangerous, but only if you set him off’, or apparently... ‘If he’s drunk.’
Well, that seemed interesting enough, but what I really wanted to know was why I couldn’t read the man’s name.
Yamyi? Yamti? Ah, oh well. Cogitarians just have strange names I suppose, it’s all the same to me.
I hurried to catch up with the others, my eyes quickly adjusting to the dim atmosphere. Immediately I could tell my initial notion had been correct: that this was the nicest tavern I’d ever been to. The people there just seemed so… Happy. Several of the tables were taken by couples, and of course all the women were fair maidens. Even after walking in, the scent of alcohol was faint. Many people were drinking, but both the smell of food and aromatic candles overwhelmed it. I would have never expected a tavern to be this elegant in a thousand years, but then again, I supposed I’d grown too used to the drab scenery in Extorris.
Yes, far too used to it, and I’ll be happy if I never return to that place again.
I soon spotted the table the clan leaders were seated at and made my way to it. I noticed that Kaine was wearing casual clothing yet again, though his hair wasn’t down like the other day. River was fitted in the same light armor as we’d seen her in before, which I didn’t find too surprising.
“Casper isn’t here with you?” I questioned, now seating myself at the table.
“No,” Kaine replied, his voice as calm as ever. “Oddly enough he’s still busy. He told me he’s been waiting to meet up with a friend of his for ‘ages’.”
Sounds about right, I suppose.
I nodded. “So, is there any news? Why did you call us here?”
“Nothing particularly new, apart from it being your birthday, of course.” River answered coyly.
“Oh,” I said, feeling self-conscious now. “Please tell me you didn’t get me anything...”
“My apologies, but I can’t exactly promise that, Phoenix,” River started. “Although, I will say that my present will have to wait for now, simply because it is far too large to give to you here.”
“Of course it is…”
“Oh, don't look so down, now Heiress,” Kaine teased. “At the very least, we’ll let you eat a meal before torturing you with our kindness.”
I rolled my eyes at him. “I wouldn't exactly call it torture, now.”
Adara giggled. “Not out loud, you wouldn’t.”
“Oh, you—” I huffed. “Let’s just order some food, already, please?”
And get this whole gift-giving thing over with already…