Baleful Wings (Dragon's Dogma Fanfiction)

Chapter 22: Stability

"Princess.."
Mercedes pulled Arya to her feet. "There's no need for such pleasantries. In this place, we are just two fighters."
Arya smiled, "When I saw you at the Encampment, I thought it was but a mirage. I had hoped to present you with captured bandits, but I was... defeated by a necromancer of sorts."
Mercedes met the sincere girl's tale with an assuring pat on the shoulder. She smiled back at her, "You live to fight another day, and that is well and good."
Arya felt a wave of relief, and was humbled by the remarks of someone she had admired for so long.
Princess Mercedes never had a reputation as a beautiful noble woman. Even at meetings regarding her marriage, she never presented herself as a prize. She was so well-known as a fighter, most people of Hearthstone forgot the word "Princess" in reference to her.
There was tales of her beard and hairy legs, rumors of the muscle definition and sweat what covered her body, but in front of Arya was a woman gleaming with beauty and a strange cuteness. She smiled gently and had luxurious eyelashes.

"You never answered my question." Said the princess, suddenly.
"Oh! My apologies, prince-- Ser Mercedes, it would be my honor!" Arya looked back, noticing that Han Na had disappeared.
Mercedes waved, "I'll see you at noontime tomorrow, then, madame mercennairée." She walked away, still resting her hand on the handle of her stylish sword.

"Princess!?"
"Yes, ser Arisen. Imagine the connections." Han Na said, her hands clasped.
Ike quickly gathered his things, "Perfect! Escorting the princess, what a boon. Let us be off." He hustled around the inn suite, and slipped on his blue Dusk Shoes. Han Na crossed her legs and rested her chin on the back of her hand.
The cold swirl that filled her body was lined with warm and colorful beads. Her thoughts were of the safety of her master, but she also found strange distractions floating about in her mind. What to wear on the next off day, the knight in yellow and red that stared at her so deeply earlier that day. She was, by this time, used-to and comfortable with these changes. She had experienced so much that many pawns could never hope for.
"Ser Ike. I've found work." Said Arya, stepping into the room.
"Yes, I'm getting ready at this exact moment."
Han Na stopped him with the raising of her hand, "I'll stay here with your things, Arisen. You'll naught but weigh yourself down traveling on escort with wares."
He stopped suddenly, "Point well-made.. Well then. We'd aught stay rested, Arya." He plopped down on the bed, "My body is ready for you, Han Na."
Arya flinched, "W-wait what?
Han Na walked to the bed and raised her dark blue robe, exposing her leg, which was surprisingly chubby.
"Lecher."
Suddenly, she stomped Ike into the bed, causing it to dent slightly in the middle.
"Gwah!" As her foot raised from his stomach, Ike held his gut, curled up. "Such cruelty... Why can't you just reject me like normal women!?"
Arya laughed, slightly relieved that they had such a playful relationship as Arisen and pawn.

After another strange story at her bedside about a lesbian bandit leader and her pet cyclops, Han Na grabbed Arya's hand. "Earlier.."
"Yes, I know. I... I don't want to be stricken by grief."
"At the loss of your pawn?"
"Yes," Arya responded, as she turned to face Han Na.
"And pretending to be happy will change that?"
Arya was silent. Rethinking her behavior made her feel silly, delusional even. Han Na's casual attitude made her grief seem even more ludicrous. Besides, Ceres was never technically alive in the first place.
The white-haired pawn smiled, "Fight harder for them. Not just your pawn, but the people you've lost and will lose and never get back."
Arya gave a saddened smile in return for her encouraging words. As Han Na got up to leave, she stopped her.
"Why do you reject Ike?"
Han Na chuckled a bit and went to sit down on the bed. "Why do you think?"
"Do pawns not feel... Lust?"
"Oh, we do, ser. I daresay I feel it more than my master does."
Arya sat up, "Why not quench it, that.. urge..?"
Han Na turned to face her. "I'm not worthy of my master's touch. I'm not fit to defile him with my inhuman body."
Arya was silent, Han Na leaned into her, "You're feeling it now, are you? Even though I'm a woman?" There was no reply, Arya just looked away.
There was the momentary touch of Han Na's soft pale hand against her face, then suddenly her scarlet lips pressed into Arya's.
"Your mouth is ice cold.. Although I'm certain I'm not the one you're thinking about."
The Hearthstone Arisen lightly touched her lips with her finger, "I'm sorry, I--"
"If you give your body to someone you're not in love with, you are only being used. Remember that."
Arya looked in Han Na's eyes. "You're not unworthy, Han Na. You love him."
The pawn chuckled in response, "Very funny. Goodnight, ser."

"...Goodnight."