Servitude: The Hydrangea Chapters

Chp 55: A Toilsome Discussion - Part 2

Getting dressed, he leaves and walks down the hallways back to his room, where he looks at the clothes that the people have provided for him. All there is are large pieces of vibrantly dyed cloth, and the only way he can think of wearing these is if he tucks them around his hips like a skirt, similar to what he saw most of the men doing when they were greeted by the citizens yesterday.

Deciding to pass on that, he sticks to his desert clothes. Recalling how they were led to their rooms after the first night celebration, Mordecai retraces the steps and makes his way to the bathhouse's main chamber. A large hall lined with dozens of arches and colorful translucent draperies, where he sees blurred silhouettes of others moving about, chatting, and enjoying their baths.

In the humidity, he immediately regrets his choice of clothes, as the thicker fabrics make him sweat instantly. As he walks by, some people he passes glance at him with curiosity, while others whisper to their companions, which causes Mordecai to slump slightly.

Once he is out of the bathhouse, he makes sure no one is nearby before stepping aside, pulling out his pipe, and lighting it. Taking a few puffs, he exhales slowly, feeling his body relax for a moment. If he isn't allowed to mull over his immediate thoughts in the solace of his room, this will have to do. 

At least Adelina agrees that the Prince needs to return to Urush. With Elek's fear of being exposed coming to pass, it does make Mordecai wonder how getting into Levaeil will be possible now. Even when he made his request, it already sounded impossible. It seems that he is crucial for getting close to the Prince, and there's still the uncertainty of Elek returning, even with Adelina's help. Probably once the twins return, he can deliberate with them, since they know the ins and outs of the city better than he does. 

Then Adelina... himself... herself... encroaches on his mind. 

Just... her... being Colonial as the vessel to an Urushian God is jarring enough; a man posing as a woman is new to him. Could it perhaps be a Colonial thing? Speaking of which, being a Mage Head on top of that, with complete willingness beside Fire, turning on the rest of the Mage Heads and ending the Siege of Maydra. And then there's Chief Kanaka. The man is made of lava. How does that even work? And how do they...

Mordecai can't help but take a few deep draws from his pipe, hold it while he firmly and slowly trails his free palm down his face, then lets the smoke out through his nostrils. He's far from the right mental state to try to piece it together right now. Before anyone can think he's lurking, he moves on. 

He then makes his way down the winding steps, the late morning sun's heat offset by the breeze that travels up the steps. They aren't far from the ocean, being at one of the northernmost points of the continent, and the air varies from the smoldering desert heat. It's still warm, but at least the breeze didn't feel like it's made of hot daggers.

Passing through the steppes of crops, he snuffs out his pipe once too many people are around. Street food stalls with fern-woven canopies encircle the plaza, carrying the enticing smells of smoked and grilled pork and chicken.

Just as he is about to move on, Tessa calls out to him, arms full of wrapped street food. She's dressed in traditional Fire Mesa clothes: a dark blue, short-sleeved dress with maroon and orange feather patterns along her chest, sleeves, and hem that reaches her calves. Her braids have the same shade of maroon and orange flowers woven into them, and she wears woven sandals. 

"Mordecai! Where have you been?" She asks as she hands him some of the food. "Thought you'd hide all day and miss out on the festivities."

"I... was having a conversation with Her Brilliance." Knowing she's likely to ask about it, he shakes his head and places a finger over her lips. "Later."