Roses and Thorns

7- Chasing Her Own Tail

"I told you so." Ace tells me when I next meet him in the Pantry. It's late and Asha is buried deep into Ace's side, even though she should be long asleep. We've been at it for a while and the third round of cider is just settling in. I've made it a point never to underestimate him because of a few pints, however. Ace can hold far more than I, though he rarely drinks save for on special occasions.

It's probably a testament to how low everyone's expectations are at this point that me holding conversation with my sister is considered a "special occasion". Still, I dare not waste the merriment, so I just nod along. "It was a good moment."

"She seemed lucid, too, right?" he presses.

"Incredibly. Then again, we didn't do much besides just crying on top of each other, so she could have been out of it and I wouldn't notice. Whatever she does to herself, it's strong." My ears perk. "Actually, I think it might be ambrosia. It's a deliberate counter to her Empath abilities- if she takes in happiness, smells it, eats it, she can't sense anyone else's emotions."

"When did she start?"

"Where this all started, Ace."

"Three years." Ace's eyes shine with an old longing.

Asha yawns, kneading his fur more. She couldn't have been much older than six back then.

"It feels like so much longer, doesn't it?" I say.

"She was Asha's age. I can hardly imagine anything happening to someone that young. Nothing like that."

"Who's my age?" asks Asha. "Also, can I have some more to drink? I want another fancy one."

Rye, being the maternal Canis she is, has taken it upon herself to make an entire non-alcoholic menu for Asha's sake. Before we can even ask her, though, Morgan comes out with an ornately decorated bowl and sets it down at Asha's place. "Thanks, Morgie!"

The raven-furred Canira dips her head. It's hard to gauge her expression given her masklike face, but I think she'd be smiling if she could.

Ace turns back to me, eager to continue the conversation. "So do you think this means she's getting better?"

"Honestly, I don't know what to make of Ivy, but we can cross out Shea as a suspect, so that's... something. At this point, I'll take any progress I can get on the case."

Ace sighs. "I'm rooting for you, Rose. Just remember-"

"It won't bring her back? Ace, everyone has told me. I know. That's not why I'm doing it."

His eyes grow cold. "No. I was going to remind you that you have allies, more than you think. You're not alone." He shakes his head. "I miss her too."

I push away the cider, sure I've had well past enough.

The roar from the other table grows louder. A bolt of lightning shakes the room and Duncan Violaera slams against the wall. "That's right!" Nimbus calls. "Think before ya bet against a Canira next time!"
"And you're going to let her get away with that? This is a robbery!" yells Missel, the second oldest sibling.

"Do you want to go?" howls Nimbus.

"What do you think they're so excited about?" I ask Ace. "More importantly, are they quite alright?"

"Not a clue..." Ace squints. "And they'll be fine. Probably."

Someone throws a bowl across the room and Rye jumps the bar and walks in their direction. This can only end so well.

Blitz appears with another round of drinks. I wave his cider away, even as the scent of apple and her spices hits my nose and makes me ravenously hungry. Blitz sighs and explains, "They're discussing the merchants. Anue's cutting up wages and everyone's discussing turning in stuff for barter, but there's a good deal of gambling that goes on too. Most exciting time of the year, isn't it? Renwick and Rizan always bring the best goods for the harvest."